USB type-c connection incorporating two USB type-b links

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 connected indifferently in two different positions; and - electrical connection wires (F1-F14), each of the pairs of terminals (Ai, Bi) of a first portion (i = 1-5, 8-12) of the pairs of terminals being respectively connected 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 portion of the pairs of terminals being connected to a respective wire (F6, F13, F7, F14) of the electrical connection wires.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: USB Type-C connection integrating two USB Type-B connections

[0003] technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to the connection of devices via USB ("Universal Serial Bus") type ports.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] USB is a serial computer bus standard used to connect computer peripherals to a computer or any type of compatible device (tablet, smartphone, etc.). A USB bus allows for "hot-swapping" of peripherals (while the computer is running), with automatic recognition of the device ("plug and play"). USB Type-A or B can power low-power peripherals. USB Type-C can power devices requiring more power, up to 240W.

[0007] Originally, the USB bus was designed to connect exclusively 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 host-slave connection, a negotiation must occur when two devices are connected to determine which device should be connected in host mode and which in slave mode.

[0008] However, particularly with the development of connected devices, some applications may require both a host and a slave 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 to the device in host mode 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 reconnected to the device in slave mode 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 both the device and the console, such as USB 2.0, to allow two simultaneous connections. However, this solution introduces additional complexity and costs for the device itself.Furthermore, this solution may not be feasible, particularly on miniaturized devices.

[0009] Furthermore, the USB architecture is characterized by also supplying electrical voltage to peripherals, either for powering them or for charging an internal battery. It uses a cable for this purpose, including wires for power (VBUS) and ground (GND).

[0010] 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.

[0011] Summary

[0012] Some 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.

[0013] In this way, it can present two links that can be used to connect a device both as a host and as a slave.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first connector is a USB Type-C connector.

[0015] In this way, a USB Type-C cable can have two Type-A or Type-B links that can be used to connect a device both as a host and as a slave.

[0016] 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.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the second connector is a USB Type-C connector.

[0018] 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 connecting terminals of a second part of the pairs of connecting terminals of the second connector.

[0019] 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 separate from the connection terminals of the first and second connectors.

[0020] 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.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the third connector is a USB type A or B connector.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first connector includes a mechanical keying device to force the first connector to be plugged in in one of two distinct positions.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the mechanical keying device includes a fixing screw associated with the connector arranged to fix itself in a connector of complementary shape, when the connector and the connector of complementary shape are electrically coupled.

[0024] 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 via the cable to other devices in the system. According to one embodiment, the other devices in the system connected by the cable are at least one of the following types: USB hub, display screen, computer, communication terminal, payment terminal.

[0025] Brief description of the figures

[0026] 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 symbols correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0027] Figures 1A and 1B schematically represent USB Type-C connectors, female and male, respectively.

[0028] Figure 2 schematically represents a cable that can combine a host mode connection and a slave mode connection, according to one embodiment,

[0029] Figure 3 schematically represents a system using the cable of Figure 2, according to one embodiment,

[0030] Figure 4 schematically represents an interface circuit of the system in Figure 3, according to one embodiment,

[0031] Figure 5 schematically represents another interface circuit of the system in Figure 3, according to one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 schematically represents a system using the cable of Figure 5, according to an example implementation.

[0033] Figure 7 schematically represents, in perspective, a connector for the cable of Figure 2, according to an example of an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 8 schematically represents in perspective a connector for the cable of figure 2, according to another embodiment example.

[0035] Detailed description

[0036] Figures 1A and 1B depict 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, and B12 (GND) are intended for ground connection, while pins A4, A9, B4, and B9 (VBUS) are intended for power supply. Pins A6, A7, B6, and B7 (D+ and D-) form the first differential pair for USB 2.0 data transmission. Pins A2, A3, B10, and B11 (TX1+, TX1-, RX1-, and RX1+) form the second differential pair for unidirectional data transmission. Pins A10, A11, B2, B3 (RX2-, RX2+, TX2+, TX2-) form a third differential pair for unidirectional data transmission. Pins A5, B8 (CC1, SBU2) and A8, B5 (SBU1, CC2) are used to transmit configuration signals. In each of the connectors C1, C2 at the ends of a USB Type-C cable, each pin Ai (i = 1, 2, ...Pin 12 is connected to terminal B1, so that connectors C1 and C2 are electrically reversible (by reversing the top / bottom orientation of connectors C1 and C2). A USB Type-C cable therefore has 12 electrical connections between terminals A1-A12 and B1-B12 of each of the connectors C1 and C2 at the cable ends. Terminals B6 and B7 of the male connector CC2 are generally not connected, whereas in the female connector C1, terminal B6 is connected to terminal A6, and terminal B7 is connected to terminal A7.

[0037] Figure 2 shows an L1 cable that can combine a host-mode transmission link and a slave-mode transmission link, according to one embodiment. The L1 cable includes connectors C1 and C2 at its ends. According to one embodiment, the cable L1 comprises not 12 but 14 electrical connecting wires F1-F14, the terminal A6 of the connector C1 being connected to the terminal A6 of the connector C2 by the wire F6, the terminal A7 of the connector C1 being connected to the terminal A7 of the connector C2 by the wire F13, the terminal B6 of the connector C1 being connected to the terminal B6 of the connector C2 by the wire F7, the terminal B7 of the connector C1 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 C1 being connected respectively by 10 electrical connecting wires Fi of the cable L1 to the pairs of terminals Ai, Bi of the connector C2.

[0038] 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 the terminals A6, A7, B6, B7 between the connectors C1, C2, the latter are not electrically reversible (by reversing the top / bottom of the connector).

[0039] Figure 3 illustrates an example of L1 cable usage. In this example, L1 cable connects three devices, CP1, CP2, and CP3, via interface circuits BD1 and BD2. Device CP1 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 C1' connector, which is coupled to and compatible with connector C1. L1 cable connects connector C1 to connector C2, which is coupled to a C2' connector on 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 CP1 device can be connected to the CP2 device, for example, in host mode, and simultaneously connected to the CP3 device in slave mode.

[0040] Figure 4 shows the interface circuit BD1 associated with connector C1', according to an example embodiment. The BD1 circuit comprises a set E1 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 E1 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). The CT connector has the same configuration as connector C1, insofar as only the terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the CT connector are connected to the terminals Bi of the CT connector.

[0041] 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 CT by electrical connections F21-F32. The terminals A6 and B6 of circuit BD1 are connected to terminal A6 of connector CT by electrical connection F26, and the terminals A7 and B7 of circuit BD1 are connected to terminal A7 of connector CT by electrical connection F27. Furthermore, the terminals UA2 and UA3 of assembly E2 are connected respectively to terminals B6 and B7 of connector CT by electrical connections F33 and F34.

[0042] It should be noted that the BD1 interface circuit can be implemented as a Y-cable, with terminals Ai and Bi (E1) to be connected to cable L2 housed in a symmetrical USB Type-C connector, and terminals UA1 and UA2 housed in a USB Type-A or Type-B connector, which can also be connected to terminals A9 and A12 for power supply and ground, respectively. In this case, the electrical connections F21-F34 are made using wires.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the BD2 interface circuit associated with connectors C2', C3', and C4', according to an example embodiment. The A1-A12 and B1-B12 terminals of connector C2' are interconnected in the same way as in connector C2, in that only the Ai terminals (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of connector C2' are connected to the Bi terminals of connector C2'. The A1-A12 and B1-B12 connection terminals of connector C3' form a USB Type-C connection, in that each Ai terminal is connected to the Bi terminal (i = 1, ..., 12). The CT connector has the same configuration as the CT connector. The terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the C2' connector are connected respectively to the terminals Ai (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the C3' connector by respective electrical links 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 to terminals UA2 and UA3 of connector C4', respectively, by electrical connections F53 and F54. Since connector C4' is of type USB A or B, it includes a terminal UA1 connected to terminals A9 and B9 (for conducting the power supply voltage of connector C2' or C3') by electrical connection F49, and a terminal UA4 connected, for example, to terminals A12 and B12 of connector C2' or C3' (for conducting the ground) by electrical connection F52.

[0044] It should be noted that the BD2 interface circuit can be implemented as a Y-cable, connecting the asymmetrical connector C2' to the symmetrical USB C connector C3' and to the USB C4' type A or B connector. In this case, the electrical connections F41-F54 are made by electrical wires.

[0045] Figure 6 illustrates another example of L1 cable usage. In this example, the L1 cable connects device CP1 to USB devices such as USB hubs HB1 and HB2, a computer PC1, and a DSP display. The HB1 hub, a USB 3.0 type, is connected to device CP1 by cables L11 and L21, which are connected to terminals A10, A11, B10, and B11 of the L1 cable connectors. The computer PC1 is connected to device CP1 in USB 2.0 host mode by cables L12 and L22, which are connected to terminals B6 and B7 of the L1 cable connectors. The HB2 hub, a USB 2.0 type, is connected to device CP1 in host mode by cables L13 and L23, which are connected to terminals A6 and A7 of the L1 cable connectors. The DSP display screen is connected to the CP1 device via USB 3.1 using L14 and L24 cables connected to terminals A2, A3, B2, and B3 of the L1 cable connectors. Thanks to the L1 cable configuration, the CP1 device can be connected in both USB 2.0 slave mode and other modes.The PC1 device connects to PC1 and the HB2 hub in USB 2.0 host mode, which is not possible with a standard USB cable. PC1 can be a personal computer, a point-of-sale terminal, or a communication device such as a mobile phone. PC1 can be a computer or a point-of-sale terminal.

[0046] Figure 7 shows an example of a CT1 connector attached to the end of an LX cable and a complementary CT2 connector. The CT1 connector can be identical to the C1, C2 connectors of the L1 cable. The CT1 connector includes a retaining device F1 with a longitudinal channel and a screw V1 engaged in the longitudinal channel. Because the retaining device F1 is unique, it also acts as a keying device, eliminating the mechanical reversibility of the connector if attachment of the CT1 connector to the CT2 connector is required. Indeed, if the CT1 connector is to be secured in the connected position within the complementary CT2 connector using the screw V1, 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 V1 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 V1 screw.

[0047] In another embodiment, the mechanical keying device can be configured to allow the connectors to be mated only in one of two possible positions. Figure 8 shows another example of a CT11 connector attached to the end of an LX cable and a CT12 connector of complementary shape. The CT11 connector includes, for example, a pin V11 designed to engage with a complementary hole V12 formed in the CT12 connector. Thus, the connection is not made if the CT11 connector is not engaged in the CT12 connector in the direction where the pin V11 can simultaneously engage with the hole V12. The pin V11 can be long enough to prevent the CT11 and CT12 connectors from connecting when it cannot engage with the hole V12.

[0048] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to 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.

[0049] It is also unnecessary to separate the connections of two pairs of symmetrical terminals, namely pairs A6, B6 and A7, B7 in the previously described examples. Separating the connections of a single pair of symmetrical terminals may suffice, depending on the intended application and the type of connection to be established between two devices.

[0050] In addition, 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 traces of a printed circuit board.

Claims

1. 9 DEMANDS 1. Electrical connection cable comprising: a first connector (C1, CT, 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. Cable according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is a USB type C connector.

3. Cable according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a second connector (C1, C2, E1, 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 connecting 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. Cable according to claim 3, wherein the second connector is a USB type C connector.

5. Cable according to claim 3 or 4, in which 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 respective terminal of one of the pairs of terminals of connection (A6, B6, A7, B7) of a second part of the connection terminal pairs of the second connector (C1, C2).

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 (C1', 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 (E1, 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. Cable according to claim 6, in which 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 part of wires.

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

9. Cable according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first connector (CT1, CT2) includes a mechanical keying device (F1, V1) to force the first connector to be plugged into one of two distinct positions.

10. Cable according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical keying device (F1, V1) comprises a fixing screw associated with the connector (CT1) arranged to fix in a complementary shape connector (CT2), when the connector and the complementary shape connector are electrically coupled.

11. System comprising: a cable (L1) according to claim 10, and a first device (CP1) connected both as a USB host and USB slave by means of the cable to other devices (CP2, CP3, HB1, HB2, PC1, DSP) of the system. 11 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 (PC1), communication terminal (PC1), payment terminal (PC1).

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