DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air cleaner systems used for an internal combustion engine and more particularly to cartridge type air cleaner system.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Generally, an internal combustion engine is functionally connected to a rear wheel of a vehicle to provide a forward motion to it. The internal combustion engine comprises of a cylinder bore where the combustion occurs to provide the needed power for the forward motion of the vehicle. The internal combustion (IC) engine, among other components, has a cylinder on top of which a cylinder head is mounted, and receives a reciprocating piston from the bottom. On combustion of the air-fuel mixture, the piston transfers the energy generated during combustion to a crankshaft through a connecting rod thereby driving the crankshaft. In this way, the reciprocatory motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the crankshaft. The crankshaft rotation then in turn powers the vehicle.
[0003] However, for this whole process to occur an ample amount of filtered air is required. Mostly, the air content comprises of water vapor or dust and other impurities which may cause poor engine combustion efficiency, or even cause damage to the vehicle engine. Thus, the intake structures for the internal combustion engine include an air filter to eliminate the impurity, after which filtered air is introduced into the vehicle engine for combustion.
[0004] Typically, filtered air is guided in a carburetor through an intake tube, and the air introduced into the carburetor is then mixed therein with a fuel, the mixture being supplied to the engine for combustion. Most engines include air cleaner systems for screening the air before it enters the engine. These air cleaner systems normally comprise of a filter element positioned within the engine's air intake passage. The filter element is frequently positioned in a passage having an air inlet opening through which atmospheric air is induced in the system. However, it is the filter element used which needs due care and attention. Generally, the filter elements used are delicate and break down while being removed or assembled during services. On some occasions the filter element is assembled along with a mounting guide to provide it with a proper support. However, in such cases the rider has to let go the mounting guide as well when the filter elements is being replaced. Thus, replacement cost increases in such scenarios. Hence, it is desired to have an air cleaner system comprising of a filter element which is easy to access and assemble during servicing without breaking it. In addition to it, it is also required to reduce the replacement cost existing in already known systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the exemplary two-wheeled vehicle comprising of a utility box and frame assembly according to a known prior art.
[0008] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a filter element (30) used in an air cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the filter element used in the air cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of partial assembly of air cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00011] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a front portion of the air cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter
[00012] Figure 7 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the air cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00013] Figure 8 illustrates an exploded view of the air cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00014] Typically, vehicles comprise of a frame assembly which includes a head tube and a main frame. The vehicle may have an internal combustion engine, which is mounted to the frame assembly. Typically, the internal combustion engine being the power unit is swingably connected to the main frame. Generally, the internal combustion engine comprises of an intake system which further comprises of an air cleaner system, a carburetor and an intake manifold. This intake system supplies air and fuel mixture to the engine in a desired proportion. Such an air cleaner system for being used in the vehicle, receives air from atmosphere through a filter element, supplies the air to carburetor via air cleaner system and is subsequently drawn inside the internal combustion engine through an air intake pipe.
[00015] Moreover, the air cleaner system is needed to remove dirt, other foreign substances and moisture content present in the air before the air is fed to the engine. In such a case, placement and packaging of the air cleaner system plays key role. A filter element disposed within the air cleaner system filters the dust and other undesired constituents of air and the filtered air obtained is introduced inside the internal combustion engine. Generally, the filter element is of a cartridge type or a paper type with small pores which allow air to pass and filter the dust particles and other undesired constituents of the air. A cartridge type filter element generally comprises of a filter material (generally a filter paper) arranged in a tubular or a substantially cylindrical shape. The unfiltered air enters the filter media from the outer lateral surface and diffuses into the inner hollow space from where it is carried out as a filtered air. The filter element for an air cleaner is manufactured using a highly delicate material which often breaks into slices while the filter element is pulled out for servicing or pushed in during assembly. A filter element with a mounting guide when pushed into the air cleaner aligns the whole filter body to couple with an outlet aperture to carry the filtered air to a tube outlet. According to prior art, since, the mounting guide is integrated with the filter element, a replacement of a filter element leads to discarding of mounting guide along with the filter element which increases the replacement cost of the filter.
[00016] Hence, an objective of the present subject matter is to provide an air cleaner system for an internal combustion engine. The air cleaner system is employed with a filter element which filters the atmospheric air entering in. As per the present subject matter, the filter element to be provided is easily accessible and can sustain while servicing. According to an additional aspect, the replacement cost for the air cleaner system is to be reduced.
[00017] In an embodiment, the present subject matter describes an air cleaner system which is efficient compared to flat paper filters and wherein easy and systematic inspection and maintenance can be performed. The present invention describes a centrifugal air cleaner system (cartridge type air filter) to perform the above mentioned functions. In an embodiment of the present invention, a filter paper with two ends is described wherein on at least one end of the paper filter a sheet metal retainer is attached which provides firmness to the filter paper due to which the damaging of filter paper during removing and replacing while servicing can be avoided. The other end of the paper filter is preferably equipped with a PU (poly urethane) retainer and is provided with a mounting guide which helps in locating outlet of the filter paper to a tube outlet.
[00018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet metal retainer is further provided with a handle for easy grip while removing or replacing the filter paper. As per the present subject matter, the filter paper is made accessible via an access plate. By removing the access plate and by holding said handle, the filter paper can be removed due to which removal of the whole air cleaner system can be avoided thereby reducing the servicing time by a considerable amount. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a mounting guide is provided which is integrated with a post filter body instead of being integrated with the filter paper due to which replacement cost of the filter is also reduced. Thus, the present subject matter enables an air cleaner system comprising of filter element which is easily accessible and easy to service and assemble. Furthermore, the present subject matter also reduces the replacement cost which was high in the previous known systems.
[00019] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00020] Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicated R direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denoted downward direction, an arrow Rh denotes right side, an arrow Lh denoted left side, as and where applicable.
[00021] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary scooter type vehicle (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle comprises of a main frame assembly (1) made of carbon fiber and resin material and is conventionally an underbone chassis frame which provides a generally open central area to permit “step-through” mounting by a rider. Typically, the frame assembly (1) comprises of a head tube (2), a main tube (3), and a pair of side tube LH (4) and side tube RH (5) (only one shown). The head tube (2) is disposed towards the front portion, wherein the main tube (3) extends downwardly and rearwardly from the head tube (2) forming a flat horizontal step-through portion (3S). The other end of the main tube (3) is connected with the pair of side-tubes (4, 5) through a bracket (not shown).
[00022] The head tube (2) is configured to rotatably support a steering tube (not shown) and further connected to the front suspension system (6) at the lower end. A handlebar support member (not shown) is connected to an upper end of the steering tube (not shown) and supports a handlebar assembly (9). The upper portion of a front wheel (7) is covered by a front fender (8). The pair of side-tubes (4, 5) extend from the other end of the main tube (3) being disposed parallel on either side of the vehicle (10) width direction. Each of the said side tube (4, 5) extends from the main tube (3) in an upward inclined fashion and gradually after a certain length extends rearward in a substantially horizontal and parallel fashion being placed in the vehicle widthwise direction. A plurality of cross pipes (not shown) is secured in between the pair of side-tubes (4, 5) at selected intervals to support vehicular attachments including a utility box (12), a seat assembly (11) and a fuel tank assembly (not shown). The vehicle furthermore, comprises of a side panel LH (23) and side panel RH (not shown) which covers the side tubes (4, 5) and covers the vehicle (10) structure from the sides.
[00023] Generally, the utility box (12) is supported between the side tube LH (4) and side tube RH (5) so as to be disposed below the seat (11). A fuel tank assembly (not shown) may be disposed on between the rear portions of the pair of the side-tubes (4, 5). The vehicle (10) further comprises of a rear wheel (13) covered by a rear fender (14) with a tail light (15) disposed above it and a support bar (16) place above the tail light (15) at the end of the seat assembly (11). The rear wheel (13) is supported towards the rear side of the main frame (1) by an internal combustion (IC) engine (19) which is horizontally coupled swingably to the rear of the frame assembly (1) of the two-wheeled vehicle (10) through a rear suspension system (17). The IC engine (19) transfers the drive directly to the rear wheel (13) as it is coupled directly to it through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system (18). The vehicle further comprises of an air cleaner assembly to provide filtered air to the internal combustion engine (19) for combustion. The present invention is applicable for a two-wheeled vehicle and three-wheeled vehicle as well. Hence the term vehicle has been used interchangeably which comprises of both.
[00024] Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of the exemplary two-wheeled vehicle (10) as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The present figure depicts the utility box (12) to be placed between the side tube LH (4) and side tube RH (5). The vehicle further comprises of a fuel tank (not shown) surrounded by rear portion of the utility box (12) from front and by the side tube RH (5) and side tube LH (4) from the sides. In an embodiment, the side panel LH (23) and side panel RH cover said side tube LH (5) and side tube RH (5).
[00025] Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a filter element (30) used in an air cleaner system (as shown in Fig. 5) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the filter element (30) comprises of filter paper (34) which helps in filtering of the atmospheric air. As per the present subject matter, a sheet metal retainer (32) and a PU retainer (33) is provided to enable structural support and contain the filter paper (34) from both the ends. Furthermore, the two ends of the lateral surface of the filter paper (34) are closed with the sheet metal retainer (32) from a first end and with the PU retainer (33) from a second end. In an embodiment, the end with the sheet metal retainer (32) thereby forms a rigid end and the end with the PU retainer (33) forms a non-rigid end. In an embodiment, the sheet metal retainer (32) is preferably crimped on the filter element (30) at one end to hold the filter element (34). The PU retainer (33) which forms a non-rigid end is preferably attached to filter element (30) using a suitable adhesive.
[00026] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the filter element (30) used in the air cleaner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, a sheet metal mesh (41) is provided to provide structural rigidity to wrap the filter paper (34) and provide a tubular structure to the filter body. In an embodiment, the sheet metal retainer (32) at the first end is used to push the filter element (30) while assembly or pull out the filter element (30) during servicing, In addition to it, the PU retainer (33) incorporates an aperture (35) which performs a sealing function of providing a passage for filtered air to travel after being filtered to the internal combustion engine (19).
[00027] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of partial assembly of air cleaner system (50) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the air cleaner system (50) comprises of an air inlet (53) through which atmospheric air enters. Furthermore, the air cleaner system (50) comprises of an access plate (51) fastened to the pre filter body (52) using plurality of fasteners. In an embodiment, the access plate (51) can be removed to access the filter element (30). Moreover, the filter body (30) also comprises of a handle (55) attached on the sheet metal retainer (32) which is accessible once, the access plate (51) is removed. In an embodiment, the handle (55) can be held to pull or push the filter element (30) outside and inside through an opening (O) provided on pre filter body (52) during assembly and servicing respectively. The filter element (30) is partially accommodated in opening (O) of the pre filter cover (52), wherein the access plate (51) covers said opening (O). Furthermore, the access plate (51) comprises of slots (56) through which it is mounted on the pre filter body (52) using screws. In an embodiment, the second end of the filter element (30) with the PU retainer (33) faces a post filter cover (54). The aperture (35) provided on the filter element (30) is accommodated in a mounting guide (57) formed on the post filter cover (54). The mounting guide (57) is inserted inside the aperture (35) such that the outer periphery of the mounting guide (57) is sealed by the aperture (35). In an embodiment, the air cleaner system (50) comprises of a pre filter area (58) formed between the pre filter body (52) and access plate (51).
[00028] Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a front portion of the air cleaner system (50) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the air inlet (53) provided in the air cleaner system (50) allows an entry of unfiltered atmospheric air. In an embodiment, the filter element (30) comprises of a hollow portion (62) surrounded by the filter paper (34) sheet metal retainer (32), PU retainer (33) and sheet metal mesh (41). After entering in, the unfiltered air surrounds a lateral portion of the filter element (30), passes through the filter paper (34) to enter the hollow portion (62) and then exit through the aperture (35) formed on the PU retainer (33). Furthermore, the filtered area is then induced inside the tube outlet (64) and fed to the internal combustion engine (19) through fuel air mixing apparatus.
[00029] Fig. 7 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the air cleaner system (50) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, an air flow path F-F’ within the air cleaner system (50) is shown. The atmospheric air enters the air cleaner system (50) through the air inlet (53). In an embodiment, foam (71) is wrapped around the filter paper (34) to protect it from getting extra dirtier. During normal servicing, the foam (71) once cleaned can solve the purpose of free flow of air to the air cleaner unit. After entering through the air inlet (53) the atmospheric air passes through the filter body (30) to enter the hollow portion (62). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting guide (57) is inserted inside the aperture (35). Thus, filtered air passes through the hollow portion (62) to flow out from the aperture (35) and enter the internal combustion engine (19). In an embodiment, the access plate (51) attached to the pre filter body (52) is to be removed when the filter element (30) needs to be accessed or serviced.
[00030] Fig. 8 illustrates an exploded view of the air cleaner system (50) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As per the present subject matter, atmospheric air enters through air inlet (53) formed on pre-filter body (52). After which it passes through the foam (71) to enter and react with the filter body (30). Furthermore, the air passes through the filter paper (34) to enter the hollow portion (62) formed within the filter body (30). The aperture (35) formed on the PU retainer (33) of the filter body (30) is accommodated in the mounting guide (57) formed on the post filter cover (54), such that the filtered after flows out from the hollow portion (62) through the aperture (35). After that the filtered air enters a post filter area (81) formed between post filter cover (54) and a second post filter body (80). In an embodiment, the air filter system (30) comprises of tube outlet (64) which is connected to the internal combustion engine (19) and through which filtered air leaves the air cleaner system (30) and enters the internal combustion engine (19). In an embodiment, the air cleaner system comprises of access plate (51) attached to the pre filter body (52). The filter element (30) can be accessed when the access plate (51) is removed. The filter element comprises of handle (55) which is used to push or pull the filter element (30) such that the filter paper is never tampered with.
[00031] Thus, the present subject matter provides an air cleaner system (50) with a filter element (30) comprising of a filter paper (34). The air cleaner system (50) comprises of an access plate (51) attached to the pre filter body (52). The access plate (51) is to be removed when the filter element (30) needs to be accessed or removed. In addition to it, the filter paper (34) is wrapped around a sheet metal mesh (41) to provide it with a structural support. In addition to it, a sheet metal retainer (32) is provided on one side, and a PU retainer (33) on the other side of the filter element (30). A handle (55) is provided on the sheet metal retainer (32) which can be used to assemble or remove the filter element (30) without tampering the filter paper (34). Thus, the present subject matter provides a structural rigidity to the filter element (30) which that the filter paper (34) is not tampered or broken when it is accessed.
[00032] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.
,CLAIMS:1. A vehicle (10) comprising:
a main frame assembly (1) comprising a head tube (2) formed at a front portion of said vehicle (10) and a main tube (3) extending in a downward and rearwardly direction from said head tube (2) to form a step through structure (3S);
an internal combustion engine (19) swingably attached to rearmost portion of said step through structure (3S) of said main tube (3); and
an air cleaner system (50) comprising a filter element (30) enabled to filter atmospheric air entering therein, and wherein said air cleaner system (50) comprises a pre filter area (58) formed between a pre filter body (52) comprising an opening (O) enabled to partially accommodate said filter element (30) and an access plate (51) accessible from at least one of left hand side and right hand side of said vehicle (10), and wherein said access plate (51) is attached to said pre filter body (50) to cover said opening (O) and allow an easy access of said filter element (30),
2. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said access plate (51) comprises of slots (56) enabled for mounting of said access plate (51) to said pre filter body (52) using screws.
3. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter element (30) comprises a filter paper (34) being held by a sheet metal retainer (32) on one end.
4. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said filter paper (34) is wrapped around a sheet metal mesh (32) with said sheet metal retainer (32) disposed on one end.
5. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sheet metal retainer (32) comprises a handle (55) attached thereto.
6. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter element (30) is accessible through said opening (O) with said handle (55) after removal of said access plate (51).
7. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter element (30) comprises of a PU retainer (33) disposed on other end with an aperture (35) formed therein.
8. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air cleaner system (50) comprises a post filter area (81) formed between a post filter cover (54) and a second post filter body (80) disposed after said PU retainer (33) with a tube outlet (64) attached to said second post filter body (80).
9. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said post filter cover (54) comprises a mounting guide (57) enabled for accommodation of said aperture (35) formed on said PU retainer (33).
10. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter element (30) is covered by a foam (71) wrapped around it.