Patent Description:
In applications involving the transmission of electrical power and/or signals, spaced-apart technical units may be electrically connected by an electrical cable in a separable fashion, using electrical connectors. When establishing such an electrical connection, the electrical connectors are often handled manually or by means of robots, in order to route the electrical cable along an available cable path. During said handling and routing, the electrical connector and electrical cable may be subjected to high forces. This is in particular the case in high-voltage and/or high-current applications where electrical cables are often thick and stiff. These high forces may damage the electrical connector, the electrical cable and/or the connection between the electrical cable and the electrical connector. Furthermore, the thickness and stiffness of the electrical cable may complicate the handling when establishing the electrical connection.

<CIT> relates to a plug connection assembly comprising a round plug connector and a shielded cable with a plurality of insulated wires within. The plug connector comprises an insulating body with contacts arranged therein, a spacing element, a shield-deflecting means and a cable-clamping means. All of these components are connected to each other and accommodated in a housing formed by a front housing part, a central housing part and a housing screw connection means.

<CIT> discloses to a coaxial connector with a housing including an insertion hole and a terminal part inside the insertion hole. The terminal part comprises a shield terminal with a catching-target part being held by a locking part of the housing. A contact part of the shield terminal surrounds a center terminal and a dielectric body. The contact part is configured to contact a terminal of a target connector. A connecting part surrounds a shield wire and is connected thereto.

<CIT> discloses a coaxial cable connector including a housing and a subassembly, wherein the subassembly is configured to rotate within the housing. The subassembly comprises a cable receptor including a receptor portion configured to receive a cable, and an outer contact formed integrally with and extending axially from the receptor portion. A cable retainer is configured to be coupled to the receptor portion.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved connector, which is easier to handle and less easily damaged.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments are defend by the dependent claims.

The object is achieved by providing an electrical connector, such as a high-voltage connector, configured to be mated to a mating connector, the electrical connector comprising a housing assembly and a core assembly, the core assembly comprising a contact assembly with a contact configured to electrically contact a mating contact of the mating connector, a finger protection assembly configured to at least partially cover the contact assembly, and a cable retention assembly configured to be attached to an electrical cable, wherein the core assembly is held rotatably within the housing assembly.

The above-mentioned solution is advantageous, since the core assembly includes all necessary components required for establishing an electrical connection between the mating connector and the electrical cable, while being rotationally decoupled from the housing assembly. Especially a transmission of circumferential forces between the housing assembly and the cable retention assembly, being part of the core assembly, is limited. Thereby, only a minimum of torsional load is transferrable from the housing assembly to the electrical cable, when the cable retention assembly is attached to the electrical cable. This eases handling of the electrical connector, due to an increase of movement flexibility, and also reduces the risk of damage to the electrical connector.

The term "circumferential forces" is to be understood as referring to forces which act in a circumferential direction with respect to the relative rotatability between the core assembly and the housing assembly.

The above solution may be further improved by adding one or more of the following optional features. Each of the following optional features is advantageous on its own and may be combined independently with any other optional feature.

In one possible embodiment of the electrical connector, the core assembly may be rotatable with respect to the housing assembly up to an angle of <NUM>° or any multiple of <NUM>° with an arbitrary integer. In particular, the core assembly may be held fully and/or unrestrictedly rotatably within the housing assembly. This way, the angular relative movement between the core assembly and the housing assembly is unlimited, further decreasing the risk of torsional load transfer between the electrical connector and the corresponding attached electrical cable.

The electrical connector may be configured to be mated to the mating connector along a mating direction, wherein the core assembly is preferably rotatable with respect to the housing assembly about a rotational axis parallel to said mating direction.

Each of the housing assembly and core assembly may be a separate, unitary module. Preferably, both the housing assembly and the core assembly are unitary modules, which are respectively pre-assembled and readily mountable onto each other. In particular, the core assembly may be insertable into the housing assembly along an assembly direction, which is parallel to the mating direction. This embodiment is advantageous, since it results in less effort and time required during assembly of the electrical connector. Further, the maintainability of the electrical connector is improved, as the housing assembly or core assembly can easily be replaced in case of damage or failure.

Alternatively, just the core assembly may be a pre-assembled unitary module, while the housing assembly is only assembled after insertion of the core assembly along the assembly direction. This will be described in further detail below.

According to another possible embodiment, the contact may have a sleeve-shaped section configured for electrical termination of the electrical cable. For example, the sleeve-shaped section may be crimped onto an end section of a conductor of the electrical cable. Alternatively, the sleeve-shaped section may be soldered, welded or otherwise bonded to the end section of the conductor.

Further, the contact may have a socket-shaped section configured to receive and electrically contact a pin-shaped section of the mating contact. Optionally, the contact assembly may comprise a flexible, electrically conductive contact spring arranged within the socket-shaped section of the contact in order to increase contact forces and/or decrease mating forces.

It is to be understood that the term "electrically conductive" refers to a property of the contact spring having an electrical conductivity comparable to the contact and higher than the finger protection assembly.

Alternatively, the contact may have a pin-shaped section configured to be inserted into a socket-shaped section of the mating contact, in order to establish electrical contacting therewith. The contact spring may optionally be arranged on the pin-shaped section of the contact.

For safety reasons, the finger protection assembly may comprise an outer protection element and a front protection element which protect the contact against unwanted touch by human fingers or other components besides the mating contact. The outer protection element may surround the contact, thereby covering the contact in a radial direction with respect to the mating direction. The front protection element may cover a front part of the contact in an axial direction with respect to the mating direction. In particular, the front protection element may cover a front end of the contact which extends towards the outside of the housing assembly. The front end of the contact may, in particular, be a free end of the contact.

In an embodiment comprising the contact having a socket-shaped section, the outer protection element and the front protection element may be monolithically connected to form a protective collar around the entire external surface of the socket-shaped section of the contact. Preferably, the protective collar is also formed around the entire extemal surface of the sleeve-shaped section of the contact. Accordingly, the socket-shaped section and the sleeve-shaped section of the contact may be insertable into the protective collar. The protective collar may be press-fitted on the socket-shaped section and/or the sleeve-shaped section of the contact. Alternatively or cumulatively, the finger protection assembly may comprise a spacer sleeve, which is also insertable into the protective collar after insertion of the contact. The spacer sleeve may be connected to the protective collar e.g. by means of latching. The contact may be axially supported by the protective collar and the spacer sleeve from two opposing directions, thus preventing removal of the contact from the protective collar.

Optionally, the finger protection assembly may further comprise an inner protection element surrounded by the socket-shaped section of the contact. In particular, the inner protection element may be a cup-shaped or pillar-shaped body inserted into the socket-shaped section of the contact.

The outer protection element, front protection element and inner protection element may each be made of an electrically insulating material, having an electrical conductivity lower than the contact.

Alternatively, in an embodiment comprising the contact having a pin-shaped section, the front protection element may be a protective cap attached to a tip of the pin-shaped section.

According to another possible embodiment, the electrical connector may comprise a locking structure which is configured to lock the core assembly to the housing assembly, blocking a translational relative movement between the core assembly and the housing assembly. By means of the locking structure, the core assembly may be held captive to the housing assembly. Thus, a loss of the core assembly or the housing assembly is prevented, while maintaining the relative rotatability between the core assembly and the housing assembly.

According to an easy to manufacture embodiment, the locking structure may comprise at least one pair of locking elements being in engagement with one another, one of the locking elements being a circumferential groove, preferably continuous, and the other one of the locking elements being at least one form-fit element, extending into the corresponding circumferential groove. In particular, the at least one form-fit element may be formed on one of the housing assembly and the core assembly, while the corresponding circumferential groove may be formed respectively on the other one of the housing assembly and core assembly.

Optionally, the locking element of the core assembly may be located on the cable retention assembly. Thereby, the cable retention assembly can additionally fulfil the function of rotatably attaching the housing assembly to the electrical cable.

According to yet another embodiment, the core assembly may comprise a shield sleeve, in which the contact assembly is at least partially received. Preferably, the contact assembly is entirely received in the shield sleeve. Optionally, the finger protection assembly may also be at least partially, preferably entirely, received in the shield sleeve. Further, the cable retention assembly may optionally be at least partially received in the shield sleeve. Preferably, the shield sleeve is electrically conductive and thus may especially serve as a protection against electromagnetic interference caused by or affecting the contact. In particular, the shield sleeve may radially surround the contact along the entire length of the contact. Further, the shield sleeve may be continuously spaced apart and insulated from the contact by the outer protection element of the finger protection assembly.

It is to be understood that the term "electrically conductive" refers to a property of the shield sleeve having an electrical conductivity comparable to the contact and higher than the finger protection assembly.

According to another embodiment, the shield sleeve may comprise at least one radially inwardly protruding section, engaging with one of the finger protection assembly and the cable retention assembly. Preferably, the shield sleeve comprises at least one radially inwardly protruding section for each of the finger protection assembly and the cable retention assembly engaging with the finger protection assembly and the cable retention assembly, respectively. Through said engagement, the shield sleeve may hold together the contact assembly, the finger protection assembly and the cable retention assembly as one unit, thereby maintaining the integrity of the core assembly.

Optionally, the at least one radially inwardly protruding section may extend along the circumferential direction around the shield sleeve in a continuous or discontinuous manner. In particular, the at least one radially inwardly protruding section may be formed by a step, a flange, a shoulder or a taper extending inwards of the shield sleeve. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one radially inwardly protruding section may be formed by multiple latching tabs distributed circumferentially around the shield sleeve and extending obliquely inwards of the shield sleeve.

According to yet another embodiment, the shield sleeve may comprise at least one radially outwardly protruding section engaging with the housing assembly. Analogously, the at least one radially outwardly protruding section may extend along the circumferential direction around the shield sleeve in a continuous or discontinuous manner. In particular, the at least one radially outwardly protruding section may be formed by a step, a flange, a shoulder or a taper extending outwards of the shield sleeve. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one radially outwardly protruding section may be formed by multiple latching tabs, distributed circumferentially around the shield sleeve and extending obliquely outwards of the shield sleeve.

The above-described locking element of the core assembly may be located on the shield sleeve. In particular, the locking element of the core assembly may be embodied by one of the at least one radially outwardly protruding section and radially inwardly protruding section. In other words, the at least one radially outwardly protruding section may provide the form-fit element. Alternatively, the at least one radially inwardly protruding section may provide the circumferential groove.

According to another embodiment, the shield sleeve may form an outer hull of the core assembly. In particular, the shield sleeve may provide an external bearing surface for relative rotational movement between the core assembly and the housing assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the shield sleeve may provide an internal bearing surface for relative rotational movement between the shield sleeve and the contact assembly, finger protection assembly as well as cable retention assembly. Preferably, the internal and/or external bearing surfaces are rotationally symmetric with respect to the rotational axis parallel to the mating direction, respectively. Thereby, the shield sleeve may serve as a slide sleeve and/or slide bushing.

For grounding purposes, the shield sleeve may be arranged to be accessible to a grounding contact of the mating connector. In particular, a front section of the shield sleeve may stick out of the housing assembly and be configured for contacting the grounding contact of the mating connector. Additionally or alternatively, at least one access slit may be provided on the housing assembly to allow the grounding contact access to the shield sleeve. This will be described in further detail below.

The cable retention assembly comprises a cable fixation sleeve configured to radially abut against a cable insulation of the electrical cable. In particular, the cable fixation sleeve may be sleeved over the end section of the conductor which is surrounded by the cable insulation. The cable fixation sleeve can thus fulfil the function of securing the electrical cable at least in the radial direction.

Optionally, the cable fixation sleeve may further press radially against the cable insulation and secure the electrical cable in the axial direction, thereby serving as a strain relief for the electrical cable. In particular, the cable fixation sleeve may be pressed by the housing assembly radially against the cable insulation, as will be described in further detail below.

The above-described locking element of the core assembly may be located on the cable fixation sleeve. In particular, the cable fixation sleeve may have a ring-shaped body with a chamfered, barb-like circumferential bead. The circumferential bead may be one of continuous and discontinuous and may extend into the corresponding circumferential groove of the housing assembly as the at least one form-fit element. The chamfered property of the circumferential bead facilitates the introduction into the circumferential groove in the assembly direction introduced above. The barb-like property of the circumferential bead prevents removal from the circumferential groove in a direction opposite to the assembly direction.

Optionally, the cable fixation sleeve may comprise inwardly facing teeth, which grab into the cable insulation of the electrical cable and additionally secure the electrical cable in the axial direction. Preferably, the teeth are hook-shaped and sloped in the mating direction. Thereby, the cable fixation sleeve can be easily sleeved over the cable insulation of the electrical cable against the mating direction, while removal of the cable fixation sleeve is impeded.

In an alternative embodiment, the cable fixation sleeve may comprise the circumferential groove as the locking element and the housing assembly may comprise the circumferential bead as the other locking element, respectively.

The cable retention assembly comprises a shield support sleeve configured to support a shield of the electrical cable. In particular, the shield support sleeve may radially support a contacting area between the shield sleeve and the shield of the electrical cable. In other words, the shield support sleeve may provide a circumferential seating surface, on which the shield sleeve and the shield of the electrical cable rest on top of each other. For this, the shield support sleeve may be sleeved over the end section of the electrical cable and positioned under at least a layer of the shield of the electrical cable. Particularly, the shield of the electrical cable may be locally exposed and flared, in order to fit the shield support sleeve below the shield of the electrical cable. Alternatively, the exposed shield of the electrical cable may be rolled back and over the shield support sleeve.

It is to be understood that the shield of the electrical cable may, for example, comprise a braid shield and/or a foil shield which is surrounded by the cable insulation. The shield further surrounds the conductor of the electrical cable and is spaced apart from the conductor by an insulation layer of the electrical cable. In this context, the prepositions "under" and "below" are each to be understood as referring to a radial position located between the shield and the insulation layer. Further, the term "exposed" refers to a state where a part of the cable insulation is removed, such that the shield of the electrical cable lies bare.

Preferably, a difference between the outer diameter of the shield support sleeve and the inner diameter of the shield sleeve allows the shield of the electrical cable to be sandwiched therebetween. More preferably, said difference allows the shield of the electrical cable to be press-fitted between the shield sleeve and the shield support sleeve, in order to improve electrical contacting. As an alternative to press-fitting, the shield sleeve may also be crimped onto the shield support sleeve.

According to yet another embodiment, the shield support sleeve may be arranged, preferably in the axial direction, between the cable fixation sleeve and the finger protection assembly. In particular, the cable fixation sleeve, the shield support sleeve and the finger protection assembly may be coaxially aligned along the mating direction. Thereby, the above-mentioned contacting area between the shield sleeve and the shield of the electrical cable can be sufficiently distanced from the contact as well as from the outside of the electrical connector.

The outer protection element and/or the spacer sleeve of the finger protection assembly may abut axially against the shield of the electrical cable, folded over the shield support sleeve. Further, the outer protection element of the finger protection assembly may be axially supported by the shield sleeve and the cable retention assembly from two opposing directions. Alternatively, the outer protection element of the finger protection assembly may be axially supported by the housing assembly and the cable retention assembly from two opposing directions. For this, the housing assembly may comprise an inward protrusion, as will be described further below. Thereby, the relative position of the outer protection element can be maintained within the electrical connector.

The cable retention assembly comprises a sealing device arranged between the cable fixation sleeve and the shield support sleeve. The sealing device may comprise at least one sealing element, preferably having an annular shape, arranged between the cable fixation sleeve and the shield support sleeve. For example, the at least one sealing element may radially abut against the shield sleeve and the cable insulation, thus preventing moisture and/or dirt from passing through a gap between the shield sleeve and the electrical cable. Alternatively, the at least one sealing element may directly abut against the housing assembly, instead of the shield sleeve, thereby preventing moisture and/or dirt from passing through a gap between the housing assembly and the electrical cable. Advantageously, the direct abutment of the at least one sealing element against the housing assembly can create a certain frictional resistance, which hinders the housing assembly from loosely rotating around the electrical cable, while not completely suppressing the rotatability.

In another possible embodiment, the sealing device may comprise at least two sealing elements and a seal support sleeve with a higher rigidity than the at least two sealing elements. The seal support sleeve may primarily be utilized to prevent an axial deformation of the core assembly, e.g. due to compression of the at least two sealing elements. For this, the seal support sleeve may be arranged between the cable fixation sleeve and the shield support sleeve to axially abut against the cable fixation sleeve and the shield support sleeve, respectively. The at least two sealing elements may be arranged between the abutment area of the seal support sleeve with the cable fixation sleeve and the abutment area of the seal support sleeve with the shield support sleeve. Due to its higher rigidity, the seal support sleeve creates a mechanical reinforcement structure for the at least two sealing elements, e.g. when the cable is pulled in the axial direction. The prevention of axial deformation is especially important in embodiments of the electrical connector having a contact spring, which requires an exact positioning of the contact spring with respect to the mating connector.

The at least two sealing elements may be arranged on opposite surfaces of the seal support sleeve. One of the at least two sealing elements may radially abut against the seal support sleeve and the cable insulation, while the other one of the at least two sealing elements may radially abut against the seal support sleeve and the housing assembly. In particular, one of the at least two sealing elements may be positioned on an outer circumferential surface of the seal support sleeve, preferably in a circumferential seal reception notch formed on the outer circumferential surface of the seal support sleeve. The other one of the at least two sealing elements may be positioned on an inner circumferential surface of the seal support sleeve, preferably in another circumferential seal reception notch formed on the inner circumferential surface of the seal support sleeve.

The seal support sleeve may also be utilized for prepositioning the at least two sealing elements and other components of the core assembly, such as the shield support sleeve, when assembling the electrical connector on the electrical cable. Further, the at least two sealing elements may be mutually offset along the mating direction in order to save space in the radial direction.

Alternatively, the cable fixation sleeve and the shield support sleeve may be monolithically connected with the seal support sleeve of the sealing device to form a single, sleeve-shaped component.

According to yet another possible embodiment, the housing assembly may comprise a connector housing, through which a receptacle extends along the mating direction for receiving the electrical cable, preferably for receiving the end section of the electrical cable. Further, the receptacle may also be configured for receiving the core assembly. In particular, the receptacle may be formed by a lead-through opening extending through the connector housing. Thereby, the core assembly is accessible to the mating connector on one end of the lead-through opening and to the electrical cable on the other end of the lead-through opening. The electrical cable can be installed in the receptacle of the connector housing by attachment of the cable retention assembly, wherein said attachment may take place prior to reception of the core assembly within the receptacle or thereafter.

Preferably, the receptacle has a rotationally symmetric inner surface with respect to the mating direction. Accordingly, the core assembly may be rotationally symmetric with respect to the mating direction. In particular, the contact, the outer protection element, the inner protection element, the front protection element, the cable fixation sleeve, the shield support sleeve and/or the sealing device may be rotationally symmetric with respect to the mating direction.

The above-mentioned locking element of the housing assembly may be formed within the connector housing adjacent to the receptacle. In particular, one of the circumferential groove and circumferential bead may be formed on an internal surface of the connector housing.

For reduced manufacturing costs, the connector housing may be a single, preferably injection-molded, component. Alternatively, the connector housing may comprise at least two housing halves, each housing half comprising a recess, which forms the receptacle together with the recesses of the remaining housing halves. The housing halves may be attached to each other perpendicularly to the mating direction. The housing halves may in particular be connected to each other by latching, clipping, gluing, welding and/or screws.

Further, the housing assembly may comprise a housing lid in addition to the connector housing. The housing lid may be a substantially hollow cylindrical structure sleeved over the electrical cable and at least partly encompassing a rear section of the connector housing, the rear section of the connector housing being situated opposite of the front part of the contact with respect to the mating direction. The housing lid may be attached to the connector housing along the mating direction after insertion of the core assembly into the receptacle of the connector housing. In particular, the housing lid may be connected to the connector housing by means of a force-transmitting connection capable of transmitting forces along the assembly direction. For example, the housing lid may be connected to the connector housing by latching, clipping, gluing, welding and/or screws.

In order to block translational relative movement between the core assembly and the housing assembly, the connector housing and housing lid may cooperate to hold captive the core assembly. For this, a circumferential internal shoulder representing the above-introduced inward protrusion of the housing assembly may be formed at a front section of the connector housing, the front section of the connector housing being situated opposite to the rear section of the connector housing with respect to the mating direction. Accordingly, the housing lid may also form a circumferential internal shoulder adjacent to the rear section of the connector housing. By means of the two circumferential internal shoulders, the core assembly can be locked to the housing assembly.

Optionally, the housing lid may comprise a conical inner surface widening in the mating direction. At a position overlapping with the conical inner surface, the above-introduced cable fixation sleeve may comprise a conical outer surface widening in the mating direction, the smallest diameter of the conical inner surface being smaller than the biggest diameter of the conical outer surface. When attaching the housing lid to the connector housing, these conical surfaces abut and slide along each other, causing the radial pressure of the cable fixation sleeve exerted onto the cable insulation to gradually increased. In an assembled state of the electrical connector, the cable fixation sleeve may thus serve as the strain relief for the electrical cable.

The conical outer surface of the cable fixation sleeve may comprise a normal vector containing a component pointing against the above-introduced assembly direction, while the conical inner surface of the housing lid may comprise a normal vector containing a component pointing in the assembly direction. Thus, in case the electrical cable is pulled against the assembly direction, for example in a mated state of the electrical connector and the mating connector, the radial pressure exerted onto the cable insulation by the cable fixation sleeve is further increased due to the abutment of the conical outer surface of the cable fixation sleeve with the conical inner surface of the housing lid. This causes the inwardly facing teeth of the cable fixation sleeve to grab into the cable insulation even stronger.

Further, the abutment of these conical surfaces in combination with the force-transmitting connection between the housing lid and the connector housing establishes a closed flux of force between the rear section and the front section, which prevents disintegration of the core assembly, in case the electrical cable is pulled against the assembly direction.

The above-mentioned frictional resistance may advantageously also occur between the conical inner surface of the housing lid and the conical outer surface of the cable fixation sleeve, thereby hindering the housing assembly from loosely rotating around the electrical cable, while not completely suppressing the rotatability.

According to another possible embodiment, the connector housing may have a rotationally asymmetric outer contour with respect to the mating direction. Advantageously, this asymmetric outer contour does not impose a restriction during handling of the electrical connector as the connector housing can be freely oriented, with respect to the core assembly and the electrical cable. Especially, the routing of the electrical cable has no influence on the resulting angular orientation of the connector housing, since the housing assembly in general and the connector housing in particular is rotatable, with respect to the electrical cable. Therefore, limitations in the design of the connector housing are alleviated, for the outer contour of the connector housing can be designed without necessarily fulfilling symmetry conditions, yet also without creating the drawbacks of an asymmetrically designed connector housing which is not rotatable with respect to the electrical cable.

According to yet another possible embodiment, the rotationally asymmetric outer contour of the connector housing may derive from at least one of a rotationally asymmetric locking feature, a rotationally asymmetric coding feature and a rotationally asymmetrically arranged circuitry element. The locking feature may in particular be a mechanical structure for securing the connector housing to the mating connector. The coding feature may be a mechanical structure defining a certain relative angular orientation between the connector housing and the mating connector, which is required for mating. The circuitry element may be a part of a monitoring circuit, configured for closing an open complementary circuitry located in the mating connector. In particular, the monitoring circuit may be a high-voltage interlock circuit for detecting a mated state as well as an unmated state of the electrical connector and the mating connector.

Additionally or alternatively, the rotationally asymmetric outer contour of the connector housing may derive from at least one rotationally asymmetric grounding feature. The grounding feature may be the above-introduced at least one access slit. In particular, the at least one access slit may be a substantially rectangular, lateral slot in the connector housing extending along the mating direction at an overlapping position with the shield sleeve. Through the at least one access slit, the grounding contact of the mating connector can pass and reach the shield sleeve for the purpose of grounding the shield sleeve.

Optionally, the connector housing may comprise a combination of multiple such locking features, coding features, grounding features and/or circuitry elements.

Advantageously, the electrical connector in general and the connector housing in particular can be provided with the above-introduced auxiliary features (i.e. locking features, coding features, circuitry elements) for interaction with complementary features of the mating connector, without resulting in a limitation to the required angular orientation between the mating connector and the electrical cable during mating. This is particularly advantageous in applications with comparably thick and stiff electrical cables, which inherently resist twisting. The required angular orientation for mating is only limited due to the complementary features of the mating connector, having to match the auxiliary features. As the auxiliary features are provided on the connector housing, which is decoupled from the electrical cable, the electrical cable itself does not have to be twisted in order to orientate the connector housing, with respect to the mating connector. This facilitates the handling of the electrical connector and electrical cable.

Further sealing elements may optionally be provided in and on the electrical connector. For example, one of the radially outwardly protruding section and radially inwardly protruding section of the shield sleeve may provide a seat for receiving a first additional sealing element in the form of a seal ring. A second additional sealing element may be provided on an external surface of the connector housing. The second additional sealing element may comprise an external sealing surface, which is configured to seal a gap between the connector housing and a connector face of the mating connector.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown and described are for explanatory purposes only. The combination of features shown in the embodiments may be changed according to the foregoing description. For example, a feature which is not shown in an embodiment but described above, may be added if the technical effect associated with this feature is beneficial to a particular application. Vice versa, a feature shown as part of an embodiment may be omitted as described above if the technical effect associated with this feature is not needed in a particular application.

In the drawings, elements that correspond to each other with respect to function and/or structure have been provided with the same reference numeral.

In the following, the structure of possible embodiments of an electrical connector <NUM> according to the present invention is explained with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the electrical connector <NUM> according to one possible embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical connector <NUM> may, in particular, be a high-voltage connector <NUM> e.g., for automotive applications. The electrical connector <NUM> is configured to be mated to a mating connector <NUM> (see <FIG>), preferably along a mating direction <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the electrical connector <NUM> comprises a housing assembly <NUM> and a core assembly <NUM>, wherein the core assembly <NUM> is held rotatably within the housing assembly <NUM>. Preferably, the core assembly <NUM> is rotatable with respect to the housing assembly <NUM> about a rotational axis <NUM> parallel to said mating direction <NUM>. Further, the core assembly <NUM> may be rotatable with respect to the housing assembly <NUM> up to an angle of <NUM>° or any multiple of <NUM>° with an arbitrary integer. In particular, the core assembly <NUM> may be held fully and/or unrestrictedly rotatably within the housing assembly <NUM>. This is indicated in <FIG> and <FIG> with arrows <NUM>.

As will be described with reference to <FIG> below, the core assembly <NUM> comprises a contact assembly <NUM> with a contact <NUM> configured to electrically contact a mating contact (not shown) of the mating connector <NUM>, a finger protection assembly <NUM> configured to at least partially cover the contact assembly <NUM>, and a cable retention assembly <NUM> configured to be attached to an electrical cable <NUM>.

The housing assembly <NUM> may comprise a connector housing <NUM>, through which a receptacle <NUM> extends along the mating direction <NUM> for receiving the electrical cable <NUM>, preferably for receiving an end section <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM>. Further, the receptacle <NUM> may also be configured for receiving the core assembly <NUM>. In particular, the receptacle <NUM> may be formed by a lead-through opening <NUM> extending through the connector housing <NUM>. Thereby, the core assembly <NUM> is accessible to the mating connector <NUM> on one end <NUM> of the lead-through opening <NUM> and to the electrical cable <NUM> on the other end <NUM> of the lead-through opening <NUM>.

The contact <NUM> may be a turned, forged, cast or drawn contact element <NUM> made of copper or other electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the contact <NUM> may be a stamped and bent part. Further, the contact <NUM> may have a sleeve-shaped section <NUM> configured for electrical termination of the electrical cable <NUM>. For example, the sleeve-shaped section <NUM> may be crimped onto an end section <NUM> of a conductor <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> (see <FIG>). Alternatively, the sleeve-shaped section <NUM> may be soldered, welded or otherwise bonded to the end section <NUM> of the conductor <NUM>.

In the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the contact <NUM> has a socket-shaped section <NUM> configured to receive and electrically contact a pin-shaped section (not shown) of the mating contact. The socket-shaped section <NUM> is positioned opposite to the sleeve-shaped section <NUM> with respect to the mating direction <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the contact assembly <NUM> further comprises a flexible, electrically conductive contact spring <NUM>, which is arranged within the socket-shaped section <NUM> of the contact <NUM>.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the contact <NUM> may have a pin-shaped section configured to be inserted into a socket-shaped section of the mating contact, in order to establish electrical contacting therewith. The contact spring may optionally be arranged on the pin-shaped section of the contact.

The finger protection assembly <NUM> may comprise an outer protection element <NUM> and a front protection element <NUM>, which protect the contact <NUM> against unwanted touch by human fingers or other components besides the mating contact. The outer protection element <NUM> may surround the contact <NUM>, in order to cover it in a radial direction <NUM> with respect to the mating direction <NUM>, while the front protection element <NUM> may cover a front part <NUM> of the contact <NUM> in an axial direction <NUM>, with respect to the mating direction. In particular, the front protection element <NUM> may cover a front end <NUM> of the contact <NUM> which extends towards the outside of the housing assembly <NUM>.

In the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the outer protection element <NUM> and the front protection element <NUM> are monolithically connected to each other and form a protective collar <NUM> around the entire external surface <NUM> of the socket-shaped section <NUM> of the contact <NUM>. Consequently, the front part <NUM> of the contact <NUM> may extend outwards of the housing assembly <NUM> and be covered by the protective collar <NUM>.

As can be seen in the sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG>, the protective collar <NUM> is also formed around the external surface of the sleeve-shaped section <NUM> of the contact <NUM>. Accordingly, the socket-shaped section <NUM> and the sleeve-shaped section <NUM> of the contact <NUM> may be insertable into the protective collar <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the protective collar <NUM> is press-fitted on the sleeve-shaped section <NUM> of the contact <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the finger protection assembly <NUM> further comprises a spacer sleeve <NUM>, which is insertable into the protective collar <NUM> after insertion of the contact <NUM>. The spacer sleeve <NUM> is attached to the protective collar <NUM> by means of latching. Thus, the contact <NUM> is axially supported by the protective collar <NUM> and the spacer sleeve <NUM> from two opposing directions.

Optionally, the finger protection assembly <NUM> may further comprise an inner protection element <NUM> surrounded by the socket-shaped section <NUM> of the contact <NUM>. In particular, the inner protection element <NUM> may be a cup-shaped or pillar-shaped body <NUM> inserted into the socket-shaped section <NUM> of the contact <NUM>. In the shown embodiment, the body <NUM> exhibits a cup-shaped segment <NUM> and a pillar-shaped segment <NUM>.

Alternatively, in an embodiment comprising the contact having a pin-shaped section, the front protection element may be a protective cap (not shown) attached to a tip of the pin-shaped section.

As can be seen in the sectional view of <FIG>, the electrical connector may comprise a locking structure <NUM> which is configured to lock the core assembly <NUM> to the housing assembly <NUM>, thereby blocking a translational relative movement between the core assembly <NUM> and the housing assembly <NUM>. The locking structure <NUM> may comprise at least one pair of locking elements 74a, 74b that are in engagement with one another. One of the locking elements 74a may be, preferably continuous, a circumferential groove <NUM>. The other one of the locking elements 74b may be at least one form-fit element <NUM>, extending into the corresponding circumferential groove <NUM>. The at least one form-fit element <NUM> may be formed on one of the housing assembly <NUM> and the core assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, the corresponding circumferential groove <NUM> may be formed on the respective other one of the housing assembly <NUM> and core assembly <NUM>.

As will be described in further detail below, each circumferential groove <NUM> in the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG> is formed on the housing assembly <NUM>, while each form-fit element <NUM> is formed on the core assembly <NUM>. In particular, the locking structure <NUM> comprises two pairs of locking elements 74a, 74b that are respectively in engagement with one another. Accordingly, two circumferential grooves 76a, 76b are formed on the housing assembly <NUM>. More specifically, two circumferential grooves 76a, 76b are formed within the connector housing <NUM> adjacent to the receptacle <NUM>.

The core assembly <NUM> may further comprise a shield sleeve <NUM>, in which the contact assembly <NUM> is at least partially received. In the shown embodiment of <FIG>, the contact assembly <NUM> is entirely received in the shield sleeve <NUM>. Further, in the embodiment of <FIG>, the finger protection assembly <NUM> and the cable retention assembly <NUM> are also entirely received in the shield sleeve <NUM>. In the shown embodiment of <FIG>, the cable retention assembly <NUM> is only partially received, while the contact assembly <NUM> and the finger protection assembly <NUM> are entirely received in the shield sleeve <NUM>. In particular, the shield sleeve <NUM> may radially surround the contact <NUM> along the entire length <NUM> of the contact <NUM>. Further, the shield sleeve <NUM> may be continuously spaced apart and insulated from the contact <NUM> by the outer protection element <NUM> of the finger protection assembly <NUM>.

The shield sleeve <NUM> may comprise at least one radially inwardly protruding section <NUM> engaging with one of the finger protection assembly <NUM> and the cable retention assembly <NUM>. The at least one radially inwardly protruding section <NUM> may extend continuously or discontinuously around the shield sleeve <NUM> along a circumferential direction <NUM>, with respect to the mating direction <NUM>. In particular, the at least one radially inwardly protruding section <NUM> may be formed by a step, a flange, a shoulder or a taper <NUM> extending inwards of the shield sleeve <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one radially inwardly protruding section <NUM> may be formed by multiple latching tabs circumferentially distributed around the shield sleeve <NUM> and extending obliquely inwards of the shield sleeve.

The shield sleeve <NUM> may further comprise at least one radially outwardly protruding section <NUM>, engaging with the housing assembly <NUM>. Analogously, the at least one radially outwardly protruding section <NUM> may extend along the circumferential direction <NUM> around the shield sleeve <NUM> in a continuous or discontinuous manner. In particular, the at least one radially outwardly protruding section <NUM> may be formed by a step, a flange <NUM>, a shoulder <NUM> or a taper extending outwards of the shield sleeve <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one radially outwardly protruding section <NUM> may be formed by multiple latching tabs <NUM>, circumferentially distributed around the shield sleeve <NUM> and extending obliquely outwards of the shield sleeve <NUM>.

In the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the shield sleeve <NUM> comprises one radially inwardly protruding section 84a in the form of the taper <NUM>, for engaging with the finger protection assembly <NUM> and one radially inwardly protruding section 84b in the form of the taper <NUM>, for engaging with the cable retention assembly <NUM>. Further, the shield sleeve <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises one radially outwardly protruding section 90a in the form of the shoulder <NUM>, one radially outwardly protruding section 90b in the form of the flange <NUM> and one radially outwardly protruding section 90c in the form of the multiple latching tabs <NUM>. The flange <NUM> and the tabs <NUM> respectively engage with the housing assembly <NUM> in two mutually opposite directions.

The shoulder <NUM> embodies the above-described form-fit element <NUM> and thus represents one of the locking elements 74b of the locking structure <NUM>. In particular, the shoulder <NUM> extends into the circumferential groove 76a of the connector housing <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>.

The cable retention assembly <NUM> may comprise a cable fixation sleeve <NUM> configured to radially abut against a cable insulation <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM>. In particular, the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> may be sleeved over the end section <NUM> of the conductor <NUM>, which is surrounded by the cable insulation <NUM>. Optionally, the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> may press radially against the cable insulation <NUM> and thus secure the electrical cable <NUM> in the axial direction <NUM>.

In particular, the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> may have a ring-shaped body <NUM> with a chamfered, barb-like circumferential bead <NUM>. The circumferential bead <NUM> may be one of continuous and discontinuous and may extend into the circumferential groove 76b of the connector housing <NUM> as the at least one form-fit element <NUM>. The chamfered property of the circumferential bead <NUM> facilitates the introduction into the corresponding circumferential groove 76b in an assembly direction <NUM>. The barb-like property of the circumferential bead <NUM> prevents removal from the circumferential groove 76b in a direction opposite to the assembly direction <NUM>.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the cable fixation sleeve may comprise the circumferential groove as the locking element and the connector housing may comprise the circumferential bead as the other locking element, respectively.

The cable retention assembly <NUM> may further comprise a shield support sleeve <NUM> configured to support a shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM>. In particular, the shield support sleeve <NUM> may radially support a contacting area <NUM> between the shield sleeve <NUM> and the shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM>. As can be seen in the sectional view of <FIG>, the shield support sleeve <NUM> provides a circumferential seating surface <NUM>, on which the shield sleeve <NUM> and the shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> rest on top of each other. For this, the shield support sleeve <NUM> is sleeved over the end section <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> and positioned under at least a layer of the shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM>. Particularly, the shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> may be locally exposed, flared and rolled back over the shield support sleeve <NUM>.

The shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> may for example comprise a braid shield <NUM> and/or a foil shield, which is surrounded by the cable insulation <NUM>. The shield <NUM> itself surrounds the conductor <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> and is spaced apart from the conductor <NUM> by an insulation layer <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM>.

As is apparent from <FIG>, a difference between the outer diameter <NUM> of the shield support sleeve <NUM> and the inner diameter <NUM> of the shield sleeve <NUM> preferably allows the shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> to be sandwiched therebetween. A press-fit of the shield <NUM> between the shield sleeve <NUM> and the shield support sleeve <NUM> is even more preferable. As an alternative to the press-fit, the shield sleeve <NUM> may also be crimped onto the shield support sleeve <NUM>.

The shield support sleeve <NUM> may be arranged, preferably in the axial direction <NUM>, between the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> and the finger protection assembly <NUM>. In particular, the cable fixation sleeve <NUM>, the shield support sleeve <NUM> and the finger protection assembly <NUM> may be coaxially aligned along the mating direction <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Further, the cable retention assembly <NUM> may comprise a sealing device <NUM> arranged between the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> and the shield support sleeve <NUM>. In the shown embodiment of <FIG>, the sealing device <NUM> comprises at least one sealing element <NUM>, preferably having an annular shape, arranged between the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> and the shield support sleeve <NUM>. The at least one sealing element <NUM> may radially abut against the shield sleeve <NUM> and the cable insulation <NUM>, thus preventing moisture and/or dirt from passing through a gap between the shield sleeve <NUM> and the electrical cable <NUM>. Alternatively, the at least one sealing element <NUM> may directly abut against the housing assembly <NUM>, instead of the shield sleeve <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment of <FIG>, the sealing device <NUM> comprises two sealing elements <NUM> and a seal support sleeve <NUM> with a higher rigidity than the two sealing elements <NUM>. The seal support sleeve <NUM> is positioned between the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> and the shield support sleeve <NUM> to axially abut against the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> and the shield support sleeve <NUM>, respectively. The two sealing elements <NUM> are arranged between the abutment area of the seal support sleeve <NUM> with the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> and the abutment area of the seal support sleeve <NUM> with the shield support sleeve <NUM>.

As can further be seen from <FIG>, the two sealing elements <NUM> are arranged on opposite surfaces of the seal support sleeve <NUM>. In particular, one of the two sealing elements <NUM> radially abuts against the seal support sleeve <NUM> and the housing assembly <NUM>, while being positioned on an outer circumferential surface of the seal support sleeve <NUM> in a circumferential seal reception notch <NUM> formed on the outer circumferential surface of the seal support sleeve <NUM>. The other one of the two sealing elements <NUM> is positioned on an inner circumferential surface of the seal support sleeve <NUM>, while radially abutting against the seal support sleeve123 and the cable insulation <NUM>.

According to an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the figures, the cable fixation sleeve and the shield support sleeve may be monolithically connected with the seal support sleeve <NUM> of the sealing device <NUM> to form a single, sleeve-shaped component.

The outer protection element <NUM> of the finger protection assembly <NUM> may be axially supported by the shield sleeve <NUM> and the cable retention assembly <NUM> from two opposing directions. This can be seen in the sectional view of <FIG>, where the outer protection element <NUM> abuts axially against the taper <NUM> of the shield sleeve <NUM>, while also axially abutting against the shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> folded over the shield support sleeve <NUM> of the cable retention assembly <NUM>.

Alternatively, the outer protection element <NUM> of the finger protection assembly <NUM> may be axially supported by the housing assembly <NUM> and the cable retention assembly <NUM> from two opposing directions, as shown in the embodiment of <FIG>. For this, the housing assembly <NUM>, in particular the connector housing <NUM>, comprises an inward protrusion <NUM> forming a circumferential internal shoulder 25a at a front section <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM>, the front section <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM> being situated adjacent to the front part <NUM> of the contact <NUM>. In the shown embodiment of <FIG>, the outer protection element <NUM> and the spacer sleeve <NUM> both abut axially against the shield <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM> folded over the shield support sleeve <NUM> of the cable retention assembly <NUM>.

As shown in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing assembly <NUM> may comprise a housing lid <NUM> in addition to the connector housing <NUM>. The housing lid <NUM> may be a substantially hollow cylindrical structure sleeved over the electrical cable <NUM>. Further, the housing lid <NUM> may at least partly encompass a rear section <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM>, the rear section <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM> being situated opposite of the front section <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM> with respect to the mating direction <NUM>. The housing lid <NUM> may be attached to the connector housing <NUM> along the mating direction <NUM> after insertion of the core assembly <NUM> into the receptacle <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM>. In the shown embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing lid <NUM> is connected to the connector housing <NUM> by means of latching. Alternatively, clipping, gluing, welding and/or screws may be utilized.

The sectional view of <FIG> clearly shows how the connector housing <NUM> and housing lid <NUM> cooperate to hold captive the core assembly <NUM>. In particular, the core assembly <NUM> is locked to the housing assembly <NUM> by means of the circumferential internal shoulder 25a of the connector housing <NUM> and another circumferential internal shoulder 25b formed on the housing lid <NUM> distal from the circumferential internal shoulder 25a of the connector housing <NUM>. In other words, the circumferential shoulders 25a, 25b axially support the core assembly <NUM> from two opposing directions.

Optionally, the housing lid <NUM> may comprise a conical inner surface <NUM> having a smallest diameter <NUM> and widening in the mating direction <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. At a position overlapping with the conical inner surface <NUM>, the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> may comprise a conical outer surfaces <NUM> having a biggest diameter <NUM> and widening in the mating direction <NUM>. The smallest diameter <NUM> of the conical inner surface <NUM> is smaller than the biggest diameter <NUM> of the conical outer surface <NUM> such that these conical surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> slide along each other, when attaching the housing lid <NUM> to the connector housing <NUM>. Thereby, the radial pressure of the cable fixation sleeve <NUM> exerted onto the cable insulation <NUM> is gradually increased.

The shield sleeve <NUM> may form an outer hull <NUM> of the core assembly <NUM>. In particular, the shield sleeve <NUM> may provide an external bearing surface <NUM> for relative rotational movement between the core assembly <NUM> and the housing assembly <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the shield sleeve <NUM> may provide an internal bearing surface <NUM> for relative rotational movement between the shield sleeve <NUM> and the contact assembly <NUM>, the finger protection assembly <NUM> as well as the cable retention assembly <NUM>. Preferably, the internal and/or external bearing surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are rotationally symmetric with respect to the rotational axis <NUM>, respectively. Accordingly, the receptacle may have an inner surface <NUM>, which is rotationally symmetric with respect to the rotational axis <NUM>. Also accordingly, the contact <NUM>, the outer protection element <NUM>, the inner protection element <NUM>, the front protection element <NUM>, the cable fixation sleeve <NUM>, the shield support sleeve <NUM> and/or the at least one sealing element <NUM> may be rotationally symmetric with respect to the rotational axis <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, a front section of the shield sleeve <NUM> may stick out of the housing assembly <NUM> and be configured for contacting a grounding contact (not shown) of the mating connector <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, at least one access slit <NUM>, preferably multiple access slits <NUM> are provided on the housing assembly <NUM> to allow the grounding contact access to the shield sleeve <NUM>. This will be described in further detail below.

In the perspective view of <FIG>, the electrical connector <NUM> is shown together with an exemplary embodiment of the mating connector <NUM> in a ready-to-mate position. The mating connector <NUM> is shown as a socket <NUM> with a female connector face <NUM> configured to at least partially receive the electrical connector <NUM> along the mating direction <NUM>. Within the female connector face <NUM>, the mating contact (not shown) is arranged and accessible to the contact <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> upon mating.

As can be seen, the connector housing <NUM> of the electrical connector <NUM> has an outer contour <NUM> which is rotationally asymmetric, with respect to the rotational axis <NUM>. The female connector face <NUM> of the mating connector <NUM> has an inner contour <NUM> which is complementary to the outer contour <NUM>. Thus, a certain relative angular orientation between the connector housing <NUM> and the female connector face <NUM> is required for mating the electrical connector <NUM> with the mating connector <NUM>. Due to the above-described rotatably of the housing assembly <NUM> in general and the connector housing <NUM> in particular, the connector housing <NUM> can be oriented in the correct angular orientation with respect to the mating connector <NUM>, without having to twist or otherwise rotate the electrical cable <NUM>.

The rotationally asymmetric outer contour <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM> may derive from at least one of a rotationally asymmetric locking feature <NUM>, a rotationally asymmetric coding feature <NUM> and a rotationally asymmetric in the arranged circuitry element <NUM>. In the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the connector housing <NUM> comprises one of each of these features <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, the mating connector comprises complementarily features (not shown) for interaction with the features <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The locking feature <NUM> may be a mechanical structure, such as a cantilever tab <NUM>, for securing the connector housing <NUM> to the mating connector <NUM>. In particular, the cantilever tab <NUM> may have a supported end <NUM> connected to the external surface <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM> and a free end <NUM> which extends obliquely away from the external surface <NUM>, while pointing in or against the mating direction <NUM>. The free end <NUM> may be configured to axially abut against an inner edge (not shown) formed within the female connector face <NUM> of the mating connector <NUM>. The mating connector <NUM> may comprise an unlocking slider <NUM>, for pushing the free end <NUM> out of abutment with the inner edge and thereby releasing the connector housing <NUM> from the mating connector <NUM>.

The coding feature <NUM> may be a mechanical structure, such as an axial fin <NUM>, defining a certain relative angular orientation between the connector housing <NUM> and the mating connector <NUM>, which is required for mating. In particular, the axial fin <NUM> may extend along the external surface <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM> in the mating direction <NUM>. A slot (not shown) shaped complementarily to the axial fin <NUM> may be formed within the female connector face <NUM> of the mating connector <NUM> and configured to receive the axial fin <NUM>.

In applications, which involve multiple matching pairs of electrical connectors <NUM> and mating connectors <NUM>, the coding feature <NUM> may also be utilized to prevent a mix-up of connectors by only allowing mating of the matching pairs according to a key-lock principle.

The circuitry element <NUM> may be integrated in a circuitry container <NUM> formed on the external surface <NUM> of the connector housing <NUM>. The mating connector <NUM> may comprise an open circuitry (not shown) of a monitoring circuit <NUM>, wherein the circuitry element <NUM> may be a part of the monitoring circuit <NUM> which is configured for closing said open circuitry upon mating. The monitoring circuit <NUM> may, in particular, be a high-voltage interlock circuit for detecting a mated state as well as an unmated state of the electrical connector <NUM> and mating connector <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Electrical connector (<NUM>) configured to be mated to a mating connector (<NUM>), the electrical connector (<NUM>) comprising a housing assembly (<NUM>) and a core assembly (<NUM>), the core assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
- a contact assembly (<NUM>) with a contact (<NUM>) configured to electrically contact a mating contact of the mating connector (<NUM>),
- a finger protection assembly (<NUM>) configured to at least partially cover the contact assembly (<NUM>), and
- a cable retention assembly (<NUM>) configured to be attached onto an electrical cable (<NUM>), wherein the core assembly (<NUM>) is held rotatably within the housing assembly (<NUM>), wherein the cable retention assembly (<NUM>) comprises a cable fixation sleeve (<NUM>) configured to radially abut against a cable insulation (<NUM>) of the electrical cable (<NUM>) and a shield support sleeve (<NUM>), configured to support a shield (<NUM>) of the electrical cable (<NUM>), characterised in that the cable retention assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a sealing device (<NUM>) arranged between the cable fixation sleeve (<NUM>) and the shield support sleeve (<NUM>).