JP2009110348A - Usb cable system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a width size of a space which a USB cable system must occupy in order to connect to computer related equipment the USB cable system using a USB connector removably fitted to a USB port of the computer related equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The USB connector 20 includes a plug 28 removably fitted to the USB port (not shown), a first part housing 30 for holding the plug, and a second part housing 32 which is separated from the first part housing and holds a part just behind which is extended from the plug, and mutually rotatably links the first and the second part housings on one plane. Moreover, when a relative rotary angle is a predetermined angle between the first and second part housings, detent mechanisms 74 and 76 for maintaining the relative angle of rotation are provided regardless of restorability of the USB cable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a USB cable device using a USB connector that is detachably attached to a USB port of a computer-related device, and more particularly to an improvement in the structure of the USB connector.

  Generally, a USB cable device is used to connect computer-related devices to each other. Specifically, this USB cable device is used, for example, when an external device is connected to a certain computer-related device such as a host computer, or when another computer-related device is connected to a certain computer-related device.

  Here, the “computer-related device” corresponds to, for example, a computer or an external device, but is not limited thereto. The “external device” includes, for example, a memory device, a camera device, an input device, a communication device, a media device, a mobile terminal, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

  The USB cable device generally includes a USB connector that is detachably attached to a USB port of a computer-related device, a flexible USB cable extending from the USB connector, and another USB connector or device connected to the USB cable. (For example, the above-mentioned external device is applicable, but is not limited thereto).

  In this type of USB cable device, “another USB connector” is used, for example, to connect a USB port of another computer-related device to a USB port of a certain computer-related device.

One conventional example of this type of USB cable device is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2001-22485 A

  In the conventional USB cable device, the USB cable is flexible, but the USB cable is connected to the USB connector so as to extend in parallel to the USB connector from the USB connector. In addition, in the conventional USB cable device, the angle formed by the USB cable and the USB cable is fixed.

  On the other hand, when connecting a USB cable device to a USB port of a computer-related device, there may be no problem even if both the USB connector and the USB cable extend straight from the USB port of the computer-related device, but there may also be a problem. .

  For example, when the space existing on the outer periphery of the computer-related device is narrow due to the physical environment in which the computer-related device is used, the space that can be occupied by the USB cable device is also narrow. In this case, in the state where the USB connector extends straight from the USB port of the computer-related device, it is necessary to bend the USB cable greatly at the portion immediately after extending from the USB connector. However, there is a limit in bending the USB cable, and thus there is a limit in narrowing the space occupied by the USB cable.

  Against the background described above, the present invention relates to a USB cable device using a USB connector that is detachably attached to a USB port of a computer-related device, and the USB cable device is improved by improving the structure of the USB connector. An object of the present invention is to reduce the width of the space that the USB cable device must occupy in order to connect to a computer-related device.

  The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into sections, each section is given a number, and is described in a form that cites other section numbers as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that the present invention can employ and combinations thereof, and the technical features that can be employed by the present invention and combinations thereof are limited to the following embodiments. Should not be interpreted. That is, it should be construed that it is not impeded to appropriately extract and employ the technical features described in the present specification as technical features of the present invention although they are not described in the following embodiments.

  Further, describing each section in the form of quoting the numbers of the other sections does not necessarily prevent the technical features described in each section from being separated from the technical features described in the other sections. It should not be construed as meaning, but it should be construed that the technical features described in each section can be appropriately made independent depending on the nature.

(1) a USB connector that is detachably attached to a USB port of a computer-related device;
A flexible USB cable extending from the USB connector;
A USB cable device including another USB connector or device connected to the USB cable,
The USB connector is
A plug detachably attached to the USB port;
A first partial housing for securely holding the plug;
A second partial housing which is separated from the first partial housing and holds the portion of the USB cable immediately after extending from the plug;
The first and second partial housings are pivotally connected to each other in one plane, thereby allowing the user to adjust the relative rotational angle between the first and second partial housings. A coupling device to
A USB cable device, comprising: a detent mechanism that maintains the relative rotation angle when the relative rotation angle is a predetermined angle, regardless of the recoverability of the USB cable.

  According to this USB cable device, the USB connector is configured by using two partial housings that can rotate relative to each other, so that the USB connector itself can be bent.

  Therefore, if this USB connector is bent, the USB cable device can be bent without bending the portion of the USB cable immediately after extending from the USB connector, and the USB cable device must be occupied. It becomes easy to reduce the width dimension of the space which cannot be obtained.

  Further, according to this USB cable device, when the relative rotation angle between the first and second partial housings is a predetermined angle by the detent mechanism, the relative rotation is possible regardless of the recoverability of the USB cable. The moving angle is maintained.

  Therefore, according to this USB cable device, even if the user bends the USB connector and the user releases his / her hand from the USB connector, the USB connector passes through the USB connector regardless of the recoverability of the USB cable. The bent state is maintained.

  Therefore, according to this USB cable device, the USB cable bent state is eliminated or reduced against the user's will due to the recoverability of the USB cable, and as a result, the USB cable device must be occupied. Occurrence of a situation where the width dimension of the unobtainable space increases is avoided.

  “Computer-related equipment” in this section includes, for example, a computer, a memory device as an external device, a camera device, an input device, a communication device, a media device, a portable terminal, etc. as described above, but is not limited thereto. Not.

  In addition, as described above, the “device” in this section corresponds to a memory device, a camera device, an input device, a communication device, a media device, a portable terminal, and the like as an external device, but is not limited thereto.

  In addition, the “predetermined angle” in this section can be set so that only one exists or a plurality of angles can be set.

(2) When the relative rotation angle is generally 90 degrees, the detent mechanism maintains the relative rotation angle in spite of the recoverability of the USB cable, while the relative rotation angle is generally 90. The USB cable device according to item (1), wherein the change of the relative rotation angle is allowed when the angle is not a degree.

  According to this USB cable device, even if the user bends the USB connector 90 degrees and then releases the hand from the USB connector, the USB connector is maintained in the bent state 90 degrees.

(3) The detent mechanism includes a first engagement portion formed integrally with the first partial housing and a second partial housing when the relative rotation angle is the predetermined angle. Item (1) or (2), in which the relative rotation angle is maintained despite the recoverability of the USB cable by engaging the integrally formed second engaging portion with each other. USB cable device.

  According to this USB cable device, the first engagement portion formed integrally with the first partial housing and the second engagement portion formed integrally with the second partial housing engage with each other in a concave-convex manner. Thus, the bent state of the USB connector is maintained.

  The “first engaging portion” and the “second engaging portion” in this section are used when the predetermined number of angles is plural, that is, the stop position of the second partial housing relative to the first partial housing. When the number is plural, the first engaging portion common to the plurality of stoppable positions is relative to the corresponding one of the plurality of second engagement portions respectively corresponding to the plurality of stoppable positions. By being displaced (for example, rotating), it is possible to configure such that it is selectively engaged.

  Furthermore, the “first engaging portion” and the “second engaging portion” in this section include a peak portion and a valley portion when there are a plurality of stoppable positions of the second partial housing with respect to the first partial housing. The first engaging portions arranged alternately are displaced (for example, rotated) relative to the second engaging portions arranged alternately in the crests and troughs, so that they sequentially mesh with each other in different phases. In this manner, the peak portion of the first engagement portion is selectively engaged with the valley portion of the second engagement portion, and the valley portion of the first engagement portion is selectively engaged with the peak portion of the second engagement portion. It is also possible to configure.

  Hereinafter, one of more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a USB cable device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 12 that is an example of a computer-related device to which the USB cable device 10 is connected. . The PC 12 has a USB port 16 formed as a USB slot extending in the horizontal direction on the back surface 15 of the main body 14 thereof.

  The USB cable device 10 includes a male USB connector 20 that is detachably connected to the USB port 16. A flexible USB cable 22 extends from the USB connector 20. As is well known, the USB cable 22 is configured such that a cylindrical shield surrounds a plurality of lead wires, and a cylindrical synthetic resin cover surrounds the shield. The USB cable 22 itself has a restoring property.

  One end of the USB cable 22 is connected to the USB connector 20 described above, and the other end is connected to an external device (for example, another USB connector (for example, one or a plurality of female USB connectors) connected to the PC 12. .))It is connected to the.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the USB connector 20 includes a metal plug 28 that is detachably attached to the USB port 16, a first partial housing 30 made of a synthetic resin that holds the plug 28 in a fixed manner, and a USB. The cable 22 includes a second partial housing 32 made of a synthetic resin for fixedly holding a portion immediately after extending from the plug 28. The first and second partial housings 30 and 32 are physically separated from each other.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first partial housing 30 holds the plug 28 fixedly at one end thereof, and faces each other with a gap so as to have a common center line at the other end thereof. It has a pair of plane parts 40 and 42 which do. In FIG. 4, one flat portion 40 is typically shown in a perspective view. Thus, each plane part 40 and 42 has comprised the disk shape generally.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second partial housing 32 holds the USB cable 22 fixedly at one end thereof, while the other end of the second partial housing 32 is spaced from each other so as to have a common center line. It has a pair of plane parts 44 and 46 which oppose. The flat portions 46 and 48 are generally disk-shaped. As shown in FIG. 3, the flat portions 46, 48 are coaxially and positionally corresponding to the flat portions 40, 42, 48 in the gap between the pair of flat portions 40, 42 in the first partial housing 30. 44 and 46 are arranged so as to be in close contact with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the USB cable 22 passes through one end of the second partial housing 32 and is held by the second partial housing 32 so as to pass through the gap between the flat portions 44 and 46. The same USB cable 22 is held by the first partial housing 30 so as to penetrate the first partial housing 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the USB connector 20 further connects the first and second partial housings 30 and 32 so as to be rotatable relative to each other in one plane (a plane parallel to the USB connector 20). Thereby, a connecting device 50 is provided which allows the user to adjust the relative rotation angle between the first and second partial housings 30,32.

  Specifically, the connecting device 50 includes a pair of through holes 52 and 54 formed coaxially with the pair of flat portions 40 and 42 in the first partial housing 30, and the pair of flat portions 44 in the second partial housing 32. , 46 are provided with a pair of pins 60, 62 made of synthetic resin that fit into a pair of through holes 56, 58 formed coaxially.

  One pin 60 includes an upper one 40 of the pair of flat portions 40 and 42 in the first partial housing 30 and an upper one 44 of the pair of flat portions 44 and 46 in the second partial housing 32. They are connected to each other so as to be slidable. The other pin 62 is a lower one 42 of the pair of flat portions 40, 42 in the first partial housing 30 and a lower one 46 of the pair of flat portions 44, 46 in the second partial housing 32. Are connected to each other so as to be slidable.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the USB connector 20 has the USB cable 22 when the relative rotation angle between the first and second partial housings 30 and 32 is a predetermined angle (± 90 degrees). The detent mechanism 70 that maintains the relative rotation angle is provided in spite of the restoring property.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the detent mechanism 70 includes a groove 72 integrally formed on each inner side surface of the pair of flat surface portions 40 and 42 in the first partial housing 30, and a detent mechanism 70 shown in FIG. 5. As described above, the second partial housing 32 is configured to include a convex portion 74 integrally formed on each outer surface of the pair of flat surface portions 44 and 46.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the groove 72 extends in a clockwise direction with respect to a center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the first partial housing 30 along the circumference of one axis coaxial with the through holes 52, 54 and generally extending more than half a circumference. Recesses 76 and 78 are respectively formed at a position rotated 90 degrees and a position rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise.

  The grooves 72 are formed with ridges 80 immediately before entering the respective recesses 76, 78, so that when the projection 74 gets over the ridges 80 and enters the recesses 76, 78, these projections 74 and the recesses 76 and 78 are fitted to each other. In this state, the convex portion 74 is maintained in the concave portions 76 and 78 unless the user intentionally applies a rotational force of a certain level or more to the USB connector 20. The convex portion 74 can be moved over the mountain portion 80 by being elastically deformed by the user when entering the concave portions 76 and 78 and when leaving the concave portions 76 and 78.

  FIG. 6A shows the USB connector 20 extending straight. This is the neutral state of the USB connector 20. In this state, the convex portion 74 does not enter any of the concave portions 76 and 78, and the entire USB connector 20 extends straight due to the recoverability of the USB cable 22. ing.

  FIG. 6B shows the USB connector 20 in a state in which the user bends the second partial housing 32 90 degrees clockwise from the neutral position with respect to the first partial housing 30. In this case, the convex portion 74 is fitted into the corresponding one of the two concave portions 76 and 78, so that the bent state of the USB connector 20 is maintained despite the recoverability of the USB cable 22. Is done.

  FIG. 6C shows the USB connector 20 in a state in which the user has bent the second partial housing 32 90 degrees counterclockwise from the neutral position with respect to the first partial housing 30. . In this case, the convex portion 74 is fitted into the corresponding one of the two concave portions 76 and 78, so that the bent state of the USB connector 20 is maintained despite the recoverability of the USB cable 22. Is done.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the USB cable device 10 is used by bending the USB connector 20 connected to the USB port 16 disposed on the back surface 15 of the PC 12 by 90 degrees (shown by a solid line) without bending the USB connector 20. It is shown in comparison with the state (shown with a two-dot chain line) used in As described above, when the USB cable device 10 is used by bending the USB connector 20, the width dimension of the space that the USB cable device 10 must occupy is set to the USB cable device 10 without bending the USB connector 20. Decrease than when using.

  In addition, since the USB connector 20 is connected to an external surface other than the back surface 15 of the PC 12, for example, a USB port arranged on the side surface or the top surface, the USB cable device 10 is connected to the PC 12. Even when it is necessary to take a path that is bent from the position and extends toward the front surface of the PC 12, it is possible to enjoy.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention was described in detail based on a drawing, this is an illustration, and it is various based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art including the aspect described in the section of the [Disclosure of the Invention]. The present invention can be implemented in other forms that have been modified or improved.

1 is a perspective view showing a USB cable device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a personal computer 12 to which the USB cable device 10 is connected. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the USB connector 20 shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the USB connector 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion formed in a first partial housing 30 in the detent mechanism 70 of the USB connector 20 shown in FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the part formed in the 2nd partial housing 32 among the detent mechanisms 70 of the USB connector 20 shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the variation of the use condition of the USB connector 20 shown in FIG.

Claims (3)

A USB connector that is detachably attached to a USB port of a computer-related device;
A flexible USB cable extending from the USB connector;
A USB cable device including another USB connector or device connected to the USB cable,
The USB connector is
A plug detachably attached to the USB port;
A first partial housing for securely holding the plug;
A second partial housing which is separated from the first partial housing and holds the portion of the USB cable immediately after extending from the plug;
The first and second partial housings are pivotally connected to each other in one plane, thereby allowing the user to adjust the relative rotational angle between the first and second partial housings. A coupling device to
A USB cable device, comprising: a detent mechanism that maintains the relative rotation angle when the relative rotation angle is a predetermined angle, regardless of the recoverability of the USB cable.   When the relative rotation angle is generally 90 degrees, the detent mechanism maintains the relative rotation angle in spite of the recoverability of the USB cable, while the relative rotation angle is not generally 90 degrees. The USB cable device according to claim 1, wherein sometimes the change of the relative rotation angle is allowed.   When the relative rotation angle is the predetermined angle, the detent mechanism is integrally formed with the first engagement portion formed integrally with the first partial housing and the second partial housing. 3. The USB cable device according to claim 1, wherein the relative rotation angle is maintained regardless of the recoverability of the USB cable by engaging the formed second engagement portion with each other in an uneven manner.

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