Gas separation – Combined or convertible – In motor vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-10-23
Smith, Duane (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
Combined or convertible
In motor vehicle
C055S484000, C055SDIG002, C123S19800E, C060S282000, C060S304000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306190
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a secondary air supply device, incorporated into an intake air cleaner of a vehicle's engine, for supplying secondary air into an exhaust system of the engine.
2. Background Art
Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. Hei 5-6148 discloses a secondary air supply device disposed inside of a main air cleaner's case, hereinafter referred to as a main case. The main air cleaner is divided into a dirty side and a clean side by an air cleaner element, hereinafter referred to as a main element. The secondary air supply device is formed as a small region, or part, of the main element located on the clean side.
Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. Sho. 61-80310 discloses a secondary air supply device in which an inlet of a sub-air cleaner is provided inside the clean side of the main air cleaner. The sub-air cleaner uses the main case and the main element.
In the structure disclosed in Japanese Utility laid-open No. Sho. 61-80310, since both the main air cleaner and the sub-air cleaner use the clean side, the sub-air cleaner must be kept away from the influence of negative pressure caused by air intake of a carburetor of the engine. Therefore, the sub-air cleaner must be positioned away from the intake inlet of the carburetor on the clean side. This results in the clean side being required to have a large capacity, which reduces design freedom.
In the structure disclosed in Japanese Utility Laid-open No. Hei 5-6148, the negative pressure influence due to the carburetor's intake is avoided. However, the shape of the main element must be adapted to accommodate the secondary air supply device. Therefore, the possible structural configurations of the main element are limited, and it is difficult to use a generally cylinder type of main element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has as an object to solve one or more of the drawbacks described in relation to the background art.
The present invention has as an additional object to provide a secondary air supply device, which allows design freedom of the clean air chamber, or clean side, of the main air cleaner.
The present invention has as an additional object to provide a secondary air supply device, which allows design freedom of the main element of the main air cleaner.
The present invention has as an additional object to provide a secondary air supply device, which is less susceptible to invasion by water or dirt.
The present invention has as an additional object to provide a secondary air supply device, which has a reduced number of parts, and which is simple to manufacture, install, and maintain.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing an air cleaner for an engine comprising: a main air cleaner housing; a first air cleaning element disposed within said main air cleaner housing, dividing said main air cleaner housing into a dirty air chamber and a clean air chamber, an intake port formed in said main air cleaner housing communicating with said dirty air chamber; an outtake port formed in said main air cleaner housing communicating with said clean air chamber for supplying cleaned air to an intake system of the engine; and a sub-air cleaner provided in said dirty air chamber, physically separated from said first air cleaning element, for supplying cleaned air to an exhaust system of the engine.
Further, these and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a vehicle comprising: an engine having an intake system and an exhaust system; a main air cleaner for supplying cleaned air to said intake system, said main air cleaner including: a main air cleaner housing; a first air cleaning element disposed within said main air cleaner housing, dividing said main air cleaner housing into a dirty air chamber and a clean air chamber; an intake port formed in said main air cleaner housing communicating with said dirty air chamber; and an outtake port formed in said main air cleaner housing communicating with said clean air chamber supplying cleaned air to said intake system of said engine; and a sub-air cleaner for supplying cleaned air to said exhaust system, wherein said sub-air cleaner is provided in said dirty air chamber, physically separated from said first air cleaning element.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Kasai Nobuhiro
Kobayashi Masayoshi
Tsuruta Yuichiro
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Greene Jason M.
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Smith Duane
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