USB cable unit and electronic device using the same

A USB cable unit for communicatably connecting a first electronic device and a second electronic device, comprises: a first wire part configured to connect the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit data therebetween; a second wire part configured to connect the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit data therebetween; and a third wire part comprising a power wire configured to connect the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit power therebetween, and a pair of ground wires grounded to each other and configured to connect grounds of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. Thus, the present invention provides a USB cable unit and an electronic device using the same supporting USB 2.0 with a high space-efficiency at a low cost.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0127261, filed on Dec. 21, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a USB cable unit and an electronic device using the same and, more particularly, to a USB cable unit and an electronic device using the same supporting USB 2.0.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, a universal serial bus (USB) which is convenient, easily extendable and capable of high speed data transmission, has been widely used. The USB has been used for data transmission between a host and a client as well as between a host and various peripheral devices such as an input device, an output device, a scanner, a digital camera, or the like. Also, the USB has been used for data transmission among units within an electronic device. Particularly, since the USB 2.0 can transmit data up to 480 Mbps and is superior to the USB 1.1 as well as compatible with a USB 1.1 device, the USB 2.0 has been extensively used.

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a related art USB cable unit, andFIG. 2is a sectional view illustrating the USB cable unit inFIG. 1. InFIGS. 1 and 2, a USB cable unit101supports USB 2.0. The USB cable unit101includes a pair of power wires110and a pair of signal wires120. The power wires110are non-twisted, and comprise a red Vbus wire112and a black ground wire114. The signal wires120are twisted, and comprise a green D+ wire122and a white D− wire124.

An inner shield130integrally surrounds the power wires110and the signal wires120. The inner shield130is formed of aluminized polyester and protects the power wires110and the signal wires120. An outer shield140surrounds the inner shield130, and is formed of 65% or more tinned copper braid to protect the power wires110and the signal wires120together with the inner shield130. A covering member150surrounds the outer shield140to form the outer skin of the USB cable unit101, and is formed of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). A drain wire160is formed of a tinned copper strand. With this configuration, the USB cable unit101can accomplish high/full speed to support the USB 2.0.

However, it is difficult to minimize the size of the USB cable unit101because of the big diameter required of the USB cable unit of this configuration, which makes it difficult to make slim a flat display device such as an electronic frame or the like, or other electronic devices. Also, the USB cable unit101is complicated, expensive and requires a lot of time for manufacturing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a USB cable unit and an electronic device using the same supporting USB 2.0 with a high space-efficiency at a low cost.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can be achieved by providing a USB cable unit for communicably connecting a first electronic device and a second electronic device, comprising: a first wire part configured to connect the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit data therebetween; a second wire part configured to connect the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit data therebetween; and a third wire part comprising a power wire configured to connect the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit power therebetween, and a pair of ground wires ground to each other and configured to connect grounds of the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the third wire part comprises a third covering member integrally surrounding the power wire and the ground wires, and the ground wires contact each other to allow current to flow therebetween.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first wire part comprises a pair of first signal wires and a pair of first clock wires respectively configured to connect the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and a first covering member integrally surrounding the first signal wires and the first clock wires, and the second wire part comprises a pair of second signal wires and a pair of second clock wires respectively configured to connect the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and a second covering member integrally surrounding the second signal wires and the second clock wires.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first signal wires and the second signal wires are twisted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first clock wires and the second clock wires are non-twisted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first covering member, the second covering member and the third covering member comprise an aluminum tape.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the USB cable unit further comprises a supporting member integrally surrounding the first wire part, the second wire part and the third wire part.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the supporting member comprises aluminum tape.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first wire part, the second wire part and the third wire part are disposed on a plane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first signal wires, the first clock wires, the second signal wires, the second clock wires, and the power wire and the ground wires are disposed on a plane.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can be achieved by providing an electronic device comprising a first electronic device, a second electronic device, and a USB cable unit for communicably connecting the first electronic device and the second electronic device, the USB cable unit comprising: a first wire part connecting the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit data therebetween; a second wire part connecting the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit data therebetween; and a third wire part provided with a power wire connecting the first electronic device and the second electronic device to transmit power therebetween, and a pair of ground wires grounded each other to connect grounds of the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below so as to explain the various aspects of the present invention by referring to the figures.

As shown inFIG. 3, an electronic device1includes a first electronic device200, a second electronic device300and a USB cable unit100. The first electronic device200includes a control part210controlling a driving part310. The control part210may comprise a MICOM or other type of processing unit. The second electronic device300includes the driving part310. The driving part310receives a command from the control part210or transmits a signal thereto through the USB cable unit100.

The USB cable unit100connects the first electronic device200with the second electronic device300so that the first electronic device200communicates with the second electronic device300. The USB cable unit100includes a first connector110connected to the first electronic device200, a second connector120connected to the second electronic device300, and a connecting part130connecting the first connector110with the second connector120. The USB cable unit100supports USB 2.0.

For purposes of illustration, the first electronic device200is provided as a main printed circuit board installed in the electronic device1, and the second electronic device300is provided as a sub printed circuit board installed therein. Alternatively, the second electronic device300may be an external device detachably connected to the electronic device1. Also, alternatively, the first electronic device200and the second electronic device300may be embodied as other units that may communicate with each other to perform a function together.

The electronic device1may be provided as an electronic frame displaying information. Alternatively, the electronic device1may be other flat display devices, or other portable devices such as a note book computer, a mobile telephone, an MP3 player, a digital camera, or the like. Also, alternatively, the electronic device1may be other devices using a USB connection.

FIG. 4schematically illustrates the USB cable unit100ofFIG. 3, andFIG. 5illustrates a main portion A ofFIG. 4, in which a covering member is removed. As shown inFIG. 4, the USB cable unit100includes the first connector110, the second connector120and the connecting part130. The connecting part130includes a first wire part140, a second wire part150, a third wire part160and a supporting member170.

The first wire part140includes a pair of first signal wires145and a pair of first clock wires142respectively connecting the first electronic device200with the second electronic device300, and a first covering member148integrally surrounding the first signal wires145and the first clock wires142. The first clock wires142are non-twisted. The first signal wires145include a D+ wire and a D− wire which are twisted with each other.

The first clock wires142and the first signal wires145are disposed parallel on a plane. Accordingly, the thickness of the first wire part140may be minimized. The first covering member148may support the first clock wires142and the first signal wires145and, additionally, may protect the first clock wires142and the first signal wires145. The first covering member148may comprise an aluminum tape or a gasket, or may be formed of other insulating materials.

The second wire part150includes a pair of second signal wires155and a pair of second clock wires152respectively connecting the first electronic device200with the second electronic device300, and a second covering member158integrally surrounding the second signal wires155and the second clock wires152. The second clock wires152are non-twisted. The second signal wires155include a D+ wire and a D− wire which are twisted each other.

The second clock wires152and the second signal wires155are disposed parallel on a plane. Accordingly, the thickness of the second wire part150may be minimized. Also, the second clock wires152and the second signal wires155may be disposed on the same plane as the first wire part140, and accordingly, the thickness of the first wire part140and the second wire part150may be minimized. The second covering member158may support the second clock wires152and the second signal wires155and, additionally, may protect the second clock wires152and the second signal wires155. The second covering member158may comprise an aluminum tape or a gasket, or may be formed of other insulating materials. The first wire part140and the second wire part150, respectively, may perform up streaming and down streaming.

The third wire part160includes a pair of power wires162and a pair of ground wires165respectively connecting the first electronic device200with the second electronic device300, and a third covering member168integrally surrounding the power wires162and the ground wires165. The power wires162transmit power between the first electronic device200and the second electronic device300.

The ground wires165connect a ground of the first electronic device200with that of the second electronic device300, and are grounded with each other by being surrounded with the third covering member168. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the ground wires165contact each other, and skins of the contacted portion thereof are removed so that the ground wires165are grounded with each other. The power wires162and the ground wires165are respectively non-twisted.

The power wires162and the ground wires165are disposed parallel on a plane so that the thickness of the third wire part160may be minimized. Also, the power wires162and the ground wires165are disposed on the same plane as the first wire part140and the second wire part150so that the total thickness of the connecting part130may be minimized. The third covering member168may support the power wires162and the ground wires165and, additionally, protect the power wires162and the ground wires165. The third covering member168may comprise an aluminum tape or a gasket, or may be formed of other insulating materials.

The supporting member170integrally surrounds the first wire part140, the second wire part150and the third wire part160to support the first wire part140, the second wire part150and the third wire part160. A plurality of the supporting members170may be disposed at a various intervals or at predetermined intervals. The supporting member170may comprise an aluminum tape or a gasket, or may be formed of other materials.

The USB cable unit100may prevent interference according to data transmission by including the first wire part140, the second wire part150, the third wire part160and the supporting member170. The USB cable unit100may be configured to satisfy a termination impedance and through impedance (TDR) test and high speed specification (e.g., eye diagram, device receiver sensitivity), and accordingly may be configured to satisfy the USB 2.0 specification. Thus, since the thickness of the USB cable unit100may be minimized, the USB cable unit100may be configures as a plate USB cable which is capable of supporting the USB 2.0, to thereby enable slimming of the electronic device1. Also, since the configuration of the USB cable unit100is simplified in this configuration, the manufacturing cost and the manufacturing time for the USB cable unit100may be reduced.

Referring toFIGS. 3 through 5, the first wire part140, the second wire part150and the third wire part160are disposed parallel on the same plane, but alternatively, the first wire part140, the second wire part150and the third wire part160can be disposed parallel on different planes. Also, the first wire part140, the second wire part150and the third wire part160respectively include the four wires, but alternatively, the first wire part140, the second wire part150and the third wire part160can include other numbers of wires according to the connect between the first electronic device200and the second electronic device300, or respectively include different numbers of wires. Also, the USB cable unit100includes one first wire part140and one second wire part150, but alternatively, at least one of the first wire part140and the second wire part150may be provided in plural.

FIG. 6is a configuration table of the USB cable unit inFIG. 3. Here, CON A represents the first connector110, and CON B represents the second connector120.

Referring toFIG. 6, the third wire part160includes the power wires162having a wire1and a wire3, and the ground wires165having a wire2and a wire4. The wires1and3are blue and not twisted with each other, and the wires2and4are black and not twisted with each other.

The second wire part150includes the second signal wires155having a wire5and a wire6, and the second clock wires152having a wire7and a wire6. The wire5is green and the wire6is white, and both are twisted with each other. The wire7is blue and the wire8is white, and both are not twisted with each other.

The first wire part140includes the first signal wires145having a wire9and a wire10, and the first clock wires142having a wire11and a wire12. The wire9is green and the wire10is white, and both are twisted with each other. The wire11is white and the wire12is blue, and both are not twisted each other.

A UL1571 wire may be used as the wires1,3,7and12, and a UL758 wire may be used as the wires2and4. Also, a UL1589 wire may be used as the wires5,6,9and10, and a UL1061 wire may be used as the wires8and11.

As described above, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide the USB cable unit and the electronic device using the same supporting the USB 2.0 with a high space-efficiency at a low cost.