Support Member and Catalyst Converter Support Structure

A support member includes: a pair of first support members provided to sandwich and support an attachment portion, one of the first support members being in contact with a vehicle side; and a second support member provided between the pair of first support members, formed separately from the first support members, and configured to support an inner peripheral side of a through hole. An attachment portion is provided at the other end portion of a plate spring member having one end portion fixed to a catalyst converter, and vibration applied to the catalyst converter is absorbed by elastic deformation of the plate spring member. Vibration in a thickness direction of the plate spring member is absorbed by elastic deformation of the first support members, and vibration in a longitudinal direction of the plate spring member is absorbed by elastic deformation of the second support member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a support member and a catalyst converter support structure.

BACKGROUND ART

CN209336481U discloses a vehicle body connection structure of a catalyst converter in which a position determining portion is provided in a vibration damping component in order to prevent the vibration damping component from rotating when the vibration damping component is attached to a vehicle body by tightening a screw.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

However, in the connection structure in CN209336481U, it is possible to dampen vibration in a fastening direction of the screw, but it is not possible to prevent vibration in a direction perpendicular to the fastening direction of the screw.

An object of the present invention is to enable damping in at least two directions, that is, a first direction corresponding to the fastening direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a support member configured to support, on a vehicle, a catalyst converter including an attachment portion having a through hole, the support member includes: a pair of first support members formed of an elastic material and provided to sandwich and support the attachment portion, one of the first support members being in contact with a vehicle side; and a second support member provided between the pair of first support members, formed of an elastic material separately from the first support members, and configured to support an inner peripheral side of the through hole, wherein the attachment portion is provided at the other end portion of a plate spring member having one end portion fixed to the catalyst converter, and vibration applied to the catalyst converter is absorbed by elastic deformation of the plate spring member, vibration in a thickness direction of the plate spring member is absorbed by elastic deformation of the first support members that vertically sandwich the other end portion of the plate spring member, and vibration in a longitudinal direction of the plate spring member is absorbed by elastic deformation of the second support member disposed on the inner peripheral side of the through hole provided at the other end portion of the plate spring member.

In the above aspect, the support member includes the pair of first support members that sandwich and support the attachment portion, and the second support member that is provided between the pair of first support members, that is separated from the first support members, and that supports the inner peripheral side of the through hole. Therefore, by supporting the catalyst converter on the vehicle by the support member, the first support member elastically supports the attachment portion in a first direction, and the second support member elastically supports the attachment portion in a second direction. Therefore, vibration in at least two directions, that is, the first direction and the second direction perpendicular to the first direction can be dampened.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a catalyst converter support structure (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “support structure”)100according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an overall configuration of the support structure100will be described with reference toFIGS.1and2.FIG.1is a perspective view of the support structure100.FIG.2is a view taken along an arrow II inFIG.1.

The support structure100includes a catalyst converter1and a support member10.

The catalyst converter1is supported by a vehicle9.FIGS.1and2show only a part of the vehicle9to which the catalyst converter1is attached. The catalyst converter1may be supported by an engine (not shown) mounted on the vehicle9. In this case, it also can be said that the catalyst converter1is supported by the vehicle9.

The catalyst converter1oxidizes a hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide contained in exhaust gas discharged from the engine to convert the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and moisture, and reduces nitrogen oxides and removes fine particulate matter to purify the exhaust gas. The catalyst converter1is directly connected downstream of the engine in an exhaust gas flow path. When a supercharger is provided in the engine, the catalyst converter1is directly connected downstream of an exhaust outlet portion of the supercharger. Therefore, the catalyst converter1receives vibration transmitted from the engine. Further, in the present embodiment, the catalyst converter1includes two catalysts to improve purification performance. Further, in the present embodiment, a layout of the catalyst converter1has a bent L shape in order to save a space in an engine room. Therefore, the vibration of the entire catalyst converter1becomes complicated as compared with, for example, a straight type catalyst converter including only one catalyst.

The catalyst converter1includes a case2and a plurality of catalysts (not shown) accommodated in the case2.

The case2includes an inlet-side tubular portion3, an intermediate tubular portion4, an outlet-side tubular portion5, and stays6and7as plate spring members.

The inlet-side tubular portion3accommodates a three-way catalyst (TWC) therein. The inlet-side tubular portion3has an inlet-side opening3ainto which the exhaust gas flows. The inlet-side tubular portion3is configured to bend a flow of the exhaust gas by a predetermined angle (for example, 90°), that is, to form a substantially L-shaped flow path. The inlet-side tubular portion3is formed by joining, by welding or the like, two metal plate-shaped members formed by dividing symmetrically along a flow direction of the exhaust gas.

The intermediate tubular portion4is joined to the inlet-side tubular portion3and accommodates a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) therein. The intermediate tubular portion4is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape by a metal plate-shaped member. An outer peripheral surface of one end of the intermediate tubular portion4is joined to an inner peripheral surface of the inlet-side tubular portion3by welding or the like. An outer peripheral surface of the other end of the intermediate tubular portion4is joined to an inner peripheral surface of the outlet-side tubular portion5by welding or the like.

One end of the outlet-side tubular portion5is joined to the intermediate tubular portion4, and the other end thereof is provided with an outlet-side flange5athat is connected to an exhaust-side conduit (not shown). The outlet-side tubular portion5has an outlet-side opening5b. The outlet-side tubular portion5guides the exhaust gas passing through the GPF to an exhaust pipe (not shown) that discharges the exhaust gas to an outside. The outlet-side tubular portion5is formed by joining, by welding or the like, two metal plate-shaped members formed by being divided along the flow direction of the exhaust gas.

The stay6is formed by pressing a sheet metal material. The stay6is attached to the outlet-side flange5aof the outlet-side tubular portion5. One end portion of the stay6is fixed to the catalyst converter1. An attachment portion8is provided at the other end portion of the stay6. As shown inFIG.2, the attachment portion8of the stay6is provided with a through hole6a. The through hole6ais formed in a circular shape. In the through hole6a, chamfered portions6band6care formed at both ends in an axial direction of a tip portion inserted into a groove portion13, which will be described later, of the support member10(seeFIG.4).

The stay7is formed by pressing a sheet metal material. The stay7is attached at a position away from the outlet-side flange5aof the outlet-side tubular portion5. As shown inFIG.2, the stay7has a through hole7a.

The chamfered portions6band6chave a radial length of 0.1 [mm] to 0.5 [mm], that is, C0.1 to C0.5 in the case of C chamfering with a slope angle of 45°. The chamfered portions6band6cmay have other shapes such as R chamfering instead of C chamfering.

The stay6is supported by the vehicle9via the support member10. The stay7is directly supported by the vehicle9. Instead of supporting only the stay6via the support member10, the stays6and7may be supported by the vehicle9via the support member10. That is, at least one of the stays6and7may be supported by the vehicle9via the support member10.

The support member10is provided between the stay6and the vehicle9. The support member10will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.3to6B.

Here, when the vibration is applied while the vehicle9is running, the vibration is transmitted to the catalyst converter1. Further, when high-temperature exhaust gas flows out from the engine, the case2of the catalyst converter1may be thermally deformed to change a distance between the through hole6aand the through hole7a. Therefore, in the support structure100, the catalyst converter1is supported by the vehicle9via the support member10, thereby preventing the vibration and absorbing the change in distance between the through hole6aand the through hole7adue to thermal deformation.

Next, the support member10will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.3to6B.FIG.3is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including a center line of the support member10.FIG.4is an enlarged view of a part IV inFIG.3.FIG.5Ais a plan view of a first support member11.FIG.5Bis a cross-sectional view of a side surface shown inFIG.5A.FIG.6Ais a plan view of a second support member12.FIG.6Bis a cross-sectional view of a side surface shown inFIG.6A.

As shown inFIG.3, the support member10includes a pair of the first support members11, the second support member12, a washer14, a collar15, and a bolt16.

The first support member11is formed of an elastic material and has a tubular shape. Here, the first support member11is formed in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to the cylindrical shape as long as the first support member11is tubular. The first support members11sandwich and support the stay6from a thickness direction. One of the first support members11is in contact with the vehicle9. A thickness T1(seeFIG.5B) of the first support member11is, for example, 10.0 [mm]. The first support member11has a through hole11aaxially penetrating an inner periphery along a central axis. The stay6is an elastically deformable plate spring member and has a function of absorbing the vibration applied to the catalyst converter1so as not to be transmitted to a vehicle9side.

The second support member12is formed of an elastic material and has a tubular shape coaxial with the first support member11separately from the first support member11. Here, the second support member12is formed in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to the cylindrical shape as long as the second support member12is tubular. The second support member12is provided in a manner of being sandwiched between the pair of first support members11. The second support member12supports an inner periphery of the through hole6aof the stay6. A thickness T2(seeFIG.6B) of the second support member12is, for example, 6.0 [mm]. The second support member12has a through hole12aaxially penetrating an inner periphery along a central axis. An inner diameter of the through hole12ais the same as an inner diameter of the through hole11a. A predetermined gap C is provided between the second support member12and an inner peripheral surface of the through hole6a(seeFIG.4).

The second support member12has an outer diameter smaller than that of the first support member11. Specifically, an outer diameter D1(seeFIG.5A) of the first support member11is, for example, 36.0 [mm], whereas an outer diameter D2(seeFIG.6A) of the second support member12is, for example, 29.0 [mm]. Due to a difference in outer diameter between the first support member11and the second support member12, a groove portion13is formed in the support member10.

The groove portion13is formed along an entire outer periphery of the second support member12. The stay6is inserted into the groove portion13. As shown inFIG.4, an axial height Hg of the groove portion13is substantially the same as or higher than a thickness T2of the second support member12in a state in which the bolt16is not fastened and not compressed, and is, for example, 6.0 [mm]. A radial length (depth) Dg of the groove portion13is 3.0 [mm] to 6.0 [mm]. Accordingly, even when the chamfered portions6band6care formed, a radial length Dc of the stay6in the groove portion13can be maintained at 3.0 [mm] or more. Accordingly, an area of the first support member11that is in contact with and supports the stay6can be sufficiently ensured, and the stay6can be stably supported.

In a state in which the stay6is supported by the first support members11and the second support member12, a pair of boundary surfaces at which the first support members11and the second support member12are in contact with one another in an vertical direction are flush with an upper end surface and a lower end surface of the stay6in a plane direction. A state in which the stay6is supported by the first support member11and the second support member12is a fastened state in which the bolt16is fastened.

As shown inFIG.3, the washer14abuts on a surface opposite to the stay6of one of the pair of first support members11which is not in contact with the vehicle9. The washer14is formed in an annular thin plate shape. An outer diameter of the washer14is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first support member11. An inner diameter of the washer14is smaller than inner diameters of the first support member11and the second support member12, and is substantially the same as an inner diameter of the collar15to be described later. Therefore, since the washer14is in contact with an entire surface of the first support member11, the pair of the first support members11and the second support member12can be evenly compressed in the axial direction.

The collar15is inserted through the inner peripheries of the first support member11and the second support member12. The collar15is formed in a cylindrical shape. An outer diameter of the collar15is substantially the same as the inner diameters of the first support member11and the second support member12. An inner diameter of the collar15is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the washer14, and is larger than an outer diameter of the bolt16to be described later. One end of the collar15in the axial direction is in contact with an axial end portion of the washer14, and the other end is in contact with the vehicle9. The collar15sets compression amounts of the pair of first support members11and the second support member12to a specified compression amount.

The bolt16is inserted through an inner periphery of the collar15and fastened to the vehicle9. A head portion16aof the bolt16fixes the washer14to the vehicle9. That is, the bolt16defines an axial position of the washer14. By fastening the bolt16, the compression amounts of the pair of first support members11and the second support member12can be set to the specified compression amount, and the stays6and7inserted into the groove portion13can be sandwiched and supported between the pair of first support members11.

Next, an operation of the support structure100will be described.

When the vibration is applied while the vehicle9is running, the vibration is transmitted to the catalyst converter1. At this time, first, while the vibration is prevented by the elastic deformation of the stay6, the pair of first support members11sandwich and support the stay6, and the second support member12supports an inner periphery of the through hole6aof the stay6. The first support member11elastically supports the stay6in the axial direction, and the second support member12elastically supports the stay6in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Therefore, the vibration transmitted from the vehicle9to the catalyst converter1can be absorbed stepwise.

When high-temperature exhaust gas flows out from the engine, the case2of the catalyst converter1may be thermally deformed to change the distance between the through hole6aand the through hole7a. At this time, since the second support member12supports the inner periphery of the through hole6aof the stay6, the change in distance between the through hole6aand the through hole7adue to the thermal deformation can be absorbed.

That is, the vibration applied to the catalyst converter1is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the stay6, the vibration in a thickness direction of the stay6is absorbed by elastic deformation of the first support members11vertically sandwiching the other end portion of the stay6, and the vibration in a longitudinal direction of the stay6is absorbed by elastic deformation of the second support member12disposed on an inner peripheral side of the through hole6aprovided at the other end portion of the stay6.

As described above, the support member10includes the pair of first support members11that sandwich and support the stay6, and the second support member12that is provided separately from the first support members11between the pair of first support members11and supports the inner peripheral side of the through hole6a. Therefore, when the catalyst converter1is supported on the vehicle9by the support member10, the first support member11elastically supports the stay6in the axial direction (first direction), and the second support member12elastically supports the stay6in the radial direction (second direction). Therefore, the vibration in at least two directions, that is, the axial direction and the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction can be dampened.

Since the second support member12that elastically supports the stay6in the radial direction (second direction) is formed separately from the pair of first support members11, the first support member11is not pulled by the stay6when the stay6moves in the radial direction (second direction) due to the vibration, the elastic deformation, or the like. Accordingly, cracks are less likely to occur in the first support member11.

Further, the stay6is formed with the chamfered portions6band6c, when the stay6is pushed into the first support member11or the second support member12due to deterioration over time or the like, a corner portion does not appear, so that cracks are less likely to occur in the boundary surfaces (surfaces at which the first support members11and the second support member12are in contact with one another in the vertical direction) of the first support member11or the second support member12.

Further, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the support member10enables damping in at least two directions, that is, the axial direction and the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Since the first support member11and the second support member12are separately formed and combined with each other, it is possible to prevent the support member10from being broken by the vibration received from the stay6, and to improve durability. That is, it is possible to achieve the support structure100that achieves both high vibration durability and excellent damping properties.

The support structure100according to the present embodiment employs a structure (seeFIG.2) in which the catalyst converter1is supported at two positions by using two stays, that is, stays6and7, and the support member10is applied to a fastening portion on a lower side shown inFIG.2. A fastening direction of the bolt16at this time is along a radial direction of the catalyst of the catalyst converter1. Accordingly, vibration of the catalyst in the radial direction in the catalyst converter1can be absorbed by the first support member11, and vibration of the catalyst in a direction intersecting the radial direction, particularly, vibration in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction can be absorbed by the second support member12. The support member10may be applied to a fastening portion on a stay7side. In this case, vibration absorption performance can be further enhanced.

Since the support member10can be used as a vibration countermeasure against the vibration during running of the vehicle9, the vibration countermeasure in a structure of the catalyst converter1can be reduced. Therefore, a weight of the catalyst converter1can be reduced, and a cost can be reduced.

Next, sizes of the chamfered portions6band6cof the support member10will be described with reference toFIGS.7and8.FIG.7is a diagram illustrating a load bearing test of the support member10.FIG.8is a graph illustrating a relationship between a pushing-in amount and a load in the load bearing test of the support member10. InFIG.8, a horizontal axis represents a pushing-in amount S [mm], and a vertical axis represents a load L [N].

As shown inFIG.7, in the load bearing test of the support member10, a testing machine50presses the stay6in the axial direction in a state in which the support member10supports the stay6, and a breaking limit of the first support member11is checked. Here, load bearing tests are performed using three types of stays, that is, a stay6on which the chamfered portions6band6care not formed as a comparative example, a stay6that includes the chamfered portions6band6ceach having a radial length of 0.2 [mm] (C0.2), and a stay6that includes the chamfered portions6band6ceach having a radial length of 0.5 [mm] (C0.5).

InFIG.8, a test result in a case in which the chamfered portions6band6care not formed on the stay6is indicated by a broken line, a test result in a case in which the chamfered portions6band6ceach having the radial length of 0.2 [mm] (C0.2) are formed on the stay6is indicated by an alternate long and short dash line, and a test result in a case in which the chamfered portions6band6ceach having the radial length of 0.5 [mm] (C0.5) are formed on the stay6is indicated by an solid line.

As shown inFIG.8, the stay6on which the chamfered portions6band6care not formed is broken when the pushing-in amount S is S1[mm]. The load L at this time is L1[N].

On the other hand, the stay6in which the radial length of the chamfered portions6band6cis 0.2 [mm] (C0.2) is broken when the pushing-in amount S is S2[mm] larger than S1. The load L at this time is L2[N] larger than L1.

Further, the stay6in which the radial length of the chamfered portions6band6cis 0.5 [mm] (C0.5) is broken when the pushing-in amount S is S3[mm], which is even larger than S2. The load L at this time is L3[N], which is even larger than L2.

In this way, by setting the radial length of the chamfered portions6band6cof the stay6to 0.2 [mm] to 0.5 [mm] (C0.2 to C0.5), the vibration transmitted from the vehicle9to the catalyst converter1can be absorbed and the durability of the support member10can be improved. Further, by setting the radial length of the chamfered portions6band6cof the stay6to 0.3 [mm] to 0.5 [mm] (C0.3 to C0.5), the durability of the support member10can be further improved.

Next, a catalyst converter101according to a modification to which the support structure100is applied will be described with reference toFIG.9.FIG.9is a view showing the catalyst converter101according to the modification to which the support structure100is applied.

The catalyst converter101includes a case102and at least one catalyst (not shown) accommodated in the case102. The case102is a heat insulation cover that blocks heat released from the catalyst converter101, and is fixed to a main body of the catalyst converter101. The case102is disposed with a predetermined gap from an outer peripheral surface of the catalyst converter101. Accordingly, an air layer is formed between the catalyst converter101and the case102, and a heat insulating effect can be improved.

The case102is a substantially tubular member in which one end and the other end are bent. The inlet-side opening3aopens at the one end of the case102. The outlet-side opening5bopens at the other end of the case102. The case102includes an inlet-side tubular portion103, an outlet-side tubular portion105, and a stay (not shown) as a plate spring member.

The inlet-side tubular portion103has the inlet-side opening3ainto which exhaust gas flows. The inlet-side tubular portion103is configured to bend a flow of the exhaust gas by a predetermined angle (for example, 150°), that is, to form a substantially U-shaped flow path. The inlet-side tubular portion103is formed by joining, by welding or the like, two metal plate-shaped members formed by being divided along a flow direction of the exhaust gas.

One end of the outlet-side tubular portion105is joined to the inlet-side tubular portion103by welding or the like, and the other end thereof is connected to an exhaust-side conduit (not shown). The outlet-side tubular portion105has the outlet-side opening5b. The outlet-side tubular portion105guides the exhaust gas that has passed through the catalyst to an exhaust pipe (not shown) that discharges the exhaust gas to an outside. The outlet-side tubular portion105is formed by joining, by welding or the like, two metal plate-shaped members formed by being divided along the flow direction of the exhaust gas.

Compared to a catalyst converter not covered with the case102, the catalyst converter101covered with such a case102vibrates more complicatedly due to vibration received from an engine, but when the support structure100according to the present embodiment is applied, that is, when the catalyst converter101is supported on the vehicle9via the support member10, it is possible to damp vibration in two directions, that is, an axial direction and a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

Next, a catalyst converter201according to another modification to which the support structure100is applied will be described with reference toFIG.10.FIG.10is a view showing the catalyst converter201according to the other modification to which the support structure100is applied.

The catalyst converter201includes the case2and a plurality of catalysts (not shown) accommodated in the case2.

The case2includes an inlet-side tubular portion203, the intermediate tubular portion4, the outlet-side tubular portion5, and the stays6and7as plate spring members.

The inlet-side tubular portion203accommodates a three-way catalyst (TWC) therein. The inlet-side tubular portion203has the inlet-side opening3ainto which exhaust gas flows. The inlet-side tubular portion203is configured to bend a flow of the exhaust gas by a predetermined angle (for example, 90°), that is, to forma substantially L-shaped flow path. The inlet-side tubular portion203is formed by joining, by welding or the like, two metal plate-shaped members formed by dividing symmetrically along a flow direction of the exhaust gas.

In such a catalyst converter201, although not shown, a first catalyst and a second catalyst are accommodated in the case2, and specifically, when a direction of the exhaust gas flowing through the first catalyst is defined as a first direction, the first catalyst that purifies the exhaust gas flowing along the first direction and the second catalyst that purifies the exhaust gas that has passed through the first catalyst and flows along a second direction intersecting the first direction are disposed.

Further, in the catalyst converter201shown inFIG.10, at least one of the first catalyst and the second catalyst is disposed away from the other catalyst in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. Here, a portion accommodating the first catalyst, which is an upstream portion of the catalyst converter201, is shifted and disposed in a direction away from an engine as compared with a portion accommodating the second catalyst, which is a downstream portion thereof. At this time, an EGR device30, which will be described later, is disposed in a gap sandwiched between the downstream portion of the catalyst converter201which accommodates the second catalyst and an engine main body, and the EGR device30is connected to an exhaust pipe forming a flow path of the exhaust gas passing through the second catalyst in the catalyst converter201.

As described above, since the catalyst converter201shown inFIG.10has a complicated overall shape, vibration received from the engine is also transmitted in a complicated manner. Therefore, by using the support member10according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively prevent the complicated vibration in the catalyst converter201.

As shown inFIG.10, the inlet-side tubular portion203is offset from a central axis of the intermediate tubular portion4to a side opposite to the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) device30in order to prevent interference with the EGR device30. In this case, the EGR device30is disposed between the engine and the catalyst converter201.

Similarly, in the case in which such a catalyst converter201is supported by the vehicle9via the support member10, it is also possible to dampen the vibration in at least two directions, that is, an axis direction and a radial direction perpendicular to the axis direction. Even when the heat insulation cover shown inFIG.9described above is applied to such a catalyst converter201, by applying the support structure100according to the present embodiment, the damping in at least two directions can be achieved.

According to the above embodiments, the following effects are achieved.

The support member10configured to support, on the vehicle9, the catalyst converter1,101,201including the stay6having the through hole6aincludes: the pair of first support members11that are formed of the elastic material and provided so as to sandwich and support the stay6, one of the first support members11being in contact with the vehicle9side; and a second support member12that is provided between the pair of first support members11, is formed of an elastic material separately from the first support members11, and supports the inner peripheral side of the through hole6a.

In this configuration, the support member10includes the pair of first support members11that sandwich and support the stay6, and the second support member12that is provided separately from the first support members11between the pair of first support members11and supports the inner peripheral side of the through hole6a. Therefore, when the catalyst converter1,101,201is supported on the vehicle9by the support member10, the first support member11elastically supports the stay6in the axial direction (first direction), and the second support member12elastically supports the stay6in the radial direction (second direction). Therefore, the vibration in at least two directions, that is, the axial direction and the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction can be dampened.

In the support structure100including the catalyst converter1,101,201and the support member10that supports the catalyst converter1,101,201on the vehicle9, the catalyst converter1,101,201includes the stay6having the through hole6a, the support member10has the groove portion13which is formed in the entire outer periphery and into which the stay6is inserted, and the stay6has the chamfered portions6band6cat the tip portion inserted into the groove portion13.

In this configuration, the support member10has the groove portion13into which the stay6is inserted. Therefore, by supporting the catalyst converter1,101,201on the vehicle9by the support member10, the stay6is elastically supported in the axial direction (first direction) of the groove portion13, and the stay6is elastically supported in the radial direction (second direction) of the groove portion13. Therefore, the vibration in at least two directions, that is, the axial direction and the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction can be dampened.

Since the second support member12that elastically supports the stay6in the radial direction (second direction) is formed separately from the pair of first support members11, the first support member11is not pulled by the stay6when the stay6moves in the radial direction (second direction) due to the vibration, the elastic deformation, or the like. Accordingly, the cracks are less likely to occur in the first support member11.

Further, the stay6is formed with the chamfered portions6band6c, when the stay6is pushed into the first support member11or the second support member12due to the deterioration over time or the like, the corner portion does not appear, so that the cracks are less likely to occur in the first support member11or the second support member12.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely a part of application examples of the present invention, and do not mean that the technical scope of the present invention is limited to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments.

For example, the first support member11and the second support member12may be formed of the same elastic material or different elastic materials. In this case, an elastic force of the first support member11and an elastic force of the second support member12may be the same elastic force or different elastic forces. For example, the elastic force in a vibration input direction received by the first support member11from the stay6and the elastic force in the vibration input direction received by the second support member12from the stay6may be the same, or different elastic forces may be applied in respective vibration directions received from the stay6. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the first support member11and the second support member12are separately formed, it is possible to prevent breakage of the support structure100, that is, to ensure high vibration durability, and to more effectively absorb vibration input from the catalyst converter1which is complicated by the support structure100.

For example, the predetermined gap (clearance) C may be provided between the second support member12and an end portion of the stay6in the state in which the pair of first support members11and the stay6are vertically sandwiched (seeFIG.4). In this case, while preventing the vibration input from the stay6to a second support member12side due to a friction between the first support member11and the stay6, the vibration can be prevented step by step by bringing the end portion of the stay6and the second support member12into contact with each other when the stay6vibrates greatly together with the first support member11. Accordingly, relatively small vibration can be absorbed only by the first support member11, and relatively large vibration can be absorbed by both the first support member11and the second support member12. Accordingly, not only can impact absorption when the stay6slides in the plane direction (longitudinal direction) be more effectively performed, but also the durability of the support structure100can be improved, and by providing the predetermined gap (clearance) C between the second support member12and the end portion of the stay6, assembly when the stay6is supported and fixed (at the time of fastening) is also easily performed.

Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, although the structure in which the stay6is provided with the chamfered portions6band6cis described as an example, the present embodiment can achieve a high vibration absorption effect and high durability even for the stay6that is not provided with the chamfered portions6band6c.

The present application claims priority under Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-034844 filed to the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 4, 2021, and an entire content of this application is incorporated herein by reference.