Sliding Exhaust Junction Heat Shield for Clamp Access and Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat shields for vehicle exhaust systems allow significant heat escape and debris ingress at uninsulated junctions, posing a fire risk, especially in agricultural tractors with combustible debris.

Innovation Solution

A movable heat shield made of insulating material with optional metal inner layer, featuring splines or screw threads, slides between retracted and operational positions to cover the junction, secured by stops or magnets, ensuring complete heat shielding and debris prevention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed heat shield with an aperture is used to provide access to clamps, then ease of operation is improved, but heat loss increases and harmful factors increase due to debris ingress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to clampsVSAvoidheat escape
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned in different states (retracted during assembly, extended during operation) to dynamically satisfy different requirements for heat shielding and access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a fixed heat shield with an aperture is used to provide access to clamps, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to fire risk from debris ingress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to clampsVSAvoidfire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shield transitions from a static aperture design to a dynamic movable design that closes the opening during operation, eliminating the fire hazard while maintaining ease of operation during assembly/disassembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shield is positioned in the retracted state before the clamping operation to allow access, then moved to the extended state after clamping to provide protection, performing the protective action at the appropriate time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If the heat shield is always in the operational position to block heat, then heat loss is reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to limited access for clamps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat shieldingVSAvoidaccess for clamps
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable shield allows temporary retraction during assembly operations to provide access, then extends to provide heat shielding during operation, resolving the conflict between accessibility and thermal protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively blocks heat emission and prevents debris entry while allowing easy access for connecting/disconnecting exhaust sections, enhancing safety and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

A vehicle exhaust system includes a first exhaust section (10) and a second exhaust section (13) each surrounded by an insulating layer (12, 18) except at end portions (11a, 16a) to be joined together... A movable heat shield (14) made from heat insulating material... effectively blocks heat emission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

Splines or screw threads may be provided on the section 10 and the shield 14 to facilitate the movement of the shield

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew thread engagement: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4453395B1Vehicle exhaust sysytems
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 AGCO INT GMBH
  • EP4453395B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4453395B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4453395B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A heat shield arrangement (14) for shielding the environment surrounding the junction between two sections (10, 13) of insulated vehicle exhaust from heat emanating from uninsulated end portions of the junction of the exhaust sections. The heat shield (14) is of tubular form and mounted on the insulation surrounding one section (10) of the exhaust and is slidingly movable between a first position (14') in which the junction between the two sections is exposed to allow access to work on fastening means (15) for holding the two sections together and a second position (14") in which the shield surrounds the junction and overlaps the ends of the insulation on both sections of the exhaust to insulate the surrounding environment.