Abstract:
An inlet mechanism for a vehicle air induction system is disclosed, the inlet mechanism including a main body disposed in a housing, wherein the main body is selectively positionable within the housing to control a volume of airflow therethrough over a range of engine speeds.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to an air induction system and more particularly to an air induction system including an inlet mechanism for controlling air flow to an engine and engine induction noise emitted therefrom. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An internal combustion engine in a vehicle typically includes induction system for providing air to an engine. It is desirable to design the air induction system to maximize air flow to the engine, while minimizing noise emitted therefrom. One method to maximize air flow to the engine is to increase a size of a main air inlet orifice, which controls an amount of air permitted to flow into the system. However, increasing the size of the main inlet orifice typically increases induction noise generated as air is drawn into the system. Accordingly, matching a volume of air flow through the main inlet orifice to an engine speed is desirable. A particular volume of air flow through the main inlet orifice is optimum for each engine speed, a lower volume at lower engine speeds and a higher volume at higher engine speeds. 
         [0003]    Typically, resonators and motorized binary inlet tubes of various types have been employed to reduce engine intake noise. Existing controlled variable tuned resonators vary resonator volume to achieve the desired noise reduction as a function of engine speed. While resonators have been effective at reducing induction noise, multiple resonators are frequently required. Further, volume control of the resonators requires movement of large sealed areas, which presents several problems that adversely affect engine performance such as increased motor load, for example. 
         [0004]    It would be desirable to produce an inlet mechanism for the air induction system that is simple and does not require additional control devices to militate against the emission of noise caused by the vehicle engine induction process over a range of engine speeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In concordance and agreement with the present invention, an inlet mechanism for the air induction system that is simple and does not require additional control devices to militate against the emission of noise caused by the vehicle engine induction process over a range of engine speeds, has surprisingly been discovered. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the inlet mechanism comprises: a hollow housing adapted to facilitate a flow of a fluid therethrough; a main body disposed in the housing, the main body selectively positionable between an open position to permit the flow of the fluid through the housing and a closed position to militate against the flow of the fluid through the housing; and an urging member operatively engaged with the main body and cooperating with the main body to reach a desired position between the open position and the closed position. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the inlet mechanism comprises: a hollow housing adapted to facilitate a flow of a fluid therethrough; a main body disposed in the housing, the main body including at least one slot formed therein, wherein the main body is selectively positionable between an open position to permit the flow of the fluid through the housing and a closed position to militate against the flow of the fluid through the housing; an urging member operatively engaged with the main body and cooperating with the main body to reach a desired position between the open position and the closed position; and a support disposed in the at least one slot of the main body. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the inlet mechanism comprises: a hollow housing adapted to facilitate a flow of a fluid therethrough, the housing including an inlet having a neck formed therein and an outlet; a main body disposed in the housing, the main body including a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, wherein the first segment and the second segment include at least one slot formed therein, and the third segment includes an annular collar having a plurality of threads formed therein, and wherein the main body is selectively positionable between an open position to permit the flow of the fluid through the housing and a closed position to militate against the flow of the fluid through the housing; an elongate member operatively engaged with the main body and cooperating with the main body to reach a desired position between the open position and the closed position, the elongate member having a plurality of threads formed thereon; an urging member disposed on the elongate member to control an axial movement of the main body in the housing; and a support including an inner ring, an outer ring, and at least one strut extending therebetween, wherein the inner ring slideably receives the elongate member and the at least one strut is disposed in the at least one slot to facilitate the axial movement of the main body in the housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of an inlet mechanism for an air induction system according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a main body of the inlet mechanism is in a substantially closed position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the inlet mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the main body of the inlet mechanism is in a substantially open position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the inlet mechanism illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of an inlet mechanism for an air induction system according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a main body of the inlet mechanism is in a substantially closed position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the inlet mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 4 , wherein the main body of the inlet mechanism is in a substantially open position; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the inlet mechanism illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  show an inlet mechanism  10  for use with a vehicle air induction system (not shown) according to an embodiment of the invention. The inlet mechanism  10  includes a housing  12  having a hollow interior  13  with a main body  14  disposed therein. The housing  12  can be attached to the air induction system by any conventional method such as clamping, for example. In the embodiment shown, the housing  12  is produced from a plastic. It is understood that the housing  12  can be produced from any material as desired. The housing  12  has a generally circular cross-sectional shape and includes a first portion  16  and a second portion  18 . It is understood that the housing  12  can have any shape as desired. The first portion  16  includes a neck  20  having an inlet in fluid communication with the atmosphere formed therein. The neck  20  is adapted to selectively receive at least a portion of the main body  14  therein. The second portion  18  includes an outlet  22  adapted to be coupled to an inlet (not shown) of the air induction system. The second portion  18  can be attached to the first portion  16  by any conventional method such as clamping, for example, or formed as a unitary structure. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment shown, the main body  14  is substantially ellipsoid shaped having an elongated end. Although the main body  14  shown is produced from a plastic, it is understood that the main body  14  can be produced from any material as desired such as a metal material, for example. The main body  14  includes a first segment  24 , a second segment  26 , and a third segment  28 . It is understood that the segments  24 ,  26 ,  28  can be joined by any conventional means such as a snap fit, an epoxy, a fastener, and the like, for example. As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the first segment  24  and the second segment  26  includes a pair of opposing indentations  30  formed therein. The indentations  30  of the first segment  24  substantially align and cooperate with the indentations  30  of the second segment  26  to form a pair of opposing slots  31 . The slots  31  extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the main body  14 . The third segment  28  is generally hemispherical in shape and is adapted to be coupled to an open end of the first segment  24  and the second segment  26 . The third segment  28  includes an annular collar  32  having a plurality of internal threads  33  formed therein. 
         [0019]    An elongate member  34  is disposed in the main body  14 . It is understood that the elongate member  34  can have any shape as desired. In a non-limiting example, the elongate member  34  is produced from a plastic. In another non-limiting example, the elongate member  34  is produced from a metal material to add weight to the main body  14 , thereby minimizing a vibration thereof. It is understood, however, that the elongate member  34  can be produced from any material d. The elongate member  34  includes a first end  36  and a second end  38 . As illustrated, the first end  36  includes a plurality of external threads  40  formed thereon. The threads  40  are adapted to be received in the threads  33  of the annular collar  32 . 
         [0020]    An urging member  42  is disposed on the first end  36  of the elongate member  34 . Although the urging member  42  shown is a helical spring, it is understood that the urging member  42  can be any urging member as desired. It is also understood that a resistance force of the urging member  42  influences an axial movement of the main body  14 . The second end  38  of the elongate member  34  includes a pair of radially outwardly extending protuberances  44 . Each of the protuberances  44  is adapted to be received in a corresponding cavity  46  formed in the first segment  24  and the second segment  26  of the main body  14 . The protuberances  44  militate against relative axial movement between the elongate member  34  and the main body  14 . 
         [0021]    A support  48  disposed in the housing  12  is adapted to stabilize and position the main body  14  therein. In the embodiment shown, the support  48  is produced from a plastic. It is understood, however, that the support  48  can be produced from any material as desired such as a metal material, for example. The support  48  includes an inner ring  50 , an outer ring  52 , and an annular array of struts  54  extending therebetween. The inner ring  50  slideably receives the elongate member  34  therethrough to permit the axial movement of the main body  14  along the axis A. An outer surface of the outer ring  52  is fixedly attached to an inner surface of the housing  12  to militate against a rotational and a lateral movement of the main body  14  in respect of the axis A. The struts  54  extend radially outwardly from the inner ring  50  and through the slots  31  formed in the main body  14  to the outer ring  52 . The slots  31  permit the axial movement of the main body  14  along the axis A, while militating against the rotational and the lateral movement thereof. One end of the urging member  42  abuts to at least one of the inner ring  50  and the struts  54 . 
         [0022]    It is understood that a damping element may be disposed in the main body  14  to minimize axial amplitude of any resonant oscillation of the main body  14 . 
         [0023]    In operation, air is received into the air induction system of the vehicle through the inlet mechanism  10 . When the vehicle is idling or operated at low engine speeds, a rate of airflow into the air induction system, and more particularly the inlet mechanism  10 , is minimized. At a minimum rate of airflow, the drag force on the main body  14  from the airflow is minimized. Accordingly, the urging member  42  is relatively unloaded and a resistance force thereof urges the main body  14  in a substantially closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the closed position, the main body  14  is disposed in the neck  20  of the housing  12 . Accordingly, the inlet area of the neck  20  is minimized, permitting a substantially minimal volume of air to flow around the main body  14  and into the air induction system. 
         [0024]    When the vehicle is operated at high engine speeds, the rate of airflow into the air induction system, and more particularly the inlet mechanism  10 , is maximized. At a maximum rate of airflow, the drag force on the main body  14  from the airflow is maximized. Accordingly, the urging member  42  is fully loaded and the main body  14  is in a substantially open position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the open position, the main body  14  is urged axially from the neck  20  of the housing  12  in a first direction along the Axis A. Accordingly, the inlet area of the neck  20  is maximized, permitting a maximum volume of air to flow around the main body  14  and into the air induction system. In the embodiment shown, the open position of the main body  14  is a distance of about 45 mm from the closed position in the first direction. It is understood, however, that the open position of the main body  14  can be at any distance from the closed position as desired. 
         [0025]    When the vehicle is operated at intermediate engine speeds, the rate of airflow into the air induction system, and more particularly the inlet mechanism  10 , is at an intermediate rate between the minimum flow rate and the maximum flow rate. At an intermediate rate of airflow, the drag force on the main body  14  from the airflow is between the minimum force and the maximum force. Accordingly, the urging member  42  is loaded and the main body  14  is in a substantially intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the main body  14  is urged axially in the first direction along the Axis A. Accordingly, the inlet area of the neck  20  is between the minimum area and the maximum area, selectively permitting an intermediate volume of air to flow around the main body  14  and into the air induction system. In the embodiment shown, the intermediate position of the main body  14  is between a distance of about 0.0 mm to about 45 mm from the closed position. It is understood, however, that the intermediate position of the main body  14  can be at any distance between the open position and the closed position as desired. 
         [0026]    It is further understood that as the rate of airflow into the inlet mechanism  10  the drag force on the main body  14  increases. Accordingly, the main body  14  axially translates in the first direction along the Axis A until a resistance force of the urging member  42  and the drag force of the main body  14  equilibrate. 
         [0027]    In the embodiment shown, the main body  14  is calibrated by selectively threading the elongate member  34  to the third segment  28 . Particularly, as more threads  40  are received into the threads  33  of the annular collar  32 , a compression of the urging member  42  increases. Accordingly, an amount of drag force on the main body  14  from airflow through the housing  12  to initially move the main body  14  is increased. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  show another embodiment of the invention which includes an inlet mechanism  10 ′ similar to the inlet mechanism  10  shown in  FIGS. 1  thru  3 . Reference numerals for similar structure in respect of the description of  FIGS. 1  thru  3  are repeated in  FIGS. 4  thru  6  with a prime (′) symbol. 
         [0029]    The inlet mechanism  10 ′ shown is for use with a vehicle air induction system (not shown). The inlet mechanism  10 ′ includes a housing  12 ′ having a hollow interior  13 ′ with a main body  114  disposed therein. The housing  12 ′ can be attached to the air induction system by any conventional method such as clamping, for example. In the embodiment shown, the housing  12 ′ is produced from a plastic. It is understood that the housing  12 ′ can be produced from any material as desired. The housing  12 ′ has a generally circular cross-sectional shape and includes a first portion  16 ′ and a second portion  18 ′. It is understood that the housing  12 ′ can have any shape as desired. The first portion  16 ′ includes a neck  20 ′ having an inlet in fluid communication with the atmosphere formed therein. The neck  20 ′ is adapted to selectively receive at least a portion of the main body  114  therein. The second portion  18 ′ includes an outlet  22 ′ adapted to be coupled to an inlet (not shown) of the air induction system. The second portion  18 ′ can be attached to the first portion  16 ′ by any conventional method such as clamping, for example, or formed as a unitary structure. 
         [0030]    In the embodiment shown, the main body  114  is substantially cylindrical shaped having a venturi passage  116  formed therein. Although the main body  114  shown is produced from plastic, it is understood that the main body can be produced from any material as desired such as a metal material, for example. The main body  114  includes a first segment  118  and a second segment  120 . It is understood that the segments  118 ,  120  can be joined by any conventional means such as a snap fit, an epoxy, a fastener, and the like, for example. The first segment  118  includes an annular opening  122 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The opening  122  is adapted to receive an urging member  124  therein. Although the urging member  124  shown is a helical spring, it is understood that the urging member  124  can be any urging member as desired. It is also understood that a resistance force of the urging member  124  influences an axial movement of the main body  114 . One end of the urging member  124  abuts the second segment  120 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first segment  118  further includes a pair of opposing slots  126 . The slots  126  are formed to extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis A′ of the main body  114 . 
         [0031]    A support  128  disposed in the housing  12 ′ is adapted to stabilize and position the main body  114  therein. In the embodiment shown, the support  128  is produced from a plastic. It is understood, however, that the support  128  can be produced from any material as desired such as a metal material, for example. The support  128  includes an inner ring  130 , an outer ring  132 , and an annular array of struts  134  extending therebetween. The inner ring  130  is received in the opening  122  to permit the axial movement of the main body  114  along the axis A′. An outer surface of the outer ring  132  is fixedly attached to an inner surface of the housing  121  to militate against a rotational and a lateral movement of the main body  114  in respect of the axis A′. The struts  134  extend radially outwardly from the inner ring  130  and through the slots  126  formed in the main body  114  to the outer ring  132 . The slots  126  permit the axial movement of the main body  114  along the axis A′, while militating against the rotational and the lateral movement thereof. Another end of the urging member  124  abuts at least one of the inner ring  130  and the struts  134 . 
         [0032]    It is understood that a damping element may be disposed in the main body  114  to minimize axial amplitude of any resonant oscillation of the main body  114 . 
         [0033]    In operation, air is received into the air induction system of the vehicle through the inlet mechanism  10 ′. When the vehicle is idling or operated at low engine speeds, a rate of airflow into the air induction system, and more particularly the inlet mechanism  10 ′, is minimized. At a minimum rate of airflow, a drag force on the main body  114  from the airflow is minimized. Accordingly, the urging member  124  is relatively unloaded and a resistance force thereof urges the main body  114  in a substantially closed position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the closed position, the main body  114  is disposed in the neck  20 ′ of the housing  12 ′. Accordingly, the inlet area of the neck  20 ′ is minimized, permitting a substantially minimal volume of air to flow around and through the main body  114  and into the air induction system. 
         [0034]    When the vehicle is operated at high engine speeds, the rate of airflow into the air induction system, and more particularly the inlet mechanism  10 ′, is maximized. At a maximum rate of airflow, the drag force on the main body  114  from the airflow is maximized. Accordingly, the urging member  124  is fully loaded and the main body  114  is in a substantially open position, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In the open position, the main body  114  is urged axially from the neck  20 ′ of the housing  12 ′ in a first direction along the Axis A′. Accordingly, the inlet area of the neck  20 ′ is maximized, permitting a maximum volume of air to flow around and through the main body  114 , and into the air induction system. In the embodiment shown, the open position of the main body  114  is a distance of about 20 mm from the closed position. It is understood, however, that the open position of the main body  114  can be at any distance from the closed position as desired. 
         [0035]    When the vehicle is operated at intermediate engine speeds, the rate of airflow into the air induction system, and more particularly the inlet mechanism  10 ′, is at an intermediate rate between the minimum flow rate and the maximum flow rate. At an intermediate rate of airflow, the drag force on the main body  114  from the airflow is between the minimum amount of force and the maximum amount of force. Accordingly, the urging member  124  is loaded and the main body  114  is in a substantially intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the main body  114  is urged axially in the first direction along the Axis A′. Accordingly, the inlet area of the neck  20 ′ is between the maximum area and the minimum area, permitting an intermediate volume of air to flow around and through the main body  114 , and into the air induction system. In the embodiment shown, the intermediate position of the main body  114  is between a distance of about 0.0 mm to about 20 mm from the closed position. It is understood, however, that the intermediate position of the main body  114  can be at any distance between the open position and the closed position as desired. 
         [0036]    It is further understood that as the rate of airflow into the inlet mechanism  10 ′ increases, the drag force on the main body  114  increases. Accordingly, the main body  114  axially translates in the first direction along the Axis A′ until a resistance force of the urging member  124  and the drag force of the main body  114  equilibrate. 
         [0037]    From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.