Elastic Motor Mount

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an elastic motor mount having at least one elastic shock-absorption element, each of which is operational within a common fixed housing between the latter and a connecting element which is movable relative to the housing and absorbs motor weight.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Such mountings, which are used to elastically support in particular the engine in a motor vehicle, operate, without any other intermediate means, exclusively on the basis of the elasticity of the shock-absorption element which is rigidly connected on both sides to the housing and to the associated connecting element. Since this shock-absorption element interrupts any direct connection between the vehicle parts between which shock-absorption exists, namely the motor and the chassis or body, the mountings, as a result of the highly elastic properties of the material of their shock-absorption elements, simultaneously represent extremely effective noise insulators which practically completely eliminate the transmission of acoustical vibrations originating from the engine. In this regard, they are also superior to motor mounts equipped with hydraulic and other damping devices. Unfortunately, these heretofore known motor mounts have a drawback which outweighs the advantage of their simple construction. This drawback, which appears upon impact, is the long, echoing, soft vibration behavior, accompanied by the appearance of resonance and the tendency to increase the amplification of annoying vibrations.

An object of the present invention is to impart to conventional elastic mountings, by means of a novel configuration, in addition to the known acoustical retarding effect, auxiliary damping properties as desired or needed.

This object, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, will appear more clearly from the following specification in conjunction with the schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a longitudinal section through one inventive embodiment of a motor mount for a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross-section through the motor mount of FIG. 1 in the pressureless state; and

FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross-section through the motor mount of FIG. 1 in a positive pressure state.

The elastic motor mount of the present invention is characterized primarily by a closed-off hollow space which is formed within the housing; this hollow space communicates with an external source of damping fluid so that varying amounts of this fluid can be received in the hollow space.

Pursuant to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the hollow space is formed between the walls of the housing and the connecting element. The hollow space may also be provided with an external connecting fitting which is in constant communication with a regulatable pressure pump which conveys the damping fluid in either direction.

The present invention allows the possibility of randomly being able to externally influence the function of the elastic motor mount, and of being able to selectively switch between a damped and undamped characteristic. During normal driving operation on a smooth street, the acoustically favorable, purely elastic, undamped shock-absorption will generally be preferred. However, the novel construction of the mounting makes it possible at any time, by pumping a damping fluid into the free hollow space of the mounting, to bring the damping mechanism out of this undamped state into any gradation of damping. An example of an auxiliary aid for this purpose is a pressure pump such as used for the customary windshield washing device. Conversely, after the vibrations have faded away, the damping fluid can be withdrawn from the hollow space, with the operation thus being returned to a normal undamped shock-absorption having the desired low noise level.

Pursuant to a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the hollow space can be delimited at least partially by flexible elements which are supported by the housing and/or the connecting element.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the illustrated mounting essentially comprises a bracket-like metal housing 1, a metallic inner connecting element 2, and elastic shock-absorption elements 3 disposed between the housing 1 and the element 2, and bonded therewith. In addition to accommodating the elements 2 and 3, the housing 1 at the same time serves for securely attaching the mounting to the non-illustrated body or chassis of the motor vehicle. The connecting element 2, which is elastically yieldingly supported relative to the housing via the shock-absorption element 3, directly absorbs the proportionate weight of the motor; for securing the support construction, the connecting element 2 is provided with bores 12 which pass therethrough. In the vertical direction, the play of the connecting element 2 is limited by associated surfaces of the housing 1 under the interposition of elastic stop cushions 4. Flexible diaphragms 5 which are securely connected to the connecting element 2 serve, on the one hand, to receive and guide the stop cushions 4, for which purpose they are each provided with a formed-on centering extension 15; on the other hand, the diaphragms 5 extend over a hollow space divided into chamber portions 6a and 6b formed by recessed surface portions of the connecting element 2. With the exception of a connecting fitting 11 in an overflow opening 16, the hollow space 6 divided into chamber portions 6a and 6b is closed off toward the outside. By means of a conduit 7 and a pressure pump 8, the connecting fitting 11 is in constant communication with a tank 9 which contains a damping fluid. As needed, the pump 8 can be operated by an associated drive motor in order to either convey damping fluid from the tank 9 into the hollow space 6 (FIG. 3), or to withdraw damping fluid from the hollow space 6 (FIG. 2). The fluid introduced into the hollow space 6 acts as a stiffening element with regard to the freedom of motion of the shock-absorption element 3 by displacing the stop cushion 4 and providing damping as well as spring forces.

It is to be understood that the inventive mounting can basically be used for any elastic mounting system.

Furthermore, the present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawing, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.