Self-retaining alignment system for providing precise alignment and retention of components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9447806-B2
Application number	US-201314104327-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 12, 2013
Priority date	Dec 12, 2013
Publication date	Sep 20, 2016
Grant date	Sep 20, 2016

Abstract

An elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first alignment member and an elastically deformable alignment element fixedly disposed with respect to the first alignment member, the alignment element having a hollow tube. The second component includes a second alignment member and an alignment feature fixedly disposed with respect to the second alignment member, the alignment feature having an aperture with a plurality of inwardly extending tabs. The elastically deformable alignment element is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the alignment feature. Portions of the elastically deformable alignment element when inserted into the alignment feature elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns and retains the first component relative to the second component in at least two of four planar orthogonal directions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system, comprising:
a first component comprising a first alignment member and an elastically deformable alignment element fixedly disposed with respect to the first alignment member, the alignment element comprising a hollow tube;
a second component comprising a second alignment member and an alignment feature fixedly disposed with respect to the second alignment member, the alignment feature comprising an aperture comprising a plurality of inwardly extending tabs;
wherein the elastically deformable alignment element is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the alignment feature;
wherein portions of the elastically deformable alignment element when inserted into the alignment feature elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns and retains the first component relative to the second component in at least two of four planar orthogonal directions;
wherein the plurality of tabs comprises a first pair of opposing tabs, and a second pair of opposing tabs spaced apart from the first pair of opposing tabs;
wherein the first pair of opposing tabs are disposed relative to the hollow tube in a non-interfering structural arrangement; and
wherein the second pair of opposing tabs are disposed relative to the hollow tube in an interfering structural arrangement that causes the elastically deformable hollow tube when inserted into the aperture to elastically deform at the regions of interference.

2. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 1 , wherein:
a central axis of the hollow tube extends perpendicularly outward from a first surface of the first component; and
the plurality of tabs also extend outward relative to the first surface of the first component.

3. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 2 , wherein:
the plurality of tabs are bent in a pre-formed shape to extend outward relative to the first surface of the first component in a direction defined by the central axis of the hollow tube.

4. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 1 , wherein:
the second pair of opposing tabs are orthogonally arranged with respect to the first pair of opposing tabs.

5. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 4 , wherein:
the first pair of opposing tabs and the second pair of opposing tabs are respectively disposed relative to the hollow tube in an interfering structural arrangement that causes the elastically deformable hollow tube when inserted into the aperture to elastically deform at the regions of interference.

6. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the first component further comprises:
a support member disposed proximate the hollow tube and having a support surface disposed to support the second component when the hollow tube is interferingly, deformably and matingly inserted into the aperture.

7. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first component comprises a first and a second of the hollow tube;
the second component comprises a first and a second of the aperture;
the first hollow tube is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the first aperture;
the second hollow tube is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the second aperture; and
portions of the first and second hollow tubes when inserted into respective ones of the first and second apertures elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns and retains the first component relative to the second component in two of four planar orthogonal directions.

8. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 5 , wherein:
the first component comprises a first and a second of the hollow tube;
the second component comprises a first and a second of the aperture;
the first hollow tube is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the first aperture;
the second hollow tube is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the second aperture; and
portions of the first and second hollow tubes when inserted into respective ones of the first and second apertures elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns and retains the first component relative to the second component in four planar orthogonal directions.

9. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first component comprises a first portion of a vehicle; and
the second component comprises a second portion of the vehicle.

10. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first component is made from injection moldable plastic; and
the second component is made from stamped sheet metal.

11. The elastically averaging self-retaining alignment system of claim 1 , wherein:
a thickness of the second component is less than a thickness of the first component.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Morris Steven E
• Lawall Jennifer P
• Lee Toure D

Classifications

• F16B5/0664

  at least one of the sheets or plates having integrally formed or integrally connected snap-in-features · CPC title

• F16B19/004

  made in one piece (F16B21/084 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16B5/0628

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

• F16B19/002 Primary

  Resiliently deformable pins (F16B21/06 takes precedence) · CPC title