motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (2) with at least one housing-like engine compartment (4), with at least one load-bearing support structure (6), with at least one vehicle component (8), such as a drive or energy storage device, arranged in the engine compartment (4), and with at least one fastening device (10) comprising at least one fastening unit (12) that connects the vehicle component (8) to the support structure (6) in a load-transmitting manner, which is convertible from a normal configuration, in which the fastening unit (12) is fixed in position and rotation to the support structure (6) and fixed in position and rotation to the vehicle component (8), and in which the at least one fastening unit (12) secures the vehicle component (8) in the engine compartment (4) at least in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle without contact with adjacent vehicle components by means of a minimum distance, into at least one impact configuration.in which the fastening unit (12) is movable and / or rotatable relative to the support structure (6) and in which the vehicle assembly (8) is movable and / or rotatable relative to the fastening unit (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles are known that incorporate vehicle components, which may include, for example, a drive system or an energy storage device. In known motor vehicles, upon impact, components located in front of the vehicle component in the direction of travel deform, thereby dampening the impact. However, if the impact force is very high, the vehicle component itself may also deform, potentially leading to damage and consequently significant costs.

[0003] It is known from the prior art to fix vehicle components to support structures via rigid, rail-like connections, so that movement of the vehicle component parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is possible in the event of an impact. However, the risk of damage to the vehicle component still exists with these arrangements if the impact does not occur parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0004] One object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a motor vehicle in which the risk of damage to a vehicle component in the event of an impact is reduced.

[0005] This problem is solved by a motor vehicle with at least one housing-like engine compartment, with at least one load-bearing support structure, with at least one vehicle component, such as a drive or energy storage device, arranged in the engine compartment, and with at least one fastening device comprising at least one fastening unit that connects the vehicle component to the support structure in a load-transmitting manner, which is convertible from a normal configuration, in which the fastening unit is fixed in position and rotation to the support structure and fixed in position and rotation to the vehicle component, and in which the at least one fastening unit secures the vehicle component in the engine compartment at least in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle without contact by a minimum distance from adjacent vehicle components, into at least one impact configuration.in which the mounting unit is movable and / or rotatable relative to the supporting structure and in which the vehicle assembly is movable and / or rotatable relative to the mounting unit.

[0006] Because the motor vehicle includes a fastening device in which a vehicle component is connected to the supporting structure with a fastening unit in a load-transmitting manner, and because in the impact configuration both the fastening unit relative to the supporting structure and the vehicle component relative to the fastening unit can move and / or rotate translationally, the degrees of freedom for performing an evasive movement of the vehicle component in the event of an impact are improved compared to the prior art.

[0007] Because the vehicle assembly is fixed in the assembly compartment by at least one fastening unit in the normal configuration without contact and at a distance from adjacent vehicle components, a slight evasive movement of the vehicle assembly in the event of an impact is not immediately hindered.

[0008] The vehicle assembly can be spaced apart from other components, particularly parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle, without contact. Furthermore, in embodiments of the vehicle, the vehicle assembly may also be spaced apart or fixed to adjacent vehicle components parallel to the vertical axis of the vehicle, without contact.

[0009] In one embodiment of the motor vehicle, it is advantageous if at least one of the at least one fastening unit comprises a rod- or beam-shaped fastening element which is fixed at a first end to the support structure and whose second end opposite the first end is arranged without contact with the support structure and overlaps the vehicle assembly parallel to the vertical axis, or which is fixed at a first end to the support structure and at a second end opposite the first end to the support structure or to another support structure and which spans the vehicle assembly between the first end and the second end.

[0010] If the fastening element is fixed to the supporting structure at one end, and its second end, opposite the first end, is positioned without contact with the supporting structure, the second end can project beyond the vehicle assembly. The vehicle assembly and fastening elements then overlap with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis.

[0011] The fastener and vehicle assembly overlap even if the fastener is fixed at one end to the supporting structure and at the other end opposite the first end to the supporting structure or another supporting structure. In such a case, the fastener spans the vehicle assembly.

[0012] The vehicle's powertrain can, in principle, be of any design. In various embodiments of the motor vehicle, this can include, for example, a drive system such as an internal combustion engine or electric motor, or an energy storage device such as a fuel tank, liquefied gas tank, or battery.

[0013] The normal configuration refers to the arrangement of the vehicle's engine and transmission components in the engine compartment, as the vehicle is operated under normal conditions. This includes all forces expected to act on the vehicle during normal operation, such as acceleration, braking forces, and vibrations.

[0014] The term impact configuration refers to a deviation from the normal configuration, which is initiated by the action of an external force, for example as a result of an impact, where the force acting on the motor vehicle exceeds the forces acting during the normal operation of the motor vehicle.

[0015] A change from the normal configuration to the impact configuration can be accomplished simply and cost-effectively if at least one of the at least one fastening unit includes at least one fixed-floating coupling element that is fixed to the fastening element and to the vehicle assembly, which in the normal configuration fixes the vehicle assembly to the fastening element in a fixed and rotationally fixed manner relative to the fastening element, and which in the impact configuration fixes the vehicle assembly to the fastening element in a movable and / or rotatable manner relative to the fastening element.

[0016] This ensures that the vehicle assembly is fixed in a normal configuration relative to the mounting unit, in particular to the mounting element of the mounting unit, and is free to move relative to the mounting element in the impact configuration.

[0017] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves advantageous if the fastening element is designed entirely or at least partially as a guide rail and the coupling means comprises a slide section, wherein the coupling means with the slide section is translationally slidable in or on the fastening element designed as a guide rail in the impact configuration and / or if the coupling means comprises a first bearing section and a second bearing section rotatable relative to the first bearing section in the impact configuration and fixed to the vehicle assembly.

[0018] Because the fastening element is designed as a guide rail in its entirety or at least in sections, and the coupling means can slide translationally along the guide rail with a slide section in the impact configuration, the vehicle assembly can be moved along the translational direction relative to the fastening element.

[0019] Because the first bearing section and the second bearing section are rotatable relative to each other in the impact configuration, a twisting of the vehicle assembly relative to the fastening element of the fastening unit can be made possible in addition to translational movement or exclusively as rotational movement.

[0020] This further increases the degrees of freedom for an evasive movement of the vehicle assembly in the event of an impact.

[0021] The ability to perform an evasive maneuver of the vehicle assembly can be further improved if at least one of the at least one fastening unit includes at least one fixed-floating bearing-type fixing element that is fixed to the fastening element and indirectly or directly to the supporting structure, which in the normal configuration fixes the fastening element to the supporting structure in a fixed-bearing manner relative to the supporting structure and which in the impact configuration fixes the fastening element to the supporting structure in a movable and / or rotatable manner relative to the supporting structure.

[0022] This allows the fastening unit to be moved and / or rotated relative to the supporting structure in the impact configuration, similar to a loose bearing.

[0023] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves advantageous if the fastening device comprises at least one rail means arranged on the support structure and if the fixing means comprises a slide section, wherein at least one fixing means is translationally slidable in or on the rail means in the impact configuration and / or if the fixing means comprises a first bearing section and a second bearing section rotatable in the impact configuration relative to the first bearing section and fixed on the support structure or the guide means.

[0024] This allows the fastening unit to be held and moved on the supporting structure via the rail using the fixing device. Furthermore, in addition to translational movement, the fastening unit can also perform a rotational movement, or rotational movement independently in the impact configuration.

[0025] In embodiments of the motor vehicle, it is conceivable that several locking units with their locking means are arranged on one and the same support structure, in particular in or on one and the same rail element that is arranged on the support structure. Thus, in one embodiment of the motor vehicle, at least three locking units with their locking means can be arranged and fixed on a support structure, in particular in a rail element on the support structure.

[0026] This ensures that by providing multiple fastening units, the force acting on a single fastening unit to secure the vehicle assembly is reduced.

[0027] The fixing in the normal configuration can be designed in any technically arbitrary way. This also applies to the arrangement in the impact configuration. In one embodiment of the motor vehicle, it proves advantageous if the coupling means is fixed to the fastening element and to the vehicle assembly in the normal configuration by form-fit, force-fit, and / or material fit, and in the impact configuration by form-fit; if the first bearing means of the coupling means is fixed to the second bearing means of the coupling means in the normal configuration by form-fit, force-fit, and / or material fit, and in the impact configuration by form-fit; if the fixing means is fixed to the fastening element and to the supporting structure or to the rail means in the normal configuration by form-fit,Force and / or material connection and in the impact configuration by positive locking, and / or if the first bearing means of the fixing means is fixed to the second bearing means of the fixing means in the normal configuration by positive, force and / or material connection and in the impact configuration by positive locking, wherein an impact force acting to trigger the impact configuration destroys the respective material connection of the normal configuration and / or overcomes the respective force connection of the normal configuration.

[0028] If a force-fit exists between the respective parts or components, this force-fit can be broken upon reaching or exceeding a critical force. In this case, the critical force is chosen to correspond to the expected minimum impact force.

[0029] If the components are joined together by means of a material bond, this can, for example, include a predetermined breaking point which breaks when the critical force, corresponding to the minimum expected impact force, is reached or exceeded, releasing the components to relative movement or rotation.

[0030] In order to enable the vehicle assembly to veer in different directions, it proves advantageous if the at least one fastening element in the normal configuration has its longitudinal axis parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis and the rail means has its longitudinal axis parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, or if the at least one fastening element in the normal configuration has its longitudinal axis parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis and the rail means has its longitudinal axis parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis.

[0031] Because the fastening element's longitudinal axis runs parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis and the rail element's longitudinal axis runs parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, the fastening element and rail element are at an angle of essentially 90° to each other. Because the vehicle assembly is translationally movable along the fastening element in the impact configuration, i.e., parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis, the vehicle assembly is movable both parallel to and parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal and transverse axes in the impact configuration.

[0032] The same applies if the fastening element in the normal configuration has its longitudinal axis parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis and the rail center has its longitudinal axis parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis.

[0033] This orientation allows the vehicle unit to be moved relatively independently of the direction from which the impact force acts on the vehicle.

[0034] It is conceivable to have embodiments of the motor vehicle in which at least one coupling means is arranged on a rod- or beam-shaped fastening element which is fixed at its first end to the supporting structure and overlaps the vehicle assembly with its free second end with respect to the vertical axis, and in which at least two coupling means are arranged on a rod- or beam-shaped fastening element which is fixed at its first end to the supporting structure and at its second end to the supporting structure or the further supporting structure and which spans the vehicle assembly between the first end and the second end.

[0035] If the rod- or beam-shaped fastening element only projects over the vehicle assembly, i.e., is only fixed to the supporting structure at one end, it proves advantageous if the vehicle assembly is arranged on the fastening element of the fastening unit with a coupling means.

[0036] If the fastening element is fixed to the supporting structure at its first end and at its second end, the vehicle assembly can be attached to one and the same fastening element with multiple coupling means.

[0037] In order to improve the support of the vehicle assembly by means of the support structure and the fastening device, it proves advantageous if the fastening device comprises at least three, in particular at least six, fastening units, wherein at least three fastening units are fixed to the support structure on a first side of the vehicle assembly and at least three fastening units are fixed to the support structure or the further support structure on a second side of the vehicle assembly opposite the first side.

[0038] If the fastening device comprises at least three fastening units, these can be fixed at their first end to the supporting structure and at their second end to the supporting structure or another supporting structure. In the configuration with at least three fastening units, the fastening elements of the respective fastening units project beyond the entire vehicle assembly and are fixed to the supporting structure or the other supporting structure on both the first and second sides.

[0039] If the fastening device comprises at least six fastening units, two fastening units are attached to the support structure, or to the other support structure, opposite each other. The respective fastening elements project from their respective support structure towards the vehicle assembly. The fastening elements of two opposing fastening devices can continue along an imaginary line, with the two opposing fastening units separated by a gap.

[0040] In such a configuration, it may be provided that the free ends of the respective fastening elements are connected to each other by a transmission element.

[0041] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the attached patent claims, the graphic representation and the following description of two preferred embodiments of the motor vehicle.

[0042] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 A top view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the motor vehicle in its normal configuration; Fig. 2 A top view of a schematic representation of the first embodiment according to Fig. 1 in the impact configuration; Fig. 3 A top view of a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the motor vehicle in the normal configuration; Fig. 4 A top view of a schematic representation of the second embodiment according to Fig. 3 in the impact configuration.

[0043] The figures show exemplary embodiments of a motor vehicle, designated in its entirety by reference numeral 2 and depicted only partially and schematically. The motor vehicle 2 comprises a housing-like engine compartment 4 and a load-bearing support structure 6.

[0044] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 2 includes a vehicle assembly 8, which is arranged in the assembly compartment 4. The vehicle assembly 8 can include a drive system, such as an internal combustion engine or electric motor, or an energy storage device, such as a liquid storage tank, fuel tank or battery.

[0045] To secure the vehicle assembly 8 in the assembly compartment 4, the vehicle 2 includes a fastening device 10 comprising several fastening units 12. The fastening units 12 connect the vehicle assembly 8 to the supporting structure 6 in a load-transferring manner. In a standard configuration ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) The fastening unit 12 secures the vehicle assembly 8 to the support structure 6 in a position- and rotationally fixed manner and distances the vehicle assembly 8 from adjacent further vehicle components arranged in the assembly space 4 without contact.

[0046] In an impact configuration ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 4) The fastening unit 12 secures the vehicle assembly 8 to the support structure 6 in a movable and / or rotatable manner relative to the support structure 6.

[0047] The individual fastening units 12 comprise rod- or beam-shaped fastening elements 14, which are fixed at a first end to the supporting structure 6.

[0048] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the motor vehicle 2, in which the rod- or beam-shaped fastening element 14 is not only fixed to the support structure 6 at its first end, but also at its second end opposite the first end. Here, the fastening element 14 extends completely over the vehicle assembly 8.

[0049] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the motor vehicle 2, in which the fastening element 14 is only fixed to the support structure 6 at a first end, in order to overlap with the vehicle assembly 8 at a free second end opposite the first end, but to be spaced apart from the support structure 6.

[0050] The embodiments have in common that the fastening units 12 comprise fixed-floating coupling means 16 which are fixed to the fastening element 14 and to the vehicle assembly 8. The fastening elements 14 are designed, at least partially, as guide rails in which the coupling means 16 with slide sections in the impact configuration can slide along the longitudinal extent of the fastening elements 14.

[0051] Furthermore, the coupling means 16 comprise a first bearing section and a second bearing section connected to the vehicle assembly 8, which are rotatable relative to each other in the impact configuration.

[0052] To fix the fastening unit 12 to the support structure 8, either directly or indirectly, the fastening unit 12 comprises fixed-floating bearing-type fixing means 18, which are fixed to the fastening element 14 and to the support structure 6. The fixing means 18 also comprise a first bearing unit connected to the fastening element 14 and a second bearing section, which is fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure 6, both of which are rotatable relative to each other in the impact configuration.

[0053] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the motor vehicle 2. In this embodiment, rail means 20 are arranged on the supporting structure 6. The fixing means 18 with a slide section can be arranged in the rail means 20, which in the impact configuration is displaceable in the rail means 20 by a translational movement.

[0054] In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and Fig. Two coupling means 16 are arranged on a fastening element 14 of the fastening unit 12. In addition, the fastening device 10 comprises three fastening units 12, which are arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other in the normal configuration.

[0055] In the impact configuration, the vehicle assembly 8 is movable by means of the coupling means 16 along the fastening elements 14 which form a guide rail at least in sections, wherein the fastening elements 14 in turn are movable by means of the fixing means 18 within the rail means 20.

[0056] This makes it possible, in the event of an impact on the motor vehicle 2, for the vehicle assembly 8 to move within the assembly space 4 at least parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and / or parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle and to evade an acting force.

[0057] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the motor vehicle 2, in which the fastening device 10 comprises six fastening units 12. These are rotatably fixed to the support structure 6 at their first end. A coupling element 16 is arranged in or on each fastening element 14. In the embodiment shown, two fastening elements 14 are positioned opposite each other. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 in the normal configuration relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

[0058] In the impact configuration of the embodiment according to Fig. 3 and Fig. In this case, the vehicle assembly 8 is movable within the fastening elements 14, at least by translational movement, and the fastening elements 14 are fixed to the supporting structure 6 by rotational movement. Even in this configuration, the vehicle assembly 8 can move out of the way in the event of an impact.

[0059] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and in the drawing may be essential, both individually and in any combination, in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments within the scope of protection of the following claims. Reference symbol list 2 motor vehicles 4 Aggregate room 6 Supporting structure 8 Vehicle unit 10 Fastening device 12 Mounting unit 14 Fastening element 16 Coupling agents 18 fixing devices 20 rail components

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (2) with at least one housing-like engine compartment (4), with at least one load-bearing support structure (6), with at least one vehicle engine (8), such as a drive or energy storage device, arranged in the engine compartment (4), and with at least one fastening device (10) comprising at least one fastening unit (12) that connects the vehicle engine (8) to the support structure (6) in a load-transmitting manner, which is convertible from a normal configuration, in which the fastening unit (12) is fixed in position and rotation to the support structure (6) and fixed in position and rotation to the vehicle engine (8), and in which the at least one fastening unit (12) secures the vehicle engine (8) in the engine compartment (4) at least in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle without contact with adjacent vehicle components by means of a minimum distance, into at least one impact configuration,in which the fastening unit (12) is movable and / or rotatable relative to the support structure (6) and in which the vehicle assembly (8) is movable and / or rotatable relative to the fastening unit (12). [2] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one of the at least one fastening unit (12) comprises a rod- or beam-shaped fastening element (14) which is fixed at a first end to the support structure (6) and whose second end opposite the first end is arranged without contact with the support structure (6) and overlaps the vehicle assembly (8) parallel to the vertical axis, or which is fixed at a first end to the support structure (6) and at a second end opposite the first end to the support structure (6) or to another support structure (6) and which spans the vehicle assembly (8) between the first end and the second end. [3] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 2, characterized by , that at least one of the at least one fastening unit (12) comprises at least one fixed-floating coupling means (16) which is fixed to the fastening element (14) and to the vehicle assembly (8), which in the normal configuration fixes the vehicle assembly (8) in a fixed-bearing manner relative to the fastening element (14) in a fixed position and rotationally fixed to the fastening element (14) and which in the impact configuration fixes the vehicle assembly (8) in a floating-bearing manner relative to the fastening element (14) in a movable and / or rotatable manner. [4] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the fastening element (14) is designed as a guide rail in its entirety or at least in sections, and that the coupling means (16) comprises a slide section, wherein the coupling means (16) is translationally slideable along the fastening element (14) designed as a guide rail in the impact configuration, and / or that the coupling means (16) comprises a first bearing section and a second bearing section rotatable relative to the first bearing section in the impact configuration and fixed to the vehicle assembly (8). [5] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by, that at least one of the at least one fastening unit (12) comprises at least one fixed-floating bearing-type fixing means (18) which is fixed to the fastening element (14) and indirectly or directly to the supporting structure (6), which in the normal configuration fixes the fastening element (14) in a fixed-bearing manner relative to the supporting structure (6) in a fixed-bearing manner and which in the impact configuration fixes the fastening element (14) movably and / or rotatably relative to the supporting structure (6). [6] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 5, characterized by, that the fastening device (10) comprises at least one rail means (20) arranged on the support structure (6) and that the fixing means (18) comprises a slide section, wherein at least one fixing means (18) is translationally slideable in or on the rail means (20) in the impact configuration and / or that the fixing means (18) comprises a first bearing section and a second bearing section rotatable in the impact configuration relative to the first bearing section and fixed on the support structure (6) or the guide means. [7] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by, that the coupling means (16) is fixed to the fastening element (14) and to the vehicle assembly (8) in the normal configuration by form-fit, force-fit and / or material fit and in the impact configuration by form-fit, that the first bearing means of the coupling means (16) is fixed to the second bearing means of the coupling means (16) in the normal configuration by form-fit, force-fit and / or material fit and in the impact configuration by form-fit, that the fixing means (18) is fixed to the fastening element (14) and to the supporting structure (6) or to the rail means (20) in the normal configuration by form-fit, force-fit and / or material fit and in the impact configuration by form-fit, and / or that the first bearing means of the fixing means (18) is fixed to the second bearing means of the fixing means (18) in the normal configuration by form-fit, force-fit and / or material fit and in the impact configuration by form-fit,wherein an impact force triggering the impact configuration destroys the respective material bond of the normal configuration and / or overcomes the respective force bond of the normal configuration. [8] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized by , that the at least one fastening element (14) in the normal configuration has its longitudinal axis parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle and the rail means (20) has its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle or that the at least one fastening element (14) in the normal configuration has its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the rail means (20) has its longitudinal axis parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle. [9] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized by, that at least one coupling means (16) is arranged on a rod- or beam-shaped fastening element (14) which is fixed at its first end to the supporting structure and overlaps the vehicle assembly (8) with its free second end with respect to the vertical axis, and that at least two coupling means (16) are arranged on a rod- or beam-shaped fastening element (14) which is fixed at its first end to the supporting structure (6) and at its second end to the supporting structure (6) or the further supporting structure (6) and which spans the vehicle assembly (8) between the first end and the second end. [10] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized by, that the fastening device (10) comprises at least three, in particular at least six, fastening units (12), wherein at least three fastening units (12) are fixed to the support structure (6) on a first side of the vehicle assembly (8) and at least three fastening units (12) are fixed to the support structure (6) or the further support structure (6) on a second side of the vehicle assembly (8) opposite the first side.

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