Hydraulic Engine Mount Actuator With Plain-Bearing Armature Stroke

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic mounts face challenges in effectively isolating high-frequency vibrations due to insufficient power and dynamics in electromagnetic linear actuators, which limits their ability to switch to a 'soft' dynamic spring rate, and they also suffer from limited stroke distance and premature wear of diaphragm springs.

Innovation Solution

The use of a plain bearing for the armature instead of diaphragm springs, allowing for a compact and high-dynamic linear actuator with a large stroke amplitude, combined with a compensating chamber and throttle channel for enhanced damping, and a design that minimizes ferromagnetic material to prevent magnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If diaphragm springs are used to mount the armature, then the actuator can maintain radial distance from the stator, but the stroke distance is limited and the springs suffer from premature wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke distanceVSAvoidactuator lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical diaphragm spring mounting system with a magnetic mounting system where the armature is held to the stator by magnetic attraction force. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear and stroke limitations of diaphragm springs, allowing for longer stroke distances and improved reliability through non-contact support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If electromagnetic linear actuators are used to control high-frequency vibrations, then vibration isolation is improved, but the actuators lack sufficient power and dynamics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration isolation performanceVSAvoidactuator power
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements active dynamic control by using the electromagnetic linear actuator to continuously adjust the working chamber volume in response to detected vibrations. The control membrane changes the volume dynamically, allowing the hydraulic mount to adapt its damping characteristics in real-time to effectively isolate high-frequency vibrations that would otherwise exceed the actuator's static power capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the armature is mechanically connected to the control membrane, then the control membrane can be deformed in a controlled manner, but the connection transfers forces that may affect precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol membrane deformation controlVSAvoidactuator positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the armature and the control membrane. The magnetic attraction force provides the mounting function without direct mechanical contact, allowing the control membrane to be deformed by the armature's movement while minimizing the transfer of parasitic forces that would compromise positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration results in improved vibration isolation across a broader frequency range, increased actuator lifespan, and reduced noise emissions by allowing the hydraulic mount to efficiently handle both low and high-frequency vibrations without power loss or mechanical wear.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator for deflecting the control diaphragm, the actuator being a stator and an armature movable in the longitudinal direction of the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

High-frequency vibrations, i.e. vibrations in the frequency range above 20 Hz up to, for example, 50 Hz, 100 Hz or 200 Hz, are damped only very slightly or even almost undamped due to the inertia, viscosity and incompressibility of the hydraulic fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 3

Static or quasi-static loads below a frequency of 5 Hz are usually absorbed by the suspension spring, which is relatively stiff

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3158220B1Hydraulic bearing and motor vehicle comprising a hydraulic bearing of this type
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 CONTITECH VIBRATION CONTROL GMBH
  • EP3158220B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3158220B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a hydraulic bearing (2) having a support spring (36), a working chamber (4) which is at least partly enclosed by the support spring (36) and is filled with a hydraulic fluid, a control diaphragm (12) which is designed to change a working chamber volume of the working chamber (4), an actuator (16) for deflecting the control diaphragm (12), wherein the actuator (16) comprises a stator (18) and an armature (20) that can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the stator (18), the armature (20) is connected mechanically to the control diaphragm (12), and the armature (20) is mounted by means of a sliding bearing (62). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a hydraulic bearing (2) of this type.