Elastically averaged alignment systems and methods
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsSteven E. Morris, Jennifer P. Lawall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The system includes a first component having a first alignment member and a second alignment member extending outwardly away from each other, and a second component having an inner wall defining an alignment aperture, the inner wall having a first wall and an opposite second wall. The first and second alignment members are an elastically deformable material such that when the first and second alignment members are inserted into the alignment aperture, the first and second alignment members elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component with the second component in a desired orientation.
Claims18
An elastically averaged alignment system comprising:
- a first component comprising a plurality of alignment member groupings, each of the plurality of alignment member groupings including two first alignment members and a second alignment member extending outwardly away from each other;
- and
- a second component comprising a plurality of alignment apertures, each of the plurality of apertures including an inner wall having a first wall and an opposite second wall,
- wherein the first and second alignment members are an elastically deformable material such that when the first and second alignment members are inserted into one of the plurality of alignment apertures, the first and second alignment members elastically deform to be received by one of the plurality of alignment apertures and thereafter expand outwardly to retain the first component relative to the second component thereby establishing an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component with the second component in a desired orientation.
A vehicle comprising:
- a body;
- and
- an elastically averaged alignment system integrally arranged within the body, the elastically averaged alignment system comprising:
- a first component comprising a plurality of alignment member groupings, each of the plurality of alignment member groupings including two first alignment members and a second alignment member extending outwardly away from each other;
- and
- a second component comprising a plurality of alignment apertures, each of the plurality of apertures including an inner wall having a first wall and an opposite second wall,
- wherein the first and second alignment members are an elastically deformable material such that when the first and second alignment members are inserted into one of the plurality of alignment members, the first and second alignment members elastically deform to be received by one of the plurality of alignment apertures and thereafter expand outwardly to retain the first component relative to the second component thereby establishing an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component with the second component in a desired orientation.
A method of manufacturing an elastically averaged alignment system, the method comprising:
- forming a first component having a plurality of alignment member groupings each including a first alignment member and a second alignment member extending outwardly away from each other;
- forming a second component having a plurality of alignment member apertures each including an inner wall having a first wall and an opposite second wall;
- and
- forming the first and second alignment members from an elastically deformable material such that when the first and second alignment members are inserted into one of the plurality of alignment apertures, the first and second alignment members elastically deform to be received by one of the plurality of alignment apertures and thereafter expand outwardly to retain the first component relative to the second component thereby establishing an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.