AUTOMOTIVE MUFFLER HAVING MEANS FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN LOUD AND QUIETER MODES

Abstract

An automotive muffler having a device for switching between loud and quieter modes includes a chamber having an inlet exhaust pipe and an outlet exhaust pipe for the passage of exhaust gases through the chamber. The first section of the chamber has a plurality of baffles with openings through the baffles for the passage of the exhaust gases. A second section of the chamber, separated from the first section of the chamber, permits a substantially unobstructed passage of exhaust gases through the second section of the chamber to the outlet exhaust pipe. A switching device is able to be selectively switched between diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially through only the first section of the chamber and diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially though only the second section of the chamber, so that when the exhaust gases are substantially diverted through only the first section of the chamber having the baffles, the automotive muffler is operated in a quiet mode and when the exhaust gases are substantially diverted through only the second section of the chamber, the automotive muffler is operated in a loud mode.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to an improved muffler for automotive use which includes means for switching between loud and quieter modes.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved muffler for high performance that would be useful for all types of automobiles, but which would preferably be used in the commercial trucking industry, which would allow the driver of the vehicle to readily switch from a quiet mode with backpressure to a loud, or louder, mode with no backpressure. The means for switching from the quiet mode to the loud mode would be able to be actuated from within the car or truck cab.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Currently known to the prior art, and commercially available, are mufflers that employ so-called “dumper valves,” which are generally used in the high-performance automobile industry. These dumper valve mufflers permit drivers to switch from a quiet mode to a loud mode from within the vehicle, however, when these types of mufflers are in the loud mode, all gases are dumped underneath the vehicle, as opposed to exiting from the vehicle's exhaust system.

Because dumper valve mufflers dump vehicle gases underneath the vehicle, such mufflers are not generally permitted to be used in the trucking industry, unless the truck is specially fitted with additional exhaust tubing at considerable expense, which adds to the weight of the truck and would necessarily increase operating expense as fuel mileage is decreases.

Heretofore, the prior art fails to provide or suggest the use of a loud/quiet muffler that is readily able to be switched between quiet and loud modes from within the vehicle, which does not require additional exhaust tubing, which would otherwise be required for many types of vehicles, particularly those in the trucking industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quiet modes, which avoids the requirement of providing additional exhaust tubing otherwise required for such types of mufflers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quiet modes, which maintains the appearance of a conventional muffler.

It is, yet, an additional object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages inherent in prior art mufflers that are capable of switching between loud and quiet modes.

The foregoing and related objects are achieved by the automotive muffler of the present invention, which includes means for switching between a quiet mode to a loud mode, and vice versa, from within the car or truck cab. The muffler of the invention includes chamber through which exhaust gases are passed through. The chamber is divided into two sections in the direction of flow of the exhaust gases. The first section of the chamber includes a series of baffles, which have a series of openings therethrough, are preferably angled for permitting the ready passage of exhaust gases through the first section of the chamber. As exhaust gases are passed through the first section of the chamber having the plurality of baffles, the muffler is quieted and may be considered to be in the “quiet” mode.

The second section of the chamber of the muffler does not have any baffles and exhaust gases are able to pass through this second section of the chamber, and exit the chamber, without obstruction. When exhaust gases pass through this second section of the chamber, the muffler may be considered to be operating in its “loud” mode.

The chamber is provided with a selection flap, which directs exhaust gases exclusively to either the first section of the chamber, when the muffler is to be operated in the quiet mode, or to the second section of the chamber, when the muffler is to be operated in the loud mode. The selection flap, which may be controlled and activated from within the vehicle, may be thought of as being operable in a fashion similar to the selection flaps of the vehicle's heating and air-conditioning system, which may either permit, or not permit, outside air to enter the vehicle's passenger compartment. It is submitted that the precise construction of the selection flap, or other selection means, for diverting exhaust gases through exclusively either the first section or the second section of the chamber of the inventive muffler, is well within the skill of one having ordinary knowledge of the relevant art.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in combination with the accompanying drawing figures which illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures are intended to illustrate only certain embodiments of the claimed invention and are not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals and symbols denote similar features throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes, in which the chamber thereof is divided into two sections in the direction of the flow of exhaust gases with the first section of the chamber having a plurality of baffles and the second section of the chamber allowing for the unobstructed passage of exhaust gases;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes, in which exhaust gases are shown passing through plurality of baffles of the first section of the chamber of the muffler when the muffler is switched to “quiet” mode; and,

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes, in which exhaust gases are shown passing in an unobstructed manner through the second section of the chamber of the muffler when the muffler is switched to “loud” mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND DRAWING FIGURES

Turning now, in detail, to an analysis of the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automotive muffler 10 having means for switching in the form of a switch flap 12, for switching muffler 10 between quiet mode and loud mode within chamber 14. Chamber 14 is divided into two sections, 14a, 14b. Internal wall 20 provides a division of chamber 14 into first section 14a and second section 14b in the direction of flow of the exhaust gases. Vehicle exhaust gases enter chamber 14 in the direction of the arrow leading to exhaust inlet pipe 16a and, after passing through chamber 14, ultimately exit through exhaust outlet pipe l 6b, in the direction of the outlet arrow. In FIG. 1, switch flap 12 is arbitrarily shown as blocking the circular opening to second section 14b of chamber 14, which would divert incoming exhaust gases into, and through, first section 14b of chamber 14.

The first section 14a of chamber 14 includes a plurality of baffles 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f. The precise number of baffles is a matter of design choice and would depend, in large measure, upon the dimensions of the muffler actually manufactured. The baffles 18 are preferably angled in a direction that would tend to allow the exhaust gases to pass through the first section 14a of chamber 14 in the direction of flow from inlet exhaust pipe 16a to outlet exhaust pipe 16b. The preferred construction of baffles 18 is illustrated in FIG. 1, though other shapes and sizes of the plurality of baffles are possible and within the scope of the present invention.

When switch flap, or selection flap, 12 blocks second section 14b, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the muffler will be in its “quiet” mode. Switch flap, or selection flap, 12 can be flipped to block the opening leading to first section 14a, in which situation incoming exhaust gases are diverted through second section 14b of chamber 14 and out through outlet exhaust pipe 16b, resulting in the inventive muffler being in its “loud” mode.

FIG. 1 further illustrates baffles 18 as each having circular openings for exhaust gases to pass therethrough. Obviously, the number and shape of the openings of the baffles is a matter of design choice and all such design choices, shapes and sizes, are within the skilled of the ordinary artisan and within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the automotive muffler 10 having means for switching, via switching flap 12, between loud and quiet modes, in which exhaust gases are shown passing through (in the direction of the multiplicity of arrows shown in FIG. 2) a plurality of baffles 18 of the first section 14a of the chamber 14 of the muffler 10 when the muffler is switched to “quiet” mode. Switch flap 12 is shown blocking the opening to second section 14b of chamber 14, thereby necessarily diverting exhaust gases into the first section 14a of the chamber.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the automotive muffler 10 having means for switching, via switching flap 12, between loud and quiet modes, in which exhaust gases are shown passing through (in the direction of the multiplicity of arrows shown in FIG. 3) the “baffle-free” second section 14b of the chamber 14 of the muffler 10 when the muffler is switched to “loud” mode. Switch flap 12 is shown blocking the opening to first section 14a of chamber 14, thereby necessarily diverting exhaust gases into the second section 14b of the chamber.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that modification to the shape of the chamber and the relative sizes of each of the sections of the chamber, as well as the plurality of baffles and the openings therein, can be readily made and are all within the scope of the present invention.

Likewise, means for switching between diversion of exhaust gases into the first section of the chamber, as opposed to the second section of the chamber, or vice versa, can be accomplished in numerous ways. It is not essential that a switch flap be used. Any means for switching the diversion of exhaust gases into one section of the chamber of the muffler, to the exclusion of the other chamber of the muffler, will suffice.

While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

1. An automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes, comprising:

a chamber having an inlet exhaust pipe and an outlet exhaust pipe for the passage of exhaust gases through said chamber;

a first section of said chamber having a plurality of baffles with openings through said plurality of baffles for the passage of the exhaust gases;

a second section of said chamber separated from said first section of said chamber for permitting the substantially unobstructed passage of exhaust gases therethrough to the outlet exhaust pipe; and,

means for selectively switching between diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially through only said first section of said chamber and diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially though only said second section of said chamber, so that when the exhaust gases are substantially diverted through only said first section of said chamber having said plurality of baffles, said automotive muffler is operable in a quiet mode, and when the exhaust gases are substantially diverted through only said second section of said chamber, said automotive muffler is operable in a loud mode.

2. The automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of baffles of said first section of said chamber are angled for allowing the ready passage of the exhaust gases therethrough.

3. The automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of baffles of said first section has circular openings passing therethrough.

4. The automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes according to claim 1, wherein said means for selectively switching means for switching between diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially through only said first section of said chamber and diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially though only said second section of said chamber includes a switching flap for substantially blocking an opening to either said first section or said second section of said chamber, thereby diverting the exhaust gases to either said second section or said first section, respectively, that is unblocked by said switching flap.

5. The automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes according to claim 4, wherein said switching flap is operable by a driver of a vehicle having said automotive muffler from a passenger compartment of the vehicle.