Inline-Six Engine Dynamic Damper Layout for Resonance Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing damping structures for inline six-cylinder engines are insufficient in fully reducing engine vibration, leading to residual radiation sound propagation into the vehicle cabin.

Innovation Solution

A damping structure is implemented where a dynamic damper is attached to the lower part of the cylinder block between the second and fourth cylinders, incorporating a stationary part, a beam part, and two mass parts to absorb vibrational energy in both vertical and lateral directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sound insulation material is used to cover the entire engine, then radiation sound is reduced in all frequencies, but resonance frequencies cannot be fully insulated to target level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation soundVSAvoidsound insulation effectiveness at resonance frequencies
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping structure segments the vibration control approach by separating the sound insulation function into two parts: sound insulation material for general frequency range and a dynamic damper specifically for resonance frequencies. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its performance for its designated frequency range, resolving the contradiction where general sound insulation material fails at specific resonance frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs mechanical vibration principles through the dynamic damper, which uses an inertial mass attached via elastic members to create counter-vibrations that cancel out engine vibrations at resonance frequencies. This mechanical approach complements the passive sound insulation material, achieving full effectiveness across all frequencies including resonance peaks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Device complexity

If an inertial mass is attached to the integral beam, then engine vibration is reduced without increasing the size and weight of the integral beam, but vibration at resonance frequencies is not fully reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegral beam size and weightVSAvoidvibration at resonance frequencies
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic damper is attached at a specific location on the integral beam (not specified in the patent but implied to be an optimized position), concentrating the vibration reduction effect locally at the most critical area. This local quality approach allows effective vibration reduction without requiring the entire integral beam to be larger or heavier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic damper utilizes mechanical vibration principles by creating counter-vibrations through the inertial mass and elastic members, directly counteracting the engine vibrations at resonance frequencies. This mechanical vibration approach supplements the integral beam's structural damping, achieving complete vibration reduction without increasing beam size or weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Device complexity

If the inertial mass is attached at an unspecified location below the integral beam, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to fully reduce the vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping structure configurationVSAvoidengine vibration reduction effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a particular attachment location for the inertial mass on the integral beam, applying local quality by concentrating the damping effect at the most effective position. This specified location optimizes the vibration reduction effectiveness while maintaining structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between simple configuration and effective vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively reduces engine vibration and lowers resonance peaks, resulting in a significant reduction of engine radiation sound across various frequencies, thereby enhancing cabin comfort.

Implementation Method 1

the beam part deforms in the vertical direction due to the vibration of the two mass parts to absorb the vibrational energy in the vertical direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

vibrational energy is inputted to the dynamic damper via the crank journal part and is absorbed by the dynamic damper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4567295A1Damping structure of inline six-cylinder engine, inline six-cylinder engine, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP4567295A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4567295A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4567295A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A damping structure of an inline six-cylinder engine is provided, which includes pistons reciprocatably fitted in the six cylinders, respectively, a crankshaft disposed below the pistons in a vertical direction of a vehicle and coupled to the pistons via connecting rods, respectively, the crankshaft being rotatable about an axis, a cylinder block having a plurality of crank journal parts disposed below the crankshaft in the vertical direction to rotatably support the crankshaft between adjacent cylinders in the crankshaft, a flywheel fixed to a rear end of the crankshaft in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a dynamic damper attached to a lower part of the cylinder block, at at least one location between two adjacent cylinders among second through fourth cylinders, the six cylinders being disposed in an order of first through sixth cylinders from a front side to a rear side in the longitudinal direction.