WO2014114324A1

WO2014114324A1 - Electrical connector assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2014114324A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/051139
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rainer Schmidt
Original assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL
Current assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL
Priority date: 2013-01-22
Filing date: 2013-01-22
Publication date: 2014-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly (100) comprising : • a connector housing (200), • a counter connector (600), and • a mate assist slider (300). The mate assist slider (300) comprises at least one first twist prevention member (305) which interacts with at least one second twist prevention member (605) of the counter connector (600). Thereby, the first twist prevention member (305) and the second twist prevention member (605) are adapted to prevent a movement of the counter connector (600) with respect to the connector housing (200) in a mating direction (703) essentially perpendicular to a moving direction (701) of the mate assist slider (300) from the open position towards the closed position.

Description

Electrical connector assembly

The present invention relates to an electrical high power connection assembly, in particular for the connection of high power electrical cables to electrical devices, such as further high power cables or high power batteries, especially in the field of hybrid or electrical vehicles.

In the growing field of hybrid or electrical vehicles, many developments aim to provide new and improved electrical components to satisfy new demands and requirements as they arise in this field.

In particular, due to large currents which may have to be transferred, for example, from a high power electrical battery to engine components of an electrical vehicle, electrical cables of large cross section may be required. Since such relatively thick electrical cables are usually relatively stiff, movement and bending of such cables, upon assembly for example of a car wire harnesses, can create large forces acting on components connected to the cables. Such cable movement can result in twisting forces, i.e. forces causing a turning movement of the connector components.

Thus, the corresponding connectors have to be constructed such that they can withstand these forces, in particular twisting forces, without becoming disconnected from corresponding counter connectors. Since space in an engine compartment of an electrical or hybrid vehicle is usually very limited. At the same time, the electrical connectors also need to be sufficiently compact.

Further, such connectors need to be capable of withstanding vibrations as they can occur upon operation of a car engine or movement of the corresponding vehicle and which can result e.g. in loosening of electrical components. An example of an electrical connector assembly is described in document DE 198 02 554 A1 . Therein, an electrical connector assembly is described comprising a connector housing and a mate assist slider, which assembly is adapted to be connected to a corresponding counter connector. As described therein, in particular when the connectors are provided with a large number of contact elements, mating of the connectors can be difficult. To make the mating process easier, the mate assist slider of the electrical connector assembly is provided with suitably angled cam slots which are adapted to receive corresponding cam pins of the counter connector housing.

Upon mating the connector assembly to the counter connector, the mate assist slider is moved from an open position to a closed position, wherein the cam pins move along the angled cam slots. This movement of the cam pins along the angled cam slots results in a force which acts on the counter con- nector housing, causing the same to move towards the connector assembly, thereby facilitating the mating process.

A further prior art example is described in document EP 0 578 21 1 A2. Similar as above described, to ease the mating of a connector assembly to a counter connector, a mate assist slider is moved from an open position to a closed position. According to EP 0 578 21 1 A2, it is desired to provide a mate assist slider which is securely fastened inside of the connector housing such that accidental removal is avoided. To this end, the electrical connector assembly is provided with a locking member which can be mounted in an aper- ture in the connector housing to engage a resilient latch. This engagement causes the latch to interact with a shoulder of the mate assist slider for locking the same when placed inside of the connector housing.

A still further example of an electrical connector assembly is described in document EP 2 312 705 A1 . Therein, similarly, an electrical connector assembly is described comprising a housing and a mate assist slider, the electrical connector assembly being adapted to be mated to a corresponding counter connector. As described, cam pins of the counter connector housing are mounted resiliently, such that upon mounting the counter connector to the electrical connector assembly, the pins are deflected by corresponding tapered inserts of the cam slots of the mate assist slider. According to EP 2 312 705 A1 , to unmate the counter connector and the electrical connector assembly, the mate assist slider is moved out of the connector housing, such that, due to a movement of the cam pins along suitably angled cam slots, a force acts separating the connector assembly and the counter connector.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the prior art and to provide an electrical connector assembly which, in a mated condition with a corresponding counter connector, has an improved resistance against forces, in particular twisting forces, as they can result from a movement of high power electrical cables connected thereto. It is a further object of the present invention to accomplish this task with a compact construction which at the same time allows to be used for high power electrical applications, such as applications in the field of hybrid or electrical vehicles. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly which, in the mated condition, is able of withstanding vibrations.

These and other objects, which become apparent upon reading the following description, are solved by an electrical connector assembly according to claim 1 .

According to the invention, an electrical connector assembly is provided which is adapted to be mated with a counter connector and which, preferably comprises the counter connector. The electrical connector assembly com- prises a connector housing and a mate assist slider. The mate assist slider is arranged moveable between an open position and a closed position on the connector housing. Preferably, the mate assist slider comprises at least one cam slot which is adapted to receive a corresponding cam pin of the counter connector which can, for example, be a corresponding cable connector or a connector of an electrical battery, for example of an electrical or hybrid vehicle.

Since, in particular in this field, electrical components are often required to transmit relatively large electrical powers, in a preferred embodiment the electrical connector assembly is adapted to transmit an electrical power of at least 10 kW, more preferably of at least 50 kW, even more preferably of at least 100 kW and most preferably of at least 150 kW. Thus, e.g. due to suitable dimensions of the electrically conductive components, the electrical connector assembly is for example adapted to transmit a current of 100 ampere at a voltage of 100 volts, and thus a high electrical power of 10 kW. The counter connector is provided with a corresponding cam pin such that, upon mating the counter connector and the connector housing of the electrical connector assembly, the cam pin is received by the cam slot. Upon moving the mate assist slider from the open position towards the closed position, the cam slot is thus moved relative to the cam pin, such that, due to an interaction of the cam slot and the cam pin, a lever like force acts onto the cam pin.

For example, the cam slot can be inclined with respect to a moving direction of the mate assist slider from the open position towards the closed position by a suitable angle, such that, due to the relative movement of the cam slot with respect to the cam pin, a lever-like force acts and the cam pin is pulled towards the connector housing. Thus, mating of the counter connector and the connector housing is facilitated. According to the invention, the mate assist slider comprises at least one first twist prevention member which is adapted to interact with at least one second twist prevention member of the counter connector when the connector housing is mated with the counter connector and the mate assist slider is placed in the closed position. Thereby, the first twist prevention member and the second twist prevention member are adapted to prevent a movement of the counter connector with respect to the connector housing, in a direction essentially perpendicular to the moving direction of the mate assist slider from the open position towards the closed position.

As it will be clear to the person skilled in the art, in the context of the present invention, the term "essentially" indicates that expressions, such as perpendicular are not to be understood in a strict mathematical sense but within the typical production tolerances. In other words, for example, perpendicular indicates an angle of 90° +/- 20°, preferably +/- 10°, even more preferably +/- 7,5° and most preferably +/- 5°. Similarly the term "parallel" has to be understood in a corresponding sense as the term "perpendicular" within such typical tolerances.

Preferably, the first twist prevention member and the second twist prevention member are adapted to prevent a movement of the counter connector away from the connector housing, when the connector housing is mated with the counter connector and the mate assist slider is placed in the closed position.

Thus, when the connector housing is mated to the counter connector and the mate assist slider is placed in the closed position, the first twist prevention member and the second twist prevention member provide a separate locking mechanism between the mate assist slider and the counter connector.

Due to this interaction, the mated position of the connector housing and the counter connector is secured, in particular, against the action of twisting forces, which e.g. could cause a turning movement of the connector housing around the cam pin.

Further, due to this interaction, the mated position is additionally secured against the action of vibrations as they can occur upon operation of an en- gine or upon movement of an electrical or hybrid vehicle equipped with the electrical connector assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the first twist prevention member and the second twist prevention member is a twist prevention latch. In addition, one of the first twist prevention member and the second twist prevention member is a twist prevention recess which is adapted to receive the twist prevention latch. Preferably, the first twist prevention member, i.e. the twist prevention member provided at the mate assist slider, is the twist prevention latch and the second twist prevention member, i.e. the twist prevention member provided at the counter connector, is the twist prevention recess. Such the first twist prevention member and the second twist prevention member are ideally designed to provide the additional locking mechanism between the mate assist slider and the counter connector, since they are ideally designed to prevent a movement of the counter connector away from the connector housing, in particular, in combination with the locking mechan- ism provided already by the mate assist slider and the cam pin.

In a preferred embodiment, the mate assist slider comprises two side walls, a bottom wall and a back wall. Thereby, the back wall is positioned closest towards a cable connected to the connector assembly. Thus, as e.g. opposed to a standard U-shaped mate assist slider essentially consisting only of a back wall and two side walls, the mate assist slider has an essentially open box shaped form. The mate assist slider is preferably provided on outer faces of the connector housing and thus, due to the essentially open box shaped form, preferably completes the outer surface of the connector housing, when placed in the closed position.

Due to this construction, advantageous compactness can be combined with advantageous robustness for the electrical connector assembly which is ideally designed, for example, for applications in the field of electrical and hybrid vehicles where space, for example, within an engine compartment or a vehicle door is very limited. Of course, different features, alternatives and/or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various arrangement to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive of others.

The present invention will be better understood and other features and ad- vantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description including embodiments for illustrative purposes with reference to the figures, presented as non-limitative examples, which can be used to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

· Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to the present invention,

• Fig. 2 shows the electrical connector assembly of Fig. 1 in the assembled condition,

• Fig. 3 shows a side view of the electrical connector assembly of Fig. 2 with a counter connector,

• Fig. 4 shows a further perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to the present invention,

• Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the counter connector of Fig. 3, and · Figs. 6 to 8 show tilted side views of the electrical connector assembly according to the present invention with different assembly steps from the open position towards the closed position.

It should be noted that, on figures, structural and/or functional elements which are common to different embodiments may have the same reference sign. Thus, unless otherwise stated, these elements have structural, dimensional and material properties which are identical. Fig. 1 shows an electrical connector assembly 100, preferably a electrical right angle connector assembly 100, with a mate assist slider 300. The mate assist slider 300 is placed in an open position on a bottom part 201 of a connector housing 200.

The mate assist slider 300 comprises a first twist prevention member 305, preferably a prevention latch 305. The function of first twist prevention member 305 is explained below with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Additionally, a cam slot 303 is preferably formed in a cam portion 302 which, in the shown configuration, is partially covered by an outer protection face 202 forming an outer face of the connector housing 200.

To provide an optimum stability, the connector housing 200, preferably in the shown case the bottom part 201 , may further comprise at least one inner protection face 203 which is arranged essentially parallel to the outer protection face 202.

Preferably, the cam portion 302 of the mate assist slider 300 is received be- tween the outer protection face 202 and the inner protection face 203, when the mate assist slider 300 is placed in the closed position. Due to this construction, an advantageous stability is provided for the cam portion 302, which, otherwise, would be more susceptible to damage. The mate assist slider 300 preferably comprises two side walls 310. On Fig. 1 , only one side wall 310 is visible due to the perspective. Moreover, as shown on Figs. 1 and 2, the mate assist slider 300 preferably also comprises a bottom wall 312 and a rear wall 314, such that the mate assist slider 300 has an essentially open box shaped form. The rear wall 314 is oriented clos- est to the cables 500.

In particular, the open box shaped form of the mate assist slider 300 allows, in a preferred embodiment, to arrange the mate assist slider 300 on the elec- trical connector assembly 100, such that, when the electrical connector assembly 100 is assembled and connected to a corresponding cable 500.,

The cable 500 is arranged between a top part 204 of the connector housing 200 and the mate assist slider 300. Thus, as depicted in Fig. 2, the mate assist slider 300 is preferably arranged in a free space below the cable 500, wherein space is saved and advantageous compactness of the construction is provided. As one may derive from Fig. 1 , due to the essentially open box shaped form, as opposed for example to standard u-shaped forms of mate assist sliders, the mate assist slider 300 provides additional stability for the electrical connector assembly 100, while, at the same time, it allows a suitable compactness of the construction.

Preferably, the connector housing 200 comprises the bottom part 201 and the top part 204, which, preferably, can mutually be connected along a sealing face 209, which preferably forms an angle with respect to a mating direction 703, which is essentially the direction of mating of the connector housing 200 to a corresponding counter connector 600, as shown in Fig.3.

The angle formed between the sealing surface 209 with respect to the mating direction 703 is preferably more than 10°, preferably more than 20°, more preferably more than 30°, and most preferably more than 40°. It turned out that, as opposed to a sealing surface provided parallel to the mating direction 703, i.e. with an angle of 0°, the inclination of the sealing surface 209 can provide a robust and stable connection between the bottom part 201 and the top part 204 of the connector housing 200 . In a preferred embodiment, the sealing surface 209 supports a sealing element, not currently shown, for example a suitable sealing ring, such that the connector housing 200 is sealed against moisture or dirt. As may further be derived from Fig. 1 , the connector housing 200 preferably comprises at least one closing part 207 which, in an assembled condition of the connector housing 200, is adapted to support the cable 500 with respect to the connector housing 200.

As shown, the closing part 207 is provided with a corresponding opening to receive the cable 500 and, upon mounting the closing part 207 to the top part 204, the cable 500 is securely mounted within the connector housing 200. Further, preferably, the closing part 207 is adapted to support a housing seal 205 which, in the assembled condition of the connector housing 200, is adapted to seal the connector housing 200 against moisture or dirt.

With further reference to Fig. 1 , in a preferred embodiment, the electrical connector assembly 100 also comprises at least one contact terminal 400, preferably right angle contact terminal 400, which is provided with a corresponding terminal insulation 409, preferably a right angle terminal insulation 409, and a terminal shielding.

The terminal shielding is preferably formed by a first terminal shielding part 401 and a second terminal shielding part 403. The terminal shielding makes it possible to provide a shielding continuity for a shielding 503 of the cable 500 to a shielding member 405, preferably a shielding tube 405, which may be provided into the connector housing 200. In the assembled condition of the electrical connector assembly 100, the shielding member 405 is placed in the connector housing 200. To this end, the second terminal shielding part 403 is provided with a shield connection ring 407 which can be assembled around the cable shielding 503 in a portion not covered by a cable insulation 501 .

Referring to Fig. 3, the electrical connector assembly 100 is shown with the mate assist slider 300 being placed in a open position. Further, the shown counter connector 600 is about to be mated with the connector housing 200 along the mating direction 703, which is preferably essentially perpendicular to a moving direction 701 of the mate assist slider 300 from the open position towards a closed position. Upon mating, at least one cam pin 601 is inserted into a corresponding cam insert 304 of the cam slot 303 provided in the cam portion 302 of the mate assist slider 300.

On Fig. 3, only one cam pin 601 , one cam insert 304 and one cam slot 303 are visible due to the perspective. However, preferably, the electrical connector assembly 100 comprises a similar cam pin 601 , one cam insert 304 and one cam slot 303 provided on the opposite side of the counter connector 600.

Due to the inclination of the cam slot 303 with respect to the moving direction 701 of the mate assist slider 300 from the open position as shown in Fig. 3, towards the closed position , i.e towards the left in Fig. 3, a lever like force is applied onto the cam pins 601 pulling it upwards in Fig. 3 and, thus, the counter connector 600 towards a mated position with the connector housing 200.

In addition, the counter connector 600 comprises a second twist prevention member 605. The function of second twist prevention member 605 is explained below. With reference to Figs. 3 to 5, the function of first twist prevention member 305 and the second twist prevention member 605 will now be explained.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the first twist prevention member 305 is provided on the mate assist slider 300, preferably in the form of the prevention latch 305, which, in a preferred embodiment, protrudes from a main portion 306 of the connector housing 200, preferably in a direction essentially perpendicular to the mating direction 703. In the shown preferred embodiment, the prevention latch 305 is oriented in a direction essentially parallel to the moving direction 701 of the mate assist slider 300 from the open position towards the closed position. Therefore, the prevention latch 305 essentially points towards the counter connector 600. In addition, the twist prevention latch 305 may be provided with a correspondingly tapered surface 307.

As shown in Fig. 5, the second twist prevention member 605 is provided as a twist prevention recess 605 provided on the counter connector 600. The twist prevention recess 605 is adapted to receive the twist prevention latch 305.

Upon mating the counter connector 600 to the connector housing 200, the counter connector 600 is moved along the mating direction 703, essentially upwards in Fig. 3. At the same time, the mate assist slider 300 is moved from the open position, as shown in Fig. 3, towards the closed position, essentially along the moving direction 701 .

Due to the upwards movement of the counter connector 600 and the sideward movement of the mate assist slider 300, shortly before the mate assist slider 300 is placed in the closed position, the twist prevention latch 305 is positioned at the same height as the twist prevention recess 605, such that the twist prevention latch 305 can be received by the twist prevention recess 605. Referring back to Fig. 5, the twist prevention recess 605 is preferably provided with a lock face 607 which, preferably, is, at least, partially oriented essentially perpendicular to the mating direction 703. In addition, the lock face 607 may be provided with an inclined surface 608, preferably a slightly upwards inclined surface 608.

Preferably, due to an interaction of the lock face 607 and the twist prevention latch 305, a movement of the counter connector 600 with respect to the connector housing 200 in the mating direction 703, essentially perpendicular to the moving direction 701 of the mate assist slider 300 from the open position towards the closed position, is prevented, when the connector housing 200 is mated with the counter connector 600 and the mate assist slider 300 is placed in the closed position.

In other words, the twist prevention latch 305 acts similar as a hook which can snap behind the lock face 607 of the twist prevention recess 605 to inhibit a movement of the counter connector 600 out of the mated position with the connector housing 200.

Preferably, the twist prevention recess 605 is provided with at least one side face 606, which is oriented essentially parallel to the mating direction 703 and which, preferably, is adapted to abut the twist prevention latch 305, when the twist prevention latch 305 is received by the twist prevention recess 605.

More preferably, the twist prevention recess 605 is formed by two side faces 606 which are both oriented essentially parallel to the mating direction 703 and by the lock face 607 which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the mating direction 703. Side faces 606 are adapted to abut the twist prevention latch 305, when the twist prevention latch 305 is received by the twist prevention recess 605.

Due to this construction, the twist prevention latch 305 can be securely fastened to the twist prevention recess 605, such that an advantageous second locking mechanism is provided by the first twist prevention member 305 and the second twist prevention member 605, which, additionally, secures the mated position of the counter connector 600 to the connector housing 200.

Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate the movement of the mate assist slider 300 from its open position, as shown in Fig. 6, towards its closed position, as shown in- Fig. 8. In Figs. 6 to 8, the electrical connector assembly 100 is shown in a slightly tilted side view, i.e. the electrical connector assembly 100 is slightly tilted out of the plane of drawing. To the left of Fig. 6, one can see, for example, the outer protection face 202 in a perspective view pointing slightly out of the plane of drawing. As shown, in this open position, the cam portion 302 of the mate assist slider 300 is partially placed behind the outer protection face 202, such that e.g. the cam pin 601 of the counter connector 600 is not visible.

As shown in Fig. 6, the lock face 607 is provided with the slightly upwards inclined surface 608 and the twist prevention latch 305 is provided with the correspondingly tapered surface 307. Due to the inclined surface 608 and the tapered surface 307, the interaction of the twist prevention latch 305 and the the twist prevention recess 605 is facilitated.

Such interaction is illustrated in Fig. 7. As shown, upon moving the mate assist slider 300 from the open position, as shown in Fig. 6, along the moving direction 701 , the tapered surface 307 and the inclined surface 608 come into mutual contact, such that the twist prevention latch 305 slides beneath the lock face 607 of the twist prevention recess 605.

In Fig. 8, the mate assist slider 300 is shown in its closed position, in which the twist prevention latch 305 is fully received by the twist prevention recess 605 and is thus placed fully beneath the lock face 607.

Due to the interaction of the twist prevention latch 305 and the the twist prevention recess 605, the electrical connector assembly 100 is advantageously secured against the action of twisting forces which can act for example as indicated by arrows 705, i.e. which act twisting the electrical connector assembly 100 with respect to the counter connector 200, as it may occur if electrical cables connected to the electrical connector assembly 100 and the counter connector 200 are moved upon assembly or maintenance. Obviously, the present invention is not linnited to embodiments which are here above described and provided only as examples. It also includes different modifications, and alternatives that may be considered by the person skill in the art as part of the present invention, including all combinations of different embodiments here above described, taken alone or in combination.

Claims

1 . Electrical connector assembly (100) comprising :

• a connector housing (200),

· a counter connector (600) comprising at least one cam pin (601 ) to be mated with the connector housing (200) along a mating direction (703),

• a mate assist slider (300) which can be moved between an open position and a closed position on the connector housing (200) along a moving direction (701 ),

characterized in that the mate assist slider (300) comprises at least one first twist prevention member (305) which interacts with at least one second twist prevention member (605) of the counter connector (600), when the connector housing (200) is mated with the counter connector (600) and the mate assist slider (300) is placed in the closed position, such that the first twist prevention member (305) and the second twist prevention member (605) are suitable to prevent a movement of the counter connector (600) with respect to the connector housing (200).

2. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first twist prevention member (305) protrudes from a main portion (306) of the connector housing (200).

3. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first twist prevention member (305) is oriented in a direction essentially parallel to the moving direction (701 ) of the mate assist slider (300) from the open position towards the closed position.

4. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the pre- ceding claims, characterized in that the second twist prevention member

(605) is provided with at least one side face (606) oriented essentially parallel to the mating direction (703).

5. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the side face (606) is abutting the first twist prevention member (305), when the first twist prevention member (305) is received by the second twist prevention member (605).

6. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second twist prevention member (605) is provided with a lock face (607) which is at least partially oriented essentially perpendicular to the mating direction (703).

7. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second twist prevention member (605) is provided with two side faces (606) oriented essentially parallel to the mating direction (703).

8. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that both side faces (606) are abutting the twist prevention latch (305) when the twist prevention latch (305) is received by the twist prevention recess (605).

9. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mate assist slider (300) has an essentially open box shaped form comprising two side walls (310), a bottom wall (312) and a back wall (314).

10. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector housing (200) comprises a bottom part (201 ) and a top part (204), such that the electrical connector assembly (100) is suitable to be connected to a cable (500) arranged be- tween the top part (204) of the connector housing (200) and the mate assist slider (300).

1 1 . Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector housing (200) comprises at least one closing part (207) comprising a housing seal (205), which, in an assembled condition of the connector housing (200), is suitable to support and seal a cable (500) with respect to the connector housing (200).

12. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 10 or 1 1 , characterized in that the bottom part (201 ) and the top part (204), of the connector housing (200) are mutually connected along a sealing face (209), which preferably forms an angle with respect to the mating direction (703) of more than 10°, preferably of more than 20°, more preferably of more than 30° and most preferably of more than 40°.

13. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the pre- ceding claims, characterized in that the mate assist slider (300) comprises at least one cam slot (303) receiving the cam pin (601 ) of the counter connector (600) such that, upon moving the mate assist slider (300) from the open position towards the closed position, the cam slot (303) is moved relative to the cam pin (601 ), and such that a lever like force acts onto the cam pin (601 ) which facilitates mating of the counter connector (600) and the connector housing (200).

14. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that the cam slot (303) is formed in a cam portion (302) of the mate assist slider (300).

15. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that an outer face of the connector housing (200) is covered at least partially the cam portion (302) of the mate assist slider (300), when the mate assist slider (300) is placed in the closed position.

16. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector housing (200) comprises at least one outer protection face (202).

17. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that the connector housing (200) comprises at least one inner protection face (203) essentially parallel to the outer protection face (202).

18. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 16 or 17 in combination with claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the cam portion (302) of the mate assist slider (300) is received between the outer protection face (202) and the inner protection face (203), when the mate assist slider (300) is placed in the closed position.

19. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connector assembly (100) comprises at least one right angle contact terminal (400).

20. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 19, character- ized in that the right angle contact terminal (400) is provided with a corresponding right angle terminal insulation (409) and a terminal shielding, preferably formed by a first terminal shielding part (401 ) and a second terminal shielding part (403).

21 . Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first twist prevention member (305) or the second twist prevention member (605), preferably the first twist prevention member (305), is a twist prevention latch (305),

22. Electrical connector assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in that the first twist prevention member (305) or the second twist prevention member (605), preferably the second twist prevention member (605), is a twist prevention recess (605).