Break-away Transmission Mount with Retainer for Collision Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle transmission mounts do not effectively allow for controlled relative movement between the vehicle body and transmission during collisions, as they require breaking of multiple fasteners or bonded surfaces, which can be inefficient and may not separate at desired forces.
Innovation Solution
A transmission mount design featuring a first body coupled to the vehicle, a second body with vibration-damping material, and a retainer that initially prevents separation but breaks under specific forces to allow relative movement, separating the second body from the first body at a threshold force greater than required to separate the couplers, enabling controlled movement during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple solid one-piece fasteners are used to couple the mounts to the vehicle, then the mount structure is strong and reliable under normal operation, but it requires breaking of multiple fasteners to permit relative movement during collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into multiple functional components: a first body coupled to the vehicle body, a second body coupled to the transmission, and a retainer that can break away. This segmentation allows different parts to serve different functions - the first body and second body provide structural strength, while the retainer provides controlled breakaway capability to reduce complexity during collision events.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakaway function is extracted from the main fastener structure and implemented as a separate retainer component. This retainer is specifically designed to break away under collision forces, allowing the transmission mount to separate from the vehicle body without requiring the main structural fasteners to fail. This extraction simplifies the overall system by dedicating a specific component to the breakaway function.
2Reliability
If the mount structure is made robust to maintain strength under normal loads, then reliability is improved, but the ability to allow controlled relative movement during collisions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mount structure transitions from a static robust design to a dynamic system with controlled failure modes. The retainer is designed with specific breakaway characteristics that allow it to fail at predetermined force levels during collisions, while the main structural components (first body and second body) maintain their robustness for normal operation. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt its stiffness based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its mechanical parameters based on load conditions. Under normal operating loads, the retainer maintains its structural integrity, providing a robust connection. Under collision forces exceeding a threshold, the retainer's parameters change as it breaks away, allowing controlled relative movement. This parameter change enables the system to maintain reliability during normal use while providing collision response adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the retainer is designed to break under collision forces, then controlled movement is permitted, but the retainer must be stronger than necessary for normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is pre-designed with a predetermined breakaway force threshold that is higher than normal operating forces but lower than collision forces. This preliminary design ensures that the retainer will break at the appropriate moment during a collision, providing controlled separation without requiring excessive strength that would prevent breakaway. The breakaway characteristics are built into the retainer's geometry and material selection during the design phase.
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
The design allows for controlled separation of the transmission mount components during high forces, such as in collisions, reducing the risk of damage to powertrain components by permitting relative movement between the vehicle body and transmission, while maintaining robustness under normal operating loads.
Implementation Method 1
a damping material arranged to damp vibrations between the first body and second body
Data Source
AI summary
A mount to couple a transmission to a vehicle body includes a first body with at least one first body connector, and a second body with at least one coupler connected to the first body and which includes a damping material arranged to damp vibrations between the first body and second body. A retainer is carried by the first body and has a portion that overlaps part of the second body to prevent separation of the second body from the first body in a first state of the retainer. The retainer is broken or removed from the first body in a second state to permit separation of the second body from the first body, and the retainer breaks or is removed from the first body under a force less than the force needed to break or remove the at least one first body connector from the vehicle body.