Compliantly Mounted Motor Assembly Utilizing Dual Levels of Vibration Isolation

Abstract

A dual level, vibration isolation system is provided that isolates a vehicle in general, and the vehicle's passenger cabin in particular, from the vibrations generated by the vehicle's motor during normal operation. The first isolation level uses a first plurality of isolation bushings to mount the motor assembly to a first portion of the battery pack. The second isolation level uses a second plurality of isolation bushings to mount the first portion of the battery pack directly to the vehicle. In addition to providing two levels of vibration isolation, this compliant mounting scheme allows the mass of the battery pack to absorb and damp out undesirable rotational oscillations caused by the motor, especially when the motor is undergoing strong acceleration or deceleration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 607,194, filed 28 Jan. 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for any and all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to electric motors and, more particularly, to a motor assembly mounting system for use in an electric vehicle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In response to the demands of consumers who are driven both by ever-escalating fuel prices and the dire consequences of global warming, the automobile industry is slowly starting to embrace the need for ultra-low emission, high efficiency cars. While some within the industry are attempting to achieve these goals by engineering more efficient internal combustion engines, others are incorporating hybrid or all-electric drive trains into their vehicle line-ups. To meet consumer expectations, however, the automobile industry must not only achieve a green...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a system for reducing vibrations in an electric vehicle. It includes a motor assembly enclosure for holding the electric motor, a battery pack, and support members that connect the motor assembly enclosure to the battery pack and the vehicle's structure. The support members use flexible bushings to absorb the vibrations. The system also includes compliant battery pack mounting members that connect the battery pack to the vehicle's structure using flexible bushings. The system can be used with different types of electric motors and batteries. The system reduces vibrations and improves the vehicle's stability and comfort.

Problems solved by technology

While hybrid vehicles provide improved gas mileage and lower vehicle emissions, due to their inclusion of an internal combustion engine they still suffer from many of the inherent limitations of such a power source.

For example, during operation the vehicle still emits harmful pollution, albeit at a reduced level compared to a conventional vehicle.

Additionally, due to the inclusion of both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor(s) with its accompanying battery pack, the drive train of a hybrid vehicle is typically much more complex, resulting in increased cost and weight.

Unfortunately, vibrations within an electric drive train are often difficult to control, especially in a front wheel drive configuration.

If uncontrolled, these drive train vibrations are transmitted into the passenger cabin, leading to undesirable noise and vibration.

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