Patent ID: 8556643

Claim:
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.