Including Means Of Nonsupporting Nature For Minimizing Operation-induced Movement Of Motor Patents (Class 180/300)
  • Patent number: 8042793
    Abstract: A mounting scheme for attaching a power train to a motor vehicle frame includes a plurality of mounts. At least one of the mounts is a solid engine mount having a metal housing and an elastomeric bushing. The elastomeric bushing contains no voids other than a central bore used to attach the mount to a bracket. The elastomeric bushing includes frustoconical portions, where one end of each of the frustoconical portions is unconstrained by the metal housing. The stiffness of the mount may be tuned to reduce noise and improve handling. The stiffnesses of any of the axes may be adjusted so that the power train roll center aligns with the power train center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Igami
  • Patent number: 7974769
    Abstract: A system adapted for counteracting engine produced vibratory forces and isolating the forces from a body, includes active engine mounts, force or acceleration sensors, and a controller communicatively coupled to the mounts and sensors, and configured to execute an integrated open and closed-loop control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Kwang-Keun Shin
  • Publication number: 20110048836
    Abstract: A powertrain for a motor vehicle includes an engine disposed in a front of the motor vehicle and having an output member, an automatic transmission disposed in a rear of the motor vehicle and having an input member, a torque converter connected to the input member of the automatic transmission, and a shaft disposed along a length of the motor vehicle and connected to the torque converter. A first damper is connected to the output member of the engine and is connected to the shaft. The first damper has a first spring set interconnected to the output member of the engine and a second spring set interconnected to the first spring set and to the shaft. The first damper is operable to isolate torsional vibration between the engine and the shaft and isolate the shaft from torsional resonant behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Randall S. Beikmann, Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 7874395
    Abstract: A structure for mounting an electric motor in a vehicle, comprises: a mounting frame detachably fixed to a body component of the vehicle by a bolt; an upward-projecting bracket, which is upwardly projected from the mounting frame, being attached to the body component of the vehicle; a bolt hole, in which the bolt is inserted, being formed on the upward-projecting bracket; and a downward-projecting bracket, which is downwardly projected from the mounting frame, being connected to the electric motor. Both the mounting frame and the downward-projecting bracket are set apart from an axis of the bolt hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiya Taji, Atsushi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20110005854
    Abstract: A roll restrictor system for an automotive powertrain includes a first mounting pad located upon a powertrain component and a mounting bracket having an integral bushing post, with the mounting bracket being attached to the first mounting pad. A control link has a first bushing engaged with the integral bushing post portion of the mounting bracket, and a second bushing engaged with a vehicular structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Fsadni
  • Patent number: 7766118
    Abstract: An engine bracket including: an attachment portion provided in a fixing location adapted to be fixed to at least one of the vehicle body and power unit; a bolt hole being formed in the attachment portion so that the attachment portion is fixed to the vehicle body or power unit by a fixing bolt inserted into the bolt hole; and at lease one breaking groove formed at an area located spaced away from the bolt hole so as to extend away from the bolt hole and toward an outer peripheral edge of the attachment portion on at least one of opposite surfaces of the attachment portion in a direction in which the fixing bolt is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Ohji, Kazushi Saikusa
  • Patent number: 7751963
    Abstract: An active engine mount assembly for counteracting resultant forces in active fuel management systems, wherein resultant forces are transmitted to a frame of a motorized vehicle generated by the deactivation of at least one cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The active engine mount assembly is fluidly connected to a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit is operatively connected to an engine crankshaft and operable to actively generate pressure pulses having frequencies self-synchronized with the rotational speed of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Burak A. Gecim, Joel M. Maguire, Norman K. Bucknor
  • Publication number: 20100155168
    Abstract: Vehicle having a wheel suspension, a wheel (1) to be driven, which is connected to the vehicle using the wheel suspension (40), and having an electric motor (20). The vehicle also comprises a bevel gear pair (30), which is directly connected to the wheel (1) and has a fixed gear reduction, and a shaft (42), which is situated between the electric motor (20) and the bevel gear pair (30) so that the electric motor (20) is connected by means of drive technology to the wheel (1) using the shaft (42) and the bevel gear pair (30). The fastening of the electric motor (20) on the vehicle is designed so that the electric motor (20) is essentially decoupled by means of movement technology from wheel movements (B2) of the wheel (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Klingelnberg AG
    Inventor: Georg Mies
  • Patent number: 7575088
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Hamid Mir, Adrian VanCampenhout, Christopher A Wolfe, John D Richardson, John Boughton, Ted Thelen, Larry W Bell, Brian J Rahn
  • Patent number: 7562737
    Abstract: A vehicle power unit supporting apparatus supports a transversely-mounted power unit having a power source and a speed reduction gear connected to each other. The power unit is supported on a vehicle body by at least a power-source-side mount and a speed-reduction-gear side mount on both of the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction. These mounts are disposed at a position higher than a position of the center of gravity of the power unit. Spring axis lines of the power-source side mount and the speed-reduction-gear side mount are inclined to intersect with each other at a position higher than the position of the center of gravity of the power unit when the vehicle is viewed from the front. An elastic center of the entire power unit supporting apparatus is located at a position lower than the position of the center of gravity of the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyahara, Tatsuhide Sakai, Masafumi Kyuse, Mutsuru Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20090173564
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine disposed in an engine compartment provided with a hood, and also an electrical machine for at least assisting in driving the vehicle and generating electric energy, and a power electronics system for controlling the electric power supply to, and from the electric machine during operation of the motor vehicle by the internal combustion engine and/or the electrical machine, the power electronics system is arranged in the engine compartment above the internal combustion engine and below the hood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Andreas Elbert, Peter Gere, Arnold Klimas, Lena Krimstein, Van Dung Nguyen, Werner Walter
  • Publication number: 20090133949
    Abstract: An open-loop control system that provides control signals to active engine mounts to reduce or eliminate the transfer of engine vibration to a vehicle body structure, where the system uses only a crank signal from the engine as an input. The control system includes an instant crank speed variation sensing processor that receives the crank signal from the engine, where the crank signal is a pulsed signal including missing pulses as a result of teeth missing on the vehicle crank wheel. The crank speed variation sensing processor provides a measurement of the instant crank speed variation of the crank signal and minimizes an error in the measurement as a result of the missing pulses. The crank speed variation sensing processor outputs a crank speed sensing variation signal as a sine wave that identifies order content in the crank pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kwang-Keun Shin, David J. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 7478701
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a supporting structure for vehicle has steps of preparing a casting mold having: a first and a second casting mold, which are matched to each other at casting, and has forming faces which form at least sides of first and second fixing portions and the connecting portion and a third casting mold having a forming face which forms a fixing face of the second fixing portion and a protruding body which forms a recess hole penetrating to an interior of the connecting portion from the fixing face of the second fixing portion; matching the third casting mold together with the first and the second casting mold so as to form a cavity for integrally forming the first fixing portion, the second fixing portion and the connecting portion in the casting mold; and pouring molten metal into the cavity so as to mold the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7445076
    Abstract: For spatial arrangement of a drive motor (1) in a motor room (2), a three-point support system (TPS) includes supports (SP1, SP2) having a vibration suppressing member (3) for suppressing vibrations to be transmitted from the drive motor (1), a first bracket (5) for fixing the vibration suppressing member (3) to a transversely inner lateral side (4a) of a side member (4) of a front part (VBf) of a vehicle body, and a second bracket (6) for fixing the drive motor (1) to the vibration suppressing member (3), while the first bracket (5) is fastened to the inner lateral side (4a) of the side member (4), and the second bracket (6) is fastened at a proximal end (6a) to the vibration suppressing member (3) and at a distal end (6b) to the drive motor (1) to be disposed lower than the side member (4), with a reduced vibration transmission from the drive motor (1) to the vehicle body, allowing a facilitated removal of the drive motor (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 7429053
    Abstract: A subframe structure for an automotive vehicle wherein a subframe is attached through a rubber mount to a vehicle body, suspension components are assembled onto the subframe so that the suspension components are held connected to the vehicle body through the subframe, and a detecting assembly capable of providing an output signal according to a load that acts between a subframe and a vehicle body is provided. A rubber mount for use in this subframe structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Katagiri, Takehiro Yamada, Akihiro Miyoshi, Tamio Tsurita, Motoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7413050
    Abstract: The method includes in succession a first step of assembling a power unit into a sub-frame in almost the same position as in a mounted state on a car body frame by interposing a torque rod and at least two on-board mounts between the power unit and the sub-frame; a second step of attaching the sub-frame on which the power unit is mounted to the car body frame; and a third step of supporting the power unit via a power source side mount and a speed reducer side mount on the car body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Miyagawa, Toshiyuki Inaba, Yasuhisa Suzuki, Hitoshi Itaba
  • Publication number: 20070278029
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system is provided which includes a first damper that is connected to an output shaft of an engine; an electric motor which is provided adjacent to the first damper and connected to the output side of the first damper; a power split device that distributes power from the engine to the electric motor and a wheel side output shaft; and a second damper that is connected to the output side of the first damper between the first damper and the electric motor. Accordingly, a hybrid drive system can be provided which reduces vibration caused by resonance of a torsional damper without increasing the size of the hybrid drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Sugiyama, Nobuyuki Nagashima, Masatoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 7216736
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, which performs heat exchanging between a lubricating oil circulating within a transfer device disposed behind an engine and an engine coolant, also functions as a mass member of a dynamic damper. The heat exchanger is disposed at an upper face of a transfer case via a resilient member. Herein, the resilient member is comprised of a first metal plate, a second metal plate, and a rubber member interposed between the first and second metal plates, and there are provided lubricating passages flowing within the resilient member. Accordingly, there can be provided the vibration suppression device of the power train that can suppress vibration properly regardless of the temperature changing and advantage the weight reduction without requiring any new disposition space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Yamamoto, Yuzou Ohkawa, Eiji Mito
  • Patent number: 7201246
    Abstract: An engine adapted to mount to a frame assembly including a steering head, a downtube, a rear junction, a rear tie link, a front mount assembly, and an engine bracket. The engine includes a crankcase assembly having a rearward end defining a rear attachment point adapted to engage the rear junction, a rear tie link attachment portion disposed below the rear attachment point adapted to engage the rear tie link, and a forward end defining a forward attachment point adapted to engage the front mount assembly. An engine cylinder assembly extends from the crankcase assembly and is adapted to be coupled to the engine bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Brendelson, Michael J. Doperalski, Dominic Keogh
  • Patent number: 7195094
    Abstract: A vibration reduction apparatus for an engine. The vibration reduction apparatus being incorporated into an engine mounting assembly as a connecting member. The engine mounting assembly including an engine block fastened at its bottom to an engine mounting structure, and the connecting member being connected between the engine block and the engine mounting structure. The connecting member is fastened to both the engine block and the engine mounting structure to further secure the engine to the engine mounting structure and to reduce vibrations caused by the engine on to the engine mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Street, Laramie Mixon, Mackie Lane Walker
  • Patent number: 7185723
    Abstract: There is provided a support system for a forklift power train, having little vibration transmission to a body frame, but capable of effectively suppressing movement of the power train against even a quick movement of a vehicle occurred in such a case as when the vehicle is accelerated, decelerated, turned or the like, and simpler in construction for assembling workability. In the support structure for a power train of a forklift having a counterweight in the rear part of the body frame, while a front side support is provided at one location positioned at a differential gear case or a frame side cross member and in the vicinity of the roll axis of the power train, a rear side support is provided at two locations, on the right and left sides of the roll axis of the power train, respectively, in the rear part of the body frame, thereby supporting the power train at three locations in all.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Forklift Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Aoyama, Shigeo Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7117969
    Abstract: A structure for supporting, via an engine mount, a transversal engine having a crankshaft laid horizontally at a right angle to a vehicle longitudinal axis, on a vehicle body, is disclosed. The engine mount includes at least one inclined hydro mount in which a working fluid is enclosed and a maximum damping generating axis is inclined a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical line. The inclined hydro mount is disposed inwardly of a total width in a power plant which includes the transversal engine and a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Miyamoto, Rainer Haas
  • Patent number: 6988579
    Abstract: A vehicular power unit mount structure having a first mounting member for attachment to a power unit and a second mounting member elastically connected to the first mounting member for attachment to a vehicle body. The mount structure includes an elastic waterproofing cover having an axial displacement stopper and a radial displacement stopper. The axial displacement stopper is engageable with an end of a tubular portion of the second mounting member to elastically absorb impact shock and eventually stop movement of a shaft portion of the first mounting member when the shaft portion is displaced in an axial direction toward the second mounting member. The radial displacement stopper is engageable with an inner cylindrical surface of the tubular portion to elastically absorb impact shock and eventually stop movement of the shaft portion when the shaft portion is displaced in a radial direction relative to the second mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 6959780
    Abstract: A vibration damping system for an engine mounted on a vehicle has mounting elements attached to frames of the vehicle, through which elements the engine is mounted on the frames, a damping weight provided outwardly of the engine, and a weight support unit fixed at one end thereof to the engine and having the damping weight attached at the other end thereof. The weight support unit includes a first arm extending along one lateral side of a vertical plane extending through an axis of a crankshaft and a second arm extending along the other lateral side of the vertical plane. The damping weight is attached to free ends of the arms. The damping weight is positioned above the cylinder head of the engine to extend transversely of the vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oshima, Masashi Osuga, Yoshio Tomiyama, Hiroshi Kawabata
  • Patent number: 6729430
    Abstract: An engine motion restrictor for limiting movements of a vehicle engine relative to a vehicle structure, the engine motion restrictor including a first strength member connected to an intermediate member through an elastomer mount, and a flexible cable which connects the intermediate member to a second strength member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Paulstra CRC
    Inventors: Blake Adams, Peter Howorth
  • Patent number: 6648093
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes an engine located under a hingably mounted seat, the seat providing ready access to the engine for maintenance and repair. The vehicle includes an engine having a clutch housing and a clutch cover sealably connected to the clutch housing. At least one of the clutch housing and the clutch cover include a bottom wall having at least one coolant-fillable cooling channel within the thickness of the bottom wall provided to cool oil above the clutch housing and the clutch cover. The vehicle also includes a frame having a plurality of engine mounting points. The engine is supportable by the frame and includes a crankcase and a plurality of mounting points adapted to engage the plurality of engine mounting points on the frame. The plurality of mounting points include at least one uppermost mounting point, wherein the at least one uppermost mounting point is positioned on the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Rioux, Claude Gagnon, Johann Holzleitner
  • Publication number: 20030188909
    Abstract: There is provided a pump unit for supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid into and from an actuator upon receiving driving power from a driving source is provided, in which said actuator is fluidly connected to said pump unit via a hydraulic circuit. The pump unit includes an input member operatively connected to the driving source, a first hydraulic pump body operatively connected to the input member, a pump case for accommodating the first hydraulic pump body and forming a hydraulic fluid sump, and a PTO unit accommodated within the pump case. The PTO unit includes a PTO shaft supported by the pump case so as to have an end extending outward from the pump case, and a clutch mechanism for selectively enabling and disabling transmission of driving power from the input member to the PTO shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 6588534
    Abstract: A vehicle engine mounting arrangement 70 for a transverse mounted engine 54 vehicle is provided. The mounting system 70 includes a vehicle frame 60 for supporting the engine 54 in the vehicle. A U-shaped torsion bar and lever arms combination 76 are connected between the engine 54 and the frame for resisting roll motion of engine 54 with respect to frame 60 in first and second angular directions generally opposite one another. The torsion bar and lever arm combination 76 is tubular with a head 78 of the U-shaped tubular torsion bar and lever arm combination 76 being bracketed 66, 74 to the engine 54.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Allen Daly
  • Patent number: 6564892
    Abstract: An engine or radiator mounting sub-system comprised generally of an engine or radiator frame cross piece that is assembled to the engine or radiator off of the assembly line of a mobile vehicle. The off-line assembly allows the engine mounts to be preloaded prior to assembly. The engine or radiator and frame cross piece module may be lowered into the chassis on an assembly line for final fastener engagement that comes through the side or top of the frame rails. In one embodiment, the frame cross piece has an end bracket on each end that allows the lowering in of the engine or radiator into exact forward and aft placement on the respective frame rails. There may be frame rail brackets that have ‘L’ shaped ends. Where these ‘L’ brackets are used, the length of the frame cross piece including the ‘L’ brackets out to the outer vertical face will closely approximate the width between the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC.
    Inventors: Scott A. Wooldridge, William G. Pollack, Jr., Ronald C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6561312
    Abstract: An arrangement for acoustically uncoupled mounting of slightly vibrating components on an anchoring part has a first sleeve which is adapted to guide through an opening of a component, a mounting screw which extends through the first sleeve, an uncoupling element adapted to be arranged between the component and the anchoring part, a second sleeve mounted coaxially to the first sleeve, a ring-shaped disc provided on each end of each of the sleeves, so that one of the discs is locatable between the anchoring part and the component at the other of the disc is locatable between the component and a head of the screw, the uncoupling element being adapted to be arranged between the component and a disc facing the anchoring part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Elring Klinger AG
    Inventor: Henryk Stanienda
  • Patent number: 6540042
    Abstract: A bearing system for an engine-transmission (motor-transmission) unit transversely installed in a vehicle body of a motor vehicle, includes a first bearing element positioned between the engine and the vehicle body, a second bearing element positioned between the engine or the transmission and the vehicle body, and a third bearing element positioned between the transmission and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Arno Hamaekers, Arnold Simuttis
  • Publication number: 20030000761
    Abstract: An engine mount for a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, that can be used when space for the engine within a chassis is limited and which is easily accessed from the side of the chassis for assembly and repair. The engine mount can be attached to the bottom of an engine that is positioned within a chassis. The engine mount can include four hollow, cylindrical portions. Each cylindrical portion having an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the snowmobile chassis and receiving a damping mount. Fasteners can be inserted through the chassis to couple with the damping mounts and cylindrical portions in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the chassis. The configuration of the damping mounts permits effective damping especially in a direction transverse to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Andre Fournier, Michel Lefebvre
  • Publication number: 20030000760
    Abstract: An engine mount for a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, that can be used when space for the engine within a chassis is limited and which is easily accessed from the side of the chassis for assembly and repair. The engine mount can be attached to the bottom of an engine that is positioned within a chassis. The engine mount can include four hollow, cylindrical portions. Each cylindrical portion having an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the snowmobile chassis and receiving a damping mount. Fasteners can be inserted through the chassis to couple with the damping mounts and cylindrical portions in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the chassis. The configuration of the damping mounts permits effective damping especially in a direction transverse to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Andre Fournier, Michel Lefebvre
  • Publication number: 20020189884
    Abstract: An engine mount for a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, that can be used when space for the engine within a chassis is limited and which is easily accessed from the side of the chassis for assembly and repair. The engine mount can be attached to the bottom of an engine that is positioned within a chassis. The engine mount can include four hollow, cylindrical portions. Each cylindrical portion having an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the snowmobile chassis and receiving a damping mount. Fasteners can be inserted through the chassis to couple with the damping mounts and cylindrical portions in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the chassis. The configuration of the damping mounts permits effective damping especially in a direction transverse to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Andre Fournier, Michel Lefebvre
  • Publication number: 20020144852
    Abstract: A small vehicle has an engine mounted to a frame assembly. The engine is mounted by a plurality of engine mounts. The engine mounts are seven time stiffer in compression and tension than in shear. The engine mounts have a block of resilient material that separates a pair of plates. The block can be any shape but a rectangular parallelepiped is preferred. The engine mounts are mounted on cylinders defined with a center axis that extends through a center of gravity of the engine in a direction parallel to an axis about which the crankshaft rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Shimizu, Kazuhiko Izumi
  • Patent number: 6459970
    Abstract: Control data such as an optimal filter coefficient or the like of an engine mount is obtained by adaptation control or the like with respect to a reference vehicle F provided with a reference engine mount 20k, and the control data is stored in a reference data map storage medium 35 as a reference data map. Mount characteristics of the reference engine mount and a mass-produced engine mount 20m are measured. A correction data map which is a deviation from the reference data map is obtained for the control data of the mass-produced engine mount from a difference between both the mount characteristics, and the correction data map is stored in the correction data map storage medium 36. Both the data map storage media are added to the active control apparatus of the mass-produced vehicle M. Using both the data maps, it is possible to appropriately and actively control the vibration of the mass-produced vehicle without variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Goto, Yoshihiko Hagino, Katsuhisa Yano, Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6435297
    Abstract: A device for mounting a vehicle component to a vehicle frame member. The device including a mounting spacer assembly having outer and inner mounting spacer structures and a plurality of parallel elongated fasteners. The outer mounting spacer extending through an opening in the vehicle frame member and the central exterior peripheral portion being welded to the frame member. The inner mounting spacer structure being secured within the outer mounting spacer structure in a rattle-free condition. The plurality of parallel elongated fasteners each having a shank configured at one end to engage the vehicle component and having a head at the opposite end. The mounting spacer assembly further including a plurality of longitudinally extending structural portions disposed in generally surrounding relation with each of the fastener shanks and in force transmitting relation between the vehicle component and each of the heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Cosma International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Barber, Giovanni Di Cesare
  • Patent number: 6390223
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for an engine/transmission combination in a front wheel drive vehicle including a bearing support at either end of the engine/transmission and a pair of elongated torque struts between the vehicle structure and the engine/transmission. The two torque struts extend substantially parallel to one another and are positioned substantially in a vertically extending plane. The torque struts restrain torsionally induced rolling movements of the engine/transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: James C Savage, Robert P Uhlig, Stephen M Leitner, Brian D. Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6386309
    Abstract: A power plant mounting structure for a vehicle including an engine-side mount assembly, a transmission-side mount assembly, and front and rear mount assemblies, wherein the engine-side mount assembly includes a mount which is less stiff in the front and rear directions than in the upward and downward directions of the vehicle, and is arranged such that an axis of the mount is parallel to an inertial axis of a moment of inertia of the power plant. Furthermore, it also includes a linkage member for connecting the mount to an engine-side of the power plant by coupling a screw member coaxially fixed at the center of the mount with a screw block fixed to the engine-side of the power plant, and a mounting bracket for fixing the mount to a side member of vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ki-Taek Park
  • Patent number: 6371229
    Abstract: A drive unit of a hybrid vehicle has an engine and a motor within a drive unit compartment. A side member is disposed on one side within the drive unit compartment, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A side insulator is fixed to the side member and resiliently supports one side of the drive unit. A power unit mounting member is fixed so as to straddle the side member and the side mounting insulator. A power head is mounted on the power head mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kakiuchi
  • Publication number: 20020029920
    Abstract: An engine mount for a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, that can be used when space for the engine within a chassis is limited and which is easily accessed from the side of the chassis for assembly and repair. The engine mount can be attached to the bottom of an engine that is positioned within a chassis. The engine mount can include four hollow, cylindrical portions. Each cylindrical portion having an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the snowmobile chassis and receiving a damping mount. Fasteners can be inserted through the chassis to couple with the damping mounts and cylindrical portions in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the chassis. The configuration of the damping mounts permits effective damping especially in a direction transverse to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Andre Fournier, Michel Lefebvre
  • Publication number: 20020011376
    Abstract: A system for supporting the torque of an internal-combustion engine has a support arranged transversely in the vehicle. This support has a strut as well as a support arm. These two support parts are connected with one another by way of an elastic bearing, the strut being fastened on a camshaft housing and the support arm being fastened on the side member of the vehicle. The elastic bearing is connected with the vehicle body structure, for example, on a spring strut dome, by way of a console.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Andreas Kramer, Andreas Munzert
  • Publication number: 20010032746
    Abstract: As rotational mechanical devices accelerate or decelerate, they generate torque against their housing and/or their surroundings. This torque represents wasted energy that is lost to the system. The invention comprises the use of equal and opposite force from an energy source such as a spring or counterweight to counteract to the torque generating forces in the mechanical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Richard E. Foster, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6273208
    Abstract: A variable displacement engine for a vehicle has a sequential fuel injector firing order to sequence the fuel injector firing signals to the fuel injectors of each cylinder of the engine in a sequential manner regardless of the number of cylinders which are operated under any given engine load. A connecting bridge connects the injector firing signals as determined by the engine controller for the desired number of operative cylinders under any load to the fuel injectors in a sequential, manner as the bridge sequences through positions after each injector firing cycle. A solid torque tube system rigidly interconnects the engine, the transmission and the rear axle of the vehicle to form a solid torque member having a natural frequency of oscillation higher than any vibrational frequency that can occur during operation of the vehicle. A rigid torque tube is fixedly connected between the transmission and the rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Darrel R. Sand
  • Patent number: 6234267
    Abstract: These apparatuses consist of devices and systems to conserve energy in action/reaction processes. Instead the excess current drawn when accelerating motors to move the earth will be omitted as a result of the starting operation. Generators, machinery, and vehicles will be more efficient and less polluting. This is done by means of a counter weight, spring means, or a brace and for stationary and moving systems. For cars, trains and other vehicles, a strong static spring further extended by a counter weight/gravity or external cable opposing the backward travel of the travel media will be effective. Braking may be complemented by deflecting a strong spring which allowed to expand to resume travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Richard Ellis Foster, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6234268
    Abstract: An engine/transmission mounting arrangement in a front wheel drive vehicle including a bearing support at either end of the engine/transmission and an improved torque strut between the vehicle structure and the engine/transmission for restraining torsionally induced rolling movements of the engine/transmission. The improved torque strut having a substantial added mass to an end portion adjacent to the connection of the torque strut with the engine/transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: James C Savage, Stephen M Leitner, Brian D Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6197885
    Abstract: Vulcanized rubber parts suitable to dampen vibrations generated by mechanical devices are disclosed. The parts are based on a cured composition comprising one or a mixture of a diolefin polymers, e.g., natural rubber, a halogenated copolymer of a C4 to C7 isomonoolefin, e.g., isobutylene, and a para-alkylstyrene, filler and a curing system. The vulcanized parts exhibit improved aging and high temperature resistance and reduced deterioration of dynamic properties after long term exposure to high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Yamashita, Kenneth Odell McElrath, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6155372
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for a power train in which vehicle vibration when idling can be reduced and thus improves in giving more comfort in riding in the vehicle.A power train assembled an engine and a transmission is supported by a left side mount, a right side mount, a front mount and a rear mount, from a body frame. The left side mount and the right side mount are located in the front direction than the vertical surface including the roll main axis of inertia of the power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoto Hirasaka
  • Patent number: 6085858
    Abstract: In a suspension assembly for an automotive engine of a front-engine/front-drive vehicle and for supporting the engine to a frame by an engine mount, an arrangement position of the engine mount in the vehicle is in the range between a vertical plane including an inertia main axis in a rolling direction of the engine and a vertical plane including a centerline of a drive shaft. Then, the vertical plane including the inertia main shaft is not included in the range and the vertical plane including the centerline of the drive shaft is included in the range. Thus, the arrangement position of the engine mount may be set in consideration of all of the idle vibration property, the drivability and the degree of freedom of design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Wakana, Tadashi Kimura, Naoto Hirasaka
  • Patent number: 6082718
    Abstract: A liquid-sealing type vibration isolating apparatus including a first coupling member attached to a vibrator; a second coupling member attached to a member in a vehicle body; an insulator interposed between the coupling members, for absorbing and isolating vibration from the vibrator; a vibration isolating mechanism composed of a main chamber having a chamber wall formed by a portion of the insulator, and charged therein with liquid, an auxiliary chamber communicated with the main chamber through an orifice and having a chamber wall a portion of which is formed by a first diaphragm, an air chamber partitioned from the auxiliary chamber across the first diaphragm, and an equilibrium chamber partitioned from the auxiliary chamber across a second diaphragm; a selector for carrying out change-over operation so as to introduce negative pressure or the atmospheric pressure into the equilibrium chamber in the vibration isolating mechanism control for controlling the change-over operation of the selector, a negative
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Yoshiki Shimoda, Takashi Maeno, Shigeki Takeo, Osamu Nakagaki, Masanao Goto, Tetsuya Tsuiki, Tatsuo Suzuki, Tetsuo Asano