CN115315574A

CN115315574A - Air filter assembly

Info

Publication number: CN115315574A
Application number: CN202180021911.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·维贾亚巴克尔; A·慕斯拉加; T·约基; M·布巴兰; S·巴拉古鲁
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-26
Filing date: 2021-03-16
Publication date: 2022-11-08
Also published as: MX2022010808A; EP4127445A1; BR112022019372A2; WO2021191922A1

Abstract

The present subject matter relates to an air cleaner assembly (200) for use in applications such as automotive vehicles (100). The air cleaner assembly (200) includes a partition wall (220) configured to support a filter assembly (270), and the partition wall (220) separates a front filter portion (210) and a rear filter portion (215). The controlled inlet member (225) is disposed adjacent the outer peripheral portions (211, 212) of the pre-filter portion (210), defining a controlled inlet passage (226) therebetween. The air cleaner assembly (100) remains in place on the motor vehicle (100) while reducing the ingress of contaminants into the air cleaner assembly (200).

Description

Air filter assembly

Technical Field

The present subject matter relates generally to an air induction system, and more particularly to an air cleaner assembly forming a portion of an air induction system.

Background

Air intake systems are commonly incorporated into various industrial systems for providing filtered air. One such area where air induction systems play an important role is in automotive/motor vehicles for supplying filtered air to engine components. Generally, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a three-wheeled motor vehicle includes a frame assembly that serves as a framework for the motor vehicle and a structural member that supports various vehicle loads. At least one front wheel is connected to the front portion of the frame assembly by one or more front suspensions. The frame assembly extends toward a rear portion of the motor vehicle. At least one rear wheel is connected to the frame assembly by one or more rear suspensions. The frame assembly supports an engine assembly mounted thereto. The engine assembly is functionally connected to at least one wheel that provides forward/rearward motion to the vehicle. The engine assembly has, among other functional components, a cylinder block and a reciprocating piston slidable within the cylinder block. When the air-fuel mixture is combusted, the piston transmits energy generated during the combustion to a crankshaft through a connecting rod, thereby driving the crankshaft. The air-fuel mixture is supplied to the engine assembly through an intake system. The air intake system includes an air filter assembly that supplies filtered air to mix with fuel for combustion.

Drawings

The detailed description of the present subject matter is made with reference to an embodiment of a two-wheeled saddle-type straddle-type vehicle and the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals are used to refer to like features and functional components.

Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 3 illustrates a partially exploded view of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 4 (a) shows a schematic, cut-away view of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 4 (b) shows another schematic, cut-away view of an air cleaner assembly according to embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 6 (a) shows a perspective view of a controlled inlet member forming part of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 6 (b) illustrates another perspective view of a controlled inlet member forming part of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of selected portions of a motor vehicle and an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Detailed Description

Typically, in motor vehicles, an air cleaner is connected to the air intake of the engine assembly. A fuel supply, such as a carburetor or fuel injector, supplies fuel that is mixed with air from the air cleaner. Such an air-fuel mixture is supplied to the engine assembly for combustion within the combustion chamber. Air cleaners typically filter contaminants or foreign particles that attempt to enter the air intake of the engine assembly. However, when the density of the foreign matter or foreign particles is very high, there is a possibility that some portion of the foreign matter or foreign particles bypasses the air cleaner and enters the intake port of the engine assembly. Such ingress of impurities or foreign particles is essential when the air cleaner assembly is used for a long time due to wear and tear of the filter. The combustion of such air-fuel mixtures with impurities or foreign particles can affect the combustion process and can lead to deposits in the combustion chamber, on the piston or on the spark plug due to improper combustion, thus affecting the function of the respective functional component. Improper combustion or deposition can also affect the combustion efficiency of the engine assembly.

Typically, filtered impurities/foreign particles filtered by the filter element tend to accumulate on the filter element. For example, foreign matter or foreign particles (hereinafter, simply referred to as "foreign matter") including dust, dirt, moisture, etc. may accumulate on the filter element to form a layer on the filter element, causing clogging, hindering air from entering. In addition, the formation of such layers affects the air permeability of the power unit/engine assembly. The engine assembly requires a predetermined volume of air for combustion to occur, whereby the desired power and torque can be generated. Such a requirement is critical when the power unit is operating at higher speeds (RPM/RPM), where the rate of intake and exhaust is high. Further, when the paper type filter member is used, the filter member may be damaged due to dust, mud, moisture, or the like. The paper type filter member is damaged, whereby foreign substances enter the air inlet through the damaged filter, thereby scrapping the filter member. This would require frequent replacement of the filter member, making it an expensive and cumbersome maintenance task. Furthermore, in the case of filter elements made of sponge-type material, a layer of impurities still forms, so that the sponge also needs to be cleaned and/or replaced frequently.

Further, in a two-or three-wheeled vehicle, the power unit is disposed near at least one front wheel or at least one rear wheel. Further, an air cleaner is connected to the engine assembly, which may be disposed near the front or rear wheels. For example, in some motor vehicles, an air cleaner is disposed in a front portion of the motor vehicle and rearward of at least one front wheel. In certain other types of motor vehicles, an air cleaner is provided in a rear portion of the motor vehicle. Therefore, the air cleaner located near the front/rear wheels makes it easier for the foreign substances to enter due to the rotation of the wheels, which disturbs the dust and dirt on the road, causing the dust and dirt to be sucked into the air cleaner. This problem of drawing impurities into the air cleaner is exacerbated under certain dusty road conditions. Further, in certain other motor vehicles, an air cleaner is disposed in a rear portion of the motor vehicle and is located near the power unit. The power unit may be stationary or swing. In such a vehicle, the air cleaner may be disposed toward one lateral side of the motor vehicle for sucking air, which results in the air cleaner being liable to suck foreign substances.

Typically, in the prior art, in order to change the entry point of air into the air cleaner, it has been suggested to use certain solutions for connecting the air cleaner to other functional components of the motor vehicle. For example, an air filter may be connected to the frame assembly so as to admit air through one of the tubes of the frame assembly. However, the connection of the air cleaner to the frame assembly may affect the structural integrity of the frame assembly because the connection portions will be formed on the frame assembly, and the leak-proof connection between the air cleaner and the frame assembly is also a major challenge because maintenance may require frequent assembly and disassembly. In addition, servicing of individual systems also becomes a challenge, as maintenance of one system may require interference with another system/feature, which is undesirable.

Furthermore, another prior art solution is to change the position of the air filter to a position remote from the power unit, typically located near the front or rear wheels, in order to reduce the ingress of impurities into the power unit. In such a case, the length of the intake duct connecting the air cleaner and the power unit becomes long, which increases the cost. Furthermore, the intake pipe may have to undergo some bending, which will affect the flow of the intake air and thus the performance of the power unit due to the disturbed flow. Furthermore, accommodating the air cleaner in a new location would require significant changes to the layout of the motor vehicle to accommodate the air cleaner and to accommodate the new wiring of the air intake, which increases design and manufacturing costs. This may actually affect the available real estate on the motor vehicle. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved air cleaner that overcomes all of the above-referenced problems and others in the prior art.

Accordingly, the present subject matter provides an improved air cleaner assembly that reduces impurities during intake air. The air cleaner assembly forms part of an air induction system of a motor vehicle, and the air cleaner assembly can remain in an existing location on the motor vehicle while effectively reducing the ingress of contaminants into the air cleaner assembly without requiring a change in location. Furthermore, the present subject matter provides a cost-effective solution without requiring any changes to the layout of the motor vehicle.

In one embodiment, the air cleaner is mounted to a motor vehicle that includes an engine assembly mounted thereon. The engine assembly is either fixedly mounted or swingably mounted to the frame assembly. Furthermore, an electric motor may be provided as the traction motor or the auxiliary motor. The present subject matter enables an air cleaner assembly to be disposed at a portion proximate at least one front wheel, at a mid-portion between the at least one front wheel and the at least one rear wheel, or at a rear portion proximate at least one rear wheel. The air filter assembly includes an outlet tube connected to an engine assembly of the motor vehicle.

The air cleaner assembly includes a controlled inlet member coupled to an outer peripheral portion of a front filter portion of the air cleaner assembly, thereby defining a controlled inlet passage for air to enter. The controlled inlet member is configured to admit air into the air cleaner assembly in a direction other than a direction opposite to a direction of movement of the motor vehicle in a forward direction. In a preferred embodiment, air enters the air cleaner assembly from a rearward opening of the air cleaner assembly. Impurities entering the air cleaner assembly are substantially reduced as compared to an air inlet configured to allow air to enter substantially in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the motor vehicle.

The air cleaner assembly of the present subject matter utilizes an existing configuration of the air cleaner assembly, retaining it at an existing location, and the controlled inlet member is configured to utilize an outer peripheral portion of a front filter portion of the air cleaner assembly. The controlled intake member is formed using minimal material to use the existing peripheral wall of the air cleaner assembly, thereby achieving a low cost solution. Further, the present subject matter is configured to be retrofittable to existing air cleaner assemblies.

In one embodiment, the controlled inlet member is configured to form a controlled intake passage, and further, the controlled inlet member is configured to cause a change in direction of air entering the air cleaner assembly. One feature of the present subject matter is that the controlled inlet member can be retrofitted to existing air cleaner assemblies.

In one embodiment, an air cleaner assembly having a controlled inlet member is configured to abut a functional component of a motor vehicle, thereby utilizing an existing functional component of the motor vehicle without changing the layout of the motor vehicle. The air cleaner assembly forms an additional impurity limiting system with the functional component, whereby the functional component performs an additional secondary function in addition to the designated primary function.

In one embodiment, air entering the controlled intake passage travels in an upward direction, whereby the flow direction is opposite to the direction of gravity, causing particulate impurities that may have entered the filter assembly to decelerate and be filtered by settling at a bottom portion of the air filter assembly, and eventually to be discharged through one or more drain plugs.

In one embodiment, the controlled inlet member includes at least one upwardly inclined portion defined at an inclined angle, the upwardly inclined portion configured to change a flow direction of air in an upward direction to flow against gravity. The angle of inclination is set in the range of 15 to 75 degrees to provide an upward air flow. In one embodiment, more than one tilt angle is provided to provide a smooth transition of the change in direction.

In one embodiment, the air cleaner assembly includes one or more intermediate inlets provided with one or more control orifices to restrict impurities from entering the pre-filter section. At the same time, the one or more apertures increase the velocity of the air, which subsequently causes the air to disperse in the pre-filter portion in order to reduce the velocity and separate impurities. The air cleaner assembly is provided with a plurality of drain plugs, for example, at the front and rear filter portions, to remove foreign substances from the air cleaner assembly.

In one embodiment, the controlled inlet member is configured to cause a change in the direction of flow of air entering the air cleaner assembly, whereby particulate matter and any moisture entering through the air inlet region accumulates on the walls of the air cleaner assembly to function as another stage of filtration.

In one embodiment, the air cleaner assembly includes a wall portion disposed proximate the intermediate inlet, the wall portion configured to further restrict ingress of contaminants such as moisture and dirt. Due to the one or more apertures provided on the intermediate inlet, air reaching the wall portion accumulates on the wall portion and the accumulated impurities/(condensed) moisture is discharged through the drain plug. Only air is deflected from the wall portion and reaches the filter assembly for further filtering.

In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a foam filter member and a paper filter member. A paper filter element is arranged behind the foam filter element. In other words, the foam filter member is disposed upstream of the paper filter member. Even in the case where moisture or dust enters the air cleaner assembly, the foam filter member restricts foreign substances from reaching the paper filter member, thereby protecting the paper filter member.

In one embodiment, the controlled inlet passage defined by the controlled inlet member is provided with a conical inlet region (having a conical cross-section at its downstream portion). After the conical inlet area, the air is dispersed, causing a reduction in the velocity of the suspended impurities, causing the impurities to reach the bottom portion due to gravity.

In one embodiment, the intermediate inlet has a first length in a first direction and the wall portion has a second length in said first direction, the second length being substantially greater than the first length. Thus, air entering through the intermediate inlet of smaller length is decelerated by the wall portion of larger length provided in the pre-filter portion, wherein the larger wall portion serves as a restricting member for impurities and moisture. Subsequently, the air becomes dispersed, causing impurities to accumulate in a lower portion of the air cleaner assembly to be discharged.

In one embodiment, the air filter assembly is disposed adjacent at least one of a crankcase or a crankcase cover of the swing engine assembly. The air inlet region is formed as a result of a sandwich-type mounting of the controlled inlet member between a portion of the air cleaner assembly and the crankcase. The crankcase or crankcase cover thus serves as a first functional component of the motor vehicle. The first functional component may vary depending on the configuration of the motor vehicle and based on the location of the air filter assembly on the motor vehicle.

The air inlet region, which is sandwiched between a portion of the air cleaner assembly and the first component of the motor vehicle, serves as an additional filtering region having a very narrow cross-section for the entry of air. The air then passes through a controlled inlet passage defined by a controlled inlet member. Thus, the first component may be at least one of a crankcase or a crankcase cover of the engine assembly. Thus, the air inlet portion provides a narrow passage for air to enter the air cleaner assembly, limiting the entry of contaminants into the air cleaner assembly.

In one embodiment, the air filter assembly is configured with an inlet area on a side of the air filter assembly disposed away from the wheel. For example, on the outward facing side of the air cleaner assembly. The air cleaner assembly is mounted on the engine assembly itself without the need to provide a new mounting location for the air cleaner assembly.

In one embodiment, the engine assembly is fixedly mounted to a frame assembly of the motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the air cleaner assembly is disposed at a center portion of the motor vehicle and adjacent a side panel of the motor vehicle. The air inlet area is formed by a space sandwiched between a portion of the air cleaner assembly and a side panel of the motor vehicle. In another embodiment, an air cleaner assembly is disposed below the seat assembly and above the rear fender, and the air inlet area is sandwiched between a portion of the air cleaner assembly and one of the seat assembly or the rear fender.

In one embodiment, the air filter assembly is disposed in a rear compartment of the motor vehicle and the air inlet region is sandwiched between a portion of the air filter assembly and the rear compartment of the motor vehicle.

The arrow provided in the upper right corner of each figure describes the direction relative to the motor vehicle, with arrow F representing the forward direction, arrow R representing the rearward direction, arrow Uw representing the upward direction, arrow Dw representing the downward direction, arrow RH representing the right side, and arrow LH representing the left side, as the case may be.

Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. Vehicle 100 includes an engine assembly 110, and engine assembly 110 is swingably supported by a frame assembly (not shown) of motor vehicle 100. The engine assembly 110 serves as a power unit for the motor vehicle 100, wherein the power unit may also include a traction/electric motor (not shown). The engine assembly 110 includes a crankcase 111 for supporting various functional components thereof. The engine assembly 110 is either swingably or fixedly mounted to the frame assembly via the crankcase 111. Motor vehicle 100 includes rear wheels 120, with rear wheels 120 being functionally coupled to engine assembly 110 through a driveline (not shown). A pair of front forks 125 support front wheels 130 and are operably supported by a head tube (not shown) of the frame assembly. A handlebar assembly 135 is connected to the pair of front forks 125 for steering the motor vehicle 100.

The motor vehicle 100 of the present embodiment includes a stride pass portion 140. The seat assembly 145 is disposed rearward of the stride pass portion 140 and is supported by a pair of rear tubes (not shown) of the frame assembly. The rear cover assembly 150 is disposed below the seat assembly 145, and the rear cover assembly 150 extends toward a rear portion of the motor vehicle 100. According to the present embodiment, the air cleaner assembly 200 is provided at the rear portion of the motor vehicle 100. The air cleaner assembly 200 is coupled to an air intake (not shown) of the engine assembly 110. An exhaust system (not shown) is connected to the engine assembly 110 and extends in a rearward direction along the length of the vehicle.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The air cleaner assembly 200 comprises an outlet duct 205, the outlet duct 205 being connected to the engine assembly 110 of the motor vehicle 100, in particular to the air intake. Air cleaner assembly 200 includes a front filter portion 210, a rear filter portion 215, and a partition wall 220. In one embodiment, the outlet tube 205 is disposed substantially along a transverse center plane (shown in phantom line C-C') of the motor vehicle 100. The inlet region 250 is disposed at a lateral offset relative to the lateral center C-C and on an outward facing side of the air cleaner assembly 200, away from at least one front wheel or at least one rear wheel. Air cleaner assembly 200 includes a controlled inlet member 225 coupled to pre-filter portion 210. The controlled inlet member 225 is disposed adjacent an outer peripheral portion of the air cleaner assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the controlled inlet member 225 is disposed adjacent to the first perimeter wall 211 and the second perimeter wall 212 (shown in FIG. 3) of the pre-filter portion 210. The controlled inlet member 225, the first peripheral wall 211, and the second peripheral wall 212 define a controlled inlet passage 226 therebetween. Further, in one embodiment, a Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) chamber 240 is provided that is connected to the post-filter portion 215. In addition, the air cleaner assembly 200 includes an extension 245 for attaching a baffle 246 (shown in fig. 3), the baffle 246 for blocking foreign substances. The baffle 246 extends in a downward direction for blocking foreign substances from reaching a front portion of the air cleaner assembly 200.

An air cleaner assembly having a controlled inlet member 225 is disposed adjacent a first functional component (not shown) about which the air cleaner assembly 200 is supported or abutted. Air cleaner assembly 200 draws air A1 from the atmosphere, preferably in the same direction as the direction of movement of motor vehicle 100. The front filter portion 210 is provided with a drain plug 230 for draining any liquid (or moisture condensed into a liquid) entering the front filter portion 210 of the air cleaner assembly 200. Similarly, another drain plug 231 is provided at the rear filter portion 215. In addition, the air cleaner assembly includes a breather hose 232. Several of the foregoing elements are depicted in fig. 4 (a) with

reference numerals

230, 231, 232.

Fig. 3 depicts an exploded view of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The post-filter portion 215 substantially serves as a center portion of the air cleaner assembly 200. The partition wall 220 serves as at least one side wall of the post-filter portion 215. The partition wall 220 is provided with an integrated housing 265 for supporting the filter assembly 270. The front filter portion 210 is secured to the rear filter portion 215 by a plurality of fasteners. The partition wall 220 is provided with a passage (not shown) to enable communication between the front filter portion 210 and the rear filter portion 215. For example, the passage may be an aperture or hole disposed behind the filter assembly 270. Filter assembly 270 may be disposed substantially along one of lateral direction RH-LH, longitudinal direction F-R, and at an angle relative to lateral direction RH-LH and longitudinal direction F-R. In this embodiment, filter assembly 270 substantially protrudes into pre-filter portion 210. The pre-filter portion 210 also shares a dividing wall 220 to form a pre-filter volume. For simplicity, the components that form the pre-filter portion 210 itself are labeled as the pre-filter portion 210. In one embodiment, the controlled inlet member 225 is mounted to the front filter portion 210 and is provided with an air inlet opening A1 in the direction of movement of the motor vehicle 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the air A1 intake into the air cleaner assembly 200 is disposed in the direction of motion F of the motor vehicle 100. For example, a motor vehicle typically operates in a forward direction F, and air A1 enters the air cleaner assembly 200 from a rearward opening in a forward direction. Impurities entering the air cleaner assembly 200 are substantially reduced as compared to an air inlet configured such that air enters substantially in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the motor vehicle. Further, the controlled inlet member 225 may be selectively secured to one or both of the pre-filter portion 210 and the post-filter portion 215. The controlled inlet member 225 is independently removable from the front filter portion 210. In another embodiment, the controlled inlet component 225 is detachable with the pre-filter portion 210.

The front filter portion 210 includes a first intermediate inlet 255, wherein air A1 entering the air cleaner in a controlled manner enters the front filter portion 210 through the first intermediate inlet 255. In addition, a second intermediate inlet 260 is provided for air to enter the pre-filter section 210. In one embodiment, the second intermediate inlet 260 is capable of providing controlled access of air to the front filter portion 210. The air then enters through the filter assembly 270 and into the post-filter portion 215. Further, the outlet tube 205 extends into the post-filter portion 215, and an outwardly extending end of the outlet tube 205 is connected to a carburetor or throttle body (not shown) for regulating air flow into the engine assembly 110 or other general system of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, air cleaner assembly 200 includes a PCV chamber 240 connected to post-filter portion 215. The PCV chamber 240 is provided with an inlet port 241. The inlet port 241 is connected to a portion of the motor assembly 110. For example, a hose may be used to connect the crankcase or cylinder head cover to the inlet port 241 for venting oil vapors from the engine assembly 110 to the PCV chamber 240. Further, the oil vapor that reaches the PCV chamber 240 condenses, whereby the oil will be drained from the PCV chamber 240, and any uncondensed oil vapor and air will be sent to the post-filter portion 215. Thus, any oil vapor and similar emissions from the engine assembly 110 will be sent back to the engine assembly 110 for combustion.

FIG. 4 (a) depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the cross-section being taken along the axis X-X' shown in FIG. 2. Fig. 4 (b) depicts another schematic cross-sectional view, taken along the axis Y-Y' shown in fig. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 5 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The controlled inlet member 225 is coupled to one of the pre-filter portion 210 and the post-filter portion 215 of the air cleaner assembly 225. The controlled inlet member 225 abuts one or more

peripheral walls

211, 212 that form an outer peripheral portion of the air cleaner assembly 200. The first peripheral wall 211 extends along a downward portion of the front filter portion 210 (as depicted), and the second peripheral wall 212 extends substantially along a vertically disposed portion of the front filter portion 210. Air A1 from the atmosphere enters the air cleaner assembly 200 through an inlet formed by a controlled air inlet 225, the controlled air inlet 225 preferably being arranged such that the direction of air entering the air cleaner assembly 200 is different from the direction of air flow onto the motor vehicle 100. Since the direction of air entering the air cleaner assembly is different from the direction of air flow onto motor vehicle 100 (during forward motion), the impurities entering the air cleaner assembly are reduced.

Furthermore, the air inlet region 250 of the air filter assembly 200 is arranged such that the air inlet region 250 is sandwiched between a portion of the air filter assembly 200 and a portion of the first functional component of the motor vehicle 100, thereby forming a preliminary controlled passage for air entry even before the controlled air passage 226, thereby effectively restricting entry of foreign matter. In one embodiment, the controlled inlet member 225 is configured to form a controlled intake passage, and further, the controlled inlet member 225 is configured to change the direction of air entering the air cleaner assembly 200. The controlled inlet member 225 may be retrofitted to existing air cleaner assemblies and, in one embodiment, the controlled inlet member 225 is sandwiched between a portion of the air cleaner assembly and a functional component of the motor vehicle 100. For example, in one embodiment, the first functional component of the motor vehicle may be a crankcase of the engine assembly 110. The first functional component is not limited to the crankcase and may include any functional component of the motor vehicle 100 that is disposed adjacent to the air cleaner assembly.

Air A1 entering the air cleaner assembly 200 in a controlled manner passes through the controlled air inlet 225. In this embodiment, the air A2 passing through the controlled air inlet 225 travels in an upward direction, whereby the flow direction is opposite to gravity, whereby heavy particulate impurities that may have entered will be restricted from further entry. For example, as shown in fig. 4 (b), the controlled inlet member 225 provides at least an upward slope defined at an inclination angle α, β, wherein the direction of air flow is in an upward direction against the flow of gravity. According to the present embodiment, the inclination angles α, β are obtained with reference to an imaginary plane parallel to the inlet region 250, and the inclination angles α, β are set in the range of 15 to 75 degrees to provide an upward air flow.

Subsequently, the air A2 enters the intermediate inlet 255, the intermediate inlet 255 being provided with a further controlled opening/control aperture 256. According to the present embodiment, the air A2 undergoes a change in flow direction. Due to the change in flow direction, the air A3 impinges against the walls of the intermediate inlet 255, further filtering the particulate matter, and any incoming moisture accumulates on the walls of the intermediate inlet 255, thereby acting as another stage of filtration. Air A3 enters pre-filter portion 210 through second intermediate inlet 260. Thus, the air A1 undergoes multiple stages of control and filtering as it reaches the pre-filter portion 210. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the second intermediate inlet 260 is provided with

control orifices

261, 262 for controlling the flow of air A3.

A wall portion 266 is disposed proximate the second intermediate inlet 260, the wall portion 266 being a portion of the integral housing 265, the wall portion 266 further configured to limit the ingress of contaminants such as moisture and dust. The air A3 reaching the wall portion 266 accumulates any particulate matter and moisture that will flow along the wall portion 266 to/through the lower portion and then be expelled through the drain plug 230. According to the present embodiment, the air A3 is further deflected by the wall portion 266 and enters the filter assembly 270 in the lateral direction.

Accordingly, the air cleaner assembly 200 includes a first intermediate inlet 255 disposed at a downstream portion of the controlled intake passage 226 and a second intermediate inlet 260 disposed after the first intermediate inlet (255). At least one of the first intermediate inlet 255 and the second intermediate inlet 260 is provided with one or

more control orifices

256, 261, 262 to regulate the air flow. The

control orifices

256, 261, 262 act as filters to limit the ingress of impurities and also to increase the velocity of air passing therethrough. The air is then dispersed in the following chamber, e.g. due to the air dispersion causing a reduction in velocity, resulting in gravity acting on the suspended particulate impurities.

Further, as shown in fig. 4 (a), the filter assembly 270 includes a foam filter member 271 and a paper filter member 272. A paper filter element 272 is provided behind the foam filter element 271. Thus, the two-stage filter assembly 270 serves as an additional stage of dust filter even when the motor vehicle 100 is traveling on a dusty road or off-road. Even in the case where moisture or dust enters the air cleaner assembly 200, the foam filter member 271 restricts foreign substances from reaching the paper filter member 272. Further, in one embodiment, the air cleaner assembly 200 is provided with dummy plugs 209 for connecting to the discharge hoses of the carburetor, throttle body, or the like. In addition, the rear filter portion 215 is provided with one or more rib members 219 for serving as a structural integrity reinforcement member to support the PCV chamber 240, the filter assembly 270, the front filter portion 210, and other functional components of the air cleaner assembly 200.

Furthermore, the controlled inlet passage 226 defined by the inlet member provides a conical inlet region 227 with a conical cross-section at its downstream portion. The first width W1 at the cone inlet region 227 of the controlled inlet passage 226 is significantly less than the second width W2 at the downstream portion before the first intermediate inlet 255. The controlled inlet passage 226 includes a tapered profile at the tapered inlet region 226, and thereafter the extended cross-section defined by the controlled inlet passage 226 is configured to reduce the velocity of the incoming air A1, thereby reducing the velocity of the suspended impurities, resulting in the impurities reaching the bottom portion due to gravity.

Subsequently, the air enters the front filter portion 210 through the second intermediate inlet 260 having the first length L1 (in the first direction). The first direction includes a vertical direction Uw-Dw. Immediately adjacent to the second intermediate inlet 260, the wall portion 266 is provided with a second length L2 that is significantly greater than the first length L1. Accordingly, the air entering the front filter portion 210 is dispersed in the front filter portion 210, thereby causing the air to be diffused. This reduces the velocity of the air entering the pre-filter portion 210, thereby reducing the velocity of the impurities suspended in the air, which are eventually expelled through the drain plug. In addition, suspended impurities in the air impact the wall portion 266, causing particles reaching the bottom portion of the pre-filter section 210 to accumulate on the wall portion 266 and then be discharged through the drain plug. In one embodiment, the second length L2 is at least 1.5 times the first length L1 so as to provide a larger wall portion to block impurities in the air from being dispersed in the front filter portion 210.

Further, referring to fig. 5, air cleaner assembly 200 is disposed adjacent to functional components of motor vehicle 100. Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the crankcase 111, and the air cleaner assembly 200 is disposed adjacent the crankcase 111. In the present embodiment, controlled inlet member 225 is disposed such that an air inlet region 250 is formed as a result of being sandwiched between a portion of air cleaner assembly 200 and crankcase 111, which is a first functional component of the motor vehicle disposed adjacent the air cleaner assembly. The first functional component may vary depending on the configuration of the motor vehicle and based on the location of the air cleaner assembly 200 on the motor vehicle 100.

Fig. 6 (a) depicts a perspective view of a controlled inlet component according to embodiments of the present subject matter. Fig. 6 (b) depicts another perspective view of a controlled inlet component according to embodiments of the present subject matter. The controlled inlet member 225 may be configured to be retrofittable to existing air cleaner assemblies. The controlled inlet member 225 is configured to provide an inlet area to the air cleaner assembly such that the direction of air entering therein is changed to reduce impurities. In one embodiment, the pre-filter portion including the controlled inlet member 225 is configured to regulate the ingress of air into the air cleaner assembly.

The controlled inlet member 225 forms at least part of the transport structure for forming a passage for air into the air cleaner assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the controlled inlet member 225 includes one or more

complementary walls

290, 291 for forming the controlled intake passage 226. The one or more walls 290 are configured to be disposed adjacent the one or more

peripheral walls

211, 212, the

peripheral walls

211, 212 forming a peripheral portion of the air cleaner assembly 200, thereby defining the controlled inlet passage 226. Further, the controlled inlet member 225 is provided with an access aperture 292 provided on the

complementary walls

290, 291 and a sealing member 293 for accessing the aperture 292. In one embodiment, the sealing member 293 is removably attached. The controlled inlet member 225 is configured to use existing mounting portions on the air cleaner assembly 200. The controlled inlet member 225 is provided with

fastening portions

294, 295, 296, the

fastening portions

294, 295, 296 serving to fix the controlled inlet member 225 to the partition wall 220 (shown in fig. 3) of the air cleaner assembly 200. The controlled access member includes a curved portion 297 to enable access to a fastener (not shown) through the access aperture 292. The access portion 292 is configured to access any fasteners concealed by the controlled inlet member 225.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of selected components of a motor vehicle and an air cleaner assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The engine assembly 110 includes a crankcase 111, and a crankcase cover 111C is mounted on a side of the crankcase 111. A cylinder block 112 is mounted to the crankcase 111, and a cylinder head 113 is mounted to the cylinder block 112. An adjustment member 115 such as a carburetor or a throttle body is connected to the cylinder head 113. The air cleaner assembly 200 is connected to the conditioning member 115. The air cleaner assembly 200 is disposed adjacent a first functional component defining an inlet area 250, and the air cleaner is sandwiched between the first functional component (e.g., the crankcase 111 and the crankcase cover 111C) and a portion of the air cleaner assembly 200 to provide a controlled flow of air in addition to a controlled inlet passage 226 defined by a controlled inlet member 225. Further, the controlled inlet member 225 of the air cleaner assembly 200 provides a direction of air A1 entering the air cleaner, wherein the direction is the same as the direction of movement of the motor vehicle 100 in the forward direction.

The air cleaner assembly 200 provides an inlet region 250 on a side of the air cleaner assembly 200 remote from the rear wheel 120 (in this embodiment) of the motor vehicle. The mounting of the air cleaner assembly 200 to the engine assembly 110 itself eliminates the need for a new mounting location for the air cleaner assembly.

It should be understood that 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 light of the above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of the claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of reference numbers:

100 motor vehicle 241 entry port

110 motor assembly 245 extension

111 crankcase 246 baffle

Air inlet area of 111C crankcase cover 250

112 first intermediate inlet of cylinder block 255

113 cylinder head 256 controlled opening

115 adjusting member 260 second intermediate inlet

120 rear wheel 261/262 control orifice

125 front fork 265 integrated shell

130 front wheel 266 wall portion

135 handle assembly 270 filter assembly

140 stride pass portion 271 foam filter element

145 seat assembly 272 paper filter member

150 rear cover assembly 290/291 complementary walls

200 air cleaner assembly 292 access aperture

205 outlet pipe 293 sealing member

209 imitation plug 294/295/296 fastening portion

Pre-210 filter portion 297 bend

211/212 peripheral wall (outer peripheral portion) W1 first width

215 post-filter portion W2 second width

219 rib member L1 first length

220 second length of partition wall L2

225 controlled inlet member alpha/beta tilt angle

226 controlled inlet passage

227 conical inlet region

230/231 drain plug

232 air hose

240 Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) chamber

Claims

1. An air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100), the air cleaner assembly (200) comprising:

a pre-filter portion (210);

a post-filter portion (215);

a partition wall (220) configured to support a filter assembly (270), the partition wall (220) separating the pre-filter portion (210) and the post-filter portion (215); and

a controlled inlet member (225);

the controlled inlet member (225) is disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral portion (211, 212) of the pre-filter portion (210), a controlled inlet passage (226) being defined between the controlled inlet member (225) and the outer peripheral portion (211, 212).

2. The air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controlled inlet member (225) is coupled to one of the front filter portion (210) and the rear filter portion (215) of the air cleaner assembly (225), and the controlled inlet member (225) abuts one or more peripheral walls (211, 212) forming the outer peripheral portion (211, 212) of the air cleaner assembly (200).

3. The air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controlled inlet member (225) defines a controlled intake passage (226), and the controlled intake passage (226) includes an upwardly inclined portion disposed at an inclination angle (a, β), wherein the inclination angle is in a range of 15 degrees to 75 degrees.

4. The air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the air cleaner assembly (200) includes a first intermediate inlet (255) disposed at a downstream portion of a controlled intake passage (226) and a second intermediate inlet (260) disposed after the first intermediate inlet (255), and at least one of the first intermediate inlet (255) and the second intermediate inlet (260) is provided with one or more control orifices (256, 261, 262).

5. The air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) according to claim 4, wherein the second intermediate inlet (260) includes a first length (L1) in the first direction (Uw-Dw), the first length (L1) being less than a second length (L2) of a wall portion (266), the wall portion (266) being disposed in a front filter portion (210) of the air cleaner assembly (200) and behind the second intermediate inlet (260).

6. An air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the filter assembly (270) comprises a foam filter member (271) and a paper filter member (272), and the foam filter member (271) is disposed upstream of the paper filter member (272).

7. The air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the air cleaner assembly (200) includes a cone inlet region (227), the cone inlet region (227) having a tapered cross-section at a downstream portion of a controlled intake passage (226) defined by a controlled inlet member (225), the cone inlet region (227) including a first width (W1), the first width (W1) being substantially less than a second width (W2) at the downstream portion of the controlled intake passage (226).

8. The air filter assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the air filter assembly (200) is mounted to the motor vehicle (100), the motor vehicle (100) comprising a first functional component (111, 11C) disposed adjacent the first air filter assembly (200), the controlled inlet member (225) being disposed adjacent a portion of the first functional component (111), defining an air inlet region (265) therebetween.

9. The air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) according to claim 8, wherein the controlled inlet member (225) is configured to vary the ingress of air into the air cleaner assembly (200) in a direction other than a direction opposite to a direction (F) of forward movement of the motor vehicle (100).

10. The air cleaner assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) of claim 8, wherein the first functional component is an engine assembly (110), and the air cleaner assembly (200) is mounted above one of a crankcase (111) and a crankcase cover (111C) of the engine assembly (110).

11. The air cleaner assembly (200) for an automotive vehicle (100) of claim 8, wherein the air cleaner assembly is mounted to a frame assembly, and the first functional component includes at least one of a side panel, a rear fender, a seat assembly, an engine compartment portion, and a fuel tank of the automotive vehicle.

12. A controlled inlet member (225) for an air cleaner assembly (200), the controlled inlet member (225) comprising:

one or more complementary walls (290, 291);

the one or more complementary walls (290, 291) are configured to be disposed adjacent a perimeter portion (211, 212) of the air cleaner assembly (200), a controlled inlet passage (226) being defined between the one or more complementary walls (290, 291) and the perimeter portion (211, 212).

13. The controlled inlet member (225) for an air cleaner assembly (200) of claim 12, wherein the one or more complementary walls (290, 291) include an access aperture (292), and a seal member (293) is removably attached at the access aperture (292).