Bridge-Spring Data Contact Modules for Continuous Vehicle Bus Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle communications networks face challenges in maintaining a continuous bus line connection, especially when the data contact means is disconnected from a network participant, leading to potential disruptions in data exchange.
Innovation Solution
A data contact means with a first and second contact module, each having a contact housing and element, connected by a bridge-spring contact that includes contact springs engaging through recesses in the housings, allowing for a continuous bus line even if disconnected, and supported by housing surfaces to maintain connection integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the data contact means is disconnected from a network participant, then the connection to that participant can be maintained or quickly re-established, but the bus line continuity is interrupted causing data exchange disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The data contact means is divided into two separate contact modules (first and second contact modules) that can be independently connected to different network participants. Each contact module has its own contact housing and contact arrangement, allowing one module to remain connected while the other is disconnected, thereby maintaining bus line continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
A bridge contact element serves as an intermediary component that electrically connects the first and second contact modules to each other. This bridge contact ensures that the bus line remains continuous through the data contact means even when one of the external connections is interrupted, acting as a mediator to maintain electrical continuity.
2Manufacturing precision
If bridge connectors are arranged parallel and spaced apart, then impedance can be controlled to a predefined value, but the connection point becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge connection is segmented into multiple bridge connectors (first, second, third bridge connectors) that are distributed across different contact modules rather than concentrated in one location. Each bridge connector handles specific signal pairs, allowing independent optimization of impedance characteristics while distributing the overall complexity across modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each bridge connector is designed with specific local characteristics optimized for its function. The bridge connectors have different configurations (some with contact springs, others without) tailored to their specific signal transmission requirements, allowing precise local impedance control while maintaining overall system functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures a continuous bus line connection is maintained, reducing electromagnetic crosstalk and ensuring uninterrupted data exchange, even in the event of disconnection or damage, enhancing reliability in safety-critical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a bridge-spring contact having at least one first contact spring and a second contact spring that is connected to the first contact spring
Data Source
AI summary
A data contact means has a first and a second contact module. The first contact module has a first contact housing having a first contact element. The second contact module has a second contact housing having a second contact element. The first and the second contact housing each enclose a contact receiver. The first contact housing has a first recess extending through the first contact housing and arranged laterally on the first contact housing, and the second contact housing has a second recess extending through the second contact housing and arranged laterally on the second contact housing. The first recess leads into the first contact receiver, and the second recess leads into the second contact receiver. The first and the second recess are each arranged on the same side of the first and the second contact housing and are designed to receive a bridge-spring contact.