# US 5,348,114 A · Front chassis frame for automobile

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- Number: US 5,348,114 A
- Document ID: US5348114A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/933,169
- Filed: 1992-08-21
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1991-09-06
- Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation
- Inventors: Makoto Yamauchi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348114A

## CPC

- B62D 21/152: {Front or rear frames}
- 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 front chassis frame has a transversely extending front cross member at a front end of an automobile. The cross member has a closed cross section and a transversely extending corrugation formed on at least either an upper surface or a lower surface of the cross member.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In an automobile having a front chassis frame, including an elongated closed cross section front cross member disposed at a lower front end of an automobile and extending in a transverse direction of the automobile and in front of a power plant, and a side frame, extending in a longitudinal direction of the automobile, at each end of said front cross member and on opposite sides of said power plant, said front cross member having a leading edge, a trailing edge and upper and lower surfaces, the improvement comprising said cross member having a corrugation, extending in said transverse direction, formed on at least one of its upper surface and lower surface and in a location on said at least one of its upper surface and lower surface in front of said power plant, said corrugation weakening said cross member so that impact force acting in said longitudinal direction of said automobile deforms said cross member and is attenuated by deformation of said cross member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

In an automobile as defined in claim 1 the further improvement of the corrugation having at least one of a concave portion and convex portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

In an automobile as defined in claim 1 the further improvement of the automobile having the power plant located behind the front cross member and at a distance from the cross member which is no longer than the distance through which the cross member is deformed when the cross member is subjected to said impact force acting in said longitudinal direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

In an automobile as defined in claim 1 the further improvement of the closed cross section front cross member being trapezoidal in cross section with the larger base constituting the trailing edge.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

In an automobile as defined in claim 4 the further improvement of the front cross member being comprised of one L-shaped part constituting the leading edge and one surface and another L-shaped part constituting the other surface and the trailing edge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

In an automobile as defined in claim 5 the further improvement of the two parts being joined by mutually engaging flange portions at the leading and trailing edges.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

In an automobile as defined in claim 5 the further improvement of a plurality of corrugations being formed on the upper surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

In an automobile as defined in claim 5 the further improvement of a plurality of corrugations being formed on the lower surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

In an automobile as defined in claim 1 the further improvement of at least one corrugation being formed on each of the upper and lower surfaces.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

In an automobile as defined in claim 1 the further improvement of a radiator supported by a frontward projection of said front cross member.