Hydraulic Mount Divider Decoupling for Adjustable Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting devices for motor vehicle units, such as internal combustion engines, face challenges in effectively damping vibrations while maintaining low construction costs and adjustable damping behavior.

Innovation Solution

A bearing device with a fluid working chamber and a fluid equalizing chamber in flow communication, separated by a decoupling element surrounded by an elastic element, which allows for adjustable damping through a fluid channel and includes a throttle for fine-tuning vibration damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the separating element is rigidly connected to the housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the vibration damping capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elastic element as an intermediary component between the separating element and the housing. This elastic element serves as a mediator that provides both mechanical support (maintaining structural stability) and vibration isolation (reducing harmful vibrations). The elastic element deformablely connects the separating element to the housing, allowing it to absorb and dampen vibrations while maintaining the structural integrity of the mounting device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an elastic element with flexible properties to connect the separating element to the housing. This flexible component can deform under vibrational loads, providing vibration damping while maintaining the structural connection. The elastic element's flexibility allows it to absorb mechanical energy from vibrations, converting it into heat through internal friction, thereby reducing vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If the fluid channel is simplified, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the damping adjustability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction costVSAvoiddamping adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a throttle mechanism in the fluid channel that allows for dynamic adjustment of the damping characteristics. The throttle can be adjusted to change the fluid flow resistance, thereby controlling the damping force. This dynamic adjustability enables the mounting device to adapt to different vibration conditions and operational requirements, providing versatility without requiring a complex multi-component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a throttle mechanism that changes the flow parameters (cross-sectional area, flow resistance) of the fluid channel to control damping behavior. By adjusting the throttle opening, the fluid flow characteristics are modified, which directly changes the damping force. This parameter-based control allows for flexible damping adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple and cost-effective single-piece separating element design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the separating element is decoupled from the housing, then the vibration damping capability is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element acts as an intermediary that provides both decoupling for vibration isolation and connection for structural stability. It is arranged between the separating element and the housing, creating a decoupled connection that allows relative movement and vibration absorption while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall mounting device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a throttle is added to the fluid channel, then the damping adjustability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping adjustabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separating element is designed as a multi-functional component that combines fluid distribution, structural support, and throttle integration. The throttle is integrated into the separating element itself, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions: separating fluid chambers, providing structural support, and enabling damping adjustment. This reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining damping adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides reliable vibration damping with adjustable behavior, reducing noise and vibration transmission, while maintaining low construction costs and ensuring efficient fluid flow management.

Implementation Method 1

the separating element is decoupled from the housing by means of an elastic element surrounding the separating element in the circumferential direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a fluid working chamber which is in flow communication via at least one fluid channel with a fluid equalizing chamber present in a housing of the mounting device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

at least one throttle can be present in the fluid channel, so that the damping behavior of the bearing device can be adjusted by means of the throttle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow restriction:

Data Source

PatentEP3362702B1Hydraulic mount
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 AUDI AG
  • EP3362702B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3362702B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a bearing system (1), in particular for supporting a motor vehicle assembly on a motor vehicle body, said system comprising a fluid working chamber (2) which is fluidically connected by means of at least one fluid channel to a fluid compensation chamber (3) provided in a housing (21) of the bearing system (1), the fluid working chamber (2) and the fluid compensation chamber (3) being separated by a divider (8), in which the at least one fluid channel lies. According to the invention: the divider (8) is decoupled from the housing (21) by means of an elastic element (7) engaging around the periphery of the divider (8); the housing (21) has a cover (5), which accommodates the fluid compensation chamber (3) and a supporting part (20), which holds a flexible member (18) of the bearing system; and the cover (5) engages between the supporting part (20) and the elastic element (7), such that the elastic element (7), the cover (5) and the supporting part (20) follow one another in sequence when viewed in a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal centre axis (4) of the bearing system (1).