JP4095199B2 - Discharge lamp - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a discharge lamp used for a vehicle head lamp or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, discharge lamps such as HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lamps have attracted attention as lighting means used for vehicle head lamps. This discharge-type lamp has the advantages of higher luminance and longer life than conventional halogen lamps while having low power consumption. However, since a high voltage is generated when the HID lamp is turned on, the lamp and the electric wire connected thereto are electrically shielded so that the generation of the high voltage does not adversely affect other electronic devices. There is a need (see, for example, JP-A-9-204801).
[0003]
An example of the structure is shown in FIGS. The illustrated discharge lamp includes a bulb 210 and a socket 230 coupled thereto.
[0004]
The bulb 210 is provided with a light emitting unit 212, a lamp 214, and a shield cover 216. The light emitting unit 212 extends in the front-rear direction on the tip side of the bulb 210 and emits light by discharge. The lamp 214 is located immediately behind the bulb 212, and reflects light emitted from the bulb 212 forward. The shield cover 216 covers the valve 212 from the front with the valve 212 exposed to the side.
[0005]
A rear portion of the valve 210 is a socket coupling portion 220, and the socket 230 is detachably fitted into the socket coupling portion 220. The socket coupling part 220 exposes the high voltage electrode 222 and the low voltage electrode 224 of the light emitting part 212. Specifically, the end portion of the high voltage electrode 222 is exposed in a ring shape at the rear portion of the socket coupling portion 220, and the end portion of the low voltage electrode 224 is exposed so as to surround the outside in the same ring shape.
[0006]
A high voltage socket terminal 232 and a low voltage socket terminal 234 are fixed to the socket 230. Electrode contact portions 232b and 234b are formed at the front end portions (upper end portions in FIG. 2) of the socket terminals 232 and 234, and terminal contact portions 232a and 234a are formed at the rear end portions, respectively. The socket terminals 232 and 234 are arranged such that the electrode contact portion 232b of the high voltage socket terminal 232 and the electrode contact portion 234b of the low voltage socket terminal 232 are in contact with the high voltage electrode 222 and the low voltage electrode 224, respectively. Is arranged.
[0007]
On the other hand, an electric wire terminal 262 is attached to an end portion of the electric wire 260 for supplying power to the lamp, and a protruding piece 262a formed on the electric wire terminal 262 is in contact with the socket terminals 232 and 234 in the socket 230. The parts 232a and 234a are respectively fitted. Further, the electric wire 260 and the electric wire terminal 262 are covered from behind by the socket cover 240.
[0008]
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, reference numeral 290 denotes a switch terminal provided on the socket 230 in order to detect whether or not the socket coupling portion 220 and the socket 230 are completely coupled.
[0009]
The fitting structure between the socket coupling part 220 and the socket 230 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 9, two projections 227 projecting in the radial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the socket coupling portion 220 at intervals of 180 °. In contrast, four fitting grooves 237 are formed at intervals of 90 ° on the outer peripheral wall of the socket 230. Each fitting groove 237 extends in the circumferential direction from a protrusion inlet 237a opened at the axial end of the socket 230, and the end thereof is a narrow portion 237b that is so narrow that the protrusion 227 cannot enter. In other words, the protrusion 227 can enter the fitting groove 237 in the circumferential direction to a position just before the narrow portion 237b.
[0010]
The reason why the number of the fitting grooves 237 is larger than the number of the protrusions 227 is to allow the mounting angle of the socket 230 to the socket coupling portion 220 to be changed at 90 ° intervals.
[0011]
Next, the shield structure in this lamp will be described. Each electric wire 260 is covered with a braid 280 made of copper or the like, and a fixing fitting 282 is fixed to the end of the braid 280 by means of caulking or the like. On both side walls of the fixing bracket 282, contact spring pieces 283 extending from the side walls to both outer sides are formed. The fixing bracket 282 is attached to the electric wire inlet of the socket 230, and the shield cover 250 having a shape covering the entire socket 230 is attached to the socket 230, and the inner surface of the shield cover 250 and the fixing bracket 282 are attached. As a result, the shield structure is formed so as to cover the socket 230 and the electric wire 260 in series.
[0012]
Next, the procedure for assembling the lamp will be described.
[0013]
(1) As shown in FIG. 3, a high voltage terminal 232, a low voltage terminal 234, a seal member 236, and a switch terminal 290 are mounted in the socket 230.
[0014]
{Circle around (2)} Each electric wire 260 shown in FIG. 4 is set in an in-socket wire groove 238 shown in FIG. 5, and each electric wire terminal 262 is coupled to the socket terminals 232 and 234. Then, a seal member 270 shown in FIG. 5 is fitted from above, and this is further covered with a socket cover 240 shown in FIG.
[0015]
(3) As shown in FIG. 7, a braid fixing bracket 282 fixed to the end of the braid 280 is fitted on the portion where the electric wire introduction portion 239 of the socket 230 and the electric wire introduction portion 249 of the socket cover 240 are combined, Fix (state of FIG. 8). The braid 280 is connected to the ground through a circuit (not shown).
[0016]
(4) The socket 230 is fitted into the socket coupling portion 220 in the manner shown in FIGS. First, the socket 230 and the socket coupling portion 220 are axially fitted and temporarily fitted so that each projection 227 enters the appropriate fitting groove 237 from the projection inlet 237a in the axial direction (FIG. 9 → FIG. 10). Next, by rotating the socket 230 relative to the socket coupling portion 220, the protrusion 227 is moved to the back of the fitting groove 237 (to the position just in front of the narrow groove 237b) in the circumferential direction and is finally fitted. (FIG. 11).
[0017]
(5) The shield cover 250 shown in FIG. 11 is mounted at a position where the cover 250 covers the socket 230 from the outside as shown in FIG. At this time, the notch 258a of the contact portion 258 formed on the socket shield cover 250 and the spring piece 218a formed on the contact portion 218 of the valve shield cover 216 engage with each other, and the shield cover 250 By contacting the spring pieces 283 of the braid fixing bracket 282, both shield covers 216 and 250 are connected to the ground together with the braid fixing bracket 282 and the braid 280. Thereby, the valve 210, the socket 230, and the electric wire 260 are continuously shielded.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional structure, the braid 280, the braid fixing bracket 282, and the shield cover 250 are necessary to shield the socket 230 and the electric wire 260 in series, and the number of parts is large. In addition, it is necessary to attach the shield cover 250 on the braided fixture 282 after fixing the braided fixture 282 to the socket 230, which takes time for assembly. Therefore, the cost increases accordingly. In addition, since the shield covers 250 and 218 may be disconnected from the ground unless the braided fixture 282 and the shield cover 250 are securely in contact with each other, the contact described above is required to ensure high connection reliability (shield reliability). It is necessary to devise such as providing a spring piece 283, and the structure becomes more complicated.
[0019]
In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a discharge lamp capable of reliably shielding a socket and an electric wire connected thereto with a simple and low-cost structure.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for solving the above problems, the present invention relates to a discharge lamp comprising a bulb having a light emitting portion that emits light by discharge, and a socket coupled to the bulb to connect the light emitting portion to a power source. A shield conductor braid covering the socket and an electric wire connected to the socket, and an attachment portion attached to the socket in a state where the conductor braid covers the socket is provided at an end of the conductor braid. A shield cover that covers the light emitting part in a state where a part of the light emitting part is exposed. An unevenness that can be fitted to each other is provided, and the attachment portion engages with the shield cover at a relative angular position where the unevenness fits, so that the attachment portion becomes the shield cover. Those configured to be attached to the socket direct contact with state.
[0021]
The shield conductor braid does not necessarily cover the entire length of the wire, and may cover only a portion of the wire that is relatively close to the socket.
[0022]
According to the above configuration, since the conductor braid covers the socket and the electric wire connected thereto, the number of parts is reduced compared to the conventional structure in which the electric wire and the socket are shielded by separate members. At the same time, the assembly work is simplified. Further, if the conductor braid is connected to the ground, both the socket and the electric wire can be reliably shielded by the conductor braid, so that the reliability is high.
[0023]
An end of the conductor braid, since the conductor braid is provided a mounting portion mounted on the socket so as to cover the socket, the mounting work becomes easier.
[0024]
Further, the bulb is provided with a shield cover that covers the light emitting portion in a state where a part of the light emitting portion is exposed, and an attachment portion provided at an end of the conductor braid is constituted by a conductor, and the attachment portion is directly attached to the shield cover. Since it is attached to the socket in a contact state, both the valve shield cover and the conductor braid can be securely connected to the earth with a simple structure, and a more preferable shield structure can be constructed.
[0025]
Specifically, the inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion and the outer peripheral surface of the socket are provided with concave and convex portions that can be fitted to each other, and the mounting portion is engaged with the shield cover at a relative angular position where the concave and convex portions are fitted. Since it comprises, the attachment part and a shield cover can be easily engaged by making the position of the said unevenness into a standard.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
The illustrated discharge lamp includes a bulb 10 and a socket 30 coupled thereto.
[0028]
The bulb 10 is provided with a light emitting unit 12, a lamp 14, and a shield cover 16. The light emitting unit 12 extends in the front-rear direction on the tip side of the bulb 10 and emits light by discharge. The lamp 14 is located immediately behind the bulb 12 and reflects light emitted from the bulb 12 forward. The shield cover 16 covers the valve 12 from the front with the valve 12 exposed to the side.
[0029]
The rear portion of the valve 10 is a socket coupling portion 20, and the socket 30 is detachably fitted to the socket coupling portion 20. The socket coupling portion 20 exposes the high voltage electrode 22 and the low voltage electrode 24 of the light emitting unit 12.
[0030]
Specifically, a concave portion is formed in the center of the rear portion of the socket coupling portion 20 (the right side portion in FIG. 13 and the upper side portion in FIG. 17), and a protruding column 23 is formed in the center of the concave portion. An end portion of the high voltage electrode 22 is exposed in a ring shape on the outer peripheral surface, and an end portion of the low voltage electrode 24 is exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the socket coupling portion 30 so as to surround the outside in the same ring shape. A pair of contact portions 18 extending from the shield cover 16 are exposed on the rear surface of the socket coupling portion 20, and spring pieces 18 a protruding rearward are formed on these contact portions 18.
[0031]
A high voltage socket terminal 32 and a low voltage socket terminal 34 are fixed to the socket 30. Electrode contact portions 32b and 34b are formed at the front end portions (upper end portions in FIG. 14) of the socket terminals 32 and 34, and terminal contact portions 32a and 34a are formed at the rear end portions, respectively. The socket terminals 32, 34 are connected so that the electrode contact portion 32 b of the high voltage socket terminal 32 and the electrode contact portion 34 b of the low voltage socket terminal 32 are in contact with the high voltage electrode 22 and the low voltage electrode 24, respectively, in a state where the unit 20 is coupled. Has been placed. A sealing member (insulating member) 36 made of rubber or the like is provided between the high voltage socket terminal 32 and the low voltage socket terminal 34 to electrically seal the two.
[0032]
A mold chamber 30a is formed in the rear portion (lower side in FIG. 15) of the socket 30, and socket terminals 32 and 34 are disposed in the mold chamber 30a so that the terminal contact portions 32a and 34a protrude. Yes.
[0033]
On the other hand, among the electric wires 60 for supplying power to the lamp, a high voltage electric wire terminal 62 is attached to the end of the high voltage electric wire, and a low voltage electric wire terminal 64 is attached to the end of the low voltage electric wire. The electric wire terminals 62 and 64 are formed with fitting gaps 62a and 64a into which the terminal contact portions 32a and 34a of the socket terminals 32 and 34 projecting into the mold chamber 30a can be fitted, respectively.
[0034]
The fitting structure between the socket coupling portion 20 and the socket 30 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 17, two projections 27 projecting in the radial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the socket coupling portion 20 at intervals of 180 °.
[0035]
On the other hand, four fitting grooves 37 are formed at 90 ° intervals at the rear end of the outer peripheral wall of the socket 30. Each fitting groove 37 extends in a circumferential direction from a protrusion inlet 37a opened at the axial end of the socket 30, and the end of the fitting groove 37 is narrow enough to prevent the protrusion 27 from entering as shown in FIGS. It has become. An insertion hole 37c having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the protrusion 27 is formed at a position immediately before the small width portion 37b, and the protrusion 27 passes through the fitting groove 37 until it is inserted into the insertion hole 37c. It can enter in the circumferential direction.
[0036]
The reason why the number of the fitting grooves 37 is larger than the number of the protrusions 27 is to enable the mounting angle of the socket 30 to the socket coupling portion 20 to be changed at 90 ° intervals.
[0037]
As a feature of this lamp, each electric wire 60 and a braid 80 covering the electric wire 60 are provided. The braid 80 is formed by braiding a conductive material (conductor) such as copper, and a fixing metal fitting (attachment portion) 50 is fixed to an end portion thereof.
[0038]
The fixing metal 50 is made of a conductor, and in the present embodiment, has a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional shape that lacks a part in the circumferential direction. A U-shaped slit 51 is formed on the peripheral wall, and a portion surrounded by the slit 51 bulges outward to form a sandwich piece 52 as shown in FIG. The fixing bracket 50 is fixed to the end portion of the braid 80 by sandwiching the end portion of the braid 80 between the peripheral wall 50 and caulking the fixing bracket 50.
[0039]
The axial end of the fixture 50 is formed in a flange shape, and a pair of contact portions 58 projecting in the radial direction is formed at the end. The contact portion 58 is formed with a pair of protruding pieces 58a that are opposed to each other at an interval, and the spring pieces 18a of the contact portion 18 in the shield cover 16 are inserted between the protruding pieces 58a. The parts 18 and 58 are in contact with each other (that is, the fixing bracket 50 and the shield cover 16 are electrically connected).
[0040]
A plurality of convex portions 35 extending in the axial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the socket 30, while a concave groove 55 that can be fitted into the convex portion 35 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixture 50. . And the formation position is set so that the projection piece 58a and the spring piece 18a can be fitted only at the relative angular position where the projection 35 and the groove 55 are fitted.
[0041]
In addition, a braid holding piece 30b that sandwiches the braid 80 together with the outer peripheral surface of the socket 30 is formed in a part of the socket 30 in the circumferential direction, and the braid 80 is in a direction orthogonal to the socket axial direction as shown in FIG. It is intended to prevent the end of the braid 80 from being detached from the fixture 50 when pulled.
[0042]
Next, the procedure for assembling the lamp will be described.
[0043]
(1) The high voltage terminal 32, the low voltage terminal 34, and the seal member 36 are mounted in the socket 30.
[0044]
(2) As shown in FIG. 15, the high-voltage wire terminal 62 is inserted into the mold chamber 30a of the socket 30, and the terminal contact portion 32a of the high-voltage socket terminal 32 is inserted into the insertion gap 62a. Similarly, the low voltage wire terminal 64 is inserted into the mold chamber 30a, and the terminal contact portion 34a of the low voltage socket terminal 34 is inserted into the insertion gap 64a. Thereby, each socket terminal 32 and 34 and the electric wire 60 will be in the connected state.
[0045]
{Circle around (3)} The molten resin is poured into the mold chamber 30a to integrate the socket 30 and the wire terminals 62 and 64 together. In other words, the mold body 31 (shown by a broken line in FIG. 14) having a shape corresponding to the shape is formed in the mold chamber 30a.
[0046]
(4) As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the socket 30 is temporarily fitted into the socket coupling portion 20. That is, the socket 30 and the socket coupling portion 20 are fitted in the axial direction so that the projection 27 of the socket coupling portion 20 enters the appropriate fitting groove 37 from the projection inlet 37a in the axial direction.
[0047]
(5) After temporary fitting, by rotating the socket 30 relative to the socket coupling portion 20, the protrusion 27 is fitted into the fitting groove 37 (as shown in FIG. 21). (Into the position). Thereby, the fitting between the socket coupling portion 20 and the socket 30 is completed (main fitting).
[0048]
(6) The fixing bracket 50 at the end of the braid 80 is approached to the socket 30 while the electric wire 60 is passed through the braid 80 (FIG. 23), and the concave groove 55 of the fixing bracket 50 and the convex portion of the socket 30 24 and 25, the spring piece 18a is inserted between the projecting pieces 58a as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 to complete the attachment of the fixing bracket 50 to the socket 30 and the valve 10 (FIG. 26). State). In this attached state, the contact portions 58 and 18 are in contact with each other, and the shield cover 16, the fixing bracket 50, and the braid 80 can be collectively connected to the ground. Thus, a shield device that continuously covers the socket 30 and the electric wire 60 can be constructed.
[0049]
Here, if the fitting between the socket 30 and the socket coupling portion 20 is in an incomplete state, for example, when the fitting is in a temporary fitting state, the recessed groove 55 of the fixing bracket 50 and the socket 30 Since the angular position of the protruding piece 58a and the spring piece 18a is shifted as shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 in a state in which the convex portion 35 is fitted, they cannot be engaged. Therefore, at this stage, it is possible to detect whether or not the fitting between the socket 30 and the socket coupling portion 20 is complete.
[0050]
In the structure shown here, since the socket 30 and the electric wire 60 are continuously covered by the braid 80, the number of parts is smaller than that of the conventional structure shown in FIGS. is there. In addition, since both the socket 30 and the electric wire 60 are covered by the single braid 80, both the socket 30 and the electric wire 60 can be reliably shielded if only the braid 80 is connected to the ground. Further, in order to ensure the contact between the braid fixing bracket 282 and the shield cover 250, there is no need to devise such as providing the contact spring piece 283 shown in FIG. In other words, a more reliable shield can be achieved with a simple structure using a single braid 80.
[0051]
Further, in this structure, since the fixing bracket 50 attached to the socket 30 is in direct contact with the shield cover 16 of the valve 10, the shield cover 16 can be securely connected to the ground with a simple structure. ing.
[0052]
Further, in this structure, the socket 30 and the fixture 50 are formed with recesses and projections (projections 35 and grooves 55) that can be fitted to each other, and the contact portion 58 of the fixture 50 and the shield cover 16 are fitted in the fitted state. Since the angular position with the contact portion 18 is matched, the contact portions 58 and 18 can be easily engaged with each other using the position of the convex portion 35 and the concave groove 55 as a guide. This effect can be obtained in the same manner by providing a concave portion on the outer peripheral surface of the socket 30 and providing a convex portion that fits with the concave portion on the inner peripheral surface of the fixture 50.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a discharge lamp comprising a bulb having a light emitting portion that emits light by discharge and a socket that is coupled to the bulb and connects the light emitting portion to a power source. Since the shield conductor braid for covering the electric wire connected to the wire is provided, the socket and the electric wire connected to the socket can be reliably shielded with a simple and low-cost structure. And since the attachment part attached to the said socket in the state which the said conductor braid covers the socket is provided in the edge part of the said conductor braid, the attachment operation | work becomes simpler. Further, the bulb is provided with a shield cover that covers the light emitting portion in a state where a part of the light emitting portion is exposed, and an attachment portion provided at an end of the conductor braid is constituted by a conductor, and the attachment portion is directly attached to the shield cover. Since it can be attached to the socket or the valve in contact with each other, both the shield cover for the valve and the conductor braid can be securely connected to the earth with a simple structure, and a more preferable shield structure can be constructed. Specifically, the inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion and the outer peripheral surface of the socket are provided with concave and convex portions that can be fitted to each other, and the mounting portion is engaged with the shield cover at a relative angular position where the concave and convex portions are fitted. Since it comprises, the attachment part and a shield cover can be easily engaged by making the position of the said unevenness into a standard.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional discharge lamp.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge lamp.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a socket in the discharge lamp.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional front view showing a stage before setting a wire terminal in the socket of the discharge lamp.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a stage after an electric wire terminal is set in a socket body of the discharge lamp and before a seal member is set.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a stage after a seal member is set on a socket body of the discharge lamp and before a socket cover is attached.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a stage before a wire shielding braid is joined to the socket.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a braid for wire shield is coupled to the socket.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a stage before the socket is coupled to the valve.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a stage where the socket is temporarily fitted to the valve.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a stage after the socket is fully fitted to the valve and before the shield cover for socket is attached.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the socket shield cover is mounted.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional front view of a discharge lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge lamp according to FIG.
15 is a cross-sectional view showing a stage where electric wire terminals are set in the mold chamber of the discharge lamp according to FIG. 13;
16 is a cross-sectional front view of a socket in the discharge lamp according to FIG. 13;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a stage before the socket is fitted to the bulb of the discharge lamp according to FIG. 13;
18 is a perspective view showing a stage in which a socket is temporarily fitted to the bulb of the discharge lamp according to FIG. 13; FIG.
19 is a front view showing the positional relationship between the protrusion and the fitting groove in the temporary fitting stage shown in FIG.
20 is a perspective view showing a state where the bulb and the socket of the discharge lamp according to FIG. 13 are fully fitted. FIG.
21 is a front view showing the positional relationship between the protrusion and the fitting groove in the main fitting state shown in FIG.
22 is a cross-sectional front view showing a connection structure between a braid and a fixture of the discharge lamp according to FIG.
23 is a perspective view showing a state in which a braided fixing fitting is approached to the socket in the main fitting state shown in FIG. 20;
24 is a perspective view showing a stage immediately before engaging the contact portion of the fixing metal fitting and the contact portion of the valve shield cover shown in FIG. 23;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a state in which the engagement between the contact portions is completed.
26 is a sectional side view showing the state of FIG. 25. FIG.
27 is a perspective view showing a state in which the contact portion of the fixing bracket is approached to the contact portion of the shield cover in the temporary fitting stage shown in FIG. 18;
28 is a sectional side view showing the state of FIG. 27. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bulb 12 Light-emitting part 16 Shield cover 18 Shield cover contact part 20 Socket coupling part 30 Socket 35 Convex part (concave / convex)
50 Braid fixing bracket (mounting part)
55 Groove (Roughness)
58 Braid fixing bracket contact portion 60 Electric wire 80 Braid

Claims (1)

In a discharge lamp comprising a bulb having a light emitting portion that emits light by discharge, and a socket connected to the power source by being coupled to the bulb,
A shield braid for shielding covering the socket and the electric wire connected to the socket ,
At the end of the conductor braid, a mounting portion is provided that is attached to the socket in a state where the conductor braid covers the socket.
While providing a shield cover that covers the light emitting part in a state where a part of the light emitting part is exposed to the bulb, an attachment part provided at an end of the conductor braid is configured with a conductor,
Protruding irregularities are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion and the outer peripheral surface of the socket, and the mounting portion engages with the shield cover at a relative angular position where the concave and convex portions are fitted. A discharge type lamp configured to be attached to the socket in a state of being in direct contact with a shield cover .

Images