Brevet FR3089161A1 — publié le 20200605

Description Title of Invention: SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR POWER UNITS FOR VEHICLES Technical Field [0001] This invention relates to supporting structures for power units for vehicles. Background Art [0002] .1P 2011031844 A has disclosed a mounting structure for power units configured to support on a vehicle body a power unit including a transmission and a body of an engine having a longitudinally ttrranged crankshaft. [0003] As parts to be supported on the vehicle body via mount devices, this mounting structure for power units has both right and left rides of the engine body and a rem- ride of the transmission. At a rem- end of the transmission, there is connected a drive shaft (as a propeller shaft). A front end of this drive shaft is inserted into a rear end of the transmission, from behind. Summary 100041 However, such the mounting structure for power units in the past may, such as when the vehicle is broueht into a collision, undergo an excessive large load imposed thereon from ahead, having an excessively large load acting on a mount device at a rear portion of the transmission, with an anxicty about a déformation of the mount &vice. [0005] By that. the power unit may be greatly displaccd forward along with the deformation of the mount devicc, with an involvcd anxicty about a failure to retain a connection between the rcar end of the transmission and the front end of the drive shaft. [0006] This invention has bccn devised in vicw of such the issue. [0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a supporting structure for power units for vehicles adaptcd, in situations involving an excessive large load imposed on a vehicle from ahcad of the vehicle. to suppress a power unit from bcing displaccd vehiclelongitudinally forward, allowing for a retained connection between a transmission and a propeller shaft. [0008] According to aspects of this invention, there is providcd a supporting structure for power units for vehicles including a power unit for vehicles comprising an internai combustion enginc arranged to have an output shaft extending longitudinally, and a transmission fixed to a rear end of the internai combustion enginc, the power unit for vehicles having a propeller shaft configured to transmit drive power to rcar wheels and inserted at a front end thercof to a rcar end of the transmission. a combination of a left mount device and a right mount device configured to elastically support the internai combustion enginc on a set of vehicle body membcrs, and a rcar mount devicc 2 configurcd to clastically support a rcar portion of the transmission on the set of vehicle body members, whercin the rcar mount &vice comprises a vehicle body side hrackct connected to the set of vchicic body membcrs, a transmission sicle ['racket connected to the rear portion of the transmission, and a vibration isolating member configurcd to clastically intcrconnect the vehicle body side ['racket and the transmission side hrackct with cach other, the transmission side hrackct comprises a first connccting part connected to thc transmission, a second connecting part connected to the vibration isolating member, and an interconnecting part configurcd to interconnect the first connecting part and the second connecting part with cach othcr, the second connecting part is set in a position highcr than thc first connccting part, and thc interconnecting part and an upper portion of the transmission arc interconnected with cach othcr hy a rcinforcing member extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle. [0009] Such bcing the case, according to the aspects of this invention, in situations involving an excessive large load imposcd on a vchicic from ahcad of the vchicic, there can be a power unit suppresscd from hcing displaccd vchicic-longitudinally forward, allowing for a retained connection between a transmission and a propeller shaft. [0010] The following features, can be optionally implemcnted, separately or in combination one with the othcrs: [0011] - the rcinforcing member is connected to the interconnecting part, in a position thereof vcrtically ncarcr to the second connccting part than the first connecting part. [0012] - the transmission comprises a front case fixed to the internai_ combustion engine, rear case disposed behind the front case, and an intermediate plate interposed between the fi-ont case and the rear case, and the first connecting part is connected to the rear case, the reinforcing member being connected to the intermediate plate. [0013] - the transmission has a guide member provided at an upper portion thereof, the guide member being placed more forwardthan the second connecting part, to extend upward from the transmission, a rear end of the reinforcing member is connected to the interconnecting part at location vertically overlapping the second connecting part, and in a side view of the vehicle, the reinforcing member horizontally extends from the interconnecting part, to have a front end thereof connected to the guide member. [0014] - the rear portion of the transmission is provided with a tubular propeller shaft insert portion configured for the propeller shaft to be inserted thereto, the propeller shaft insert portion has disposed at an upper part thereof a combination of the first connecting part and a boss portion extending longitudinally with respect to the vehicle, and the boss portion and a rear part of the interconnecting part are vertically inter- 3 connected with each other by a connecting member. [0015] - the boss portion is connected to the propeller shaft insert portion, and the connecting member is disposcd in a position vcrtically overlapping the first connecting part with respect to the vehicle. Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 [0016] [fig.1] is a plan view of a vehicle provided with a power unit for vehicles according to embodiments of this invention. Fig. 2 [0017] [fig.2] is a left ride view of the power unit for vehicles according to embodiments of this invention. Fig. 3 [0018] [fig.3] is a rear view of the power unit for vehicles according to embodiments of this invention. Fig. 4 [0019] [fig.4] is a perspective view at a diagonally leftward and downward point of the power unit for vehicles according to embodiments of this invention. Fig. 5 [0020] [fig.5] is an illustration showing a positional relation betwecn a transmission and a central cross member of thc power unit for vehicles according to embodiments of this invention. Description of Embodiments 100211 According to embodiments of this invention, here is described a supporting structure for power units for vehicles including: a power unit 6 for vehicles comprising an internai combustion engine 7 arranged to have an output shaft 7A extending longitudinally, and a transmission 8 fixed to a rcar end of the internai combustion engine 7, the power unit 6 for vehicles having a propeller shaft 13 configured to transmit drive power to rcar wheels (19L, 19R) and inscrted at a front end 15 thcrcof to a rcar end 12A of the transmission 8; a combination of a lcft mount dcvicc 20L and a right mount dcvicc 20R configured to clastically support the internai combustion engine 7 on a set of vehicle body mcmbcrs (2L, 2R, 3A, 3B, 4, 5); and a rear mount dcvicc 21 configured to clastically support a rcar portion (11, 12) of the transmission 8 on the set of vehicle body mcmbcrs (2L, 2R, 3A, 3B, 4, 5), whercin the rcar mount dcvicc 21 comprises a vehicle body sidc hrackct 22 connectcd to the set of vchicic body mcmbcrs (2L, 2R, 3A, 3B, 4, 5), a transmission sidc hrackct 23 connected to the rcar portion (11, 12) of the transmission 8, and a vibration isolating member 25 configured to clastically interconnect thc vehicle body sidc hrackct 22 and the transmission sidc hrackct 23 with cach other, the transmission side bracket 23 comprises a first connecting part (23A, 23B) connected to the transmission 8, a second connecting part 23C connected to the vibration isolating member 25, and an interconnecting part (23D, 23E) configured to interconnect the first connecting part (23A, 23B) and the second connecting part 23C with cach othcr, the second connecting part 23C is set in a position highcr than the first connecting part (23A, 23B), and the interconnecting part (23D, 23E) and an upper portion of the transmission 8 arc interconnected with cach other by a reinforcing member 26 extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle 1. [0022] According to embodiments herein, the supporting structure for power units for vehicles arranged as described is adapted, in situations involving an excessive large load imposed on the vehicle from ahcad of the vehicle, to have the power unit suppressed from bcing displaced vehicle-longitudinally forward, thus allowing for a retained connection between the transmission and the propeller shaft. [0023] There will be describcd a supporting structure for power units for vehicles according to embodiments of this invention, with reference to the drawings. [0024] Figs. 1 to 5 arc figures showing a supporting structure for power units for vehicles according to embodiments of this invention. In Figs. 1 to 5, there arc longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions defined as longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions of a power unit for vehicles as furnished in a vehicle, the transverse directions hcing perpendicular to longitudinal directions of the vehicle, the vertical directions of the power unit for vehicles being vertical directions of same. [0025] Description is now made of configuration. [0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a left side frame 2L and a right sicle frame 2R, the left sicle frame 2L and the right sicle trame 2R being transversely spaced from each other with respect to the vehicle 1, and longitudinally extending with respect to the vehicle 1. [0027] The left sicle frame 2L and the right side frame 2R are interconnected with each other by a front upper cross member 3A, a central cross member 4, and a rear cross member 5 lying in this order from the front side. The front upper cross member 3A, the central cross member 4, and the rear cross member 5 extend transversely with respect to the vehicle 1. [0028] As shown in Fig. 3, there is a front lower cross member 3B provided under the fi-ont upper cross member 3A. The front lower cross member 3B is disposed to overlap with the front upper cross member 3A at a longitudinal location. The front lower cross member 3B extends transversely with respect to the vehicle 1, interconnecting the left sicle frame 2L and the right sicle frame 2R with each other. [0029] According to embodiments herein, the left side trame 2L, the right side frame 2R, the front upper cross member 3A, the fi-ont lower cross member 3B, the central cross member 4, and the rcar cross member 5 constitute a set of vehicle body membcrs according to this invention. [0030] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a power unit for vehicles (referred herein to as a power unit) 6. The power unit 6 as made up includes an engine 7 as an internai combustion engine for converting a thermal energy into a Encchanical energy, and a transmission 8 for speed-changing a rotating speed of the engine 7 to bc output. [0031] The engine 7 is provided with a crankshaft 7A dcpictcd hy imaginary lincs. Thc crankshaft 7A extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. That is, the engine 7 is longitudinally arranged to have the crankshaft 7A longitudinally extend. In this cmbodiment, the crankshaft 7A constitutes an output shaft according to this invention. [0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the transmission 8 has a speed-change gcar case 9. The speed- change gcar case 9 includes a transmission case 10, a dise-shaped intermediate plate 11, and an extension case 12. [0033] The transmission case 10 is conneeted to a rear end of the engine 7 hy non-depicted holts. The extension case 12 is disposed bchind the transmission case 10. The transmission case 10 and the extension case 12 serve to accommodate thercin a speed change mechanism that transmits drive power from the crankshaft 7A. [0034] The speed change mechanism is accommodatcd as, for instance, a specd change gearset configurcd with, among others, a non-depicted combination of an input shaft, an output shaft, and a plural ity of sets of speed-change gcars cach adapted to interlock the input shaft and the output shaft with each other, having one of speed change stages established in between to thereby transmit drive power from the input shaft to the output shaft. There is no restriction to configuration of the speed change mechanism. [0035] The rear end of the transmission case 10 is open, and a fi-ont end of the extension case 12 is open. The intermediate plate 11 is intemosed between the open end of the transmission case 10 and the open end of the extension case 12, interconnecting the transmission case 10 and the extension case 12 with each other. The intermediate plate 11 has non-depicted openings fonned therein for, among others, the input shaft and the output shaft to be provided there-through. [0036] The extension case 12 has a tubular propeller shaft insert portion 12A provided at a rear end thereof, and a front end of a propeller shaft 13 is inserted to the propeller shaft insert portion 12A. [0037] Specifically, the front end of the propeller shaft 13 has a sliding yoke 15 coupled therewith via a cross spider 14, and the sliding yoke 15 is inserted from behind into the propeller shaft insert portion 12A, to be thereby coupled with the rear end of the extension case 12, that is, with a rear end of the transmission 8. [0038] The sliding yoke 15 is configured to be longitudinally movable relative to the propeller shaft insert portion 12A, permitting the propeller shaft 13 to longitudinally 6 [nove. [0039] The sliding yokc 15 has a front end thereof splinc-fit to the output shaft of the transmission 8, to thereby transmit drive power from the output shat to the propeller shaft 13. [0040] As shown in Fig. 1, the propeller shaft 13 extends rcarward of the transmission 8, to be coupled with a differential device 17, via a cross spider 16 provided at a rcar end of the propeller shaft 13. [0041] According to embodiments herein, the propeller shaft 13 as made up includes the cross spider 14 and the sliding yokc 15. The transmission case 10 constitutcs a front case according to this invention, and the extension case 12 constitutcs a rcar case according to this invention. [0042] As shown in Fig. 1, the differential device 17 is operatively connected to left and right rcar wheels 19L and 19R, via left and right drive shafts 18L and 18R, rcspectively, to have drive power transmitted thereto from the transmission 8 through the propeller shaft 13 and distrihuted therefrom to the left and right rcar wheels 19L and 19R, through the loft and right drive shafts 18L and 18R, respectively. [0043] As shown in Fig. 3, the engine 7 as mounted has cylindcr axes 7B tilting leftward with respect to the transmission 8. A left side of the engine 7 is clastically supportcd hy a left mount device 20L on the front lower cross member 3B, and a right sidc of the engine 7 is clastically supported hy a right mount device 20R on the front lower cross member 3B. [0044] As shown in Fig. 2 or 4, a rear portion of the transmission 8, or specitically, a rear portion of the extension case 12 is elastically supported by a rear mount device 21 on the central cross member 4. [0045] The rear mount device 21 has a vehicle body side bracket 22 and a transmission sicle bracket 23. The vehicle body sicle bracket 22 is fixed to the central cross member 4, and extends downward from the central cross member 4. [0046] The transmission side bracket 23 includes a combination of first connecting parts 23A and 23B, a second connecting part 23C, and a combination of interconnecting parts 23D and 23E for interconnecting the first connecting part 23A or 23B and the second connecting part 23C. The first connecting parts 23A and 23B, the second connecting part 23C, and the interconnecting parts 23D and 23E are formed together to be integral. [0047] As shown in Fig. 3, the interconnecting part 23E is branched from the inter- connecting part 23D, so the interconnecting parts 23D and 23E are bifurcated. The first connecting parts 23A and 23B are connected to the extension case 12, by fastening by bolts 24A, in the manner of clamping from left and right a portion of the extension case 12 located above the propeller shaft insert portion 12A. 7 [0048] The second connecting part 23C is affixed to a vibration isolating member 25 made of an clastic body such as a ruhhcr. The vibration isolating member 25 is fixed by a holt 24B to conncct to the vehicle body sidc bracket 22, so the vehicle body side brackct 22 and the transmission side brackct 23 arc clastically connected with cach other. [0049] The second connecting part 23C is disposed to be higher in level than the first connccting parts 23A and 23B, and placcd more rcarward than the first connccting parts 23A and 23B. [0050] As shown in Fig. 5, the vehicle 1 is furnishcd with a rcinforcing member 26. The re- inforcing member 26, extending longitudinally, interconnects an upper portion of the extension case 12 and the interconnecting part 23D with cach other. [0051] As shown in Fig. 2, the rcinforcing member 26 has a rear end thercof disposed at a location vertically ncarer to the second connccting part 23C than the first connccting part 23A, to be connected to a front end of the interconnecting part 23D, hy fastening hy a boit 24C (sec Fig. 5). [0052] At an upper portion of the transmission 8, or spccifically, at an upper portion of the intermediate plate 11, there is providcd a guide mcmher 27, the guide mcmher 27 hcing placcd more forward than the second connccting part 23C, to extcnd upward from the intermediate plate 11. [0053] According to embodiments herein, at the rcar mount &vice 21, the first connecting parts 23A and 23B are connected to the extension case 12, and in a side view (left side view) of the vehicle 1, the reinforcing member 26 extending in a horizontal direction from the interconnecting part 23D is connected at a front end thereof to the guide member 27, by fastening by a boit 24D (sec Fig. 5). In other words, the reinforcing member 26 is connected at the fi-ont end via the guide member 27 to the intermediate plate 11. [0054] As shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 4, at an upper part of the propeller shaft insert portion 12A, there is disposed a boss portion 28 in combination with the first connecting parts 23A, 23B. The boss portion 28 extends longitudinally, and is connected to an upper part of the propeller shaft insert portion 12A. [0055] There is a connecting member 29 connected to the boss portion 28 and a rear part of the interconnecting part 23D, by fastening bolts 24E and 24F, respectively. The connecting member 29 is fastened by the boit 24E to a branching part between the interconnecting parts 23D and 23E. [0056] By doing so, the boss portion 28 and the rear part of the interconnecting part 23D are vertically connected by the connecting member 29. As shown in Fig. 3, the connecting member 29 is disposed in position to vehicle-vertically overlap the first connecting part 23A. 8 [0057] Description is now made of opération. [0058] Such as when the vehicle 1 is hrought into a front collision, there might he an excessive large load imposcd on the vchicic 1, from ahcad of the vehicle 1, with anxictics about a forward displaccment of the power unit 6. [0059] With a forward displaccment of the power unit 6, there may he anxictics about a failure to retain a coupling between the propeller shaft insert portion 12A and the sliding yoke 15 of the propeller shaft 13 insertcd from hchind to the propeller shaft insert portion 12A. [0060] To this point, according to embodiments hcrein, the power unit 6 is provided with a supporting structure in which the rcar mount device 21 bas the vehicle body sidc bracket 22 connected to the central cross member 4, the transmission side bracket 23 connected to the rcar portion of the transmission 8, and the vibration isolating member 25 clastically interconnecting the vehicle body sidc hracket 22 and the transmission side ['racket 23 with cach othcr. [0061] The transmission sicle bracket 23 has the first connecting parts 23A, 23B connected to the extension case 12 of the transmission 8, the second connecting part 23C connected to the vibration isolating member 25, and the interconnecting parts 23D, 23E interconnecting the first connecting parts 23A, 23B with the second connecting part 23C. [0062] The second connecting part 23C is disposed to he higher in levcl than the first connecting parts 23A, 23B, and the interconnecting part 23D and the upper portion of the transmission 8 are interconnected by the reinforcing member 26 extending in a longitudinal direction. [0063] By doing so, the rear mount device 21 can be reinforced by the reinforcing member 26, and in situations involving an excessive large load imposed on the vehicle 1 from ahead of the vehicle 1, there can be loads imposed on the first connecting parts 23A, 23B and distributed to the transmission side bracket 23 and the reinforcing member 26. [0064] Accordingly, there can be a suppressed deformation of the transmission side bracket 23, allowing for a retained connection between the first connecting parts 23A, 23B and the extension case 12. In addition, the transmission sicle bracket 23 can be suppressed from longitudinally falling clown, by the longitudinally extending reinforcing member 26. [0065] As a result, the power unit 6 can be suppressed from being displaced forward, allowing for a retained connection between the propeller shaft insert portion 12A and the sliding yoke 15 of the propeller shaft 13. [0066] Further, in situations involving an excessive large load imposed on the vehicle 1 from ahead of the vehicle 1, there can be received loads causing the interconnecting parts 23D, 23E to rotate clockwise about the first connecting parts 23A, 23B in a left 9 sidc vicw of the vehicle 1, as illustrated in Fig. 2. [0067] According to embodiments hcrein, in the supporting structure for the power unit 6, the reinforcing member 26 is connected to the interconnecting part 23D, in a position thereof vcrtically ncarer to the second connecting part 23C than the first connecting parts 23A, 23B. [0068] By doing so, whcn the interconnecting parts 23D, 23E are rotated clockwise about the first connecting parts 23A, 23B, there can be loads itnposcd on the second connecting part 23C and reccived hy the rcinforcing member 26 connected to the interconnecting part 23D in a position thercof vcrtically distant from the first connecting parts 23A, 23B, and near to the second connecting part 23C. [0069] Accordingly, there can be the more effective suppressed déformation of the transmission side hracket 23, as well as the more effective suppresscd forward dis-placement of the power unit 6. As a result, there is allowed the more effective retained connection between the propeller shaft insert portion 1 2A and the sliding yoke 15 of the propeller shaft 13. [0070] Further, according to embodiments hercin, in the supporting structure for the power unit 6, the transmission 8 includes the transmission case 10 fixed to the engine 7, the extension case 12 disposed bchind the transmission case 10, and the intermediate plate 11 intcrposed between the transmission case 10 and the extension case 12. [0071] in addition, the first connccting parts 23A, 23B arc connected to the extension case 12, and the reinforcing member 26 is connected to the intennediate plate 11. [0072] The transmission case 10 is open at the rear end, and the extension case 12 is open at the fi-ont end. By this configuration, at the open end of the transmission case 10, the rigidity is not high, like the open end of the extension case 12. [0073] To this point, the intermediate plate 11, disc-shaped, is solid excepting the openings for, among others, the input shaft and the output shaft to be provided there-through. In other words, it is solid at any part else than the openings. By this configuration, the intermediate plate 11 has higher rigidifies than those parts made unsolid like the open end of the transmission case 10 and the open end of the extension case 12. [0074] According to embodiments herein, the reinforcing member 26 is connected to the in- termediate plate 11 to be high in rigidity, so the reinforcing member 26 is allowed to have an enhanced supporting rigidity. [0075] Accordingly, there can be the more effective suppressed deformation of the transmission side bracket 23, as well as the more effective suppressed forward dis-placement of the power unit 6. As a result, there is allowed the more effective retained connection between the propeller shaft insert portion 12A ami the sliding yoke 15 of the propeller shaft 13. [0076] Further, in situations involving an excessive large load imposed on the vehicle 1 from ahcad of the vehicle 1, die rcinforcing member 26 may undergo forces acting thercon to pull horizontally rcarward, when recciving loads causing the interconnecting parts 23D, 23E to rotatc clockwise about the first connecting parts 23A, 23B in a left sidc vicw of the vehicle 1, as illustratcd in Fig. 2. [0077] According to emhodiments hercin, the supporting structure for the power unit 6 has the guide member 27 placed more forward than the second connecting part 23C, to he provided above the intermediate plate 11, to extend upward from the transmission 8. [0078] The rear end of the rcinforcing member 26 is connected to the interconnecting part 23D at a location vertically overlapping the second connecting part 23C, and in the left sidc vicw of the vehicle 1, the reinforcing member 26 horizontally extends from the interconnecting part 23D to the front end connected to the guide member 27. Namcly, the reinforcing member 26 can be set in a horizontal direction. [0079] By doing so, the rcinforcing member 26 can he set in the same direction as the direction of forces pull ing the rcinforcing member 26, so the reinforcing member 26 to be high in rigidity can stand against pull ing forces acting thcreon, allowing for the more effective suppressed déformation of the transmission sidc hracket 23. [0080] As a result, there can he the more effective suppressed forward displacement of the power unit 6, thus allowing for the more effective retained connection between the propeller shaft insert portion 12A and the sliding yoke 15 of the propeller shaft 13. [0081] Further, according to emhodiments hcrein, the supporting structure for the power unit 6 has the tubular propeller shaft insert portion 12A provided at the rear portion of the transmission 8, that is, at the rear portion of the extension case 12, for the propeller shaft 13 to be inserted thereto. [0082] At the upper part of the propeller shaft insert portion 12A, the longitudinally extending boss portion 28 is disposed in combination with the first connecting parts 23A, 23B, and the boss portion 28 is vertically connected with a rear part of the interconnecting parts 23D, 23E, by the connecting member 29. [0083] By doing so, the interconnecting part 23D can be reinforced from ahead by the re- inforcing member 26 to the speed-change geai case 9, and the interconnecting parts 23D, 23E can be reinforced from behind by the connecting member 29. [0084] In addition, the reinforcing member 26 can serve to horizontally reinforce the inter- connecting part 23D, and the connecting member 29 can serve to vertically reinforce the interconnecting parts 23D, 23E. By doing se, when receiving loads causing the interconnecting parts 23D, 23E to rotate clockwise about the first connecting parts 23A, 23B, the reinforcing member 26 and the connecting member 29 can serve for ceoperation to stand against received loads. [0085] Further, since the connecting member 29 is fastened by the boit 24E to the branching part between the interconnecting part 23D and the interconnecting part 23E, the 11 connecting member 29 can have an increased rigidity, allowing for the reinforcing member 26 to stand in the more effective manner against received loads acting clockwise as described. [0086] Accordingly, hy combination of the reinforcing memher 26 and the connecting member 29, the transmission side bracket 23 can he prevented from bcing deformed in the more effective manner, allowing for the more effective suppression of forward dis-placement of the power unit 6. As a rcsult, there can he the more effective retained connection between the propeller shaft insert portion 12A and the sliding yoke 15 of the propeller shaft 13. [0087] Further, according to embodiments hercin, the supporting structure for the power unit 6 has the boss portion 28 connectcd to the propeller shaft insert portion 12A, and the connecting member 29 disposcd in a position vcrtically overlapping the first connecting parts 23A, 23B. [0088] Like this, the boss portion 28 can be givcn an enhanced rigidity hy connecting the boss portion 28 to the propeller shaft insert portion 12A. In addition, the rcar mount device 21 can have a Ioad imposed thercon and distrihuted to the connecting memher 29 and the first connecting parts 23A, 23B, by setting the connecting member 29 disposcd in the position vertically overlapping the first connecting parts 23A, 23B. [0089] Accordingly, hy provision of the rcinforcing member 26 and the connecting member 29, there can be the more effective prevented deformation of the transmission side bracket 23, in combination with the more effective suppressed forward displacement of the power unit 6. As a result, there can be the more effective retained connection between the propeller shaft insert portion 12A and the sliding yoke 15 of the propeller shaft 13. [0090] Although embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, it is apparent that there may be artisan enabled to modify without deviating a scope of this invention. It is intended that any and all such modifications and equivalents are covered by the appended daims. Reference Signs List [0091] 1 vehicle 2L left side frame (as a vehicle body member) 2R right side frame (as a vehicle body member) 3A front upper cross member (as a vehicle body member) 3B front lower cross member (as a vehicle body member) 4 central cross member (as a vehicle body member) 5 rem cross member (as a vehicle body member) 6 power unit for vehicles 12 7 engin (as an internai combustion engin) 7A crankshaft (as an output shaft) 8 transmission 10 transmission case (as a front case) 11 intermediate plate 12 extension case (as a rear case) 12A propeller shaft insert portion 13 propeller shaft 14 cross spider (constituting a propeller shaft) siiding yoke (constituting a propeller shaft) 19L, 19R rear wheel 20L left mount device 20R rieht mount device 21 rear mount dcvicc 22 vchicic body sidc bracket 23 transmission sicle bracket 23A, 23B first connccting part 23C second connccting part 23D, 23E intcrconnecting part 25 vibration isolating member 26 reinforcing member 27 guide member 28 boss portion 29 connccting member Citation List Patent Literature Documents 100921 For any purpose, the following patent documents) is (are) cited: - 'Patent REVENDICATIONS1. A supporting structure for power units for vehicles including: a power unit (6) for vehicles comprising an internai combustion engine (7) arranged to have an output shaft (7A) extending longitudinally, and a transmission (8) fixed to a rcar end of the interna] combustion engine (7), the power unit (6) for vehicles having a propeller shaft (13) configurcd to transmit drive power to rcar whecls (19L, 19R) and insertcd at a front end (15) thereof to a mar end (12A) of the transmission (8); a combination of a left mount device (20L) and a right mount device (20R) configured to elastically support the internai combustion engine (7) on a set of vehicle body members (2L, 2R, 3A, 3B, 4, 5); and a rear mount device (21) configured to elastically support a rear portion (11, 12) of the transmission (8) on the set of vehicle body members (2L, 2R, 3A, 3B, 4, 5), wherein the rear mount device (21) comprises a vehicle body side bracket (22) connected to the set of vehicle body members (2L, 2R, 3A, 3B, 4, 5), a transmission side bracket (23) connected to the rear portion (11, 12) of the transmission (8), and a vibration isolating member (25) configured to elastically interconnect the vehicle body side bracket (22) and the transmission side bracket (23) with each other, the transmission side bracket (23) comprises a first connecting part (23A, 23B) connected to the transmission (8), a second connecting part (23C) connected to the vibration isolating member (25), and an interconnecting part (23D, 23E) configured to interconnect the first connecting part (23A, 23B) and the second connecting part (23C) with each other, the second connecting part (23C) is set in a position higher than the first connecting part (23A, 23B), and the interconnecting part (23D, 23E) and an upper portion of the transmission (8) are interconnected with each other by a reinforcing member (26) extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle (1). The supporting structure for power units for vehicles as claimed in daim 1, wherein the reinforcing member (26) is connected to the interconnecting part (23D, 23E), in a position thereof vertically nearer to the second connecting part (23C) than the first connecting part (23A, 23B). 14 [Claim 3] [Claim 4] [Claim 5] [Claim 6] The supporting structure for power units for vehicles as claimed in daim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission (8) comprises a front case (10) fixcd to the internai combustion engine (7), a rear case (12) disposed bchind the front case (10), and an intermediate plate (11) interposed between the front case (10) and the rcar case (12), and the first connecting part (23A, 23B) is connected to the rcar case (12), the rcinforcing member (26) bcing connected to the intermediate plate (11). The supporting structure for power units for vehicles as claimcd in daim 2, whercin the transmission (8) has a guide member (27) providcd at an upper portion thercof, die guide member (27) being placcd more forward than the second connecting part (23C), to extend upward from the transmission (8), a rcar end of the rcinforcing member (26) is connected to the interconnecting part (23D) at a location vertically overlapping the second connecting part (23C), and in a sidc vicw of the vehicle (1), the rcinforcing member (26) horizontally cxtends from the interconnecting part (23D), to have a front end thereof connected to the guide member (27). The supporting structure for power units for vehicles as claimed in any one of daims 1 to 4, wherein the rear portion (11, 12) of the transmission (8) is provided with a tubular propeller shaft insert portion (12A) configured for the propeller shaft (13) to be inserted thereto, the propeller shaft insert portion (12A) has disposed at an upper part thereof a combination of the first connecting part (23A, 23B) and a boss portion (28) extending longitudinally with respect to the vehicle (1), and the boss portion (28) and a rear part of the interconnecting part (23D, 23E) are vertically interconnected with cadi other by a connecting member (29). The supporting structure for power units for vehicles as claimed in daim 5, wherein the boss portion (28) is connected to the propeller shaft insert portion (12A), and the connecting member (29) is disposed in a position vertically 15 overlapping the first connecting part (23A) with respect to the vehicle (1).