Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for mounting an electrical component, such as a radio, on a panel. The connector assembly permits blind mating of a radio in a dash. A header on the radio is mated to a plug connector on a wiring harness. The plug connector is mounted on a mounting member on a panel. When the component is inserted through an opening, such as an opening in an automobile dash, the plug connector can shift into alignment with a header on the component. Ramps on the header and on the plug connector cam the mating connectors into alignment permitting movement in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. Alignment and movement in the mating direction is permitted by springs holding the plug connector on the housing. Metal springs exerting a mating force when deflected can be use. Alternatively molded cantilever latches can be deflected. The mated connectors can still move in the axial direction after mating.

Abstract: A seal (10) for use with an electrical connector includes an array of sealing units (20) each including a funnel-shaped section (22), an annular recess (24), an annular projection (26), and a box shaped recess (28). Adjacent to the sealing units are respective relaxation cores (30) for allowing the seal material to flow and fill in the relaxation cores thereby relieving the sealing units of stress and preventing tearing or cutting of the seal as the electrical contact (40) is inserted through the sealing unit (20). An interface angle (22c) is advantageously formed in a steep fashion so that the corners of the electrical contact (40) do not cut or tear the seal material.

Abstract: An electrical connector 6 includes a wire restraint arm 20 extending from one side of a connector body 8. Wires 2 connected to terminals 4 in this connector 6 are positioned on an exposed concave or V-shaped surface of this wire restraint arm 20. The wire restraint arm 20 provides both strain relief and isolates the terminals 4 from external vibration or motion of the wires 2. A central wire restraint section 32 is located between an inner lip 28 and an outer lip 30 that are wider and taller than the central section 32 to form a gap 26 at least partially surrounding the central section. A conventional wire tie 50 is held in this gap with the wire tie encircling both the wire bundle and the central wire restraint section 32. Ribs 40, 42, and 44 located on the central section 32 and the lips 28, 30 grip the wire insulation, and wires on the exterior of the wire bundle engage either the ribs or the cable tie. Wire bundles of different sizes can be accommodated.