FRAME DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE HAVING AT LEAST ONE SUCH FRAME DEVICE

Abstract

A frame device for a vehicle, including a subframe which can be attached to a structure of the vehicle and which has two side members spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the subframe and at least one cross member via which the side members are interconnected. The frame device also includes at least one support element, which is formed separately from the subframe and has at least one attachment element by which at least one component of the vehicle can be attached to the support element, and a steering gear which is formed separately from the subframe and separately from the support element for a steering system of the vehicle. Both the steering gear and the support element are attached to the subframe by one and the same fastening element.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A frame device for a vehicle, comprising a subframe which can be attached to a structure of the vehicle and which has two side members spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the subframe and at least one cross member via which the side members are interconnected, wherein at least one support element, which is formed separately from the subframe and which has at least one attachment element by which at least one component of the vehicle can be attached to the support element; and a steering gear, which is formed separately from the subframe and separately from the support element for a steering system of the vehicle, wherein both the steering gear and the support element are attached to the subframe by a fastening element.

12. The frame device according to claim 11, wherein both the steering gear and the support element are attached to the subframe at a first attachment point by the fastening element, wherein both the steering gear and the support element are attached to the subframe at a second attachment point, which is spaced apart from the first attachment point, by the same fastening element.

13. The frame device according to claim 12, wherein the attachment points are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the subframe.

14. The frame device according to claim 11, wherein the fastening element comprises a screw element, which is arranged partially in a first opening of the steering gear and partially in a second opening of the support element.

15. The frame device according to claim 14, wherein the openings are formed as passage openings, each of which is penetrated completely by the screw element.

16. The frame device according to claim 15, wherein the subframe has a third opening, in which the screw element is accommodated.

17. The frame device according to claim 14, wherein the fastening element has a second screw element, to which the first screw element is screwed.

18. The frame device according to claim 11, wherein the frame device comprises the component provided in addition to the steering gear, which component is attached to the support element by means of the attachment element.

19. The frame device according to claim 18, wherein the component is formed as a structural element of an air-conditioning system for the vehicle, or as an energy storage device formed for storing electrical energy, or as a drive motor, by means of which the vehicle can be driven.

20. A vehicle with a structure and with a frame device, which comprises at least one subframe formed separately from the structure and attached to the structure, which subframe has two side members spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle and at least one cross member, via which the side members are interconnected, wherein at least one support element, which is formed separately from the subframe and separately from the structure, which support element has at least one attachment element, by which at least one component of the vehicle, which is formed separately from the structure, separately from the subframe, and separately from the support element, is attached to the support element; and a steering gear of a steering system of the vehicle, which steering gear is formed separately from the subframe, separately from the support element, separately from the structure, and separately from the component, and provided in addition to the component, wherein both the steering gear and the support element are attached to the subframe by a fastening element.

21. The frame device according to claim 12, wherein the fastening element comprises a screw element, which is arranged partially in a first opening of the steering gear and partially in a second opening of the support element.

22. The frame device according to claim 13, wherein the fastening element comprises a screw element, which is arranged partially in a first opening of the steering gear and partially in a second opening of the support element.

23. The frame device according to claim 15, wherein the fastening element has a second screw element, to which the first screw element is screwed.

24. The frame device according to claim 16, wherein the fastening element has a second screw element, to which the first screw element is screwed.

25. The frame device according to claim 12, wherein the frame device comprises the component provided in addition to the steering gear, which component is attached to the support element by means of the attachment element.

26. The frame device according to claim 13, wherein the frame device comprises the component provided in addition to the steering gear, which component is attached to the support element by means of the attachment element.

27. The frame device according to claim 14, wherein the frame device comprises the component provided in addition to the steering gear, which component is attached to the support element by means of the attachment element.

28. The frame device according to claim 15, wherein the frame device comprises the component provided in addition to the steering gear, which component is attached to the support element by means of the attachment element.

29. The frame device according to claim 16, wherein the frame device comprises the component provided in addition to the steering gear, which component is attached to the support element by means of the attachment element.

30. The frame device according to claim 17, wherein the frame device comprises the component provided in addition to the steering gear, which component is attached to the support element by means of the attachment element.

Description

[0034] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following. The following is shown:

[0035] FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a frame device according to the invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 a schematic perspective view of the frame device as a section; and

[0037] FIG. 3 a schematic sectional view of the frame device as a section.

[0038] The exemplary embodiment explained in the following refers to a preferred embodiment of the invention. With the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment represent individual features to be considered independently of one another, which also further embody the invention independently of one another. Thus, the disclosure should also comprise combinations of the features of the embodiment other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented through further described features of the invention.

[0039] The same reference numerals refer to equivalent features and functions in the figures.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a frame device 10 for a vehicle, which is preferably formed as a motor vehicle, and as an automobile for example in this case, particularly as a passenger car. This means that the vehicle in its completely manufactured state has the frame device 10. In addition, the vehicle in its completely manufactured state comprises a structure preferably formed as a self-supporting body. In this case, the frame device 10 is formed separately from the structure and mounted to the body in the completely manufactured state of the vehicle and thus retained on the body.

[0041] The frame device 10 in this case has a subframe 12 which is formed separately from the body and is attachable or attached to the body. The subframe 12 has at least or precisely two side members 14 which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the subframe 12. The transverse direction of the subframe 12 is indicated by a double arrow 16 in FIG. 1 and coincides with the transverse direction of the vehicle in the completely manufactured state of the motor vehicle. Meanwhile, in the completely manufactured state of the vehicle, the frame device 10 assumes its installation position, in which the transverse direction of the subframe 12 coincides with the transverse direction of the vehicle. In addition in this case, in the completely manufactured state of the vehicle, the subframe 12 assumes its installation position, in which the transverse direction of the subframe 12 coincides with the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0042] Moreover, the subframe 12 has at least or precisely two cross members 18 which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the subframe 12. The longitudinal direction of the subframe 12 in this case is indicated by a double arrow 20 in FIG. 1 and coincides with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the installation position and thus in the completely manufactured state of the vehicle. The side members 14 are connected to one another in this case via the cross members 18.

[0043] The subframe 12 has, for example, coupling elements, of which one coupling element designated as 22 can be seen in FIG. 1. By means of the respective coupling element, at least or precisely one steering wheel is to be retained or is retained flexibly on the subframe 12 in order to guide a respective wheel of the vehicle such that the respective wheel of the vehicle is retained flexibly on the subframe 12 via the respective steering wheel. By means of the respective steering wheel, the respective wheel of the vehicle is guided relative to the subframe 12 and relative to the body. The respective wheel of the vehicle is simply designated also as a wheel and is a ground-contact element, by means of which the vehicle can be supported or is supported downwardly on a piece of ground in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0044] In order to then be able to implement especially high stiffness of the frame device 10 and of the structure (body) in a manner that is especially beneficial in terms of weight and cost, the frame device 10 and thus the vehicle comprise at least one support element 24 formed separately from the subframe 12 and separately from the body, which support element is formed or functions as a cross-structure or cross-bridge in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure. The body is shown especially schematically in FIG. 1 and designated as 26. The support element 24 has attachment elements 28, by means of which at least one component 30 of the vehicle can be attached or is attached to the support element 24 and thus to the frame device 10, which component is formed separately from the body 26, separately from the subframe 12, and separately from the support element 24, which component is provided in addition thereto and is especially schematically shown in FIG. 1. The component 30 is, for example, an energy storage device formed for storing electrical energy, which energy storage device can be formed as a battery, particularly as a high-voltage battery. Furthermore, the component 30 may be a structural element of an air-conditioning system of the vehicle, in which the component 30 is formed, for example, as a refrigerant compressor or compressor. In addition, it is conceivable that the component 30 is an electric machine, by means of which the aforementioned vehicle wheels and thus the motor vehicle can be electrically driven. Thus, the support element 24 is, for example, a motor support or a motor bearing, on which the electric machine 30 is retained or mounted.

[0045] The frame device 10 and thus the vehicle additionally comprise a steering gear 32, formed separately from the body 26, separately from the subframe 12, separately from the component 30, and separately from the support element 24, and provided additionally thereto, for a steering system of the vehicle. By means of the steering system, the aforementioned vehicle wheels, for example, can be steered and thus pivoted about a respective steering axis relative to the body 26 in order to thereby effect, for example, a lane change and curve-driving of the vehicle.

[0046] In the completely manufactured state of the vehicle, a steering handle is arranged in the interior thereof, which steering handle can be moved relative to the body 26, for example, by the driver of the vehicle. The steering handle is, for example, a steering wheel, which can be rotated about a steering wheel axis relative to the body 26. The steering handle is coupled to the vehicle wheels via the steering gear 32 or via the steering system such that the vehicle wheels can be steered, via the steering system and thus by the steering gear 32, by means of the steering handle. To this end, the steering handle is moved relative to the body 26, for example, by the driver, particularly rotated about the axis of rotation of the steering wheel. The steering gear 32 has a housing 34, which is also designated as a steering housing or steering system housing. For example, the steering gear 32 is formed as a hydraulic, electric, electro-mechanical, or electro-hydraulic steering gear, such that, for example, the steering gear 32 can support the driver electrically, hydraulically, electro-hydraulically, or electro-mechanically when steering the vehicle.

[0047] Furthermore, it is provided that—as can be seen when viewing FIGS. 2 and 3 together—both the steering gear 32 and the support element 24 are attached to the subframe at 12 by means of one and the same fastening element 36 or 38. In this case, both the steering gear 32 and the support element 24 are attached to the subframe 12 at a first attachment point S1 by means of one and the same fastening element 36. In addition, both the steering gear 32 and the support element 24 are attached to the subframe 12 at a second attachment point S2, which is spaced apart from the first attachment point S1 in the transverse direction, by means of one and the same fastening element 38.

[0048] Attachment points S1 and S2 in this case are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the subframe 12 such that an air space, i.e. an interspace filled with air, is arranged between attachment points S1 and S2 in the transverse direction of the subframe 12. Thus, attachment points S1 and S2 are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction via this interspace such that there is a distance, extending along the transverse direction and also designated as a gap, between attachment points S1 and S2. The support element 24, which is a single part or multiple parts for example, extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle without interruption, from attachment point S1 to attachment point S2 or vice versa, whereby the aforementioned gap is bridged by the support element 24.

[0049] The subframe 12 has, for example, two columns 40 spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction, which columns extend upwardly away from the side members in the vertical direction of the subframe 12. In this case, the vertical direction is indicated by a double arrow 42 in FIG. 1, in which the vertical direction in the installation position coincides with the vertical direction of the vehicle. Attachment points S1 and S2 in this case are formed by the columns 40. Thus, the steering gear 32 and the support element 24 are connected to the columns 40 by means of one and the same fastening element 36 and 38 and thus attached to the subframe 12, whereby the subframe 12 is effectively stiffened.

[0050] As can be seen especially well in FIGS. 2 and 3, the respective fastening element 36 or 38 comprises a screw element in the form of a screw 44 which has a first thread in the form of an external thread 46. The external thread 46 is formed on a screw shaft 48 of the screw 44, in which the screw shaft 48, which is simply designated as the shaft, is connected to a screw head 50 of the screw 44. In particular, the screw head 50, which is simply designated as the head, is formed as one piece with the screw shaft 48. The screw 44 is supported along its longitudinal extension direction, particularly directly, on the housing 34 and thus on the steering gear 32 via the screw head 50, in which the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the subframe 12. The housing 34 is arranged between the support element 24 and the screw head 50 in the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44 such that the screw head 50 is supported on the support element 24 in the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44, with the assistance of the housing 34. In addition, the support element 24 is arranged between the housing 34 and the respective column 40 or the subframe 12 in the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44 such that the housing 34 is supported on the column 40 or on the subframe 12 in the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44, with the assistance of the support element 24. In this case, the support element 24, for example, is supported, particularly directly, on the column 40, particularly on a support surface 51 of the column 40 or of the subframe 12, along the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44. Thus, the support element 24, for example, rests directly on the support surface 51 along the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44.

[0051] In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the housing 34 has a first opening 52 in the form of a first passage opening, the support element 24 has a second opening 54 in the form of a second passage opening, and the column 40 or the subframe 12 has a third opening 56 in the form of a third passage opening. Openings 52, 54, and 56 have no thread or are thread-free such that the screw 44 can be especially easily inserted through the passage openings along the longitudinal extension direction of the screw, particularly until the screw head 50 comes into supportive contact with the housing 34 along the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44. In the present case, the screw head 50 rests on the housing 34, particularly directly, along the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44. The passage openings in this case are respectively completely penetrated by the screw 44, particularly by the screw shaft 48, particularly such that the screw shaft 48 protrudes from the opening 56 on a side 58 of the column 40 facing away from the support element 24 and the housing 34 in the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44. In doing so, particularly the external thread 46 protrudes from the opening 56 on the side 58.

[0052] In this case, the respective fastening element 36 or 38 comprises a second screw element, in the form of a nut 60 in the present case, which has a second thread in the form of an internal thread 62 corresponding to the external thread 46. The external thread 46 in this case is screwed into the internal thread 62 such that the screw 44 is screwed to the nut 60. The nut 60 in this case is supported, particularly directly, on a second support surface 64 of the column 40 or of the subframe 12 along the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44 such that, for example, the nut 60 rests directly on the support surface 64. While support surface 64 is arranged on side 58, support surface 51 is arranged on a second side 66 of the column 40 or of the subframe 12, which side is facing away from the support surface 64 in the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44. Side 66 in this case is facing away from the nut 60 along the longitudinal extension direction of the screw 44. As a whole, it can be seen that the housing 34 and thus the steering gear 32 and the support element 24 are tensioned against the subframe 12 by means of fastening element 36 or 38 and by means of the screw 44 and by means of the nut 60 in the present case and are thereby attached to the subframe 12, particularly reversibly detachably attached. To this end, the external thread 46 and the internal thread 62 are screwed together.

[0053] As a whole, it can be seen that the support element 24 is a structure supporting the component 30, which structure is screwed to the subframe 12 or screwed onto the subframe 12 together with the steering system. This results in a screw assembly, which comprises the support element 24 formed as a cross member, the steering system or the steering gear 32, and the subframe 12. Because the support element 24 and the steering gear 32 are attached to the subframe 12 by screws in the present case, the respective support surface 51 or 64 is a screw-on surface also designated as a screw face. The respective screw face extends, for example, in a plane which is spanned by the transverse direction of the vehicle and the vertical direction of the vehicle. Due to this connection of the steering gear 32 and of the support element 24 to the subframe 12, the number of fastening elements and attachment points can be kept especially low such that the cost and weight can be kept especially low. In addition, the subframe 12 and particularly the support element 24 and the steering gear 32 can be advantageously designed in order to realize a high level of stiffness and a low weight.