HDMI USB Combination Cord for Streaming Receiver Power and Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for powering wireless streaming receivers, such as CHROMECAST, either require bulky batteries, additional power adapters, or result in wiring clutter and potential damage due to the weight and torque applied to HDMI slots when using USB cables for power delivery.
Innovation Solution
An HDMI USB combination cord that integrates both HDMI and USB conductors within a hybrid cable segment, minimizing wiring clutter and weight distribution by routing power from a USB slot on a TV to a wireless streaming receiver, with strain relief mechanisms to prevent damage from snagging and torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a USB cable is used to provide power to the wireless streaming receiver, then power delivery is achieved, but wiring clutter and potential damage to the HDMI slot occur due to weight and torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines HDMI and USB power delivery functions into a single integrated cable. The cable includes both HDMI conductors for video/audio transmission and USB conductors for power delivery, eliminating the need for separate USB cables and reducing wiring clutter while maintaining both functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The single cable serves multiple functions: HDMI signal transmission, USB power delivery, and strain relief. By making the cable multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional separate cables and power adapters, thereby reducing overall wiring complexity and clutter
2Use of energy by moving object
If a USB cable is used to provide power to the wireless streaming receiver, then power delivery is achieved, but the weight of the cable causes high torque at the HDMI connector interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges HDMI and USB power functions into one integrated cable with a unified strain relief mechanism. This consolidation allows the strain relief to distribute mechanical loads across both conductor bundles, preventing the high torque that would occur if a separate USB cable were attached to the wireless streaming receiver
Solution Approach 2:
The strain relief acts as an intermediary element between the HDMI male connector and the conductor bundles. It provides mechanical support and distributes the weight of the cable assembly, preventing excessive torque from being transmitted to the HDMI connector interface on the television
3Ease of operation
If batteries are used to power the wireless streaming receiver, then portability is improved, but the device becomes significantly heavier and bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless streaming receiver uses power delivered through the USB conductors in the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for batteries. The television provides power through its USB slot, allowing the streaming receiver to operate without self-contained power sources, thereby maintaining its lightweight and compact design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power source from the wireless streaming receiver itself and relocates it to the television. By using the USB conductors in the HDMI cable to deliver power from the television's USB slot, the streaming receiver remains battery-free and maintains its original lightweight form factor
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless streaming receiver or other signal input source is coupled to an HDMI slot on a television through a combination cord which includes male and female HDMI connectors at opposite ends of a hybrid cable segment. An HDMI conductor bundle extends along this hybrid cable segment between these HDMI connectors, to couple the wireless streaming receiver to the HDMI slot on the television. The combination cord also includes first and second USB cable segments extending from near each of the HDMI connectors. These USB cable segments extend to either a USB slot on the television to receive power therein or to a USB connector for attachment to a power port of the wireless streaming receiver. The USB conductor bundle extends along the USB cable segments and the hybrid cable segment to provide power from the USB slot on the television to the power port on the wireless streaming receiver.