Lobular elastic tube alignment and retention system for providing precise alignment of components
US9457845B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/1616
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elastically averaged alignment system has a first component having a first alignment member and an elastically deformable alignment element, and a second component having a second alignment member and an alignment aperture. The elastically deformable alignment element is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage the alignment aperture. The elastically deformable alignment element includes a lobular hollow tube having four lobes, with a slotted retention feature on each of two opposing lobes that extend from an outer surface of the hollow tube radially inward toward a central axis of the hollow tube. Portions of the elastically deformable alignment element 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. Each of the slotted retention features engages with an edge of the alignment aperture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.