RU124431U1 - USB DEVICE (OPTIONS) - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A portable USB device for storing, processing and exchanging data with a computer, comprising: a USB connector made on a printed circuit board together with the entire circuit of the product as a whole; a USB connector housing combined with the product housing in a single non-separable part, into which the printed circuit board is inserted from the end side of the product opposite the USB connector; an end cap in the form of a cover covering the entrance of the board to the case for final fixing of the board in the case, characterized in that it further comprises convex longitudinal guides for fixing the board in the desired position in the case of the zone of the USB connector, through which the board is inserted into the case. 2. The USB device according to claim 1, in which the guides are made in the form of a protrusion, on which the printed circuit board rests, and from above it presses and holds the counterpart of the USB connector. The USB device according to claim 1, wherein the contacts of the USB connector are on the upper surface of the circuit board. The USB device according to claim 1, wherein the end cap is attached to the product body with latches or stops. The USB device according to claim 1, in which the housing is a rectangular tube. The USB device according to claim 1, wherein the case in the area of the USB connector is narrower than the case in the area of the location of the printed circuit board. A USB device according to claims 1 to 6, in which the case of the USB device is made during casting in one technological cycle and does not have seams or detachable joints. The USB device of claim 7, wherein the housing of the USB device is made of plastic. A portable USB device for storing, processing and exchanging data with a computer, containing: a USB connector, made on a printed circuit board together with the entire circuit of the product, as a whole; a USB connector housing,

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to the field of portable electronic devices, namely, portable devices for storing and processing data equipped with a USB (Universal-Serial-Bus) connector.

State of the art

Most peripherals are currently connected to computers via a standard USB port. For compact and inexpensive devices connected to the USB port of computers (such as, for example, electronic keys, flash memory and others), the cost and reliability of the unit of connection of the product and the USB connector (directly the mounting location itself) are of great importance. Attaching a standard USB connector with a metal casing to such products is usually more expensive than installing other radio elements. Yes, and the strength is determined at the soldering points of the contacts of the connector and the metal housing of the connector. In the products under consideration, USB connectors with a metal case are used (FIGS. 1, 2). To install it on the product board, you must install the connector itself, solder the contacts, fix the metal case of the connector on the board.

Currently, the task of improving the reliability of USB devices is solved, for example, in the decision US 2004/0145878 A1, H01R 12/16, 07.29.2004, in which the case of the printed circuit board on which the memory card is mounted and the case of the USB connector are a single detail. However, in this solution there are such vulnerable fastening elements as the place of fastening the board and USB-connector, a seam fastening the device’s case, as well as the absence of elements of the fixed fixing of the board in the device’s case.

In another well-known USB device US 2010/0290180 A1, G06F 1/16, 11/18/2010, the contacts of the USB connector are made on the same board as the storage device, and a single metal case is made seamless. However, to fix the printed circuit board in the device case, additional elements of complex shape are used, which significantly complicates the manufacturing and assembly process.

Closest to the claimed solution is the patent US 7259967 B2, H05K 7/02, 08/21/2007 for a USB device, in which the contacts of the USB connector are made on the same board as the storage device, and a single case is made of plastic seamless. At the same time, a back cover-lock is used to fix the board in the case. However, for a more reliable mounting of the board in the case in the area of the USB connector, an additional structural element (retaining ring) is used, the presence of which significantly complicates the manufacturing and assembly process, while without firmly fixing the board in the case in the area of the USB connector, the risk of USB breakage increases -devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the proposed utility model is to increase the reliability of USB devices without the use of additional structural elements that complicate and increase the manufacturing cost of USB devices, as well as the elimination of such a thing as contact bounce. Contact bounce is a phenomenon that occurs in electric and electronic switches, in which, instead of some stable switching, they produce random multiple uncontrolled closing and opening of contacts (occurs at the time of switching, within about 40-100 ms). If the value of the continuous signal at the input of the switches is between the values that translate the switch into one of the discrete states, then the output will observe oscillations called bounce. Chatter causes device malfunctions, and can also lead to damage to electronic and electrical components, prematurely destroys elements with a limited resource by the number of on / off cycles.

The technical result provided by the claimed solution is to increase the mechanical strength of the USB connector and the reliability of the USB device while simplifying the design, as well as the manufacturing and assembly process of the USB device.

The specified result is achieved due to the guides made inside the device casing, providing rigid fixing of the printed circuit board in the casing.

In a first preferred embodiment, the USB device contains the following structural elements: a USB connector, made on a printed circuit board together with the entire circuit of the product, as a whole; a USB connector case combined with the product case into a single, non-separable part into which a printed circuit board is inserted from the front side of the product (opposite to the USB connector); convex longitudinal guides for fixing the board in the right position in the case body of the USB connector (they also facilitate the installation of the board in the case), along which the board is inserted into the case until it stops; end cap (cover that closes the board entrance to the case) for final fixing of the board in the case.

In this case, the guides can be made in the form of a protrusion, on which the printed circuit board rests, and from above it presses and holds the counterpart of the USB connector. The contacts of the USB connector in this case will be on the top surface of the circuit board.

In a second preferred embodiment, the USB device comprises the following components:

USB-connector, made on a printed circuit board together with the entire circuit of the product, as a whole; a USB connector case combined with the product case into a single, non-separable part into which a printed circuit board is inserted from the front side of the product (opposite to the USB connector);

recessed longitudinal guides for fixing the board in the right position in the case of the USB-connector zone (they also facilitate the installation of the board in the case), along which the board is inserted into the case until it stops;

end cap (cover that closes the board entrance to the case) for final fixing of the board in the case.

In this case, the guides can be made in the form of a groove, the upper and lower surfaces of which are rigidly fixed to the printed circuit board in the device housing in the area of the USB connector to prevent contact bounce.

In a third preferred embodiment, the USB device contains the following structural elements: a USB connector, made on a printed circuit board together with the entire circuit of the product, as a whole; a USB connector case combined with the product case into a single, non-separable part into which a printed circuit board is inserted from the front side of the product (opposite to the USB connector); transverse guides for fixing the board in the desired position in the case of the USB connector zone (they also facilitate the installation of the board in the case), including the upper and lower, which in turn have two surfaces: a catcher and the guide itself, along which the board is inserted into the case until emphasis; end cap (cover that closes the board entrance to the case) for final fixing of the board in the case.

As a supplement or as an alternative, a stopper in the form of a small nut is also present in the area of the USB connector, which prevents the PCB from passing beyond a certain distance during assembly.

In alternative embodiments:

the end cap can be attached to the product body on latches or stops;

the case of the USB device can be made of plastic;

the body can be made during the casting process in one technological cycle and does not have seams or detachable joints;

the housing may be a rectangular tube;

the case in the area of the USB connector may be narrower than the case in the area of the PCB.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows the mounting of the USB connector to the printed circuit board in the prior art (front view).

Figure 2 shows the attachment of the USB connector to the printed circuit board in the prior art (rear view).

Figure 3 shows the combination of the contacts of the USB connector and the storage element on one printed circuit board according to the claimed solution.

Figure 4 shows the printed circuit board embedded in the housing of the product, which is combined with the housing of the connector, as a single part according to the claimed solution.

Figure 5 shows the printed circuit board embedded in the product’s case, which is integrated with the connector case, as a single part according to the claimed solution, in the embodiment when the case is narrower in the area of the USB connector than the case in the area of the printed circuit board.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a convex longitudinal guide in the form of a protrusion according to one embodiment of the claimed solution.

7 shows an embodiment of a recessed longitudinal guide in the form of a groove according to a second embodiment of the claimed solution.

On Fig shows an embodiment of the transverse guides according to the third variant of the claimed solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The claimed solution proposes to constructively combine the plastic housing of the product and the connector housing in one part. Thus, there is no need for assembly (mechanical connection) of the connector housing with the product. And the contacts of the USB connector are made directly on the printed circuit board of the product, as a continuation of the tracks of the printed circuit board itself (which are created during the manufacturing process of the printed circuit board and do not require separate work) (Fig. 3). This printed circuit board is inserted into the product case (which is integrated with the connector case as a single part) from the side opposite to the USB connector. At the same time, in order to maintain the correct dimensions of the design of the USB connector (for sure to hold the necessary electrical contact), this printed circuit board is inserted into the product housing along special guides laid along the plastic case of the USB connector of the product. The board, inserted into this connector housing, also gives it additional mechanical strength. The resulting design is shown in figure 4.

To fasten the printed circuit board in the product housing, in this design, you can use not only a threaded connection, but also a lid-lock that is inserted immediately behind the printed circuit board (which is attached to the main body, for example, on latches or stops). She will keep the circuit board in the case. In this case, the use of a cover-lock with latches allows you to reduce the cost of the assembly process of the product. Thus, the design consists of two plastic parts (housing and cover-lock) and the printed circuit board of the product.

Figures 6 and 7 show longitudinal guides — guides in the form of a protrusion or groove along the length of the housing along which the printed circuit board moves during assembly of the product. Here you can apply both convex guides (Fig.6) and recessed guides (Fig.7). Both of these options are shown in section from the side of the USB connector, where pos. 1 is a printed circuit board, pos. 2 is a connector housing. In the version with convex guides at the bottom there is an emphasis for the printed circuit board, and from above it will press and hold the counterpart of the USB connector. The contacts of the USB connector in this case are located on the upper surface of the printed circuit board.

On Fig shows a variant with transverse guides. These guides consist of upper and lower, which in turn have two surfaces: a catcher (pos. 1) and the guide itself (pos. 2). The top rail is positioned so as not to interfere with the mate of the USB connector. The catcher is needed for ease of installation in a narrow slot of the printed circuit board during the assembly process. In the figure on the left in the zone of the USB connector there is also a stopper in the form of a small nut, which prevents the PCB from passing beyond a certain distance during assembly. Thus, the proposed design makes it easy and quick to assemble a USB device, which makes the housing design cheap. The board is inserted into the housing in the slot, which is formed by the guides described above.

Claims (22)

1. A portable USB device for storing, processing and exchanging data with a computer, comprising: USB-connector, made on a printed circuit board together with the entire circuit of the product, as a whole; a USB connector case combined with the product case into a single, non-separable part into which a printed circuit board is inserted from the end side of the product opposite the USB connector; end cap in the form of a cover covering the entrance of the board to the case, for the final fixation of the board in the case, characterized in that it further comprises convex longitudinal guides for fixing the board in the desired position in the housing of the zone of the USB connector, through which the board is inserted into the housing. 2. The USB device according to claim 1, in which the guides are made in the form of a protrusion, on which the printed circuit board rests, and from above it presses and holds the counterpart of the USB connector. 3. The USB device according to claim 1, in which the contacts of the USB connector are located on the upper surface of the circuit board. 4. The USB device according to claim 1, in which the end cap is attached to the body of the product on latches or stops. 5. The USB device according to claim 1, in which the housing is a rectangular tube. 6. The USB device according to claim 1, in which the case in the area of the USB connector is narrower than the case in the area of the circuit board. 7. The USB device according to claims 1 to 6, in which the housing of the USB device is made during molding in one technological cycle and does not have seams or detachable joints. 8. The USB device according to claim 7, in which the housing of the USB device is made of plastic. 9. A portable USB device for storing, processing and exchanging data with a computer, comprising: USB-connector, made on a printed circuit board together with the entire circuit of the product, as a whole; a USB connector case combined with the product case into a single, non-separable part into which a printed circuit board is inserted from the end side of the product opposite the USB connector; end cap in the form of a cover covering the entrance of the board to the case, for the final fixation of the board in the case, characterized in that it further comprises recessed longitudinal guides for fixing the board in the desired position in the case of the zone of the USB connector, through which the board is inserted into the case. 10. The USB device according to claim 9, in which the guides are made in the form of a groove, the upper and lower surfaces of which are rigidly fixed to the printed circuit board in the device housing in the area of the USB connector. 11. The USB device according to claim 9, in which the end cap is attached to the product body on latches or stops. 12. The USB device according to claim 9, in which the housing is a rectangular tube. 13. The USB device according to claim 9, in which the case in the area of the USB connector is narrower than the case in the area of the circuit board. 14. The USB device according to claims 9 to 13, in which the housing of the USB device is made during casting in one technological cycle and does not have seams or detachable joints. 15. The USB device of claim 14, wherein the housing of the USB device is made of plastic. 16. A portable USB device for storing, processing and exchanging data with a computer, comprising: USB-connector, made on a printed circuit board together with the entire circuit of the product, as a whole; a USB connector case combined with the product case into a single, non-separable part into which a printed circuit board is inserted from the end side of the product opposite the USB connector; end cap in the form of a cover covering the entrance of the board to the case, for the final fixation of the board in the case, characterized in that it further comprises upper and lower transverse guides for fixing the board in the desired position in the housing of the zone of the USB connector, which have two surfaces: a catcher and the guide itself, along which the board is inserted into the housing. 17. The USB device according to clause 16, in which in the area of the USB connector there is a stopper in the form of a small nut. 18. The USB device according to clause 16, in which the end cap is attached to the product body on latches or stops. 19. The USB device according to clause 16, in which the housing is a tube of rectangular cross section. 20. The USB device according to clause 16, in which the case in the area of the USB connector is narrower than the case in the area of the PCB. 21. The USB device according to claims 16 to 20, wherein the housing of the USB device is made during casting in one production cycle and does not have seams or detachable joints. 22. The USB device according to item 21, in which the housing of the USB device is made of plastic.

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