AN AIR CLEANING ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The subject matter as described herein, relates generally to an intake system of a saddle type vehicle and more particularly, to an air cleaning assembly for a saddle type vehicle with a swinging power unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] An air cleaning assembly is provided in a motor vehicle for filtering the incoming environmental air and introduce it to a carburettor of an engine. It is needed to protect the engine by removing undesirable foreign matter like moisture, dirt, dust, chaff etc. from the incoming air which have the potential to damage the engine.

[0002] The environmental air is drawn into the air cleaning assembly through an air inlet tube made of an elastic material. However, the air channels may deform during the suction pull causing a reduction in the flow area. Further, due to increasing demand of engine performance and consequently on the volume of air intake, the air inlet tube is made as large as possible to introduce more air in the air cleaning assembly. Using a larger air inlet tube would still twist the air channels and reduce the flow area during suction pull. An alternative would be to substitute the elastic material of the air inlet tube by plastic material. But doing so is contrast to the requirement that the noise level should be kept minimum during the air suction. Therefore, the conventional art is unsatisfactory and a room for improvement exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An object of the present subject matter is to strengthen the air cleaning assembly to prevent reduction in the flow area of the air inlet tube during the suction pull. Another object of the present subject matter is to disclose an air cleaning assembly having an air inlet tube and prevent twisting of its air channels during suction by the engine.

[0004] To this end, the present invention discloses an air cleaning assembly for a saddle type vehicle with a swinging power unit having an air inlet tube. The air inlet tube comprises of a receiving member having a first set of air channels. A buttressing sleeve is detachably supported on the receiving member and has a second set of air channels juxtaposed on the first set of air channels for directing air into the receiving member. The buttressing sleeve is held and supported on the receiving member. In another embodiment, the buttressing sleeve is fastened to the receiving member. The buttressing sleeve is made of a plastic material while the air inlet tube is made of an elastic material. Hence, the buttressing sleeve when assembled with the receiving member of the air inlet tube provides rigidity to the air inlet tube and prevents twisting of the air channels.

[0005] The foregoing objectives and summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, and is not limiting. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present subject matter as well as the subject matter itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the ensuing detailed description of the subject matter and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of a conventional scooter type vehicle.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an air cleaning assembly mounted on a power unit of a saddle type vehicle.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the air cleaning assembly.

[00010] FIG. 4(a) shows a side view of the first embodiment of the air inlet tube supporting a buttressing sleeve.

[00011] FIG. 4(b) shows an exploded view of FIG. 4(a).

[00012] FIG. 4(c) shows a top view of FIG. 4(b).

[00013] FIG. 5(a) shows a sectional view of the air inlet tube assembled with the buttressing sleeve along an axis X-Y of FIG. 4(a).

[00014] FIG. 5(b) shows a sectional view of FIG. 4(a) along the long axis of the air inlet tube.

[00015] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the air inlet tube supporting the buttressing sleeve.

[00016] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the air inlet tube along the axis A- A of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00017] The subject matter disclosed herein is now explained with the help of rendered FIGs. 1-7. The present invention relates to an air cleaning assembly for a saddle type vehicle with a swinging power unit which is exemplified with a two wheeled scooter type motorcycle for better illustration. It is to be noted that "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" referred to in the ensuing description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the scooter type motorcycle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers to a front to rear axis relative to the said motorcycle, while a lateral axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the said motorcycle. Various other features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places.

[00018] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of the scooter type motorcycle (hereinafter 'motorcycle'). The motorcycle 1 includes a frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together supporting the body of said motorcycle. A lower half of the front portion of the motorcycle 1 has a steerable front wheel 2 and a driven rear wheel 4 driven by driving force generated by a power unit 14. The front wheel 2 of the motorcycle 1 is axially supported at a lower end of a front fork 3, and the front fork 3 is pivoted in a steerable manner in a head pipe of the motorcycle frame. The head tube receives a steering tube to provide manual control over the motorcycle.

[00019] The upper half of the front portion of the motorcycle 1 comprises of a handle bar 7 attached to an upper end of the head pipe. The handle bar 7 is connected to the steering tube. The handle bar 7 and a seat 12 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 9 which functions as a step through space. The seat 12 for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rearwardly of the floorboard 9. A utility box (not shown) is provided below the seat 12 for storing useful articles. A side trim member 13 laterally beneath the floorboard 9 is provided to cover the lower frame members from being visible. The side trim member 13 is laterally present on both sides of the motorcycle; however, only one is visible in the side view. A side stand fixed to the left side of the frame supports the motorcycle such that motorcycle can incline to the left side without falling.

[00020] In the said motorcycle, the power unit 14 is configured to drive, and is swingably supported on, the rear wheel 4. The power unit 14 is integrally formed with a forwardly inclined engine and a transmission system, and the rear wheel 4 is connected to a drive shaft at the rear of the power unit 14. In an embodiment of the present invention, the engine is a four stroke single cylinder internal combustion engine.

[00021] The vehicle frame is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front cover assembly 16, a rear cover 15, an under seat cover 10, a left side cover 11 and a right side cover. The right side cover is symmetrical to the left side cover and hence not shown. The front cover assembly 16 covers the steering tube from the front. From the rear, the steering tube and other supported vehicular components are covered by the rear cover 15 which also faces the vehicle rider. The rear cover 15 is disposed below a headlamp unit 5, and is secured to and fixedly connected to the front cover assembly 16. The headlamp unit 5 is arranged forwardly of the handle bar 7 and towards the upper end of the steering tube. It is surrounded by a visor 6 from the front direction.

[00022] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an air cleaning assembly according to the present invention. The air cleaning assembly 20 is mounted on the power unit 14 of the saddle type vehicle through a two point mounting. The air cleaning assembly 20 comprises of a pre filter member 21, post filter member and a filter element disposed between the pre filter member and the post filter member. The post filter member and the filter element are already known in the art and hence not explained here. The pre filter member 21 has an air intake port 22 formed integrally with the pre filter member 21. In an embodiment, the air intake port 22 is located at an upper portion of the pre filter member 21. An air inlet tube 30 is accommodated in the air intake port 22 through which the environmental air is sucked in the air cleaning assembly 20 and directed towards the filter element.

[00023] FIG. 4(b) illustrates the perspective view of the air inlet tube according to the present invention. The air inlet tube 30 is an inverted L-shaped tube comprising a receiving member 32 and a conduit member 31. The air inlet tube 30 is accommodated in the air intake port 22 through the conduit member 31 which is not visible from outside. To support the air inlet tube 30, ribs are provided on the outer surface of the conduit member 31 through which the air inlet tube is snap fitted to the pre filter member 21. On the other hand, the receiving member 32 disposed upwardly of the conduit member 31 pops out of the pre filter member 21 and receives the incoming air from the environment. The receiving member 32 has a first set of air channels 33 (FIG. 3) through which the environmental air is sucked in the air cleaning assembly and further directed towards the filter element by the conduit member 31. The first set of air channels 33 is made of a plurality of individual air channels equally spaced apart from each other.

[00024] To minimize the noise occurring during suction pull, the air inlet tube is made of an elastic material, for e.g., rubber. But the suction causes change in profile and dimensions of the individual air channels 33 which has a negative effect on the air flow rate. Hence, the air cleaning assembly further comprises of a buttressing sleeve 40 for strengthening the receiving member 32 and directing air into it. The buttressing sleeve 40 is supported on the receiving member 32 and includes an upper edge 41 at its upper portion and a lower edge 42 at its lower portion. Through these edges, the buttressing sleeve 40 is supported outwardly of the first set of air channels 33 of the receiving member 32.

[00025] FIG. 4(c) shows a top exploded view of FIG. 4(b). According to an aspect, the buttressing sleeve 40 comprises a second set of air channels 43 at positions corresponding to the first set of air channels 33. The second set of air channels 43 have a plurality of individual air channels equally spaced apart from each other. When the buttressing sleeve 40 is overlaid outwardly of the receiving member 32, the second set of air channels 43 are juxtaposed on the first set of air channels 33 so that each individual air channel of the first set of air channels 33 is co-axial to each individual air channel of the second set of air channels 43. The dimensions of the first set of air channels 33 is larger than the second set of air channels 43 due to which the second set of air channels are juxtaposed on the first set of air channels. Each individual air channel in the second set of air channels 43 is protruded towards the receiving member 32 to aid in supporting the buttressing sleeve 40 on the receiving member 32.

[00026] According to another aspect, the shape of the second set of air channels 43 conforms to the shape of the first set of air channels 33. The shape of the second set of air channels 43 is such that it is easily received in the first set of air channels 33. In an embodiment, the first set and second set of air channels is circular in shape. In another embodiment, the first set and second set of air channels is rectangular in shape. In yet another embodiment, the first set and second set of air channels may be oval in shape. In a further embodiment, the first set of air channels is rectangular in shape whereas the second set of air channels is circular in shape.

[00027] Further, the buttressing sleeve 40 is detachably supported on the receiving member 32 of the air inlet tube 30. To this end, in a first embodiment, an inner edge of the receiving member 32 further comprises of an upper rib 34 and a lower rib 35, both extending outwardly of the receiving member 32. FIG. 4(a) shows the assembled buttressing sleeve 40 with the receiving member 32 according to the first embodiment. The buttressing sleeve 40 is supported between the upper rib 34 and the lower rib 35. The buttressing sleeve 40 is pushed into the receiving member 32 so that the second set of air channels 43 are juxtaposed onto the corresponding first set of air channels 33. In doing so, the upper rib 34 receives and holds the upper edge 41 while the lower rib 35 receives and holds the lower edge 42 of the buttressing sleeve 40. The upper rib 34 and the lower rib 35 form an outer boundary external to upper edge 41 and lower edge 42 of the sleeve 40 and prevent it from falling from the air inlet tube as shown in FIG. 5(b). The buttressing sleeve 40 can be detached by pulling it out of the receiving member 32.

[00028] FIG. 6-7 show a second embodiment of the air inlet tube 30 detachably supporting the buttressing sleeve 40 by way of press fit. In this embodiment, the receiving member 32 on each side includes a first flange 36 laterally extended from an edge of the receiving member 32. Each first flange 36 has a receiving hole 37. Further, the buttressing sleeve 40, on each side, includes a second flange 44 laterally extended from its lateral edge. Each second flange 44 comprises a protruding pip 45. During assembly, each protruding pip 45 of the second flange 44 is received in each receiving hole 37 of the first flange 36 of the receiving member 32 and is snap fitted into it.

[00029] In a further embodiment, the first flange 36 and the second flange 44 both have a receiving hole. An external engaging member, for e.g. a fastener or a screw, is pushed into receiving hole so that it holds the buttressing sleeve onto the receiving member 32.

[00030] The buttressing sleeve 40 is preferably made of plastic material like plastic resin whereas the air inlet tube 30 is preferably made of an elastic material, for e.g., rubber. Therefore, when buttressing sleeve 40 is held onto the receiving member 32, the incoming environmental air is first received into the second set of air channels 43 juxtaposing the first set of air channels 33. The second set of air channels 43 is hence not prone to any twisting due to suction pull and hence, prevents reduction in the flow area of the incoming air experienced previously.

[00031] The present invention can also be extrapolated to an air inlet tube whose receiving member only has a single wider first air channel rather than a set of air channels. In this embodiment, the buttressing sleeve would have a conforming single second air channel which is received into the first air channel. Even in this case, the second air channel will prevent distortion of the first air channel of the receiving member.

[00032] The present subject matter is thus described. The description is not intended to be exhaustive nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified in light of the above description. The embodiments described are chosen to provide an illustration of principles of the invention and its practical application to enable thereby one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore the forgoing description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that described in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An air cleaning assembly (20) comprising: a pre filter member (21) comprising an air intake port (22), a post filter member, a filter element disposed between the pre filter member and the post filter member, characterised in that, an air inlet tube (30) is accommodated in the air intake port (22) and having a receiving member (32) and a conduit member (31), the receiving member (32) having a first set of air channels (33), wherein a buttressing sleeve (40) is supported on the receiving member (32) and having a second set of air channels (43) for directing air into the receiving member (32), and the second set of air channels (43) of the buttressing sleeve (40) are juxtaposed on the first set of air channels (33) of the receiving member (32).

2. The air cleaning assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the second set of air channels (43) is received in the first set of air channels (33).

3. The air cleaning assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buttressing sleeve (40) is detachably attachable.

4. The air cleaning assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buttressing sleeve (40) comprises of an upper edge (41) at an upper portion and a lower edge (42) at a lower portion; and the receiving member (32) comprises of an upper rib (34) and a lower rib (35) for receiving the upper edge (41) and the lower edge (42) of the buttressing sleeve (40).

5. The air cleaning assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving member (32), on each side, includes a first laterally extended flange (36) with a receiving hole (37).

6. The air cleaning assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the buttressing sleeve (40), on each side, includes a second laterally extended flange (44) with a protruding pip (45) received in the receiving hole (37) of the receiving member (32).

7. The air cleaning assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air inlet tube (30) is an inverted L-shaped tube.

8. The air cleaning assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the air inlet tube (30) is made of an elastic material and the buttressing sleeve (40) is made of a plastic material including plastic resin.

9. A saddle type vehicle comprising an air cleaning assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims.