DE112016005731T5 - Device for separating impurities - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for separating contaminants 20 to reduce the flow of contaminants into the air duct (s) 22 of a vehicle air induction system 12 is described. The apparatus 20 is adapted to be mounted behind a grid 32 disposed along the front end of the vehicle 10 and in front of the air channel (s) 22. The apparatus 20 includes a planar lower surface 35 comprising: guide means 40, 42 for inducing a laminar flow of contaminated air entering through the grille 32 under the apparatus 20 to bypass the air duct (s) 22; and an inlet 44 to allow air from the laminar flow under the device 20 to enter the air passage (s) 22 of the intake system 12. Likewise, an air intake system 12 and a vehicle 10 will be described.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present disclosure relates to a device for separating impurities to reduce the flow of contaminants into the air duct (s) of an air intake system of a vehicle engine. Aspects of the invention relate to an impurity separation device, an air intake system, and a vehicle.

STATE OF THE ART

Conventional vehicles generally have an internal combustion engine that relies on adequate air supply for the proper combustion of the fuel supplied. Therefore, to provide the necessary airflow, such vehicles are typically equipped with an air induction system.

In general, the task of the air intake system is to provide ambient air from outside the vehicle to the engine. Air is drawn in via an outer intake duct and supplied to the vehicle engine via one or more air ducts. To filter dirt and other debris out of the air and prevent it from entering the engine and eventually damaging the engine, the air duct (s) are typically equipped with an air purifier that includes a filter.

In many cases, the air cleaner is sufficient to remove impurities from the intake air. However, under certain circumstances, the air drawn in through the outer intake duct may contain contaminants such as water, snow, sand, dust, or similar particles that affect the function of the air cleaner. These contaminants can obstruct the flow of air through the intake system, affecting the performance of the engine. Accordingly, it is desirable to reduce the flow of contaminants into the air duct (s) of the air induction system in order to maintain the functionality and performance of the air cleaner and the intake system as a whole.

Some vehicles have a body configured to cover the outer intake passage to reduce the flow of contaminants into the air passage (s). However, depending on the positioning of the outer intake duct and the structural limitations defined by other aspects of the vehicle, such an arrangement may not be possible and / or desirable. This may for example be the case in particular when the outer intake duct is located at the front of the vehicle.

Some vehicles have features disposed in their intake air flow path to induce a turbulent flow in the air that causes a fall in the inertia of the contaminant particles that fall under gravity from the inlet of the intake system. This strategy is accomplished by placing surfaces through which air must flow at spaced levels to create turbulence. A disadvantage is the increase of the air flow resistance, and thus reduces the backpressure in the system, the efficiency of the air intake system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide an impurity separation apparatus, an air induction system, and a vehicle according to the appended claims.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a contaminant removal apparatus for a vehicle air induction system, comprising: a planar lower surface configured to induce and / or maintain stratification in the contaminated airflow underneath, and an inlet disposed in the lower surface for allowing air to flow from below the surface to above the surface so that heavier particles remain within the contaminated airflow.

The advantage of this arrangement is that the laminar flow of air is induced by the impurity separation device, and a low pressure above the surface and a high subsurface pressure cause the intake of low inertia air through the inlet. By positioning the device above the airflow, the heavier contaminant particles are additionally prevented by gravity from entering the inlet.

In addition to the above-mentioned impurity removal device, the inlet may be an elongated slot in the lower surface which extends across the width of the device transverse to the direction of laminar flow and positioned to divide the lower surface into two coplanar surfaces.

Again, following the aspects described above, the inlet may have a leading edge and a trailing edge with the leading edge toward the front of the vehicle and the front edge Trailing edge is arranged towards the rear of the vehicle, wherein the trailing edge has a flow guiding device which extends from the lower surface in the direction of the air flow upwards.

Still further following the above, the flow guiding device may extend diagonally upwards and forwards.

Optionally, and in addition to some aspects of the above aspects, the intersection between the lower surface and the flow guide means may be a rounded edge.

Optionally, and in addition to some aspects of the above aspects, the air may be directed along an aperture defined at least in part by the flow guide means to the air induction system.

The location and shape of the inlet cause further induction and / or maintenance of the laminar flow along the flow path of the air.

In one aspect that goes beyond the above aspects, the contaminant removal device may have a substantially horizontal, planar bottom surface.

The arrangement of the planar lower surface in this aspect is parallel to the flow of contaminated air. This flow direction is caused by the forward movement of the vehicle.

The apparatus may be configured so that air enters the inlet at an angle to the direction of laminar flow. In these cases, the device may be configured so that air enters the inlet substantially perpendicular to the direction of laminar flow. This minimizes the flow of contaminant particles into the clean flow path since no component of the velocity of the contaminant particles in the laminar flow, i. H. in the direction of entry of the inlet.

The direction of the air flow in this aspect will further limit the ability of the contaminant particles to pass the inlet, again due to their inertia and their inability to change direction. In contrast, the air has a relatively low inertia and therefore can more easily change direction without causing turbulence.

The contaminant removal device may include an aerodynamic feature for conducting air under the device. In these cases, the aerodynamic feature may be in the form of a nasal area. In operation, this causes the ambient air to accumulate on the guide means and enter the laminar flow of the device.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for a vehicle comprising the device for separating impurities according to any one of the above aspects.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of extracting clean air from a contaminated air stream in a vehicle air induction system, comprising: inducing a laminar flow of the contaminated air beneath a planar surface and exhausting clean air from the laminar flow from beneath the surface above the surface through an inlet in the surface.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a contaminant removal apparatus for reducing the flow of contaminants to the air duct (s) of a vehicle engine air intake system, the apparatus for installation behind a grid disposed along the front end of the vehicle and in front of the air duct (the air ducts) is arranged adapted. The apparatus comprises: guide means for inducing a laminar flow of contaminated air entering through the grid under the device to bypass the air duct (s); and an inlet for allowing air from the laminar flow under the device to enter the air passage (s) of the intake system.

According to embodiments of the invention, air from the laminar flow under the device is drawn through the inlet into a clean flow path by the action of the engine. The large inertial mass of the contaminant particles, as compared to the air particles, allows impurities to bypass the inlet, thereby reducing the flow of contaminants into the clean flow path. Accordingly, the air entering the clean flow path contains less contaminants than the air originally drawn through the outer intake passage.

This aspect of the invention provides an apparatus that enables the provision of sufficient air supply to a vehicle engine for combustion of fuel while preventing contaminants present in the vehicle Ambient air can be present, enter the air duct (the air ducts) of a Motorluftansaugsystems. Thus, the contaminant removal apparatus according to embodiments of the invention reduces the undesirable effects of contaminants on engine air induction systems, particularly with the aim of preventing contaminants from interfering with airflow through the intake system, clogging the engine intake manifold or damaging the engine. The use of an impurity separation device according to the embodiments of the invention enables a vehicle to cover greater distances under conditions in which the ambient air has high impurity levels.

The guide means of the contaminant removal device may at least partially define the inlet. In these cases, the guide means may comprise two substantially coplanar plates, which may be spatially separated to define the inlet. The plates may be substantially horizontal and the inlet may be in the form of an elongated slot extending across the width of the device, transverse to the direction of laminar flow.

The configuration of the inlet reduces the flow of contaminants into the air channels of the intake system. For example, the geometry of the inlet ensures that the airflow velocities within the laminar flow are constant to reduce the flow of contaminants into the air passages of the intake system.

The impurity separation device may comprise a baffle and the air may be directed along an aperture defined at least in part by the baffle in the direction of the air passage (the air passages). Thus, the apparatus may be configured to direct air from the laminar flow as needed and desired into the ducts of the air induction system.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle engine air induction system comprising the contaminant removal apparatus of the preceding aspect.

The vehicle engine air induction system may include one or more air cleaners, and the contaminant removal device may be in front of the one or more air cleaners. The device for separating impurities thus receives the functionality of the / the air cleaner (s).

The air purifiers can consist of paper filter elements. In other embodiments, a synthetic filter element may be provided. Air intake systems according to embodiments of the invention may include any suitable air cleaner.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle including the engine air induction system of any preceding aspect.

The vehicle includes a radiator, and contaminated air from the laminar flow under the impurity removal device may be routed bypassing the inlet to the radiator. Thus, the contaminated air can be used advantageously for engine cooling, which is not affected by impurities in the cooling air flow.

The vehicle may be equipped with a radiator grille arranged at the front of the vehicle; In these cases, the device for separating impurities may be mounted behind the grille. This prevents large impurities, which might damage the air intake system, from being sucked in through the outer intake passage, and thus the functionality of the impurity separation device and the entire intake system is maintained. This also allows a conventional aesthetic appearance of the vehicle front.

It is expressly intended, within the scope of this application, that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, the claims, and / or the following description and drawings, and in particular, their individual features, be considered to be independent of each other or in any manner Any combination can be used. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner and / or combination, as long as these features are not incompatible. The Applicant reserves the right to make changes to an original claim or submission of a new claim, including the right to alter an originally filed claim to establish and / or integrate dependency on a feature of another claim, although this was not originally claimed in this way.

list of figures

• 1 eine Draufsicht auf einen vorderen Bereich eines Fahrzeugs, der ein Motorluftansaugsystem einschließlich einer Vorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Verunreinigungen nach einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung umfasst;
• 2 eine Frontansicht eines Bereichs des Äußeren des Fahrzeugs von 1;
• 3 ein Querschnitt des Fahrzeugs aus 1, der entlang der Linie A-A aufgenommen ist;
• 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht der in 1 isoliert dargestellten Vorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Verunreinigungen;
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Verunreinigungen von 1, die über die in 4 gezeigte Ebene A-A-A geschnitten ist;
• 6 ein Querschnitt durch die in 1 dargestellte Vorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Verunreinigungen, die über die in 4 gezeigte Ebene A-A-A geführt wird; und
• 7 ein Querschnitt der Vorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Verunreinigungen, wie in 6 gezeigt, die in situ innerhalb des Luftansaugsystems des Fahrzeugs von 1 dargestellt ist.

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be given by way of example only described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 a plan view of a front portion of a vehicle comprising an engine air intake system including an apparatus for separating impurities according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a front view of an area of the exterior of the vehicle of 1 ;
• 3 a cross section of the vehicle 1 which is taken along the line AA;
• 4 a perspective view of in 1 isolated apparatus for separating contaminants;
• 5 a perspective view of the device for separating impurities of 1 that over the in 4 shown level AAA is cut;
• 6 a cross section through the in 1 illustrated apparatus for the separation of impurities, over the in 4 level AAA is shown; and
• 7 a cross section of the device for the separation of impurities, as in 6 shown in situ within the air intake system of the vehicle 1 is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Starting from 1 is a plan view of a front portion of a vehicle 10 shown that an engine air intake system 12 includes. As described above as background information, the air intake system defines 12 an air passage from an outer intake passage 14 at the front end of the vehicle 10 is arranged to an engine intake manifold 16 located behind the outer intake 14 from which is the engine 18 Air is supplied.

It should be noted at this point that terms such as "backward" and "forward" or derivatives thereof refer to directions with respect to the front and rear ends of the vehicle, respectively 10 Respectively. In addition, it should be noted that the appended figures are schematic representations for illustrating features of the invention that are not intended to be realistic illustrations or to reflect the scale or relative proportions of the various components. Those skilled in the art will understand that the illustrations have been simplified for the sake of clarity and to avoid unnecessary details that obscure the main form of the invention. In practice, of course, many more components would be included, and since these additional conventional components would be present in practical implementations of embodiments of the invention, their presence is implied.

Back to the figure; Here it can generally be assumed that the air intake system 12 from a device for separating impurities 20 , two air channels 22 and two air purifiers 28 consists.

The device for separating impurities 20 is behind the outer intake duct 14 mounted and arranged so that at least a portion of the through the outer intake duct 14 sucked air then into the device for separating impurities 20 enters and flows through them. The device for separating impurities 20 is in this configuration by attaching to a front end support 24 maintained.

A frontend carrier 24 is a frame element that extends across the width of the vehicle 10 extends and typically various aspects of a front-end module of the vehicle 10 including, for example, fixtures for headlamps, radiator, engine blower unit and bumper. As in 1 shown, carries the front end carrier 24 in this embodiment, an air duct carrier 26 of the portion of the air passage immediately downstream of the device for separating impurities 20 Are defined. Thus, air passing through the impurity separation device passes 20 flows, then into the air duct carrier 26 ,

The air duct carrier 26 each carries a first end 22a of two air channels 22 , The first ends 22a each define the inputs of the two air channels 22 , Downstream of the entrances defines each air duct 22 an air passage to the intake manifold 16 over an air purifier 28 in the form of an air filter comprising a paper filter element. The filter elements prevent dirt and other foreign matter from entering the suction pipe 16 get there and the engine 18 can damage.

The air purifiers 28 separate each air duct 22 in two sections: a dirt-side channel 22b upstream of the filter, between the air duct carrier 26 and the channel carrier 26 ; and a cleanside channel 22c downstream of the filter. The pure-side channels 22c end in a common end section 22d which defines a last common section of the air passage. The through the common end section 22d flowing air enters the intake manifold 16 and finally becomes the engine 18 fed.

The skilled person will understand that in 1 shown air intake system 12 an example for a possible configuration of an air intake system 12 that is, with an embodiment of the device for separating impurities 20 is compatible. In other embodiments, alternative air intake systems are provided.

For example, the air ducts must 22 not in a last common section 22d end, as in 1 shown. In other embodiments, each air channel 22 to a corresponding intake manifold 16 to lead. In addition, the air intake system 12 any suitable number of air ducts 22 include. In particular, the air intake system 12 a single air duct 22 include.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the embodiments of the invention also apply to turbocharged engines in which the air intake system 12 the engine 18 via a turbocharger and not via a suction pipe 16 supplied with air.

2 is a front view of an area of the vehicle 10 from 1 , Below the hood 30 of the vehicle 10 is the outer intake passage 14 of the intake system 12 behind which the device for the separation of impurities 20 is visible.

According to 3 is the outer intake passage through a protective grid 32 shown covered. The grid 32 Prevents large foreign matter from entering the outer intake duct 14 in the air intake system 12 reach. The device for separating impurities 20 takes the space behind the top of the protective grid 32 one. The device for separating impurities 20 is between the protective grid 32 and the leading edge of the frontend carrier 24 arranged. This is the device for separating impurities 20 suitably adapted to this space. That is, the dimensions of the device for separating impurities 20 be through the between the grid 32 and the frontend carrier 24 available space determined.

As described in more detail below, reduces the device for the separation of impurities 20 the stream of contaminants such as water, snow, sand and dust in the air ducts 22 and still allows the provision of sufficient air to the engine 18 , The device for separating impurities 20 thus contributes to the functionality of the air purifier 28 and the entire air intake system 12 to obtain.

4 shows in isolation a perspective view of the device for separating impurities 20 , The device for separating impurities 20 consists of two areas: a frontmost body area 34 and a rearmost assembly area 36 , each having a unitary structure of polypropylene injection molding. As already mentioned, the terms "front" and "rear" are in relation to the vehicle 10 to understand. The body area 34 the device for separating impurities 20 thus defines the front of the device 20 and is in the installed state of the area that is in the immediate vicinity of the outer intake port 14 located. The assembly area 36 defines the back of the device 20 and is the area that is at the frontend carrier 24 is attached. The two areas 34 . 36 are interconnected by heating element welding. In other versions, the two areas 34 . 36 the device for separating impurities 20 by any suitable means, such as As mechanical attachment, adhesives or brackets are attached. The body area 34 and the mounting area 36 together form a closed space between the left and right sidewall 38a . 38b the device 20 ,

5 shows a perspective view of the in 4 shown device for the separation of impurities 20 over the level AAA. From the figures it can be seen that the cross-section of the device for the separation of impurities 20 over most of the width of the device 20 is largely the same.

The through the device for the separation of impurities 20 defined closed space forms an air passage 39 extending laterally across the width of the device for separating contaminants 20 between the left and right sidewall 38a . 38b extends. The air passage connects the area under the device 20 below the planar lower surface 35 with the area behind the device 20 ,

The configuration of the device for separating impurities 20 will now be with reference to FIG 6 described in more detail, which is a cross section of the device 20 over the level AAA in 4 shows. In the following description, reference is made to the upper and lower surfaces of the device 20. These terms should be understood to reflect the conventional orientation of the contaminant removal device used 20 correspond as in 4 shown.

The planar lower surface 35 the device 20 is generally a pair of substantially horizontal, approximately coplanar plates 40 . 42 defines that vary across the width of the device 20 extend between the two side walls. The front plate 40 (referred to as primary plate) is part of the bodywork area 34 the device 20 ; the rear plate 42 (referred to as secondary plate) is part of the assembly area 36 the device 20 , The two plates 40 . 42 are spaced so that between the plates 40 . 42 an opening or an inlet 44 is defined. The inlet 44 is about the width of the device 20 so defined that the inlet 44 has the shape of an elongated slot extending across the width of the planar lower surface 35 the device 20 extends (ie in a direction transverse to the direction of the inlet flow).

The body area 34 further comprises an upper plate 46 , which is roughly parallel to the primary and secondary plates 40 . 42 runs and partially the upper profile of the device 20 Are defined. The foremost edge 46a the top plate 46 goes fluently into a sloping section 48 over, extending diagonally down and forward from the foremost edge 46a the top plate 46 to the front of the device 20 extends. The sloping section 48 is with the leading edge 40a the primary plate 40 through a curved nose area 50 seamlessly connected.

Now referring to the mounting area 36 the device 20 extends a baffle plate 52 from the foremost edge 42a (closest to the inlet 44 ) of the secondary plate 42 , The flapper 52 protrudes from the secondary plate 42 diagonally upwards and forwards towards the oblique section 48 of the bodywork area 34 , The flapper 52 consists of three sections 52a . 52b . 52c with successively decreasing length. Every section 52a . 52b . 52c has a different pitch, the middle section 52b has the lowest slope. Accordingly, the baffle plate 52 an approximately S-shaped or kinked profile.

The assembly area 36 additionally consists of a mounting area 54 , whose foremost edge 54a at the rearmost edge 46b the top plate 46 of the assembly area 36 is applied. To the device for separating impurities 20 at the frontend carrier 24 To fix, defines the attachment area 54 of the assembly area 36 tabs 56 (best visible in 4 ), by the device 20 survive to the rear and outside. These tabs 56 are suitably sized and shaped to fit with the front end support 24 together. The mounting area of the mounting area 36 thus takes a foremost area of the frontend carrier 24 on and the tabs 56 lie on the top and front surface of the frontend carrier 24 at.

The tabs 56 are with through holes 58 provided by a Schraubnietenverbinder for securing the device for the separation of impurities 20 at the frontend carrier 24 can be introduced. In other embodiments, the device may be for the removal of contaminants 20 with screws, clamps or other suitable means on the front end support 24 be attached. The back edge 42b the secondary plate 42 is also suitably for receiving the leading edge of the frontend carrier 24 customized. Thus, the assembly area 36 suitably adapted to the device for the removal of impurities 20 at the frontend carrier 24 can be attached.

The function of the device for separating impurities 20 will now be described in more detail with reference to 7 showing a cross section of the device for separating impurities 20 in situ within the air intake system 12 of the vehicle 10 shows.

The air intake system 12 defines two separate air vents or flow paths: a contaminated flow path 60 leading to the vehicle radiator, and a clean flow path 62 leading to the air ducts 22 leads. The object of the device for separating impurities 20 Generally, it consists of clean air over the clean flow path 62 let pass and contaminants through the contaminated flow path 60 to direct their penetration into the air ducts 22 to prevent. The air flow direction along these flow paths 60 . 62 is through arrows in 7 shown.

7 shows the outer intake passage 14 at the front end of the vehicle 10 , below the hood 30 , As described above, air is coming from outside the vehicle 10 through the protective grid 32 in the outer intake channel 14 sucked. The profile of the nose area 50 the device for separating impurities 20 , behind the grid 32 , directs the intake air under the device 20 ,

The under the device 20 air flowing through tends to stick to the lower surfaces 40c . 42c the primary and secondary plates 40 . 42 attach. Therefore, the horizontal (or nearly horizontal) plates form 40 . 42 a guide means which directs a laminar flow of air under the device 20 induced from right to left (in the in 7 shown configuration). By thus inducing a laminar flow, undesirable air turbulences are created when air is drawn in through the air intake system 12 and the flow of contaminants into the air channels 22 of the intake system 12 reduced as described below.

The laminar flow defines the contaminated flow path 60 that the air channels 22 bypasses. Behind the secondary plate 42 leads the polluted flow path 60 to the engine cooler. The polluted air is used for engine cooling, which is not affected by impurities in the cooling air flow.

The inlet 44 between the primary and secondary plates 40 . 42 defines the entrance of the clean flow path 62 , Air from the laminar flow under the device 20 is through the inlet 44 by the action of the engine 18 in the clean flow path 62 sucked. However, impurities become relatively entangled at the entrance to the clean flow path due to their relatively large inertial mass relative to the air particles 62 prevented. Contaminant particles in the intake air are more likely to make their way along the contaminated flow path 60 to continue to the engine cooler. Moreover, the air enters the inlet substantially perpendicular to the direction of the laminar flow, that is, vertically upward 44 one. The mass of contaminant particles thus prevents the ingress of contaminants into the clean flow path 62 ,

The position of the inlet 44 in front of the dirty air ducts and its geometry, in particular the fact that the inlet extends over a large area of the vehicle width, favor a homogeneous air flow over the inlet. This reduces the rate of airflow and thus the possibility of contaminants being drawn into the clean flow path.

Thus, impurities at the inlet 44 passed, while cleaner air in the clean flow path 62 is pulled. Accordingly, the contains in the clean flow path 62 entering air less contaminants than those originally through the outer intake duct 14 sucked air. Thus, clean air from the laminar flow under the device 20 distracted and into the clean flow path 62 pulled from where they are in the air ducts 22 can get.

It is possible that some impurities through the inlet 44 be pulled and in the clean flow path 62 reach. Therefore, that of the device for separating impurities 20 defined passage 39 designed so that the baffle plate 52 The air passes along a path that reduces the likelihood of contaminants entering the air channels 22 reduced. For example, the direction of the path winds on which the air passes through the passage 39 by the device for separating impurities 20 flows, and returns to himself again. Along a first section 39a of the passage 39 the air is directed in one direction, that of the laminar flow under the device 20 is opposite. A second area 39b the clean flow path 62 is substantially parallel to the direction of the laminar flow. In other words, the direction of the air flow along the passage 39 is essentially the opposite. By changing the direction of flow increases the likelihood that the impurity particles are swept out of the air stream due to their inertia. So z. B. in the concave inner profile of the nose area 50 the device 20 Accumulate impurities.

Those from the device for separating impurities 20 escaping air passes over the air duct carrier 26 in the air channels 22 , Any remaining impurity particles that are in the air ducts 22 are received by the air purifiers 28 at the entrance to the suction pipe 16 prevented.

By the configuration of the air intake system 12 (including a device for separating impurities 20 according to one embodiment of the invention), the vehicle 10 even in conditions where the ambient air has high levels of impurities, travel longer distances.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous changes can be made in the foregoing examples without departing from the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (18)

A device for separating contaminants for a vehicle air intake system, comprising: a planar lower surface configured to induce and / or sustain stratification in the contaminated air stream below it, an inlet disposed in the lower surface for allowing air to flow from below the surface to above the surface; so that heavier particles remain within the contaminated air stream. Device for separating impurities after Claim 1 wherein the inlet is an elongate slot in the lower surface that extends across the width of the device across the laminar flow direction and is positioned to divide the lower surface into two coplanar surfaces. The impurity separation device of claim 1, wherein the inlet has a leading edge and a trailing edge with the leading edge toward the front of the vehicle and the trailing edge toward the rear of the vehicle, the trailing edge having flow guiding means extends upward from the lower surface in the direction of the airflow. Device for separating impurities after Claim 3 , wherein the flow guiding device extends diagonally upwards and forwards. Device for separating impurities after Claim 3 or 4 wherein the interface between the lower surface and the flow guide means is a rounded edge. Device for separating impurities after Claim 3 . 4 or 5 wherein air is directed along an at least partially defined by the flow guide means passage to the air intake system. An impurity separation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the planar lower surface is substantially horizontal. An impurity separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured to allow air to enter the inlet at an angle to the direction of laminar flow. Device for separating impurities after Claim 8 wherein the device is configured such that air enters the inlet substantially perpendicular to the direction of laminar flow. An impurity separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises an aerodynamic feature for passing contaminated air under the device. An air intake system for a vehicle, comprising the device for separating impurities according to any one of the preceding claims. A method of extracting clean air from a contaminated air stream in a vehicle air intake system, comprising: Inducing a laminar flow of contaminated air below a planar surface, Aspirate clean air from the laminar flow from below the surface to above the surface through an inlet in the surface. Vehicle comprising the air intake system Claim 11 , Vehicle after Claim 13 wherein the vehicle includes a radiator and laminar flow impurities are passed under the impurity separation device bypassing the inlet to the radiator. Vehicle after Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein the vehicle includes a grid attached to the front end of the vehicle and the device for depositing contaminants is mounted behind the grid. Device for separating impurities as described herein with reference to the attached figures. A vehicle air induction system as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Vehicle as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

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