Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly is provided including a CPA, a first connector housing, a second connector housing, a retention assembly, and a CPA mounting assembly. The CPA includes a retention assembly biasing element. A retention assembly is mounted to at least one of the first and second connector housings to maintain the first and second connector housings in contact when they are mated. The retention assembly includes a removal element, and is movable between a locked and unlocked position responsive to contact between the retention assembly biasing element of the CPA and the removal element. At least one of the first and second connector housings has a CPA mounting assembly mounted thereto. The CPA is slidably mounted to the CPA mounting assembly and is movable to first, second, and third positions. In its first position, the CPA permits engagement of the first and second connector housings. In its second position, the CPA prevents engagement and disengagement of the first and second connector housings. In its third position, the CPA biases at least a part of the retention assembly and permits disengagement of the first and second connector housings.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a connector position assurance device (CPA) and latch for use with electrical connector housings, and an electrical connector system having a connector position assurance device (CPA) and latch. 
     Electrical connectors have been proposed that utilize a latch or retention assembly to maintain connector halves in a fully mated position, along with a CPA. When the connector halves are mated and the latch or retention assembly is positioned to maintain contact between the connector halves, the CPA is moved to a position that indicates the connector halves are properly connected. Thus, the CPA provides a means to assure that the connector halves are fully mated. 
     Conventional connector assemblies using CPAs and latches suffer from a number of drawbacks, however. Use of a latch and a CPA can require additional space, which is at a premium in many applications. The latch must be biased to disengage connector halves after they have been mated. It can be difficult to access and/or actuate the latch during disengagement of connector halves, adding to the time and difficulty of disengagement. Further, intricate CPA and latch assemblies can be difficult and expensive to manufacture. Moreover, conventional assemblies provide inadequate control of the biasing of the latch or retention assembly during the un-mating of connector halves. This lack of control can cause an over-biasing of latches or retention assemblies during the un-mating of connector halves, resulting in damage. 
     A connector is needed with an improved CPA and latch configuration that overcomes the above-noted and other disadvantages of conventional connectors. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     At least one embodiment of the present invention is provided including an electrical connector assembly comprising a CPA, a first connector housing, a second connector housing, a retention assembly, and a CPA mounting assembly. The CPA includes a retention assembly biasing element. The first connector housing has a body section with a mating interface on one end, and the second connector housing has an opening to receive the mating interface of the first connector housing. A retention assembly is mounted to at least one of the first and second connector housings to maintain the first and second connector housings in contact when they are mated. The retention assembly includes a removal element. The retention assembly is movable between a locked and unlocked position responsive to contact between the retention assembly biasing element of the CPA and the removal element. 
     At least one of the first and second connector housings has a CPA mounting assembly mounted thereto. The CPA is slidably mounted to the CPA mounting assembly and is movable to first, second, and third positions. In its first position, the CPA permits engagement of the first and second connector housings. In its second position, the CPA prevents engagement and disengagement of the first and second connector housings. In its third position, the CPA biases at least a part of the retention assembly and permits disengagement of the first and second connector housings. 
     Additionally, the CPA may include a mating facilitation surface. When the retention assembly is in the unlocked position and the CPA is at a fourth position between the first and second positions, the mating facilitation surface contacts the retention assembly and urges the first and second connector housings into contact. 
     At least one embodiment of the present invention provides an electrical connector comprising a CPA, a plug housing, a header housing, a latch, a latch retention assembly, and a CPA mounting assembly. The CPA includes a latch biasing element. The plug housing has a body section with a mating interface on one end, and the mating interface includes at least one receptacle. The header housing includes walls defining an opening to receive the mating interface. The header housing also includes at least one pin to mate with the at least one receptacle of the plug housing. 
     A latch is mounted to at least one of the plug and header housings for maintaining the housings in contact when mated. The latch includes a latching surface and a removal feature. One end of the latch is deflectably movable between a latched position and an unlatched position responsive to contact between the latch biasing element of the CPA and the removal feature. A latch retention assembly is mounted to at least one of the plug and header housings, and includes a latch retention feature. The latch retention feature cooperates with the latching surface of the latch to prevent the separation of the plug and header housings when they are mated and the latch is in the latched position. 
     A CPA mounting assembly is mounted to at least one of the plug and header housings. The CPA is slidably mounted to the, CPA mounting assembly and movable to mate, locked, and unmate positions. The CPA permits engagement of the plug and header housings when in the mate position. The CPA prevents engagement and disengagement of the plug and header housings when in the locked position. In the unmate position, the CPA deflects at least part of the latch and moves the latch to the unlatched position, thereby permitting disengagement of the plug and header housings. 
     The plug housing may further include a shroud extending about at least a portion of the body section. The shroud is spaced apart from the body section by a gap that receives the walls of the header housing. Further, the header housing may include polarization alignment keys received by the shroud. 
     At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a CPA including sides for slidably mounting the CPA in an electrical housing, a first surface joining the sides, and at least one arm mounted proximal to the first surface. The arm includes a latch biasing element for biasing a latch during disengagement of connector housings. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention thus provide a CPA and latch for electrical connectors. The CPA, in addition to providing position assurance, also provides a convenient and more controllable means for biasing the latch during disengagement. Little space is required, and cost of production is low. Further, breakage of the latch from over-deflection during disengagement of the connector halves is prevented. The latch may also be prevented from inadvertent deflection during mating of the connector halves. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a connector assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a header housing formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a plug housing with a CPA formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a blown up isometric view of a plug housing with a CPA formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a top isometric cutaway view of the plug housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the plug housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a top isometric view of a CPA assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a CPA assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly at the beginning of the mating process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly at the beginning of the mating process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly as the connector housings are urged toward each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly as the connector housings are urged toward each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly as the connector housings are urged further toward each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly as the connector housings are urged further toward each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the connector housings mated and the CPA still in the mate position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the connector housings mated and the CPA still in the mate position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the CPA advanced to a locked position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the CPA advanced to a locked position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 19 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the CPA being retracted toward the unmate position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 20 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the CPA being retracted toward the unmate position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 21 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the CPA in the unmate position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 22 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the CPA in the unmate position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 23 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the CPA in the unmate position as the connector housings are urged apart in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 24 illustrates a sectional view of a connector assembly with the CPA in the unmate position as the connector housings are urged apart in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a connector assembly  30  that comprises a header housing  32  and a plug housing  34 . The connector assembly  30  also comprises a connector position assurance device (CPA)  36 . The header housing  32  includes a front end  40  and a rear end  42 . The rear end  40  of the header housing  32  may receive wires (not shown), and/or be part of another component such as, for example, a fuel injector. The plug housing  34  comprises a front end  74  and a rear end  76 . Wires (not shown) may be received by the rear end  76  of the plug housing  34 . The front end  74  of the plug housing  34  mates with the front end  40  of the header housing  32 , thereby providing electrical communication therebetween. The CPA  36  indicates if the plug housing  34  and the header-housing  32  are mated. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a header housing  32  as viewed from the front end  40  of the header housing  32 . The header housing  32  includes a top portion  44 , a bottom portion  46 , and walls  47 . An opening  48  is defined by the interior surfaces of the walls  47  at the front end  40  of the header housing  32 . The opening  48  receives the mating interface of the plug housing  34 . Inside the opening  48 , pins  50  extend toward the front end  40 . The illustrated embodiment is designed for use with a two-position connector, and has two pins  50 . 
     The header housing  32  also includes polarization alignment keys  52  extending from the bottom portion  46  proximal to the front end  40 . The polarization alignment keys  52  are used to assure that the header housing  32  is properly aligned with the mating plug housing  34 . 
     Further, the header housing  32  includes a latch bump  54 . The latch bump  54  extends from the bottom portion  46  of the header housing  32  and comprises a sloped surface  56 , a flat surface  58 , and a retaining surface  60 . The sloped surface  56  extends generally downward from the bottom portion  46  as it extends from the front end  40  to the rear end  42 . The sloped surface  56  terminates at the flat surface  58  leading to the retaining surface  60 . The retaining surface  60  extends generally perpendicularly from the bottom portion  46  and faces the rear end  42 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the plug housing  34  with the CPA  36  viewed from the rear end  76  of the plug housing  34 . FIG. 4 illustrates a blown up isometric view of the plug housing  34  with the CPA  36  from the front end  74  of the plug housing  34 . FIG. 5 illustrates a blown up cutaway isometric view from the top of the plug housing  34  with the CPA  36  removed, and FIG. 6 illustrates a blown up isometric view from the bottom of the plug housing  34  with the CPA  36  removed. The plug housing includes sides  72 , a front end  74 , a rear end  76 , a top portion  78 , and a bottom portion  80 . The sides  72  join the top portion  78  and bottom portion  80 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the plug housing  34  includes a shroud  70  surrounding an internal body section  82 . A gap separates the shroud  70  and the body section  82 . When the plug housing  34  and the header housing  32  are mated, the gap between the shroud  70  and the body section  82  receives the header housing  32 . The body section  82  includes a mating interface  84  having receptacles  86 . The mating interface  84  is received by the opening  48  of the header housing  32  when the plug housing  34  and the header housing  32  are mated, and the receptacles  86  receive the pins  50 . 
     The bottom portion  80  of the plug housing  34  includes a CPA opening  88  better seen in FIG.  3 . Proximal to the CPA opening  88 , the plug housing includes a CPA slot  90  sized to slidably receive the CPA  36 . The CPA slot may also include detents and/or embossments (not Shown) to retain the CPA  36  within the CPA slot  90 , as known in the art. With reference again to FIG. 4, the plug housing includes a key slot  92  sized to accept the polarization alignment keys  52  to assure proper alignment between the header housing  32  and the plug housing  34  when mated. 
     The plug housing  32  further comprises a latch assembly  94  to retain the plug housing  32  and header housing  34  together when mated to one another. The latch assembly  94  comprises a latch beam  96 , a central portion  98 , a latching surface  100 , a sloped surface  102 , an intermediate surface  104 , a protrusion  106 , and removal arms  114 . The latch beam  96  is a cantilever beam extending along the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 . The latch beam  96  is anchored at a point proximate the middle of the plug housing  32 , and extends generally from the rear end  76  to the front end  74  of the plug housing  34 . The free end of the latch beam  96  includes the latching surface  100 , the sloped surface  102 , and the intermediate surface  104 . The latch beam  96  is normally aligned in a substantially horizontal position (parallel to the bottom of the plug housing  34 ), but may be deflected under an imposed force. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the sloped surface  102  is located toward the free end of the central portion  98  along the latch beam  96 , and extends away from the latch beam  96  (away from the bottom portion  80  toward the top portion  78  of the plug housing  34 ) and toward the anchored end of the latch beam  96 . The sloped surface  102  terminates at the intermediate surface  104 , which is joined to the latching surface  100 . The latching surface  100  extends from the edge of the intermediate surface  104  back toward the latch beam  96 , and is generally perpendicular to the latch beam  96 . 
     Removal arms  114  extend on either side of the central portion  98  along the length of the latch beam  96  and terminate in hooking surfaces  116  proximate to the free end of the latch beam  96 . The removal arms  114  are integral to the latch beam  96 , and the latch beam  96  is deflected when the removal arms  114  are biased. The hooking surfaces  116  are sloped surfaces extending from the free end of the latch beam  96  away from the bottom portion  80  toward the top portion  78  of the plug housing  34  and toward the anchored end of the latch beam  96 . The hooking surfaces  116  cooperate with a latch biasing element of the CPA  36  to deflect the latch assembly  94 , allowing disengagement of the header housing  32  and the plug housing  34 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric bottom view of the plug housing  34 . The latch beam  96  comprises a protrusion  106 . Extending from a point along the central portion  98  of the latch beam  96  near the free end of the latch beam  96 , the protrusion includes a front  108 , a back  110 , and a bottom  112 . The bottom  112  of the protrusion  106  is generally parallel to the latch beam  96 . 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate top and bottom isometric views of the CPA  36 , respectively. The CPA  36  includes a front end  130 , a rear end  132 , a top portion  134 , a bottom portion  136 , and sides  138 . The sides  138  are sized to be slidably accepted by the CPA slot  90  of the plug housing  34 . The sides  138  may further include channels  156  that cooperate with detents and/or embossments (not shown) on the CPA slot  90  to position and maintain the CPA  36  in place in the CPA slot  90 . The top portion  134  includes a top blocking surface  140 , and the bottom portion  136  includes a bottom blocking surface  142 . 
     The CPA  36  includes hook arms  144  extending toward the front end  130  of the CPA  136  and spaced apart by a space  145 . The hook arms  144  include hooks  146  that extend upward from the top portion  134  near the front end  130  of the CPA  36 . The hooks  146  include interior surfaces  148  that accept the hooking surface  116  of the latch assembly  94 . The space  145  and the back surface  152  define a central opening  150  large enough to allow the protrusion  106  through when the latch beam  96  is deflected and the CPA  36  is in an appropriate position, with the central opening  150  positioned beneath the protrusion  106 . Further, the CPA  36  includes a finger rest  154  to allow an operator to position the CPA  36  using a finger or thumb. 
     The mating and unmating of the plug housing  34  and the header housing  32  will be described with reference to FIGS. 9-24. The CPA  36  is slidably mounted in the CPA slot  90  with the front end  130  of the CPA  36  oriented toward the front end  74  of the plug housing  34  and with the rear end  132  of the CPA  36  oriented toward the rear end  76  of the plug housing  34 . To allow the CPA  36  clearance to be slid into the plug housing  34 , the latch beam  96  is deflected upward (nearer to the body section  82 ) until the bottom of the removal arms  114  clear the hooks  146 . Once the CPA  36  is advanced with the hooks  146  past the removal arms  114 , the latch beam  96  is allowed to snap back to its substantially horizontal position, and the CPA  36  is moved to the position shown in FIG.  9 . 
     With the CPA  36  slidably mounted to the plug housing  34 , the header housing  32  and the plug housing  34  may now be mated. FIGS. 9-10 illustrate sectional views of the connector assembly  30  at the beginning of the mating process. FIG. 9 is a section taken along a plane through a removal arm  114 , such as line A—A in FIG.  1 . FIG. 10 is a section taken along a plane through the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 , such as line B—B in FIG.  1 . The CPA  36  is located in the mate position, toward the rear end  76  of the plug housing  34 , but not fully retracted. The front end  74  of the plug housing  34  and the front end  40  of the header housing  32  are brought together such that the polarization alignment keys  52  are aligned with the key slot  92  (see FIGS.  2  and  4 ). The mating interface  84  is received by the opening  48 , and the walls  47  of the header housing  32  are received by the gap between the body section  82  and the shroud  70  of the plug housing  34 . With the CPA  36  in the mate position, upward deflection of the latch beam  96  is prevented by contact between the hooking sufaces  116  of the removal arms  114  and the interior surfaces  148  of the hooks  146 , thereby preventing any obstacles to mating that could be presented if the latch assembly  94  were inadvertently biased upward. FIGS. 9-10 illustrate the connector assembly  30  at the point where the latch assembly  94  is just about to contact the latch bump  54 . In one embodiment at this position, the clearance gap X between the front end  40  of the header housing  32  and a face of the body section  82  of the plug housing  34  is about 4.0 mm, and the latch beam  96  is horizontal. 
     FIGS. 11-12 illustrate sectional views of the connector assembly  30  as the housings are urged toward each other. FIG. 11 is a section taken along a plane through a removal arm  114 , such as line A—A in FIG.  1 . FIG. 12 is a section taken along a plane through the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 , such as line B—B in FIG.  1 . As the housings are urged together, the sloped surface  102  of the latch assembly  94  encounters the sloped surface  56  of the latch bump  54 . As the sloped surfaces of the latch assembly  94  and the latch bump  54  slide along each other, the latch beam  96  is deflected away from the body section  82 . As shown in FIG. 12, as the latch beam  96  deflects with the CPA  36  in the mate position, the protrusion  106  extends through the central opening  150 . If the CPA  36  were advanced too far past the mate position, however, the bottom  112  of the protrusion  106  would encounter the top blocking surface  140  of the CPA  36 , thereby preventing the latch beam  96  from being deflected and, consequently, the housings from being mated. In one embodiment, the angle of deflection A for the latch beam  96  is about 3° from the horizontal when the clearance gap X is about 2.2 mm. 
     FIGS. 13-14 illustrate sectional views of the connector assembly  30  as the housings are further urged toward each other. FIG. 13 is a section taken along a plane through a removal arm  114 , such as line A—A in FIG.  1 . FIG. 14 is a section taken along a plane through the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 , such as line B—B in FIG.  1 . The sloped surfaces have slid past each other, and the intermediate surface  104  of the latch assembly  94  is in contact with the flat surface  58  of the latch bump  54 , and the latch beam  96  has a greater deflection than at the stage depicted in FIGS. 11-12. In one embodiment, the angle of deflection A is about 4.60 when the clearance gap X is 1.6 mm. The CPA  36  is maintained in the mate position. 
     FIGS. 15-16 illustrate sectional views of the connector assembly  30  as the housings are still further urged toward each other and mated, with the. CPA  36  maintained in the mate position. FIG. 15 is a section taken along a plane through a removal arm  114 , such as line A—A in FIG.  1 . FIG. 16 is a section taken along a plane through the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 , such as line B—B in FIG.  1 . The intermediate surface  104  of the latch assembly  94  has slid past the flat surface  58  of the latch bump  54 , and the latch beam  96  has returned to a generally horizontal position. At this position, the pins  50  have been accepted by the receptacles  86 , and the header housing  32  and the plug housing  34  are fully mated. The latch assembly  94  has snapped back into place and maintains the connector housings together, and is now in its latched, or locked, position. If the connector housings are urged apart, the latching surface  100  of the latch assembly  94  will encounter the retaining surface  60  of the latch bump  54  and prevent the separation of the housings. Thus, for the connectors to be unmated, the latch beam  96  must be deflected. In one embodiment, the clearance gap X is about 0.15 mm when the connectors are mated. 
     FIGS. 17-18 illustrate sectional views of the connector assembly  30  with the header housing  32  and plug housing  34  mated to each other, and the CPA  36  advanced to the locked position. FIG. 17 is a section taken along a plane through a removal arm  114 , such as line A—A in FIG.  1 . FIG. 18 is a section taken along a plane through the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 , such as line B—B in FIG.  1 . The CPA  36  has been advanced from the mate position depicted in FIGS. 9-16 to the locked position. In one embodiment the CPA  36  is advanced to the locked position about 3.5 mm toward the front end  74  of the plug housing  34  from the mate position illustrated in FIGS. 15-16. With the CPA  36  advanced to the locked position, the top blocking surface  140  of the CPA  36  is directly underneath the protrusion  106 . Thus, any attempted downward deflection of the latch beam  96  will be prevented when the bottom  112  of the protrusion  106  encounters the top blocking surface  140  of the CPA  36 , and the latch beam  96  will not be deflected. Because the latch beam  96  can not be deflected, the latching surface  100  will encounter the retaining surface  60 , and the connector housings will not be unmated. The CPA  36  thus not only indicates that the connector housings are mated, but also helps maintain the connector housings in their mated position. 
     If the CPA  36  is advanced toward the mated position with the connector housings not fully mated, the CPA  36  will assist in completing the mating process. If the connector housings are only partially mated, the latch beam  96  will still be deflected, and the protrusion  106  will extend into the central opening  150  of the CPA  36  (see FIG.  14 ). As the CPA  36  is advanced, the back surface  152  of the CPA  36  will encounter the back  110  of the protrusion  106 . Further advancing the CPA  36  will thus urge the latch assembly  94  forward until the latching surface  100  passes the retaining surface  60  and mating is complete. Thus the CPA  36 , in addition to indicating that the connector housings are mated and locking them in connection, also can be used to assist in mating the connector housings when they are partially mated and the latch assembly  94  is partially deflected. 
     FIGS. 19-20 illustrate sectional views of the connector assembly  30  as the housings are still mated, but the CPA  36  is being retracted toward the unmate position. FIG. 19 is a section taken along a plane through a removal arm  114 , such as line A—A in FIG.  1 . FIG. 20 is a section taken along a plane through the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 , such as line B—B in FIG.  1 . The CPA  36  has been moved toward the rear end  76  of the plug housing  34  from the locked position. As the CPA  36  is moved to the illustrated position, the interior surfaces  148  of the hooks  146  encounter the hooking surfaces  116  of the removal arms  114 . Further rearward movement of the CPA  36  causes the hooking surfaces  116  to slide along the interior surfaces  148  of the hooks  146 , thereby deflecting the latch beam  96 . In one embodiment, the angle A is about 3° when the CPA  36  has been pulled back about 4.5 mm from the locked position illustrated in FIGS. 17-18. 
     FIGS. 21-22 illustrate sectional views of the connector assembly  30  as the housings are still mated, but the CPA  36  is in the unmate position. FIG. 21 is a section taken along a plane through a removal arm  114 , such as line A—A in FIG.  1 . FIG. 22 is a section taken along a plane through the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 , such as line B—B in FIG.  1 . The CPA  36  has been moved further toward the rear end  76  of the plug housing  34  from the position illustrated in FIGS. 19-20. As the CPA  36  is further moved rearward, the hooking surfaces  116  slide further along the interior surfaces  148  of the hooks  146 , thereby further deflecting the latch beam  96 , until the latching surface  100  of the latch assembly  94  has left contact with the retaining surface  60  of the latch bump  56 . With the latching surface  100  clear of the retaining surface  60 , the latch assembly  94  is in the unlocked or unlatched position, and the connector housings may be separated. The interaction of the removal arms  114  and the hooks  146  allow the CPA  36  to provide control over the amount of deflection of the latch beam  96  during the movement from the latched to the unlatched position. In one embodiment, the angle A is about 5° when the CPA  36  in its unmate position has been pulled back about 5.25 mm from the locked position illustrated in FIGS. 17-18. 
     FIGS. 23-24 illustrate sectional views of the connector assembly  30  with the CPA  36  in the unmate position as the connector housings are unmated. FIG. 23 is a section taken along a plane through a removal arm  114 , such as line A—A in FIG.  1 . FIG. 24 is a section taken along a plane through the central portion  98  of the latch assembly  94 , such as line B—B in FIG.  1 . Because the latching surface  100  is clear of the retaining surface  60  with the CPA  36  in the unmate position, the connector housings could be separated. When the intermediate surface  104  of the latch assembly  94  is past the flat surface  58  of the latch bump  54  and the connector housings have been separated, the CPA  36  may be released from the unmate position, at which point the latch beam  96  will return to its unbiased generally horizontal position, and the CPA  36  will be returned to the mate position. Thus, as described above, the CPA  36 , in addition to providing position assurance, cooperates with the latch assembly  94  during the mating and unmating of the connector housings, providing greater control during disengagement, and making disengagement more convenient. This cooperation allows for a space-saving design with convenient operation. Further, the use of the CPA  36  provides control of the deflection of the latch beam  96 , protecting against deflecting the latch beam  96  too far, which would result in breaking the latch beam  96 . 
     While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, the header could be a wire-side male cap. Also, the plug and header housings could be reversed, with, for example, the CPA mounted to the header housing. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications as incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.