DRIVE ARRANGEMENT FOR AUTOMOBILE

• US 20110266083A1
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: LEOPOLD, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,919,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/291
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/06 of change-speed gearing B60K17/10 - B60K17/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 5/04 with the engine main axis, e.g. crankshaft axis, transversely to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 23/00 Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units or parts or details thereof B62D25/00 ; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/2009 in connection with other superstructure subunits

Abstract

An automobile is provided with a body, a combustion engine and a transmission operationally connected to the engine. The crankshaft of the engine is substantially oriented in vehicle transverse direction and the engine seen in driving direction of the vehicle is arranged behind the transmission.

Claims

1. An automobile, comprising:

a body;

a transmission;

a combustion engine viewed in a driving direction of the automobile that is arranged behind the transmission; and

a crankshaft of the combustion engine substantially oriented in a vehicle transverse direction.

2. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine is substantially arranged centrally relative to the vehicle transverse direction.

3. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine is arranged behind a front axle in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the driving direction.

4. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine with a side facing away from the driving direction that lies in a depression of a front wall of the body formed towards a back of the automobile.

5. The automobile according to claim 4, wherein the depression of the front wall merges into a center tunnel of the body.

6. The automobile according to claim 5, wherein the center tunnel is self-supported via a transverse tunnel to a side sill substantially extending in the vehicle transverse direction.

7. The automobile according to claim 5, wherein the center tunnel in a vehicle longitudinal direction has a cross-sectional profile that remains substantially the same and protrudes as far as to a heel plate of the body.

8. The automobile according to claim 5, wherein the center tunnel is configured as a stowage space for energy storage modules.

9. The automobile according to claim 6, wherein the transverse tunnel is configured as a stowage space for energy storage modules.

10. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the transmission relative to the vehicle transverse direction is arranged almost centrally.

11. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine and the transmission are arranged on a center longitudinal axis of the automobile.

12. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the transmission is a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

13. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine is a horizontal one-cylinder engine.

14. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine is a horizontal two-cylinder engine.

15. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine is a V2-engine with a horizontally oriented cylinder facing to a back against the driving direction.

16. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine is a V3-engine with a horizontally oriented cylinder facing to a back against the driving direction.

17. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine is configured to pivot about a drive axis downwards into a maintenance position for maintenance.

18. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the combustion engine is configured to pivot about a drive axis downwards into a maintenance position for repair.