The Stuttgart-based Lapp Group demonstrated its
power for innovation with impressive e-mobility
solutions at the Hanover Fair. The big draw at the
stand was the Lorinser Easybrid®, a car that had been
converted into a hybrid vehicle by the Swabian tuning
specialist, without any alterations to the engine or the
gearbox. With this Easybrid®, the Lapp Group showcased
how easy refuelling would be in future with the LAPP
CHARGE system. The innovative charging system, which
was developed together with Bals Elektrotechnik GmbH
from North Rhine-Westphalia, did win over customers with
its ergonomic design and numerous safety features. The
design and colour scheme could be adapted to the
customer's needs, for instance by adding the manufacturer's
logo to the vehicle. LAPP CHARGE meets the VDE
standard, which was defined with input from several
renowned automotive manufacturers.
Lapp also displayed a range of charging variants that are
ready for series production. A spiral cable can also be used as
a connecting cable. This is halogen-free, flame-retardant,
oil-resistant and suitable for use in temperatures from -40°C
to +90°C. Those specifications make it perfect for use in
harsh conditions. Werner Becker, CEO of Lapp Systems,
part of the Lapp Group, said: "This kind of cable must
function reliably in all weather conditions. In addition, it
shouldn't be possible to drag it inadvertently across the
ground when recharging or to damage the vehicle with it.
That is why we are offering this charging system as a
bespoke solution and recommending the use of special,
flexible spiral cables."
The complete connector series comprises plugs and a
range of different flush-mounted socket designs. In the
future, additional contacts in the connectors will be used to
exchange data between the vehicle and the power supply.
In addition to products for the charging infrastructure,
Lapp also provides high-voltage cabling for the next
generation of vehicles. These high-voltage cables are used in
the vehicle interior and can be customized using different
connection technologies. Lapp also has its own patented
connection solution for use in this sector.
New industrial connector: The new EPIC® ULTRA
has a modern appearance and a high-quality, shiny
surface. This innovative new development in the field of
EPIC® industrial connectors was presented for the first
time at the stand of by the Stuttgart-based Lapp Group at
the Hanover Fair.
The rectangular connector housing is absolutely
scratch, impact and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal
for use in harsh conditions, e.g. on offshore wind turbines
and biogas power plants. When combined with the
SKINTOP® Brush screwed cable gland, the connector is
absolutely EMC-resistant, as the nickel-coated housing
forms an all-over metallic shell that functions like a
Faraday cage. This is especially important for the
transmission of sensitive BUS signals.
The new housing
combines a number
of advantages: the
SKINTOP ®
screwed cable gland
is built into the
shell, which
guarantees the best
possible sealing and
strain relief, and
also allows fast
assembly, as the
SKINTOP® does
not need to be
screwed in
separately. The lip
seal between the
hood and the
bottom part of the
housing is inset to
provide better protection against mechanical damage. The
seal in the panel mount base that connects to the wall seal is
also a built-in part of the housing. This prevents losses
while also making installation easier. In short, the new
housing protects the sheathed, shielded cables and the
connector even better than before.
The new EPIC® ULTRA is slightly smaller than the old
die-cast aluminium model and an even better fit, thanks to
the thinness of the die-cast zinc walls. This gives developers
and designers more room to play with, as the trend towards
increasingly smaller products is also prevalent in the
mechanical and plant engineering sectors. The clamping
brackets are made of high-resistance stainless steel.