Exhaust device

An exhaust device includes a supporting component and an exhaust component. The supporting component is configured to support the exhaust component. The supporting component includes a rod and a bracket. The bracket is supported from above by the rod. The exhaust component includes a joining target portion. The joining target portion includes a first joining surface and a second joining surface, to which the bracket is joined. An intermediate surface, which is between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, is provided with a reinforcing portion that reinforces the intermediate surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-3637 filed on Jan. 11, 2019 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an exhaust device in which a supporting component supports an exhaust component that causes exhaust gas of a vehicle to flow downstream.

Known is a technique to support an exhaust component of a vehicle from above by a bracket or the like. A supporting bracket disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-138784 is mounted on an upper surface of a muffler. The supporting bracket is joined to, in an upper part thereof, a rod that extends transversely. The rod is inserted through a supporting rubber. Further, the supporting rubber receives therein another rod that is joined to a vehicle body. The supporting bracket is supported from above by the supporting rubber and the aforementioned rods.

SUMMARY

In this regard, there may be a case where stiffness of a joining portion of the exhaust component to the supporting bracket is low. In this case, the joining portion has concentrated stress and has a risk of being damaged and/or vibrating during travel of a vehicle. In particular, as a length of the rod, which is provided to the supporting bracket, increases, the joining portion has further increased stress. Consequently, damage and/or vibration of the coupling portion is likely to occur. Further, as the length of the rod increases, the rod has a decreased resonance frequency. Consequently, the supporting bracket and the rod resonate with each other during the travel of the vehicle, which has a risk of causing noise.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to more advantageously support the exhaust component.

One aspect of the present disclosure is an exhaust device that includes an exhaust component that causes exhaust gas of a vehicle to flow downstream and a supporting component that supports the exhaust component. The supporting component includes a rod and a bracket. The rod is a bar-shaped component and is configured to be provided to the vehicle. The bracket is configured to be supported from above by the rod. The exhaust component includes a joining target portion. The joining target portion includes a first joining surface and a second joining surface, each of which is a portion to which the bracket is joined in an outer surface of the exhaust component. The joining target portion also includes an intermediate surface that is provided between the first joining surface and the second joining surface. The bracket includes a base, a first wall, a second wall, a first joining portion, and a second joining portion. The base is a plate-shaped portion and is configured to be joined to the rod. The first wall and the second wall each are a plate-shaped portion. The first wall and second wall face each other and are configured to extend downward from the base. The first joining portion is provided to an edge of the first wall and is joined to the first joining surface. The second joining portion is provided to an edge of the second wall and is joined to the second joining surface. The intermediate surface includes a reinforcing portion that reinforces the intermediate surface.

With the aforementioned configuration, the intermediate surface between the first joining surface and the second joining surface of the joining target portion of the exhaust component is reinforced by the reinforcing portion. As a result, the joining target portion has improved stiffness, which can inhibit stress from being locally applied on the joining target portion. Consequently, this inhibits the joining target portion from being damaged and/or from vibrating during travel of the vehicle. Further, as a result of improvement in stiffness of the joining target portion, the bracket and the rod are less likely to resonate with each other, thus inhibiting noise. Accordingly, it is possible to more advantageously support the exhaust component.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first wall and the second wall may be oblique with respect to each other such that a distance between the first wall and the second wall increases toward the opposite of the base.

With the aforementioned configuration, it is possible to improve stiffness of the bracket in comparison with a case where the first wall and the second wall are parallel to each other.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first joining portion and the second joining portion each may have an elongated plate shape. Further, the first joining portion and the second joining portion may extend such that a distance between the first joining portion and the second joining portion increases from respective first ends to respective second ends of the first joining portion and the second joining portion.

With the aforementioned configuration, it is possible to further lengthen an area where each of the first joining portion and the second joining portion, and the joining target portion contact each other when the first joining portion and the second joining portion each are joined to the joining target portion. This is so, in comparison with a case where the first joining portion and the second joining portion have a constant distance therebetween. Thus, it is possible to improve joining stiffness between each of the first joining portion and the second joining portion, and the joining target portion.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the reinforcing portion may protrude out of the first joining surface and the second joining surface.

With the aforementioned configuration, the joining target portion has improved stiffness.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first joining surface and the second joining surface may be recessed in the outer surface of the exhaust component.

With the aforementioned configuration, the joining target portion has improved stiffness.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the reinforcing portion may be recessed from the first joining surface and the second joining surface.

With the aforementioned configuration, the joining target portion has improved stiffness.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the joining target portion may have a curved plate shape.

With the aforementioned configuration, the joining target portion has improved stiffness.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a specified shape of a surface may be determined as a reference shape. The first joining surface and the second joining surface may be recessed in the outer surface of the exhaust component. Also, the first joining surface and the second joining surface each may include a surface that has the same or approximately the same shape as the reference shape. The first joining portion may be joined to the first joining surface in a state where the first joining portion is brought into surface contact with the first joining surface. The second joining portion may be joined to the second joining surface in a state where the second joining portion is brought into surface contact with the second joining surface.

With the aforementioned configuration, the first joining surface and the second joining surface are configured to be recessed in the outer surface of the exhaust component. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine respective shapes of the first joining surface and the second joining surface without being affected by a shape of an exhaust component. The first joining surface and the second joining surface each include the surface that has the same or approximately the same shape as the reference shape. Therefore, the first joining portion and the second joining portion, each of which has a surface having the same or approximately the same shape as the reference shape, allow themselves to contact the first joining surface and the second joining surface. Accordingly, it is possible to support the exhaust component, without being affected by the shape of the exhaust component, by the bracket that includes the first joining portion and the second joining portion that correspond to the reference shape. In other words, it is possible to support a variety of exhaust components by a standardized bracket, thus facilitating standardization of the supporting component.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first joining portion and the second joining portion may be plane-symmetrical or approximately plane-symmetrical with each other with respect to a reference surface. The reference surface is positioned between the first wall and the second wall. Further, the first wall and the second wall may be plane-symmetrical or approximately plane-symmetrical with each other with respect to the reference surface.

With the aforementioned configuration, the bracket can be easily manufactured.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the exhaust component may be a muffler. The first joining surface and the second joining surface may be provided upward of an opening that communicates an inside of the muffler and an outside of the muffler together.

Respective peripheral portions of an inlet and an outlet of the muffler have improved stiffness with the help of a burring or the like that is provided to the inlet and the outlet. As a result, the joining target portion has improved stiffness with the aforementioned configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to embodiments described below and can be practiced in any various forms that fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

First Embodiment

An exhaust device100of a first embodiment includes a supporting component1and a muffler3(see,FIGS. 1 to 3). The muffler3is one example of an exhaust component. The supporting component1includes a rod2and a bracket10(see,FIGS. 4 to 10), which are described below. The supporting component1is provided to the muffler3to support the muffler3.

[2. Configuration of Muffler]

The muffler3is mounted in a vehicle and causes exhaust gas from an engine to flow downstream to the outside of the vehicle (see,FIGS. 1 to 3). The muffler3has a columnar shape that extends along right-left directions. The muffler3has an approximately oval section that is perpendicular to the right-left directions. Further, directions along a longitudinal axis of the section of the muffler3are front-rear directions and directions along a crosswise axis of the section of the muffler3are up-down directions. The muffler3is mounted in the vehicle with its up-down directions corresponding to or approximately corresponding to a vertical direction (of the vehicle). However, the front-rear directions and right-left directions of the muffler3do not necessarily correspond to front-rear directions and right-left directions of the vehicle, respectively. The muffler3is appropriately arranged without being affected by the front-rear directions and right-left directions of the vehicle.

The muffler3is coupled to an upstream pipe41and to a downstream pipe40. The exhaust gas flows into the muffler3from the upstream pipe41and flows out to the downstream pipe40after passing through the muffler3. The muffler3comprises a shell30, a first end plate31, and a second end plate32.

The shell30is a cylindrical member that has an approximately oval section, the approximately oval section being perpendicular to the right-left directions. An inlet30ais provided in a front lower portion of the shell30. The inlet30ais provided to communicate the inside and the outside of the muffler3together. The inlet30ais coupled to the upstream pipe41.

The first end plate31and the second end plate32are plate-shaped portions that provide sealing to both ends of the shell30. Here, the first end plate31is arranged in the left side of the shell30and the second end plate32is arranged in the right side of the shell30. Further, the first end plate31and the second end plate32each are curved to protrude outward at the center thereof along the up-down directions. In other words, the first end plate31and the second end plate32each have a C-shaped section along the right-left directions. In addition, respective rear corners of the first end plate31and the second end plate32are formed to be round. Respective front corners of the first end plate31and the second end plate32are formed to have oblique surfaces.

The first end plate31is provided with an outlet31aat the center of the first end plate31along the front-rear directions. The outlet31ais provided to communicate the inside and the outside of the muffler3together. The outlet31ais positioned slightly lower than the center of the first end plate31along the up-down directions is. The outlet31ais coupled to the downstream pipe40. Further, the outlet31ahas a burring31bformed thereto, the burring31bbeing joined to the downstream pipe40(see,FIGS. 4 and 5).

At the center along the front-rear directions, the first end plate31and the second end plate32each are joined to a bracket10, which is a part of the supporting component1. As described above, the first end plate31and the second end plate32each are curved to protrude outward at the center thereof along the up-down directions. The bracket10is joined to an upper side of the curved portion in each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32. Hereinafter, a portion, to which the bracket10is joined in each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32, is described as a joining target portion33.

[3. Configuration of Rod]

The bracket10is joined to a rod2, which is a bar-shaped component. The bracket10is supported from above by the rod2. More specifically, the rod2is a bent cylindrical component and comprises a main body20, a bent portion21, a leading end22, and a protrusion23(see,FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 10).

The main body20extends linearly along horizontal or approximately horizontal directions. The main body20is provided with the protrusion23at an approximate center of the main body20, the protrusion23protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the main body20. The protrusion23encircles the outer circumferential surface of the main body20.

The leading end22is provided to one end of the rod2that is situated closer to the main body20(than the other end of the rod2is). The leading end22has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the main body20. The leading end22is tapered toward the one end of the rod2.

The bent portion21extends obliquely downward and linearly from an end of the main body20that is situated opposite to the leading end22. The bent portion21is joined to a base11of the bracket10of the exhaust device100. Details of the base11are described below.

The rod2is mounted in the vehicle with the main body20being inserted into a supporting rubber, which is not shown. Specifically, a portion between the leading end22and the protrusion23of the main body20(hereinafter, referred to as an inserted portion20a) is inserted into the supporting rubber. The supporting rubber receives another rod that is joined to the vehicle. The rod2is supported from above by the supporting rubber and the other rod.

[4. Respective Configurations of Supporting Component and Exhaust Component]

The supporting component1supports, from above, the exhaust component (the muffler3, in one example) that causes the exhaust gas of the vehicle to flow downstream. The supporting component1comprises the above-described rod2and the bracket10that is supported from above by the rod2(see,FIGS. 7 to 10).

The muffler3comprises the joining target portion33that includes at least a portion of each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32(see,FIGS. 4 to 6). Here, the joining target portion33provided to the first end plate31is positioned upward of the outlet31a.

[5. Configuration of Bracket]

The bracket10is an elongated component that extends along extending directions10a. The bracket10comprises the base11, a first wall12, a second wall13, first to third joining portions14to16(see,FIGS. 7 to 10).

The base11is an elongated and flat plate-shaped portion that extends along the extending directions10a. The base11is widened in directions along its width axis (hereinafter, referred to as a width directions10b), the width directions10bbeing perpendicular to the extending directions10a. Hereinafter, one end of the base11along the extending directions10ais described as a first end11band the other end of the base11along the extending directions10ais described as a second end11c. The base11and the bent portion21of the rod2are joined together.

Specifically, an upper side surface of the base11is provided with a groove11a. The groove11ais positioned at the center of the base11along the width directions10band extends from the first end11bof the base11along the extending directions10a. Further, the groove11ais shaped to correspond to the outer circumferential surface of the bent portion21of the rod2. The groove11ahas a semi-circular section that is perpendicular to the extending directions10a.

The bent portion21is joined to (welded to, in one example) the groove11a. The bent portion21, which is joined to the base11, extends outward of the base11from the first end11bof the base11along the extending directions10a. As described above, in a case where the rod2is supported by the supporting rubber or the like, the bent portion21is oblique with respect to the main body20of the rod2that extends along the horizontal or approximately horizontal directions. Thus, the bracket10is supported from above with the base11being oblique with respect to the horizontal directions (see,FIGS. 1 to 5).

The first wall12and the second wall13are flat plate-shaped portions that extend downward from respective edges of the base11that face each other across the groove11a. The first wall12and the second wall13each are a portion shaped in an approximately triangle that is widened along the extending directions10a. The first wall12and the second wall13are positioned at both sides of the bent portion21and face each other along the width directions10b. Further, the first wall12and the second end13are oblique with respect to each other such that a distance between the first wall12and the second wall13increases toward the opposite of the base11. Here, a surface that passes the center of the base11along the width directions10band is perpendicular to the base11is a reference surface10c. The first wall12and the second wall13are oblique with respect to the reference surface10csuch that a distance between the reference surface10cand the first wall12and a distance between the reference surface10cand the second wall13increase toward the opposite of the base11. In addition, the first wall12and the second wall13are formed to be plane-symmetrical or approximately plane-symmetrical with each other with respect to the reference surface10cas the center.

The first joining portion14and the second joining portion15, respectively, have elongated plate shapes and are provided to edges of the first wall12and the second wall13, the edges being situated closer to the second end11cthan to the first end11b. More specifically, the edge of the first wall12forms one side of the approximate triangle, in which the first wall12is shaped. The edge of the second wall13forms one side of the approximate triangle, in which the second wall13is shaped. The first joining portion14and the second joining portion15are arcuately curved. In addition, the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15extend to be distanced from the base11. The first joining portion14and the second joining portion15extend such that a distance between the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15increases from respective first ends to respective second ends thereof, the respective first ends being positioned closer to the base11than the respective second ends are. The first joining portion14and the second joining portion15are formed to be plane-symmetrical or approximately plane-symmetrical with each other with respect to the reference surface10cas the center.

Here, a specified shape of a surface is defined as a reference shape. In the first embodiment, the reference shape is, in one example, a shape of an elongated surface that is arcuately curved. The surface having the reference shape may be curved in a constant or approximately constant curvature from a first and to a second end of the surface. Other than the aforementioned, the reference shape may be, for example, a shape of a bent surface or a shape of a plane.

In addition, the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15include surfaces that are positioned closer to the second end11cof the base11than to the first end11b. The surface of the first joining portion14and the surface of the second joining portion15are defined as a contact surface14aand a contact surface15a, respectively. The first joining portion14and the second joining portion15, respectively, are configured such that the contact surfaces14aand15acorrespond to or approximately correspond to the reference shape. The first joining portion14and the second joining portion15, respectively, are joined to (welded to, in one example) a first joining surface33band a second joining surface33cof the joining target portion33. Here, the contact surface14aof the first joining portion14and the contact surface15aof the second joining portion15a, respectively, are brought into surface contact with the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33b.

The third joining portion16has an approximately rectangular shape and is provided to the second end11cof the base11. The third joining portion16is joined to (welded to, in one example) the joining target portion33between the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c.

[6. Configuration of Joining Target Portion]

The joining target portion33has a curved plate shape and is positioned in an upper part of the center of each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32of the muffler3along the front-rear directions (see,FIGS. 4 to 6). The joining target portion33comprises a first joining surface33b, a second joining surface33c, and an intermediate surface33a.

The first joining surface33band the second joining surface33ceach are configured to be recessed in an outer surface of the joining target portion33(in other words, an outer surface of the first end plate31or the second end plate32). Further, the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33ceach are configured as an elongated surface that extends along the up-down directions. The first joining surface33band the second joining surface33ceach include a surface that has the same or approximately the same shape as the above-described reference shape. The first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c, respectively, are joined to the contact surface14aof the first joining portion14and the contact surface15aof the second joining portion15of the bracket10. Here, as described above, the contact surfaces14aand15aare the same or approximately the same in shape as the reference shape. Therefore, the contact surfaces14aand15a, respectively, are brought into surface contact with the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33cwhen the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c, respectively, are joined to the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15.

The intermediate surface33ais a portion in the outer surface of the joining target portion33between the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c. The intermediate surface33ais provided with a reinforcing portion33dthat reinforces the intermediate surface33a. The reinforcing portion33dhelps the joining target portion33to have improved stiffness. In the first embodiment, in one example, the reinforcing portion33dis configured as a rib-like portion that protrudes out of the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c.

However, the reinforcing portion33dis not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the reinforcing portion33dmay be recessed inward of the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 11, the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33ceach may be configured as a rib-like portion that protrudes from the outer surface of the joining target portion33. Here, a recess in the intermediate surface33awith respect to the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33cmay be the reinforcing portion33d.

In addition, the reinforcing portion33dmay be configured, for example, by increasing a plate thickness of the intermediate surface33aor attaching a reinforcing member to the intermediate surface33a, to thereby provide the joining target portion33with improved stiffness.

Further, in the first embodiment, the joining target portion33is formed in the curved portion in the upper side of each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32. However, for example, the joining portion33may be similarly formed in a curved portion in an upper front side or an upper rear side of the shell30. Further, the exhaust device100may, for example, support a pipe or the like that causes the exhaust gas to flow downstream. In this case, the joining target portion may be similarly formed in an upper side surface of the pipe or the like.

The reinforcing portion33dis provided to the intermediate surface33abetween the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33cof the joining target portion33that is provided to each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32of the muffler3. As a result, the joining target portion33has improved stiffness. This can inhibit stress from being locally applied on the joining target portion33. Further, as a result of improvement in stiffness of the joining target portion33, the exhaust device100has an increased resonance frequency. Accordingly, the exhaust device100is less likely to resonate when the engine rotates at a high speed.

(1) According to the first embodiment, the reinforcing portion33dis provided to the intermediate surface33abetween the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c. As a result, the joining target portion33has improved stiffness, which can inhibit stress from being locally applied on the joining target portion33. This inhibits the joining target portion33from being damaged and/or from vibrating during travel of the vehicle. Further, as a result of improvement in stiffness of the joining target portion33, the exhaust device100has an increased resonance frequency. Therefore, the exhaust device100is unlikely to resonate, which inhibits noise. Accordingly, it is possible to more advantageously support the muffler3.

Further, the intermediate surface33a, which is reinforced, is positioned between the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15of the bracket10. This achieves a compact configuration that allows the intermediate surface33ato be accommodated in an inner side of the bracket10, thus seeking improvement in stiffness of the joining target portion33.

(2) The first wall12and the second wall13of the bracket10are oblique such that the distance between the first wall12and the second wall13increases toward the opposite of the base11. As a result, it is possible to improve stiffness of the bracket10. Further, providing the first wall12and the second wall13with such obliqueness enables the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15to be configured to extend such that the distance between the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15increases from the respective first ends to the respective second ends of the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15, the respective first ends being positioned closer to the base11than the respective second ends are. With this configuration, it is possible to further lengthen an area where each of the first joining portion14and the second joining potion15, and the joining target portion33contact each other. Accordingly, it is possible to improve joining strength between each of the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15, and the joining target portion33.

(3) The reinforcing portion33dprotrudes out of the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c. The first joining surface33band the second joining surface33ceach are configured to be recessed in the outer surface of each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32. The joining target portion33is configured as a curved surface. As a result, the joining target portion33has improved stiffness. Further, it is possible to configure the reinforcing portion33dat a lower cost in a case where the reinforcing portion33dis configured to protrude out of or to be recessed from the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c, in comparison with a case where the plate thickness of the intermediate surface33ais increased or the intermediate surface33has a reinforcing member attached thereto.

Further, the first end plate31and the second end plate32each are curved to protrude outward at the center thereof along the up-down directions. Therefore, stiffness of the entirety of the first end plate31and the second end plate32is enhanced more than stiffness of a flat plate. And, the joining target portion33is provided to this curved portion in each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32. Therefore, the joining target portion33has improved stiffness in comparison with a case where the joining target portion is provided to the flat plate.

(4) The first joining surface33band the second joining surface33ceach are configured to be recessed in the outer surface of each of the first end plate31and the second end plate32. Therefore, respective shapes of the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33ccan be appropriately determined without being affected by the shape of the muffler3. And, the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33ceach include the surface having the same or approximately the same shape as the reference shape. As a result, the first joining portion14and the second joining portion15, each of which has the surface having the same or approximately the same shape as the reference shape, allows themselves contact the first joining surface33band the second joining surface33c, respectively. Accordingly, it is possible to support a variety of exhaust component by the bracket10, which corresponds to the reference shape and is standardized, without being affected by the shape of the exhaust member. This facilitates standardization of the supporting component1. Particularly, determining the reference shape in a planar shape leads to standardization of the supporting component1without being affected by the degree of curvature of the joining surface of the exhaust component.

(5) The first joining portion14and the second joining portion15are shaped to be plane-symmetrical or approximately plane-symmetrical with each other with respect to the reference surface10cas the center. The first wall12and the second wall13are shaped to be plane-symmetrical or approximately plane-symmetrical with each other with respect to the reference surface10cas the center. As a result, the bracket10can be easily manufactured.

(6) The joining target portion33of the first end plate31is provided upward of the outlet31a, which is provided with the burring31b. As a result, the first end plate31has increased stiffness, which further improves stiffness of the joining target portion33.

Second Embodiment

Next, descriptions are given to an exhaust device200of a second embodiment (see,FIGS. 12 and 13). In the exhaust device100of the first embodiment, the supporting component1is provided to the curved surface of the exhaust component. In the exhaust device200of the second embodiment, however, a supporting component5is configured to be provided to a planar or approximately planar surface in an upper outer surface of an exhaust component. In this respect, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Hereinafter, descriptions are given to the exhaust device200of the second embodiment with focus on the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment.

[10. Respective Configurations of Muffler and Rod]

A muffler6, which is one example of the exhaust component of the second embodiment, comprises an upper shell60and a lower shell61that are press-molded components (see,FIG. 12). Here,FIG. 12shows a section of the muffler6. The upper shell60and the lower shell61overlap and are joined together to form the muffler6. The upper shell60is provided with a planar or approximately planar surface in an upper portion of the upper shell60.

In the second embodiment, a bracket of the supporting component5is, as in the first embodiment, supported from above by a rod7that is joined to the bracket. However, the rod7of the second embodiment extends linearly and, in this respect, the rod7is different from the rod2of the first embodiment.

[11. Respective Configurations of Supporting Component and Exhaust Component]

The supporting component5supports the muffler6from above (see,FIGS. 12 and 13). Here, the supporting component5may support, from above, a component other than the muffler6, such as a pipe or the like that is provided with a planar or approximately planar surface in an upper portion of the pipe or the like. The supporting component5comprises the rod7and a bracket50that is supported from above by the rod7. Further, the muffler6comprises a joining target portion62that includes at least a portion of the upper shell60.

As in the first embodiment, the bracket50comprises a base51, a first wall52, a second wall53, a first joining portion54, and a second joining portion55.

The base51is a rectangular and flat plate-shaped portion. As in the first embodiment, the base51is provided with a groove51ain an upper surface of the base51. As in the first embodiment, the groove51ais joined to (welded to, in one example) the rod7. Here, in the second embodiment, the rod7is supported by a supporting rubber or the like in an extended state along the horizontal or approximately horizontal directions. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the bracket50is supported from above with the base51extending along the horizontal or approximately horizontal directions.

As in the first embodiment, the first wall52and the second wall53are flat plate-shaped portions that extend downward from respective edges of the base51that face each other. The first wall52and the second wall53each have a trapezoid shape.

The first joining portion54and the second joining portion55each have an elongated flat plate shape and are provided to respective lower edges of the first wall52and the second wall53, respectively. The first joining portion54and the second joining portion55extend linearly. Here, respective planar or approximately planar surfaces positioned on the bottom of the first joining portion54and the second joining portion55, respectively, are a contact surface54aand a contact surface55a. The first joining portion54and the second joining portion55, respectively, are joined to (welded to, in one example) a first joining surface62band a second joining surface62cof the joining target portion62. When this joining occurs, the contact surface54aof the first joining portion54and the contact surface55aof the second joining portion55, respectively, are brought into surface contact with the first joining surface62band the second joining surface62cof the joining target portion62.

The joining target portion62has a planar or approximately planar plate shape and is situated at the center of an upper surface of the upper shell60. The joining target portion62comprises a first joining surface62b, a second joining surface62c, and an intermediate surface62a.

The first joining surface62band the second joining surface62care elongated planar or approximately planar surfaces that are aligned with each other and extend in respective specific areas in an outer surface of the joining target portion62. The first joining surface62band the second joining surface62c, respectively, are joined to the contact surface54aof the first joining portion54and the contact surface55aof the second joining portion55of the bracket50.

The intermediate surface62ais a portion between the first joining surface62band the second joining surface62c. The intermediate surface62ais provided with a reinforcing portion62dthat reinforces the intermediate surface62a. This improves stiffness of the joining target portion62. In one example, the reinforcing portion62dis configured as a rib-like portion that protrudes out of the first joining surface62band the second joining surface62c. The reinforcing portion62dmay be provided in an area of the intermediate surface62a, the area of the intermediate surface62cextending from respective first ends of the first joining surface62band the second joining surface62cto respective second ends of the first joining surface62band the second joining surface62c.

According to the second embodiment, the joining target portion62of the muffler6has improved stiffness as in the first embodiment. As a result, it is possible to more advantageously support the muffler6.

(1) In the exhaust device200of the second embodiment, the intermediate surface62ais reinforced by the rib-like reinforcing portion62d. However, the mode of the reinforcing portion62dis not limited to the aforementioned. For example, as shown inFIG. 14, the reinforcing portion62dmay be shaped to be recessed from the first joining surface62band the second joining surface62c. Further, as shown inFIG. 15, at least a portion of the intermediate surface62amay have an increased plate thickness to form the reinforcing portion62d, for example. Additionally, as shown inFIG. 16, at least a portion of the intermediate surface62amay be provided with a reinforcement member to be used as the reinforcing portion62d, for example.

(2) Functions of one element in the aforementioned embodiments may be achieved by two or more elements. One function of one element may be achieved by two or more elements. Functions of two or more elements may be achieved by one element. One function achieved by two or more elements may be achieved by one element. A part of the structures of the aforementioned embodiments may by omitted. At least a part of the structures of the aforementioned embodiments may be added to or replaced with other structures of another one of the aforementioned embodiments.