Self-Aligning Electrial Connector

An electrical connector system comprising:

• an electrical connector assembly comprising:
• a housing comprising:
• a mating connector receiving portion having side walls and end walls;
• a panel mounting portion, the mating connector receiving portion extending from the panel mounting portion, the panel mounting portion having an oversized flange with a panel mounting surface, the panel mounting surface having a width which is greater than a width of the mating connector receiving portion and a length which is greater than the length of the mating connector receiving portion;
• first springs and second springs are provided about the periphery of the mating connector receiving portion, the first springs and second springs having panel engagement portions and securing portions;
• a panel having a connector receiving opening dimensioned to receive the mating connector receiving portion therethrough, projections extending into the connector receiving opening, the projections align with the panel engagement portions of the first springs and second springs;
• wherein the panel engagement portions of the first springs and the second springs cooperate with the projections of the panel, such that the electrical connector assembly floats relative to the panel and compensates for misalignment of a mating electrical connector in the X direction, misalignment of the mating electrical connector in the Y direction and/or for torsional misalignment of the mating electrical connector.