Protector

Abstract

To provide a protector capable of protecting a connecting member for connecting a pipe and a frame in a vehicle from scattered objects splashed backward by a wheel.SOLUTION: A protector for protecting a connecting member that connects a pipe and a frame behind a wheel of a vehicle, the protector including a plate portion that includes at least a front plate portion, a side plate portion, and a lower plate portion and covers a periphery of the connecting member, wherein a through-hole through which the pipe is passed is formed in the plate portion intersecting the pipe, and the lower plate portion is inclined downward from a front side to a rear side of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to protective equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle is equipped with various components that are connected by piping. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, a purification device, and the like, which are connected by piping. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-157095 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The piping connecting the components of such a vehicle may be located close to the ground. Similarly, the connecting members connecting the piping to the frame may also be located close to the ground. Therefore, when snow-melting agent, rainwater, etc. are splashed up by the wheels as the vehicle moves, the piping and connecting members may be exposed to the snow-melting agent, rainwater, etc.

[0005] The pipes themselves are often made of rust-resistant materials such as stainless steel or covered with insulating material. However, the connecting members that connect the pipes to the frame are sometimes made of materials such as iron. Therefore, under certain conditions, the connecting members may rust more quickly than usual, deteriorating their appearance.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a protective device that can protect a connecting member that connects a pipe to a frame in a vehicle from flying debris that is thrown up rearward by the wheels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples.

[0008] The protective equipment in this application example is a protective equipment that protects a connecting member that connects a pipe and a frame behind the wheels of a vehicle, and includes at least a front plate portion, a side plate portion, and a lower plate portion, and is provided with a plate portion that covers the periphery of the connecting member, and the plate portion that intersects with the pipe has a through hole formed therein through which the pipe is passed, and the lower plate portion is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle.

[0009] According to the protective equipment of this application example, the connecting member can be protected from debris thrown up rearward by the wheels. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic top view showing a part of the configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic right side view showing a part of the configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic right side view showing the configuration of the protective equipment of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the protective equipment of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view showing the configuration of the protective equipment of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view showing the configuration of the protective equipment of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the lower plate portion of the protective equipment of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 1. Vehicle configuration First, the configuration of vehicle 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic top view showing a portion of the configuration of vehicle 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic right side view showing a portion of the configuration of vehicle 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is also a schematic right side view showing the configuration around connecting members 50 and 70.

[0012] In this specification, the vehicle length direction of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as the X direction or the front-to-rear direction. In addition, in this specification, the vehicle height direction of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as the Z direction, the up-down direction, or the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this specification, the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 may be referred to as the Y direction or the left-to-right direction.

[0013] The vehicle 10 is, for example, an engine-driven vehicle, specifically, an engine-driven truck, and travels forward. The vehicle 10 includes a frame 20, an engine 34, an exhaust gas aftertreatment system (ATS) 38, and the like.

[0014] The frame 20 is, for example, a chassis frame having a ladder frame structure, and includes a pair of left and right side rails 22 (22R, 22L), a plurality of cross members 24, and the like.

[0015] The side rails 22 extend in the vehicle length direction. The right side rail 22R and the left side rail 22L are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] The multiple cross members 24 extend in the vehicle width direction and connect the right side rail 22R and the left side rail 22L. The cross members 24 connect the front ends, midpoints, and rear ends of the right side rail 22R and the left side rail 22L in the vehicle length direction, for example.

[0017] The frame 20 supports various components of the vehicle 10. Because the vehicle 10 is also a truck with two front axles, for example, a pair of left and right wheels 28 (28R, 28L) are suspended in front of the frame 20 via shafts 26 or the like. In addition, a pair of left and right wheels 32 (32R, 32L) are suspended midway in the vehicle length direction of the frame 20 via shafts 30 or the like. Furthermore, although not shown, another pair of left and right wheels are suspended at the rear of the frame 20 via other shafts or the like.

[0018] The engine 34 is a diesel engine that serves as a power source for propelling the vehicle 10, and the driving force generated by the engine 34 is transmitted to a pair of left and right wheels at the rear of the vehicle 10 by a transmission mechanism 36.

[0019] The pipe 40 is an exhaust pipe that extends in the vehicle length direction while curving in the vehicle width direction and vehicle height direction. The ATS 38 is connected to the engine 34 via the pipe 40, and exhaust gas generated by the engine 34 is supplied to the ATS 38 via the pipe 40.

[0020] The ATS 38 includes an oxidation catalyst (DOC: Diesel Oxidation Catalyst), a diesel particulate filter (DPF: Diesel Particulate Filter), an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalyst, and the like, and purifies the exhaust gas supplied from the engine 34. The exhaust gas purified by the ATS 38 is emitted into the atmosphere via a tailpipe or the like of the vehicle 10.

[0021] Such a vehicle 10 also includes connecting members 50, 70 that connect the piping 40 to the right side rail 20R behind the right wheel 28R, and a connecting member 60 that connects the piping 40 to the right side rail 20R behind the right wheel 32R.

[0022] Connecting member 50 is attached to right side rail 20R with fastener 52, connecting member 60 is attached to right side rail 20R with fastener (not shown), and connecting member 70 is attached to right side rail 20R with fastener 72. Each of connecting members 50, 60, 70 includes a bracket, a clamp, etc., and supports piping 40.

[0023] Furthermore, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a protector 80 that protects the connecting member 50, a protector 90 that protects the connecting member 60, and a protector 100 that protects the connecting member 70. Specifically, the protector 80 protects the connecting member 50 from flying debris F (see FIG. 2) that is thrown up rearward by the right wheel 28R. The protector 90 protects the connecting member 60 from flying debris F that is thrown up rearward by the right wheel 32R. The protector 100 protects the connecting member 70 from flying debris F that is thrown up rearward by the right wheel 28R. Note that the fixing device 72 is inserted through the protector 100, the connecting member 70, and the right side rail 20R, and also serves to attach the protector 100 to the connecting member 70.

[0024] 2. Composition of protective equipment Next, the configuration of the protector 100 out of the protectors 80, 90, and 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 7. Fig. 3 is a schematic right side view showing the configuration of the protector 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the protector 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a schematic left side view showing the configuration of the protector 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic rear view showing the configuration of the protector 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 7 is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the lower plate portion 110 of the protector 100 of this embodiment.

[0025] The protector 100 includes a plate portion 102 that covers the periphery of the connecting member 70. The plate portion 102 includes a front plate portion 104, a pair of left and right side plate portions 106 (106R, 106L), an upper plate portion 108, and a lower plate portion 110. The protector 100 is box-shaped by connecting the front plate portion 104, the side plate portions 106, the upper plate portion 108, and the lower plate portion 110. The rear of the protector 100 is open.

[0026] The front plate portion 104 is formed in a plate shape extending in the vehicle width direction and vehicle height direction, and is positioned between the connecting member 70 and the right wheel 28R located in front of the connecting member 70, and covers the front of the connecting member 70.

[0027] Since the piping 40 passes through the protector 100, a through-hole 112 through which the piping 40 passes is formed in the front plate 104, which is the plate portion 102 that intersects with the piping 40. The right edge of the front plate 104 extends in the vehicle height direction, and the left edge of the front plate 104 is bent multiple times while extending in the vehicle height direction. In addition, the upper and lower edges of the front plate 104 extend in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] The right side plate portion 106R has a plate shape that extends rearward from the right edge of the front plate portion 104, and covers the right side of the connecting member 70. In other words, the right side plate portion 106R has a plate shape that extends in the vehicle length direction, and the front edge of the right side plate portion 106R is connected to the right edge of the front plate portion 104. The lower edge of the right side plate portion 106R extends rearward and is inclined downward.

[0029] The left side plate portion 106L is a curved plate extending rearward from the left edge of the front plate portion 104, and covers the left side of the connecting member 70. In other words, the left side plate portion 106L is a curved plate extending in the vehicle length direction, and the front edge of the left side plate portion 106L is connected to the left edge of the front plate portion 104. The lower edge of the left side plate portion 106L is inclined downward while extending rearward.

[0030] The upper plate portion 108 has a plate shape extending rearward from the upper edge of the front plate portion 104, and covers the upper side of the connecting member 70. In other words, the upper plate portion 108 has a plate shape extending in the vehicle length direction, and the front edge of the upper plate portion 108 is connected to the upper edge of the front plate portion 104. The right edge of the upper plate portion 108 is connected to the upper edge of the right plate portion 106R, and the left edge of the upper plate portion 108 is connected to the upper edge of the left plate portion 106L.

[0031] The lower plate portion 110 is formed in a plate shape that slopes downward while extending rearward from the lower edge of the front plate portion 104, and covers the lower portion of the connecting member 70. In other words, the lower plate portion 110 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the vehicle length direction and slopes downward from the front side to the rear side, and its front edge is connected to the lower edge of the front plate portion 104. The right edge of the lower plate portion 110 is connected to the lower edge of the right side plate portion 106R, and the left edge of the lower plate portion 110 is connected to the lower edge of the left side plate portion 106L.

[0032] The lower plate 110 is also folded to form a plurality of convex portions 114 on the upper side and a plurality of concave portions 116 on the lower side. The convex portions 114 and the concave portions 116 are formed in a generally triangular shape with their tips facing the front plate 104, and are arranged in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] Such a protector 100 can protect the connecting member 70 from flying debris F that is thrown up rearward by the right wheel 28R.

[0034] Furthermore, examples of the flying matter F include substances that promote the generation of rust, such as snow-melting agents. Therefore, protecting the connecting member 70 from the flying matter F also means suppressing the generation of rust in the connecting member 70. Therefore, according to the protector 100, the generation of rust in the connecting member 70 can also be suppressed.

[0035] Furthermore, the protector 100 can also prevent the connecting member 70 from being exposed to sea air. Therefore, the protector 100 can further prevent the connecting member 70 from rusting.

[0036] Furthermore, in the protective equipment 100, the lower plate portion 110 is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side, and the rear is open. Therefore, even if the debris F enters through the gap between the through-hole 112 and the piping 40 and is placed on the upper side of the lower plate portion 110, the debris F can be quickly dropped to the ground. In other words, the inclined lower plate portion 110 can prevent the debris F that enters through the gap between the through-hole 112 and the piping 40 from remaining in the protective equipment 100. In other words, the inclined lower plate portion 110 can prevent the debris F remaining in the protective equipment 100 from adhering to the connecting member 70 due to vibration of the vehicle 10, etc. Furthermore, if the debris F remaining in the protective equipment 100 can be prevented from adhering to the connecting member 70, the occurrence of rust on the connecting member 70 can be further prevented.

[0037] Furthermore, the flying matter F may also be, for example, a mass of particles such as snow-melting agent. Therefore, the protrusions 114 of the protective equipment 100 can divide the flying matter F that has entered through the gap between the through-hole 112 and the pipe 40 into multiple pieces at the tip of the protrusions 114. In other words, the protrusions 114 can prevent the flying matter F from remaining in the protective equipment 100 due to its own weight. In other words, the protrusions 114 can further prevent the flying matter F from remaining in the protective equipment 100. Furthermore, if the flying matter F can be further prevented from remaining in the protective equipment 100, the occurrence of rust on the connecting member 70 can also be further prevented.

[0038] Furthermore, the protective equipment 80, 90, 100 can prevent the connecting members 50, 60, 70 and the fixing members 52, 72 from being directly exposed to the wind when the vehicle is traveling, and can prevent the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into the ATS 38 from decreasing.

[0039] This concludes the description of the embodiment of the present invention, but the specific configuration shown in this embodiment is just an example, and the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the configuration shown in this embodiment.

[0040] The configuration of each of the protective devices 80, 90, 100 is not particularly limited as long as each of the protective devices 80, 90, 100 includes at least a front plate portion, a side plate portion, and a lower plate portion, and has a plate portion that covers the periphery of the connecting member, the plate portion that intersects with the piping 40 has a through hole formed therein through which the piping 40 passes, and the lower plate portion is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle 10.

[0041] For example, in the protective equipment 100, at least some of the plate portions 102 may be integrally formed or may be curved. Also, for example, the protective equipment 100 may be open at the top. Furthermore, for example, in the protective equipment 100, the shape of the convex portion 114 may be linear extending in the vehicle length direction. Also, for example, the lower plate portion 110 of the protective equipment 100 may be configured such that the concave portion 116 is omitted and the convex portion 114 is simply provided on the upper side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 vehicles 28 wheels 28R right wheel 28L left wheel 32R right wheel 32R left wheel 40 Piping 20 frames 50 Connecting member 60 Connecting member 70 Connecting member 80 Protective Equipment 90 Protective Equipment 100 Protective Equipment 102 Board part 104 Front plate part 106R Right side plate 106L Left side plate 110 Lower plate part 112 Through hole

Claims

[Claim 1] A protective device for protecting a connecting member that connects a pipe and a frame behind the wheels of a vehicle, The vehicle includes a front plate portion, a side plate portion, and a lower plate portion, and is provided with a plate portion that covers the periphery of the connecting member; a through hole through which the pipe passes is formed in the plate portion that intersects with the pipe; The lower plate portion is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle.

Images