Connector housing assemblies, connectors, and connection assemblies

Abstract

To provide a housing assembly capable of preventing such installation errors that an operator erroneously attempts to forcefully mate connectors without using a lever.SOLUTION: A housing assembly includes a connector housing (16) and a lever (12). The connector housing (16) includes a receptacle. The lever (12) is arranged on the connector housing (16) movable between an initial position (24) and a pre-lock position, and includes at least one lever arm (38) with a blocking section (50). The blocking section (50) is located within the receptacle when the lever (12) is in the initial position (24). The blocking section (50) is located outside of the receptacle when the lever is in the pre-lock position. Due to the blocking section being located in the receptacle, an operator tasked with the intermating is prevented from trying to forcefully mate the connectors without actuating the lever.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing assembly for an electrical connector, such as a plug connector for automotive applications, to an electrical connector comprising such a housing assembly, and to a connection assembly comprising such an electrical connector and a mating connector.

[0002] However, the applicability of the inventive concept is not limited to electrical connectors or the automotive field: for example, the inventive concept can be used in other types of connectors (such as optical connectors) and can be extended to other applications in the engineering field. [Background technology]

[0003] In applications involving the transmission of electrical power and / or electrical signals, it may be necessary to electrically connect technological units that are separated from one another in a separable manner, for example, via an electrical cable, using electrical connectors. Establishing such an electrical connection by interfitting a pair of corresponding electrical connectors (i.e., a connector and a mating connector) typically requires overcoming certain internal resistance forces.

[0004] To facilitate this process, so-called mating assist levers can be provided. These mating assist levers are often manually operated to pull and / or push the electrical connector and mating connector toward each other to establish an electrical connection. Such mating assist levers provide leverage to reduce the mating force that an operator must apply to overcome the internal resistance.

[0005] However, if these mating assist levers are not operated properly, they can lead to installation errors. For example, a worker may mistakenly try to forcefully mate the electrical connector with the mating connector without using the lever. While the resulting condition may appear to be normal at first glance, it is highly likely that the electrical connection will not function. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve the handling of electrical connectors in general, and to prevent installation errors in particular. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This object is achieved by a housing assembly for an electrical connector intermateable with a mating connector, the housing assembly comprising a connector housing and a lever for assisting the mating process between the electrical connector and the mating connector, the connector housing comprising a receptacle for at least partially receiving the mating connector, the lever being arranged on the connector housing movably between an initial position and a pre-lock position and comprising at least one lever arm having a block portion, the block portion being located within the receptacle when the lever is in the initial position and the block portion being located outside the receptacle when the lever is in the pre-lock position.

[0008] The above solution is advantageous because the lever can function as the aforementioned mating assist lever. Furthermore, when used with an electrical connector, the housing assembly can prevent installation errors as follows: Typically, an electrical connector includes a housing assembly with its lever in an initial position. The blocking portion, located within the receptacle, blocks insertion of the mating connector into the receptacle until the operator actually moves the lever to the pre-lock position. Thus, blocking insertion directly prevents an operator from attempting to mate the connectors without actuating the lever. It also encourages the operator to actuate the lever during the mating process.

[0009] The above solution may be further improved by adding one or more of the following optional features, each of which is advantageous in itself and can also be combined independently with any other optional feature.

[0010] According to a first possible embodiment, the electrical connector is preferably intermateable with a mating connector along a mating direction. The receptacle may be a part of a mating surface that is designed to complement the mating surface of the mating connector. This makes it easier to handle the electrical connector and the mating connector.

[0011] Furthermore, the blocking portion can provide an abutment surface facing outward from the receptacle when the lever is in the initial position. The abutment surface facing outward from the receptacle may include a normal vector facing outward from the receptacle. The normal vector is preferably parallel to the mating direction. Therefore, the abutment surface prevents the mating connector from entering the receptacle as long as the lever is in the initial position.

[0012] According to another possible embodiment that is easy to manufacture, the blocking portion may protrude toward the connector housing. In particular, the blocking portion may be formed by a protrusion that extends into the receptacle when the lever is in the initial position. The abutment surface may be located at the front end of the protrusion. For example, the protrusion may be a rib that extends along the mating direction when the lever is in the initial position. Furthermore, the protrusion may move out of the receptacle to open the receptacle when the lever is in the pre-lock position.

[0013] To realize movement of the block portion in a compact and limited space, the block portion preferably moves along an arcuate path when the lever is moved from the initial position to the pre-lock position. Specifically, the block portion may move along a circular path when the lever is moved from the initial position to the pre-lock position. To implement this, the lever may be pivotally and / or rotatably disposed on the connector housing. In particular, the lever may be pivotally and / or rotatably disposed about a pivot axis, and the block portion, in particular, has an abutment surface spaced apart from the pivot axis, preferably spaced apart radially from the pivot axis.

[0014] The pivot may be fixed in that the connector housing includes at least one pivot journal for pivotally holding the lever, the lever includes at least one bearing hole for at least partially receiving the at least one pivot journal, and the block portion may be radially offset relative to a center of the at least one bearing hole.

[0015] Optionally, the block portion may include a chamfer adjacent to the abutment surface. The chamfer is preferably further away from the pivot axis than the abutment surface. In other words, the abutment surface may be closer to the pivot axis than the chamfer. The chamfer thus prevents any corners of the block portion from getting stuck, thereby facilitating movement of the block portion along the arcuate trajectory. Instead of the chamfer, a rounded edge may be provided adjacent to the abutment surface.

[0016] According to another possible embodiment, the connector housing may include a housing pocket adjacent to the receptacle, and the blocking portion is located in the housing pocket when the lever is in the pre-lock position. Thus, the housing pocket provides a retreat space for the blocking portion. In particular, the blocking portion may pivot into the housing pocket when the lever is pivoted from the initial position to the pre-lock position.

[0017] Preferably, the block portion is fully received in the housing pocket when the lever is in the pre-lock position, thereby eliminating interference between the block portion and the mating connector when the lever is in the pre-lock position.

[0018] Further elimination of interference may be achieved in embodiments in which the blocking portion is located on opposite sides of the pivot axis when the lever is in the pre-lock position from when the lever is in the initial position. In particular, the pivot axis and mating direction may share a plane, and as the lever is pivoted from the initial position to the pre-lock position, the blocking portion moves through said plane, and vice versa.

[0019] For improved stability, the lever may include two lever arms. Furthermore, the lever may be U-shaped and may at least partially surround the connector housing. Each lever arm may include a block portion. Furthermore, the block portions of the two lever arms may face each other and protrude inward toward the connector housing.

[0020] The object of the present invention defined at the outset can also be achieved by an electrical connector comprising a housing assembly according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, in which at least one electrical contact element is positioned in the connector housing for contacting a mating contact of a mating connector. Optionally, multiple contact elements may be arranged in the connector housing, depending on the field of use of the electrical connector. Due to the features and advantages of the housing assembly already described above, the electrical connector according to the present invention can be easily handled with little or no risk of installation errors.

[0021] The object of the invention defined at the outset can further be achieved by a connection assembly comprising an electrical connector according to one of the aforementioned embodiments and a mating connector configured to be insertable into a receptacle of the electrical connector, the mating connector being provided with at least one driven element arranged to be engageable with the lever.

[0022] Alternatively, the lever may include at least one drive element arranged to engage at least one driven element of the mating connector. The at least one drive element may be arranged on at least one lever arm adjacent to the block portion. In particular, the at least one drive element may be arranged at the base of the block portion, or vice versa.

[0023] For example, the at least one driven element may be a toothed rack extending along or obliquely relative to the mating portion, the at least one driving element may be a single gear tooth formed complementary to the toothed rack, or alternatively, the at least one driving element may be a gear portion extending circumferentially relative to the pivot axis and partially around the at least one bearing bore.

[0024] The connector assembly according to the invention also benefits from the advantages of the housing assembly: the interaction between the above-mentioned block portion and the mating connector can effectively prevent installation errors.

[0025] According to one possible embodiment, the connection assembly may include a first state in which the mating connector is inserted into the receptacle of the electrical connector, the lever is in an initial position, and the block portion abuts against the mating connector. In particular, the abutment surface of the block portion may abut against a stop surface of a shoulder formed on the mating connector. This abutment is maintained as long as the lever remains in the initial position.

[0026] Preferably, in the first state (which may also be referred to as the pre-insertion state), the mating connector can only be inserted into the electrical connector receptacle to a depth where the distance between the electrical contact elements and any mating contacts is greater than the clearance and creepage distances. This insertion depth limit prevents arcing while the connection assembly is in the first state.

[0027] According to another possible embodiment, the connection assembly may include a second state in which the lever is in a pre-lock position and the blocking portion is out of engagement with the mating connector. In particular, the blocking portion is outside the receptacle, preferably in the housing pocket described above. This allows the mating connector to be inserted further into the receptacle of the electrical connector. This second state, which can also be referred to as an insertion state, therefore verifies the correct positioning of the lever.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the connection assembly may include a third state in which the mating connector is inserted further into the receptacle of the electrical connector than in the first state, the lever is in a pre-lock position, and movement of the lever to the initial position is blocked by the mating connector. To this end, the mating connector may include a rest surface on the aforementioned shoulder portion of the mating connector. The rest surface of the shoulder may cover the housing pocket while the third state persists, preventing the blocking portion from coming out of the housing pocket and preventing the lever from entering the initial position.

[0029] Optionally, the block portion may include a sliding surface opposite the abutment surface. The sliding surface may be located at the rear end of the protrusion. When the lever is in the pre-lock position and the connection assembly is in the third state, the sliding surface may be flush with the housing pocket. Furthermore, the sliding surface may contact the rest surface of the shoulder.

[0030] In the first, second, and third states, the at least one driving element and the at least one driven element are not yet engaged, and the third state persists unless the engagement occurs. Therefore, the third state may also be referred to as a pre-engagement state.

[0031] To create engagement between the at least one driver element and the at least one driven element, the electrical connector and the mating connector must be pushed together to a specific insertion depth. During this process, the sliding surface of the lever may slide over the rest surface of the shoulder. When engagement occurs, the rest surface passes through the housing pocket. This creates the fourth state of the connection assembly: the engaged state.

[0032] In the fourth state, the mating connector is inserted further into the electrical connector receptacle than in the third state, the at least one drive element is engaged with the at least one driven element, and the lever is movable from the pre-lock position to the initial position, thereby ensuring that the lever is actuated by the operator without prematurely and only when the at least one drive element is actually engaged with the at least one driven element.

[0033] By returning the lever from the pre-lock position to the initial position, the rotational movement of the lever is converted via the driving and driven elements into a translational movement that mates the connectors, bringing the connection assembly into a fifth state, which may also be called the (fully) mated state.

[0034] The initial position of the lever may coincide with the final position of the lever, i.e., the connection assembly moves back and forth during the interlocking process. Alternatively, the final position may be located past the initial position and away from the pre-lock position.

[0035] Optionally, the housing assembly may include a slidable CPA (Connector Position Assurance) element for holding the lever in a final position. As a further optional feature, the connector housing and lever may each include at least one latching element for locking the lever in a predetermined position, such as an initial position, a pre-lock position, and / or a final position. The different states of the connection assembly are designated as first, second, third, fourth, and fifth states based on the order in which they are described herein. However, this should not be understood to imply any temporal or causal limitations. Depending on the application of the connection assembly, the pre-insertion state, inserted state, pre-engaged state, and engaged state may also exist in other combinations and / or sequences.

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The illustrated and described embodiments are for illustrative purposes only. The combination of features shown in the embodiments may be modified in accordance with the foregoing description. For example, a feature not shown in an embodiment but described above may be added if the technical effect associated with that feature is beneficial for a particular application. Vice versa, a feature shown as part of an embodiment may be omitted as described above if the technical effect associated with that feature is not required for a particular application.

[0037] In the drawings, elements that correspond to one another in terms of function and / or structure are given the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electrical connector according to one possible embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mating connector according to one possible embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a mating assist lever in an initial position according to one possible embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]4 is a schematic side view of the mating assist lever shown in FIG. 3 in a pre-lock position. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a connection assembly in a first state according to one possible embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of detail VI of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 5 in a second state. [Figure 8] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 5 in a third state. [Figure 9] 6 is another schematic cross-sectional side view of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 5 in a third state. [Figure 10] 6 is another schematic cross-sectional side view of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 5 in a fourth state. [Figure 11] 6 is another schematic cross-sectional side view of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 5 in a fifth state. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a connector housing according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The structure of the housing assembly 1 will be described below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 12. The structure of the electrical connector 2 and the structure of the connection assembly 4 according to the present invention will also be described.

[0040] 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector 2 intermateable with a mating connector 6 along a mating direction 8 (see FIG. 2). The electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 6 together form a connection assembly 4.

[0041] The electrical connector 2 comprises a housing assembly 1 according to the present invention. The electrical connector 2 comprises at least one electrical contact element 10 positioned in the housing assembly 1 for contacting a mating contact 14 of a mating connector 6.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1 , housing assembly 1 includes connector housing 16. Connector housing 16 may be an injection-molded plastic part and, as such, may include a mating surface 18. Mating surface 18 faces mating direction 8 and may be designed to be complementary to an opposing mating surface 20 (see FIG. 2 ) of the mating connector 6. As part of mating surface 18, connector housing 16 includes a receptacle 22 for at least partially receiving the mating connector 6. In other words, the mating connector 6 is configured to be insertable into the receptacle 22 of electrical connector 1.

[0043] The housing assembly 1 further includes a mating assist lever 12 for assisting the mating process between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 6. The mating assist lever 12 may also be an injection molded plastic part.

[0044] The mating assist lever 12 is disposed on the connector housing 16 so as to be movable between an initial position 24 (see FIG. 1 ) and a pre-lock position 26 (see FIG. 7 ). In particular, the mating assist lever 12 is pivotable or rotatable from the initial position 24 to the pre-lock position 26 and vice versa. Thus, the mating assist lever 12 may be pivotable about a pivot axis 28, more specifically, about a fixed pivot axis.

[0045] For this purpose, the connector housing 16 may include at least one shaft journal 30 for pivotally holding the mating assist lever 12. Meanwhile, the mating assist lever 12 may include at least one bearing hole 32 for at least partially receiving the shaft journal 30. The pivot 28, as well as the at least one shaft journal 30 and the at least one bearing hole 32, extend perpendicular to the mating direction 8. When a plurality of shaft journals 30 and holes 32 are provided, they are preferably parallel and coaxial with each other, and in particular parallel and coaxial with the pivot 28.

[0046] The at least one shaft journal 30 may have a substantially cylindrical bearing surface 34 for the mating assist lever 12 extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the at least one shaft journal 30. Optionally, the at least one shaft journal 30 may have a distal end with a teardrop-shaped flange 36. In this case, the at least one bearing hole 32 may also be correspondingly teardrop-shaped. When assembling the mating assist lever 12 to the connector housing 16, it may be possible to receive the at least one shaft journal 30 in the at least one bearing hole 32 only when the mating assist lever 12 is in the correct assembly position (not shown) and the above-mentioned teardrop-shaped elements match each other. Conversely, the mating assist lever 12 cannot be removed from the connector housing 16 unless the mating assist lever is in the assembly position.

[0047] The mating assist lever 12 includes at least one lever arm 38 having a drive element 40 (see FIG. 3 ) and is configured to be manually operated. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive element 40 is a single gear tooth 42. Alternatively, the drive element 40 may be a gear portion (not shown) that extends partially around the at least one bearing hole 32 in a circumferential direction 44 relative to the pivot axis 28.

[0048] Instead of the at least one drive element 40 being a gear portion, the at least one drive element 40 can also be a friction wheel or a friction wheel portion (not shown). Alternatively, the at least one drive element 40 can be an eccentric cam wheel or an eccentric cam wheel portion (not shown).

[0049] The mating connector 6 may be provided with the mating assist lever 12 , in particular with at least one driven element 46 arranged to be engageable with the at least one drive element 40 .

[0050] The at least one driven element 46 may be, for example, a toothed rack 48 extending in the mating direction 8 or extending obliquely relative to the mating direction 8. The toothed rack 48 is preferably shaped complementarily to the gear teeth 42.

[0051] When the at least one drive element 40 and the at least one driven element 46 are engaged with one another (see FIG. 10 ), the elements are interlocked or interlocked. During this engagement, movement of the mating assist lever 12 converts the rotational movement of the lever into translational relative movement between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 6. When the mating assist lever 12 is moved from the pre-lock position 26 to the initial position 24, the translational movement to effect mating occurs. When the mating assist lever 12 is moved from the initial position 24 to the pre-lock position 26, the translational movement to effect unmating follows.

[0052] The mating assist lever 12 includes a block portion 50 on at least one lever arm 38 adjacent to at least one drive element 40 (see FIG. 3). In particular, the block portion 50 may be located at the base of at least one drive element 40, or vice versa. Alternatively, the at least one drive element 40 and the block portion 50 may be spaced apart from each other.

[0053] The blocking portion 50 may protrude toward the connector housing 16 when the mating assist lever 12 is disposed in the connector housing 16. As can be seen in FIG. 3 , the blocking portion 50 may be formed by a protrusion 52, for example, a rib 54 that extends along the mating direction 8 when the mating assist lever 12 is in the initial position 24.

[0054] Optionally, the mating assist lever 12 may comprise two lever arms 38. Furthermore, the mating assist lever 12 may be U-shaped and may at least partially surround the connector housing 16 (see FIG. 1). The two lever arms 38 may be joined by a handle 56 to form a structural unit 58. In other words, the mating assist lever 12 may be a one-piece part. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the mating assist lever 12 may also be a multi-part part. In particular, the two lever arms may be configured to be separable from each other. Optionally, the lever may include a detachable connecting element, via which the two lever arms can be connected to form the above-mentioned U-shape.

[0055] Each lever arm may include one block portion 50. The block portions 50 of the two lever arms 38 may face each other and protrude inward. The function of the block portions 50 will be explained below by taking one block portion 50 as an example.

[0056] When the mating assist lever 12 is in the initial position 24, the block portion 50 is located within the receptacle 22. In particular, when the mating assist lever 12 is in the initial position 24, the protrusion 52 extends into the receptacle 22. Furthermore, when the mating assist lever 12 is in the pre-lock position 26, the block portion 50 is located outside the receptacle 22. That is, when the mating assist lever 12 is moved to the pre-lock position 26, the block portion 50 moves out of the receptacle 22 (and thereby opens the receptacle 22).

[0057] 3 and 4, the block portion 50 is preferably located on opposite sides of the pivot axis 28 when the mating assist lever 12 is in the pre-lock position 26 and when the mating assist lever 12 is in the initial position 24. That is, the block portion 50 is located above the pivot axis 28 in FIG. 3 and below the pivot axis 28 in FIG. 4. In other words, the pivot axis 28 and the mating direction 8 share a plane 60, and when the mating assist lever 12 is pivoted from the initial position 24 to the pre-lock position 26, the block portion 50 moves through the plane 60, and vice versa.

[0058] Preferably, the block portion 50 provides an abutment surface 62 that faces outward from the receptacle 22 when the mating assist lever 12 is in the initial position 24. The abutment surface 62 may be located at the front end 64 of the protrusion 52 described above. Furthermore, the abutment surface 62 may represent a normal vector of the outwardly facing surface of the receptacle 22.

[0059] 5 to 11 show a series of steps illustrating the interaction between the mating assist lever 12 and the mating connector 6 when establishing an electrical connection between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 6. First, the electrical connector 2 is placed on the mating connector 6 with the opposing mating surface 20 inserted into the mating surface 18, and at this time, the mating assist lever 12 is in the initial position 24.

[0060] In this first state 101 of the connection assembly 4, the blocking portion 50, and more specifically, its abutment surface 62, prevents the mating connector 6 from fully entering the receptacle 22. This is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, where it can be seen that the blocking portion 50 abuts against a stop surface 63 on a shoulder 55 formed on the mating connector 6. This abutment is maintained as long as the mating assist lever 12 remains in the initial position 24. Due to the large gap 68 between the connectors 2 and 6, a person (not shown) mating the connectors 2, 6 will clearly recognize that the mating process is not yet complete.

[0061] Preferably, in this first state 101 (which may also be referred to as the pre-insertion state 70), the mating connector 6 can only be inserted into the receptacle 22 of the electrical connector 1 to a depth where the distance between the electrical contact elements 10 and any mating contacts 14 is greater than the clearance and creepage distances. As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrical connector 1 includes the housing assembly 1 with its mating assist lever 12 in its initial position 24. The presence of the blocking portion 50 within the receptacle 22 blocks insertion of the mating connector 6 until an operator moves the mating assist lever 12 to the pre-lock position 26. This insertion depth limit prevents arcing if the connectors 2, 6 are mated without actuation of the mating assist lever 12.

[0062] To continue the mating process, the blocking portion 50 must be released from engagement with the stop surface 63 of the shoulder 55. To achieve this, the operator next moves the mating assist lever 12 to the pre-lock position 26. As described above, this moves the blocking portion 50 out of the receptacle 22, bringing the connection assembly 4 into the second state 102 (see FIG. 7).

[0063] For example, the connector housing 16 may include a housing pocket 74 that functions as a retreat space 76 for the block portion 50. The housing pocket 74 may be disposed adjacent to the receptacle 22. The block portion 50 is preferably positioned within the housing pocket 74 when the mating assist lever 12 is in the pre-lock position 26. In particular, when the mating assist lever 12 is in the pre-lock position 26, the block portion 50 can be completely received in the housing pocket 74.

[0064] 3 , the block portion 50 may be spaced apart from the pivot axis 28, preferably in a radial direction 78 relative to the pivot axis 28. In other words, the block portion 50 may be radially offset relative to the center of the at least one bearing hole 32. This allows the block portion 50 to move along an arcuate path when the mating assist lever 12 is moved, pivoted, or rotated from the initial position 24 to the pre-lock position 26. In particular, when the mating assist lever 12 is pivoted from the initial position 24 to the pre-lock position 26, the block portion 50 may pivot into the housing pocket 74.

[0065] Optionally, the block portion 50 may include a chamfer 80 adjacent the abutment surface 62. The chamfer 80 prevents jamming at the shoulders 55 at any corners of the block portion 50, thereby facilitating movement of the block portion 50 into the housing pocket 74 along an arcuate path.

[0066] Because the blocking portion 50 is outside the receptacle 22 and preferably within the housing pocket 74, the mating connector 6 can be inserted further into the receptacle 22 of the electrical connector 1. Therefore, this second state 102 may also be referred to as the inserted state 82.

[0067] The second state 102 may be followed by a third state 103 of the connection assembly 4, shown in Figures 8 and 9, in which the at least one drive element 40 and the at least one driven element 46 are not yet engaged. The third state 103 persists as long as the engagement does not occur. Therefore, the third state 103 may also be referred to as the pre-engagement state 86.

[0068] During the third state 103, movement of the mating assist lever 12 to the initial position 24 is blocked by the mating connector 6 to maintain the mating assist lever 12 in the pre-lock position 26 and prevent premature movement, pivoting, or rotation of the mating assist lever 12.

[0069] For this purpose, the mating connector 6 may include a rest surface 88 on the shoulder 55. The rest surface 88 may extend obliquely relative to the stop surface 63, in particular perpendicular to the stop surface 63. The rest surface 88 and the stop surface 63 may together form a corner of the shoulder 55. Furthermore, the rest surface 88 of the shoulder 55 covers the housing pocket 74 while the third state 103 persists, thereby preventing the block member 50 from leaving the housing pocket 74 and inhibiting the pivoting of the mating-assist lever 12.

[0070] Optionally, the block portion 50 may include a sliding surface 90 opposite the abutment surface 62. The sliding surface 90 may be located at the rear end 92 of the protrusion 52 described above. When the mating assist lever 12 is in the pre-lock position 26 and the connection assembly 4 is in the third state 103 (i.e., the pre-engagement state 86), the sliding surface 90 may be flush with the housing pocket 74. Furthermore, the sliding surface 90 may contact the rest surface 88 of the shoulder portion 55 (see FIG. 8 ).

[0071] To create engagement between the at least one drive element 40 and the at least one driven element 46, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 6 must be pushed together to a certain insertion depth (see FIG. 10). Once engagement occurs, the rest surface passes the housing pocket 74, allowing the lever to pivot (again). In the process, the sliding surface 90 may slide over the rest surface 88 of the shoulder 55.

[0072] In the resulting fourth state 104, the mating connector 6 is inserted further into the receptacle 22 of the electrical connector 1 compared to the third state 103. Additionally, the at least one drive element 40 is engaged with the at least one driven element 46, and the mating assist lever 12 is movable from the pre-lock position 26 to the initial position 24. Therefore, the fourth state 104 may also be referred to as the engaged state 96.

[0073] The connection assembly 4 can be brought from the fourth state 104 to the fifth state 105 by moving, pivoting, or rotating the mating assist lever 12 from the pre-lock position 26 to the initial position 24 (see FIG. 11 ). As already explained above, this results in translational relative movement between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 6, resulting in the connectors 2, 6 being fully mated. The fifth state 105 can therefore also be referred to as the (fully) mated state 98.

[0074] The initial position 24 may coincide with the final position 72 of the mating assist lever 12. Alternatively, the final position 72 may be located past the initial position 24 and away from the pre-lock position 26. Optionally, the housing assembly 1 may include a slidable CPA (Connector Position Assurance) element 94 for holding the mating assist lever 12 in the final position 72 (see FIG. 11 ). Alternatively, the connector housing 16 and the mating assist lever 12 may each include at least one latch element 66 for securing the mating assist lever 12 in a predetermined position, such as the initial position 24, the pre-lock position 26, the final position 72, and / or an assembled position (not shown) (see FIGS. 3 and 12 ).

[0075] Depending on the application of the connection assembly 4, the pre-insertion state 70, the insertion state 82, the pre-engagement state 86, and the engagement state 96 may exist in other combinations and / or sequences. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Housing Assembly 2 Electrical Connectors 4 Connection Assembly 6 Mating connector 8 Mating direction 10 Contact Elements 12 Mating assist lever 14 Counterpart Contact 16 Connector housing 18 Mating surface 20 Opposite mating surfaces 22 Receptacle 24 Initial position 26 Pre-lock position 28 Axis 30 axis journal 32 Bearing hole 34 bearing surface 36 Teardrop flange 38 Lever arm 40 Driving Elements 42 gear teeth 44 Circumferential direction 46 Follower element 48 Toothed Rack 50 Block Section 52 Protrusion 54 Ribs 55 Shoulder 56 Handle 58 structural units 60 planes 62 Contact surface 63 Stopping surface 64 Front end 66 Latching element 68 Gap 70 Before insertion 72 Final position 74 Housing Pocket 76 Evacuation space 78 Radial 80 Chamfered part 82 Inserted state 86 Pre-engagement state 88 Pausing surface 90 sliding surface 92 Rear end 94 CPA Elements 96 Engaged state 98 Mated state 101 First State 102 Second State 103 The Third State 104 The Fourth State 105 The Fifth State

Claims

1. A housing assembly (1) for an electrical connector (2) intermateable with a mating connector (6), said housing assembly (1) comprising: a connector housing (16), a lever (12) for assisting the mating process between the electrical connector (2) and the mating connector (6); Equipped with The connector housing (16) includes a receptacle (22) for at least partially receiving the mating connector (6); The lever (12) is disposed on the connector housing (16) so as to be movable between an initial position (24) and a pre-lock position (26), and includes at least one lever arm (38) having a block portion (50); the block portion (50) is located within the receptacle (22) when the lever (12) is in the initial position (24), and the block portion (50) is located outside the receptacle (22) when the lever (12) is in the pre-lock position (26); The connector housing (16) includes a housing pocket (74) adjacent to the receptacle (22), and the block portion (50) is located in the housing pocket (74) when the lever (12) is in the pre-lock position (26). Housing assembly (1).

2. The block portion (50) provides an abutment surface (62) facing outwardly of the receptacle (22) when the lever is in the initial position (24). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

3. The block portion (50) protrudes toward the connector housing (16). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

4. The block portion (50) is formed by a protrusion (52), The protrusion (52) is configured to extend into the receptacle (22) when the lever (12) is in the initial position (24) and to open the receptacle (22) when the lever (12) is in the pre-lock position (26). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

5. The block portion (50) moves along an arcuate path when the lever (12) is moved from the initial position (24) to the pre-lock position (26). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

6. The block portion (50) is fully received in the housing pocket (74) when the lever (12) is in the pre-lock position (26). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

7. The lever (12) is pivotable about a pivot (28), and the block portion (50) is spaced from the pivot (28). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

8. At least one electrical contact element (10) is positioned in the connector housing (16) for contacting a mating contact (14) of the mating connector (6). An electrical connector (2) comprising a housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A connection assembly (4) comprising the electrical connector (2) of claim 8 and a mating connector (6) configured to be insertable into the receptacle (22) of the electrical connector (2), wherein the mating connector (6) is provided with at least one driven element (46) arranged to be engageable with the lever (12). Connection assembly (4).

10. The connection assembly (4) comprises a first state (101), In the first state (101), the mating connector (6) is inserted into the receptacle (22) of the electrical connector (2), the lever (12) is in the initial position (24), and the block portion (50) is in contact with the mating connector (6). A connection assembly (4) according to claim 9.

11. The connection assembly (4) includes a second state (102), In the second state (102), the lever (12) is in the pre-lock position (26), and the block portion (50) is out of contact with the mating connector (6). A connection assembly (4) according to claim 10.

12. The connection assembly (4) includes a third state (103), In the third state (103), the mating connector (6) is inserted further into the receptacle (22) of the electrical connector (2) than in the first state (101), the lever (12) is in the pre-lock position (26), and movement of the lever (12) to the initial position (24) is blocked by the mating connector (6). A connection assembly (4) according to claim 11.

13. The lever (12) comprises at least one drive element (40) arranged to be engageable with the at least one driven element (46) of the mating connector (6); The connection assembly (4) includes a fourth state (104), In the fourth state (104), the mating connector (6) is inserted further into the receptacle (22) of the electrical connector (2) compared to the third state (103), the at least one driving element (40) is engaged with the at least one driven element (46), and the lever (12) is movable from the pre-lock position (26) to the initial position (24). A connection assembly (4) according to claim 12.

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