Switchable Hydraulic Engine Mount With Magnetic Membrane Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine mounts require constant power to control the ferromagnetic membrane, leading to high power consumption, as the electromagnetic switching actuator must be energized to maintain the membrane's position and control hydraulic fluid flow between chambers.
Innovation Solution
The switching actuator is designed to exert a magnetic holding force on the membrane in the de-energized state, fixing it in a rest position, and reduce this force when energized, allowing the membrane to move, thus only requiring power during idling vibrations, and incorporating a permanent magnet, ferromagnetic elements, and an electrically conductive coil to achieve this.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electromagnetic switching actuator is constantly energized to control the membrane position, then the membrane can be precisely controlled to open or close the bypass opening and adapt the working chamber volume, but the power consumption of the switching actuator becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using an electromagnetic actuator that requires continuous power to maintain position, the patent inverts the approach by using a permanent magnet that naturally maintains a holding position without power. Power is only consumed when the membrane needs to be moved from the rest position, not when it needs to maintain a position. This reverses the traditional electromagnetic actuation paradigm where power is needed to maintain state rather than to change state.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil is energized only periodically when vibration exceeds threshold levels, rather than continuously. The control unit activates the coil in response to detected vibration conditions, creating a periodic or event-driven operation pattern that significantly reduces average power consumption while maintaining control capability when needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the electromagnetic switching actuator is constantly energized to hold the membrane in stop positions, then the membrane remains stable in upper or lower positions, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by using a permanent magnet to provide natural stability in the rest position without power consumption. The magnetic attraction force inherently holds the membrane against the stop, eliminating the need for continuous electromagnetic energization to maintain position stability. Stability is achieved passively rather than through active continuous control.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanent magnet provides self-sustaining magnetic attraction that automatically maintains the membrane in its rest position without requiring external power input. The system serves itself by using the permanent magnetic field to continuously exert holding force, eliminating the need for external energy input to maintain stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coil is constantly energized to control the membrane between stop positions, then the bypass opening can be precisely regulated, but the power consumption of the switching actuator becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is energized only periodically when vibration conditions require bypass opening regulation, rather than continuously. The control unit detects vibration levels and activates the coil only when needed to adjust the membrane position, creating an event-driven operation mode that reduces average power consumption while maintaining adaptability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the coil from continuous energization to intermittent energization based on vibration conditions. By monitoring vibration parameters and only activating the coil when threshold levels are exceeded, the system maintains regulatory capability while significantly reducing the average power consumption associated with coil operation.
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 design significantly reduces power consumption by allowing the actuator to operate only during idling vibrations, while maintaining effective vibration damping and frequency control, with a compact and protected switching actuator configuration.
Implementation Method 1
the switching actuator is designed in such a way that in the de-energized state it exerts a magnetic holding force on the membrane and fixes the membrane in a rest position
Implementation Method 2
in the current-carrying state it reduces the magnetic holding force to such an extent that the membrane is released for movement in the longitudinal direction of the bearing
Implementation Method 3
at least one ferromagnetic magnetic membrane, which is arranged in the partition in such a way that in the longitudinal direction of the Camp can be deflected
Implementation Method 4
low-frequency vibrations can be damped by hydraulic fluid flowing back and forth via the channel between the working chamber and the compensation chamber of the engine mount
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a switchable, hydraulically damping engine mounting (2), in particular an engine mounting for a motor vehicle comprising the following components: a working chamber (6) filled with a hydraulic fluid; a compensating chamber (8) which is connected to the working chamber via a channel (28); a partition (10) which separates the working chamber (6) from the compensating chamber (8); at least one ferromagnetic membrane (20) which is disposed in the partition (10) in such a way that it can be deflected in the longitudinal direction of the mounting (2); an electromagnetic switching actuator (30) by which the membrane (20) can be controlled, wherein the switching actuator (30) is designed in such a way that in the currentless state said actuator exerts a magnetic holding force on the membrane (20) and fixes the membrane (20) in a rest position, and in the live state said actuator reduces the magnetic holding force to such an extent that the membrane (20) is cleared for a movement in the longitudinal direction of the mounting (2).