U.S. patent application number 15/971099 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-07 for information handling system mobile adapter with video and communications circuit boards.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dell Products L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is Dell Products L.P.. Invention is credited to Shiong Kheng Chua, Hang Du, Ting Yeow Hoong, Wong Hin Loong Justin, Alvin Sitoh, Toshiyuki Tanaka, Benedict Tiong Chee Tay.
Application Number | 20190341711 15/971099 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68383580 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190341711 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Justin; Wong Hin Loong ; et
al. |
November 7, 2019 |
INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM MOBILE ADAPTER WITH VIDEO AND
COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUIT BOARDS
Abstract
A mobile peripheral adapter has plural data and plural video
ports disposed along a perimeter of a circular housing having first
and second rotationally coupled portions. The video ports are
coupled to a first video circuit board and the data ports are
coupled to a second communications circuit board separate from the
video circuit board. A USB cable includes video wirelines that
couple to the video circuit board and other wirelines that couple
to the communications circuit board, such as data, power and ground
wirelines. A flexible cable interfaces control, power and ground
between the video and communications circuit boards.
Inventors: |
Justin; Wong Hin Loong;
(Singapore, SG) ; Chua; Shiong Kheng; (Singapore,
SG) ; Du; Hang; (Singapore, SG) ; Tay;
Benedict Tiong Chee; (Singapore, SG) ; Tanaka;
Toshiyuki; (Mendham, NJ) ; Sitoh; Alvin;
(Singapore, SG) ; Hoong; Ting Yeow; (Singapore,
SG) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dell Products L.P. |
Round Rock |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dell Products L.P.
Round Rock
TX
|
Family ID: |
68383580 |
Appl. No.: |
15/971099 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 31/065 20130101;
H01R 27/02 20130101; H04L 29/06068 20130101; H01R 12/75 20130101;
H04L 69/08 20130101; G06F 3/0661 20130101; B23P 19/04 20130101;
H02G 11/02 20130101; H01R 13/72 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 12/75 20060101
H01R012/75; G06F 3/06 20060101 G06F003/06; H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; B23P 19/04 20060101 B23P019/04 |
Claims
1. A mobile peripheral adapter comprising: a circular housing
having plural port openings; plural ports disposed at the plural
port openings, each port operable to accept a predetermined output
cable plug; a first circuit board disposed in the circular housing
having a first set of components operable to convert information
from a first communication protocol to one or more communication
output protocols for communication through one or more of the
plural ports; a second circuit board disposed in the circular
housing having a second set of components operable to convert
information from the first communication protocol to one or more
video output protocols for communication through one or more of the
plural ports; a cable terminating at one end with plural wirelines
and at an opposing end at a cable plug associated with the first
communication protocol, the cable having a first set of wirelines
coupled to the first circuit board to communicate information
between the cable plug and the first set of components and a second
set of wirelines coupled to the second circuit board to communicate
information between the cable plug and the second set of
components, the second set of wirelines only communicating video
information; and a flexible cable coupled between the first and
second circuit boards to communicate power and ground from the
first circuit board to the second circuit board.
2. The mobile peripheral adapter of claim 1 wherein: the cable plug
comprises a USB Type C plug; the first set of components comprises
an Ethernet network communication component interfaced with an
Ethernet port; and the second set of components comprises an HDMI
video component interfaced with an HDMI port.
3. The mobile peripheral adapter of claim 1 wherein: the cable plug
comprises a USB plug; the first set of components comprise a USB
hub; and the second set of components comprise video component that
converts information from a USB protocol to a video protocol.
4. The mobile peripheral adapter of claim 1 wherein: the cable plug
comprises a USB plug; and the second set of wirelines include only
video information communicated by the USB protocol.
5. (canceled)
6. The mobile peripheral adapter of claim 1 wherein the second set
of wirelines comprise an auxiliary wireline that controls
conversion of video information for communication to a selected of
plural ports.
7. The mobile peripheral adapter of claim 1 wherein the first set
of wirelines includes communications that controls conversion of
video information for communication to a selected of plural ports,
the control further communicated to the second circuit board
through the flexible cable.
8. The mobile peripheral adapter of claim 1 wherein: the first
circuit board has only a portion of a perimeter with a circular
shape, the one or more ports of the first circuit board disposed at
the perimeter having the circular shape; and the second circuit
board vertically stacks relative to the first circuit board.
9. The mobile peripheral adapter of claim 1 wherein the cable
selectively retracts and extends from an interior of the housing,
the housing further comprising: a first circular portion having the
plural port openings; a second circular portion rotationally
coupled to the first circular portion and having a cable opening
through with the cable retracts and extends; and a middle portion
disposed between the first and second circular portions, the middle
portion cooperating with the second circular portion to define a
cable guide that interacts with the cable to retract and extend the
cable based upon rotation of the second housing portion relative to
the first housing portion; wherein the first and second circuit
boards integrate in the first housing portion and the cable passes
from the circuit boards to the cable guide through a central
opening of the middle housing portion.
10. A method for managing protocol conversion of information
communicated through a cable to a mobile peripheral adapter housing
and out selected of plural ports, the method comprising: coupling a
first set of wirelines of the cable to a first circuit board
disposed in the housing; coupling a second set of wirelines of the
cable to a second circuit board disposed in the housing; converting
information from a first protocol communicated by the cable to at
least a second protocol at the first circuit board, the information
outputted with the second protocol from one or more ports coupled
to the first circuit board; converting information from the first
protocol communicated by the cable to a selected of plural video
protocols at the second circuit board, the information outputted
with the selected video protocol from a selected of plural video
ports coupled to the second circuit board; communicating only video
information through the second set of wirelines to the second
circuit board; and providing power and ground to the second circuit
from a flexible cable coupled to the first circuit board, the first
set of wirelines including a power and ground wireline.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein: the cable comprises a USB
cable; the second protocol comprises Ethernet; and the video
protocol comprises HDMI.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein: the first circuit board
comprises a USB hub interfaced with plural USB ports coupled to the
first circuit board; and the video protocol comprises a DisplayPort
protocol.
13. (canceled)
14. The method of claim 10 further comprising: disposing the first
and second circuit boards vertically stacked in the housing;
wherein the housing has a circular perimeter, the plural ports
disposed at the circular perimeter in an upper portion, the cable
passing from the first housing portion through a central opening to
a second housing portion, the second housing portion rotationally
coupled to the first housing portion and defining a cable channel,
the cable channel interacting with the cable to retract and extend
the cable at a cable opening based upon relative rotational
orientation of the first and second housing portions.
15. The method of claim 10 further comprising: selecting the video
protocol with a command sent through a video auxiliary wireline
coupled to the second circuit board.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the cable terminates as a USB
Type C plug.
17. The method of claim 10 further comprising: selecting the video
protocol with a command sent to the first circuit board and
communicated from the first circuit board to the second circuit
board through the flexible cable.
18. A method for assembly of an adapter to convert video
information from USB protocol to a selected of plural video
protocols, the method comprising: coupling a first set of
components and ports to a first circuit board having a circular
shape over a portion of less than all of a perimeter, the first set
of ports located at the portion having the circular shape; coupling
a second set of components and ports to a second circuit board
having a circular shape over at least a portion of a perimeter;
coupling a first set of cable wirelines to the first circuit board;
coupling a second set of the cable wirelines to the second circuit
board, the second set of wirelines communicating only video
information; coupling power and ground from the first circuit board
to the second circuit board; and inserting the first and second
circuit boards into a circular housing vertically stacked over each
other.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: sending video
information through the cable to the second circuit board; sending
power through the cable to the first circuit board; and powering
the second set of components with power from the first circuit
board.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein wirelines of the cable coupled
to the second circuit board include only wirelines that communicate
video information, the method further comprising: rotationally
coupling a cable housing portion and an electronics housing
portion; disposing the first and second circuit boards in the
electronics housing portion; disposing the cable in the cable
housing portion; and rotating the cable housing portion relative to
the electronics housing portion to interact a cable channel of the
cable housing portion with the cable, thereby retracting or
extending the cable relative to the cable housing portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled
"Information Handling System Mobile Adapter with Rotational Cable
Management" by inventors Hang Du, Benedict Tiong Chee Tay,
Toshiyuki Tanaka, Alvin Sitoh, Ting Yeow Hoong, Wong Hin Loong
Justin, and Shiong Kheng Chua, Attorney Docket No. DC-110678.01,
filed on even date herewith, describes exemplary methods and
systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates in general to the field of
information handling system peripherals, and more particularly to
an information handling system mobile adapter with rotational cable
management.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] As the value and use of information continues to increase,
individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and
store information. One option available to users is information
handling systems. An information handling system generally
processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or
data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing
users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because
technology and information handling needs and requirements vary
between different users or applications, information handling
systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how
the information is handled, how much information is processed,
stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the
information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The
variations in information handling systems allow for information
handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or
specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline
reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In
addition, information handling systems may include a variety of
hardware and software components that may be configured to process,
store, and communicate information and may include one or more
computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
[0004] Information handling systems often interact with external
peripherals and network communications resources through cabled
interfaces, such as data and video ports. Generally, information
handling systems include Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type A and/or
Type C ports to connect with peripherals, such as a mouse and
keyboard. In some instances, information handling systems will
include network communication ports, such as an Ethernet RJ45 port.
In addition, information handling systems often include one or more
display peripheral ports for communication of video information to
a display. For example, information handling systems communicate
video information to a peripheral display through a variety of
display cables and protocols, such as Video Graphics Array (VGA)
cable, a DisplayPort cable and a High Definition Multimedia
Interface cable. Generally, in order to interface an information
handling system with a display, both the information handling
system and display have to have the same cable connection ports. If
only dissimilar video ports are available, such as a VGA port on a
display and an HDMI port on an information handling system,
converter "dongles" can sometimes be used to interface the
information handling system and display. Such dongles include
processing resources within the cable that convert video
information in a protocol provided from the information handling
system to a protocol accepted by the display.
[0005] End users tend to prefer portable information handling
systems that have a minimal footprint and weight because such
systems provide improved convenience on the go. Smaller housing
sizes have reduced the amount of room available for including
communications and video ports in an information handling system.
For example, RJ45 Ethernet ports and VGA video ports each have a
height that makes their inclusion in a low profile information
handling system housing prohibitive. In some instances, low profile
information handling systems will only include a single USB port
that is used for both power and data communications. In such
instances, communication of video from an information handling
system to an external display typically relies upon wireless
protocols or a dongle that translates video information from USB to
a compatible video format. An end user generally must have a dongle
that performs a protocol conversion for each type of video protocol
the end user must perform.
[0006] To improve end user convenience, some mobile adapters
include multiple protocol conversion capabilities in one housing.
For example, the Dell DA100 and DA200, the Bourge Arc Hub, and the
Targus USB multi-display adapter all provide multiple video
protocol outputs with multiple ports disposed in portable adapter
housing. Such mobile adapters typically include a cable with a USB
plug that couples to an information handling system, such as USB
Type C plug that handles both video and communications data. One
difficulty that arises with such mobile adapters is that the cable
often hangs freely from the mobile adapter in an awkward manner
that makes storage of the mobile adapter difficult. Another
difficulty that arises with such mobile adapters is that the
multiple ports tend to have a relatively large footprint along the
housing length that increases the size of the mobile adapter. Each
data and video port can potentially carry a large stream of
information, especially where video is provided in high definition
and data includes broadband network communications. As a result,
compressed footprints that involve multiple video and data
communications paths tend to have difficulty maintaining desired
data rates due to crosstalk and other electromagnetic interference
issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which
supports multiple ports in an adapter with a reduced footprint.
[0008] A further need exists for a system and method which manages
signal interference for communications having different protocols
for communication and data.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a system and
method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages
and problems associated with previous methods and systems for a
mobile adapter having multiple ports that output data and video
signals. A circular shaped housing disposes video and data ports
about a perimeter in a first portion and a communications cable in
a second portion rotationally coupled to the first portion. The
communications cable retracts and extends based upon rotation of
the housing portions relative to each other. The communications
cable terminates at one end with a data plug, such as USB Type C
plug, that interfaces with an information handling system to
communicate video and other data with electronic components
disposed in the adapter. The communications cable terminates at an
opposing end with plural wirelines, including data and power
wirelines that couple to a communications printed circuit board and
video wirelines that couple to a separate video printed circuit
board.
[0010] More specifically, an information handling system processes
information with processing components disposed in a portable
housing and communicates the information through a communications
port of the portable housing, such as a USB Type C port. A mobile
adapter peripheral having an integrated cable and connector plug
interfaces with the information handling system communications port
by inserting the plug and establishing communication with a
protocol of the port, such as a USB Type C protocol that
communicates video and other types of information. The mobile
adapter peripheral integrates the cable and plural circuit boards
in circular housing having upper and lower portions that rotate
relative to each other to retract and extend the cable. In one
embodiment, a lower portion defines a cable guide having an opening
in a sidewall. As the lower portion rotates relative to the upper
portion, the opening changes positions relative to the plug end of
the cable, effectively extending and retracting the cable relative
to the housing. A magnet disposed proximate the opening attracts
the plug into the housing as the housing portion rotation brings
the cable to the retracted configuration so that the plug retracts
to within the housing at the closed configuration. The opening has
chamfered edges formed about its periphery that interact with a
tapered base of the plug to funnel the plug into the housing upon
complete rotation of the housing portions.
[0011] In one example embodiment, the mobile adapter peripheral
includes both video ports, such as VGA, DisplayPort and HDMI ports,
and data ports, such as RJ45 network and USB ports. The cable has
plural wirelines that communicate video information, such as is
defined by the DisplayPort and USB Type C standards, and other
wirelines that communicate power and data, such as is defined by
the USB Type C standard. In order to provide improved signal
transfer, video wirelines couple directly to a video printed
circuit board while the remaining power and data lines couple
directly to a communications printed circuit board. A flexible
cable couples the video and communications circuit boards to each
other to provide power, ground and slow speed control
communications from the communications circuit board to the video
circuit board. Video information from the information handling
system communicates directly to the video circuit board for output
to video ports coupled to the video circuit board, such as VGA,
DisplayPort and HDMI ports. Control of video processing is provided
through USB communications to the communication circuit board,
which in turn sends commands to the video circuit board through the
flexible circuit. Separation of the video components to a circuit
separate from the communications components reduces the risk of
crosstalk or other interference during high data rate
communications.
[0012] The present invention provides a number of important
technical advantages. One example of an important technical
advantage is that a mobile adapter peripheral has a compact
circular housing footprint that extends and retracts a
communications cable with a rotational movement of housing portions
relative to each other. A cable guide defined within the housing by
the housing portions drives cable retraction and extension without
a need for separate mechanisms or assemblies. Full retraction of
the cable is accomplished by biasing the cable plug into the
housing with a magnet integrated in the housing. Chamfered edges of
an opening of the circular housing interacts with a tapered base at
the cable and plug connection to funnel the plug into the opening
upon complete retraction of the cable without risk of the plug
getting trapped at the periphery of the housing. The cable travels
from the cable guide and into an electronics portion of the housing
through a central opening that avoids stress on the cable during
retraction and extension. Wirelines extending from the cable end
couple separately to communications and video circuit boards while
a flexible cable communicates power and commands between the
communication and video circuit boards. Separate circuit boards
reduce cross talk and other interference for signals managed from
an information handling system. In addition, separate circuit
boards ease assembly of electronics into the housing by allowing
each set of ports to rotate and couple into housing openings
without all ports have to fit in one assembly step. Simplified
assembly into the circular footprint reduces cost and improves
appearance of the complete adapter with an elegant and easy to
handle circular housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention may be better understood, and its
numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those
skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The
use of the same reference number throughout the several figures
designates a like or similar element.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts an upper perspective view of a mobile adapter
peripheral with a circular housing having an upper electronics
portion rotationally coupled to a lower cable portion;
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of mobile adapter peripheral
having a circular configuration of I/O ports coupled with external
cables;
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a side perspective view of the mobile adapter
peripheral having a cable in a retracted configuration;
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts a side perspective view of the lower cable
housing portion with the upper electronic housing portion removed
to expose a middle housing portion;
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts a top view of a lower cable housing portion
having a cable disposed in a retracted configuration at an outer
circumference;
[0019] FIG. 6 depicts a bottom perspective view of an upper
electronics housing portion having a middle housing portion coupled
to its bottom face;
[0020] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C depict side cutaway views of chamfer and
blend lead-in features of the housing that aid in guidance of the
cable to retract and extend from the housing;
[0021] FIG. 8 depicts a side cutaway view of the housing having the
plug retracted to a home position and aligned to guide outward to
an extended position with chamfered edges along an opening;
[0022] FIGS. 9A and 9B depict a top perspective view of lead in
chamfer features of the lower cable housing portion that aid in
guidance of the plug into the housing;
[0023] FIG. 10 depicts an upper perspective view of a cable plug
having chamfered edges to aid in retraction and extension of the
cable within the housing;
[0024] FIG. 11 depicts an exploded view of the assembly of the
middle housing portion to the cable housing portion to define a
cable channel that guides the plug into and out of the housing;
[0025] FIGS. 12A and 12B depict a bottom view of cable guided by
middle housing portion to a center location through which cable
passes to the upper electronics housing portion;
[0026] FIG. 13 depicts a side perspective view of the cable plug
having an outer protective coating removed;
[0027] FIG. 14 depicts a bottom view of the upper electronics
housing portion having the middle housing portion removed;
[0028] FIG. 15 depicts a bottom view of a video printed circuit
board and an upper view of a communications printed circuit board
are depicted coupled to the cable;
[0029] FIG. 16 depicts a side perspective view of the
communications printed circuit board coupled into the electronics
housing portion;
[0030] FIG. 17 depicts a side perspective view of the video printed
circuit board coupled into the electronics housing portion over
communications circuit board; and
[0031] FIG. 18 depicts a circuit block diagram of electronics
components disposed on the video printed circuit board and
communications printed circuit board that couple to a USB Type C
plug.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] An information handling system mobile adapter peripheral
retracts and extends a cable with rotation of housing portions that
include separate communications and video circuit boards. For
purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may
include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities
operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive,
retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect,
record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,
intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other
purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a
personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable
device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and
price. The information handling system may include random access
memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central
processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM,
and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of
the information handling system may include one or more disk
drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external
devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as
a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling
system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit
communications between the various hardware components.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, an upper perspective view depicts a
mobile adapter peripheral 10 with a circular housing 12 having an
upper electronics portion 14 rotationally coupled to a lower cable
portion 16. In the example embodiment, mobile adapter peripheral 10
interfaces with a portable information handling system 18 to
support information handling system functionality, such as
communication with input/output (I/O) devices, other peripherals
and network cables. For instance, information handling system 18
integrates processing components, such as a CPU and memory, which
cooperate to execute instructions to accept end user inputs at a
keyboard 22 and present end user output at a display 20.
Information handling system 18 interfaces with mobile adapter
peripheral 10 through a cable 26 that couples to a port 24, such as
a USB Type C port and cable. Once information handling system 18
communicatively couples to mobile adapter peripheral 10, a
plurality of functional ports of mobile adapter peripheral 10
become available as communication pathways to peripheral devices
and/or network interfaces. In the example embodiment, mobile
adapter peripheral 10 includes a USB Type C port 28, a USB Type A
port 30, and HDMI port 32, a VGA port 34, a DisplayPort port 36 and
an RJ45 port 38. Processing components disposed in the upper
electronics portion 14 translate communications between protocols
of each port and the USB Type C protocol of portable information
handling system 18. For instance, information handling system 18
may send pixel values that define display images through cable 26
to processing components of upper electronics portion 14 that, in
turn, send the pixel values out a selected of HDMI port 32, VGA
port 34 or DisplayPort port 36. As another example, information
handling system 18 supports peripheral device and/or network
communication through cable 26 with RJ45 port 38, USB Type C port
28 and/or USB type A port 30. Essentially, the processing
components in upper electronics portion 14 combine multiple
protocol conversion "dongles" into one housing 12 so that a single
USB Type C port supports multiple protocols. A similar system that
combines dongles into one housing is the DA200 sold by Dell
Inc.
[0034] Mobile adapter peripheral 10 provides cable management of
cable 26 by rotational movement of lower cable portion 16 relative
to upper electronics portion 14. In the example depicted by FIG. 1,
cable 26 has extended outwards from housing 12 by rotation of the
lower cable portion 16 clockwise relative to electronic cable
portion 14. To retract cable 26 into lower cable portion 16, lower
cable portion 16 rotates counterclockwise relative to electronic
cable portion 14. Cable 26 has a length and product size that
optimizes cable operation so that sufficient length exists in the
extended configuration to allow mobile adapter peripheral 10 to
rest out of the way of information handling system 10 when cable 26
inserts into port 24. Cable 26 has a length short enough so that
rotation of the housing portions to retract cable 26 provides a
complete retraction that does not expose cable 26 outside of
housing 12. For example, in one embodiment, a guide integrated
between electronic housing portion 14 and cable housing portion 16
engages cable 26 during rotation so that cable 26 is fully
retracted within housing 12 based upon approximately 360 degrees of
rotation of the housing portions relative to each other. Rotation
to both extend and retract cable 26 provides an intuitive system
that is simple for end users to understand. Complete encapsulation
of cable 26 within housing 12 in the retracted configuration
enhances product robustness and reliability. As is set forth in
greater detail below, cable management between the retracted and
extended positions is provided with a guide integrated in the
housing that enhances robustness because standalone parts, coil
springs and other separate mechanical parts are not needed.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of mobile adapter
peripheral 10 depicts a circular configuration of I/O ports coupled
with external cables. In the example embodiment, a USB Type C cable
40 couples to a USB Type C port 28, a USB Type A cable 42 couples
with USB Type A port 30, an HDMI cable 44 couples with an HDMI
cable 32, a VGA cable 46 couples to VGA port 34 and an RJ45
Ethernet couples to RJ45 port 38. As is set forth in greater detail
below, fitting six I/O ports into a circular pattern within housing
12 having a circular form factor presents difficulty. For example,
each port aligns at defined or standardized positions relative to
the circumference of housing 12. In one embodiment, to aid in the
circular configuration of ports 28-38, two separate printed circuit
boards are assembled in housing 12 that each support less than all
of ports 28-38. For example, one circuit boards supports
communication-related ports, such as USB ports 28 and 30 and RJ45
port 38, while a second circuit port supports display-related
ports, such as HDMI port 32, VGA port 34 and DisplayPort port 36.
As is shown in greater detail below, the separate circuit boards
interface power and ground through a flexible cable 54 that couples
with a connector 52.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 3, a side perspective view depicts
mobile adapter peripheral 10 having cable 26 in a retracted
configuration. Housing 12 portions 16 and 14 rotate relative to
each other to retract cable 26 into a cable opening 56 formed in
the lower cable housing portion 16. In the retracted configuration,
cable 26 is fully retracted to within housing 12 so that the end of
cable 26 will not face a risk of damage during transport of housing
12.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, a side perspective view depicts
lower cable housing portion 16 with upper electronic housing
portion 14 removed to expose a middle housing portion 58. The upper
surface of middle housing portion 58 supports electronics
components, such as printed circuit boards, that perform data
protocol conversions to communicate data into and/or out of ports
28-38. The bottom surface of middle housing portion 58 includes a
cable guide so that, as middle housing portion 58 rotates relative
to lower cable housing portion 16, cable 26 extend or retracts
relative to housing 12.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 5, a top view depicts lower cable
housing portion 16 having cable 26 disposed in a retracted
configuration at an outer circumference. A centrally-disposed
spindle 60 has three openings that accept screws to couple with
middle housing portion 58. Spindle 60 provides rotation relative to
lower cable housing portion 16 by fixing relative to middle housing
portion 58. Cable 26 routes into the electronics housing portion 14
through a central location at above spindle 60. Plug 62 fits within
lower cable housing 16 to fully retract upon complete rotation of
lower cable housing 16 to a retracted configuration. In the example
embodiment, cable 26 is routed by a cable guide of middle housing
portion 58 to proceed from the central location towards an outer
wall 80 of lower cable housing portion 16, and then around the
perimeter of lower cable housing portion 16 against the outer wall
80. As lower cable housing portion 16 rotates counterclockwise,
plug 62 and cable 26 are pressed out of housing 12, with the cable
guide gradually rotating from the depicted retracted position to
align with opening 56. As lower cable housing portion 16 rotates
clockwise, the cable guide moves from alignment with opening 56 to
out of alignment, thus retracting cable 26 so that cable 26 is
drawn against outer wall 80. The cable 26 length provides for
rotation of the cable guide out of alignment as depicted by FIG. 5
so that a maximum cable extension is available based on the
circumference of housing 12 that allows a full retraction of plug
62 at substantially 360 degrees of rotation of housing portions 14
and 16 relative to each other.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 6, a bottom perspective view depicts
upper electronics housing portion 14 having middle housing portion
58 coupled to its bottom face. A cable guide 64 extends downward
from middle housing portion 58 and into lower cable housing portion
16 to engage cable 26. For example, cable guide 64 maintains cable
26 along the perimeter of housing 12 during rotation to encourage
cable extraction and retraction in response to rotational movement.
A magnet 66 integrates in cable guide 64 at the location where plug
62 rests when fully retracted into housing 12. Screw openings 68
align to accept screws that couple spindle 60 to middle housing
section 58. To extract cable 26, the assembly of upper electronics
housing portion 14 and middle housing portion 58 rotate relative to
cable housing portion 16 and cable 26 within it so that magnet 66
moves away from plug 62, allowing plug 62 to release and extend out
of housing 12. To retract cable 26, the assembly of upper
electronics housing portion 14 and middle housing portion 58 rotate
relative to cable housing portion 16 and cable 26 to that magnet 66
comes within range to attract plug 62 into housing 12.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, side cutaway views
depict chamfer and blend lead-in features of housing 12 that aid in
guidance of cable 26 to retract and extend from housing 12. FIG. 7B
depicts a lead in feature 70 formed in electronic housing portion
14 that extends downward and blends with a lead in feature 72 and
radius feature 74 of middle housing portion 58 depicted in FIG. 7C
to provide a guiding surface for plug 62 that prevents plug 62 from
getting stuck against housing 12 while exiting and entering housing
12. The assembled blended structure as depicted in FIG. 7A
increases the height of the entry zone of plug 62. Middle housing
portion 58 radius edge 74 extends close to housing portion 14's
chamfer feature 70 to support hands off plug 62 interactions with
housing 12.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 8, a side cutaway view of housing 12
depicts plug 62 retracted to a home position and aligned to guide
outward to an extended position with chamfered edges along an
opening 76. The chamfer and blend feature created by interactions
of surfaces 70-74 drive plug 62 to the home position with a minimal
Z-height relative to the height of plug 62. In the example
embodiment, opening 76 has a Z-height of 7 mm that guides plug 62
having a height of 6.1 mm, which adheres to the USB C standards.
Metal or ferromagnetic material embedded in plug 62 is attracted to
magnet 66 to bias plug 62 to the home position.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a top perspective view depicts
lead in chamfer features 78 of lower cable housing portion 16 that
aids in guidance of plug 62 into housing 12. An outer wall 80 of
cable housing portion 16 cooperates with the cable guide of middle
portion 58 to define a channel within housing 12 to capture cable
26. As a result, as cable portion 16 rotates relative to middle
portion 58, the relative location of opening 76 changes compared to
the position of cable 26 within the defined channel between outer
wall 80 and cable guide 64. In effect, cable 26 remains stationary
relative to electronics portion 14 as cable portion 16 rotates to
retract and extract cable 26 within the cable channel.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 10, an upper perspective view depicts
cable plug 62 having chamfered edges 82 to aid in retraction and
extension of cable 26 within housing 12. Chamfered edges 82 couple
over cable strain relief features to define an arrow shape between
cable 26 and plug 62. In combination with chamfered edges defined
by housing 12, retraction of plug 62 into opening 76 to a home
position avoids any catches on the structure of housing 12 that
would place strain on cable 26.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 11, an exploded view depicts the
assembly of middle housing portion 58 to cable housing portion 16
to define a cable channel that guides plug 62 into and out of
housing 12. Screws 84 pass through spindle 60 and the opening 86 in
the center of cable housing portion 16 to couple to middle housing
portion 58. A base cushion 88 couples to the bottom of housing
portion 16 to cushion against a resting surface. Cable housing
portion 16 includes an outer wall 80 that defines a cable channel
with the cable guide 64 of middle housing portion 58. Rotation of
cable housing portion 16 relative to spindle 60 and middle housing
portion 58 changes the position of opening 76 relative to plug 62,
effectively retracting and extracting cable 26. Magnet 66 bias plug
62 into housing 12 as opening 76 rotates to align with plug 62. A
central screw 84 couples cable 26 at a central location of middle
housing portion 58. Two other screws 84 pass through screw openings
of middle housing portion 58 to fixedly couple middle housing
portion 58 to upper electronics housing portion 14.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, a bottom view depicts
cable 26 guided by middle housing portion 58 to a center location
through which cable 26 passes to the upper electronics housing
portion 14. FIG. 12A depicts a cable guide channel 92 defined by
middle housing portion 58 that routes cable 26 to a central
location. FIG. 12B depicts cable 26 held in position by cable guide
channel 92 and by triangular interference ribs 90 that extend into
channel 92 to pinch cable 26. Guide 92 and ribs 90 hold cable 26 at
a fixed location so that stress is not placed upon cable
connections in electronics housing portion 14 as cable housing
portion 16 rotates to extend and retract cable 26. The axis defined
by cable guide channel 92 towards the outer perimeter of cable
housing portion 16 provides a reference relative to cable plug
opening 76 for the amount of cable 26 that extends from housing 12.
As the axis of cable guide 92 rotates towards alignment with
opening 76, a greater length of cable 26 extends out of housing 12,
pushed out by the engagement of the cable against outer wall 80 of
cable housing portion 16. Similarly, as the axis of cable guide 92
rotates out of alignment with opening 76, the length of cable 26 is
pulled inward by movement of cable guide 92 and engagement with
outer wall 80. The length of cable 26 is set so that plug 62 fully
retracts into housing 12 as the axis of cable guide 92 rotates from
orientation with opening 76 for substantially 360 degrees.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 13, a side perspective view depicts
cable plug 62 having an outer protective coating removed. The
ferromagnetic shield around plug 62 has plural raised portions 94
that extend outward, such as by approximately 0.2 mm. For example,
a TPE thermoplastic over mold applied to plug 62 has reduced
surface coverage at the raised portions 94 so that the air-gap
reduction of magnetic attraction is reduced relative to the magnet
66 integrated with middle housing portion 58. In an alternative
embodiment, raised portions 94 may include a magnet or magnetic
material that enhances biasing of plug 62 into housing 12 at the
home position. For example, a magnet integrated in plug 62 has
opposing poles relative to magnet 66 when plug 62 is at the home
position so that a greater bias is applied to draw plug 62 into
housing 12 at the home position. As cable housing portion 16
rotates relative to cable 26, the stiffness of cable 26 biases plug
62 outward and away from housing 12. In another alternative
embodiment, raised portion 94 may be exposed after encapsulation by
the thermoplastic.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 14, a bottom view depicts upper
electronics housing portion 14 having middle housing portion 58
removed. A printed circuit board assembly 96 couples to upper
electronics portion 14 and interfaces with cable 26 as describe in
greater detail below. Cable 26 inserts through an opening at the
center of middle housing portion 58, from which cable 26 travels
into the cable channel. During assembly of mobile adapter
peripheral 10, printed circuit board assembly 96 is coupled into
housing portion 14 and then middle housing portion 58 couples to
housing portion 14 to prepare for assembly of the cable housing
portion 16.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 15, a bottom view of a video printed
circuit board 98 and an upper view of a communications printed
circuit board 100 are depicted coupled to cable 26. Video printed
circuit board 98 directly connects with wirelines of cable 26 that
support video communications under the USB Type C standard.
Communications printed circuit board 100 directly connects with
wirelines of cable 26 that support other USB Type C defined
functions, such as communication of data through a serial
interface, transfer of power and ground interface. Cable 26
terminates from a coaxial form into individual leads that couple
directly to separate circuit boards 98 and 100, such as with a hot
bar soldering process that keeps the soldering points close to each
other without a short circuit developing. Once wirelines of cable
26 are coupled to the circuit boards, video printed circuit board
98 flips over and on top of communications printed circuit board
100 to fit a notched portion around RJ45 port 38. The printed
circuit board assembly 96 then fits as an assembly into upper
electronics housing 14.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 16, a side perspective view depicts
communications printed circuit board 100 coupled into electronics
housing portion 14. RJ45 port 38 is inserted first by angling
downward into an opening of upper electronics housing portion 14,
and then the USB ports 28 and 30 fit into place. Once
communications printed circuit board 100 is inserted into place,
screws pass through circuit board 100 to couple it to upper
electronics housing portion 14. To improve assembly efficiency,
inner walls of housing portion 14 are thinned with step and chamfer
features to avoid interference with ports 28, 30 and 38. In
addition, circuit board 100 has a squared off form factor opposite
ports 28, 30 and 38 to enhance assembly efficiency with circuit
board 98 avoiding interference during insertion into housing
portion 100.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 17, a side perspective view depicts
video printed circuit board 98 coupled into electronics housing
portion 14 over communications circuit board 100. Circuit board 98
includes a square notch that fits around RJ45 port 38 as circuit
board 98 inserts ports 32-36 into housing portion 14. Referring
back to FIG. 15, circuit board 98 rotates relative to circuit board
100 so that ports 28-32 fit into openings of housing portion 14 at
the squared off portions of circuit board 100. Wirelines of cable
26 that couple to separate circuit boards 98 and 100 remain in
close proximity after assembly of circuit board 98 over top of
circuit board 100. Cable 26 extends outward from the circuit board
assembly 96 to fit through an opening of middle housing portion 58
and into the cable guide defined thereby in cooperation with the
outer walls of lower cable housing portion 16. In the example
embodiment, communications circuit board 100 has a circular shape
at the locations where ports couple, and has a square off perimeter
opposite the ports to aid insertion of the ports along the circular
perimeter of housing 12 without opposing edges of circuit board 100
interfering with housing 12. Circuit board 98 vertically stacks of
circuit board 100 with cutout portions formed to minimize spacing
between the vertically stack circuit boards, such as to provide
room for vertical stacking around RJ45 port 38.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 18, a circuit block diagram depicts
electronics components disposed on video printed circuit board 98
and communications printed circuit board 100 that couple to a USB
Type C plug 62. A first set of components 110 are included on video
printed circuit board 98 to process video information provided from
an information handling system 10 into a protocol requested at a
port in use. In the example embodiment, USB Type C wirelines that
support video lanes zero, one and auxiliary are routed to a video
processor 102 that converts the USB Type C video information into
DisplayPort, HDMI and/or VGA protocols. DisplayPort output proceeds
from video processor 102 to DisplayPort circuits 104 that couple
with DisplayPort port 36. HDMI output proceeds from video processor
102 to HDMI circuits 106 that couple with HDMI port 32. VGA output
proceeds from video processor 102 to VGA circuits 108 that couple
to VGA port 34. Collectively, circuits 110 interface through
printed circuit board 98 so that video signals are managed
separately from other data communications. Separate communication
of video signals minimizes crosstalk and other interference that
can result when multiple protocols are communicated simultaneously
within a limited board space.
[0052] Components outside of the set of video components 110 are
included in communications printed circuit board 100 and managed by
a controller 112 interfaced with a memory 114 and a command and
control line of USB Type C plug 62. Data from data wirelines of
plug 62 proceeds to a USB hub 118 managed by a controller 120. From
USB hub 118, Ethernet data proceeds to an Ethernet processor 112
and then RJ45 circuits 124 for communication to RJ45 port 38. From
USB hub 118, USB data proceeds directly to USB A circuits 128 and
USB C circuits 134, and from there to the appropriate USB port 28
or 30. In addition, a USB power subsystem 126 for USB A and 132 for
USB C interfaces with USB A circuits 128 and USB C circuits 134 to
provide power in accordance with the USB A and C standards. For
example, USB A power subsystem 126 provides power provided out from
an information handling system through port plug 62 to USB A
circuits 128, and USB C power subsystem 132 provides two way power
transfer from and to the information handling system.
[0053] In operation, controller 112 directs video processor 102 and
USB hub 118 to convert data to a desired format, such as based upon
external peripheral cables coupled to one or more of ports 28-38.
Flexible cable 54 communicates control commands from controller 112
through a wireline 116 to video processor 102, such as though an
SPI or I2C link. Ground and power are also provided to video
printed circuit board 98 components 110 through flexible cable 54
so that a direct power connection from plug 62 to circuit board 98
is not needed. In the example embodiment, only video wirelines from
USB cable plug 62 are routed to video circuit board 98, with all
other wirelines routed to the communications circuit board 100. For
example, lanes zero and one communicate video packets in one
direction and an auxiliary lane communicates bidirectional control
commands. In the example embodiment, video processing control, such
as selection of an output protocol and port for the video
information, may be provided solely by the auxiliary lane while
power and ground are provided from the flexible cable wirelines
116. In an alternative embodiment, control commands may be provided
through both the auxiliary lane and the flexible cable or solely
through the flexible cable. During communication of video
information, by communicating only video information to video
circuit board 98, interference and crosstalk related to conversion
of other types of information to other types of protocols is
reduced.
[0054] Although the present invention has been described in detail,
it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and
alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *