KR20180032157A - An apparatus for locking usb cable - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a USB cable locking apparatus which can semipermanently connect a USB cable. The USB cable locking apparatus comprises: a link unit having a USB connector unit connected to a USB port of an electronic apparatus, an external USB port to which the external apparatus is connected, and first and second locking units which are connected through locking and separated from the USB port; a USB cable locking housing locking while receiving a connector body of the USB cable connected to the external USB port by enabling to connect and separate to surround the outside of the link unit, and blocking separation from the link unit during locking connection with the second locking unit; and a locking member movably installed to reciprocate inside and outside the link unit, moving to a locking position by interfering the first and second locking units when inserting inside the link unit, and unlocking the first and second locking units when extracting outside the link unit.

Description

USB cable lock device {AN APPARATUS FOR LOCKING USB CABLE}

The present invention relates to a USB cable lock device, and more particularly, to a USB cable lock device that locks a USB port by a physical method and locks a USB cable connected thereto by a physical method to prevent data leakage and virus infiltration through a USB memory device .

As the industry and technology developed, the spread of personal computers has been rapidly increasing. Most organizations such as companies and government offices handle personal computer (including notebook PC) related business, , Military facilities, and so on.

As the industry has been reorganized mainly by the use of computers, malicious codes or viruses have been infiltrated into the other computer, causing damage and frequent leakage of important information.

In view of this, various methods have been applied to prevent leakage of information and to prevent infiltration of viruses in information offices, companies, government institutions, and military facilities. Recently, with the development of memory devices, A third party can easily access a main computer to infiltrate a virus or to extract important information frequently due to the application of a general-purpose USB port.

That is, at present, most computers on the market have at least one universal USB port, and by connecting a USB memory to the USB port, anyone can easily access the desired computer.

Therefore, it is urgently necessary to prevent USB memory from being infiltrated into the computer, or to extract important information by easily connecting the USB memory to the computer.

Also, in case of a keyboard and mouse connection port as well as a USB port, if a USB other than USB is inserted in advance, it is necessary to actively block the USB and to block only the USB which has been previously used.

In addition, development of a device capable of locking a USB cable connected to a USB port so as not to be detached is required.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1323364 (USB port locking device)

Disclosure of the Invention The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to physically block a USB port of a computer device to fundamentally prevent virus infiltration and information leakage through a USB memory, And a USB cable lock device is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a USB cable locking device comprising: a USB connector connected to a USB port of an electronic device; an external USB port to which an external device is connected; A link unit having a first locking portion and a second locking portion; And the second locking portion is disconnected from the link unit when the second locking portion is engaged with the second locking portion to lock the connector body of the USB cable connected to the external USB port USB cable lock housing; And a second locking unit that is installed to be reciprocally movable in and out of the link unit and interferes with the first and second locking units when inserted into the link unit to move to a locking position, And a locking member for unlocking the locking part.

Here, the link unit may include: a unit body having first and second bodies, which are coupled to each other to face each other and in which the USB connector, the external USB port, and the locking member are received; And a signal connection unit for connecting the USB connector unit and the external USB port in a signal-transferable manner.

In addition, the link unit is movably installed in the unit body, and the unlocked external device protruding into the external USB port according to the movement position is prevented from entering the external USB port, And a second locking part that moves to move away from the inside of the external USB port in conjunction with movement of the external USB port.

The USB connector unit may include a port engaging portion protruding outside the unit body and connected to a USB port of the electronic device, a rear end portion coupled to the inside of the unit body, A connecting member; And a guide frame coupled to cover a rear end portion of the connecting member to prevent separation of the locking member and guide movement of the locking member, wherein the first and second locking portions are integrally formed with the connecting member so as to be elastically deformable It is good.

The USB cable lock housing has a USB cable receiving portion formed in a tubular structure in which both ends of the link unit are inserted and coupled and the connector body of the USB cable connected to the link unit is opened, The second locking portion may be formed with a lock groove into which the second locking portion is locked.

Further, the locking member may include an outer frame movably installed inside and outside the link unit; An inner structure coupled to the outer frame and having a keyway formed at an end exposed to the outside; And a first interfering member coupled between the inner structure and the outer frame and interfering with the first locking portion when inserted into the link unit to move to the locking position.

According to the USB cable locking device of the present invention, since the USB port of the electronic device can be physically blocked, there is an advantage that the infiltration of viruses and leakage of important information can be fundamentally prevented by an intruder.

In addition, since the lock member can not be released unless a release key for pulling out the locking member inserted into the USB port and disconnecting it is used, the link unit can not be separated from the USB port of the electronic device, If the external USB cable connected to the USB port is already connected and locked to the electronic device, the USB cable can not be disconnected.

Therefore, even if an external person can not disconnect an authorized external USB cable connected to the external USB port, and even if the USB cable is unintentionally disconnected by breaking the USB cable lock housing, it is impossible to connect an unauthorized external device to the link unit, The connection of the device can be safely blocked.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a USB cable locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an assembled perspective view of the USB cable locking device shown in FIG.
Figs. 3 and 4 are partially-combined perspective views showing the link unit shown in Fig. 1. Fig.
5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the USB cable is connected to the link unit and the USB cable lock housing is coupled.
6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the USB cable is disconnected in the state of FIG.
7 is an excerpt of the third locking part shown in Fig.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which it is coupled to a USB port of an electronic device in the state of FIG.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first and second locking portions are moved to the locking position by pushing the locking member in the state of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the lock member of Fig. 1 taken as an excerpt. Fig.
11 is a perspective view showing a release key that is engaged with a keyway of the lock member.
12 is a view for explaining a state in which a USB cable is coupled through a USB cable lock housing.
FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a state in which the USB cable is connected to the link unit in the state of FIG. 12;

Hereinafter, a USB cable locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 9, a USB cable locking apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a link unit 200, a USB cable locking housing 300, and a locking member 400.

The link unit 200 includes a unit body 210, a USB connector unit 220, an external USB port 230, a signal connection unit 240, a first locking unit 250, a second locking unit 260, And a third locking portion 270 are provided.

The unit body 210 has first and second bodies 211 and 213 coupled to and separated from each other. The unit body 210 is provided with first to third coupling holes 210a, 210b and 210c to which a USB connector 220, an external USB port 230 and a locking member 400 are inserted and coupled. A support shaft 215 and an engagement protrusion 216 are formed on the inner wall of the unit body 210 so that the locking member 271 of the third locking portion 270 is rotatably coupled.

The first and second bodies 211 and 213 are respectively formed with first and second coupling portions 211a and 211b and a second coupling portion 213a. When the first and second bodies 211 and 213 are brought into contact with each other, the first and second coupling portions 211a and 211b and the second coupling portion 213a are coupled to each other.

The USB connector 220 includes a connection member 221 formed of a metal frame and having a port coupling portion 220a protruding forward of the unit body 210 and a connection member 220 fitted into the unit body 210 And a guide frame 223 which is coupled to the rear end 220b of the guide frame 221.

The first locking part 250 and the second locking part 260 are integrally formed on the bottom wall of the connecting member 221. [ 8, when the lock member 400 is pushed into the USB connector portion 220, the first and second locking protrusions 250 and 260 of the first and second locking portions 250 and 260, respectively, 251, and 261 protrude to the outside of the connecting member 221. The first locking protrusion 251 protruding outward is locked to the USB port 21 of the electronic device as shown in Fig. 9 and the second locking protrusion 261 is locked to the locking groove of the USB cable lock housing 300 0.0 > 310 < / RTI >

And the connection member 220 is connected to the external USB port 230 through the signal connection unit 240. The signal connection unit 240 includes a first connection member 241 fitted into the connection member 221 and having connection terminals, a second connection member 243 coupled to the inside of the external USB port 230 and having connection terminals, And a signal cable 245. The signal cable 245 is connected to connection terminals of the first and second connection members 241 and 243, and may include an FPC.

The third locking unit 270 includes a locking member 271 rotatably coupled to a support shaft 215 inside the unit body 210 and a locking member 271 so that the locking member 271 protrudes into the external USB port 230 And an elastic member 273 for elastic pressing. The locking member 271 has a shaft hole coupled to the support shaft 215, and a guide projection 271a protrudes from the outer side. The elastic member 273 may include a torsion spring that is coupled to the locking member 271 at one end and coupled to the inside of the unit body 210 at the other end while being fitted to the support shaft 215. The locking member 271 is elastically pressed by the elastic member 273 so as to protrude into the external USB port 230 by the elastic member 273, Is limited by the jaws 216.

9, when the lock member 400 protrudes into the external USB port 230 and the lock member 400 is released from the connection member 221 to the outside, the second interference of the lock member 400 The guide protrusion 271a is interfered with the member 440 to be rotated and can be released from the inside of the external USB port 230 as shown in FIG. On the contrary, when the locking member 400 is inserted, the locking member 271 is rotated away from the second interference member 440 to protrude into the external USB port 230, Thereby blocking the connection to the USB port 230.

The locking member 400 includes an outer frame 410 slidably installed in the connecting member 220, an inner structure 420 installed inside the outer frame 410, and an inner structure 420 A first interference member 430 inserted and coupled into the outer frame 410 and a second interference member 440 connected to the inner structure 420 and protruding outside the outer frame 410.

A keyway 421 (see FIG. 10) is formed at a rear end of the internal structure 420 and a key 123 of the release key 120 (see FIG. 11) may be inserted and coupled. The first interference member 430 is protruded toward the rear end side of the outer frame 410 and interferes with the first locking part 250 when the locking member 400 is inserted into the coupling member 210, To the locking position. The second locking portion 260 is pushed by the outer frame 410 of the locking member 400 so that the second locking protrusion 261 is pushed to the locking position.

The second interference member 440 is integrally formed with the internal structure 420 and has an interference surface 441 that interferes with the guide projection 271a of the locking member 271. [ The interference surface 441 may be formed in such a manner that the interference protrusion 271a of the locking member 271 may interfere with the interference surface 441 when the locking member 400 is pulled out to the outside using the release key 120 while the locking member 400 is inserted into the connection member 210. [ So that the locking member 271 is rotated to move away from the external USB port 230.

The USB cable lock housing 300 is coupled to enclose the outer side of the link unit 200 and is formed in a tubular structure having both open ends. That is, the USB cable lock housing 300 is slidable in the forward and backward directions to be engageable with and detachable from the link unit 200, and has a locking groove 310 formed at a predetermined interval on the inner wall thereof. When the locking protrusion 261 of the second locking portion 260 is moved to the locking position and is hooked to the locking groove 310, the locking protrusion 261 is movable in all directions and moved in the backward direction I can not sleep.

A USB cable accommodating portion 320 is formed extending from the rear end of the USB cable lock housing 300 to enclose the connector body 12 of the USB cable 10. The USB cable receiving portion 320 is provided with a locking protrusion 321 for preventing the connector body 12 of the USB cable 10 from being detached from the USB cable.

The USB cable lock housing 300 is coupled to the outside of the link unit 200 while the USB cable 10 is coupled to the external SUB port 230 of the link unit 200. [ The USB cable lock housing 300 is locked to the second locking protrusion 261 of the second locking portion 260 when the locking member 400 is pushed into the unit body 210, And is locked as shown in Fig. Therefore, it is impossible to separate the USB cable 10 from the link unit 200. The first locking protrusion 251 of the first locking portion 250 is locked to the locking portion 23 in the SUB port 21 of the electronic device 20 so that the link unit 200 is detached from the electronic device Can be fundamentally prevented.

In order to release the lock member 400, the lock member 400 must be pulled out of the link unit 200 as shown in FIG. 8 in the state of FIG. The lock member 400 can be pulled out to the release position other than the manager who owns the release key 120. In this case, I will not.

The configuration and the technique of extracting the lock member 400 using the release key 120 are applicable from the known art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

An operation of connecting the USB cable 10 to the USB port 21 of the electronic device 20 using the USB cable locking device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, the connector body 12 of the USB cable 10 is passed through the USB cable lock housing 300. In this state, the USB connector 13 of the connector body 12 is inserted and coupled to the external USB port 230 of the link unit 200, as shown in FIG.

Then, the external USB port 230 is moved toward the link unit 200 as shown in FIG. 5 so that the external USB port 230 is coupled to surround the link unit 200 from outside. The connector body 12 of the USB cable 10 is received in the USB cable receiving portion 320. [

5, the USB connector 220 of the link unit 200 is connected to the USB port 21 of the electronic device 20 as shown in FIG.

Then, as described above in the state of FIG. 5, the lock member 400 is pushed into the link unit 200. 9, the first locking portion 250 is interfered with the SUB port 21 by the first interference member 440, and the second locking portion 260 is locked to the locking member 400 is locked to the locking groove 310 of the USB cable lock housing 230. [

9, the link unit 200 is not separated from the USB port 21 of the electronic device 20. [ The USB cable lock housing 230 is fixed to the second locking portion 260 so as not to be separated from the link unit 200 by being caught by the second locking protrusion 261. [ Therefore, in this state, the USB cable 10 can not be separated from the link unit 200, and the connection state of the USB cable 10 to the electronic device 20 can be maintained semi-permanently.

Even if the USB cable lock housing 230 is damaged from the outside and the USB cable 10 is disconnected from the link unit 200, the locking member 271 is protruded into the external USB port 230 State, the new USB connector can not be connected to the external USB port 230.

When the link unit 200 is separated from the electronic device 20 or the USB cable 10 is to be separated from the link unit 200, The unit 200 is pulled out. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the first and second locking portions 250 and 260 are in the released state. In this state, since the USB cable 10 is coupled to the link unit 200, the locking member 271 interferes with the connector 13 and is held in a pressed state.

The second interference member 440 moves to a position where the second interference member 440 interferes with the locking member 271 of the third locking portion 270 as the locking member 400 is released to the link unit 200. [

The USB cable 10 is detached from the external USB port 230 after the USB cable lock housing 300 is detached from the link unit 200 because the second locking portion 260 is unlocked . At this time, since the locking member 271 is interfered with the second interference member 440, the locking member 271 can not enter the external USB port 230.

When the USB cable 10 and the USB external lock housing 300 are separated from the link unit 200 and the lock member 400 is pushed back into the link unit 200, Is coupled to the USB port (21) of the device (20) and maintains the blocked state. The locking member 271 interfered with the third interference member 270 is projected into the external USB port 230 by the elastic force of the elastic member 273. Therefore, in this state, it is not possible to connect an external device such as the unauthorized USB cable 10 or the USB memory, so that it is possible to fundamentally prevent the unauthorized external device from being connected to the electronic device 20. [

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

10 .. USB cable 20 .. Electronic device
21 ... USB port 100..USB Cable lock
200 .. link unit 210 .. unit body
220 .. USB connector part 230 .. External USB port
240 .. signal connection part 250 .. first locking part
260 .. Second locking portion 270 .. Third locking portion
300 .. USB cable lock housing 310 .. locking groove
400. Locking member 410. Outer frame
420 .. internal structure 430 .. first interference member
440. The second interference member

Claims (6)

A USB connector portion connected to a USB port of the electronic device; an external USB port to which the external device is connected; a link unit having a first locking portion and a second locking portion that are locked and separated to the USB port;
And the second locking portion is disconnected from the link unit when the second locking portion is engaged with the second locking portion to lock the connector body of the USB cable connected to the external USB port USB cable lock housing; And
Wherein the first and second locking portions are configured to move to a locking position when the first and second locking portions are inserted into the link unit, And a locking member for unlocking the locking portion. The link apparatus according to claim 1,
A unit body having first and second bodies which are coupled to each other to face each other and in which the USB connector portion, the external USB port and the locking member are accommodated; And
Further comprising: a signal connection part for connecting the USB connector part and the external USB port so that signals can be transmitted therebetween. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2,
The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the external USB port is provided in the unit body. The external USB port is protruded into the external USB port according to the movement position, Further comprising a second locking portion for moving away from the inside of the USB port. 3. The USB connector according to claim 2,
A connection member protruding outside the unit body and connected to a USB port of the electronic device, and a connection member fitted in the unit body and having a rear end portion in which the locking member is movably received; And
And a guide frame coupled to cover the rear end of the connecting member to prevent separation of the locking member and guide movement of the locking member,
Wherein the first and second locking portions are formed integrally with the connecting member so as to be elastically deformable. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the USB cable lock housing comprises:
The link unit is formed in a tubular structure having both ends thereof opened so that the link unit can be fitted into the inside thereof,
And a USB cable receiving portion for receiving a connector body of the USB cable connected to the link unit,
And a lock groove is formed on an inner surface of the second locking part to lock the second locking part. 6. The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An outer frame movably installed inside and outside the link unit;
An inner structure coupled to the outer frame and having a keyway formed at an end exposed to the outside; And
And a first interference member coupled between the inner structure and the outer frame and interfering with the first locking portion when the inner unit is inserted into the link unit to move to the locking position.

Images