DE102022100151A1 - TAILPIPE TRIM FOR MOUNTING ON AN EXHAUST PIPE - Google Patents

Abstract

Tailpipe trim (10) for arranging at one end (11) of an exhaust pipe (12), the tailpipe trim (10) having a piece of pipe (13) which is pushed onto the exhaust pipe end (11) and rotated around the exhaust pipe end (11),
a spring element (30) being arranged on an inner wall (15) of the pipe section (13) which is arranged between the inner wall (15) of the pipe section (13) and an outer wall (16) of the exhaust pipe end (11) when the pipe section ( 13) is pushed onto the exhaust pipe end (11),
wherein a first end (31) of the spring element (30) is attached to the pipe section (13) and a second end (32) of the spring element (30) is a free end,
wherein the spring element (30) is in a first configuration before the pipe section (13) is pushed onto the exhaust pipe end (11) and the pipe section (13) rotates around the exhaust pipe end (11),
wherein the spring element (30) is designed to interact with a pin (23) which is arranged on the outer wall (16) of the exhaust pipe end (11),
that the second end (32) of the spring element (30) comes into contact with the pin (23) when the pipe section (13) is pushed on or rotated, and the spring element (30) is held in place by the pin (23 ) is brought into a second configuration.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a tailpipe finisher for arranging at one end of an exhaust pipe, which can in particular be an exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle.

Tailpipe covers are arranged at the end of an exhaust pipe, preferably of motor vehicles, for example to give a vehicle a sporty impression. Tailpipe screens usually have a piece of pipe that has at least a similar cross-section as the end of the exhaust pipe. However, the piece of pipe has larger dimensions so that it can be pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe. When the pipe section is attached to the exhaust pipe end, the pipe section surrounds the outer wall of the exhaust pipe end, so that the outer wall of the exhaust pipe end can no longer be seen from the outside. The piece of pipe should be able to be attached to the end of the exhaust pipe without great effort.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tailpipe finisher that can be easily arranged at the end of an exhaust pipe.

The object is achieved by a tailpipe trim with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments and developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a tailpipe cover for arranging at one end of an exhaust pipe, in particular an exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle. The tailpipe trim has a piece of pipe that is intended to be pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe and rotated around the end of the exhaust pipe. A spring element is arranged on an inner wall of the pipe section and is arranged at least partially between the inner wall of the pipe section and an outer wall of the exhaust pipe end when the pipe section is pushed onto the exhaust pipe end. The spring element has a first and a second end. The first end is attached to the pipe while the second end is a free end that is not attached to the pipe. The spring element is arranged on the tube piece in such a way that the second end of the spring element is arranged offset relative to the first end of the spring element, viewed in a circumferential direction of the tube piece. Before the piece of pipe is pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe and before the piece of pipe rotates around the end of the exhaust pipe, the spring element is in a first configuration in which the spring element is at least essentially not under spring tension. Furthermore, the spring element is designed to interact with a pin that is arranged on the outer wall of the end of the exhaust pipe. After pushing the piece of pipe onto the end of the exhaust pipe, the pin can be located between the first and the second end of the spring element. In particular, the second end of the spring element can come into contact with the pin when pushed on. Alternatively, the spring element can also be designed in such a way that it is not yet in contact with the pin after it has been pushed on, i. In other words, in this case there is a gap between the second end and the pin immediately after it has been pushed on, and the second end of the spring element only comes into contact with the pin as a result of the rotation of the pipe section. As the piece of pipe rotates further, the second end of the spring element is pressed against the pin, so that the spring element is brought into a second configuration by means of the pin. In the second configuration, the spring element is under spring tension between the inner wall of the pipe section and the outer wall of the end of the exhaust pipe.

It can be provided that exclusively only the first end of the spring element is attached to the inner wall of the pipe section. The first end can in particular be welded to the pipe section. By rotating the piece of pipe around the end of the exhaust pipe, the spring element can be compressed in the circumferential direction. As a result, the spring element can be clamped between the inner wall of the pipe section and the outer wall of the end of the exhaust pipe.

Since the spring element is at least essentially not under spring tension in the first configuration, the piece of pipe can be pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe without any effort or with only a small effort. By rotating the pipe section, the spring element is brought into the second configuration in which the spring element is under spring tension between the inner wall of the pipe section and the outer wall of the exhaust pipe end, as a result of which the pipe section is securely seated on the exhaust pipe end. In addition, a centered arrangement of the piece of pipe on the end of the exhaust pipe can be achieved.

The piece of pipe can have a front end which faces the pin when the piece of pipe is pushed on. Furthermore, the piece of pipe can have a rear end which, in particular when the piece of pipe is pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe and in particular is rotated around the end of the exhaust pipe, at least essentially surrounds the open end of the end of the exhaust pipe.

The front end of the tube section can have a first indentation for receiving the pin, with at least part of the first indentation in Circumferentially seen can be arranged between the first end and the second end of the spring element. The first indentation can essentially extend along the longitudinal direction of the pipe piece. Due to the first indentation, the piece of pipe can only be pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe if the pin is received by the indentation. The piece of pipe can be pushed on so far that the pin at the rear end of the first indentation hits the piece of pipe. As a result, an intermediate position of the piece of pipe can be defined.

Furthermore, the pipe section can have a second indentation for receiving the pin, wherein the second indentation can extend essentially along the circumferential direction of the pipe section, starting from the first indentation. The second indentation allows the tubing to rotate after the pin has been inserted into the first indentation. The second indentation can extend essentially in a perpendicular direction to the first indentation.

In particular, the second indentation can extend from the rear end of the first indentation such that the rear end of the first indentation and the rear boundary of the second indentation are aligned.

The rotation of the pipe section is guided by the second indentation. The piece of pipe can only be rotated in the direction defined by the second indentation. As the tube rotates, the pin moves through the second indentation. The rotation can only be carried out until the pin hits the end of the second indentation. As a result, an end position of the piece of pipe can be defined.

The spring element can be designed in one piece. The spring element can be made of spring steel or another material, in particular a metal or an alloy. The spring element can be stamped, sawn or cut or otherwise worked out of a piece of material.

The pin can protrude from the outer wall of the exhaust pipe and can have a circular or oval or elliptical cross-section, for example. Other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable, for example the pin can also have an elongate cross-section.

The tailpipe finisher can have a locking mechanism that allows the spring element to be held in the second configuration. The locking mechanism prevents the pipe section from rotating back again after rotation due to the spring tension. The locking mechanism keeps the piece of pipe in the end position and ensures that the tailpipe cover is held securely on the end of the exhaust pipe.

The locking mechanism can have a spring attached to the spring element and a groove provided on the tube piece. The key and groove may be arranged such that after rotation of the tube, the key engages the groove and locks the tube in that position. The position of the pipe section in which the tongue engages in the groove can define the end position of the pipe section.

The spring can be formed in one piece with the spring element. In particular, the spring can be manufactured by making an appropriate cut, for example by stamping, cutting, sawing or in some other way, in the spring element and bending a piece of the spring element, the dimensions of the piece being designed in such a way that the spring is in the groove can engage.

The spring element can have at least one connecting element which extends in the circumferential direction and connects the first and the second end of the spring element to one another. In particular, the spring element can have several, for example two or three, such connecting elements. The connection element or elements can in particular be designed in the form of strips.

The at least one connecting element can have a number of sections, with at least one direction of extent of each of the number of sections running in the radial direction. A respective first reversing section or a respective second reversing section can be arranged between each two sections. In this case, the second reversal sections can be located radially further outwards than the first reversal sections. Further, the first and second turning sections may be arranged in series in an alternating order. Consequently, a first reversal section can be followed by a second reversal section in the circumferential direction and this can be followed again by a first reversal section, etc. Due to the configuration described above, the at least one connecting element has a zigzag shape that extends in the circumferential direction along the inner wall of the pipe section. Furthermore, the shape of the spring element in cross section can be considered as an idealized star shape. This configuration of the spring element allows a particularly simple change from the first configuration to the second configuration. Furthermore, this configuration of the Seat of the piece of pipe can be easily centered on the end of the exhaust pipe.

In the first configuration of the spring element, the first reversing sections cannot bear against the outer wall of the end of the exhaust pipe when the piece of pipe is pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe and the second end of the spring element is brought into contact with the pin. Furthermore, in the second configuration of the spring element, the first reversing sections can bear against the outer wall of the end of the exhaust pipe. The spring element is thus under tension in the second configuration between the inner wall of the pipe section and the outer wall of the end of the exhaust pipe. As a result, the spring element fixes the piece of pipe on the end of the exhaust pipe so that it is held securely on the end of the exhaust pipe.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to an exhaust pipe product with an exhaust pipe, in particular an exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle. The exhaust pipe has a pin on its outer wall. Furthermore, the exhaust pipe product includes a tail pipe finisher according to the invention, which is arranged at an end of the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe product can in particular be part of a motor vehicle.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for arranging a tailpipe trim according to the invention at one end of an exhaust pipe, the method comprising the following steps: pushing the pipe section of the tailpipe trim onto the exhaust pipe end to an intermediate position and then rotating the pipe section around the exhaust pipe end. By rotating the piece of pipe, the second end of the spring element is pressed against the pin and the spring element is thereby brought from the first configuration into the second configuration.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a tailpipe cover for arranging at one end of an exhaust pipe, in particular an exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle, the tailpipe cover having a piece of pipe which is intended to be pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe and rotated around the end of the exhaust pipe,
a spring element being arranged on an inner wall of the pipe section, which spring element is arranged at least partially between the inner wall of the pipe section and an outer wall of the end of the exhaust pipe when the pipe section is pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe,
wherein a first end of the spring element is attached to the tube piece and a second end of the spring element, which is arranged offset to the first end of the spring element as seen in a circumferential direction of the tube piece, is a free end.

A front end of the pipe section can have a first indentation, at least part of the first indentation being arranged between the first end and the second end of the spring element.

The piece of pipe can furthermore have a second indentation, which extends essentially in the circumferential direction of the piece of pipe, starting from the first indentation.

The tailpipe finisher can have a locking mechanism that allows the spring element to be held in the second configuration.

The features mentioned in the present disclosure can also be implemented in connection with the tailpipe finisher according to the aspect mentioned above.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Endrohrblende, die auf ein Abgasrohrende aufgeschoben ist,
• 2 eine Querschnittsdarstellung der Endrohrblende und des Abgasrohrendes von 1 im entriegelten Zustand, und
• 3 eine Querschnittsdarstellung der Endrohrblende und des Abgasrohrendes von 1 im verriegelten Zustand.

The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the attached figures. They show, each schematically:

• 1 a perspective view of a tailpipe cover that is pushed onto an exhaust pipe end,
• 2 a cross-sectional view of the tailpipe trim and the exhaust pipe end of FIG 1 in the unlocked state, and
• 3 a cross-sectional view of the tailpipe trim and the exhaust pipe end of FIG 1 in the locked state.

one in the 1 until 3 The tailpipe cover 10 shown is intended to be arranged at one end 11 of an exhaust pipe 12 . The exhaust pipe 12 can be part of an exhaust line system, in particular of a motor vehicle. The end 11 of the exhaust gas pipe 12 can in particular be the end section of the exhaust gas pipe 12 downstream of the exhaust gas, which has an opening open to the outside for the exhaust gas flow.

The tailpipe cover 10 has a piece of pipe 13 which is larger in cross-section than the end of the exhaust pipe 11 so that it can be pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe 11 . The pipe section 13 is in particular dimensioned such that there is an intermediate space 14 running in the circumferential direction U between an inner wall 15 of the pipe section 13 and an outer wall 16 of the exhaust pipe end 11 when the pipe section 13 is pushed onto the exhaust pipe end 11 .

The cross-sectional shape of the pipe section 13 can at least essentially correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the exhaust pipe end 11 . The illustrated circular cross-sections of pipe section 13 and exhaust pipe 12 are to be taken as an example understand. Other cross-sectional shapes, such as oval or elliptical, are also possible.

The pipe section 13 has a front end 20 and a rear end 21 , it being provided that the pipe section 13 is pushed onto the exhaust pipe end 11 in a longitudinal direction L with the front end 20 in front. The longitudinal direction L can in particular correspond to the central axis of the exhaust pipe end 11 if one imagines the exhaust pipe end 11 as a cylindrical body. The circumferential direction U can lie in a plane which is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L.

A first indentation 22 is formed at the front end 20 of the pipe section 13 and is intended to receive a pin 23 which is arranged on the outer wall 16 of the end 11 of the exhaust pipe. The distance (seen in the longitudinal direction L) of the pin 23 to a cross-sectional plane in which the exhaust gas downstream opening of the exhaust gas pipe 12 is located can, for example, correspond at least approximately to the length of the pipe section 13, so that the pipe section 13 is pushed at least essentially completely onto the exhaust pipe end 11 can be like yourself 1 can be taken. The first indentation 22 can widen in the longitudinal direction L towards the front end 20 of the pipe section 13, as shown in FIG 1 is shown.

A second indentation 24 is also formed in the tube section 13 and also serves to receive the pin 22 . The second indentation 24 starts from the first indentation 22 and extends essentially along the circumferential direction U. The second indentation 24 extends from the rear end of the first indentation 22 such that the rear end of the first indentation 22 and the rear boundary of the second Indentation 24 are aligned.

A spring element 30 is arranged on the inner wall 15 of the pipe section 13 . When the pipe section 13 is pushed onto the exhaust pipe end 11, the spring element 30 is essentially located in the intermediate space 14 between the inner wall 15 of the pipe section 13 and the outer wall 16 of the exhaust pipe end 11.

The spring element 30 is formed in one piece from a strip of material, for example spring steel, and bent in such a way that it assumes the desired shape. A first end 31 of the spring element 30 is welded to the inner wall 15 of the pipe section 13 . A second end 32 of the spring element 30 is a free end and is not attached to the pipe piece 13 . The second end 32 is offset in the circumferential direction U to the first end 31 of the spring element 30 . Seen in the longitudinal direction L, the first and the second end 31, 32 can be approximately at the same height. The first end 31 of the spring element 30 is attached to the tube piece 13 in such a way that at least part of the first indentation 22 is not covered by the spring element 30 in order to enable the pin 23 to be inserted into the first indentation 22 .

The spring element 30 also has two connecting elements 33, 34 which extend in the circumferential direction U and connect the first and the second end 31, 32 of the spring element 30 to one another. The connecting elements 33, 34 are designed in the form of strips and are each arranged on an outer edge of the first and second end 31, 32, respectively. The connecting elements 33, 34 can run parallel to one another, but can also be designed differently. Furthermore, the connecting elements 33, 34 themselves are not attached to the inner wall 15 of the pipe section 13.

Each of the connecting elements 33, 34 can have a plurality of sections 35 which are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction U. How 2 1, the sections 35 extend in the radial direction in cross-section. Between each two sections 35 there is either a first reversing section 36 or a second reversing section 37 which connects the two sections 35 to one another. The second reversing sections 37 are located radially further outwards than the first reversing sections 36. The first and second reversing sections 36, 37 are arranged one behind the other in an alternating sequence in the circumferential direction U. Starting from the first end 31 of the spring element 30, the connecting elements 33, 34 initially each have a section 35 which extends in cross-section from radially outward to radially inward, as in particular 2 can be taken. This section 35 is connected via a first reversal section 36 to a further section 35 which, in cross-section, extends from radially inwards to radially outwards. This is followed by a second reversing section 37 and a further section 35 which extends radially from the outside to the inside. This pattern is continued until the second end 32 of the respective connecting element 33, 34 is reached.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the connecting elements 33, 34 each have 10 sections 35. However, this is only an example; a different number of sections 35 can also be provided. In particular, the number of sections can depend on the diameter of the piece of pipe 13 . The larger the diameter, the larger the number of sections 35 can be, for example.

When applying the tailpipe trim 10 to the exhaust pipe end 11, the pipe section 13 is so pushed onto the exhaust pipe end 11 so that the pin 23 engages in the first indentation 22 . The pipe section 13 can be pushed on so far that the pin 23 strikes the pipe section 13 at the rear end of the first indentation 23, with which an intermediate position of the pipe section 13 is reached. This intermediate position is in 1 shown. In the intermediate position, the pin 23 is located between the first and the second end 31, 32 of the spring element 30. In the intermediate position, the pin 23 exerts little or no force on the spring element 30.

The piece of pipe 13 is then rotated in the circumferential direction U, so that the pin 23 engages in the second indentation 24 . The second end 32 of the spring element 30 is pressed against the pin 23 by the rotation of the tube piece 13 . Before the pipe section 13 is applied to the exhaust pipe end 11, the spring element 30 is in a first configuration in which the spring element 30 is not under spring tension. The spring element 30 is brought from the first configuration into a second configuration by means of the pin 32 during the rotation of the pipe section 13 . In the second configuration, the spring element 30 is under spring tension between the inner wall 15 of the pipe section 13 and the outer wall 16 of the exhaust pipe end 11 .

In the first configuration of the spring element 30, the first reversal sections 36 of the spring element 30 do not rest against the outer wall 16 of the exhaust pipe end 11. The first configuration of the spring element 30 is in 2 shown. There is a free space 40 between each reversing section 36 and the outer wall 16 of the exhaust pipe end 11. In the second configuration of the spring element 30, which is shown in 3 is shown, the first reversing sections 36 rest against the outer wall 16 of the exhaust pipe end 11 . The spring element 30 is thus in the second configuration between the inner wall 15 of the pipe section 13 and the outer wall 16 of the exhaust pipe end 11 under tension. As a result, the spring element 30 fixes the piece of pipe 13 on the end 11 of the exhaust pipe, so that it is held securely on the end 11 of the exhaust pipe. The spring element 30 can be designed in such a way that the second reversal sections 37 bear against the inner wall 15 of the pipe piece 13 in the first and the second configuration.

The tailpipe cover 10 also includes a locking mechanism, which essentially consists of a spring 41 fastened to the spring element 30 and a groove 42 made in the pipe piece 13 . The locking mechanism prevents the piece of pipe 13 from rotating back again after rotation has taken place due to the spring tension.

The spring 41 is formed in one piece with the spring element 30 and essentially consists of a steel strip bent out of the spring element 30 . This strip is dimensioned in such a way that it can engage in the groove 42 . Before the tube piece 13 rotates, the spring 41 is located in the first indentation 22. During the rotation of the tube piece 13, the spring 41 is passed under the tube piece 13, with the spring 41 being bent if necessary. As soon as the groove 42 is reached, the spring 41 snaps into the groove 42, as a result of which the end position of the pipe section 13 is reached. The spring 41 snapped into the groove 42 prevents the pipe section 13 from rotating back unintentionally.

Reference List

10

tailpipe trim

11

exhaust pipe end

12

exhaust pipe

13

piece of pipe

14

space

15

inner wall

16

outer wall

20

front end

21

rear end

22

first indentation

23

Pin code

24

second indentation

30

spring element

31

first end

32

second end

33

fastener

34

fastener

35

Section

36

first reversal section

37

second reversal section

40

free space

41

Feather

42

groove

L

longitudinal direction

u

circumferential direction

Claims (11)

Tail pipe trim (10) for arranging at one end (11) of an exhaust pipe (12), in particular of an exhaust pipe (12) of a motor vehicle, wherein the tailpipe cover (10) has a piece of pipe (13) which is intended to be pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe (11) and rotated around the end of the exhaust pipe (11), with an inner wall (15 ) of the pipe section (13) a spring element (30) is arranged, which is arranged at least partially between the inner wall (15) of the pipe section (13) and an outer wall (16) of the exhaust pipe end (11) when the pipe section (13) is placed on the Exhaust pipe end (11) is pushed on, a first end (31) of the spring element (30) being attached to the pipe section (13) and a second end (32) of the spring element (30) which extends in a circumferential direction (U) of the pipe section (13 ) is arranged offset to the first end (31) of the spring element (30), is a free end, wherein the spring element (30) moves before the pipe section (13) is pushed onto the exhaust pipe end (11) and the pipe section (13 ) is located around the exhaust pipe end (11) in a first configuration in which the spring element (30) is not under spring tension, the spring element (30) for cooperating with a pin (23) on the outer wall (16) of the exhaust pipe end ( 11) is arranged, is designed in such a way that the second end (32) of the spring element (30) comes into contact with the pin (23) when the pipe piece (13) is pushed on or rotated, and the spring element (30) when the piece of pipe (13) is brought into a second configuration by means of the pin (23), wherein in the second configuration the spring element (30) is located between the inner wall (15) of the piece of pipe (13) and the outer wall (16) of the end (11) of the exhaust pipe spring tension stands. Tailpipe trim (10) after claim 1 , wherein the pipe section (13) has a front end (20) which faces the pin (23) when the pipe section (13) is pushed on, and the pipe section (13) has a rear end (21) which, in particular, when the Piece of pipe (13) is pushed onto the end of the exhaust pipe (11), at least essentially surrounds the open end of the end of the exhaust pipe (11). Tailpipe trim (10) after claim 2 , wherein the front end (20) of the tube piece (13) has a first indentation (22) for receiving the pin (23), wherein at least a part of the first indentation (22) between the first end (31) and the second end ( 32) of the spring element (30) is arranged. Tailpipe trim (10) after claim 3 , wherein the pipe section (13) has a second indentation (24) for receiving the pin (23), which extends from the first indentation (22) substantially in the circumferential direction (U) of the pipe section (13). Tailpipe finisher (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tailpipe finisher (10) has a locking mechanism which allows the spring element (30) to be held in the second configuration. Tailpipe trim (10) after claim 5 , wherein the locking mechanism has a spring (41) attached to the spring element (30) and a groove (42) provided on the pipe section (13), which are arranged such that the spring (41) after the rotation of the pipe section (13) into the Groove (42) engages and the pipe section (13) locked in this position. Tailpipe cover (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring element (30) has at least one connecting element (33, 34) which extends in the circumferential direction (U) and the first and the second end (31, 32) of the spring element (30 ) connects with each other. Tailpipe trim (10) after claim 7 , wherein the at least one connecting element (33, 34) has a plurality of sections (35) which each extend radially, with a respective first reversal section (36) or a respective second reversal section (37) being arranged between each two sections (35), wherein the second turn portions (37) are radially outward than the first turn portions (36), and wherein the first and second turn portions (36, 37) are arranged one behind the other in an alternating order. Tail pipe trim (10) after claim 8 , wherein in the first configuration of the spring element (30) the first reversal sections (36) do not rest against the outer wall (16) of the exhaust pipe end (11), and/or wherein in the second configuration of the spring element (30) the first reversal sections (36) against the outer wall (16) of the exhaust pipe end (11). Exhaust pipe product with an exhaust pipe (12), in particular an exhaust pipe (12) of a motor vehicle, which has a pin (23) on its outer wall (16), and a tailpipe finisher (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 . Method for arranging a tailpipe trim (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 at one end (11) of an exhaust pipe (12), the method comprising: pushing the pipe section (13) of the tailpipe cover (10) up to an intermediate position onto the exhaust pipe end (11) and then rotating the pipe section (13) around the exhaust pipe end ( 11), wherein the second end (32) of the spring element (30) is pressed against the pin (23) and thereby the spring element (30) is brought from the first configuration to the second configuration.

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