Transverse Engine Exhaust Upstream Section Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhaust apparatus for transverse engines compromise passenger compartment space and hinder catalyst temperature rise during engine warm-up due to the placement of exhaust gas-purifying units, which are exposed to traveling wind and require increased tunnel dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The exhaust apparatus is designed with a loop-shaped upstream section that includes branch, intermediate collector, and final collector pipe portions, with the exhaust gas-purifying unit positioned on the vehicle-rear side, allowing for compact layout and increased pipe lengths without expanding the tunnel's cross-sectional area, and featuring a downstream exhaust pipe with flexible joints to absorb vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the exhaust gas-purifying unit is disposed inside the tunnel portion, then the exhaust apparatus can be compactly arranged, but the cross-sectional area of the tunnel portion needs to be increased and passenger compartment space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas-purifying unit is extracted from the tunnel portion and relocated to the engine compartment, specifically positioned above the engine. This extraction eliminates the need to increase the tunnel portion's cross-sectional area, thereby preserving passenger compartment space while maintaining the compact arrangement of the exhaust apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas-purifying unit is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement within the tunnel to a vertical arrangement above the engine in the engine compartment. This dimensional change allows the exhaust system to utilize the vertical space in the engine compartment, achieving compactness without encroaching on the horizontal passenger compartment space.
2Volume of moving object
If the exhaust gas-purifying unit is disposed inside the tunnel portion, then the exhaust apparatus can be compactly arranged, but traveling wind touches the exhaust gas-purifying unit making it difficult to quickly raise catalyst temperature during engine warm-up
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas-purifying unit is extracted from the tunnel portion where it would be exposed to traveling wind, and relocated to the engine compartment above the engine. This position is shielded from traveling wind, allowing the catalyst to quickly reach operating temperature during engine warm-up while maintaining exhaust system compactness.
3Power
If the length of branch pipe portions and intermediate collector pipe portions is increased to enhance exhaust efficiency, then engine output power increases, but the tunnel portion cross-sectional area needs to be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas-purifying unit is extracted from the tunnel portion, allowing the intermediate collector pipe portions to be lengthened and routed through the tunnel without increasing its cross-sectional area. This enables enhanced exhaust efficiency and engine output power while preserving passenger compartment space.
Solution Approach 2:
By relocating the exhaust gas-purifying unit to the engine compartment and utilizing vertical space, the tunnel portion can accommodate longer intermediate collector pipe portions that enhance exhaust efficiency without requiring an increased cross-sectional area, thus maintaining passenger compartment space.
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 exhaust efficiency, reduces passenger compartment space encroachment, and facilitates quicker catalyst temperature rise by minimizing wind exposure and stabilizing the exhaust system, while maintaining acceptable exhaust resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a downstream exhaust pipe with flexible joints to absorb vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
An exhaust upstream section (48) of an exhaust apparatus (E) comprises a plurality of branch pipe portions (32), a plurality of intermediate collector pipe portions (33), a final collector pipe portion (34), and an exhaust gas-purifying unit (40). The exhaust gas-purifying unit (40) is disposed on a vehicle-rear side of an engine (1) to allow a gas passage thereinside to extend approximately in vehicle-widthwise direction, in top plan view. Each of the plurality of intermediate collector pipe portions (33) curves to allow an exhaust downstream region of the intermediate collector pipe portion (33) to be oriented toward one side or the other side of the vehicle-widthwise direction, in top plan view, and the final collector pipe portion (34) curves to allow an exhaust downstream region of the final collector pipe portion (34) to be oriented toward a vehicle-front side, in top plan view.