Control Cabinet Connection Assembly for Shorter Robot Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cable routing in control cabinets for industrial robots is cumbersome, increasing the risk of electrical disturbances, occupying space, and complicating installation, while also leading to reduced signal quality and potential cable damage.
Innovation Solution
An electric connection assembly with a compact design featuring a base body, connector, and support structure, allowing for preassembled modular installation, reducing cable length and connection points, and enabling automated assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric cables are routed from a connector in a customer connection panel throughout the control cabinet across hinges of a cabinet door to the cabinet door, then customer connection points can be provided on the cabinet door, but the cabling becomes long which increases the risk of electrical disturbance and complicates installation
Solution Approach 1:
The electric connection assembly is segmented into a base body portion and a door portion that can be separately assembled. The connector is mounted on the base body while connection terminals are mounted on the door portion, allowing the assembly to be divided into manageable sections that reduce cabling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate electric cables are pre-assembled within the electric connection assembly before installation. The connector and connection terminals are pre-connected through intermediate cables inside the assembly, so that when the assembly is installed, the cabling is already prepared and organized, reducing installation complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electric cables are routed throughout the control cabinet to provide customer connection points on the cabinet door, then connection functionality is achieved, but the increased cabling occupies space inside the control cabinet and increases weight
Solution Approach 1:
The electric connection assembly merges the connector, intermediate cables, and connection terminals into a single integrated unit. By combining these elements that were previously distributed throughout the control cabinet into one compact assembly, the overall weight and space occupation are reduced while maintaining full connection functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electric cables are routed throughout the control cabinet with intermediate connection points, then connection functionality is provided, but each intermediate connection point decreases signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly segments the connection path into a direct internal connection between connector and connection terminals through intermediate cables housed within the base body. This segmentation eliminates the need for multiple intermediate connection points in the control cabinet, as all connections are established within the sealed assembly, thereby maintaining signal quality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electric cables are routed across hinges of a cabinet door, then connection points are provided on the door, but movements of the door risk to damage the electric cables
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate cables are pre-assembled and fixed within the base body of the electric connection assembly before installation. This preliminary assembly protects the cables from door movements, as the cables are secured inside the rigid base body structure rather than being routed externally across the door hinges.
5Ease of manufacture
If a traditional electric connection assembly with distributed components is used, then installation flexibility is provided, but the design becomes complex and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric connection assembly merges multiple components (base body, connector, support structure, connection terminals, and intermediate cables) into a single pre-assembled unit. This merging allows the entire assembly to be installed as one component, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining the flexibility of providing multiple connection points on the cabinet door.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric connection assembly (22) for a control cabinet (14), the electric connection assembly (22) comprising a base body (32) having an opening structure (38); an electric connector (34) for connection to a plurality of external electric cables (24), the connector (34) being connected to the base body (32) and aligned with the opening structure (38); and a support structure (36) comprising a rail (44) for supporting a plurality of electric connection terminals (52), the support structure (36) being connected to the base body (32) opposite to the connector (34). A control cabinet (14) for an industrial robot (12) comprising an electric connection assembly (22) is also provided. A robot system (10) comprising an industrial robot (12), a control cabinet (14) and a plurality of external electric cables (24) connected to the industrial robot (12) and to the connector (34) is also provided.