WO2012157896A2

WO2012157896A2 - Socket for wedge bulb

Info

Publication number: WO2012157896A2
Application number: PCT/KR2012/003697
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung Wook Na
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp Korea Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-05-13
Filing date: 2012-05-11
Publication date: 2012-11-22
Also published as: WO2012157896A3; CN203707526U; KR20120127016A; KR101756483B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a socket for a wedge bulb. The wedge bulb has a connector protruding from a lower portion of a light emitter and exposing electric terminals connected to opposite ends of filaments installed in the light emitter at one side and an opposite side of a front surface and a rear surface of the connector. The socket includes a wedge bulb support having a resilient support terminal connected to one filament to resiliently support the connector while being connected to the electric terminal exposed to the connector and supporting the connector of the wedge bulb by minimizing a gap formed between the connector and the socket. The wedge bulb socket is manufactured by using a mold dedicated for a dual wedge bulb socket, so the manufacturing cost is significantly reduced.

Description

SOCKET FOR WEDGE BULB

The present invention relates to a socket for fixing a wedge bulb, and more particularly, to a socket for a wedge bulb in which a wedge bulb may be a single wedge bulb having one filament or a double wedge bulb having two filaments and may be supported even if vibration is applied to the wedge bulb by using a socket for a double wedge bulb having two filaments even when one filament is used.

Wedge bulbs are widely used as lighting unit in mechanical apparatuses including vehicles and electric apparatuses. Referring to FIG. 7, as disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2009-83831 (titled Socket for Wedge Bulb) filed by the applicant of the present invention, a light emitter 1a turned on by supplied electric power is formed at an upper portion of a bulb and a connector 1b to be fixedly inserted into a wedge bulb socket (not shown), which is a dedicated socket, is formed at a lower portion of the light emitter 1a.

Here, the light emitter 1a is a dual bulb type having two filaments, and a pair of

electric terminals

11a and 11b for supplying electric power to front and rear surfaces of the connector 1b are installed in the connector 1b.

Resilient support terminals

2a and 2b connected to the

electric terminals

11a and 11b, respectively, are installed in the socket. The

resilient support terminals

2a and 2b include a first resilient support terminal 2a having a single body to which all of a pair of electric terminals formed on a front surface of the connector 1b are grounded with respect to one electric wire, and a pair of second resilient support terminals 2b formed independently from each other such that a pair of electric terminals formed on a rear surface of the connector 1b are grounded to separate electric wires, respectively.

Here, resilient support pieces 21 are formed at upper portions of the first and second

resilient support terminals

2a and 2b so as to be connected to the

electric terminals

11a and 11b of the connector 1b while resiliently protruding inward when the first and second

resilient support terminals

2a and 2b are installed in the socket and to resiliently press a front surface and a rear surface of the connector 1b, respectively.

As the above-configured wedge bulb is resiliently pressed and fixed by the

resilient support terminals

2a and 2b pressing ground wires which are separated from the

electric terminals

11a and 11b of the connector 1b, and the resilient support pieces 21 protruding from the

resilient support terminals

2a and 2b, a gap space between the connector and the socket can be reduced, making it possible to overcome a problem of unstable electric connections due to vibration or an impact applied from the outside.

However, the above-described wedge bulb is a dual bulb where two filaments are installed in the light emitter 1a and a pair of

electric terminals

11a and 11b are installed on a front surface and a rear surface of the connector 1b, but electric power is applied only to one filament of the two filaments or a single bulb where only one filament is installed is used according to the purpose, so it is required to change the socket as one electric terminal is installed on a front surface and a rear surface of the connector of the single bulb.

In detail, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, in the case of a single wedge bulb, as only one electric terminal 11a is exposed to one surface and an opposite surface of the connector 1b, respectively, the resilient support terminal is installed to support only the electric terminal 11a.

Then, as a location where a resilient support terminal is not installed, that is, a location of an electric terminal in the case of a dual wedge bulb becomes an empty space, the connector 1b is undesirably moved to an empty space when an impact is applied from the outside.

Further, referring to FIG. 8B, when only one filament is used in a dual wedge bulb, a location where a resilient support terminal is not installed as in a single wedge bulb becomes an empty space, so the connector 1b cannot be fixed if an impact is applied from the outside.

Accordingly, a socket to support a single wedge bulb or a dual wedge bulb using only one filament while maintaining a structure for supporting a dual wedge bulb as in a socket according to the related art is required.

Meanwhile, since an existing mold cannot be used in order to form a new type socket, it is necessary to manufacture a new mold, which increases manufacturing costs of a socket.

The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a socket for a wedge bulb which uses one electric terminal with a support structure such as a socket for a dual wedge bulb.

The present invention also provides a socket for a wedge bulb, which supports a connector of a single wedge bulb and supports a gap between a location where an electric terminal is not present and a socket.

The present invention also provides a socket for a wedge bulb which supports a gap between a connector and a socket formed by not installing a resilient support terminal as one of electric terminals of a dual bulb is not electrically connected.

In order to accomplish the above objects, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a socket for a wedge bulb, the wedge bulb having a connector protruding from a lower portion of a light emitter and exposing electric terminals connected to opposite ends of filaments installed in the light emitter at one side and an opposite side of a front surface and a rear surface of the connector, the socket comprising: a wedge bulb support including a resilient support terminal connected to one filament to resiliently support the connector while being connected to the electric terminal exposed to the connector and supporting the connector of the wedge bulb by minimizing a gap formed between the connector and the socket.

Electric terminals are exposed to both sides of the connector of the socket, and one electric terminal is located at one side of a front surface of the connector and a remaining one electric terminal is located at an opposite side of a rear surface of the connector such that the resilient support terminal is connected to the electric terminals, and wherein the wedge bulb support is a support rib formed on an inner surface of the socket to contact a front surface and a rear surface of the connector while avoiding interference of the electric terminals and the resilient support terminal.

Electric terminals are exposed to both sides of the connector of the socket, and one electric terminal is located at one side of a front surface of the connector and a remaining one electric terminal is located at an opposite side of a rear surface of the connector such that the resilient support terminal is connected to the electric terminal, and wherein the wedge bulb support includes: the resilient support terminal connected to the remaining one electric terminal and formed to entirely support one surface of the connector; and a support rib located at one side of the resilient support terminal connected to the remaining one electric terminal and formed on an inner surface of the socket to contact the connector while avoiding interference with the resilient support terminal.

In the wedge bulb, a pair of filaments are installed in the light emitter, and electric terminals connected to opposite ends of the filament are exposed to a front surface and a rear surface of the connector.

The resilient support terminals electrically connected to the electric terminals connected to one filament are installed in the socket, and wherein the wedge bulb support is a contact rib formed in the socket to be electrically connected to a front surface and a rear surface of the connector while avoiding interference with the resilient support terminal between the electric terminal connected to the resilient support terminal and the electric terminal to which the resilient support terminal is not connected with respect to the connector.

One electric terminal connected to one filament is located on a front surface of the connector and the remaining one electric terminal is located on a rear surface of the connector in the wedge bulb, wherein the resilient support terminal electrically connected to the electric terminal is installed in the socket, and wherein the wedge bulb support includes: the resilient support terminal installed to be connected to the other electric terminal and formed to support an entire area of one surface of the connector; and a contact rib installed between the resilient support terminal connected to the remaining one electric terminal and the unconnected electric terminal and formed on an inner surface of the socket to contact the connector while avoiding interference with the resilient support terminal.

The resilient support terminal supporting an entire area of one surface of the connector is a ground terminal.

When a dual wedge bulb or a single wedge bulb is used together in a space confined site such as a vehicle, a ship, or an airplane, a socket for a dual wedge bulb or a single wedge bulb needs to be standardized to efficiently install the wedge bulbs. Accordingly, as a wedge bulb support is provided in the socket to have the same support structure and form as the socket for a dual wedge bulb, a gap between the wedge bulb and the socket is minimized even when one electric terminal is used, preventing electric connections of the wedge bulb coupled to the socket from becoming unstable and short-circuited by an external impact. Further, as a socket for a wedge bulb employing one electric terminal is manufactured by using a mold for manufacturing an existing socket for a dual wedge bulb, manufacturing costs for manufacturing a socket can be significantly saved.

In addition, as a support rib is formed at a location of an electric terminal which has been present in a dual wedge bulb in a socket where a single wedge bulb is used, an electric connection of the wedge bulb coupled to the socket can be prevented from becoming unstable by an external impact, by minimizing a gap between the connector of the wedge bulb having a space where one electric terminal has been located and the socket.

Furthermore, when a dual wedge bulb is used in the socket but a resilient support terminal is installed only in one electric terminal by using one electric terminal, a contact rib is formed instead of the resilient support terminal where a dual wedge bulb using two electric terminals has been present, the contact rib support the connector and increases a contact area of the connector and the socket, thereby preventing an electric connection from becoming unstable.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a single wedge bulb and a socket for a wedge bulb according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are views schematically illustrating some portions of the socket for a wedge bulb having a wedge bulb support according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are views schematically illustrating some portions of the socket for a wedge bulb in a state where a wedge bulb is inserted into the socket for a wedge bulb having a wedge bulb support according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view partially illustrating a state where a wedge bulb is inserted into the socket for a wedge bulb according to the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views illustrating a socket for a single wedge bulb according to an exemplary embodiment and another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a process of inserting a single wedge bulb into a socket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a dual wedge bulb and a socket according to the related art, respectively.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are view schematically illustrating a socket for a dual wedge bulb according to the related art.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a single wedge bulb and a socket for a wedge bulb according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are views schematically illustrating some portions of the socket for a wedge bulb having a wedge bulb support according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are views schematically illustrating some portions of the socket for a wedge bulb in a state where a wedge bulb is inserted into the socket for a wedge bulb having a wedge bulb support according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, the present invention relates to a socket for a single wedge bulb which uses one filament while maintaining the same support structure as a socket for a dual bulb according to the related art, and a socket for a dual wedge bulb using one filament. A wedge bulb support for supporting a location where one of electric terminals of a dual wedge bulb according to the related art is located is provided to realize a socket for a wedge bulb to which a wedge bulb is coupled firmly against an external impact by using a mold dedicated for manufacturing a socket for a dual wedge bulb according to the related art.

In detail, a light emitter 41 turned on by external electric power is formed at an upper portion of the wedge bulb 4, and a connector 42 into which a socket 500 for a wedge bulb is integrally formed with a lower portion of the light emitter 41. In this case, electric terminals 43 for supplying electric power to the light emitter 41 vertically are exposed to one side of a front surface 42a and an opposite side of a rear surface 42b of the connector 42, respectively.

Here, the wedge bulb 4 may be a single wedge bulb where only one filament is installed in the light emitter 41 and one electric terminal 43 is exposed to the front surface and the rear surface of the connector 42, or a dual edge bulb where two filaments are installed in the light emitter 41 and one electric terminal is used even when two electric terminals 43 are exposed to a front surface and a rear surface of the connector 421.

Wedge-shaped bosses 44 protruding outward and having an inclined surface are formed on a front surface 42a and a rear surface 42b of the connector 42. The locations and sizes of the bosses 44 may be different according to the type of a wedge bulb.

That is, wedge bulbs may be classified into a dual wedge bulb where two filaments are installed in a light emitter and a single wedge bulb where one filament is installed, and such wedge bulbs should be assembled in sockets suitable for the wedge bulbs after being classified into different colors of light emitters or applied voltages according to the purposes thereof.

Thus, the locations and sizes of the bosses 44 formed in the wedge bulbs may be different according to colors or applied voltages of light emitters in standardized dual bulbs or single bulbs to classify the types of the wedge bulbs.

The socket 500 includes a socket housing 5 formed with an insulation body, a resilient support terminal 6 electrically connected to one electric terminal 43 fixedly inserted into the socket housing 5 and exposed to the connector 42, and a wedge bulb support 45 for guiding insertion of the connector 42 of the wedge bulb and supporting the connector 42 of the inserted wedge bulb.

The outer side of the socket housing 5 has a structure to be coupled to an outer surface of a mechanical apparatus, and a coupling recess 51 an upper side of which is opened such that the connector 42 of the wedge bulb 4 can be inserted thereinto is formed at an upper portion of the socket housing 5.

The resilient support terminal 6 inserted into the socket 500 includes a first resilient support terminal 6a electrically connected to one electric terminal exposed to a front surface of the connector 42, and a second resilient support terminal 6b electrically connected to an opposite electric terminal exposed to a rear surface of the connector 42.

The first resilient support terminal 6a includes one body grounded such that currents flow between an electric terminal 43 formed on a front surface of the connector 42 and one electric wire C.

In more detail, in a description of the first resilient support terminal 6a, the first resilient support terminal 6a is a ground terminal, and a base plate 62, resilient bridges 63, and resilient support pieces 61 are disposed in the resilient support terminal 6a contacting the electric terminal 43 exposed to a front surface 42a of the connector 42.

The base plate 62 has a substantially plate-like shape, and extends corresponding to the length of a contact surface of the connector 42 such that the first resilient support terminal 6a can entirely support one surface of the connector and is inserted into and fixed to an inner wall surface of the coupling recess 51. A lower portion of the base plate 62 is coupled to a coupling part such that currents can flow between the base plate 62 and an electric wire C for supplying electric power to the wedge bulb.

Although not illustrated, the coupling part may include a plurality of coupling pieces resiliently deformed to be caught by the electric wire C or may include a known configuration to be coupled to other electric wires.

Meanwhile, the resilient bridges 63 include a pair of resilient bridges extending from both sides of an upper end of the base plate 62 and bent to the inner side of the coupling recess 51 to have a resilient force and be spaced apart from the base plate 62.

The resilient support pieces 61 extend from lower ends of the resilient bridges 63 and are curved to protrude toward the interior of the coupling recess 51 to contact an electric terminal.

The second resilient support terminal 6b is configured such that currents flow between the second resilient support terminal 6b and the electric terminal 43 exposed to the rear side 42b of the connector 42, and is disposed only at a side where the electric terminal 43 is located unlike the case of supporting the electric terminals of the dual wedge bulbs according to the related art.

That is, only one second resilient support terminal 6b is installed to be electrically connected to an exposed electric terminal of a single wedge bulb or one of a pair of exposed electric terminals of a dual wedge bulb to which electric power is applied.

As a lower portion of the second resilient support terminal 6b is coupled to the electric wire C communicated with a power source of a mechanical unit and an upper portion thereof protrudes to the inner side of the coupling recess 51 to have a resiliency as in the first resilient support terminal 6a, the resilient support piece 61 for resiliently pressing the connector 42 while being electrically connected to the electric terminal 43 of the connector 42 is formed.

Here, as the first and second

resilient support terminals

6a and 6b are electrically connected to the electric terminals exposed to a front surface and a rear surface of a connector of a dual wedge bulb according to the related art, if the connector 42 of the wedge bulb of the present invention is inserted into the socket 5, only a resilient support piece of the first resilient support terminal 6a and an opposite resilient support piece of the second resilient support terminal 6b are electrically connected to the electric terminal 43 exposed to the connector 42 while resiliently pressing the electric terminal 43.

Then, an electric terminal is not present between one side of the first resilient support terminal 6a and the connector 42, but the connector 42 can be resiliently pressed and supported by the resilient piece 61 having a resilient force.

Meanwhile, an upper end pressing piece 3 protruding to the inner side of the coupling recess 51 to have a resilient force to press an upper end portion of the connector 42 is installed above the coupling recess 51.

In the first resilient support terminal 6a, the upper end pressing piece 3 is installed at a center of the resilient support pieces located on opposite sides, and a central portion of the upper end pressing piece 3 is bent to have a resilient force and presses an upper portion of a front surface of the connector 42 without contacting an electric terminal.

The wedge bulb support 45 is disposed in a socket for a single wedge bulb from which only one electric terminal is exposed by using one filament or a wedge bulb to which only one electric terminal is electrically connected by using only one filament while there are present a pair of electric terminals through two filaments in a structure where a pair of electric terminals are located in a socket for a dual wedge bulb, and is adapted to support the connector 42 instead of one electric terminal or resilient support terminal which is located at the same location as an electric terminal of the dual wedge bulb but is empty as the remaining one of the pair of electric terminals is located.

In a more detailed description of the wedge bulb support 45, referring to FIG. 2A, the wedge bulb support 45 may be a support rib 451 having a size similar to an electric terminal and formed within the socket housing 5 to be located at a location where the other electric terminal is to be located.

The support rib 451 is integrally formed with an inner surface of the socket housing 5 to contact the connector 42 when the connector 42 is inserted into the coupling recess 51 of the socket housing 5 and is formed at a location where an electric terminal of the dual wedge bulb used to be located. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the support rib 451 prevents a gap from being formed between the socket housing 5 and the connector 42 even when the connector 42 of a single wedge bulb where only one electric terminal 43 is installed, and supports the connector 42 while contacting the connector 42.

Thus, referring to FIG. 2C, as the first resilient support terminal 6a is formed to entire support one surface of the connector 42, a front surface 42a of the connector 42 is entirely supported by the first resilient support terminal 6a and a rear surface 42b of the connector 42 is supported by the second resilient support terminal 6b and the support rib 451 while preventing a gap from being formed between the socket 5 and the connector 42.

Referring to FIG. 2D, it is apparent that when the first resilient support terminal 6a is formed to be short so as to support only the electric terminal 43, the support rib 451 is also installed on the front surface 42a of the connector 42 to prevent a gap from being formed between the socket 5 and the connector 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the wedge bulb support 45 may further include a contact rib 453. The contact rib 453 may support the connector 42 when only one electric terminal connected to opposite ends of one filament of a pair of electric terminals of a single wedge bulb or a dual wedge bulb is used, and since one second resilient support terminal 6b is installed in the used electric terminal 43 but an empty space is formed between the other unused electric terminal and the socket housing 5, the contact rib 453 reduces a gap formed between the connector 42 and the socket housing 5.

In more detail, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, the contact rib 453 is formed within the socket housing 5, and is integrally formed between the second resilient support terminal 6b electrically connected to one electric terminal 43 connected to one filament and an electric terminal connected to another filament to support the connector 42 while contacting the connector 42.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 3B, the front surface 42a of the connector 42 is formed to support an entire surface of the connector 42 and is supported by the first resilient support terminal 6a installed to contact the electric terminals exposed to the front surface 42a of the connector 42, and the rear surface 42b of the connector 42 is supported by the contact rib 453 formed in the socket to contact the second resilient support terminal 6b installed in the socket to contact the electric terminal connected to the used filament and the connector 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, it is apparent that when the first resilient support terminal 6a'is formed to contact only the used electric terminal, the contact rib 453 is further installed between the unused electric terminal and the first resilient support terminal 6a'to support the connector 42.

It is apparent that as the contact rib 453 is located at a location which does not interfere with an electric terminal or a resilient support terminal, the contact rib 453 may be formed in both a socket for a single wedge bulb where only one electric terminal is exposed and a socket for a dual wedge bulb where a pair of electric terminals are exposed so that only one electric terminal is used.

FIG. 4 is a view partially illustrating a state where a wedge bulb is inserted into the socket for a single wedge bulb according to the present invention from a side.

Referring to FIG. 4, if the connector 42 is inserted into the socket housing 5, currents flow between the second resilient support terminal 6b installed in a support terminal installation unit 551 and the first resilient support terminal 6a while the second resilient support terminal 6b and the first resilient support terminal 6a contact the electric terminals 43 located on opposite surfaces of the connector 42, and resilient forces of the resilient support pieces of the first and second

resilient support terminals

6a and 6b press and support the connector 42. Further, while the bosses of the connector 42 are positioned on

contact support ribs

441a and 441b which will be described below, a gap between the connector 42 and the socket housing 5 is minimized by the terminal location support rib 451 and the contact rib 453 and a contact of an electric terminal is prevented from being formed by an external impact, by supporting the connector 42.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views illustrating a socket for a single wedge bulb according to an exemplary embodiment and another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a process of inserting a single wedge bulb into a socket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, the single wedge bulb support 45 may be a contact support rib 451 and a plurality of

guide bosses

455a and 455b installed at an upper surface and an upper portion of the socket housing 5 to guide insertion of the single wedge bulb and support the connector 42 of the inserted single wedge bulb.

In more detail, referring back to FIG. 2, when the light emitter 41 of the single wedge bulb is white, the bulb classifying bosses formed on the front surface 42a and the rear surface 42b of the connector 42 include a lower boss 441a formed at a lower end of the connector 42 to have a relatively long length, an upper boss 441b having a relatively narrow width so as to contact the electric terminal 43 exposed to an opposite upper end of the connector 42, and a central boss 441c formed adjacent to the upper boss 441b from the center of the connector 42.

Here, the upper boss 441b and the lower boss 441a are inclined so as to protrude farther to the outside of the connector 42 at lower sides thereof, and the central boss 441c is inclined so as to protrude farther to the outside of the connector 42 at an upper side thereof.

Guide ribs

455a and 455b for divining the coupling recesses 51 corresponding to the bosses formed on the front surface 42 and the rear surface 42b of the connector 42 are formed at upper portions of the socket 5a into which the white single wedge bulb is inserted.

That is, the upper boss guide rib 455a for guiding one side surface of the upper boss 441b while contacting the upper boss 441b formed to have a relatively narrow width so as to guide the upper boss 441b at a side contacting the rear side 42b of the connector 42, and the lower boss guide rib 45b for guiding a side surface of the lower boss 441a having a relatively long length while contacting the lower boss 441a so as to guide insertion of the lower boss 441a by securing a space corresponding to a length of the lower boss 441a at an opposite side. Then, opposite side surfaces of the central boss 441c are inserted into a space between the guide rib 455a and the lower boss guide rib 453b, and are guided by the guide ribs to be inserted while contacting side surfaces thereof.

It is apparent that the front surface 42a of the connector 42 may be formed reversely to guide insertion of the connector 42 as described above.

The support ribs 451 formed in the coupling recesses 51 minimize gaps between the connector 42 and the coupling recesses 51 and support the connector 42 while maximizing contact areas between the connector 42 and the coupling recesses 51, and are installed to contact the lower surfaces of the upper boss 441b and the lower boss 441a.

The central boss 441c supports a location of the upper end pressing piece 33 while contacting the upper end pressing piece 333 at an upper surface thereof.

In more detail, the upper boss support rib 457b having a relatively long length to contact a lower surface of the upper boss 441b is formed at an opposite side of an inner surface of the coupling recess 51 corresponding to the upper boss 441b formed at an upper portion of the connector 42 and the lower boss 441a formed at a lower portion of the connector 42, and the lower boss support rib 457a having a relatively short length to contact a lower surface of the lower boss 441a and having a width corresponding to the length of the lower boss 441a.

Thus, it is apparent that the lengths of the upper and lower

boss support ribs

457a and 457b may be changed to correspond to the locations of the upper and

lower bosses

441b and 441a.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, a single wedge bulb whose type is different from the above-mentioned single wedge bulb, for example, a single wedge bulb whose light emitter 41 is yellow to be used in a turn signal lamp of a vehicle is coupled to a coupling recess 51' of a socket housing 5' to contact an upper boss support rib 457b' formed at an opposite side of an inner surface of the coupling recess 51' of the socket housing 5' to have a relatively long length to contact a lower source of the upper boss 441b and have a width corresponding to a length corresponding to the upper boss 441b and a lower boss support rib 457a' formed at one side of an inner surface of the coupling recess 51' to have a relatively short length to contact a lower source of the lower boss 441a and have a width corresponding to a length of the lower boss 441a.

Here, the locations of the guide ribs are different from the location of the socket shown in FIG. 5A.

In more detail, in the single wedge bulb having a yellow light emitter, the sizes and locations of the bosses may be different to prevent the yellow single wedge bulb from being assembled with the white single wedge bulb in the assembly process.

Thus, the locations and sizes of the bosses of the yellow single wedge bulb and the bosses of the transparent single wedge bulb becomes different, the transparent single wedge bulb can be inserted into only the socket housing 5 where the

guide ribs

455a and 455b are disposed as in the socket housing 5 illustrated in FIG. 5A, and the yellow single wedge bulb can be inserted into the socket housing 5' where the guide ribs 455a' and 455b' are formed to correspond to the sizes and locations of the bosses of the yellow single wedge bulb as in FIG. 5B.

Referring to FIG. 6, in describing a process of inserting the connector 42 of the single wedge bulb into the coupling recess 51 of the socket housing 5, the connector starts to be inserted into the coupling recess 51 while an inner side surface of the lower boss 441a of the connector 42 contact a side surface of the guide rib 455a.

Next, an inner side surface of the upper boss 441b contacts an outer side surface of the upper boss guide rib 455a, and the connector 42 is inserted into the coupling recess 51 while one side surface of the central boss 441c remains parallel to an inner side surface of the lower boss guide rib 455b and an inner side surface of the upper boss guide rib 455a.

Then, when another type of a single bulb is used, since the sizes of the upper boss and the lower boss are different even if the locations thereof are the same, the upper boss 441b and the lower boss 441a cannot be introduced to the outer side of the guide ribs, which significantly lowers an assembling defect in assembling the wedge bulb and the socket.

An electric wire C connected to the first resilient support terminal and an electric wire C connected to the second resilient support terminal are extracted from a rear surface of the socket 5.

Here, since the dual wedge bulb includes two electric terminals, which are connected to a pair of second resilient support terminals, two extraction openings from which electric wires C are extracted are formed.

Meanwhile, since the single wedge bulb includes only one electric terminal, one second resilient support terminal is installed and one electric wire C extracted from the extraction opening is provided.

Thus, it is apparent that an extraction opening is not formed on a side where an electric terminal is not extracted or an extraction opening is sealed.

Thus, the above-described socket for a wedge bulb includes a wedge bulb support for supporting an empty space where an electric terminal is not installed in the connector of a single wedge bulb to support the connector and a support rib, a contact rib, upper and lower bosses, and upper and lower guide ribs are formed by using an existing mold for manufacturing a dual wedge bulb. Accordingly, manufacturing costs for a socket can be reduced.

In addition, the connector is supported by minimizing a gap formed between the socket and the connector even an existing mold is used, the connector is prevented from being short-circuited even when an external impact is applied. Accordingly, a fire due to a short circuit can be prevented in advance.

Claims

A socket for a wedge bulb, the wedge bulb having a connector protruding from a lower portion of a light emitter and exposing electric terminals connected to opposite ends of filaments installed in the light emitter at one side and an opposite side of a front surface and a rear surface of the connector, the socket comprising:

a wedge bulb support including a resilient support terminal connected to one filament to resiliently support the connector while being connected to the electric terminal exposed to the connector and supporting the connector of the wedge bulb by minimizing a gap formed between the connector and the socket.
The socket for a wedge bulb of claim 1, wherein electric terminals are exposed to both sides of the connector of the socket, and one electric terminal is located at one side of a front surface of the connector and a remaining one electric terminal is located at an opposite side of a rear surface of the connector such that the resilient support terminal is connected to the electric terminals, and wherein the wedge bulb support is a support rib formed on an inner surface of the socket to contact a front surface and a rear surface of the connector while avoiding interference of the electric terminals and the resilient support terminal.
The socket for a wedge bulb of claim 1, wherein electric terminals are exposed to both sides of the connector of the socket, and one electric terminal is located at one side of a front surface of the connector and a remaining one electric terminal is located at an opposite side of a rear surface of the connector such that the resilient support terminal is connected to the electric terminal, and wherein the wedge bulb support includes: the resilient support terminal connected to the remaining one electric terminal and formed to entirely support one surface of the connector; and a support rib located at one side of the resilient support terminal connected to the remaining one electric terminal and formed on an inner surface of the socket to contact the connector while avoiding interference with the resilient support terminal.
The socket for a wedge bulb of claim 3, wherein the resilient support terminal supporting an entire area of one surface of the connector is a ground terminal.
The socket for a wedge bulb of claim 1, wherein in the wedge bulb, a pair of filaments are installed in the light emitter, and electric terminals connected to opposite ends of the filament are exposed to a front surface and a rear surface of the connector.
The socket for a wedge bulb of claim 5, wherein the resilient support terminals electrically connected to the electric terminals connected to one filament are installed in the socket, and wherein the wedge bulb support is a contact rib formed in the socket to be electrically connected to a front surface and a rear surface of the connector while avoiding interference with the resilient support terminal between the electric terminal connected to the resilient support terminal and the electric terminal to which the resilient support terminal is not connected with respect to the connector.
The socket for a wedge bulb of claim 6, wherein one electric terminal connected to one filament is located on a front surface of the connector and the remaining one electric terminal is located on a rear surface of the connector in the wedge bulb, wherein the resilient support terminal electrically connected to the electric terminal is installed in the socket, and wherein the wedge bulb support includes: the resilient support terminal installed to be connected to the other electric terminal and formed to support an entire area of one surface of the connector; and a contact rib installed between the resilient support terminal connected to the remaining one electric terminal and the unconnected electric terminal and formed on an inner surface of the socket to contact the connector while avoiding interference with the resilient support terminal.
The socket for a wedge bulb of claim 7, wherein the resilient support terminal supporting an entire area of one surface of the connector is a ground terminal.