POEM-A Computer-Assisted Procedure for Optimizing Elastomeric Mountings

A Procedure for Optimizing Elastomeric Mountings (POEM) is described which provides a systematic investigation of vehicle ride performance as a function of both the spring rate and damping of a selected mounting. POEM assumes the mounting design and its placement on the vehicle have been established. Then nine mounts satisfying a three-level factorial experiment in spring rate and damping are evaluated. Evaluations can be subjective or objective and can employ laboratory simulators or road tests. Dynamic properties of the mounts are measured at simulated on-car conditions. Computer, step-wise regressions of the data are performed to define any performance/property relationships. Final regression equations are contourized by computer, displaying performance versus dynamic properties. Results enable easy and quantitative optimization of dynamic properties. Examples of POEM analyses are given.