Parametric identification study of an active engine mount: Combination of finite element analysis and experiment

Abstract

An active engine mount (AEM) is an effective technology to improve a vehicle’s noise, vibration, and harshness performance. This paper mainly focuses on the combination experiment and finite element analysis (FEA) for parameter identification of AEMs. Notably, a novel test rig is designed to identify all specific parameters involved in the AEM. Firstly, the static and dynamic stiffness of the main rubber spring are calculated based on structure FEA method. The equivalent piston area and upper chamber volumetric stiffness are also estimated through fluid–structure interaction analysis. Inertia track parameters, involving inertia and linear and nonlinear resistance of the fluid, are identified by a simplified fluid model. These common hydraulic engine mount parameters are all experimentally validated through the original test rig. Besides, the particular components of the electromagnetic AEM, namely actuator parameters, are further estimated by experimental identification utilizing the experimental apparatus. The novel test bench, which exhibited high accuracy, good tightness, and strong versatility, not only simplifies the structure and process of identification plant for passive engine mount parameters, but accommodates the particular AEM ones. The combination method assimilates both the efficiency of FEA and the accuracy of experiment, facilitating the structure design and renovation of AEMs.