Internal-combustion engines – Intake manifold – Manifold tuning – balancing or pressure regulating means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-09
2001-04-10
McMahon, Marguerite (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Intake manifold
Manifold tuning, balancing or pressure regulating means
C181S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213077
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in a resonator type silencer which is connected to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle in order to suppress vibration of intake air to be supplied to the engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known that generally box-shaped resonator type silencer having a certain volume is disposed to be connected to an air intake duct of an automotive internal combustion engine. The resonator type silencer functions to suppress vibration of intake air by causing air inside the resonator type silencer to make resonance with the intake air vibration. Such a resonator type silencer is usually formed of plastic and is a large-sized part. Accordingly, the resonator type silencer includes upper and lower cases which are independently fabricated. The upper and lower cases are joined to each other to form the resonator type silencer, in such a manner that the open end sections of them are thermally welded or welded upon vibration under a state where the open end sections are brought into contact with each other. Otherwise, the open end sections of the upper and lower cases may be joined by means of clips, screws or the like. Such a technique is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Provisional Publication No. 6-60764.
However, difficulties have been encountered in the above conventional technique. That is, a large-sized facility for the above-mentioned welding is required thereby increasing a plant and equipment investment. Additionally, in case that the upper and lower cases are joined by means of the clips, screws or the like, such separate parts for joining are necessary, thereby raising a production cost. Furthermore, a slight clearance tends to be formed between the open end sections of the upper and lower cases. This clearance will lower a suppression effect for intake air vibration inside the air intake duct of the engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved resonator type silencer for an automotive internal combustion engine, which can effectively overcome drawbacks encountered in similar conventional resonator type silencers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved resonator type silencer for an automotive internal combustion engine, which is high in suppression effect for intake air vibration in an air intake duct of the engine while lowering a production cost of the resonator type silencer.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved resonator type silencer for an automotive internal combustion engine, by which upper and lower cases constituting the resonator type silencer can be readily joined to each other maintaining a tight seal condition of the resonator type silencer, without using any facility or members for connecting the upper and lower cases.
A resonator type silencer according to the present invention comprises a first case having an open end section. A second case is fabricated separate form the first case. The second case has an open end section which is joinable with the open end section of the first case. The open end section of the first case includes an end edge portion having a linear projection extending along the end edge portion. The linear projection has an inclined face extending along the end edge portion and sloped down in a direction toward a surface of the open end section. The open end section of the second case includes an end wall portion. A guide wall is integral with the end wall portion and extending along an end edge portion of the open end section to define a groove extending along the end edge portion. A seal edge portion is formed at a surface of at least one of the guide wall and the end wall portion and extends along the end edge portion of the open end section of the second case to define a part of the groove. The seal edge portion is contactable with the inclined face of the linear projection of the end edge portion of the first case. Additionally, an engagement mechanism is further provided in the resonator type silencer and includes a projecting section formed integral with one of the first and second cases. A receiving section is provided for receiving the projecting section so that the projecting section and the receiving section are engageable with each other, the receiving section being formed integral with the other of the first and second cases.
The thus arranged resonator type silencer can be readily assembled by bringing the open end sections of the upper and lower cases into contact with each other in a manner to insert the linear projection of one case into the groove formed in the other case, then by engaging the engagement mechanism formed between the upper and lower cases. This makes it unnecessary to use a large-sized facility or separate members for joining the lower and upper cases, greatly facilitating production of the resonator type silencer. Upon such assembly of the resonator type silencer, a labyrinth structure formed by the linear projection and the groove is provided between the open end sections of the lower and upper cases, while an edge contact is made between the seal edge portion and the inclined face of the linear projection. As a result, an air-tight seal can be securely maintained between the open end sections of the lower and upper cases.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5295602 (1994-03-01), Swanson
patent: 5349141 (1994-09-01), Horibe et al.
patent: 5647314 (1997-07-01), Matsumura et al.
patent: 5725624 (1998-03-01), Ernst et al.
patent: 6092499 (2000-07-01), Spannbauer
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patent: 198 11 051 (1999-09-01), None
patent: 0 897 060 (1999-02-01), None
patent: 27 45038 (1997-08-01), None
patent: 358124057 (1983-07-01), None
patent: 6-60764 (1994-08-01), None
Foley & Lardner
McMahon Marguerite
Tennex Corporation
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