Abstract: A steering column hanger beam 21 extended between left and right front pillars 13, 15 for supporting a steering column 65 is constructed as an in-line connected body comprising a driver's side hanger beam 22 having a large diameter cross-section and a front passenger's side hanger beam 60 having a small diameter cross-section.

Abstract: In a body structure for a motor vehicle of a space frame type in which a rear pillar made of an extruded aluminum alloy member and joining a roof side member and a floor side member includes an inwardly curved section to avoid an interference with a rear wheel, a damper mounting base is welded to a part of the rear pillar adjoining the part having the smallest curvature or where the stress tends to concentrate so that the mechanical strength of this part may be reinforced without requiring any special reinforcing member. Thus, both an increase in the rigidity and a reduction in the weight of a vehicle body can be achieved in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A pair of discharge pipes interconnect outlet ports of a plurality of batteries such that the first discharge pipe interconnects the outlet ports of some of the batteries and the second discharge pipe interconnects the outlet ports of the remaining batteries. The discharge pipes have rear ends connected respectively to atmospheric discharge units and other ends connected by joint pipes. Since the rear ends of the discharge pipes are connected to the atmospheric discharge units, even if one of the discharge pipes is closed or blocked for some reason, a gas emitted from the batteries is discharged from the other discharge pipes and hence is prevented from being trapped in the batteries. Additional pairs of discharge pipes a employed in the same manner for an additional plurality of batteries. The atmospheric discharge units include a backfire check member or valve and/or baffles for inhibiting ignition of the gas emitted from the batteries.

Abstract: To minimize temperature differences between batteries and also between battery cells for effectively cooling the batteries uniformly, a fan structure is disposed on one side of a box assembly of a battery box and four of six surfaces of each of the batteries which are box-shaped are covered with thermally insulating members. When a motor of the fan structure is energized, the fan structure introduces cooling air forcibly into the box assembly to cool the two exposed surfaces of each of the batteries. The battery box with the fan structure is relatively simple in structure, lightweight, economical, and can easily be inspected and serviced for maintenance.

Abstract: A battery box has a center frame extending between two rows of batteries housed in the battery box. The center frame has an array of upwardly projecting locking pins. A central holder bar is installed on the locking pins of the center frame. The battery box also has an inner frame including a left straight frame with locking pins and a right straight frame with locking pins. A left holder bar and a right holder bar are installed respectively on the locking pins of the left straight frame and the right straight frame. The central, left, and right holder bars are fastened in position by nuts that are tightened over the locking pins, thereby holding the batteries firmly in the battery box.