Automatic usb switch

Question

USB 2.0 2 Way Manual Share Switch 1 Printer to 2 PC's: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Hi I have built a Openelec media center with a USB HDD fitted inside a case im trying to work out how to created a automatic switch like the one in link above that will allow me to connect its as a portable HDD to the computer when USB cable is plugged and if not then USB drive is connected to pie

Conditions

If (connection 2 usb connection = true) {

Connect as potable drive on PC

}

else{

Connect as potable drive on raspberry

}

As the USB supply 5v im thinking if this is detected on the USB connection two it could switch the data connections to that connection if power to connection 2 is absent the connection is left on the pi as default.

Robert Peter Oakes · Answer

A sinple relay may suffice here, powered from the 5V USB power. As you aptly tated, when 5V is there, the relay can be energised and switch the USB Hard drive to the connected device.

You could also do this with a logic multiplexer chip to keep the power consumption down like this one http://www.intersil.com/content/dam/Intersil/documents/isl5/isl54222a.pdf

Robert Peter Oakes · Answer

if you can afford it, get more than one, and play on a bread board first, you may need a header to mount the chip on depending if it is a DIP package or a SMT (Dual Inline Package, Surface Mount Technology), once you figure it out then build the final one, if you fry one in the process then you have a spare

Folks here can help you if you decide to go this route so don't be afraid to get your soldering Iron Hot