Intelligent power management company Eaton today announced it will be displaying its line of power connectors and terminals for electrified and internal combustion construction and off-highway vehicles at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction trade show March 14-18 in Las Vegas.
The connectors were designed and developed by Royal Power Solutions (RPS), which Eaton acquired in 2022. Established in 1938, RPS is a global leader in the development and production of critical high-precision power- and signal-distribution terminals and connectors.
“The construction industry, like many others, is transitioning to electrification. Eaton’s global and diverse footprint has broadened our reach and ability to grow in this market,” said Chris Mancuso, general manager, Power Connections, Eaton’s eMobility business. “As the construction industry electrifies, the need for differentiating terminals and connectors evolves in parallel. We have seen a similar transition in the automotive market.”
Eaton’s portfolio of industry-leading electrical solutions includes terminals, connectors and other electrical components designed to handle current levels up to 500 amps. Among those components are stamped battery and eyelet terminals that can withstand vibration and harsh environments, making them ideal for commercial and off-highway vehicles.
High Power Lock Box connectors provide protection, superior performance
Eaton’s high power lock box (HPLB) power connectors are ideal for current and future electrified construction and off-highway vehicle solutions and can help reduce common warranty issues. The HPLB connectors offer a space-saving profile, superior performance, cost savings and reduced manufacturing complexity. The HPLB terminals provide efficiency, reliability and have stronger current carrying capabilities compared to terminals on the market today.
The HPLB terminal system forms a connection in a unique way that provides improved contact force as the temperature increases. Unlike traditional competitors’ box-and-blade or pin-and-socket terminal connections, Eaton’s HPLB terminals use an inverted contact system approach for a stronger connection.
Terminals designed for construction, aggregate industries
Part of the HPLB product line, the low-profile 12 (LP12), low-profile 16 (LP16) and round 14 (RD14) terminals are larger and designed for vehicles typically used in construction and agricultural fields. Able to carry up to 500 amps, the HPLB terminals allow global customers to simplify the manufacturing process and open new areas of opportunity for electrified off-highway vehicles.
Busbars feature low profile, flexibility to meet design requirements
Another technology now available to Eaton’s construction and off-highway vehicle customers is RigiFlex™ busbars, which can be manufactured in copper or aluminum, depending on customer requirements. With a unique, simple, single piece flow manufacturing process, Eaton can scale volume to meet any customer specification.
The RigiFlex™ busbar is rigid in some areas, but flexible in sections that require expansion, contraction or elevated changes in the system design. This flexibility also works well across the battery pack in areas that need to comply with expansion and contraction during charging and discharging cycles due to changing cell thicknesses.
Low-profile busbars enable space-efficient design without heat sinks for weight savings. Eaton also can produce busbars with a level of flatness over length unmatched by competitors.
“When off-highway equipment is assembled, it’s largely done manually since robots have difficulty handling round wires, which are hard for them to grasp,” Mancuso said. “When employing high power lock box terminals our Rigiflex™ busbars improve the assembly process, safety and time to complete the manufacturing process and with less equipment and fewer assembly personnel.”
Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and doing what’s best for our stakeholders and all of society.
