Elastic Shutter for Exhaust Nozzle Clearance Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The clearance between the exhaust nozzle and trim in engine exhaust lines allows exhaust gases to infiltrate the passenger compartment, is aesthetically unpleasing, and can result in violent impacts during jolts due to insufficient clearance.

Innovation Solution

A shutter with a tapered face is used to guide the nozzle and block the clearance, allowing elastic deformation to absorb movements and create a pressure drop to prevent gas rise and reduce impact violence, while maintaining visual continuity and facilitating assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clearance is provided between the nozzle and trim to allow nozzle movement during engine operation, then the reliability is improved, but exhaust gases can infiltrate the passenger compartment and aesthetics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle movement accommodationVSAvoidexhaust gas infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shutter element is introduced as an intermediary component between the nozzle and trim. This shutter has an inner periphery that contacts the nozzle outer periphery and an outer periphery that contacts the trim inner periphery, effectively sealing the clearance gap while allowing the nozzle to move relative to the trim during engine operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to flex and accommodate the relative movements between the nozzle and trim. The shutter can elastically deform in response to nozzle displacements while maintaining the seal to prevent exhaust gas infiltration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a large clearance is provided between the nozzle and trim to prevent violent impacts during jolts, then the reliability is improved, but exhaust gas infiltration increases and aesthetics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidexhaust gas infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter changes its physical state by elastically deforming under impact forces. During normal operation, the shutter maintains a sealed position preventing exhaust gas infiltration. During strong jolts or impacts, the shutter can elastically deform to absorb the shock, protecting the nozzle from violent impacts while maintaining adequate sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the shutter is made to fit tightly to prevent exhaust gas infiltration, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the nozzle movement capability is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust gas infiltrationVSAvoidnozzle movement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter transitions from a static sealing element to a dynamic component that can elastically deform. This allows the shutter to adapt its shape and position in response to nozzle movements during engine operation, maintaining both sealing effectiveness and movement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The shutter effectively limits exhaust gas infiltration, reduces impact violence, and enhances aesthetics by blocking the clearance and guiding the nozzle, while also simplifying assembly and ensuring visual continuity.

Implementation Method 1

The obturator above makes it possible to close the clearance between the nozzle and the hubcap. It therefore creates a pressure drop which limits the rise of exhaust gases under the vehicle via this play.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

being able to block the play and to deform elastically in response to the displacements of the cannula relative to hubcap during operation of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2264293B1Adjusting element for end exhaust line and vehicle incorporating the same

Publication Date: 2017.07.05 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA

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AI summary

The obturator (36) has a truncated face (42) for guiding a channel (14) during its introduction at the interior of a hubcap (18), where the obturator is adapted to be elastically deformed in response to displacements of the channel with respect to the hubcap during functioning of an engine. The channel is displaced with respect to the hubcap through a gap (J) without hitting the hubcap during functioning of the engine. An independent claim is also included for an end of an exhaust line of a combustion engine, comprising a channel.