Patent ID: 6045388
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A connector position assurance system comprising:an electrical connector including a housing having a guideway and at least one stop surface near the guideway;a mateable connecting device for mating with the electrical connector;a primary flexible locking arm on the connector housing and including a latch for mechanically interlocking with a cooperating latch of the mateable connecting device; anda connector position assurance (Cdevice slidably mounted on the housing for movement along said guideway between a first position allowing movement of the locking arm and mating of the connector with the mateable connecting device and a second position blocking movement of the locking arm away from the latched position, the CPA device including a flexible stop arm engageable with the stop surface on the housing to prevent the CPA device from moving from its first to its second position;said mateable connecting device including an actuator for moving the flexible stop arm of the CPA device out of engagement with said stop surface when the connector is fully mated with the mateable connecting device thereby allowing movement of the CPA device from its first position to its second position indicating full mating of the connector,wherein said primary flexible locking arm is pivoted to the housing on a fulcrum between a front latch end and a rear end of the locking arm, and the CPA device includes detents engageable with the rear end of the locking arm to define the first and second positions of the CPA device.