Multi-stage Switchable Inertia Track Assembly for Engine Mounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switchable hydraulic engine mounts face inefficiencies due to external mounting of vacuum actuated hardware, which reduces response efficiency and complicates sealing, particularly in using diaphragms as seals and air springs, leading to reduced fluid pressure and sealing issues with rotary valves.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage switchable inertia track assembly with a housing, inertia track, decoupler, idle diaphragm, and ports that selectively alter damping by controlling fluid communication between chambers, eliminating the need for diaphragms in the switching mechanism and integrating an accumulator to reduce vacuum line resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If external mounting of vacuum actuated hardware is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but response efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the vacuum actuated switching mechanism directly into the housing structure, merging previously separate external components with the main assembly. This integration eliminates the need for external mounting while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and significantly improving response efficiency by reducing the distance and time for vacuum actuation to affect the inertia track.
2Ease of manufacture
If diaphragm is used as seal in external port switching, then sealing is simplified, but fluid pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diaphragm component from the switching mechanism entirely. Instead of using a diaphragm to seal and switch the external port, the invention employs a direct mechanical sealing approach integrated into the housing, eliminating the air spring effect that diaphragms create and thereby maintaining full fluid pressure throughout the system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rotary valve is used for port switching, then switching capability is improved, but sealing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotary valve mechanism with a simpler linear or pivot-based switching mechanism that integrates directly into the housing. This substitution maintains the ability to switch between damping states while eliminating the complex sealing requirements of rotary valves, particularly the difficulty of sealing from low pressure to high pressure or to atmosphere.
4Ease of operation
If air spring is used under diaphragm, then mounting flexibility is improved, but damping performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the air spring component entirely from the system. By eliminating the diaphragm and air spring assembly, the invention directly connects the vacuum actuation mechanism to the inertia track, ensuring that vacuum pressure is fully transmitted to control fluid flow without being compromised by air spring effects, thereby maintaining optimal damping performance.
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
Improves durability and performance by enhancing sealing and fluid pressure management, achieving efficient switching between damping states and reducing air resonance, thereby improving vibration isolation and damping across various frequency ranges.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum actuated hardware... vacuum actuated diaphragm... opening and closing a port... switch the mount state
Implementation Method 2
A decoupler in the housing selectively closes at least one of the first and second paths... first port in the housing communicates with the decoupler
Data Source
AI summary
A two vacuum actuated switch mechanism is provided within an engine or hydromount. First and second ports are provided along a peripheral portion of an inertia track assembly. A decoupler or vacuum diaphragm is selectively exposed to vacuum through a first port. Under the influence of the vacuum, the decoupler can no longer oscillate. If vacuum is applied only to the decoupler, and not and idle diaphragm, the fluid is forced through a low frequency inertia track which creates high levels of damping and low frequencies. If vacuum is also applied to the decoupler and the idle diaphragm, the high frequency inertia track is opened and causes the fluid to flow therethrough. This creates a high frequency dynamic rate dip. Alternatively, if no vacuum is applied to either the decoupler or the idle diaphragm, the decoupler is allowed to freely oscillate creating a decoupled state for low input displacements. Higher input displacements results in fluids being forced through the low frequency inertia track. An integrated accumulator is disposed between the port and the decoupler to reduce or eliminate air resonance response, buffering the pumping effect of the decoupler in a decoupled state.