Continental has developed an all-new electronically switchable engine mount. Up until now, pneumatic shift actuators were generally used for enhancing comfort by improving the insulation performance. The innovative engine mount from Continental, however, uses an electromechanical shift actuator that meets the demands of the latest vehicle generations.
“The actuator adjusts the hydraulic properties of the engine mount such that, through the absorption effect, the dynamic rigidity of the mount when the engine is idling is less than the static rigidity, which helps to significantly reduce the transmission of structure-borne noise,” says Meinert Holst, project manager in ContiTech Vibration Control. “By dimensioning the components accordingly, the electromechanical shift actuator system can be tailored to the needs of diesel engines. And thanks to the lightweight design approach, the engine mount is around 10% lighter than standard variants, which also helps to save fuel.”
Continental states that some of the challenges involved in developing this system lay in the overall integration of the electromechanical shift actuator in the engine mount and in calibrating the system in line with the vehicle characteristics of the sports sedan.
“We developed this mount using a modular system, which means that we can also use certain components for the conventional hydraulic engine mounts on gasoline engines, too. This system also enables us to integrate the shift actuator in the very limited space available for the engine mount,” added Holst. “Our innovative concept fulfills right down to the very last detail the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer regarding dynamic performance, sportiness, reduced weight, and suitability for extremely tight spaces.”