Patent Publication Number: US-9425554-B2

Title: Connector including connector position assurance mechanism and connector mating body

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-234514, dated Nov. 13, 2013. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to an electrical connector, and more specifically, to an electrical connector having a connector position assurance (CPA) mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND 
     CPA equipped electrical connectors have a CPA mechanism that can be operated only when the electrical connector is fully mated to a complimentary connector. If the electrical connector is not fully mated, the CPA mechanism is locked by a housing of the electrical connector, alerting a user that the mating is not complete. 
     A conventional CPA mechanism, such as those seen in Japanese Patent No.&#39;s 2003-264039 and 2008-533684, includes a locking member that is locked by the housing of the connector, and an operating member that communicates with the locking portion. After the electrical connector is mated to the complimentary connector, the mating status of the connection can be determined by whether the CPA mechanism operates. If the CPA mechanism can be operated through pressing the operating member, then confirmation that the connector is mated can be established. If the CPA mechanism cannot be operated, then the user is alerted that the electrical connector is not fully mated to the complimentary connector 
     While conventional CPA-equipped electrical connectors provide an effective mechanism for determining the mating status, the effectiveness is entirely dependent on the user actually operating the CPA mechanism. When the user forgets to operate the conventional CPA mechanism, there is no feedback mechanism to alert the user of the mistake. 
     Consequently, there is a need for CPA-equipped electrical connectors that provide a feedback mechanism even in the absence of the user operating the CPA mechanism. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electrical connector has a connector position assurance mechanism and a clip. The clip has a body and a mating detection terminal. The body is received in the connector position assurance mechanism only when the electrical connector is completely mated with a complimentary mating connector. The mating detection terminal contacts a complementary mating detection terminal in the mating connector to form an electrical circuit only when the body is positioned in the electrical connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plug connector; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the plug connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cap connector; 
         FIG. 5 ( a )  is an elevation view of the cap connector illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5 ( b )  is a side view of the cap connector illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the cap connector in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7 ( a )  is a diagram of a procedure for mating the plug connector with the cap connector; 
         FIG. 7 ( b )  is a second diagram of a procedure for mating the plug connector with the cap connector; 
         FIG. 7 ( c )  is a third diagram of a procedure for mating the plug connector with the cap connector; 
         FIG. 8 ( a )  is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a in  FIG. 7 , illustrating an operation of a connector position assurance mechanism; 
         FIG. 8 ( b )  is an enlarged view of a principal part of  FIG. 8 ( a ) ; 
         FIG. 8 ( c )  is a cross-sectional view taken along line c-c in  FIG. 7  of a positional relationship between mating detection terminals; 
         FIG. 9 ( a )  is a cross-sectional views similar to  FIG. 8 ( a ) ; 
         FIG. 9 ( b )  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 8 ( b ) ; 
         FIG. 9 ( c )  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 8 ( c ) ; 
         FIG. 10 ( a )  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 8 ( a ) ; 
         FIG. 10 ( b )  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 8 ( b ) ; 
         FIG. 10 ( c )  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 8 ( c ) ; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a plug connector; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a connector position assurance mechanism; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a cap connector; 
         FIG. 14 ( a )  is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector and the cap connector; 
         FIG. 14 ( b )  is an enlarged view of a principal part of  FIG. 14 ( a ) ; 
         FIG. 15 ( a )  is a view of an electrical connector assembly having a connector position assurance device; and, 
         FIG. 15 ( b )  is a schematic view of an electrical connector assembly having a connector position assurance device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , a plug connector  10  and a complimentary cap connector  20  will be described. 
     The plug connector  10  includes a contact housing  11  having a plurality of contacts  111 , a connector body  12  positioned over the contact housing  11 , a lever  13  disposed on the connector body  12 , and a clip  14  mounted to the connector body  12 . 
     The contact housing  11  includes a plurality of terminal receiving spaces  110  having an approximate rectangular shape and female contacts disposed  111  therein. 
     The contact housing  11 , connector body  12 , and lever  13  are injection-molded and made of resin. 
     The plurality of terminal receiving spaces  110  extend through the contact housing  11  along a mating direction M, from a mating end surface (not illustrated) to an opposite terminating end surface  11 B of the contact housing  11 . The plug connector  10  and a cap connector  20  are mated with each other along the mating direction M. 
     In an embodiment, the four rows of terminal receiving spaces  110  are positioned in the contact housing  11 . 
     A conductive wire (not illustrated) is connected to the female contact  111  positioned in each of the terminal receiving spaces  110 . 
     The connector body  12  has a housing receiving space  120  into which the contact housing  11  is positioned. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the contact housing  11  includes two opposite side surfaces, one of which is assigned reference numeral  11 A, into which guide grooves  112  are disposed. The guide grooves  112  extend along a width direction W of the contact housing  11  and engage with complementary ridges  125  positioned along an inner surface of the housing receiving space  120  of the connector body  12  (discussed below). The width direction W is perpendicular to the mating direction M. 
     The connector body  12  includes an opening  121  positioned on a housing receiving end. When the contact housing  11  is positioned in the housing receiving space  120  through the opening  121 , a bottom surface of the contact housing  11 , which extends between and perpendicular to the two opposite side surfaces of the contact housing  11 , is positioned in the opening  121 . 
     A wire receiving shroud  122  is formed on a CPA member facing side of the connector body  12 , which opposes the terminating end surface  11 B of the inserted contact housing  11 . The wire receiving shroud  122  has a lower wire receiving opening (not labeled), through which a plurality of electric wires (not shown) extend to connect with the female contacts  111  in the contact housing  11 . 
     The connector body  12  includes a pair of sidewalls  12 B,  12 B positioned opposite to each other, a mating end wall  12 A opposing the mating end surface of the inserted contact housing  11  and extending between and connecting the side walls  12 B, 12 B, and a clip facing wall  12 C opposite the mating end wall  12 A and extending between and connecting the sidewalls  12 B,  12 B. 
     A plurality of male contact receiving holes  123  are formed in the mating end wall  12 A, and extend as through-holes from an outer surface of the mating end wall  12 A into the housing receiving space  120 . Male contacts  22  in the cap connector  20  extend through the male contact receiving holes  123  when the cap connector  20  is mated to the plug connector  10 . When the cap connector is mated to the plug connector  10 , the male contacts  22  contact the female contacts  111  in the terminal arm receiving cavity  110  through the male contact receiving holes  123  to establish an electrical connection therebetween. 
     Each sidewall  12 B,  12 B has a shaft  124  disposed on an outer surface and protruding outward. The lever  13  is pivotably mounted to the shaft  124 . 
     Ridges  125  are disposed on inner surfaces of the side walls  12 B, 12 B in the housing receiving space  120 , and engage with the complementary guide grooves  112  formed in the contact housing  11 . 
     The clip facing wall  12 C has a locking projection  126  positioned on an outer surface. The locking projection  126  engages with the lever  13 , to lock the lever  13  in a mating position after the lever  13  finished performing a mating operation with the cap connector  20 . Prior to the mating operation, when the lever  13  is in an opposite disengaged position, the locking projection  126  is spaced a distance apart from the lever  13 . 
     A plurality of slits  127  ( FIG. 1 ) are formed in the clip facing wall  12 C and extend along the wall  12 C in the mating direction M. 
     A pair of clip receiving members  15  are respectively formed on the connector body  12 , on opposing sides of the clip facing wall  12 C in the width direction. Taken together, the clip receiving members  15  and the lever  13  form a connector position assurance mechanism. 
     Each clip receiving member  15  includes a tabular base  151 , which extends along the sidewall  12 B towards the mating end wall  12 A, a cantilevered beam  152  supported on the base  151 , and a locking arm receiving space S. 
     The locking arm receiving space S is positioned between the base  151  and the cantilevered beam  152 . A corresponding locking arm  144  of the clip  14  is positioned along the mating direction M into the locking arm receiving space S, and, when inserted, locks the locking arm  144  to the body  12 . 
     The clip receiving member  15  is positioned below the lever  13  when the lever  13  is at a starting position of the mating operation. The starting position is understood to be the position of the lever  13  prior to the mating of the plug connector  10  to the cap connector  20  being complete. 
     The base  151  projects outward from the sidewall  129  in the width direction W. The base  151  is also used as a stopper that restricts the rotation of the lever  13 . 
     A stopper  122 B, which restricts the rotation of the lever  13 , is also formed near an upper opening  122 A of the wire receiving shroud  122 , distal to the lower wire receiving opening (not labeled). The base  151  and the stopper  122 B restrict an angle of rotation of the lever  13 . 
     The cantilevered beam  152  is approximately rectangular, and has a supported end  152 A connected to the base  151  and serving as a fulcrum, and a cantilevered free end  152 B positioned opposite the supported end  152 A. 
     A locking arm receiving opening  153  is positioned at the supported end  152 A of the cantilever beam  152 , and extends through supported end  152 A into the locking arm receiving space S. The locking arm  144  of the clip  14  is positioned through the locking arm receiving opening  153  into the locking arm receiving space S. 
     A projection receiving hole  154  is formed at an approximate midpoint in a length direction of the cantilevered beam  152  and extend therethrough in the thickness direction (see  FIG. 8 ( b ) ) from an outer surface to the locking arm receiving space S. 
     The locking arm  144  further includes a projection  145  disposed on an insertion end. When the locking arm  144  is positioned in the locking arm receiving space S, the projection  145  is positioned into the projection receiving hole  154 , so that a body  141  of the clip  14  is locked to the clip receiving member  15 . 
     A pair of slits  155  are formed on opposite sides of the projection receiving hole  154  in the cantilever beam  152 , and extend along the mating direction M from the locking arm receiving opening  153 . The slits  155  permit the cantilever beam  152  to be elastically deformed in an out-of-plane direction so that a stress to be exerted on the cantilever beam  152  is loaded. 
     In an embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the clip  14  includes the body  141  and a mating detection terminal  142  retained in the body  141 . 
     The clip  14  is positioned adjacent to the sidewalls  12 B,  12 B of the connector body  12 , and is mounted to the clip receiving member  15  such that an outer surface of the locking arms  144  face an inner surface of the lever  13 . 
     The body  141  has a bridging portion  143  to be operated to actuate the clip  14 , and a pair of arms  144  positioned on opposite ends of the bridging portion  143 . The body  141  is an injection molded product made of resin. 
     The bridging portion  143  is bent forward at both ends to form an approximate U shape. The pair of locking arms  144  is each connected to the opposite ends of the bridging portion  143  and extends approximately parallel in the same direction. 
     A grasping knob  143 A, on which a user hooks a finger, is formed at an approximate midpoint of the bridging portion  143 . When the grasping knob  143 A is pressed, both locking arms  144  on the opposite ends of the bridging portion  143  enter the locking arm receiving space S in the clip receiving member  15 . 
     A terminal receiving groove  143 B is formed on an inner surface of each of the opposite ends of the bridging portion  143 , and serves to receive and retain the mating detection terminal  142 . 
     The locking arm  144  is generally rectangular, and has a thickness less than that of the bridging portion  143 . The entire body  141 , including the pair of locking arms  144 , is approximately U-shaped, and upon insertion into the clip receiving member  15 , the U-shaped locking arm  144  straddles the wire receiving shroud  122 . 
     The pair of locking arms  144  extends away from the opposite ends of the body  141  at opposite angles, so that the distance between the locking arms is greater between their leading ends than the distance between their base ends. 
     As discussed above, the locking aim  144  has the projection  145  formed on the outer surface of the leading edge, and the projection  145  is inserted into the projection receiving hole  154  in the clip receiving member  15 . 
     The projection  145  has an inclined plane  145 A formed therein to act as a ramp, allowing the projection  145  to be smoothly inserted into the projection receiving hole  154 . 
     The body  141  is restricted from being connected to the clip receiving member  15  until the plug connector  10  and the cap connector  20  are fully mated together. When the plug connector  10  and the cap connector  20  are mated together, the body  141 , and more specifically, the locking arms  144  of the body  141 , can be pressed into the clip receiving member  15 . When the locking arms  144  are permitted to be inserted into the clip receiving member  15 , the connectors  10 ,  20  are completely mated together. If the connectors  10 ,  20  are not completely mated together, such as being separated from each other, incompletely or halfway mated with each other, the body  141  and the locking arms  144  cannot be pressed in. 
     More specifically, if the body  141  can be pressed in and operated, the user is alerted that the connectors  10 ,  20  are completely mated together. 
     The mating detection terminal  142  has an approximate U-shape, and is made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal or carbon. The mating detection terminal  142  may be formed by bending a conductive wire, or by stamping a metal plate. 
     When the body  141  is mated with the clip receiving member  15 , the mating detection terminal  142  contacts complementary mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  position in the cap connector  20  to form an electrical connection therebetween. Contacts  142 A are formed at both ends of the mating detection terminal  142 . The contacts  142 A are respectively pressed onto the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24 . 
     The mating detection terminal  142  is integrally assembled to the body  141 , being positioned in the terminal receiving groove  143 B. When the mating detection terminal  142  is assembled to the body  141 , the contact  142 A projects outward from the leading end of the locking arm  144 . 
     The operation of the mating detection terminal  142  is simultaneous with the operation of the body  141 , since the mating detection terminal  142  is retained in the body  141 . 
     The lever  13  assists the mating of the plug connector  10  with the cap connector  20  through a rotational action, and assists in the disconnection of the plug connector  10  from the cap connector  20  through a reversed rotational action. 
     The lever  13  integrally includes a pair of lever arms  131  and a lever bridging portion  132  connecting the lever  131 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , which taken together form an approximate U-shape. 
     The leading end of each lever arm  131  includes a shaft receiving space  133  positioned at a rotation center of the lever  13  and an integrally connected plug connector gear  134  that is coaxial with the rotation center. 
     A central portion of each lever arm  131  includes a clip receiving groove (not labeled), wherein a body  141  of the clip  14  is positioned in the clip receiving groove when the locking arms  144  of the clip  14  are engaged with the clip receiving members  15 . 
     Each shaft  124 , positioned on both sidewalls  12 B, 12 B on the connector body  12 , is inserted into the shaft receiving space  133  to pivotably mount the lever  13  to the connector body  12 , with the lever  13  straddling the wire receiving shroud  122 . 
     The teeth (not labeled) of the plug connector gear  134  only have a predetermined angular range required to mate the connectors  10 , 20 . When the lever  13  is rotated, the plug connector gears  134  are also rotated, since the plug connector gears  134  integrally extend from each lever arm  131 . 
     A complementary cap connector gear  213  is positioned on a cap connector housing  21  of the cap connector  20 , and meshes with the plug connector gear  213  during the mating of the connectors  10 , 20 . 
     A pair of lever gripping portions  135  are positioned on the lever  13 , with each lever gripping portion  135  having an approximate L-shape extending on a portion of the lever arm  131  to a portion of the lever bridging portion  132 . The lever gripping portions  135  assist a user when operating the lever  13 . 
     A locking mechanism  136  is positioned at an approximate midpoint of the lever bridging portion  132 , between the pair of lever gripping portions  135 . The locking mechanism  136  is complementary to the locking projection  126  positioned on the connector body  12 , and engages thereto to lock the lever  13 , preventing the lever  13  from rotating when the connectors  12 , 20  are completely mated. 
     The cap connector  20  has the cap connector housing  21 , which includes plug connector receiving spaces  21 A that receive the plug connectors  10 , the plurality of male contacts  22  retained in the connector housing  21 , the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  similarly retained by the connector housings  21 , and a contact alignment plate  25  that aligns the male contacts  22 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . The plug connector receiving spaces  21 A are positioned on a mating end of the cap connector  20 . 
     The cap connector housing  21  includes an approximately rectangular body  210  forming a common plug connector receiving space (not labeled), and partitioning walls  210 A positioned in the plug connector receiving space of the body  210  integrally by injection molding. The body  210  includes two opposite sidewalls  12 C, between which each partitioning wall  210 A extends perpendicular to and connects together. In an embodiment, the common plug connector receiving space of the body  210  is partitioned by two partitioning walls  210 A so that three plug connector receiving spaces  21 A are formed, through which plug connectors  10  are respectively mated. In other embodiments, the plug connector receiving space of the body  210  is partitioned by zero, three, four, or more partitioning walls  210 A. 
     A contact receiving wall  21 B ( FIG. 5 ( a ) ) is positioned in an innermost part of the plug connector receiving space  21 A, along a terminating end of the cap connector  20 , which is opposite the mating end. A plurality of contact retaining holes  21 D are disposed in the contact receiving wall  21 B, and penetrate therethrough in a thickness direction. In an embodiment, the contact receiving holes  21 D are positioned in four rows. The male contacts  22  are retained in the cap connector housing  21  by being inserted into the contact receiving holes  21 D. 
     Terminal receiving holes  21 E are formed in the contact receiving wall  21 B, and receive and secure the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  when the connectors  10 , 20  are mated together. 
     Two of the retailing holes  21 E are formed in the contact receiving wall  21 B in each of the plug connector receiving spaces  21 A, and extend through the contact receiving wall  21 B in the thickness direction. Each of the terminal receiving holes  21 E is positioned at an approximate corner of the contract receiving wall  21 B in each of the plug connector receiving space  21 A. 
     At least two clip engaging projections  212  are positioned in each plug connector receiving space  21 A, one on an inner surface of each sidewall  12 C, opposite to each other. Each clip engaging projection  212  has an inclined surface  212 A ( FIG. 8 ( b ) ) inclined toward the inner surface of the sidewall  21 C formed therein. The clip engaging projections  212  are complementary to the projections  145  on the locking arms  144  of the clip  14 , and engage the projections  145  when the clip  14  is inserted into the mated connectors  10 , 20 . 
     At least two cap connector gears  213  are positioned in each plug connector receiving space  21 A, one on an inner surface of each sidewall  12 C, opposite to each other and each adjacent to at least one clip engaging projection  212 . The cap connector gear  213  projects from the inner surface of the sidewall  21 C by a size equal to the thickness of the plug connector gear  134  of the lever  13 . The cap connector gears  213  engage and mesh with the plug connector gears  134  in the lever  13  when the connectors  10 , 20  are mated with each other and when the mating is released. 
     A through hole  214 , which penetrates through the sidewall  21 C, is formed in a part adjacent to the cap connector gear  213 . 
     In an embodiment, the male contacts  22  are positioned in the four rows, and inserted in the contact receiving holes  21 D ( FIG. 5 ( a ) ) in the cap connector housing  21 . 
     In an embodiment, the male contacts  22  extend a distance out of the contact receiving holes  21 D along a mating direction, then bend orthogonally to the mating direction. The male contacts  22  then extend through alignment holes  250  in a contact alignment plate  25 . A terminating end  22 A ( FIG. 5 ( b ) ) of the male contact  22  projects from the contact alignment plate  25  and is connected to a circuit board (not illustrated). In an embodiment, the male contacts  22  have an approximate L-shape. 
     Four types of the male contacts  22  of different sizes are provided, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , depending on distances between the contact receiving holes  21 D in each of the four rows into which the male contacts  22  are positioned, and the circuit board. 
     More specifically, the male contacts  22  include four types of contacts, i.e., a first contact  22 S arranged in a first row, a second contact  22 M arranged in a second row, a third contact  22 L arranged in a third row, and a fourth contact  22 LL arranged in a fourth row. The four types of contacts  22 S,M,L,LL are respectively formed in substantially similar L shapes. The first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact increase in size in this order. 
     The mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  are formed of an electrically conductive material such as a metal or carbon. 
     The mating detection terminal  23  is shorter in height than the first contact  22 S, and has an approximate L-shape. The mating detection terminal  23  is positioned in a terminal receiving hole  21 E proximate to the circuit board, extending through the terminal receiving holes  21 E formed in the contact receiving wall  21 B ( FIG. 5 ( a ) ). 
     The mating detection terminal  24  is longer in height than the fourth contact  22 LL, and has an approximate L-shape. The mating detection terminal  24  is positioned in a receiving hole  21 E distal to the circuit board. 
     The mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  project into the plug connector receiving space  21 A by an equal length from the inner surface of the contact receiving wall  21 B ( FIG. 5 ( b ) ). 
     Terminating ends  23 A,  24 A of the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  are respectively inserted into alignment holes  243 ,  254  ( FIG. 6 ) formed in the contact alignment plate  25  and extend outward therefrom. The terminating ends  23 A,  24 A of the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  are connected to the circuit board (not illustrated). 
     In an embodiment the mating detection terminal  142  of the clip  14  and the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  provided in the cap connector  20  electrically detect that the connectors  10 , 20  are completely mated together. 
     Detection of a completed mating action by the mating detection terminals  142 ,  23 ,  24  will be described below while describing a procedure for mating the plug connector  10  and the cap connector  20  by the operation of the lever  13 . 
     In an embodiment of  FIG. 7 ( a ) , the plug connector  10  is partially mated with the cap connector housing  21  of the cap connector  20 . The lever  13  is positioned substantially perpendicular to the mating direction M and is at the position where the mating operation is started. The plug connector gear  134  of the lever  13  is positioned at an end of the cap connector gear  213  in the cap connector housing  21  of the cap connector  20 . In this partially mated position, the body  141  of the clip  14  is not pressed in, and the bridging portion  143  projects upward, away from the lever  13 . 
     When the lever  13  is rotated in a direction indicted by an arrow in  FIG. 7( a ) , and is brought into a raised state substantially along the mating direction M, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ( b ) , the plug connector gear  134  of the lever  13  meshes with the cap connector gear  213  of the cap connector housing  21 , and the cap connector housing  21  is drawn as the lever  13  is rotated. As a result, through the rotational action of the lever  13 , the plug connector  10  is pulled into the plug connector receiving space  21 A and mating with the cap connector housing  21  is completed. 
     The locking mechanism  136  ( FIG. 3 ) of the lever  13  rides over the locking projection  126  of the connector body  12 , and the locking projection  126  engages the locking mechanism  136  to lock the lever  13  in position. 
     At this time, the plug connector  10  and the cap connector  20  are completely mated together. 
     Once the connectors  10 , 20  are completely mated together, the bridging portion  143  of the clip  14  is permitted to be pressed in, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ( c ) . If the connectors  10 , 20  are not completely mated together, the user will not be able to press the bridging portion  143  in. 
     The act of a user being able to press the clip  14  in serves as confirmation to the user that the connectors  10 ,  20  are completely mated together. 
     The operation of the clip  14  will be described while following the procedure illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ( a )  to  7  ( c ). 
     In an embodiment of  FIGS. 8( a )-8( c ) , an exemplary mating procedure between the mating detection terminal  142  and the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  is disclosed. 
     When the plug connector  10  and the cap connector  20  are partially mated together in the disengaged position, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ( a ) , the projection  145  of the locking arm  144  is positioned in the projection receiving hole  154  of the clip receiving member  15 , such that the body  141  is locked to the clip receiving member  15 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ( a )  and  8  ( b ). Thus, the body  141  cannot be pressed in when the connectors  10 , 20  are partially mated together. 
     Additionally, the mating detection terminal  142  in the body  141  is spaced apart from the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  in the cap connector housing  21 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ( c ) . Thus, when the connectors  10 , 20  are partially mated together, the mating detection terminal  142  and the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  are not electrically connected together. 
     When the connectors  10 , 20  are completely mated together, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ( b ) , through rotation of the lever  13 , the clip engaging projection  212  of the cap connector housing  21  enters the projection receiving hole  154  in the clip receiving member  15 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 ( a )  and  9  ( b ). The clip engaging projection  212  presses against the projection  145  of the locking arm  144 , such that the projection  145  separates from the projection receiving hole  154 . Thus, the body  141  is released from the clip receiving member  15 , so that the body  141  can be pressed into the clip receiving member  15 . At this time, the locking arm  144  is slightly deflected when the projection  145  is pressed by the clip engaging projection  212 . 
     However, the mating detection terminals  142  and  23 ,  24  are still not electrically connected to each other, although the mating detection terminal  142  approaches the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ( c ) , when the plug connector  10  is pressed into the cap connector housing  21 . 
     When the bridging portion  143  of the body  141  is then pressed in, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ( c ) , the locking arm  144  moves toward the contact receiving wall  21 B of the cap connector housing  21 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 ( a ) . At this time, the projection  145  of the locking arm  144  rides over the cantilever beam  152  of the clip receiving member  15 , and is sandwiched between the leading end of the cantilever beam  152  and the contact receiving wall  21 B by the locking arm  144 . Thus, the movement of the body  141  is restricted. 
     A distance between the mating detection terminal  142  and the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  is reduced as the body  141  is pressed in, and the mating detection terminal  142  is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 ( c ) , when the projection  145  of the locking arm  144  rides over the cantilever beam  152  ( FIG. 10 ( b ) ). 
     This contact forms a conduction path that includes the mating detection terminal  142 , the mating detection terminal  23  and the mating detection terminal  24 . 
     In an embodiment, inspection for detecting energization of the conduction path may be performed. When the conduction path is energized, the user can confirm that the body  141  is pressed in. Pressing the body  141  means that the connectors  10 , are completely mated together. 
     If the conduction path is not energized, the mating detection terminal  142  and the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  are not electrically connected to each other, because the body  141  has not been installed or has not been pressed in. 
     In an embodiment, an electric/electronic element is provided on the circuit board, which detects the energization of the conduction path including the mating detection terminal  142 , the mating detection terminal  23  and the mating detection terminal  24 . 
     The electric/electronic element and appropriate hardware may provide notification of an incomplete mating of the connectors  10 , 20  by issuing a warning sound or a warning message if the conduction path is not energized. 
     The mating detection terminal  142  and the mating detection terminals  23 ,  24  can compensate for user failure in mating connectors  10 , 20  by electrically detecting that the mating status of the connectors  10 , 20 . Thus, the connector position assurance can be implemented at a higher level. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 to 14 , a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 
     In an embodiment of  FIGS. 11-14 , a position of a mating detection terminal differs from that in the above described embodiments of  FIGS. 1-10 . While differences from the above embodiments will be described, similar elements to the elements described in the above embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals. For example, each of a lever type plug connector  30  ( FIG. 11 ) and a cap connector  40  ( FIG. 13 ) to be mated with the plug connector  30  will be described. 
     In an embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the plug connector  30  includes a contact housing  11 , a connector body  12  positioned over the contact housing  11 , a lever  13  disposed on the connector body  12 , and a clip  31 . 
     The clip  31  includes a body  301  and a mating detection terminal  302 . 
     The body  301  has a bridging portion  303  and a pair of locking arms  144 . 
     A detection terminal receiving member  305 , which receives the mating detection terminal  302  in a mating detection terminal receiving space (not labeled), is integrally formed in the bridging portion  303 . 
     The detection terminal receiving member  305  includes a pair of terminal arm receiving cavities  305 A extending along a mating direction M, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     The mating detection terminal  302  has a pair of cylindrical terminal arms  302 A,  302 B. The terminal arms  302 A,  302 B are connected together on an end through a terminal bridging portion (not labeled). 
     Each of the terminal arms  302 A,  302 B is formed by bending a metal plate in a cylindrical shape, and has a contact  302 C formed along an inward facing surface of the cylindrical wall, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     The terminal arms  302 A,  302 B are inserted into the terminal arm receiving cavity  305 A so that the mating detection terminal  302  is retained by the body  301 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the cap connector  40  includes a cap connector housing  21 , a plurality of male contacts  22  retained by the cap connector housing  21 , mating detection terminals  41 ,  42  retained by the cap connector housing  21 , and a contact alignment plate  25  that aligns the terminating ends of the male contacts  22 . 
     The mating detection terminal  41  is the same in shape and size as the second contacts  22 M positioned in the second row. 
     The mating detection terminals  41 , together with the second contacts  22 M, are positioned in the second row. A detection terminal receiving hole (not shown), which retains the mating detection terminal  41 , is positioned adjacent to the contact receiving hole  211 ), which retains the second contact  22 M to the contact receiving wall  21 B ( FIG. 5 ( a ) ) of the cap connector housing  21 . 
     The mating detection terminal  42  is the same in shape and size as a third contact  22 L positioned in the third row. 
     The mating detection terminals  42 , together with the third contacts  22 L, are positioned in the third row. A detection terminal receiving hole (not shown), which retains the mating detection terminal  42 , is added adjacent to the contact receiving hole  21 D, which retains the third contact  22 L, to the contact receiving wall  21 B ( FIG. 5 ( a ) ) of the cap connector housing  21 . 
     The same member as the second contact  22 M can be used for the mating detection terminal  41 . The same member as the third contact  22 L can be used for the mating detection terminal  42 . Thus, the number of types of members can be reduced, contributing to reduction of cost. 
     In an embodiment, the plug connector  30  and the cap connector  40  are mated with each other by an operation of the lever  13 , and the completion of the mating is confirmed by pressing the body  301 , as described in the above embodiments. Also similar to the above embodiments, the locking arm  144  of the body  301  performs the same engagement mechanism with the plug connector  30 . 
     In an embodiment, when the connectors  30  and  40  are only partially mated together, the terminal arms  302 A,  302 B of the mating detection terminal  302  and the mating detection terminals  41 ,  42  in the cap connector  40  are spaced apart in the mating direction M. 
     As the lever  13  is rotated to complete the mating of the connectors  30 , 40  together, the bridging portion  303  of the body  301  is allowed to be pressed in by a user. Consequently, the mating detection terminal  41  contacts the terminal arm  302 A in the mating detection terminal  302 , and the mating detection terminals  41  and  42  are brought into electrical connection to each other. 
     Thus, the complete mating of the connectors  30 ,  40  can be determined by detecting whether a conduction path is formed between the mating detection terminal  302 , the mating detection terminals  41 ,  42  and a circuit board. 
     Accordingly, while different embodiments of the body in the clip and the mating detection terminal have been described, the end function is the same. 
     Generally, the body in the clip has electrical conductivity by using an electrically conductive material such as a metal or carbon as a material for the body. The mating detection terminal to be electrically connected to the body is provided in a housing of the mating connector. 
     When connectors are completely mated together, for example, a mating detection terminal  26 , which is brought into contact with and electrically connected to a projection  145  of an locking arm  144  in a body  161  having electrical conductivity, may be provided in a cap connector housing  21 , assuming that the projection  145  is at a position riding over a cantilever beam  152 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 ( a ) . 
     In addition to the above described embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that various changes and substitutions can be made as needed, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     While each of the cap connectors  20 ,  40  in each of the above-described embodiments includes the two mating detection terminals, a single mating detection terminal  521  may be provided, such as a second connector  52  illustrated in  FIG. 15 ( b ) . The mating detection terminal  521  is connected to a circuit board  53 . 
     A first connector  51 , which is mated with the second connector  52 , includes a clip (not illustrated). The clip includes a mating detection terminal  511  that is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the mating detection terminal  521  in the second connector  52 . The mating status of the connectors  51 , 52  can therefore be electrically detected using the mating detection terminal  511  and the mating detection terminal  521 . 
     In an embodiment, a probe  541  is provided in a mating detection device  54  that is connected to the mating detection terminal  511 , while a second probe  542  is connected to the mating detection terminal  521 , to form a conduction path (electric circuit) among the mating detection terminal  511 , the mating detection terminal  521  and a mating detection device  54 . The mating detection device  54  detects energization of the electric circuit, to compensate for failure and deficiency in work for operating the clip. Thus, assurance of a mating position between the first connector  51  and the second connector  52  can be implemented at a higher level. 
     While in each of the above-described embodiments, the lever type connectors (plug connectors  10 ,  30 ) have been shown as an example of a connector in the present invention having a CPA mechanism, the present invention is applicable to various connectors regardless of the type of connector, i.e., a lever type or a slide type. 
     A clip in the present invention is not limited to the configuration illustrated in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, and can widely adopt a configuration of a known clip.