KR-20260062299-A - HIGH-STRENGTH COMPOSITE BRACKET FOR MILD HYBRID VEHICLE START GENERATOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a starter generator bracket for mild hybrid vehicles that utilizes a high-rigidity composite material to replace existing metal materials while simultaneously ensuring lightweighting, high strength, and durability. This composite material forms a multi-phase structure by combining polymer resin with carbon fibers and glass fibers as reinforcing materials, thereby enabling effective control of strength and rigidity in specific directions. Through this, it provides high rigidity while maintaining a lower density than existing metal materials, contributing to reduced vehicle weight, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, thanks to the vibration absorption characteristics of the composite material, it effectively mitigates noise and vibration from the starter generator, enabling it to perform a stable structural support function.

Inventors

• 남욱희

Assignees

• 주식회사 오리엔트정공

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20241029

Claims (5)

1. A bracket for fixing a start generator of a mild hybrid vehicle to a vehicle body, A start generator bracket for a mild hybrid vehicle, characterized in that the above bracket is composed of a composite material that includes carbon fiber or glass fiber as a reinforcing material and forms a multi-phase structure by combining with a polymer resin.
2. In paragraph 1, A start generator bracket for a mild hybrid vehicle, characterized in that the above composite material has an anisotropic structure designed to control stiffness and strength in a specific direction by adjusting the fiber orientation of the reinforcing material.
3. In paragraph 1, A start generator bracket for a mild hybrid vehicle, characterized in that the above composite material has a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of aluminum and is configured to suppress thermal deformation in high and low temperature environments.
4. In paragraph 1, A start generator bracket for a mild hybrid vehicle, characterized by the above composite material having corrosion resistance that inhibits corrosion even in a salt exposure environment.
5. In paragraph 1, A start generator bracket for a mild hybrid vehicle, characterized in that the above composite material has vibration absorption properties for reducing vibrations generated during the operation of the start generator.

Description

High-Strength Composite Bracket for Mild Hybrid Vehicle Start Generator The present invention relates to a bracket for fixing a start generator of a mild hybrid vehicle to a vehicle body, and more specifically, to a bracket that improves fuel efficiency and enhances durability by using a high-rigidity composite material instead of a conventional aluminum material to achieve weight reduction and ensure rigidity. A mild hybrid vehicle refers to a vehicle system that improves fuel efficiency by utilizing a small 48V battery and an electric motor to assist with starting and acceleration of the internal combustion engine. Unlike hybrid vehicles that use an electric mode while the engine is running, this vehicle can continue driving with the internal combustion engine while quickly restarting from a short standstill. Through this, mild hybrids improve fuel efficiency by reducing energy consumption during acceleration. Structurally, they do not require complex regenerative braking systems for electric propulsion, allowing them to be designed with structural simplification and minimize vehicle weight gain. Thanks to these characteristics, mild hybrid systems are particularly effective in increasing fuel efficiency during city driving. Currently, 12 types of aluminum are used for the starter generator brackets in mild hybrid vehicles. Aluminum has a specific gravity of 2.7, making it very light compared to steel. Its thermal conductivity is approximately three times higher than that of iron, resulting in excellent heat dissipation, and its superior workability make it an advantageous material for automotive lightweighting. Furthermore, due to its high conductivity, aluminum is useful for electrical components, and its rust-resistant properties provide excellent durability. However, since aluminum has a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately twice that of iron, there is a high likelihood of damage due to thermal deformation and fatigue when used in components subjected to repeated high and low temperatures. In particular, in mild hybrid vehicles, the starter generator repeatedly starts and stops, continuously exposing bracket components to high thermal deformation forces. Deformation caused by such thermal fatigue can lead to long-term stability issues, and the potential for surface corrosion in saline environments limits the ability to maintain durability and appearance. Accordingly, high-rigidity composite materials are attracting attention as an alternative that can absorb vibrations and maintain high durability while promoting weight reduction in mild hybrid vehicles. Composite materials combine two or more materials to exhibit superior physical and chemical properties compared to individual materials. High-rigidity composite materials possess low specific gravity and excellent specific strength, making them advantageous over aluminum for both weight reduction and rigidity. They can also absorb external vibrations, effectively mitigating those generated during the operation of mild hybrid systems. Furthermore, due to their low coefficient of thermal expansion, composite materials can maintain a stable shape without thermal deformation, even when mild hybrid components are subjected to repeated high and low-temperature environments. Composites are also resistant to corrosion, which reduces aesthetic issues, and their superior heat resistance and fatigue resistance allow them to withstand extreme temperatures, significantly enhancing the durability of vehicle components. In conclusion, the application of high-rigidity composite materials satisfies requirements such as weight reduction, vibration absorption, and improved durability, and is being considered as an alternative to resolve thermal deformation and corrosion issues that may occur in the starter generator brackets of mild hybrid vehicles. FIG. 1 (a) and (b) are perspective views illustrating a start generator high-rigidity composite bracket according to the present invention, viewed from one side and the opposite side, respectively. Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1 (a). Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known functions are omitted if they are deemed obvious to a person skilled in the art and could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to a bracket for securely fixing a start generator, a core component of a mild hybrid vehicle, to the vehicle itself. In particular, the present invention is differentiated from existing technology in that it applies a high-rigidity composite material instead of a conventional aluminum material to maximize weight reduction while providing high durability and vibration absorption performance. A mild hybrid system utilizes a small 48V battery and an electric motor to reduce