Patent · US Active

Elastically averaged alignment systems and methods

US9429176B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
352References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2014
Grant dateAug 30, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R13/04
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The system includes a first component having a first alignment member and a second alignment member extending outwardly away from each other, and a second component having an inner wall defining an alignment aperture, the inner wall having a first wall and an opposite second wall. The first and second alignment members are an elastically deformable material such that when the first and second alignment members are inserted into the alignment aperture, the first and second alignment members elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component with the second component in a desired orientation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.