Resin Front Cover With Integrated Engine Mount for Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing internal combustion engine designs are heavy and have a high number of components due to separate metal parts for the timing chain cover and mount bracket, which can be improved for weight reduction and component minimization.

Innovation Solution

An internal combustion engine with a resin front cover that integrates a mounting part for attaching the engine to a vehicle body, reducing the weight and number of components by forming the mounting part integrally with the front cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If separate metal parts are used for timing chain cover and mount bracket, then structural strength is ensured, but weight and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of internal combustion engineVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the timing chain cover and mount bracket into a single integrated resin front cover assembly. The mounting part is formed integrally with the front cover, eliminating the need for separate metal mount brackets and reducing the total number of components while maintaining structural functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses resin material for the integrated front cover and mounting part assembly. This material substitution from traditional metal parts to resin reduces weight while the integrated design maintains the necessary structural strength for engine mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If separate metal mount bracket is used, then mounting strength is ensured, but weight reduction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of mounting partVSAvoidmounting strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs resin material for the mounting part, which provides sufficient strength for engine mounting while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional metal mount brackets. The integrated design allows optimization of the resin structure to meet strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating the mounting part with the front cover into a single resin component, the design eliminates the need for separate heavy metal brackets while maintaining mounting functionality through the optimized resin structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate parts are used, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but assembly complexity and component count increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functional parts (timing chain cover and mount bracket) into a single molded resin component. This reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying the overall manufacturing process and assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3939817B1Internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 RENAULT SA
  • EP3939817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3939817B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3939817B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A front cover (7) is made of a resin material such as a synthetic resin and is attached to an internal combustion engine body so as to cover the front surface of the internal combustion engine body. The front cover (7) is formed with a mounting part (21) made of a resin material and protruding to the forward side of an internal combustion engine. The mounting part (21) is formed in an elongated hollow shape along the cylinder axial direction of the internal combustion engine. The mounting part (21) is equipped with a vehicle body attachment part (23) for attaching the internal combustion engine to a vehicle body. The vehicle body attachment part (23) is formed integrally with the mounting part (21). It is thereby possible to reduce the weight and number of components of the internal combustion engine.