Connector and connector assembly with safety locking system, and method for connecting two electrical elements

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a connector that is mated and unmated with a mating connector by an insertion movement (M1) and a withdrawal movement (M2). The connector (1) comprises a safety locking system (3), referred to as' SLS ', carrying an SLS locking edge (39) and being rotationally movable (R31) about an axis (A31) perpendicular to the insertion movement between an unlocked position allowing the extraction movement (M2) and a locked position preventing said extraction movement (M2), the SLS locking edge (39) abutting a mating connector surface (9132) transverse to said extraction movement (M2). The SLS has a 'U' shape with pivots (31) on both wings, which are inserted into the connector housing transversely to the insertion movement. The wings have a pre-locking latch (32) that holds the SLS in the unlocked position until the insertion movement M1 automatically releases the pre-locking latch. The SLS is held in the locked position by a resilient latch arm (33) abutting the inner surface of the top, preventing the SLS from unlocking rotation (R31). The SLS is unlocked by pressing the latch arm to enable reverse rotation (R32).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of connectors, in particular electrical connectors such as in motor vehicles or mobile systems, and in particular connectors for connecting cables with only a few wires. Background Art

[0002] Connectors are used to connect several pre-manufactured components together in order to establish a connection between them, allowing the transmission of electrical energy and / or signals between these components. These components are mostly cables of one or several wires, or "harnesses" of several cables, but can also be cables, motors or another type of device, such as computers, 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 is mated 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 mounted on the other side of the connection in the mating connector.

[0004] Connector and mating connector are usually matched by inserting the housing of one into the housing of the other, most of which have a guiding function, which usually also includes a poka-yoke function. Usually, at the end of the insertion action, the two housings are automatically held together by a resilient latch.

[0005] In order to ensure that the mating of each contact is fully completed, such connectors usually also include a movable part called "connection position assurance" (CPA). This CPA is arranged as a visible manual lock, which is configured to prevent the connector and the mating connector from being separated and unmated. As long as the mating is incorrect, it may not be fully moved and locked, and which position clearly shows whether it is actually mated.

[0006] Nevertheless, another housing lock is sometimes added, called a "Safety Locking System" (SLS), which may also be called a "Security Locking System" to provide a stronger mechanical connection between the connector and the mating connector through a sliding member that can be manually engaged with the connector and the mating housing.

[0007] However, there is still a desire to improve the compactness of such connectors, make them easier to design, and more flexibly adapt to existing docking connector models; there is still a desire to make it simpler and more ergonomic to manufacture, store and transport such connectors, install them on cables, and organize them for assembly and disassembly with corresponding mating connectors. Summary of the invention

[0008] 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.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, these objects are partially or fully achieved by devices and methods having the features described in the respective claims. The claims form an integral part of the technical description related to the present disclosure provided herein.

[0010] In this context, a connector according to claim 1, a set having a connector as defined in claim 8 and its corresponding mating connector is disclosed.

[0011] The device may also optionally comprise at least one feature of any one of claims 2 to 7 and 9.

[0012] The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing such a connector device according to claim 10, a method of using such a connector with a mating connector to connect two cables or other components together according to claim 11, and a method of unmating them according to claim 12.

[0013] As understood from the claims and the present disclosure, these features allow the connector to achieve a better trade-off between compatibility, form factor, robustness and reliability, simplicity of manufacture and use. For example, the locking system is less prone to arbitrary movement, both before mating and after mating and locking, and requires no or limited manual operation to mate such a connector with a mating connector.

[0014] By means of this shape of the safety locking system (SLS), a connector is achieved which contains multiple functions while being compact and which is ergonomically designed for manufacture and assembly.

[0015] In particular, during transport or storage of the unmated connectors, the SLS will not be accidentally moved to its locked position, which would require manual unlocking prior to normal mating operations by an assembly operator.

[0016] Furthermore, the mere fact of mating the housings together is sufficient to automatically cancel this no longer useful pre-locking latch and enable the operator to rotate the SLS directly into its final locked position.

[0017] Thus, the risk of time loss for the global operation of mating and securing the connector to its counterpart connector, thereby connecting their respective cables together, is minimized.

[0018] Various embodiments of the invention are contemplated herein comprising the optional features disclosed herein in all possible combinations thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Other advantages and features will become apparent by examining the in no way limiting detailed description and the accompanying drawings of three examples, in which:

[0020] - Figure 1a is a perspective view of the connector when receiving the safety locking system (SLS);

[0021] - Figure 1b is a perspective view of a safety locking system (SLS) in the same orientation as in FIG. 1 ;

[0022] - Figure 2a is a perspective view of the connector after the SLS is inserted and rotated to the pre-locking position;

[0023] - Figure 2b and Figure 2c Detailed view of the SLS in the pre-locked position in the connector housing, along Figure 2a A stereoscopic view and a front view of the transverse section AA;

[0024] - Figure 3 is along Figure 2c A sagittal section of the CC shows a side view of the SLS in the pre-locked position within the connector housing;

[0025] - Figure 4 is a stereoscopic view of a connector and its mating connector during their mating motion;

[0026] - Figure 5a and Figure 5b A detailed top view with horizontal section BB showing the movement of the mating connector guide and its interaction with the SLS pre-lock latch;

[0027] - Figure 5c is a detailed view of a transverse section through the SLS and its pre-lock latch, showing the mating connector guide wall acting on the SLS pre-lock latch;

[0028] - Figure 6a and Figure 6bshows the rotation of the SLS from its mating position to its locked position;

[0029] - Figure 6c is a detailed side view of a sagittal section C-C' offset relative to CC, showing the SLS in a locked position and its locking action on the mating connector;

[0030] - Figures 7a to 7c Here is a detailed perspective view of the SLS with the nearest connector wall removed, as shown:

[0031] o Figure 7a , unlocking action on the SLS latch arm,

[0032] o Figure 7b and Figure 7c , rotate the SLS to its pre-locked and unlocked positions, and then unmating the connector and the mating connector from each other;

[0033] - Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the unmating movement of the connector and the mating connector from each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] A connector is disclosed that mates and unmates with a mating connector by an insertion and withdrawal motion. The connector includes a safety locking system called "SLS" that carries an SLS locking edge and can be rotated and moved about an axis perpendicular to the insertion motion between the following two positions:

[0035] - unlocked position, allowing the withdrawal movement, and

[0036] - a locked position, blocking said extraction movement, the SLS locking edge abutting against a counter connector surface transverse to said extraction movement.

[0037] The SLS is "U" shaped with two wings with pivots that are transverse to the insertion movement into the connector housing. The wings have pre-locking latches that hold the SLS in the unlocked position until the insertion movement M1 automatically releases the pre-locking latches.

[0038] The SLS is held in the locked position by a resilient latch arm abutting against the inner surface of the top, preventing the SLS from being unlocked and rotated. The SLS is unlocked by pressing the latch arm to enable reverse rotation.

[0039] Figures 1 to 3 show several steps of preparing the mating connector 1 according to this embodiment. These steps are usually performed before the connectors are shipped in bulk to where they are used to mate with their counterpart connectors 9, such as before assembling a vehicle, and before the connectors are stored in bulk.

[0040] In this embodiment, the connector 1 comprises a connector housing 11, which is here in the shape of a whole cylinder with an axis "X", but may also have other shapes. The connector housing 11 has an axially oriented receiving opening 110, which surrounds an elongated receiving core 15. The receiving core 15 also receives and supports an electrical terminal 151 (or a group of several terminals), here a female terminal, inside. The (one or more) terminals 151 are, for example, crimped onto the electrical conductor of the cable 5, here extending axially from the opposite side (negative X) of the connector housing 11. In this example, the conductor and / or its terminal 151 has been inserted into the housing 11 along the direction X and fixed there by a snap ring 155 inserted laterally through a lateral window of the connector housing 11.

[0041] On its outer surface, here shown as direction “Z”, the connector receiving housing 110 extends radially and is closed by two parallel guide walls 113 connected by a “SLS receiving” top 123 .

[0042] As an optional but preferred feature in this example, the connector 1 also includes a connection position assurance device 2 ("CPA"), which can be of a known type and is carried by the connector housing 11. This CPA is movable at least between an unconnected position and a connected position, and there is a clear difference between these two positions. When the connector 1 is not fully connected with its counterpart connector 9, the CPA 2 is mechanically prevented from moving from the unconnected position to the connected position.

[0043] like Figure 1b As shown in enlarged form, the SLS 3 has an overall shape of an elongated plate bent into a "U" shape.

[0044] The base of the U then forms the central plate, here with an external non-slip surface suitable for manual pushing P31 by an operator as an actuation surface 35 when assembling and preparing the connector.

[0045] The two wings of the U-shape are formed by two parallel plates substantially perpendicular to the central plate. Each wing plate has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge facing Figure 1a and Figure 1b , and the second edge faces the left side of the same figure.

[0046] Each wing of the SLS 3 carries on its external surface a cylindrical pivot 31 protruding orthogonally along an axis of rotation A31 parallel to the central plate 35 .

[0047] On said first edge at its free end, each wing carries a resilient elongated member extending parallel to said first edge towards the base of the "U" shape to form a latching branch 333. This latching branch carries a locking latch 34 on its face facing away from said wing. The two latching branches 333 are connected together at their distal ends by a latching handle 331 parallel to and independent of the actuation surface 35. The branches 333 and the handle 331 together form a latching arm 33 which can be resiliently flexed towards the actuation surface 35 to retract their locking latch 34.

[0048] The second edge of each wing of the SLS is arranged on its distal end with a corner, referred to as an SLS locking edge 39 , which will be able to receive abutment from a locking shoulder 9132 of a mating connector.

[0049] On the same second edge, as an option embodied in this example, each wing of the SLS 3 has two partial cutouts delimiting elastic lugs forming pre-locking arms 323 and carrying externally protrusions called pre-locking latches 32 .

[0050] like Figure 1a As shown, by inserting the two wings of the U-shape into the two insertion slots 139 passing through the receiving top 123 of the connector housing 11 , the SLS is assembled with the housing 11 along a translation movement M0 oriented orthogonally to the mating insertion movement M1 .

[0051] During said insertion movement M0, each of these SLS pivots 31 slides into a groove present in the guide wall until its pivot ramp 311 pushes and spreads the free end of the elastic arm 138 of the connector housing 11. When the SLS insertion M0 is achieved, the elastic arm 138 and its pivot hole 130 rebound around said wing pivot 31, thereby achieving the rotational mobility of the SLS 3 relative to the connector housing 11 around the axis A31.

[0052] like Figure 2a As shown, the SLS is then rotated R30, here 90°, about its axis A31 by pushing the edge of the U-shaped base 35 or the locking arm 33. The SLS 3 is thus brought to a position called the unlocked position, in which the connector 1 is ready to receive its counterpart connector 9. Along this preparatory rotation R31, the pre-locking arm 323 is pushed and flexed inwardly by the cam effect of the inclined surface of its pre-locking latch 32 until the pre-locking latch 32 is elastically caught behind the pre-locking shoulder 1132 of the connector housing 11.

[0053] like Figure 2b and Figure 2cAs shown, the pre-locking latch 32 is now in a position abutting the pre-locking shoulder 1132, thereby preventing the SLS 3 from leaving its unlocked position. Therefore, no matter what kind of impact or movement occurs during bulk storage or transportation, it can be ensured that all such connectors 1 will be ready for future mating. The position of the SLS 3 is also shown from another angle in Figure 3, in which the abutment 1132 is not visible.

[0054] Figure 4 FIG. 6 to FIG. 6 show several operation steps for mating and locking such a connector 1 and a counterpart connector 9 together according to an example of this embodiment.

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, the connector 1 is mated with the counter connector 9 by inserting the guide members of the connector and the counter connector 9 into each other with a translation movement M1.

[0056] The longitudinal skirt 910 of the mating connector 9 slides into the receiving opening 110 and surrounds the connector receiving core 15, and the mating connector guide wall 913 slides in close contact between the guide walls 113 of the connector 1. As a result, the (one or more) mating terminals (not shown here) of the mating connector 9 are engaged and matched with the (one or more) terminals 151 of the connector 1. In addition, the connector latch 19 slides against the fixed mating connector latch 99 and is elastically deformed by it, and its opening is stuck behind the mating connector latch 99, thereby providing a first retention function.

[0057] like Figure 5a to Figure 5c As shown, the insertion movement M1 itself does release the pre-locking latch 32 from the abutment shoulder 1132 of the connector 1 .

[0058] Figure 5a The first part M11 of the insertion movement M1 is shown. As shown, the guide wall 913 of the mating connector 9 suddenly thickens to form a shoulder 9131, which contacts the inclined surface of the pre-locking latch 32 in the SLS 3 when the pre-locking latch 32 of the SLS 3 is slid and inserted along the connector guide wall 113.

[0059] like Figure 5b and Figure 5c As shown, when the counterpart connector 9 continues its movement M1, in the second portion M12, its shoulder 9131 then, by interacting with the cam effect of its ramp, withdraws the pre-locking latch 32 aside in an inwardly elastic pivoting movement M32 (see arrow). Figure 5c As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 8 , this withdrawal movement M32 (rotation to the right) releases the pre-locking latch 32 from its abutment with the pre-locking shoulder 1132 of the connector housing 11 .

[0060] The pre-locking latch 32 is therefore automatically released by a single insertion movement M1 without any auxiliary operation, thereby allowing the safety locking system 3 to be rotated out of its unlocked position.

[0061] like Figure 6a and Figure 6b As shown, once the connector 1 and the counter connector 9 are fully inserted into each other, the SLS 3 can be rotated R31 about the axis A31 by manually pushing P31 (here 90°) on its actuation surface 35 until it reaches Figure 6c On each wing of the SLS 3, this locking rotation R31 is stopped by an SLS locking edge 39 which abuts against a locking shoulder 9132 of the guide wall 913 of the mating connector, here formed by an abrupt change in its transverse thickness.

[0062] During the same locking rotation R31 , the SLS latch arm 33 is elastically pushed back by the connector locking edge 133 of the receiving top 123 of the connector housing 11 through a cam effect between said edge 133 and the inclined surface of the SLS latch piece 34 .

[0063] Once in the locked position, Figure 6c As shown, the SLS latch 34 snaps back behind the connector locking edge 133 and then abuts the latch 34 to prevent the SLS from rotating backwards.

[0064] Since the safety locking system 3 is prevented from rotating backwards by the connector housing 11 (i.e. Figure 6c ), the abutment between the SLS locking edge 39 and the mating connector locking shoulder 9132 (see the shaded arrow) thereby prevents the mating connector 9 and its guide wall 913 from sliding away from the connector 1, thereby preventing any disconnection thereof.

[0065] As a supplement to the first retention function provided by the mating connector latch 99 and the connector latch 19, the safety locking system 3 ("SLS") thus provides a second retention function, which can supplement the first retention function in the event that, for example, one of the latches 99 or 19 breaks.

[0066] Figure 7 to Figure 8 Several operating steps are shown for unlocking and unmating the connector 1 and the counter connector 9 from each other, for example when servicing or repairing such a vehicle, according to an example of this embodiment.

[0067] like Figure 7aAs shown, by pushing P32 the handle 331 of the safety locking system 3 (which may be manually operated), the latch arm 33 of the safety locking system 3 is elastically bent backwards, thereby retracting the SLS latch 4 from the state of abutting the connector locking edge 133. Once the latch 34 is retracted and no longer abuts, the latch branch 333 can pass the locking edge 133, and then the same push P31 causes the SLS 3 to rotate R32 backwards, so that it is out of the locked position, as shown in FIG. Figure 7b shown.

[0068] Once the unlocking rotation R32 is achieved, Figure 7c As shown, the SLS locking edge 39 is completely disengaged from the mating connector locking shoulder 9132, and the mating connector locking shoulder 9132 can then slide M2 ​​backwards and away from the connector 1. Figure 8 As shown, the mating connector 9 and its housing 91 can then be unplugged from the connector 1 and its housing 11, thereby completely disconnecting them from each other.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Reference numerals list

[0071] 1 Connector

[0072] 11 Connector housing

[0073] 111 Connector receiving opening

[0074] 113 Connector guide wall

[0075] 1132 Connector Pre-Lock Shoulder

[0076] 119 Connector receiving core

[0077] 123 Connector SLS Receiver Top

[0078] 130 Pivot hole

[0079] 133 Connector locking edge

[0080] 138 Housing Flex Mount Latch

[0081] 139 Slot for SLS insertion

[0082] 15Connector terminal support

[0083] 151 Electrical terminals (one or more) of the connector

[0084] 155 terminal fixing clamp

[0085] 19 Connector latch

[0086] 190 receiving opening

[0087] 2Connection Position Assurance (CPA)

[0088] 3Safety Locking System (SLS)

[0089] 31SLS Pivot

[0090] 311SLS Pivot Mounting Ramp

[0091] 32SLS Pre-Lock Latch

[0092] 323SLS Pre-Lock Latch Arm

[0093] 33SLS latch arm

[0094] 331 SLS Latch Handle

[0095] 333 SLS latch branch

[0096] 34SLS Latch

[0097] 35SLS Actuation Surface—U-Base

[0098] 39SLS Locking Edge

[0099] 5 Connector Cable

[0100] 8 Mating connector cable

[0101] 91 matching connector housing

[0102] 910 mating connector inserted into skirt

[0103] 911 Mating Connector Unmating Edge

[0104] 913 Mating Connector Guide Wall

[0105] 9131 Mating Connector Pre-Lock Pullout Shoulder

[0106] 9132 Mating Connector Locking Shoulder

[0107] 99 Mating Connector Latch

[0108] A31 Pivot axis

[0109] M0 SLS Insertion Movement

[0110] M1 matching insert

[0111] M11 matching insert (part 1)

[0112] M12 matching insert (part 2)

[0113] M2 Unmatching Movement

[0114] M32 pre-lock latch withdrawal motion

[0115] R30 for preparing the rotary SLS of the connector

[0116] R31 for locked swivel SLS

[0117] R32 Rotary SLS for unlocking

[0118] P31 Locking Actuation

[0119] P32 Unlock Actuation

[0120] X front direction (forward)

[0121] Y side direction

[0122] Z vertical direction (towards the top)

Claims

1. A connector (1), comprising a connector housing (11) carrying one or more electrical terminals (151), The connector (1) is arranged to mate with a mating connector (9) so as to obtain a contact connection between the terminal (151) and one or more mating terminals carried by a housing (91) of the mating connector (9), The mating comprises an insertion movement (M1) of the connector guide member (15, 190, 113) and the mating connector guide member (91, 913) into each other, The connector is arranged to be unmated from the counterpart connector by a withdrawal movement (M2) of the connector guide member and the counterpart connector guide member from each other, It is characterized in that The connector (1) comprises a safety locking system (3) called "SLS", which carries an edge called the safety locking system locking edge (39) and is capable of rotational movement (R31) between at least the following positions: - an unlocked position in which it allows the withdrawal movement (M2), thereby allowing the terminal (151) and the mating terminal to be unmated from each other; as well as - a locked position, in which the withdrawal movement (M2) is prevented by the abutment of the locking edge (39) of the safety locking system with a surface (9132) of the mating connector (9) transverse to the withdrawal movement (M2), thereby preventing the terminal (151) and the mating terminal from being unmated from each other.

2. A connector according to the preceding claim, characterised in that: - the connector housing (11) comprises a wall, called receiving top (123), substantially perpendicular to its guide wall (113); - the safety locking system (3) is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (A31) parallel to the receiving top (123); as well as - the safety locking system comprises a latch arm (33) carrying one or more safety locking system latches (34) which prevent the safety locking system from rotating (R31) from its locked position by abutting against an inner surface of the receiving top, called connector locking edge (133), And the latch arm (33) is capable of being elastically moved by manual operation (P32) to withdraw its safety locking system latch (34) from abutment with the receiving top (123), thereby allowing the safety locking system (3) to rotate (R32) from its locked position and then allowing the mating connector (9) to be withdrawn (M2) from the connector (1).

3. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The safety locking system (3) comprises one or more pre-locking latches (32) arranged to: - when the safety locking system is in the unlocked position, cooperating with the connector housing (11) by surface abutment to prevent the safety locking system from rotating towards its locked position (R31); and - During the insertion movement (M1), the latch (M32) is released by the unlatching edge (911) of the counter connector housing (91), thereby allowing the safety locking system to rotate towards its locking position (R31).

4. Connector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The pre-locking latches (32) of the safety locking system (3) are each carried by a resilient lug of the safety locking system, called a pre-locking latch arm (323), extending substantially transversely towards the axis of the insertion movement (M1), Each of the pre-locking latches (32) has a shape including a slope, arranged to cooperate with the unlatching edge (911) by a cam effect during the insertion movement (M1, M12) to move the pre-locking latch (32) out of its abutment with the connector housing (11).

5. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The latch arm (33) comprises two latch branches (333), preferably parallel to each other, each carrying a safety locking system latch (34) and connected by a latch handle (331).

6. The connector according to claim 4 in combination with claims 2 to 3, characterized in that The safety locking system (3) has the overall shape of an elongated plate bent into a "U" shape, having: - a "U"-shaped base formed by a central plate, arranged as an actuation surface (35) capable of being pushed (P31) by an operator in order to manually rotate the safety locking system from its unlocked position (R31) to its locked position; - two "U"-shaped wings formed by two parallel plates, each plate having a first edge and a second edge opposite each other and substantially perpendicular to the central plate; -Wherein, when the safety locking system is in the pre-locking and unlocking positions: o having a pivot (31) protruding on its outer surface along the axis of rotation (A31) of the safety locking system, o it is arranged on the distal portion of the second edge and has a face or corner that abuts the mating connector locking shoulder (9132) when the safety locking system is in the locked position, thereby forming a safety locking system locking edge (39), o it has on said second edge one or more partial cutouts defining elastic lugs forming said pre-locking arms (323) and carrying projections producing said pre-locking latches (32), o From said first edge of its free end a resilient elongated member is carried which extends towards the base of said "U" shape to form a latch branch (333) carrying a locking latch (34), both latch branches being connected by a latch handle (331) parallel to and independent of said actuating surface (35), said branch and said handle together forming said latch arm (33).

7. A connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The connector further comprises a connection position assurance device (2) called CPA, which is carried by the connector housing (11) and is movable at least between an unconnected position and a connected position, with a clear visible difference between the unconnected position and the connected position. Wherein, when the connector (1) is not completely connected to its mating connector (9), the connection position ensuring device (2) is mechanically prevented from moving from the unlocking position toward the connection position.

8. A set of a connector (1) and a mating connector (9) arranged to mate and lock therewith according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the guide means of the mating connector (9) comprises one or more guide walls (913) which are longitudinal to the insertion and extraction movements (M1, M2) and extend from the outside of the mating connector housing (91); as well as - the guide means of the connector (1) comprises one or more guide walls (113), preferably two, which are longitudinal to the insertion and extraction movements (M1, M2) and extend from the outside of the connector housing (11) and are arranged to receive and laterally guide the guide means (913) of the mating connector during the insertion and extraction movements (M1, M2), Characterized in that the rotational movement (R31) of the safety locking system (3) towards its locking position drives its safety locking system locking edge (39): - starting from an unlocked position in which it does not hinder the extraction movement (M2) of the guide wall (913) of the counter connector; - towards a locked position in which: o it is oriented opposite to the direction of said extraction movement (M2); and o It provides locking abutment by coming into face-to-face contact with a mating connector locking shoulder (9132) protruding from said mating connector guide wall (913) and oriented towards said withdrawal movement direction (M2).

9. A set according to the preceding claims, characterised in that The mating connector locking shoulder (9132) is formed by a sharp change in the thickness of its guiding wall (913).

10. A method for manufacturing a connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following steps: - manufacturing or providing the housing (11) and the safety locking system (3) of the connector (1); - inserting the safety locking system into one or more insertion slots (139) present in the connector housing (11) with a translation movement (M0), the translation movement preferably being oriented orthogonally to the mating insertion movement (M1); - continuing the translation movement (M0) until a pivot connection (A31) is achieved between the safety locking system (3) and the connector housing (11) by sliding the two pivots (31) separately or oppositely and elastically snapping into two pivot holes (130) carried by the safety locking system and the connector housing; - Rotating (R30) the safety locking system (3) to its unlocked position, thereby sliding and elastically snapping one or more pre-locking latches (32) into a position adjacent to the connector pre-locking shoulder (1132) of the connector housing (11) to prevent rotational movement (R31) of the safety locking system (3) toward its locked position, thereby keeping the connector (1) ready for mating by an insertion movement (M1).

11. A method for mating a connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 with a corresponding mating connector (9), comprising the following steps: - providing said connector (1) with a safety locking system (3) in an unlocked position; - matching the connector with the mating connector (9) by inserting the connector guide member (15, 190, 113) and the mating connector guide member (91, 913) into each other, thereby preferably sliding at least one connector latch (19) and one mating connector latch (99) against each other and elastically engaging, thereby preventing the withdrawal movement (M2); - Rotating (R31) the safety locking system to its locked position, thereby providing additional security and preventing the connector (1) and the mating connector (9) from being unmated from each other (M2), this locking rotation (R31) preferably being caused by the latch (34) and the locking edge (133) respectively carried or relatively carried by the safety locking system (3) and the connector housing (11) sliding and snapping into each other.

12. A method for contact-matching a connector (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7 with a corresponding mating connector (9), comprising the following steps: - providing a connector (1) and a mating connector (9) thereof which are matched and locked in a locked position by the safety locking system (3); - Pushing the latch arm (33) of the safety locking system out of the connector locking edge (133); - rotating (R32) the safety locking system (3) from its locked position towards its unlocked position; - Extracting (M2) the connector (1) and the counter connector (9) from each other.

Images