Patent Publication Number: US-6705901-B1

Title: Automobile electrical connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an automobile electrical connector, particularly to an automobile electrical connector having light indication of electrical connection. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Currently, electrical sockets are extensively provided in automobiles for electrical connections of smoking device, vacuum cleaner, air compressor, mobile communication, etc. For example, a connector has the shape similar to a smoking device for mating with the electrical socket. The connector has an elongated housing insertable to the electrical socket. An electrical circuit is provided in the housing, which connects with the electrical socket by a biasing spring and a contact spring for electrical connection. However, electrical contact area therebetween is so long that it is through a long way that the elongated housing inserts to the electrical socket for the contact spring contacting a terminal of the electrical socket. Moreover, users cannot see if electrical connection is successful. For example, a mobile phone is expected to be charging via the electrical socket, but in fact fails to be electrically connected to the electrical socket, which is often troublesome. 
     Additionally, an elongated housing of a conventional automobile electrical connector is ejection shaped of the same material. The quality of the electrical connector is limited by the shaping technology and material cost, and appearance thereof is also affected. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Objectives of This Invention 
     The main objective of this invention is to provide an automobile electrical connector having light indication for electrical connection between an electrical socket and a connector of an electrical device. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide an automobile electrical connector having a replaceable ornamental panel, which provides different assembly structure and improves appearance of the electrical connector without limitation of shaping technology. 
     The automobile electrical connector is featured of an opening opposite to a contact end for electrical connection. A circuit board corresponds to the opening and electrically connects with a lighting block, which connects with power for light indication of electrical connection. 
     At least one photic panel is formed on the elongated housing and corresponds to the opening for transmitting light. 
     A light emission panel is provided between the photic panel and the opening for enlarging light area upon the photic panel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The drawings of preferred embodiments of this invention are described in details to enable better understanding. 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an automobile electrical connector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, where the automobile electrical connector is upside down. 
     FIG. 3 is an assembled view of this invention of the automobile electrical connector of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken from the line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a mobile phone connector being assembled to the automobile electrical connector of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIG. 1, an automobile electrical connector  1  in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongated housing  2 , a circuit board  3 , a biasing spring  4 , a contact spring  5 , and a compression spring  6 . The elongated housing  2  includes a first housing  20  and a second housing  21 , which are integrally assembled together. The first housing  20  has a contact end  22  and an engaging end  23 . A first groove  201  is defined in a surface of the first housing  20  adjacent to the engaging end  23 . The first groove  201  has a shape corresponding to inside periphery of the elongated housing  2 . A photic panel  24  encloses the first groove  201  and is formed of qualified material to fit for the first housing  20 . With reference to FIG. 4, a latch  241  is provided at an end of the photic panel  24 . A first cutout  212  is defined in an edge of inner of the first groove  201  adjacent to the contact end  22  for locking with the latch  241 . A plurality of tabs  242  is formed on an end of the photic panel  24  opposite to the latch  241  for cooperating with the first groove  201  thereby retaining the photic panel  24  onto the first groove  201 . An opening  202  is substantially defined in the center of the first groove  201  adjacent to the engaging end  23 . An edge  203  borders the opening  202  for mounting a light emission panel  25  thereon. A projection  251  is formed on an outer periphery of the light emission panel  25  for cooperating with the edge  203 . A plurality of strips  252  is formed on the light emission panel  25  and is parallel with each other. The light emission panel  25  abuts against the photic panel  24  in assembly (referring to FIG.  4 ). 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the second housing defines a second groove  211  therein. The second groove  211  has a shape similar to the first groove  201  and corresponding to inside periphery of the elongated housing  2 . A photic panel  24  encloses the second groove  211 . A latch  241  is provided at an end of the photic panel  24 . A second cutout  212  has a shape similar to the first cutout  212  for locking with the latch  241 . A plurality of tabs  242  is formed on an end of the photic panel  24  opposite to the latch  241  for cooperating with the second groove  211  thereby retaining the photic panel  24  onto the second groove  211 . 
     The circuit board  3  is sandwiched between the first housing  20  and the second housing  21 . The biasing spring  4 , the contact spring  5 , and the compression spring  6  electrically connect with the circuit board  3 . The biasing spring  4  has a cap  40  beyond opposite sides of the elongated housing  2 . The compression spring  6  abuts the contact spring  5 . A lighting block  7  is provided on the circuit board  3  and is defined opposite to the opening  202  of the first housing  20 . The lighting block  7  is a LED in this embodiment, and electrically connects with a power of the circuit board  3  for lighting indication. 
     With reference to FIGS. I through  4 , in assembly, the circuit board  3  is first received in the second housing  21 . The cap  40  of the biasing spring  4 , the compression spring  6 , the contact spring  5  and a strain relief  80  of a cable  8  (shown in FIG. 5) are placed in sequence. The first housing  20  engages with the second housing  21 , where the lighting block  7  is opposite to the opening  202 . The light emission panel  25  is mounted above the opening  202 . A pair of photic panels  24  fit into the first groove  201  and the second groove  211 , respectively. The tabs  242  of the photic panels  24  correspondingly abut against the first housing  20  and the second housing  21 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 show a mobile phone connector  9  assembled to the automobile electrical connector  1 . The cable  8  has opposite ends respectively connecting with the mobile phone connector  9  and the automobile electrical connector  1 . When the automobile electrical connector  1  contacts an electrical socket on the automobile (not shown), the lighting block  7  immediately lights through the light emission panel  25 , whereby users know that the mobile phone connector  9  has electrical connection with the automobile electrical connector  1  successfully. 
     As evidenced in the above description, this invention is capable of achieving its anticipated objective, which has satisfied the requirement for a patent. It should be declared herewith that the above description covering only the preferred embodiment of this invention could not be based to restrict the scope of application of this invention, and that all modifications or variations made within the scope of the claims shall be included in this patent right.