Compression Boss for Engine Front Cover NVH Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching an engine front cover to an engine face challenges due to limited space, which restricts the configuration and positioning of fastening bosses and engine accessories, and often result in inadequate material depth for receiving apertures, leading to issues with noise and vibration.
Innovation Solution
The use of compression bosses in combination with fastening bosses to create compressive loading forces, where the compression boss contacts the engine, providing a positive clamp load and allowing for the integration of engine accessories like mounts, and eliminating the need for additional receiving apertures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional fastening bosses are used to attach the engine front cover, then the attachment is achieved, but the space is limited and material depth is insufficient for receiving apertures
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into two distinct functional elements: a fastening boss for securing the cover and a compression boss for providing structural support and receiving apertures. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently, with the compression boss having sufficient material depth for receiving apertures while the fastening boss handles the attachment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression boss extends in a direction perpendicular to the engine front cover surface, utilizing the depth dimension to provide sufficient material for receiving apertures. This dimensional extension solves the space constraint problem by adding depth where previously it was unavailable in the planar cover structure.
2Reliability
If compression bosses are added to create compressive loading, then structural support and NVH characteristics improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression boss integrates multiple functions into a single structural element: it provides structural support, reduces noise and vibration through compressive loading, and contains receiving apertures for accessories. This merging eliminates the need for separate components, actually reducing overall device complexity despite adding the compression boss feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression boss serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a vibration damping component through compressive loading, and a mounting structure for engine accessories via receiving apertures. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the assembly.
3Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to secure the front cover, then attachment strength is achieved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression boss extracts the vibration damping and structural support functions from the fastening system, allowing fasteners to be used solely for attachment. This separation enables the use of fewer, simpler fasteners while maintaining attachment strength, thereby improving assembly efficiency.
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
This solution enhances the structural support, reduces noise and vibration, and simplifies assembly by maintaining compressive loading under various conditions, while reducing the number of fasteners required, thus improving NVH characteristics and assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The compression boss is dimensioned relative to the fastening boss to create compressive loading in the compression boss when the threaded fastener is tightened to join the two mating components. The compression boss may define a nominal height and tolerance configured to create an interference at the contact.
Implementation Method 2
The compression boss is dimensioned relative to the fastening boss to create compressive loading in the compression boss when the threaded fastener is tightened to join the two mating components.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided having two mating components. The mating components include an engine and an engine front cover. A fastening boss is formed on at least one of the two mating components and configured to receive a threaded fastener to join the two mating components. A compression boss extends from a first of the two mating components to contact a second of the two mating components. The compression boss is dimensioned relative to the fastening boss to create compressive loading in the compression boss when the threaded fastener is tightened to join the mating components.