Lamp Assembly Self-Locking Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lamp assembly technologies face issues with expensive and messy processes like gluing, cementing, and welding for securing the lamp base shell to the glass bulb, which can lead to cracks and lack a reliable lock mechanism, making it difficult to remove the lamp without losing the screw connection.
Innovation Solution
A screw-able self-locking interface using a high-temperature plastic housing with dimples and knops, a left turn screw, and a ratchet mechanism with saw teeth and click fingers for secure mechanical fixation without adhesives or welding, ensuring easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If gluing, cementing or welding is used to fix the lamp base shell to the glass base, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the process becomes messy with visual rejects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical bonding methods (gluing, cementing) and thermal joining (welding) with a purely mechanical screw-able interface system. The base shell incorporates a screw thread that engages with a corresponding threaded hole in the glass base, providing secure mechanical fixation without adhesives or welding processes. This eliminates the associated costs, messiness, and visual defects of those traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes high-temperature plastic material for the base shell, changing the material parameter to withstand the thermal environment of operating lamps. This allows the mechanical screw interface to function reliably at elevated temperatures where plastic remains structurally sound, enabling a alternative to metal or ceramic bases while maintaining thermal resistance.
2Reliability
If a right turn screw is used for mechanical fixation, then the assembly is secure, but the screw connection can be lost when turning the lamp out of the fixture at end of life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional right-turn (clockwise tightening) screw thread to use a left-turn (counter-clockwise tightening) thread. This means the screw tightens when turned counter-clockwise and loosens when turned clockwise. During normal operation, the lamp's weight and handling maintain the tightened state. When removal is needed, turning the lamp in the normal direction (which would loosen a right-hand thread) instead tightens this left-hand thread further securing it, while deliberate clockwise turning loosens it for removal. This prevents accidental loosening during handling.
3Temperature
If metal bases or ceramic bases are used to connect to glass, then the high temperature resistance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the base shell from traditional metal or ceramic to high-temperature resistant plastic. This plastic material is specifically selected to withstand the thermal environment of operating lamps (typically up to 80-100°C near the bulb). The material maintains structural integrity and dimensional stability at these temperatures while being easier to manufacture and assemble than metal or ceramic alternatives.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved lamp assembly comprising a screwable self-locking interface (13) between base (11) of a glass lamp and glass bulb (10). Base (11) is provided with a plurality of dimples (12). Said screwable self-locking interface (13) has multitude of knops (15) to be clicked in the corresponding glass dimples (12) and a cylindrical body provided with a left turn screw (14).