Vehicle exhaust system support

Abstract

To provide a vehicle exhaust system support with excellent oscillation suppression capabilities. [Solution] The vehicle exhaust system support 100 supports the exhaust system with respect to the vehicle body frame 70 and comprises a rubber exhaust system side support part 10 having a hollow rotating body shape with an outer shell 12 that gradually decreases in diameter along the axial direction from the open end, and a rubber vehicle body side support part 20 integrally formed with the outer shell 12 of the exhaust system side support part 10 and extending radially outward. The exhaust system side support part 10 has an exhaust system side support hole 11 formed through it, through which the exhaust system side support shaft 50 is inserted coaxially with the axis of the rotating body shape. The vehicle body side support part 20 has a vehicle body side support hole 21 formed through it, through which the vehicle body side support shaft 61 is inserted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle exhaust system support that supports an exhaust system with respect to a vehicle body side frame via an elastic body.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for supporting an exhaust system with respect to a vehicle body side frame via an elastic body. The technique described in this document includes a substantially U-shaped main body fitting, a rubber exhaust system side support portion that supports an exhaust system side support shaft at a lower portion of the main body fitting, and a rubber vehicle body side support portion that supports a vehicle body side support shaft fixed to the vehicle body side frame at an upper portion of the main body fitting.

[0003] The exhaust system side support portion is interposed at a lower portion inside the main body fitting so as to connect the left and right inner walls of the main body fitting with arm portions. The vehicle body side support portion is provided at an upper portion inside the main body fitting at a position spaced apart above the exhaust system side support portion, and is arranged so as to connect the substantially U-shaped opening at the upper portion of the main body fitting. The upper surface of the exhaust system side support portion serves as a stopper surface when pressed toward the lower surface of the vehicle body side support portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique described in this document, since the exhaust system side support portion has a structure that connects the left and right inner walls of the main body fitting with arm portions, the dynamic spring constant when the exhaust system side support portion is vibrated in the vertical direction can be kept low, but the dynamic spring constant increases when it is vibrated in the left-right direction. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in enhancing the swing suppression function as a vehicle exhaust system support.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a vehicle exhaust system support with excellent oscillation suppression function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, an exhaust system support for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle exhaust system support that supports the exhaust system to the vehicle body frame via an elastic body, comprising: a rubber exhaust system side support portion having a hollow rotating body shape in which the outer shell gradually decreases in diameter along the axial direction from the open end side; and a rubber vehicle body side support portion integrally formed with the outer shell portion of the exhaust system side support portion and extending radially outward, wherein the exhaust system side support portion has an exhaust system side support hole formed through it, through which an exhaust system side support shaft is inserted coaxially with the axis of the rotating body shape, and the vehicle body side support portion has a vehicle body side support hole formed through it, through which a vehicle body side support shaft is inserted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle exhaust system support with excellent oscillation suppression function. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating the main parts of a vehicle in which an embodiment of a vehicle exhaust system support according to one aspect of the present invention is employed in the exhaust system. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram of a first embodiment of a vehicle exhaust system support according to one aspect of the present invention, where Figure (b) is a view from the front of the vehicle and Figure (a) is a ZZ cross-sectional view in Figure (b). [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of a vehicle exhaust system support according to one aspect of the present invention, where Figure (a) is a view from the rear of the vehicle, (a) is a ZZ cross-sectional view in Figure (a), and (c) is a view from the front of the vehicle (the same applies to other embodiments (a) to (c) below). [Figure 4] These are explanatory diagrams (a) to (c) of a third embodiment of a vehicle exhaust system support according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 5]These are explanatory diagrams (a) to (c) of a fourth embodiment of a vehicle exhaust system support according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 6] These are explanatory diagrams (a) to (c) of a fifth embodiment of a vehicle exhaust system support according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 7] These are explanatory diagrams (a) to (c) of the sixth embodiment of a vehicle exhaust system support according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 8] These are explanatory diagrams (a) to (c) of the seventh embodiment of a vehicle exhaust system support according to one aspect of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with appropriate reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic. Therefore, the relationship and ratios between thickness and planar dimensions may differ from those in reality, and there may be differences in dimensional relationships and ratios between drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments described below illustrate devices and methods for realizing the technical concept of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments in terms of the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc., of the components.

[0011] First, the main components of a vehicle that employs the support device according to this embodiment in its exhaust system will be described. The vehicle of this embodiment is equipped with a muffler 80 as the exhaust system for exhaust gases from the engine, as shown in Figure 1. The base end of the exhaust system side support shaft 50 is fixed to the muffler 80 by welding or the like at an appropriate location, and the free end of the exhaust system side support shaft 50 protrudes toward the side member 70, which is the vehicle body frame, with a predetermined curved shape. The tip of the free end of the exhaust system side support shaft 50 faces toward the rear of the vehicle. A bracket 71 is attached to the side member 70, and the base end of the vehicle-side support shaft 61 is fixed to the bracket 71 with bolts and nuts or the like. The free end of the vehicle-side support shaft 61 protrudes horizontally towards the muffler 80 along the left-right direction of the vehicle. The muffler 80 is supported by the side member 70 via the support member 100, by inserting the free end of the exhaust system side support shaft 50 and the free end of the vehicle body side support shaft 61 into predetermined support holes formed in the support member 100 (representative reference numeral) of the embodiment.

[0012] [First Embodiment] Next, the support member 100 of the above embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 2, the support member 100A of the first embodiment comprises an exhaust system side support portion 10 made of elastic rubber and a vehicle body side support portion 20 made of rubber that is integrally formed with the outer shell portion 12 of the exhaust system side support portion 10 and extends radially outward. Here, the exhaust system side support portion 10 has a hollow rotating body shape in which the outer shell portion 12 gradually decreases in diameter along the axial direction from the open end 13 side. In this embodiment, the outer shell portion 12 of the exhaust system side support portion 10 is formed in a convex hemispherical dome shape. The vehicle body side support portion 20 protrudes radially outward in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this embodiment, the exhaust system side support portion 10 is shown as a convex hemispherical dome shape, but it is not limited to this, and various forms can be adopted as long as the outer shell portion 12 is a hollow rotating body shape that gradually decreases in diameter along the axial direction from the open end 13 side. For example, the outer shell portion 12 can be frustoconical or convex hemispherical.

[0013] The exhaust system side support portion 10 has an exhaust system side support hole 11 formed through it along the axis of the rotating body shape, passing through the center of the convex hemispherical surface of the outer shell portion 12, through which the exhaust system side support shaft 50 is inserted. The vehicle body side support portion 20 has a vehicle body side support hole 21 formed through it along the long side direction of the rectangular parallelepiped, perpendicular to the direction of the exhaust system side support hole 11, through which the vehicle body side support shaft 61 is inserted. The free end tip of the exhaust system side support shaft 50 is provided with a bulge-formed portion 53 that is larger in diameter than the shaft portion, and the free end tip of the vehicle body side support shaft 61 is also provided with a bulge-formed portion 63 that is larger in diameter than the shaft portion.

[0014] [Effects of the First Embodiment] Next, the operation and effects of the support 100A of the first embodiment will be described. Here, in the technique described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, in order to exhibit the swing suppression function by the upper surface (the stopper surface described above) of the exhaust system side support portion, it is necessary to secure the contact area between the upper surface of the exhaust system side support portion and the lower surface of the vehicle body side support portion, and it is necessary to increase the thickness of the exhaust system side support portion in the front-rear direction.

[0015] Further, in the technique described in the same document, after increasing the thickness of the exhaust system side support portion in the front-rear direction, in order to secure durability against input in the torsional direction, although it is necessary to increase the cross-sectional area of the arm portion connecting the left and right inner walls, the spring constant when vibrating the exhaust system side support portion in the up-down direction increases. Furthermore, in the technique described in the same document, the increased thickness of the exhaust system side support portion leads to an increase in the force required to insert the exhaust system side support shaft into the mounting hole formed in the exhaust system side support portion when assembling the exhaust system to the vehicle in a factory, which degrades the assembling performance. In addition, since the rubber portion through which the support shaft on the exhaust system side penetrates is block-shaped, and the arm portion supporting the rubber portion stretches in the left-right direction, the dynamic spring constant in the left-right direction increases.

[0016] In contrast, in the support tool 100A of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust system side support portion 10 has a dome-shaped solid of revolution structure, and the exhaust system side support shaft 50 is inserted into the exhaust system side support hole 11 formed to penetrate along the axis line of the solid of revolution shape, so that the exhaust system side support shaft 50 for supporting the exhaust system side can be uniformly supported over the entire circumferential direction. Therefore, unlike the technique described in Patent Document 1, the stretching in the left-right direction does not occur, and an increase in the dynamic spring constant in the left-right direction can be prevented or suppressed. Accordingly, the swing suppression function is excellent [Invention 1].

[0017] Furthermore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, shear force is input to the left and right arm portions in response to input in the up-down direction, whereas in the support tool 100A of the first embodiment, the dome-shaped solid of revolution structure causes a force in the bending direction to be applied over the entire dome-shaped outer shell portion 12, so that durability is improved. Furthermore, in the support device 100A of the first embodiment, the vehicle body-side support portion 20 and the dome-shaped exhaust system-side support portion 10 are directly connected without the use of intermediary members such as metal fittings. As a result, intermediary members are unnecessary, which improves manufacturability and reduces mass and cost. Furthermore, in the support 100A of the first embodiment, the exhaust system side support portion 10 has a dome-shaped rotating body structure, and the outer surface shape of the outer shell portion 12 is a smooth, streamlined shape. As shown in Figure 1, air flows more easily in the direction of vehicle travel, resulting in improved aerodynamic performance compared to the technology described in Patent Document 1.

[0018] However, the vehicle exhaust system support according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Other embodiments will be described below. In the following description, components that are the same as, or similar to, those in the first embodiment, or corresponding to them, will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0019] [Second Embodiment] As another embodiment, first, the support member 100B of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the support 100B of the second embodiment has, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in Figure 2, a stopper portion 14 provided on the upper part of the concave hemispherical surface on the inner surface of the outer shell portion 12 of the exhaust system side support portion 10. The stopper portion 14 of the second embodiment is integrally formed with the inner surface of the outer shell portion 12, faces the exhaust system side support shaft 50 with a predetermined opposing gap in the radially inward direction, and protrudes in a rectangular parallelepiped shape along the axis of the exhaust system side support shaft 50.

[0020] [Effects of the second embodiment] According to the support device 100B of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, it is equipped with a stopper portion 14 that faces the exhaust system side support shaft 50 with a predetermined opposing gap, so that the distance between the vehicle body side support shaft 61 extending from the vehicle body side and the exhaust system side support shaft 50 extending from the exhaust system side does not become too close. This prevents or suppresses the exhaust system, to which the base end of the exhaust system-side support shaft 50 is fixed, from approaching the vehicle body on rough roads. Furthermore, in the support 100B of the second embodiment, even if the thickness of the stopper portion 14 is changed in order to increase the stopping effect of the stopper portion 14, the dynamic spring constant of the vehicle body-side support portion 20 does not deteriorate [Invention 2].

[0021] [Third Embodiment] Next, the support member 100C of the third embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the support member 100C of the third embodiment differs from the configuration of the second embodiment shown in Figure 3 in that the exhaust system side support member 10 has a stopper member 14 that protrudes radially inward in a fan shape along the circumferential direction and within a range of 45 degrees to the left and right of the apex on the upper part of the concave hemispherical surface on the inner surface of the outer shell member 12.

[0022] [Effects of the Third Embodiment] According to the support 100C of the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the stopper portion 14 is formed to protrude radially inward in a fan shape along the circumferential direction and within a range of 45 degrees to the left and right of the apex, so that it can easily follow changes in posture in the circumferential direction and is suitable for exerting a stopper effect. Furthermore, even if the thickness of the vehicle body side support portion 20 is changed in order to increase the stopper effect of the stopper portion 14, the dynamic spring constant of the vehicle body side support portion 20 does not deteriorate [Invention 3].

[0023] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, the support member 100D of the fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the support member 100D of the fourth embodiment has, in addition to the configuration of the third embodiment shown in Figure 4, a cylindrical portion 15 provided on the exhaust system side support portion 10. The cylindrical portion 15 is formed coaxially with the exhaust system side support hole 11 at the center of the outer shell portion 12 which forms a convex hemisphere, and extends by a predetermined length toward the open end 13 side of the outer shell portion 12. Furthermore, an annular convex R portion 16 is formed on the inner circumference end opposite to the cylindrical portion 15. Note that the axial end of the cylindrical portion 15 is positioned so as not to protrude toward the open end 13 side beyond the perpendicular L passing through the center of the vehicle body side support hole 21.

[0024] [Effects of the Fourth Embodiment] According to the support 100D of the fourth embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, by providing a cylindrical portion 15 formed coaxially with the exhaust system side support hole 11, when the bulge-formed portion 53 at the tip of the exhaust system side support shaft 50 and the axial end of the cylindrical portion 15 come into contact, a force is generated in the direction that compresses the cylindrical portion 15 and increases its thickness, thereby tightening the exhaust system side support shaft 50. As a result, the exhaust system side support shaft 50 is less likely to come loose when driving on rough roads, etc. Furthermore, by providing a convex R portion 16 in the exhaust system side support hole 11, the force required to insert the exhaust system side support portion 10 into the exhaust system side support hole 11 when attaching it to the exhaust system side support shaft 50 extending from the exhaust system during the assembly process is reduced, thereby lowering the difficulty of the installation work [Invention 4].

[0025] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, the support member 100E of the fifth embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 6, the support member 100E of the fifth embodiment differs from the configuration of the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 5 in that the vehicle body side support hole 21 is formed to pass through in a direction parallel to the exhaust system side support hole 11, instead of in the direction perpendicular to the above, so that the vehicle body side support shaft 61 can be inserted through it.

[0026] [Effects of the Fifth Embodiment] According to the support member 100E of the fifth embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the vehicle body side support shaft 61 is inserted in a direction parallel to the exhaust system side support hole 11. Therefore, when attaching the exhaust system side support part 10 to the exhaust system side support shaft 50 during the assembly process, it can be attached in the same direction as the vehicle body side support shaft 61, resulting in excellent visibility and reducing the difficulty of the installation work [Invention 5].

[0027] [Sixth Embodiment] Next, the support member 100F of the sixth embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 7, the support member 100F of the sixth embodiment differs from the configuration of the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 5 in that the vehicle body side support holes 21 are formed in two parallel locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0028] [Effects of the sixth embodiment] According to the support 100F of the sixth embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, instead of having one vehicle-side support shaft, there are two vehicle-side support shafts, a first vehicle-side support shaft 61 and a second vehicle-side support shaft 62, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This allows for more reliable restriction of rotational movement around the vehicle-side support shafts in the ZZ cross section. Therefore, it is more suitable for suppressing the oscillation of the exhaust system [Invention 6].

[0029] [Seventh Embodiment] Next, the support member 100G of the seventh embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 8, the support member 100G of the seventh embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 5 in that a stiffening ring 30, made of metal or the like and forming an annular shape coaxial with the axis of the rotating body, is vulcanized and bonded to the exhaust system side support member 10 at a position closer to the open end 13 of the outer shell 12 so as to be embedded in the outer shell 12.

[0030] [Effects of the seventh embodiment] According to the support 100G of the seventh embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, by vulcanizing and bonding the annular stiffening ring 30 to the dome-shaped exhaust system side support portion 10, deformation of the dome shape of the outer shell portion 12 in the exhaust system side support portion 10 can be prevented or suppressed, thereby further improving the stopper effect described above [Invention 7]. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 10 Exhaust system side support part 11 Exhaust system side support hole 12 Outer shell 13 Open end 14 Stopper section 15 Cylindrical section 16 Convex R part 20 Vehicle body side support part 21 First support hole on the vehicle body side 22 Second support hole on the vehicle body side 30 Stiffening rings 50 Exhaust system side support shaft 53 Bulge forming section 61 First vehicle body side support axle 62 Second vehicle body side support axle 63 Bulge molding section 70 Side members (vehicle frame) 71 Bracket 80 muffler (exhaust system) 100, 100A~G Support bracket (Vehicle exhaust system support bracket)

Claims

1. A vehicle exhaust system support that supports the exhaust system to the vehicle body frame via an elastic body, It comprises a rubber exhaust system side support portion having a hollow, rotating body shape in which the outer shell gradually decreases in diameter along the axial direction from the open end, and a rubber vehicle body side support portion integrally formed with the outer shell of the exhaust system side support portion and extending radially outward, The exhaust system side support portion has an exhaust system side support hole formed through it, through which the exhaust system side support shaft is inserted coaxially with the axis of the rotating body shape. The vehicle exhaust system support is characterized in that the vehicle body side support portion has a vehicle body side support hole formed through it, through which a vehicle body side support shaft is inserted.

2. The exhaust system support for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust system side support portion has a stopper portion that protrudes radially inward in a rectangular parallelepiped shape from the upper part of the inner surface of the rotating body shape.

3. The exhaust system support for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust system side support portion has a stopper portion on the upper part of the inner surface of the rotating body shape that protrudes in a fan shape radially inward along the circumferential direction and within a range of 45 degrees to the left and right with respect to the apex.

4. The exhaust system support for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust system side support portion is provided with a boss-shaped cylindrical portion formed coaxially with the exhaust system side support hole and extending toward the open end side along the axis of the rotating body shape, and an annular convex R portion is formed on the inner circumference end opposite to the cylindrical portion.

5. The vehicle exhaust system support device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body side support hole is formed to allow the vehicle body side support shaft to be inserted in a direction parallel to the exhaust system side support hole, instead of in the direction perpendicular to the vehicle body side support hole.

6. The vehicle exhaust system support device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body side support holes are formed in parallel at two locations.

7. The exhaust system support for a vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a stiffening ring forming an annular shape coaxial with the axis of the rotating body is vulcanized and bonded to the outer shell portion of the exhaust system side support portion.

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