Drainage unit

Abstract

In a drainage unit that can be attached to exhaust system components, moisture is effectively discharged from the exhaust system components while suppressing exhaust leakage. [Solution] The drainage unit comprises a water-absorbing filter and a housing. The housing houses the filter inside. The housing also has a unit hole, which is a hole arranged to communicate with a drain hole, and an opening for draining moisture from inside the housing. The filter is positioned in a compressed state within the target area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drainage unit configured to be attachable to an exhaust system component.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a drainage unit attached so as to cover a drain hole formed in an exhaust system component. The drainage unit communicates with the atmosphere through a filter, and is configured to discharge moisture to the outside of the drainage unit while absorbing the moisture discharged from the exhaust system component by the filter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as a result of the inventors' detailed examination, it has been found that in the drainage unit of Patent Document 1 above, there is a problem that exhaust easily leaks to the atmosphere through the filter. One aspect of the present disclosure is to enable moisture to be discharged well from an exhaust system component and suppress exhaust leakage in a drainage unit configured to be attachable to the exhaust system component.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a drainage unit configured to be attachable to cover a drain hole formed in an exhaust system component through which exhaust flows. The drainage unit includes a filter having water absorption properties and a housing.

[0006] The housing contains the filter. The housing also has a unit hole, which is a hole that communicates with a drain hole, and an opening for draining moisture from inside the housing. The filter is positioned in a compressed state within the target area. The target area is defined as the region from the unit hole to the opening in the housing.

[0007] In other words, the drain unit covers the drain hole of the exhaust system component, and the filter is pressed and positioned in the target area from the unit hole to the opening in the drain unit. Therefore, the airflow resistance between the unit hole and the opening can be increased compared to when the filter is not pressed. However, moisture can pass through the filter well even when it is pressed. Thus, with this configuration, moisture can be discharged well and exhaust leakage can be suppressed.

[0008] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the unit hole may be formed on the upper surface of the housing. The opening is formed on the side surface of the housing. With this configuration, it is easier to ensure a longer distance from the unit hole to the opening compared to a configuration in which the opening is formed, for example, on the lower surface.

[0009] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the material of the portion of the housing where the unit hole is formed may have higher corrosion resistance than the material of the exhaust system component. With this configuration, since the housing with higher corrosion resistance covers the area around the drain hole, exhaust leakage can be further suppressed even if the area around the drain hole of the exhaust system component corrodes.

[0010] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the length of the filter in the area of ​​interest may be greater than the thickness of the filter. With such a configuration, the length of the path can be ensured such that the distance the exhaust passes through the filter is greater than or equal to the thickness of the filter.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing may comprise a first member and a second member. The first member may have a unit hole formed therein and be configured to follow the outer circumference of an exhaust system component. The second member may be positioned on the opposite side of the exhaust system component from the first member and assembled to the first member. The filter may be pressed by being sandwiched between the first member and the second member. Furthermore, the ends of the first member and the second member may form an opening. With this configuration, a simple setup can be achieved to press the opening and the filter using the first and second members.

[0012] In one aspect of this disclosure, the size of the unit hole may be smaller than the drain hole. With such a configuration, a relatively large drain hole can be provided, and the size of the unit hole can be appropriately set to be smaller than that, thereby appropriately balancing the ease of drainage with the amount of exhaust leakage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1A is a central cross-sectional view of the drainage unit including exhaust system components, and Figure 1B is an exploded perspective view of the drainage unit. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a plan view of the first member in the embodiment, and Figure 2B is a plan view of the second member in the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3A is a plan view of the first member in the first modified example, and Figure 3B is a plan view of the second member in the first modified example. [Figure 4] Figure 4A is a plan view of the first member in the second modified example, and Figure 4B is a plan view of the second member in the second modified example. [Figure 5] Figure 5A is a plan view of the first member in the third modified example, and Figure 5B is a plan view of the second member in the third modified example. [Figure 6] Figure 6A is a plan view of the first member in the fourth modified example, and Figure 6B is a plan view of the second member in the fourth modified example. [Figure 7] Figure 7A is a plan view of the first member in the fifth modified example, and Figure 7B is a plan view of the second member in the fifth modified example. [Figure 8] Figure 8A is a plan view of the first member in the sixth modified example, Figure 8B is a plan view of the second member in the sixth modified example, and Figure 8C is a central cross-sectional view of the drainage unit in the sixth modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiments] [1-1. Structure] The drainage unit 1 shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B is a unit configured to be attached to the exhaust system component 100 through which exhaust gas flows, so as to cover the drain hole 101, as shown in Figure 1A in particular. The exhaust system component 100 has a drain hole 101 formed therein, which is a hole for discharging moisture such as condensed water. The drainage unit 1 has the function of receiving the moisture discharged from the exhaust system component 100 and discharging it to the outside of the drainage unit 1. In this case, the drainage unit 1 is designed so that moisture is discharged well from the exhaust system component 100 and exhaust leakage is suppressed.

[0015] The exhaust system component 100 is, for example, an exhaust pipe. Here, the exhaust system component 100 is constructed, for example, as a cylindrical metal pipe. In the following, the direction in which exhaust flows through the exhaust system component 100 is referred to as the "flow direction." The flow direction is generally parallel to the horizontal plane. The direction perpendicular to the flow direction and also perpendicular to the vertical direction is referred to as the "width direction." In other words, the width direction is generally parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the flow direction.

[0016] The drain unit 1 includes a filter 10 and a housing 20. As shown in FIG. 1B etc., the housing 20 includes a first member 30A and a second member 40A. The first member 30A is a plate-like member arranged along the outer periphery of the exhaust system component 100. That is, the first member 30A is processed into a shape that curves convexly downward and is arranged without a gap with respect to the outer periphery of the exhaust system component 100. In the first member 30A, a unit hole 31 is formed at the center in the width direction and at the center in the flow direction.

[0017] The unit hole 31 is a hole arranged to communicate with the drain hole 101 formed in the exhaust system component 100. The unit hole 31 is formed in the upper surface of the housing 20 (that is, the first member 30A). The size of the unit hole 31 is set smaller than that of the drain hole 101. Note that the drain hole 101 and the unit hole 31 may be arranged such that their central axes coincide.

[0018] The second member 40A is a generally plate-like member arranged on the side opposite to the exhaust system component 100 when viewed from the first member 30A and assembled to the first member 30A. The second member 40A includes a flange portion 41 and a recess portion 42.

[0019] The flange portion 41 is a portion extending along the periphery of the second member 40A. In the second member 40A shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, the flange portion 41 extends along the upstream end in the flow direction and the both ends in the width direction, and is arranged so as to surround the recess portion 42 located therebetween.

[0020] The recess portion 42 is a portion configured to form a region recessed in the direction opposite to the exhaust system component 100 with respect to the flange portion 41, that is, in the vertically downward direction. The filter 10 is arranged in the region between the recess portion 42 and the first member 30A. That is, the housing 20 has a function of housing the filter 10 inside. Note that the filter 10 of the present embodiment is spread over the entire recess portion 42.

[0021] An opening 43 is formed in the housing 20. The opening 43 is for draining moisture from inside the housing 20. The ends of the first member 30A and the second member 40A that do not have a flange portion 41 form the opening 43. In other words, the opening 43 is formed on the side of the housing 20 (i.e., the surface excluding the vertically upper and lower surfaces). In this embodiment, at the downstream end in the flow direction, the area between the recess 42 and the first member 30A functions as the opening 43.

[0022] The filter 10 is a fibrous material formed in a plate shape that has water absorption and heat resistance. A water-absorbing material is, for example, a material that induces capillary action. Therefore, the filter 10 may be, for example, a material made by bundling capillary-like materials. Specifically, the filter 10 can be made of alumina-based high heat-resistant ceramic fibers or the like.

[0023] Here, the filter 10 is pressed by being sandwiched between the first member 30A and the second member 40A. The entire filter 10 is pressed. Strictly speaking, the part of the filter 10 excluding the unit hole 31 is pressed, but since the area of ​​the unit hole 31 is minute compared to the area of ​​the filter 10, the presence of the unit hole 31 can be ignored when it comes to pressing the filter 10.

[0024] The entire filter 10 is pressed, but it is sufficient that at least the portion of the filter 10 located in the target region 15 is pressed. The target region 15 refers to the area from the unit hole 31 to the opening 43 in the housing 20 (for example, the recess 42), as shown in Figures 1B and 2B. Here, as shown in Figure 1B, if the length L of the filter 10 in the target region 15 is the thickness T of the filter 10, then the length L of the filter 10 is set to be greater than the thickness T of the filter 10. In each figure, the position on the filter 10 where the unit hole 31 is projected (i.e., the position directly below the unit hole 31) is shown by a dashed line (symbol "31").

[0025] In the drainage unit 1 described above, the material of the housing 20 may be set to have higher corrosion resistance or rust prevention properties than the material of the exhaust system component 100. For example, while the material of the exhaust system component 100 is ferritic stainless steel (SUS430LX), the material of the housing 20 may be a material with a higher chromium or molybdenum content. SUS436L, for example, can be used as a material with a higher molybdenum content. The material of the first component 30A and the material of the second component 40A may be the same or different.

[0026] [1-2. Effects] The embodiments described in detail above produce the following effects. (1a) The drainage unit 1 described above is configured to be attachable to an exhaust system component 100 through which exhaust gas flows, with the drainage hole 101 formed therein, so as to cover the drainage hole 101. The drainage unit 1 comprises a water-absorbing filter 10 and a housing 20.

[0027] The housing 20 houses the filter 10 inside. The housing 20 also has a unit hole 31, which is a hole that communicates with the drain hole 101, and an opening 43 for draining moisture from inside the housing 20. The filter 10 is positioned in a compressed state within the target area 15. With this configuration, moisture can be properly discharged and exhaust leakage can be suppressed.

[0028] (1b) In the drainage unit 1 described above, the unit hole 31 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 20. The opening 43 is formed on the side surface of the housing 20. With this configuration, it is easier to secure a longer distance from the unit hole 31 to the opening 43 compared to a configuration in which the opening 43 is formed on the lower surface, for example.

[0029] (1c) In the drainage unit 1 described above, the material of the housing 20 may be set to have higher corrosion resistance and rust prevention properties than the material of the exhaust system component 100. With this configuration, since the housing 20, which has higher corrosion resistance, covers the area around the drain hole 101, even if the area around the drain hole 101 of the exhaust system component 100 corrodes, exhaust leakage can be further suppressed.

[0030] (1d) In the drainage unit 1 described above, the length L of the filter 10 in the target area 15 is set to be greater than the thickness T of the filter 10. With this configuration, the length L of the path can be ensured so that the distance the exhaust passes through the filter 10 is greater than or equal to the thickness T of the filter 10.

[0031] (1e) In the drainage unit 1 described above, the housing 20 comprises a first member 30A and a second member 40A. The first member 30A has a unit hole 31 formed therein and is configured to follow the outer circumference of the exhaust system component 100. The second member 40A is positioned on the opposite side from the exhaust system component 100 when viewed from the first member 30A and is assembled to the first member 30A. The filter 10 is pressed by being sandwiched between the first member 30A and the second member 40A. Furthermore, the ends of the first member 30A and the second member 40A form an opening 43.

[0032] With this configuration, a simple setup can be achieved to press the opening 43 and the filter 10 using the first member 30A and the second member 40A. (1f) In the drainage unit 1 described above, the size of the unit hole 31 is smaller than the drain hole 101. With this configuration, a relatively large drain hole 101 is provided, and the size of the unit hole 31 is set to be smaller than that, thereby appropriately balancing the ease of drainage with the amount of exhaust leakage.

[0033] [2. Other Embodiments] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0034] (2a) In the above embodiment, the unit hole 31 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 20, but is not limited thereto. The unit hole 31 may be formed on a surface other than the upper surface of the housing 20, as long as it allows for drainage.

[0035] (2b) In the above embodiment, the opening 43 is formed on the side of the housing 20, but is not limited thereto. The opening 43 may be formed on a surface other than the side of the housing 20, for example, the bottom surface, as long as a sufficient distance can be secured from the unit hole 31 to the opening 43.

[0036] (2c) In the above embodiment, the housing 20 is constructed by combining two members, a first member 30A and a second member 40A, but it is not limited to this. The housing 20 may be constructed by combining one member or three or more members.

[0037] (2d) In the above embodiment, the first member 30A and the second member 40A can be configured in any way. For example, the first member 30B and the second member 40B of the first modified example shown in Figures 3A and 3B may be used.

[0038] The second member 40B is configured to be slightly shorter in the flow direction than the second member 40A of the embodiment, and the unit hole 31 is formed in the center of the first member 30B in both the width direction and the flow direction. In the second member 40B, the opening 43 is formed on both sides in the flow direction. That is, in the second member 40B, the flange portion 41 is formed only on both sides in the width direction and not on either side in the flow direction. The filter 10 is laid out across the entire recess 42.

[0039] Even with this configuration, the length L of the filter 10 can be ensured by the distance from the unit hole 31 to the openings 43 on both sides, thereby increasing the airflow resistance. Furthermore, since the openings 43 are formed on both sides in the flow direction, the airflow from the vehicle can be used to promote drainage.

[0040] (2e) Alternatively, for example, the first member 30C and second member 40C of the second modified example shown in Figures 4A and 4B may be used. The first member 30C has the same external shape as the first member 30A of the embodiment, but the unit hole 31 is formed in the center in the width direction and slightly upstream of the center in the flow direction.

[0041] In the second member 40C, the opening 43 is formed only on the downstream side in the flow direction, and the filter 10 ends just before reaching the opening 43 when viewed from the unit hole 31. Even with this configuration, a sufficient length L of the filter 10 is ensured.

[0042] (2f) Alternatively, for example, the first member 30D and second member 40D of the third modified example shown in Figures 5A and 5B may be used. The first member 30D is configured in the same way as the first member 30C of the second modified example. In the second member 40D, unlike the second member 40C of the second modified example, the opening 43 is formed only on the downstream side in the flow direction, whereas the opening 43 is formed on both sides in the flow direction.

[0043] (2g) Alternatively, for example, the first member 30E and second member 40E of the fourth modified example shown in Figures 6A and 6B may be used. The first member 30E is configured to be relatively short in the width direction, and the unit hole 31 is formed in the center in both the width direction and the flow direction. The second member 40E has a relatively large flange portion 41, and the filter 10 is configured to be longer in the flow direction than in the width direction. The second member 40E has openings 43 formed on both sides in the flow direction.

[0044] (2h) Alternatively, for example, the first member 30F and second member 40F of the fifth modified example shown in Figures 7A and 7B may be used. In the first member 30F, the unit hole 31 is formed in the center of the width direction of the first member 30F and slightly upstream of the center in the flow direction. In the second member 40F, the opening 43 is formed only on the downstream side in the flow direction. The filter 10 is not placed in the area where the unit hole 31 is formed. The filter 10 is positioned to start from a position slightly toward the opening 43 from the unit hole 31 and end at the opening 43. Even with this configuration, a sufficient length L of the filter 10 is ensured.

[0045] (2i) Alternatively, for example, the first member 30G and second member 40G of the sixth modified example shown in Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C may be used. The first member 30G and the second member 40G are each formed in a circular shape. In the first member 30G, the unit hole 31 is formed in the center.

[0046] In the second member 40G, a circular recess 42 is formed in the center, and a flange portion 41 is formed to surround it. Multiple openings 43G are formed in the recess 42. Each opening 43 is, for example, a hole formed by punching out a part of the outer surface of the recess 42. The filter 10 is laid out across the entire recess 42, ensuring a sufficient length L from the unit hole 31 to the opening 43G.

[0047] (2j) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configuration of other above embodiments.

[0048] (2k) In addition to the drainage unit 1 described above, this disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system that uses the drainage unit 1 as a component.

[0049] [Technical Concept Disclosed in This Specified Specification] [Item 1] A drainage unit configured to be attached to an exhaust system component through which exhaust gas flows, so as to cover the drainage hole, A water-absorbing filter, A housing that houses the aforementioned filter inside, Equipped with, The aforementioned housing includes, A unit hole is a hole that is arranged to communicate with the aforementioned drain hole, An opening for draining moisture from inside the enclosure, Formed, The region from the unit hole to the opening in the housing is defined as the target region. The filter is positioned in a pressed state within the target area. Drainage unit. [Item 2] The drainage unit described in item 1, The unit hole is formed on the upper surface of the housing, The opening is formed on the side surface of the housing. Drainage unit. [Item 3] A drainage unit as described in item 1 or item 2, The material of the housing has higher corrosion resistance than the material of the exhaust system components. Drainage unit. [Item 4] A drainage unit as described in any one of items 1 through 3, In the aforementioned target region, the length of the filter is greater than the thickness of the filter. Drainage unit. [Item 5] A drainage unit as described in any one of items 1 through 4, The aforementioned enclosure is The unit hole is formed in the first member, which is configured to follow the outer circumference of the exhaust system component, The system comprises a second member which is positioned on the opposite side of the exhaust system component from the first member and is assembled to the first member, The filter is pressed by being sandwiched between the first member and the second member. The ends of the first and second members form the opening. Drainage unit. [Item 6] A drainage unit as described in any one of items 1 through 5, The size of the unit hole is smaller than the drain hole. Drainage unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1...Drainage unit, 10...Filter, 15...Target area, 20...Housing, 30A~30G...First component, 31...Unit hole, 40A~40G...Second component, 41...Flange section, 42...Recess, 43,43G...Opening, 100...Exhaust system component, 101...Water drain hole.

Claims

1. A drainage unit configured to be attached to an exhaust system component through which exhaust gas flows, so as to cover the drainage hole, A water-absorbing filter, A housing that houses the aforementioned filter inside, Equipped with, The aforementioned housing includes, A unit hole is a hole that is arranged to communicate with the aforementioned drain hole, An opening for draining moisture from inside the enclosure, Formed, The region from the unit hole to the opening in the housing is defined as the target region. The filter is positioned in a pressed state within the target area. Drainage unit.

2. A drainage unit according to claim 1, The unit hole is formed on the upper surface of the housing, The opening is formed on the side surface of the housing. Drainage unit.

3. A drainage unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, The material of the housing has higher corrosion resistance than the material of the exhaust system components. Drainage unit.

4. A drainage unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, In the aforementioned target region, the length of the filter is greater than the thickness of the filter. Drainage unit.

5. A drainage unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned enclosure is The unit hole is formed in the first member, which is configured to follow the outer circumference of the exhaust system component, The system comprises a second member which is positioned on the opposite side from the exhaust system component when viewed from the first member and is assembled to the first member, The filter is pressed by being sandwiched between the first member and the second member. The ends of the first member and the second member form the opening. Drainage unit.

6. A drainage unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, The size of the unit hole is smaller than the drain hole. Drainage unit.

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