Automobile Exhaust Bellows With Non-Uniform Inner Diameter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current bellows members for automobile exhaust pipes face challenges in effectively absorbing tension, compression, and bending displacement due to uniform outer and inner diameters, leading to increased manufacturing costs, reduced durability, and potential interference between the bellows and interlocking members, which affects engine performance and noise levels.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tube design where the depression inner diameter of the center part is larger than the end parts, with reinforcement sections and a braid member to absorb external forces and maintain a sufficient gap, enhancing flexibility and durability while reducing material costs and improving exhaust gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the outer diameter and inner diameter of the bellows member are formed to be uniform, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the bellows member cannot sufficiently absorb tension, compression and bending displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows member is designed with non-uniform depression inner diameters where the center part has a larger depression inner diameter than the end parts. This local variation in geometry allows the center portion to provide greater clearance from the interlocking member during vibration, while the end parts maintain sufficient height for flexibility and durability, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and vibration absorption performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the depression inner diameter at the center part is increased to prevent interference with the interlocking member, then traveling noise is reduced, but the height of protrusions decreases reducing flexibility and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows member is designed with non-uniform depression inner diameters where the center part has a larger depression inner diameter than the end parts. This local variation in geometry allows the center portion to provide greater clearance from the interlocking member during vibration, while the end parts maintain sufficient height for flexibility and durability, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and vibration absorption performance.
3Reliability
If the height of protrusions is increased to improve flexibility and durability, then the bellows member can better absorb displacement, but the gap from the interlocking member decreases causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows member is designed with non-uniform depression inner diameters where the center part has a larger depression inner diameter than the end parts. This local variation in geometry allows the center portion to provide greater clearance from the interlocking member during vibration, while the end parts maintain sufficient height for flexibility and durability, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and vibration absorption performance.
4Reliability
If the inner diameter of the depression portion is formed to gradually decrease from the end portion to the center part, then displacement absorption is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and manufacturing work becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows member is designed with non-uniform depression inner diameters where the center part has a larger depression inner diameter than the end parts. This local variation in geometry allows the center portion to provide greater clearance from the interlocking member during vibration, while the end parts maintain sufficient height for flexibility and durability, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and vibration absorption performance.
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 design improves durability and flexibility by maintaining a sufficient gap between the bellows and interlocking members, reducing material costs, and ensuring smooth exhaust gas flow, thereby enhancing the lifespan and marketability of the bellows member.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible coupling is mounted on the connection portion thereof such that the flexible coupling absorbs external force which is generated from the vibration of the engine and the vibration of the surface of a road
Implementation Method 2
the interlocking member simultaneously absorbs the inward axial deformation, bending deformation or the like of a bellows member which is made from a metal material in the shape of a cylinder with repetitive corrugations, controls displacement within the range of elastic limit of the bellows member
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible tube for an exhaust pipe of an automobile includes a bellows member having corrugations thereon; an interlocking member positioned in the bellows member with a predetermined gap from the bellows member and having a spiral groove formed thereon to absorb deformation; a braid member positioned to surround the outside portion of the bellows member and braided to be flexibly deformed with a large displacement with respect to a displacement and tension in a compression direction; cap members coupled for fixing the braid member on the outside of the both ends of the bellows member; and intermediate members formed in the shape of a ring and having one end fixed to the bellows member and the other end fixed to the interlocking member by overlapping the interlocking member inwards, wherein the bellows member has protrusion portions, a center part and both end parts.