Support structure for a heating matrix

A support structure configured to position a heating matrix in an exhaust gas line spatially delimited by a housing, the heating matrix being formed by a honeycomb body which has a multiplicity of flow channels through which flow can pass in a main flow direction, wherein the heating matrix is supported against an inner surface of the housing by the support structure and the heating matrix is fixed with respect to the support structure, the support structure comprising:

• a plurality of coupling elements, the plurality of coupling elements being plugged into and durably connected to individual cells of the heating matrix, which are formed by the flow channels;
• and
• a respective free end of a respective coupling element is directly or indirectly connected to the support structure, a respective tolerance compensation element that compensates for a positional tolerance of the coupling element in at least two spatial directions being provided.

A method for connecting a support structure configured to position a heating matrix in an exhaust gas line spatially delimited by a housing, the heating matrix being formed by a honeycomb body which has a multiplicity of flow channels through which flow can pass in a main flow direction, wherein the heating matrix is supported against an inner surface of the housing by the support structure and the matrix is fixed with respect to the support structure, comprising:

• connecting elements firstly are durably connected to coupling elements;
• and
• in a subsequent step durably connecting the connecting elements to that surface of the support structure that faces toward the heating matrix.

A method for connecting a support structure configured to position a heating matrix in an exhaust gas line spatially delimited by a housing, the heating matrix being formed by a honeycomb body which has a multiplicity of flow channels through which flow can pass in a main flow direction, wherein the heating matrix is supported against an inner surface of the housing by the support structure and the matrix is fixed with respect to the support structure, comprising:

• durably connecting elements to that surface of the support structure that faces toward the heating matrix in a first step;
• and
• plugging and durably connecting coupling elements to the connecting elements in a subsequent step.