Elastically averaged alignment systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016257350-A1
Application number	US-201514635431-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 2, 2015
Priority date	Mar 2, 2015
Publication date	Sep 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An elastically averaged alignment system includes 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 are configured to receive the threaded alignment member to couple the first component and the second component. 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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An 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.

2 . The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the threaded alignment member includes a tool head configured to receive a tool to facilitate screwing the threaded alignment member into the first and second component alignment apertures.

3 . The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the threaded alignment member includes a stop configured to facilitate preventing further insertion of threaded alignment member into the first and second component alignment apertures such that the threaded alignment member is inserted into the first and second component alignment apertures to a desired depth.

4 . The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the threaded alignment member is tubular.

5 . The alignment system of claim 4 , wherein the tubular threaded alignment member has a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and wherein the first portion is disposed in the first alignment aperture and the second portion is disposed in the second alignment aperture.

6 . The alignment system of claim 5 , wherein only the first portion is threaded.

7 . The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first inner wall and the second inner wall is threaded.

8 . The alignment system of claim 1 , further comprising more than one of the elastically deformable threaded alignment member, the first component comprising more than one of the first alignment apertures, and the second component comprising more than one of the second alignment apertures, the more than one of the elastically deformable threaded alignment members being geometrically distributed with respect to respective ones of the more than one first and second alignment apertures, such that portions of the elastically deformable threaded alignment member of respective ones of the more than one elastically deformable threaded alignment members, when engaged with respective ones of the more than one first and second alignment apertures, elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that further aligns the first component and the second component in at least two or four planar orthogonal directions.

9 . 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.

10 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the threaded alignment member includes a tool head configured to receive a tool to facilitate screwing the threaded alignment member into the first and second component alignment apertures.

11 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the threaded alignment member includes a stop configured to facilitate preventing further insertion of threaded alignment member into the first and second component alignment apertures such that the threaded alignment member is inserted into the first and second component alignment apertures to a desired depth.

12 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the threaded alignment member is tubular.

13 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the tubular threaded alignment member has a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and wherein the first portion is disposed in the first alignment aperture and the second portion is disposed in the second alignment aperture.

14 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein only the first portion is threaded.

15 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first inner wall and the second inner wall is threaded.

16 . The vehicle of claim 9 , further comprising more than one of the elastically deformable threaded alignment member, the first component comprising more than one of the first alignment apertures, and the second component comprising more than one of the second alignment apertures, the more than one of the elastically deformable threaded alignment members being geometrically distributed with respect to respective ones of the more than one first and second alignment apertures, such that portions of the elastically deformable threaded alignment member of respective ones of the more than one elastically deformable threaded alignment members, when engaged with respective ones of the more than one first and second alignment apertures, elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that further aligns the first component and the second component in at least two or four planar orthogonal directions.

17 . 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.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising forming the threaded alignment member with a tool head configured to receive a tool to facilitate screwing the threaded alignment member into the first and second alignment aperture.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising forming the threaded alignment member with a tubular body.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising forming the threaded alignment member with a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Morris Steven E
• Lawall Jennifer P

Classifications

• B62D65/024

  Positioning of sub-units or components with respect to body shell or other sub-units or components · CPC title

• B62D27/065 Primary

  using screwthread (connection of crossbeam to A- pillars B62D25/147; mounting load bearing surfaces B62D21/09; securing mudguards B62D25/163; connections for synthetic parts B62D29/048) · CPC title

• F16B5/0628 Primary

  allowing for adjustment parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the sheets or plates · CPC title

• B60R13/02

  {Internal} Trim mouldings {; Internal} Ledges; Wall liners {for passenger compartments}; Roof liners (B60R13/01 takes precedence {; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18}) · CPC title

• F16B5/065

  the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance · CPC title