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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : NEVER plug in your USB the wrong way
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donmck Guru  Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1314 |
ryo adapter - NEVER plug in your USB the wrong way again A little kickstart project I just came across. Interesting video. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1255122491/ryo-adapter-never-plug-in-your-usb-the-wrong-way-a I have reservations about some of these kick start projects, but this is an interesting new approach. Only supports V2, and not 3, as they believe it will be years before 3 takes a market hold. I think they are wrong, and it may really be about how hard it is for them to cater for the same thing with USB3. Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9593 |
Interesting concept. Personally, I have never had the issues that they seem to be making such a big deal of. Yeah, sure, I have offered up USB plugs the wrong way around tons of times but - meh - C'est La Vie... It takes less then a second to flip it around the other way, and put it in right. As for the we video showing a hand feeling around the back for the USB socket, it is not as hard as that video is making it out to be, and most computer techs will pull the box out so they can see the rear USB sockets if at all possible, to avoid all that feeling around in the first place. Again - this normally only takes seconds to slide the box out of it's home. On the odd occasions that I have had to feel around the back to find the USB connector, you offer up the USB plug, and if it don't fit, you use your fingers to rotate the plug around the other way - with your hand still around the back of the computer - and offer it up again. Has anyone here really had so much trouble with USB plugs that they could actually really make use of this thing? Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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BobD Guru Joined: 07/12/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 935 |
Agree, it's hard to see them making a fortune from what look to be some overpriced adapters. |
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bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2949 |
Hi All, I was going to add my own comments but Grogster has said it all, in my words exactly.. I cant believe what people will put cash into for the kickstarters $38000US so far.. OMG .. I wonder what I can kickstart a MuP Ver 3.0 (470) for??? Just joking,, I am sure i will do a 470 board but I want to see the project finished first so I dont have to go through the various revisions of pin layouts etc. Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1314 |
You mean like the multiple flip overs in the same position, and also trying to insert it into a HDMI socket. :-) I overcome these sorts of problems by adding an extension cable for awkward spots that I need to get to on a regular basis. My thought was if it becomes half successful, the Chinese Ebayers will come up with a 10 pack for $5 including postage. Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2949 |
All, I had a close look at what they are proposing and I think its design is flawed. The existing USB connector has a solid block which doesnt flex or bend and thus asserts a pretty good force onto the springy connectors to press them into the connectors on the socket.. This adapter has a flimsy looking `pcb substrate' or something that I cant see can assert the same pressure or have the same resistance to flexing that a solid block would have.. I reckon that over time and constant plugging and replugging they will eventually fail.. Also the bit about USB3 I feel they are wrong I feel that USB3.0 is going to be the norm and the newer 3.1 will start to take hold not too far down the track.. USB2 compatibility will probably still be around for quite a while for mice, keyboards and FTDI cables etc etc.. Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| cosmic frog Guru Joined: 09/02/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 302 |
All you need is some bright coloured nail varnish or Tipex and mark both the top of plug and socket. Sorted! |
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| BobD Guru Joined: 07/12/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 935 |
I use whiteout correction pens. They will write almost permanently on anything. |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9593 |
Exactly my thoughts, chum. I would also expect it would be reasonably easy to crack or otherwise fracture the thin substrate thing, if pressure was applied the wrong way at the wrong time. ... but then, everyone's a critic... 
Well, quite. USB is backwards-compatible with USB2 and USB1, and any new laptop or motherboard has USB3 connectors on it, so I don't really consider that as the industry not supporting USB3.... ...but again, everyone's a critic!  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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jman Guru Joined: 12/06/2011 Location: New ZealandPosts: 711 |
Well at the risk at of getting shot down Do I need one these nope Do I want one yes Will I buy one yes Nice idea and clever design how robust will they be we will have to wait and see Jman |
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| VK2MCT Senior Member  Joined: 30/03/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 120 |
Is there any convention as to which side of USB plug/Socket should be marked ? John B |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2949 |
Damn, I marked the wrong side... 
@Jman I wont shoot you down, I thought about them too as it was only $12US for 3 of them delivered but I then thought about the item a bit more and decided it wasnt for me.. Now reversible plugs are a great idea and should be designed that way from scratch, like the iPhone `lightning' plug and the new USB type C standard coming out. Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1314 |
I wasn't aware of the Type C connector Mick, but that appears to be a well thought out answer. Version 2 and 3, to type C converter cables will be needed along the way just like the iPHONE problem, but hopefully a better result all round. Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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| BobD Guru Joined: 07/12/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 935 |
Here is a quote from page 2 of the document Icon design recommendation for Identifying USB 2.0 Ports on PCs, Hosts and Hubs [quote] Note that manufacturers should feel free to scale the image as required by their production process in order to fit it on a surface near the PC or host port. The icon should be placed such that it is likely to be seen by a user viewing the PC or host port from normal vantage points, given typical use-environments and conditions. [/quote] This refers to the USB trident icon on the USB cable. 
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| VK2MCT Senior Member Joined: 30/03/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 120 |
From Wikipedia: By design, it is difficult to insert a USB plug into its receptacle incorrectly. The USB specification states that the required USB icon must be embossed on the "topside" of the USB plug, which "...provides easy user recognition and facilitates alignment during the mating process." The specification also shows that the "recommended" "Manufacturer's logo" ("engraved" on the diagram but not specified in the text) is on the opposite side of the USB icon. The specification further states, "The USB Icon is also located adjacent to each receptacle. Receptacles should be oriented to allow the icon on the plug to be visible during the mating process." However, the specification does not consider the height of the device compared to the eye level height of the user, so the side of the cable that is "visible" when mated to a computer on a desk can depend on whether the user is standing or kneeling. It seems that the 'Trident' symbol is generally on the 'topside' of a Type A cable. I'm going to 'use whiteout' on this 'topside'. This corresponds to the 'hollow' half side of a plug on the cables I have. The USB sticks I have don't have the 'Trident' ? John B. (I shall kneel rather than stand) |
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| BobD Guru Joined: 07/12/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 935 |
John On my desktop PC there are two front USB3 ports and they have the wide part mounted vertically. So now it depends on which side of the system unit you sit. That said, I have never tried to plug it the wrong way. Bob 
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6269 |
In the early days of USB, I spent a lot of time replacing damaged ports. Luckily, in those days the ports were usually on a flying lead and were are simple "plug in the new one" job. I dreaded the laptops with the same problem. I also did a lot of repairs to PS2 ports - usually the pins were just bent. Now-a-days, I find it annoying that I have to find the glasses and/or bright light before I plug in some of the micro-usb connectors. I use a USB hub to protect my laptop ports from excessive use. To many micromites getting a workout. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2437 |
Plugging USB in the wrong way round can be a costly issue in the real-world. A company I used to work for 8 years back decided their products (in-vehicle Win CE boxes for the mining and construction industry) should have USB ports on the front instead of compact flash, and at the time i raised concerns at being able to insert devices (flash drives) backwards. i demonstrated this several times to the mechanical engineers by taking a PS/2 to USB mouse adaptor (we had a large box of them spare) and plugging in a USB plug upside down without need for using much force at all. i'd then withdraw the plug and shake out the broken plastic 'tongue' from the socket for dramatic effect. now one must take this in context: the same exercise carried out on one of our real products (with the USB socket soldered to the motherboard) would cost the customer around $2000 to get repaired - the cost of a replacement motherboard. and even with the existing products that had compact flash sockets, we did on occasion get devices returned with cards plugged in upside down, and on occasion sideways. the users were not exactly 'careful' with their gear! at the time i was attempting to push for either having the USB socket located on a cheap-to-replace daughterboard, or for the company to use an alternative connector such as some variant on a 4-pin XLR. as a bonus, we could then sell the customers product-specific flash drives. as it happens, my concerns fell on deaf ears. i left the company not too long after. i do reckon the new iPhone lightening plugs and the likes are a brilliant idea. my only concern is that the plugs not end up being too small to provide much mechanical support. in terms of size and mechanical support, the existing USB plug/socket is a good solution, while i feel that micro-USB has gone way too far towards shrinking the size. cheers, rob :-) |
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