Alignable electric connector, an electric connector system, and a method for connecting an alignable electric connector with a second electric connector

1. A self-aligning electric connector system, comprising:

a support structure ( 201 ) including an opening ( 202 ) configured to receive a self-aligning electric connector ( 5 );

a second electric connector ( 105 ) located on a circuit board ( 100 ); and

the self-aligning electric connector ( 105 ) configured to be affixed in the as opening ( 202 ) of the support structure ( 201 ), with the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) comprising:

an electrical interface ( 40 ) extending from a first side ( 41 ) self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) to a second side ( 42 ), with the electrical interface ( 40 ) configured to receive a first plurality of electrical conductors at the first side ( 41 ) and configured to receive a second plurality of electrical conductors at the second side ( 42 );

a plurality of flexible retaining members ( 20 a - 20 d ) extending from the second side ( 42 ) and configured to engage the opening ( 202 ), with one predetermined flexible retaining member ( 20 a ) of the plurality of flexible retaining members ( 20 a - 20 d ) being larger in size and functioning as a first orienting structure with respect to the support structure ( 201 );

a second orienting structure ( 60 ) on the first side ( 41 ) and configured to fit to the second electric connector ( 105 ) at a predetermined connector orientation; and

a third orienting structure ( 61 ) formed on the first side ( 41 ) and configured to fit to the circuit board ( 100 ) at the redetermined connector orientation.

2. The self-aligning electric connector system of claim 1 , wherein the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) is configured to fit to the support structure ( 201 ) at a predetermined structure orientation.

3. The self-aligning electric connector system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible retaining members ( 20 a - 20 d ) of the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) are configured to fit to the support structure ( 201 ) at a predetermined structure orientation.

4. The self-aligning electric connector system of claim 1 , wherein the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) is configured to snap-fit to the support structure ( 201 ).

5. The self-aligning electric connector system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible retaining members ( 20 a - 20 d ) prevent rotation of the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) with respect to the support structure ( 201 ) when the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) is substantially in place in the opening ( 202 ).

6. The self-aligning electric connector system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible retaining members ( 20 a - 20 d ) prevent rotation of the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) with respect to the support structure ( 201 ) when the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) is substantially in place in the opening ( 202 ), with the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) further comprising one or more torque receiving structures ( 80 ) for rotating the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) during installation.

7. The self-aligning connector system of claim 1 , with the second orienting structure ( 60 ) of the self-aligning electric connector ( 5 ) comprising a shaped receptacle ( 60 ) configured to fit to the second electric connector ( 105 ) at the predetermined connector orientation.

8. The self-aligning electric connector system of claim 1 , with the third orienting structure ( 61 ) comprising a slot ( 61 ) configured to fit to the circuit board ( 100 ) at the predetermined connector orientation.

9. A method for connecting a self-aligning electric connector and a second electric connector, comprising the steps of:

aligning the self-aligning electric connector with an opening in a support structure, with the self-aligning electric connector being rotationally oriented at a predetermined structure orientation with respect to the opening;

inserting the self-aligning electric connector partially into the opening, wherein a plurality of flexible retaining members of the self-aligning electric connector engage the opening;

bringing the support structure and the self-aligning electric connector into engagement with a second electric connector affixed to a circuit board, with the self-aligning electric connector and the support structure being rotationally oriented at a predetermined connector orientation with respect to the second electric connector; and

inserting the electric connector into substantial engagement with the second electric connector, wherein a second orienting structure of the self-aligning electric connector aligns with the second electric connector and wherein a third orienting structure of the self-aligning electric connector aligns with the circuit board.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of flexible retaining members of the self-aligning electric connector are configured to fit to the support structure at a redetermined structure orientation.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the self-aligning electric connector is configured to snap-fit to the support structure.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of flexible retaining members prevent rotation of the self-aligning electric connector with respect to the support structure when the self-aligning electric connector is substantially in place in the opening.

13. The method of claim 9 , with the second orienting structure of the self-aligning electric connector comprising as shaped receptacle configured to fit to the second electric connector at the predetermined connector orientation.

14. The method of claim 9 , with the third orienting structure comprising a slot configured to fit to the circuit board at the predetermined connector orientation.