Abstract:
A clipping bar device is provided for use with a vehicle exhaust aftertreatment device in order to securely guide, secure, and protect wires, tubes, cables, or conduits which may pass in close proximity with the vehicle exhaust aftertreatment device. The clipping bar device may share mounting points with a heat shield, and is provided with a series of holes, so as to be compatible with multiple feature configurations. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an vehicle exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly having a clipping bar device that serves to guide, secure, and protect wires, tubes, cables, or conduits. The clipping bar device may also serve to provide a mounting place for small devices associated with the vehicle exhaust aftertreatment device, such small devices including but not limited to valves, switches, or connectors. All, some, or none of the wires, tubes, cables, or conduits that are attached to the clipping bar device may actually lead to or from the exhaust aftertreatment device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles for operation on the ground having internal combustion engines, particularly trucks and heavy vehicles, are increasingly provided with one or more exhaust aftertreatment devices. The exhaust aftertreatment device or devices may include catalytic converters, particulate filters, combustors, or mixing devices. These exhaust aftertreatment devices tend to produce a tremendous amount of heat by virtue of the hot exhaust gases passing through them, and sometimes by virtue of additional heat-producing reactions taking place within them. Often, the exhaust aftertreatment devices are equipped with sensors, which sensors are connected to the vehicle electrical system by wires. Other attachments may be present as well, such as fluid injectors, taps for sampling the exhaust flow, or electrodes for operating internal electrical devices. The attachments, whatever their function, are generally connected to the vehicle systems by some type of wire, tube, cable, or conduit. 
     Because of the high temperatures generated by the exhaust aftertreatment device, any wire, tube, cable, or conduit leading to a sensor or attachment must be carefully and securely located to prevent it from coming into contact with, or even too close to, the exhaust aftertreatment device. Furthermore, due to the variability associated with vehicle manufacturing which stems from the multiplicity of vehicle, engine, and exhaust configurations, it is advantageous to maximize the adaptability of any device that is used to so locate and secure the wires, tubes, cables, or conduits. It is also advantageous that any such device be compatible with conventional, “off-the-shelf” fasteners, P-clips, and wire-ties. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A vehicle for operation on the ground is provided having a frame, an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system. The exhaust system incorporates an exhaust aftertreatment device, which exhaust aftertreatment device is attached to the vehicle frame by means of mounting brackets. The exhaust aftertreatment device may or may not be provided with one or more attachments such as sensors, switches, valves, injectors, taps, or electrodes. One or more lines, such as wires, tubes, cables, or conduits, possibly leading to the one or more attachments, pass in close proximity to the exhaust aftertreatment device. In order to prevent the one or more lines from contacting, or even coming too close to, the exhaust aftertreatment device, a clipping bar device is attached to the mounting brackets. 
     The clipping bar device is generally elongate and perforated with a series of holes, which holes are compatible with conventional “off-the-shelf” fasteners such as P-clips or wire-ties. It is oriented parallel to the exhaust aftertreatment device, and may extend beyond the ends of the body of the exhaust aftertreatment device. The conventional “off-the-shelf” fasteners are attached to the clipping bar device, using the series of holes, and are used to locate and secure the one or more lines. The series of holes may be simple round holes, or they may be square holes, keyhole shaped holes, or slots, in order to cooperate with anti-rotation features present upon the conventional “off-the-shelf” fasteners. For the sake of rigidity, the clipping bar device may be angular in cross-section. Alternately, it may have a C-channel cross-section, a “hat-section” cross-section, a Z-shaped cross-section, or even a tubular cross-section. The clipping bar device may incidentally provide support for other small devices related to the exhaust aftertreatment device, such as switches, connectors, couplings, valves, or remote sensors. The clipping bar device may share mounting points with a heat shield that protects the exhaust aftertreatment device. 
     The clipping bar device may be made of mild steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or other metal. Alternately, it may be made of heat-resistant polymer. It may be stamped, roll-formed, molded, or extruded, depending upon the material utilized. 
     As described above, the Electrical Harness Clipping Bar for Aftertreatment Device and a vehicle made with this device provide a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also, modifications may be proposed to the Electrical Harness Clipping Bar for Aftertreatment Device or a vehicle made with this device without departing from the teachings herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG.  1 —A vehicle having a frame, engine, exhaust system, and exhaust aftertreatment device. 
       FIG.  2 —An exhaust system and aftertreatment device. 
       FIG.  3 —An embodiment of the present invention, an exhaust aftertreatment device with a clipping bar device and a heat shield. 
       FIG.  4 —An embodiment of the present invention, an exhaust aftertreatment device with a clipping bar device. 
       FIG.  5 —An embodiment of the present invention, an exhaust aftertreatment device with a clipping bar device. 
       FIG.  6 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device showing routing and clipping. 
       FIG.  7 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device showing routing and clipping. 
       FIG.  8 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device showing routing and clipping. 
       FIG.  9 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device showing routing and clipping. 
       FIG.  10 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device showing routing and clipping. 
       FIG.  11 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device showing routing and clipping. 
       FIG.  12 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device showing routing and clipping. 
       FIG.  13 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device showing routing and clipping. 
       FIG.  14 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device with P-clips and wire-ties. 
       FIG.  15 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device with P-clips and wire-ties. 
       FIG.  16 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device. 
       FIG.  17 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device. 
       FIG.  18 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device. 
       FIG.  19 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device. 
       FIG.  20 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device. 
       FIG.  21 —An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a vehicle  50  having a ladder-type vehicle frame  100  having frame side-members  101 . The vehicle  50  is provided with an engine  102  and an exhaust system  200  having an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . The exhaust aftertreatment device  300  is mounted vertically and supported by an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . The exhaust aftertreatment device  300  is further provided with a heat shield  600 , which protects against inadvertent contact with the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , which may produce considerable heat. 
       FIG. 2  again shows a vehicle  50  having a ladder-type vehicle frame  100 , frame side-members  101 , an engine  102  (not shown), an exhaust system  200 , and an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . The exhaust aftertreatment device  300  is again mounted vertically, supported by an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and provided with a heat shield  600 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an exhaust system  200  having an exhaust aftertreatment device  300  supported by an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400 , is attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and is oriented parallel to the axis of the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Various wires  500  and tubes  501  are attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 . In this way, the various wires  500  and tubes  501  are secured from contact with the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . The various wires  500  and tubes  501  may lead to or from sensors  302  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . A heat shield  600  is attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301  by means of heat shield standoffs  507 . The heat shield standoffs  507  and the clipping bar device  400  may share common mounting points upon the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . 
       FIG. 4  again shows an exhaust system  200 , an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , and an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400 , is again attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , oriented parallel to the axis of the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Various wires  500  and tubes  501  are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 . The various wires  500  and tubes  501  may lead to or from sensors  302  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Heat shield standoffs  507  are again provided for the attachment of a heat shield  600  (not shown). The heat shield standoffs  507  and the clipping bar device  400  may again share common mounting points upon the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . 
       FIG. 5  again shows an exhaust system  200 , an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , and an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301  attached to a frame side-member  101  of a ladder-type vehicle frame  100 . An embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400 , is again attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , oriented parallel to the axis of the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Various wires  500 , tubes  501 , couplings  601 , switches  303 , and the like are attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 . The various wires  500  and tubes  501  may lead to or from sensors  302  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Heat shield standoffs  507  are again provided for the attachment of a heat shield  600  (not shown). 
       FIG. 6  again shows an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Various wires  500 , tubes  501 , switches  303 , and the like are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 . The various wires  500  and tubes  501  may lead to or from sensors  302  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Heat shield standoffs  507  are again provided for the attachment of a heat shield  600  (not shown). 
       FIG. 7  shows an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Various wires  500 , tubes  501 , switches  303 , and the like are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 . The various wires  500  and tubes  501  may lead to or from sensors  302  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Various fasteners  504  may also be used to mount devices to the clipping bar device  400  using the holes  401 . 
       FIG. 8  shows another view of an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Various wires  500  and tubes  501  are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 . Various fasteners  504  or P-clips  505  may also be used to mount lines or devices to the clipping bar device  400  using the holes  401 . Heat shield standoffs  507  are again provided for the attachment of a heat shield  600  (not shown). The heat shield standoffs  507  and the clipping bar device  400  may again share common mounting points upon the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . 
       FIG. 9  again shows an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Various wires  500  and tubes  501  are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 . The various wires  500  and tubes  501  may lead to or from sensors  302  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Heat shield standoffs  507  are again provided for the attachment of a heat shield  600  (not shown). 
       FIG. 10  again shows an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Various wires  500  and tubes  501  are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  (not visible) provided in the clipping bar device  400 . Heat shield standoffs  507  are again provided for the attachment of a heat shield  600  (not shown). 
       FIG. 11  again shows an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Various wires  500 , tubes  501 , switches  303 , and the like are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  (not visible) provided in the clipping bar device  400 . Various fasteners  504  or P-clips  505  may also be used to mount lines or devices to the clipping bar device  400  using the holes  401 . The various wires  500  and tubes  501  may lead to or from sensors  302  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . Heat shield standoffs  507  are again provided for the attachment of a heat shield  600  (not shown). 
       FIG. 12  shows another view of an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Various wires  500 , tubes  501 , switches  303 , and the like are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 . The various wires  500  and tubes  501  may lead to or from sensors  302  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device  300 . 
       FIG. 13  shows another view of an exhaust aftertreatment device  300 , an exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 , and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Various wires  500 , tubes  501 , switches  303 , and the like are again attached to the clipping bar device  400  by means of wire-ties  506  inserted into holes  401  (not visible) provided in the clipping bar device  400 . Various fasteners  504  or P-clips  505  (not shown) may also be used to mount lines or devices to the clipping bar device  400  using the holes  401  (not visible). Heat shield standoffs  507  are again provided for the attachment of a heat shield  600  (not shown). 
       FIG. 14  shows a view of just the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301  and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Wire-ties  506  and P-clips  505  are shown inserted into the holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 , showing their relative location and usage. 
       FIG. 15  shows another view of just the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301  and an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  attached to the exhaust aftertreatment device mounting assembly  301 . Wire-ties  506  and P-clips  505  are shown inserted into the holes  401  provided in the clipping bar device  400 , showing their relative location and usage. 
       FIG. 16  shows an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  having holes  401 . The holes  401  in the clipping bar device  400  shown in  FIG. 16  are square holes  403 , and the clipping bar device  400  has an angular cross-section  406 . 
       FIG. 17  shows an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  having holes  401 . Various types of holes  401  are shown in the clipping bar device  400 , including round holes  402 , square holes  403 , keyholes  404 , and slotted holes  405 . The clipping bar device  400  has an angular cross-section  406 . 
       FIG. 18  shows an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  having holes  401 . The holes  401  in the clipping bar device  400  shown in  FIG. 18  are square holes  403 , and the clipping bar device  400  has a “C-channel” cross-section  407 . 
       FIG. 19  shows an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  having holes  401 . The holes  401  in the clipping bar device  400  shown in  FIG. 19  are square holes  403 , and the clipping bar device  400  has a “Z-shaped” cross-section  409 . 
       FIG. 20  shows an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  having holes  401 . The holes  401  in the clipping bar device  400  shown in  FIG. 20  are square holes  403 , and the clipping bar device  400  has a “hat-section” cross-section  408 . 
       FIG. 21  shows an embodiment of the present invention, a clipping bar device  400  having holes  401 . The holes  401  in the clipping bar device  400  shown in  FIG. 21  are square holes  403 , and the clipping bar device  400  has a tubular cross-section  410 . 
     While specific embodiments have been described in detail in the foregoing detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various permutations of the invention are possible without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Other advantages to a vehicle equipped with an Electrical Harness Clipping Bar for Aftertreatment Device may also be inherent in the invention, without having been described above.