Lamp Holder Spring with Positioning Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lamp holder devices for vehicles are prone to incorrect assembly due to the high flexibility of the locking spring, leading to improper light distribution and difficulty in replacing headlight lamps in cramped engine compartments, where visibility is poor.

Innovation Solution

A fork-shaped, elastically deformable spring-like member with elastic contrasting means that prevents locking when the lamp is not correctly positioned, ensuring it can only snap into place when aligned correctly with the seat and reflector, thus preventing incorrect assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flexible locking spring is used in the lamp holder device, then the lamp can be easily locked into position, but the lamp may be locked in incorrect positions as well

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of lamp lockingVSAvoidlamp positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-like member is designed with differentiated local properties: a flexible portion for easy locking operation and a rigid contrasting portion for preventing incorrect positioning. This local quality differentiation allows the same component to provide both ease of operation and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid contrasting portion of the spring-like member is positioned to interfere with the lamp flange before the flexible portion can allow incorrect locking. This preliminary anti-action prevents incorrect positioning from occurring in the first place, rather than merely correcting it after occurrence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Extent of automation

If the engine compartment is packed with more components, then driving safety and comfort are improved, but the available space for lamp replacement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safety and comfort featuresVSAvoidlamp replacement accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp holder device is designed to be self-indicating through the elastic contrasting means that visually or tactilely signal when the lamp is correctly positioned. This eliminates the need for external tools or complex alignment procedures, allowing technicians to quickly and easily replace lamps even in cramped spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lamp holder is mounted in the engine compartment, then the lighting device is integrated into the vehicle, but direct viewing of the lamp holder is difficult due to limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle integrationVSAvoidlamp holder visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic contrasting means may incorporate visual indicators such as color changes or contrasting markings that become visible when the lamp is correctly positioned. This allows the lamp holder status to be detected from a distance despite the confined engine compartment space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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

Ensures the lamp is always locked in the correct position, preventing improper light distribution and facilitating easier assembly and replacement by providing a clear indication of incorrect positioning, even in limited visibility conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an elastically deformable spring-like member (15), having a first end hinged to first fastening means (17) of the collar (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the spring-like member (15) is provided with at least one elastic contrasting means (30) adapted, when the flange (12) of the lamp (3) is not correctly housed in the seat (11), to interfere in use with the flange (12) of the lamp (3) and/or with the collar (10) so as to prevent the locking by coupling the spring-like member (15) against the collar (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2330343B1Improved lamp holder device
Publication Date: 2013.05.29 AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING ITALA
  • EP2330343B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2330343B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A lamp holder device (1) comprising a collar (10) carrying therein a housing seat (11) for a fixing flange (12) of a lamp (3) and either obtained in one piece with, or fixable to, a reflector (5) or a body (4) of a lighting device or light signaling device (2), and an elastically deformable spring-like member (15), having a first end (16) hinged to first fastening means (17) of the collar and a second end (18) provided with gripping means (19) adapted to allow a user to elastically deform the spring-like member (15) in use to lock it by coupling against the collar (10) so as to simultaneously lock in abutment the flange (12) of the lamp in the seat (11) of the collar onto a central portion (20) of the spring-like member; wherein the spring-like member (15) is provided with at least one elastic contrasting means (30) adapted, when the flange (12) of the lamp (3) is not correctly housed in the seat (11), to interfere in use with the flange (12) of the lamp and/or with the collar (10) so as to prevent the locking by coupling the spring-like member (15) against the collar (10).