Muffler for exhaust system and method for manufacturing muffler

Abstract

The invention relates to a muffler for an exhaust system, comprising a circumferential wall (12) defining a muffler interior (14), at least one muffler wall (18, 20) connected to the circumferential wall (12) and / or arranged in the muffler interior, at least one muffler tube extending in the direction of a tube axis (R) and passing through a tube passage opening (40) in the at least one muffler wall (16, 18, 20), wherein at least one muffler tube (30), which passes through a tube passage opening (40) in the muffler wall (18), is connected to the muffler wall (18) by means of a bayonet joint (32). The invention also relates to a method for producing a muffler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a muffler for an exhaust system (e.g., an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine). Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a muffler. Background Technology

[0002] In manufacturing the rear muffler of an internal combustion engine exhaust system used as a drive device in a motor vehicle, for example, the muffler pipe passing through the muffler wall inside the muffler is typically connected to the muffler wall it passes through in such a way that, after the muffler pipe is inserted and positioned in a defined manner in the pipe through-hole that accommodates the muffler pipe, a material-locking connection is formed by manufacturing a weld. It is also known that, after such a muffler pipe is inserted into the respective mating pipe through-holes of the muffler wall, the muffler pipe is radially expanded in front of and behind the muffler wall, thus forming a form-locking connection between the muffler pipe and the muffler wall that accommodates it, acting in the longitudinal direction of the muffler pipe. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this invention is to provide a muffler for an exhaust system and a method for manufacturing the muffler, wherein the components are stably connected to each other in a simple manner.

[0004] According to the present invention, this task is solved by a muffler for an exhaust system, comprising:

[0005] - The circumferential walls that define the internal space of the muffler.

[0006] - At least one muffler wall connected to the circumferential wall and / or disposed in the internal space of the muffler.

[0007] - At least one muffler pipe extending along the pipe axis and passing through at least one pipe through-opening in the muffler wall.

[0008] In this configuration, at least one muffler pipe passing through the muffler wall through the opening is connected to the muffler wall by means of a bayonet joint.

[0009] This bayonet joint creates a stable, click-free connection between the muffler tube and the muffler wall, eliminating the need for other connection methods such as material locking. At the same time, the bayonet joint ensures the precise positioning of the connected components.

[0010] The bayonet may include at least one bayonet receptacle in one of the components of the muffler tube and the muffler wall, preferably in the muffler tube, and a bayonet protrusion may be included in the other component of the muffler tube and the muffler wall, preferably in the muffler wall, in conjunction with at least one, preferably each, bayonet receptacle.

[0011] To further improve connection stability, the bayonet joint may include multiple bayonet joint receptacles arranged around the pipe axis at preferably uniform intervals.

[0012] To easily establish and lock the connection, the bayonet receptacle may have an insertion section that extends substantially along the pipe axis and is open in the pipe axis direction to accommodate the bayonet protrusion, a transition section that extends substantially in the circumferential direction and is connected to the insertion section, and a locking section that extends substantially along the pipe axis direction and is closed in the pipe axis direction and is connected to the transition section.

[0013] In order to provide the necessary structure for the bayonet fitting in the muffler tube, the muffler tube may include a first tube section with a smaller external dimension, a second tube section with a larger external dimension, and an expansion section located between the first tube section and the second tube section.

[0014] To accommodate the bayonet protrusion, the insertion section can extend into the second pipe section in the expansion section in a direction away from the first pipe section.

[0015] In order to utilize the axial length of the expansion section to insert the bayonet protrusion, the insertion end of the insertion section can be positioned within the expansion section near the first tube section. This means that the insertion end is positioned closer to the first tube section than to the second tube section, for example, by connecting it to the first tube section.

[0016] The transition section may be located in the expansion section near the second pipe section and / or located in the second pipe section. "Near the second pipe section" means that the transition section is located closer to the second pipe section than to the first pipe section, for example, by connecting to the second pipe section.

[0017] In order to form a form-locking engagement between the muffler wall and the muffler tube in the locked state, the locking end of the locking section can be positioned in the second tube section or in the expansion section near the second tube section. "Near the second tube section" here also means that the locking end is positioned closer to the second tube section than to the first tube section.

[0018] For ease of manufacturing, the at least one bayonet fitting receptacle may include a receptacle opening formed in the wall of the muffler tube, i.e., passing through the tube wall. This design can be advantageously specified if the bayonet fitting is entirely within the internal space of the muffler and gas leakage in the bayonet fitting area does not pose a problem.

[0019] If gas leakage in the bayonet joint area should be avoided to the greatest extent possible, the at least one bayonet joint receiving portion may include a receiving recess formed in the pipe wall of the muffler tube.

[0020] The muffler wall may include an opening edge that curves along the pipe axis around the through-hole. Here, the bayonet protrusion may include a radially inwardly oriented outwardly convex portion on the opening edge.

[0021] To reliably prevent the separation of the at least one muffler tube held to the muffler wall by means of a bayonet joint in the event of vibration in the vehicle, it is proposed that the at least one muffler tube connected to the muffler wall by means of a bayonet joint is further connected to the muffler wall by material locking, preferably one or more welds and / or by force locking, preferably by radial expansion of the muffler tube in the section of the muffler tube with a through-hole opening in the muffler wall.

[0022] The muffler wall, through which the muffler tube passes and connected to the muffler tube by means of a bayonet joint, can be an intermediate wall that separates two chambers in the muffler's internal space from each other.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a muffler constructed according to the present invention, comprising the following measures:

[0024] a) Provide at least one component of a muffler tube and a muffler wall, preferably a muffler tube, having at least one bayonet fitting receiving portion.

[0025] b) Provide another component, preferably the muffler wall, among the muffler tube and muffler wall, having at least one bayonet joint protrusion.

[0026] c) Insert the at least one muffler tube into the through opening of the at least one muffler wall such that each bayonet protrusion on the other component of the muffler tube and the muffler wall is received in the bayonet receiving portion of the one component of the muffler tube and the muffler wall.

[0027] To prevent the bayonet from being placed in its locked position during the execution of measure c), and then subsequently released, for example, based on vibrations occurring in the vehicle, it is also proposed to execute measure d) for locking the at least one muffler pipe to the at least one muffler wall material after the execution of measure c), and / or to also execute measure e) for locking the at least one muffler pipe to the at least one muffler wall material after the execution of measure c).

[0028] For example, measure d) may include forming at least one weld, i.e., forming one or more weld points.

[0029] The measure e) may include radially expanding the at least one muffler tube in the axial region of its tube-through opening passing through the at least one muffler wall. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows:

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the muffler is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 The muffler wall is shown being passed through by the muffler tube and connected to the muffler tube via a bayonet joint;

[0033] Figure 3 This illustrates the connection establishment phase between the muffler wall and the muffler pipe. Figure 2 The bayonet joint area in the middle,

[0034] Figure 4 This illustrates the connection established in a later stage between the muffler wall and the muffler pipe. Figure 3 The corresponding view;

[0035] Figure 5 The bayonet connector area is shown in the schematic diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figure 1 The schematic diagram illustrates an example of a muffler 10, which is used, for example, as a rear muffler in the exhaust system of a vehicle's internal combustion engine. The muffler 10 includes a tubular, for example cylindrical, elongated circumferential wall 12 along the muffler axis S, which radially defines the muffler's internal space 14. The muffler 10 also includes a plurality of muffler walls 16, 18, 20, wherein muffler walls 16, 20 located at the axial ends of the circumferential wall 12 form end walls that axially define the muffler's internal space 14, while muffler wall 18 forms an intermediate wall dividing the muffler's internal space 14 into two chambers 22, 24.

[0037] For example, muffler pipe 26, used as an intake pipe, passes through muffler walls 16 and 18 and terminates in the region of chamber 24 within the muffler interior space 14. Similarly, muffler pipe 28, used as an exhaust pipe, passes through muffler walls 20 and 18 and terminates in the region of chamber 22 within the muffler interior space 14. Muffler pipe 30, positioned within the muffler interior space 14, passes through muffler wall 18, which separates the two chambers 22 and 24 from each other, and thus establishes a flow connection between the two chambers 24 and 22, and therefore also between the two muffler pipes 26 and 28.

[0038] The following example illustrates the connection between the muffler tube 30, which establishes a flow connection between two chambers 22 and 24, and the muffler wall via a bayonet joint, which is generally indicated by reference numeral 32 in the attached drawing.

[0039] The muffler pipe 30, which is connected to or to be connected to the muffler wall 18 used as an intermediate wall, is included in the muffler pipe 30 via a bayonet joint 32. Figure 2The first pipe section 34, visible on the left side of the muffler wall 18, has a smaller external dimension, i.e., a smaller outer diameter. For example, the first pipe section 34 can have a circular or cylindrical geometry. The second pipe section 36 of the muffler pipe 30 is located on the right side of the muffler wall 18, and has a larger external dimension than the first pipe section 34, such as a larger outer diameter. The second pipe section 36 can also have a circular or, for example, cylindrical geometry.

[0040] The expansion section 38 of the muffler tube 30 is located between the first tube section 34 and the second tube section 36 along the tube axis R. In the axial region of the expansion section 38, the external dimensions of the muffler tube 30 increase from the external dimensions in the first tube section 34 to the external dimensions in the second tube section 36. Corresponding to this increase in external dimensions, the internal dimensions of the muffler tube 30 also increase in the expansion section 38.

[0041] A through-hole, integrally indicated by reference numeral 40, is constructed in the muffler wall 18 to mate with the muffler tube 30. To provide the through-hole 40, an opening edge 42 is formed on the muffler wall 18, which bends or extends along the tube axis R. The opening edge (corresponding to the outer circumferential profile of the muffler tube 30 in the second tube section 36) also has a generally cylindrical and circular shape and provides a through-hole 40 with internal dimensions substantially corresponding to the external dimensions of the muffler tube 30 in the second tube section 36.

[0042] In the muffler tube 30, bayonet fitting receptacles 44 are formed at multiple circumferential locations, for example, at uniform intervals. For example, two, three, or four such bayonet fitting receptacles can be constructed circumferentially around the tube axis R. Figure 5 As shown in the schematic diagram, each bayonet connector receiving portion 44 has an insertion section 46 extending substantially along the pipe axis R, extending from the expansion section 38 into the region entering the second pipe section 36. For example, the insertion end 48 of the insertion section 46 can be positioned in the expansion section 38 such that the insertion end 38 is close to or adjacent to the junction of the expansion section 38 and the first pipe section 34. The insertion section 46 can also extend into the first pipe section 34, thereby positioning the insertion end 48 within the first pipe section 34.

[0043] On the insertion section 46, the transition section 52 of the bayonet receptacle 44 connects to the end 50 of the insertion section, for example, located in the region of the second pipe section 36. The transition section 52 may be configured, for example, to be arcuate or partially substantially linear, extending in a circumferential direction about the pipe axis R. In an alternative design, the transition section 52 may also be partially located in the expansion section 38 of the muffler pipe 30 or may be completely located in the expansion section 38, for example, in the region adjacent to the expansion section 38 and the second pipe section 36. However, for the muffler pipe 30 to be radially positioned in a defined manner in the pipe passage opening 40, it is advantageous that the transition section 52 is at least partially, preferably completely, located in the second pipe section 36.

[0044] On the transition section 52, the locking section 56 of the bayonet receptacle 44 is connected to the end 54 of the transition section away from the insertion section 46. The locking section 56 may be configured to extend substantially parallel to the insertion section 46, and as... Figure 5 As shown, it extends away from the transition section 52 in the same direction along the pipe axis R, so that the bayonet connector receiving part 44 has a generally U-shaped shape in principle.

[0045] The locking section 56 has a locking end 58, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is located within the second tube section 36. The locking section 56 may also extend partially into the expansion section 38 of the muffler tube 30, such that the locking end 58 can be positioned within the expansion section 38, for example, near the transition to the second tube section 36. Furthermore, the locking section 56 may be provided solely by a circular radial protrusion connected to the transition section 52 or formed by the end of an arcuate transition section 52.

[0046] On the muffler wall 18, in the region of the pipe penetration opening 40, at least one bayonet protrusion 60 is constructed to project radially inward into the pipe penetration opening 40. Such bayonet protrusions are preferably provided on the muffler wall 18 to mate with each bayonet receiving portion 44 on the muffler pipe 30. Figure 3 and 4 As clearly shown, this bayonet protrusion 60 can be provided, for example, through a radially inwardly oriented recessed portion on the opening edge 42. The circumferential extension of this bayonet protrusion 60 is chosen such that this circumferential extension is at least slightly less than the width of the insertion section 46 or locking section 56 in the circumferential direction around the pipe axis R, and its extension along the pipe axis R is at least slightly less than the axial width of the transition section 52. This ensures that the bayonet protrusion 60 can move through the insertion section 46 and the transition section 52 into the locking section 56 to establish a locking state.

[0047] To establish the locking state, the muffler tube 30 is moved forward, with its first tube section 34, onto the muffler wall 18 or inserted into the tube through opening 40, such that the bayonet protrusion 60 provided on the muffler wall 18 is aligned circumferentially with the insertion section 46 of one of the bayonet receiving portions 44. During this process, the muffler tube 30 is... Figure 2 The movement proceeds in the visible direction B to the muffler wall 18. During this movement, the bayonet protrusion 60 provided on the muffler wall 18 enters the insertion section 46 of the bayonet receiving section 44, which extends in the expansion section 38 of the muffler tube 30 and thus opens axially toward the first tube section 34. The movement can continue in the direction B until (e.g., as indicated by the movement arrow P) the corresponding bayonet protrusion 60 enters the transition region from its receiving insertion section 46 to the adjacent transition section 52.

[0048] Upon reaching this position, the muffler pipe 30 is rotated relative to the muffler wall 18 about the pipe axis R, causing the corresponding bayonet protrusion 60 to move along the transition section 52 into the region of the locking section 56. Then, or already during this rotational movement, it continues to move in the direction of motion B, causing the corresponding bayonet protrusion 60 to enter the locking end 58 of the mating bayonet receiving portion 44 (at... Figure 5 (shown in dashed lines). In this state, the muffler tube 30 can no longer make further axial and circumferential movements and therefore the muffler tube 30 is positioned relative to the muffler wall 18 in the locked position of the bayonet joint 32 in a defined manner.

[0049] Because the locking section 56 is designed to be shorter axially than the insertion section 46 and the locking end 58 is positioned in or near the second tube section 36 in the expansion section 38, the muffler tube 30 is positioned relative to the muffler wall 18 in the locked position such that the opening edge 42 at least partially overlaps with the second tube section 36 axially. Since the internal dimension of the tube through opening in the region of the opening edge 40 is compatible with, and only slightly larger than, the external dimension of the second tube section 36 of the muffler tube 30, the muffler tube 30 is positioned relative to the muffler wall 18 not only in a defined manner in the axial and circumferential directions via the bayonet joint 32, but also in a defined manner in the radial direction through the interaction between the second tube section 30 and the opening edge 42.

[0050] To ensure that the muffler tube 30 or bayonet joint 32 remains in the locked position under vibrations occurring in the vehicle, other measures can be taken to establish a fixed connection between the muffler tube 30 and the muffler wall 18. Therefore, for example, when the locked position is reached during muffler assembly, one or more welds, such as in the form of weld points, are formed in the adjacent area between the muffler wall 18 and the muffler tube 30. Alternatively or additionally, the muffler tube 30 may be radially expanded at least in its length section passing through the tube through opening 40, such that the muffler tube is radially outwardly pressed against the muffler wall 18 or the opening edge 42. The opening edge may also be slightly radially expanded during this expansion process.

[0051] The muffler tube 30 is stably positioned so that no additional support measures are required by the aforementioned connection between the muffler tube 30 and the muffler wall 18 via the bayonet joint 32. However, according to the design of the muffler 10, the muffler tube 30 may, for example, pass through another muffler wall serving as an intermediate wall in the muffler interior space 14 with its first tube section 34 and / or its second tube section 36, and be supported thereon at least radially. Furthermore, if the muffler tube 30 has a multi-radial stepped design, the muffler tube may also be connected to two or more muffler walls of correspondingly defined dimensions via such bayonet joints 32.

[0052] The muffler pipe 26 used as an intake pipe and / or the muffler pipe 28 used as an exhaust pipe can also be connected to the muffler wall 18, which serves as an intermediate wall, by means of such a bayonet joint, and pass through the pipe through-opening in the mating muffler wall 16 or 20 in a corresponding cylindrical section and welded thereto to obtain an airtight seal. In this case, welding or radial expansion in the bayonet joint area can be omitted. Furthermore, it is possible for the muffler pipe used as an intake or exhaust pipe to be positioned substantially transversely to the muffler axis S through the circumferential wall 12. In the muffler interior space 14, a muffler wall serving as a support wall, extending substantially along the muffler axis S, can be provided therein, in which the muffler pipe is positioned in an embedded manner. The connection between such a muffler pipe and such a muffler wall serving as a support wall can be made by means of a bayonet joint 32 in the manner described above.

[0053] In designs where gas leakage between chambers 22 and 24 is generally not a problem or is permissible, and where other openings are provided in the silencer wall 18 to allow gas passage if necessary, the bayonet connector receiving portion 44 (such as especially...) Figure 2 , 3(As seen in section 4) can be constructed as a slotted receiving opening through the muffler tube 30 or its wall. If gas passage should be prevented as much as possible in the bayonet joint 32 region, the bayonet joint receiving portion 44 can be constructed as a radially inwardly oriented receiving recess or an outwardly convex forming portion, similar to the bayonet joint protrusion 60.

[0054] Although for the sake of simplicity in performing the process of establishing the locking state, at least the insertion section 46 and preferably the locking section 56 of the bayonet connector receiving portion 44 also extend along the pipe axis R, these sections may also be arranged at an angle relative to the pipe axis R, for example, extending in a V-shape relative to each other, so that the insertion of the corresponding bayonet connector protrusion 60 into the mating insertion section 46 or locking section 56 may include movement along the direction of movement B accompanied by rotation about the pipe axis R.

[0055] In another alternative design, the bayonet protrusion 44 can be provided, for example, in the region of the pipe-through opening 40 or the opening edge 42 on the muffler wall 18, and the bayonet protrusion 60, for example, can be constructed on the muffler pipe 30 as a radially outwardly oriented protrusion. There is no need to design regions with different external dimensions for the muffler pipe 30. The bayonet protrusion 44 can be provided on the muffler wall 18 such that the insertion end 48 of the corresponding insertion section 46 is positioned in the rounded transition region from the opening edge 42 of the muffler wall 18 to the plate-like body region and thus axially opens in the pipe axis R direction to accommodate the corresponding bayonet protrusion 60. The transition section 52 and the locking section 56 can then be substantially constructed in the opening edge 42.

[0056] When manufacturing the muffler 10 in a wound structure manner, a muffler insert can be manufactured, which includes all the muffler walls (i.e., muffler walls 16, 18, 20 in the illustrated embodiment) and all or some of the muffler tubes (i.e., muffler tubes 26, 28, 30 in the illustrated embodiment). When assembling the muffler insert, one or more of the muffler tubes can be connected to at least one of the muffler walls in the manner described above by means of bayonet joints, and, if necessary, a material lock and / or force lock can be formed between the respective muffler tube and the muffler wall through which it passes. Subsequently, the muffler insert thus manufactured can be wrapped with the circumferential wall 12 or inserted into the circumferential wall 12, which has been constructed as a tubular assembly. The muffler walls 16, 20, which serve as end walls in the illustrated embodiment, can then be hermetically connected to the circumferential wall 12 by forming, for example, crimping, and / or by material lock, such as welding.

[0057] When such a muffler is applied to an internal combustion engine exhaust system, its various components, particularly the muffler pipe and muffler wall, are advantageously constructed as metal parts, for example, by forming metal sheet components, in which the structures required to provide the corresponding bayonet joints can be easily machined. The principles of the invention can also be applied, for example, to mufflers used in internal combustion engine exhaust systems, where the various components are made of plastic primarily for weight reduction. The structures required to provide bayonet joints can also be easily provided in such plastic components.

Claims

1. Muffler for an exhaust system, comprising - a circumferential wall (12) surrounding a muffler interior space (14), - at least one muffler wall (18, 20) connected to the circumferential wall (12) and / or arranged in the muffler interior space (14), - at least one muffler tube (26, 28, 30) extending in the direction of a tube axis (R) through a tube through-opening (40) in at least one of the muffler walls (16, 18, 20), wherein the at least one muffler tube (30) through the tube through-opening (40) in the muffler wall (18) is connected to the muffler wall (18) by means of a bayonet joint (32). The bayonet joint (32) comprises at least one bayonet joint receptacle (44) in one of the muffler tube (30) and the muffler wall (18), preferably in the muffler tube (30), and comprises a bayonet joint projection (60) on the other of the muffler tube (30) and the muffler wall (18), preferably on the muffler wall (18), which bayonet joint projection (60) is fitted to the at least one, preferably each, bayonet joint receptacle (44). The bayonet joint (32) comprises a plurality of bayonet joint receptacles (44) which are arranged at a preferably uniform spacing from one another around the tube axis (R). The bayonet joint receptacle (44) has an insertion section (46) which extends essentially in the direction of the tube axis (R) and which is open in the direction of the tube axis (R) to accommodate the bayonet joint projection (60), a transition section (52) which is connected to the insertion section (46) and which extends essentially in the circumferential direction, and a locking section (56) which is connected to the transition section (52) and which extends essentially in the direction of the tube axis (R) and is closed in the direction of the tube axis (R). The muffler tube (30) comprises a first tube section (34) having a smaller outer dimension, a second tube section (36) having a larger outer dimension, and an expansion section (38) between the first tube section (34) and the second tube section (36). The insertion section (46) extends in the expansion section (38) in a direction away from the first tube section towards the second tube section (36). An insertion end (48) of the insertion section (46) is positioned in the expansion section (38) close to the first tube section (34). The transition section (52) is positioned in the expansion section (38) close to the second tube section (36) and / or in the second tube section (36). A locking end (58) of the locking section (56) is positioned in the second tube section (36) or in the expansion section (38) close to the second tube section (36). The at least one bayonet joint receptacle (44) comprises a receptacle opening formed in the tube wall of the muffler tube (30). The at least one bayonet joint receptacle (44) comprises a receptacle recess formed in the tube wall of the muffler tube (30). ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. The muffler of claim 1, wherein ​ 3. The muffler of claim 2, wherein ​ 4. The muffler of claim 2 or 3, wherein ​ 5. The muffler of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, ​ 6. The muffler of claim 5, when dependent on claim 4, wherein ​ 7. The muffler of claim 6, wherein ​ 8. The muffler of claim 5 or 6, wherein ​ 9. The muffler of any one of claims 5-7, wherein, ​ 10. The muffler of any one of claims 2 or 3-9 when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that, ​ 11. The muffler of any one of claims 2 or 3-9 when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that, ​ 12. The muffler of any one of claims 2 or 3-11 when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that, The muffler wall (18) comprises an opening edge (42) which surrounds the tube through opening (40) and which is curved in the direction of the tube axis (R), and the bayonet joint projection (60) comprises a radially inwardly directed outer bulge on the opening edge (42).

13. The muffler of any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The at least one muffler tube (30) which is connected to the muffler wall (18) by means of the bayonet joint (32) is furthermore connected to the muffler wall (18) by material bonding, preferably one or more welds, and / or by force bonding, preferably by a radial expansion of the muffler tube (30) in the section of the muffler tube (30) which passes through the tube through opening (40) of the muffler wall (18).

14. The muffler of any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The muffler wall (18) is an intermediate wall which separates two chambers (24, 26) in the muffler interior (14) from one another.

15. Method for producing a muffler according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the following steps: a) providing at least one component, preferably the muffler tube (30), from among the muffler tube (30) and the muffler wall (18), which has at least one bayonet joint receptacle (44), b) providing the other component, preferably the muffler wall (18), from among the muffler tube (30) and the muffler wall (18), which has at least one bayonet joint projection (60), c) inserting the at least one muffler tube (30) into the tube through opening (40) of the at least one muffler wall (18) such that each bayonet joint projection (60) on the other component from among the muffler tube (30) and the muffler wall (18) is accommodated in the bayonet joint receptacle (44) of the one component from among the muffler tube (30) and the muffler wall (18).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, It is also provided that measure d) is carried out for material-bonding the at least one muffler tube (30) to the at least one muffler wall (18) after carrying out measure c), and / or that measure e) is carried out for force-bonding the at least one muffler tube (30) to the at least one muffler wall (18) after carrying out measure c).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The measure d) comprises forming at least one weld.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The measure e) comprises radially expanding the at least one muffler tube (30) in the axial region thereof which passes through the tube through opening (40) of the at least one muffler wall (40).

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