Lamp socket

Details Lamp socket Lamp socket

1999-09-17

2000-12-19

Bradley, Paula

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Bayonet coupling part movable about its axis

439616, H01R 13625

Patent

active

06162084&

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lamp socket in which a lamp used in automobiles is connected.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, lamps used in automobiles have been connected to lamp sockets. Examples of lamp sockets are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 62-64985 and Japanese Utility Model Application No. 62-64986. Such lamp sockets are electrically connected to lamp electrodes at rear ends of the lamps. Other prior art lamp sockets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,982,813; 4,101,187; DE-A-4139905 and EP-A-0822626.
In recent years, high-illumination discharge (HID) lamps have been used as head lamps in automobiles. Discharge lamps are lamps in which mercury, a metal halide compound or a rare gas, such as xenon, is sealed inside the lamp. In such lamps, light is emitted by causing this substance to discharge by means of a pair of electrodes, thus realizing a high-brightness illumination with the color of sunlight. An important point in light systems using HID lamps is that a high voltage of approximately 20,000 V is required at the time that the discharge is initiated. Accordingly, a shielded cable is used as the cable connected to the lamp socket in order to prevent the generation of electromagnetic interference in other electrical circuits.
Furthermore, in the case of discharge lamps, it is necessary that the connection of the lamp be easily accomplished, and that the lamp have a high degree of safety. Generally, a discharge may occur in the air layer between terminals or conductors to which a high voltage is applied, so that there is a danger that this may be a cause of fire in parts such as connectors, etc. Accordingly, it is desirable that the terminals or conductors of the lamp socket described above be installed so that such a discharge is reliably prevented.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, a feature of the present invention is to provide a lamp socket in which a discharge lamp can be easily connected, and which has a high degree of safety.
The present invention is directed to a lamp socket which receives a lamp, wherein the lamp socket includes a pair of housings which are installed so that the housings clamp electrical terminals which are connected to a plurality of wires of a shielded cable, each of the pair of housings has a main body section supporting the terminals, and an extension section used for the lead-out of wires which protrudes from the main body section, and a shielding conductor of the shielded cable is fastened to outside surfaces of the extension sections.
The lamp socket can be engaged by relative pivoting after being installed so that the lamp socket is superimposed on a discharge lamp which has been fastened to a housing or reflective mirror beforehand.
Preferably, terminal-accommodating grooves, which accommodate the electrical terminals, are formed in one of the pair of housings, and terminal-supporting ribs including engaging parts, which have dimensions that are substantially complementary to the terminal-accommodating grooves, and which substantially engage the terminals, are formed in the other housing. It is desirable that the terminal-accommodating grooves and terminal-supporting ribs be constructed so that the terminal-accommodating grooves and terminal-supporting ribs can be engaged along the direction of length of the terminals.
Preferably, wire-accommodating grooves, which accommodate the respective wires, are formed in one of the pair of housings, and wire-engaging ribs, which have dimensions that are substantially complementary to the wire-accommodating grooves, are formed in the other of the pair of housings. It is desirable that the wire-accommodating grooves and wire-engaging ribs be constructed so that the wire-accommodating grooves and wire-engaging ribs can be engaged along the direction of length of the wires.
Preferably, the fastening means used to fasten the shielding conductor is constructed so that a metal clip clamps the shielding conductor to the outside surfaces of the extension sections.
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REFERENCES:
patent: 5087213 (1992-02-01), Drapcho et al.
patent: 5709450 (1998-01-01), Francis et al.
patent: 5842882 (1998-12-01), Sato et al.
patent: 5897391 (1999-04-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 5924884 (1999-07-01), Sato et al.
Japanese Utility Model Application No. 62-64985.
Japanese Utility Model Application No. 62-64986.

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