IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,466,487
Granted Patent B2
US 12,466,487 · App. 18/354,690 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Front frame assembly for a motor vehicle

Inventor: Andrea Merulla (Modena, IT)
Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
B62D21/152B62D21/11B60L50/60
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,466,487
App. No.
18/354,690
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Front frame assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a suspension attachment structure, which can be fixed to a body cell of the motor vehicle defining a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle; and an absorption element adapted to absorb the energy associated with a front crash of the motor vehicle; the absorption element being distinct from the structure, being fixed to the latter and extending along a first direction. The structure comprises a first opening adapted to be passed through by a component of a steering system of the motor vehicle, a second opening having an elongated shape along a second direction transversal to the first direction; and at least one third opening opposite the second opening with respect to the first opening.

Claims (37)

1 . Front frame assembly ( 11 ) for a motor vehicle ( 1 ) comprising:

at least one suspension attachment structure ( 12 ) connectable to a body cell ( 10 ) of said motor vehicle ( 1 );

said body cell ( 10 ) defining a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle ( 1 ); and

at least one absorption element ( 16 , 17 ) adapted to absorb the energy associated with a front crash of said motor vehicle ( 1 ); said absorption element ( 16 , 17 ) being distinct from said structure ( 12 ), fixed with respect to said structure ( 12 ), and extending along a first direction (X);

said structure ( 12 ) comprising a first opening ( 25 ) adapted to be passed through by a component of a steering system of said motor vehicle ( 1 );

characterized in that said structure ( 12 ) further comprises:

a second opening ( 30 ) having an elongated shape along a second direction (B) transversal to said first direction (X); and

at least one third opening ( 31 ) opposite said second opening ( 30 ) with respect to said first opening ( 25 ).

2 . Frame front assembly according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising:

two planar surfaces ( 12 a ) directed perpendicularly to a third direction (Y) orthogonal to said first direction (X); said two planar surfaces ( 12 a ) being parallel to each other and opposite to each other along said third direction (Y);

a first surface ( 12 b ) and a second surface ( 12 c ) interposed between said planar surfaces ( 12 a ) along said third direction (Y) and spaced from each other along said first direction (X);

a third surface ( 12 d ) and a fourth surface ( 12 e ) interposed between said two planar surfaces ( 12 a ) along said third direction (Y) and spaced from each other along a fourth direction (Z); said fourth direction (Z) being orthogonal to said first and third direction (X, Y);

said first, second and third opening ( 25 , 30 , 31 ) being arranged at said planar surfaces ( 12 a ).

3 . Front frame assembly according to claim 2 , characterized in that said structure ( 12 ) comprises:

a first collapsible region ( 35 ) interposed between said first opening ( 25 ) and said second opening ( 30 ); and

a second collapsible region ( 36 ) interposed between said third opening ( 31 ) and said third surface ( 12 d ).

4 . Front frame assembly according to claim 2 , characterized in that said third opening ( 31 ) is a hole delimited by a cylindrical surface;

wherein the generatrix line of said cylindrical surface is directed transversally to said third direction (Y).

5 . Front frame assembly according to claim 2 , characterized in that, proceeding along said first direction (X) from said first surface ( 12 b ) towards said second surface ( 12 c ), said second opening ( 30 ) comprises a first end ( 30 a ) and a second end ( 30 b ) opposite to each other along said second direction (B);

wherein the distance of said first end ( 30 a ) from said third surface ( 12 d ) is greater than the distance of said second end ( 30 b ) from said third surface ( 12 d ).

6 . Front frame assembly according to claim 2 , characterized in that said structure ( 12 ) comprises a fifth surface ( 37 ) and a sixth surface ( 38 ), which extend between said planar surfaces ( 12 a ) and respectively define said first opening ( 25 ) and said second opening ( 30 );

said fifth and sixth surface ( 37 , 38 ) being cylindrical and directed parallel to said third direction (Y).

7 . Front frame assembly according to claim 1 , characterized in that said second opening ( 30 ) is shaped like a buttonhole.

8 . Motor vehicle ( 1 ) comprising:

a frame ( 2 ),

a passenger compartment adapted to accommodate at least one driver and/or one or more passengers, which is fixed with respect to said frame ( 2 );

a plurality of wheels ( 3 ) rotatable about respective first rotational axes to move said frame ( 2 ) with respect to the ground;

a plurality of suspensions adapted to couple said wheels ( 3 ) to said frame ( 2 ) at variable relative distance along said fourth direction (Z); and

a steering system configured to cause rotation of one or more of said wheels ( 3 ) about respective second axes orthogonal to said first rotational axes;

said frame ( 2 ) comprising, in turn:

a body cell ( 10 ), which defines or surrounds said passenger compartment; and

a front frame assembly ( 11 ) according to claim 1 , which is fixed to said body cell ( 10 ).

9 . Motor vehicle according to claim 8 , characterized by comprising an electric motor at least indirectly connected to said structure ( 12 ) and at least one battery.

10 . Motor vehicle according to claim 9 , comprising a front portion ( 1 a ) and a rear portion ( 1 b ) with respect to an advancement direction (A) of said motor vehicle ( 1 );

said motor vehicle ( 1 ) also comprising a further electric motor;

said electric motor being arranged at said front portion ( 1 a ) and said further electric motor being arranged at said rear portion ( 1 b );

said at least one battery being arranged between said electric motor and said further electric motor parallel to said first direction (X).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2025
From: MERULLA, ANDREA
To: FERRARI S.P.A.
Reel/Frame 071363/0984 →
Priority Claims (1)
IT 102022000015261 · Jul 20, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240025481A1 · Jan 25, 2024
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