Exhaust Pipe Support Body With Vertically Elongated Center Attachment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional exhaust pipe support bodies face challenges in achieving soft spring characteristics in the vertical direction while maintaining sufficient spring rigidity for rotational direction inputs, due to the exertion of tension and shear forces on elastomeric isolators during relative rotation.

Innovation Solution

The exhaust pipe support body features a center attachment part with a vertically elongated shape and connection arms that are remotely arranged in the vertical direction, compressing laterally to receive rotational forces and providing large spring rigidity, while also allowing for soft spring characteristics in the vertical direction through adjustable tuning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an elastomeric isolator is used to connect the sleeve and inside sleeve, then vibration damping is achieved, but spring rigidity in the rotational direction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidspring rigidity in rotational direction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric isolator is segmented into multiple independent connection arms (first, second, third, and fourth connection arms) arranged radially around the central axis. Each connection arm independently resists rotational forces through compression deformation, collectively providing enhanced spring rigidity in the rotational direction while maintaining vibration damping capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the elastomeric isolator is made softer to achieve soft spring characteristics in the vertical direction, then vertical vibration damping is improved, but support capability in the rotational direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft spring characteristics in vertical directionVSAvoidsupport capability in rotational direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection arms are designed with different geometric characteristics optimized for their specific function: they have a larger cross-sectional area in the radial direction to resist rotational forces through compression, while maintaining flexibility in the vertical direction for soft spring characteristics. This local optimization allows each connection arm to simultaneously contribute to both rotational support and vertical vibration damping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If connection arms are arranged close together, then structural compactness is achieved, but spring rigidity in the rotational direction is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidspring rigidity in rotational direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection arms are arranged radially around the central axis in a circular pattern, utilizing the circumferential dimension to maximize the moment arm for resisting rotational forces. This radial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows the connection arms to be compact in overall volume while maintaining sufficient spacing to effectively resist rotational input through compression deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration enhances durability and vibration damping by distributing stress effectively, reducing tensile strain, and improving the exhaust pipe's positioning and stability relative to the vehicle body, while maintaining effective support and limiting displacement.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of connection arms elastically connecting the center attachment part to the attachment member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the connection arms are compressed on both the left and right sides of the center attachment part, and the rotational force is primarily received by the compression spring component of the connection arms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression spring component: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10519846B2Exhaust pipe support body

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 SUMIMOTO RIKO CO LTD

AI summary

An exhaust pipe support body including: an attachment member configured to be attached to one of a vehicle body and an exhaust pipe; a center attachment part configured to be attached to another of the vehicle body and the exhaust pipe, the center attachment part having a vertical lengthwise dimension that is larger than a lateral widthwise dimension thereof and being arranged in an installation hole provided to the attachment member; and a plurality of connection arms elastically connecting the center attachment part to the attachment member, the connection arms being integrally formed with the center attachment part and remote from each other in a vertical lengthwise direction between opposed faces of each of left and right sides of the center attachment part and corresponding one of left and right side walls of the installation hole.