Combined connection and terminal position assurance structure for vehicle wiring connectors

In combination with a first connector housing of a vehicle wiring system type connector set in which the first connector housing is adapted to have a first terminal installed therein to form a first connector, and thereafter the first connector is ready at a forward end thereof to be mated with a second connector, a CTPA (connector/terminal position assurance) structure for providing both TPA (terminal position assurance) and CPA (connector position assurance) functions, comprising:

• a connector latch on the first housing having a forward end located so as to latch a latchmate portion of the second connector when the second connector is mated with the forward end of the first connector, the connector latch defining TPA preset, TPA set/CPA preset, and CPA set positions, respectively, from the forward end of the connector latch toward a rear end thereof;
• a CTPA member slidably mounted on the first connector housing and operatively connected to the connector latch, the CTPA member having a lock portion designed to lockingly engage the connector latch in the TPA preset, TPA set/CPA preset, and CPA set positions so as to resist forward or rearward motion, the CTPA member slidable on the first connector housing rearwardly from the TPA preset to the TPA set/CPA preset position after the first terminal has been fully installed in the first connector housing, the CTPA member slidable more rearwardly from the TPA set/CPA preset position to the CPA set position after the mating connector has been mated with the first connector;
• and,
• a terminal latching member on the first connector housing, the terminal latching member being responsive to an improper installation of the first terminal to block the CTPA member from moving from the TPA preset to the TPA set/CPA preset position, the terminal latching member in turn being blocked from releasing the first terminal from the first connector housing when the CTPA member is in the TPA set/CPA preset and CPA set positions.