Patent Publication Number: US-9837761-B1

Title: Electrical cable connector with rotatable housing

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors that mount to electrical cables. 
     Electrical connectors have been used to interconnect coaxial cables. Coaxial cables are used in various radio frequency (RF) applications. In the automotive industry, for example, there is a demand for coaxial cables and connectors due in part to increased electrical devices within automobiles, such as AM/FM radios, cellular phones, GPS, satellite radios, wireless communication systems, and the like. 
     The housings of some known electrical cable connectors are configured to be key-mated to an appropriate mating connector in a specific angular orientation. Key-mating the connectors reduces the occurrence of accidentally connecting two inapposite cable connectors, which could damage both the connectors and the electrical devices conductively linked to the connectors by the coaxial cables. However, if the housings of the connectors are not able to rotate relative to the cables, aligning the housings in the specified angular orientation during a mating operation may apply torsional stress and tension on the cable and the components of the connectors terminated to the cable. Such torsional forces may damage the performance of the electrical connectors, such as by pulling one or more wires of the cable out of engagement with a center contact of the corresponding connector. A need remains for allowing the housing to rotate relative to the cable while avoiding extra manufacturing and assembly costs attributable to the addition of auxiliary components, such as secondary locks. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, an electrical cable connector is provided that includes a contact subassembly and a housing. The contact subassembly is terminated to an electrical cable. The contact subassembly includes a center contact, a dielectric holder, and an outer contact. The contact subassembly has a protrusion extending outward from an outer surface of the contact subassembly. The housing extends between a front end and a rear end. The housing defines a cavity that receives the contact subassembly therein. The electrical cable extends from the housing through an opening at the rear end. The housing includes a retention mechanism that engages the protrusion of the contact subassembly to secure an axial position of the contact subassembly in the cavity relative to the housing. The retention mechanism allows the housing to rotate relative to the contact subassembly and the cable. 
     In another embodiment, an electrical cable connector is provided that includes a contact subassembly and a housing. The contact subassembly is terminated to an electrical cable. The contact subassembly includes a center contact, a dielectric holder, and an outer contact. The contact subassembly has a protrusion extending outward from an outer surface of the contact subassembly. The housing extends between a front end and a rear end. The housing defines a cavity that receives the contact subassembly therein. The electrical cable extends from the housing through an opening at the rear end. The housing includes an annular track along a perimeter of the cavity that receives the protrusion of the contact subassembly therein. The protrusion is configured to move along a circumferential length of the annular track as the housing is rotated relative to the contact subassembly and the electrical cable. The housing includes a retention ledge that defines a rear end of the annular track. The retention ledge engages a catch surface of the protrusion to block rearward axial movement of the contact subassembly relative to the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a connector system formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded rear perspective view of an electrical connector of the connector system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the electrical connector according to an embodiment showing a quarter portion of a housing of the electrical connector removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a contact subassembly of the electrical connector and an electrical cable according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  shows a front view of an outer contact of the contact subassembly according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a first cross-sectional perspective front view of the housing of the electrical connector according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a second cross-sectional perspective front view of the housing of the electrical connector. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the electrical connector according to an embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  in which the contact subassembly is in a first angular orientation relative to the housing. 
         FIG. 9  shows a rear perspective view of the electrical connector in which the contact subassembly is in a second angular orientation relative to the housing. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the electrical connector according to an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a connector system  100  formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The connector system  100  includes a first electrical connector  102  and a second electrical connector  104  that are configured to be mated together to transmit electrical signals (for example, power, control signals, data, and/or the like) therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrical connector  102  is a male connector, and the second electrical connector  104  is a female connector, such that a mating end of the first electrical connector  102  is received within a cavity  106  of the second electrical connector  104  during a mating operation. More specifically, a nose cone  107  of a housing  108  of the male connector  102  is received within the cavity  106  defined by a housing  110  of the female connector  104 . Although shown as un-mated in  FIG. 1 , the male and female connectors  102 ,  104  are poised for mating along a mating axis  112 . 
     The male connector  102  and the female connector  104  are mounted and electrically connected to corresponding electrical cables  114 ,  116 , respectively. In an alternative embodiment, one of the male connector  102  or the female connector  104  may be mounted to a circuit board instead of a cable. The male and female connectors  102 ,  104  each include a respective contact subassembly  118 ,  120  located within the respective housing  108 ,  110 . The contact subassembly  118  of the male connector  102  is terminated (for example, directly mechanically and electrically connected) to the cable  114 , and the contact subassembly  120  of the female connector  104  is terminated to the cable  116 . When the connectors  102 ,  104  are mated, complementary conductive components of the contact subassemblies  118 ,  120  engage each other to establish a conductive signal pathway across the connectors  102 ,  104  to connect the cables  114 ,  116 . 
     The housings  108 ,  110  of the connectors  102 ,  104  include complementary latching features that engage each other when the connectors  102 ,  104  are fully mated to secure the connectors  102 ,  104  in the mated position. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  108  of the male connector  102  includes a catch  122  that is configured to engage a complementary deflectable primary latch  124  on the housing  110  of the female connector  104 . The contact subassemblies  118 ,  120  are securely held inside the corresponding housings  108 ,  110 , such that the interconnection between the catch  122  and latch  124  of the housings  108 ,  110 , respectively, retains an electrical connection between the contact subassemblies  118 ,  120 . The latch  124  is able to be lifted or pivoted over the catch  122  in order to disconnect the male and female connectors  102 ,  104 . In an alternative embodiment, the male connector  102  includes the primary latch and the female connector  104  includes the catch. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the male connector  102  and the female connector  104  constitute FAKRA connectors which comply with the standard for a uniform connector system established by the FAKRA automobile expert group. FAKRA is the Automotive Standards Committee in the German Institute for Standardization, representing international standardization interests in the automotive field. The FAKRA connectors have a standardized keying system and locking system that fulfill the high functional and safety requirements of automotive applications by restricting the mate-ability of each of the connectors  102 ,  104  to one or more specific mating connectors according to the FAKRA standards. For example, the male connector  102  in the illustrated embodiment has one or more keying ribs  126 , and the female connector  104  has one or more keyholes  128  that receive the keying ribs  126  when the connectors  102 ,  104  are mated and properly aligned. 
     The keying ribs  126  are only received in the keyholes  128  in one specific angular orientation of the male housing  108  relative to the female housing  110 . In one or more embodiments described herein, the housings  108 ,  110  of the connector system  100  are rotatable relative to the corresponding cables  114 ,  116 . Thus, although the male housing  108  only mates to the female housing  110  in a single orientation, rotation of the male housing  108  to align the male housing  108  with the female housing  110  does not impart tension and other torsional forces on the cable  114  that is terminated to the male housing  108 . As described herein, the male and female connectors  102 ,  104  each include retention mechanisms that allow the respective housings  108 ,  110  to rotate relative to the corresponding cables  114 ,  116  without requiring auxiliary components inserted into the connectors  102 ,  104 , such as secondary locks or clips. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded rear perspective view of the female electrical connector  104  according to an embodiment. The contact subassembly  120  is terminated to the cable  116 , meaning that the contact subassembly  120  is mechanically and electrically connected to the cable  116 . The contact subassembly  120  is disposed outside of the cavity  106  of the housing  110 , but is poised for loading into the cavity  106 . The exploded connector  104  is oriented with respect to a vertical or elevation axis  191 , a lateral axis  192 , and a longitudinal axis  193 . The axes  191 - 193  are mutually perpendicular. Although the vertical axis  191  appears to extend generally parallel to gravity, it is understood that the axes  191 - 193  are not required to have any particular orientation with respect to gravity. 
     Although  FIG. 2  shows the female connector  104 , the following description of various embodiments of the female connector  104  may also apply to the male connector  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, the housing  108  and contact subassembly  118  of the male connector  102  may have components similar in shape, orientation, and function as the components of the housing  110  and contact subassembly  120  described below. 
     The housing  110  extends longitudinally between a front end  302  and a rear end  304 . As used herein, relative or spatial terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “first,” and “second” are only used to distinguish the referenced elements and do not necessarily require particular positions or orientations relative to the surrounding environment of the electrical connector  104  and the connector system  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the front end  302  is a mating end, such that the keyholes  128  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) are located along, or proximate to, the front end  302 . The rear end  304  is a cable end such that the cable  116  protrudes from the housing  110  through an opening  306  at the rear end  304  when the contact subassembly  120  is loaded within the housing  110 . The cavity  106  extends through the housing  110  between the front and rear ends  302 ,  304 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  110  is an inline housing, but in an alternative embodiment the housing  110  may be a right angle housing. For example, the cable end may not be co-linear with the mating end of the housing  110  in an alternative embodiment. 
     The housing  110  is generally cylindrical in shape but includes a top side  308  that is at least partially planar. The primary latch  124  is mounted to the top side  308 . The top side  308  of the housing  110  defines a window  310  located axially between the primary latch  124  and the rear end  304 . The window  310  extends fully through a top wall  312  of the housing  110  and is open to the cavity  106 . The window  310  is configured to receive a protrusion  314  of the contact subassembly  120  therethrough when the protrusion  314  is angularly oriented towards the top wall  312 , as described below in more detail. The housing  110  may also include at least one deflectable latch  364  rearward of the primary latch  124 . The deflectable latch  364  is configured to extend at least partially into the cavity  106  to engage the protrusion  314  of the contact subassembly  120 . 
     The contact subassembly  120  is configured to be loaded into the cavity  106  of the housing  110  through the opening  306  at the rear end  304 . For example, the contact subassembly  120  is moved relative to the housing  110  in a loading direction  316  along the longitudinal axis  193  towards the front end  302  of the housing  110 . The contact subassembly  120  includes a contact mating portion  144  that is generally cylindrical. The contact mating portion  144  is configured to engage a complementary contact mating portion of the contact subassembly  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the male connector  102  ( FIG. 1 ) when mated. Since the contact mating portion  144  is generally cylindrical, the contact mating portion  144  does not require a particular angular orientation relative to the corresponding contact mating portion of the male connector  102 . The contact subassembly  120  further includes a termination portion  146  rearward of the contact mating portion  144 . The termination portion  146  mechanically and electrically connects to the cable  116 . In an embodiment, the cable  116  is lowered from above a top side  320  of the termination portion  146  into a channel  138  of a dielectric holder  134  to terminate the cable  116  using cable insulation displacement (CID) features  158 ,  160  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In another embodiment, the cable  116  may be terminated to the contact subassembly  120  by one or more crimping operations that may use one or more ferrules. 
     The contact subassembly  120  includes at least one protrusion  314  extending outward from an outer surface  318  of the contact subassembly  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion  314  is a tab  314 . The outer surface  318  is a lateral side  212  of the termination portion  146 . Although not visible in  FIG. 2 , the contact subassembly  120  may include two tabs  314  that extend from the outer surface  318  along opposite lateral sides  212  of the contact subassembly  120 . The contact subassembly  120  may include more or less than two protrusions  314  in other embodiments. 
     In an embodiment, the cavity  106  of the housing  110  at the rear end  304  includes a central core  324  and at least one outer channel  326 . The housing  110  defines two outer channels  326  in the illustrated embodiment. The central core  324  has a cylindrical shape. The outer channels  326  are open to the central core  324  and extend radially outward from the central core  324 . The opening  306  at the rear end  304  is sized and shaped to allow the contact subassembly  120  fully into the cavity  106  only if the contact subassembly  120  is in one or more particular angular orientations relative to the housing  110 . For example, the contact subassembly  120  is able to be fully loaded into the cavity  106  only if the tabs  314  are aligned with and received in the outer channels  326  of the cavity  106 . The diameter of the central core  324  may be too small to accommodate a diameter of the contact subassembly  120  inclusive of the radial length of a tab  314 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the contact subassembly  120  is angularly oriented such that the visible tab  314  is aligned with a right outer channel  326 A. A left outer channel  326 B of the cavity  106  aligns with the tab of the contact subassembly  120  that is not visible in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the electrical connector  104  according to an embodiment showing a quarter portion of the housing  110  removed. The contact subassembly  120  is in a fully loaded position in the cavity  106  of the housing  110 . Since the quarter portion of the housing  110  is removed, the contact subassembly  120  is visible within the cavity  106 . The cable  116  extends from the housing  110  through the opening  306  at the rear end  304 . 
     The housing  110  includes a retention mechanism  327  that engages the protrusion  314  (for example, the tab  314 ) of the contact subassembly  120  to secure an axial position of the contact subassembly  120  in the cavity  106  relative to the housing  110 . The retention mechanism  327  is configured to allow the housing  110  to rotate relative to the contact subassembly  120  and the cable  116 . For example, the housing  110  may be rotatable in a clockwise direction  330  relative to the contact subassembly  120  and cable  116 . The housing  110  may also rotate in an opposite counter-clockwise direction. Since the housing  110  can rotate relative to the cable  116  and contact subassembly  120 , the housing  110  can be rotated to properly align with a mating interface of a mating connector without applying tension or other torsional forces on the contact subassembly  120  and/or the cable  116 . The retention mechanism  327  of various embodiments described herein does not include a discrete secondary lock or clip that is inserted into the housing  110 . 
     The retention mechanism  327  of the housing  110  includes an annular track  328  that extends along a perimeter of the cavity  106 . The annular track  328  is configured to receive the one or more protrusions  314  of the contact subassembly  120  therein. As the housing  110  rotates relative to the contact subassembly  120 , the protrusions  314  move (relatively) along a circumferential length of the annular track  328 . The housing  110  includes a retention ledge  334  that defines a rear end of the annular track  328 . For example, a longitudinal width of the annular track  328  extends frontward from the retention ledge  334  towards the front end  302 . The retention ledge  334  is configured to secure an axial position of the contact subassembly  120  by blocking rearward axial movement of the contact subassembly  120  relative to the housing  110 . For example, the tab  314  of the contact subassembly  120  includes a catch surface  336  that faces generally rearward towards the rear end  304  of the housing  110 . When the tab  314  is disposed in the annular track  328 , the catch surface  336  is configured to engage the retention ledge  334  to block rearward axial movement of the contact subassembly  120  relative to the housing  110 , retaining the contact subassembly  120  in the fully loaded position shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, the retention mechanism  327  is configured to allow the housing  110  to rotate relative to the contact subassembly  120  while prohibiting the contact subassembly  120  from being pulled rearward out of the cavity  106 . In one or more embodiments, the retention ledge  334  may be defined by different surfaces of the housing along the circumferential length of the annular track  328 , as described below in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , instead of a single surface that extends continuously along the full length of the annular track  328 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  110  includes an interior shoulder  338  in the cavity  106  that is located axially between the front end  302  and the annular track  328 . A rear edge  340  of the interior shoulder  338  engages a front wall  342  of the dielectric holder  134  of the contact subassembly  120  to provide a hard stop surface that blocks additional axial movement of the contact subassembly  120  in the loading direction  316  relative to the housing  110 . Thus, the contact subassembly  120  is axially secured in the cavity  106  via engagement with the rear edge  340  of the interior shoulder  338  and the retention ledge  334 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the contact subassembly  120  and the electrical cable  116  according to an embodiment. The contact subassembly  120  includes the dielectric holder  134 , a center contact  132 , and an outer contact  136 . The contact subassembly  120  is shown in a partial cross-section to allow the center contact  132  and an otherwise-obstructed portion of the outer contact  136  to be visible. The contact subassembly  120  extends between a front end  346  and a rear end  348 . 
     In an embodiment, the cable  116  is a coaxial cable that includes a core conductor  162  having one or more electrical wires composed of a conductive metal material, such as copper, silver, gold, and/or the like. The core conductor  162  is surrounded by an insulation layer  166  that is formed of a dielectric material, such as one or more plastics. The insulation layer  166  protects and electrically insulates the core conductor  162  from a conductive shield layer  164  that surrounds the insulation layer  166 . The conductive shield layer  164  provides electrical shielding of the signals transmitted along the core conductor  162 , and may also provide an electrical grounding path and/or signal return path. The conductive shield layer  164  may be or include a cable braid that includes woven or braided metal strands. Optionally, the conductive shield layer  164  may include a metallic foil instead of, or in addition to, a cable braid. A jacket  168  of the cable  116  surrounds the shield layer  164 . The jacket  168  is formed of a dielectric material, such as one or more plastics. The jacket  168  provides protection against abrasions and contaminants. The jacket  168  also electrically insulates the conductive components  162 ,  164  of the cable  116  from external electrical interference. 
     As used herein, the cable  116  is described as having an inner cable portion  170  and an outer cable portion  172  that surrounds the inner cable portion  170 . The inner cable portion  170  is composed of the core conductor  162  and the insulation layer  166 , and the outer cable portion  172  is composed of the shield layer  164  and the jacket  168 . In an embodiment, the cable  116  may be prepared for termination to the contact subassembly  120  by stripping an end  174  of the cable  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the jacket  168  and shield layer  164  are stripped along an end segment  176  of the cable  116  such that the inner cable portion  170  protrudes from the outer cable portion  172  along the end segment  176 . Although the shield layer  164  protrudes beyond the jacket  168  and extends more proximate to the end  174  of the cable  116  than the jacket  168  in the illustrated embodiment, the shield layer  164  may be severed at the same location as the jacket  168  in an alternative embodiment. 
     The dielectric holder  134  defines the channel  138 . The channel  138  is open along a top side  154  of the holder  134 , such that the dielectric holder  134  resembles a cradle or trough. The dielectric holder  134  is configured to hold the center contact  132  and the outer contact  136 . The dielectric holder  134  is composed of a dielectric material, such as one or more plastics, to allow the holder  134  to electrically insulate the center contact  132  from the outer contact  136 . The dielectric holder  134  may be formed via a molding process. The dielectric holder  134  also includes a body  200  that defines the channel  138  and a nose segment  202  that extends from the body  200  and defines a cylindrical cavity  204 . The body  200  defines multiple apertures  206  extending through the body  200  from a bottom side  156  of the dielectric holder  134  to the channel  138 . The body  200  also defines side cavities  214  located on lateral sides of the channel  138 . The side cavities  214  extend from the bottom side  156  to the top side  154 . 
     The center contact  132  includes a mating interface  148  and a termination region  178 . The mating interface  148  in the illustrated embodiment is a pin, but the mating interface  148  may have other shapes in other embodiments, such as a socket, a blade, or the like. The termination region  178  includes the CID feature  158  that is configured to penetrate one or more layers of the cable  116  to engage the core conductor  162 . The CID feature  158  may be referred to as a core-terminating CID feature  158 . The CID feature  158  includes two contact walls  184  that define a core slot  186  therebetween. The core slot  186  is open along a top of the center contact  132  to receive the end segment  176  of the cable  116  therein. The contact walls  184  penetrate the insulation layer  166  as the end segment  176  of the cable  116  is pressed into the CID feature  158 . The contact walls  184  may be tapered to provide a lead-in area that guides the end segment  176  into the core slot  186 . The edges of the contact walls  184  along the lead-in area and along the core slot  186  optionally may be sharpened to slice through the insulation layer  166 . In the illustrated embodiment, the termination region  178  of the center contact  132  includes two CID features  158  spaced apart longitudinally from one another. The center contact  132  may be composed of a conductive metal material including copper, silver, aluminum, gold, and/or the like. The center contact  132  may be stamped and formed from an at least partially planar panel into the illustrated shape. The center contact  132  is held by the dielectric holder  134  such that the termination region  178  is held in the channel  138  and the mating interface  148  extends into the cylindrical cavity  204 . 
     The outer contact  136  is composed of a conductive metal material, including one or more of copper, silver, aluminum, gold, or the like. The outer contact  136  in an embodiment is stamped and formed from a planar panel. The outer contact  136  is configured to at least partially surround the dielectric holder  134 . The outer contact  136  includes side walls  228  that extend into the side cavities  214  of the dielectric holder  134 . The outer contact  136  further includes holding tabs  234  that extend from the side walls  228  and protrude from the side cavities  214  along the top side  154  of the dielectric holder  134 . After the cable  116  is received in the channel  138 , the holding tabs  234  may be bent or folded to extend at least partially across the channel  138  above the cable  116  to support retention of the cable  116  in the channel  138 . The outer contact  136  includes the second CID feature  160 , which is referred to herein as a shield-terminating CID feature  160 . The shield-terminating CID feature  160  extending through one of the apertures  206  into the channel  138 . The CID feature  160  is configured to penetrate one or more layers of the cable  116  to engage the shield layer  164  in order to electrically connect the outer contact  136  to the shield layer  164 . 
     Additional reference is made to  FIG. 5 , which shows a front view of the outer contact  136  according to an embodiment. The shield-terminating CID feature  160  includes multiple blades  240  having pointed tips  242  that are configured to penetrate at least the jacket  168  of the cable  116  to engage and electrically connect to the shield layer  164 . The blades  240  are oriented generally vertically to allow the pointed tips  242  to dig into the cable  116  as the cable  116  is loaded in a downward pressing direction  244  relative to the outer contact  136 . The blades  240  may penetrate at least partially through the shield layer  164  and may also extend into the insulation layer  166  of the cable  116  in order to ensure that a reliable mechanical and electrical connection is established with the shield layer  164 . The blades  240  do not penetrate the insulation layer  166  far enough to engage the core conductor  162 . 
     Referring now only to  FIG. 4 , the outer contact  136  may include at least one strain relief CID feature  254  configured to provide strain relief. The outer contact  136  in the illustrated embodiment includes two strain relief CID features  254  located rearward of the shield-terminating CID feature  160 . The strain relief CID features  254  extend into the channel  138  through corresponding apertures  206 . The strain relief CID features  254  may be similar to the shield-terminating CID feature  160  in shape and function. For example, the strain relief CID features  254  each include at least one blade  258 . The blades  258  may be configured to penetrate the jacket  168 , the shield layer  164 , and at least partially into the insulation layer  166  in order to provide mechanical retention and strain relief. The outer contact  136  may have other numbers of shield-terminating CID features  160  and strain relief CID features  254  in alternative embodiments. Optionally, the outer contact  136  is attached to a carrier strip  232  at the rear end  348  of the contact subassembly  120 . Thus, the contact subassembly  120  may be assembled on a carrier strip  232  with other contact subassemblies  120 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the core-terminating CID features  158 , the shield-terminating CID feature  160 , and the strain relief CID features  254  are all disposed in the channel  138 . The contact subassembly  120  according to one or more embodiments provides a one-step press termination of the cable  116  to the contact subassembly  120 . For example, the cable  116  may be pressed into the channel  138  manually or via an automated machine, such as a press device, from above the contact subassembly  120 . As the cable  116  is pressed into the channel  138 , the core-terminating CID features  158  of the center contact  132  engage the inner cable portion  170  along the end segment  176  to penetrate the insulation layer  166  and engage the core conductor  162 . The shield-terminating CID feature  160  and the strain relief CID features  254  of the outer contact  136  engage the outer cable portion  172  and penetrate the jacket  168  to engage the shield layer  164 . Therefore, the contact subassembly  120  allows the cable  116  to terminate to both the center contact  132  and the outer contact  136  by a single press of the cable  116  into the channel  138 . 
     The protrusion  314  of the contact subassembly  120  in the illustrated embodiment is a tab  314  that extends laterally outward from the lateral side  212  of the contact subassembly  120 . The tab  314  in the illustrated embodiment is integral to the dielectric holder  134 . In an alternative embodiment, the protrusion  314  may be a component of the outer contact  136  instead of the dielectric holder  134 . The tab  314  includes a ramp surface  344  and the catch surface  336 . The catch surface  336  faces rearward towards the rear end  348 . The ramp surface  344  extends from a front  350  of the tab  314  to the catch surface  336 . The ramp surface  344  is angled such that the tab  314  extends farther from the lateral side  212  with distance along the ramp surface  344  from the front  350  towards the catch surface  336 . 
       FIG. 6  is a first cross-sectional perspective front view of the housing  110  of the electrical connector  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) according to an embodiment.  FIG. 7  is a second cross-sectional perspective front view of the housing  110  of the electrical connector  104 . The view in  FIG. 6  shows approximately half of the housing  110 , and the view in  FIG. 7  shows approximately three-quarters of the housing  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  110  includes a groove-shaped recess  352  defined along an inner surface  354  of the housing  110  that defines the cavity  106 . The groove-shaped recess  352  defines at least a circumferential segment of the annular track  328 . The retention ledge  334  of the annular track  328  along the recess  352  (for example, the rear end of the recess  352 ) is defined by a front edge  356  of a first interior shoulder  358  of the housing  110 . The first interior shoulder  358  is a fixed structure of the housing  110 . The interior shoulder  358  may extend longitudinally from the recess  352  to the rear end  304  of the housing  110 . A rear edge  360  of a second interior shoulder  362  defines a front end of the recess  352 . The longitudinal width of the recess  352  between the rear edge  360  and the front edge  356  accommodates the at least one protrusion  314  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the contact subassembly  120  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In an embodiment, the housing  110  includes at least one deflectable latch  364  extending from a fixed end  366  and a free end  368 . The fixed end  366  is secured to a wall  370  of the housing  110  at an axial location between the annular track  328  and the rear end  304 . The free end  368  is not directly secured to the wall  370  and is able to move relative to the wall  370  about the fixed end  366 . The fixed end  366  is located rearward of the free end  368 . Optionally, the latch  364  may be oriented to extend along the longitudinal axis  193 . The housing  110  in the illustrated embodiment includes two latches  364 , but may include more or less than two latches  364  in other embodiments. The latches  364  are deflectable between an unbiased or resting position and a deflected position. In the unbiased position, the latch  364  is configured to extend at least partially into the cavity  106  in a loading path of the contact subassembly  120  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). In the deflected position, the protrusion  314  ( FIG. 3 ) of the contact subassembly  120  engages and deflects the latch  364  radially outward out of the path of the contact subassembly  120  to allow the protrusion  314  to enter the annular track  328 . The latch  364  has a catch surface  372  at least proximate to the free end  368  that faces generally towards the front end  302  of the housing  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the catch surface  372  is located at the free end  368 . 
     In an embodiment, when the latch  364  is in the un-biased position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the catch surface  372  defines a segment of the retention ledge  334  of the annular track  328 . For example, the catch surface  372  of a latch  364  extends adjacent to the front edge  356  of the first interior shoulder  358 . The front edge  356  of the interior shoulder  358  defines a first circumferential segment of the retention ledge  334 , and the catch surface  372  of a corresponding latch  364  defines a second circumferential segment of the retention ledge  334 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the catch surfaces  372  of the two latches  364  border the front edge  356  of the interior shoulder  358  along a perimeter of the cavity  106 , and each define respective circumferential segments of the retention ledge  334 . The latches  364  optionally each include an arm  374  and a head  376 . The arm  374  extends from the fixed end  366  to the head  376 , and the head  376  extends to the free end  368 . The head  376  includes a ramp surface  378  that extends radially inward into the cavity  106  gradually with increasing distance along the head  376  towards the free end  368 . The ramp surface  378  extends to the catch surface  372 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the window  310  of the housing  110  that is defined through the top wall  312  may define an upper segment of the annular track  328 . For example, the window  310  aligns circumferentially with the groove-shaped recess  352 . The upper segment of the annular track  328  may be defined by a window  310  in the housing  110  instead of another groove-shaped recess because the top wall  312  is at least partially planar instead of cylindrical. The retention ledge  334  along the upper segment of the annular track  328  is defined by an edge  384  of the top wall  312  that defines a rear end of the window  310 . 
     In an embodiment, the annular track  328  extends around full perimeter of the cavity  106 . The retention ledge  334  along the entire circumferential length of the annular track  328  is defined by various components of the housing  110 , including the front edge  356  of the interior shoulder  358 , the catch surfaces  372  of the latches  364 , and the edge  384  of the top wall  312 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the outer channels  326  of the cavity  106  extend longitudinally from the rear end  304  to the annular track  328 . The outer channels  326  are at least partially defined by perimeter edges  380  of the first interior shoulder  358 . In an embodiment, the deflectable latches  364  extend into the outer channels  326  when in the unbiased position to engage the protrusion  314  of the contact subassembly  120  that is received therein. For example, interior sides  382  of the latches  364  define an outer wall of the outer channels  326 . The deflectable latches  364  do not extend into the central core  324  of the cavity  106 . 
       FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the electrical connector  104  according to an embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . In an embodiment, as the contact subassembly  120  is loaded into the cavity  106  through the rear end  304 , the tabs  314  are received in the corresponding outer channels  326 . Only one of the two tabs  314  is shown in  FIG. 8 . Movement of the contact subassembly  120  in the loading direction  316  causes the ramp surface  344  of the tab  314  to engage the complementary ramp surface  378  of the deflectable latch  364  within the outer channel  326 . The tab  314  gradually deflects the latch  364  radially outward in a deflection arc  386  as the tab  314  moves translationally in the loading direction  316  relative to the housing  110 . The deflection of the latch  364  causes the head  376  of the latch  364  to move out of the path of the tab  314 , allowing the tab  314  to enter the annular track  328 . Once the catch surface  336  of the tab  314  passes the catch surface  372  of the latch  364 , the deflectable latch  364  is allowed to resiliently return radially inwards towards the unbiased position. In the unbiased position, the catch surface  372  is received behind the catch surface  336  of the tab  314  such that rearward movement of the contact subassembly  120  relative to the housing  110  would cause the catch surfaces  336 ,  372  to engage one another, blocking additional rearward movement of the contact subassembly  120 . 
     The illustrated embodiment shows the contact subassembly  120  in a first angular orientation relative to the housing  110 . The contact subassembly  120  is loaded into the housing  110  in the first angular orientation to allow the tabs  314  to be received in the outer channels  326 . Once the contact subassembly  120  is fully loaded in the housing  110  such that the tabs  314  are located within the annular track  328 , the housing  110  is able to rotate relative to the contact subassembly  120  and the cable  116 . In an embodiment, the housing  110  is able to rotate 360 degrees. 
       FIG. 9  shows a rear perspective view of the electrical connector  104  in which the contact subassembly  120  is in a second angular orientation relative to the housing  110 . In the second angular orientation, the top  320  of the contact subassembly  120  faces towards one of the deflectable latches  364  along a lateral side of the housing  110 , as compared to the first angular orientation shown in  FIG. 8  in which the top  320  of the contact subassembly  120  faces the top wall  312 . In addition, one of the tabs  314  of the contact subassembly  120  in the second angular orientation is angularly oriented towards the top wall  312  of the housing  110  and extends at least partially through the window  310 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a rearward force of the contact subassembly  120  relative to the housing  110  would cause the catch surface  336  of the tab  314  to abut against the edge  384  of the top wall  312  that defines the retention ledge  334  along the top segment of the annular track  328  to retain the contact subassembly  120  in the loaded position within the housing  110 . 
       FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the electrical connector  104  according to an alternative embodiment. In  FIG. 10 , the protrusion of the electrical connector  104  is a deflectable latch  402  instead of a tab. The latch  402  is oriented such that a head  404  of the latch  402  that defines a catch surface  406  is located rearward of an arm  408  of the latch  402  that extends to a fixed end  410 . As the contact subassembly  120  is loaded into the cavity  106  of the housing  110  from the rear end  304 , the head  404  of the latch  402  engages the interior shoulder  358  that extends between the rear end  304  and the annular track  328 . The interior shoulder  358  deflects the latch  402  radially inward until the catch surface  406  of the latch  402  extends beyond the front edge  356  of the shoulder  358 , at which point the latch  402  resiliently moves radially outward towards an unbiased position. In the unbiased position as shown in  FIG. 10 , the head  404  of the latch  402  is disposed in the annular track  328 . The catch surface  406  is configured to engage the front edge  356  of the shoulder  358  to retain the axial position of the contact subassembly  120  in the housing  110 . At least a circumferential segment of the annular track  328  shown in  FIG. 10  may be defined by a groove-shaped recess  412 . 
     In another alternative embodiment, the at least one protrusion of the contact subassembly  120  may be an annular ring or flange that extends outward from the outer surface of the contact subassembly  120  along at least an extended length of the perimeter of the contact subassembly  120 , instead of one or more tabs that do not have extended lengths along the perimeter. Furthermore, the retention ledge of the annular track of the housing  110  may be defined entirely by catch surfaces of one or more deflectable latches of the housing  110  that extend into the cavity  106 . Thus, as the contact subassembly  120  is loaded into the housing  110 , the annular ring engages and deflects the one or more latches radially outward until a rear catch surface of the annular ring is located in front of the catch surfaces of the latches, and the latches are allowed to resiliently move radially inward behind the annular ring to secure the axial location of the contact subassembly  120  relative to the housing  110 . In all embodiments described herein, the housing  110  is able to rotate relative to the contact subassembly  120 , and the housing  110  secures an axial position of the contact subassembly  120 . 
     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 invention 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 exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of 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.