Alignment feature for an elastic averaging alignment system

• Main Authors: Perez Ruiz, Alejandro, Cullens, Jeffrey M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 29.08.2023
• Subjects: BLASTING; DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS ORMACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS,CLIPS, WEDGES, JOINTS OR JOINTING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; WEAPONS

A method of assembly includes forming a first member to include a plurality of elastically deformable locating protrusions extending outward from an exterior surface of the first member. A locating protrusion is an elongate member having an arcuate portion, a first linear leg portion extending from a first arc end, and a second leg portion extending from a second arc end. The method additionally includes forming a second member to include a plurality of elastically deformable compression features. The locating protrusions are inserted in press fit engagement with the plurality of compression features such that the first member and the second member are secured relative to each other and the average of the elastic deformation between all of the plurality of locating protrusions and all of the plurality of compression features precisely aligns the first member relative to the second member.