WO2005088093A1

WO2005088093A1 - Device for the reversible assembly of first and second tubular sections of an exhaust line, and gasket for one such assembly device

Info

Publication number: WO2005088093A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/050150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Paul Brunel
Original assignee: Faurecia Systemes d'Echappement, Société Par Actions Simplifiée
Priority date: 2004-03-09
Filing date: 2005-03-08
Publication date: 2005-09-22
Also published as: FR2867511B1; FR2867511A1; KR20060134123A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for the reversible assembly of a first (3) and a second (4) tubular section of an exhaust line (1). The inventive device (2) comprises: (i) socket means (5) which are associated with the first tubular section (3) and complementary socket means (6) which are associated with the second tubular section (4) and which can co-operate with the first socket means (5); and (ii) means (12) for preventing the movement of the first tubular section (3) in relation to the second (4). The device (2) also comprises: a flared skirt (8) forming, at least partially, the aforementioned socket means (5); a seat (9) having a complementary shape to that of the skirt (8) and forming, at least partially, the complementary socket means (6); reversible movement-blocking means (12) which are designed such that the skirt (8) rests against the seat (9); and sealing means (13) which are associated with the skirt (8) and/or the seat (9).

Description

REVERSIBLE ASSEMBLY DEVICE FOR A FIRST AND A SECOND TUBULAR SECTION OF AN EXHAUST LINE AND A SEAL FOR A SUCH ASSEMBLY DEVICE.

The present invention relates to a reversible assembly device for a first and a second tubular section of an exhaust line. This invention also relates to a seal for such an assembly device.

This invention relates to the field of the automobile industry and, more particularly, that of equipment making it possible to ensure the escape of gases resulting from the combustion of a fuel within an internal combustion engine.

It will be observed that such equipment complements this heat engine and is constituted by an exhaust line, equipping the outlet of this engine, and defined by an assembly of a succession of elements, in particular tubular elements, as well as, usually, at least one catalyst designed capable of purifying the exhaust gases and at least one silencer designed capable of reducing the noise emissions of this engine and of this exhaust line.

We already know exhaust lines with a succession of tubular elements assembled by welding. Such a type of welded assembly has the drawback, in the event of deterioration of an element of this exhaust line, of not being able to replace the only damaged element but requires, in most cases, replacement of the entire exhaust line.

This problem has, in part, been resolved by means of a reversible assembly device for two tubular sections of such an exhaust line, this device authorizing replacement of only part of this exhaust line, more particularly of a deteriorated part. In fact, such a device comprises fitting means associated with a first tubular section as well as complementary fitting means associated with a second tubular section and able to cooperate with said means for fitting the first tubular section. This device also comprises means capable of ensuring that the first and second tubular sections are immobilized relative to one another. It will be observed that this device has a certain number of drawbacks linked to a leakage of the exhaust line at the level of this device.

The present invention seeks to remedy the drawbacks of the devices of the prior art. . . .

To this end, the invention relates to a reversible assembly device for a first and a second tubular section of an exhaust line, this device comprising, on the one hand, interlocking means associated with the first tubular section and at least partly constituted by a skirt flaring, on the other hand, complementary fitting means associated with the second tubular section, at least partly constituted by a seat adopting a shape complementary to the skirt of said interlocking means and able to cooperate with the latter, on the other hand, sealing means interposed between the skirt and the seat as well as means capable of immobilizing the first and second tubular section one with respect to the other, characterized in that the sealing means consist of a seal adopting the shape of an annular washer, conforming to the shape of the skirt and / or of the seat, engaged around the second tubular section and comprising means capable of ensuring its maintenance on this second tubular section.

The invention also relates to a seal, in particular intended to equip the reversible assembly device above. This seal, on the one hand, takes the form of an annular washer of frustoconical shape and delimiting a central opening intended to be traversed by a tubular element and, on the other hand comprises means suitable for. maintain it on said tubular element engaged through its central opening.

Such a seal is designed, on the one hand, to be disposed between the skirt and the seat and, on the other hand, to be compressed between this skirt and this seat, this by means of the abovementioned immobilization means .

The invention is set out in more detail in the description which follows, relating to embodiments given by way of examples - and illustrated in the figures of the attached drawing.

Figure 1 is a schematic view, partial and in longitudinal section of the assembly device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic, partial and plan view of a seal.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the seal shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view in section on II-II of the seal shown in FIG. 2.

The present invention relates to the field of the automobile industry and, more particularly, that of equipment making it possible to ensure the escape of the gases resulting from the combustion of a fuel within a thermal internal combustion engine. Such equipment complements this heat engine and is constituted by an exhaust line 1, equipping the outlet of this engine, and defined by an assembly of a succession of elements, in particular tubular elements.

The invention therefore relates to a device 2 designed to ensure a reversible assembly of a first tubular section 3 which comprises a first element of this exhaust line 1 with a second tubular section 4 which comprises a second element of this line d exhaust 1.

To do this and as visible in FIG. 1, such a device 2 comprises, on the one hand, nesting means 5 associated with the first tubular section 3 as well as complementary nesting means 6 associated with the second tubular section 4 and able to cooperate with said means 5 for fitting the first tubular section 3 and, on the other hand, means 12 able to immobilize the first 3 and the second 4 tubular section one with respect to the other 4.

With regard to said fitting means 5 associated with the first tubular section 3, these 5 are, at least in part, constituted by a skirt 8 which widens, this skirt 8 being, more particularly, constituted by a conical flare such as a hoop. Such a skirt 8 is located at the end of the first tubular section 3, oriented in the direction of the second tubular section 4. Such a skirt 8 is, more particularly, constituted by an extension of this first tubular section 3 and is, preferably, produced by deformation (in particular by stamping or the like) of the end of said first tubular section 3.

If such interlocking means 5 may prove to be suitable in the context of the device 2 according to the present invention, such interlocking means 5 may also be constituted, in part, by an interlocking sleeve which completes , in particular as an accessory, the aforementioned skirt 8. Such an interlocking sleeve is preferably constituted by an extension of the first tubular section 3 and may have an increased internal section relative to the latter 3 as shown in FIG. 1.

As regards the skirt 8 of said interlocking means 5, the latter 8 can, in such a case, be constituted by an extension of said interlocking sleeve as shown in FIG. 1.

As regards the complementary fitting means € associated with the second tubular section 4, these 6 are, at least in part, constituted by a seat 9 associated with this second tubular section 4 and adopting a shape complementary to that of the skirt 8 of said fitting means 5, more particularly a conical shape. It is, more particularly, this seat 9 with which said skirt 8 will cooperate in the context of cooperation between the fitting means 5 and the complementary fitting means 6.

Such a seat 9 can be constituted by an annular bead associated with this second tubular section 4, such a bead being able to be defined by deformation of this second tubular section 4, in particular by expansion.

However and according to another embodiment, this seat 9 is defined at the level of an annular element 10 (in particular made of a metallic material) disposed around this second tubular section 4 (more particularly fitted over the latter 4) and made integral with this second tubular section 4, in particular by welding.

A preferred embodiment consists in that this annular element 10 is constituted by a bi-cone. According to another characteristic of the invention visible in FIG. 1, this seat 9 is set back with respect to the free end 11 of the second tubular section 4 so that the latter 4 comprises a portion of tube, extending between the seat 9 and said end 11 of this second tubular section 4, and usually referred to as a witness.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the complementary nesting means 6 associated with this second tubular section 4 may, again, be constituted, in part, by an end part that includes said portion of tube constituting the indicator (FIG. 1). Such complementary nesting means 6 can, in fact, complement, in particular in an ancillary manner, said seat 9. - ^• - ^{• ••} . ^{. .}

In this regard, it will be observed that this end part constituting, in part, the complementary fitting means 6, or even the witness itself, have a cross section at most equal (but preferably adjusted) to the internal cross section of the fitting sleeve of the fitting means 5 of the first tubular section 4.

In addition, this end part, or even (and preferably) the indicator itself, are defined either by the second tubular section 4 itself (FIG. 1), or by an extension of the latter 4.

It will be observed that, during the assembly of the first 3 and second 4 tubular sections, said end part and the interlocking sleeve constitute means for guiding a tubular section 4 relative to the other 3. This part end and this interlocking sleeve also make it possible to maintain said tubular sections 3, 4 substantially coaxial within the assembly device 2. According to another characteristic of the invention, the device 2 further comprises means 12 capable of ensuring immobilization of the first 3 and of the second 4 tubular section, one 3 relative to the other 4.

These immobilization means 12 are constituted by means of the reversible type and designed capable of making said skirt 8 bear against said seat 9. These immobilization means 12 are preferably defined by a collar (more particularly a collar of clamping) disposed over this skirt 8 and this seat 9, more particularly over this skirt 8 and an annular element 10 (in particular constituted by a bi-cone as mentioned above). - In order to provide a support for this skirt 8 on this seat 9, the collar of these immobilization means 12 is itself designed to bear on this skirt 8 and on this seat 9 (see on said annular element 10). To do this, this collar can adopt a shape complementary to this skirt 8 and to this seat 9 (or even to the annular element 10 above-mentioned and visible in FIG. 1).

According to another characteristic of the invention, the device 2 also comprises sealing means 13, either located at the level of the skirt 8 and / or of the seat 9, or interposed between this skirt 8 and this seat 9.

Such sealing means 13 are designed so as to be crushed by the skirt 8 and / or by the seat 9, this by means of the immobilization means 12 and with a view to ensuring sealing between this skirt 8 and this seat 9.

According to a first embodiment not shown, such sealing means 13 can be defined at this level. skirt 8 and / or of this seat 9 and adopt, for example, the shape of an annular bead.

However and according to a preferred embodiment visible in the appended figures, these sealing means 13 are constituted by a seal 14 interposed between the skirt 8 and the seat 9.

This seal 14 takes the form of an annular washer 15 delimiting a central opening 16 intended to be crossed by a tubular element, more particularly constituted by the second tubular section 4. According to a preferred embodiment visible in FIG. 1, this seal 14 is intended to be engaged over the indicator (in particular over the portion of tube situated between the seat 9- and the end part constituting, in part, the complementary fitting means 6) that comprises this second tubular section 4.

This seal 14, more particularly the annular washer 15 that this seal 14 includes, adopts a frustoconical shape so as to conform to the conical shape of the skirt 8 and / or of the seat 9.

According to another characteristic, this seal 14 includes means 17 capable of ensuring its retention on a tubular element (more particularly on the indicator of the second tubular section 4) engaged through the central opening 16.

Such holding means 17 are of the elastic type. This allows, in particular, the installation of such a seal 14 on the second tubular section 4 before the assembly of the assembly device 2, or even during or before the manipulation of the elements of the latter 2, or even during the transport of 'such a tubular section 4. In fact, these holding means 17 consist of tongues 18 extending radially inside the central opening 16 and starting from the washer 15.

Such a tongue 18 is of the elastic type in order to ensure that this tongue 18 is held on the tubular element.

A preferred embodiment consists in defining this tongue 18 of material with said washer 15.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, such a tongue 18 has a free end 19 shaped in a flared manner to facilitate, if necessary, the extraction of the seal 14 in case of disassembly.

Another characteristic of this seal 14 is that it comprises, more particularly at its washer 15, an annular bead 20.

It is, more particularly, this bead 20 which seals between the skirt 8 and the seat 9.

To do this, this bead 20 is designed so as to be crushed by the skirt 8 and / or by the seat 9.

According to another characteristic, the seal 14 is defined in a metallic material.

Claims

1. Device (2) for reversible assembly of a first (3) and a second (4) tubular section of an exhaust line (1), this device (2) comprising, on the one hand, nesting means (5) associated with the first tubular section (3) and at least partly constituted by a skirt (8) flaring, on the other hand, complementary nesting means (6) associated with second tubular section (4), at least partly constituted by a seat (9) adopting a shape complementary to the skirt (8) of said interlocking means (5) and capable of cooperating with the latter (5), on the other again, sealing means (13) interposed between the skirt (8) and the - seat (9) as well as means (12) able to immobilize the first (3) and the second (4) section tubular one (3) relative to the other (4), characterized in that the sealing means (13) are constituted by a seal (14) adopting the shape of a ro ndelle annulaire (15), conforming to the shape of the skirt (8) and / or of the seat (9), engaged around the second tubular section (4) and comprising means (17) capable of ensuring its maintenance on this second tubular section (4).

2. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular washer (15) is of frustoconical shape so as to match the conical shape of the skirt (8) and / or of the seat (9 ).

3. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular washer (15) comprises an annular bead (20) for sealing.

4. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (17) are of the elastic type.

5. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (17) consist of tongues (18) extending radially from the washer (15 ) and inside a central opening (16) which delimits this washer (15).

6. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that a tongue (18) of the holding means (17) has a free end (19) shaped in a flared manner.

7. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (14) is defined in a metallic material.

8. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat (9) is constituted by an annular bead associated with the second tubular section (4) and defined by deformation of this second tubular section (4).

9. A reversible assembly device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the seat (9) is defined at the level of an annular element (10) disposed around the second tubular section ( 4) and made integral with the latter (4), in particular by welding.

10. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second tubular section (4) comprises a portion of tube, extending between the seat (9) and one end (11) of this second tubular section (4), and around which the gasket (14) is engaged.

11. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the complementary interlocking means (6) are partly constituted by an end part which comprises the portion of tube around which is engaged the seal (14).

12. Reversible assembly device (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that the fitting means (5) are partly constituted by a fitting sleeve, able to cooperate with the end part of the tube portion of the second tubular section (4) -and, - preferably, constituted by an extension of the first tubular section (3).

13. Device (2) for reversible assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skirt (8) is constituted by an extension of the first tubular section (3), or even by an extension of the sleeve. nesting.

14. Seal (14), in particular intended to equip the device (2) for reversible assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that this seal (14): takes the form of an annular washer (15) of frustoconical shape and delimiting a central opening (16) intended to be crossed by a tubular element;

- Has means (17) capable of ensuring its retention on said tubular element engaged through its central opening (16).

15. A seal (14) according to claim 14, characterized in that the annular washer (15) comprises an annular bead (20) sealing.

16. A seal (14) according to any one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the holding means (17) are of the elastic type.

17. Seal (14) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the holding means (17) consist of tongues (18) extending radially from the washer ( 15) and inside the central opening (16).

18. A seal (14) according to claim 17, characterized in that a tongue (18) of the holding means (17) has a free end (19) shaped in a flared manner.

19. Seal (14) according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the seal (14) is defined in a metallic material.