Modular Assembly Having Press-Fit Fastener Holes

Abstract

A modular assembly having a press-fit fastener hole. The press-fit fastener hole may include a plurality of lobe regions and a plurality of contact regions that may be spaced between lobe regions for a press-fit engagement with a fastener. The fastener may have a first diameter and the contact regions collectively may define an imaginary second diameter that is less than or equal to the first diameter.

1 . A modular assembly having a press-fit fastener hole, the modular assembly comprising:
 a flange defining an aperture; and   a spacer received within the aperture, the spacer defining the press-fit fastener hole within the aperture in the flange, the press-fit fastener hole including:
 a plurality of lobe regions; and 
 a plurality of contact regions spaced between lobe regions for a press-fit engagement with a fastener having a first diameter, the contact regions collectively defining an imaginary second diameter that is less than or equal to the first diameter; 
   wherein the spacer defines a shoulder configured to space a head of the fastener away from the flange.   
     
     
         2 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the press-fit fastener hole has three lobe regions, the lobe regions defined by three overlapping ellipses. 
     
     
         3 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the contact regions include a cusp. 
     
     
         4 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising the fastener having a shank with the first diameter, wherein the shank is slidably received in the press-fit fastener hole, wherein when the shank is located in the press-fit fastener hole, the position and orientation of the fastener are retained. 
     
     
         5 . The modular assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the fastener shank has a plurality of male threads along its axial length engaging the contact regions, wherein the male threads are adapted to be both press-fit against the contact regions and afterwards be received by female threads. 
     
     
         6 . The modular assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first diameter is 1-10% larger than the imaginary second diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The modular assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the orientation of the fastener shank with respect to the flange is retained within a 5 degree angle between a line perpendicular to a surface of the flange and the longitudinal axis of the fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The modular assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a pan comprising the flange, wherein the pan is one of an oil pan, a transmission pan, a timing belt cover, a chain cover, a gear cover, a cam cover, or a valve cover. 
     
     
         9 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the fastener is located in the press-fit fastener hole of the spacer, the position and orientation of the fastener with respect to the flange are retained. 
     
     
         10 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is formed from a plastic material. 
     
     
         11 . A modular assembly configured to be coupled to another component, comprising:
 a pan having a flange, a flange having an aperture receiving a spacer therein, the spacer with at least one hole therethrough, the at least one hole extending through the aperture of the flange; and   at least one fastener press-fitted within the at least one hole, the fastener having a head contacting a shoulder of the spacer, such that the head of the fastener is spaced away from the flange by the shoulder,   wherein each of the at least one holes includes:
 a plurality of lobe regions, 
 and a plurality of contact regions, each contact region being located at an intersection of two or more lobe regions, wherein the press-fit engagement of the fastener and the hole is associated with an inner diameter of the hole as defined by the contact regions and an outer diameter of the fastener. 
   
     
     
         12 . The modular assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the contact regions are radially inwardly extending cusps. 
     
     
         13 . The modular assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the shoulder contacts the head of the fastener such that the shoulder maintains an alignment of the head, wherein the at least one fastener is configured for position and orientation retention within the hole until the modular assembly is fixedly coupled to said another component via the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The modular assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the orientation of a longitudinal axis of the fastener is retained with respect to the flange within a 5 degree angle between a line perpendicular to a surface of the flange and a central axis of the fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The modular assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer is formed from a plastic material.