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Active Engine Mounts from ZF: Tranquility in the

Driveline

Both high- and low-frequency vibrations are optimally

isolated
Vibration and noise comfort in the passenger cell
Important element in engine downsizing and cylinder
shutoff

Active engine mounts optimally dampen and isolate the

vibrations, noises, and movements generated by the car's engine
in every combustion engine operating mode. This noticeably
enhances comfort for the vehicle occupants. But it is also a key
element when making engine downsizing and vehicles with
electronic cylinder shutoff which constantly change their
vibration behavior acceptable for occupants and hence
marketable.
Rubber-metal components have always played an important role in
the driveline. In order to mount the engine-transmission unit in the
vehicle in such a way that it does not generate any vibrations or
noises which are annoying for the passengers, the ZF Group offers
a broad range of powertrain mounts: Conventional or hydraulic
engine mounts, transmission mounts and torque supports are the
connections that provide the mounting of the engine block and
transmission on the vehicle body. These mounts, which are
inconspicuous at first glance, have a broad range of tasks that
considerably influence the comfort and dynamic driving features
of a vehicle: They must prevent unbalanced engine torque e.g.
when idling from being transferred to the body as noise or
vibrations. They also have to isolate high-frequency vibrations
which are generated at high speeds when the vehicle is in
operation. In addition, they also have to prevent excitations
emanating from the road surface, so that the engine-transmission
unit does not cause the entire vehicle to sway in an undesired and
uncomfortable motion (stuttering).

ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Konzernkommunikation
Corporate Communications
D-88038 Friedrichshafen
Deutschland Germany

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This conflict of aims was previously only able to be solved by a

compromise in which the rubber-metal powertrain mounts and
hydraulically damping mounts were set ex factory either towards
comfort (noise absorption primarily in idling speed) or towards
driving dynamics (prevention of mount movement through
excitation caused by the road surface). This compromise is
determined during the development phase for each vehicle class
and for various engines within a vehicle class.
An end to compromise
Active engine mounts from ZF bring to an end the search for a
compromise when mounting the engine. When the vehicle is in
operation, the active ZF module functions as a hydraulic engine
mount. In idling speed, an active membrane controls the pressure
in the working chamber so that low-frequency excitations are
isolated much more effectively than the characteristic of the
hydraulic mount which is designed more towards driving
dynamics. For the passengers, this offers considerably greater
comfort.
The active engine mount from ZF is an important addition
especially for the increasing number of passenger cars with
downsizing engines or electronic cylinder shutoff. As the number
of cylinders is reduced, the engine runs less smoothly. Hence the
level of vibration transferred from the engine block to the body
increases. This "NVH" (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) behavior
varies greatly with turbocharged engines with a small number of
cylinders, depending on the engine speed and driving situation.
Finding the right characteristic for a hydraulic or conventional
engine mount in this situation is virtually impossible. By contrast
the active engine mount with its broad characteristic map isolates
any oscillations and vibrations that occur.

ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Konzernkommunikation
Corporate Communications
D-88038 Friedrichshafen
Deutschland Germany

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Caption:
Active engine mount from ZF: An active membrane controls the
pressure in the working chamber and consequently optimally
dampens the low-frequency vibrations. When the vehicle is in
operation, the mount automatically switches back to the optimal
hydraulic mount for driving dynamics.
Photo: ZF

Press Contact:
Corina Dreher, Trade Press, Tel. +49 7541-77 8238,
Fax: +49 7541-77 908238, e-mail: corina.dreher@zf.com
Robert Buchmeier, Trade Press, Tel. +49 7541 77-2488,
Fax: +49 7541-77 902543, e-mail: robert.buchmeier@zf.com
Thomas Wenzel, Senior Manager Product Communication and
Trade Press, Tel. +49 7541-77 2543, Fax: +49 7541-77 902543,
e-mail: thomas.wenzel@zf.com
ZF is a global leader in driveline and chassis technology with 121 production
companies in 26 countries. In 2012, the Group achieved a sales figure of about
EUR 17.4 billion with approximately 75 000 employees. In order to continue to be
successful with innovative products, ZF annually invests about five percent of its
sales (2012: EUR 861 million) in research and development. ZF is one of the ten
largest automotive suppliers worldwide.
For further press information and photos please visit: www.zf.com

ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Konzernkommunikation
Corporate Communications
D-88038 Friedrichshafen
Deutschland Germany