IP Library Granted Patent US 12,531,373
Granted Patent B2
US 12,531,373 · App. 18/074,599 · Granted Jan 20, 2026

Unlocking element and electrical plug-in provided therewith

Inventor: Stefan Fritsch (Übersaxen, AT)
Assignee: Neutrik AG
H01R13/633H01R13/6272H01R24/60
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,531,373
App. No.
18/074,599
Granted
Jan 20, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An unlocking element ( 17 ) for electrical plug-in connections, for acting on an elastically deflectable or displaceable locking arm ( 16 ) of a locking arrangement ( 16, 17 ). The unlocking element ( 17 ) has at least one actuating tab ( 21 ), configured to be touched by a user and is coated with or produced from electrically insulating plastic. The center point (Z) of the actuating tab ( 21 ) and a longitudinal center axis (L) of the connecting portion ( 18 ) of the unlocking element ( 17 ) are offset with respect to one another radially in relation to this longitudinal center axis (L). An electrical plug-in connector for producing an electrical plug-in connection with a complementary plug-in connector is provided with a locking arrangement ( 16, 17 ) for the complementary plug-in connector, with the unlocking element ( 17 ).

Claims (28)

1 . An electrical plug-in connector for producing an electrical plug-in connection with a complementary plug-in connector, the electrical plug connector comprising:

a housing including a first plug-in opening, into which the complementary plug-in connector is pluggable in a direction of a plug-in axis;

at least one contact carrier having at least one electrical contact element held in the contact carrier;

a locking arrangement for the complementary plug-in connector, the locking arrangement comprising at least one elastically deflectable or displaceable locking arm, each having at least one first locking structure which, in a fully plugged-in state of the complementary plug-in connector, couples into a second, complementary locking structure of the complementary plug-in connector;

at least one unlocking element that is manually displaceable from a passive position into an active position;

at least one actuating portion on the unlocking element which, in the active position, engages on the locking arm and keeps a locking structure of the locking arm out of engagement with the complementary locking structure; and

at least one unlocking surface on the locking arm, on which the actuating portion engages in the active position, the unlocking element is formed with an actuating tab that is configured to be touched by a user and is coated with or produced from electrically insulating plastic, wherein the plug-in connector is configured as a built-in plug socket, and a center point of the actuating tab is offset to a side with respect to a central plane, which is vertical in a built-in position, by an angle between 30° and 60°.

2 . The electrical plug-in connector according to claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal center axis of a connecting portion that extends from the actuating tab in a direction of the actuating portion is substantially in line with the center point of the actuating tab and is offset with respect to a central plane, which is vertical in the built-in position, by an angle between 30° and 60°.

3 . The electrical plug-in connector according to claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal center axis of a connecting portion that extends from the actuating tab in a direction of the actuating portion is arranged substantially in a region of the vertical central plane.

4 . The electrical plug-in connector according to claim 1 , wherein the unlocking surface of the locking arm is at least partially coated with or produced from electrically insulating plastic or the entire locking arm is coated with or produced from electrically insulating plastic.

5 . The electrical plug-in connector according to claim 1 , wherein the locking arrangement for the complementary plug-in connector is received in a recess in at least one of the housing or the at least one contact carrier.

6 . The electrical plug-in connector according to claim 1 , wherein the unlocking element is mounted in a recess of the contact carrier so as to be displaceable parallel to the plug-in axis.

7 . The electrical plug-in connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a second plug-in opening for a further plug-in connector arranged on an opposite side to the first plug-in opening.

8 . The electrical plug-in connector according to claim 7 , wherein further plug-in connector includes a further one of the locking arrangements.

9 . An electrical plug-in connector for producing an electrical plug-in connection with a complementary plug-in connector, the electrical plug connector comprising:

a housing including a first plug-in opening, into which the complementary plug-in connector is pluggable in a direction of a plug-in axis;

at least one contact carrier having at least one electrical contact element held in the contact carrier;

a locking arrangement for the complementary plug-in connector, the locking arrangement comprising at least one elastically deflectable or displaceable locking arm, each having at least one first locking structure which, in a fully plugged-in state of the complementary plug-in connector, couples into a second, complementary locking structure of the complementary plug-in connector;

at least one unlocking element that is manually displaceable from a passive position into an active position;

at least one actuating portion on the unlocking element which, in the active position, engages on the locking arm and keeps a locking structure of the locking arm out of engagement with the complementary locking structure; and

at least one unlocking surface on the locking arm, on which the actuating portion engages in the active position, the unlocking element is formed with an actuating tab that is configured to be touched by a user and is coated with or produced from electrically insulating plastic, wherein a longitudinal center axis of a connecting portion that extends from the actuating tab in a direction of the actuating portion is substantially in line with a center point of the actuating tab and is offset with respect to a central plane, which is vertical in a built-in position, by an angle between 30° and 60°.

10 . An electrical plug-in connector for producing an electrical plug-in connection with a complementary plug-in connector, the electrical plug connector comprising:

a housing including a first plug-in opening, into which the complementary plug-in connector is pluggable in a direction of a plug-in axis;

at least one contact carrier having at least one electrical contact element held in the contact carrier;

a locking arrangement for the complementary plug-in connector, the locking arrangement comprising at least one elastically deflectable or displaceable locking arm, each having at least one first locking structure which, in a fully plugged-in state of the complementary plug-in connector, couples into a second, complementary locking structure of the complementary plug-in connector;

at least one unlocking element that is manually displaceable from a passive position into an active position;

at least one actuating portion on the unlocking element which, in the active position, engages on the locking arm and keeps a locking structure of the locking arm out of engagement with the complementary locking structure; and

at least one unlocking surface on the locking arm, on which the actuating portion engages in the active position, the unlocking element is formed with an actuating tab that is configured to be touched by a user and is coated with or produced from electrically insulating plastic, wherein a longitudinal center axis of a connecting portion that extends from the actuating tab in a direction of the actuating portion is arranged substantially in a region of a vertical central plane.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2022
From: FRITSCH, STEFAN
To: NEUTRIK AG
Reel/Frame 061971/0562 →
Priority Claims (1)
AT A 50971/2021 · Dec 3, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230178936A1 · Jun 8, 2023
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