Automotive electrical connector features for robotic installation

An electrical connection system, comprising:

• an electrical connector comprising a housing and a wire cable at least partially disposed in the housing, wherein the housing includes an outer surface and a peripheral surface, the outer surface of the housing defining a robotic installation means for receiving a robotic end effector, the peripheral surface completely surrounding the robotic installation means,
• wherein the robotic end effector includes two member means for (i) insertion into the robotic installation means along a first axis and (ii) expansion apart from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis within the robotic installation means, and
• wherein the expansion of the two member means within the robotic installation means allows the robotic end effector to gain control of and move the electrical connector for an installation operation.

A method for connecting an electrical connector with a robotic end effector, the electrical connector comprising a housing and a wire cable at least partially disposed in the housing, wherein the housing includes an outer surface and a peripheral surface, the outer surface of the housing defining a slot, the peripheral surface completely surrounding the slot, the robotic end effector comprising a first member and a second member, the method comprising:

• inserting the first member and the second member into the slot along a first axis and completely surrounding a portion of the first member and a portion of the second member with the peripheral surface;
• and
• moving the first member away from the second member along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis within the slot to allow the robotic end effector to gain control of and move the electrical connector for an installation operation.