Mechanically assisted blind mate electrical connector

摘要

An electrical connector assembly (2) includes a first connector in the form of a printed circuit board header (10) and a second connector in the form of a plug connector that can be attached to wires in a wiring harness. One of the connectors is mounted in an opening (6) in a panel so that the connector is free to float in an X and a Y direction. A protruding alignment post (30) on one connector is received within an alignment cavity (70) on the other connectors so that the connector positioned in the panel opening (6) will shift laterally so that pin terminals (22) in one connector will be aligned with receptacle terminals (50) in terminal cavities of the other connector will be aligned before they are mated. A mechanical assist member, such as a bolt (90) extends through a central opening (32) in the alignment post (30) and through the mating alignment cavity (70) to increase the force available to mate the two connectors.