Tunable Muffler

Abstract

A tunable muffler for a vehicle may include a center frame having a first cavity, a detachable connected base plate being detachably connected to the center frame and a tunable baffle to tune the muffler. The center frame may include a second cavity, and the tunable baffle may be mounted substantially 90.degree. to the plane of the base plate. The baffle may be mounted substantially parallel to the plane of the base plate, and the baffle may be controlled by a control device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to mufflers and more particularly to a tunable muffler.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Most vehicles include a muffler to control the back pressure on the engine and to control the noise from the engine. Both functions are determined by the internal characteristics of the muffler. These internal characteristics may be controlled by baffles within the muffler, and these baffles have been generally placed into the muffler when the muffler has been manufactured. These baffles are not movable, and the characteristics remained fixed. It would be desirable to be able to change the characteristics of the muffler in order to more finely tune the operation of the motor.

SUMMARY

[0003] A tunable muffler for a vehicle may include a center frame having a first cavity, a detachable connected base plate being detachably connected to the center frame and a tunable baffle to tune the muffler.

[0004] The center frame may include a second cavity, and the tunable baffle may be mounted substantially 90.degree. to the plane of the base plate.

[0005] The baffle may be mounted substantially parallel to the plane of the base plate, and the baffle may be controlled by a control device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another detachably connected base plate of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of a section of the detachably connected base plate of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates another sectional view of the detachably connected base plate of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates the detachably connected base plate and the center frame of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of another detachably connected base plate of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 12 illustrates the detachably connected base plate and the center frame of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the control device of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the center frame and the elongated baffles of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a cover for the muffler of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 16 illustrates the assembled muffler of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of the center frame and base plate of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a center frame 101 of a muffler 100 of the present invention. The center frame 101 may be a substantial rectangle as illustrated or an oval or other shape device. The center frame 101 may include a front wall 103, an opposing back wall 105, and the front wall 103 may be connected to a pair of opposing side walls 107 which may be connected to the back wall 105. The front wall 103 may include an input port 111 which may be connected to an exhaust pipe 119 to allow exhaust to be input into the center frame 101, and the back wall 105 may include an output port 113 to connect to an exhaust pipe 121 to conduct exhaust out of the center frame 101. The front wall 103, the back wall 105, and the pair of opposing side walls 107 may define a first cavity 115 and a second cavity 117 which may be further defined by a dividing wall 109 which may extend between the side walls 107. The center frame 101 may include a sound baffle 123 which may extend into the respective cavity, namely the first cavity 115 and/or the second cavity 117. One or both of the sidewall 107 may include a sound absorbing chamber 125 which may provide sound control and may be filled with ceramic insulation or other appropriate insulation and which may extend the length of the sidewall 107.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the center frame 101 and illustrates the front wall 103 and the exhaust pipe 119.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the center frame 101 and illustrates the back wall 105 and the exhaust pipe 121.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the center frame 101. The center frame 101 may include a front wall 103, an opposing back wall 105, and the front wall 103 may be connected to a pair of opposing side wall 107 which may be connected to the back wall 105. The front wall 103 may include an input port 111 which may be connected to a exhaust pipe 119 to allow exhaust to be input into the center frame 101, and the back wall 105 may include a output port 113 to connect to an exhaust pipe 121 to conduct exhaust out of the center frame 101. The front wall 103, the back wall 105 and the pair of opposing side walls 107 may define a first cavity 115 and a second cavity 117 which may be further defined by a dividing wall 109 which may extend between the side walls 107. The center frame 101 may include a sound baffle 123 which may extend into the respective cavity, namely the first cavity 115 and/or the second cavity 117. One or both of the sidewall 107 may include a sound absorbing chamber 125 which may provide sound control and may be filled with ceramic insulation or other appropriate insulation and which may extend the length of the sidewall 107.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the center frame 101. The center frame 101 may include a front wall 103, an opposing back wall 105 and the front wall 103 may be connected to a pair of opposing side wall 107 which may be connected to the back wall 105. The front wall 103 may include an input port 111 which may be connected to a exhaust pipe 119 to allow exhaust from the engine of the vehicle to be input into the center frame 101 and the back wall 105 may include a output port 113 to connect to an exhaust pipe 121 to conduct exhaust out of the center frame 101. The front wall 103, the back wall 105 and the pair of opposing side walls 107 may define a first cavity 115 and a second cavity 117 which may be further defined by a dividing wall 109 which may extend between the side walls 107. The center frame 101 may include a sound baffle 123 which may extend into the respective cavity, namely the first cavity 115 and/or the second cavity 117. One or both of the sidewall 107 may include a sound absorbing chamber 125 which may provide sound control and may be filled with ceramic insulation or other appropriate insulation and which may extend the length of the sidewall 107.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the center frame 101 and illustrates the front wall 103 the back wall 105, the sidewall 107, the divider wall 109, the input port 111, the output port 113, the first cavity 115, and the second cavity 117.

[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a detachable connected base plate 131 which may be substantially planar and may be detachably connected to the center frame 101. The detachably connected base plate 131 maybe formed from metal or plastic or other appropriate material and may be replaceable to change the baffle design for custom tuning of the muffler 100, and may include apertures 137 to cooperate with a fastener such as a bolt to fasten to the center frame 101. The base plate 131 may be connected to a rotatable baffle plate 133 which may rotate with respect to a center shaft 135 in order to custom tune the muffler 100. FIG. 7 illustrates a multitude of rotatable baffle plates 133 which may be adjusted at various angles in order to provide a custom tune to the muffler 100. The baffle plates 133 are positioned to cooperate with the first cavity 115 and the second cavity 117 of the center frame 101.

[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of a center shaft 135 mounted on the base plate 131 and extending substantially perpendicular to the base plate 131. The center shaft 135 extends through an aperture of the base plate 131 and may be rotatably connected to the base plate 131 by a fastener 139 which may be a nut.

[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of the shaft 135, the base plate 131 and the fastener 139. An end of the shaft 135 may include a slot to allow the shaft 135 to be rotated while being assisted with a screwdriver. The location, size and number of rotatable baffle plate 133 may vary by tuner design

[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates the base plate 131 being placed into the center frame 101.

[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative detachably connected base plate 141 which may be detachably connected to the center frame 101 for example by fasteners such as bolts connected through the apertures 142. The detachably connected base plate 141 may include an elongated baffle 143 which may extend the substantial width of the base plate 141, a bearing device 147 which may include upward extending arms which may cooperate with a shaft 145 which may be connected to the baffle 143. The elongated baffle 143 may rotate with the shaft 145. FIG. 11 illustrates two elongated baffles 143, but any number of elongated baffles 143 may be employed including a single baffle. The elongated baffles 143 may be positioned to cooperate with the first cavity 115 and the second cavity 117 of the center frame 101.

[0035] FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative detachably connected base plate 141 which may be detachably connected to the center frame 101 for example by fasteners such as bolts connected through the apertures 142. The detachably connected base plate 141 may include an elongated baffle 143 which may extend the substantial width of the base plate 141, a bearing device 147 which may include upward extending arms which may cooperate with a shaft 145 which may be connected to the baffle 143. The elongated baffle 143 may rotate with the shaft 145. The elongated baffles 143 may be positioned to cooperate with the first cavity 115 and the second cavity 117 of the center frame 101.

[0036] FIG. 17 illustrates that the shaft 145 may extend through the sidewall 107 of the center frame 101 and a arm 149 to rotate the shaft 145 and consequently the baffles 143. A fastener 148 such as a nut may hold the arm 149 on the shaft 145. The arm 149 may include a rod mounted traversing on the arm 149 to allow the simultaneous rotation of the baffles 143.

[0037] FIG. 17 additionally illustrates the sound baffle 123.

[0038] FIG. 12 illustrates the sidewall 107 of the center frame 101 and illustrates a multitude of arms 149 which are connected to the shaft 145 respectively. The arms 149 are connected to a connecting arm 155 to operate the baffle 143 simultaneously. The arm 149a is connected to a biasing device 151 which may be a spring in order to return the multitude of arms 149 to an original position. The connecting arm 155 may be connected to a cable 153. As the cable 153 is pulled, the arms 149 rotate the baffle 143 and biasing device 151 biases the arms 149. As the cable is released, the arms 149 return to the original position as a result of the biasing device 151.

[0039] FIG. 13 illustrates a control device 165 to control the position of the baffles 143 by controlling the movement of the cable 153. The control device 165 includes a control arm 161 which may cooperate with the notches 163 of the control device 165. As the control arm 161 is rotated with respect to the control device 165, the cable 153 moves either in or out and changes the position of the baffles 143. The notches 163 provide a resting point for the control arm 161.

[0040] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the detachably connected base plate 141 and the center frame 101. FIG. 14 illustrates the elongated baffle 143 connected to the shaft 145 to rotate in response to movement of the control arm 161 and being positioned within the first cavity 115. Additional baffles 143 may be positioned within the second cavity 117. The control arm 161 may be held on the shaft 145 by a spacer 173 and fastener 173.

[0041] FIG. 15 illustrates a cover 181 for the muffler 100.

[0042] FIG. 16 illustrates the muffler 100 may include a cover 181, a center frame 101 and a detachable connected base plate 185 which may be one of the detachable connected base plate 141 or the detachable connected base plate 131.

[0043] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1) A tunable muffler for a vehicle, comprising: a center frame having a first cavity; a detachable connected base plate being detachably connected to the center frame; a tunable baffle to tune the muffler.

2) A tunable muffler for a vehicle as in claim 1, wherein the center frame includes a second cavity.

3) A tunable muffler for a vehicle as in claim 1, wherein the tunable baffle is mounted substantially 90.degree. to the plane of the base plate.

4) A tunable muffler for a vehicle as in claim 1, wherein the baffle is mounted substantially parallel to the plane of the base plate.

5) A tunable muffler for a vehicle as in claim 1, wherein the baffle may be controlled by a control device.