Patent ID: 7734384
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: B60G,B60K,F16F

Abstract:
1. A tuned mass damper system for a hybrid electric road vehicle having road wheels and a powertrain with an engine, at least one motor-generator and a battery, the battery being a source of driving power and an electric energy storage medium, the damper system comprising: a primary damper mass comprising the mass of the vehicle including mass of a vehicle body; a secondary damper mass comprising the mass of the battery; the secondary damper mass being spring-mounted on the primary damper mass; the primary damper mass being substantially greater than the secondary damper mass, the primary damper mass and the secondary damper mass being in substantial vertical alignment and vertical motion of the secondary mass being out of phase with respect to the motion of the primary mass; a vehicle suspension system located between the vehicle wheels and the vehicle mass, the suspension system supporting the vehicle mass; the vehicle suspension system comprising at least one spring and at least one vibration damper acting in parallel relationship; and at least one battery mounting spring between the battery mass and the vehicle mass and supporting the battery whereby the battery mass functions as a tuned damper mass as forced vibrations induced by road irregularities are attenuated as they are transmitted through the vehicle suspension system to the vehicle mass by the road wheels.