Hydrophobic Vent Patch for Automotive Lamp Socket Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing venting systems in automotive lamp assemblies are susceptible to damage, costly to manufacture, and visually unappealing, with prior art methods requiring a hole in the lamp housing and external vent patches that complicate design and construction.
Innovation Solution
A lamp socket assembly with a hydrophobic or oleophobic vent patch internally covering a vent hole in the socket cavity, eliminating the need for a hole in the lamp housing and allowing for fully automated manufacturing, reducing susceptibility to damage and visual impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent hole is formed through the lamp housing, then pressure equalization and moisture escape are enabled, but the housing structure is complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is extracted from the lamp housing and transferred to the socket assembly. The socket now includes an integrated vent hole and hydrophobic vent patch, separating the venting function from the housing structure and simplifying the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent hole and hydrophobic vent patch are integrated directly into the socket assembly structure. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate venting mechanisms in the housing and reduces overall system complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a hydrophobic vent patch is externally applied to cover the vent hole, then moisture intrusion is prevented, but the vent patch is susceptible to abrasive damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic vent patch is nested within the socket assembly structure rather than being externally applied. This nesting protects the vulnerable vent patch from external abrasive damage while maintaining its moisture-blocking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket assembly structure provides protective cushioning around the hydrophobic vent patch before any damage can occur. This structural protection prevents abrasive damage to the vent patch while allowing it to perform its moisture-blocking function.
3Reliability
If an externally applied hydrophobic vent patch is used, then moisture evacuation is enabled, but the visual appearance is degraded requiring camouflaging features
Solution Approach 1:
The vent patch application is extracted from the external housing surface and relocated to the internal socket assembly. This removes the visual blemish from the external appearance while maintaining the moisture evacuation function internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting function is moved from the external dimensional surface of the housing to the internal dimensional space of the socket assembly. This spatial relocation eliminates the need for camouflaging features while preserving functionality.
4Reliability
If a hole is formed through the lamp housing for venting, then pressure equalization is achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vent hole formation operation is extracted from the lamp housing manufacturing process and transferred to the socket assembly manufacturing process. This allows the housing to be manufactured without time-consuming hole formation operations, improving overall manufacturing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides improved moisture evacuation, reduced manufacturing costs, and longer service life, while avoiding the need for camouflaging features and simplifying the design of the lamp housing, making it more economical and conducive to high-volume production.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrophobic and/or oleophobic vent patch is disposed in the socket cavity and completely covers the vent hole
Implementation Method 2
A hydrophobic and/or oleophobic vent patch is disposed in the socket cavity and completely covers the vent hole
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp and socket assembly (10) comprises a housing (12) including a socket cavity (25). The socket cavity (25) is defined by side walls and a bottom wall (80). A vent hole (82) passes though the bottom wall (80) of the socket cavity. A lamp (16) has a lamp base (17). A lamp socket (14) is disposed in the socket cavity (25) and includes a through passage (42) for receiving the lamp base (17) and at least one retaining finger (38a, 38b) for retaining the lamp base (17) in the through passage (42). An electrical contact insert (26) is received in the socket cavity (25). A plurality of electrical contacts (28) are received in and retained by the contact insert (26). A plurality of blade terminals (46) are interlocked with the contact insert (26), with respective ones of the contacts (28), and with the housing (12). A hydrophobic and/or oleophobic vent patch (83) is disposed in the socket cavity (25) and completely covers the vent hole (82) to permit trapped vapors and gasses to escape while repelling water and/or oil.