U.S. patent application number 12/367894 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for electrical connector.
Invention is credited to Gidon Elazar, Dan Harkabi, Nehemiah Weingarten.
Application Number | 20090149049 12/367894 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34115392 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090149049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harkabi; Dan ; et
al. |
June 11, 2009 |
Electrical Connector
Abstract
An electrical connector, for example a connector that will
operate with the Universal Serial Bus, is disclosed. In some
embodiments, the connector includes none, one, or several tongue
board, tongue tip, electrical contact, housing shell, insulating
strip on the inner lining of housing shell, protective edge. A
connector integral to a printed circuit board is also disclosed.
Other embodiments are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Harkabi; Dan; (Foster City,
CA) ; Elazar; Gidon; (Foster City, CA) ;
Weingarten; Nehemiah; (Foster City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP - SANDISK CORPORATION
505 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 800
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
34115392 |
Appl. No.: |
12/367894 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12041185 |
Mar 3, 2008 |
7500861 |
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12367894 |
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10898859 |
Jul 26, 2004 |
7361059 |
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12041185 |
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60490413 |
Jul 28, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 2203/168 20130101;
H01R 13/6315 20130101; H05K 2201/09145 20130101; H01R 2107/00
20130101; H05K 1/117 20130101; H01R 27/00 20130101; H01R 24/62
20130101; H05K 2203/1572 20130101; H01R 12/721 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/218 |
International
Class: |
H01R 27/00 20060101
H01R027/00 |
Claims
1.-11. (canceled)
12. An electrical apparatus for carrying signals to a USB compliant
receptacle, comprising: a cable carrying each of the signals
required to implement the USB standard; a connector coupled to said
cable, a first set of electrical contacts located on one side of
the connector and extending in parallel along its length, each of
said first set of electrical contacts coupled to one of said
signals; a second set of electrical contacts located on an opposite
side of the connector and extending in parallel along its length,
each of said second set of electrical contacts coupled to one of
said signals and to a respective one of said first set of
electrical contacts; wherein the electrical connector mates
correctly to a USB standard compliant receptacle irrespective of
whether the electrical connector is initially oriented in a first
possible alignment or a second possible alignment with respect to
the receptacle.
13. A printed circuit board including a dual-sided electrical
connector, comprising: an extension member extending from the
printed circuit board; a first set of electrical contacts located
on one side of said extension member; a second set of electrical
contacts located on the opposite side of said extension member,
each associated with a respective one of said first set of
electrical contacts; the first and second set of electrical
contacts being positioned so that when the connector is inserted
into a USB compliant receptacle, the electrical connector
electrically mates to the receptacle irrespective of whether the
electrical connector is initially oriented in a first possible
alignment or a second possible alignment with respect to the
receptacle.
14. The printed circuit board of claim 13, wherein the first and
second sets of electrical contacts carry the data signals and power
required to implement the USB standard.
15. The printed circuit board of claim 14, and further comprising:
storage media located on the printed circuit board; and a storage
processor coupled to the storage media.
16. The printed circuit board of claim 13 wherein the storage
processor is coupled to the electrical connector.
17. The printed circuit board of claim 16, wherein the storage
media, electrical connector and storage processor implement a
storage device that can interface with a USB host device.
18. The printed circuit board of claim 17, wherein the storage
media, electrical connector and storage processor comprise together
a flash storage device.
19. The printed circuit board of claim 15, wherein the storage
media comprise at least one nonvolatile memory integrated
circuit.
20. A storage device having an interface for communication using
the USB protocol, comprising: a printed circuit board comprising an
electrical connector; a first set of electrical contacts on one
surface of the electrical connector, the electrical contacts for
carrying at least the signals and power required to implement the
USB standard; a second set of electrical contacts located on an
opposite surface of the electrical connector, each associated with
a respective one of the electrical contacts of the first set, the
second set of electrical contacts being positioned in a reverse
symmetry with respect to the first set of electrical contacts; a
storage processor associated with the electrical connector; and
storage media associated with the storage processor; whereby the
electrical connector will electrically mate to a receptacle that is
compliant with the USB standard irrespective of whether the
electrical connector is initially oriented in a first possible
alignment or a second possible alignment with respect to the
receptacle.
21. The storage device of claim 20, whereby the storage media maybe
accessed from the electrical connector responsive to operations
executed by the storage processor.
22. The storage device of claim 20, wherein the storage media
comprises one or more nonvolatile memory integrated circuits.
23. The storage device of claim 20, and further comprising: side
protectors located in association with the sides of the electrical
connector for preventing the electrical contacts from physically
contacting the housing of a receptacle when the connector is
inserted into the receptacle.
24. The storage device of claim 20, wherein said electrical
connector is integral to and extends from the printed circuit
board.
25. The storage device of claim 20, wherein said electrical
connector is coupled to said printed circuit board by a cable.
26. The storage device of claim 20, wherein said electrical
connector is a tongue coupled to said printed circuit board.
27. The storage device of claim 20, wherein: the first set of
electrical contacts is placed in an order starting from one side of
the connector of a ground voltage, a first signal A, a second
signal B, and a positive supply voltage; and the second set of
electrical contacts is placed in a reverse order starting from the
same side of the connector of the positive supply voltage, the
second signal B, the first signal A, and the ground voltage;
whereby the signals on the top surface of the connector are always
in the same order regardless of which side of the electrical
connector is oriented upwards.
28.-33. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/490,413, filed on Jul. 28, 2003, entitled
Electrical Connector, which application is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an electrical connector,
and more particularly to a Universal Serial Bus (USB)
connector.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In many situations, computers are connected to peripherals
or electronic appliances using wire connections. One type of wire
connection is the Universal Serial Bus (hereafter USB) cable. A USB
cable may be used to electrically connect a computer with
peripherals and other electronic appliances. Examples of computer
peripherals are input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard,
output devices such as printers, and input/output devices such as
external hard drives and flash memory drives. Examples of
electronic appliances are digital cameras, PDAs, and MP3
players.
[0004] In the late 1990's the USB standard became the preferred
connection interface in the computer industry and has become
ubiquitous in almost all computers manufactured today. Laptop
computers, desktop computers, and other computing machines are
manufactured with USB ports in order to take advantage of the
variety of peripheral devices and electronic appliances that are
built around USB architecture. (See www.USB.org)
[0005] The Universal Serial Bus and USB connectors are well known
in the art. The pervasiveness of the USB standard and USB
connectors has increased utility to consumers, substantially
increased data transfer rates over other interface methods and
reduced costs for manufacturers of peripheral devices due to
standardization. Computer vendors typically incorporate one or more
USB ports into their suite of Input Output ports.
[0006] A USB cable used to connect peripherals or electronic
appliances to a computer is comprised of 2 endpoints known as
connectors or plugs. One connector, known as Series "A" plug, is
attached to the host computer and the other, known as Series "B"
plug, is attached to the connecting appliance. Series "A" and
Series "B" plugs are of different shape and size so as not to
confuse between them. The interface connection on the host computer
is called USB mount port (hereafter USB port). The USB port is
comprised of a Series "A" receptacle that mates with a Series "A"
plug. Electrically, Series. "A" receptacles function as outputs
from host systems. FIG. 1 shows a prior art Series "A" plug 10,
which mates with a Series "A" receptacle 12. The Series "A" plug
always is oriented towards the host system. Photographs of the plug
and connector are shown in the provisional application Ser. No.
60/490,413, filed Jul. 28, 2003, entitled "Electrical Connector"
(hereinafter "the provisional application") which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0007] The computer host USB port is an open receptacle with a
flat, internal rectangular card bearing electrical contact points.
The cable series "A" plug connecting to the host receptacle
terminates in a rectangular sleeve that is inserted into the host
receptacle. The sleeve contains a tongue board bearing matching
electrical contact points to those of the host receptacle. The
insertion of sleeve to the receptacle affixes the card and tongue
thus creating a mated electrical connection.
[0008] Some peripheral devices do not employ a USB cable to connect
to a computer but rather utilize a USB connector as part of their
assembly. Examples are keychain storage devices (see
www.diskonkey.com, www.thumbdrive.com) or security keys (see
www.ealaddin.com). The provisional application shows an example of
a USB drive plugged into a host PC USB port. Keychain storage
devices, due to their small dimensions, serve as portable storage
media, and as such are often used with several computers.
Therefore, these devices are plugged in and out of host computers
many times.
[0009] There is unfortunately a shortcoming in the physical design
of the USB connector, which manifests itself when a attempting to
insert a USB connector into a USB port. Referring again to FIG. 1,
it can be seen that while seeming symmetric to touch and sight
externally, both the receptacle 12 and the plug 10 are asymmetric
internally. In the host receptacle, this is due to the positioning
of the rectangular card 101 and electrical connectors 102 inside
the receptacle. FIGS. 2a-2c show an example of a USB host
receptacle 100. FIG. 2 depicts three views of a USB receptacle of
the prior art. In particular, FIG. 2a shows a front section, FIG.
2b shows a side view section, and FIG. 2c shows a bottom side view
section. Referring to these figures, a rectangular card 101 is
located within the receptacle 100. Electric contact points 102 are
formed on the card 101.
[0010] FIGS. 3a-3c depict an example of a Series "A" USB plug of
the prior art. In particular, FIG. 3a depicts a top view section,
FIG. 3b depicts a front view section, and FIG. 3c depicts a side
view section. The prior art plug connector includes a shell 200. A
tongue board 201 is located within the shell and electric contact
points 202 are formed on the tongue board. Similarly, inside the
USB connector shell 200, the tongue 201 and electrical contacts 202
are positioned in a non-symmetric manner.
[0011] In many cases, the host USB port is located at an angle in
which users can't comfortably see the inside of the receptacle, and
it is unclear to the user how to align the plug for proper
insertion and electrical mating. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict mating a USB
plug and a USB receptacle of the prior art. The rectangular sleeve
of a USB plug fits correctly into the rectangular receptacle 100 of
the USB port only when the internal rectangular card 101 of the
receptacle and the internal tongue board 201 of the USB plug are
correctly facing each other as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 illustrates
the case when the plug is correctly inserted into the receptacle.
When this is not the case, an electric mating is not possible as
the internal rectangular card 101 of the receptacle and the
internal tongue board 201 of the USB connector collide as shown in
FIGS. 6a and 6b, also prior art. FIG. 6a shows a view similar to
that of FIG. 5 except that the receptacle 100 and shell 200 are not
properly aligned. FIG. 6b shows the collision 205 that results from
this misalignment.
[0012] In some cases, users may not see the internal alignment in
the host USB receptacle because it is positioned in the back or on
the side of the computer. Statistically, since there are seemingly
two alignment possibilities when connecting the rectangular plug to
the rectangular receptacle, but only one correct alignment, there
is a 50% chance of failed insertion attempts. The result is a
degradation of the user experience in working with USB devices. As
more devices connect to computers using USB connectors, this
problem intensifies. For keychain storage devices that are plugged
many times in and out of many computers, this inconvenience
intensifies.
[0013] There is clearly an unmet need for a plug mechanism that is
operable with the USB that allows correct insertion of the plug
into a USB port without necessitating user consideration of plug
alignment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In one aspect, the present invention provides a solution to
the problem stated above and describes improvements of the USB
plug. In one exemplary embodiment (hereafter SLIM embodiment), the
connector tongue board is not housed in a shell. The tongue board,
which has two sets of contact points, one on each side of the
tongue board, may be correctly inserted into host receptacle in two
alignments. Since the contact points are present on both sides of
the tongue board, any alignment will provide proper electrical
mating.
[0015] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention (hereafter
FLEX embodiment), the solution is achieved by using a flexible
tongue board that can position itself according to the computer
receptacle's rectangular card position, thus achieving electrical
mating in every insertion. Here too, exist two sets of contact
points, one on each side of the flexible tongue board.
[0016] In order to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs, yet
another exemplary embodiment is presented in which the novel
connector which is operable with the USB receptacle is part of the
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) of the peripheral device.
[0017] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of embodiments of the present invention in
order that the detailed description of the invention that follows
may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of
embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, which
form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and
specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis
for modifying or designing other structures or processes for
carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should
also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims and that such
equivalent constructions fall within the scope of the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a series "A" USB plug on a USB cable and a
series "A" USB receptacle of the prior art;
[0020] FIGS. 2a-2c depict various views of a prior art USB
receptacle;
[0021] FIGS. 3a-3c depict various views of a prior art USB
plug;
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts the proper alignment of a prior art USB plug
inserted into a host USB receptacle;
[0023] FIG. 5 depicts the combination of a properly inserted USB
plug and a USB receptacle of the prior art mated in correct
alignment;
[0024] FIGS. 6a-6b illustrate an improper attempt to insert a USB
plug of the prior art into a host USB receptacle;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary SLIM
embodiment of the present invention, in 4 views 7a-7d;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary SLIM
embodiment of the present invention in a side view, including the
layout of the electrical contact points of present embodiment of
the invention;
[0027] FIGS. 9a-b illustrate the insertion of an exemplary SLIM
embodiment of the present invention into a host USB port;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary FLEX
embodiment of the present invention, in 3 views 10a-10c;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary FLEX
embodiment of the present invention in a side view, including
layout of the electrical contact points of the present embodiment
of the invention;
[0030] FIGS. 12a-c illustrate the insertion of an exemplary FLEX
embodiment of the present invention into a host USB port;
[0031] FIGS. 13a-c are another illustration of the insertion of a
FLEX embodiment of the present invention into a host USB port;
and
[0032] FIGS. 14a-b are schematic diagrams of another embodiment of
the present invention, in which the USB connector of the invention
is an integral part of the peripheral device PCB.
[0033] Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures
generally refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated,
The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of
the preferred embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to
scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments
are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however,
that the present invention provides many applicable inventive
concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific
contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely
illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do
not limit the scope of the invention.
[0035] In the following detailed description of exemplary
embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the drawings
that illustrate specific exemplary embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that other embodiments may be utilized without departing
from the spirit of the present invention; therefore the following
detailed description of the invention should not be taken in a
limiting sense.
[0036] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an
improvement of existing USB series "A" plugs. This improvement is
achieved by providing electrical contact points on both sides of
connector tongue board, thus facilitating the insertion of the
improved plug connector for devices operable with the USB into USB
host computers.
[0037] FIG. 7, which includes the top view of FIG. 7a, the front
view of FIG. 7b, the bottom view of FIG. 7c, and the top side view
of FIG. 7d, depicts electrical plug 30 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention (SLIM embodiment). The plug 30
includes a tongue 301, a plurality of contacts 302 on both sides of
tongue 301, and protective edges 303. The tongue 301 may be the
endpoint of a USB cable, or an integral part of a peripheral
device, such as a keychain storage device.
[0038] FIGS. 9a and 9b depict an attempt to connect plug 30 to a
USB receptacle 100. The physical structure of plug 30 is symmetric
on the lateral axis. When the tongue 301 encounters USB receptacle
100, tongue 301 takes up the free space available in receptacle
100, and creates an electric connection.
[0039] Electrical contacts 302 are present on both sides of tongue
301. This ensures that insertion of tongue 301 into receptacle 100
in either of two possible alignments will produce proper electrical
mating. In order to assure that each of electrical contact points
302 are mated with the correct electrical contact points 102 in USB
port 1, regardless of original alignment of tongue 301, the
electrical contact points on each side of tongue 301 are oppositely
aligned, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0040] In FIG. 8, the electric contact points 302 are each labeled
with a number 1, 2, 3, or 4. In the preferred embodiment, the
contact points carry electrical signals as defined by Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Contact Point Signal Line 1 GND 2 Signal A 3
Signal B 4 VCC
[0041] In some instances, USB receptacle 100 may serve as common
electrical ground. In order to avoid short-circuiting the
electrical contact points 302 on the opposite side of tongue 301
that are not participating in the electrical mating, protective
edges 303 are used. The protective edges 303 protrude from tongue
301a little more than the electrical contacts 302 do, and thus
prevent physical connection to housing 100 that might otherwise
cause a short circuit.
[0042] FIGS. 10a (top view), 10b (front view), and 10c (side view)
show an electrical plug 40 in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention (FLEX embodiment). The plug 40 includes a
shell 400, a flexible tongue 401, a tongue tip 402, a plurality of
contacts 403 on both sides of flexible tongue 401, and insulating
strips 404. The flexible tongue 401 is positioned inside shell 400,
in the center of the lateral axis of shell 400.
[0043] FIGS. 12a-12c depict an attempt to connect plug 40 to a USB
receptacle 100. FIG. 12a shows the plug 40 before mating. FIG. 12b
shows alignment of the flexible tongue 401 upon encountering the
rectangular card 101. FIG. 12c shows the plug after it has been
mated. FIGS. 13a-13c are similar views illustrating the same
operation, except that the tongue 401 flexes in the opposite
direction. The structure of plug 40 is symmetric on the lateral
axis, as the tongue board is located in the middle of the shell
400. When the shell 400 encounters receptacle 100, tongue tip 402
faces rectangular card 101 and helps to divert flexible tongue 401
and avoid a collision of rectangular card 101 and flexible tongue
401. As insertion of shell 400 into receptacle 100 continues,
flexible tongue 401 takes up the free space available in receptacle
100, and creates an electric connection.
[0044] Electrical contacts 403 are present on both sides of
flexible tongue 301 in order to assure not only insertion of plug
40 into USB receptacle 100 but proper electrical mating whether
flexible tongue has to move down as shown in FIG. 12 or up as shown
in FIG. 13.
[0045] In some USB connectors, shell 400 may serve as common
electrical ground. In order to avoid short-circuiting the
electrical contact points 403 not participating in the electrical
mating, insulation strips 404 are lined inside shell 400.
[0046] In order to ensure that each electrical contact point 402 is
mated with the correct electrical contact point 102 in USB port 1,
regardless of original alignment of flexible tongue 401, the
electrical contact points on each side of flexible tongue 301 are
oppositely aligned, as shown in FIG. 11. The signals/supply
voltages corresponding to the contact points are shown in Table
1.
[0047] FIGS. 14a and 14b show an example of a SLIM embodiment in
which the present invention is used to connect a peripheral device
50 to a USB host computer (not shown) without the use of a cable.
The electrical plug 30 is an integral part of the printed circuit
board (PCB) 500. Internal electronics 501 are connected to top
electric contact points 302 by using internal electronic contacts
502. In the top view of FIG. 14a, top internal electric contacts
502 are directly connected to top electric contact points 302. In
the bottom view of FIG. 14b, electrical plug 30 must maintain same
order and positioning of bottom electric contact points 304
relative to top electric contact points 302. Internal electronics
501, however, are the same chip (e.g., piece of silicon) both top
and bottom. Therefore, bottom internal electric contacts 504 must
be crossed to match bottom electric contact points 304. By reducing
the number of parts needed to assemble peripheral device 50, lower
manufacturing costs are achieved.
[0048] Although embodiments of the present invention and their
advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood
that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made
herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims. For example, it will be readily
understood by those skilled in the art that many of the features,
functions, processes, and materials described herein may be varied
while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to
be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine,
manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps
described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art
will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present
invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of
matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be
developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve
substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments
described herein may be utilized according to the present
invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include
within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture,
compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
* * * * *
References