Electrical connector with auxiliary matching and overlapping line segments and method of assembling same with mating connector

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electrical connector (1) comprising an auxiliary and / or locking lever adapted and arranged to mate with a mating connector (9). According to the present disclosure, the lever member (3) further comprises a fixing portion (33) extending towards and through the opening (22) of the wall (21) of the connector housing, typically fixedly interacting (P39, 2232-229) between the lever member (3) and the housing (2, 22) or the contents (4) of the housing (2, 22) in a position eccentric from the joint (29, 39). The fixed portions are preferably arranged together and in the same component, providing a retention function of the lever arm to the housing and a completion action to the contact (52) or the contact module (4). The retention is provided by extending the edge of the extension (331) beyond the transverse protrusion (332) of the opening. In the last part (L23b) of the lever element line, the same transverse projection is also in contact with the ridge (43) of the module (4) so as to be pushed (P39) complementarily on the contact module and has a self-locking effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical connection systems, and more particularly to electrical connection systems for power connections of motor vehicles. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to power connectors, such as power connectors for charging rechargeable electric or hybrid vehicle batteries, or power connectors for interconnecting power circuits of batteries, converters, electric motors, and any other power equipment of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Connectors are used to assemble several previously manufactured components, mainly cables or "harnesses", in order to establish a connection between them, allowing the transmission of electrical energy and / or signals between these components. These components can be cables, motors or another type of device, such as computers or sensors or lighting devices. For the sake of clarity, this article will use the term "cable", but it should be understood that it may include other types of components to be connected. Such connectors can have a greater or lesser number and larger or smaller size electrical contacts as required.

[0003] When a connector mounted on one cable mates with another connector (usually of a different type, such as a complementary type, which may be referred to as a mating connector), its electrical contacts themselves mate with corresponding mating contacts on the other side of the connection mounted in the mating connector.

[0004] Such connectors typically include a movable lever that can have various functions depending on the design of the connector. The lever can be configured to provide a coupling aid, wherein action on the lever generates a force that brings the connector and the mating connector closer together. The lever can also be configured to lock the connector and the mating connector together by preventing them from disengaging from each other. These functions can also be combined together or with other functions.

[0005] The connectors are first manufactured, their component parts assembled, and then the connectors are stored and delivered to the location where they are to be installed on their respective cables.

[0006] Once each device has received its connector, it is stored and shipped to locations where the various devices will be connected together via their respective connectors. For example, in the assembly of a motor vehicle, a wiring harness with a lever connector installed connects to an ECU with a complementary mating connector installed.

[0007] Each connector is then mounted on its respective cable: the electrical contact(s) are crimped or soldered onto the conductors or wires of the cable and then secured into the connector. This can be done directly in the connector housing, for example, or in a module that is itself inserted into the connector housing.

[0008] During all these operations, the connectors can be damaged by shocks or unexpected stresses, for example when parts break or fall out. These events can result in the loss of parts or even subassemblies, and / or loss of time in the entire process, for example if a connector must be replaced before the harness can be connected to the ECU, or if a lever has fallen off and must be found or replaced and reassembled on the housing. Summary of the invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to overcome some or all of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it aims to make the connector and its use more robust and reliable, especially in some or all steps between its manufacture and its connection with a mating connector.

[0010] At the same time, since the power connector generally includes large contact terminals and requires great effort to mate the connector (e.g., a female connector) with the mating connector (e.g., a male connector), a mating assistance system is generally provided to help the connector and the mating connector mate with each other or to provide a mechanical locking effect between them.

[0011] If such a connector is capable of transmitting large amounts of energy through high strength or at relatively high voltages (such as over 48V), it is desirable that each individual electrical connection be robust and stable despite wear and tear or potentially harsh external conditions such as temperature or vibration.

[0012] Furthermore, it would be desirable to increase the compactness of such connectors and to make it easier and more ergonomic to manufacture, store and transport such connectors, to install them on cables, and to organize and manipulate their assembly and disassembly with their corresponding mating connectors.

[0013] Specifically, automotive connectors require a specific contact overlap length, such as more than 1 mm, to ensure proper electrical connection during service life and should not generate noise in the form of clicking or electromagnetic interference.

[0014] According to the present invention, these objects are partially or fully achieved by a method or device having the characteristics described in the respective claims. The claims form an integral part of the technical description related to the present disclosure provided herein.

[0015] In this context, a connector with an auxiliary / locking lever member is disclosed, which has a fixing portion according to claim 1. Such a fixing portion is preferably arranged to fix the good quality and reliability of the connection together and in the same component, and to keep the lever member arm in the position it should be, according to any one of claims 7 to 8; or according to any one of claims 2 to 6 or claims 10 to 13, having at least one of these functions.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a connector according to claim 14, and a method of using such a connector device together with a mating connector to connect several cables or other elements together according to claim 9 or 15.

[0017] Thanks to these finishing means, the last part of the path of the lever element can be pushed directly onto the electric contacts, thus completing their matching with the counterpart contacts and providing a complementary line section so that their relative matching positions overlap. This finishing action brings about a complement to the effect of the drive part, especially because its action does not depend on the rigidity of the pivot, because its action is more eccentric than that of the drive part, and this finishing action may generate fewer design constraints because it preferably occurs only in the last part of the path of the lever element. Since this finishing action is preferably realized directly on the internal module that carries the contacts, the tolerance chain for obtaining the correct finishing action does not involve the holder of this module, which allows for greater manufacturing precision and / or easier tolerance of each individual component.

[0018] Due to the retaining means preferably provided by the same fixing part, once the lever member arm is positioned in the open position, the lever member arm is less likely to unfold relative to the housing and the lever member can be better retained on the connector housing during various steps, such as batch processing.

[0019] Such shapes and arrangements may be more complex to design or manufacture than in the prior art, for example because the retaining element may be in an area separate from the joint.

[0020] However, in the present disclosure, the lever member and the connector housing are precisely more resilient and less prone to breakage because the retaining element can be made on the inner surface of the lever member arm; in contrast to the prior art, in which it is typically on the outer surface of the connector housing and is therefore more susceptible to impact.

[0021] Therefore, the features of the present disclosure also bring advantages, such as less loss to the lever members and housing connectors when they are batch processed before being assembled together. In addition, since the retention function is now separated from the pivot area and function, the design of the joint area has greater flexibility and less constraints. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other advantages and features will become apparent by examining the in no way limiting detailed description of examples of embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] - Figure 1 A connector housing is shown in a partially scaled perspective view, wherein a lever member is mounted on the connector housing and is in an open position;

[0024] - Figure 2a and Figure 2b In stereogram and parallel to Figure 1 The front view of the pivot axis of the lever member in FIG. 1 is shown to scale. Figure 1 The lever member in the

[0025] - Figure 3 The view perpendicular to the pivot axis shows Figure 1 A connector in which the lever member is schematically shown in an inserted position, an open position, and a closed position;

[0026] - Figure 4a and Figure 4b Respectively from Figure 1 The front view and perspective view of the connector housing are shown in Figure 1 A detailed view to scale of a lever member connection of a connector of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the lever member is in an inserted position;

[0027] - Figure 5a and Figure 5b Respectively from Figure 1 The front view and perspective view of the connector housing are shown in Figure 1 A detailed view to scale of a lever member joint of a connector of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the lever member is in an open position;

[0028] - Figure 6a and Figure 6b Respectively from Figure 1 The front view and perspective view of the connector housing are shown in Figure 1 A detailed view to scale of a lever member joint of a connector of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the lever member is in a closed position;

[0029] - Figure 7a The stereogram shows Figure 1 Detail of the lever member joint of the connector of FIG. 1 , showing a possible location of the parting line in the region of the retaining element of an example of a design of a mold for producing the lever member;

[0030] - Figure 7b Schematically shows Figure 7a A bottom view of a lever member of FIG. 1 showing the location of an exemplary parting line in the case of a two-part mold that is separated only in two opposite demolding directions;

[0031] - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a contact module of the same connector, without showing its cables and electrical contacts, which are assembled separately in its housing;

[0032] - Fig. 9 and Figure 9a A front view of the same contact module is shown in a global view and a detail view respectively;

[0033] - Fig.10 and Fig.10a A front view of the same contact module in a connector housing is shown in an overall view and a detailed view, respectively, wherein the contact module is in a nearly closed position before completing an action, and the front wall of the housing and nearly all of the contact module are removed for clarity;

[0034] - Fig.11 and Fig.11a A front view of the same contact module in a connector housing is shown in an overall view and a detailed view, respectively, wherein the contact module is in a fully closed position after completing the action, and the front wall of the housing is removed for clarity;

[0035] - Fig.12 and Fig.12a A cross-sectional view of a connector mating with a counter connector is shown in front cross-sectional view and cross-sectional view, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In the various drawings, similar or identical elements have the same reference signs.

[0037] Figures 1 to 12a An exemplary embodiment of a connector with a fixing portion according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein the same portion 33, 331, 332 serves as both a finishing portion and a retaining portion.

[0038] Holding action

[0039] Figure 1 A connector 1 is partially shown, which has a connector housing 2 on which a lever member 3 is mounted. The connector 1 shown here is arranged, for example, in a manner known in the prior art, with an inner cavity 20 suitable for receiving a contact module 4 to be inserted M4 into the connector housing 2. The module 4 is only Figure 1 is schematically shown in Figures 8 to 10 4. The module 4 carries several electrical contacts 52, each of which is fixed to a different electrical conductor 51 in the cable 5. In this example, the connector 1 and its module 4 are designed to mate with a mating connector that is connected along a mating direction C4. However, such a housing and lever member can accommodate different types of electrical contacts, which can be with or without the module and can also have different shapes and / or mating directions.

[0040] like Figure 2a and Figure 2bAs shown, the lever member 3 has two parallel and symmetrical lever member arms 31 connected together by a handle 32 perpendicular to the lever member arms 31. Each lever member arm 31 has a pivot hole 39, each pivot hole accommodating a pivot shaft 29 extending from the outer surface 21 of the connector housing 2. Figure 3 As shown, the lever member 3 can be pivoted about the axis A29 of the pivot 29 and the pivot hole 39. It can be noted that the pivot 29 of the housing 2 does not extend beyond the pivot hole 39 of the lever member and is therefore protected from most potential impacts. In addition, since the pivot 29 and the pivot hole 39 do not have a retaining function, their shape is simple and strong: the end of the pivot 29 is simply flat and tapered. In addition, the pivot hole 39 is designed as a through hole here, but it can also be designed as a blind hole.

[0041] In a region separated from the pivot joint 39-29, each lever arm 31 carries a cylindrical extension 331 which extends outside the inner face 311 of the lever arm 31, here in a vertical direction A33. Along this axis of extension A33, the extension 331 is followed by a retaining projection 332 which here is transverse to the axis of extension A33, forming a T-shape with a circular periphery. Figure 1 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the extension 331 passes through the retaining opening 22, and the retaining projections 332 protrude on both sides of the retaining opening 22. The retaining opening 22 is disclosed here as a through opening, but it can also be implemented as a blind opening. Therefore, the edge 229 of the opening 22 prevents the retaining element 33 from being withdrawn and thus prevents the lever arm 31 from being unfolded. Therefore, the extension 331 and the retaining projections 332 together form a retaining element 33, which is integral with the lever 3 and its lever arm 31.

[0042] As shown in the figures, the transverse projection 332 of the retaining element 33 preferably has an oval or circular shape around an extension axis A33 longitudinal to its extension 331 .

[0043] Figure 3 4 to 6 show different positions of the lever member 3 relative to the connector housing 2 , and various movements therebetween during manufacture and use of the connector 1 .

[0044] Figure 4a and Figure 4b Details of the pivot and retaining area are shown in a position P1 referred to as the assembled position, which is also Figure 3. In this assembly position P1, the pivot hole 39 of the lever member arm 31 is associated with the pivot 29 of the housing 2. Furthermore, the retaining projection 332 is associated with a portion 221 of the retaining opening 22 which is spaced wider from the edge, the portion 221 being referred to as an insertion hole, so that the retaining projection 332 can be inserted. In this position, the lever member 3 is thus assembled to the housing 2, for example by elastically unfolding the lever member arm 31 and then inserting the pivot 29 into the pivot hole 39 and the retaining element 33 into the insertion hole 221. The inner edge 229 of the retaining opening 22 has a shape that is wide enough to allow the lateral projection 332 of the fixing portion 33 serving as a retaining portion to pass through in a direction parallel to the extension 331 of the fixing portion 33 serving as a retaining portion.

[0045] Once this is done, the lever member 3 is rotated by a movement L12 towards another position P2, called the open position. Figure 3 As shown schematically. Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown in detail, this movement L12 is guided by the extension 331 of the retaining element 33 along the arc portion of the retaining opening 22. In this portion, its edges 229 are narrower than the retaining projections 332 of the retaining element 33, which can be seen extending above these retaining edges 229. As a result, the lever arm 31 is now retained by the housing 2 and cannot be removed from the housing 2, so that the lever cannot be detached and lost.

[0046] The connector 1 can then be handled, transported and / or stored as a whole or even as a housing plus lever assembly, individually or in batches, with limited risk of involuntary disassembly or breakage. This also remains true once the connector 1 is mounted on a cable 5 or another element such as a complete wiring harness to be connected for preparing the entire subassembly, including during transport, storage or handling of such a subassembly and during operations for connecting said subassembly with a mating connector.

[0047] Afterwards, when the connector 1 is matched to its counterpart connector, the lever member 3 is Figure 3 The movement L23 schematically shown in FIG. 1 is rotated to another position P3 called the closed position. In this closed position P3, as shown in FIG. Figure 6a and Figure 6b As shown in detail in FIG. 2 , the extension 331 of the retaining element 33 is located in another part of the retaining opening 22 which is also in the shape of an arc, and its edge 229 is still narrower than the retaining protrusion 332 of the retaining element 33. Therefore, the lever arm 31 is retained by the housing 2 again and cannot be removed from the housing 2, so that the lever will not be separated and lost again.

[0048] The insertion hole 221 is advantageously located at a position P1 within the retaining opening 22 that is different from the position of the fixing portion 33 serving as the retaining portion in the open position P2 and the closed position P3.

[0049] like Figure 7a and Figure 7b As shown, the shape of this retaining element 33 is compatible with the lever member 3 by a molding manufacturing process of plastic injection molding, without the need for auxiliary moving parts of the mold, called slides, extractors or separators. In fact, the shape of the retaining protrusion 332 and the extension 331 naturally has sufficient draft angles so that the demoulding movement can be operated only in two opposite directions D3a and D3b. This mold construction is shown here by an exemplary parting line 38 generated by the parting surface between the two parts of this mold. The lever member arm 31 and the fixed part 33 used as a retaining part have a shape that tapers on both sides of the same parting surface 38, thereby allowing the lever member to be demoulded, but its lateral protrusion 332 itself does not require a molded separator.

[0050] It can be noted that the lever member 3 can be mounted on the connector housing 2 and displaced thereon without entering the inner cavity 20 of the connector housing 2, which provides a great degree of freedom for designing the shape and movement of the connector.

[0051] Due to these arrangements, once the lever arm 31 is positioned in the open position, the lever arm 31 is less likely to unfold from the connector housing wall 21, and the lever 3 is better retained on the connector housing 2 during various steps, such as batch handling.

[0052] Such shapes and arrangements may be more complex to design or manufacture than in the prior art, for example because the retaining element may be in an area separate from the joint.

[0053] However, in the present disclosure, the lever member and the connector housing are precisely more resilient and less prone to breakage because the retaining element can be made on the inner surface of the lever member arm; in contrast to the prior art, in which it is typically on the outer surface of the connector housing and is therefore more susceptible to impact.

[0054] Therefore, the features of the present disclosure also bring advantages, such as less loss to the lever members and housing connectors when they are batch processed before being assembled together. In addition, since the retention function is now separated from the pivot area and function, the design of the joint area has greater flexibility and less constraints.

[0055] Contact module completes action

[0056] Figures 8 to 12aMore particularly shown is the feature of securing the connection by enhancing the mating aid provided by the same lever member extension 33 interacting with the interior of the connector housing 2 .

[0057] like Figures 8 to 9a As shown, the module 4 itself comprises a module housing, the lateral wall 41 of which comprises a recess 24 with a defined ultimate stop or contact 439 .

[0058] The groove is shaped as a semicircular ridge and, in addition, has an eccentric shape that is biased toward the closing direction of the lever member 3 .

[0059] When closing the L23 lever, once fully closed at position P3, the T-shaped locking element 332 pushes against the defined contact 439. By applying force directly between the lever 3, the module 4 and the mating connector 9, the tolerance "chain" will be reduced.

[0060] T-shaped locking elements 332 or retention protrusions that can be used to reduce deployment and accidental loss of the lever member are used here in conjunction with additional features 43 on the module wall 41 to improve contact overlap and reduce play and rattle when the connectors are fully mated. This combination is particularly advantageous because the same extension thereby performs two simultaneously useful functions while maintaining common ergonomics and reducing footprint.

[0061] Therefore, the edge of the locking protrusion 332 serves to push the module 4 further toward the mating connector 9 .

[0062] The feature on the module housing only requires a defined flat or two-dimensional contact point 430 to obtain a better contact overlap, or, as in the embodiment shown here, has an eccentric shape in the form of a groove, which brings the advantage of combining it with another feature; thus creating a self-locking effect between the lever element and the module. Due to the eccentric shape on the groove, the T-shaped locking element engages with respect to the rotational movement on the axis A29 of the pivot pin 29 of the module holder 2. The contact surface 332 used as a finishing part may include a convex or rounded shape, and the contact surface 43 of the contact module 4 may include a complementary concave or rounded shape 430 carried by a ridge 43, which protrudes from the wall of the contact module 4 facing the wall 21 of the housing 2. The complementary concave or rounded shape 430 of the contact surface 43 of the contact module 4 has a part (in particular a circular one) that protrudes into the non-final part of the trajectory traveled by the contact surface 332 used as a finishing part. Therefore, the final finishing movement L23b of the contact surface 332 used as a finishing part is partially blocked both in the closing direction and in the reverse direction. In other words, the final finishing movement L23b of the contact surface 332 serving as finishing part is thus made more difficult both in the closing direction and in the reverse direction. The contact surface 332 serving as finishing part of the lever member provides its finishing action by pushing on the contact surface 43 of the contact module 4, which has a shape complementary to the contact surface 332 serving as finishing part 332, one of the shapes being convex and the other being concave.

[0063] like Fig.12 and Fig.12a As shown, the lever member 3 includes a driving portion, here exemplified as a set of two rotating teeth 319 carried by the lever member, which mesh with two translation teeth 93 of the mating connector 9. When the lever member 3 pivots L23, its shaft 29 rotates the rotating teeth 319. Then, the rotating teeth 319 push the teeth 93 of the mating connector upward, thereby pulling the connector housing 2 toward the mating connector 9. This driving mechanism is only an example and may also be another type including known mechanisms.

[0064] It will be appreciated that, as a complement to the auxiliary mechanism 319-93, the last part L23b of the closing movement of the lever element causes it to push directly on the module 4. In contrast, the auxiliary lever element of the prior art usually pushes only on the connector housing, which itself pushes the module towards the mating connector, as happens in the present actuation part 39-319. At least one of the contact surface 332 serving as a finishing part and the contact surface 43 contacting the module 4 advantageously comprises a shape that is elastically deformable within the finishing part L23b of the closing movement 23 of the lever element 3, so as to provide a self-locking effect that tends to keep the lever element in its fully closed position P3.

[0065] In the present disclosure, the direct lever-to-module pushing action P39 thus gives a shorter tolerance loop, where the dimensions of the housing 2 and the clearance between the connector housing 2 and the module 4 are no longer involved. Thus, the tolerance chain of the module holder is reduced compared to the prior art.

[0066] For example, the manufacturing tolerances that can be granted to each component may therefore be higher, which allows for easier manufacturing and more flexible design. It may also be used to provide better guaranteed overlap, or a combination of these advantages.

[0067] Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples previously described, and many adjustments may be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A connector (1), comprising a connector housing (2) carrying one or more electrical contacts (52); The connector is adapted to mate with a mating connector (9) to ensure connection of the contact with one or more electrical mating contacts (92) carried directly by the mating connector or through an intermediate component; The connector (1) comprises at least one lever member (3) arranged to assist or lock the mating with the counter connector, the lever member comprising at least one lever member arm (31) connected to the connector housing via a joint (29) so as to be movable, preferably pivotally movable, relative to the connector housing between at least the following positions: an open position (P2) in which the mating connector can at least partially mate with the connector; and a closed position (P3) in which the mating connector is fully mated to the connector and may be locked thereto; It is characterized in that The lever member (3) also includes a fixing portion (33) extending toward and through an opening (22) in a wall (21) of the connector housing, for providing a fixing interaction (P39, 2232-229) between the lever member (3) and the housing (2, 22) or the contents (4) of the housing (2, 22) in a position generally eccentric from the connector (29, 39).

2. Connector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The lever member (3) comprises a driving portion (319) having a shape suitable for providing a contact fit (93) with the mating connector (9), the shape enabling the lever member to move (L23) toward the closed position (P3) so as to bring the connector (1) and the mating connector (8) closer to or lock each other; as well as wherein the fixing part (33) has a contact surface (332) arranged to provide a finishing action along at least a portion (L23b) of the closing movement (L23) by directly pushing or pushing (P39) with an intermediate part on the electrical contact (52) of the connector to enhance the connection between the contact (52) and the mating contact (92), thereby usually acting as a finishing part in the last part of the lever member movement and / or along a finishing direction (P39) that is more eccentric than the driving direction (93) of the driving part (319); Preferably, an overlap length (L2) is created or increased between the contact and the mating contact, the overlap length being defined as a non-zero unmated line segment that can be traveled without breaking their electrical connection.

3. Connector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The connector housing (2) comprises a contact module (4) carrying all or part of the electrical contacts (52); Furthermore, the contact surface (332) serving as a finishing part is arranged for pushing the electric contact (52) by pushing (P39) on the contact surface (43) of the contact module (4).

4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The lever member joint with the housing (2) includes a pivot hole (39) through which a pivot shaft (29) carrying and driving the driving portion (319) passes; wherein the contact surface (332) serving as a finishing portion performs a finishing action along a finishing direction (P39) which is more eccentric than a driving direction (93) of the driving portion (319); Furthermore, the contact surface (332) serving as a finishing part extends through an opening (22) in the wall (21) of the housing (2), the opening (22) being separate from the pivot hole, in particular through a groove (22) concentric with the joint (29) and offset from the center of the joint (29).

5. The connector according to any one of claims 3 to 4 in combination with claim 3, characterized in that: The contact surface (332) serving as the finishing part of the lever member provides its finishing action by pushing on the contact surface (43) of the contact module (4), and the contact surface (43) of the contact module (4) has a shape complementary to the contact surface (332) serving as the finishing part, one of the shapes being convex and the other being concave.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 4 to 5 in combination with claim 3, characterized in that: At least one of the contact surfaces (332) serving as the finishing part and the contact surface (43) of the contact module (4) comprises a shape that can be elastically deformed within the finishing part (L23b) of the closing movement (23) of the lever member (3) to provide a self-locking effect, which tends to keep the lever member in its fully closed position (P3).

7. The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 5 in combination with claim 4, characterized in that: The fixing portion (33) comprises an extension (331) which is slidable within the opening (22) and is extended by a transverse projection (332) which projects above an inner edge (229) of the opening (22) to retain the lever arm (31) against the connector housing (2) by resting the lever arm (31) on the inner edge.

8. Connector according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 3, characterized in that The contact surface (332) used as a finishing part comprises a convex or rounded shape, while the contact surface (43) of the contact module (4) comprises a complementary concave or rounded shape (430) carried by a ridge (43) protruding from the wall of the contact module (4) facing the wall (21) of the housing (2); Furthermore, the concave or circular shape (430) has a portion protruding within the non-final portion of the trajectory traveled by the contact surface (332) serving as the finishing part, and in particular, the final finishing movement (L23b) of the circular contact surface (322) serving as the finishing part is partially obstructed in both the closing direction and the reverse direction.

9. A method of electrically connecting two cables to each other, comprising the steps of: - providing a connector (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8 at an assembly site, wherein the lever member (3) of the connector is in an open position (P2), and providing a counter connector (9) suitable for mating with the connector; - positioning the connector (1) and the mating connector (9) in positions suitable for mating with each other; - actuating the lever member (3) of the connector (1) with a mating movement (L23a) so that the lever member is directed toward a temporary mating position (P2a), thereby causing the driving portion (319) of the lever member to cooperate with the driving portion (93) of the mating connector (9) to produce an electrical connection between the electrical contact (52) of the connector and the corresponding mating contact (92) in the mating connector (9), - Upon completion of the movement (L23b), the lever member (3) is actuated towards its closed position (P3), thereby providing an enhanced connection between the electrical contacts (52) of the connector and their corresponding mating contacts (92) in the mating connector (9), preferably along overlapping line segments that continue along matching line segments of the contacts (52) and the mating contacts (91) relative to each other.

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in combination with claim 4, characterized in that: The fixing portion (33) comprises an extension (331) which is able to slide inside the opening (22) and is extended by a transverse projection (332) which rests on the inner edge (229) of the opening (22), the opening (22) being therefore called a retaining opening; The lever arm (31) is thereby retained against the connector housing (2) by resting the lever arm (31) on the inner edge whether in the open position (P2) or in the closed position (P3), the fixing portion thereby serving as a retaining portion.

11. Connector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The opening (22) has a portion forming an insertion hole (221), wherein the inner edge (229) has a shape wide enough to allow the lateral protrusion (332) of the fixing portion (33) serving as a retaining portion to pass through in a direction parallel to the extension (331) of the fixing portion (33) serving as a retaining portion; Furthermore, the insertion hole (221) is located in the opening (22) at a position (P1) different from the position of the fixing portion (33) serving as the retaining portion in the open position (P2) and the closed position (P3).

12. The connector according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that: The transverse protrusion (332) of the fixing portion (33) serving as a retaining portion has a T-shape in cross section, including an extension axis (A33) longitudinal to the extension portion (331).

13. The connector according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The lever arm (31) and the fixed part (33) used as a retaining part have a tapered shape on both sides of the same parting surface (38), thereby allowing the lever to be demoulded, and the lateral protrusion (332) of the lever formed by itself does not need to be molded together.

14. A method for manufacturing a connector (1), the method comprising the following steps: - Manufacturing a housing (2) and a lever member (3) of a connector (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13; - assembling the lever member (3) on the housing (2) by inserting the fixing portion (33) into the insertion hole (221) of the opening (22) in the assembly position (P1); - moving (L12) the lever member (3) from the assembly position (P1) to the open position (P2), thereby allowing storage and delivery without the risk of the lever member falling out of the connector housing.

15. A method of electrically connecting two cables to each other, comprising the steps of: - manufacturing a connector (1) according to the preceding claim; - providing the connector to the installation station; - within the installation station, installing the connector (1) on the first cable by fixing the electrical contacts of the connector (1) in the first cable; - coupling the connector (1) to a mating connector mounted on a second cable and moving (L23) the lever member to the closed position (P3).

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