Docking connector for adapting to an opening of an electrical switching cabinet
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HARTING ELECTRIC STIFTUNG & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure DE2026100003_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG
[0002] Title: Docking connector for adapting to an opening in an electrical control cabinet
[0003] Technical field
[0004] The present invention is based on a docking connector that is used to fit into an opening of an electrical control cabinet.
[0005] State of the art
[0006] Cabinets (such as electrical control cabinets) used in the energy or communications sector typically contain drawers. To implement power or communication connections, one or more connectors are attached to an outer surface of a drawer's front end panel, allowing for quick connection or disconnection of the circuit board inside the drawer to / from the cabinet's circuitry.
[0007] In certain specific application scenarios, however, a connector must be installed on a drawer side panel. Since the space between the drawer side panel and a cabinet side panel is narrow, the connector must be sufficiently small in width and easy to install in this confined space. Additionally, some cabinet panels and drawer side panels have multiple openings of varying sizes, necessitating the design of a suitable docking connector to accommodate the dimensions of these openings.
[0008] Summary of the invention
[0009] Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a docking connector for fitting into an opening of an electrical control cabinet. This docking connector is characterized by its small width, ease of quick disassembly and smooth movement, suitability for narrow spaces within an electrical control cabinet, suitability for openings in drawer side panels and fixed panels of electrical control cabinets, and the ability to simultaneously transmit electrical and communication signals. Additionally, in its working position, this docking connector can achieve a relative travel of 35 mm, thereby allowing for greater installation tolerances of the drawer and the electrical control cabinet. Furthermore, the X-axis and Y-axis also benefit from greater installation tolerances.The docking connector can be installed through the gap between the drawer and the fixed panel, saving time on cabinet (dis)assembly and increasing maintenance and installation efficiency.
[0010] The object of the present invention is achieved by a docking connector used for fitting into an opening of an electrical control cabinet, wherein the docking connector comprises a socket, a plug, and a drawer frame, the drawer frame being installed in an opening in a side wall of a drawer, and the socket being installed in an opening in a fixed panel of the electrical control cabinet, wherein the docking connector has an unpaired position, a test position, and a working position, wherein the docking connector provides a relative path between the drawer frame and the socket when it is in the working position. That is, in the test position, there is no relative path between the socket and the drawer frame, and in the working position, there is a relative path between the socket and the drawer frame. That is, the socket is stationary, and the drawer frame moves.
[0011] The relative travel can reach 35 mm. Of course, in other embodiments, the relative travel can also be a different numerical value. Additionally, the docking connector can have a float tolerance of 34.5 ± 1.5 mm in the X direction and a float tolerance of 36.0 ± 3.0 mm in the Y direction, resulting in smooth movement.
[0012] In one embodiment, the plug is installed in the drawer frame; in the unpaired position, the socket and plug are not connected; in the test position and the working position, the socket and plug are connected, wherein in the working position the drawer frame is able to move by the relative path relative to the socket and plug that are connected.
[0013] In one embodiment, the connector comprises a connector insulator, wherein the connector insulator includes a first receiving area for receiving a connector module, a second receiving area for receiving another contact, and a guide plate adjacent to the second receiving area, each narrow side of the second receiving area of the connector insulator having a transverse rib. The connector module is a Domino module or a crimp module. Preferably, a higher voltage or current application can also be achieved by reducing the number of contacts in the module or by using a further special arrangement or combination.
[0014] In one embodiment, the drawer frame comprises a projecting installation area for installation in the opening of the drawer's side wall, the installation area being designed to conform to the dimensions of the opening, and a receiving area for receiving the plug, the installation area having a clamping spring for clamping the drawer frame to the drawer's side wall; the receiving area has a back plate adjacent to the installation area, a pair of L-shaped ribs integrated with the back plate and arranged opposite each other, a bottom plate perpendicular to a lower end of the back plate, and a pair of extensions extending parallel to the L-shaped ribs from the bottom plate and arranged opposite each other, the extensions each having a hook at their end end and a projection spaced apart from the hook.Preferably, the cantilever is spaced apart from the L-shaped rib. The expression "designed to fit the dimensions of this opening" means that, with reference to the dimensions of the opening, it is designed so that the installation area fits the opening and can be inserted into it.
[0015] In one embodiment, when the plug is installed on the drawer frame, two narrow sides of the guide plate are each inserted into guide slots formed by the back plate and the L-shaped ribs, and the transverse rib causes the corresponding cantilever to tilt until this transverse rib is clamped between the hook and the projection, thereby fixing the plug in the drawer frame, wherein preferably a width of the guide slot is greater than a thickness of the guide plate, allowing the guide plate to have a floating tolerance in an X-axis direction; a distance between the guide slots is greater than a width of the guide plate, allowing the guide plate to have a floating tolerance in a Y-axis direction.
[0016] In one embodiment, the socket comprises a socket insulator, the socket insulator comprising a projecting installation area for installation in an opening of the fixed plate, the installation area being designed to conform to the dimensions of the opening; a first receiving area for receiving a socket module; and a second receiving area for receiving another contact, each narrow side of the first receiving area having a retaining portion for positively engaging a locking spring, and each narrow side of the second receiving area having a projecting block. The socket module can be a Domino module or a crimp module. In one embodiment, the locking spring comprises a fixed end and a free end, the free end having a hook, and the fixed end being held firmly in a retaining portion of the socket.
[0017] In one embodiment, when the socket and plug are mated, the first receiving area and the second receiving area of the socket insulator are each aligned with the first receiving area and the second receiving area of the plug insulator, and a locking hook of a free end of the locking spring is locked in a locking part located on each narrow side of the first receiving area of the plug insulator, such that the locking spring provides sufficient holding force so that when pushing or pulling the drawer frame causes the docking connector to move from the test position to the working position or from the working position to the test position, the connection between the mated socket and plug can be maintained; that is, the mated plug and socket cannot be disconnected, and thus a power failure is prevented.Preferably, a socket module in the first receiving area of the socket and a plug module in the first receiving area of the plug are connected together, such that contacts in the modules are connected to transmit an electrical signal and / or a communication signal. A contact in the second receiving area of the socket module is connected to a contact in the second receiving area of the plug module.
[0018] Preferably, after the plug connection is completed, the protruding block of the socket abuts the hook of the drawer frame.
[0019] In one embodiment, the relative path in the working position is limited by the coordination of the protruding block and the hook, and the coordination of the guide plate and the base plate. In a preferred embodiment, in the test position, the protruding block abuts the hook of the corresponding extension arm; in the working position, the protruding block supports the corresponding extension arm, so that the drawer frame moves relative to the socket and plug that are connected, until the base plate abuts the guide plate.
[0020] In one embodiment, the unpaired position, the test position, and the working position of the docking connector are created by pushing or pulling the drawer.
[0021] In one embodiment, the docking connector has a relative travel of 35 mm.
[0022] In one embodiment, a first receiving area of a plug and a first receiving area of a socket are designed to have corresponding chamfers that have a deviation correction effect when the socket and plug interact, leading to correct cooperation between the socket and plug and meeting requirements for the number of (un)plugging operations, for example at least 500.
[0023] Brief description of the drawings: Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. The drawings include:
[0024] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional drawing of an application state of a docking connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the docking connector is installed between a side wall of a drawer and a side wall of an electrical control cabinet;
[0025] Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional drawing of the docking connector of Fig. 1;
[0026] Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional drawing of a bushing in Fig. 3, designed to receive a bushing domino module;
[0027] Fig. 5 shows an installation view of a plug and a drawer frame in Fig. 3;
[0028] Fig. 6 shows a three-dimensional drawing of the plug from Fig.
[0029] 3, which is designed to accommodate a plug-in domino module;
[0030] Fig. 7 shows a top view of the plug from Fig. 6;
[0031] Fig. 8 shows a three-dimensional drawing of the drawer frame in Fig. 3;
[0032] Fig. 9 shows a top view of the drawer frame of Fig. 8 and a three-dimensional drawing of a clamping spring;
[0033] Fig. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a docking connector;
[0034] Fig. 11 shows a top view of an application state of a docking connector according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] Fig. 12 shows an exploded view of Fig. 11;
[0036] Fig. 13 shows a three-dimensional drawing of a bushing of Fig.
[0037] 12, which is designed to accommodate a socket crimping module; and
[0038] Fig. 14 shows a three-dimensional drawing of a plug of Fig.
[0039] 12, which is designed to accommodate a connector crimp module.
[0040] The figures contain partially simplified schematic drawings. In certain situations, the same reference number is used for the same, but possibly not identical, element. Different views of the same element may have different scales. Special embodiments
[0041] Figures 1 and 2 each show a three-dimensional drawing and an exploded view of an application state of a docking connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The docking connector 100 is installed between a side wall 1 of a drawer and a fixed panel 5 of an electrical control cabinet. The side wall 1 of the drawer has an opening 11, and the fixed panel 5 has an opening 51. As shown in Figure 3, the docking connector 100 comprises a socket 2, a plug 3, and a drawer frame 4. As shown in Figure 1, part of the drawer frame 4 is installed in the opening 11 of the side wall 1 of the drawer, and part of the socket 2 is installed in the opening 51 of the fixed panel 5. The socket 2 and the plug 3 can be installed through the gap between the drawer and the fixed panel 5, thus saving time for cabinet (dis)assembly and increasing maintenance and installation efficiency.
[0042] The following is a detailed description of various components and component connection relationships of the docking connector 100 according to embodiments of the present invention, with reference to Figs. 3 to 9.
[0043] Fig. 3 shows a docking connector 100 in a test position, with a socket 2 and a plug 3 connected together, and the plug 3 installed in a drawer frame 4.
[0044] Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional drawing of a socket 2. This socket 2 comprises a socket insulator 21. The socket insulator 21 includes a projecting installation area 22, which is used for installation in an opening 51 of a fixed plate 5 and is designed to conform to the dimensions of this opening. This installation area 22 is rectangular overall, and its narrow sides have two recesses 221 and a projection 222 located between the two recesses. Its upper surface has a slot 223 to conform to a contour of the opening 51 in order to secure the installation area 22 in the opening 51. Preferably, another narrow side and a bottom surface, not shown in Fig. 4, also have corresponding structures.The socket insulator 21 further comprises a first receiving area 23 for receiving a socket module 29 (a socket domino module that can accommodate two different modules in the space reserved by a conventional module, thereby saving up to 50% of the installation space) and a second receiving area 24 for receiving another contact. Preferably, the second receiving area is smaller than the first receiving area. The first receiving area 23 is rectangular and hollow, and an insertion slot therein is used to receive two modules, one module being used to receive a contact and the other module being used to insert a standard RJ45 cable harness. Each narrow side of the first receiving area 23 has a retaining element 231 for positively engaging a locking spring 25. This retaining element 231 has an L-shaped cross-section to positively engage an L-shaped fixed end 252 of the locking spring 25.A locking hook 251 at the free end of the locking spring 25 can move back and forth in an X-axis direction. The second receiving area 24 has a receiving part for receiving a contact, and each narrow side of this has a projecting block 241. A chamfer, a vertical flat surface, and an inclined surface are provided sequentially in a Z-axis direction.
[0045] Figures 6 and 7 show a three-dimensional drawing and a top view of a connector 3. The connector 3 comprises a connector insulator 31. The connector insulator 31 includes a first receiving area 32 for receiving a connector module 39 (see Figure 5) and a second receiving area 33 for receiving another contact, and a guide plate 34 adjacent to the second receiving area. The first receiving area 32 is rectangular and hollow, and an insertion slot therein receives two modules, one module being used to receive a contact and the other module being used to insert a standard RJ45 cable harness. Each narrow side of this first receiving area 32 has a clamping element 321. This clamping element 321 has an L-shaped cross-section to lock with the locking hook 251 of the locking spring 25.The second receiving area 32 has a receiving part used to receive a contact, and each narrow side of this part has a transverse rib 331. A guide plate 34 is designed as a thin rectangular plate, and two sides of this guide plate project outwards relative to the transverse ribs. Preferably, the second receiving area is smaller than the first receiving area.
[0046] Figures 8 and 9 show a three-dimensional drawing and a top view of a drawer frame 4. The drawer frame 4 includes a projecting installation area 41, which is used for installation in an opening 11 of a drawer side wall 1 and is designed to fit the dimensions of this opening. A recess for receiving a clamping spring 47 is provided in the center of this installation area 41. The bottom of this recess has two parallel retaining ribs 411 to hold a retaining leg 471 of the clamping spring 47 between them. After the installation area of the drawer frame is inserted into the opening of the drawer side wall, a clamping leg 472 of the clamping spring 47 is clamped against a side wall of the drawer to clamp the drawer frame to this side wall, allowing the drawer frame to move with the drawer.The drawer frame 4 further comprises a receiving area 42 for receiving a plug 3. The receiving area 42 has a back plate 43 adjacent to the installation area 41, a pair of L-shaped ribs 44 integrated with the back plate and arranged opposite each other, a base plate 46 perpendicular to a lower end of the back plate, and a pair of extensions 45 extending parallel to the L-shaped ribs from the base plate and arranged opposite each other. The back plate 43 and the L-shaped ribs 44 form guide slots 48. The base plate 46 forms one endpoint of the guide slot 48. The extension 45 is preferably designed to be spaced apart from the L-shaped rib 44. The boom 45 is formed in one piece on the base plate 46, and one end end, i.e. a free end, of the boom has a hook 451 and a projection 452 spaced apart from the hook.The hook has a chamfered inclined surface, a vertical flat surface, and a horizontal flat surface successively opposite a Z-direction. A horizontal surface of the projection 452, forming an angle, is spaced a certain distance from a horizontal surface of the hook 151, and this distance corresponds to a width of the transverse rib 331.
[0047] Now, an assembly process for the connector 3 and the drawer frame 4 is described. When the connector 3 is installed on the drawer frame 4, as shown in Fig. 5, two narrow sides of the guide plate 34 are inserted into the guide slots 48. The width of one guide slot 48 is greater than the thickness of the guide plate, and the distance between two guide slots 48 is greater than the width of the guide plate, allowing the guide plate to move smoothly within the guide slots. Simultaneously, the transverse rib 331 causes the corresponding extension 45 to shift until this transverse rib is clamped between the hook 151 and the projection 452, thus securing the connector in the drawer frame. At this point, the socket and plug are not yet mated, and the docking connector is in an unmated position.
[0048] A plug connection process for a plug 3 and a socket 2 is now described. When a socket 2 is plugged into a plug 3, a first receiving area 23 and a second receiving area 24 of a socket insulator 21 are each aligned with a first receiving area 32 and a second receiving area 33 of a plug insulator 31, such that modules inserted therein are plugged in, and contacts inserted therein are plugged in.Simultaneously, a locking hook 251 of a locking spring 25 is locked to a locking part 321 of the first receiving area 32 of the plug insulator 31, so that the locking spring provides sufficient holding force to maintain a connection between the socket and the plug when the docking connector moves from a test position to a working position or from the working position to the test position by pushing or pulling the drawer frame. In other words, the plug does not move with the drawer frame. After the connection is made, as shown in Fig. 3, a projecting block 241 of the socket insulator 21 abuts a hook 451 of a cantilever 45; specifically, a chamfer of the projecting block 241 abuts a chamfered inclined surface of the hook 451. At this point, the docking connector is in the test position.
[0049] Fig. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a docking connector and includes, from left to right: an unpaired position, a test position, and a working position. In the unpaired position, the socket and plug are not connected. In the test position, the socket and plug are connected. In the working position, as the drawer is pushed further, a drawer frame 4 moves along a side wall 1 of the drawer in a Z-direction, and a projecting block 241 supports a cantilever 45; that is, the movement of a chamfered inclined surface of a hook 451 along a chamfer of the projecting block 241 gradually supports the cantilever 45. The drawer frame 4 moves relative to the socket 2 and plug 3, which are connected; in other words, the socket 2 and plug 3 are stationary.When a base plate 46 abuts the lower end of a guide plate 34, the movement of the drawer frame stops, and a movement distance / relative path d of this can reach 35 mm. Of course, the relative path can also be designed to have a different numerical value according to a specific application scenario.
[0050] Figures 11 and 12 show a top view and an exploded view of an application state of a docking connector 100' according to another embodiment of the present invention. A drawer side wall 1' is approximately U-shaped, and a bottom wall of the U-shape has an opening 1T used for installing a drawer frame 4 of the docking connector 100', and a side wall of the [ / -shape has a projecting tongue 12'. A fixed plate 5' of an electrical control cabinet is L-shaped, with one side wall having an opening 51' used for installing a socket 2 of a docking connector 100', and another side wall having a slot 52'. During installation, the tongue 12' is inserted into the slot 52' to guide the drawer side wall 1' to move within the fixed plate 5'. The structure of this docking connector 100' is approximately the same as that of the docking connector 100.The main difference between the two lies in the modules they accommodate. The 100' docking connector is used to accommodate a crimp module, i.e., a socket module 29' and a plug module 39' (see Fig. 13 and Fig. 14).
[0051] Although various aspects or features of the present invention are shown in combination in the drawings, a person skilled in the art will clearly understand that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only feasible combinations unless otherwise stated. In particular, corresponding units or features can be interchanged as a whole in different embodiments. Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG
[0052] Title: Mating connector for installation in openings in electrical control cabinets
[0053] Reference symbol list
[0054] 100, 100' Docking connector
[0055] I, T drawer side panel
[0056] II, 11' Opening
[0057] 2 sockets
[0058] 21 socket insulator
[0059] 22 Installation area
[0060] 23 first recording area
[0061] 24 second recording area
[0062] 25 Locking spring
[0063] 251 locking hooks
[0064] 252 fixed end
[0065] 221 recess
[0066] 222 lead
[0067] 223 slots
[0068] 231 Holding part
[0069] 241 preceding block
[0070] 29, 29' socket module
[0071] 3 plugs
[0072] 31 Plug insulator
[0073] 32 first recording area
[0074] 33 second recording area
[0075] 34 Guide plate 321 Locking part 331 Transverse rib
[0076] 39, 39' Plug module
[0077] 4 drawer frames 41 installation area 42 recording area 43 back panel
[0078] 44 L-shaped rib 45 cantilever
[0079] 46 Base plate
[0080] 47 Clamping spring
[0081] 411 retaining rib
[0082] 451 hooks
[0083] 452 lead
[0084] 471 Support leg
[0085] 472 Clamp leg
[0086] 48 guide slots
[0087] 5.5' fixed plate 51.51' opening
[0088] 52' slot
[0089] 12' tongue
Claims
Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Docking connector for adapting to an opening in an electrical control cabinet Claims 1. Docking connector used for fitting into an opening of an electrical control cabinet, characterized in that the docking connector (100, 100') comprises a socket (2), a plug (3) and a drawer frame (4), wherein the drawer frame (4) is installed in an opening (11, 1 T) of a side wall (1, 1') of a drawer, and the socket (2) is installed in an opening (51, 51') of a fixed plate (5, 5') of the electrical control cabinet, wherein the docking connector (100, 100') has an unpaired position, a test position and a working position, wherein the docking connector (100, 100') provides a relative path (d) between the drawer frame (4) and the socket (2) when it is in the working position.
2. Docking connector according to claim 1, wherein the plug (3) is installed in the drawer frame (4); in the unpaired position, the socket (2) and the plug (3) are not connected; in the test position and the working position, the socket (2) and the plug (3) are connected, wherein in the working position the drawer frame (4) is able to move by the relative path (d) relative to the socket (2) and the plug (3) that are connected.
3. Docking connector according to claim 2, wherein the plug (3) comprises a plug insulator (31), the plug insulator comprising a first receiving area (32) for receiving a plug module (39, 39'), a second receiving area (33) for receiving another contact and a guide plate (34) adjacent to the second receiving area, wherein each narrow side of the second receiving area (33) of the plug insulator (31) has a transverse rib (331).
4. Docking connector according to claim 3, wherein the drawer frame (4) comprises a projecting installation area (41) for installation in the opening (11, 11') of the side wall (1, 1') of the drawer, wherein the installation area is designed to be adapted to the dimensions of the opening, and a receiving area (42) for receiving the plug (3), wherein the installation area (41) has a clamping spring (47) for clamping the drawer frame (4) to the side wall (1, 1') of the drawer;The receiving area (42) has a back plate (43) adjacent to the installation area (41), a pair of L-shaped ribs (44) integrated with the back plate and arranged opposite each other, a base plate (46) perpendicular to a lower end of the back plate, and a pair of outriggers (45) extending parallel to the L-shaped ribs from the base plate and arranged opposite each other, the outriggers (45) each having a hook (451) at their end end and a projection (452) spaced apart from the hook.
5. Docking connector according to claim 4, wherein, when the plug (3) is installed on the drawer frame (4), two narrow sides of the guide plate (34) are each inserted into guide slots (48) formed by the back plate (43) and the L-shaped ribs (44), and the transverse rib (331) causes the corresponding cantilever (45) to tilt until the transverse rib is clamped between the hook (451) and the projection (452), thereby fixing the plug (3) in the drawer frame (4), wherein preferably a width of the guide slot (48) is designed to have a tolerance relative to a thickness of the guide plate (34), and a distance between the guide slots (48) has a tolerance relative to a width of the guide plate (34).
6. Docking connector according to claim 5, wherein the socket (2) comprises a socket insulator (21), the socket insulator comprising a projecting installation area (22) for installation in an opening (51, 5T) of the fixed plate (5, 5'), the installation area being designed to be adapted to the dimensions of the opening; a first receiving area (23) for receiving a socket module (29, 29') and a second receiving area (24) for receiving another contact, each narrow side of the first receiving area (23) having a retaining part (231) for positively retaining a locking spring (25), each narrow side of the second receiving area (24) having a projecting block (241).
7. Docking connector according to claim 6, wherein, when the socket (2) and the plug (3) are mated together, the first receiving area (23) and the second receiving area (24) of the socket insulator (21) are each aligned with the first receiving area (32) and the second receiving area (33) of the plug insulator (31), and a locking hook (251) of a free end of the locking spring (25) is locked in a locking part (321) located on each narrow side of the first receiving area (32) of the plug insulator (31), such that the locking spring (25) provides sufficient holding force so that, when pushing or pulling the drawer frame causes the docking connector to move from the test position to the working position or from the working position to the test position, the connection of the socket and plug, which are mated, can be maintained. 8.Docking connector according to claim 7, wherein the relative path (d) in the working position is limited by the coordination of the protruding block (241) and the hook (451) and the coordination of the guide plate (34) and the base plate (46).
9. Docking connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unpaired position, the test position and the working position of the docking connector (100, 100') are produced by pushing or pulling the drawer.
10. Docking connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the docking connector has a relative path (d) of 35 mm.