Exhaust hose and protection device assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for an exhaust hose (2) provided with a flared end (3) around which a hose clamp (4) is mounted, and a protection device (5) for protecting said hose (2). According to the invention, the protection device (5) comprises a housing provided with two parts (15, 16) hinged about a pivotal link (17), which two hinged parts (15, 16) can be swung together by pivoting in order to enclose the hose (2), the flared end (3) and the clamp (4) entirely.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for an exhaust hose and a protective device for the hose.

[0002] Currently, the exhaust hose is welded to a flared flange, which is then tightened to the exhaust manifold flange on the engine side. A temporary protective device surrounds the hose to specifically protect it from damage caused by the welding.

[0003] For economic and weight-saving reasons, this connection between flanges has been replaced by a "double-cone" connection between the engine flange and one end of the hose, which is secured by a circular hose clamp.

[0004] To ensure accessibility during factory assembly and aftermarket repair at auto repair shops, the clamp needs to be angled at appropriate locations on the hose. In other words, the hose and clamp are assembled in one location and then transported to another location on the vehicle where the hose is intended to be installed, which might be, for example, a specific area on the assembly line for the vehicle. However, current protectors only protect the hose itself, not the hose clamp pre-installed on it.

[0005] The protective device for components according to the invention ensures protection for both the hose and the clamp.

[0006] The subject of this invention is an assembly for an exhaust hose and a protective device for the hose, the exhaust hose having a flared end, around which a hose clamp is mounted.

[0007] According to the invention, the protective device includes a housing having two portions hinged about a pivot link, the two hinged portions being able to pivot together to completely enclose the hose, flared end, and clamp. In this way, the hose and hose clamp can be assembled separately and then transported in a fully protected manner to their installation location in the vehicle, for example, along an assembly line. This protective device is particularly effective because it encloses the hose, flared end, and collar. Preferably, this housing is made of a plastic material. The purpose of the hose clamp is to secure the hose to the engine flange. Advantageously, once the housing is closed over the hose, flared end, and clamp, the housing is mushroom-shaped, with straight cylindrical legs extending from a circular enlarged head. Preferably, this housing has a circular overall shape without any particular irregularity, thereby facilitating easy handling. The two portions are complementary so that once they are pivoted together, they form a hollow housing.

[0008] Advantageously, the hose is a hollow cylindrical component, and the housing is a component having a hollow cylindrical body designed to enclose the hose and an enlarged head designed to enclose the flared end and the clamp for closure. Therefore, the profile of the housing is adapted to the profile of the unit consisting of the hose, the flared end, and the hose clamp. In other words, the dimensions of the housing should be determined as precisely as possible to completely enclose the unit without creating unnecessary free space between the housing and the unit.

[0009] Preferably, the pivot link is positioned to contact the flared end, swinging the two portions initially positioned on either side of the hose on the hose to close the flared end (which is provided with a hose clamp) and the hose.

[0010] Preferably, the flared end is hollow, and the housing includes a centering pin designed to enter the end to pre-position the protective device relative to the hose. Specifically, to facilitate easier assembly of the protective device around the hose, the centering pin is first inserted into the flared end of the hose to properly pre-position the housing onto the hose. Then, it becomes easy to swing the two hinged portions together. Preferably, the centering pin is cylindrical. Advantageously, the pin is hollow to reduce the weight of the protective housing, in particular.

[0011] Advantageously, the centering stud is elongated and has a collar with its plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud, the collar serving as a support element for the two hinged portions that have swung together. In this way, the collar acts as a bracket capable of holding the enlarged head of the protective device within a circular configuration.

[0012] Advantageously, each of the two hinged portions has a cooperating fastening device to secure the portions together when enclosing the hose, the flared end, and the clamp. Specifically, once the two portions are swung together, enclosing the unit consisting of the hose, the flared end, and the hose clamp, the two portions must remain in close contact with each other to properly seal the unit and eliminate any possibility of accidental opening. These fastening devices are assumed to be reversible, allowing for easy removal of the protective housing when the hose is installed on the engine of the vehicle in question.

[0013] Preferably, the fastening device is a plastic clip. These plastic clips are the simplest and fastest fastening devices to use, requiring no special tools or complicated operations.

[0014] Preferably, the hollow, enlarged head is sized relative to the hose clamp such that a gap exists between the head and the clamp. Since the hose clamp is an additional component precisely positioned on the flared end of the hose, the protective housing should not obstruct the clamp, preventing it from shifting or being damaged by minor impacts to the housing.

[0015] Advantageously, the hose has an end collar that abuts against when the two hinged portions close the hose, the flared end, and the clamp, to prevent any slippage of the protective device along the hose. Clearly, once the protective housing is assembled around the hose, the flared end, and the hose clamp, nothing prevents the protective housing from sliding along the hose. The purpose of this end collar is to prevent such slippage by forming an end stop for the protective housing.

[0016] Another subject of the present invention is a protective device for producing components according to the invention.

[0017] According to the present invention, the protective device includes a housing having two portions hinged about a pivot link, the assembly including a centering stud to which the pivot link is fastened.

[0018] The component according to the invention has the advantage of including a hose ready for installation directly by means of a hose clamp, and the component allows the hose to be transported to the installation location in a completely safe manner by means of a housing that completely encloses the hose and the hose clamp. The protective housing used in the component according to the invention has the advantage of being able to be quickly and easily positioned around the hose, and equally quickly and easily removed before the hose is installed on the vehicle. This protective housing also has the advantage of being sized such that it can protect the hose with its hose clamp attached without interfering with the hose clamp.

[0019] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the component according to the present invention is given below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0020] - Figure 1 This is a side view of a unit consisting of a hose, a flared end, and a hose clamp, used to manufacture components according to the invention.

[0021] - Figure 2A and Figure 2B These are perspective and cross-sectional views of the interaction between the hose and the engine flange of the component according to the present invention.

[0022] - Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a protective device for components according to the present invention.

[0023] - Figure 4A and Figure 4B These are two perspective views of the hose and protective device for the component according to the invention, at two different stages of the installation of the device on the hose.

[0024] - Figure 5A and Figure 5B These are two cross-sectional views of the hose and protective device for the component according to the present invention, with the protective device open and closed around the hose.

[0025] - Figure 6 This is a side view of a protective device for a component according to the present invention, showing both the protective device in the open and closed positions.

[0026] - Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the protective device for the component according to the invention in the closed position surrounding the hose.

[0027] - Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a protective device for a component according to the present invention, showing the pivot link of the protective device.

[0028] - Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the rear region of the component according to the invention, showing the rear collar of the hose.

[0029] The component 1 according to the invention includes a unit consisting of a hose 2 with a flared end 3 and a hose clamp 4, and a protective device 5 designed to protect the unit so as to deliver the unit to the location where the hose 2 is installed on the vehicle engine in a completely safe manner.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2BHose 2 is an elongated hollow cylindrical component with a flared end 3 formed by a hollow flange that is inserted into and protrudes from the hose 2. The portion 6 of the flange 3 protruding from the hose 2 is formed by a truncated conical wall, the cross-sectional area of ​​which increases regularly with increasing distance from the hose 2. Hose 2 is intended to be fastened to a flange 7 of the engine, which is a hollow cylindrical component with an annular protrusion 8 that locally widens the flange 7. The protrusion 8 is defined by two continuous edges 9 and 10 that are inclined relative to each other, such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 8 is largest at its central circumference 11 and gradually decreases on both sides of the central circumference 11. Hose 2 is fastened to the flange 7 of the engine by inserting the flange 7 into the flange 3 of the hose 2 until one of the edges 9 and 10 defining the protrusion 8 contacts the inner surface of the truncated conical wall of the protruding portion of the flange 3 of the hose 2. The clamp 4 is in the form of a ring defined by two edges 12 and 13, such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the ring is largest at its central circumference and gradually decreases on both sides of the central circumference. This ring 4 covers the protrusion 8 of the engine flange 7 and the truncated conical wall 6 of the flange 3 of the hose 2, and the clamping of the clamp 4 presses the truncated conical wall 6 against one of the edges 9 and 10 defining the protrusion 8.

[0031] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 The protective device 5 consists of a housing and a centering pin 18. The housing comprises two parts 15 and 16 hinged about a pivot link 17. The two parts 15 and 16 are identical, and each part has a semi-cylindrical hollow body 19 extending from a truncated conical hollow half-head 20. The two parts 15 and 16 are continuous with each other and connected by the pivot link 17, which can be made, for example, of a strip of material of relatively thin thickness, capable of being folded to allow the two parts 15 and 16 to move toward or away from each other. Advantageously, the two parts 15 and 16 and the pivot link 18 are made of the same material.

[0032] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe centering stud 18 has an elongated hollow cylindrical body 21 and a flat, annular collar 22, the plane of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body 21. The hollow cylindrical body 21 has a first end and a second free end, with the collar 22 located at the first end. The second free end terminates with a hollow cylindrical portion 23 having a diameter smaller than that of the rest of the body 21, this difference in diameter creating a shoulder 30. A pivot link 17 located between two hinged portions 15, 16 is fastened to the centering stud 18 at the central region of the collar 22. Preferably, the centering stud 18, the two hinged portions 15, 16, and the pivot link 17 are made of the same material. The two portions 15, 16 can be connected from... Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B The displayed open position has been moved to, for example... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The closed position is shown, for which the two parts 15, 16 have been closed along... Figure 6 The two sections 15 and 16 pivot together in the directions indicated by arrows 24 and 25. In the closed position, the two sections 15 and 16 are complementary to form a mushroom-shaped hollow component with a cylindrical body of constant diameter extending from an enlarged cylindrical head 27, the cylindrical head having a variable diameter larger than that of the body 26. Once the two sections 15 and 16 have pivoted together, they are secured together by plastic clips 28 and 29. The hose 2 has a rear collar 40 against which the free ends of the two hinged sections 15 and 16 abut to prevent the protective device from sliding along the hose 2. It should be noted that the enlarged cylindrical head 27 is sized such that there is a gap between the section 27 and the hose clamp 4 mounted on the enlarged end 3 of the hose 2.

[0033] The method of assembling the protective device 5 onto the unit consisting of the hose 2, the flared end 3, and the hose clamp 4 comprises the following steps:

[0034] - The step of positioning the protective device 5 in front of this unit ensures that the centering pin 18 is positioned close to the flared end 3, such as... Figure 4A As shown, sections 15 and 16 are in the open position.

[0035] -The step of moving the protective device 5 toward the unit, as follows Figure 4B As shown, this is accompanied by inserting the centering pin 19 into the flared end 3.

[0036] - Continue the insertion process until the shoulder 30 of the centering pin 18 abuts against the inner shoulder of the flared end 3. This engagement maintains a certain distance between the collar 22 and the hose clamp 4.

[0037] - By pivoting about pivot link 17, the two parts 15 and 16 are oscillating toward each other, causing the parts 15 and 16 to contact each other, thereby enclosing the hose clamp 4, the flared end 3, and the hose 2. In this way, the enlarged head 27 of the protective device 5 encloses the hose clamp 4 and the flared end 3, leaving a gap for the clamp 4, and the cylindrical body 26 of the protective device 5 encloses the hose 2. When the two parts 15 and 16 are in the closed position, the collar 22 of the centering pin 18 serves as the contact element between the two parts.

[0038] -The step of fastening the two parts 15 and 16 together using plastic clips 28 and 29.

[0039] It should be noted that the protective device 5 is temporarily mounted on the hose while the hose 2 is being delivered to its position on the vehicle. Once the hose / protective device assembly has been delivered to the correct position, the protective device can be removed as quickly and easily as if it were installed around the hose 2.

Claims

1. An assembly for an exhaust hose (2) and a protection device (5) for said hose (2), which exhaust hose is provided with a flared end (3) around which a hose clamp (4) is mounted, characterised in that, The protective device (5) includes a housing having two parts (15, 16) hinged about a pivot link (17), wherein the two hinged parts (15, 16) are pivotable together to completely enclose the hose (2), the flared end (3), and the clamp (4). The hose (2) is a hollow cylindrical component, and the outer shell is a component having a hollow cylindrical body (19) designed to enclose the hose (2) and a closed enlarged head (20) designed to enclose the flared end (3) and the clamp (4). The flared end (3) is hollow, and the housing includes a centering pin (18) designed to enter the flared end (3) to preposition the protective device (5) relative to the hose (2).

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, The pivot link (17) is positioned to contact the flared end (3), and wherein the two portions (15, 16) initially positioned on both sides of the hose (2) swing on the hose to close the flared end (3) and the hose (2), the flared end being provided with a hose clamp (4).

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The centering pin (18) is elongated and has a collar (22) whose plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin (18), and wherein the collar (22) serves as a support element for the two hinged parts (15, 16) that have been swinging together.

4. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The two hinged portions (15, 16) each have fastening devices (28, 29) that can cooperate with each other so that the portions (15, 16) can be fastened together when the two hinged portions enclose the hose (2), the flared end (3) and the clamp (4).

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein, These fastening devices are plastic clips (28, 29).

6. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The hollow enlarged head (20) is sized relative to the hose clamp (4) such that a gap is left between the head (20) and the clamp (4).

7. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The hose (2) has an end collar (40), wherein when the two hinged portions (15, 16) close the hose (2), the flared end (3) and the clamp (4), the two hinged portions abut against the collar (40) to prevent the protective device (5) from sliding along the hose (2).

8. A protection device for producing an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The protective device includes a housing having two portions (15, 16) hinged about a pivot link (17), and wherein the protective device includes a centering stud (18) to which the pivot link (17) is fastened.

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