Socket structure with duplex electrical connection

Abstract

A socket structure includes a base; a slot, disposed on one end of the base and to be connected to one plug having one row of terminals; a tongue disposed on a front end of the base and within the slot so that chambers of the slot on two sides of the tongue may be normally and oppositely inserted and positioned into the slot; one row of first contacts separately arranged on one surface of the tongue, wherein each first contact is electrically connected to a first pin extending out of the base; and one row of second contacts separately arranged on the other surface of the tongue. Each second contact is electrically connected to a second pin extending out of the base. When the plug is inserted into the slot, the row of terminals of the plug are electrically connected to the row of first or second contacts.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A socket structure with duplex electrical connection, the socket structure comprising:
 a plastic base;   a connection slot, which is disposed in front of the plastic base and may be connected to a plug having at least one row of connection terminals;   a tongue, which has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and is disposed on one end of the plastic base and within the connection slot, such that chambers of the connection slot on two sides of the tongue make the plug be normally and oppositely inserted and positioned into the connection slot;   at least one row of first contacts separately arranged on the first surface of the tongue, wherein each of the first contacts is electrically connected to a first pin extending out of the plastic base; and   at least one row of second contacts separately arranged on the second surface of the tongue, wherein:   each of the second contacts is electrically connected to a second pin extending out of the plastic base;   when the plug is normally inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the second surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are electrically connected to the at least one row of second contacts; and   when the plug is oppositely inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the first surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are electrically connected to the at least one row of first contacts.   
     
     
       2. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one row of first contacts and the first pins are formed on at least one row of first terminals; the first terminal is integrally formed with the first contact, a first extension, a first fixing portion and the first pin; the at least one row of second contacts and the second pins are formed on at least one row of second terminals; and the second terminal is integrally formed with the second contact, a second extension, a second fixing portion and the second pin. 
     
     
       3. The socket structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the first contacts of the row of first terminals and the second contacts of the row of second terminals respectively project beyond one of the surfaces of the tongue. 
     
     
       4. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the chambers of the connection slot on the two sides of the tongue are formed with compatible profiles, the at least one row of connection terminals are formed on only one of the surfaces of the plug, and the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are electrically connected to only one of the rows of contacts on one of the surfaces of the tongue. 
     
     
       5. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a metal housing covering the plastic base, wherein the tongue and the plastic base are integrally formed. 
     
     
       6. The socket structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the tongue is formed with through slots separately arranged, and the first contacts of the first terminals and the second contacts of the second terminals are elastically moved in correspondence with the through slots. 
     
     
       7. The socket structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the first contact of the first terminal and the second contact of the second terminal corresponding to the same one of the through slots are aligned with each other in a front to rear direction. 
     
     
       8. The socket structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the first contact of the first terminal and the second contact of the second terminal are parallel to each other in a left to right direction. 
     
     
       9. The socket structure according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first contact of the first terminal is prodded and projects beyond a plate surface of the first extension, and one end of the first contact is connected to the first extension and gradually protrudes to the other end from front to rear and is opened; and   the second contact of the second terminal is prodded and projects beyond a plate surface of the second extension, and one end of the second contact is connected to the second extension and gradually protrudes to the other end from front to rear and is opened.   
     
     
       10. The socket structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the row of first terminals and the row of second terminals pertain to the same connection interface and have oppositely arranged serial numbers, and the first contact and the second contact are vertically aligned with each other. 
     
     
       11. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tongue is a circuit board, first traces are formed on a top side of the tongue, and the first trace has the first contact on a front section of the tongue and a first connection terminal on a rear section of the tongue, the first connection terminal is electrically connected to the first pin; and second traces are formed on a bottom side of the tongue, the   second trace has the second contact on the front section of the tongue and a second connection terminal on the rear section of the tongue, and the second connection terminal is electrically connected to the second pin.   
     
     
       12. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug has a plastic base and a metal housing, the metal housing covers the plastic base, a chamber is formed between the metal housing and the plastic base, and the chamber is fitted with the tongue when the plug is inserted into the connection slot. 
     
     
       13. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug does not have a metal housing, and when the plug is inserted into the connection slot, the plug may be connected to a top side or a bottom side of the tongue so that two plugs may be simultaneously connected to the top and bottom sides of the tongue. 
     
     
       14. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one row of first contacts and the at least one row of second contacts pertain to the same connection interface and have oppositely arranged serial numbers, and the plug may be normally and oppositely inserted for electrical connection with the connection terminals of the plug facing upward or downward. 
     
     
       15. The socket structure according to  claim 14  being a universal serial bus (USB) socket, wherein there are four rows of the first contacts and four rows of the second contacts. 
     
     
       16. The socket structure according to  claim 14  being a mini universal serial bus (USB) socket, wherein there are five rows of the first contacts and five rows of the second contacts. 
     
     
       17. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one row of first contacts and the at least one row of second contacts pertain to different connection interfaces, and may be respectively electrically connected to the plug and the other plug, which have the different connection interfaces. 
     
     
       18. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the tongue is disposed at a middle within the connection slot so that the connection slot is formed with symmetric profiles in up, down, left and right chambers of the tongue. 
     
     
       19. The socket structure according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one side of the metal housing projects inwardly to form at least one laterally elastically movable elastic sheet, and when the plug is inserted into the connection slot, the at least one elastic sheet may rest against the plug or the tongue to prevent the plug from turning. 
     
     
       20. The socket structure according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one elastic sheet is a middle elastic sheet disposed at a middle height on one side of the connection slot, the plug does not have a metal housing, the plug may be connected to a top side or a bottom side of the tongue when the plug is inserted into the connection slot, and the middle elastic sheet rests against one of the surfaces of the plug formed with the connection terminals. 
     
     
       21. The socket structure according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one elastic sheet comprises two outer elastic sheets, which are disposed above and below of the tongue on one side of the connection slot, the plug has a plastic base and a metal housing covering the plastic base, a chamber is formed between the metal housing and the plastic base, and when the plug is inserted into the connection slot, the chamber is fitted with the tongue, an elastic sheet on one side of the metal housing is pushed away by the plug, and the other elastic sheet rests against one of the surfaces of the plug. 
     
     
       22. The socket structure according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one elastic sheet further comprises two inner elastic sheets disposed on inner sides of the two outer elastic sheets, and the two inner elastic sheets respectively rest against top and bottom surfaces on one side of the tongue. 
     
     
       23. The socket structure according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one elastic sheet further comprises a middle elastic sheet disposed on an inner side of the two outer elastic sheets and disposed at a middle height on one side of the connection slot, and when the plug does not have the metal housing, the plug inserted into the connection slot may be connected to a top side or a bottom side of the tongue, and the middle elastic sheet rests against one of the surfaces of the plug formed with the connection terminals. 
     
     
       24. The socket structure according to  claim 19 , wherein one end of the elastic sheet is connected to one side of the metal housing near a front end of the metal housing and extends inwardly in an arced manner, the elastic sheet has a projection, and the elastic sheet is elastically moved outwardly when the projection is pressed. 
     
     
       25. The socket structure according to  claim 19 , wherein one end of the elastic sheet is connected to a side plate surface of the metal housing and extends outwardly in an arced manner, the elastic sheet has a projection, and the elastic sheet is elastically moved outwardly when the projection is pressed. 
     
     
       26. The socket structure according to  claim 3 , wherein a front end of the first contact has a first guide-in sheet, a front end of the second contact has a second guide-in sheet, the first contact and the second contact are vertically aligned with each other, and the first guide-in sheet and second guide-in sheet are staggered in a left to right direction. 
     
     
       27. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic base is further formed with at least another connection slot, and the another connection slot has at least one row of terminals to be connected to another plug. 
     
     
       28. The socket structure according to  claim 14 , wherein top and bottom ends of the connection slot are narrower than a middle section of the connection slot so that four corners of a profile of the connection slot have sloped edges. 
     
     
       29. The socket structure according to  claim 28 , wherein each of the four sloped edges on the front end of the connection slot is formed with a slant guiding plate expanding outwardly, and when the plug is inserted into the connection slot to touch the slant guiding plate, the plug is guided toward a center of the connection slot. 
     
     
       30. The socket structure according to  claim 28  being a micro USB 2.0 socket, wherein each of the at least one row of first contacts and the at least one row of second contacts is a row of five connection terminals, which cannot be elastically moved. 
     
     
       31. The socket structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second tongue disposed within the connection slot, wherein the second tongue and the tongue are located on the same level and in parallel;   at least one row of third contacts separately arranged on one surface of the second tongue, wherein each of the third contacts is electrically connected to a pin extending out of the plastic base; and   at least one row of fourth contacts separately arranged on the other surface of the second tongue, wherein each of the fourth contacts is electrically connected to a pin extending out of the plastic base;   wherein the at least one row of first contacts and the at least one row of third contacts pertain to the same connection interface and have oppositely arranged serial numbers, the at least one row of second contacts and the at least one row of fourth contacts pertain to the same connection interface and have oppositely arranged serial numbers.   
     
     
       32. The socket structure according to  claim 31  being a micro USB 3.0 socket, wherein each of the at least one row of first contacts, the at least one row of second contacts, the at least one row of third contacts and the at least one row of fourth contacts has one row of five connection terminals, which cannot be elastically moved. 
     
     
       33. The socket structure according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second tongue disposed within the connection slot, wherein the second tongue and the tongue are located on the same level and in parallel; and   at least one row of third contacts separately arranged on one surface of the second tongue, wherein each of the third contacts is electrically connected to a pin extending out of the plastic base.   
     
     
       34. A socket structure configured for a duplex electrical connection, the socket structure comprising:
 a plastic base;   a connection slot, which is disposed in front of the plastic base and configured to be connected to a plug having at least one row of connection terminals;   a tongue, which has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and is disposed on one end of the plastic base and within the connection slot, such that chambers of the connection slot on two sides of the tongue allow the plug to be normally and oppositely inserted and positioned into the connection slot;   at least one row of first contacts separately arranged on the first surface of the tongue, wherein each of the first contacts is electrically connected to a respective first pin extending out of the plastic base; and   at least one row of second contacts separately arranged on the second surface of the tongue, wherein:   each of the second contacts is electrically connected to a respective second pin extending out of the plastic base;   when the plug is normally inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the second surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are electrically connected to the at least one row of second contacts, and the tongue is disposed at a middle within the connection slot so that the connection slot is formed with symmetric profiles in up, down, left and right chambers around the tongue; and   when the plug is oppositely inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the first surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are electrically connected to the at least one row of first contacts, and the tongue is disposed at the middle within the connection slot so that the connection slot is formed with symmetric profiles in up, down, left and right chambers around the tongue.   
     
     
       35. The socket structure of claim 34, further comprising a metal housing at least partially covering the plastic base. 
     
     
       36. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein the tongue and the plastic base are integrally formed. 
     
     
       37. The socket structure of claim 34, further comprising a plurality of slots in the tongue for respective ones of the at least one row of first contacts. 
     
     
       38. The socket structure of claim 34, further comprising a plurality of slots in the tongue for respective ones of the at least one row of second contacts. 
     
     
       39. The socket structure of claim 34, further comprising a rear cover on the plastic base. 
     
     
       40. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein each contact is a portion of a respective terminal. 
     
     
       41. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein each of the first contacts is electrically connected to the respective first pin extending out of the plastic base through a rear cover. 
     
     
       42. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein each of the second contacts is electrically connected to the respective second pin extending out of the plastic base through a rear cover. 
     
     
       43. The socket structure of claim 34, further comprising at least one row of first terminals separately arranged on the first surface of the tongue. 
     
     
       44. The socket structure of claim 43, further comprising at least one row of second terminals separately arranged on the second surface of the tongue. 
     
     
       45. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein at least two of the first contacts are not in electrical communication with one another. 
     
     
       46. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein at least two of the second contacts are not in electrical communication with one another. 
     
     
       47. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein the at least one row of first contacts and the respective first pins are formed on respective ones of a row of first terminals. 
     
     
       48. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein a first contact and a second contact respectively project beyond one surface of the tongue. 
     
     
       49. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein each of the first contacts and each of the second contacts are within the connection slot. 
     
     
       50. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein the symmetrical profiles in the up and down chambers are the same, and the symmetrical profiles in the left and right chambers are the same. 
     
     
       51. The socket structure of claim 34, wherein the socket structure does not include the plug. 
     
     
       52. A socket structure configured for a duplex electrical connection with a plug, the socket structure comprising:
 a plastic base;   a connection slot, which is disposed in front of the plastic base and configured to be connected to the plug having at least one row of connection terminals;   a tongue, comprising a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, the tongue being disposed on one end of the plastic base and within the connection slot, such that chambers of the connection slot on two sides of the tongue allow the plug to be normally and oppositely inserted and positioned into the connection slot based on an operational state of when the socket structure is connected to the plug;   at least one row of first contacts separately arranged on the first surface of the tongue, wherein each of the first contacts is electrically connected to a respective at least first pin extending out of the plastic base; and   at least one row of second contacts separately arranged on the second surface of the tongue, wherein   each of the second contacts is electrically connected to a respective at least second pin extending out of the plastic base: and, the socket structure is configured for two separate operational states: a first operational state   when the plug is normally inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the second surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are configured to electrically connect to the at least one row of second contacts, and the tongue is disposed at a middle within the connection slot so that the connection slot is formed with symmetric profiles in up, down, left and right chambers around the tongue; and a second operational state   when the plug is oppositely inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the first surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are configured to electrically connect to the at least one row of first contacts, and the tongue is disposed at the middle within the connection slot so that the connection slot is formed with symmetric profiles in up, down, left and right chambers around the tongue.   
     
     
       53. The socket structure of claim 52, further comprising a metal housing at least partially covering the plastic base. 
     
     
       54. The socket structure of claim 52, wherein the tongue and the plastic base are integrally formed. 
     
     
       55. The socket structure of claim 52, further comprising a plurality of slots in the tongue for respective ones of the at least one row of first contacts. 
     
     
       56. The socket structure of claim 52, further comprising a plurality of slots in the tongue for respective ones of the at least one row of second contacts. 
     
     
       57. The socket structure of claim 52, further comprising a rear cover on the plastic base. 
     
     
       58. The socket structure of claim 52, wherein each contact is a portion of a respective terminal. 
     
     
       59. The socket structure of claim 52, wherein each of the first contacts is electrically connected to the respective first pin extending out of the plastic base through a rear cover. 
     
     
       60. The socket structure of claim 52, wherein each of the second contacts is electrically connected to the respective second pin extending out of the plastic base through a rear cover. 
     
     
       61. The socket structure of claim 52, further comprising at least one row of first terminals separately arranged on the first surface of the tongue. 
     
     
       62. The socket structure of claim 61, further comprising at least one row of second terminals separately arranged on the second surface of the tongue. 
     
     
       63. The socket structure of claim 52, wherein at least two of the first contacts are not in electrical communication with one another. 
     
     
       64. The socket structure of claim 52, wherein at least two of the second contacts are not in electrical communication with one another. 
     
     
       65. The socket structure of claim 52, wherein the symmetrical profiles in the up and down chambers are the same, and the symmetrical profiles in the left and right chambers are the same. 
     
     
       66. The socket structure of claim 52, wherein the socket structure does not include the plug. 
     
     
       67. A socket structure configured for a duplex electrical connection with a plug, the socket structure comprising:
 a plastic base;   a connection slot, which is disposed in front of the plastic base and configured to be connected to the plug having at least one row of connection terminals;   a tongue, comprising a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, the tongue being disposed on one end of the plastic base and within the connection slot, such that chambers of the connection slot on two sides of the tongue allow the plug to be normally and oppositely inserted and positioned into the connection slot based on an operational state of when the socket structure is connected to the plug;   at least one row of first contacts separately arranged on the first surface of the tongue, wherein each of the first contacts is electrically connected to a respective at least first pin extending out of the plastic base;   at least one row of second contacts separately arranged on the second surface of the tongue, wherein   each of the second contacts is electrically connected to a respective at least second pin extending out of the plastic base; and, the socket structure is configured for two separate operational states: a first operational state   when the plug is normally inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the second surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are configured to electrically connect to the at least one row of second contacts; and a second operational state   when the plug is oppositely inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the first surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are configured to electrically connect to the at least one row of first contacts; and   a metal housing coveting the plastic base wherein the tongue and the plastic base are integrally formed,   wherein:   at least one side of the metal housing projects inwardly to form at least one laterally elastically movable elastic sheet, and when the plug is inserted into the connection slot, the at least one elastic sheet may rest against the plug or the tongue to prevent the plug from turning when inserted,   the at least one elastic sheet comprises a first outer elastic sheet and a second outer elastic sheet which are disposed above and below of the tongue on one side of the connection slot, the plug has a plastic base and a metal housing covering the plastic base, a chamber is formed between the metal housing and the plastic base, and when the plug is inserted into the connection slot, the chamber is fitted with the tongue, the first outer elastic sheet on one side of the metal housing is pushed away by the plug, and the second outer elastic sheet rests against one of the surfaces of the plug, and   the at least one elastic sheet further comprises two inner elastic sheets disposed on inner sides of the two outer elastic sheets, and the two inner elastic sheets respectively rest against top and bottom surfaces on one side of the tongue.   
     
     
       68. A socket structure configured for a duplex electrical connection with a plug, the socket structure comprising:
 a plastic base;   a connection slot, which is disposed in front of the plastic base and configured to be connected to the plug having at least one row of connection terminals;   a tongue, comprising a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, the tongue being disposed on one end of the plastic base and within the connection slot, such that chambers of the connection slot on two sides of the tongue allow the plug to be normally and oppositely inserted and positioned into the connection slot based on an operational state of when the socket structure is connected to the plug;   at least one row of first contacts separately arranged on the first surface of the tongue, wherein each of the first contacts is electrically connected to a respective at least first pin extending out of the plastic base; and   at least one row of second contacts separately arranged on the second surface of the tongue, wherein   each of the second contacts is electrically connected to a respective at least second pin extending out of the plastic base; and, the socket structure is configured for two separate operational states: a first operational state   when the plug is normally inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the second surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are configured to electrically connect to the at least one row of second contacts; and a second operational state   when the plug is oppositely inserted into the connection slot with the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug facing the first surface of the tongue, the at least one row of connection terminals of the plug are configured to electrically connect to the at least one row of first contacts,   wherein:   the at least one row of first contacts and the first pins are formed on at least one row of first terminals,   the first terminal is integrally formed with the first contact, a first extension, a first fixing portion and the first pin,   the at least one row of second contacts and the second pins are formed on at least one row of second terminals, and the second terminal is integrally formed with the second contact, a second extension, a second fixing portion and the second pin,   the first contacts of the row of first terminals and the second contacts of the row of second terminals respectively project beyond one of the surfaces of the tongue, and   a front end of the first contact has a first guide-in sheet, a front end of the second contact has a second guide-in sheet, the first contact and the second contact are vertically aligned with each other, and the first guide-in sheet and second guide-in sheet are staggered in a left to right direction.