Miniaturized electrical connector with improved crimpability

A method of assembling an electrical connector for contacting at least one electrical lead and for connection with a complementary connector, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

• positioning in a housing at least one contact element, which cooperates, in a contact area, with an associated second contact element of the complementary connector to produce an electrical connection and which receives, in a terminal area, at least one electrical lead, in a housing, such that the first contact element is partially located in the housing;
• moving a first lid part of a terminal cover for covering the terminal area into an open position on the housing, such that the terminal area is freely accessible for connection of the at least one electrical lead;
• connecting the at least one electrical lead to the terminal area of the contact element;
• displacing a second lid part of the terminal cover on the housing, such that it moves the first lid part into a final assembled position and at the same time the second lid part covers part of the terminal area.

An electrical connector for contacting at least one electrical lead and for connection with a complementary connector, the connector comprising:

• at least one contact element, which cooperates, in a contact area, with an associated complementary contact element of the complementary connector to produce an electrical connection and which receives, in a terminal area, at least one electrical lead, the contact element having a bending zone between the terminal area and the contact area, in which bending zone the contact element is bent;
• a housing, in which the at least one contact element is at least partially accommodated, the housing having at least one bending edge for bending the at least one contact element during assembly;
• and
• a terminal cover arranged on the housing to cover the terminal area, the cover comprises a first lid part and a second lid part, which are so constructed that they may both be moved to expose the terminal area during insertion of the electrical lead.

A method of assembling an electrical connector for contacting at least one electrical lead and for connection with a complementary connector, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

• moving a first lid part of a terminal cover for covering the terminal area into an open position on a housing, such that a terminal area is freely accessible for connection of at least one electrical lead;
• fitting at least one contact element, which cooperates, in a contact area, with an associated second contact element of the complementary connector to produce the electrical connection and which may be connected, in the terminal area, with the at least one electrical lead, in the housing, such that the first contact element is accommodated at least partially in a receptacle in the housing;
• bending the contact element around a bending edge on the receptacle, until the longitudinal axis of the contact area forms an angle other than 0° with the longitudinal axis of the terminal area;
• connecting the at least one electrical lead to the terminal area of the contact element;
• and;
• displacing a second lid part of the terminal cover on the housing, such that it moves the first lid part into a final assembled position and at the same time the second lid part covers part of the terminal area.