DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two-wheeled motorcycle, and more particularly to a muffler assembly for the motorcycle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle a frame assembly extends rearward from a head tube. The frame assembly acts as a skeleton and a structural member for the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. A front portion of the frame assembly connects a front wheel through one or more front suspension(s). The frame assembly extends towards a rear portion of the vehicle. A rear wheel is connected to a frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). An engine assembly is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle. The engine assembly is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides the forward motion to the vehicle. Typically, plurality of panels is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that covers various vehicle parts mounted thereon.
[0003] Generally, in two-wheeled motorcycles, muffler assemblies are provided to dampen noise arising from the engine. The muffler assemblies are also provided for preventing harmful emissions emanating out of the engine exhaust gases from entering the atmosphere.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a right side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged right perspective view of a muffler assembly of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates a rear view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1 depicting the muffler assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the muffler assembly of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 6 illustrates an enlarged left side view of the muffler assembly of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00011] Figs. 7A & 7B illustrates a rear view(s) of the muffler assembly of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00012] Figs. 8A & 8B illustrates top view and bottom view respectively of the muffler assembly of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00013] Typically, in a two-wheeled saddle-ride type motor vehicle, an engine assembly is mounted to the frame assembly in a front portion. A fuel tank is disposed above the engine assembly. A carburetor or the like supplies air fuel mixture to the engine assembly. Combustion of air-fuel mixture occurs in the engine assembly and a piston disposed in the engine assembly is set to operate in a linear motion. The linear motion of the piston is converted into rotational motion and the resultant motion is transferred to the rear wheel thereby resulting in motion of the vehicle. In addition, this results in generation of required power and torque by the engine assembly.
[00014] Generally, the exhaust system of the motorcycle extends from the engine assembly towards a rear portion of the vehicle. The combusted air-fuel mixture in the form of exhaust gases are sent to atmosphere through a muffler assembly. To meet with stringent emission norms, there is a need for ensuring that the exhaust gases are made free of such emissions before being released into atmosphere. Typically, a catalytic converter is disposed in the exhaust pipe, which enables oxidation of unburnt gases. The muffler assembly is also meant for achieving overall noise reduction of the vehicle.
[00015] Such generally known muffler assemblies include a single rearwardly extending exhaust tube with a rearwardly disposed silencer block. However, with the advent of high speed motorcycle applications, use of twin exhaust tubes came into existence. However, generally known muffler assemblies with twin exhaust tubes are either disposed on both sides of the rear wheel, or, rigidly disposed one next to the other with fixed exhaust gas expansion volume and rigidly welded twin exhaust tubes.
[00016] However, such known muffler assemblies with twin exhaust tubes rigidly disposed one next to the other often are encountered with challenges with respect to mounting of the twin tubes to the frame assembly. There also exists a challenge with respect to flexibility in design as such twin exhaust tubes are not always necessary in normal road applications. Moreover, with the ever changing emission requirements, having a rigid muffler assembly with twin tubes having constant exhaust gas expansion volume also becomes a challenge.
[00017] The present subject matter overcomes the above stated problems of the muffler assemblies known in the prior art. A primary objective of the present subject matter is to provide a two-wheeled vehicle employed with a muffler assembly with twin exhaust tubes provided with enhanced ease of mounting of the twin exhaust tubes. Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a muffler assembly that is flexible in nature, and which allows the two-wheeled vehicle to be operated with even one of the twin exhaust tubes in a similar manner when used with the twin tubes. In an embodiment, yet another objective of the present subject matter is to allow the rider to easily assemble and disassemble one of the exhaust tubes of the twin exhaust tubes with ease. In an embodiment, yet another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a muffler assembly that allows replacing one of the twin silencer units with a different silencer unit to meet various emission requirements. Yet another aspect being, the present subject matter enables in overall noise reduction of the vehicle.
[00018] In an embodiment in accordance with the present subject matter, a two-wheeled vehicle employed with a muffler assembly is provided. An inlet of the muffler assembly is provided with an exhaust pipe that is coupled to an engine assembly and an outlet of the muffler assembly exhaust unit is coupled to a silencer unit. In an embodiment, the muffler assembly of the present subject matter includes a secondary exhaust pipe, hereinafter mentioned as twin exhaust pipe, wherein said secondary exhaust pipe connects the muffler assembly to an exhaust unit that is coupled to an engine assembly. In an embodiment, the muffler assembly of the present subject matter also includes a top muffler and a bottom muffler, with each of the top and bottom mufflers including a separate silencer unit. In an embodiment, the muffler assembly as a whole is mounted to a frame assembly of the vehicle.
[00019] In an embodiment, the muffler assembly extends from an exhaust port of the engine assembly downwardly towards the rear of the vehicle. The muffler assembly is disposed adjacently to the rear wheel and extending substantially along longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the muffler assembly may be disposed in line with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or with an offset with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the muffler assembly extends substantially parallel to a tail cover assembly of the vehicle in such a manner that from a bottom most point of the muffler assembly, it extends substantially rearwardly upward. In an embodiment, when viewed from a right hand side of the vehicle, a tail end of the muffler assembly is disposed substantially above a rear brake panel disposed centrally on the rear wheel, and substantially exposing a swing arm assembly of the vehicle.
[00020] In an embodiment, the muffler assembly of the present subject matter has a top muffler that is substantially parallel to a bottom muffler. Further, in one embodiment, the top muffler extends substantially after a rear most end of the bottom muffler, such that when viewed from top, only the top muffler is visible and the bottom muffler is not visible. Furthermore, the top muffler is detachably coupled to a muffler mounting bracket that is extending rearwardly from a frame member of the frame assembly, while the bottom muffler is detachably attached to a rear surface of the top muffler. In an embodiment, when viewed from a right hand side of the vehicle, the mounting of the bottom muffler to the top muffler is not visible.
[00021] Furthermore, in an embodiment, the top and the bottom mufflers include a top and a bottom silencer unit respectively. In an embodiment, the top and the bottom muffler units are detachably coupled to the twin exhaust pipe, such that one of the top and the bottom muffler units can be replaced or removed depending upon the type of the application of the motorcycle.
[00022] The present subject matter enables ease of assembly of the muffler to the frame assembly, in addition to reduction of emissions and reduction of noise. In an embodiment, the present subject matter also provides a compact muffler assembly, which enables detachably attaching one of the silencer units to the twin exhaust tube.
[00023] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00024] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein the arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicated rear direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, and an arrow Dw denoted downward direction. The vehicle (100) includes a frame assembly (105) that extends from a head tube (not shown), which is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle (100), towards a rear portion of the vehicle (100). The frame assembly (105) includes a mainframe (not shown) comprising a main tube extending rearward from a rear portion of the head tube and a down tube (not shown) that extends rearwardly downward from the head tube. The frame assembly (105) may further comprise a sub-frame formed by a pair of rear tubes (not shown) that extend obliquely rearward from the main frame. An engine assembly (110) is supported by the main frame of the frame assembly (105). The engine assembly (110) acts as the power unit of the vehicle (100), wherein the power unit may also include a traction/electrical motor (not shown). A front portion of a swing arm assembly (115) is swingably connected to the main frame of the frame assembly (105) and rear portion of the swing arm assembly (115) rotatably supports a rear wheel (120). The rear wheel (120) is functionally coupled to the engine assembly (110) through a transmission system. A rear fender (not shown) disposed upwardly of the rear wheel (120) covers at least a portion of the rear wheel (120). Further, the swing arm assembly (115) is coupled to the frame assembly (105) through one or more rear suspension(s). In the present embodiment, a single mono-shock rear suspension (125) connects the swing arm assembly (115) to the frame assembly. A pair of front forks 130 supports a front wheel (135) and is steerably supported by the head pipe. A handlebar assembly (140) is connected to an upper portion of the pair of front fork (130). Further, a front fender assembly (145) covers at least a portion of the front wheel (135) and the front fender assembly (145) is mounted to the front forks (130).
[00025] A fuel tank (150) is mounted to the main tube of the frame assembly (105) and disposed rearwardly of the handlebar assembly (140). A seat assembly (155) is disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank assembly (150) and supported by the pair of rear tubes. A foot rest sub-assembly (160) mounted to the frame assembly (105) of the vehicle enable in supporting the rider foot. Further, the vehicle (100) comprises a fairing assembly (165) that is disposed forwardly of the head tube and extending sidewardly covering at least a portion of the fuel tank (150) and at least a portion of the engine assembly (110). The fairing assembly (165) is mounted with one or more headlamp(s) (not shown) that are disposed in a front portion of the fairing assembly (165). Also, the vehicle (100) may include a bottom cowl assembly (170) that covers at least a portion of the engine assembly 110 whereby the engine assembly (110) is protected from dust, dirt, and water splashing. Furthermore, the vehicle (100) includes a side panel assembly (175) that may include one or more side cover member(s) disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically on either sides of the vehicle (100) and is mounted to the main frame covering various vehicle parts including at least a portion of the main frame, an air filter, and one or more electrical / electrical components that are mounted to the frame assembly (105). A tail cover assembly 180 that are disposed rearwardly of the side panel assembly (175) and extend along the pair of rear tubes thereby covering at least a portion of the pair of rear tubes. The tail cover assembly (180) extends towards a rear portion of the frame assembly (105) and the tail cover assembly (105) is adapted to accommodate a tail lamp (not shown).
[00026] Fig. 2 illustrates a right side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, a muffler assembly (220) is disposed extending substantially rearwardly upward from an exhaust pipe main (225) of the engine assembly 110. In an embodiment, the muffler assembly (220) of the present subject matter extends substantially adjoining a rear wheel hugger (210) of the rear wheel (120).
[00027] Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged right perspective view of the muffler assembly (220) of the two-wheeled motor vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the exhaust pipe main (225) bifurcates to form a top exhaust extension (308) and a bottom exhaust extension (306). In one embodiment, the top exhaust extension (308) terminates at a top muffler (304), while the bottom exhaust extension (306) terminates at a bottom muffler (302). In one embodiment, wherein said top and bottom exhaust extension (308,306) and said top and bottom muffler unit (304,302) comprise a top axis (XX’) and a bottom axis (YY’) passing axially through a centre thereof. In one embodiment, the top and the bottom mufflers (304, 302) are disposed substantially parallel to each other. In an embodiment, the top muffler (304) is supported by means of a first muffler mounting bracket (310), which is attached to the frame assembly (105) of the vehicle (100).
[00028] Fig. 4 illustrates a rear view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1 depicting the muffler assembly (220), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, when viewed from a rear side of the vehicle (100), the muffler assembly (220) including the top and the bottom mufflers (302, 304) are disposed substantially parallel to the rear wheel (120) and extending substantially upward and above a swing arm member (402). In an embodiment, the first muffler mounting bracket (310) that supports the top muffler 310, is disposed substantially perpendicular to a frame member (404).
[00029] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the muffler assembly (220) of the two-wheeled motor vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the muffler assembly (220) includes a twin exhaust pipe (516) that is V-shaped and extends substantially rearward bifurcating from a welded joint (506) of the exhaust pipe main (225). In an embodiment, the muffler assembly (220) includes a bottom silencer unit (502) that is formed in the bottom muffler (302). In an embodiment, the bottom muffler unit (302) is detachably attached to a first end of the twin exhaust pipe (516) by means of a first clamp (514), which enables tightening of the bottom muffler unit (302) with the first end of the twin exhaust pipe (516). In one embodiment, the muffler assembly (220) includes a top silencer unit (504) that is formed in the top muffler (304). In an embodiment, the top muffler unit (304) is detachably attached to a second end of the twin exhaust pipe (516) by means of a second clamp (512). In an embodiment, a holding member (510) enables clamping of the top silencer unit (504) to the first muffler mounting bracket (310). In an embodiment, the muffler assembly (220) derives exhaust gases by means of a connection (508) that is established between the exhaust pipe main (225) and the cylinder head (not shown) of the engine assembly (110).
[00030] In an embodiment, the muffler assembly (220) of the present subject matter is capable of being performing all its necessary functions after detaching the bottom muffler unit (302). In an embodiment, a cap (not shown) can be disposed at the first end of the twin exhaust pipe (516) after detaching the bottom muffler unit (302).
[00031] Fig. 6 illustrates an enlarged left side view of the muffler assembly (220) of the two-wheeled motor vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the bottom muffler unit (302) is supported by means of a second bracket (512) that is detachably attached to a rear surface of the top muffler unit (304). In an embodiment, when viewed from a right hand side of the vehicle (100), the second bracket (512) that attaches the bottom muffler unit (302) to the top muffler unit (304) is not visible and it provides an appearance, as though the bottom muffler unit (302) is not supported by any means and is merely hanging as a cantilever.
[00032] Figs. 7A & 7B illustrates a rear view(s) of the muffler assembly (220) of the two-wheeled motor vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, a plurality of end cap fastening members (702) enables attaching and detaching of an end cap from the tail end of the top and bottom muffler units (302, 304). In an embodiment, when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle (100), the second bracket (512) is disposed substantially perpendicularly joining both the top and the bottom muffler units (304, 302). In an embodiment, the second bracket (512) is disposed tangential to the holding member (510) of the top muffler unit (304).
[00033] Figs. 8A & 8B illustrates top view and bottom view respectively of the muffler assembly (220) of the two-wheeled motor vehicle (100) shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, when viewed from the top, only the top muffler unit (304) is visible, while at the same time, when viewed from the bottom, the top muffler unit (304) is seen projecting substantially farther than the bottom muffler unit (302). In an embodiment, the bottom muffler unit (302) includes a bottom end cap (802) having a profile resembling a frustum of a cone with its base obliquely disposed to a main body of the bottom muffler unit (302). Similarly, the top muffler unit (304) includes a top end cap (804) having a profile resembling a frustum of a cone with its base obliquely disposed to a main body of the top muffler unit (304).
[00034] Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible within the spirit and scope of the present subject matter, in the light of above disclosure.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. An exhaust muffler assembly (220) for a vehicle, said exhaust muffler assembly (220) comprising:
a main exhaust pipe (225); and
a secondary exhaust pipe (516),
said main exhaust pipe (225) emerges from an exhaust port of an engine assembly extending downwardly, and said main exhaust pipe (225) bifurcates to form a secondary exhaust pipe (516);
characterized in that, said secondary exhaust pipe (516) extends forwardly of said main exhaust pipe (225), terminating into a top muffler unit (304) and a bottom muffler unit (302), and wherein said top muffler unit (304) and said bottom muffler unit (302) are detachably attached to said secondary exhaust pipe (516), and wherein said top muffler unit (304) is longer than the bottom muffler unit (302).
2. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary exhaust (516) pipe extends forwardly to form a top exhaust extension (308) and a bottom exhaust extension (306), and wherein said top exhaust extension (308) and said bottom exhaust extension (306) lie in a same vertical plane and substantially parallel to each other.
3. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said top exhaust extension (308) comprises a top axis (XX’) passing axially through a centre thereof and said bottom exhaust extension (306) comprises a bottom axis (YY’) passing axially through a centre thereof, said top axis (XX’) being parallel to said bottom axis (YY’) and lying in a vertical plane same as that in which said bottom axis (YY’) lies.
4. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1or claim 2, wherein said top exhaust extension (308) further extends forwardly terminating in said top muffler unit (304), said top muffler unit (304) being supported to a frame assembly (105) of said vehicle by means of a first mounting bracket (310) attached thereto, and wherein said top muffler unit (304) comprises said top axis (XX’) passing axially through a centre thereof.
5. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein said bottom exhaust extension (306) further extends forwardly terminating in said bottom muffler unit (302), and wherein said bottom muffler unit (302) comprises said bottom axis (YY’) passing axially through a centre thereof, and wherein said bottom axis (YY’) is parallel to said top axis (XX’) and lies in a vertical plane same as that in which said top axis (XX’) lies.
6. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top muffler unit (304) and said bottom muffler unit (302) are detachably attached to each other respectively by means of a second clamp (512) and a first clamp (514).
7. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 6, wherein said first clamp (514) and said second clamp (512) are placed on opposite sides of said exhaust muffler assembly (220).
8. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4, wherein said top muffler unit (304) is clamped upon said first muffler mounting bracket (310) by means of a holding member (510).
9. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top muffler (304) unit includes a top silencer unit (504) formed therein, and said bottom muffler unit (302) includes a bottom silencer unit (502) formed therein.
10. The exhaust muffler assembly (220) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 9, wherein said top muffler unit (304) and said bottom muffler unit (302) include a top end cap (804) and a bottom end cap (802) respectively having a profile resembling a frustum of a cone with a plurality of cap fastening members (702) provided to enable attachment and detachment of the top end cap (804) and the bottom end cap (802) to a tail portion of the respective muffler units (302,304).