Vehicle protector

Abstract

To provide a vehicle protector capable of inhibiting dead grass from accumulating (on the vehicle protector), which is disposed below an exhaust pipe, and protects the exhaust pipe and accessory devices (such as, a urea addition valve, and an insulator covering the exhaust pipe) disposed in the exhaust pipe.SOLUTION: A vehicle protector (1) comprises a lower plate part (12a) disposed below an exhaust pipe (6), and a connection part (11) that connects one end part of the lower plate part to the vehicle so as to hold the lower plate part in a cantilever manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle protector. Specifically, it relates to a vehicle protector disposed below an exhaust pipe.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a converter heat shield that covers a catalytic converter provided in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and equipped with an O2 sensor from below. According to this converter heat shield, the catalytic converter is protected from flying stones during vehicle travel, and dry grass on the road is prevented from directly contacting the high-temperature catalytic converter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to promote the inflow of traveling wind into the space between the catalytic converter and the converter heat shield, a plurality of small holes are formed in the above converter heat shield. However, when dry grass enters through these small holes and lands on the converter heat shield, there is a possibility that the dry grass will not flow out of the small holes and will accumulate on the converter heat shield. As a result, there is a risk that the dry grass on the converter heat shield will contact the catalytic converter.

[0005] The present invention was devised in view of such points, and is a vehicle protector disposed below an exhaust pipe to protect the exhaust pipe and accessory devices disposed on the exhaust pipe from flying stones during travel, and (on the vehicle protector) aims to provide a vehicle protector capable of preventing the accumulation of withered grass. The accessory devices disposed on the exhaust pipe are, for example, a urea addition valve for adding urea water to the exhaust gas, and an insulator covering the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe and accessory devices disposed on the exhaust pipe are hereinafter also simply referred to as "exhaust pipe etc.".

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a vehicle protector according to a first invention of the present invention includes a lower plate portion disposed below the exhaust pipe, and a connecting portion that connects one end of the lower plate portion to the vehicle so as to hold the lower plate portion in a cantilever shape.

[0007] A second invention of the present invention is the vehicle protector according to the first invention, wherein the lower plate portion is lower toward the rear with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0008] A third invention of the present invention is the vehicle protector according to the first invention, wherein the lower plate portion is thinner than the connecting portion.

[0009] A fourth invention of the present invention is the vehicle protector according to the third invention, and includes a first member including the connecting portion, and a second member including the lower plate portion and thinner than the first member.

[0010] A fifth invention of the present invention is the vehicle protector according to the first invention, wherein the connecting portion is located on either the left or right with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle on the lower plate portion, the other of the left and right on the lower plate portion is a free end, a front protection portion is provided in front of the lower plate portion with respect to the traveling direction, and the rear of the lower plate portion with respect to the traveling direction is open.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] In the first invention, at least the lower plate portion protects the exhaust pipe and the like from flying stones during travel. In addition, since one end portion of the lower plate portion is held in a cantilever shape by the connecting portion, the lower plate portion is more likely to vibrate compared to the case where the lower plate portion is held from both sides. For example, when the vehicle vibrates during travel, the vibration displacement amount of the lower plate portion becomes large. Due to the vibration with the increased displacement amount, the fall of the withered grass on the lower plate portion (hereinafter also referred to as "withered grass on the plate") onto the road is promoted. That is, according to the first invention, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of withered grass on the plate.

[0012] In the second invention, since the lower plate portion is inclined rearward, the fall of the plate-shaped withered grass onto the road is further promoted.

[0013] In the third invention, since the lower plate portion is thinner than the connecting portion, the lower plate portion is more likely to vibrate with respect to the connecting portion. Therefore, the vibration displacement amount of the lower plate portion becomes even larger, and as a result, the fall of the plate-shaped withered grass onto the road is further promoted.

[0014] Forming a plate-shaped member including regions having different thicknesses from each other is likely to be relatively difficult. On the other hand, in the fourth invention, by joining a first member and a second member having different thicknesses from each other, it becomes possible to easily manufacture a vehicle protector.

[0015] In the fifth invention, since the lower plate portion is held by the connecting portion from one of the left and right and the other of the left and right is a free end, the lower plate portion is more likely to vibrate and the exhaust pipe can be protected from flying stones from the one of the left and right. In addition, since the rear of the lower plate portion is open, the fall of the plate-shaped withered grass onto the road is further promoted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. The same reference numerals (reference numbers) in the description denote the same elements having the same functions without redundant description. The vehicle protector 1 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the protector 1) is applied to the exhaust pipe 6 of the vehicle 5 shown in Fig. 1. However, in Fig. 1, the illustration of the protector 1 is omitted. Any of the front, rear, left, and right directions shown in each figure is a direction with respect to the traveling direction (forward direction) of the vehicle 5. Any of the up and down directions is one of the vertically upward and vertically downward directions.

[0018] The exhaust pipe 6 forms an exhaust path of the internal combustion engine 51 mounted on the vehicle 5 as a driving power source. The internal combustion engine 51 is a well-known diesel engine and includes a supercharger 52. The internal combustion engine 51 is controlled by a well-known engine ECU (electronic control unit, not shown).

[0019] The outside air (fresh air) flowing through the intake pipe 53 is introduced into the internal combustion engine 51 through the compressor of the supercharger 52. The exhaust gas (combustion gas) generated in the internal combustion engine 51 is introduced into the turbine of the supercharger 52 through the exhaust manifold 54. The exhaust gas discharged from the turbine of the supercharger 52 is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the exhaust pipe 6.

[0020] A fuel addition valve 61, a first purification device 62, a urea addition valve 63, a second purification device 64, a third purification device 65, a muffler device 66, and an insulator 67 are arranged in the exhaust pipe 6.

[0021] When the fuel addition valve 61 is supplied with power in accordance with an instruction from the engine ECU, it adds (injects) fuel to the exhaust at a position upstream of the first purification device 62 in the exhaust pipe 6. The first purification device 62 includes a first oxidation catalyst and a DPF (diesel particulate filter) (both not shown). The first oxidation catalyst oxidizes and purifies carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), etc. contained in the exhaust. The DPF collects (captures) particulate matter (PM) contained in the exhaust.

[0022] The fuel added by the fuel addition valve 61 is oxidized by the first oxidation catalyst. Thereby, the exhaust flowing out of the first oxidation catalyst and flowing into the DPF becomes high temperature, and the fine particles deposited on the DPF are burned off. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the engine ECU executes a DPF regeneration process of causing the fuel addition valve 61 to add fuel to remove the fine particles deposited on the DPF.

[0023] When the urea addition valve 63 is supplied with power in accordance with an instruction from the engine ECU, it adds urea water to the exhaust at a position upstream of the second purification device 64 in the exhaust pipe 6 (specifically, the bent portion 67a of the insulator 67). The bent portion 67a is where the exhaust pipe 6 is bent, and thus the insulator 67 covering the exhaust pipe 6 is bent. The urea addition valve 63 is disposed at the bent portion in the exhaust pipe 6, so that urea water can be added along the exhaust flowing through the exhaust pipe 6.

[0024] The second purification device 64 includes an SCR (selective reduction catalyst, not shown). The SCR of the second purification device 64 reduces and purifies nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in the exhaust using ammonia gas generated by hydrolysis of the urea added by the urea addition valve 63.

[0025] The third purification device 65 includes a second oxidation catalyst (not shown). The second oxidation catalyst of the third purification device 65 oxidizes and purifies the residual ammonia gas discharged from the SCR of the second purification device 64. The muffler device 66 reduces the pressure of the exhaust flowing through the exhaust pipe 6, thereby reducing the exhaust sound of the vehicle 5.

[0026] The insulator 67 is a cylindrical heat insulating member that covers the section between the first purification device 62 and the second purification device 64 in the exhaust pipe 6. If the insulator 67 were not provided, when the vehicle 5 travels on grassland (for example, an unpaved road where the grass Dg shown in FIG. 1 grows thickly), the grass Dg located below the vehicle 5 may come into contact with the high-temperature exhaust pipe 6 and catch fire. If the grass Dg is dry withered grass, the possibility of catching fire becomes even higher. On the other hand, if the exhaust pipe 6 is covered by the insulator 67, the amount of heat transferred from the exhaust pipe 6 to the grass Dg decreases, thereby reducing the possibility of the grass Dg catching fire.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the protector 1 is disposed so as to cover the urea addition valve 63 from below. The urea addition valve 63 has a urea pipe 63a and a power line 63b connected thereto and a plurality of heat dissipation plates 63c disposed thereon (see FIG. 2). The urea pipe 63a is a resin pipe (flow path) that supplies urea water to the urea addition valve 63. The power line 63b is a harness that supplies power to the urea addition valve 63. The heat dissipation plate 63c reduces the heat conduction from the exhaust flowing through the exhaust pipe 6 to the actuator enclosed in the urea addition valve 63. In FIGS. 2 to 3 and FIG. 5, the illustration of the exhaust pipe 6 covered by the insulator 67 is omitted.

[0028] By the protector 1, it is avoided that a stone (i.e., a flying stone) bounced up by the front wheel 71 (see FIG. 1) during the running of the vehicle 5 reaches (collides with) the urea addition valve 63, the urea pipe 63a, the power line 63b, the heat dissipation plate 63c, etc. (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "the urea addition valve 63, etc."). That is, the urea addition valve 63, etc. (and the vicinity section of the urea addition valve 63 in the insulator 67) are protected from flying stones by the protector 1.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the protector 1 includes a first member 11 and a second member 12 joined to each other. The first member 11 is manufactured by bending a plate material having a thickness t1. Similarly, the second member 12 is manufactured by bending a plate material having a thickness t2. The thickness t2 of the second member 12 is thinner than the thickness t1 of the first member 11 (i.e., t2 < t1). In the present embodiment, the thickness t1 is about 3.2 mm, and the thickness t2 is about 1.6 mm. The first member 11 is also referred to as a "connection part" for convenience.

[0030] As understood from FIG. 4 and other figures, the first member 11 includes an upper horizontal part 11a, an intermediate part 11b, and a lower horizontal part 11c. The second member 12 includes a lower plate part 12a, a front protection part 12b, and a side protection part 12c.

[0031] A pair of through holes are formed in the lower horizontal part 11c of the first member 11, and nuts 21 are fixed to each of the through holes by welding. That is, the nuts 21 are welding nuts. A pair of through holes 12d are formed in the lower plate part 12a of the second member 12. A pair of bolts 22 are inserted into each of the through holes 12d together with washers 23, and the bolts 22 are screwed into the nuts 21 (see FIG. 5). That is, the first member 11 and the second member 12 are fixed (fastened) to each other by the bolts 22 and the nuts 21.

[0032] A pair of through holes 11d are formed in the upper horizontal part 11a of the first member 11 (see FIG. 4). A pair of bolts 31 are inserted into each of the through holes 11d together with washers 32, and the bolts 31 are screwed into bolt holes (i.e., tapped holes) formed in the frame 72 of the vehicle 5 (see FIG. 5). The frame 72 is a side member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 5. That is, the upper horizontal part 11a is fixed (fastened) to the frame 72, and thus the protector 1 is fixed to the vehicle 5. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the bolts 22 and the washers 23 is omitted. In addition, in FIG. 3, the illustration of the washers 23 and 32 is omitted.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 and the like, in a state where the protector 1 is fixed to the vehicle 5, the upper horizontal portion 11a is a plate-like portion at the upper part of the first member 11. The intermediate portion 11b is a plate-like portion extending substantially downward from the left end of the upper horizontal portion 11a. The lower horizontal portion 11c is a plate-like portion extending substantially leftward from the lower end of the intermediate portion 11b. The lower plate portion 12a is a plate-like portion in the second member 12. A part of the lower plate portion 12a (specifically, the right region and one end portion in the lower plate portion 12a) is in contact with the lower horizontal portion 11c. The front protection portion 12b is a plate-like portion extending substantially upward from the front end of the lower plate portion 12a. The side protection portion 12c is a plate-like portion extending substantially upward from the left end of the lower plate portion 12a.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and the like, notches 12e to 12f are formed in the second member 12. The notches 12e to 12f are provided to avoid interference with peripheral members (not shown) of the protector 1 in the vehicle 5. In other words, even if the notches 12e to 12f are formed, the possibility of flying stones reaching the urea addition valve 63 and the like does not increase significantly. The position and size of each of the notches 12e to 12f can be adapted based on the position and size of the peripheral members. If the distance from the protector 1 to the peripheral members is relatively large, the notches 12e to 12f may not be formed.

[0035] By the way, if withered grass (for example, a part of the grass Dg shown in FIG. 1) accumulates on the upper surface of the protector 1 and contacts the insulator 67, there is a possibility that the withered grass will catch fire. More specifically, the temperature of the surface (outer surface) of the insulator 67 composed of a heat insulating member is lower than the surface of the exhaust pipe 6 (covered by the insulator 67). However, when the internal combustion engine 51 operates for a long time, the surface of the insulator 67 becomes relatively hot. Therefore, if the amount of withered grass (i.e., plate-shaped withered grass) placed on the lower plate portion 12a increases and the state of contacting the lower surface of the insulator 67 continues, there is a risk that the plate-shaped withered grass will catch fire.

[0036] Therefore, in order to suppress the accumulation of plate-shaped withered grass, the protector 1 has the following features (a) to (e). Feature (a): The second member 12 includes a front protection portion 12b. Feature (b): The rear of the second member 12 is open. Feature (c): The lower plate portion 12a is inclined rearward by an angle θ. Feature (d): The lower plate portion 12a is held in a cantilever shape. Feature (e): The second member 12 including the lower plate portion 12a is thinner than the first member 11.

[0037] Explanation of features (a) to (b). Since the second member 12 includes the front protection portion 12b, it is possible to prevent flying stones from reaching the urea addition valve 63 and the like, and the possibility that withered grass reaches the upper surface of the lower plate portion 12a and becomes withered grass on the plate is reduced. In addition, since the rear of the lower plate portion 12a is open (that is, since the second member 12 does not include the "region extending upward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 12a"), the withered grass on the plate is not prevented from falling from the rear of the lower plate portion 12a.

[0038] Explanation of feature (c). As shown in FIG. 5, when the protector 1 is fixed to the frame 72, the lower plate portion 12a (and the lower horizontal portion 11c) is inclined rearward by an angle θ. That is, the lower plate portion 12a is lower toward the rear in the traveling direction of the vehicle 5. Due to the inclination of the lower plate portion 12a, when the vehicle 5 is traveling (particularly when the protector 1 is vibrating), the withered grass on the plate falling from the rear of the lower plate portion 12a and / or the accumulated withered grass on the plate collapsing and the upper part of the withered grass on the plate falling from the rear of the lower plate portion 12a are promoted.

[0039] The angle θ in the present embodiment is about 5°, but the angle θ can be adapted based on the respective sizes of the protector 1 and the urea addition valve 63, and the positional relationship between the protector 1 and the urea addition valve 63.

[0040] Features (d) to (e) will be described. As described above, the lower plate portion 12a is fixed to the frame 72 via the first member 11 (specifically, each of the upper horizontal portion 11a, the intermediate portion 11b, and the lower horizontal portion 11c). In other words, the lower plate portion 12a is held in a cantilever shape by the first member 11. More specifically, the lower plate portion 12a is held by the first member 11 so as to be vibratable with respect to the frame 72. When the protector 1 vibrates due to the operation of the internal combustion engine 51 and the running of the vehicle 5, it can be said that the upper horizontal portion 11a of the first member 11 is the fixed end and the second member 12 is the free end.

[0041] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the displacement amount in the natural vibration of the protector 1 increases as it is farther from the upper horizontal portion 11a. In other words, the amplitude of the vibration at each position on the protector 1 increases as it is substantially leftward in the second member 12. The fact that the second member 12 is thinner than the first member 11 facilitates the deformation of the second member 12 with respect to the first member 11, and thus contributes to the increase in the displacement amount of the lower plate portion 12a in the natural vibration of the protector 1.

[0042] In other words, due to each of features (d) to (e), when the frame 72 vibrates due to the running of the vehicle 5 and the operation of the internal combustion engine 51, etc., the vibration displacement amount of the lower plate portion 12a increases. Thereby, it is further promoted that the withered grass on the plate falls from behind the lower plate portion 12a, and / or the accumulated withered grass on the plate collapses and the upper part of the withered grass on the plate falls from behind the lower plate portion 12a.

[0043] As described above, according to the protector 1, it is possible to protect the urea addition valve 63 etc. (and the insulator 67) from flying stones. In addition, since the protector 1 has the above-described features (a) to (e), it is possible to prevent the deposition of plate-shaped withered grass. More specifically, since the lower horizontal portion 11c is also inclined rearward, the falling of the withered grass on the lower horizontal portion 11c from behind is promoted. Further, when the withered grass on the lower plate portion 12a falls from behind, the withered grass on the lower horizontal portion 11c is also likely to fall from behind.

[0044] Therefore, according to the protector 1, it is possible to prevent dead grass from accumulating and reaching the insulator 67 (i.e., prevent the dead grass on the plate from contacting the insulator 67). In addition, since the protector 1 prevents the accumulation of plate-shaped dead grass, the possibility of the dead grass on the plate reaching the urea addition valve 63 or the like is also reduced. Therefore, even if the urea addition valve 63 becomes hot, the possibility of the dead grass on the plate in contact with the urea addition valve 63 catching fire is small.

[0045] In addition, since the protector 1 is constituted by connecting the first member 11 and the second member 12 having different thicknesses to each other, the protector 1 including regions having different thicknesses can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, while the second member 12 (particularly, the lower plate portion 12a) where a large vibration displacement amount is expected is made relatively thin, since the first member 11 is thicker than the second member 12, the strength of the entire protector 1 can be maintained.

[0046] In addition, since the protector 1 includes the first member 11 and the second member 12 that are connected to each other, the attachment of the protector 1 to the vehicle 5 can be facilitated. For example, after fixing the first member 11 to the frame 72, the second member 12 can be fixed to the first member 11.

[0047] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the above structures, but many alternations, improvements, and changes are possible without departing from the object of the present invention. Therefore, the forms of the present invention may include all alternations, improvements, and changes that do not depart from the spirit and object of the appended claims. The forms of the present invention are not limited to the above special structures, and for example, the following changes are possible.

[0048] The lower plate portion 12a is an accessory device disposed in the exhaust pipe 6, the urea addition valve 63, and is disposed below the exhaust pipe 6. Instead of this, the lower plate portion 12a may be disposed below the fuel addition valve 61 (i.e., an accessory device different from the urea addition valve 63). Further, the accessory device may be a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, etc. for detecting the exhaust state.

[0049] Alternatively, the lower plate portion 12a may be disposed below a section of the exhaust pipe 6 where the insulator 67 and other accessory devices are not arranged. There may be no other member disposed between the exhaust pipe 6 and the protector 1. Even in this case, by having the above-described features (a) to (e), it is possible to reduce the possibility that the withered grass deposited on the protector 1 increases and reaches the exhaust pipe 6.

[0050] The lower plate portion 12a of the second member 12 was fixed to the lower horizontal portion 11c of the first member 11. However, the first member 11 may not include the lower horizontal portion 11c. In this case, the second member 12 may have a right side plate portion extending substantially upward from the right end of the lower plate portion 12a, and the right side plate portion of the second member 12 may be fixed (fastened) to the intermediate portion 11b of the first member 11.

[0051] The second member 12 (more specifically, the lower plate portion 12a) was held by the first member 11 from the right. That is, the left side of the lower plate portion 12a was the free end during the vibration of the protector 1. Instead of this, the second member 12 may be held by the first member 11 from the left. That is, the right side of the lower plate portion 12a may be the free end.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1... Protector for vehicle (protector) 11... First member 11a... Upper horizontal portion, 11b... Intermediate portion, 11c... Lower horizontal portion, 11d... Through hole 12... Second member 12a... Lower plate portion, 12b... Front protection portion, 12c... Side protection portion, 12d... Through hole 12e - 12f... Notch portion 21... Nut, 22... Bolt, 23... Washer 31... Bolt, 32... Washer 5... Vehicle 51... Internal combustion engine, 52... Supercharger, 53... Intake pipe, 54... Exhaust manifold 6... Exhaust pipe 61…Fuel addition valve, 62…First purification device, 63…Urea addition valve 63a…Urea pipe, 63b…Power line, 63c…Heat radiating plate 64…Second purification device, 65…Third purification device, 66…Muffler device 67…Insulator, 67a…Bending part 71…Front wheel, 72…Frame Dg…Grass

Claims

1. A vehicle protector, comprising: a lower plate portion disposed below the exhaust pipe; and a connecting portion that connects one end of the lower plate portion to the vehicle so as to hold the lower plate portion in a cantilever beam shape.

2. The vehicle protector according to Claim 1, wherein the lower plate portion is lower toward the rear with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle protector according to Claim 1, wherein the lower plate portion is thinner than the connecting portion.

4. The vehicle protector according to Claim 3, comprising: a first member including the connecting portion; and a second member including the lower plate portion and thinner than the first member.

5. The vehicle protector according to Claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is located on either the left or right side of the lower plate portion with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle, the other of the left and right sides of the lower plate portion is a free end, a front protection portion is provided in front of the lower plate portion with respect to the traveling direction, and the rear of the lower plate portion with respect to the traveling direction is open.

Images