Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

An USB plug that goes both ways

yankodesign.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 138 posts

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#31

Post by mikey_p »

jjcm wrote: post #20
dylan62 wrote: post #5

I'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.

I'd love to see a more natural feeling interface. Why, for instance, can't we have magsafe-esque connector for USB? Or hell, maybe even a TRS connector ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS_connector ) with 2 or 3 additional ring contacts? Seems like both would be much more user friendly.

Anything in the TRS configuration is prone to shorting when connecting/disconnecting. Not at al suitable for an interface that includes powered conductors.

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#32

Post by Murkin »

sliverstorm wrote: post #23
dylan62 wrote: post #5

I'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.

Probably because it's just really, really simple. Short of audio jacks, it's one of the simplest computer plugs in existence. That's a good thing when you're trying to achieve universal adoption.

I wonder how that explains the over-complex multi-layer protocol. (Go look up OTG)

Or maybe because USB-IF is built of committees made up by (mostly) the least productive people in given large organizations.

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#33

Post by jws »

nitrogen wrote: post #14
51Cards wrote: post #7

Very 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.…

USB ports are probably current limited, so it's unlikely that a momentary short will burn them out. However, dissipating 2.5-4W (depending on the port's power capability) through a few small components will cause them to heat up over time, which may burn out the port.

USB ports are supposed to be current limited. Given that those components cost money to buy and money to place… I think we know where low end equipment vendors are going to end up.

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#34

Post by ax0n »

bockris wrote: post #12
ghshephard wrote: post #6

Well, 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. :-)

Except when the device makers mount them vertically or upside down.

Exactment.

Also, people damage the heads and/or the jack by trying to insert them the wrong way? Either the plug slides in gently, or it doesn't budge.

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#35

Post by RiderOfGiraffes »

ghshephard wrote: post #6

Well, 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. :-)

  - ... that the USB symbol is always on the top side
Yes, I thought that, except that on my father's computer it goes on the bottom. I checked quite thoroughly.

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#36

Post by jws »

akavlie wrote: post #17

Oh wow, this is spectacular. I can't tell you how many times I've done this: - USB plug doesn't fit. Must be wrong way. Switch! - Still doesn't fit. REALLY doesn't fit. Must have been the other way around. Switch again! - Finagle it a bit more than the first try. OK, fits now.

You forgot:

  - stop trying to push it into power connector
  - stick it in RJ-45 hole, that doesn't feel right

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#37

Post by marshray »

jws wrote: post #30
marshray wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What? You didn't notice the mark clearly embossed in black plastic on the black plastic background while holding it in the illuminated space between the back of your computer and the wall? Or maybe yours doesn't have a mark at all like the mouse I'm using now. Or maybe it has one mark on one side and a slightly different mark on the other. Who came up with this stupid idea anyway of making a plug that looks and feels…

Come on, it's right there in section 6.5.1 of the specification which you'd know if you searched the web, downloaded 11MB of data, unzipped it and sorted through it for the "Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 2.0", then read all 622 pages of that. 6.5.1 USB Icon Location The USB Icon is embossed, in a recessed area, on the topside of the USB plug. This provides easy user recognition and facilitates alignment…

"First we're gonna recess 'em, then we're gonna emboss 'em, then we're gonna mate 'em!"

Designers should look to nature. Nature has certainly created some wonderful symmetries, but a symmetry which would impose hidden and unnecessary constraints on alignment during the mating process is not one of them!

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#38

Post by marshray »

jws wrote: post #33
nitrogen wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

USB ports are probably current limited, so it's unlikely that a momentary short will burn them out. However, dissipating 2.5-4W (depending on the port's power capability) through a few small components will cause them to heat up over time, which may burn out the port.

USB ports are supposed to be current limited. Given that those components cost money to buy and money to place… I think we know where low end equipment vendors are going to end up.

I'd expect current limiting to be a feature of even the cheapest USB interface ICs. It's really easy to test and potentially a short-circuit/fire hazard. Not the kind of thing any testing lab would be likely to overlook.

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#39

Post by BrandonM »

efields wrote: post #15

FTFY: A USB plug that goes both ways A word gets the 'an' article based on pronunciation, not the mere fact that it starts with a vowel. Say it: "a you es bee" See? It has a consonant sound so 'a' sounds better.

The author is pretty obviously either a non-western or a non-native English speaker. Read some of the picture captions.

Re: An USB plug that goes both ways

#40

Post by dholowiski »

jws wrote: post #30
marshray wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What? You didn't notice the mark clearly embossed in black plastic on the black plastic background while holding it in the illuminated space between the back of your computer and the wall? Or maybe yours doesn't have a mark at all like the mouse I'm using now. Or maybe it has one mark on one side and a slightly different mark on the other. Who came up with this stupid idea anyway of making a plug that looks and feels…

Come on, it's right there in section 6.5.1 of the specification which you'd know if you searched the web, downloaded 11MB of data, unzipped it and sorted through it for the "Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 2.0", then read all 622 pages of that. 6.5.1 USB Icon Location The USB Icon is embossed, in a recessed area, on the topside of the USB plug. This provides easy user recognition and facilitates alignment…

In all seriousness, the USB Spec is an interesting read (I used to keep a printout of it on my desk for reference). I've pored over the physical specifications more times than I can count - it's amazing how much thought was put into this connector.
Post reply on HN