Angled Side-Mounted Connector Assembly for Arc Process Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Arc process components, such as power supplies, face issues with cable vulnerability to impacts and trip hazards due to cables extending beyond the component's footprint, and the positioning of connectors limits cooling and human machine interface (HMI) space, creating inefficiencies and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with sockets angled between zero and 60 degrees is integrated into a side panel of the component's housing, allowing cables to be supported and protected while minimizing the component's footprint, reducing the distance to internal components, and maximizing air cooling and HMI space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If connectors are positioned on the front or back panel of the housing, then cable connection is simplified, but cables extend beyond the component footprint creating trip hazards and vulnerability to impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is positioned on the side panel of the housing rather than on the front or back panel, changing the spatial dimension of cable entry. This side-mounted configuration allows cables to enter from the side and remain within the component footprint, eliminating trip hazards and vulnerability to impacts from falling objects or accidental kicks.
2Device complexity
If connectors are positioned on the same panel as air inlet/outlet and HMI, then all connections are consolidated, but it limits the size of cooling inlet/outlet and HMI
Solution Approach 1:
The housing panels are segmented with different functional assignments: the front panel contains the HMI and air outlet, the rear panel contains the air inlet, and the side panel contains the connector assembly. This segmentation allows each panel to be optimized for its specific function without spatial conflicts, enabling full-size cooling inlets/outlets and HMI while maintaining connector consolidation.
3Device complexity
If connectors are positioned on the same panel as air inlet/outlet and HMI, then all connections are consolidated, but it increases the distance to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning the connector assembly on the side panel places it adjacent to internal components such as the power supply, control board, and cooling fan that are typically arranged in the side-to-back direction of the housing. This side-mounted configuration reduces the internal connection path length compared to front or back panel mounting, minimizing the distance between connectors and internal components.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly disposed on a side of a housing of an arc process component is disclosed. The connector assembly includes one or more sockets, each socket having a socket axis angled with respect to the side of the housing of the arc process component. An angle between socket axis and the housing may be between zero and 90 degrees. The connector assembly is configured to conduct at least one of a control signal, a process current, a gas, a weld wire, and a cooling fluid.