Tail Pipe Water Shield Structure for Rainwater Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle body structures fail to effectively prevent water from contacting the tail pipe during rainfall, which can lead to damage from hot exhaust gases.

Innovation Solution

A water shield is attached to the tail pipe, extending from the exhaust component and under the rear panel, deflecting water away from the pipe using a curved, conical design with welding zones for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the tail pipe is exposed without protection, then the exhaust system can operate freely, but water contacts the tail pipe causing damage from hot exhaust gases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust system reliabilityVSAvoidwater contact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A water shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the tail pipe and water. The shield extends downward from the exhaust component and deflects water away from the tail pipe, preventing direct contact while allowing the exhaust system to operate freely. This mediator protects the tail pipe from water damage without interfering with exhaust function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a water shield is added to protect the tail pipe, then water contact is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetail pipe protectionVSAvoidexhaust system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water shield is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and installed on the exhaust system. This segmentation allows the protection function to be added without redesigning the entire exhaust system, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the water shield extends far from the pipe, then water deflection is more effective, but the length of the component increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater deflection effectivenessVSAvoidwater shield length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The water shield extends partially downward from the exhaust component - not excessively long, but sufficient to intercept and deflect water away from the tail pipe. This partial action provides adequate protection while avoiding the drawbacks of an overly long component that would increase complexity and potential interference with other vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 water shield effectively diverts rainwater away from the tail pipe, preventing contact and potential damage from water and ensuring the exhaust system remains functional in wet conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a water shield that deflects water away from the tail pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS12044348B2Vehicle body structure

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle body structure includes an exhaust component, a pipe extending from the exhaust component and a water shield. The water shield has a first end fixed to the pipe at a location proximate the exhaust component. The water shield extends rearward from the location proximate the exhaust component and has a second end that is spaced apart from the pipe.