1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to radiator supports for motor vehicles and, more specifically, to a magnesium radiator support assembly for a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to provide a radiator support for a motor vehicle. Typically, the radiator support is made of stamped steel. The radiator support has separate components attached thereto. These components include a brace for a hood latch, a grille opening reinforcement (GOR), brackets for the GOR, and a cover for a radiator opening attached to the radiator support.
Although the above radiator support has worked well, it is desirable to provide a single first front structure for a motor vehicle that is die-cast, injection molded, or cast. It is also desirable to reduce weight, variable cost, and labor, while improving quality and vehicle durability, of a radiator support for a vehicle. It is further desirable to provide a radiator support that requires less package space in a vehicle. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a new radiator support assembly for a motor vehicle.
Accordingly, the present invention is a multi-functional radiator support assembly for a motor vehicle. The multi-functional radiator support assembly includes a radiator support for operative attachment to forward end of the motor vehicle. The radiator support is made of magnesium or a magnesium alloy material.
One advantage of the present invention is that a multi-functional radiator support assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the multi-functional radiator support assembly is a first front structure for the vehicle that is die-cast, injection molded, or cast. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the multi-functional radiator support assembly combines the function of the radiator support, hood-latch support system, grille opening reinforcement, and several attachment/reinforcement brackets into a single die-cast, injection molded, or cast component. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the multi-functional radiator support assembly uses die-cast magnesium as the material for the structure. A further advantage of the present invention is that the multi-functional radiator support assembly provides improved dimensional control, reduction of tooled end items, fifty percent to seventy percent weight reduction, reduction of variable cost and labor, while improving lateral/torsional bending modes, and one hundred percent improvement in strength and durability of the vehicle. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that the multi-functional radiator support assembly requires less packaging space, enabling reduction of front end overhang and supporting various styling needs, and saving a large amount of weight.