Variable Confluence Exhaust Pipe for Sound and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exhaust pipe structures for vehicles fail to effectively manage exhaust sound dynamics, as they either prioritize silence or do not appeal to consumers seeking a rough exhaust sound, and are vulnerable to vibration issues that lead to unwanted booming sounds, requiring additional reinforcement brackets.
Innovation Solution
An exhaust pipe structure with a variable confluence portion featuring a valve plate and actuator system that selectively opens or closes different paths within the confluence pipe based on engine speed and load conditions, allowing for silent or dynamic exhaust sound generation without the need for additional reinforcement brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a conventional exhaust pipe structure with sub-mufflers is used to reduce half-order components and increase silence, then silence is improved, but the exhaust sound becomes unappealing to consumers seeking a rough exhaust sound
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust pipe structure incorporates a movable valve plate that can dynamically change the confluence path configuration based on driving conditions. The valve plate transitions between different positions to create variable confluence paths, allowing the system to switch between silence mode (reducing half-order components) and rough sound mode (emphasizing half-order components), thereby providing adaptability in exhaust sound characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical configuration parameter of the confluence path by moving the valve plate between different positions. This parameter change alters the flow characteristics of exhaust gas, enabling transition between different sound characteristics - from silenced exhaust sound with reduced half-order components to rough exhaust sound with emphasized half-order components
2Reliability
If heavy mufflers with long mounting length are used to reduce vibration, then vibration resistance is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase due to additional reinforcement brackets
Solution Approach 1:
The confluence pipe is designed to integrate multiple functions: it serves as both the exhaust gas convergence pathway and the structural support element that replaces traditional reinforcement brackets. The confluence pipe directly connects to the first and second exhaust pipes, forming a rigid triangular support structure that inherently resists vibration without requiring additional brackets, thereby merging the exhaust flow function with the structural support function
Solution Approach 2:
The confluence pipe performs multiple functions simultaneously: it guides exhaust gas flow from two separate pipes, provides structural support to resist vibration, and houses the movable valve plate mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reinforcement brackets, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining vibration resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An exhaust pipe structure having a variable confluence portion may include a first pipe to discharge exhaust gas generated by engine cylinders disposed in a first line, a second pipe to discharge exhaust gas generated by engine cylinders disposed in a second line, a confluence pipe provided with a first end connected to the first pipe for communication with the first pipe and a second end connected to the second pipe for communication with the second pipe, and a valve plate disposed in the confluence pipe and selectively opened and closed, in which the confluence pipe may include a main connection tube disposed at the first end of the confluence pipe and an entry confluence tube and a sub-entry confluence tube branched off from a middle of the confluence pipe and disposed at the second end of the confluence pipe.