USB port for vertical mounting and USB port system

Abstract

USB connector (10) for vertical mounting on a printed circuit board (12), comprising: a USB socket (14) that can be mounted perpendicular to the circuit board (12); a encoder element (28) arranged at the USB socket (14), wherein the encoder element (28) is designed to be connected to a complementarily coded USB plug; and at least one fastening device (32) designed to fasten the coding element (28) to the circuit board (12), wherein at least one fastening device (32) is designed as a retaining bracket, wherein the retaining bracket can be connected to the circuit board (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a USB connector for vertical mounting on a printed circuit board and a USB connector system.

[0002] Conventional USB ports allow devices to be connected either directly or via suitable adapters. In principle, any USB plug compatible with the USB port's socket can be connected. For example, a USB Type-C plug can be connected to a USB Type-C socket. However, in certain applications, it is desirable to restrict the connection of specific devices to a USB port to prevent the use of an "incorrect" device. Providing a USB port that is vertically mounted on a circuit board presents a particular challenge. The vertical orientation can increase the physical forces acting on the connection between the USB socket and the circuit board.This can lead to a disruption in the connection between the USB socket and the circuit board, resulting in a malfunction of the USB port.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2004 019 032 A1 discloses an electrical printed circuit board connector, consisting of a one-piece housing designed as a socket and plug part, with at least one contact element to be attached to a printed circuit board and with at least one coding and positioning element arranged between the contact elements in the plug part, which can be designed as a coding and fastening element and can be connected to the printed circuit board.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a USB connection which enables an association between the terminal device and the USB port and which exhibits increased stability and durability.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a USB connector for vertical mounting on a printed circuit board, comprising: a USB socket that can be mounted perpendicular to the circuit board; a coding element located at the USB port; and at least one fastening device designed to attach the coding element to the circuit board.

[0007] The printed circuit board can provide a mounting plane on which the USB socket is preferably arranged vertically. In particular, the connection direction of the USB socket can be arranged perpendicular to the mounting plane or the printed circuit board. The connection direction is understood to be the direction in which a USB plug compatible with the USB socket is inserted into the USB socket to connect the USB plug to the USB socket.

[0008] The coding element is designed to be connected to a complementarily coded plug, and in particular, to a complementarily coded USB plug. By inserting the complementarily coded USB plug into the coding element, preferably in the direction of connection, the USB socket can be connected to the USB plug.

[0009] Preferably, the coding element has a feedthrough, wherein the feedthrough accommodates the USB socket at least partially along the connection direction. In particular, the coding element can have a housing, wherein the feedthrough is arranged in the housing. Within the scope of this disclosure, a mounted state of the USB connector is understood to be a state in which the USB socket is arranged on the circuit board, and in particular in which the USB socket is mounted perpendicularly on the circuit board. In the mounted state, the USB socket preferably extends along the connection direction. The feedthrough arranged in the housing preferably also extends along the connection direction. In particular, the feedthrough is designed such that, in the mounted state, it encloses the USB socket at least partially along the connection direction.Furthermore, the grommet can be designed such that the USB socket and the grommet are flush when viewed from the opposite direction of connection. In other words, the grommet is designed so that, when installed, the grommet and the USB socket end at the same height, opposite to the direction of connection.

[0010] Because the grommet at least partially encloses the USB port, the port is largely free of force. This means that physical forces exerted by a USB plug inserted into the port are absorbed by the encoding element and transferred to the circuit board. As a result, these forces are either eliminated or significantly reduced in their effect on an electrical connection between the USB port and the circuit board. This extends the lifespan of the USB connection. Furthermore, it ensures that only compatible devices can be connected to the USB port.

[0011] Preferably, the coding element is designed to accommodate a complementarily coded connector, and in particular a complementarily coded USB connector. For this purpose, the coding element preferably has a code that can engage with a complementary code of a USB connector. Preferably, the code can be arranged on the housing of the coding element.

[0012] Preferably, the encoding element can be arranged on the USB socket in at least one of two different orientations. In particular, the feedthrough can be configured such that it can be arranged on the USB socket in a first orientation and in a second orientation. The second orientation is rotated 180° around the connection direction relative to the USB socket compared to the first orientation, and in particular, rotated around the USB socket. Because the encoding element can be arranged on the USB socket in two different orientations, the number of possible encodings can be easily increased.

[0013] Preferably, the coding element is arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB) in a rotationally secure manner. In other words, when mounted, the coding element cannot be rotated relative to the PCB. Firstly, the at least one mounting device can be designed to prevent the coding element from rotating relative to the PCB when mounted. Preferably, the at least one mounting device is designed as a retaining bracket, which is connected to the PCB by soldering, and in particular by reflow soldering. In particular, the coding element can have a projection, the projection being provided on the housing of the coding element. The projection is designed to engage with the mounting device, and in particular with the retaining bracket. The retaining bracket thus securely fastens the coding element to the PCB.

[0014] Preferably, the coding element has at least one positioning element, wherein the at least one positioning element is designed to engage in a corresponding receptacle provided on the printed circuit board. Preferably, the at least one positioning element can be formed on the underside of the coding element's housing. In the assembled state, the underside of the housing is arranged opposite the printed circuit board. The at least one positioning element can, for example, be cylindrical and extend from the underside of the coding element's housing in the direction of the connection. By engaging the corresponding receptacle on the printed circuit board, the at least one positioning element prevents the coding element from rotating around the connection direction in the assembled state.

[0015] Preferably, the coding element comprises a first positioning element and a second positioning element, wherein the first and second positioning elements are formed on the underside of the coding element's housing. As previously described, the first and second positioning elements can be cylindrical and extend from the underside of the housing in the direction of the connection. The first and second positioning elements can each engage in a corresponding receptacle provided on the printed circuit board. By using a first and a second positioning element, rotation of the coding element relative to the printed circuit board around the connection direction can be prevented in the assembled state.

[0016] Preferably, the first positioning element and the second positioning element each have a first cylindrical section and a second cylindrical section. Starting from the underside of the housing of the coding element, the first cylindrical section extends first in the direction of the connection. Starting from the first cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section extends in the direction of the connection.

[0017] Preferably, the first cylindrical section has a larger diameter than the second cylindrical section. The receptacle provided on the circuit board for the first and second positioning elements can be designed as a cylindrical recess. The cylindrical recess can have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the second cylindrical section and smaller than the diameter of the first cylindrical section. Thus, in the assembled state, the first cylindrical section rests on the circuit board or on the mounting surface, and the second cylindrical section engages in the receptacle provided on the circuit board, and in particular in the cylindrical recess.

[0018] This prevents the coding element from twisting relative to the circuit board around the connection direction. Furthermore, it increases the tilting stability of the coding element on the circuit board, since, in the assembled state, the first cylindrical section of the first positioning element and the first cylindrical section of the second positioning element rest on the circuit board.

[0019] Preferably, the coding element has at least one support foot which rests on the circuit board when the USB connector is mounted. This support foot is preferably formed on the underside of the coding element's housing, and in the mounted state, extends from the underside of the coding element's housing in the direction of the connection or towards the circuit board and / or the mounting plane. Preferably, the coding element has a first support foot and a second support foot, which extend from the underside of the coding element's housing in the direction of the connection. The first support foot beneath the second support foot can be designed such that it extends the same length in the direction of the connection as the first cylindrical section.In other words, the first cylindrical section is the same length in the direction of the connection as the first and second support legs in the direction of the connection.

[0020] Thus, in its assembled state, the coding element rests against the circuit board with the first cylindrical section of the first positioning element, the first cylindrical section of the second positioning element, the first support foot, and the second support foot. The first and second positioning elements prevent the coding element from rotating relative to the circuit board. The first support foot, the second support foot, the contact of the first cylindrical section of the first positioning element with the circuit board, and the contact of the first cylindrical section of the second positioning element with the circuit board prevent the coding element from tilting. Consequently, the coding element can be mounted securely and stably on the circuit board.

[0021] Preferably, the coding element has an inspection opening for checking a connection between the USB socket and the circuit board. This connection can be electrically conductive, linking a contact located in the USB socket to the circuit board. A USB plug inserted into the USB socket can then be electrically connected to the circuit board via this contact. The inspection opening can be located on the underside of the coding element's housing. Furthermore, the coding element can be designed such that the connection is visible through the inspection opening when viewed from above. Preferably, the connection can be detected and inspected using a camera system.

[0022] Preferably, the USB connector includes a mounting aid for attaching the USB connector to the circuit board. The mounting aid can be configured to be connected to the encoding element. In particular, the mounting aid can be arranged on the upper surface of the encoding element's housing. The upper surface of the encoding element is defined as the side of the encoding element opposite its lower surface.

[0023] To mount the USB connector on the circuit board, the mounting aid can be connected to the coding element. The coding element can then be positioned on the USB socket. The mounting aid connected to the coding element and the USB socket located within the coding element are then preferably positioned vertically on the circuit board. At least one mounting device is then attached to the coding element. Finally, the mounting device and the USB socket are connected to the circuit board. Connecting the mounting device and the USB socket to the circuit board can be done by soldering, and in particular by reflow soldering.

[0024] One aspect of the invention relates to a USB connection system comprising: a circuit board; and a USB connector mounted on the circuit board as described above. Character description

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the USB connector is explained below by way of example with reference to the attached figures, whereby the reference numerals are used uniformly in all figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a USB socket arranged perpendicular to a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of a USB socket arranged perpendicular to a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a coding element according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 shows a mounted USB connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a mounted USB connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 shows a top view of a mounted USB connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 7 shows a mounted USB connector with an arranged mounting aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In the following figures, identical features are consistently marked with the same reference symbols.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a (partially assembled) USB connector 10, which is arranged on a printed circuit board 12. The USB connector 10 includes a USB socket 14 arranged perpendicularly on the printed circuit board 12. The printed circuit board 12 spans a mounting plane A, to which the USB socket 14 is arranged perpendicularly. In particular, a connection direction B of the USB socket 14 is arranged perpendicular to the printed circuit board 12 or to the mounting plane A. The connection direction B of the USB socket 14 can be considered the direction in which a USB plug (not shown) compatible with the USB socket 14 is inserted into the USB socket 14 to establish a connection with the USB socket 14.

[0028] In the context of the present disclosure, the phrase “an assembled state” means a state in which the USB socket 14 is connected to the circuit board 12 and, in particular, a state in which the USB socket 14 is connected perpendicularly to the circuit board 12. Fig. Figure 1 further shows a connector 16, which, in its assembled state, is positioned between the USB socket 14 and the circuit board 12. Thus, the connector 16 extends in the direction of the connection B from the USB socket 14. The connector 16 is designed to electrically connect a contact (not shown) located in the USB socket 14 to the circuit board. For this purpose, the connector 16 can have a plurality of contacts 18, which are designed to be connected to the circuit board 12. In particular, the plurality of contacts 18 can be connected to the circuit board 12 by soldering, preferably by reflow soldering (electrically conductive).

[0029] Furthermore, the USB socket 14 has a first mounting element 20 and a second mounting element 22. The first mounting element 20 and the second mounting element 22 are designed to be connected to the circuit board 12. The first mounting element 20 and the second mounting element 22 can be connected to the circuit board 12, for example, by soldering, and preferably by reflow soldering. Preferably, the first mounting element 20 and the second mounting element 22 extend from the USB socket 14 in the direction of the connection B.

[0030] As in Fig. Figure 1 shows that a first recess 24 and a second recess 26 (mostly obscured in this perspective) are formed in the circuit board 12. The first recess 24 and the second recess 26 are designed to form a [missing information] as shown in the Fig. The coding element 28 shown in 3-7 is to be positioned in a rotationally secure manner, whereby the element in the Fig. The coding element 28 shown in Figures 3-7 is designed to be placed on the USB socket 14.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the [unclear] in the Fig. 1. USB port 10 shown, facing in the direction of connection B. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the first recess 24 and the second recess 26 are formed in the printed circuit board 12. In particular, the first recess 24 and the second recess 26 can each be cylindrical and extend along the connection direction B. The first recess 24 and the second recess 26 each have a third diameter D3.

[0032] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the coding element 28 has a feedthrough 30 arranged in a housing 29 of the coding element 28, the feedthrough 30 extending along a first extension direction C. In the assembled state of the USB connector 10, the extension direction C can correspond to the connection direction B. In other words, the extension direction C is parallel to the connection direction B. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the coding element 28 can be arranged at the USB socket 14. In particular, the feedthrough 30 is configured to enclose the USB socket 14 at least partially in the direction of the connection B. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the feedthrough 30 and the USB socket 14 terminate at the same height, opposite to the connection direction B. In other words, the feedthrough 30 and the USB socket 14 are of the same length opposite to the connection direction B.

[0033] Because the feedthrough 30 at least partially encloses the USB socket 14 along the connection direction B, the USB socket 14 is free of force in the assembled state. Thus, physical forces acting on the coding element 28, for example, from a complementarily coded USB plug inserted into the coding element 28, are transferred to the coding element 28 and not to the USB socket 14. This reduces the physical stress on the connection between the USB socket 14 and the circuit board 12, thereby increasing the durability and resilience of the USB connector 10.

[0034] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 4-7, the USB connector 10 has a first mounting device 32 and a second mounting device 34, with which the encoding element 28 is attached to the circuit board 12. As shown, the first mounting device 32 and the second mounting device 34 can each be designed as a retaining bracket. The retaining bracket can be connected to two mounting positions 38 arranged on the circuit board 12. For example, the retaining bracket can be connected to the two mounting positions 38 by gluing, screwing, or snapping. In particular, the retaining bracket can be connected to the two mounting positions 38 by soldering, and preferably by reflow soldering.Furthermore, the coding element 28 has a first projection 40 and a second projection 42, wherein, in the assembled state, the first projection 40 engages with the first fastening device 32 and the second projection 42 engages with the second fastening device 34. The first fastening device 32 and the second fastening device 34 enable the coding element 28 to be securely mounted on the circuit board 12.

[0035] By arranging the coding element 28 at the USB socket 14, it is possible that only USB plugs (not shown) with a complementary code to the coding element 28 can be connected to the USB socket 14. For this purpose, the coding element 28 can have a suitable coding 44, which is designed to interact with a complementary coding of a USB plug.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the encoding element 28 is arranged in a first orientation at the USB socket 14. The encoding element 28 can be arranged in a second orientation at the USB socket 14 by rotating it 180° around the connection direction B. This allows the number of possible encodings to be easily increased.

[0037] Furthermore, it shows Fig. 5 a first positioning element 46 and a second positioning element 48. The first positioning element 46 and the second positioning element 48 are formed on the coding element 28. In particular, the first positioning element 46 and the second positioning element 48 extend from a housing underside 50 of the housing 29 (shown in Fig. 3) of the coding element 28 in the direction of extension C. The underside of the housing 50 can be considered to be the side which, in the assembled state, is opposite the circuit board 12. The first positioning element 46 is designed to fit into the first receptacle 24 in the assembled state (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) to engage the circuit board 12. The second positioning element 48 is designed to engage in the second receptacle 26 when mounted (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) to engage the circuit board 12. Thus, in the assembled state, rotation of the coding element 28 relative to the circuit board 12 can be effectively prevented.

[0038] Furthermore, the first positioning element 46 and the second positioning element 48 each have a first cylindrical section 52 and a second cylindrical section 54. The first cylindrical section 52 extends from the lower housing 50 of the coding element 28 in the direction of extension C, and the second cylindrical section 54 extends from the first cylindrical section 52 in the direction of extension C. In other words, the second cylindrical section 54 is located downstream of the first cylindrical section 52 in the direction of extension C. The first cylindrical section 52 can have a first diameter D1, and the second cylindrical section 54 can have a second diameter D2, the second diameter D2 being smaller than the diameter D1.

[0039] As previously described, the first receptacle 24 and the second receptacle 26 can each be cylindrical and have a third diameter D3, wherein the third diameter D3 is larger than the second diameter D2 but smaller than the first diameter D1. Preferably, the first diameter D1 is 2.3 mm to 3 mm, and the second diameter D2 is 1.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0040] Thus, in the assembled state, the second cylindrical section 54 of the first positioning element 46 engages in the first receptacle 24, and the first cylindrical section 52 of the first positioning element 46 rests on the circuit board 12. Furthermore, the second cylindrical section 54 of the second positioning element 48 engages in the second receptacle 26. The first cylindrical section 52 of the second positioning element 48 rests on the circuit board 12. This allows the coding element 28 to be attached to the circuit board 12 with particular stability.

[0041] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the coding element 28 has a first support 56 and a second support, the second support being concealed as shown. The first support 56 and the second support can extend from the underside 50 of the housing of the coding element 28 in the direction of extension C. Preferably, the first support 56 and the second support are the same length as the first cylindrical section 52 in the direction of extension C. The first support 56 and the second support enable the coding element 28 to be mounted on the printed circuit board 12 in a tilt-proof manner. Preferably, the first positioning element 46 and the second positioning element 48 are arranged opposite each other.

[0042] Fig. Figure 6 shows a top view of the USB connector 10 in the direction of connection B. As shown, the coding element 28 has two inspection openings 58, which are designed such that the connection of the connector socket 16 to the circuit board 12 can be optically inspected. For this purpose, a camera (not shown) can be provided with which the connection between the connector socket 16 and the circuit board 12, and in particular the plurality of contacts 18, can be optically detected. In particular, the inspection openings 58 are arranged on the underside 50 of the housing of the coding element 28. Preferably, the coding element 28 is designed such that the connection between the connector socket 16 and the circuit board 12, and in particular the plurality of contacts 18, is visible and not obscured in a top view of the coding element 28.

[0043] Fig.Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the assembled USB connector 10, with a mounting aid 60 arranged on the coding element 28. Preferably, the mounting aid 60 is arranged on the upper housing 62 of the coding element 28. The upper housing 62 is the side opposite the lower housing 50. The mounting aid 60 allows the assembled USB connector 10 to be easily positioned on the circuit board 12, enabling the subsequent connection of the USB socket 14, the first mounting device 32, and the second mounting device 34 to the circuit board 12. To mount the USB connector 10, the coding element 28 is positioned on the USB socket 14. In particular, the USB socket 14 is inserted into the feedthrough 30. The mounting aid 60 can be connected to the coding element 28 either before or after this process.The mounting aid 60, with the connected coding element 28 and the USB socket 14 arranged therein, is then positioned on the circuit board 12. The USB socket 14, the first mounting device 32, and the second mounting device 34 can be connected to the circuit board 12 by soldering, and in particular by reflow soldering. Reference symbol list 10 USB ports 12 circuit boards 14 USB ports 16 connection sockets 18 Numerous contacts 20 first fastening element 22 second fastening element 24 first recording 26 second recording 28 coding element 29 cases 30 Implementation 32 first fastening device 34 second fastening device 38 Mounting positions 40 first lead 42 second lead 44 Encoding 46 first positioning element 48 second positioning element 50 Bottom of housing 52 first cylindrical section 54 second cylindrical section 56 first foot 58 Inspection opening 60 Assembly aid 62 Top of case A mounting level B Connection direction C Direction of extension D1 first diameter D2 second diameter D3 third diameter

Claims

[1] USB connector (10) for vertical mounting on a printed circuit board (12), comprising: a USB socket (14) that can be mounted perpendicular to the circuit board (12); a encoder element (28) arranged at the USB socket (14), wherein the encoder element (28) is designed to be connected to a complementarily coded USB plug; and at least one fastening device (32) designed to fasten the coding element (28) to the circuit board (12), wherein at least one fastening device (32) is designed as a retaining bracket, wherein the retaining bracket can be connected to the circuit board (12). [2] USB connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the encoding element (28) has a through-hole (30), wherein the through-hole (30) accommodates the USB socket (14) at least partially. [3] USB connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coding element (28) is designed to accommodate a complementarily coded connector. [4] USB connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coding element (28) can be arranged on the circuit board (12) in a rotationally secure manner. [5] USB connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coding element (28) has at least one positioning element (46) which is designed to engage in a corresponding receptacle (24) provided on the circuit board (12). [6] USB connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coding element (28) has at least one stand (56) which rests on the circuit board (12) in a mounted state of the USB connector (10). [7] USB connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coding element (28) has a control opening (58) for checking a connection existing between the USB socket (14) and the circuit board (12). [8] USB connection system comprising: a printed circuit board (12); and a USB connector (10) mounted on the circuit board according to one of the preceding claims.

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