Electric heating – Heating devices – Resistive element: igniter type
Patent
1995-11-02
1998-07-14
Jeffery, John A.
Electric heating
Heating devices
Resistive element: igniter type
219267, B60N 314
Patent
active
057808139
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns lighter bodies for cigar lighters, notably for automobiles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is known (FIGS. 1 and 2) a cigar lighter has a lighter body 10, forming a power socket, suitable for being fixed to a fixed wall of the vehicle, for example the fascia 20 of the latter, either directly, or indirectly by means of a conductive light ring 30, referred to as an illuminating ring.
The body 10 is usually mounted in the wall 20 through the front of the said wall (from left to right in FIG. 2), simply by slipping in axially.
A plug 40, forming a power connector, is mounted in the hollow-shaped body 10 and carries at its free end a heating element, usually a heating resistance, housed in a cap 50.
The removable heating plug 40 is held in the body 10, forming a receptacle, in the standby position by means of blades 16 cut from a metal sleeve 11, which forms part of the body 10.
The sleeve 11 carries on the inside a bimetallic device 5 mounted on a bimetallic device carrier made from electrically insulating material. The bimetallic device 5 has blades of overall axial orientation, the free ends of which are shaped as retaining hooks for cooperating with the cap 50.
In the standby position the plug 40 is at a distance from the bimetallic device 5.
In order to light a cigarette, for example, the occupant of the vehicle presses in the movable button 41, which forms part of the plug 40, so that the cap 50 comes into engagement with the blades of the bimetallic device 5.
An electrical circuit is then established, the sleeve 11 bearing on the outside, for this purpose, electrical supply pieces 4, 7 connected to the terminals of the voltage source (usually the battery) of the vehicle.
As soon as the aforementioned heating body reaches the required temperature, the blades of the bimetallic device 5 expand under the effect of the heat, so that the cap 50 of the plug 40 is released.
All that remains to be done then is to extract the plug 40.
The blades of the bimetallic device 5 are therefore allowed to move apart (or open) on the one hand when the button 41 is pushed in and on the other hand after the said plug 40 has been heated.
To this end, large openings 17 are formed in the sleeve 11 in line with the blades of the bimetallic device 5 in order to allow a movement of the said blades and prevent electrical contact between the sleeve 11, usually connected to the vehicle earth, and the bimetallic device 5, usually connected to the positive terminal of the vehicle battery.
Foreign bodies, such as large-sized impurities, dirt or the like may penetrate inside the sleeve 11, through the large openings 17, and disturb, upset or even prevent the operation of the bimetallic device, the adjustment of which is delicate.
The bimetallic device 5 may therefore be incapable of opening sufficiently to release the plug 40 when the latter has reached the required heating temperature. Heating then occurs which is dangerous in particular for the fascia 20 and the ring 30, both made from plastic. A short-circuit between the bimetallic device 5 and sleeve 11 may be established through the impurities.
Another risk may also arise because of the location of the cigar lighter in a position (for example the fascia or instrument panel of the vehicle) where there are many electric cables associated with switches, instruments or other electrical equipment.
An electric cable may therefore touch, notably under the effect of vibration phenomena or impacts, the bimetallic device 5 when still hot and be damaged, resulting in one of the aforementioned items of equipment being put out of service.
In order to mitigate this drawback the idea may be had, for example in the light of the document U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,414, of resorting to an additional protective piece mounted behind the sleeve 11 and closing off the openings 17.
The solution is not satisfactory since it gives rise to higher manufacturing costs and makes it more difficult or even impossible to mount throug
REFERENCES:
patent: 2151622 (1939-03-01), Sinko
patent: 2810814 (1957-10-01), Jorgensen
patent: 3424414 (1969-01-01), Horwitt
patent: 3662153 (1972-05-01), Barnes, Jr. et al.
patent: 3955333 (1976-05-01), Fellin
patent: 4293761 (1981-10-01), Pramaggiore
patent: 4387292 (1983-06-01), Vitaloni
patent: 4431904 (1984-02-01), Suzuki
patent: 4549070 (1985-10-01), Huang
patent: 4713733 (1987-12-01), Fitz et al.
patent: 5144111 (1992-09-01), Gaisberg et al.
patent: 5233162 (1993-08-01), Gaisberg et al.
patent: 5403996 (1995-04-01), Mattis et al.
Logeais Gilles
Sire Jean-Pierre
Thivet Gilles
Jeffery John A.
Valeo
LandOfFree
Lighter body for cigar lighter, with axially oriented protuberan does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lighter body for cigar lighter, with axially oriented protuberan, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lighter body for cigar lighter, with axially oriented protuberan will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1884169