DE102022000088A1 - Tearable connection arrangement for energy and data transmission for autonomous systems, missiles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention creates a detachable connection arrangement for energy and data transmission for autonomous systems, in particular missiles, with: a plug receptacle and a plug which can be accommodated in the plug receptacle; an energy transmission device, which is designed to transmit electrical energy between the plug and the plug socket in a received state; a sealing device, which is designed to releasably seal at least one section of the plug receptacle with at least one section of the plug in the received state with respect to environmental media; and a data transmission device which, in the received state, is arranged within the sealed sections of the plug receptacle and the plug and is designed for wireless data exchange between the plug and the plug receptacle by means of wireless optical data transmission. Furthermore, the present invention provides a missile, in particular a guided missile, with: a shell; and a plug receptacle embedded in the casing, the plug receptacle having a coil for wireless power supply and a light transceiver unit for wireless optical data exchange of the missile by means of a corresponding plug that can be accommodated in the plug receptacle and is designed for optical data transmission and wireless power supply.

Description

The present invention relates to a detachable connection arrangement for energy and data transmission for autonomous systems, in particular missiles, and a missile, in particular guided missiles.

Although the present invention and the problems on which it is based are described in more detail below in relation to missiles, it is not limited to this, but rather to a wide range of autonomous electronic systems, in particular also other types of autonomously movable vehicles with electronic systems, such as launch systems, water locomotion systems (autonomous boats, Submarines, torpedoes or the like) or land locomotion systems (autonomous robots, vehicles or the like) transferable.

In the case of missiles, before the launch phase, there is a general need for an electrical connection to the external power supply until launch. Furthermore, it is desirable that an interface of the electrical connection automatically disconnects at the start.

The DE 10 2019 002 847 A1 describes a breakable electrical connector assembly for a missile for powering the missile until launch and automatically breaking at launch. The connection arrangement has a magnetic plug with two magnets, which are also designed as conductors for supplying the missile with energy and/or signals.

For the transmission of higher data transmission rates and for smaller applications, however, standardized pin tear-off plugs are sometimes still used, for example according to the MIL-STD-1760 standard of the US Department of Defense (so-called "NATO tear-off plugs"). These pin tear-off plugs have a number of embedded conventional galvanic electrical plug-in connections which, depending on the design, can also be in the form of a coaxial connection, and are therefore smaller and already allow significantly higher data rates.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved tear-off connection arrangement for the supply of autonomous systems, in particular for the energy and data transmission for supplying a missile before launch.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a detachable connection arrangement for energy and data transmission for autonomous systems, in particular missiles, with the features of patent claim 1, and by a missile, in particular guided missile with the features of patent claim 15.

Accordingly, a tear-off connection arrangement for energy and data transmission for autonomous systems, in particular missiles, is provided, with: a plug receptacle and a plug that can be accommodated in the plug receptacle; an energy transmission device, which is designed to transmit electrical energy between the plug and the plug socket in a received state; a sealing device, which is designed to releasably seal at least one section of the plug receptacle with at least one section of the plug in the received state with respect to environmental media; and a data transmission device which, in the received state, is arranged within the sealed sections of the plug receptacle and the plug and is designed for wireless data exchange between the plug and the plug receptacle by means of wireless optical data transmission.

Furthermore, a missile, in particular a guided missile, is provided, having: a casing; and a plug receptacle embedded in the casing, the plug receptacle having a coil for wireless power supply and a light transceiver unit for wireless optical data exchange of the missile by means of a corresponding plug that can be accommodated in the plug receptacle and is designed for optical data transmission and wireless power supply.

The finding on which the present invention is based is that wireless optical data transmission can also be used under adverse environmental conditions if the wireless light transmission path is sealed off from environmental media.

The idea on which the present invention is based is to replace the previous galvanic connections for signal transmission in a tear-off plug with wireless optical data transmission in conjunction with a sealing device, so that when the plug is in the plug receptacle within a sealed section, a wireless Data exchange between the connector and the connector receptacle is made possible by means of wireless optical data transmission.

A data transmission device for wireless optical data transmission using light usually contains at least one transmitter and one receiver. The receiver is receiving data from a data source such as Ethernet. The transmitter, typically a light emitting diode or laser diode, is quickly switched on and off using a modulator. The driver circuit controls the transmitter diode, which emits the optical radiation. The wireless transmission technology works in the light spectrum and allows significantly higher bandwidths than, for example, radio-based technologies. Compared to radio transmission, wireless optical data transmission is also more robust against electromagnetic interference. As a further advantage, the bandwidth of visible and invisible light from 200 to 1600 nm is not regulated. Furthermore, aspects of contact-bound data transmission, such as the higher integration effort in many cases and the susceptibility to wear, are advantageously avoided.

According to the invention, a compact, reversibly detachable and yet robust design of a detachable connection arrangement with a high data rate is achieved by combining an energy transmission device and a data transmission device for wireless optical data transmission with a sealing device within a plug receptacle and a plug that can be accommodated in the plug receptacle, in that at least the data transmission device is in one received state is arranged within the sealed portions of the connector receptacle and the connector.

The sealing device can be a sealing device for hermetic sealing, that is to say a sealing device which, in the received state, prevents in particular an exchange of air or water. In this way, the data transmission with a very high data rate remains robust against all environmental influences, in particular electromagnetic radiation, water or dirt.

The energy transmission device can be a contactless, for example inductive, energy transmission. Alternatively or additionally, there can be detachable galvanic contacts for energy transmission. In particular, sliding, jamming, spring-loaded and/or magnetic contacts come into consideration. In addition, contacts can be provided for the transmission of one or more ground potentials.

In the context of the present invention, an autonomous system is to be understood as meaning a movable steerable object or system which can preferably be steered fully autonomously or by remote control, for example in the air or in water or in another medium. A steerable, rolling or floating object or system, or one that can be moved on rails, would also be conceivable.

Advantageous refinements and developments result from the further dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures.

According to a further development, the energy transmission device is designed for contact-free transmission of electrical energy between the plug and the plug receptacle. In one embodiment, the energy transmission device can likewise be arranged inside the sealed sections of the plug socket and the plug and can be designed for wireless energy exchange between the plug and the plug socket by means of wireless energy transmission. In particular, an integrated design can be involved, with the energy transmission device and the data transmission device being arranged nested in one another. In this way, the tear-off connection arrangement can be made particularly compact. In a further embodiment, the non-contact energy transmission device and the data transmission device are provided on predetermined different sides of the plug and the plug socket. In this way, the respectively provided gap can be optimally matched to the respective type of transmission.

According to one embodiment, the energy transmission device for the inductive transmission of electrical energy has a coil integrated in the plug and a coil integrated in the plug receptacle. For example, these are wireless power charging coils that have high inductance, high Q-factor, and high DC resistance (DCR). Such coils are also referred to as WPCC (Wireless Power Charging Coils). The coils (WPCC) thus enable wireless power supply via an inductive coupling between the connector and connector receptacle.

According to one embodiment, the coil axes of the coils are each arranged transversely to a predetermined direction of removal of the plug. Alternatively or additionally, the coil axes of the coils are each arranged transversely to a predetermined direction of movement of an autonomous system coupled to the connector receptacle. In this way, on the one hand, the geometry and, on the other hand, the respectively provided gap can be optimally matched to the respective type of transmission. For example, very flat connector designs are made possible in this way.

According to one embodiment, coils are provided on both sides of the plug and the plug receptacle. In this way, the electrical power that can be transmitted can be increased.

According to one embodiment, the data transmission device has a first light transceiver unit integrated into the plug and a second light transceiver unit integrated into the plug receptacle. In an advantageous embodiment, the corresponding light transceiver units have both a transmitter and a receiver, so that they are designed as so-called transceivers for bidirectional communication. The data transmission device thus advantageously allows bidirectional communication between the connector and the connector receptacle. Of course, a spatial division of transmitter and receiver would also be conceivable.

According to a development, the first light transceiver unit and the second light transceiver unit are each arranged in the section sealed by the sealing device in the accommodated state. A light transmission path in the gap between the light transceiver units is thus always undisturbed or protected from environmental influences by the sealing device.

According to one embodiment, the data transmission device has a plurality of first light transceiver units integrated into the plug and a plurality of second light transceiver units integrated into the plug receptacle to provide a plurality of spatially distributed optical data transmission paths. In this way, either even larger amounts of data can be transmitted, for example for high-resolution video data. Alternatively or additionally, physically separate transmission paths for encryption technologies can be provided, for example for a so-called red/black concept. This describes a secure isolation in cryptographic environments between unencrypted (plaintext / plaintext) sensitive or classified information (red signals / red signals) from the encrypted information, also called ciphertext (black signals / black signals). Further alternatively or additionally, several wireless optical (LiFi) transmission links can also be used as spatially distributed redundancy.

According to one embodiment, a ground connection device is provided for coupling the plug socket and the plug to a ground potential. In this way, a ground potential (or GND for short) can be transmitted. Two or more separate ground connection devices for a plurality of ground potentials are also possible, for example separate for analog signals (AGND) and digital signals (DGND).

According to one embodiment, the ground connection device has a first electrical contact element integrated into the plug and a corresponding second electrical contact element integrated into the plug socket. According to a development, the first and the second contact element are designed as at least partially resilient magnetic contacts. Alternatively or additionally, at least the first or the second contact element or both is designed as a resilient surface contact. In this way, a normal force is provided for reliable contact. Alternatively or additionally, in one embodiment, force-fitting elements that correspond to one another can be provided on the first and second contact elements. In this way, when the plug is plugged in, haptic feedback on the latching of the plug is advantageously provided.

According to one embodiment, the connector receptacle has a plurality of permanent magnets for magnetically fastening the connector in the connector receptacle. Alternatively or additionally, the connector has a plurality of permanent magnets for magnetic attachment of the connector in the connector receptacle. In particular, they are at least partially spring-mounted permanent magnets, for example always spring-loaded or force-free in the released state and/or spring-loaded against the magnetic force in the inserted state.

According to one embodiment, the permanent magnets are designed and provided as conductor contacts for the transmission of electrical energy and/or signals and/or potentials. For example, they can be provided for the transmission of ground potentials. In particular, permanent magnets with a conductive coating, for example gold-plated, can be involved.

According to one embodiment, the permanent magnets are arranged in a shape-coded manner, so that a single possible position of the connector relative to the connector receptacle in the received state is predetermined. Incorrect operation or use, for example in an unpredictable manner with a different or incompatible plug receptacle, is thus advantageously ruled out.

According to one embodiment, the plug and the plug socket are each encapsulated in a completely electrically insulating manner, in particular without galvanic contacts. To this Way is a hermetic training each of the connector and the connector receptacle itself allows, which advantageously reduces the probability of error and failure and ensures reusability.

According to one embodiment, the connector receptacle is designed as a pocket that tapers obliquely or conically at least in sections. Furthermore, the plug has correspondingly tapering extraction bevels, which in the received state are at least partially in contact with the pocket or its inclined side surfaces. In particular, the pull-out bevels are designed for surface contact with the bag. The pull-out bevels ensure that the plug can always be detached from the plug socket without any problems when it is not pulled axially or under adverse weather conditions, such as ice or frost, so that the connection arrangement can be torn off.

According to one embodiment of a missile, it would be possible to provide a plurality of connector receptacles, for example one in each quadrant of the envelope. In this way, either flexible mounting and/or more electrical power can be provided. As an alternative or in addition, further spatially separate data transmission paths can be provided.

According to one embodiment of a missile, the connector receptacle at the tail of the missile, in particular on a surface or edge closing off the missile at the tail, is designed to be integrated into the casing. In this way, it is possible to integrate the connector receptacle into the shell with particularly low air resistance.

The above configurations and developments can be combined with one another as desired, insofar as this makes sense. Further possible configurations, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer abreißbaren Verbindungsanordnung zur Energie- und Datenübertragung für autonome Systeme;
• 2 eine Draufsicht auf einen Stecker gemäß einer Ausführungsform einer abreißbaren Verbindungsanordnung zur Energie- und Datenübertragung;
• 3 eine Draufsicht auf eine zu dem Stecker nach 2 korrespondierende Steckeraufnahme;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Flugkörpers mit einer Steckeraufnahme nach 3;
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckers gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer abreißbaren Verbindungsanordnung zur Energie- und Datenübertragung;
• 6A, 6B perspektivische Ansichten der weiteren Ausführungsform einer abreißbaren Verbindungsanordnung mit einem Stecker gemäß 5 und korrespondierender Steckeraufnahme;
• 7 eine axiale Draufsicht auf die Verbindungsanordnung nach 6A und 6B;
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung eines Flugkörpers in einem über eine Verbindungsanordnung nach 7 mit Energie- und Datenübertragung versorgten Zustand;
• 9 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer abreißbaren Verbindungsanordnung gemäß einer noch weiteren Ausführungsform;
• 10 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Kontur der Verbindungsanordnung gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• 11 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Kontur der Verbindungsanordnung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;
• 12 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines Magnetkontakts; und
• 13 ein schematischer Signallaufplan für eine Verbindungsanordnung nach 9.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures. They show:

• 1 a schematic representation of a detachable connection arrangement for energy and data transmission for autonomous systems;
• 2 a plan view of a connector according to an embodiment of a tearable connection arrangement for power and data transmission;
• 3 a plan view of a according to the connector 2 corresponding connector receptacle;
• 4 a schematic representation of a missile with a connector receptacle 3 ;
• 5 a perspective view of a connector according to a further embodiment of a tearable connection arrangement for power and data transmission;
• 6A , 6B Perspective views of another embodiment of a breakable connector assembly with a plug according to FIG 5 and corresponding connector receptacle;
• 7 1 shows an axial plan view of the connection arrangement 6A and 6B ;
• 8th a schematic representation of a missile in a via a connection arrangement 7 state supplied with energy and data transmission;
• 9 Figure 12 is a schematic sectional view of a breakaway connector assembly according to yet another embodiment;
• 10 a schematic plan view of a contour of the connection arrangement according to an embodiment;
• 11 a schematic plan view of a contour of the connection arrangement according to a further embodiment;
• 12 a schematic sectional view of a magnetic contact; and
• 13 a schematic signal flow diagram for a connection arrangement 9 .

The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the foregoing advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures of the drawing there are identical, functionally identical and identically acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated is carried out - each provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic representation of a detachable connection arrangement for energy and data transmission for autonomous systems.

With its compact dimensions and comparatively high data transmission rates, the detachable connection arrangement 1 can be used in particular for missiles, preferably light guided missiles. It includes an in 1 plug receptacle 2 symbolized by a pot-shaped contour and a plug 3 that can be accommodated in plug receptacle 2.

The connector 3 is in 1 symbolized with a hat shape and has an extension extending into the connector receptacle 2 and a flange that can be supported on the edge of the connector receptacle 2 . Of course, the shape of the connector receptacle and the connector as well as their support surfaces is always optional or can be adapted to an integration or installation situation, so that the shape shown here is to be understood purely as an illustration. An insertion/removal direction R of the connector is symbolized by a thick arrow. Also represented symbolically is a feed line of the plug 3, which is designed both for the feed of energy, in particular electrical energy, and for the feed of data.

The connection arrangement has an energy transmission device 4, which is designed to transmit electrical energy between the plug 3 and the plug socket 2 in a received state. In 1 this is formed by way of example with an energy transmission element 4a which is arranged at the head of the plug 3 and which is connected to the supply line. Furthermore, a corresponding energy transmission element 4b is provided on the bottom of the plug socket 2, which is connected to a derivation to a system to be supplied. The energy transmission device 4 can include a wide variety of types of energy transmission elements 4a, 4b, for example galvanic contacts, inductive transmission elements, capacitive transmission elements, and/or the like. The energy transmission elements 4a, 4b can be embodied only locally or at a number of points distributed over the circumference, symmetrically or circumferentially around the geometry of the bottom of the plug socket 2 and/or the head of the plug 3.

In addition, a sealing device 5 is provided in the connecting device, which is designed for the releasable sealing of a section of the plug receptacle 2 with a section of the plug 3 in the illustrated received state. The sealing device in 1 arranged in the area of a flange shoulder of the plug 3 or in the area of the upper edge of an inner surface of the plug socket 2 . In this way, the sealed sections of the connector socket 2 and the connector 3 are sealed against the surrounding media. It is preferably a hermetic seal which prevents air and water from entering the sealed sections. The sealing device 5 can be implemented in many different ways. It is shown here purely symbolically as an O-ring, but it can also be, for example, a peripheral sealing lip or the like formed onto the plug 3 and/or onto the plug socket 2 . Furthermore, a multi-stage sealing device 5 would also be conceivable, which has a number of redundant sealing planes. Furthermore, other spatial arrangements of the sealing device or its sealing planes are also conceivable, for example at a different height and/or on the head of the plug 3 and/or on the bottom of the plug receptacle and/or on the flange.

In addition, a data transmission device 6 is provided which, in the received state, is arranged within the sealed sections of the connector socket 2 and the connector 3 and is designed for wireless data exchange between the connector 3 and the connector socket 2 by means of wireless optical data transmission. In 1 the data transmission device 6 is formed by way of example with an optical data transmission element 6a which is arranged at the head of the plug 3 and which is connected to the feed line. Furthermore, a corresponding optical data transmission element 6b is provided on the bottom of the connector receptacle 2, which is connected to a lead to a system to be supplied.

The optical wireless technology for data transmission is also known as LiFi (derived from the English light fidelity). It is the transmission of data through the medium of light. The frequencies can be, for example, in the visible range of 400 THz (750 nm) and 800 THz (375 nm) or in the near-infrared range of 400 THz and 200 THz (1510 nm). If the transmission takes place in the visible light spectrum, it is often referred to as Visible Light Communication, or VLC for short. If it takes place in the near-infrared range, it is also referred to as infrared communication, or IRC for short. Depending on the requirements of the transmitter diode, different technologies can be used to generate the optical signal. Luminescent diodes and laser diodes, for example, can be used here. Furthermore, a transmitter optics can be provided, which the radiation on a specific Focused field of view and enables directional transmission to the opposite receiver. On the receiver side, the light signals are recorded by a photodetector and converted into the original electrical signal by means of optoelectronic converters. For example, so-called pin diodes or avalanche photodiodes can be used as optoelectronic converters. As an example, the Fraunhofer IPMS has developed a LiFi technology under the market name "Li-Fi Giga-Dock" which, with regard to transmission over short distances (up to 10 cm) with comparatively high data rates (up to 12.5 Gbit/s) and can be operated with comparatively low latency times and can be used, for example, as a data transmission device 6 within the scope of the present invention.

2 FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a connector 3 according to an embodiment of a detachable connection arrangement 1 for energy and data transmission.

3 shows a plan view of a to the connector 3 after 2 corresponding connector receptacle 2.

Basically the pertaining to 1 The features described above can be transferred, which is an aerodynamically optimized variant in a teardrop shape in terms of shape. The arrow V that is drawn in indicates the primary direction of movement of the autonomous system or, in the case of a missile, the direction of flight.

The contour of plug 3 shown here in plan view can, as in 1 shown, be hat-shaped in cross-section, but an almost or completely flat design is also conceivable. The same applies to the contour of the plug receptacle 2, which has a corresponding pot-shaped or an almost or completely flat design.

As a further difference, a plurality of permanent magnets 15 are provided in the flange area of the plug 3, which serve to magnetically fasten the plug 3 in the plug socket 2 with a predetermined magnetic holding force. Corresponding permanent magnets 15 are provided on the connector receptacle. Of course, either the plug or one of the corresponding permanent magnets on the plug receptacle can be replaced with a ferromagnetic material. The permanent magnets 15 are arranged in a form-coded manner, so that a single possible position of the plug 3 relative to the plug receptacle 2 in the received state is predetermined. In the embodiment shown, the distances between the permanent magnets 15 are smaller on the side shown here on the right than on the side shown here on the left. Of course, the magnets can also be clearly arranged in a different way for coding in terms of their orientation and position. In further embodiments, small mechanical extensions and corresponding depressions and/or ribs for shape coding can also be provided as an alternative or in addition.

In addition, it is conceivable for the permanent magnets 15 to be in the form of various galvanic contacts. For this purpose, the permanent magnets can be arranged at least on one side, in particular on the connector, in an axially movable and spring-loaded manner and, if necessary, additionally provided with a conductive coating. Additional functions can thus be implemented via the permanent magnets, for example an additional energy supply, an additional signal path, or the like.

As an alternative or in addition to a form coding, an electronic release device for establishing a signal and/or power supply connection only after electronic verification can also be provided in further embodiments. For example, it would be conceivable to ensure the release of power and data transmission by querying an RFID chip integrated in the connector receptacle and/or in the connector.

The energy transmission device 4 is designed here for contact-free inductive transmission of electrical energy between the plug 3 and the plug receptacle 2 and has a coil 7 integrated in the plug 3 and a coil 8 integrated in the plug receptacle 2 for this purpose. The coils 7, 8 can be designed, for example, as open pot-core coil bodies made of ferrite-magnetic material. In this way, a powerful electromagnetic field is concentrated and a wireless energy supply system for coupling the transmitter coil, for example the coil 7 integrated in the plug, with the receiver coil, for example the coil 8 integrated in the plug receptacle, with as little loss as possible is achieved. The respective coil axes are arranged transversely to the predetermined direction of movement V of an autonomous system coupled to the connector receptacle 2 . In the recorded state, the smallest possible air gap between transmitter and receiver coils 7, 8 is provided. In this way, the power loss is reduced. Furthermore, the environment is sufficiently protected from impermissible or disruptive fields by the coils 7, 8 at the same time.

The data transmission device 6 is located centrally within the coils 7 , 8 and is configured here with a first light transceiver unit 9 integrated into the plug 3 and a second light transceiver unit 10 integrated into the plug receptacle 2 . The light transceiver units 9, 10 are arranged within the free center of the coils 7, 8 and are sealed off from surrounding media in the received state by a sealing device 5 arranged concentrically around at least one light transceiver unit.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing device 5 has a sealing surface and, in addition, a metal cylinder 19 that seals against the sealing surface as protection against electromagnetic interference fields and surrounds the light transceiver units 9, 10. Thus, for example, in an open state, the first light transceiver unit 9 can be surrounded by the sealing surface 5 and the second light transceiver unit 10 can be surrounded by the metal cylinder 19, with the metal cylinder 19 being sealed against the sealing device 5 in the received state and surrounding both light transceiver units 9, 10.

In further embodiments, mutually independent arrangements of the sealing device 5 and the metal cylinder 19 or other types of sealing devices 5 surrounding the light transceiver units 9, 10 without a metal cylinder 19 would also be conceivable.

In addition, in the embodiment shown, a ground connection device 11 is provided for coupling the plug socket 2 and the plug 3 to a ground potential. In this way, potential equalization is realized, for example, between a carrier device connected to the plug and the autonomous system, for example a missile, that has the plug receptacle. For this purpose, the ground connection device 11 has a first electrical contact element 12 integrated into the plug 3 and a corresponding second electrical contact element 13 integrated into the plug receptacle 2 . The first and second contact elements 12, 13 are designed here, for example, as at least partially resilient magnetic contacts. Furthermore, two first and two second contact elements 12, 13 are provided here by way of example, whereby two independent grounding paths are provided.

4 shows a schematic representation of a missile 20 with a connector receptacle 2 after 3 .

The missile 20 is designed here, for example, as a comparatively smaller guided missile, for example an air-to-air missile and/or air-to-surface missile for short-distance and/or medium-distance routes. The missile 20 has an outer shell 21 into which the connector receptacle 2 is embedded. The illustrated position of the connector receptacle 2 is to be understood purely as an illustration and can in fact be arranged at various positions around the circumference and along the length of the missile 20 .

The connector receptacle 2 has at least one coil 8 for wireless energy supply and a light transceiver unit 10 for wireless optical data exchange of the missile 20 by means of a corresponding connector 3 that can be accommodated in the connector receptacle 2 and is designed for optical data transmission and wireless energy supply.

The connector can be placed on the connector receptacle in a predetermined position. In this way, the coil is placed laterally on the shell 21 of the missile 20 and a connection is made between the connector 3 and the connector receptacle 2, so that the energy and data transmission can begin. The connection preferably remains in place until the missile is launched and is released by the connection arrangement automatically tearing off during launch, in particular by overcoming the magnetic holding forces.

A further embodiment can provide a different arrangement and geometry and for this purpose the coil integrated in the plug together with the remaining plug can be inserted countersunk axially into a plug receptacle of the receiving system/object, in particular into the shell 21 of a missile 20 . This can be useful if the space conditions do not allow otherwise or particularly streamlined designs are required.

5 shows a perspective view of a plug 3 according to such a further embodiment of a detachable connection arrangement 1 for energy and data transmission.

The connector 3 shown here is different from the connector according to 2 designed to be recessed in a plug receptacle 2 . It is a plug 3 with an arcuate cross section, the insertion direction R of which is symbolized here by the thick arrow shown and runs essentially parallel to a central axis of the arcuate shape, not shown.

A supply line Z is designed here, for example, as a reinforced flat cable designed to be suitable for the transmission of tear-off loads and supplies all functional sections of the plug with energy and/or data. Additional strands anchored in the plug 3 can be provided for mechanical load absorption, which are not shown here for the sake of clarity.

The structure of the embodiment of a connector 3 shown here differs from 2 further in that the functional sections for energy and data transmission are not only arranged on a common end face, but distributed over different side surfaces.

For this purpose, the sealing device 5 is arranged on an upper edge of the plug 3 and encloses it completely. It is designed to provide a hermetic seal against an edge of a plug receptacle 2 designed as a pocket.

The energy transmission device is also provided here in the form of a coil 7, in contrast to 2 however, this is a flat coil which is shaped to match an arcuate support plate 22 of the plug 3 and whose coil axis A is oriented essentially transversely to the plug-in direction R′. The coil 7 is applied here to a flat ferromagnetic yoke 23 mounted on the carrier plate 22 . The ferromagnetic yoke 23 is thickened on both sides next to the coil 7 up to the upper edge of the plug 3 in order to provide the most efficient possible magnetic flux in a mutual coil arrangement with the coil 8 of the plug receptacle 2 .

As a further difference, two first light transceiver units 9 embodied as part of a data transmission device 6 and integrated into the plug 3 are provided for providing a plurality of spatially distributed optical data transmission paths. In this way, even larger amounts of data can be transmitted, for example for high-resolution video data. Alternatively, physically separate transmission paths for encryption technologies can be provided, in particular for a so-called red/black concept for secure isolation in cryptographic environments between unencrypted information (so-called red signals) and encrypted information (so-called black signals). As an alternative or in addition, the two wireless optical transmission paths can also be used as spatially distributed redundancy.

The narrow sides of the plug 3 are slightly tapered. Surface contacts are provided on the narrow side surfaces, which are designed as integrated electrical contact elements 12 of a ground connection device 11 for coupling the plug receptacle 2 and the plug 3 to a ground potential.

6A and 6B FIG. 12 shows perspective views of the further embodiment of a breakable connector assembly with a plug according to FIG 5 and corresponding connector receptacle 2.

The plug 3 according to 5 , is accommodated in a corresponding connector receptacle 2, which is designed here as a pocket with a circular arc-shaped cross-section that is embedded in a shell 21 of a missile 20. The pocket is only shown transparently here for the sake of clarity, but it is a plug receptacle 2 that is closed all the way around and is only accessible at one edge 24 through a slot corresponding to the widest plug cross section. Accordingly, the plug 3 can be inserted into the plug receptacle 2 in the axial direction be what the insertion direction R' (see 5 ) is equivalent to. By plugging in the plug 3, the sealing device 5 is slightly elastically deformed and thus seals against the edge 24 of the plug receptacle 2 or the slot.

In particular, the connector receptacle 2 can thus be provided in a hermetically sealed manner at the rear of a missile or a similar autonomous system for energy and data transmission with a high transmission rate, in particular up to the start. Nevertheless, when the missile 20 is launched, it can be torn off automatically by holding back the connector 3, so that the connector 3 can be pulled out of the connector receptacle 2 without being destroyed.

Of course, the specific dimensions, in particular the radius of curvature and the width of the recess and the plug, can be freely adapted to the specific circumstances of the installation situation. As an example, a shell 21 can be designed with dimensions such that the diameter of the shell is approximately 300 mm to 400 mm. In further embodiments, configurations that are free of curvature, less curved, more curved and/or curved differently locally are also possible.

For the sake of clarity, the design of the pocket on the connector receiving side, which corresponds to the connector 3 and has a similar flat coil as the coil 8, a correspondingly shaped ferromagnetic yoke, and a correspondingly shaped carrier, is not shown here sheet metal, corresponding light transceiver units 10 and lateral contact elements 13 of a ground connection device 11. The plug receptacle 2, the functional elements of which can act as a receiver assembly, is thus designed essentially as a mirror image of the plug 3, the functional elements of which can act as a transmitter assembly.

In further embodiments, depending on the installation situation and the space available, the functional elements of the connector receptacle can be arranged radially inside or outside of the respective corresponding functional elements of the connector. It would also be conceivable to arrange different functional elements on respectively corresponding different sides above and below the transmission assembly. In further embodiments, the connection arrangement 1 can also be designed such that corresponding functional elements are located on both sides of the plug 3 and on the plug receptacle 2 instead of on one side, in order to double the transmitted power and/or data rate.

7 FIG. 12 shows an axial plan view of the connection arrangement according to FIG 6A and 6B .

The shell 21 is recognizable here, for example, in cross-section in the form of a circular ring. In further embodiments, other cross-sectional shapes would of course also be conceivable. The connection arrangement 1 occupies, purely by way of example, a segment of a circle of the envelope in the range of approximately 30° to 45°.

In further embodiments, multiple connection arrangements can be provided. These would then preferably be distributed uniformly over the circumference of the envelope cross-section. It would thus be possible to provide the casing with plug receptacles 2 at a number of points, for example in a number of quadrants of a circle. In this way, additional plugs can be arranged if more electrical power or even more spatially separate data transmission paths are required.

8th shows a schematic representation of a missile in a via a connection arrangement 1 after 7 state supplied with energy and data transmission.

An energy supply device 25 and a data storage device 26 are provided in a launch device 27 and are connected to the missile 20 via the connection arrangement 1 integrated into the shell 21 and arranged at the rear of the missile 20 . The energy supply device 25 supplies the missile 20 with electrical energy. The data storage device 26 is in bidirectional data exchange with the missile 20 .

9 Figure 12 shows a schematic sectional view of a tear-away connection assembly according to yet another embodiment.

Similar to regarding 5 and 6 described, the connector receptacle 2 is also a pocket here, which has sloping side faces 18 . The plug 3 has corresponding extraction bevels 16 on its side surfaces. The contact elements 12, 13 of the ground connection device are arranged on the sloping side surfaces 18 or on the draft bevels 16, which are in contact with one another in the received state. In addition, on the sloping side surfaces 18 and pull-out bevels 16, in particular integrally with the contact elements 11, 12, there are friction-locking elements 14 designed to correspond to one another, which are designed here as protruding nipples on the contact elements 12 of the plug 3 with corresponding depressions on the contact elements 13 of the plug receptacle 2 are. The force-fitting elements 14 ensure that the plug 2 is latched in the plug receptacle 3 in the received state.

Each two first and second light transceiver units 9, 10 are arranged here on 2 sides of the connector 2 and the connector receptacle 3, but in contrast to 5 on an end face of plug 3 and a bottom of plug receptacle 2. In addition, the end face of plug 3 and the bottom of plug receptacle 2 each have a plurality of four permanent magnets 15, which are designed to correspond to one another for magnetic attachment of plug 3 in plug receptacle 2 are.

There are same as in as pertaining to 5 and 6 described in each case in the connector 3 and the connector receptacle 2 integrated flat coils provided whose coil axis is aligned transversely to the insertion direction R '.

Furthermore, in addition, in particular in comparison to the embodiment according to 5 , Provided on the plug 3 strands 17, which are designed to absorb tensile forces for tearing off the tearable connection, in particular when the missile is launched, by holding back the plug 3. For example, in the case of an air-to-ground or air-to-air missile, the strands 17 can be coupled to a support structure of an aircraft. In the same way, in the case of a surface-to-surface or surface-to-air missile, the strands 17 can be coupled to a launcher structure.

10 shows a schematic plan view of a contour of the connection arrangement according to an embodiment.

As shown, the connection arrangement 1 or the plug 3 shown here in a top view of the end face can have a cross section shaped or curved in the manner of a segment of a circle.

11 shows a schematic plan view of a contour of the connection arrangement according to a further embodiment.

In this embodiment, the cross section of the connection arrangement 1 or of the plug 3 is straight, which is possible, for example, in the case of integration in a flat casing section.

12 shows a schematic sectional view of a magnetic contact.

This involves the arrangement of a permanent magnet 15 as a spring-loaded contact. The permanent magnet 15 is designed as a bar magnet accommodated in a two-stage bore, which is prestressed against a cover 30 by means of a spring 29 .

The permanent magnet 15 is designed at the same time as a conductor contact. For this purpose, it has a non-performing coating, for example gold plating, and is coupled via a cable clamp 28 to the supply line Z of the plug 3 or to a lead of the plug socket 2 .

Magnetic contacts 15 of this type can be provided both as contact elements for additional energy supply and as contact elements for a ground connection device for coupling the plug 3 and the plug socket 2 and thus a missile 20 to a ground potential.

13 FIG. 1 shows a schematic signal flow diagram for a connection arrangement 9 .

In 13 on the left is an object side of an autonomous system, in particular a missile. The carrier side for the autonomous system is shown on the right. For example, it can be a starting device or a launcher or a carrier device on a vehicle, for example an aircraft. In this case, the object side shown on the left can contain, for example, the plug receptacle 2 , while the carrier side shown on the right contains the plug 3 .

The signal routing plan of the connection arrangement is symmetrical. The signal path shown on both sides, here at the top and bottom, with an outer level labeled GND1 or GND2 represents the supply of the contact elements 12, 13 with a ground potential, for example through a connection to a shield.

Two bidirectional signal paths labeled DATA BUS 1 and DATA BUS 2 are provided on the object side and on the carrier side in a second plane that is arranged further inward, which are each connected to bidirectional light transceiver units 9, 10. The light transceiver units 9, 10 are, for example, so-called optical transmitter boxes or transceivers connected to a data bus (DATA BUS 1, DATA BUS 2). The line-free part of the signal path is labeled OK1 and OK2 and the bidirectional signal transmission is symbolized by the central double arrow.

A power supply with the voltage signal paths +V/PWR, GND/PWR is provided in a center of the connection arrangement shown, which controls the coils 7, 8 via power electronics 31, 32 for wireless inductive energy transmission from the carrier side on the right to the object side on the left.

Wired signal paths DISCRETE SIGNAL 1, DISCRETE SIGNAL 2, DISCRETE SIGNAL 3, DISCRETE SIGNAL 4 are provided on both sides in a plane outside of the coils 7, 8, which are connected via permanent magnets 15 designed as conductor contacts, in particular spring-loaded, and designed for bidirectional signal exchange .

Although the present invention has been fully described above on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted to them, but rather can be modified in a variety of ways.

The data transmission device can be one or more LiFi components. The arrangement of the corresponding LiFi components can be provided centrally or distributed as desired around the circumference. The light transceiver unit can be an assembly or an individual element. In order to also enable bidirectional communication in the smallest of spaces, a LiFi source (transmitter) and a LiFi receiver (receiver) can be combined into a LiFi transceiver (transceiver) in one element.

For example, in another embodiment, an optical fiber can transmit a light transceiver unit or its source from the transition be arranged spatially separated in the area of the connection. For example, a light guide in the form of a light-conducting transparent plastic, which can optionally be angled, is conceivable for coupling the contact surface of the plug 3 or the plug socket 2 to the light transceiver unit. It is also conceivable to spatially separate the light transceiver unit or just the source from a transfer area of the connection arrangement in which the wireless data transmission takes place by means of a fiber optic cable or bundle, for example a longer flexible fiber optic bundle integrated into the supply line Z. In this way, for example, any influencing of a control and/or light source and/or receiver chip by the electromagnetic field of coils of the energy transmission device can be prevented.

The permanent magnets 15 can be arranged in a shape-coded manner according to a geometry required by the arrangement of the connector receptacle, for example one or more circular segments on a missile tail. An exact and unmistakable positioning of the connector relative to the connector receptacle can be defined on the one hand by the position of the various permanent magnets or by corresponding pairs of permanent magnets (and their north-south alignment). In this case, the pairs of magnets can be designed to be distinguishable, similar to the positioning/coding keys on conventional connectors. Alternatively or additionally, predetermined minor mechanical indentations and/or ribs may be defined which only mate in a predetermined relative position.

As an alternative or in addition to form coding, it is possible to ensure the release of energy and data transmission by querying an electronic ID element integrated in the receiving part of the connection arrangement (plug or plug socket), for example an RFID chip.

The permanent magnets 15 can be designed with a conductive coating for better electrical contact. In this way, the permanent magnets can represent a galvanic connection at the same time, so it is possible to transmit the earth potential (ground potential), whereby separate ground potentials (e.g. AGND for analog signals and DGND for digital signals) are also possible . Alternatively or additionally conceivable is the realization of various discrete ignition signal circuits via the permanent magnets. Also conceivable as an alternative or in addition is the use of the permanent magnets as conductor contacts for the energy supply, for example for the transmission of significantly larger currents and/or for rapid charging functions.

In a further embodiment, the possibility of a galvanic contact can be omitted or the contact can be designed with a resistant surface material, such as gold plating. In this case, the plug and the plug receptacle can each be completely and insulatingly encapsulated.

The entire plug can have pull-out bevels on one or more sides, which ensure that the plug connection can still be detached without any problems in the event of non-axial pull or adverse weather conditions such as ice or frost.

The connection arrangement that can be torn off offers the possibility of meeting aerodynamic or hydrodynamic requirements through the variably adaptable and closed (if necessary also hermetic) surface design. The same applies to the individual plug and/or the individual plug receptacle. Possible applications for the connection arrangement according to the present invention are, for example, in the area of smaller missiles, aerodynamic jettisoned loads or hydrodynamic objects such as torpedoes or the like. In the case of hermetically sealed arrangements, use in aggressive media is possible. Use in maintenance or data acquisition systems is also conceivable.

With the energy transmission device for contact-free transmission of electrical energy between the plug and the plug socket (also called wireless power assembly), a continuous supply of the autonomous system can be ensured, for example for charging processes, trickle charging processes, or the like. Conceivable continuous power for the inductive transmission of electrical energy for a coil integrated in a plug and a coil integrated in the plug receptacle are in the range of about 200-300W. Of course, depending on the dimensioning, higher or lower continuous outputs are also possible.

As an alternative to a flat circular shape, the coil 7 and/or 8 can also be designed as a cylindrical, rod-like coil. These deviating designs can be necessary, for example, when the connector receptacle is attached to/in the tail of a missile for structural reasons. Depending on the space available, the wireless optical data transmission path (LiFi transmission path) can be arranged either axially and centrally or at another point in this construction.

Reference List

1

breakable connection assembly

2

connector receptacle

3

Plug

4

energy transfer device

5

sealing device

6

data transmission facility

7

Kitchen sink

8th

Kitchen sink

9

light transceiver unit

10

light transceiver unit

11

ground connection device

12

contact element

13

contact element

14

friction element

15

permanent magnet

16

draft

17

strand

18

side face

19

metal cylinder

20

missile

21

Covering

22

support plate

23

yoke

24

edge

25

power supply device

26

data storage facility

27

starting device

28

cable clamp

29

Feather

30

Lid

31

power electronics

32

power electronics

R

direction of deduction

V

direction of movement

Z

supply line

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102019002847 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Detachable connection arrangement (1) for energy and data transmission for autonomous systems, in particular missiles, with: a plug receptacle (2) and a plug (3) which can be accommodated in the plug receptacle (2); an energy transmission device (4) which is designed to transmit electrical energy between the plug (3) and the plug socket (2) in a received state; a sealing device (5) which is designed to releasably seal at least one section of the plug receptacle (2) with at least one section of the plug (3) in the received state with respect to environmental media; and a data transmission device (6) which, in the received state, is arranged within the sealed sections of the plug receptacle (2) and the plug (3) and is designed for wireless data exchange between the plug (3) and the plug receptacle (2) by means of wireless optical data transmission. Breakaway connector assembly claim 1 , wherein the energy transmission device (4) for contact-free transmission of electrical energy between the plug (3) and the plug socket (2) is designed. Breakaway connector assembly claim 2 , wherein the energy transmission device (4) for the inductive transmission of electrical energy has a coil (7) integrated into the plug (3) and a coil (8) integrated into the plug receptacle (2). Breakaway connector assembly claim 3 , wherein the coil axes (20) of the coils (7, 8) are each arranged transversely to a predetermined removal direction (R) of the plug (3) and/or transversely to a predetermined direction of movement (V) of an autonomous system coupled to the plug receptacle (2). are. Tearable connection arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the data transmission device (6) has a first light transceiver unit (9) integrated in the plug (3) and a second light transceiver unit (10) integrated in the plug socket (2). Tearable connection arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data transmission device has a plurality of first light transceiver units (9) integrated into the plug (3) and a plurality of second light transceiver units (10) integrated into the plug socket (2) to provide a plurality of spatially distributed optical data transmission paths. A tear-away connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising grounding means (11) for coupling the receptacle (2) and the plug (3) to a ground potential. Tearable connection arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ground connection device (11) has a first electrical contact element (12) integrated into the plug (3) and a corresponding second electrical contact element (13) integrated into the plug receptacle (2). Breakaway connector assembly claim 8 , wherein the first and second contact element (12, 13) are designed as at least partially resilient magnetic contacts and/or as resilient surface contacts, in particular with force-locking elements (14) that correspond to one another. Tearable connection arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug receptacle (2) and/or the plug (3) have a plurality of permanent magnets (15), in particular spring-loaded permanent magnets, for magnetic attachment of the plug (3) in the plug receptacle (2). Breakaway connector assembly claim 10 , wherein the permanent magnets (15) are designed and provided as conductor contacts for the transmission of electrical energy and/or signals and/or potentials, in particular ground potentials. Breakaway connector assembly claim 10 or 11 , The permanent magnets (15) being arranged in a form-coded manner, so that a single possible position of the plug (3) relative to the plug receptacle (2) is predetermined in the received state. Tearable connection arrangement according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the plug (3) and the plug receptacle (2) are each completely encapsulated in an electrically insulating manner, in particular without galvanic contacts. A tear-off connection arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug receptacle (2) is designed as a pocket that tapers at an angle or conically at least in sections, and the plug (3) has correspondingly tapering pull-out bevels (16) which, in the received state, are in contact with the pocket at least in sections are. Missile (20), in particular guided missile, having: a casing (21); and a plug receptacle (2) embedded in the casing (21), the plug receptacle (2) having a coil (8) for wireless energy supply and a light transceiver unit (10) for wireless optical data exchange of the missile (20) by means of a corresponding plug receptacle ( 2) has a plug (3) that can be taken up and is designed for optical data transmission and wireless energy supply.

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