Engine Control Unit Cooling Air Box

• US 20200132026A1
• Filed: 10/27/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: K & N Engineering Incorporated
• Original Assignee: K & N Engineering Incorporated
• Inventors: Fiello, Jonathan, Williams, Steve, Hsieh, George, Stevens, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 11,506,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2271/02 Gaskets, sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2275/201 Conical shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/60 for the intake of internal combustion engines or turbines intake systems for vehicles comprising filters F02M35/024
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/001 Means for connecting filter housings to supports
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/02425 Support structures increasing the stability or stiffness of the filter element
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/0245 Pleated, folded, corrugated filter elements, e.g. made of paper
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/02483 Cylindrical, conical, oval, spherical or the like filter elements; wounded filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/042 combined with other devices, e.g. heaters F02M35/021, F02M35/06, F02M35/14 take precedence; for use other than engine air intake cleaning, e.g. air intake filters arranged in the fuel vapour recovery system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/044 Special arrangements of cleaners in or with respect to the air intake system, e.g. in the intake plenum, in ducts or with respect to carburettors
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10249 Electrical or electronic devices fixed to the intake system; Electric wiring electric heaters F02M31/12; sensors F02M35/10373

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for an air box configured to cool an engine control unit (ECU) by way of an airstream being communicated to an air intake system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The air box is comprised of a housing to support an air filter within an interior of the housing. An opening in the housing fixedly receives at least one surface of the ECU to transfer heat from the ECU to the airstream. A mount portion within the housing receives the air filter. A conduit to a clean side of the air filter is configured to be coupled with the air intake system. An inlet to the housing is configured to couple with an air inlet duct of the vehicle so as to direct the airstream into the interior of the housing.

Claims

1. An air box configured to cool an engine control unit (ECU) by way of an airstream being communicated to an air intake system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising:

a housing configured to support an air filter within an interior of the housing;

an opening in the housing configured to fixedly receive at least one surface of the ECU such that the ECU is external relative to the housing;

a mount portion disposed within the housing and configured to receive an air filter;

a conduit comprised of an opening to a clean side of the air filter and configured to be coupled with the air intake system; and

an inlet to the housing that is configured to couple with an air inlet duct of the vehicle so as to direct the airstream into the interior of the housing.

2. The air box of claim 1, wherein the mount portion is comprised of a flat surface that is configured to receive a seal disposed at a base of the air filter, wherein at least one of a multiplicity of fasteners is used to compress the seal and establish an airtight connection between an interior of the air filter and the mount portion.

3. The air box of claim 1, wherein the mount portion is comprised of a flange that extends into the interior of the housing and is configured to be received into an opening in a base of the air filter.

4. The air box of claim 1, wherein the conduit is comprised of a transition and a flange that is configured to receive the air intake system, the transition comprising a molded connection between the flange and the housing.

5. The air box of claim 4, wherein the transition positions a longitudinal dimension of the flange at an offset relative to the housing, a value of the offset depending upon the particular vehicle, as well as the specific configuration of the engine, for which the ECU cooling air box is to be utilized.

6. The air box of claim 4, wherein the transition positions a longitudinal dimension of the flange at an angle relative to the housing, a value of the angle depending upon the particular vehicle, as well as the specific configuration of the engine, for which the ECU cooling air box is to be utilized.

7. The air box of claim 1, wherein the opening comprises an edge portion that is configured to receive and place the at least one surface into direct contact with the airstream.

8. The air box of claim 7, wherein the edge portion is configured to receive a multiplicity of fasteners so as to fixedly attach the ECU to the housing.

9. The air box of claim 8, wherein a multiplicity of threaded holes are disposed in suitable locations within the edge portion to receive the multiplicity of fasteners.

10. The air box of claim 8, wherein the edge portion is configured to receive feet of the ECU, such that a portion of the at least one surface between the feet effectively encloses the interior of the housing.

11. The air box of claim 10, wherein a gasket is disposed between the at least one surface and the edge portion so as to provide an airtight coupling between housing and the ECU.

12. A method for an air box configured to cool an engine control unit (ECU) by way of an airstream being communicated through an air filter to an air intake system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising:

configuring a housing that is comprised of a mount portion to support the air filter within an interior of the housing;

extending a conduit from the mount portion to couple with the air intake system, the conduit comprising an opening to an interior of the air filter;

forming an inlet to the interior of the housing to couple with an air inlet duct of the vehicle; and

forming an opening in the housing to receive at least one surface of the ECU, such that the at least one surface substantially encloses the interior of the housing and such that the ECU is external relative to the housing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein forming an opening further comprises configuring an edge portion of the opening to receive the at least one surface, such that the at least one surface is placed into direct contact with the airstream.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein configuring the edge portion further comprises disposing a multiplicity of threaded holes in suitable locations within the edge portion to receive a multiplicity of fasteners to fixedly attach the ECU to the housing.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein configuring the edge portion further comprises fabricating a gasket to be disposed between the at least one surface and the edge portion to provide an airtight coupling between housing and the ECU.