# US 9,004,955 B2 · Electrical plug-in connector element and plug-in connector part comprising a plurality of plug-in connector elements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,004,955 B2 - Document ID: US9004955B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/261,453 - Filed: 2011-04-13 - Published: 2013-02-07 - Granted: 2015-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2010-04-14 - Assignees: Pfisterer Kontaktsyteme GmbH - Applicants: Erich Frank - Inventors: Erich Frank - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9004955B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/112: {forked sockets having two legs} - H01R 13/14: Resiliently-mounted rigid sockets - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A plug-in connector element (10) has at least two contact plates (72, 74) formed by shaped electrically conductive sheet metal strips. Each contact plate has a connection portion (76) for the electrical connection of the plug-in connector element (10) to an electrical line (6), a contact portion (82) for a detachable electrical connection of the plug-in connector element (10) to an associated connecting element, and a compensating portion (80) arranged between the connection portion (76) and the contact portion (82) for a resilient deflection of the contact portion (82) with respect to the connection portion (76). The connection portion (76), the compensating portion (80) and the contact portion (82) are integrally formed from the sheet metal strips (72, 74). A plug-in connector part has a plurality of plug-in connector elements. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plug-in connector element, comprising: parallel first and second contact plates formed of shaped, electrically conductive sheet metal strips; each of said contact plates having a connecting portion for electrical connection to a single electric line only, a contact portion for detachable electrical connection to a single mating plug-in connecting element and a compensating portion between said connecting portion and said contact portion; each said compensating portion being resiliently deflectable for resilient deflecting of the respective contact portion relative to the respective connecting portion; said connecting portion, said compensating portion and said contact portion of each said contact plate being formed in one, unitary piece from the respective sheet metal strip; and a sleeve-shaped connecting element surrounding said connecting portions fixing said contact plates in position relative to one another in an initial state of said contact plates. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector element according to claim 1 wherein the single electric line is connected by a crimped connection of said contact plates by said connecting element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A plug-in connector element according to claim 2 wherein said sleeve-shaped connecting element extends beyond a region of said crimped connection. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A plug-in connector element according to claim 2 wherein said sleeve-shaped connecting element comprises a support element absorbing forces occurring when the electric line is connected to said contact plates such that the forces are kept away from said contact portions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector element according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said contact plates in said compensating portion thereof has a reduced bending stiffness. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector element according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said contact plates in said compensating portion thereof is bent in a meander shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector element according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said contact plates comprises a stop in said compensating portion thereof limiting deflection of the respective contact portion relative to the respective connecting portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector element according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said contact plates comprises a cross-sectional shape in said contact portion thereof differing from a cross-sectional shape of one contact element of the mating connecting element and having one of a V-shape and a U-shape to form two electrical line contacts with the mating connecting element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector element according to claim 1 wherein said contact plates comprise plug-in receivers in said contact portions thereof for a contact element of the mating connecting element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A plug-in connector element according to claim 1 wherein a separate spring biases said contact plates in a direction of direct contact-making contact with the mating connecting element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A plug-in connector element according to claim 10 wherein said separate spring comprises a ring-shaped portion limiting maximum widening of said contact plates and comprises at least one spring arm projecting from said ring-shaped portion and applying a contact force. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A plug-in connector element according to claim 10 wherein said separate spring comprises a guide received and guided in a recess between said contact plates to clip said separate spring onto said contact plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A plug-in connector element according to claim 10 wherein at least one of said contact plates comprises a stop located on a transition portion from said contact portion to said compensating portion thereof for said separate spring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A plug-in connector element according to claim 10 wherein at least one of said contact plates comprises a plate latch interacting and latching with a spring latch of said separate spring. ### Claim 15 A plug-in connector part, comprising: a plurality of identical plug-in connector elements located in a common housing, each of said connector elements including, parallel first and second contact plates formed of shaped, electrically conductive sheet metal strips; each of said contact plates having a connecting portion for electrical connection to a single electric line only, a contact portion for detachable electrical connection to a single mating plug-in connecting element and a compensating portion between said connecting portion and said contact portion; each said compensating portion being resiliently deflectable for resilient deflecting of the respective contact portion relative to the respective connecting portion; said connecting portion, said compensating portion and said contact portion of each said contact plate being formed in one, unitary piece from the respective sheet metal strip; and a sleeve-shaped connecting element surrounding said connecting portions fixing said contact plates in position relative to one another in an initial state of said contact plates.