Lamp Socket Insulating Housing for High Voltage Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lamp sockets for pin-based lamps are unsafe at high operating voltages due to inadequate electrical clearance and creepage distance, posing a risk of electrical shock.
Innovation Solution
A lamp socket with an electrically insulating housing featuring a cavity that matches the length of the connector pin, ensuring the pin is always surrounded by the housing during insertion and removal, and using materials with high tracking resistance to prevent electrical conductivity and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lamp socket is designed for 12V operation with standard clearance, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the safety is compromised when used at high voltages of 230V
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by increasing the electrical clearance and creepage distance parameters in the lamp socket design. Specifically, the insulating housing is designed with a cavity height that provides at least 5mm (preferably 6mm or more) of clearance between the connector pin and the external environment. This parameter change ensures safety for high voltage operation (230V) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the cavity height is increased to at least 5mm to ensure safety during plugging and unplugging, then the electrical clearance is improved, but the compactness of the lamp socket is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cavity height parameter to achieve a balance between safety and compactness. The minimum height is set at 5mm to ensure adequate electrical clearance, while preferred embodiments specify 6mm or more for enhanced safety. This parameter optimization allows the lamp socket to meet safety requirements for high voltage operation while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for various lighting applications.
3Reliability
If the housing material is selected with high tracking resistance (CIT ≥ 100), then the suppression of leakage currents is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a minimum comparative tracking index (CIT) of 100 for the housing material, with preferred embodiments requiring CIT ≥ 175. This parameter specification ensures adequate suppression of leakage currents and electrical treeing effects under high voltage conditions. Common plastics materials meeting these requirements include PC (polycarbonate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), and PA (polyamide), which balance electrical performance with manufacturability and cost.
4Reliability
If the connector pin is completely surrounded by the housing during insertion and removal, then the safety is improved by preventing electrical shocks, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating housing as an intermediary barrier between the connector pin and the user's hand. The housing completely surrounds the connector pin during insertion and removal operations, preventing direct contact and electrical shock. The design includes a cavity that accommodates the connector pin throughout the plugging/unplugging process, with the pin only becoming accessible after full insertion or complete removal. This intermediary structure maintains safety while allowing straightforward operation.
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 significantly improves safety by preventing electrical shocks and meeting safety standards for higher operating voltages, ensuring the connector pin is never electrically conductively connected to the outside while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The material of the housing preferably has a high tracking resistance, i.e. a good suppression of leakage currents (also called: creepage currents). Preferably, the comparative tracking index (CIT) of the material of the housing is at least 100, particularly preferably at least 175.
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp socket for a lamp base, in particular a pin-based lamp base, is provided. The lamp socket comprises an electrically insulating housing having a cavity that is entirely framed by the housing in lateral directions, wherein the cavity is adapted for receiving a connector casing of the lamp base, wherein a bottom of the cavity comprises a receptacle for receiving a connector pin of the lamp base, and wherein a height of the cavity corresponds to at least a length of the connector pin.