ELASTIC TUBE ALIGNMENT AND FASTENING SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PRECISE ALIGNMENT AND FASTENING OF COMPONENTS

摘要

An elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having a first alignment member, an attachment element, and a support element, and a second component having a second alignment member, an alignment aperture, and an engagement surface that engages with the support element. The attachment element includes an attachment portion and an elastically deformable alignment element portion. The elastically deformable alignment element portion is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the alignment aperture. The attachment portion includes a hollow tube having a first wall thickness, and the elastically deformable alignment element portion includes a hollow tube having a second wall thickness less than the first wall thickness. Portions of the elastically deformable alignment element portion when inserted into the alignment aperture elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first alignment member with the second alignment member in at least two planar orthogonal directions.

主权项

1. An elastically averaged alignment system, comprising:
a first component comprising a first alignment member, an attachment element, and a support element, each of the attachment element and the support element fixedly disposed with respect to the first alignment member, the support element disposed proximate the attachment element, the attachment element comprising an attachment portion and an elastically deformable alignment element portion; a second component comprising a second alignment member, an alignment aperture, and an engagement surface configured to engage with the support element; wherein the elastically deformable alignment element portion is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the alignment aperture; wherein the attachment portion comprises a hollow tube having a first wall thickness, and the elastically deformable alignment element portion comprises a hollow tube having a second wall thickness less than the first wall thickness; and wherein portions of the elastically deformable alignment element portion when inserted into the alignment aperture elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first alignment member with the second alignment member in at least two planar orthogonal directions.