# US 10,873,155 B2 · Plug connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,873,155 B2 - Document ID: US10873155B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/304,028 - Filed: 2017-06-08 - Published: 2020-10-08 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-10 - Assignees: Harting Electronics GmbH - Applicants: HARTING Electronics GmbH - Inventors: Sergej Haemmerling - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873155B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/6277: {comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove} - H01R 13/635: by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force - H01R 13/639: Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, {e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap} - H01R 24/86: Parallel contacts arranged about a common axis - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A plug connector has a main body, an actuating element, and a contact carrier accommodated in the main body. By pulling on the actuating element against the plugging direction of the plug connector, a locking connection to a mating plug connector can be released and the plug connector can be removed from the mating plug connector. The spring strength of locking arms that enable the locking connection to a mating plug connector can be adjusted by the actuating element. As a result of a spring strength reduced in such a way, the locking connection can be released. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plug connector, having a base body with at least one side formed as a plug face, an actuator, which can be displaced along the base body, at least one latching arm and a contact carrier arranged in the base body, wherein the latching arm is flexibly formed and can execute a pivotal movement, and wherein the latching arm has a free end, which is aligned toward that side of the plug connector which is formed as a plug face, wherein at least one spring arm is formed on the plug connector, and wherein the spring arm abuts against the latching arm and is connected to the actuator, wherein a pivotal movement leading radially outwardly away from the center of the plug connector can be executed by the latching arm, wherein the spring arm abuts and touches against the latching arm along its entire length during this pivotal movement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a latching hook having a latching flank and an insertion chamber is formed at the free end of the latching arm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The plug connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spring arm abuts against the latching arm on the side of the latching arm which is remote from the latching hook. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring arm abuts against the latching arm in the region of the free end of the latching arm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The plug connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the spring arm is configured to be moved out of the region of the free end of the latching arm using the actuator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to assume a first, locking position and a second, unlocking position, wherein, in the first, locked position, the spring arm connected to the actuator abuts against the free arm further toward the free end than in the second, unlocked position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The plug connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the spring force of the latching arm is weaker in the second, unlocked position of the actuator than with the abutting spring arm in the first, locked position of the actuator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The plug connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plug connector has a spring, which is arranged between the actuator and the base body, wherein the spring is configured to exert a force on the actuator and forces it into the first, locked position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The plug connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spring arm abuts against the latching arm in the region of the free end of the latching arm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The plug connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spring arm is configured to be moved out of the region of the free end of the latching arm by the actuator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The plug connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the spring arm abuts against the latching arm in the region of the free end of the latching arm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The plug connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein the spring arm is configured to be moved out of the region of the free end of the latching arm by the actuator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The plug connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plug connector has a spring, which is arranged between the actuator and the base body, wherein the spring is configured to exert a force on the actuator and forces it into the first, locked position.