Multipurpose vehicle

Abstract

To enable a muffler to be covered while avoiding raising a load-carrying platform position due to installation of a muffler cover and preventing overheating of the muffler cover and generation of a rattling noise, in a multiple-purpose vehicle having an engine and a muffler provided below a load-carrying platform positioned in the rear of a vehicle body.SOLUTION: A muffler cover 22 for covering a muffler 16 is provided. The muffler cover 22 has an upper cover 35 for covering an upper part of the muffler 16, and a lower cover 36 for covering a lower part of the muffler 16. The upper and lower covers 35 and 36 are individually attached to the muffler 16 in a divided and separated state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a utility vehicle equipped with a muffler that reduces engine exhaust noise. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, there is a multipurpose vehicle that is equipped with a cargo bed located at the rear of the vehicle body, an engine located below the cargo bed, and a muffler located below the cargo bed to reduce engine exhaust noise. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6655970 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned multi-purpose vehicle is equipped with a muffler cover that is attached to and held by the body frame, or a muffler cover that is attached to and held by the muffler, to suppress heat transfer from the muffler to the luggage rack located above the muffler and to components surrounding the muffler other than the luggage rack. When the muffler cover is held by the body frame, the luggage rack must be elevated to ensure sufficient clearance between the muffler cover and engine-related components and the luggage rack, making it difficult to load and unload luggage. A muffler cover held by the muffler envelops the entire muffler, trapping heat emitted from the muffler inside the muffler cover, causing the surface temperature of the muffler cover to become excessively high. Furthermore, a muffler cover held by the muffler generates rattle noises due to the connecting screws connecting the two or more cover components that make up the muffler cover, resulting in noise.

[0005] The present invention provides a multipurpose vehicle that can cover a muffler while avoiding the need to position the cargo bed higher due to the installation of a muffler cover and preventing the muffler cover from overheating or generating rattle noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The multi-purpose vehicle according to the present invention comprises: The vehicle is equipped with a cargo bed provided at the rear of the vehicle body, an engine provided below the cargo bed, a muffler provided below the cargo bed to reduce exhaust noise from the engine, and a muffler cover that covers the muffler, the muffler cover comprising an upper cover that covers the top of the muffler and a lower cover that covers the bottom of the muffler, the upper cover and the lower cover being separated and individually attached to the muffler.

[0007] With this configuration, the upper cover and lower cover are attached to the muffler separately, so the muffler cover is held to the muffler without connecting the upper and lower covers.By not having to connect the upper and lower covers and the muffler cover being held to the muffler, it is possible to cover the muffler while preventing rattle noise from the muffler cover and avoiding raising the position of the cargo bed. Because the upper cover and the lower cover are spaced apart, a gap is created between the two covers, allowing the heat from the muffler to escape to the outside of the muffler cover through the gap and not be trapped inside the muffler cover.By not trapping the heat from the muffler cover inside the muffler cover, the muffler can be covered while preventing the muffler cover from overheating.

[0008] In the present invention, It is preferable that the length of the upper cover in the longitudinal direction of the muffler is set to be longer than the length of the muffler in the longitudinal direction, and that the length of the lower cover in the longitudinal direction of the muffler is set to be shorter than the length of the muffler in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] With this configuration, the upper part of the muffler is covered by the upper cover over the entire length of the muffler in the longitudinal direction, and the lower part of the muffler is covered by the lower cover only over an area shorter than the entire length of the muffler in the longitudinal direction.This means that the upper cover suppresses heat transfer from the muffler upward to the cargo bed, etc., while heat is easily dissipated downward from the muffler, preventing heat from building up inside the muffler cover.

[0010] In the present invention, It is preferable that the lower cover corresponds to a portion of the muffler that is located toward the front end of the muffler with respect to the center of the muffler in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] With this configuration, the lower part of the front end of the muffler, where exhaust gas from the engine is introduced and the temperature is likely to rise, is covered by the lower cover, making it easier to prevent the temperature of engine peripheral parts located below the muffler from rising due to heat dissipation from the muffler. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the multipurpose vehicle as seen from the left side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exhaust pipe cover, the first muffler cover, and the second muffler cover. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exhaust pipe cover, the first muffler cover, and the second muffler cover as viewed from the left side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exhaust pipe and a first muffler. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first divided exhaust pipe cover and the second divided exhaust pipe cover in a removed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first divided exhaust pipe cover and the second divided exhaust pipe cover in an attached state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 2. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper cover and the lower cover in a removed state. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper cover and the lower cover in an attached state. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, with regard to the traveling body of the multi-purpose vehicle, the direction of arrow F shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 will be referred to as the "front direction of the body," the direction of arrow B shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 will be referred to as the "rear direction of the body," the direction of arrow U shown in Figures 1 and 3 will be referred to as the "upward direction of the body," the direction of arrow D shown in Figures 1 and 3 will be referred to as the "downward direction of the body," the direction toward the front of the page in Figure 1 and the direction of arrow L shown in Figure 2 will be referred to as the "leftward direction of the body," and the direction toward the back of the page in Figure 1 and the direction of arrow R in Figure 2 will be referred to as the "rightward direction of the body." The left-right direction of the body corresponds to the width direction of the body.

[0014] [Overall configuration of multipurpose vehicle] The utility vehicle shown in FIG. 1 is used for multiple purposes, such as transporting luggage and recreation. The utility vehicle is equipped with a vehicle body 4 having a body frame 1, a pair of left and right front wheels 2 steerably and drivably held at the front of the body frame 1, and a pair of left and right rear wheels 3 drivably held at the rear of the body frame 1. A passenger section 5 is provided between the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3 on the vehicle body 4. The passenger section 5 is equipped with a front passenger section 5A and a rear passenger section 5B, and a rope 6 that surrounds the passenger space of the front passenger section 5A and the passenger space of the rear passenger section 5B. The front passenger section 5A is equipped with a driver's seat 7 and a steering wheel 8 that steers the front wheels 2. A cargo bed 9 and a driving section 10 are provided at the rear of the vehicle body.

[0015] [Motor unit] As shown in FIG. 1, the prime mover 10 is provided below the loading platform 9. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the prime mover 10 is equipped with an engine 11, a continuously variable transmission 12 to which the output of the engine 11 is input and which continuously changes the speed of the input power, and a transmission 13 to which the output of the continuously variable transmission 12 is input and which changes the speed of the input power using a gear transmission and outputs it toward the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3. The continuously variable transmission 12 is connected to a side portion of the engine 11 and a side portion of the transmission 13. In the continuously variable transmission 12, the speed of the input power is changed by an endless rotating belt (not shown) and a belt pulley (not shown) whose belt winding diameter can be changed. The transmission 13 is located behind the engine 11.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, an exhaust pipe 14 extends from the engine 11, a first muffler 15 is connected to the exhaust pipe 14, and a second muffler 16 is connected to the first muffler 15. As shown in Fig. 3, mounting portions 16b provided at two locations on the lower rear portion of the second muffler 16 are engaged with supports 13a provided on the transmission 13, and the second muffler 16 is held by the transmission 13 at its rear. Exhaust gas from the engine 11 is discharged through the exhaust pipe 14 to the first muffler 15, where it is purified by a catalyst. Exhaust gas discharged from the first muffler 15 is introduced into the second muffler 16, where it is silenced and discharged from an exhaust pipe 16a of the second muffler 16 (see Figs. 2 and 3).

[0017] [Exhaust pipe] 2 and 4, the exhaust pipe 14 includes two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 extending separately from the two exhaust sections 11a of the engine 11, and one downstream exhaust pipe section 18 where the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 join and are connected to the first muffler 15. The downstream exhaust pipe section 18 is provided with a CO2 sensor 19 that detects carbon dioxide in the exhaust of the engine 11.

[0018] Each of the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 extends from the exhaust section 11a of the engine 11 toward the front of the vehicle body, then curves laterally to the left of the vehicle body, extending along the vehicle width direction, then extends in the vehicle width direction, then curves rearward of the vehicle body, and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction to reach the downstream exhaust pipe section 18. The two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. More specifically, each of the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 is formed so that its starting end 17a and terminal end 17b are aligned along the vehicle front-rear direction, and its intermediate section 17c, located between the starting end 17a and terminal end 17b, is aligned along the vehicle width direction. The two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle body at the intermediate section 17c and terminal end 17b. However, the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 may be aligned in the vehicle front-rear direction or the vehicle width direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body rearward of the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17.

[0020] [Exhaust pipe cover, first muffler cover] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the exhaust pipe 14 is covered by an exhaust pipe cover 20, and is configured so that the transfer of heat radiated from the exhaust pipe 14 to the cargo bed 9 and the like is suppressed by the exhaust pipe cover 20. The first muffler 15 is covered by a first muffler cover 21, and is configured so that the transfer of heat radiated from the first muffler 15 to the cargo bed 9 and the like is suppressed by the first muffler cover 21. As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 11, the second muffler 16 is covered by a second muffler cover 22, and is configured so that the transfer of heat radiated from the second muffler 16 to the cargo bed 9 and the like is suppressed by the second muffler cover 22.

[0021] 2 and 3, the exhaust pipe cover 20 that covers the exhaust pipe 14 is configured to collectively cover the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 and the two downstream exhaust pipe sections 18. In this embodiment, the exhaust pipe cover 20 is configured to cover the middle section 17c and the terminal section 17b of the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 of each of the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17, and to cover the entire downstream exhaust pipe section 18 of the downstream exhaust pipe section 18, but the exhaust pipe cover 20 may also cover the entirety of each of the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17.

[0022] 3 and 5, the exhaust pipe cover 20 is divided into two divided exhaust pipe covers 23 in the radial direction of each of the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 and the downstream exhaust pipe section 18. In this embodiment, the exhaust pipe cover 20 is divided into two divided exhaust pipe covers 23 in the radial direction of each of the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 and the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 and in the vertical direction.

[0023] In the following description, one of the two divided exhaust pipe covers 23 will be referred to as the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a, and the other of the two divided exhaust pipe covers 23 will be referred to as the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b.

[0024] 3, the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a is configured to cover the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 and the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 from above, and the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b is configured to cover the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 and the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 from below. A sensor hole through which the CO2 sensor 19 protrudes is formed in the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a.

[0025] 3 and 5, the first muffler cover 21 that covers the first muffler 15 is divided into two separate muffler covers 24 in the radial direction of the first muffler 15. In this embodiment, the first muffler cover 21 is divided into two separate muffler covers 24 in the radial direction of the first muffler 15 and in the up-down direction.

[0026] In the following description, one of the two divided muffler covers 24 will be referred to as the first divided muffler cover 24a, and the other of the two divided muffler covers 24 will be referred to as the second divided muffler cover 24b.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, first split muffler cover 24a is configured to cover first muffler 15 from above, and second split muffler cover 24b is configured to cover first muffler 15 from below. As shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, exhaust port cover 24c that covers exhaust port portion 15a of first muffler 15 from below is integrally formed at the rear of second split muffler cover 24b.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the first divided muffler cover 24a is integrally molded with the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a, and the second divided muffler cover 24b is integrally molded with the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b.

[0029] The exhaust pipe cover 20 is attached to the exhaust pipe 14, and the first muffler cover 21 is attached to the first muffler 15 based on the attachment structure shown in FIG. 5 and the like.

[0030] That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a first support member 25 is attached across the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17, a second support member 26 is attached to the downstream exhaust pipe section 18, and a third support member 27 is attached to the exhaust port section 15a of the first muffler 15.

[0031] 3 and 6, the first support member 25 is formed in an annular shape and located around the outer periphery of the intermediate portions 17c of the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17. More specifically, the first support member 25 is divided into two first divided support members in the circumferential direction. A connecting portion 25a provided on each of the two first divided support members is connected to the intermediate portions 17c of the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17, and the first support member 25 is supported by the two upstream exhaust pipe sections 17 via the connecting portions 25a. The connecting portion 25a is connected to the intermediate portions 17c by welding.

[0032] 4 and 7, the second support member 26 is formed in an annular shape and positioned around the outer periphery of the downstream exhaust pipe section 18. More specifically, the second support member 26 is divided into two second divided support members in the circumferential direction. A connecting portion 26a provided on each of the two second divided support members is connected to the two downstream exhaust pipe sections 18, and the second support member 26 is supported by the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 via the connecting portions 26a. The connecting portion 26a is connected to the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 by welding.

[0033] 4 and 9, the third support member 27 is formed in an annular shape and located around the outer periphery of the exhaust port portion 15a of the first muffler 15. More specifically, the third support member 27 is divided into two third divided support members in the circumferential direction. A connecting portion 27a provided on each of the two third divided support members is connected to the exhaust port portion 15a, and the third support member 27 is supported by the first muffler 15 via the connecting portion 27a. The connecting portion 27a is connected to the exhaust port portion 15a by welding.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a first tightening band 31 and a second tightening band 32 are provided for attaching the exhaust pipe cover 20 to the exhaust pipe 14, and a third tightening band 33 is provided for attaching the first muffler cover 21 to the first muffler 15, and the exhaust pipe cover 20 and the first muffler cover 21 are configured to be attached to the exhaust pipe 14 and the first muffler 15 as shown in Figures 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9.

[0035] That is, the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a is placed over the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 and the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 from above, and the inner circumferential portion of the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a is brought into contact with the first support member 25 and the second support member 26, so that the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a is supported from the inside by the first support member 25 and the second support member 26. The second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b is placed over the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 and the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 from below, and the inner circumferential portion of the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b is brought into contact with the first support member 25 and the second support member 26, so that the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b is supported from the inside by the first support member 25 and the second support member 26.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 7, a first tightening band 31 is fitted over the outer periphery of a portion of the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a that corresponds to the first support member 25 and the outer periphery of a portion of the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b that corresponds to the first support member 25, and the first tightening band 31 is tightened with tightening screws 31a, thereby fastening the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a and the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b to the first support member 25 with the first tightening band 31. As shown in Fig. 8, a second tightening band 32 is fitted over the outer periphery of a portion of the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a that corresponds to the second support member 26 and the outer periphery of the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b that corresponds to the second support member 26, and the second tightening band 32 is tightened with tightening screws 32a, thereby fastening the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a and the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b to the second support member 26 with the second tightening band 32. The exhaust pipe cover 20 is attached to the exhaust pipe 14 by a first tightening band 31, a first support member 25, a second tightening band 32, and a second support member 26. As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, the first split exhaust pipe cover 23a is provided with a receiving member 28 that receives the first tightening band 31 and the second tightening band 32 from the outside to prevent misalignment.

[0037] The first divided muffler cover 24a is placed over the first muffler 15 from above, and the inner circumferential portion of the first divided muffler cover 24a is brought into abutment against the third support member 27 so that the third support member 27 supports the first divided muffler cover 24a from the inside. This is done at the same time that the first divided exhaust pipe cover 23a is placed over the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 and the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 and supported by the first support member 25 and the second support member 26. The second divided muffler cover 24b is placed over the first muffler 15 from below, and the inner circumferential portion of the second divided muffler cover 24b is brought into abutment against the third support member 27 so that the third support member 27 supports the second divided muffler cover 24b from the inside. This is done at the same time that the second divided exhaust pipe cover 23b is placed over the upstream exhaust pipe section 17 and the downstream exhaust pipe section 18 and supported by the first support member 25 and the second support member 26.

[0038] 2, 3, and 9, a third tightening band 33 is fitted over the outer periphery of the portion of first divided muffler cover 24a that corresponds to third support member 27 and the outer periphery of the portion of second divided muffler cover 24b that corresponds to third support member 27, and the third tightening band 33 is tightened with tightening screws 33a (see FIG. 8) to fasten first divided muffler cover 24a and second divided muffler cover 24b to third support member 27 with the third tightening band 33. The first muffler cover 21 is attached to the first muffler 15 by the second tightening band 32, second support member 26, third tightening band 33, and third support member 27. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, a receiving member 29 is provided on first divided muffler cover 24a that receives third tightening band 33 from the outside to prevent displacement.

[0039] [Second muffler cover] The second muffler cover 22 that covers the second muffler 16 is divided into an upper cover 35 and a lower cover 36, as shown in FIG.

[0040] 11 and 12, the upper cover 35 is formed so as to be positioned around the upper part of the second muffler 16 and along the upper part. As shown in Figures 10, 12, etc., upper cover support portions 37 are provided at multiple locations on the outer periphery of the upper part of the second muffler 16, and the upper cover 35 is configured to be attached to the multiple upper cover support portions 37 with connecting bolts 38. The upper cover 35 is configured to cover the upper part of the second muffler 16 while being held by the second muffler 16.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3 and 12, the lower cover 36 is configured to be located below the lower part of the second muffler 16. As shown in Figures 10 and 12, etc., lower cover support portions 39 are provided at multiple locations on the outer periphery of the lower part of the second muffler 16, and the lower cover 36 is configured to be attached to the multiple lower cover support portions 39 with connecting bolts 40. The lower cover 36 is configured to cover the lower part of the second muffler 16 while being held by the second muffler 16.

[0042] 12, the upper cover 35 and the lower cover 36 are configured to be attached to the second muffler 16 individually in a separated state, and a gap 41 is formed between the upper cover 35 and the lower cover 36. Heat radiated from the second muffler 16 escapes to the outside of the second muffler cover 22 through the gap 41.

[0043] 2, the length L1 of the upper cover 35 in the longitudinal direction of the second muffler 16 is set to be longer than the length L2 of the second muffler 16, and the length L3 of the lower cover 36 in the longitudinal direction of the second muffler 16 is set to be shorter than the length L2 of the second muffler 16. The upper cover 35 covers the second muffler 16 over the entire longitudinal length of the second muffler 16. In contrast, the lower cover 36 covers the second muffler 16 over an area shorter than the entire longitudinal length of the second muffler 16.

[0044] 2, the lower cover 36 is configured to be located in correspondence with a portion of the second muffler 16 that is located on the front end side of the second muffler 16 with respect to the center C in the longitudinal direction of the second muffler 16. The lower cover 36 covers the lower portion of the portion of the second muffler 16 on the front end side where exhaust gas from the engine 11 is introduced and where the temperature is likely to rise.

[0045] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the length L1 of the upper cover 35 is longer than the length L2 of the second muffler 16, but this is not limited to this, and the length L1 of the upper cover 35 may be the same as the length L2 of the second muffler 16 or shorter than the length L2 of the second muffler 16.

[0046] (2) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the length L3 of the lower cover 36 was shorter than the length L2 of the second muffler 16, but this is not limited to this, and the length L3 of the lower cover 36 may be longer than the length L2 of the second muffler 16 or may be the same as the length L2 of the second muffler 16.

[0047] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the lower cover 36 was located on the front end side of the second muffler 16 relative to the center C of the second muffler 16, but this is not limited to this, and the lower cover 36 may be located on the rear end side of the second muffler 16 relative to the center C of the second muffler 16.

[0048] (4) In the above embodiment, the first muffler 15 is provided, but the first muffler 15 may not be provided.

[0049] (5) In the above embodiment, the exhaust pipe cover 20 and the first muffler cover 21 are provided, but the exhaust pipe cover 20 and the first muffler cover 21 may not be provided. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] The present invention is applicable to a multi-purpose vehicle that has an engine and a second muffler provided below the loading platform. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 9 Cargo bed 11 Engine 16 Second muffler (muffler) 22 Second muffler cover (muffler cover) 35 Upper cover 36 Lower cover C center L1 Length of top cover L2 Length of second muffler L3 Length of bottom cover

Claims

1. A loading platform provided at the rear of the vehicle body, an engine provided below the bed; a muffler provided below the loading platform to reduce exhaust noise from the engine; a muffler cover that covers the muffler, The muffler cover includes an upper cover that covers an upper portion of the muffler and a lower cover that covers a lower portion of the muffler, In a multipurpose vehicle, the upper cover and the lower cover are separated and individually attached to the muffler.

2. The length of the upper cover in the longitudinal direction of the muffler is set to be longer than the length of the muffler in the longitudinal direction, 2. The multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the length of the lower cover in the longitudinal direction of the muffler is set shorter than the length of the muffler in the longitudinal direction.

3. 3. The multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the lower cover corresponds to a portion of the muffler that is located on a front end side of the muffler with respect to a center of the muffler in a longitudinal direction.

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