Alignment system for mating connectors

摘要

An alignment system is provided between a pair of connectors (36,28) mateable in a given mating direction (A). A first connector (36) includes a housing (46) having an alignment projection (48) on one side thereof. A second connector (28) includes a housing (72) having an alignment flange (88) projecting forwardly thereof generally in said mating direction. The alignment flange (88) is flared (88a) outwardly for engaging the housing (46) of the first connector (36) during mating and allowing a degree of misalignment between the connectors in an "X" direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction (A). The alignment flange (88) includes a slot (88b) for receiving the alignment projection (48) of the first connector, The slot has a flared mouth (88c) allowing a degree of misalignment between the connectors (36,28) in a "Y" direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction (A) and generally perpendicular to the "X" direction.