Electrical Connector With A Lever Pre-Locking Member And Connector Release Mechanism At Pre-Mating

An electrical connector (500) comprises first and second connector housings (100, 300), and a mate assist mechanism comprising a lever (200), sealingly mounted to the first housing (100). The mate assist mechanism controls coupling of the connector housings (100, 300) through pivoting of the lever (200) between pre-locked and locked positions. The lever (200) comprises a locking mechanism (figure 4, 230) which engages with a locking mating member (figure 3, 310) of the second housing (300), securing the housings (100, 300) in a mated state. A blocking element (figure 2, 220) and a blocking surface (figure 2, 120) of the first housing (100) maintain the lever (200) in the pre-locked position. The locking mating member (figure 3, 310) of the second housing (300) comprises an activation element (figure 3, 330) configured to cooperate, in a pre-mated state, with an activation member (figure 4, 240) with the locking mechanism (figure 4, 230) of the lever (200). The activation element (figure 3, 330) forces the activation member (figure 4, 240), outwardly displacing the lever (200) so that the blocking element (figure 2, 220) is released from the blocking surface (figure 2, 120), and the lever (200) becomes free to move.