# US 11,299,210 B2 · Structural integration brace for front vehicle compartment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,299,210 B2 - Document ID: US11299210B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/888,032 - Filed: 2020-05-29 - Published: 2021-12-02 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-29 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Bradley Leier; Mark A. Stebbins; Joung Min Choi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299210B2 ## CPC - B62D 25/082: {Engine compartments} - B62D 25/085: {Front-end modules} - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - B62D 25/04: Door pillars {; windshield pillars} - B62D 25/088: {Details of structures as upper supports for springs or dampers} - B60K 2001/0438: {Arrangement under the floor} - B60Y 2306/01: Reducing damages in case of crash, e.g. by improving battery protection - B62D 25/081: {Cowls (ventilating openings situated directly in front of the vehicle front window B60H1/28)} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes: a body; a drive system configured to propel the body; and a front motor compartment formed within the body, the front motor compartment including: a first shock tower; a second shock tower; and a structural integration brace for a vehicle, including: a first end attached to a first shock tower of the vehicle; and a second end attached to a second shock tower of the vehicle; wherein the structural integration brace extends between the first end and the second end, generating a load path therebetween within the front motor compartment of the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structural integration brace for a vehicle, comprising: a first end configured to be attached to a first shock tower of the vehicle; and a second end configured to be attached to a second shock tower of the vehicle; wherein the structural integration brace extends between the first end and the second end, generating a load path therebetween within a front motor compartment of the vehicle; and wherein the load path has an intersection point that is disposed within the structural integration brace itself. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The structural integration brace of claim 1, wherein the structural integration brace is further configured to extend through a front of dash of the vehicle to a front body hinge pillar of the vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The structural integration brace of claim 2, wherein the load path generated by the structural integration brace is further configured to extend through a front-of-dash toe pan brace, the front body hinge pillar, and a toe pan brace bulkhead of the vehicle. ### Claim 4 A front motor compartment for a vehicle, comprising: a first shock tower; a second shock tower; and a structural integration brace for a vehicle, comprising: a first end attached to a first shock tower of the vehicle; and a second end attached to a second shock tower of the vehicle; wherein the structural integration brace extends between the first end and the second end, generating a load path therebetween within the front motor compartment of the vehicle; and wherein the load path has an intersection point that is disposed within the structural integration brace itself. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The front motor compartment of claim 4, wherein the structural integration brace extends through a front of dash of the vehicle to a front body hinge pillar of the vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The front motor compartment of claim 5, wherein the load path generated by the structural integration brace is further configured to extend through a front-of-dash brace a toe pan brace, a floor panel, and a rocker. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The front motor compartment of claim 4, further comprising: a storage compartment defined by a body of the front motor compartment and disposed above the structural integration brace; wherein the structural integration brace is configured to provide structural support for the storage compartment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The front motor compartment of claim 4, wherein the structural integration brace is bolted to the first and second shock towers with four front attachment bolts for each shock tower. ### Claim 9 A vehicle comprising: a body; a drive system configured to propel the body; and a front motor compartment formed within the body, the front motor compartment comprising: a first shock tower; a second shock tower; and a structural integration brace for a vehicle, comprising: a first end attached to a first shock tower of the vehicle; and a second end attached to a second shock tower of the vehicle; wherein the structural integration brace extends between the first end and the second end, generating a load path therebetween within the front motor compartment of the vehicle; and wherein the load path has an intersection point that is disposed within the structural integration brace itself. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the structural integration brace extends through a front of dash of the vehicle to a front body hinge pillar of the vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the load path generated by the structural integration brace is further configured to extend through a front-of-dash brace, a toe pan brace, a front body hinge pillar, a toe pan brace bulkhead, a floor panel, and a rocker. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising: a storage compartment defined by a body of the front motor compartment and disposed above the structural integration brace; wherein the structural integration brace is configured to provide structural support for the storage compartment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the structural integration brace is bolted to the first and second shock towers with four front attachment bolts for each shock tower. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the load path generated by the structural integration brace extends from the shock towers and front of dash through to rocker panels for vertical and fore/aft support and to a floor panel for fore/aft and lateral support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the structural integration brace includes a portion of the structural integration brace that connects the lateral portion to the diagonal portions of the structural integration brace. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the vehicle comprises a battery electric vehicle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the vehicle comprises a convertible automobile having an A-pillar, and the structural integration brace is configured to provide structural support for the A-pillar by stabilizing a base of the front body hinge pillar.