Tubular Spacer Engine Mounting for Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current designs in walk-behind power equipment transmit significant vibration from internal combustion engines to the frame, causing discomfort and noise due to rigid mounting, which elastomeric bushings can mitigate but require precise installation and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A mounting structure using a tubular spacer with a damping element and washer to decouple the engine from the housing, preventing direct axial and radial vibration transmission, allowing for proper spacing and alignment to reduce vibration and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid mounting structure is used to securely mount the engine to the housing, then the engine location stability is improved, but vibration and noise transmission to the frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastomeric bushings as intermediary elements between the engine mounting structure and the housing. These bushings serve as mediators that decouple the rigid connection, allowing the engine to be securely mounted while preventing direct vibration and noise transmission to the frame. The bushings absorb and dampen vibrational energy, resolving the contradiction between stable engine mounting and harmful vibration transmission.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If elastomeric bushings are used to reduce vibration and noise transmission, then harmful vibration effects are reduced, but the complexity of proper installation and alignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the integrated mounting structure: the elastomeric bushings are incorporated directly into the mounting brackets, which also serve as positioning and alignment features. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate alignment components and simplifies installation procedures while maintaining the vibration reduction benefits of the elastomeric material.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is designed with self-aligning features where the elastomeric bushings automatically position themselves during installation. The structure provides built-in guidance and tolerance compensation, allowing the bushings to self-adjust to proper alignment without requiring precise manual positioning or complex alignment tools, thereby reducing installation complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional mounting structures with multiple components are used, then proper engine location and pre-load can be achieved, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete components (mounting brackets, bushings, spacers, and fastening elements) into an integrated mounting structure. This consolidation maintains the precise engine location and proper pre-load capabilities that traditional multi-component structures achieved, while significantly reducing the total number of parts and simplifying the assembly process into fewer steps.
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 solution effectively reduces vibration and noise transmission to the handle, enhancing operator comfort and reducing assembly complexity by using a removable damping unit that simplifies engine mounting and reduces material usage.
Implementation Method 1
A damping element axially mounted to the spacer is directly engaged to the first end of the spacer
Implementation Method 2
Elastomeric bushings can reduce both unwanted effects
Implementation Method 3
The spacer has a first end directly abutting the engine and a second end inserted in a mounting hole extended through the housing
Implementation Method 4
A washer axially mounted to the spacer is interposed between and directly contacts each of the damping element and an upper surface of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A manually operated wheeled machine includes a housing and an engine mounted to the housing via a mounting structure. The mounting structure includes a tubular spacer defining a through hole. The spacer has a first end directly abutting the engine and a second end inserted in a mounting hole extended through the housing. The second end of the spacer is offset axially inwardly from a lower surface of the housing. A damping element axially mounted to the spacer is directly engaged to the first end of the spacer. A washer axially mounted to the spacer is interposed between and directly contacts each of the damping element and an upper surface of the housing. A fastener is extended through mounting hole and the spacer from the lower surface of the housing for connection with the engine.