Dynamically Adjustable Engine Mounts for Lateral Shudder Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transverse mounted engine geometry in front wheel drive vehicles often leads to undesirable driving phenomena such as take-off shudder during low-speed acceleration, which negatively impacts consumer satisfaction and increases warranty requests.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system featuring dynamically adjustable engine mounts with sensors and a control system that adjust stiffness and damping parameters to isolate the chassis from lateral shudder, specifically limiting vibration transmission below 20 Hz during certain speed ranges and reverting to default settings when conditions change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If transverse mounted engine geometry is used in front wheel drive vehicles, then vehicle packaging goals are met and compact car design is achieved, but lateral shudder occurs during low-speed acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The engine mount system transitions from static to dynamic by incorporating adjustable stiffness and damping characteristics. The control system modifies mount parameters in real-time based on driving conditions, allowing the mount to adapt its mechanical properties to mitigate shudder while maintaining compact engine geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the engine mount (stiffness and damping coefficients) dynamically. By adjusting these parameters based on detected shudder conditions, the mount can optimize its vibration isolation performance without altering the fundamental compact engine layout.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dynamically adjustable engine mounts are implemented, then lateral shudder transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces purely mechanical passive mounts with an active control system that uses sensors and actuators. This substitution allows dynamic adjustment of mount characteristics through electronic control, reducing shudder transmission while managing complexity through integration of control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect shudder conditions and feed this information back to the control system. The control system then adjusts the engine mount parameters in response to this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that actively mitigates shudder while adapting to changing driving conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If engine mount parameters are adjusted dynamically, then vibration isolation performance is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to detect shudder conditions and adjust mount parameters in advance or in real-time during the shudder event. This preliminary or real-time action allows the system to proactively mitigate vibrations before they become problematic, improving isolation performance while managing control complexity through anticipatory control strategies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces lateral shudder transmission to the chassis, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving experience by mitigating vibrations associated with drivetrain geometry, particularly during low-speed acceleration.
Implementation Method 1
The control system is operable to alter the selectively adjustable parameter of the at least one dynamically adjustable mount to substantially isolate the chassis from lateral shudder of the drivetrain
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a chassis, and a drivetrain supported by the chassis. The drivetrain includes a prime mover and a transmission mechanically linked to the prime mover. At least one dynamically adjustable engine mount connects the drivetrain to the chassis. The at least one dynamically adjustable engine mount includes a selectively adjustable parameter. One or more sensors is associated with the vehicle. The one or more sensors is operable to detect one or more vehicle parameters. A control system is operatively connected to the at least one dynamically adjustable engine mount and the one or more sensors. The control system is operable to alter the selectively adjustable parameter of the at least one dynamically adjustable mount to substantially isolate the chassis from lateral shudder of the drivetrain in response to the one or more vehicle parameters.