CN115885132A

CN115885132A - Rotatable electrical socket for lighting device

Info

Publication number: CN115885132A
Application number: CN202180044001.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山·穆甘; 阿德里安·格林
Original assignee: Amphenol Corp
Current assignee: Amphenol Corp
Priority date: 2020-06-04
Filing date: 2021-06-03
Publication date: 2023-03-31
Also published as: AU2021283386B2; WO2021247873A1; MX2022015283A; DE112021003109T5; CA3185743A1; AU2021283386A1

Abstract

A rotatable socket and methods of assembling and installing a rotatable socket. The socket includes an outer ring having a mounting surface for mounting to a housing, and a rotatable insert received in the outer ring. The inner surface of the outer ring surrounds the outer surface of the rotatable insert. The rotatable insert has an electrical face configured to mate with an optoelectronic device, and an opposing mounting face for mounting to the housing. The rotatable insert may be rotated relative to the outer ring to orient the rotatable insert in a desired direction for optimal positioning of the optoelectronic device. The outer ring and the rotatable insert have respective interlocking features configured to secure the rotatable insert in the desired orientation.

Description

Rotatable electrical socket for lighting device

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The benefit and priority of U.S. application No. 17/336,719 entitled "Rotatable Electrical socket For lighting device" filed on 6/2/2021 and U.S. provisional application No. 63/034,472 entitled "Rotatable Dimming socket For lighting device" filed on 6/4/2020, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background

The present disclosure relates to rotatable electrical sockets for use with lighting devices, such as street lights.

Opto-electronic devices, such as controllers, sensors or photocells, are commonly used to automatically control lighting fixtures, for example, by dimming the lighting fixture or turning it off at dawn and on at dusk. These lighting devices are commonly used to illuminate roads, streets, parking lots, and other large outdoor areas. The optoelectronic device is attached to the lighting apparatus by a socket. These photovoltaic devices sense the intensity of ambient light from the sun (or other light source) and can switch the lighting on and off accordingly. These luminaires may dim to variable levels depending on the sensor input. The optoelectronic device of the lighting device may also monitor motion (traffic or pedestrian presence) and/or ambient light levels to control how much additional light is required by the lighting device. The photocell photosensor of the optoelectronic device is typically pointed in a generally north direction to optimize the efficiency of the photocell.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to a rotatable socket comprising an outer ring having a mounting surface for mounting to a housing, and a rotatable insert received in the outer ring such that an inner surface of the outer ring surrounds an outer surface of the rotatable insert. The rotatable insert has an electrical face configured to mate with an optoelectronic device, and an opposing mounting face for mounting to the housing. The rotatable insert may be rotated relative to the outer ring to orient the rotatable insert in a desired direction for optimal positioning of the optoelectronic device. The outer ring and the rotatable insert have respective interlocking features configured to secure the rotatable insert in the desired orientation.

In certain examples, the interlocking features of the outer ring include one or more locating holes formed in the mounting surface of the outer ring, and the interlocking features of the rotatable insert include at least one locating key on an outer surface of the rotatable insert sized to engage one of the locating holes of the outer ring; the positioning holes are annularly arranged and spaced on the outer ring; the locating holes are arranged at intervals of about 15 degrees apart; the rotatable insert and the outer ring rotatably engage one another via respective engagement features that include an annular groove and an alignment key receivable in the annular groove; the electrical face of the rotatable insert includes indicia indicating a desired direction for optimally positioning the optoelectronic device; the mark is a letter N or a character north; and/or a washer is provided at the mounting surface of the outer ring.

The present disclosure may also relate to a rotatable socket including an outer ring having a mounting surface for mounting to a housing, and a rotatable insert received in the outer ring such that an inner surface of the outer ring surrounds an outer surface of the rotatable insert. The rotatable insert has an electrical face configured to mate with an optoelectronic device, and an opposing mounting face for mounting to the housing. The rotatable insert may be rotated relative to the outer ring to orient the rotatable insert in a desired direction for optimal positioning of the optoelectronic device. The outer ring and the rotatable insert have corresponding engagement features that allow the rotatable insert to rotate relative to the outer ring. The outer ring and the rotatable insert have respective interlocking features configured to secure the rotatable insert in the desired orientation.

In some examples, the rotatable engagement feature of the rotatable insert is an annular groove formed in an outer surface of the rotatable insert; the rotatable engagement feature of the outer ring is an inwardly extending alignment key on the inner surface of the outer ring receivable in the annular groove of the rotatable insert; the annular groove of the rotatable insert includes at least one key entry opening at an electrical face of the rotatable insert and sized to receive the alignment key of the outer ring; the interlocking feature of the outer ring includes one or more locating holes formed in the mounting surface of the outer ring, and the interlocking feature of the rotatable insert includes at least one locating key on the outer surface of the rotatable insert sized to engage one of the locating holes of the outer ring; the electrical face of the rotatable insert includes a directional marker; the outer ring including at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for securing the outer ring to the housing; and/or a gasket is disposed between the outer ring and the housing of the lighting device.

The present disclosure may further relate to a method of mounting an opto-electronic socket to a lighting device. The optoelectronic receptacle includes an outer ring and a rotatable insert having an electrical face configured to mate with an optoelectronic device. The method comprises the following steps: coupling the outer ring with the rotatable insert such that the rotatable insert is free to rotate relative to the outer ring and such that the outer ring and the rotatable insert are axially moveable relative to each other; after rotatably coupling the outer ring and the rotatable insert, rotating the rotatable insert to orient the rotatable insert in a desired direction for optimal positioning of the optoelectronic device; and after orienting the rotatable insert, interlocking the outer ring and the rotatable insert to secure the rotatable insert in place in a desired orientation.

In one example, the method further comprises the steps of: aligning the outer ring relative to the rotatable insert prior to rotatably coupling the outer ring with the rotatable insert.

In other examples of the method, the step of aligning the outer ring relative to the rotatable insert includes aligning an alignment key of the outer ring with a keyed opening of the rotatable insert, and pressing the outer ring to axially move the outer ring relative to the rotatable insert to engage the alignment key with the keyed opening; the alignment key and the key input port are engaged in a clearance fit manner; the alignment key and the key entry engage in an interference fit; the step of rotatably coupling the outer ring with the rotatable insert includes engaging an alignment key on an inner surface of the outer ring with an annular groove on an outer surface of the rotatable insert; and/or the step of orienting the rotatable insert comprises rotating the rotatable insert at about 15 degree intervals; the step of interlocking the outer ring and the rotatable insert comprises mating at least one locating key on an outer surface of the rotatable insert with one of a plurality of locating holes on the outer ring; and/or the orientation key is exposed prior to the step of interlocking the outer ring with the rotatable insert.

In other examples, the method further comprises the steps of: mounting the interlocked outer ring and rotatable insert to the housing and securing the outer ring to the housing; further comprising the steps of: placing a gasket on the housing and compressing the gasket between the outer ring and the housing prior to mounting the interlocking outer ring and rotatable insert to the housing; and/or further comprising the steps of: a gasket is placed on the mounting surface of the outer ring and compressed between the outer ring and the housing prior to mounting the interlocking outer ring and rotatable insert to the housing.

This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. It should be understood that the drawings illustrate only some examples of the disclosure, and that other examples or combinations of various examples not specifically illustrated in the drawings may still be within the scope of the disclosure. Examples will now be described with additional detail using the drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable socket according to an example of the present disclosure, showing the socket mounted to a housing of a lighting apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an insert of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective enlarged partial views of the outer ring and insert, respectively, of the receptacle of FIG. 1, showing alignment steps in the process of assembling and installing the receptacle;

FIGS. 4C and 4D are enlarged partial views of the outer ring and insert of the socket shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing alternative ways of coupling the outer ring and insert;

5A-5D are various cross-sectional and perspective views of the receptacle of FIG. 1 showing the coupling steps in the process of assembling and installing the receptacle;

FIGS. 6A-6C are various views of the receptacle of FIG. 1, showing the steps of rotation and orientation during assembly and installation of the receptacle;

FIG. 7A is a front view of the socket shown in FIG. 1, showing the socket assembled and mounted to a housing of a lighting fixture;

FIG. 7B is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 7A with a housing;

FIG. 7C is a bottom plan view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7D is an enlarged partial view of the bottom of the receptacle shown in FIG. 7B;

fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a rotatable socket according to another example of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a cross-section and a bottom perspective view, respectively, of the receptacle shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are top perspective and front views of the receptacle shown in FIG. 8, illustrating the rotation and orientation steps in assembling and installing the receptacle of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of the socket shown in FIG. 8, showing the socket assembled and mounted to a housing of a lighting fixture;

FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 11A with the housing removed; and

fig. 12A and 12B are partial cross-sectional views of the socket shown in fig. 11A.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to rotatable electrical sockets and methods for assembling and mounting same to lighting devices and the like. The rotatable socket may be used to mount the optoelectronic device to a lighting fixture or the like. The rotatable nature of the socket facilitates positioning of the photocell or photosensor of the optoelectronic device on the lighting apparatus to optimize the photocell efficiency of the optoelectronic device. In one example, a rotatable socket includes an outer ring having a mounting surface for mounting to a housing; a rotatable insert received in the outer ring such that an inner surface of the outer ring surrounds an outer surface of the rotatable insert, and the rotatable insert having an electrical face configured to mate with an optoelectronic device and an opposing mounting face for mounting to the housing. The outer ring and the rotatable insert have respective interlocking features configured to orient the rotatable insert on the housing in a desired direction for optimal positioning of the optoelectronic device for optimal optoelectronic element efficiency and operation.

Referring to the figures, the present disclosure relates to a rotatable electrical socket 100, such as a rotatable electrical socket configured to be mounted to a lighting apparatus 20 or the like and mate with an optoelectronic device 10 associated with a lighting apparatus 20, such as a dimming street light.

In one example shown in fig. 1-3, the socket 100 generally includes a rotatable insert 102 and an outer ring 120. The rotatable insert 102 may have a molded body 104 with an outer surface 106 and an electrical face 112 that may be connected to an optoelectronic device 10, such as a photocell, for example, via an electrical receptacle 108 in the body 104 that opens at the electrical face 112, with the receptacle 108 connected to wiring 115. The actuation slot 110 may be disposed at an electrical face 112 of the insert 102. The actuation slot 110 is sized to receive a tool for rotating the insert 102 relative to the outer ring 120. The slot 110 may be positioned generally in the center of the electrical face 112. The body 104 of the insert 102 has a mounting face 116 (fig. 2) opposite the electrical face 112. For example, the mounting face 116 is designed to be mounted on a housing 22 (also referred to as a housing wall) of the lighting device 20, as seen in fig. 1.

The rotatable insert 102 is received in the outer ring 120 such that the inner surface 126 of the outer ring 120 surrounds a portion of the outer surface 106 of the insert 102, as seen in fig. 5A and 5B. The outer ring 120 is configured to fit around the rotatable insert 102. The outer ring 120 has a mounting surface 122 configured to mount to the housing 22. Gasket 130 may be disposed between mounting surface 122 and housing 22. The outer ring 120 may have mounting holes 128 that receive fasteners for securing the receptacle 100 to the housing 22. Fasteners, such as screws, extend through the washers 130 and through the housing wall 22 through the apertures 128.

The insert 102 is configured to be rotatable relative to the outer ring 120 to enable orientation of the insert 102 in a desired direction, for example, for optimal positioning of the optoelectronic device for optimal optoelectronic element efficiency and operation. The receptacle 100 receives the mating contact prongs or pins of the optoelectronic device 10 when the electrical receptacle 108 of the receptacle is properly oriented so that the optoelectronic device is optimally positioned when the pins of the optoelectronic device 10 are inserted into the receptacles 108, the receptacle is oriented in a desired direction. The electrical face 112 of the insert 102 may have indicia 114 for indicating a desired orientation of the receptacle 100 and the proper orientation of the receptacle 108. The indicia 114 may be any symbol, letter, or text to indicate a direction, such as an arrow, the letter "N", or the word "north", or combinations thereof, as seen in fig. 1.

The outer ring 120 and the rotatable insert 102 have corresponding engagement features that allow the insert 102 to rotate relative to the outer ring 120 and allow the outer ring 120 to move axially relative to the insert 102, as seen in fig. 3, 4A, 4B, and 5A-5C. In an example, the corresponding engagement feature may be one or more alignment keys 140 that fit into the recesses 142. The alignment key 140 may be positioned on the annular inner surface 126 of the outer ring 120, as best seen in fig. 5A-5C. The groove 142 may be an annular groove formed in the outer surface 106 of the body 104 of the insert 102, as best seen in fig. 3 and 5C. The body 110 of the rotatable insert 102 includes at least one key inlet 144 (fig. 4C) disposed in its outer surface 106 in communication with the annular groove 142. The key entry 144 may be a recess or slot sized to receive the inwardly extending alignment key 140 of the outer ring 120.

As seen in fig. 7A-7D, the outer ring 120 and the insert 102 have corresponding interlocking features, such as one or more alignment holes 124 and at least one alignment key 118, configured to secure the insert 102 in a desired orientation for properly positioning the optoelectronic device 10 to be inserted therein. In an example, the one or more positioning holes 124 can be disposed in the mounting surface 122 of the outer ring 120, and the at least one positioning key 118 can be located on the outer surface 106 of the insert 102, as best seen in fig. 3, 7B, and 7D. The locating holes 124 may be annularly arranged and spaced apart on the mounting surface 122 of the outer ring 120. The positioning holes 124 may be arranged at selected intervals depending on the positioning of the holes 124, the spacing between the holes 124, the size of the holes 124, and/or the number of holes 124. That is, the positioning holes 124 may be arranged on the outer ring 120 such that the holes 124 are at alpha spacing, as seen in fig. 6 d. Any number of holes 124 may be used and the alpha spacing may be any angle. In an example, α is about 15-20 degrees such that the apertures 124 are 15-20 degree apart, thereby allowing the desired orientation of the receptacle 100 to be selected at 15-20 degree intervals. The apertures 124 may be otherwise spaced, that is, for example, the alpha spacing may be greater than 20 degrees or less than 15 degrees. In some examples, the alpha spacing varies (e.g., the holes 124 may be 15 degrees apart for one portion of the radius of the outer ring 120 and a different alpha spacing (e.g., 10 degrees) for another portion of the radius of the outer ring 120).

The present disclosure provides a method of assembling and installing the socket 100. To assemble and mount the socket 100 to the lighting fixture housing 22, the outer ring 120 and the insert 102 are coupled together. The outer ring 120 is coupled with the insert 102 such that the insert 102 is free to rotate relative to the outer ring 120 and such that the outer ring 120 and the insert 102 are axially moveable relative to each other. To this end, the engagement feature of the outer ring 120 (i.e., the alignment key 140) is aligned with the keyed opening 144 of the engagement feature of the insert 102 (i.e., the annular groove 122). The key entry 144 is sized such that when aligned, the alignment key 140 may be received in the key entry 144. In an example, the keyed opening 144 is sized to receive the alignment key 140 in a clearance fit, as seen in fig. 4C, such that there is a space between the alignment key 140 and the keyed opening 144. Alternatively, the key entry 144 'may be sized to receive the alignment key 140' in an interference or close fit, as seen in fig. 4D, such that the outer ring 120 engages with the insert 102 via a friction fit. Once the alignment keys 140 of the outer ring 120 are inserted into the inlets 144 of the insert 102, the outer ring 102 may then be moved axially (in the direction of the mounting face 116 of the insert 102) relative to the insert 102 until the alignment keys 140 reach the annular groove 142, as seen in fig. 5A. The positioning keys 118 on the outer surface 106 of the body 110 of the insert 102 remain exposed, as seen in fig. 5D, that is, the positioning keys 118 are not covered by the outer ring 120 as the outer ring 120 is moved axially along the insert 102.

Next, the receptacle 100 is mounted on the housing 22 by inserting a portion of the body 110 of the insert 102 into the opening 24 in the housing wall 22, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6A. The gasket 130 may be positioned at and around the opening 24 such that the gasket 130 is positioned between the receptacle 100 and the housing wall 22. The insert 102 may then be rotated relative to the outer ring 120 to orient the socket 100 in a desired orientation, as seen in fig. 6A-6C. To this end, a tool is inserted into the actuation slot 110 of the insert 102 to rotate the insert 102 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction relative to the outer ring 120. When the insert 102 is rotated, the alignment key 140 of the outer ring 120 is received in the annular groove 142 of the insert 102 and slides along the annular groove 142 of the insert 102. An installer may use a logo 114 on the electrical face 112 of the receptacle 100 to assist in properly positioning the receptacle 100 in a desired orientation.

After rotating and orienting the insert in the desired direction, the outer ring 120 and the insert 102 may interlock via their respective interlocking features to secure the rotatable insert in place in the desired direction. As the outer ring 120 is moved axially toward the housing 22, the positioning key 118 of the insert 102 is received in one of the positioning holes 124 in the outer ring 120, as best seen in fig. 7B and 7D. The arrangement of the apertures 124 allows the sockets 100 to be positioned at intervals of alpha, for example 15 degrees apart, to cover 360 degrees. The outer ring 120 continues to move toward the housing wall 22 until the mounting surface 122 of the outer ring abuts a gasket 130 on the housing 22, as seen in fig. 7A. Fasteners may then be inserted through the mounting holes 128 of the outer ring 120 through the gasket 130 and through the housing wall 22. This secures the socket 100 to the housing 22 of the lighting device 20. As seen in fig. 12A and 12B, the washer 130 below the outer ring 120 provides a compression stop for the socket 100 that prevents the washer 130 from over-tightening and bending.

The rotational orientation of the receptacle 100 can be easily adjusted at any time by lifting the receptacle 100 at its outer ring 120, rotating the insert 102 to a desired orientation, and moving the outer ring 120 back toward the housing 22 to interlock the outer ring 120 and the insert 102 and fix the position of the receptacle 100.

In another example of a method of assembling and installing the socket 100, the washer 130 may be placed on the mounting surface 122 of the outer ring 120 prior to any other operations. As seen in fig. 8 and 9A, the gasket 130 is disposed on the mounting surface 122 of the outer ring 120 rather than on the housing wall 22 (as in the above example). The remaining steps for assembling and installing the socket 100 are the same as those described above, except that the washer 130 has been located on the mounting surface 122 of the outer ring 120. That is, the outer ring 120 with the washer 130 therein is aligned with and coupled to the insert 102 such that the insert 102 is free to rotate relative to the outer ring. As seen in fig. 9B, the locating key 118 of the insert 102 remains exposed even when the washer is located on the mounting surface 122 of the outer ring 120. The insert 102 may then be rotated to a desired orientation and direction, as seen in fig. 10A and 10B. The outer ring 120 with the washer 130 on its mounting surface 122 may then be moved axially relative to the insert 120 so that the locating pin 118 of the insert 102 interlocks with one of the locating holes 124 of the outer ring 120 and the washer abuts the housing 22. The fastener may then be inserted through the receptacle 100 and the washer 130 to secure the receptacle to the housing 22.

The lighting apparatus may be provided with an electrical socket 100 for mating with a optoelectronic device 10, such as an optoelectronic controller or optoelectronic element, such that the optoelectronic device 10 and the lighting apparatus 20 are mounted together. The socket 100 may be electrically wired into the power supply of the lighting device 20 via wiring 115. The optoelectronic device 10 may be plugged into the socket 100 at the electrical face 112 to provide optoelectronic control of the lighting apparatus 20. The optoelectronic device 10 has prongs that are inserted into corresponding receptacles 108 in the receptacle 100 by applying insertion pressure on the device 10. After the prongs are fully inserted in the sockets 108, the optoelectronic device 10 may then be rotated to an optimal position via the rotatable insert 102.

After insertion into the receptacle 100, the optoelectronic device 10 may be oriented in a desired direction, such as the north direction (in the northern hemisphere, and in the southern hemisphere the southern direction), by using a marker 114 (e.g., the letter "N", the word "north", an arrow pointing to the north, etc.) on the electrical face 112 of the rotatable insert 102 to optimize operation of the optoelectronic elements of the device 10. This may be done while the socket 100 remains mounted to the housing 22 of the lighting device. The position of the optoelectronic device 10 can then be fixed in place by interlocking the outer ring 120 and the insert 102 of the receptacle 100.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings that modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Also, the various examples described may be used alone or in combination with other examples. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand various combinations of examples not specifically described or illustrated herein that are still within the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular examples set forth, and that the examples of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the adjective "another" when used to describe an element means one or more elements. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Moreover, where a method described above or a method claim below does not explicitly require an order to be followed by its steps or does not require an order based on the description or claim language, it is not intended that any particular order be inferred. Also, where the following method claims do not explicitly recite a step in the above description, such step should not be construed as being required by the claims.

Claims

1. A rotatable socket, comprising:

an outer ring having a mounting surface for mounting to the housing; and

a rotatable insert received in the outer ring such that an inner surface of the outer ring surrounds an outer surface of the rotatable insert, the rotatable insert having an electrical face configured to mate with an optoelectronic device and an opposing mounting face for mounting to the housing, and the rotatable insert being rotatable relative to the outer ring to orient the rotatable insert in a desired direction for optimally positioning the optoelectronic device, and

wherein the outer ring and the rotatable insert have respective interlocking features configured to secure the rotatable insert in the desired orientation.

2. The socket of claim 1, wherein the interlocking feature of the outer ring includes one or more locating holes formed in the mounting surface of the outer ring, and the interlocking feature of the rotatable insert includes at least one locating key on the outer surface of the rotatable insert sized to engage one of the locating holes of the outer ring.

3. The socket of claim 2, wherein the alignment holes are annularly arranged and spaced on the outer ring.

4. The socket of claim 3, wherein the alignment holes are arranged at intervals of about 15 degrees apart.

5. The socket of claim 1, wherein the rotatable insert and the outer ring are rotatably engaged with each other via respective engagement features including an annular groove and an alignment key receivable in the annular groove.

6. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the electrical face of the rotatable insert includes a flag indicating the desired direction for optimally positioning the optoelectronic device.

7. The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the indicia is the letter N or the letter North.

8. The socket of claim 1, wherein a gasket is disposed at the mounting surface of the outer ring.

9. A rotatable socket, comprising:

an outer ring having a mounting surface for mounting to the housing; and

a rotatable insert received in the outer ring such that an inner surface of the outer ring surrounds an outer surface of the rotatable insert, and the rotatable insert has an electrical face configured to mate with an optoelectronic device and an opposing mounting face for mounting to the housing, and the rotatable insert is rotatable relative to the outer ring to orient the rotatable insert in a desired direction for optimal positioning of the optoelectronic device, and

wherein the outer ring and the rotatable insert have respective engagement features that allow the rotatable insert to rotate relative to the outer ring, an

10. The socket of claim 9, wherein the rotatable engagement feature of the rotatable insert is an annular groove formed in the outer surface of the rotatable insert.

11. The socket of claim 10, wherein the rotatable engagement feature of the outer ring is an inwardly extending alignment key on the inner surface of the outer ring receivable in the annular groove of the rotatable insert.

12. The receptacle of claim 11, wherein the annular groove of the rotatable insert includes at least one key entry open at the electrical face of the rotatable insert and sized to receive the alignment key of the outer ring.

13. The socket of claim 9, wherein the interlocking features of the outer ring include one or more locating holes formed in the mounting surface of the outer ring, and the interlocking features of the rotatable insert include at least one locating key on the outer surface of the rotatable insert sized to engage one of the locating holes of the outer ring.

14. The receptacle of claim 9, wherein the electrical face of the rotatable insert includes an orientation indicator.

15. The socket of claim 9, wherein the outer ring includes at least one hole for receiving a fastener for securing the outer ring to the housing.

16. The socket of claim 15, wherein a gasket is disposed between the outer ring and the housing of the lighting device.

17. A method of mounting an optoelectronic receptacle to a lighting apparatus, the optoelectronic receptacle including an outer ring and a rotatable insert having an electrical face configured to mate with an optoelectronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

coupling the outer ring with the rotatable insert such that the rotatable insert is free to rotate relative to the outer ring and such that the outer ring and the rotatable insert are axially movable relative to each other;

after rotatably coupling the outer ring and the rotatable insert, rotating the rotatable insert to orient the rotatable insert in a desired direction for optimal positioning of the optoelectronic device; and

after orienting the rotatable insert, interlocking the outer ring and the rotatable insert to secure the rotatable insert in place in the desired orientation.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: aligning the outer ring relative to the rotatable insert prior to rotatably coupling the outer ring with the rotatable insert.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of aligning the outer ring relative to the rotatable insert includes aligning an alignment key of the outer ring with a keyed opening of the rotatable insert, and pressing the outer ring to axially move the outer ring relative to the rotatable insert to engage the alignment key with the keyed opening.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the alignment key and the key entry engage in a clearance fit.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the alignment key and the key entry engage in an interference fit.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of rotatably coupling the outer ring with the rotatable insert includes engaging an alignment key on the inner surface of the outer ring with an annular groove on the outer surface of the rotatable insert.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of orienting the rotatable insert includes rotating the rotatable insert at about 15 degree intervals.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of interlocking the outer ring and the rotatable insert includes mating at least one locating key on an outer surface of the rotatable insert with one of a plurality of locating holes on the outer ring.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the locating key is exposed prior to the step of interlocking the outer ring and the rotatable insert.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: mounting the interlocked outer ring and rotatable insert to the housing and securing the outer ring to the housing.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of: placing a gasket on the housing prior to mounting the interlocked outer ring and rotatable insert to the housing and compressing the gasket between the outer ring and the housing.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of: placing a gasket on a mounting surface of the outer ring and compressing the gasket between the outer ring and the housing prior to mounting the interlocking outer ring and rotatable insert to the housing.