Container for exhaust system and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To fit an end panel to an opening of a shell while accurately holding the end panel at a predefined three-dimensional posture and a position during a manufacture of a container of an exhaust system.SOLUTION: In a container of an exhaust system in which both ends of a shell is closed by an end panel where a cylindrical part having an elliptical cross section is formed at a peripheral edge part, a first plane which is a plane parallel with a first axis which is a center axis of the shell is provided at a part other than a fitting part of the end panel with the shell. In a vertical projection onto a plane orthogonal with the first axis which is a center axis of the shell, a first normal line which is a normal line of the first plane is parallel with a first diameter which is a maximum diameter of the end panel or the first normal line and the first diameter forms an acute angle of 45 degrees or less at a position closer to the first axis than an intersection point of the first normal line and the first plane in both of the direction parallel with the first diameter and the direction orthogonal with the first diameter. When fitting the cylindrical part of the end panel with openings on both ends of the shell, a first contact face which is a predefined plane formed on holding means comes into plane contact with the first plane to set the end panel with the holding means in a predefined posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container body for an exhaust system and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as a container body that constitutes the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle, such as a muffler (silencer) or catalytic converter, a structure in which the openings at both ends of a cylindrical shell formed from a thin metal plate are blocked by end plates (also called "outer plates" or "end plates") is often used.

[0003] In the past, the mainstream method was the lock seam method (also known as "curling"), in which the openings at both ends of the shell are closed with end plates, and then the edges of the shell opening and the end plates are overlapped and crimped together. However, due to the recent growing demand for improved airtightness and / or workability, there has been an increasing use of a method in which the edges of the shell opening and the edges of the end plates are fitted together and sealed and fixed by continuous welding (mainly laser welding).

[0004] The latter method of manufacturing a container body by continuous welding after fitting can be broadly divided into two types. The first method, as shown in Fig. 21, involves assembling in advance intermediate components 20 made up of end plates 4, 6, pipes 12, 14, and / or separators (partition walls) 8, 10, etc., wrapping plate material 21 around the end plates and / or separators to form a shell, and then welding and fixing each part (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3934396)).

[0005] A second method, as shown in Fig. 22, involves press-fitting an intermediate component (consisting of pipes 7, 8 and / or separators 45, 46, etc.) that does not include end plates into a shell 42 made of wound sheet material, press-fitting end plates 43, 44 into openings at both ends of the shell (by fitting the axially bent tubular peripheries), and then fixing them by continuous welding (see, for example, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 457282)). A specific example of an apparatus for press-fitting end plates into openings at both ends of the shell is the apparatus shown in Fig. 23 (see, for example, Patent Document 3 (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 1-148239)).

[0006] Patent Document 1 does not disclose a specific method for supporting the intermediate component during the process of winding the plate material, which is included in the first method described above. However, up until the middle of the process, it is possible to position the intermediate component relatively easily by supporting the lower surface of the intermediate component with a jig or the like, but after a certain point, the plate material begins to interfere with the jig. Therefore, after that point, the intermediate component must be supported from both sides, and it is presumed that it is extremely difficult to accurately position the intermediate component in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation while rotating the intermediate component or the plate material and winding the plate material around the intermediate component.

[0007] Furthermore, in the second method described above, it is relatively easy to position the shell by clamping it from the outside with a jig or the like. However, it is not easy to clamp an end plate, which is a component formed from a single thin metal plate, from one side with a jig and / or assembly hand or the like and press-fit it into the shell that is being held in this manner. It is even more difficult to press-fit the end plate into the shell opening while accurately maintaining a predetermined three-dimensional orientation, position, and index (positional relationship with the shell opening in the rotational direction).

[0008] As a means for solving the above problem, a technique has been proposed in which a bead (9b), which is a recess extending radially around a contact groove (9) formed on the outer periphery of an end plate (2), is provided, and a protrusion (11a) protruding from a jig for supporting the end plate is fitted into the bead, as shown in Fig. 24 (see, for example, Patent Document 4 (JP 2008-31851 A)). The main purpose of this technique is to increase the surface rigidity of the end plate without increasing the plate thickness, thereby reducing radiated sound, but as a secondary effect, it is said to be able to suppress relative rotation between the jig and the end plate during lock seam processing.

[0009] However, although the above-mentioned techniques can prevent relative rotation between the jig and the end plate, they do not provide the function of accurately gripping the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation, position, and index. Furthermore, container bodies having non-circular cross-sectional shapes, such as ovals and ellipses, as well as substantially rectangular and trapezoidal shapes, are now widely used, and in both the first and second methods described above, it is increasingly important to accurately grip the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation, position, and index. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3934396 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 457282 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-148239 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-31851 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] As described above, there is a need in the art for a technology that enables an end plate to be fitted into an opening in a shell while accurately gripping it in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation, position, and index (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as simply "three-dimensional orientation" or "orientation") in the manufacture of an exhaust system container body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] Therefore, after extensive research, the inventors discovered that the above problem can be solved by providing a plane on the end plate that intersects with the direction of the end plate's maximum diameter at a predetermined angle, and by supporting and fixing the end plate in a three-dimensional position by bringing the plane into surface contact with a predetermined abutment surface formed on a jig that holds the end plate during the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell.

[0013] Specifically, the exhaust system container according to the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "container of the present invention") is a container for an exhaust system in which openings at both ends of a cylindrical shell are closed by end plates. In the container of the present invention, a cylindrical portion, which is a portion having a cylindrical shape that can fit into the opening of the shell, is provided on the peripheral edge of the end plate, and at least a portion of the cylindrical portion fits into the opening of the shell to form a fitting portion. Furthermore, a first plane is provided in at least one location in the non-fitting portion, which is the portion of the end plate other than the fitting portion. The first plane is a plane parallel to a first axis, which is the central axis of the shell, and the first normal line, which is the normal to the first plane, is parallel to a first diameter, which is the maximum diameter of the end plate, in a first projection view, which is a vertical projection view onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis, or forms an acute angle of 45 degrees or less with the first diameter.

[0014] As mentioned at the beginning of this specification, the present invention relates not only to an exhaust system container body, but also to a method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

[0015] Specifically, the method for manufacturing an exhaust system container according to the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "method of the present invention") is a method for manufacturing an exhaust system container in which openings at both ends of a cylindrical shell are closed with end plates. A cylindrical portion, which is a portion having a cylindrical shape that can fit into the opening of the shell, is formed on the peripheral edge of the end plate, and at least a portion of the cylindrical portion is configured to fit into the opening of the shell to form a fitting portion. Furthermore, a first plane is provided in at least one location in the non-fitting portion, which is the portion of the end plate other than the fitting portion. The first plane is a plane parallel to a first axis that is the central axis of the shell, and the first normal line that is normal to the first plane is parallel to a first diameter that is the maximum diameter of the end plate in the first projection view that is a vertical projection onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis, or forms an acute angle with the first diameter that is 45 degrees or less.

[0016] In addition, the method of the present invention includes the following first, second and third steps.

[0017] The first step is a step of setting the shell in a first jig and supporting and fixing the shell in a first position, which is a predetermined position. The second step is a step of setting the end plate on a gripping means that is movable in a direction parallel to the first axis, and supporting and fixing the end plate in a second position, which is a predetermined position, by abutting the first abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane formed on the gripping means, against the first plane. The third step is a step of assembling the container body of the exhaust system by bringing the gripping means close to the shell in a direction parallel to the first axis and fitting at least a portion of the tubular portion into the openings at both ends of the shell to form fitting portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, in the present invention, the end plate is provided with a first plane that intersects the direction of the first diameter, which is the maximum diameter of the end plate, at a predetermined angle. This allows the end plate to be supported and fixed in a predetermined orientation by bringing the first plane of the end plate into surface contact with the first abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane formed on a jig that grips the end plate, during the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell. Therefore, according to the present invention, the end plate can be fitted into the opening of the shell while being accurately gripped in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation during the manufacture of an exhaust system container.

[0019] Other objects, other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention which will be given with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 3 is a schematic view illustrating a fitting state between a shell and an end plate that constitute a container (first container) of an exhaust system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams showing some examples of the configuration of a first plane provided on an end plate that constitutes a first container body. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a step of assembling a first container body by fitting end plates having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 into openings at both ends of a shell. FIG. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where each end plate has only one first plane, a jig is provided to support the end plate from the opposite side of the first axis from the first plane, and the end plate is supported and fixed in a predetermined posture by the jig and the first plane. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are schematic plan views illustrating the configuration of end plates constituting the first container body according to Modifications 1-1 and 1-2. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams showing some examples of the configuration of a second plane provided on an end plate that constitutes a container (second container) of an exhaust system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating a step of assembling a second container body by fitting end plates having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6 into openings at both ends of the shell. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams showing some examples of the configuration of a second plane provided on an end plate that constitutes a container (third container) of an exhaust system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a step of assembling a third container body by fitting end plates having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 into openings at both ends of the shell. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of each step included in a method (first method) for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating a process of manufacturing a first container body by fitting end plates into openings at both ends of a shell in processing equipment. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state near the opening of the shell held between a first jig and a shell holding jig. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of each step included in a method (fourth method) for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram comparing a procedure according to the prior art and a procedure according to the fourth method when performing secondary processing on a container body of an assembled exhaust system. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the configuration of an end plate that constitutes a container body (first embodiment container body) of an exhaust system according to Example 1 of the present invention. [Figure 16] 16A to 16E are schematic front, top, right, left, and bottom views of the end plate illustrated in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] 17A to 17D are schematic cross-sectional views of the end plate taken along (a) plane AA, (b) plane BB, (c) plane CC, and (d) plane DD shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] Schematic (a) front view, (b) top view, (c) right side view, (d) left side view, and (e) bottom view of an end plate being gripped by a gripping means provided in the processing equipment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which another end plate having first to third planes similar to the end plate illustrated in FIG. 18 is supported and fixed by a claw portion of a gripping means that constitutes the processing equipment. [Figure 20] 1A and 1B are schematic front views of four types of end plates having a variety of cross-sectional shapes. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional construction method in which the edge of the opening of the shell and the edge of the end plate are fitted together and sealed and fixed by continuous welding. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a construction method according to the prior art in which the edge of the opening of the shell and the edge of the end plate are fitted together and sealed and fixed by continuous welding. [Figure 23] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a device for press-fitting end plates into openings at both ends of a shell. FIG. [Figure 24] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional technology in which a bead, which is a recess extending radially around an abutment groove formed on the outer periphery of the end plate, is provided, and a protrusion protruding from a jig for supporting the end plate is fitted into the bead to prevent relative rotation between the jig and the end plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a container body (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "first container body") of an exhaust system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] <composition> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fitting state between the shell and end plates that constitute the first container. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the first container 101 is an exhaust system container formed by closing the openings at both ends of a cylindrical shell 110 with end plates 121 and 122. In the first container 101, a cylindrical portion Pc, which is a portion having a cylindrical shape that can fit into the opening of the shell 110, is provided on the periphery of the end plates 121 and 122, and at least a portion of the cylindrical portion Pc fits into the opening of the shell 110 to form a fitting portion Pf.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1B, in one end plate 121, only a portion of the distal end of the tubular portion Pc is fitted with the opening of the shell 110 to form the fitting portion Pf, while in the other end plate 122, the entire tubular portion Pc provided on the peripheral edge is fitted with the opening of the shell 110 to form the fitting portion Pf (Pc = Pf). As will be described later, the portions of the end plates 121 and 122 other than the fitting portion Pf may be referred to as "non-fitting portions Pnf." Furthermore, in the case where only a portion of the tubular portion Pc is fitted with the opening of the shell 110 to form the fitting portion Pf, as in the case of the end plate 121, the portion of the tubular portion Pc that is not fitted with the opening of the shell 110 may be referred to as "non-fitting tubular portion Pcnf." Furthermore, in either case, the portion that is not the tubular portion Pc may be referred to as "general portion Pg."

[0024] In FIG. 1(b), the end plates 121 and 122 are depicted as being slightly spaced apart from the shell 110 to clearly illustrate the configuration of the first container body 101. However, in reality, the end plates 121 and 122 are fitted into the openings of the shell 110 and are in contact with each other. Also, in FIG. 1, the direction parallel to the first diameter, which is the maximum diameter of the end plates 121 and 122, is defined as the x-axis direction, the direction perpendicular to the x-axis direction is defined as the y-axis direction, and the direction parallel to the first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110, is defined as the z-axis direction. In this specification, the term "central axis of the shell" refers to an axis passing through the center of symmetry and extending in the longitudinal direction of the shell when the cross-sectional shape of the shell is rotationally symmetric, such as a circle, ellipse, or oval. On the other hand, when the cross-sectional shape of the shell is not rotationally symmetric, the term refers to an axis passing through the center of gravity of the cross-sectional shape of the shell and extending in the longitudinal direction of the shell. The positive direction of each coordinate axis is indicated by an arrow in the figure. The same applies to other drawings referred to in the following description.

[0025] 22 referred to in the description of Patent Document 2, the first container body 101 also generally has through holes for inserting, for example, an inlet pipe and / or an outlet pipe, and irregularities for increasing the rigidity of the end plates 121 and 122. The shell 110 may house intermediate components, for example, pipes and / or separators (partition walls). Furthermore, as will be described later, the first container body 101 has a first plane, which is a plane having a predetermined normal, at least in one location in a portion (non-fitting portion Pnf) of the end plate other than the fitting portion Pf (this will be described in detail later).

[0026] However, in Figure 1, the above-mentioned additional structures and components as well as the first plane are omitted in order to clearly illustrate the mating state between the shell 110 and the end plates 121 and 122 that constitute the first container body 101.

[0027] The first container body 101 is a container body of an exhaust system in which a first plane P1 is provided in at least one location in a non-fitting portion Pnf, which is a portion other than the fitting portion Pf, of the end plate 121 and / or 122. The first plane P1 is a plane parallel to a first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110, and a first normal line N1, which is a normal line to the first plane P1, is either parallel to a first diameter D1, which is the maximum diameter of the end plate 121 and / or 122, in a first projection view Vp1, which is a vertical projection view onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis AX1, or forms an acute angle θ1 with the first diameter D1 of 45 degrees or less.

[0028] Specific examples of various configurations of the first plane P1 that satisfy the above requirements will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing several examples of the configuration of the first plane provided on the end plate that constitutes the first container body. Note that in the following description, the reference symbols shown in Fig. 1, which was referred to in the previous description, may also be used, so please also refer to Fig. 1 as necessary.

[0029] In the following description, in order to distinguish between the multiple first planes P1 and their first normals N1 provided on the end plates 121 and 122, and the first diameters D1 of the end plates 121 and 122, subscripts "a" to "h" are added to the respective reference numerals. On the other hand, when the terms "first plane P1," "first normal N1," and "first diameter D1" are used without adding such subscripts, these terms collectively refer to the multiple first planes and their first normals, and the first diameters of the two end plates, respectively.

[0030] 2(a) is a schematic plan view of the end plate 121 observed from the outside of the first container body 101 (the positive side of the z-axis shown in FIG. 1) in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (black circle), which is the central axis of the shell 110. Therefore, FIG. 2(a) corresponds to the above-mentioned "first projection view Vp1, which is a vertical projection view onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110."

[0031] 2(b) is a schematic plan view of the end plate 122 observed from the outside (the negative side of the z-axis shown in FIG. 1) of the first container body 101 in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (black circle). Therefore, like FIG. 2(a), FIG. 2(b) also corresponds to the above-mentioned "first projection view Vp1, which is a vertical projection view onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110."

[0032] (c) of Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first container body 101 taken along a plane including the first axis AX1 and the first diameters D1a and D1b, and (d) of Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first container body 101 taken along a plane including the first axis AX1 and perpendicular to the first diameters D1a and D1b.

[0033] 2, first planes P1a and P1b are provided at two locations on the non-fitting portion Pnf (non-fitting cylindrical portion Pcnf, which is the portion of the cylindrical portion Pc that is not the fitting portion Pf), which is a portion other than the fitting portion Pf. The first plane P1a is parallel to the first axis AX1, and a first normal N1a, which is normal to the first plane P1a, is parallel to the first diameter D1a, which is the maximum diameter of the end plate 121 (i.e., the first plane P1a is perpendicular to the direction of the first diameter D1a). Another first plane P1b is also a plane parallel to the first axis AX1, but the first normal N1b, which is the normal to the first plane P1b, is not parallel to the first diameter D1a (i.e., the first plane P1b is not perpendicular to the direction of the first diameter D1a), and the acute angle θ1 formed between the first normal N1b and the first diameter D1a is 45 degrees or less.

[0034] 2, first planes P1c and P1d are provided at two locations on the non-fitting portion Pnf (the general portion Pg that is not the cylindrical portion Pc). The first plane P1c is also parallel to the first axis AX1, and a first normal N1c, which is the normal to the first plane P1c, is parallel to the first diameter D1b (i.e., the first plane P1c is perpendicular to the direction of the first diameter D1b). The other first plane P1d, like the first plane P1c, is also parallel to the first axis AX1, and a first normal N1d, which is the normal to the first plane P1d, is parallel to the first diameter D1b (i.e., the first plane P1d is perpendicular to the direction of the first diameter D1b).

[0035] However, while the above-mentioned first planes P1a to P1c are provided on the periphery of the non-fitting portion Pnf (i.e., the periphery of the non-fitting tubular portion Pcnf or the periphery of the general portion Pg), the first plane P1d is provided in the middle of the general portion Pg (between the periphery of the general portion Pg and the first axis AX1). Thus, the first plane P1 is typically provided on the periphery of the non-fitting portion Pnf, but may be provided at a position other than the periphery of the non-fitting portion Pnf (for example, in the middle of the general portion Pg) as long as it satisfies the above-mentioned requirements.

[0036] Preferably, the first normal N1 and the first diameter D1 are parallel in the first projection Vp1. In other words, the direction of the first plane P1 and the direction of the first diameter D1 are perpendicular to each other in the first projection Vp1. More preferably, the first plane P1 and the first diameter D1 intersect in the first projection Vp1. This means that the first plane P1 does not exist on only one side of the first diameter D1, as in the case where the first plane P1 and the first diameter D1 do not intersect, but exists across both sides of the first diameter D1. As a result, in the process of assembling the first container body 101 by fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, as described below, the first plane P1 is brought into surface contact with the first abutment surface C1 formed on the gripping means, whereby the end plates 121 and 122 can be press-fitted into the opening of the shell 110 while accurately maintaining a predetermined three-dimensional orientation.

[0037] 2, different types of first flat surfaces P1a to P1d are provided on the end plates 121 and 122 to illustrate the configuration of the first flat surfaces. However, providing multiple first flat surfaces P1 on one end plate or combining different types of first flat surfaces P1 as illustrated in FIG. 2 is not an essential component of the first container body 101. Therefore, for example, one end plate may be provided with one first flat surface P1, multiple first flat surfaces P1 of the same type may be provided on one end plate, or the same type of first flat surfaces P1 may be provided on both end plates.

[0038] Although the first plane P1 is described above as being parallel to the first axis AX1, the first plane P1 does not necessarily have to be strictly parallel to the first axis AX1. For example, in the process of assembling the first container body 101, the first plane P1 may be slightly inclined so that the farther it is from the fitting portion Pf in the direction of the first axis AX1, the closer it is to the first axis AX1, for the purpose of making it easier to support and fix the end plates 121 and 122 by the gripping means by bringing the first plane P1 into surface contact with the first abutment surface C1.

[0039] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of assembling the first container body 101 by fitting the end plates 121 and 122 having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 into openings at both ends of the shell 110. More specifically, FIG. 3 is a schematic side view observed from a direction (the positive side of the y-axis shown in FIG. 1, etc.) perpendicular to both the first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110, and the first diameters D1a and D1b, which are the maximum diameters of the end plates 121 and 122. FIG. 3(a) illustrates a state in which the shell 110 is supported and fixed in a predetermined orientation by a jig (not shown), and the end plates 121 and 122 are supported and fixed in the predetermined orientation by bringing the first contact surfaces C1a to C1d formed on the gripping means 131 and 132 into surface contact with the first planes P1a to P1d, respectively. Figure 3(b) shows the state in which the first container body 101 is assembled by bringing the gripping means 131 and 132 closer to the shell 110 in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (see the black arrows) and fitting the end plates 121 and 122, which are supported and fixed in a predetermined position as described above, into the openings at both ends of the shell 110.

[0040] 3, in the first container body 101, first planes P1a to P1d are provided on the end plates 121 and 122, respectively, which are planes that intersect at a predetermined angle with the direction of first diameters D1a and D1b, which are the maximum diameters of the end plates 121 and 122. As a result, in the process of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, first abutment surfaces C1a to C1d, which are predetermined planes formed on jigs (gripping means 131 and 132) that grip the end plates 121 and 122, come into surface contact with the first planes P1a to P1d of the end plates 121 and 122, thereby supporting and fixing the end plates 121 and 122 in a predetermined orientation. Therefore, in the manufacture of the first container body 101, the end plates 121 and 122 can be fitted into the opening of the shell 110 while being accurately gripped in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position.

[0041] 3, the end plates 121 and 122 can be fitted into the openings of the shell 110 while accurately holding them in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position by the surface contact between the first abutment surfaces C1 and the first planes P1. However, as described above, the first plane P1 is provided in at least one location in the non-fitting portion Pnf of the end plates 121 and 122. When only one first plane P1 is provided, a jig is typically provided to support the end plates 121 and 122 from the opposite side of the first plane P1 across the first axis AX1. The end plates 121 and 122 are supported by the jig and the first plane P1, and the orientations of the end plates 121 and 122 are precisely fixed by the first plane P1.

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where, as described above, each end plate has only one first plane P1, and a jig is provided to support the end plates 121 and 122 from the opposite side of the first plane P1 across the first axis AX1, and the end plates 121 and 122 are supported and fixed in a predetermined posture by the jig and the first plane P1.

[0043] 4(a) shows a state in which the shell 110 is supported and fixed in a predetermined orientation by a jig (not shown), the end plates 121 and 122 are fixed in the predetermined orientation by bringing the first abutment surfaces C1a and C1c formed on the gripping means 131 and 132 into surface contact with the first flat surfaces P1a and P1c, respectively, and the end plates 121 and 122 are supported and fixed in the predetermined orientation by the first abutment surfaces C1a and C1c and the jigs 131g and 132g. FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the gripping means 131 and 132 are brought closer to the shell 110 in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (see the black arrows), and the end plates 121 and 122, supported and fixed in the predetermined orientation as described above, are fitted into the openings at both ends of the shell 110, thereby assembling the first container body 101.

[0044] 4, in the first container body 101, even if each end plate 120 has only one first plane P1, the end plates 121 and 122 can be supported and fixed in a predetermined position by the first plane P1 and a jig that supports the end plates 121 and 122 from the opposite side of the first plane P1 across the first axis AX1. However, even if a plurality of first planes P1 are provided, the end plates 121 and 122 may be supported and fixed in a predetermined position by providing a jig such as the one described above in the process of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the openings of the shell 110.

[0045] For example, in order to more smoothly fit the end plates 121 and 122 into the openings of the shell 110, the tips of the tubular portions Pc that form the fitting portions Pf of the end plates 121 and 122 may be slightly narrowed in diameter and / or the periphery of the opening of the shell 110 that fits into the fitting portions Pf may be slightly widened in diameter. Alternatively, for example, in order to more smoothly fit the appearance of the end plates 121 and 122 into the openings of the shell 110, the tips of the tubular portions Pc that form the fitting portions Pf of the end plates 121 and 122 may be slightly widened in diameter and / or the periphery of the opening of the shell 110 that fits into the fitting portions Pf may be slightly narrowed in diameter.

[0046] <effect> As described above, the end plate is provided with a first plane, which is a plane that intersects the direction of the first diameter, which is the maximum diameter of the end plate, at a predetermined angle. Therefore, in the step of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, by bringing the first plane of the end plate into surface contact with the first abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane formed on the jig that grips the end plate, it is possible to fix not only the position of the end plate in the direction of the first normal, which is the normal to the first plane, but also the position (index) of the end plate in the rotational direction around an axis parallel to the first axis. In other words, using the first container body, in the step of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, the end plate can be supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position, so that in the manufacturing of the container body for the exhaust system, the end plate can be fitted into the opening of the shell while being accurately gripped in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation.

[0047] <Variation 1-1> Incidentally, from the viewpoint of more accurately gripping the end plates in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position in the manufacture of the exhaust system container body, it is desirable that a plurality of first planes P1 are provided on the end plates 121 and 122 and that the plurality of first planes P1 are in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0048] Therefore, the first container body according to Modification 1-1 is a container body of an exhaust system in which a plurality of first planes P1 are provided on the end plates 121 and / or 122, and at least some of the plurality of first planes P1 constitute pairs of first planes P1 that are in a plane-symmetrical positional relationship with a plane perpendicular to the first diameter D1 as the plane of symmetry (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "first plane of symmetry Ps1"). Preferably, the first plane of symmetry Ps1 includes the first axis AX1.

[0049] Fig. 5(a) is a schematic plan view of an end plate 121 constituting the first container body 101 according to Modification 1-1, observed from the front side (the positive side of the z-axis shown in Fig. 1, etc.) in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (black circles). The end plate 121 illustrated in Fig. 5(a) has four first planes P1e to P1h, and the pair of first planes P1e and P1f and the pair of first planes P1g and P1h are both orthogonal to the first diameter D1a and are positioned symmetrically with respect to a plane (first plane of symmetry Ps1) including the first axis AX1.

[0050] In the first container body according to Modification 1-1 having the above-described configuration, in the step of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the first abutment surface C1, which is a predetermined plane formed on a jig that grips the end plates 121 and 122, is brought into surface contact with the first plane P1 provided on the end plates 121 and 122, thereby more reliably fixing not only the positions (indexing) of the end plates 121 and 122 in the rotational direction about an axis parallel to the first axis AX1, but also the positions of the end plates 121 and 122 in the direction of the first normal line N1, which is the normal to the first plane P1. That is, according to the first container body according to Modification 1-1, in the step of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the end plates 121 and 122 can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position.

[0051] 5(a), the number of pairs of first flat surfaces P1 that satisfy the above requirement in one end plate is two, but the number of pairs of first flat surfaces P1 that satisfy the above requirement in the end plates 121 and 122 that constitute the first container body according to Modification 1-1 is not limited to two and may be, for example, one, or three or more. Furthermore, the end plates 121 and 122 that constitute the first container body according to Modification 1-1 may further include other first flat surfaces P1 that do not satisfy the above requirement.

[0052] <Variation 1-2> However, from the viewpoint of even more accurately gripping the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position in the manufacture of an exhaust system container body, it is desirable that a plurality of first planes be provided on the end plate and that the plurality of first planes be in a rotationally symmetrical positional relationship.

[0053] Therefore, the first container body of variant example 1-2 is a container body of an exhaust system in which a plurality of first planes P1 are provided on end plates 121 and / or 122, and at least some of the plurality of first planes P1 form pairs of first planes P1 that are in a rotationally symmetrical positional relationship with the first axis AX1 as the axis of symmetry.

[0054] 5B is a schematic plan view of an end plate 122 constituting the first container body 101 according to Modification 1-2, observed from the front side (the negative side of the z-axis shown in FIG. 1, etc.) in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (black circles). The end plate 122 illustrated in FIG. 5B also has four first planes P1e to P1h, similar to the end plate 121 constituting the first container body according to Modification 1-1. However, in the end plate 122 illustrated in FIG. 5B, the positions of the first planes P1g and P1h are interchanged with the positions of the first planes P1g and P1h in the end plate 121 illustrated in FIG. 5A across the first diameter D1b. Therefore, the pair of first planes P1e and P1g and the pair of first planes P1f and P1h are both rotationally symmetric about the first axis AX1.

[0055] In the first container body according to Modification 1-2 having the above-described configuration, in the step of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the first abutment surface C1, which is a predetermined plane formed on a jig that holds the end plates 121 and 122, is brought into surface contact with the first plane P1 provided on the end plates 121 and 122, thereby more reliably fixing not only the positions of the end plates 121 and 122 in the direction of the first normal line N1, which is the normal to the first plane P1, but also the positions (indexing) of the end plates 121 and 122 in the rotational direction around the axis parallel to the first axis AX1. That is, according to the first container body according to Modification 1-2, in the step of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the end plates 121 and 122 can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position.

[0056] 5(b), the number of pairs of first flat surfaces P1 that satisfy the above requirement in one end plate is two, but the number of pairs of first flat surfaces P1 that satisfy the above requirement in the end plates 121 and 122 that constitute the first container body according to Modification 1-2 is not limited to two and may be, for example, one, or three or more. Furthermore, the end plates 121 and 122 that constitute the first container body according to Modification 1-2 may further include other first flat surfaces P1 that do not satisfy the above requirement.

[0057] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a container body of an exhaust system according to a second embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "second container body") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0058] <composition> The second container body is the above-mentioned first container body, which is a container body of an exhaust system in which a second plane P2 is provided in at least one location in the non-fitting portion Pnf of the end plate 121 and / or 122. The second plane P2 is a plane parallel to the first axis AX1 and different from the first plane P1, and a second normal line N2 which is normal to the second plane P2 is a normal line that is perpendicular to the first normal line N1 in the first projection view Vp1 or forms an acute angle θ2 with the first normal line N1 of 45 degrees or more.

[0059] Specific examples of various configurations of the second plane P2 that satisfy the above requirements will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing several examples of the configuration of the second plane P2 provided on the end plates 121 and / or 122 that constitute the second container body. In the following description, the reference symbols shown in Figs. 1 to 5 referred to in the previous description may also be used, so please also refer to Figs. 1 to 5 as necessary.

[0060] In the following description, sub-numbers "a" to "g" are added to the reference numerals to distinguish between the multiple second planes P2 and their second normals N2 provided on the end plates 121 and 122. On the other hand, when the terms "second plane P2" and "second normal N2" are used without adding such sub-numbers, these terms refer collectively to the multiple second planes and their second normals, respectively.

[0061] FIG. 6(a) is a schematic plan view of the end plate 121 observed from the outside of the second container body 102 (the positive side of the z-axis shown in FIG. 1, etc.) in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (black circle). FIG. 6(b) is a schematic plan view of the end plate 122 observed from the outside of the second container body 102 (the negative side of the z-axis shown in FIG. 1, etc.) in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (black circle). Therefore, FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) also correspond to the first projection Vp1. FIG. 6(c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second container body 102 taken along a plane including the first axis AX1 and the first diameters D1a and D1b. FIG. 6(d) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second container body 102 taken along a plane passing through the second planes P2c, P2d, and P2g and perpendicular to the first diameters D1a and D1b.

[0062] 6, in addition to the first planes P1a and P1b shown in FIG. 2, second planes P2a to P2d are provided at four locations in the non-fitting portion Pnf (non-fitting cylindrical portion Pcnf, which is the portion of the cylindrical portion Pc that is not the fitting portion Pf), which is a portion other than the fitting portion Pf. A second normal line N2a, which is the normal to the second plane P2a, is perpendicular to the first normal line N1a, which is the normal to the first plane P1a, and the acute angle θ2 formed by the first normal line N1b, which is the normal to the first plane P1b, and the second normal line N2a is 45 degrees or greater. The same is true for the three second planes P2b to P2d other than the second plane P2a.

[0063] 6, in addition to the first planes P1c and P1d shown in FIG. 2, second planes P2e to P2g are provided at three locations in the non-fitting portion Pnf (the general portion Pg that is not the cylindrical portion Pc). A second normal line N2e, which is the normal to the second plane P2e, is perpendicular to both the first normal line N1c, which is the normal to the first plane P1c, and the first normal line N1d, which is the normal to the first plane P1d. Meanwhile, the second normal line N2f, which is the normal to the second plane P2f, and the second normal line N2g, which is the normal to the second plane P2g, form acute angles θ2 with the first normal line N1c and the first normal line N1d, respectively, of 45 degrees or greater.

[0064] However, while the above-mentioned second planes P2a to P2e are provided on the periphery of the non-fitting portion Pnf (i.e., the periphery of the non-fitting tubular portion Pcnf or the periphery of the general portion Pg), the second planes P2f and P2g are provided in the middle of the general portion Pg (between the periphery of the general portion Pg and the first axis AX1). Thus, the second plane P2 is typically provided on the periphery of the non-fitting portion Pnf, but may be provided at a position other than the periphery of the non-fitting portion Pnf (for example, in the middle of the general portion Pg) as long as it satisfies the above-mentioned requirements.

[0065] Preferably, the first normal N1 and the second normal N2 are orthogonal to each other in the first projection view Vp1. In other words, the direction of the first plane P1 and the direction of the second plane P2 are orthogonal to each other in the first projection view Vp1. As a result, in the step of assembling the second container body 102 by fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110 as described below, the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 are brought into surface contact with the first abutment surface C1 and the second abutment surface C2 formed on the gripping means, respectively, so that the end plates 121 and 122 can be press-fitted into the opening of the shell 110 while more accurately maintaining a predetermined three-dimensional orientation.

[0066] 6, different types of second flat surfaces P2a to P2g are provided on the end plates 121 and 122 to illustrate the configuration of the second flat surfaces. However, providing multiple second flat surfaces P2 on one end plate or combining different types of second flat surfaces P2 as illustrated in FIG. 6 is not an essential component of the second container body 102. Therefore, for example, one end plate may be provided with one second flat surface P2, multiple second flat surfaces P2 of the same type may be provided on one end plate, or the same type of second flat surfaces P2 may be provided on both end plates.

[0067] Although the second plane P2 is described above as being parallel to the first axis AX1, like the first plane P1 described above, the second plane P2 does not necessarily have to be strictly parallel to the first axis AX1. For example, in the step of assembling the second container body 102, the second plane P2 may be slightly inclined so that the further away from the fitting portion Pf in the direction of the first axis AX1 it becomes closer to the first axis AX1, for the purpose of making it easier to support and fix the end plates 121 and 122 by the gripping means by bringing the second plane P2 into surface contact with the second abutment surface C2.

[0068] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of assembling the second container body 102 by fitting the end plates 121 and 122 having the configuration illustrated in Fig. 6 into the openings at both ends of the shell 110. More specifically, Fig. 7 is a schematic side view observed from a direction (the positive side of the x-axis illustrated in Fig. 1, etc.) perpendicular to the first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110, and parallel to the first diameters D1a and D1b, which are the maximum diameters of the end plates 121 and 122. Note that the end plates 121 and 122 illustrated in Fig. 6 are provided with not only the second plane P2 but also the first plane P1, but the first plane P1 and the first abutment surface C1 are omitted in Fig. 7 for the purpose of easily illustrating the configuration of the second plane P2.

[0069] 7(a) shows a state in which the shell 110 is supported and fixed in a predetermined orientation by a jig (not shown), and the end plates 121 and 122 are supported and fixed in the predetermined orientation by bringing the first abutment surfaces C1a to C1d and the first planes P1a to P1d, not shown, into surface contact with the second abutment surfaces C2a to C2g and the second planes P2a to P2g, not shown, formed on the gripping means 131 and 132. FIG. 7(b) shows a state in which the gripping means 131 and 132 are brought closer to the shell 110 in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (see the black arrows), and the end plates 121 and 122, supported and fixed in the predetermined orientation as described above, are fitted into the openings at both ends of the shell 110, thereby assembling the second container body 102.

[0070] 7, in the second container body 102, in addition to the above-mentioned first plane P1 (not shown), second planes P2a to P2g having second normal lines N2, which are normal lines intersecting at a predetermined angle with the direction of a first normal line N1, which is normal to the first plane P1 provided on the end plates 121 and 122, are provided on the end plates 121 and 122. As a result, in the step of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the second abutment surfaces C2a to C2g, which are predetermined planes formed on the gripping means 131 and 132, come into surface contact with the second planes P2a to P2g provided on the end plates 121 and 122, so that the end plates 121 and 122 can be supported and fixed in a predetermined posture.

[0071] As a result of the above, in the second container body 102, not only is misalignment of the end plates 121 and 122 in the x-axis direction reduced by the surface contact between the first plane P1 and the first abutment surface C1, but misalignment of the end plates 121 and 122 in the y-axis direction can also be reduced by the surface contact between the second plane P2 and the second abutment surface C2. Therefore, in manufacturing the second container body 102, the end plates 121 and 122 can be fitted into the opening of the shell 110 while being accurately held in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position.

[0072] Incidentally, when a plurality of second flat surfaces P2 are provided, as described above, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface C1 and the first flat surface P1, the surface contact between the plurality of second abutment surfaces C2 and the plurality of second flat surfaces P2 enables the end plates 121 and 122 to be more accurately gripped in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position while being fitted into the opening of the shell 110. However, as described above, the second flat surface P2 is provided in at least one location in the non-fitting portion Pnf of the end plates 121 and 122. When only one second flat surface P2 is provided, typically, a jig is provided to support the end plates 121 and 122 from the opposite side of the second flat surface P2 across the first axis AX1. The end plates 121 and 122 are supported by the jig and the second flat surface P2, and the orientation of the end plates 121 and 122 is precisely fixed by the second flat surface P2.

[0073] When only one second plane P2 is provided as described above, the manner in which the end plates 121 and 122 are supported and fixed by using a jig is basically the same as the manner described with reference to Fig. 4 in the description of the first container body 101. Therefore, a detailed description of this manner will be omitted.

[0074] <effect> As described above, in the second container body, the end plate is provided with a second plane having a normal line that intersects the normal line of the first plane at a predetermined angle. Therefore, in the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface formed on the gripping means and the first plane provided on the end plate, the second abutment surface formed on the gripping means can also be surface contact with the second plane provided on the end plate. This allows the end plate to be reliably fixed not only in the direction normal to the first plane, but also in the direction normal to the second plane. Furthermore, the position of the end plate in the direction of rotation around an axis parallel to the first axis can be more reliably fixed.

[0075] In other words, according to the second container body, the end plate can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position during the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, so that in the manufacture of the container body of the exhaust system, the end plate can be fitted into the opening of the shell while being more accurately grasped in a predetermined three-dimensional posture.

[0076] <Modification 2-1 and Modification 2-2> Incidentally, from the viewpoint of more accurately gripping the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position in the manufacture of the exhaust system container body, it is desirable that a plurality of second planes P2 are provided on the end plate and that the plurality of second planes P2 are in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0077] Therefore, the second container body according to Modification 2-1 is an exhaust system container body in which a plurality of second planes P2 are provided on the end plates 121 and / or 122, and at least some of the plurality of second planes P2 constitute pairs of second planes P2 that are in a plane-symmetrical positional relationship with a plane that includes the first diameter D1 and is parallel to the first axis AX1 as the plane of symmetry (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "second plane of symmetry Ps2"). Preferably, the second plane of symmetry Ps2 includes the first axis AX1.

[0078] Furthermore, the second container body according to variant example 2-2 is a container body of an exhaust system in which a plurality of second planes P2 are provided on end plates 121 and / or 122, and at least some of the plurality of second planes P2 form pairs of second planes P2 that are in a rotationally symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the first axis AX1 as the axis of symmetry.

[0079] The four second planes P2a to P2d provided on the end plate 121 illustrated in Fig. 6(a) and referred to in the description of the second container body 102 are positioned in a plane-symmetrical relationship with a plane that includes the first diameter D1a and is parallel to the first axis AX1 as a symmetry plane (second symmetry plane Ps2), and are also positioned in a rotationally symmetrical relationship with the first axis AX1 as an axis of symmetry. In other words, the four second planes P2a to P2d illustrated in Fig. 6(a) satisfy the requirements that must be met by the end plates that constitute the second container bodies according to Modifications 2-1 and 2-2.

[0080] In the second container body according to variant 2-1 or variant 2-2 having the above-described configuration, in the process of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the first abutment surface C1 and the second abutment surface C2, which are predetermined planes formed on the jig that holds the end plates 121 and 122, are brought into surface contact with the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 provided on the end plates 121 and 122, respectively, thereby more reliably fixing not only the positions of the end plates 121 and 122 in the direction of the first normal N1, which is the normal to the first plane P1, and the direction of the second normal N2, which is the normal to the second plane P2, but also the positions (indexing) of the end plates 121 and 122 in the rotational direction around an axis parallel to the first axis AX1. In other words, according to the second container body of variant 2-1 or variant 2-2, in the process of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the end plates 121 and 122 can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position.

[0081] 6(a), the number of pairs of second planes P2 that satisfy the above requirement in one end plate is two, but the number of pairs of second planes P2 that satisfy the above requirement in the end plates 121 and 122 that constitute the first container body according to Modification 2-1 or Modification 2-2 is not limited to two and may be, for example, one, or three or more. Furthermore, the end plates 121 and 122 that constitute the first container body according to Modification 2-1 or Modification 2-2 may further include other second planes P2 that do not satisfy the above requirement.

[0082] Third Embodiment Hereinafter, a container body of an exhaust system according to a third embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "third container body") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0083] <composition> The third container body is the first container body or the second container body described above, and is a container body of an exhaust system in which a third plane P3, which is a plane having a third normal N3, which is a normal parallel to the first axis AX1, is provided at at least one location in the non-engaging portion Pnf of the end plate 121 and / or 122.

[0084] Specific examples of various configurations of the third plane P3 that satisfy the above requirements will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing several examples of the configuration of the third plane P3 provided on the end plates 121 and / or 122 that constitute the third container body. Note that in the following description, reference numerals shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 that were referred to in the previous description may also be used, so please also refer to FIGS. 1 to 6 as necessary. Note that FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 6 that was referred to in the description of the second container body 102, except that the third plane P3 is provided on the end plates 121 and / or 122 that constitute the third container body. However, in FIG. 8, the first normal line N1 and the second normal line N2, which are normals to the first plane P1 and the second plane P2, are omitted in order to clearly illustrate the configuration of the third plane P3.

[0085] In the following description, sub-numbers "a" to "e" are added to the reference numerals to distinguish between the multiple third planes P3 and their third normals N3 provided on the end plates 121 and 122. On the other hand, when the terms "third plane P3" and "third normal N3" are used without adding such sub-numbers, these terms refer collectively to the multiple third planes and their third normals, respectively.

[0086] 8A is a schematic plan view of the end plate 121 observed from the outside of the third container body 103 (the positive side of the z-axis shown in FIG. 1, etc.) in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (black circle). FIG. 8B is a schematic plan view of the end plate 122 observed from the outside of the third container body 103 (the negative side of the z-axis shown in FIG. 1, etc.) in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (black circle). Therefore, FIGS. 8A and 8B also correspond to the first projection Vp1. FIG. 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the third container body 103 taken along a plane including the first axis AX1 and the first diameters D1a and D1b. FIG. 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view of the third container body 103 taken along a plane passing through the second planes P2c, P2d, and P2g, and the second planes P3c and P3g, and perpendicular to the first diameters D1a and D1b.

[0087] In the end plate 121 illustrated in Fig. 8, in addition to the first planes P1a and P1b and the second planes P2a to P2d illustrated in Fig. 6, multiple third planes P3 are provided in the non-fitting portion Pnf, which is a portion other than the fitting portion Pf. Specifically, the third plane P3a is provided at one location in the non-fitting cylindrical portion Pcnf, which is a portion of the cylindrical portion Pc that is not the fitting portion Pf, and the third planes P3b and P3c are provided at two locations in the general portion Pg, which is a portion other than the cylindrical portion Pc. Normals (not shown) of the third planes P3a to P3c are all parallel to the first axis AX1. In other words, the third planes P3a to P3c are all planes perpendicular to the direction of the first axis AX1.

[0088] On the other hand, in the end plate 122 illustrated in Fig. 8, in addition to the first planes P1c and P1d and second planes P2e to P2g illustrated in Fig. 6, third planes P3d and P3e are provided at two locations in the non-fitting portion Pnf (the general portion Pg that is not the cylindrical portion Pc). Normals (not shown) of the third planes P3d and P3e are also parallel to the first axis AX1. In other words, both the third planes P3d and P3e are planes perpendicular to the direction of the first axis AX1.

[0089] As described above, the location where the third plane P3 is provided on the end plates 121 and / or 122 constituting the third container body 103 may be the periphery of the non-engaging portion Pnf (i.e., the periphery of the general portion Pg or the non-engaging tubular portion Pcnf), or may be in the middle of the general portion Pg (between the periphery of the general portion Pg and the first axis AX1).

[0090] 8, different types of third flat surfaces P3a to P3e are provided on the end plates 121 and 122 to illustrate the configuration of the third flat surface P3. However, providing multiple third flat surfaces P3 on one end plate or combining different types of third flat surfaces P3 as illustrated in FIG. 8 is not an essential component of the third container body 103. Therefore, for example, one end plate may be provided with one third flat surface P3, multiple third flat surfaces P3 of the same type may be provided on one end plate, or the same type of third flat surface P3 may be provided on both end plates.

[0091] Although the third normal N3, which is a normal to the third plane P3, is parallel to the first axis AX1 as described above, the third normal N3 does not necessarily need to be strictly parallel to the first axis AX1. For example, the third normal N3 may be inclined with respect to the first axis AX1 depending on the shape of the intermediate component housed inside the third container body 103 and / or the shape of the space around the third container body 103 in the facility in which the third container body 103 is installed (for example, a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine).

[0092] 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of assembling the third container body 103 by fitting the end plates 121 and 122 having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 into the openings at both ends of the shell 110. More specifically, FIG. 9 is a schematic side view observed from a direction (the positive side of the y-axis illustrated in FIG. 1, etc.) perpendicular to both the first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110, and the first diameters D1a and D1b, which are the maximum diameters of the end plates 121 and 122. Note that the end plates 121 and 122 illustrated in FIG. 9 are provided with not only the third plane P3 but also the first plane P1 and the second plane P2, but the second plane P2 and the second abutment surface C2 are omitted in FIG. 9 for the purpose of easily illustrating the configuration of the third plane P3.

[0093] 9(a) shows a state in which the shell 110 is supported and fixed in a predetermined orientation by a jig (not shown), and the end plates 121 and 122 are supported and fixed in the predetermined orientation by bringing the second abutment surfaces C2a to C2g, not shown, into surface contact with the second flat surfaces P2a to P2g, respectively, formed on the gripping means 131 and 132. FIG. 9(b) shows a state in which the gripping means 131 and 132 are brought closer to the shell 110 in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 (see the black arrows), and the end plates 121 and 122, supported and fixed in the predetermined orientation as described above, are fitted into the openings at both ends of the shell 110, thereby assembling the third container body 103.

[0094] 9, in addition to the first plane P1 (not shown) and the second plane P2 described above, the third container body 103 is provided with a third plane P3, which is a plane having a third normal line N3 that is a normal line parallel to the first axis AX1. As a result, in the step of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the third abutment surfaces C3a to C3e, which are predetermined planes formed on the gripping means 131 and 132, come into surface contact with the second planes P3a to P3e provided on the end plates 121 and 122, so that the end plates 121 and 122 can be supported and fixed in a predetermined posture.

[0095] As a result of the above, in the third container body 103, not only can the surface contact between the first plane P1 and the first abutment surface C1 reduce misalignment of the end plates 121 and 122 in the x-axis direction, and the surface contact between the second plane P2 and the second abutment surface C2 reduce misalignment of the end plates 121 and 122 in the y-axis direction, but also the surface contact between the third plane P3 and the third abutment surface C3 reduce misalignment of the end plates 121 and 122 in the z-axis direction. Therefore, in manufacturing the third container body 103, the end plates 121 and 122 can be fitted into the opening of the shell 110 while being accurately held in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position.

[0096] <effect> As described above, in the third container body, the end plate is provided with a third plane P3 having a normal parallel to the first axis. Therefore, in the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface formed on the gripping means and the first plane formed on the end plate and the surface contact between the second abutment surface formed on the gripping means and the second plane formed on the end plate, the third abutment surface formed on the gripping means can also be made to be in surface contact with the third plane formed on the end plate. This allows the end plate to be reliably fixed not only in the normal direction of the first plane and the normal direction of the second plane, but also in the normal direction of the third plane. Furthermore, the position of the end plate in the rotational direction around an axis parallel to the first axis can be even more reliably fixed.

[0097] In other words, with the third container body, the end plate can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position during the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, so that in the manufacture of the exhaust system container body, the end plate can be fitted into the opening of the shell while being grasped even more accurately in a predetermined three-dimensional posture.

[0098] Fourth Embodiment As stated at the beginning of this specification, the present invention relates not only to the exhaust system container body described above, but also to a method for manufacturing the exhaust system container body. Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "first method") will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following description, the reference symbols shown in Figures 1 to 5 referred to in the previous description may also be used, so please also refer to Figures 1 to 5 as necessary.

[0099] <composition> The first method is a method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body in which openings at both ends of a cylindrical shell 110 are closed by end plates 121 and 122. Specifically, the first method is a method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body (first container body) 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. Therefore, the end plates 121 and / or 122, which are components of the first container body 101 manufactured by the first method, satisfy the following requirements A to C.

[0100] Requirement A: A cylindrical portion Pc, which is a portion having a cylindrical shape that can fit into the opening of the shell 110, is formed on the periphery of the end plates 121 and 122. Requirement B: At least a part of the cylindrical portion Pc is configured to fit into the opening of the shell 110 to form the fitting portion Pf. Requirement C: In the first projection view Vp1, which is a vertical projection onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110, a first plane P1, which has a first normal line N1 that is parallel to the first diameter D1, which is the maximum diameter of the end plates 121 and / or 122, or which forms an acute angle with the first diameter D1 of 45 degrees or less, and is a plane parallel to the first axis AX1, is provided in at least one location in the non-engagement portion Pnf, which is a portion other than the engagement portion Pf of the end plates 121 and / or 122.

[0101] The above requirements A to C have already been described in detail in the description of the first container body 101, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0102] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of each step included in the first method. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for manufacturing the first container body 101 by fitting end plates 121 and 122 into openings at both ends of a cylindrical shell 110 in processing equipment driven by, for example, a press machine.

[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the first method includes the following first, second and third steps.

[0104] First process (step S10): The shell is set on a first jig, and the shell is supported and fixed in a first position, which is a predetermined position. Second process (step S20): The end plate is set on a gripping means that can move in a direction parallel to the first axis, and the end plate is supported and fixed in a second position, which is a predetermined position, by bringing a first abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane formed on the gripping means, into surface contact with the first plane. Third step (step S30): The container body of the exhaust system is assembled by bringing the gripping means closer to the shell in a direction parallel to the first axis and fitting at least a portion of the cylindrical portion into the openings at both ends of the shell to form fitting portions.

[0105] The details of each step included in the first method will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in a first process executed as step S10 in the flowchart described above, the shell 110 is set in a first jig 141 to support and fix the shell 110 in a first position, which is a predetermined position. Next, in a second process executed as step S20, the end plates 121 and 122 (the end plate 122 is not shown because it is behind the gripping means 132) are set in gripping means 131 and 132 that are movable in a direction parallel to a first axis AX1, which is the central axis of the shell 110, and first abutment surfaces C1, which are predetermined flat surfaces formed on the gripping means 131 and 132, are brought into surface contact with a first plane P1, thereby supporting and fixing the end plates 121 and 122 in a second position, which is a predetermined position.

[0106] 3 in the explanation of the first container body 101, the end plates 121 and 122 are provided with first planes P1a to P1d, which are planes that intersect at a predetermined angle with the direction of the first diameters D1a and D1b, which are the maximum diameters of the end plates 121 and 122. As a result, in the second step, the first abutment surfaces C1a to C1d, which are predetermined planes formed on the gripping means 131 and 132, come into surface contact with the first planes P1a to P1d of the end plates 121 and 122, so that the end plates 121 and 122 can be supported and fixed in a predetermined posture.

[0107] 11(a) is a schematic perspective view illustrating the state of the shell 110, the end plates 121 and 122, the first jig 141 provided in the processing equipment, and the gripping means 131 and 132 at the time when the first and second steps are completed as described above. The order in which the first and second steps are performed is not limited to the above example. Therefore, the second step may be performed first to support and fix the end plates 121 and 122 in a predetermined second position, and then the first step may be performed to set the shell 110 in the first jig 141 and support and fix the shell 110 in a predetermined first position.

[0108] 11(b), after the first and second steps are performed as described above, the shell holding jig 142 is lowered (see the outline arrow) to clamp the vicinity of the openings at both ends of the shell 110 between the first jig 141 and the shell holding jig 142, thereby more firmly supporting and fixing the shell 110 in the first position. Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the state of the vicinity of the opening of the shell 110 clamped between the first jig 141 and the shell holding jig 142 in this manner.

[0109] Next, in the third process executed as step S30, the gripping means 131 and 132 are brought closer to the shell 110 in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 of the shell 110 (see the black arrows), and at least a portion of the tubular portions Pc of the end plates 121 and 122 are fitted into the openings at both ends of the shell 110 to form fitting portions Pf, thereby assembling the first container body 101. As described above, in the second process, the first abutment surfaces C1a to C1d, which are predetermined flat surfaces formed on the gripping means 131 and 132, are in surface contact with the first flat surfaces P1a to P1d of the end plates 121 and 122, thereby supporting and fixing the end plates 121 and 122 in a predetermined orientation. Therefore, in the third process, the end plates 121 and 122 can be fitted into the openings of the shell 110 while being accurately gripped in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position.

[0110] <effect> As described above, the end plate, which is a component of the first container body manufactured by the first method, has a first plane that intersects the direction of the first diameter, which is the maximum diameter of the end plate, at a predetermined angle. Therefore, in the step of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, by bringing the first plane of the end plate into surface contact with the first abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane formed on the gripping means, which is a jig that grips the end plate, it is possible to fix not only the position of the end plate in the direction of the first normal, which is the normal to the first plane, but also the position (index) of the end plate in the rotational direction around an axis parallel to the first axis. In other words, according to the first method, in the step of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, the end plate can be supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position, so that the end plate can be fitted into the opening of the shell while being accurately gripped in the predetermined three-dimensional orientation.

[0111] <Variation 4-1> As mentioned in the explanation of the first container body 101 according to variant example 1-1, from the viewpoint of more accurately gripping the end plates in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position in the manufacture of the container body of the exhaust system, it is desirable that a plurality of first planes P1 are provided on the end plates 121 and 122 and that the plurality of first planes P1 are in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0112] Therefore, the end plates 121 and / or 122, which are components of the first container body 101 manufactured by the first method according to Modification 4-1, are provided with a plurality of first planes P1, and at least some of the plurality of first planes P1 form pairs of first planes P1 that are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the first diameter D1 (first plane of symmetry Ps1). Preferably, the first plane of symmetry Ps1 includes the first axis AX1.

[0113] The end plates 121 and 122 that satisfy the above requirements have already been described with reference to FIG. 5(a) in the description of the first container body 101 according to Modification 1-1, and therefore will not be described here.

[0114] In the first method according to Modification 4-1, which uses end plates 121 and / or 122 having the above-described configuration, in the step of fitting end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of shell 110, first abutment surface C1, which is a predetermined plane formed on a jig that holds end plates 121 and 122, is brought into surface contact with first plane P1 provided on end plates 121 and 122. This makes it possible to more reliably fix not only the positions (indexing) of end plates 121 and 122 in the direction of rotation about an axis parallel to first axis AX1, but also the positions of end plates 121 and 122 in the direction of first normal line N1, which is the normal to first plane P1. Therefore, according to the first method according to Modification 4-1, in the step of fitting end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of shell 110, end plates 121 and 122 can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position.

[0115] <Variation 4-2> As mentioned in the explanation of the first container body 101 according to variant example 1-2, from the viewpoint of even more accurately gripping the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position in the manufacture of the container body of the exhaust system, it is desirable that a plurality of first planes are provided on the end plate and that the plurality of first planes are in a rotationally symmetrical positional relationship.

[0116] Therefore, the end plates 121 and / or 122, which are constituent members of the first container body 101 manufactured by the first method relating to variant example 4-2, are provided with a plurality of first planes P1, and at least some of the plurality of first planes form pairs of first planes that are in a positional relationship that is rotationally symmetrical with the first axis as the axis of symmetry.

[0117] The end plates 121 and 122 that satisfy the above requirements have already been described with reference to FIG. 5(b) in the description of the first container body 101 according to Modification 1-2, and therefore will not be described here.

[0118] In the first method according to Modification 4-2, which uses end plates 121 and / or 122 having the above-described configuration, in the step of fitting end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of shell 110, first abutment surface C1, which is a predetermined plane formed on a jig that holds end plates 121 and 122, is brought into surface contact with first plane P1 provided on end plates 121 and 122. This makes it possible to more reliably fix not only the positions of end plates 121 and 122 in the direction of first normal line N1, which is normal to first plane P1, but also the positions (indexing) of end plates 121 and 122 in the direction of rotation about an axis parallel to first axis AX1. Therefore, according to the first method according to Modification 4-2, in the step of fitting end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of shell 110, end plates 121 and 122 can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position.

[0119] Fifth Embodiment A method for manufacturing a container body of an exhaust system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "second method") will be described below.

[0120] <composition> The second method is the above-mentioned first method, which is a method for manufacturing the container body (second container body) of the exhaust system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the end plate, which is a component of the second container body manufactured by the second method, satisfies the requirement D described below.

[0121] Requirement D: A second plane P2 is provided in at least one location in the non-fitting portion Pnf of the end plate 121 and / or 122. The second plane P2 is a plane that is parallel to the first axis AX1 and different from the first plane P1, and a second normal line N2 that is normal to the second plane P2 is a normal line that is perpendicular to the first normal line N1 in the first projection view Vp1 or that forms an acute angle θ2 with the first normal line N1 of 45 degrees or more.

[0122] The end plates 121 and 122 that satisfy the above requirement D have already been described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 in the description of the second container body 102, and therefore will not be described here.

[0123] In the second method, in the second step described above, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface C1 and the first plane P1, the end plates 121 and / or 122 are supported and fixed in a second position by bringing a second abutment surface C2, which is a predetermined plane different from the first abutment surface C1 formed on the holding means 131 and / or 132, into surface contact with the second plane P2.

[0124] <effect> As described above, the end plate, which is a component of the second container body manufactured by the second method, is provided with a second plane whose normal intersects the normal to the first plane at a predetermined angle. Therefore, in the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface formed on the gripping means and the first plane on the end plate, the second abutment surface formed on the gripping means can also be surface contact with the second plane on the end plate. This allows the end plate to be reliably fixed not only in the direction normal to the first plane, but also in the direction normal to the second plane. Furthermore, the position of the end plate in the direction of rotation about an axis parallel to the first axis AX1 can be more reliably fixed.

[0125] In other words, according to the second method, in the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, the end plate can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position, so that in the manufacture of the exhaust system container body, the end plate can be fitted into the opening of the shell while being more accurately grasped in a predetermined three-dimensional posture.

[0126] <Modification 5-1 and Modification 5-2> As described in the explanation of the second container body 102 according to variants 2-1 and 2-2, from the viewpoint of more accurately gripping the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position in the manufacture of the container body of the exhaust system, it is desirable that a plurality of second planes P2 are provided on the end plate and that the plurality of second planes P2 are in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0127] Therefore, the end plates 121 and / or 122, which are components of the second container body 102 manufactured by the second method according to Modification 5-1, are provided with a plurality of second planes P2, and at least some of the plurality of second planes P2 constitute pairs of second planes P2 that are symmetrical with respect to a plane that includes the first diameter D1 and is parallel to the first axis AX1 as the symmetry plane (second plane of symmetry Ps2). Preferably, the second plane of symmetry Ps2 includes the first axis AX1.

[0128] Furthermore, the end plates 121 and / or 122, which are constituent members of the second container body 102 manufactured by the second method relating to variant example 5-2, are provided with a plurality of second planes P2, and at least some of the plurality of second planes P2 form pairs of second planes P2 that are positioned in a rotationally symmetrical relationship with the first axis AX1 as the axis of symmetry.

[0129] The end plates 121 and 122 that satisfy the above requirements have already been described with reference to FIG. 6(a) in the description of the second container body 102 according to Modifications 2-1 and 2-2, and therefore will not be described here.

[0130] In the second method relating to variants 5-1 and 5-2, which use end plates 121 and / or 122 having the above-mentioned configuration, in the process of fitting end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of shell 110, by bringing the first abutment surface C1 and the second abutment surface C2, which are predetermined planes formed on a jig that holds end plates 121 and 122, into surface contact with the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 provided on end plates 121 and 122, respectively, not only can the positions of end plates 121 and 122 in the direction of first normal N1, which is the normal to first plane P1, and the direction of second normal N2, which is the normal to second plane P2, be more reliably fixed, but also the positions (indexing) of end plates 121 and 122 in the rotational direction around an axis parallel to first axis AX1. Therefore, according to the second method relating to variant example 5-1 or variant example 5-2, in the process of fitting the end plates 121 and 122 into the opening of the shell 110, the end plates 121 and 122 can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position.

[0131] Sixth Embodiment A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "third method") will be described below.

[0132] <composition> The third method is the first or second method described above, and is a method for manufacturing the container body (third container body) of the exhaust system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the end plate, which is a constituent member of the third container body manufactured by the third method, satisfies the following requirement E.

[0133] Requirement E: A third plane P3 is provided at least at one location in the non-fitting portion Pnf of the end plate 121 and / or 122, the plane having a third normal N3 that is a normal parallel to the first axis AX1.

[0134] The end plates 121 and 122 that satisfy the above requirement E have already been described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 in the description of the third container body 103, and therefore will not be described here.

[0135] In the third method, which corresponds to the first method described above, in the second step described above, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface C1 and the first plane P1, the end plates 121 and 122 are supported and fixed in the second position by bringing a third abutment surface C3, which is a predetermined plane different from the first abutment surface C1 formed on the holding means 131 and 132, into surface contact with the third plane P3.

[0136] On the other hand, in the third method, which corresponds to the second method described above, in the second step described above, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface C1 and the first plane P1 and the surface contact between the second abutment surface C2 and the second plane P2, the end plates 121 and 122 are supported and fixed in the second posture by bringing a third abutment surface C3, which is a predetermined plane different from the first abutment surface C1 and the second abutment surface C2 formed on the holding means 131 and 132, into surface contact with the third plane P3.

[0137] <effect> As described above, the end plate, a component of the third container body manufactured by the third method, is provided with a third flat surface having a normal parallel to the first axis. Therefore, in the step of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface formed on the gripping means and the first flat surface formed on the end plate or the surface contact between the first and second abutment surfaces formed on the gripping means and the first and second flat surfaces formed on the end plate, the third abutment surface formed on the gripping means can also be made to be in surface contact with the third flat surface formed on the end plate. This allows for reliable fixation of not only the position of the end plate in the normal direction to the first flat surface or the normal direction to the first and second flat surfaces, but also the position of the end plate in the normal direction to the third flat surface. Furthermore, the position of the end plate in the rotational direction around an axis parallel to the first axis can be even more reliably fixed.

[0138] In other words, according to the third method, in the process of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell, the end plate can be more reliably supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position, so that in the manufacture of the exhaust system container body, the end plate can be fitted into the opening of the shell while being grasped even more accurately in a predetermined three-dimensional posture.

[0139] Seventh Embodiment A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "fourth method") will be described below.

[0140] <composition> Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of each step included in the fourth method. The flowchart illustrated in Fig. 13 is similar to the flowchart illustrating the flow of each step included in the first method illustrated in Fig. 10, except that steps S40 and S50, which respectively execute the fourth and fifth steps listed below, are added after the third step executed in step S30.

[0141] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the fourth method is a method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body that is any one of the first to third methods described above, and further includes the fourth and fifth steps listed below in addition to the first to third steps described above.

[0142] Fourth step (step S40): After the third step, the container body of the exhaust system is supported and fixed in a third position, which is a predetermined position, by using at least one of the first plane, the second plane, and the third plane as a reference plane. Fifth step (step S50): After the fourth step, the container body of the exhaust system supported and fixed in the third position is subjected to secondary processing.

[0143] The fourth and fifth steps may be performed in the processing equipment in which the first to third steps described above were performed, or may be performed in separate processing equipment different from the processing equipment in which the first to third steps described above were performed. Furthermore, the "third position" described above is not particularly limited as long as it is a position suitable for performing secondary processing on the exhaust system container body. When the fourth and fifth steps are performed in the processing equipment in which the first to third steps described above were performed, the third position is typically the position of the exhaust system container body at the time when the exhaust system container body is assembled by performing the first to third steps described above. On the other hand, when the fourth and fifth steps are performed in separate processing equipment different from the processing equipment in which the first to third steps described above were performed, the third position may be the same as the position of the exhaust system container body at the time when the exhaust system container body is assembled by performing the first to third steps described above, or may be a position different from that position.

[0144] Additionally, the specific content of the above-mentioned "secondary processing" is not particularly limited. Specific examples of secondary processing may include welding (e.g., laser welding or MIG welding) end plates fitted into openings at both ends of the shell to the shell, or assembling additional components to the exhaust system container body assembled by carrying out the above-mentioned first to third steps, as will be described later.

[0145] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram comparing a procedure according to the prior art with a procedure according to the fourth method when performing secondary processing on an assembled exhaust system container body. More specifically, (a) of Figure 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for performing secondary processing by assembling an exhaust pipe assembly, an exhaust pipe, etc. to a muffler serving as a container body for an exhaust system according to the prior art assembled by the lock seam method (curling) using a method according to the prior art. On the other hand, (b) of Figure 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for performing secondary processing by assembling an exhaust pipe assembly, an exhaust pipe, etc. to a muffler serving as a container body for an exhaust system using a method (fourth method) for manufacturing an exhaust system container body according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0146] In the conventional method illustrated in Figure 14(a), a reference is established for each process using a separate jig that positions the workpiece one-dimensionally (uniaxially), resulting in the need to change jigs for each process. Specifically, in process A, the exhaust pipe is welded to the flange using jig A as a reference, and a first support member (such as a support rod and / or support bracket) is welded to the exhaust pipe to complete the exhaust pipe assembly (ASSY). In the next process B, a separate jig B is used as a reference to support the muffler, and an outlet pipe is inserted into the muffler and welded. In the next process C, a separate jig C is used as a reference to support the muffler, and a second support member is welded to the muffler. Finally, in process D, a separate jig D is used as a reference to support the muffler, and the ASSY is inserted into the muffler and welded.

[0147] As described above, in the conventional method, because a reference is set individually for each of the four processes, a changeover in fixtures is required at every process, making the assembly process cumbersome. Furthermore, because the reference changes with each changeover, it is not possible to support the components in accurate position and orientation. In addition, because errors in the position and orientation of the components accumulate at each process, it is extremely difficult to ensure high-precision position and alignment of each component in the completed product in which all components are assembled.

[0148] On the other hand, in the fourth method illustrated in Figure 14(b), at least one of the first, second, and third planes that contributed to accurately supporting and fixing the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional (triaxial) orientation and position in the step of fitting the end plate into the opening of the shell as described above is used as a reference plane. Specifically, using at least one of the first, second, and third planes used to assemble the muffler as a container for the exhaust system as a reference plane, the muffler is clamped by jigs X and Y, and supported in a three-dimensionally (triaxially) correct orientation and at a high position. Thereafter, without changing the reference plane and maintaining this state, in step X, a pipe is welded to the muffler, and a support member is welded to the pipe, in the next step Y, the assembly is welded to the muffler, and in the final step Z, the support member is welded to the assembly.

[0149] As described above, in the fourth method, the reference plane is shared, and all three steps can be performed while the muffler is clamped between jigs X and Y. This eliminates the need for changeovers in any of the steps. This simplifies the assembly process and makes it economical and efficient. Furthermore, because changeovers are not required, components can be supported in accurate position and orientation on a constant reference plane. In addition, errors in component position and orientation do not accumulate between processes, and the position and alignment of each component can be ensured with high precision in the completed product in which all components are assembled.

[0150] Whether the end plate constituting the exhaust system container body to be subjected to the fourth and fifth steps included in the fourth method has the first, second, or third flat surface depends on which of the first to third container bodies the container body corresponds to. Therefore, whether the first, second, or third flat surface is used as the reference surface in the fourth and fifth steps included in the fourth method is determined depending on which of the first to third methods the exhaust system container body to be subjected to the steps was manufactured by.

[0151] In a fourth method for performing secondary processing on a first container body assembled by the above-described first method, in the fourth step, the exhaust system container body is supported and fixed in a predetermined third position by using the first plane as a reference plane. Also, in the fourth method for performing secondary processing on a first container body assembled by the above-described second method, in the fourth step, the exhaust system container body is supported and fixed in a predetermined third position by using at least one of the first plane and the second plane as a reference plane.

[0152] Furthermore, in a fourth method for performing secondary processing on a first container body assembled by the third method corresponding to the above-mentioned first method, in the fourth step, the container body of the exhaust system is supported and fixed in a predetermined third position by using at least one of the first plane and the third plane as a reference plane. Additionally, in a fourth method for performing secondary processing on a first container body assembled by the third method corresponding to the above-mentioned second method, in the fourth step, the container body of the exhaust system is supported and fixed in a predetermined third position by using at least one of the first plane, the second plane and the third plane as a reference plane.

[0153] <effect> As described above, in the fourth method, after the third step described above, by using at least one of the first plane, the second plane, and the third plane as a reference plane, secondary processing can be performed on the exhaust system container body supported and fixed in the third position, which is a predetermined position, while the exhaust system container body is supported and fixed in the third position. Therefore, unlike the method according to the prior art described above, there is no need to change the stage for each step to replace the jigs for supporting and fixing the exhaust system container body and / or further components to be assembled. As a result, the assembly process is simplified and is economical and efficient. Furthermore, since there is no need to change the stage, the components can be supported in accurate position and orientation on a constant reference plane. In addition, errors in the position and orientation of the components do not accumulate from step to step, and the position and alignment of each component can be ensured with high precision in the completed product in which all components are assembled. [Example]

[0154] Examples of the exhaust system container (container of the present invention) and its manufacturing method (method of the present invention) described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the examples described below are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present invention. In the following description, reference symbols shown in the drawings referred to in the above-mentioned description of various embodiments of the present invention may also be used, so please refer to these drawings as necessary.

[0155] Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the configuration of an end plate constituting a container body of an exhaust system according to Example 1 of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as "first embodiment container body"). Fig. 16 is a schematic (a) front view, (b) top view, (c) right side view, (d) left side view, and (e) bottom view of the end plate 123 illustrated in Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end plate 123 taken along (a) plane AA, (b) plane BB, (c) plane CC, and (d) plane DD shown in Fig. 16.

[0156] 15 to 17, in the end plate 123 constituting the container body of the first embodiment, a cylindrical portion Pc, which is a portion having a cylindrical shape that can be fitted into an opening of a shell (not shown), is provided on the periphery of the end plate 123. Furthermore, the above-mentioned first plane P1, second plane P2, and third plane P3 are provided on the non-fitting cylindrical portion Pcnf, which is a portion of the cylindrical portion Pc of the end plate 123 other than the fitting portion Pf that is the portion that fits into the opening of the shell.

[0157] More specifically, in the end plate 123, in the first projection view, which is a vertical projection onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis AX1 (not shown), which is the central axis of the shell, two planes, first planes P1a and P1b, which are perpendicular to the first diameter D1, which is the maximum diameter of the end plate 123 (i.e., have a first normal N1 parallel to the first diameter D1), and parallel to the first axis AX1, are provided at two locations in the non-engaging cylindrical portion Pcnf, which is the part of the cylindrical portion Pc of the end plate 123 other than the engaging portion Pf, that are rotationally symmetrical with the first axis AX1 as the center of symmetry.

[0158] Furthermore, in the end plate 123, second planes P2a to P2d, which are four planes different from the first planes P1a and P1b and have a second normal N2 that is perpendicular to the first normal N1 in the first projection view Vp1 (i.e., perpendicular to the first diameter D1) and are parallel to the first axis AX1, are provided at four locations in the non-engaged cylindrical portion Pcnf that are rotationally symmetrical with the first axis AX1 as the center of symmetry.

[0159] Additionally, the end plate 123 has a third plane P3a, which is a plane having a third normal N3 that is a normal line parallel to the first axis AX1 (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of the first axis AX1), provided at one location in the non-fitting cylindrical portion Pcnf. In this way, the end plate 123 that constitutes the first embodiment container body is provided with all of the first plane P1, second plane P2, and third plane P3. In other words, the first embodiment container body corresponds to the third container body described above.

[0160] End plate 123 having the above-described configuration and end plate 124 fitted into the opening on the opposite side of end plate 123 of the shell are held by holding means 131 and 132 provided in the processing equipment as illustrated in Figure 11, which was referenced in the explanation of the first method mentioned above, and the shell, not shown, is clamped between first jig 141 and shell holding jig 142 provided in the processing equipment.

[0161] Figure 18 is a schematic (a) front view, (b) top view, (c) right side view, (d) left side view, and (e) bottom view of an end plate 123 gripped by gripping means 131 provided in the processing equipment illustrated in Figure 11. Since Figure 18 corresponds to a view in which gripping means 131 is added to the end plate 123 illustrated in Figure 16, the reference numeral for the end plate 123 is omitted, and only the reference numerals for the claws K1 to K7 of the gripping means 131 are indicated. In addition, in the front view shown in Figure 18(a), the gripping means 131 is omitted, and instead a first jig 141 and a shell holding jig 142 that clamp the shell 110 are depicted. In the state illustrated in Figure 18, the end plates 123 and 124 can be accurately supported and fixed in the second posture by bringing the first abutment surface C1, the second abutment surface C2, and the third abutment surface C3 formed on the claw portions K1 to K7 into surface contact with the first plane P1, the second plane P2, and the third plane P3, respectively.

[0162] 19 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which an end plate 124 (e.g., an end plate that fits into an opening on the opposite side to the opening that fits into end plate 123 of a shell) that is separate from end plate 123 and has first to third planes P1 to P3 like end plate 123 is supported and fixed by claws K1 to K7 of gripping means 132 that constitutes the processing equipment. In FIG. 19, the gripping means 132 is omitted for the purpose of illustrating the positional relationship between claws K1 to K7 and end plate 124 in an easily understandable manner.

[0163] The claws K1 to K7 are respectively formed with a first abutment surface C1 to a third abutment surface C3, and by bringing the first plane P1 to the third plane P3 provided on the end plate 124 into surface contact with the first abutment surface C1 to the third abutment surface C3, the end plate 124 can be accurately supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position. The same is true for the other end plate 123.

[0164] Then, as illustrated in (c) of Figure 11, the gripping means 131 and 132 are brought closer to the shell 110 in a direction parallel to the first axis AX1 of the shell 110, and at least a portion of the tubular portions Pc of the end plates 123 and 124 are fitted into the openings at both ends of the shell 110 to form fitting portions Pf, thereby assembling the first embodiment container body 201.

[0165] As described above, in the container body of the first embodiment, the first to third planes P1 to P3 provided on the end plates 123 and 124 are brought into surface contact with the first to third contact surfaces C1 to C3 formed on the claws K1 to K7 of the gripping means 131 and 132 provided in the processing equipment, respectively, thereby enabling the end plates 123 and 124 to be accurately supported and fixed in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position. Therefore, according to the container body of the first embodiment, the end plate 124 can be fitted into the opening of the shell 110 while being accurately gripped in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation. [Example]

[0166] In the above explanations of the various embodiments and Example 1 of the present invention, the cross-sectional shapes of the shell and end plates have been exemplified as elliptical. However, the shapes and sizes of the spaces around the exhaust system container in facilities (e.g., vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines) in which the container is installed vary widely, and these spaces have recently tended to become even smaller. In response to this background, the cross-sectional shapes of the shell and end plates have become more diverse, including rotationally symmetric shapes such as circular, elliptical, and oval, as well as non-rotationally symmetric shapes such as irregular cross sections, as mentioned above.

[0167] Therefore, in this embodiment, some of the end plates having a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes are exemplified. Figure 20 is a schematic front view of four types of end plates having a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes.

[0168] The end plate 125 illustrated in FIG. 20(a) has a circular cross section, and is provided with two first flat surfaces P1a and P1b, two second flat surfaces P2a and P2b, and four third flat surfaces P3a to P3d.

[0169] As mentioned above, the shape and size of the space around the exhaust system vessel in the facility where the vessel is installed vary widely, and in recent years, this space has tended to become even narrower. Given this background, the cross-sectional shape of the vessel has tended to become flatter, and accordingly, the cross-sectional shapes of the end plates have also tended to become flatter. From this perspective, the end plates 121 to 124 provided in the exhaust system vessels according to various embodiments and Example 1 of the present invention have elliptical cross-sections, which can be said to be preferable to the end plate 125 illustrated in Figure 20(a) having a perfect circular cross-section.

[0170] However, from the perspective of reducing the pressure loss (fluid resistance) of the exhaust gas flowing inside the container, it is preferable to maximize the cross-sectional area of ​​the container, even if the cross-sectional shape is flat. Therefore, the cross-section of the end plate 126 shown in FIG. 20(b) has a shape intermediate between an ellipse and a rounded rectangle. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 20(b), the cross-sectional outline of the end plate 126 is composed of a portion (first portion) with a small radius of curvature Rs that intersects with the major axis, a portion (second portion) with a large radius of curvature Rb that intersects with the minor axis, and a portion (third portion) with an intermediate radius of curvature Rm that connects the first and second portions. By shifting the cross-sectional shape from an ellipse to a rounded rectangle in this way, the area of ​​the portions corresponding to the corners is added to the cross-sectional area, thereby reducing the pressure loss (fluid resistance) of the exhaust gas flowing inside the container.

[0171] The end plate 126 is provided with one first flat surface P1a, four second flat surfaces P2a to P2d, and four third flat surfaces P3a to P3d.

[0172] End plates 121 to 124 provided in the exhaust system container according to various embodiments and Example 1 of the present invention, which have an elliptical cross section, as well as end plate 125 having a circular cross section and end plate 126 having a cross section intermediate between an ellipse and a rounded rectangle as illustrated in Figures 20(a) and 20(b), all have rotationally symmetric cross sections. However, as described above, the end plates constituting the exhaust system container according to the present invention may have cross sections with non-rotationally symmetric shapes.

[0173] The cross section of the end plate 127 shown in Figure 20(c) is symmetrical in the left-right direction (y-axis direction) (line symmetry about the x-axis), but asymmetrical in the up-down direction (x-axis direction). Even in an exhaust system container having such a cross section, the present invention can be applied to accurately grip the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional orientation and position while fitting it into the opening of the shell. The end plate 127 has two first flat surfaces P1a and P1b, two second flat surfaces P2a and P2b, and three third flat surfaces P3a to P3c.

[0174] Furthermore, the cross section of the end plate 128 shown in Figure 20(d) has an asymmetric shape both in the left-right direction (y-axis direction) and the up-down direction (x-axis direction). Even in an exhaust system container having such a cross section, the present invention can be applied to accurately grip the end plate in a predetermined three-dimensional position and fit it into the opening of the shell. The end plate 128 has two first flat surfaces P1a and P1b, four second flat surfaces P2a to P2d, and four third flat surfaces P3a to P3d.

[0175] As described above, in this embodiment, end plates having a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes have been exemplified with reference to Figure 20. However, according to the present invention, even in the case of exhaust system container bodies having such cross-sectional shapes, the end plate can be fitted into the opening of the shell while being accurately grasped in a predetermined three-dimensional posture and position.

[0176] For the purpose of explaining the present invention, several embodiments and modifications having specific configurations have been described above, sometimes with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these exemplary embodiments and modifications, and it goes without saying that modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the matters described in the specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 101, 102, 103...Exhaust system container 110...Shell AX1...First axis (center axis of shell) 121,122,123,124,125,126,127,128...end plate Pf: Fitting part Pnf…Non-mating part Pc...Cylindrical part Pcnf: Non-fitting cylindrical part Pg…General section Vp1...First projection D1, D1a, D1b... First diameter (maximum diameter of the end plate in the first projection Vp1) P1,P1a,P1b,P1c,P1d,P1e,P1f,P1g,P1h...first plane N1, N1a, N1b, N1c, N1d...First normal P2,P2a,P2b,P2c,P2d,P2e,P2f,P2g…Second plane N2, N2a, N2b, N2c, N2d, N2e, N2f, N2g...Second normal 131,132...gripping means 131g, 132g...jig C1, C1a, C1b, C1c, C1d...1st contact surface C2,C2a,C2b,C2c,C2d,C2e,C2f,C2g...Second contact surface K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7...Claws 141...First jig 142...Shell holding jig

Claims

1. An exhaust system container body having a cylindrical shell with an elliptical cross section and end plates closing the openings at both ends of the shell, a cylindrical portion that is a portion having a cylindrical shape that can be fitted into the opening of the shell is provided on the peripheral edge of the end plate, At least a portion of the cylindrical portion is fitted into the opening of the shell to form a fitting portion, a first plane parallel to a first axis that is a central axis of the shell is provided at at least one location in a non-engagement portion that is a portion other than the engagement portion of the end plate; In a first projection view, which is a vertical projection view onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis, a first normal line that is a normal to the first plane is parallel to a first diameter that is the maximum diameter of the end plate, or an acute angle formed by the first normal line and the first diameter at a position closer to the first axis than an intersection point of the first normal line and the first plane in both a direction parallel to the first diameter and a direction perpendicular to the first diameter is 45 degrees or less. Exhaust system container body.

2. 2. The exhaust system container according to claim 1, a plurality of the first flat surfaces are provided on the end plate; At least some of the first planes are A pair of the first planes that are in a positional relationship of plane symmetry with a plane perpendicular to the first diameter as a plane of symmetry, and / or a pair of the first planes that are in a positional relationship of rotational symmetry with the first axis as an axis of symmetry; Consists of Exhaust system container body.

3. 3. The container body of the exhaust system according to claim 1 or 2, a second plane parallel to the first axis and different from the first plane is provided in at least one location of the non-engaging portion of the end plate; a second normal line that is a normal line to the second plane is perpendicular to the first normal line or forms an acute angle of 45 degrees or more with the first normal line in the first projection view; Exhaust system container body.

4. 4. The exhaust system container according to claim 3, a plurality of the second flat surfaces are provided on the end plate; At least some of the second planes are a pair of the second planes that are in a positional relationship of plane symmetry with respect to a plane that includes the first diameter and is parallel to the first axis; and / or a pair of the second planes that are in a positional relationship of rotational symmetry with the first axis as an axis of symmetry; Consists of Exhaust system container body.

5. 3. The container body of the exhaust system according to claim 1 or 2, In the end plate, a third plane is provided at at least one location in the non-fitting portion, the third plane being a plane having a third normal line that is a normal line parallel to the first axis. Exhaust system container body.

6. 4. The exhaust system container according to claim 3, In the end plate, a third plane is provided at at least one location in the non-fitting portion, the third plane being a plane having a third normal line that is a normal line parallel to the first axis. Exhaust system container body.

7. 5. The exhaust system container according to claim 4, In the end plate, a third plane is provided at at least one location in the non-fitting portion, the third plane being a plane having a third normal line that is a normal line parallel to the first axis. Exhaust system container body.

8. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system in which openings at both ends of a cylindrical shell having an elliptical cross section are closed with end plates, comprising: a cylindrical portion that is a portion having a cylindrical shape that can be fitted into the opening of the shell is formed on the peripheral edge of the end plate; At least a portion of the cylindrical portion is configured to fit into the opening of the shell to form a fitting portion, a first plane parallel to a first axis that is a central axis of the shell is provided at at least one location in a non-engagement portion that is a portion other than the engagement portion of the end plate; In a first projection view, which is a vertical projection view onto a plane perpendicular to the first axis, a first normal line that is a normal to the first plane is parallel to a first diameter that is the maximum diameter of the end plate, or an acute angle formed by the first normal line and the first diameter at a position closer to the first axis than an intersection point of the first normal line and the first plane in both a direction parallel to the first diameter and a direction perpendicular to the first diameter is 45 degrees or less, a first step of setting the shell on a first jig and supporting and fixing the shell in a first position that is a predetermined position; a second step of supporting and fixing the end plate in a second position by setting the end plate on a gripping means movable in a direction parallel to the first axis and bringing a first abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane formed on the gripping means, into surface contact with the first plane; a third step of assembling the container body of the exhaust system by bringing the gripping means closer to the shell in a direction parallel to the first axis and fitting at least a portion of the tubular portion into the openings at both ends of the shell to form the fitting portion; Including, A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

9. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 8, comprising the steps of: a plurality of the first flat surfaces are provided on the end plate; At least some of the first planes are A pair of the first planes that are in a positional relationship of plane symmetry with a plane perpendicular to the first diameter as a plane of symmetry, and / or a pair of the first planes that are in a positional relationship of rotational symmetry with the first axis as an axis of symmetry; Consists of A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

10. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 8 or 9, comprising: a second plane parallel to the first axis and different from the first plane is provided in at least one location of the non-engaging portion of the end plate; a second normal line that is a normal line to the second plane is perpendicular to the first normal line or forms an acute angle with the first normal line of 45 degrees or more in the first projection view; In the second step, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface and the first plane, a second abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane different from the first abutment surface formed on the gripping means, is brought into surface contact with the second plane, thereby supporting and fixing the end plate in the second attitude. A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

11. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 10, comprising the steps of: a plurality of the second flat surfaces are provided on the end plate; At least some of the second planes are a pair of the second planes that are in a positional relationship of plane symmetry with respect to a plane that includes the first diameter and is parallel to the first axis; and / or a pair of the second planes that are in a positional relationship of rotational symmetry with the first axis as an axis of symmetry; Consists of A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

12. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 8 or 9, comprising: a third plane having a third normal that is a normal parallel to the first axis is provided at at least one location in the non-fitting portion of the end plate; In the second step, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface and the first plane, a third abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane different from the first abutment surface formed on the gripping means, is brought into surface contact with the third plane, thereby supporting and fixing the end plate in the second attitude. A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

13. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 10, comprising the steps of: a third plane having a third normal that is a normal parallel to the first axis is provided at at least one location in the non-fitting portion of the end plate; In the second step, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface and the first plane and the surface contact between the second abutment surface and the second plane, a third abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane different from the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface formed on the gripping means, is brought into surface contact with the third plane, thereby supporting and fixing the end plate in the second attitude. A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

14. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 11, comprising the steps of: a third plane having a third normal that is a normal parallel to the first axis is provided at at least one location in the non-fitting portion of the end plate; In the second step, in addition to the surface contact between the first abutment surface and the first plane and the surface contact between the second abutment surface and the second plane, a third abutment surface, which is a predetermined plane different from the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface formed on the gripping means, is brought into surface contact with the third plane, thereby supporting and fixing the end plate in the second attitude. A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

15. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 8 or 9, comprising: a fourth step of supporting and fixing the exhaust system container body in a third posture, which is a predetermined posture, by using the first plane as a reference plane after the third step; a fifth step of performing secondary processing on the container body of the exhaust system supported and fixed in the third position after the fourth step; Further comprising: A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

16. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 10, comprising the steps of: a fourth step of supporting and fixing the exhaust system container body in a third position, which is a predetermined position, by using at least one of the first plane and the second plane as a reference plane after the third step; a fifth step of performing secondary processing on the container body of the exhaust system supported and fixed in the third position after the fourth step; Further comprising: A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

17. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 11, comprising the steps of: a fourth step of supporting and fixing the exhaust system container body in a third position, which is a predetermined position, by using at least one of the first plane and the second plane as a reference plane after the third step; a fifth step of performing secondary processing on the container body of the exhaust system supported and fixed in the third position after the fourth step; Further comprising: A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

18. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 12, comprising the steps of: a fourth step of supporting and fixing the exhaust system container body in a third position, which is a predetermined position, by using at least one of the first plane and the third plane as a reference plane after the third step; a fifth step of performing secondary processing on the container body of the exhaust system supported and fixed in the third position after the fourth step; Further comprising: A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

19. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 13, comprising the steps of: a fourth step of supporting and fixing the exhaust system container body in a third position, which is a predetermined position, by using at least one of the first plane, the second plane, and the third plane as a reference plane after the third step; a fifth step of performing secondary processing on the container body of the exhaust system supported and fixed in the third position after the fourth step; Further comprising: A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

20. A method for manufacturing a container body for an exhaust system according to claim 14, comprising the steps of: a fourth step of supporting and fixing the exhaust system container body in a third position, which is a predetermined position, by using at least one of the first plane, the second plane, and the third plane as a reference plane after the third step; a fifth step of performing secondary processing on the container body of the exhaust system supported and fixed in the third position after the fourth step; Further comprising: A method for manufacturing an exhaust system container body.

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