ASSEMBLY WITH ELASTIC CENTER

Abstract

Assembly (20) with elastic averaging, comprising several first components (22) and several second components (24), wherein Each first component (22) defines an elongated element extending from a body (23) and having a profile with an arc-shaped section (28) extending from a first arc end (30) to a second arc end (32), wherein a first linear leg section (34, 34') extends from the first arc end (30) and a second linear leg section (36, 36') extends from the second arc end (32), wherein the arc-shaped section (28) is provided with at least one retaining tab (38) on an outer surface thereof. every second component (24) is provided with a flange (27) which extends from a lower surface (25) of the second component (24) around the circumference of a slot (26), Each first component (22) is inserted through the slot (26) of the associated second component (24) to connect the two components, Each first component (22) is over-dimensioned relative to the slot (26) of the associated second component (24) in such a way that, when each first component (22) is inserted into the slot (26) of the associated second component (24), an overlap occurs between the arc-shaped section (28) of each first component (22) and the slot (26) of the associated second component (24), with further insertion each first component (22) and the associated second component (24) deform elastically for a coupling with elastic averaging between the several first and second components (22, 24), and when fully inserted the retaining tab (38) of each first component (22) engages with the slot (26) of the associated second component (24) via the flange (27) of the associated second component (24) to secure the first and second components (22, 24) in the desired position relative to each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for a vehicle having elastically deformable features to secure and align a first component and a second component.

[0002] Currently, components, such as those found in motor vehicles and other vehicle manufacturing articles, as well as those found in non-motor vehicle manufacturing articles, are assembled and mutually aligned with respect to one another in a process by means of alignment features. The alignment features are dimensioned to provide spacing to allow the components to move relatively freely relative to one another and thus align them without creating interference therebetween that would hinder the manufacturing process. There is a clearance between the male alignment features and their respective female alignment features that is predetermined to accommodate expected size and position variation tolerances of the male and female alignment features as a result of manufacturing (or fabrication) variations.As a result, a significant positional variation may occur between the mated first and second components with the aforementioned alignment features, which may contribute to the presence of an undesirably large variation in their alignment, particularly with respect to the gaps and spacing between them. If such misalignment occurs, it may negatively impact function and lead to a perception of poor quality.

[0003] Thus, although current arrangements achieve their intended purpose, there is a need for a new and improved system and method for assembling two components.

[0004] US 2014 / 0 047 691 A1 discloses an elastic averaging assembly comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component defines an elongate member extending from a body and having a profile with an arcuate portion extending from a first arcuate end to a second arcuate end, wherein a first linear leg portion extends from the first arcuate end and a second linear leg portion extends from the second arcuate end, the second component is provided with a slot, the first component is inserted through the slot of the second component to connect the two components, the first component is oversized relative to the slot such that when the first component is inserted into the slot, interference occurs between the arcuate portion and the slot,upon further insertion, the first component and the second component deform elastically for a coupling with elastic averaging between the components and upon full insertion, the first and second components are secured in the desired position relative to each other.

[0005] US 2019 / 0 315 290 A1 teaches an assembly with elastic averaging, comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component defines a mushroom-like projection extending from the first component and having a closed profile with an arcuate section, the second component is provided with a complementary opening, the first component is inserted through the opening of the second component to connect the two components, the first component is oversized in the region of the head of the mushroom-like projection relative to the opening such that when the mushroom-like projection of the first component is inserted into the opening of the second component, an interference occurs between the head of the mushroom-like projection and the opening,upon further insertion, the mushroom-shaped projection deforms elastically for coupling with elastic averaging between the components and upon full insertion, the first and second components are secured in the desired position relative to each other.

[0006] From US 2014 / 0 033 493 A1, an assembly with elastic averaging is known, comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component defines an elongate element extending from a body and having a profile with an arcuate portion extending from a first arcuate end to a second arcuate end, the second component is provided with a slot, the first component is inserted through the slot of the second component to connect the two components, the first component is oversized relative to the slot such that when the first component is inserted into the slot, an interference occurs between the arcuate portion and the slot,upon further insertion, the first component and the second component deform elastically for a coupling with elastic averaging between the components and upon full insertion, the first and second components are secured in the desired position relative to each other.

[0007] DE 10 2017 115 527 A1 relates to an assembly with elastic averaging, comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component defines an elongate element extending from a body and having a profile with an arcuate portion extending from a first arcuate end to a second arcuate end, wherein the arcuate portion is provided with at least one retaining tab on an outer surface thereof, the second component is provided with a slot, the first component is inserted through the slot of the second component to connect the two components, the first component is oversized relative to the slot such that when the first component is inserted into the slot, an interference occurs between the arcuate portion and the slot,upon further insertion, the first component and the second component deform elastically for coupling with elastic averaging between the components and upon full insertion, the retaining tab engages the slot via the flange to secure the first and second components in the desired position relative to each other.

[0008] It is the object of the present invention to provide an elastic averaging assembly capable of providing desired stiffness characteristics in conjunction with a larger slot while maintaining acceptable overall dimensions.

[0009] This object is achieved by an assembly with elastic averaging having the features of claim 1.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a number of advantages. For example, the present disclosure provides an elastic averaging assembly capable of providing desired stiffness characteristics in conjunction with a larger slot, and furthermore, does so while maintaining acceptable overall dimensions.

[0012] The above advantage and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. Figure 1 is a plan view of a prior art elastic averaging assembly; Fig. 2 is a first isometric plan view of an elastic averaging assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a second isometric plan view of an elastic averaging assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a third isometric plan view of an elastic averaging assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 a view along section AA in Fig. 2 is; and Fig. 6 is a plan view illustrating alternative arrangements for elastic averaging assemblies, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] Referring to Fig. 1, a known elastic averaging assembly 10 is shown. The assembly 10 includes a first component 12 and a second component 14. The first component 12 comprises an elongated member having a generally arcuate profile. The first component 12 is inserted through a slot 16 of the second component 14 to connect or join the two components together. The first component 12 is oversized relative to the slot 16 such that when the first component 12 is inserted into the slot 16, the first component 12 and the second component 14 elastically deform for an elastic averaging coupling between the components 12, 14.

[0015] However, for some configurations and / or materials, known elastic averaging arrangements can present packaging challenges. For example, some materials have manufacturing tolerances that require relatively large slots, e.g., with a width greater than approximately 2.5 mm. As used herein, the width refers to the smallest dimension of the slot. Known elastic averaging profiles, e.g., the Fig. 1, would become undesirably wide and / or stiff when scaled to fit into slots of such widths.

[0016] Referring now to Fig. 2-5, an elastic averaging assembly 20 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 20 includes a first component 22 and a second component 24. While only one first component 22 and one second component 24 are illustrated here, the assembly 20 may include multiple first components 22 and second components 24. Elastic averaging represents a subset of surface connection types, wherein improved accuracy is derived from averaging the error over a large number of contact surfaces. Elastic averaging is based on the significant overdetermination of a solid having a large number of relatively compliant elements. Because the components are preloaded, the elastic properties of the components allow the size and position error of each individual contact feature to be averaged over the sum of contact features in the entire solid.In a well-designed and preloaded elastic averaging connection, the repeatability is approximately inversely proportional to the square root of the number of contact points.

[0017] The first component 22 defines an elongated member extending from a body 23. In an exemplary embodiment, the first component 22 and the body 23 are integrally formed from a common material, e.g., a polymeric material. However, in other embodiments, the first component 22 and the body 23 may be formed from separate materials. The body 23 may be a generally planar body, as shown in Fig. 5, or may take any other suitable form according to the desired configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the second component 24 comprises metal, e.g., sheet metal. However, in other embodiments, the second component 24 may be formed from other materials. The second component 24 may be a generally planar body, as shown in Fig. 5, or may take any other suitable form according to the desired configuration.

[0018] The first component 22 has a profile with an arcuate portion 28 extending from a first arcuate end 30 to a second arcuate end 32. A first linear leg portion 34 extends from the first arcuate end 30, and a second linear leg portion 36 extends from the second arcuate end 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the leg portions 34, 36 are parallel to each other; however, in other embodiments, the leg portions 34, 36 are not parallel, as explained in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate portion 28 is provided with at least one retaining tab 38 on an outer surface thereof.

[0019] The first component 22 is inserted through a slot 26 of the second component 24 to join or join the two components together. According to the invention, the second component 24 is provided with a flange 27 extending from a bottom surface 25 of the second component 24 around the perimeter of the slot 26. The flange 27 can guide the first component 22 to a desired position and orientation relative to the slot 26 and facilitate insertion therein.

[0020] The first component 22 is oversized relative to the slot 26 such that when the first component 22 is inserted into the slot 26, interference occurs between the arcuate portion 28 and the slot 26. Upon further insertion, the first component 22 and the second component 24 elastically deform to provide an elastic-average coupling between the components 22, 24. Upon full insertion, the retaining tab 38 engages the slot 26 via the flange 27 to secure the first and second components in the desired position relative to each other.

[0021] While Fig. 2-5 illustrate the leg portions 34, 36 as parallel, in other embodiments the leg portions 34, 36 may be provided in a non-parallel configuration. As in Fig.6, legs 34', 36' may be provided in a non-parallel orientation. In such embodiments, the camber angle of the legs 34', 36' relative to the arcuate portion 28 may be selected to provide a desired stiffness characteristic of the first component 22.

[0022] As can be seen, the present disclosure provides an elastic averaging assembly capable of providing desired stiffness characteristics in conjunction with a larger slot, and further does so while maintaining acceptable overall dimensions.

Claims

[1] Assembly (20) with elastic averaging, comprising a plurality of first components (22) and a plurality of second components (24), wherein each first component (22) defines an elongated member extending from a body (23) and having a profile with an arcuate portion (28) extending from a first arcuate end (30) to a second arcuate end (32), a first linear leg portion (34, 34') extending from the first arcuate end (30) and a second linear leg portion (36, 36') extending from the second arcuate end (32), the arcuate portion (28) being provided with at least one retaining tab (38) on an outer surface thereof, each second component (24) is provided with a flange (27) extending from a lower surface (25) of the second component (24) around the circumference of a slot (26), each first component (22) is inserted through the slot (26) of the associated second component (24) to connect the two components, each first component (22) is oversized relative to the slot (26) of the associated second component (24) such that when each first component (22) is inserted into the slot (26) of the associated second component (24), an interference occurs between the arcuate portion (28) of each first component (22) and the slot (26) of the associated second component (24), upon further insertion, each first component (22) and the associated second component (24) elastically deform for elastic averaging coupling between the plurality of first and second components (22, 24), and upon full insertion, the retaining tab (38) of each first component (22) engages the slot (26) of the associated second component (24) via the flange (27) of the associated second component (24) to secure the first and second components (22, 24) in the desired position relative to one another. [2] The assembly (20) of claim 1, wherein the first linear leg portion (34) is parallel to the second linear leg portion (36). [3] The assembly (20) of claim 1, wherein the first linear leg portion (34') is not parallel to the second linear leg portion (36').

Images