US 8,477,504 B2 · Systems and methods for blind-mate connector alignment

Abstract

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, systems and methods for aligning blind-mate connectors are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises an avionics processing canister that is coupled to a mounting block. The avionics processing canister comprises a first portion of a first blind-mate connector, and a face plate with a surface that defines a pin-hole and a slot. The slot has a short dimension substantially equal to the diameter of the pin-hole and a long dimension perpendicular to the short dimension. The long dimension is longer than the short dimension. The system also comprises a first fastener that is received through the pin-hole and then into a first hole defined by a surface of the mounting block. The pin-hole has a diameter that is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the first fastener. The system also comprises a second fastener that is received through the slot and then into a second hole defined by a surface of the mounting block. The slot is oriented such that the second fastener constrains rotation of the face plate about a center of the pin-hole to align the first portion of the first blind-mate connector to a second portion of the first blind-mate connector.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

an avionics processing canister coupled to a mounting block, the avionics processing canister comprising:
a face plate with a surface that defines a pin-hole and a slot, the slot having a short dimension substantially equal to a diameter of the pin-hole and a long dimension perpendicular to the short dimension, the long dimension being longer than the short dimension;
and
a first portion of a first blind-mate connector;
a first fastener received through the pin-hole and then into a first hole defined by a surface of the mounting block, the diameter of the pin-hole being substantially equal to an outer diameter of the first fastener;
and
a second fastener received through the slot and then into a second hole defined by the surface of the mounting block, the slot being oriented such that the second fastener constrains rotation of the face plate about a center of the pin-hole to align the first portion of the first blind-mate connector to a second portion of the first blind-mate connector.

4 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

an avionics processing canister coupled to a mounting block, the avionics processing canister comprising:
a face plate with a surface that defines a pin-hole and a slot, the slot having a short dimension substantially equal to a diameter of the pin-hole and a long dimension perpendicular to the short dimension, the long dimension being longer than the short dimension;
and
a first portion of a first blind-mate connector;
a first fastener received through the pin-hole and then into a first hole defined by a surface of the mounting block, the diameter of the pin-hole being substantially equal to an outer diameter of the first fastener;
a second fastener received through the slot and then into a second hole defined by the surface of the mounting block, the slot being oriented such that the second fastener constrains rotation of the face plate about a center of the pin-hole to align the first portion of the first blind-mate connector to a second portion of the first blind-mate connector;
and
a display adapter mount positioned between the mounting block and the face plate.

5 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

an avionics processing canister coupled to a mounting block, the avionics processing canister comprising:
a face plate having a surface that defines a pin-hole and a slot, the slot having a short dimension substantially equal to a diameter of the pin-hole and a long dimension perpendicular to the short dimension, the long dimension being longer than the short dimension;
and
a first portion of a first blind-mate connector;
a display adapter mount positioned between the mounting block and the face plate;
a first fastener received through the pin-hole and then into a first hole defined by a surface of the mounting block, the pin-hole having a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the first fastener;
a second fastener received through the slot and then into a second hole defined by the surface of the mounting block, the slot being oriented such that the second fastener constrains rotation of the face plate about a center of the pin-hole to align the first portion of the first blind-mate connector to a second portion of the first blind-mate connector;
and
a second avionics processing canister coupled to the mounting block and comprising a first portion of a second blind-mate connector.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for blind-mate connector alignment

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for blind-mate connector alignment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20