Patent Description:
<CIT> describes a hybrid connector holding plural connector units in a common connector housing. Each of the plural connector units is held individually movably in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of connection.

The present disclosure describes a connector assembly according to claim <NUM>.

According to other examples, the plug connectors may be electrically isolated from each other; and/or the receptacle connectors may be electrically isolated from each other. The two or more plug connectors and the two or more receptacle connectors may be hardwired to respective circuit boards, wired to individual cables, or wired to cables bundled together for the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly. The plug assembly and the receptacle assembly may be configured to mate through an O-ring on an inside surface of the first shell and a corresponding groove on an outside surface of the second shell.

According to further examples, the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly may be configured to mate through matching sets of threads on an inside surface of the first shell and an outside surface of the second shell or a set of screws to hold the first shell and the second shell together. A material and a shape of one or more of the first shell, the second shell, the first insulator portion, the second insulator portion, or the two or more module adaptors may be selected such that the plug assembly and/or the receptacle assembly are ruggedized, environmentally sealed, or electromagnetically shielded. The two or more plug connectors and the two or more receptacle connectors may include universal serial bus (USB) standard version <NUM> (or higher) category C type connectors, USB version <NUM> category B micro style connectors, USB version <NUM> or version <NUM> category B mini style connectors, or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) style connectors arranged parallel, perpendicular, or at a predefined angle to each other.

According to other examples, a connector assembly is described. The connector assembly may include a plug assembly and a receptacle assembly. The plug assembly may include a first shell; a first insulator portion arranged to be fitted inside the first shell; and two or more plug connectors partially within the first insulator portion, where the first insulator portion is molded over the two or more plug connectors, each plug connector includes a plurality of electrical connections, and each plug connector is electrically isolated from other plug connectors. The receptacle assembly may include a second shell; a second insulator portion arranged to be fitted inside the second shell; and two or more receptacle connectors within the second insulator portion, where the second insulator portion is molded over the two or more receptacle connectors, each receptacle connector includes a plurality of electrical connections, each receptacle connector is electrically isolated from other receptacle connectors, and portions of the two or more plug connectors protrude from a surface of the plug assembly to mate with corresponding receptacle connectors of the receptacle assembly.

According to some examples, the connector assembly may further include an elastomer or mechanical spring configured to surround a portion of each plug connector; seal the first shell; and provide a preload between the first shell and the two or more receptacle connectors. The connector assembly may also include a rear insulator anchored to the first insulator portion via one or more posts and retainer clips. The connector assembly may further include a backshell mechanically coupled to the first shell and configured to retain the rear insulator. The plug assembly and the connector assembly may be configured to mate through an O-ring on an inside surface of the first shell and a corresponding groove on an outside surface of the second shell; matching sets of threads on the inside surface of the first shell and the outside surface of the second shell; or a set of screws to hold the first shell and the second shell together.

There is provided a method for manufacturing a connector assembly according to claim <NUM>.

According to some examples, the method may also include one or more of hardwiring the plug connectors and the receptacle connectors to respective circuit boards, wiring the plug connectors and the receptacle connectors to individual cables, or wiring the plug connectors and the receptacle connectors to cables bundled together for the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly. The method may also include forming one or more of an O-ring on an inside surface of the first shell and a corresponding groove on an outside surface of the second shell to mate the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly; forming matching sets of threads on the inside surface of the first shell and the outside surface of the second shell to mate the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly; or forming a set of screw holes on the first shell and the second shell to hold the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly together.

According to other examples, there is provided a universal serial bus (USB) connector assembly according to claim <NUM>.

According to further examples, the plug assembly and the connector assembly may be configured to mate through an O-ring on an inside surface of the first shell and a corresponding groove on an outside surface of the second shell; matching sets of threads on the inside surface of the first shell and the outside surface of the second shell; or a set of screws to hold the first shell and the second shell together.

The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise.

This disclosure is generally drawn, inter alia, to methods of manufacture, apparatus, systems and/or devices associated with multiple connector assemblies that combine multiple individual connectors in one assembly.

Briefly stated, technologies are generally described for multiple individual connectors in a single connector assembly. The individual connectors may be any form-fit suitable connectors such as USB type connectors and similar ones. The connector assembly may be circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes. Coupling between the plug and receptacle of the connector assembly may be through threads, pressure, a click-on mechanism, screws, or other compatible mechanisms. Off-the-shelf individual connectors may be fitted with a module adaptor, then inserted into an accordingly shaped inside portion of the outer shell, and held in place through a latching mechanism or similar. Alternatively, the connector assembly may be formed with the individual connectors and cabling may be added subsequently. In some examples, post retention or backshell retention may be implemented in conjunction with the plug connectors.

Disclosed herein are connector assemblies with multiple individual connectors combined in a single assembly. An example connector assembly may include two or more connectors that preserve their form and function, while providing multiple connection pathways between two or more devices. For example, an example connector assembly may include <NUM> (Universal Serial Bus) USB connectors in one connector body, thus allowing four different USB connections through a single connector assembly. The individual connectors may be coupled to cables and/or electrical circuit boards. While some examples are described using USB connectors as illustrative examples, embodiments are not limited to USB type connectors. Any standardized or proprietary connectors may be combined in a connector assembly using the principles described herein.

USB type connectors are connectors that comply with the various USB standards defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Originally intended for computer-to-computer and computer-to-peripheral device connections, USB connectors are found in a wide spectrum of usage implementations providing electrical connectivity between large numbers and types of devices. Sizes and shapes of various USB connectors depend on applicable standard and the different connectors are named after the applicable standards, such as USB-A, USB-B, USB-C. Under each standard, there may be different sizes such as mini, micro, etc. As data speeds increased, versions of the standards defining number of connections and signal types for the individual connections have also changed resulting in different versions such as USB <NUM>, USB <NUM>, etc..

<FIG> illustrates various views of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly that combines two USB type connectors, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

Diagram 100A in FIG. 1A includes a side view of a plug <NUM> containing two USB type plug connectors with their individual cables <NUM> and a matching receptacle <NUM> containing two USB type receptacle connectors. Diagram 100B includes a perspective view of a front of the plug <NUM> with two USB type connectors <NUM> in a shell <NUM> and the rear of the matching receptacle <NUM> with the two matching USB type receptacles <NUM>, which are terminated in respective circuit boards <NUM>. Diagram 100C shows a perspective view of a front of the matching receptacle <NUM> with the front views of the USB type receptacles <NUM> within a shell <NUM> and rear view of the USB type plugs <NUM>, which are terminated in respective cables.

With the proliferation of computing devices and peripherals, the variety and number of interconnectivity mechanisms including different power and communication cabling has increased dramatically. The trend in interconnectivity has been toward smaller size and denser connectors and cables carrying higher speeds of data. However, a challenge that has presented itself is managing increasingly higher number of connections. While wireless connectivity is increasingly popular, some environments (e.g., higher electromagnetic noise environments, secure communication needs, etc.) still require wired connections. Wired connection consolidator modules that combine multiple connectors are one solution, but they are usually cumbersome and do not lend themselves to environments where robustness is a requirement (e.g., military use, mobile environments, hazardous environments, etc.).

Example embodiments provide multiple individual connectors in a single connector assembly (outer shell), where cabling for the individual connectors may be combined as a bundle or include separate individual cables. The individual connectors may be any form-fit suitable connectors such as USB type connectors and similar ones. The individual connectors may include multiple electrical connections for power, data, and other electrical signaling exchange, and be electrically isolated from each other. Thus, the individual connectors are functionally distinct connectors mechanically coupled with their matching counterparts simultaneously through the connector assembly. In some examples, some electrical connections such as ground, shielding, etc. may be shared between the individual connectors through the construction of the connector assembly.

The connector assembly (outer shell) may be circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes. Coupling between the plug and receptacle of the connector assembly may be through threads, pressure, a click-on mechanism (e.g., use of latches), screws, or other compatible mechanisms. In some examples, off-the-shelf individual connectors may be fitted with a module adaptor, then inserted into an accordingly shaped inside portion of the outer shell, and held in place through a latching mechanism or similar. In this modular example, the connectors assembly may be designed for a predefined number of individual connectors (e.g., <NUM>), but some spaces may be left empty (e.g., <NUM>) resulting in connectors assemblies with desired number of individual connectors. In other examples, the connector assembly may be formed with the individual connectors and cabling may be added subsequently. Various connector features such as environmental insulation, ruggedization, shielding, etc. may be incorporated into the outer shell and/or the individual connectors. In some examples, the individual connectors may include pins or a mid-plate with tongues that may be coupled directly to wires of a cable (e.g., individual connectors <NUM>). In other examples, a circuit board (e.g., circuit boards <NUM>) may be used to terminate wires of the cables and connect to the pins or mid-plate tongues. Alternatively, the circuit board (or the pins) may also be hard-wired to another circuit board of a device.

<FIG> illustrates example configurations of various USB type connectors in a single connector assembly, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

The examples configurations in <FIG> include configuration <NUM> with two USB type plugs <NUM> arranged in parallel to each other, configuration <NUM> with three USB type plugs <NUM> arranged in parallel to each other, and configuration <NUM> with six USB type plugs <NUM> arranged in two groups of three plugs parallel to each other. The example configurations further include configuration <NUM> with four USB type plugs <NUM> arranged in parallel to each other, configuration <NUM> with four USB type plugs <NUM> arranged perpendicular to each other, and configuration <NUM> with six USB type plugs <NUM> arranged in parallel to each other in groups. Yet another example configuration in <FIG> includes configuration <NUM>, where six USB type plugs are arranged in parallel to each other and six additional USB type plugs are arranged at an angle along an inner perimeter of the connector assembly.

The configurations shown in <FIG> are for illustration purposes only and are not intended as limitations on embodiments. A number of individual connectors (e.g., USB type plugs or receptacles) may be any practical number depending on the size and functionality of the individual connectors. For example, in USB type connectors, <NUM>-<NUM> may be a practical range for implementation purposes. Another consideration in selecting a number of the individual connectors to combine may be dimension and clearance requirements imposed by practical design considerations and/or standards. Additional features of the connector assembly such as shielding, heat resistance, insulation may also affect the number of connectors to be combined by imposing limitations on the connector assembly dimensions and material types.

<FIG> illustrates example configurations of different types of connectors in a single connector assembly, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

The individual connectors shown in <FIG> represent (as example) USB standard version <NUM> (or higher) category C type connectors. <FIG> shows various examples of other types of connectors that may be combined in a connector assembly according to embodiments in different illustrative configurations. Example configuration <NUM> includes two USB version <NUM> category B micro style connectors <NUM> arranged in parallel to each other. Example configuration <NUM> includes three USB version <NUM> or version <NUM> category B mini style connectors <NUM> arranged in parallel to each other. Example configuration <NUM> includes four USB version <NUM> category B style connectors <NUM> arranged perpendicular to each other. Example configuration <NUM> includes three High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI®) style connectors <NUM> arranged in parallel to each other.

Example configuration <NUM> includes an HDMI® connector <NUM>, a USB version <NUM> category B style connector <NUM>, two USB version <NUM> category C style connectors <NUM>, and three USB version <NUM> category B micro style connectors <NUM> combined together in a single connector assembly. Thus, different types and/or numbers of connectors may be combined in a single connector assembly. As discussed above, in USB type connectors, <NUM>-<NUM> may be a practical range for implementation purposes. For smaller size connectors, higher numbers of the.

individual connectors may be combined, whereas for larger size connectors, a smaller number of individual connectors may be combined. A common feature of the various types of individual connectors discussed herein is that they include multiple electrical connections and may be electrically isolated from each other when combined in a connector assembly according to example embodiments.

The individual connectors are in pairs of plug and receptacle connectors. In some examples, portions of the plug connectors may protrude from a mating surface of a plug assembly combining multiple plug connectors and mate with portions of receptacle connectors protruding from a mating surface of a matching receptacle assembly. In other examples, the protruding portions of the individual plug connectors may mate with receptacle connectors fitted the receptacle assembly and accessible through apertures on the mating surface of the receptacle assembly (not protruding).

<FIG> illustrates cutaway perspective installation views of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein, which does not form part of the invention.

The cutaway view 300A in <FIG> shows two individual USB style connectors arranged in parallel within a molded insulator portion <NUM> of the outer shell <NUM> of a plug connector assembly. The individual plug connectors include conductive shells <NUM> and electrical terminals inside the conductive shells <NUM>. A module adaptor <NUM> may be overmolded, bonded, or mechanically attached to each individual plug connector. The insulator portion <NUM> may include a latch section <NUM> on opposing sides of the individual plug connector configured to latch onto a corresponding portion of the module adaptor <NUM>. The cutaway view 300A also shows a receptacle connector assembly outer shell <NUM> housing two matching USB style receptacle connectors <NUM> arranged in parallel within a molded insulator portion <NUM>. The receptacle connectors <NUM> may include respective circuit boards <NUM> for electrical connection to cables or hardwiring to a circuit board of an electrical device.

The module adaptor <NUM> may be made from thermoplastic elastomer in some examples and include an integral O-ring for sealing the individual plug connector. In other examples, an insertion opening may be designed in front of the latch section <NUM> of the insulator portion <NUM> to allow use of a connector removal tool to release the latch mechanism and remove the individual plug connector from the plug connector assembly. In further examples, dampening material (e.g., rubber) may be added to the latch section <NUM> to avoid accidental release of the individual plug connector or to allow for smoother insertion. In yet other examples, an O-ring and/or a spiral ring in the groove <NUM> may be used to stabilize the coupling of the connector assembly plug and the connector assembly receptacle. O-ring and/or the spiral ring in the groove <NUM> may also be used to provide enhanced electrical coupling for shielding purposes in cases of shielded connector assemblies or to provide sealing in environmentally insulated connector assemblies.

The cutaway view 300B in <FIG> shows the plug and receptacle connector assemblies with two USB style connectors of cutaway view 300B from a different perspective. On the receptacle connector assembly, a groove <NUM> is shown in a proximal portion of the outer shell <NUM>. The groove <NUM> with the spiral ring inside the plug connector assembly (in the grove <NUM>) may be used as a latching mechanism for the connector assemblies keeping them together in a breakaway style, which may further include electromagnetic shielding. A lead-in chamfer <NUM> may help guide in the corresponding plug connectors into the receptacle connectors. The chamfer may be designed at a selected angle such as <NUM> degrees or others. The "floating" feature of the plug connectors described previously in combination with the chamfer design on the receptacle connector may provide enhanced alignment when plug and receptacle assemblies are mated with multiple connectors each.

<FIG> illustrates cutaway perspective installation views of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly showing retention details for one configuration, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein, according to the invention.

A plug connector assembly <NUM> and a receptacle connector assembly <NUM> are shown in <FIG>. Plug connector assembly <NUM> includes two USB style plug connectors <NUM> arranged in parallel to each other. The plug connectors <NUM> are fitted in a module adaptor <NUM> and inserted into an insulator portion <NUM> of the plug connector assembly <NUM>. Conductive shells <NUM> of the plug connectors protrude from the module adaptors <NUM> (and front face of the plug connector assembly <NUM>). The insulator portion <NUM> includes two (or more) latching mechanisms <NUM> to hold the module adaptor <NUM> (and thereby the plug connector <NUM>) in place. Each latching mechanism <NUM> may include a finger mechanism made from the same material as the insulator portion <NUM> or similar. An insertion opening <NUM> in front of each latching mechanism <NUM> of the insulator portion <NUM> allows use of a connector removal tool to release the latching mechanism and remove the individual plug connector from the plug connector assembly <NUM>.

The module adaptor <NUM> and the latching mechanisms <NUM> are configured to allow the plug connector <NUM> to "float", that is, the conductive shell <NUM> of the plug connector <NUM> may be movable in small amounts along two or three axes for easier mating with corresponding receptacle connectors in the receptacle connector assembly <NUM>. For example, the conductive shell <NUM> may be movable between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees along two orthogonal axes parallel to a mating surface <NUM> of the plug connector assembly <NUM>. That way, if one or more apertures on a front face <NUM> of the receptacle connector assembly <NUM> do not match exactly the locations of the conductive shells, one or more conductive shells may be eased into their corresponding apertures by moving along the axes as the two assemblies are pushed together. In other examples, the plug connectors may also be movable along a third axis vertical to the two axes defining the plane of the mating surface <NUM>. The movability of the plug connectors is for ease of mating between the plug connector assembly and the receptacle connector assembly. Thus, the example movement range (<NUM> to <NUM> degrees) is intended as an illustrative example. Smaller or slightly larger ranges may also be used. The movement along the third axis may allow complete mating between the plug connector assembly and the receptacle connector assembly even if one (or more) conductive shell(s) cannot be inserted completely into their corresponding receptacle connector. For example, if one conductive shell has <NUM> inch excess length, the movement along the third axis may allow it to be pulled back by <NUM> inch and the mating surfaces of the plug connector assembly and the receptacle connector assembly may still touch each other completely.

The floating movement of the plug connectors may be enabled by size and material of the module adaptors <NUM> and/or the latching mechanisms <NUM>. For example, the module adaptors <NUM> may be made from semiflexible material allowing the plug connectors movement in place. In another example, the size and shape of the module adaptors may be selected such that the plug connectors are not released from the plug connector assembly but are capable of small movements while the connector assemblies are being mated. In yet other examples, the latching mechanisms <NUM> may provide a small space for floating movement to the module adaptor (and thereby the plug connector. As shown in <FIG>, the latching mechanisms <NUM> allows axial motion to take up tolerance when mating the plug and receptacle connectors together, The module adaptor <NUM> also floats a minimal amount horizontally and vertically within the insulator portion <NUM> of the housing to allow the chamfer <NUM> on the mating receptacle connector to tale up any misalignment in the horizontal and vertical directions. The floating mechanism functions in a similar fashion in <FIG> below but uses a stamped retention clip as opposed to the molded latch in <FIG>.

<FIG> also includes receptacle connector assembly <NUM> with a USB style receptacle connector <NUM> and a circuit board <NUM> for terminating wires of the receptacle connector <NUM>. A mid-plate with tongues <NUM> may be fitted in an aperture on a front face <NUM> of the receptacle connector assembly <NUM>, where the aperture may include a lead-in chamfer <NUM>.

In some examples, the module adaptor <NUM> may be over-molded with a molded-in seal to add sealing capability to the plug connector assembly. By using a molded insulator portion design with a latching mechanism cavity, an off-the-shelf shell may be used for the plug connector assembly. That is, different insulator portions may be used with a same shell for different plug connector types and configurations. The insulator portion may be made from various plastics or similar materials. For example, high-temperature nylon may be used for enhanced connector strength. Other example materials may include Mylar®, dacron, and similar ones. Through selection of the insulator portion material or addition of other materials, the plug and receptacle connector assemblies may be ruggedized (resistance against vibration, wear and tear), environmentally protected (heat, dust, humidity, etc.), and/or shielded against electromagnetic and/or electrostatic disturbances.

<FIG> illustrates cutaway perspective installation view of a plug of an example connector assembly showing retention details for another configuration, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

An example plug connector assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes two USB style plug connectors <NUM> arranged in parallel. The plug connectors <NUM> are enveloped in module adaptors <NUM> and inserted into an insulator portion <NUM> of the plug connector assembly. The module adaptors <NUM> (and thereby the plug connectors <NUM>) are held in place by a pair of retention clips <NUM> for each plug connector. Each retention clip may be made from a stamped spring material (e.g., metal or similar hard material) and may fit into a groove <NUM>. Each plug connector may include an exposed tip portion <NUM> that contains spring pins <NUM> in an aperture to receive contacts of a corresponding receptacle. Each of the spring pins <NUM> may be connected to a wiring pin <NUM> on the opposite side of the plug connector. Wires may be soldered or crimped on to the wiring pins <NUM> inside a sheath <NUM> of the plug connector.

Similar to the mechanism discussed in <FIG>, the exposed tip portions <NUM> of the plug connectors <NUM> may also be movable along two axes defining a plane of the mating surface <NUM> of the plug connector assembly <NUM> and/or along a third axis perpendicular to the plane. The movement(s) may be enabled by shapes, materials, and/or dimensions of the module adaptors <NUM> and/or the retention clips <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates cutaway perspective installation view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly with post retention, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

In <FIG>, diagram 600A shows a partial plug connector assembly with two USB style plug connectors and without a shell. The plug connector assembly includes plug connectors <NUM> with their conductive shells <NUM>, insulator portion <NUM> of the connector assembly, and module adaptor <NUM>. Diagram 600A further includes rear insulator <NUM>, an elastomer or mechanical spring <NUM>, posts <NUM>, and retainer clips <NUM>. Diagram 600B shows the same plug connector assembly inside shell <NUM>.

Diagram 600C shows a matching receptacle connector assembly with two USB style receptacle connectors and without a shell. The receptacle connectors <NUM> with their openings <NUM> and mid-plates <NUM> are secured inside insulator portion <NUM> of the receptacle connector assembly. Diagram 600D shows the same receptacle connector assembly inside a shell <NUM>.

In the shown example configuration, the elastomer or mechanical spring <NUM> is used to seal and provide a preload between the shell <NUM> and the mating receptacle connectors <NUM>. The module adaptor <NUM> may be molded or mechanically attached to the shell <NUM>, which itself may be conductive, and may be assembled into the insulator portion <NUM>. The rear insulator <NUM> is anchored to the insulator portion <NUM> via posts <NUM> and retained by clips <NUM>. When the plug and receptacle connectors are mated together the conductive shells <NUM> can bottom against the mating receptacles <NUM>. Any axial tolerance may be taken up by the elastomer or mechanical spring <NUM> and transferred into the rear insulator <NUM> through the posts <NUM> and retention clips <NUM>.

In some examples, off-the-shelf plug and receptacle connectors may be fitted with module adaptors and inserted into an accordingly shaped insulator portions of the shells <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, the shells may also be off-the-shelf shells. The individual connectors in their respective module adaptors may be held in place through a latching mechanism. Alternatively, the insulator portion may be molded around the individual connectors. One or both of the plug or receptacle connectors may be hardwired to a circuit board. The plug or receptacle connectors may also be provided with wires. In case of wires, the wires of the individual connectors within a connector assembly may be in individual bundles (e.g., with matching connectors on the other end of the cables) or in a single cable bundle depending on implementation.

<FIG> illustrates cutaway perspective installation view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly with backshell retention, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

Similar to <FIG>, diagram 700A in <FIG> shows a partial plug connector assembly with two USB style plug connectors and without a shell. The plug connector assembly includes plug connectors <NUM> with their conductive shells <NUM>, insulator portion <NUM> of the connector assembly, and module adaptor <NUM>. Diagram 700A further includes rear insulator <NUM> and an elastomer or mechanical spring <NUM>. Diagram 600B shows the same plug connector assembly inside shell <NUM> along with backshell <NUM>.

Diagram 700C shows a matching receptacle connector assembly with two USB style receptacle connectors and without a shell. The receptacle connectors <NUM> with their openings <NUM> and mid-plates <NUM> are secured inside insulator portion <NUM> of the receptacle connector assembly. Diagram 700D shows the same receptacle connector assembly inside a shell <NUM>.

In the shown configurations of <FIG>, the rear insulator <NUM> is retained by the backshell <NUM>. The rear insulator <NUM> retained by the backshell <NUM> allows the gasket to compress in axial direction (i.e., takes up the axial tolerance) and keeps the plug connectors <NUM> flush against the matching receptacle connectors <NUM>. The posts and retention clips of <FIG> are not shown for simplicity in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A connector assembly comprising:
a plug assembly comprising:
a first shell (<NUM>);
a first insulator portion (<NUM>) arranged to be fitted inside the first shell, the first insulator portion having two or more cavities;
two or more module adaptors (<NUM>) arranged to fit into the two or more cavities of the first insulator portion; and
two or more plug connectors (<NUM>) including a plurality of electrical connections, wherein each plug connector is encapsulated by a module adaptor of the plug assembly in a cavity of the first insulator and at least one plug connector floats along two or more axes relative to a mating surface of the plug assembly, wherein floating can be understood as movable in small amounts along two or three axes for easier mating with corresponding receptacle connectors in a receptacle connector assembly; the first insulator portion having two ore more latching mechanisms to secure one of the two or more plug connectors; and
a receptacle assembly comprising:
a second shell (<NUM>);
a second insulator portion (<NUM>) arranged to be fitted inside the second shell, the second insulator portion having two or more cavities;
two or more module adaptors arranged to fit into the two or more cavities of the second insulator portion; and
two or more receptacle connectors (<NUM>) including a plurality of electrical connections, wherein each receptacle connector is encapsulated by a module adaptor of the receptacle assembly in a cavity of the second insulator portion, at least one receptacle connector is configured to float along one or more axes relative to a mating surface of the receptacle assembly, and portions of the two or more plug connectors protrude from the mating surface of the plug assembly to mate with corresponding receptacle connectors of the receptacle assembly;
wherein each latching mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a finger latch made from a same material as the first insulator portion or a retention clip made from a different material as the first insulator portion; and
the connector assembly further comprises an insertion opening (<NUM>) in front of each latching mechanism (<NUM>) on the mating surface of the plug assembly for insertion of a removal tool to release each latching mechanism.