EP1328422B1 - Node point on a data bus for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a node point, comprising a first piece (1), to which at least one line of the CAN bus leads and a second piece (2), which may be connected to the first piece (1) and comprises means for connecting the line. Said node point may be easily disconnected such that an error analysis is possible. Furthermore, the node point, in other words the line connection may be easily and reliably reformed, by connecting the first and second pieces (1, 2).

Description

From the genus form the DE 195 05 845 A1 is a control device for operating on, in particular for the municipal or winter service specific vehicles located and / or attachable auxiliary units, in particular in the form of a control unit known, wherein a control, display and operating module connected via a provided on the vehicle line bus are. The line bus consists of a CAN bus to the interfaces forming plug-in contacts said modules are plugged. It is thus possible in a cost effective and simple manner to arrange the display and / or operating module at different locations, which are designed with plug-in connections on the motor vehicle in order to control the attachable additional units.

From the DE 35 40 599 A1 discloses a diagnostic system for a motor vehicle, having a connected to a diagnostic bus plug-in device to which a diagnostic connector can be attached. This diagnostic system requires an intact bus line, via which the diagnostic data can then be output

The disadvantage here, however, is that when a malfunction of the bus diagnostic data can no longer be issued and a resolution of the node is required.

From the DE 42 35 539 A1 a data bus transmission system for a semitrailer is known in which a data bus is extended from a towing vehicle in a tracking vehicle. In this case, the data bus is replaced by a Data bus coupling extended from the towing vehicle in the tracking vehicle. The actual hubs are located in the towing vehicle or in the trailing vehicle. One data bus is provided with a first plug-in device and the other extended part of the data bus is provided with a second plug-in device. The contact is made by putting the two connectors together. The disadvantage here, however, is that when pulling the plug, the cables of the data bus can be damaged. The critical, conventional nodes remain unchanged in such an arrangement.

A CAN bus essentially consists of a ring line to which the CAN stations are connected via a line crimp or can be closed. Such a Leitungscrimp is no longer or only with considerable effort separable. Due to the many CAN subscribers and the different transmission speeds, for example in the comfort CAN, drive CAN, display CAN, a variety of such crimp connections are provided in the motor vehicle, which are integrated in the cable harness (harness) and either under the carpet, behind panels or are arranged in the dash panel area of the motor vehicle.

If electronic problems occur or rework is necessary, it is difficult to find such crimp connections and then to dissolve them in order to be able to carry out a fault analysis. After the fault analysis, the individual lines of the crimp connection must be re-soldered or pressed. This can result in contact resistance, which in turn can lead to disturbances. Furthermore, it can not be guaranteed with absolute certainty that all lines in the network are safely covered again.

The object of the invention is therefore to implement a CAN bus system for a motor vehicle and in particular a node such that a simple error analysis is possible and that the safety of the electrical connection is ensured.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1.

Advantage of the invention is that the node of a first part to which the at least one line of the CAN bus is guided and a second part is formed, which is connected to the first part and has means for connecting the line. It is thus possible by the joining of the first and second parts in a simple manner to form a CAN node. By separating the parts, this CAN node can be easily resolved to make it accessible for error analysis. For example, an analyzer can then be connected to the CAN bus via a line at the end of which a second part is provided for error analysis.

Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings in conjunction with the dependent claims.

Figur 1

einen Knotenpunkt eines Daten-Busses für ein Kraftfahrzeug nach der Erfindung,

Figur 2

Teile des Knotenpunktes nach der Figur 1,

Figur 3

ein erstes Teil des Knotenpunktes,

Figur 4

ein zweites Teil des Knotenpunktes in einer Draufsicht,

Figur 5

das zweite Teil in einer Unteransicht und

Figur 6

eine Anschlusseinrichtung für eine Fehleranalysegerät und

Figuren 7-10

prinzipielle Darstellungen des Knotens nach der Figur 1.

It shows:

FIG. 1

a node of a data bus for a motor vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 2

Parts of the node after the FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a first part of the junction,

FIG. 4

a second part of the junction in a plan view,

FIG. 5

the second part in a bottom view and

FIG. 6

a connection device for a fault analysis device and

Figures 7-10

Principal representations of the node after the FIG. 1 ,

In the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

From the FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a node of a data bus such as a CAN bus for a motor vehicle forth which has a first part 1 to the at least one line, ie the line ends of the line of the CAN bus are feasible. A second part 2 of this node is joined to the first part 1 and has means for connecting the line ends. In the exemplary embodiment, the first part 1 is designed as a socket and the second part 2 as a plug. Likewise, but could also be the first part 1 as a plug and the second part 2 designed as a socket. About a locking element 3, the second part 2 on the first part 1 can be locked. The node is thus secured against accidental opening. Particularly preferably, such a node is positioned at a location in the motor vehicle, which allows easy access, in particular for error analysis. For example, a place in the area of the instrument panel is suitable for this purpose. But are also more suitable places, for example in the engine compartment or in the trunk, if this seems more appropriate. In the context of the invention, however, several nodes can be provided in the motor vehicle, for example, node points on the left and right sides of the dashboard can be arranged in the footwell.

For a more detailed explanation of the first and second parts 1, 2 is now on the FIG. 2 directed. From this figure it follows that the first part 1 has a housing 4 for receiving a contact carrier 5, to which at least one line of the bus system can be connected. This contact carrier 5 can be inserted for example in a recess 6 on the housing 4 and rest in an end position. The housing 4 of the first part 1 can be introduced for attachment in an opening of the motor vehicle and snap there in an end position. This embodiment has advantages in manufacturing, since this type of attachment is associated with only a small amount of time. Alternatively, however, the housing 4 of the first part 1 could also be fastened to the motor vehicle via a screw connection or snap connection.

From the FIG. 2 also shows that the second part 2 is formed as a plug 7 and at least a two-pole shorting bridge 8 has. In the specific embodiment, a plurality of shorting bridges 8 can be received by the plug 7, wherein, for example, two eight-pole and two sixteen-pole shorting bridges 8 are provided. In the assembled state of the plug 7 with the socket this shorting bridge 8 or these shorting bars 8 connects one line or several lines, which is brought to the contact carrier 5 and assigned to a CAN bus of the motor vehicle / are.

The locking element 3 comprises a lever 7 which can be attached to the plug 7 and which is pivotable about the journal bearing 10 provided on the plug 7. The journal bearing 10 are for this purpose received in openings 11 which are provided on the legs 12 of the lever 9. At the end, at least on one leg 12, a tooth 13 is formed, which cooperates with a tooth 4 formed on the housing or a tooth receptacle 14 for effecting the locking. For this purpose, the lever 9 of the in the FIG. 4 shown position about the journal bearing 10 are pivoted so that it in a in the FIG. 1 shown position on a locking element 15 locks. From the FIG. 4 it also follows that the plug 7 has a coding region 16 so that it only has a specific connector, in a particular assignment ( FIG. 3 ), which has a corresponding coding region 16 as a counterpart. From the FIG. 3 shows that the contact carrier 5 has a plurality of regions 17 to which a common or in each case a bus system can be assigned. Furthermore, it can be seen that the contact carrier 5 is designed with positioning recesses 18 in the positioning pins 19 of the plug 7 ( FIG. 5 ) can.

From the Figures 3 and 5 it also follows that the first and second part 1.2 is assigned a further latching connection 20, which is designed, for example, as a latching recess 22 engaging in a latching recess 21.

By one in the Figures 1-5 described node, it is easily possible to solve the node and perform a diagnosis of the bus system or the respective bus system and / or the bus participants and then restore a secure node connection. For error analysis, an error analyzer can be connected to the first part 1 via an associated line 23 and a further plug 24, so that signals can be coupled in and out. Likewise, the fault analyzer could be designed as a programming device, so that via the line 23 in conjunction with the other connector 24, a programming of at least one participant, such as a controller, can be done in a simple manner. From the FIG. 6 It can be seen that the further connector 24 is designed with a further lever 25 so that it can be securely attached to the first part 1.

In order to ensure a better and safer allocation, an L-shaped guide 26 can be formed both on the plug 7 and on the first part 1, which, in particular, ensure cohesion of the housing 4 of the first part 1 on the plug 7. Bending of the housing 4 when mating with the plug 7 is thus effectively counteracted. The same effect is self-evident T-shaped guides and Z-shaped guides in short, guides that cause a secure mating and holding.

From the Figures 7-10 shows a principal node of a data bus, wherein, in the following explanation, already mentioned elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

From the FIG. 7 goes out a principal node, wherein at least one line 27 of a data bus leads to the first part 1. The second part 2 has an electrical or optical connection via which in the assembled state of the parts 1, 2, the line 27 is closed. When removing the parts 1,2, this line 27 is interrupted, that is, opened. The line 27 of the data bus can be embodied here as an electrical or optical line. By means of a node designed in this way, a line 27 of the data bus can thus be opened or closed in a simple manner.

From the FIG. 8 shows that to the first part 1 bus participants 28, 29, 30 are guided over at least one line in each case. The node is opened by separating the parts 1,2. From the FIG. 8 it also follows that the line 27 is also brought to the first part in this case, but this is not absolutely necessary. In the context of the invention, it is therefore also possible only bus participants 28, 29, 30 to lead to the node. A corresponding-the FIG. 8 closed node results from the FIG. 9 ,

For the diagnosis of the data bus or bus subscribers 28, 29, 30, the second part 2 is removed from the first part 1 and a diagnostic plug 31 is connected to the first part 1. Via the diagnostic connector 31 and corresponding lines, a diagnostic device 32 with the bus participants 28, 29, 30 can be connected, so that these and possibly the line 27 can be diagnosed.

In the context of the invention, it is also possible to lead the line 27 to the second part 2 so that when removing the second part 2 from the first part 1 of the data bus is not interrupted but the access to the bus participants 28, 29, 30 and is possible to certain bus subscribers. It has already been mentioned that it is irrelevant whether the first or second part is designed as a plug or socket.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

first part

2

second part

3

locking element

4

Housing first part

5

contact support

6

recess

7

plug

8th

Shorting

9

lever

10

chocks

11

opening

12

leg

13

tooth

14

tooth receiving

15

locking element

16

coding region

17

Area

18

positioning recess

19

positioning

20

locking connection

21

recess

22

locking lug

23

management

24

another plug

25

another lever

26

L-shaped guide

27

management

28

Bus devices

29

Bus devices

30

Bus devices

31

diagnostic connector

Claims (6)

1. Node point for a CAN bus system for a motor vehicle having at least one CAN bus and at least one user of the CAN bus, and wherein the node point is composed of an at least two-part plug-type connection (1, 2), characterized in that the first part (1) has a receptacle for a CAN bus line and at least one further line to which a user or another CAN bus is connected, and the second part has the electrical connecting means (8) between the CAN bus line and the further line, with the result that when the two parts (1, 2) are joined together, at least the CAN bus line and the further line are electrically connected to one another.
2. Node point according to Claim 1, characterized in that the one CAN bus is assigned to a first region (17) of the first part (1), and the other CAN bus is assigned to a second region (17) of the first part (1).
3. Node point according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the connecting means (8) which are arranged in the second part (2) are electrical short-circuit bridges (8).
4. Node point according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first and second parts (1, 2) can be locked in the joined-together state.
5. Node point according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first and second parts (1, 2) can be joined together only in a specific, predefined arrangement.
6. Node point according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first part (1) is embodied as a plug socket, and the second part (2) is embodied as a plug part (7).

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