Patent Publication Number: US-10326237-B1

Title: Hermaphroditic electrical connection system with mating assist device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connection systems that are configured for use with mating assist devices to provide a mechanical advantage during mating. 
     Some electrical connection systems require relatively large mating forces to mate two complementary electrical connectors. In order to ease the physical burden on an operator tasked with mating the connectors, some electrical connection systems include mating assist devices. The mating assist devices are configured to provide a mechanical advantage, such as by converting rotational movement into linear movement of the connectors along a mating axis and/or using mechanics to provide an output force that is greater than an insertion force applied by the operator. The mating assist devices allow the operator to mate the connectors more efficiently and with less effort. 
     The mating connectors in known connection systems with mating assist devices have at least some features that differ between the two connectors. For example, a first connector may have mounting features for mounting the mating assist device to the first connector. The second connector that mates to the first connector may lack the mounting features, such that the mating assist device is not able to mount to the second connector. Furthermore, the second connector may include engagement features that are engaged by the mating assist device on the first connector during the mating operation in order to pull the connectors toward each other. The first connector may lack the engagement features. Because the two connectors have discrete and specialized features, the connectors may be more costly to produce and purchase than a connection system that utilizes hermaphroditic connectors. For example, molds and machines have to be prepared to produce two different connector shapes instead of one connector shape associated with hermaphroditic connectors. 
     Such a specialized connection system may also limit configuration options for the consumer. For example, a consumer may prefer that a mating assist device is mounted on a receptacle connector based for a specific installation, such as due to space constraints in the article to which the connectors are installed. But, if the mating assist device is mounted to a plug connector, the consumer is not able to selectively move the mating assist device for mounting to the receptacle connector without potentially purchasing additional specialized connectors. 
     A need remains for a connection system with a mating assist device that provides greater configuration flexibility at a lower cost than known connection systems. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a connection system is provided that includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a mating assist device. The first electrical connector includes a first housing that has a mating end. The second electrical connector includes a second housing that has a mating end. The second housing is a duplicate of the first housing. The mating end of the first housing is configured to mate to the mating end of the second housing during a mating operation. The mating assist device is mounted to the first housing and is configured to engage catch features protruding from an outer surface of the second housing. The mating assist device is configured to be rotated or pivoted relative to both the first and second housings to linearly pull the second electrical connector towards the first electrical connector during the mating operation via the catch features. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an electrical connector is provided that includes a housing and a mating assist device. The housing defines a mating end and holds one or more electrical contacts. The housing includes multiple catch features protruding from an outer surface of the housing. The housing is hermaphroditic such that the mating end of the housing is configured to mate with a mating housing that is a duplicate of the housing and has mating catch features matching the catch features of the housing. The mating assist device is mounted to the housing proximate to the mating end. The mating assist device is configured to rotate or pivot relative to the housing during a mating operation to engage the mating catch features and linearly pull the mating housing towards the housing. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an electrical connector is provided that includes a housing and a lever. The housing defines a mating end and holds one or more electrical contacts. The housing includes protrusions protruding from an outer surface of the housing along opposite sides of the housing. The housing is hermaphroditic such that the mating end of the housing is configured to mate with a mating housing that is a duplicate of the housing and has mating protrusions matching the protrusions of the housing. The lever is mounted to the housing via the protrusions and is pivotable about the protrusions. The lever defines cam slots configured to receive the mating protrusions therein during a mating operation to linearly pull the mating housing towards the housing as the lever is pivoted relative to the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connection system in accordance with an embodiment that includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and mating assist device. 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the connection system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the connection system according to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the first connector of the connection system according to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the connection system with the first and second connectors and the mating assist device according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the first and second connectors according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  omitting the mating assist device. 
         FIG. 7  is a first perspective view of the mating assist device according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a second perspective view of the mating assist device shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the connection system according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a connection system with first and second electrical connectors and a mating assist device that provides a mechanical advantage to reduce insertion forces required to mate the first and second connectors. The first and second electrical connectors have hermaphroditic connector housings. For example, a housing of the first connector is a duplicate of a housing of the second connector. As used herein, the term “duplicate” means that the two reference components have the same size and shape as one another. For example, two duplicate components may be manufactured using the same instruments, tools, machines, molds, conditions, processes, and/or the like. The two duplicate components may be replicas or copies of each other, that are intended to be exactly alike or identical; however, it is recognized that two duplicate components may not be exactly identical to one another due to manufacturing inconsistencies, blemishes, post-manufacturing deformations and/or abrasions, and the like. 
     In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing of the first connector is configured to mate to the duplicate housing of the second connector at a mating interface to establish an electrically conductive pathway through the first and second connectors. The mating assist device is selectively mountable to each of the first and second connectors. When the mating assist device is mounted to the housing of the first connector, the mating assist device is configured to engage catch features protruding from the housing of the second connector. The operator may rotate or pivot the mating assist device relative to the two housings to cause the mating assist device to linearly pull the two housings towards each other at the mating interface. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connection system  100  in accordance with an embodiment that includes a first electrical connector  102 , a second electrical connector  202 , and mating assist device  104 . The first and second electrical connectors  102 ,  202  are partially mated in the illustrated embodiment. The mating assist device  104  is configured to reduce the insertion force that is required to mate the first and second connectors  102 ,  202 . The mating assist device  104  may provide a mechanical advantage for moving the connectors  102 ,  202  towards each other from the illustrated partially mated position to a fully mated position. In the fully mated position, the first and second electrical connectors  102 ,  202  provide one or more electrical conduction paths across a mating interface between the connectors  102 ,  202 . In the embodiments described herein, the first and second electrical connectors  102 ,  202  may be utilized in sealed or unsealed connector applications, and the sealed applications may include only one or multiple facial seals between the connectors  102 ,  202 . 
     The first electrical connector  102  includes a first housing  106 . The first housing  106  has a mating end  108  and a cable end  110 . The first electrical connector  102  is connected to one or more electrical cables or wires  112  that protrude from the cable end  110  of the first housing  106 . In alternative embodiment, the first housing  106  may be mounted to a circuit board or another device instead of electrical cables  112 . The first connector  102  in the illustrated embodiment is an inline or linear connector such that the mating end  108  of the housing  106  is opposite the cable end  110 . The first electrical connector  102  includes one or more electrical conductors, such as contacts  170  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). The one or more electrical conductors are held by the first housing  106  within a cavity (shown in  FIG. 3 ) thereof. The electrical conductors are terminated (e.g., electrically connected) to the one or more cables  112 . 
     The second electrical connector  202  includes a second housing  206 . The second housing  206  has a mating end  208  that engages the mating end  108  of the first housing  106  during the mating operation. The second housing  206  also includes a cable end  210  from which one or more electrical cables or wires  212  protrude. The cables  212  are terminated to electrical contacts held within the housing  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second connector  202  is an inline or linear connector, like the first connector  102 , such that the cable end  210  is opposite the mating end  208 . 
     In one or more embodiments described herein, the second housing  206  is a duplicate of the first housing  106  of the first connector  102 . For example, the first and second housings  106 ,  206  may be exact replicas or copies of each other, which have the same size, shape, and features. For example, the first and second housings  106 ,  206  may be molded using the same molds or dies and the same conditions and processes. The first and second connectors  102 ,  202  are hermaphroditic because each of the housings  106 ,  206  mates to a copy of itself. In an alternative embodiment, segments of the first and second housings  106 ,  206  at or proximate to the mating ends  108 ,  208  may be duplicates, while segments at or proximate to the cable ends  110 ,  210  may differ. 
     The mating assist device  104  is mounted to the first connector  102  in the illustrated embodiment. The mating assist device  104  is configured to engage catch features  214  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) on the second housing  206  during the mating operation. The mating assist device  104  is rotatable or pivotable relative to both the first and second housings  106 ,  206 . The mating assist device  104  and the connector housings  106 ,  206  are designed to convert the rotational or pivotal movement of the mating assist device  104  in a first direction into linear movement that pulls the first and second housings  106 ,  206  towards each other to achieve the fully mated position. Rotating or pivoting the mating assist device  104  in a second direction opposite the first direction may linearly push the housings  106 ,  206  apart for disconnecting the two connectors  102 ,  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mating assist device  104  is a lever  116  that is pivotable relative to the first housing  106 . But, the mating assist device  104  may have other shapes and configurations in other embodiments. 
     Although the mating assist device  104  is mounted to the first housing  106  in  FIG. 1 , the mating assist device  104  may be selectively mountable on either of the first and second housings  106 ,  206 . The second housing  206  may be a duplicate of the first housing  106 , so the mating assist device  104  mounts to the second housing  206  in the same way (e.g., same mounting mechanism, location, and orientation) that the mating assist device  104  is mounted to the first housing  106  in  FIG. 1 . The first electrical connector  102  and first housing  106  are also referred to herein simply as “connector  102 ” and “housing  106 ”, respectively. The second electrical connector  202  and second housing  206  are also referred to herein as “mating connector  202 ” and “mating housing  206 ”, respectively. Thus, the mating assist device  104  in  FIG. 1  is mounted to the connector  102 , and releasably engages the mating connector  202 . 
     The connection system  100  may be installed and utilized in a multitude of applications. For example, the connection system  100  may be used to provide an electrical connection in automobiles, marine vessels, industrial vehicles (e.g., mining trucks, construction trucks, etc.), industrial machinery, appliance, and the like. In one non-limiting example, the connection system  100  may be installed in a battery disconnect system for a hybrid or fully electrical power system in a vehicle. 
       FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the connection system  100  in the partially mated position shown in  FIG. 1 . The cables  112 ,  212  of the connectors  102 ,  202  are not shown in  FIG. 2 . The cross-section is taken through an arm  130  of the lever  116 , a catch feature  114  of the housing  106 , and a catch feature  214  of the mating housing  206 . The catch feature  214  of the mating housing  206  may be referred to herein as a “mating catch feature”. 
     The catch feature  114  protrudes from an outer surface  118  of the housing  106 . The catch feature  114  that is visible in the illustrated embodiment is located on the outer surface  118  that faces out of the page. The catch feature  214  of the mating housing  206  protrudes from an outer surface  218  of the mating housing  206 . The catch feature  214  visible in  FIG. 2  is located on the outer surface  218  that faces out of the page. Optionally, when the connectors  102 ,  202  are in the mating orientation, the catch features  114 ,  214  may axially align with each other parallel to a mating axis  120  of the connectors  102 ,  202 . Alternatively, the catch features  114 ,  214  may be axially offset from one another, such that one or both of the catch features  114 ,  214  do not align with the mating axis  120 . The catch features  114 ,  214  are located proximate to the respective mating ends  108 ,  208  of the housings  106 ,  206 . In an embodiment, the mating housing  206  is a duplicate of the housing  106 , such that the mating catch features  214  of the mating housing  206  match the catch features  114  of the housing  106 . As used herein, two different components or sets of components “match” when the two components (or sets) have the same sizes, shapes, numbers, locations, and orientations relative to the respective environment as one another, neglecting any inconsistencies attributable to production tolerances and/or defects during production or post-production. For example, the mating catch features  214  of the mating housing  206  may match the catch features  114  of the housing  106  even if one of the matching catch features  214  has a chipped edge and none of the catch features  114  has a chipped edge. The catch features  114 ,  214  in  FIG. 2  are protrusions  122  (e.g., bosses) that project from the respective outer surfaces  118 ,  218 . The protrusions  122  are cylindrical with circular cross-sections, but may have other shapes in other embodiments. 
     The lever  116  has two arms  130  and a handle  132  that extends between and couples to both of the arms  130 . For example, the cross-section is taken through a portion of a first arm  130   a  of the two arms  130 , and a second arm  130   b  of the two arms  130  is spaced apart from the first arm  130   a  by a length of the handle  132 . The second arm  130   b  extends along an opposite side of the connection system  100  than the first arm  130   a . The arms  130  couple to the housing  106  to mount the lever  116  to the first connector  102 . The handle  132 , as shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 , is configured to be grasped by a human operator, machine, or robot to actuate the lever  116  by pivoting the lever  116  relative to the housing  106 . The lever  116  is pivotable between a lock position  134  and an unlock position  136 . The lever  116  is in an intermediate position between the lock and unlock positions  134 ,  136  in  FIG. 2 , but the locations of the handle  132  when the lever  116  is in the lock and unlock positions  134 ,  136  are depicted in phantom. The lever  116  is designed such that the handle  132  is located more proximate to the outer surface  118  of the housing  106  when the lever  116  is in the lock position  134  than the proximity of the handle  132  to the outer surface  118  in the unlock position  136 . 
     As the lever  116  is pivoted in a first (e.g., counter-clockwise) direction  138  relative to the housing  106  towards the lock position  134 , the lever  116  is configured to engage the protrusions  122  (e.g., mating catch features  214 ) of the mating housing  206  to pull the mating housing  206  towards the housing  106 . The lever  116  may linearly pull the mating housing  206  parallel to the mating axis  120 . The two connectors  102 ,  202  may be fully mated upon the lever  116  reaching the lock position  134 . To disconnect the connectors  102 ,  202 , the lever  116  may be pivoted in a second (e.g., clockwise) direction  140  opposite the first direction  138  from the lock position  134  towards the unlock position  136 . The movement of the lever  116  in the second direction  140  may push the protrusions  122  of the mating housing  206  away from the housing  106 . The lever  116  may release the protrusions  122  of the mating housing  206  upon the lever  116  reaching the unlock position  136 . Therefore, the lever  116  may provide forces during mating and un-mating, providing both a mating assist and an “un-mating” assist. In an alternative embodiment, the lever  116  may provide a mating assist without providing any force to aid in the un-mating of the connectors  102 ,  202  when the lever  116  is pivoted in the second direction  140 . Prior to mating the connectors  102 ,  202 , the lever  116  may be positioned in the unlock position  136  in order to properly engage and receive the protrusions  122 . For example, the arms  130  of the lever  116  define cam slots  142  that receive the protrusions  122  of the mating housing  206  therein. The cam slots  142  have curved paths or trajectories. Edges  144  of the cam slots  142  along the curved trajectories push or pull the protrusions  122  based on the direction of movement of the lever  116  as the lever  116  is pivoted relative to the housings  106 ,  206 . Each cam slot  142  extends from an open end  146  of the cam slot  142  to a closed end  148 . The open end  146  defines an opening through which a corresponding protrusion  122  enters and exits the cam slot  142 . The closed end  148  defines a hard stop surface that restricts movement of the protrusion  122  within the cam slot  142 . Optionally, the protrusion  122  may only be able to be received through the open end  146  of the cam slot  142  when the lever  116  is in the unlock position  136 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the lever  116  is mounted to the housing  106  of the first connector  102  via the protrusions  122  (e.g., catch features  114 ) of the housing  106 . For example, the protrusions  122  are received into apertures  150  in the arms  130  of the lever  116 . The lever  116  pivots about the protrusions  122 , such that the protrusions  122  represent pivot axles as well as mounting protrusions. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the protrusions  122  of the first housing  106  mount the lever  116 , and the matching protrusions  122  of the second housing  206  allow the lever  116  to grip and pull the second connector  202  towards the first connector  102  to provide a mating assist. In an embodiment, if the lever  116  is switched to the second connector  202 , the lever  116  mounts to the protrusions  122  of the second housing  206 , and grips and pulls the protrusions  122  of the first housing  106  to provide the mating assist. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the connection system  100  according to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the connector  102  of the connection system  100 . The housing  106  of the connector  102  is a duplicate of the mating housing  206  of the mating connector  202  in the illustrated embodiment, so the following description of the housing  106  also applies to the mating housing  206 . For example, the mating connector  202  may look the same as the illustrated connector  102  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The housing  106  defines a cavity  152  that linearly extends through the housing  106  from the mating end  108  to the cable end  110 . The electrical contacts  170  of the connector  102  are held within the cavity  152  proximate to the mating end  108 . The cables  112  ( FIG. 1 ) terminate to the contacts  170  within the cavity  152 . The housing  106  optionally includes a flange portion  154  and a mating shroud  156  that projects beyond the flange portion  154  to the mating end  108 . The protrusions  122  that define the catch features  114  may be located on the flange portion  154 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the protrusions  122  are spaced apart along a perimeter of the housing  106 . For example, the housing  106  in the illustrated embodiment includes two protrusions  122  that are disposed along opposite sides of the housing  106 . The housing  106  has a rectangular prism shape with a first broad side  160 , a second broad side  162  opposite the first broad side  160 , a first narrow side  164 , and a second narrow side  166  opposite the first narrow side  164 . The first and second narrow sides  164 ,  166  extend from the first broad side  160  to the second broad side  162 . One protrusion  122  is located on the first narrow side  164 , and the other protrusion  122  is located on the second narrow side  166  in the illustrated embodiment. The two protrusions  122  project from the housing  106  in opposite directions. The protrusions  122  are each located at a vertical midpoint between the first and second broad sides  160 ,  162  in  FIG. 4 , but the protrusions  122  may be vertically offset from each other and/or offset from the midpoint in an alternative embodiment. The housing  106  may include only one protrusion  122  or more than two protrusions  122  in an alternative embodiment. 
     The electrical contacts  170  are held within the mating shroud  156 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mating shroud  156  includes a tray  172  and a canopy  174 . The electrical contacts  170  are deflectable leaf spring contacts in the illustrated embodiment, but it is recognized that the electrical contacts  170  may have various other shapes in other embodiments. The canopy  174  defines an upper perimeter of the mating shroud  156  in the orientation shown in  FIG. 4 , and the tray  172  defines a lower perimeter of the mating shroud  156 . The housing  106  defines a channel  176  extending at least partially around the tray  172 . When mating the connectors  102 ,  202 , the canopy  174  of the mating housing  206  is received in the channel  176  and at least partially surrounds the tray  172  of the housing  106 . During the mating operation, the electrical contacts  170  engage and electrically connect to corresponding contacts (not shown) of the mating connector  202 . The mating end  108  of the housing  106  may have other shapes and features in alternative embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the hermaphroditic duplicate housings  106 ,  206  of the connectors  102 ,  202  in an embodiment are configured to mate together in an inverted orientation. The housings  106 ,  206  are poised for mating, and the first broad side  160  of the housing  106  faces vertically upward, while the first broad side  160  of the mating housing  206  faces vertically downward. Likewise, the second broad side  162  of the housing  106  faces vertically downward, and the second broad side  162  of the mating housing  206  faces vertically upward. In the illustrated embodiment, the first broad side  160  has a contoured and curved surface, and the second broad side  162  has a planar or flat surface, but one or both of the sides  160 ,  162  may have a different surface topology in an alternative embodiment. 
     The lever  116  in the illustrated embodiment is symmetric about a line crossing through a midpoint of the handle  132  between the two arms  130 . The cam slots  142  are defined along inner surfaces  178  of the arms  130 . The inner surfaces  178  face towards each other (and face towards the housing  106  when mounted thereto). Optionally, the cam slots  142  do not extend fully through a thickness of the arms  130 , such that the cam slots  142  are not defined along exterior surfaces  180  of the arms  130  that are opposite the inner surfaces  178 . Each of the cam slots  142  is spaced apart from the aperture  150  that is defined along the same arm  130  of the lever  116 . The distance between the aperture  150  and the corresponding cam slot  142  varies along the length of the cam slot  142  between the open end  146  and the closed end  148 . For example, a distance  182  (e.g., radial distance) between the aperture  150  and the open end  146  is greater than a distance  184  between the aperture  150  and the closed end  148 . Due to the curved path of the cam slot  142 , as the lever  116  is pivoted towards the lock position  134  ( FIG. 2 ), the protrusion  122  of the mating housing  206  moves along the length of the cam slot  142  towards the closed end  148 , which pulls the protrusion  122  towards the aperture  150 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the mating housing  206  of the mating connector  202  defines cam slots along opposite outer surfaces thereof, and the lever  116  has protrusions instead of the cam slots  142  that are received within the cam slots of the mating housing  206 . The cam slots of the mating housing  206  may resemble the cam slots  142  of the lever  116  shown and described in  FIG. 3 , such that pivoting movement of the lever  116  causes the protrusions of the lever  116  within the cam slots of the mating housing  206  to pull the mating housing  206  towards the housing  106 . 
       FIGS. 5-8  illustrate the connection system  100  with the first and second connectors  102 ,  202  and the mating assist device  104  according to another embodiment. The components of the connection system  100  in  FIGS. 5-8  that are common to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4  are labeled with the same reference numbers.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the assembled connection system  100  with the first and second connectors  102 ,  202  in a fully mated position.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the first and second connectors  102 ,  202  in the mated position omitting the mating assist device  104 .  FIG. 7  is a first perspective view of the mating assist device  104 , in  FIG. 8  is a second perspective view of the mating assist device  104 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , the mating assist device is a twist lock sleeve  302 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the housing  106  is hermaphroditic, and the mating housing  206  of the mating connector  202  is a duplicate of the housing  106 . As such, the mating catch features  214  of the mating housing  206  match the catch features  114  of the housing  106 . Although not shown in  FIG. 6 , the twist lock sleeve  302  is mounted to the housing  106  in the illustrated configuration, although the twist lock sleeve  302  can be reoriented and mounted to the mating housing  106  in an alternative configuration. The following description of the housing  106  is applicable to both housings  106 ,  206 . 
     The housing  106  extends from the mating end  108  to the cable end  110 . The housing  106  has a flange portion  154  proximate to the mating end  108 , similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The housing  106  and the flange portion  154  are cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment, but may have other shapes in other embodiments. The housings  106 ,  206  define a mating interface  304  at the mating ends  108 ,  208 . The catch features  114  of the housing  106  and the catch features  214  of the mating housing  206  are protrusions  122  (e.g., bosses) that protrude from the respective outer surfaces  118 ,  218  of the housings  106 ,  206 . Like the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the protrusions  122  of the housing  106  are located on the flange portion  154  and are spaced apart along a perimeter of the housing  106 . 
     The twist lock sleeve  302  circumferentially surrounds the mating ends  108 ,  208  of the housings  106 ,  206  at the mating interface  304 . The twist lock sleeve  302  mounts to the housing  106  of the first connector  102  via the protrusions  122  of the housing  106 . The twist lock sleeve  302  is configured to engage the protrusions  122  of the mating housing  206  to provide mating assist for mating the connectors  102 ,  202 . The twist lock sleeve  302  is rotatable relative to the housings  106 ,  206  about the mating axis  120 . The twist lock sleeve  302  is configured to convert rotation of the twist lock sleeve  302  into linear motion of the two housings  106 ,  206  towards each other. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the twist lock sleeve  302  is cylindrical and extends from a mounting end  306  of the sleeve  302  to a mating end  308  of the sleeve  302 . The twist lock sleeve  302  has an interior surface  310  and an exterior surface  312  that is opposite the interior surface  310 . The twist lock sleeve  302  optionally has ribs  330  along the exterior surface  312  to make the sleeve  302  more graspable for an operator. The interior surface  310  faces the housings  106 ,  206 . The twist lock sleeve  302  defines an annular groove  314  along the interior surface  310  proximate to the mounting end  306 . The protrusions  122  of the housing  106  are received into the annular groove  314  and are retained within the annular groove  314  due to engagement with edges  316  of the annular groove  314 . As the twist lock sleeve  302  rotates, the annular groove  314  moves relative to the protrusions  122  of the housing  106  while retaining the protrusions  122  in the groove  314 . The engagement between the protrusions  122  and the edges  316  of the groove  314  axially secure the twist lock sleeve  302  on the housing  106  while allowing the twist lock sleeve  302  to rotate relative to the housing  106 . The twist lock sleeve  302  may define passageways  318  that extend from the mounting end  306  to the annular groove  314 . The protrusions  122  may be received into the annular groove  314  through the passageways  318  when mounting the twist lock sleeve  302  to the housing  106 , and may be removed from the annular groove  314  through the passageways  318  when dismounting the twist lock sleeve  302  from the housing  106 . In an alternative embodiment, the twist lock sleeve  302  may include deflectable latch members within the passageways  318  or instead of the passageways  318 . Such latch members may be configured to deflect to allow the protrusions  122  to be received within the annular groove  314 , and may resiliently return towards an undeflected position to block the protrusions  122  from exiting the annular groove  314 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the twist lock sleeve  302  defines cam slots  320  along the interior surface  310 . The cam slots  320  are located proximate to the mating end  308  of the sleeve  302 , and are axially spaced apart from the annular groove  314 . Each of the cam slots  320  extends from the mating end  308  along a respective curved slot trajectory or path. The slot trajectories have both an axial dimension and a circumferential dimension. The cam slots  320  each have an open end  322  at the mating end  308 , and extend along the curved trajectory to a closed end  324 . The closed end  324  is located more proximate to the annular groove  314  than the proximity of the open end  322  to the annular groove  314 . The closed end  324  is also spaced apart circumferentially from the open end  322 . During the mating operation, the protrusions  122  of the mating housing  206  are received into different corresponding cam slots  320  of the twist lock sleeve  302  through the respective open ends  322 . As the twist lock sleeve  302  is rotated relative to the housings  106 ,  206  in a locking direction  326 , edges  328  of the cam slots  320  engage the protrusions  122  of the mating housing  206  and gradually pull the protrusions  122  (and the entire mating housing  206 ) linearly towards the housing  106  to provide mating assist. Rotating the twist lock sleeve  302  in the opposite direction may push the protrusions  122  of the mating housing  206  away from the housing  106  to unmate the connectors  102 ,  202 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the connection system  100  according to another embodiment. The components of the connection system  100  in  FIG. 9  that are common to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-8  are labeled with the same reference numbers. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating assist device  104  is a lever  402 . The lever  402  includes a curved pinion segment  404  along an arm  406  of the lever  402 . The curved pinion segment  404  has multiple teeth  408  (e.g., gear teeth). The lever  402  is mounted to the housing  106  of the first connector  102 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the mating catch features  214  of the mating housing  206  are teeth  410  (e.g., gear teeth) on a linear rack bar  412  of the mating housing  206 . The teeth  410  protrude from the outer surface  218  of the mating housing  206 . The teeth  408  of the lever  402  are configured to engage the teeth  410  on the linear rack bar  412  during the mating operation. For example, as the lever  402  is pivoted in a locking direction  413 , the teeth  408  of the lever  402  engage corresponding teeth  410  of the linear rack bar  412  on the mating housing  206  to pull the mating housing  206  towards the housing  106 . Thus, the mating assist in the illustrated embodiment is a rack and pinion mechanism. 
     Like the other embodiments described herein, the housings  106 ,  206  are hermaphroditic, and the mating housing  206  is a duplicate of the housing  106 . Thus, the housing  106  includes a linear rack bar  412   a  that is a duplicate of the linear rack bar  412   b  of the mating housing  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lever  402  is mounted to the housing  106  via an axle  420  that is discrete and spaced apart from the teeth  410  of the linear rack bar  412   a  (that define the catch features  114 ). The axle  420  may be an integral component of the lever  402 , and may be received into an aperture  418  in the housing  106  to couple the lever  402  to the housing  106 . It is recognized that the lever  402  mounted on the housing  106  does not engage the linear rack bar  412   a  on the housing  106 . Thus, the linear rack bar  412   a  of the housing  106  is nonfunctional in the illustrated configuration, but would be functional in an alternative configuration in which the lever  402  is mounted to the mating housing  206 . 
     At least one technical effect of the connection system described herein is the ability to selectively mount the mating assist device to the connectors, which enables an operator to decide whether or not to utilize the mating assist device for a given installation task without having to purchase different connectors. The connection system provides additional configuration flexibility by allowing the operator to select which of the connectors to mount the mating assist device, which may be useful based on space restrictions and accessibility restrictions in the installation environment. Another technical effect of the connection system described herein is a reduced cost during manufacturing relative to connection systems that have connectors with differing features because only a single housing component is manufactured that can be used for both mating connectors. The connection system described herein may also reduce costs for the operator that installs and assembles the connectors by enabling the operator to buy a single housing component for use in each of the mating connectors. 
     As used herein, relative or spatial terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” and “back” are only used to distinguish the referenced elements and do not necessarily require particular positions or orientations relative to gravity and/or the surrounding environment of the connection system  100 . 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the inventive subject matter without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely example embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.