IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,562,517
Granted Patent B2
US 12,562,517 · App. 18/354,033 · Granted Feb 24, 2026

Plug-in terminal, plug connector and row of plug connectors

Inventors: Till Schmitz (Detmold, DE); Matthias Bönsch (Bielefeld, DE)
Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
H01R9/2491H01R4/48365H01R9/2416H01R12/515
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,562,517
App. No.
18/354,033
Granted
Feb 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A plug-in terminal for the connection of one or more conductor ends has a housing made of an electrically non-conductive material. The housing includes at least one insertion opening for a respective conductor end. Each insertion opening extends to a respective housing chamber containing a connection device to which an actuation device is assigned. Each actuation device actuates a contact limb of a contact spring of the connection device. The actuation device includes a pivoted lever configured to act on a sliding element with which the contact limb of the contact spring can be moved directly or indirectly. The pivoted lever and the contact limb rotate about the same or substantially the same axis of rotation.

Claims (16)

1 . A plug-in terminal for a connection of at least one conductor end, comprising

a housing made of an electrically non-conductive material and containing at least one insertion opening for a respective conductor end, each insertion opening being connected with a respective housing chamber, each housing chamber having a respective connection device and a respective actuation device, wherein said actuation device actuates a contact limb of a contact spring of said connection device, and wherein said actuation device includes a pivoted lever configured to act on a sliding element with which said contact limb of said contact spring can be moved, said pivoted lever and said contact limb rotating about a same axis of rotation.

2 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said contact spring is formed in a V-shape and said pivoted lever is pivotably borne on a pin of said housing, said pin being overlapped by said contact spring.

3 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said sliding element is locked in a sliding position in which said contact limb is held in an open position for introducing a conductor or said contact limb is locked in the open position for the introduction of a conductor, and further comprising a release device for releasing the locked sliding or open position.

4 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 3 , wherein said release device is actuated upon introduction of a conductor.

5 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said sliding element is displaceably guided in said housing and is pivotable to lock and to release the contact limb.

6 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said pivoted lever and said respective contact spring are arranged beside one another in said housing in parallel planes.

7 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said pivoted lever and said contact spring are arranged in a common plane.

8 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 7 , wherein said pivoted lever encompasses said contact spring in a U-shaped manner.

9 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 1 , wherein each insertion opening is arranged on an upper side of said housing.

10 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 1 , wherein each connection device comprises a spring-loaded direct plug contact.

11 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 10 , wherein said spring-loaded direct plug contact can be locked with said contact spring in an open position.

12 . The plug-in terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said pivoted lever has a lever arm which, at least in one position, extends from said housing.

13 . A plug connector comprising at least one plug-in terminal according to claim 1 and a plug-in contact for contacting a mating plug connector.

14 . A row of plug connectors comprising a plurality of plug connectors according to claim 13 .

15 . A row of plug-in terminal comprising a plurality of plug-in terminals according to claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2023
From: SCHMITZ, TILL; BÖNSCH, MATTHIAS
To: WEIDMÜLLER INTERFACE GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 064593/0937 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2022 118 020.4 · Jul 19, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240030628A1 · Jan 25, 2024
References Cited (3)
US 10014594B1 · Wu · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 11444392B2 · Tuerkekoele · 2022 [cited by examiner]
EP 0984513A2 · 1999 [cited by applicant]