Body of a motor vehicle

• US 6,817,656 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, KIRAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/351,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20030141746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 296/203.02, 296/203.01, 296/203.03, 296/203.04, 296/193.01, 296/193.1, 296/187.09, 296/205, 180/264, 180/295, 280/781, 280/788, 280/786, 280/796
• 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, comprising at least one supporting structure adjoining the passenger compartment for accommodating at least a driving unit and being rigidly connected to the passenger compartment by holding elements, wherein the supporting structure is formed by a strength-optimized enveloping device substantially surrounding the housing of the driving unit to form a pre-assembled structural unit with the driving unit and constitute a peripherally self-rigid unit as viewed transversely to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

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 adjacent to a region adjoining the passenger compartment comprises a first profiled transverse member and, adjacent a rear end region of the enveloping device, a second, profiled transverse member, between which several profiled frame side members extend.

5. The body according to claim 4, wherein a further, central transverse member is provided between at least one part of the frame side members.

6. The body according to claim 4, wherein the transverse members and the frame side members form a closed boundary defining a plurality of passage openings configured to provide access to the driving unit.

7. The body according to claim 5, wherein the transverse members and the framed side member form a closed boundary defining a plurality of passage openings configured to provide access to the driving unit.

8. The body according to claim 1, wherein, adjacent to a region adjacent the passenger compartment, the enveloping device has an integrated closing wall.

9. The body according to claim 8, wherein the closing wall is provided with a local cross-sectional thickening.

10. The body according to claim 9, 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.

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

12. The body according to claim 11, wherein the upper part has lateral enveloping sections and an upper, horizontal, enveloping section, and wherein first free ends of the upper part interact with free ends of the lower part.

13. The body according to claim 12, wherein the first free ends and the second free ends are provided with steps which form stepped connections.

14. The body according to claim 13, 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.

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

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

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

a high strength, strength-optimized enveloping frame defining closed boundaries in a longitudinal and transverse direction of the motor vehicle that are configured to provide passage to a driving unit,

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

a rear end region arranged opposite the connecting region,

wherein the enveloping frame substantially surrounds and is pre-assembled with the driving unit.