JP5826638B2 - USB connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector that can be fitted to at least two types of mating connectors and includes a switch for identifying the type of mating mating connector.

  An example of a USB receptacle provided with a switch for determining a connection state between a USB receptacle and a USB plug based on the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  Further, although not related to the USB connector, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 2 as a connector that can detect the type of the mating connector.

JP 2005-242476 A JP 2009-164087 A

  Standard USB plugs based on the standard (standard USB plugs) can be connected to USB receptacles, and special USB plugs (special USB plugs) configured by modifying them can be connected, and standard USB plugs can be connected to USB receptacles. There is a demand to make the operation when the plug is connected different from the operation when the special USB plug is connected to the USB receptacle.

  However, it is difficult to incorporate the detection structure of Patent Document 2 into the USB receptacle in consideration of the standard.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a USB receptacle that can identify and detect whether a connected USB plug is a standard USB plug or a USB plug other than a standard USB plug (special USB plug).

The present invention provides the first USB receptacle as
A USB receptacle capable of selectively fitting and removing a standard USB plug conforming to the USB standard and at least one special USB plug having a structure different from the standard USB plug along a predetermined direction,
The standard USB plug has a standard shell made of a conductor,
The special USB plug has a special shell made of a conductor,
The special shell has an identification portion protruding from the standard shell in the predetermined direction,
The USB receptacle includes a plurality of contacts, a holding member made of an insulator that holds the contacts in a pitch direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a conductor that surrounds the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction. And a detection pin made of a conductor separate from the shell,
The contact has a contact portion,
The holding member has a plate-like main portion having a thickness in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the pitch direction and extending in the predetermined direction;
The contact portion of the contact is disposed on an upper surface of the main portion;
The shell can be connected to the standard shell when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug, and can be connected to the special shell when the USB receptacle is fitted to the special USB plug. Have a shape,
The detection pin has a contact portion,
The detection pin is a position where the standard shell does not reach the contact portion when the USB receptacle is fitted with the standard USB plug, and when the USB receptacle is fitted with the special USB plug, A USB receptacle held by the holding member so as not to be directly connected to the shell at a position where the identification part of the special shell is connected to the contact part is provided.

The present invention also provides a first USB receptacle as the second USB receptacle,
The detection pin provides a USB receptacle held on a side of the holding member so that the contact portion can be displaced in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

Further, the present invention is a second USB receptacle as the third USB receptacle,
The detection pin has a held portion and an elastically deformable spring portion extending from the held portion,
The contact portion is provided on the spring portion,
The holding member includes a pin holding portion that holds the held portion, a displacement allowable portion that allows the displacement of the contact portion, and a deformation allowable portion that allows deformation of the spring portion,
The deformation allowing portion is positioned between the pin holding portion and the displacement allowing portion in the predetermined direction, and the size in the pitch direction increases as the displacement holding portion approaches from the pin holding portion. A formed USB receptacle is provided.

Further, the present invention provides a third USB receptacle as the fourth USB receptacle,
The spring part is provided with a regulated part,
The holding member is provided with a USB receptacle in which a restricting portion for restricting movement of the restricted portion toward the outside in the pitch direction is formed.

The present invention also provides a fourth USB receptacle as the fifth USB receptacle,
When the USB receptacle is fitted to the special USB plug, the restricting portion provides a USB receptacle located inside the special shell in the pitch direction.

In addition, the present invention provides any of the third to fifth USB receptacles as the sixth USB receptacle,
The pin holding portion is a groove extending in a vertical plane orthogonal to the pitch direction,
The held portion and the spring portion extend in the vertical plane, and are smaller in size than the pin holding portion in the pitch direction,
The detection pin is provided with a USB receptacle in which a dowel for pressing the held portion against the inner wall of the pin holding portion is formed on the detection pin.

The present invention also provides a sixth USB receptacle as the seventh USB receptacle,
The detection pin is formed with a press-fit post that is press-fitted into the holding member,
The dowel provides a USB receptacle formed on the press-fit post.

Further, the present invention provides any of the third to seventh USB receptacles as the eighth USB receptacle,
The spring portion provides a USB receptacle extending in a direction oblique to both the vertical direction and the predetermined direction.

Further, the present invention provides any of the second to eighth USB receptacles as the ninth USB receptacle,
The contact portion provides a USB receptacle having a curved surface projecting outward in the pitch direction within a plane defined by the pitch direction and the predetermined direction.

Further, the present invention provides any one of the first to ninth USB receptacles as the tenth USB receptacle,
The holding member is provided with a USB receptacle in which a protective portion is formed between the standard shell and the detection pin in the predetermined direction when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug.

Further, the present invention is any one of the first to tenth USB receptacles as the eleventh USB receptacle,
The identification unit has two types, a first identification unit and a second identification unit,
There are two types of detection pins: a first detection pin that can be connected to the first identification unit, and a second detection pin that can be connected to the second identification unit.
The first detection pin and the second detection pin provide USB receptacles that are respectively held on the sides of the holding member in the pitch direction.

Further, the present invention provides any one of the first to eleventh USB receptacles as the twelfth USB receptacle,
An insulating additional holding member mounted on the holding member, and a plurality of additional contacts held by the additional holding member;
The additional holding member has a plate-like support portion extending in the predetermined direction,
The support portion is disposed apart from the main portion in the vertical direction,
The support part is formed with a hole penetrating the support part in the vertical direction,
The additional contact provides a USB receptacle that can be contacted only through the hole in a space between the support portion and the main portion.

Further, the present invention is a twelfth USB receptacle as the thirteenth USB receptacle,
The length of the additional holding member in the predetermined direction provides a USB receptacle that is determined so as not to overlap the standard USB plug when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug.

Further, the present invention is the twelfth or thirteenth USB receptacle as the fourteenth USB receptacle,
The additional holding member provides a USB receptacle that is fixed at least partially sandwiched between the holding member and the shell in the vertical direction.

Further, the present invention provides any one of the fourteenth USB receptacles as the fifteenth USB receptacle,
The USB receptacle is provided with an additional dowel on the upper surface of the additional holding member that presses the additional holding member against the holding member by contacting the shell.

In addition, the present invention provides any of the twelfth to fifteenth USB receptacles as the sixteenth USB receptacle,
The additional contact has an additional contact portion formed by bending,
The additional contact is elastically deformable, and provides a USB receptacle held by the additional holding member so that the additional contact portion partially protrudes below the support portion through the hole.

Further, the present invention provides a sixteenth USB receptacle as the seventeenth USB receptacle,
Provided is a USB receptacle in which an additional protective portion is formed between the standard shell and the additional contact in the predetermined direction when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug. .

Further, the present invention is the sixteenth or seventeenth USB receptacle as the eighteenth USB receptacle,
The shell is formed with an opening that penetrates the upper surface of the shell in the vertical direction,
The opening is located above the additional contact portion, and the additional contact portion can be visually recognized through the opening, and the additional contact portion and the shell are formed even when the additional contact is elastically deformed. Provides a USB receptacle that does not touch.

Furthermore, the present invention is a special USB plug that can be fitted to any of the 12th to 18th USB receptacles as the first special USB plug, and is a kind of the special USB plug,
The special USB plug is a standard contact that is connected to the contact of the USB receptacle, and is a plurality of standard contacts that are the same as the contact of the standard USB plug, and a special contact that is connected to the additional contact. A plurality of special contacts different from the contacts, and the standard contact and a special holding member for holding the special contact;
The special holding member has a standard equivalent part corresponding to a standard holding member provided in the standard USB plug, and a plate-like extension part protruding in the predetermined direction from the standard equivalent part.
The standard contact is arranged on the lower surface of the standard equivalent part in the vertical direction and is held by the special holding member so as not to reach the extension part in the predetermined direction.
The extension portion is provided with a thin portion having a small thickness in the vertical direction,
The thin portion reaches the end surface of the extension portion in the predetermined direction,
The special contact is arranged so as to be exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion,
The special shell has a cutout portion that allows the thin-walled portion to be seen from above in the vertical direction and protrudes in the predetermined direction so as to cover the pitch-direction side portion of the extension portion. Has a protrusion,
The lateral protrusion provides a special USB plug that functions as the identification unit.

Further, the present invention is a first special USB plug as the second special USB plug,
A special USB plug may be provided in which a boundary portion between the thin portion and the upper surface of the extension portion has an inclined surface oblique to the vertical direction.

Further, the present invention is the first or second special USB plug as the third special USB plug,
The special contact provides a special USB plug that is continuously exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion and the end surface of the extension portion in the predetermined direction.

Further, the present invention is any one of the first to third special USB plugs as the fourth special USB plug,
The special shell has an upper protrusion that covers the upper surface of the extension,
The upper protrusion provides a special USB plug that is continuous with the side protrusion.

Moreover, the present invention is any one of the first to fourth special USB plugs as the fifth special USB plug,
The thin portion provides a special USB plug that is inserted between the main portion of the holding member and the support portion of the additional holding member when the special USB plug and the USB receptacle are fitted.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a new USB receptacle,
A USB receptacle capable of selectively fitting and removing a standard USB plug conforming to the USB standard and a special USB plug having a structure different from the standard USB plug along a predetermined direction,
The USB receptacle includes a plurality of contacts, a holding member made of an insulator that holds the contacts in a pitch direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a vertical direction orthogonal to both the predetermined direction and the pitch direction. An insulating additional holding member mounted on the holding member, a plurality of additional contacts held by the additional holding member, and the holding member and the additional holding within a plane defined by the vertical direction and the pitch direction A shell made of a conductor surrounding the member,
The holding member has a plate-like main portion extending in the predetermined direction,
The contact is disposed on an upper surface of the main portion;
The additional holding member has a plate-like support portion extending in the predetermined direction,
The support portion is disposed above the main portion and spaced from the main portion,
The support part is formed with a hole penetrating the support part in the vertical direction,
The additional contact provides a USB receptacle that can be contacted only through the hole in a space between the support portion and the main portion.

In addition, the present invention is a new special USB plug,
A special USB plug that can be fitted to a USB receptacle along a predetermined direction and is a modified standard USB plug that conforms to the USB standard.
A plurality of standard contacts that are the same as the contacts of the standard USB plug, a plurality of special contacts different from the standard contacts, the standard contacts are arranged and held in a pitch direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and the special contacts are A special holding member arranged and held in the pitch direction, and a special shell surrounding the special holding member,
The special holding member has a standard equivalent part corresponding to a standard holding member provided in the standard USB plug, and a plate-like extension part protruding in the predetermined direction from the standard equivalent part.
The standard contact is disposed on the lower surface of the standard equivalent portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the pitch direction, and is held by the special holding member so as not to reach the extension portion in the predetermined direction. Has been
The extension portion is provided with a thin portion having a small thickness in the vertical direction,
The special contact provides a special USB plug arranged so as to be exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a new USB receptacle,
A USB receptacle capable of selectively fitting and removing a standard USB plug conforming to the USB standard and at least one special USB plug having a structure different from the standard USB plug along a predetermined direction,
The standard USB plug has a standard shell made of a conductor,
The special USB plug has a special shell made of a conductor,
The special shell has an identification portion protruding from the standard shell in the predetermined direction,
The USB receptacle includes a plurality of contacts, a holding member made of an insulator that holds the contacts in a pitch direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a conductor that surrounds the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction. And a detection pin made of a conductor separate from the shell,
The shell can be connected to the standard shell when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug, and can be connected to the special shell when the USB receptacle is fitted to the special USB plug. Have a shape,
The detection pin has a contact portion,
The detection pin is a position where the standard shell does not reach the contact portion when the USB receptacle is fitted with the standard USB plug, and when the USB receptacle is fitted with the special USB plug, A USB receptacle held by the holding member so as not to be directly connected to the shell at a position where the identification part of the special shell is connected to the contact part is provided.

  The detection pin of the USB receptacle of the present invention does not conduct with the shell when the USB receptacle is fitted with a standard USB plug, but via the special shell of the special USB plug when the USB receptacle is fitted with a special USB plug. Is connected to the shell. Thereby, it is possible to identify and detect whether the USB plug fitted into the USB receptacle is a standard USB plug or a special USB plug.

It is a perspective view which shows the USB receptacle by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the USB receptacle of FIG. It is a side view which shows the USB receptacle of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the special USB plug which can be fitted with the USB receptacle of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the front-end | tip of the special USB plug of FIG. 4, and its vicinity. It is a perspective view which shows the standard USB plug which can be fitted with the USB receptacle of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other special USB plug which can be fitted with the USB receptacle of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other special USB plug which can be fitted with the USB receptacle of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the connector main body of the USB receptacle of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the connector main body of FIG. The first detection pin and the second detection pin are separated from the connector body. FIG. 10 is a top view showing the connector main body of FIG. 9. It is a figure which expands and shows the side part of the holding member of the connector main body of FIG. 11, and its vicinity. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first detection pin included in the connector main body of FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is another perspective view showing the first detection pin of FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a top view showing a first detection pin of FIG. 13. It is a top view which shows the USB receptacle (connector main body of FIG. 9) of FIG. 1, and the special USB plug of FIG. The USB receptacle and the special USB plug are not fitted. The USB receptacle shell is omitted. It is a perspective view which shows the USB receptacle and special USB plug of the state of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the USB receptacle (connector main body) and special USB plug of the state of FIG. The USB receptacle shell is omitted. It is a perspective view which shows the USB receptacle (connector main body of FIG. 9) of FIG. 1, and the special USB plug of FIG. The special USB plug is partially inserted into the USB receptacle, but the USB receptacle and the special USB plug are not fitted. The USB receptacle shell is omitted. It is a top view which shows the USB receptacle (connector main body) and special USB plug of the state of FIG. The USB receptacle shell is omitted. It is a perspective view which shows the USB receptacle and special USB plug of the state of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the side part of the holding member of the connector main body of FIG. 20, and its vicinity. It is a perspective view which shows the USB receptacle (connector main body of FIG. 9) of FIG. 1, and the special USB plug of FIG. The USB receptacle and the special USB plug are fitted. The USB receptacle shell is omitted. It is a perspective view which shows the USB receptacle and special USB plug by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the special USB plug of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the front-end | tip of the special USB plug of FIG. 25, and its vicinity. It is another perspective view which shows the special USB plug of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the special USB plug of FIG. 25 along the A--A line. It is a top view which shows the USB receptacle of FIG. FIG. 30 is a front view showing the USB receptacle of FIG. 29. It is a perspective view which shows the USB receptacle of FIG. FIG. 30 is another perspective view showing the USB receptacle of FIG. 29. FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view showing the USB receptacle of FIG. 29. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the USB receptacle of FIG. 29 along the line B--B. It is a perspective view which shows the standard connector main body contained in the USB receptacle of FIG. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the standard connector body of FIG. 35. The first detection pin and the second detection pin are separated from the standard connector body. FIG. 36 is a top view showing the standard connector body of FIG. 35. FIG. 36 is a front view showing the standard connector body of FIG. 35. It is sectional drawing which shows the standard connector main body of FIG. 38 along CC line. It is sectional drawing which shows the standard connector main body of FIG. 38 along the DD line. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing contacts for USB 3.0 included in the standard connector body of FIG. 35. It is a perspective view which shows the holding member contained in the standard connector main body of FIG. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a contact and a holding member included in the standard connector main body of FIG. 35. The USB 2.0 contact is not yet incorporated in the holding member. It is a perspective view which shows the additional connector main body contained in the USB receptacle of FIG. FIG. 45 is an exploded perspective view showing the additional connector main body of FIG. 44. FIG. 45 is a top view showing the additional connector main body of FIG. 44. FIG. 45 is a front view showing the additional connector main body of FIG. 44. FIG. 45 is a bottom view showing the additional connector main body of FIG. 44. FIG. 45 is a side view showing the additional connector main body of FIG. 44. It is sectional drawing which shows the additional connector main body of FIG. 47 along the EE line. It is a figure which expands and shows the front-end | tip of the additional connector of FIG. 50, and its vicinity. It is a perspective view which shows the shell contained in the USB receptacle of FIG. It is a top view which shows the locator contained in the USB receptacle of FIG. FIG. 54 is a perspective view showing the locator of FIG. 53. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a special USB plug. It is a perspective view which shows the other modification of a special USB plug.

  Hereinafter, a USB receptacle and a USB plug according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 to 3, the USB receptacle 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a substrate (not shown). The USB receptacle 100 can be selectively fitted with the special USB plug 500, the standard USB plug 400, the special USB plug 500 ′, and the special USB plug 500 ″ shown in FIGS. 4 and 6-8. In particular, in the USB receptacle 100 according to this embodiment, as will be described later, the fitted USB plug is a special USB plug 500 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) or a standard USB plug 400 (see FIG. 6). The USB receptacle 100 can further detect a special USB plug 500 ′ (see FIG. 7) and a special USB plug 500 ″ (see FIG. 8) depending on the detection method. In the following, the structure of the standard USB plug 400 and the special USB plug 500 connected to the USB receptacle 100 will be described first, and then the structure of the USB receptacle 100 will be described.

  A standard USB plug 400 shown in FIG. 6 is a USB plug compliant with the USB 3.0 standard, and includes a plurality of USB 2.0 contacts (not shown) and a plurality of USB 3.0 contacts (not shown). A standard holding member 450 made of an insulator for holding the sword and a standard shell 410 made of a conductor covering the same. Here, the size of the standard holding member 450 and the standard shell 410 conforms to the standard.

  4 and 5, the special USB plug 500 according to the present embodiment is similar to the standard USB plug 400 in that a plurality of USB 2.0 contacts (not shown) and a plurality of USB 3.0 are used. Contact (not shown), and a standard holding member 450 are provided. The special USB plug 500 includes a special shell 510 made of a conductor that covers the standard holding member 450. The special shell 510 has substantially the same shape and size as the standard shell 410, but the first identification part 512r and the second identification part 512l projecting in the −Y direction from both ends in the X direction (pitch direction). It differs from the standard shell 410 in that it has two identification parts. In other words, the special shell 510 in the present embodiment has the same size as the standard shell 410 except for the first identification unit 512r and the second identification unit 512l. The size in the Y direction (predetermined direction) is larger by the amount of the first identifying unit 512r and the second identifying unit 512l.

  4, 7 and 8, the special USB plug 500 ′ and the special USB plug 500 ″ are obtained by changing only the special shell 510 of the special USB plug 500. The special shell 510 ′ of the special USB plug 500 ′ shown in FIG. 7 has only the second identification unit 512l of the first identification unit 512r and the second identification unit 512l. The special USB plug shown in FIG. The 500 ″ special shell 510 ″ has only the first identification portion 512r. That is, the special USB plug that can be identified with the largest number of USB receptacles has both the first identification portion and the second identification portion. And a type having only the first identification part and a type having only the second identification part.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the USB receptacle 100 according to the present embodiment includes a connector body 110, a locator 320 made of an insulator (see FIG. 9), and an in-plane perpendicular to the Y direction (predetermined direction). And a shell 120 made of a conductor surrounding the connector main body 110 and the locator 320.

  The shell 120 according to the present embodiment is roughly a rectangular tube having a quadrangular cross section that is long in the X direction (pitch direction) and short in the Z direction (vertical direction) in a plane orthogonal to the Y direction (predetermined direction). It has the shape of On both side surfaces of the shell 120, a shell connection portion 122 that is connected to the standard shell 410 or the special shell 510 when the USB receptacle 100 is fitted with the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500 is formed. For this reason, when the USB receptacle 100 is fitted with the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500, the shell 120 and the standard shell 410 or the special shell 510 are electrically connected. At the rear ends (−Y direction end portions) of both side surfaces of the shell 120, a mounting portion 128 made of a notch recessed forward (+ Y direction) is provided. The attachment portion 128 is used when the shell 120 is attached to the connector main body 110 as will be described later.

  9 to 12, the connector main body 110 includes contacts 130 and 140 made of a plurality of conductors, a holding member 150 made of an insulator for holding them, and a first detection pin 300r made of a conductor. And a second detection pin 300l. Here, there are four contacts 130 for USB 2.0. There are five contacts 140 for USB 3.0. The contact 130 is mounted with a held portion 132 held by the holding member 150, a spring portion 134 that extends obliquely forward from the held portion 132, a contact portion 136 provided at the tip of the spring portion 134, and the USB receptacle 100. And a fixed portion 138 (see FIGS. 9 and 17) fixed to a substrate (not shown). The to-be-fixed part 138 is inserted into the alignment hole 322 provided in the locator 320 and appropriately arranged as shown in FIGS. The contact 140 has a contact portion 146. The contact 140 is also provided with a fixed portion, which is inserted into an alignment hole provided in the locator 320 and appropriately arranged.

  9 to 12, the holding member 150 includes a main portion 152 having a plate-like shape, a contact holding portion 156 located on the rear side (−Y side) of the main portion 152, and an X direction (pitch direction). ) On both ends. The main portion 152 has a thickness in the Z direction (vertical direction) and extends in the Y direction (predetermined direction).

  9 to 11, the contacts 130 are held in a row in the X direction by press-fitting the held portions 132 into the contact holding portions 156 from the upper side (+ Z side) with respect to the holding members 150. The contact portion 136 is disposed so as to partially protrude on the upper surface 154 of the main portion 152. With respect to the contact 130, the spring portion 134 can be elastically deformed, and thus the contact portion 136 can be displaced mainly in the Z direction (vertical direction).

  Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the contact 140 is incorporated into the holding member 150 when the holding member 150 is molded by the mold-in method, and is held in a row in the X direction. The contact part 146 of the contact 140 is a main part. It is disposed on the upper surface 154 of 152. As is clear from FIG. 11, the contact portion 146 of the contact 140 is located closer to the front end (+ Y side end portion) of the main portion 152 than the contact portion 136 of the contact 130. That is, the contact portion 146 of the contact 140 is located between the contact portion 136 of the contact 130 and the front end (+ Y side end portion) of the main portion 152.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a pin holding portion 162, a deformation allowing portion 164, a displacement allowing portion 166, a restricting portion 168, a protecting portion 170, and an attachment are provided on the side portion 160 of the holding member 150. A portion 176 is formed. The pin holding part 162 is a groove extending in a direction orthogonal to the X direction and partially penetrates to the bottom surface of the holding member 150. The deformation allowing portion 164 is located in front of the pin holding portion 162 (+ Y side), and the displacement allowing portion 166 is located in front of the deformation allowing portion 164 (+ Y side). The deformation allowing portion 164 is formed so that the size in the X direction increases as it approaches the displacement allowing portion 166 from the pin holding portion 162 (towards the + Y side). As shown particularly well in FIG. 12, one of the two walls defining the deformation allowing portion 164 according to the present embodiment crosses both the X direction and the Y direction. The displacement allowance portion 166 is a space that is larger in size in the X direction than the deformation allowance portion 164 and communicates with the outside in the X direction. The restriction portion 168 and the protection portion 170 are located in the vicinity of the front end (+ Y side end portion) of the displacement allowance portion 166. The restricting portion 168 is a wall slightly extending in the Y direction outside the front end (+ Y side end portion) of the displacement allowance portion 166, and the protection portion 170 is located in the Y direction in front of the displacement allowance portion 166 (+ Y side). It is a wall extended so as to be orthogonal to. The restriction portion 168 and the protection portion 170 according to the present embodiment have an L-shape in a plane orthogonal to the Z direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the attachment portion 176 is located at the rear end (−Y side end portion) of the side portion 160. The mounting portion 176 has a plate shape extending forward (+ Y side) and protrudes outward in the X direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the shell 120 can be attached to the holding member 150 by fitting the attachment portion 128 to the attachment portion 176 from the front (from the + Y side).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l have a shape that is a mirror image in the X direction. As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the first detection pin 300 r includes a flat plate-like held portion 302, a spring portion 304 extending obliquely from the held portion 302, and a contact formed at the tip of the spring portion 304. A portion 306, a regulated portion 308 formed at the tip of the contact portion 306, and a press-fit post 310 and a mounting post 314 extending from the held portion 302. The held portion 302, the spring portion 304, the press-fitting post 310, and the mounting post 314 constitute the same plane, and therefore the first detection pin 300r is constituted by a minimum bend. The thickness (size in the X direction) of the held portion 302 and the spring portion 304 in the present embodiment is smaller than the size of the pin holding portion 162 in the X direction. Further, the contact portion 306 has a curved surface protruding from a plane constituted by the held portion 302 and the like. When the USB receptacle 100 is mounted and fixed on a substrate (not shown), the mounting post 314 is soldered on the substrate and connected to a conductor pattern on the substrate. A dowel 312 is formed on the press-fit post 310. The second detection pin 300l has a symmetrical shape (mirror image structure) with the first detection pin 300r.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l have a right side 160 and a left side 160 so that the contact portion 306 can be displaced mainly in the X direction. Are held respectively.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the first detection pin 300 r and the second detection pin 300 l are viewed from above (+ Z side) so that the held portion 302 is held in the pin holding portion 162. The press-fit post 310 is press-fitted into the side portion 160 and the mounting post 314 is inserted. Since the dowel 312 is provided at the time of the press-fitting, the held portion 302 is pressed against the inner wall of the pin holding portion 162. As a result, the fixed ends of the springs of the detection pins (the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l) become clear, and a spring force as designed can be obtained. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the dowel 312 is provided on the press-fit post 310, that is, the dowel 312 is provided in the vicinity of the press-fit portion, the detection pin (first detection pin) for the side portion 160 of the holding member 150 300r and the second detection pin 300l) and the dowel 312 can detect the detection pins (first detection pin 300r and second detection pin 300l) in the X direction almost simultaneously. It can be appropriately pressed against the inner wall of the pin holding part 162.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are respectively attached to the side portion 160 (a state where the held portion 302 is appropriately pressed against the inner wall of the pin holding portion 162). The deformation allowing portion 164 is positioned inside the spring portion 304 in the X direction. Accordingly, the spring portion 304 can be elastically deformed inward in the X direction.

  As can be understood from FIGS. 9 and 10, in a state where the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are attached to the side portion 160, the spring portion 304 extends from the held portion 302 in the + Y direction and −Z. It extends in the direction defined by the direction (diagonally lower front). For this reason, the spring length can be increased. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the length that can function as the spring portion 304 is increased by providing the deformation allowing portion 164 between the pin holding portion 162 and the displacement allowing portion 166. In addition, since the deformation allowing portion 164 is formed to gradually increase toward the front (+ Y side), the strength of the holding member 150, in particular, the side portion 160 is not impaired.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in a state where the first detection pin 300r is attached to the side portion 160, the contact portion 306 protrudes (exposes) outside in the X direction (pitch direction). This also applies to the second detection pin 300l. As understood from FIGS. 11 and 12, there is nothing on the + Y side (front) of the exposed contact portion 306. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the USB receptacle 100 is viewed from the fitting end side (that is, + Y side; front side), the contact portion 306 can be visually recognized. Therefore, as will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 20, the contact portion 306 can contact the first identification portion 512r and the second identification portion 512l inserted along the Y direction. At the time of this contact, since it protrudes outward in the X direction so as to have a curved surface in the XY plane as described above, the contact point of the contact part 306 with respect to the first identification part 512r and the second identification part 512l is clear. .

  As shown in FIG. 12, the displacement allowing portion 166 is located inside the contact portion 306 in the X direction (pitch direction). Therefore, when the spring portion 304 is deformed, the contact portion 306 can be displaced. It has become.

  On the other hand, as can be understood from FIG. 12, the restricting portion 168 is located outside the restricted portion 308 in the X direction (pitch direction). Therefore, even if some unintentional force toward the outside in the X direction is applied to the contact portion 306, the restricted portion 308 abuts on the restriction portion 168 and the unintended displacement of the contact portion 306 can be suppressed. Note that the X direction outer surface of the restriction portion 168 according to the present embodiment is flush with the end surface (side surface) of the main portion 152 in the X direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, In the X direction, the outer surface of the restricting portion 168 may be located inside the side surface of the main portion 152.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the protection part 170 is located in front of the tip of the first detection pin 300r (ie, the regulated part 308) (+ Y side). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the USB receptacle 100 is viewed from the fitting end side (that is, + Y side; front side), the restricted portion 308 cannot be visually recognized. For this reason, it is possible to avoid any member / part making unintentional contact with the regulated portion 308 from the + Y side (front side). This also applies to the second detection pin 300l.

  The protection unit 170 is provided at a position where the standard shell 410 does not reach in the Y direction when the USB receptacle 100 and the standard USB plug 400 are fitted. Further, as understood from the fact that the protective part 170 is located inside the X direction ends of the main part 152, the special shell 510 is protected when the USB receptacle 100 and the special USB plug 500 are fitted. There is no contact with the portion 170. That is, the protection unit 170 does not become an obstacle to the fitting between the USB receptacle 100 and the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 to 23, when the special USB plug 500 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100 along the -Y direction, the first identification unit 512r and the second identification unit 512l of the special shell 510 are changed to the first one. The first detection pin 300r and the contact portion 306 of the second detection pin 300l can be brought into contact with each other. Even in this case, as understood from FIGS. 20 and 22, the parts other than the first identification part 512r and the second identification part 512l of the special shell 510 are beyond the protection part 170 in the Y direction. (Rear side; -Y side) cannot be located. That is, when the standard USB plug 400 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100, the standard shell 410 comes into contact with the contact portion 306 and the like positioned on the back side (rear side; -Y side) with respect to the protection portion 170. There is nothing.

  As understood from FIGS. 2 and 11, the first detection pin 300 r and the second detection pin 300 l are not in contact with the shell 120. In other words, the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are held by the holding member 150 so as not to be directly connected to the shell 120. On the other hand, the shell 120 can be connected to the standard shell 410 or the special shell 510 via the shell connecting portion 122 when the USB receptacle 100 is fitted to the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500. Accordingly, the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l do not conduct with the shell 120 when the USB receptacle 100 is fitted with the standard USB plug 400, but when the USB receptacle 100 is fitted with the special USB plug 500. Will be electrically connected to the shell 120.

  Therefore, whether the standard USB plug 400 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100 or the special USB plug 500 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100 depending on whether or not the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are electrically connected to the shell 120. Can be detected. According to the detection method, whether the special USB plug 500 and the USB receptacle 100 are fitted or not is determined depending on whether or not a current flows between the shell 120 and the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l. And a method of detecting whether the USB receptacle 100 is fitted (current detection), or the shell 120 while pulling up the potentials of the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l. Is connected to the ground, and the special USB plug 500 and the USB receptacle 100 are connected depending on whether or not the potentials of the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are fluctuated (that is, whether or not the potential is dropped to the ground). For detecting whether the standard USB plug 400 and the USB receptacle 100 are fitted (voltage) May be known).

  In both the case of current detection and the case of voltage detection, the detection related to the first detection pin 300r and the detection related to the second detection pin 300l are made independent of each other, so that not only the special USB plug 500 but also FIGS. The special USB plug 500 ′ and the special USB plug 500 ″ can be detected. Specifically, when it is confirmed that both the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are electrically connected to the shell 120. The special USB plug 500 is connected to the USB receptacle 100, and when it is confirmed that only the second detection pin 300l is electrically connected to the shell 120, the special USB plug 500 is connected to the USB receptacle 100. ′ Is connected, and it was confirmed that only the first detection pin 300r is electrically connected to the shell 120. In this case, the special USB plug 500 ″ is connected to the USB receptacle 100, and if it can be confirmed that both the first detection pin 300 r and the second detection pin 300 l are not electrically connected to the shell 120, the USB It can be detected that the standard USB plug 400 is connected to the receptacle 100.

(Second Embodiment)
Referring to FIG. 24, the USB receptacle 100a according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be selectively fitted with a standard USB plug 400 (see FIG. 6) compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and a special USB plug 500a. Is. Referring to FIGS. 24 to 28, the special USB plug 500 a is generally obtained by adding five special contacts 540 a in addition to the standard USB plug 400. 30 and 33, the USB receptacle 100a includes five additional contacts 180a corresponding to the special contacts 540a of the special USB plug 500a in addition to the contacts 130a and 140a connected to the standard USB plug 400. ing. The special contact 540a of the special USB plug 500a and the additional contact 180a of the USB receptacle 100 according to the present embodiment are used for signal transmission for USB 3.0. That is, the special USB plug 500a and the USB receptacle 100a according to the present embodiment are each provided with two sets of contacts used for signal transmission for USB 3.0, that is, of the dual USB 3.0 type. . As described in detail below, the USB receptacle 100a incorporates a detection mechanism similar to the detection mechanism provided in the USB receptacle 100 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) according to the first embodiment described above. Thus, it can be detected whether the standard USB plug 400 is fitted or the special USB plug 500a is fitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 25 to 28, the special USB plug 500a according to the present embodiment includes a special shell 510a made of a conductor, a plurality of standard contacts 520a and 530a made of a conductor, and a plurality of conductors made of a conductor. A special contact 540a and a special holding member 550a made of an insulator are provided. There are four standard contacts 520a for USB 2.0. Each standard contact 520a has a contact portion 522a. There are five standard contacts 530a for USB3.0. Each standard contact 530a has a bent contact portion 532a. The standard contact 530a can be elastically deformed, and the contact portion 532a can be displaced. The standard contact 520a and the standard contact 530a are also included in the standard USB plug 400 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, unlike the standard contacts 520a and 530a, the special contacts 540a are unique to the special USB plug 500a according to the present embodiment, and there are five. Each special contact 540a has a contact portion 542a.

  The special holding member 550a holds the standard contacts 520a, the standard contacts 530a, and the special contacts 540a arranged in the X direction. The special holding member 550a includes a standard equivalent portion 552a corresponding to the standard holding member 450 included in the standard USB plug 400, and a plate-like extension portion 556a protruding in the Y direction (predetermined direction) from the standard equivalent portion 552a. ing. The extension portion 556a is provided with a thin portion 562a having a small size (that is, a small thickness) in the Z direction (vertical direction). The upper surface 564a of the thin portion 562a according to the present embodiment is located in the −Z direction (downward) with respect to the upper surface 558a of the extension portion 556a. That is, the thin portion 562a is recessed in the extension portion 556a. The thin portion 562a reaches the end surface 560a in the Y direction of the extension portion 556a. A boundary portion 566a between the upper surface 564a of the thin portion 562a and the upper surface 558a of the extension portion 556a crosses the Z direction (vertical direction). By providing such a boundary portion 566a, it is possible to avoid breakage when stress is applied to the thin portion 562a.

  The standard contact 520a is incorporated in the special holding member 550a when the special holding member 550a is molded by a mold-in method. The contact portion 522a is disposed on the lower surface 554a of the standard equivalent portion 552a. The contact portion 522a is accommodated in the standard equivalent portion 552a in the Y direction, and does not reach the extension portion 556a. The standard contact 530a is press-fitted and held in the special holding member 550a, whereby the contact portion 532a is disposed on the lower surface 554a of the standard equivalent portion 552a. The contact portion 532a is also accommodated in the standard equivalent portion 552a in the Y direction, and does not reach the extension portion 556a.

  The special contact 540a according to the present embodiment is incorporated in the special holding member 550a when the special holding member 550a is molded by a mold-in method. The contact portion 542a of the special contact 540a is disposed so as to be exposed on the upper surface 564a of the thin portion 562a. Furthermore, the special contact 540a according to the present embodiment reaches the end surface 560a in the Y direction (predetermined direction) of the extension 556a. That is, the special contact 540a according to the present embodiment is continuously exposed on the upper surface 564a of the thin portion 562a and the end surface 560a of the extension portion 556a in the Y direction (predetermined direction). Thereby, the effective contact length can be lengthened.

  The special shell 510a covers two side projecting portions 514a projecting in the −Y direction so as to cover the end surface (side portion) in the X direction (pitch direction) of the extending portion 556a and the upper surface 558a of the extending portion 556a. It has two upward protruding portions 516a protruding in the -Y direction. The side protrusion 514a according to the present embodiment protrudes to the −Y side from the standard shell 410 (see FIG. 6), and is similar to the first identification unit 512r and the second identification unit 512l according to the first embodiment. It functions as a unique identification unit. The upper protrusion 516a is continuous with the side protrusion 514a. In other words, the side protrusion 514a and the upper protrusion 516a have an L-shaped cross section in a plane (XZ plane) orthogonal to the Y direction. Thereby, the intensity | strength of the side protrusion part 514a and the upper protrusion part 516a is ensured.

  The two upward projecting portions 516a are provided apart from each other in the X direction. A notch 518a is provided between the upper protrusions 516a in the X direction. The notch 518a is formed so as to be recessed from the −Y direction end toward the + Y direction. The notch 518a is located above (+ Z side) the thin portion 562a. For this reason, the thin part 562a is visible from above (+ Z side) through the notch part 518a.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 to 34, the USB receptacle 100a according to the present embodiment includes a standard connector main body 110a, an additional connector main body 115a mounted on the standard connector main body 110a, a locator 320a made of an insulator, In a plane perpendicular to the direction (predetermined direction), a standard connector main body 110a, an additional connector main body 115a, and a shell 120a made of a conductor surrounding the locator 320a are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 to 33 and 52, the shell 120a according to the present embodiment is roughly long in the X direction (pitch direction) and in the Z direction (vertical) in a plane orthogonal to the Y direction (predetermined direction). It has a rectangular tube shape with a short square cross section in the direction). On both side surfaces of the shell 120a, shell connection portions 122a are formed which are connected to the standard shell 410 or the special shell 510a when the USB receptacle 100a is fitted with the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500a. For this reason, when the USB receptacle 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500a, the shell 120a and the standard shell 410 or the special shell 510a are electrically connected. As shown in FIGS. 29, 31, 33, and 52, the upper surface 124a of the shell 120a is formed with an opening 126a that penetrates the upper surface 124a in the Z direction. The opening 126a is an elongated window having a length in the X direction. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 33, a mounting portion 128a made of a notch recessed forward (+ Y direction) is provided at the rear ends (−Y direction ends) of both side surfaces of the shell 120a. As will be described later, the attachment portion 128a is used when the shell 120a is attached to the standard connector main body 110a.

  As shown in FIGS. 33 to 43, the standard connector main body 110a provides a function equivalent to that of the connector main body 110 (see FIG. 9) compliant with the USB 3.0 standard, and is a contact made of a plurality of conductors. 130a and 140a, a holding member 150a made of an insulator for holding them, and a first detection pin 300r and a second detection pin 300l made of a conductor.

  There are four contacts 130a for USB 2.0. The contact 130a includes a held portion 132a held by the holding member 150a, a spring portion 134a extending diagonally forward and upward from the held portion 132a, a contact portion 136a provided at the tip of the spring portion 134a, and the USB receptacle 100a. And a fixed portion 138a (see FIGS. 39, 40, and 43) that is fixed to a substrate (not shown) to be mounted.

  There are five contacts 140a for USB3.0. The contact 140a has a contact portion 146a and a fixed portion 148a (see FIGS. 39 and 41).

  39, 40, 42 and 43, the holding member 150a includes a main portion 152a having a plate-like shape, and a contact holding portion 156a located on the rear side (−Y side) of the main portion 152a. And side portions 160a located at both ends in the X direction (pitch direction). The main portion 152a has a thickness in the Z direction (vertical direction) and extends in the Y direction (predetermined direction). A spring accommodating portion 155a that is recessed in the −Z direction (downward) and extends in the Y direction (predetermined direction) is formed in the main portion 152a. The contact holding portion 156a according to the present embodiment is lower than the contact holding portion 156 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) according to the first embodiment. This is because the additional connector main body 115a is mounted as will be described later. As shown in FIG. 42, the upper surface of the contact holding portion 156a functions as the mounting portion 158a.

  Referring to FIGS. 35 to 38, 40 and 43, the contacts 130a are aligned in the X direction by press-fitting the held portions 132a into the contact holding portions 156a from the upper side (+ Z side) with respect to the holding members 150a. Is held. The spring part 134a is accommodated in the spring accommodating part 155a so as to be elastically deformable, and the contact part 136a is disposed so as to partially protrude on the upper surface 154a of the main part 152a. The contact portion 136a can be displaced mainly in the Z direction (vertical direction) by elastic deformation of the spring portion 134a.

  Referring to FIGS. 35 to 39, the contacts 140a are incorporated into the holding member 150a when the holding member 150a is molded by the mold-in method, and are arranged and held in the X direction. The contact portions 146a of the contacts 140a are disposed on the upper surface 154a of the main portion 152a. As is apparent from FIG. 37, the contact portion 146a of the contact 140a is located closer to the front end (+ Y side end portion) of the main portion 152a than the contact portion 136a of the contact 130a. That is, the contact portion 146a of the contact 140a is located between the contact portion 136a of the contact 130a and the front end (+ Y side end portion) of the main portion 152a.

  As shown in FIG. 35 to FIG. 37 and FIG. 42, on the side portion 160a of the holding member 150a, a pin holding portion 162a, a deformation allowing portion 164a, a displacement allowing portion 166a, a restricting portion 168a, and a protecting portion 170a. And the attaching part 176a is formed. The pin holding part 162a is a groove extending in a direction orthogonal to the X direction and partially penetrates to the bottom surface of the holding member 150a. The deformation allowing portion 164a is located in front of the pin holding portion 162a (+ Y side), and the displacement allowing portion 166a is located in front of the deformation allowing portion 164a (+ Y side). The deformation allowing portion 164a is formed to increase in size in the X direction as it approaches the displacement allowing portion 166a from the pin holding portion 162a (as it goes toward the + Y side). As shown particularly well in FIG. 37, one of the two walls defining the deformation-permitting portion 164a according to the present embodiment crosses both the X direction and the Y direction. The displacement allowance portion 166a is a space having a larger size in the X direction than the deformation allowance portion 164a and communicates with the outside in the X direction. As shown particularly well in FIG. 42, the restricting portion 168a and the protective portion 170a are located in the vicinity of the front end (+ Y side end portion) of the displacement allowing portion 166a. The restricting portion 168a is a wall slightly extending in the Y direction outside the front end (+ Y side end portion) of the displacement allowance portion 166a, and the protection portion 170a is located in the Y direction in front of the displacement allowance portion 166a (+ Y side). It is a wall extended so as to be orthogonal to. The restriction portion 168a and the protection portion 170a according to the present embodiment have an L-shape in a plane orthogonal to the Z direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 to 33 and FIGS. 35 to 38, the attachment portion 176a is located at the rear end (−Y side end portion) of the side portion 160a. The attachment portion 176a has a plate shape extending forward (+ Y side) and protrudes outward in the X direction.

  As shown in FIG. 35, FIG. 37 and FIG. 42, a recess (engagement portion) 172a is formed inside the side portion 160a in the X direction. The recesses 172a are located in the vicinity of the rear end (−Y side end) of the holding member 150a, and are respectively recessed inward in the X direction. These recesses 172a are parts used when the additional connector main body 115a is mounted on the standard connector main body 110a. Further, as shown in FIG. 37, a locking portion 174a protruding inward in the X direction is formed on the −Z side (lower side) of the recess 172a. These locking portions 174a are used when the locator 320a is attached to the holding member 150a, as will be described later.

  The first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l attached to the holding member 150a according to the present embodiment have the same structure as that according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 13 to 15). As in the first embodiment, the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are provided on the right side portion 160a and the left side portion 160a so that the contact portion 306 can be shifted mainly in the X direction. Each is held (see FIG. 36 and FIG. 37).

  33 and 44 to 51, the additional connector main body 115a includes a plurality of additional contacts 180a made of a conductor and an additional holding member 190a made of an insulator.

  As shown in FIG. 45, there are five additional contacts 180a corresponding to the special contacts 540a of the special USB plug 500a. Each additional contact 180a includes a held portion 182a extending in the −Z direction (downward), a spring portion 184a extending in the + Y direction (forward) from the + Z side end portion (upper end) of the held portion 182a, and the tip of the spring portion 184a. And an additional contact portion 186a formed on the holding portion 182a and a fixed portion 188a extending further in the −Z direction (downward) from the held portion 182a. The held portion 182a is provided with a press-fit portion that protrudes in the X direction. The spring portion 184a can be elastically deformed, and therefore the additional contact portion 186a can also be displaced. The additional contact portion 186a is bent so as to protrude to the −Z side. In other words, the additional contact portion 186a has a “<” shape protruding in the −Z side.

  As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the additional holding member 190a has a plate-like support portion 198a extending in the Y direction and a contact holding portion 206a located on the rear side of the support portion 198a.

  As can be understood from FIGS. 45, 46, 47 and 50, the support portion 198a is formed with a spring accommodating portion 205a formed of a groove having a bottom, and the + Y side end portion of each spring accommodating portion 205a. In the vicinity of the (front end), a hole 202a penetrating the support portion 198a is formed. That is, when the support portion 198a is viewed from the −Z side (lower side), the spring accommodating portion 205a cannot be visually recognized except for the hole 202a.

  As can be understood from FIGS. 50 and 51, the hole 202a does not reach the + Y side end (front end) of the support portion 198a, and an additional protective portion 204a is provided on the + Y side (front side) of the hole 202a. It has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 44 to 47, 49, and 50, an additional dowel 196a that protrudes to the + Z side (upward) is formed on the upper surface 192a of the additional holding member 190a. As shown in FIGS. 44 to 48, convex portions (engaging portions) 194a protruding outward in the X direction are formed at both ends (both sides) in the X direction of the additional holding member 190a. The convex portion 194a is a portion that engages with the concave portion 172a of the holding member 150a, as understood with reference to FIGS.

  As understood from FIG. 45, the additional contact 180a is attached to the additional holding member 190a by press-fitting the held portion 182a of the additional contact 180a into the contact holding portion 206a. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 47 and 50, the spring part 184a is accommodated in the spring accommodating part 205a so as to be elastically deformable, and the additional contact part 186a is − from the lower surface 200a of the support part 198a through the hole 202a. It protrudes partially on the Z side (lower side). In this state, as shown in FIG. 48, when the lower surface 200a of the support portion 198a is viewed from the −Z side (lower side), the additional contact 180a cannot be visually recognized except for the additional contact portion 186a. In addition, as can be understood from FIG. 47, since the additional protection portion 204a is provided, the additional contact portion 186a has a portion protruding from the lower surface 200a of the support portion 198a from the + Y side (front), It cannot be visually recognized. Therefore, it is possible to suppress as much as possible that any member accidentally contacts the additional contact 180a from the + Y side of the support portion 198a.

  After the additional contact 180a is thus attached to the additional holding member 190a to form the additional connector body 115a, the additional connector body 115a is mounted on the standard connector body 110a as understood from FIG. Specifically, as understood from FIGS. 34, 35, 44, and 50, the additional holding member 190a is supported while the convex portion 194a of the additional holding member 190a is engaged with the concave portion 172a of the holding member 150a. By mounting a part of the lower surface 200a of the portion 198a on the mounting portion 158a of the holding member 150a, the additional connector main body 115a can be attached to the standard connector main body 110a.

  As shown in FIG. 30, in a state where the additional connector main body 115a is attached to the standard connector main body 110a, the support portion 198a and the main portion 152a are separated in the Z direction (vertical direction). In the space between the support portion 198a and the main portion 152a, the additional contact 180a can be visually recognized except for the additional contact portion 186a protruding from the hole 202a when viewed from the lower side (−Z side). Can not. That is, in the space sandwiched between the support portion 198a and the main portion 152a, the additional contact 180a can be contacted only through the hole 202a. By adopting such a structure, the risk that the additional contact 180a comes into contact with the contact 130a can be reduced as much as possible.

  After the additional connector main body 115a is attached to the standard connector main body 110a, as shown in FIGS. 31, 33 and 35, the attachment portion 128a of the shell 120a is moved from the front (+ Y side) with respect to the attachment portion 176a of the holding member 150a. The shell 120a can be attached to the holding member 150a by fitting.

  29 and 31, in the state where the shell 120a is attached to the holding member 150a, the opening 126a of the shell 120a is located on the + Z side (upward) of the additional contact portion 186a of the additional contact 180a. Yes. Therefore, the additional contact portion 186a is visible through the opening 126a. Even when the additional contact portion 186a is displaced to the + Z side (upward), the shell 126a and the additional contact 180a do not come into contact with each other because of the opening 126a.

  When the shell 120a is attached to the standard connector body 110a and the additional connector body 115a, the additional dowel 196a of the additional holding member 190a comes into contact with the shell 120a, and the additional connector body 115a receives a reaction force from the shell 120a. . Accordingly, the additional connector main body 115a (particularly, the additional holding member 190a) is pressed along the −Z direction (downward) against the standard connector main body 110a (particularly the holding member 150a). That is, the additional holding member 190a according to the present embodiment is partially sandwiched between the holding member 150a and the shell 120a in the Z direction (vertical direction).

  As understood from FIGS. 31 and 33, after attaching the shell 120a to the standard connector main body 110a and the additional connector main body 115a, the USB receptacle 100a according to the present embodiment can be obtained by attaching the locator 320a. it can.

  As shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the locator 320a according to the present embodiment is formed with three sets of alignment holes 322a, 324a, 326a and a locking portion 328a. The alignment hole 322a corresponds to the fixed portion 138a of the contact 130a, the alignment hole 324a corresponds to the fixed portion 148a of the contact 140a, and the alignment hole 326a corresponds to the fixed portion 188a of the additional contact 180a. Yes. By inserting the fixed portions 138a, 148a, 188a corresponding to the alignment holes 322a, 324a, 326a, the locator 320a is further adjusted to the + Z side while properly adjusting the positional relationship of the fixed portions 138a, 148a, 188a ( When moved upward), the locking portion 328a can be locked to the locking portion 174a of the holding member 150a, whereby the locator 320a can be attached and fixed to the holding member 150a.

  When the thus configured USB receptacle 100a is fitted to the special USB plug 500a, the thin portion 562a of the special USB plug 500a is inserted between the support portion 198a and the main portion 152a. The contact portion 542a of the contact 540a and the additional contact portion 186a of the additional contact 180a are connected. At this time, the additional contact portion 186a is displaced to the + Z side (upward) by the contact portion 542a. However, since the opening 126a is provided on the upper surface 124a of the shell 120a of the present embodiment, the additional contact portion 186a is added to the shell 120a. Contact with the contact 180a can be avoided.

  As can be understood from FIGS. 34, 35 and 37, the + Y direction front end (front end) of the support portion 198a of the additional holding member 190a is located at substantially the same position as the protection portion 170a. This is to prevent the standard USB plug 400 from colliding with the additional connector main body 115a when the standard USB plug 400 and the USB receptacle 100a are fitted. In other words, in the present embodiment, the length in the Y direction (predetermined direction) of the additional holding member 190a is determined so as not to overlap the standard USB plug 400 when the USB receptacle 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400. ing.

  As understood from FIGS. 24 to 26, 30, and 33 to 35, when the special USB plug 500 a is fitted to the USB receptacle 100 a along the −Y direction, the special shell 510 a protrudes from the side. The part 514a can be brought into contact with the contact part 306 of the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l. On the other hand, when the standard USB plug 400 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100a, the standard shell 410 does not contact the contact portion 306.

  As understood from FIGS. 30 and 37, the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are not in contact with the shell 120a. In other words, the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are held by the holding member 150a so as not to be directly connected to the shell 120a. On the other hand, the shell 120a can be connected to the standard shell 410 or the special shell 510a via the shell connecting portion 122a when the USB receptacle 100a is fitted to the standard USB plug 400 or the special USB plug 500a. Accordingly, the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l do not conduct with the shell 120a when the USB receptacle 100a is fitted with the standard USB plug 400, but when the USB receptacle 100a is fitted with the special USB plug 500a. Will be electrically connected to the shell 120a.

  Therefore, whether the standard USB plug 400 is fitted to the USB receptacle 100a or the special USB plug 500a is fitted to the USB receptacle 100a depending on whether the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l are electrically connected to the shell 120a. Can be detected. As the detection method, there are current detection and voltage detection as in the first embodiment.

  The USB receptacle 100a and the special USB plug 500a according to the second embodiment described above are not limited to the signal lines defined by the USB 3.0 standard due to structural ingenuity, despite limited size restrictions. A signal line group has been added. Only the structural device in the second embodiment may be used as the present invention. That is, in such a case, a detection mechanism using the detection pins (the first detection pin 300r and the second detection pin 300l) may be provided, but is not essential.

  In any of the special USB plugs 500, 500 ′, 500 ″, and 500a according to the above-described embodiments, the identification parts such as the first identification part 512r, the second identification part 512l, and the side protrusions 514a are mainly special shells 510 and 510. ', 510 "and 510a are portions protruding in the -Y direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the special shell is configured so that the upper and lower edges of the special shell protrude in the -Y direction, and the part that you do not want to contact with the detection pin is recessed in the + Y direction from the edge of the special shell. It is also possible to change the USB receptacle on the other side according to the shape of the special shell.

  For example, as understood with reference to FIGS. 6 and 55, the special shell 510b of the special USB plug 500b shown in FIG. 55 is similar to the standard shell 410 of the standard USB plug 400 shown in FIG. The end portion of the standard shell 410 in the −Y direction is substantially flush with the end portion of the standard holding member 450 in the −Y direction, whereas the special shell 510b has the −Y direction. The direction end portion is different in that it protrudes further forward than the −Y direction end portion of the standard holding member 450. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 55, the special shell 510b of the special USB plug 500b has a first identification unit 512r, a second identification unit 512l, an upper projection 516b, and a lower projection 517b. The first identifying portion 512r, the second identifying portion 512l, the upper projecting portion 516b, and the lower projecting portion 517b project forward from the front end of the standard holding member 450 by the same length in the -Y direction.

  On the other hand, referring to FIG. 56, the special shell 510c of the special USB plug 500c has a second identification portion 512l, an upper protruding portion 516c, and a lower protruding portion 517c. That is, as understood with reference to FIGS. 55 and 56, the special shell 510c in FIG. 56 seems to have a portion corresponding to the first identification portion 512r in the special shell 510b in FIG. 55 recessed in the + Y direction. It has a different shape. In other words, the second identification portion 512l, the upper protruding portion 516c, and the lower protruding portion 517c of the special shell 510c protrude in the −Y direction from the end of the standard holding member 450 by the same length.

  Similarly, in the special shell 510b of FIG. 55, only a portion corresponding to the second identification unit 512l may be recessed in the + Y direction to constitute a special shell.

100, 100a USB receptacle 110 Connector body 110a Standard connector body 115a Additional connector body 120, 120a Shell 122, 122a Shell connection part 124a Upper surface 126a Opening part 128, 128a Mounting part 130, 130a Contact 132, 132a Held part 134, 134a Spring Part 136, 136a Contact part 138, 138a Fixed part 140, 140a Contact 146, 146a Contact part 148a Fixed part 150, 150a Holding member 152, 152a Main part 154, 154a Upper surface 155a Spring accommodating part 156, 156a Contact holding part 158a Mounting portion 160, 160a Side portion 162, 162a Pin holding portion 164, 164a Deformation allowance portion 166, 166a Displacement allowance portion 168, 168a Restriction portion 70,170a protecting portion 172a recess (engaging portion)
174a Locking portion 176, 176a Mounting portion 180a Additional contact 182a Holding portion 184a Spring portion 186a Additional contact portion 188a Fixed portion 190a Additional holding member 192a Upper surface 194a Convex portion (engaging portion)
196a Additional dowel 198a Support portion 200a Lower surface 202a Hole 204a Additional protection portion 205a Spring accommodating portion 206a Contact holding portion 300r First detection pin (detection pin)
300l 2nd detection pin (detection pin)
302 to-be-held part 304 spring part 306 contact part 308 to-be-regulated part 310 press-fit post 312 dowel 314 mounting post (soldering part)
320, 320a Locator 322, 322a Alignment hole 324a Alignment hole 326a Alignment hole 328a Locking part 400 Standard USB plug 410 Standard shell 450 Standard holding member 500, 500 ′, 500 ″, 500a, 500b, 500c Special USB plug 510, 510 ′ , 510 ″, 510a, 510b, 510c Special shell 512r First identification unit (identification unit)
512l second identification unit (identification unit)
514a Side protrusion (identification part)
516a, 516b, 516c Upper protrusion 517b, 517c Lower protrusion 518a Notch 520a Standard contact 522a Contact part 530a Standard contact 532a Contact part 540a Special contact 542a Contact part 550a Special holding member 552a Standard equivalent part 554a Upper surface 560a End surface 562a Thin portion 564a Upper surface 566a Boundary portion

Claims (24)

A USB receptacle capable of selectively fitting and removing a standard USB plug conforming to the USB standard and at least one special USB plug having a structure different from the standard USB plug along a predetermined direction,
The standard USB plug has a standard shell made of a conductor,
The special USB plug has a special shell made of a conductor,
The special shell has an identification portion protruding from the standard shell in the predetermined direction,
The USB receptacle includes a plurality of contacts, a holding member made of an insulator that holds the contacts in a pitch direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a conductor that surrounds the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction. And a detection pin made of a conductor separate from the shell,
The contact has a contact portion,
The holding member has a plate-like main portion having a thickness in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the pitch direction and extending in the predetermined direction;
The contact portion of the contact is disposed on an upper surface of the main portion;
The shell can be connected to the standard shell when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug, and can be connected to the special shell when the USB receptacle is fitted to the special USB plug. Have a shape,
The detection pin has a contact portion,
The detection pin is a position where the standard shell does not reach the contact portion when the USB receptacle is fitted with the standard USB plug, and when the USB receptacle is fitted with the special USB plug, A USB receptacle held by the holding member so as not to be directly connected to the shell at a position where the identification part of the special shell is connected to the contact part. The USB receptacle according to claim 1,
The USB receptacle in which the detection pin is held on the side of the holding member so that the contact portion can be displaced in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The USB receptacle according to claim 2,
The detection pin has a held portion and an elastically deformable spring portion extending from the held portion,
The contact portion is provided on the spring portion,
The holding member includes a pin holding portion that holds the held portion, a displacement allowable portion that allows the displacement of the contact portion, and a deformation allowable portion that allows deformation of the spring portion,
The deformation allowing portion is positioned between the pin holding portion and the displacement allowing portion in the predetermined direction, and the size in the pitch direction increases as the displacement holding portion approaches from the pin holding portion. USB receptacle formed. A USB receptacle according to claim 3,
The spring part is provided with a regulated part,
A USB receptacle in which the holding member is formed with a restricting portion for restricting movement of the restricted portion toward the outside in the pitch direction. The USB receptacle according to claim 4,
When the USB receptacle is fitted to the special USB plug, the restricting portion is located inside the special shell in the pitch direction. A USB receptacle according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The pin holding portion is a groove extending in a vertical plane orthogonal to the pitch direction,
The held portion and the spring portion extend in the vertical plane, and are smaller in size than the pin holding portion in the pitch direction,
A USB receptacle in which the detection pin is formed with a dowel for pressing the held portion against the inner wall of the pin holding portion. The USB receptacle according to claim 6,
The detection pin is formed with a press-fit post that is press-fitted into the holding member,
The dowel is a USB receptacle formed on the press-fit post. A USB receptacle according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
The USB portion is a USB receptacle that extends in a direction oblique to both the vertical direction and the predetermined direction. A USB receptacle according to any one of claims 2 to 8,
The USB receptacle is a USB receptacle having a curved surface projecting outward in the pitch direction within a plane defined by the pitch direction and the predetermined direction. A USB receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A USB receptacle in which the holding member is formed with a protection portion positioned between the standard shell and the detection pin in the predetermined direction when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug. A USB receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The identification unit has two types, a first identification unit and a second identification unit,
There are two types of detection pins: a first detection pin that can be connected to the first identification unit, and a second detection pin that can be connected to the second identification unit.
The first detection pin and the second detection pin are USB receptacles that are respectively held on side portions of the holding member in the pitch direction. A USB receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
An insulating additional holding member mounted on the holding member, and a plurality of additional contacts held by the additional holding member;
The additional holding member has a plate-like support portion extending in the predetermined direction,
The support portion is disposed apart from the main portion in the vertical direction,
The support part is formed with a hole penetrating the support part in the vertical direction,
The additional contact is a USB receptacle that can be contacted only through the hole in a space between the support portion and the main portion. A USB receptacle according to claim 12,
The length of the additional holding member in the predetermined direction is determined so that the USB receptacle does not overlap the standard USB plug when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug. A USB receptacle according to claim 12 or claim 13,
The additional holding member is a USB receptacle that is fixed at least partially sandwiched between the holding member and the shell in the vertical direction. A USB receptacle according to claim 14,
A USB receptacle in which an additional dowel is formed on the upper surface of the additional holding member so as to press the additional holding member against the holding member by contacting the shell. A USB receptacle according to any one of claims 12 to 15,
The additional contact has an additional contact portion formed by bending,
The USB contact is an USB receptacle that is elastically deformable, and is held by the additional holding member so that the additional contact portion projects partially below the support through the hole. The USB receptacle according to claim 16,
The USB receptacle in which the support portion is formed with an additional protection portion positioned between the standard shell and the additional contact in the predetermined direction when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug. A USB receptacle according to claim 16 or claim 17,
The shell is formed with an opening that penetrates the upper surface of the shell in the vertical direction,
The opening is located above the additional contact portion, and the additional contact portion can be visually recognized through the opening, and the additional contact portion and the shell are formed even when the additional contact is elastically deformed. USB receptacle that does not touch. A special USB plug that can be fitted to the USB receptacle according to any one of claims 12 to 18 and is a kind of the special USB plug,
The special USB plug is a standard contact that is connected to the contact of the USB receptacle, and is a plurality of standard contacts that are the same as the contact of the standard USB plug, and a special contact that is connected to the additional contact. A plurality of special contacts different from the contacts, and the standard contact and a special holding member for holding the special contact;
The special holding member has a standard equivalent part corresponding to a standard holding member provided in the standard USB plug, and a plate-like extension part protruding in the predetermined direction from the standard equivalent part.
The standard contact is arranged on the lower surface of the standard equivalent part in the vertical direction and is held by the special holding member so as not to reach the extension part in the predetermined direction.
The extension portion is provided with a thin portion having a small thickness in the vertical direction,
The thin portion reaches the end surface of the extension portion in the predetermined direction,
The special contact is arranged so as to be exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion,
The special shell has a cutout portion that allows the thin-walled portion to be seen from above in the vertical direction and protrudes in the predetermined direction so as to cover the pitch-direction side portion of the extension portion. Has a protrusion,
The side protruding portion is a special USB plug that functions as the identification portion. The special USB plug according to claim 19,
A special USB plug in which a boundary portion between the thin-walled portion and the upper surface of the extension portion has a slope oblique to the vertical direction. The special USB plug according to claim 19 or claim 20,
The special contact is a special USB plug that is continuously exposed on the upper surface of the thin portion and the end surface of the extension portion in the predetermined direction. A special USB plug according to any one of claims 19 to 21,
The special shell has an upper protrusion that covers the upper surface of the extension,
The upper protrusion is a special USB plug that is continuous with the side protrusion. A special USB plug according to any one of claims 19 to 22,
The thin portion is a special USB plug that is inserted between the main portion of the holding member and the support portion of the additional holding member when the special USB plug and the USB receptacle are fitted. A USB receptacle capable of selectively fitting and removing a standard USB plug conforming to the USB standard and at least one special USB plug having a structure different from the standard USB plug along a predetermined direction,
The standard USB plug has a standard shell made of a conductor,
The special USB plug has a special shell made of a conductor,
The special shell has an identification portion protruding from the standard shell in the predetermined direction,
The USB receptacle includes a plurality of contacts, a holding member made of an insulator that holds the contacts in a pitch direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a conductor that surrounds the holding member in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction. And a detection pin made of a conductor separate from the shell,
The shell can be connected to the standard shell when the USB receptacle is fitted to the standard USB plug, and can be connected to the special shell when the USB receptacle is fitted to the special USB plug. Have a shape,
The detection pin has a contact portion,
The detection pin is a position where the standard shell does not reach the contact portion when the USB receptacle is fitted with the standard USB plug, and when the USB receptacle is fitted with the special USB plug, A USB receptacle held by the holding member so as not to be directly connected to the shell at a position where the identification part of the special shell is connected to the contact part.

Images