The University of Toledo

Focus Area: Alternate Energy

Principal Investigator:

Mohammad Elahinia
Assistant Professor
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
The University of Toledo
419.530.8224
Mohammad.elahinia@utoledo.edu

Project Dates: 08/01/2010 – 06/30/2011; No Cost Extension to 12/31/2011

UT-UTC Designation: UTUTC-AE-5

Abstract:

Advanced vehicular technologies including hybridization have been identified as the focuses of the University of Toledo University Transportation Center (UT-UTC) in the effort to increase fuel efficiency and reduce polluting emissions. The proven advantages of the hybrid vehicles or variable cylinder management also comes with challenging problem of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). This issue has to be properly addressed in order for the technologies to quickly enter the market or be widely applied.

 The NVH in hybrid and alternative power-train vehicles is not conventional since it involves multiple power sources working in different modes and the switching among them. This feature results in vibration in all forms containing shock and harmonic vibration in very wide range of frequencies and random excitations as well. It has been proven that the passive vibration isolators, e.g. elastomeric and hydraulic, are not effective in modern vehicles. Active mounts such as the one installed in the Honda Odyssey are effective in all conditions, but they are expensive and can lead to stability problems. Research has shown that the semi-active devices are preferred thanks to their effectiveness and affordability.

 In the previous phases, the research team has completed design, analytical model and fabrication of a single-axis semi-active magnetorheological (MR) fluid mount for vibration isolation in hybrid vehicles. The experimental evaluation of the mount proved the efficacy of the mount is adapting to different operation conditions. In the current phase, control systems have been designed for this MR fluid mount. Currently these controllers are being evaluated using computer simulation. The controller is designed to achieve and maintain low vibration transmissibility in the mount. This is the main requirement for the mount to mitigate the vibration issue in different operation conditions of the vehicle. This proposal is focused on conducting experimental evaluation of the controller for the MR mount. This is the final step in developing this innovative vibration isolation device. The controller will have adaptive and optimal characteristics so that the mount will be able to respond quickly and efficiently in all possible conditions of the operation of the vehicle. This way the mount will provide a controlled shock and vibration isolation with minimal use of energy. This stage will make the mount ready forvehicle testing and possible adaptation for hybrid vehicles.

The evaluation and modification of the controller by experiments will complete the semiactive MR mount design and make it ready for commercialization. The unique and innovative mount, together with its intelligent control, will solve the NVH problem induced by the power-generating components and speed up the commercialization process of the advanced vehicular technologies. 

UT-UTC Grant Amount              $50,000
Match Amount                          $50,114
Total Project Budget              $100,114