JP7453736B2 - exhaust structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an exhaust structure including an exhaust muffler that is attached to the underfloor space of a vehicle.

Exhaust mufflers, which are installed in the underfloor space of a vehicle and discharge exhaust gas generated by the car's internal combustion engine to the outside, are generally made of heat-resistant metal such as stainless steel because the circulating exhaust gas is high temperature. However, it is also possible to form the exhaust muffler from a heat-resistant resin as in Patent Document 1. The exhaust muffler of Patent Document 1 is configured by attaching a layered structure of a heat-resistant material to the inner surface of a muffler body made of a heat-resistant resin or a mixture of a heat-resistant resin and an inorganic substance.

Further, Patent Document 1 describes that the heat-resistant resin used in the exhaust muffler is selected from epoxy resin, phenol resin, silicone resin, unsaturated polyester resin, diallyl phthalate resin, melamine resin, and thermosetting polycarbodiimide resin. At least one thermosetting resin, or at least one thermoplastic resin selected from polyamide resin, polyester resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, thermoplastic fluororesin, polysulfone resin, and polyphenylene ether resin is used. This is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-92507

Incidentally, in recent years, from the perspective of reducing air resistance and improving automobile fuel efficiency, aero parts that control air flow, such as under panels and diffusers, have been installed in the underfloor space of vehicles. Such aero parts are usually made of resin in order to suppress the increase in weight of the vehicle. The exhaust muffler, which is also installed in the underfloor space of the vehicle, becomes hot due to high-temperature exhaust circulation. The arrangement is such that there is a gap between the and the aero parts.

However, in a structure in which an insulator is separately installed between the exhaust muffler and the aero parts, the number of parts increases, resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of parts attachment work and an increase in manufacturing costs. Further, in a structure in which the exhaust muffler and the aero parts are arranged with a gap secured between them, an extra space is required, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom in the underfloor layout of the vehicle is reduced.

The present invention is proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of reducing the number of parts installed under the floor of a vehicle, improving the efficiency of parts installation work and reducing manufacturing costs, and making it possible to improve the layout of the underfloor of a vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust structure that can suppress the generation of wasted space and improve the degree of freedom in the underfloor layout of a vehicle.

The exhaust structure of the present invention is an exhaust structure attached to an underfloor space of a vehicle, and is characterized in that an exhaust muffler and at least one type of aero parts are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin. The synthetic resin is preferably a heat-resistant resin.
According to this, the number of insulators (heat shielding plates) installed between the exhaust muffler and the aero parts can be reduced, and the number of parts installed under the floor of the vehicle can be reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to separately install the aero parts integrated with the exhaust muffler, and they can be installed in the same installation process. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of parts attachment work and reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, by integrating the exhaust muffler and aero parts, it is possible to suppress unevenness in the underfloor space in the height direction, etc., compared to when these are separate members. It can promote control, reduce drag, and improve aerodynamics. Therefore, it is possible to improve the fuel efficiency and running stability of the automobile. In addition, since the gap between the exhaust muffler and aero parts can be reduced, wasted space in the underfloor layout of the vehicle can be suppressed, and the degree of freedom in the underfloor layout of the vehicle can be improved. . In addition, by making the exhaust structure integrally formed from the same synthetic resin, the weight of the aero parts integrated with the exhaust muffler and the weight of the vehicle can be reduced, further improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. can.

The exhaust structure of the present invention is characterized in that the exhaust muffler is formed in a flat shape that spreads substantially horizontally, and that the entire exhaust muffler is formed in a flat shape that spreads substantially horizontally.
According to this, by creating a flat exhaust structure that spreads out almost horizontally, unevenness in the height direction in the underfloor space can be significantly suppressed, and by greatly suppressing unevenness, air flowing under the floor can be It can further promote desirable control and reduce air resistance, and dramatically improve aerodynamic characteristics.

In the exhaust structure of the present invention, the exhaust muffler and the under panel, which is the aero parts, are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin, and the exhaust muffler is disposed below the under panel, and the under panel is arranged under the under panel. It is characterized by being located approximately at the center in the width direction and extending back and forth.
According to this, the number of insulators installed between the exhaust muffler and the under panel can be reduced, and the number of parts installed under the floor of the vehicle can be reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to install the exhaust muffler and the under panel separately, and they can be installed in the same installation process. In addition, by integrating the exhaust muffler and under panel, it is possible to suppress unevenness in the height direction in the underfloor space compared to when these are separate members, and by suppressing unevenness, it is possible to improve the air flowing under the floor. It can promote control, reduce drag, and improve aerodynamics. Furthermore, by arranging the exhaust muffler of the exhaust structure below the underpanel and extending it from front to back at approximately the center in the width direction of the underpanel, the exhaust muffler of the exhaust structure is positioned approximately in the widthwise center of the underpanel and extends from front to back. It becomes possible to control the air in a more desirable manner, and it is possible to improve the running stability and operability of the automobile.

In the exhaust structure of the present invention, the exhaust muffler and the diffuser, which is the aero parts, are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin, and the exhaust muffler is arranged between a pair of left and right diffuser parts constituting the diffuser. It is characterized by being extended to.
According to this, the number of insulators installed between the exhaust muffler and the diffuser can be reduced, and the number of parts installed under the floor of the vehicle can be reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to install the exhaust muffler and diffuser separately, and they can be installed in the same installation process. In addition, by integrating the exhaust muffler and diffuser, it is possible to suppress unevenness in the underfloor space in the height direction, etc., compared to when these are separate members, and by suppressing unevenness, it is possible to control the air flowing under the floor. It can promote the reduction of air resistance and improve aerodynamic characteristics. Furthermore, by extending the exhaust muffler of the exhaust structure back and forth between the pair of left and right diffuser parts that make up the diffuser, it is possible to achieve more desirable control of the air flowing under the floor with a balance between the left and right sides of the vehicle. It is possible to improve the driving stability and operability of the automobile.

In the exhaust structure of the present invention, the exhaust muffler, the under panel and the diffuser which are the aero parts are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin, the diffuser is connected to the rear side of the under panel, and the exhaust A muffler is disposed below the under panel, is located approximately at the center in the width direction of the under panel, and extends back and forth, and extends back and forth between a pair of left and right diffuser portions constituting the diffuser. It is characterized by being formed in a flat shape that spreads out substantially horizontally as a whole.
According to this, the number of insulators installed between the exhaust muffler and the under panel or between the exhaust muffler and the diffuser can be reduced, and the number of parts installed under the floor of the vehicle can be reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to separately install the exhaust muffler, under panel, and diffuser, and these three parts can be installed in the same installation process. In addition, by integrating the exhaust muffler, under panel, and diffuser, and creating a flat exhaust structure that spreads out almost horizontally, unevenness in the underfloor space in the height direction can be further suppressed. By suppressing unevenness, it is possible to further promote desirable control of air flowing under the floor and to reduce air resistance, dramatically improving aerodynamic characteristics. Furthermore, the exhaust muffler of the exhaust structure is disposed below the under panel, located approximately in the widthwise center of the under panel, and extends back and forth, and between the pair of left and right diffuser parts forming the diffuser. By extending from front to back, it is possible to control the air flowing under the floor of the vehicle in a balanced manner on the left and right sides of the vehicle, thereby improving the running stability and operability of the vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to promote rectification and preferable dispersion of air flowing from the under panel to the diffuser, and it is possible to increase downforce and increase grip power.

The exhaust structure of the present invention is characterized in that the synthetic resin is polypropylene.
According to this, by using polypropylene, which is a general-purpose plastic, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the exhaust structure. Further, it is possible to obtain an exhaust structure that is resistant to acids and alkalis and is resistant to water absorption, and is less susceptible to the effects of condensed water and the like. Furthermore, since polypropylene is difficult to break, it is possible to enhance the effect of preventing damage to the synthetic resin exhaust structure.

According to the exhaust structure of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of parts installed under the floor of a vehicle, improve the efficiency of parts installation work, and reduce manufacturing costs, as well as waste space in the underfloor layout of the vehicle. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the underfloor layout of the vehicle can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exhaust structure according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from below. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exhaust structure of the embodiment viewed from above. (a) A cross-sectional explanatory view of a sub-silencer portion in the exhaust structure of the embodiment, and (b) a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main silencer portion of the exhaust structure of the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a vehicle to which an exhaust structure according to an embodiment is attached. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating attachment of the exhaust structure of the embodiment to a connected member. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between a vehicle to which the exhaust structure of the embodiment is attached and an existing exhaust muffler.

[Exhaust structure of embodiment]
An exhaust structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is fixed to a bottom 101 of a vehicle 100 and placed in an underfloor space, and is attached thereto.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an exhaust structure 1 includes an exhaust muffler 2 and aero parts. The under panel 3, which is an aero parts, and the diffuser 4, which is an aero parts, are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin, and the whole is formed in a flat shape that spreads out substantially horizontally.

As the synthetic resin constituting the exhaust structure 1, any suitable synthetic resin can be used within the applicable range, but it is preferable to use a heat-resistant resin. Further, as a specific material for the synthetic resin, polypropylene is suitably used. The exhaust structure 1 is formed entirely by injection molding or the like using a heat-resistant synthetic resin made of the same material such as polypropylene, or by injection molding of the required constituent members from heat-resistant synthetic resin made of the same material such as polypropylene. It is preferable to form it integrally with other components and weld the other components.

The exhaust muffler 2 is formed in a flat shape that spreads approximately horizontally, and has a flange 21 located at the upstream end, a cylindrical shape near the flange 21, and a flat cylindrical shape downstream from the flange 21. An exhaust pipe 22 located upstream, a flat sub-silencer 23 provided downstream of the exhaust pipe 22, a flat cylindrical exhaust pipe 24 provided downstream of the sub-silencer 23, and an exhaust pipe 24 located downstream of the exhaust pipe 22. The main silencer 25 is provided on the downstream side and has a flat shape that also functions as a tail end. The flat sub-silencer 23 and main silencer 25 are formed wider than the flat cylindrical exhaust pipes 22 and 24.

The sub-silencer 23 is formed to be wider than the upstream exhaust pipe 22 and the downstream exhaust pipe 24 so as to protrude to both sides, and is approximately connected to the upstream exhaust pipe 22 and the downstream exhaust pipe 24. are formed at the same height. Inside the sub-silencer 23, as shown in FIG. 3(a), internal partition walls 231, 231 are formed at positions substantially corresponding to the side walls on both sides of the exhaust pipes 22, 24 to partition an internal space. A group of through holes 232 are formed in the partition wall 231 to expand the exhaust gas.

The main silencer 25 is formed to be wider than the upstream exhaust pipe 24 so as to protrude to both sides. Inside the main silencer 25, as shown in FIG. 3(b), internal partition walls 251, 252, and 253 are formed to allow exhaust gas to bypass and circulate. The exhaust gas is muffled by repeating expansion and interference inside the main silencer 25, and is discharged from the main silencer 25 to the outside. In the illustrated example, a plurality of mounting holes are formed in the main silencer 25 so as to be isolated from the internal space, and fasteners 254 such as screws, bolts, or clips are inserted into each of the mounting holes, and the tips of the fasteners 254 are inserted into the respective mounting holes. The exhaust muffler 2 is attached to the vehicle bottom 101 by fixing the exhaust muffler 2 so as to be embedded in a member to be attached to the vehicle bottom 101 (see FIG. 4).

The under panel 3 is formed into a substantially rectangular flat plate shape in plan view and also has the function of a protective component. It is located in the center and extends back and forth. In the illustrated example, the under panel 3 is formed with straightening protrusions 31 that protrude downward so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to enhance the straightening effect, and the straightening protrusions 31 are spaced apart in the width direction of the under panel 3. The exhaust muffler 2 is arranged on both sides of the exhaust muffler 2.

A plurality of mounting holes are formed at predetermined locations on the under panel 3, and fasteners 32 such as screws, bolts, or clips are inserted into each of the mounting holes, and the tips of the fasteners 32 are inserted into the vehicle bottom 101 to be mounted. The under panel 3 and the exhaust muffler 2 are attached to the vehicle bottom 101 by being embedded and fixed in the member (see FIG. 4). The member to which the under panel 3 is fixed with the fasteners 32 can be any suitable member disposed on the bottom 101 of the vehicle 100.

The diffuser 4 is connected to the rear side of the under panel 3, is substantially rectangular in plan view, and is composed of a pair of left and right diffuser parts 4a and 4b, and the exhaust muffler 2 extends back and forth between the diffuser parts 4a and 4b. It is set up so that it exists. At the front parts of the illustrated diffuser parts 4a and 4b, a rectifying plate 41 that enhances the rectifying effect is formed to protrude downward so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. They are arranged at intervals in the width direction. In addition, an inclined plate 42 that gradually slopes upward toward the rear is provided at the rear of the diffuser portions 4a and 4b in the illustrated example, so that it can be easily attached to the rear end of the vehicle bottom portion 101 that slopes upward toward the rear. ing. A horizontal plate 43 is provided on the lower side of the inclined plate 42 so as to face it, so that the airflow rectified by the horizontal plate 43 is smoothly guided rearward.

A plurality of mounting holes are formed at predetermined locations of the diffuser parts 4a and 4b, and a fastener 44 such as a screw, bolt, or clip is inserted into each of the mounting holes, and the tip of the fastener 44 is inserted into the bottom of the vehicle 101. The diffuser parts 4a and 4b or the diffuser 4 and the exhaust muffler 2 are attached to the vehicle bottom 101 by being embedded and fixed in the member to be attached (see FIG. 4). The member to which the diffuser parts 4a, 4b are fixed with the fasteners 44 can be an appropriate member disposed on the bottom 101 of the vehicle 100. In the illustrated example, mounting holes and fasteners 44 are provided in the mounting plate portions that protrude outward from each of the diffuser portions 4a and 4b.

In the flange 21 at the upstream end of the exhaust muffler 2 in the exhaust structure 1, insertion holes 211 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, a flange 201 is also provided at the rear end of the generally tubular connected member 200 connected to the exhaust muffler 2, and the flange 201 also has insertion holes 202 formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. The exhaust muffler 2 and the connected member 200 are arranged such that the insertion holes 211 and 202 are aligned, the flanges 21 and 201 are brought into contact with each other, and the male threaded portion of the bolt 301 is inserted into the insertion holes 202 and 211 that communicate with each other. By screwing the nut 302 into this male threaded portion, the connection is fixed (see FIG. 5).

The connected member 200 connected to the exhaust muffler 2 may be any suitable member within the spirit of the present invention, for example, an exhaust cooling device or a downstream pipe fixedly connected to the downstream side thereof, or an exhaust cooling device or a downstream pipe thereof. or a downstream pipe fixedly connected to or downstream of the catalytic converter. When an exhaust structure 1 and an exhaust muffler 2 are installed downstream of an exhaust cooling device such as a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with cooling water, and the exhaust gas whose temperature has been lowered is circulated, synthetic resin such as heat-resistant resin This is preferable because it makes it easier to form the exhaust structure 1 and the exhaust muffler 2. Further, the configuration in which the exhaust muffler 2 is fixedly connected to the connected member 200 may be made in any suitable manner other than the above-described fastening of the bolts 301 and nuts 302, and may be fixed by adhesive or the like. If it is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, it is preferable to fix and connect it using a fastener, such as fastening a bolt 301 and a nut 302 or screwing with a tapping screw or the like.

According to the exhaust structure 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of insulators (heat shielding plates) installed between the exhaust muffler 2 and the under panel 3 or between the exhaust muffler 2 and the diffuser 4, and the vehicle 100 The number of parts installed under the floor can be reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to separately install the exhaust muffler 2, under panel 3, and diffuser 4, and these three parts can be installed in the same installation process. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of parts attachment work and reduce manufacturing costs.

In addition, the gap between the exhaust muffler 2 and the under panel 3, which is an aero parts, and the gap between the exhaust muffler 2 and the diffuser parts 4a and 4b, which are aero parts, can be reduced. It is possible to suppress the generation of wasted space in the underfloor layout of the vehicle 100 and improve the degree of freedom in the underfloor layout of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, by making the exhaust structure 1 integrally formed of the same synthetic resin, the weight of the aero parts integrated with the exhaust muffler 2 and the weight of the vehicle 100 can be reduced, and the fuel efficiency of the automobile can be greatly improved. can be increased.

In addition, by integrating the exhaust muffler 2, under panel 3, and diffuser 4, and creating a flat exhaust structure 1 that spreads out substantially horizontally, unevenness in the underfloor space in the height direction is further suppressed. By suppressing irregularities, it is possible to further promote desirable control of air flowing under the floor and to reduce air resistance, thereby dramatically improving aerodynamic characteristics. Furthermore, the exhaust muffler 2 of the exhaust structure 1 is disposed below the under panel 3 and extends in the front and back at approximately the center in the width direction of the under panel 3, and the exhaust muffler 2 of the exhaust structure 1 is arranged at the lower side of the under panel 3 and extends back and forth. By extending back and forth between the diffuser parts 4a and 4b, it is possible to more preferably control the air flowing under the floor of the vehicle 100 in a balanced manner on the left and right sides of the vehicle 100, thereby improving the running stability and operability of the vehicle. be able to. Furthermore, it is possible to promote rectification and favorable diffusion of air flowing from the under panel 3 to the diffuser 4, and it is possible to increase downforce and increase grip strength.

In addition, the exhaust structure 1 is formed into a flat-shaped exhaust structure 1 that spreads out substantially horizontally, and by arranging and attaching the exhaust structure 1 to the underfloor space of the vehicle 100, the existing exhaust muffler 500 can be replaced with the vehicle 100, as shown in FIG. Compared to placing and installing in the under-floor space, unevenness in the height direction in the under-floor space can be significantly suppressed, and by greatly suppressing unevenness, it is possible to better control the air flowing under the floor and reduce air resistance. The aerodynamic characteristics can be dramatically improved.

Further, when the same synthetic resin constituting the exhaust structure 1 is made of polypropylene, the manufacturing cost of the exhaust structure 1 can be reduced by using polypropylene, which is a general-purpose plastic. In addition, the exhaust structure 1 can be made resistant to acids and alkalis and hardly absorbs water, and can be obtained that is not easily affected by condensed water and the like. Furthermore, since polypropylene is difficult to break, the effect of preventing damage to the synthetic resin exhaust structure 1 can be enhanced.

[Scope of inclusion of the invention disclosed herein]
The invention disclosed in this specification includes, in addition to the inventions and embodiments listed as inventions, those specified by changing the partial contents of these inventions to other contents disclosed in this specification to the extent applicable, Or, what is specified by adding other contents disclosed in this specification to these contents, or what is specified by deleting these partial contents to the extent that partial effects can be obtained and converting them into a general concept. include. The invention disclosed in this specification also includes the following modified examples and additional contents.

For example, the configurations of the exhaust muffler, under panel, and diffuser in the exhaust structure of the present invention are not limited to the exhaust muffler 2, under panel 3, and diffuser 4 of the above embodiments, and may be appropriately configured within the spirit of the present invention. . Further, the exhaust structure of the present invention includes an appropriate structure in which the exhaust muffler and at least one aero parts are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin such as heat-resistant resin. In addition, only the under panel 3, the diffuser 4, or other aero parts are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin, or the exhaust muffler 2 and the under panel 3, as well as aero parts other than the diffuser 4, are made of the same synthetic resin. The present invention also includes those integrally formed of resin, or those in which aero parts other than the exhaust muffler 2 and diffuser 4, as well as the under panel 3, are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin.

Further, the exhaust structure of the present invention is preferably formed in a flat shape that spreads out substantially horizontally as a whole, from the viewpoint of improving aerodynamic characteristics, etc. For example, the exhaust structure may have a shape in which a part of the exhaust muffler locally protrudes downward.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used as an exhaust structure for discharging exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine of an automobile.

1... Exhaust structure 2... Exhaust muffler 21... Flange 211... Insertion hole 22... Exhaust pipe 23... Sub silencer 231... Internal partition 232... Through hole group 24... Exhaust pipe 25... Main silencer 251, 252, 253... Internal partition 254 ... Fastener 3... Under panel 31... Straightening protrusion 32... Fastener 4... Diffuser 4a, 4b... Diffuser portion 41... Straightening plate 42... Inclined plate 43... Horizontal plate 44... Fastener 100... Vehicle 101... Bottom 200... Cover Connection member 201...Flange 202...Insertion hole 301...Bolt 302...Nut 500...Existing exhaust muffler

Claims (5)

An exhaust structure installed in an underfloor space of a vehicle,
The exhaust muffler and at least one type of aero parts are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin ,
The exhaust muffler and the under panel which is the aero part are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin,
An exhaust structure characterized in that the exhaust muffler is disposed below the under panel, located approximately at the widthwise center of the under panel, and extends back and forth . An exhaust structure installed in an underfloor space of a vehicle,
The exhaust muffler and at least one type of aero parts are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin,
The exhaust muffler and the diffuser, which is the aero part, are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin,
An exhaust structure characterized in that the exhaust muffler extends back and forth between a pair of left and right diffuser parts that constitute the diffuser . An exhaust structure installed in an underfloor space of a vehicle,
The exhaust muffler and at least one type of aero parts are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin,
The exhaust muffler and the under panel and diffuser that are the aero parts are integrally formed of the same synthetic resin,
The diffuser is connected to the rear side of the under panel,
The exhaust muffler is disposed below the under panel, located approximately in the widthwise center of the under panel, and extends back and forth, and extends back and forth between the pair of left and right diffuser portions forming the diffuser. extended to
An exhaust structure characterized in that the entire structure is formed in a flat shape that spreads out substantially horizontally . The exhaust muffler is formed in a flat shape that spreads substantially horizontally, and
The exhaust structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the entire body is formed in a flat shape that spreads substantially horizontally . The exhaust structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the synthetic resin is polypropylene.

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