Abstract:
An electric vehicle includes a right side member and a left side member with a motor compartment disposed therebetween, a motor compartment cross member extending transversely across the motor compartment, the motor compartment cross member coupled to the left side member and the right side member, a front cross member extending transversely across the motor compartment, wherein the front cross member is spaced apart from the motor compartment cross member in a vertical direction, and a motor mount member extending between the front cross member and the motor compartment cross member, wherein the motor mount member is coupled to the front cross member and the motor compartment cross member, the motor mount member comprising an attachment point for receiving a corresponding coupler of an electric motor.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present specification generally relates to mounting structures for use in a motor compartment of a vehicle and, more specifically, to mounting structures for securing an electric motor within a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electric motors, like conventional engines, are secured by a motor mount to a vehicle frame, allowing the electric motor to apply torque to the drive train components. The motor mount reacts the motive torque applied to the drive train components, and prevents the electric motor from moving within the motor compartment. Known designs include attaching the electric motor to a single cross-member spanning the width of the motor compartment as is done with combustion engines. However, electric motors distribute forces in a manner different from combustion engines. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for alternative mounting structure for securing an electric motor within a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an electric vehicle may include a right side member and a left side member with a motor compartment disposed therebetween. A motor compartment cross member may extend transversely across the motor compartment. The motor compartment cross member may be coupled to the left side member and the right side member. A front cross member may extend transversely across the motor compartment. The front cross member may be coupled to the left side member and the right side member and spaced apart from the motor compartment cross member in a vertical direction. A motor mount member may extend between the front cross member and the motor compartment cross member in a forward-aft direction of the electric vehicle. The motor mount member may be coupled to the front cross member and the motor compartment cross member and may include an attachment point for receiving a corresponding coupler of an electric motor. 
     In another embodiment, an electric vehicle drive train subassembly may include an electric motor, a front cross member, and a motor mount member. The front cross member generally extends between a first end and a second end of the front cross member and is oriented such that a long axis of the front cross member is substantially parallel with an axis of rotation of the electric motor. The motor mount member may include a hanger coupled to a top plate and a bottom plate. The bottom plate may be coupled to the front cross member. The hanger includes an attachment point and the motor is coupled to the attachment point. 
     In another embodiment, a method of assembling an electric vehicle drive train sub-assembly into a vehicle sub-assembly may include positioning an electric motor drive train subassembly below a vehicle body. The electric motor drive train subassembly may include an electric motor, a front cross member and a motor mount member. The front cross member extends between a first end and a second end of the front cross member and may be oriented such that a long axis of the front cross member is substantially parallel with an axis of rotation of the electric motor. The motor mount member may include a hanger coupled to a top plate and a bottom plate. The bottom plate may be coupled to the front cross member. The hanger may include an attachment point and the motor may be coupled to the attachment point. The electric motor drive train subassembly may be mated with a motor opening of the vehicle body and the front cross member may be secured to a left side member and a right side member of the vehicle body such that the front cross member extends transversely across the motor opening of the vehicle body. Thereafter, the motor mount member may be secured to a motor compartment cross member extending transversely across the motor opening of the vehicle body. 
     These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  schematically depicts a portion of an electric vehicle which includes a motor mounting assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  schematically depicts a portion of the motor compartment of the electric vehicle of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2  schematically depicts an exploded view of the motor mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  schematically depicts a top view of the motor compartment of  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 4  schematically depicts the motor mount member of the motor mounting assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  schematically depicts an auxiliary side motor mount for use in conjunction with the motor mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 6  schematically depicts an auxiliary rear motor mount for use in conjunction with the motor mounting assembly; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-section of the motor mounting assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  generally depicts an electric vehicle having an electric motor positioned in a motor compartment of the vehicle and secured with a motor mounting assembly. The motor mounting assembly generally includes a front cross member, a motor compartment cross member and a motor mount member. The front cross member extends transversely across the motor compartment and is coupled to the left and right side members of the electric vehicle. A motor compartment cross member extends transversely across the motor compartment and is coupled to the left and right side members of the electric vehicle. The motor compartment cross member is offset from the front cross member in a vertical direction. The motor mount member extends between the front cross member and the motor compartment cross member in a forward-aft direction of the electric vehicle and is coupled to the front cross member and the motor compartment cross member. Various embodiments of electric vehicles and motor mounting assemblies for electric vehicles will be described in more detail herein with specific reference to the appended drawings. 
     Electric motors, like gasoline combustion engines, generate motive forces to the drive train subassembly of the vehicle. However, electric motors generate and distribute those forces in a manner distinct from gasoline combustion engines. One such distinction is that electric motors produce greater torque at the armature of the motor. Further, the configuration of the electric motor and related components, such as the transmission and the like, may not be symmetrical with respect to the axes of the motor and, as such, the loads imparted by the motor to the surrounding motor compartment structure may not be equally distributed. Motor mount members designed to support gasoline combustion engines may not be configured to carry and distribute the increased torque of an electric motor as well as the unbalanced load of the electric motor. The motor mounting assemblies described herein overcome these efficiencies, particularly when the motor mounting assemblies are used to retrofit vehicles designed for conventional combustion engines with an electric motor drive train. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a front portion of an electric vehicle  110  is schematically depicted. The electric vehicle  110  generally includes a front left side member  114  and a front right side member  118  with a motor compartment  112  positioned between the front left side member  114  and the front right side member  118 . A motor mounting assembly  130  is coupled to the front left side member  114  and the front right side member  118 . An electric motor  200  is coupled to the motor mounting assembly  130  such that an axis of rotation  122  of the electric motor  200  is generally parallel to a transverse direction  124  of the electric vehicle  110 . 
     In the embodiments described herein, the motor compartment  112  is positioned in a front portion of the vehicle  110  and is generally defined by the front left side member  114  and the front right side member  118 . In the embodiments described herein, the front left side member includes a lower left side member  116  and an upper left side member  117  while the front right side member  118  includes a lower right side member  120  and an upper right side member  121 . The lower and upper left side members  116 , 117  and the lower and upper right side members  120 , 121  generally have a longitudinal orientation with respect to the vehicle  110  (i.e., the side members are generally parallel to a forward-aft direction  126  of the vehicle). In the embodiments described herein, the front left side member  114  and the front right side member  118  are secured to the front bumper beam (not shown) of the electric vehicle  110  at the front of the vehicle and are secured to the underbody structure of the vehicle aft of the motor compartment  112 . 
     The motor mounting assembly  130  is positioned within the motor compartment  112  and includes a transversely-oriented front cross member  140 , a transversely-oriented motor compartment cross member  150 , and a motor mount member  160  disposed between the front cross member  140  and the motor compartment cross member  150 . As used herein, the phrase “transversely oriented” means that the component is generally positioned in the transverse direction  124  of the electric vehicle  110  (as opposed to the forward-aft direction  126  of the electric vehicle  110 ). The motor compartment  112  further includes one or more auxiliary motor mounts  166 ,  168  (FIGS.  2  and  5 - 6 ) which may be used to affix the electric motor  200  to an interior portion of the motor compartment  112 . The electric motor  200  is coupled to the motor mounting assembly  130  such that the axis of rotation  122  of the electric motor  200  is parallel to the transverse direction  124  of the electric vehicle  110  as noted above. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2 , the front cross member  140  is transversely oriented within the motor compartment  112 . The front cross member  140  extends between a first end  141  and a second end  142 . The first end  141  of the front cross member  140  mounts to the lower right side member  120  ( FIG. 1B ). The second end  142  of the front cross member  140  mounts to the lower left side member  116  ( FIG. 1B ). In the embodiments described herein, the front cross member  140  includes a plurality of apertures  143  located in the first end  141  and the second end  142 . The apertures facilitate securing the front cross member  140  to the lower right side member  120  and the lower left side member  116  with threaded fasteners, such as bolts. However, it should be understood that the front cross member may be secured to the lower right side member  120  and the lower left side member  116  using other joining techniques, including, without limitation, welding. 
     The front cross member  140  further includes a mounting platform  144  located between the first end  141  and the second end  142 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting platform  144  is integrally formed with the front cross member  140 , such as when the mounting platform  144  and the front cross member  140  are formed from a single piece of material. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the mounting platform  144  may be formed separately from the front cross member  140  and thereafter coupled to the front cross member  140  with by bolts, screws, rivets, welds or the like. In the embodiments described herein, the mounting platform  144  is adapted to support the lower plate  162  of the motor mount member  160 . For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the mounting platform  144  includes a plurality of apertures  146  for receiving one or more bolts which secure the motor mount member  160  to the mounting platform  144 . In some embodiments, the apertures  146  may be threaded while, in other embodiments, each of the apertures may further include a weld nut welded to the underside of the mounting platform  144  in order to facilitate securing the motor mount member  160  to the mounting platform  144  of the front cross member  140 . To provide a greater surface area for supporting the motor mount member  160 , the mounting platform  144  protrudes from the front cross member  140  in the forward-aft direction  126  of the electric vehicle  110 . 
     In the embodiments described herein the front cross member  140  is formed from a metallic material such as, for example, galvanized steel. An exemplary steel material is SCGA 440 MPa galvanized or galvannealed steel. However, it should be understood that the cross members may be made from other metallic materials suitable for use in automotive structural applications. In the embodiments described herein, the front cross member  140  is formed by stamping the metallic material into the desired shaped. However, it should be understood that other forming techniques may be utilized to form the front cross member  140 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2 , the motor compartment cross member  150  is transversely oriented within the motor compartment  112 . The motor compartment cross member  150  is offset from the front cross member  140  in the vertical direction  128 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B . In one or more embodiments, the motor compartment cross member  150  is also offset from the front cross member  140  in the forward-aft direction  126  of the electric vehicle  110 . The motor compartment cross member  150  extends between a first end  151  and a second end  152 . The first end  151  of the motor compartment cross member  150  mounts to the upper right side member  121  ( FIG. 1B ). The second end  152  of the motor compartment cross member  150  mounts to the upper left side member  117  ( FIG. 1B ). In the embodiments described herein, the motor compartment cross member  150  includes a plurality of apertures  153  located in the first end  151  and second end  152 . The apertures facilitate securing the motor compartment cross member  150  to the upper right side member  121  and the upper left side member  117  with threaded fasteners, such as bolts. However, it should be understood that the motor compartment cross member  150  may be secured to the upper right side member  121  and the upper left side member  117  using other joining techniques, including, without limitation, welding. In an alternative embodiment of the motor compartment cross member  150 , the first end  151  of the motor compartment cross member  150  is connected to the upper right side member  121  with a bracket. 
     It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the motor compartment cross member  150  is not planar. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the first end  151  of the motor compartment cross member  150  is out of plane with respect to the remainder of the motor compartment cross member  150 . 
     The motor compartment cross member  150  further includes a mounting platform  154  located between the first end  151  and the second end  152 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting platform  154  is integrally formed with the motor compartment cross member  150 , such as when the mounting platform  154  and the motor compartment cross member  150  are formed from a single piece of material. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the mounting platform  154  may be formed separately from the motor compartment cross member  150  and thereafter coupled to the motor compartment cross member  150  such as by bolts, screws, rivets, welds or the like. In the embodiment described herein, the mounting platform  154  is adapted to support the upper plate  161  of the motor mount member  160 . For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the mounting platform  154  includes a plurality of apertures  156  for receiving one or more bolts which secure the motor mount member  160  to the mounting platform  154 . In some embodiments, the apertures  156  may be threaded while, in other embodiments, each of the apertures  146  may further include a weld nut welded to the topside of the mounting platform  154  of the motor compartment cross member  150 . 
     In the embodiments described herein, the motor compartment cross member  150  is made of a metallic material such as, for example, galvanized steel. An exemplary steel material is SCGA 440 MPa galvanized or galvannealed steel. However, it should be understood that the motor compartment cross member may be made from other metallic materials suitable for use in automotive structural applications. In the embodiments described herein, the motor compartment cross member  150  is formed by stamping the metallic material into the desired shaped. However, it should be understood that other forming techniques may be utilized to form the motor compartment cross member  150 . In one embodiment, the motor compartment cross member  150  includes additional support structures  158  to support components mounted thereto. Such components may include drive system components and high voltage components. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2 , the motor mount member  160  generally extends between the front cross member  140  and the motor compartment cross member  150  and is connected to both the front cross member  140  and the motor compartment cross member  150 . The motor mount member  160  includes an upper plate  161  at a top portion thereof, a lower plate  162  at a bottom portion thereof, and a hanger  163  extending between the upper plate  161  and the lower plate  162 . 
     In the embodiments described herein, the upper plate  161  is integrally formed with the hanger  163  such as when the upper plate  161  and hanger  163  are stamped from a single piece of material. In alternative embodiments (not shown) the upper plate  161  and the hanger  163  may be separately formed. For example, the upper plate  161  and the hanger  163  may be separately formed and joined together such as by welding or the like. In the embodiments of the motor mount member  160  described herein, the upper plate  161  is trapezoidal in shape and includes a plurality of apertures  166 . The apertures  166  facilitate securing the upper plate  161  of the motor mount member  160  to the mounting platform  154  of the motor compartment cross member  150  with threaded fasteners, such as bolts. However, it should be understood that the motor mount member  160  may be secured to the motor compartment cross member  150  using other joining techniques, including, without limitation, welding. 
     In the embodiment of the motor mount member  160  depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the lower plate  162  and the hanger  163  are separate components which are joined together such as by welding or the like. However, in other embodiments, the lower plate  162  and the hanger  163  may be integrally formed, such as when the lower plate  162  and the hanger  163  are formed from a single piece of material in a stamping operation. 
     In the embodiment of the motor mount member  160  described herein, a gusset plate is coupled to the hanger and at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the lower plate  162  and the hanger  163  are joined together with a gusset plate  168 . The gusset plate  168  may be a sheet of steel that can be fastened to the lower plate  162  and the hanger  163  using bolts, rivets, welding, or combinations thereof. The gusset plate  168  may be made from either cold rolled or galvanized steel. The gusset plate  168  generally reinforces the joint between the lower plate  162  and the hanger  163  thereby improving the load carrying capability of the motor mount member  160 . 
     In the embodiments of the motor mount member  160  described herein, the lower plate  162  includes a plurality of apertures  167 . The apertures  167  facilitate securing the lower plate  162  of the motor mount member  160  to the mounting platform  144  of the front cross member  140  with threaded fasteners, such as bolts. However, it should be understood that the motor mount member  160  may be secured to the front cross member  140  using other joining techniques, including, without limitations, welding. For example, in one embodiment, the lower plate  162  is attached with one or more bolts, such as when the mounting platform  144  of the front cross member  140  includes one or more weld nuts for threadably receiving the one or more bolts. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lower plate  162  may be welded to the mounting platform  144 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the hanger  163  of the motor mount member  160  is angled such that the upper plate  161  is horizontally offset from the lower plate  162 . The angled orientation of the hanger  163  allows the motor compartment cross member  150  to be both offset from the front cross member  140  in both the vertical direction  128  and in the forward-aft direction  126  of the electric vehicle  110 . 
     In the embodiments described herein, the hanger  163  of the motor mount member  160  includes an integrated attachment point  164  extending therefrom. When the motor mounting assembly  130  is positioned in the motor compartment  112 , the attachment point  164  extends toward the rear of the vehicle  110 . In one embodiment, the attachment point  164  is a clevis fastener which includes a U-shaped extension  169 . Each prong of the U-shaped extension  169  includes a circular opening  170  for receiving a mounting bolt  165 . The attachment point  164  is generally oriented such that, when the mounting bolt  165  is positioned in the attachment point  164 , the long axis of the mounting bolt  165  is oriented in the transverse direction  124 . 
     In the embodiments described herein, the motor mount member  160  is formed from a metallic material such as, for example, galvanized steel. An exemplary steel material is SCGA 440 MPa galvanized or galvannealed steel. However, it should be understood that the motor mount member  160  may be made from other metallic materials suitable for use in automotive structural applications. In the embodiments described herein, the motor mount member  160  is formed by stamping the metallic material into the desired shape of the various components of the motor mount member  160  (i.e., the lower plate  162 , gusset plate  168 , and hanger  163 ) and then welding the various components together. However, it should be understood that other forming techniques may be utilized to form the motor mount member  160 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the motor compartment  112 .  FIG. 3  shows the front cross member  140  oriented transverse to the motor compartment  112 . The motor mount member  160  is shown extending from the front cross member  140 . Although not shown in this figure, the motor compartment cross member  150  is attached to the upper plate  161  of the motor mount member  160 . The electric motor  200  is adjacent the motor mount member  160 , and although not shown in  FIG. 3 , the electric motor  200  is attached to the motor mount member  160  at the attachment point of the hanger  163 . The electric motor  200  is positioned in the center of the motor compartment  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 7 ,  FIG. 7  schematically depicts a partial cross-section of the motor mount member  160  and electric motor  200  showing the electric motor  200  mounted to the attachment point  164  of the motor mount member  160 . The mounting bolt  165  passes through the circular openings  170  of the U-shaped extension  169  of the attachment point  164 . The mounting bolt  165  also passes through a mounting point  210  coupled to the casing of the electric motor  200 . The front mounting bolt  165  is secured in place such as with a nut and/or retaining pin to attach the electric motor  200  to the motor mount member  160 . 
       FIG. 7  also includes a cross sectional view of an isolation member  190 . The isolation member  190  is positioned around the mounting bolt  165 . The isolation member  190  is made of vibration damping material, such as rubber or the like, which is inserted through the circular openings  170  in the U-shaped extension  169  and the mounting point  210 . The isolation member  190  fills the space between the mounting bolt  165 , the circular openings  170  and the mounting point  210  of the electric motor  200  to prevent unwanted vibration and/or movement of the electric motor  200 . 
     Referring now to FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6 , the electric motor  200  may generally include a housing  202  which encloses an inverter  204 . Additionally, the electric motor  200  may also include a transmission  206  which couples the armature of the electric motor to the drive train of the electric vehicle  110 . These components of the electric motor  200  increase the weight of the electric motor and, more importantly, cause the electric motor to be unbalanced. The effects of this imbalance are exacerbated by the transverse orientation of the motor with respect to the vehicle and the high torque generated by the motor during operation. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the electric vehicle may further include auxiliary motor mounts  172 ,  180  which may be utilized in conjunction with the motor mounting assembly to further stabilize the electric motor in the motor compartment  112  of the electric vehicle, as noted above. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the auxiliary motor mounts  172 ,  180  may attach the electric motor  200  to one or more of the sides of the engine compartment and to structural components positioned aft of the electric motor  200 , such as, for example, the front suspension member of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 5  schematically depicts the right side auxiliary motor mount  172 . The right side auxiliary motor mount  172  includes an upper plate  173  which is generally oriented in the forward-aft direction  126  when the right side auxiliary motor mount  172  is installed in the engine compartment of the electric vehicle. In one embodiment, the upper plate  173  is mounted to the underside of the upper right side member  121  with a plurality of bolts. However, it should be understood that the upper plate  173  may be mounted at other locations on the frame of the electric vehicle  110  in order to secure the electric motor  200  to the vehicle. Further, it should be understood that the upper plate  173  may be attached using other joining techniques, such as welding. The right side auxiliary motor mount  172  further includes a first finger  175  and a second finger  176  integrally formed with the upper plate  173 . The first finger  175  and the second finger  176  generally extend downward in the vertical direction  128  from the bottom of the upper plate  173 . The first finger  175  and the second finger  176  each include a circular opening  177  at the distal end of each finger  175 , 176 . The first finger  175  and the second finger  176  are separated from each other in the forward-aft direction  126 . A mounting bolt  178  and, optionally, an isolation member such as a grommet formed from a vibration damping material, may be positioned in the circular openings  177  of both the first finger  175  and the second finger  176  to facilitate attaching the electric motor  200  to the right side auxiliary motor mount  172 . The mounting bolt  178  extends through a portion of the electric motor  200  to securely mount the electric motor  200  to the right side auxiliary motor mount  172 . While the side auxiliary motor mount  172  has been described herein as a “right side” auxiliary motor mount  172 , it should be understood that, a similar motor mount structure may be used, alternatively or additionally, on the left side of the electric motor. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the rear auxiliary motor mount  180  includes a base  182  oriented in the transverse direction  124  when the rear auxiliary motor mount is installed in the motor compartment of the vehicle. The base  182  is mounted to structural components of the vehicle  110  aft of the electric motor  200 , such as the front suspension member. However, it should be understood that the base  182  may be mounted to other components in the engine compartment of the electric vehicle  110  in order to secure the electric motor  200  to the vehicle  110 . Further, it should be understood that the base  182  may be attached using other joining techniques, such as welding. The rear auxiliary motor mount  180  further includes a first support flange  186  and a second support flange  187  integrally formed with the base  182 . The first support flange  186  and the second support flange  187  are generally parallel with one another and extend from the top of the base  182 . The first support flange  186  and the second support flange  187  each include a circular opening  188  at a distal end of each support flange  186 , 187 . A mounting bolt  189  and, optionally, an isolation member such as a grommet formed from a vibration damping material, may be positioned in the circular openings  188  of both the first support flange  186  and the second support flange  187  to facilitate attaching the electric motor  200  to the rear auxiliary motor mount  180 . The mounting bolt  189  extends through a portion of the electric motor  200  to securely mount the electric motor  200  to the rear auxiliary motor mount  180 . 
     The side auxiliary motor mount  172  and the rear auxiliary motor mount  180  are may be initially attached to the electric motor (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and affixed to the vehicle during installation of the electric motor into the vehicle. Alternatively, the side auxiliary motor mount  172  and the rear auxiliary motor mount  180  may be attached to the vehicle and, thereafter, secured to the electric motor as the electric motor is installed in the motor compartment of the vehicle. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2 , in one embodiment, the front cross member  140 , motor mount member  160  and the electric motor  200  may be assembled prior to installation in the motor compartment to form an electric vehicle drive train sub-assembly. In the sub-assembly, the lower plate  162  of the motor mount member  160  is attached to the mounting platform  144  of the front cross member  140  and the electric motor  200  is secured to the attachment point  164  on the hanger  163  of the motor mount member  160 . When installed on the electric motor  200 , a long axis of the front cross member is substantially parallel with an axis of rotation of the electric motor. The sub-assembly may be installed into the motor compartment  112  of the electric vehicle  110  through the bottom of the motor compartment  112 . Once properly positioned within the motor compartment  112 , the sub-assembly is attached to the frame of the electric vehicle  110 . More specifically, the upper plate  161  of the motor mount member  160  is attached to the mounting platform  154  of the motor compartment cross member  150 , the front cross member  140  is secured to the lower right side member  120  and lower left side member  116 , and the electric motor  200  is attached to the right side auxiliary motor mount  172  and the rear auxiliary motor mount  180 . 
     It should now be understood that the motor mounting assemblies described herein may be utilized to support a transversely oriented electric motor in the motor compartment of a vehicle. The motor mounting assemblies described herein provide greater support to the electric motor and counter the torque developed by the electric motor. Specifically the extra torque generated by electric motor is transferred to the motor mount member and, because the motor mount member is attached at both the top and bottom to the motor compartment cross member and the front cross member which, in turn, are attached to the side members of the vehicle, the loads carried by the motor mount member are more equally distributed throughout the frame of the vehicle. 
     In particular, the transverse orientation of the motor compartment cross member and the front cross member forward of the electric motor facilitate positioning a mounting point for the electric motor forward of the motor where, in conventional vehicle configurations, there are no transverse structural support members with sufficient strength to carry the load and counteract the torque of the electric motor. More specifically, utilizing a motor compartment cross member and a front cross member which transversely span the motor compartment facilitates connecting the motor mount member between the motor compartment cross member and the front cross member such that the attachment point of the motor mount member is positioned in the motor compartment forward of the electric motor. 
     Further, auxiliary motor mounts may be utilized in conjunction with the motor mounting assemblies to provide additional support and stability to the electric motor. Specifically, the auxiliary motor mounts may be utilized at the transverse ends of the motor and/or aft of the motor to further support the electric motor and to counteract the torque exerted by the electric motor on the motor mounting assemblies. 
     It should also be understood that the motor mounting assemblies described herein may be utilized to retrofit vehicles designed for conventional internal combustion engines with electric motors. 
     It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.