Adapter

Abstract

To provide an adapter capable of improving convenience of connection between devices.SOLUTION: The adapter 1 includes a first connector 10 connected to the first apparatus 110, a second connector 20 connected to the second apparatus 120, a power supply connector 30 connected to the power supply apparatus 130, a voltage conversion circuit 56, power supply switching circuits 51 to 55 that switch connection between the power supply terminals 16 and 26 and the power supply terminal 36, a communication circuit 60 that connects the communication terminal 16 and the communication terminal 26, and a control circuit 40. The control circuit 40 controls the voltage conversion circuit 56 and the power source switching circuits 51 to 55 on the basis of the power and the voltage value that can be supplied by the power supply apparatus 130, the combination of the voltage value and the current value that the first apparatus 110 desires to supply, and the combination of the voltage value and the current value that the second apparatus 120 desires to supply, which are acquired from the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120, and the power supply apparatus 130 via the control terminals 14, 24, and 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an adapter. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an interface circuit that complies with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-129277 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to simultaneously perform communication and power supply between two devices connected by a cable, restrictions may be imposed on the connection between the devices, which reduces the convenience of connecting the devices.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of the above circumstances, is to improve the convenience of connecting devices to each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an adapter (1) configured to be connectable to a plurality of devices via connectors including a communication terminal, a power terminal, and a control terminal. The adapter includes a first connector configured to be connectable to a first device, a second connector configured to be connectable to a second device, and a power supply connector configured to be connectable to a power supply device, a voltage conversion circuit that converts the voltage supplied to at least one of the power terminals of the first connector or the second connector, a power switching circuit that switches the connection between the power terminals of the first connector and the second connector and the power terminal of the power supply connector, a communication circuit that connects a communication terminal of the first connector with a communication terminal of the second connector, and a control circuit that controls the voltage conversion circuit and the power switching circuit based on information acquired from the first device, the second device, and the power supply device via control terminals of the first connector, the second connector, and the power supply connector, respectively. The control circuit controls the voltage conversion circuit and the power switching circuit based on power and voltage values ​​that the power supply device can supply, a combination of voltage values ​​and current values ​​that the first device desires to be supplied with, and a combination of voltage values ​​and current values ​​that the second device desires to be supplied with.

[0007] (2) In the adapter described in (1) above, the communication circuit may include a communication terminal switching circuit that switches a connection between a communication terminal of the first connector and a communication terminal of the second connector. The control circuit may control the communication terminal switching circuit based on an orientation in which the connector of the first device is connected to the first connector and an orientation in which the connector of the second device is connected to the second connector.

[0008] (3) In the adapter described in (1) or (2) above, the communication circuit may include a waveform shaping circuit for a communication signal propagating between the communication terminals of the first connector and the second connector.

[0009] (4) In the adapter according to any one of (1) to (3) above, one of the first connector and the second connector may be a male connector, and the other may be a female connector.

[0010] (5) In the adapter described in any one of (1) to (4) above, the power supply switching circuit may include a first power supply switch that switches between connection and disconnection between the power terminal of the power supply connector and the power terminal of the first connector, and a second power supply switch that switches between connection and disconnection between the voltage conversion circuit and the power terminal of the second connector.

[0011] (6) In the adapter described in (5) above, the power supply switching circuit may include a third power supply switch that switches between connection and disconnection between the voltage conversion circuit and a power terminal of the first connector, and a fourth power supply switch that switches between connection and disconnection between the power terminal of the power supply connector and a power terminal of the second connector. When one of the first power supply switch or the third power supply switch is connected, the control circuit may disconnect the other, and when one of the second power supply switch or the fourth power supply switch is connected, the control circuit may disconnect the other.

[0012] (7) In the adapter according to any one of (1) to (6) above, the voltage conversion circuit may convert the voltage input from the power supply device and output the converted voltage.

[0013] (8) In the adapter described in (7) above, the control circuit may control the voltage value converted and output by the voltage conversion circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] An adapter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can improve the convenience of connecting devices to each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of an adapter and an example of device connection according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing examples of connections of devices having male connectors. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an adapter according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a power supply circuit. [Figure 5] 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example in which a power supply path is added to the power supply circuit of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a signal switching circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] (Example of adapter 1 configuration) 1 and 2, an adapter 1 according to the present disclosure includes a first connector 10, a second connector 20, and a power supply connector 30. The first connector 10 is configured to be connectable to a first device 110. The second connector 20 is configured to be connectable to a second device 120. The power supply connector 30 is configured to be connectable to a power supply device 130.

[0017] Although the adapter 1 according to the present disclosure is configured to be able to connect devices that comply with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard, it may also be configured to be able to connect devices that comply with other standards or specifications that simultaneously perform communication and power supply. Furthermore, the adapter 1 according to the present disclosure may also be configured to be able to connect devices that comply with the USB PD (Power Delivery) standard that supports rapid charging, or to be able to connect devices that comply with other standards or specifications that simultaneously perform communication and variable power or voltage power supply.

[0018] In this disclosure, the first connector 10 is a male connector and the second connector 20 is a female connector. The first connector 10 may be a female connector and the second connector 20 may be a male connector. In other words, one of the first connector 10 or the second connector 20 is a male connector and the other is a female connector. A male connector may also be called a plug. A female connector may also be called a receptacle.

[0019] 1 , if the second device 120 has a female connector 122 and is configured to be connectable to the female connector 112 of the first device 110 using a cable 150 having male connectors 152 on both ends, when the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected via the adapter 1 according to the present disclosure, the connection is possible in the same way as when the adapter 1 is not used. That is, when the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected via the adapter 1 and when the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected without the adapter 1, only one cable 150 is required. Furthermore, when connecting to the power supply device 130, because the power supply connector 30 is a female connector, the female connector 132 of the power supply device 130 and the power supply connector 30 can be connected using the cable 150 having male connectors 152 on both ends.

[0020] 2, if the second device 120 has a male connector 124 and is configured to be directly connectable to the female connector 112 of the first device 110 without using a cable 150, when the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected via the adapter 1 according to the present disclosure, the connection is possible in the same way as when the adapter 1 is not used. In other words, whether the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected via the adapter 1 or when the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected without using the adapter 1, the first device 110 and the second device 120 can be connected without using the cable 150.

[0021] The first connector 10 and the second connector 10 may both be female connectors. Even in this case, devices having female connectors can be connected to each other by adding one more cable 150. The first connector 10 and the second connector 10 may both be male connectors. In this case, devices having female connectors can be connected to each other without the need for a cable 150.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the adapter 1 includes a first connector 10, a second connector 20, a power supply connector 30, a control circuit 40, a power supply circuit 50, and a communication circuit 60.

[0023] The first connector 10 includes a communication terminal 12, a control terminal 14, and a power terminal 16. The second connector 20 includes a communication terminal 22, a control terminal 24, and a power terminal 26. The power supply connector 30 includes a control terminal 34 and a power terminal 36.

[0024] The control circuit 40 is connected to the control terminal 14 of the first connector 10, the control terminal 24 of the second connector 20, and the control terminal 34 of the power supply connector 30. The control circuit 40 transmits and receives control signals to and from each of the control terminals 14, 24, and 34. In the USB Type-C standard, control signals are also referred to as CC (Configuration Channel) signals. The control signal transmitted and received between the control circuit 40 and the control terminal 14 is represented by CC1. The control signal transmitted and received between the control circuit 40 and the control terminal 24 is represented by CC2. The control signal transmitted and received between the control circuit 40 and the control terminal 34 is represented by CC3. The control circuit 40 detects the connection of a physical device or a physical cable 150 to each of the first connector 10, the second connector 20, and the power supply connector 30 by transmitting and receiving control signals to and from each of the control terminals 14, 24, and 34.

[0025] In the USB Type-C standard, the shape of the connector and the arrangement of at least some of the terminals are point-symmetric. This allows two connectors to be connected together by rotating one connector 180 degrees and connecting it to the other connector. In other words, the connectors can be connected in either of two directions. When the adapter 1 complies with a standard or specification that allows connectors to be connected in either of two directions, such as the USB Type-C standard, the control circuit 40 recognizes the orientation of the connectors connected to the first connector 10, the second connector 20, and the power supply connector 30, respectively, by transmitting and receiving control signals to and from each of the control terminals 14, 24, and 34.

[0026] In the USB Type-C standard, each of the control terminals 14, 24, and 34 has two terminals. When the adapter 1 conforms to a standard or specification in which each of the control terminals 14, 24, and 34 has two terminals, such as the USB Type-C standard, the control circuit 40 transmits and receives control signals through one of the two terminals.

[0027] The USB standard specifies that the voltage value of power supplied from the power supply device 130 is 5V, and the upper limit of the current value is 3A. On the other hand, the USB PD standard specifies multiple combinations of voltage values ​​and current values ​​that can be supplied from the power supply device 130. Specifically, the USB PD standard specifies that the voltage values ​​that can be supplied from the power supply device 130 are 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V. The voltage value that can be supplied may be increased to 48V. Furthermore, the upper limit of the current value that can be supplied from the power supply device 130 is 3A when the voltage value is 5V, 9V, or 15V, 3A or 5A when the voltage value is 20V, and 5A when the voltage value is 48V.

[0028] When the adapter 1 complies with a standard or specification that allows the voltage value to be changed, such as the USB PD standard, the control circuit 40 receives a control signal from the control terminal 34 of the power supply connector 30 to obtain the power and voltage value that the power supply device 130 connected to the power supply connector 30 can supply. The control circuit 40 calculates the power that can be supplied to each of the first device 110 connected to the first connector 10 and the second device 120 connected to the second connector 20 based on the power that the power supply device 130 can supply. The control circuit 40 may calculate the power that can be supplied to each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 based on the power that the power supply device 130 can supply minus the power consumed by the adapter 1. The control circuit 40 transmits a control signal from the control terminal 14 of the first connector 10 and the control terminal 24 of the second connector 20 to each of the first device 110 and the second device 120, respectively. The control circuit 40 may transmit multiple combinations of voltage values ​​and current values ​​that can be supplied. When only one combination of voltage values ​​and current values ​​that can be supplied is transmitted, each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 determines whether it desires to supply power using that combination and transmits the determination to the control circuit 40. When multiple combinations of voltage values ​​and current values ​​that can be supplied are transmitted, each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 determines a combination of voltage values ​​and current values ​​that each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 desires to supply power from among the multiple combinations and transmits the determination to the control circuit 40. The control circuit 40 transmits the combination of voltage values ​​and current values ​​that each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 desires to supply power to the power supply device 130. The power supply device 130 supplies the power required by the first device 110 and the second device 120 at the voltage value that either the first device 110 or the second device 120 desires to supply power. The power required by the first device 110 and the second device 120 is equivalent to the sum of the product of the voltage value and current value that the first device 110 desires to supply power to and the product of the voltage value and current value that the second device 120 desires to supply power to.The control circuit 40 controls the power supply circuit 50 described later, and supplies power to each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 from the power supplied from the power supply device 130 in a combination of voltage value and current value that each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 desires to be supplied with.

[0029] <Power circuit 50> The control circuit 40 establishes power supply from the power supply device 130 to each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 with a combination of a voltage value and a current value that each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 desires to receive. Specifically, the control circuit 40 controls the power supply circuit 50 to switch the connection between the power supply terminal 36 and the power supply terminal 16 or 26, and sends a control signal to the power supply device 130 to set the power and voltage value to be supplied from the power supply device 130. The control circuit 40 also controls the power supply circuit 50, as necessary, to convert the voltage value supplied from the power supply terminal 36 to a voltage value desired by either the first device 110 or the second device 120. When the control circuit 40 establishes power supply, power supply from the power supply device 130 to each of the first device 110 and the second device 120 begins.

[0030] The voltage value supplied from the power supply device 130 to the power supply circuit 50 via the power terminal 36 of the power supply connector 30 is represented by Vsp. The voltage value supplied from the power supply circuit 50 to the first device 110 via the power terminal 16 of the first connector 10 is represented by V1. The voltage value supplied from the power supply circuit 50 to the second device 120 via the power terminal 26 of the second connector 20 is represented by V2. As described above, when the adapter 1 complies with the USB PD standard, Vsp may be any of 5 V, 9 V, 15 V, 20 V, or 48 V. V1 or V2 may be the same value as Vsp, or may be a value converted by the power supply circuit 50. For example, if the first device 110 is a device that complies with the USB PD standard and the second device 120 is a device that complies with the USB Type-C standard but not the USB PD standard, power may be supplied from the power supply device 130 at Vsp of any one of 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, or 48V, V1 may be supplied to the first device 110 at the same value as Vsp, and V2 may be converted from Vsp to 5V and supplied to the second device 120.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4, the power supply circuit 50 includes FETs (Field Effect Transistors) 51, 52, and 53. The FETs 51, 52, and 53 are also referred to as a power supply switching circuit. The power supply circuit 50 also includes a voltage conversion circuit 56. The voltage conversion circuit 56 converts an input voltage value into a different voltage value and outputs the converted voltage. The voltage conversion circuit 56 may also output the input voltage value without converting it.

[0032] Each FET is connected to a control circuit 40 at its gate, and when a control signal from the control circuit 40 is applied to the gate, the FET transitions to either an ON state in which the source and drain are conductive, or an OFF state in which the source and drain are insulated. The FET may be of a MOS (Metal Oxide Silicon) type or a junction type. The FET may be of an N-channel or a P-channel type. The FET may be replaced with another switching element.

[0033] One of the source or drain of FET 51 is connected to the power supply terminal 36 of the power supply connector 30, and the other is connected to FET 52 and the input terminal of the voltage conversion circuit 56. One of the source or drain of FET 52 is connected to the power supply terminal 16 of the first connector 10, and the other is connected to the input terminal of the voltage conversion circuit 56 and FET 51. One of the source or drain of FET 53 is connected to the power supply terminal 26 of the second connector 20, and the other is connected to the output terminal of the voltage conversion circuit 56.

[0034] The control circuit 40 controls the state of the FET 51 by applying a control signal represented by P_A to the gate of the FET 51. When the FET 51 is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply device 130 to the input terminal of the voltage conversion circuit 56 and the FET 52 via the power supply terminal 36 of the power supply connector 30 at a voltage represented by Vsp. Vsp is a value determined by the transmission and reception of control signals between the control circuit 40 and the power supply device 130.

[0035] The control circuit 40 controls the state of the FET 52 by applying a control signal represented by P_B1 to the gate of the FET 52. When the FET 52 is turned on, power is supplied to the power supply terminal 16 of the first connector 10 at a voltage value (Vsp). In other words, the voltage value (V1) supplied to the power supply terminal 16 of the first connector 10 becomes Vsp. The FET 52 is also referred to as a first power supply switch.

[0036] The voltage conversion circuit 56 converts a voltage value (Vsp) input to the input terminal and outputs a voltage value represented by Vtr from the output terminal. That is, the voltage conversion circuit 56 supplies power to the FET 53 at the voltage value (Vtr). The control circuit 40 controls the state of the FET 53 by applying a control signal represented by P_C1 to the gate of the FET 53. When the FET 53 is turned on, power is supplied to the power supply terminal 26 of the second connector 20 at the voltage value (Vtr). That is, the voltage value (V2) supplied to the power supply terminal 26 of the second connector 20 becomes Vtr. The FET 53 is also referred to as a second power supply switch.

[0037] When establishing power supply from the power supply device 130 connected to the power supply connector 30 to the first device 110 connected to the first connector 10, the control circuit 40 turns on the FETs 51 and 52. In this case, the power supply terminal 36 and the power supply terminal 16 are directly connected. Therefore, the voltage value (V1) at which the first device 110 receives power is the same as the voltage value (Vsp) at which the power supply device 130 supplies power. The control circuit 40 sets the voltage value at which the power supply device 130 supplies power to match the voltage value at which the first device 110 desires to supply power.

[0038] The control circuit 40 turns on FETs 51 and 53 when establishing power supply from the power supply device 130 connected to the power supply connector 30 to the second device 120 connected to the second connector 20. The voltage conversion circuit 56 is configured to output 5 V as the voltage value of Vtr, regardless of the voltage value of Vsp input to the voltage conversion circuit 56 from the power supply device 130. In this case, when a device that desires to be powered at 5 V is connected to the second connector 20 as the second device 120, the control circuit 40 turns on FETs 51 and 53 to supply power from the power supply device 130 to the second device 120.

[0039] The voltage conversion circuit 56 may output a voltage value higher than 5 V as the voltage value of Vtr in response to a control signal P_D from the control circuit 40. In this case, the control circuit 40 sets the voltage value (Vtr) output by the voltage conversion circuit 56 to match the voltage value that the second device 120 desires to supply power to.

[0040] When the power supply device 130 is not connected to the power supply connector 30, the control circuit 40 may control the FETs 51, 52, and 53 to the off state. When the power supply device 130 is connected to the power supply connector 30, but the first device 110 is not connected to the first connector 10 and the second device 120 is not connected to the second connector 20, the control circuit 40 may control the FETs 51, 52, and 53 to the off state.

[0041] As described above, by including the power supply circuit 50, the adapter 1 can supply power at an appropriate voltage value to both the first device 110 and the second device 120 even if the voltage value at which the first device 110 desires to be supplied with power differs from the voltage value at which the second device 120 desires to be supplied with power.

[0042] 5, the power supply circuit 50 may further include an FET 54 and an FET 55. The FETs 54 and 55 are included in a power supply switching circuit together with the FETs 51, 52, and 53. One of the source or drain of the FET 54 is connected to the FET 51, and the other is connected to the power supply terminal 26 of the second connector 20. One of the source or drain of the FET 55 is connected to the output terminal of the voltage conversion circuit 56, and the other is connected to the power supply terminal 16 of the first connector 10.

[0043] When FETs 52 and 55 are connected to the power terminal 16 of the first connector 10, the control circuit 40 can turn on only one of the FETs 52 or 55. Specifically, when the control circuit 40 turns on the FET 52, it turns off the FET 55, supplying the voltage (Vsp) from the power supply device 130 to the first device 110. When the control circuit 40 turns on the FET 55, it turns off the FET 52, supplying the voltage (Vtr) from the voltage conversion circuit 56 to the first device 110. The FET 55 is also referred to as a third power supply switch. When the control circuit 40 connects one of the first power supply switch or the third power supply switch, it disconnects the other.

[0044] When FETs 53 and 54 are connected to the power terminal 26 of the second connector 20, the control circuit 40 can turn on only one of FETs 53 or 54. Specifically, when the control circuit 40 turns on FET 54, it turns off FET 53 and supplies the voltage (Vsp) from the power supply device 130 to the second device 120. When the control circuit 40 turns on FET 53, it turns off FET 54 and supplies the voltage (Vtr) from the voltage conversion circuit 56 to the second device 120. FET 54 is also referred to as a fourth power supply switch. When the control circuit 40 connects one of the second power supply switch or the fourth power supply switch, it disconnects the other.

[0045] As described above, by further including FETs 54 and 55 as part of the power supply circuit 50, the adapter 1 can supply power to both the first device 110 and the second device 120 at an appropriate voltage value in response to various combinations of the voltage value at which the first device 110 desires to be supplied with power and the voltage value at which the second device 120 desires to be supplied with power.

[0046] <Communication Circuit 60> The communication circuit 60 connects the communication terminal 12 of the first connector 10 and the communication terminal 22 of the second connector 20. The communication circuit 60 may include a communication wiring that electrically connects the communication terminal 12 and the communication terminal 22 and propagates a communication signal. The communication circuit 60 may further include a waveform shaping circuit 66. The waveform shaping circuit 66 is configured to shape the waveform of the communication signal. The waveform shaping circuit 66 may include, for example, an electrical filter circuit so that the communication terminal 12 and the communication terminal 22 are electrically connected directly. The filter circuit may include a capacitor, a coil, an electrical resistor, or the like.

[0047] As described above, when the adapter 1 conforms to a standard or specification that allows connectors to be connected in either of two directions, such as the USB Type-C standard, the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 of the adapter 1 each include at least one pair of transmitting terminals and at least one pair of receiving terminals so that communication can be established between the first device 110 and the second device 120 regardless of whether the connectors of the first device 110 or the second device 120 are connected in either of the two directions. It is assumed that one pair of transmitting terminals consists of two transmitting terminals. It is assumed that one pair of receiving terminals consists of two receiving terminals.

[0048] 6, the first connector 10 includes a first transmitting terminal 12TA and a second transmitting terminal 12TB as two transmitting terminals that make up a set of transmitting terminals of the communication terminal 12. The second connector 20 includes a first receiving terminal 22RA and a second receiving terminal 22RB as two receiving terminals that make up a set of receiving terminals of the communication terminal 22.

[0049] There are two combinations of connection of the communication terminals between the first device 110 and the second device 120, depending on the orientation of the connectors. One combination is when the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected such that the first transmitting terminal 12TA corresponds to the first receiving terminal 22RA and the second transmitting terminal 12TB corresponds to the second receiving terminal 22RB. The other combination is when the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected such that the first transmitting terminal 12TA corresponds to the second receiving terminal 22RB and the second transmitting terminal 12TB corresponds to the first receiving terminal 22RA.

[0050] The adapter 1 includes a communication terminal switching circuit 61 as at least a part of the communication circuit 60 so that communication can be established regardless of the two combinations of communication terminal connections. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication terminal switching circuit 61 includes switches 62 to 65. The switches 62 to 65 are connected between the first transmitting terminal 12TA and the second transmitting terminal 12TB of the first connector 10 and the first receiving terminal 22RA and the second receiving terminal 22RB of the second connector 20, and transition to either an ON state that electrically connects the communication wiring or an OFF state that electrically disconnects the communication wiring. The states of the switches 62 to 65 are controlled by a control signal SC1 output from the control circuit 40. The switches 62 to 65 may be configured to include, but are not limited to, FETs and may be configured in various ways.

[0051] When the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected so that the first transmitting terminal 12TA corresponds to the first receiving terminal 22RA and the second transmitting terminal 12TB corresponds to the second receiving terminal 22RB, the control circuit 40 turns on the switch 62 and turns off the switch 63 to connect the first transmitting terminal 12TA to the first receiving terminal 22RA. The control circuit 40 also turns on the switch 65 and turns off the switch 64 to connect the second transmitting terminal 12TB to the second receiving terminal 22RB.

[0052] Conversely, when the first device 110 and the second device 120 are connected such that the first transmitting terminal 12TA corresponds to the second receiving terminal 22RB and the second transmitting terminal 12TB corresponds to the first receiving terminal 22RA, the control circuit 40 turns on the switch 63 and turns off the switch 62 to connect the first transmitting terminal 12TA to the second receiving terminal 22RB. The control circuit 40 also turns on the switch 64 and turns off the switch 65 to connect the second transmitting terminal 12TB to the first receiving terminal 22RA.

[0053] The communication terminal switching circuit 61 can electrically switch the connection of the communication terminals between the first device 110 and the second device 120, so that communication can be established regardless of the orientation of the connectors of the first device 110 or the second device 120. Furthermore, because the communication terminals are electrically connected directly, the first device 110 and the second device 120 recognize that they are communicating with the other device without going through the adapter 1. As a result, even when the adapter 1 is connected between the first device 110 and the second device, communication compatibility between the first device 110 and the second device 120 is ensured.

[0054] 6, an operation for establishing communication between a pair of transmitting terminals of the first connector 10 and a pair of receiving terminals of the second connector 20 has been described, regardless of the connection direction of the connectors. The operation described above can also be applied to an operation for establishing communication between a pair of receiving terminals of the first connector 10 and a pair of transmitting terminals of the second connector 20. Furthermore, even if the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 have two or more pairs of transmitting terminals and receiving terminals, communication is similarly established between each pair of transmitting terminals and receiving terminals.

[0055] As a concrete example of the ability to establish communication regardless of the connector connection direction, the establishment of communication between devices conforming to the USB Type-C standard will be described. A device conforming to the USB Type-C standard has Tx1+, Tx1-, Tx2+, and Tx2- as transmitting terminals and Rx1+, Rx1-, Rx2+, and Rx2- as receiving terminals. These terminals are arranged on the connector so that the suffixes 1 and 2 are point-symmetric. For example, when the connector is connected in a first direction, Tx1+ and Tx1- are used as transmitting terminals and Rx1+ and Rx1- are used as receiving terminals. Conversely, when the connector is connected in a second direction rotated 180 degrees from the first direction, Tx2+ and Tx2- are used as transmitting terminals and Rx2+ and Rx2- are used as receiving terminals. As a result, communication can be established between two devices regardless of whether the connector is connected in either of the two directions, i.e., even when the connector is rotated 180 degrees.

[0056] (summary) As described above, the adapter 1 according to the present disclosure connects the first device 110, the second device 120, and the power supply device 130, and can simultaneously realize power supply from the power supply device 130 to the first device 110 or the second device 120 and communication between the first device 110 and the second device 120.

[0057] As a comparative example, when connecting a first device 110 and a second device 120 for communication without using the adapter 1, the first device 110 or the second device 120 cannot receive power if it has only one connector. On the other hand, by using the adapter 1 according to the present disclosure, the first device 110 or the second device 120 can communicate with other devices while receiving power, even if it has only one connector. As a result, the convenience of connecting devices is improved.

[0058] Furthermore, the adapter 1 according to the present disclosure controls the power supply circuit 50 and the communication terminal switching circuit 61 based on device information acquired through a control signal conforming to standards or specifications such as USB Type-C or USB PD, thereby enabling appropriate control of power supply and communication in response to various devices being connected.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, each component can be rearranged so as not to cause a logical inconsistency, and multiple components can be combined or divided into one.

[0060] In this disclosure, the terms "first" and "second" are identifiers for distinguishing the configuration. In this disclosure, the configurations distinguished by terms such as "first" and "second" can have their numbers interchanged. For example, the first connector 10 can have its identifiers "first" and "second" interchanged with the second connector 20. The identifiers are interchanged simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguished even after the identifiers are interchanged. The identifiers may be deleted. A configuration from which an identifier has been deleted is distinguished by a symbol. The identifiers "first" and "second" in this disclosure should not be used solely to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of an identifier with a smaller number. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 adapter 10 First connector (12: communication terminal, 12TA: first transmission terminal, 12TB: second transmission terminal, 14: control terminal, 16: power supply terminal) 20 second connector (22: communication terminal, 22RA: first receiving terminal, 22RB: second receiving terminal, 24: control terminal, 26: power supply terminal) 30 Power supply connector (34: control terminal, 36: power terminal) 40 Control circuit 50 Power supply circuit (51-55: FET, 56: voltage conversion circuit) 60 communication circuit (61: communication terminal switching circuit, 62 to 65: switches, 66: waveform shaping circuit) 110 First device (112: female connector) 120 Second device (122: female connector, 124: male connector) 130 Power supply equipment (132: female connector) 150 Cable (152: Male Connector)

Claims

1. An adapter configured to be able to connect a plurality of devices via a connector including a communication terminal, a power terminal, and a control terminal, a first connector configured to be connectable to a first device; a second connector configured to be connectable to a second device; a power supply connector configured to be connectable to a power supply device; a voltage conversion circuit that converts a voltage supplied to at least one of the power supply terminals of the first connector and the second connector; a power supply switching circuit that switches connections between the power supply terminals of the first connector and the second connector and the power supply terminal of the power supply connector; a communication circuit connecting a communication terminal of the first connector and a communication terminal of the second connector; a control circuit that controls each of the voltage conversion circuit and the power supply switching circuit based on information acquired from the first device, the second device, and the power supply device via control terminals of the first connector, the second connector, and the power supply connector, respectively; Equipped with The control circuit controls the voltage conversion circuit and the power supply switching circuit based on the power and voltage value that the power supply device can supply, a combination of a voltage value and a current value that the first device desires to supply, and a combination of a voltage value and a current value that the second device desires to supply.

2. the communication circuit includes a communication terminal switching circuit that switches a connection between the communication terminal of the first connector and the communication terminal of the second connector, 2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls the communication terminal switching circuit based on an orientation in which the connector of the first device is connected to the first connector and an orientation in which the connector of the second device is connected to the second connector.

3. 2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the communication circuit includes a waveform shaping circuit for a communication signal propagating between the communication terminals of the first connector and the second connector.

4. 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein one of the first connector or the second connector is a male connector and the other is a female connector.

5. 5. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the power supply switching circuit includes a first power supply switch that switches between a connection and a disconnection between a power supply terminal of the power supply connector and a power supply terminal of the first connector, and a second power supply switch that switches between a connection and a disconnection between the voltage conversion circuit and a power supply terminal of the second connector.

6. the power supply switching circuit includes a third power supply switch that switches between connection and disconnection between the voltage conversion circuit and a power supply terminal of the first connector, and a fourth power supply switch that switches between connection and disconnection between the power supply terminal of the power supply connector and a power supply terminal of the second connector, 6. The adapter according to claim 5, wherein when one of the first power supply switch or the third power supply switch is connected, the control circuit disconnects the other, and when one of the second power supply switch or the fourth power supply switch is connected, the control circuit disconnects the other.

7. The adapter according to claim 5 , wherein the voltage conversion circuit converts and outputs a voltage input from the power supply device.

8. The adapter according to claim 7 , wherein the control circuit controls a voltage value converted and output by the voltage conversion circuit.

Images