JP6539283B2 - Multifunctional connector positioning guarantee device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention comprises a connector, a mating connector configured to mate with the connector along the plug direction, and a connector positioning assurance (CPA) device supported by the connector, completely fitted. In the mating position, the connector and the mating connector are secured in a latching manner against separation along the plug direction.

  Furthermore, the present invention relates to a CPA device for securing an electrical connector assembly, including a connector and a mating connector, in a fully mated position.

  Moreover, the present invention relates to a connector for an electrical connector assembly configured to mate with a mating connector of the connector assembly in the plug direction.

  Electrical connector assemblies, CPA devices, and connectors of the type described above are known. A connector assembly, also referred to as a plug-in connector, is used, for example, to establish an electrical connection in a vehicle. For example, the connector of the connector assembly can be part of a central control and / or computing unit of the vehicle, and the mating connector can terminate the harness to be connected to the control unit.

  According to the prior art, the connector assembly is generally first latched in the fully mated position, and the connector and the mated connector, and hence the terminals therein, are fully assembled with one another by the latch elements disposed in the connector. It is engaged. This latch mechanism is also called a primary lock mechanism. Furthermore, a CPA device, which can also serve as a locking member, is generally used to support the latch element, ie the primary lock, thereby preventing the latch element from disengaging and / or retaining power of the latch element. increase. Thereby, it is ensured that the fully mated position is reached and locked in order to protect the connection assembly from accidental disconnection of the connector and the mated connector.

  For connector assemblies that include CPA devices according to the prior art, changes or modifications in connector design generally require the redesign of the CPA device and hence the production of new tooling for both the connector and the CPA device. Has the disadvantage of In addition, the CPA device concept known from the prior art significantly increases the size of the connector assembly, thus impairing the miniaturization of the connector assembly.

  In view of the shortcomings of the prior art connector assemblies described above, the object underlying the present invention is to provide a CPA mechanism that facilitates redesign and miniaturization of the connector assembly.

  This object is achieved according to the invention, as for the connector assembly mentioned at the beginning of the description, as the CPA device comprises a latching element which engages in the latching state the opposite latching element of the mating connector.

  In the CPA device described at the beginning of the description, the problem is solved because the CPA device includes a latching element configured to engage the opposing latching element of the mating connector in the latched state.

  In the connector described at the beginning of the description, the object is solved by a guide configured to receive the CPA device according to the invention for latching the connector to the mating connector in the fully mated position.

  In other words, in the final state of the connector assembly, the connector can be in a fully mated position and latch with the mated connector, and the CPA device is at least supported by the connector and the connector and the mated connector It can be in a locked position that locks in a fully mated position. The CPA device includes a latch element that engages the opposing latch element of the mating connector in the latched state.

  The solution according to the invention provides a CPA device for both latch functions, ie primary lock. Therefore, the same CPA device design can be used when changing connector design and size. Thus, redesigning the CPA device and preparing the tooling to manufacture it is eliminated.

  The solution according to the invention can be further improved by the following further embodiments, which can be combined as desired and in each case are advantageous per se.

  In the latched state, the CPA device can be slidably supported by the connector relative to the mating connector. In other words, the position of the latching element and the opposing latching element, and hence the position of the CPA device relative to the mating connector and / or the connector, can be changed without disengaging the latching element and the opposing latching element, whereby Allows additional functions to be performed by, or within, the movement of the CPA device without utilizing disengaging of the connector and the mating connector that can maintain a fully mated condition . The latching element and the opposing latching element can be displaceable relative to one another in the latching state.

  The latch subassembly of the connector assembly includes a protrusion and a slot movable in a direction perpendicular to the plug direction that receives the protrusion. The latch subassembly includes a latch element and an opposing latch element. The nose can protrude along the height direction running perpendicular to the plug direction, the slot can face in the height direction or in the opposite direction to the height direction, and the width of the slot is high Beyond the width of the nose measured perpendicular to the longitudinal and plug directions. The nose can protrude into the slot to effect the latch and can move within the slot to allow for the displaceability of the latch element relative to the opposing latch element. The latching element can be formed as a slot, and the counter latching element can be formed as a nose projecting from the mating connector along the height direction. The nose can extend from the mating plug portion of the mating connector essentially radially away from the central axis of the connector assembly.

  In the locking position, the locking element of the CPA device can be arranged behind the opposing locking element of the mating connector in the plug direction. In other words, the locking element is engageable with the opposite locking element. Thereby, secondary locking of the connector assembly in the fully mated position can be performed. The locking element can overlap an opposing locking element which has a projection along the plug direction.

  The locking element can be at least partially formed as a sliding bolt, and the counter locking element can be at least partially formed as a locking and / or plugging in the projecting locking element along the plug direction it can. The sliding bolt can simply slide behind a lock or pin formed on the connector when moving the CPA device from the pre-locking position to the locking position.

  The latching element can be arranged between the at least two locking elements. Thereby, the forces acting on the latch element in the plug direction and in the direction opposite to the plug direction can be minimized. The locking forces exerted by the locking element act in a symmetrical manner, whereby safe and stable positioning of the connector relative to the mating connector can be achieved.

  Movement of the CPA device to the locked position can be blocked at the locking element and / or the opposing locking element at the pre-mated position of the connector assembly. In the pre-mated position, the connector and the mated connector are mated such that a latching element and / or a latching organ including the latching element abuts against the opposing latching element or is at least disposed near the opposing latching element United. Thereby, premature movement of the CPA device to the locking position can be prevented, which the connector and the mating connector enter or reach full fit before being locked by the locking element of the CPA device Can be guaranteed.

  The CPA device may be slidably received in a guide of a connector extending in an actuation direction running essentially perpendicular to the plug direction. Thereby, the CPA device can be displaced exactly along the actuation direction when moved from the pre-locking position to the locking position.

  The guiding part can be arranged outside the internal space of the connector or the housing of the connector in a wall section of the connector which at least partially encloses the internal space. Thereby, the design of the wall section towards the interior as well as the interior of the connector can be redesigned without the need to redesign the guide. Furthermore, in the fully fitted state, the sealing element does not interfere with the function of the CPA device, between the connector and the fitted connector in the inner space, in particular, the inner circumference of the receptacle of the connector and the fitted connector And the outer periphery of the mating plug section of

  The latch element can be accessible through a gap provided in a casing at least partially forming the guide. The casing can serve to protect the CPA device and its latch element. The latch element can be accessible at least in the locked position of the CPA device so that the latch can be flexed to separate the connector from the mating connector, if desired.

  At least one fastener formed on the CPA device can be engageable with at least one opposing fastener on the connector to secure the CPA device to the connector. Thereby, the CPA device may be held captive and / or inseparably in the connector. The CPA device can be latched to the connector in the locked position. Additional fasteners can be provided to latch the CPA device to the connector in the pre-locking position.

  The latching element and the opposing latching element can be at least part of the primary lock, and the CPA device can further be at least part of the secondary lock, the primary and secondary locks being independent of one another Secure the connector and the mating connector in the fully mated position. In a further embodiment of the CPA device according to the invention, the latch element is formed in a latch which is held flexibly about a pivot axis running parallel to the actuation direction, the CPA device moving from the prelocking position to the locking position It can be realized to be configured. The pivot can be defined by a material bridge between the latch and the body portion of the CPA device. Thereby, the CPA device including the latch element can be easily formed integrally as a single piece. The latch may be formed like a frame, the opening of the frame defining the latch element.

  Correspondingly, in a further embodiment of the connector according to the invention, the connector may comprise a guide defining the operating direction of the CPA device, the guide extending essentially perpendicular to the plug direction Can. The guide may be at least partially configured to support the CPA device in a direction opposite to the plug direction. The connector can include a housing that can include an opening to the guide. The openings can be arranged laterally in the housing and can face in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plug direction for easy insertion of the CPA device into the guide.

  The mating connector according to the invention is configured to engage the latching element of the CPA device in order not to move the mating connector relative to the connector in at least the opposite direction of the mating plug direction running opposite the plug direction. Can include a mating plug portion with an opposing latch element.

  The invention will now be described in detail by way of example using advantageous embodiments and referring to the attached drawings. The described embodiments are merely possible configurations, however, the individual features can be implemented independently of one another as described above or can be omitted. The equal elements shown in the figures comprise equal reference signs. Redundant portions of the description associated with equal elements shown in different figures are omitted.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a connector assembly according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a CPA device according to the present invention used in the connector assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is another schematic perspective view of the CPA device shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 1 in a pre-mated position. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the connector assembly in a pre-mated position along section line B-B shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the connector assembly in a fully mated position with the CPA device in a pre-lock position. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the connector assembly in the fully mated position with the CPA device in the pre-locked position as shown in FIG. 6, taken along section line B-B shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the connector assembly in the final state with the connector in the fully mated position and the mated connector and the CPA device in the locked position. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the connector assembly in the final state with the connector in the fully mated position and the mated connector and the CPA device in the locked position, taken along section line C-C shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1 a connector assembly 1 according to the invention is shown in a schematic perspective view. Connector assembly 1 includes a connector 2, a mating connector 3, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device 4. Furthermore, the connector assembly 1 can include a sealing element 5. Connector assembly 1 serves to engage contact area 6 (not shown yet) associated with connector 2 with mating contact area 7 associated with mating connector 3. The connector assembly 1 extends along a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y and a height direction Z which together define a Cartesian coordinate system. The connector 2 is moved by moving the connector 2 in the plug direction P towards the mating connector 3 and / or in the direction of the mating connector 3 towards the connector 2 with the longitudinal direction X and the central axis C of the connector assembly 1 The mating connector 3 can be mated by moving along the mating plug direction P 'extending in parallel. The operating direction A extends essentially perpendicularly to the plug direction P and to the mating plug direction P 'and essentially parallel to the transverse direction Y.

  The connector 2 comprises a housing 20 at least partially defining a plug portion 21. In the present embodiment, the plug portion 21 is formed as a receptacle comprising an inner contour 22. The upper wall section 20 a of the housing 20 at least partially forms a guide 23 for the CPA device 4. The guide 23 has a bottom surface 23a in the region of the upper wall section 22a, a top surface 23b and side surfaces 23c, 23d, all running parallel to the actuating direction A. The upper surface 23 b and at least a part of the side surfaces 23 c and 23 d are formed in the casing 24 to cover the guide portion 23. The casing 24 and the housing 20 are formed with an insertion opening 25 which opens in the direction opposite to the working direction A for inserting the CPA device 4 into the guide 23. At the front edge of the opening 25, a first counter stop 26a is formed to latch the CPA device in the pre-locking position K as shown in FIG. A second counter stop 26 b is provided on the slit 27 which extends parallel to the working direction A at the top of the casing 24. Furthermore, a gap 28 is formed in the casing 24 in order to be able to reach the CPA device 4 in the guide 23. In the upper surface 23b, a groove 29 is formed which serves to guide and receive a portion of the CPA device 4 which extends parallel to the actuation direction A and which projects in the height direction Z.

Mating connector 3 includes a mating housing 30, the mating housing 30 includes a mating plug portion 31 which is formed as a plug which is complementarily formed with respect to the plug portion 2 1, mating plug portion 31 And an outer contour 32 in which the sealing element 5 is arranged somewhat. Mating connector 3 is provided with a counter latching element 3 3, opposite latching element 3 3, the connector 2 and / or CPA device 4 and the fitting plug direction P to include a slope 33a to facilitate engagement of the Be inclined with '. Opposing latch elements 33 can be formed as noses or pins which project from the housing 30 essentially parallel to the height direction Z away from the central axis C. Opposed locking element 3 4 likewise be formed as a nose or a pin projecting from the housing 30 in the height direction Z. Opposed locking element 3 4, again, the opposite locking element 3 4 are each fitted plug element 3 a plug element 2 and / or the mating plug direction P to include a gradient 3 4a to easily fitted into CPA device 4 ' Be inclined at. Furthermore, the mating contact area 7 held and / or housed in the mating connector 3 comprises several mating contact elements 70. In the present case, the mating contact area 7 is formed as a printed circuit board (PCB).

FIG. 2 shows the CPA device 4 in a schematic perspective view from above. CPA device 4 has a body 40 with two body sections 40 a, 40 b which are connected to one another via a bridge 40c. In the main body 40, the tip 41a facing the operating direction A, the end 41b facing the direction opposite to the operating direction A, the upper surface 41c facing the height direction Z, and the back surface facing the direction opposite to the height direction Z 41d is formed. A recess 42 is formed between the first body section 40a and the second body section 40b, and the latch 43 is disposed. The latching device 43 comprises a latching element 43a which is essentially in the form of a slot extending along the actuation direction A and having a width w _{43 b} measured parallel to the actuation direction A. The latch element 43 a is surrounded by the frame 43 b of the latch 43. The frame 43b is connected to the first body section 40a and the second body section 40b via a bridge element 43c in the form of a material bridge. With this arrangement, the bridge element 43c allows the latch element 43a to rotate at least slightly about the pivot axis R and thereby move in the height direction Z relative to the body 40 and in the opposite direction Do. A release element 43d is formed in the latch 43 at the top 41 of the CPA device 4, in particular on the side of the frame 43b opposite to the latch element 43a with respect to the pivot axis R, so that the latch 43 It can easily be operated by hand or with a tool to remove it from the counter latch element 33. The release element 43 d is formed as a lock which protrudes from the latch 43 in the height direction Z.

The CPA device 4 comprises a locking element 44. In particular, as shown herein, the two locking elements 44 can comprise a latch 43 disposed between them. One of each locking element 44 is formed in two body sections 40a, 40b. The locking element 44 is formed as a slide bolt which projects from the body 40 in a direction opposite to the height direction Z and extends essentially along the actuation direction A. Furthermore, in order to make the CPA device 4 easy to handle, an operating element 45 is provided which protrudes from the main body 40 in the height direction Z in the form of a ridge extending essentially perpendicularly to the operating direction A. The CPA device 4 can be gripped, pushed and / or pulled by the operating element 45. This can, in particular, help overcome the holding force generated by the first fastener 46 a and the second fastener 46 b of the CPA device 4. The fasteners 46a, 46b are configured to interact with the counter fasteners 26a, 26b and are disposed between the end 41b and the recess 42 in the first body section 40a . The fasteners 46a, 46b are each formed as a spring clip or lamella with a spring section 46c and a nose 46d which projects in the height direction Z from each of the spring sections.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective rear view of the CPA device 4. Here, each of the locking elements 44 is again provided with an inclination 44a, so that each of the locking elements 44 has a plug direction P in order to facilitate engagement with the mating connector 3, in particular its opposite locking element 34. It becomes clear that it has been oblique. On the back side, facing in the direction opposite to the plug direction P, the locking elements 44 each include a beveled section 44b leading to the abutment section 44c, so that the locking elements 44 are arranged behind the opposite locking element 34 And if it is in contact with the opposing locking element 34, pushing the CPA device 4 in the actuation direction A can further pull the opposing locking element 34 in the mating plug direction P ', so that the mating connector 3 When the CPA device 4 is transferred from the prelocking position K to the locking position L until the locking element 44 comes to rest on the counterlocking element 34 by the abutment section 44c, it is pulled towards the connector 2. The retraction element 47 is provided at a distance from the locking element 44 in the actuating direction A. The retraction element 47 likewise comprises a slope 47a. Thereby, a funnel-shaped retraction 48 for the counter locking element 34 is formed between the slope 44 a of the locking element 44 and the slope 47 a of the retraction element 47. Moreover, the CPA device 4 comprises a rail 49, which extends along the body 40 parallel to the working direction A, and is aligned with the bridge element 43c for the stability and guidance of the CPA device 4. ing.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the connector assembly 1 in the pre-mating position M with the CPA device 4 in the pre-locking position K. Since the connector 2 and the fitting connector 3 are fitted, the latch device 43 and the opposing latch device 33 are in contact with each other.

5 is a schematic perspective sectional view along the sectional line B-B shown in FIG. 4 of the connector assembly 1 in the pre-pre-mating state M having the CPA device in the pre-locking position K, ie, in the length direction X And runs parallel to the height direction Z and is shown in cross section through the opposing latch element 33. Here, the inclination 33a of the opposing latch element 33 abuts on the front side of the latch 43, in particular on the front edge of the frame 43b, and the latch 43 may be slightly inclined downward with respect to the pivot axis R It becomes clear. By pushing the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 towards each other in the plug direction P and / or the mating plug direction P 'respectively, the front edge of the frame 43b is bent upward together with the latch element 43a That is, as it moves along the slope 33a of the opposing latch element 33, it will rotate about the pivot axis R, so that the opposing latch element 33 slides past the front edge of the frame 43b. Can be inserted into the latch element 43a. Furthermore, the mating contacts region 7, so as to be arranged immediately before the contact region 6 including the contact elements 60 for contacting the mating contact element 70, mating plug portion 31 is inserted into the plug portion 21.

  FIG. 6 shows the connector assembly 1 with the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 in the completely fitted state N and the CPA device 4 in the prelocking position K in another schematic perspective view. The opposing latch element 33 is received by the latch element 43a. Therefore, the connector assembly is in the latched state S, and the connector 2 is latched to the mating connector 3 via the CPA device 4. The opposing locking element 34 enters the casing 24 through the opening 24a. The opening 24 a is formed in the casing 24 and faces in the plug direction P.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective sectional view along the sectional line B-B shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the connector assembly 1 in the fully engaged position N and the latched state S with the CPA device 4 in the prelocking position K , Ie, parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the height direction Z, shown in cross section through the opposing latch element 33. A mating plug portion 31 is received in the plug portion 21 in addition to the opposing latch element 33 received in the latch element 43a. The sealing element 5 is tightly received and clamped between the inner contour 22 of the plug portion 21 and the outer contour 32 of the mating plug portion 31 so that the sealing element 5 is a connector 2, in particular its plug Formed between the portion 21 and the mating connector 3, it seals the interior space 10 of the connector assembly 1 in which the contact area 6 and the mating contact area 7 are received. In the fully fitted state N, the contact area 6 and the fitted contact area 7 engage with each other, so that the contact element 60 conductively contacts the fitted contact element 70.

FIG. 8 shows in a schematic perspective view a connector assembly 1 with the connector 2 in the fully fitted state N and in the latched state S and the fitted connector 3 and the CPA device 4 in the locked state L. With the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 in the fully fitted state N and the latched state S and the CPA device 4 in the locked position L, the connector assembly 1 is in the final state F. The CPA device 4 is pushed, for example, by the actuating element 45 in the actuating direction A, thereby unlatching the clasp 46a from the clasp 26a and locking element 44 on the latching device 43 for the counter latching element 33 and on the counter locking element 34. And is moved to the lock position L. Thereby, the opposing latch element 33 is moved into the slot-like latch 43a. The locking element 44 is moved behind the counter locking element 34 in the plug direction P, so that the locking element 44 and the counter locking element 34 overlap one another in the protection along the plug direction P. Thereby, the latch element 43a and the counter latch element 33 act as a primary lock. The locking element 44 and the opposing locking element 34 act as a secondary lock. The latch 43 and the opposing latch element 33 constitute a latch subassembly associated with the primary lock.
The locking element 44 and the opposing locking element 34 constitute a locking subassembly associated with the secondary lock. Further, the width _{w 33} of the counter latching element 33 as measured parallel to the working direction A, it is apparent smaller than the width _{w 43 b} of the latch element 43a.

  FIG. 9 runs the connector assembly 1 in the final state F in a schematic cross section taken along the section line C-C shown in FIG. 8, ie parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the height direction Z, locking Shown in cross section through element 44 and counter locking element 34. Here it becomes clear that the locking element 44 is located behind the counter locking element 34 in the plug direction P, thereby preventing separation of the connector 2 and the mating connector 3. The release element 43 d and the actuating element 45 can be used to unlock and unlatch the connector assembly 1. In order to unlock, the CPA device 4 has to be moved in the direction opposite to the actuation direction A. For unlatching, the release element 43d is such that the latch element 43a is disengaged from the engagement with the counter latch element 33 and the counter latch element 33 is in the direction opposite to the mating plug direction P ', ie in the plug direction P. It must be pushed downward in the direction opposite to the height direction Z so that it can be pulled away from the latch element 43a.

  Modifications from the above-described embodiment of the plug-in connector assembly 1 according to the invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention or without contradicting the idea of the invention.

The connector 2 may comprise a housing 20 having a plug portion 21 with an inner contour 22, the plug portion 21 optionally being a complement of the mating housing 30 of the mating connector 3 with the respective outer contour 32. It can be configured to engage, for example receive, the mating plug portion 31 that is formed into the mating plug portion 31. The guide 23 may comprise bottom, top and sides 23a-d in whatever form and number required to guide the CPA device 4 in the desired operating direction A. The casing 24 can be provided in whatever form desired to cover the guide 23 and to protect the CPA device 4. In order to insert the CPA device 4 into the guide 23, the connector 2 can be provided with an insertion opening 25. In order to insert the optional counter latch element 33 and the counter lock element 34 into the connector 2, the housing 20 and / or the casing 20 may have any number 24 of openings 24 a, insertion openings 25, and / or any desired form and configuration. Or, the gap 28 can be provided. The fasteners 26a, 26b are shown herein in any number and form as desired, for example, to interact with the respective fasteners 46a, 46b of the CPA device 4 at the pre-locking position K and the locking position L. Such slits 27 and edges can be provided. The grooves 29 can be provided in any desired number and form, for example to accommodate and guide the part projecting from the CPA device 4, such as the release element 43d.

  The mating connector 3 comprises a mating housing 30 and may have a mating plug portion 31, the mating plug portion 31 having an outer contour 32 shaped as desired to be mated to the connector 2. Have. The opposite latch element 33 and the opposite lock element 34 may be provided in any number and form and may have slopes 33a and 34a, as desired.

  The CPA device 4 can have a body 40 with a body section 40a, 40b whatever the number and form desired, the body section 40a, 40b being a bridge 40c, as well as a latch 43, in particular its bridge They can be connected to one another via elements 43c. The CPA device 4 can have a tip 41a, an end 41b, an upper surface 41c, and a back surface 41d, whatever the number and configuration desired. The latch 43 can be provided in any desired number and form to interact complementarily with the opposing latch element 33, and is accommodated in the recess 42, and the desired number and form can be provided. Even if it is, the latch element 43a, the frame 43b, the bridge element 43c, and the release element 43d can be provided. The locking element 44 can be provided in any desired number and form to interact with the opposing locking element 34, regardless of the desired number and form. It can have a section 44b and an abutment section 44c. The operating elements 45 can be provided in any desired number and form. Fasteners 46a, 46b can be provided in any desired number and configuration and can have spring sections 40c and noses 46d. The retraction element 47 can be provided in any desired number and form and can have a slope 47 a to constitute the retraction portion 48. Other similar elements in the form of rails 49 or webs can be provided in any desired number and form to enhance the stability and guidance of the CPA device 4.

  Finally, the contact area 6 and the mating contact area 7 can comprise the contact elements 60 and the mating contact elements 70 in any desired number and form. They can be provided with the interior space 10 of the connector assembly 1, which interior space 10 can be sealed against the environment by the sealing element 5 whatever the number and form desired. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 connector assembly 2 connector 3 mating connector 4 CPA device 5 sealing element 6 contact area 7 mating contact area 10 internal space 20 housing 21 plug portion 22 inner contour 23 guide portion 23a bottom surface 23b top surface 23c, 23d side surface 24 casing 24a opening Reference Signs List 25 insertion opening 26a first opposing fastener 26b second opposing fastener 27 slit 28 gap 29 groove 30 mating housing 31 mating plug portion 32 outer contour 33 opposing latch element 33a inclined 34 opposed locking element 34a inclined 40 body 40a the first body section 40b second body section 40c bridges 41a tip 41b end portion 41c upper surface 41d back surface 42 recess 43 latching device 43a latching element 43b frame 43c bridging element 43d release element 44 Lock Key element 44a Inclination 44b Angled section 44c Abutment section 45 Operating element 46a First fastener 46b Second fastener 46c Spring section 46d Nose 47 Retraction element 47a Inclination 48 Retraction part 49 Rail / web 60 Contact element 70 Mating Contact element A operation direction C central axis F final state K pre-lock position L lock position M pre-mating position N full mating position P plug direction P 'mating plug direction R pivot axis S latch state w ₃₃ facing latch element width w _43b latch element width

Claims (12)

A connector (2), a fitting connector (3) configured to be fitted to the connector (2) along the plug direction (P), and a connector positioning guarantee (supported by the connector (2) CPA) Device (4) and in the fully mated position (N), a latch condition in which the connector (2) and the mated connector (3) resist separation in the plug direction (P) An electrical connector assembly (1) fixed by (S), wherein
Said CPA device (4) comprising a latching element (43a) which engages in the latching state (S) the opposing latching element (33) of the mating connector ( 3 ) ;
Said CPA device (4) is slidably received in a guide (23) of said connector (2) extending in an actuation direction (A) running essentially perpendicular to said plug direction (P)
Connector assembly (1) characterized in that. A connector (2), a fitting connector (3) configured to be fitted to the connector (2) along the plug direction (P), and a connector positioning guarantee (supported by the connector (2) CPA) Device (4) and in the fully mated position (N), a latch condition in which the connector (2) and the mated connector (3) resist separation in the plug direction (P) An electrical connector assembly (1) fixed by (S), wherein
Said CPA device (4) comprising a latching element (43a) which engages in the latching state (S) the opposing latching element (33) of the mating connector (3);
The movement of the CPA device (4) to the locking position (L) is the locking element (44) of the CPA device (4) and / or the mating in the pre-mating position (M) of the connector assembly (1) Blocked at the opposing locking element (34) of the connector (3),
The pre-engagement position (M) is such that the connector (2) is arranged such that the latching element (43a) abuts on the opposing latching element (33) or is at least arranged in the vicinity of the opposing latching element (33). ) And the fitting connector (3) are fitted,
Connector assembly (1) characterized in that. A connector (2), a fitting connector (3) configured to be fitted to the connector (2) along the plug direction (P), and a connector positioning guarantee (supported by the connector (2) CPA) Device (4) and in the fully mated position (N), a latch condition in which the connector (2) and the mated connector (3) resist separation in the plug direction (P) An electrical connector assembly (1) fixed by (S), wherein
Said CPA device (4) comprising a latching element (43a) which engages in the latching state (S) the opposing latching element (33) of the mating connector (3);
Said latch element (43a) and said counter latch element (33) being at least part of a primary lock;
The CPA device (4) is further at least part of a secondary lock,
The primary lock and the secondary lock, which are independent of each other, secure the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) in the fully mated position (N).
Connector assembly (1) characterized in that. In the latched state (S), the CPA device (4) is, the fitting connector (3) of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is supported by a slidable said connector (2) with respect to Connector assembly (1) according to at least one item . The latch subassembly of the connector assembly (1) includes a protrusion and a slot,
5. A connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection in the latch state (S) is received in the slot movable in a direction perpendicular to the plug direction (P). Assembly (1). The latching element (43a) is, at least two of said locking element (44) connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that disposed between (1). That the CPA device (4) is slidably received in the guide (23) of the connector (2) extending in the actuation direction (A) running essentially perpendicular to the plug direction (P) The connector assembly (1) according to claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that: The guide (23) is arranged outside the interior space (10) of the connector (2) in a wall section of the connector (2) which at least partially encloses the interior space (10). The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 7 . 9. A device according to claim 1, 7, 8 characterized in that said latch element (43a) is accessible through a gap (28) provided in a casing (24) at least partially forming said guide (23). Connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Said latch element (43a) and said counter latch element (33) being at least part of a primary lock;
The CPA device (4) is further at least part of a secondary lock,
The system according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the primary lock and the secondary lock, which are independent of one another, secure the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) in the full mating position (N). Connector assembly (1). A connector position assurance (CPA) device (4) for securing an electrical connector assembly (1) comprising a connector (2) and a mating connector (3) in a fully mated position (N),
Said CPA device (4) comprising a latching element (43a) configured to engage the opposing latching element (33) of said mating connector ( 3 ) in the latching state (S) ;
Said latch element (43a) and said counter latch element (33) being at least part of a primary lock;
The CPA device (4) is further at least part of a secondary lock,
The primary lock and the secondary lock, which are independent of each other, are configured to secure the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) in the fully mated position (N).
Connector Positioning Assurance (CPA) device (4) characterized in that. A connector (2) for the electrical connector assembly (1) configured to mate with a mating connector (3) of the electrical connector assembly (1) in a plug direction (P),
A guide (23) adapted to receive the CPA device (4) according to claim 11 in order to latch the connector (2) in the fully fitted position (N) to the fitted connector (3) Characteristic connector (2).

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