JPH1012341A - Discharge lamp lighting mechanism and discharge lamp socket used for the mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discharge lamp lighting mechanism and a lamp socket used for the mechanism that use a standard discharge lamp and that do not supply power if the discharge lamp or a shield member is incompletely mounted. SOLUTION: A socket 1 is provided with a first and a second contact 14 and 16 to be brought into contact with two electrodes of a discharge lamp 8 and a third contact 20 to be connected to a safety detection portion 66 through a shield cable 24. A third contact 20 is driven by means of a movable member 18 relatively rotating with the discharge lamp 8 against a socket housing 10 and can come into contact with a shield member 22. Only when the discharge lamp 8 and the shield member 22 are correctly attached, two electrodes 68 and 70 of the safety detection portion are short-circuited, and power supply due to a power supply portion 60 is permitted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discharge lamp socket used for a headlight of a vehicle and a discharge lamp lighting mechanism using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Gas discharge lamps have advantages of high brightness, energy saving, miniaturization and long life as compared with conventional incandescent lamps and halogen lamps. For this reason, it is expected that it will be widely used in the future as a headlight of an automobile, replacing a conventional halogen lamp or the like. Although the discharge lamp itself has a long service life, it is necessary, at least in the European market, that the vehicle user himself can replace the gas discharge lamp according to his / her preference. Since a high voltage is applied to the discharge lamp by an igniter, it is desirable to have a mechanism for protecting a replacement operator such as a user from electric shock when replacing the discharge lamp.

As a discharge lamp socket having a mechanism for protecting a discharge lamp replacement operator from electric shock, a socket shown in FIG. 18 has been proposed (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-17173).
Reference). A discharge lamp (described as a discharge lamp socket in the publication) 100 includes a discharge lamp 102 and a terminal portion 104. The terminal portion 104 has three terminals 106, 10
8, 110 of which two terminals 108, 11
0 is commonly connected. Discharge lamp socket 120
Are the three terminals 106, 108, 110 of the discharge lamp 100.
Terminals 122, 124, 126 respectively receiving the
Having. Then, as shown in FIG.
00 two terminals 106 and 108 are connected to the high voltage discharge lamp driving circuit 1
30 and one terminal 11 that is commonly connected.
0 is connected to the high voltage generation prohibition circuit 132. The high voltage generation inhibiting circuit 132 is connected to the discharge lamp 100 by the terminal 126.
Is connected to the high-voltage discharge lamp drive circuit. Therefore, when the discharge lamp 100 is not connected to the discharge lamp socket 120, the generation of the high voltage by the high voltage discharge lamp driving circuit 130 is stopped to prevent the electric shock of the operator.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The discharge lamp socket 120 described in the above publication functions only with a special discharge lamp having three terminals. For this reason, there is a problem that a discharge lamp and a socket having three terminals cannot be accepted in the market at present when a two-terminal discharge lamp has become a standard.

Further, a discharge lamp driven at a high voltage and a mechanism for driving the discharge lamp are sources of electromagnetic noise, and therefore need to be sufficiently shielded. However, the socket and the mechanism around the socket described in the above publication do not take any measures against electromagnetic noise. Even if a shield is simply provided in the socket and its surrounding mechanism, a high voltage may be generated with the shield being incomplete.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge lamp lighting mechanism and a discharge lamp socket for preventing generation of a high voltage when replacing a standard two-pole discharge lamp. This is the purpose of 1.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a discharge lamp socket which does not generate a high voltage when the shield is incomplete, and a lighting mechanism using the same.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge lamp lighting mechanism comprising: a socket for receiving a discharge lamp; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the socket. A movable member engaged with the discharge lamp and rotatable relative to the discharge lamp receiving position and the discharge lamp mounting position with respect to the housing of the socket; and mounting the discharge lamp with the rotation of the movable member. A switch unit that operates at a completion position, and a safety detection unit that allows the power supply from the power supply unit only when the switch unit is operated, is provided in the power supply unit.

A discharge lamp lighting mechanism according to a second aspect of the present invention is the discharge lamp lighting mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the movable member has conductivity, and the switch means is directly connected to the safety detector. It is characterized by comprising a conductor and the movable member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge lamp lighting mechanism including a socket for receiving a discharge lamp and a power supply unit for supplying power to the socket. A movable member rotatable relative to a discharge lamp receiving position and a discharge lamp mounting completion position with respect to the housing of the socket, and the socket at the discharge lamp mounting completion position with rotation of the movable member. A contact piece that comes into contact with the shield member attached to the outer periphery of the power supply unit;
A safety detector is provided which allows the power supply from the power supply unit only when the contact piece contacts the shield member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge lamp socket including a housing having a concave portion for receiving a discharge lamp, and first and second contacts arranged facing the concave portion. A movable member which engages with a projection on the side surface of the discharge lamp and is rotatable relative to the housing between a discharge lamp receiving position and a discharge lamp mounting completed position, and is connected to the first and second contacts; A third contact connected to a conductor other than the conductor, wherein the third contact driven by the rotation of the movable member contacts a shield member or the second contact provided on an outer periphery of the housing. Features.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge lamp socket including a housing having a concave portion for receiving a discharge lamp, and first and second contacts arranged facing the concave portion. A movable member which engages with the projection on the side surface of the discharge lamp and is rotatable relative to the housing between a discharge lamp receiving position and a discharge lamp mounting completion position, wherein the movable member is provided with the discharge lamp mounting completion. A latch that locks with the housing in a position.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp socket according to the fifth aspect, the discharge lamp socket further has third and fourth contacts independent of the first and second contacts. The movable member has conductivity, and the third contact and the fourth contact are determined by a rotational position with respect to the housing.
The contact can be short-circuited.

[0014]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of the discharge lamp lighting mechanism of the present invention.

The discharge lamp lighting mechanism includes a discharge lamp 8,
A discharge lamp socket (hereinafter simply referred to as a socket) 1;
Ballast for supplying power to the discharge lamp 8
t) 6. The ballast 6 is supplied with electric power from a battery (not shown) of the vehicle. The discharge lamp 8 is
A discharge lamp main body 80 in which a gas such as xenon or mercury is sealed in a quartz glass tube, and a mounting portion 82 made of an insulating material. The mounting portion 82 has a large-diameter flange 84, a medium-diameter portion 86 provided with a projection 90 on a side surface, and a small-diameter portion 88.
A central electrode 9 is provided on the bottom side (right end in FIG. 1) of the small diameter portion 88.
2 (not shown), and an outer electrode 94 is provided on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 88 on the medium diameter portion 86 side.

The socket 1 comprises an insulating housing 10 having a recess 12 for receiving the discharge lamp 8,
The first contact 14 and the second contact 16 contacting the two electrodes 92 and 94, respectively, the socket housing 10
And a third contact (contact piece) 20 driven by the movable member 18. The movable member 18 is made of an insulating material and is rotatably arranged along the inner periphery of the concave portion 12. The socket 1 is further surrounded by a metal shield member 22. The first contact 14 of the socket 1 is soldered to the first conductor 26 projecting from one end of the shielded cable 24, the second contact 16 is soldered to the second conductor 28, and the third contact 20 is soldered to the third conductor 30. The connections are made by known connection methods such as welding, crimping, and pressure welding.
The shield layer 32 of the shield cable 24 is in contact with the inner wall of the opening 34 of the shield member 22.

The other end of the shielded cable 24 is a ballast 6
It is connected to the. That is, the first of the shielded cables 24
The conductor 26 and the second conductor 28 are respectively connected to electrodes 62 and 64 of a power supply unit 60 that supplies power to the discharge lamp 8. Although not shown, the power supply unit 60 includes an igniter that generates a high voltage of, for example, 28 kV to light the discharge lamp 8, and a power supply that supplies a stable power of, for example, 35 W after the discharge lamp is turned on. Including a ballast. Shielded cable 2
The third conductor 30 and the shield layer 32 of the fourth
Are connected to the electrodes 68 and 70, respectively. The shield layer 32 is in contact with the housing 72 at an opening 74 of the metal housing 72 that further shields the ballast 6. The housing 72 is grounded 76 to a vehicle chassis (not shown). Line 7 between the safety detection unit 66 and the power supply unit 60
8, the safety detector 66 sends a signal to the power supply 60 via the line 78 to permit voltage generation only when the electrodes 68 and 70 are short-circuited.

With this mechanism, the electric shock prevention mechanism operates as follows. That is, first, since the movable member 18 in the socket 1 has the groove 18b which engages with the projection 90 of the discharge lamp 8, the discharge lamp 8 is inserted into the concave portion 12 of the socket 1 and the socket 1 is rotated by a predetermined angle. Then, the protrusion 90 and the groove 1
Due to the engagement of 8b, the movable member 18 rotates relative to the socket 1 from the discharge lamp receiving position to the discharge lamp mounting completed position. Due to this rotation, the cam portion 18a at one end of the movable member 18 causes the third contact 20 to bend outwardly.
Is brought into contact with the inner wall of the shield member 22 as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the discharge lamp 8 is properly mounted on the socket 1 and the shield member 22 is mounted on the socket 1 from behind the socket 1.
Only when it is properly mounted on the upper side, the electrodes 68 and 70 of the safety detecting section 66 are short-circuited by the contact of the third contact 20 and the shield member 22 constituting the switch means. As a result, the safety detection unit 66 sends a high voltage generation permission signal to the power supply unit 60 via the line 78, and the power can be supplied.

When the discharge lamp 8 is not properly mounted in the socket 1 (including the case where the discharge lamp 8 is not mounted), the cam portion 18a of the movable plate 18 does not press the third contact 20 outward. Absent. Third contact 20
Does not contact the inner wall of the shield member 22 unless pressed by the cam portion 18a. For this reason, since the space between the electrodes 68 and 70 of the safety detection unit 66 is kept open, the high voltage generation permission signal is not sent to the power supply unit 60, and power is not supplied. Therefore, the first contact 1 in the socket 1
4. Since no high voltage is generated between the second contacts 16,
Workers do not get an electric shock.

If the shield member 22 is not properly mounted on the socket 1 (including the case where it is not mounted),
Since the inner wall of the shield member 22 is not at a position where it can come into contact with the third contact 20, the third contact 20
The third contact 20 does not contact the shield member 22 irrespective of whether the third contact 20 is pressed outward by a. For this reason, power is not supplied from the power supply unit 60 as in the case where the discharge lamp 8 is not properly mounted in the socket 1,
Workers do not get an electric shock. When the shield member 22 is properly mounted on the socket 1, the inner wall of the shield member 22 comes into contact with the third contact 20, and the spring contact portion 22d at the front end of the shield member 22 is As a result, the ballast 6 is shielded from the ballast 6 to the reflector 3 via the shielded cable 24 and the socket 1, and almost no noise is given to the devices in the vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a discharge lamp lighting mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same members as those of the first embodiment correspond to the same reference numerals, but the different members have the same reference numerals with prime symbols. The difference between the socket 1 'of the present embodiment and the socket 1 of the first embodiment is that when the discharge lamp 8 is not mounted or incompletely mounted on the socket 1', the third contact 20 'is replaced with the second contact 16'. , But when the discharge lamp 8 is properly mounted in the socket 1 ′, the cam member 18 a ′ of the movable member 18 ′.
This is the point where the third contact 20 'is bent inward and comes into contact with the second contact 16', that is, the second and third contacts 16 'and 20' constitute switch means. Further, the point that the ballast 6 ′ in the present embodiment is different from the ballast 6 of the first embodiment is that one electrode 64 of the power supply unit 60 is short-circuited with one electrode 68 of the safety detection unit 66 and the ballast 6 ′ The point is that the three conductors 30 are connected to the other electrode 70 of the safety detection unit 66.

Therefore, when the discharge lamp 8 is properly mounted in the socket 1 ', the two electrodes 68, 70 of the safety detecting section 66 are formed because the second contact 16' and the third contact 20 'come into contact with each other. Short circuit. As a result, a high-voltage generation permission signal is sent to the power supply unit 60 via the line 78, and the power supply becomes possible. vice versa,
When the discharge lamp 8 is not mounted or incompletely mounted on the socket 1 ′, the third contact 20 ′ does not contact the second contact 16 ′. It remains open. Therefore, the high voltage generation permission signal is not sent to the power supply unit 60, and the power is not supplied, so that the operator is not shocked.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing another embodiment of the discharge lamp socket of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the discharge lamp socket of FIG. 3 as viewed from below. Note that the shield member is slightly different from that of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the discharge lamp socket of FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the discharge lamp socket of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lid member of the shield member of FIG.

3 to 6, the insulating housing 10 '' of the socket 1 '' includes a main body housing 11 for receiving a discharge lamp (not shown) and conductors 26, 28 and 30 as shown in FIG. And a cover housing 54 for supporting. Four substantially inverted J-shaped grooves 38 communicating with the front end of the discharge lamp insertion side are formed in the outer wall 36 of the main body housing 11.
Are formed at equal intervals. These grooves 38 are for receiving projections 90 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) of the discharge lamp 8 and engaging with the projections 90 in a so-called bayonet manner.
The first contact 14 at the center of the socket 1 ″ is located on the central axis of the main body housing 11, and as shown in FIG. 6, receives a central electrode 92 (not shown) of the discharge lamp 8 at one end and makes contact therewith. And a connecting portion 14b for terminating the first conductor 26 on the other end side. Around main body housing 11 around contact leaf 14a,
The wall 40 and the discharge prevention seal member 42 are disposed.
The outer second contact 16 is disposed between the outer wall 36 and the inner wall 44 of the main housing 11. Two contacts 16 formed at two free ends of the second contact 16
a protrudes inward through the two notches 44a of the inner wall 44, respectively, and comes into contact with the outer electrode 94 of the discharge lamp 8 (see FIG. 1 or 2).

The movable member 18 ″ of the socket 1 ″ is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate, and is formed along the inner surface of the outer wall 36 of the main body housing 11.
1 is relatively rotatable around a central axis. The movable member 18 ″ is formed with two grooves 18 b respectively corresponding to the two grooves 38 of the outer wall 36, and receives the projection 90 of the discharge lamp 8 in the same manner as the groove 38. Movable member 18 ''
Is different from the movable members 18 and 18 ′ of FIGS.
It is made of metal, has a latch 18c exposed from an opening 46 formed in the outer wall 36 of the main body housing 11, and is a point that terminates the third conductor 30 behind the main body housing 11. That is, the latch 1 of the movable member 18 ″
8c from the discharge lamp non-mounting (receiving) position to the discharge lamp mounting completion position with respect to the body housing 11
By rotating the 8 ″ relatively, FIG.
As shown by broken lines in FIG. 6 and FIG. 17, the distal end of the latch 18c is engaged with the inner wall of the opening 46 of the main body housing 11 to prevent the movable member 18 '' from rotating in the opposite direction.
This eliminates the need for a separate latch and reduces the number of components. To release the latch, the latch 18c is pressed inward to release the latch between the latch 18c and the opening 46, and the main housing 11 is rotated in the opposite direction. Also,
While the movable member 18 ″ is connected to the third conductor 30,
The latch 18c corresponding to the third contact in FIG. 1 corresponds to the movable member 18 '' because the latch 18c serving as a contact piece constitutes a switch means for contacting the inwardly protruding portion 22a of the shield member 22 '' through the opening 46. And eliminates the need for a separate contact.

In FIG. 6, the cover housing 54 of the socket 1 ″ is formed by a plurality of ribs 48 of the main body housing 11.
Have a plurality of ribs 56 for sandwiching the conducting wire 26 between them.
Therefore, these ribs 48 and 56 are
1 latch 50 and locking hole 58 of cover housing 54
When the cover housing 54 is fixed to the main body housing 11 by the locking of the cover housing 54, the cover housing 54 has a function of strain relief for the conductor 26. The cover housing 54 extends the conductors 26, 28, and 30 forward, so that the notch 22c of the shield member 22 '' can be reduced as described later, and the shielding performance is enhanced. Also, as is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper half of the main body housing 11 and the cover housing 54 are substantially continuous with each other, so that the shield member 22 ″ is not hindered by the housing 10 ″ (1
1, 54).

3 to 5, the shield member 2
2 ″ is made of metal, the housing receiving opening and the conductor 2
Socket 1 '' except where 6, 28 and 30 extend
Is formed so as to cover almost the entire surface. As described above, the side surface of the shield member 22 ″ has the inward protruding portion 22a that can contact the latch 18c of the movable member 18 ″. Further, an outer protruding portion 22b is formed between the housing receiving opening and the protruding portion 22a to avoid contact with the latch 18c of the movable member 18 ''. Due to this outwardly protruding portion 22b, the shield member 22 '' does not come into contact with the latch 18c unless it is properly mounted. A notch 22c for extending the conductors 26, 28, 30 outward is formed in communication with the housing receiving opening. Since the notch 22c allows electromagnetic noise from the socket 1 '' to pass therethrough, FIG.
Notch 2 using a separate metal lid member 23 shown in FIG.
It is desirable to block 2c. The lid member 23 has a spring contact portion 23a at one end contacting the reflecting mirror 3 (see FIG. 1), a connection portion 23b connected to the periphery of the shield layer 32 of the shielded cable 24 by crimping or the like at the other end, and And an intermediate portion 23c. A pair of tongue pieces 23d and 23e sandwiching the edge of the notch 22c is provided on each of the left and right sides of the intermediate portion 23c. The cover member 23 has a notch 2 as a whole.
Since it has a shape substantially coinciding with 2c, noise leakage from the notch 22c is prevented. The shield member 22 ″ has the same oval cross section as the cover housing 54, and has a notch 22c for receiving the cable 24 only at the lower portion.
Therefore, no high voltage is generated at the first and second contacts 14 and 16. In addition, the shield member 2
2 '' preferably has a spring contact portion 22d at the front end thereof for contacting the reflecting mirror 3 as shown in FIG.

The electric shock prevention mechanism in this embodiment is basically the same as the embodiment in FIG. That is, the first conductor 26 connected to the first contact 14 of the socket 1 ''
Is connected to one electrode 62 (FIG. 1) of the power supply unit 60 and the second conductor 28 connected to the second contact 16 is connected to the power supply unit 6.
0 is connected to the other electrode 64 (FIG. 1). Further, the third conductor 30 connected to the movable member 18 instead of the third contact is connected to one electrode 68 of the safety detecting section 66 by the shield cable 24 connected to the shield member 22 ″ via the lid member 23. Layer 32 is a safety detector 66
Are connected to the other electrodes 70, respectively. Accordingly, when the shield member 22 ″ is not properly attached to the socket 1 ″, the space between the electrodes 68 and 70 of the safety detection unit 66 remains open, and the first and second sockets 1 ″ of the socket 1 ″ are left open.
No high voltage is generated between the contacts 14 and 16, and the operator is not shocked.

The procedure for supplying power to the discharge lamp 8 is as follows. First, the discharge lamp 8 is mounted on the reflector 3 (3 ') of the vehicle. Next, the socket 1 '' is attached to the rear of the discharge lamp 8, and the socket 1 '' is rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle. During this rotation, the movable member 18 ″ engaged with the projection 90 of the discharge lamp 8 is
Although it is immovable with respect to (3 ′) and the discharge lamp 8, it is relatively rotated in relation to the main body housing 11 and the cover member 54. Therefore, the projection 90 of the discharge lamp 8 is prevented from being pulled out by the groove 38 of the main body housing 11, and the latch 18 c of the movable member 18 ″ is engaged with the opening 46 of the main body housing 11, and the movable member 18 Prevents '' from rotating in the opposite direction.
Then, from the back of the socket 1 '', the shielding member 2
When the 2 ″ is sufficiently attached, the inwardly protruding portion 22a of the shield member 22 ″ comes into contact with the latch 18c of the movable member 18 ″ exposed from the opening 46 of the main body housing 11, and at this time, the safety detecting section 66 is not provided. Between the electrodes 68 and 70 is short-circuited, and the power supply unit 60 is ready for power supply.

FIG. 8 is a front and bottom perspective view showing still another embodiment of the discharge lamp socket of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp socket of FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover housing is removed from the lamp socket of FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10, showing a state where the third and fourth contacts are short-circuited. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a movable member used for the lamp socket of FIG. 8. FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. FIG. 14 is a front view showing a housing main body used for the lamp socket of FIG. 8 together with first and second contacts and a movable member. FIG.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14.

8 and 9, the lamp socket 1 "" of the present embodiment has a main housing 11 "" and a cover housing 5 similar to the embodiment of FIGS.
4 ″ ″, an insulating housing 10 ″ ″, first and second contacts 14, 16, and a conductive metal movable member 1.
8 ″ ′. The body housing 11 '''is substantially the same as the body housing 11 of FIGS. 3 to 6 for receiving the discharge lamp 8 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). Are provided with a bridge 39, and the conductor 26, under the discharge lamp receiving part,
The difference is that an extension 41 that covers 28, 30, 31 is provided. An extension 59 is also provided on the cover housing 54 '''to cover the conductors 26, 28, 30, 31. A metal shield clip 92 is attached around the extension portions 41 and 59, and the shield layer 32 (see FIG. 9) of the shielded cable 24 is fixed between the extension portions 41 and 59 and the shield clip 92.

In FIG. 10 and FIG.
6 connected to the electrodes 68, 70 (see FIG. 1)
Third and fourth contacts 94, 9 are provided at the tips of 0, 31.
6 are connected to each other. The third and fourth contacts 94 and 96 are short-circuited by the movable member 18 ″ ′ at the discharge lamp mounting completion position shown in FIG. Since the third and fourth contacts 94 and 96 have the same shape, there is an advantage that only one mold is required to manufacture them.
Each of the contacts 94 and 96 has a contact portion 9 curved to a small diameter.
4a, 96a, and connection portion 94 for crimping conductors 30, 31
b, 96b, contact portions 94a, 96a, and connection portion 94
b, 96b, which are bent 90 ° from the press-fit portions 94c, 96c and abut against the cover housing 54 '''.
4d and 96d. Contact portions 94a, 96
Since a has little flexibility, the harness including the conductor 30 (31) and the contact 94 (96) is
Even if it is processed at a high temperature such as 200 ° C. together with (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2), the contact characteristics of the contacts 94 and 96 are not adversely affected. Also, the contact portions 94d, 96
d also functions as a contact surface with a press-fitting tool (not shown) when press-fitting the third and fourth contacts 94 and 96 into the housing recesses 51 and 53 of the main body housing 11 ″ ′. Thereby, the contact portions 94a and 96a are not damaged at the time of press fitting.

12 to 16, the movable member 1
8 '''' is a groove 18b which engages with the projection 90 (see FIG. 1 or 2) of the discharge lamp 8 and the main body housing 11 ''''.
Latches 18c for locking the two grooves 45, 47, elastic contact pieces 18e, 18f for contacting the third and fourth contacts 94, 96, respectively, and locking of the main housing 11 '''. It has locking tabs 18g and 18h for locking to the step portion 49. Movable member 18 '''
Is inserted from the rear of the main body housing 11 ′ ″ (right side in FIG. 15) until the locking tabs 18 g and 18 h lock on the locking step 49. Elastic contact pieces 18e, 18f
Have curved projections 18i, 18j on their side edges.
Contact portions 94a, 9 of the third and fourth contacts 94, 96
6a are elastic contact pieces 18e, 18f of the movable member 18 '''.
However, the elastic contact pieces 18e and 18f are further provided with curved protrusions 18i and 18j to reliably prevent collision with the contact portions 94a and 96a, thereby further smoothing the engagement. Realizing the proper engagement. The two grooves 45, 47 of the main body housing 11 '''correspond to a discharge lamp non-mounting (receiving) position and a discharge lamp mounting completion position, respectively. That is, the latch 18c of the movable member 18 '''
Inserts the discharge lamp 8 (FIG. 1) into the socket 1 ″ ′ at the discharge lamp non-mounting position where the projections 90 of the discharge lamp 8 are engaged with the grooves 18 b of the movable member 18 ″. In the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
Is rotated, the latch 18c is locked in the groove 47 corresponding to the discharge lamp mounting completion position. The locking of the grooves 45, 47 and the latch 18c of the movable member 18 '''prevents accidental relative movement of the movable member 18''' due to vibration or the like.

In this embodiment, the dedicated conductors 30 and 31 directly connected to the safety detector are used, and a conductive movable member is used as the switch means. Since the number of contacts interposed in the safety detection circuit composed of the movable member 18 '''can be significantly reduced, not only the reliability of the connection of the safety detection circuit is increased, but also the assembly workability is simple because the mechanism is simple. Excellent.

Although the discharge lamp socket of the present invention and the discharge lamp lighting mechanism using the same have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made as necessary. It is possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the third conductor of the shielded cable 24 connects the third conductor 30 to the third contact 20 ″ ″ without using a separate fourth conductor, and the third contact 20 ″. '' May be brought into contact with the movable member 18 ''''. In this case, since the third contact 20 "" has a projection (not shown) extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface fixed to the housing, the third contact 20 "" and the movable member 18 "" are fixed. 'Contact with the appropriate contact pressure,
The latch 18c contacts a shield member (not shown).
In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, at the discharge lamp non-mounting (receiving) position (solid line), the third contact 20 ″ ″ ″ is connected to the second contact 16 and the conductive movable member 1.
8 ″ ″ ′, but at the discharge lamp mounting completed position (broken line), the movable member 1
8 ″ ″ ′ projection 18d is the third contact 2
By pressing 0 ″ ″ ′, the projection 18d, the second
The contact 16 and the third contact 20 "" may be communicated with each other. According to these embodiments, the number of components constituting the safety detection circuit together with the safety detection unit is minimized, so that the cost is reduced. Further, the safety detection unit 66 sends the power supply permission signal to the power supply unit 60 only when the electrodes 68 and 70 are short-circuited. The power supply permission signal may be sent. In this case, it is needless to say that it is necessary to provide a switching mechanism in the socket that is reverse to the above-described embodiment, that is, a switch mechanism that opens only when the discharge lamp is properly mounted in the socket.

The discharge lamp lighting mechanism of the present invention may be in the following mode. That is, in a discharge lamp lighting mechanism including a socket for receiving a discharge lamp and a power supply unit for supplying power to the socket, the discharge lamp engages with the discharge lamp in the socket, and the discharge lamp with respect to a housing of the socket. A movable member rotatable relatively between the receiving position and the discharge lamp mounting completion position, and switch means that operates at the discharge lamp mounting completion position with the rotation of the movable member; The power supply includes one of two contacts that are in contact with the two electrodes of the discharge lamp, and a third contact. The power supply unit receives a signal from the power supply unit only when the switch unit is operated. A discharge lamp lighting mechanism including a safety detection unit that allows power supply. According to this mechanism, there is an advantage that the number of components constituting the safety detection circuit together with the safety detection unit is minimized and the cost is reduced.

The socket for a discharge lamp of the present invention can also be implemented in the following mode. That is, in a discharge lamp socket including a housing having a concave portion for receiving a discharge lamp, and a center contact and an outer contact arranged facing the concave portion, the concave portion of the housing is associated with a protrusion on a side surface of the discharge lamp. A conductive movable member rotatable between a discharge lamp receiving position and a discharge lamp mounting completion position with respect to the housing, and a shield member attached to an outer periphery of the housing; A discharge lamp socket comprising: a latch that locks with an opening formed in an outer wall of the housing in a completed position, and the latch contacts the shield member through the opening. According to this socket, at the discharge lamp mounting completion position, the latch is locked in the opening and the conductive latch is in contact with the shield member, so that the discharge lamp can be locked to the socket with a small number of parts, and the discharge lamp and There is an advantage that complete mounting of the shield member can be detected.

[0038]

According to the discharge lamp lighting mechanism of the first aspect, there is an advantage that electric shock can be prevented before mounting or replacing the discharge lamp without using a special discharge lamp.

According to the discharge lamp lighting mechanism of the second aspect,
Since the number of contacts interposed in the safety detection unit including the safety detection unit, the two conductors, and the movable member is significantly reduced, there is an advantage that the reliability of the connection of the safety detection circuit is high.

According to the discharge lamp lighting mechanism of the third aspect,
When the mounting of the discharge lamp and the shield member to the socket is incomplete, no power is supplied to the discharge lamp, so that there is an advantage that it is safe and there is no influence on other mounting due to the generation of electromagnetic noise.

According to the discharge lamp socket of claim 4,
There is an advantage that a discharge lamp socket suitable for a discharge lamp lighting mechanism for preventing electric shock before mounting or replacing the discharge lamp can be obtained.

According to the discharge lamp socket of claim 5,
There is an advantage that the discharge lamp can be reliably prevented from falling off from the socket with a small number of parts.

According to the discharge lamp socket of claim 6,
There is an advantage that a discharge lamp socket suitable for a discharge lamp lighting mechanism having a safety detection unit can be obtained with a small number of parts.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a discharge lamp lighting mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the discharge lamp lighting mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing another embodiment of the discharge lamp socket of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view of the discharge lamp socket of FIG. 3 as viewed from below.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the discharge lamp socket of FIG. 3 as viewed from behind and from below.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the discharge lamp socket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a lid member of the shield member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a front and bottom perspective view showing still another embodiment of the discharge lamp socket of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge lamp socket of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover housing is removed from the discharge lamp socket of FIG. 8, as viewed from the rear and above.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10, showing a state where the third contact and the fourth contact are short-circuited.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a movable member used in the discharge lamp socket of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a housing body used for the discharge lamp socket of FIG. 8 together with first contacts and second contacts.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a rear cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the discharge lamp socket of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a rear cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the discharge lamp socket of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional discharge lamp socket.

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a high-pressure discharge lamp driving circuit using the socket of FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 ', 1 ", 1"' discharge lamp socket 8 discharge lamp 10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"' housing 12 recess 14 first contact 16, 16 'second contact 18, 18' , 18 '', 18 ''',18'''',
18 """movable member 18c latch 20, 20 ', 20", 20 "'20"", 2
0 """, 94 Third contact 22, 22 ', 22" Shielding member 26, 28, 30, 31 Conductor 60 Power supply 66 Safety detector 90 Projection 96 Fourth contact

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A discharge lamp lighting mechanism comprising: a socket for receiving a discharge lamp; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the socket, wherein the socket is engaged with the discharge lamp and a housing for the socket is provided. A movable member relatively rotatable between the discharge lamp receiving position and the discharge lamp mounting completed position,
Switch means that operates at the discharge lamp mounting completion position with the rotation of the movable member, wherein the power supply unit allows power supply from the power supply unit only when the switch means is operated. A discharge lamp lighting mechanism comprising a detection unit. 2. The discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein said movable member has conductivity, and said switch means comprises two conductors directly connected to said safety detecting portion and said movable member. Lighting mechanism. 3. A discharge lamp lighting mechanism comprising: a socket for receiving a discharge lamp; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the socket, wherein the socket is engaged with the discharge lamp and a housing for the socket is provided. A movable member relatively rotatable between the discharge lamp receiving position and the discharge lamp mounting completed position,
A contact piece that comes into contact with a shield member attached to the outer periphery of the socket at the discharge lamp mounting completion position with the rotation of the movable member, wherein the contact piece contacts the shield member in the power supply unit. A discharge lamp lighting mechanism provided with a safety detection unit that allows the power supply from the power supply unit only when the power is supplied. 4. A discharge lamp socket comprising: a housing having a concave portion for receiving a discharge lamp; and a first contact and a second contact arranged facing the concave portion, wherein the housing has a protrusion on a side surface of the discharge lamp. A movable member that is engaged and rotatable relative to the housing between the discharge lamp receiving position and the discharge lamp mounting completed position, and is connected to a conductor other than the conductor connected to the first and second contacts. A discharge lamp socket provided with a third contact, wherein the third contact driven by the rotation of the movable member contacts a shield member provided on an outer periphery of the housing or the second contact. 5. A discharge lamp socket comprising: a housing having a concave portion for receiving a discharge lamp; and a first contact and a second contact arranged facing the concave portion, wherein the housing has a protrusion on a side surface of the discharge lamp. A movable member engaged with the housing and rotatable relative to the housing between a discharge lamp receiving position and a discharge lamp mounting completed position, the movable member engaging with the housing at the discharge lamp mounting completed position; A discharge lamp socket having a latch. 6. The discharge lamp socket further includes third and fourth contacts that are independent of the first and second contacts, wherein the movable member has conductivity and rotates with respect to the housing. The discharge lamp socket according to claim 5, wherein the third contact and the fourth contact can be short-circuited depending on a position.