Inductive Decoupler Position Sensing for Engine Mount Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to accurately detect the position of a decoupler in engine mounts, particularly in environments with fast-moving components and hostile conditions, leading to inconsistent mount performance due to trapped air under the decoupler, which affects phase and damping characteristics.

Innovation Solution

An inductive sensing assembly is used to detect the position of the decoupler, utilizing a metallic insert or particles in the rubber compound, which generates a measure of inductance to determine the decoupler's position and activate a solenoid to control air flow, optimizing mount stiffness and damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If traditional position sensing technologies (ultrasonic, infrared, capacitance, RF) are used to detect decoupler position, then sensing capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to the fast-moving decoupler, hostile environment, and short distance constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoupler position detectionVSAvoidposition sensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical and optical sensing systems (ultrasonic, infrared, capacitance, RF) with an inductive sensing system that uses electromagnetic induction. This substitution enables reliable detection of the decoupler's metallic component through the rubber barrier, achieving accurate position sensing in the hostile, fast-moving environment where other technologies fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If air is trapped under the decoupler by closing the evacuation port, then mount stiffness and damping are improved, but mount performance becomes inconsistent due to uncontrolled air accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemount stiffnessVSAvoidmount performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the inductive sensor continuously monitors the decoupler's position and sends signals to the ECU. The ECU uses this feedback information to precisely control the evacuation port timing, ensuring air is trapped only when the decoupler reaches the optimal position. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains consistent mount performance by preventing uncontrolled air accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of the decoupler's position using the inductive sensor before triggering the evacuation port closure. This preliminary action ensures that air is trapped at the precise moment when the decoupler reaches the optimal position, rather than allowing uncontrolled air accumulation that would degrade performance consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the decoupler moves quickly at low amplitude and high frequency, then vibration isolation performance is improved, but position sensing becomes more difficult due to the fast movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolation responseVSAvoiddecoupler position detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional sensing systems with an inductive sensing system that uses electromagnetic induction to detect the decoupler's metallic component. This substitution enables the system to track the decoupler's high-frequency, low-amplitude movements accurately, as the inductive sensor responds rapidly to changes in magnetic field caused by the moving metal, overcoming the limitations of mechanical and optical sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 inductive sensing system provides accurate and repeatable detection of the decoupler position, ensuring consistent mount performance by actively managing air trapped under the decoupler, thereby enhancing ride comfort and vibration isolation.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a metallic insert or particles in the rubber compound, which generates a measure of inductance to determine the decoupler's position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductance: Inductor

Data Source

PatentUS10125842B2Use of inductive sensing to control decoupler position and switchable mount performance

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 CONTITECH VIBRATION CONTROL GMBH

AI summary

A mount assembly for vibration isolation or an engine includes a housing having first and second fluid chambers that are selectively connected through an elongated, first path, and a shorter, second path. A decoupler is received in the housing, and an inductive sensor assembly senses a position of the decoupler. An associated method of inductively sensing a decoupler position to improve switchable mount performance is provided. Metallic particles or a metal inserts are provided in the decoupler to cooperate with an induction coil mounted adjacent the decoupler.