# US 5,707,100 A · Support structure for automobile body > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,707,100 A - Document ID: US5707100A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/484,128 - Filed: 1995-06-07 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1994-10-21 - Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Kouchi Suyama; Hidenori Esaki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707100A ## CPC - B60R 21/045: associated with the instrument panel or dashboard - B60H 1/00514: {Details of air conditioning housings} - B60H 1/0055: {the housing or parts thereof being integrated in other devices, e.g. dashboard} - B62D 25/142: {having ventilation channels incorporated therein} - B62D 25/145: {having a crossbeam incorporated therein} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES - 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 frame member for the front of the interior of an automobile is in the form of a casting and has a cross-sectional shape with an opening which opens at least downwardly. The frame member has, integrally formed therewith, a steering component support, an air-conditioner support and structural section, and an ECU support and structural section. The frame member also has an electrical harness passage and an air bag inflator module attachment disposed on an upper portion thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A support structure for an automobile body, comprising: a frame member or extending transversely across a front portion of the automobile body and being fixed to opposite side members of the front portion; said frame member having a cross-sectional shape having an opening which opens downwardly; and said opening defining an air-conditioner casing integral with said frame member for supporting separate air-conditioner parts including at least a fan unit directly in said opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame member comprises a casting. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame member has a vertical partition integral therewith which defines an air-conditioner air passage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame member has a passage defined in an upper portion thereof for installing therein a harness for connection to electric components. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame member has a board isolating casing integral therewith for inserting control boards directly therein. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A support structure according to claim 5, wherein said board isolating casing has a plurality of isolating partitions and a plurality of slots alternating therewith for insertion in said slots of said control boards, respectively. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame member has a plurality of ribs integral therewith for supporting a steering component directly thereon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame member has a cavity defined therein for placing an air bag inflator module at a given angle on the frame member, and an attachment integral therewith for holding said air bag inflator module. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame member has a plurality of vertical grooves defined therein for installing respective attachments thereon. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A support structure according to claim 9, wherein said grooves are of a downwardly tapered shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing said frame member to side members of the front portion of the automobile body with bolts extending transversely of the automobile body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing said frame member to side members of the front portion of the automobile body with vertically extending bolts. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing said frame member to side members of the front portion of the automobile body with bolts extending longitudinally of the automobile body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, further comprising an instrument panel mounted on said frame member. ### Claim 15 A support structure for the front portion of the interior of an automobile body, comprising: a frame member or extending transversely across the entire front portion and being fixed to opposite side members of the front portion; said frame member having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape; and said frame member having a plurality of sections spaced along said frame member in the transverse direction of the automobile body, each of said sections opening downwardly from a bottom side of said frame member and having a shape and structure for receiving and supporting different operating components of the automobile. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A support structure according to claim 15, wherein said frame member comprises a casting. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A support structure according to claim 15, wherein said frame member has at least one said downwardly facing opening that allows installation and removal of said operating component from that said section with said frame member fixed in the automobile. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A support structure according to claim 17, operating component for being installed and removed is an air-conditioning component and said at least one said section forms an air-conditioning casing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A support structure according to claim 17, wherein said operating component for being installed and removed are computer control boards. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A support structure according to claim 19, wherein said section for being control boards has a plurality of isolating partitions and a plurality of slots between said partitions for insertion of said control boards. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) A support structure according to claim 15, wherein one said section of said frame member has a plurality of ribs integral therewith for attaching and supporting a steering component directly thereon. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) A support structure according to claim 15, wherein said sections of said frame member receive and support, separately, operating components including an air-conditioner, ECU control boards, a steering mechanism, and an electric wiring harness. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) A support structure according to claim 15, wherein said frame member has a plurality of vertical grooves defined on a vertical surface facing rearwardly of the automobile for installing respective attachments on said frame member. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A support structure according to claim 23, wherein said grooves are of a downwardly tapered shape. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) A support structure according to claim 15, further comprising an instrument panel mounted on an upper surface of said frame member. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) A support structure according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sections include spaces of shapes and structures for receiving separate operating parts of an air-conditioner including a fan unit, a heater core, an evaporator and dampers for controlling air flow from said fan unit to said heater core and said evaporator. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said separate air-conditioner parts include a heat exchanger supported in said opening. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) A support structure according to claim 1, wherein said separate air conditioner parts include a heater core, an evaporator and dampers for controlling air flow from said fan unit to said heater core and said evaporator support in said opening.