Mounting Foot Slider Mechanism for Exhaust Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing after-treatment systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining alignment and withstanding thermal expansion and load variations, leading to potential misalignment and stress on components, as well as failing to accommodate manufacturing variations.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system featuring a mounting foot with a pad and slider connected to a mounting bracket, allowing for thermal expansion and load distribution while maintaining alignment, using a combination of links and brackets to secure the after-treatment component to a frame, including V-shaped trusses and sliding mechanisms to manage movement and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stiff isolators are used to limit movement of the after-treatment system, then movement constraint is improved, but alignment maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system employs a dynamic slider-pad mechanism that allows controlled movement along the exhaust system while maintaining alignment. The slider can move relative to the pad along a guide surface, enabling the system to adapt to thermal expansion and manufacturing variations without compromising alignment, thus resolving the contradiction between movement constraint and alignment maintenance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If soft isolators are used to allow thermal expansion, then thermal expansion accommodation is improved, but stress induction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slider mechanism provides a dynamic response to thermal expansion by allowing controlled sliding movement along the exhaust system. This dynamic adaptation accommodates thermal growth while the rigid mounting bracket and pad maintain structural integrity, preventing excessive stress induction compared to soft isolators.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad acts as an intermediary element between the rigid mounting structure and the slider. It provides a bearing surface that allows the slider to move smoothly along the exhaust system, mediating between the rigid mounting requirements and the need to accommodate thermal expansion without inducing excessive stresses.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed mounting is used to maintain alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but stress resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic slider-pad mechanism that maintains alignment precision while allowing controlled movement. The slider moves along a guide surface on the pad, preserving alignment between the exhaust inlet and engine outlet while accommodating stress from thermal expansion and manufacturing variations.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional isolators are used, then ease of installation is improved, but adaptability to manufacturing variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slider mechanism provides built-in adaptability to manufacturing variations through its ability to move along the exhaust system. The pad and slider combination creates a flexible mounting interface that can accommodate dimensional variations in the after-treatment component and exhaust system, while the overall mounting foot structure remains simple and easy to install.
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 system effectively maintains alignment of the exhaust inlet with the engine outlet, accommodates thermal expansion, and distributes loads, reducing stress and ensuring the after-treatment component remains securely attached and functional under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the soft isolators may limit an amount of thermal expansion of the after-treatment system, thereby inducing stress in the after-treatment devices
Implementation Method 2
a slider slidably connected to the pad
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting foot for mounting an after-treatment component to a frame is disclosed. The mounting foot may have a pad connectable to the frame. The mounting foot may also have a slider slidably connected to the pad. In addition, the mounting foot may have a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may have a first end connectable to the after-treatment component and a second end connected to the slider.