KR200308663Y1 - Expandable Connecting Hub Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The expandable connecting hub assembly of the present invention includes a hub housing having a plurality of connecting ports therein for receiving a plug connector. The hub housing also includes a power inlet and a signal input port. A cradle with a plurality of headers thereon is formed on the hub housing. The detachable connecting device includes a plurality of sockets which are electrically connected on the cradle and are installed corresponding to the headers. The electrical connection is here between the hub housing and the connecting device via headers and sockets when a detachable connecting device is installed on the cradle. The detachable connecting device also includes a cable having a plug connector for electrically connecting with the computer. According to a feature of the invention, the connecting device is a card reader, a network connecting device or a signal converting box.

Description

Expandable Connecting Hub Assembly

The present invention relates to a connector hub assembly, and more particularly, to an expandable connecting hub assembly that enables user-friendly use.

Since computers have become a necessity of modern life, our lives have changed greatly because of the convenience and efficiency that computers have brought. Thus, many peripheral devices are introduced that each have a unique function. Moreover, as local area networks are becoming increasingly popular, the interconnections between peripherals, notebook computers, personal computers (desktop computers), and servers become more complex.

Among peripherals, printers, scanners, monitors and portable disk drives are relatively large in size, while keyboards, mice, modems, card readers, digital cameras, outer boxes and hubs are relatively small in size. However, the above mentioned devices do not work unless they are each electrically connected. Therefore, how to connect peripheral devices and computers to each other and how to power them is a really difficult problem.

The development and development of Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394 connectors, and PS2 are indeed advancing the interconnection between computers and peripherals. The introduction of the above-described connection port allows peripherals to be quickly and easily connected to a computer. Consumers can easily use these peripherals with their computers.

The uniqueness and features of USB, IEEE 1394, and PS2 connectors are that these connectors generally include four or six conductive wires in their entirety. Two out of four or four out of six are used for signal transmission and the other two conductive wires are used for power supply. The power delivered through these two power supply conductive wires is about 5 volts, 500 mA. As such, the electrical connections between the computer and peripherals through these connectors allow for the transmission of signals and power. Moreover, today's USB, IEEE 1394, and PS2 connectors have become standard connectors for desktop computers, notebook computers, and hubs. Therefore, the connection between the computer and the peripherals is more convenient and user friendly.

The most interesting feature of the USB, IEEE 1394 connector, and PS2 connector is that multiple computers can be electrically plugged into one hub via the connectors. The hub can then be electrically connected to the host computer. As such, the present invention characterizes the functionality provided by these connectors. However, although peripherals can be connected to the hub and finally to the host computer, the peripherals need to be properly powered. Therefore, powering peripherals is also a challenge for design engineers.

However, the hubs used today belong to a fixed type of device, and the USB, IEEE 1394, and PS2 connectors are reserved for predetermined applications. If you need to expand these connecting ports, you cannot easily expand them.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a connector hub assembly having a port to which a card reader, a network connector box, and a signal converting box can be connected.

An expandable connecting hub assembly of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a hub housing including a plurality of connecting ports therein for receiving a plug connector. The hub housing also includes a power inlet and a signal input port. Cradles having a plurality of headers thereon are formed on the hub housing. The detachable connecting device includes a plurality of sockets which are electrically connected and installed on the cradle and correspond to the headers. The electrical connection is here between the hub housing and the connecting device via headers and socket pins when a detachable connecting device is installed on the cradle. The detachable connecting device also includes a cable having a plug connector for electrically connecting with the computer. According to a feature of the invention, the connecting device is a card reader, a network connecting device or a signal converting box.

1 is a perspective view of an expandable connecting hub assembly according to the present invention, in which the card reader is electrically connected and detachably installed;

2 is a rear view of the hub assembly of FIG. 1, FIG.

3 is a perspective view of the card reader separated from the expandable connecting hub assembly in FIG. 2;

4 is a plan view of the hub assembly of FIG. 1, FIG.

5 is a front view of the hub assembly of FIG. 1, FIG.

6 is a rear view of the hub assembly of FIG. 1, FIG.

7 is a perspective view of an expandable connecting hub assembly according to the present invention, wherein the network connecting box is electrically connected and detachably installed;

8 is a front view of the hub assembly of FIG. 7;

9 is a perspective view of an expandable connecting hub assembly according to the present invention, in which a signal converting box is electrically connected and detachably installed;

10 is a front view of the hub assembly of FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: hub 11, 12: receptacle port

13: input port 14: power inlet

15: Cradle 111, 121: LED Indicator

151: header

2: card reader 21: socket

22: memory card slot 23: USB plug

24: insertion slot 25: indicator

231: cable

3: network connecting box 31: USB receptacle

32: power inlet

4: signal converting box

41: connecting port

Detailed configuration and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the expandable connecting hub assembly of the first embodiment of the present invention is a hub 1 and a card reader 2 or as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10. It consists of a network connecting box 3 or a signal converting box 4. As evident in FIGS. 4-6, the hub 1 is typically a plurality of USB, IEEE 1394, or PS2 receptacle ports 11, 12 for accepting plugs of a USB, IEEE 1394, or PS2 cable assembly. It includes a housing having a.

The hub 1 also has an input port 13 and a power inlet 14. The USB, IEEE 1394, or PS2 Receptacle Ports 11, 12 are each LED indicators 111 to clearly and clearly indicate that the signal connection is properly made when the USB, IEEE 1394, or PS2 cable assembly is plugged. 112 is provided.

As described above, USB, IEEE 1394, or PS2 has the ability to supply power, so that peripheral devices plugged into the hub 1 can also be properly powered.

The hub 1 is also equipped with a cradle 15 in which a card reader 2 or a network connecting box 3 or a signal converting box 4 is installed. The cradle 15 is equipped with a plurality of headers 151 for electrically connecting with the card reader 2, the network connecting box 3 or the signal converting box 4 when they are installed in the cradle. It is.

Since the connecting ports of the card reader 2, the network connecting box 3 and the signal converting box 4 have similar external contours, the present invention will use the card reader 2 for explanation. As shown in FIG. 3, the card reader 2 has a plurality of sockets 21 corresponding to the header 151 of the cradle 15 of the hub 1. Thus, an electrical connection is made between the socket 21 and the header 151 when the card reader 2 is installed on the cradle 15. The card reader 2 also comprises a cable 231 with a USB plug 23 at its end. The card reader 2 is also provided with a fitting slot 24 into which the USB plug 23 is properly inserted. The card reader 2 is provided with a memory card slot 22 into which a memory card (not shown) can be inserted for reading or storing data.

When the memory card 2 is installed in the hub 1, the USB plug 23 of the card reader 2 can be removed for electrical connection with the computer as long as the hub 1 is electrically connected with the computer. no need. This is because a connection is already established between the socket 21 and the header 151. If the card reader 2 is removed from the hub 1, the USB plug 23 can be removed from the insertion slot 24 and inserted into a USB port on the computer to be connected. Therefore, it is possible to provide a user friendly application. The card reader 2 is provided with an indicator 25 indicating ongoing data storage and retrieval processing.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the network connecting box 3, like the card reader 2, can be installed while being electrically connected to the cradle 15 of the hub 1. It can be made into the same external shape as. The network connecting box 3 is provided with a USB receptacle 31 and a power inlet 32. Thus, other compatible equipment can be electrically connected to the network connecting box 3.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the signal converting box 4 is installed while being electrically connected on the cradle 15 of the hub 1. The signal converting box 4 has the same outer shape as the card reader 2. The signal converting box 4 has a connecting port 41, which is generally a D-servo connector. Therefore, the connection of other peripheral devices to the computer can be made through the configuration of the present invention.

As such, the present invention provides an effect of providing a connecting hub assembly having a port to which a card reader, a network connecting box, or a signal converting box can be connected to expand other peripheral devices.

Although the present invention has been described in detail only with respect to the embodiments described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified or changed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications or changes are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Will belong.

Claims (7)

A hub housing including a plurality of connecting ports for receiving plug connectors; Power inlet; Signal input port; A cradle formed over the hub housing having a plurality of headers; And An electrical connection on the cradle, comprising: a detachable connecting device having a socket corresponding to the header, the detachable connecting device having an electrical connection between the hub housing and the hub housing when installed on the cradle. Extendable connecting hub assembly. 2. The expandable connecting hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting device is a card reader configured with a memory card slot into which a memory card can be inserted for storing and retrieving data. 3. The expandable connecting hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the card reader comprises a cable having a connector. The scalable connecting hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting ports are USB, IEEE 1394, or PS2 interfaces. The scalable connecting hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the signal input port is a USB, IEEE 1394, or PS2 interface. The scalable connecting hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting device is a network connecting box having a USB, an IEEE 1394 or PS2, and a power outlet. The expandable connecting hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting device is a signal converting box equipped with a D-sub connector.