KR20150021797A - Usb connector and power control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a USB connection device and a power supply control method thereof, and more particularly, to a USB connection device and a method of controlling power thereof, including a port portion for supplying power to a USB connector of a USB module and performing data communication, a sensing portion for sensing whether a USB connector is inserted, And a control unit for controlling the operation of the switching unit on the basis of the sensing signal of the sensing unit. In this case, when the USB connector is inserted into the port unit, The inspecting unit is provided to detect whether the USB connector is inserted, and when the USB connector is normally inserted, power can be supplied to the USB module through the power terminal.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION [0002] USB CONNECTOR AND POWER CONTROL METHOD THEREOF [0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a USB connection device and a power supply control method thereof, and more particularly, to a USB connection device for supplying power to a portable electronic device or a portable memory device using a universal serial bus, .

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a portable electronic device or a portable memory device is connected to a universal serial bus (USB) port of an electronic device such as a computer and receives a power or a USB connector for an interface such as data communication do.

For example, the following Patent Documents 1 to 2 disclose a technology related to a USB connector.

The USB connector according to the prior art, including Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, generally includes a power terminal, a ground terminal, and a plurality of data transmission / reception terminals.

Similarly, the USB port includes a power terminal, a ground terminal, and a plurality of data transmission / reception terminals so as to correspond to the USB connector in order to supply power to the USB connector and perform data communication.

The power terminal provided on the USB port is used to power the USB connector and a USB module such as a portable electronic device or a USB memory device connected to the USB connector.

An electronic device provided with a USB port according to the related art normally applies power to a power terminal of a USB port. When a USB connector provided in the USB module is inserted, communication is attempted with the USB module to transmit and receive data.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0659986 (registered on December 14, 2006) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0110068 (published on October 9, 2012)

However, when inserting the USB connector into the USB port according to the related art, a momentary peak voltage occurs when power is applied to the power terminal of the USB connector through the USB port at the same time of inserting the USB connector.

As a result, the USB connector according to the related art has a problem that electrical damage is caused by the peak voltage in the process of inserting the USB connector into the USB port.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a USB connection device and a power supply control method thereof for preventing electric damage of a USB connector due to a peak voltage when a USB connector is inserted.

In order to achieve the above object, a USB connecting device according to the present invention comprises a port part for supplying power to a USB connector of a USB module and performing data communication, And a control unit for controlling the operation of the switching unit on the basis of the sensing signal of the sensing unit. The sensing unit may include a switching unit for supplying or disconnecting power supplied to a power terminal provided in the port unit.

The port portion is coupled to a metal shield formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape with front and rear openings, an insulator horizontally installed in the metal shield inner space, and a terminal groove formed on the insulator bottom, And a plurality of terminals which are connected to each other.

The sensing unit includes first to third sensing sensors, respectively, which are provided on a bottom surface of the coupling member and on both sides of the coupling member to detect whether or not the USB connector is connected.

The hooks for fixing the USB connector are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the metal shield and the left and right sides of the metal shield. The first to third sensing sensors are installed at positions corresponding to the hooks, .

And the switching unit includes a switching element which is opened and closed to supply or cut off power to the USB connector through a power terminal of the port unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling power of a USB connection device, including the steps of: (a) inserting a USB connector into a port of a host terminal; (b) And (c) supplying driving power to the USB module through the power terminal of the port unit based on the result of the checking in the step (b) .

In the step (b), it is determined whether or not the USB connector is inserted according to whether or not a sensing signal is received from all of the first to third sensing sensors provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the metal shield provided in the port portion.

In the step (c), when the sensing signal is not received from any one of the first to third sensing sensors, the sensing signal is received from the first to third sensing sensors while the driving power is turned off to the USB module And a standby state is established.

(D) performing communication with the USB module through a data terminal of the port unit.

As described above, according to the USB connecting device and the power supply control method thereof according to the present invention, the inserting portion for detecting whether or not the USB connector is inserted is provided in the port portion to inspect the inserted state of the USB connector. When the USB connector is normally inserted Power can be supplied to the USB module through the power supply terminal.

Thus, according to the USB connection device and the power supply control method thereof according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the electrical damage of the USB connector and the USB module due to the peak voltage when the USB connector is inserted.

According to the USB connection device and the power supply control method of the present invention, since the first to third sensing sensors are provided on the upper surface and the both sides of the coupling member provided in the sensing part, When inserted in a tilted state, the power supply can be cut off.

Thus, according to the USB connection device and the power supply control method thereof according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent damage or failure of the terminals provided in the USB port and the USB connector, which occurs when power is supplied in an abnormal connection state of the USB connector Effect is obtained.

1 is a block diagram of a host terminal and a USB module to which a USB connecting device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the port portion and the sensing portion shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a front view of the port portion shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a flowchart for explaining a power control method of a USB connection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention step by step.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a USB connection device and a power supply method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a host terminal and a USB module to which a USB connection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied.

1, the USB connecting device 20 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided in the host terminal 10 and supplies power to the USB connector 71 of the USB module 70, A sensing unit 40 for detecting whether the USB connector 71 is inserted or not, a switching unit for switching the power supplied to the power terminal provided on the port unit 30 50 and a control unit 60 for controlling the operation of the switching unit 50 based on the detection signals of the sensing unit 40.

The host terminal 10 is a computer terminal of various types, such as a desktop computer or a portable computer, that receives commercial power and executes various programs to output images and sounds, or to perform document creation, internet connection, and the like.

The host terminal 10 may be provided with a main control unit 11 for controlling the driving of each module provided therein and a power supply unit 12 for supplying power to each module and the main control unit 11.

The USB module 70 refers to a USB memory device and various portable terminal devices connected to the host terminal 10 using the USB connector 71 to receive power and perform data communication.

The power supply unit 12 supplies power to the power terminal of the port unit 30 so as to supply power to the USB module 70.

Next, the configuration of the port portion and the sensing portion will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the port portion and the sensing portion shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the port portion shown in FIG.

The port portion 30 includes a metal shield 31 having front and rear openings and formed in a rectangular tubular shape, an insulator 32 disposed in a horizontal space in the inner space of the metal shield 31, And a plurality of terminals 33 coupled to the grooves and electrically connected to the respective terminals of the USB connector 71.

Hooks 34 may be provided on the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right side surfaces of the metal shield 31, respectively.

Each of the hooks 34 functions to fix the upper, lower, right, and left sides of the USB connector 71 when the USB connector 71 is inserted.

These hooks 34 are formed by cutting the upper and lower sides of the metal shield 31 in the shape of " ", and the tips of the hooks 34 are doubly bent toward the inside and the outside of the metal shield 31 .

The plurality of terminals 33 may be provided as a power supply terminal, a ground terminal, and a plurality of data transmission / reception terminals, respectively.

The sensing unit 40 includes a coupling member 41 and a coupling member 41 whose front, rear, and bottom surfaces are opened so as to be coupled to the metal shield 31 of the port unit 30, And first to third sensing sensors 42 to 44 provided in the upper and lower sides of the upper and lower sides, respectively.

Each of the first to third sensing sensors 42 to 44 is provided at a position corresponding to the hook 34 formed on the metal shield 31. When the USB connector 71 is inserted, 31, it is possible to detect whether the USB connector 71 is inserted or not.

The length of the metal shield 31 is longer than the height of the metal shield 31 so that the hook 34 and the first sensing sensor 42 provided on the upper surface of the metal shield 31 can be provided as a pair .

An output terminal 45 for outputting a sensing signal of the first to third sensing sensors 42 to 44 to the control unit 60 may be provided at one side of the coupling member 41. [

The switching unit 50 may include a switching device (not shown) for opening or closing the power supply unit 12 of the host terminal 10 to supply or block the driving power through the power terminal of the port unit 30 .

The switching element may be provided as a switch which is turned on and off according to a control signal of the controller 60. [

The control unit 60 generates control signals for controlling the driving of the switching devices provided in the switching unit 50 according to the sensing signals transmitted from the first to third sensing sensors 42 to 44 of the sensing unit 40. [

That is, when the USB connector 71 is normally inserted into the port 30 and the detection signals are input from the first to third detection sensors 42 to 44, the controller 60 controls the power supply to the USB module 70 Lt; / RTI >

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent damage or failure of terminals provided in the USB port and the USB connector, which are generated when power is supplied in an abnormal connection state of the USB connector.

The control unit 60 may be a USB controller for controlling communication with the USB module 70 through the port unit 30 and the USB connector 71 or may be a separate processor from the USB controller.

As described above, the present invention provides a sensing unit for detecting whether or not the USB connector is inserted into the port portion, inspecting the inserted state of the USB connector, and supplies power to the USB module through the power terminal when the USB connector is normally inserted.

Accordingly, the present invention can prevent electrical damage of the USB connector and the USB module due to the peak voltage when the USB connector is inserted.

In particular, according to the present invention, the first to third sensing sensors are provided on the upper surface and both side surfaces of the coupling member provided in the sensing unit, so that when the USB connector is inserted in a state where the USB connector is tilted to one side, It is possible to prevent damage or malfunction of the terminals provided in the USB port and the USB connector, which are generated when power is supplied in an abnormal connection state of the USB connector.

Next, the coupling relationship between the port portion and the sensing portion of the USB connection device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

The operator joins the plurality of terminals 33 to the terminal groove formed in the insulator 32 of the port portion 30 and then insulates the insulator 32 having the plurality of terminals 33 to the inner space of the metal shield 31. [ And the port portion 30 of the USB connection device 20 is assembled.

At this time, hooks 34 are formed on the upper, lower, right, and left sides of the metal shield 30, respectively, to fix the USB connector 71 so as to prevent the USB connector 71 from being disengaged by external vibration or impact.

The operator installs the first to third sensing sensors 42 to 44 on the upper and lower surfaces of the coupling portion 41, respectively.

Subsequently, the engaging member 41 is positioned on the upper portion of the port portion 30 and moved downward to engage the port portion 30 and the engaging member 41.

The first to third detection sensors 42 to 44 are disposed at positions corresponding to the respective hooks 34 of the metal shield 31 by a predetermined distance.

Accordingly, the first to third detection sensors 42 to 44 can detect the insertion of the USB connector 71 as each hook 34 is elastically deformed to the outside of the metal shield 31 when the USB connector 71 is inserted. Or not.

The switching element of the switching unit 50 is connected between the power supply terminal of the port unit 30 and the power supply unit 12 when the port unit 30 and the sensing unit 40 are assembled.

Subsequently, the sensing unit 40 and the control unit 60 are connected to each other and the control unit 60 and the switching unit 50 are connected to each other.

Of course, when the switching unit 50 and the control unit 60 are installed on a printed circuit board (PCB), they may be connected by a circuit pattern.

When the assembly of the USB connection device is completed through the above process, the operator installs the USB connection device 20 in the installation space provided on one side of the host terminal 10.

Next, a power control method of the USB connection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a power control method of a USB connection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4, when the USB connector 71 is inserted into the port unit 30, the first to third detection sensors 42 to 44 of the sensing unit 40 coupled to the port unit 30 are respectively connected to the USB And detects whether or not the connector 71 is inserted.

That is, when the USB connector 71 is inserted into the port portion 30, the first to third detection sensors 42 to 44 detect that the hooks 34 formed on the metal shield 31 are located outside the metal shield 31 When it is elastically deformed, it senses it and generates a sensing signal.

The control unit 60 checks whether or not a sensing signal is received from all of the first to third sensing sensors 42 to 44 of the sensing unit 40 (S12).

If the detection signal is not received by any one of the first to third detection sensors 42 to 44 as a result of the inspection in step S12, the control unit 60 detects the detection signals from all of the first to third detection sensors 42 to 44 Wait until it is delivered.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the detection signals are transmitted from the first to third detection sensors 42 to 44, the controller 60 determines that the USB connector 71 is normally inserted into the port unit 30 , And generates a control signal to turn on a switching element provided in the switching unit (50).

The driving power is supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the USB module 70 via the power supply terminal of the port unit 30 and the USB connector 71 while the switching device is turned on.

Then, the control unit (or the USB controller) 60 communicates with the USB module 70 through the data terminals of the port unit 30 (S18) and performs the operation requested by the user.

Through the above-described process, the present invention provides a sensing unit that detects whether the USB connector is inserted, and can supply power to the USB module only when the USB connector is normally inserted.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Although the above embodiment has been described using the USB connection device, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this.

That is, the present invention can be applied to various types of serial communication interface connectors such as High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDMI), Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), and RS485 in addition to USB connectors.

The present invention provides a sensing unit for detecting whether or not a USB connector is inserted so that power is supplied to the USB module only when the USB connector is normally inserted so as to prevent electrical damage due to a peak voltage in the process of inserting the USB connector into the USB port Applies to USB connector connection technology.

10: Host terminal 11:
12: Power supply unit 20: USB connection device
30: port portion 31: metal shield
32: insulator 33: terminal
34: hook 40:
41: engagement members 42 to 44: first to third detection sensors
45: Output terminal 50:
60: control unit 70: USB module
71: USB connector

Claims (9)

A port portion for supplying power to the USB connector of the USB module and performing data communication,
A sensing unit installed in the port unit and detecting whether the USB connector is inserted,
A switching unit for opening and closing the power supply terminal to supply or cut off power supplied to the power supply terminal provided in the port unit;
And a control unit for controlling the operation of the switching unit based on a sensing signal of the sensing unit. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the port portion
A metal shield having a front and a rear open and formed in a square tubular shape,
An insulator provided in the metal shield inner space in a horizontal direction and
And a plurality of terminals coupled to terminal grooves formed on the lower surface of the insulator and electrically connected to the respective terminals of the USB connector. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensing unit
A coupling member coupled to the metal shield of the port portion,
And a first to a third detection sensors respectively installed on the lower surface and both side surfaces of the coupling member to detect whether or not the USB connector is connected. The method of claim 3,
Hooks for fixing the USB connectors are formed on the upper and lower surfaces and right and left side surfaces of the metal shield,
Wherein the first to third sensing sensors are installed at positions corresponding to the hooks, and detect whether the USB connector is inserted by the deformation of the hooks. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the switching unit includes a switching element that is opened and closed to supply or cut off power to the USB connector through a power terminal of the port unit. (a) inserting a USB connector into a port portion provided in a host terminal,
(b) inspecting whether or not the USB connector is inserted using the sensing unit coupled to the port unit; and
(c) supplying driving power to the USB module through the power terminal of the port unit based on the result of the checking in the step (b). 7. The method of claim 6, wherein step (b)
And determining whether or not the USB connector is inserted according to whether or not a sensing signal is received from all of the first to third sensing sensors provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the metal shield provided in the port portion, . 8. The method of claim 7, wherein step (c)
When the sensing signal is not received from any one of the first to third sensing sensors, the control unit waits until the sensing signal is received from the first to third sensing sensors in a state in which the driving power is cut off to the USB module Wherein the USB connection device is a USB connection device. 9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
(d) performing communication with the USB module through a data terminal of the port unit.

Images