Elastically averaged alignment systems and methods

A vehicle comprising:

• a body;
• and
• an elastically averaged alignment system integrally arranged within the body, the elastically averaged alignment system comprising:
• a threaded alignment member;
• a first component comprising a first inner wall defining a first alignment aperture;
• and
• a second component comprising a second inner wall defining a second alignment aperture, the first and second alignment apertures configured to receive the threaded alignment member to couple the first component and the second component,
• wherein the threaded alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the threaded alignment member is interferingly inserted into the first and second alignment apertures, the threaded alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate coupling and aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation.

A method of manufacturing an elastically averaged alignment system, the method comprising:

• forming a threaded alignment member;
• forming a first component comprising a first inner wall defining a first alignment aperture;
• and
• forming a second component comprising a second inner wall defining a second alignment aperture, the first and second alignment apertures configured to receive the threaded alignment member to couple the first component and the second component,
• wherein the threaded alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the threaded alignment member is interferingly inserted into the first and second alignment apertures, the threaded alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate coupling and aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation.