Exhaust flap means

Abstract

An exhaust flap means for motor vehicles comprises an exhaust flap ( 10 ) connected with a flap shaft ( 12 ). In order to pivot the exhaust flap ( 10 ), the flap shaft ( 12 ) is connected with a pivot mechanism. The flap shaft ( 12 ) is supported via at least one bearing means ( 20 ) which comprises a plain bearing sleeve ( 22 ). The flap shaft ( 12 ) is radially supported by the plain bearing sleeve ( 22 ). According to the invention, a contact element ( 28 ) is connected with the flap shaft ( 12 ) to form an axial bearing. The contact element ( 28 ) bears on a face ( 26 ) of the plain bearing sleeve ( 22 ) and thus forms an axial bearing.

1 . An exhaust flap means for motor vehicles, 
 comprising an exhaust flap,    a flap shaft connected with the exhaust flap,    a pivot mechanism connected with the flap shaft, and    at least one bearing means for supporting the flap shaft, the bearing means comprising a plain bearing sleeve,    characterized in that    the flap shaft is connected with a contact element bearing on a front face of the plain bearing sleeve for forming an axial bearing.    
   
   
       2 . The exhaust flap means according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact element is loaded by an axial force in the direction of the front face and/or the plain bearing sleeve is loaded by an axial force in the direction of the contact element.  
   
   
       3 . The exhaust flap means according to  claim 2 , wherein a spring element is provided for applying the axial force.  
   
   
       4 . The exhaust flap means according to  claim 3 , wherein the spring element is a helical spring surrounding the flap shaft.  
   
   
       5 . The exhaust flap means according to  claim 3 , wherein the spring element additionally serves as a restoring element for restoring the pivot mechanism into a normal position.  
   
   
       6 . The exhaust flap means according to  claim 1 , wherein the plain bearing sleeve is arranged in a housing element preferably configured as a sleeve, the front face of the plain bearing sleeve being arranged outside the housing element.  
   
   
       7 . The exhaust flap means according to  claim 1 , wherein the plain bearing sleeve comprises graphite.  
   
   
       8 . The exhaust flap means according to  claim 1 , wherein the plain bearing sleeve is sealed with respect to an exhaust gas flow.