TWI497848B - Special usb plug having different structure from standard usb plug and usb receptacle matable with the special usb plug - Google Patents

Description

Special USB plug with different construction from standard USB plug and USB plug with special USB plug

The present invention relates to a connector (USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket) that can be fitted to at least two types of object side connectors (plugs), and has a connector side connector for recognizing the engagement. Type of mechanism. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a special socket, which is a USB socket that can be fitted with a USB 3.0 plug according to the USB 3.0 specification, a USB 2.0 plug according to the USB 2.0 specification, and a plug of a special USB plug. (Special socket) and has a detection pin for detecting whether the mated plug is a special plug.

A connector that can be fitted to the object-side connector is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2005-242476 and JP-A-2009-164087. The contents of this publication form a part of this patent specification by reference.

The connector of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-242476 is a USB socket according to the USB specification and can be connected to a USB plug. In the USB socket of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-242476, a switch for discriminating whether or not a USB plug is connected is provided. However, the USB socket of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-242476 cannot detect the type of the connected USB plug.

The connector of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-164087 is capable of detecting the type of the connector on the object side. In other words, the connector of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-164087 has a detecting mechanism that detects the type of the connector on the object side. However, the connector of JP-A-2009-164087 is not based on the USB specification. Device. Further, when the USB standard is considered, the detection mechanism of the connector of JP-A-2009-164087 cannot be applied to the USB socket of the connector of JP-A-2005-242476.

On the other hand, there is a requirement to connect a special USB plug (special plug) composed of a standard USB plug deformed according to the USB specification of USB2.0 or USB3.0 to a USB socket that can be connected to a standard USB plug. .

There is also a desire to operate a USB socket connected to a special USB plug in a manner different from a USB socket connected to a standard USB plug. For example, there is a desire to supply a standard current to a standard USB plug on the one hand, and a large current supply to a special USB plug on the other hand.

Furthermore, there is also a need to connect a special USB plug to a standard USB socket according to the USB specification. In other words, there are cases where you want to avoid special USB plugs that can only be connected to a special outlet.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a USB plug that can identify and detect a connected USB plug according to a USB specification such as a USB 2.0 specification or a USB 3.0 specification, or a special USB plug other than a standard USB plug ( Special plug) USB socket (special socket). Another object of the present invention is to provide a special socket that can detect a special plug even if the special plug has a configuration that can be connected to a standard USB socket according to the USB specification.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a special plug that can be fitted to the special socket described above.

One aspect (first aspect) of the present invention provides a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket that can be selectively detached from a standard USB plug and a special USB plug in a predetermined direction. The standard USB plug is based on the USB specification, whereby it has a standard case. The special USB plug has a special case, whereby it has a configuration different from that of the standard USB plug. The USB socket has a detection pin. The detection needle has a contact portion. The contact portion is disposed at a position where the standard case does not reach when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug. When the USB socket is mated with the special USB plug, the special casing is connected to the contact portion at this position.

Another aspect (second aspect) of the present invention provides a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket that can be selectively detached from a standard USB plug and a special USB plug in a predetermined direction. The standard USB plug is based on the USB specification, whereby it has a standard case made of an electrical conductor. This special USB plug has a special case made of an electrical conductor. The special casing has a portion having the same shape as the standard casing and an identification portion that protrudes more than the portion in the predetermined direction, whereby the special USB plug has a structure different from the standard USB plug. The USB socket has a plurality of contact pieces, a holding member made of an insulator, a case made of a conductor, and a detecting pin composed of a conductor. Each of the contact sheets has a contact portion. The holding member holds the contact piece in such a manner as to be aligned in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The holding member has a main portion. The main portion has a plate shape that has a thickness in a direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the pitch direction and extends in the predetermined direction. The contact portion of the contact piece is disposed on the upper surface of the main portion. The shell is associated with the The holding member is surrounded by the in-plane orthogonal to the direction. The casing has a shape connectable to the standard casing when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug, and has a shape connectable to the special casing when the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug. The detection needle is separate from the housing. The detecting needle is held by the holding member in a manner that is not directly connected to the shell. The detection needle has a contact portion. The contact portion is disposed at a position where the standard case does not reach when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug. When the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug, the identification portion of the special case is connected to the contact portion at the position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the USB socket is a USB socket according to the second aspect, and further includes an additional holding member made of an insulator and a USB socket for adding a contact piece to the plurality of pieces. The additional holding member is a support portion. The additional holding member is formed such that the support portion has a plate shape extending in the predetermined direction and is mounted on the holding member. The support portion is configured to open with the main portion in the vertical direction. A hole is formed in the support portion. The hole penetrates the support portion in the vertical direction. The additional contact piece is held by the additional holding member. Each of the additional contact pieces is in a space sandwiched between the support portion and the main portion, and can be contacted only by the hole of the support portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention (fourth aspect), a special USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug that can be fitted to the USB socket of the third aspect in a predetermined direction is provided. The special USB plug has a special holding member, a plurality of standard contact pieces according to the USB specification, a plurality of special contact pieces different from the standard contact piece, and a special case formed of a conductor. The special holding member has a deformation holding portion and an extension portion. The deformation holding portion It is equivalent to the standard holding member of the standard USB plug according to the USB specification. The extension portion has a plate shape formed in an end surface formed in the predetermined direction and protruding more in the predetermined direction than the deformation holding portion. The thin portion is disposed on the extension. The thin portion has a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The thin portion extends in the predetermined direction and reaches the end surface of the extension. The standard contact piece is configured to be connected to the contact piece of the USB socket, respectively. The standard contact piece is disposed on the lower surface of the deformation holding portion in the vertical direction, and is held by the special holding member so as not to reach the extension portion in the predetermined direction. The special contact piece is configured to be connected to the additional contact piece of the USB socket. The special contact piece is held and disposed on the special holding member so as to be exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion. The special case has a portion having the same shape as a standard case of a standard USB plug according to the USB standard, a side protrusion protruding more in the predetermined direction than the portion, and a notch portion. The notch portion is formed to recognize the thin portion from above the vertical direction. The side protruding portion protrudes in the predetermined direction so as to cover the side portion of the extended portion in a pitch direction orthogonal to both the predetermined direction and the vertical direction. The side protrusion is connected to the contact portion when the special USB plug is fitted to the USB socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention (fifth aspect), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket that can be selectively detached from a standard USB plug and a special USB plug in a predetermined direction is provided. The standard USB plug is based on the USB specification, whereby it has a standard case made of an electrical conductor. This special USB plug has a special case made of an electrical conductor. The special shell has: a portion having the same shape as the standard shell, and in the predetermined direction An identification portion that is more prominent than the portion, whereby the special USB plug has a configuration different from the standard USB plug. The USB socket has a plurality of contact pieces, a holding member made of an insulator, a case made of a conductor, and a detecting pin composed of a conductor. The holding member holds the contact piece in such a manner as to be aligned in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The shell surrounds the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The casing has a shape connectable to the standard casing when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug, and has a shape connectable to the special casing when the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug. The detection needle is separate from the housing. The detecting needle is held by the holding member in a manner that is not directly connected to the shell. The detection needle has a contact portion. The contact portion is disposed at a position where the standard case does not reach when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug. When the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug, the identification portion of the special case is connected to the contact portion at the position.

According to another aspect of the present invention (sixth aspect), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket that can be selectively detached from a standard USB plug and a special USB plug in a predetermined direction is provided. The standard USB plug is based on the USB specification. This special USB plug has a configuration different from that of the standard USB plug. The USB socket includes a plurality of contact pieces, a holding member made of an insulator, an additional holding member made of an insulator, a plurality of additional contact pieces, and a case made of a conductor. The holding member holds the contact piece in such a manner as to be aligned in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The holding member has a main portion. The main portion has a plate shape extending in the predetermined direction. The contact piece is disposed on the upper portion of the main portion. This additional hold The member is mounted on the holding member in a vertical direction orthogonal to both the predetermined direction and the pitch direction. The additional holding member has a support portion. The support portion has a plate shape extending in the predetermined direction. The support portion is open to the main portion and disposed above the main portion. A hole is formed in the support portion. The hole penetrates the support portion in the vertical direction. The additional contact piece is formed to have a portion disposed in a space sandwiched between the support portion and the main portion, and is held by the additional holding member. This portion of the additional contact piece can be contacted only through the holes. The shell surrounds the holding member and the additional holding member in a plane defined by the vertical direction and the spacing direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention (the seventh aspect), a special USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug that can be fitted in a predetermined direction to a USB socket that can be fitted to a standard USB plug according to the USB standard is provided. This special USB plug is constructed by deforming the standard USB plug. The special USB plug has a special holding member, a plurality of contact pieces according to the USB specification, a plurality of special contact pieces different from the standard contact piece, and a special case. The special holding member has a deformation holding portion and an extension portion. The deformation holding portion corresponds to a standard holding member of a standard USB plug according to the USB specification. The extension has a plate shape that protrudes more in the predetermined direction than the deformation holding portion. The thin portion is provided on the extension portion, and the thin portion has a thickness in a vertical direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The standard contact piece is formed to be arranged in a pitch direction orthogonal to both the predetermined direction and the vertical direction, and is held by the special holding member. The standard contact piece is formed so as not to reach the extension in the predetermined direction, and is disposed on the lower surface of the deformation holding portion in the vertical direction. The special contact piece is formed in the predetermined direction and held For this special holding member. The special contact piece is configured to be exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion. The special shell surrounds the special retaining member.

In particular, in order to detect the special USB plug (special plug) and the standard USB2.0 plug (USB2.0 plug) in the direction of the plug-in removal and according to the USB2.0 specification, the standard USB3.0 plug (USB3 according to the USB3.0 specification) A USB socket (special socket) to which any of the .0 plugs and the special plug can be fitted has been fitted, and the following structure is conceived. 1) Deform the USB2.0 plug or USB3.0 plug to form a special plug, thereby making the special plug have a shell (standard case) or USB3.0 plug case (standard case) in the predetermined direction than the USB2.0 plug. Longer shell (special shell). Further, 2) the detecting needle having the contact portion is disposed inside the special socket, and the special casing can be contacted. On the other hand, the contact portion is disposed at a position where the USB 2.0 plug or the USB 3.0 plug does not reach.

Regarding the standard USB3.0 socket (USB3.0 socket) according to the USB3.0 specification, the USB3.0 plug does not arrive when the USB3.0 plug and the USB3.0 socket are fitted inside the USB3.0 socket. Space (1st space). Further, inside the USB 3.0 socket, a space (second space) in which the USB 2.0 plug does not reach when the USB 2.0 plug is fitted to the USB 3.0 socket is formed. When considering the size of the USB specification, the second space is included in the first space. Therefore, in the case where the USB 3.0 socket has a portion located inside the second space, neither of the USB 2.0 plug nor the USB 3.0 plug can reach the portion when it is fitted to the USB 3.0 socket.

When a space (a predetermined space) corresponding to the second space is provided inside the special socket, the detecting needle can be formed such that the contact portion is located inside the predetermined space. If the contact is located inside the given space, the special socket is Any of the USB2.0 plug, USB3.0 plug and special plug can be fitted. On the other hand, it can detect that the special socket is not fitted with the USB2.0 plug or the USB3.0 plug, but is fitted with a special plug. .

Further, the special case of the special plug is configured such that the special plug and the special socket are fitted into a predetermined space, and the special plug can be fitted to the USB 3.0 socket.

Regarding the standard USB 2.0 socket (USB 2.0 socket) according to the USB 2.0 standard, the USB 2.0 plug has a contact piece having a plug side of a contact portion (that is, a contact piece according to the USB 2.0 specification). The contact portion has an elongated plate shape extending in the above-described predetermined direction. In the predetermined direction, the size of the plate-like contact portion is much larger (i.e., longer) than the size of the predetermined space. Therefore, the size of the special case of the special plug is set such that the special plug does not exceed the predetermined space, and when the special plug is fitted with the USB 2.0 socket, the connection according to the USB 32.0 specification can be established.

As described above, in the case where the special case is housed in a predetermined space when the special plug is fitted to the special socket, the special case is connected to the special socket, the USB 2.0 socket, and the USB 3.0 socket. One can be fitted.

The following aspects of the present invention are reviewed and examined based on the above. Each of the following aspects of the present invention provides a special socket or a special plug as described below.

According to another aspect of the present invention (eighth aspect), a USB 3.0 plug that is based on a USB 3.0 specification in accordance with a predetermined direction and a USB 2.0 standard in accordance with the USB specification of the USB specification are provided. Plug, and A special socket that can be fitted with any of the special plugs formed by deforming the USB 3.0 plug in such a manner as to have the special casing. The special socket has a plurality of first contact pieces, a plurality of second contact pieces, a holding member, a casing, a predetermined space, and a detecting needle. The first contact piece is based on the USB 3.0 specification. The second contact piece is based on the USB 2.0 specification. The holding member holds the first contact piece and the second contact piece. The shell is mounted to the holding member. The predetermined space is formed inside the special socket. The predetermined space is formed in a space inside the USB 3.0 socket according to the USB 3.0 specification, and corresponds to the USB 2.0 plug not reaching when the USB 2.0 plug is fitted with the USB 3.0 socket. The space. The detecting needle is held by the holding member. The detection needle has a contact portion. The contact portion is disposed in the predetermined space. The contact portion is configured to be in contact with the special case in a fitting state in which the special socket is fitted to the special plug. The detecting needle is configured to detect that the special plug is fitted into the special socket when the special casing is in contact with the contact portion.

As apparent from the above description, the special socket according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is a modification of the USB socket according to the first aspect of the present invention. More specifically, the eighth aspect further provides a USB socket, wherein the USB socket of the first aspect is compatible with the USB3 of the standard USB plug of the USB 3.0 specification of the USB specification along the predetermined direction. The .0 plug is based on the USB 2.0 plug of the USB plug of the USB specification of the USB specification, and the special USB plug formed by deforming the USB 3.0 plug in such a manner as to have the special case. A USB socket that can be fitted. The USB socket has a plurality of first contact pieces, a plurality of second contact pieces, and a holding Component, shell, established space and the detection needle. The first contact piece is based on the USB 3.0 specification. The second contact piece is based on the USB 2.0 specification. The holding member holds the first contact piece and the second contact piece. The shell is mounted to the holding member. The predetermined space is formed inside the USB socket. The predetermined space is formed in a space inside the USB 3.0 socket according to the USB 3.0 specification, and corresponds to the USB 2.0 plug not reaching when the USB 2.0 plug is fitted with the USB 3.0 socket. The space. The detecting needle is held by the holding member. The detection needle has the contact portion. The contact portion is disposed in the predetermined space. The contact portion is configured to be in contact with the special case in a fitted state in which the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug. The detecting pin is configured to detect that the special USB plug is fitted into the USB socket when the special case is in contact with the contact portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the ninth aspect of the present invention provides a USB 3.0 plug that is based on a USB 3.0 specification in accordance with a predetermined direction, and a USB 2.0 based on the USB specification of the USB specification. A plug and a special socket that can be fitted with any one of the special plugs formed by deforming the USB 3.0 plug in such a manner. The special socket has a plurality of contact pieces, a holding member, a shell, a predetermined space and a detecting needle. The holding member holds the contact piece. The predetermined space is formed inside the special socket. The predetermined space is formed in a space inside the USB 3.0 socket according to the USB 3.0 specification, and corresponds to the USB 2.0 plug not reaching when the USB 2.0 plug is fitted with the USB 3.0 socket. The space. The detecting needle is held by the holding member. The detection needle has a contact portion. The contact portion is disposed in the predetermined space. The contact portion is configured to be The fitting state of the special socket and the special plug is in contact with the special case. The detecting needle is configured to detect that the special plug is fitted into the special socket when the special casing is in contact with the contact portion.

As apparent from the above description, the special socket according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is a modification of the USB socket according to the first aspect of the present invention. More specifically, the ninth aspect further provides a USB socket, wherein the USB socket of the first aspect is compatible with the USB3 of the standard USB plug of the USB specification of the USB specification along the predetermined direction. The .0 plug is based on the USB 2.0 plug of the USB plug of the USB specification of the USB specification, and the special USB plug formed by deforming the USB 3.0 plug in such a manner as to have the special case. A USB socket that can be fitted. The USB socket has a plurality of contact pieces, a holding member, a shell, a predetermined space, and the detecting needle. The holding member holds the contact piece. The predetermined space is formed inside the USB socket. The predetermined space is formed in a space inside the USB 3.0 socket according to the USB 3.0 specification, and corresponds to the USB 2.0 plug not reaching when the USB 2.0 plug is fitted with the USB 3.0 socket. The space. The detecting needle is held by the holding member. The detection needle has the contact portion. The contact portion is disposed in the predetermined space. The contact portion is configured to be in contact with the special case in a fitted state in which the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug. The detecting pin is configured to detect that the special USB plug is fitted into the USB socket when the special case is in contact with the contact portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention (tenth aspect), a special plug that can be fitted to a special socket of the eighth or ninth aspect in a predetermined direction is provided. This special plug has a special case. The special shell is formed in the special plug The special case is housed in the predetermined space when the special socket is fitted.

As apparent from the above description, the tenth aspect of the present invention further provides a special USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug that can be fitted to a special socket of the eighth or ninth aspect in a predetermined direction. This special USB plug has a special case. The special casing is configured such that the special casing is housed in the predetermined space when the special USB plug is fitted to the special socket.

The description of the preferred embodiments will be reviewed with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the purpose of the present invention will be understood and understood.

The present invention can be implemented in various modifications or various forms, and as an example thereof, a specific embodiment shown in the drawings will be described in detail below. The drawings and the embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed herein, but all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives are included in the scope of the appended claims. .

Hereinafter, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket and a USB plug according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, a USB socket 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a substrate (not shown). The USB socket 100 is configured as a special USB plug 500, a standard USB plug 400, a special USB plug 500x, and a special USB plug 500y as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 can be selectively selected along the Y direction (defined direction). Ground fitting removal. In particular, as will be described later The USB socket 100 of the present embodiment can detect that the fitted USB plug (ie, the object side plug) is a special USB plug 500 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 5) or a standard USB plug 400 (refer to the sixth). Figure). The USB socket 100 is also capable of detecting a special USB plug 500x (refer to Fig. 7) or a special USB plug 500y (refer to Fig. 8) according to the detection method. In the following, first, the configuration of the standard USB plug 400 and the special USB plug 500 respectively connected to the USB outlet 100 will be described. Next, the configuration of the USB outlet 100 will be described.

As shown in Fig. 6, the standard USB plug 400 is a USB plug according to the USB 3.0 specification (i.e., USB specification). The standard USB plug 400 has a plurality of contact pads and other components in accordance with the USB 3.0 specification. More specifically, the standard USB plug 400 has a plurality of contact pads (not shown) for USB 2.0 connection, a plurality of contact pads for USB 3.0 connection (not shown), and a standard holding member made of an insulator. 450, and a standard case 410 composed of an electrical conductor. The standard holding member 450 holds a contact piece for USB 2.0 connection and a contact piece for USB 3.0 connection. The standard housing 410 covers the standard holding member 450. The standard holding member 450 and the standard case 410 each have a size in accordance with the USB 3.0 specification.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the special USB plug 500 of the present embodiment is constructed in the same manner as the standard USB plug 400. More specifically, the special USB plug 500 is composed of a plurality of contact pieces for USB 2.0 connection (not shown), a plurality of contact pieces for USB 3.0 connection (not shown), a standard holding member 450, and conductive A special shell 510 formed by the body. The special casing 510 covers the standard holding member 450. The special casing 510 has a similar shape to the standard casing 410, but differs in shape and size. In detail, the special case 510 has two identifications. The portions 512r and 512l (that is, the first recognition unit 512r and the second recognition unit 512l) have shapes and sizes different from those of the standard case 410. Each of the first recognition unit 512r and the second recognition unit 5121 protrudes in the -Y direction from both ends of the X-direction (pitch direction) of the special case 510. The special case 510 of the present embodiment has the same size as the standard case 410 except for the first recognition unit 512r and the second recognition unit 512l. Specifically, the special casing 510 is entirely in the Y direction (predetermined direction), and is larger (that is, longer) than the standard casing 410 by the lengths of the first identifying portion 512r and the second identifying portion 512l. As shown above, the special USB plug 500 has a special case 510 and, therefore, has a configuration different from that of the standard USB plug 400. More specifically, the special case 510 has a portion having the same shape as the standard case 410 and identification portions 512r and 512l protruding more in the Y direction than the portion, and therefore, the special USB plug 500 has a difference from the standard USB plug 400. structure.

As seen from FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, each of the special USB plugs 500x and the special USB plugs 500y is formed by deforming only the special case 510 of the special USB plug 500. In detail, the special USB plug 500x shown in Fig. 7 has a special case 510x. The special case 510x has a second recognition unit 512l. However, the special case 510x does not have the first recognition unit 512r. The special USB plug 500y shown in Fig. 8 has a special case 510y. The special case 510y has a first recognition portion 512r. However, the special case 510y does not have the second recognition unit 512l. As is apparent from the above description, the USB socket 100 of the present embodiment can recognize up to three types of special USB plugs. Specifically, the special USB plug 500 having the first recognition unit 512r and the second recognition unit 512l has only the first 1 special USB plug 500y of the identification unit 512r, and only A special USB plug 500x having a second recognition unit 5121.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the USB receptacle 100 of the present embodiment includes a connector body 110, a positioner 320 (see FIG. 9) made of an insulator, and a case 120 made of a conductor. The case 120 surrounds the connector body 110 and the positioner 320 in a plane orthogonal to the Y direction (a predetermined direction).

The case 120 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular tubular shape. In other words, the case 120 has a rectangular cross section in a plane orthogonal to the Y direction (a predetermined direction). The rectangular cross section of the case 120 has a long side in the X direction (pitch direction) and a short side in the Z direction (vertical direction). On both sides of the case 120, a case connecting portion 122 is formed. The case connecting portion 122 is configured to be connected to the standard case 410 or the special case 510 when the USB jack 100 is fitted to the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500. In other words, when the USB socket 100 is mated with the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500, the case 120 is electrically connected to the standard case 410 or the special case 510. At the rear end of both sides of the case 120 (i.e., the end in the -Y direction), the mounting portion 128 is provided. The mounting portion 128 is a notch that is cut off in the front (ie, cut in the +Y direction). In other words, the mounting portion 128 is recessed toward the front. As will be described later, the mounting portion 128 is used when the case 120 is attached to the connector body 110.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the connector body 110 (ie, the USB socket 100) has a plurality of contact pieces 130 composed of a conductor, a plurality of contact pieces 140 composed of a conductor, and an insulator. The holding member 150 is composed of a first detecting pin (detecting pin) 300r composed of a conductor, and a second detecting pin (detecting pin) 3001 composed of a conductor. The holding member 150 holds the contact pieces 130, 140. The contact piece 130 is for USB 2.0 connection. Therefore, the USB socket 100 has four contact pieces 130. The contact piece 140 is for USB 3.0 connection. Therefore, the USB socket 100 has five contact pieces 140. Each of the contact pieces 130 has a held portion 132, a spring portion 134, a contact portion 136, and a fixed portion 138. The held portion 132 is held by the holding member 150. The spring portion 134 extends obliquely forward from the held portion 132. The contact portion 136 is provided at the tip end of the spring portion 134. The fixed portion 138 is configured to be fixed to a substrate (not shown) on which the USB receptacle 100 is mounted (see FIGS. 9 and 17). According to the present embodiment, the holding member 150 holds the contact pieces 130 in the X direction. In detail, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 , the entire row of holes 322 corresponding to the contact pieces 130 are provided to the positioner 320 . The fixed portions 138 are respectively inserted into the entire row of holes 322, whereby they are appropriately arranged. Each of the contact pieces 140 has a contact portion 146 and a fixed portion (not shown). According to the present embodiment, the holding member 150 holds the contact piece 140 in the X direction. In detail, a row of holes (not shown) corresponding to the contact piece 140 are provided in the positioner 320. The fixed portions of the contact piece 140 are respectively inserted into the entire row of holes, thereby being appropriately arranged.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the holding member 150 has a main portion 152, a contact piece holding portion 156, and a side portion 160. The main portion 152 has a plate shape that has a thickness in the Z direction (vertical direction) and extends in the Y direction (a predetermined direction). The contact piece holding portion 156 is located on the rear side of the main portion 152 (ie, the -Y side). The side portions 160 are respectively located at both ends of the holding member 150 in the X direction (pitch direction).

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11 , the held portion 132 of the contact piece 130 is pressed into contact with the holding member 150 toward the lower side (ie, along the −Z direction). The sheet holding portion 156 thereby holds and holds the contact piece 130 in the X direction. The main portion 152 has an upper surface 154. The contact portion 136 is disposed on the upper surface 154 of the main portion 152 in a partially protruding manner. The spring portion 134 of the contact piece 130 is elastically deformable, whereby the contact portion 136 is mainly displaceable in the Z direction (vertical direction).

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11 , the contact piece 140 is inserted into the holding member 150 when the holding member 150 is formed. The contact piece 140 is loaded into the holding member 150 and is held and held in the X direction by the holding member 150. The contact portion 146 of the contact piece 140 is disposed on the upper surface 154 of the main portion 152. As is apparent from Fig. 11, the contact portion 146 of the contact piece 140 is located closer to the front end of the main portion 152 (i.e., the +Y side end portion) than the contact portion 136 of the contact piece 130. In other words, the contact portion 146 of the contact piece 140 is located between the contact portion 136 of the contact piece 130 and the front end of the main portion 152 in the Y direction.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 , the needle holding portion 162 , the deformation permitting portion 164 , the displacement permitting portion 166 , the restricting portion 168 , the protecting portion 170 , and the attaching portion 176 are formed on the respective side portions 160 of the holding member 150 . The needle holding portion 162 is a groove that extends in a direction orthogonal to the X direction (that is, in a vertical plane orthogonal to the X direction) so as to form an inner wall. The needle holding portion 162 partially extends to the bottom surface of the holding member 150 in a manner penetrating the holding member 150. The deformation permitting portion 164 is located in front of the needle holding portion 162 (that is, extending from the needle holding portion 162 in the +Y direction). The displacement permitting portion 166 is located in front of the deformation permitting portion 164 (that is, extending from the deformation permitting portion 164 in the +Y direction). In other words, the deformation permitting portion 164 is formed to be located between the needle holding portion 162 and the displacement permitting portion 166 in the Y direction. The deformation permitting portion 164 is in the X direction The size is set to become larger as approaching the displacement permitting portion 166. Specifically, the deformation permitting portion 164 has a size that is variable in the X direction. The deformation permitting portion 164 is made larger in the variable position at the predetermined position in the Y direction as it approaches the displacement permitting portion 166 (that is, as the predetermined position moves from the needle holding portion 162 to the +Y side end portion of the holding member 150). The way it is formed. As is apparent from Fig. 12, the deformation permitting portion 164 of the present embodiment is defined by two walls. One of the two walls is oblique to both the X direction and the Y direction. The displacement permitting portion 166 has a space larger than the deformation permitting portion 164 in the X direction. The displacement permitting portion 166 communicates with the outer side of the holding member 150 in the X direction. Each of the restricting portions 168 and the protecting portion 170 is located in the vicinity of the front end of the displacement permitting portion 166 (that is, the +Y side end portion). The restricting portion 168 is a wall that slightly extends in the Y direction. The restricting portion 168 is located outside the X-direction of the front end of the displacement permitting portion 166 (that is, the +Y-side end portion). The protection portion 170 is a wall that extends in a manner orthogonal to the Y direction. The protection portion 170 is located in front of the displacement permitting portion 166 (that is, on the +Y side of the displacement permitting portion 166). According to the present embodiment, the portion formed by the regulating portion 168 and the protecting portion 170 has an L-shape in a plane orthogonal to the Z direction.

As shown in Fig. 9, the mounting portion 176 is located at the rear end of the side portion 160 (i.e., the -Y side end portion). The mounting portion 176 protrudes outward from the side portion 160 in the X direction. The mounting portion 176 has a plate-like shape that extends forward (ie, along the +Y direction). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the attachment portion 128 of the case 120 is fitted to the attachment portion 176 toward the rear (that is, in the -Y direction), whereby the case 120 is attached to the holding member 150.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l There are shapes that are mirror images of each other in the X direction. As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 , the first detecting needle 300 r has a held portion 302 , a spring portion 304 , a contact portion 306 , a restricted portion 308 , a press-in column 310 , and a mounting post (welded portion) 314 . The held portion 302 has a flat plate shape. The spring portion 304 is obliquely extended from the held portion 302 in an elastically deformable manner. The contact portion 306 is formed at the tip end of the spring portion 304. The restricted portion 308 is formed at the tip end of the contact portion 306 of the spring portion 304. Each of the press-in column 310 and the mounting post 314 extends from the held portion 302. The held portion 302, the spring portion 304, the press-in column 310, and the mounting post 314 constitute the same plane. More specifically, the held portion 302, the spring portion 304, the press-in column 310, and the mounting post 314 each extend in a vertical plane (see FIG. 10). Therefore, the first detecting needle 300r is formed to have a minimum bending. The thickness of each of the held portion 302 and the spring portion 304 of the present embodiment (that is, the dimension in the X direction) is smaller than the dimension of the needle holding portion 162 in the X direction. The contact portion 306 has a curved surface that protrudes from a plane formed by the held portion 302 or the like. When the USB post 100 is mounted on a USB socket 100 and fixed to a substrate (not shown), the mounting post 314 is soldered to the substrate and connected to the conductor pattern on the substrate. The positioning pin 312 is formed on the press-in column 310 (that is, the first detecting pin 300r). The second detecting needle 3001 is configured in the same manner as the first detecting needle 300r.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l are respectively held by the right side portion 160 and the left side portion 160 so that the contact portion 306 can be mainly in the X direction (ie, , displacement in the horizontal plane orthogonal to the Z direction).

In detail, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, the first detecting needle Each of the mounting post 314 and the press-in post 310 of the 300r and the second detecting needle 3001 is inserted into the side portion 160 in the -Z direction from above, whereby the holding portion 302 is held in the needle holding portion 162. In detail, the press-in post 310 is pressed into the side portion 160 of the holding member 150. Since the positioning pin 312 is provided to the press-in column 310, the retained portion 302 is pressed against the inner wall of the needle holding portion 162 when the press-in column 310 is inserted. Thereby, since the fixed ends of the springs of the detecting needles (that is, the respective first detecting needles 300r and the second detecting needles 300l) are clearly fixed, a spring force as designed can be obtained. In particular, according to the present embodiment, the positioning pin 312 is provided on the press-in column 310. In other words, the positioning pin 312 is disposed near the press-in portion. According to the embodiment, the detecting pin (that is, each of the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l) is pressed into the side portion 160 of the holding member 150 almost simultaneously, and the detecting pin is used by the positioning pin 312 ( That is, each of the first detecting needles 300r and the second detecting needles 3001) is positioned in the X direction. Therefore, the held portion 302 can be appropriately pressed against the inner wall of the needle holding portion 162 as shown in FIG. 11 , and the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l are respectively attached to the side portion 160 (ie, The holding portion 302 is appropriately pressed against the inner wall of the needle holding portion 162), and the deformation permitting portion 164 is located inside the spring portion 304 in the X direction. Therefore, the spring portion 304 can be elastically deformed inside the X direction. In other words, the deformation permitting portion 164 is configured such that the spring portion 304 can be deformed at the deformation permitting portion 164.

It can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 10 that the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are attached to the side portion 160, and the spring portion 304 is from the held portion 302 in the +Y direction and -Z. Extending in the direction specified by the direction (ie, extending obliquely forward). In other words, the spring portion 304 is in the Z direction And the direction in which the Y direction is obliquely extended. By being constructed as described above, the spring portion 304 can have a long spring length. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the deformation permitting portion 164 is provided between the needle holding portion 162 and the displacement permitting portion 166, whereby a portion that functions as the spring portion 304 can be formed. Further, the deformation permitting portion 164 is formed to gradually become larger as it approaches the tip end (that is, the +Y side end portion). Therefore, by forming the deformation permitting portion 164, the strength of the holding member 150 (in particular, the strength of the side portion 160) hardly decreases.

As shown in Fig. 12, in a state where the first detecting needle 300r is attached to the side portion 160, the contact portion 306 of the first detecting needle 300r protrudes outward in the X direction (pitch direction) and is exposed. The contact portion 306 of the second detecting needle 3001 is also configured in the same manner. It is known from FIGS. 11 and 12 that nothing is present in front of the exposed contact portion 306. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the USB socket 100 is viewed from the fitting side (that is, the +Y side; the front end), the contact portion 306 can be seen. As is apparent from the above description, the contact portion 306 can be in contact with the first identifying portion 512r and the second identifying portion 512l inserted in the -Y direction (see FIG. 20). The contact portion 306 has a curved surface that protrudes in the X-direction outer side in the plane defined by the X direction and the Y direction (that is, in the XY plane). Therefore, when the contact portion 306 comes into contact with the first recognition portion 512r and the second recognition portion 5121, the respective contacts of the contact portion 306 are clear.

As shown in Fig. 12, since the displacement permitting portion 166 is located inside the contact portion 306 in the X direction (pitch direction), the contact portion 306 can be displaced when the spring portion 304 is deformed. In other words, the displacement permitting portion 166 is configured such that the contact portion 306 can be displaced at the displacement permitting portion 166.

As is apparent from Fig. 12, the restricting portion 168 is located outside the restricted portion 308 in the X direction (pitch direction). In other words, the restricting portion 168 is located between the restricted portion 308 and the contact portion 306 in the X direction. Therefore, when the USB socket 100 is fitted to the special USB plug 500, the regulating portion 168 is located inside the special case 510 in the X direction (see FIGS. 21 and 22). The restricting portion 168 is configured to restrict movement to the outside of the restricted portion 308 in the X direction. For example, even if an unexpected force toward the outer side in the X direction acts on the contact portion 306, the restricted portion 308 abuts against the restricting portion 168, whereby accidental displacement of the contact portion 306 can be prevented. The restricting portion 168 has an outer side surface in the X direction. The main portion 152 has an end surface (ie, a side surface) in the X direction. According to the present embodiment, the outer surface of the restricting portion 168 is formed on the same surface as the side surface of the main portion 152. For example, the outer surface of the restricting portion 168 may be located inside the side surface of the main portion 152 in the X direction.

As shown in Fig. 12, one of the protection portions 170 is located in front of the tip end of the first detecting needle 300r (i.e., the restricted portion 308). As shown in FIG. 2, when the USB socket 100 is viewed from the fitting end side (that is, the +Y side; the front end), the restricted portion 308 cannot be visually recognized. Therefore, it is possible to prevent any member or portion from accidentally coming into contact with the restricted portion 308 from the +Y side in the -Y direction. The other of the protection portions 170 is located in front of the tip end of the second detecting needle 300l. The other of the protection unit 170 and the second detection needle 3001 are also configured as described above.

When the protection unit 170 is fitted into the standard USB plug 400 in the Y-direction USB socket 100, the standard case 410 is placed at a position that does not normally reach. More specifically, the protection unit 170 is located in the standard direction 410 and the first detection pin in the Y direction when the USB socket 100 is fitted to the standard USB plug 400. Between 300r (or 2nd detection pin 300l). The protection portion 170 is located inside the both ends of the main portion 152 in the X direction. In other words, the protection portion 170 is located between both ends of the main portion 152 in the X direction. As apparent from the above description, when the USB socket 100 is fitted to the special USB plug 500, the special case 510 is not in contact with the protection portion 170. In other words, the protection portion 170 does not interfere with the fitting of the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500 to the USB socket 100.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 23, when the special USB plug 500 is fitted into the USB receptacle 100 in the -Y direction, the first recognition unit 512r and the second recognition unit 512l of the special case 510 and the first detection are respectively detected. The needle 300r is in contact with the contact portion 306 of the second detecting needle 300l. In other words, the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l of the present embodiment can be connected to the first identifying unit 512r and the second identifying unit 5121, respectively. 20 and 22, when the special USB plug 500 is fitted into the USB receptacle 100, any part of the special case 510 cannot exceed the first identification unit 512r and the second recognition unit 512l in the Y direction. The protection portion 170 reaches the deep side of the USB receptacle 100 (ie, the rear side or the -Y side). As is apparent from the above description, when the standard USB plug 400 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100, the standard case 410 does not come into contact with a portion (including the contact portion 306) located closer to the depth side or the rear side than the protection portion 170. In other words, the contact portion 306 is disposed at a position where the standard case 410 does not reach when the USB socket 100 is fitted to the standard USB plug 400.

Each of the first detecting pins 300r and the second detecting pins 300l is formed separately from the case 120. In other words, each of the first detecting pins 300r and the second detecting pins 300l is separated from the case 120. Further, as is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 11 , the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l are not in contact with the case 120. In other words, the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l are held by the holding member 150 so as not to be in direct contact with the case 120. The case 120 is connected to the standard case 410 or the special case 510 via the case connection portion 122 when the USB socket 100 is fitted to the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500. In other words, the case 120 has a shape connectable to the standard case 410 when the USB jack 100 is fitted to the standard USB plug 400, and is a shape connectable to the special case 510 when the USB jack 100 is fitted to the special USB plug 500. As can be seen from the above description, the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are not electrically connected to the case 120 when the USB socket 100 is mated with the standard USB plug 400, but in the USB socket 100 and the special USB. When the plug 500 is fitted, it is electrically connected to the case 120.

According to the embodiment, by detecting whether the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are electrically connected to the case 120, it can be detected that the USB socket 100 is fitted with the standard USB plug 400 or The special USB plug 500 is fitted. In other words, the detecting mechanism that can detect the object side plug (ie, the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500) is disposed in the USB socket 100. Specifically, for example, the USB socket 100 can be detected by detecting whether a current flows between the shell 120 and each of the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l (ie, by detecting a current). It is compatible with the standard USB plug 400 or with the special USB plug 500. On the one hand, the potentials of the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l can be raised. On the other hand, the case 120 is grounded in advance, and the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are detected. Whether the respective potentials change (ie, whether it is reduced to the ground potential) (ie, by detecting the potential), and detecting the USB socket 100 is the standard The USB plug 400 is fitted or mated with a special USB plug 500.

In the case of detecting current or voltage, the first detection of the first detecting needle 300r and the second detection of the second detecting needle 300l can be performed independently of each other. In the case where the first detection and the second detection are performed independently, not only the special USB plug 500 but also the special USB plug 500x or the special USB plug 500y shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be detected. In detail, when it is detected that both the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are electrically connected to the case 120, it is known that the special USB plug 500 is connected to the USB socket 100. Moreover, when it is detected that only the second detecting pin 3001 and the case 120 are electrically connected, it is known that the special USB plug 500x is connected to the USB socket 100. Moreover, when it is detected that only the first detecting pin 300r and the case 120 are electrically connected, it is known that the special USB plug 500y is connected to the USB socket 100. Further, when it is detected that both the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are not electrically connected to the case 120, the standard USB plug 400 is connected to the USB outlet 100.

(Second embodiment)

Referring to Fig. 24, the USB socket 100a according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the USB plug 400 (see Fig. 6) and the special USB plug 500a according to the USB 3.0 standard can be selectively selected along the Y direction (predetermined direction). Ground fitting removal. Referring to Figs. 24 to 28, the special USB plug 500a is basically constituted by adding five special contact pieces 540a to the standard USB plug 400. Referring to FIGS. 30 and 33, the USB socket 100a has a contact piece 130a and a contact piece 140a connected to the standard USB plug 400, and has a corresponding contact piece 540a corresponding to the special USB plug 500a. 5 pieces of additional contact piece 180a. The special contact piece 540a of the special USB plug 500a and the additional contact piece 180a of the USB socket 100a of the present embodiment are for transmitting a USB 3.0 signal. As apparent from the above description, the special USB plug 500a and the USB socket 100a of the present embodiment each have two sets of contact pieces for transmitting a USB 3.0 signal. That is, the special USB plug 500a and the USB socket 100a are each a so-called dual USB 3.0 type. As shown in the following detailed description, the USB socket 100a is provided with a detection mechanism configured in the same manner as the detection mechanism provided in the USB socket 100 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the detectable USB socket 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400 or to the special USB plug 500a.

As shown in Figs. 25 to 28, the special USB plug 500a of the present embodiment has a special case 510a made of a conductor, a plurality of standard contact pieces 520a made of a conductor, and a plurality of conductors. The sheet standard contact piece 530a, a plurality of special contact pieces 540a composed of a conductor, and a special holding member 550a composed of an insulator. The standard contact piece 520a is for USB 2.0 connection. Therefore, the special USB plug 500a has four standard contact pieces 520a. Each of the standard contact pieces 520a has a contact portion 522a. The standard contact piece 530a is for USB 3.0 connection. Therefore, the special USB plug 500a has five standard contact pieces 530a. Each of the standard contact pieces 530a has a contact portion 532a. The contact portion 532a is formed to have a curvature. The standard contact piece 530a is elastically deformable, and the contact portion 532a is displaceable. Both the standard contact piece 520a and the standard contact piece 530a are not included in the standard USB plug 400 (refer to Fig. 6). The special contact piece 540a is different from the standard contact piece 520a or the standard contact piece 530a. Special contact piece 540a is the embodiment It is unique to the special USB plug 500a. The special USB plug 500a has five special contact pieces 540a. Each of the special contact pieces 540a has a contact portion 542a.

The special holding member 550a is provided with a holding standard contact piece 520a in the X direction. Further, the special holding member 550a is provided with a holding standard contact piece 530a in the X direction. Further, the special holding member 550a is provided with a holding special contact piece 540a in the X direction. The special holding member 550a has a deformation holding portion 552a and an extension portion 556a. The deformation holding portion 552a corresponds to the standard holding member 450 of the standard USB plug 400. The extension portion 556a has a plate shape that protrudes from the deformation holding portion 552a in the Y direction. The extension portion 556a has an upper surface 558a in the Z direction and an end surface in the Y direction (a predetermined direction). The thin portion 562a is provided on the extension portion 556a. The thin portion 562a has a small size (i.e., thickness) in the Z direction (vertical direction). The thin portion 562a has an upper surface 564a. The upper surface 564a of the thin portion 562a of the present embodiment is located below the upper surface 558a of the extended portion 556a. In detail, the intermediate portion of the extension portion 556a in the X direction is recessed below (i.e., in the -Z direction), whereby the thin portion 562a is formed. The thin portion 562a extends in the Y direction and reaches the end surface 560a of the extended portion 556a. The boundary portion 566a is provided to the special holding member 550a. The boundary portion 566a is formed to have a slope that is oblique to the Z direction (vertical direction), and is formed between the upper surface 564a of the thin portion 562a and the upper surface 558a of the extended portion 556a. According to the present embodiment, since the boundary portion 566a configured as described above is provided, when the stress acts on the thin portion 562a, the thin portion 562a can be prevented from being damaged.

The standard contact piece 520a is insert-molded into the special holding member 550a when the special holding member 550a is formed. In other words, the standard contact piece 520a is The special holding member 550a is loaded and held. The standard contact piece 520a is configured to be connected to the contact piece 130a (refer to FIG. 33) of the USB socket 100a, respectively. More specifically, the contact portion 522a of the standard contact piece 520a is disposed on the lower surface 554a of the deformation holding portion 552a in the Z direction. The contact portion 522a (i.e., the standard contact piece 520a) is located in the deformation holding portion 552a in the Y direction. In other words, the contact portion 522a (i.e., the standard contact piece 520a) does not reach the extension portion 556a in the Y direction. The standard contact piece 530a is pressed into and held by the special holding member 550a. The standard contact piece 530a is configured to be connected to the contact piece 140a (refer to FIG. 33) of the USB socket 100a, respectively. More specifically, the contact portion 532a of the standard contact piece 530a is disposed on the lower surface 554a of the deformation holding portion 552a in the Z direction. The contact portion 532a (i.e., the standard contact piece 530a) is located in the deformation holding portion 552a in the Y direction. In other words, the contact portion 532a (i.e., the standard contact piece 530a) does not reach the extension portion 556a in the Y direction.

The special contact piece 540a of the present embodiment is inserted into the special holding member 550a when the special holding member 550a is molded. In other words, the special contact piece 540a is fitted and held by the special holding member 550a. The special contact piece 540a is configured to be connected to the additional contact piece 180a (see FIG. 34) of the USB socket 100a. More specifically, the special contact piece 540a is formed as a contact portion 542a which is exposed on the upper surface 564a of the thin portion 562a, and is held and disposed on the special holding member 550a. The special contact piece 540a of the present embodiment extends in the -Y direction and does not reach the end surface 560a of the extension portion 556a in the Y direction (predetermined direction). In other words, the special contact piece 540a of the present embodiment is attached to the upper surface 564a of the thin portion 562a and the end surface 560a of the extended portion 556a. Exposed continuously. Since the special contact piece 540a is constructed as described above, the effective contact portion of the special contact piece 540a can be made long.

The special case 510a has a portion having the same shape as the standard case 410 (see FIG. 6) of the standard USB plug 400, two side protrusions (identification portions) 514a protruding more in the Y direction than the portion, and Two upper protrusions 516a protruding in the Y direction from the portion. In detail, the two side protrusions 514a protrude in the -Y direction so as to cover both end faces (that is, both side portions) of the X-direction (pitch direction) of the extension portion 556a. The two upper protrusions 516a each protrude in the -Y direction to cover the upper surface 558a of the extension 556a. As described above, the side protruding portion 514a of the present embodiment functions as the identification portion 514a similarly to the first identifying portion 512r or the second identifying portion 512l of the first embodiment. The upper protrusions 516a are continuous with the side protrusions 514a, respectively. In detail, the portion formed by the side protruding portion 514a and the upper protruding portion 516a has an L-shaped cross section in a plane (XZ plane) orthogonal to the Y direction. Thereby, the necessary strength of the side protruding portion 514a and the upper protruding portion 516a is ensured.

The two upper protrusions 516a are arranged to be separated in the X direction. The special case 510a has a notch portion 518a provided between the two upper protruding portions 516a in the X direction. The notch portion 518a is recessed from the end on the -Y side of the special case 510a in the +Y direction. In other words, the notch portion 518a is cut toward the front (ie, along the +Y direction). The notch portion 518a is located above the thin portion 562a (ie, on the +Z side). Therefore, the thin portion 562a can be visually recognized from above (that is, from the +Z side) through the notch portion 518a. In other words, the notch portion 518a is formed to view the thin portion 562a in the -Z direction from above in the Z direction.

As shown in FIGS. 29 to 34, the USB receptacle 100a of the present embodiment includes a standard connector body 110a, an additional connector body 115a, a positioner 320a made of an insulator, and a case 120a made of a conductor. The additional connector body 115a is mounted on the standard connector body 110a. The case 120a surrounds the standard connector body 110a, the additional connector body 115a, and the positioner 320a in a plane orthogonal to the Y direction (predetermined direction).

As shown in Figs. 29 to 33 and Fig. 52, the casing 120a of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular tubular shape. More specifically, the case 120a has a rectangular cross section in a plane orthogonal to the Y direction (a predetermined direction). The rectangular cross section of the case 120a has a long side in the X direction (pitch direction) and a short side in the Z direction (vertical direction). On both sides of the case 120a, a case connecting portion 122a is formed. The case connecting portion 122a is configured to be connected to the standard case 410 or the special case 510a when the USB jack 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500a. In other words, when the USB socket 100a is mated with the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500a, the case 120a is electrically connected to the standard case 410 or the special case 510a. As shown in Fig. 29, Fig. 31, Fig. 33, and Fig. 52, the opening portion 126a is formed in the upper surface 124a of the case 120a. The opening portion 126a penetrates the upper surface 124a of the case 120a in the Z direction. The opening 126a is an elongated window that extends long in the X direction. As shown in Figs. 31 and 33, mounting portions 128a are provided at the rear ends of both side faces of the case 120a (i.e., the ends in the -Y direction). The mounting portion 128a is a notch that is cut off in the front (ie, cut in the +Y direction). As will be described later, the mounting portion 128a is used when the case 120a is attached to the standard connector body 110a.

As shown in Figs. 33 to 43, the standard connector body 110a is configured to provide the same function as the connector body 110 (refer to Fig. 9) according to the USB 3.0 specification. In detail, the standard connector body 110a (ie, the USB socket 100a) has a plurality of contact pieces 130a composed of a conductor, a plurality of contact pieces 140a composed of a conductor, and a holding member 150a composed of an insulator. The first detecting pin 300r composed of a conductor and the second detecting pin 3001 composed of a conductor. The holding member 150a holds the contact pieces 130a, 140a.

The contact piece 130a is for USB 2.0 connection. Therefore, the USB socket 100a has four contact pieces 130a. Each of the contact pieces 130a has a held portion 132a, a spring portion 134a, a contact portion 136a, and a fixed portion 138a (see FIGS. 39, 40, and 43). The held portion 132a is held by the holding member 150a. The spring portion 134a extends obliquely forward (ie, in front and above) from the held portion 132a. The contact portion 136a is provided at the tip end of the spring portion 134a. The fixed portion 138a is configured to be fixed to a substrate (not shown) on which the USB receptacle 100a is mounted.

The contact piece 140a is for USB 3.0 connection. Therefore, the USB socket 100a has five contact pieces 140a. The contact piece 140a has a contact portion 146a and a fixed portion 148a (see FIGS. 39 and 41).

Referring to FIGS. 39, 40, 42 and 43, the holding member 150a has a main portion 152a, a contact piece holding portion 156a, and two side portions 160a. The main portion 152a has a plate shape that has a thickness in the Z direction (vertical direction) and extends in the Y direction (a predetermined direction). The contact piece holding portion 156a is located on the rear side of the main portion 152a (ie, the -Y side). Sides 160a are located respectively Both ends of the holding member 150a in the X direction (pitch direction). The spring housing portion 155a is formed in the main portion 152a. The spring housing portion 155a is recessed in the -Z direction (i.e., recessed below) and extends in the Y direction (predetermined direction). The contact piece holding portion 156 of the present embodiment is lower than the contact piece holding portion 156 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the first embodiment (that is, the size in the Z direction is small). Since the contact piece holding portion 156a is configured as described above, the additional connector body 115a can be mounted on the contact piece holding portion 156 while the USB socket 100a is made thinner. As shown in Fig. 42, the contact piece holding portion 156a has an upper surface 158a serving as a mounting portion 158a.

Referring to FIGS. 35 to 38, 40, and 43 , the held portion 132a of the contact piece 130a is pressed into the contact piece holding portion 156a of the holding member 150a downward (ie, along the -Z direction). Thereby, the contact piece 130a is arranged and held in the X direction. The spring portion 134a is housed so as to be elastically deformable in the spring housing portion 155a. The main portion 152a has an upper surface 154a. The contact portion 136a is partially protruded on the upper surface 154a of the main portion 152a. The spring portion 134a of the contact piece 130a is elastically deformable, whereby the contact portion 136a is mainly displaceable in the Z direction (vertical direction).

Referring to FIGS. 35 to 39, the contact piece 140a is inserted into the holding member 150a at the time of forming the holding member 150a. The contact piece 140a is fitted into the holding member 150a, and is held and held in the X direction by the holding member 150a. The contact portion 146a of the contact piece 140a is disposed on the upper surface 154a of the main portion 152a. As is apparent from Fig. 37, the contact portion 146a of the contact piece 140a is located closer to the front end of the main portion 152a (i.e., the +Y side end portion) than the contact portion 136a of the contact piece 130a. In other words, the contact piece 140a The contact portion 146a is located between the contact portion 136a of the contact piece 130a and the front end of the main portion 152a (that is, the +Y side end portion) in the Y direction.

As shown in FIGS. 35 to 37 and 42, the needle holding portion 162a, the deformation permitting portion 164a, the displacement permitting portion 166a, the restricting portion 168a, the protecting portion 170a, and the attaching portion 176a are formed on the respective sides of the holding member 150a. 160a. The needle holding portion 162a is formed as a groove that forms an inner wall and extends in a direction orthogonal to the X direction (that is, in a vertical plane orthogonal to the X direction). The needle holding portion 162a partially extends to the bottom surface of the holding member 150a so as to penetrate the holding member 150a. The deformation permitting portion 164a is located in front of the needle holding portion 162a (that is, extending from the needle holding portion 162a in the +Y direction). The displacement permitting portion 166a is located in front of the deformation permitting portion 164a (that is, extending from the deformation permitting portion 164a in the +Y direction). In other words, the deformation permitting portion 164a is formed to be located between the needle holding portion 162a and the displacement permitting portion 166a in the Y direction. The dimension of the deformation permitting portion 164a in the X direction is set to become larger as approaching the displacement permitting portion 166a. Specifically, the deformation permitting portion 164a has a size that is variable in the X direction. The deformation permitting portion 164a becomes larger as the variable size at the predetermined position in the Y direction becomes larger as it approaches the displacement permitting portion 166a (that is, as the predetermined position moves from the needle holding portion 162a toward the +Y side end portion of the holding member 150a) The way it is formed. As is apparent from Fig. 37, the deformation permitting portion 164a of the present embodiment is defined by two walls. One of the two walls is oblique to both the X direction and the Y direction. The displacement permitting portion 166a has a space larger than the deformation permitting portion 164a in the X direction. The displacement permitting portion 166a communicates with the outer side of the holding member 150a in the X direction. As shown in Fig. 42, each of the restricting portions 168a and the protecting portion 170a is located at the displacement permitting portion 166a. The front end (ie, the +Y side end) is nearby. The restricting portion 168a is a wall that slightly extends in the Y direction. The restricting portion 168a is located outside the X-direction of the front end of the displacement permitting portion 166a (that is, the +Y-side end portion). The protection portion 170a is a wall that extends in a direction orthogonal to the Y direction. The protection portion 170a is located in front of the displacement permitting portion 166a (that is, on the +Y side of the displacement permitting portion 166a). According to the present embodiment, the portion formed by the regulating portion 168a and the protecting portion 170a has an L-shape in a plane orthogonal to the Z direction.

As shown in FIGS. 31 to 33 and 35 to 38, the mounting portion 176a is located at the rear end of the side portion 160a (i.e., the -Y side end portion). The mounting portion 176a protrudes outward in the X direction from the side portion 160a. The mounting portion 176a has a plate-like shape that extends forward (ie, along the +Y direction).

As shown in FIGS. 35, 37, and 42, the recesses (engagement portions) 172a are formed on the inner sides of the two side portions 160a in the X direction. The recess 172a is located near the rear end (ie, the -Y side end) of the holding member 150a. The concave portion 172a is recessed on the outer side in the X direction. The recessed portion 172a is used when the additional connector body 115a is mounted on the standard connector body 110a. As shown in Fig. 37, the locking portion 174a is formed on the -Z side (i.e., the lower side) of each of the two recessed portions 172a. The locking portion 174a protrudes inward in the X direction. As will be described later, the locking portion 174a is used to attach the positioner 320a to the holding member 150a.

Each of the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l of the first embodiment has the same structure as the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 3001 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 13 to 15). ). However, according to the embodiment, the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l are attached to The member 150a is held. As in the first embodiment, the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l are respectively held by the side portion 160a on the right side (that is, the +X side) and the side portion 160a on the left side (that is, the -X side). The contact portion 306 can be displaced primarily in the X direction (ie, in a horizontal plane orthogonal to the Z direction).

As shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. 44 to FIG. 51, the additional connector body 115a (that is, the USB socket 100a) has a plurality of additional contact pieces 180a made of a conductor, and an additional holding member made of an insulator. 190a.

As shown in Fig. 45, the additional contact pieces 180a correspond to the special contact pieces 540a of the special USB plug 500a, respectively. Therefore, the USB socket 100a has five additional contact pieces 180a. Each of the additional contact pieces 180a has a held portion 182a, a spring portion 184a, an additional contact portion 186a, and a fixed portion 188a. The held portion 182a extends in the -Z direction (ie, below). The spring portion 184a extends from the +Z side end portion (ie, the upper end) of the held portion 182a in the +Y direction (ie, in front). The additional contact portion 186a is formed at the tip end of the spring portion 184a. Specifically, the additional contact portion 186a is formed to be curved, and a part of the additional contact portion 186a protrudes in the -Z direction. The additional contact portion 186a has a bracket shape curved on the -Z side. In other words, the additional contact piece 180a is bent to form the additional contact portion 186a. The fixed portion 188a extends further from the held portion 182a in the -Z direction (ie, below). The press-fitting projection that protrudes in the X direction is provided in the held portion 182a. The additional contact piece 180a is elastically deformable. In detail, the spring portion 184a is elastically deformable, whereby the additional contact portion 186a is displaceable.

As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the additional holding member 190a has a support portion 198a and a contact piece holding portion 206a. The support portion 198a has a Y side Toward the shape of the plate. In other words, the additional holding member 190a is formed such that the support portion 198a has a plate shape extending in the Y direction and is mounted on the holding member 150a. The contact piece holding portion 206a is located behind the support portion 198a.

As seen from Fig. 45, Fig. 46, Fig. 47, and Fig. 50, five spring housing portions 205a are formed in the support portion 198a. The spring housing portion 205a of the present embodiment has a groove at the bottom. The hole 202a is formed in the vicinity of the +Y side end portion (i.e., the front end) of each of the spring receiving portions 205a. The hole 202a penetrates the support portion 198a in the Z direction. As is apparent from the above description, when the support portion 198a is viewed upward from the -Z side, the spring housing portion 205a cannot be viewed except for the hole 202a.

As is apparent from Figs. 50 and 51, the hole 202a does not reach the +Y side end portion (i.e., the front end) of the support portion 198a. The additional protection portion 204a is formed in the support portion 198a. The additional protection portion 204a is provided at the +Y side end portion (that is, the front end) of the hole 202a.

As shown in FIGS. 44 to 47, 49, and 50, the additional positioning pin 196a is formed on the upper surface 192a of the additional holding member 190a. The additional positioning pin 196a protrudes in the +Z direction (that is, protrudes upward). As shown in FIGS. 44 to 48, the convex portions (engagement portions) 194a are formed on both side portions of the additional holding member 190a in the X direction. The convex portion 194a protrudes outward in the X direction, and the convex portion 194a is configured to be engaged with the concave portion 172a of the holding member 150a (see FIGS. 33 and 35).

As is apparent from Fig. 45, the held portion 182a of the additional contact piece 180a is pressed into the contact piece holding portion 206a, whereby the additional contact piece 180a is attached to the additional holding member 190a. As shown in Figure 47 and Figure 50, the spring part The 184a is housed so as to be elastically deformable in the spring housing portion 205a. The additional contact portion 186a partially passes through the hole 202a, whereby a part of the support portion 198a is located below the lower surface 200a. In other words, the additional contact piece 180a is held by the additional holding member 190a so that the additional contact portion 186a protrudes partially below the support portion 198a through the hole 202a. As shown in Fig. 48, when the additional holding member 190a holds the additional contact piece 180a, when the lower surface 200a of the support portion 198a is viewed from the -Z side in the +Z direction, the additional contact portion 186a cannot be added. Contact piece 180a. As shown in Fig. 47, when the additional holding member 190a is observed in the -Y direction in the holding state, the additional contact portion 186a is covered by the additional protecting portion 204a except for the portion protruding from the lower surface 200a of the supporting portion 198a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent any member or portion from accidentally coming into contact with the additional contact piece 180a from the +Y side in the -Y direction.

As is apparent from Fig. 33, the additional connector body 115a is mounted on the standard connector body 110a after the additional contact piece 180a is attached to the additional holding member 190a (that is, after the additional connector body 115a is assembled) as described above. on. More specifically, from the 34th, 35th, 44th, and 50th views, the additional holding member is added while the convex portion 194a of the additional holding member 190a is engaged with the concave portion 172a of the holding member 150a. A part of the lower surface 200a of the support portion 198a of 190a is mounted on the mounting portion 158a of the holding member 150a, and the additional connector body 115a is attached to the standard connector body 110a.

As shown in Fig. 30, in a state where the additional connector body 115a is attached to the standard connector body 110a, the support portion 198a is disposed in the Z direction. The (vertical direction) is separated from the main portion 152a. When the space sandwiched by the support portion 198a and the main portion 152a is viewed upward in the +Z direction, the additional contact piece 180a is not visible except for the additional contact portion 186a protruding from the hole 202a. In other words, each of the additional contact pieces 180a is in a space sandwiched between the support portion 198a and the main portion 152a, and can pass only through the hole 202a of the support portion 198a. According to the configuration described above, the risk of the additional contact piece 180a coming into contact with the contact piece 130a can be minimized.

As is apparent from FIGS. 31, 33, and 35, the case 120a is attached to the holding member 150a after the additional connector body 115a is attached to the standard connector body 110a. In detail, the attachment portion 128a of the case 120a is fitted to the attachment portion 176 of the holding member 150a toward the rear (that is, in the -Y direction), whereby the case 120a is attached to the holding member 150a.

As is apparent from Fig. 29 and Fig. 31, in a state in which the case 120a is attached to the holding member 150a, the opening portion 126a of the case 120a is positioned above the additional contact portion 186a of the additional contact piece 180a. Therefore, the additional contact portion 186a can be visually recognized via the opening portion 126a. Further, since the opening portion 126a is provided as described above, even if the additional contact portion 186a is displaced upward in the Z direction (that is, even if the additional contact piece 180a is elastically deformed), the additional contact piece 180a does not. It is in contact with the shell 120a.

When the case 120a is attached to the holding member 150a (that is, when attached to the standard connector body 110a and the additional connector body 115a), the additional positioning pin 196a of the additional holding member 190a is used to press the additional holding member 190a against the holding member 150a. It is in contact with the shell 120a. Specifically, the additional positioning pin 196a abuts against the case 120a, and the connector body 115a is added (in particular, The additional holding member 190a) receives a reaction force from the casing 120a. By the above-described reaction force, the additional holding member 190a is pressed against the standard connector body 110a (in particular, the holding member 150a) in the -Z direction (that is, facing downward), in other words, the additional holding member 190a of the present embodiment is attached. The Z direction (vertical direction) is partially (at least) sandwiched and fixed by the holding member 150a and the case 120a.

As is apparent from FIGS. 31 and 33, after the case 120a is attached to the holding member 150a, the positioner 320a is attached to the holding member 150a, whereby the USB socket 100a of the present embodiment is produced.

As shown in Fig. 53 and Fig. 54, in the positioner 320a of the present embodiment, three sets of aligned holes are formed, specifically, a set of aligned holes 322a, a set of aligned holes 324a, and a set of aligned holes. 326a. In the positioner 320a, a locking portion 328a is also formed. The entire row of holes 322a correspond to the fixed portion 138a of the contact piece 130a, respectively. The entire row of holes 324a correspond to the fixed portion 148a of the contact piece 140a, respectively. The entire row of holes 326a correspond to the fixed portion 188a of the additional contact piece 180a, respectively. The fixed portions 138a, 148a, and 188a are respectively inserted into the corresponding aligned holes 322a, 324a, and 326a, whereby the positions of the fixed portions 138a, 148a, and 188a on the XY plane are appropriately adjusted. Next, when the positioner 320a is moved in the +Z direction (that is, upward), the locking portions 328a of the positioner 320a are respectively locked to the locking portions 174a of the holding member 150a. Thereby, the positioner 320a is attached and fixed to the holding member 150a.

When the special USB plug 500a is fitted into the USB receptacle 100a configured as described above, the thin portion 562a of the special USB plug 500a is inserted into the main portion 152a of the holding member 150a and the support portion 198a of the additional holding member 190a. between. Thereby, the contact portion 542a of the special contact piece 540a is connected to the additional contact portion 186a of the additional contact piece 180a. At this time, the additional contact portion 186a is displaced in the +Z direction by the borrowing point portion 542a. Since the opening portion 126a is provided on the upper surface 124a of the casing 120a of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the casing 120a from coming into contact with the additional contact piece 180a.

As is apparent from FIGS. 34, 35, and 37, the +Y-direction tip end (ie, the tip end) of the support portion 198a of the additional holding member 190a is located at substantially the same position as the protection portion 170a. When the standard USB plug 400 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100a, the standard USB plug 400 does not abut against the additional connector body 115a. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the length of the additional holding member 190a in the Y direction (predetermined direction) is set such that the additional holding member 190a does not conform to the standard USB plug 400 when the USB receptacle 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400. overlapping.

From the 24th to 26th, 30th, and 33th to 35th, when the special USB plug 500a is fitted into the USB receptacle 100a in the -Y direction, the side protrusion 514a of the special case 510a is obtained. The contact portions 306 of the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are in contact with each other (ie, connected). On the other hand, in the case where the standard USB plug 400 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100a, the standard case 410 does not come into contact with the contact portion 306. In detail, when the USB socket 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400, the protection portion 170a is located between the standard housing 410 and the first detection needle 300r (or the second detection needle 3001) in the Y direction. Further, according to the present embodiment, when the USB socket 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400, the additional protection portion 204a is located between the standard case 410 and the additional contact piece 180a in the Y direction.

As is apparent from FIGS. 30 and 37, the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l are not in contact with the case 120a. In other words, the first detecting needle 300r and the second detecting needle 300l are held by the holding member 150a so as not to be in direct contact with the case 120a. The case 120a is connected to the standard case 410 or the special case 510a via the case connection portion 122a when the USB socket 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500a. Therefore, the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are not electrically connected to the case 120a when the USB socket 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400, but the USB socket 100a is fitted to the special USB plug 500a. The case is electrically connected to the case 120a.

According to the embodiment, by detecting whether the first detecting pin 300r and the second detecting pin 300l are electrically connected to the case 120a, it can be detected that the USB socket 100a is fitted with the standard USB plug 400 or The special USB plug 500a is fitted. Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the plug of the fitting object (i.e., the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500a) can be detected by detecting the current or detecting the potential. In other words, the USB socket 100a has the same detection mechanism as that of the first embodiment.

The USB socket 100a and the special USB plug 500a (that is, the connector of the second embodiment) each have various structural features in addition to the detecting mechanisms of the detecting pins 300r and 300l. Therefore, a plurality of signal lines other than the signal lines defined by the USB 3.0 specification can be provided inside the connector having a limited size. In the case of implementing the present invention, it is not a detecting mechanism, and the above-described structural features can also be utilized. In other words, it is also possible to use only one of the detection mechanism and the structural features. Alternatively, structural features can be utilized with the detection mechanism.

According to the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above, in the special case (that is, the special cases 510, 510x, 510y, and 510a), only the recognition portions (that is, the recognition portions 512r, 512l, and 514a) protrude in the -Y direction. . However, the portion other than the identification portion may protrude in the -Y direction. For example, the upper edge or the lower edge of the special case may be protruded in the -Y direction. More specifically, a special casing may be formed such that a portion of the special casing that is prevented from coming into contact with the detecting needle (ie, the detecting needles 300r, 300l) is recessed from the edge portion of the special casing in the +Y direction. It is also possible to deform the USB socket that is the object side in response to the shape of the special case.

As seen from Figs. 6 and 55, the special case 510b of the special USB plug 500b shown in Fig. 55 is similar to the standard case 410 of the standard USB plug 400 shown in Fig. 6, but has a different shape. Specifically, with respect to the standard USB plug 400, the -Y direction end portion of the standard case 410 and the Y-direction end portion of the standard holding member 450 are substantially on the same plane orthogonal to the Y direction. Regarding the special USB plug 500b, the -Y direction end portion of the special case 510b protrudes more forward than the Y-direction end portion (i.e., the front end) of the standard holding member 450. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 55, the special case 510b of the special USB plug 500b has a first recognition portion 512r, a second recognition portion 512l, an upper protruding portion 516b, and a lower protruding portion 517b. The first recognition unit 512r, the second recognition unit 512l, the upper protrusion 516b, and the lower protrusion 517b protrude only by the same length in the Y direction from the front end of the standard holding member 450.

Referring to Fig. 56, the special case 510c of the special USB plug 500c has a second recognition portion 512l, an upper protruding portion 516c, and a lower protruding portion 517c. It is known from Fig. 55 and Fig. 56 that the special case 510c of Fig. 56 corresponds to The portion of the first identifying portion 512r of the special casing 510b of Fig. 55 is recessed in the +Y direction. In other words, the second recognition portion 512l, the upper protruding portion 516c, and the lower protruding portion 517c of the special case 510c protrude only by the same length in the Y direction from the front end of the standard holding member 450.

Similarly, only the second recognition portion 512l of the special case 510b of Fig. 55 may be recessed in the +Y direction.

(Third embodiment)

As shown in Fig. 57, the special socket (USB socket) 100' according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be fitted to the object side plug which is one of a plurality of types of plugs in the X direction (predetermined direction), and The fitting side of the special socket 100' in the X direction (predetermined direction) is referred to as "front side", and the opposite side of the fitting side is referred to as "rear side". In other words, the +X is on the front side and the -X is on the back side. The special socket 100' of the present embodiment is configured to be fitted to the object side plug inserted in the -X direction (that is, inserted rearward). According to the present embodiment, the object side plug is inserted into the insertion direction of the special socket 100' in the -X direction, and the removal direction of the target side plug is removed from the special socket 100' in the +X direction.

According to this embodiment, the object side plug that can be fitted with the special socket 100' includes a USB 3.0 plug (standard USB plug) 10' according to the USB 3.0 specification, and a USB 2 according to the USB 2.0 specification (ie, the USB specification). .0 plug (standard USB plug) 30', and at least three types of plugs of a special plug (special USB plug) 20' formed by deforming the USB 3.0 plug 10' or the USB 2.0 plug 30'. Therefore, the special socket 100' of the present embodiment is along the X direction with the USB 3.0 plug 10', the USB 2.0 plug 30', and the special Any of the USB plugs 20' can be fitted. In other words, the special socket 100' is configured to selectively fit and remove the standard USB plugs 10', 30' and the special USB plug 20' in a predetermined direction.

Referring to Fig. 58, the USB 3.0 plug 10' has a standard case 12' made of metal (i.e., a conductor), a holding member 14' made of an insulator, and a plurality of contact pieces 16'. The standard case 12' has a size and shape according to the USB 3.0 specification. The holding member 14' is covered by the standard casing 12'. The contact piece 16' is held by the holding member 14'. The contact piece 16' is for USB 2.0 connection. Each of the contact pieces 16' has a plate-like contact portion. In the USB 3.0 plug 10', a plurality of contact pieces (not shown) for USB 3.0 connection are further provided. The contact piece for USB3.0 connection is held by the holding member 14'.

As shown in Fig. 73, the USB 2.0 plug 30' has the same outer shape as the USB 3.0 plug 10'. In detail, the USB 2.0 plug 30' has a case, a holding member, and a plurality of contact pieces, like the USB 3.0 plug 10'. The contact piece of the USB 2.0 plug 30' is for USB 2.0 connection. As shown in Fig. 73, the USB 2.0 plug 30' can be fitted to the USB 3.0 socket 70' according to the USB 3.0 specification. The USB3.0 plug 10' can also be mated with the USB3.0 socket 70'. In the state in which the USB2.0 plug 30' is mated with the USB 3.0 socket 70', the USB 2.0 plug 30' has tolerances due to specifications. It reaches the possibility that the position reached when the USB 3.0 plug 10' is mated with the USB 3.0 socket 70' is deeper into the inside of the USB 3.0 socket 70'. As shown in Fig. 73, the space 80' is formed inside the USB 3.0 socket 70'. The space 80' is set such that even if the USB 2.0 plug 30' is fitted to the USB 3.0 socket 70', the tip 32' of the USB 2.0 plug 30' does not arrive. From above The description shows that even if the tip end of the standard case 12' of the USB 3.0 plug 10' is deformed in a manner extending in the -X direction (i.e., extending rearward), the size of the extension portion in the X direction (predetermined direction) is also obtained. The deformed USB 3.0 plug can be mated with the USB 3.0 socket 70' than when the size of the space 80' is smaller in the X direction. The special plug 20' of this embodiment is constructed in consideration of the space 80' described above.

Referring to Fig. 59, Fig. 71 and Fig. 72, the special plug 20' of this embodiment has a special casing 22' made of a conductor. The special case 22' has a tip end (end face) 22't in the X direction. The special casing 22' is constructed by deforming the standard casing 12', whereby the special casing 22' is extended in the -X direction from the standard casing 12'. More specifically, the special case 22' has a portion having the same shape as the standard case 12' and a protrusion protruding more in the X direction than the portion, whereby the special plug 20' has a USB 3.0 plug 10 'Different construction. The special casing 22' constitutes a detecting mechanism to be described later, and the special casing 22' of the present embodiment is plated with gold (i.e., plated with Au) in order to improve electrical conductivity. The special plug 20' has the same portion as the USB 3.0 plug 10' except for the special case 22'. More specifically, the special plug 20' has a holding member 14', a plurality of contact pieces 16', and a plurality of contact pieces 18'. The holding member 14' has a tip end (end face) 14't in the X direction. The contact piece 16' and the contact piece 18' are held by the holding member 14'. The contact piece 16' is for USB 2.0 connection, and the contact piece 18' is for USB 3.0 connection.

As seen from Fig. 58, with respect to the USB 3.0 plug 10', the tip end of the standard case 12' and the tip end 14't of the holding member 14' are located in the X direction. On the same location. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 71, with respect to the special USB plug 20', the tip end 22't of the special case 22' is more protruded in the -X direction than the tip end 14't of the holding member 14'. In other words, the special case 22' has a projection that protrudes from the tip end 14't of the holding member 14'. The size of the projection of the special case 22' is set in consideration of the above-described space 80' (see Fig. 73) in the USB 3.0 socket 70'. More specifically, the protruding portion of the special case 22' has a predetermined size accommodated in the space 80' when the special plug 20' is inserted into and fitted to the USB 3.0 socket 70'. Specifically, the predetermined size of the present embodiment (i.e., the difference between the length of the special case 22' in the X direction and the length of the standard case 12' in the X direction) is 1.3 mm.

Referring to FIGS. 60 and 61, each special plug (special USB plug) 20'a and special plug (special USB plug) 20'b are configured similarly to the special plug 20', and can be configured with the special socket 100 of the present embodiment. 'Chimeric, connected. As seen from Fig. 59 to Fig. 61, each of the special plugs 20'a and the special plugs 20'b, each having substantially the same configuration as the special plug 20'. For example, each of the special plugs 20'a and the special plugs 20'b each have a special case 22'a, 22'b. Each of the special plugs 22'a, 22'b further has a holding member 14'. Each of the special casings 22'a, 22'b has a projection projecting from the tip end 14't of the holding member 14' toward the -X direction. The size of each of the projections of the special casings 22'a, 22'b in the X direction is the same as the dimension of the projections of the special casing 22' in the X direction. In other words, the maximum projection size of the respective projections of the special casings 22'a, 22'b is the same as the projection size of the projections of the special casing 22'. Individual shells The 22'a and 22'b have the tip end (end surface) 22't in the X direction like the special case 22'. The special casings 22'a, 22'b each have two notches 24'a and two notches 24'b. Therefore, each of the special casings 22'a, 22'b is different from the special casing 22' of the special plug 20'. As seen from Fig. 60, in the case where the fitting end of the special plug 20'a is viewed in the +X direction, the two notches 24'a of the special casing 22'a are each located at a diagonal of the rectangle. Similarly, as seen from Fig. 61, in the case where the fitting end of the special plug 20'b is viewed in the +X direction, the two notches 24'b of the special casing 22'b are each located at a diagonal of the rectangle. The angle at which the notch 24'a is located is different from the angle at which the notch 24'b is located.

As shown in Figs. 59 to 61, only the special cases 22', 22'a, 22'b of the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b are different from the USB 3.0 plug 10'. In other words, in the other direction in which the respective special casings 22', 22'a, 22'b are different from the standard casing 12', the holding members 14' of the respective special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b are connected to the USB 3.0. The retaining members 14' of the plug 10' are identical. The tips 14't of the retaining members 14' of the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b are in the X direction (defined direction), each located at the tip 22't of the special casing 22', 22'a, 22'b The rear (ie, inside). However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the tip end 14't of the holding member 14' of the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b may be located at the tip of the special casing 22', 22'a, 22'b in the X direction (defined direction). 22't the same location. Moreover, the tips 14't of the holding members 14' of the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b may be located at the positions shown in Figs. 59 to 61 and the special cases 22', 22'a, 22'b tip 22't between. In other words, the tips 14't of the retaining members 14' of the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b can also be extended closer to the tips 22't of the special casings 22', 22'a, 22'b.

Referring to Figs. 57 and 62, the special socket 100' of the present embodiment has substantially the main structure 200', the positioner 700', and the case 800'.

As shown in Fig. 62 and Fig. 67 to Fig. 69, the main structure 200' has a holding member 300' composed of an insulator, and a plurality of (specifically, five) first contact pieces (contact pieces) 400. ', a plurality of (specifically, four) second contact pieces (contact pieces) 500', and two detection pins 600'. The first contact piece 400' is based on the USB 3.0 specification. Each of the first contact pieces 400' has a first contact portion (contact portion) 420' and a fixed portion 440'. The second contact piece 500' is based on the USB 2.0 specification. Each of the second contact pieces 500' has a second contact portion (contact portion) 520' and a fixed portion 540'.

The holding member 300' holds the first contact piece 400' and the second contact piece 500'. Specifically, the holding member 300' of the present embodiment has a first member (member) 310' and a second member (member) 330'. The first member 310' mainly holds the first contact piece 400'. The second member 330' mainly holds the second contact piece 500'. As described above, the holding member 300' of the present embodiment is composed of two (i.e., plural) members 310' and 330'. According to the present embodiment, the plurality of members 310' and 330' of the holding member 300' are composed only of the first member 310' and the second member 330'. However, the holding member 300' may have three or more members. Conversely, the holding member 300' can also be integrally formed.

The first member 310' has a plate portion 320' and two insertion portions 315'. The plate portion 320' is formed to have an upper surface 322' and a lower surface 324' and extends forward in the X direction (i.e., extends in the +X direction). The insertion portion 315' protrudes in the -X direction from the both ends (the lateral direction or the pitch direction) of the plate portion 320' (i.e., protrudes rearward). The first contact piece 400' of the present embodiment is inserted into the first member 310' so that the first contact portion 420' is disposed (that is, located on the upper surface 322' of the plate portion 320' (ie, held) Member 300'). The first contact piece 400' of the present embodiment is incorporated in the first member 310' when the first member 310' is molded. However, for example, the first contact piece 400' may be pressed into and held by the first member 310'.

The second member 330' has a base portion 340' and two arm portions 350'. The base portion 340' constitutes a rear wall portion of the holding member 300'. The second contact piece 500' of the present embodiment is press-fitted and held by the base portion 340' of the second member 330' (i.e., the holding member 300'). The fixed portion 540' of the second contact piece 500' is configured to be attached and fixed to a substrate (not shown) on which the special socket 100' is mounted. More specifically, after the second contact piece 500' is pressed into the base portion 340' of the second member 330' toward the rear, the fixed portion 540' is bent to extend in the -Z direction (i.e., below). However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the second member 330' may be deformed, and the second contact piece 500' may be inserted into the second member 330' to be inserted. As seen from Figs. 62 and 68, the positioning hole 720' is formed in the positioner 700'. The fixed portion 540' is inserted into the positioning hole 720' and is held in a row by the positioner 700'.

Referring to Fig. 69, the receiving portions 335' are formed at both ends of the base portion 340' in the Y direction. The receiving portion 335' is recessed in the -X direction. The insertion portion 315' of the first member 310' is inserted into the receiving portion 335' (refer to the 65th portion). Fig. 4, whereby the first member 310' and the second member 330' are connected. The arm portion 350' is elongated in the +X direction from the vicinity of the lower end of the receiving portion 335' in the Z direction (vertical direction).

As seen from Fig. 65 to Fig. 68, in a state in which the first member 310' and the second member 330' are coupled, the plate portion 320' and the arm portion 350' are in the +X direction from the base portion 340' (i.e., in front) )extend. In other words, the plate portion 320' and the arm portion 350' extend in the same direction. The plate portion 320' and the arm portion 350' are located at positions separated from each other in the Z direction (vertical direction). In other words, the arm portion 350' is located at a position separated from the plate portion 320' in the Z direction (vertical direction). In particular, the arm portion 350' of the present embodiment is located below the plate portion 320'.

From the 62nd, 63rd, 66th, and 67th, when the first member 310' and the second member 330' are connected, the second contact portion 520' of the second contact piece 500' is located (ie, Arranged above the upper surface 322' of the plate portion 320. More specifically, in the vicinity of the +X side end portion (i.e., the front end) of the upper surface 322' of the plate portion 320', the five first contact portions 420' are arranged in a line in the Y direction. The four second contact portions 520' are located behind the five first contact portions 420'. In other words, the first contact portion 420' is located between the fitting end of the special socket 100' and the second contact portion 520' in the X direction. The four second contact portions 520' are arranged in a row in the Y direction. As seen from Fig. 62, Fig. 66, Fig. 68, and Fig. 69, the fixed portion 440' of the first contact piece 400' is attached and fixed to a substrate (not shown) on which the special socket 100' is mounted. More specifically, after the first member 310' and the second member 330' are coupled, the fixing portion 440' is bent to extend in the -Z direction (i.e., below). From See Figure 62 and Figure 68 for details. The fixed portion 440' is inserted into the positioning hole 720' of the positioner 700', and is held in series with the positioner 700'.

Each of the arm portions 350' has a fixing portion 352' and a groove portion 354'. A slit-like hole is formed in the fixing portion 352'. The groove portion 354' is formed to be located behind the fixed portion 352'. The groove portion 354' extends in the X direction and penetrates the arm portion 350' in the Z direction. However, the groove portion 354' may be formed to be different from this. For example, the groove portion 354' may not be a through hole penetrating the hole arm portion 350'. In other words, the groove portion 354' may have a bottom portion.

As shown in Fig. 70, each of the detecting pins 600' has a fixed portion 620', a supporting portion 640', and a contact portion 660'. The fixed portion 620' extends in the -Z direction (i.e., below). The support portion 640' is formed to have an elongated plate shape and extends from the fixed portion 620' in the -X direction (i.e., toward the rear). The contact portion 660' is supported by the support portion 640'. In detail, the contact portion 660' is provided at the -X side end portion (i.e., the rear end) of the support portion 640'. The detecting pin 600' of the present embodiment is plated with gold (plated with Au) in order to improve the electrical conductivity reliability.

As is apparent from Fig. 65 and Fig. 70, the fixed portion 620' is fixed to the arm portion 350'. According to the present embodiment, the fixed portion 620' is pressed into the hole formed in the fixing portion 352', whereby the detecting needle 600' holds the arm portion 350'. In other words, the detecting needle 600' of the present embodiment is pressed and held by the arm portion 350' of the second member 330' (i.e., the holding member 300'). However, it is also possible to detect that the needle 600' is inserted into the arm portion 350'. The groove portion 354' of this embodiment corresponds to the support portion 640'. More specifically, the fixed portion 620' is held by the fixed portion 352', whereby the support portion 640' is inside the groove portion 354' extend. As apparent from the above description, the support portion 640' is located slightly below the upper surface (upper end surface) 356' of the arm portion 350'. According to the present embodiment, the portion formed by the fixed portion 620' and the support portion 640' has an L-shaped cross section in the XZ plane. The support portion 640' (in particular, the portion of the support portion 640' which is located further rearward than the boundary portion between the fixed portion 352' and the groove portion 354') is elastically deformable. In other words, the support portion 640' is elastically deformable within the groove portion 354'.

The contact portion 660' is formed to protrude (i.e., face upward) in the +Z direction and is located below the plate portion 320'. The contact portion 660' has an inverted U-shaped cross section in the XZ plane. According to the present embodiment, only the contact portion 660' of the detecting needle 600' exceeds the upper surface 356' of the arm portion 350' and protrudes upward. As will be described later, the contact portion 660' is configured to abut against the tip end 22't of the special case 22' and the vicinity of the tip end 22't. The fixed portion 620' of the detecting needle 600' of the present embodiment is fixed to the fixed portion 352' at a position before the contact portion 660'. Therefore, when the special case 22' abuts against the contact portion 660', the detecting pin 600' does not buckle.

As shown in Figs. 62 to 66, the case 800' has a main portion 820', a plurality of contact spring portions 840', and a plurality of mounting portions 860'. The main portion 820' has a quadrangular cylindrical shape. The contact spring portion 840' is provided at the main portion 820'. The mounting portion 860' is for mounting the special socket 100' on a substrate (not shown). Specifically, the mounting portion 860' is configured as a through hole (not shown) that is soldered to the substrate. The main portion 820' surrounds most of the main structure 200', whereby the main structure 200' is protected by the main portion 820'. In particular, the main portion 820' is in the YZ plane (i.e., a vertical plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction). The plate portion 320' is surrounded.

As seen from Fig. 62 and Fig. 65, in a state where the casing 800' is attached to the main structure 200', the arm portion 350' is located outside the main portion 820' of the casing 800' in the YZ plane. As shown in Fig. 65, the fixed portion 620' of the detecting needle 600' and the supporting portion 640' are also located outside the main portion 820' of the casing 800' in the YZ plane. As described above, the support portion 640' of the present embodiment is located below the upper surface 356' of the arm portion 350'. Therefore, the fixed portion 620' and the support portion 640' do not come into contact with the case 800'. Only the contact portion 660' of the detecting needle 600' protrudes toward the inner side of the main portion 820' in the YZ plane. However, as seen from Fig. 65, the contact portion 660' is not in contact with the case 800'. In other words, the detecting needle 600' and the housing 800' are configured so as not to be in direct contact with each other.

Referring to Fig. 65 and Figs. 71 to 73, the special socket 100' has a predetermined space 50'. The predetermined space 50' is formed inside the special socket 100'. The predetermined space 50' corresponds to the space 80' provided in the USB 3.0 socket 70'. More specifically, the predetermined space 50' and the space 80' have the same size as each other. The contact portion 660' of the present embodiment is disposed in the predetermined space 50' described above. It is also possible that the special socket 100' has a space extending from the predetermined space 50' in the -X direction (i.e., at the rear). In other words, the special socket 100' may also include a predetermined space 50' and have a larger space than the predetermined space 50'. However, in consideration of the effective use of the design resources of the existing USB 3.0 socket, it is preferable to provide a space having the same size as the predetermined space 50' inside the special socket 100'. As described above, a predetermined space 50' having the same size as the space 80' is provided in the present embodiment. A special socket 100' of the form. Therefore, the distance between the fitting end of the special socket 100' and the base 340' of the holding member 300' in the X direction is between the fitting end of the USB 3.0 socket 70' and the portion corresponding to the base 340'. The distance in the X direction is the same.

The special casings 22', 22'a, and 22'b are configured to be housed in the predetermined space 50' when the special plugs 20', 20'a, and 20'b are fitted to the special socket 100'. Therefore, any of the USB 2.0 plug 30', the USB 3.0 plug 10', and the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b can be fitted to the special socket 100'. As described above, the contact portion 660' is disposed in the predetermined space 50'. Therefore, in the case where the USB 2.0 plug 30' or the USB 3.0 plug 10' is inserted and fitted to the special socket 100', any part of the USB 2.0 plug 30' or the USB 3.0 plug 10' will not reach the contact. Department 660'. On the other hand, when the special plug 20' is inserted into and fitted to the special socket 100', the special case 22' is in contact with the contact portion 660' in the predetermined space 50' (that is, at the position where the contact portion 660' is disposed). (ie, connected to the contact portion 660'). In other words, the contact portion 660' is configured to be in a fitted state in which the special socket 100' is fitted to the special plug 20', and is in contact with the special case 22'. According to this embodiment, the detecting needle 600' and the special case 22' are plated with gold. Therefore, even if the contact pressure between the detecting pin 600' and the special case 22' is insufficient, the detecting pin 600' and the special case 22' can be electrically connected more reliably. According to the present embodiment, when the special plug 20' is fitted to the special socket 100', both of the two detecting pins 600' are in contact with the special casing 22'. On the other hand, the special plug 20'a or 20'b shown in Fig. 60 or Fig. 61 is fitted to the special socket 100'. In this case, only one of the detecting pins 600' is in contact with the special casings 22'a, 22'b. According to this embodiment, when the special socket 100' is mounted on a substrate (not shown), the case 800' is grounded. Further, in the case where the special plug 20', 20'a or 20'b is fitted to the special socket 100', the case 800' and the special case 22', 22'a or 22'b are electrically connected via the contact spring portion 840'. Sexual connection. Therefore, the potential of the detecting pin 600' is raised in advance, and whether the potential of each detecting pin 600' is changed (ie, whether it is lowered to the ground potential), thereby (ie, by detecting the potential), detectable The special socket 100' is fitted to either of the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b or to any of the USB 2.0 plug 30' and the USB 3.0 plug 10'. Further, from the combination of the ground detecting pins 600', it is possible to detect whether or not any one of the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b is fitted to the special socket 100'. In other words, the detecting pin 600' is configured to detect the special plug 20', 20'a or 20'b and the special socket 100' when the special case 22', 22'a or 22'b is in contact with the contact portion 660'. Chimerism. In summary, the special socket 100' is configured to detect the type of the plug on the object side.

Various modifications can be made to the above embodiment. For example, the holding member 300' of the third embodiment is configured to connect the two members 310' and 330' (the first member 310' and the second member 330'). However, the holding member 300' may be configured to be different from this.

(First Modification of Third Embodiment)

Referring to Fig. 74, the main structure 200'a of the special socket (USB socket) of the first modification has a holding member 300'a. The holding member 300'a is integrally formed. In other words, the holding member 300'a is composed of a square member (ie, Composed of one component). The holding member 300'a has the same outer shape as the holding member 300' (see Fig. 62) of the third embodiment. Specifically, the holding member 300'a has a plate portion 320'a, a base portion 340'a, and two arm portions 350'a. The plate portion 320'a extends from the base portion 340'a in the +X direction. The first contact piece 400' and the second contact piece 500' are formed such that the first contact portion 420' and the second contact portion 520' are positioned on the upper surface 322'a of the plate portion 320'a, and are held by the holding member 300. 'a. The first contact piece 400' and the second contact piece 500' may be press-fitted into the holding member 300'a or may be insert-molded. The two detecting pins 600' are respectively held by the arm portion 350'a. The detecting needle 600' can also be pressed into the arm portion 350'a or can be inserted into the shape.

In the arm portion 350' of the third embodiment (including the first modification), the arm portion 350'a is integrally formed with the second member 330' and the holding member 300'a. However, the arm portion 350' and the arm portion 350'a may be separated from the second member 330' and the holding member 300'a, respectively.

(Second Modification of Third Embodiment)

Referring to Figures 75 and 76, the main structure 200'b of the special socket (USB socket) of the second modification has a holding member 300'b. The holding member 300'b has a contact piece holding member (member) 360'b and a needle holding member (member) 370'b. The contact piece holding member 360'b is constituted by combining (i.e., joining) the first member (member) 310'b and the second member (member) 330'b. The first member 310'b has a plate portion 320'b. The second member 330'b has a base portion 340'b.

The contact piece holding member 360'b holds the first contact piece 400' and the second Contact piece 500'. In detail, the first contact piece 400' is held by the first member 310'b, and the second contact piece 500' is held by the second member 330'b. When the first member 310'b is combined with the second member 330'b (that is, at the time of connection), the plate portion 320'b extends from the base portion 340'b in the +X direction, and the first contact portion 420' and the second portion The contact portion 520' is located on the upper surface 322'b of the plate portion 320'b.

The needle holding member 370'b holds two detecting needles 600'. In detail, the detecting needle 600' is pressed into the needle holding member 370'b or is inserted and formed. The needle holding member 370'b is composed of one piece member. The needle holding member 370'b has a C-shape having an angular shape (i.e., a hook-shaped arc) as viewed from above. In detail, the needle holding member 370'b has two arm portions 350'b. The arm portions 350'b hold the detecting needles 600', respectively.

The contact piece holding member 360'b of the second modification is a three-dimensional group formed by the first member 310'b and the second member 330'b. However, the first member 310'b and the second member 330'b may be integrally formed. In other words, the contact piece holding member 360'b may be constituted by a block member (i.e., a piece member).

The needle holding member 370'b of the second modification is composed of a single member. However, the needle holding member 370'b may have two or more members.

(Third Modification of Third Embodiment)

Referring to Figs. 77 to 79, the special socket (USB socket) 100'c of the third modification has a main structure 200'c and a case 800'. The main structure 200'c has a holding member 300'c. The holding member 300'c has a contact piece holding member (member) 360'c, and two needle holding members (construction) 370'c. The contact piece holding member 360'c is constituted by combining the first member (member) 310'c and the second member (member) 330'c. The first member 310'c has a plate portion 320'c. The second member 330'c has a base portion 340'c.

The contact piece holding member 360'c holds the first contact piece 400' and the second contact piece 500'. In detail, the first contact piece 400' is held by the first member 310'c, and the second contact piece 500' is held by the second member 330'c. When the first member 310'c is combined with the second member 330'c, the plate portion 320'c extends from the base portion 340'c in the +X direction, and the first contact portion 420' and the second contact portion 520' are located. The upper surface 322'c of the plate portion 320'c.

Each of the needle holding members 370'c has an arm portion 350'c. The arm portions 350'c hold the detecting needles 600', respectively.

As shown in Fig. 79, the needle holding member 370'c of the third modification is attached to the case 800' separately from the contact piece holding member 360'c. The needle holding member 370'b of the second modification may be configured to be attached to the case 800' separately from the contact piece holding member 360'b.

The contact piece holding member 360'c of the third modification is a three-dimensional group formed by the first member 310'c and the second member 330'c. However, the first member 310'c and the second member 330'c may be integrally formed. In other words, the contact piece holding member 360'c may be constituted by a block member (i.e., a piece member).

According to the third embodiment described above, the first contact portion 420' of the first contact piece 400' and the second contact portion 520' of the second contact piece 500' are located on the upper surface 322' of the plate-like portion 320'. However, the first contact portion 420' may also be used. The second contact portion 520' is located on the lower surface 324' of the plate portion 320'. In other words, the first contact portion 420' and the second contact portion 520' may be located on either the upper surface 322' or the lower surface 324' of the plate portion 320'. As can be seen from the above description, the special socket 100' can also be reversed. The special sockets of the first to third modifications can also be configured in the same manner. As shown in Figs. 60 and 61, the angle at which the notch 24'a of the special plug 20'a is located is different from the angle at which the notch 24'b of the special plug 20'b is located. Therefore, even if the special socket 100' is a reverse-converted socket, the special plugs 20'a, 20'b can be identified and detected.

The needle holding member 370'b of the second modification and the needle holding member 370'c of the third modification are each formed separately from the positioner 700'. However, the needle holding members 370'b, 370'c may also be integrally formed with the positioner 700'.

(Fourth Modification of Third Embodiment)

Referring to Figs. 80 to 83, the special socket (USB socket) 100'd of the fourth modification has a main structure 200'd and a case 800'd. The main structure 200'd of the fourth modification has a holding member 300'd. The holding member 300'd is constituted by a contact piece holding member (member) 360'd and a needle holding member (member) 370'd.

As shown in FIGS. 80 and 81, the contact piece holding member 360'd of the main structure 200'd is combined with the second member (member) 330'd by the first member (member) 310'd. Composition. The first member 310'd has a plate portion 320'd. The first member 310'd holds five first contact pieces (contact pieces) 400'd. The first contact piece 400'd is connected to the first contact piece 400' This is the USB3.0 connection. The second member 330'd holds four second contact pieces (contact pieces) 500'd. The second contact piece 500'd is the same as the second contact piece 500' and is used for USB 2.0 connection. Each of the first contact pieces 400'd has a first contact portion (contact portion) 420'd and a fixed portion 440'd. The first contact piece 400'd is inserted into the contact piece holding member in such a manner that the first contact portion 420'd is located on the lower surface 324'd of the plate portion 320'd (i.e., below the lower surface 324'd). 360'd. The fixed portion 440'd extends from the -X side end portion (i.e., the rear end) of the contact piece holding member 360'd in the -Z direction (i.e., toward the lower side). Each of the second contact pieces 500'd has a second contact portion (contact portion) 520'd and a fixed portion 540'd. The second contact piece 500'd is located in the +Z direction from below in such a manner that the second contact portion 520'd is located on the lower surface 324'd of the plate portion 320'd (i.e., below the lower portion 324'd). It is pressed into the contact piece holding member 360'd. The fixed portion 540'd extends from the -X side end portion (i.e., the rear end) of the contact piece holding member 360'd in the -Z direction (i.e., toward the lower side). As apparent from the above description, the special socket 100' of the fourth modification is a reverse-transformed socket.

As shown in Figs. 80 and 82, the needle holding member 370'd has a fixing portion 352'd and a positioner 700'd. The fixing portion 352'd has a plate shape extending from the positioner 700'd in the +X direction. Two groove portions 354'd are formed in the fixing portion 352'd. The needle holding member 370'd holds two detecting needles 600'd. Each of the detecting needles 600'd is constructed in the same manner as the detecting needle 600'. In detail, the detecting needle 600'd has a fixed portion 620'd, a supporting portion 640'd, and a contact portion 660'd. The detecting needle 600'd is fixed to the fixing portion 352'd. In detail, the fixed portion 620'd is from below The +Z direction is pressed into the fixing portion 352'd, whereby the detecting needle 600'd is held by the needle holding member 370'd. The fixed portion 620'd is held by the needle holding member 370'd so that the support portion 640'd is elastically deformable in the groove portion 354'd. In other words, the contact portion 660'd is displaceable like the contact portion 660' of the detecting needle 600'.

A plurality of positioning holes 720'd are provided in the positioner 700'd of the needle holding member 370'd. The positioning hole 720'd is configured to be aligned and held by the fixed portion 440'd of the first contact piece 400'd and the fixed portion 540'd of the second contact piece 500'd.

As can be seen from Fig. 80 to Fig. 83, the contact piece holding member 360'd (refer to Fig. 81) holding the first contact piece 400'd and the second contact piece 500'd and the holding detecting needle 600 are known. The needle holding member 370'd (see Fig. 82) of 'd is combined to constitute the main structure 200'd (see Fig. 83).

The detecting pin 600'd of the fourth modification is configured to detect whether or not the type of the object side plug has been inserted, like the detecting pin 600'. In addition to the detection pins 600' and 600'd, the special socket 100'd or other special sockets are also configured to detect the insertion of the object side plug regardless of the type of the object side plug. needle.

(Fifth Modification of Third Embodiment)

Referring to Figs. 84 to 86, the special socket (USB socket) 100'e of the fifth modification is a reverse-transformed socket. The special socket 100'e has a holding member 300'e, five first contact pieces (contact pieces) 400'e according to the USB 3.0 specification, and four second contact pieces (contact pieces) 500 according to the USB23.0 specification. 'e, 2 detection pins 600' and case 800'e. Holding member 300'e There is a plate portion 320'e. Each of the first contact pieces 400'e has a first contact portion (contact portion) 420'e and a fixed portion 440'e. Each of the second contact pieces 500'e has a second contact portion (contact portion) 520'e and a fixed portion 540'e. The first contact portion 420'e and the second contact portion 520'e are located on the lower surface 324'e of the plate portion 320'e, instead of the upper surface 322'e of the plate portion 320'e.

The special socket 100'e of the fifth modification further has a plug detecting pin 900'. The plug detecting pin 900' is configured to be inserted into the USB plugs 10', 30' (i.e., the object side plug), or the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b have been inserted (i.e., the object side) In the case of the plug) (i.e., regardless of the type of the plug on the side of the inserted object), it is detected that the plug of the object side has been inserted. In other words, the plug detecting pin 900' is configured such that when the USB 3.0 plug 10', the USB 2.0 plug 30', and the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b are fitted to the special socket 100'e The detection has been inserted into any of the USB 3.0 plug 10', the USB 2.0 plug 30', and the special plugs 20', 20'a, 20'b. As shown in Fig. 86, the plug detecting pin 900' has a contact portion 920', a support portion 940', and a fixed portion 960'. The support portion 940' elastically supports the contact portion 920' to be displaceable. The fixed portion 960' is held and fixed to the holding member 300'e. The support portion 940' extends forward (i.e., in the +X direction) from the upper end of the fixed portion 960'. As shown in Figs. 84 and 86, the case 800'e of the fifth modification has a main portion 820'e. A hole 825' is formed on the bottom surface of the main portion 820'e. The contact spring portion 840' is disposed above the main portion 820'e. As shown in Fig. 86, the support portion 940' elastically supports the contact portion 920', whereby the contact portion 920' is main To be displaced in the up and down direction (Z direction). The contact portion 920' protrudes into the main portion 820'e of the casing 800'e through the hole 825'.

When the case of the object side plug (for example, the special case 22') is inserted into the special socket 100'e of the fifth modification, the contact portion of the inserted case and the cover 800'e is in contact with the spring portion 840' and the plug detecting pin 900'. Both sides of the 920' are in contact. Therefore, an electrical path is formed between the case 800'e and the plug detecting pin 900' via the case of the object side plug. According to the fifth modification, whether or not the object side plug is inserted into the special socket 100'e can be detected by monitoring whether the casing 800'e and the plug detecting pin 900' are electrically connected.

As seen from Fig. 86, according to the fifth modification, the contact portion 920' of the plug detecting pin 900' is located in front of the contact portion 660' of the detecting pin 600'. In other words, the contact portion 920' is located between the mating end of the special socket 100'e and the contact portion 660' in the X direction. Therefore, the insertion of the object side plug can be detected before the detecting pin 600' detects the type of the object side plug into which the special socket 100'e has been inserted.

In the case where the plug detecting pin 900' is provided as described above, the power supply to the circuit associated with the detecting pin 600' can be stopped in advance until the target side plug is inserted. Further, when the insertion of the object side plug is detected, the circuit can be moved to the standby state. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed.

(Sixth Modification of Third Embodiment)

Referring to Figs. 87 to 92, the special socket (USB socket) 100'f of the sixth modification is configured to detect the insertion of the plug on the object side by a method different from that of the fifth modification.

The special socket 100'f of the sixth modification has: a main structure 200'f, 5 pieces of first contact piece (contact piece) 400'f according to USB3.0 specification, 4 pieces of 2nd contact piece (contact piece) 500'f according to USB2.0 specification, 2 detection pins 600 'f, case 800'f, first plug detecting pin (plug detecting pin) 900'f and second plug detecting pin (plug detecting pin) 905'f. The main structure 200'f of the sixth modification has a holding member 300'f. The holding member 300'f is constituted by a contact piece holding member (member) 360'f and a needle holding member (member) 370'f. Each of the first contact pieces 400'f has a first contact portion (contact portion) 420'f and a fixed portion 440'f. Each of the second contact pieces 500'f has a second contact portion (contact portion) 520'f and a fixed portion 540'f. Each of the detecting pins 600'f has a fixed portion 620'f, a supporting portion 640'f, and a contact portion 660'f. The first plug detecting pin 900'f has a pressed portion 920'f, a support portion 940'f, a fixed portion 960'f, and a contact portion 980'f. The second plug detecting pin 905'f has a contact portion 925'f, a support portion 945'f, and a fixed portion 965'f.

As shown in Fig. 90, the contact piece holding member 360'f of the main structure 200'f is constituted by combining the first member (member) 310'f and the second member (member) 330'f. The first member 310'f holds the first contact piece 400'f. The second member 330'f holds the second contact piece 500'f. Specifically, the first member 310'f has a plate portion 320'f. The first contact piece 400'f is inserted into the first member 310'f formed on the contact piece holding member 360'f so that the first contact portion 420'f is positioned on the lower surface 324'f of the plate portion 320'f. The second contact piece 500'f is pressed into the contact piece holding member 360'f from the lower side in the +Z direction so that the second contact portion 520'f is positioned on the lower surface 324'f of the plate portion 320'f. 2 components 330’f. The fixed portion 440'f of the first contact piece 400'f and the fixed portion 540'e of the second contact piece 500'f are along the -X side end (ie, the rear end) of the contact piece holding member 360'f. Extend in the -Z direction (ie, below). As apparent from the above description, the special socket 100'f of the sixth modification is an inverted-type socket.

As shown in Fig. 90, the needle holding member 370'f has a plate-like fixing portion 352'f and a positioner 700'f. The fixing portion 352'f protrudes from the positioner 700'f in the +X direction. The two groove portions 354'f and the groove portion 355'f are formed in the fixing portion 352'f. The groove portion 354'f extends in the X direction at both end portions of the fixing portion 352'f in the Y direction. The groove portion 355'f extends in the X direction at a central portion of the fixing portion 352'f in the Y direction. The detecting pin 600'f, the first plug detecting pin 900'f, and the second plug detecting pin 905'f are held and fixed to the fixing portion 352'f.

In detail, the fixed portion 620'f of the detecting needle 600'f is pressed into the groove portion 354'f of the fixing portion 352'f from below, thereby fixing the detecting needle 600'f to the needle holding member. The fixing portion 352'f of 370'f. The detecting needle 600'f is held by the needle holding member 370'f so that the supporting portion 640'f can be elastically deformed in the groove portion 354'f. Therefore, the contact portion 660'f is displaceable in the same manner as the third embodiment (including the modification) described above.

Referring to Fig. 90, the fixed portion 960'f of the first plug detecting pin 900'f is pressed into the groove portion 355'f of the fixing portion 352'f from below, whereby the first plug detecting pin 900 is used. 'f is fixed to the fixing portion 352'f of the needle holding member 370'f. The first plug detecting pin 900'f is held in the needle holding by the support portion 940'f elastically deformable in the groove portion 355'f. Member 370'f. Therefore, the pressed portion 920'f and the contact portion 980'f are displaceable in the Z direction.

As shown in Fig. 91, the support portion 940'f of the first plug detecting pin 900'f extends forward (i.e., in the +X direction) from the upper end of the fixed portion 960'f. The case 800'f of the sixth modification has a main portion 820'f. A hole 825'f is formed on the bottom surface of the main portion 820'f. The support portion 940'f elastically supports the pressed portion 920'f, whereby the pressed portion 920'f is mainly displaceable in the vertical direction (Z direction). The pressed portion 920'f protrudes toward the main portion 820'f of the casing 800'f through the hole 825'.

Referring to Fig. 90, the second plug detecting pin 905'f is held and fixed to the fixing portion 352'f after the first plug detecting pin 900'f is held and fixed to the fixing portion 352'f. In detail, the fixed portion 965'f of the second plug detecting pin 905'f is pressed into the groove portion 355'f of the fixing portion 352'f from below, whereby the second plug detecting pin 905' is used. f is fixed to the fixing portion 352'f of the needle holding member 370'f. The second plug detecting pin 905'f is held by the needle holding member 370'f such that the supporting portion 945'f and the contact portion 925'f are located in the groove portion 355'f.

As shown in FIG. 91, in the state where the first plug detecting pin 900'f and the second plug detecting pin 905'f are held by the needle holding member 370'f, the contact portion of the first plug detecting pin 900'f The 980'f is located above the contact portion 925'f of the second plug detecting pin 905'f in the Z direction (up and down direction). The contact portion 980'f and the contact portion 925'f are opposed to each other in the Z direction (up and down direction).

As shown in FIGS. 89 to 91, a plurality of positioning holes 720'f are provided. The positioner 700'f of the needle holding member 370'f. The positioning hole 720'f is aligned and held by the fixed portion 440'f of the first contact piece 400'f and the fixed portion 540'f of the second contact piece 500'f.

As shown in Fig. 92, when the object side plug 40' (i.e., a standard USB plug or a special plug) is inserted into the special socket 100'f, the plug side case 42' of the object side plug 40' and the first plug detecting pin 900' The pressed portion 920'f of f is in contact. The plug side case 42' pushes the pressed portion 920'f in the -Z direction (i.e., below). Therefore, the contact portion 980'f is displaced in the -Z direction (i.e., below) and is in contact with the contact portion 925'f of the second plug detecting pin 905'f. In other words, the first plug detecting pin 900'f 籅 the second plug detecting pin 905'f is electrically connected. According to the sixth modification, whether the object side plug 40' is inserted into the special socket 100' can be detected by monitoring whether the first plug detecting pin 900'f and the second plug detecting pin 905'f are electrically connected. f. According to the sixth modification, the first plug detecting pin 900'f and the second plug detecting pin 905'f can be plated in the same manner (for example, by the same material). Therefore, the contact resistance at the portion used for detecting the insertion of the object side plug 40' can be alleviated. In other words, the detection accuracy can be improved. Further, according to the sixth modification, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy without changing the material of the plug side case 42' or the surface treatment method such as the plating method.

According to the third embodiment described above, the detecting needle 600' is held by the arm portion 350' extending in the +X direction, whereby the buckling of the detecting needle 600' is prevented. However, it is also possible to detect that the needle 600' is held by a portion other than the arm portion 350'. In this case, the arm portion 350' may not be provided. Further, it is also possible to detect that the needle 600' (in particular, the support portion 640') is not only in the X direction (established side) And) also extends in the Y direction (lateral direction) or the Z direction (vertical direction) or in a direction oblique thereto. The special sockets of the first to sixth modifications can be similarly deformed.

According to the third embodiment described above (including the first to sixth modifications), the number of the detecting pins 600', 600'd, and 600'f (i.e., the number of detected stitches) is two. The number of detection stitches may be one or three or more. However, considering the size of the socket or the number of special plugs to be detected, the number of detection stitches is preferably two.

The case (special case) of the special plug (that is, the object side plug that can be fitted to the special socket) of the third embodiment (including the first to sixth modifications) described above is a shell of a standard USB 3.0 plug ( Standard shell) deformation. However, the case (special case) of the special plug may be formed by deforming the standard (standard case) of the USB 2.0 plug. In this case, the portion other than the special case in the portion of the special plug may be configured in the same manner as the standard USB 2.0 plug. In the case where the special plug is constructed as described above, the contact piece of the special plug is composed only of the contact piece for USB 2.0 connection according to the USB 2.0 specification. Similarly, the contact pads of the special socket are only composed of contact pads for USB 2.0 connection according to the USB 2.0 specification.

The present invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-136795, which was filed with the Japanese Patent Office on June 20, 2011, September 9, 2011, January 13, 2012, and January 23, 2012, respectively. Patent Application No. 2011-197680, Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-004872, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-011339, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the embodiments are intended to be modified within the scope of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Special socket

110‧‧‧Standard connector body

120‧‧‧ shell

122‧‧‧Shell connection

128‧‧‧Installation Department

130‧‧‧Contacts

132‧‧‧Retained Department

134‧‧‧Spring Department

136‧‧‧Contact Department

138‧‧‧Fixed Department

140‧‧‧Contact film

146‧‧‧Contact Department

150‧‧‧ holding member

152‧‧‧ Main Department

154‧‧‧above

156‧‧‧Contact piece retention

160‧‧‧ side

168‧‧‧Restrictions

170‧‧‧Protection Department

176‧‧‧Installation Department

300r‧‧‧1st detection needle

300l‧‧‧2nd detection needle

306‧‧‧Contacts

322‧‧‧above

400‧‧‧1st contact piece

410‧‧‧Standard shell

450‧‧‧Standard holding members

500‧‧‧2nd contact piece

510‧‧‧Special shell

512r‧‧‧1st Identification Department

512l‧‧‧2nd Identification Department

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a USB socket according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view showing the USB socket of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view showing the USB socket of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a special USB plug that can be fitted to the USB socket of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the vicinity of the tip end of the special USB plug of Fig. 4 in an enlarged manner.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a standard USB plug that can be fitted to the USB socket of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing another special USB plug that can be fitted to the USB socket of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing another special USB plug that can be fitted to the USB socket of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the connector body of the USB socket of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the connector body of Fig. 9. Here, the first detecting needle and the second detecting needle are separated from the connector body.

Figure 11 is a top view showing the connector body of Figure 9.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a part of the vicinity of the holding member of the connector body of Fig. 11 in an enlarged manner.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the first detecting needle included in the connector body of Fig. 9.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing another first detecting needle of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a top view showing the first detecting needle of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a top view showing the USB socket (the connector body of Fig. 9) of Fig. 1 and the special USB plug of Fig. 4 in a state where the USB socket and the special USB plug are not fitted. Here, the housing of the USB socket is not depicted.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the USB socket of Fig. 1 and the special USB plug of Fig. 4 in an unfitted state.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the USB socket (connector body) of Fig. 16 and a special USB plug.

Fig. 19 is a partially inserted state in which a special USB plug is inserted into a USB socket, and a USB socket and a special USB plug are not fitted. The USB socket (the connector body of Fig. 9) of Fig. 1 and the special figure of Fig. 4 are shown. A perspective view of the USB plug. Here, the housing of the USB socket is not depicted.

Fig. 20 is a top view showing the USB socket (connector body) of Fig. 19 and a special USB plug.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the USB socket of Fig. 1 and the special USB plug of Fig. 4 in a partially inserted state.

Fig. 22 is a top view showing a part of the vicinity of the holding member of the connector body of Fig. 20 in an enlarged manner.

Figure 23 shows the fitting of the USB socket and the special USB plug to each other. The state indicates a perspective view of the USB socket (the connector body of Fig. 9) of Fig. 1 and the special USB plug of Fig. 4. Here, the housing of the USB socket is not depicted.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing a USB socket and a special USB plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 25 is a perspective view showing the special USB plug of Figure 24.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing a part of the vicinity of the tip end of the special USB plug of Fig. 25 in an enlarged manner.

Figure 27 is a perspective view showing another special USB plug of Figure 25.

Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view showing the special USB plug of Figure 25 along the line A-A.

Figure 29 is a top view showing the USB socket of Figure 24.

Figure 30 is a front elevational view showing the USB socket of Figure 29.

Figure 31 is a perspective view showing the USB socket of Figure 29.

Figure 32 is a perspective view showing another USB socket of Figure 29;

Figure 33 is an exploded perspective view showing the USB socket of Figure 29.

Figure 34 is a cross-sectional view showing the USB socket of Figure 29 along the line B-B.

Figure 35 is a perspective view showing the standard connector body included in the USB socket of Figure 33.

Figure 36 is a perspective view showing the standard connector body of Figure 35. The first detecting needle and the second detecting needle are separated from the standard connector body.

Figure 37 is a top plan view showing the standard connector body of Figure 35.

Figure 38 is a front elevational view showing the standard connector body of Figure 35.

Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view showing the standard connector body of Figure 38 along the line C-C.

Figure 40 is a cross-sectional view showing the standard connector body of Figure 38 along the line D-D.

Figure 41 is a perspective view showing the USB 3.0 contact piece included in the standard connector body of Figure 35.

Figure 42 is a perspective view showing a holding member included in the standard connector body of Figure 35.

Figure 43 is a perspective view showing the USB 2.0 contact piece, the USB 3.0 contact piece, and the holding member included in the standard connector body of Figure 35. Here, the USB 2.0 contact piece has not been incorporated into the holding member.

Figure 44 is a perspective view showing the additional connector body included in the USB socket of Figure 33.

Fig. 45 is an exploded perspective view showing the additional connector body of Fig. 44.

Figure 46 is a top view showing the additional connector body of Figure 44.

Figure 47 is a front elevational view showing the additional connector body of Figure 44.

Figure 48 is a bottom plan view showing the additional connector body of Figure 44.

Fig. 49 is a side view showing the additional connector body of Fig. 44.

Fig. 50 is a cross-sectional view showing the additional connector body of Fig. 47 along the line E-E.

Fig. 51 is a view showing an enlarged view of the tip end of the additional connector body of Fig. 50 and its vicinity.

Figure 52 is a perspective view showing the case contained in the USB socket of Figure 33.

Figure 53 is a top view showing the positioner included in the USB socket of Figure 33.

Figure 54 is a perspective view showing the positioner of Figure 53.

Fig. 55 is a perspective view showing a modification of the special USB plug.

Fig. 56 is a perspective view showing another modification of the special USB plug.

Figure 57 is a perspective view showing a USB socket (special socket) according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 58 is a perspective view showing a USB 3.0 plug according to the USB 3.0 specification. Here, the USB 3.0 plug can be fitted to the special socket of Fig. 57.

Fig. 59 is a perspective view showing a special USB plug (special plug) formed by deforming the USB 3.0 plug of Fig. 58. Here, other special plugs can be fitted to the special socket of Fig. 57.

Fig. 60 is a perspective view showing another special USB plug (special plug) formed by deforming the USB 3.0 plug of Fig. 58. Here, other special plugs can be fitted to the special socket of Fig. 57.

Fig. 61 is a perspective view showing another special USB plug (special plug) formed by deforming the USB 3.0 plug of Fig. 58. Here, another special plug can be fitted to the special socket of Fig. 57.

Figure 62 is an exploded perspective view showing the special socket of Figure 57.

Figure 63 is a front elevational view showing the special socket of Figure 57.

Figure 64 is a side view showing the special socket of Figure 57.

Figure 65 is a cross-sectional view showing the special socket of Figure 63 along the line F-F.

Figure 66 is a cross-sectional view showing the special socket of Figure 63 along the G-G line.

Figure 67 is a front elevational view showing the main structure included in the special socket of Figure 62.

Fig. 68 is a bottom perspective view showing the main structure of Fig. 67.

Fig. 69 is an exploded perspective view showing the main structure of Fig. 67.

Fig. 70 is a perspective view showing the detecting needle and the second member included in the main structure of Fig. 69.

Figure 71 is a cross-sectional view showing the special socket of Figure 57 and the special plug of Figure 59. Here, the special socket and the special plug are not yet fitted.

Figure 72 is a cross-sectional view showing the special socket of Figure 57 and the special plug of Figure 59. Here, the special socket is fitted with a special plug.

Figure 73 is a cross-sectional view showing a USB 3.0 socket according to the USB 3.0 specification and a USB 2.0 plug according to the USB 2.0 specification. Here, the USB 3.0 socket is fitted with the USB 2.0 plug.

Fig. 74 is a perspective view showing a modification of the main structure of Fig. 67.

Fig. 75 is an upper perspective view showing another modification of the main structure of Fig. 67.

Fig. 76 is a bottom perspective view showing the main structure of Fig. 75. Here, the positioner is mounted to the main structure shown.

Fig. 77 is an upper perspective view showing another modification of the main structure of Fig. 67.

Fig. 78 is a bottom perspective view showing the main structure of Fig. 77. Here, the positioner is mounted to the main structure shown.

Fig. 79 is an exploded perspective view showing a special socket having the main structure of Fig. 77.

Fig. 80 is an exploded perspective view showing another modification of the special socket of Fig. 57.

Fig. 81 is a perspective view showing a structure composed of a first contact piece, a second contact piece, and a contact piece holding member included in the special socket of Fig. 80.

Fig. 82 is a perspective view showing a structure composed of a detecting needle and a needle holding member included in the special socket of Fig. 80.

Fig. 83 is a perspective view showing the main structure included in the special socket of Fig. 80.

Fig. 84 is a perspective view showing another modification of the special socket of Fig. 57.

Figure 85 is a front elevational view showing the special socket of Figure 84.

Figure 86 is a cross-sectional view showing the special socket of Figure 85 along the line H-H.

Fig. 87 is a perspective view showing another modification of the special socket of Fig. 57.

Fig. 88 is a perspective view showing the main structure and the casing constituting the special socket of Fig. 87.

Figure 89 is an exploded perspective view showing the upper portion of the special socket of Figure 87.

Figure 90 is a bottom exploded perspective view showing the special socket of Figure 87.

Figure 91 is a cross-sectional view showing the special socket of Figure 87.

Figure 92 shows the special socket of Figure 91 when the plug is inserted. Sectional view.

100‧‧‧Special socket

110‧‧‧Standard connector body

120‧‧‧ shell

122‧‧‧Shell connection

128‧‧‧Installation Department

140‧‧‧Contact film

146‧‧‧Contact Department

150‧‧‧ holding member

152‧‧‧ Main Department

154‧‧‧above

176‧‧‧Installation Department

Claims (53)

A USB socket is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket that can be selectively and detached along a predetermined direction from a standard USB plug and a special USB plug. The standard USB plug is based on the USB specification, thereby having a standard shell, the special The USB plug has a special case, and thus has a structure different from the standard USB plug, the USB socket has a detecting pin; the detecting pin has a contact portion, and the contact portion is disposed at the USB socket The standard case does not reach the position when the standard USB plug is fitted, and the special case is connected to the contact portion at the position when the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug. For example, the USB socket of the first application of the patent scope, which is based on the USB 3.0 specification of the standard USB plug of the USB specification according to the USB direction, is based on the USB specification of the USB specification. a USB 2.0 plug of the standard USB plug of the standard, and a USB socket that can be fitted with any one of the special USB plugs configured by deforming the USB 3.0 plug in a manner of the special case; the USB socket has a plurality of first contact pieces, a plurality of second contact pieces, a holding member, a shell, a predetermined space, and the detecting needle; the first contact piece is in accordance with the USB 3.0 specification; the second contact piece is based on the USB 2. a 0 gauge; the holding member holds the first contact piece and the second contact piece; the case is attached to the holding member; the predetermined space is formed inside the USB socket, the predetermined space Forming a space inside the USB 3.0 socket according to the USB3.0 specification, and corresponding to the space that the USB 2.0 plug does not reach when the USB 2.0 plug is mated with the USB 3.0 socket; The detecting pin is fixed to the holding member, the detecting pin has the contact portion, and the contact portion is disposed in the predetermined space, and the contact portion is configured to be engaged with the special USB plug in the USB socket. The fitting state is in contact with the special case, and the detecting pin is configured to detect that the special USB plug is fitted into the USB socket when the special case contacts the contact portion. The USB socket of claim 2, wherein the holding member is integrally formed; the first contact piece, the second contact piece, and the detecting needle are pressed into the holding member or inserted into the holding member. The USB socket of claim 2, wherein the holding member is composed of a plurality of members. The USB socket of claim 4, wherein the plurality of members of the holding member are composed only of the first member and the second member; the first contact piece is pressed into the first member or inserted into the first member The first member; the second contact piece is press-fitted into the second member or inserted into the second member. The USB socket of claim 5, wherein the detecting needle is pressed into the second member or inserted into the second member. The USB socket of claim 4, wherein the plurality of members of the holding member have a contact piece holding member and a needle holding member, The contact piece holding member holds the first contact piece and the second contact piece, and the needle holding member holds the detecting needle; the detecting needle is pressed into the needle holding member or inserted into the needle holding member . The USB socket of claim 2, wherein the holding member has a plate portion and an arm portion, the plate portion is formed to have an upper surface and a lower surface, and extends in the predetermined direction, the arm portion is coupled to The vertical direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction is located at a position apart from the plate-like portion and extends in the predetermined direction; the first contact piece and the second contact piece each have a first contact portion and a second contact portion The first contact portion and the second contact portion are located on the upper surface or the lower surface of the plate portion; the detection needle is held by the arm portion. The USB socket of claim 8, wherein the detecting needle has a fixed portion and a supporting portion in addition to the contact portion, and the fixed portion is fixed to the arm portion, and the supporting portion is from the The fixing portion is elastically deformable in a direction in which the predetermined direction is opposite to the front direction; the contact portion is supported by the support portion. The USB socket of claim 9, wherein the shell has a main portion that surrounds the plate portion in a vertical plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction; the arm portion is located in the vertical plane An outer side of the main portion; the fixed portion and the support portion are located outside the main portion in the vertical plane; The contact portion protrudes toward the inner side of the main portion in the vertical plane. The USB socket of claim 10, wherein a groove portion is formed in the arm portion, and the groove portion corresponds to the support portion; the support portion is elastically deformable in the groove portion. The USB socket of claim 8 , wherein the first contact portion and the second contact portion are disposed on the upper surface of the plate portion; the contact portion of the detecting pin is located in the plate portion Below, and stand up. For example, the USB socket of the first application of the patent scope, which is based on the USB 3.0 specification of the standard USB plug of the USB specification according to the USB direction, is based on the USB specification of the USB specification. A USB 2.0 plug of the standard USB plug of the specification, and a USB socket that can be fitted by any one of the special USB plugs configured by deforming the USB 3.0 plug or the USB 2.0 plug in a manner of the special case The USB socket has a plurality of contact pieces, a holding member, a shell, a predetermined space, and the detecting needle; the holding member holds the contact piece; the predetermined space is formed inside the USB socket, and the predetermined space is formed The space inside the USB 3.0 socket according to the USB3.0 specification, and corresponding to the space that the USB 2.0 plug does not reach when the USB 2.0 plug is mated with the USB 3.0 socket; The stylus is fixed to the holding member, and the detecting needle has the contact portion, and the contact portion is disposed in the predetermined space, and the contact portion is configured to be fitted into the USB socket and the special USB plug. State and the special In the case of the special case contact, the detecting pin is configured to detect that the special USB plug is fitted into the USB socket when the special case is in contact with the contact portion. The USB socket of claim 13, wherein the holding member is integrally formed; the contact piece and the detecting needle are pressed into the holding member or inserted into the holding member. The USB socket of claim 13, wherein the holding member is composed of a plurality of members. The USB socket of claim 15, wherein the plurality of members of the holding member are composed only of the first member and the second member; the contact piece is pressed into the first member or inserted into the first member 1 component. The USB socket of claim 16, wherein the detecting needle is pressed into the second member or inserted into the second member. The USB socket of claim 13, wherein the holding member has a plate portion and an arm portion, the plate portion is formed to have an upper surface and a lower surface, and extends in the predetermined direction, the arm portion is coupled to a vertical direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction is located at a position open to the plate portion and extends in the predetermined direction; the contact piece has a contact portion which is located above or below the plate portion Above one of the sides; the detection needle is held by the arm. The USB socket of claim 18, wherein the detecting needle has a fixed portion and a supporting portion in addition to the contact portion, the The fixing portion is fixed to the arm portion, and the support portion is elastically deformable from a direction in which the fixed portion is opposite to the front direction in the predetermined direction; the contact portion is supported by the support portion. The USB socket of claim 19, wherein the shell has a main portion that surrounds the plate portion in a vertical plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction; the arm portion is located in the vertical plane The outer side of the main portion; the fixed portion and the support portion are located outside the main portion in the vertical plane; and the contact portion protrudes toward the inner side of the main portion in the vertical plane. The USB socket of claim 20, wherein a groove portion is formed in the arm portion, and the groove portion corresponds to the support portion; the support portion is elastically deformable in the groove portion. The USB socket of claim 18, wherein the contact portion is disposed on the upper surface of the plate portion; the contact portion of the detecting pin is located below the plate portion and protrudes upward. A USB socket as claimed in claim 13 wherein the USB socket has two detection pins. A USB socket as claimed in claim 13 wherein the detection needle is gold plated. The USB socket of claim 13, wherein the detecting needle and the housing are configured not to be in direct contact with each other. For example, the USB socket of claim 13 has a plug detecting pin; the plug detecting pin is configured to be engaged with the USB socket in any one of a USB 3.0 plug, a USB 2.0 plug and a special USB plug. At this time, it is detected that any one of the USB 3.0 plug, the USB 2.0 plug, and the special USB plug is inserted. A special USB plug is a special USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug that can be fitted in a predetermined direction to the USB socket of any one of claims 2 to 26, and has a special case; the special case is configured as The special USB plug is housed in the predetermined space when it is fitted into the USB socket. A special USB plug according to claim 27, wherein a retaining member has an end surface in the predetermined direction; the special shell has an end surface in the predetermined direction; the retaining member of the special USB plug The end face is located at the same position as the end face of the special case in the predetermined direction, or is located behind the predetermined direction of the end face of the special case. A special USB plug as claimed in claim 27, wherein the special casing is gold plated. A USB socket is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket that can be selectively and detached along a predetermined direction from a standard USB plug and a special USB plug. The standard USB plug is based on the USB specification, thereby having an electrical conductor. a standard case having a special case composed of an electric conductor having a portion having the same shape as the standard case and an identification more prominent than the portion in the predetermined direction In this way, the special USB plug has a structure different from the standard USB plug, and the USB socket has a plurality of contact pieces, a holding member made of an insulator, a shell made of an electric conductor, and a detecting pin formed by an electric conductor; each of the contact pieces has a contact portion; the holding member holds the contact piece in a manner orthogonal to a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, the holding member having a main body The main portion has a plate shape having a thickness extending in a predetermined direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the pitch direction, and the contact portion of the contact piece is disposed in the main portion The casing surrounds the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and has a shape connectable to the standard casing when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug, and has a shape in which the USB socket is coupled to the special USB plug; the detection needle is separated from the housing and is held by the holding member in a manner not directly connected to the housing, the detecting needle Connected The contact portion is disposed at a position where the standard case does not reach when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug, and when the USB socket is fitted with the special USB plug, the special case The identification unit is connected to the contact portion at the position. The USB socket of claim 30, wherein the holding member has a side portion in the spacing direction; the detecting needle is held by the side portion such that the contact portion can be perpendicular thereto Displacement into orthogonal horizontal planes. The USB socket of claim 31, wherein the detecting needle has a holding portion and a spring portion, the spring portion extending from the held portion in an elastically deformable manner, the contact portion being disposed on the spring The holding member has a needle holding portion, a displacement permitting portion, and a deformation permitting portion, and the needle holding portion holds the held portion, and the displacement permitting portion is configured such that the contact portion is displaceable at the displacement permitting portion, the deformation The allowable portion is configured such that the spring portion is deformable at the deformation permitting portion; the deformation permitting portion is formed to be located between the needle holding portion and the displacement permitting portion in the predetermined direction, and the deformation permitting portion is The dimension in the pitch direction is set to become larger as approaching the displacement permitting portion. A USB socket according to claim 32, wherein the restricted portion is provided in the spring portion, and the restricting portion is formed in the holding member, and the restricting portion is configured to restrict the movement of the restricted portion to the outside in the pitch direction. The USB socket of claim 33, wherein when the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug, the restricting portion is located inside the special case in the spacing direction. The USB socket of claim 32, wherein the needle holding portion is formed as a groove forming an inner wall and extending in a vertical plane orthogonal to the spacing direction; each of the held portion and the spring portion are perpendicular thereto Extending inwardly, and in the direction of the spacing, the size of each of the retained portion and the spring portion is smaller than the size of the needle holding portion; A positioning pin is formed on the detecting pin, and the positioning pin presses the held portion against the inner wall of the needle holding portion. The USB socket of claim 35, wherein the press-in column is formed on the detecting pin, and the press-in column is pressed into the holding member; the positioning pin is formed on the press-in column. The USB socket of claim 33, wherein the spring portion extends in a direction oblique to both the vertical direction and the predetermined direction. The USB socket of claim 32, wherein the contact portion has a curved surface that protrudes outward in the pitch direction in a plane defined by the pitch direction and the predetermined direction. The USB socket of claim 31, wherein the protection portion is formed on the holding member, and the protection portion is located in the standard housing and the detecting pin in the predetermined direction when the USB socket is fitted into the standard USB plug. between. The USB socket of claim 31, wherein the identification portion includes a first identification portion and a second identification portion; the detection pin includes a first detection pin and a second detection pin, the first detection pin and The second detecting needles are respectively connectable to the first identifying portion and the second identifying portion; the first detecting needle and the second detecting needle are respectively held on opposite sides of the holding member in the spacing direction unit. The USB socket of claim 31, further comprising an additional holding member composed of an insulator and an additional contact piece with the plurality of sheets; The additional holding member is provided with a support portion having a plate shape extending in the predetermined direction and mounted on the holding member, the support portion being disposed to open in the vertical direction and the main portion a hole formed in the support portion, the hole penetrating the support portion in the vertical direction; the additional contact piece is held by the additional holding member, and the additional contact piece of each piece is sandwiched between the support portion and the main portion The space can be contacted only through the hole of the support portion. The USB socket of claim 41, wherein the length of the additional holding member in the predetermined direction is set such that the additional holding member does not conform to the standard USB when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug. The plugs overlap. A USB socket according to claim 41, wherein the additional holding member is fixed to be at least partially sandwiched by the holding member and the case in the vertical direction. The USB socket of claim 43, wherein the additional positioning pin is formed on the upper surface of the additional holding member, and the additional positioning pin is formed to press the additional holding member against the holding member and abut against the case. The USB socket of claim 41, wherein the additional contact piece is bent to form an additional contact portion; the additional contact piece is elastically deformable, and the additional contact portion passes through the hole below the support portion A partially protruding manner is retained by the additional holding member. For example, in the USB socket of claim 45, wherein an additional protection portion is formed on the support portion, the additional protection portion is attached to the USB socket When the standard USB plug is fitted, it is located between the standard case and the additional contact piece in the predetermined direction. The USB socket of claim 45, wherein an opening portion is formed in the case, the opening portion penetrating the upper surface of the case in the vertical direction; the opening portion is located above the additional contact portion, whereby the opening The additional contact portion can be visually recognized through the opening, and the additional contact portion does not come into contact with the case even when the additional contact piece is elastically deformable. A special USB plug, which is a special USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug that can be fitted in the predetermined direction with a USB socket according to any one of claims 41 to 47, the special USB plug has special holding a member, a plurality of standard contact pieces according to the USB specification, a plurality of special contact pieces different from the standard contact piece, and a special case formed of an electric conductor; the special holding member has a deformation holding portion and an extension portion, The deformation holding portion corresponds to a standard holding member of a standard USB plug according to the USB standard, and the extension portion has a plate shape formed in an end surface formed in the predetermined direction and protruding more in the predetermined direction than the deformation holding portion. a thin portion disposed on the extension portion, the thin portion having a thin thickness in the vertical direction, the thin portion extending in the predetermined direction and reaching the end surface of the extension portion; the standard contact piece is configured to respectively be connected to the USB The contact piece of the socket is connected to the lower surface of the deformation holding portion in the vertical direction, and is fixed to the special portion so as not to reach the extension portion in the predetermined direction. Holding member; the specific contact piece connected to the additional line are configured with the USB socket The contact piece is connected and fixed to the special holding member so as to be exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion; the special case has a portion having the same shape as a standard case of a standard USB plug according to the USB standard, a side protrusion portion and a notch portion which are protruded in a predetermined direction from the portion, and the notch portion is formed to recognize the thin portion from above the vertical direction, and the side protrusion portion covers the extension The side portion of the portion in the pitch direction protrudes in the predetermined direction, and the side protruding portion is connected to the contact portion when the special USB plug is fitted to the USB socket. A special USB plug according to claim 48, wherein a boundary portion is disposed on the special holding member, the boundary portion is formed to have a slope oblique to the vertical direction, and is formed on the thin portion and the upper portion of the extension portion between. A special USB plug according to claim 48, wherein the special contact piece is continuously exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion and the end surface of the extension. A special USB plug according to claim 48, wherein the special casing has an upper protrusion that is formed to cover the upper surface of the extension and is continuous with the side protrusion. A special USB plug according to claim 48, wherein the thin portion is inserted between the main portion of the holding member and the support portion of the additional holding member when the special USB plug is fitted into the USB socket . A USB socket that can be selectively detached from a standard USB plug and a special USB plug along a predetermined direction (Universal Serial) Bus socket, which is based on the USB specification, thereby having a standard casing composed of an electrical conductor having a special casing composed of an electrical conductor, whereby the special casing has: a portion having the same shape as the standard case and an identification portion protruding more than the portion in the predetermined direction, whereby the special USB plug has a configuration different from the standard USB plug, and the USB socket has: a plurality of contact pieces, a holding member made of an insulator, a case made of a conductor, and a detecting pin composed of a conductor; the holding member is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction Securely holding the contact piece; the case surrounds the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and has a shape connectable to the standard case when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug, and has a shape that can be connected to the special case when the USB socket is fitted to the special USB plug; the detection pin is separated from the case and is held by the holding member in a manner not directly connected to the case, Detection The needle system has a contact portion disposed at a position where the standard case does not reach when the USB socket is fitted to the standard USB plug, and when the USB socket is fitted with the special USB plug, The identification portion of the special case is connected to the contact portion at this position.