EP4060181A1

EP4060181A1 - Intake air purifying device

Info

Publication number: EP4060181A1
Application number: EP19952649.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hiroyuki Shimmura; Junji Miyazaki; Masanari Akiyama; Hiroshi Tadokoro; Akiyoshi HIGASHI; Suguru Kanda
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-14
Filing date: 2019-11-14
Publication date: 2022-09-21
Also published as: JPWO2021095214A1; CN217462378U; WO2021095214A1; JP7210767B2; BR112022009020A2; EP4060181A4

Abstract

The present invention is directed to effectively utilize inertia of intake air to enable improving intake efficiency of an intake air purifying device. The intake air purifying device includes: an air cleaner box 50 having an inside divided into a dirty side 50D and a clean side 50C by an air cleaner element 52; and an intake duct 53 for introducing outside air, as intake air W, to the dirty side 50D, in which: a guide member 60 for guiding the intake air W is provided in the dirty side 50D; the guide member 60 includes a guide surface 65 having a curved surface; and the intake air W to be introduced from the intake duct 53 to the dirty side 50D is guided along the guide surface 65 toward an inlet surface 52a of an intake air W in the air cleaner element 52.

Description

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to an intake air purifying device.

[Background Art]

Conventionally, there is known an intake air purifying device in which an intake duct extends into a dirty side in a direction along the surface of an air cleaner element (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Literature 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-229432

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

In order to improve intake efficiency, there may be a configuration of utilizing inertia of intake air flow on the dirty side to pass the intake air to the air cleaner element and cause the intake air to flow to the clean side. However, some positional relationship between the intake duct and the air cleaner element makes it difficult to effectively utilize the inertia of the intake air.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to effectively utilize inertia of intake air in an intake air purifying device to improve intake efficiency.

[Solution to Problem]

An intake air purifying device includes: an air cleaner box (50) having an inside divided into a dirty side (50D) and a clean side (50C) by an air cleaner element (52); and an intake duct (53) for introducing outside air, as intake air, to the dirty side (50D), wherein a guide member (60, 260, 260', 360) for guiding the intake air is provided in the dirty side (50D), the guide member (60, 260, 260', 360) includes a guide surface (65, 365) having a curved surface, and the intake air to be introduced from the intake duct (53) to the dirty side (50D) is guided along the guide surface (65,365) toward an inlet surface (52a) for the intake air in the air cleaner element (52).
Further, in the configuration described above, the guide surface (65) may be a curved surface in a concave shape recessed to a side opposite to the inlet surface (52a); the guide member (60) may include an opening surface (60a) in the concave shape; and an apex (65a) of the concave shape may be located on a side opposite to the inlet surface (52a) with respect to the opening surface (60a).
Further, in the configuration described above, of tangent lines of the guide surface (65), at least a part of tangent lines (66) located at an end portion (60c) on the inlet surface (52a) side may be directed to the inlet surface (52a).
Further, in the configuration described above, the opening surface (60a) may open toward the inlet surface (52a).
Further, in the configuration described above, the opening surface (60a) may be arranged in a direction along the inlet surface (52a).
Further, in the configuration described above, the intake duct (53) arranged along the inlet surface (52a) may be arranged so as to be away from the inlet surface (52a) toward a downstream side of the intake duct (53); and a distance (D2) between the apex (65a) of the concave shape and the inlet surface (52a) may be larger than a distance (D1) between a center (53f) of an opening of a downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53) and the inlet surface (52a).
Further, in the configuration described above, the intake duct (53) may be arranged so that an axis (53d) of the intake duct (53) is along the inlet surface (52a); and as viewed in an axial direction of the intake duct (53), a radius of curvature (R1) of the guide surface (65) may be larger than a radius of curvature (R2) of an inner circumference of a downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53), and the guide surface (65) may surround the intake duct (53) from a periphery.
Further, in the configuration described above, as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct (53), at least a part of the guide surface (65) may overlap the downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53).
Further, in the configuration described above, at least a part of the guide surface (65) may overlap a downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53) from an outer peripheral side in an axial direction of the intake duct (53).
Further, in the configuration described above, the clean side (50C) may be provided with a connecting tube (54) for leading purified intake air to an outside of the air cleaner box (50); and a flow of the intake air from the intake duct (53) to the connecting tube (54) may be U-shaped.
Further, in the configuration described above, the guide member (60) may have a plate shape.
Further, in the configuration described above, a downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53) may be arranged inside the concave shape with respect to the opening surface (60a) .

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

The intake air purifying device includes: an air cleaner box having an inside divided into a dirty side and a clean side by an air cleaner element; and an intake duct for introducing outside air, as intake air, to the dirty side. Here, in the dirty side, a guide member for guiding the intake air is provided. The guide member includes a guide surface having a curved surface. The intake air to be introduced from the intake duct to the dirty side is guided along the guide surface toward the inlet surface for the intake air in the air cleaner element.
According to this configuration, the intake air to be introduced from the intake duct to the dirty side turns toward the inlet surface side along the guide surface of the guide member, and is directed toward the inlet surface of the air cleaner element by inertia. Thus, the intake air can effectively utilize the inertia to improve the intake efficiency.
Further, in the above configuration, the guide surface may be a curved surface in a concave shape recessed to the side opposite to the inlet surface. The guide member may include an opening surface of the concave shape, and the apex of the concave shape may be located on the side opposite to the inlet surface with respect to the opening surface.
According to this configuration, the intake air guided by the curved surface in a concave shape can flow from the opening surface to the inlet surface. Further, the intake air can be directed along the guide surface from the apex to the opening surface of the concave shape, and the intake air can be strongly directed toward the inlet surface side. This allows the intake air to efficiently flow to the inlet surface.
Further, in the above configuration, of the tangent lines of the guide surface, at least a part of the tangent lines located at the end portion on the inlet surface side may be directed to the inlet surface.
According to this configuration, the intake air flows to the inlet surface side of the air cleaner element along the curved surface in the concave shape of the guide surface, so that the intake air can smoothly flow to the inlet surface.
Further, in the above configuration, the opening surface may open toward the inlet surface.
According to this configuration, the intake air guided by the guide surface can efficiently flow from the opening surface to the inlet surface.
Further, in the above configuration, the opening surface may be arranged so as to be directed along the inlet surface.
According to this configuration, the intake air can efficiently flow from the opening surface to the inlet surface.
Further, in the above configuration, the intake duct arranged along the inlet surface may be arranged so as to be away from the inlet surface toward the downstream side of the intake duct. In addition, the distance between the apex of the concave shape and the inlet surface may be larger than the distance between the center of the opening at the downstream end of the intake duct and the inlet surface.
According to this configuration, the intake air can be guided to the inlet surface side by the guide surface from a position far from the inlet surface, so that a large amount of intake air can flow to the inlet surface.
Further, in the above configuration, the intake duct may be arranged so that the axis of the intake duct is along the inlet surface. In addition, as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct, the radius of curvature of the guide surface may be larger than the radius of curvature of the inner circumference of the downstream end of the intake duct. Furthermore, the guide surface may surround the intake duct from the periphery.
According to this configuration, the guide surface, having a radius of curvature larger than the inner circumference of the downstream end of the intake duct, surrounds the intake duct from the periphery. This allows the guide surface to cause the intake air to flow efficiently over a wide area of the inlet surface.
Further, in the above configuration, as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct, at least a part of the guide surface may overlap the downstream end of the intake duct.
According to this configuration, as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct, the guide surface having a curved surface overlaps the downstream end of the intake duct, so that the intake air can be efficiently guided to the inlet surface.
Further, in the above configuration, at least a part of the guide surface may overlap the downstream end of the intake duct from the outer peripheral side in the axial direction of the intake duct.
According to this configuration, a large amount of the intake air that has passed through the intake duct collides with the guide surface, so that the intake air can be efficiently guided by the guide surface.
Further, in the above configuration, the clean side may be provided with a connecting tube for leading the purified intake air to the outside of the air cleaner box. Here, the intake air flow from the intake duct to the connecting tube may be U-shaped.
According to this configuration, the intake air flow from the intake duct to the connecting tube is U-shaped. However, the guide surface, which is a curved surface in a concave shape, can efficiently bend the direction of intake air flow, so that the intake efficiency can increase.
Further, in the above configuration, the guide member may have a plate shape.
According to this configuration, the volume occupied by the guide member can reduce, and the volume of the dirty side can be sufficient.
Further, in the above configuration, the downstream end of the intake duct may be arranged inside the concave shape with respect to the opening surface.
According to this configuration, the intake air flows out from the downstream end of the intake duct inside the concave shape of the guide surface, so that the intake air can be efficiently guided by the guide surface.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II of FIG. 1.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an intake air purifying device of FIG. 2.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV of FIG. 3.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air cleaner box as viewed from a clean side.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an intake duct and a guide member as viewed from an air cleaner element side.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an intake air purifying device according to a second embodiment.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an intake duct and a guide member as viewed from an air cleaner element side in a third embodiment.

[Description of Embodiments]

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the explanation, directions such as front, rear, left, right, up, and down represents the same as the directions with respect to a vehicle body unless otherwise specified. Further, a reference sign FR shown in each figure indicates the front side of the vehicle body, a reference sign UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle body, and the reference sign LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The motorcycle 1 is a scooter-type saddle-riding vehicle having a low-floor step floor 11 on which an occupant seated on a seat 10 rests his/her feet. The motorcycle 1 has a front wheel 2 in a front part of the vehicle body frame 12, and a rear wheel 3, which is a driving wheel, is pivotally supported by a unit swing engine 13 arranged at the rear part of the vehicle.
The motorcycle 1 includes a front fork 14 pivotally supported at the front end part of the vehicle body frame 12, and the front wheel 2 is pivotally supported at the lower end part of the front fork 14. A steering wheel 15 steered by the occupant is attached to the upper end of the front fork 14.
The motorcycle 1 includes a vehicle body cover 16 covering the vehicle body such as the vehicle body frame 12.
The vehicle body frame 12 includes: a head pipe 17 provided at the front end of the vehicle body frame 12; a down frame 18 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 17; a lower frame 19 extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame 18; and a seat frame 20 extending rearward and upward from the lower frame 19.
A storage box (not shown) that can store items such as a helmet is provided between the left and right parts of the seat frame 20 above the unit swing engine 13. The seat 10 is supported on the upper surface of the storage box.
The vehicle body cover 16 includes: a front cover 23 covering the head pipe 17 from the front side; an inner cover 24 covering the head pipe 17 and the down frame 18 from the rear side; an undercover 25 covering the lower frame 19 from lower side; and a side cover 26 covering the seat frame 20 from the lateral side.
In FIG. 1, a part of the vehicle body cover 16 is cut out and the unit swing engine 13 is exposed to the outside.
The unit swing engine 13 is a unit swing type engine in which an engine body 30, which is an internal combustion engine, and an arm portion 31 for supporting the rear wheels 3 are integrated. The rear wheel 3 is pivotally supported by a rear wheel axle 3a at the rear end part of the arm portion 31.
The engine body 30 includes a crankcase 33 for accommodating a crankshaft 32 extending in the vehicle width direction, and a cylinder portion 34 extending forward from the crankcase 33. A piston (not shown) reciprocates in the cylinder portion 34.
The engine body 30 is a horizontal engine in which a cylinder axis 34a of the cylinder portion 34 extends substantially horizontally in the vehicle front-rear direction.
An intake air purifying device 35 for purifying intake air for the engine body 30 is arranged on the upper side of the arm portion 31. The intake air purifying device 35 is connected to the cylinder portion 34 via a throttle body 36 and an intake pipe 37 arranged in front of the intake air purifying device 35. The intake pipe 37 is connected to an intake port on the upper surface of the cylinder portion 34.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II of FIG. 1.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the arm portion 31 extends from one lateral part (left side part) of the crankcase 33 to one lateral side (left lateral side) of the rear wheel 3 in the vehicle width direction.
A belt-type continuously variable transmission (not shown), a centrifugal clutch mechanism (not shown), and a reduction mechanism configured of a plurality of gears (not shown) are provided in the hollow arm portion 31.
The driving force of the crankshaft 32 is transmitted to the rear wheels 3 via the belt-type continuously variable transmission, the clutch mechanism, and the reduction mechanism.
Further, a sub arm 38 extending rearward from the crankcase 33 is attached to the unit swing engine 13. The sub arm 38 is located on the other lateral side (right lateral side) of the rear wheel 3.
The unit swing engine 13 is swingably supported by the vehicle body frame 12 via a link mechanism 40 provided at a front part of the unit swing engine 13.
A pair of rear cushions 41 are hung between the rear end part of the unit swing engine 13 and the rear part of the seat frame 20 and between the sub arm 38 and the rear part of the seat frame 20.
An exhaust pipe 43 of the engine body 30 extends downward from an exhaust port on the lower surface of the cylinder portion 34, extends rearward through the other side (right side) in the vehicle width direction. The exhaust pipe 43 is then connected to a muffler 44 arranged on the right lateral side of the rear wheel 3.
In other words, the arm portion 31 is arranged on one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the rear wheel 3 located at the center of the vehicle width of the motorcycle 1, and the muffler 44 is arranged on the other side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the rear wheel 3.
The intake air purifying device 35 attached to the upper surface of the arm portion 31 is arranged on one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the rear wheel 3, as is the same as the arm portion 31. Further, the intake air purifying device 35 is arranged below the seat frame 20 and in rear of the cylinder portion 34 and in front of the rear cushion 41. The intake air purifying device 35 overlaps the rear wheels 3 from the outside in the vehicle width direction in a side view of the vehicle.
The intake air purifying device 35 swings up and down integrally with the unit swing engine 13.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the intake air purifying device 35 of FIG. 2.
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the intake air purifying device 35 includes: an air cleaner box 50; a partition wall 51 for partitioning the inside of the air cleaner box 50; an air cleaner element 52 provided on the partition wall 51; an intake duct 53 for taking in air into the air cleaner box 50; a connecting tube 54 for connecting the air cleaner box 50 to the throttle body 36; and a guide member 60 for guiding intake air on the downstream side of the intake duct 53.
The air cleaner box 50 has a box shape extending long in the vehicle front-rear direction along the arm portion 31 of the unit swing engine 13.
The air cleaner box 50 includes: an air cleaner case 55, with a box shape, in which an opening portion 55a is formed on one surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction; a case cover 56 covering the opening portion 55a from the outside in the vehicle width direction; and a lateral surface cover 57 attached to the outer lateral surface of the case cover 56.
Specifically, the air cleaner case 55 includes: a lateral wall portion 55b facing the partition wall 51 from the inside in the vehicle width direction; and a peripheral wall portion 55c extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the peripheral edge of the lateral wall portion 55b. The peripheral wall portion 55c defines the opening portion 55a.
The case cover 56 includes: a cover lateral wall portion 56a facing the partition wall 51 from the outside in the vehicle width direction; and a cover peripheral wall portion 56b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the peripheral edge of the cover lateral wall portion 56a. The case cover 56 is coupled to the air cleaner case 55 by fitting the cover peripheral wall portion 56b to the end surface of the peripheral wall portion 55c of the air cleaner case 55 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.
The case cover 56 is fastened to the air cleaner case 55 by a plurality of fasteners 58 (FIG. 1) inserted from the outside in the vehicle width direction into the cover peripheral wall portion 56b in a side view of the vehicle.
A duct support hole portion 56d penetrating the front surface 56c is provided on the front surface 56c of the cover peripheral wall portion 56b of the case cover 56.
A tube support hole portion 55e penetrating the front surface 55d is provided on the front surface 55d of the peripheral wall portion 55c of the air cleaner case 55.
The partition wall 51 divides the inside of the air cleaner box 50 into a dirty side 50D on the upstream side of the air cleaner element 52 and a clean side 50C on the downstream side of the air cleaner element 52.
The partition wall 51 is a plate-shaped member arranged so that the plate thickness direction is directed to the vehicle width direction.
The partition wall 51 is sandwiched between the mating surfaces of the air cleaner case 55 and the case cover 56. The partition wall 51 includes an element support hole portion 51a penetrating the partition wall 51.
The air cleaner element 52 is a filter for collecting dust contained in the intake air. The air cleaner element 52 is a plate-shaped member arranged so that the plate thickness direction is directed to the vehicle width direction, and is substantially rectangular in a side view of the vehicle.
The air cleaner element 52 is supported by the element support hole portion 51a by fitting into the element support hole portion 51a of the partition wall 51, and closes the element support hole portion 51a.
The plate thickness of the air cleaner element 52 is larger than the plate thickness of the partition wall 51 as a whole, and the air cleaner element 52 protrudes into the dirty side 50D with respect to the partition wall 51.
The air cleaner element 52 is located at the rear part of the air cleaner box 50.
The dirty side 50D is a room through which the intake air flows before passing through the air cleaner element 52, and is formed between the case cover 56 and the partition wall 51. The dirty side 50D is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the partition wall 51, and extends long in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The clean side 50C is a room through which the intake air flows after being purified by passing through the air cleaner element 52, and is formed between the partition wall 51 and the air cleaner case 55. The clean side 50C is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the partition wall 51, and extends long in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The air cleaner element 52 includes: an element inlet surface 52a (inlet surface) exposed to the dirty side 50D; and an outlet surface 52b that is a surface opposite to the element inlet surface 52a and is exposed to the clean side 50C. The element inlet surface 52a faces the cover lateral wall portion 56a. The outlet surface 52b faces the lateral wall portion 55b of the air cleaner case 55. The element inlet surface 52a and the outlet surface 52b are flat surfaces and are substantially parallel to each other.
The intake air flows into the air cleaner element 52 from the element inlet surface 52a of the dirty side 50D, and flows from the outlet surface 52b to the clean side 50C.
The volume of the dirty side 50D is smaller than the volume of the clean side 50C.
The intake duct 53 is arranged in the dirty side 50D and extends in the dirty side 50D in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The intake duct 53 has the outer peripheral part fitting into the duct support hole portion 56d of the case cover 56, so that the intake duct 53 is supported by the case cover 56. The upstream end 53a of the intake duct 53 protrudes forward from the duct support hole portion 56d and is exposed to the outside in the dirty side 50D. The upstream end 53a is the front end of the intake duct 53 and is located at the front part of the air cleaner box 50.
The lateral surface cover 57 of the air cleaner box 50 covers the front part of the case cover 56 from the outer lateral side.
Specifically, the lateral surface cover 57 covers the upstream end 53a of the intake duct 53 from the front side and the outer lateral side. The lateral surface cover 57 also covers the cover lateral wall portion 56a in the rear side with respect to the upstream end 53a, from the outer lateral side.
A chamber portion 61, which is a room defined by a lateral surface cover 57 and a case cover 56, is provided at the front part of the air cleaner box 50. The chamber portion 61 is located upstream of the dirty side 50D in the flow of intake air. The upstream end 53a of the intake duct 53 opens into the chamber portion 61.
The rear edge of the lateral surface cover 57 and the cover lateral wall portion 56a define an intake port 62 opening rearward. The outside air flows into the chamber portion 61 as intake air from the intake port 62.
The connecting tube 54 extends from the front part of the clean side 50C to the outer front side of the air cleaner box 50.
The connecting tube 54 has the outer peripheral part fitting into the tube support hole portion 55e of the air cleaner case 55, so that the connecting tube 54 is supported by the air cleaner case 55. The upstream end 54a of the connecting tube 54 opens to the front part of the clean side 50C. The connecting tube 54 extends forward from the clean side 50C and inward in the vehicle width direction, and its downstream end is connected to the throttle body 36 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the air cleaner box 50 as viewed from the clean side 50C side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the intake duct 53 and the guide member 60 as viewed from the air cleaner element 52 side. Here, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the air cleaner case 55 is not shown. In FIG. 5, the air cleaner element 52 is illustrated by a virtual line.
With reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, the intake duct 53 is a tube, with a circular cross section, extending substantially linearly.
The intake duct downstream end portion 53b, which is the downstream end of the intake air flow of the intake duct 53, opens rearward within the dirty side 50D.
The intake duct 53 is provided with a mounting portion 53c, extending downward from the outer peripheral part, at the rear part. The intake duct 53 is fixed to the case cover 56 by a fixture (not shown) inserted through the mounting portion 53c.
The intake duct 53 is arranged in the front part of the dirty side 50D, and is located on the upstream side (front side) in the intake air flow direction with respect to the air cleaner element 52.
The intake duct 53 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element 52.
Specifically, in the top view of FIG. 3, the intake duct 53 is arranged to incline so as to be located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction toward the downstream side. In other words, the axis 53d of the intake duct 53 is provided along the element inlet surface 52a, and inclines so as to be located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction toward the downstream side.
The intake duct 53 extends from the upstream end 53a to the front-rear intermediate part of the dirty side 50D, and the intake duct downstream end portion 53b is located on the outer lateral side of the front part of the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element 52. Further, the intake duct downstream end portion 53b is located between the upper edge 52c and the lower edge 52d of the air cleaner element 52.
In other words, the intake duct downstream portion 53e, which is the downstream side end part of the intake duct 53 including the intake duct downstream end portion 53b, overlaps the front part of the element inlet surface 52a from the outside in the vehicle width direction in a side view of the vehicle.
The axis 53d of the intake duct 53 is arranged so as to be away from the element inlet surface 52a to the outside in the vehicle width direction toward the downstream side.
The guide member 60 is arranged in the dirty side 50D, downstream of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53, and on the rear side of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b. Further, the guide member 60 is arranged on the rear side of the front end of the air cleaner element 52 and outer lateral side of the element inlet surface 52a. The guide member 60 overlaps the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element 52 in a side view of the vehicle.
The guide member 60 is a cup-shaped member. The cup-shaped member has a shape formed so that: a hollow spherical body is cut at the guide member outlet opening surface 60a (opening surface) to form a hemispherical cup shape; and the cup shape is further cut at the guide member inlet opening surface 60b. The guide member 60 is arranged so that the guide member outlet opening surface 60a, which is the opening surface of the cup shape, faces the element inlet surface 52a side of the air cleaner element 52.
The inner surface of the cup shape of the guide member 60 is a guide surface 65 for guiding the intake air toward the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element 52. The guide surface 65 is a curved surface in a concave shape in which the cup-shaped inner surface is recessed to the side opposite to the element inlet surface 52a with respect to the guide member outlet opening surface 60a.
The guide member outlet opening surface 60a exposes the guide surface 65 to the element inlet surface 52a side of the air cleaner element 52.
Further, the guide member 60 includes a guide member inlet opening surface 60b formed by cutting out a part of the side surface of the cup shape.
The guide member inlet opening surface 60b is provided on the front surface of the guide member 60 in a top view of FIG. 3. The guide member inlet opening surface 60b is arranged on the front side of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53. The guide member 60 is arranged on the rear side of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b in a direction in which the guide member inlet opening surface 60b intersects the axis 53d of the intake duct 53.
The guide member inlet opening surface 60b exposes the guide surface 65 to the intake duct downstream end portion 53b side of the intake duct 53.
In the top view of FIG. 3, the guide member outlet opening surface 60a and the guide member inlet opening surface 60b are substantially orthogonal to each other.
The end edge 60c (end portion on the inlet surface side) is arcuate. The end edge 60c is located on the element inlet surface 52a side of the guide member 60 for defining the guide member outlet opening surface 60a. The guide member 60 has a shape obtained by bending a flat plate member into a cup shape, and the guide member 60 has a plate shape.
The guide member 60 is arranged so that the guide member outlet opening surface 60a is separated from the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element 52 by a predetermined distance outward in the vehicle width direction. Further, the guide member outlet opening surface 60a is arranged along the element inlet surface 52a, and the guide member outlet opening surface 60a and the element inlet surface 52a are substantially parallel to each other.
With respect to the guide member outlet opening surface 60a, the apex 65a of the concave shape of the guide surface 65 is on the side opposite to the element inlet surface 52a with respect to the guide member outlet opening surface 60a. The inner diameter of the guide surface 65 increases from the apex 65a toward the guide member outlet opening surface 60a.
The apex 65a is located on the bottom surface of the cup shape of the guide member 60, and the guide member outlet opening surface 60a faces the bottom surface.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, of the tangent lines of the guide surface 65 of the guide member 60, the tangent line 66 located at the end edge 60c defining the guide member outlet opening surface 60a is directed to the element inlet surface 52a and intersects the element inlet surface 52a. The tangent line 66 intersects the element inlet surface 52a as long as the tangent line 66 is located on the end edge 60c regardless of the location on the end edge 60c. In other words, the tangent line 66 intersects the element inlet surface 52a over the entire circumference of the end edge 60c. Note that the tangent line 66 may be such that at least a part of the tangent line 66 located at the end edge 60c is directed to the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, when the guide member outlet opening surface 60a is viewed in the direction orthogonal to the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element 52, the end edge 60c of the guide member 60 overlaps with the element inlet surface 52a. In this embodiment, the end edge 60c of the guide member 60 overlaps the element inlet surface 52a at substantially the entire circumference thereof, but the end edge 60c may be such that it overlaps the element inlet surface 52a at least a part of the circumference thereof.
The front end part of the guide member 60 is arranged outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the intake duct downstream portion 53e of the intake duct 53, and covers the intake duct downstream portion 53e of the intake duct 53 from the side opposite to the element inlet surface 52a.
The intake duct downstream portion 53e of the intake duct 53 enters the inside of the guide surface 65 from the guide member inlet opening surface 60b. The intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 opens rearward inside the guide surface 65.
The intake duct downstream end portion 53b is arranged inside the guide surface 65 with respect to the guide member outlet opening surface 60a. The opening of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b is located in the up-down intermediate part in the guide surface 65.
The guide surface front end portion 65b, which is the front end part of the guide surface 65, includes the guide member inlet opening surface 60b. The guide surface front end portion 65b overlaps the intake duct downstream portion 53e of the intake duct 53 from the outer peripheral side of the intake duct 53 in the axial direction of the intake duct 53, and covers the intake duct downstream portion 53e.
In other words, the guide surface front end portion 65b of the guide surface 65 and the intake duct downstream portion 53e of the intake duct 53 are continuous in the axial direction of the intake duct 53.
Further, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a distance D2 between the apex 65a of the concave shape of the guide surface 65 and the element inlet surface 52a is larger than a distance D1 between the center 53f of the opening of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 and the element inlet surface 52a. In other words, the guide surface 65 is offset from the intake duct downstream end portion 53b on the side opposite to the element inlet surface 52a.
The rear portion 65c of the guide surface 65 curves so as to approach the element inlet surface 52a side toward the rear side.
The guide member 60 is arranged closer to the front side of the air cleaner element 52 in the vehicle front-rear direction of the element inlet surface 52a. So, the rear portion 65c of the guide surface 65 is located on the lateral side of the front-rear intermediate part of the element inlet surface 52a.
As viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct 53, the rear portion 65c of the guide surface 65 overlaps the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 from the rear side, and covers the opening of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b from the rear side.
As shown in FIG. 4, as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct 53, the radius of curvature R1 of the guide surface 65 is larger than the radius of curvature R2 of the inner circumference of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 and the outer diameter of the intake duct downstream portion 53e.
The intake duct downstream portion 53e of the intake duct 53 is surrounded from the periphery by the guide surface 65 having a larger diameter than the intake duct downstream portion 53e. Specifically, the intake duct downstream portion 53e on the downstream side of the intake duct 53 is surrounded by the guide surface 65 from the upper side, the outer lateral side, the lower side, and the rear side.
The guide surface front end portion 65b of the guide surface 65 is in contact with the outer lateral surface of the intake duct downstream portion 53e of the intake duct 53 at a position on the upstream side of the apex 65a.
The guide member 60 is a part manufactured in a process different from that of the intake duct 53. Therefore, the intake duct 53 can be made into a simple shape, and the guide member 60 can be easily formed to have a diameter larger than that of the intake duct 53.
With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the guide surface 65 curves so as to be closer to the element inlet surface 52a from the apex 65a side toward the upper side. Further, the guide surface 65 curves so as to be closer to the element inlet surface 52a from the apex 65a side toward the lower side.
The guide member 60 has a cup-shaped outer peripheral surface 60d that is in contact with the inner surface of the cover lateral wall portion 56a of the case cover 56 and is fixed to the cover lateral wall portion 56a.
Note that the guide member 60 may be fixed to a member different from the case cover 56. For example, the guide member 60 may be fixed to the outer peripheral part of the intake duct downstream portion 53e of the intake duct 53.
The following describes the flow of intake air of the intake air purifying device 35.
As shown in FIG. 3, the outside air flows into the chamber portion 61 from the intake port 62 as the intake air W. Since the upstream end 53a of the intake duct 53 opens in the chamber portion 61, a relatively large size of foreign matter can be prevented from entering the intake duct 53.
The intake air W of the chamber portion 61 flows rearward from the upstream end 53a through the intake duct 53, and flows into the dirty side 50D from the intake duct downstream end portion 53b.
Specifically, the intake air W flowing through the intake duct 53 flows into the guide surface 65 from the intake duct downstream end portion 53b that opens in the guide surface 65 of the guide member 60.
The intake air W flowing rearward into the guide surface 65 flows along the curved surface of the guide surface 65. The intake air W then turns toward the element inlet surface 52a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and flows from the guide member outlet opening surface 60a toward the element inlet surface 52a.
In other words, in this embodiment, the intake air W to be introduced from the intake duct 53 to the dirty side 50D collides with the guide surface 65 and turns toward the element inlet surface 52a. The intake air W then moves to the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element 52 due to the inertia of the flow of the intake air W. Therefore, the intake air W can effectively utilize the inertia of the intake air W to pass through the air cleaner element 52.
Further, the guide surface 65 surrounds the downstream end of the intake duct 53 from the periphery. In addition, the radius of curvature R1 of the guide surface 65 is larger than the radius of curvature R2 of the inner circumference of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53. Therefore, the guide surface 65 can efficiently guide the intake air W to the element inlet surface 52a.
The intake air W flowing from the guide surface 65 to the element inlet surface 52a is purified through the air cleaner element 52 and flows into the clean side 50C from the outlet surface 52b. The intake air W of the clean side 50C flows toward the connecting tube 54 on the front side, flows into the connecting tube 54 from the upstream end 54a, and flows into the cylinder portion 34 through the throttle body 36 and the intake pipe 37.
In other words, the flow of the intake air W from the intake duct 53 through the guide member 60 and the air cleaner element 52 to the connecting tube 54 is U-shaped. Therefore, the intake air purifying device 35 can be made compact.
Further, in the dirty side 50D, a part of the intake air W that does not directly flow into the air cleaner element 52 from the guide surface 65 flows from the rear part of the element inlet surface 52a located on the rear side of the guide member 60 to the clean side 50C through the air cleaner element 52.
As described above, according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the intake air purifying device 35 includes: an air cleaner box 50 having an inside divided into a dirty side 50D and a clean side 50C by an air cleaner element 52; and an intake duct 53 for introducing outside air, as intake air W, a guide member 60 for guiding the intake air W is provided in the dirty side 50D, the guide member 60 includes a guide surface 65 having a curved surface, and the intake air W to be introduced into the dirty side 50D from the intake duct 53 is guided along the guide surface 65 toward an element inlet surface 52a of an intake air W in the air cleaner element 52.
According to this configuration, the intake air W to be introduced from the intake duct 53 to the dirty side 50D turns toward the element inlet surface 52a along the guide surface 65 of the guide member 60. Then, the intake air W is directed to the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element 52 by inertia. Thus, the intake air W can effectively utilize the inertia to improve the intake efficiency.
Further, the guide surface 65 is a curved surface in a concave shape recessed to the side opposite to the element inlet surface 52a. The guide member 60 includes a guide member outlet opening surface 60a in the concave shape. The apex 65a of the concave shape is located on the side opposite to the element inlet surface 52a with respect to the guide member outlet opening surface 60a.
According to this configuration, the intake air W guided by the curved surface in a concave shape can flow from the guide member outlet opening surface 60a to the element inlet surface 52a. Further, the intake air W can be made along the guide surface 65 from the apex 65a of the concave shape to the guide member outlet opening surface 60a, and the intake air W can be strongly directed toward the element inlet surface 52a. Therefore, the intake air W can efficiently flow to the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, of the tangent lines of the guide surface 65, at least a part of the tangent lines 66 located at the end edge 60c on the element inlet surface 52a side are directed to the element inlet surface 52a.
According to this configuration, the intake air W flows toward the side of the element inlet surface 52a of the air cleaner element along the curved surface in a concave shape of the guide surface 65, so that the intake air W can smoothly flow to the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, the guide member 60 includes a guide member outlet opening surface 60a exposing the concave shape of the guide surface 65, and the guide member outlet opening surface 60a opens toward the element inlet surface 52a.
According to this configuration, the intake air W guided by the guide surface 65 can efficiently flow from the guide member outlet opening surface 60a to the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, the guide member outlet opening surface 60a opens toward the element inlet surface 52a.
According to this configuration, the intake air W guided by the guide surface 65 can efficiently flow from the guide member outlet opening surface 60a to the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, the guide member outlet opening surface 60a is arranged in a direction along the element inlet surface 52a.
According to this configuration, the intake air W can efficiently flow from the guide member outlet opening surface 60a to the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, the intake duct 53 arranged along the element inlet surface 52a is arranged so as to be away from the element inlet surface 52a toward the downstream side of the intake duct 53. Here, a distance D2 between the apex 65a of the concave shape of the guide surface 65 and the element inlet surface 52a is larger than a distance D1 between the center 53f of the opening of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 and the element inlet surface 52a.
According to this configuration, the intake air W can be guided to the element inlet surface 52a side by the guide surface 65 from a position far from the element inlet surface 52a. This allows a large amount of intake air W to flow to the element inlet surface 52a. Therefore, the area of the element inlet surface 52a can be effectively utilized, and the intake efficiency is high.
Further, the intake duct 53 is arranged so that the axis 53d of the intake duct 53 is along the element inlet surface 52a. In addition, as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct 53, the radius of curvature R1 of the guide surface 65 is larger than the radius of curvature R2 of the inner circumference of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53. Furthermore, the guide surface 65 surrounds the intake duct 53 from the periphery.
According to this configuration, the guide surface 65 having a radius of curvature larger than the inner circumference of the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 surrounds the intake duct 53 from the periphery. This allows the guide surface 65 to cause the intake air W to efficiently flow over a wide area of the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct 53, at least a part of the guide surface 65 overlaps the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53.
According to this configuration, as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct 53, the guide surface 65 having a curved surface overlaps the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53. Therefore, the guide surface 65 can efficiently guide the intake air W to the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, at least a part of the guide surface 65 overlaps the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 from the outer peripheral side in the axial direction of the intake duct 53.
According to this configuration, a large amount of the intake air W that has passed through the intake duct 53 collides with the guide surface 65, so that the intake air W can be efficiently guided by the guide surface 65.
Further, the clean side 50C is provided with a connecting tube 54 for leading the purified intake air W to the outside of the air cleaner box 50. Here, the flow of the intake air W from the intake duct 53 to the connecting tube 54 is U-shaped.
According to this configuration, the flow of the intake air from the intake duct 53 to the connecting tube 54 is U-shaped. However, the direction of the flow of intake air W is efficiently bent by the guide surface 65 which is a curved surface in a concave shape. Therefore, the intake efficiency can increase.
Further, since the guide member 60 has a plate shape, the volume occupied by the guide member 60 can reduce, and the volume of the dirty side 50D can be sufficient.
Further, the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 is arranged inside the concave shape of the guide surface 65 with respect to the guide member outlet opening surface 60a.
According to this configuration, the intake air W flows out from the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 inside the concave shape of the guide surface 65. This allows the intake air W to be efficiently guided by the guide surface 65.
Note that the first embodiment shows an aspect to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment.
The first embodiment described above illustrates that the guide member 60 has a hollow hemispherical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the guide member may have, for example, a dome shape.
Further, the guide member may have a parabolic shape. In this case, the directivity of the intake air W to the element inlet surface 52a can be strengthened by the guide surface formed by the paraboloid surface.
Further, the first embodiment illustrates that at least a part of the guide surface 65 overlaps the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 from the outer peripheral side in the axial direction of the intake duct 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the guide surface 65 may be separated from the intake duct downstream end portion 53b of the intake duct 53 to the downstream side (rear side) in the axial direction of the intake duct 53.
Further, the first embodiment illustrates that the air cleaner box is the air cleaner box 50 formed in a box shape by the air cleaner case 55 and the case cover 56, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a motorcycle for traveling on rough terrain, an air cleaner box can be configured such that a dirty side is provided as a room surrounded by a vehicle body cover, exterior parts (for example, a rear fender), a seat for an occupant, and the like. This configuration may be, for example, such that: there is provided an intake duct that penetrates the wall portion, forming the lower surface of the dirty side, from the lower side and opens into the dirty side; and a guide member may be provided on the upper side (downstream) of the intake duct to guide the intake air, flowing from the intake duct to the dirty side, toward the inlet surface of the air cleaner element in the dirty side.
Further, the first embodiment illustrates the intake air purifying device 35 mounted on the motorcycle 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to a three-wheeled saddle-type vehicle having two front wheels or two rear wheels, a saddle-type vehicle having four or more wheels, and various devices including an internal combustion engine.

[Second Embodiment]

The following describes a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied with reference to FIG. 7. In the second embodiment, the parts configured in the same manner as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference signs and the description thereof is omitted.
In the second embodiment, the size of the guide member is different from that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the intake air purifying device 35 according to the second embodiment.
In the second embodiment, the guide member 260 is provided in place of the guide member 60 of the first embodiment.
The guide member 260 is a guide member configured such that the guide member 60 is extended rearward in the axial direction of the intake duct 53. The rear end of the guide member 260 is located between the front-rear intermediate part of the element inlet surface 52a and the rear edge of the element inlet surface 52a. Lengthening the guide member 260 in the axial direction of the intake duct 53 can guide the intake air W over a wide area of the element inlet surface 52a.
Further, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. 7, there may be provided a guide member 260' that is further extended to the rear side of the guide member 260. The rear end of the guide member 260' is located near the rear edge of the element inlet surface 52a.
In this way, changing the length of the guide member in the axial direction of the intake duct 53 can easily adjust the intake air flow according to required characteristics. When the guide member is short in the axial direction of the intake duct 53, the intake air W strongly collides with the guide surface of the guide member, and this increases the directivity of the intake air W to the element inlet surface 52a. When the guide member is long in the axial direction of the intake duct 53, the intake air W can be directed toward a wide area of the element inlet surface 52a.

[Third Embodiment]

The following describes a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied with reference to FIG. 8. In the third embodiment, the parts configured in the same manner as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference signs and the description thereof is omitted.
In the third embodiment, the shape of the guide member is different from that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the intake duct 53 and the guide member 360 as viewed from the air cleaner element 52 side in the third embodiment.
Although the first embodiment described above illustrates that the cup shape of the guide member 60 is hemispherical, the guide member 360 is a cup-shaped member having a bottom surface 360f in a flat shape substantially parallel to the element inlet surface 52a (FIG. 3) of the air cleaner element 52.
The guide surface 365 of the guide member 360 is a curved surface in a concave shape recessed to the side opposite to the element inlet surface 52a. The intake air W collides with the guide surface 365 and is guided toward the element inlet surface 52a.

[Reference Signs List]

35 intake air purifying device
50 air cleaner box
50C clean side
50D dirty side
52 air cleaner element
52a element inlet surface (inlet surface)
53 intake duct
53b intake duct downstream end portion (downstream end)
53d axis
53f center
54 connecting tube
60, 260, 260', 360 guide member
60a guide member outlet opening surface (opening surface)
60c end edge (end portion on inlet surface side)
65,365 guide surface
65a apex
66 tangent line
D1 distance (distance between center of opening at downstream end of intake duct and inlet surface)
D2 distance (distance between apex and inlet surface)
R1 radius of curvature (radius of curvature of guide surface)
R2 radius of curvature (radius of curvature of inner circumference of downstream end of the intake duct)

Claims

An intake air purifying device, comprising:
an air cleaner box (50) having an inside divided into a dirty side (50D) and a clean side (50C) by an air cleaner element (52); and

an intake duct (53) for introducing outside air, as intake air, to the dirty side (50D), wherein

a guide member (60, 260, 260', 360) for guiding the intake air is provided in the dirty side (50D),

the guide member (60, 260, 260', 360) includes a guide surface (65, 365) having a curved surface, and

the intake air to be introduced from the intake duct (53) to the dirty side (50D) is guided along the guide surface (65,365) toward an inlet surface (52a) for the intake air in the air cleaner element (52).
The intake air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein
the guide surface (65) is a curved surface in a concave shape recessed to a side opposite to the inlet surface (52a),

the guide member (60) includes an opening surface (60a) in the concave shape, and

an apex (65a) of the concave shape is located on a side opposite to the inlet surface (52a) with respect to the opening surface (60a).
The intake air purifying device according to claim 2, wherein
of tangent lines of the guide surface (65), at least a part of tangent lines (66) located at an end portion (60c) on the inlet surface (52a) side is directed to the inlet surface (52a) .
The intake air purifying device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
the opening surface (60a) opens toward the inlet surface (52a) .
The intake air purifying device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein
the opening surface (60a) is arranged in a direction along the inlet surface (52a).
The intake air purifying device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein
the intake duct (53) arranged along the inlet surface (52a) is arranged so as to be away from the inlet surface (52a) toward a downstream side of the intake duct (53), and

a distance (D2) between the apex (65a) of the concave shape and the inlet surface (52a) is larger than a distance (D1) between a center (53f) of an opening of a downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53) and the inlet surface (52a).
The intake air purifying device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein
the intake duct (53) is arranged so that an axis (53d) of the intake duct (53) is along the inlet surface (52a), and

as viewed in an axial direction of the intake duct (53), a radius of curvature (R1) of the guide surface (65) is larger than a radius of curvature (R2) of an inner circumference of a downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53), and the guide surface (65) surrounds the intake duct (53) from a periphery.
The intake air purifying device according to claim 7, wherein
as viewed in the axial direction of the intake duct (53), at least a part of the guide surface (65) overlaps the downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53).
The intake air purifying device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein
at least a part of the guide surface (65) overlaps a downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53) from an outer peripheral side in an axial direction of the intake duct (53).
The intake air purifying device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein
the clean side (50C) is provided with a connecting tube (54) for leading purified intake air to an outside of the air cleaner box (50), and

a flow of the intake air from the intake duct (53) to the connecting tube (54) is U-shaped.
The intake air purifying device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein
the guide member (60) has a plate shape.
The intake air purifying device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein
a downstream end (53b) of the intake duct (53) is arranged inside the concave shape with respect to the opening surface (60a) .