Exhaust pipe

Abstract

To provide an exhaust pipe which prevents a flexible tube from deforming beyond an allowable range.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 through hole at an end on the radial outer side; and a connection part which connects the pair of brackets. The connection part includes: a rod part which is inserted into the through holes of the pair of brackets; a pair of first engagement parts which is located at inner sides of the pair of brackets on an axis of the rod part and has diameters larger than a diameter of the through hole; and a pair of second engagement parts which is located at an outer side of the pair of brackets on the axis of the rod part, has diameters larger than the diameter of the through hole, and at least one of which may be detachably attached to the rod part. The pair of first engagement parts and the pair of second engagement parts have spherical shapes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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] Although the flexible tube of such an exhaust pipe can absorb deformation of the flexible tube itself, there is a risk of the flexible tube being damaged if it is deformed beyond an allowable range.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide an exhaust pipe that prevents deformation of the flexible tube beyond its allowable range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] 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.

[0007] The exhaust pipe of this application example is an exhaust pipe with a flexible tube that discharges exhaust from an internal combustion engine equipped in a vehicle, and includes a pair of brackets extending radially outward from both ends of the flexible tube and having a through hole at the radially outer end, and a connecting portion connecting the pair of brackets, wherein the connecting portion includes a rod portion inserted into each of the through holes of the pair of brackets, a pair of first engagement portions located respectively inside the pair of brackets on the axis of the rod portion and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole, and a pair of second engagement portions located respectively outside the pair of brackets on the axis of the rod portion and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole, at least one of which is attachable to and detachable from the rod portion, and the pair of first engagement portions and the pair of second engagement portions are spherical.

[0008] According to this application example, when the two ends of the flexible tube move relatively significantly, the brackets at both ends of the flexible tube are restricted in movement by the first locking portion or the second locking portion of the rod portion, thereby making it possible to prevent the flexible tube from being deformed beyond its allowable range. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [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. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] In the following description, upstream and downstream are described along the flow of exhaust gas.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The ATS 50 includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst (not shown).

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 .

[0030] The exhaust pipe 60 also includes a pair of brackets 70u, 70d, and a connecting portion 80. The pair of brackets 70u, 70d are 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Specifically, one bracket 70u has an annular portion 72u extending in the circumferential direction, and a plate-shaped extending portion 74u extending from a part of the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 72u toward the outside in the radial direction of the flexible tube 64, which are integrally formed. The extending portion 74u of the one bracket 70u is plate-shaped, and a through hole 76u is formed at its tip.

[0033] Specifically, the other bracket 70d has an annular portion 72d extending in the circumferential direction, and a plate-shaped extending portion 74d extending from a part of the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 72u toward the outside in the radial direction of the flexible tube 64, which are integrally formed. The extending portion 74d of the other bracket 70d is plate-shaped, and a through hole 76d is formed at its tip.

[0034] The through-holes 76u and 76d are circular holes formed coaxially in parallel with the exhaust gas flow direction.

[0035] Both ends of the flexible tube 64 move relative to one another and the bellows portion on the central side deforms in response to vibrations of the vehicle 10 and forces acting on the vehicle 10. In other words, the pair of brackets 70u, 70d are provided on both ends of the flexible tube 64, and therefore move relative to one another as the flexible tube 64 deforms.

[0036] The connecting portion 80 connects the pair of brackets 70u, 70d and restricts their large relative movements, thereby preventing deformation beyond the allowable range of the flexible tube 64. The connecting portion 80 includes a rod portion 82, a pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d, and a pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d.

[0037] The rod portion 82 is a linear bar member, and is inserted through both the through hole 76u of the bracket 70u and the through hole 76d of the bracket 70d. That is, the diameter of the rod portion 82 is smaller than the diameters of the through holes 76u and 76d, and the through holes 76u and 76d are located on the axis of the rod portion 82.

[0038] The pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d are spherical members, and are provided on the inner side (toward the center) of the pair of brackets 70u, 70d on the axis of the rod portion 82. Specifically, one first locking portion 84u is located upstream of the other first locking portion 84d. In other words, one first locking portion 84u and one bracket 70u are adjacent to each other, and the other first locking portion 84d and the other bracket 70d are adjacent to each other.

[0039] Furthermore, a gap is provided between the first locking portion 84u and the bracket 70u, and a gap is similarly provided between the first locking portion 84d and the bracket 70d.

[0040] Furthermore, the diameter of one first locking portion 84u is larger than the diameter of the through hole 76u of one bracket 70u, and the diameter of the other first locking portion 84d is larger than the diameter of the through hole 76d of the other bracket 70d.

[0041] The pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d are spherical members and are provided on the outer side of the pair of brackets 70u, 70d on the axis of the rod portion 82. Specifically, one second locking portion 86u is located upstream of the other second locking portion 86d. In other words, one second locking portion 86u and one bracket 70u are adjacent to each other, and the other second locking portion 86d and the other bracket 70d are adjacent to each other.

[0042] Furthermore, a gap is provided between one second locking portion 86u and one bracket 70u, and a gap is similarly provided between the other second locking portion 86d and the other bracket 70d.

[0043] Furthermore, the diameter of the second locking portion 86u is larger than the diameter of the through hole 76u of one bracket 70u, and the diameter of the second locking portion 86d is larger than the diameter of the through hole 76d of the other bracket 70d.

[0044] Moreover, both of the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d are detachable from the rod portion 82. Specifically, the rod portion 82 functions as a male screw, and both of the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d function as a female screw.

[0045] The distance between one first locking portion 84u and one second locking portion 86u is greater than the thickness of one bracket 70u, and the distance between the other first locking portion 84d and the other second locking portion 86d is greater than the thickness of the other bracket 70d.

[0046] For these reasons, the pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d of the connecting portion 80 contact the pair of brackets 70u, 70d to restrict movement, thereby preventing both ends of the flexible tube 64 from coming too close to each other. In other words, the pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d of the connecting portion 80 prevents the flexible tube 64 from shrinking beyond an allowable range.

[0047] In addition, the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d of the connecting portion 80 contact the pair of brackets 70u, 70d to restrict movement, thereby preventing both ends of the flexible tube 64 from moving excessively apart. In other words, the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d of the connecting portion 80 prevents the flexible tube 64 from stretching beyond the allowable range.

[0048] Furthermore, as described above, since the diameter of the rod portion 82 is smaller than the diameters of the one through hole 76u and the other through hole 76d, the rod portion 82 can be tilted until the side of the rod portion 82 contacts the inner surface of the one through hole 76u and the inner surface of the other through hole 76d.

[0049] That is, the rod portion 82 of the connecting part 80 has its circumferential surface in contact with the pair of brackets 70u, 70d to restrict movement, thereby preventing excessive rotation of at least one of the ends of the flexible tube 64. In other words, the rod portion 82 of the connecting part 80 prevents the flexible tube 64 from twisting beyond the allowable range.

[0050] In addition, the rod portion 82 of the connecting portion 80 restricts movement by contacting the pair of brackets 70u, 70d with its peripheral surface, thereby preventing excessive tilting of at least one of the ends of the flexible tube 64. In other words, the rod portion 82 of the connecting portion 80 prevents the flexible tube 64 from bending beyond its allowable range.

[0051] Furthermore, since the through hole 76u of one bracket 70u and the through hole 76d of the other bracket 70d are circular holes and the pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d and the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d are spherical, even if any of the brackets is in a state where the movement is restricted by the locking portion corresponding to that bracket, that bracket can be restricted by the side surface of the rod portion 82. As a result, in the connection portion 80, for example, it is possible to prevent the flexible tube 64 from stretching beyond its allowable range while preventing the flexible tube 64 from twisting beyond its allowable range.

[0052] 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.

[0053] For example, the shape of the pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d and the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d is not limited to a spherical shape as long as they can lock the brackets 70u, 70d. For example, the pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d and the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d may be disk-shaped.

[0054] Also, for example, if the rod portion 82 is inserted through both the through hole 76u of the bracket 70u and the through hole 76d of the bracket 70d, the rod portion 82, the through hole 76u, and the through hole 76d are not limited to being circular. In this case, the rod portion 82 is not limited to being linear.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, as long as at least one of the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d is attachable to and detachable from the rod portion 82, the configuration of the attachment / detachment mechanism that enables this is not particularly limited.

[0056] Furthermore, the connecting portion 80 may be provided with a displacement mechanism for adjusting the positions of the pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d and the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d.

[0057] In this case, for example, as described above, the rod portion 82 functions as a male screw, and the pair of first locking portions 84u, 84d and the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d function as female screws.

[0058] Also, for example, one bracket 70u may be sandwiched between the first locking portion 84u and the second locking portion 86u, and the other bracket 70d may be sandwiched between the first locking portion 84d and the second locking portion 86d.

[0059] In addition, from these facts, it can also be said that the exhaust pipe 60 has a restriction structure that restricts the deformation range of the flexible tube 64, and that this restriction structure has the pair of brackets 70u, 70d and the connecting portion 80.

[0060] 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 connecting portion 80 can connect the pair of brackets 70u, 70d.

[0061] Similarly, the other bracket 70d may have only the extending portion 74d and not 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 connecting portion 80 can connect the pair of brackets 70u, 70d.

[0062] 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.

[0063] Furthermore, at least one of the pair of second locking portions 86u, 86d may be detachable from the rod portion 82. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 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 through hole 76d through hole 80 Connection part 82 Rod section 84u 1st locking part 84d 1st locking part 86u 2nd stop 86d Second stop

Claims

[Claim 1] An exhaust pipe having a flexible tube for discharging exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle, a pair of brackets extending radially outward from both ends of the flexible tube and having through holes at the radially outer ends; a connecting portion that connects the pair of brackets, The connection portion is A rod portion that is inserted into each of the through holes of the pair of brackets; a pair of first engaging portions each located on an axis of the rod portion and on an inner side of the pair of brackets, the pair of first engaging portions having a diameter larger than a diameter of the through hole; a pair of second engaging portions each located on an axis of the rod portion, outside the pair of brackets, the pair of second engaging portions each having a diameter larger than a diameter of the through hole, at least one of the second engaging portions being detachable from the rod portion; An exhaust pipe, wherein the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions are spherical.

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