Muffler, exhaust assembly and vehicle

Abstract

This application relates to a muffler, exhaust assembly, and vehicle, belonging to the field of muffler drainage technology. It includes: a housing, a drainage component, ball bearings, and a moving assembly. The housing is connected to the engine. The drainage component is located at the bottom of the housing and extends through the bottom of the housing. A channel is provided inside the drainage component, and an inlet and an outlet are provided on the drainage component, communicating with the channel. The inlet is located inside the housing, and the outlet is located outside the housing. The ball bearings roll within the drainage component. The moving assembly drives the ball bearings to move within the channel, thereby closing or opening the outlet. By controlling the movement of the ball bearings through the moving assembly, the outlet can be opened or closed as needed, maintaining the sealing of the outlet in the non-draining state, preventing exhaust gas and noise leakage, and ensuring the acoustic performance of the muffler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of muffler drainage, and more particularly to a muffler, exhaust assembly, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Water vapor produced during engine combustion is expelled with the exhaust gas through the exhaust system. However, during a cold start, the cooled muffler walls cause this water vapor to condense rapidly. Especially in cold winter regions, the muffler cools quickly after the vehicle is turned off, and the water vapor condenses rapidly into water droplets on the cooled muffler walls, forming condensation. This condensation, mixed with acidic substances from the exhaust gas, becomes a major cause of internal corrosion and perforation of the muffler, significantly shortening its lifespan. The gurgling noise produced by the swirling water inside the muffler also negatively impacts the driving experience.

[0003] Traditional mufflers have a water outlet at the bottom. To avoid the outlet being too large and affecting the muffler effect and overall vehicle sound quality, the diameter of the outlet is generally designed to be 3 to 3.5 mm. Therefore, it is very easy to get clogged and malfunction. There are two main reasons for the water outlet to become clogged: first, it is blocked by external mud, internal carbon soot, and other substances; second, in cold winters, when the vehicle is driven at continuous low speeds, water inside the muffler freezes and blocks it before it can be discharged. If the water outlet is blocked, the water inside the muffler cannot be discharged and will accumulate more and more. Especially in winter, it may cause the entire exhaust pipe to be blocked by ice, making it impossible for the vehicle to start and drive normally. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application addresses, to at least some extent, one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0005] Therefore, this application aims to provide a muffler, exhaust assembly, and vehicle that controls the movement of ball bearings through a moving component, thereby enabling the water outlet to be opened or closed on demand and maintaining the sealing of the water outlet in a non-draining state.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, this application provides a muffler, comprising: A housing for connection to an engine; A drainage component is located at the bottom of the housing and penetrates the bottom of the housing; the drainage component has a channel inside and an inlet and an outlet communicating with the channel; wherein the inlet is located inside the housing and the outlet is located outside the housing. Ball bearings that roll within the drainage element; A movable component is used to move the ball within the channel so that the ball closes or opens the water outlet.

[0007] In this technical solution, the movement of the ball bearings is controlled by a moving component, enabling the water outlet to open or close on demand. This maintains the water outlet's seal when not draining, preventing exhaust gas and noise leakage and ensuring the muffler's acoustic performance. Furthermore, this design is compact, easy to install, and suitable for various vehicle models and exhaust system layouts, exhibiting strong versatility and practicality. This technical solution fundamentally reduces the risk of corrosion and icing caused by water accumulation inside the muffler, improving the vehicle's durability and driving safety. Because the water outlet can be sealed by the ball bearings, its size can be larger, further reducing the risk of blockage.

[0008] In some embodiments of this application, the drainage component includes a first pipe and a second pipe that are connected and communicate with each other, the first pipe and the second pipe are arranged at an angle, and the water outlet is opened on the outside of the connection between the first pipe and the second pipe. The water inlet is located in the second pipe; the ball bearing is located in the first pipe when it opens the water outlet.

[0009] In this technical solution, the angle between the first and second pipes allows the ball bearings to naturally return to the bottom outlet position under gravity, ensuring a reliable seal. Simultaneously, the inlet is located in the second pipe, while the ball bearings move within one pipe, preventing them from obstructing water flow.

[0010] In some embodiments of this application, the bottom of the water inlet is flush with the inner bottom wall of the housing.

[0011] In this technical solution, the design maximizes the drainage of water from the bottom of the casing, preventing water residue and improving drainage efficiency. Simultaneously, the design reduces water accumulation in dead corners, lowering the risk of localized corrosion and extending the lifespan of the muffler. Furthermore, this structure facilitates the removal of carbon particles and sludge deposited at the bottom during drainage, achieving a self-cleaning function and further enhancing the reliability and ease of maintenance of the drainage system.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, a limiting groove is provided on the first pipe, the limiting groove being used to restrict the movement of the ball.

[0013] In the technical solution, when the water outlet is open, the limiting groove can effectively prevent the ball from deviating from the predetermined position due to vehicle vibration or airflow impact, thus closing the water outlet and ensuring the drainage effect.

[0014] In some embodiments of this application, the limiting groove penetrates the side wall of the first pipe, and the bottom of the limiting groove is flush with the inner bottom wall of the housing.

[0015] In the technical solution, the limiting groove can also be used as a water inlet hole, and the bottom of the limiting groove is flush with the bottom wall of the housing, which can drain the accumulated water at the bottom of the housing to the maximum extent, avoid the residue of accumulated water, and improve the drainage effect. At the same time, this design reduces the accumulation of accumulated water in dead corners, reduces the risk of local corrosion, and extends the service life of the muffler. In addition, this structure is also beneficial to drive the carbon particles and sludge deposited at the bottom to be discharged together during the drainage process, realizing the self-cleaning function, and further enhancing the reliability and maintenance convenience of the drainage system.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, the moving component includes an electromagnet, and the electromagnet is used to adsorb the ball to make it away from the water outlet hole.

[0017] In the technical solution, the electromagnet has the advantages of fast response speed, high control accuracy, simple structure, etc. When the electromagnet is powered on to generate magnetic force, it can adsorb the ball to make the ball away from the water outlet hole. And the electromagnet can also be controlled electronically. When drainage is required, electronic control is used for drainage to ensure that the drainage process is realized after the vehicle is熄火 or in a specific driving state. This design does not require mechanical transmission components, reduces wear, and improves the reliability and life of the system. At the same time, the electromagnet drive method has low power consumption, is suitable for being powered by a vehicle battery, and has good energy-saving effects and practical value.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present application, the moving component is a push rod, the push rod is fixed in the housing, and the output end of the push rod is connected to the ball.

[0019] In the technical solution, the push rod has a simple structure and a large thrust, can directly control the position of the ball, and is suitable for high-vibration and high-temperature environments. The push rod control method is flexible and can be used in配合 with a variety of sensors to realize more complex control logics and improve the intelligent level of the system.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the moving component includes a reset component and a heating component. The reset component is made of a shape memory alloy material. One end of the reset component is connected to the drainage component, and the other end is connected to the ball; The heating component is used to heat the reset component.

[0021] In the technical solution, the shape memory alloy has temperature-sensitive characteristics and can return to its original state after heating, so as to实现 the automatic return of the ball. It has a compact structure and is suitable for installation environments with limited space. The heating component can work through electric heating,实现 linkage with the vehicle operating state, and improve the integration and intelligent level of the system.

[0022] In the second aspect, the present application also provides an exhaust assembly, which includes an exhaust manifold and the muffler as described above. Among them, the muffler is connected and communicated with the exhaust manifold.

[0023] In this technical solution, an efficient and reliable exhaust system solution is formed by integrating a muffler with active drainage capabilities into the exhaust manifold. This assembly effectively addresses the issue of water vapor condensation generated by the engine under various operating conditions, prevents muffler corrosion and icing, and improves the durability and safety of the entire exhaust system. Simultaneously, this design balances acoustic performance and drainage efficiency, making it suitable for various vehicle models and engine types.

[0024] Thirdly, this application also provides a vehicle, including a body, an engine disposed on the body, and the aforementioned exhaust assembly, wherein the end of the exhaust manifold away from the muffler is connected to and communicates with the exhaust port of the engine.

[0025] In this technical solution, the vehicle features a highly efficient muffler self-cleaning and active drainage capability, enabling it to maintain a smooth exhaust system under harsh conditions such as cold regions or frequent short-distance driving, avoiding starting difficulties or performance degradation caused by water accumulation in the muffler. This technology improves the overall reliability, durability, and user experience of the vehicle.

[0026] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a muffler according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a front view of a muffler according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a bottom view of a muffler according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a side view of a muffler according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the drainage component of a muffler according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the drainage component of the muffler according to an embodiment of this application, under another state.

[0028] In the above figures: 100, housing; 200, drainage component; 201, first pipe; 202, second pipe; 300, water inlet; 400, water outlet; 500, limiting groove; 600, ball bearing; 700, moving component. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between components; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances. In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature. In this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0030] The present application will now be described in detail through exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that, without further description, elements, structures, and features in one embodiment may be advantageously incorporated into other embodiments. It's important to note that in the automotive industry, water vapor produced during engine operation enters the exhaust system along with the exhaust gases. After a cold start or in winter when the engine is turned off, the temperature of the muffler's inner wall drops rapidly, causing the water vapor to condense and form water. This water, mixed with acidic components in the exhaust gases, accelerates muffler corrosion and perforation, shortening its lifespan. Furthermore, the rattling noise caused by the water also affects the driving experience.

[0031] In existing technology, traditional mufflers have a water outlet hole at the bottom with a diameter of about 3–3.5 mm to drain accumulated water. However, the hole diameter is too small and it is easily blocked by mud, soot, etc., and it is also prone to freezing at low temperatures, causing the drainage function to fail. Once blocked, water continues to accumulate, which may cause the exhaust pipe to freeze, especially in extremely cold conditions, making the vehicle unable to start or drive.

[0032] Based on this, this application proposes a silencer that controls the movement of the ball bearings through a moving component, thereby enabling the outlet hole to be opened or closed as needed. The outlet hole is kept sealed in the non-drainage state, achieving the effect of drainage as needed. This solves the problems of sewage clogging of silencers and outlet hole blockage in the prior art.

[0033] In the following, embodiments of this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Referring to all the accompanying drawings, in one schematic embodiment of the muffler of this application, the muffler includes a housing 100 for connection to an engine. A chamber is formed inside the automotive muffler housing 100 for noise reduction. Engine noise and exhaust pass through the muffler housing 100, which not only reduces noise but also isolates and transports exhaust gases.

[0035] In some embodiments, the silencer further includes a drain element 200, which is located at the bottom of the housing 100 and extends through the bottom of the housing 100. The drain element 200 has an internal channel and an inlet hole 300 and an outlet hole 400 communicating with the channel. The inlet hole 300 is located inside the housing 100, and the outlet hole 400 is located outside the housing 100. Wastewater inside the housing 100 can enter the channel of the drain element 200 through the inlet hole 300 and be discharged outside the housing 100 through the outlet hole 400.

[0036] In some embodiments, the muffler further includes a ball bearing 600 and a moving assembly 700, wherein the ball bearing 600 rolls within the drain member 200; and the moving assembly 700 is used to move the ball bearing 600 within the channel so that the ball bearing 600 closes or opens the outlet hole 400.

[0037] The above solution controls the movement of the ball bearing 600 via the moving component 700, enabling the water outlet 400 to open or close as needed. This maintains the sealing of the water outlet 400 when not draining, preventing exhaust gas and noise leakage and ensuring the muffler's acoustic performance. Furthermore, this design is compact, easy to install, and suitable for various vehicle models and exhaust system layouts, demonstrating strong versatility and practicality. This technical solution fundamentally reduces the risk of corrosion and icing caused by water accumulation inside the muffler, improving the overall vehicle durability and driving safety.

[0038] Compared to existing technologies where the water outlet 400 is directly formed at the bottom of the housing 100, this application allows for a larger water outlet 400 size because the water outlet 400 can be sealed by the ball bearing 600, thus reducing the risk of clogging. Furthermore, it avoids leakage of exhaust gas and noise when drainage is not required.

[0039] In some embodiments, a sound-absorbing cavity may also be provided inside the housing 100, where sound bounces off to reduce the volume of the sound.

[0040] In some embodiments, a perforated tube may also be provided inside the housing 100. When high-pressure exhaust gas passes through the perforated tube, sound waves and a portion of the gas "leak" out through the small holes and enter the surrounding expansion chamber or sound-absorbing cotton. This process disperses the concentrated sound wave energy. Furthermore, the sound waves leaking from different small holes collide and cancel each other out, achieving noise reduction.

[0041] In some embodiments, the housing 100 may also be provided with sound-absorbing materials such as sound-absorbing cotton. When sound waves enter the sound-absorbing material, they will come into contact with the fibers of the sound-absorbing material, converting sound energy into kinetic energy and heat energy, thereby directly absorbing the noise.

[0042] In some embodiments, the drain element 200 is a circular tube with one end higher than the other. The lower end extends through the exterior of the housing 100 and has a water outlet 400. The water inlet 300 is located above the ball bearing 600. The diameter of the water outlet 400 and the diameter of the ball bearing 600 are smaller than the channel diameter of the drain element 200. This ensures that while the ball bearing 600 opens the water outlet 400, water can enter the channel through the water inlet 300, and the water flow can pass through the gap between the ball bearing 600 and the inner wall of the channel, and exit through the water outlet 400.

[0043] In some embodiments, the outlet hole 400 is located at the bottom, and the inlet hole 300 is close to the outlet hole 400; that is, the outlet hole 400 is at the bottom of the drain member 200, and the inlet hole 300 is located at the bottom end of one side of the drain member 200. While the ball bearing 600 closes the outlet hole 400 at the bottom, its side also closes the inlet hole 300. When the ball bearing 600 is moved by the moving component 700, both the inlet hole 300 and the outlet hole 400 are opened simultaneously, allowing water to enter through the inlet hole 300 and exit through the outlet hole 400. This design shortens the distance between the inlet hole 300 and the outlet hole 400, reducing the time sewage stays in the channel and thus reducing the possibility of sludge and other debris entering the channel and clogging the outlet hole 400.

[0044] Understandably, to ensure that the ball bearing 600 can simultaneously seal both the outlet hole 400 and the inlet hole 300, the distance from the center of the inlet hole 300 to the outlet hole 400 is equal to the radius of the ball bearing 600. This ensures that the peripheral wall of the ball bearing 600 can block both the outlet hole 400 and the inlet hole 300.

[0045] In some embodiments, the ball bearing 600 may not be used to close the water outlet 400. The ball bearing 600 is driven by the moving component 700 to close or open the water inlet 300. When the ball bearing 600 closes the water inlet 300, it effectively prevents exhaust gas, noise, and external impurities from entering the drainage channel through the water inlet 300, thereby maintaining the internal sealing and acoustic performance of the muffler in the non-drainage state. When drainage is required, the moving component 700 drives the ball bearing 600 to open the water inlet 300, allowing accumulated water to flow smoothly into the drain component 200 and be discharged. The advantage of this structure is that when drainage is not required, wastewater will not enter the channel of the drain component 200, avoiding channel blockage. However, the disadvantage is that the moving component 700 needs to control the ball bearing 600 to be semi-suspended within the channel to close the water inlet 300, requiring higher stability in controlling the position of the ball bearing 600. When the vehicle vibrates, the ball bearing 600 may disengage from the water inlet 300, leading to leakage.

[0046] In some embodiments, the drainage component 200 includes a first pipe 201 and a second pipe 202 that are interconnected and communicate with each other. The first pipe 201 and the second pipe 202 are arranged at an angle, and a water outlet 400 is opened on the outside of the connection between the first pipe 201 and the second pipe 202. The water inlet 300 is opened in the second pipe 202. When the water outlet 400 is opened, the ball bearing 600 is located in the first pipe 201. The angled design of the first pipe 201 and the second pipe 202 allows the ball bearing 600 to naturally return to the bottom water outlet 400 position under the action of gravity, ensuring the reliability of the seal. At the same time, the water inlet 300 is located in the second pipe 202, while the ball bearing 600 moves within the first pipe 201, preventing the ball bearing 600 from obstructing the discharge of water.

[0047] In some embodiments, the connection between the first pipe 201 and the second pipe 202 has a smooth transition. This provides a smooth rolling path for the movement of the ball bearing 600, avoiding jamming or wear caused by structural abrupt changes, and enhancing the reliability and durability of the system. Furthermore, it ensures smooth discharge of wastewater and impurities, avoiding the risk of blockages at corners.

[0048] Furthermore, the first pipe 201 is inclined from bottom to top in a direction away from the second pipe 202. The second pipe 202 is inclined from bottom to top in a direction away from the first pipe 201. The minimum angle between the first pipe 201 and the vertical direction and the minimum angle between the second pipe 202 and the vertical direction are the same.

[0049] It is understandable that the connection between the first pipe 201 and the second pipe 202 extends out of the bottom of the housing 100, that is, the bend where the first pipe 201 and the second pipe 202 connect extends out of the bottom of the housing 100.

[0050] Specifically, the bottom of the housing 100 has an opening for the portion of the drain component 200 with a water outlet 400 to extend out. Specifically, the bend where the first pipe 201 and the second pipe 202 connect extends out of the opening of the housing 100.

[0051] To prevent water leakage at the opening, a sealing device is provided between the outer wall of the drain component 200 and the housing 100.

[0052] The drain component 200 and the housing 100 can be connected by welding, thereby improving the connection strength and preventing water leakage.

[0053] Specifically, the drain component 200 is welded to the edge of the opening on the housing 100 to ensure that water inside the housing 100 does not leak out from the gap between the opening of the housing 100 and the drain component 200.

[0054] In some embodiments, the arc transition structure at the connection between the first pipe 201 and the second pipe 202 has an arc radius not less than the radius of the ball 600, so as to ensure that the ball 600 moves smoothly and without obstruction and avoids jamming.

[0055] In some embodiments, a limiting groove 500 is provided on the first pipe 201 to restrict the movement of the ball bearing 600. When the water outlet 400 is open, the limiting groove 500 can effectively prevent the ball bearing 600 from deviating from the predetermined position due to vehicle vibration or airflow impact, thereby closing the water outlet 400 and ensuring drainage effect.

[0056] In some embodiments, the limiting groove 500 penetrates the side wall of the first pipe 201. That is, the limiting groove 500 is a through groove, and in this case, the limiting groove 500 can also be used as a water inlet 300. This improves drainage efficiency, and drainage can still be carried out through the limiting groove 500 when the water inlet 300 is blocked. Furthermore, because the limiting groove 500 is engaged by the ball bearing 600, even if the limiting groove 500 is blocked by silt or other impurities in the housing 100, the moving component 700 can move the ball bearing 600 to the limiting groove 500 to push away the silt and clear the limiting groove 500.

[0057] Understandably, to ensure water flow through the limiting groove 500 when the ball bearing 600 is engaged, the projection of the limiting groove 500 along the opening direction is non-elliptical. Because the wall of the limiting component is curved, the ball bearing 600 might completely close the limiting groove 500 if it were elliptical. Furthermore, to avoid the ball bearing 600 closing the limiting groove 500 due to tolerance issues, the projection of the limiting groove 500 along the opening direction is non-circular.

[0058] In some embodiments, the bottom of the water inlet 300 is flush with the inner bottom wall of the housing 100. This design maximizes the drainage of water from the bottom of the housing 100, preventing water residue and improving drainage efficiency. Simultaneously, this design reduces water accumulation in dead corners, lowers the risk of localized corrosion, and extends the service life of the muffler. Furthermore, this structure facilitates the removal of carbon particles and sludge deposited at the bottom during drainage, achieving a self-cleaning function and further enhancing the reliability and ease of maintenance of the drainage system.

[0059] In some embodiments, the bottom of the limiting groove 500 is flush with the inner bottom wall of the housing 100. This design maximizes the drainage of water from the bottom of the housing 100, preventing water residue and improving drainage efficiency. Simultaneously, this design reduces water accumulation in dead corners, lowers the risk of localized corrosion, and extends the service life of the muffler. Furthermore, this structure facilitates the removal of carbon particles and sludge deposited at the bottom during drainage, achieving a self-cleaning function and further enhancing the reliability and ease of maintenance of the drainage system.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the barrel principle, the lowest point of the limiting groove 500 only needs to be no higher than the inner bottom wall of the housing 100. Therefore, the lowest point of the limiting groove 500 is flush with the inner bottom wall of the housing 100. This structure reduces the dead corners where water accumulates at the bottom of the housing 100, reduces the risk of corrosion caused by local water accumulation, and extends the service life of the muffler.

[0061] In some embodiments, the moving component 700 includes an electromagnet used to attract the ball bearing 600, bringing it closer to or away from the drain hole 400. The electromagnet offers advantages such as fast response, high control precision, and simple structure. When energized, the electromagnet generates magnetic force, attracting the ball bearing 600 and moving it away from the drain hole 400. Furthermore, the electromagnet can be electrically controlled; drainage is initiated electronically when needed, ensuring the drainage process occurs while the vehicle is in motion. This design eliminates the need for mechanical transmission components, reducing wear and improving system reliability and lifespan. Simultaneously, the electromagnet-driven method consumes low power, making it suitable for vehicle battery power supply, thus offering excellent energy-saving performance and practical value.

[0062] The electromagnet can be connected to the vehicle's battery. When the vehicle is in normal operation, the electromagnet is powered by the battery. Even when the vehicle is off, the battery continues to supply power to the electromagnet.

[0063] In addition, the vehicle can be equipped with a separate battery or motor that continuously powers the electromagnet. This battery or motor can also serve as the vehicle's starting battery.

[0064] Specifically, the electromagnet is located at the end of the first pipe 201 away from the second pipe 202. When the electromagnet is energized and generates magnetic force, it will attract the ball bearing 600. At this time, the ball bearing 600 will move upward along the first pipe 201 and then detach from the water outlet 400, thus realizing drainage.

[0065] In some embodiments, the electromagnet requires a power supply from a wire, therefore the housing 100 is also provided with a wire hole, particularly a through-hole in the bottom wall of the housing 100, for the electromagnet's wire to pass through. A sealed arrangement is provided between the wire hole and the wire.

[0066] It is understandable that the ball bearing 600 is made of metal, specifically a material that can be attracted by a magnet. This material is existing technology and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0067] Furthermore, to reduce wear on the internal channels of the drain component 200 caused by the ball bearing 600, and to improve the sealing performance of the ball bearing 600 when closing the outlet hole 400, the ball bearing 600 may be covered with a rubber layer, while its interior remains metal. This ensures that it can be attracted by a magnet while the outer rubber layer can seal the outlet hole 400.

[0068] In another embodiment, the movable component 700 is a push rod, which is fixed inside the housing 100, and its output end is connected to the ball bearing 600. The push rod has a simple structure and high thrust, enabling direct control of the ball bearing 600's position, and is suitable for high-vibration and high-temperature environments. The push rod offers flexible control and can be used with various sensors to achieve more complex control logic, thus improving the system's intelligence level.

[0069] In some embodiments, the push rod has a fixed end and an output end. The fixed end is fixed to the housing 100 or the drain component 200, and the output end is connected to the ball bearing 600. The extension and retraction of the push rod pushes the ball bearing 600 to move within the first pipe 201, so that the ball bearing 600 closes or opens the water outlet 400.

[0070] To reduce wear caused by long-term friction between the ball bearing 600 and the first pipe 201, and to reduce static friction between the ball bearing 600 and the first pipe 201, the ball bearing 600 is magnetically connected to the output end of the push rod. This ensures that the ball bearing 600 can roll even when there is high friction within the first pipe 201, converting static friction into sliding or rolling friction, thus reducing wear.

[0071] In some embodiments, the push rod can be a hydraulic rod, a pneumatic rod, or an electrically operated telescopic rod. When the push rod is a hydraulic rod, the hydraulic pipe connected to the hydraulic rod passes through the housing 100. When the push rod is a pneumatic rod, the air pipe connected to the pneumatic rod passes through the housing 100. When the push rod is an electrically operated telescopic rod, the electrical wire connected to the electrically operated telescopic rod passes through the housing 100.

[0072] In another embodiment, the moving component 700 includes a reset component and a heating component. The reset component is made of a shape memory alloy, with one end connected to the drain component 200 and the other end connected to the ball bearing 600. The heating component is used to heat the reset component. The shape memory alloy has temperature-sensitive properties and can return to its original shape after heating, thereby achieving automatic return of the ball bearing 600. The structure is compact and suitable for space-constrained installation environments. The heating component can operate via electric heating, enabling linkage with the vehicle's operating status and improving the system's integration and intelligence level.

[0073] Specifically, the reset element can be in the shape of a spiral spring or a Z-shape with multiple folds. The top end of the reset element is connected to the top end of the first pipe 201 in the drain element 200, and the bottom end of the reset element is connected to the ball bearing 600. In its natural state, the gravity of the ball bearing 600 will pull the reset element to stretch until the ball bearing 600 closes the water outlet 400. When the heating element heats the reset element, the reset element, through the properties of its shape memory alloy, will contract and pull the ball bearing 600 upward to open the water outlet 400.

[0074] Furthermore, the heating element is preferably electrically heated. Alternatively, the heating element can be directly connected to the two ends of the reset element via the positive and negative terminals of a wire, respectively, so that the reset is achieved by the short-circuit heating of the reset element when energized.

[0075] In some embodiments, the edge of the water outlet 400 is provided with a conical or arc-shaped sealing surface that matches the shape of the ball 600 to form a surface contact seal, thereby further improving the sealing effect.

[0076] Specifically, the diameter of the ball bearing 600 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first pipe 201, the second pipe 202 and the bend connected thereto, so that the ball bearing 600 can roll smoothly inside the channel; at the same time, the diameter of the ball bearing 600 is larger than the water outlet 400, so as to ensure that the ball bearing 600 can accurately block the water outlet 400 when it returns to its original position.

[0077] In some embodiments, a liquid level sensor may also be provided inside the housing 100 to detect the water level inside the housing 100. If the water level is higher than a first preset value, the moving component 700 is controlled to drive the ball bearing 600 to open the water outlet 400. If the water level is lower than a second preset value, the moving component 700 is controlled to reset the ball bearing 600 to close the water outlet 400.

[0078] Specifically, the mobile component 700 can be electrically connected to the vehicle ECU (electronic control unit) or a dedicated controller, and the sensor can also be electrically connected to the ECU or dedicated controller.

[0079] In some embodiments, when the engine is detected to be off and the ambient temperature is lower than a preset temperature, the controller automatically starts the drainage program, opens the water outlet 400 to drain the accumulated water, and prevents freezing. Secondly, this application also provides an exhaust assembly including an exhaust manifold and a muffler as described above, wherein the muffler is connected to and communicates with the exhaust manifold. By integrating a muffler with active drainage function with the exhaust manifold, a highly efficient and reliable exhaust system solution is formed. This assembly can effectively address the problem of water vapor condensation generated by the engine under various operating conditions, prevent muffler corrosion and icing, and improve the durability and safety of the entire exhaust system. At the same time, this design balances acoustic performance and drainage efficiency, making it suitable for various vehicle models and engine types.

[0080] Thirdly, this application also provides a vehicle, including a body, an engine mounted on the body, and the aforementioned exhaust assembly, wherein the end of the exhaust manifold furthest from the muffler is connected to and communicates with the engine's exhaust port. This vehicle possesses highly efficient muffler self-cleaning and active drainage capabilities, enabling it to maintain unobstructed exhaust systems under harsh conditions such as cold regions or frequent short-distance driving, avoiding starting difficulties or performance degradation caused by water accumulation in the muffler. This technology improves the overall reliability, durability, and user experience of the vehicle.

[0081] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A muffler characterized by comprising: It includes: A housing (100) for connection to an engine; A drainage component (200) is located at the bottom of the housing (100) and penetrates the bottom of the housing (100). The drainage component (200) has a channel inside and an inlet hole (300) and an outlet hole (400) communicating with the channel. The inlet hole (300) is located inside the housing (100), and the outlet hole (400) is located outside the housing (100). Ball bearings (600) that roll within the drain element (200); A movable component (700) is used to drive the ball (600) to move within the channel so that the ball (600) closes or opens the water outlet (400).

2. The muffler of claim 1, wherein The drainage component (200) includes a first pipe (201) and a second pipe (202) that are connected and communicate with each other. The first pipe (201) and the second pipe (202) are arranged at an angle. The water outlet (400) is opened on the outside of the connection between the first pipe (201) and the second pipe (202). The water inlet (300) is located in the second pipe (202); the ball (600) is located in the first pipe (201) when the water outlet (400) is opened.

3. The muffler of claim 2, wherein The bottom of the water inlet (300) is flush with the inner bottom wall of the housing (100).

4. The muffler of claim 2, wherein The first pipe (201) is provided with a limiting groove (500), which is used to restrict the movement of the ball (600).

5. The muffler of claim 4, wherein The limiting groove (500) penetrates the side wall of the first pipe (201), and the bottom of the limiting groove (500) is flush with the inner bottom wall of the housing (100).

6. The silencer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving component (700) includes an electromagnet for attracting the ball (600) to move it closer to or away from the outlet (400).

7. The silencer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable component (700) is a push rod, which is fixed inside the housing (100), and the output end of the push rod is connected to the ball (600).

8. The silencer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving component (700) includes a reset component and a heating component. The reset component is made of shape memory alloy material. One end of the reset component is connected to the drainage component (200), and the other end is connected to the ball bearing (600). The heating element is used to heat the reset element.

9. An exhaust assembly, characterized in that, It includes an exhaust manifold and a muffler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the muffler is connected to and communicates with the exhaust manifold.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The system includes a vehicle body, an engine mounted on the vehicle body, and an exhaust assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the end of the exhaust manifold remote from the muffler is connected to and communicates with the exhaust port of the engine.

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