Subframe assembly and associated method of installation

• Main Authors: DON ANDREAS JOSEPHINE KEES, JAMES ANDREW STRAKER
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.02.2015
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS; MOTOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRAILERS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A subframe assembly 1 for a vehicle 3 comprises a suspension subframe 5 and at least one ancillary device 7 such as a battery assembly or a urea tank assembly, disposed at least partially within a void 9 of the suspension subframe 5, particularly a rear subframe. This provides an arrangement which does not occupy useful accommodation or storage space and which mitigates a risk of exposing occupants to toxic or acrid substances. The battery assembly may include a management system, a disconnect system, a heat exchange system and/or a DC-DC converter. Cooling fins may be provided to take advantage of external air flow. The underside of a floor panel 13 may also have air deflectors. The urea tank may be connected to a filling port at another location such as the engine bay or boot.