WO2015114662A1

WO2015114662A1 - Multi function connector positioning assurance device

Info

Publication number: WO2015114662A1
Application number: PCT/IN2015/000050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Subhash Mungarwadi; Vinayak PATEL; Vinod VISWANATH
Original assignee: Te Connectivity India Private Limited
Priority date: 2014-01-30
Filing date: 2015-01-27
Publication date: 2015-08-06
Also published as: CN106063049B; JP2017506410A; JP6539283B2; CN106063049A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly (1), comprising a connector (2), a mating connector (3) adapted to be mated with the connector (2) along a plug direction (P), and a connector positioning assurance (CPA) device (4) supported at the connector (2), wherein in a fully mated position (N) the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) are secured in a latched state (S) against separation in the plug direction (P). Further, the invention relates to a connector positioning 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). Finally, the invention relates to a connector (2) for an electrical connector assembly (1), adapted to be mated in a plug direction (P) with a mating connector (3) of the connector assembly (1). In order to facilitate redesign at miniaturization of the connector assembly (1), the present invention provides that the CPA device (4) comprises a latching element (43a) engaging with a counter latching element (33) of the mating connector (2) in the latched state (S).

Description

Multi Function Connector Positioning Assurance Device

The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, comprising a connector, a mating connector adapted to be mated with the connector along a plug direction, and a connector positioning assurance (CPA) device supported at the connector, wherein in a fully mated position the connector and the mating connector are secured in a latched state against separation along the plug direction.

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

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

Electrical connector assemblies, CPA devices and connectors of the kind mentioned above are known. The connector assemblies, also called plug-in connectors, are used e.g. for establishing electrical connections within vehicles. For example, the connector of the connector assembly may be part of a central control and/or computation unit of the vehicle and the mating connector may terminate a harness to be connected to the control unit.

According to the prior art, connector assemblies are in general initially latched in the fully mated position, wherein the connector, the mating connector and thus the terminals therein are fully engaged with each other, by latching elements disposed on the connectors. This latching mechanism is also referred to as a primary locking feature. The CPA device, which may also serve as a locking member, is then commonly used to support the latching elements, i.e. the primary lock, in order to prevent the latching elements from disengaging and/or to increase their retention force, thus ensuring that the fully mates position is reached and secured for protecting the connecting assembly from accidentally separating connector and mating connector.

Connector assemblies comprising CPA devices according to the prior art bear the disadvantage that a change or adaptation of the connector design commonly requires a redesign of the CPA device and therefore the manufacture of new tooling for both the connectors and the CPA device. Furthermore, CPA device concepts known from the prior art add significantly to the size of the connector assembly and therefore impair miniaturization of connector assemblies. In view of the disadvantages of connector assemblies according to the prior art mentioned above, an object underlying the invention is to provide a CPA mechanism which facilitates redesign and miniaturization of connector assemblies.

This object is achieved according to the invention for the connector assembly mentioned in the beginning of the description in that the CPA device comprises a latching element engaging with a counter latching element of the mating connector in the latched state.

For the CPA device mentioned in the beginning of the description, the problem is solved in that the CPA device comprises a latching element adapted to engage with a counter latching element of the mating connector in the latched state.

For the connector mentioned in the beginning of the description, the object is solved by a guidance adapted to receive a CPA device according to the present invention for latching the connector in a fully mated position with the mating connector.

In other words, in a final state of the connector assembly, the connector may be in a fully mated position and in a latched state with the mating connector, and the CPA device may be in a locking position where it is supported at least at the connector and secures the connector and the mating connector in the fully mated position. The CPA device comprises a latching element engaging with a counter latching element of the mating connector in the latched state.

The solutions according to the present invention provide that the CPA device for both the latching functions, i.e. the primary locking. Hence, when changing connector design and size, the same CPA device design may be used. Thus making a redesign of the CPA device and the provision of tooling for its manufacturing obsolete.

The solutions according to the invention can be combined as desired and further improved by the following further embodiments that are advantageous on their own in each case:

In the latched state, the CPA device may be supported slidable by the connector with respect to the mating connector. In other words, the position of the latching element and the counter latching element, thus on the CPA device with respect to the mating connector and/or the connector may be changed without disengaging the latching element and the counter latching element, thereby allowing for additional functions to be fulfilled by or within the movement of the CPA device without affording a disengagement of the connector and the mating connector which may stay in the fully mated state. The latching element and the counter latching element may be displaceable with respect to each other in the latched state.

A latching subassembly of the connector assembly may comprise a protrusion and a slot- receiving the protrusion moveable in a direction perpendicular to the plug direction. The latching subassembly comprises the latching element and the counter latching element. The nose may protrude along a height direction running perpendicularly to the plug direction, and the slot may face in or against the height direction, wherein a width of the slot exceeds a width of the nose measured perpendicularly to the height direction and to the plug direction. The nose may be protruding into the slot for providing the latching and may be moved within the slot in order to enable the displaceability of the latching element with respect to the counter latching element. The latching element may be formed as the slot and the counter latching element may be formed as the nose protruding from the mating connector along the height direction. The nose may be extending from a mating plug portion of the mating connector essentially radially away from a central axis of the connector assembly.

In a locking position, a locking element of the CPA device may be arranged behind a counter locking element of the mating connector in the plug direction. In other words, the locking element may engage with the counter locking element. Thereby, a secondary locking of the connector assembly in the fully mated position may be provided. The locking element may overlap with the counter locking element in a projection along the plug direction.

The locking element may at least partially be formed as a sliding bolt and the counter locking element may at least be partially formed as a lock overlapping and/or interleaving with the locking element in a projection along the plug direction. The sliding bolt may be easily slid behind the lock or a pin formed at the connector when moving the CPA device from a pre- locking position into the locking position.

The latching element may be arranged between at least two locking elements. Thereby, forces acting on the latching element in and against the plug direction may be minimized. Locking forces exerted by the locking elements may act symmetrically and thereby provide a secure and stable positioning of the connector with respect to the mating connector.

A movement of the CPA device into the locking position may be blocked at the locking element and/or the counter locking element in a pre-mated position of the connector assembly, wherein in the pre-mated position the connector and the mating connector are mated so far that the latching element and/or a latching organ comprising the latching element abuts or is at least located in the vicinity of the counter latching element. Thereby, premature movement of the CPA device into the locking position may be prevented and it can be assured that the connector and the mating connector enter or arrive at the fully mated state before being locked by the locking element on the CPA device. The CPA device may be received slidable in a guidance of the connector extending in an actuation direction running essentially perpendicularly to the plug direction. Thereby, the CPA device may by precisely displaced along the actuation direction when moved from the pre- locking position into the locking position.

The guidance may be arranged outside of an interior space of the connector or a housing thereof on a wall section of the connector at least partially surrounding the interior space. Thereby, the design of the wall section towards the interior space as well as the interior of the connector can be redesigned without the necessity to redesign the guidance. Further, in a fully mated state, a sealing element may be located between the connector and the mating connector within the inner space, in particular between an inner circumference of a receptacle of the connector and an outer circumference of a mating plug section of the mating connector without interfering with the function of the CPA device.

The latching element may be accessible through a gap provided in a casing at least partially forming the guidance. The casing may help to protect the CPA device and the latching element thereof. The latching element may be accessible at least in the locking position of the CPA device so that the latch may be deflected in order to be able to separate the connector from the mating connector when it is desired.

At least one catch formed at the CPA device may be engageable with at least one counter catch of the connector to secure the CPA device at the connector. Thereby, the CPA device may be captively and/or undetachably held at the connector. The CPA device may be latched at the connector in the locking position. An additional catch may be provided for latching the CPA device at the connector in the pre-locking position.

The latching element and the counter latching element may be at least a part of a primary lock, wherein the CPA device may further be at least a part of a secondary lock, wherein the primary lock and the secondary lock independently of each other secure the connector and the mating connector on the fully mated position. In a further embodiment of the CPA device according to the present invention, it may be provided that the latching element is formed at a latching organ held deflectable about a pivot axis running in parallel to an actuation direction in which the CPA device is adapted to be moved from a pre-locked position into the locked position. The pivot axis may be defined by material bridges between the latching organ and a body portion of the CPA device. Thereby, the CPA device including the latching element may be easily integrally formed as one piece. The latching organ may be formed frame-like, with an opening of the frame defining the latching element.

Correspondingly, in a further embodiment of a connector according to the present invention, the connector may be provided with a guidance defining the actuation direction of the CPA device, which may extend essentially perpendicularly to the plug direction. The guidance may at least partially be adapted to support the CPA device in a direction opposite to the plug direction. The connector may comprise a housing which may be provided with an opening to said guidance. The opening may be arranged laterally at the housing and may face into a direction essentially perpendicularly to the plug direction for easily inserting the CPA device into the guidance.

A mating connector according to the present invention may comprise a mating plug portion provided with a counter latching element adapted to engage a latching element of the CPA device in order to prevent movements of the mating connector with respect to the connector at least against a mating plug direction running in an opposite direction to the plug direction.

The invention will be described in more detail by way of example hereinafter using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are only possible configurations in which the individual features may, however, as described above, be implemented independently of each other or may be omitted. Equal elements illustrated in the drawings are provided with equal reference signs. Redundant parts of the description relating to equal elements illustrated in different drawings are left out.

In the drawings:

Fig. 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. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is another schematic perspective view of the CPA device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the connector assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a pre-mated position; Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the connector assembly in the pre- mated position along the cross-sectional line V-V illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6;

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the connector assembly in a fully mated position with the CPA device in a pre-locking 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-locking position as shown in Fig. 6 along the cross-sectional line B-B illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6;

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the connector assembly in a final state with the connector and the mating connector in the fully mated position and the CPA device in a locking position;

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the connector assembly in the final state with the connector and the mating connector in the fully mated position and the CPA device in the locking position along the cross-sectional line C-C illustrated in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 1, a connector assembly 1 according to the present invention is shown in a schematic perspective view. The connector assembly 1 comprises a connector 2, a mating connector 3 and a connector positioning assurance (CPA) device 4. Further, the connector assembly 1 may comprise a sealing element 5. The connector assembly 1 serves for engaging a contact region 6 (not yet shown) associated to the connector 2 with a mating contact region 7 associated to the mating connector 3. The connector assembly 1 extends along a length direction X, a transverse direction Y and a height direction Z, which together define a cartesian coordinate system. The connector 2 is mateable with the mating connector 3 by moving the connector 2 towards the mating connector 3 in a plug direction P and/or moving the mating connector 3 towards the connector 2 along a mating plug direction P' which extend in parallel to the length direction X and a central axis C of the connector assembly 1. An actuation direction A extends essentially perpendicularly to the plug direction P and the mating plug direction P' and essentially in parallel to the transverse direction Y.

The connector 2 comprises a housing 20 at least partly defining a plug portion 21. In the present embodiment, the plug portion 21 is formed as a receptacle providing an inner contour 22. An upper wall section 20a of the housing 20 at least partially forms a guidance 23 for the CPA device 4. The guidance 23 has a bottom face 23a in the region of the upper wall section 22a, a top face 23b, and lateral faces 23c, 23d which all run in parallel to the actuation direction A. The top face 23b at least parts of the lateral faces 23c, 23d are formed at a casing 24 for covering the guidance 23. The casing 24 and the housing 20 are formed so that they provide an insertion opening 25 opening against the actuation direction A for inserting the CPA device 4 into the guidance 23. At a front edge of the opening 25, a first counter catch 26a is formed for latching the CPA device in a pre-locking position K as shown in Fig. 1. A second counter catch 26b is provided at a slit 27 extending in parallel to the actuation direction A in the top of the casing 24. Further, a gap 28 is formed in the casing 24 in order to allow to access the CPA device 4 within the guidance 23. In the top face 23b, a groove 29 is formed which extends in parallel to the actuation direction A and serves for guiding and receiving parts of the CPA device 4 protruding in the height direction Z.

The mating connector 3 comprises a mating housing 30 providing a mating plug portion 31 formed as a plug shaped complementary to the plug portion 31 and providing an outer contour 32 around which the sealing element 5 is arranged in a manner that it snugly encompasses the mating plug portion 31. The mating connector 3 is provided with a counter latching element 23 which in the mating plug direction P' is beveled such that it provides a ramp 33a in order to facilitate an engagement with the connector 2 and/or the CPA device 4. The counter latching element 33 may be formed as a nose or pin protruding from the housing 30 essentially in parallel to the height direction Z away from the central axis C. Counter locking elements 24 may also be formed as noses or pins protruding from the housing 30 in the height direction Z. The counter locking elements 24 are also beveled in the mating plug direction P' so that they each provide ramps 24a facilitating mating the mating plug element 3 with the plug element 2 and/or the CPA device 4. Further, the mating contact region 7 held and/or accommodated within the mating connector 3 comprises a number of mating contact elements 70. In the present case, the mating contact region 7 is formed as a printed circuit board (PCB).

Fig. 2 shows the CPA device 4 in a schematic perspective view from above. The CPA device 4 has a body 40 comprising two body sections 34a, 34b connected to each other via a bridge 40c. On the body 40, a tip 41a facing in the actuation direction A, an end 41b facing against the actuation direction A, a top 41c facing in the height direction Z and a back 41 d facing against the height direction Z are formed. Between the first body section 40a and the second body section 40b, a recess 42 is formed wherein a latching organ 43 is located. The latching organ 43 provides a latching element 43a in the form of a slot extending essentially along the actuation direction A and having a width w_43a measured in parallel to the actuation direction A. The latching element 43a is surrounded by a frame 43b of the latching organ 43. The frame 43b is connected to the first body section 40a and the second body section 40b via bridge elements 43c in the form of material bridges. Through this arrangement, the bridge elements 43c allow for that the latching element 43a is at least slightly rotated about a pivot axis R and thus elastically moved in and against the height direction Z with respect to the body 40. A release element 43d is formed at the top 41 of the CPA device 4 at the latching organ 43, in particular at a side of the frame 43b opposing the latching element 43a with respect to the pivot axis R so that the latching organ 43 may be easily manipulated by hand or tools in order to detach it from the counter latching element 33. The release element 43d is formed as a lock protruding from the latching organ 43 in the height direction Z. The CPA device 4 comprises locking elements 44. In particular, as shown herein, two locking elements 44 may be provided with the latching organ 43 arranged therebetween. One of each locking elements 44 is formed at the two body sections 40a, 40b. The locking elements 44 are shaped as sliding bolts protruding from the body 40 against the height direction Z and extending essentially along the actuation direction A. Further, a handling element 45 is provided which protrudes from the body 40 in the height direction Z in the form of a ridge extending essentially perpendicularly to the actuation direction A for facilitating a handling of the CPA device 4 which may be gripped, pushed and/or pulled at the handling element 45. This may especially facilitate overcoming retention forces produced by a first catch 46a and a second catch 46b of the CPA device 4. The catches 46a, 46b are adapted to interact with the counter catches 26a, 26b and are arranged at the second body section 41b between the end 41b and the recess 42. The catches 46a, 46b are each formed as spring clips or lamellas with a spring section 46c and a nose 46d protruding from each of the spring sections in the height direction Z.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective rearview of the CPA device 4. Here it becomes apparent that each of the locking elements 44 is also provided with a ramp 44a so that it is beveled in the plug direction P for facilitating an engagement with the mating connector 3, in particular the counter locking elements 34 thereof. On the backside, facing against the plug direction P, the locking elements 44 each comprise a beveled section 44b leading to an abutment section 44c, so that the counter locking elements 34 may be pulled further in the mating plug direction P' when pushing the CPA device 4 in the actuation direction A when they are arranged behind and abutting the counter locking organs 34 so that the mating connector 3 is pulled towards the connector 2 when transferring the CPA device 4 from the pre-locking position K into the locking position L until the locking organs 44 come to rest at the counter locking organs 34 with the abutment sections 44c. Lead-in elements 47 are provided in a distance from the locking elements 44 in the actuation direction A. The lead-in elements 47 are also provided with ramps 47a. Thereby, between the ramps 44a of the locking elements 44 and the ramps 47a of the lead- in elements 47, a funnel-like lead-in 48 for the counter locking elements 34 is formed. Moreover, the CPA device 4 is provided with a rail 49 extending along the body 40 in parallel to the actuation direction A and being aligned with the bridge elements 43c for enhanced stability and guidance of the CPA device 4.

Fig. 4 shows the connector assembly 1 in a pre-mated position M with the CPA device 4 in the pre-locking position K in a schematic perspective view. The connector 2 and mating connector 3 have been mated so far that the latching organ 43 and the counter latching organ 33 abut each other.

Fig. 5 shows the connector assembly 1 in the pre-mated state M with the CPA device for the pre-locking position K in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line B-B illustrated in Fig. 4, i.e. in a cross-sectional plane running in parallel to the length direction X and the height direction Z through the counter latching element 33. Here it becomes apparent that the ramp 33a on the counter latching element 33 abuts a front side of the latching organ 43, in particular the front edge of the frame 43b where the latching organ 43 is slightly slanted downwardly with respect to the pivot axis R. By pushing the connector 2 and mating connector 3 towards each other in the plug direction P and/or mating plug direction P', respectively, the front edge of the frame 43b together with the latching element 43a will be bent upwardly, i.e. rotate about the pivot axis R when moving along the ramp 33a of the counter latching element 33 so that it can slide beyond the front edge of the frame 43b into the latching element 43a. Further, the mating plug portion 31 is inserted into the plug portion 21 so far that the mating contact region 70 is located shortly before the contact region 6 comprising contact elements 60 for contacting the mating contact elements 70.

Fig. 6 shows the connector assembly 1 with the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 in a fully mated state N and the CPA device 4 in the pre-locking position K in another schematic perspective view. The counter latching element 33 is received in the latching element 43a. Hence, the connector assembly is in a latched state S, wherein the connector 2 is latched to the mating connector 3 via the CPA device 4. The counter locking elements 34 have entered the casing 24 through openings 24a formed therein and facing in the plug direction P.

Fig. 7 shows the connector assembly 1 in the fully mated position N and latched state S with the CPA device 4 in the pre-locking position K in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line B-B illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, i.e. in a cross-sectional plane running in parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the height direction Z through the counter latching element 33. Besides the counter latching element 33 being received in the latching element 43a, the mating plug portion 31 is received in the plug portion 21. The sealing element 5 is snugly received and jammed between the inner contour 22 of the plug portion 21 and the outer contour

32 of the mating plug portion 31 so that it seals up an inner space 10 of the connector assembly 1 formed between the connector 2, in particular the plug portion 21 thereof, and the mating connector 3, wherein the contact region 6 and the mating contact region 7 are received. In the fully mated state N, the contact region 6 and the mating contact region 7 engage each other so that the contact elements 60 contact the mating contact elements 70 in an electrically conductive manner.

Fig. 8 shows the connector assembly 1 with the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 in the fully mated stated N, the latched state S, and the CPA device 4 in the locked state L in a schematic perspective view. With the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 in the fully mated state M as well as in the latched state S and the CPA device 4 in the locking position L, the connector assembly 1 is in a final state F. The CPA device 4 is moved into the locking position L by being pushed in the actuation direction A, e.g. at the handling element 45, thereby unlatching the catch 46a from the counter catch 26a, moving the latching organ 43 with respect to the counter latching element 33 and the locking organs 44 with respect to the counter locking organs 34. The counter latching element 33 is thereby moved within the slot-like latching organ 43a. The locking elements 44 are moved behind the counter locking elements 34 in the plug direction P, so that the locking elements 44 and the counter locking elements 34 overlap each other in their protection along the plug direction P. Thereby, the latching element 43a and the counter latching element 33 serve as a primary lock. The locking elements 44 and the counter locking elements 34 serve as a secondary lock. The latching organ 43 and the counter latching element

33 constitute a latching subassembly associated to the primary lock. The locking organs 44 and the counter locking organs 34 constitute a locking subassembly associated to the secondary lock. Further, it becomes apparent that a width w₃₃ are the counter latching element 33 measured in parallel to the actuation direction A is smaller than the width w_43a of the latching element 43a.

Fig. 9 shows the connector assembly 1 in the final state F in a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the cross-sectional line C-C illustrated in Fig. 8, i.e. in a cross-sectional plane running in parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the height direction Z through the locking element 44 and the counter locking element 34. Here it becomes apparent that the locking element 44 sits behind the counter locking element 34 in the plug direction P and thereby prevents a separation of the connector 2 and the mating connector 3. For unlocking and unlatching the connector assembly 1 , the release element 43d as well as the handling element 45 may be used. For unlocking, the CPA device 4 has to be moved against the actuation direction A. For unlatching, the release element 43d has to be pushed downwardly against the height direction Z so that the latching element 43a can be brought out of engagement with the counter latching element 33 and the latter may be pulled away from the latching element 43a against the mating plug direction P', i.e. in the plug direction P.

Deviations from the above-described embodiments of a plug-in connector assembly 1 according to the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention or contradicting the inventive idea.

The connector 2 may be provided with a housing 20 having a plug portion 21 with a inner contour 22 which may be formed as required for engaging with, e.g. receiving a complementarily formed mating plug portion 31 of a mating housing 30 of a mating connector 30 with its respective outer contour 32. The guidance 23 may be provided with bottom, top and lateral faces 23a-d in whatever form and number required, for guiding a CPA device 4 in a desired actuation direction A. A casing 24 may be provided in whatever form desired in order to cover the guidance 23 and protect the CPA device 4. For inserting the CPA device 4 into the guidance 23, the connector 2 may be provided with an insertion opening 25. For inserting any counter latching elements 33 and counter locking elements 34 into the connector 2, the housing 20 and/or the casing 20 may be provided with openings 24a, insertion openings 25 and/or gaps 28 in whatever number and form desired. Catches 26a, 26b may be provided in any number and form desired, e.g. at slits 27 and edges as shown herein in order to interact with respective catches 46a, 46b at the CPA device 4 in the pre-locking position K as well as the locking position L. Grooves 29 may be provided in whatever number and form desired in order to accommodate and guide parts protruding from the CPA device 4, such as e.g. release elements 43d.

The mating connector 3 may be provided with a mating housing 30 and have a mating plug portion 31 with an outer contour 32 shaped as desired in order to be mated with the connector 2. Counter latching elements 33 and counter locking elements 34 may be provided in whatever number and form and may have ramps 33a and 34a, as desired. The CPA device 4 may have a body 40 with body sections 40a, 40b in whatever number and form desired, which may be connected to each other via bridges 40c as well as the latching organ 43, in particular the bridge elements 43c thereof. The CPA device 4 may have tips 41a, end 41b, tops 41c and backs 41 d in whatever number and form desired. Latching organs 43 may be provided in whatever number and form desired in order to complementarily interact with counter latching elements 33 and may be accommodated in recesses 42 and provided with latching elements 43a, frames 43b, bridging elements 43c and release elements 43d in whatever number and form desired. Locking elements 44 may be provided in whatever number and form desired for interacting with counter locking elements 34, may have ramps 44a, beveled sections 44b and abutment sections 44c in whatever number and form desired. Handling elements 45 may be provided in whatever number and form desired. Catches 46a, 46b may be provided in whatever number and form desired and may have spring sections 40c as well as noses 46d. Lead-in elements 47 may be provided in whatever number and form desired and may have ramps 47a in order to constitute lead-ins 48. Rails 49 or other similar elements in the form of webs may be provided in whatever number and form desired in order to enhance stability and guidance of the CPA device 4.

Finally, contact regions 6 and mating contact regions 7 may be provided with contact elements 60 and mating contact elements 70 in whatever number and form desired. They may be accommodated with an interior space 10 of the connector assembly 1 which may be sealed up against the environment by sealing elements 5 in whatever number and form desired.

Reference Signs

1 connector assembly

2 connector

3 mating connector

4 CPA device

5 sealing element

6 contact region

7 mating contact region

10 interior space

20 housing

21 plug portion

22 inner contour

23 guidance

23a bottom face

,23b top face

23c, 23d lateral face

24 casing

24a opening

25 insertion opening

26a first counter catch

26b second counter catch

27 slit

28 gap

29 groove

30 mating housing

31 mating plug portion

32 outer contour

33 counter latching element

33a ramp

34 counter locking element

34a ramp

40 body

40a first body section 40b second body section

40c bridge

41a tip

41b end

41c top

41d back

42 recess

43 latching organ

43a latching element

43b frame

43c bridge element

43d release element

44 blocking element

44a ramp

44b beveled section

44c abutment section

45 handling element

46a first catch

46b second catch

46c spring section

46d nose

47 lead-in element

47a ramp

48 lead-in

49 rail/web

60 contact elements

70 mating contact element

A actuation direction

C central axis

F final state

K pre-locking position

L locking position

M pre-mated position

N fully mated position

P plug direction P' mating plug direction

R pivot axis

S latched state

w₃₃ width of counter latching element w_43b width of latching element

Claims

Electrical connector assembly (1), comprising a connector (2), a mating connector (3) adapted to be mated with the connector (2) along a plug direction (P), and a connector positioning assurance (CPA) device (4) supported at the connector (2), wherein in a fully mated position (N) the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) are secured in a latched state (S) against separation in the plug direction (P), characterised in that the CPA device (4) comprises a latching element (43a) engaging with a counter latching element (33) of the mating connector (2) in the latched state (S).

Connector assembly (1) according to claim 1 , characterised in that in the latched state (S) the CPA device (4) is supported by the connector (2) slideable with respect to the mating connector (3).

Connector assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a latching subassembly of the connector assembly (1) comprises a protrusion and a slot, the protrusion in the latched state (S) being received in the slot moveable in a direction perpendicular to the plug direction (P).

Connector assembly (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that in a locking position (L) a locking element (44) of the CPA device (4) is arranged behind a counter locking element (34) of the mating connector (3) in the plug direction (P).

Connector assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the locking element (44) is at least partially formed as a sliding bolt and the counter locking element (34) is at least partially formed as a lug interleaving with the locking element (44) in a projection along the plug direction (P).

Connector assembly (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the latching element (43a) is arranged between at least two locking elements (44).

Connector assembly (1) according to at least one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that in a movement of the CPA device (4) into the locking position (L) is blocked at the locking element (44) and/or the counter locking element (34) in a pre-mated position (M) of the connector assembly (1), wherein in the pre-mated position (M) the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) are mated so far that the latching element (43a) abuts or is at least located in the vicinity of the counter latching element (33).

8. Connector assembly (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the CPA device (4) is received slideable in a guidance (23) of the connector (2) extending in an actuation direction (A) running essentially perpendicularly to the plug direction (P).

9. Connector assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the guidance (23) is arranged outside of an interior space (10) of the connector (2) on a wall section of the connector (2) at least partially surrounding the interior space (10)

10. Connector assembly (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the latching element (43a) is accessible through a gap (28) provided in a casing (24) at least partially forming the guidance (23).

11. Connector assembly (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least one catch (46a, 46b) formed at the CPA device (4) is in engageable with at least one counter catch (26a, 26b) of the connector (2) to secure the CPA device (4) at the connector (2).

12. Connector assembly (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11 , characterised in that the latching element (43a) and the counter latching element (33) are at least a part of a primary lock, and in that the CPA device (4) is further at least a part of a secondary lock, wherein the primary lock and the secondary lock independently of each other secure the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) in the fully mated position (N).

13. Connector positioning 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) characterised in that the CPA device (4) comprises a latching element (43a) adapted to engage with a counter latching element (33) of the mating connector (2) in a latched state (S).

14. CPA device (4) according to claim 13, characterised in that the latching element (43a) is formed at a latching organ (43) held deflectable about a pivot axis (R) running in parallel to an actuation direction (A) in which the CPA device (4) is adapted to be moved from a pre- locking position (K) into the locking position (L).

15. Connector (2) for an electrical connector assembly (1), adapted to be mated in a plug direction (P) with a mating connector (3) of the connector assembly (1) characterised by a guidance (23) adapted to receive a CPA device (4) according to claim 13 or 14 for latching the connector (2) in a fully mated position (N) with the mating connector (3).