Abstract
The problem of the mechanical vibrations at the road vehicles, is a continuous studied problem in order to improve the quality, safety and reliability of these systems. Usually, the response analysis of the systems in a problem of mechanical vibration, is approached as a mechanical process. But, the mechanical processes are coupled with thermal, chemical or other types of processes. In a mechanical approach, for the analysis and optimization of the mechanical systems, we have to spin off the influence of other types of processes accepting in this way a deviation (sometimes very important) of the model from the studied system. Thermodynamics, based on the Second Law, introduces a new dimension for the analysis of real processes: the entropy. Using the entropy analysis, it is possible to develop algorithms for the optimization of real mechanical processes. The paper contents experimental and theoretical considerations regarding the analysis and optimization of mechanical passive vibration isolation systems, that takes into account the coupled thermal processes. In this way, it is possible to defIne a new method that is centered on the analysis of static and dynamic hysteresis loops of rubber mounts. The method is called Hysteresis Loop Response Analysis (HLRA), and seems to be a powerful tool in the concurrent engineering of the vibration isolation systems for road vehicles.