Connector assembly having a detection switch which is closed or opened by operation of a locking member

A connector assembly comprising:

• a first connector;
• and
• a second connector matable with the first connector along a mating direction, the second connector including a lock activation portion movable between a lock position and an unlock position along an activation direction perpendicular to the mating direction under a mating state of the first connector and the second connector, the first connector including
• a lock operation portion configured to ensure movement of the lock activation portion in a separation direction opposite to the mating direction when the lock activation portion is located at the unlock position under the mating state and to prevent movement of the lock activation portion in the separation direction so as to lock the mating state together with the lock activation portion of the second connector when the lock activation portion is located at the lock position,
• a detection switch configured to be pressed by the lock activation portion located at the lock position under the mating state for detecting that the lock activation portion is located at the lock position,
• a switch holder provided adjacent to the lock operation portion along the activation direction, wherein the detection switch is provided within the switch holder, and the lock activation portion presses the detection switch provided within the switch holder when the lock activation portion is located at the lock position, and
• a first insulator including the switch holder, and
• the second connector has a lock member including the lock activation portion and a second insulator configured to hold the lock member so that the lock activation portion is movable along the activation direction,
• the second insulator includes a retainer block having a cam portion and a retainer hole extending along the activation direction,
• the lock member is made of metal and provided with a retention portion including the lock activation portion at a tip thereof and being held in the retainer hole so as to be movable along the activation direction, a cam follower extending from the retention portion, and a base portion extending along the activation direction from the cam follower and being configured to press the cam follower to the cam portion when the base portion is operated, and
• when the base portion is operated, the cam follower follows the cam portion to move the lock activation portion from the lock position to the unlock position.

A connector assembly comprising:

• a first connector;
• and
• a second connector matable with the first connector along a mating direction, the second connector including a lock activation portion movable between a lock position and an unlock position along an activation direction perpendicular to the mating direction under a mating state of the first connector and the second connector, the first connector including
• a lock operation portion configured to ensure movement of the lock activation portion in a separation direction opposite to the mating direction when the lock activation portion is located at the unlock position under the mating state and to prevent movement of the lock activation portion in the separation direction so as to lock the mating state together with the lock activation portion of the second connector when the lock activation portion is located at the lock position,
• a detection switch configured to be pressed by the lock activation portion located at the lock position under the mating state for detecting that the lock activation portion is located at the lock position,
• a switch holder provided adjacent to the lock operation portion along the activation direction, wherein the detection switch is provided within the switch holder, and the lock activation portion presses the detection switch provided within the switch holder when the lock activation portion is located at the lock position, and
• a first insulator including the switch holder, and
• the second connector has a lock member including the lock activation portion and a second insulator configured to hold the lock member so that the lock activation portion is movable along the activation direction,
• the first insulator has side portions located so as to interpose the second connector therebetween in the activation direction when the connector assembly is under the mating state, and
• the switch holder is formed within at least one of the side portions.