Elastically averaged alignment systems and methods

摘要

In one aspect, a component for an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The component includes a body, an inner wall formed in the body and defining an alignment aperture, and an alignment member. The alignment member includes a pair of tabs extending from the body, and the alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the alignment member is inserted into another alignment aperture of another component, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the component relative to the another component of the elastically averaged alignment system. The alignment aperture is configured to receive another alignment member of another component of the elastically averaged alignment system.

主权项

1. An elastically averaged alignment system comprising:
a first component and a second component, each of the first and second components having substantially a same construction and comprising: a body; an inner wall formed in the body and defining an alignment aperture; and an alignment member comprising a pair of tabs extending from the body, wherein the alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the first component alignment member is inserted into the second component alignment aperture, the first component alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning and stacking the first component relative to the second component; wherein the system further comprises: a third component absent the pair of tabs of the alignment member, the third component comprising a body and an inner wall defining an alignment aperture, wherein when the second component alignment member is inserted into the third component alignment aperture, wherein the second component alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning and stacking the second and third components in a defined orientation.