Abstract: A fuel tank supporting structure is described which is effective to reliably fix a fuel tank without interfering with the layout of auxiliaries, such as a pump unit, a meter unit, and the like mounted on the fuel tank, and to ensure a sufficient volume of the fuel tank. The disclosed structure includes a subframe for supporting the fuel tank in an internal space having a pair of front and rear cross members, a pair of left and right side members, a pair of fuel tank supporting members disposed inside and below both the side members, and suspension arm supporting brackets located at a level higher than the fuel tank supporting members. The fuel tank placed on the fuel tank supporting members is fixed at its left and right opposite sides by a pair of left and right tank supporting bands which are connected at their front ends to the suspension arm supporting brackets and at its rear ends to the rear cross member.

Abstract: A subframe supporting a fuel tank in an internal space therein includes a pair of front and rear cross-members extending in a lateral direction of a vehicle body, a pair of left and right upper side-members and a pair of left and right lower side-members which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body to interconnect left and right opposite ends of the cross-members, respectively. Longitudinally intermediate portions of the adjacent upper and lower side-members are integrally coupled to each other by a vertically extending bracket. An upper arm is pivotally supported at an upper end of the bracket, and a lower arm is pivotally supported at a lower end of the bracket. The above construction makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the subframe, while providing an effective utilization of the internal space in the subframe.

Abstract: A fuel tank is supported by an upper surface of a subframe, inclined surfaces abutting four corners of the fuel tank, and steel straps passed across the upper surface of the fuel tank. Thus, the fuel tank can be securely mounted on the subframe without involving any play, and it can be accomplished by engaging relatively rigid and mechanically strong parts of the fuel tank. Thus, various advantages obtained by mounting a fuel tank on a subframe can be obtained without any need to reinforce the fuel tank or the subframe or to take any costly special measures.

Abstract: In an automotive subframe having a rectangular annular shape as seen in plan view, the longitudinal members have closed cross sections, but the lateral members open cross sections and are provided with open parts adapted to receive a flange projecting from the fuel tank. Because the lateral members have open cross sections, the subframe is capable of undergoing a twisting deformation relatively easily, and the sloshing movement of the fuel inside the fuel tank would not be directly transmitted to the vehicle body. Because the longitudinal members have closed cross sections, and therefore have a relatively high rigidity, the wheel suspension system can be securely supported without creating any possibility of changes in the wheel alignment. Furthermore, the open part of the lateral subframe member can conveniently receive the flange of the fuel tank, and it is possible to maximize the capacity of the fuel tank without causing any interference between the fuel tank and the lateral member.

Abstract: In a subframe assembly for a vehicle, a front portion of a fuel tank supported on a subframe overhangs forwardly from a front cross-member of the subframe to increase the volume of the fuel tank. In order to compensate the forward displacement of the position of the gravity center due to the overhanging of the fuel tank, an exhaust silencer is supported to overhang rearwardly from a rear cross-member of the subframe, and a rear differential supported by the subframe below a lower surface of the fuel tank is disposed in proximity to the rear cross-member inside the subframe. Thus, the position of the gravity center of the subframe assembly is maintained at a substantially central portion of the subframe.