Process and apparatus for producing a linkage of an air/fuel ratio detector holder to an exhaust pipe

• US 6,092,285 A
• Filed: 08/03/1998
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Huelsberg, Thomas, Bonny, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): ROSENBAUM, IRENE CUDA
• Application Number:
  US09/127,916
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 29/890.053, 29/890.044, 29/890.052, 29/897.2, 72/58
• US Class Current: 29/890.053
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 22/025 for tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 26/033 Deforming tubular bodies corrugating tubes by applying fluid pressure B21D15/03, B21D15/10
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/008 Mounting or arrangement of exhaust sensors in or on exhaust apparatus sensor arrangements for engine control F02D41/1439
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/08 Other arrangements or adaptations of exhaust conduits pipes, joints or supports therefor in general F16L; collecting or removing exhaust gases of vehicle engines in workshops B08B15/00, on highways E01C1/005
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/1883 manufactured by hydroforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49375 including conduit expansion or inflation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49389 Header or manifold making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49391 Tube making or reforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5199 Work on tubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53122 including deforming means

Abstract

A process and a device produces a linkage of a hollow cylindrical air/fuel ratio detector holder to an opening for the impingement of the air/fuel ratio detector, which is fastened into the holder, to an exhaust pipe equipped with exhaust gas. A desired finished shape is given through internal high-pressure remodeling of a blank pipe. During this process, internal high-pressure remodeling creates a contact surface on the exhaust pipe which is formed by a buckling. The contact surface is created in the inverted shape of the contact contour of the casing surface of the holder so that a dimensionally stable linkage of an air/fuel ratio detector holder to an exhaust pipe is achieved simply.

Claims

1. Process for producing a linkage of a hollow cylindrical air/fuel ratio detector holder to an exhaust pipe having an opening for admitting exhaust gas to an air/fuel ratio detector fastened in the holder, comprising providing a desired finished shape of the exhaust pipe through internal high-pressure remodeling of a blank pipe, and creating thereby a concave contact surface formed on a portion of the exhaust pipe so as to have an inverted contact contour shape complimentary to a convex casing surface of the detector holder.

2. Process according to claim 1, wherein shaping of the contact surface formed by the portion takes place while producing the finished shape of the exhaust pipe.

3. Process according to claim 1, wherein an additional internal high-pressure remodeling phase follows the internal high-pressure remodeling step whereby the contact surface is shaped on the exhaust pipe.

4. Process according to claim 1, wherein, at a place of the contact surface to be shaped, the blank pipe or the finished exhaust pipe is indented by a stamping die, and in the indenting position of the die, internal high pressure causes material of the blank pipe to be pressed on a stamping contour of the die having a shape complementary of the contact surface.

5. Process according to claim 4, wherein the indenting step takes place in a pressure-neutral condition of the blank pipe or the exhaust pipe.

6. Process according to claim 4, wherein the indenting step occurs against an internal high pressure in the blank pipe or the exhaust pipe.

7. Process according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe or the blank pipe is pressed against the engraving face, which is shaped corresponding to an adjacent lying casing surface of the detector holder, of an internal high-pressure remodeling tool by internal high pressure at the contact surface to be formed.

8. Process according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the exhaust pipe is formed by internal high pressure impingement of the exhaust pipe through stamping after shaping the contact surface.