Drive arrangement for automobile

• US 8,919,484 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Leopold, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): EBNER, KATY MEYER
• Application Number:
  US13/095,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20110266083A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: 180/291, 180/292, 180/297, 180/298, 180/65.21, 180/65.22, 180/311, 180/312
• 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 having side members configured to be coupled to a front axle;

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 an automobile transverse direction,

wherein the body includes a front wall with a first portion extending downward in a generally vertical direction on a first longitudinal side of the combustion engine and a second portion extending downward in the generally vertical direction from the first portion such that the first portion and the second portion form a depression at least partially housing the combustion engine, the depression positioned behind the front axle relative to the driving direction and extending in a rearward direction, the rearward direction being opposite to the driving direction,

wherein the depression forms a recess to receive a portion of the combustion engine, the portion of the combustion engine within the recess including a rearward-facing side and at least portions of laterally extending sides, the recess defining an opening facing the driving direction of the automobile to receive the portion of the combustion engine, and

wherein the body further includes a center tunnel, the center tunnel extending from the second portion of the front wall.

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

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

4. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the center tunnel is self-supported via a transverse tunnel to a side sill substantially extending in the automobile transverse direction.

5. The automobile according to claim 4, wherein the transverse tunnel is configured as a stowage space for energy storage modules.

6. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the center tunnel in a automobile longitudinal direction has a cross-sectional profile that remains substantially the same and protrudes as far as to a heel plate of the body.

7. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the center tunnel is configured as a stowage space for energy storage modules.

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

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

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

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

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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the front wall are completely behind the front axle relative to the driving direction.

17. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the recess is positioned behind the front axle relative to the driving direction.

18. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the depression includes side walls extending from the recess in a substantially vertical direction.