Connector assembly including a cable with a USB 3.0 signal line, a USB 2.0 signal line, a power line and a ground line

Abstract

A plug for a universal serial bus connector in the USB 3.0 standard to which a cable is connected to form a connector assembly, the cable including a signal line for the USB 2.0 standard and a ground line and being fixed by a cable fixing section of a connector shell, the plug includes an electrode which approximately abuts a distal end of the cable fixing section in the connector assembly, and to which at least one of the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard and the ground line is connected.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to plug for a universal serial bus (hereinafter abbreviated as “USB”) connector (hereinafter abbreviated as “plug”), and a connector assembly using the plug, and in particular relates to the structure of a Standard-A plug or a Standard-B plug in the USB 3.0 standard.

2. Description of the Related Art

A USB connector is a type of connector that is used for the connection of electronic devices including personal computers and peripheral devices, and is widely used due to having the advantages of easy connection to a device, plug-and-play or hot plugging capability, and capability of being used as a terminal for power supply (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2001-217026, Published Japanese Translation No. 2008-508694 of the PCT International Publication, Japanese Utility Model (Registered) Publication No. 3059768, and http://www.hirose.co.jp/catalogj_hp/j24000019). The specification of the plug that constitutes a USB connector and the receptacle into which the plug is inserted are defined by standards.

On the other hand, in connecting a plug and cable to form a USB connector assembly, the structure of the connection portion is not particularly specified. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a structure is employed in which a plug 1 is housed in a metal connector shell 2, a jacket 3a of a cable 3 is fixed in a grasping manner in a clamp portion 2a that is provided at the base end portion of the connector shell 2, and a plurality of electrical wires 3b that extend from the distal end of the jacket 3a to the distal end side are connected to a plurality of electrodes 1a arranged at the base end portion of the plug 1. Also, in the case of the cable 3 used for the USB 3.0 standard, the aforementioned plurality of wires 3b consist of two pairs of signal lines for the USB 3.0 standard that are shielded, one pair of wires for the USB 2.0 standard that are not shielded, a power line and a ground line, for a total of eight wires (only five are shown in the figure). Note that in the following disclosure, unless otherwise noted, the left side in the figures (the side to be inserted into a receptacle) shall be defined as the distal end side, and the right side (the side connected to the cable) as the base end side.

In the aforementioned cable 3, the plurality of wires 3b are covered from the outer side by a jacket 3a and a braid 3c. Accordingly, during the connection described above, work called “leading” is required to remove the jacket 3a and the braid 3c to enable connection of the wires 3b to the electrode 1a of the plug 1. In the aforementioned conventional connector assembly, the distance between the location where the jacket 3a and the braid 3c of the cable 3, that is fixed to the clamp portion 2a, are removed by leading, and each electrode 1a of the USB plug 1 (the distance shown by the letter D in FIG. 7) is substantially equivalent. Accordingly, the lengths of the plurality of (exposed) wires 3b that extend from the distal end of the jacket 3a and the braid 3c to the distal end side by leading are substantially equivalent.

However, when the lengths of the plurality of wires 3b in the aforementioned exposed portion are equivalent, in the signal wires for the USB 2.0 standard in which the periphery is not particularly shielded, since the surrounding shield by the braid 3c is eliminated, they become more susceptible to external noise. In addition, since the braid 3c is eliminated, there is also the problem of the region in which impedance mismatching between the paired signal wires for the USB 2.0 standard occurs expanding. Note that FIG. 7 shows the example of a Standard-A plug in the USB 3.0 standard, but even in the Standard-B plug in the USB 3.0 standard, a similar problem occurs.

The present invention was achieved in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and the object thereof is to provide a plug for a universal serial bus connector and a connector assembly that, in a plug for a USB connector and a connector assembly using the plug, can reduce the effects of external noise that the signal wires for the USB 2.0 standard receive and impedance mismatching between the paired signal wires for the USB 2.0 standard.

SUMMARY

The first aspect of the present invention is a plug for a universal serial bus connector in the USB 3.0 standard to which a cable is connected to form a connector assembly, the cable including a signal line for the USB 2.0 standard and a ground line and being fixed by a cable fixing section of a connector shell, the plug including an electrode which approximately abuts a distal end of the cable fixing section in the connector assembly, and to which at least one of the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard and the ground line is connected.

The second aspect of the present invention is a connector assembly including: the plug for a universal serial bus connector according to claim 1; and the cable that includes the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard, a signal line for the USB 3.0 standard, a power line, and the ground line, wherein the length from a distal end of a jacket of the cable to a distal end of the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard is shorter than the length from the distal end of the jacket to a distal end of the signal line for the USB 3.0 standard.

It may be arranged such that the lengths to the distal end of the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard, the power line, and the ground line with respect to the distal end of the jacket of the cable differ from each other.

The plug for a universal serial bus connector may be a Standard-A plug in the USB 3.0 standard.

The plug for a universal serial bus connector may be a Standard-B plug in the USB 3.0 standard.

According to the present invention, since the signal lines for the USB 2.0 standard that are not shielded can be connected to the electrodes at positions closer to the base end side compared to a conventional plug, it is possible to shorten the overall length of the signal lines for the USB 2.0 standard, which are susceptible to external noise. As a result, the range of being susceptible to external noise of the signal lines for the USB 2.0 standard shortens, and the effect of external noise on the signal lines decreases. Also, since the region where impedance mismatching between the paired signal lines for the USB 2.0 standard occurs (non-shielded region) narrows, the aforementioned impedance mismatching decreases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view that shows an upper side of an example of the structure of the plug for the USB connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is perspective view that shows a lower side of an example of the structure of the plug for the USB connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view that shows an example of the structure of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is perspective view that shows an upper side of an example of the structure of the plug for the USB connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is perspective view that shows a lower side of an example of the structure of the plug for the USB connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view that shows an example of the structure of the connector assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is perspective view that shows an upper side of an example of the structure of a conventional connector assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[Embodiment 1]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention shall be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show schematic configurations of a plug 11 for a USB connector according to the first embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an upper side perspective view that shows the obverse side of the plug 11, and FIG. 2 is a lower side perspective view that shows the reverse side of the plug 11. This plug 11 corresponds to the aforementioned conventional plug 1, and in terms of standards, corresponds to the Standard-A plug in the USB 3.0 standard.

The plug 11 is constituted by a main body 12 that is made of resin, and electrodes 13a to 13d that are arranged in the main body. The main body 12 is provided with a center portion 12a that is supported by a connector shell (refer to reference numeral 2 in FIG. 3 described below) during forming of the connector assembly, a distal end portion 12b that extends from the center portion 12a to the distal end side and that is inserted into a receptacle (not shown), and a base end portion 12c that extends from the center portion 12a to the base end side and that is used for connection with a cable described below. Also, the shapes of the center portion 12a and the distal end portion 12b as well as the arrangement of the electrodes 13a to 13d in the main body 12 conform to the USB 3.0 standard.

In this plug 11, the constitution of the base end portion 12c differs from that of the conventional plug 1. That is, in the plug 11, the base end portion 12c extends to a position closer to the base end side compared to the aforementioned conventional plug 1. Specifically, the base end portion 12c extends with the same width and same thickness as the conventional plug 1 to a position that approximately abuts the distal end of the clamp portion of the connector shell (refer to reference numeral 2a of FIG. 3 described below) during formation of the connector assembly. Here, the “position that approximately abuts the distal end of the clamp portion” means a position at which a base end edge 12d of the base end portion 12c abuts the distal end face of the clamp portion, or faces it with a slight clearance.

Moreover, the electrodes 13d that are positioned on the reverse surface of the base end portion 12c (for electrical wire connections in accordance with the USB 2.0 standard) extend to the base end edge 12d, along the extension direction of the base end portion 12c, in the state of four being arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction, in contrast to the conventional plug 1. Note that the arrangement of the electrodes 13a that are positioned on the obverse base end portion of the distal end portion 12b (for receptacle connection in accordance with the USB 3.0 standard) and the electrodes 13b positioned on the obverse distal end portion of the distal end portion 12b (for receptacle connection in accordance with the USB 2.0 standard), and the electrodes 13c positioned on the obverse surface of the base end portion 12c (for electrical wire connections in accordance with the USB 3.0 standard) are the same as for the conventional plug 1.

Then, for example as shown in FIG. 3, the plug 11 is housed in the metal connector shell 2, and the jacket 30a of the cable 30 that has been led is fixed in a grasping manner in the clamp portion 2a (cable fixing section) that is provided at the base end portion of the connector shell 2. Moreover, the electrodes 13c and 13d of the plug 11 and the plurality of wires that extend from the distal end of the jacket 30a to the distal end side (refer to reference numerals 30b to 30e described below) are connected. In this way, a connector assembly 40 is formed.

In this case, in the plug 11 of the present embodiment, as stated above, the base end portion 12c of the main body 12 extends to a position that approximately abuts the distal end of the clamp portion 2a of the connector shell 2 during formation of the connector assembly 40. Also, the electrodes 13d that are positioned on the reverse surface of the base end portion 12c extend to the base end edge 12d along the extension direction of the base end portion 12c.

Accordingly, when forming the connector assembly 40, it becomes possible for the paired signal lines 30c for the USB 2.0 standard that are not shielded, the power line 30d, and the ground line 30e to be connected to the electrodes 13d at different positions from one another with respect to the extension direction of the base end portion 12c. As a result, the length of the two paired signal lines 30b for the USB 3.0 standard to be connected to the electrodes 13c positioned at the distal end side of the base end portion 12c, the length of the electrical wires to be connected to the electrodes 13d (the signal lines 30c, the power line 30d and the ground line 30e), as well as the lengths among the electrical wires to be connected to the electrodes 13d (the signal lines 30c, the power line 30d and the ground line 30e) can be made to differ with respect to one another.

In particular, since the pair of signal lines 30c that are not shielded can be connected to the electrodes 13d at positions closer to the base end side compared to the conventional plug 1, it is possible to shorten the overall length of the signal lines 30c, which are susceptible to external noise. As a result, the range of being susceptible to external noise of the signal lines 30c shortens, and the effect of external noise on the signal lines 30c decreases. Also, since the region where impedance mismatching between the paired signal lines 30c occurs narrows, the aforementioned impedance mismatching decreases. As a result, reflection of signals between the paired signal lines 30c, signal attenuation arising from that, and crosstalk decrease.

[Embodiment 2]

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show schematic configurations of a plug 51 for a USB connector according to the second embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an upper side perspective view that shows the obverse side of the plug 51, and FIG. 5 is a lower side perspective view that shows the reverse side of the plug 51. This plug 51 in terms of standards corresponds to the Standard-B plug in the USB 3.0 standard.

The plug 51 is constituted by a main body 52 that is made of resin, and electrodes 53a to 53d that are arranged in the main body, similarly to the plug 11 of the aforementioned first embodiment. The main body 52 is provided with a center portion 52a that is supported by a connector shell during forming of the connector assembly, a distal end portion 52b that extends from the center portion 52a to the distal end side and that is inserted into a receptacle (not shown), and a base end portion 52c that extends from the center portion 52a to the base end side and that is used for connection with a cable. Additionally, the base end portion 52c is constituted from a thick base portion 52d that is positioned on the distal end side, and a thin end portion 52e that extends from the base portion 52d to the base end side. The shapes of the center portion 52a, the distal end portion 52b, and the base portion 52d of the base end portion 52c as well as the arrangement of the electrodes 53a to 53d in the main body 52 conform to the USB 3.0 standard.

In this plug 51, the configuration of the end portion 52e of the base end portion 52c differs from that of the conventional Standard-B plug in the USB 3.0 standard (hereinbelow abbreviated as “conventional plug”). That is, in this plug 51, the end portion 52e extends to a position closer to the base end side compared to the conventional plug. Specifically, the end portion 52e extends with the same width and same thickness as the end portion of the aforementioned conventional plug to a position that approximately abuts the distal end of the clamp portion of the connector shell (refer to reference numeral 2a of FIG. 6 described below) during formation of the connector assembly. Note that the “position that approximately abuts the distal end of the clamp portion” is defined in the same manner as in the plug 11 of the first embodiment described above.

The electrodes shown by the reference numerals 53c and 53d (for electrical wire connections in accordance with the USB 2.0 standard) extend to the base end edge 52f, along the extension direction of the end portion 52e, in the state of two each being arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction on both the obverse and reverse surfaces of the end portion 52e of the base end portion 52c, in contrast to the conventional plug 1. Note that the arrangement of the electrodes 53a that are positioned on the obverse surface of the distal end portion 52b (for receptacle connection in accordance with the USB 3.0 standard) and the electrodes positioned on the end surface of the distal end portion 52b (for receptacle connection in accordance with the USB 2.0 standard, not illustrated), as well as the electrodes 53b positioned on the obverse surface of the base portion 52d of the base end portion 52c (for electrical wire connections in accordance with the USB 3.0 standard) are the same as for the conventional plug.

Then, for example as shown in FIG. 6, the plug 51 is housed in the metal connector shell 21, and the jacket 30a of the cable 30 that has been led is fixed in a grasping manner in the clamp portion 21a (cable fixing means) that is provided at the base end portion of the connector shell 21. Moreover, the electrodes 53b to 53d of the plug 51 and the plurality of wires that extend from the distal end of the jacket 30a to the distal end side (refer to reference numerals 30b to 30e described below) are connected. In this way, a connector assembly 60 is formed.

In this case, in the plug 51 of the present embodiment, as stated above, among the base end portion 52c of the main body 52, the end portion 52e that is positioned at the base end side extends to a position that approximately abuts the distal end of the clamp portion 21a of the connector shell 21 during formation of the connector assembly 60. Also, the electrodes 53c and 53d that are positioned on the obverse and reverse surfaces of the end portion 52e extend to the base end edge 52f along the extension direction of the end portion 52e.

Accordingly, when forming the connector assembly 60, it becomes possible for the paired signal lines 30c for the USB 2.0 standard that are not shielded, the power line 30d, and the ground line 30e to be connected to the electrodes 53c and 53d at different positions from one another with respect to the extension direction of the end portion 52e. As a result, the length of the two paired signal lines 30b for the USB 3.0 standard to be connected to the electrodes 53b positioned at the base portion 52d of the base end portion 52c, the length of the electrical wires to be connected to the electrodes 53c and 53d (the signal lines 30c, the power line 30d and the ground line 30e), as well as the lengths among the electrical wires to be connected to the electrodes 53c and 53d (the signal lines 30c, the power line 30d and the ground line 30e) can be made to differ with respect to one another.

In particular, since the pair of signal lines 30c that are not shielded can be connected to the electrodes 53c, 53d at positions closer to the base end side compared to the conventional plug, it is possible to shorten the overall length of the signal lines 30c, which are susceptible to external noise. As a result, the range of being susceptible to external noise of the signal lines 30c shortens, and the effect of external noise on the signal lines 30c decreases. Also, since the region where impedance mismatching between the paired signal lines 30c occurs (non-shielded region) narrows, the aforementioned impedance mismatching decreases. As a result, reflection of signals between the paired signal lines 30c, signal attenuation arising from that, and crosstalk decrease.

Note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and various modifications can be made within a range that does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the plugs 11 and 51 of the foregoing embodiments, the electrodes 13d, 53c, 53d for electrical connections in accordance with the USB 2.0 standard all extend to the base end edge 12d, 52f of the base end portion 12c, 52c. However, if the object is to shorten the total length of the pair of signal lines 30c for the USB 2.0 standard that are not shielded, among the electrodes 13d, 53c, 53d, at least only the electrodes to which the paired signal lines 30c for the USB 2.0 standard are connected may be extend to the base end edge 12d, 52f of the base end portion 12c, 52c.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising: a plug for a universal serial bus connector in a USB 3.0 standard; anda cable which is connected to the plug and is fixed by a cable fixing section of a connector shell, the cable comprising a signal line for a USB 2.0 standard, a signal line for the USB 3.0 standard, a power line, a ground line, and a jacket covering the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard, the signal line for the USB 3.0 standard, the power line, and the ground line,wherein the plug comprises a first electrode which approximately abuts a distal end of the cable fixing section, and to which at least one of the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard and the ground line is connected, andwherein a length from a distal end of the jacket of the cable to a distal end of the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard is shorter than a length from the distal end of the jacket to a distal end of the signal line for the USB 3.0 standard.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plug is a Standard-A plug in the USB 3.0 standard.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plug is a Standard-B plug in the USB 3.0 standard.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a length of the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard, the power line, and the ground line from a distal end of the jacket of the cable to a distal end of the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard, the power line, and the ground line differ from each other.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a center portion, a distal end side, and a base end portion that extends from the center portion to a base end side such that a base end edge of the base end portion approximately abuts the distal end of the cable fixing section,wherein the first electrode extends to the base end edge along an extension direction of the base end portion and is connected to the signal line for the USB 2.0 standard, andwherein the plug further comprises a second electrode which is positioned at a distal end side of the base end portion and is connected to the signal line for the USB 3.0 standard.