Apparatus for aligning and connecting signal connectors on two different bodies

An apparatus for aligning and connecting complementary signal connectors on two different bodies, comprising:

• a housing including a housing support structure, a front side and a rear side;
• an interface attached to the housing and configured to interface with a robotic end-effector that produces rotational forces in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions;
• a first drive system having a drive end operably supported by the interface and a body engagement portion that is operably supported by the housing support structure and configured to physically connect to another body, wherein a first rotational force imparted to the drive end causes the body engagement portion to emerge from the housing so as to physically connect to another body and a second rotational force opposite to the first rotational force is imparted to the drive end causes the body engagement portion to disengage from the other body and withdraw into the housing;
• a signal connector panel including at least one signal connector and movably attached to the housing support structure such that the signal connector panel is movable in an outward direction with respect to the front side of the housing so that the signal connector mates with a complementary signal connector on another body and is movable in an opposite inward direction so that the signal connector is disconnected from the complementary mating connector;
• a spring operated device attached to the signal connector panel and operably supported by the housing support structure to constantly urge the signal connector panel in the opposite inward direction;
• a mechanism movably attached to the housing support structure and in constant physical contact with the signal connector panel, the mechanism being movable in a first direction in order to displace the signal connector panel in the outward direction and movable in an opposite second direction to cause retraction of the signal connector panel in the inward direction so as to disconnect the signal connector from the complementary signal connector on the other body;
• a second drive system operably attached to the mechanism and operably supported by the interface, the second drive system moving the mechanism in the first direction when a third rotational force is imparted to the second drive system and in the opposite second direction when a fourth rotational force that is opposite to the third rotational force is imparted to the second drive system;
• a mechanical link member having a first portion pivotally attached to the opposite distal end of the arm member and a second portion operably attached to the second drive system, wherein the mechanical link member and the arm member cooperate to convert rotational motion of the second drive system into linear movement of the mechanism;
• and
• a plurality of kinematic mounts attached to the front side of the housing.