Vehicle Cigarette Lighter Connector Threaded Locking Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional car cigarette lighter sockets and plugs experience poor retention and unreliable electrical contact due to vibrations during vehicle use, leading to loosening and instability, especially when holding heavier electronic devices like satellite navigators and smartphones, and lack waterproof performance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an external thread on the car cigarette lighter socket and a flange with an internal threaded locking cap on the plug ensures secure mechanical retention and electrical connection, while additional electrodes and a sealing rubber ring enhance waterproof performance and tidiness of wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cigarette lighter socket and plug are used, then the diameter is kept the same as that of a conventional high-temperature cigarette lighter, but the retention is poor and the plug may become loose due to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a threaded structure on the socket and a corresponding threaded cap on the plug. The threads are pre-formed during manufacturing, enabling the plug to be screwed into the socket before use. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that the connection is securely established from the outset, preventing loosening due to vibration while maintaining ease of assembly.
2Strength
If the plug is inserted into the socket without additional retention features, then the insertion is easy, but the mechanical mounting force is weak and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function with the mechanical retention function into a single integrated plug-and-socket assembly. The threaded cap structure serves dual purposes: it provides secure mechanical retention while also ensuring proper alignment and contact of the electrical electrodes. This merging eliminates the need for separate retention mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while significantly strengthening the mechanical mounting force.
3Reliability
If a conventional socket and plug are used, then the design is simple, but the electrical contact is unreliable under vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded structure provides preliminary mechanical stabilization that ensures reliable electrical contact. By pre-forming the threads and designing the cap to screw onto the socket body, the invention ensures that the electrical electrodes maintain consistent contact pressure even under vibration. This preliminary structural arrangement prevents the plug from becoming loose, thereby maintaining reliable electrical connection without requiring complex additional retention mechanisms.
4Weight of moving object
If the socket and plug are designed for heavy electronic devices, then the power supply capability is improved, but the vibration causes greater shaking and loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function with the mechanical retention function into a single integrated plug-and-socket assembly. The threaded cap structure serves dual purposes: it provides secure mechanical retention while also ensuring proper alignment and contact of the electrical electrodes. This merging eliminates the need for separate retention mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while significantly strengthening the mechanical mounting force.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector structure adapted for a cigarette lighter device in a vehicle, which is compatible with a conventional vehicle cigarette lighter plug or socket, includes: a female connector having an external thread for at an inlet outer diameter of the female connector; and a male connector having a flange and an internally threaded locking cap; wherein the male connector is configured to be inserted into the female connector such that: the flange of the plug contacts an inlet end of the female connector; the internal thread of the locking cap is screwed onto the external thread of the female connector; and the male and female connectors are securely coupled mechanically while achieving an electrical connection therebetween.