Light Bulb Socket With Spring-Loaded Fingers For Linear Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light bulb receptacles often require rotational alignment and force to insert or remove light bulbs with threaded bases, which can be cumbersome and may not accommodate linear insertion or removal methods effectively.
Innovation Solution
A light bulb receptacle design featuring a housing with a monolithic electrically insulative material and a conductive light bulb socket with spring-loaded fingers and a retaining member that allows for both rotational and linear insertion/removal of light bulbs, utilizing engagement members to secure the threaded base and provide electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional threaded light bulb receptacles are used, then secure electrical connection is achieved, but insertion and removal require rotational alignment and excessive force making operation cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the socket fingers flexible rather than rigid. The spring-loaded fingers can dynamically adjust their position - flexing outward during insertion to accommodate the bulb base, then flexing inward during rotation to engage and secure the threaded portion. This dynamic flexibility eliminates the need for excessive force while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the socket fingers from rigid to elastic by using spring-loaded mechanisms. This parameter change allows the fingers to deform elastically during bulb insertion and removal, reducing the force required for operation. The elastic deformation enables the fingers to accommodate the bulb base without requiring precise rotational alignment during insertion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotational insertion method is used for threaded light bulbs, then secure engagement is achieved, but the method does not accommodate linear insertion or removal effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a socket that can accommodate multiple insertion methods - both linear push-in and rotational screw-in operations. The spring-loaded fingers provide a universal engagement mechanism that works regardless of whether the bulb is inserted linearly or rotated, making the receptacle compatible with different bulb types and insertion preferences while maintaining secure electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic spring-loaded fingers adapt their motion pattern based on the insertion method used. During linear insertion, the fingers flex outward to accommodate the base. During rotational insertion, they flex and rotate to engage the threads. This dynamic adaptability enables the single socket design to support multiple insertion methods effectively.
3Strength
If rigid socket structure is used for threaded light bulbs, then structural strength is maintained, but insertion and removal become difficult and may damage components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the socket structure into rigid housing components and flexible finger components. The housing maintains structural strength and positioning, while the segmented fingers are made flexible through spring loading. This segmentation allows different parts of the socket to have different mechanical properties - rigid where structural support is needed, flexible where bulb interaction occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible elements in the form of spring-loaded socket fingers that can elastically deform during bulb insertion and removal. These flexible fingers provide the necessary compliance to accommodate bulb bases without requiring excessive force, while the rigid housing maintains overall structural integrity. This combination resolves the contradiction between strength and ease of 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
Facilitates easy and secure insertion and removal of light bulbs in both rotational and linear directions, ensuring reliable electrical connections while reducing the need for excessive force and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of fingers (23) extending upwardly from proximal ends adjacent to a solid circular ring portion (21) towards distal ends adjacent to the opening (13)
Data Source
AI summary
Light bulb receptacles and light bulb sockets are described. According to one aspect, a light bulb receptacle includes a housing which defines a housing chamber, a light bulb socket within the housing chamber and which comprises a first end and a second end about a light bulb chamber which is configured to receive a base of a light bulb, wherein the light bulb socket further comprises a plurality of fingers which extend outwardly from the first end toward the second end and define an opening to the light bulb chamber at the second end, wherein the fingers are individually configured to move outwardly from the light bulb chamber during insertion and removal of the light bulb via the opening to the light bulb chamber, and wherein the fingers individually comprise an engagement member configured to engage a base of the light bulb received within the light bulb chamber and to retain the light bulb received within the light bulb chamber.