USB Type-C connection incorporating two USB Type-B connections

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connection cable comprising: a connector (C1, C2) at a first end of the cable, the connector comprising pairs of connection terminals (Ai, Bi, i = 1-12), the terminals (Ai, Bi) of each pair of terminals being arranged symmetrically in the first connector so that the connector can be plugged in interchangeably in two distinct positions; and electrical connecting wires (F1-F14), each of the terminal pairs (Ai, Bi) of a first part (i = 1-5, 8-12) of the terminal pairs being connected respectively to one of the wires (Fi, i = 1-5, 8-12), each of the terminals of at least one pair of terminals (A6, B6, A7, B7) of a second part of the terminal pairs being connected to a respective wire (F6, F13, F7, F14) of the electrical connecting wires. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: USB Type-C connection integrating two USB Type-B links. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the connection of devices by USB ("Universal Serial Bus") type ports. State of the art

[0002] USB is a serial computer bus standard used to connect computer peripherals to a computer or any type of device designed for this purpose (tablet, smartphone, etc.). A USB bus allows for "hot-swapping" peripherals (connecting them while the computer is running), with automatic recognition of the peripheral ("plug and play"). USB Type-A or Type-B can power low-power peripherals. USB Type-C can power devices requiring more power, up to 240 W.

[0003] Originally, the USB bus was designed exclusively to connect a computer, called the "host," equipped with a Type A connector, to a peripheral device, also called the "slave," equipped with a Type B connector. More recently, a Type C connector was introduced with USB version 3.0. The USB Type C connector, intended to replace all previous connector types, is unique in that it is mechanically and electrically reversible; that is, it has no top / bottom orientation, as all its pins are duplicated. Since USB is necessarily a link between a host and a slave, a negotiation must take place when two devices are connected to determine which device should be connected in host mode and which in slave mode.

[0004] However, particularly with the development of connected objects, some applications may require both a host mode connection and a slave mode connection on the same device. For example, to debug an application embedded on a device using a console, it is necessary to connect the computer in host mode to the device in order to load program elements of the application to be tested onto the device being debugged, which is connected in slave mode. The console must then be disconnected and then connected in slave mode to the device to load application parameters and activate the application on the device. To avoid these connection and disconnection operations, one solution is to provide an additional connector on the device and the console, for example USB 2.0, to allow two simultaneous connections. However, this solution introduces additional complexity and costs for the device. In particular, this solution may not be feasible, especially on miniaturized devices.

[0005] Furthermore, the USB architecture is characterized by also supplying an electrical voltage to peripherals, either for powering them or for charging an internal battery. It uses for this purpose a cable comprising wires for power (VBUS) and ground (GND).

[0006] It is therefore desirable to be able to connect a device in both USB host and USB slave modes to other devices, while also being able to transmit power between these devices. It is also desirable to limit the number of connectors and connections between these devices. Summary

[0007] Embodiments relate to an electrical connection cable comprising: a first connector at a first end of the cable, the first connector comprising pairs of connection terminals, the terminals of each pair of connection terminals being arranged symmetrically in the first connector so that the first connector can be plugged in interchangeably in two distinct positions; and electrical connecting wires, each of the pairs of connection terminals of a first part of the pairs of connection terminals being connected respectively to one of the wires of a first part of the electrical connecting wires, each of the connection terminals of at least one pair of connection terminals of a second part of the pairs of connection terminals being connected to a respective wire of a second part of the electrical connecting wires.

[0008] In this way, the device can present two links that can be used to connect a device both as a host and as a slave.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the first connector is a USB Type-C connector.

[0010] In this way, a USB type C cable can have two type A or B links that can be used to connect a device both as a host and as a slave.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the cable includes a second connector at a second end of the cable, the second connector comprising pairs of connection terminals, the terminals of each pair of connection terminals being arranged symmetrically in the second connector so that the second connector can be plugged in interchangeably in two distinct positions, each of the wires of the first part of the electrical connecting wires being connected respectively to one of the pairs of connection terminals of a first part of the pairs of connection terminals of the second connector.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the second connector is a USB Type-C connector.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each of the wires of the second part of the electrical connecting wires is connected to a respective terminal of one of the pairs of connection terminals of a second part of the pairs of connection terminals of the second connector.

[0014] According to one embodiment, one of the connection terminals of each pair of connection terminals of the second part of the pairs of connection terminals of the first connector is connected by a respective wire to a pair of connection terminals of the second part of the pairs of connection terminals of the second connector, and the other of the connection terminals of the pair of connection terminals of the second part of the pairs of connection terminals of the first connector is connected by a respective wire to a connection terminal distinct from the connection terminals of the first and second connectors.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the terminal distinct from the terminals of the second connector belongs to a third connector comprising at least one other terminal connected to a respective wire of the first part of wires.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the third connector is a USB type A or B connector.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first connector includes a mechanical keying device to force the first connector to be plugged into one of two distinct positions.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the mechanical keying device includes a fixing screw associated with the connector arranged to fix in a complementary shape connector when the connector and the complementary shape connector are electrically coupled.

[0019] Embodiments may also relate to a system comprising: a cable as previously defined, and a first device connected both as a USB host and USB slave by means of the cable to other devices of the system.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the other devices of the system connected by the cable have at least one of the following types: USB hub, display screen, computer, communication terminal, payment terminal. Brief description of the figures

[0021] The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, in which identical reference signs correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0022] [Fig. 1] Figures IA and IB schematically represent USB Type-C connectors, female and male, respectively,

[0023] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 schematically represents a cable that can combine a host-mode link and a slave-mode link, according to one embodiment,

[0024] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 schematically represents a system using the cable of Figure 2, according to one embodiment,

[0025] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 schematically represents an interface circuit of the system of Figure 3, according to one embodiment,

[0026] [Fig.5] Figure 5 schematically represents another interface circuit of the system of Figure 3, according to one embodiment.

[0027] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 schematically represents a system using the cable of Figure 5, according to an example embodiment,

[0028] [Fig.7] Figure 7 schematically represents, in perspective, a connector for the cable of Figure 2, according to an example embodiment,

[0029] [Fig.8] Figure 8 schematically represents in perspective a connector for the cable of Figure 2, according to another embodiment. Detailed description

[0030] Figures IA and IB represent USB Type-C connectors C1 and C2, female and male, respectively. The CC connector comprises 24 pins A1-A12, B1-B12. Pins A1, A12, B1, B12 (GND) are intended for connection to ground, and pins A4, A9, B4, B9 (VBUS) are intended for carrying a supply voltage. Pins A6, A7, B6, B7 (D+, D-) constitute a first differential pair for USB 2.0 data transmission. Pins A2, A3, B10, B11 (TX1+, TX1-, RX1-, RX1+) constitute a second differential pair for unidirectional data transmission. Terminals A10, A11, B2, B3 (RX2-, RX2+, TX2+, TX2-) form a third differential pair for unidirectional data transmission. Terminals A5, B8 (CC1, SBU2) and A8, B5 (SBU1, CC2) are used to transmit configuration signals. In each of the connectors C11, C2 at the ends of a USB Type-C cable, each terminal A11 (i = 1, 2, ..., 12) is connected to terminal Bi, so that connectors Cl, C2 are electrically reversible (by reversing the top / bottom of connector Cl, C2). A USB Type-C cable therefore comprises 12 electrical connecting wires between terminals A1-A12, B1-B12 of each of the Cl, C2 connectors at the ends of the cable. Terminals B6 and B7 of the male CC2 connector are generally not connected, given that in the female Cl connector, terminal B6 is connected to terminal A6, and terminal B7 is connected to terminal A7.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a cable L1 that can combine a host-mode transmission link and a slave-mode transmission link, according to one embodiment. The cable L1 includes connectors C1, C2 at its ends. According to one embodiment, the cable L1 comprises not 12 but 14 electrical connecting wires Fl-F 14, the terminal A6 of the connector Cl being connected to the terminal A6 of the connector C2 by the wire F6, the terminal A7 of the connector Cl being connected to the terminal A7 of the connector C2 by the wire Fl3, the terminal B6 of the connector Cl being connected to the terminal B6 of the connector C2 by the wire F7, the terminal B7 of the connector Cl being connected to the terminal B7 of the connector C2 by the wire F14, and the other pairs of terminals Ai, Bi (i = 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the connector Cl being connected respectively by 10 electrical connecting wires Fi of the cable L1 to the pairs of terminals Ai, Bi of the connector C2.

[0032] In this way, the L1 cable has two additional connecting wires compared to a classic USB type C cable, allowing two USB 2.0 connections. However, due to the connection method of terminals A6, A7, B6, B7 between connectors Cl, C2, the latter are not electrically reversible (by reversing top / bottom of the connector).

[0033] Figure 3 illustrates an example of cable use. In this example, cable L1 connects three devices CPI, CP2, and CP3 via interface circuits BD1 and BD2. Device CPI is connected to interface circuit BD1 by a USB 3.1 data transmission cable L2 and a USB 2.0 data transmission cable L3. Interface circuit BD1 connects cables L2 and L3 together in a USB connector Cl' coupled to and compatible with connector Cl. Cable L1 connects connector Cl to connector C2, which is coupled to a connector C2' of interface circuit BD2. The BD2 interface circuit connects the C2' connector to a USB C3' type C connector and to a USB C4' type A or B connector. The BD2 interface circuit is connected to the CP2 device by a USB L4 type C cable equipped at one end with a C3 connector coupled to the C3' connector.The BD2 interface circuit is also connected to the CP3 device via a USB L5 type A cable equipped at one end with a C4 connector coupled to the C4' connector. In this way, the CPI device can be connected to the CP2 device, for example, in host mode, and at the same time, connected to the CP3 device in slave mode.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the interface circuit BD1 associated with connector Cl', according to an exemplary embodiment. The BD1 circuit comprises a set El of connection terminals A1-A12, B1-B12 connected to cable L2, and a set E2 of terminals UA2, UA3 connected to cable L3. The set El of connection terminals A1-A12, B1-B12 forms a USB Type-C connection, insofar as each terminal Ai is connected to terminal Bi (i = 1, ..., 12). Connector Cl' has the same configuration as connector Cl, insofar as only terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of connector Cl' are connected to terminals Bi of connector cr.

[0035] The terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of circuit BD1 are connected respectively to the terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of connector Cl' by electrical connections F21-F32. The terminals A6, B6 of circuit BD1 are connected to terminal A6 of connector Cl' by an electrical connection F26, and the terminals A7, B7 of circuit BD1 are connected to terminal A7 of connector Cl' by an electrical connection F27. Furthermore, the terminals UA2 and UA3 of assembly E2 are connected respectively to terminals B6 and B7 of connector Cl' by electrical connections F33, F34.

[0036] It should be noted that the interface circuit BD1 can be implemented as a Y-cable, with the terminal set El, Ai, Bi to be connected to cable L2 housed in a symmetrical USB Type-C connector, and terminals UA1, UA2 housed in a USB Type-A or Type-B connector which can also be connected to terminals A9 and A12 for conducting the power supply voltage and ground, respectively. In this case, the electrical connections F21-F34 are made by electrical wires.

[0037] Figure 5 shows the interface circuit BD2 associated with connectors C2', C3', C4', according to an exemplary embodiment. The terminals A1-A12, B1-B12 of connector C2' are interconnected in the same way as in connector C2, insofar as only the terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of connector C2' are connected to the terminals Bi of connector C2'. The connection terminals A1-A12, B1-B12 of connector C3' form a USB Type-C connection, insofar as each terminal Ai is connected to the terminal Bi (i = 1, ..., 12). Connector Cl' has the same configuration as connector CL

[0038] The terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of connector C2' are connected respectively to the terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of connector C3' by electrical connections F41-F52. Terminal A6 of connector C2' is connected to terminal A6 of connector C3' by electrical connection F46, and terminal A7 of connector C2' is connected to terminal A7 of connector C3' by electrical connection F47. Furthermore, terminals B6 and B7 of connector C2' are connected respectively to terminals UA2 and UA3 of connector C4' by electrical connections F53 and F54. Since the C4' connector is of type USB A or B, it includes a UA1 terminal connected to the A9, B9 terminals for conducting the supply voltage of the C2' or C3' connector by the electrical link F49, and a UA4 terminal connected for example to the A12, B12 terminals of the C2' or C3' connector for conducting the ground by the electrical link F52.

[0039] It should be noted that the BD2 interface circuit can be implemented in the form of a Y-cable, connecting the asymmetric connector C2' to the USB connector C3' of symmetrical type C and to the USB C4' connector of type A or B. In this case, the electrical connections F41-F54 are made by electrical wires.

[0040] Figure 6 illustrates another example of the use of the L1 cable. In this example, the L1 cable connects the CPI device to USB devices such as USB hubs HB1, HB2, to a PCI computer and to a DSP display screen. The HB1 hub, of the USB 3.0 type, is connected to the CPI device by cables L1 and L21 connected to terminals A10, A11, B10, and B11 of the LL cable connectors. The PCI computer is connected to the CPI device in USB 2.0 host mode by cables L12 and L22 connected to terminals B6 and B7 of the LL cable connectors. The HB2 hub, of the USB 2.0 type, is connected in host mode to the CPI device by cables L13 and L23 connected to terminals A6 and A7 of the LL cable connectors. The DSP display screen is connected to the CPI device via USB 3.1 by cables L14 and L24 connected to terminals A2, A3, B2, and B3 of the LL cable connectors. Thanks to the configuration of the L1 cable, the CPI device can be connected in both USB 2.0 slave mode.0 to the PCI computer and in USB 2.0 host mode to the HB2 hub, which is not possible with a standard USB cable. The PCI computer can be a personal computer, a point-of-sale payment terminal, or a communication terminal such as a mobile phone. The PCI device can be a computer or a point-of-sale terminal.

[0041] Figure 7 shows an example of a CTI connector attached to the end of an LX cable and a complementary CT2 connector. The CTI connector can be identical to the C1,C2 connector of the LL cable. The CTI connector includes a fastening device Fl having a longitudinal channel and a screw VI engaged in the longitudinal channel. Since the fastening device Fl is unique, it also acts as a keying device, eliminating the mechanical reversibility of the connector if the CTI connector is required to be attached to the CT2 connector. Indeed, if the CT connector is to be fixed in the connected position within the complementary CT2 connector using the screw VI, the connector can only be engaged in the CT2 connector in one of the two mechanical reversibility positions of USB Type-C connectors, where the screw VI can be screwed into a hole V2 provided on the CT2 connector.Of course, reversibility is only prohibited if the CT2 connector is asymmetrical with a single V2 fixing hole for the VL screw.

[0042] According to another embodiment, the mechanical keying device can be configured to allow the connectors to be mated only in one of two possible positions. Thus, Figure 8 shows another example of a CTI 1 connector fixed to the end of an LX cable and a CT 12 connector of complementary shape. The CTI 1 connector includes, for example, a pin V1 designed to engage in a complementary-shaped hole V12 formed in the CT12 connector. Thus, the connection is not made if the CTI 1 connector is not engaged. in the CT12 connector in the sense that the pin Vil can simultaneously engage in the V12 port. The pin Vil may be of such a length that it prevents the connection of the CTI 1, CT12 connectors when it cannot engage in the V12 port.

[0043] It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of various embodiments and applications. In particular, the invention is not limited to connections between USB devices, but applies to any reversible connector, that is, one having two possible connection positions.

[0044] It is also not necessary to separate the connections of two pairs of symmetrical connection terminals, namely pairs A6, B6 and A7, B7 in the examples described above. Separating the connections of a single pair of symmetrical connection terminals may suffice depending on the intended application and the type of connection to be established between two devices.

[0045] Furthermore, the cable can be equipped with a single connector at one end of the cable, the other end of the cable being able to be connected directly to conductive tracks of a printed circuit board.

Claims

Demands

1. 1. Electrical connection cable comprising: a first connector (Cl, Cl', C2, C2') at a first end of the cable, the first connector comprising pairs of connection terminals (A1-A12, B1-B12), the terminals of each pair of connection terminals being arranged symmetrically in the first connector so that the first connector can be plugged in interchangeably in two distinct positions;and electrical connecting wires (F1-F14, F21-F34, F41-F54), each of the pairs of connecting terminals (Ai, Bi) of a first part (i = 1-5, 8-12) of the pairs of connecting terminals (Ai, Bi, i = 1-12) being connected respectively to one of the wires (Fi, i = 1-5, 8-12, 21-25, 28-32, 41-45, 48-52) of a first part of the electrical connecting wires, each of the connecting terminals of at least one pair of connecting terminals (A6, B6, A7, B7) of a second part of the pairs of connecting terminals being connected to a respective wire (F6, F13, F7, F14, F26, F33, F27, F34, F46, F53, F47, F54) of a second part of the electrical connecting wires.;

2. 2. Cable according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is a USB type C connector.

3. 3. Cable according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a second connector (Cl, C2, El, C3') at a second end of the cable, the second connector comprising pairs of connection terminals (A1-A12, B1-B12), the terminals of each pair of connection terminals being arranged symmetrically in the second connector so that the second connector can be plugged in interchangeably in two distinct positions, each of the wires (Fi, i = 1-5, 8-12, 21-25, 28-32, 41-45, 48-52) of the first part of the electrical bonding wires being connected respectively to one of the pairs of connection terminals (Ai, Bi) of a first part (i = 1-5, 8-12) of the pairs of connection terminals (Ai, Bi, i = 1-12) of the second connector.

4. 4. Cable according to claim 3, wherein the second connector is a USB type C connector.

5. 5. Cable according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the wires (F6, F13, F7, F14, F26, F33, F27, F34, F46, F53, F47, F54) of the second part of the electrically connecting wires is connected to a terminal respective of one of the pairs of connection terminals (A6, B6, A7, B7) of a second part of the pairs of connection terminals of the second connector (Cl, C2).

6. 6. Cable according to claim 3 or 4, wherein one of the connection terminals (A6, A7) of each pair of connection terminals of the second part of the pairs of connection terminals of the first connector (Cl', C2') is connected by a respective wire (F6, F7, F26, F27, F46, F47) to a pair of connection terminals (A6, B6, A7, B7) of the second part of the pairs of connection terminals of the second connector (El, C3'), and the other of the connection terminals (B6, B7) of the pair of connection terminals of the second part of the pairs of connection terminals of the first connector is connected by a respective wire (F13, F14, F33, F34, F53, F54) to a connection terminal (UA2, UA3) distinct from the connection terminals of the first and second connectors.

7. 7. Cable according to claim 6, wherein the connection terminal (UA2, UA3) distinct from the connection terminals of the first and second connectors (C2', C3') belongs to a third connector (C4') comprising at least one other connection terminal (UA1, UA4) connected to a respective wire (F49, F52) of the first wire group.

8. 8. Cable according to claim 7, wherein the third connector is a USB type A or B connector.

9. 9. Cable according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first connector (CTI, CT2) includes a mechanical keying device (Fl, VI) to force the first connector to be plugged into one of two distinct positions.

10. 10. Cable according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical keying device (Fl, VI) comprises a fixing screw associated with the connector (CTI) arranged to fix in a complementary shape connector (CT2), when the connector and the complementary shape connector are electrically coupled.

11. 11. System comprising: a cable (L1) according to claim 10, and a first device (CPI) connected both as a USB host and USB slave by means of the cable to other devices (CP2, CP3, HB1, HB2, PCI, DSP) of the system.

12. 12. System according to claim 11, wherein the other devices of the system connected by the cable (L1) have at least one of the following types: USB hub (HB1, HB2), display screen (DSP), computer (PCI), communications terminal (PCI), payment terminal (PCI).

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