# US 2008/0185872 A1 · Component integration panel system with closed box section > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0185872 A1 - Document ID: US20080185872A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/701,252 - Filed: 2007-02-01 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-01 - Assignees: Magna International Inc. - Inventors: Anthony J. Povinelli; Gari M. Schalte; Michael W. Crane - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185872A1 ## CPC - B62D 25/084: {Radiator supports} - 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) ## Abstract A carrier for improving the strength of the front end of a vehicle, the carrier having an upper cross member which incorporates a closed box section, a composite integration panel connected to the upper cross member, and a lower cross member which also has a closed box section and is also connected to the composite integration panel. The closed box section of the upper cross member, and the closed box section of the lower cross member allow the component integration panel to be attached to the front end of a motor vehicle for supporting various vehicle components. The carrier improves strength and rigidity, as well as provides support for any particular vehicle component which needs to be attached to the front end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A carrier for improving the strength of the front end of a motor vehicle, comprising: an upper cross-member having a closed box section; a composite integration panel, connected to said upper cross-member; a lower cross-member having a closed box section, also connected to said composite integration panel; and wherein said closed box section of said upper cross-member and said closed box section of said lower cross-member allow said component integration panel to be attached to the front end of a motor vehicle for supporting various vehicle components. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A carrier according to claim 1, wherein said composite integration panel is an open C-section having an upper panel, a lower panel, and a side panel, with said side panel connecting said lower panel and upper panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A carrier according to claim 1, wherein said composite integration panel is an open L-section having a lower panel and a side panel, said lower panel connected to said side panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A carrier according to claim 1, wherein said composite integration panel is an open L-section having an upper panel and a side panel, said upper panel connected to said side panel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A carrier according to claim 1, wherein said closed box section of said upper cross-member and said upper box section of said lower cross-member provide additional structural rigidity to said carrier. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A carrier according to claim 1, wherein said upper cross-member is manufactured to allow said carrier to be connected to any vehicle having a frame as a separate component from the vehicle body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A carrier according to claim 1, wherein said lower cross-member is manufactured to allow said carrier to be connected to any vehicle having a frame as a separate component from the vehicle body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A carrier according to claim 1, wherein said composite integration panel is manufactured such that said composite integration panel is suitable to be connected to any vehicle having a frame as a separate component from the vehicle body. ### Claim 9 A carrier connected to the frame of a vehicle, comprising: a upper cross-member having a closed box section; a composite integration panel, connected to said upper cross-member through a bond or at least one fastener; a lower cross-member having a closed box section, also connected to said composite integration panel through at least one fastener; at least one mounting bracket, for connecting said lower cross-member to said composite integration panel through another of said at least one fastener; and wherein said upper cross-member, said lower cross-member, and composite integration panel form a carrier, said carrier is connected to the front end of a frame of a vehicle for increasing the strength of said frame, and for providing connections for various vehicle components. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said composite integration panel further comprises an upper panel, a lower panel, and a side panel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said composite integration panel further comprises a lower panel and a side panel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said composite integration panel further comprises an upper panel and a side panel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said composite integration panel is further comprised of a thermoplastic which can be formed to fit any type of vehicle frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said upper cross-member is formed through manufacturing process, allowing said upper cross-member to be fitted for any vehicle having a frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said lower cross-member is formed through a manufacturing process, allowing said upper cross-member to be fitted for any vehicle having a frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said fastener is a nut and bolt. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said fastener is a rivet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The carrier according to claim 9, wherein said fastener is a bond between said composite integration panel and said lower cross member, and between said composite integration panel and said upper cross member. ### Claim 19 A carrier for reinforcing the front of a frame of a vehicle, comprising: an upper cross-member having a closed box section; an composite integration panel; an lower cross-member having a closed box section; at least one mounting bracket; and wherein said closed box section of said upper cross-member is connected to said composite integration panel by using at least one fastener, said closed box section of said lower cross-member is connected to said composite integration panel through the use of said at least one mounting bracket and another of said at least one fastener, forming a carrier, and said carrier is attached to the front end of a vehicle for reinforcing the frame of said vehicle, and for attaching various vehicle components to said carrier. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The carrier of claim 19, wherein the shape of said composite integration panel is on selected from the group comprising a C-section or an L-section. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The carrier of claim 19, wherein said composite integration panel, said upper cross-member, and said lower cross-member are manufactured such that when assembled, said composite integration panel, said upper cross-member, and said lower cross-member are suitable to fit any type of said frame of any type of said vehicle. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The carrier of claim 19, wherein said composite integration panel is made of a thermoplastic material.