The invention relates to a connector position assurance system for a connector adapted for mating with a complementary connector, the connector position assurance system comprising: a primary locking arm adapted for latching with the complementary connector and a connector position assurance device being movable relative to the primary locking arm.
Connector position assurance systems are used to secure the relative position of the connector and the complementary connector. When the primary locking arm latches with the complementary connector, movement of the primary locking arm can be blocked by the connector position assurance device. However, a drawback of current connector position assurance systems is the high mating force between the connector and the complementary connector due to the friction generated by the primary locking arm sliding along the complementary connector.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a connector position assurance system for a connector that improves the mating between the connector and the complementary connector.
The invention solves this object by providing a connector position assurance system of the above-mentioned type, wherein the connector position assurance device is adapted to be moved into a pre-lock position in which the primary locking arm is moved from a latching position in which the primary locking arm is adapted to engage the complementary connector to a release position.
According to the inventive solution, the primary locking arm can be set to the release position prior to inserting the complementary connector by moving the connector position assurance device to the pre-lock position. Consequently, the complementary connector can be inserted into the electrical connector without contacting the primary locking arm. Therefore, any friction that would occur by sliding the complementary connector along the primary locking arm is omitted, thereby reducing the mating force.
The invention can further be improved by the following features, which are independent from one another with respect to their respective technical effects and which can be combined arbitrarily.
For example, the primary locking arm may be elastically deflectable, wherein the primary locking arm may be arranged in an undeflected state in the latching position and be elastically deflected in the release position. This may improve the durability of the primary locking arm since the primary locking arm is only elastically deflected in the pre-lock position before mating or unmating the connector and the complementary connector.

Preferably, the connector position assurance device may be linearly moved relative to the primary locking arm into the pre-lock position. The connector position assurance device may be a tab that could be pushed or pulled into the pre-lock position reducing the risk of jamming when actuating the connector position assurance device. Furthermore, by having a connector position assurance device being linearly movable, the structure of the connector position assurance system may be further simplified and may require less space compared to, for example, a system comprising a pivotable connector position assurance device, which requires additional space for the pivoting motion.
The connector position assurance device may be linearly movable, essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis. The linear movement of the connector position assurance device may preferably cause a rotational movement of the primary locking arm around an axis of rotation essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
In order to further decrease the risk of jamming between the primary locking arm and the connector position assurance device, the primary locking arm and the connector position assurance device may comprise guiding means for guiding the relative movement between the primary locking arm and the connector position assurance device.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one of the primary locking arm and the connector position assurance device may comprise at least one cam shaft and the other of the primary locking arm and the connector position assurance device may comprise at least one cam received in the respective cam shaft. The cam may slide along the cam shaft directing the relative movement between the connector position assurance device and the primary locking arm. Preferably, the cam and the cam shaft may be part of the guiding means.
If a relatively low actuating force for the connector position assurance device is desired, the linear movement of the connector position assurance device may preferably result in a gradual movement of the primary locking arm, rather than a stepwise movement. Consequently, the connector position assurance device may be moved with little force since it is not required to overcome a barrier formed by the step.
The gradual movement may, for example, be implemented by providing the cam shaft with at least one bevel. Thus, the cam can slide along the bevel causing a gradual relative movement. Preferably, a second bevel may be provided facing the opposite direction along the longitudinal axis, so that the cam may easily slide along a bevel regardless of whether the cam is positioned in front or behind the bevel along the longitudinal axis. The bevel and the second bevel may be formed on a protrusion limiting the cam shaft in at least one direction. Therefore, the shaft may comprise an essentially V-shaped profile, particularly an inverted V-shaped profile, wherein the

primary locking arm is in the release position, when the cam is arranged at the intersection of the bevel and the second bevel.
To prevent the risk of the cam slipping towards either side at the pre-lock position, the cam shaft may comprise an essentially planar resting surface. Preferably, the resting surface forms the intersection between the bevel and second bevel facing opposite directions. The cam may rest on the resting surface while the primary locking arm is in the pre-lock position.
In order to allow a linear movement of the connector position assurance device relative to the primary locking arm without inducing a movement of the primary locking arm, e.g. a rotational movement, the cam shaft may extend into a linear section.
The connector position assurance device may comprise an essentially U-shaped profile having two arms extending parallel to one another, essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the arms being connected to one another by a bar for actuating the connector position assurance device. The primary locking arm may be arranged between the arms wherein the primary locking arm may be engaged to either arm via a cam shaft and cam system. For example, either arm may comprise a cam shaft on their side facing the opposite arm. Correspondingly, the primary locking arm may comprise a cam on either side surface each being received in the respective cam shaft.
The cam shaft may preferably be open along the longitudinal axis towards the free end of the respective arm, so that the cam can be easily inserted into the cam shaft. Furthermore, the cam shaft may be opened at the free end of the respective arm in a direction essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis allowing movement of the cam in said direction. This may act as a fail safe, so that in case the connector position assurance device malfunctions, it is still possible to actuate the primary locking arm manually when the cam is arranged at the open portion of the cam shaft. For this, the primary locking arm may, for example, comprise a pressing portion being accessible by a user, whereby pressing the pressing portion will result in a rotational movement of the primary locking arm relative to the connector position assurance device when the cam is arranged at the free end of the cam shaft.
The connector position assurance device may preferably be linearly movable relative to the primary locking arm from an unlocked position, to the pre-lock position, to a securing position. In the unlocked position the primary locking arm may be actuated manually by the user, e.g. by pressing the pressing portion, forcing the primary locking arm into the release position. In the pre-lock position, the connector position assurance device may secure the primary locking arm in the release position, such that no additional manual force has to be provided to hold the primary locking arm in the release position during insertion of the complementary connector. In the

securing position, the connector position assurance device may lock the primary locking arm in the lock position.
The cam may be arranged in the linear section of the cam shaft in the securing position, so that a pivoting motion of the cam relative to the cam shaft is blocked by the wall of the cam shaft. Thus, a pivoting motion of the primary locking arm relative to the connector position assurance device may be prevented in the securing position. In order to prevent a front end of the primary locking arm adapted for latching with the complementary connector to be deflected, e.g. due to high vibrations, the connector position assurance device may comprise a secondary locking arm which latches onto the primary locking arm in the securing position.
A connector may comprise the connector position assurance system and a connector housing, the connector housing having at least one passage for receiving the complementary connector. The primary locking arm and the connector position assurance device may be movably mounted to the connector housing.
The connector may be an electrical connector, wherein the complementary connector may also be an electric connector. However, the complementary connector may also be an interface for mounting in the connector housing.
Preferably, the primary locking arm may be pivoted around the axis of rotation relative to the connector housing, such that the primary locking arm may be pivoted, e.g. by deflection, away from the passage in at least the pre-lock position.
The primary locking arm may particularly be stationary relative to the connector housing in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the position at which the primary locking arm latches the complementary connector within the connector housing may be easily determined and secured. The primary locking arm may for example be hinged to the connector housing along an axis of rotation essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, e.g. via a pin.
However, in order to simplify the manufacturing process as well as reduce the manufacturing costs of the connector position assurance system, the connector housing and the primary locking arm may be formed integrally with one another as a monolithic component. The monolithic component may for example be an injection molded part formed by a resin material.
The connector housing may for example comprise a compartment which may open into the passage, wherein the primary locking arm may be arranged in said compartment. The primary locking arm may comprise studs extending from the side walls of the primary locking arm to opposing inner compartment walls, thereby connecting the primary locking arm to the connector

housing. The studs may allow for an elastic deflection of the remainder of the primary locking arm around the studs.
The connector position assurance device may be movable relative to the connector housing in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the connector position assurance device may easily be actuated by, for example, a pushing or pulling motion relative to the connector housing.
The compartment of the connector housing may be open at least in one direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis, allowing the insertion of the connector position assurance device into the compartment by moving, particularly sliding, the connector position assurance device in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis relative to the connector housing.
To increase user-friendliness, the connector position assurance device and the connector housing may comprise complementary formed positioning elements, at least for indicating that the connector position assurance device is in the pre-lock position. Consequently, the user knows that the primary locking arm is at the release position, allowing for an easy insertion of the complementary connector into the passage.
Preferably, the positioning elements may indicate if the connector position assurance device is in the pre-lock position and may further indicate if the connector position assurance device is in the securing position. This may, for example, be accomplished by visual indication such as a mark provided on the connector position assurance device, which is visible or reached at the respective relative position of the connector position assurance device relative to the connector housing. In this case, either two marks can be provided, wherein each mark indicates a respective position, or a single mark may be visible at two separate positions. For this, the compartment wall may comprise at least two windows distanced from each other along the longitudinal axis, each window corresponding to a respective position of the connector position assurance device and the connector housing.
Furthermore, complementary formed securing means may be provided to secure the connector position assurance device, at least in the pre-lock position. The positioning elements may be part of the securing means. For example, one of the connector position assurance device and the connector housing may comprise at least one catch and the other of the connector position assurance device and the connector housing may comprise at least one notch adapted to receive the catch in at least the pre-lock position. This engagement may be visible and/or audible allowing the user to confirm the position.

Preferably, the securing means may also be adapted to secure the connector position assurance device in the securing position. Therefore, the connector position assurance device may comprise at least one catch and the connector housing may comprise at least two notches, separated along the longitudinal axis, a first notch to secure the connector position assurance device in the pre-lock position and a second notch to secure the connector position assurance device in the locked position.
The notches may be provided on the inner compartment wall of the connector housing but preferably penetrate the compartment wall, so that the notches are formed like windows allowing visible access through the compartment wall. This may further allow access to the catch, when the catch is arranged in one of the windows. Consequently, the user may push the catch to disengage the window manually, in case the catch is jammed in the window preventing further movement of the connector position assurance system relative to the connector housing.
The relative position of the primary locking arm and the connector housing may be the same at the unlocked position and the securing position. The primary locking arm may be in the lock position, wherein in this position the primary locking arm may be in the undeflected state. Upon movement from the unlocked position or the securing position to the pre-lock position, the primary locking arm may be elastically deflected towards the release position.
To further ensure that the complementary connector is fully inserted into the passage, the connector housing may comprise indication means. The indication means signal to the user that the complementary connector is in a mated position. Therefore, the user may move, particularly slide, the connector position assurance device into the securing position so that the primary locking arm latches the complementary connector in the locked position. The indication means may be formed as visual aids, e.g. through holes in the connector housings wall, allowing a view into the passage. The indication means may also serve as a primary engagement means holding the complementary connector in the fully inserted state and therefore allowing the user to release his grip on the complementary connector for actuating the connector position assurance device.
In the following, the connector position assurance system, according to the invention, is explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown.
In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for elements which correspond to one another in terms of their function and/or structure.
According to the description of the various aspects and embodiments, elements shown in the drawings can be omitted if the technical effects of those elements are not needed for a particular

application, and vice versa. For example, elements that are not shown or described with reference to the figures but are described above, can be added if the technical effect of those particular elements is advantageous in a specific application.
In the figures:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic cut view of an exemplary embodiment of the connector position assurance system in an unlocked position;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic cut view of the exemplary embodiment of the connector position assurance system in a pre-lock position;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic cut view of the exemplary embodiment of the connector position assurance system in a securing position;
Fig. 4 shows a schematic explosion view of the exemplary embodiment of the connector position assurance system;
Fig. 5 shows a schematic cut view of the exemplary embodiment of the connector position assurance system showing its guiding means;
Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective detail view of a primary locking arm and a connector position assurance device of the connector position assurance system’s exemplary embodiment in the unlocked position;
Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective detail view of the primary locking arm and the connector position assurance device in the pre-lock position; and
Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective detail view of the primary locking arm and the connector position assurance device in the securing position.
First, an exemplary embodiment of an inventive connector position assurance system 1 is elucidated with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.
The inventive connector position assurance system 1 for a connector 2 adapted for mating with a complementary connector 4 comprises a primary locking arm 6 adapted for a latching with the complementary connector 4 and a connector position assurance device 8 being movable relative to the primary locking arm 6. In order to reduce the mating force during mating of the electrical connector 2 and the complementary connector 4, the connector position assurance device 8 is adapted to be moved into a pre-lock position 10 as shown in Fig. 2 in which the primary locking arm 6 is moved from a latching position 12 to a release position 14.

The complementary connector 4 may comprise a locking protrusion 16 formed on an outer wall 18 of the complementary connector 4 adapted to form a form fitting engagement along a longitudinal axis X, which may be arranged essentially perpendicular to an insertion direction of the complementary connector 4 into the connector 2, preventing the complementary connector 4 from being pulled out of the connector 2. However, insertion of the complementary connector 4 into the connector 2 while the primary locking arm is in the latching position 12 would result in a high mating force, since the primary locking arm 6 would have to be deflected by the complementary connector 4 in order to fully insert the complementary connector 4. Furthermore, manually deflecting the primary locking arm 6 during the insertion of the complementary connector 4 into the connector 2 would negatively affect the user-friendliness of the system.
Therefore, with the inventive solution, the primary locking arm 6 is moved to the release position 14, allowing insertion of the complementary connector 4 without the primary locking arm 6 contacting the complementary connector 4, particularly the locking protrusion 16. Hence, any friction that would be generated between the complementary connector 4 and the primary locking arm 6 may be omitted.
As can be seen from Figs. 1 to 3, the connector position assurance device 8 may be linearly movable relative to the primary locking arm 6 from an unlocked position 20 (see Fig. 1) to the pre-lock position 10 (see Fig. 2) to a securing position 22 (see Fig. 3). The linear movement of the connector position assurance device may cause a rotational movement of the primary locking arm 6 around an axis of rotation essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.
The primary locking arm 6 may preferably be elastically deflectable such that the linear movement of the connector position assurance device 8 may result in a deflection of the primary locking arm 6. The primary locking arm 6 may be arranged in the latching position 12, when the connector position assurance device 8 is in the unlocked position 20 or the securing position 22. Advantageously, the primary locking arm 6 may be in an undeflected state 24 in the latching position 12. Therefore, the strain on the primary locking arm 6 due to the deflection may be minimized.
The connector 2 may comprise the connector position assurance system 1 and a connector housing 26, the connector housing having a passage 28 for receiving the complementary connector 4. The connector position assurance system 1 may be mounted to the connector housing 26, wherein the connector position assurance device 8 may be movable, particularly slidable, relative to the connector housing 26 along a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

The primary locking arm 6 may be held stationary along the longitudinal axis X at the connector housing 26, so that the position of a latching section 30 of the primary locking arm 6 in the latching position 16 is fixed. The primary locking arm 6 or at least the latching section 30 may be pivotable or deflectable around the axis of rotation essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X relative to the connector housing 26, so that the primary locking arm 6 or at least the latching section 30 can be moved away from the passage 28.
The primary locking arm 6 may be hinged to the connector housing 26, for example via a pin. However, the primary locking arm 6 and the connector housing 26 may preferably be formed integrally with one another as a monolithic component 32, e.g. by injection molding. Therefore, the primary locking arm 6 may comprise studs 34 that are formed on side surfaces 36 of the primary locking 6, as can be seen in Fig. 4. The studs 34 may extend from the side surfaces 36 to the connector housing 26. The studs 34 may have a smaller material thickness then the remainder of the primary locking arm 6, particularly the side surfaces, along a vertical axis Y, the vertical axis Y being essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and the axis of rotation.
As can be seen in Fig. 4, the primary locking arm 6 may comprise an essentially O-shaped cross-section in a plane essentially perpendicular to the vertical axis Y, the primary locking arm 6 having opposing side surfaces 36 being connected to one another by the latching section 30 on one end along the longitudinal axis X. On the opposing end along the longitudinal axis X, the opposing side surfaces 36 may be connected to one another by a pressing portion 38 for manually actuating the primary locking arm 6.
The primary locking arm 6 may be mounted in a compartment 40 of the connector housing 26, wherein the compartment 40 may be opened along the vertical axis Y into the passage 28. Thus, the compartment 40 may allow access of the primary locking arm 6 to the passage 28. When the primary locking arm 6 is arranged in the compartment 40, the studs 34 may extend from the side surfaces 36 to respective opposing inner compartment walls 41.
The compartment 40 may be opened in at least one direction along the longitudinal axis X having an entrance opening 42 for inserting the connector position assurance device 8 into the compartment 40 in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis X.
As can be seen in Fig. 4, the connector position assurance device 8 may comprise an essentially U-shaped profile in a plane essentially perpendicular to the vertical axis Y, with two side arms 44 extending essentially parallel to one another along the longitudinal axis X and a bar 46 connecting the side arms 44 to one another in a direction essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Y. Furthermore, the connector position assurance device 8 may comprise a

secondary locking latch 48 extending from the bar 46 along the longitudinal axis X essentially parallel to the side arms 44.
The secondary locking latch 48 may be arranged at different sides of the latching section 30 in the unlocked position 20 and the securing position 22. In the securing position 22, the secondary locking latch 48 may press against the latching section 30 preventing an unintentional deflection of the primary locking arm 6.
As can be seen from Figs. 1 to 3 the connector position assurance device 8 may be pushed into the compartment 40, when moving the connector position assurance device 8 from the unlocked position 20 to the pre-lock position 10 and finally to the securing position 22. At the securing position 22, the bar 46 may close the entrance opening 42.
The connector position assurance device 8 and the connector housing may comprise positioning elements 50 allowing the indication of whether the connector position assurance device is in the pre-lock position 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the positioning elements 50 further act as securing means 52 for securing the connector position assurance device 8 in the pre-lock position 10. For this, the connector position assurance device 8 may comprise a catch 54 formed on either side arm 44 adapted to be received in a notch 56, which may be formed as a window 58 penetrating the compartment wall 41. A second set of windows 58 may be provided on the compartment walls 41 distanced along the longitudinal axis X from the first set of windows 58. Hence, the connector position assurance device 8 may also the secured at the securing position 22.
To further ensure that the complementary connector is fully inserted into the passage 28, the connector housing 26 may further comprise indication means 60, such as through openings 62 penetrating the connector housing 26 allowing a visual access to the passage. The complementary connector 4 may comprise a visual signal, e.g. small protrusions which are inserted into the respective through openings 62 when the complementary connector 4 is fully inserted.
In the following, the interaction between the primary locking arm 6 and the connector position assurance device 8 is further elucidated with reference to Figs. 5 to 8.
As explained above, the connector position assurance device 8 may be linearly movable essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis X relative to the primary locking arm 6. In order to reduce the risk of jamming between the primary locking arm 6 and the connector position assurance device 8, the primary locking arm and connector position assurance device 8 may comprise corresponding guiding means 63, the guiding means 63 being adapted to guide the

relative movement between the primary locking arm 6 and the connector position assurance device 8.
In this exemplary embodiment, the guiding means 63 may comprise a cam shaft 64 and a complementary formed cam 66 being received in the cam shaft 64. Preferably, each side arm 44 may comprise the cam shaft 64, whereby the cam shaft 64 is formed on an inner surface 68 of the side arm 44 facing the opposing side arm 44.
Correspondingly, the primary locking arm 6 may comprise a cam 66 protruding from either side surfaces in a direction facing away the opposite sides surface 36. Each cam 66 may be received in the respective cam shaft 64.
Fig. 5 shows the inner surface 68 of the side arm 44, wherein the respective position of the cam 66 in the cam shaft 64 at each position, the unlocked position 20, the pre-lock position 10 and the securing position 22, is sketched.
The cam shaft 64 may extend from free end 70 of the side arm 44, wherein the cam shaft 64 may be open along the vertical axis Y, particularly to both sides along the vertical axis Y. As can be seen in Fig. 5, cam 66 may be arranged at the free end 70 in the unlocked position. In this position, the primary locking arm 6 may be in the undeflected state 24 as is depicted in Fig. 6. However, due to the cam shaft 64 being open along the vertical axis Y it is possible to deflect the primary locking arm 6 manually, for example by pressing the pressing portion 38. In the undeflected state 24, the primary locking arm 6 and the connector position assurance device 8 may extend essentially parallel to one another.
A bevel 72 may be provided to guide the relative motion of the cam 66 in the cam shaft 64. Upon movement of the connector position assurance device 8 from the unlocked position 20 to the pre-lock position 10, the cam 66 may glide along the bevel 72 resulting in a linearly increasing deflection of the primary locking arm 6 relative to the connector position assurance device 8.
The cam shaft 64 may comprise an essentially planar resting surface 76 on which the cam 66 may rest at the pre-lock position 10. The bevel 72 may comprise an increasing slope so that the cam 66 and consequently the primary locking arm 6 is deflected upwardly relative to the connector position assurance device 8, while the primary locking arm 6 reaches its maximum deflection at the pre-lock position 10. Hence, the primary locking arm 6 may be inclined relative to the connector position assurance device 8 as is shown in Fig. 7.
Following the resting surface, a second bevel 74 may be provided, the second bevel 74 facing the opposite direction of the first bevel 72. Hence, when moving the connector position assurance

device 8 from the pre-lock position 10 to the securing position 22, the primary locking arm 6 may gradually return to its undeflected state 24 (see Fig. 8). Consequently, the cam shaft may comprise an essentially V-shaped profile in a plane spanned by the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Y.
The cam shaft may further extend into a linear section 78 in which the cam 66 is held at the securing position 22. The linear section may comprise a border wall closing the cam shaft 64 in a vertical direction essentially parallel to the vertical axis Y. Therefore, at the securing position 22, a manual actuation of the primary locking arm by pressing the pressing portion 38 is blocked, as the cam 66 abuts the border wall 80.

REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 connector position assurance system
2 connector
4 complementary connector
6 primary locking arm
8 connector position assurance device
10 pre-lock position
12 latching position
14 release position
16 latching protrusion
18 outer wall
20 unlocked position
22 securing position
24 undeflected state
26 connector housing
28 passage
30 latching section
32 monolithic component
34 stud
36 side surface
38 pressing portion
40 compartment
41 compartment wall
42 entrance opening
44 side arm
46 bar
48 secondary locking latch
50 positioning element
52 securing means
54 catch
56 notch
58 window
60 indication means
62 through openings
63 guiding means
64 cam shaft
66 cam

68 inner surface
70 free end
72 bevel
74 second bevel
76 resting surface
78 linear section
80 border wall
X longitudinal axis
Y vertical axis

WE CLAIM:
1. Connector position assurance system (1) for a connector (2) adapted for mating with a complementary connector (4), the connector position assurance system (1) comprising: a primary locking arm (6) being movable from a latching position (12) for latching with the complementary connector (4) to a release position (14); and a connector position assurance device (8) being movable relative to the primary locking arm (6), characterized in that the connector position assurance device (8) is movable into a pre-lock position (10) in which the primary locking arm (6) is held in the release position (14).
2. Connector position assurance system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the primary locking arm (6) is elastically deflectable from the latching position (12) into the release position (14).
3. Connector position assurance system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the primary locking arm (6) and the connector position assurance device (8) comprise complementary formed guiding means (63) for guiding the motion of the primary locking arm (6) relative to the connector position assurance device (8).
4. Connector position assurance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the primary locking arm (6) and the connector position assurance device (8) comprises at least one cam shaft (64) and the other of the primary locking arm (6) and the connector position assurance device (8) comprises at least one cam (66) received in the at least one cam shaft (64).
5. Connector position assurance system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one cam shaft (64) comprises at least one bevel (72) along which the at least one cam (66) can glide.
6. Connector position assurance system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one cam shaft (64) is essentially V-shaped.
7. Connector position assurance system (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a planar resting surface (76) is provided in the at least one cam shaft (64) on which the at least one cam (66) rests in the pre-lock position (10).
8. Connector position assurance system (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the at least one cam shaft (64) extends into a linear section (78).

9. Connector position assurance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connector position assurance device (8) is movable from an unlocked position (20) to the pre-lock position (10) to a securing position (22) and in that at the unlocked position (20) and the securing position (22) the primary locking arm (6) is at the latching position (12).
10. Connector (2) comprising a connector position assurance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a connector housing (26), the connector housing (26) having at least one passage (28) for receiving the complementary connector (4), the connector position assurance system (1) being mounted to the connector housing (26) and the primary locking latch (6) being moved away from the passage (28) in the pre-lock position (10).
11. Connector (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the primary locking arm (6) is held pivotably around an axis of rotation on the connector housing (26).
12. Connector (2) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the primary locking arm (6) and the connector housing (26) are formed integrally with one another as a monolithic component (32).
13. Connector (2) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the connector position assurance device (8) and the connector housing (26) comprise complementary formed positioning elements (50) for indicating the position of the connector position assurance device (8) at least in the pre-lock position (10).
14. Connector (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that one of the connector position assurance device (8) and the connector housing (26) comprises at least one catch (54) and the other of the connector position assurance device (8) and the connector housing (26) comprises at least one notch (56) for receiving the at least one catch (54) at least in the pre-lock position (10).
15. Connector (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that a second notch (56) is provided for receiving the at least one catch (54) in the securing position (22).