TWI539258B - Usb connector and electronic device using the same - Google Patents

Description

Universal serial bus connector and electronic device using the universal serial bus connector

The present invention relates to a universal tandem busbar connector and its use, and more particularly to a universal serial busbar connector having a retractable tab and an application thereof.

Universal serial bus connectors have become the basic equipment for a variety of electronic devices, including desktop computers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, and even mobile phones. Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a schematic diagram of a conventional notebook computer. The notebook computer 10 is composed of a host computer 12 and a screen 11 , and the screen 11 can be rotated relative to the main body 12 to perform an action of opening or opening. In general, in the figure, the universal serial busbar connector 13 is disposed at the side position of the host 12, and the side of the host 12 retains an opening 14 for the universal serial bus bar plug 15 to be inserted therein and The universal serial bus connector is electrically connected.

Limited to the thickness of the universal serial bus bar plug 15, the opening 14 for accommodating the universal serial bus bar plug 15 at the side position of the main body 12 also needs to have a relative width, which will limit the overall design of the main body 12. It cannot be applied to thin electronic devices.

In view of the widespread use of thin electronic devices, the present invention provides a universal serial busbar connector (hereinafter referred to as a USB connector) that can solve the above problems, to meet the design goal of reducing the thickness of the electronic device.

In an embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is selectively coupled to a universal serial busbar device (hereinafter referred to as a USB device), which includes: a casing and a tongue. The tab has a surface and includes a plurality of contacts disposed on the surface. When the tongue is in a stowed position, the contact portion is received in the opening, and when the tongue is in a use position, the contact portion is located outside the opening and electrically connected to the USB device.

In the above embodiment, the electronic device further includes a circuit board and a plurality of armature portions electrically connected to the circuit board. When the tongue is in the storage position, the contact portion is electrically separated from the armature portion, and when the tongue is located When the position is used, the contact portions are electrically connected to the armature portion.

In the above embodiment, the electronic device further includes a first limiting member, a second limiting member, a first feeding unit and a second feeding unit. The first feed unit is coupled to the first limit member, and the second feed unit is coupled to the second limit member. When the tongue is moved from the storage position to the use position, the first feeding unit is released from the first limiting member and provides an outward thrust to the tongue, and when the tongue moves from the use position to the storage position, the second feed The unit is released from the second stop and provides an inward thrust to the tongue.

In the above embodiment, the first feeding unit includes an extending portion extending along the long axis direction of the tongue and terminating in the vicinity of the outer end surface of the tongue. When the contact portion of the tongue is connected to the USB device, the extension portion is subjected to the extension portion. The USB device is pushed and moved inward to separate the first feeding unit from the tongue.

In another embodiment, the USB connector of the present invention can be used to connect a USB device, including: a tongue, a first feeding unit, and a second feeding unit. The tongue is movable between a storage position and a use position, wherein the tongue is electrically connected to the USB device when in use. First feed The unit provides an outward thrust to the tongue to bring the tongue from the stowed position to the use position. The second feed unit provides an inward thrust to the tongue to bring the tongue from the use position to the storage position.

In the above embodiment, the second feeding unit is fixed to the tongue and the first feeding unit is detachably coupled to the tongue. The first feeding unit includes an extending portion extending along a long axis direction of the tongue and terminating in the vicinity of the end of the tongue. When the tongue is coupled to the USB device, the extending portion is pushed by the USB device to move inward, so that the first advance The unit is separated from the tongue.

In the above embodiment, the USB connector further includes a first limiting member and a second limiting member, wherein the first feeding unit is released from the first limiting member when the tongue is moved from the storage position to the use position. The outward thrust is provided to the tongue, and when the tongue moves from the use position to the stowed position, the second feed unit is released from the second limit member and provides an inward thrust to the tongue.

In the above embodiment, the first feeding unit includes a first flexible member for generating an outward thrust to the tongue, and the second feeding unit includes a second flexible member for generating the inward portion The thrust is applied to the tongue, wherein the first flexible element has a modulus of elasticity greater than the modulus of elasticity of the second flexible element.

The above described objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the appended claims.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described in conjunction with the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a casing 110, a circuit board 130, a keyboard module 150, and a universal serial busbar connector 200 (hereinafter referred to as a USB connector). Implemented here For example, the electronic device 100 is a portable computer, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device 100 can also be a tablet computer, a smart phone, or the like. The casing 110 includes an upper casing 111 and a lower casing 113, wherein the upper casing 111 is coupled to the lower casing 113 such that a space 115 is defined therebetween. The circuit board 130 is disposed in the space 115 and electrically connected to one of the back end operating systems (not shown) of the electronic device 100. The keyboard module 150 is disposed on the upper casing 111 as a signal input interface. It should be understood that when the electronic device 100 uses other components such as a touch panel (not shown) as a signal input interface, a touch panel (not shown) will replace the keyboard module 150.

With reference to FIG. 2 and with reference to FIG. 3 , the USB connector 200 includes a frame 210 , a plurality of armature portions 220 , a tongue 230 , a first feeding unit 240 , and a first limiting member 250 . a second feeding unit 260 and a second limiting member 270. The armature portion 220 is electrically connected to the circuit board 130 for transmitting electronic signals to the circuit board 130 or receiving electronic signals from the circuit board 130. The armature portion 220 is electrically connected to the tongue 230 through the bottom of the frame body 210. The tongue piece 230 is a plate member. The tongue piece 230 includes a plurality of electrically conductive portions 231 and a plurality of contact portions 233 therein. Each of the electrical conductive portions 231 extends in the long axis direction (X direction) of the tongue 230 in the tongue 230 and is respectively coupled to one of the plurality of contact portions 233. The contact portion 233 is formed on the surface 235 of the tongue 230. In this embodiment, the contact portion 233 is formed on the bottom surface of the tongue 230, but is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the frame body 210 has a first sidewall 211 , a second sidewall 213 , a third sidewall 215 , and a fourth sidewall 217 . The first sidewall 211 and the third sidewall 215 are located on opposite sides of the frame 210 . The second sidewall 213 and the fourth sidewall 217 are respectively coupled to the first sidewall 211 and the third sidewall Between 215. The first feeding unit 240 is located between the tongue 230 and the second side wall 213 and includes a first guiding rod 241, a first flexible element 243 and a first body 245. The first guide rod 241 is coupled to the inner side of the third side wall 215 and extends in a direction (X direction) parallel to the long axis of the tongue 230. The first flexible element 243 surrounds the outer side of the first guiding rod 241 , and one end thereof abuts against the inner side of the third side wall 215 , and the other end abuts against the first body 245 .

The first body 245 is movably disposed on the first guiding rod 241 , and the first body 245 includes an abutting portion 246 , an extending portion 247 , and a first groove structure 248 . The abutting portion 246 and the extending portion 247 are respectively located on opposite sides of the first body 245, wherein the abutting portion 246 extends in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the tongue 230 (Y direction), and the extending portion 247 is parallel to the long axis of the tongue 230 The direction (X direction) extends. In this embodiment, the distance L between the abutting portion 246 and the end of the extending portion 247 is equal to (or slightly smaller than) the length of the tongue 230, and the abutting portion 246 abuts against the inner end surface 230b of the tongue 230. Therefore, the end of the extension portion 247 terminates in the vicinity of the outer end surface 230a of the tongue 230.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the features of the first slot structure 248 are described below. For clarity of explanation, the five reference positions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 are respectively indicated in Figure 4A, which is indicated here. The first groove structure 248 is recessed downward from the first body 245 and substantially presents an A-shape, wherein the first groove structure 248 has a depth of five in order to define a moving direction of the first limiting member 250 (Fig. 3). The reference positions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 have the following changes: from the reference position R1 to the reference position R2, the depth of the first groove structure 248 is gradually increased; from the reference position R2 to the reference position R3, the first groove structure The depth of 248 is gradually decreasing; from the reference position R3 to the reference position R4, the first slot structure The depth of 248 is gradually decreasing; from the reference position R4 to the reference position R5, the depth of the first groove structure 248 is gradually increased; the depth of the reference position R5 is shallower than the depth of the reference position R1. It should be noted that, at the reference position R3, the first slot structure 248 includes a first slot 248a that is recessed away from the first limiting member 250 (the opposite direction of the X direction), that is, the reference positions R3, R4, and R5. Not on the same line.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, the second feeding unit 260 is located between the tongue 230 and the fourth sidewall 217 and includes a second guiding rod 261, a second flexible member 263 and a second body 265. The second guiding rod 261 is coupled to the inner side of the first side wall 211 and extends in a direction (X direction) parallel to the long axis of the tongue 230. The second flexible member 263 surrounds the outer side of the second guiding rod 261 , and one end thereof abuts against the inner side of the first side wall 211 , and the other end abuts against the second body 265 . The modulus of elasticity of the second flexible element 263 is less than the modulus of elasticity of the first flexible element 243. The second body 265 is movably disposed on the second guiding rod 261, and the second body 265 includes a groove 266 and a second groove structure 267. The groove 266 is formed on the side of the second body 265 adjacent to the tongue 230, and is coupled with the protrusion 237 formed on the tongue 230, thereby being fixed to the tongue 230. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the structural features of the second groove structure 267 are the same as those of the first groove structure 248. To simplify the description, the structural features of the second groove structure 267 will not be described. It should be noted, however, that the first groove structure 248 is opposite to the second groove structure 267, wherein the second card groove 267a is recessed in a direction away from the second stopper 270 (X direction).

As shown in FIG. 3, one end of the first limiting member 250 is pivotally mounted on the inner side of the first side wall 211, and the first limiting member 250 is free. The end slides into the first slot structure 248. One end of the second limiting member 270 is pivotally mounted on the inner side of the third side wall 215, and the free end of the second limiting member 250 is slid in the second groove structure 267. In this embodiment, the first limiting member 250 and the second limiting member 270 are both elastic rods.

The manner of use of the electronic device 100 of the present invention is as follows: as shown in FIG. 2, when the tongue piece 230 of the USB connector 200 is in a storage position, the contact portion 233 of the tongue piece 230 is received in the opening 117, and The contact portion 233 of the tongue 230 is not electrically connected to the armature portion 220. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the free end of the first limiting member 250 is fastened in the first slot 248a, so that the first flexible member 243 is in the compressed position; the free end of the second limiting member 270 is Then, it is located at the reference point R1 (Fig. 4B) of the second groove structure 267. It should be noted that at this time, the second flexible member 263 assumes a micro-compressed state, and the inner end surface 230b of the tongue 230 abuts against the abutting portion 246 of the first body 245.

When the user applies an external force F1 to the outer end 230a of the tongue 230 to move the tongue 230 inward, the tongue 230 moves the first body 245 by the abutting portion 246. At this time, the free end of the first limiting member 250 is released from the first card slot 248a and moved from the first slot structure 248 reference point R3 to the reference point R4 (FIG. 4A). Since the modulus of elasticity of the first flexible element 243 is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the second flexible element 263, the thrust generated by the first flexible element 243 is greater than the thrust generated by the second flexible element 263, first The flexible member 243 provides an outward thrust and urges the tab 230 through the abutment portion 246 to move the tab 230 from the stowed position to the use position.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the tongue 230 is in the use position, the contact portion 233 of the tongue 230 is located outside the opening 117, and the contact portion of the tongue 230 is 233 is electrically connected to the armature portion 220 by the electrical conduction portion 231 . Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6, the free end of the first limiting member 250 is located at the reference point R1 (FIG. 4A) of the first slot structure 248, and the free end of the second limiting member 270 is clamped. In the second card slot 267a. It should be noted that at this time, the first flexible element 243 is in a released state, and the second flexible element 263 is in a compressed state.

Referring to FIG. 7 , when the USB connector 200 is connected to the universal serial busbar device 300 (hereinafter referred to as a USB device), the outer casing 310 of the USB device 300 surrounds the tongue 230 , and the USB device 300 is electrically connected to the tongue 230 . The contact portion 233 performs signal transmission. Since the outer casing 310 of the USB device 300 abuts against the extension 247 of the first body 245, the first body 245 is pushed by an external force to be displaced inward. Therefore, the first limiting member 250 reaches the reference point R3 from the reference point R1 of the first slot structure 248 via the reference point R2 and is fastened to the first card slot 248a (FIG. 4B), so that the first body 245 is abutted. Portion 246 is separated from tab 230.

When the USB device 300 is pulled out from the tongue piece 230, the tongue piece 230 is moved by the external force F2 to move the second body 265 outward. Then, the free end of the second limiting member 270 is released from the second slot 267a and moved from the position of the reference slot R3 of the second slot structure 267 to the reference point R4 (FIG. 4B). Since the tab 230 is not constrained by the first feed unit, the second flexible member 263 provides an inward thrust to move the tab 230 from the use position to the stowed position, as shown in FIG.

The tongue of the USB connector of the electronic device of the present invention can be moved between a storage position and a use position. When the tongue extends out of the casing of the electronic device, the USB device can be connected to the USB by the contact portion on the tongue. Electrical properties link. Therefore, the electronic device does not need to retain the opening for accommodating the USB device, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing the thickness of the electronic device.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in its preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and it is possible to make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10‧‧‧Note Computer

11‧‧‧ screen

12‧‧‧Host

13‧‧‧Common Serial Bus Connector

14‧‧‧ openings

15‧‧‧Common serial bus plug

100‧‧‧Electronic devices

110‧‧‧Shell

111‧‧‧Upper casing

113‧‧‧ Lower case

115‧‧‧ Space

117‧‧‧ openings

130‧‧‧ boards

150‧‧‧ keyboard module

200‧‧‧Common Serial Bus Connector (USB Connector)

210‧‧‧ frame

220‧‧‧ Armature Department

230‧‧‧ tongue

230a‧‧‧Outer end face

230b‧‧‧ inner end

231‧‧‧Electrical Conducting Department

233‧‧‧Contacts

235‧‧‧ surface

237‧‧‧Bumps

240‧‧‧First feed unit

241‧‧‧First guide

243‧‧‧First flexible element

245‧‧‧First Ontology

246‧‧‧Apartment

247‧‧‧Extension

248‧‧‧ first trough structure

248a‧‧‧first card slot

250‧‧‧First limiter

260‧‧‧second feed unit

261‧‧‧Second guide

263‧‧‧Second flexible element

265‧‧‧Second ontology

267‧‧‧Second trough structure

267a‧‧‧Second card slot

270‧‧‧second limiter

300‧‧‧Common serial busbar device (USB device)

310‧‧‧ Shell

1 is a schematic view showing a conventional electronic device; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a tongue of an electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a storage position; and FIG. 3 is a view showing a USB connector of the electronic device of FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing a first body of a first feeding unit of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4B is a view showing a second body of a second feeding unit of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the tongue of the electronic device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a use position, wherein the tongue is not connected to the USB device.

6 is a top view of the USB connector of the electronic device of FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the tongue of the electronic device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a use position, wherein the tongue is connected to the USB Device.

100‧‧‧Electronic devices

110‧‧‧Shell

111‧‧‧Upper casing

113‧‧‧ Lower case

115‧‧‧ Space

117‧‧‧ openings

130‧‧‧ boards

150‧‧‧ keyboard module

200‧‧‧Common Serial Bus Connector (USB Connector)

210‧‧‧ frame

220‧‧‧ Armature Department

230‧‧‧ tongue

Claims (8)

An electronic device comprising: a casing including an opening; a tongue having a surface and including a plurality of contacts disposed on the surface, wherein the contacts are received when the tongue is in a stowed position And the second limiting member; a first limiting unit coupled to the first a second limiting unit coupled to the second limiting member; wherein the first feeding unit is from the first limit when the tongue is moved from the storage position to the use position The bit member releases and provides an outward thrust to the tab, and when the tab moves from the use position to the stowed position, the second feed unit releases from the second limit member and provides an inward thrust The first feed unit further includes a first groove structure having a depth change, and the second feed unit further includes a second groove structure having a depth change, the first limit member a free end sliding in the first slot structure, the second limit The free end of one member slides in the second groove configuration. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board and a plurality of armature portions electrically connected to the circuit board, the contact portions and the same when the tongue is located at the storage position The armature portion is electrically separated, and when the tongue is in the use position, the contact portions are electrically connected to the armature portions. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first feeding unit comprises an extending portion extending along a long axis direction of the tongue and terminating adjacent to an outer end surface of the tongue when the tongue When the sheet is in the use position and is selectively coupled to a universal serial busbar device, the extension is pushed inwardly by the universal serial busbar device to separate the first feed unit from the tongue. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first feeding unit further comprises an abutting portion, wherein the abutting portion extends in a direction perpendicular to a long axis of the tongue, when the tongue is received from the receiving portion When the position is moved to the use position, the first feeding unit provides an outward thrust to the tongue by the bottom joint, and when the tongue is in the use position and selectively connects the universal serial bus In the device, the extension portion is pushed inward by the universal serial busbar device to separate the abutting portion from the tongue. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first slot structure includes a first slot that is recessed away from the first limiting member, and the second slot structure includes a second slot toward Recessed away from the direction of the second limiting member, wherein when the tongue is moved from the receiving position to the use position, the first limiting member is disengaged from the first card slot, and when the tongue is moved from the use position When the storage position is reached, the second limiting member is disengaged from the second card slot. A universal serial busbar connector for selectively connecting a universal serial busbar device, comprising: a tongue piece movable between a storage position and a use position; a first feed unit providing An outward thrust is applied to the tab to cause the tab to reach the use position from the stowed position; a second feeding unit, providing an inward thrust to the tongue, the tongue reaching the storage position from the use position; a first limiting member; and a second limiting member, wherein the tongue When the storage position is moved to the use position, the first feeding unit releases from the first limiting member and provides the outward thrust to the tongue, and when the tongue moves from the use position to the receiving position In the position, the second feeding unit releases from the second limiting member and provides the inward thrust to the tongue; wherein the first feeding unit further comprises a first groove structure having a depth change, and the The second feeding unit further includes a second groove structure having a depth change, and one of the first limiting members slides in the first groove structure, and one of the second limiting members slides at the free end In the two-slot structure. The universal serial busbar connector of claim 6, wherein the first feeding unit comprises an extending portion extending along a long axis direction of the tongue and terminating at an end of the tongue end, When the tab is in the use position and selectively connects the universal serial busbar device, the extension is pushed inward by the universal serial busbar device to move the first feed unit and the tongue Separation. The universal serial busbar connector of claim 6, wherein the first feeding unit comprises a first flexible component for generating the outward thrust to the tongue, and the The second feed unit includes a second flexible element for generating the inward thrust to the tongue, wherein the first flexible element has a modulus of elasticity greater than a modulus of elasticity of the second flexible element.