DESC:Field of invention

The present invention relates to air intake system for commercial vehicles, and more particularly, the present invention relates a system for protecting air filter
from water and dust during servicing and maintenance activity.

Background of the invention

Air filter is well known device which is used all across automotive industry to protect engine and its parts from dust and other fluid media, which affects engine performance. The air filter is widely used along with air intake system. Regular servicing and maintenance activity ensures driver that his/her vehicle is in good condition to drive. While servicing the vehicle, there are very high possibilities to disturb the air filter with water and other liquid mediums thereby degrading the air filter life and engine life which further effects fuel efficiency. Normally, in the commercial vehicles most of the servicing is done in uncovered places where this concern is more visible. So there is necessity to protect the air filter from water or any water like medium while conducting servicing activity.

Figure 1A shows an air intake system of a commercial vehicle. The air intake system comprises a snorkel, a rubber bellow (hump hose), an air filter, ducts and hoses. The bellow (hump hose) is a flexible open joint on the snorkel which allows the detachment of the air intake system when a cabin of the vehicle is tilted.

Further, Figure 1B shows cabin tilting operation of the vehicle during servicing and maintenance, wherein top part of the air intake system which is fitted on the cabin gets detached and moves with the cabin and when the cabin is tilted back to its normal position, and the air intake system closes again. This feature is common in most of the commercial vehicles. The problem arises when the cabin is in tilted position and water enters the air intake system through the open bottom part of the layout. This happens during servicing of the vehicle in rain or during cleaning. Even a small amount of water entry to the filter may damage the filter elements and over a period of time will affect the air filtration efficiency and ultimately be harmful to the engine.

Various prior arts patent and patent applications have tried a solution to the problem of protecting the air filter from water and dust during cleaning and servicing of the vehicle. Specifically, PCT application WO2014098712A1 discloses air intake system. The system comprises a first joined section which is fixedly connected with the cabin unit and a second jointed section which is fixedly connected with the vehicle frame, and a coupling device to releasably connect first and second jointed sections with each other. Further, second jointed section forms an inlet to an air filter which is arranged on the vehicle frame. When the cabin unit is tilted forward from the lowered position to the raised position second jointed section automatically come into a sealing engagement with this, when the cabin unit is turned back from the raised position to the lowered position the first coupling part rests against the second coupling part.

Another PCT application WO0184035A1 discloses arrangement and method for sealing and locking a dividable coupling between a first duct part and a second duct part. First duct part being fastened firmly to the engine and second duct part being fastened firmly to the air filter. Further, it also provides a method for sealing and locking a dividable coupling between a first duct part and a second duct part. Where duct parts are brought into coaxially overlapping engagement with one another in an engagement zone within which a hollow locking and sealing ring is provided.

Yet another US patent 3016109A discloses air filter. Air filter is provided with four flaps and all are hinged around inner edges of the openings.

However, most of the proposed solution in the patent/patent applications cited above are complex, has some servicing and spare parts cost related issues. Further, none of the cited prior art throws light on effectively protecting air filter when cabin gets tilted.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a system for protecting the air filter from water and dust when the cabin is in tilted position, and which overcomes drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to protect an air filter from water and dust when cabin gets tilted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking unlocking flap mechanism in an air intake duct of the air filter to protect the air filter from water and dust.

Yet another object of the present invention is to increase the life of the air filter.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for protecting an air filter from water and dust during servicing and maintenance of a vehicle. The system comprises an air filter having an air intake pipe, and a pair of hinged flaps secured to inner edge of the air intake pipe. Specifically, each hinge of the pair of hinged flaps is loaded with a spring.

The system further comprises a snorkel attached to a cabin of a vehicle and a pair of flap openers attached to the snorkel. Specifically, each flap openers of the pair of flap openers is an elongated plate/pipe.
When the snorkel is in contact with the air intake duct of the air filter, the pair of flap openers pushes the pair of hinged flaps of the air filter inwards thereby keeping the air inlet duct open and when the snorkel is away from the air intake duct of the air filter, the pair of flap openers moves along with the snorkel and thus opens the pair of hinged flaps of the air filter such that the pair of hinged flaps closes the air inlet duct.

Brief description of the figures

The objectives and features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1A shows a conventional air intake system fitted on a cabin of vehicle;

Figure 1B shows operation of a cabin tilt and detachment of snorkel form air intake system of figure 1A;

Figure 2 and 2A shows a system for protecting an air filter from water and dust, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 2 B shows arrangement of flaps and unlocking mechanism of the system of figure 2 and 2A when cabin is in non-tilted position.

Detailed description of the present invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides a system for protecting an air filter from water and dust, in accordance with the present invention. The system protects the air filter from water and dust when cabin gets tilted. Further, a locking unlocking flap mechanism of the system configured in an air intake system of the air filter protects the air filter from water and dust. Thus the system increases the life of the air filter.

For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater depth in the accompanying figures and description herein below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views/figures.

Referring now to figure 2 and 2A, there is shown a system (100) for protecting an air filter from water and dust during servicing and maintenance of a vehicle, in accordance with the present invention. The system (100) prevents water entry into the air filter when a cabin is in tilt position.

As shown in figure 2, an air filter (10), a snorkel (20) and a cabin (30) of a vehicle are shown. The snorkel (20) is operably attached o the cabin (30). As shown in figure 2A, the system (100) includes an inbuilt locking unlocking flap mechanism into the bottom part of the air intake pipe (12) of the air filter (10).

Specifically, the air intake pipe (12) includes a pair of hinged flaps (14 and 16). In an embodiment, the flap (14) is larger in length than that of the flap (16). The flaps (14 and 16) are secured to inner edge of the air intake pipe (12) by means of hinges (14a) and (16a) respectively. Furthers, the each hinge (12a, 14a) is loaded with spring (not shown).

Further, the system (100) comprises a pair flap openers (22, 24) attached to a snorkel (20) of the vehicle. The pair flap openers (22, 24) are aligned with the pair of hinged flaps (14 and 16).

In an embodiment, each flap opener of the pair of the flap openers (22, 24) are elongated plates or pipes attached to the snorkel (20) such that when the snorkel (20) is in contact with the air intake duct (12) of the air filter (10), the pair of flap openers (22, 24) pushes the pair of flaps (14,16) inwards thereby keeping the air inlet duct (12) open and when the snorkel (20) is away from the air intake duct (12) of the air filter (10), the flap openers (22, 24) also moves along with the snorkel (20) and thus opens the flaps (14,16) such that the flap (14, 16) closes the air inlet duct (12).

In another embodiment, the lengths of the flap openers (22, 24) are carefully designed for efficient opening sequence of flaps (14, 16). As shown in figure 2A, the length of the flap opener (22) is less that the flap opener (24). The length of the flap openers (22, 24) and the flaps (14,16) makes the flap (16) to open first and then the flap (14) opens to avoid any interference of the flaps among themselves and also to close the air inlet duct (12) to form a leak proof covering to prevent water/dust.

In an operation, during servicing of the vehicle, when the cabin (30) goes up during tilting operation, the snorkel (20) also goes up along with the pair of flap openers (22, 24) which releases the pair of spring loaded hinged flaps (14, 16). As described earlier, the pair of flaps (14, 16) length are designed in such a way that when fully closed they form overlapping structure which covers the open duct of the air filter (10) to avoid water/dust entry post cab tilting.

After the servicing operation, when the cabin (30) comes down, the flap openers (22, 24) comes down along with the snorkel(20) and pushes the flaps (14, 16) downwards, which opens the duct passage of the air filter (10) for normal air to flow as shown in figure 2B.

Advantages of the invention

1. The system (100) provides simple flap locking unlocking mechanism for protecting the air filter during servicing and maintenance of the vehicle.
2. The system (100) provides ease of serviceability, and accessibility
3. The system (100) provides reduction in chances of hydrostatic lock due to water entry and engine seizure.
4. The system (100) increases life of air filter and thereby engine life, increases fuel economy and minimal clogging
5. The system (100) provides reduction in warranty costs, risk free cleaning/servicing of vehicle during rain and also customer satisfaction.

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

,CLAIMS: A system for protecting an air filter from water and dust during servicing and maintenance of a vehicle, the system comprising:
an air filter having an air intake pipe,
a pair of hinged flaps secured to inner edge of the air intake pipe, each hinge of the pair of hinged flaps is loaded with a spring;
a snorkel attached to a cabin of a vehicle; and
a pair of flap openers attached to the snorkel, wherein each flap openers of the pair of flap openers is an elongated plate/pipe,
wherein, when the snorkel is in contact with the air intake duct of the air filter, the pair of flap openers pushes the pair of hinged flaps of the air filter inwards thereby keeping the air inlet duct open and when the snorkel is away from the air intake duct of the air filter, the pair of flap openers moves along with the snorkel and thus opens the pair of hinged flaps of the air filter such that the pair of hinged flaps closes the air inlet duct.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the one flap opener of the pair of flap opener is less that a second flap opener.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one flap of the pair of hinged flaps is larger in length than a second flap of the pair of hinged flaps.