FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to an exhaust pipe supporting structure in vehicle, and, in particular, to a U shaped exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly to support exhaust pipe and restrict torsional (right 5 left) movement of the exhaust system.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Generally, exhaust system includes muffler and exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is opening at rear side of the vehicle. Where the one end part of the exhaust pipe is connected with engine at front side of the vehicle. The muffler is a silencer 10 which reduces the noise created by exhaust of internal combustion engine. The exhaust pipe is long in length from the engine to rear end of the vehicle. The exhaust pipe is fixed by hangers at a plurality of positions under the vehicle body. The hangers are provided to support the exhaust pipe and to absorb vibrations of the exhaust pipe which is generated when vehicle is in moving condition. 15
[003] Generally, the hanger assembly consists of vibration damping material and connecting shaft members. One end of the hanger assembly is connected to the vehicle lower body and other end is connected to the exhaust pipe to support the exhaust pipe.
[004] Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional muffler hanger used in the vehicles to 20 support the exhaust pipe. A muffler hanger assembly is disposed between the exhaust pipe system and the lower portion of the vehicle body. The muffler hanger assembly has two connecting shaft members. The two connecting shaft members are upper connect shaft member 106 and lower connect shaft member 108. The upper connect shaft member 106 is connected to cross member 102 of 25 lower vehicle body at one end, while the lower connect shaft member 108 is connected with the exhaust pipe system 100 at one end. In between the upper connect shaft member 106 and the lower connect shaft member 108, a vibration damping component 104 is provided. The vibration damping component 104 has
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two vertical connecting holes in which other ends of the upper connect shaft member 106 and the lower connect shaft member 108 is inserted so as to connect the exhaust pipe system 100 to the vehicle cross member. In this muffler hanger, the vibration damping component 104 connects the muffler and the vehicle with single rod or shaft member which exhibits poor torsion resistance to the muffler 5 movement. Further this muffler hanger causes high torsional movement which may damage flexible exhaust pipe mounting and reduces life of the exhaust pipe 100.
[005] Another known muffler or exhaust pipe mounting structure is described in the figure 2. In this mounting structure, exhaust pipe 200 is connected with the 10 cross member 202 at the lower portion of the vehicle body. In this mounting structure, two vibration damping components 208 are provided in between the cross member 202 and the exhaust pipe 200. Each of the two vibration damping component 208 has two holes in vertical arrangement to receive end portion of connecting shaft members. Further, one end of upper two connecting shaft 15 member 206 are mounted on the cross member 202 and one end of lower two connecting shaft members 204 are mounted on the exhaust pipe system 200. Other end which is free end of the upper connecting shaft members 206 are inserted in upper holes of the two vibration damping components 208. Similarly, free ends of the lower connecting shaft members 204 are inserted in the lower holes of the two 20 vibration damping components 208. Upon insertion of the ends in the holes of the two vibration damping components 208, the muffler is connected with the cross member 202 of the vehicle. Though, this mounting structure restricts torsion movement (left and right movement of the muffler along the hanger) of the exhaust pipe system 100 effectively, but this mounting structure is very bulky in 25 design and it increases weight of the mounting structure. Further, it adds extra material like two vibration damping components, three extra connecting shafts, and welding at five extra places which increases the cost of the mounting structure.
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[006] Chinese patent publication CN105649745A relates to an automotive part, in particular relates to an exhaust pipe hanger assembly. The exhaust pipe hanger assembly, which comprises an exhaust pipe, an exhaust pipe is provided with a W-shaped fixing plate, the middle part of the W-shaped fixing plate is provided with a cylindrical the two ends of the fixed tube, two cylindrical fixed tube 5 welding on the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe hanger assembly of the present invention, the design of the hook, thus the exhaust pipe can be safely fixed in the bottom of the body. Furthermore, through the anti-corrosion processing W-shaped fixing plate and a cylindrical fixed tube, so that the corrosion resistance can be remarkably improved. In this hanger, torsion movement of the muffler is not 10 restricted.
[007] Though these prior arts provide support to the muffler and exhaust pipe as they are intended for, but each has its own drawbacks and limitations. These known systems do not restrict torsion movement of the exhaust pipe system effectively which ultimately reduces the supporting strength of the muffler and 15 exhaust pipe from the vehicle. Further, the existing known systems are costly and have multiple parts which make the structure complex and heavy. Therefore, a simple and inexpensive exhaust pipe mounting structure is required which can effectively restrict the torsion movement of the muffler and the exhaust pipe.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION: 20
[008] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide an exhaust pipe mounting structure for restricting torsional movement of the exhaust pipe.
[009] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide an exhaust pipe mounting structure which can provide proper support to the exhaust pipe.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, light 25 weight and low cost exhaust pipe mounting structure for restricting the torsion movement of the exhaust pipe and for supporting the exhaust pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
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[0011] The present subject matter disclosed herein relates to an exhaust pipe support mounting structure for supporting an exhaust pipe in a vehicle. The exhaust pipe support mounting structure includes a lower connecting member shaft which is mounted on the exhaust pipe and an exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly is mounted on a cross 5 member of the vehicle. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly has two tubular connecting member shafts. Further the exhaust pipe support mounting structure has a vibration damping component which is disposed between the two tubular connecting member shaft of the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly and the lower connecting member shaft to support the exhaust pipe. 10
[0012] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15
[0013] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number 20 identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 25
[0014] Fig. 1 illustrates muffler hanger mounting structure of the exhaust pipe assembly as known in the art;
[0015] Fig. 2 illustrates muffler hanger or exhaust pipe mounting structure of the exhaust pipe assembly as known in the art;
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[0016] Fig. 3 illustrates exhaust pipe support mounting structure for the exhaust pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0017] Fig. 4 illustrates exhaust pipe mounting bracket of the exhaust pipe support mounting structure for the exhaust pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and 5
[0018] Fig. 5 illustrates cross section view of mounted exhaust pipe mounting bracket on cross member of vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from 10 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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0020] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an exhaust pipe support 15 mounting structure for restricting torsion movement of muffler and exhaust pipe. The present exhaust pipe support mounting structure includes an exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly, a vibration damping component, and lower connecting member shaft. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly comprises a U shape bracket and two tubular connecting member shafts. One end of the two 20 tubular connecting member shafts are mounted on outer base surface of the U shape bracket, while other end of the two tubular connecting member shafts are free to engage with the vibration damping component. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly is mounted on a cross member of vehicle. The lower connecting member shaft is mounted on the exhaust pipe of the vehicle from one end. The 25 vibration damping component is interposed between the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly and the lower connecting member shaft. The vibration damping component receives the two tubular connecting member shafts and one lower connecting member shaft to hang the exhaust pipe on the vehicle body. The
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vibration damping component has three connecting holes while two connecting holes are in horizontal direction and one connecting holes is below the two connecting holes towards the exhaust pipe. The free ends of the two tubular connecting member shafts are inserted in the two horizontal connecting holes while the free end of the lower connecting member shaft is inserted in the lower 5 connecting hole to connect the exhaust pipe mounting structure to the vehicle and to the exhaust pipe. Accordingly, the exhaust pipe mounting structure connects the exhaust pipe with the vehicle body. The vibration damping component supports the exhaust pipe on the vehicle body. The present exhaust pipe support mounting structure has two tubular connecting member shaft at the upper side of the 10 vibration damping component and one connecting member shaft below the vibration damping component to connect the exhaust pipe with the vehicle body. Due to the construction of two tubular connecting members and one lower connecting member, the present exhaust pipe mounting structure restricts torsional movement (left and right hand side movement) of the exhaust pipe and the 15 muffler.
[0021] Conventionally, muffler hanger or exhaust pipe mounting structures do not restrict torsion movement of the muffler and the exhaust pipe. There are a few mounting structures which restrict the torsion movement of the muffler and the exhaust pipe but these structures are very costly and have multiple parts which 20 make the structure complex and heavy. The continuous torsion movement and vibrations in the exhaust pipe makes the structure ineffective.
[0022] According to present subject matter, exhaust pipe support mounting structure has an exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly, a vibration damping component, and lower connecting member shaft. The exhaust pipe mounting 25 bracket assembly comprises a U shape bracket and two tubular connecting member shafts. Where the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly is mounted on a cross member of vehicle. The lower connecting member shaft is mounted on the exhaust pipe of the vehicle from one end. The vibration damping component is interposed between the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly and the lower 30
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connecting member shaft. The vibration damping component receives the two tubular connecting member shafts and one lower connecting member shaft to hang the exhaust pipe on the vehicle body. Accordingly, the exhaust pipe mounting structure connects the exhaust pipe with the vehicle body. The present exhaust pipe mounting structure has two tubular connecting member shaft at the upper 5 side of the vibration damping component and one tubular connecting member shaft below the vibration damping component to connect the exhaust pipe with the vehicle body. Due to the structure of two tubular connecting members and one lower connecting member, the present exhaust pipe mounting structure restricts torsional movement of the exhaust pipe and the muffler. 10
[0023] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that 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 subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those 15 skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the 20 concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the 25 following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0024] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject 30
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matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0025] Fig. 3 illustrates exhaust pipe mounting structure for the exhaust pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The exhaust pipe 5 support mounting structure has exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly 400 (as shown in figure 4), a vibration damping component 304, lower connecting member shaft 308, an exhaust pipe 300, and cross member 302. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly 400 comprises a U shape bracket 402 (as shown in figure 4) and two tubular connecting member shafts 306. The two tubular 10 connecting member shafts 306 are mounted on outer base of the U shape bracket 402 from one end, while other end of the two tubular connecting member shafts 306 is engaged with the vibration damping component 304. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly 400 is mounted on the cross member 302 of the vehicle. The lower connecting member shaft 308 is mounted on the exhaust pipe 15 300 of the vehicle from one end while other end is engaged with the vibration damping component 304. The vibration damping component 304 is interposed between the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly 400 and the lower connecting member shaft 308. The vibration damping component 304 has three connecting holes while two connecting holes are in horizontal direction and one 20 connecting holes is below the two connecting holes towards the exhaust pipe 300. Free end of the two tubular connecting member shafts 306 are inserted in the two horizontal connecting holes of the vibration damping component 304 while the free end of the lower connecting member shaft 306 is inserted in the lower connecting hole of the vibration damping component 304 to connect the exhaust 25 pipe support mounting structure to the vehicle and to the exhaust pipe 300. Accordingly, the exhaust pipe support mounting structure connects the exhaust pipe 300 with the vehicle body, specifically cross member 302 of the vehicle.
[0026] The vibration damping component 304 is made of elastomers, such as rubber which damp/absorb vibrations generated in the exhaust pipe. The vibration 30
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damping component 304 supports the exhaust pipe 300 on the vehicle body. The vibration damping component 304 is well known in the art. For the present subject matter, the vibration damping component should exhibits necessary strength for damping vibrations.
[0027] In the present subject matter, one end portion of the lower connecting 5 member shaft 308 is circularly bent towards the exhaust pipe 300 to receive the circular outer surface of the exhaust pipe 300. Further, the lower connecting member shaft 308 is welded around the circular outer surface of the exhaust pipe 300. Further, the lower connecting member shaft 308 can be welded by CO2 welding. The other end portion or free end of the lower connecting member shaft 10 308 which is near to the vibration damping component 304 bends and extends in parallel direction along with the exhaust pipe 300. The bent portion of the lower connecting member shaft 308 is inserted in the lower connecting hole of the vibration damping component 304 to connect the exhaust pipe 300 with the vibration damping component 304. The two tubular connecting member shafts 15 306 are engaged with the two horizontal connecting holes of the vibration damping component 304 to connect the vibration damping component 304 with the vehicle body and ultimately the exhaust pipe 300 to the vehicle body.
[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly of the exhaust pipe support mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present 20 subject matter. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly 400 includes U shape bracket 402 and two tubular connecting member shafts 404. The U shape bracket 402 and the two tubular connecting member shafts 404 assembled together to form the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly 400. The two tubular connecting member shafts 404 have two bent protruding portions. The two bent 25 protruding portions are upper bent protruding portion 404b and lower bent protruding portion 404a. The upper bent protruding portion 404b is extending in parallel direction of the exhaust pipe, while the lower bent protruding portion 404a is also extending in parallel direction of the exhaust pipe. The lower bent
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protruding portion 404a is extending in opposite direction of the upper bent protruding portion 404b.
[0029] The upper bent protruding portion 404b of the two tubular connecting member shafts 404 are mounted on outer base surface of the U shape bracket 402. On the outer base or horizontal surface of the U shaped bracket 402, one circular 5 emboss 406 and two cylindrical emboss 408 are made. The two cylindrical emboss 408 are provided to control position of the two tubular connecting member shaft 404 during welding and providing more surface area for welding the same with the outer base of the U shape bracket 402. These two cylindrical emboss 408 improves the accuracy of the mounting of the upper bent protruding 10 portion 404b of the two tubular connecting member shafts 404 with the outer base of the bracket 402. Further, the two cylindrical emboss 408 guides the two tubular connecting member shaft 404 and controls their position on the U shape bracket 402.
[0030] The circular emboss 406 is provided to control position of bracket in 15 vertical direction towards the cross member of the vehicle. The U shape bracket 402 receives the cross member of the vehicle from inner side. After receiving the cross member, the U shape bracket is welded with the cross member. Two sides and inner face of circular emboss 406 of the U shape bracket 402 is in complete contact with the cross member and provide necessary welding surface for welding 20 of the U shape bracket 402 with the cross member. Further, the U shape of the U shape bracket 402 provides strength to the exhaust pipe support mounting structure with vehicle cross member.
[0031] Fig. 5 illustrates cross section view of mounted exhaust pipe mounting bracket on cross member of vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the 25 present subject matter. The U shape bracket 504 is welded with cross member 502. The circular emboss 506 provides space for mounting/welding of inner base of the U shape bracket 504 with the cross member 502. The circular emboss 506 controls position of the U shape bracket 504 in vertical direction. Due to formation of two cylindrical emboss 508 at the end portions of outer base of the U 30
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shape bracket 504 creates a space between the two cylindrical emboss 508 which does not allow proper surface for mounting of the U shape bracket with the cross member 502. By providing a circular emboss 506 in between the two cylindrical emboss 508, the circular emboss 506 removes the created space and raise the base of the U shape bracket 504 towards the cross member for welding and supporting. 5
[0032] The present exhaust pipe mounting structure provides proper strength to the exhaust pipe and restricts the torsion movement of muffler and exhaust pipe, and hence improves the life of the exhaust pipe system. The present exhaust pipe mounting structure uses less number of parts which are simple in design. Further, the whole structure is simple and light weight. Further, the present exhaust pipe 10 mounting structure is easy in manufacturing and handling due to less number of parts. The present exhaust pipe mounting structure is cost effective as it uses less number of parts and same type of tubular parts at both the ends.
[0033] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present 15 subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations 20 which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. An exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) for supporting exhaust pipe, the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) comprising:
a U shape bracket (402); and
two connecting member shafts (404) mounted on outer base surface of 5 the U shape bracket (402).
2. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the U shape bracket (402) has one circular emboss (406) and two cylindrical emboss (408) on the outer base surface.
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3. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two connecting member shafts (404) have two bent protruding portions, wherein the two bent protruding portions are upper bent protruding portions (404b) and lower bent protruding portions (404a).
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4. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper bent protruding portions (404b) is positively mounted on two cylindrical emboss (408) of the U shape bracket (402).
5. The exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) as claimed in claim 4, 20 wherein the positive mounting is welding.
6. An exhaust pipe support mounting structure for supporting an exhaust pipe (300) in a vehicle, the exhaust pipe support mounting structure comprising: 25
a lower tubular connecting member shaft (308) which is mounted on the exhaust pipe (300);
an exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) is mounted on a cross member (302) of the vehicle, wherein the exhaust pipe mounting 30
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bracket assembly (400) has two tubular connecting member shafts (306, 404); and
a vibration damping component (304) is interposed between the two tubular connecting member shaft (306, 404) of the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) and the lower connecting member shaft 5 (308) to support the exhaust pipe (300).
7. The exhaust pipe support mounting structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vibration damping component (304) has three connecting holes, where two connecting holes are in horizontal direction and one connecting hole is 10 present vertically below at center of the two horizontal connecting holes.
8. The exhaust pipe support mounting structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the two tubular connecting member shafts (306, 404) are engaged with two horizontal connecting holes of the vibration damping component (304). 15
9. The exhaust pipe support mounting structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lower connecting member shaft (308) is engaged with one connecting hole of the vibration damping component (304). 20
10. The exhaust pipe support mounting structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the exhaust pipe mounting bracket assembly (400) comprise:
a U shape bracket (402), wherein outer base surface of the U shape bracket (402) has two cylindrical emboss (408) and a circular emboss 25 (406); and
upper bent protruding portions (404b) of the two tubular connecting member shafts (404) are welded in the two cylindrical emboss (408). ,