Vehicle architecture

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle architecture (1) for the manufacture of motor vehicles (10) with a purely electric powertrain (11) and of motor vehicles with a hybrid powertrain. In order to simplify the manufacture of motor vehicles (10) with a purely electric powertrain (11) and of motor vehicles with a hybrid powertrain and / or to improve the supply of such motor vehicles (10), the purely electric motor vehicles (10) and the hybrid motor vehicles have the same main dimensions and a supporting structure (12) which includes interfaces for connecting the purely electric powertrain (11) as well as interfaces for connecting the hybrid powertrain.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle architecture for manufacturing motor vehicles with a purely electric powertrain and motor vehicles with a hybrid powertrain. The invention further relates to a flexible platform for hybrid and electric vehicles. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing motor vehicles. The invention further relates to a method for operating motor vehicles.

[0002] American patent US 8,496,268 B2 discloses a vehicle chassis comprising an engine structure, a transaxle structure, and a backbone structure, provided as a single unit to which other vehicle components, such as suspension, steering, body, and impact absorbers, can be attached. European patent EP 3,753,771 B1 discloses a vehicle with motors integrated into the front wheels, wherein a battery for the motors is located in the lower or rear section of the vehicle. German patent DE 10,2010,017,393 B4 discloses a powertrain comprising a first axle drive, a second axle drive, an internal combustion engine, and an electric motor, wherein the components are connected to one another in such a way that the powertrain is a self-supporting assembly.The generic German patent application DE 10 2019 122 195 A1 discloses the core concept of using only two different floor panel assemblies and two different luggage compartment floor assemblies for three drive concepts of a vehicle type, whereby motor vehicles with all three drive concepts can be represented by combining the aforementioned assemblies, thus providing a modular vehicle architecture with which only two different floor panel assemblies and two different luggage compartment floor assemblies are required for motor vehicles with a total of three drive concepts. German patent application DE 10 2024 101 656 B3 discloses a rear-wheel drive module of a vehicle and a vehicle with a rear-wheel drive module, wherein a rear-wheel drive module is understood to be an assembly of the vehicle which includes the drive units and power conversion devices necessary for driving a rear axle of the vehicle.The American patent application US 2015 / 0224867A1 discloses a mechanical and electrical powertrain for a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, wherein the powertrain comprises: a first powertrain that can be driven by the internal combustion engine; a second, electric powertrain that can be driven by the electric motor; a transmission arranged in the first powertrain; and at least one axle drive unit configured to drive axle drive elements that are connected or connectable via a coupling to drive wheels of at least one axle of the motor vehicle.

[0003] The object of the invention is to simplify the manufacture of motor vehicles with a purely electric powertrain and of motor vehicles with a hybrid powertrain and / or to improve the supply of such motor vehicles.

[0004] The problem is solved by a vehicle architecture with the features of claim 1. This allows for the advantageous production of hybrid and electric vehicles with identical vehicle dimensions. The main dimensions of the vehicle include, for example, its length, width, height, wheelbase, and track width. The supporting structure also advantageously includes a chassis, brakes, steering system, and a specific body shape. The powertrain components are advantageously modular and can therefore also be referred to as powertrain modules, or simply modules. The different zones are advantageously divided and arranged such that a vehicle with the claimed vehicle architecture will have fundamentally the same or similar main dimensions.The proposed vehicle architecture allows for maximum synergy among the individual powertrain components. With the proposed layout of the multifunctional zones, the transaxle shaft advantageously only needs to transmit low torques. Therefore, the transaxle shaft can be designed with a comparatively small diameter. The proposed transaxle vehicle architecture enables a uniform weight distribution within the vehicle. An electric front axle drive can be implemented particularly advantageously in the same way as in a purely electric vehicle. The multi-speed transmission is, for example, an 8-speed transmission. The hybrid electric motor advantageously operates through only a portion of the gear pairs of the multi-speed transmission. For example, the hybrid electric motor operates through only two gears of the multi-speed transmission.In this way, particularly comfortable operation of the hybrid vehicle can be achieved with simple means.

[0005] A preferred embodiment of the vehicle architecture is characterized in that the hybrid powertrain is designed in a transaxle configuration. The transaxle configuration includes, in particular, the arrangement of an engine and a transmission at opposite ends of the vehicle. In the transaxle configuration, for example, an engine is located at the front and a transmission at the rear of the vehicle. A drive connection between the powertrain components located at the front and rear of the vehicle is achieved, for example, by a transaxle shaft. The drive torque is transmitted, for example, via the transaxle shaft between an engine located at the front axle and the transmission assigned to the rear axle. The transaxle shaft is, for example, arranged within a rigid tube.

[0006] Another preferred embodiment of the vehicle architecture is characterized in that the supporting structure is a chassis. The chassis is, for example, designed as a ladder frame. This design of the supporting structure is suitable, for example, for specially designed motor vehicles, in particular for so-called pickup trucks. A pickup truck is defined as a truck or off-road vehicle with an open cargo bed.

[0007] Another preferred embodiment of the vehicle architecture is characterized in that the supporting structure is a self-supporting body. The body is advantageously designed to be identical or at least so similar for the different drive types that a potential buyer would not notice any difference.

[0008] Another preferred embodiment of the vehicle architecture is characterized in that the vehicle body is similar or completely identical in all motor vehicles. The vehicle body is, for example, a vehicle superstructure or an outer body shape. The vehicle superstructure or vehicle body is advantageously equipped with identical interfaces for the different powertrain types. It is particularly advantageous that two differently powered motor vehicles are indistinguishable due to the identical vehicle bodies with identical dimensions and appearance. The individual powertrain components are independent of one another, i.e., decoupled from each other. Only when installed can the powertrain components perform their drive function.It is particularly advantageous that the entire interior of the differently powered vehicles, preferably including the infotainment system, and especially the vehicle seats, control unit, center console, and storage compartments, is identical. Alternatively or additionally, the entire software architecture, which is also advantageously divided into modules and zones, is implemented identically in both differently powered vehicles. The identical design of the differently powered vehicles includes, in particular, different model designations and / or type plates on the exterior of the vehicles.

[0009] The invention further relates to a flexible platform for hybrid and electric vehicles, which have a previously described vehicle architecture.

[0010] In a method for manufacturing motor vehicles with a purely electric powertrain and motor vehicles with a hybrid powertrain, the problem stated above is solved alternatively or additionally by manufacturing the motor vehicles with the purely electric powertrain and the motor vehicles with the hybrid powertrain using a previously described vehicle architecture with the same main dimensions. The different powertrain components are mounted on the same supporting structure, depending on the desired drive type. Externally, the motor vehicles are no longer, or not readily, distinguishable due to their identical or similar body shells.

[0011] In a method for operating motor vehicles with a previously described vehicle architecture, the above-mentioned problem is solved alternatively or additionally by decoupling the entire combustion engine and transaxle shaft in purely electric operation. This allows the combustion engine to be easily deactivated during purely electric operation of a vehicle, for example, a plug-in hybrid.

[0012] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with a previously described vehicle architecture. The claimed motor vehicle can be configured as a hybrid vehicle or as an electric vehicle. Due to the identical vehicle dimensions, it is not possible, or not readily apparent, from the outside how the respective motor vehicle is powered.

[0013] The invention may also relate to a supporting structure and / or at least one powertrain component for a motor vehicle with such a vehicle architecture. The supporting structure with its defined interfaces and the corresponding powertrain components are separately marketable.

[0014] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a purely electric drivetrain and with a self-supporting body; Fig. 2 a motor vehicle with a hybrid powertrain and with the same self-supporting body as the one in Fig. 1 motor vehicle shown; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a purely electric powertrain and with a chassis suitable for carrying a pickup body; and Fig. 4 A schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a hybrid powertrain and with the same chassis as the one in Fig. 3 motor vehicles shown.

[0015] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows two motor vehicles 10 and 20 with the same vehicle architecture 1, schematically depicted in a top-down view. The vehicle architecture 1 comprises a front axle 2 with two front wheels 4, 5 and a rear axle 3 with two rear wheels 6, 7.

[0016] The motor vehicle 10 in Fig. 1 is equipped with a purely electric powertrain 11. The motor vehicle 20 in Fig. 2 is equipped with a hybrid powertrain 21.

[0017] The vehicle architecture 1 comprises a supporting structure 12 with a self-supporting body 13. The self-supporting body 13 includes a vehicle shell 14, which is designed the same, in particular identically, for the differently powered motor vehicles 10 and 20.

[0018] The vehicle architecture 1 comprises multifunctional zones 41, 42, 43, which are designed and arranged such that both powertrain components 51 to 55 of the all-electric powertrain 11 and powertrain components 65, 66, 67, 68 of the hybrid powertrain 21 can be integrated into the same support structure 12. The powertrain components 65 to 68 of the hybrid powertrain 21 can be particularly advantageously combined with powertrain components 52, 53, 54 of the all-electric powertrain 11 within the support structure 12.

[0019] Powertrain component 51 comprises a traction battery 45 for a purely electric vehicle. Powertrain components 52 and 53 comprise electric motors 46 and 47 assigned to the front wheels 4 and 5, both in the purely electric powertrain 11 and in the hybrid powertrain 21. Powertrain component 55 comprises an electric motor 48.

[0020] The powertrain component 54 includes a charging socket 49. In the motor vehicle 10 in Fig. 1. Charging socket 49 is used to charge the traction battery 45. In the motor vehicle 20 in Fig. 2 The charging socket 49 is used to charge a powertrain component 67, which includes at least one hybrid battery 76, 77.

[0021] The powertrain components 52, 53 and 54 are integrated into both the all-electric powertrain 11 and the hybrid powertrain 21.

[0022] The powertrain component 65 of the hybrid powertrain 21 comprises an internal combustion engine 71, which is assigned to the front axle 2 of the motor vehicle 20. The powertrain component 66 comprises a transaxle hybrid transmission 72, a hybrid electric motor 73, and a clutch 74.

[0023] The drivetrain component 66 is assigned to the rear axle 3 of the vehicle 20 in the hybrid drivetrain 21. The drivetrain components 65 and 66 are connected to each other in the hybrid drivetrain 21 by a drivetrain component 68. The drivetrain component 68 is, for example, designed as a transaxle shaft 75.

[0024] The transaxle shaft 75 runs in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is arranged in a transverse direction centrally between the two hybrid batteries 76, 77 of the powertrain component 67.

[0025] The in Fig. The motor vehicle 20 shown in Figure 2 also includes a powertrain component 69 with a tank 79, which can be filled via a filler neck 78. The powertrain component 69 is also connected to the supporting structure 12.

[0026] In the Fig. 3; Fig. 4. The motor vehicle 30; 40, indicated only by a reference sign, is, for example, a pickup truck. The pickup truck comprises a body that is not self-supporting. The body of the pickup truck is mounted on a supporting structure 32, which is designed as a chassis 33.

[0027] The supporting structure 32 of the in Fig. The motor vehicle 30 shown in section 3 is for connecting or integrating a purely electric powertrain 11, which is connected to the purely electric powertrain 11 in Fig. 1 corresponds to, designed. Therefore, the supporting structure 32 includes the same multifunctional zones 41 to 43 as the supporting structure 12 of the vehicle architecture 1.

[0028] The supporting structure 32 of the in Fig. The motor vehicle 40 shown in section 4 is designed for the integration or connection of a hybrid powertrain 21, which corresponds to the hybrid powertrain 21 of the vehicle shown in section 4. Fig. The supporting structure 32 corresponds to the motor vehicle 20 shown in section 2. Therefore, the supporting structure 32 comprises the same components or parts as the supporting structure 12 of the vehicle shown in section 2. Fig. 2 motor vehicle shown 20. Reference sign 1 Vehicle architecture 2 Front axle 3 Rear axle 4 front wheel 5 front wheel 6 rear wheel 7 rear wheel 10 motor vehicle 11 all-electric powertrain 12 Supporting structure 13 self-supporting body 14 Vehicle hat 20 motor vehicles 21 hybrid powertrain 30 motor vehicles 32 Supporting structure 33 Chassis 40 motor vehicle 41 Multifunctional zone 42 Multifunctional zone 43 Multifunctional zone 45 traction battery 46 electric machine 47 electric machine 48 electric machine 49 charging socket 51 Powertrain component 52 Powertrain component 53 Powertrain component 54 Powertrain component 65 Powertrain component 66 Powertrain component 67 Powertrain component 68 Powertrain component 69 Powertrain component 71 Internal combustion engine 72 Transaxle hybrid transmissions 73 Hybrid electric motor 74 Clutch 75 Transaxle shaft 76 Hybrid battery 77 Hybrid battery 78 fuel filler necks 79 Tank

Claims

[1] Vehicle architecture (1) for the manufacture of motor vehicles (10;30) with a purely electric powertrain (11) and of motor vehicles (20;40) with a hybrid powertrain (21), wherein the purely electric motor vehicles (10;30) and the hybrid motor vehicles (20;40) have the same main dimensions and a supporting structure (12;32) which includes interfaces for connecting the purely electric powertrain (11) as well as interfaces for connecting the hybrid powertrain (21), wherein the supporting structure (12;32) a zone arrangement with multifunctional zones (41) for both powertrain components (51) of the all-electric powertrain (11) and powertrain components (61) of the hybrid powertrain (21), wherein an internal combustion engine (71) is positioned at the front in the area of ​​a front axle (2), wherein a transaxle hybrid transmission (72), a hybrid electric motor (73) and a clutch (74) are positioned in the area of ​​a rear axle (3), wherein power transmission between them is provided via a transaxle shaft (75), wherein the transaxle hybrid transmission (72) is designed as a multi-speed transmission; [2] Vehicle architecture (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the hybrid powertrain (21) is designed in a transaxle configuration. [3] Vehicle architecture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the supporting structure (32) is a chassis (33). [4] Vehicle architecture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the supporting structure (12) is a self-supporting body (13). [5] Vehicle architecture (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a vehicle hat (14) is completely identical for all motor vehicles (10;20;30;40). [6] Flexible platform for hybrid and electric vehicles comprising a vehicle architecture (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [7] Method for manufacturing motor vehicles (10;30) with a purely electric powertrain (11) and motor vehicles (20;40) with a hybrid powertrain (21) characterized by , that the motor vehicles (10;30) with the all-electric powertrain (11) and the motor vehicles (20;40) with the hybrid powertrain (21) are manufactured with a vehicle architecture (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 with the same main dimensions. [8] Method for operating motor vehicles (10;20;30;40) with a vehicle architecture (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the complete combustion engine (71) is decoupled from the transaxle shaft (75) in purely electric operation. [9] Motor vehicle (10;20;30;40) with a vehicle architecture (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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