FAKRA Optical Data Cable With Integrated Imaging Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transmission cables in motor vehicles, adhering to the FAKRA standard, face challenges in reducing production costs while enhancing data transmission efficiency and minimizing interference from external electromagnetic radiation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical waveguide with a holding member in the plastics housing to secure an optical imaging element, which reduces susceptibility to electromagnetic interference and ensures secure mechanical connection through mechanical coding and a coupling sleeve, maintaining compatibility with DIN 72594-1 standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional electrical data transmission cables are used, then production costs are lower, but susceptibility to electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through conductive cables with optical signal transmission through an optical waveguide. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to electromagnetic interference while maintaining data transmission functionality. The optical connector with FAKRA housing integrates the optical waveguide, imaging element, and coupling mechanisms into a standardized interface that replaces conventional electrical connectors.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical waveguides are implemented, then electromagnetic interference resistance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single integrated optical connector assembly. The FAKRA housing combines mechanical protection, positioning features, coupling sleeve integration, and optical element mounting into one standardized component. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical connector is designed with FAKRA standardization, allowing it to serve multiple functions: mechanical connection, optical signal transmission, positioning alignment, and environmental protection. The standardized interface enables compatibility across different automotive applications, reducing the need for application-specific customizations.
3Reliability
If optical imaging elements are added, then data transmission quality improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning features directly into the FAKRA housing structure. Mechanical coding elements, positioning ribs, and pre-aligned mounting locations are built into the housing during manufacturing, ensuring that optical imaging elements are automatically positioned with required precision when the connector is assembled. This eliminates the need for complex post-assembly alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling sleeve and housing design enable self-alignment of optical elements during connection. The mechanical coding and positioning features guide the mating connectors into proper alignment, and the optical elements automatically achieve correct positioning through the self-aligning mechanism, reducing dependency on high-precision manual assembly.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, interference-resistant data transmission cable that withstands thermal and mechanical loads, ensuring reliable data transfer with reduced electromagnetic interference and maintaining compatibility with automotive industry standards.
Implementation Method 1
data transmission with light waves enables the susceptibility to interference from external electromagnetic radiation to be substantially reduced (EMC), since the data are no longer transmitted by means of radio frequency electromagnetic waves conducted along wires, as in conventional data transmission cables, but rather by means of light
Implementation Method 2
a holding member is configured for holding an optical imaging element and for connecting the optical imaging element to the optical waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a data transmission cable (10; 20), in particular for motor vehicles, at at least one of whose ends a plastics housing (14; 24) is arranged, said housing having mechanical dimensions in its interface region (30; 32) which conform to the FAKRA standardisation scheme. The data transmission cable (10; 20) has an optical waveguide, wherein a holding member (40) is provided in the plastics housing (14; 24), said holding member being configured for holding an optical imaging element (42) and for connecting the optical imaging element (42) to the optical waveguide.