Abstract: A pin grid array contact has been provided that includes a planar main body and first and second spring beams. The planar main body defines, and is arranged within, a primary contact plane. The main body has edges along opposed sides and along opposed ends. The first and second spring beams are formed integral with the main body and extend from a common one of the edges by different first and second lengths, respectively. The first length is longer than said second length. The first and second spring beams being are aligned with the primary contact plane.

Abstract: A pin grid array contact has been provided that includes a planar main body and first and second spring beams. The planar main body defines, and is arranged within, a primary contact plane. The main body has edges along opposed sides and along opposed ends. The first and second spring beams are formed integral with the main body and extend from a common one of the edges by different first and second lengths, respectively. The first length is longer than said second length. The first and second spring beams being are aligned with the primary contact plane.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) has a housing (14) with at least one terminal receiving cavity (24) provided therein. A terminal (18) is positioned in the terminal receiving cavity (24) and at least one terminal retention member (16) is secured in the terminal receiving cavity (24). The terminal retention member (16) is a separate resilient member which is not integrally molded with the housing (14). A rib (68) may be provided in the terminal receiving cavity (24) to cooperate with the terminal retention member (16) to prevent the overstress of the terminal retention member (16).

Abstract: A spacer (14) to be retained within a receptacle housing (11) in either a preset position or a final position. The spacer (14) has a pair of blades (17, 18) to be inserted in respective slots (67, 68) in the receptacle housing (11). Each blade (17, 18) provides first and second bumps (29-32) on the internal surface (24, 25) of the blade (17, 18) and these bumps (29-32) engage internal bumps (73-76) in the slots (67, 68) of the receptacle housing (11), such that upon receiving the spacer (14) in the preset position, the first bump (30, 31) on each of the blades (17, 18) prevents the spacer (14) from coming out and the second bump (29, 32) resists inserting the spacer (14) further to the final position. Upon receiving the spacer (14) in the final position, the second bump (29, 32) on each of the blades (17, 18) prevents the spacer (14) from coming out, thereby preventing an accidental insertion and removal of the spacer (14).

Abstract: A blind mate shielded input/output connector assembly is disclosed for use in the robotic assembly of an electrical component, such as a radio, to electrical conductors, such as electrical wires in a harness in an automobile. The connector assembly includes a header which can be fixedly mounted to the electrical component and which includes an alignment post protruding beyond printed circuit board pins located in the header. A receptacle module includes cavities for receiving multi-contact electrical connectors and an alignment cavity into which the alignment post can be inserted. The receptacle module is mounted to a carrier panel beyond which conductors in the harness extend so that the receptacle module can move in any direction within the plane of the panel, thus permitting alignment during straight line movement of the header toward the panel. The receptacle module can also be used to provide EMI shielding and a filter can be mounted in the header.

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.