Abstract:
An electrical connector including a housing; a slide slidably mounted to the housing, wherein the slide comprises a rack section with teeth; a cam member and a connector position assurance (CPA) member. The cam member is rotatably mounted to the housing. The cam member comprises a caming surface adapted to contact a cam portion of a mating electrical connector. The cam member comprises a gear section with teeth engaging the teeth of the slide. The CPA member is movably connected to the housing. The CPA member is adapted to directly engage the cam member for preventing the cam member for rotating relative to the housing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/803,566 filed May 14, 2007, which is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/445,975 filed Jun. 1, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,241,155, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) on U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/704,232 filed Jul. 28, 2005 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to an electrical connector and, more particularly, to a system for mating two electrical connectors with each other. 
         [0004]    2. Brief Description of Prior Developments 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,308 discloses an electrical connector assembly which can be rotatably connected and disconnected. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an electrical connector is provided including a housing; a slide slidably mounted to the housing, wherein the slide comprises a rack section with teeth; a cam member and a connector position assurance (CPA) member. The cam member is rotatably mounted to the housing. The cam member comprises a caming surface adapted to contact a cam portion of a mating electrical connector. The cam member comprises a gear section with teeth engaging the teeth of the slide. The CPA member is movably connected to the housing. The CPA member is adapted to directly engage the cam member for preventing the cam member for rotating relative to the housing. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an electrical connector slide member is provided comprising a main housing section, a rack section, a first latch and a second latch. The main housing section has a general ring shape with a central channel adapted to receive a housing of an electrical connector therein. The rack section comprises teeth on the main section at the central channel. The first latch comprises a first deflectable cantilevered arm extending into the central channel in a first direction. The second latch comprises a second deflectable cantilevered arm extending into the central channel in a second direction. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a housing, a slide and a cam member. The slide is movably mounted to the housing. The slide comprises a section with teeth. The cam member is rotatably mounted to the housing. The cam member comprises a caming surface adapted to contact a cam portion of a mating electrical connector. The cam member comprises a gear section with teeth engaging the teeth of the slide. The cam member comprises a connector position assurance (CPA) slot adapted to receive a portion of a CPA member in the CPA slot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of two electrical connectors used to form an electrical connector assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of some components of a first one of the electrical connectors shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a mat wire seal used in the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a front elevational view of the mat wire seal shown in  FIG. 2A ;  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shoring bar used in the connector shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of some components of the second electrical connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a main housing member of the connector shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the slide of the connector shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the combined pinion gear and cam member shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the connector shown in  FIG. 4  with the slide in a rearward position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the two connectors shown in  FIG. 1  about to be connected to each other; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view as in  FIG. 9  with the two connectors initially connected to each other; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view as in  FIG. 10  with the two connectors further connected to each other; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view as in  FIG. 11  with the two connectors connected to each other at a final connection position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly having a connector comprising features of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the connectors shown in  FIG. 13  from another angle; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of components of the electrical connectors shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a bottom rear perspective view of the slide of the second electrical connector shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of the slide shown in  FIG. 16  taken along line  17 - 17 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view of the slide shown in  FIG. 16  taken along line  18 - 18 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a partial cross sectional view of the second latch of the slide shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a top view with a cut away section showing initial connection of the two electrical connectors of  FIG. 13  to each other; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the connectors shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is an illustration showing the intermeshing teeth of the combined cam and gear member and the rack gear section of the slider; 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is an enlarged partial view showing initial connection of the two electrical connectors to each other; 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is an enlarged partial view as in  FIG. 22  showing a subsequent partial connected position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is an enlarged partial view as in  FIG. 23  showing a subsequent partial connected position; 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  is an enlarged partial view as in  FIG. 24  showing a subsequent partial connected position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 26  is a top view with a cut away section showing the two electrical connectors in the position shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 27  is an enlarged section of the two connectors shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 28  is an enlarged partial view showing final connection of the two electrical connectors to each other; 
           [0040]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of bottom portions of the slide and the first connector in the final connection position shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of side portions of the slide and the first connector in the final connection position shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 31-34  are top views with a cut away section showing a sequence of the two electrical connectors of  FIG. 13  in various relative positions of connection; 
           [0043]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the connectors as shown in  FIG. 28  from a rear end of the second connector; 
           [0044]      FIG. 36  is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 35  with the CPA member moved to a locked position; 
           [0045]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the slide shown in  FIG. 16 ; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the slide shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector assembly  10  incorporating features of the invention. Although the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. 
         [0048]    The assembly  10  generally comprises a first electrical connector  12 , a second electrical connector  14  and electrical conductors  16 , such as wires, connected to the electrical connectors  12 ,  14 . The two electrical connectors  12 ,  14  are adapted to removably mate with each other to electrically connected their respective wires  16  to each other. The first electrical connector  12  generally comprises a housing  18 , electrical contacts  20  and a mat wire seal  27  (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The mat wire seal  27  forms seals and strain relief for the wires  16  entering the rear of the connector  12 . The seal  27  is located between the rear end of the outer housing member  24  and the rear end of the inner housing member  22 . The seal has holes to allow wires to pass through the seal and which makes a sealing contact with the wires. 
         [0049]    Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the housing  18  generally comprises an inner housing member  22 , an outer housing member  24 , and a combined terminal position assurance (TPA) and primary lock reinforcement (PLR) (TPA/PLR) member  26 . The electrical contacts  20  are mounted in contact receiving channels  28  inside the inner housing member  22 . The contacts  20  are crimped or otherwise connected to the wires  16  of the first connector  12 . The inner housing member  22  is stationarily mounted inside the outer housing member  24 . The TPA/PLR member  26  is movably mounted on the front end of the inner housing member  22 . The inner housing  22  has locking latches at the receiving channels  28  for latching the electrical contacts  20  in the receiving channels  28 . After the electrical contacts  20  are inserted into the receiving channels  28  of the inner connector housing  22 , the TPA/PLR member  26  is pushed rearward on the inner housing  22  to reinforce the electrical contact locking latches. However, in alternate embodiments any suitable type of inner housing could be provided and any suitable type of terminal position assurance and primary lock reinforcement could be provided. 
         [0050]    Referring also to  FIG. 3 , the first connector  12  includes electrical shorting bar contacts  30  mounted on the inner housing member  22 . The shorting bar contacts electrically connect pairs of the electrical connectors  20  to each other before the second connector  14  is mated with the first connector  12 . However, during mating of the second connector  14  with the first connector  12 , the second connector  14  has projections  44  which are adapted to move the contact arms  31  of the shorting bar contacts  30  off of connection with the contacts  20 . In an alternate embodiment the shorting bars might not be provided. 
         [0051]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the second electrical connector generally comprises a housing  32 , electrical contacts  34  and a slide  36 . Referring also to  FIG. 4 , the housing  32  generally comprises a main housing member  38 , a rear end seal cover  40  and a front end combined terminal position assurance (TPA) and primary lock reinforcement (PLR) (TPA/PLA) member  42 . The TPA/PLR member  42  is mounted to the front end of the main housing member  38 , such as with a snap lock connection for example. The TPA/PLR member  42  includes forward projecting isolators  44  which are adapted to move the contact arms  31  of the shorting bar contacts  30  off of connection with the contacts  20  when the second electrical connector  14  is connected to the first electrical connector  12 . A mat wire seal (not shown) similar to the seal  27  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is located between the rear end of the main housing member  38  and the rear end seal cover  40 . A perimeter seal (not shown) is also provided on the second connector  14  to form a seal with the housing of the first connector  12 . However, in alternate embodiments, any suitable structure(s) could be provided for the housing component(s) of the second connector  14 . 
         [0052]    Referring also to  FIG. 5 , the main housing member  38  comprises contact receiving areas  46 . The electrical contacts  34  are mounted in the receiving areas  46 . The main housing member  38  comprises latches for latching the contacts  34  in the receiving areas  46 . The TPA/PLR member  42 , when moved to a locked position on the main housing member  38 , strengthens the latches to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the contacts  34  from the main housing member  38 . A top side of the main housing member  38  comprises a first deflectable latch  50 , a second latch receptacle  52 , a pivot pin  54  and a slot  56 . The bottom side of the main housing member  38  comprises two slide slots  58 . 
         [0053]    The rear end seal cover  40  is mounted to the rear end of the main housing member  38 , such as with a snap lock connection for example. The rear seal cover  40  includes wire strain relief tubes  48 . The wires  16  of the second connector  14  extend through the wire strain relief tubes  48  of the rear seal cover  40  and into the receiving areas  46 . 
         [0054]    Referring also to  FIG. 6 , the slide  36  comprises a top with a first latch  60 , a second latch  62 , and a rack of teeth  64  located on the interior facing side of the top. The bottom of the slide  36  has slide feet  66 . The feet  66  are sized and shaped to be received in the slide slots  58  of the main housing member  38  and slide therealong. The slide  36  is sized and shaped to be mounted over and substantially surround the main housing member  38 . The slide  36  can slide along the main housing member between a rear position and a forward position. 
         [0055]    When the slide is moved to the forward position by a user, the first latch  60  is adapted to latch with the first deflectable latch  50  to retain the slide  36  at a forward position on the main housing member  38 . Thus, the first latch  60  and the first deflectable latch  50  form a first latch system. The second latch  62  is adapted to engage the second latch receptacle  52  to retain the slide  36  at the retracted rear position on the main housing member  38  until positively moved by a user. Thus, the second latch  62  and the second latch receptacle  52  form a second latch system. 
         [0056]    Referring also to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second connector  14  also comprises a combined pinion gear and cam member  68 .  FIG. 8  shows the slide  36  at its rear home position.  FIG. 8  also shows the member  68  at its corresponding home position. The member  68  comprises a pivot hole  70 , a pin slot  72 , and a gear section  74  with teeth  76 . The member  68  is rotatably mounted on the main housing member  38  with the pivot pin  54  located in the pivot hole  70 . The teeth  76  are adapted to intermesh with the teeth  64  of the rack section on the slide  36 . The pin slot  72  has a general curved shape in this embodiment. The pin slot  72  has an entrance  78  that is aligned with the slot  56  when the member  68  is at a home position on the main housing member  38 . The slot  56  has a general straight shape in this embodiment. 
         [0057]    The slot  56  and pin slot  72  are adapted to receive the mounting pin  25  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the first connector  12  when the first and second connectors are attached to each other. The mounting pin  25  is sized and shaped to slide along the slot  56 . The member  68  is adapted to rotate to assist in moving the pin  25  along the length of the slot  56 ; functioning as a cam and mate assist. More specifically, and referring also to  FIGS. 9-12 , the user can grasp the slide  36  during connection of the two connectors  12 ,  14  to each other. When the housing of the first connector  12  is inserted into the second connector  14 , the latching by the second latch  62  and second latch receptacle  52  is overcome because the housing  24  moves the second latch  62 . The slide  36  can then begin to slide forward on the main housing member  38 . Thus, the slide  36  is freed to move when the slide latch  62  is deflected free and disengaged from the latch window  52  by the leading edge of the opposing connector  12  outer housing  24 . 
         [0058]    As the slide  36  is moved forward on the main housing member  38 , this causes the rack of teeth  64  on the slide  36  to rotate the member  68  because of the intermeshed nature of the teeth  76 ,  64  as seen in  FIG. 11 . As the member  68  rotates it cams the pin  25  to move deeper into the length of the slot  56 . The pin slot  72  cams against the pin  25  to help move the two connectors  12 ,  14  into their final connected position with each other as seen in  FIG. 12 . The first latch  60  engages the first deflectable latch  50  to keep the slide  36  at its forward position on the main housing member  38  and, thus, keep the first and second connectors  12 ,  14  at their final connected position shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0059]    To disconnect the two connectors  12 ,  14 , the latch system  50 ,  60  is disengaged by the user and the slide  36  is moved to its rearward position. The intermeshing teeth  64 ,  76  cause the member  68  to rotate while the slide  36  is moved to eject the pin  25 , at least partially, from the slot  56 . Thus, the invention can also be used to assist in disconnecting the two connectors  12 ,  14 . 
         [0060]    Referring now also to  FIGS. 13-36 , an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown.  FIG. 13  shows a first electrical connector  112 , a second electrical connector  114  and electrical conductors  116 , such as wires, connected to the electrical connectors  112 ,  114  which form an assembly  110 . The two electrical connectors  112 ,  114  are adapted to removably mate with each other to electrically connected their respective wires  116  to each other. The first electrical connector  112  generally comprises a housing  118 , electrical contacts  120  and a mat wire seal  127  (see  FIG. 15 ). The mat wire seal  127  forms seals and strain relief for the wires  116  entering the rear of the connector  112 . The seal  127  is located between the rear end of the outer housing member or retainer  124  and the rear end of the housing member  122 . The seal  127  has holes to allow the wires to pass through the seal and which makes a sealing contact with the wires. As seen best in  FIG. 15 , the first connector  112  also comprises a terminal position assurance (TPA) member  126 . The electrical contacts  120  are mounted in contact receiving channels inside the housing member  122 . The contacts  120  are crimped or otherwise connected to the wires  116  of the first connector  112 . The TPA member  126  is movably mounted on the front end of the housing member  122 . The housing  122  has locking latches at the receiving channels for latching the electrical contacts  120  in the receiving channels. After the electrical contacts  120  are inserted into the receiving channels of the inner connector housing  122 , the TPA member  126  is pushed rearward on the housing  122  to reinforce the electrical contact locking latches. However, in alternate embodiments any suitable type of housing could be provided and any suitable type of terminal position assurance and primary lock reinforcement could be provided. 
         [0061]    The first connector  112  includes electrical shorting bar contacts such as those described in the first embodiment described above. The shorting bar contacts electrically connect pairs of the electrical connectors  120  to each other before the second connector  114  is mated with the first connector  112 . However, during mating of the second connector  114  with the first connector  112 , the second connector  114  has projections  144  which are adapted to move the contact arms of the shorting bar contacts off of connection with the contacts  120 . In an alternate embodiment the shorting bars might not be provided. 
         [0062]    As seen best in  FIG. 22 , the housing  122  comprises a top side having a cam pin or mounting pin  125 , a first rib  163 , a stop rib  164 , and two sliding interlock features  165 . The bottom side of the housing  122  comprises stop ribs  167  (see  FIG. 29 ). A lateral side of the housing  122  has a rib  169 . 
         [0063]    The second electrical connector  114  generally comprises a housing  132 , electrical contacts  134  and a slide  136 . As seen best in  FIG. 15 , the housing  132  generally comprises a main housing member  138 , a rear end seal cover or retainer  140  and a front end terminal position assurance (TPA) member  142 . The TPA member  142  is mounted to the front end of the main housing member  138 , such as with a snap lock connection for example. The TPA member  142  includes forward projecting isolators  144  which are adapted to move the contact arms of the shorting bar contacts off of connection with the contacts  120  when the second electrical connector  114  is connected to the first electrical connector  112 . A mat wire seal  130  similar to the seal  127  is located between the rear end of the main housing member  138  and the rear end seal cover  140 . A perimeter ring seal  131  is also provided on the second connector  114  to form a seal with the housing of the first connector  112 . However, in alternate embodiments, any suitable structure(s) could be provided for the housing component(s) of the second connector  114 . 
         [0064]    The main housing member  138  comprises contact receiving areas. The electrical contacts  134  are mounted in the receiving areas. The main housing member  138  comprises latches for latching the contacts  134  in the receiving areas. The TPA member  142 , when moved to a locked position on the main housing member  138 , strengthens the latches to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the contacts  134  from the main housing member  138 . A top side of the main housing member  138  comprises a pivot pin  154  and a slot  156 . As seen best in  FIG. 22 , a shroud  146  is provided over the slot  156 . The top side also comprises two sliding interlock features  148  and a rib channel  150 . The interlock features  148  comprise two upward extending L shaped legs which point towards each other. A lateral side of the main housing member  138  comprises a rib channel  152  and a latch slot  153 . 
         [0065]    The rear end seal cover or retainer  140  is mounted to the rear end of the main housing member  138 , such as with a snap lock connection for example. The rear seal cover  140  includes wire strain relief tubes. The wires  116  of the second connector  114  extend through the wire strain relief tubes of the rear seal cover  140  and into the contact receiving areas. 
         [0066]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 16-19 , the slide  136  has a general ring or loop shape. In this embodiment, the ring shape is closed and has a general oval shape. However, the ring shape could be open (i.e., not a closed ring shape) and have any suitable shape including rectangular or square for example. The ring shape forms a central channel which receives the main housing member  138 . 
         [0067]    The slide  136  comprises a top with a first latch  160 , a rack of teeth  164 , and two sliding interlock features  149  located on the interior facing side of the top. The interlock features  149  comprise two downward extending L shaped legs which point away from each other. In this embodiment, one of the sliding interlock features has the teeth  164  therealong. The top side also comprises a recess  157  into its rear end. The first latch  160  comprises a deflectable cantilevered arm. The arm extends in a forward direction and into the central channel of the slide. The bottom side of the slide  136  has a front end with a recess  158 . The left side of the slide  136  has a cantilevered portion  159  at its front end with a second latch  162  extending inward from the cantilevered portion. The second latch  162  comprises a deflectable cantilevered arm. The arm extends in a rearward direction and into the central channel of the slide. The two latches  160 ,  162  are offset about 90 degrees relative to each other. Thus, the two latches  160 ,  162  extend into the central channel of the slide in different directions. However, in alternate embodiments, any suitable type of latches could be provided. 
         [0068]    The slide  136  is sized and shaped to be mounted over and substantially surround the main housing member  138 . The slide  136  can slide along the main housing member between a rear position and a forward position. When the slide is moved to the forward position by a user, the second latch  162  is adapted to latch into the latch slot  153  to retain the slide  136  at the forward position on the main housing member  138 . Thus, the second latch  162  and the latch slot  153  form a first latch system. The first latch  160  is adapted to engage the rear end of the rib channel  150  to retain the slide  136  at the retracted rear position on the main housing member  138  until the second connector  114  is at least partially mated with the first connector  112  as further described below. Thus, the first latch  160  and the rear end of the rib channel  150  form a second latch system. 
         [0069]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 13 ,  15 ,  20  and  21  the second connector  114  also comprises a combined pinion gear and cam member  168 .  FIGS. 13 and 14  show the slide  136  at its rear home position. These figures also shows the member  168  at its corresponding home position. The member  168  comprises a pivot hole  170 , a pin slot  172 , a gear section  174  with teeth  176 , and a CPA slot  166 . The member  168  is rotatably mounted on the main housing member  138  with the pivot pin  154  located in the pivot hole  170 . The teeth  176  are adapted to intermesh with the teeth  164  of the rack section on the slide  136 . The pin slot  172  in this embodiment has a front straight section, a middle general curved shape, and a rear section. The pin slot  172  has an elongated front straight entrance  178  that is aligned with the slot  156  when the member  168  is at a home position on the main housing member  138 . The elongated front straight shape of the entrance  178  has been provided as an extended lead-in to greatly increase the timing window in which the pin  125  is inserted into the slot  156  before unlocking the pre-lock finger/latch  160  and the slide  136  begins to move the member  168 . The slot  156  has a general straight shape in this embodiment. 
         [0070]    The slot  156  and pin slot  172  are adapted to receive the mounting pin  125  (see  FIGS. 13-15 ,  20 A and  22 ) of the first connector  112  when the first and second connectors are attached to each other. The mounting pin  125  is sized and shaped to slide along the slot  156 . The member  168  is adapted to rotate to assist in moving the pin  125  along the length of the slot  156 ; functioning as a cam and mate assist. 
         [0071]    The user would normally grasp the second connector  114  on the exterior of the slide  136  to mate the two connectors  112 ,  114  together. As seen in comparing  FIG. 22  to  FIG. 23  and also referring to  FIGS. 20 and 20A , when the two connectors  112 ,  114  are initially connected with each other, the mounting pin  125  passes partially into the slot  156  under the shroud  146 . The mounting pin  125  enters the entrance  178  of the member  168 . The slide  136  is unable to move relative to the main housing member  138  because of the engagement of the first latch  160  with the rear end of the rib channel  150 . The rib  163  of the mating connector slides into the rib channel  150  as seen in  FIG. 23 . Eventually, the front end of the rib  163  contacts the first latch  160  and wedges the front end of the first latch  160  from its latched engagement with the rear end of the rib channel  150 . Thus, when the housing of the first connector  112  is inserted into the second connector  114 , the latching by the first latch  160  and the rear end of the rib channel  150  is overcome because the rib  163  of the housing  124  moves the first latch  160 . With this disengagement, the slide  136  is now able to slide forward relative to the main housing member  138 . Thus, the slide  136  is freed to move when the slide latch  160  is deflected free and disengaged from the rear end of the rib channel  150  by the leading edge of the rib  163 . 
         [0072]    As seen with reference to  FIGS. 24-27 , as the slide  136  further moves forward on the main housing member  138 , the member  168  axially rotates on the pin  154 . As the slide  136  is moved forward on the main housing member  138 , this causes the rack of teeth  164  on the slide  136  to rotate the member  168  because of the intermeshed nature of the teeth  176 ,  164  as seen in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . As the member  168  rotates, it cams the pin  125  to move deeper into the length of the slot  156 . The pin slot  172  cams against the pin  125  to help move the two connectors  112 ,  114  into their final connected position with each other as seen in  FIG. 28 . Thus, the first connector  112  is cammed into the second connector  114 . As seen in  FIG. 25 , the sliding interlock features  165  engage the sliding interlock surfaces of the main housing member  138  under the shroud  146  to limit relative deflection during mating. The sliding interlock features  148 ,  149  of the main housing member  138  and the slide  136  are always engaged to also limit relative deflection during mating and provide positional constraint of the cam-gear  168 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 28  shows the final positions of the housing members  122 ,  138  and the slide  136 . Because the slot  172  has a serpentine shaped rear end with shaped surfaces (projection and recess)  172 ′ as shown in  FIG. 27 , there is a noticeable tactile change sensed by the user when the slide  136  and the member  168  comes to their final position. This tactile sensation helps the user know that the final connected position has been reached. The stop rib  164  is able to stop the forward motion of the main housing member  138  and the slide  136  on the housing member  122  of the first connector  112 . As shown in  FIG. 29 , the stop ribs  167  on the bottom of the housing member  122  are also able to stop the forward movement of the slide  136 .  FIG. 29  also shows that the recess  158  can accommodate a portion  180  of the housing member  122  therein, such as a mounting latch for stationarily mounting the housing member to another member. In the final connected position the front end of the second latch  162  is able to latch into the slot  153  to thereby lock the position of the slide  136  on the main housing member  138 . The second latch  162  engages the latch slot  153  to keep the slide  136  at its forward position on the main housing member  138  and, thus, keep the first and second connectors  112 ,  114  at their final connected position shown in  FIG. 28 . Various positions of the components of the assembly  110  during mating are shown in  FIGS. 31-34 . 
         [0074]    Referring also to  FIGS. 35-36 , the second connector  114  in this embodiment comprises a connector position assurance (CPA) member  182 . The CPA member  182  has a finger contact area  184  and a locking projection  186 . The finger contact area  184  is located at a rear of the CPA member and the locking projection  186  is located at a front end of the CPA member. The CPA member is slidably located on the top side of the retainer  140 , but could be located on the top side of the main housing member  138 .  FIG. 35  shows the CPA member  182  in a rear unlocked position.  FIG. 36  shows the CPA member  182  in a forward locked position. In the unlocked position, the locking projection  186  is spaced from the member  168 . As noted above, the member  168  has a CPA slot  166  (see  FIG. 21 ). The CPA slot  166  is offset about 90 degree relative to the entrance  178  to the slot  172 . However, in an alternate embodiment the pinion gear and cam member could be adapted to rotate more or less than 90 degrees. Thus, the CPA slot could be offset more or less than 90 degrees, such as 180 degrees for example. When the member  168  is located in its connected position as shown in  FIG. 35 , the CPA slot  166  is located facing rearward; aligned with the locking projection  186 . Thus, the user can slide the CPA member  182  forward to insert the locking projection  168  into the CPA slot  166  as shown in  FIG. 36 . With the locking projection  168  located in the CPA slot  166 , the member  168  is locked in its connected position and is unable to axially rotate. This locks the two connectors  112 ,  114  together because the pin  125  cannot be disengaged. In an alternate embodiment, the CPA member might not be provided. Alternatively, any suitable CPA member could be provided. 
         [0075]    To disconnect the two connectors  112 ,  114 , the CPA member  182  (if provided) is disengaged by moving it rearward. The latch system  162 ,  153  is disengaged by the user pressing the front end of the cantilevered portion  159  inward. This causes the arm of the latch  162  to pivot on a portion of the main housing member  138  and move its distal end out of the hole  153 . The user is then able to move the slide  136  to its rearward position. The intermeshing teeth  164 ,  176  cause the member  168  to rotate while the slide  136  is moved to eject the pin  125 , at least partially, from the slot  156 . Thus, the invention can also be used to assist in disconnecting the two connectors  112 ,  114 . 
         [0076]    Referring also to  FIGS. 37 and 38 , alternative embodiment of the slide  136  are shown. In these embodiments, the slides  136 ′ and 136″ are identical to the slide  136  except that they do not have the recess  158  and except that they each comprise a latch  188 ,  188 ′. The latches  188 ,  188 ′ allow the slides  136 ′,  136 ″ to be stationarily mounted on another member (similar to latch  180  shown in  FIG. 30 ). Thus, the first connector  112  (less its latch  180 ) can be plugged into the second connector having the latch  188  or  188 ′ with the slide  136 ′ or  136 ″ stationary. The first connector  112  and the main housing second  138  of the second connector can move relative to each other and the slide  136 ′ or  136 ″. 
         [0077]    It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.