ALIGNMENT SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ALIGNMENT OF COMPONENTS HAVING CONTOURED FEATURES

摘要

An elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having a first alignment member and first and second elastically deformable alignment elements, and a second component having a second alignment member and first and second alignment features. The first and second alignment elements are configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage with respective ones of the first and second alignment features. The first alignment feature includes an elongated aperture having a first direction of elongation, and the second alignment feature includes an elongated aperture having a second direction of elongation that is oriented differently from the first direction of elongation. Portions of the first and second alignment elements when inserted into respective ones of the first and second alignment features elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first component relative to the second component in at least two of four planar orthogonal directions.

主权项

1. An elastically averaged alignment system, comprising:
a first component comprising a first alignment member and first and second elastically deformable alignment elements fixedly disposed with respect to the first alignment member; a second component comprising a second alignment member and first and second alignment features fixedly disposed with respect to the second alignment member; wherein the first and second elastically deformable alignment elements are configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage with respective ones of the first and second alignment features; wherein the first alignment feature comprises an elongated aperture having a first direction of elongation, and the second alignment feature comprises an elongated aperture having a second direction of elongation, the second direction of elongation being oriented differently from the first direction of elongation; and wherein portions of the first and second elastically deformable alignment elements when inserted into respective ones of the first and second alignment features elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first component relative to the second component in at least two of four planar orthogonal directions.