Lever-type connector

A lever-type connector comprising:

• a first connector housing (10) having a front end and a first hood (13) projecting rearwardly from the front end, oppositely directed followers (17) projecting from said first hood (13);
• a second connector housing (20) having opposite front and rear ends and a second hood (23) extending rearwardly from said front end, said second hood (23) being dimensioned to slidably receive said first hood (13), said second hood having guide grooves (46) extending rearwardly from the front end of the second connector housing (20), for slidably receiving said followers (17);
• a cover (50) being mounted to the rear end of the second connector housing (20);
• a lever (70) having substantially parallel legs (71) mounted rotatably to the cover (50), portions of said legs (71) projecting forwardly from said cover (50) and being slidably engaged against outer surface portions of said second hood (23), each said leg (71) having a cam groove (74) engageable with one of said followers (17), such that rotation of said lever (70) relative to said cover (50) moves said followers (17) in said guide grooves (46) and moves said first and second connector housings (10) relative to one another;
• accommodation walls (42) substantially adjacent outer surface portions of said legs (71) of said lever (70), such that said accommodation walls (42) substantially abut said legs (71) for covering and protecting said cam grooves (74) and said guide grooves (46).

A method for assembling a lever-type connector, said method comprising:

• providing a connector housing having opposite front and rear ends and a plurality of terminal receiving cavities extending between said front and rear ends, a plurality of outer walls (41) surrounding said terminal receiving cavities (24) and a rearwardly open accommodation space (40) surrounding said outer walls (41);
• mounting assemblies of terminal fittings (25) and wires (W) into said terminal receiving cavities (24) such that the wires (W) of said assemblies project from said rear end of said connector housing (20);
• providing a rear cover (50) for covering portions of said rear end of said connector housing (20) and guiding said wires (W) in a selected direction;
• providing a lever (70) for facilitating mating of said connector housing (20) with another connector housing (10);
• mounting said lever (70) rotatably on said cover (50) such that portions of said lever (70) project forwardly beyond said cover (50);
• mounting said cover (50) to said rear end of said connector housing (20), such that portions of said lever (70) that extend forwardly from said cover (50) are moveably disposed in the accommodation space (40) of said connector housing (20).