Utility Vehicle Power Unit Mounting Structure Centroid Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex mounting structure of a utility vehicle's power unit at multiple points complicates the design and increases vibration, necessitating a simplified approach that reduces both horizontal and vertical vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A mounting structure with a pair of left and right front support portions and a single rear support portion, where the centroid of the triangle formed by these support portions aligns with the power unit's centroid, reducing vibrations by positioning the power unit's centroid on a straight line connecting the front and rear support portions, and utilizing gussets and cross members to simplify the design without additional brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power unit is supported at five points (pair of front portions, pair of rear portions, and torque rod), then the mounting structure provides comprehensive support, but the mounting structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the torque rod and one rear support portion from the conventional five-point mounting structure, reducing it to three support portions (pair of front support portions and single rear support portion). This extraction simplifies the mounting structure while maintaining adequate support functionality through the optimized triangular arrangement.
2Reliability
If the power unit is supported at multiple points, then the support coverage is comprehensive, but the horizontal vibration of the power unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the support portions such that the centroid of the triangle formed by the three support portions coincides with the centroid of the power unit in planar view. This centroid alignment creates a balanced support configuration that minimizes rotational moments and horizontal vibrations, achieving equipotential support distribution.
3Ease of manufacture
If the mounting structure is simplified with fewer support portions, then the design is easier, but the vertical vibration reduction becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the rear support portion such that the centroid of the power unit lies on the straight line connecting the front support portions and the rear support portion in side view. This specific geometric arrangement ensures optimal vertical vibration reduction while maintaining design simplicity.
4Strength
If dedicated brackets are added to support the front support portions, then the mounting structure becomes more robust, but the overall structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the front support portions with existing frame structures (such as using frame members themselves as support portions or utilizing existing mounting points), making these structures serve dual functions as both structural elements and support mechanisms, thereby avoiding additional dedicated brackets.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a mounting structure for a power unit of a utility vehicle. The mounting structure includes a pair of left and right front support portions supporting a front end of the power unit, and a rear support portion supporting a rear end of the power unit. The front support portions and the rear support portion are disposed to cause a centroid of a triangle connecting the front support portions and the rear support portion to agree with a centroid of the power unit in a planar view of the power unit.