Touch protection sleeve for HV headstock

Abstract

The invention relates to a touch protection sleeve (20) for an HV headstock (100) having at least one pin (110) which projects away from a base plate (120) in a plug-in direction (P) and has a touch protection cap (130) at its distal end (119), wherein the touch protection sleeve (200) is made of an injection moldable material and comprises at least one attachment portion (30) for attaching the touch protection sleeve (20) to the headstock (100), and wherein the touch protection sleeve (200) forms a socket (25) adapted to surround the pin (110) in a spaced and HV touch protection manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of high voltage (HV) connectors. In some applications, HV headers, i.e. connectors, mounted to a fixed structure such as a housing or a plate are used. It is often necessary to ensure safe operation of people, for example to prevent contact with high voltage carrying parts during insertion and extraction. However, such measures are usually expensive. Background Art

[0002] The object of the present invention is to make the production of HV connectors, in particular HV headers, easier and more cost-effective, while maintaining operational safety. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the invention, this is achieved by a touch protection sleeve for an HV header, the HV header having at least one pin which protrudes away from a substrate in a plugging direction and has a touch protection cap at its distal end, wherein the touch protection sleeve is made of an injection-mouldable material and comprises at least one attachment portion for attaching the touch protection sleeve to the header, wherein the touch protection sleeve forms a socket adapted to surround the pin in a spaced-apart and HV touch-protective manner.

[0004] The fact that the touch protection sleeve is made of an injection-moldable material makes production easier and more cost-effective than previous solutions, in which such sleeves were made from sheet metal by stamping and bending. The fact that the touch protection sleeve is a separate component allows the previous full metal shield and the touch protection sleeve to be selectively used in a modular manner, depending on the needs of the specific application.

[0005] The solution according to the invention can be further improved by the following further developments and advantageous developments, which are independent of one another and can be combined as desired.

[0006] In particular, a touch protection sleeve can be used if no or little shielding effect is needed at the pins. This may be the case if the lines or cables associated with the pins are used as a direct current (DC) power supply. Touch protection sleeves for such applications can be made of low-cost moldable materials (such as simple plastics) to keep costs low. Shielding here refers to shielding from external electric and / or magnetic fields.

[0007] In other applications, a stronger shielding effect may be required. In this case, the material used for the touch protection sleeve can be made, for example, from an injection moldable material that has shielding properties (for example, by being conductive). In one example, a plastic with a network of conductive material in it can be used to achieve a shielding effect while still being moldable.

[0008] Alternatively or additionally, a further outer sleeve made of metal may be attached to the touch protection sleeve to achieve shielding, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0009] The attachment portion can be configured for attaching the touch protection sleeve to the substrate. It can protrude from the rest of the touch protection sleeve in the axial direction of the pin and / or in the plugging direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the touch protection sleeve can be configured such that the pin and the touch protection sleeve have only an indirect connection to each other. In particular, there is then no direct connection or contact. An intermediate component, preferably made of an electrically insulating material, can connect the two.

[0011] In particular, when the pin and the touch protection sleeve are spaced apart at the distal end, a touch protection effect can be achieved so that the test finger is prevented from contacting the HV carrying component. The size and shape of the test finger can be defined in a specification or standard, such as a national, international or company standard. Similarly, the parameters of the pin, header and mating connector can be defined in such a specification or standard.

[0012] In one embodiment, the touch protection sleeve may be adapted to be sealingly mounted to the substrate. By this measure, the air and creepage distance of the voltage at the pin can be extended, since no path to leave the touch protection sleeve at the substrate is possible.

[0013] According to one refinement, the touch protection sleeve may comprise two openings at two opposite ends, wherein one of the openings is adapted to be sealed by the substrate in the installed state. In the installed state, only one opening leading to the pin may be present or open. This opening may be associated with the distal end of the pin and / or the touch protection cap. This may contribute to increasing the creepage and air distances of the pin.

[0014] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the opening present in the mounted state is completely located in a half-space defined by a plane extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the pin at a distance from the base plate of at least 60% of the length of the pin. The creepage path and the air path can then be particularly long. Preferably, the distance from the base plate is at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, in particular at least 90% of the length of the pin.

[0015] An opening is not to be understood as a small gap between components mounted to each other caused by manufacturing or assembly tolerances, for example below 1 mm, preferably below 0.1 mm. The decisive threshold may depend on the fact whether current can flow through the gap, which in turn may depend on the maximum voltage specified for the header.

[0016] The attachment portion may be located at the end where the opening sealed by the base plate is located to allow easy installation. This end may be referred to as the proximal end and may be opposite to the distal or protruding end of the pin.

[0017] The attachment portion may protrude from the socket along a plugging direction along which the header and the mating connector are plugged together. The plugging direction may also be the axial direction of the pin or parallel thereto.

[0018] In another embodiment, the attachment portion can protrude from the rest of the touch protection sleeve in the radial direction of the pin, in particular outwardly. This can improve the stability of the connection, because the longer lever length then supports the touch protection sleeve to prevent tilting.

[0019] The attachment portion may comprise two arms resiliently deflectable in two opposite circumferential directions. This may facilitate installation.

[0020] To improve stability, the touch protection sleeve may comprise two or more attachment parts. Preferably, the attachment parts are evenly distributed around the axis of the pin to improve force distribution. They may be at equal angles to each other, for example at an angle of 360 degrees / n, where n is the number of attachment parts.

[0021] In one embodiment, the touch protection sleeve may include at least one polarization feature, which allows mounting to the header only in a limited number of possible rotational positions, preferably only in one rotational position. This can ensure that the touch protection sleeve is correctly mounted to the header. A rotational position is understood to be a rotation around the axis of the pin.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one attachment portion serves as a locating feature.Manufacturing of such a touch protection sleeve may be easier, since only one feature needs to be designed and manufactured.

[0023] According to an advantageous refinement, the touch protection sleeve can comprise at least one terminal lock securing structure, which is adapted to prevent a terminal lock in the mating connector from being moved out of a locking position.

[0024] The touch protection sleeve may comprise at least two terminal lock securing structures, each terminal lock securing structure being adapted to prevent a terminal lock (preferably the same terminal lock) in a mating connector from moving out of a locked position. This may increase safety.

[0025] In particular, the terminal lock securing structures may be located at different depths along the plugging direction to increase the possible number of terminal lock securing structures.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, the two terminal lock securing structures are located at different rotational positions. This can help to further increase the number of terminal lock securing structures.

[0027] In a development that is simple to manufacture, at least one terminal lock securing structure can be formed as a thickened edge portion. The edge can in particular be an edge or rim of one of the openings.

[0028] In particular, when the shielding achieved by the touch protection sleeve itself is insufficient or absent, the touch protection sleeve may be adapted to be mounted with at least one shielding sleeve on the outside. For example, the outside of the touch protection sleeve may be at least partially complementary to the inside of the shielding sleeve. The shielding sleeve may be made of metal or another conductive material. For such a shielding sleeve used with the touch protection sleeve, the material thickness may be thinner than previous shielding used without the touch protection sleeve. In addition, the complexity may be lower. For example, certain elements present in the touch protection sleeve, such as an attachment portion, do not have to be present on such a shielding sleeve. Therefore, the production of such a shielding sleeve may be easier.

[0029] In order to limit the relative movement between the touch protection sleeve and the shielding sleeve, the touch protection sleeve may include at least one shield engagement portion adapted to engage the shielding sleeve. The shield engagement portion may include at least one blocking surface for blocking the movement of the shielding sleeve relative to the touch protection sleeve. In particular, the movement may be prevented or limited along and / or against the plugging direction and / or in at least one circumferential direction perpendicular to the plugging direction.

[0030] The shield engaging portion may comprise a protrusion protruding in the radial direction of the pin or a recess in the radial direction.The shield sleeve may comprise a corresponding counter element engaging the protrusion or recess and forming at least one counter blocking surface.

[0031] The touch protection sleeve may include at least two shield engagement portions at different depths and / or rotational positions. This may help increase the number of positions at which the two sleeves engage each other. The depth may be measured along the plugging direction and / or the axial direction of the pin.

[0032] In a material-saving embodiment, the wall portion forming at least one shield engagement portion also forms a terminal lock securing structure. The wall portion may have at least the same thickness as the surrounding wall portion to ensure mechanical stability. In addition, the wall portion and the surrounding wall are preferably continuous (i.e., there are no holes or gaps through the wall) to exclude any unwanted current paths at the portion.

[0033] According to one embodiment to save space, at least one terminal lock securing structure is located at the same depth and rotational position as the shield engagement portion. However, the two may be located at different radii.

[0034] In order to further reduce the required space, the touch protection sleeve may comprise at least one wall portion with increased wall thickness, which wall portion forms an outwardly protruding protrusion with a blocking surface for the shield engagement portion, wherein the wall portion is a base portion for at least one attachment portion. For some other developments, such a component has a dual function.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, the touch protection sleeve is a one-piece piece, or in other words a single integral piece.

[0036] To facilitate assembly, the touch protection sleeve has at least twofold rotational symmetry.

[0037] The base portion of the touch protection sleeve may have a cylindrical shape, preferably a circular cylindrical shape, in order to achieve good mechanical stability.

[0038] The base portion may form a socket for a pin. It may be tubular or have a shape similar to a channel open at both ends.

[0039] The present invention also includes a sleeve assembly, which includes the touch protection sleeve according to the present invention and a conductive shielding sleeve installed around the touch protection sleeve.

[0040] The shielding sleeve should be connected to ground or earth potential when in use, especially if it is made of conductive material and is part of a touch protection assembly. Then, there is no possibility for the user to come into contact with high voltages.

[0041] Furthermore, the invention also relates to an HV header having at least one pin protruding from a base plate, the HV header comprising at least one touch protection sleeve according to the invention mounted to the base plate.

[0042] Finally, in order to install the components suitable for a specific application, a kit is provided, which allows the installation of a conventional shield or a touch protection sleeve according to the invention, and thus comprises at least one touch protection sleeve according to the invention and at least one metal shield, wherein the touch protection sleeve and the metal shield can be selectively and interchangeably installed around the same pin of the header and / or plugged together with the same mating connector. The metal shield can in particular be a metal shield according to the previous solution.

[0043] The kit may also include other components of the header, such as a base plate, housing components and / or seals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The invention will now be described in more detail in an exemplary manner using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.The described embodiments are only possible configurations, wherein individual features described above may be provided independently of each other or may be omitted.

[0045] In the attached picture:

[0046] Figure 1 shows a schematic partial cutaway perspective view of a header with two touch protection sleeves;

[0047] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1A schematic perspective view of one of the touch protection sleeves;

[0048] Figure 3 Shown from different perspectives Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional perspective view of one of the touch protection sleeves;

[0049] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of one of the touch protection sleeves together with the shielding sleeve;

[0050] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a headstock during assembly;

[0051] Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a header with two touch protection sleeves and a mating connector;

[0052] Figure 7 Shown in Figure 6 The plane is cut at 90° to the plane Figure 6 Detail of another cross-sectional view of the headstock. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The drawings show embodiments of a touch protection sleeve 20. In some of the drawings, the touch protection sleeve is mounted to the rest of the header 100. In addition, some of the drawings show the touch protection sleeve 20 having a shielding sleeve 80 mounted therearound.

[0054] The touch protection sleeve 20 can be used to replace previous sleeves made entirely of metal, especially when no or little electromagnetic shielding is required for the application. The touch protection sleeve 20 is typically made of plastic material by injection molding, which is more cost-effective to produce than sleeves made entirely of metal.

[0055] The header 100 comprises a base plate 120 which can be mounted and fixed to the housing of the device, for example by inserting suitable fixing elements (such as screws) into holes 140. On the front side, two pins 110 protrude away from the base plate 120 along a plugging direction P. The plugging direction P is the direction in which the header 100 is plugged together with the mating connector 200 (see, for example, Figure 6 ). In this example, the plug-in direction P is parallel to the axial direction A of the essentially cylindrical pin 110 .

[0056] The pin 110 extends through the substrate 120 and protrudes upward from the substrate 120 from the proximal end 111 to the distal end 119, where a touch protection cap 130 made of insulating material is located. The pin body 115 of the pin 110 is made of a metal material having good conductive properties, such as copper or aluminum.

[0057] The header 100 with the touch protection sleeve 20 mounted thereon is an example of application. The touch protection sleeve 20 can also be used for other connectors having pins 110 protruding from the substrate 120.

[0058] Each touch protection sleeve 20 comprises a base portion 21, which in the depicted example is constructed as a substantially cylindrical base portion 21, 22. The base portion 21 forms a socket 25 for the pin 110 of the mating connector 200 and the corresponding terminal 210 (or contact element). When fully installed, the pin 110 is surrounded by the terminal 210 of the mating connector 200, which in turn is surrounded by the base portion 21. In the unmounted state or condition, the base portion 21 surrounds the pin in a spaced-apart and HV touch-protected manner. In particular, the latter is achieved by selecting the spacing between the pin 110 and the base portion 21 so that the test finger cannot advance far enough into the socket 25 to approach or touch the potential high-voltage carrying pin body 115 of the pin 110.

[0059] The attachment portions 30 protrude from each base portion 21 opposite to the plugging direction P and outwardly in a radial direction R perpendicular to the axial direction A and the plugging direction P. The attachment portions 30 are evenly distributed around the circumferential direction C of the touch protection sleeve 20 , i.e. in the case of four attachment portions 30 , at 90 degrees to each other.

[0060] Each attachment portion 30 comprises two prongs or arms 33 which can be elastically deflected towards each other along a circumferential direction C. By pressing the two arms 33 towards each other, the width is reduced and the attachment portion 30 can be inserted into a corresponding hole in the base plate 120. When the attachment portion 30 is correctly inserted, the latching protrusions 34 at the free ends of the arms 33 can engage with corresponding elements in the base plate.

[0061] The attachment portion 30 is located at the first openings 40, 41 of the touch protection sleeve 20, which are associated with the proximal end 111 of the pin 110 and the base plate 120. The wall portion 39 at the openings 40, 41 has an increased wall thickness to increase stability and serves as the base portion 31 of the attachment portion 30.

[0062] When mounted, the first openings 40, 41 are covered by the substrate 120. To increase air and creepage distances, the first openings 40, 41 are configured to achieve sealing contact with corresponding parts on the substrate 120.

[0063] To facilitate correct orientation, each touch protection sleeve 20 has a locating feature 50 that matches a corresponding feature on the substrate 120 and allows the touch protection sleeve 20 to be mounted on the substrate 120 only in one or more allowed rotational positions about the axis 113 of the pin 110. In addition, the attachment portion 30 can also serve as a locating feature.

[0064] The pin 110 and the touch protection sleeve 20 are not directly connected, but only connected via the intermediate substrate 120. This ensures that the two are electrically insulated from each other, for example if the touch protection sleeve 20 is made of an electrically conductive material or if a shielding sleeve 80 is attached.

[0065] The touch protection sleeve 20, in particular the base part 21 and the socket 25 form second openings 40, 42 located opposite the first openings 40, 41. When the touch protection sleeve is installed, the second openings 40, 42 are open and ensure that the terminals 210 of the mating connector 200 can approach the conductive parts of the pins 110. In the installed state, the second openings 40, 42 are the only openings that are open and provide access to the pins 110. This improves high voltage performance, because any air or creepage path from one pin 110 to another pin 110 must pass through the second openings 40, 42 and is therefore longer than a direct connection, which is blocked by the wall of the base part 21. In order to maximize the length of the path, the second openings 40, 42 are completely located in the half space 47 defined by the plane 48, which extends perpendicular to the axial direction A of the pin 110 at a distance 114 that is almost the length 116 of the pin 110, the distance 114 and the length 116 being measured from the point where the pin 110 leaves the substrate 120 along the axial direction A, including the touch protection cap 130 (see in detail Figure 7 ).

[0066] Each touch protection sleeve 20 includes several terminal lock assurance structures 60, 61, 62, which are suitable for preventing the terminal lock 220 in the mating connector 200 from moving out of the locking position 225. Each terminal lock 220 is used to ensure that the terminal 210 is in the correct position in the mating connector 200. Only when the terminal lock 220 and the terminal 210 are in the correct relative position relative to each other, the terminal lock 220 can be latched into the corresponding recess in the terminal 210. When the header 100 and the mating connector 200 are plugged into each other, each of the terminal lock assurance structures 60, 61, 62 automatically moves to the back of the corresponding terminal lock 220. In this plugged state, the terminal lock assurance structures 60, 61, 62 form a stopper for the end of the latch arm of the terminal lock 220.

[0067] The terminal lock securing structures 60 , 61 , 62 may be grouped into first terminal lock securing structures 60 , 61 located at a first depth 66 measured along the plugging direction P and second terminal lock securing structures 60 , 62 located at a second depth 67 different from the first depth 66 .

[0068] Each set of terminal lock securing structures 60 , 61 , 62 comprises two terminal lock securing structures 60 , 61 , 62 which are located at different rotational positions around the axis of the pin 110 , ie opposite positions or in other words 180° relative to each other.

[0069] The second terminal lock securing structures 60, 62 are formed as thickened edges 44 of the opening 42. This can make production easy and improve the mechanical stability of the tubular or tunnel-shaped base portion 21. Likewise, the set of second terminal lock securing structures 60, 62 comprises two terminal lock securing structures 60, 62, which are arranged to be rotated 180 degrees relative to each other around the axis 113 of the pin 110. However, the second terminal lock securing structures 60, 62 are offset by 90° relative to the first terminal lock securing structures 60, 61 to ensure a good force distribution around the circumference.

[0070] The terminals 210 of the mating connector 200 are connected to electric wires or cables 230 .

[0071] As mentioned above, if the application does not require a significant shielding effect, the touch protection sleeve 20 can be used alone instead of the metal shield. The touch protection sleeve 20 is part of a modular system, which, however, allows the addition of a shielding sleeve 80. The touch protection sleeve 20 is suitable for mounting at least one shielding sleeve 80 on the outside, for example, by sliding the touch protection sleeve 20 into the shielding sleeve 80 along the plugging direction P. In order to achieve a good fit, the outside of the touch protection sleeve 20 is substantially or mostly complementary to the inside of the shielding sleeve 80.

[0072] The shielding sleeve 80 may be made of sheet metal by cutting and bending. In the installed state, the shielding sleeve 80 is preferably connected to ground or earth potential to avoid electric shock to the user.

[0073] To improve the mechanical connection between the touch protection sleeve 20 and the shielding sleeve 80 forming the sleeve assembly 90 , the touch protection sleeve 20 includes several shield engagement portions 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 adapted to engage the shielding sleeve 80 , and the shielding sleeve 80 includes corresponding engagement portions 81 .

[0074] Each shield engagement portion 70, 71, 72, 73 comprises at least one blocking surface 35 for blocking movement of the shield sleeve 80 relative to the touch protection sleeve 20. In the depicted example, rotation about two opposite rotational directions and translational movement along and against the plugging direction are blocked.

[0075] On the touch protection sleeve 20 , the first and second shield engagement portions 70 , 71 , 72 are formed as substantially rectangular or box-shaped recesses having three side walls extending perpendicularly to the outer surface and serving as blocking surfaces 75 and an inclined or sloped fourth side wall.

[0076] Each of the shield engagement portions 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 and the terminal lock securing structures 60 , 61 , 62 is constructed of a continuous wall portion, ie, there are no gaps or holes in the wall of the touch protection sleeve 20 .

[0077] The engagement portion 81 on the shielding sleeve 80 is implemented as a tab or wing, which can be elastically deflected outward during the insertion of the touch protection sleeve 20 and latched into the shield engagement portions 70, 71, 72 in the final position. The front face and the side faces at the free end of the tab serve as counter blocking surfaces 85. The edge of the opening of the shielding sleeve 80 serves as another blocking surface 85.

[0078] To simplify the design, the wall portion 69 of the touch protection sleeve 20 serves as both the shield engagement portions 70, 71 and the terminal lock securing structures 60, 61. In other words, the terminal lock securing structures 60, 61 are located at the same depth and rotational position as the shield engagement portions 70, 71, but at different radii.

[0079] Similar to the terminal lock assurance structures 60 , 61 , 62 , the shield engagement portions 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 are located at different depths and different rotational positions.

[0080] The wall portion 39 with increased wall thickness forms an outwardly protruding protrusion with a blocking surface 75 for the shield sleeve 80 and thus serves as a third shield engagement portion 70 , 73 .

[0081] The entire touch protection sleeve 20 is a single or integral piece and is made of an injection-moldable material.

[0082] The depicted embodiment of the touch protection sleeve 20 has double rotational symmetry to simplify installation.

[0083] The kit allowing installation of a conventional shield or a touch protection sleeve according to the invention comprises at least one touch protection sleeve 20 and at least one metal shield, wherein the touch protection sleeve 20 and the metal shield can be selectively and interchangeably installed around the same pin 110 of the header 100. The metal shield can in particular be a metal shield according to the previous solution.

[0084] The kit may also include other components of the header 100 , such as the base plate 110 , housing components, and / or seals.

[0085] Reference numerals

[0086] 20 Touch protection sleeve

[0087] 21 Base part

[0088] 22 Column base part

[0089] 25 sockets

[0090] 30 Attachment

[0091] 31 base part

[0092] 33 arms

[0093] 34 Latch protrusion

[0094] 39 wall section

[0095] 40 openings

[0096] 41 First Opening

[0097] 42 Second opening

[0098] 44 Thickened edge

[0099] 47 Half Space

[0100] 48 planes

[0101] 50 Positioning features

[0102] 60 terminal lock guarantee structure

[0103] 61 First terminal lock guarantee structure

[0104] 62 Second terminal lock guarantee structure

[0105] 65 Depth

[0106] 66 First Depth

[0107] 67 Second Depth

[0108] 69 wall section

[0109] 70 shielding member joint portion

[0110] 71 first shield member engaging portion

[0111] 72 Second shielding member engagement portion

[0112] 73 third shielding member joint portion

[0113] 75 blocking surface

[0114] 80 shielding sleeve

[0115] 81Joint part

[0116] 85 reverse blocking surface

[0117] 90 casing assembly

[0118] 100 seats

[0119] 110 pins

[0120] 111 Near End

[0121] 113 axis

[0122] 114Distance

[0123] 115 pin body

[0124] 116 Length

[0125] 119 Remote

[0126] 120 substrate

[0127] 130 Touch protection cap

[0128] 140 holes

[0129] 200 mating connector

[0130] 210 terminal

[0131] 220 terminal lock

[0132] 221 first terminal lock

[0133] 222 Second terminal lock

[0134] 225 Locking position

[0135] 230 cable

[0136] A Axial direction

[0137] C Circumferential direction

[0138] P plug direction

[0139] R radial direction

Claims

1. A touch protection sleeve (20) for an HV header (100), the HV header (100) having at least one pin (110), the pin (110) protruding away from a substrate (120) along a plugging direction (P) and having a touch protection cap (130) at its distal end (119), wherein the touch protection sleeve (20) is made of an injection moldable material and comprises at least one attachment portion (30) for attaching the touch protection sleeve (20) to the header (100), wherein the touch protection sleeve (200) forms a socket (25) adapted to surround the pin (110) in a spaced-apart and HV touch-protective manner.

2. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to claim 1, wherein: The touch protection sleeve (20) is adapted to be sealingly mounted to the substrate (120).

3. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The touch protection sleeve (20) comprises two openings (40, 41, 42) at two opposite ends, wherein one of the openings (40, 41) is adapted to be sealed by the substrate in the mounted state.

4. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to claim 3, wherein: The opening (40, 42) associated with the distal end (119) is completely located in a half-space (47) defined by a plane (48) extending perpendicular to the axial direction (A) of the pin (110) at a distance (114) away from the base plate (120) of at least 60% of the length (116) of the pin (110).

5. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The touch protection sleeve (20) comprises at least one locating feature (50) which allows mounting to the header (100) in only a limited number of possible rotational positions, preferably in only one rotational position.

6. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The touch protection sleeve (20) comprises at least one terminal lock securing structure (60, 61, 62), wherein the at least one terminal lock securing structure is adapted to prevent a terminal lock (220) in a mating connector (200) from moving out of a locking position (225).

7. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to claim 6, wherein: The touch protection sleeve (20) comprises at least two terminal lock securing structures (60, 61, 62) located at different depths (65, 66, 67) along the plugging direction (P), each terminal lock securing structure being adapted to prevent a terminal lock (220) in the mating connector (200) from moving out of a locking position (225).

8. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to claim 7, wherein: The two terminal lock securing structures (65, 66, 67) are located at different rotational positions.

9. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: At least one terminal lock securing structure (60, 62) is formed as a thickened edge portion (44).

10. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The touch protection sleeve (20) includes at least one shield engagement portion (70) adapted to engage a shield sleeve (80).

11. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 6 to 9 and 10, wherein: The wall portion (69) forming at least one shield engagement portion (70, 71) also forms a terminal lock securing structure (60, 61).

12. The touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The touch protection sleeve (20) comprises at least one wall portion (39) with increased wall thickness, the wall portion (39) forming an outwardly protruding protrusion having a blocking surface (75) of a shield engagement portion (70, 73), wherein the wall portion (39) is a base portion (31) for at least one attachment portion (30).

13. A sleeve assembly, comprising a touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a conductive shielding sleeve (80) installed around the touch protection sleeve (20).

14. A HV header (100) having at least one pin (110) protruding from a base plate (120), the HV header (100) comprising at least one touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 mounted to the base plate (120).

15. A kit comprising a touch protection sleeve (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a metal shield, wherein: The touch protection sleeve (20) and the metal shield can be selectively and interchangeably mounted around the same pin (110) of the header (100).

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