Connector apparatus with coupling detecting function

Claim 1

A converter apparatus, comprising: first and second connector housings, one of said first and second housings having secured therein at least one of male and female terminal elements while another of said first and second housings having secured therein at least one of another corresponding male and female terminal elements; a resilient locking arm provided on said first connector housing; an engaging element provided on said second connector housing for engaging with said resilient locking arm to lock said first and second connector housing in a completely coupled condition; a pair of coupling detecting contact elements disposed in a spacing of said first connector housing which allows resilient movement of said resilient locking arm therein; and a short-circuiting contact element for establishing an electrical connection between said coupling detecting contact elements, said short-circuiting contact element being secured within said engaging element of said second connector housing, each of said coupling detecting contact elements having a contact portion which is displaced away from said short-circuiting contact element in response to displacement of said resilient locking arm, said resilient locking arm being constructed such that said engaging element does not interfere with said resilient locking arm, when said first and second connector housings are coupled completely to each other, thereby allowing said resilient locking arm to assume an operative position at which said coupling detecting contact elements contact with said short-circuiting contact element to establish the electrical connection between said coupling detecting contact elements, but when said first and second connector housings are not coupled completely to each other, said engaging element engages with and displaces said resilient locking arm from the operative position to interrupt the electrical connection between said coupling detecting contact elements.