Connector system and industrial device

Abstract

A connector system (10) comprising a plurality of primary electric connectors (12); for each primary electric connector (12), a primary tactile identification feature (18) associated with the primary electric connector (12), each primary tactile identification feature (18) providing a unique sense of touch in relation to the remaining primary tactile identification features (18); and at least one secondary electric connector (20), each secondary electric connector (20) being compatible with each primary electric connector (12). The connector system (10) further comprises, for each secondary electric connector (20), a secondary tactile identification feature (24) associated with the secondary electric connector (20), each secondary tactile identification feature (24) providing the corresponding sense of touch as one of the primary tactile identification features (18). An industrial device (34) comprising a connector system (10) is also provided.

Description

[0001] CONNECTOR SYSTEM AND INDUSTRIAL DEVICE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to connector systems comprising electric connectors. In particular, a connector system comprising electric connectors including tactile identification features, and an industrial device comprising a connector system, are provided.

[0004] Background

[0005] Various types of connector systems comprising a plurality of sockets and a plurality of plugs are known. In some such connector systems, each plug is compatible with each socket despite that it is intended that each plug should be connected only to a particular socket. That is, there is a risk that a plug is connected to a wrong socket. In addition, in some such implementations, a number of pairs of a plug and a socket may be high and the sockets may be visually obstructed, for example by being hidden by cabling, by being arranged in narrow areas that are difficult to access, and / or due to poor lighting.

[0006] In order to prevent a plug from being connected to a wrong socket, physical codings may be used. That is, each plug may have a unique shape that only fits with a particular socket. However, such physical codings make production of the plugs and sockets more complicated and expensive.

[0007] As further examples, each pair of a plug and a socket may be provided with a unique text label or a unique color. However, text labels often have similar texts, such as "Xu" and "X12" and may be difficult to read due to poor eyesight. Color codings may not be perceived by color blind persons. In any case, none of these solutions prevents erroneous connections in visually obstructed areas. US 9831593 Bi discloses a system for identifying a network and a network node of a network jack. The system comprises a plurality of network jack assemblies and a plurality of jack network location identifiers. Each jack network location identifier includes an identification feature. The identification feature may be a three-dimensional formed element. Each network jack assembly comprises a plug body section for receiving a plug of a cable.

[0008] Summary

[0009] One object of the invention is to provide an improved connector system.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide an improved industrial device comprising a connector system.

[0011] These objects are achieved by the connector system according to appended claim 1 and the industrial device according to appended claim 15.

[0012] With the system in US 9831593 Bi, a regular user may experience difficulties in determining respective shapes of the three-dimensional formed elements by just touching them.

[0013] The invention is based on the realization that by providing unique tactile identification features associated with each of a plurality of primary electric connectors, and by providing corresponding tactile identification features associated with a plurality of secondary electric connectors indicating unequivocal connections between the electric connectors, a human user can compare the senses of touch provided by each of the tactile identification features and make reliable determinations of to which primary electric connector each secondary electric connector should be connected, despite the tactile identification features associated with the primary electric connectors being visually obstructed.

[0014] According to a first aspect, there is provided a connector system comprising a plurality of primary electric connectors; for each primary electric connector, a primary tactile identification feature associated with the primary electric connector, each primary tactile identification feature providing a unique sense of touch in relation to the remaining primary tactile identification features; and at least one secondary electric connector, each secondary electric connector being compatible with each primary electric connector. The connector system further comprises, for each secondary electric connector, a secondary tactile identification feature associated with the secondary electric connector, each secondary tactile identification feature providing the corresponding sense of touch as one of the primary tactile identification features.

[0015] Since the secondary tactile identification feature associated with a particular secondary electric connector provides the corresponding sense of touch as one, and only one, of the primary tactile identification features, the connector system provides a reliable indication to a human user as to which primary electric connector the particular secondary electric connector should be connected. Each primary tactile identification feature provides a unique tactile feedback or sense of touch. With tactile is meant as perceived by touch by a human. Thus, a user may touch a plurality of the tactile identification features of the connector system and feel the respective senses of touch. If the senses of touch match, the connectors should be connected. The user can therefore easily and reliably determine to which primary electric connector a particular secondary electric connector should be connected. A unique sense of touch can be provided for each primary tactile identification feature in several ways as described herein.

[0016] The connector system thus provides a reliable guidance for humans to correctly connect the connectors in visually obstructed areas. Due to this reliable guidance, the connector system can be implemented without necessarily using physical codings of the connectors to thereby reduce costs and complexity associated with production, storage, handling and installation of the connectors.

[0017] Since each secondary electric connector is compatible with each primary electric connector, each secondary electric connector can be connected to each primary electric connector, including a wrong primary electric connector. However, the connector system enables a user to determine, by touch only, to which primary electric connector a secondary electric connector should be connected. That is, the connector system enables blind mating by providing the respective senses of touch. The tactile identification features may however optionally be used as complements to already existing text labels.

[0018] A user may not necessarily have to be able to determine an identity of each primary electric connector based on the senses of touch provided by the primary tactile identification features associated therewith. Instead, it may be sufficient that the user is able to determine which primary electric connector has a primary tactile identification feature providing a corresponding sense of touch as a secondary tactile identification feature of a particular secondary electric connector. When the user detects that two tactile identification features provide corresponding senses of touch, the user can conclude that the associated secondary electric connector should be connected to the associated primary electric connector.

[0019] Each primary electric connector may comprise, or be constituted by a female connector, such as a socket, and each secondary electric connector may comprise, or be constituted by, a male connector, such as plug, or vice versa.

[0020] The connector system may comprise a plurality of secondary electric connectors. In these cases, each secondary tactile identification feature may provide a unique sense of touch in relation to the remaining one or more secondary tactile identification features. For example, a first primary tactile identification feature and a first secondary tactile identification feature may provide a same or corresponding first sense of touch, and a second primary tactile identification feature and a second secondary tactile identification feature may provide a same or corresponding second sense of touch, different from the first sense of touch. Each tactile identification feature may have a uniform character throughout an area of at least 0.05 cm2, such as at least 0.1 cm2, at least 0.25 cm2, at least 0.5 cm2, or at least 1 cm2. Each tactile identification feature may for example be uniformly textured throughout the area.

[0021] One, several or all of the tactile identification features may comprise a textured surface. Examples of textured surfaces comprise bumped surfaces and ribbed surfaces including linear parallel ribs and linear crossed ribs.

[0022] A depth of the textured surface may be at least 0.1 mm, such as at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.5 mm, or at least 1 mm. For a ribbed surface, the depth may be measured between a peak of a rib and a valley next to the rib. For example, in case the connector system comprises first tactile identification features each having a first textured surface with a depth of 1 mm associated with each of a first primary electric connector and a first secondary electric connector, second tactile identification features each having a second textured surface with a depth of 2 mm associated with each of a second primary electric connector and a second secondary electric connector, and third tactile identification features each having a third textured surface with a depth of 3 mm associated with each of a third primary electric connector and a third secondary electric connector, a user can sense that the senses of touch provided by the first tactile identification features are corresponding, and hence conclude that the first secondary electric connector should be connected with the first primary electric connector, without necessarily knowing whether the first tactile identification features are associated with the first primary and secondary electric connectors or with the second primary and secondary electric connectors.

[0023] Several or all of the tactile identification features may provide different frictional properties. Due to the different frictional properties, the tactile identification features can provide different senses of touch. Different frictional properties can for example be obtained by using a unique material for each tactile identification feature. A frictional property of a tactile identification feature may for example be a static friction coefficient or a kinetic friction coefficient between the tactile identification feature and a common reference material, such as human skin.

[0024] Several or all of the tactile identification features may have different thermal conductivities. Due to the different thermal conductivities, the tactile identification features can provide different senses of touch. Different thermal conductivities can for example be obtained by using a unique material for each tactile identification feature. Rubber may have a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.2 W / mK (Watt per milliKelvin) and aluminum may have a thermal conductivity of approximately 247 W / mK. A tactile identification feature made of rubber will therefore feel warmer to a human user than a tactile identification feature made of aluminum.

[0025] The connector system may comprise at least three primary electric connectors and at least three secondary electric connectors.

[0026] Each secondary electric connector may comprise a cable section and a housing connected to the cable section. The cable section may be constituted by a section of a cable or by a cable. In the latter case, the respective secondary tactile identification features may be arranged closer to the housing than to an end of the cable opposite to the housing. That is, regardless of being provided at the cable or at the housing, each second tactile identification feature may be provided adjacent to the housing.

[0027] The housings may have a same shape and size.

[0028] Several or all of the secondary tactile identification features may be attached to the cable section or to the housing of the respective secondary electric connector. This means that a prior art connector system can be upgraded by attaching the tactile identification features. Such upgrading can be made by a user after installation of the electric connectors, for example after connection of the primary electric connectors to respective primary electric devices and after connection of the secondary electric connectors to respective secondary electric devices. Such tactile identification features may for example have different textured surfaces, different frictional properties and / or different thermal conductivities.

[0029] The several or all secondary tactile identification features may be attached to the cable section or to the housing of the respective secondary electric connector by adhesion. For example, each tactile identification feature may be a sticker or a tape adhered to the cable section or to the housing. Such tactile identification features may for example have different textured surfaces, different frictional properties and / or different thermal conductivities.

[0030] Several or all of the secondary tactile identification features may be attached to the cable section or to the housing of the respective secondary electric connector by a snap-fit. The tactile identification features may for example be round clips, such as C-shaped clips, that are snap-fitted onto the respective housings. Such tactile identification features may for example have different textured surfaces, different frictional properties and / or different thermal conductivities.

[0031] Each secondary tactile identification feature may be provided by an insert positioned on the housing and by a cover molded over the insert. In this way, inserts of different shapes, such as including different textured surfaces, may be used to provide unique senses of touch. That is, for two such different tactile identification features, the housings may be of identic shape and the equipment and process for molding the cover may be the same. Such tactile identification features may for example have different textured surfaces.

[0032] According to a second aspect, there is provided an industrial device comprising the connector system according to the first aspect, two or more actuators and an electronic control system. In these cases, the control system may comprise the primary electric connectors, and each secondary electric connector may be electrically connected to a respective actuator. The industrial device may for example be an industrial robot, a positioner, a conveyor or a feeder. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0034] Fig. 1: schematically represents a side view of a connector system;

[0035] Fig. 2: schematically represents a partial perspective view of an electric connector prior to assembly;

[0036] Fig. 3: schematically represents a partial perspective view of the electric connector in Fig. 2 after assembly;

[0037] Fig. 4 to 8: schematically represent a side views of further connector systems;

[0038] Fig. 9: schematically represents a partial perspective view of an electric connector;

[0039] Fig. 10: schematically represents a side view of a housing for an electric connector;

[0040] Fig. 11: schematically represents a side view of the housing after provision of an insert;

[0041] Fig. 12: schematically represents a side view of the housing and the insert with a cover molded over;

[0042] Fig. 13: schematically represents a side view of an industrial device comprising a connector system;

[0043] Fig. 14: schematically represents a further view of the industrial device.

[0044] Detailed Description

[0045] In the following, a connector system comprising electric connectors including tactile identification features, and an industrial device comprising a connector system, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0046] Fig. 1 schematically represents a side view of a connector system 10a. The connector system 10a of this example comprises a first socket 12a and a second socket 12b. The sockets 12a and 12b are examples of primary electric connectors. Each socket 12a and 12b comprises a primary housing 14 and a cable 16 attached to the primary housing 14.

[0047] The first socket 12a comprises a first primary tactile identification feature 18a and the second socket 12b comprises a second primary tactile identification feature 18b. The primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b are here attached to the respective primary housings 14. In this example, the primary housings 14 have identic size and shape. Thus, except for the primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b, the sockets 12a and 12b are identic, which enables cost-efficient production.

[0048] The connector system 10a of this example further comprises a first plug 20a and a second plug 20b. The plugs 20a and 20b are examples of secondary electric connectors. Each plug 20a and 20b comprises a secondary housing 22 and a cable 16 attached to the secondary housing 22.

[0049] The first plug 20a comprises a first secondary tactile identification feature 24a and the second plug 20b comprises a second secondary tactile identification feature 24b. The secondary tactile identification features 24a and 24b are here attached to the respective secondary housings 22. In this example, the secondary housings 22 have identic size and shape. Thus, except for the secondary tactile identification features 24a and 24b, the plugs 20a and 20b are identic, which enables cost-efficient production.

[0050] The first plug 20a can be connected to each of the sockets 12a and 12b, and the second plug 20b can be connected to each of the sockets 12a and 12b. Although the plugs 20a and 20b and the sockets 12a and 12b are mutually compatible, it is intended that the first plug 20a is connected to the first socket 12a and that the second plug 20b is connected to the second socket 12b.

[0051] The first primary tactile identification feature 18a and the first secondary tactile identification feature 24a each provides a first sense of touch to a human user, and the second primary tactile identification feature 18b and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24b each provides a second sense of touch to the user, different from the first sense of touch. Each of the primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b thus provides a unique sense of touch in relation to the remaining primary tactile identification feature 18a or 18b. Moreover, each of the secondary tactile identification features 24a and 24b provides a unique sense of touch in relation to the remaining secondary tactile identification feature 24a or 24b, and a corresponding sense of touch as one of the primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b.

[0052] The user may touch the tactile identification features 18a, 18b, 24a and 24b, for example by contacting the tactile identification features 18a, 18b, 24a and 24b with one or more fingers, and feel and compare the respective senses of touch. When the user feels that the sense of touch provided by the first secondary tactile identification feature 24a corresponds to the sense of touch provided by the first primary tactile identification feature 18a, the user will understand that the first plug 20a should be connected to the first socket 12a, and not to the second socket 12b. To this end, the user does not necessarily have to determine an identity of the first socket 12a based on the sense of touch provided by the first primary tactile identification feature 18a. Instead, it is sufficient that the user determines that the sense of touch provided by the secondary tactile identification feature 24a corresponds to the sense of touch provided by the first primary tactile identification feature 18a, and not to the sense of touch provided by the second primary tactile identification feature 18b. Conversely, when the user feels that the sense of touch provided by the second secondary tactile identification feature 24b corresponds to the sense of touch provided by the second primary tactile identification feature 18b, the user will understand that the second plug 20b should be connected to the second socket 12b, and not to the first socket 12a. The connector system 10a thus enables blind mating of the first plug 20a to the first socket 12a and of the second plug 20b to the second socket 12b.

[0053] In this example, each of the first primary tactile identification feature 18a and the first secondary tactile identification feature 24a is a first type of textured surface, and each of the second primary tactile identification feature 18b and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24b is a second type of textured surface, different from the first type. The first type of textured surface here comprises longitudinal ribs and the second type of textured surface here comprises crossed ribs. A depth of the textured surfaces is at least 1 mm. Since the first and second types of textured surfaces comprise different patterns, the respective depths of the textured surfaces may be the same in this example. Alternatively, the first and second types of textured surfaces may, in addition to different patterns, also differ from each other by having respective textured surfaces of different depths.

[0054] For each of the primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b, and each of the secondary tactile identification features 24a and 24b, the respective textured surface is provided uniformly throughout an area of more than 1 cm2. In Fig. 1, the housings 14 and 22 are cylindrical and each textured surface encloses the respective housings 14 and 22, e.g., angularly by at least 180 degrees.

[0055] Fig. 2 schematically represents a partial perspective view of the first plug 20a prior to assembly. The secondary housing 22 comprises a circumferential groove 26. The first secondary tactile identification feature 24a is here exemplified as a flexible C-clip comprising the textured surface and having a width of at least 0.5 cm.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 3, the first secondary tactile identification feature 24a is snap-fitted into the groove 26 to thereby attach the first secondary tactile identification feature 24a to the secondary housing 22. The first secondary tactile identification feature 24a is thus an addon to the secondary housing 22. The second secondary tactile identification feature 24b and the primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b may be attached to the secondary housing 22 of the second plug 20b and to the primary housings 14 of the sockets 12a and 12b, respectively, in the same manner. Fig. 4 schematically represents a side view of a further connector system lob. Mainly differences with respect to Fig. 1 will be described. The connector system lob comprises the first plug 20a, but not the second plug 20b. The connector system lob further comprises a panel 28. The sockets 12a and 12b are here provided in the panel 28. The primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b are here attached to the panel 28 by adhesive. The primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b may thus be stickers. The first primary tactile identification feature 18a is provided next to the first socket 12a and is thereby associated with the first socket 12a. The second primary tactile identification feature 18b is provided next to the second socket 12b and is thereby associated with the second socket 12b. In this illustrating example, the first socket 12a may be connected to a first network and the second socket 12b may be connected to a second network, where only the first network is accessible to the user.

[0057] Fig. 5 schematically represents a side view of a further connector system 10c. In the connector system 10c, the plugs 20a and 20b comprise a common cable 16. Thus, each of the plugs 20a and 20b may be said to comprise a cable section of the cable 16. The connector system 10c comprises a first panel 28a including the first socket 12a and the first primary tactile identification feature 18a associated therewith, and a second panel 28b including the second socket 12b and the second primary tactile identification feature 18b associated therewith. The first primary tactile identification feature 18a and the first secondary tactile identification feature 24a provide a clear indication that the first plug 20a should be connected to the first socket 12a. The second primary tactile identification feature 18b and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24b provide a clear indication that the second plug 20b should be connected to the second socket 12b.

[0058] Fig. 6 schematically represents a side view of a further connector system tod. The connector system tod comprises the sockets 12a and 12b, the primary tactile identification features 18a and 18b associated therewith, the plugs 20a and 20b, and the secondary tactile identification features 24a and 24b associated therewith. The connector system lod of this example further comprises a third socket 12c and a third primary tactile identification feature 18c associated therewith. The sockets I2a-i2c are provided in the panel 28 and the primary tactile identification features i8a-i8c are attached to the panel 28 by adhesive. One, several or all of the sockets I2a-i2c may also be referred to with reference numeral "12".

[0059] The connector system lod of this example further comprises a third plug 20c. The third plug 20c comprises a third secondary tactile identification feature 24c, here attached to the secondary housings 22 thereof, e.g., by snap-fit. The secondary housings 22 of the plugs 2oa-2oc have identic size and shape.

[0060] In this example, each of the third primary tactile identification feature 18c and the third secondary tactile identification feature 24a is a third type of textured surface, different from the each of the first and second types of textured surfaces. The third type of textured surface here comprises a bumped surface. A depth thereof, e.g., between top of bumps and a surface between the bumps, is at least 1 mm.

[0061] Fig. 7 schematically represents a side view of a further connector system toe. The connector system toe differs from the connector system tod by comprising further different types of tactile identification features. The connector system toe comprises a first primary tactile identification feature i8d associated with the first socket 12a, a second primary tactile identification feature i8e associated with the second socket 12b and a third primary tactile identification feature i8f associated with the third socket 12c. The first plug 20a comprises a first secondary tactile identification feature 24d, the second plug 20b comprises a second secondary tactile identification feature 24c and the third plug 20c comprises a third secondary tactile identification feature 24k

[0062] The first primary tactile identification feature i8d and the first secondary tactile identification feature 24d each has a first type of frictional property, the second primary tactile identification feature i8e and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24e each has a second type of frictional property, different from the first type of frictional property, and the third primary tactile identification feature i8f and the third secondary tactile identification feature 24f each has a third type of frictional property, different from each of the first and second types of frictional properties. The different frictional properties may for example be obtained by selecting different materials for the first, second and third tactile identification features i8d-i8f and 24d-24f. One specific and non-limiting example of such different materials include Teflon ®, steel and rubber. Due to the different frictional properties, the first, second and third tactile identification features provide different senses of touch to a human. For example, the first primary tactile identification feature i8d and the first secondary tactile identification feature 24d may feel more slippery by human touch than the second primary tactile identification feature i8e and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24e, and the second primary tactile identification feature i8e and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24e may feel more slippery by human touch than the third primary tactile identification feature i8f and the third secondary tactile identification feature 24b

[0063] Fig. 8 schematically represents a side view of a further connector system tof. The connector system tof differs from the connector system toe by comprising further different types of tactile identification features. The connector system tof comprises a first primary tactile identification feature 18g associated with the first socket 12a, a second primary tactile identification feature i8h associated with the second socket 12b and a third primary tactile identification feature i8i associated with the third socket 12c. The first plug 20a comprises a first secondary tactile identification feature 24g, the second plug 20b comprises a second secondary tactile identification feature 24b and the third plug 20c comprises a third secondary tactile identification feature 24i.

[0064] The first primary tactile identification feature 18g and the first secondary tactile identification feature 24g each has a first thermal conductivity, the second primary tactile identification feature i8h and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24I1 each has a second thermal conductivity, different from the first thermal conductivity, and the third primary tactile identification feature i8i and the third secondary tactile identification feature 24! each has a third thermal conductivity, different from each of the first and second thermal conductivities. The different thermal conductivities may for example be obtained by selecting different materials for the first, second and third tactile identification features i8g-i8i and 24g-24i. One specific and non-limiting example of such different materials include rubber, carbon steel and aluminium. Due to the different thermal conductivities, the first, second and third tactile identification features provide different senses of touch to a human. For example, the first primary tactile identification feature 18g and the first secondary tactile identification feature 24g, e.g., of rubber, may feel warmer to a human than the second primary tactile identification feature i8h and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24b, e.g., of carbon steel, and the second primary tactile identification feature i8h and the second secondary tactile identification feature 24I1 may feel warmer to a human than the third primary tactile identification feature i8i and the third secondary tactile identification feature 24!, e.g., of aluminium.

[0065] One, several or all of the connector systems toa-iof may also be referred to with reference numeral "10". One, several or all of the primary tactile identification features i8a-i8i may also be referred to with reference numeral "18".

[0066] Fig. 9 schematically represents a partial perspective view of a plug 2od. In Fig. 9, the secondary housing 22 of the plug 2od is omitted. As shown, the plug 2od comprises a secondary tactile identification feature 24j. The secondary tactile identification feature 24j is here adhesively attached to the cable 16. The secondary tactile identification feature 24j comprises a textured surface, here a plurality of parallel ribs, regularly provided throughout an area of more than 0.5 cm2. The secondary tactile identification feature 24j may alternatively provide a unique frictional property and / or a unique thermal property in relation to the remaining secondary tactile identification features. One, several or all of the secondary tactile identification features 24a-24j may also be referred to with reference numeral "24".

[0067] Fig. 10 schematically represents a side view of the secondary housing 22. In Fig. 11, an insert 30 is provided in the groove 26. The insert 30 comprises a textured surface, here exemplified as a bumped surface. The insert 30 may for example be made of metal or plastic.

[0068] In Fig. 12, a cover 32 has been molded over the secondary housing 22 and over the insert 30 to provide a further example of a plug 2oe. Although potentially being less pronounced, by providing a relatively thin cover 32, the cover 32 will also exhibit a textured surface, corresponding to the textured surface of the insert 30, that provides a unique sense of touch to a human. One, several or all of the plugs 2oa-2oe may also be referred to with reference numeral "20".

[0069] Fig. 13 schematically represents a side view of an industrial robot 34. The industrial robot 34 is one example of an industrial device. The industrial robot 34 comprises a connector system 10. Fig. 13 also shows a human user 36.

[0070] The industrial robot 34 of this specific and non-limiting example comprises an electronic control system 38 and a manipulator 40 including a base 42, first to sixth links 44a-44f, first to sixth joints 46a-46f and an end effector 48.

[0071] Fig. 14 schematically represents a further view of the industrial robot 34. In this example, the connector system 10 comprises six sockets 12, a unique primary tactile identification feature 18 associated with each socket 12, six plugs 20 and a unique secondary tactile identification feature 24 associated with each plug 20, here attached to the respective plug 20.

[0072] In Fig. 14, the manipulator 40 is schematically represented. The industrial robot 34 of this example comprises a cabinet 50, shown in perspective view in Fig. 14. The control system 38 is here provided inside of the cabinet 50. The manipulator 40 comprises first to sixth actuators 52a-52f, such as electric motors, each for driving a respective joint 46a-46f. Each plug 20 is electrically connected to a respective actuator 52a-52f.

[0073] The cabinet 50 of this example comprises a bottom surface 54 facing generally downwards. The panel 28 including the sockets 12 and the respectively associated primary tactile identification features 18 is provided on the bottom surface 54. Each socket 12 is electrically connected to the control system 38. In order for the industrial robot 34 to function, each plug 20 must be electrically connected to a correct socket 12.

[0074] In some situations, it may be desired to replace the cabinet 49 with another identical cabinet 49, for example due to an error. During such replacement, the industrial robot 34 cannot operate. Such downtime of the industrial robot 34 may be critical, in particular in large production plants where an overall production flow is dependent on the particular industrial robot 34. After disconnection and removal of the old cabinet 49 and when the new cabinet 49 has been brought into position, e.g., next to the manipulator 40, the user 36 has to manually connect the plugs 20 to the sockets 12 in a correct manner. Considering the downtime of the industrial robot 34, such operation may be very stressful and the connections have to be made correctly. The sockets 12 may for example be standardized connectors, such as M8 connectors or M12 connectors. Without any coding, it may be very challenging to connect the plugs 20 to the correct sockets 12 when there are a high number of sockets 12 tightly arranged in a narrow and visually obstructed area. The respective senses of touch provided by the tactile identification features 18 and 24 are in this scenario very advantageous to assist the user 36 to connect each plug 20 to a correct socket 12.

[0075] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connector system (io) comprising:- a plurality of primary electric connectors (12);- for each primary electric connector (12), a primary tactile identification feature (18) associated with the primary electric connector (12), each primary tactile identification feature (18) providing a unique sense of touch in relation to the remaining primary tactile identification features (18); and- at least one secondary electric connector (20), each secondary electric connector (20) being compatible with each primary electric connector (12); characterized in that the connector system (10) further comprises, for each secondary electric connector (20), a secondary tactile identification feature (24) associated with the secondary electric connector (20), each secondary tactile identification feature (24) providing the corresponding sense of touch as one of the primary tactile identification features (18).

2. The connector system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the connector system (10) comprises a plurality of secondary electric connectors (20), and wherein each secondary tactile identification feature (24) provides a unique sense of touch in relation to the one or more remaining secondary tactile identification features (24).

3. The connector system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each tactile identification feature (18, 24) has a uniform character throughout an area of at least 0.05 cm2, such as at least 0.1 cm2, at least 0.25 cm2, at least 0.5 cm2, or at least 1 cm2.

4. The connector system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one, several or all of the tactile identification features (18, 24) comprise a textured surface.

5. The connector system (io) according to claim 4, wherein a depth of the textured surface is at least 0.1 mm, such as at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.5 mm, or at least 1 mm.

6. The connector system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein several or all of the tactile identification features (18, 24) provide different frictional properties.

7. The connector system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein several or all of the tactile identification features (18, 24) have different thermal conductivities.

8. The connector system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector system (10) comprises at least three primary electric connectors (12) and at least three secondary electric connectors (20).

9. The connector system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each secondary electric connector (20) comprises a cable section (16) and a housing (22) connected to the cable section (16).

10. The connector system (10) according to claim 9, wherein the connector system (10) comprises a plurality of secondary electric connectors (20), and all the housings (22) have the same shape and size.

11. The connector system (10) according to claim 10, wherein several or all of the secondary tactile identification features (24) are attached to the cable section (16) or to the housing (22) of the respective secondary electric connector (20).

12. The connector system (10) according to claim 11, wherein the several or all secondary tactile identification features (24) are attached to the cable section (16) or to the housing (22) of the respective secondary electric connector (20) by adhesion.13- The connector system (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein several or all of the secondary tactile identification features (24) are attached to the cable section (16) or to the housing (22) of the respective secondary electric connector (20) by a snap-fit.

14. The connector system (10) according to claim 9, wherein each secondary tactile identification feature (24) is provided by an insert (30) positioned on the housing (22) and by a cover (32) molded over the insert (30).

15. An industrial device (34) comprising the connector system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, two or more actuators (52a- 52f) and an electronic control system (38), wherein the control system (38) comprises the primary electric connectors (12), and wherein each secondary electric connector (20) is electrically connected to a respective actuator (52a-52f).

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