Harting’s Han-Yellock connector: Thinking outside the (rectangular, gray) box

Harting’s Han-Yellock connector: Thinking outside the (rectangular, gray) box

For years, industrial connectors have maintained the same basic rectangular shape. These bulky connectors have latching levers that were often damaged or compromised by environmental hazards. Even after significant improvements in the power and coding of industrial machinery, the connector design stayed the same.

It didn’t take long for the design team at Harting to notice that they were receiving a continuous stream of customer feedback calling for ways to increase functionality, lower applied costs, and (not surprisingly) to cover up their current connectors. The team knew it was time for a better — and better looking — connector. With a broad range of industrial markets and applications to consider, including mining, petrochemical and automotive, the new connectors would need to be versatile, rugged and easier to install.

The Han-Yellock design team. (From left to right: Frank Quast, Nicole Spilker, Lars Lange, Friedrich Struckmeier, Harald Möller and Martin Schmidt. (Not pictured are Dieter Riepe and Silke Hollert.

Harting’s initial idea for the Han-Yellock was to create a new connector series that would offer improved assembly features, implement a new wiring topology to reduce overall space requirements for both the connector and control cabinet, and to reduce the total cost of ownership for the customer. With all these requirements in mind, the team came up with three potential design options, eventually settling on what would become the current product. They were also inspired to create an internal locking system that functions similarly to a seat belt locking mechanism.

In April 2010, after roughly two years of intensive design and development, the Han-Yellock series was launched at the Hanover Fair in Germany, where it was received with award-winning fanfare. But, last year’s launch is not the end of Han-Yellock’s story: The Harting team is looking to continuously improve and develop the products, and there are plans for additional versions, sizes, termination options, and insert types in the future.

Christina D’Airo