An USB plug that goes both ways
yankodesign.com
An USB plug that goes both ways
1–10 of 138 posts
Re: An USB plug that goes both ways
#2That's pretty clever actually! Is this a real product?
If so how does it compare for number of insertions versus 'regular' USB plugs?
Is this a large enough advantage to justify the additional costs?
Re: An USB plug that goes both ways
#3That's pretty clever actually! Is this a real product? If so how does it compare for number of insertions versus 'regular' USB plugs? Is this a large enough advantage to justify the additional costs?
>>Is this a real product?
Nope. This site features user-submitted designs.
>>If so how does it compare for number of insertions versus 'regular' USB plugs?
Signal integrity would concern me too. Getting USB HS to work right at the maximum allowed cable length is no BS as-is. The diagrams aren't clear enough to show exactly where the two contact layers are or how they're connected, but two divided sets of contacts can kill your SI in a hurry.
As an aside: why, oh why, didn't they make the USB A connector obviously keyed? I'd estimate many lifetimes have collectively been spent trying to shove in perfectly rectangular connectors the wrong way. It should be shaped like a house (a thinner version of the B connector amenable to thin devices) or an arrowhead or something.
Re: An USB plug that goes both ways
#4That's pretty clever actually! Is this a real product? If so how does it compare for number of insertions versus 'regular' USB plugs? Is this a large enough advantage to justify the additional costs?
UltraTek makes something similar: http://www.flipperusb.com/
Re: An USB plug that goes both ways
#5I've always wondered why the USB port is the way it is. It seems such an unbelievably stupid design, but I assume there must be a reason for it. Does anyone have a link, or brief explanation?
Incidentally a search for "why is the usb port such a stupid design?" (without the quotes) brings up nothing remotely relevant on any of the major search engines. Strange.
Re: An USB plug that goes both ways
#6Well, after 10+ years of using USB widgets of every shape, size, and color - I just discovered from reading the article that the USB symbol is always on the top side. So, I certainly got my value out of HN today. :-)
Re: An USB plug that goes both ways
#7Very cool but here's my initial concern. When the set of four contacts are flipped over on top of themselves their order will be reversed and that leads to a potential for a short. The center two pins being data aren't as big of a deal but the outside pins, namely the +5 and ground would be opposite each other and quite close. Since the surface they are mounted on slides, it could potentially also wiggle up and down. Careful engineering would be required to ensure these don't come into contact, which would make a nice little short to blow out one of your USB ports.
I would consider putting a sliding plate between the two contact plates to keep the two sides separated. It would be pushed back no matter which direction it was inserted exposing the correct set of contacts.
Re: An USB plug that goes both ways
#8That's pretty clever actually! Is this a real product? If so how does it compare for number of insertions versus 'regular' USB plugs? Is this a large enough advantage to justify the additional costs?
UltraTek makes something similar: http://www.flipperusb.com/
Maybe the author of the article could be hired to redo the flipperusb site.
Re: An USB plug that goes both ways
#9I've always wondered, why aren't USB connectors designed to be able to be inserted either way? Does having 4 contacts vs 8 really save all that much money?