Powertrain Mount Assembly With Segmented Load Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powertrain mount systems face challenges in providing sufficient strength and attachment to support the loads of engine movements due to weak or insufficient attachment surfaces, limiting their ability to effectively resist longitudinal, lateral, and vertical movements.

Innovation Solution

A powertrain mount assembly comprising a link arm connected to a main resilient element, with first and second bodies connectable to the vehicle frame structure at separate locations, featuring abutment surfaces and auxiliary resilient elements to limit movement in multiple directions, allowing for a separate load path and reduced force transmission to the attachment points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single body is used to support the resilient element and attach to the frame structure, then the structure is simple, but the attachment surface becomes overloaded and insufficient to support the required loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidattachment surface strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The single body is divided into two separate bodies: a first body that supports the resilient element and a second body that provides additional attachment to the frame structure at a different location. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple attachment surfaces, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the second body is integrated with the first body, then the assembly is compact, but access for maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly compactnessVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The two bodies are designed as separate, interchangeable components rather than an integrated unit. This allows the resilient element to be accessed and replaced by removing only the first body, while the second body remains attached to the frame structure, thus improving maintenance accessibility without significantly increasing overall assembly volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If all forces are transmitted through a single attachment path, then the force path is direct, but the attachment points experience high stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmission efficiencyVSAvoidattachment point stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The force transmission path is segmented into two separate attachment points: one through the first body and another through the second body. This creates parallel load paths that distribute the forces from powertrain movements across multiple attachment points, reducing the stress on each individual attachment point while maintaining direct force transmission to the frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances the ability to resist engine movement loads, reduces the size and stress on attachment points, improves design flexibility, and facilitates easier access and maintenance by providing a separate load path for forces and allowing interchangeable components.

Implementation Method 1

a main resilient element, an end of the link arm being coupled to the main resilient element; a first body configured to support the main resilient element, the main resilient element being provided between the first body and the end of the link arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the second body comprises at least one first abutment surface configured to limit movement of the end of the link arm in a first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3594038B1A powertrain mount assembly
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • EP3594038B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3594038B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3594038B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A powertrain mount assembly for a vehicle, the powertrain mount assembly comprising:a link arm connectable to a powertrain of the vehicle;a main resilient element, an end of the link arm being coupled to the main resilient element;a first body configured to support the main resilient element, the main resilient element being provided between the first body and the end of the link arm, wherein the first body is connectable to a vehicle frame structure of the vehicle at a first location;a second body connectable to the vehicle frame structure at a second location, the second body being separate from the first body; andwherein the second body comprises at least one first abutment surface configured to limit movement of the end of the link arm in a first direction.