초록 ▼

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 wh

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.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for mechanically and electrically connecting a device to a panel comprising: a carrier panel having an aperture therein; a floating connector block received in said aperture, said block including a main body and including at least two pairs of longitudinally spaced flanges extending from s

Apparatus for mechanically and electrically connecting a device to a panel comprising: a carrier panel having an aperture therein; a floating connector block received in said aperture, said block including a main body and including at least two pairs of longitudinally spaced flanges extending from said main body in planes parallel with the plane of said aperture, said carrier panel being disposed between the flanges of each of said pairs of flanges, said floating connector block further including a plurality of terminal means within said main body oriented substantially perpendicular to said flanges for establishing electrical connections; a plurality of resilient support strips extending between the flanges of each of said pairs of flanges such that said strips are tensioned under contact with said carrier panel to locate said floating connector block at a desired position within said aperture; a device-end connector including a plurality of pin means arranged for connection with said terminal means; and guide means for aligning said terminal means and said pin means when said device-end connector and said floating connector block are brought together.