HK1112370B - Optical data transmission cable plug connection with fakra housing - Google Patents

Description

Data transmission cable with FAKRA shell

Technical Field

The invention relates to a data transmission cable for a motor vehicle, at least at one end of which a plastic housing is arranged, said housing having mechanical dimensions in its interface region which comply with the FAKRA standardization scheme according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular for SMB connections.

Background

US 2003/0176104 a1 discloses a coaxial connector having a FAKRA standardized protocol conforming to SMB connections (FAKRA ═FachkreisAPlastic housing of utomobiltechnik (automatic Technical group). A plastic housing for securing and protecting the connector is installed and is pre-positioned for another connector to which the plastic housing is attached. The housing also has a mechanical coding, only two housings that fit into each other can be inserted together.

It is also known that such plastic housings for coaxial connectors can be used as FAKRA housings, which are used in data transmission cables in automotive technology. These data transmission cables are, for example, coaxial cables or similar cables based on electrical conductors. The mechanical dimensions of FAKRA housings of this type in the interface region, i.e. in the axial part of the housing that mates with a complementary plug, are specified in DIN standard 72594-1, 10 months 2004, in order to establish a mechanical connection between the two plastic housings. In DIN Standard 72594-1 above, entitled "Road Vehicles-50 Ohmradio frequency interface (50RFI) -Part 1: the teachings of Dimensions and electrical requirements "specify that the plugs and couplers of the interface, in a road vehicle, have an impedance of 50 Ω (50 Ω -RFI) of the radio frequency device, may ensure communication with the vehicle. It dictates size and circuit requirements and properties and ensures their interchangeability. All well-known automobile manufacturers use this standard in their production. The content of the standard is specified by the motor vehicle standards committee (FAKRA).

The motor vehicle standards committee (FAKRA) in DIN represents a regional, national and international interest in automotive industry standards. The matter filed by FAKRA covers all standards drawn on the compatibility, interchangeability and safety of road vehicles according to DIN 70010 (excluding rural tractors), whether these are equipped with internal combustion engines, electric motors or hybrid drives. FAKRA also specifies standards for the bodies of these road vehicles (excluding municipal, fire and emergency vehicles). It is also responsible for the standardization of all the equipment in the above-mentioned vehicles and bodies, as well as the standardization of freight containers (ISO containers). Standardization may promote rationalization and quality assurance in vehicle manufacturing, as well as environmental affordability. It also contributes to the current state of the art in terms of technology and science with regard to increasing vehicle and traffic safety, which is advantageous for manufacturers and users.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a data transmission cable of the above-mentioned type which is related to data transmission and at the same time reduces production costs.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a data transmission cable of the above-mentioned type, the characteristics of which are specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the other claims.

In a data transmission cable of the above-mentioned type, according to the present invention, there is provided an optical waveguide in which a fixing member configured to fix a light imaging element and to connect the light imaging element to the optical waveguide is installed in a plastic housing.

For example, in the automotive industry, it is advantageous that the optical waveguide connector is inexpensive to produce and can withstand the thermal and mechanical loads that occur in motor vehicles in general. At the same time, data transmission using light waves enables a considerable reduction in the sensitivity to external electromagnetic radiation interference (EMC) since the transmission of data is no longer by means of radio-frequency electromagnetic waves propagating along the conductors, as in conventional data transmission cables, but by means of light propagation, i.e. electromagnetic waves in a completely different frequency range.

Advantageously, the light imaging element is an optical lens.

The fixing element is thus arranged in the plastic housing in such a way that, in the state in which the plastic housing is inserted into the complementary plastic housing, there is a predetermined axial spacing between the fixed light-imaging element and the light-imaging element in the complementary plastic housing, which makes it possible to effectively avoid mechanical tensions or stresses when the two plastic housings are inserted together, thus ensuring at the same time a good optical coupling.

In order to optimize the relative orientation of the two light imaging elements in the two plastic housings inserted into one another, a coupling sleeve is also provided, which is arranged and configured in such a way that it guides the two light imaging elements in the two plastic housings inserted into one another axially into an aperture. In order to have an axial fixation in the plastic housing, the coupling sleeve has means for cooperating with the main safety means of the plastic housing.

In order to axially secure the optical waveguide in the plastic housing, a mount comprising means for cooperating with the primary security device in the plastic housing, and an arrangement of light imaging elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the fixture and/or the light imaging member are made of polycarbonate.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the light imaging element and the fixture are integrally formed, in particular as an injection molded component made from a single material.

For example, the plastic housing is a plug or coupling.

In a preferred embodiment, the plastic housing has mechanical Dimensions in its interface region selected to conform to DIN Standard 72594-1:2004-10, "Road Vehicles-50Ohm radio frequency interface (50 Ω -RFI) -Part 1: Dimensions and comparative requirements," Section "3. Dimensions and coding," files 1-3.

Preferably, in its interface region, the plastic housing has mechanically coded mechanical Dimensions selected to conform to DIN Standard 72594-1:2004-10, "Road Vehicles-50Ohm radio frequency interface (50 Ω -RFI) -Part 1: Dimensions and electrical requirements," Section "3. Dimensions and coding," files 4-5.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a data transmission cable, having a FAKRA housing in the form of a plug,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a data transmission cable having a FAKRA jacket in the form of a coupling member, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the plug of figure 1 and the coupling of figure 2 being plugged together.

Detailed Description

The data transmission cable 10 shown in fig. 1 is configured as an optical waveguide and has at one end a connector in the form of a plug 12 having a FAKRA plug housing 14. The FAKRA plug housing 14 is configured as a plastic housing and has radial projections 16 and detents 18 at its interface region 30. The radial projections 16 are configured in such a way that their width in the peripheral direction and their height in the radial direction are partially different.

The data transmission cable 20 shown in fig. 2 is also configured as an optical waveguide and has a connector at one end in the form of a coupler 22 having a FAKRA coupler housing 24. The FAKRA coupler housing 24 is configured as a plastic housing and has radial recesses 26 and detents 28 at its interface region 32. The recesses 26 are arranged and configured in such a way that, over their width in the circumferential direction and their depth in the radial direction, they each match the radial projection 16 of a FAKRA plug housing 14, so that only this FAKRA plug housing 14 can be inserted into the FAKRA coupler housing 24 in a specific position in the radial direction only. This case represents a mechanical coding. Additionally, the detent mechanism 28 is arranged and configured such that, in a predetermined insertion position, the detent hook 18 of the FAKRA plug housing 14 enters the detent mechanism 28 of the FAKRA coupler housing 24, thereby locking the detent mechanism 28 to the detent hook 18 and providing a mechanical lock that prevents axial separation of the plug 12 from the coupler 22.

Here, the term "interface region" refers to the axial portion of the FAKRA housing 14 or 24 that mates with a complementary FAKRA housing 24 or 14 in order to establish a mechanical connection between the plug and the coupler. In the FAKRA plug housing 14, this interface region is configured as a cylindrical portion 30 which has an outwardly radially projecting portion. In the FAKRA coupler housing 24, this interface region is configured as an axial bore 32 in which the radial recess 26 is formed. The inner diameter of axial bore 32 of FAKRA coupler housing 24 and the outer diameter of cylindrical portion 30 of FAKRA plug housing 14 are selected such that cylindrical portion 30 of FAKRA plug housing 14 is adapted for insertion into axial bore 32 of FAKRA coupler housing 24.

Both the FAKRA plug housing 14 and the FAKRA coupler housing 24 are configured with a primary safety device 34 (FIG. 3) in accordance with the FAKRA standard (DIN 72594-1: 2004-10). This primary security device 34 functions to secure the relevant components of the connector which are arranged within the housing 14 or 24 to prevent their axial movement relative to the housing and also to prevent their rotation relative to the housing 14 or 24 when required.

Fig. 3 illustrates a state in which the plug 12 and the coupler 22 are inserted into each other. Fig. 3 also illustrates that each of the data transmission cables 10 and 20 is connected to a light imaging element 42 in the form of a lens by a fixing member 40. The securing member 40 is configured in such a manner that it cooperates with the primary security device 34 in the coupling 22 such that the latched primary security device 34 secures the securing member 40 within the FAKRA coupling housing 24. The fixing member 40 fixes the respective lens 42 at a predetermined position within the FAKRA housing 14 or 24 and simultaneously establishes optical connection between the lens 42 and the respective optical waveguide 10 or 20.

A coupling sleeve 44 is also mounted in the FAKRA plug housing 14 and is fixed to the plug side of the fixing element 40. The coupling sleeve 44 is configured in such a way that it cooperates with the primary safety device 34 of the FAKRA plug housing 14, so that, since the primary safety device 34 of the FAKRA plug housing 14 is latched into the coupling sleeve 44, and is fixed to the coupling sleeve 44 together with the fixing element 40, they are fixed within the FAKRA plug housing 14. The coupling sleeve 44 has an axial through-hole which is configured in such a way that it can receive the respective lenses 42 projecting beyond the mount 40 and place them in as exact a position as possible in the axial direction, so that the axial longitudinal axes of the lenses 42 are aligned with one another as exactly as possible. This makes it possible to establish good optical coupling between the plug 12 and the two lenses 42 of the coupler 22 and to transmit an optical signal between the two lenses 42 with as little loss as possible.

As can be seen in fig. 3, even if the plug 12 and coupler 22 are fully inserted into one another, an axial gap remains between the two lenses 42. This has the advantage that no axial force is applied to the photoimaging element 42 or fixture 40 or optical waveguides 10, 20 after the plug 12 and coupler 22 are inserted together. On the other hand, light for transmitting data or information within the optical waveguide can span this gap without difficulty and without great loss. A light imaging element in the form of a lens 42 can concentrate the light from the light guides 10 and 20 so that it can span this gap with better and less loss.

For example, the light imaging member 42 is made of polycarbonate. It is particularly preferred that the light imaging member 42 and the fixing member 40 are integrally formed. For example, light imaging component 42 and mount 40 are integrally injection molded components made of polycarbonate.

The mechanical Dimensions of the interface regions 30, 32 are configured to comply with DIN Standard 72594-1:2004-10 (in 10-month 2004 version), "Road Vehicles-50 Ω radio frequency interface (50 Ω -RFI) -Part 1: Dimensions and electrical requirements," Section "3. Dimensions and coding," files 1-3. For example, the mechanical dimensions of the mechanical coding conform to the details given in section 1 above in DIN Standard 72594-1:2004-10 in FIGS. 4 and 5, although they are not limited to that case.

Claims (6)

1. A data transmission cable for a motor vehicle, at least at one end of which a plastic housing (14; 24) is arranged, the housing has mechanical dimensions in its interface region (30; 32) conforming to the FAKRA standardization scheme of 50 omega-RFI, characterized in that the data transmission cable (10; 20) has an optical waveguide and that a fixing member (40) is mounted on the plastic housing (14; 24), the holder is configured for holding a light imaging element (42) in the form of a lens and for connecting the light imaging element (42) to an optical waveguide and is arranged in a plastic housing (14; 24) in such a way, in a state where the plastic housing (14; 24) is inserted into the complementary plastic housing (24; 14), the light imaging element (42) fixed thereto and the light imaging element (42) in the complementary plastic housing (14; 24) are spaced apart in a predetermined axial direction.

2. Data transmission cable according to claim 1, characterized in that a coupling sleeve (44) is further provided, which is arranged and configured in such a way that it axially guides two light imaging elements (42) of two mutually inserted plastic housings (14; 24) into a bore.

3. Data transmission cable according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling sleeve (44) and/or the fixing element (40) have means for cooperating with the primary security means (34) of the plastic housing (14; 24).

4. Data transmission cable according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (40) and/or the light imaging element (42) are made of polycarbonate.

5. Data transmission cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the light imaging element (42) and the fixing element (40) are integrally formed, in particular as injection-molded components made of a single material.

6. Data transmission cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic housing (14; 24) is a plug housing (14) or a coupler housing (24).