An USB socket that accepts the plug, no matter which way is up ?

February 22, 2007

Posted By:  wmealing

4 Votes

Status: Archived

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The universal serial bus seems to be the bus that just gets around, pretty much most devices use USB as their serial connection.

I seem to be the embodyment of murphys law. Without fail.. I always put the device in the wrong way.

Is there a way to engineer usb sockets so that it accepts the plug either way ?

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  • Jan 26, 2011     Comment Link

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    Posted By: wmealing

    Yeah, impossible right ?

    Been done on the plug end (i'm sure the same idea could work on the accepting end.

    http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/01/25/this-usb-plugs-in-both-ways/

    http://www.flipperusb.com/

    Its not re-inventing, just rebuilding the connection so it works both ways.  But you know.. whatever its impossible right ?
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  • Sep 15, 2009     Comment Link

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    Posted By: jlvallelonga

    Maybe it's not an easy idea to implement, but it is probably possible to engineer a socket that accepts the plug either way. This would be a good idea for the next generation of usb plugs or any type of plugs. Good idea dude!
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  • Apr 2, 2007     Comment Link

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    Posted By: santiagosrz

    although i think its not possible, i must agree with you and the good old murphy ;)
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  • Mar 3, 2007     Comment Link

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    Posted By: kyliemanders

    Yes that plug is a poor design to begin with. At least the mini USB is keyed so it is harder to shove in the wrong way.
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  • Mar 2, 2007     Comment Link

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    Posted By: tuno

    So you expect Dell to reinvent USB?
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  • Feb 22, 2007     Comment Link

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    Posted By: wmealing

    tuno, I thought about this statement for some time. Unlikelyness does not mean impossible, dream a bit mate, your lack of creativity is showing. People thought a magnetic connector near a machine was a bad idea and apple showed them.
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  • Feb 22, 2007     Comment Link

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    Posted By: tuno

    I think if you put more thought into this comment you would realize it's not very likely!