Abstract:
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) modem is provided. The USB modem includes a USB plug ( 1 ), a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) ( 2 ), and a signal input apparatus ( 3 ) that connects the USB plug ( 1 ) and the PCB ( 2 ). The signal input apparatus includes: a support ( 4 ) that is disposed on the PCB ( 2 ), in which the USB plug is disposed on the support ( 4 ); and a connector ( 5 ) that is disposed on the PCB and capable of being connected to the USB plug ( 5 ). The USB modem implements signal input by adopting the connector ( 5 ), thereby extending the service life of the USB modem and greatly reducing the cost.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2010/074886, filed on Jul. 1, 2010, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200920163825.X, filed on Jul. 1, 2009, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE UTILITY MODEL 
       [0002]    The present utility model relates to a USB modem, and in particular, to a push-pull USB modem. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE UTILITY MODEL 
       [0003]    Signal input of existing Universal Serial Bus (USB) modems are implemented by adopting a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC). The signal input apparatuses of a push-pull USB stick include the FPC connected to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and a support fixed together with the FPC. A USB plug and the support are an integrated structure. A horizontal return spring and a push button are disposed on the support, and the support serves as a movable mechanism. The support loaded with the USB plug can retract or project out after the push button is pushed so that the USB modem can be in non-working or working state. The USB modem transmits data through the FPC and the PCB. During the implementation of the embodiments of the present utility model, the inventors find that as such existing signal input apparatus implements signal input by adopting an FPC, the FPC may easily wear out, thereby reducing the service life of the USB modem and increasing the implementation cost of the USB modem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE UTILITY MODEL 
       [0004]    To solve the preceding technical problem, the present utility model provides a USB modem that implements signal input by adopting a connector, thereby extending the service life of the USB modem and greatly reducing the cost. 
         [0005]    The USB modem provided in the embodiments of the present utility model includes a USB plug, a PCB, and a signal input apparatus that connects the USB plug and the PCB. The signal input apparatus includes:
       a support that is disposed on the PCB, in which the USB plug is disposed on the support; and   a connector that is disposed on the PCB and capable of being connected to the USB plug.       
 
         [0008]    In view of the preceding solution, the present utility model is significantly advantageous over the existing structure: The signal input apparatus of the USB modem provided in the embodiments of the present utility model takes a connector as the medium for connecting the USB plug to the PCB for the purpose of signal transmission, thereby extending the service life of the USB modem and significantly reducing the cost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model more clearly, the following outlines the accompanying drawings for illustrating such technical solutions. Apparently, the accompanying drawings outlined below are some embodiments of the present utility model, and those of ordinary skill in the art can derive other drawings from such accompanying drawings without creative efforts. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic exploded diagram of an USB modem according to embodiment 1 of the present utility model; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional diagram of the USB modem in a non-working state according to embodiment 1 of the present utility model; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a lateral diagram of the USB modem of  FIG. 2  without a support; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional diagram of the USB modem in a working state according to embodiment 1 of the present utility model; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a lateral diagram of the USB modem of  FIG. 4  without a support; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic exploded diagram of a USB modem according to embodiment 2 of the present utility model. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    The following describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model clearly with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Apparently, the described embodiments are only some rather than all embodiments of the present utility model. Other embodiments those of ordinary skill in the art derive from the embodiments of the present utility model without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of the present utility model. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the present utility model provides a data card, and the data card is a USB modem, for example, a push-pull USB modem. The USB modem includes a USB plug  1 , a PCB  2 , and a signal input apparatus  3  that connects the USB plug  1  and the PCB  2 . Specifically, the signal input apparatus  3  includes:
       a support  4  disposed on the PCB  2  (For example, the support  4  is fixed on a lateral surface  21  of the PCB  2 ), in which the support  4  is disposed with a containing space  41  and separated from the USB plug  1 , the USB plug  1  is slidably mounted inside the containing space  41  and is disposed on the support  4 , and the USB plug  1  may be a non-standard customized piece; and   a connector  5 , in which the connector  5  is preferably disposed on another lateral surface  22  of the PCB  2  fixedly through fasteners  8  such as screws, may also be a non-standard customized piece to match the USB plug  1 , and has a plurality of elastic sheets  51 ; the elastic sheets  51  can run through the corresponding number of thru-holes  23  disposed on the PCB  2  to connect to a contact sheet  17  (referring to  FIG. 3 ) of the USB plug  1  so that the USB plug  1  can slide relative to the connector  5  to connect to or disconnect from the connector  5 .       
 
         [0020]    The USB modem provided in this embodiment of the present utility model takes the connector  5  as the medium for connecting the USB plug  1  to the PCB  2  for the purpose of signal transmission, thereby significantly reducing the cost. In addition, the support  4  and the USB plug  1  mounted inside the support  4  can work as a modular movable mechanism, facilitate standardization, provide good compatibility, further reduce the cost, and solve the technical problem in the prior art that the support working as a movable mechanism provides no compatibility due to appearance of industry design (ID) and varied structures and has high cost. 
         [0021]    In this embodiment, the USB plug  1  is slidably mounted inside the containing space  41  of the support  4 , and the connector  5  is mounted fixedly. In this way, the USB plug  1  can slide to and fro within the containing space  41  of the support  4  to connect to or disconnect from the connector  5 . Similarly, the USB plug  1  can be mounted fixedly on the PCB  2 , and the connector  5  can be slidably disposed on the PCB  2 . In this way, the connector  5  can slide to and fro relative to the PCB  2  to connect to or disconnect from the USB plug  1 . In this solution, however, the connection relationship between the connector  5  and the PCB  2  should be considered to maintain the connectivity in the sliding state. In this case, the USB plug  1  and the support  4  should be preferably integrated as in the prior art. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the support  4  includes a rectangular frame having an opening  42  for the USB plug  1  to slide into or out of the containing space  41 . The rectangular frame includes two long sides  43  and  44  extending towards the sliding direction of the USB plug  1  and a short side  45  perpendicular to the long sides  43  and  44 . The USB plug  1  has an inner end  11  facing the short side  45 , two side walls  12  and  13 , and an outer end  14 . A push button  6  is disposed on the inner end  11  of the USB plug  1 . Positioning notches  46  and  47  are disposed on the inner side of the long side  43  of the rectangular frame of the support  4 . When the push button  6  is in a state of being in the positioning notches  46  and  47  separately, the contact sheet of the USB plug  1  and the elastic sheet  51  of the connector  5  are in a contact or non-contact state so that the USB plug  1  is connected to or disconnected from the connector  5 . 
         [0023]    Preferably, a slide rail and a slide groove in cooperation with each other are disposed between the inner side of the other long side  44  of the rectangular frame of the support  4  and the side wall  12  next to the USB plug  1  so as to effectively guide the relative motion between the USB plug  1  and the connector  5 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a slide groove  441  is disposed on the inner side of the long side  44 , and a slide rail (not shown) is disposed on the side wall  12  of the USB plug  1 . The slide rail and the slide groove  441  can slidably match. Apparently, the positions of the slide groove and the slide rail are interchangeable. No further accompanying drawings are provided. 
         [0024]    Preferably, a push button mounting part  7  is disposed on the inner end  11  of the USB plug  1 ; the push button mounting part is disposed with a mounting pocket  71  extending towards the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the USB plug  1 . The mounting pocket  71  has an opening end  72  and an inner end  73 . A pivot hole  74  and a slide groove  75  are respectively disposed on the inner end  73  and the opening end  72  of the mounting pocket  71 . The push button  6  includes a button part  61 , a rod body  62 , and a pivot shaft  63  connected to each other. A positioning block  64  and a stop block  65  are disposed below the rod body  62 . After a compression spring  66  is sleeved onto the pivot shaft  63 , the pivot shaft  63  is inserted into the pivot hole  74  of the mounting pocket  71 , the compression spring  66  is abutted against the inner side of the stop block  65 , the rod body  62  is contained in the mounting pocket  71 , and the positioning block  64  is contained in the slide groove  75 , so that the push button  6  slidably matches the push button mounting part  7 , and the positioning block  64  of the push button  6  slides outward along the slide groove  75  due to the pretightening force of the compression spring  66 . The protruding part of the positioning block  64  beyond the slide groove  75  is positioned in the positioning notch  46  or  47  of the support  4 . A guide block  67  is disposed above the rod body  62  and between the positioning block  64  and the stop block  65 . A first gap  77  matching the guide block  67  and a second gap  78  matching the stop block  65  are disposed above the mounting pocket  71 . To mount the push button  6 , the push button  6  is rotated  90  degrees counter clockwise relative to the direction shown in  FIG. 1  so that the stop block  65  is in an upright state, the push button  6  is placed in the mounting pocket  71 , and then the push button  6  is rotated 90 degrees clockwise so that the stop block  65  passes through the second gap  78 , and is rotated downward to be in a horizontal state, so as to be abutted against the compression spring  66 . 
         [0025]    The connector  5  further includes a plastic bracket  50  and a shielding cover (not shown). Elastic sheets  51  are disposed on the plastic bracket  50 , and the shielding cover covers the outside of the plastic bracket  50  so that the USB plug  1  has the self-shielding function. The USB plug  1  has a metal casing  15 , and one elastic sheet  51  of the connector  5  contacts the metal casing  15  for the purpose of grounding. The outer end  14  of the USB plug  1  is disposed with a limiting convex part  16  fastened onto the support  4  and extending towards the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the USB plug  1  to prevent the USB plug  1  from retracting excessively. 
         [0026]    The action process in the embodiments of the present utility model is as follows: 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the USB plug  1  is in a retracted state, that is, non-working state. In this case, the push button  6  is positioned in the positioning notch  46  of the support  4  due to the elastic pre-pressing of the compression spring  66 , and the elastic sheet  51  of the connector  5  is disconnected from the contact sheet  17  of the USB plug  1 . After that, the USB modem is in the non-working state. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the USB plug  1  is changed from the retracted state to the projected state, that is, from the non-working state to the working state. In the state shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , first the push button  6  is pressed to overcome the prestress of the compression spring  66  so that the positioning block  64  of the push button  6  retracts inwards from the slide groove  75  and disengages from the positioning notch  46 . As a result, the push button  6  disconnects from the support  4 . Then, the push button  6  is pushed forward so that the push button  6 , the compression spring  66 , and the USB plug  1  are all pushed out. At the end position, the pressure on the push button  6  is cancelled. Because the push button  6  is under the action of the elasticity of the compression spring  66 , the positioning block  64  is positioned in the positioning notch  47  of the support  4 , and the contact sheet  17  of the USB plug  1  connects to the elastic sheet  51  of the connector  5 . After that, the USB modem is in the working state. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the USB plug  1  is changed from the projected state to the retracted state, that is, from the working state to the non-working state. In the state shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , first the push button  6  is pressed to overcome the pressure of the compression spring  66  so that the positioning block  64  of the push button  6  retracts inwards from the slide groove  75  and disengages from the positioning notch  47 . As a result, the push button  6  disconnects from the support  4 . Then, the push button  6  is pulled backward so that the push button  6 , the compression spring  66 , and the USB plug  1  move backward together. At the end position, the acting force on the push button  6  is cancelled. Because the push button  6  is under the action of the elasticity of the compression spring  66 , the positioning block  64  is positioned in the positioning notch  47  of the support  4  again, and the elastic sheet  51  of the connector  5  disconnects from the contact sheet  17  of the USB plug  1 . After that, the USB modem is in the non-working state. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the main structure, principle, and effect of this embodiment are the same as those of embodiment 1, so they are omitted here. The difference lies in that the support  4  and the connector  5  are fixed on a same lateral surface  21  of the PCB  2 , and the connector  5  is placed in the containing space  41  of the support. In this case, the USB plug  1  should be disposed with a slide space (not shown) on the side next to the connector  5 ; the connector  5  is placed in the slide space. In this way, the position of the connector  5  relative to the USB plug  1  changes when the USB plug  1  slides so that the connector  5  connects to or disconnects from the contact sheet of the USB plug  1 . In this embodiment, the action process of the USB modem is the same as that in embodiment 1, so it is omitted here. 
         [0031]    In view of the technical solutions of the preceding embodiments, the present utility model is significantly advantageous over the existing structure: The signal input apparatus of the USB modem provided in the embodiments of the present utility model takes a connector as the medium for connecting the USB plug to the PCB for the purpose of signal transmission, thereby extending the service life of the USB modem and significantly reducing the cost. 
         [0032]    The preceding embodiments of the present utility model shall be interpreted as being descriptive instead of restrictive. The equivalent variations and modifications made according to the present utility model, including any USB modems (including push-pull USB modems) that implement signal input by adopting a connector, shall fall within the scope of the present utility model.