FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970 [39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
Title: “A MUFFLER MOUNT”
Name and address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
Nationality: India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the disclosure are related to muffler packaging on vehicles and more particularly to the mounting arrangement of muffler in such systems.
BACKGROUND
Exhaust muffler is an integral part of automotive exhaust system. The main purpose of muffler on an automobile is to create appropriate back pressure at exhaust manifold and to attenuate the noise produced due to combustion process.
Muffler mounting bracket and strap failure is a serious concern as it leads to damage of muffler box and loss of its functionality. The position and mounting arrangement of muffler is very important for its functional efficiency and durability. The muffler should be mounted in such a manner that it can discharge the exhaust gases in the intended direction with sufficient quietness and by maintaining the required back pressure at exhaust manifold for efficient engine performance.
The muffler mounting arrangement plays important roll to isolate vibration in between frame and muffler body. The mounting hanger should be sufficiently flexible to isolate the transfer of chassis vibration to muffler and vice versa at the same time it should meet the durability requirement. The previous mountings for such mufflers have been of rigid type, fixed to long member or cross member of the vehicle with dampers. The cross member keeps on changing its position based on various aspects like strength, durability, packaging constraints etc. If a rigid muffler mount is fixed to these changing cross members it will results in numerous proposals for muffler with dissimilarity in exhaust system and hence will undermine the concept of standardization.
The existing muffler mounting is of fixed type on the cross member with tubular rods. Any change in the position of the cross member will impact the positioning of the muffler. These arrangements are quite simple but have limited interchangeability with different variants and hence undermine the concept of modularity.

The embodiments of the present disclosure arose during developmental efforts directed towards mounting mufflers in light duty trucks in horizontal position. The said embodiment provides a simple and flexible system allowing the mount to adjust based on the cross member placement in the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a system as claimed in claims 1 and 12.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
The embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly useful in body on chassis type vehicles wherein the cross member changes from one variant to another variant. It thereby offers a flexibility to incorporate a common muffler mount for exhaust system to take care of varying vehicle configuration. The U type hanger (9) for triangular dampener (16) mounting are rigidly welded to this mount for supporting muffler. The flexibility is provided by a toggle mechanism for adjusting the proposed muffler mount with a screw. The angle between the links (4) can be varied over a wide range thereby giving varied distances from fixed cross member. The U type hanger (9) along with triangular dampener (16) provides necessary vibration isolation and durability to the exhaust system.
An exemplary embodiment provides a muffler mount comprising plurality of U-type hanger (9) separated from each other by predetermined distance, said U-type hanger bent at desired place and joined on surface of box type bar (22) and at least one three-point triangular dampener (16) to insert the hangers (9) onto its two holes and muffler hanger (15) onto its lower hole provided at corners of the dampener (16).
Another exemplary embodiment provides a muffler mount comprising front plate (2) and back plate (1); plurality of connecting plates (3) having predetermined shape joined to inner surface of said back plate (1) and said front plate (2); plurality of links (4) arranged in-between said plates to adjust the mount with a power screw (8);

said power screw (8) connected to nuts (7) fixed on extreme ends of the links (4) with pins (5 and 6) for transmitting power to the links (4) through the nuts (7); and plurality of mounting hangers (9) with extended arms welded to the front plate (2) for holding at least one flexible dampener (16).
In an exemplary embodiment, the muffler mount is connected to muffler (10) with the help of muffler hanger rods (15) welded on each side of the strip (14) provided on the surface of the muffler (10).
In an exemplary embodiment, the back plate (1) is provided with weld nuts (19) for attaching the adjustable mount to vehicle cross member (13).
In an exemplary embodiment, the power screw (8) with opposed threads on either side is of self locking type to maintain a fixed distance between said plates (1 and 2).
In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting hangers (9) having predetermined shape are connected to the triangular shaped dampener (16) using at least one hole provided at three corners of the connector (16).
In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting hangers (9) are U type hangers and are separated from each other by suitable distance.
In an exemplary embodiment, the front plate (2) and the back plate (1) are C-channel brackets.
In an exemplary embodiment, the connecting plates (3) are trapezoidal in shape.
Another exemplary embodiment provides a method of assembling a muffler mount, said method comprising acts of placing front plate (2) and back plate (1) to face each other ; welding plurality of connecting plates (3) having predetermined shape to the back plate (1) and the front plate (2); connecting the welded plates (3) to nuts (7) fixed on extreme ends of links using pins (5 and 6), wherein the links (4) are arranged in between the plates (1 and 2) to adjust the mount; inserting a power screw (8) through the nuts (7) for transmitting power to the links (4); and welding plurality of mounting

hangers (9) with extended arm onto the front plate (2) for holding at least one flexible dampener (16).
Another exemplary embodiment provides a vehicle comprising the muffler mount as defined hereinabove.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
FIG 1 is an exemplary diagram which illustrates an isometric view of the adjustable muffler mount.
FIG 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of present disclosure used to mount the muffler (10) on cross member above its centre.
FIG 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of present disclosure used to mount the muffler (10) on cross member which is off centered.
FIG 4 is an exemplary diagram which shows an elevation view of the muffler mount with two hanger (9) with extended arms.
FIG 5 is an exemplary diagram which shows another embodiment of present disclosure used to mount the muffler (10) on cross member above its centre with a different type of rubber connector (20) and mounting hanger (21) configuration.

FIG 6 is an exemplary diagram which shows the elevation view of the present muffler mount as described in FIG 5.
FIG 7 is an exemplary diagram which shows the perspective view of an alternative muffler mounting bracket.
FIG 8 is an exemplary diagram which shows the perspective view of an alternative muffler mounting bracket fitted on the vehicle with muffler assembly.
FIG 9 is an exemplary diagram which shows the isometric view of back plate
(1) used in present disclosure.
FIG 10 is an exemplary diagram which shows the isometric view of front plate
(2) used in present disclosure.
FIG 11 is an exemplary diagram which shows the elevation view of trapezoidal plate (3) used in present disclosure.
FIG 12 is an exemplary diagram which shows the plain view of pin (5) used in present disclosure.
FIG 13 is an exemplary diagram which shows the elevation view of nut (7) used in present disclosure.
FIG 14 is an exemplary diagram which shows the hanger (9) used in embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG 15 is an exemplary diagram which shows the power screw used in embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG 16 is an exemplary diagram which shows the plain view of link (4) used in embodiments of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
An embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more problems as set forth.
In one aspect of the disclosure, this is accomplished in an engine and exhaust system wherein muffler is connected at one location thereon to an engine by a rigid exhaust pipe there between by providing a toggle type support bracket and a generally used vertical flexible triangular rubber hanger with U type fixed rods on the front plate and other set of hanger fixed to a plate on muffler.
Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a exhaust muffler mounting arrangement for connecting muffler (10) to the exhaust pipe with flange (17) and a tail pipe (11) at the rear. The muffler (10) has a rectangular strips (14) welded on its surface for holding the hanger rods (15) on each side of the strip as shown in FIG 2.
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, the muffler mounting assembly comprises C channel brackets (1 & 2) (alternatively referred as

front plate (2) and back plate (1), said expressions are interchangeably referred throughout the specification without departing the scope) at the front and rear end which is having four holes at corners, and two solid U type hangers (9) with bend at desired place which is welded on the larger surface of back plate (1) and separated from each other by suitable distance. The detailed arrangement of the adjustable muffler mount is explained herein below.
In one exemplary embodiment, the adjustable muffler mount consists of a back plate (1) which is fixed to cross member (13) with bolts (18). A set of trapezoidal plates (3) are welded to the inside of the back plate (1) and to the front plate (2). Links (4) are used for adjusting the proposed mount with a power screw (8). The power screw (8) engages with nuts (7) fixed on the extreme end of the links (4) with pins (5). The front plate (2) has hanger (9) with extended arms to hold the flexible rubber hanger (16). The back plate (1) is provided with weld nuts (19) to attach the said adjustable mount to vehicle cross member (13). The power screw (8) is having opposed threads on either side to achieve the flexibility as proposed in present disclosure.
In one embodiment, the present mount can be adjusted with power screw (8) operated manually in order to obtain varied distances between the front plate (1) and back plate (2), thus providing flexibility in terms of mounting the muffler (10) in horizontal position. The power screw (8) is of self locking type to maintain a fixed distance between end plates. The hangers (16) provide flexibility in all three directions. Said hangers are made by rubber or other such elastomer having dampening property and are provided to dampen the vibrations. Moreover the present mount helps in mounting the muffler (10) at its centre of gravity thus reducing the swinging motion encountered otherwise in earlier mounting arrangements thereby increasing stability and life of the arrangement.
As illustrated in figures 2-5, the muffler mount as described hereinabove allows flexibility in terms of mounting the muffler (10) with varying cross member (13) which is fixed to long member (12) of a commercial vehicle, usually a light commercial vehicle. The mounting bracket assembly is fastened with the help of nut (19) and bolt (18) on the cross member (13), wherein cross member (13) in turn connected to long member (12) with the help of nut and bolt as shown in Fig. 2. The fixing arrangements

are not restricted to fastening with the help of nuts and bolts only rather other joining methods can also be used such as coupling, welding etc.. The muffler mount of the present disclosure includes but not limiting to two numbers of brackets. However, the number of bracket required depends on the size and weight of the muffler. On each U type hanger (9) one three point triangular dampener (16) is inserted on its two holes. The muffler assembly includes muffler hangers (15) welded on the surface of the muffler as shown in the Fig. 2. A tail pipe (11) and inlet pipe with flange (17) are also welded on the muffler (10). Each muffler hanger (15) is inserted against the lower hole of triangular dampener (16).
In another embodiment, the adjustable muffler mount is manufactured as a sub assembly on the production line. The mount is assembled on the cross member of the vehicle using standard fasteners. Then the extension of the said mount will be carried out with a Pneumatic runner available on line. The rubber buffers/hangers would then be assembled along with the muffler hanger rods (15). The extension of the mounting depends on the wheel base of the vehicle and the particular distance at which the muffler is placed in vehicle.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which has a hanger (21) with extended arms fixed to front plate (2). A different type of dampener (20) can be used with certain inclination with respect to vertical. This arrangement provides more stable mounting since the centre line of the dampener (20) are directed towards the centre of gravity of the muffler there by mitigating the swing effect experienced in this type of mount thereby increasing stability and life of the arrangement.
Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative exemplary embodiment of the muffler mount. The muffler mount assembly as shown in fig. 7 comprises rectangular plate (23) which is having four holes at corners, hollow rectangular box type bar (22) which is welded on the rectangular plate (23). Two solid U type hangers (9) with bend at desired place are welded on the larger surface of box type bar (22). The hangers (9) are separated from each other by suitable distance.

The muffler mount is fastened with the help of nut (7) and bolt (18) on the long member of the vehicle. The arrangement of muffler mount in the vehicle is illustrated diagrammatically in fig. 8. In the present disclosure for the illustration purpose the number of muffler mount used is two. However, the number of muffler mount required depends on the size and weight of the muffler. On each type U type hanger (9) one three point rectangular dampener (16) is inserted on its two holes. The muffler assembly further includes muffler hangers (15) welded on the outer surface of the muffler as shown in fig. 8 each muffler hanger (15) is inserted against the lower hole of triangular dampener.
The provision of box type bar (22) provides sufficient rigidity to the bracket which is must from durability point of view. The provision of triangular dampener (16) provided a 3 - bar chain with zero degree of freedom at the same time flexibility of rubber helps in absorbing the vibration energy transferred from engine side or from the chassis and eliminates the failure of hangers due to shock load . The overall arrangement results in perfect mounting scheme for the silencer assembly.
Figs. 9 to 16 diagrammatically illustrate the individual components used in the present muffler mount. In particularly, figs. 9 and 10 shown as exemplary C-channel brackets also referred as front plate (2) and back plate (1). The back plate (1) includes predetermined number of holes preferably four at predetermined location of the plate (1). The hole provided at the corners of the back plate (1) facilitates in fixing the back plate (1) to vehicle cross member (13) (not shown in figure). Fig. 11 shows connecting plates (3). The nuts (7) as shown in fig. 13 is connected to the connecting plates (3) using the pins (5 and 6). The pin which facilitate in connecting two different parts is diagrammatically illustrated in fig. 12. Figure 15 depicts a power screw (8) with left and right hand threads on either side are used to transmit the power to the linkages through nut. The mechanical links (4) provided in between the plates (1 and 2) for providing flexibility in terms of muffler mounting. The mechanical links include two holes at its ends and same is illustrated in fig. 16. Fig. 14 shows a U-type hanger (9) bent at desired place and is welded on the larger surface of back plate (1). Shape of the hanger can be varied based on the requirement.

The mounting arrangement of present disclosure allows the vertical motion of complete muffler assembly up to certain extent which further depends on the stiffness property of the dampener 16. Rubber connecter 16 also dampens the vibration by dissipating energy as a result of simultaneous expansion and contraction of dampener 16 along vertical direction. The swing of muffler 10 about its longitudinal axis results due to engine vibration. The present arrangement dampens the swing movement by simultaneous compression and expansion of dampener 16.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.
Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Table 1 - List of numerals

Numeral Number Description
1 Back Plate
2 Front Plate
3 Connecting plate
4 Mechanical link
5 and 6 Joint Pins
7 Nuts
8 Power Screw
9 Hanger
10 Muffler
11 Tail pipe
12 Vehicle’s long member
13 Vehicle’s Cross Member
14 Strip
15 Muffler Hanger
16 Dampener
17 Inlet pipe with Flange
18 Bolts
19 Weld Nuts
20 Dampener
21 Hanger
22 Box type bar
23 Rectangular plate

We claim:
1. A muffler mount comprising plurality of U-type hanger (9) separated from each other by predetermined distance, said U-type hanger bent at desired place and joined on surface of box type bar (22) and at least one three-point triangular dampener (16) to insert the hangers (9) onto its two holes and muffler hanger (15) onto its lower hole provided at corners of the dampener (16).
2. A muffler mount comprising
front plate (2) and back plate (1);
plurality of connecting plates (3) having predetermined shape joined to inner surface of said back plate (1) and said front plate (2);
plurality of links (4) arranged in-between said plates to adjust the mount with a power screw (8);
said power screw (8) connected to nuts (7) fixed on extreme ends of the links (4) with pins (5 and 6) for transmitting power to the links (4) through the nuts (7); and
plurality of mounting hangers (9) with extended arms welded to the front plate (2) for holding at least one flexible dampener (16).
3. The muffler mount as claimed in claim 2, wherein the muffler mount is connected to muffler (10) with the help of muffler hangers (15) welded on each side of the strip (14) provided on the surface of the muffler (10).
4. The muffler mount as claimed in claim 2, wherein the back plate (1) is provided with weld nuts (19) for attaching the adjustable mount to vehicle cross member (13).
5. The muffler mount as claimed in claim 2, wherein the power screw (8) with opposed threads on either side is of self locking type to maintain a fixed distance between said plates (1 and 2).

6. The muffler mount as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting hangers (9) having predetermined shape are connected to the triangular shaped dampener (16) using at least one hole provided at three corners of the connector (16).
7. The muffler mount as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting hangers (9) are U type hangers and are separated from each other by suitable distance.
8. The muffler mount as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front plate (2) and the back plate (1) are C-channel brackets.
9. The muffler mount as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connecting plates (3) are trapezoidal in shape.
10. A method of assembling a muffler mount, said method comprising acts of
i. placing front plate (2) and back plate (1) to face each other ;
ii. welding plurality of connecting plates (3) having predetermined shape to
the back plate (1) and the front plate (2); iii. connecting the welded plates (3) to nuts (7) fixed on extreme ends of
links using pins (5 and 6), wherein the links (4) are arranged in between
the plates (1 and 2) to adjust the mount; iv. inserting a power screw (8) through the nuts (7) for transmitting power
to the links (4); and v. welding plurality of mounting hangers (9) with extended arm onto the
front plate (2) for holding at least one flexible dampener (16).
11. A vehicle comprising the muffler mount as claimed in claim 3.
12. A muffler mount substantially as herein above described and as illustrated in accompanying drawings.