EXHAUST MUFFLER FOR LONGITUDINAL INSTALLATION IN A VEHICLE

Abstract

An exhaust muffler, for longitudinal installation in a vehicle, includes a muffler housing (28) elongated in the direction of a longitudinal axis (G) of the housing. The muffler housing (28) has a housing jacket (30) and two front walls (32, 34), which are arranged, with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis (G) of the housing, at spaced locations from one another. The front walls (32, 34) and the housing jacket (30) define a muffler interior space. At least one inlet pipe leads into the muffler interior space and at least one outlet pipe leads out of the muffler interior space. The housing jacket includes at least one predetermined deformation area (64, 66) including at least one wall area (68, 70), not parallel to the housing longitudinal axis (G), provided at the housing jacket (30).

Claims

1. An exhaust muffler for longitudinal installation in a vehicle, the exhaust muffler comprising: a muffler housing elongated in a direction of a housing longitudinal axis, the muffler housing comprising a housing jacket, two front walls, which are arranged, with respect to the direction of the housing longitudinal axis, at spaced locations from one another and which define a muffler interior space with the housing jacket; at least one inlet pipe led into the muffler interior space; and at least one outlet pipe leading out of the muffler interior space, wherein the housing jacket has at least one wall area, having an extent that is not parallel to the housing longitudinal axis, with at least one predetermined deformation area.

2. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, wherein the wall area comprises an arch-shaped, bead-shaped, wave-shaped or bellows-shaped configuration.

3. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe has at least one pipe predetermined deformation area or the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe is curved or the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe is arranged bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe has at least one predetermined deformation area and the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe is curved or the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe is arranged bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis.

4. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 3, wherein at least one pipe predetermined deformation area comprises a length area having a wave-shaped or bellows-shaped configuration or a length area provided with slots or a length area provided with an indentation or bulge or a length area having a flattened cross-sectional profile or a length area extending bent at an angle in relation to a housing longitudinal direction or any combination of a length area having a wave-shaped or bellows-shaped configuration and a length area provided with slots and a length area provided with an indentation or bulge and a length area having a flattened cross-sectional profile and a length area extending bent at an angle in relation to a housing longitudinal direction.

5. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an intermediate pipe wherein the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or the at least one intermediate pipe or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe and the at least one intermediate pipe has at least one predetermined deformation area or the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or the at least one intermediate pipe or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe and the at least one intermediate pipe is curved or the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or the at least one intermediate pipe or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe and the at least one intermediate pipe is arranged bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or the at least one intermediate pipe or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe and the at least one intermediate pipe has at least one predetermined deformation area and the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or the at least one intermediate pipe or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe and the at least one intermediate pipe is curved and the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or the at least one intermediate pipe or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe and the at least one intermediate pipe is arranged bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis.

6. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe comprise at least two pipe sections displaceable in relation to one another.

7. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an intermediate pipe wherein the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or the intermediate pipe or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe and the intermediate pipe comprise at least two pipe sections displaceable in relation to one another.

8. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one partition provided in the muffler interior space wherein the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe pass through the at least one partition in an area of a pipe passage opening, and the partition has a weakened area operatively connected to the at least one pipe passage opening.

9. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 8, wherein the partition has another weakened area operatively connected to the at least one pipe passage opening to provide at least two weakened areas configured to form a deformation strap.

10. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: at least one partition provided in the muffler interior space; and at least one intermediate pipe that passes through at least one in an area of a pipe passage opening, and the partition has a weakened area operatively connected to the at least one pipe passage opening.

11. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe has a cross-sectional profile at least partially flattened in a flattening direction at least in one length section extending essentially at right angles to the housing longitudinal axis.

12. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 11, wherein the flattened cross-sectional profile is a round cross-sectional profile comprising an oval shape or an elliptical shape or the flattening direction corresponds essentially to a direction in which the longitudinal axis of the housing extends or the flattened cross-sectional profile is a round cross-sectional profile comprising an oval shape or an elliptical shape and the flattening direction corresponds essentially to a direction in which the longitudinal axis of the housing extends.

13. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an intermediate pipe wherein the intermediate pipe is provided with a cross-sectional profile flattened in a flattening direction at least in one length section extending essentially at right angles to the housing longitudinal axis and the flattened cross-sectional profile is a round cross-sectional profile comprising an oval shape or an elliptical shape or the flattening direction corresponds essentially to a direction in which the longitudinal axis of the housing extends or the flattened cross-sectional profile is a round cross-sectional profile comprising an oval shape or an elliptical shape and the flattening direction corresponds essentially to a direction in which the longitudinal axis of the housing extends.

14. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one support member bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis wherein the muffler housing is supported in relation to a vehicle carrier structure by the at least one support member.

15. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 14, wherein the at least one support member extends from a starting location at an axial end area of the muffler housing.

16. An exhaust muffler in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the at least one outlet pipe extends out of the muffler interior space in an area of a first axial end area of the muffler housing, through one of the two front walls in the area of the first axial end area of the muffler housing; and one of the two front walls, provided in an area of a second axial end area of the muffler housing, is arched in the direction of the muffler interior space in at least some areas.

17. A motor vehicle comprising: a vehicle support member; at least one exhaust muffler connected to the vehicle support member and arranged in a rear end area of the motor vehicle, the exhaust muffler comprising: a muffler housing having a housing longitudinal axis oriented essentially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the muffler housing being elongated in a direction of the housing longitudinal axis, the muffler housing comprising a housing jacket, two front walls, which are arranged, with respect to the direction of the housing longitudinal axis, at spaced locations from one another and which define a muffler interior space with the housing jacket; at least one inlet pipe led into the muffler interior space; and at least one outlet pipe leading out of the muffler interior space, wherein the housing jacket has at least one wall area, having an extent that is not parallel to the housing longitudinal axis, with at least one predetermined deformation area.

18. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 17, wherein the at least one wall area comprises an arch-shaped, bead-shaped, wave-shaped or bellows-shaped configuration.

19. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 18, wherein the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or both the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe has at least one predetermined deformation area comprising one or more of: a length area having a wave-shaped configuration; a length area having a bellows-shaped configuration; a length area provided with slots; a length area provided with an indentation; a length area provided with bulge; a length area having a flattened cross-sectional profile; a length area extending bent at an angle in relation to a housing longitudinal direction; a curved length area; a length area with a bend to provide sections at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis; and at least two pipe sections displaceable in relation to one another.

20. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 18, further comprising an intermediate pipe wherein the at least one inlet pipe or the at least one outlet pipe or the at least one intermediate pipe or any combination of the at least one inlet pipe and the at least one outlet pipe and the at least one intermediate pipe has at least one predetermined deformation area comprising one or more of: a length area having a wave-shaped configuration; a length area having a bellows-shaped configuration; a length area provided with slots; a length area provided with an indentation; a length area provided with bulge; a length area having a flattened cross-sectional profile; a length area extending bent at an angle in relation to a housing longitudinal direction; a curved length area; a length area with a bend to provide sections at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis; and at least two pipe sections displaceable in relation to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the drawings:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust muffler installed in the longitudinal direction;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exhaust muffler;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a curved exhaust pipe of an exhaust muffler;

[0023] FIG. 4 is an exhaust pipe of an exhaust muffler with a predetermined deformation area configured in the form of a lateral bulge;

[0024] FIG. 5 is an exhaust muffler with an inlet pipe bent at an angle in relation to a housing longitudinal axis;

[0025] FIG. 6 is an exhaust pipe of an exhaust muffler with two pipe sections telescopically displaceable in relation to one another;

[0026] FIG. 7 is an exhaust muffler with a housing jacket with two predetermined deformation areas having different shapes;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram, corresponding to FIG. 2, of an exhaust muffler having a different configuration;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of an exhaust pipe of the exhaust muffler according to FIG. 8;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an exhaust muffler supported in relation to a carrier structure of a vehicle; and

[0030] FIG. 11 is a partition provided in an exhaust muffler with two pipe passage openings and with weakened areas associated with this exhaust muffler.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Referring to the drawings, a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas routing system 10 is generally designated by 12 in FIG. 1. The exhaust gas routing system 10 comprises an exhaust gas line 14, which is carried, for example, on a vehicle chassis or frame and extending in a longitudinal direction L of the vehicle, and two exhaust mufflers 18, which have an essentially identical or symmetrical design and are installed in a rear end area 16 of a vehicle 12, extending along a housing longitudinal axis G essentially in the transverse direction L of the vehicle at mutually spaced locations in a transverse direction Q of the vehicle. The exhaust gases entering the exhaust mufflers 18 via respective inlet pipes 20 and flowing through the exhaust mufflers 18 leave the exhaust gas routing system 10 through outlet pipes 22 of the exhaust mufflers 18, which said outlet pipes are also generally called tail pipes.

[0032] A force F, which will have an essential component extending in parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle, is, in general, introduced into the vehicle 12 or into the rear end 16 thereof in case of a rear impact of an obstacle 24, for example, another vehicle. Due to such a force F introduced into the rear end 16, there is a risk that the exhaust gas routing system 10, especially the exhaust mufflers 18 positioned in the rear end 16, will be displaced in the vehicle 12 and collide with other system areas of the vehicle 12, for example, with a tank 26. Configuration aspects will be described below, which ensure easier deformability of the exhaust mufflers 18 in the area in which said exhaust mufflers 18 are arranged, so that when a force F is introduced especially essentially in the direction of the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle, energy is absorbed in the exhaust mufflers 18 and the risk of said exhaust mufflers being excessively displaced in the vehicle 12 is reduced.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of such an exhaust muffler 18. The exhaust muffler 18 comprises a muffler housing 28 with a housing jacket 30, which has, for example, an essentially cylindrical shape and is elongated in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis G. At its two end areas located in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis G, the housing jacket 30 is permanently connected to respective front walls 32 and 34, respectively, for example, by connection in substance. The housing jacket 30 encloses, together with the two front walls 32, 34, a muffler interior space 36.

[0034] An inlet pipe 20 passes, for example, through the front wall 32 and into the muffler interior space 36. An outlet pipe 22 passes through the front wall 34 and out of the muffler interior space 36. The muffler interior space 36 may be divided by one or more partitions 38, 40 into a plurality of chambers 42, 44, 46. In the example being shown, the inlet pipe 20 passes through the partition 38 located closer to the front wall 32 and is thus open to a middle chamber of the three chambers 42, 44, 46 following one another in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis LG. An intermediate pipe 48 passes through the partition 40 and thus connects the middle chamber 44 to the chamber 46 towards which the outlet pipe 22 is open as well.

[0035] It should be noted that FIG. 2 shows an exhaust muffler with its essential system areas or components in a schematic form. Such an exhaust muffler may, of course, differ from the example being shown in terms of the arrangement of these system areas or components in relation to one another, of the number thereof and also of the shape thereof.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows an exhaust pipe, generally designated by 50, which may be used, for example, as an inlet pipe 20, as an outlet pipe 22 or as an intermediate pipe 48 in the exhaust muffler 18 shown in FIG. 2. The basically elongated exhaust pipe 50 is preferably curved over its entire range of extension. The exhaust pipe 50 is integrated in the exhaust muffler 18 such that it assumes basically an orientation directed in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis G. When a load occurs in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis G, for example, with the force F shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust pipe 50 can undergo deformation and contribute to the energy dissipation in the process.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an exhaust pipe 50, which is configured with a curved configuration in only one length area 52. A predetermined deformation area 54, in which the exhaust pipe 50 can undergo deformation in a defined manner when an axial load occurs, is provided with this length area 52 in the exhaust pipe 50, which otherwise extends essentially linearly.

[0038] It should be noted here that this predetermined deformation area 54 may also be provided in another form, for example, by a wave-shaped or bellows-shaped configuration of the length area 52; by the provision with slots, preferably oriented in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the exhaust pipe 50; by a lateral bulge or indentation; or by a generally flattened cross-sectional profile. Various such configurations contributing to the introduction of a predetermined deformation area 54 may also be provided combined with one another on an exhaust pipe 50. The shape of the exhaust pipe 50 provided in the predetermined deformation area 54 may be symmetrical in relation to the longitudinal axis of said exhaust pipe, but, as is shown in FIG. 4, it may also be provided in an asymmetrical shape or on circumferential areas only, for example, in the form of a dent or a bulge.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which an exhaust pipe 50 used as an inlet pipe 20 is oriented in the exhaust muffler 18 such that a pipe longitudinal axis R is bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis G, i.e., it is not oriented parallel thereto. Especially if an exhaust pipe 50 oriented bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis G is passed through the muffler housing 28 in the area of one of the front walls 32, 34 or is led into the muffler interior space 36, the angle at which the exhaust pipe 50 is bent in relation to the housing longitudinal axis G is preferably smaller than 90° and most preferably smaller than 45°.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows an exhaust pipe 50, which may be used both as an inlet pipe 20, as an outlet pipe 22 and as an intermediate pipe 48 in this design. The exhaust pipe 50 comprises two pipe sections 56, 58 inserted one into another in a telescopic manner. The two pipe sections 56, 58 may be connected to one another by light tacking in substance or by pressing, so that when a force acting in the longitudinal direction of the exhaust pipe 50 is introduced, the two pipe sections 56, 58 can be displaced in relation to one another, especially pushed one into the other if this force exceeds a predefined level, and thus they permit a comparatively easy deformation of the exhaust muffler 18 containing such an exhaust pipe 50.

[0041] It should be noted, in principle, that to support the deformability of the exhaust muffler 18, the exhaust pipes used in this preferably have a limited length, i.e., they do not essentially extend fully through the exhaust muffler, as a result of which an excessive reinforcement of the exhaust muffler due to excessively long exhaust pipes is avoided.

[0042] It should further be noted in connection with the above-described embodiment variants of exhaust pipes 50 that these are made, in general, just like the muffler housing 28, of a metallic material, especially sheet metal material, which allows, on the one hand, the mutual connection by welding, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, it allows a defined deformation of this mutual connection when corresponding loads occur.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of an exhaust muffler 18 or of a muffler housing 28. The housing jacket 30 connected at its two axial end areas 60, 62 to the front walls 32, 34, for example, by welding, has a predetermined deformation area 64 and 66, respectively, at two areas located at spaced locations from one another in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis G. The predetermined deformation area 64 is provided by an arch-shaped protuberance or bulge 68 of the housing jacket 30, which is formed continuously about the housing longitudinal axis G, for example, in the circumferential direction, which may extend bent at an angle, for example, in relation to the housing longitudinal axis G over the circumference of the housing jacket 30. The predetermined deformation area 66 is provided by an arch-shaped indentation 70, which extends, for example, likewise over the entire circumference of the housing jacket 30 and which is oriented essentially at right angles, for example, in relation to the housing longitudinal axis G.

[0044] Such predetermined deformation areas 64, 66, which cause, in principle, a weakening of the housing jacket 30, create the possibility of making possible a comparatively easy deformability of the housing jacket 30 and of the exhaust muffler 28 when a force F acting in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis G occurs, in order to dissipate energy and to prevent an excessive axial displacement of the exhaust muffler as a result.

[0045] It should be noted that, of course, only one such predetermined deformation area 64 or 66 can be provided on the housing jacket 30 or a plurality of predetermined deformation areas 64 and 66 of the same type may be provided as well. Due to such a predetermined deformation area 64, 66, the housing jacket 30 is provided locally with a wall area, which is not parallel to the housing longitudinal axis G, namely, with a wall area deformed in an arch-shaped manner in the example being shown, so that easy deformability of the housing jacket 30 is supported. Such a predetermined deformation area may, in principle, also be provided in another manner, for example, by a bead-shaped, wave-shaped or bellows-shaped configuration of the housing jacket in a respective predetermined deformation area. Such a predetermined deformation area extending over the circumferential area or over essential parts of the circumferential area of the housing jacket 30 may also extend over the areas in which housing shells of the housing 30 are connected to one another in a rebate area or a housing jacket 30 formed by winding a sheet metal band has a connection area extending circumferentially in a winding-shaped manner.

[0046] Another configuration contributing to the easier deformability of an exhaust muffler 18 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. It is seen in FIG. 8 that the exhaust pipe 50 providing an inlet pipe 20 is bent twice, for example, essentially at right angles, so that it is not led through one of the front walls and into the muffler interior space 36 in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis, but through the housing jacket 30. In particular, a length section 72 of the exhaust pipe 50 extending essentially at right angles and hence essentially in the transverse direction Q of the vehicle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis and also in the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle passes through the housing jacket 30.

[0047] The exhaust pipe 50 of the exhaust muffler 18 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a flattened cross-sectional profile shown in FIG. 9 at least in its length section 32. The direction of flattening corresponds here essentially to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle and hence essentially also to the direction in which the housing longitudinal axis of the exhaust muffler 18 extends, and hence essentially also to a direction in which a force F, transmitted, for example, through the housing jacket 30, acts in case of a rear impact on this pipe section 72. Based on the flattened cross section, the exhaust pipe 50 is comparatively readily deformable in the length section 72 in case of an action of the force F and thus it can make a substantial contribution to the energy dissipation.

[0048] FIG. 8 further shows that especially the front wall 32 provided in the axial end area 62 of the exhaust muffler 18, i.e., the front wall that is oriented in the direction away from the rear end area 16 in case of an exhaust muffler 18 integrated in a vehicle 12, has a bulged or crowned shape toward the muffler interior space 36 in at least some areas. This leads to a comparatively rigid configuration of the muffler housing 28 in the area of this front wall 32. In case of a load in the direction of the force F, the comparatively rigid front wall 32 thus forms an abutment for components being displaced in the muffler interior space 36 in the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle, for example, for the outlet pipe 22. If such components strike the comparatively rigid front wall 32 in the course of their displacement, they are at first hindered in a further axial displacement, so that additional structural measures, which can contribute to a deformation of these components, e.g., a predetermined deformation area 54 shown in FIG. 4, can be used more efficiently in order to bring about a deformation of such a component of the exhaust muffler.

[0049] FIG. 10 shows an exhaust muffler 18, which is carried or supported in its axial end area 60 facing the rear end via a support member 74 in relation to a carrier structure 76, for example, a vehicle body or the like. The support member 74, having a basically elongated configuration, is oriented such that its support member longitudinal axis A is bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis G of the exhaust muffler 18. If, for example, the force F already mentioned above is introduced via the carrier structure 76 in the direction of the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle, the support member 74 can also be deformed or tilted in relation to the muffler housing 28 due to it also being bent at an angle in the direction of the force F, so that an energy dissipation brought about by deformation can also occur in this area of the support.

[0050] Of course, a support member 74 bent at an angle in relation to the housing longitudinal axis G could also be provided, or as an alternative, in the axial end area 62 of the muffler housing 28. Such a support member 74 may now be connected, for example, to the housing jacket 30 or/and to the respective front wall 32, 34. Especially in case of a connection to the front wall 32, which has, for example, an essentially planar configuration, an axial load, transmitted through the support member 74, leads to a deformation of the front wall 32 and hence to an additional contribution to the energy dissipation.

[0051] FIG. 11 shows a partition 78 to be arranged in the muffler interior space 36. Unlike the partitions 38, 40 shown in FIG. 2, through which only a single exhaust pipe is led, the partition 78 has two pipe passage openings 80, 82, whose circumferential contour is adapted to the circumferential contour of the exhaust pipes to be passed through these. For example, one of the exhaust pipes may be an inlet pipe 20 or an outlet pipe 22, while the other may be, for example, an intermediate pipe 48. It is seen that, associated with the two pipe passage openings 80, 82, two weakened areas 84, 86 and 88, 90, respectively, are provided, for example, in the form of slot-like (slot-shaped) incisions, and a respective deformation strap 92 and 94 is formed between these weakened areas. When an axial load occurs, which can be transmitted to the partition 78 via a respective exhaust pipe passing through the partition 78, a local axial deformation of the partition 78 can relatively readily occur due to the provision of such a respective deformation strap 92 and 94.

[0052] It should be noted that in association with one or more such pipe passage openings 80, 82, it is also possible to provide a plurality of such weakened areas 84, 86 and 88, 90 and hence also a plurality of such deformation straps 92, 94, for example, on circumferential areas located mutually diametrically opposite each other. Such a configuration may also be provided in a partition which has only one pipe passage opening or more than two pipe passage openings. The weakened areas starting from a respective pipe passage opening may be open up to the respective pipe passage opening, but they may also extend, for example, at a short distance from the outer circumferential area of a passage opening starting essentially radially away from same. As was mentioned above, the weakened areas may be produced by cuts or slots made in the partition 78, but they may also be provided by impressions or other types of weakening the material.

[0053] It should finally be noted that various measures were described above, which support the easy deformability of the exhaust muffler and hence an efficient energy dissipation when a force oriented essentially in the direction of a longitudinal direction of the vehicle occurs in the rear end area of a vehicle in case of a longitudinally installed exhaust muffler. Each of the configuration aspects described in themselves above is especially advantageous in this connection. A variety of these aspects may, of course, be combined with one another as desired

[0054] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.