US Patent 9238488 Elastically averaged alignment systems and methods

In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The system includes a first component including an alignment member, the alignment member including a base portion extending from an edge of the first component, and a connector portion coupled to the base portion. The system also includes a second component including a receiving member. The receiving member includes a pair of cantilever members extending from an edge of the second component and defines a receiving aperture configured to receive at least a portion of the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the alignment member is inserted into the receiving aperture, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component edge relative to the second component edge.