Patent Application
20130267126
This application is related to another application, entitled “CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY” (attorney docket number US44546), filed simultaneously with this application, and having the same assignee as this application. The entire contents of the copending application are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to connector assemblies that can transmit a plurality of signals.
2. Description of Related Art
Connectors are widely used in electronic devices to transmit signals. For transmitting different signals, the electronic device often uses different connectors, and each connector transmits one kind of signal. Therefore, a plurality of different types of connector must be mounted on the electronic device, which has a high cost and consumes a lot of space in the electronic device.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.
Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”
Referring to
Referring to
Two grooves are radially defined on a right part of the first portion 23 to form a first plug signal transmitting surface 231. A plurality of parallel first plug signal transmitting pins 233 are laid on the first plug signal transmitting surface 231. The plurality of first plug signal transmitting pins 233 transmit a first signal, such as a USB signal.
Two grooves are defined on a middle part of the second portion 25 to form a second plug signal transmitting surface 251 on the second portion 25. A plurality of parallel second plug signal transmitting pins 253 are laid on the second plug signal transmitting surface 251. The plurality of second plug signal transmitting pins 253 transmit a second signal, such as an AGP signal.
Two grooves are defined on a left part of the third portion 27 to form a third plug signal transmitting surface 271 on the third portion 27. A plurality of parallel third plug signal transmitting pins 273 are laid on the third plug signal transmitting surface 271. The plurality of third plug signal transmitting pins 273 transmit a third signal, such as an audio signal.
The first plug signal transmitting surface 231, the second plug signal transmitting surface 251, and the third plug signal transmitting surface 271 are misaligned with each other, in that a peripheral angular displacement of approximately 60 degrees exists between each of the surfaces 231, 251, and 271, and the respective average diameter of those surfaces also increases in the stated order.
A cutout 29 is defined on the outer surface 21. The cutout 29 does not meet or interfere with any of the surfaces 231, 251, or 271.
Referring to
Two grooves are defined on a right part of the first area 33 to form a first socket signal transmitting surface 331. A plurality of parallel first socket signal transmitting pins 333 are laid on the first socket signal transmitting surface 331. The plurality of first socket signal transmitting pins 333 transmit the first signal.
Two grooves are defined on a middle part of the second area 35 to form a second socket signal transmitting surface 351. A plurality of parallel second socket signal transmitting pins 353 are laid on the second socket signal transmitting surface 351. The plurality of second socket signal transmitting pins 353 transmit the second signal.
Two grooves are defined on a left part of the third area 37 to form a third socket signal transmitting surface 371. A plurality of parallel third socket signal transmitting pins 373 are laid on the second socket signal transmitting surface 371. The plurality of third socket signal transmitting pins 373 transmit the third signal.
The first socket signal transmitting surface 331, the second socket signal transmitting surface 351, and the third socket signal transmitting surface 371 are misaligned with each other, in substantially the same fashion as the angular displacements and different average diameters of the three portions of the connector plug 20.
A ridge 39 protrudes inwards from the inner surface 31 and corresponds to the cutout 29 of the outer surface 21.
All of the signal transmitting pins 233, 253, 273, 333, 353, and 373 are curved.
To join the connector plug 20 and the connector socket 30, the ridge 39 is aligned to the cutout 29. The connector plug 20 is inserted in the connector socket 30. The ridge 39 slides in the cutout 29. The first plug signal transmitting pins 233 are coupled to the first socket signal transmitting pins 333. The second plug signal transmitting pins 253 are coupled to the second socket signal transmitting pins 353. The third plug signal transmitting pins 273 are coupled to the third socket signal transmitting pins 373. The first insulating strip 281 contacts the first insulating portion 381. The second insulating strip 282 contacts the second insulating portion 382. The connector plug 20 and the connector socket 30 can thus exchange three different kinds of signal simultaneously, and with each type of signal independent of the others.
In another embodiment, the connector plug 20 and the connector socket 30 can provide connections to enable the exchange of two, four, five or more different kinds of signals.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101112137 | Apr 2012 | TW | national |
