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A connector assembly is provided, and includes a first connector, a second connector, and a CPA device. The first connector has a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end. The stopper feature has a recess provided therein and a stopper surface. The second co

A connector assembly is provided, and includes a first connector, a second connector, and a CPA device. The first connector has a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end. The stopper feature has a recess provided therein and a stopper surface. The second connector is received by the first connector. The second connector includes a shroud that slides over the first end of the first connector in a first direction. The CPA device is slidingly engaged with the second end of the first connector in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction. The CPA device has a flexible arm that is selectively deformable. In a pre-stage position, the flexible arm abuts against the stopper surface to restrict relative movement of the CPA device in the second direction.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A connector assembly, comprising: a first connector having a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end, the stopper feature having a recess provided therein and a stopper surface;a second connector received by the first connector, the second connector incl

1. A connector assembly, comprising: a first connector having a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end, the stopper feature having a recess provided therein and a stopper surface;a second connector received by the first connector, the second connector including a shroud that slides over the first end of the first connector in a first direction;a connector position assurance (CPA) device slidingly engaged with the second end of the first connector in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction, the CPA device having a flexible arm that is selectively deformable, the flexible arm abutting against the stopper surface to restrict relative movement of the CPA device in the second direction in a pre-stage position, and the flexible arm located within the recess of the stopper feature in an intermediate position, the shroud positioned to selectively contact the flexible arm in the first direction for urging the flexible arm from the pre-stage position into the intermediate position. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible arm includes a mating detection feature that is a raised surface located along an outer surface of the flexible arm, wherein the mating detection feature being configured to contact the shroud of the second connector in the intermediate position. 3. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the CPA device includes a raised protuberance positioned along an edge of the CPA device, and the raised protuberance abuts against the shroud to limit movement of the CPA device in the second direction in a full-stage position. 4. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the first connector and the second connector are connected to one another in the full-stage position. 5. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the first connector includes a first visual feedback indicator and the CPA device includes a CPA visual feedback indicator, and the first visual feedback indicator aligns with the CPA visual feedback indicator to indicate the connector assembly is in the full-stage position. 6. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the CPA device includes a rail and the first connector includes a guide that corresponds with the rail, the rail slidingly engagable with the guide in the second direction. 7. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein the CPA device includes a lip and the first connector includes a slot that corresponds with the lip, the lip slidingly engageable with the slot in the second direction. 8. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a wall having an inner wall surface and the CPA device includes a raised projection located along a top surface of the CPA, the raised projection engageable with the inner wall surface of the first connector to position the CPA device in the pre-stage position. 9. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector and the second connector are configurable to mate and connect with one another in the pre-stage position. 10. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector is a female connector and the second connector is a male connector. 11. A method of connecting a first connector to a second connector using a CPA device, comprising: providing the first connector, the second connector, and the CPA device, the first connector having a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end, the second connector including a shroud that slidingly engages over the first connector in a first direction towards the second end;slidingly engaging the CPA device with the second end of the first connector in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction;restricting relative movement of the CPA device in the second direction, a flexible arm of the CPA device abutting against a stopper surface of the stopper feature to restrict relative movement of the CPA device in the second direction, the CPA device being a in pre-stage position;sliding the second connector over the first connector in the first direction;contacting the flexible arm with the shroud as the second connector is slid in the first direction; andurging the flexible arm out of the pre-stage position and into an intermediate position, the intermediate position having the flexible arm located in a recess located within the stopper feature. 12. The method of claim 11, including sliding the CPA device in the second direction after the flexible arm is urged in the intermediate position. 13. The method of claim 12, including limiting movement of the CPA device in the second direction by providing a raised protuberance positioned along an edge of the CPA device, and abutting the raised protuberance with an inner surface of the shroud. 14. The method of claim 13, including positioning the CPA device into a full-stage position by abutting the raised protuberance against the inner surface of the shroud. 15. The method of claim 11, including contacting the shroud as the second connector is slid in the first direction with a mating detection feature that is a raised surface located on the flexible arm. 16. The method of claim 11, including positioning the CPA device in the pre-stage position by engaging an inner wall surface of a wall of the first connector with a raised projection located along a top surface of the CPA. 17. A connector assembly, comprising: a first connector having a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end, the stopper feature having a recess provided therein and a stopper surface;a second connector received by the first connector, the second connector including a shroud having an inner surface, the shroud slidable over the first end of the first connector in a first direction;a connector position assurance (CPA) device slidingly engaged with the second end of the first connector in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction, the CPA device having an edge, a flexible arm that is selectively deformable, and a raised protuberance, the raised protuberance positioned along the edge of the CPA device, the flexible arm abutting against the stopper surface to restrict relative movement of the CPA device in the second direction in a pre-stage position, the flexible arm located within the recess of the stopper feature in an intermediate position, the shroud positioned to selectively contact the flexible arm in the first direction for urging the flexible arm from the pre-stage position into the intermediate position, and the raised protuberance abutting against the shroud to limit movement of the CPA device in the second direction in a full-stage position. 18. The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the flexible arm includes a mating detection feature that is a raised surface located along an outer surface of the flexible arm, the mating detection feature being configured to contact the shroud of the second connector in the intermediate position. 19. The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the first connector includes a wall having an inner wall surface and the CPA device includes a raised projection located along a top surface of the CPA, the raised projection engageable with the inner wall surface of the first connector to position the CPA device in the pre-stage position. 20. The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the first connector is a female connector and the second connector is a male connector.