Structural assembly for the front end of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Structural assembly for a front section of a vehicle body of a motor vehicle with a subframe and a linked wheel suspension, characterized in that at least two transversely oriented and upright chargers (4, 5) are arranged as a structural assembly (2) on a support base plate (3) of the vehicle body and are connected to a crash cross member (6) and the chargers (4, 5) are positively engaged from above by means of a U-shaped receptacle (8) of the crash cross member (6) and the crash cross member (6) is connected to the subframe (7) at free lateral ends.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a structural assembly for a front section of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From the generic patent DE 100 58 115 A1, a subframe with parallel cross members arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is known. These cross members are connected to two parallel longitudinal members, and the cross members together form the subframe. Further examples of structural assemblies with chargers attached to them via mounting elements can be found in the prior art according to DE 10 2012 105 141 A1, DE 11 2011 101 856 T5, and DE 10 2009 038 834 A1. None of the known structural assemblies provide any crash or safety function for the respective charger.

[0003] The object of the invention is to create a structural assembly for the front of a motor vehicle which ensures a crash and stiffness function and results in a gain in installation space in the front of the motor vehicle.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous features are included in the dependent claims.

[0005] The main advantages achieved with the invention are that a so-called structural assembly is formed in the front of the vehicle, consisting of a subframe, chassis, and crash crossmember with integrated chargers, engine mounts, and compressor mounts, which fulfills a crash and stiffness function according to the stated objective. This is achieved according to the invention by arranging at least two transversely oriented and upright chargers on a support base plate of the vehicle body to form the structural assembly and connecting them to a crash crossmember. This crossmember positively engages the chargers from above by means of a U-shaped receptacle and is connected to the subframe at its free ends.

[0006] Furthermore, according to the invention, it is advantageously provided that the crash crossmember and the chargers are connected to at least two horizontally oriented upper structural plates, which are supported on or connected to and attachable to a rear front bulkhead beam of the vehicle body. This compact arrangement of the interconnected vehicle elements creates a so-called block unit in the front of the vehicle, which is optimally rigid and also fulfills a crash function. In addition, it results in a gain in installation space in the front of the vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, according to the invention, a power electronics unit is arranged between the structural plates, extending from the front bulkhead crossmember to the chargers or to the crash crossmember. The invention also provides that components such as an air compressor and the engine mounts are arranged in a space between the two chargers. This compact arrangement of the power electronics unit, the air compressor, and the engine mounts optimizes the use of space in the front of the vehicle. The upper structural plates also provide acoustic insulation for the technical compartment. The structural unit also allows for pre-assembly of the technical components and installation from below.

[0008] The chargers form a vertical barrier on the base plate, and the crash crossmember forms a horizontal barrier. These two barriers, together with the structural plates, act as a crash composite. This crash composite is further reinforced by the fact that each wheel suspension is articulated via a link to a longitudinal member of the subframe, which is connected to the base plate. These components form a composite with the chargers and the crash crossmember.

[0009] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

[0010] They show: Fig. 1 a graphic representation of a part of the front of a motor vehicle with a subframe and chargers arranged between them, as well as wheel suspension articulated to the subframe, Fig. 2 one of the Fig. 1 corresponding illustration with a crash cross member arranged above the chargers and Fig. 3 A side view of the chargers with the crash crossbeam placed over them.

[0011] In the front section of a motor vehicle 1, a structural assembly 2 is created which fulfills a crash and safety function. In particular, the assembly 2 on a support base plate 3 of the vehicle body comprises at least two transversely oriented and upright charging units 4, 5, which are connected to a crash crossmember 6. This crossmember engages the two charging units 4, 5 from above by means of a U-shaped receptacle 8 and is connected at its free ends to a subframe 7.

[0012] The crash crossmember 6 and the chargers 4, 5 are connected by horizontally oriented upper structural plates 9, 9a, which are supported and mounted on a rear front wall crossmember 10. The structural plates 9, 9a are located above and immediately at the top of the chargers 4, 5 and cover, for example, an engine mount 11 and an air compressor 12. The air compressor 12 and the engine mount 11 are located between the chargers 4, 5.

[0013] A power electronics unit 14 is arranged between the two structural plates 9, 9a. This extends from the front wall cross member 10 to the chargers 4, 5, and to the crash cross member 6.

[0014] In particular, the two chargers 4, 5 on the support base plate 3 form a so-called vertical barrier A and the crash crossbeam 6 forms a so-called horizontal barrier B, whereby these two barriers A and B act as a crash composite with the structural plates 9, 9a.

[0015] The wheel suspension is articulated by at least one link 15 to a longitudinal member 16 of the subframe 7, which is connected to the support base plate 3, and these components form a structural assembly with the chargers 4, 5 and the crash cross member 6.

Claims

[1] Structural assembly for the front section of a vehicle body of a motor vehicle with a subframe and a linked wheel suspension, characterized by , that as a structural assembly (2) at least two transversely oriented and upright chargers (4, 5) are arranged on a support base plate (3) of the vehicle body and are connected to a crash cross member (6) and the chargers (4, 5) are positively engaged from above by means of a u-shaped receptacle (8) of the crash cross member (6) and the crash cross member (6) is connected to the subframe (7) at free lateral ends. [2] Structural composite according to claim 1, characterized by , that the crash cross member (6) and the chargers (4, 5) are connected to at least two horizontally oriented upper structural plates (9, 9a) which can be attached to a rear front wall support (10) of the vehicle body. [3] Structural composite according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that between the structural plates (9, 9a) a power electronics unit (14) is arranged, which extends from the front wall cross member (10) to the chargers (4, 5) or to the crash cross member (6). [4] Structural composite according to claims 1, 2, or 3, characterized by , that an air spring compressor (12) and motor mounts (11) are arranged in an intermediate space between the two chargers (4, 5). [5] Structural composite according to claim 2 and one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by , that the two chargers (4, 5) on the support base plate (3) form a vertical barrier (A) and the crash crossbeam (6) form a horizontal barrier (B) and these two barriers (A and B) act together with the structural plates (9, 9a) as a crash composite. [6] Structural composite according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the wheel suspension is articulated by at least one link (15) to a longitudinal member (16) of the subframe (7) which is connected to the support base plate (3) and these components form a unit with the chargers (4, 5) and the crash cross member (6).

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