Automotive Lamp Socket Connector With Bayonet Locking Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive lighting systems face difficulties in lamp replacement due to high coupling forces required, complex insertion processes in narrow spaces, and the risk of accidental connector release, making the process difficult and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A quick assembly system for automotive lighting devices featuring a connector with projecting parts that lock into a transversal channel on the base, allowing easy rotation-based coupling and preventing accidental disconnection, enabling simple and safe lamp replacement even in confined spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connector is retained by snap coupling to the shelf-like projecting part of the base, then the connector is prevented from accidental release, but the force required by the user for coupling and releasing the connector becomes strong, making lamp replacement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector retentionVSAvoidlamp replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the retention function into two independent mechanisms: the shelf-like projecting part provides secure retention during operation, while the bayonet-type assembly means enables easy coupling and releasing. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized independently - the snap coupling ensures reliability without requiring strong user force, as the bayonet mechanism handles the coupling action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the lamp socket must be bayonet coupled to the base before connector insertion, then the connector is properly positioned, but the insertion process becomes doubly difficult due to narrow spaces in the engine compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector positioning accuracyVSAvoidconnector insertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf-like projecting part is pre-positioned on the base to guide and support the connector during insertion. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when the connector is inserted, it is automatically guided to the correct position and orientation, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment in the narrow engine compartment space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the user performs lamp assembly operations in narrow spaces with poor visibility, then the lamp can be replaced, but the risk of assembling the lamp in a wrong manner increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp replacement speedVSAvoidassembly correctness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bayonet-type assembly means and the shelf-like projecting part create a self-guiding system that automatically ensures correct assembly. The geometric compatibility of the bayonet components and the supporting function of the shelf-like structure provide tactile feedback and physical constraints that guide the user's hands, making incorrect assembly impossible even in poor visibility conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2690353B1Automotive lighting device
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 MARELLI AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING ITAL SPA
  • EP2690353B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2690353B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

An automotive lighting device (1) for vehicles with a headlight body, a lamp (3) including a bulb (10) and a lamp socket (11) integrally connected in one piece to the bulb and having male contacts (12) arranged so as to project at a right angle with respect to an axis (A) of the lamp, and a system (7) for assembling the lamp including a base (13), bayonet coupling means (15; 14) between lamp socket and base, and a connector (16) integrally provided with female contacts (18) which can be coupled with the male contacts by means of the movement of the connector perpendicular to the axis; the connector (16) includes at least one projecting part (24) protruding from a frontal face (23) of the connector which, with the connector being coupled to the lamp socket, faces the bulb; and the base (13), towards the lamp socket, is provided with a channel (25) arranged transversally to the axis and shaped so as to receive, in an undercut-like slidingly coupled manner, the at least one projecting part (24) when the lamp socket is bayonet coupled to the base.