Exhaust Structure Winding Muffler Shielding Water Splash

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust structures face challenges in preventing water splashes from hitting the exhaust pipe, leading to potential deformation due to temperature changes, which requires additional covers that increase cost and weight, while also needing to maintain or improve crash safety and fuel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The exhaust structure incorporates a winding portion for the exhaust pipe formed by winding pipings between upstream and downstream openings, with a muffler connected to the upstream side, overlapping the winding portion in a front-rear direction to shield the pipe from water splashes without additional covers, utilizing a suspension point and inclined muffler positioning for effective shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cover is added to prevent water splashes from hitting the exhaust pipe, then the exhaust pipe is protected from temperature changes and deformation, but the cost and weight of the body structure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from water splashVSAvoidweight of body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the water protection function into the existing muffler structure by positioning it to overlap the exhaust pipe in the front-rear direction. The muffler body itself serves as the protective barrier against water splashes, eliminating the need for a separate cover structure. This combines the exhaust treatment function and water protection function into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The muffler is designed to perform multiple functions: it treats exhaust gases and simultaneously protects the exhaust pipe from water splashes. By positioning the muffler to overlap the exhaust pipe, it serves as both an exhaust treatment device and a protective shield, reducing the need for additional dedicated protection components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a cover is added to prevent water splashes from hitting the exhaust pipe, then the exhaust pipe is protected from temperature changes and deformation, but the cost of the body structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from water splashVSAvoidcost of body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the water protection function into the existing muffler structure by positioning it to overlap the exhaust pipe in the front-rear direction. The muffler body itself serves as the protective barrier against water splashes, eliminating the need for a separate cover structure. This combines the exhaust treatment function and water protection function into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The muffler is designed to perform multiple functions: it treats exhaust gases and simultaneously protects the exhaust pipe from water splashes. By positioning the muffler to overlap the exhaust pipe, it serves as both an exhaust treatment device and a protective shield, reducing the need for additional dedicated protection components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the exhaust pipe length is increased, then the exhaust treatment effectiveness is improved, but the exhaust pipe becomes more exposed to water splashes from the tire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust treatment effectivenessVSAvoidexposure to water splash

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the front-rear spatial dimension to solve the water splash exposure problem. By positioning the muffler to overlap the exhaust pipe in the front-rear direction, it creates a protective zone that blocks water splashes from reaching the exhaust pipe while allowing the exhaust pipe to maintain its extended length for effective exhaust treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11725566B2Exhaust structure

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

The utility model provides an exhaust structure having a lightweight structure. The utility model provides an exhaust structure, comprising: an exhaust pipe; and a muffler connected to the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe includes an upstream side opening portion, a downstream side opening portion, and a winding portion. The winding portion is formed by winding pipings between the upstream side opening portion and the downstream side opening portion. The muffler is connected to the upstream side opening portion of the exhaust pipe, and the winding portion overlaps the muffler in a front-rear direction.