Front sub-frame structure

Details Front sub-frame structure Front sub-frame structure

2000-02-16

2002-05-21

Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)

Motor vehicles

Frame

With structure adapted to receive or support a motor,...

C180S311000, C180S902000, C280S781000, C280S784000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06390224

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a front sub-frame structure that supports and engine and to which suspensions are attached, and more particularly to a front sub-frame structure which can improve the workability in servicing an oil pan.
2. Description of the Related Art
A front sub-frame of a vehicle is disposed at a lower portion of an engine compartment and is attached to a pair of left and right side frames. The front sub-frame so attached supports a power unit such as an engine and a transmission, and suspensions are also attached thereto.
FIG. 6A
is a schematic plan view of a conventional front sub-frame and
FIG. 6B
is a schematic side view thereof. The front sub-frame
51
has an I-shaped configuration and is secured to a pair of side frames SF, SF with bolts
53
,
53
,
53
,
53
. In addition, engine mounts
52
,
52
are attached to an upper side of the front sub-frame
51
toward end portions thereof. The engine mounts
52
,
52
each comprise rubber members
52
a
,
52
a
, which are adapted to absorb vibrations of an engine E, metallic fixtures
52
b
,
52
b
disposed at top and bottom ends of the rubber members
52
a
,
52
a
, respectively and a bracket
52
c
for securing the cylinder block CB. The engine E is disposed on the upper side of the front sub-frame
51
via the engine mounts
52
,
52
. Suspensions (not shown) are also attached to the front sub-frame
51
. Reference character TM denotes a transmission.
In servicing an oil pan OP disposed at a lower portion of an engine E, the front sub-frame
51
has to be removed from side frames SF, SF. Then, after the oil pan OP has been serviced, the front sub-frame
51
has to re-attached to the side frames SF, SF. Since suspensions are attached to the front sub-frame
51
, the alignment of the suspensions has to be re-adjusted after the front sub-frame
51
has been re-attached to the side frames SF, SF. Thus, servicing the oil pan OP requires a great number of man-hours and involves complicated work in respective steps of the service.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the above drawbacks, an object of the present invention is to provide a front sub-frame structure that can improve the workability in servicing the oil pan.
With a view to attaining the aforesaid object, the present invention provides a front sub-frame structure that supports an engine and to which suspensions are attached, wherein a front sub-frame main body has a U-shaped configuration, when viewed from top, which has an opening directed rearward, wherein engine mounts are attached to rear portions of side parts of said front sub-frame main body for supporting the engine, and wherein a cross member for connecting the side parts of the front sub-frame main body at rear portions thereof is removably attached thereto from below the font sub-frame main body.
According to this front sub-frame structure, in servicing an oil pan, the front sub-frame main body does not have to be removed but the cross member only has to be removed. This obviates the necessity of re-adjustment of the suspensions.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1565624 (1925-12-01), Chilton
patent: 4263980 (1981-04-01), Harlow, Jr. et al.
patent: 4453740 (1984-06-01), Ohe et al.
patent: 4753315 (1988-06-01), Fujisaki et al.
patent: 4817986 (1989-04-01), Kanazawa et al.
patent: 5074374 (1991-12-01), Ohtake et al.
patent: 5178230 (1993-01-01), Goor
patent: 5685599 (1997-11-01), Kitagawa
patent: 5862877 (1999-01-01), Horton et al.
patent: 5884722 (1999-03-01), Durand et al.
patent: 5899498 (1999-05-01), Horton
patent: 5997038 (1999-12-01), Dostert et al.
patent: 6076625 (2000-06-01), Matt et al.
patent: 6120059 (2000-09-01), Beckman
patent: 59-47519 (1984-03-01), None
patent: 8 164752 (1996-06-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Front sub-frame structure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Front sub-frame structure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Front sub-frame structure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2829377