Connector back cover, connector system and assembly method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a connector back cover comprising a middle portion (3) having a first edge and a second edge, a first side portion (5) having a first side edge and connected to the middle portion (3) by a first hinge (9), and a second side portion (7) having a second side edge and connected to the middle portion (3) by a second hinge (11), such that the connector back cover is foldable between an open state and a closed state. The edges include recesses (21, 23) such that in the closed state, there are openings between the middle portion (3) and the first side portion (5), and between the middle portion (3) and the second side portion (7), configured to receive electrical conductors (55). The present disclosure also relates to a connector system, and a method of assembling a connector system. Figure for abstract: Figure 5A

Description

Title of the invention: Connector back cover, connector system and assembly method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector back cover, a connector system and an assembly method.

[0002] An example of a known connector back cover is shown in Figures 1A-1D. Referring to [Fig. 1A], the connector back cover 101 includes openings 129 in its rear wall 139. The openings 129 are configured to receive electrical conductors 31, as shown in [Fig. 1B]. For assembly of a connector system including a connector housing 35, the connector back cover 101, and the electrical conductors 31, the terminals of the electrical conductors 31 are first passed through the openings 129 in the rear wall 139 of the connector back cover 101. Then, the terminals of the electrical conductors 31 are crimped, as shown in [Fig. 1B]. Finally, the crimped terminals of the electrical conductors 31 are inserted into the connector housing 35 and the connector rear cover 101 is secured to the connector housing via locking means 147, as shown in [Fig.lD]. .

[0003] In order to seal the connector housing 35 against environmental conditions such as moisture, the openings 129 in the rear wall 139 of the connector rear cover 101 are sized to minimize the gap between the electrical conductors 31 and the connector rear cover 101. As shown in [Fig.lC], the crimped terminals of the electrical conductors 31 have a larger diameter than the electrical conductors 31 alone, and thus the crimped terminals of the electrical conductors 31 do not fit through the openings 129 in the connector rear cover 101. Accordingly, the terminals of the electrical conductors 31 must always first be passed through the openings 129 in the rear wall 139 of the connector rear cover 101, and then the terminals of the electrical conductors 31 are crimped.This means that during the crimping process, the connector back cover 101 is already installed, which reduces flexibility and prevents automated crimping. In addition, the connector back cover 101 can no longer be easily removed once the terminals of the electrical conductors 31 are crimped.

[0004] Accordingly, there remains a need for a connector back cover that allows easy installation and has improved wiring and sealing properties.

[0005] This object is achieved by a connector rear cover which is separate from the corresponding connector housing, the connector rear cover comprising three parts which are connected by two joints, allowing the connector back cover to be installed and removed even after the wires are crimped and inserted into the connector. In addition, the connector back cover includes openings that envelop each wire individually, thus providing improved wiring and sealing properties.

[0006] More specifically, a connector back cover according to the present disclosure comprises a middle portion having a first edge and a second edge, a first side portion having a first side edge, and a second side portion having a second side edge, wherein the first side portion is connected to the middle portion by a first hinge and the second side portion is connected to the middle portion by a second hinge such that the connector back cover is foldable between an open state and a closed state, wherein the first edge of the middle portion faces the first side edge of the first side portion and the second edge of the middle portion faces the second side edge of the second side portion.

[0007] The middle portion comprises at least one recess which is located at the first edge of the middle portion and at least one recess which is located at the second edge of the middle portion. The first side portion comprises at least one recess located at the first side edge of the first side portion and the second side portion comprises at least one recess located at the second side edge of the second side portion. The recesses at the edges of the middle portion, the first side portion and the second side portion are arranged such that, for each recess located at the first or second edge of the middle portion, there is exactly one recess located at the first side edge of the first side portion or the second side edge of the second side portion, which is positioned such that, when the connector back cover is in the closed state,the two recesses form an opening in the connector back cover, and for each recess located at the first side edge of the first side portion or the second side edge of the second side portion, there is exactly one recess located at the first or second edge of the middle portion, which is positioned such that, when the connector back cover is in the closed state, the two recesses form an opening in the connector back cover.

[0008] According to another aspect, the connector rear cover may include four openings in the closed state.

[0009] According to another aspect, each of the openings in the connector back cover may be configured to receive an electrical conductor.

[0010] According to another aspect, each of the openings in the connector rear cover can be configured to completely enclose a circumference of the electrical conductor, when the connector back cover is in the closed state. This has the advantage that in the closed state, there is no gap between the electrical conductor and the connector back cover or between two electrical conductors. Thus, the connector back cover can be used to seal a connector housing against environmental conditions such as moisture.

[0011] According to another aspect, an axis of rotation of the first joint may extend along an axis of rotation of the second joint.

[0012] According to another aspect, each of the middle portion, the first side portion and the second side portion may comprise fastening means configured to establish a form-fitting connection with a connector housing. The fastening means may be configured such that the connector back cover may be secured to a connector housing in the closed state, but the connector back cover may not be fixed in the closed state without being secured to a connector housing. To achieve this, the fastening means may be configured such that they do not engage each other. This has the advantage that the connector back cover does not accidentally lock in the closed state before installation.

[0013] According to another aspect, the fixing means may comprise a through hole between the first joint and the second joint.

[0014] According to another aspect, the connector rear cover may, in the closed state, comprise a rear wall and four side walls substantially transverse to the rear wall.

[0015] According to another aspect, the openings may be located in the rear wall of the connector rear cover.

[0016] According to another aspect, the first hinge and the second hinge may be arranged at the same side wall of the connector rear cover.

[0017] According to another aspect, the side walls of the connector back cover may be interconnected by rounded corner edges. The rounded corner edges have the advantage that the connector back cover is easily foldable from the open state to the closed state by rotating the first side portion about the rotation axis of the first joint and rotating the second side portion about the rotation axis of the second joint to enclose an object with a corresponding shape including rounded corner edges.

[0018] According to another aspect, the rear wall and the side walls of the connector rear cover may be interconnected by chamfered sections. This has the advantage of avoiding injuries due to sharp edges.

[0019] The present disclosure also relates to a connector system comprising a connector housing and a connector back cover according to any of the aspects described above.

[0020] According to another aspect, the connector system may further comprise a locking mechanism for securing the connector back cover to the connector housing in the closed state.

[0021] According to another aspect, the locking mechanism for securing the connector back cover to the connector housing in the closed state may comprise a snap-in. Such a locking mechanism has the advantage that the connector back cover can be installed and removed easily.

[0022] The present disclosure also relates to a method of assembling a connector system according to any of the aspects described above. The method comprises the following steps: insert wire terminals into the connector housing, insert the middle portion of the connector back cover between the wires, secure the middle portion of the connector back cover to the connector housing via a locking mechanism, close the first side portion and the second side portion of the rear connector cover, securing the first side portion and the second side portion of the connector rear cover to the connector housing in the closed state via a locking mechanism. According to another aspect, the method of assembling a connector system further comprises the following steps: crimp the wire terminals, insert the crimped wire terminals into the connector housing.

[0023] Since the connector back cover can be installed and removed even after the wires are crimped and inserted into the connector, the wires can be handled more flexibly, allowing, for example, the crimping process to be automated.

[0024] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and form a part of the specification to illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are merely intended to illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure may be made and used, and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the embodiments illustrated and described. In addition, several aspects of the embodiments may form—individually or in various combinations—solutions according to the present disclosure. The embodiments described below may thus be considered either alone, or in an arbitrary combination thereof. Additional features and advantages will become apparent from the following more particular description of the various embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

[0025] [Fig.lA] is a perspective view of a known connector back cover;

[0026] [Fig. 1B] is a perspective view of a known connector back cover with electrical conductors;

[0027] [Fig. IC] is a perspective view of a known connector back cover with electrical conductors;

[0028] [Fig.lD] is a perspective view of a known connector back cover with a connector housing and electrical conductors;

[0029] [Fig.2A] is a perspective view of a connector back cover according to the present disclosure in the open state;

[0030] [Fig.2B] is a perspective view of a connector back cover according to the present disclosure in the closed state;

[0031] [Fig.3A] is a perspective view of a connector system according to the present disclosure with the connector rear cover in the open state;

[0032] [Fig.3B] is a perspective view of a connector system according to the present disclosure with the connector rear cover in the closed state;

[0033] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a connector cover with electrical conductors;

[0034] [Fig.5A] is a perspective view of a connector system with a connector rear cover in the open state;

[0035] [Fig.5B] is a perspective view of a connector system with a connector rear cover in the open state;

[0036] [Fig.5C] is a perspective view of a connector system with a connector rear cover in the open state;

[0037] [Fig.5D] is a perspective view of a connector system with a connector rear cover in the open state;

[0038] [Fig.6A] is a perspective view of a connector system with a connector rear cover in the closed state;

[0039] [Fig.6B] is a perspective view of a connector system with a connector rear cover in the closed state.

[0040] The present disclosure will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures and firstly with reference to [Fig.2A]. [Fig.2A] is a perspective view of a connector back cover 1 according to the present disclosure. The connector back cover 1 comprises a middle portion 3 having a first edge 13 and a second edge 15, a first side portion 5 having a first side edge 17, and a second side portion 7 having a second side edge 19. The first side portion 5 is connected to the middle portion 3 by a first hinge 9 and the second side portion 7 is connected to the middle portion 3 by a second hinge 11 so that the connector back cover 1 is foldable between an open state and a closed state. [Fig.2A] shows the connector back cover 1 in the open state. [Fig.2A] shows the connector back cover 1 in the closed state. In the closed state, the first edge 13 of the middle portion 3 faces the first side edge 17 of the first side portion 5 and the second edge 15 of the middle portion 3 faces the second side edge 19 of the second side portion 5.

[0041] As shown in [Fig.2A], the middle portion 3 comprises at least one recess 21 which is located at the first edge 13 of the middle portion 3 and at least one recess 23 which is located at the second edge 15 of the middle portion 3. In addition, the first lateral portion 5 comprises at least one recess 25 located at the first lateral edge 17 of the first lateral portion 5 and the second lateral portion comprises at least one recess 27 located at the second lateral edge 19 of the second lateral portion 7. In the example shown in [Fig.2A] and 2B, the middle portion 3 comprises two recesses 21 which are located at the first edge 13 of the middle portion 3 and two recesses 23 which are located at the second edge 15 of the middle portion 3.In this example, the first lateral portion 3 comprises two recesses 25 located at the level of the first lateral edge 17 of the first lateral portion 5 and the second lateral portion 7 comprises two recesses 27 located at the level of the second lateral edge 19 of the second lateral portion 7.

[0042] As shown in [Fig.2B], the recesses 21, 23 at the edges 13, 15 of the middle portion 3, the first side portion 5 and the second side portion 7 are arranged such that for each recess 21, 23 located at the first or second edge 15 of the middle portion 3, there is exactly one recess 25, 27 located at the first side edge 17 of the first side portion 5 or the second side edge 19 of the second side portion 7, which is positioned such that when the connector back cover 1 is in the closed state, the two recesses form an opening 29 in the connector back cover 1.Furthermore, for each recess 25, 27 located at the first side edge 17 of the first side portion 5 or the second side edge 19 of the second side portion 7, there is exactly one recess 21, 23 located at the first or second edge 15 of the middle portion 3, which is positioned such that when the connector rear cover 1 is in the closed state, the two recesses . form an opening 29 in the rear connector cover 1. This means that there is a one-to-one correspondence of the recesses 21, 23 at the edges 13, 15 of the middle portion 3 on the one hand and the recesses 25, 27 located respectively at the first lateral edge 17 of the first lateral portion 5 and at the second lateral edge 19 of the second lateral portion 7.

[0043] In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the two recesses 21 which are located at the first edge 13 of the middle portion 3 and the two recesses 25 which are located at the first lateral edge 17 of the first lateral portion 5 form two openings 29, and the two recesses 23 which are located at the second edge 15 of the middle portion 3 and the two recesses 27 which are located at the second lateral edge 19 of the second lateral portion 7 form two openings 29. Thus, in this example, the connector rear cover 1 comprises four openings 29 in the closed state.

[0044] As shown in [Fig.2B], each opening 29 in the connector rear cover 1 is formed by two corresponding recesses in such a way that the opening 29 is enclosed by the edges of the two recesses in the closed state. This means that in the closed state, the edge of the opening 29 is closed and any two openings 29 are separated from each other.

[0045] In addition, each of the openings 29 in the connector back cover 1 is configured to receive an electrical conductor 31. Since in the closed state, the edge of the opening 29 is closed and any two openings 29 are separated from each other, a circumference of an electrical conductor 31 received by the opening 29 is fully enveloped by the edge of the opening 29. Furthermore, each electrical conductor 31 received by an opening 29 is individually enveloped by the edge of the opening 29, i.e., any two electrical conductors 31 received by different openings 29 are separated from each other. This has the advantage that in the closed state, there is no gap between the electrical conductor 31 and the connector back cover 1 or between two electrical conductors 31.Thus, the connector back cover 1 can be used to seal a connector housing 35 against environmental conditions such as moisture.

[0046] As shown in [Fig.2B], the connector back cover 1 in the closed state comprises a back wall 39 and four side walls 41. The four side walls 41 are substantially transverse to the back wall 39. The openings 29 are located in the back wall 39 of the connector back cover 1. The first hinge 9 and the second hinge 11 are arranged at the side walls 41 of the connector back cover 1. In the example shown in [Fig.2B], the first hinge 9 and the second hinge 11 are arranged at the same side wall 41 of the connector back cover 1. In addition, in the example shown in [Fig.2B], an axis of rotation of the first joint 9 extends along an axis of rotation of the second joint 11, that is to say that the axis of rotation of the first joint 9 and the axis of rotation of the second joint 11 are substantially parallel.

[0047] As shown in [Fig.2B], the side walls 41 of the connector back cover 1 are interconnected by corner edges 43 which can be rounded. The rounded corner edges 43 have the advantage that the connector back cover 1 is easily foldable from the open state to the closed state by rotating the first side portion 5 about the rotation axis of the first joint 9 and rotating the second side portion 7 about the rotation axis of the second joint 11 to enclose an object with a corresponding shape including rounded corner edges.If the object and the side walls 41 of the connector back cover 1 had sharp corner edges, the connector back cover 1 could not be folded by rotating the first side portion 5 about the rotation axis of the first joint 9 and rotating the second side portion 7 about the rotation axis of the second joint 11.

[0048] In addition, the rear wall 39 and the side walls 41 of the connector rear cover 1 are interconnected by sections 45 which can be chamfered. This has the advantage of avoiding injuries due to sharp edges.

[0049] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, each of the middle portion 3, the first side portion 5, and the second side portion 7 of the connector rear cover 1 comprises fastening means 33 configured to establish a form-fitting connection with a connector housing 35. In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the fastening means 33 are located at the side walls 41 of the connector rear cover 1. In this example, the fastening means 33 comprise slots 53 in the side walls of the middle portion 3, the first side portion 5, and the second side portion 7 of the connector rear cover 1. These slots may comprise a through hole 37 in the side wall 41 of the middle portion 3 between the first hinge 9 and the second hinge 11 and another through hole 51 (shown in [Fig.3A]) in the side wall 41 of the middle portion 3 opposite the side wall 41 which comprises the first articulation 9 and the second articulation 11. .

[0050] In addition, the first side portion 5 may comprise a hole 65 (shown in [Fig.2B]) in the rounded corner edge 43 next to the joint 9 and a hole 67 (shown in [Fig.6B]) in the rounded corner edge 43 opposite the joint 9. Correspondingly, the second side portion 7 may comprise a hole 69 (shown in [Fig.2B]) in the rounded corner edge 43 next to the joint 11 and a hole 71 (not shown) in the rounded corner edge 43 opposite the joint 11.

[0051] It is important to note that the fastening means 33 are configured such that a form-fitting connection can be established with a connector housing 35, in which the connector rear cover 1 is secured to the connector housing 35 in the closed state, but the connector rear cover 1 cannot be secured in the closed state without being secured to a connector housing 35. To achieve this, the fastening means 33 are configured such that they do not engage each other. This has the advantage that the connector rear cover 1 does not accidentally lock in the closed state before installation.

[0052] The present disclosure also relates to a connector system. An exemplary embodiment of a connector system according to the present disclosure is shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The connector system comprises a connector housing 35 and a connector back cover 1 according to any of the embodiments described above. [Fig. 3A] is a perspective view of a connector system according to the present disclosure with the connector back cover 1 in the open state and [Fig. 3B] is a perspective view of a connector system according to the present disclosure with the connector back cover 1 in the closed state.

[0053] As shown in [Fig. 3A], the connector housing 35 includes a rear portion 59 that has a shape that allows for a form-fitting connection of the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 and the connector rear cover 1. The rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 includes projections 61 (shown in [Fig. 3B]) and 63 (shown in [Fig. 3A]) at opposite sides of the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35. The projections 61 and 63 are located such that they can engage the through holes 37 and 51 in the side walls of the middle portion 3 of the connector rear cover 1, respectively.By inserting the projections 61 and 63 into the through holes 37 and 51 in the side walls of the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1, a form-fitting connection is established between the back portion 59 of the connector housing 35 and the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1.

[0054] The connector system includes a locking mechanism 47 for securing the connector back cover 1 to the connector housing 35 in the closed state. The locking mechanism 47 for securing the connector back cover 1 to the connector housing 35 in the closed state may include a snap 49. As shown in [Fig.3B], the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 includes protrusions 73 and 75 that are located such that they can engage with the holes 67 and 71 in the side walls of the first side portion 5 of the connector back cover 1 and the second side portion 7 of the connector back cover 1, respectively. By inserting the protrusion 73 into the hole 67 in the wall side of the first side part 5 of the connector back cover 1, a form-fitting connection is established between the rear part 59 of the connector housing 35 and the first side part 5 of the connector back cover 1. Correspondingly, by inserting the projection 75 into the hole 71 in the side wall of the second side part 7 of the connector back cover 1, a form-fitting connection is established between the rear part 59 of the connector housing 35 and the second side part 7 of the connector back cover 1.

[0055] The rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 may include additional projections and the side walls 41 of the connector rear cover 1 may include additional slots that are configured to receive the additional projections to establish a form-fitting connection between the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 and the connector rear cover 1. As shown in [Fig.3B], the additional slots may include, for example, holes 65 and 69 in the side walls of the first side portion 5 of the connector rear cover 1 and the second side portion 7 of the connector rear cover 1, respectively.

[0056] The present disclosure also relates to a method for assembling a connector system according to any of the embodiments described above. The first method step is illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In this step, wire terminals 57 are inserted into the connector housing 35. Optionally, the wire terminals 57 may be crimped before being inserted into the connector housing 35. At this stage, the wires 55 are not yet bound together by the connector rear cover 1. This has the advantage that the wires 55 can be handled more flexibly, which for example allows the crimping process to be automated.

[0057] The second and third method steps are illustrated in Figures 5A to 5D. In the second method step, the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1 is inserted between the wires 55. As shown for example in [Fig.5A], the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1 is placed between the wires 55 in such a way that the wires 55 touch the edges of the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1 at the recesses. In the example shown in Figures 5A to 5D, there are four wires 55, two of which touch the first edge 13 of the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1 at the two recesses 21 in the first edge of the middle portion, and the other two of which touch the second edge 15 of the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1 at the two recesses 23 in the second edge of the middle portion 3.

[0058] In the third method step, the middle portion 3 of the connector rear cover 1 is fixed to the connector housing 35 via a locking mechanism 47. More specifically, the projection 61 in the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 is inserted into the through hole 37 in the side wall 41 of the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, and the projection 63 in the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 is inserted into the through hole 51 in the side wall 41 of the middle portion 3 of the connector back cover 1, as shown in [Fig.5C].

[0059] The fourth and fifth method steps are illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B. In the fourth method step, the first side portion 5 and the second side portion 7 of the connector back cover 1 are folded from the open state to the closed state, thereby causing the first side edge 17 of the first side portion 5 to touch the first edge 13 of the middle portion 3, and the second side edge 19 of the second side portion 7 to touch the second edge 15 of the middle portion 3. As shown in [Fig.6A], the first side portion 5 and the second side portion 7 of the connector back cover 1 are placed around the wires 55 in such a manner that the wires 55 touch the first side edge 17 of the first side portion 5 and the second side edge 19 of the second side portion 7 at the recesses.In the example shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, there are four wires 55, two of which touch the first side edge 17 of the first side portion 5 of the connector back cover 1 at the two recesses 21 in the first side edge 17 of the first side portion 5, and the other two of which touch the second side edge 19 of the second side portion 7 of the connector back cover 1 at the two recesses 21 in the second side edge 19 of the second side portion 7. As shown in [Fig.6A], the recesses form openings 29 which enclose the wires 55 individually.

[0060] In the fifth method step, the first side portion 5 and the second side portion 7 of the connector rear cover 1 are secured to the connector housing 35 via a locking mechanism 47. More specifically, the projection 73 in the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 is inserted into the hole 67 in the side wall 41 of the first side portion 5 of the connector rear cover 1, as shown in [Fig.6B], and the projection 75 in the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35 is inserted into the hole 71 in the side wall 41 of the second side portion 7 of the connector rear cover 1. Thus, the connector rear cover 1 is locked in the closed position and secured to the rear portion 59 of the connector housing 35.

[0061] Numerical references 1 Rear connector cover 3 Middle portion 5 First side portion 7 Second lateral portion 9 First joint 11 Second joint 13 First edge 15 Second edge 17 First side edge 19 Second lateral edge 21 Recess in the first edge of the middle portion 23 Recess in the second edge of the middle portion 25 Recess in the first lateral edge of the first lateral portion 27 Recess in the second lateral edge of the second lateral portion 29 Opening 31 Electrical conductor 33 Means of fixing 35 Connector housing 37 Through hole 39 Rear wall 41 Side wall 43 Corner edges 45 Chamfered section 47 Locking mechanism 49 Snap-in 51 Through hole 53 Slot 55 Thread 57 Wire terminal 59 Rear part of the connector housing 61 Projection 63 Projection 65 Hole in the first side portion 67 Hole in the first side portion 69 Hole in the second lateral portion 71 Hole in the second lateral portion 73 Projection 75 Projection 77 Projection 79 Projection 101 Rear connector cover 129 Opening 139 Rear wall 147 Locking Means

Claims

Claims

1. A connector back cover (1) comprising a middle portion (3) having a first edge (13) and a second edge (15), a first side portion (5) having a first side edge (17), and a second side portion (7) having a second side edge (19), wherein the first side portion (5) is connected to the middle portion (3) by a first hinge (9) and the second side portion (7) is connected to the middle portion (3) by a second hinge (11) so that the connector back cover (1) is foldable between an open state and a closed state, wherein the first edge (13) of the middle portion (3) faces the first side edge (17) of the first side portion (5) and the second edge (15) of the middle portion (3) faces the second side edge (19) of the second side portion (5), wherein the middle portion (3) comprises at least one recess (21) which is located at the first edge (13) of the middle portion (3) and at least one recess (23) which is located at the second edge (15) of the middle portion (3), wherein the first lateral portion (5) comprises at least one recess (25) located at the first lateral edge (17) of the first lateral portion (5) and the second lateral portion (7) comprises at least one recess (27) located at the second lateral edge (19) of the second lateral portion (7), characterized in that the recesses (21, 23, 25, 27) at the edges (13, 15, 17, 19) of the middle portion (3), of the first lateral portion (5) and of the second lateral portion (7) are arranged such that for each recess (21, 23) located at the first (13) or second edge (15) of the middle portion (3), there is exactly one recess (25, 27) located at the first side edge (17) of the first side portion (5) or the second side edge (19) of the second side portion (7), which is positioned such that when the connector back cover (1) is in the closed state, the two recesses form an opening (29) in the connector back cover (1), and for each recess (25, 27) located at the first lateral edge (17) of the first side portion (5) or the second side edge (19) of the second side portion (7), there is exactly one recess (21, 23) located at the first (13) or the second edge (15) of the middle portion (3), which is positioned such that when the connector rear cover (1) is in the closed state, the two recesses form an opening (29) in the connector rear cover (1), each of the middle portion (3), the first side portion (5) and the second side portion (7) comprises fastening means (33) configured to establish a form-fitting connection with a connector housing (35), and the fastening means (33) comprises a through hole (37) between the first hinge (9) and the second hinge (11).

2. The connector back cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connector back cover (1) comprises four openings (29) in the closed state.

3. A connector back cover (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the openings (29) in the connector back cover (1) is configured to receive an electrical conductor (31).

4. The connector back cover (1) according to claim 3, wherein each of the openings (29) in the connector back cover (1) is configured to fully envelop a circumference of the electrical conductor (31), when the connector back cover (1) is in the closed state.

5. A connector back cover (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein an axis of rotation of the first joint (9) extends along an axis of rotation of the second joint (11).

6. A connector rear cover (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector rear cover (1), in the closed state, comprises a rear wall (39) and four side walls (41) which are substantially transverse to the rear wall (39).

7. A connector back cover (1) according to claim 6, wherein the openings (29) are located in the rear wall (39) of the connector back cover (1).

8. A connector back cover (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first hinge (9) and the second hinge (11) are arranged at the same side wall (41) of the connector rear cover (1).

9. A connector back cover (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the side walls (41) of the connector back cover (1) are interconnected by rounded corner edges (43).

10. A connector back cover (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the back wall (39) and the side walls (41) of the connector back cover (1) are interconnected by chamfered sections (45).

11. A connector system comprising a connector housing (35), and a connector back cover (1) according to any preceding claim.

12. The connector system of claim 11, further comprising a locking mechanism (47) for securing the connector back cover (1) to the connector housing (35) in the closed state.

13. A connector system according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism (47) for securing the connector rear cover (1) to the connector housing in the closed state comprises a snap-in (49).

14. A method of assembling a connector system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, the method comprising the following steps: inserting terminals (57) of wire (55) into the connector housing (35), inserting the middle portion (3) of the connector back cover (1) between the wires (55), securing the middle portion (3) of the connector back cover (1) to the connector housing (35) via a locking mechanism (47), closing the first side portion (5) and the second side portion (7) of the connector back cover (1), and securing the first side portion (5) and the second side portion (7) of the connector back cover (1) to the connector housing (35) in the closed state via a locking mechanism (47).

15. A method of assembling a connector system according to claim 14, further comprising the following steps: crimp terminals (57) of wire (55), and insert crimped wire (55) terminals (57) into connector housing (35).

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