Engine Mount Retention Geometry for Tunable Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine mounts fail to adequately mitigate excessive vibration between the engine and transmission, leading to potential damage to the vehicle and engine components.

Innovation Solution

An engine mount assembly incorporating a retention feature with tunable geometry and radial precompression, formed from thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric materials, which provides no bonding and includes a locking mechanism to secure the vibration mitigation element, preventing rotation and ensuring a selected rate buildup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing engine mounts are used to couple engine and transmission, then the basic mounting function is achieved, but excessive vibration is not adequately mitigated leading to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retention feature incorporates tunable geometry parameters including radial precompression forces and rate buildup characteristics. The polymeric material properties and geometric dimensions can be adjusted to optimize vibration mitigation performance while maintaining secure retention of the vibration mitigation element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The retention feature is formed from thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric materials that combine retention functionality with vibration damping properties. This composite approach allows the single component to serve both retention and vibration mitigation purposes effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a retention feature with tunable geometry and radial precompression is used, then vibration mitigation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidmount structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention feature merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides retention of the vibration mitigation element, applies radial precompression forces, and contributes to vibration mitigation. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts while achieving multiple objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric retention feature serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a retention mechanism, a vibration damping element, and a precompression application device. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall mount structure while maintaining effective vibration control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to secure the vibration mitigation element, then retention reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention securityVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retention feature incorporates self-locking capabilities through its tunable geometry and polymeric material properties. The radial precompression and rate buildup characteristics create self-retaining forces that secure the vibration mitigation element without requiring additional active locking mechanisms, thereby simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 vibration transmission between the engine and transmission, enhancing durability and preventing damage by utilizing a polymeric retention feature that compressibly attaches without adhesives and is lockable for secure installation.

Implementation Method 1

a retention feature configured to provide radial precompression of the vibration mitigation element and a selected rate for the vibration mitigation element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial precompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a vibration mitigation element within the cylindrical portion of the mount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration mitigation: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS20230406087A1Mount design with integrated tunable retention features

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 CONTITECH VIBRATION CONTROL GMBH

AI summary

A mount assembly includes a mount, a vibration mitigation element and a retention feature. The vibration mitigation element is within a portion of the mount. The retention feature is configured to cover an end of the vibration mitigation element, wherein the retention feature is tunable to provide a selected precompression of the vibration mitigation element and a selected rate for the vibration mitigation element.