Longitudinal support structure for carrying a front engine in a motor vehicle

Abstract

An engine support device (100) designed to support an engine arranged in the front structure of a motor vehicle comprises the following: a first half-shell (120) with a first end section (122), a second end section (126) opposite it, and a first side-bolt section (128); and a second half-shell (140) with a third end section (142), a fourth end section (146) opposite it, a central section (144) arranged between the third and fourth end sections (142, 146), and a second side-bolt section (148). The first side-bolt section (128) has substantially straight edges (130, 132) continuously from its first end section (122) to its second end section (126).The second side cheek section (148) has essentially straight edges (130, 132) throughout from its third end section (142) to its middle section (144) and has a first offset (149) in the direction of the first side cheek section (128) between the middle section (144) and the fourth end section (146).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a longitudinal or engine support device for carrying an engine, in particular a front engine, which device is installed in a front-end structure of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In known body designs for motor vehicles, longitudinal members or engine mounts in sheet metal shell or profile construction, made of steel and / or aluminum, are known. These known longitudinal members or engine mounts have a substantially constant, for example rectangular, cross-sectional profile along their entire length from a rear to a front end. The profile may include local indentations and perforations for connecting to auxiliary and reinforcing components and / or to a longitudinal member of a front bumper assembly.

[0003] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a front section (front-end structure) of a motor vehicle body structure in which a conventional left and right engine mount 10 and 10' are arranged between a left and a right front tire housing 11, which are essentially parallel to each other and mirror-symmetrical about a plane of symmetry 14 of the motor vehicle body and aligned in a longitudinal direction (x-direction) 12 of the vehicle. As also shown in the Fig. As indicated in Figure 2, each motor support 10 is composed of an outer first half-shell 20 and an inner second half-shell 40. The first half-shell 20 has a first side-flange section 28, 28' with an upper edge 30, 30' and a lower edge 32, 32' and extends from a rear first end section 22, 22' to a front second end section 26, 26'. The second half-shell 40 has a second side-flange section 48, 48' with an upper edge 50 and a lower edge 52 and extends from a rear third end section 42 to a front fourth end section 46.

[0004] The in Fig. The motor support 10, 10' shown in Figure 1 has an essentially constant, rectangular cross-sectional profile along its entire length.

[0005] Accordingly, the upper and lower edges 30 and 32 of the first sidewall section 28 of the first half-shell 20, 20' and the upper and lower edges 50 and 52 of the second sidewall section 48 of the second half-shell 40, 40' run essentially straight and are aligned in the longitudinal direction 12 of the vehicle. A free space with a width 99 measured in a transverse direction (y-direction) 16 of the vehicle is formed between the inner, second sidewall sections 48 and 48' of the second half-shells 40 and 40' of the left and right engine mounts 10 and 10'. In this free space, between the front end sections 26 and 46 of the engine mounts 10, 10', a radiator assembly (not shown) is installed, the width of which is significantly limited by the space width 99 defined by the engine mount track.

[0006] The motor carrier track is defined by the left and right wheel enclosure mountain 11, more precisely by the distance between the inner surfaces (not labelled) of the left and right wheel enclosure mountain 11, which provides a limited installation space between the motor carriers 10 and 10', particularly in the space width 99.

[0007] Moreover, in crash load cases, a barrier 91 with a relatively small overlap 98 can collide with a longitudinal member 94 of a bumper assembly 90 of a motor vehicle (see also Fig. 2) no or only relatively little energy is dissipated through deformation of the motor carrier 10.

[0008] An alignment of the engine mount 10 that is not parallel to the main direction, i.e., the longitudinal direction 12, leads to problematic crash behavior at low speeds because a force acting on the engine mount profile cannot be adequately supported, resulting in the engine mount buckling or buckling. The same applies if the engine mounts 10 and 10' were aligned between the wheel arches 11 in the longitudinal direction 12 of the vehicle, but their track (distance) in the area in front of the wheel arches 11 were splayed.

[0009] DE 10 2010 051 785 A1 discloses a body for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, with a plurality of body components which are at least partially made of steel, wherein a front section and / or a side wall and / or a rear structure of the body have at least one body component which is designed as a hybrid component with a first sub-section made of steel and a second sub-section made of an aluminum-based alloy.

[0010] US 2013 / 0241233A1 shows a front structure comprising a front side longitudinal member with a first bending point to absorb impact loads, a lower component arranged on the outside in the direction of the vehicle width, and an intermediate reinforcing plate that extends from the front end of the side longitudinal member to the first bending point and has a tapered section on its outer side that slopes rearward towards the side longitudinal member.

[0011] DE 10 2006 013 226 A1 shows a front structure of a vehicle chassis which has a left and a right front frame, wherein each front frame comprises an axial load receiving part which has first comb strips which extend substantially straight along its length in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle chassis, and a moment receiving part which is welded to the axial load receiving part and which has second comb strips which branch off from substantially longitudinally central areas of the front comb strips and are curved towards the inside of the vehicle chassis when they extend towards the rear side of the vehicle chassis.

[0012] US 2010 / 0117403A1 shows a front section structure of a vehicle body with a front side longitudinal member comprising a compression load-bearing frame element extending longitudinally along the vehicle body and a bending load-bearing frame element branching off from a longitudinally central section of this compression load-bearing frame element and curving inwards towards the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle body, wherein the compression load-bearing frame element has a rear end section curved inwards towards the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle body and reinforcing ribs formed on a side wall of this rear end section.

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide a longitudinal or engine support device for supporting an engine in a motor vehicle, wherein the width of the installation space between a left and a right engine support, in particular between the front end sections of the engine supports, is increased without impairing the performance in crash load cases for low and high speeds.

[0014] This problem is solved by a longitudinal or engine support device with the features of independent claim 1 and by a front-end structure (front section) of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, a longitudinal support or engine support device is provided for supporting an engine arranged in a front region of a motor vehicle, wherein the engine support device comprises: a first half-shell with a first end section, a second end section opposite it, and a first side-wall section, and a second half-shell with a third end section, a fourth end section opposite it, a central section arranged between the third and fourth end sections, and a second side-wall section. The first side-wall section has substantially straight edges continuously from its first end section to its second end section.

[0016] The core of the invention consists in the fact that the second side cheek section has essentially straight edges throughout from its third end section to its middle section and has a first offset in the direction of the first side cheek section between the middle section and the fourth end section.

[0017] Because the second sidewall section of the engine mount, which is positioned inwards when installed in a vehicle, has a first offset near its front, fourth end section towards the first sidewall section, the space between the inner second sidewall sections is increased by this first offset on each of the two engine mounts, i.e., the left and right engine mounts. Thus, an overall widening of the space in the area of ​​the fourth (front) end sections of the left and right engine mounts is achieved by twice the amount of the first offset.

[0018] According to the invention, in a first longitudinal section between the central section and the fourth end section of the second half-shell, the edges of the second side bolster section approach the substantially straight edges of the first side bolster section by the first offset or by a difference in distance corresponding to the first offset. Furthermore, according to the invention, in a second longitudinal section of the second half-shell, extending between the first longitudinal section and an end of the second side bolster section that terminates the fourth end section (installed at the front of the vehicle), the edges of the second side bolster section touch the substantially straight edges of the first side bolster section.This results in an increase in the width of space in the area of ​​the fourth (front-mounted in the vehicle) end sections of the left and right engine support device by twice the first offset.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, the invention provides that the motor support device further comprises a mounting shell assembly. The mounting shell assembly has a shell cheek section with a first and a second edge, as well as a first and a second shell plate section. The first shell plate section extends from the first edge and the second shell plate section from the second edge, each substantially perpendicular to the shell cheek section. Furthermore, the shell cheek section forms a second offset, which is directed in a direction perpendicular to the shell cheek section.

[0020] Advantageously, the second offset of the shell cheek section of the top shell device is essentially the same as the first offset of the second side cheek section of the second half shell.

[0021] The first and second half-shells can be configured to extend substantially in a longitudinal direction of a motor vehicle. The first half-shell can be configured to be located on an outer side of the device, and the second half-shell can be configured to be located on an inner side of the device. When the engine mounting device is installed in a motor vehicle, the second end section can be located in front of the first end section, and the fourth end section can be located in front of the third end section.

[0022] Because in the left and right engine mounting devices, the first and second half-shells each extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, i.e., according to the prior art, Fig. 1 and Fig. By maintaining essentially continuous straight edges or margins of the engine mounting device aligned along the vehicle's longitudinal axis, the aforementioned crash behavior problems that occur when the engine mounts are not aligned parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal direction or when the engine mount track is splayed in the area in front of the wheel arches are avoided. Instead, the crash behavior is achieved with the performance advantageous for engine mounting device edges that are straight and aligned along a vehicle's longitudinal axis.

[0023] In a further embodiment, when the attachment shell device is installed in a motor vehicle, the shell cheek section can be arranged essentially vertically and the first edge above the second edge, and the second offset is directed in a transverse direction of the vehicle towards the outside of the motor vehicle.

[0024] In one embodiment of the engine support device, the first half-shell can have an upper horizontal section in a state of installation in a motor vehicle, the upper section being arranged on a top and substantially horizontally and extending substantially vertically upwards from an inner edge of the upper horizontal section; the second half-shell can have a second upper edge flange in the installed state of the device being arranged on a top and extending substantially vertically upwards, and the second upper edge flange can abut the first upper edge flange, and in particular be connected to it.

[0025] In the aforementioned embodiment, the first half-shell can further comprise a first underside edge flange arranged on an underside in a state of the device installed in a motor vehicle and extending substantially vertically downwards; the second half-shell can comprise a lower horizontal section arranged on an underside and substantially horizontally in the installed state of the device, and a second underside edge flange extending substantially vertically downwards from an outer edge of the lower horizontal section; and the second underside edge flange can abut the first underside edge flange and, in particular, be connected to it.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment of the engine support device, the second half-shell can have an upper horizontal section, arranged on a top and substantially horizontally, and a second upper edge flange extending substantially vertically upwards from an outer edge of the upper horizontal section when the device is installed in a motor vehicle; the first half-shell can have a first upper edge flange arranged on a top and extending substantially vertically upwards when the device is installed; and the second upper edge flange can abut the first upper edge flange and, in particular, be connected to it.

[0027] In the aforementioned alternative embodiment, the second half-shell can furthermore have a second underside edge flange arranged on an underside in a state of the device installed in a motor vehicle and extending substantially vertically downwards, the first half-shell can have a lower horizontal section arranged on an underside and substantially horizontally in the installed state of the device, and a first underside edge flange extending substantially vertically downwards from an inner edge of the lower horizontal section, and the second underside edge flange can abut the first underside edge flange, and in particular be connected to it.

[0028] The shell mounting assembly can have a third upper edge flange extending substantially vertically upwards from an edge of the first shell panel section facing away from the shell side section when the shell mounting assembly is installed in a motor vehicle, and furthermore a third lower edge flange extending substantially vertically downwards from an edge of the second shell panel section facing away from the shell side section when the shell mounting assembly is installed. The third upper edge flange can abut, and in particular be connected to, the first upper edge flange. Furthermore, the third lower edge flange can abut, and in particular be connected to, the first lower edge flange.

[0029] The engine mounting device may further comprise a substantially plate-shaped reinforcing element, which is provided for reinforcing the connection with a longitudinal member of a bumper system and which, in a state of the device being installed in a motor vehicle, may be attached to an outer surface of the second end section of the first half-shell. This reinforcing element serves to strengthen the connection of the engine mounting device with a longitudinal member of a bumper system.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, a front-end structure or front section of a motor vehicle is provided, which is designed to accommodate an engine, in particular an internal combustion engine, and comprises the following: a first engine support device according to the first aspect of the invention and with a first mounting shell device associated thereto, which is arranged in the vehicle on the left side of a vehicle symmetry plane and extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and furthermore a second engine support device according to the first aspect of the invention and with a second mounting shell device associated thereto, which is arranged in the vehicle on the right side of the vehicle symmetry plane and extends in the longitudinal direction.By providing two motor support devices in the front section according to the first aspect of the invention, an increase in the space width by twice the first offset is achieved between the front (fourth) end sections of the inner, second half-shell.

[0031] The front-end structure further comprises a bumper assembly comprising: a front bumper element extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle, a first longitudinal member extending rearward from the front bumper element in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and located to the left of the vehicle's plane of symmetry, and a second longitudinal member extending rearward from the front bumper element in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and located to the right of the vehicle's plane of symmetry. The first longitudinal member can be connected to the first engine mount via its associated first mounting bracket, and the second longitudinal member can be connected to the second engine mount via its associated second mounting bracket.

[0032] The following describes embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of a front-end structure with load-bearing parts of a motor vehicle with a conventional engine mount, Fig. 2 a top view of a section of a conventional engine mount with a bumper system mounted on it, Fig. 3A a perspective view of an engine support device according to one embodiment, Fig. 3B a perspective view of the engine mounting device from the Fig. 3A, with a view from a different direction than in Fig. 3A, Fig. 4A a schematic cross-section through the motor mounting device from the Fig. 3A, cut in the plane 4A - 4A from the Fig. 3A, Fig. 4B a schematic cross-section through the motor mounting device from the Fig. 3A, cut in plane 4B - 4B from the Fig. 3A, Fig. 5A a schematic cross-section through a motor support device according to one to which in the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B shown alternative embodiment in one of the Fig. 4A corresponding representation, Fig. 5B a schematic cross-section through the motor mounting device from the Fig. 5A in one of the Fig. 4B corresponding representation, Fig. 6 a perspective view of the engine mounting device from the Fig. 3A with a bumper assembly mounted on it, Fig. 7 a perspective view of the in the Fig. 6 assembly shown with a mounting tray device attached to it, and Fig. 8 a perspective view of the top tray assembly from the in Fig. 7 shown assembly.

[0033] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows sections of a front-end structure (front section) of a motor vehicle body with a left and a right engine mount 10 and 10' according to the prior art. In the engine mounts 10 and 10', the upper and lower edges 30 and 32 of the first half-shell 20 and the upper and lower edges 50 and 52 of the second half-shell 40, from their first and third (rear) end sections 22 and 42 to their second and fourth (front) end sections 26 and 46, are essentially straight and, in the installed state of the engine mounts 10 and 10', are aligned in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x-direction) 12. A space with a width 99 is available between the second and fourth (front) end sections 26 and 46 of the left and right engine mounts 10 and 10'.The space width 99 is determined by the track of the motor supports 10 and 10', and this track is limited by the distance of the wheel encasement mountains 11 measured in the transverse direction (y-direction 16).

[0034] A longitudinal member 94 of a bumper assembly 90 is mounted on each of the second and fourth (front) end sections 26 and 46 of the left and right engine mounts 10 and 10' (in Fig. 2 shows only the left engine mount 10 and the left longitudinal member 94). The bumper assembly 90 comprises the left longitudinal member 94, a right longitudinal member (not shown), and a front bumper element 92 mounted at the front ends of the left and right longitudinal members. In a crash test geometry such as that shown in the Fig. 2 is shown, in which the motor vehicle is positioned on an outer edge (in the longitudinal direction 12) relative to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Fig. 2: on the left outside) barrier 91, there is an overlap 98 between the vehicle, more precisely: the left longitudinal beam 94, and the barrier 91.

[0035] Fig. Figure 2 further shows the outlines, depicted with dashed lines (phantom representation), of a motor support device 100 according to the invention, in which a front (sixth) end section 168 of a mounting shell device 160 is offset by a factor 149 with respect to a rear (fifth) end section 164 of the mounting shell device 160 and, correspondingly, the fourth (front) end section (compare 146 in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B) of the second (inner) side cheek section of the second (inner) half shell (compare 140 in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B) is offset outwards. Accordingly, the room width on the left motor support device 100 increases from the room width 99 available with the conventional motor support 10 to the room width 199 increased by the offset 149, and likewise on the right motor support device (not shown). Thus, according to the invention, the room width 199 is increased overall by twice the first offset 149. With the offset 149, the overlap 98 between the outermost (in Fig. 2 uppermost) point of the barrier 91 and the vehicle (more precisely: the longitudinal beam 94 or 194) from the overlap 98 present in the conventional engine carrier 10 to the overlap 198 increased by the offset 149.

[0036] Due to the increased overlap 198 between the barrier 91 and the longitudinal member 194 according to the invention, the longitudinal member 194 cannot deflect, as it would with a smaller overlap 98, and is thus forced to absorb energy through deformation. At the same time, in low-speed crashes where the body structure is to remain undamaged, the force acting on the engine mount 100 is supported in the direction of the front wall by the straight edges 130 and 132 of the first half-shell 120.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 3A shows an engine support device 100 according to the invention with a view to an outer, first half-shell 120 when installed in a motor vehicle, while the Fig. Figure 3B shows a view of an inner, second half-shell 140 when installed in a motor vehicle.

[0038] The motor support device 100 according to the invention comprises a first half-shell 120, which has a first end section 122, a second end section 126 opposite it, a first central section 124 arranged between the first and second end sections 122 and 126, a first side wall section 128, and an upper horizontal section 134. The motor support device 100 further comprises a second half-shell 140, which has a third end section 142, a fourth end section 146 opposite it, a second central section 144 arranged between the third and fourth end sections 142 and 146, a second side wall section 148, and a lower horizontal section 156.

[0039] The first half-shell 120 and the second half-shell 140 are each configured to extend substantially in a longitudinal direction 12 of a motor vehicle when the device 100 is installed in a motor vehicle. The first half-shell 120 is configured to be located on an outer side of the device 100, while the second half-shell 140 is configured to be located on an inner side of the device 100. The second end section 126 of the first half-shell 120 is located in front of its first end section 122. The first side cheek section 128 has substantially straight edges 130 and 132 continuously from its first end section 122 to its second end section 126. The fourth end section 146 of the second half-shell 140 is located in front of the third end section 142.

[0040] The second side cheek section 148 of the second half-shell 140 has essentially straight edges 150 and 152 continuously from its third end section 142 to its central section 144. According to the invention, the second side cheek section 148 has a first offset 149 in the direction of the first side cheek section 128 between its central section 144 and its fourth end section 146. Between the second central section 144 and the fourth end section 146, specifically in a first longitudinal section 143 which contains the first offset 149, the edges (upper edge 150 and lower edge 152) of the second side cheek section 148 approach the essentially straight edges (upper edge 130 and lower edge 132) of the first side cheek section 128 by a distance difference corresponding to the first offset 149.In a second longitudinal section 145, which extends between the first longitudinal section 143 and a front end 147 of the second side cheek section 148, the edges 150 and 152 of the second side cheek section 148 touch the substantially straight edges 130 and 132 of the first side cheek section 128.

[0041] In the second end section 126 and in the fourth end section 146, i.e., in the state of the device 100 installed in a motor vehicle, through holes are provided in the front end sections 126 and 146. Fig. Figure 3A shows the through holes 129 in the second end section 126 of the first half-shell 120. Each through hole serves to insert a screw 182, by means of which the front end sections 126 and 146 of the device 100 can be connected to a longitudinal member 194 of a bumper assembly 190, as shown in Fig. 6 indicated.

[0042] Fig. Figure 4A shows a schematic cross-section of the motor support device 100 in the embodiment shown in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, cut in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B shown level 4A - 4A. Fig. Figure 4B shows a schematic cross-section of the motor support device 100 in the embodiment shown in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, cut in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B shown level 4B - 4B.

[0043] In the Fig. 4A and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4B, the first half-shell 120 comprises an upper horizontal section 134, arranged on a top surface and substantially horizontally, and a first upper edge flange 138 extending substantially vertically upwards from an inner edge 135 of the upper horizontal section 134. The second half-shell 140 comprises a second upper edge flange 158, arranged on a top surface and extending substantially vertically upwards, in the installed state of the device 100. The second upper edge flange 158 abuts the first upper edge flange 138 and is connected to it, for example by spot welding or another joining technique.

[0044] In the Fig. 4A and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4B, the first half-shell 120 further comprises a first underside edge flange 139, arranged on an underside and extending substantially vertically downwards, when the device 100 is installed in a motor vehicle. The second half-shell 140 comprises a lower horizontal section 156, arranged on an underside and substantially horizontally, when the device 100 is installed, and a second underside edge flange 159, extending substantially vertically downwards from an outer edge 157 of the lower horizontal section 156. The second underside edge flange 159 abuts the first underside edge flange 139 and is connected to it, for example by spot welding or another joining technique.

[0045] In Fig. 4B, in which the motor support device 100 is cut in the area of ​​the front end sections 126 and 146 of the first and second half-shell 120 and 140, the second side cheek section 148 of the second half-shell 140 is arranged offset by the first offset 149 in the direction of the first side cheek section 128 of the first half-shell 120, and is abutting the first side cheek section 128.

[0046] The Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show in a representation analogous to that in the Fig. 4A and Fig. The representation chosen in 4B is an alternative embodiment of a motor support device 100. In the representation shown in the Fig. 5A and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5B, the second half-shell 140 comprises an upper horizontal section 154, arranged on a top surface and substantially horizontally, when the device 100 is installed in a motor vehicle, and a second upper edge flange 158 extending substantially vertically upwards from an outer edge 155 of the upper horizontal section 154. The first half-shell 120 comprises a first upper edge flange 138, arranged on a top surface and extending substantially vertically upwards when the device 100 is installed. The second upper edge flange 158 abuts the first upper edge flange 138 and is connected to it, for example by spot welding or another joining technique.

[0047] In the Fig. 5A and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5B, the second half-shell 140 further comprises a second underside edge flange 159, arranged on an underside when the device 100 is installed in a motor vehicle and extending substantially vertically downwards. The first half-shell 120 comprises a lower horizontal section 136, arranged on an underside and substantially horizontally when the device 100 is installed, and a first underside edge flange 138, extending substantially vertically downwards from an inner edge 137 of the lower horizontal section 136. The second underside edge flange 158 abuts the first underside edge flange 138 and is connected to it, for example by spot welding or another joining technique.

[0048] In Fig. 5B, in which the motor support device 100 is cut in the area of ​​the front end sections 126 and 146 of the first and second half-shells 120 and 140, the second side cheek section 148 of the second half-shell 140 is arranged offset by the first offset 149 in the direction of the first side cheek section 128 of the first half-shell 120, rests against the first side cheek section 128 and is connected to it, for example by spot welding or another joining technique.

[0049] In the Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B Connections between the adjacent flanges are indicated in the form of representations of welded material 102.

[0050] In Fig. 6 is the motor mounting device 100 from the Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows that, in a state of the device 100 installed in a motor vehicle, a longitudinal member 194 of a bumper assembly 190 is mounted on the outer side of the second (front) end section 126 of the first half-shell 120. The bumper assembly 190 comprises, in addition to the [part shown in the] Fig. The left longitudinal member 194 shown in Figure 6 is further supported by a right longitudinal member (not shown) and a front bumper element 192, which is mounted on the outer sides of the respective second (front) end sections 126 of the first half-shells 120 of the devices 100. As already mentioned, due to the first offset 149 of the respective second (inner) half-shell 140 according to the invention, the space width 199 of the installation space between the front end sections 146 of the left engine support device 100 and the right engine support device (not shown) is widened by a total of twice the first offset 149.

[0051] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, it can be seen that through holes 195 are formed in a rear end section of the longitudinal member 194, the positions of which correspond to the positions of the (in Fig. The through holes 129 shown in Figure 3A correspond to the end sections 126 and 146 of the two half-shells 120 and 140. To fasten the longitudinal beam 194 (more precisely: the rear end section of the longitudinal beam 194) to the outside of the second side wall section 148, it is provided that a screw (in the corresponding position) is inserted through the through holes 129 and 195, respectively. Fig. 6 (not shown) through and a nut (in Fig. (6 not shown) is screwed on and tightened. From the Fig. From figure 6, a person skilled in the art can deduce that in the event of a rearward-acting crash on the bumper assembly 190, the force transmission from the longitudinal member 194 to the engine mounting bracket 100 would be mediated solely via these bolts. It would then be assumed that these bolts would not be able to withstand the forces occurring in a crash, but would instead shear off or be torn apart into two pieces.

[0052] To reinforce the fastening of the longitudinal member 194 to the (front) end section 146 of the engine mounting device 100 and to improve the force transmission from the longitudinal member 194 into the engine mounting device 100 in the event of a crash, according to the invention and as shown in the Fig. 7 shown, furthermore a mounting shell device 160 is provided, which can be placed over the motor support device 100 and the section of the longitudinal beam 194 overlapping with the motor support device 100 in the longitudinal direction 12 of the vehicle from the outside.

[0053] The 160 attachment tray unit is in the Fig. Figure 8 shows its details in a perspective view. The shell attachment 160 comprises a shell cheek section 162 with a first (in Fig. 8 upper) edge 170 and a second (in Fig. 8 lower) edge 172 and furthermore a first and a second shell plate section 174 and 176. The first shell plate section 174 extends from the first edge 170 and the second shell plate section 176 extends from the second edge 172 of the shell cheek section 162, each in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shell cheek section 162. The top shell assembly 160 has a fifth end section 164 at the rear when installed, a sixth end section 168 at the front, and a third central section 166 arranged between the fifth and sixth end sections 164 and 168.

[0054] Analogous to the second side cheek section 148 of the second half-shell 140, the shell cheek section 162 also forms an offset according to the invention, namely the one in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shown second offset 169. The second offset 169 is directed in a direction perpendicular to the shell cheek section 162 and is formed in the third central section 166 of the top shell device 160.

[0055] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, in a state installed in a motor vehicle, the shell mounting device 160 is arranged such that the shell cheek section 162 is substantially vertical, the first edge 170 is positioned above the second edge 172, and the second offset 169 is directed in the transverse direction 16 of the motor vehicle towards the outside of the motor vehicle. The second offset 169 of the shell cheek section 162 of the shell mounting device 160 is substantially the same size as the first offset 149 of the second side cheek section 148 of the second half-shell 140.

[0056] In Fig. Figure 8 clearly shows that the top shell device 160 has a third top edge flange 178, which extends substantially vertically upwards from an edge of the first shell plate section 174 facing away from the shell cheek section 162, and that it further has a third bottom edge flange 179, which extends substantially vertically downwards from an edge of the second shell plate section 176 facing away from the shell cheek section 162.

[0057] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the third upper edge flange 178 of the mounting shell assembly 160 rests against the first upper edge flange 138 of the first half-shell 120 for connection with the motor support device 100 and is connected to it, for example by spot welding or another joining technique. Furthermore, the third lower edge flange 179 rests against the first lower edge flange 139 and is connected to it, for example by spot welding or another joining technique.

[0058] Due to the second offset 169 of the shell cheek section 162, an opening is formed in the area of ​​the (front) sixth end section 168 of the top shell assembly 160, between the shell cheek section 162 and the side cheek section 128 of the first half-shell 120, in which the rear end section of a longitudinal beam 194 of a bumper system 190 can be received, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown.

[0059] To reinforce the connection of the top shell assembly 160 with the longitudinal member 194 of the bumper system 190, a substantially plate-shaped reinforcing element 180 (in Fig. (7 shown) is provided, which, in a state of installation in a motor vehicle, is attached to an outer side of the shell cheek section 162 of the top shell device 160. The reinforcing element 180 has through holes 184 (in Fig. 7 shown), whose positions correspond to the positions of the holes (e.g. 129 in Fig. 3A) in the end sections 126 and 146 of the half-shells 120 and 140. Furthermore, through holes 163 are also present in the sixth end section 168 of the top shell assembly 160 (in Fig. 8 shown) formed, the positions of which correspond to the positions of the through holes in the end sections 126 and 146 of the half shells 120 and 140 and the through holes 184 of the reinforcing element 180.

[0060] To fasten the longitudinal beam 194 (more precisely: the rear end section of the longitudinal beam 194) in the opening formed between the shell cheek section 162 of the top shell assembly 160 and the side cheek section 128 of the first half shell 120, it is provided that a screw (in Fig. 7 not shown) through and a nut (in Fig. 7 (not shown) is screwed on and tightened. Reference symbol list 10, 10' Engine mount 11 Radhüll Mountains 12 Longitudinal direction (x-direction) 14. Plane of symmetry 16 Transverse direction (y-direction) 18 Vertical direction (z-direction) 20, 20' first half-shell 22, 22' first final section 26, 26' second final section 28, 28' first side cheek section 30, 30' upper edge 32, 32' bottom edge 40, 40' second half shell 42, 42' third final section 46, 46' fourth final section 48, 48' second side cheek section 50 upper edge 52 bottom edge 80 Reinforcing element 82 screw 90 Bumper assembly 91 Barrier 92 Front bumper element 94 longitudinal beams 98 Coverage 99 room width 100 Engine mounting device 102 welded material 120 first half-shell 122 first final section 124 first middle section 126 second final section 128 first side cheek section 129 through hole 130 upper edge 132 bottom edge 134 upper horizontal section 135 inner edge 136 lower horizontal section 137 inner margin 138 first top edge flange 139 first bottom edge flange 140 second half-shell 142 third final section 143 first longitudinal section 144 second middle section 145 second longitudinal section 146 fourth final section 147 front end 148 second side cheek section 149 first offset 150 upper edge 152 bottom edge 154 upper horizontal section 155 outer edge 156 lower horizontal section 157 outer edge 158 second top edge flange 159 second bottom edge flange 160 Top tray device 162 Shell cheek section 163 through hole 164 fifth final section 166 third middle section 168 sixth final section 169 second offset 170 first margin 172 second margin 174 first shell plate section 176 second shell plate section 178 third top edge flange 179 third bottom edge flange 180 Reinforcing element 182 screw 184 through holes 190 Bumper assembly 192 Front bumper element 194 longitudinal beams 195 through hole 198 Coverage 199 room width

Claims

[1] Engine support device (100) for supporting an engine arranged in a front-end structure of a motor vehicle, comprising the device (100): a first half-shell (120) with a first end section (122), a second end section (126) opposite it, and a first side cheek section (128), and a second half-shell (140) with a third end section (142), a fourth end section (146) opposite to this, a middle section (144) arranged between the third and the fourth end section (142, 146) and a second side cheek section (148), wherein: the first and second half-shells (120, 140) are designed to extend essentially in a longitudinal direction (12) of a motor vehicle, the first side cheek section (128) from the first end section (122) to the second end section (126) has essentially straight edges (130, 132) throughout, the second side cheek section (148) from the third end section (142) to the middle section (144) has continuously essentially straight edges (150, 152) and has a first offset (149) in the direction of the first side cheek section (128) between the middle section (144) and the fourth end section (146), wherein a) between the middle section (144) and the fourth end section (146) in a first longitudinal section (143) which contains the first offset (149), the edges (150, 152) of the second side cheek section (148) approximate the substantially straight edges (130, 132) of the first side cheek section (128) by the first offset (149) and in a second longitudinal section (145) extending between the first longitudinal section (145) and an end (147) of the second side cheek section (148) concluding the fourth end section (146), the edges (150, 152) of the second side cheek section (148) touch the edges (130, 132) of the first side cheek section (128) and / or b) by a shell attachment device (160) comprising a shell cheek section (162) with a first and a second rim (170, 172) and a first and a second shell plate section (174, 176), wherein the first shell plate section (174) extends substantially perpendicularly to the shell cheek section (162) from the first rim (170) and the second shell plate section (176) extends substantially perpendicularly to the shell cheek section (162) from the second rim (172) the shell cheek section (162) has a second offset (169) which is directed in a direction perpendicular to the shell cheek section (162) and the second offset (169) of the shell cheek section (162) of the top shell device (160) is essentially the same size as the first offset (149) of the second side cheek section (148) of the second half shell (140). [2] Motor support device according to claim 1, characterized by , that for a state of the device (100) installed in a motor vehicle the first half-shell (120) is designed to be arranged on an outside of the device (100), the second half-shell (140) is designed to be arranged on an inside of the device (100), the second end section (126) is arranged in front of the first end section (122), and the fourth end section (146) is arranged in front of the third end section (142). [3] Motor support device according to claim 2 in conjunction with claim 1 with feature b) or according to claim 1 with feature b), characterized by , that in a state of installation of the shell attachment (160) in a motor vehicle the shell cheek section (162) is substantially vertical and the first edge (170) is arranged above the second edge (172) and the second offset (169) is directed in a transverse direction (16) of the motor vehicle towards its outside. [4] Motor mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first half-shell (120) has an upper horizontal section (134) in a state of installation of the device (100) in a motor vehicle, which is arranged on a top side and is substantially horizontal, and a first upper top edge flange (138) extending substantially vertically upwards from an inner edge (135) of the upper horizontal section (134); the second half-shell (140) has a second upper top edge flange (158) in a state of installation of the device (100) and which extends substantially vertically upwards, and the second upper top edge flange (158) abuts the first upper top edge flange (138); and furthermore the first half-shell (120) has a first underside edge flange (139) arranged on an underside in a state of the device (100) installed in a motor vehicle and extending substantially vertically downwards, the second half-shell (140) has a lower horizontal section (156) arranged on an underside and substantially horizontally in the installed state of the device (100), and a second underside edge flange (159) extending substantially vertically downwards from an outer edge (157) of the lower horizontal section (156), and the second underside edge flange (159) abuts the first underside edge flange (139). [5] Motor mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second half-shell (140) has, in a state of the device (100) installed in a motor vehicle, an upper horizontal section (154) which is arranged on a top surface and is substantially horizontal, and a second upper top edge flange (158) extending substantially vertically upwards from an outer edge (155) of the upper horizontal section (154); the first half-shell (120) has, in the installed state of the device (100), a first upper top edge flange (138) arranged on a top surface and extending substantially vertically upwards, and the second upper top edge flange (158) abuts the first upper top edge flange (138); and furthermore the second half-shell (140) has a second underside edge flange (159) arranged on an underside in a state of the device (100) installed in a motor vehicle and extending substantially vertically downwards, the first half-shell (120) has a lower horizontal section (136) arranged on an underside and substantially horizontally in the installed state of the device (100), and a first underside edge flange (138) extending substantially vertically downwards from an inner edge (137) of the lower horizontal section (136), and the second underside edge flange (158) abuts the first underside edge flange (138). [6] Motor mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the shell attachment (160) has a third upper edge flange (178) extending substantially vertically upwards from an edge of the first shell plate section (174) facing away from the shell cheek section (162) in a state of the shell attachment (160) installed in a motor vehicle, and a third lower edge flange (179) extending substantially vertically downwards from an edge of the second shell plate section (176) facing away from the shell cheek section (162) in the installed state of the shell attachment (160), and that the third upper edge flange (178) abuts the first upper edge flange (138), and in particular is connected to it, and the third lower edge flange (179) abuts the first lower edge flange (139), and in particular is connected to it. [7] Front-end structure of a motor vehicle, designed to accommodate an engine and comprising: a first engine support device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged in the vehicle on the left side of a vehicle symmetry plane (14) and extends in a longitudinal direction (12) of the vehicle, and a second engine support device according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged in the vehicle on the right side of the vehicle symmetry plane (14) and extends in the longitudinal direction (12), wherein the front-end structure comprises a bumper assembly (190) comprising: a front bumper element (192) extending in a transverse direction (16) of the vehicle, a first longitudinal member (194) extending from the front bumper element (192) in a longitudinal direction (12) of the vehicle to the rear and arranged to the left of the vehicle symmetry plane (14), and a second longitudinal member,which extends from the front bumper element (192) in the longitudinal direction (12) of the vehicle to the rear and is arranged to the right of the vehicle's plane of symmetry (14), wherein the first longitudinal member (194) is connected to the first engine support device (100) via a first attachment shell device (160) associated with it, and the second longitudinal member is connected to the second engine support device via the second attachment shell device (160) associated with it.

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