Engine Support Connecting Piece for Crash Safety and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the lack of space in the engine compartment for the battery to act as an acoustic mass and the need for reduced parasitic vibrations due to stringent acoustic requirements pose challenges, while traditional solutions like hydraulic supports are expensive and can compromise safety during frontal crashes.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle design featuring a connecting piece with a slide and fixing screws that allows for the support to pivot and deform during a frontal impact, preventing the engine from penetrating into the passenger compartment and reducing vibrations through a combination of a damper and ejection ramp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the support is stiffened or a tie rod is added to prevent vibrations, then vibration reduction is improved, but the support cannot break during frontal crash compromising safety
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into multiple parts: a first part fixed to the longitudinal member, a second part carrying the engine, and a connecting piece with a slide mechanism connecting them. This segmentation allows the first part to remain rigid for vibration reduction while the connecting piece can deform or break during crash to ensure safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting piece incorporates a slide mechanism that allows dynamic movement between the first and second parts of the support. During normal operation, the slide constrains movement to reduce vibrations. During frontal crash, the slide enables the second part to move rearward and downward, allowing the support to act as a fuse and protect passengers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydraulic supports are used to damp vibrations, then vibration reduction is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive hydraulic supports, the invention employs a simpler connecting piece with a slide mechanism that can be made from conventional materials. The connecting piece is designed to deform or break during crash, serving as a sacrificial element that protects the engine and passengers without requiring complex hydraulic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting piece with slide mechanism serves as an intermediary between the rigid first part of the support and the engine-carrying second part. This intermediary element provides the necessary flexibility and crash protection without requiring complex hydraulic dampers, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining vibration reduction 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
The design effectively reduces the risk of injury from engine recoil during a crash while minimizing vibrations and noise, ensuring the passenger compartment's safety and acoustic performance.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic supports are used which have the function of damping with the aid of a hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
the battery is placed on said support to serve as acoustic mass. Thus, the weight of the battery makes it possible to limit the propagation of vibrations in the support and in the chassis
Implementation Method 3
The slide present in the connecting part allows the escape of at least one of the first and second fixing screws during the frontal impact of the vehicle. In other words, at least one of the fixing screws, in particular the first fixing screw, slides in the slide.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a chassis (2) and an engine support (3) being fastened directly to a longitudinal member (22) of the chassis (2). According to the invention, the vehicle comprises a connection part (4) connecting the support to a first structure (21) of the chassis (2) that is situated above the longitudinal member (22). In addition, the connection part (4) comprises a main body (40), a first fastening screw (41) connecting the support to the connection part (4), a second fastening screw (42) connecting the chassis (2) to the connection part (4), a guideway (43) formed in the main body (40) and receiving the first and second fastening screws (41, 42); and at least one lateral wing (44) arranged along the main body (40).