Claims:WE CLAIM
1. An exhaust system (100) for a motor vehicle (10) comprising: an exhaust pipe (120) extending between a first end (120a) and a second end (120b), the first end (120a) connected to an exhaust port of an internal combustion (IC) engine (130); and a muffler (110) extending between an inlet port (110a) and an outlet port (110b), the inlet port (110a) connected to the second end (120b) of the exhaust pipe (120) and the outlet port (110b) expels exhaust gas received from the inlet port (110a) through the exhaust pipe (120), the muffler (110) configured to be mounted on a swing arm (170) of the motor vehicle (10).

2. The exhaust system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the muffler (110) comprises a fixating hoop (140) to be mounted on the swing arm (170).

3. The exhaust system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixating hoop (140) is disposed equidistant from the first end (120a) of the exhaust pipe (120) and the outlet port (110b) of the muffler (110).

4. The exhaust system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a bracket (150) disposed on the swing arm (170), the bracket (150) when aligned with the fixating hoop (140) receives a fixating means (160) to mount the muffler (110) to the swing arm (170).

5. The exhaust system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket (150) is disposed between the IC engine (130) mounted on the swing arm (170) and an electric motor (180) mounted on the swing arm (170) and coupled with a rear wheel (22) of the motor vehicle (10).

6. A motor vehicle (10) having a main frame (50), the main frame (50) having a head tube (12) for receiving a steering shaft; a main tube (14) extending downwardly and rearwardly in a vehicle front rear direction (F-R) from the head tube (12), turning upwardly and terminating into seat rails (16); a swing arm (170) extending rearwards in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R) from the upwardly turning main tube (14); an internal combustion (IC) engine (130) mounted on the swing arm (170); and an exhaust system (100) coupled with the IC engine (130), the exhaust system (100) comprising: an exhaust pipe (120) extending between a first end (120a) and a second end (120b), the first end (120a) connected to an exhaust port of the internal combustion (IC) engine (130); and a muffler (110) extending between an inlet port (110a) and an outlet port (110b), the inlet port (110a) connected to the second end (120b) of the exhaust pipe (120) for receiving exhaust gas from the exhaust pipe (120), the muffler (110) configured to be mounted on the swing arm (170) of the motor vehicle (10).

7. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the muffler (110) comprises a fixating hoop (140) to be mounted on the swing arm (170).

8. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6 comprises a bracket (150) disposed on the swing arm (170), the bracket (150) when aligned with the fixating hoop (140) receives a fixating means (160) to mount the muffler (110) to the swing arm (170).

9. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the muffler (110) is disposed substantially adjacent to the swing arm (170) in the vehicle front rear direction (F-R)

10. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6 comprises an electric motor (180) mounted on the swing arm (170) and coupled with a rear wheel (22).

11. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the electric motor (180) is mounted on hub of the rear wheel (22).
12. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bracket (150) is disposed between the IC engine (130) and the electric motor (180).

13. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in in claim 6, wherein the muffler (110) is mounted between the IC engine (130) and the electric motor (180).

14. The motor vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6 is a hybrid motor vehicle.

Dated this 09th day of July 2021
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471 , Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to an exhaust system for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Growing technological advances and incorporating the same on vehicles having conventional designs is one of the major challenges faced by vehicle manufacturers. Owing to this technological growth, increasing government norms, and to increasing one’s competitive edge to meet consumer demand, one such area of constant advancement is engines and exhaust systems.
[003] Conventional scooter-type two wheeled vehicles include an internal combustion (IC) engine disposed rearwardly in a vehicle front-rear direction. The IC engine is connected to an exhaust pipe which extends out from an exhaust port of the IC engine. The exhaust pipe then extends rearwardly in the vehicle front-rear direction and is connected to a muffler. The muffler is a sound altering device which along with receiving exhaust gas from the exhaust pipe, essentially dampens noise of the exhaust stream and hence is an important part of the exhaust system.
[004] In the conventional scooter-type vehicle, the exhaust muffler is generally mounted on crankcase of the engine. However, mounting the muffler on the crankcase has certain problems. As shown in Figure 1, the conventional muffler M being a substantially heavy component is mounted on the crankcase at two mounting points A and B. The muffler M is thus disposed longitudinally rearwards in the vehicle front-rear direction from the mounting points A and B. This arrangement however creates a cantilever due to the weight of the muffler M resulting in higher loads experienced at points A and B. To compensate, respective mounting brackets are generally made heavier and bulky. This, in return increases parts to manufacture and does not completely solve the problem.
[005] To solve this problem, vehicle manufacturers made a separate bridge member extending from the engine to support the exhaust system. However, the bridge member also failed to support the muffler entirely since the bridge member had limited rigidity and had multiple mounting points which made the entire system more complex creating further problems relating to mounting and dismounting the exhaust assembly.
[006] Further, owing to development of hybrid vehicles which now have an electric motor suspended in the vicinity of the engine, the position of the engine has therefore been shifted to accommodate the electric motor. Thus, the conventional two-point mounting brackets cannot be used at all in these hybrid vehicles.
[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for an exhaust system which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] The present invention is directed to an exhaust system for a motor vehicle. The exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe extending between a first end and a second end, the first end connected to an exhaust port of an internal combustion (IC) engine; and a muffler extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet port connected to the second end of the exhaust pipe and the outlet port expels exhaust gas received from the inlet port through the exhaust pipe, the muffler configured to be mounted on a swing arm of the motor vehicle.
[009] In an embodiment, the muffler includes a fixating hoop to be mounted on the swing arm. In another embodiment, the fixating hoop is disposed equidistant from the first end of the exhaust pipe and the outlet port of the muffler.
[010] In a further embodiment, the exhaust system includes a bracket disposed on the swing arm, the bracket when aligned with the fixating hoop receives a fixating means to mount the muffler to the swing arm.
[011] In yet another embodiment, the bracket is disposed between the IC engine mounted on the swing arm and an electric motor mounted on the swing arm and coupled with a rear wheel of the motor vehicle.
[012] Another aspect of the present invention discloses a motor vehicle having a main frame, the main frame having a head tube for receiving a steering shaft; a main tube extending downwardly and rearwardly in a vehicle front rear direction from the head tube, turning upwardly and terminating into seat rails. The motor vehicle further includes a swing arm extending rearwards in the vehicle front-rear direction from the upwardly turning main tube; an internal combustion (IC) engine mounted on the swing arm; and an exhaust system coupled with the IC engine. The exhaust system includes: an exhaust pipe extending between a first end and a second end, the first end connected to an exhaust port of the internal combustion (IC) engine; and a muffler extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet port connected to the second end of the exhaust pipe for receiving exhaust gas from the exhaust pipe, the muffler configured to be mounted on the swing arm of the motor vehicle.
[013] In an embodiment of the invention, the muffler includes a fixating hoop to be mounted on the swing arm.
[014] In another embodiment, the motor vehicle includes a bracket disposed on the swing arm, the bracket when aligned with the fixating hoop receives a fixating means to mount the muffler to the swing arm. In yet another embodiment, the muffler is disposed substantially adjacent to the swing arm in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[015] In yet another embodiment, the motor vehicle includes an electric motor mounted on the swing arm and coupled with a rear wheel. In a further embodiment, the electric motor is mounted on hub of the rear wheel.
[016] In an embodiment of the invention, the bracket is disposed between the IC engine and the electric motor. In another embodiment, the muffler is mounted between the IC engine and the electric motor.
[017] In an embodiment of the invention, the motor vehicle is a hybrid motor vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[018] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a conventional exhaust system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a two wheeled motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows top view of rear portion of the motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows the exhaust system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the motor vehicle with the exhaust system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a side view of the motor vehicle without the exhaust system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 shows a side view of the motor vehicle with the exhaust system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the rear portion of the motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to an exhaust system for a motor vehicle.
[020] Figure 2 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary saddle-type motor vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The motor vehicle 10 includes a main frame 50 having a head tube 12. The main frame 50 has a front member 13 extending downward from the headtube 12. Further, the main frame 50 has a main tube 14 extending rearwardly and then upwardly in a rear direction from a lower portion of the front member 13 in a vehicle front-rear direction F-R. The motor vehicle 10 further has a swing arm 170 (shown in figure 3). The swing arm 170 extends rearwardly in the vehicle front-rear (F-R) direction from the main tube 14. In the present embodiment, a pair of seat rails 16 (only one shown) extend rearwardly from a rear end of the main tube 14 in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R. The motor vehicle 10 has an internal combustion (IC) engine 130 disposed below the seat rails 16. In the present embodiment, the IC engine 130 is disposed on the swing arm 170 (seen in Figure 3). The motor vehicle 10 further has an exhaust system 100 wherein the exhaust system 100 includes an exhaust muffler 120 extending rearwardly in the vehicle front-rear (F-R) direction.
[021] Further, as seen in Figure 2, the motor vehicle 10 has a seat 32 disposed on the pair of seat rails 16 supported by the main frame 50. The seat 32 is hingedly openable to provide access to a utility box (not shown) disposed beneath the seat 32. Towards front side, the motor vehicle 10 has one or more front suspensions 20 (only one shown) connected to a front wheel 46 which is further connected to a handlebar assembly 48, which forms a steering assembly 55 of the motor vehicle 10. The steering assembly 55 has a pair of rearview mirrors 36a, 36b. The steering assembly 55 is rotatably disposed about the head tube 12.
[022] The motor vehicle 10 has a floorboard 34 wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 10 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard 34. Further, the floorboard 34 is capable of carrying loads. In an embodiment, the vehicle 10 has a power source (not shown) disposed below the floorboard 34.
[023] Towards rear side, the motor vehicle 10 has a rear wheel 22 connected to one or more rear suspensions 24. The rear wheel 22 is coupled with the swing arm 170 (shown in figure 3). In addition, the vehicle 10 has a rear fender 28 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 22 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 22.
[024] The vehicle 10 further includes plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight assembly 42, a taillight assembly 30, a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown). Further, the motor vehicle 10 is thus made to stay in a riding ready position over a center stand 40.
[025] In an embodiment, the motor vehicle 10 is a hybrid type motor vehicle. In this regard, the motor vehicle 10 also has an electric motor 180 (shown in Figure 3). In the present embodiment, the electric motor 180 is mounted on the swing arm 170. The electric motor is coupled with the rear wheel 22 of the motor vehicle 10. In an embodiment of the invention, the electric motor 180 is directly mounted on a hub of the rear wheel 22.
[026] Referring now to Figure 3, the exhaust system 100 of the motor vehicle 10 includes an exhaust pipe 110. The exhaust pipe 100 extends between a first end 110a and a second end 110b. As seen in the Figure, the first end 110a of the exhaust pipe 110 is connected to the IC engine 130 mounted on the swing arm 170. More specifically, the first end 110a of the exhaust pipe 110 is connected to an exhaust port of the IC engine 130.
[027] According to the present invention, the exhaust system 100 includes a muffler 120. Referring to Figure 4, the muffler 110 extends rearwardly in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R) between an inlet port 110a and an outlet port 110b. As seen in the Figure, the inlet port 110a of the muffler 110 is connected to the second end 110b of the exhaust pipe 110. Thus, exhaust gas emitted from the IC engine 130 is passes though the exhaust pipe 110, is received by the inlet port 110a of the muffler 110 and is expelled in atmosphere from the outlet port 110b of the muffler 110.
[028] Referring now to Figure 5, according to the present invention, the muffler 110 is configured to be mounted on the swing arm 170 of the motor vehicle 10. In this regard, referring to Figure 4, the muffler 110 has a fixating hoop 140 by which the muffler 110 can be mounted on the swing arm 170. In an embodiment of the invention, the fixating hoop 140 is disposed equidistant from the first end 120a of the exhaust pipe 120 and the outlet port 120b of the muffler 110.
[029] In an embodiment of the invention, the exhaust system 100 has a bracket 150. Referring to Figure 6, the bracket 150 is disposed on the swing arm 170 of the motor vehicle 10. Thus, in order to mount the muffler 110 on the swing arm 170, the bracket 150 is aligned with the fixating hoop 140 of the muffler 110. The bracket 150 and the fixating hoop 140 then receive fixating means 160 thus mounting the muffler 110 on the swing arm 170. In an embodiment, the fixating means 160 include screws, nuts, bolts etc.
[030] Referring yet to Figure 6, in an embodiment of the invention, the bracket 150 is disposed between the IC engine 130 mounted on the swing arm 170, and the electric motor 180 mounted on the swing arm 170 whereby the electric motor 180 is coupled with the rear wheel 22 of the motor vehicle 10. In this regard, in an embodiment of the invention, the bracket 150 is disposed between the IC engine 130 and the electric motor 180. Thus, as seen in Figures 7 and 8, in an embodiment of the invention, the muffler 110 is mounted between the IC engine 130 and the electric motor 180. In an embodiment of the invention, and as seen in Figure 8, the muffler 110 is mounted substantially adjacent to the swing arm 170.
[031] Advantageously, the exhaust system of the present invention is mounted on the vehicle at only two points, one at the exhaust port of the IC engine and the second being on the swing arm of the motor vehicle. As opposed to conventional three-point mounting, whereby the muffler was mounted on the crankcase of the engine on two points; the muffler of the present invention is mounted on the swing arm only on a single point. The cantilever effect thereby created in the conventional mounting is thus obviated due to the single point mounting as described in the present invention. Further, since motor vehicles are gradually moving towards hybrids, the exhaust system as disclosed in the present invention is manifold relevant to such hybrid vehicles. Moreover, mounting and dismounting of the exhaust system from the motor vehicle during servicing and replacement is a much simpler task as well.
[032] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.