Body of a motor vehicle

• US 20030141746A1
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Meier, Thomas, Steinhauser, Dieter, Stoffels, Oliver
• Granted Patent: US 6,817,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/203.02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/12 assembled from readily detachable parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/082 Engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/041 Understructures

Abstract

A body suitable for motor vehicles, especially for passenger cars, comprises a passenger compartment with at least one supporting structure connected thereto, for example, for accommodating a driving unit and wheel guiding elements, the supporting structure being connected by a holder with the passenger compartment. To optimize this body, the supporting structure, having a connecting region to the passenger compartment, and a rear end region, is formed by an enveloping device of high strength, especially of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, the strength of which is optimized, the enveloping device surrounding the driving unit substantially all around.

Claims

1. A body for a motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment and at least one supporting structure adjoining thereon for accommodating a driving unit, the supporting structure being connected to the passenger compartment by way of holding elements, wherein the supporting structure, having a connecting region to the passenger compartment and a rear end region, is formed by a strength-optimized enveloping device of high strength, the enveloping device substantially surrounding the housing of the driving unit.

2. The body according to claim 1, wherein the enveloping device has at least first, second and third sockets for bearings of the driving unit.

3. The body according to claim 2, wherein the sockets are integrated in the enveloping device.

4. The body according to claim 1, wherein the enveloping device and the driving unit form a pre-assembled structural unit.

5. The body according to claim 2, wherein the enveloping device and the driving unit form a pre-assembled structural unit.

6. The body according to claim 1, wherein the enveloping device adjacent to the connecting region, comprises a first profiled transverse member and, adjacent to the rear end region, a second, profiled transverse member, between which several profiled frame side members extend.

7. The body according to claim 6, wherein a further, central transverse member is provided between at least one part of the frame side members.

8. The body according to claim 6, wherein the transverse members and the frame side members form a boundary of several passage openings providing access to the driving unit.

9. The body according to claim 7, wherein the transverse members and the frame side members form a boundary of several passage openings providing access to the driving unit.

10. The body according to claim 1, wherein, adjacent to the connecting region, the enveloping device has a closing wall, which is integrated in said enveloping device.

11. The body according to claim 10, wherein the closing wall is provided with a local cross-sectional thickening.

12. The body according to claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional thickening extends over a substantial portion of a height of the closing wall and has a shape of an inverted V.

13. The body according to claim 1, wherein the enveloping device is formed by an upper part and a lower part.

14. The body according to claim 13, wherein the upper part has lateral enveloping sections and an upper, horizontal, enveloping section, first free ends of the upper part interacting with free ends of the lower part.

15. The body according to claim 14, wherein the first free ends and the second free ends are provided with steps, which form stepped connections.

16. The body according to claim 15, wherein the upper part and the lower part of the enveloping device are connected with one another by bolts in a region of the stepped connections.

17. The body according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure accommodates wheel-guiding elements.

18. The body according to claim 1, wherein the enveloping device is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

21. A method of making a body for a motor vehicle, with a passenger compartment and at least one supporting structure, comprising making the body of claim 1.

19. A supporting structure of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a high strength, strength-optimized enveloping frame,

a connecting region operable to connect to a passenger compartment by holding elements, and

a rear end region arranged opposite the connecting region,

wherein the enveloping frame substantially surrounds a driving unit or engine.

20. The supporting structure according to claim 19, wherein the enveloping frame has passage openings for accessing the driving unit or engine.