apparatus is described for automatically mating a pair of connectors and protecting them prior to mating , which minimizes weight and uses relatively simple and reliable mechanisms . lower and upper connectors are held in lower and upper parts of a housing , with the upper connector mounted on a carrier that is motor driven to move down and mate the connectors . a pair of movable members serve as shields , as coarse alignment aids , and as force transmitters . the movable members are pivotally mounted at the bottom of the upper housing , and as the carrier moves down it pivots the members out of the way . the movable members have socket elements that closely receive pin elements on the lower housing part , to coarsely align the connectors and to react mating and unmating forces between the housings . the carrier has a pair of plate portions with slots , and the movable members have cam followers engaged with the slot walls , to move the members with precision . the carrier plate - like portions engage follower members that pivot open lower shield parts covering the lower connector , which is mounted on four stacks of belleville washers .