Elastically averaged alignment systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9463829-B2
Application number	US-201414185422-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2014
Priority date	Feb 20, 2014
Publication date	Oct 11, 2016
Grant date	Oct 11, 2016

Abstract

In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having an interior cavity and an alignment member positioned at least partially within the interior cavity, a second component having an inner wall defining an alignment aperture, the alignment aperture configured to receive the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component, and a third component seated within the interior cavity. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that (a) when the third component is inserted into the interior cavity, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the third component and the first component in a desired orientation, and (b) when the alignment member is inserted into the alignment aperture, the alignment member further elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate 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 first component comprising an interior cavity and a pair of alignment members positioned at least partially within the interior cavity and spaced from each other;
a second component comprising a pair of inner walls defining a pair of alignment apertures, the alignment apertures configured to receive the alignment members to couple the first component and the second component;
a third component seated within the interior cavity and disposed between the first component and the second component, the third component disposed completely between the pair of alignment members;
a first retaining rib extending from an outer surface of each of the alignment members at a first axial location of the alignment members, each first retaining rib abutting against the third component to facilitate securing the third component within the interior cavity; and
a second retaining rib extending from the outer surface of each of the alignment members at a second axial location of the alignment members, each second retaining rib engaging the second component to facilitate retaining at least a portion of the alignment members within the alignment apertures,
wherein each of the alignment members is an elastically deformable material such that (a) when the third component is inserted into the interior cavity, the alignment members elastically deform to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the third component and the first component in a desired orientation, and (b) when each of the alignment members is inserted into the alignment apertures, the alignment members further elastically deforming to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation, wherein the third component comprises an outer edge, the outer edge abutting against the pair of alignment members to elastically deform the alignment members to the elastically averaged configuration, wherein a portion of the second component abuts against the third component to support the third component when each of the alignment members is inserted into the alignment apertures.

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

3. 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 an interior cavity and a pair of alignment members positioned at least partially within the interior cavity and spaced from each other;
a second component comprising a pair of inner walls defining a pair of alignment apertures, the alignment apertures configured to receive the alignment members to couple the first component and the second component;
a third component seated within the interior cavity and disposed between the first component and the second component, the third component disposed completely between the pair of alignment members;
a first retaining rib extending from an outer surface of each of the alignment members at a first axial location of the alignment members, each first retaining rib abutting against the third component to facilitate securing the third component within the interior cavity; and
a second retaining rib extending from the outer surface of each of the alignment members at a second axial location of the alignment members, each second retaining rib engaging the second component to facilitate retaining at least a portion of the alignment members within the alignment apertures,
wherein each of the alignment members is an elastically deformable material such that (a) when the third component is inserted into the interior cavity, the alignment members elastically deforming to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the third component and the first component in a desired orientation, and (b) when each of the alignment members is inserted into the alignment apertures, the alignment members further elastically deforming to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation, wherein the third component comprises an outer edge, the outer edge abutting against the pair of alignment members to elastically deform the alignment members to the elastically averaged configuration, wherein a portion of the second component abuts against the third component to support the third component when each of the alignment members is inserted into the alignment apertures.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein each of the alignment members, when inserted into one of the alignment apertures, elastically deforms to the elastically averaged final configuration such that a manufacturing variance of each of the first and second components is averaged over the total of the alignment members.

5. A method of manufacturing an elastically averaged alignment system, the method comprising:
fabricating a first component comprising an interior cavity and a pair of alignment members positioned at least partially within the interior cavity and spaced from each other;
providing a second component comprising a pair of inner walls defining a pair of alignment apertures, the alignment apertures configured to receive the alignment members to couple the first component and the second component;
fabricating a third component;
seating the third component within the interior cavity between the first component and the second component, the third component positioned to be completely disposed between the pair of alignment members;
forming a first retaining rib extending from an outer surface of each of the alignment members at a first axial location of the alignment members, each first retaining rib abutting against the third component to facilitate securing the third component within the interior cavity; and
forming a second retaining rib extending from the outer surface of each of the alignment members at a second axial location of the alignment members, each second retaining rib engaging the second component to facilitate retaining at least a portion of the alignment members within the alignment apertures,
wherein each of the alignment members is fabricated from an elastically deformable material such that (a) when the third component is seated in the interior cavity, the alignment members elastically deform to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the third component and the first component in a desired orientation, and (b) when each of the alignment member is inserted into the alignment apertures, the alignment members further elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component and the second component in a desired orientation, wherein the third component comprises an outer edge, the outer edge abutting against the pair of alignment members to elastically deform the alignment members to the elastically averaged configuration, wherein a portion of the second component abuts against the third component to support the third component when each of the alignment members is inserted into the alignment apertures.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein each of the alignment members, when inserted into one of the alignment apertures, elastically deforms to the elastically averaged final configuration such th

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Colombo Joel
• Morris Steven E
• Lawall Jennifer P
• Gollapalli Ashish M

Classifications

• F16B19/004

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

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• B62D27/023 Primary

  Assembly of structural joints · CPC title

• B60R13/005 Primary

  Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor · CPC title

• F16B5/0657

  at least one of the plates providing a raised structure, e.g. of the doghouse type, for connection with the clamps or clips of the other plate · CPC title