US 6,244,239 B1 · Integrated front end accessory drive system

Abstract

A system for integrating together all the engine driven accessories on a typical automotive engine such that all the basic engine auxiliaries and secondary chassis related accessories are mounted in a compact and rigid assembly. The driving means for the secondary accessories is typically but not restricted to a single Multi-rib V belt driven by a pulley or torsional damper mounted to the front extension of the crankshaft. The auxiliaries and accessories are built into or mounted rigidly to an integrated housing. The integrated housing is mounted to a single surface of the engine block giving the strength and rigidity needed to carry the loads and offering the best accuracy for the location of the accessories to the crankshaft and to each other for best belt life and minimum noise from the belt and pulleys and engine forcing frequencies. The single housing also offers the ability to allow pre-assembly of the whole front end assembly drive (FEAD) package for the subsequent modular assembly to the rest of the engine.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A front end accessory drive system for reducing engine noise, vibration and harshness, comprising:

an integrated housing having a plurality of engine accessories mounted thereto in a single plane, for attachment to a vehicle engine, said accessories including:
a water pump mounted to said housing;
an air conditioning pump mounted to said housing;
a power steering pump mounted to said housing;
an alternator mounted to said housing;
a crankshaft damper in communication with said housing and in contact with an engine crankshaft, said crankshaft damper lying in said single plane;
a drive belt coupled to said water pump, said air conditioning pump, said power-steering pump, said alternator, and said crankshaft damper;
and
a belt tensioner for allowing the tightness of said drive belt to be adjusted during assembly.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Integrated front end accessory drive system

Life of this patent

Integrated front end accessory drive system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15