Lever type electrical connector

1. A lever type electrical connector ( 1 ) comprising a connector housing ( 10 ) having

a cavity ( 11 ) for accommodating terminal-receiving means ( 6 ),

wall formations ( 12 ) for fixing terminal pins, the wall formations having a peripheral circumference covered by an annular body member ( 7 ), and

an annular interfacial seal ( 4 ) which extends around the connector housing ( 10 ) above said wall formations ( 12 ) and said annular body member ( 7 ),

said connector housing ( 10 ) also comprising

a pivot boss ( 13 ) having a base ( 16 ) on opposite sides of the connector housing for journalling a lever ( 3 ) which can take a starting position for mating the electrical connector ( 1 ) with a complementary electrical connector ( 2 ), and a final position for locking both connectors ( 1 , 2 ) together,

characterized in that

an annular protecting shroud ( 5 ) is arranged surrounding the connector housing ( 10 ) for being moved in overlapping relationship with said interfacial seal ( 4 ) to cover and protect the interfacial seal ( 4 ) when the lever-type electrical connector ( 1 ) is not mated with the complementary connector ( 2 ).

2. An assembly comprising:

the lever type electrical connector ( 1 ) of claim 1 ; and

a complementary electrical connector ( 2 ) having an outer housing member ( 20 ) with a top side ( 23 ) on it which is configured and arranged such as to lift said shroud ( 5 ) relative to the connector ( 1 ) when the connectors ( 1 , 2 ) are mated, said outer housing member ( 20 ) having an inner rim zone ( 22 ) configured and arranged to engage said interfacial seal ( 5 ).

3. The connector according to claim 1

wherein said complementary electrical connector ( 2 ) has an outer housing member ( 20 ) with a top side ( 23 ) on it, and

wherein, when said electrical connector ( 1 ) is in its starting position with the shroud ( 5 ) lowered to cover the interfacial seal ( 5 ), and is being mated with said complementary electrical connector ( 2 ), said shroud ( 5 ) is lifted relative to the connector ( 1 ) by said top side ( 23 ) of said outer housing member ( 20 ) of said complementary electrical connector ( 2 ).

4. The connector according to claim 3

wherein spring means are provided between said connector housing ( 10 ) and said shroud ( 5 ) so as to move said shroud ( 5 ) in overlapping relationship with said interfacial seal ( 4 ).

5. The connector according to claim 1

wherein said shroud ( 5 ) is coupled to said lever ( 3 ) for retracting the shroud ( 5 ) from said interfacial seal ( 4 ) when the lever ( 3 ) is rotated from its starting position into its final position, and for advancing the shroud ( 5 ) onto said interfacial seal ( 4 ), when the lever ( 3 ) is rotated from its final position into its starting position.

6. The connector according to claim 5

wherein said lever ( 3 ) has curved guideway means ( 35 ) and said shroud ( 5 ) has follower means ( 54 ) cooperating with one another to retract and advance said shroud ( 5 ) when said lever ( 3 ) is rotated in one or the other direction.

7. The connector according to claim 6 wherein said follower means ( 54 ) is connected to a wedge formation having an inclined surface ( 53 ) integral with the shroud ( 5 ), the inclined surface ( 53 ) cooperating with a bevel surface ( 17 ) on the pivot boss base ( 16 ) so as to clamp and retain the shroud ( 5 ) on place, when it is in its upper position relative to the connector ( 1 ).

8. The connector according to claim 1 wherein the shroud ( 5 ) has a cut-out ( 51 ) registering to said base ( 16 ) of the pivot boss ( 13 ) when the lever-type electrical connector ( 1 ) is mated with the complementary connector ( 2 ).

9. The connector according to claim 8 wherein said follower means ( 54 ) is in the form of a cam which is arranged below said cut-out ( 51 ) of the shroud ( 5 ).

10. The connector according to claim 8 wherein said cut-out ( 51 ) is partly surrounded by lateral walls ( 52 ).

11. The connector according to claim 10

wherein said lateral walls ( 52 ) cooperate with said pivot boss base ( 16 ) to guide the shroud ( 5 ) when moved in and out of overlapping relationship with the interfacial seal ( 4 ).

12. The connector according to claim 10 wherein said lever ( 3 ) has a nose ( 36 ) cooperating with said lateral walls ( 52 ) when the lever ( 3 ) is rotated from its final position to the start position so as to push the shroud ( 5 ) in direction to cover the interfacial seal ( 4 ).