Electrical Connection Device

Abstract

To provide an electric connection device including a connector position assurance member, capable of increasing a clicking sound caused at the time of fitting of a connector, and allowing for easily confirming a completion of a fitting operation of the connector.SOLUTION: A first connector 11 and a second connector 12 are fitted to engage an engagement part 22 of the first connector 11 with a lock arm 27 of the second connector 12. The lock arm 27 includes beam parts 27a and 27b extending in a cantilever state. A connector position assurance member 13 includes lock arm energizing parts 36 and 37 extending along the beam parts 27a and 27b. The lock arm energizing parts 36 and 37 bend together with the beam parts 27a and 27b when the beam parts 27a and 27b bend, and elastically recover together with the beam parts 27a and 27b when the beam parts 27a and 27b elastically recover, so as to energize the beam parts 27a and 27b which are elastically recovering.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection device comprising a first connector, a second connector that is mated and connected to the first connector, and a connector position assurance member that ensures that the second connector is positioned in a mating position relative to the first connector when the second connector is mated to the first connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an electrical connection device that includes a first connector, a second connector that is mated and connected to the first connector, and a connector position assurance member that ensures that the second connector is positioned in a mated position relative to the first connector when the second connector is mated with the first connector. For example, an electrical connection device that includes such a connector position assurance member is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The electrical connecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a male connector assembly 100 as a first connector, a female connector assembly 200 as a second connector, and a CPA device 300 as a connector position assurance member. The male connector assembly 100 includes an opening 102 into which the female connector assembly 200 is inserted and a latch 104 that engages with the female connector assembly 200. The female connector assembly 200 includes a main body that is inserted into the opening 102 of the male connector assembly 100, and a locking member 204 that extends cantilevered from the main body and engages with the latch 104 of the male connector assembly 100 when the main body is mated with the male connector assembly 100. When the female connector assembly 200 is mated with the male connector assembly 100, the locking member 204 temporarily bends as the female connector assembly 200 is inserted into the male connector assembly 100. When female connector assembly 200 is mated with male connector assembly 100, locking member 204, which was once bent, elastically recovers and engages with latch 104 of male connector assembly 100. Locking member 204 also has a pair of beams extending in a cantilevered manner from the main body of female connector assembly 200, and a large slit-shaped opening is formed between the pair of beams.

[0004] Furthermore, the CPA device 300 is attached to the female connector assembly 200, and is pressed into the female connector assembly 200 when the female connector assembly 200 is mated with the male connector assembly 100. With the CPA device 300 pressed into the female connector assembly 200, it is ensured that the female connector assembly 200 is positioned in a mating position with respect to the male connector assembly 100 when the female connector assembly 200 is mated with the male connector assembly 100. The CPA device 300 is provided with a rear portion 322 that is a portion that is pressed when the CPA device 300 is pressed into the female connector assembly 200, and an upper member 308 configured as a flexible beam extending from the rear portion 322. The upper member 308 is configured to engage with a lock member 204 of the female connector assembly 200 that engages with a latch 104 of the male connector assembly 100 when the CPA device 300 is pressed into the female connector assembly 200. In addition, since upper member 308 is configured to engage with locking member 204, it is positioned so as to extend along the large slit-like space formed between a pair of beam portions in locking member 204 when CPA device 300 is attached to female connector assembly 200. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-32626 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The electrical connection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a CPA device 300 as a connector position assurance member. The CPA device 300 is provided with an upper member 308 that engages with a locking member 204 of the female connector assembly 200, which engages with a latch 104 of the male connector assembly 100 when the CPA device 300 is pushed into the female connector assembly 200. Because the upper member 308 is configured to engage with the locking member 204, it is disposed so as to extend along a large slit-shaped space formed between a pair of beam portions of the locking member 204 when the CPA device 300 is attached to the female connector assembly 200. Therefore, the locking member 204 of the female connector assembly 200, which engages with the latch 104 of the male connector assembly 100, requires a large slit-shaped space for arranging the upper member 308 of the CPA device 300. The large slit-shaped space formed in the locking member 204 can easily reduce the rigidity of the locking member 204. A decrease in the rigidity of locking member 204 reduces the elastic recovery force with which locking member 204 elastically recovers after being deflected when female connector assembly 200 is inserted into male connector assembly 100. This causes a problem in that, when female connector assembly 200 is mated with male connector assembly 100, the clicking sound that occurs when locking member 204 elastically recovers and engages with latch 104 of male connector assembly 100 becomes quieter.

[0007] An operator performing the task of mating the female connector assembly 200 to the male connector assembly 100 can confirm that the mating operation of the female connector assembly 200 to the male connector assembly 100 is complete by hearing the clicking sound that occurs when the locking member 204 elastically recovers and engages with the latch 104 of the male connector assembly 100. However, the electrical connecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the clicking sound that occurs when the female connector assembly 200 is mated to the male connector assembly 100 is quiet. This also causes a problem in that the quiet clicking sound when the connectors are mated makes it difficult to confirm that the mating operation of the connectors is complete.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connection device having a connector position assurance member, which can increase the clicking sound that occurs when the connectors are mated, and makes it easy to confirm that the connector mating operation has been completed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) To achieve the above object, an electrical connection device according to one aspect of the present invention relates to an electrical connection device including a first connector, a second connector that is mated and connected to the first connector, and a connector position assurance member that is attached to the second connector and that ensures that the second connector is positioned in a mated position with respect to the first connector when the second connector is mated to the first connector. In the electrical connection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the first connector has an opening into which the second connector is inserted and an engagement portion that engages with the second connector, the second connector has a main body that is inserted into the opening and mated with the first connector, and a locking arm that extends cantilevered from the main body and is configured to be inserted into the opening together with the main body, and that engages with the engagement portion when the main body is mated with the first connector, the locking arm having a beam that extends cantilevered from the main body, and the beam that engages with the locking arm. The connector position assurance member is configured to bend when the lock arm is inserted into the opening and to elastically recover when the second connector is positioned in the mating position with respect to the first connector, and the connector position assurance member has a lock arm biasing portion that extends along the beam portion when attached to the second connector, and the lock arm biasing portion is configured to bend together with the beam portion when the lock arm is inserted into the opening and the beam portion bends, and to elastically recover together with the beam portion when the beam portion elastically recovers, thereby biasing the elastically recovering beam portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the second connector is mated and connected to the first connector, the beam portion of the locking arm temporarily bends when the locking arm of the second connector is inserted into the opening of the first connector. Furthermore, when the second connector is mated with the first connector and positioned in the mated position, the beam portion of the locking arm elastically recovers, and the locking arm engages with the engaging portion of the first connector. The electrical connection device is also provided with a connector position assurance member that ensures that the second connector is positioned in the mated position relative to the first connector when the second connector is mated with the first connector. The connector position assurance member is provided with a locking arm biasing portion that extends along the beam portion when attached to the second connector. The locking arm biasing portion is configured to bend together with the beam portion when the locking arm is inserted into the opening of the first connector and the beam portion of the locking arm bends. Furthermore, the locking arm biasing portion is configured to elastically recover together with the beam portion when the beam portion elastically recovers, thereby biasing the elastically recovering beam portion. Therefore, when the beam portion of the locking arm elastically recovers, it is also biased by the locking arm biasing portion of the connector position assurance member. As a result, the force that causes the beam portion of the locking arm to elastically recover is significantly amplified by the locking arm biasing portion, and the clicking sound that occurs when the locking arm engages with the engaging portion of the first connector is significantly increased. Therefore, with the above configuration, the clicking sound that occurs when the connectors are mated can be increased in an electrical connecting device having a connector position assurance member. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the clicking sound that occurs when the connectors are mated can be increased, allowing a worker performing the task of mating the second connector with the first connector to easily confirm that the connector mating operation is complete.

[0011] Therefore, according to the above configuration, an electrical connection device having a connector position assurance member can be provided in which the clicking sound generated when the connectors are mated can be made louder, making it easy to confirm that the connector mating operation has been completed.

[0012] (2) The connector position assurance member may have an operated portion that is a portion that is pressed when pressed into the second connector, and the lock arm biasing portion may be arranged to extend cantilevered from the operated portion and extend parallel to the beam portion when the connector position assurance member is attached to the second connector.

[0013] According to this configuration, when the connector position assurance member is attached to the second connector, the lock arm biasing portion of the connector position assurance member extends in a cantilevered manner parallel to the beam portion of the lock arm of the second connector. This allows the lock arm biasing portion, which can increase the clicking sound produced when the connectors are mated, to be positioned in a smaller space near the lock arm. This allows the clicking sound produced when the connectors are mated to be increased and the connector position assurance member to be made smaller in an electrical connection device having the connector position assurance member.

[0014] (3) The connector position assurance member has a locking portion that engages with the locking arm of the second connector that engages with the engaging portion of the first connector when the connector position assurance member is pressed into the second connector, and the locking portion may be arranged to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion, and the locking arm biasing portion and the locking portion may be arranged to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion at positions spaced apart from each other.

[0015] According to this configuration, in the connector position assurance member, the locking portion that engages with the locking arm of the second connector engaged with the engaging portion of the first connector and the locking arm biasing portion are provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion at positions spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the locking portion and the locking arm biasing portion can be deflected and elastically recovered independently from each other. This allows the movement of the locking arm biasing portion to be unrestricted by the locking portion, and the locking arm biasing portion can efficiently bias the beam portion of the locking arm. This further improves the operability of the locking arm biasing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, an electrical connection device having a connector position assurance member can be provided in which the clicking sound generated when the connectors are mated can be increased, making it easy to confirm that the connector mating operation has been completed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connecting device. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connecting device including a first connector and a second connector, showing a state in which the second connector is fitted into the first connector in the electrical connecting device. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connecting device taken along the mating direction before the first connector and the second connector are mated. [Figure 5] 5(A) and 5(B) are perspective views showing the first connector. [Figure 6] 6(A) and 6(B) are perspective views showing the second connector. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are perspective views showing a connector position assurance member of an electrical connecting device. [Figure 8] 8A to 8D are diagrams showing a connector position assurance member, in which FIG. 8A is a plan view, FIG. 8B is a front view, FIG. 8C is a side view, and FIG. 8D is a rear view. [Figure 9] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector position assurance member is attached to a second connector. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a front view of the second connector and the connector position assurance member shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of the second connector and the connector position assurance member, where FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 12] 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views of an electrical connecting device taken along a cross section along the mating direction before the mating operation between the first connector and the second connector to which the connector position assurance member is attached is performed, where FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock arm biasing portion of the connector position assurance member, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock portion of the connector position assurance member. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of an electrical connecting device taken along a cross section along the mating direction during the mating operation between a first connector and a second connector to which a connector position assurance member is attached, where FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken at a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock arm biasing portion of the connector position assurance member, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken at a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock portion of the connector position assurance member. [Figure 14] 14A and 14B are cross-sectional views of an electrical connection device taken along a cross section along the mating direction when the mating operation between the first connector and the second connector to which the connector position assurance member is attached has been performed, where FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock arm biasing portion of the connector position assurance member, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock portion of the connector position assurance member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be widely applied to various uses as an electrical connecting device including a first connector, a second connector that is mated and connected to the first connector, and a connector position assurance member that ensures that the second connector is positioned in a mating position with respect to the first connector when the second connector is mated with the first connector.

[0019] [Schematic configuration of the electrical connection device] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connection device 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical connection device 1, showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1 includes a first connector 11 and a second connector 12, with the second connector 12 mated with the first connector 11. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection device 1 taken along the mating direction before the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated with each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the electrical connection device 1 is configured to include the first connector 11, the second connector 12 mated with the first connector 11, and a connector position assurance member 13 attached to the second connector 12.

[0020] The first connector 11 is made of a resin material and is configured to hold a plurality of male terminals (not shown) each connected to an electric wire (not shown). The second connector 12 is made of a resin material and is configured to hold a plurality of female terminals (not shown) each connected to an electric wire (not shown). The electrical connection device 1 is configured so that the electric wires connected to the first connector 11 and the electric wires connected to the second connector 12 can be electrically connected by mating the second connector 12 with the first connector 11. In addition, when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11, an engaging portion 22 provided on the first connector 11 engages with a locking arm 27 provided on the second connector 12, as described below, so that the mated state of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is maintained.

[0021] The connector position assurance member 13 is made of a resin material. The connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12 and serves as a member that ensures that the second connector 12 is positioned in a mated position relative to the first connector 11 when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11. The connector position assurance member 13 is configured to be held in two positions relative to the second connector 12: a temporary locking position in which it protrudes from the second connector 12 and is temporarily locked, and a full locking position in which it is pressed into the second connector 12 and is fully locked. Note that in the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , which is a state before the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated, the connector position assurance member 13 is locked in the temporary locking position relative to the second connector 12. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 3 , which is a state after the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 have been mated, the connector position assurance member 13 is locked in the full locking position relative to the second connector 12.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , before the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated, the connector position assurance member 13 is engaged with the second connector 12 at a provisional engagement position and protrudes from the second connector 12. This allows a worker performing the work of mating and connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 to visually confirm that the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are not mated. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 , after the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated, the connector position assurance member 13 is engaged with the second connector 12 at a full engagement position and is pressed into the second connector 12. This allows a worker performing the work of mating and connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 to visually confirm that the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated and that the second connector 12 is in the mated position relative to the first connector 11. As a result, connector position assurance member 13 is configured to ensure that second connector 12 is positioned in a mating position relative to first connector 11.

[0023] Furthermore, when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12, as will be described later, the connector position assurance member 13 is configured to prevent the second connector 12 mated with the first connector 11 from coming off the first connector 11. That is, when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12, the connector position assurance member 13 is configured to prevent the second connector 12 from being displaced from the mated position relative to the first connector 11 and coming off the first connector 11. In this respect, too, the connector position assurance member 13 is configured to ensure that the second connector 12 is positioned in the mated position relative to the first connector 11.

[0024] The configuration of the electrical connecting device 1 will be described in more detail below. For convenience of explanation, the following description defines the mating direction X1, width direction X2, and height direction X3 of the electrical connecting device 1 as shown by double-ended arrows X1 to X3 in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the drawings described below. The mating direction X1 is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated. The width direction X2 and height direction X3 are configured as directions perpendicular to the mating direction X1, and the width direction X2 and height direction X3 are configured as directions perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the electrical connecting device 1 is formed so that the length in the width direction X2 is longer than the length in the height direction X3.

[0025] [1st connector] 5(A) and 5(B) are perspective views showing the first connector 11 of the electrical connecting device 1. Fig. 5(A) is a perspective view of the first connector 11 viewed from the front side, which is one side in the mating direction X1, and Fig. 5(B) is a perspective view of the first connector 11 viewed from the back side, which is the other side in the mating direction X1.

[0026] 1 to 5, the first connector 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a first portion 11a and a second portion 11b that are integrally formed and aligned in the mating direction X1. The first portion 11a is formed as one half of the first connector 11 in the mating direction X1 and serves as a portion that mates with the second connector 12. The second portion 11b is formed as the other half of the first connector 11 in the mating direction X1 and serves as a portion that holds a plurality of male terminals (not shown) that are respectively connected to electric wires (not shown). Both the first portion 11a and the second portion 11b are formed to extend in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a substantially rectangular cross section. The first portion 11a is formed to have a larger cross-sectional area in a cross section perpendicular to the mating direction X1 than the second portion 11b.

[0027] The first portion 11a is provided with an opening 21 into which the second connector 12 is inserted. The opening 21 is provided in the first portion 11a so as to open toward one side in the mating direction X1. That is, the first connector 11 is provided with the opening 21 into which the second connector 12 is inserted at an end on one side in the mating direction X1.

[0028] 4, the first portion 11a is provided with an engaging portion 22 that engages with the second connector 12 inserted into the opening 21. That is, the first connector 11 has the engaging portion 22 that engages with the second connector 12 inserted into the opening 21. The engaging portion 22 is provided in the first portion 11a on the inside of the opening 21 and protrudes in a protruding manner from a part of the inner circumferential surface of the first portion 11a. The engaging portion 22 is also provided in a protruding manner from one side surface of the inner circumferential surface of the first portion 11a in the height direction X3. The engaging portion 22 is configured to engage with a locking arm 27 of the second connector 12, which will be described later, when the second connector 12 is inserted into the opening 21 and mated with the first connector 11.

[0029] 4 and 5(B), the second portion 11b is provided with a plurality of terminal holding holes 23. The plurality of terminal holding holes 23 are provided as holes into which a plurality of male terminals (not shown) connected to electric wires (not shown) are inserted and which hold the plurality of male terminals. Each male terminal is inserted into each terminal holding hole 23. Then, each male terminal inserted into each terminal holding hole 23 is held in each terminal holding hole 23. In this embodiment, the plurality of terminal holding holes 23 are provided in the second portion 11b in a large number lined up in the width direction X2, and are also provided in two rows lined up in the height direction X3.

[0030] 4, the first connector 11 is provided with a retainer 24 configured to be fitted into the second portion 11b and to prevent the plurality of male terminals from falling out of the first connector 11. The second portion 11b is provided with a retainer insertion hole 25 into which the retainer 24 is inserted and fitted. The first connector 11 is configured such that, with the plurality of male terminals connected to electric wires respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal holding holes 23, the retainer 24 is inserted and fitted into the retainer insertion hole 25, thereby locking the plurality of male terminals. Locking the plurality of male terminals with the retainer 24 prevents the plurality of male terminals from slipping out of the plurality of terminal holding holes 23 and falling out.

[0031] [Second connector] 6(A) and 6(B) are perspective views showing the second connector 12. Fig. 6(A) is a perspective view of the second connector 11 as viewed from the front side, which is one side in the mating direction X1, and Fig. 6(B) is a perspective view of the second connector 12 as viewed from the back side, which is the other side in the mating direction X1.

[0032] 1 to 4 and 6, the second connector 12 is configured to have a main body 26 that is approximately rectangular, and a locking arm 27 that extends cantilever-like from the main body 26.

[0033] The main body 26 is provided in the second connector 12 as a portion that is inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11 and fits with the first connector 11. The main body 26 is provided with a plurality of terminal holding holes 28. The plurality of terminal holding holes 28 are provided as holes into which a plurality of female terminals (not shown) connected to electric wires (not shown) are inserted and which hold the plurality of female terminals. Each of the plurality of terminal holding holes 28 opens at one end of the main body 26 in the fitting direction X1, and the plurality of female terminals are inserted through this opening. Each female terminal inserted into each terminal holding hole 28 is held in the respective terminal holding hole 28. In this embodiment, the plurality of terminal holding holes 28 are arranged in a large number lined up in the width direction X2 in the main body 26, and are also arranged in two rows in the height direction X3.

[0034] The main body 26 is also provided with a plurality of terminal connection openings 29. The plurality of terminal connection openings 29 are provided as openings into which ends of a plurality of male terminals held in the first connector 11 are inserted when the main body 26 is mated with the first connector 11 to connect the second connector 12 and the first connector 11. The plurality of terminal connection openings 29 communicate with the plurality of terminal holding holes 28, respectively, and open at the other end of the main body 26 in the mating direction X1. When the main body 26 is mated with the first connector 11, each male terminal held in the first connector 11 passes through each terminal connection opening 29 and is connected to each female terminal held in each terminal holding hole 28 of the main body 26.

[0035] The main body 26 is also provided with an insertion groove 30 into which the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted and fitted. The insertion groove 30 is provided on one end face of the main body 26 in the height direction X3, and extends along the mating direction X1. A locking protrusion 31 is provided on the inside of the insertion groove 30 to lock the connector position assurance member 13 inserted into the insertion groove 30 and to lock the connector position assurance member 13 with respect to the second connector 12 at a provisionally locked position.

[0036] 4, the second connector 12 is configured to be fitted into the main body 26 and is provided with a retainer 32 for preventing the plurality of female terminals from falling out of the second connector 12. The main body 26 is provided with a retainer insertion hole 33 into which the retainer 32 is inserted and fitted. The second connector 12 is configured such that, with the plurality of female terminals connected to electric wires respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal holding holes 28, the retainer 32 is inserted and fitted into the retainer insertion hole 33, thereby locking the plurality of female terminals. Locking the plurality of female terminals with the retainer 32 prevents the plurality of female terminals from slipping out of the plurality of terminal holding holes 28 and falling out.

[0037] The locking arm 27 is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the main body 26, and is configured to be inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11 together with the main body 26. The locking arm 27 is provided integrally with the main body 26 on one end face side of the main body 26 in the height direction X3, and is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner along the mating direction X1 substantially parallel to the one end face of the main body 26 in the height direction X3. The locking arm 27 is configured to engage with the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11 when the main body 26 is mated with the first connector 11.

[0038] 1, 2, 4, 6(A), and 6(B), the locking arm 27 has a pair of beams 27a, 27b and an engagement rib 27c provided to bridge the pair of beams 27a, 27b. The beams 27a and 27b are provided to extend in a cantilevered manner from the main body 26. The beams 27a and 27b are each provided integrally with the main body 26 on one end face side of the main body 26 in the height direction X3, and are provided to extend in a cantilevered manner along the fitting direction X1 substantially parallel to the one end face of the main body 26 in the height direction X3.

[0039] The engagement rib 27c is provided as a portion that engages with the engagement portion 22 of the first connector 11 when the lock arm 27 together with the main body 26 is inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11 and the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated. The engagement rib 27c extends in the width direction X2 between the beam portions 27a and 27b that extend in parallel in a cantilevered manner along the mating direction X1, and is provided to bridge and integrally connect the beam portions 27a and 27b. A space is formed between the beam portions 27a and 27b, and the beam portions 27a and 27b are bridged and connected by the engagement rib 27c at a midpoint along the cantilevered extension along the mating direction X1.

[0040] When the lock arm 27 is inserted together with the main body 26 into the opening 21 of the first connector 11, the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11 comes into contact with the engaging rib 27c, causing the beams 27a and 27b to elastically deform and bend. When the main body 26 of the second connector 12 is further inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11, the engaging rib 27c moves deeper into the opening 21 than the engaging portion 22, and the second connector 12 is positioned in the mating position with respect to the first connector 11, the beams 27a and 27b are configured to elastically recover.

[0041] The lock arm 27 is also provided with an operating end 27d that can be manually operated by an operator to bend the lock arm 27. The operating end 27d is provided at the tip end of the cantilevered beams 27a and 27b, and serves as a bridge connecting the tip end of the beam 27a and the tip end of the beam 27b. When the operator manually presses the operating end 27d toward the main body 26, the lock arm 27 bends toward the main body 26.

[0042] [Connector position assurance material] 7(A) and 7(B) are perspective views showing the connector position assurance member 13 of the electrical connecting device 1. FIG. 8 shows the connector position assurance member 13, with FIG. 8(A) being a plan view, FIG. 8(B) being a front view, FIG. 8(C) being a side view, and FIG. 8(D) being a rear view. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the connector position assurance member 13 attached to the second connector 12. FIG. 10 is a front view of the second connector 12 and the connector position assurance member 13 shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the second connector 12 and the connector position assurance member 13, with FIG. 11(A) being a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11(B) being a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 10.

[0043] 1 to 4 and 7 to 11 is attached to the second connector 12 and is provided as a member that ensures that the second connector 12 is positioned in the mating position with respect to the first connector 11 when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11. The connector position assurance member 13 is configured to include an operated portion 34, a locking portion 35, a pair of lock arm biasing portions 36, 37, etc.

[0044] The connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12. Then, with the connector position assurance member 13 attached to the second connector 12, an operation is performed to mate the second connector 12 with the first connector 11. Furthermore, when the operation is performed to mate the second connector 12 with the first connector 11, the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12. The operated portion 34 is provided on the connector position assurance member 13 as a portion that is pressed when the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12. The operated portion 34 has a flat end surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction X1, and when this flat end surface portion is pressed by an operator's hand, the connector position assurance member 13 is operated so as to be pressed into the second connector 12.

[0045] The locking portion 35 is provided as a portion that engages with the engaging rib 27c of the locking arm 27 of the second connector 12 that engages with the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11 when the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12. The locking portion 35 is provided to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion 34 along the mating direction X1. A locking claw 35a that engages with the engaging rib 27c of the locking arm 27 is provided on the tip side of the cantilevered locking portion 35. When the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12, the locking claw 35a of the locking portion 35 engages with the engaging rib 27c of the locking arm 27, and the connector position assurance member 13 is locked with the second connector 12 in the main locking position.

[0046] 2, 4, 7 to 9, and 11, the lock arm biasing portions 36, 37 are provided to extend along the beam portions 27a, 27b when the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12. More specifically, the lock arm biasing portion 36 is provided to extend along the beam portion 27a when the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12. The lock arm biasing portion 37 is provided to extend along the beam portion 27b when the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12.

[0047] The lock arm biasing portion 36 and the lock arm biasing portion 37 are provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion 34 along the mating direction X1, and so as to extend parallel to each other. The lock arm biasing portion 36 is provided so as to extend parallel to the beam portion 27a when the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12. The lock arm biasing portion 37 is provided so as to extend parallel to the beam portion 27b when the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12.

[0048] Furthermore, when the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12, the lock arm biasing portion 36 is provided so as to extend parallel to the beam portion 27a at a position overlapping the beam portion 27a of the lock arm 27 of the second connector 12 as viewed from the height direction X3. As a result, the lock arm biasing portion 36 is configured to bend together with the beam portion 27a when the lock arm 27 of the second connector 12 is inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11 and the beam portion 27a is bent. Furthermore, the lock arm biasing portion 36 is configured to elastically recover together with the beam portion 27a when the once elastically deformed and bent beam portion 27a elastically recovers, thereby biasing the elastically recovering beam portion 27a in the direction in which the beam portion 27a elastically recovers.

[0049] Furthermore, when the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12, the lock arm biasing portion 37 is provided at a position overlapping the beam portion 27b of the lock arm 27 of the second connector 12 as viewed from the height direction X3 and extending parallel to the beam portion 27b. As a result, the lock arm biasing portion 37 is configured to bend together with the beam portion 27b when the lock arm 27 of the second connector 12 is inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11 and the beam portion 27b is bent. Furthermore, the lock arm biasing portion 37 is configured to elastically recover together with the beam portion 27b when the once elastically deformed and bent beam portion 27b elastically recovers, thereby biasing the elastically recovering beam portion 27b in the direction in which the beam portion 27b elastically recovers.

[0050] The lock arm biasing portion 36 and the lock arm biasing portion 37 are provided on both sides of the lock portion 35 in the width direction X2 to extend parallel to the lock portion 35 in the fitting direction X1. The lock arm biasing portion 36 and the lock portion 35 are provided to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion 34 at positions spaced apart from each other. The lock arm biasing portion 37 and the lock portion 35 are provided to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion 34 at positions spaced apart from each other.

[0051] 4, 8(D), and 11(B), the connector position assurance member 13 is provided with a temporary locking portion 38. The temporary locking portion 38 is provided as a portion that locks with the locking protrusion 31 of the second connector 12 when the connector position assurance member 13 is locked in the temporary locking position relative to the second connector 12. The temporary locking portion 38 is located on the connector position assurance member 13 on the opposite side from the locking portion 35 in the height direction X3. When the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12, the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted into the insertion groove 30 of the second connector 12. At this time, the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted into the insertion groove 30 so that the temporary locking portion 38 locks with the locking protrusion 31 in the insertion groove 30. By engaging the temporary locking portion 38 with the locking projection 31, the connector position assurance member 13 is prevented from coming off the second connector 12, and the connector position assurance member 13 is held in the temporary locking position on the second connector 12.

[0052] 7, 8, and 11, the connector position assurance member 13 is provided with lock arm flexure restriction portions 39 and 40. The lock arm flexure restriction portions 39 and 40 are provided as portions that restrict the flexure of the beam portions 27a and 27b of the lock arm 27 when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12. More specifically, the lock arm flexure restriction portion 39 is configured to restrict the flexure of the beam portion 27a of the lock arm 27, and the lock arm flexure restriction portion 40 is configured to restrict the flexure of the beam portion 27b of the lock arm 27.

[0053] The lock arm bending restricting portion 39 is provided integrally with a base portion of the lock arm biasing portion 36 extending in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion 34, and is provided as a portion that rises in a stepped manner in the height direction X3 from the cantilevered lock arm biasing portion 36. In addition, the lock arm bending restricting portion 40 is provided integrally with a base portion of the lock arm biasing portion 37 extending in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion 34, and is provided as a portion that rises in a stepped manner in the height direction X3 from the cantilevered lock arm biasing portion 37.

[0054] When the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12, an end of the beam 27a of the lock arm 27 a abuts against the lock arm bending restriction portion 39 in the height direction X3, thereby restricting the beam 27a from bending toward the main body 26. More specifically, a distal end portion of the cantilevered beam 27a, which is integral with the operation end portion 27d of the lock arm 27, abuts against the lock arm bending restriction portion 39 in the height direction X3, thereby restricting the beam 27a from bending toward the main body 26. When the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12, an end of the beam 27b of the lock arm 27 abuts against the lock arm bending restriction portion 40 in the height direction X3, thereby restricting the beam 27b from bending toward the main body 26. More specifically, the tip end portion of the cantilevered beam portion 27b, which is integral with the operating end portion 27d of the lock arm 27, abuts against the lock arm bending restriction portion 40 in the height direction X3, thereby restricting the beam portion 27b from bending toward the main body portion 26 (see Figure 14(A) described below).

[0055] As described above, when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11, the lock arm flexure restricting portions 39, 40 restrict bending of the beam portions 27a, 27b of the lock arm 27 toward the main body portion 26. Restricting bending of the beam portions 27a, 27b of the lock arm 27 toward the main body portion 26 prevents disengagement of the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11 with the engaging rib 27c of the lock arm 27. This prevents the second connector 12 mated with the first connector 11 from coming off the first connector 11. In this way, the connector position assurance member 13 is configured, by providing the lock arm flexure restricting portions 39, 40, to prevent the second connector 12 mated with the first connector 11 from coming off the first connector 11 when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12. As a result, connector position assurance member 13 is configured to ensure that second connector 12 is positioned in a mating position relative to first connector 11.

[0056] [Mating operation between the first and second connectors] Next, a description will be given of the mating operation between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 in the above-described electrical connecting device 1. The mating operation between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is performed in a state in which the first connector 11 holds a plurality of male terminals (not shown) to which electric wires (not shown) are respectively connected, and the second connector 12 holds a plurality of female terminals (not shown) to which electric wires (not shown) are respectively connected. However, in the description of this embodiment, for convenience, the mating operation between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 will be described using drawings in which the male terminals held in the first connector 11 and the female terminals held in the second connector 12 are not shown in order to clearly show the configuration related to the mating operation between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12.

[0057] 9 to 11, when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated, the connector position assurance member 13 is first attached to the second connector 12. At this time, the connector position assurance member 13 is inserted into the insertion groove 30 of the second connector 12 so that the temporary-locking portion 38 of the connector position assurance member 13 is locked with the locking projection 31 of the second connector 12. With the temporary-locking portion 38 locked with the locking projection 31, the connector position assurance member 13 is held in the temporary-locked position in the second connector 12. Note that, when the connector position assurance member 13 is held in the temporary-locked position in the second connector 12, as shown in FIG. 11(B), the locking claw 35a of the locking portion 35 protrudes into the space between the beam portions 27a and 27b of the locking arm 27 and abuts against the engaging rib 27c of the locking arm 27. Therefore, in the temporary locking position, temporary locking portion 38 is locked with locking projection 31, and locking claw 35a and engagement rib 27c are in contact with each other, so that connector position assurance member 13 is held by second connector 12. In addition, when connector position assurance member 13 is held by second connector 12 in the temporary locking position, its end on the operated portion 34 side protrudes significantly from second connector 12.

[0058] With connector position assurance member 13 attached to second connector 12 in the provisionally locked position, the first connector 11 and second connector 12 to which connector position assurance member 13 is attached are mated.

[0059] 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views of the electrical connecting device 1 taken along the mating direction X1 before mating of the first connector 11 with the second connector 12 to which the connector position assurance member 13 is attached. Fig. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock arm biasing portion 37 of the connector position assurance member 13, and Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock portion 35 of the connector position assurance member 13.

[0060] 12(A) and 12(B), when the second connector 12 having the connector position assurance member 13 attached thereto is mated with the first connector 11, first, the main body 26 of the second connector 12 is inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11 together with the base portions of the locking arms 27. Then, before the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mated, as shown in FIG. 12(B), the second connector 12 is inserted into the first connector 11 to a position where the engaging portion 22 on the inside of the opening 21 of the first connector 11 abuts against the engaging rib 27c of the locking arms 27. From this state, the mating operation of mating the second connector 12 with the first connector 11 is started.

[0061] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of the electrical connecting device 1 taken along the mating direction X1 during the mating operation of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 to which the connector position assurance member 13 is attached. Also, Fig. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken at a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock arm biasing portion 37 of the connector position assurance member 13, and Fig. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken at a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock portion 35 of the connector position assurance member 13.

[0062] 12(A) and 12(B), in which the second connector 12, with the connector position assurance member 13 attached in the provisionally locked position, is inserted into the first connector 11, a mating operation is initiated to mate the second connector 12 with the first connector 11. When the mating operation to mate the second connector 12 with the first connector 11 is initiated, an operator manually pushes the second connector 12, with the connector position assurance member 13 attached, into the first connector 11 together with the connector position assurance member 13. At this time, the operator presses the operated portion 34 of the connector position assurance member 13 toward the first connector 11, and the second connector 12 together with the connector position assurance member 13 are pushed into the opening 21 of the first connector 11.

[0063] 13(A) and 13(B), when the second connector 12 together with the connector position assurance member 13 is pushed into the opening 21 of the first connector 11, the engagement rib 27c of the lock arm 27 slides over the engagement portion 22 of the first connector 11 and moves inside the opening 21, climbing over the engagement portion 22. Furthermore, the lock claw 35a of the lock portion 35, which abuts against the engagement rib 27c, also slides over the engagement portion 22, following the engagement rib 27c, and moves inside the opening 21, climbing over the engagement portion 22. When the lock claw 35a begins to move over the engagement portion 22, the lock portion 35 is elastically deformed and bent. Furthermore, when the engagement rib 27c begins to move over the engagement portion 22, the engagement rib 27c is pushed by the engagement portion 22 of the first connector 11 and displaces in the height direction X3 relative to the engagement portion 22. Then, as the engaging rib 27c of the lock arm 27 is displaced in the height direction X3, the beam portions 27a and 27b of the lock arm 27 are elastically deformed and bent. When the beam portions 27a and 27b of the lock arm 27 are bent, the lock arm biasing portion 36 and the lock arm biasing portion 37 are elastically deformed and bent together with the beam portions 27a and 27b. That is, when the beam portion 27a is bent, the lock arm biasing portion 36, which is in contact with the beam portion 27a in the height direction X3, is also elastically deformed and bent, and when the beam portion 27b is bent, the lock arm biasing portion 37, which is in contact with the beam portion 27b in the height direction X3, is also elastically deformed and bent.

[0064] When the second connector 12 is further pushed into the opening 21 of the first connector 11 from a state in which the lock arm biasing portion 36 and the lock arm biasing portion 37 are bent together with the beam portions 27a and 27b, the engaging rib 27c of the lock arm 27 reaches a position inside the opening 21 where it climbs over the engaging portion 22. When the engaging rib 27c reaches a position inside the opening 21 where it climbs over the engaging portion 22, the beam portions 27a and 27b of the lock arm 27 elastically recover and suddenly return to their original state, so that the engaging rib 27c engages with the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11. Then, when the beam portions 27a and 27b elastically recover and suddenly return to their original state, the lock arm biasing portion 36 and the lock arm biasing portion 37, which had been bent together with the beam portions 27a and 27b, also elastically recover together with the beam portions 27a and 27b and suddenly return to their original state. Therefore, the lock arm biasing portion 36 and the lock arm biasing portion 37 elastically recover together with the beam portion 27a and the beam portion 27b, and bias the elastically recovering beam portion 27a and the beam portion 27b in the direction in which the beam portion 27a and the beam portion 27b elastically recover. As a result, the force that causes the beam portion 27a and the beam portion 27b to elastically recover is amplified and becomes significantly large by the lock arm biasing portion 36 and the lock arm biasing portion 37. As a result, when the lock arm 27 engages with the engaging portion 22, the lock arm 27 and the inner wall on the upper side (top surface) of the opening 21 of the first connector 11 collide strongly, causing a very loud clicking sound.

[0065] 14A and 14B are cross-sectional views of the electrical connecting device 1 taken along the mating direction X1 when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 to which the connector position assurance member 13 is attached have been mated. Fig. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken at a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock arm biasing portion 37 of the connector position assurance member 13, and Fig. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken at a cross section corresponding to the position of the lock portion 35 of the connector position assurance member 13.

[0066] 14(A) and 14(B), when the second connector 12 is pushed deep into the opening 21 of the first connector 11, the locking arm 27 returns to its original position, producing a loud click, and the engaging portion 22 and the engaging rib 27c engage, thereby mating the second connector 12 with the first connector 11. When the locking arm 27 returns to its original position and the engaging portion 22 and the engaging rib 27c engage, the connector position assurance member 13, which has been pressed toward the first connector 11 together with the second connector 12, is pressed toward the second connector 12. In other words, even when the engaging portion 22 and the engaging rib 27c engage, the connector position assurance member 13 continues to be pressed, and is pressed into the second connector 12, which is mated with the first connector 11. At this time, because engagement rib 27c has overcome engagement portion 22 and is engaged with engagement portion 22 within opening 21, lock claw 35a of lock portion 35 slides over engagement rib 27c and moves over engagement rib 27c inside opening 21. When lock claw 35a overcomes engagement rib 27c, lock portion 35 elastically recovers and returns to its original state, and lock claw 35a engages with engagement rib 27c engaged with engagement portion 22.

[0067] As described above, when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and the connector position assurance member 13 is pushed into the second connector 12, the locking portion 35 of the connector position assurance member 13 is locked with the engaging rib 27c of the locking arm 27 engaged with the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11. As a result, the connector position assurance member 13 is locked in the full locking position with respect to the second connector 12. In this state, the connector position assurance member 13 is pushed into the second connector 12, and the ends of the beams 27a, 27b of the locking arm 27 of the second connector 12 abut against the locking arm deflection restricting portions 39, 40 in the height direction X3, restricting the deflection of the beams 27a, 27b toward the main body 26. Therefore, the bending of lock arm 27 toward main body portion 26 is restricted, preventing disengagement of engaging portion 22 of first connector 11 and engaging rib 27c of lock arm 27, and preventing second connector 12 mated with first connector 11 from coming off first connector 11. Therefore, connector position assurance member 13 ensures that second connector 12 is positioned in the mating position with respect to first connector 11.

[0068] Furthermore, when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11, the operator can visually confirm that the connector position assurance member 13 does not protrude significantly from the second connector 12, that the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12, and that the second connector 12 is located in the mated position with respect to the first connector 11. Therefore, when the mating operation of mating the second connector 12 with the first connector 11 is performed and the connector position assurance member 13 is pressed into the second connector 12, the connector position assurance member 13 visually ensures that the second connector 12 is located in the mated position with respect to the first connector 11.

[0069] As described above, with connector position assurance member 13 attached to second connector 12, second connector 12 is inserted into opening 21 of first connector 11, and connector position assurance member 13 is pressed, completing the mating operation of mating second connector 12 with first connector 11 and pushing connector position assurance member 13 into second connector 12. Then, connector position assurance member 13 ensures that second connector 12 is mated with first connector 11 and positioned in the mated position.

[0070] [Actions and Effects of This Embodiment] According to this embodiment, when the second connector 12 is mated and connected to the first connector 11, the beam portions 27a, 27b of the lock arm 27 are temporarily bent when the lock arm 27 of the second connector 12 is inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11. Furthermore, when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11 and positioned in the mated position, the beam portions 27a, 27b of the lock arm 27 elastically recover, and the lock arm 27 engages with the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11. The electrical connection device 1 is provided with a connector position assurance member 13 that ensures that the second connector 12 is positioned in the mated position with respect to the first connector 11 when the second connector 12 is mated with the first connector 11. The connector position assurance member 13 is provided with lock arm biasing portions 36, 37 that extend along the beam portions 27a, 27b when attached to the second connector 12. The lock arm biasing portions 36, 37 are configured to bend together with the beam portions 27a, 27b when the lock arm 27 is inserted into the opening 21 of the first connector 11 and the beam portions 27a, 27b of the lock arm 27 are bent. Furthermore, the lock arm biasing portions 36, 37 are configured to elastically recover together with the beam portions 27a, 27b when the beam portions 27a, 27b elastically recover, thereby biasing the elastically recovering beam portions 27a, 27b. Therefore, when the beam portions 27a, 27b of the lock arm 27 elastically recover, they also elastically recover while being biased by the lock arm biasing portions 36, 37 of the connector position assurance member 13. As a result, the force that elastically restores the beam portions 27a, 27b of the lock arm 27 is amplified by the lock arm biasing portions 36, 37 and becomes significantly larger, which significantly increases the clicking sound that occurs when the lock arm 27 engages with the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to increase the volume of the clicking sound that occurs when the connectors 11, 12 are mated in the electrical connecting device 1 having the connector position assurance member 13. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since it is possible to increase the volume of the clicking sound that occurs when the connectors 11, 12 are mated, the worker performing the task of mating the second connector 12 into the first connector 11 can easily confirm that the mating operation of the connectors 11, 12 has been completed.

[0071] Therefore, according to this embodiment, an electrical connection device 1 having a connector position assurance member 13 can be provided in which the clicking sound generated when the connectors 11 and 12 are mated can be made louder, and the completion of the mating operation of the connectors 11 and 12 can be easily confirmed.

[0072] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the connector position assurance member 13 is attached to the second connector 12, the lock arm biasing portions 36, 37 of the connector position assurance member 13 are arranged to extend in a cantilevered manner parallel to the beam portions 27a, 27b of the lock arm 27 of the second connector 12. This allows the lock arm biasing portions 36, 37, which can amplify the clicking sound produced when the connectors 11, 12 are mated, to be compactly arranged in the space near the lock arm 27. This allows the electrical connecting device 1 having the connector position assurance member 13 to amplify the clicking sound produced when the connectors 11, 12 are mated, while also allowing the connector position assurance member 13 to be configured compactly.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the connector position assurance member 13 includes the locking portion 35, which engages with the locking arm 27 of the second connector 12 engaged with the engaging portion 22 of the first connector 11, and the locking arm biasing portions 36, 37, which are spaced apart from each other and extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion 34. This allows the locking portion 35 and the locking arm biasing portions 36, 37 to bend and recover elastically independently from each other. This allows the locking portion 35 to efficiently bias the beam portions 27a, 27b of the locking arm 27 without restricting the movement of the locking arm biasing portions 36, 37. This further improves the operability of the locking arm biasing portions 36, 37.

[0074] [Variations] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the following modifications may be made.

[0075] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the first connector is provided with one engaging portion that engages with the engaging rib of the locking arm, but this is not necessarily the case. The engaging portion of the first connector may be provided in multiple parts. For example, the first connector may be provided with two separate engaging portions that engage with the engaging ribs of the locking arm. Furthermore, the shapes of the engaging portion and the engaging rib are not limited to those exemplified in the above-described embodiment, and may be modified.

[0076] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the locking portion of the connector position assurance member is provided with one locking claw that engages with the engaging rib of the locking arm. However, this is not necessarily the case. The locking portion of the connector position assurance member may have multiple separate locking claws. For example, the locking portion of the connector position assurance member may have two separate locking claws that engage with the engaging ribs of the locking arm. Furthermore, the shape of the locking portion is not limited to the shape exemplified in the above-described embodiment and may be modified. [Industrial Applicability]

[0077] The present invention can be widely applied as an electrical connection device comprising a first connector, a second connector that is mated and connected to the first connector, and a connector position assurance member that ensures that the second connector is positioned in a mating position relative to the first connector when the second connector is mated to the first connector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Electrical connection device 11 First connector 12 Second connector 13 Connector position assurance member 21 Aperture 22 Engagement portion 26 Main body 27 Lock Arm 27a, 27b beam section 34 Operated part 35 Rock Club 36, 37 Lock arm biasing part

Claims

1. An electrical connecting device comprising: a first connector; a second connector that is mated and connected to the first connector; and a connector position assurance member that is attached to the second connector and that ensures that the second connector is positioned in a mating position with respect to the first connector when the second connector is mated to the first connector, the first connector has an opening into which the second connector is inserted and an engaging portion that engages with the second connector, the second connector has a main body portion that is inserted into the opening and mated with the first connector, and a lock arm that is cantilevered from the main body portion and configured to be inserted into the opening together with the main body portion, and that engages with the engaging portion when the main body portion is mated with the first connector; The lock arm has a beam portion extending in a cantilevered manner from the main body portion, the beam portion is configured to bend when the lock arm is inserted into the opening, and to elastically recover when the second connector is positioned at the mating position with respect to the first connector, the connector position assurance member has a lock arm biasing portion extending along the beam portion when attached to the second connector, the lock arm biasing portion is configured to bend together with the beam portion when the lock arm is inserted into the opening and the beam portion is bent, and to elastically recover together with the beam portion when the beam portion elastically recovers, thereby biasing the elastically recovering beam portion.

2. 2. The electrical connecting device according to claim 1, the connector position assurance member has an operated portion that is a portion that is pressed when the connector position assurance member is pressed into the second connector, the lock arm biasing portion is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion, and is provided so as to extend parallel to the beam portion when the connector position assurance member is attached to the second connector.

3. 3. The electrical connecting device according to claim 2, the connector position assurance member has a locking portion that engages with the locking arm of the second connector that engages with the engaging portion of the first connector when the connector position assurance member is pressed into the second connector, the locking portion is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion, 10. An electrical connecting device, wherein the lock arm biasing portion and the lock portion are provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the operated portion at positions spaced apart from each other.

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