Vehicle component

Abstract

A vehicle component (100) having an exhaust-gas tailpipe device (1) for an exhaust-gas system of a motor vehicle includes at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe (2) and an exhaust-gas tailpipe trim (3) that, in a crash situation, can be pushed at least in sections onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe (2). The exhaust-gas tailpipe device (1) has at least one shield element (4) that is designed for noise optimization and that is fastened in front of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim (3) by means of at least one predetermined breaking device (5). Thus, in the crash situation, the shield element (4) can be pushed at least in sections onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe (2).

Claims

1. A vehicle component for an exhaust-gas system of a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe having a rear end; a shield element having an inner periphery that is fastened to the at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe in front of the rear end of the exhaust-gas tailpipe, an outer periphery and at least one breaking device inward from the outer periphery and defining at least one area of the shield element that is weaker than all other areas of the shield element; and at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe trim having a rear end rearward of the rear end of the at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe, a front end forward of the rear end of the at least one exhaust-gas tail pipe, areas of the at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe trim adjacent the front end of the at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe trim surrounding areas of the at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe forward of the rear end of at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe, the front end of the at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe trim being spaced rearward of the shield element and being outward of the at least one breaking device so that, in a crash situation, areas of the shield element outward of the breaking device can be pushed at least in sections onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe.

2. The vehicle component of claim 1, wherein the shield element is fastened to the exhaust-gas tailpipe by at least one holding element, and wherein the breaking device is suitable and designed for splitting the holding element into at least two component parts in the crash situation.

3. The vehicle component of claim 2, wherein the breaking device is suitable and designed for splitting the holding element into at least one of the component parts that remains on the exhaust-gas tailpipe, and at least one of the component parts that remains on the shield element in the crash situation.

4. The vehicle component of claim 2, wherein the component parts are, in an operational state, connected to one another by connecting bridges that shear in the crash situation.

5. The vehicle component of claim 4, wherein the connecting bridges extend transversely, radially or tangentially with respect to the exhaust-gas tailpipe.

6. The vehicle component of claim 2, wherein at least one of the two component parts surrounds the exhaust-gas tailpipe in a ring-like manner.

7. The vehicle component of claim 2, wherein one component part is surrounded in a ring-like manner by the other component part.

8. The vehicle component of claim 2, wherein two exhaust-gas tailpipes are coupled to form a dual tailpipe, and wherein, for each exhaust-gas tailpipe, there is provided in each case one component part fastened thereto.

9. The vehicle component of claim 2, wherein the holding element is provided by at least one unitary holding plate, and wherein the two component parts are connected by plate webs that can shear in the crash situation.

10. The vehicle component of claim 2, wherein, in the crash situation, the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim presses against the shield element, and/or against the component part remaining on the shield element, and pushes the shield element over the exhaust-gas tailpipe.

11. The vehicle component of claim 2, wherein the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim is tubular at least in sections, and wherein the shield element is arranged with a protrusion in relation to a front tube opening, and/or wherein the shield element is arranged with a spacing of less than 50 mm to a front tube opening.

12. The vehicle component of claim 11, wherein the front tube opening is larger than a rear tube opening to define a funnel-shape for the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim.

13. The vehicle component of claim 11, wherein the shield element is a shield plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a highly schematic illustration of an exhaust-gas tailpipe device of a vehicle component according to the invention in the operational state.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the exhaust-gas tailpipe device from FIG. 1 in a crash situation.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exhaust-gas tailpipe device in a view from the rear.

(4) FIG. 4 is a highly schematic illustration of a further exhaust-gas tailpipe device in a rear view.

(5) FIG. 5 shows the exhaust-gas tailpipe device of FIG. 3 in a perspective view.

(6) FIG. 6 shows the exhaust-gas tailpipe device of FIG. 5 from a different perspective and with an exhaust-gas tailpipe trim.

(7) FIG. 7 shows the exhaust-gas tailpipe device of FIG. 6 from a perspective obliquely from the rear.

(8) FIG. 8 shows the exhaust-gas tailpipe device of FIG. 6 in a perspective obliquely from the front.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a vehicle component 100 according to the invention having at least one exhaust-gas tailpipe device for an exhaust-gas system of a motor vehicle. The vehicle component 100 may also comprise further components or parts not illustrated here. For example, the vehicle component 100 may also comprise a silencer device for the exhaust-gas system of the motor vehicle.

(10) The exhaust-gas tailpipe device 1 comprises an exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 and an exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3. The exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 is part of the rear paneling or is fastened to the rear paneling and, in this case, is arranged in the region of a rear opening of the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2, through which the exhaust gases are discharged from the exhaust-gas system. The exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 is in this case of tubular form. For the discharge of the exhaust gases, the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 has a rear tube opening 23.

(11) Furthermore, the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 has, in this case, a front tube opening 13. The front tube opening 13 is in this case formed with a larger diameter than the rear tube opening 23. This yields a funnel-shaped design of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3. Here, the section with the larger cross section or diameter has been partially pushed onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2.

(12) Here, a shield element 4 is arranged upstream of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 in the flow direction of the exhaust gases. The shield element 4 serves in this case in particular for reflecting emerging sound waves, such that a noise optimization of the exhaust-gas system is realized by means of the shield element.

(13) The shield element 4 is a shield plate 34. To realize advantageous noise optimization, the shield element 4 is arranged with as small as possible a spacing 24 to the front tube opening 13 of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3. For example, the spacing 24 amounts to 15 mm. Smaller or larger spacings 24 are also possible.

(14) To realize particularly effective reflection of the sound waves, the shield element 4 is in this case arranged with a protrusion 14 with respect to the front tube opening 13 of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3. The protrusion 14 preferably extends in encircling fashion around the entire front tube opening 13.

(15) In the example shown here, the protrusion 14 amounts to 15 mm. It is also possible for larger or smaller protrusions 14 to be provided. It is also possible for regions with relatively large or relatively small protrusions 14 to be provided, depending on the contour of the shield element 4 and/or of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3.

(16) Such an arrangement of the shield element 4 in front of the front tube opening 13 yields a type of labyrinth seal that permits effective noise reduction. For example, it was possible to reduce the critical interior compartment noise level by up to 4 dB. The arrangement of the shield element 4 in front of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3, as proposed here, thus offers a considerable reduction of undesired noises or sound.

(17) The exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 protrudes beyond the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2. The exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 is designed to be pushed onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2. In this way, if a force acts on the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3, for example in the event of a minor rear-end collision or if an obstruction is driven into, expensive damage to the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 and/or to the exhaust-gas system connected thereto is prevented.

(18) For this purpose, the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 may be fastened to the exhaust-gas tailpipe and/or to some other vehicle part structure for example by means of a predetermined breaking device, in a manner not shown here. The predetermined breaking point may be designed so that the action of force causes a breakage and/or a deformation, resulting in a displacement of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 relative to the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2.

(19) The shield element 4 is fastened in front of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 by a breaking device 5 so that the pushing of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 is not impeded in the crash situation. The breaking device 5 is assigned to the connection between the shield element 4 and exhaust-gas tailpipe 2. For this purpose, the shield element 4 is fastened (preferably welded) to the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 via a holding element 6. The shield element 4 also is fastened, and preferably welded, to the holding element 6. Other suitable fastening means may be provided.

(20) The holding element 6 comprises in this case a multiplicity of connecting bridges 36 which extend between two component parts 16, 26. Here, one component part 16 is fastened, and for example welded, to the exhaust-gas tailpipe. The other component part 26 is connected, and for example welded, to the shield element 4.

(21) The connecting bridges 36 provide the defined weak points of the breaking device 5. In a crash situation, the connecting bridges 36 break, so that the holding element 6 splits into the two component parts 16, 26. In the event of a breakage of the connecting bridges 36, one component part 16 remains on the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2, and the other component part 26 remains on the shield element 4.

(22) The shield element 4 is a unitary holding plate 46. The connecting bridges 36 are in this case formed as plate webs 56. Such plate webs 56 can be formed with little outlay into a shield element 4 formed as a holding plate 46, and offer reliable predetermined breaking points.

(23) In particular, the shield element 4 surrounds the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 over a full circumference. To ensure that the shield element 4 is pushed onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 in an effective manner in the crash situation, a targeted spacing is provided between the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 and shield element 4. To prevent the passage of sound in the region of said spacing, the holding element 6, or the component part 16 of the holding element 6, extends across said spacing. For example, the component part 16 surrounds the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 in a ring-like manner, and is in particular fastened, and for example welded, to said exhaust-gas tailpipe in a gapless manner.

(24) FIG. 2 shows the vehicle component 1 from FIG. 1 after a detachment of the breaking device 5. This may occur for example in a crash situation or as a result of a crash test. Such a test may for example be a pendulum crash test and/or an RCAR structural test. The detachment of the breaking device 5 is caused by a body 200 that acts on the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 in the impacted direction 201 indicated in this case by an arrow. It is possible that, in the crash situation, plastic deformation can occur despite detachment of the breaking point 5 and pushing of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim and/or of the shield element onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2.

(25) As a result of the action of the impact, the front tube opening 13 of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 presses against the component part 26 fastened to the shield element 4. As a result, the connecting bridges 36 are broken, and the shield element 4 is pushed onto the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 by the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3. One component part 16 has remained on the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2. Thus, expensive damage to the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2, or to other parts of the exhaust-gas system is prevented.

(26) The component part 26 fastened to the shield element 4 is in this case adapted to the cross section or the contour of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 in the region of the front tube opening 13. Such a test may for example be a pendulum crash test and/or an RCAR structural test.

(27) Furthermore, the component part 16 that remains on the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 in the crash situation is designed with a smaller cross section than the front tube opening 13. In this way, the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 can be pushed over the component part 16 that remains on the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2.

(28) FIG. 3 shows a vehicle component 100 having an exhaust-gas tailpipe device 1 in a rear view. The exhaust-gas tailpipe device 1 comprises in this case two exhaust-gas tailpipes 2 that are arranged to form a dual tailpipe 12. For sound reflection, use is made of a shield element 4 that is formed as a shield plate 34 and surrounds both tailpipes 2. For a better overview, the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 has not been shown here.

(29) The design of the holding element 4 with the component parts 16, 26 can be seen clearly here. To each exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 there is fastened in each case one component part 16 that remains thereon in the crash situation. Both component parts 16 are connected by radial connecting bridges 36 to a common component part 26 that is fastened to the shield element 4. The component parts 16, 26 are ring-like and surround the respective exhaust-gas tailpipes 2.

(30) The holding element 6 is a holding plate 46 that provides the connecting bridges 36 by plate webs 56. Recesses are formed in the holding plate 46 between the plate webs 56. The shield element 4 is positioned behind the recesses in the holding element 6. Thus, reliable sound reflection is realized even in the regions of the recesses.

(31) FIG. 4 shows a refinement of the vehicle component described above. The holding element 6 is in this case formed with connecting bridges 36 of alternative design.

(32) The design of the holding element 6 and the number of connecting bridges 36 and/or the shaping of the component parts 16, 26 are adapted to the holding forces required during operation. In particular, the holding element 6 is designed so that adequate component strength and/or component stiffness during driving operation can be ensured. At the same time, the holding device 6 is designed so that a reliable detachment of the predetermined breaking device 5 in the crash situation can be ensured.

(33) FIG. 5 shows the vehicle component 100 from FIG. 3 in a perspective illustration obliquely from above. The profile of the exhaust-gas tailpipes 2, and the shield element 4 arranged thereon and the holding element 6, can be seen particularly clearly.

(34) FIG. 6 shows the vehicle component 100 from FIG. 3, with an exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 arranged in the intended manner, in a view from above. The protrusion 14 of the shield element 4 with respect to the front tube opening 13 of the exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 3 can be clearly seen here. The spacing 24 provided between shield element 4 and front tube opening 13 can likewise be clearly seen.

(35) FIGS. 7 and 8 show the vehicle component 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 in a perspective view obliquely from the rear and in a perspective view obliquely from the front. Here, in FIG. 8, it can be seen particularly clearly that the spacing of the shield element 4 with respect to the exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 is closed by the component part 16 fastened to the respective exhaust-gas tailpipe 2. Thus, reliable sound reflection can be ensured during driving operation. After the breakaway of the connecting bridges 36 in the crash situation, the shield element 4 is then pushed onto the respective exhaust-gas tailpipe 2 in a freely moving manner owing to the spacing.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

(36) 1 Exhaust-gas tailpipe device 2 Exhaust-gas tailpipe 3 Exhaust-gas tailpipe trim 4 Shield element 5 Predetermined breaking device 6 Holding element 12 Dual tailpipe 13 Tube opening 14 Protrusion 16 Component part 23 Tube opening 24 Spacing 26 Component part 34 Shield plate 36 Connecting bridge 46 Holding plate 56 Plate web 100 Vehicle component 200 Body 201 Impact direction