Optimal hydraulic engine mount parameters using design of experiment (DoE) and response surface methodology

Abstract This study experimentally investigated the parameters such as dynamic hardening, inertia track cross-sectional area, decoupler hardness, and fluid volume affecting the damping properties of passive hydraulic engine mounts. Two levels were determined for these parameters, and the full factorial design of experiment (DoE) was created. According to the DoE, hydraulic engine mounts with various design configurations were assembled and tested. Based on the test results, a response surface was created in the Hyperstudy software, and the optimal parameters were obtained via the surface for the desired hydraulic mount performance. Another mount close to the optimum design configuration was then analyzed by the Hyperstudy, and the analysis results were confirmed with the test results. It was observed that the experimental and analysis results were consistent. As a result, it has been demonstrated that the mount parameters can be decided with the response surface generated with the DoE. So, both time and cost advantages can be achieved by eliminating trial and error in production.