Lamp Socket Contact Assembly With Integrated Fastener

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generic lamp sockets for cooking appliances require complex and labor-intensive attachment processes for supply contacts, which increases production costs and assembly complexity.

Innovation Solution

A lamp socket design where the supply contact includes an integral or bonded fastener, eliminating the need for precise alignment and allowing for simplified assembly, with the supply contact positioning and fixing the socket contact indirectly using a fastening arm that can be plastically deformed or spring elastic for automated assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If supply contacts are attached to the socket body using separate fasteners (rivets or bolts), then the attachment is secure, but the assembly process becomes complex and labor-intensive requiring manual positioning and alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener is merged with the supply contact to form a single integrated component. The supply contact includes a fastening arm that is integral or bonded to the contact body, eliminating the need for separate fasteners. This merging simplifies the assembly process while maintaining secure attachment to the socket body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The supply contact with integrated fastener performs both electrical connection and mechanical fastening functions simultaneously. The fastening arm automatically engages with the socket body when the supply contact is inserted, eliminating the need for separate positioning and fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual labor is used for positioning and attaching supply contacts, then precise alignment can be achieved, but production costs increase and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is combined with the supply contact itself, allowing automated insertion without manual alignment. The integrated fastening arm engages with the socket body through a simple insertion motion, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning while maintaining attachment security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical alignment and fastening process is replaced by the self-aligning integrated fastener design. The fastening arm's geometry and engagement mechanism allow automated systems to insert the supply contact without complex alignment procedures, thereby increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If two contacts (supply contact and socket contact) are attached using the same fastener, then the attachment process is standardized, but the complexity increases since both contacts must be positioned correctly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestandardizationVSAvoidpositioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment function is segmented between the supply contact and socket contact. Only the supply contact includes the integrated fastening arm and requires attachment to the socket body. The socket contact is supported by the supply contact and does not require separate fastening, simplifying the overall positioning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening function is merged into the supply contact only, creating an asymmetric design where the supply contact performs dual functions (electrical connection and mechanical fastening) while the socket contact performs only electrical connection. This reduces positioning complexity compared to standardizing fasteners on both contacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design simplifies the assembly process, reduces manual labor, and enhances reliability by integrating the fastener with the supply contact, facilitating easier handling and fixing of components, thereby lowering production costs and improving assembly efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a fastening arm (35) connected at the supply contact (23) and plastically deformable or spring elastic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

a fastening arm (35) connected at the supply contact (23) and plastically deformable or spring elastic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11843207B2Lamp socket with non-riveted contact connection

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 BJB GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A lamp socket for a cooking appliance lamp, the lamp socket including a socket body; at least one supply contact configured to connect to a connection conductor configured to supply electrical voltage electrical voltage to the cooking appliance lamp; at least one socket contact electrically connected with the at least one supply contact and connected to an illuminant socket of the cooking appliance lamp; a contact cavity formed by the socket body wherein the at least one socket contact is arranged in the socket cavity; a fastener that fastens the at least one supply contact at the socket body, wherein the fastener is integrally provided in one piece with the at least one supply contact or bonded to the supply contact.