Exhaust muffler support structure

Abstract

To provide an exhaust muffler support structure capable of suppressing vibration in a vertical direction.SOLUTION: An exhaust muffler support structure comprises: an engine; a catalyst converter; an exhaust muffler suspended at a lower section of a vehicle; and an exhaust pipe connecting edge sections of the catalyst converter and the exhaust muffler. The engine, the catalyst converter and the exhaust muffler are arranged adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The catalyst converter and the exhaust muffler are arranged so that the longitudinal directions thereof align with a width direction of the vehicle, and are positioned to partially overlap each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a support structure for an exhaust muffler.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a catalytic converter and an exhaust muffler are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, the ends of both are connected by an exhaust pipe, and the structure is suspended under the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, vertical vibrations are likely to occur in the exhaust pipe connecting the catalytic converter and the exhaust muffler, so there is room for improvement.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a support structure for an exhaust muffler that can suppress vertical vibrations.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The support structure for an exhaust muffler according to the present disclosure includes an engine, a catalytic converter, an exhaust muffler suspended under a vehicle, an exhaust pipe connecting an end of the catalytic converter and an end of the exhaust muffler, wherein the engine, the catalytic converter, and the exhaust muffler are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the catalytic converter and the exhaust muffler are arranged such that their longitudinal directions are in the width direction of the vehicle, and they are arranged so as to partially overlap in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, vertical vibration can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The support structure for an exhaust muffler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced and are easy for those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] (Support Structure for Exhaust Muffler) The support structure for an exhaust muffler according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The support structure for an exhaust muffler according to an embodiment is a structure for supporting an exhaust muffler (muffler) mounted on a vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support structure 1 includes an engine 11, a catalytic converter 12, a muffler 13, and exhaust pipes 14 and 15. The engine 11, the catalytic converter 12, and the muffler 13 are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0012] The engine 11 is a driving source of the vehicle. The catalytic converter 12 is, for example, an underfloor type catalyst and is arranged in the exhaust passage of the engine 11. Further, the catalytic converter 12 is arranged forward of the muffler 13 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Also, the catalytic converter 12 is arranged below the muffler 13 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0013] The muffler 13 is for suppressing exhaust noise. This muffler 13 is suspended below the vehicle. The exhaust pipe 14 connects the engine 11 and an end of the catalytic converter 12. The exhaust pipe 15 connects an end of the catalytic converter 12 and an end of the muffler 13. These exhaust pipes 14 and 15 are both formed in a curved shape and have a shape bent, for example, in a U shape or an S shape.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the catalytic converter 12 and the muffler 13 are arranged such that their longitudinal directions are in the width direction of the vehicle. Also, as shown in part A of FIGS. 1 and 2, the catalytic converter 12 and the muffler 13 are arranged so as to partially overlap in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0015] Here, in the conventional support structure 101, for example, when viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 3(a), the exhaust pipe 115 connecting the catalytic converter 12 and the muffler 13 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Further, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the catalytic converter 12 and the muffler 13 are not arranged so as to overlap.

[0016] Therefore, in the conventional support structure 101 of the exhaust muffler, the rigidity in the vertical direction is low, so it becomes weak against the vertical vibration input. As a result, the vertical vibration that is disadvantageous to vehicle sensitivity increases, and the vibration of the entire vehicle increases.

[0017] On the other hand, in the support structure 1 of the exhaust muffler according to the embodiment, as shown in part A of FIGS. 1 and 2, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 are arranged so as to wrap (overlap). Further, in the support structure 1 of the exhaust muffler, for example, when viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust pipe 15 connecting the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 is arranged to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. By setting the inclination angle θ of the exhaust pipe 15 to, for example, 45° or more, the vertical vibration can be more effectively suppressed.

[0018] Therefore, in the support structure 1 of the exhaust muffler according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the vertical vibration can be converted into the longitudinal vibration that is advantageous to vehicle sensitivity. Thereby, the vertical vibration can be suppressed and the vibration of the entire vehicle can be reduced.

[0019] According to the support structure of the exhaust muffler according to the embodiment described above, the vertical vibration can be suppressed. That is, by arranging the positional relationship between the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 to wrap in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and laying out the exhaust pipe 15 connecting them upright, compared with the conventional structure, the structure has lower rigidity in the longitudinal direction and is more likely to vibrate in the longitudinal direction rather than vertically.

[0020] Generally, the vibration transmission sensitivity from under the vehicle floor is better in the longitudinal direction than in the vertical direction. Therefore, by converting the vertical vibration into the longitudinal direction like the support structure of the exhaust muffler according to the embodiment, it is possible to greatly suppress the vibration transmission to the passengers transmitted from the engine mount and the exhaust support.

[0021] (Modification 1) A modification example 1 of the support structure of the exhaust muffler according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The components themselves of this modification example are the same as those of the support structure 1 described above. That is, the support structure 1A of the exhaust muffler includes an engine 11, a catalytic converter 12, an exhaust muffler 13, and exhaust pipes 14 and 15. In FIG. 4, the illustration of the engine 11 and the exhaust pipe 14 is omitted.

[0022] On the other hand, in the support structure 1A of the exhaust muffler, the vertical positional relationship between the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 is opposite to that of the support structure 1 described above. That is, the catalytic converter 12 is disposed above the exhaust muffler 13 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Also, the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 are arranged so that a part thereof overlaps in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (see part A), similar to the support structure 1 described above.

[0023] Also in the support structure 1A of the exhaust muffler having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the vertical vibration can be converted into the vibration in the front-rear direction that is advantageous for vehicle sensitivity. Thereby, the vertical vibration can be suppressed and the vibration of the entire vehicle can be reduced.

[0024] (Modification example 2) A modification example 2 of the support structure of the exhaust muffler according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The components themselves of this modification example are the same as those of the support structure 1 described above. That is, the support structure 1B of the exhaust muffler includes an engine 11, a catalytic converter 12, an exhaust muffler 13, and exhaust pipes 14 and 15. In FIG. 5, the illustration of the engine 11 and the exhaust pipe 14 is omitted.

[0025] On the other hand, in the support structure 1B of the exhaust muffler, the positional relationship between the front and rear of the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 is opposite to that of the above-described support structure 1. That is, the catalytic converter 12 is disposed rearward of the exhaust muffler 13 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Also, the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 are arranged such that a part thereof overlaps in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, similar to the above-described support structure 1 (see part A).

[0026] Even in the support structure 1B of the exhaust muffler having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the vertical vibration can be converted into the longitudinal vibration advantageous to vehicle sensitivity. Thereby, the vertical vibration can be suppressed and the vibration of the entire vehicle can be reduced.

[0027] (Modification 3) A modification 3 of the support structure of the exhaust muffler according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The components of this modification are the same as those of the above-described support structure 1. That is, the support structure 1C of the exhaust muffler includes the engine 11, the catalytic converter 12, the exhaust muffler 13, and the exhaust pipes 14 and 15. In FIG. 6, the illustration of the engine 11 and the exhaust pipe 14 is omitted.

[0028] On the other hand, in the support structure 1C of the exhaust muffler, the vertical and longitudinal positional relationships between the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 are opposite to those of the above-described support structure 1. That is, the catalytic converter 12 is disposed above the exhaust muffler 13 in the vehicle's vertical direction. Also, the catalytic converter 12 is disposed rearward of the exhaust muffler 13 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Also, the catalytic converter 12 and the exhaust muffler 13 are arranged such that a part thereof overlaps in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, similar to the above-described support structure 1 (see part A).

[0029] Also in the support structure 1C of the exhaust muffler having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 6(b), vibrations in the vertical direction can be converted into vibrations in the longitudinal direction, which are advantageous for vehicle sensitivity. Thereby, vibrations in the vertical direction can be suppressed, and vibrations of the entire vehicle can be reduced.

[0030] Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments presented and described as above. Accordingly, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0031] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 101 Support structure 11 Engine 12 Catalytic converter 13 Exhaust muffler 14, 15, 115 Exhaust pipe

Claims

【Claim 1】 An engine, a catalytic converter, a muffler suspended below the vehicle, an exhaust pipe connecting an end of the catalytic converter and an end of the muffler, comprising: wherein the engine, the catalytic converter, and the muffler are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; the catalytic converter and the muffler are arranged such that their longitudinal directions are in the width direction of the vehicle, and are arranged so as to partially overlap in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a support structure for the muffler.

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