Blind mating connector having self-locating feature
US4921435A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 1989 |
| Grant date | May 1, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49169
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A blind mating connector for simultaneously providing electrical and mechanical connection of an electrical component to an instrument panel is disclosed such that a robotic installation of the electrical device is possible. A floating receptacle in the panel is located at a theoretical center at which the device-end connector is expected to arrive by means of resilient O-rings contained in grooves on flanges extending from the floating receptacle. The floating receptacle is movable in any direction in the plane of the panel and is rotatable about any axis. Thus, errors in alignment and in the insertion direction of the electrical device are tolerated while ensuring a proper electrical and mechanical connection between the device and the floating receptacle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.