Patent Publication Number: US-8985260-B2

Title: Vehicle including exhaust system attached to sub-frame

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/761,516, filed Feb. 6, 2013, and hereby incorporates this provisional patent application by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     A vehicle includes a vehicular frame and a utility bed. The utility bed is coupled with the vehicular frame and includes a left rear seat and a right rear seat. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Certain conventional vehicles include a utility bed which is movable between a hauling position and a dumping position. Such a utility bed is often referred to as a “dump bed” and is suitable to selectively facilitate transportation of cargo. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle comprises a frame, an engine, and an exhaust system. The frame comprises a main frame and a sub-frame movably attached to the main frame. The sub-frame comprises an exhaust bracket that comprises a hollow collar. The engine comprises an engine casing and an exhaust port. The engine is releasably attached to the sub-frame. The exhaust system comprises a conduit, a conduit bracket, and a muffler. The conduit comprises an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end is connected to the exhaust port. The conduit bracket comprises a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the conduit at a location intermediate the upstream end of the conduit and the downstream end of the conduit. The second end of the conduit bracket is movably attached to the hollow collar. The muffler is attached to the downstream end of the conduit. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a vehicle comprises a frame, an engine, and an exhaust system. The frame comprises a main frame and a sub-frame movably attached to the main frame and movable relative to the main frame in three mutually orthogonal directions. The sub-frame comprises an exhaust bracket that comprises a hollow collar. The engine comprises an engine casing and an exhaust port. The engine casing comprises a first mount lug and a second mount lug. Each of the first mount lug and the second mount lug is releasably fastened to the sub-frame. The exhaust system comprises a conduit, a conduit bracket, and a muffler. The conduit comprises an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end is connected to the exhaust port. The conduit bracket comprises a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the conduit at a location intermediate the upstream end of the conduit and the downstream end of the conduit. The second end of the conduit bracket is movably attached to the hollow collar to permit movement of the conduit bracket relative to the sub-frame. The muffler is attached to the downstream end of the conduit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a left side perspective view depicting a vehicle having a utility bed that includes left and right rear seats in respective stowed positions, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side perspective view depicting a portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  but with the left and right rear seats in respective deployed positions; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view depicting a portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 2 , including the right rear seat; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view depicting an engine, a sub-frame, and a portion of a vehicular frame together with certain other components of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view depicting the arrangement of  FIG. 4  including a plurality of mount devices; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of one of the mount devices of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an upper side perspective view of the mount device of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial lower side perspective view of the mount device of  FIG. 6  but with certain components removed for clarity of illustration; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the mount device of  FIG. 6  shown with a portion in phantom and installed between a sub-frame and a main frame; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side perspective view depicting the arrangement of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of the arrangement of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views of  FIGS. 1-13 , wherein like numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views. A utility vehicle includes a utility bed which can be used to facilitate hauling of cargo by the utility vehicle. In one embodiment, the utility vehicle can be a dump-type utility vehicle having a utility bed that can facilitate selective dumping of cargo from the utility bed. A dump-type utility vehicle can comprise a light utility vehicle, such as the utility vehicle  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-13 . In other embodiments, a dump-type utility vehicle can comprise any of a variety of other types of utility vehicles having a utility bed capable of dumping (e.g., a dump bed) such as, for example, a pickup truck, a dump truck, an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”), a golf cart, and other similar vehicles, for example. In another embodiment, the utility vehicle can include a non-dump type utility vehicle having a utility bed that is rigidly fixed to the utility vehicle&#39;s frame (e.g., a non-dumpable bed). In yet another embodiment, the utility vehicle can include a trailer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the utility vehicle  10  can include a vehicular frame  12 . The vehicular frame  12  can include any of a variety of structural and/or decorative rails, panels, and/or other components which are typically, although not necessarily, formed from metal (e.g., steel and/or aluminum). A left front seat  14  and a right front seat  16  can each be supported by the vehicular frame  12  and can facilitate support of occupants within a passenger compartment  18 . The utility vehicle  10  can also include a utility bed  20  which is coupled with the vehicular frame  12 , either directly or indirectly, and such as through use of a hinge assembly (not shown). The hinge assembly can facilitate pivotable movement of the utility bed  20  with respect to the vehicular frame  12 , and between a hauling position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a dumping position (not shown). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the utility bed  20  can include a left rear seat  22  and a right rear seat  24  that can include a left seat back  26  and a right seat back  28 , respectively. Each of the left and right seat backs  26 ,  28  can be selectively and independently pivotable about a pivot axis (A 1  in  FIG. 3 ) between a stowed position ( FIG. 1 ) and a deployed position ( FIG. 2 ). When the left and right seat backs  26 ,  28  are in their stowed positions, their respective cover panels  30 ,  32  can facilitate support of cargo within the utility bed  20 . For example, the utility bed  20  is shown to comprise a bed floor  34  ( FIG. 1 ) adjacent to the left and right rear seats  22 ,  24 . When the left and right seat backs  26 ,  28  are in their respective stowed positions, the left and right cover panels  30 ,  32  can cooperate with the bed floor  34  to define a cargo support surface for the utility bed  20 . When the left and right seat backs  26 ,  28  are in their deployed positions, the left and right seat backs  26 ,  28  can cooperate with respective left and right seat bottoms (e.g.,  36  and  37  in  FIG. 3 ) to facilitate support of passengers behind the left front seat  14  and the right front seat  16 , respectively. The right and left seat bottoms  36 ,  37  can include respective cushions for providing underlying support to a seated passenger. 
     The utility bed  20  is shown to include a left side wall  38  and a right side wall  40  extending generally perpendicularly from the bed floor  34  or locations adjacent to the bed floor  34 . The utility bed  20  is also shown to include a front wall  42  and a tailgate  44 . The tailgate  44  can be pivotally coupled with respect to the bed floor  34 . When the utility bed  20  is in the hauling position (shown in  FIG. 1 ), the left side wall  38 , the right side wall  40 , and the front wall  42  can cooperate with the bed floor  34  to retain cargo within the utility bed  20 . The tailgate  44 , when closed (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), can also cooperate with the left side wall  38 , the right side wall  40 , and the bed floor  34  to retain cargo within the utility bed  20 . It will be appreciated that the tailgate  44  can be selectively opened to facilitate loading of the utility bed  20  and/or to allow cargo (e.g., dirt) to pour from the utility bed  20  when the utility bed  20  is in a dumping position (not shown). In another embodiment, it will be appreciated that a rear wall can be provided in lieu of a tailgate, with the rear wall being rigidly affixed with respect to a bed floor of a utility bed such that it might not be capable of being selectively opened by an operator. In yet another alternative embodiment, it will be appreciated that one or more side walls (e.g.,  38  and/or  40 ) of a utility bed might be capable of being selectively opened (e.g., like tailgate  44 ) by an operator. In still another alternative embodiment, it will be appreciated that a utility bed might not include any tailgate and/or side walls and might, for example, comprise a flat-bed type configuration. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the utility bed  20  can include a bed frame  45  that is configured to provide underlying and structural support for certain components of the utility bed  20 . The bed frame  45  can comprise a tubular frame structure that extends along a perimeter and/or underneath the bed floor  34  and provides underlying support for the bed floor  34 , the left and right side walls  38 ,  40 , and/or the front wall  42 . 
     The utility bed  20  is also shown in  FIG. 2  to include respective left and right doors  46 ,  48  which are each pivotable between a closed position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and an opened position (not shown). When in the closed position, each of the left and right doors  46 ,  48  can cooperate with the respective left and right side walls  38 ,  40 , the front wall  42 , and the bed floor  34  to retain cargo within the utility bed  20 . When the left and right doors  46 ,  48  are moved to the respective opened positions, a passenger can be permitted ingress/egress to/from the left and right rear seats  22 ,  24 . 
     In one embodiment, the left and right doors  46 ,  48  can comprise rear-hinged doors that are pivotally attached to the left and right side walls  38 ,  40 , respectively, such that the left and right doors  46 ,  48  can be selectively opened towards a rear of the utility bed  20 . Opening the left and right doors  46 ,  48  towards the rear of the utility bed  20  can permit more direct access to the left and right rear seats  22 ,  24  than might be otherwise be available with front-hinged doors. It will be appreciated, however, that in certain alternative embodiments, the left and right doors  46 ,  48  can instead be front-hinged doors or any of a variety of suitable alternate door arrangements. 
     Each of the left and right doors  46 ,  48  can include respective left and right door latches (not shown) that can selectively interact with the front wall  42  to facilitate releasable coupling of the left and right doors  46 ,  48  in their closed positions. The latches can be selectively activated through operation of a door actuator (not shown) to facilitate opening of the left and right doors  46 ,  48 . In one embodiment, a seal (not shown) can be provided along the perimeter of each of the left and right doors  46 ,  48 . Each seal can facilitate selective sealing of the interaction between the door (e.g.,  46 ,  48 ) and the adjacent side wall (e.g.,  38 ,  40 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the vehicular frame  12  can include a main frame  50  and a sub-frame  52 . As will be described in further detail below, the sub-frame  52  can be attached to the main frame  50  and can support an engine  54  with respect to the main frame  50 . In one embodiment, the engine  54  can comprise an internal combustion engine, or in other embodiments, an engine can comprise any of a variety of suitable alternative sources of motive power, such as an electric motor or a pneumatic motor, for example. 
     The sub-frame  52  can be coupled with the main frame  50  with a plurality (e.g., three) of mount devices  56  ( FIG. 5 ). Each of the mount devices  56  can be received within a respective receptacle  58  of the sub-frame  52  and can be releasably attached thereto with respective bolts (e.g.,  61 ) and nuts (e.g.,  63 ). Each of the receptacles  58  can be attached to a tubular member  60  of the sub-frame  52  such as through welding, for example. The tubular member  60  is shown to be substantially U-shaped and comprises a front end  62  and a rear end  64 . Two of the receptacles  58  are shown to be located at the front end  62  and one of the receptacles  58  is shown be substantially centrally located at the rear end  64 . The receptacle  58  located at the rear end  64  can extend away from the tubular member  60  such that the overall shape of the sub-frame  52  is generally forked or Y-shaped. 
     The main frame  50  is shown to include a plurality of support brackets  66  that are configured to provide underlying support for the mount devices  56 . Each of the support brackets  66  can extend inwardly with respect to a base portion  68  of the main frame  50 . Each of the receptacles  58  can extend away from the tubular member  60  such that they are substantially aligned with the support brackets  66 . In this arrangement, when the sub-frame  52  is coupled with the main frame  50 , the sub-frame  52  can be disposed laterally within the base portion  68  of the sub-frame  52 . Each of the mount devices  56  can be releasably coupled with the support brackets  66 . In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each of the mount devices  56  can include a pair of male fasteners  70  that are configured to extend through respective ones of the support brackets  66  and secured thereto with nuts (e.g.,  72  in  FIG. 5 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , one of the mount devices  56  is shown. It will be appreciated that each of the mount devices  56  shown in  FIG. 5  can be similar to, or the same in many respects as, the mount device  56  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  and described herein. The mount device  56  can include a casing  74 , a core member  76 , and an elastomeric member  78 . The casing  74  can define an interior cavity  80  and the core member  76  can be positioned within the interior cavity  80 . At least a portion of the elastomeric member  78  can be positioned within the interior cavity  80  in surrounding relationship with the core member  76 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the elastomeric member  78  can include a perimeter portion  82  that is in a contacting relationship with the casing  74 . The perimeter portion  82  can include a lower perimeter portion  84 , an upper perimeter portion  86 , and a pair of side perimeter portions  88 ,  90 . The elastomeric member  78  can additionally include a central portion  92  that is supported with respect to the lower perimeter portion  84  and side perimeter portions  88 ,  90  by a pair of legs  94 . The elastomeric member  78  is shown to separate the interior cavity  80  of the casing  74  into a lower cavity  96  and an upper cavity  98 . In particular, the lower perimeter portion  84 , the central portion  92 , and the legs  94  can cooperate to define the lower cavity  96 . The upper perimeter portion  86 , the side perimeter portion  88 ,  90 , the central portion  92 , and the legs  94  can cooperate to define the upper cavity  98 . The perimeter portion  82  can also include a lower protrusion  100  that extends upwardly from the lower perimeter portion  84  and into the lower cavity  96 . The elastomeric member  78  can also include an upper external portion  104  that covers an upper portion  106  of the casing  74 . In one embodiment, the elastomeric member  78  can be formed from rubber (e.g., having a durometer value of about A52), but in other embodiments, can be formed from any of a variety of suitable alternative elastomeric materials. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each of the male fasteners  70  comprises a head  107  positioned within the interior cavity  80  and extending through the casing  74 . 
     The core member  76  can define a pair of bolt holes  102  that are configured to receive the bolts (e.g.,  61  in  FIG. 5 ) for attachment of the core member  76 , and thus the mount device  56 , to one of the receptacles  58 . In one embodiment, the core member  76  can be formed of extruded aluminum, but in other embodiments can be formed from a variety of suitable alternative rigid or semi rigid materials, such as steel, for example. 
     When the mount device  56  is installed between the main frame  50  and the sub-frame  52 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the casing  74  can be attached to the main frame  50  and the core member  76  can be attached to the sub-frame  52  such that the casing  74  moves together with the main frame  50  and the core member  76  moves together with the sub-frame  52 . In one embodiment, each of the casing  74  and the core member  76  can be rigidly coupled to the main frame  50  and the sub-frame  52 , respectively. 
     The core member  76  can be movable within the interior cavity  80  relative to the casing  74 , in each of three mutually orthogonal directions (e.g., shown as orthogonal axes X, Y, Z, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) which can facilitate movement of the sub-frame  52  relative to the main frame  50  in the three mutually orthogonal directions. When vibration (e.g., high frequency and low frequency vibration) is imparted to the sub-frame  52 , the relative movement of the core member  76  with respect to the casing  74  can facilitate attenuation of the vibration with respect to the main frame  50  which can enhance a riding experience of an operator. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the installation of one of the mount devices  56  to one of the receptacles  58  and support brackets  66  is shown. It will be appreciated that installation of the mount devices  56  at the other receptacles  58  can be similar to, or the same in many respects as what is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and described herein. The receptacle  58  of the sub-frame  52  comprises an upper wall  108  and a pair of side walls  110  that are spaced apart from one another. The pair of side walls  110  can extend away from the upper wall  108  and can cooperate with the upper wall  108  to define a channel  112 . The mount device  56  can be received within the channel  112  and the core member  76  can be fastened to each of the side walls  110  with bolts (e.g.,  61 ). 
     When the sub-frame  52  moves relative to the main frame  50 , the mount device  56  and the receptacle  58  can cooperate with each other to prevent the sub-frame  52  from moving in each of the three mutually orthogonal directions in a manner that could compromise the integrity of the mount device  56 . For example, the side walls  110  of the receptacle  58  can limit the movement of the sub-frame  52  along the X-axis. Moreover, the sub-frame  52  is permitted to move upwardly along the Y-axis until the central portion  92  contacts the upper perimeter portion  86  and the upper external portion  104  of the elastomeric member  78  contacts the upper wall  108 . The sub-frame  52  is permitted to move downwardly along the Y-axis until the central portion  92  contacts the lower protrusion  100 . The sub-frame  52  is permitted to move along the Z-axis until the central portion  92  contacts either of the side perimeter portions  88 ,  90  of the elastomeric member  78 . It will be appreciated that, the upper external portion  104  of the elastomeric member  78  can dampen the upper portion  106  of the mount device  56  against the upper wall  108  of the receptacle  58 . It will also be appreciated that the elastomeric member  78  can extend over outer edges  114  ( FIG. 10 ) of the casing  74  to dampen the casing  74  against the side walls  110 . 
     It will also be appreciated that although the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-10  illustrates three receptacles  58  and three corresponding mount devices  56 , it will be appreciated that two receptacles and corresponding mount devices or more than three receptacles and corresponding mount devices are contemplated. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the engine  54  can be fixedly attached to the sub-frame  52 . In one embodiment, the engine  54  can include a casing  116  having a pair of mount lugs  118 . Each of the mount lugs  118  can be fastened to a respective engine mount bracket  120  attached to the tubular member  60  of the sub-frame  52 . Each of the mount lugs  118  can be hollow. One of the mount lugs  118  is illustrated in  FIG. 11  and is shown to be hollow and to include a first end  122  and a second end  124 . Respective mount collars  126  can be inserted into the first and second ends  122 ,  124 . The mount lug  118  can be disposed between opposing flanges  128  of the engine mount bracket  120  and secured thereto with a nut  130  and a bolt  132 . The nut  130  and bolt  132  can be tightened enough to urge the opposing flanges  128  together enough to seat the engine mount collars  126  into each of the respective first and second ends  122 ,  124  of the mount lug  118 . It will be appreciated that the other mount lug  118  is configured similar to, or the same in respects, to the mount lug  118  of  FIG. 11 . 
     The engine  54  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to include a rear end  134 . Each of the receptacles  58  are shown to be located on the tubular member  60  such that one of the receptacles  58  and corresponding mount devices  56  are positioned proximate one of the mount lugs  118 , one of the receptacles  58  and corresponding mount devices  56  are positioned proximate the other of the mount lugs  118 , and the other of the receptacles  58  and corresponding mount devices  56  are positioned proximate the rear end  134  of the engine  54 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the engine  54  can include an exhaust system  136 . The exhaust system  136  can include a conduit  138  that comprises an upstream end  140  and a downstream end  142 . The upstream end  140  can be connected to an exhaust port  144  of the engine  54 . The downstream end  142  can be attached to a muffler  146 . The exhaust system  136  can further include a conduit bracket  148  that is configured to couple the conduit  138  to the sub-frame  52 . The conduit bracket  148  is shown to include an upper end  150  and a lower end  152 . The upper end  150  can be attached to the conduit  138  at a location that is intermediate the upstream and downstream ends  140 ,  142  of the conduit  138 . In one embodiment, the upper end  150  can be attached to the conduit  138  about midway between the upstream and downstream ends  140 ,  142  of the conduit  138 . 
     The lower end  152  of the conduit bracket  148  can be attached to the sub-frame  52 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the sub-frame  52  comprises a muffler support bracket  154  that is located adjacent to one of the engine mount brackets  120 . The muffler support bracket  154  can include a hollow collar  156  and a grommet  158  disposed within the hollow collar  156 . A bolt  159  can extend through the grommet  158  and a nut (not shown) can be threaded thereon to facilitate securement of the lower end  152  of the conduit bracket  148  to the hollow collar  156 . 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , opposite ends  160  of the grommet  158  can extend beyond opposite ends  162  of the hollow collar  156 . One end  160  of the grommet  158  can accordingly be sandwiched between a washer  164  and the hollow collar  156  such that the grommet  158  and the washer  164  are in contacting engagement. The other end  160  of the grommet  158  can be sandwiched between the hollow collar  156  and the lower end  152  of the conduit bracket  148  such that the lower end  152  and the grommet  158  are in contacting engagement. In one embodiment, the grommet  158  can comprise an elastomeric material. As such, the grommet  158  can permit movement of the exhaust system  136  relative to the sub-frame  52  which can alleviate some of the vibratory stresses conventionally imparted with attachment of a conduit to an exhaust port and a muffler. 
     The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described for illustration of various embodiments. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art.