Data contact means and vehicle communication network equipped with data contact means

Abstract

The objective is to provide improved data contact means and a vehicle communication network equipped with data contact means. [Solution] The data contact means (300) comprises a first contact module (100) and a second contact module (200). The first contact module comprises a first contact housing (104). The second contact module comprises a second contact housing (204). The first contact housing comprises a first recess (107) positioned laterally in the first contact housing, and the second contact housing comprises a second recess (207) positioned laterally in the second contact housing. The first recess and the second recess are positioned on the same side of the first and second contact housings, respectively, and are designed to receive a bridge spring contact (301).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to data contact means and a vehicle communication network comprising the data contact means.

Background Art

[0002] A twisted core data line for vehicles is known from publication DE102022101623A1. A part of the core wire is connected to a conductive bridge connector. The bridge connectors of the various core wires of the data line are arranged parallel to each other and separated at the connection points. The impedance of the connection points at the design frequency is set to a predetermined impedance value by a predetermined distance between the bridge connectors and a predetermined width of the bridge connectors.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide improved data contact means and a vehicle communication network comprising the data contact means. This object is achieved by data contact means and a vehicle communication network having the features of the respective independent claims. Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] A data contact means for data exchange between network participants (network components, network participants) in a communication network, particularly a vehicle communication network, comprises a first contact module and a second contact module positioned next to the first contact module. The first contact module comprises a first contact housing and a first contact structure having at least one first contact element. The second contact module comprises a second contact housing and a second contact structure having at least one second contact element. The first and second contact housings each surround a contact receiving portion circumferentially with respect to the mounting axis and have a contact opening on their end face extending along the mounting axis. A first contact element is positioned in the contact receptacle of a first contact housing, and a second contact element is positioned in the contact receptacle of a second contact housing. The first contact element is designed to contact a correspondingly realized first mating contact element, and the second contact element is designed to contact a correspondingly realized second mating contact element. The first contact housing has a first recess extending through the first contact housing and positioned laterally within the first contact housing, and the second contact housing has a second recess extending through the second contact housing and positioned laterally within the second contact housing. The first recess is positioned in the first contact housing offset from the first contact opening and along the mounting axis, and connects to the first contact receptacle. The second recess is positioned in the second contact housing offset from the second contact opening and along the mounting axis, and connects to the second contact receptacle. The first and second recesses are located on the same side of the first and second contact housings, respectively, and are designed to receive a bridge spring contact. It is advantageous that the first and second contact elements can be connected to each other by a bridge spring contact. Therefore, even if the data contact means is disconnected from the network-participating equipment of the communication network, it is possible to realize a continuous bus line that remains in perfect condition through the first and second contact elements of the data contact means.

[0005] In one embodiment, the data contact means has a bridge spring contact having at least one first contact spring and a second contact spring connected to the first contact spring. The first contact spring engages through a first recess and contacts the first contact element. The second contact spring engages through a second recess and contacts the second contact element. It is advantageous that the first and second contact elements are connected to each other via the bridge spring contact.

[0006] In one embodiment, the bridge spring contact has a connection portion realized in the form of a plate. The connection portion extends along a straight line inclined with respect to the mounting axis. A first contact spring and a second contact spring are positioned at opposite ends of the connection portion and connected to the connection portion.

[0007] In one embodiment, the bridge spring contact has a support portion realized in the form of a plate. The support portion is connected to the connection portion and is positioned linearly between the first contact spring and the second contact spring. It is advantageous that the support portion is designed to support the bridge spring contact in at least one of the contact housings and hold it in a desired position.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first recess is formed in the form of a slot in the first contact housing, and / or the second recess is formed in the form of a slot in the second contact housing. It is advantageous that the contact spring of the bridge spring contact can be latched into the slot-shaped recess.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first contact housing has a first support surface on its outer circumference facing away from the first contact receiving portion. The first support surface is oriented obliquely with respect to the mounting axis and is adjacent to the first recess. The second contact housing has a second support surface on its outer circumference facing away from the second contact receiving portion. The second support surface is oriented obliquely with respect to the mounting axis and is adjacent to the second recess. The bridge spring contact is advantageous in that the contact springs abut against their respective support portions, respectively, by being supported by the support surfaces of the contact housings.

[0010] In one embodiment, the data contact means has a housing. The housing encloses a first module receiver, a second module receiver, and a bridge spring receiver. The first contact module is located in the first module receiver, and the second contact module is located in the second module receiver. The bridge spring receiver is located in the first and second module receivers and connects to the first and second module receivers, respectively. The data contact means may be implemented as a PCB connector, in which case it is advantageous for the housing to have contact pins for terminal connection to a PCB, i.e., a printed circuit board.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bridge spring contact is positioned on the bridge spring receiving portion, the first contact spring engages with the first module receiving portion, and the second contact spring engages with the second module receiving portion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the data contact means is designed for data exchange based on Ethernet, CAN-FD, CAN-XL, 10BASE-T1S, or A2B protocols, and / or for data exchange at speeds of 10 Mbit / s or 100 Mbit / s. However, the data contact means may be designed for data exchange based on different protocols and / or different data transmission speeds. This is advantageous in providing a solution within the data contact device for realizing a continuous bus line.

[0013] In one embodiment, a first contact element is connected to a first cable having at least one first data line. A second contact element is connected to a second cable having at least one second data line. The data lines are either shielded or unshielded.

[0014] In one embodiment, a further first contact element of a first contact module is connected to a further first data line of a first cable. A further second contact element is connected to a further second data line of a second cable. The first data lines of the first cable are twisted, and the second data lines of the second cable are twisted, but in either case, they are not twisted in the area of ​​the contact element. The untwisted length is less than 16.5 mm. The untwisted length defines the length or area of ​​the data line that is not twisted in order to connect the data line to the corresponding contact element. The untwisted length is particularly short, which is advantageous because it reduces electromagnetic crosstalk between data lines.

[0015] According to one of the embodiments described, the vehicle communication network comprises at least one first network participant device and at least one data contact means. The first network participant device has a termination element having a first counterpart contact element and a second counterpart contact element for terminal connection of the data contact means.

[0016] In one embodiment, a first network participant is connected to at least one second network participant via a bridge spring contact. It is advantageous that the data connection or bus line to the second network participant is maintained even if the data contact means is disconnected from the first network participant.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first and second counterpart contact elements of the termination element of the first network participant device are connected to each other by a bridge contact. A bus connection provided by a bus spring contact is advantageous because it can be maintained even if the bus spring contact is damaged. A prerequisite for this is that data contact means are connected to the termination element.

[0018] The data contact methods and vehicle communication network will be described in detail below, with reference to the schematic diagram. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] Two perspective views of the first contact module. [Figure 2] Two perspectives on data contact methods. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first contact module of the data contact means. [Figure 4] Two perspective views of data contact means according to further embodiments. [Figure 5] Two perspective views of data contact means according to further embodiments. [Figure 6] Perspective view of contact means according to a further embodiment. [Figure 7] Perspective view of data contact means according to a further embodiment in combination with a network participating device of a communication network. [Figure 8] Perspective view of data contact means having a network participating device according to FIG. 7 and the data contact means of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] Diagram showing a communication network having a plurality of network participating devices and data contact means.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] FIG. 1 is two different perspective views of a first contact module 100.

[0021] The first contact module 100 has a contact structure having at least one first contact element 101. The first contact module 100 preferably has a further first contact element 101 in addition to the first contact element 101, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1. The first contact module 100 is connected to a first cable 102 including a first data line 103 and a further first data line 103. The first contact element 101 is connected to the first data line 103. The further first contact element 101 is connected to the further first data line 103. However, if the first contact module 100 does not have a further first contact element 101, the further first data line may be omitted. In FIG. 1, the first data line 103 is shown only in the first perspective view that transparently shows the first cable 102.

[0022] The first data line 103 is, for example, a twisted, unshielded design. In this case, the first contact module 100 is implemented as a UTP contact module (unshielded twisted pair, abbreviated as UTP). However, the first data line 103 may also be a shielded design. The twisted first data line 103 is not twisted in the region of the first contact element 101. The first data line 103 may not be twisted at all.

[0023] The first contact module 100 has a first contact housing 104. The first contact housing 104 is shown only in the second perspective view of Figure 1, and therefore the first contact element 101 can be seen in the first perspective view. The first contact housing 104 surrounds a contact receiving portion circumferentially with respect to the mounting shaft 105. The first contact housing 104 has a contact opening 106 on its end face that extends along the mounting shaft 105. The first contact element 101 is positioned in the contact receiving portion of the first contact housing 104. Since further first contact elements 101 are provided in the first contact module 100, the first contact housing 104 further surrounds the mounting shaft 105 circumferentially. The first contact housing 104 has an end face with a further contact opening 106 extending along the mounting shaft 105. A further first contact element 101 is positioned in a further contact receiving portion of the first contact housing 104. However, the further contact receiving portion and the further contact opening 106 may be omitted.

[0024] The first contact element 101 is designed to contact a correspondingly implemented first mating contact element. For example, the first contact element 101 is implemented as a female electrical connector. Alternatively, the first contact element 101 may be implemented as a male electrical connector.

[0025] The first contact housing 104 has a first recess 107 extending through the first contact housing 104 and positioned laterally within the first contact housing 104. The first recess 107 is positioned along the mounting shaft 105, offset from the first contact opening 106, within the first contact housing 104, and connects to a first contact receiving portion. The first contact housing 104 also has a further first recess 107 extending through the first contact housing 104 and positioned laterally within the first contact housing 104, the further first recess 107 is positioned along the mounting shaft 105, offset from a further first contact opening 106, within the first contact housing 104, and connects to a further first contact receiving portion. The further first recess 107 is not visible in the second perspective view of Figure 1 because it is realized on the opposite side of the first recess 107 of the first contact housing 104. The first recess 107 and the further first recess 107 are each formed in the first contact housing 104, for example, in the form of a slot. The further first recess 107 may be omitted if the further first contact element 101 is not provided in the first contact module 100.

[0026] Figure 2 shows two perspective views of the data contact means 300. The data contact means 300 is designed for data exchange between network-participating devices in a communication network, such as a vehicle communication network. The data contact means 300 has a first contact module 100 and a second contact module 200. The second contact module 200 has the same design as the first contact module 100 shown in Figure 1. The corresponding elements of the second contact module 200 that are optional in the first contact module 100 are also optional in the second contact module 200.

[0027] The second contact module 200 is positioned next to the first contact module 100. The second contact module 200 is positioned next to the first contact module 100 such that the second contact housing 204 of the second contact module 200 and the first contact housing 204 of the second contact module 200 are in contact with each other. The second contact element 201 of the second contact module 200 is positioned above the first contact element 101. Further second contact elements 201 of the second contact module 200 are positioned above further first contact elements 101. In other words, the first contact element 101 is positioned in a first plane, while the second contact elements 201 are positioned in a second plane parallel to the first plane. This arrangement can also be called a vertical arrangement of contact modules 100 and 200. In a horizontal arrangement of contact modules 100 and 200, the first contact element 101, a further first contact element 101, a second contact element 201, and a further second contact element 201 are arranged in a common plane. The vertical arrangement of contact modules 100 and 200 is advantageous in reducing electromagnetic crosstalk between the contact modules 100 and 200. This is because the contact modules 100 and 200 are arranged such that the electromagnetic field strength generated by one contact module 100 or 200 in the area of ​​the other contact module 100 or 200 during operation is lower than in the case of a horizontal arrangement.

[0028] The first recess 107 and the second recess 207 are located on the same side of the first contact housing 104 and the second contact housing 204, respectively, and are designed to receive the first bridge spring contact 301. Additionally, a further first recess 107 and a further second recess 207 are located on the same side of the first contact housing 104 and the second contact housing 204, respectively, and are designed to receive the second bridge spring contact 301.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the data contact means 300 has two bridge spring contacts 301 positioned opposite each other with respect to the mounting shaft 105. The first bridge spring contact 301 engages with the first recess 107 and the second recess 207. The second bridge spring contact 301 engages with a further first recess 107 and a further second recess 207. If no further contact elements 101, 201 are provided, at least one of the bridge spring contacts 301 may be omitted. However, both bridge spring contacts 301 may be omitted.

[0030] Each bridge spring contact 301 has at least one first contact spring 302 and a second contact spring 303 connected to the first contact spring 302. The first contact spring 302 of the first bridge spring contact 301 engages through a first recess 107 and contacts the first contact element 101. The second contact spring 303 engages through a second recess 207 and contacts the second contact element 201. Correspondingly, a further first contact spring 302 of the second bridge spring contact 301 engages through a further first recess 107 and contacts a further first contact element 101. A further second contact spring 303 of the second bridge spring contact 301 engages through a further second recess 207 and contacts a further second contact element 201.

[0031] Each bridge spring contact 301 has a connecting portion 304 implemented in the form of a plate. Each connecting portion 304 extends along a straight line inclined with respect to the mounting shaft 105. The first contact spring 302 and the second contact spring 303 are located at both ends of the connecting portion 304 and connected to the connecting portion 304. In addition, each bridge spring contact 301 has a support portion 305 implemented in the form of a plate. Each support portion 305 is connected to the connecting portion 304 and is positioned between the first contact spring 302 and the second contact spring 303 with respect to the straight line. On the side of the support portion 305 opposite to the connecting portion 304, each support portion 305 has a free end.

[0032] The fact that the connecting portion 304 and support portion 305 of the bridge spring contact 301 are implemented in the form of plates means that the connecting portion 304 and support portion 305 each extend along a plane. The connecting portion 304 and support portion 305 may have different geometric shapes. The connecting portion 304 is rectangular as an example, but may have a different design. For example, the connecting portion 304 may have curved edges or contours. In general, the geometric shape of the connecting portion 304 is not limited to the variations shown and described. Similarly, the support portion 305, which is also in the form of a plate, unlike the connecting portion 304, is not implemented in a rectangular shape but may have, for example, multiple undercuts. The support portion 305 may have any geometric shape in the plane on which it extends. The support portion 305 may be omitted.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first contact module 100 of the data contact means 300 in Figure 2, along a plane stretched by the mounting shaft 105 and the straight line along which the connection portion 304 of the first bridge spring contact 301 extends. Therefore, the plane in the cross-sectional view extends to the region of the first contact element 101 of the first contact module 100. Thus, Figure 3 shows that the first contact element 101 is in contact with the first contact spring 302 of the bridge spring contact 301. The reference numerals used so far are maintained.

[0034] The first contact housing 104 has a first support surface 306 on its outer circumference facing away from the first contact receiving portion. The first support surface 306 is oriented obliquely with respect to the mounting shaft 105 and is adjacent to the first recess 107. Accordingly, the first contact housing 104 has a further first support surface 306 on its outer circumference facing away from the first contact receiving portion. The further first support surface 306 is oriented obliquely with respect to the mounting shaft 105 and is adjacent to a further first recess 107.

[0035] The second contact housing 204 has a second support surface 306 on its outer circumference, facing away from the second contact receiving portion. The second support surface 306 is oriented obliquely with respect to the mounting shaft 105 and is adjacent to the second recess 207. The second contact housing 204 has a further second support surface 306 on its outer circumference, facing away from the second contact receiving portion. The further second support surface 306 is oriented obliquely with respect to the mounting shaft 105 and is adjacent to the further second recess 207. In Figure 3, only a cross-section of the first contact module 100 is shown, so the second support surfaces 306 are not visible.

[0036] Figure 4 shows two perspective views of the data contact means 300 according to a further embodiment. The data contact means 300 in Figure 4 has elements of the data contact means 300 in Figure 3 plus additional elements. Only the additional elements will be described below. The reference numerals used so far will be maintained.

[0037] The data contact means comprises a housing 307. In Figure 4, the housing 307 is not shown in one of the perspective views in order to show the parallel arrangement of the contact modules 100, 200 and an optional bridge spring contact 301. The housing 307 encloses a first module receiver, a second module receiver, and at least one bridge spring receiver. The first contact module 100 is located in the first module receiver, and the second contact module 200 is located in the second module receiver. The bridge spring receiver is located in the first module receiver and the second module receiver, and connects to the first module receiver and the second module receiver, respectively. The first module support, the second module support, and the bridge spring support are formed inside the housing 307 and are therefore not visible in Figure 4. The bridge spring contact 301 is located in the bridge spring support, the first contact spring 302 engages with the first module support, and the second contact spring 303 engages with the second module support.

[0038] Figure 5 shows two perspective views of the data contact means 400 according to a further embodiment. The reference numerals used so far are maintained. The data contact means 400 in Figure 5 has similarities to the data contact means 300 in Figure 4. Only the differences between the data contact means 400 in Figure 5 and the data contact means 300 in Figure 4 are described below. The reference numerals used so far are maintained.

[0039] The data contact means 400 in Figure 5 is implemented as a PCB connector 400. The PCB connector 400 comprises the data contact means 300 in Figure 4 and a further housing 401. The further housing 401 has an opening and a receiving portion 402 for the data contact means 300 in Figure 4. In the assembled state, the data contact means 300 is positioned in the receiving portion 402 of the further housing 401. The further housing 401 further comprises contact pins 403 positioned on the opposite side of the opening of the further housing 401. The contact pins 403 are implemented as electrical lead-throughs through the further housing 401 and are designed to terminate the data contact means 400 to a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0040] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the data contact means 500 according to a further embodiment. The reference numerals used so far are maintained.

[0041] In addition to the first contact module 100 and the second contact module 200, the data contact means 500 includes a third contact module 600 and a fourth contact module 700. The third contact module 600 and the fourth contact module 700 are of the same design as the first contact module 100 and the second contact module 200. The data contact means 500 may have a different number of contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700. The contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 are arranged vertically, with each pair of contact elements 101, 201, 601, and 701 of the contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 positioned in planes extending parallel to each other, while each pair of contact elements 101, 201, 601, and 701 of the contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 is positioned in a separate plane.

[0042] The data contact means 500 also has an additional housing 501 designed to receive contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700. The additional housing 501 has four through-openings 502. The arrangement of contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 is designed so that the contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 engage with the additional housing 501 through the through-openings 502 and are guided through the through-openings 502 so that they protrude from the through-openings 502. Thus, the arrangement of contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 is made possible by the additional housing 501.

[0043] The data contact means 500 also has four counterpart contact modules 800. Each counterpart contact module 800 has a counterpart contact element 801 that is complementary to the contact elements 101, 201, 601, and 701. Each contact element 101, 201, 601, and 701 is designed to contact a corresponding or complementary counterpart contact element 801. The counterpart contact modules 800 are also arranged vertically, one above the other.

[0044] The data contact means 500 also has a further additional housing 802 which is implemented to receive a mating contact module 800. The further additional housing 802 has two further openings 803 opposite to each other. The arrangement of the mating contact module 800 is designed to engage with the further additional housing 802 through one of the further openings 803. At the further opening 803 opposite to the further additional housing 802, the mating contact module 800 can protrude from the further additional housing 802. Thus, the arrangement of the mating contact module 800 is made possible by the further additional housing 802.

[0045] If the arrangements of contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 are guided through an additional housing 501, and the mating contact module 800 is guided through a further additional housing 802, the arrangements of contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 are connected to and in contact with the arrangement of the mating contact module 800 along the mounting axis 105, and the contact elements 101, 201, 601, and 701 of contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 are connected to and in contact with the mating contact element 801 of the mating contact module 800.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment having female contact elements 101, 201, 601, and 701, the mating contact element 801 is implemented as a male connector. After connection and contact, additional housings 501 and further additional housings 802 are positioned adjacent to each other in the area of ​​contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 connected to the mating contact module 800, and may be connected to each other to protect the connection between contact modules 100, 200, 600, and 700 and the mating contact module 800.

[0047] The data contact means 500 in Figure 6 can also be called an inline terminal 500, which is implemented as a quadruple inline terminal 500 in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 6. The data contact means 500 can be used, for example, in a modular connector system. In this case, the bridge spring contact 301 is not necessary and may be omitted. This is because the bridge spring contact 301 connects the contact elements 101 and 201 of different contact modules 100 and 200 to each other, whereas in the case of an inline terminal 500, this connection is not absolutely necessary because the inline terminal 500 is generally designed only to relay data.

[0048] Figures 7 and 8 show examples of a communication network 1000, where, for simplicity, only one network participant (network component) 901 is shown. The communication network 1000 may be implemented, for example, as a vehicle communication network 1000.

[0049] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a data contact means 900 having network participant equipment 901 of a communication network. The reference numerals used so far are maintained.

[0050] The data contact means 900 in Figure 7 differs from the data contact means 500 in Figure 6 in that it comprises only the arrangement of contact modules 100, 200, 600, 700 and an additional housing 501, and omits the other contact module 800 and a further additional housing 802. The network participant device 901 may be implemented, for example, as a control device. The network participant device 901 has a termination element 902 having a further other contact module 903 for connecting and contacting the contact modules 100, 200, 600, 700. Each further other contact module 903 has at least one other contact element 801 for connecting to the contact elements 101, 201, 601, 701.

[0051] In contrast to the data contact means 500 in Figure 6, the data contact means 900 in Figure 7 includes a bridge spring contact 301, although the second bridge spring contact 301 may be omitted. The first contact module 100 is connected to the second contact module 200 by the bridge spring contact 301. In this case, the first contact element 101 of the first contact module 100 is connected to the second contact element 201 of the second contact module 200. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment having two contact elements 101, 201 for each contact module 100, 200 and two bridge spring contacts 301, a further first contact element 101 is connected to a further second contact element 201. In this way, the first cable 102 connected to the first contact module 100 is connected to the second cable 202 connected to the second contact module 200 via the bridge spring contact 301. The cables 102 and 202, connected to each other by the bridge spring contact 301, form a continuous bus line 1002 having a line topology. This bus line 1002 remains intact and undisconnected even if the data contact means 900 in Figure 7 is disconnected from the network participant device 901, i.e., from the termination element 902 of the network participant device 901.

[0052] The bridge spring contact 301 enables the data contact means 300, 400, and 900 in Figures 2-5 and 7 to be implemented for data exchange based on, for example, Ethernet, CAN-FD, CAN-XL, 10BASE-T1S, or A2B protocols. However, data exchange is not limited to the protocols mentioned above and may be based on other protocols. For example, the data contact means 900 may be designed for data exchange at speeds of 10 Mbit / s or 100 Mbit / s, or other speeds. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 7, for example, a 10 Mbit / s Ethernet connection, or a 10 Mbit / s CAN-FD / XL bus, or a 10BASE-T1S bus can be implemented.

[0053] In addition, the first counterpart contact module 903 of the termination element 902 of the network participant device 901, which is designed to contact the first contact module 100, is bridged by at least one bridge contact 904 to the second counterpart contact module 903 of the termination element 902, which is designed to contact the second contact module 200. This has the advantage that the bus line 1002 remains complete and continuous even if at least one bridge spring contact 301 is defective when the data contact means 900 is connected to the termination element 902 of the network participant device 901. In this case, the bridge contact 904 of the termination element 902 of the network-participating device 901 takes over the function of at least one bridge spring contact 301. The bridge contact 904 provides double protection for data exchange over the bus line 1002 when the data contact means 900 is plugged in. This can reduce the probability of errors, especially in applications that include, for example, safety-critical functions.

[0054] Unlike the first contact module 100 and the second contact module 200, the third contact module 600 and the fourth contact module 700 are not connected to each other by a bridge spring contact 301. However, to provide further continuous bus lines 1002, bridge spring contacts 301 may be provided on the third contact module 600 and the fourth contact module 700, although this is not absolutely necessary.

[0055] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the data contact means 900 having the network participating device 901 as shown in Figure 7, and the data contact means 500 as implemented in Figure 6 as an inline terminal 500. The reference numerals used so far are maintained.

[0056] For example, the second contact module 200 is connected to the inline terminal 500 in Figure 6 via the second cable 202. More precisely, the second contact module 200 is connected to one of the mating contact modules 800 of the inline terminal 500 via the second cable 202. The third contact module 600 and the fourth contact module 700 may similarly be designed to be connected to the inline terminal 500 in Figure 6 via their own third cable 602 and fourth cable 702, respectively, which are not shown in Figure 8 for simplicity.

[0057] The fourth contact module 700 and its associated further counterpart contact module 903 may be designed, for example, for data exchange based on the Ethernet protocol, and the data exchange may be performed at a data rate of, for example, 100 Mbit / s. The third contact module 600 and its associated further counterpart contact module 903 may be designed, for example, for data exchange based on the A2B protocol (Automotive Audio Bus, abbreviated as A2B).

[0058] Figure 9 schematically shows a further communication network 1001 having multiple network participating devices 901 and data contact means 300, 900. Five network participating devices 901 are shown as examples. The reference numerals used so far are maintained.

[0059] Each data contact means 300, 900 has two bridge spring contacts 301, each of which has a first contact element 101 in contact with a second contact element 201, and a further first contact element 101 in contact with a further second contact element 201. The second bridge spring contact 301 may be omitted. The further communication network 1001 has a line topology, i.e., the network participating devices 901 are connected in series with each other. Each network participating device 901 is connected to the data contact means 300, 900. The directly adjacent network participants 901 of the further communication network 1001 are connected to each other such that a selected network participant 901 is connected to the previous network participant 901 by the first cable 102 of the first contact module 100, and that network participant 901 is connected to the next network participant 901 by the second cable 202 of the second contact module 200. As a result, the further communication network 1001 has a fully continuous bus line 1002. The bus line 1002 has a line topology corresponding to the topology of the further communication network 1001. The bus line 1002 remains complete even if at least one of the data contact means 300, 900 is disconnected from the network participant 901. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 100 First Contact Module 101 First contact element, further first contact element 102 First cable 103 First data line, further first data line 104 First contact housing 105 Mounting shaft 106 First contact opening 107 First recess 200 Second Contact Module 201 Second contact element, further second contact element 202 Second cable 203 Second data line, yet another second data line 204 Second contact housing 206 Second contact opening 207 Second recess 300 Data contact means according to one embodiment 301 Bridge Spring Contact 302 First contact spring 303 Second contact spring 304 Connection part 305 Support part 306 First support surface, second support surface 307 Housing 400 Data contact means according to further embodiments 401 Further Housing 402 Further housing support 403 Contact pin 500 Data contact means according to further embodiments 501 Additional Housing 502 Through-opening 600 Third Contact Module 601 Third Contact Element 602 Third cable 700 Fourth Contact Module 701 The fourth contact element 702 Fourth cable 800 Other Contact Module 801 Opponent's contact elements 802 Further additional housing 803 Further openings for additional housing 900 Data contact means according to further embodiments 901 Network Participating Devices 902 Terminal element 903 Additional mating contact module / module slot 904 Bridge Contact 1000 Communication Networks 1001 Further communication networks 1002 Bus Line

Claims

1. A data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) for data exchange between network participating devices (901) of a communication network (1001, 1001), particularly a vehicle communication network (1001, 1001), wherein the data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) are, The first contact module (100) and A second contact module (200) is positioned next to the first contact module (100) and It has, - The first contact module (100) comprises a first contact housing (104) and a first contact structure having at least one first contact element (101), - The second contact module (200) comprises a second contact housing (204) and a second contact structure having at least one second contact element (201), - The first contact housing (104) and the second contact housing (204) each surround the contact receiving portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the mounting shaft (105) and have a contact opening (106) extending along the mounting shaft (105) on their end faces. - The first contact element (101) is positioned in the contact receiving portion of the first contact housing (104), and the second contact element (201) is positioned in the contact receiving portion of the second contact housing (204), - The first contact element (101) is designed to contact a correspondingly implemented first mating contact element, and the second contact element (201) is designed to contact a correspondingly implemented second mating contact element (801), - The first contact housing (104) has a first recess (107) extending through the first contact housing (104) and positioned laterally in the first contact housing (104), and the second contact housing (204) has a second recess (207) extending through the second contact housing (204) and positioned laterally in the second contact housing (204), - The first recess (107) is positioned in the first contact housing (104) offset from the first contact opening (106) and along the mounting shaft (105), and is connected to the first contact receiving portion. - The second recess (207) is positioned in the second contact housing (204) offset from the second contact opening (206) and along the mounting shaft (105), and is connected to the second contact receiving portion. - The first recess (107) and the second recess (207) are located on the same side of the first contact housing (104) and the second contact housing (204), respectively, and are designed to receive bridge spring contacts (301), data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900).

2. - A bridge spring contact (301) having at least one first contact spring (302) and a second contact spring (303) connected to the first contact spring (302), - The first contact spring (302) engages through the first recess (107) and contacts the first contact element (101), - The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to claim 1, wherein the second contact spring (303) engages through the second recess (207) and contacts the second contact element (201).

3. - The bridge spring contact (301) has a connecting portion (304) that is realized in the form of a plate. - The connecting portion (304) extends along a straight line inclined with respect to the mounting shaft (105), - The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to claim 2, wherein the first contact spring (302) and the second contact spring (303) are located at opposite ends of the connecting portion (304) and connected to the connecting portion (304).

4. - The bridge spring contact (301) has a support portion (305) that is realized in the form of a plate. - The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to claim 3, wherein the support portion (305) is connected to the connecting portion (304) and is positioned between the first contact spring (302) and the second contact spring (303) with respect to the straight line.

5. - The data contact means (300, 400, 900) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first recess (107) is formed in the form of a slot in the first contact housing (104), and / or the second recess (207) is formed in the form of a slot in the second contact housing (204).

6. - The first contact housing (104) has a first support surface (306) on its outer circumference facing away from the first contact receiving portion, - The first support surface (306) is oriented obliquely with respect to the mounting shaft (105) and is adjacent to the first recess (107), - The second contact housing (204) has a second support surface (306) on its outer circumference facing away from the second contact receiving portion. - The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second support surface (306) is oriented obliquely with respect to the mounting shaft (105) and is adjacent to the second recess (207).

7. - Having a housing (307), - The housing (307) surrounds the first module support portion, the second module support portion, and the bridge spring support portion, - The first contact module (100) is positioned in the first module receiving section, and the second contact module (200) is positioned in the second module receiving section. - The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bridge spring support portion is arranged in the first module support portion and the second module support portion and connected to the first module support portion and the second module support portion, respectively.

8. - The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to claim 7, wherein the bridge spring contact (301) is positioned on the bridge spring receiving portion, the first contact spring (302) engages with the first module receiving portion, and the second contact spring (303) engages with the second module receiving portion.

9. The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) are designed for data exchange based on Ethernet, CAN-FD, CAN-XL, 10BASE-T1S, or A2B protocols, and / or The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) is designed for data exchange at a speed of 10 Mbit / s or 100 Mbit / s.

10. The first contact element (101) is connected to a first cable (102) having at least one first data line (103), The second contact element (201) is connected to a second cable (202) having at least one second data line (203), The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the data lines (103, 104) are shielded or unshielded.

11. A further first contact element (101) of the first contact module (100) is connected to a further first data line (103) of the first cable (102), A further second contact element (201) is connected to a further second data line (203) of the second cable (202), The first data line (103) of the first cable (102) is twisted, and the second data line (203) of the second cable (202) is twisted, but in either case, the lines are not twisted in the region of the contact element. The data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900) according to claim 10, wherein the untwisted length is less than 16.5 mm.

12. Vehicle communication network (1000, 1001), At least one first network participant device (901), At least one data contact means (300, 400, 900) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and It has, Vehicle communication network (1000, 1001), wherein the first network participating device (901) has a terminal element (902) having a first counterpart contact element (903) and a second counterpart contact element (903) for terminal connection of the data contact means (300, 400, 500, 900).

13. - The data contact means (300, 400, 900) are implemented according to claim 2, - The vehicle communication network (1000, 1001) according to claim 12, wherein the first network participant device (901) is connected with respect to data to at least one second network participant device (901) via the bridge spring contact (301).

14. The data contact means (300, 400, 900) are terminated to the termination element (902), The vehicle communication network (1000, 1001) according to claim 13, wherein the first counterpart contact element (903) and the second counterpart contact element (903) of the termination element (902) of the first network participating device (901) are connected to each other by a bridge contact (904).

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