Exhaust pipe

Abstract

To provide an exhaust pipe which enables a flexible tube to be set in an existing size easily.SOLUTION: An exhaust pipe with a flexible tube discharges exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine provided in a vehicle and includes a pair of brackets which extends from both ends of the flexible tube to a radial outer side of the flexible tube and each of which includes a cutout part at an end on the radial outer side. A jig which sandwiches the pair of brackets while engaging with the cutout parts and connects the pair of brackets to inhibit movement of both ends of the flexible tube may be attached to the pair of brackets.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhaust pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] An engine vehicle, particularly a commercial vehicle such as a truck, is equipped with an engine and an exhaust purification device, which are connected by an exhaust pipe equipped with a flexible tube. The flexible tube is a flexible pipe that absorbs the relative movement between the engine and the exhaust purification device. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an example of an exhaust system equipped with a flexible tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-193597 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the flexible tube is accordion-shaped and flexible, in order to attach the flexible tube to the vehicle in the specified length and shape during vehicle manufacture or maintenance, adjustments such as measuring the length with a ruler are required.

[0005] In this way, when attaching the flexible tube of the exhaust pipe to the vehicle, extra work is required, and as a result, the installation work takes a lot of time. For example, if a person is not familiar with installing flexible tubes, the installation work takes more time.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide an exhaust pipe in which a flexible tube can be easily set to a predetermined size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the problems described above, and can be realized in the following aspects or application examples.

[0008] The exhaust pipe in this application example is an exhaust pipe with a flexible tube that discharges exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle, and is equipped with a pair of brackets that extend radially outward from both ends of the flexible tube and have notches at the radially outer ends, and a jig that clamps each of the pair of brackets while engaging with each of the notches and connects the pair of brackets to suppress movement of both ends of the flexible tube can be attached to the pair of brackets.

[0009] According to this application example, when the jig is attached to the pair of brackets, the relative positions of the pair of brackets are fixed, and accordingly, the relative positions of both ends of the flexible tube are also fixed, making it possible to easily set the flexible tube to a predetermined size. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an exhaust pipe. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of an exhaust pipe. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a jig. [Diagram 5] 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a jig is attached to a pair of brackets. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a jig is attached to a pair of brackets. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 1. Vehicle configuration First, a specific configuration of a vehicle 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 10.

[0012] In the following description, the vehicle length direction of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as the X direction or the front-rear direction. In the following description, the vehicle height direction of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as the Z direction, the up-down direction or the vertical direction. In the following description, the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as the Y direction or the left-right direction.

[0013] In the following description, the horizontal plane may be referred to as the XY plane. In the following description, the plane including the vehicle length direction and vehicle height direction of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as the XZ plane. In the following description, the plane including the vehicle width direction and vehicle height direction of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as the YZ plane.

[0014] In the following description, upstream and downstream are described along the flow of exhaust gas.

[0015] The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body frame 20, an engine 30, wheels 40, an exhaust aftertreatment system (ATS) 50, an exhaust pipe 60, and the like.

[0016] The body frame 20 is a ladder-type body frame and includes a left side rail 22, a right side rail 24, and multiple cross members 26. The left side rail 22 and the right side rail 24 extend in the vehicle length direction of the vehicle 10 and are arranged parallel to each other in the vehicle width direction. The multiple cross members 26 each extend in the vehicle width direction and connect the left side rail 22 and the right side rail 24.

[0017] Various components of the vehicle 10 are supported on the vehicle body frame 20. For example, an engine 30, an after treatment system (ATS) 50, an exhaust pipe 60, and the like are supported on the vehicle body frame 20.

[0018] The vehicle 10 is an engine-powered vehicle, and its drive system includes an internal combustion engine 30 as a drive source, as well as a transmission 32 that transmits the driving force of the engine 30 to wheels 40, a propeller shaft 34, a differential 36, and the like.

[0019] The engine 30 is a diesel engine that serves as a power source for propelling the vehicle 10. The driving force generated by the engine 30 is transmitted to the axles 42 via the transmission 32, propeller shaft 34, differential 36, etc., to drive the wheels 40.

[0020] The wheels 40 include a pair of left and right front wheels that are steered wheels, and a pair of left and right rear wheels that are drive wheels. The wheels 40 are suspended from the body frame 20 via an axle and support the weight of the vehicle 10.

[0021] The ATS 50 purifies the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 30. The ATS 50 is connected to the engine 30 via an exhaust pipe 60 that constitutes an exhaust passage. Therefore, the exhaust gas from the engine 30 is supplied to the ATS 50 via the exhaust pipe 60.

[0022] The ATS 50 includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst (not shown).

[0023] The ATS 50 collects particulate matter (PM) consisting of carbon and the like in the exhaust gas using the DPF, and purifies the exhaust gas supplied from the engine 30 by reducing NOx contained in the SCR catalyst exhaust gas to harmless N2. The exhaust gas purified by the ATS 50 is discharged from the ATS 50.

[0024] The exhaust pipe 60 is a flow path for discharging exhaust gas from the engine 30 to the ATS 50. Therefore, the engine 30 side of the exhaust pipe 60 is the upstream side, and the ATS side is the downstream side.

[0025] One end of the exhaust pipe 60 is connected to the engine 30, and the other end is connected to the ATS 50. Specifically, the exhaust pipe 60 has an upstream end connected to the engine 30, and a downstream end connected to the ATS 50.

[0026] In addition, each of the two ends of the exhaust pipe 60 is detachable from the connection destination. For example, when the engine 30 is temporarily removed from the vehicle 10 for maintenance or the like, the connection between the upstream end of the exhaust pipe 60 and the engine 30 is released.

[0027] 2. Exhaust pipe configuration Next, a specific configuration of the exhaust pipe 60 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the exhaust pipe 60. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the exhaust pipe 60.

[0028] The exhaust pipe 60 includes an upstream pipe 62, a flexible tube 64, and a downstream pipe 66. The upstream pipe 62 is a pipe located upstream of the flexible tube 64, and has an upstream end connected to the engine 30 and a downstream end connected to the upstream end of the flexible tube 64.

[0029] The flexible tube 64 is a pipe formed in a bellows shape and has flexibility. The flexible tube 64 itself is deformed by the relative movement of both ends (the upstream end and the downstream end) of the flexible tube 64. The deformation of the flexible tube 64 includes bending, expansion and contraction, twisting, etc. in the axial direction.

[0030] In addition, the flexible tube 64 has a restoring force against deformation of the flexible tube 64 itself. Therefore, the flexible tube 64 absorbs deformation of the flexible tube 64 itself. In other words, the flexible tube 64 can be said to be an elastic body.

[0031] The downstream pipe 66 is a pipe located downstream of the flexible tube 64 , and has an upstream end connected to the downstream end of the flexible tube 64 , and a downstream end connected to the ATS 50 .

[0032] The exhaust pipe 60 also includes a pair of brackets 70u, 70d. The pair of brackets 70u, 70d are respectively provided on both ends of the flexible tube 64. Specifically, one bracket 70u is provided on the upstream end of the flexible tube 64, and the other bracket 70d is provided on the downstream end of the flexible tube 64.

[0033] Further, the pair of brackets 70u, 70d extend from both ends of the flexible tube 64 outward in the radial direction of the flexible tube 64.

[0034] Specifically, one bracket 70u has an annular portion 72u extending circumferentially and a plate-shaped extension portion 74u extending radially outward of the flexible tube 64 from a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 72u, which are integrally formed.

[0035] The extending portion 74u of the bracket 70u is plate-shaped and has a notch 76u at its tip. The notch 76u has a U-shaped cutout shape that opens in the circumferential direction of the exhaust gas flow in the extending portion 74u.

[0036] The other bracket 70d specifically has an annular portion 72d extending circumferentially and a plate-shaped extension portion 74d extending radially outward of the flexible tube 64 from a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 72u, which are integrally formed.

[0037] The extending portion 74d of the other bracket 70d is plate-shaped and has a notch 76d formed at its tip. The notch 76d has a U-shaped cutout shape that opens in the circumferential direction of the exhaust gas flow direction in the extending portion 74d.

[0038] In this embodiment, the one cutout portion 76u and the other cutout portion 76d have the same cutout shape.

[0039] For these reasons, one bracket 70u moves in the same manner as the upstream end of the flexible tube 64, and the other bracket 70d moves in the same manner as the downstream end of the flexible tube 64. In other words, by restricting the movement of the pair of brackets 70u, 70d, the movement of both ends of the flexible tube 64 is also restricted.

[0040] 3. Jig configuration Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the jig 80. If necessary, the jig 80 is attached to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d of the exhaust pipe 60. Next, a specific configuration of the jig 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0041] The jig 80 suppresses the movement of the pair of brackets 70u, 70d, thereby suppressing the movement of both ends of the flexible tube 64. The jig 80 includes a rod portion 82, a first clamping portion 84, and a second clamping portion 86. The rod portion 82 is a straight bar member.

[0042] The first clamping portion 84 is provided on the axis of the rod portion 82 and clamps one of the brackets 70u. The first clamping portion 84 includes a pair of first engagement portions 84o, 84i, and one of the first engagement portions 84o is provided on the outer side of the rod portion 82 than the other of the first engagement portions 84i. In other words, the other of the first engagement portions 84i is provided on the inner side (toward the center) of the rod portion 82 than the one of the first engagement portions 84o.

[0043] Moreover, the relative distance between the pair of first engagement parts 84o, 84i is changeable. Specifically, the rod part 82 is threaded and functions as a male screw, and the first engagement part 84o is a nut and functions as a female screw. Therefore, the first engagement part 84o can move on the axis of the rod part 82 by rotating it in the circumferential direction. The other first engagement part 84i has an annular shape and is fixed to a predetermined position of the rod part 82 by, for example, welding. The pair of first engagement parts 84o, 84i each have an outer shape larger than the cutout part 76d.

[0044] The second clamping portion 86 is provided on the axis of the rod portion 82 and clamps the other bracket 70d. The second clamping portion 86 includes a pair of second engagement portions 86o, 86i, and one second engagement portion 86o is provided on the outer side of the rod portion 82 than the other second engagement portion 86i. In other words, the other second engagement portion 86i is provided on the inner side (toward the center) of the rod portion 82 than the one second engagement portion 86o.

[0045] Moreover, the relative distance between the pair of second engagement parts 86o, 86i is changeable. Specifically, the rod part 82 is threaded and functions as a male screw, and the second engagement part 86o is a nut and functions as a female screw. Therefore, the second engagement part 86o can move on the axis of the rod part 82 by rotating it in the circumferential direction. The other second engagement part 86i has an annular shape and is fixed to a predetermined position of the rod part 82 by, for example, welding. The pair of second engagement parts 86o, 86i each have an outer shape larger than the cutout part 76d.

[0046] The first clamping portion 84 and the second clamping portion 86 are provided at different positions on the axis of the rod portion 82. The fixing positions of the first engaging portion 84i and the second engaging portion 86i, which are respectively located inside the rod portion 82, correspond to the length of the flexible tube 64 when attached.

[0047] 4. Installation of the jig Next, a method of attaching the jig 80 to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the jig 80 is attached to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d. Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the state where the jig 80 is attached to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d.

[0048] When attaching the flexible tube 64 between the upstream pipe 62 and the downstream pipe 66, a jig 80 is attached to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d. When this jig 80 is attached to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d, various processes are carried out in the order of a placement process and a clamping process.

[0049] In addition, when the jig 80 is attached to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d, the distance between the pair of second engagement portions 86o, 86i is set in advance to be greater than the thickness of one of the brackets 70u, and the distance between the pair of second engagement portions 86o, 86i is set in advance to be greater than the thickness of the other bracket 70d.

[0050] The arrangement step is a step of arranging the jig 80 on the pair of brackets 70u, 70d. More specifically, in the arrangement step, the rod portion 82 is inserted into the pair of notches 76u, 76d. At this time, the rod portion 82 is arranged so that the first engagement portion 84i and the second engagement portion 86i on the inside fixed to the rod portion 82 contact the corresponding extension portions 74u, 74u of the brackets 70u, 70d. When this arrangement step is performed, the jig 80 is arranged on the pair of brackets 70u, 70d via the notches 76u, 76d.

[0051] Furthermore, when the jig 80 is placed in the pair of brackets 70u, 70d, the rod portion 82 is inserted through both the notch portion 76u and the notch portion 76d.

[0052] Furthermore, in this state, the other first engagement portion 84i and the other second engagement portion 86i are located inside (toward the center) the pair of brackets 70u, 70d, respectively.

[0053] Furthermore, in this state, the notches 76u and 76d are engaged with the circumferential surface of the rod portion 82, preventing rotation of the pair of brackets 70u, 70d. Therefore, both ends of the flexible tube 64 are on an axis parallel to the axis of the rod portion 82, and the flexible tube 64 is straight without bending.

[0054] The clamping step is a step of clamping one bracket 70u with the first clamping portion 84 and clamping the other bracket 70d with the second clamping portion 86.

[0055] When the clamping process is performed, one of the first engagement portions 84o moves toward the inside (center) of the rod portion 82, bringing the pair of first engagement portions 84o, 84i closer to each other, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pair of first engagement portions 84o, 84i clamp one of the brackets 70u while engaging with the cutout portion 76u.

[0056] In addition, when the clamping process is performed, one of the second engagement portions 86o moves toward the inside (center) of the rod portion 82, causing the pair of second engagement portions 86o, 86i to approach each other, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pair of second engagement portions 86o, 86i clamp the other bracket 70d while engaging with the cutout portion 76d.

[0057] Furthermore, when one bracket 70u is clamped by the first clamping portion 84 and the other bracket 70d is clamped by the second clamping portion 86, the pair of brackets 70u, 70d are connected by the rod portion 82 of the jig 80.

[0058] In this state, the relative positions of the pair of brackets 70u, 70d are fixed, and accordingly, the relative positions of both ends of the flexible tube 64 are fixed. Therefore, in this state, the flexible tube 64 is held in a straight line, and the axial length of the flexible tube 64 is held to be the same as the distance between the other first engagement portion 84i and the other second engagement portion 86i.

[0059] With such an exhaust pipe 60, simply by attaching the jig 80 to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d, the relative positions of the pair of brackets 70u, 70d are fixed, and accordingly, the relative positions of both ends of the flexible tube 64 are also fixed.

[0060] Specifically, with such an exhaust pipe 60, the axial length of the flexible tube 64 can be set to be the same as the distance between the other first engagement portion 84i and the other second engagement portion 86i while keeping the flexible tube 64 straight.

[0061] In other words, according to such an exhaust pipe 60, the flexible tube 64 can be easily set to a predetermined size simply by attaching the jig 80 to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d.

[0062] It should be noted that the specific configuration shown in this embodiment is merely an example, and the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the configuration shown in this embodiment.

[0063] For example, the shape of the first clamping portion 84 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of engaging and clamping one bracket 70u. Also, the shape of the second clamping portion 86 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of engaging and clamping the other bracket 70d.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, the rod portion 82 can be positioned relative to a pair of brackets 70u, 70d, and as long as it is possible for the first clamping portion 84 to clamp one bracket 70u and the second clamping portion 86 to clamp the other bracket 70d, the shape of the rod portion 82 is not limited to being linear.

[0065] Furthermore, for example, with respect to the pair of brackets 70u, 70d, through holes may be provided instead of the notches 76u and 76d.

[0066] Also, for example, instead of one first engagement portion 84o, the other first engagement portion 84i may be movable on the axis of the rod portion 82, or both may be movable on the axis of the rod portion 82.

[0067] Furthermore, for example, instead of one second engagement portion 86o, the other second engagement portion 86i may be movable on the axis of the rod portion 82, or both may be movable on the axis of the rod portion 82.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, the movement mechanism for moving the various engagement portions on the axis of the rod portion 82 is not particularly limited.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, the various engaging portions may be detachable from the rod portion 82. In this case, the attachment / detachment mechanism that enables the various engaging portions to be attached / detached from the rod portion 82 is not particularly limited.

[0070] In addition, from these facts, it can also be said that the exhaust pipe 60 has a size setting structure that sets the flexible tube 64 to a predetermined size, and that the size setting structure has the pair of brackets 70u, 70d and the jig 80.

[0071] Also, one bracket 70u may have only the extending portion 74u and not have the annular portion 72u. In this case, the extending portion 74u extends radially outward from a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upstream end of the flexible tube 64. Even in this case, the jig 80 can be attached to one bracket 70u.

[0072] Similarly, the other bracket 70d may have only the extending portion 74d and not have the annular portion 72d. In this case, the extending portion 74d extends radially outward from a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the downstream end of the flexible tube 64. Even in this case, the jig 80 can be attached to the other bracket 70d.

[0073] Also, one bracket 70u may be provided on the downstream side, specifically, the downstream end portion, of the upstream pipe 62. Furthermore, the other bracket 70d may be provided on the upstream side, specifically, the upstream end portion, of the downstream pipe 66. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 Vehicles 30 Engine 60 Exhaust pipe 64 Flexible tube 70u bracket 70d bracket 72u Annular section 72d Circular section 74u extension 74d Extension 76u Notch 76d Notch 80 Jig 82 Rod section 84 1st clamping part 84o 1st engagement part 84i First engagement part 86 Second clamping part 86o 2nd engaging part 86i 2nd engaging part

Claims

[Claim 1] An exhaust pipe having a flexible tube for discharging exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine provided in a vehicle, a pair of brackets extending from both ends of the flexible tube radially outward of the flexible tube and having notches at the radially outer ends; An exhaust pipe, in which a jig can be attached to the pair of brackets to suppress movement of both ends of the flexible tube by clamping each of the pair of brackets while engaging with each of the cutout portions and connecting the pair of brackets.

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