# US 12,763,530 B2 · Panel adapter for mounting an electric connector to a panel as well as adapter assembly and connection set with such a panel adapter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,763,530 B2 - Document ID: US12763530B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/451,422 - Filed: 2023-08-17 - Published: 2024-02-22 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-08-18 - Assignees: TE Connectivity Italia Distribution S.r.l. - Applicants: TE Connectivity Italia Distribution S.r.l. - Inventors: Fulvio Amerio; Demis Spincich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12763530B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/748: {using one or more screws (H01R13/746 takes precedence)} - B60L 53/16: Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles - H01R 2201/26: for vehicles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES ## Abstract A panel adapter configured or adapted to mount an electric connector to a panel includes a frame element, a fastening element and a guide structure. The frame element defines at least one frame opening adapted to at least partially receive the electric connector in an insertion direction, and a bearing surface surrounding the frame opening. The fastening element is adapted to fasten the frame element to a cutout of the panel. The guide structure slidably guides a slider element along the bearing surface in a translation direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A panel adapter adapted to mount an electric connector to a panel, comprising: a frame element, having: at least one frame opening adapted to at least partially receive the electric connector in an insertion direction; and a bearing surface surrounding the frame opening; at least one fastening element adapted to fasten the frame element to a cutout of the panel; and at least one guide structure adapted to slidably guide a slider element along the bearing surface in a translation direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The panel adapter according to claim 1, wherein the frame opening extends through the frame element in the insertion direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The panel adapter according to claim 2, wherein the guide structure is located on the bearing surface and the translation direction extends transversely to the insertion direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The panel adapter according to claim 1, wherein the guide structure comprises at least one slide surface at least one of spaced apart from or facing towards the bearing surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The panel adapter according to claim 1, wherein the guide structure is monolithically connected with the frame element. ### Claim 6 An adapter assembly, comprising: a panel adapter adapted to mount an electric connector to a panel, including: a frame element, having: at least one frame opening adapted to at least partially receive the electric connector in an insertion direction; and a bearing surface surrounding the frame opening; at least one fastening element adapted to fasten the frame element to a cutout of the panel; and at least one guide structure; and a slider element guided by the guide structure to slide along the bearing surface in a translation direction between a release position and a securing position, the slider element in the securing position is closer to the frame opening than in the release position. ### Claim 7 The adapter assembly according to 6, wherein the slider element and the panel adapter form a linear plain bearing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The adapter assembly according to claim 7, wherein the slider element and guide structure engage in a form—fit acting in the insertion direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The adapter assembly according to claim 6, wherein the slider element is at least partly located between the guide structure and the bearing surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The adapter assembly according to claim 6, further comprising at least one latching element for fixing the slider element in at least one of the release position, the securing position, or an intermediate position between the release position and the securing position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The adapter assembly according to claim 10, wherein the at least one latching element includes at least two latching elements spaced apart from each other. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The adapter assembly according to claim 11, wherein the at least two latching elements are located on at least one of the guide structure or on the bearing surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The adapter assembly according to claim 6, wherein the slider element covers at least a first section of the frame opening in the securing position and uncovers the first section in the release position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The adapter assembly according to claim 6, wherein the slider element includes at least one lock section that overlaps with the frame opening in the insertion direction when the slider element is in the securing position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The adapter assembly according to claim 14, wherein at least one of: the slider element includes two lock sections; or the panel adapter includes two guide structures that are arranged opposite of each other with respect to the frame opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 6) The adapter assembly according to claim 6, wherein the slider element is U—shaped in a cross—section parallel to the bearing surface. ### Claim 17 A connection system, comprising: an adapter assembly, comprising: a panel adapter for mounting an electric connector to a panel, including: a frame element, having: at least one frame opening adapted to at least partially receive the electric connector in an insertion direction; and a bearing surface surrounding the frame opening; at least one fastening element adapted to fasten the frame element to a cutout of the panel; and at least one guide structure; and a slider element guided by the guide structure to slide along the bearing surface in a translation direction between a release position and a securing position, the slider element in the securing position is closer to the frame opening than in the release position; and the electric connector at least partially inserted into the frame opening in the insertion direction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The connection system according to claim 17, wherein the electric connector includes at least one recess at least partially receiving the slider element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The connection system according to claim 18, wherein the at least one recess extends transversely to the insertion direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The connection system according to claim 19, wherein: in the securing position, the slider element is received at least partially in the at least one recess of the electric connector; the electric connector defines a flange spaced apart from the at least one recess; and the electric connector includes a seal ring located between the flange and the at least one recess.