System and method to control a switchable powertrain mount
First Claim
1. A mount assembly for coupling a vehicle powertrain assembly and a vehicle chassis, the mount assembly comprising:
- at least one switchable mount operable in at least an engine idle mode;
at least one vehicle sensor operatively connected to the powertrain; and
a controller for receiving and processing input from the at least one vehicle sensor, and for commanding the switchable mount to be in the engine idle mode when the processed input of at least one vehicle sensor exceeds a pre-selected threshold.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A strategy controls alternate anti-vibration modes in a switchable powertrain mount using vehicle operational status sensors and pre-selected thresholds. The switchable mount modes can include engine idle and a default engine off/run. Vehicle sensors and pre-selected thresholds can determine whether the engine is off, idle, or running and when in idle mode, whether the engine will likely remain in idle mode. From these determinations, the controller can command the switchable mount to engine idle mode when the controller determines the engine is in idle mode and will likely remain in idle mode. The switching means for the switchable mount can use a three-way vacuum solenoid valve (VSV), or a mechanical or electrical switch. In the case of the VSV configuration, the VSV is communicatively attached to the controller, a vacuum line connects the VSV to the switchable mount, and a second vacuum line connects the VSV to an engine intake manifold.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mount assembly for coupling a vehicle powertrain assembly and a vehicle chassis, the mount assembly comprising:
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at least one switchable mount operable in at least an engine idle mode;
at least one vehicle sensor operatively connected to the powertrain; and
a controller for receiving and processing input from the at least one vehicle sensor, and for commanding the switchable mount to be in the engine idle mode when the processed input of at least one vehicle sensor exceeds a pre-selected threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicle, comprising:
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a powertrain having an engine and a vehicle chassis and being provided with a mount assembly for coupling the vehicle powertrain assembly and said vehicle chassis; and
the mount assembly comprising, at least one switchable mount operable in at least an engine idle mode, at least one vehicle sensor operatively connected to the powertrain, and a controller for receiving and processing input from the at least one vehicle sensor, and for commanding the switchable mount to be in the engine idle mode when the processed input of at least one vehicle sensor exceeds a pre-selected threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for controlling a switchable mount assembly that couples a vehicle powertrain assembly and a vehicle chassis comprising the steps of:
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receiving and processing input of at least one vehicle sensor output; and
commanding the switchable mount to switch from a default drive mode to an engine idle mode when the processed input of at least one vehicle sensor exceeds a pre-selected threshold. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A system for controlling a switchable mount assembly adapted for coupling a vehicle powertrain assembly and a vehicle chassis, comprising:
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at least one sensor provided within the powertrain assembly for issuing an output signal;
a controller operatively connected to the at least one sensor;
a program of control logic embodied within the controller to interpret said signal and to issue a command signal based on said interpretation to control the switchable mount to alternate between at least two operational modes thereby providing at least two alternate vibration damping support characteristics between said powertrain and said vehicle chassis. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification