# US 9,517,796 B2 · Thin-walled magnesium diecast shock tower for use in a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,796 B2 - Document ID: US9517796B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/642,024 - Filed: 2015-03-09 - Published: 2016-09-15 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-09 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Jason Scott Balzer; Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517796B2 ## CPC - B62D 21/11: with resilient means for suspension {, e.g. of wheels or engine; sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions} - B62D 25/088: {Details of structures as upper supports for springs or dampers} - B62D 27/02: rigid - B62D 29/008: {predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A shock tower assembly includes a cast shock tower body composed of magnesium or magnesium alloy and at least one steel bridging bracket. An insulating adhesive layer is formed between the tower body and the bracket. A mechanical fastener is used for fastening the tower body to the bracket. One or more structural ribbings are formed on the tower body. The mechanical fastener may be selected from any of several mechanical fasteners, including self-piercing rivets. Alternatively, a screw boss may be formed for receiving a screw. The rivet may be inserted from the bracket into the shock tower body or from the shock tower body into the bracket in which case an insulating layer is positioned between the head of the self-piercing rivet and the cast shock tower body. A sealant is preferably formed along the intersection of the cast shock tower body and the steel bridging bracket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shock tower assembly for a vehicle comprising: a cast shock tower body composed of a material selected from the group consisting of magnesium and magnesium alloy; a steel bridging bracket; an adhesive layer formed between said body and said bracket; and a mechanical fastener for fastening said body and said bracket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The shock tower assembly of claim 1, wherein said mechanical fastener is a rivet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The shock tower assembly of claim 2, wherein said rivet is a self-piercing rivet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The shock tower assembly of claim 3, further including an insulating layer formed between at least a portion of said self-piercing rivet and a portion of said cast shock tower body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The shock tower assembly of claim 1, wherein mechanical fastener is a screw. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The shock tower assembly of claim 5, wherein said cast shock tower body has a screw boss into which said screw is threaded. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The shock tower assembly of claim 1, wherein said cast shock tower body includes a plurality of structural ribbing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The shock tower assembly of claim 1, wherein said steel bridging bracket is selected from the group consisting of a shotgun bracket, a dash cross member bracket, and a rail bracket. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The shock tower assembly of claim 1, further including a sealant formed along the intersection of said cast shock tower body and said steel bridging bracket. ### Claim 10 A shock tower assembly for a vehicle comprising: a cast shock tower body composed of a material selected from the group consisting of magnesium and magnesium alloy; a steel bridging bracket; an adhesive layer formed between said body and said bracket; and a self-piercing rivet for fastening said body and said bracket. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The shock tower assembly of claim 10, further including an insulating layer formed between at least a portion of said self-piercing rivet and a portion of said cast shock tower body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The shock tower assembly of claim 10, wherein said cast shock tower body includes a plurality of structural ribbing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The shock tower assembly of claim 10, wherein said steel bridging bracket is selected from the group consisting of a shotgun bracket, a dash cross member bracket, and a rail bracket. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The shock tower assembly of claim 10, further including a sealant formed along the intersection of said cast shock tower body and said steel bridging bracket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The shock tower assembly of claim 10, wherein said self-piercing rivet includes a rivet head and wherein said rivet head is positioned on said cast shock tower body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The shock tower assembly of claim 10, wherein said self-piercing rivet includes a rivet head and wherein said rivet head is positioned on said steel bridging bracket. ### Claim 17 A cast shock tower for use in a shock tower assembly for a vehicle, the tower comprising: a body composed of a dome and a series of walls, said dome and said walls being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of magnesium and magnesium alloy, said walls having a thickness, said thickness of at least one of said walls being about 2.0 mm; a mechanical fastener boss; and structural ribbing formed on said body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The cast shock tower of claim 17 further including a pre-coating. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The cast shock tower of claim 18 wherein said pre-coating is selected from the group consisting of powder coating and a conversion coating.