CONNECTING ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING A BUS SUBSCRIBER TO A DIFFERENTIAL BUS SYSTEM

Abstract

A connecting assembly for electrically connecting a bus subscriber to a differential bus system comprises a differential main conductor portion, which has a first electrical main conductor and a second electrical main conductor. The differential main conductor portion has a first sub-portion and a second sub-portion, which is electrically connected to the first sub-portion. A first terminal for electrically connecting to a first mating terminal of the bus subscriber is formed in the first electrical main conductor between the first sub-portion and the second sub-portion, and a second terminal for electrically connecting to a second mating terminal of the bus subscriber is formed in the second electrical main conductor between the first sub-portion and the second sub-portion. The first and second electrical main conductors are surrounded, at least in the first sub-portion or in the second sub-portion, by one body in each case, said body being made of magnetizable material.

Claims

1. A connecting assembly for electrically connecting a bus subscriber to a differential bus system comprising: a differential main conductor section having a first main electrical conductor and a second main electrical conductor, wherein the differential main conductor section comprises a first sub-section and a second sub-section which is electrically connected to the first sub-section, wherein, in the first main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a first terminal for electrically connecting to a first mating terminal of the bus subscriber and, in the second main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a second terminal for electrically connecting to a second mating terminal of the bus subscriber are configured, wherein the connecting assembly further comprises a first electrical spur conductor and a second electrical spur conductor, wherein the first electrical spur conductor is connected to the first terminal, and is designed to be connectable to the first mating terminal, and the second electrical spur conductor is connected to the second terminal, and is to be connectable to the second mating terminal, and wherein only the first and the second main electrical conductor at least in one of the first sub-section and in the second sub-section, is respectively enclosed by a body of a magnetizable material.

2. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is configured as a bushing, and comprises a penetration for a feedthrough of (i) the first main electrical conductor, in the first sub-section, (ii) the second main electrical conductor, in the first sub-section, (iii) the first main electrical conductor, in the second sub-section, or (iv) the second main electrical conductor, in the second sub-section.

3. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body along a longitudinal axis, comprises two penetrations for a feedthrough of (i) the first and second main electrical conductors, in the first sub-section, or (ii) the first and second main electrical conductors, in the second sub-section.

4. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting assembly further comprises a housing in which the differential main conductor section is arranged, the housing comprising a penetration for the first sub-section, a penetration for the second sub-section, and a penetration for electrically connecting to at least one of the first mating terminal and the second mating terminal.

5. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body includes a first sub-body and a second sub-body, each of which extends over a different angular segment relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.

6. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the first sub-body and the second sub-body is fixed in an associated housing part of the housing.

7. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is respectively configured (i) as a coating or (ii) as an encapsulation on the first main electrical conductor and on the second main electrical conductor.

8. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first main electrical conductor is configured as an electrical conductor of a first main line section and the second main electrical conductor is configured as an electrical conductor of a second main line section, wherein the connecting assembly further comprises a first insulation-piercing connecting device and a second insulation-piercing connecting device, wherein the first insulation-piercing connecting device comprises a first edge, which electrically contact-connects the first terminal and a first contact terminal and wherein the second insulation-piercing connecting device comprises a second edge, which electrically contact-connects the second terminal and a second contact terminal.

9. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first main line section and the second main line section, are respectively enclosed by the body.

10. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is configured to increase an inductance in the main conductor section, such that a stray capacitance (C.sub.dev) on a differential input of the bus subscriber is at least partially compensated by at least one of (i) a selection of an appropriate geometry for the body, and (ii) by a selection of an appropriate material for the body.

11. A differential electric bus plug connector for a differential bus system, comprising a connecting assembly that includes a differential main conductor section having a first main electrical conductor and a second main electrical conductor, wherein the differential main conductor section comprises a first sub-section and a second sub-section which is electrically connected to the first sub-section, wherein, in the first main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a first terminal for electrically connecting to a first mating terminal of the bus subscriber and, in the second main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a second terminal for electrically connecting to a second mating terminal of the bus subscriber are configured, wherein the connecting assembly further comprises a first electrical spur conductor and a second electrical spur conductor, wherein the first electrical spur conductor is connected to the first terminal, and is connectable to the first mating terminal, and the second electrical spur conductor is connected to the second terminal, and is connectable to the second mating terminal, and wherein only the first and the second main electrical conductor, at least in one of the first sub-section and in the second sub-section, is respectively enclosed by a body of a magnetizable material, wherein the first main electrical conductor is configured as a first contact element and the second main electrical conductor is configured as a second contact element.

12. A differential electric bus plug connector, for a differential bus system, comprising a connecting assembly for electrically connecting a bus subscriber to the differential bus system, the connecting assembly comprising a differential main conductor section including a first main electric conductor and a second main electric conductor, wherein the differential main conductor section further includes a first sub-section and a second sub-section which is electrically connected to the first sub-section, wherein, in the first main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a first terminal is configured for electrically connecting to a first mating terminal of the bus subscriber and, in the second main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a second terminal is configured for electrically connecting to a second mating terminal of the bus subscriber wherein each of the first terminal and the second terminal is respectively configured as a contact-connection region for a mating contact element of a mating plug connector of the bus subscriber, wherein the first main electrical conductor and the second main electrical conductor, at least in the first sub-section or in the second sub-section are respectively enclosed by a body of a magnetizable material; and wherein the first main electrical conductor is configured as a first contact element and the second main electrical conductor is configured as a second contact element.

13. The differential electric bus plug connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the first contact element and the second contact element, at least in one of the first sub-section and in the second sub-section, is respectively enclosed by the body.

14. A differential electric plug connector assembly, for a differential bus system, comprising: a differential electric bus plug connector comprising a connecting assembly that includes a differential main conductor section having a first main electrical conductor and a second main electrical conductor, wherein the differential main conductor section comprises a first sub-section and a second sub-section which is electrically connected to the first sub-section, wherein, in the first main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a first terminal for electrically connecting to a first mating terminal of the bus subscriber and, in the second main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a second terminal for electrically connecting to a second mating terminal of the bus subscriber are configured, wherein the connecting assembly further comprises a first electrical spur conductor and a second electrical spur conductor, wherein the first electrical spur conductor is connected to the first terminal, and is connectable to the first mating terminal, and the second electrical spur conductor is connected to the second terminal, and is connectable to the second mating terminal, and wherein the first and second the main electrical conductors, at least in one of the first sub-section and in the second sub-section, is respectively enclosed by a body of a magnetizable material, wherein the first main electrical conductor is configured as a first contact element and the second main electrical conductor is configured as a second contact element; and a first differential electric mating plug connector and a second differential electric mating plug connector, each respectively having two mating contact elements, wherein each of the two mating contact elements of the first differential mating plug connector electrically contact-connects the contact elements in the first sub-section, and each of the two mating contact elements of the second differential mating plug connector electrically contact-connects the contact elements in the second sub-section.

15. A differential electric plug connector assembly, for a differential bus system, comprising: a differential electric plug connector having a connecting assembly for electrically connecting a bus subscriber to the differential bus system, a first differential electric mating plug connector and a second differential electric mating plug connector, wherein the connecting assembly of the bus plug connector comprises a differential main conductor section having a first main electrical conductor and a second main electrical conductor, wherein the differential main conductor section comprises a first sub-section and a second sub-section which is electrically connected to the first sub-section, wherein, in the first main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a first terminal is configured for electrically connecting to a first mating terminal of the bus subscriber and, wherein, in the second main electrical conductor, between the first sub-section and the second sub-section, a second terminal is configured for electrically connecting to a second mating terminal of the bus subscriber, wherein each of the first differential mating plug connector and the second differential mating plug connector respectively comprises two mating contact elements, and wherein each of the two mating contact elements of the first differential mating plug connector electrically contact-connects one of the main electrical conductors in the first sub-section, and each of the two mating contact elements of the second differential mating plug connector electrically contact-connects one of the main electrical conductors in the second sub-section, and wherein the mating contact elements of at least one of the first differential mating plug connector and of the second differential mating plug connector are respectively enclosed by a body of a magnetizable material.

16. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting assembly further comprises a housing in which the differential main conductor section is arranged, the housing comprising a penetration for the first sub-section, a penetration for the second sub-section, and a penetration for electrically connecting to at least one of the first mating terminal and the second mating terminal.

17. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connecting assembly further comprises a housing in which the differential main conductor section is arranged, the housing comprising a penetration for the first sub-section, a penetration for the second sub-section, and a penetration for electrically connecting to at least one of the first mating terminal and the second mating terminal.

18. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body includes a first sub-body and a second sub-body, each of which extends over a different angular segment relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.

19. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body includes a first sub-body and a second sub-body, each of which extends over a different angular segment relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.

20. The connecting assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the body includes a first sub-body and a second sub-body, each of which extends over a different angular segment relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

[0080] The present invention is described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to exemplary embodiments which are disclosed in the figures of the drawing. In the drawing:

[0081] FIG. 1A shows a representation of circuit layout for a differential bus system according to the prior art;

[0082] FIG. 1B shows a representation of a circuit layout for a differential bus system having stray capacitance compensation, according to the prior art;

[0083] FIG. 2A shows an isometric representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, having a first manifestation of magnetizable bodies;

[0084] FIG. 2B shows an isometric representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, having a second manifestation of magnetizable bodies;

[0085] FIG. 3A shows an exploded representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, which is embodied as a differential bus plug connector;

[0086] FIG. 3B shows a sectional representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, which is embodied as a differential bus plug connector;

[0087] FIG. 4A shows an exploded representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, which is embodied as a differential bus plug connector, having multi-part magnetizable bodies;

[0088] FIG. 4B shows a sectional representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, which is embodied as a differential bus plug connector, having multi-part magnetizable bodies;

[0089] FIG. 5A shows a sectional representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, which is embodied by means of insulation-piercing connecting devices;

[0090] FIG. 5B shows an exploded representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, which is embodied by means of insulation-piercing connecting devices, in a disassembled state; FIG. 5C shows an exploded representation of a connecting assembly according to the invention, which is embodied by means of insulation-piercing connecting devices, in a semi-assembled state;

[0091] FIG. 6A shows an exploded representation of a plug connector assembly according to the invention, in a semi-assembled state; and FIG. 6B shows a sectional representation of a plug connector assembly according to the invention.

[0092] The attached figures in the drawing are intended to communicate a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, are employed for the clarification of principles and concepts of the invention. Further embodiments and many of the above-mentioned advantages are inferred in consideration of the drawings. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown in a mutually true-to-scale representation.

[0093] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally equivalent and identically functioning elements, features and componentsunless indicated otherwiseare respectively identified by the same reference symbols.

[0094] Hereinafter, the figures are described in a concerted and comprehensive manner.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0095] In FIGS. 2A and 2B, a connecting assembly 1 for a differential bus system is respectively represented. The connecting assembly 1 is comprised of a differential main conductor section 2 and a differential spur conductor section 3. The differential main conductor section 2, in turn, is comprised of a first main conductor 21 and a second main conductor 2.sub.2. The differential spur conductor section 3, in turn, is comprised of a first spur conductor 3.sub.1 and a second spur conductor 3.sub.2. The first spur conductor 3.sub.1 is connected to the first main conductor 2.sub.1 at a first terminal 4.sub.1 of the first main conductor 2.sub.1 between a first sub-section 5.sub.1 and a second sub-section 5.sub.2 of the differential main conductor section 2. In an equivalent manner, the second spur conductor 3.sub.2 is connected to the second main conductor 2.sub.2 at a second terminal 4.sub.2 of the second main conductor 2.sub.2 between the first sub-section 5.sub.1 and the second sub-section 5.sub.2 of the differential main conductor section 2.

[0096] The differential spur conductor section 3 is connected either directly or indirectly, via a further differential line section, to a differential input of an electrical assembly which is assigned to a bus subscriber TN (c.f. FIGS. 1A and 2A) of the differential bus system. The first sub-section 5.sub.1 and the second sub-section 5.sub.2 of the differential main conductor section 2 are respectively electrically connected by means of further connecting assemblies to further bus subscribers TN of the differential bus system or, alternatively, are terminated by an appropriate impedance.

[0097] The first main conductor 2.sub.1 and the second main conductor 2.sub.2, according to FIG. 2.sub.A, in the first sub-section 5.sub.1 and in the second sub-section 5.sub.2 of the differential main conductor section 2, are respectively enclosed by a body 6 of a magnetizable material. The body 6 is preferably produced from a ferrite material. In the representation according to FIG. 2A, the magnetizable body 6 is configured in the form of a bushing, and respectively encloses only a single main conductor 2.sub.1 or 2.sub.2. Moreover, the first main conductor 2.sub.1 and the second main conductor 2.sub.2 in FIG. 2A, in the first sub-section 5.sub.1 and in the second sub-section 5.sub.2 respectively, are respectively enclosed by a magnetizable bushing body 6. A variant is also conceivable, in which the first main conductor 2.sub.1 and the second main conductor 2.sub.2 respectively are enclosed by a magnetizable body 6 only in the first sub-section 5.sub.1 or only in the second sub-section 5.sub.2.

[0098] FIG. 2B illustrates a second manifestation of a magnetizable body 6, which respectively encloses the first main conductor 2.sub.1 and the second main conductor 2.sub.2 in combination. To this end, the magnetizable body 6 comprises two axial penetrations 7, through which the first main conductor 2.sub.1 and the second main conductor 2.sub.2 are led.

[0099] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment of a connecting assembly 1 for a differential bus system, which is configured as a differential bus plug connector 8. To this end, the differential bus plug connector 8 comprises a first contact element 9.sub.1 and a second contact element 9.sub.2, which are respectively configured with three arms and are respectively employed as an inner conductor contact element. The axial ends of the three contact arms of the first and the second contact elements 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2 respectively form a contact-connection region K.sub.11, K.sub.21, K.sub.12, K.sub.22, K.sub.31 and K.sub.32 for electrical contact-connection to an associated mating contact element of a differential mating plug connector.

[0100] The contact arms of the first and second contact elements 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2, which are situated in the differential main conductor section 2 between the contact connection region K.sub.11 or K.sub.21 and the first terminal 4.sub.1 or the second terminal 4.sub.2, respectively form the first main conductor 2.sub.1 and the second main conductor 2.sub.2 in the first sub-section 5.sub.1 of the connecting assembly 1. The contact arms of the first and second contact elements 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2, which are situated in the differential main conductor section 2 between the contact-connection region K.sub.12 or K.sub.22 and the first terminal 4.sub.1 or the second terminal 4.sub.2, respectively form the first main conductor 2.sub.1 and the second main conductor 22 in the second sub-section 5.sub.2 of the connecting assembly 1. The contact arms of the first and second contact elements 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2, which are situated in the differential spur conductor section 3 between the contact-connection region K.sub.13 or K.sub.23 and the first terminal 4.sub.1 or the second terminal 4.sub.2, respectively form the first spur conductor 3.sub.1 and the second spur conductor 3.sub.2 of the connecting assembly 1.

[0101] In the representation according to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in the first sub-section 5.sub.1 and in the second sub-section 5.sub.2 of the differential main conductor section 2, the contact arms of the three-arm contact elements 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2 are respectively enclosed by a common magnetizable body 6.

[0102] For the embodiment of a shielded differential bus system, in the differential bus plug connector 8, a shielding and an outer conductor contact-connection are respectively configured at the plug-in connector interfaces.

[0103] For shielding the differential bus plug connector 8, two metallic outer conductor shells 10.sub.1 and 10.sub.2 are preferably provided, which are configured in a mutually connectable arrangement and thus enclose the first and second contact elements 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2 over the full perimeter thereof. For the purposes of outer conductor contact-connection with an associated outer conductor mating contact element of a differential mating plug connector or with an outer conductor of a shielded differential line, outer conductor contact regions 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2 and 11.sub.3 are respectively configured on the two metallic outer conductor shells 10.sub.1 and 10.sub.2 at the three plug-in connector interfaces.

[0104] For electrical insulation between the differential inner conductor contact-connection regions K, both mutually and vis--vis the outer conductor contact-connection regions 11, insulating elements 12.sub.1, 12.sub.2 and 12.sub.3 are respectively arranged at the three plug-in connector interfaces.

[0105] The connecting assembly 1 or the differential bus plug connector 8 comprise a housing 13, preferably having two mutually attachable housing shells 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2. The two outer conductor shells 11.sub.1 and 11.sub.2 are inserted and secured in the housing 13. In the two outer conductor shells 11.sub.1 and 11.sub.2, the connecting assembly 1 according to the invention, i.e. the first and the second contact element 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2 of the differential bus plug connector 8 having the associated magnetizable bodies 6, is inserted and secured by means of the insulating elements 12.sub.1, 12.sub.2 and 12.sub.3. For the contact-connection of the differential bus plug connector 8 with associated differential mating plug connectors, associated penetrations 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2, 14.sub.3 are configured in the housing.

[0106] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a further embodiment of a connecting assembly 1 for a differential bus system, which is embodied as a differential bus plug connector 8. The differential bus system, as per the differential bus plug connector 8 represented, is not executed with respective shielding, and thus comprises no metallic outer conductor shells 10.sub.1 and 10.sub.2.

[0107] The magnetizable bodies 6 are configured with a two-part construction, and respectively comprise a first magnetizable sub-body 6.sub.1 and a second magnetizable sub-body 6.sub.2. The magnetizable sub-bodies 6.sub.1 and 6.sub.2 are secured in an associated electrically insulating housing shell 13.sub.1 or 13.sub.2. An axial fixing of the two magnetizable sub-bodies 6.sub.1 and 6.sub.2 is executed by means of struts 15 which are respectively molded in the housing shells 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2. A radial fixing is realized by a matching of the internal diameter of the penetrations 7 of the two magnetizable bodies 6 with the external diameter of the first and second contact elements 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2. The struts 15 are additionally employed for guiding the first and second contact elements 9.sub.1 and 9.sub.2 within the differential bus plug connector 8.

[0108] In a further embodiment of an unshielded connecting assembly 1 according to FIGS. 5A to 5C, contact connection between the first main conductor 2.sub.1 and the first spur conductor 3.sub.1, and between the second main conductor 2.sub.2 and the second spur conductor 3.sub.2, is executed by means of a first insulation-piercing connecting device 16.sub.1 or a second insulation-piercing connecting device 16.sub.2.

[0109] Litz wires of a first main line 17.sub.1 and a second main line 17.sub.2 form the first main conductor 2.sub.1 or the second main conductor 2.sub.2 of the connecting assembly 1. The first main line 17.sub.1 and the second main line 17.sub.2 are enclosed, for example, by a cable sheathing 18, and are released from the cable sheathing 18 in the region of the connecting assembly 1.

[0110] In this embodiment, a first contact terminal 27.sub.1 or a second contact terminal 27.sub.2, which are respectively integrally connected to the first insulation-piercing connecting device 16.sub.1 and to the second insulation piercing connecting device 16.sub.2, form the first spur conductor 3.sub.1 or the second spur conductor 3.sub.2. The first and second insulation-piercing connecting devices 16.sub.1 and 16.sub.2, at their first edge 28.sub.1 or second edge 28.sub.2, interrupt the insulation of the first or second main conductor section 17.sub.1 and 17.sub.2, such that an electrical contact is realized between the Litz wires of the first and second main conductor sections 17.sub.1 and 17.sub.2 and the first contact terminal 27.sub.1 or the second contact terminal 27.sub.2. The first and second contact terminals 27.sub.1 and 27.sub.2 form a differential and unshielded plug-in interface of a connecting assembly 1 which is embodied as a differential bus plug connector 8. At this differential plug-in connector interface, a mating plug connector which is configured on the differential input of the bus subscriber TN can be plugged in. Alternatively, the first and second contact terminals 27.sub.1 and 27.sub.2 can be respectively electrically connected to the Litz wires of a differential spur 3 which, in turn, for example by means of a plug-in connection, is electrically connectable to a bus subscriber TN.

[0111] In a further embodiment of a connecting assembly 1 according to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a differential pug connector assembly 19 is provided, which is comprised of a differential bus plug connector 8 and, for example, three corresponding differential mating plug connectors 20. The magnetizable bodies 6 are not arranged within the differential bus plug connector 8, but in a first differential mating plug connector 20.sub.1 and in a second differential mating plug connector 20.sub.2. The first differential mating plug connector 20.sub.1, in combination with the differential bus plug connector 8 in the first sub-section 5.sub.1 of the differential main conductor section 2, forms an electrical plug-in connection. The second differential mating plug connector 20.sub.2, in combination with the differential bus plug connector 8 in the second sub-section 5.sub.1 of the differential main conductor section 2, form an electrical plug-in connection.

[0112] The two mating contact elements 21.sub.1 and 21.sub.2 of the first differential mating plug connector 20.sub.1 and the two mating contact elements 22.sub.1 and 22.sub.2 of the second differential mating plug connector 20.sub.2 are respectively enclosed by a magnetizable body 6. The two mating contact elements 21.sub.1 and 21.sub.2 of the first differential mating plug connector 20.sub.1 are electrically connected to a first main conductor 24.sub.1 or to a second main conductor 24.sub.2 of a differential main line section 23.sub.1 of the differential bus system, for example by means of a crimped connection. The two mating contact elements 22.sub.1 and 22.sub.2 of the second differential mating plug connector 20.sub.2 are, for example, electrically connected in an equivalent manner to a first main conductor 25.sub.1 or to a second main conductor 25.sub.2 of a further differential main line section 23.sub.2 of the differential bus system. The two mating contact elements 21.sub.1 and 21.sub.2 of the first differential mating plug connector 20.sub.1 and the two mating contact elements 22.sub.1 and 22.sub.2 of the second differential mating plug connector 20.sub.2 are respectively arranged, together with the associated magnetizable bodies 6, in a plug connector housing 26.sub.1 and 26.sub.2 of the first and second differential mating plug connectors 20.sub.1 and 20.sub.2, and are secured therein, for example, by means of adhesive bonding.

[0113] Although the present invention has been entirely described heretofore with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but is modifiable in a variety of ways.