Patent ID: 6368146
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: H01R,Y10T

Abstract:
A high density electrical connector assembly comprising:a first connector member with a first and second side wherein the first connector member comprises a plurality of electrical conductors on the first side and defines a first contact pattern on the second side comprising a first plurality of electrical contacts that are connected to corresponding electrical conductors; a second connector member that defines a first surface adapted to receive the second side of the first connector wherein the second connector member has a second contact pattern comprising a second plurality of electrical contacts formed on the first surface that correspond to the first contact pattern on the second side of the first connector member, wherein the first contact pattern is substantially aligned with the second contact pattern when the first connector member is engaged with the second connector member; and an alignment mechanism that engages with the first connector member and the second connector member wherein the alignment mechanism has a sensor assembly that determines whether the first contact pattern and the second contact pattern are precisely aligned such that there is electrical interconnection between the first and second plurality of electrical contacts and the alignment mechanism includes positioning assemblies which move the first and second connector members with respect to each other to precisely align the first and second contact patterns.