One-Piece Powertrain Mount Bracket Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powertrain mounting systems are complex and costly due to multi-piece brackets and lack control over cross-car transmission vibration, leading to potential breakdowns and suboptimal noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance.
Innovation Solution
A powertrain mounting system featuring one-piece engine mount brackets with elastomeric bushings and integral snubbers, and transmission mounts with angled and spaced elastomeric isolators to provide improved vibration isolation and movement control, reducing manufacturing complexity and enhancing NVH performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multi-piece brackets and multi-piece pre-loaded engine bushings are used, then the engine mounting function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to multiple welding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate bracket pieces into a single integrated one-piece bracket structure. This eliminates the need for welding operations between multiple pieces, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the structural function of holding and isolating the engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-piece bracket is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, engine mounting, and integration with the isolator assembly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, reducing both manufacturing steps and overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If a single central transmission mount is used, then the transmission is supported, but control over cross-car transmission vibration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single central transmission mount into multiple separate mount locations distributed across the transmission. This segmentation allows each mount to independently control vibration in different directions, particularly improving control over cross-car transmission vibration while maintaining support functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate bushing components are used in engine mounts, then the isolator assembly can be assembled, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the bushing component directly into the isolator assembly as a unified structure. The bushing is formed as an integral part of the isolator rather than as a separate component that requires assembly, eliminating additional manufacturing steps and reducing overall complexity while maintaining vibration isolation functionality.
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 system achieves superior NVH performance and durability by using one-piece engine mount brackets and strategically positioned transmission mounts, reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating the need for separate bushing components, while effectively controlling powertrain vibration and movement.
Implementation Method 1
The engine mount isolator assembly is press-fit into the can and the interlock is arranged to retain the engine mount isolator assembly relative to the can, wherein the integral snubber is arranged to limit movement of the mounting member and bushing to a predetermined amount relative to the can, and wherein the bushing is arranged to isolate the mounting member from the can thereby dampening powertrain vibration
Implementation Method 2
a pair of elastomeric transmission isolators positioned relative to each other on the support member, and a pair of transmission mounting brackets arranged to be positioned on the isolators and attached to a transmission component; wherein the transmission isolators are arranged to maintain the transmission mounting brackets in spaced relation to the support member thereby dampening powertrain vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A powertrain mounting system includes a pair of engine and transmission mount assemblies. The engine mount assemblies include an isolator assembly having an elastomeric bushing with an encapsulated mounting member, an integral snubber, and a bracket assembly having a one piece can arranged to house the bushing and having an interlock arranged to engage the bushing. The bushing is press-fit into the can and arranged to isolate the mounting member from the can thereby dampening powertrain vibration and controlling powertrain movement, and the snubber is arranged to limit movement of the bushing relative to the can. The transmission mount assembly includes a support member, a pair of isolators positioned relative to each other, and a pair of mounting brackets positioned on the isolators; wherein the isolators are arranged to maintain the mounting brackets in spaced relation to the support member thereby dampening powertrain vibration and controlling powertrain movement.