DE102004029238A1 - Lamp connector has metal connection units with upper holding connections for use in fixing lower region of lamp, separate lower flat plug connections formed by integral injection with L-shaped contour - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a lamp holder (20) for accommodating a lamp (10) with an opening on one side and two metal connection units (30) inside the holder. The lamp holder has a holding region (21) with a hollow connection accommodation chamber and a plug connection region (22) extending down from the holding region. Each metal connection unit has an upper holding connection (31) for use in fixing a lower region of the lamp and a separate lower flat plug (32) connection formed by integral injection with an L-shaped contour. A coupling device (33) can be connected to or separated from the flat plug connection.

Description

The The present invention relates to a lamp connector and More specifically, it relates to an L-shaped lamp connector which an integral injection of metal terminal units in a lamp socket the same by means of insert injection technique in faster and easier Way allows so that is for reduce the cost and time required for the molding process.

As known to those skilled in the art, are used in lights of motor vehicles used different types of lamps, these lamps all a lamp connector for their attachment to a motor vehicle body and for the supply of electrical energy. The present invention is for such a connector for use directed when attaching a lamp.

One Such lamp connector has a lamp socket, which on a Motor vehicle body is mounted and adapted to pass a lamp through its opening as well as two metal terminal units inside the Lamp socket are mounted and are adapted to a lamp to fix and supply the lamp with electrical energy. traditionally, is a linear lamp connector, wherein the lamp socket and the metal terminal units are in a linear shape, offered and used commercially.

Of the However, the aforementioned linear lamp connector includes one Problem in that he does not use space effectively in the Mounting on the vehicle body and the assembly work can be difficult, there later a plug and other components through a back must be fitted.

As a solution to the above problem, an L-shaped lamp connector has been developed and commercially available. 5 shows a perspective view for explaining an example of such a conventional L-shaped lamp connector.

As in 5 is shown has a lamp socket 40 of the conventional lamp connector on an L-shaped contour, and it has an upper lamp holder 41 for receiving a lamp 10 through its opening and a lower connector area 42 that is different from the lamp holder 41 extends downwards and at right angles to this.

Inside the lamp holder 40 are metal connection units 50 provided the lamp connector. Each metal connection unit 50 has an L-shaped contour corresponding to the lamp socket 40 and has an upper Lampenfixiereinrichtung 51 for fixing the lamp 10 and for supplying electric power thereto, and a lower L-shaped tab terminal 52 which is integral with the upper lamp fixing device 51 is trained.

With the connector area 42 the lamp socket 40 is a plug 60 connected to the metal connection units 50 to supply electrical energy.

In the above-described conventional L-shaped lamp connector, it is due to the L-shaped contour of the tab terminal 52 impossible, the metal connection unit 50 later in the lamp socket 40 For this reason, it is manufactured by integral injection, wherein during the injection molding of a lamp socket, a tab terminal is inserted into the lamp socket and formed by encapsulation in an integral manner with this.

The metal connection unit 50 However, the conventional lamp connector has a disadvantage in terms of its very complicated construction. Such a construction makes the insert molding process very complex and difficult and leads to an increase in the cost and time required for the molding process, thus disadvantageously increasing the manufacturing cost of the lamp connector and deteriorating the productivity thereof.

The The present invention seeks to overcome the above-mentioned problems. and an object of the present invention is to provide an L-shaped one Lamp connector, the integral injection of the metal terminal units into a lampholder of the same in a quick and easy way, so that is for reduce the cost and time required for the molding process.

One second object of the present invention is to provide a more rigid fixation of a lamp, thereby unintentional Solve the same in use, as well as in continuous maintenance a connection with a stable electrical charge.

A third object of the present invention is to unnecessarily move a receiving terminal of each metal terminal unit to ih rem prevent mounted state within a terminal receiving cavity formed in a lamp socket.

One Fourth object of the present invention is to increase the elasticity a contact piece and a gripping piece, which form a female terminal of each metal terminal unit, and in minimizing thermal deformation due to the transmitted from a lamp Warmth.

One fifth The aim of the present invention is to provide a deformation in one on a contact piece trained, curved Prevent connection area.

One Sixth object of the present invention is a lock or unlocking the respective receptacle terminals to or from a lamp holder in a single operation using terminal locking units enable.

Yet Another object of the present invention is to easier insertion of the respective receiving connections in one with lampholder formed lamp socket too guarantee.

According to the present Invention, the above and other objects are achieved by creating a lamp connector with a lamp socket for receiving a Lamp through an opening on one side, and with two metal connection units, which are provided inside the lamp holder, wherein the lamp holder a lamp holder having in its interior a terminal receiving cavity forms, and has a connector area, which differs from the lamp holder down and then at right angles away from it extends, each Metallanschlusseinheit an upper receiving port for use in fixing a lower portion of the lamp and a lower tab terminal, wherein the receiving terminal and the tab terminal are separated, the tab terminal by integral injection into the lamp holder in an integral manner is formed and an L-shaped Contour according to the connector area of the lamp socket and wherein the metal terminal unit further comprises a coupling device integral with below the receiving port is provided, wherein the coupling device with an upper End area of the blade terminal connection connectable or from this is separable.

Of the The receiving terminal may preferably include: a contact piece, the at an upper end thereof with an inwardly projecting curved connection portion is trained; a gripping piece, the one at the curved one Connection area corresponding point with an inwardly projecting curved Detention area is formed, wherein the curved retaining area a curvature which is smaller than that of the curved connection portion of the contact piece; such as a base plate.

Preferably For example, the base plate may include a plurality of spacer protrusions that are formed in a region in which they are provided with an inner circumferential surface of the Contact receiving cavity in contact.

Preferably can the contact piece and the gripping piece one or more longitudinally have running reinforcing pieces, the from the inner surfaces of the contact piece and the gripping piece raised to the inside are formed.

Preferably the receiving connection may further comprise: a support plate, the integral outside from the contact piece is designed to support this, wherein the support plate is formed at an upper end with a stop such that the stop faces a distal end of the contact piece.

Preferably are inside the lamp socket two terminal receiving cavity Terminal locking units are provided, wherein each terminal locking unit The following may have: A receiving recess in the longitudinal direction in a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the terminal receiving cavity in touch formed with the base plate of the female terminal; one elastic support piece, the inserted into the receiving recess and at its lower end is fixed in this; and a locking device that over the formed elastic support piece is and is designed to limit an upper end of the base plate.

Preferably the locking device may have a guide surface which is connected to a upper inner corner region of the same is formed and designed is, the introduction to facilitate the receiving connection. Preferably, this guide surface is as beveled Guiding surface formed.

advantageous Further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The Invention and developments of the invention are hereinafter with reference to the drawings of a preferred embodiment even closer explained. In the drawings show:

1a and 1b a lamp connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1a shows an exploded perspective view and 1b a sectional view shows;

2a and 2 B Representations of a Metaflanschlusseinheit for the lamp connector of 1a , in which 2a shows a perspective view and 2 B shows a sectional view of an essential area;

3 a front view for explaining an operating state of the metal terminal unit of 2a ;

4 a partially broken away perspective view for illustrating the lamp connector of 1a ; and

5 a perspective view of a conventional lamp connector.

in the The following will explain in more detail a preferred embodiment Referenced, which is shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be as far as possible the same reference numerals in the drawings and the description for the Designation of identical or corresponding parts used.

The 1a and 1b show a lamp connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 a shows an exploded perspective view and 1 b shows a sectional view.

As in 1a and 1b is shown, the lamp connector of the present invention comprises a lamp socket 20 for picking up a lamp 10 through an opening on one side and two metal connection units 30 inside the lamp holder 20 are attached. The lamp socket 20 has an upper lamp holder 21 in its interior a connection receiving cavity 210 forms, as well as a lower connector area 22 up, extending from the lamp holder 21 extends down and then at right angles to this away. Each metal connection unit 30 has an upper receiving port 31 for use in fixing a lower portion of the lamp 10 and a lower blade connector 32 on, which are separated from each other. The blade connector 32 is integrally molded in the lampholder by integral injection 20 appropriate. The blade connector 32 has an L-shaped contour corresponding to the contour of the connector area 22 ,

In the present embodiment, below the receiving terminal 31 a coupling device 33 provided in an integral manner with an upper end portion of the tab terminal 32 is connectable or separable from this.

With regard to the configuration of the lamp 10 this is a wedge socket lamp, and this has a light emitting area 11 and a region emitting at the lower end of the light-emitting region 11 trained base 12 , The base 12 is on both sides with a front and a rear retaining groove 12a educated. lead wires 13 coming from the light emitting area 11 guided to the outside, extend over a height of the retaining grooves 12a out to the top.

As is apparent from the above description with respect to the metal terminal unit 30 can be seen, due to the fact that the metal terminal unit 30 in the receiving port 31 with complicated structure as well as the flat plug connection 32 is divided with a simple structure, the blade connector 32 during the injection molding process of the lamp socket 20 by injecting quickly and easily into the lamp socket 20 be formed.

In such a molded state, the one end of the tab terminal protrudes 32 into the connector area 22 into it, and its other end juts into the lamp holder 21 into it. Subsequently, the recording port 31 into the terminal receiving cavity 210 of the lamp holder 21 used and in an indirect manner with the blade connector 32 coupled, through the intervening coupling device 33 ,

The coupling device 33 has a pair of fixation pieces 330 on, located below a lower end of the receiving connection 31 are located. The fixation pieces 330 each have a curvature area 330a on, which are symmetrically curved inwardly to each other centrally. It is easy to see that apart from the coupling device 30 various other coupling devices can be used which are commercially available.

The 2a and 2 B illustrate the in 1a illustrated Metallanschlusseinheit 30 , in which 2a a perspective view and 2 B show a sectional view of an essential area. 3 FIG. 16 is a front view for explaining an operating condition of FIG 2a shown metal connection unit 30 ,

As in the 2a . 2 B and 3 is shown has the female connector 31 a contact piece 310 , a gripping piece 311 as well as a base plate 312 for supporting the contact piece 310 and the gripping piece 311 behind these. The contact piece 310 is at an upper end with an inwardly projecting, curved connection area 310a trained, and the gripping piece 311 is with an inwardly projecting, curved retention area 311 at one of the connection areas 310a of the contact piece 310 trained accordingly. The curved retention area 311 of the gripping piece 311 has a curvature A smaller than a curvature B of the curved connection portion 310a of the contact piece 310 ,

With regard to the fixation of the lamp 10 this will be in the lamp holder 21 included when the lower base 12 the lamp 10 between the contact piece 310 and the gripping piece 311 in the metal connection unit 30 provided receiving connection 31 is fitted, and the recorded lamp 10 is firmly attached when the connection area 310a of the contact piece 310 and the detention area 311 of the gripping piece 311 into the respective retaining grooves 12a the base 12 intervention. The connection area 310a occurs with the appropriate conductor wire 13 in contact so that an electrical connection is made. In this case, the detention area protrudes 311 further inward to thereby form a substantially zero curvature, thus providing a more rigid fixation for the lamp 10 results.

The base plate 312 of the recording connection 31 is with a plurality of distance surveys 312a provided, which extend to the rear. Referring again to 1a , the distance surveys occur 312a in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of the terminal receiving cavity 210 and are supported on this, thereby causing unnecessary movement of the attached receiving terminal 31 to prevent.

The recording connection 31 also has longitudinally extending reinforcing pieces 313 on the inside surfaces of both the contact piece 310 as well as the gripping piece 311 each increased inwardly are formed. These reinforcements 313 serve to increase the elasticity of the contact piece 310 and the gripping piece 311 and for easier dissipation of heat from the lamp 10 due to the enlarged surfaces thereof, so that the heat distortion is minimized.

The recording connection 31 also has a support plate 314 on, the outside of the contact piece 310 is located to support this. The support plate 314 is at its upper end with a stop 314a designed such that the stop 314a a distal end of the contact piece 310 opposite. The stop 314a serves to prevent the distal end of the contact piece 310 with the inner peripheral surface of the Anschlußauf receiving cavity 210 (the in 1a shown) comes into contact when the lower base 12 the lamp 10 during insertion of the same in the press fit between the contact piece 310 and the gripping piece 311 is fitted so as to deform the curved joint area 310 of the contact piece 310 to prevent.

4 shows a partially broken perspective view showing the lamp connector according to 1a ,

As in 4 are shown inside the terminal receiving cavity 210 the lamp socket 20 two terminal locking units 220 according to the two metal connection units 30 educated. Each connection locking unit 220 has a recording recess 221 in the longitudinal direction in a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the terminal receiving cavity 210 in contact with the base plate 312 of the recording connection 31 is formed, an elastic support piece 222 into the receiving recess 221 is inserted and fixed at its lower end in this, and a locking device 223 above the elastic support piece 222 is formed and adapted to an upper end of the base plate 312 to limit.

With such a connection locking unit 220 becomes the recording port 31 after insertion into the terminal receiving cavity 210 rigidly fixed when the upper end of the base plate 312 through the locking device 223 is determined. In the case of a disconnection, however, the receiving port can 31 be solved in a simple manner by the locking device 223 is simply pushed up by means of a tool so that they from the upper end of the base plate 312 is disconnected.

The locking device 223 is beveled at an upper inner corner region to a beveled guide surface 223a to build. During insertion of the receiving connection 31 serves the beveled guide surface 223a for eliminating a disturbance from a lower corner portion of the receiving terminal 31 to thereby ensure a quick and easy mounting of the female connector 31 to enable.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention provides an L-shaped lamp connector having various effects as follows:
First, according to the present invention, since a metal terminal unit of the lamp connector is divided into a female terminal and a tab terminal, integral injection of the metal terminal into a lamp socket of the lamp connector can be achieved quickly and easily as compared with the prior art, so that the effect is improved can achieve a saving of the costs and time required for the molding process, which in turn can achieve the same a significant improvement in the productivity of the lamp connector and a reduction in the manufacturing cost thereof.

Secondly is in accordance with the present Invention due to the fact that a on a gripping piece of the receiving connection trained, curved Festhaltebereich has a smaller curvature than one on the contact piece the receiving terminal formed curved connection area, a achieved more rigid fixation of a lamp so that it is possible the risk of unintentional separation of the lamp and the emergence to minimize a defective connection in use.

There third, according to the present Invention a base plate of the female terminal with a plurality Spacer surveys is designed such that it during the Mounting the female terminal in close contact with an inner peripheral surface of a Terminal receiving cavity can occur and can be supported on this, can be an unnecessary one Prevent movement of the receiving port, resulting in a stable Fixing the lamp without wobbling results.

There Fourth, according to the present Invention the contact piece and the gripping piece each of the receiving terminal provided with one or more reinforcing pieces are, thereby the elasticity of the contact piece and the gripping piece to increase, let yourself achieve a more rigid fixation of the lamp, and it can be an effective discharge of the transmitted by the lamp Heat due their enlarged surface areas achieve, so that the heat deformation is minimized and the life of the female connector is increased.

Fifth, can according to the present Invention as a result of the formation of the support plate with a stop, such that a distal end of the contact piece does not interfere with the inner circumferential surface of the terminal receiving cavity in touch can occur and thereby deformation of the curved connection portion of the contact piece prevents a connection with an electric charge in stable Way and the life of the receiving connection be extended.

Sixth can according to the present Invention due to the arrangement of the terminal locking units inside the terminal receiving cavity of the lamp socket in one such that they can be actuated with a single touch, the respective receiving connection in a simple manner from the lamp socket be separated. In case of malfunction due to damage and impairment the receiving terminal can thus easily replaced become.

Further can according to the present Invention due to the fact that a locking device each Terminal locking unit is formed with a tapered guide surface, a disturbing impairment between a lower inner corner portion of the female terminal and a corresponding upper inner corner region of the locking device while the introduction of the Recording connection can be eliminated, so that a simple Assembly of the receiving connection results.

Claims (9)

Lamp connector with a lamp socket ( 20 ) for picking up a lamp ( 10 ) through an opening on its one side and with two metal connection units ( 30 ) inside the lamp holder ( 20 ) are provided, wherein the lamp holder ( 20 ) a lamp holder ( 21 ) having in its interior a terminal receiving cavity ( 210 ) and a connector area ( 22 ) extending from the lamp holder ( 21 ) extends downwardly and then at right angles thereto; each metal connection unit ( 30 ) an upper receiving port ( 31 ) for use in fixing a lower portion of the lamp ( 10 ) and a lower blade connector ( 32 ), wherein the receiving connection ( 31 ) and the blade connector ( 32 ) are separated from each other, wherein the blade terminal ( 32 ) by integral injection into the lamp socket ( 20 ) is integrally formed and an L-shaped contour corresponding to the connector area ( 22 ) of the lamp holder ( 20 ) having; and wherein the metal connection unit ( 30 ) a coupling device ( 33 ) integrally formed below the receiving port (FIG. 31 ) is provided, wherein the coupling device ( 33 ) with an upper end portion of the blade terminal ( 32 ) is connectable or separable from this. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the lamp ( 10 ) is a wedge socket lamp. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling device ( 33 ) a pair of fixation pieces ( 330 ) located below a lower end of the receiving port ( 31 ), wherein the fixing pieces ( 330 ) curved areas ( 330a ) which are symmetrically curved inwardly towards each other centrally. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the female connector ( 31 ) Comprises: a contact piece ( 310 ), which at an upper end thereof with an inwardly projecting curved connection area (FIG. 310a ) is trained; a gripping piece ( 311 ) located at a curved connection area ( 310a ) corresponding location with an inwardly projecting, curved retention area ( 311 ), wherein the curved retaining area ( 311 ) has a smaller curvature than that of the curved connection area (FIG. 310a ) of the contact piece ( 310 ) having; and a base plate ( 312 ). A connector according to claim 4, wherein the base plate ( 312 ) a plurality of distance surveys ( 312a ) formed in an area where it communicates with an inner circumferential surface of the terminal receiving cavity (10). 210 ) come into contact. A connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the contact piece ( 310 ) and the gripping piece ( 311 ) each have one or more longitudinal reinforcing pieces extending from inner surfaces of the contact piece ( 310 ) and the gripping piece ( 311 ) are formed increased inwards. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the female connector ( 31 ) further comprises: a support plate ( 314 ) integrally formed on the outside of the contact piece ( 310 ) is designed to support this, wherein the support plate ( 314 ) at an upper end with a stop ( 314a ) is designed such that the stop ( 314a ) a distal end of the contact piece ( 310 ) is facing. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein inside the terminal receiving cavity ( 210 ) of the lamp holder ( 20 ) two terminal locking units ( 220 ) and each terminal locking unit ( 220 ) Has a recording opening ( 221 ) longitudinally in a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the terminal receiving cavity (FIG. 210 ) in contact with the base plate ( 312 ) of the receiving connector ( 31 ) is formed; an elastic support piece ( 222 ), which is included in the Reception 221 ) is inserted and fixed at its lower end in this; and a locking device ( 223 ) located above the elastic support piece ( 222 ) is designed and adapted to an upper end of the base plate ( 312 ) to limit. A connector according to claim 8, wherein the locking device ( 223 ) a guide surface ( 223a ) formed at an upper inner corner portion thereof and for facilitating insertion of the female terminal (Fig. 31 ) is trained.