Vehicle Exhaust Additive Pipe Routing and Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle body structure with a pipe for supplying additives for exhaust gas purification under the floor faces challenges in fittability and protectability due to the pipe's length and susceptibility to deformation or clogging from road ricochets.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body structure with a cross member and side members forming a step portion where a detachable connector is placed to securely connect the pipe, along with fixers to stabilize it, enhancing both fittability and protectability by routing the pipe through a shortest path and providing additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the tank and additive injector are arranged distant from each other to save interior space, then the pipe length increases, but the fittability of the pipe deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The piping system is divided into multiple segments with detachable connectors at intermediate positions. This segmentation allows the pipe to be assembled in sections rather than requiring one long continuous pipe, significantly improving fittability while maintaining the distant arrangement of tank and injector for space savings.
2Area of stationary object
If the pipe is routed under the floor to save interior space, then the layout is compact, but the pipe is easily affected by ricocheted rocks causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is routed through the step portion formed by the cross member, which acts as a protective structure beforehand. This positioning allows the pipe to be shielded from direct impact by ricocheted rocks, preventing deformation while maintaining the compact under-floor routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross member and step portion serve as an intermediary protective structure between the ricocheted rocks and the pipe. This mediator absorbs or deflects the impact of rocks, protecting the pipe from deformation while allowing the pipe to maintain its under-floor position.
3Area of stationary object
If the pipe is routed under the floor to save interior space, then the layout is compact, but deformation may cause clogging or leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The step portion formed by the cross member provides beforehand cushioning and protection for the pipe against deformation. By positioning the pipe within this protected region, the reliability is improved as deformation-induced clogging or leaking is prevented while maintaining compact under-floor routing.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A pipe (6) serving as a path for supplying an additive for purifying the exhaust gas is routed on the side of the bottom face (19) of the floor panel (4) serving as a floor of the vehicle (10). A cross member (1) extending in a width direction of the vehicle (10) is disposed so as to protrude downwards from the floor panel (4). A connector (9) is disposed in a step portion (14) defined by the cross member (1) and the floor panel (4) such that the connector (9) detachably connects the pipe (6). This configuration enhances the fittability and the protectability of the pipe (6) serving as a path for supplying an additive for purifying the exhaust gas.