ELASTIC RETAINING ASSEMBLY FOR MATABLE COMPONENTS AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING
An elastic retaining assembly for matable components includes a first component having a first surface. Also included is a second component configured to be mated with the first component, the second component comprising a second surface. Further included is a receiving feature formed proximate an engagement side of the second component, the receiving feature having a first degree of curvature. Yet further included is an elastically deformable protrusion operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first component, the elastically deformable protrusion having a second degree of curvature distinct from the first degree of curvature of the receiving feature, wherein the elastically deformable protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon engagement with the receiving feature.
1 . An elastic retaining assembly for matable components comprising:
a first component having a first surface;
a second component configured to be mated with the first component, the second component comprising a second surface;
a receiving feature formed proximate an engagement side of the second component, the receiving feature having a first degree of curvature; and
an elastically deformable protrusion operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first component, the elastically deformable protrusion having a second degree of curvature distinct from the first degree of curvature of the receiving feature in an unmated condition, wherein the elastically deformable protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon engagement with the receiving feature.
2 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a fully engaged position of the first component, wherein the fully engaged position comprises contact interference between an outer surface of the elastically deformable protrusion with the receiving feature, wherein an amount of deformation along the outer surface is averaged in aggregate.
3 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first degree of curvature and the second degree of curvature are substantially equal in the fully engaged position.
4 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one standoff operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first component and configured to engage the second surface of the second component.
5 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 1 , wherein the receiving feature further comprises a main portion and a retention portion, the main portion having a main portion width and the retention portion comprising a retention width that is greater than the main portion width.
6 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of elastically deformable protrusions configured to engage a plurality of receiving features.
7 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first degree of curvature is substantially straight.
8 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second degree of curvature is substantially straight.
9 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 6 , further comprising at least one standoff operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first component and configured to engage the second surface of the second component.
10 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a fully engaged position of the first component, wherein the fully engaged position comprises contact interference between an outer surface of the plurality of elastically deformable protrusions with the plurality of receiving features, wherein an amount of deformation is averaged in aggregate over the plurality of elastically deformable protrusions.
11 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first component and the second component are vehicle components.
12 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first component comprises an air deflector and the second component comprises a fascia.
13 . An elastic retaining assembly for matable components comprising:
a first component comprising a first surface;
a second component configured to be mated with the first component, the second component comprising a second surface;
a receiving feature formed proximate an engagement side of the second component, the receiving feature comprising main portion and a retention portion proximate an end of the receiving feature; and
an elastically deformable protrusion operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first component, wherein the elastically deformable protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and is configured to elastically deform upon engagement with the receiving feature.
14 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a fully engaged position of the first component, wherein the fully engaged position comprises contact interference between an outer surface of the elastically deformable protrusion with the receiving feature, wherein an amount of deformation along the outer surface is averaged in aggregate.
15 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 13 , further comprising at least one standoff operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first component and configured to engage the second surface of the second component.
16 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 13 , wherein the main portion comprises a main portion width and the retention portion comprises a retention width that is greater than the main portion width.
17 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of elastically deformable protrusions configured to engage a plurality of receiving features.
18 . The elastic retaining assembly of claim 17 , further comprising a fully engaged position of the first component, wherein the fully engaged position comprises contact interference between an outer surface of the plurality of elastically deformable protrusions with the plurality of receiving features, wherein an amount of deformation is averaged in aggregate over the plurality of elastically deformable protrusions.
19 . A method of assembling matable components comprising:
inserting an elastically deformable protrusion of a first component into a receiving feature of a second component;
contacting an outer surface of the elastically deformable protrusion with the receiving feature to impose a contact interference condition between the first component and the second component;
bending the elastically deformable protrusion away from a protrusion natural degree of curvature during insertion into the receiving feature; and
elastically deforming the elastically deformable protrusion upon contacting the receiving feature.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the elastically deformable protrusion comprises a plurality of elastically deformable protrusions, the method further comprising performing an elastic averaging of the elastic deformation over the plurality of elastically deformable protrusions to account for positional variation of the plurality of elastically deformable protrusions.