US20150114750A1 - Exhaust muffler for vehicle - Google Patents
Exhaust muffler for vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150114750A1 US20150114750A1 US14/062,149 US201314062149A US2015114750A1 US 20150114750 A1 US20150114750 A1 US 20150114750A1 US 201314062149 A US201314062149 A US 201314062149A US 2015114750 A1 US2015114750 A1 US 2015114750A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- exhaust
- spark arrester
- muffler
- flow path
- communication pipe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N13/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus characterised by constructional features ; Exhaust or silencing apparatus, or parts thereof, having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01N1/00 - F01N5/00, F01N9/00, F01N11/00
- F01N13/009—Exhaust or silencing apparatus characterised by constructional features ; Exhaust or silencing apparatus, or parts thereof, having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01N1/00 - F01N5/00, F01N9/00, F01N11/00 having two or more separate purifying devices arranged in series
- F01N13/0097—Exhaust or silencing apparatus characterised by constructional features ; Exhaust or silencing apparatus, or parts thereof, having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01N1/00 - F01N5/00, F01N9/00, F01N11/00 having two or more separate purifying devices arranged in series the purifying devices are arranged in a single housing
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N13/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus characterised by constructional features ; Exhaust or silencing apparatus, or parts thereof, having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01N1/00 - F01N5/00, F01N9/00, F01N11/00
- F01N13/08—Other arrangements or adaptations of exhaust conduits
- F01N13/082—Other arrangements or adaptations of exhaust conduits of tailpipe, e.g. with means for mixing air with exhaust for exhaust cooling, dilution or evacuation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N1/00—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing
- F01N1/08—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing by reducing exhaust energy by throttling or whirling
- F01N1/084—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing by reducing exhaust energy by throttling or whirling the gases flowing through the silencer two or more times longitudinally in opposite directions, e.g. using parallel or concentric tubes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N1/00—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing
- F01N1/08—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing by reducing exhaust energy by throttling or whirling
- F01N1/089—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing by reducing exhaust energy by throttling or whirling using two or more expansion chambers in series
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N1/00—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing
- F01N1/08—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing by reducing exhaust energy by throttling or whirling
- F01N1/10—Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing by reducing exhaust energy by throttling or whirling in combination with sound-absorbing materials
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
- F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
- F01N3/10—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust
- F01N3/24—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by constructional aspects of converting apparatus
- F01N3/28—Construction of catalytic reactors
- F01N3/2882—Catalytic reactors combined or associated with other devices, e.g. exhaust silencers or other exhaust purification devices
- F01N3/2885—Catalytic reactors combined or associated with other devices, e.g. exhaust silencers or other exhaust purification devices with exhaust silencers in a single housing
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N2230/00—Combination of silencers and other devices
- F01N2230/06—Spark arresters
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N2340/00—Dimensional characteristics of the exhaust system, e.g. length, diameter or volume of the apparatus; Spatial arrangements of exhaust apparatuses
- F01N2340/02—Dimensional characteristics of the exhaust system, e.g. length, diameter or volume of the apparatus; Spatial arrangements of exhaust apparatuses characterised by the distance of the apparatus to the engine, or the distance between two exhaust treating apparatuses
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N2450/00—Methods or apparatus for fitting, inserting or repairing different elements
- F01N2450/22—Methods or apparatus for fitting, inserting or repairing different elements by welding or brazing
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01N2470/00—Structure or shape of gas passages, pipes or tubes
- F01N2470/20—Dimensional characteristics of tubes, e.g. length, diameter
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A50/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
- Y02A50/20—Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an exhaust muffler for a vehicle.
- the present invention relates to a spark arrester provided in an exhaust muffler for a vehicle.
- an exhaust muffler for a vehicle including a spark arrester is known.
- the spark arrester is formed by a mesh-like member made of metal.
- the spark arrester is arranged in an exhaust flow path in the exhaust muffler and exposed to exhaust gas, it is required to be so durable that it does not deform under conditions of high temperatures and high back pressure with an exhaust pulse. Accordingly, the spark arrester is provided with a frame member for reinforcing a mesh-like member made of a metal mesh. Thus, the spark arrester is prevented from deforming under the foregoing conditions.
- Prior Technique Document JP 8-61046 A There is Prior Technique Document JP 8-61046 A.
- the spark arrester is structured by a mesh-like member as a filter portion, and a frame member as a reinforcing portion for reinforcing the filter portion. Therefore, since the structure is complicated, manufacturing of the spark arrester is not easy and involves high costs.
- the present invention is made in consideration of the foregoing problems, and an object thereof is to provide an exhaust muffler for a vehicle including a spark arrester, designing of which can be streamlined.
- the present invention provides an exhaust muffler for a vehicle including a muffler body coupled to an exhaust pipe, and a tailpipe coupled to the muffler body.
- the muffler body includes a plurality of expansion chambers, an exit communication pipe that discharges exhaust to the tailpipe from one of the plurality of expansion chambers positioned in a most downstream part of an exhaust flow path, and a spark arrester arranged in the exit communication pipe.
- An exhaust flow path narrowing portion is provided at an entrance portion of the exit communication pipe.
- the spark arrester is not arranged in the expansion chamber but in the exit communication pipe. Further, the exhaust flow path narrowing portion is provided at the entrance portion of the exit communication pipe. Thus, the back pressure acting on the spark arrester can be reduced, whereby deformation due to back pressure of the spark arrester can be suppressed. As a result, the reinforce member can be dispensed with, and designing of the spark arrester can be streamlined.
- the following structure can be employed.
- the spark arrester is structured by a mesh-like member.
- the spark arrester is structured by a mesh-like member, the productivity of the spark arrester can be improved and costs can be reduced.
- the filter portion of the spark arrester can be secured for the entire surface.
- the spark arrester can be structured in a compact manner.
- the exhaust flow path narrowing portion is structured by a lid member that has a through hole and that is provided at an upstream portion of the exit communication pipe.
- the exhaust flow path narrowing portion can be easily formed. Further, as compared with the case where a tapered narrowing portion is formed, the exhaust flow path can be sharply narrowed, and the back pressure in the exit communication pipe can be more effectively reduced. Thus, deformation caused by the back pressure of the spark arrester can be further suppressed.
- the opening area of the through hole is substantially identical to the cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path at the upstream end of the exhaust pipe.
- the difference between the cross-sectional area being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the exit communication pipe and the cross-sectional area being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the spark arrester is substantially identical to an opening area of the through hole.
- FIG. 1 is a left side view of a utility vehicle according to one embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exhaust system
- FIG. 3 is a left side view of an exhaust muffler
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the exhaust muffler
- FIG. 5 is a V-V cross-sectional view of the exhaust muffler shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 6 is a VI-part enlarged view of the exhaust muffler shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 is a VII-part enlarged view of the exhaust muffler shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a spark arrester
- FIG. 9 is a IX-IX cross-sectional view of the exhaust muffler shown in FIGS. 5 ;
- FIG. 10 is a X-X cross-sectional view of the exhaust muffler shown in FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 1 is a left side view of a utility vehicle according to the present embodiment, with shell constituent members such as doors being removed.
- the utility vehicle includes: a right and left pair of front wheels 11 on the front side and a right and left pair of rear wheels 12 on the rear side; a passenger space 14 surrounded by a ROPS 13 , between the front wheels 11 and the rear wheels 12 ; and a rear deck 15 on the rear side of the passenger space 14 .
- the ROPS 13 is an abbreviation for a rollover protective structure.
- a floor panel 16 forming the floor surface, a front seat 17 , and a rear seat 18 are provided. Below the rear seat 18 , an engine 20 is stored. In front of the engine 20 , an exhaust portion 21 for discharging exhaust gas is provided. To the exhaust portion 21 , an exhaust system 1 is connected, and the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 20 is purified by the exhaust system 1 with exhaust noises being cancelled, and discharged into the air.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exhaust system 1 , together with the engine 20 and a transmission 22 .
- the exhaust system 1 includes an exhaust pipe 7 fixed to an exit portion of the exhaust portion 21 via a flange 71 , and an exhaust muffler 2 being fixed by welding to the downstream end portion of the exhaust pipe 7 .
- the exhaust muffler 2 is arranged at the substantially center portion in the vehicle-width direction and below the rear deck 15 (see FIG. 1 ).
- the exhaust muffler 2 is mounted on an exhaust muffler mounting portion 24 mounted at an upper portion of the transmission 22 , via an exhaust muffler mounting apparatus 8 .
- the exhaust muffler mounting portion 24 has a support bracket 241 fixed to the upper portion of the transmission 22 , and rod engaging portions 242 fixed by welding to the top face of the support bracket 241 .
- the rod engaging portions 242 are provided to form a right and left pair, and each provided with a rubber damper 242 a having a bore penetrating in the front-rear direction.
- a rod 82 of the exhaust muffler mounting apparatus 8 is inserted in the front - rear direction, whereby the exhaust muffler 2 is held.
- the exhaust pipe 7 extends from the flange 71 , via a pipe 70 being curved to detour the engine 20 from the left side toward the rear side, and reaches the exhaust muffler 2 via an entrance cone portion 73 .
- a heat shield plate 72 is attached, whereby heat is prevented from dissipating from the surface of the pipe 70 to the surrounding components.
- a sensor mounting boss 74 (see FIG. 3 ) for mounting an exhaust gas sensor is provided.
- FIG. 3 is a left side view of the exhaust muffler 2 .
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the exhaust muffler 2 .
- FIG. 5 is a V-V cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 6 is a VI-part enlarged view of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 is a VII-part enlarged view of FIG. 5 .
- a sleeve portion 30 and the downstream side cover 34 are partially transparent to show the internal structure, and the exhaust muffler mounting apparatus 8 is not shown.
- the exhaust muffler 2 includes a muffler body 3 , a spark arrester 5 mounted on the rear portion of the muffler body 3 , and the exhaust muffler mounting apparatus 8 mounted on the bottom portion of the muffler body 3 .
- a gasket 9 is assembled between the spark arrester 5 and the muffler body 3 .
- the muffler body 3 has a shell formed by the sleeve portion 30 , an upstream side cover 33 closing the upstream side opening of the sleeve portion 30 , and a downstream side cover 34 closing the downstream side opening of the sleeve portion 30 .
- an exhaust entrance portion 332 connected to the entrance cone portion 73 of the exhaust pipe 7 (see FIG. 2 ) is formed.
- an exhaust exit portion 342 to which a spark arrester 5 is connected is formed at the downstream side cover 34 .
- an upstream side separator 35 and a downstream side separator 36 are provided in the muffler body 3 .
- a second expansion chamber 38 is formed between the upstream side cover 33 and the upstream side separator 35
- a first expansion chamber 37 is formed between the upstream side separator 35 and the downstream side separator 36 .
- the downstream side separator 36 the downstream side of the exhaust muffler body 3 becomes the double structure, and a heat insulation chamber (or a sound shield chamber) 39 is formed between the downstream side separator 36 and the downstream side cover 34 . That is, in the muffler body 3 , the second expansion chamber 38 , the first expansion chamber 37 , and the heat insulation chamber 39 are formed in turn from the front side.
- the muffler body 3 is provided with an entrance communication pipe 40 communicatively connecting between the exhaust entrance portion 332 and the first expansion chamber 37 , and an exit communication pipe 41 communicatively connecting between the second expansion chamber 38 and the exhaust exit portion 342 .
- the upstream side cover 33 has a front wall 331 , an exhaust entrance portion 332 formed at the substantially left half surface of the front wall 331 , and an upstream side cover flange portion 333 projecting rearward from the circumference of the front wall 331 .
- a substantially X-shaped reinforcing bead 331 a projecting frontward is formed at the substantially right half surface of the front wall 331 . Formation of the reinforcing bead 331 a improves the surface stiffness of the front wall 331 , whereby vibration noises (chattering noises) of the front wall 331 are suppressed. Furthermore, as the reinforcing bead 331 a is formed so as to project frontward, the volume of the muffler body 3 increases.
- the exhaust entrance portion 332 has a burring-like opening shape projecting frontward, and has its front portion externally fitted to the outer circumference face of the entrance communication pipe 40 .
- the front end portion of the exhaust entrance portion 332 is positioned rearward than the front end portion of the entrance communication pipe 40 .
- the upstream side cover flange portion 333 has an upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a projecting rearward from the periphery of the front wall 331 , and an upstream side outer sleeve holding portion 333 c projecting rearward from the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a via an upstream side step portion 333 b.
- the upstream side outer sleeve holding portion 333 c is positioned radially outward than the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a.
- the downstream side cover 34 has a rear wall 341 , an exhaust exit portion 342 formed at the substantially right half surface of the rear wall 341 and a downstream side cover flange portion 343 projecting frontward from the periphery of the rear wall 341 .
- a substantially X-shaped reinforcing bead 341 a projecting rearward is formed. Formation of the reinforcing bead 341 a improves the surface stiffness of the rear wall 341 , whereby vibration noises (chattering noises) of the rear wall 341 are suppressed. Furthermore, as the reinforcing bead 341 a is formed so as to project rearward, the volume of the muffler body 3 increases.
- the exhaust exit portion 342 has a gasket mounting face 342 a formed in a concave manner frontward from the rear wall 341 , an exhaust exit opening 342 b bored at the gasket mounting face 342 a, and a spark arrester mounting portion 342 c provided on the rear wall 341 radially outward than the gasket mounting face 342 a.
- the downstream side cover flange portion 343 has a downstream side inner sleeve holding portion 343 a projecting frontward from the periphery of the rear wall 341 , and a downstream side outer sleeve holding portion 343 c further projecting frontward from the downstream side inner sleeve holding portion 343 a via a downstream side step portion 343 b.
- the downstream side outer sleeve holding portion 343 c is positioned radially outward than the downstream side inner sleeve holding portion 343 a.
- the sleeve portion 30 includes an outer sleeve 31 , an inner sleeve 32 positioned as being distanced from the outer sleeve 31 radially inwardly, and a sound absorption chamber 42 formed between the outer sleeve 31 and the inner sleeve 32 .
- a sound absorbing material 43 is enclosed in the sound absorption chamber 42 .
- the sound absorbing material 43 has, for example, a two-layer structure, and is structured by stainless steel wool arranged on the inner sleeve 32 side and glass wool arranged on the outer sleeve 31 side. Note that, the sound absorbing material 43 may be formed in a single-layer structure.
- the outer sleeve 31 is a cylindrical element formed of a steel plate being wound in an elliptical manner, the abutting ends of which are joined to each other by welding.
- the outer sleeve 31 extends from the upstream side outer sleeve holding portion 333 c to the downstream side outer sleeve holding portion 343 c.
- the front portion of the outer sleeve 31 is fixed by welding to the rear end peripheral portion of the upstream side outer sleeve holding portion 333 c, and the rear portion of the outer sleeve 31 is fixed by welding to the front end peripheral portion of the downstream side outer sleeve holding portion 343 c.
- the inner sleeve 32 is a cylindrical element formed of a steel plate being wound in an elliptical manner, the abutting ends of which are joined to each other by welding.
- the inner sleeve 32 extends from the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a to the downstream side inner sleeve holding portion 343 a.
- the front portion of the inner sleeve 32 has its outer circumferential cylindrical face internally fitted to the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (that is, in the longitudinal direction of the muffler body 3 ).
- the rear portion of the inner sleeve 32 is fixed by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction, as being interposed between the downstream side separator flange portion 362 and the downstream side inner sleeve holding portion 343 a.
- the relative elongation between the outer sleeve 31 and the inner sleeve 32 can be tolerated. That is, when exhaust gas flows inside the exhaust muffler body 3 , the outer sleeve 31 and the inner sleeve 32 thermally expand in accordance with their respective temperatures. Meanwhile, the sleeve portion 30 has a double structure made up of the outer sleeve 31 and the inner sleeve 32 , and furthermore, the sound absorbing material 43 is arranged between the outer sleeve 31 and the inner sleeve 32 . Accordingly, the outer sleeve 31 and the inner sleeve 32 are different from each other in temperature.
- the temperature of the inner sleeve 32 facing the first and second expansion chambers 37 and 38 and the heat insulation chamber 39 is higher than that of the outer sleeve 31 being exposed to the air. Therefore, the thermal expansion amount of the inner sleeve 32 is greater than that of the outer sleeve 31 .
- the upstream side cover 33 and the downstream side cover 34 become away from each other in accordance with the thermal expansion amount of the outer sleeve 31 , and the inner sleeve 32 having its rear portion fixed to the downstream side cover 34 shifts with the downstream side cover 34 .
- the front portion of the inner sleeve 32 slides over the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a of the upstream side cover 33 and thermally expands freely, irrespective of the displacement of the upstream side cover 33 corresponding to the thermal expansion amount of the outer sleeve 31 . That is, the relative elongation of the outer sleeve 31 and the inner sleeve 32 is tolerated.
- the inner sleeve 32 is provided with many pores 322 that establish communication between the sound absorption chamber 42 and the second expansion chamber 38 . Further, as shown in FIG. 6 in an enlarged manner, at the front end portion of the inner sleeve 32 , a bent portion 321 that is inwardly bent is formed. Formation of the bent portion 321 allows the inner sleeve 32 to be easily assembled to the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a. Specifically, allowing the bent portion 321 to abut on the entrance portion of the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a , the inner sleeve 32 can be guided and assembled to the upStream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a.
- the tip portion of the inner sleeve 32 can be easily fitted to the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a at the bottom while being guided by the bent portion 321 . That is, the inner sleeve 32 can be easily fitted to the upstream side inner sleeve holding portion 333 a at the bottom that cannot easily be visually recognized.
- the upstream side separator 35 has an upstream side partition wall 351 that partitions the inner circumferential side of the inner sleeve 32 into the first expansion chamber 37 and the second expansion chamber 38 , and an upstream side separator flange portion 352 projecting rearward from the periphery of the upstream side partition wall 351 .
- a burring-like entrance communication pipe mounting portion 351 a and an exit communication pipe mounting portion 351 b projecting rearward, and a burring-like communication hole 351 c projecting frontward are formed.
- the upstream side separator 35 is fixed by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction to the inner circumferential face of the inner sleeve 32 via the upstream side separator flange portion 352 .
- the downstream side separator 36 has a downstream side partition wall 361 that partitions the inner circumferential side of the inner sleeve 32 into the first expansion chamber 37 and the expansion chamber 39 , and a downstream side separator flange portion 362 projecting rearward from the periphery of the downstream side partition wall 361 .
- a burring-like exit communication pipe mounting portion 361 a projecting rearward is formed at the downstream side partition wall 361 .
- the downstream side separator 36 is fixed to the downstream side inner sleeve holding portion 343 a by welding, together with the rear portion of the inner sleeve 32 as described above, at several portions in the circumferential direction via the downstream side separator flange portion 362 .
- the entrance communication pipe 40 is made of a straight tubular pipe member having a constant diameter, and extends rearward from the exhaust entrance portion 332 , to the rear side of the entrance communication pipe mounting portion 351 a.
- a catalyst 6 is arranged in the entrance communication pipe 40 .
- the front end portion of the exhaust entrance portion 332 and the front end portion of the entrance communication pipe 40 are arranged stepwise on the outer circumference of the entrance cone portion 73 , and these three components are integrally joined by a common welding bead W 1 .
- the rear portion of the entrance communication pipe 40 is joined by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction to the entrance communication pipe mounting portion 351 a.
- the catalyst 6 is structured by a first catalyst 61 and a second catalyst 62 , in each of which a honeycomb carrier made of metal is supported noble metal.
- the second catalyst 62 has its downstream side end face substantially matched with the downstream end portion of the entrance communication pipe 40 .
- the first catalyst 61 is arranged to be away on the upstream side by a prescribed distance relative to the second catalyst 62 .
- Distance L 1 between the upstream side end face of the first catalyst 61 and the downstream side end face of the second catalyst 62 is sufficiently shorter than length L 2 of the entrance communication pipe 40 .
- distance L 1 is set to be substantially half as great as L 2 . That is, in front of the first catalyst 61 in the entrance communication pipe 40 , a space having a substantially identical inner diameter as the outer diameter of the first catalyst 61 is formed over a prescribed length.
- the first catalyst 61 and the second catalyst 62 are fixed by brazing to the inner circumferential face of the entrance communication pipe 40 .
- the exit communication pipe 41 has a straight tubular pipe member 411 having a constant diameter, and a lid member 412 joined by welding to the front end portion of the pipe member 411 .
- the pipe member 411 extends from the front of the exit communication pipe mounting portion 351 b to immediately before the exhaust exit portion 342 via the exit communication pipe mounting portion 361 a.
- the central axis of the pipe member 411 is substantially identical to the central axis of the exhaust exit opening 342 b.
- the rear end position of the pipe member 411 is set so as not to be in contact with the exhaust exit portion 342 , in consideration of the shape tolerance, the assembly tolerance, the thermal expansion amount and the like of each component.
- a burring-like opening 412 a projecting frontward is formed at the lid member 412 .
- the exit communication pipe 41 is fixed by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction to the exit communication pipe mounting portion 351 b of the upstream side separator 35 at a slightly frontward position than the central portion in the front-rear direction of the pipe member 411 . Further, the exit communication pipe 41 is fixed by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction, on the rear portion of the pipe member 411 , to the exit communication pipe mounting portion 361 a of the downstream side separator 36 .
- FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the spark arrester 5 .
- FIG. 9 is a IX-IX cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 10 is a X-X cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 .
- the spark arrester 5 includes a spark arrester body portion 51 for capturing soot or carbon in exhaust gas, a tailpipe 52 for discharging the exhaust gas having passed through the spark arrester body portion 51 into the air, a spark arrester flange 53 for mounting the spark arrester 5 to the exhaust exit portion 342 (see FIG. 4 ), an inner circumferential ring 54 for coupling the spark arrester body portion 51 and the tailpipe 52 to each other, and an outer circumferential ring 55 for fixing the spark arrester body portion 51 to the inner circumferential ring 54 .
- the spark arrester body portion 51 is in a shape of a sleeve whose front end portion is closed while being open rearward.
- the circumference of the spark arrester body portion 51 is formed by having a mesh-like member made of metal cylindrically wrapped around such that its opposite peripheries overlap each other, and by fixing the overlapped peripheries at several portions by spot welding. Then, as shown in FIG. 9 , the front portion of the spark arrester body portion 51 is formed by folding four sides of the circumferential portion inwardly, and fixing the substantially center portion of the overlapped mesh-like member by spot welding.
- the tailpipe 52 is a pipe-like member, which extends rearward, and then curves diagonally downward. Thus, exhaust gas is caused to be discharged from the rear end portion of the tailpipe 52 in the rearward diagonally downward direction, that is, toward the ground.
- the spark arrester flange 53 includes a substantially triangular base plate 531 (see FIG. 4 ), a sidewall 532 provided to stand rearward from the periphery of the base plate 531 , and a tailpipe mounting portion 533 provided at the substantially center portion of the base plate 531 so as to project rearward. Near each vertex of the substantially triangle base plate 531 , a spark arrester mounting hole 531 a is bored. As shown in FIG. 4 , by allowing a bolt 10 to penetrate through the spark arrester mounting hole 531 a so as to screw to the spark arrester mounting portion 342 c, the spark arrester 5 is removably fixed to the exhaust exit portion 342 . Further, as shown in FIG. 5 , the spark arrester body portion 51 is positioned in the exit communication pipe 41 in the state where the spark arrester 5 is fixed to the muffler body 3 .
- the outer circumferential ring 55 is a cylindrical element opening in the front-rear direction, and is fitted to the outer circumferential portion of the spark arrester body portion 51 with its rear end portion substantially matched with the rear end portion of the spark arrester body portion 51 .
- the inner circumferential ring 54 is a cylindrical element that opens in the front-rear direction and that is structured to be longer in the longitudinal direction than the outer circumferential ring 55 .
- the inner circumferential ring 54 is fitted to the inner circumferential portion of the spark arrester body portion 51 while being substantially matched with the front end portion of the outer circumferential ring 55 . That is, the rear end portion of the inner circumferential ring 54 is positioned on the rear side of the spark arrester body portion 51 .
- the spark arrester body portion 51 By allowing the rear end portion of the spark arrester body portion 51 to be inserted between the inner circumferential ring 54 and the outer circumferential ring 55 , and fixing the inner circumferential ring 54 and the outer circumferential ring 55 to each other by spot welding, the spark arrester body portion 51 made of a mesh-like member is surely fixed to the inner circumferential ring 54 and the outer circumferential ring 55 each being a plate-like member.
- the tailpipe 52 is fitted to the inner circumferential side, and the tailpipe mounting portion 533 of the spark arrester flange 53 is fitted to the outer circumferential side.
- the rear end portion of the tailpipe mounting portion 533 is positioned slightly frontward relative to the rear end portion of the inner circumferential ring 54 .
- the rear end portion of the tailpipe mounting portion 533 and the rear end portion of the inner circumferential ring 54 are arranged stepwise on the outer circumference face of the tailpipe 52 , and these three components are integrally joined by a common welding bead W 2 .
- the opening area S 1 of the opening 412 a is designed to be substantially identical to the cross-sectional area S 2 (see FIG. 2 ) of the exhaust flow path at the upstream end of the exhaust pipe 7 . Further, with reference to FIG. 9 , the opening area S 1 of the opening 412 a is designed to be substantially identical to the cross-sectional area S 2 (see FIG. 2 ) of the exhaust flow path at the upstream end of the exhaust pipe 7 . Further, with reference to FIG.
- the inner diameter of the pipe member 411 is set such that the difference between the cross-sectional area S 3 being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the pipe member 411 and the cross-sectional area S 4 being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the spark arrester body portion 51 becomes substantially identical to the opening area S 1 (see FIG. 9 ) of the opening 412 a. That is, for the cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path defined by the spark arrester 5 and the exit communication pipe 41 , the cross-sectional area S 2 of the exhaust flow path at the upstream end of the exhaust pipe 7 is secured.
- the exhaust muffler mounting apparatus 8 includes a metal-made rod support plate 81 fixed by welding to the outer circumference face of the outer sleeve 31 , and a right and left pair of metal-made rods 82 fixed by welding to the bottom end portion of the rod support plate 81 .
- the rod support plate 81 has a first inclined portion 811 extending from the right lower portion of the outer sleeve 31 in the diagonally left downward direction, a second inclined portion 812 extending from the left lower portion of the outer sleeve 31 in the diagonally right downward direction, and a horizontal portion 813 that connects between the bottom ends of the first and second inclined portions 811 and 812 and that extends substantially horizontally.
- the rods 82 extend in the front-rear direction.
- the first and second inclined portions 811 and 812 are respectively provided with reinforcing beads 811 a and 812 a provided in the direction being away from the outer sleeve 31 in a concave manner.
- the horizontal portion 813 is provided with rod mounting portions 813 a for mounting the rods 82 and a reinforcing bead 813 b provided in a concave manner toward the outer sleeve 31 .
- the rod mounting portions 813 a are formed as a right and left pair.
- the reinforcing bead 813 b is formed over the joining portion of the horizontal portion 813 and the first and second inclined portions 811 and 812 . Provision of the reinforcing beads 811 a, 812 a , and 813 b improves rigidity of the rod support plate 81 .
- the reinforcing beads 811 a and 812 a are provided in a concave manner in the direction being away from the outer sleeve 31 , the reinforcing beads 811 a and 812 a are prevented from abutting on the outer surface of the outer sleeve 31 , whereby the first and second inclined portions 811 and 812 can easily conform to the outer surface of the outer sleeve 31 .
- the first and second inclined portions 811 and 812 can be more surely fixed by welding to the outer sleeve 31 .
- the reinforcing bead 813 b is provided in a concave manner toward the outer sleeve 31 , the reinforcing bead 813 b is prevented from abutting on the outer surface of the rods 82 , whereby the rod mounting portions 813 a can easily conform to the outer surface of the rods 82 .
- the rods 82 can be more surely fixed by welding to the rod mounting portions 813 a.
- the exhaust muffler 2 can be surely held above the transmission 22 .
- the exhaust system 1 has its front portion fixed to the exhaust portion 21 of the engine 20 via the flange 71 , and has its rear portion fixed to the exhaust muffler mounting portion 24 provided to the transmission 22 via the exhaust muffler mounting apparatus 8 . Further, the transmission 22 is fixed to the engine 20 so as not to be relatively displaced. That is, since the exhaust system 1 including the front portion and the rear portion is fixed to the identical vibration system, it is not necessary to take into consideration of the relative displacement that occurs when the front portion and the rear portion are fixed to separate vibration systems. Thus, the exhaust system 1 is strongly fixed.
- the exhaust muffler 2 is held by the rubber dampers 242 a as being inserted in the front-rear direction via the rods 82 , thermal elongation of the exhaust system 1 in the front-rear direction, dimensional variations in the front-rear direction of each component of the exhaust system 1 , or assembly variations of each component are absorbed in an excellent manner.
- the gasket 9 is a disc-like seal member exhibiting excellent heat resistance.
- the gasket 9 seals against leakage of exhaust gas from between the gasket mounting face 342 a of the exhaust exit portion 342 and the base plate 531 of the spark arrester flange 53 .
- exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust portion 21 of the engine 20 passes through the exhaust pipe 7 and arrives at the exhaust muffler 2 .
- the exhaust gas enters from the entrance cone portion 73 of the exhaust pipe 7 and arrives at the exhaust entrance portion 332 (see FIG. 3 ).
- the entrance cone portion 73 has a cone shape whose diameter widens rearward, the exhaust gas passing through the entrance cone portion 73 arrives at the exhaust entrance portion 332 while substantially uniformly diffusing in the radial direction.
- the exhaust gas flows into the entrance communication pipe 40 . Since the catalyst 6 is arranged as being away by a prescribed length from the upstream side end portion of the entrance communication pipe 40 , the exhaust gas is further diffused in the radial direction while proceeding in the entrance communication pipe 40 until it arrives at the catalyst 6 . As a result, at the upstream side end face of the catalyst 6 , the exhaust gas that is substantially evenly distributed in the radial direction arrives.
- the exhaust gas purified by the catalyst 6 arrives at the first expansion chamber 37 .
- the temperature of the exhaust gas increases by the oxidation-reduction reaction of the catalyst 6 .
- the back pressure and the exhaust noises are reduced. Note that, since the heat insulation chamber 39 is provided via the downstream side separator 36 , the exhaust gas having passed through the catalyst 6 and achieving high temperatures is blocked by the heat insulation chamber 39 , and therefore will not blow in the downstream side cover 34 .
- the downstream side cover 34 is prevented from achieving high temperatures, and durability of the downstream side cover 34 is enhanced.
- the sound absorption chamber 42 where the sound absorbing material 43 is arranged is provided via the inner sleeve 32 . Therefore, the exhaust noises emitted from the first expansion chamber 37 are prevented from passing through the sleeve portion 30 and emitted to the outside of the exhaust muffler 2 .
- the exhaust gas passes through a pair of communication holes 351 c (see FIG. 4 ) provided at the upstream side separator 35 , and arrives at the second expansion chamber 38 .
- the exhaust gas has its flow regulated when it passes through the communication holes 351 c, whereby the back pressure and the exhaust noises are further reduced.
- the exhaust gas having passed through the communication holes 351 c is expanded in the second expansion chamber 38 , and the back pressure and the exhaust noises are even more reduced.
- the second expansion chamber 38 communicates, through the pores 322 , with the sound absorption chamber 42 formed around the second expansion chamber 38 , the exhaust noises in the second expansion chamber 38 are absorbed by the sound absorbing material 43 arranged in the sound absorption chamber 42 . Thus, the exhaust noise is still even more reduced.
- the exhaust gas passes through the opening 412 a of the lid member 412 and flows into the exit communication pipe 41 .
- the opening 412 a is burring shaped, and is smaller than the passage diameter of the pipe member 411 . Therefore, when the exhaust gas flows into the exit communication pipe 41 from the second expansion chamber 38 , the exhaust flow path is sharply narrowed by the opening 412 a, whereby the back pressure and the exhaust noises of the exhaust gas are effectively reduced.
- the opening area S 1 (see FIG. 9 ) of the opening 412 a is formed to be substantially as great as the cross-sectional area S 2 (see FIG. 2 ) of the exhaust flow path in the upstream end portion of the exhaust pipe 7 , the exhaust flow path is prevented from excessively narrowed by the opening 412 a, and the exhaust flow path of proper size is secured.
- the exhaust gas flows into the inner circumferential side of the spark arrester body portion 51 from the outer circumferential portion of the spark arrester body portion 51 .
- soot, carbon and the like in the exhaust gas are captured by the mesh-like member of the spark arrester body portion 51 .
- the spark arrester body portion 51 is arranged in the exit communication pipe 41 being separated from the first and second expansion chambers 37 and 38 , the back pressure with an exhaust pulse in the first and second expansion chambers 37 and 38 will not act on the spark arrester body portion 51 . Further, since the back pressure is effectively reduced by the opening 412 a of the lid member 412 , the back pressure acting on the spark arrester body portion 51 is sufficiently reduced.
- the passage area of the exhaust flow path formed around the spark arrester body portion 51 that is, the difference between the cross-sectional area S 3 (see FIG. 10 ) of the pipe member 411 and the cross-sectional area S 4 (see FIG. 10 ) of the spark arrester body portion 51 , is set to be substantially identical to the opening area S 1 (see FIG. 9 ) of the opening 412 a of the lid member 412 .
- the exhaust gas flows into the tailpipe 52 , and is discharged from the rear end portion of the tailpipe 52 into the air.
- the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust portion 21 (see FIG. 2 ) of the engine 20 arrives at the exhaust muffler 2 .
- the exhaust gas is purified in the exhaust muffler 2 , and discharged from the tailpipe 52 into the air with fully suppressed exhaust noises.
- the spark arrester body portion 51 is arranged in the exit communication pipe 41 separated from the first and second expansion chambers 37 and 38 , and the lid member 412 having the opening 412 a as the exhaust flow path narrowing portion is provided at the upstream end portion of the exit communication pipe 41 . Accordingly, the back pressure and the exhaust pulse acting on the spark arrester body portion 51 can be reduced. This can suppress deformation of the spark arrester body portion 51 . As a result, a reinforce member for reinforcing the spark arrester body portion 51 made of a mesh-like member can be dispensed with, and designing of the spark arrester can be streamlined.
- the spark arrester body portion 51 is structured solely by the mesh-like member without any reinforce member and, therefore, productivity of the spark arrester body portion 51 can be improved and a reduction in costs can be achieved.
- the spark arrester body portion 51 is structured without any reinforce member. Thus, since the surface of the spark arrester body portion 51 is not shielded by the reinforce member, the filter portion of the spark arrester body portion 51 can be secured for the entire surface. As a result, an increase in size of the spark arrester body portion 51 can be avoided, and the spark arrester body portion 51 can be structured in a compact manner.
- the exhaust flow path narrowing portion can be easily formed by the burring-like opening 412 a provided at the lid member 412 .
- the exhaust flow path can be sharply narrowed, whereby the back pressure and the exhaust pulse in the exit communication pipe 41 can be more effectively reduced.
- deformation of the spark arrester body portion 51 can further be suppressed.
- the opening area S 1 of the opening 412 a as the exhaust flow path narrowing portion is substantially identical to the cross-sectional area S 2 of the exhaust flow path at the upstream side end portion in the exhaust pipe 7 .
- the inner diameter of the pipe member 411 is set such that the difference between the cross-sectional area S 3 being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the pipe member 411 and the cross-sectional area S 4 being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the spark arrester body portion 51 becomes substantially identical to the opening area S 1 of the opening 412 a.
- an excessive increase in the size of the pipe member 411 can be avoided, whereby the muffler body 3 can be structured in a compact manner.
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Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an exhaust muffler for a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a spark arrester provided in an exhaust muffler for a vehicle.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Conventionally, an exhaust muffler for a vehicle including a spark arrester is known. In general, the spark arrester is formed by a mesh-like member made of metal.
- Meanwhile, since the spark arrester is arranged in an exhaust flow path in the exhaust muffler and exposed to exhaust gas, it is required to be so durable that it does not deform under conditions of high temperatures and high back pressure with an exhaust pulse. Accordingly, the spark arrester is provided with a frame member for reinforcing a mesh-like member made of a metal mesh. Thus, the spark arrester is prevented from deforming under the foregoing conditions. There is Prior Technique Document JP 8-61046 A.
- That is, the spark arrester is structured by a mesh-like member as a filter portion, and a frame member as a reinforcing portion for reinforcing the filter portion. Therefore, since the structure is complicated, manufacturing of the spark arrester is not easy and involves high costs.
- The present invention is made in consideration of the foregoing problems, and an object thereof is to provide an exhaust muffler for a vehicle including a spark arrester, designing of which can be streamlined.
- In order to achieve the object stated above, the present invention provides an exhaust muffler for a vehicle including a muffler body coupled to an exhaust pipe, and a tailpipe coupled to the muffler body. The muffler body includes a plurality of expansion chambers, an exit communication pipe that discharges exhaust to the tailpipe from one of the plurality of expansion chambers positioned in a most downstream part of an exhaust flow path, and a spark arrester arranged in the exit communication pipe. An exhaust flow path narrowing portion is provided at an entrance portion of the exit communication pipe.
- With the structure described above, the spark arrester is not arranged in the expansion chamber but in the exit communication pipe. Further, the exhaust flow path narrowing portion is provided at the entrance portion of the exit communication pipe. Thus, the back pressure acting on the spark arrester can be reduced, whereby deformation due to back pressure of the spark arrester can be suppressed. As a result, the reinforce member can be dispensed with, and designing of the spark arrester can be streamlined.
- With the exhaust muffler, preferably, the following structure can be employed.
- (1) .The spark arrester is structured by a mesh-like member.
- With the structure (1), since the spark arrester is structured by a mesh-like member, the productivity of the spark arrester can be improved and costs can be reduced.
- Furthermore, since no reinforce member covers the surface of the spark arrester, the filter portion of the spark arrester can be secured for the entire surface. As a result, the spark arrester can be structured in a compact manner.
- (2) The exhaust flow path narrowing portion is structured by a lid member that has a through hole and that is provided at an upstream portion of the exit communication pipe.
- With the structure (2), the exhaust flow path narrowing portion can be easily formed. Further, as compared with the case where a tapered narrowing portion is formed, the exhaust flow path can be sharply narrowed, and the back pressure in the exit communication pipe can be more effectively reduced. Thus, deformation caused by the back pressure of the spark arrester can be further suppressed.
- (3) In the structure (2), the opening area of the through hole is substantially identical to the cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path at the upstream end of the exhaust pipe.
- With the structure (3), while realizing a reduction in the back pressure, it becomes possible to secure the exhaust flow path of proper size, and to avoid a reduction in the engine performance attributed to an excessive increase in the back pressure.
- (4) In the structure (2), the difference between the cross-sectional area being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the exit communication pipe and the cross-sectional area being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the spark arrester is substantially identical to an opening area of the through hole.
- With the structure (4), it becomes possible to avoid an excessive increase in the diameter of the exit communication pipe, whereby the muffler body can be structured in a compact manner.
-
FIG. 1 is a left side view of a utility vehicle according to one embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exhaust system; -
FIG. 3 is a left side view of an exhaust muffler; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the exhaust muffler; -
FIG. 5 is a V-V cross-sectional view of the exhaust muffler shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 6 is a VI-part enlarged view of the exhaust muffler shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is a VII-part enlarged view of the exhaust muffler shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a spark arrester; -
FIG. 9 is a IX-IX cross-sectional view of the exhaust muffler shown inFIGS. 5 ; and -
FIG. 10 is a X-X cross-sectional view of the exhaust muffler shown inFIG. 5 . - In the following, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a description will be given of one embodiment of the present invention. Note that, for the sake of convenience in describing, the following description is based on the premise that the front-rear direction of a vehicle is applied to the front-rear direction of the exhaust muffler and other components, and that the right-left direction in connection with the vehicle-width direction (the right and left sides as seen from the rear of the vehicle) as seen from the passengers on the vehicle is applied to the right-left direction of the exhaust muffler and other components.
-
FIG. 1 is a left side view of a utility vehicle according to the present embodiment, with shell constituent members such as doors being removed. As shown inFIG. 1 , the utility vehicle includes: a right and left pair offront wheels 11 on the front side and a right and left pair ofrear wheels 12 on the rear side; apassenger space 14 surrounded by aROPS 13, between thefront wheels 11 and therear wheels 12; and arear deck 15 on the rear side of thepassenger space 14. TheROPS 13 is an abbreviation for a rollover protective structure. - In the
passenger space 14, afloor panel 16 forming the floor surface, afront seat 17, and arear seat 18 are provided. Below therear seat 18, anengine 20 is stored. In front of theengine 20, anexhaust portion 21 for discharging exhaust gas is provided. To theexhaust portion 21, anexhaust system 1 is connected, and the exhaust gas discharged from theengine 20 is purified by theexhaust system 1 with exhaust noises being cancelled, and discharged into the air. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , a description will be given of theexhaust system 1.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of theexhaust system 1, together with theengine 20 and atransmission 22. As shown inFIG. 2 , theexhaust system 1 includes an exhaust pipe 7 fixed to an exit portion of theexhaust portion 21 via aflange 71, and anexhaust muffler 2 being fixed by welding to the downstream end portion of the exhaust pipe 7. Theexhaust muffler 2 is arranged at the substantially center portion in the vehicle-width direction and below the rear deck 15 (seeFIG. 1 ). Theexhaust muffler 2 is mounted on an exhaustmuffler mounting portion 24 mounted at an upper portion of thetransmission 22, via an exhaustmuffler mounting apparatus 8. - The exhaust
muffler mounting portion 24 has asupport bracket 241 fixed to the upper portion of thetransmission 22, androd engaging portions 242 fixed by welding to the top face of thesupport bracket 241. Therod engaging portions 242 are provided to form a right and left pair, and each provided with arubber damper 242 a having a bore penetrating in the front-rear direction. Into the bore of therubber damper 242 a, arod 82 of the exhaustmuffler mounting apparatus 8 is inserted in the front-rear direction, whereby theexhaust muffler 2 is held. - The exhaust pipe 7 extends from the
flange 71, via apipe 70 being curved to detour theengine 20 from the left side toward the rear side, and reaches theexhaust muffler 2 via anentrance cone portion 73. On the outer surface of thepipe 70, aheat shield plate 72 is attached, whereby heat is prevented from dissipating from the surface of thepipe 70 to the surrounding components. To theentrance cone portion 73, a sensor mounting boss 74 (seeFIG. 3 ) for mounting an exhaust gas sensor is provided. - With reference to
FIGS. 3 to 7 , a description will be given of theexhaust muffler 2.FIG. 3 is a left side view of theexhaust muffler 2.FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of theexhaust muffler 2.FIG. 5 is a V-V cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3 .FIG. 6 is a VI-part enlarged view ofFIG. 5 .FIG. 7 is a VII-part enlarged view ofFIG. 5 . InFIG. 4 , asleeve portion 30 and thedownstream side cover 34 are partially transparent to show the internal structure, and the exhaustmuffler mounting apparatus 8 is not shown. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , theexhaust muffler 2 includes amuffler body 3, aspark arrester 5 mounted on the rear portion of themuffler body 3, and the exhaustmuffler mounting apparatus 8 mounted on the bottom portion of themuffler body 3. As shown inFIG. 4 , agasket 9 is assembled between thespark arrester 5 and themuffler body 3. - The
muffler body 3 has a shell formed by thesleeve portion 30, anupstream side cover 33 closing the upstream side opening of thesleeve portion 30, and a downstream side cover 34 closing the downstream side opening of thesleeve portion 30. At theupstream side cover 33, anexhaust entrance portion 332 connected to theentrance cone portion 73 of the exhaust pipe 7 (seeFIG. 2 ) is formed. At thedownstream side cover 34, anexhaust exit portion 342 to which aspark arrester 5 is connected is formed. - In the
muffler body 3, anupstream side separator 35 and adownstream side separator 36 are provided. Asecond expansion chamber 38 is formed between theupstream side cover 33 and theupstream side separator 35, and afirst expansion chamber 37 is formed between theupstream side separator 35 and thedownstream side separator 36. By the provision of thedownstream side separator 36, the downstream side of theexhaust muffler body 3 becomes the double structure, and a heat insulation chamber (or a sound shield chamber) 39 is formed between thedownstream side separator 36 and thedownstream side cover 34. That is, in themuffler body 3, thesecond expansion chamber 38, thefirst expansion chamber 37, and theheat insulation chamber 39 are formed in turn from the front side. - Further, the
muffler body 3 is provided with anentrance communication pipe 40 communicatively connecting between theexhaust entrance portion 332 and thefirst expansion chamber 37, and anexit communication pipe 41 communicatively connecting between thesecond expansion chamber 38 and theexhaust exit portion 342. - Next, a specific description will be given of the constituent elements of the
muffler body 3. -
Upstream Side Cover 33 - The
upstream side cover 33 has afront wall 331, anexhaust entrance portion 332 formed at the substantially left half surface of thefront wall 331, and an upstream sidecover flange portion 333 projecting rearward from the circumference of thefront wall 331. At the substantially right half surface of thefront wall 331, a substantially X-shaped reinforcingbead 331 a projecting frontward is formed. Formation of the reinforcingbead 331 a improves the surface stiffness of thefront wall 331, whereby vibration noises (chattering noises) of thefront wall 331 are suppressed. Furthermore, as the reinforcingbead 331 a is formed so as to project frontward, the volume of themuffler body 3 increases. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , theexhaust entrance portion 332 has a burring-like opening shape projecting frontward, and has its front portion externally fitted to the outer circumference face of theentrance communication pipe 40. The front end portion of theexhaust entrance portion 332 is positioned rearward than the front end portion of theentrance communication pipe 40. - Referring back to
FIG. 4 , the upstream sidecover flange portion 333 has an upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a projecting rearward from the periphery of thefront wall 331, and an upstream side outersleeve holding portion 333 c projecting rearward from the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a via an upstreamside step portion 333 b. The upstream side outersleeve holding portion 333 c is positioned radially outward than the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a. -
Downstream Side Cover 34 - The
downstream side cover 34 has arear wall 341, anexhaust exit portion 342 formed at the substantially right half surface of therear wall 341 and a downstream sidecover flange portion 343 projecting frontward from the periphery of therear wall 341. At the substantially left half surface of therear wall 341, a substantially X-shaped reinforcingbead 341 a projecting rearward is formed. Formation of the reinforcingbead 341 a improves the surface stiffness of therear wall 341, whereby vibration noises (chattering noises) of therear wall 341 are suppressed. Furthermore, as the reinforcingbead 341 a is formed so as to project rearward, the volume of themuffler body 3 increases. - The
exhaust exit portion 342 has agasket mounting face 342 a formed in a concave manner frontward from therear wall 341, an exhaust exit opening 342 b bored at thegasket mounting face 342 a, and a sparkarrester mounting portion 342 c provided on therear wall 341 radially outward than thegasket mounting face 342 a. - The downstream side
cover flange portion 343 has a downstream side innersleeve holding portion 343 a projecting frontward from the periphery of therear wall 341, and a downstream side outersleeve holding portion 343 c further projecting frontward from the downstream side innersleeve holding portion 343 a via a downstreamside step portion 343 b. The downstream side outersleeve holding portion 343 c is positioned radially outward than the downstream side innersleeve holding portion 343 a. -
Sleeve portion 30 - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thesleeve portion 30 includes anouter sleeve 31, aninner sleeve 32 positioned as being distanced from theouter sleeve 31 radially inwardly, and asound absorption chamber 42 formed between theouter sleeve 31 and theinner sleeve 32. Asound absorbing material 43 is enclosed in thesound absorption chamber 42. Thesound absorbing material 43 has, for example, a two-layer structure, and is structured by stainless steel wool arranged on theinner sleeve 32 side and glass wool arranged on theouter sleeve 31 side. Note that, thesound absorbing material 43 may be formed in a single-layer structure. - The
outer sleeve 31 is a cylindrical element formed of a steel plate being wound in an elliptical manner, the abutting ends of which are joined to each other by welding. Theouter sleeve 31 extends from the upstream side outersleeve holding portion 333 c to the downstream side outersleeve holding portion 343 c. The front portion of theouter sleeve 31 is fixed by welding to the rear end peripheral portion of the upstream side outersleeve holding portion 333 c, and the rear portion of theouter sleeve 31 is fixed by welding to the front end peripheral portion of the downstream side outersleeve holding portion 343 c. - The
inner sleeve 32 is a cylindrical element formed of a steel plate being wound in an elliptical manner, the abutting ends of which are joined to each other by welding. Theinner sleeve 32 extends from the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a to the downstream side innersleeve holding portion 343 a. The front portion of theinner sleeve 32 has its outer circumferential cylindrical face internally fitted to the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (that is, in the longitudinal direction of the muffler body 3). On the other hand, the rear portion of theinner sleeve 32 is fixed by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction, as being interposed between the downstream sideseparator flange portion 362 and the downstream side innersleeve holding portion 343 a. - Since the
inner sleeve 32 is held in this manner, the relative elongation between theouter sleeve 31 and theinner sleeve 32 can be tolerated. That is, when exhaust gas flows inside theexhaust muffler body 3, theouter sleeve 31 and theinner sleeve 32 thermally expand in accordance with their respective temperatures. Meanwhile, thesleeve portion 30 has a double structure made up of theouter sleeve 31 and theinner sleeve 32, and furthermore, thesound absorbing material 43 is arranged between theouter sleeve 31 and theinner sleeve 32. Accordingly, theouter sleeve 31 and theinner sleeve 32 are different from each other in temperature. More specifically, the temperature of theinner sleeve 32 facing the first andsecond expansion chambers heat insulation chamber 39 is higher than that of theouter sleeve 31 being exposed to the air. Therefore, the thermal expansion amount of theinner sleeve 32 is greater than that of theouter sleeve 31. - At this time, the
upstream side cover 33 and thedownstream side cover 34 become away from each other in accordance with the thermal expansion amount of theouter sleeve 31, and theinner sleeve 32 having its rear portion fixed to the downstream side cover 34 shifts with thedownstream side cover 34. On the other hand, the front portion of theinner sleeve 32 slides over the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a of theupstream side cover 33 and thermally expands freely, irrespective of the displacement of the upstream side cover 33 corresponding to the thermal expansion amount of theouter sleeve 31. That is, the relative elongation of theouter sleeve 31 and theinner sleeve 32 is tolerated. - Further, the
inner sleeve 32 is provided withmany pores 322 that establish communication between thesound absorption chamber 42 and thesecond expansion chamber 38. Further, as shown inFIG. 6 in an enlarged manner, at the front end portion of theinner sleeve 32, abent portion 321 that is inwardly bent is formed. Formation of thebent portion 321 allows theinner sleeve 32 to be easily assembled to the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a. Specifically, allowing thebent portion 321 to abut on the entrance portion of the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a, theinner sleeve 32 can be guided and assembled to the upStream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a. - Thus, for example in the case where the
upstream side cover 33 is fixed by welding to theouter sleeve 31 and thereafter theinner sleeve 32 is assembled from the downstream side of theouter sleeve 31, the tip portion of theinner sleeve 32 can be easily fitted to the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a at the bottom while being guided by thebent portion 321. That is, theinner sleeve 32 can be easily fitted to the upstream side innersleeve holding portion 333 a at the bottom that cannot easily be visually recognized. -
Upstream Side Separator 35 - Referring back to
FIG. 5 , theupstream side separator 35 has an upstreamside partition wall 351 that partitions the inner circumferential side of theinner sleeve 32 into thefirst expansion chamber 37 and thesecond expansion chamber 38, and an upstream sideseparator flange portion 352 projecting rearward from the periphery of the upstreamside partition wall 351. At the upstreamside partition wall 351, a burring-like entrance communicationpipe mounting portion 351 a and an exit communicationpipe mounting portion 351 b projecting rearward, and a burring-like communication hole 351 c projecting frontward (seeFIG. 4 ) are formed. Theupstream side separator 35 is fixed by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction to the inner circumferential face of theinner sleeve 32 via the upstream sideseparator flange portion 352. -
Downstream Side Separator 36 - The
downstream side separator 36 has a downstreamside partition wall 361 that partitions the inner circumferential side of theinner sleeve 32 into thefirst expansion chamber 37 and theexpansion chamber 39, and a downstream sideseparator flange portion 362 projecting rearward from the periphery of the downstreamside partition wall 361. At the downstreamside partition wall 361, a burring-like exit communicationpipe mounting portion 361 a projecting rearward is formed. Thedownstream side separator 36 is fixed to the downstream side innersleeve holding portion 343 a by welding, together with the rear portion of theinner sleeve 32 as described above, at several portions in the circumferential direction via the downstream sideseparator flange portion 362. -
Entrance Communication Pipe 40 - The
entrance communication pipe 40 is made of a straight tubular pipe member having a constant diameter, and extends rearward from theexhaust entrance portion 332, to the rear side of the entrance communicationpipe mounting portion 351 a. In theentrance communication pipe 40, acatalyst 6 is arranged. As shown inFIG. 7 in an enlarged manner, the front end portion of theexhaust entrance portion 332 and the front end portion of theentrance communication pipe 40 are arranged stepwise on the outer circumference of theentrance cone portion 73, and these three components are integrally joined by a common welding bead W1. Referring back toFIG. 5 , the rear portion of theentrance communication pipe 40 is joined by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction to the entrance communicationpipe mounting portion 351 a. -
Catalyst 6 - The
catalyst 6 is structured by afirst catalyst 61 and asecond catalyst 62, in each of which a honeycomb carrier made of metal is supported noble metal. Thesecond catalyst 62 has its downstream side end face substantially matched with the downstream end portion of theentrance communication pipe 40. Thefirst catalyst 61 is arranged to be away on the upstream side by a prescribed distance relative to thesecond catalyst 62. - Distance L1 between the upstream side end face of the
first catalyst 61 and the downstream side end face of thesecond catalyst 62 is sufficiently shorter than length L2 of theentrance communication pipe 40. For example, distance L1 is set to be substantially half as great as L2. That is, in front of thefirst catalyst 61 in theentrance communication pipe 40, a space having a substantially identical inner diameter as the outer diameter of thefirst catalyst 61 is formed over a prescribed length. - The
first catalyst 61 and thesecond catalyst 62 are fixed by brazing to the inner circumferential face of theentrance communication pipe 40. -
Exit Communication Pipe 41 - The
exit communication pipe 41 has a straighttubular pipe member 411 having a constant diameter, and alid member 412 joined by welding to the front end portion of thepipe member 411. Thepipe member 411 extends from the front of the exit communicationpipe mounting portion 351 b to immediately before theexhaust exit portion 342 via the exit communicationpipe mounting portion 361 a. Note that, the central axis of thepipe member 411 is substantially identical to the central axis of the exhaust exit opening 342 b. The rear end position of thepipe member 411 is set so as not to be in contact with theexhaust exit portion 342, in consideration of the shape tolerance, the assembly tolerance, the thermal expansion amount and the like of each component. - At the
lid member 412, a burring-like opening 412 a projecting frontward is formed. Theexit communication pipe 41 is fixed by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction to the exit communicationpipe mounting portion 351 b of theupstream side separator 35 at a slightly frontward position than the central portion in the front-rear direction of thepipe member 411. Further, theexit communication pipe 41 is fixed by welding at several portions in the circumferential direction, on the rear portion of thepipe member 411, to the exit communicationpipe mounting portion 361 a of thedownstream side separator 36. - (Spark Arrester 5)
- Next, a description will be given of the
spark arrester 5 with reference toFIGS. 8 to 10 .FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of thespark arrester 5.FIG. 9 is a IX-IX cross-sectional view ofFIG. 5 .FIG. 10 is a X-X cross-sectional view ofFIG. 5 . As shown inFIG. 8 , thespark arrester 5 includes a sparkarrester body portion 51 for capturing soot or carbon in exhaust gas, atailpipe 52 for discharging the exhaust gas having passed through the sparkarrester body portion 51 into the air, aspark arrester flange 53 for mounting thespark arrester 5 to the exhaust exit portion 342 (seeFIG. 4 ), an innercircumferential ring 54 for coupling the sparkarrester body portion 51 and thetailpipe 52 to each other, and an outercircumferential ring 55 for fixing the sparkarrester body portion 51 to the innercircumferential ring 54. - The spark
arrester body portion 51 is in a shape of a sleeve whose front end portion is closed while being open rearward. The circumference of the sparkarrester body portion 51 is formed by having a mesh-like member made of metal cylindrically wrapped around such that its opposite peripheries overlap each other, and by fixing the overlapped peripheries at several portions by spot welding. Then, as shown inFIG. 9 , the front portion of the sparkarrester body portion 51 is formed by folding four sides of the circumferential portion inwardly, and fixing the substantially center portion of the overlapped mesh-like member by spot welding. - Referring back to
FIG. 8 , thetailpipe 52 is a pipe-like member, which extends rearward, and then curves diagonally downward. Thus, exhaust gas is caused to be discharged from the rear end portion of thetailpipe 52 in the rearward diagonally downward direction, that is, toward the ground. - The
spark arrester flange 53 includes a substantially triangular base plate 531 (seeFIG. 4 ), asidewall 532 provided to stand rearward from the periphery of thebase plate 531, and atailpipe mounting portion 533 provided at the substantially center portion of thebase plate 531 so as to project rearward. Near each vertex of the substantiallytriangle base plate 531, a sparkarrester mounting hole 531 a is bored. As shown inFIG. 4 , by allowing abolt 10 to penetrate through the sparkarrester mounting hole 531 a so as to screw to the sparkarrester mounting portion 342 c, thespark arrester 5 is removably fixed to theexhaust exit portion 342. Further, as shown inFIG. 5 , the sparkarrester body portion 51 is positioned in theexit communication pipe 41 in the state where thespark arrester 5 is fixed to themuffler body 3. - Referring back to
FIG. 8 , the outercircumferential ring 55 is a cylindrical element opening in the front-rear direction, and is fitted to the outer circumferential portion of the sparkarrester body portion 51 with its rear end portion substantially matched with the rear end portion of the sparkarrester body portion 51. The innercircumferential ring 54 is a cylindrical element that opens in the front-rear direction and that is structured to be longer in the longitudinal direction than the outercircumferential ring 55. The innercircumferential ring 54 is fitted to the inner circumferential portion of the sparkarrester body portion 51 while being substantially matched with the front end portion of the outercircumferential ring 55. That is, the rear end portion of the innercircumferential ring 54 is positioned on the rear side of the sparkarrester body portion 51. - By allowing the rear end portion of the spark
arrester body portion 51 to be inserted between the innercircumferential ring 54 and the outercircumferential ring 55, and fixing the innercircumferential ring 54 and the outercircumferential ring 55 to each other by spot welding, the sparkarrester body portion 51 made of a mesh-like member is surely fixed to the innercircumferential ring 54 and the outercircumferential ring 55 each being a plate-like member. - At the rear portion of the inner
circumferential ring 54, thetailpipe 52 is fitted to the inner circumferential side, and thetailpipe mounting portion 533 of thespark arrester flange 53 is fitted to the outer circumferential side. The rear end portion of thetailpipe mounting portion 533 is positioned slightly frontward relative to the rear end portion of the innercircumferential ring 54. Thus, the rear end portion of thetailpipe mounting portion 533 and the rear end portion of the innercircumferential ring 54 are arranged stepwise on the outer circumference face of thetailpipe 52, and these three components are integrally joined by a common welding bead W2. - Here, with reference to
FIGS. 9 and 10 , a description will be given of a cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path defined by thespark arrester 5 and theexit communication pipe 41. Firstly, with reference toFIG. 9 , the opening area S1 of the opening 412 a is designed to be substantially identical to the cross-sectional area S2 (seeFIG. 2 ) of the exhaust flow path at the upstream end of the exhaust pipe 7. Further, with reference toFIG. 10 , the inner diameter of thepipe member 411 is set such that the difference between the cross-sectional area S3 being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of thepipe member 411 and the cross-sectional area S4 being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the sparkarrester body portion 51 becomes substantially identical to the opening area S1 (seeFIG. 9 ) of the opening 412 a. That is, for the cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path defined by thespark arrester 5 and theexit communication pipe 41, the cross-sectional area S2 of the exhaust flow path at the upstream end of the exhaust pipe 7 is secured. - Next, a description will be given of the exhaust
muffler mounting apparatus 8. As shown inFIG. 9 , the exhaustmuffler mounting apparatus 8 includes a metal-maderod support plate 81 fixed by welding to the outer circumference face of theouter sleeve 31, and a right and left pair of metal-maderods 82 fixed by welding to the bottom end portion of therod support plate 81. Therod support plate 81 has a firstinclined portion 811 extending from the right lower portion of theouter sleeve 31 in the diagonally left downward direction, a secondinclined portion 812 extending from the left lower portion of theouter sleeve 31 in the diagonally right downward direction, and ahorizontal portion 813 that connects between the bottom ends of the first and secondinclined portions rods 82 extend in the front-rear direction. - The first and second
inclined portions beads outer sleeve 31 in a concave manner. Further, thehorizontal portion 813 is provided withrod mounting portions 813 a for mounting therods 82 and a reinforcingbead 813 b provided in a concave manner toward theouter sleeve 31. Therod mounting portions 813 a are formed as a right and left pair. The reinforcingbead 813 b is formed over the joining portion of thehorizontal portion 813 and the first and secondinclined portions beads rod support plate 81. - Further, since the reinforcing
beads outer sleeve 31, the reinforcingbeads outer sleeve 31, whereby the first and secondinclined portions outer sleeve 31. Thus, the first and secondinclined portions outer sleeve 31. - Further, since the reinforcing
bead 813 b is provided in a concave manner toward theouter sleeve 31, the reinforcingbead 813 b is prevented from abutting on the outer surface of therods 82, whereby therod mounting portions 813 a can easily conform to the outer surface of therods 82. Thus, therods 82 can be more surely fixed by welding to therod mounting portions 813 a. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , by allowing the right and left pair ofrods 82 to be inserted into the bores of therubber dampers 242 a of the exhaustmuffler mounting portion 24 mounted on thetransmission 22 from the rear side toward the front side, theexhaust muffler 2 can be surely held above thetransmission 22. - The
exhaust system 1 has its front portion fixed to theexhaust portion 21 of theengine 20 via theflange 71, and has its rear portion fixed to the exhaustmuffler mounting portion 24 provided to thetransmission 22 via the exhaustmuffler mounting apparatus 8. Further, thetransmission 22 is fixed to theengine 20 so as not to be relatively displaced. That is, since theexhaust system 1 including the front portion and the rear portion is fixed to the identical vibration system, it is not necessary to take into consideration of the relative displacement that occurs when the front portion and the rear portion are fixed to separate vibration systems. Thus, theexhaust system 1 is strongly fixed. - Further, since the
exhaust muffler 2 is held by therubber dampers 242 a as being inserted in the front-rear direction via therods 82, thermal elongation of theexhaust system 1 in the front-rear direction, dimensional variations in the front-rear direction of each component of theexhaust system 1, or assembly variations of each component are absorbed in an excellent manner. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , thegasket 9 is a disc-like seal member exhibiting excellent heat resistance. Thegasket 9 seals against leakage of exhaust gas from between thegasket mounting face 342 a of theexhaust exit portion 342 and thebase plate 531 of thespark arrester flange 53. - [Flow of Exhaust Gas]
- Next, a description will be given of the flow of exhaust gas in the
exhaust system 1. Firstly, as indicated by arrow A inFIG. 2 , exhaust gas discharged from theexhaust portion 21 of theengine 20 passes through the exhaust pipe 7 and arrives at theexhaust muffler 2. At this time, the exhaust gas enters from theentrance cone portion 73 of the exhaust pipe 7 and arrives at the exhaust entrance portion 332 (seeFIG. 3 ). Here, as indicated by arrow B inFIG. 5 , since theentrance cone portion 73 has a cone shape whose diameter widens rearward, the exhaust gas passing through theentrance cone portion 73 arrives at theexhaust entrance portion 332 while substantially uniformly diffusing in the radial direction. - Next, as indicated by arrow C in
FIG. 5 , the exhaust gas flows into theentrance communication pipe 40. Since thecatalyst 6 is arranged as being away by a prescribed length from the upstream side end portion of theentrance communication pipe 40, the exhaust gas is further diffused in the radial direction while proceeding in theentrance communication pipe 40 until it arrives at thecatalyst 6. As a result, at the upstream side end face of thecatalyst 6, the exhaust gas that is substantially evenly distributed in the radial direction arrives. - Next, as indicated by arrow D in
FIG. 5 , the exhaust gas purified by thecatalyst 6 arrives at thefirst expansion chamber 37. At this time, the temperature of the exhaust gas increases by the oxidation-reduction reaction of thecatalyst 6. As the exhaust gas expands in thefirst expansion chamber 37, the back pressure and the exhaust noises are reduced. Note that, since theheat insulation chamber 39 is provided via thedownstream side separator 36, the exhaust gas having passed through thecatalyst 6 and achieving high temperatures is blocked by theheat insulation chamber 39, and therefore will not blow in thedownstream side cover 34. Thus, thedownstream side cover 34 is prevented from achieving high temperatures, and durability of thedownstream side cover 34 is enhanced. - Further, around the
first expansion chamber 37, thesound absorption chamber 42 where thesound absorbing material 43 is arranged is provided via theinner sleeve 32. Therefore, the exhaust noises emitted from thefirst expansion chamber 37 are prevented from passing through thesleeve portion 30 and emitted to the outside of theexhaust muffler 2. - Next, as indicated by arrow E in
FIG. 5 , the exhaust gas passes through a pair ofcommunication holes 351 c (seeFIG. 4 ) provided at theupstream side separator 35, and arrives at thesecond expansion chamber 38. The exhaust gas has its flow regulated when it passes through the communication holes 351 c, whereby the back pressure and the exhaust noises are further reduced. Then, the exhaust gas having passed through the communication holes 351 c is expanded in thesecond expansion chamber 38, and the back pressure and the exhaust noises are even more reduced. In addition, since thesecond expansion chamber 38 communicates, through thepores 322, with thesound absorption chamber 42 formed around thesecond expansion chamber 38, the exhaust noises in thesecond expansion chamber 38 are absorbed by thesound absorbing material 43 arranged in thesound absorption chamber 42. Thus, the exhaust noise is still even more reduced. - Next, as indicated by arrow F in
FIG. 5 , the exhaust gas passes through the opening 412 a of thelid member 412 and flows into theexit communication pipe 41. The opening 412 a is burring shaped, and is smaller than the passage diameter of thepipe member 411. Therefore, when the exhaust gas flows into theexit communication pipe 41 from thesecond expansion chamber 38, the exhaust flow path is sharply narrowed by the opening 412 a, whereby the back pressure and the exhaust noises of the exhaust gas are effectively reduced. - Note that, since the opening area S1 (see
FIG. 9 ) of the opening 412 a is formed to be substantially as great as the cross-sectional area S2 (seeFIG. 2 ) of the exhaust flow path in the upstream end portion of the exhaust pipe 7, the exhaust flow path is prevented from excessively narrowed by the opening 412 a, and the exhaust flow path of proper size is secured. - Next, as indicated by arrow G in
FIG. 5 , the exhaust gas flows into the inner circumferential side of the sparkarrester body portion 51 from the outer circumferential portion of the sparkarrester body portion 51. When the exhaust gas passes through the sparkarrester body portion 51, soot, carbon and the like in the exhaust gas are captured by the mesh-like member of the sparkarrester body portion 51. - Since the spark
arrester body portion 51 is arranged in theexit communication pipe 41 being separated from the first andsecond expansion chambers second expansion chambers arrester body portion 51. Further, since the back pressure is effectively reduced by the opening 412 a of thelid member 412, the back pressure acting on the sparkarrester body portion 51 is sufficiently reduced. - Note that, in the
exit communication pipe 41, the passage area of the exhaust flow path formed around the sparkarrester body portion 51, that is, the difference between the cross-sectional area S3 (seeFIG. 10 ) of thepipe member 411 and the cross-sectional area S4 (seeFIG. 10 ) of the sparkarrester body portion 51, is set to be substantially identical to the opening area S1 (seeFIG. 9 ) of the opening 412 a of thelid member 412. Thus, while securing the passage area of the exhaust flow path in theexit communication pipe 41, an excessive increase in the diameter of thepipe member 411 is avoided. - Finally, as indicated by arrow H in
FIG. 5 , the exhaust gas flows into thetailpipe 52, and is discharged from the rear end portion of thetailpipe 52 into the air. In this manner, the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust portion 21 (seeFIG. 2 ) of theengine 20 arrives at theexhaust muffler 2. Then, the exhaust gas is purified in theexhaust muffler 2, and discharged from thetailpipe 52 into the air with fully suppressed exhaust noises. - (1) The spark
arrester body portion 51 is arranged in theexit communication pipe 41 separated from the first andsecond expansion chambers lid member 412 having the opening 412 a as the exhaust flow path narrowing portion is provided at the upstream end portion of theexit communication pipe 41. Accordingly, the back pressure and the exhaust pulse acting on the sparkarrester body portion 51 can be reduced. This can suppress deformation of the sparkarrester body portion 51. As a result, a reinforce member for reinforcing the sparkarrester body portion 51 made of a mesh-like member can be dispensed with, and designing of the spark arrester can be streamlined. - (2) The spark
arrester body portion 51 is structured solely by the mesh-like member without any reinforce member and, therefore, productivity of the sparkarrester body portion 51 can be improved and a reduction in costs can be achieved. - (3) The spark
arrester body portion 51 is structured without any reinforce member. Thus, since the surface of the sparkarrester body portion 51 is not shielded by the reinforce member, the filter portion of the sparkarrester body portion 51 can be secured for the entire surface. As a result, an increase in size of the sparkarrester body portion 51 can be avoided, and the sparkarrester body portion 51 can be structured in a compact manner. - (4) The exhaust flow path narrowing portion can be easily formed by the burring-
like opening 412 a provided at thelid member 412. In particular, as compared with the case where the tapered narrowing portion is formed as the exhaust flow path narrowing portion, the exhaust flow path can be sharply narrowed, whereby the back pressure and the exhaust pulse in theexit communication pipe 41 can be more effectively reduced. Thus, deformation of the sparkarrester body portion 51 can further be suppressed. - (5) The opening area S1 of the opening 412 a as the exhaust flow path narrowing portion is substantially identical to the cross-sectional area S2 of the exhaust flow path at the upstream side end portion in the exhaust pipe 7. Thus, while realizing a reduction in the back pressure at the upstream side end portion of the
exit communication pipe 41, it becomes possible to secure the exhaust flow path of proper size and to avoid a reduction in engine performance caused by an excessive increase in the back pressure. - (6) The inner diameter of the
pipe member 411 is set such that the difference between the cross-sectional area S3 being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of thepipe member 411 and the cross-sectional area S4 being perpendicular to the exhaust flow path of the sparkarrester body portion 51 becomes substantially identical to the opening area S1 of the opening 412 a. Thus, an excessive increase in the size of thepipe member 411 can be avoided, whereby themuffler body 3 can be structured in a compact manner. - The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be employed in the range not departing from the claims.
Claims (6)
Priority Applications (2)
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US14/062,149 US8997922B1 (en) | 2013-10-24 | 2013-10-24 | Exhaust muffler for vehicle |
CN201410377480.3A CN104564280A (en) | 2013-10-24 | 2014-08-01 | Exhaust muffler for vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/062,149 US8997922B1 (en) | 2013-10-24 | 2013-10-24 | Exhaust muffler for vehicle |
Publications (2)
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US8997922B1 US8997922B1 (en) | 2015-04-07 |
US20150114750A1 true US20150114750A1 (en) | 2015-04-30 |
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US14/062,149 Active US8997922B1 (en) | 2013-10-24 | 2013-10-24 | Exhaust muffler for vehicle |
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CN (1) | CN104564280A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10995651B2 (en) * | 2017-12-21 | 2021-05-04 | Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, Germany Gmbh | Exhaust system for a combustion engine of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle |
US20210404359A1 (en) * | 2020-06-29 | 2021-12-30 | Transportation Ip Holdings, Llc | System for a combined spark arrestor and muffler assembly |
US11377991B2 (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2022-07-05 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Muffler device |
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JP3656917B2 (en) | 1994-06-11 | 2005-06-08 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Spark arrester device for vehicle exhaust system |
-
2013
- 2013-10-24 US US14/062,149 patent/US8997922B1/en active Active
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US5969299A (en) * | 1997-03-25 | 1999-10-19 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Exhaust system for vehicle |
US6394225B1 (en) * | 1999-10-19 | 2002-05-28 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Muffler structure |
US6968922B2 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2005-11-29 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Exhaust apparatus for vehicle |
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US20060102420A1 (en) * | 2004-11-13 | 2006-05-18 | Andreas Stihl Ag & Co. Kg | Muffler for exhaust gas |
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US11377991B2 (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2022-07-05 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Muffler device |
US10995651B2 (en) * | 2017-12-21 | 2021-05-04 | Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, Germany Gmbh | Exhaust system for a combustion engine of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle |
US20210404359A1 (en) * | 2020-06-29 | 2021-12-30 | Transportation Ip Holdings, Llc | System for a combined spark arrestor and muffler assembly |
US11629621B2 (en) * | 2020-06-29 | 2023-04-18 | Transportation Ip Holdings, Llc | System for a combined spark arrestor and muffler assembly |
Also Published As
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US8997922B1 (en) | 2015-04-07 |
CN104564280A (en) | 2015-04-29 |
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