JP3197232B2 - Connection structure between discharge lamp and socket - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel connection structure between a discharge lamp and a socket. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for preventing a high-voltage pulse from being discharged between terminals when a discharge lamp having two terminals and a socket are incompletely connected to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows a coupling structure between a light bulb and a socket.

A lamp b is provided with a base b, and one terminal c is projected from an end of the base b via an insulating member (not shown), and the outer peripheral surface of the base b serves as the other terminal. ing.

The socket d is formed with a fitting recess e for fitting and holding the base b of the bulb a. One terminal f is arranged at the base of the fitting recess e. The other terminal g is provided on the inner peripheral surface of e.

When the base b of the bulb a is securely fitted into the fitting recess e of the socket d, one terminal c of the bulb a is connected to one terminal f of the socket d and the bulb a Is in contact with the other terminal g of the socket d.

[0006]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional connection structure between a light bulb and a socket, the base b of the light bulb a is fitted in a fitting recess e of the socket d in an incomplete state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the base b and the other terminal g are in contact with each other, but the terminals c and f are not in contact with each other.

The state shown in FIG. 8 is not a serious problem in a normal incandescent lamp, but is a serious problem in a discharge lamp.

That is, since a high-voltage pulse is applied to a discharge lamp for lighting it, a discharge occurs between terminals that are not in contact with each other and are close to each other, and in the worst case, a fire is caused. There is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to prevent a high-voltage pulse from being discharged between terminals of a discharge lamp and a socket when the connection between the discharge lamp and the socket is incomplete.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems] coupling structure of the present invention the discharge lamp and the socket, in order to solve the problems described above, the discharge
When the lamp is facing the socket, the high side terminal of the socket
Between the high-side terminal of the discharge lamp and the low-side terminal of the socket.
If one terminal of the discharge lamp contacts the corresponding terminal of the socket so that the spacing between the low-side terminals of the discharge lamp is the same, the other terminal of the discharge lamp must also contact the other terminal of the socket. The contact is made.

Therefore, in the connection structure between the discharge lamp and the socket according to the present invention, even if the connection between the discharge lamp and the socket is incomplete, two sets of terminals between the discharge lamp and the socket are provided. Since only one of the terminals does not come into contact, no high-voltage pulse discharge occurs between the terminal of the discharge lamp and the socket when the connection between the discharge lamp and the socket is incomplete.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a discharge lamp and a socket according to an embodiment of the present invention;

A discharge lamp bulb (discharge lamp) 1 is detachably attached to a reflecting mirror 2 by a set ring 3.

The connector portion 4 of the discharge lamp bulb 1 has a cylindrical portion having a different thickness, that is, a large-diameter portion 5 on the front side and a small-diameter portion 6 on the rear side are overlapped in two steps. For example,
It is formed of a synthetic resin.

Engagement projections 7 are integrally formed at positions opposite to each other on the rear end of the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 5. Further, an outer terminal is provided at a front end of the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 6,
A so-called row (Lo) side terminal 8 is formed in an annular shape over the entire circumference. A shallow groove is formed in the small-diameter portion 6 at a position where the low-side terminal 8 is arranged, so that the outer peripheral surface of the low-side terminal 8 is located in the same plane as the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 6. Has become. A concave portion 9 is formed at the rear end of the small-diameter portion 6, and a pin-shaped inner terminal, a so-called high (Hi), is formed from the center of the bottom of the concave portion 9.
The side terminal 10 protrudes rearward. Note that the rear end of the high-side terminal 10 is located slightly forward of the rear end of the small-diameter portion 6 in the front-rear direction.

Main body 11a of discharge lamp bulb socket 11
Has a substantially cylindrical connecting portion 12 formed of an insulating material, for example, a synthetic resin. The connecting portion 12 has a front side substantially 3
It comprises a one-third fixed part 13 and a rear approximately two-thirds connection part 14. The inner diameter of the connecting portion 14 is formed to be considerably smaller than the inner diameter of the fixing portion 13, and as a result,
A forward-facing step 15 is formed at the boundary between the connecting portion 3 and the connecting portion 14.

The fixing portion 13 is formed with a flange 16 protruding outward at the front end thereof. The fixing portion 13 is formed with engaging grooves 17, 17,... Which are open at the front end and have a substantially L-shape when viewed from the side. The engaging groove 17 extends in the front-rear direction and is open at the front end.
And the engaging portion 19 extending in the circumferential direction from the rear end. The rear end of the introduction portion 18 and the portion on the rear end side of the engaging portion 19 are located in the same plane as the step portion 15. The depth of the engagement portion 19, that is, the portion located on the opposite side to the introduction portion 18 is the engagement portion 19
a, and the length and width thereof are formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the engagement projection 7 of the discharge lamp bulb 1. The width of the portion 19b of the engaging portion 19 other than the engaging portion 19a is formed on the introduction portion 18 side to be equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the engaging protrusion 7, and the width increases toward the engaging portion 19a. The width gradually decreases, and the width is smaller than the outer diameter of the engagement protrusion 7 before the engagement portion 19a, and a hook 19c is formed at the boundary with the engagement portion 19a. In addition, since the flange 16 is formed at the front end of the fixing portion 13, the front end of the introduction portion 18, that is, the outside of the entrance portion is covered by the flange 16 when viewed from the front.

Thus, the discharge lamp bulb 1 of the socket 11
The connection and fixation are performed as follows.

That is, first, the two engaging grooves 17, 17 in which the engaging projections 7, 7 of the discharge lamp bulb 1 are opposed to each other.
The connecting portion 12 of the socket 11 is externally fitted to the connector portion 4 of the discharge lamp bulb 1 so as to enter the introduction portions 18 and 18 respectively. Then, the engaging projections 7, 7 are the introduction portions 18,
18, when the rear end is reached, the engagement projections 7, 7
Into sockets 19, 19 so that socket 1
Rotate 1 As a result, the engagement projections 7, 7 relatively move the portions 19b, 19b toward the engagement portions 19a, 19a, and finally use the elasticity of the material of the socket 11 to make the portions 19b, 19b. , 19b, while pushing and expanding the width of the engaging portions 19a, beyond the hook portions 19c, 19c.
19a, whereby the socket 11 is fixed to the discharge lamp bulb 11. This position is the fixed position. As long as the engaging projections 7, 7 do not apply enough rotational force to expand the width of the engaging grooves 17, 17 and relatively move toward the introduction portions 18, 18, the discharge lamp bulb 1 The socket 11 is fixed at the fixed position described above.

At the center of the portion corresponding to the connection portion 14 in the fitting recess 11b of the socket 11, a cylindrical tubular portion 20 projects from the bottom, and a high-side power supply terminal extends from the bottom of the tubular portion 20. 21 and 21 are protrudingly provided. The high-side power supply terminals 21 and 21 are opposed to each other with a space therebetween, and are curved so that the facing surface side is concave. And
The high-side terminal 10 of the discharge lamp bulb 1 is press-fitted between the high-side power supply terminals 21 and 21. Note that the front ends of the high-side power supply terminals 21 and 21 end slightly behind the front end of the cylindrical portion 20.

The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 20 is equal to the discharge lamp bulb 1.
Of the concave portion 9 formed in the small diameter portion 6 of the connector portion 4 of FIG.

A part of the inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion 14 is cut out in an arc shape up to the bottom, and row-side power supply terminals 23, 23, 23 project from the bottom in the notch 22. These power supply terminals 23, 23, 23 are bent into a V-shape at the distal ends thereof, and the contact portions 23 slightly protrude toward the center of the fitting recess 11b.
a, 23a and 23a are formed. The front ends of the power supply terminals 23, 23, 23 are located slightly behind the step portion 15, and the tips of the contact portions 23a, 23a, 23a are closer to the center of the fitting recess 11b than the inner peripheral surface of the connection portion 14. Slightly protruding.

When the discharge lamp bulb 1 faces the socket 11 in a regular direction, the discharge lamp bulb 1
Between the front end of the high-side terminal 10 and the front end of the high-side power supply terminal 21 of the socket 11, the rear end of the low-side terminal 8 of the discharge lamp bulb 1, and the low-side power supply terminals 23, 2 of the socket 11.
The intervals between the contact portions 23a, 23a, 23a are the same.

As described above, when the socket 11 is attached to the discharge lamp bulb 1, first, the socket 11
Is externally fitted to the large-diameter portion 5 of the connector portion 4 of the discharge lamp bulb 1, and then the cylindrical portion 20 formed at the connection portion 14 of the socket 11 is internally fitted to the concave portion 9 of the discharge lamp bulb 1. You. The high-side power supply terminals 21 and 2 of the socket 11
Reference numeral 1 denotes a state in which the high-side terminal 10 of the discharge lamp bulb 1 is sandwiched, and the contact portions 23a, 23a, 23a of the low-side power supply terminals 23, 23, 23 resiliently contact the low-side terminal 8 of the discharge lamp bulb 1. Contact Then, as described above, the socket 11 is rotated and fixed at the fixed position.

It is assumed that the discharge lamp bulb 1 and the socket 11
When the terminals are not sufficiently connected to each other and the terminals cannot contact each other, it cannot be said that one of the terminals cannot contact each other, and there are two sets of terminals (10 and 21, and Neither 8 nor 23) can contact.

Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a high-voltage pulse is supplied while only one of the terminals is in contact with another terminal and a discharge is generated between another one of the terminals.

In the connection structure between the discharge lamp and the socket described above, the connector portion 4 of the discharge lamp bulb 1 is fitted into the fitting concave portion 11b of the socket 11, thereby fixing the two. The connection between the valve 1 and the socket 11 becomes stable.

Since the high-side terminals 10 and 21 to which the high-voltage pulse is applied are located at the center, there is an advantage that the high-voltage pulse is unlikely to leak out.

Further, after the discharge lamp bulb 1 and the socket 11 are fitted to each other and then rotated, the engagement projections 7 of the discharge lamp bulb 1 are engaged with the engagement grooves 17 of the socket 11, and So that the discharge lamp bulb 1
1 has an advantage that it is hard to fall off.

In the above embodiment, the socket 1
As the high-side power supply terminal 1, one having a configuration in which the high-side terminal 10 of the discharge lamp bulb 1 is sandwiched by two things 21, 21 is adopted. In order to apply elasticity to the high-side power supply terminal, a high-side terminal of the discharge lamp is fitted to the high-side power supply terminal. It may be anything.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, the connection structure between the discharge lamp and the socket according to the present invention is a connection structure between the socket and the discharge lamp connected to a lighting circuit for generating a high-voltage pulse. The socket and the discharge lamp are respectively connected to a high-side terminal to which a high-voltage pulse for supplying power is applied and a low-side terminal.
When the discharge lamp is opposed to the socket,
The distance between the high terminal of the socket and the high terminal of the discharge lamp
The spacing between the low-side terminal of the socket and the low-side terminal of the discharge lamp is the same
When one terminal of the discharge lamp contacts the corresponding terminal of the socket when the discharge lamp is fitted into the socket, the other terminal of the discharge lamp also contacts the corresponding other terminal of the socket. It is characterized in that it comes into contact.

Therefore, in the connection structure between the discharge lamp and the socket according to the present invention, even when the connection between the discharge lamp and the socket is incomplete, two sets of terminals between the discharge lamp and the socket are provided. Since only one of the terminals does not come into contact, no high-voltage pulse discharge occurs between the terminal of the discharge lamp and the socket when the connection between the discharge lamp and the socket is incomplete.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the discharge lamp is provided with a connector having a high-side terminal and a low-side terminal , and the socket is provided with a high-side terminal and a low corresponding to the connector. A fitting recess having side terminals is provided, and when the discharge lamp is coupled to the socket, the connector portion is fitted to the fitting recess to a predetermined position. Are in the state of being fitted in the fitting recesses, either the two terminals of the discharge lamp are in contact with the terminals of the socket, or both are not in contact with the terminals of the socket. Therefore, in addition to the above-described effects, an effect is obtained in that the connection between the discharge lamp and the socket is stabilized.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, a pin-shaped high terminal protrudes from the center of the connector portion of the discharge lamp, and a low terminal is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the connector portion. The high-side terminal for pinching or holding the pin-shaped high-side terminal is arranged at the center of the fitting recess of the socket, and the low-side terminal is arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess. Therefore, the high-side terminal to which the high-voltage pulse is applied is located at the center, and the high-voltage pulse is less likely to leak to the outside.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 4, the discharge lamp is formed with an engagement projection, the socket is formed with an engagement hole, and the discharge lamp is rotated after being fitted into the socket. By doing so, the engagement protrusion is engaged with the engagement hole, so that the connection between the discharge lamp and the socket is further ensured, and an effect is obtained that the discharge lamp is hard to be detached from the socket.

It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Should not be interpreted restrictively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a connection structure between a discharge lamp and a socket according to the present invention together with FIGS. 2 to 6; FIG. It is a vertical side view of a headlamp.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the socket.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a state where the connection between the discharge lamp and the socket is incomplete.

7 shows an example of a conventional light bulb and a socket together with FIG. 8, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part showing a problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Discharge lamp bulb (discharge lamp), 4 ... Connector part, 7 ... Engagement protrusion, 8 ... Low side terminal, 10 ... High side terminal, 11 ... Socket, 11b ... Fitting concave part, 17 ... Engagement hole, 21 ... High side terminal, 23 ... Low side terminal

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connection structure between a socket connected to a lighting circuit for generating a high-voltage pulse and a discharge lamp, wherein the socket and the discharge lamp each include a high-voltage power supply.
It has a high side terminal and a low side terminal
When the lamp is facing the socket, the high side terminal of the socket
Between the high-side terminal of the discharge lamp and the low-side terminal of the socket.
The distance between the low-side terminals of the discharge lamp shall be the same, and when one terminal of the discharge lamp contacts the corresponding terminal of the socket when the discharge lamp is fitted into the socket,
A connection structure between a discharge lamp and a socket, wherein the other terminal of the discharge lamp also contacts the corresponding other terminal of the socket. 2. The discharge lamp has a connector portion having a high-side terminal and a low-side terminal , and the socket has a high-side terminal and a low-side terminal corresponding to the connector portion .
A fitting recess having a c-side terminal is provided; when the discharge lamp is coupled to the socket, the connector is fitted to the fitting recess to a predetermined position; When the portions are fitted in the fitting recesses, either of the two terminals of the discharge lamp is in contact with the terminal of the socket or both are not in contact with the terminal of the socket. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The coupling structure of the discharge lamp and the socket according to the above. 3. A pin-shaped high terminal protrudes from a central portion of a connector portion of a discharge lamp, and a low-side terminal is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the connector portion. The discharge lamp according to claim 2, wherein a high-side terminal for sandwiching or holding the high-side terminal is disposed, and a low-side terminal is disposed along an inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess. Connection structure with socket. 4. The discharge lamp has an engagement protrusion formed therein, the socket has an engagement hole formed therein, and the discharge lamp is rotated after being fitted into the socket, whereby the engagement protrusion is formed in the engagement hole. 4. The connecting structure of a discharge lamp and a socket according to claim 1, wherein the discharge lamp and the socket are engaged with each other.