Controllable Hydromount Pressure Compensation Against Cavitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional controllable and active hydraulic mounts face challenges in preventing cavitation effects, which lead to noise issues due to pressure fluctuations, as they cannot incorporate valves without compromising their functionality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pressure compensation element within the throttle channel that establishes a fluid-flowing connection between the throttle channel and one of the fluid chambers when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, thereby reducing overpressure or underpressure and preventing gas formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a valve is incorporated into the working chamber to prevent overpressure and underpressure, then cavitation effects and noise are reduced, but the controllable functionality of the hydraulic mount is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecavitation effects and noiseVSAvoidcontrollable functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A pressure equalization channel is introduced as an intermediary pathway between the working chamber and compensation chamber. This channel includes a pressure equalization element that opens under specific pressure conditions to allow fluid communication, preventing cavitation without interfering with the controllable volume adjustment functionality of the main working chamber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure equalization function is segmented from the main controllable volume adjustment system. The pressure equalization channel operates independently with its own opening/closing mechanism that activates only under specific pressure conditions, allowing the two functions (pressure equalization and volume control) to operate without interfering with each other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the hydraulic mount is designed to be soft to position the engine, then static deflection and engine positioning are improved, but large engine movements occur during start/stop operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine positioningVSAvoidengine movement range
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic mount incorporates a controllable volume adjustment mechanism that dynamically changes the stiffness characteristics. During normal operation, the mount maintains soft characteristics for engine positioning. During start/stop operations, the control membrane adjusts the working chamber volume to increase stiffness, limiting excessive engine movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the hydraulic mount (specifically the working chamber volume and stiffness) are changed based on operational conditions. The control membrane modifies these parameters in real-time, transitioning between soft and stiff states to optimize performance for different operational phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively avoids cavitation effects and associated noise by reducing pressure fluctuations, while maintaining the damping characteristics of the hydraulic mount, and can be tailored to specific frequency ranges to optimize performance.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure compensation element (4) which is arranged and configured within the throttle channel (22) in such a way that a fluid-flowing connection is established between the pressure compensation element (4) and one of the two fluid chambers (20, 25) when a predetermined pressure is exceeded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Since the throttle channel represents a flow resistance, vibrations that act on the working chamber via a suspension spring, such as an elastomer element, can be damped by the liquid movements through the throttle channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 3

vibrations of usually up to approx. 5 Hz are absorbed by the relatively high rigidity of the suspension spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3449150B1Switchable or controllable hydromount
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 CONTITECH VIBRATION CONTROL GMBH
  • EP3449150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3449150B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a hydromount (1), in particular a switchable or controllable hydromount (1), comprising a first fluid chamber (20), a second fluid chamber (25) and a throttle channel (22) which can fluidically connect the first fluid chamber (20) and the second fluid chamber (25). The hydromount (1) is characterised in that at least one pressure compensation element (4) is arranged within the throttle channel (22) and designed in such a way that a fluidic connection is to be produced between the throttle channel (22) and one of the two fluid chambers (20; 25) when a predetermined pressure is exceeded.