Connector assembly with an engagement assist member and connector position assurance device

An electrical connector housing assembly, comprising:

• a plug having a contact mating portion and a base portion;
• a header having an exterior shell defining a contact mating receptacle that receives said contact mating portion of said plug;
• a first drive member on one of said plug and header;
• a lever arm movably affixed to one of said plug and header, said lever arm being moveable relative to said plug and header between an initial premated position and a final fully engaged position, said lever arm including a second drive member engaging said first drive member when said plug and header are joined in said initial premated position, when said lever arm is moved from said premated position to said fully engaged position, said first and second drive members operating on one another, to draw said contact mating receptacle and contact mating portion together into a fully mated position, said lever arm and said one of said plug and header engaging each other to hold said lever arm open until said plug and header are pre-mated;
• and
• a CPA mounted to one of said plug and header.

An electrical connector housing assembly comprising:

• a connector having an outer enclosure surface and a mating opening;
• a header having a mating portion to engage said mating opening;
• a latch assist member mounted to one of said header and said connector and movable between open and closed positions relative to said outer enclosure surface and having passageways receiving slide assist members on the other of said header and connector, said passageways and slide assist members cooperating to forcibly draw said header and connector into a fully mated position when said latch assist member moves to the closed position relative to said outer enclosure surface;
• and
• a connector position assurance device (CPA) slidably mounted to one of said connector and header and moveable between locked and unlocked positions, said CPA securing said latch assist member in said closed position when said CPA is moved to said locked position, said CPA being slidably mounted between said latch assist member and connector housing.

An electrical connector housing assembly comprising:

• a connector having an outer enclosure surface and a mating opening;
• a header having a mating portion to engage said mating opening;
• a latch assist member mounted to one of said header and said connector and movable between open and closed positions relative to said outer enclosure surface and having passageways receiving slide assist members on the other of said header and connector, said passageways and slide assist members cooperating to forcibly draw said header and connector into a fully mated position when said latch assist member moves to the closed position relative to said outer enclosure surface;
• a connector position assurance device (CPA) slidably mounted to one of said connector and header and moveable between locked and unlocked positions, said CPA securing said latch assist member in said closed position when said CPA is moved to said locked position;
• and
• a cover mounted over said connector housing, said cover having guide rails mounted on at least one side thereof, said guide rails slidably directing said CPA along a first direction with respect to said cover, said cover having slide channels mounted on at least one other side thereof, said slide channels slidably directing said latch assist member along a second direction with respect to said cover.