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US 7,779,950 B2Granted
Integrated frame and air box method and apparatus
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsJason W. B. Hoeve, Michael John Bluhm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present teachings generally include a motorcycle having an engine with at least two cylinders. A first cylinder head has a first top portion and a first side portion. A second cylinder head has a second top portion and a second side portion. The first cylinder head and the second cylinder head are associated with the engine. A frame member defines an integral air box that communicates air into the engine. The frame member couples to the first side portion of the first cylinder head and the second side portion of the second cylinder head.
Claims26
A motorcycle having an engine with at least two cylinders, the motorcycle comprising:
- a first cylinder head having a first top portion and a first side portion;
- a second cylinder head having a second top portion and a second side portion, said first cylinder head and said second cylinder head associated with the engine;
- and
- a frame member defining an integral air box communicating air into the engine, said integral air box defining an intake aperture and a single output aperture, said single output aperture positioned in a bottom wall of said integral air box, wherein said engine is retained to said frame member by attachment of said first side portion of said first cylinder head and said second side portion of said second cylinder head to an underside of said frame member with the engine receiving air communicated from said single output aperture in said integral air box.
1 more element
A motorcycle comprising:
- an engine comprising two cylinders one positioned fore and one positioned aft in relation to a longitudinal direction of the motorcycle, the engine having an air intake system comprised of throttle bodies on an upper side of the engine intermediate the two cylinders;
- a cast unitary frame member defining an integral air box, said cast unitary frame member comprising a top wall, a bottom wall and sidewalls, said integral air box defining an intake aperture and an output aperture, said output aperture positioned in said bottom wall;
- said engine being attached to said cast unitary frame member, and retaining said throttle bodies against said output aperture;
- a filter assembly positioned within said integral air box and releaseably connected to a portion of said frame member and received by said intake aperture;
- and
- a fuel tank coupled to at least a portion of said frame member, said fuel tank spaced from said intake aperture such that said filter assembly is removable from said intake aperture without removing said fuel tank from said frame member.
3 more elements
A motorcycle, comprising:
- an air box integrally formed from a frame member, said frame member comprising a longitudinally extending member having a top and a bottom wall and sidewalls, said air box defining an intake aperture and an output aperture, said output aperture positioned in said bottom wall;
- an intake system positioned against the output aperture of the frame member;
- a two cylinder V-configured engine, with one cylinder positioned fore and one cylinder positioned aft, in relation to a longitudinal direction of the motorcycle, with said engine positioned against said intake system, and said intake system positioned intermediate the two cylinders;
- a valve assembly in communication with said intake aperture and selectively moveable between an about open position, an about closed position and a plurality of positions therebetween;
- and
- a control module that detects a load on the engine and that controls said valve to one of said open positions, said closed position and said positions therebetween based on said detection of said load on said engine.
3 more elements
A motorcycle, comprising:
- an air box integrally formed from a frame member, said frame member comprising a longitudinally extending member having a top and a bottom wall and sidewalls, said air box defining an intake aperture and an output aperture, said output aperture positioned in said bottom wall;
- a valve assembly in communication with said intake aperture and selectively moveable between an about open position, an about closed position and a plurality of positions therebetween;
- a control module that detects a load on the engine and that controls said valve to one of said open positions, said closed position and said positions therebetween based on said detection of said load on said engine;
- and a filter assembly coupled to said valve assembly.
1 more element
A motorcycle comprising:
- a unitary frame member comprising a longitudinally extending member having a top and a bottom wall and sidewalls, the walls together defining an integral air box, said integral air box defining an intake aperture and an output aperture, said output aperture positioned in said bottom wall, and an integral front boss positioned forward of said output aperture and an integral rear boss positioned rearward of said output aperture;
- a flexible member disposed in said output aperture and coupled to said air box;
- an intake system having an intake member and throttle bodies, the intake member being sealingly engaged to said flexible member;
- and
- a two cylinder V-configured engine, with one cylinder positioned fore and one cylinder positioned aft, in relation to a longitudinal direction of the motorcycle, with said engine held by the unitary frame member and against said intake system, said fore cylinder being attached to said integral front boss and said aft cylinder being attached to said integral rear boss.
2 more elements
A motorcycle having an engine, the motorcycle comprising:
- an air box integrally formed from a frame member, said frame member comprising a longitudinally extending member having a top and a bottom wall and sidewalls, said air box defining an intake aperture and an output aperture, said output aperture positioned in said bottom wall;
- a valve assembly in communication with said intake aperture selectively moveable between an about open position, an about closed position and a plurality of positions therebetween;
- a filter assembly coupled to said valve assembly;
- and
- a control module that detects a load on the engine and that controls said valve to one of said open positions, said closed position and said positions therebetween based on said detection of said load on said engine.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.