TW201944667A - Electronic connector module - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic connector module, for connecting another connector, comprises a substrate, a connector, a magnetic sensing module and a controller. The connector is configured on the substrate. The magnetic sensing module includes at least one magnetic element and a magnetic sensor, wherein the at least one magnetic element and the magnetic sensor relatively neighbor the connector, and the magnetic sensor detects a variation of neighboring magnetic field to subsequently output a sensing signal. The controller is configured on the substrate, electrically coupled to the connector, and receiving the sensing signal so as to connect or disconnect the electrical link between the controller and the connector. Operations that another connector is inserted into or pulled out of the connector may interact with the at least one magnetic element respectively, such that the magnetic field around the connector may correspondingly vary with the operations.

Description

   Electrical connector module   

The invention relates to an electrical connector module, in particular to an electrical connector module of a universal serial bus (USB).

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial port bus standard for electronic systems and external devices, and it is also a technical specification for input and output interfaces. At present, the universal serial bus has been widely used in information communication products such as personal computers, notebook computers, tablet computers and various mobile devices, and can be extended to photographic equipment, digital TV (set-top boxes), and game consoles. And other related fields.

However, the known USB connector is continuously powered after the connected device is turned on, regardless of whether another connector is inserted, so that the power pin on the USB connector has a potential. The above conditions will lead to a variety of problems, such as the risk of short-circuiting the USB connector, static power consumption when the USB connector is idle, failure to pass ATEX certification, and the oxidation of the terminal of the USB connector cannot be slowed when water enters.

Therefore, how to propose an electrical connector module that can solve the above problems is a problem that the industry is eager to invest resources to solve.

In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector module, so as to solve the problem that the conventional connector cannot adjust the power supply according to different use situations, and further reduce various risks derived from the above problems.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector module for connecting another connector is provided, which includes a substrate, a connector, a magnetic force sensing module, and a controller. The connector is disposed on the substrate. The magnetic force sensing module further includes a magnetic element and a magnetic force sensor. The magnetic element is disposed adjacent to the above-mentioned connector, and the magnetic force sensor is disposed adjacent to the above-mentioned connector and is used to sense changes in the adjacent magnetic field and output a corresponding sensing signal. The controller is disposed on the substrate and is electrically coupled to the above-mentioned connector. It receives the above-mentioned sensing signal and connects or disconnects the electrical connection with the above-mentioned connector according to the sensing signal. Wherein, the operation of inserting or detaching another connector into or from the above-mentioned connector can be separately actuated with the magnetic element, so that the adjacent magnetic field of the above-mentioned connector is changed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the type of the connector includes any one of a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening of the connector has a pair of long sides, and the magnetic element and the magnetic force sensor are disposed adjacent to the pair of long sides, respectively.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening of the connector has a pair of short sides, and the magnetic element and the magnetic force sensor are disposed adjacent to the pair of short sides, respectively.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned magnetic element and magnetic force sensor are respectively disposed adjacent to any pair of sides of the opening of the connector.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector module for connecting at least another connector is provided. The electrical connector module includes a substrate, a plurality of connectors, a magnetic force sensing module, and a controller. A plurality of connectors are provided on the substrate. The magnetic force sensing module further includes at least one magnetic element and a magnetic force sensor. The at least one magnetic element is disposed adjacent to the plurality of connectors, and the magnetic force sensor is disposed adjacent to the plurality of connectors. Corresponding sensing signal. The controller is disposed on the substrate and is electrically coupled to the plurality of connectors. The controller receives the above-mentioned sensing signal and connects or disconnects the electrical connection with the plurality of connectors according to the sensing signal. Wherein, the operation of inserting or removing at least another connector from the plurality of connectors described above can be separately actuated with at least one magnetic element, so that the adjacent magnetic field of the plurality of connectors is changed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the types of the plurality of connectors include any one of a universal serial bus (USB) connector or any combination thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of connectors include a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first and second connectors are stacked with respect to the substrate, and the first and second connectors are stacked. The first and second connectors are located between the magnetic force sensor and at least one magnetic element.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of connectors include a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first and second connectors are arranged in parallel, and the magnetic force sensor is provided in the first and second connections. And at least one magnetic element is respectively disposed on both sides of the parallel first and second connectors.

In one or another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic sensor is a Hall sensor.

In summary, in the electrical connector module of the present invention, a magnetic force sensor module and a controller are particularly provided. The magnetic force sensor and magnetic components included in the magnetic force sensor module are respectively arranged around the connector. When another connector is inserted into or withdrawn from the above connector, a magnetic sensor detects a change in magnetic flux, and a magnetic sensor module outputs a sensing signal to the controller according to the change of the magnetic flux to connect or disconnect the controller and the controller. Electrical connection of the connector. Therefore, the electrical connector module of the present invention can adjust the power supply depending on the use of the connector, so it effectively solves the above problems, and can reduce the risk of short circuit of the USB connector, reduce the static power consumption when the USB connector is idle, and comply with ATEX. Explosion-proof certification requirements and slow down the terminal oxidation rate when the USB connector enters the water.

The above is only used to explain the problem to be solved by the present invention, the technical means for solving the problem, and the effects produced by it, etc. The specific details of the present invention will be described in detail in the following embodiments and related drawings.

D1, D2‧‧‧pitch

100, 200, 300‧‧‧ electric connector modules

110, 210, 310‧‧‧ substrate

120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 220, 320‧‧‧ connectors

130, 230, 330‧‧‧ Magnetic force sensor module

131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 231, 331‧‧‧ magnetic components

132, 132a, 132b, 132c, 232, 332‧‧‧ magnetic sensors

140‧‧‧controller

150‧‧‧Power / Signal Source

221, 321‧‧‧first connector

222, 322‧‧‧Second connector

In order to make the above and other objects, features, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention more comprehensible, the description of the drawings is as follows: FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connector module according to an embodiment of the present invention. A perspective view; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a magnetic component and a relative position between the magnetic sensor and the connector in the electrical connector module; and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the magnetic component and the magnetic sensor in the electrical connector module. A schematic diagram of another relative position with the connector; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another relative position of the magnetic component and the magnetic sensor and the connector in the electrical connector module; and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relative position according to the present invention A perspective view of an electrical connector module according to another embodiment; FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an electrical connector module according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the electrical connector module Schematic diagram of the relative positions of the magnetic sensor and the plurality of connectors.

In the following, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed graphically. For the sake of clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. It should be understood, however, that these practical details should not be used to limit the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the present invention, these practical details are unnecessary. In addition, in order to simplify the drawings, some conventional structures and components will be shown in the drawings in a simple and schematic manner.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view illustrating an electrical connector module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connector module 100 includes a substrate 110, a connector 120, a magnetic force sensing module 130, and a controller 140. The magnetic force sensing module 130 further includes a magnetic element 131 and a magnetic force sensor 132. The connector 120 is directly or indirectly disposed on the substrate 110. For example, the connector 120 can be directly disposed on the substrate 110 through its own supporting structure, or can be indirectly disposed through the magnetic element 131 or the magnetic force sensor 132. On the substrate 110, the substrate 110 may also be a printed circuit board as a platform for electrically connecting various electronic components, but the type of the substrate 110 of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The magnetic element 131 is directly or indirectly disposed on the top of the connector 120, and its shape can be adjusted to fit the surface shape of the top of the connector 120. The magnetic sensor 132 is directly or indirectly disposed on the bottom of the connector 120, and detects a magnetic field generated by the magnetic element 131 as a main component to output a sensing signal. The shape of the magnetic sensor 132 can also be adjusted to fit the connector 120. Surface shape of the bottom. It should be noted that the magnetic element 131 and the magnetic force sensor 132 may be oppositely disposed adjacent to the connector 120, that is, the positions of the magnetic element 131 and the magnetic force sensor 132 described above may be exchanged with each other.

The controller 140 is disposed on the substrate 110 and is electrically coupled to the connector 120 and the power / signal source 150, respectively, as a relay station between the connector 120 and the power / signal source 150. Specifically, the magnetic sensor 132 detects a magnetic flux between the magnetic sensor 132 and the magnetic element 131 and outputs a sensing signal to the controller 140.

When the connector 120 is not used (that is, another connector is not plugged in), the controller 140 may have a magnetic flux threshold, which is used as a reference for determining the difference in magnetic flux, and the controller 140 disconnects between Electrical connection.

When another connector (not shown; such as a conventional USB flash drive and USB connector, etc.) is inserted into the connector 120, the magnetic flux between the magnetic element 131 and the magnetic force sensor 132 will be inserted into the connector 120 due to the other connector. When a significant difference is generated, the magnetic sensor 132 detects the difference in magnetic flux and outputs a sensing signal to the controller 140. The controller 140 then communicates with the electrical connection of the connector 120 according to the aforementioned difference in magnetic flux to further implement the connection with another Electrical connection of a connector.

Then, when the other connector is withdrawn from the connector 120, the magnetic flux between the magnetic element 131 and the magnetic sensor 132 will be significantly different due to the withdrawal of the other connector. The magnetic sensor 132 detects this The magnetic flux is different and a sensing signal is output to the controller 140. The controller 140 then disconnects the electrical connection with the connector 120 to reset the potential of the power pin of the connector 120 to zero.

In other words, the operation of whether the connector 120 is connected to another connector can act on the magnetic element 131 separately, so that the adjacent magnetic field of the connector 120 changes, and then the magnetic sensor 132 and the controller 140 act to connect or disconnect. The controller 140 is electrically connected to the connector 120.

On the other hand, the types of connectors in this case include universal serial buses (Universal Serial Bus; such as USB Type-A, USB Type-B, USB Mini-A, USB Mini-AB, USB Mini-B, USB Micro-AB, USB Micro-B, USB 3.0 Type-A, USB 3.0 Type-B, USB 3.0 Micro-B, and USB Type-C) or any combination thereof.

Please refer to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, which are schematic diagrams showing various relative positions of magnetic components and magnetic sensors and connectors in the electrical connector module. In Figure 2, the connector 120a included in the electrical connector module is USB 3.0 Type-A, and the opening has a pair of upper and lower long sides. The magnetic element 131a and the magnetic force sensor 132a are adjacent to the upper and lower long sides, respectively. And relative settings. In Figure 3, the connector 120b included in the electrical connector module is USB 3.0 Type-B, and its opening has a pair of left and right vertical short sides, and the magnetic element 131b and the magnetic force sensor 132b are adjacent to the left and right vertical respectively. The short sides are opposite. In Figure 4, the connector 120c included in the electrical connector module is USB 3.0 Type-C, and its opening has a pair of short sides on the left and right and long sides on the top and bottom, and the magnetic element 131c is disposed adjacent to the right short side The magnetic force sensor 132c is disposed adjacent to the upper long side, that is, the magnetic element 131c and the magnetic force sensor 132c are respectively disposed adjacent to an arbitrary pair of sides of the opening of the connector 120c.

That is to say, the magnetic element 131 and the magnetic force sensor 132 in this case can be freely selected around the connector 120 according to various structural designs and user preferences. The relative arrangement of the magnetic element 131 and the magnetic force sensor 132 enables the magnetic force sensor 132 to detect a significant difference in magnetic flux caused by the insertion or withdrawal of another connector, so as to implement subsequent actions.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a perspective view illustrating an electrical connector module according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the electrical connector module 200 includes a substrate 210, a plurality of connectors 220, a magnetic sensor module 230, and a controller (not shown). The magnetic force sensing module 230 further includes a magnetic element 231 and a magnetic force sensor 232. Among them, the substrate 210, the magnetic force sensor module 230, and the controller in this embodiment are the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The relative arrangement relationship between the plurality of connectors 220 and the substrate 210, the magnetic element 231, and the magnetic sensor 232. It is also the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so reference may be made to the foregoing related description, and details are not described herein again.

It should be noted that the plurality of connectors 220 further includes a first connector 221 and a second connector 222, which are stacked with respect to the substrate 210, are located between the magnetic element 231 and the magnetic force sensor 232, and are respectively electrically coupled to Controller. Through the relative arrangement of the magnetic element 231 and the magnetic sensor 232, the magnetic sensor 232 can detect the difference in magnetic flux caused by the insertion or extraction of at least another connector (not shown), and then transmits a sensing signal to the controller To connect or disconnect the electrical connection between the controller and the first connector 221 and the second connector 222, respectively.

In more detail, at this time, the controller may have four sets of magnetic flux thresholds, which are used as the basis for determining the difference in magnetic flux in four use cases, and the aforementioned four use cases include: (1) the first connector 221 and the second When none of the connectors 222 is used; (2) When the first connector 221 is used and the second connector 222 is not used; (3) When the first connector 221 is not used and the second connector 222 is used; and ( 4) When both the first connector 221 and the second connector 222 are used. Therefore, the controller can communicate with the first connector 221 and / or the second connector 222 according to the aforementioned four use cases, so as to further implement the electrical connection with the corresponding at least one other connector, or disconnect It is electrically connected to the first connector 221 and / or the second connector 222 to reset the potential of the power pin of the corresponding connector to zero.

In other words, the operation of whether or not the plurality of connectors 220 is connected to at least another connector can act on the magnetic element 231 separately, so that the adjacent magnetic field of the plurality of connectors 220 is changed, and then the magnetic sensor 232 and the controller are actuated. The electrical connections between the controller and the plurality of connectors 220 are respectively connected or disconnected.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a perspective view illustrating an electrical connector module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the electrical connector module 300 includes a substrate 310, a plurality of connectors 320, a magnetic force sensing module 330, and a controller (not shown). The magnetic force sensing module 330 further includes two magnetic elements 331 and a magnetic force sensor 332. The substrate 310 and the controller in this embodiment are the same as the implementation shown in FIG. 5, so reference may be made to the foregoing related description, and details are not described herein again.

It should be noted that the plurality of connectors 320 further includes a first connector 321 and a second connector 322, which are arranged in parallel and are respectively electrically coupled to the controller. The magnetic sensor 332 is disposed between the first connector 321 and the second connector 322. The two magnetic elements 331 are respectively arranged at the first connector arranged in parallel

Both sides of 321 and the second connector 322 are left of the first connector 321 and right of the second connector 322.

Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a schematic diagram showing the relative positions of the magnetic sensor and the plurality of connectors in the electrical connector module, and it is also a front view of the electrical connector module 300 shown in FIG. 6. The magnetic sensor 332 has a first distance D1 between the first connector 321 and a second distance D2 between the magnetic connector 332 and the second connector 322. The first distance D1 is not equal to the second distance D2. That is, the magnetic force sensor 332 may be selectively disposed close to the first connector 321 or the second connector 322.

Through the foregoing component configuration, the magnetic sensor 332 can more accurately detect the above-mentioned various magnetic flux differences corresponding to the four use cases, so that the controller can more accurately connect or disconnect the first connector 321 and the first connector, respectively. Electrical connection between the two connectors 322. In addition, similar effects can be obtained by adjusting the relative positions of the two magnetic elements 331, the first connector 321, and the second connector 322.

It should be further explained that all the magnetic sensors mentioned in the present invention can be Hall sensors, which detect the magnetic field generated mainly by the magnetic components and output a sensing signal through the relative setting with the magnetic components. To implement follow-up actions.

On the other hand, the present invention achieves the purpose of adjusting the power supply according to the use condition of the connector through the operation of the magnetic components and magnetic sensors that are relatively arranged adjacent to the connector. However, the present invention can also operate through a light-sensing element, for example, the combination of an IR (Infrared) transmitter and an IR sensor that are relatively arranged adjacent to the connector to detect the insertion of at least another connector And pull off, achieve the function of adjusting power supply as described above.

From the above detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present invention, it can be clearly seen that, in the electrical connector module of the present invention, a magnetic force sensor module and a controller are particularly provided. The magnetic force included in the magnetic force sensor module An inductor and a magnetic component are respectively arranged around the connector. When another connector is inserted into or withdrawn from the above-mentioned connector, the magnetic flux change is detected by the magnetic sensor, and the magnetic force sensor module outputs and senses the change according to the magnetic flux change. Signal to the controller to connect or disconnect the electrical connection between the controller and the connector. In addition, the electrical connector module of the present invention may further include a plurality of connectors with different configurations, and through the joint operation of the magnetic element, the magnetic sensor and the controller, to connect or disconnect the controller and the plurality of connectors, respectively. Of its electrical connection. Therefore, the electrical connector module of the present invention can adjust the power supply according to the use condition of the connector, so it can effectively solve the problem that the conventional connector will be continuously powered, and bring many of the aforementioned benefits.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by way of implementation, it is not intended to limit the present invention, but any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and retouches without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of protection shall be defined by the scope of the attached patent application.

Claims (10)

    An electrical connector module for connecting another connector, including: a substrate; a connector disposed on the substrate; a magnetic force sensing module including: a magnetic element disposed adjacent to the connector; and A magnetic sensor is disposed adjacent to the connector and is used to sense the change of the adjacent magnetic field to output a corresponding sensing signal; and a controller is disposed on the substrate and is electrically coupled to the connector. The controller receives The sensing signal is connected or disconnected from the electrical connection with the connector according to the sensing signal, wherein whether the connector is connected to the other connector can interact with the magnetic element respectively, so that the proximity magnetic field of the connector is caused. Variety.         The electrical connector module according to item 1 of the claim, wherein the type of the connector includes any type of connector of a universal serial bus (USB).         The electrical connector module according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the connector has a pair of long sides, and the magnetic element and the magnetic force sensor are respectively disposed adjacent to the pair of long sides.         The electrical connector module according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the connector has a pair of short sides, and the magnetic element and the magnetic force sensor are respectively disposed adjacent to the pair of short sides.         The electrical connector module according to item 1 of the claim, wherein the magnetic element and the magnetic force sensor are oppositely disposed adjacent to an arbitrary pair of edges of the opening of the connector, respectively.         An electrical connector module for connecting at least another connector includes: a substrate; a plurality of connectors disposed on the substrate; and a magnetic force sensing module including: at least one magnetic element adjacent to the connections And a magnetic sensor arranged adjacent to the connectors and configured to sense changes in the nearby magnetic field to output a corresponding sensing signal; and a controller provided on the substrate and electrically coupled to the connections The controller receives the sensing signal and respectively connects or disconnects the electrical connection with the connectors according to the sensing signal, wherein whether the connectors are connected to the at least another connector can be separately connected to the connector; At least one magnetic element acts to change the adjacent magnetic field of the connectors.         The electrical connector module according to item 6 of the claim, wherein the types of the connectors include any one of the universal serial bus (USB) connectors or any combination thereof.         The electrical connector module according to claim 6, wherein the connectors include: a first connector; and a second connector, wherein the first and second connectors are opposite to the substrate. The first and second connectors are stacked and located between the magnetic sensor and the at least one magnetic element.         The electrical connector module according to item 6 of the claim, wherein the connectors include: a first connector; and a second connector, wherein the first and second connectors are arranged in parallel and the magnetic force An inductor is disposed between the first and second connectors, and the at least one magnetic element is disposed on both sides of the first and second connectors juxtaposed, respectively.         The electrical connector module according to item 1 or item 6, wherein the magnetic force sensor is a Hall sensor.