SECONDARY DASH AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME
A number of variations may include a product including a secondary dash including a center portion constructed and arranged to be attached to a primary dash of a vehicle.
1 . A product comprising:
a secondary dash for a vehicle, the secondary dash including a center panel having a center portion constructed and arranged to be attached to a 1 bar or a primary dash of a vehicle and a first outwardly angled portion constructed and arranged to be displaced a distance from the primary dash and a second opposite outwardly angled portion extending from the center portion and constructed and arranged to be displaced a distance from the primary dash of a vehicle.
2 . A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the secondary dash further comprises a first wing panel attached to the first outwardly angled portion and a second wing panel attached to the second outwardly angled portion.
3 . A product as set forth in claim 2 wherein the center panel comprises a first material, and wherein the first wing panel and the second wing panel each comprise a second material, and wherein the first material and the second material are different.
4 . A product as set forth in claim 2 wherein the center panel comprises steel and wherein each of the first wing panel and second wing panel comprises an aluminum alloy.
5 . A product as set forth in claim 4 wherein the center panel comprises steel.
6 . A product as set forth in claim 5 wherein the steel has a density of 7.86 g/cm 3 or greater.
7 . A product as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first wing panel is constructed and arranged to define a first portion for structural connection to a shock tower on a first side of the vehicle and wherein the second panel is constructed and arranged to define a structural connection to a shock tower on a second side of the vehicle.
8 . A product as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first wing panel and second wing panel are each attached to the center panel by a plurality of self-piercing rivets.
9 . A product as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a first adhesive layer interposed between overlapping portions of the first wing panel and the center panel, and a second adhesive layer interposed between overlapping portions of the second wing panel and the center panel.
10 . A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the center panel includes a plurality of access openings formed therein constructed and arranged to allow welding equipment to be inserted through each of the access openings.
11 . A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a primary dash of a vehicle and wherein the secondary dash is attached directly or indirectly to the primary dash.
12 . A product as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a primary dash and wherein the center panel is welded to the primary dash.
13 . A product as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of the primary dash and secondary dash comprise steel.
14 . A product as set forth in claim 13 wherein the secondary dash further comprises a first wing panel attached to the first outwardly angled portion and a second wing panel attached to the second outwardly angled portion.
15 . A product as set forth in claim 14 wherein each of the first wing panel and second wing panel each comprise an aluminum alloy.
16 . A method comprising:
forming a secondary dash for a vehicle comprising providing a center panel having a center portion and a first outwardly angled portion and a second opposite outwardly angled portion, attaching a first wing panel to the first outwardly angled portion, and attaching a second wing panel to the second outwardly angled portion, and attaching the secondary dash to a primary dash of the vehicle.
17 . A method as set forth in claim 16 further comprising attaching the secondary dash to a primary dash for the vehicle.
18 . A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the attaching the secondary dash to a primary dash for the vehicle comprises welding the secondary dash to a 1-bar and welding the 1-bar to the primary dash.
19 . A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the attaching a first wing panel to the first outwardly angled portion comprises adhering the first wing panel to the first outwardly angled portion by interposing an adhesive layer there between.
20 . A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the attaching a first wing panel to the first outwardly angled portion comprises inserting a plurality of self-piercing rivets through or into the a first wing panel and the first outwardly angled portion.