Y-shaped universal serial bus connector for USB 2.0 Micro-B and USB 3.0 Micro-B connector specifications

A USB device using a rotatable USB connector includes a cable, a first USB plug, a second USB plug and a rotatable USB connector. The cable has a tail end, a first branch end and a second branch end. The first USB plug connects the tail end, the second USB plug connects the second branch end and the rotatable USB connector connects the first branch end. The rotatable USB connector has a first insulating main body, a second insulating main body, a plurality of first conductive terminals and a plurality of second conductive terminals. The first insulating main body and blades form a first connector module while the second insulating main body and blades form a second connector module. The USB 2.0 and second connector modules are movably connected via a joint.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The instant disclosure relates to a rotatable universal serial bus (USB) connector; in particular, to a rotatable USB connector compatible with USB 3.0 standards.

2. Description of Related Art

The standard USB Micro-B connector is widely implemented on hand held devices because of thinner structural profile. USB 3.0 connectors are backward compatible with USB 2.0 in most connector types. However, a USB 3.0 Micro-B connector comprises a USB 2.0 Micro-B connector and an additional set of pins aligned thereto.

The conventional USB 3.0 Micro-B connector is a one-piece structure. In other words, the USB 2.0 Micro-B connector and the additional pin set are permanently interconnected so the USB 2.0 Micro-B connector cannot be singled out and used independently if needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the instant disclosure is to provide a rotatable Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector with separate and mobile plugs.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure, the rotatable USB connector comprises a first insulating main body, a second insulating main body, a plurality of first conductive terminals and a plurality of second conductive terminals. The first conductive terminals are disposed in the first insulating main body forming a first connector module. Likewise, the second conductive terminals are disposed in the US 3.0 insulation main body forming a second connector module. The USB 2.0 and 3.0 modules are interconnected via a mobile joint.

Another embodiment of the instant disclosure provides a USB device comprises a cable with a tail end, a first branch end and a second branch end, a first USB plug and a second USB plug. The first USB plug connects the tail end while the second USB plug connects the second branch end. The USB device further comprises the aforementioned rotatable USB connector connected to the first branch end of the cable.

In summary, the instant disclosure provides the rotatable USB connector with the structurally independent USB 2.0 and second connector modules. The mobile USB 2.0 and second connector modules allow users to have desired USB connector combination for different usages. The first and second USB plugs and rotatable USB connector may further be retained in a case for easier organization and transportation.

In order to further understand the instant disclosure, the following embodiments are provided along with illustrations to facilitate the appreciation of the instant disclosure; however, the appended drawings are merely provided for reference and illustration, without any intention to be used for limiting the scope of the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The instant disclosure provides a rotatable USB connector and a USB device using the same. The rotatable USB connector is compatible with the USB 3.0 Micro-family and B standards. Please refer toFIG. 1˜FIG.7. The rotatable USB connector comprises a first insulating main body1(in this case, a USB 2.0 insulation main body), a second insulating main body2(e.g. a USB 3.0 insulation main body), a plurality of first conductive terminals3(e.g. USB 2.0 type conductive terminals), and a plurality of second conductive terminals4(e.g. USB 3.0 style conductive terminals). The first insulating main body1includes a first housing11and a first tongue12. The first tongue12is attached to the first housing11(e.g. USB 2.0 housing) and stretching outward. The first conductive terminals3are disposed on the first tongue12at predetermined pitch according to the USB IF standard. Each of the first conductive terminals3has a first (USB 2.0) raised portion31, a first (USB 2.0) contact portion32and a first (USB 2.0) mounting terminal33. The first (USB 2.0) raised and contact portions31,32are exposed on the first tongue12while the first (USB 2.0) mounting terminal33transverses the first housing11to the rear end thereof to conduct USB 2.0 communication protocol.

The second insulating main body2includes a second housing21and a second tongue22. The second tongue22is attached to the second housing21and stretching outward. The second conductive terminals4are disposed on the second tongue22at predetermined pitch according to the USB IF standard. The second conductive terminals consist of a pair of USB 3.0 transmission lines, a pair of USB 3.0 receiving lines and a ground there-between so to allow SuperSpeed signal rate (5 Gb/s). Each of the second conductive terminals4has a USB 3.0 raised portion41, a USB 3.0 contact portion42and a USB 3.0 mounting terminal43. The USB 3.0 raised and contact portions41,42are exposed on the second tongue22while the USB 3.0 mounting terminal43transverses the second housing21to the rear end thereof to conduct USB 3.0 communication protocol. The first (USB 2.0) and USB 3.0 mounting terminals33,43are preferably electronically welded to cables and the connected instruments are not limited thereto.

The rotatable USB connector further comprises a first (USB 2.0) shell5and a USB 3.0 shell6(as shown inFIG. 5). The first (USB 2.0) shell5encloses the first tongue12and the first conductive terminals3inside a first (USB 2.0) slot51thereof. The USB 3.0 shell6encloses the second tongue22and the second conductive terminals4inside a USB 3.0 slot61thereof.

The first insulating main body1and blades3make up a first connector module100. Likewise, the second insulating main body2and blades4make up a second connector module200. The first and second connector modules100,200are aligned side by side yet can move independently. In other words, the rotatable USB connector can be used as a USB 2.0 connector alone or a USB 3.0 Micro-B connector when the first and second connector modules100,200are combined. The first and second connector modules100,200are interconnected by a joint700and the connection methods and movements thereof are not limited thereto. The first and second connector modules100,200may be connected by pivot pins, tenon or through sliding grooves to move sideway, rotate or slide. One of the first and second connector modules100,200can be mobile or both thereof are mobile.

In the first embodiment, the first and second connector modules100,200are connected by a sliding unit8and the joint methods are not limited thereto. The first insulating main body1includes a groove81over the side which contacts the second insulating main body2. The second insulating main body2includes a slider82conforming to the groove81so the second connector modules200is able to slide forward or backward along the groove81.

In the first embodiment, the rear ends of the first and second connector modules100,200are further enveloped by a jacket10. The second connector module200can retract backward and allow the single use of the first connector module100. On the other hand, the first and second connector modules100,200can align side by side and acts as a USB 3.0 Micro-B connector. The second connector module200may further include a slide button23to allow easier operation.

In the first embodiment, the first connector module100is fixed on the jacket10while the second connector module200is mobile. However, the arrangement is interchangeable and the first and second connector modules being both mobile is also acceptable as long as the movement can be separate.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 3. The rotatable USB connector may electronically connect a Y-shaped cable500. The cable500includes a tail end501, a first branch end502and a second branch end503. The tail end501connects a first USB plug20, the first branch end502connects the rotatable USB connector and the second branch end503connects a second USB plug30. The first and second USB connector20,30can be any type of connectors which allow standard USB communication protocol.

As shown inFIG. 3the first and second USB plugs20,30, the rotatable USB connector and the cable500may be detachably retained in a case40to allow free movements. On the other hand, the cable500can be fixed on the case40while the first and second USB plugs20,30and the rotatable USB connector are mobile. The case40includes a ring404to hang the case40like a key ring. The case40can be a one-piece structure or split into a top case401and a bottom case402and the structure of the case40is not limited thereto. The top and bottom cases401,402can be engaged by tenon or screws.

Please refer toFIG. 8in conjunction withFIG. 9. In the second embodiment, the second connector module200is pivotally connected to the jacket10to allow level swiveling. A shaft assembly7is disposed between the jacket10and the read end of the second connector module200. The shaft assembly7includes a cylinder shaft71and a conforming shaft sleeve72and the structure of the shaft assembly7is not limited thereto. The shaft71substantially perpendicularly transverses the second insulating main body2touching the jacket10by two ends and is movably disposed in the shaft sleeve72. The arrangement of the shaft71and the shaft sleeve72is interchangeable between the second connector module200and the jacket10.

In the second embodiment, only the second connector module200is able to swivel levelly so the first connector module100can be singled out on the jacket10and connect a corresponding receptacle independently. The first and second connector modules can also be combined together to act as a USB 3.0 connector.

The first and second connector modules100,200can be connected by tenon (not shown in the figure). Dowels can be disposed between the first and second insulation main bodies1,2or among the first, second insulation main bodies1,2and the jacket10.

Please refer toFIG. 10in conjunction withFIG. 11. In a third embodiment, the first and second connector modules200,300are pivotally connected to allow upward and downward movement. A shaft assembly9is disposed at the read end of the second connector module200. The shaft assembly9includes a shaft91and a shaft sleeve92and the structure of the shaft assembly9is not limited thereto. The shaft91laterally passes through the second connector module200. The shaft91is disposed in between either the first and second connector modules100,200or the second connector module200and the jacket10. The arrangement of the shaft91and the shaft sleeve92is interchangeable between the second connector module200and the jacket10.

In the third embodiment, only the second connector module200is able to turn upward or downward (as shown inFIG. 11) so the first connector module100can be singled out on the jacket10and connect a corresponding receptacle independently. The first and second connector modules can also be combined together to act as a USB 3.0 connector (as shown inFIG. 10).

In the third embodiment, the first and second connector modules100,200are connected by the shaft assembly9. The shaft assembly9can be disposed between the first and second insulation main bodies1,2or among the first, second insulation main bodies1,2and the jacket10.

In order to allow smooth rotation of the first and second connector modules100,200, connection cables can be longer in length than the conventional standard or passing through the interior of shaft assembly7,9.

[Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Embodiment]

Please refer toFIG. 12toFIG. 14. In the fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments, the rotatable USB connectors are compatible with USB 3.0 Standard-B connectors. The rotatable USB connectors of the fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments are substantially in accordance with the first, second and third embodiments yet differ in the USB 3.0 connector architecture. The first and second connector modules200,300are independent modules stacked together thus being able to be separated if needed. The first and second connector modules200,300can be connected by pivot pins, tenon or through sliding groove and can further combine with the jacket10as one unit. The first and second connector modules100,200have a variety of movements including swiveling, sliding and swaying.

In addition, the connection is not limited between the first and second insulation main bodies1,2. As long as the first and second connector modules100,200are mobile, the joint can also be disposed between or among any of the following: the first and second shells5,6, the first, second insulation main bodies1,2and jacket10, and the first and second connector modules100,200. The first and second connector modules100,200can be enveloped by individual jackets and connected indirectly via the two jackets (not shown).

Please refer toFIG. 15in conjunction withFIG. 16. In the seventh and eighth embodiments, the rotatable USB connectors are conform to the USB 3.0 Micro-B connector specification. The rotatable USB connectors are connected to the first USB plug20at the rear end and the first and second mounting terminals33,43electronically connect the terminal of the first USB plug20to form a convertor (not shown). The first USB plug20is compatible with USB 3.0 communication protocol.

Please refer toFIG. 17in conjunction withFIG. 18. In the ninth and tenth embodiment, a pair of tracks400is formed at opposite side of the rotatable USB connector for a convertor300sliding through. Also, the rotatable USB connector is electrically connected to the convertor300. The convertor300includes two arms301with two knobs302which conform to the tracks400and are disposed on each of the arms301respectively so the convertor300can slide forward and backward along the tracks400. In addition, the convertor300allows free movement of the rotatable USB connector without demounting the convertor300completely.

Please refer toFIG. 19. The first, second USB plugs20,30, rotatable USB connector and cable500are disposed in the case40. However, the cable500may stretch out of the case40to act as a hanger.

Please refer toFIG. 20. A conversion connector600is disposed in the case40. The conversion connector600includes an electrically connected female connector601and a male connector602. The male connector602projects out of the case40to connect other types of connectors while the female connector601conformingly connects to the first and second connector modules100,200.

Please refer toFIG. 21andFIG. 22. The USB connector may electrically connect the Y-shaped cable500. The tail end501connects a first USB plug20, the first branch end502connects the first connector module100and the second branch end503connects the second connector module200. The USB connector electrically connects the first USB plug20via the cable500. As shown inFIG. 21, the first and second connector modules100,200are interconnected by a joint700, so that the first and second connector modules100,200can cooperatively conform to the USB 3.0 Micro-B connector specification. As shown inFIG. 22, the first and second connector modules100,200are detached from one another, so that the first connector module100can be used independently if needed. InFIG. 21, the joint700is a tenon while inFIG. 22the joint700is a slider.

Please refer toFIG. 23. The first and second connector modules100,200are movably disposed in the jacket10. Each of the first and second insulation main bodies1,2includes a slide button13,23respectively to facilitate easier sliding of the first and second connector modules100,200.

In the instant disclosure, the first and second connector modules100,200are mobile and separable to allow various angles and connector combinations for different usages. Also, the jacket10may further envelop the first and second connector modules100,200without compromising the mobility thereof. The first, second USB plugs20,30, the rotatable USB connector and the cable500are disposed in the case40for better organization and transportation.