exhaust system of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an exhaust system (4) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the exhaust system (4) is received in a motor vehicle body of the motor vehicle (3), and wherein the exhaust system (4) has at least one exhaust gas purification device which is connected to a drive unit of the motor vehicle by means of at least one pipe section of the exhaust system, and wherein a retaining device (5) for securing the exhaust system (4) is formed in a rear area (1) of the motor vehicle body. According to the invention, the holding device (5) has a first holding arm (6) and a second holding arm (9) which are connected to each other by means of a catch unit (15), wherein the catch unit (15) has a rope element (28) which extends at least between the holding arms (6, 9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an exhaust system of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Motor vehicle exhaust systems are generally well known. It is also known that exhaust systems have retaining devices in certain areas so that exhaust system components can be held at a distance from the underbody, preferably by spring or elastic means. This is necessary because hot exhaust gas flows through the exhaust system, and a corresponding distance from the vehicle body is required for safety reasons.

[0003] From the published patent application DE 103 05 732 A1, an exhaust system of a motor vehicle is known, wherein system components of the exhaust system are secured by means of a holder element comprising a steel cable.

[0004] German Patent Application DE 37 37 987 A1 describes an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, wherein the exhaust system is secured to the floor of a vehicle body by means of a suspension eyelet with limited spring action. The suspension eyelet comprises a self-contained insert, which can be made of a steel cable and is elastically deformable in the plane of a loop body.

[0005] The published patent application DE 26 29 762 A1 discloses an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, with a vibration-isolating suspension for the exhaust system, which comprises a steel cable for connecting a metal spring and a suspension part.

[0006] From the published patent application US 2015 / 137505 A1, an exhaust system of a motor vehicle is known, with a manifold fastening device for the exhaust system, which comprises a holding cable.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved exhaust system of a motor vehicle.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention with an exhaust system of a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the respective subclaims.

[0009] An exhaust system of a motor vehicle according to the invention, wherein the exhaust system is accommodated in a motor vehicle body of the motor vehicle, and wherein the exhaust system has at least one exhaust gas purification device which is connected to a drive unit of the motor vehicle by means of at least one pipe section of the exhaust system so that it can be flowed through, has a holding device for securing the exhaust system in a rear region of the motor vehicle body. According to the invention, the holding device has a first holding arm and a second holding arm which are connected to one another by means of a catching unit, wherein the catching unit has a cable element which is designed to extend at least between the holding arms.The advantage of a retaining device designed in this way is that, with the aid of the arresting unit, which comprises a arresting cable, preferably in the form of a steel cable, a preferred restraint device is realized which, particularly in the event of a so-called rear-end crash, absorbs energy input in the form of acceleration energy, thus leading to improved vehicle safety. The cable element influences, in particular by braking, the movement of parts of the exhaust system following the rear-end crash, so that further consequential damage from the rear-end crash, for example, damage to engine components in an area further inside the vehicle body, can be avoided.

[0010] The cable element is advantageously designed with a receiving opening extending beyond at least one of the two retaining arms, so that securing elements of the cable element and possible functional elements of the arresting unit can be easily formed at least on one side of the retaining arms. In other words, this means that the cable element can be inserted through the corresponding retaining arm so that the securing element and / or functional element can be easily attached to its corresponding end.

[0011] To ensure the arresting unit functions optimally in the event of an accident, the cable element is fixed at one end to one of the two support arms and at the other end to the other of the two support arms, allowing relative movement. In other words, it is easily designed to be movable relative to one of the support arms. For example, if the rear of the vehicle collapses in the event of a rear-end crash, the support arm fixed to the cable element can execute a movement that allows relative movement of the cable element to the other support arm without deforming it.

[0012] Depending on a limit stop element formed at least at the end of the cable element that is not fixed to the corresponding holding arm, a possible movement path of the holding arm fixed to the cable element can advantageously be determined with the aid of a limit stop element formed at said end of the cable element. This means that if this limit stop element contacts the holding arm, the movement of the holding arm fixed to the cable element ends, resulting in a deformation of the holding arm that forms the contact.

[0013] A securing element is designed for the preferred secure fixation of the rope element to the holding arm provided for fixation.

[0014] To improve energy absorption during deformation of the rear section and thus the exhaust system, the arresting unit is spring-loaded and features a spring element. This spring element allows for a possible release of the movement path, so that energy input into the cable element can be delayed rather than abruptly or abruptly.

[0015] In order to realize a cost-effective exhaust system due to simple assembly, the spring element is arranged between an end stop element of the cable element and one of the holding arms, thus at a cable end formed with the end stop element.

[0016] To preferably secure the relative mobility of the rope element, a ring disk is formed between the holding arm and the spring element, which is firmly connected to the holding arm.

[0017] The cable element advantageously has an improved energy absorption of the energy introduced into the cable element with the aid of a sleeve element, which is arranged between the two holding arms.

[0018] For improved deformability, the second holding arm is designed in the form of a first arm part and a second arm part, which are manufactured independently of each other and fixed next to each other on the exhaust system and the drive unit or the motor vehicle body.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Identical or functionally equivalent elements are assigned identical reference numerals. They show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a section of a rear area of ​​a motor vehicle body of a motor vehicle with an exhaust system according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a holding device of the exhaust system according to the invention, Fig. 3 in a further perspective view of the holding device of the exhaust system according to the invention, Fig. 4 in a section a first holding arm of the holding device according to. Fig. 3, Fig. 5 in a perspective view a section of the exhaust system according to the invention in the region of a second holding arm of the holding device according to. Fig. 2, Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a section of the second holding arm.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a section of a rear area 1 of a motor vehicle body (not shown in detail) of a motor vehicle 3 with an exhaust system 4 according to the invention. The exhaust system 4 has a holding device 5. The exhaust system 4 generally has various exhaust gas purification devices, such as a catalytic converter or a soot filter, if it is an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, which are connected to one another by means of pipe sections. Furthermore, the exhaust system 4 has a silencer 2, particularly in the rear area 1. Fig. 1, a first arrow P1 indicates a basic direction of travel according to forward travel.

[0021] The holding device 5 has a first holding arm 6, which is preferably designed in the form of a cast component. The first holding arm 6 is designed to support the exhaust system and has a support surface 7 on or against which the exhaust system can be supported. At its arm end 8 facing the muffler 2, the first holding arm 6 is fixed to the muffler 2.

[0022] The holding device 5 further comprises a second holding arm 9, which is arranged in the axial direction next to the first holding arm 6 and fixed to the silencer 2. The second holding arm 9 is constructed from a first arm part 10 and a second arm part 11, each of the two arm parts 10, 11 being formed as a sheet metal part. The second holding arm 9 has a further support surface 12, the first arm part 10 having a first support surface part 13 and the second arm part 11 having a second support surface part 14.

[0023] At this point it should be mentioned that the two holding arms 6, 9 for receiving or supporting the exhaust system 4 according to the invention are curved or angled or L-shaped.

[0024] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 illustrates the holding device 5 of the exhaust system 4 according to the invention in more detail in a different perspective view. A catch unit 15 in the form of a catch cable is formed between the first holding arm 6 and the second holding arm 9. The catch unit 15 is designed to extend transversely to the first holding arm 6 and transversely to the second holding arm 9 beyond both holding arms 6, 9.

[0025] The first holding arm 6 has a first arm surface 16, which is arranged facing away from the second holding arm 8. A second arm surface 17 of the first holding arm 6 is formed facing away from the first arm surface 16 and is thus arranged facing the second holding arm 8. A third arm surface 18 of the second holding arm 8 is formed opposite the second arm surface 17, with a fourth arm surface 19 of the second holding arm 8 being formed facing away from the third arm surface 18 and thus being arranged facing away from the first holding arm 6.

[0026] The catching unit 15 has a first element end 20 and a second element end 21 facing away from the first element end 20, wherein the first element end 20 is arranged in the region of the first arm surface 18 of the first holding arm 6. The second element end 21 is arranged in the region of the fourth arm surface 19.

[0027] In order that the catching unit 15 is arranged on both sides of the holding arms 6, 9, or in other words, is designed to extend completely through both holding arms 6, 9, the first holding arm 6 has a first receiving opening 22 and the second holding arm 9 has a second receiving opening 23.

[0028] In the region of the second receiving opening 23, the first arm part 10 and the second arm part 11 are firmly connected to one another, in particular in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, wherein a stabilizing element 24 is formed on at least the third arm surface 18 in this region.

[0029] The arresting unit 15, which is designed in the form of a arresting cable, in particular consisting of a cable element 28 in the form of a steel cable, further comprises a first end stop element 25 at its first element end 20 and a second end stop element 26 at its second element end 21, which each form a stop securing means for the arresting unit 15 against the cable element 28 slipping through the receiving openings 22, 23. In particular, the receiving opening 22 is formed on the first arm surface 16 and comprises an additional element 27, which is provided for securing the position of the first end stop element 25.

[0030] Furthermore, the catching unit 15 has a spring element 27 at its second element end 21, which is arranged between the second end stop element 26 and the fourth arm surface 19, as shown in particular in Fig. 3. The spring element 27 is accommodated on both sides between an annular disc 29, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the second receiving opening 23, with the annular disc 29 arranged on the second holding arm 9 being firmly welded there. The other of the two annular discs 29 can also be firmly welded to the second end stop element 26.

[0031] The spring element 27, which is designed in the form of a spiral compression spring, is preloaded so that the cable element 28 is held taut in its position even during operation of the motor vehicle 3. This state corresponds to an extension of the arresting unit 15 along the line L. Thus, a noise in the form of rattling of the exhaust system 4 can be reduced, preferably completely eliminated.

[0032] In the event of an accident, particularly in the form of a so-called rear-end crash, the spring element 27 is first compressed further, thus causing the cable element 28 between the two retaining arms 6, 9 to loosen, or in other words, the cable element 28 hangs between the retaining arms 6, 9. Furthermore, the first retaining arm 6 is pushed by the rear silencer resting on it in the direction of the front of the vehicle body, as indicated by the second arrow P2. The cable element 28 is fixed to the first retaining arm 6 by means of the first end stop element 25, to which it is firmly connected. For fixing, a securing element 30 in the form of a sheet metal element is preferably arranged on the first arm surface 16. If the retaining arm 6 is moved as indicated by the second arrow P2, the first end stop element 25 is also moved, thereby tightening the cable element 28 again.

[0033] Due to this tightening, which blocks further movement of the first support arm 6, the spring element 27 is compressed due to a tensile force now generated in the cable element 28, whereby the second end stop element 26 is pressed against the second support arm 9. This leads to a deformation of the second support arm 9, as symbolically illustrated by the dashed line, and thus to a dissipation of the energy introduced due to the rear-end crash, such that a movement of the exhaust system 4 is delayed.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a section of the first holding arm 6, with its arm end region 31 accommodating the catching unit 15 being shown in detail. Fixing openings 32 are provided for the fixed connection of the first holding arm 6 to a drive unit (not shown in detail) or the motor vehicle body. If the first holding arm 6 is fastened to the drive unit by its arm end region 31, this has a unit part (not shown in detail) projecting between the two holding arms 6, 9. This means that for secure energy absorption, the holding device 5 is fastened at one end to the exhaust system 4, in particular to the silencer 2, and at the other end to the drive unit or the motor vehicle body.

[0035] At this point, it should be mentioned that to stabilize the arresting unit 15, the cable element 28 has a sleeve element 33 between the two holding arms 6, 9, which, like the two end stop elements 25, 26, are firmly connected to the cable element 28. Both the end stop elements 25, 26 and the sleeve element 33 can be pressed onto the cable element 28, thus being connected to the cable element 28 by means of a press connection. The end stop elements 25, 26 and the sleeve element 33 can be manufactured cost-effectively as identical components.

[0036] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, for further explanation, the second holding arm 9 of the exhaust system 4 according to the invention is illustrated in a perspective view, wherein in Fig. 6 shows a section 34 of the second holding arm 9 having the second end stop element 26. In particular, in Fig.6 shows the fixed connection of the ring disc 29 with the second holding arm 9.

[0037] In order to optimize the production of the motor vehicle, all parts of the holding device 5 can be pre-assembled with the catching unit 15 and then fixed to the silencer 2 in the form of a module. List of reference symbols 1 rear area 2 silencers 3 Motor vehicle 4 Exhaust system 5 Holding device 6 First holding arm 7 Support surface 8 poor people 9 Second holding arm 10 First armrest 11 Second armrest 12 Additional support surface 13 First support surface part 14 Second support surface part 15 capture unit 16 First arm surface 17 Second arm surface 18 Third arm surface 19 Fourth arm surface 20 First element end 21 Second element end 22 First receiving opening 23 Second receiving opening 24 Stabilization element 25 First end stop element 26 Second end stop element 27 Spring element 28 rope element 29 Ring disc 30 securing element 31 Poor end area 32 Fixing opening 33 Sleeve element Section 34 L Line P1 First Arrow P2 Second Arrow QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 103 05 732 A1

[0003] DE 37 37 987 A1

[0004] DE 26 29 762 A1

[0005] US 2015 / 137505 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Exhaust system (4) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the exhaust system (4) is accommodated in a motor vehicle body of the motor vehicle (3), and wherein the exhaust system (4) has at least one exhaust gas purification device which is connected to a drive unit of the motor vehicle by means of at least one pipe section of the exhaust system, and wherein a holding device (5) for securing the exhaust system (4) is formed in a rear region (1) of the motor vehicle body, characterized by in that the holding device (5) has a first holding arm (6) and a second holding arm (9) which are connected to one another by means of a catching unit (15), wherein the catching unit (15) has a cable element (28) which is designed to extend at least between the holding arms (6, 9). [2] Exhaust system (4) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the cable element (28) is designed to extend beyond at least one of the two holding arms (6, 9) by means of a receiving opening (22, 23). [3] Exhaust system (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the cable element (28) is fixed at one end to one of the two holding arms (6; 9) and at the other end is received on the other of the two holding arms (9; 6) so as to be movable relative to the latter. [4] Exhaust system (4) according to claim 3, characterized by that the rope element (28) is fixed at one end by means of a securing element (30). [5] Exhaust system (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the catching unit (15) is spring-loaded and has a spring element (27). [6] Exhaust system (4) according to claim 5, characterized by that the spring element (27) is arranged enclosing the rope element (28). [7] Exhaust system (4) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat the spring element (27) is arranged between an end stop element (25; 26) of the cable element (28) and one of the holding arms (6, 9). [8] Exhaust system (4) according to claim 7, characterized by that an annular disc (29) is formed between the holding arm (6; 9) and the spring element (27), which is firmly connected to the holding arm (6; 9). [9] Exhaust system (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cable element (28) has a sleeve element (33) which is arranged between the two holding arms (6, 9). [10] Exhaust system (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first holding arm (6) and the second holding arm (9) are fastened at one end to the exhaust system (4) and at the other end to the motor vehicle body or the drive unit. [11] Exhaust system (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the second holding arm (9) is designed in the form of a first arm part (10) and a second arm part (11), which are manufactured independently of one another, are fixed next to one another at one end to the exhaust system (4) and at the other end to the motor vehicle body or the drive unit.

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