Hydraulic Engine Mount Assembly With Recess-Spring Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing engine mount assembly methods, particularly using snap-in connections, often result in unreliable connections due to deformation of hook-shaped elements during assembly, compromising the secure fixation of the hydraulic unit within the housing.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic unit features a recess or undercut that engages with a spring element in the housing, allowing for a firm and positive connection, which simplifies assembly and provides reliable latching without the need for additional metal plates, with the option to incorporate a metal mounting plate for higher loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hook-shaped elements are used for snap-fit connection during assembly, then assembly is simplified, but deformation of hooks occurs during installation compromising reliable connection
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the spring element on the hydraulic unit (which would require hooks to protrude and risk deformation), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the spring element in the housing and the recess in the hydraulic unit. This reversal eliminates the need for protruding hooks during assembly, maintaining connection reliability while preserving assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess in the hydraulic unit acts as an intermediary feature that receives the spring element from the housing. This recess provides a dedicated receptacle for the spring element, ensuring proper positioning and engagement without requiring deformable protruding hooks, thus maintaining both assembly ease and connection reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If spring element is placed in housing rather than on hydraulic unit, then manufacturing of hydraulic unit is simplified with more space available, but requires modification of housing structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the connection system into two distinct parts: the recess is integrated into the hydraulic unit (simplifying its manufacturing), while the spring element is integrated into the housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the hydraulic unit requires simpler manufacturing without spring elements, while the housing absorbs the structural modification complexity.
3Device complexity
If recess is formed directly in rubber element during vulcanization, then manufacturing process is simplified, but requires precise molding capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the recess formation into the vulcanization process of the rubber element. Instead of creating the recess as a separate post-processing step or adding a separate component, the recess is directly molded during vulcanization. This integration reduces the total number of components and assembly steps, while the required precision is achieved through standard vulcanization molding capabilities.
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 ensures a robust and reliable connection between the hydraulic unit and housing, simplifying manufacturing and allowing for versatile mounting positions, even with non-metallic housings, by leveraging the spring element's properties and the ease of molding the recess within the rubber element during vulcanization.
Implementation Method 1
the housing has a spring element, and that the recess or undercut of the hydraulic unit engages with the spring element of the housing when assembled, so that a firm, positive-locking connection is formed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an engine mount (1) comprising a hydraulic unit (3) and a housing (2), wherein the hydraulic unit (3) includes at least one hydraulic element (4) and at least one rubber element (5), and wherein the housing (2) and the hydraulic unit (3) are rigidly connected to one another. The invention was based on the objective of creating an engine mount (1) in which the assembly of the hydraulic unit (3) and the housing (2) is simplified. This objective is achieved by the hydraulic unit (3) having a recess or undercut (9), and by the housing (2) having a spring element (10), and the recess or undercut (9) of the hydraulic unit (3) engaging with the spring element (10) of the housing (2) in the assembled state, so that a firm, positive-locking connection (13) is formed between the hydraulic unit (3) and the housing (2).