Vehicle Cross-Member Assembly with Adhesive Reservoirs

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a vehicle cross-member assembly includes: adding adhesive to an adhesive reservoir in an interconnecting member composed of a first material; overlapping a first rail composed of a second material with the interconnecting member; and welding the interconnecting member to a second rail in a position perpendicular with respect to the second rail. The second rail is composed of a different material than the first rail.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a vehicle cross-member assembly, comprising:
 overlapping a first rail composed of a first material with an interconnecting member; and   welding the interconnecting member to a second rail in a position perpendicular with respect to the second rail;   wherein the second rail is composed of a different material than the first rail.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding adhesive to an adhesive reservoir in the interconnecting member composed of a second material.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 forming the adhesive reservoir in the interconnecting member.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the forming the adhesive reservoir includes forming an oblong recess or protrusion in the interconnecting member. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 applying pressure to the interconnecting member or first rail so as to distribute adhesive therebetween.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 crimping the first rail.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein applying pressure to the interconnecting member or first rail includes oozing adhesive out of one end of the interconnecting member and one end of the first rail so as to create a protective barrier of adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a vehicle cross-member assembly, comprising:
 adding adhesive to an adhesive reservoir in a first rail composed of a first material;   overlapping an interconnecting member composed of a second material with the first rail; and   welding the interconnecting member to the second rail in a position perpendicular to the second rail;   wherein the second rail is composed of a different material than the first rail.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 forming the adhesive reservoir in the first rail.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the forming the adhesive reservoir includes forming an oblong recess or protrusion in the first rail. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 applying pressure to the interconnecting member or first rail so as to distribute adhesive therebetween.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 crimping the interconnecting member.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying pressure to the interconnecting member or first rail includes oozing adhesive out of one end of the interconnecting member and one end of the first rail so as to create a protective barrier of adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . A vehicle cross-member assembly, comprising:
 a first rail composed of a first material;   a second rail, perpendicularly positioned with respect to the first rail, composed of a second material; and   an interconnecting member composed of the second material having adhesive in reservoirs formed thereon to join the interconnecting member and the first rail;   wherein the interconnecting member is welded to the second rail.   
     
     
         15 . The vehicle assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the reservoir is a protrusion or recess. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle assembly of  claim 14 , wherein an inner corner of the first rail includes adhesive included therein. 
     
     
         17 . A vehicle cross-member assembly, comprising:
 a first rail composed of a first material having adhesive in reservoirs formed thereon;   a second rail, perpendicularly positioned with respect to the first rail, composed of a second material; and   an interconnecting member composed of the second material;   wherein the interconnecting member is welded to the second rail.   
     
     
         18 . The vehicle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir is a protrusion or recess. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein an inner corner of the interconnecting member includes adhesive included therein.