USB communication device

Abstract

To provide a USB communication device which is functioned as a host of a USB and capable of performing data communications while being supplied with power.SOLUTION: A host wireless adapter 93 comprises an optical LAN / USB protocol conversion section 94 and a wireless USB host 95. A plug 60 is connected to the host wireless adapter 93, a power source line 88 and a ground line 89 are connected to a power source section for driving the optical LAN / USB protocol conversion section 94 and the wireless USB host, and an optical fiber 20' is connected to the optical LAN / USB protocol conversion section. A LAN signal transmitted from a HUB of a distribution board via a socket by the optical fiber 20' is converted according to a USB protocol by the optical LAN / USB protocol conversion section and outputted to the wireless USB host. The wireless USB host transmits a USB signal as a radio wave from an antenna 96.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a USB communication device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, for commercial power intake, a plug having two electrodes at one end of a power cord or three electrodes with an earth electrode added thereto is provided, and this plug is inserted into an outlet to connect the power supply line from the distribution board and the power line of the power cord. The other end of such a power cord is connected to, for example, the power supply unit of a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) to constitute a power supply system for the personal computer.

[0003] Recently, there are also many cases where a LAN (Local Area Network) is formed by a plurality of personal computers, printers, etc. (hereinafter represented by a personal computer for simplicity) to enable mutual data exchange, etc. However, optical fibers are becoming popular as signal lines for LANs. In this case, since a personal computer as a terminal forming a LAN naturally requires power supply and optical fiber connection respectively, the personal computer connects the power supply unit and the outlet with the above-mentioned power cord, and connects the optical terminal and the LAN hub with an optical cable.

[0004] That is, at least a power cord and an optical cable extend from the personal computer, resulting in wiring congestion. Therefore, as a countermeasure against wiring congestion, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-266665 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-318286 propose a composite cable in which a power cord and an optical cable are integrated. That is, these composite cables embed a power line and an optical fiber in a common sheath to make the whole a single cable.

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the conventional technology has a problem that communication with an external USB communicator cannot be performed while using the power terminal of a communication cable as a path for transmitting power.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a USB communicator capable of communicating with an external USB communicator while using the power terminal of a communication cable as a path for transmitting power.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above conventional problems, the USB communicator of the present invention includes a power terminal that forms a terminal without enclosing a terminal, provided on a connection plug of a communication cable, which is inserted into a receptacle forming an external connection connector. When the connection plug is not inserted into the receptacle, the exposed portions of the two power terminals face each other without sandwiching the terminal therebetween, and on the same straight line as the facing direction, there is no terminal other than the facing power terminals. The USB communicator has an internal configuration including a USB interface that uses a male connector constituting the connection plug for communication with the outside, and includes the power terminal that does not constitute a transmission path for communication, and the power terminal of the male connector used for communication with the outside. Path for transmitting electricity During use, it is characterized in that communication with an external USB communicator can be performed using the USB interface of the internal configuration.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the USB communicator can communicate with an external USB communicator while using the power terminal of a communication cable as a path for transmitting power.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment applied to the connection between a distribution board and a personal computer. A power supply line 18 and a ground line 19 extend from a distribution board 10 to an outlet 30 as a female connector attached to an indoor wall surface. The distribution board 10 is connected to a commercial power line 12. The distribution board 10 is provided with a HUB 14 for forming a LAN, and an optical fiber 20 extends from the HUB 14 to the outlet 30. A composite cable 16 in which an optical fiber is compounded with a VVF (vinyl insulated vinyl sheath flat cable) is used between the distribution board 10 and the outlet 30.

[0010] The outlet 30 houses two power electrodes 40 and a ground electrode 45 in a casing 31 formed by a front plate 32 and a frame 36 coupled to the back side thereof. The frame 36 is made of resin, and the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 are molded on the frame 36 and stand up from the bottom wall of the frame toward the front plate 32, respectively.

[0011] Since the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 are provided with wire connection portions 41 and 46 that are wedge-shaped engaged with the power supply line 18 and the ground line 19 inserted from outside the frame 36 at their respective root portions, the power supply line 18 and the ground line 19 are connected to the respective electrodes only by inserting the stripped core wires, and it is difficult to come off. On the other hand, the tip ends of the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 extend to the vicinity of the front plate 32, respectively, and become energization portions 42 and 47 that can contact the power electrode and the ground electrode of a plug 60 as a male connector described later. Note that a bulging portion 43 that protrudes on the contact surface side with the power electrode of the plug is formed on the energization portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the outlet 30.

[0012] The ground electrode 45 stands up from the bottom wall of the frame 36 and then offsets a predetermined amount along the front plate 32 toward the power electrode 40 side, and its tip end becomes the energization portion 47, and it has an L shape as a whole. On the table plate 32, electrode insertion holes 33, 34 for receiving the power electrodes of the plug and an electrode insertion hole 35 for receiving the ground electrode are provided at positions corresponding to the respective power electrodes 40 (energizing portions 42) and ground electrodes 45 (energizing portions 47).

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the electrode insertion holes 33, 34 for the power electrodes are arranged in parallel facing each other at a predetermined interval, and the electrode insertion hole 35 for the ground electrode is arranged below the middle position between the electrode insertion holes 33, 34. The arrangement of these three electrode insertion holes is, for example, the same standard as that of a socket currently on the market (e.g., JIS C 8303 socket with two-pole ground electrode). Note that Fig. 1 corresponds to the cross-section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 2, showing only one of the pair of power electrodes 40, and also showing only one side of the power supply line 18 and the power line 88 to be described later.

[0014] The frame 36 is further provided with an optical connector support portion 37 reaching from its bottom wall to the table plate 32. The optical connector support portion 37 is provided with a slide hole 38 parallel to the insertion and extraction direction of the ground electrode of the plug, and the slide hole 38 is aligned with the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45. For this reason, a part of the side wall of the slide hole 38 is cut out so that the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 faces into the slide hole 38. Also, the slide hole 38 penetrates the bottom wall of the frame 36.

[0015] An optical connector 50 is slidably inserted into the slide hole 38 of the optical connector support portion 37. Guide pins 54 are provided on the side wall of the optical connector 50, and the guide pins 54 are guided by elongated guide holes 39 formed on the side wall of the slide hole 38 so that the sliding range of the optical connector 50 is limited to a predetermined range. Also, the rotation of the optical connector 50 about its axis is restricted by the engagement of the guide pins 54 with the guide holes 39.

[0016] The guide pin 54 penetrates through the guide hole 39 and protrudes outside the side wall, and a tension spring 55 is provided between the tip thereof and the end portion on the surface plate 32 side of the optical connector support portion 37. Thus, the optical connector 50 is constantly biased in the direction of the surface plate 32, and in the free state, one end is at a position close to the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the optical connector 50. The optical connector 50 includes a main body 51 having a ferrule hole 56 penetrating its axis and a cap 52 having a spring housing chamber 53, and the guide pin 54 extends from the main body 51. A ferrule 90 supported by the connecting block 92 is inserted into the ferrule hole 56 from the cap 52 side.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the connection structure between the optical fiber 20 and the ferrule 90, where (a) is a longitudinal section and (b) is a cross section taken along line B-B in (a). Here, a two-core ferrule is used. The coating of the optical fiber core wire 20a (covering two optical fiber strands) extending from the distribution board 10 is peeled off, and the optical fiber strand 20b is inserted into the connecting block 92 coupled to the ferrule 90. Further, the optical fiber 20c obtained by peeling the protective member of the optical fiber strand 20b extends to the tip of the ferrule 90 and is embedded therein.

[0019] As is well known, the ferrule 90 is made of, for example, stainless steel (SUS) or zirconia ceramic, and its tip is polished so as to be perpendicular to the axial direction together with the end face of the optical fiber 20c. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the cross section of the ferrule 90 forms a semi-circular shape with a part cut off. In the present application, the optical fiber core wire 20a, the optical fiber strand 20b, and the optical fiber 20c in the optical fiber strand are collectively represented by the "optical fiber" 20 unless otherwise particularly distinguished.

[0020] Returning to FIG. 3, a recess 57 for slidably accommodating a connecting block 92 is formed at the end of the main body 51 on the cap 52 side. The cap 52 is fixed to the other end of the main body 51 (the side far from the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45) by screwing or adhesion, and a spring 58 disposed in the spring accommodation chamber 53 biases the connecting block 92 and presses it against the opening end surface on the side far from the energizing portion 47 of the ferrule hole 56.

[0021] The optical fiber 20 is connected to the connecting block 92 and the ferrule 90 through a hole provided in the bottom wall of the cap 52. The ferrule hole 56 of the main body 51 of the optical connector 50 has a semi-circular cross-section that matches the shape of the cross-section of the ferrule 90. Thereby, the posture of the ferrule 90 around the axis with respect to the main body 51 is defined. A slit 59 for receiving a protector portion described later is formed in the end surface of the main body 51 of the optical connector facing the front plate 32.

[0022] Next, a male plug 60 provided at the terminal of a composite cable 86 extending from a personal computer 80 and inserted into the above-mentioned outlet 30 will be described. The plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30 to connect the power line 88 and the optical fiber 20' of the composite cable 86 to the power supply line 18 and the optical fiber 20 on the distribution board 10 side, respectively, and also to connect the ground wire 89 of the composite cable 86 to the ground wire 19. The plug 60 includes a cap plate 61 that fixedly supports a power electrode 65 and a ground electrode 70 by resin molding, and a case 62 whose opening is sealed by this cap plate. The surface of the cap plate 61 becomes the opposing surface to the front plate 32 of the outlet 30.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 5, the arrangement of each of the electrodes 65, 65, and 70 corresponds to the electrode insertion holes 33, 34, and 35 of the socket 30 and is of the same standard as those in the market. The ground electrode 70 has a cross-section that can be inserted, for example, into the ground electrode of an existing commercial power socket installed on a house wall. In addition, in Figs. 1, 5, and Figs. 6 to 8 shown later, for ease of understanding, the thickness of the ground electrode 70 is drawn larger.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, one end of the power electrode 65 extends vertically outward from the wall surface of the cap plate 61 and serves as a contact portion with the energizing portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the socket 30. The other end of the power electrode 65 serves as a connection portion with the power line 88 inside the case 62. Near the tip of the contact portion of the power electrode 65, a round hole 66 is provided that engages with a bulging portion 43 formed in the energizing portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the socket 30. The engagement relationship between the bulging portion 43 and the round hole 66 is a known structure, which enhances the function of preventing the plug 60 from coming off. One end of the ground electrode 70 also extends vertically outward from the wall surface of the cap plate 61 and serves as a contact portion with the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 of the socket. The other end of the ground electrode 70 serves as a connection portion with the ground line 89 inside the case 62.

[0025] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing the ground electrode 70 taken out. The ground electrode 70 includes a cylindrical portion 71 having a bottom wall 72 at its outer tip portion, and a protector portion 78 extending outward from the tip (bottom wall 72) of the cylindrical portion 71. The protruding length of the cylindrical portion 71 from the cap plate 61 is set shorter than that of the power electrode 65. A connecting block 92' supporting a ferrule 90' is slidably accommodated on the tip side within the cylindrical portion 71, and an inner cylinder 73 is inserted and fixed on the base side. A spring 58' is disposed between the tip of the inner cylinder 73 and the connecting block 92'. The connecting block 92' is urged by the spring 58' and pressed against the bottom wall 72 of the inner cylinder 71. The ferrule 90' extending from the connecting block 92' passes through a hole 75 provided in the bottom wall 72 and extends outward.

[0026] Although not particularly shown, the hole 75 in the bottom wall 72 has a shape that matches the cross-section of the ferrule 90', thereby defining the posture of the ferrule 90' in the circumferential direction around its axis. The posture of this ferrule 90' is set to match the posture of the ferrule 90 in the optical connector 50 of the socket when the plug 60 is inserted into the socket 30. Note that the shapes and sizes of the ferrule 90' and the connecting block 92' are the same as those of the ferrule 90 and the connecting block 92 shown in FIG. 4.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the protector portion 78 surrounds the ferrule 90' protruding from the bottom wall 75 with a predetermined gap, and its outer peripheral surface is an axially extended portion of a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 71. The range in which the protector portion 78 surrounds the ferrule 90' is preferably a semi-circle or more in cross-section. Also, the length of the protector portion 78 is preferably the same as or slightly shorter than the maximum protruding length of the ferrule 90' when the connecting block 92' is pressed against the bottom wall 72.

[0028] Note that the length of the cylindrical portion 71 protruding from the wall surface of the cap plate 61 is set such that when the plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30 and the cap plate 61 contacts the front plate 32, a slight gap is formed between the bottom wall 75 of the cylindrical portion 71 and the end face of the optical connector 50. However, even if the bottom wall 72 contacts the end face of the optical connector 50 due to an error or the like, the optical connector 50 is slidable, so the error is absorbed. Also, the depth of the slit 59 of the optical connector 50 is set such that the protector portion 78 does not butt against the bottom, and even if there is an error, it is absorbed in the same way.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 1, a composite cable 86 from the personal computer 80 is drawn into the case 62 through a hole provided at the top thereof, and as described above, the power line 88 and the ground line 89 are connected to the bases (connection portions) of the power electrode 65 and the ground electrode 70 by caulking or the like. Also, the optical fiber 20' passes through the inner cylinder 73 of the ground electrode and is connected to the connecting block 92' (and the ferrule 90'). The connection structure between the optical fiber 20', the connecting block 92', and the ferrule 90' is the same as that shown in FIG. 4.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows the connection state in which the plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30 in the above configuration. The power electrode 65 of the plug 60 contacts the energization portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the outlet 30 to be in a power energization state, and the power supply line 18 and the power line 88 are connected. The ground electrode 70 of the plug 60 has its cylindrical portion 71 contacting the energization portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 of the outlet 30, and the ground line 19 and the ground line 89 are connected. Then, the ferrule 90' protruding from the tip of the cylindrical portion 71 enters the ferrule hole 56 of the optical connector 50 of the outlet, and the tip thereof abuts against the tip of the ferrule 90 housed in the ferrule hole.

[0031] At this time, since the postures of the ferrules 90 and 90' around the axis are set to be the same as each other, the two-core optical fibers on the end faces of the respective ferrules face each other with high precision. As a result, the optical fiber 20 and the optical fiber 20' are connected. During this period, since the protector portion 78 that protects the ferrule 90' protruding from the cylindrical portion 71 is received in the slit 59 of the optical connector 50, it does not interfere with the optical connector 50.

[0032] FIG. 8 shows a state when a normal power plug is inserted into the outlet. In the conventional normal plug 60Z, the ground electrode 70Z has the same protruding length as the power electrode 65. However, the power electrode 65 comes into contact with the energizing portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the outlet 30 to be in a power energizing state, and the power supply line 18 and the power line 88 are connected. Also, the ground electrode 70Z of the plug 60Z also comes into contact with the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 of the outlet, and the ground wire 19 and the ground wire 89 are connected.

[0033] On the other hand, since the length of the ground electrode 70Z is larger than the cylindrical portion 71 of the ground electrode 70 of the plug 60 in the embodiment, the tip of the ground electrode 70Z abuts on the optical connector 50. Here, since the optical connector 50 is slidable along the slide hole 38, when pushed by the ground electrode 70Z of the plug 60Z, it escapes outward against the tension spring 55, and the ground electrode 70Z and the optical connector 50 do not interfere with each other. As described above, the outlet 30 can insert a conventional general plug 60Z that is not compatible with an optical fiber. In this case as well, a power energizing state can be obtained in the same manner as in the prior art.

[0034] Next, the composite cable 86 will be described. As the composite cable 86, for example, those proposed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-266665, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-318286, and others can be used. In the present embodiment, as a more preferable aspect, the composite cable 86 has the structure shown in FIG. 9. That is, the composite cable 86 is circular as a whole in its cross section, and the insulator 111 inside it has three non-circular blocks 112 that are point-symmetric with respect to the central axis O.

[0035] The outer periphery of each block 112 is an arc surface 113, and the inner periphery is an arc-shaped surface 114 that is convex toward the central axis O. And the top of the arc-shaped surface 114 has a gap of a predetermined amount d from the central axis O, whereby a space S is formed that is defined by each arc-shaped surface 114 between the three blocks 112 and extends the arm 115 in three directions. A chamfer is formed at the corner of the outer periphery of the insulator 111 on the radial line passing through the tip of each arm 115 from the central axis O, resulting in a notch 118 in appearance, and the radial line connecting the tip of each arm 115 and the notch 118 serves as the partition line 117 between the blocks 112.

[0036] The outer periphery of the block 112 is covered with a sheath 110 having a ring-shaped cross section, and an optical fiber 20' is disposed on the central axis O in the internal space S. Further, spacers 125 are attached to the optical fiber at predetermined intervals in its longitudinal direction. In the central part of each block 112, conductors 120 as power lines 88 and ground lines 89 are disposed. Note that the tip position of each of the aforementioned arms 115 preferably reaches the envelope 122 of each conductor 120. The sheath 110 and the insulator 111 are each formed of a polyvinyl chloride-based resin or the like.

[0037] The above configuration is realized, for example, by surrounding the optical fiber 20' and extruding and integrating the blocks 112 of the insulator 111 while wrapping the conductors 120, so that the blocks 112 are in contact with each other at the partition lines 117, and then covering the outer periphery of the insulator 111 with the sheath 110 by extrusion molding as well. According to this composite cable 86, when the plug 60 is inserted into the socket 30 and the end faces of the ferrules 90, 90' of both are in contact with each other and are slightly retracted against the springs 58, 58' respectively, the optical fiber connected to the ferrule can escape within a wide space, and no excessive external force is applied to the optical fiber 20'. Furthermore, even when an external force is applied to the cable from the lateral direction such as being stepped on, the so-called cushioning function is exerted by the space S formed in the inner center, and the optical fiber is protected.

[0038] Also, although it is not the recommended wiring process, even when the composite cable is too long and is bundled in a butterfly knot state, the optical fiber 20' can escape from the position of the central axis O to the region of the arm 115, and no excessive external force is applied to the optical fiber. Therefore, the tension-resistant body for protecting the optical fiber, which was always necessary for the conventional optical cable, is also unnecessary. In addition, since the conductor 120 is arranged in a point-symmetric manner surrounding the central axis O, the connection with the plug 60 in which the power electrode and the ground electrode are arranged in the same way is particularly smooth and easy. Here, since the sheath 110 is covered outside the block 112, it is not necessary for the blocks 112 to be joined to each other. However, if the sheath is not covered, they may be joined to each other by the partition line 117. Also in this case, the partition line 117 between the insulating blocks 112 is short, and notches 118 are formed on the outer periphery of the partition line 117, so that the blocks 112 at the cable terminal can be easily separated at the partition line 117 portion during wiring, resulting in a composite electric wire. Note that the composite cable 16 is based on VVF as described above, but a structure similar to that of the composite cable 86 may be adopted.

[0039] In this embodiment, the plug 60 corresponds to the male connector, and the socket 30 corresponds to the female connector. The spring 58' in the plug 60 constitutes the first biasing means, and the position of the ferrule 90' in the state where the connecting block 92' is pressed against the bottom wall 72 of the cylindrical portion 71 corresponds to the first predetermined position. The spring 58 in the socket 30 constitutes the second biasing means, and the position of the ferrule 90 in a state where the connecting block 92 is pressed against the opening end surface of the ferrule hole 56 of the optical connector 50 corresponds to the second predetermined position. Also, the tension spring 55 in the socket 30 constitutes the third biasing means, and the position of the optical connector 50 in a state where the guide pin 54 is restricted by the guide hole 39 and the optical connector 50 is closest to the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode corresponds to the third predetermined position.

[0040] The present embodiment is configured as described above. The paired socket 30 and plug 60 are each connected to the power electrodes 40, 65, the ground electrodes 45, 70, and the optical fibers 20, 20', and have ferrules 90, 90' arranged coaxially with the ground electrodes 45, 70. When the ferrules 90, 90' connect the power electrode and the ground electrode to the power electrode and the ground electrode of the other party, respectively, their end faces are opposed to the end faces of the ferrules of the other party. Therefore, by simply inserting the plug 60 into the socket 30, the connection of the power supply system and the connection of the optical fiber are performed simultaneously. Accordingly, by combining with the composite cable 86 in which the power line 88 and the like and the optical cable 20' are integrated, the wiring around the connection part is also simplified.

[0041] In particular, the plug 60 has the power electrode 65 and the ground electrode 70 protruding from the cap plate 61 in parallel with each other. The ground electrode 70 forms a cylindrical portion 71 having a bottom wall 72 on the tip side. The ferrule 90' is held by the cylindrical portion 71 and is configured to protrude outward from the bottom wall 72. Since it has a shape that satisfies the standard of a male plug with a normal ground electrode, it is compatible with a conventional male plug.

[0042] The socket 30 also has current-carrying portions 42 and 47 where the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 come into contact with the counterpart power electrode 65 and ground electrode 70. A fiber optic connector 50 having a ferrule hole 56 is provided on the back side of the current-carrying portion 47 of the ground electrode. The ferrule hole 56 holds a ferrule 90 on the side away from the current-carrying portion 47 of the ground electrode and receives the counterpart ferrule 90' from the opening on the current-carrying portion 47 side. The current-carrying portions 42 and 47 of the power electrode and the ground electrode are arranged to correspond to the plug 60 and meet the specifications of a normal female plug, so it is compatible with the conventional female plug.

[0043] Also, the ferrule 90' of the plug 60 is positioned at a position where the connecting block 92' is pressed against the bottom wall 72 of the cylindrical portion 71 while being biased outward by the spring 58', but it is slidable with respect to the cylindrical portion 71 of the ground electrode. Therefore, when the ferrule 90' receives an external force such as coming into contact with the ferrule 90 of the socket when the plug 60 is inserted into the socket 30, it retreats axially against the spring 58' and absorbs the external force to make the surface pressure on the end face of the ferrule 90' at an appropriate level.

[0044] The ferrule 90 of the socket 30 is also positioned at a position where the connecting block 92 is pressed against the opening end face on the side far from the current-carrying portion 47 of the ferrule hole 56 of the fiber optic connector 50 while being biased in the direction of the current-carrying portion 47 of the ground electrode by the spring 58, but it is slidable with respect to the ferrule hole 56. Therefore, when it comes into contact with the ferrule 90' of the plug 60 that has entered the ferrule hole 56 from the opening on the current-carrying portion 47 side, it retreats axially against the spring 58, and the surface pressure between the end faces of the ferrules becomes an appropriate level at a position where the biasing forces applied to the ferrules 90 and 90' are balanced.

[0045] Since the ground electrode 70 of the plug 60 includes a protector portion 78 that extends outward from the bottom wall 72 of the cylindrical portion 71, even if the ferrule 90' protrudes from the cylindrical portion 71, it covers the ferrule 90', and damage to the ferrule 90' is prevented even if it hits another object. And since the outer shape of the protector portion 78 is within the outer cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion 71, the function as a ground electrode is not impaired.

[0046] Furthermore, the optical connector 50 of the socket 30 is biased by a tension spring 55 and is set at a position where one end approaches the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45, but since it is slidable in the axial direction, even if it interferes with the optical connector at the set position depending on the length of the ground electrode of the plug inserted into the socket 30, the interference is prevented by the retreat of the optical connector 50 due to sliding. Thus, even if there is a variation in the length of the ground electrode of a normal male plug, compatibility can still be maintained.

[0047] Note that although the composite cable 86 is assumed to extend from within the personal computer 80, when the composite cable and the personal computer are also detachable, corresponding to the connector of the personal computer where the electrode protrudes in the same manner as the plug 60, a female plug 100 having the same structure as the socket 30 and having an appearance illustrated in FIG. 10 may be provided at the other end of the composite cable. Similarly, in the embodiment, the female connector is the socket 30 installed on the wall surface of a building or the like, but it is not limited to this form, and it may be the female plug 100 shown in FIG. 10.

[0048] The core alignment of the optical fibers 20, 20' is performed by matching the cross-sectional shape of the ferrule hole 56 with the cross-sectional shape of the ferrules 90, 90'. In addition to this, the cross-sections of the connecting blocks 92, 92' that are integrally coupled to the ferrules 90, 90' to support the ferrules are made, for example, square instead of circular, and by matching the cross-section of the sliding region of the connecting block with the cross-sectional shape of the connecting block, the posture of the ferrules 90, 90' can be regulated and highly accurate core alignment can be achieved. Although an example using two-core optical fibers 20 and 20' has been shown, the number of cores of the optical fiber may be set as needed, and a ferrule corresponding to the number of cores may be used. Particularly in the case of a single-core fiber, by setting the optical fiber on the axis of the ferrule, it is possible to make the cross-section of the ferrule circular without the need to regulate the posture.

[0049] The connection structure between each electrode and the power supply line, power line, and ground line is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and a known structure can be arbitrarily adopted. Also, the arrangement and size of each power electrode and ground electrode on the male side and female side are based on the standards of plugs and sockets for commercial power supplies. However, if the standards are revised or different in each country, they may be appropriately set to meet the standards in each region. The protector part 78 covers a part of the periphery of the ferrule 90' protruding from the cylindrical part 71 of the ground electrode 70, but it may also cover the entire circumference.

[0050] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the ferrule connected to the optical fiber on the plug side is supported by the ground electrode. However, regardless of the presence or absence of the ground electrode, if the cross-section of the power electrode can be made cylindrical, the ferrule may be supported by the power electrode instead of the ground electrode. Also, it is possible to allocate single-core ferrules to each power electrode. In this case, the optical connector 50 on the socket side is also arranged on the back side in the axial direction of the corresponding power electrode. In any case of supporting by either electrode, by adopting the cross-sectional structure of the composite cable 86, the optical fiber is arranged on the central axis, making the routing easier.

[0051] Also, by forming the ferrule on the plug side with a highly conductive metal material, the ferrule itself can also be used as a power electrode or a ground electrode. In this case, the ferrule hole 56 of the optical connector 50 is also made larger in diameter to correspond to the ferrule on the plug side. Furthermore, the optical connector 50 can also be used as a power electrode or a ground electrode.

[0052] Note that the embodiment showed an example of using the power / optical composite connection structure formed by connecting the power strip 30 and the plug 60 to connect the personal computer 80 to the optical LAN HUB 14 provided in the switchboard 10. However, not only personal computers but also televisions, video devices, and DVD recorders that download high-definition video from the outside through a broadband router connected to an external optical fiber network can be connected to the optical LAN. This can also be directly applied when connecting between these devices and the HUB 14.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, when wireless communication is interposed in the connection between the HUB 14 and the notebook computer, it can also be provided as a host-side adapter that can be connected to the power strip 30 by the plug 60. FIG. 11 shows a connection example of the host wireless adapter 93 as the host-side adapter and the notebook computer 97. The host wireless adapter 93 includes an optical LAN / USB protocol conversion unit 94 and a wireless USB host 95. The plug 60 described in the embodiment is connected to the host wireless adapter 93. The power line 88 and the ground line 89 are connected to a power supply unit (not shown) for driving the optical LAN / USB protocol conversion unit 94 and the wireless USB host 95, and the optical fiber 20' is connected to the optical LAN / USB protocol conversion unit 94.

[0054] The optical LAN / USB protocol conversion unit 94 converts the LAN signal transmitted through the optical fiber 20' from the HUB 14 of the switchboard via the power strip 30 according to the USB protocol and outputs it to the wireless USB host 95. The wireless USB host 95 transmits the USB signal as radio waves from the antenna 96. On the other hand, the notebook computer 97 is equipped with a wireless USB device 99, which receives the transmitted radio waves with the antenna 98 and receives the USB signal. This is restored to a LAN signal through a USB / LAN protocol conversion unit, but the illustration is omitted because it is a normal configuration. Thus, for example, by simply inserting the plug 60 of the host wireless adapter 93 into the power outlet 30 in the room where the notebook computer 97 is carried in, the notebook computer 97 can be easily connected to the LAN.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Description of the Reference Numerals

[0056] 10 Distribution board 14 HUB 16, 86 Composite cable 18 Power supply line 19, 89 Ground wire 20, 20’ Optical fiber 20a Optical fiber core wire 20b Optical fiber element wire 30 Power outlet 31 Casing 32 Front plate 33, 34, 35 Electrode insertion holes 36 Frame 37 Optical connector support part 38 Slide hole 39 Guide hole 40, 65 Power electrodes 41, 46 Wire connection parts 42, 47 Energizing parts 45 Ground electrode 50 Optical connector 51 Body 52 Cap 53 Spring accommodation chamber 54 Guide pin 55 Tension spring 56 Ferrule hole 57 Recess 58, 58’ Springs 59 Slit 60, 60Z Plugs 61 Cap plate 62 Case 70, 70Z Ground electrodes 71 Cylindrical part 72 Bottom wall 73 Inner cylinder 75 Hole 78 Protector part 80 Personal computer 88 Power cord 90, 90’ Ferrules 92, 92’ Connecting blocks 93 Host wireless adapter 94 Optical LAN / USB protocol conversion part 95 Wireless USB host 96, 98 Antennas 97 Notebook computer 99 Wireless USB device 100 Plug 110 Sheath 111 Insulator 112 Block 113 Arc surface 114 Arc-shaped surface 115 Arm 117 Division line 118 Notch 120 Conductor 122 Envelope 125 Spacer

Claims

[Claim 1] A USB communication device having an internal configuration with a USB interface, the device including a power terminal that is a terminal that does not include a terminal and is provided on a connection plug of a communication cable that is inserted into a receptacle that is an external connection connector, and when the connection plug is not inserted into the receptacle, exposed portions of the two power terminals face each other without a terminal between them, and there are no terminals other than the opposing power terminals on the same straight line in the facing direction, and the USB communication device uses a male connector that constitutes the connection plug for communication with the outside, the internal configuration including a USB interface, A USB communication device comprising the power terminal that does not constitute a transmission path for communication, and the power terminal of the male connector that is used for communication with the outside is used as a path for transmitting power, while the USB communication device is capable of communicating with an external USB communication device using the USB interface of the internal configuration.

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