Connector disengagement resistance mechanism

Abstract

A plug connector (100) includes a housing (110) having a cable opening (105) for receiving a cable having a plurality of wires. A plurality of contacts (150) is arranged within the contact insert (130). A retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is disposed within the contact insert, the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) having a base (163) and a protruding portion (161). The protruding portion (161) is configured to engage a receptacle insert (230) of the receptacle connector (200) through the receptacle contact opening (235) when the plug connector (100) is plugged into the receptacle connector (200). The diameter of the protruding portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) exceeds the diameter of the socket contact opening (235). The retaining pin (160, 180, 190) elastically deforms and thereby increases its withdrawal force when the plug connector (100) is plugged into or removed from the receptacle connector (200).

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 446,962, filed on February 20, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly to a plug connector having a mechanism for increasing disengagement resistance. Background Art

[0004] Plug connectors and socket connectors typically consist of a male plug and a female socket. The plug generally includes pin contacts, and the socket generally includes receptacle contacts. The socket is typically permanently fixed to a device such as in a chassis connector, and the plug is attached to a cable. Both the plug and the socket can be connected to cables, for example, to connect two cables to each other.

[0005] The plug typically has one or more metal contacts, also referred to as terminals, which are inserted into openings in the mating socket. The connection between the mating metal components must be tight enough to form a good electrical connection and complete the circuit.

[0006] Locking mechanisms can be used to mechanically lock the plug to the socket. The locking mechanism can be opened to disengage the plug from the socket. Technical standards such as UL1682 require that even when the locking mechanism is disengaged, a minimum pull - out force must be sufficient to prevent the plug from being accidentally pulled out of the socket during normal use. The pull - out force is typically determined by the friction of the mating contacts. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a plug connector. The plug connector includes a housing having a cable opening for receiving a cable with multiple wires. A plurality of contacts are disposed within a contact insert. A retaining pin is disposed within the contact insert. The retaining pin has a base and a protrusion portion. The protrusion portion of the retaining pin is configured to engage a socket insert of a socket connector through a socket contact opening when the plug connector is inserted into the socket connector. The diameter of the protrusion portion of the retaining pin exceeds the diameter of the socket contact opening. The retaining pin is configured to elastically deform when the plug connector is inserted into or removed from the socket connector. Thereby, the retaining pin generates a retaining force when the plug connector is removed from the socket connector. This can prevent the plug connector from being undesirably released from the socket connector, which might otherwise occur. The retaining pin can replace the contact and thus allows for retrofitting of existing connectors with an increased retaining force without the need for further mechanical modification.

[0008] The retaining pin may include a chamfered flange. The protruding portion of the retaining pin may include: a protruding part that is arranged close to the tip of the retaining pin; and a generally cylindrical part that is arranged between the protruding part and the base. A groove may extend across the retaining pin in the protruding part. For the first type of retaining pin, the length of the groove may be between 40% and 60% of the length of the retaining pin, and for the second type of retaining pin, the length of the groove may be between 60% and 85% of the length of the retaining pin. When the retaining pin slides into or out of the socket connector, the geometries of the protruding part and the groove cooperate to achieve a desired force - stroke relationship. The force - stroke relationship may be selected such that the plug connector as a whole meets the specified minimum disconnection engagement force - stroke requirements.

[0009] The protruding part of the retaining pin may include circumferentially spaced protrusions that are arranged on opposite sides of the groove. Each of the circumferentially spaced protrusions may include a forward - inclined portion that extends from the front end of the protrusion that is close to the tip of the retaining pin to the maximum - diameter region of the protrusion. A backward - inclined portion may extend from the maximum - diameter region of the protrusion toward the rear end of the protrusion that is close to the generally cylindrical part. In some configurations, the forward - inclined portion is longer than the backward - inclined portion. In other configurations, the forward - inclined portion and the backward - inclined portion have a symmetric profile.

[0010] In some configurations, the protrusion has a generally triangular profile. In other configurations, the protrusion has a generally arched profile. In another configuration, a central hole may extend through the retaining pin along the longitudinal axis.

[0011] The retaining pin may be arranged in a space within the contact insert that is configured to accommodate one of a plurality of contacts. The retaining pin is not electrically connected to any wire.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for assembling a plug connector. The method includes: guiding a cable through a cable opening of the plug - connector housing; connecting a contact to a wire of the cable; inserting the contact into a contact insert; inserting a retaining pin into the contact insert; and fixing the contact insert in the plug - connector housing.

[0013] The method may further include: selecting a retaining pin from a plurality of different retaining pins to selectively increase the pull - out force required to pull the plug connector out of the socket connector. When plugging the plug connector into the socket connector, the method includes: elastically deforming the retaining pin while pushing the retaining pin through an opening of the socket contact insert of the socket connector.

[0014] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention or the application and uses of the present invention. Further, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the foregoing background or the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 Shows an exploded view of a plug and socket connection system.

[0016] Figure 2 Is a perspective view of the plug and socket connection system.

[0017] Figure 3 Is a perspective view of the plug connector.

[0018] Figure 4 Shows the Figure 2 connection system without the connector housing.

[0019] Figure 5 Provides an Figure 4 internal view of the components.

[0020] Figure 6 Shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the Figure 2 connection system through

[0021] Figure 7 Is a side view of a first configuration of the retaining pin.

[0022] Figure 8 Is a Figure 7 cross-sectional view of the retaining pin.

[0023] Figure 9 Is a Figure 7 perspective view of the retaining pin.

[0024] Figure 10 Is a side view of a second configuration of the retaining pin.

[0025] Figure 11 Is a Figure 10 cross-sectional view of the retaining pin.

[0026] Figure 12 Is a Figure 10 perspective view of the retaining pin.

[0027] Figure 13 Is a side view of a third configuration of the retaining pin.

[0028] Figure 14 Is a Figure 13 cross-sectional view of the retaining pin.

[0029] Figure 15 Is a Figure 13 perspective view of the retaining pin.

[0030] Figure 16 Shows a comparison between a pin terminal and a retaining pin. Detailed implementation

[0031] Figure 1 Shows an exploded view of a plug and socket connection system. The system includes a plug connector 100 and a socket connector 200.

[0032] The plug connector 100 includes a plurality of pin contacts 150. The pin contacts are sometimes referred to as male contacts. In the context of the present application, the pin contacts should be more broadly understood to refer to the first type of contact. When in use, each of the pin contacts 150 is electrically connected to a wire of a cable. The contacts can be in the form of screw terminals, crimp terminals or cage clamp terminals. The terms contact and terminal are used interchangeably. The pin contacts 150 are firmly held within the plug insert 130. The plug insert 130 is in turn fixed within the plug housing 110. The plug housing 110 can also be referred to as a cover. The plug housing 110 includes a cable entry opening 105, which can be arranged for rear entry or side entry of the cable. A cable entry protector 120 can be fixed to the cable entry opening 105. The cable entry protector 120 can have various configurations. The cable entry protector 120 can be, for example, a general cable grommet, a special cable clamp with stress relief, a flared cable fitting or an anti-twist device. The cable grommet can include one or more seals.

[0033] The plug connector 100 is configured to mate with a corresponding socket connector 200. The socket connector 200 includes a plurality of receiving contacts 250. The receiving contacts are sometimes referred to as female contacts. In the context of the present application, the receiving contacts should be more broadly understood to refer to the second type of contact. Each of the receiving contacts 250 is configured to receive one of the pin contacts 150 to form an electrical connection. The receiving contacts 250 are firmly held within the socket insert 230. The socket insert 230 is fixed within the socket housing 210.

[0034] The geometry of the plug insert 130 and the geometry of the socket insert 230 are coordinated such that the plug insert 130 and the socket insert 230 can be plugged together. When plugged together, portions of the plug insert 130 and portions of the socket insert 230 overlap.

[0035] A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the plug connector 100 to the socket connector 200. The locking mechanism may include a lever 211 pivotally connected to the socket housing 210. The lever 211 may include a recess that engages a locking projection 111 of the plug housing 110. When engaged, the lever holds the plug connector 100 and the socket connector 200 firmly together. The lever 211 may be pivoted to an unlocked position to disengage the locking projection 111 so that the plug connector 100 can be removed from the socket connector 200.

[0036] Figure 1 An example is illustrated where the socket connector 200 is adapted to be permanently fixed to a device such as in a chassis connector. Figure 2 An alternative configuration is shown in which the plug housing 110 and the socket housing 210 are similar and both the plug housing 110 and the socket housing 210 are configured to be connected to respective cables. Both the plug housing 110 and the socket housing 210 include respective cable entry openings 105, 205. The plug housing 110 is locked to the socket housing 210 by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism here includes two levers 211, 212. The levers 211, 212 are shown in the locked state. To unlock the plug housing 110 from the socket housing 210, the levers can be pivoted towards the socket connector 200. A seal 203 is disposed between the plug housing 110 and the socket housing 210.

[0037] Once the locking mechanism has been unlocked, the plug connector 100 and the socket connector 200 can be disconnected by applying an axial pull-out force. The amount of pull-out force required to separate the plug connector 100 from the socket connector 200 depends mainly on the number of pin contacts 150 and receptacle contacts 250 within the connectors and the friction between the pin contacts 150 and the receptacle contacts 250. In cases where the plug insert 130 and the socket insert 230 are designed to have an interference fit, the pull-out force may additionally depend on the frictional force between the plug insert 130 and the socket insert 230.

[0038] In some applications, the pull-out force required to remove the plug connector 100 from the socket connector 200 may be less than the desired holding force of the plug connector. That is, the plug connector 100 can be removed from the socket connector 200 by pulling on the plug connector 100 with a pull-out force less than the desired holding force. This is of particular concern if the pull-out force is less than a standard such as the holding force specified by UL 1682.

[0039] The UL1682 standard requires that for a connector with a rated current of 60A, the minimum holding force is 67N. Therefore, a pull-out force of at least 67N but not exceeding 111N may be required. However, the pull-out force caused by the existing friction between the contacts 150, 250 and possibly between the contact inserts 130, 230 can be less than the desired minimum value of 67N. In this case, the retaining pin 160 can be inserted into the otherwise unused contact cavity 131 of the plug insert 130.

[0040] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the plug connector 100 as viewed from the insertion side. The plug insert 130 is arranged within the plug connector 100. The plug insert 130 includes six identical contact cavities 131 arranged in a 2x3 matrix. The plug insert 130 is designed in a modular manner using three pairs of identical insertion modules 132, each pair of insertion modules having two contact cavities 131. The plug insert 130 is filled with five pin contacts 150. The retaining pin 160 is arranged in the contact cavity 131 of the middle one of the insertion modules 132.

[0041] Figure 4 shows the Figure 2 connection system without the connector housings 110, 210. The plug insert 130 includes an insert frame 133 in which three identical plug insertion modules 132 have been installed. Similarly, the socket insert 230 includes an insert frame 233 in which three socket insertion modules 232 have been installed. The insert frame 133 of the plug connector 100 and the insert frame 233 of the socket connector 200 can be the same. On the other hand, the plug insertion module 132 of the plug connector 100 and the socket insertion module 232 of the socket connector 200 are complementary and are configured to plug together. When plugged together, portions of the plug insertion module 132 overlap portions of the socket insertion module 232.

[0042] Figure 5 shows Figure 4 the components of, where other components have been removed to expose the interior of the connection system. In the illustrated inserted state, the pin contact 150 is received within the receptacle contact 250. Each contact includes a mating portion 151, 251 and a connection portion 153, 253 opposite the mating portion 151, 251. The mating portion 251 of the receptacle contact 250 is configured to receive the mating portion 151 of the pin contact 150. The corresponding connection portions 153, 253 are generally hollow cylindrical and are configured to receive electrical wires. The electrical wires can be connected to the contacts 150, 250 by crimping.

[0043] The contact flanges 152, 252 are in each case arranged between the mating portions 151, 251 and the connecting portions 153, 253 of the respective contacts. The insertion module 132 includes resilient locking arms 134 which engage behind the contact flanges 152, 252 and hold the contacts in position. In particular, the resilient locking arms 134 prevent the contacts 150, 250 from being pushed out of the plug inserts 130, 230 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction.

[0044] The retaining pin 160 is seated in the same contact cavity as the pin contact 150 occupies. Like the pin contact 150, the retaining pin 160 includes a flange 162. Unlike the pin contact 150, the retaining pin 160 does not have a connecting portion 153. That is, this is because the retaining pin 160 is not connected to any wire. The flange 162 forms the rear end portion of the retaining pin 160.

[0045] Figure 6 A perspective cross-sectional view of the connection system is shown as indicated by arrow 6 in Figure 5 through Figure 2 This cross-section shows the retaining pin 160 seated within the plug insert 130. The protruding portion 161 of the retaining pin 160 extends through the socket contact opening 235 into the socket insert 230. In the inserted state, the protruding portion 161 of the retaining pin 160 is arranged in the overlapping region of the plug insert 130 and the socket insert 230.

[0046] The diameter of the protruding portion 161 of the retaining pin 160 exceeds the diameter of the socket contact opening 235. The retaining pin 160 elastically deforms when the plug connector 100 is inserted into or removed from the socket connector 200. Thus, the retaining pin 160 generates an additional retaining force against which the plug connector 100 must separate from the socket connector 200.

[0047] The additional retaining force provided by the retaining pin 160 depends on the geometry of the retaining pin 160 and the material from which the retaining pin 160 is manufactured. Thus, the retaining force of the entire connector system can be adjusted by selecting one of a plurality of retaining pins 160 with different designs.

[0048] Figures 7 to 15 Three such different designed retaining pins 160, 180, 190 which generate different retaining forces are illustrated. The retaining pin 160 includes a protruding portion 161 and a base 163. The protruding portion 161 engages the socket insert 230 of the socket connector 200. The base 163 is firmly held within the plug insert 130 by its chamfered flange 162.

[0049] Figures 7 to 9The design shown shows a protruding portion 161 that has a protruding part 164 which is arranged close to the tip 166 of the retaining pin 160. A generally cylindrical portion 165 is arranged between the protruding part 164 and the base 163. A groove 167 extends across the retaining pin in the protruding part 164 and the groove 167 extends partially into the generally cylindrical portion 165. The length of the groove 167 is directly related to the elasticity of the retaining pin 160 and thus directly related to the retaining force generated by the retaining pin 160. Figures 7 to 9 A configuration using a long groove 167 is shown, the length of which is between 60% and 85% of the total length of the retaining pin 160. Figures 10 to 12 A configuration using a short groove 187 is shown, the length of which is between 40% and 60% of the total length of the retaining pin 180. The lengths of the grooves 167, 187 can be changed to fine-tune the retaining force generated by the retaining pins 160, 180.

[0050] The protruding part 164 includes circumferentially spaced protrusions 170. The circumferentially spaced protrusions are arranged on opposite sides of the groove 167. Figures 7 to 8 Two protrusions 170 are shown, but more than two protrusions 170 can be used. For example, the retaining pin 160 can be designed to use two cross grooves 167 and four protrusions 170.

[0051] Each of the circumferentially spaced protrusions 170 includes a forwardly inclined portion 171 that extends from the front end of the protrusion 170 that is close to the tip 166 of the retaining pin 160 to the maximum diameter region 173 of the protrusion 170. The width mw of the retaining pin 160 at the maximum diameter region 173 is greater than the socket contact opening 235. For example, the diameter of the socket contact opening 235 can be 6.25 mm. The width mw of the retaining pin 160 in the maximum diameter region 173 of the protrusion 170 can be 6.9 mm. That is, the maximum diameter region 173 is about 10% wider than the socket contact opening 235. The approximate "10%" here means that the maximum diameter region 173 is between 5% and 15% wider than the socket contact opening 235.

[0052] As Figures 7 to 9 shown, the forwardly inclined portion 171 of the protrusion 170 is longer than the rearwardly inclined portion 172. The asymmetry causes different force distributions and corresponding user perceptions when the plug connector 100 is inserted into the socket connector 200 compared to when the plug connector 100 is pulled out of the socket connector 200. When the plug connector 100 is inserted into the socket connector 200, the resistance increases slowly, while the pull-out force acting to pull the plug connector 100 out of the socket connector 200 increases sharply with a minimal stroke.

[0053] The forwardly inclined portion 171 of the projection 170 may be in the shape of a frustoconical section having a cone angle between 5° and 15° and in particular about 8°. The rearwardly inclined portion 172 of the projection 170 may be in the shape of a frustoconical section having a steeper cone angle between 30° and 65° and in particular about 50°. The different cone angles may result in a total insertion force for inserting the plug connector 100 into the socket connector 200 being lower than the total extraction force for extracting the plug connector 10 from the socket connector 200.

[0054] Figures 10 to 12 An alternative design is shown in which a first haptic effect when inserting the plug connector 100 into the socket connector 200 and a second haptic effect when extracting the plug connector 100 from the socket connector 200 are the same. This is achieved by means of the symmetrical arched profile 182 of the projection 181 of the retaining pin 180 as Figure 11 illustrated. Compared with the Figure 8 triangular asymmetrical profile of the projection 170 illustrated, the symmetrical arched profile 182 changes the force-travel curve of the retaining pin 180.

[0055] Figures 13 to 15 Another alternative design of a retaining pin 190 is shown. The retaining pin 190 is a rotationally symmetric body and includes a central hole 191. A single projection 192 extends completely around the retaining pin 190. The single projection 192 has an arched outer profile.

[0056] Although the drawings show the retaining pin 160 adjacent to the pin contact 150 in the plug connector 100, it should be understood that the retaining pin 160 can equally be used adjacent to the receiving contact 250 in the socket connector 200.

[0057] For comparison, Figure 16 the retaining pin 160 adjacent directly to the pin contact 150 is shown. The axial length of the retaining pin 160 is significantly shorter than the axial length of the pin contact 150. The retaining pin 160 lacks a connecting portion 153 for connecting a wire. This makes the retaining pin 160 simpler and cheaper to manufacture than the pin contact 150. The diameter of the substantially cylindrical portion 165 of the retaining pin 160 corresponds to the diameter of the mating portion 151 of the pin contact 150. The maximum width mw of the projecting portion 164 of the retaining pin 160 is 10% to 20% and approximately 15% larger than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical portion 165.

[0058] The retaining pin 160 can be produced as a machined metal part, for example from a cylinder made of aluminium. The retaining pin 160 does not need to be conductive and can be made of plastic, for example in the form of an injection-moulded plastic part.

[0059] The retaining pin 160 can be arranged in the same space within the plug connector 100 that can be occupied by the pin contact 150. Alternatively, the retaining pin 160 can be arranged in the same space within the socket connector 200 that can be occupied by the receiving contact 250. More than one retaining pin 160 can be used in a given plug connector 100 or socket connector 200.

[0060] The use of retaining pins can be particularly advantageous in situations where existing connection systems must meet retention force requirements for which they were not originally designed. In such cases, if the connector can accommodate more pins than are required for a given application, the retaining pins can be used to retrofit the existing connector. In those cases, a method for assembling a plug connector can be used. The method includes: guiding a cable through a cable opening in the plug connector housing; connecting contacts to the wires of the cable; inserting the contacts into a contact insert; inserting the retaining pins into the contact insert; and securing the contact insert in the plug connector housing.

[0061] More than one type of retaining pin can be used to adjust an existing connector to a given pull-out force. In such cases, the method includes: selecting a retaining pin from a plurality of different retaining pins to selectively increase the pull-out force required to pull the plug connector out of the socket connector.

[0062] When the plug connector is plugged into the socket connector, the elastic deformation of the retaining pin affects the increase in pull-out force. Accordingly, the method includes elastically deforming the retaining pin while pushing the retaining pin through an opening in the socket contact insert of the socket connector.

[0063] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed or illustrated embodiments, but rather, the invention is intended to cover many other modifications, alternatives, variations, and broad equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A plug connector (100), comprising: a housing (110) having a cable opening (105) for receiving a cable with a plurality of wires; a contact insert (130); a plurality of contacts (150) arranged within the contact insert (130); and retaining pins (160, 180, 190) arranged within the contact insert, the retaining pins (160, 180, 190) having: a base (163), and a protrusion portion (161), wherein the protrusion portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is configured to engage the socket insert (230) of the socket connector (200) through a socket contact opening (235) when the plug connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200), and wherein the diameter of the protrusion portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) exceeds the diameter of the socket contact opening (235).

2. The plug connector (100) according to claim 1, Among them, wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is configured to elastically deform when the plug connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200) or removed from the socket connector (200).

3. The plug connector (100) according to claim 1, Among them, wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) generates a retaining force when the plug connector (100) is removed from the socket connector (200).

4. The plug connector (100) according to claim 1, Among them, wherein the base (163) of the retaining pin (160) includes a chamfered flange (162), and wherein the protrusion portion (161) includes: a protruding portion (164) arranged near the tip (166) of the retaining pin (160), and a generally cylindrical portion (165) arranged between the protruding portion (164) and the base (163).

5. The plug connector (100) according to claim 4, Among them, a groove (167) extends across the retaining pin (160) in the protruding portion (164).

6. The plug connector (100) according to claim 5, Among them, wherein the groove (167) extends from the tip (166) into the generally cylindrical portion (165), and wherein the length of the groove (167) is between 40% and 60% of the length of the retaining pin (160).

7. The plug connector (100) according to claim 5, Among them, wherein the groove (167) extends from the tip (166) into the generally cylindrical portion (165), and wherein the length of the groove (167) is between 60% and 85% of the length of the retaining pin (160).

8. The plug connector (100) according to claim 5, Among them, wherein the protruding portion (164) includes circumferentially spaced protrusions (170), and wherein the circumferentially spaced protrusions (181) are arranged on opposite sides of the groove (167).

9. The plug connector (100) according to claim 8, Among them, each of the circumferentially spaced protrusions (170, 181) includes: a forwardly inclined portion (171) that extends from a front end portion of the protrusion (170) near the tip (166) of the retaining pin (160) to a maximum diameter region (173) of the protrusion (170); and a rearwardly inclined portion (172) that extends from the maximum diameter region (173) of the protrusion (170) toward a rear end portion of the protrusion (170) near the generally cylindrical portion (165).

10. The plug connector (100) according to claim 9, Among them, wherein the forwardly inclined portion (171) is longer than the rearwardly inclined portion (172).

11. The plug connector (100) according to claim 9, Among them, wherein the forwardly inclined portion (171) and the rearwardly inclined portion (172) have a symmetric profile.

12. The plug connector (100) according to claim 9, Among them, wherein the protrusion (170) has a generally triangular profile.

13. The plug connector (100) according to claim 9, Among them, wherein the protrusion (181) has a generally arched profile.

14. The plug connector (100) according to claim 4, Among them, a central hole (191) extends along a longitudinal axis through the retaining pin (190).

15. A method for assembling a plug connector (100), the method comprising: guiding a cable through a cable opening (105) of a plug connector housing (110); connecting a contact (150) to a wire of the cable; inserting the contact (150) into a contact insert; inserting retaining pins (160, 180, 190) into the contact insert (130); and and fixing the contact insert (130) in the plug connector housing (110).

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: selecting the retaining pins (160, 180, 190) from a plurality of different retaining pins (160, 180, 190) to selectively increase the pulling force required to pull the plug connector (100) out of a socket connector (200).

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: plugging the plug connector (100) into a socket connector (200), Wherein, inserting the plug connector (100) into the socket connector (200) includes: elastically deforming the retaining pins (160, 180, 190) while pushing the retaining pins (160, 180, 190) through openings (235) of a socket contact insert (230) of the socket connector (200).

18. A plug connector (100), comprising: a housing (110) having a cable opening (105) for receiving a cable with a plurality of wires; a contact insert (130); a plurality of contacts (150) arranged within the contact insert (130); and retaining pins (160, 180, 190) arranged within the contact insert, the retaining pins (160, 180, 190) having: a base portion (163), and a protruding portion (161), wherein the protruding portion (161) of the retaining pins (160, 180, 190) is configured to engage the socket connector (200) when the plug connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200), and wherein the retaining pins (160, 180, 190) are arranged within the contact insert (130) in a space configured to accommodate one of the plurality of contacts (150), and wherein the retaining pins (160, 180, 190) are not electrically connected to any wires.

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