Patent Publication Number: US-11025019-B1

Title: Data cable

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of electronic product accessories, and more particularly, to a data cable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With continuous development and improvement of a USB-C (formally known as USB Type-C) technology, a USB-C interface has been widely used between electronic devices. A new generation of USB-C to USB-C data cable with a transmission rate of 5 Gbps (the first generation) or 10 Gbps (the second generation) has become standard wiring of the electronic devices. The USB-C to USB-C data cable comprises a cable and two USB-C connectors (such as male connectors) respectively connected to both ends of the cable. However, there are still many electronic devices which only have a USB 3.0 A female connector or a USB 3.0 Micro B connector currently. Therefore, users need a USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-C data cable, which comprises a cable as well as a USB 3.0 A connector (such as a USB 3.0 A male connector) or a USB 3.0 Micro B connector (such as a USB 3.0 Micro B male connector) and a USB-C connector (such as a USB-C male connector) that are respectively connected to both ends of the cable. Therefore, the users need the USB-C to USB-C data cable and the USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-C data cable to meet daily use. 
     At present, there is a USB-C female converter, which has a USB 3.0 A male connector or a USB 3.0 Micro B male connector and a USB-C female connector at both ends respectively, so that the USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-C data cable is formed after the USB-C male connector of the USB-C to USB-C data cable is inserted into the USB-C female connector. The converter meets the daily use of the users. However, the USB-C male connector may be inserted forwardly and backwardly (which means that the USB-C male connector can also be inserted into the USB-C female connector after rotating by 180 degrees), while the USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B male connector cannot be inserted forwardly and backwardly. Therefore, a detection and switching circuit needs to be arranged in a USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-C converter. The detection and switching circuit is used for detecting whether the USB-C male connector is inserted forwardly or inserted backwardly, and switching a corresponding circuit according to a detection result to ensure USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-C conversion. The detection and switching circuit leads to time latency and loss of energy, resulting in certain distortion of high-frequency signals and reduction of a transmission rate of a signal. In addition, the detection and switching circuit increases the cost of a USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B to USB-C female converter and lowers yield. 
     In addition, the USB-C to USB-C data cable may have an e-marker circuit, which is used for generating configuration channel (CC) signals of USB C. When the above converter is connected to the USB-C to C data cable, if the users connect a USB-C electronic device first and then connect a USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B electronic device, the configuration channel signals may probably interfere with the USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B electronic device, resulting in abnormal USB enumeration, which means that the USB-C female converter connected to the USB-C to C data cable may fail to operate normally. Users need to connect the USB 3.0 A or USB 3.0 Micro B electronic device first and then connect the USB-C electronic device for normal use. 
     SUMMARY 
     One objective of the present invention is to provide a data cable with a high transmission rate of a signal and a low cost. 
     The present invention provides a data cable comprising a data cable body and a first converter, wherein the data cable body comprises a cable and a first connector connected to a first end of the cable, the first converter comprising a second connector and a third connector that are communicationally connected to each other, shapes of the first connector and the second connector allowing the second connector to be inserted into a first joint of the first connector in both front and opposite directions, the first converter being connected to the first connector through a first flexible connection member, the junction between the first flexible connection member and the first connector deviating from the first joint of the first connector and/or the junction between the first flexible connection member and the first converter being close to the second connector; when the second connector is located in the front direction, the second connector is able to be inserted into the first joint; when the second connector is located in the opposite direction, the first flexible connection member is twisted, which makes the length of the twisted first flexible connection member shortened, so that the second connector is unable to be inserted into the first joint. 
     Further, the third connector is a connector which is only able to be plugged in one side. 
     Further, the first converter is provided with a high-frequency filter circuit for filtering useless high-frequency interference signals transmitted from a CC Pin of the first connector. 
     Further, the high-frequency filter circuit comprises a bypass capacitor, a first pole of the bypass capacitor being electrically connected to a terminal of the second connector, a second pole of the bypass capacitor being grounded. 
     Further, the first pole is connected in series to a terminal of the third connector through a first resistor or grounded through a second resistor. 
     Further, the first flexible connection member is a PVC connecting rope or a silica gel connecting rope. 
     Further, the data cable body further comprises a fourth connector connected to a second end of the cable; the first connector and the fourth connector are both USB-C male connectors, the second connector being a USB-C female connector, the third connector being a USB A male connector or a USB Micro B male connector. 
     Further, the data cable body further comprises a fourth connector connected to a second end of the cable; the data cable further comprises a second converter, the second converter comprising a fifth connector and a sixth connector that are communicationally connected to each other, shapes of the fourth connector and the fifth connector allowing the fifth connector to be inserted into a fourth joint of the fourth connector in both front and opposite directions, the second converter being connected to the fourth connector through a second flexible connection member, the junction between the second flexible connection member and the fourth connector deviating from the fourth joint of the fourth connector and/or the junction between the second flexible connection member and the second converter being close to the fifth connector; when the fifth connector is located in the front direction, the fifth connector is able to be inserted into the fourth joint; when the fifth connector is located in the opposite direction, the second flexible connection member is twisted, which makes the length of the twisted second flexible connection member shortened, so that the fifth connector is unable to be inserted into the fourth joint. 
     Further, the first connector and the fourth connector are both USB-C male connectors, the second connector and the fifth connector being USB-C female connectors, the third connector being a USB A male connector, and the sixth connector being a USB Micro B male connector. 
     Further, the second flexible connection member has a same structure as that of the first flexible connection member; the first flexible connection member and the second flexible connection member are both PVC connecting ropes or silica gel connecting ropes. 
     When the present invention is implemented, the converter may be provided without the detection and switching circuit, so that a transmission rate of a signal can be improved and a cost can be reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a structure diagram of a data cable provided in a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a structure diagram of a first connector, a first flexible connection member and a first converter of the data cable shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a structure diagram of a back surface and a front surface of a second connector of the first converter shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a structure diagram of a back surface and a front surface of a third connector of the first converter shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a principle diagram of wiring circuits of the second connector and the third connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a structure diagram of a data cable provided in a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a structure diagram of a first connector, a first flexible connection member and a first converter of the data cable shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a structure diagram of a back surface and a front surface of a third connector of the first converter shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a wiring diagram of the second connector and the third connector of the first converter shown in  FIG. 6  and a principle diagram of a wiring circuit of a bypass capacitor; 
         FIG. 10  is a structure diagram of a data cable provided in a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a structure diagram of a data cable provided in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and the embodiments. 
     First Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a data cable provided in the present invention comprises a data cable body and a first converter  40 . The data cable body comprises a cable  10 , a first connector  20  connected to a first end of the cable  10 , and a fourth connector  30  connected to a second end of the cable  10 . The first connector  20  comprises a first housing  21  connected to the first end of the cable  10  and a first joint  22  arranged at a first end of the first housing  21  far away from the cable  10 . The fourth connector  30  comprises a fourth housing  31  connected to the second end of the cable  10  and a fourth joint  32  arranged at a second end of the fourth housing  31  far away from the cable  10 . The first converter  40  comprises a second connector  42  and a third connector  43  that are communicationally connected to each other. Shapes of the first connector  20  and the second connector  42  allowing the second connector  42  to be inserted into the first joint  22  of the first connector  20  in both front and opposite directions. The third connector  43  is a connector which is only able to be plugged in one side. 
     The first converter  40  is connected to a right side of the first connector  20  through a first flexible connection member  50 , thus being connected to the data cable body as a whole and being convenient to carry. The junction between the first flexible connection member  50  and the first connector  20  deviates from the first joint  22  of the first connector  20  and the junction between the first flexible connection member  50  and the first converter  40  is close to the second connector  42 . When the second connector  42  is located in the front direction, the second connector  42  is able to be inserted into the first joint  22 , when the second connector  42  is located in the opposite direction, the first flexible connection member  50  is twisted, and the length of the twisted first flexible connection member  50  is shortened, so that the second connector  42  is unable to be inserted into the first joint  22 . In this way, the second connector  42  is ensured to be only able to be inserted into the first joint  22  of the first connector  20  in the front direction, thus ensuring normal operation of the Data cable. Moreover, compared with a traditional USB-C to C data cable with a USB-C female converter, no electronic switch (detection and switching circuit) is required, so that a transmission rate of a signal of the data cable is greatly improved, which can be increased by 20%, and a cost is greatly reduced at the same time. 
     In other embodiments, the junction between the first flexible connection member  50  and the first connector  20  deviates from the first joint  22  of the first connector  20  or the junction between the first flexible connection member  50  and the first converter  40  is close to the second connector  42 . As long as one of the conditions is met, the second connector  42  is also ensured to be only able to be inserted into the first joint  22  of the first connector  20  in the front direction. 
     The above structure designs are both beneficial for reminding a user that the second connector  42  is inserted into the first connector  20 . 
     In the embodiment, the first converter  40  further comprises a first converter housing  41 , and the second connector  42  and the third connector  43  are respectively arranged at two ends of the first converter housing  41 . The first flexible connection member  50  is connected between the first converter housing  41  and the first housing  21  of the first connector  20 . 
     In practical application, the fourth joint  32  may be inserted into an interface of an electronic device matched with the fourth joint  32 , the second connector  42  is inserted into the first joint  22 , and then the third connector  43  is inserted into an interface of another electronic device matched with the third connector  43 , thus realizing data transmission between two electronic devices with different interfaces. The two electronic devices with different interfaces are, for example, a mobile phone and a computer or a tablet computer. 
     In the embodiment, the first connector  20  and the fourth connector  30  are both USB-C male connectors. The second connector  42  is a USB-C female connector. The third connector  43  is a USB A male connector, and preferably, the third connector  43  is preferably a USB 3.0 A male connector. Further preferably, the USB-C female connector is a USB-C female interface, and the USB 3.0 A male connector is a USB 3.0 A male joint. In this way, the data cable of the present invention may realize data transmission between an electronic device with a USB-C interface and an electronic device with a USB 3.0 A interface, such as data transmission between a mobile phone with the USB-C interface and a computer or a tablet computer with the USB 3.0 A interface. The data cable body of the present invention may realize a transmission rate of 5 Gbps (a switching bandwidth of a first generation) or 10 Gbps (a switching bandwidth of a second generation). 
     In other embodiments, the first connector  20  may be a USB-C connector, the fourth connector  30  may be a USB 2.0 A connector, a Mini USB connector or a Micro USB connector, and the second connector  42  may be a USB-C female connector. The third connector  43  is a USB A male connector, thus realizing data transmission between an electronic device with a USB 2.0 A interface, a Mini USB interface or a Micro USB interface and the electronic device with the USB 3.0 A interface. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the USB-C female interface comprises a total of 24 Pins such as pins A 1  to A 12  and pins B 1  to B 12 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the USB 3.0 A male joint comprises a total of 9 Pins such as pins  1  to  9 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , in the embodiment, the first connector  20  and the fourth connector  30  are both the USB-C male connectors, and the third connector  43  is the USB A male connector. In the structure, the data cable body is a USB-C male to USB-C male data cable. Those skilled in the art may know that the USB-C male to USB-C male data cable may have an e-marker circuit, which is used for generating configuration channel (CC) signals of USB C. When the converter is connected to the data cable body, the data cable is equivalent to the USB-C male to USB A male data cable. If the user connects the USB-C male connector to the device first and then connects the USB A male connector to the device, the configuration channel signals generated through the e-marker circuit may affect the USB A male connector at the moment, thus affecting or hindering an enumeration process of the USB A male connector, resulting in unsuccessful connection of the data cable. 
     In order to solve the problem, in the embodiment, the first converter  40  is provided with a high-frequency filter circuit for filtering useless high-frequency interference signals (which are namely the configuration channel signals) transmitted from a CC (configuration channel) Pin of the first connector  20 . The high-frequency filter circuit is preferably arranged in the first converter housing  41 . The high-frequency filter circuit comprises a bypass capacitor C 1 , a first pole of the bypass capacitor C 1  is electrically connected to a Pin A 5  of the second connector  42 , and a second pole of the bypass capacitor C 1  is grounded. A capacity of the bypass capacitor C 1  is preferably 1 microfarad (uF). The first pole is connected in series to a Pin  1  of the third connector  43  through a first resistor R 1 . The resistance value of the first resistor R 1  is preferably 56K (K=thousand) ohms. Pins A 4 , B 4 , A 9  and B 9  of the second connector  42  are connected in parallel with the Pin  1  of the third connector  43 . Pins A 1 , B 1 , A 12  and B 12  of the second connector  42  are connected in parallel with Pins  4  and  7  of the third connector  43 . Pins A 6 , A 7 , A 2 , A 3 , B 11  and B 10  of the second connector  42  are respectively connected in series with Pins  3 ,  2 ,  9 ,  8 ,  6  and  5  of the third connector  43 . 
     In the embodiment, the first converter housing  41 , the first housing  21  and the first flexible connection member  50  are integrally formed, thus being convenient for manufacturing. Understandably, the first converter housing  41 , the first housing  21  and the first flexible connection member  50  may also be separately formed. 
     In the embodiment, a cross-sectional shape of the first flexible connection member  50  is non-circular, such as a rectangle or a square. 
     The first flexible connection member  50  is a PVC connecting rope or a silica gel connecting rope, thus being convenient for bending, so that the second connector  42  is able to be inserted into the first joint  22  of the first connector  20 . The first converter housing  41  and the first housing  21  are both PVC housings or silica gel housings. Understandably, the first flexible connection member  50 , the first converter housing  41  and the first housing  21  may also be made of other flexible materials. 
     One side of a second housing  31  of the second connector  30  is provided with a connecting ring  33 . The connecting ring  33  is arranged for being conveniently hung on other articles, thus being convenient for carrying or placing. 
     Second Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the first converter  40  is connected to a left side of the first connector  20  through the first flexible connection member  50 , thus being connected to the data cable body as a whole. 
     In the embodiment, the first connector  20  and the fourth connector  30  are both USB-C male connectors. The second connector  42  is a USB-C female connector. The third connector  43  is a USB Micro B male connector, and preferably, the third connector  43  is preferably a USB 3.0 Micro B male connector. 
     Further preferably, the USB-C female connector is a USB-C female interface, and the USB 3.0 Micro B male connector is a USB 3.0 Micro B male joint. In this way, the data cable of the present invention may realize data transmission between an electronic device with a USB-C interface and an electronic device with a USB 3.0 Micro B interface, such as data transmission between a device with the USB 3.0 Micro B interface and a computer or a tablet computer with the USB-C interface. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the third connector  43  is the USB 3.0 Micro B male joint, and comprises a total of 9 Pins such as pins  1  to  9 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , the high-frequency filter circuit in the embodiment comprises a bypass capacitor C 2 , a first pole of the bypass capacitor C 2  is electrically connected to a Pin A 5  of the second connector  42 , and a second pole of the bypass capacitor C 2  is grounded through a second resistor R 2 . A capacity of the bypass capacitor C 2  is preferably 1 microfarad (uF). A resistance value of the second resistor R 2  is preferably 5.1K (K=thousand) ohms. The Pins A 4 , B 4 , A 9  and B 9  of the second connector  42  are connected in parallel with the Pin  1  of the third connector  43 . The Pins A 1 , B 1 , A 12  and B 12  of the second connector  42  are connected in parallel with a Pin  5  of the third connector  43 , and a Pin  8  of the third connector  43  is connected in parallel with an iron housing of the third connector  43 . The Pins A 6 , A 7 , A 2 , A 3 , B 11  and B 10  of the second connector  42  are respectively connected in series with Pins  3 ,  2 ,  7 ,  6 ,  10  and  9  of the third connector  43 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , the embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the data cable further comprises a second converter  60 , and the second converter  60  comprises a fifth connector  62  and a sixth connector  63  that are communicationally connected to each other. Shapes of the fourth connector  30  and the fifth connector  62  allowing the fifth connector  62  to be inserted into the fourth joint  32  of the fourth connector  30  in both front and opposite directions. The first converter  40  is combined with the first connector  20 , and the second converter  60  is combined with the fourth connector  30 . The data cable of the present invention may realize a transmission rate of 5 Gbps (first generation) and a transmission rate of 10 Gbps (second generation). 
     The second converter  60  is connected to a right side of the fourth connector  30  through a second flexible connection member  70 . The junction between the second flexible connection member  70  and the fourth connector  30  deviates from the fourth joint  32  of the fourth connector  30  and the junction between the second flexible connection member  70  and the second converter  60  is close to the fifth connector  62 . When the fifth connector  62  is located in the front direction, the fifth connector  62  is able to be inserted into the fourth joint  32 , when the fifth connector  62  is located in the opposite direction, the second flexible connection member  70  is twisted, and the length of the twisted second flexible connection member  70  is shortened, so that the fifth connector  62  is unable to be inserted into the fourth joint  32 . In this way, the fifth connector  62  is ensured to be only able to be inserted into the fourth joint  22  of the fourth connector  30  in the front direction, thus ensuring normal operation of the Data cable. 
     In other embodiments, the junction between the second flexible connection member  70  and the fourth connector  30  deviates from the fourth joint  32  of the fourth connector  30  or the junction between the second flexible connection member  70  and the second converter  60  is close to the fifth connector  62 . As long as one of the conditions is met, the fifth connector  62  is also ensured to be only able to be inserted into the fourth joint  32  of the fourth connector  30  in the front direction. 
     The above structure designs are both beneficial for reminding the user that the fifth connector  62  is inserted into the fourth connector  30 . 
     In the embodiment, the second converter  60  further comprises a second converter housing  61 , and the fifth connector  62  and the sixth connector  63  are respectively arranged at both ends of the second converter housing  61 . The second flexible connection member  70  is connected between the second converter housing  61  and the fourth housing  31  of the fourth connector  30 . 
     In the embodiment, the second converter housing  61 , the fourth housing  31  and the second flexible connection member  70  are integrally formed, thus being convenient for manufacturing. Understandably, the second converter housing  61 , the fourth housing  31  and the second flexible connection member  70  may also be separately formed. 
     The second flexible connection member  70  has a same structure as that of the first flexible connection member  50 . The first flexible connection member  50  and the second flexible connection member  70  are both PVC connecting ropes or silica gel connecting ropes, thus being convenient for bending, so that the second connector  42  and the fifth connector  62  are able to be inserted into the first joint  22  of the first connector  20  and the fourth joint  32  of the fourth connector  30 . The second converter housing  61  and the fourth housing  31  are both PVC housings or silica gel housings. Understandably, the first flexible connection member  50 , the second flexible connection member  70 , the first converter housing  41 , the second converter housing  41 , the first housing  21  and the fourth housing  31  may also be made of other flexible materials. 
     Cross-sectional shapes of the first flexible connection member  50  and the second flexible connection member  70  are non-circular, such as a rectangle or a square. 
     One side of the second housing  31  of the second connector  30  is provided with a connecting ring. 
     In the embodiment, the first connector  20  and the fourth connector  30  are both USB-C male connectors. The second connector  42  and the fifth connector  62  are USB-C female connectors. The third connector  43  is a USB A male connector, and preferably, the third connector  43  is preferably a USB 3.0 A male connector. The sixth connector  63  is a USB Micro B male connector, and preferably, the sixth connector  63  is preferably a USB 3.0 Micro B male connector. 
     Further preferably, the USB-C female connector is a USB-C female interface, and the USB 3.0 A male connector and the USB 3.0 Micro B male connector are respectively a USB 3.0 A male joint and a USB 3.0 Micro B male joint. 
     In this way, in practical application, the present invention may realize data transmission between an electronic device with a USB-C interface and an electronic device with a USB 3.0 A interface, and may also realize data transmission between the electronic device with the USB-C interface and an electronic device with a USB 3.0 Micro B interface. In addition, the first converter  40  is equivalent to the USB 3.0 A male joint after being inserted into the first connector  20 , and the second converter  60  is equivalent to the USB 3.0 Micro B male joint after being inserted into the fourth connector  30 . In this case, the Data cable of the present invention is equivalent to a USB 3.0 A to USB 3.0 Micro B data cable, thus realizing the data transmission between the electronic device with the USB 3.0 A interface and the electronic device with the USB 3.0 Micro B interface. The data cable of the present invention may realize a transmission rate of 5 Gbps or 10 Gbps, and which combination of joint is specifically selected depends on an actual situation, thus realizing multiple functions. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , the embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the cross-sectional shapes of the first flexible connection member  50  and the second flexible connection member  70  of the data cable are circular. 
     In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes of the first flexible connection member  50  and the second flexible connection member  70  may also be in other shapes, such as an ellipse, and the like. 
     The above embodiments only express the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are specific and detailed, but the embodiments cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be noted that those of ordinary skills in the art may further make several modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, such as combining different features in various embodiments, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.