DE102019125446A1 - Data connector for establishing a data connection outside of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A data connector for establishing a data connection in the exterior of a vehicle is described with at least one first socket (100) that can be fixed in the exterior of the vehicle, with at least one first plug (200) that can be plugged into the first socket (100), and with a data transmission cable (300) fixed to the first plug (200) and having at least one electrical conductor (301), wherein the first socket (100) has at least one optical contact (153) and the first plug (200) has at least one optical contact ( 253), and wherein the optical contact (153) of the first socket (100) and the optical contact (253) of the first plug (200) in the plug pattern (104, 204) of the first socket (100) and the first plug (200 ) are each arranged in such a way that the optical contact (153) of the socket (100) and the optical contact (253) of the plug (200) are arranged opposite one another when the first plug (200) is inserted into the plug-in opening ung (101) of the first socket (100) is plugged in. The optical contact (253) of the first plug (200) is formed by an end face (353) of an optical data conductor (302) of the data transmission cable (300).

Description

The invention relates to a data connector for establishing a data connection in the exterior of a vehicle, in particular between the vehicle and a vehicle part. The data plug-in connection can be established, for example, between a towing vehicle and a trailer or between a vehicle and a vehicle machine, for example an agricultural vehicle and an agricultural machine that can be fixed to the agricultural vehicle. The data connector has at least one socket (first socket) with an insertion opening and at least one plug (first connector) with an insertion area, which can be fixed in the outer area of the vehicle, the insertion area of the first plug sealingly insertable into the insertion opening of the first socket. This sealing connection of plug and socket (first plug and first socket and possibly further plugs and sockets) is a basic requirement for a data connector arranged in the exterior of a vehicle. Furthermore, the data connector has a data transmission cable attached to the first plug and having at least one electrical conductor, the first socket having at least one electrical contact and the first plug having at least one electrical contact. The electrical contact of the first socket and the electrical contact of the first plug are arranged in a plug-in pattern of the first socket and first plug in such a way that the electrical contact of the first socket and the electrical contact of the first plug are electrically conductively connected to one another when the first Plug is inserted into the insertion opening of the first socket.

Corresponding sockets with associated plugs, for example for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, are from the US 2014/0295684 A1 known. Due to the advancing digitization of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts or motor vehicle components, there is an increasing need to provide a data connection, in particular a high-speed data connection, in addition to an electrical connection to the vehicle. This is usually done via electrically conductive data plug connections. However, there is the problem that the electrically conductive plug connections provide a common contact surface for the contacts, which has to be established by mechanical plugging processes. Such mechanical connections wear out over time, ie with an increasing number of mating cycles. This, as well as corrosion or damage in a particularly good conductive coating on the contact surfaces or shielding by protective layers, worsens the electrical contact. This is critical for data connections, since deterioration in signal quality can lead to more data transmission errors.

The object of the invention is to propose a data connector for establishing a data connection in the outside area of a vehicle, which permanently enables better signal quality during data transmission, is robust against mechanical wear and tear and enables a flexible connection.

This object is achieved by a data connector with the features of claim 1. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that the first socket have at least one optical contact and the first plug have at least one optical contact, and that the optical contact of the first socket and the optical contact of the first plug are each arranged in this way in the plug-in pattern of the first socket and the first plug are that the optical contact of the socket and the optical contact of the plug are arranged opposite one another, ie axially or almost axially, when the first plug is inserted into the insertion opening of the first socket. In such a data connector, the data is transmitted by an optical signal sequence in which optical signals are transmitted in time sequence between the optical contacts of the socket and plug (optical coding and decoding in optical transmitting and receiving components that are part of the data connector according to the invention can or can be arranged downstream of this in the vehicle or vehicle part). The latter enables individual, proprietary coding and decoding which, according to the invention, can be independent of the optical data transmission. According to the invention, however, the optical coding and / or decoding can also take place in the data connector, for example in accordance with a predefined or predefinable standard.

A high quality mechanical contact is not necessary for the data transmission. Mechanical wear and tear of the connector therefore does not affect the data transmission quality according to the invention. The optical data transmission is insensitive to mechanical influences (including vibrations while driving or in operation) and a contact resistance that increases over time due to a high number of mating cycles, corrosion or problems with coatings. For the purely electrical connection, for example to provide a supply voltage, the mechanical influences, on the other hand, play a subordinate role and can be easily controlled in the prior art.

It is provided that the optical contact of the first connector is formed by an end face of an optical data conductor of the data transmission cable. The data signal is simply coupled in or out of the connector through this end face, so that no additional connectors are required for the optical contact in the connector (first connector) or in a possibly existing second (or further) connector at another end of the data transmission cable Components must be provided. This is inexpensive and reliable because these additional components cannot be damaged. It has been found that coupling and decoupling of optical signals from the data connector in the manner described, especially in the short-distance transmission resulting for the vehicle application, can achieve reliable data transmission without further elements for optical coupling and decoupling.

In addition, the contactless (optical) data connection provides galvanic separation (ESD protection; Electro Static Discharge) between the electrical networks connected by the data connector. This provides protection against external electrical influences in the vehicle on-board or vehicle part data network and the control devices in the data network. Electrical errors, for example due to overvoltages in one of the two connected data networks, do not lead to damage in the other data network.

A preferred embodiment of the data plug connector provides that the optical data conductor in the first plug is guided in a receiving sleeve and, if necessary, also fixed. The receiving sleeve itself is held in a contact carrier insert of the first connector in accordance with the plug-in pattern, for example by latching the receiving sleeve into a sleeve-like opening in the contact carrier insert, as is fundamentally known from the prior art. In this way, the end of the optical data conductor is arranged in the plug in accordance with the desired plug-in pattern and also protected from damage.

Preferably, two optical contacts can be arranged in the first socket and possibly further sockets, two optical contacts in the first plug and possibly further plugs, and two optical data conductors in the data transmission cable. Two separate optical transmission channels enable simultaneous sending and receiving via the data connector without mutual interference. The send and receive functions can, however, also be implemented via just one transmission channel, or only one optical contact in the socket or plug. One possibility for implementation is in a time division multiplex coding, in which different time segments are reserved alternately for the transmit function and the receive function. Communication is slower in this case because only part of the total bandwidth of the transmission channel is available for each communication direction, but it can be implemented more cost-effectively because the components for a second transmission channel in the plug and socket can be saved. In principle, however, even more optical transmission channels can be implemented in the proposed data connector if a high volume of data has to be transmitted outside the vehicle.

At least two, possibly at least or exactly four, electrical contacts can also be provided in the first plug and first socket, as well as a corresponding number of electrical conductors in the data transmission cable. These can transmit a supply voltage from the vehicle network to the vehicle part (e.g. trailer or vehicle machine) and / or provide the supply voltage for electronic components, such as optical transmitter and / or receiver components, in the socket or plug. Simple switching processes can also be implemented in this way, for example switching signal lights in the vehicle or trailer.

A preferred embodiment of the invention proposes to accommodate and guide (preferably all) electrical conductors and (preferably all) optical data conductors in a common cable sheath of the data transmission cable. In this form, the data transmission cable is on the one hand flexible. On the other hand, the individual conductors are well protected and are not exposed on the outside of the vehicle. The cable sheath can preferably be a spiral cable sheath, which allows a flexible length of the data transmission path and minimizes hanging of the cable when the data transmission path is shortened due to the spiral formation. In principle, the cable sheath can be produced in an extruder, a corrugated pipe or an insulating tube.

According to the invention, one or each electrical conductor of the data transmission cable can be designed as a stranded wire, i.e. an electrical conductor consisting of thin individual wires and therefore easy to bend. Stranded wires are therefore particularly suitable for flexible connection lines such as spiral cables. Single or multi-core glass fiber cables or polymer optical fibers (POF) are particularly suitable for the optical data conductor. POFs are particularly well suited for short-distance transmissions because - compared to glass fibers - they are inexpensive, easy to assemble and flexible.

In a preferred embodiment of the data connector proposed according to the invention, a second connector can be arranged or fixed at the end of the data transmission cable opposite the first connector. The construction of the second plug preferably corresponds to the first plug and can be plugged into a second socket, which also preferably corresponds in construction to the first socket. Correspondingly, the invention also comprises a data plug connector of first and second socket, first and second plug and a data transmission cable which is attached to the first and second plug. The first connector, the second connector and the data transmission cable form a unit, ie they cannot be separated from one another in a non-destructive manner during operation, for example by removing the data transmission cable from the connector or plugs.

Since the first and the second socket can correspond to one another in the structure according to the invention, only one socket is referred to in this text for simplification purposes. All of the features described for the “first socket” or the “socket” can also be implemented in the second socket (or further sockets) of the data connector according to the invention. The same applies to the first connector, which is also simply referred to as a connector in this text.

In another variant of the invention, the data transmission cable can also be connected directly, i.e. without a further plug and possibly a further socket, to a vehicle part that is to be connected to the data network of the vehicle via the socket. The vehicle part can in particular be a vehicle machine or a trailer. In the vehicle part, an optocoupler or similar optical interface (in the sense of an optical contact or an optical transmitter and / or receiver component) can be provided for the connection, so that the optical data conductor exiting from the free end face of the optical data conductor that is not received in the connector Optical signal can be used directly in the vehicle part, for example. By converting it back into an electrical signal or evaluating the optical signal.

In a variant of the invention it can also be provided that the optical contact of the (first and / or all) socket is formed in a comparable manner by the end face of an optical data conductor inserted into the socket and held in a receiving sleeve, for example. This makes it possible to transmit any optical data signals that may be present in the vehicle network directly and without conversion into electrical signals via the data connector according to the invention. It is also possible to convert electrical data signals from the vehicle network, for example using a control unit of the vehicle with an optical interface, into optical data signals and to feed them optically into the socket. The control device can, for example, be a control device for the plug connection, for example a trailer control device, which is provided in the connection between the vehicle network and the socket. This means that there is no need for an electro-optical conversion in the socket. In other words, no optical transmitting component and / or no optical receiving component are then provided in the (first and / or second) socket.

It is thus possible for the optical contact of the plug (and possibly the socket in the variant described above) to be formed simply by the end face (s) of the optical data conductor. This means that in the plug connection between plug and socket or when the optical data conductor is directly connected to a data receiver and / or data transmitter, coupling out or coupling from or into the optical data conductor is only necessary once. This minimizes optical coupling losses.

According to a particularly preferred variant of the invention, however, the electrical contact of the socket is designed as an optical transmitter component and / or an optical receiver component, with data conversion electronics being provided in the socket and connected to the optical transmitter component and / or the optical receiver component of the socket outlet is, wherein the data conversion electronics are set up for conversion between an electrical and an optical data signal. In addition to the first socket, this can also apply to a second or further socket of the data connector.

In an embodiment of the invention addressed in detail below, the optical transmitting component and the optical receiving component in the socket and the plug are different components that can also be operated in parallel. This makes it possible to optically transmit and receive data in parallel. In another embodiment, the optical receiving component and the optical transmitting component can also be combined according to the invention in a combined transceiver component, i.e. an optical transceiver which can be operated both as a receiver and as a transmitter. For this purpose, for example, a transmission mode and a reception mode can be activated alternately. In this case, there is only one transceiver component in the socket, which is both the at least one optical receiver component and the at least one optical transmitter component. Such a variant can be implemented very inexpensively due to the reduced number of components.

According to a particularly preferred, electrically robust and inexpensive embodiment of the invention, the optical transmitting and receiving components can be, for example, LEDs (light emitting diodes) which are operated in a transmitting and / or in a receiving mode. The transmitting and receiving components can particularly preferably be IR LEDs (infrared LEDs), which enable particularly interference-free transmission. LEDs or IR LEDs are also suitable as optical transceivers that are operated alternately in a transmit mode and a receive mode.

According to the invention, data conversion electronics are provided in the socket in this case and connected to the optical transmitter component and / or the optical receiver component of the socket, the data conversion electronics being set up to convert between an electrical and an optical data signal. This enables the socket to be connected to an electrical data transmission network with a conventional cable connection. The conversion between electrical and optical signals (optical coding and decoding) is then carried out automatically by the data conversion electronics integrated in the socket.

Correspondingly, in such a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data conversion electronics can be connected to a data network via a cable connection. In other words, the data conversion electronics of the socket can be connected to an on-board data network. The data network can in particular be a BUS system, in particular an automotive bus system (“Automotive Ethernet”) and preferably wired. The connection between the electrical data network and the data conversion electronics can be implemented, for example, via twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, glass fiber lines with suitable optocouplers or similar cable connections.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the data conversion electronics can have an amplifier for feeding the electrical data signal into the data network. This corresponds to a repeater function, i.e. the integrated electronic system of the data wall electronics works as a repeater, which decodes the optically received signal and feeds it back into the data network as an electrically coded signal with a specified power, e.g. according to a specified standard. This means that the entire data cable length is available again from the data wall electronics (feed point), unlike in the case of electrical data transmission, in which the total length of the cable harness, in particular the vehicle and the vehicle part, e.g. the towing vehicle and the trailer, are decisive together. This ensures controllable, reliable data transmission in each section of the data network (vehicle or vehicle part, such as trailer data network and separate control data network for vehicle machines or other vehicle applications) independently of one another.

The data conversion electronics can, for example, be incorporated in a computing unit, for example a microprocessor, and / or an analog electronic circuit.

According to the invention, a particularly simple possibility in terms of production technology provides that a circuit board is arranged in the plug-in opening of the socket, preferably resting on a closed bottom area of the plug-in opening, on which the optical transmitting component and / or the optical receiving component of the socket are fixed.

The data conversion electronics are preferably also fixed on the circuit board of the socket - if present - and connected to the transmitting component and / or the receiving component via conductor tracks. Thus, the entire optical transmission unit is combined on a circuit board, which can simply be received in the plug-in opening of the socket and fixed there (for example by gluing or holding by means of a support-sealing body). Electrical connection contacts to the data network, which are connected to the data conversion electronics via conductor tracks, can also be provided on the circuit board.

This creates a particularly compact system that contains both the optical transmitter and receiver components and the data conversion electronics in the sockets (e.g. the sockets between a data transmission cable connected to two plugs) in order to convert the data in the data networks of the vehicles or vehicle parts ( e.g. trailer, vehicle machine) to convert data that is usually transmitted electrically and by cable, to transmit it optically, to convert it back and to feed it back into the data network in electrical form. This is also advantageous in vehicle manufacture because only the sockets have to be connected to the respective data network in the usual way. The invention is therefore also suitable as an OEM-oriented system (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

The electrical contacts of the socket can also be fixed in a simple manner on the circuit board.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and optionally a further second socket and the first and optionally a further second plug each have a protective cap that corresponds to the respective Plug connection partner is arranged facing in front of the optical contacts, each of the protective caps each having a shielding sleeve in front of the (each) optical contact. The shielding sleeves of the plug and socket are preferably shaped in such a way that when a plug is plugged into the socket, the shielding sleeves of the opposing optical contacts form a straight (axial) connection channel between the transmitting component and the receiving component (or the respective optical contacts). This protects the optical transmission path from interfering stray light and achieves high transmission quality and performance.

According to the invention, the shielding sleeve in front of an optical contact and the shielding sleeve in front of another optical contact can interlock in an overlapping manner, the optical contacts communicating when the plug is inserted into the plug-in opening. As a result, the optical transmission path is protected particularly reliably against scattered light and thus against transmission interference and is also mechanically stabilized.

The shielding sleeves (at least in the area of the connecting channel) preferably have a light-absorbing, preferably dark or black, surface. In particular, like the socket and the plug itself, they can be injection-molded from a suitable black or dark plastic material.

Furthermore, the protective cap can have a casing that partially surrounds the electrical contacts. In the case of socket contacts, the casing can be, for example, a cylindrical sleeve that is open on the upper end face, which enables a pin contact to be inserted through the open end face and also encloses the socket contact. For pin contacts, the sheathing can, for example, be a cover surrounding the contact foot, from which the metallic pin contact protrudes, for example for insertion into a socket contact. When the pin contact and socket contact are plugged into one another in the socket and plug, the sheaths of the cylindrical sleeve and cover can preferably just abut one another so that the entire electrically conductive contact surface of the contacts plugged into one another is covered. This avoids short circuits caused by electrically conductive foreign bodies in the contact space between the socket and the plug.

In addition to the sealing mentioned above, it is preferably proposed according to the invention that the plug, for example at the transition from a plug housing to the plug-in area, have a seal that comes into sealing contact with an inner wall of the plug-in opening when the plug is inserted into the plug-in opening of the socket.

The inner wall of the socket forms, at least in sections, a sealing surface on which preferably laterally protruding sealing lips of the seal rest. Such a radial seal, preferably used, with laterally protruding sealing lips ensures a reliable seal even over a large number of mating cycles.

Furthermore, according to the invention, to seal the socket, a cover of the socket or socket housing that closes the plug-in opening can be hinged, which is spring-biased in the closing direction and has a seal that comes into sealing contact with the inner wall of the plug-in opening when the cover is closed. The seal of the cover preferably uses the same sealing surface on the inner wall of the insertion opening as the seal of the plug.

These sealing measures, which are preferably proposed according to the invention, create a socket which is reliably sealed both in the state of use (with the plug inserted) and in the non-use state (with the socket cover closed), which fulfills the normative requirements for tightness, e.g. Connector (e.g. ISO 4091 , LV 214) fulfilled.

According to the invention, these sealing features can be provided in the same way for all first and second or further sockets and plugs.

Further advantages, features and possible applications of the invention can also be found in the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawing. All of the features described and / or illustrated in the figures belong together or in any technically meaningful combination to the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their combination in the described or illustrated exemplary embodiments or in the claims.

• 1 einen erfindungsgemäßen Daten-Steckverbinder gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung in einer dreidimensionalen Ansicht mit Blick in die Einstecköffnung der Steckdose;
• 2 den Daten-Steckverbinder gemäß 1 in einer dreidimensionalen Ansicht mit Blick in den Einsteckbereich des Steckers;
• 3 eine dreidimensionale Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des Daten-Steckverbinders mit zwei Steckdosen, zwei Steckern und einem Daten-Übertragungskabel;
• 4 eine dreidimensionale Explosionsdarstellung der Steckdose gemäß 1;
• 5 eine dreidimensionale Ansicht des Steckers gemäß 2 und des Datenkabels in einer explosionsartigen Darstellung;
• 6 eine Teil-Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders mit zusammengesteckten Steckdose und Stecker gemäß 1;
• 7 eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders mit zusammengesteckten Steckdose und Stecker gemäß 6.

Show it:

• 1 a data connector according to the invention according to an embodiment of the invention in a three-dimensional view looking into the insertion opening of the socket;
• 2 the data connector according to 1 in a three-dimensional view with a view of the plug-in area of the plug;
• 3rd a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the data connector with two sockets, two plugs and a data transmission cable;
• 4th a three-dimensional exploded view of the socket according to 1 ;
• 5 a three-dimensional view of the connector according to 2 and the data cable in an exploded view;
• 6th a partial sectional view of the connector with plugged together socket and plug according to 1 ;
• 7th a sectional view of the connector with plugged together socket and plug according to 6th .

The in 1 Data connector shown 1 for establishing a data connection in the outside area of a vehicle (not shown) has a socket 100 with an insertion opening 101 and a plug 200 with an in 2 shown insertion area 201 on. The plug-in area is used to establish the data connection 201 of the plug 200 into the insertion opening 101 the socket 100 inserted sealingly. Furthermore, the data connector 1 an in 3rd data transmission cable shown 300 on.

For the transmission of the data are in the socket 100 two optical contacts 153 provided according to the plug-in diagram 104 in the socket 100 are arranged. The pinout 104 is in 1 to recognize. In the example shown here are the optical contacts 153 the socket 100 through an optical transmitter component 102 and an optical receiving component 103 educated.

The connector also has the same 200 , as in 2 shown, two optical contacts 253 according to the corresponding plug-in diagram 204 are arranged. Each of the two optical contacts 253 is an end face 353 an optical data conductor 302 in the data transmission cable 300 . This will be explained in more detail later.

The correspondence of the plug-in pictures 104 and 204 from socket 100 and plug 200 means optical contact 153 for sending (ie the sending component 102 ) in the pin diagram 104 the socket 100 so before the optical contact 253 for receiving (ie the corresponding face 353 ) in the pin diagram 204 of the plug 200 is arranged that these are arranged opposite each other when the connector 200 into the insertion opening 101 the socket 100 is plugged in. The same applies to optical contact 153 for receiving (ie the receiving component 103 ) in the pin diagram 104 the socket 100 and optical contact 253 for sending (i.e. the corresponding face 353 ) in the pin diagram 204 of the plug 200 . In this way, it is achieved that a data transmission takes place by sending an optical signal and receiving the optical signal.

The insertion opening 101 is in the socket housing 105 educated. On the socket housing 105 is an insertion opening 101 sealing lid 106 hinged by an in 3rd recognizable feather 107 is biased in the closing direction. So if the socket 100 is not in use and no plug 200 into the socket 100 is inserted, the lid becomes 106 according to the spring preload on the socket housing 105 laid out so that the lid 106 the insertion opening 101 locks. Then one acts in the lid 106 recorded seal 108 with one on the inside wall 110 the insertion opening 101 trained sealing surface 109 together to the insertion opening 101 to be sealed to the outside.

On the socket housing 105 are also two mounting flanges 111 with mounting holes 112 formed through which the socket 100 For example, can be screwed to a vehicle or vehicle part by means of screws.

For inserting the plug 200 into the insertion opening 101 the socket 100 becomes the lid 106 from the insertion opening 101 about in the 1 Position shown unfolded so that the plug 200 into the insertion opening 101 can be introduced. Then the lid can 106 on a suitable position on the connector housing 205 fixed lid support platform 206 be put on. This serves in particular to secure the in the lid 106 provided seal 108 against damage.

In the pinout 104 the socket 100 are also electrical contacts 113 provided with electrical contacts 213 of the plug 200 can be connected, for example to transmit a voltage and power supply from the vehicle to a vehicle part (for example a trailer). Simple electrical switching functions can also be performed using the electrical contacts 113 , 213 realize. About the electrical contacts 113 can also do the data conversion electronics 122 has been supplied with voltage. The same applies to the connector 200 .

At the back, the insertion opening 101 opposite end of the socket 100 is a connection area 114 provided for connection to an on-board network of the vehicle and a data network of the vehicle. These are in the connection area 114 electrical connection contacts 115 for connection to the data network and electrical contacts 116 designed for connection to the vehicle electrical system.

3rd shows an embodiment of a data connector according to the invention with a first socket 100 that can be attached to a vehicle, for example, and a second socket 190 that can be attached to a vehicle part, such as a trailer or a vehicle machine, for example. The second socket 190 is constructed in the same way as the first socket 100 . Therefore, a detailed description of the second socket can be found 190 be waived. Individual features are only related to the socket 100 (first socket) and apply in the same way to the socket 190 (second socket). In the first and second socket 100 , 190 are first and second connectors 200 , 290 plugged in, with the second connector 290 to the first connector 200 is also structurally identical. Therefore - as with the socket 100 - only the plug is detailed 200 described. The description also applies to the connector 290 . With the two plugs 200 , 290 is one end of the data transmission cable 300 firmly connected. In use, the two form plugs 200 , 290 and the data transmission cable 300 so a structural unit.

A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the sockets 100 , 190 can be fastened in a well-sealed manner in the outside area of the vehicle and / or vehicle parts and the data transmission, if necessary, by plugging in a data transmission cable which forms a sealed structural unit 300 with the plugs fixed on it 200 , 290 is made possible. If no data transfer is required, the data transfer cable 300 can easily be removed so that there is no risk of damage. In addition, it can be replaced more easily if it is damaged.

In addition, the data transmission cable must 300 are not specially shielded against electrical interference, which can occur through other vehicle components depending on the cable routing, because the data signal is transported as an optical signal through the cable and the signal quality is not impaired by electromagnetic interference. This argument also applies when in any other than that in 3rd embodiment shown to the data transmission cable 300 no second connector 290 connected to a second socket 190 is pluggable. For example, the data transmission cable can 300 can also be directly and permanently connected to a vehicle part, for example a trailer or a vehicle engine.

As in 4th shown are the optical transmitter component 102 , the optical receiver component 103 and the electrical contacts 113 on a circuit board 120 arranged that on the floor 117 the insertion opening 101 the socket 100 is arranged. The electrical contacts 113 are via conductor tracks 121 with the electrical connection contacts 116 connected, of which in 3rd only soldering points are visible. The transmission component 102 and the receiving component 103 are over in 3rd undetectable conductor tracks with data conversion electronics 122 connected, in turn with the electrical connection contacts 115 get connected. Via the electrical connection contacts 115 is the data conversion electronics 122 can be connected to the data network. The data conversion electronics 122 is set up to convert between an electrical and an optical data signal. The data conversion electronics thus receive 122 electrical data signals from the data network and encodes them into optical data signals that are transmitted via the transmitter component 102 be sent out. The receiving component receives accordingly 103 optical data signals transmitted by the data conversion electronics 122 decoded into electrical data signals and sent to the data network via the electrical connection contacts 115 are issued.

On the board 120 one will be in the insertion opening 101 extending protective cap 130 arranged. The protective cap 130 each has a shielding sleeve 131 in front of the transmitter component 102 and the receiving component 103 and serves as a shield against stray light. There are also on the protective cap 130 for each of the electrical contacts 113 one this contact 113 partially surrounding sheath 132 intended. In the socket shown as an example 100 are the electrical contracts 113 designed as socket contacts, and the sheathing 132 is a cylindrical sleeve with an open top face for inserting a pin contact.

In a similar way, as in 5 shown in the connector 200 one in the insertion area 201 of the plug 200 extending protective cap 230 in front of the optical contacts 253 and the electrical contacts 213 arranged. The protective cap 230 each has a shielding sleeve 231 in front of each of the optical contacts 253 and serves as a shield against stray light. There are also on the protective cap 230 for at least some of the electrical contacts 213 one this contact 213 partially surrounding sheath 232 intended. In the connector shown as an example 200 are the electrical contacts 213 designed as a pin contact, and the sheathing 232 is a cover surrounding the contact foot from which the pin contact (contact 213 ) protrudes. The protective cap 230 can via a latching (not shown in the figures) on the inner wall of the insertion area 201 be determined.

The plug 200 points at the transition from the connector housing 205 to the insertion area 201 one when inserting the plug 200 into the insertion opening 101 the socket 100 with the inner wall 110 the insertion opening 101 sealingly coming into contact seal 208 on.

Shows in an exposure-like representation 5 next to the connector described 200 also the data transmission cable 300 that is not yet in the connector 200 is introduced and specified in this. In the example shown, the data transmission cable comprises 300 four electrical conductors 301 as a stranded wire, at the end of which there are pin contacts as electrical contacts 213 For example, are fixed by crimping. Furthermore, the data transmission cable comprises 300 two optical data conductors 302 , whose face 353 the optical contact 253 forms. To protect the end area of the optical data cable 302 this is in a receiving sleeve 250 (Sleeve contact) recorded and, for example, fixed by jamming. The receiving sleeve 250 surrounds the free end of the optical contact 302 and protects it when the plug is plugged in and unplugged 200 into or out of the socket 100 . All electrical conductors 301 and all optical guides 302 are in a cable jacket 303 arranged of the ladder 301 , 302 protectively surrounds.

6th represents the data connector 1 with nested plugs 200 and socket 100 in a partial sectional view.

In the selected sectional view, those on the floor are in the plug-in area 117 the insertion opening 101 the socket 100 arranged board 120 with the data conversion electronics 122 as well as the optical transmitter component 102 and the optical receiving component 103 to recognize. In the plug 200 are the optical guides 302 up to the receiving sleeve 250 performed and fixed in these in such a way that the end faces 353 as optical contacts 253 axially opposite the optical transmitter component 102 or the optical receiver component 103 the socket 100 are arranged to realize the optical data transmission. The receiving sleeves 250 are in a contact carrier insert 251 of the connector.

In the overall sectional view in 7th it can be seen that the shielding sleeve 131 the protective cap 130 the socket 100 into the shielding sleeve 231 the protective cap 230 of the plug 200 reaches in. The protective cap 230 of the plug 200 is on the floor 217 of the insertion area 201 arranged.

Both shielding sleeves overlap accordingly 131 , 231 with each other. This creates a closed, straight connecting channel 10 between the optical contacts 153 the socket 100 and the optical contacts 253 of the plug 200 designed, with which the optical transmission path is particularly reliably protected against interfering stray light. This ensures a high quality of data transmission. The overlapping of the shielding sleeves 131 , 231 also causes mechanical stabilization in the transmission area, which is insensitive to wear and tear with a high number of mating cycles.

When in the socket 100 inserted plug 200 lies the lid 106 the socket 100 with the seal 108 on the lid support platform 206 of the plug 200 so on that the seal 108 through the lid support platform 206 is protected from damage. At the same time, an edge of the lid engages behind 106 a projection of the lid support platform 206 and secures the connector 200 so in the socket 100 against pulling out of the insertion opening 101 .

The seal 208 of the plug 200 lies with sealing lips on the inside wall of the insertion opening 101 trained sealing surface 109 the socket 100 at.

List of reference symbols

1

Data connectors

10

straight connecting channel

100

first socket

101

Insertion opening

102

optical transmitter component

103

optical receiver component

104

Pin pattern

105

Socket housing

106

cover

107

feather

108

poetry

109

Sealing surface

110

Inner wall

111

Mounting flange

112

Mounting hole

113

electric contact

114

Connection area

115

electrical connection contacts

116

electrical connection contacts

117

ground

120

circuit board

121

Track

122

Data conversion electronics

130

protective cap

131

Shielding sleeve

132

Sheathing

153

optical contact

190

second socket

200

first connector

201

Insertion area

204

Pin pattern

205

Connector housing

206

Lid support platform

208

poetry

213

electric contact

217

ground

230

protective cap

231

Shielding sleeve

232

Sheathing

250

Receiving sleeve

251

Contact carrier insert

253

optical contact

290

second connector

300

Data transmission cable

301

electrical conductor

302

optical data conductor

303

Cable sheath

353

Face of the data transmission cable

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Patent literature cited

• US 2014/0295684 A1 [0002]

Non-patent literature cited

• ISO 4091 [0036]

Claims (12)

Data connector for establishing a data connection in the outside area of a vehicle with • at least one first socket (100) with an insertion opening (101) that can be fixed in the outside area of the vehicle, • at least one first plug (200) with an insertion area (201), the insertion area (201) of the first plug can be inserted sealingly into the insertion opening (101) of the first socket (100), and • a data transmission cable (300) fixed to the first plug (200) and having at least one electrical conductor (301), the first socket (100) at least one electrical contact (113) and the first plug (200) at least one electrical contact (213), and wherein the electrical contact (113) of the first socket (100) and the electrical contact (213) of the first plug (200) in a plug pattern (104, 204) of the first socket (100) and the first plug (200) are each arranged so that the electrical contact (113) of the first socket se (100) and electrical contact (213) of the first plug (200) are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner when the first plug (200) is inserted into the insertion opening (101) of the first socket (100), characterized in that the first socket (100) at least one optical contact (153) and the first plug (200) at least one optical contact (253), and that the optical contact (153) of the first socket (100) and the optical contact (253) of the first plug (200) in the plug pattern (104, 204) of the first socket (100) and the first plug (200) are each arranged so that the optical contact (153) of the socket (100) and the optical contact (253) of the Plug (200) are arranged opposite one another when the first plug (200) is inserted into the insertion opening (101) of the first socket (100), and • that the optical contact (253) of the first plug (200) through an end face ( 353) of an optical data conductor (302) of the Data transmission cable (300) is formed. Data connector according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the optical data conductor (302) is guided in the first connector (200) in a receiving sleeve (250), the receiving sleeve (250) in a contact carrier insert (251) of the first connector (200) corresponding to the connector (204 ) is held. Data connector according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that two optical contacts (153) are arranged in the first socket (100), two optical contacts (253) in the first plug (200) and two optical data conductors (302) are arranged in the data transmission cable (300). Data connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that electrical conductors (301) and optical data conductors (302) are received and guided in a common cable sheath (303). Data connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second connector (290) is arranged at the end of the data transmission cable (300) opposite the first connector (200). Data connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical contact (153) of the first socket (100) is designed as an optical transmitter component (102) and / or an optical receiver component (103), wherein in the first socket (100 ) data conversion electronics (122) are provided and connected to the optical transmitter component (102) and / or the optical receiver component (103) of the first socket (100), the data conversion electronics (122) being set up to convert between an electrical and an optical data signal . Data connector according to Claim 6 , characterized in that a circuit board (120) is arranged in the insertion opening (101) of the first socket (100), on which the optical transmitting component (102) and / or the optical receiving component (103) of the first socket (100) are fixed . Data connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first socket (100) and the first plug (200) each have a protective cap (130, 230) facing the respective connector in front of the optical contacts (153, 253) is arranged, each of the protective caps (130, 230) each having a shielding sleeve (131, 231) around the optical contact (153, 253). Data connector according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the shielding sleeve (131, 231) around an optical contact (153, 253) and the shielding sleeve (231, 131) around an optical contact (153, 253) with this optical contact when the plug (101) is inserted into the plug-in opening (101). 200) interlocking communicating optical contact (253, 153) in an overlapping manner. Data connector according to Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the protective cap (130, 230) has a casing (132, 232) partially surrounding the electrical contacts (113, 213). Data connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connector (200) has a seal (208) which comes into sealing contact with an inner wall (110) of the insertion opening (101) when the first connector (200) is inserted. Data connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover (106) which closes the plug-in opening (101) is hinged to the first socket (100) and is spring-biased in the closing direction and one with an inner wall when the cover (106) is closed (110) of the insertion opening (101) has sealingly coming into contact seal (108).

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