Abstract:
The present invention comprises a bulb socket assembly. The bulb socket assembly comprises a bulb accepting body portion, a terminal accepting body portion connected to the bulb accepting body portion, at least one terminal positioned in the bulb socket with the terminal&#39;s blade end extending into the bulb accepting body portion and its lead end positioned in the terminal accepting body, at least one wire connected to the lead end of the at least one terminal, and a sealing material substantially covering the lead end and the connected wire of the at least one terminal. One embodiment of the bulb socket assembly further comprises a stabilizing feature that allows the socket assembly to firmly grasp bulbs of various sizes. Another embodiment of the bulb socket assembly further comprises a plurality of alignment features to help guide a bulb into proper alignment with a set of terminals.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/326,936, filed Oct. 4, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to automotive exterior lighting. Specifically, the present invention relates to light bulb sockets that are used in automotive lamps.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Automotive lamps generally employ light bulbs as their light source. These bulbs connect to the rest of the lamp assembly and receive their electrical power through lamp bulb sockets in the lamps. The design of these lamp bulb sockets vary but must at their most basic form contain means to secure the bulb in place in the socket, means to provide the bulb with the electrical power to function, and means to secure the lamp socket to the rest of the lamp assembly. While these are the minimum requirements for a lamp bulb socket, there are numerous other design characteristics that are desirable in modern lamp bulb sockets.  
           [0004]    Lamp bulb sockets are typically one of two types. First, “axial” lamp bulb sockets include a housing body that extends directly behind the lamp. The housing body directs the wires connected to the lamp bulb socket away from the lamp bulb socket. In this manner, the wires are placed directly behind the lamp bulb socket and run parallel with an insertion axes  190  (See FIG. 1) along which the lamp is inserted into the lamp bulb socket. Second, “right angle” lamp bulb sockets include a housing body that extends behind the lamp and then at a right angle away from the lamp. The “right angle” housing directs the wires connected to the lamp bulb socket away from the lamp bulb socket at a right angle to insertion axis  190 .  
           [0005]    The “axial” lamp bulb socket has the disadvantage of taking up a lot of space directly behind an automotive lamp, because the wires, terminals and the seals of the wires to the terminals all take up a great deal of space. A socket that takes up a lot of space directly behind an automotive lamp is undesirable because it limits design options for manufactures and prevents lamp sizes from being further reduced. In contrast, “right angle” lamp bulb sockets does not take up as much space directly behind an automotive lamp because it directs the wires at a ninety degree angle away from the lamp. However, while the right angle socket decreases the need for space directly behind the lamp socket, it increases the diameter space needed around the lamp to house the right angle socket. This too limits design options for automotive manufacturers. These limitations could be avoided with an automotive lamp bulb socket that occupies the same amount of space as a right angle socket directly behind the lamp but at the same time occupies the same amount of diameter space as an axial lamp socket around the lamp.  
           [0006]    Another disadvantage with the prior art lamp sockets is that current lamp bulb sockets are manufactured with exteriors that permit either “axial” or “right angle” loading of the lamp bulb socket into the lamp assembly, but not both. As a result, two types of sockets must be produced by suppliers. This creates additional manufacturing expenses. These expenses could be eliminated or minimized by the use of a lamp bulb socket which is designed with an exterior that permits the same socket to be loaded either axially or at a right angle during lamp assembly. Such versatility in the exterior shape of the lamp bulb socket is just one of a number of desirable exterior design characteristics of lamp bulb sockets.  
           [0007]    There are a number of additional qualities which are desirable on the exterior of a lamp bulb socket. First, the lamp bulb socket should be designed with exterior features which allow the socket to be easily aligned with the rest of the lamp assembly. This simplifies the process of attaching the lamp bulb socket to the lamp assembly and reduces manufacturing costs. Second, the exterior of the lamp bulb socket should contain a mechanism to securely lock the socket to the rest of the lamp assembly. This prevents the bulb socket from becoming loose inside the lamp assembly which could lead to the malfunction of the light source and the loss of illumination. Third, it is desirable for the exterior of the lamp bulb socket to contain a mechanism to prevent the over-rotation of the lamp bulb socket as it is being attached to the lamp assembly.  
           [0008]    There are also qualities which would be desirable in the wiring of the lamp bulb socket. First, the lamp bulb socket should be designed to eliminate the pinching or misalignment of wires during the insertion of a light bulb into the socket. The pinching or misalignment of wires could prevent the proper connection of the bulb with the electrical terminals in the socket leading to a faulty electrical connection. The result is an inoperable light source. Second, the lamp bulb socket should be wired to eliminate as much wire splicing as possible. The elimination of wire splicing is desirable because it decreases the cost of manufacturing by reducing the number of necessary splicing operations, subsequent splice sealing operations, and components needed in constructing an automotive lighting system. Third, the electrical wiring used should be connected to the terminals of the lamp bulb socket by the most efficient method possible. It is also desirable that this connection be environmentally sealed to prevent the elements from degrading the connection and contributing to a premature failure of the light source. An environmental seal located between the lamp bulb socket and the lamp assembly is also required. This seal should be designed to minimize the force required for its installation in order to reduce the cost of manufacture.  
           [0009]    In addition to the aforementioned desirable exterior qualities of a lamp bulb socket, the interior of the socket should also be designed with a number of beneficial qualities in mind. For example, the interior of the lamp bulb socket should be designed to help guide the lamp bulb into place. This is desirable for many reasons. First, properly guiding the bulb helps to prevent damage to the bulb&#39;s base during the installation of the bulb into the socket. Second, a design which guides the bulb into the proper position decreases the amount of force necessary for the insertion of the bulb, thus, decreasing the cost of manufacturing. Third, properly guiding the bulb into place decreases the possibility of terminal or lead wire damage.  
           [0010]    Another design quality that is desirable in lamp bulb sockets is the ability to accept bulbs of varying size. This gives the manufacturer flexibility in the manufacturing process. However, one resulting problem of using differing bulb sizes that is seen in the prior art is the tendency for smaller bulbs to rock or wobble in the lamp bulb socket. Lamp bulb sockets should be designed to incorporate means to eliminate or minimize this wobbling. In addition to means for minimizing the wobbling of the bulb, another desirable feature of lamp bulb sockets is for the bulb to be firmly held in place once the bulb is inserted. The bulb must be secured such that the bulb will not disengage from the lamp bulb socket. If the bulb was not firmly held in place, the proper electrical connection may be lost resulting in a loss of illumination from the light source. Finally, steps should be taken to reduce the mass of the entire lamp bulb socket. Any reduction in the mass of the socket reduces the cost of shipping the final assembled sockets.  
           [0011]    Currently, manufacturers produce a number of types of lamp bulb sockets. No design has successfully embodied the above-discussed beneficial qualities. For example, many current sockets continue to have exterior designs which permit only “axial” or “right angle” loading of the lamp bulb socket into the lamp assembly. Additionally, many present sockets employ two-piece terminals which require assembly in the socket. By requiring additional assembly, these two-piece terminals are more likely to be misassembled. Two-piece terminals are also more prone to intermittent continuity problems and additional voltage drop. Thus, a lamp bulb socket employing one-piece terminals would be beneficial.  
           [0012]    The lamp bulb socket terminals are usually connected to the power supply by wires which are crimped to the terminals. The terminals are then secured to the body of the socket by a piece called a terminal position assurance. This method of securing terminals requires additional pieces, is time consuming, and requires additional labor. This also increases costs and the rate of faulty connection. Additionally, the crimp method of connecting the wires to the terminals fails to provide a good environmental seal around the connection. As a result, these connections are subjected to the elements and corrode after time. Another failing of most current lamp bulb socket designs is the use of a wiring configuration requiring multiple splices and several wire seals. This configuration adds unnecessarily to the assembly time required and the expense of manufacturing and adversely affects the quality of the harness.  
           [0013]    The current methods of stabilizing the bulb known in the prior art are also unacceptable. Rigid bulb support members cannot be used to control the wobble of smaller bulbs and still allow the use of larger bulbs. A separate piece stabilization feature has also been employed by some prior art designs. However, this approach has the shortcomings of increasing part count, manufacturing cost, assembly effort, and the possibility of the component becoming lost. Therefore, it would be desirable to find a new method of stabilizing the bulb.  
           [0014]    Thus, a need exists for a lamp bulb socket which provides all of the desirable features discussed above and which solves the related problems in the prior art while remaining relatively inexpensive and relatively simple to assemble.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    The present invention comprises an improved lamp bulb socket design suited for use in automotive lamps with varying bulb sizes. The design incorporates an omni-style external design which allows the lamp bulb socket to be loaded into the lamp assembly either “axially” or at a “right angle.” Embodiments of the present invention include lugs which employ locking mechanisms to lock the socket into place and stopping mechanisms to prevent over-rotation during installation. These embodiments of the present invention further utilize one-piece terminals which are connected to the required harness wiring by the crimp method and then sealed by a direct potting method. The direct potting method effectuates an environmental seal around the connection, prevents the connection from corroding and failing, reduces the overall size of the socket assembly, and allows for the socket to be right angle loaded or axially loaded. Additionally, the present invention allows for a plurality of sockets to be daisy chained to one another with the connections still being environmentally sealed. This wiring configuration produces cost savings by reducing the required number of splices.  
           [0016]    In addition to all of these external refinements, embodiments of the present invention incorporate a number of internal design improvements. One embodiment utilizes a series of alignment features on the interior of the socket to ease the installation of the bulb and decrease the risk of damage to the bulb during installation. These features include side rail alignment channels, centrally located angular ribs, and an axial channel.  
           [0017]    Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a stabilization feature in the interior of the bulb socket that comprises four edge surfaces. These edges are properly spaced so that they allow varying bulb sizes employing either single or multiple filament designs to be used. In conjunction with the tension of the terminals, these edges are able to hold a variety of bulb sizes tightly in place and prevent the bulb from wobbling. The present invention can incorporate all of these features to provide a lamp bulb socket with several beneficial qualities to the automotive industry in a cost-effective manner. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a side view of the W- 2  exemplary lamp bulb socket of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a rear view of a lamp housing with a socket recess that can interact with the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 a  is a top view of a single ridge seal gasket used in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 b  is a cross-sectional view of the single ridge seal gasket along line A-A of FIG. 3 a;    
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is an exploded, top view of the terminal accepting body of the exemplary lamp socket of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a one-piece, right-angle, wide terminal used in the exemplary lamp socket of FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 a  is a top perspective view of the bulb accepting body of the exemplary lamp bulb socket of FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 b  is a front view of a bulb used in the exemplary lamp socket of FIG. 1;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 c  is a side view of the bulb of FIG. 6 b;    
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a top view in relation to the socket of the bulb stabilizing feature utilized in the exemplary lamp bulb socket of FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bulb stabilizing feature along line B-B of FIG. 7;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a side view of the W- 3  exemplary lamp bulb socket of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the terminal accepting body of the exemplary lamp bulb socket of FIG. 9;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal accepting body along line C-C of FIG. 9;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a one-piece major/minor terminal used in the exemplary lamp bulb socket of FIG. 9;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a ground terminal used in the exemplary lamp bulb socket of FIG. 9;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 is a top view of the interior of the bulb accepting body of the exemplary lamp bulb socket of FIG. 9;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 15 a  is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the bulb accepting body along line D-D of FIG. 14;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 15 b  is a side view of a bulb used in the exemplary lamb bulb socket of FIG. 9;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 15 c  is a front view of the bulb of FIG. 15 b;    
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 16 is a side view of the prior art method of electrically connecting a plurality of lamp bulb sockets together with harness wires spliced together; and  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating the wiring method of the present invention where a single wire is daisy-chained between the individual lamp bulb sockets. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0040]    The present invention comprises an omni-style, wedge base lamp bulb socket assembly that allows for both “axial” and “right angle” loading of the lamp bulb socket into a lamp assembly. Two exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein as the W- 2  wedge base sealed lamp bulb socket assembly and the W- 3  wedge base sealed lamp bulb socket assembly. In FIG. 1, the W- 2  embodiment of the present invention is shown fully assembled comprising a bulb  10  and a lamp bulb socket  100 . Lamp bulb socket  100  comprises a bulb accepting body  20  connected to a terminal accepting body  30 , a plurality of wire retention slots  40 , and three lugs  50  (only one pictured) molded onto the side of bulb accepting body  20 , a seal gasket  70 , and a seal flange  80 . While the W- 2  embodiment comprises three lugs  50 , it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that a single lug or any number of a plurality of lugs can be used. Bulb accepting body  20  is preferably integral with terminal accepting body  30  and formed in a common mold. Terminal accepting body  30  includes an outer rim  31  where wire retention slots  40  are formed.  
         [0041]    As further shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of lug  50  is molded with a stop feature  60  and a lock feature  90 . While lug  50  is shown with stop feature  60 , not all lugs need to contain the stop feature. The preferred embodiment of the socket  100  does provide for stop feature  60  on at least one lug  50  and, more preferably, at least two lugs will contain lock feature  90  and stop feature  60 . In this embodiment, lock feature  90  can comprise a small projection, a bump, or a notch recess and stop feature  60  can comprise a short vertical wall. Stop features and lock features for socket assemblies are well known in the art. Thus, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that many equivalent types of lock features and stop features may be used to construct the disclosed embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]    As shown in FIG. 2, a lamp housing  200  utilizes a socket recess  210  with three slots  220 . Socket recess  210  is designed to accept W- 2  lamp bulb socket  100  with slots  220  designed to interact with lugs  50 . While this embodiment depicts socket recess  210  with three slots  220 , it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that socket recess  210  can comprise a single slot or any number of a plurality of slots, so long as the number of slots corresponds to the number of lugs  50  on socket  100 . During installation, lamp bulb socket  100  is inserted into socket recess  210 , so that lugs  50  are inserted into slots  220  and seal flange  80  covers socket recess  210 . Once inserted, lamp bulb socket  100  is rotated so that lock feature  90  slides over a protrusion (not shown) that is located on the side of the interior of socket recess  210  between slots  230 . Once lock feature  90  slides over this protrusion, it is prevented from being slid back over the protrusion. In this manner, lock feature  90  interacts with the protrusion of socket recess  210  to provide a reverse rotation lock that retains lamp bulb socket  100  in its installed position. Further, lamp socket  100  is rotated until at least one stop feature  60  abuts against an edge of one of the slots  220 . In this manner, stop feature  60  interacts with slot  220  to prevent lamp bulb socket  100  from being over-rotated during the assembly process.  
         [0043]    Referring back to FIG. 1, the W- 2  exemplary embodiment of the present invention further comprises a socket to housing seal gasket  70 , which encircles lamp bulb socket  100 . FIG. 3 a  depicts a top view of an isolated seal gasket  70  and FIG. 3 b  depicts a cross-sectional view of the seal gasket along line A-A of FIG. 3 a.  As shown in FIG. 3 b,  seal gasket  70  comprises a thick single ridge  110 . In construction, seal gasket  70  is placed over bulb accepting body  20  of socket  100  and slid in between seal flange  80  and lugs  50 , so that the seal gasket is kept in place by lugs  50  and by seal flange  80 . Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, when socket  100  is installed into socket recess  210 , seal gasket  70  is pinched in between seal flange  80  and lamp housing  200 . In this manner, thick single ridge  110  compresses to create an environmental seal between lamp bulb socket  100  and lamp housing  200 . The use of seal gasket  70  with a single ridge  110 , instead of a seal gasket with multiple ridges, reduces the force necessary to install the seal gasket and decreases the percentage of seal compression. In this manner, seal  70  eases installation of socket  100  and reduces manufacturing costs of the socket assembly. While the present invention utilizes a single ridge seal gasket  70  to ease installation, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that many equivalent types of seal gaskets may be used to construct the disclosed embodiment of the present invention. For example, a seal gasket that utilizes two ribs or three ribs may be used in constructing the present invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4 displays an exploded top view of terminal accepting body  30  of lamp socket  100 . As shown in FIG. 4, this embodiment of the present invention further comprises two one-piece, right-angle wide terminals  130 , two right-angle terminal housing channels  140 , two terminal blade receiver slots  150 , and two harness wire retention slots  40 . While the W- 2  embodiment comprises two harness wire retention slots, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that any number of a plurality of retention slots or no retention slots can be used.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of right-angle terminal  130 . As shown in FIG. 5, terminal  130  comprises a one-piece, right-angle wide terminal design that comprises a terminal lead end  132 , a lamp bulb connecting blade  134 , and a cover plate  136 . While the preferred terminal  130  comprises a one-piece terminal design, it is realized by one skilled in the art that terminal  130  can comprise a two-piece terminal. The wide terminal design of terminals  130  is advantageous, because it makes insertion of the bulb easier and helps prevent harm to the bulb when it is inserted into socket  100 . In this embodiment, cover plate  136  is located just above lamp connecting blade  134  and the lamp connecting blade is substantially perpendicular to the cover plate. This embodiment enables cover plate  136  to cover the entire opening of receiver slot  150  when blade  134  is inserted into the receiver slot. Lead end  132  of the terminal  130  is aligned substantially perpendicular to the alignment of blade  134 . Lead end  132  is substantially perpendicular to blade  134  because the axis along which wires  160  are inserted into the lead end is substantially perpendicular to the axis along which two prongs  137  of blade  134  extend. In contrast to an axial terminal, right-angle terminals  130  reduce the space needed to house socket  100  because terminal lead ends  132  are located closer to the terminal accepting body  30  of the socket.  
         [0046]    Terminal lead end  132  comprises a wire cradle  139  and a wire connecting piece  138 . An insulated harness wire  160  (shown in FIG. 17) is laid into wire holding cradle  139  and connecting piece  138 . The section of harness wire  160  laying in connecting piece  138  is stripped of insulation and is electrically connected to terminal  130  by crimping connecting piece  138  over the wire. The section of harness wire  160  laying in cradle  139  remains insulated and is held in place by crimping the cradle over the wire. It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that terminal lead end  132  can comprise either a single crimp terminal lead end or a double crimp terminal lead end. A single crimp terminal lead end  132  allows for one harness wire  160  to be connected to each terminal  130 . A double crimp terminal lead end would increase the length of wire cradle  139  and wire connecting piece  138  to allow for two harness wires  160  to be connected to each terminal  130 .  
         [0047]    Lamp bulb connecting blade  134  comprises two prongs  137 . Prongs  137  are the same and each prong can either electrically connect terminal  130  to bulb  10  or serve to hold the lamp bulb in place in combination with a stabilizing feature  170 . It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that each terminal  130  may comprise of many equivalent types of lamp bulb connecting blades to connect the terminals to bulb  10  and is not limited to blade  134  pictured in FIG. 5.  
         [0048]    Additionally, terminal  130  can further comprise terminal connecting piece  135 . In this embodiment, terminal connecting piece  135  comprises a latch  128  that operates to hold terminals  130  in place when the terminals are inserted into terminal blade receiver slots  150 . In operation, each latch  128  will slide into each receiver slot  150  and will expand once terminal  130  is fully inserted into the receiver slot. In this manner, connecting piece  135  interacts with the floor of bulb accepting body  20  of socket  100  to hold terminal  130  in place. It is realized by one skilled in the art that many equivalent types of means exist to connect and hold terminal  130  in place and that this embodiment of the present invention is not limited to connecting piece  135  for connecting the terminal to socket  100 .  
         [0049]    Referring to FIGS.  4 - 5 , in order to electrically connect terminals  130  to lamp bulb  10 , bulb connecting blade  134  is inserted into slots  150  in the posterior of lamp bulb socket  100 , so that terminal connecting piece  135  latches terminal  130  into place. Once connecting blades  134  are inserted, terminal lead ends  132  will rest in terminal housing channels  140 . In this manner, terminal lead ends  132  are aligned with harness wire retention slots  40  and are positioned sideby-side to one another in terminal accepting body  30  of lamp socket  100 . During the assembly process, harness wires  160  (shown in FIG. 17) are attached to terminal lead ends  132  by a method well known in the art, such as, the crimp method already described. Wires  160  are then threaded through and exit socket  100  through wire retention slots  40 . Harness wires  160  are then sealed to terminal lead ends  132  and terminal accepting body  30  of socket  100  by the use of a direct potting method.  
         [0050]    Direct potting involves the use of a sealing material with adhesive properties to secure the connection of harness wires  160  to terminals  130 . The sealing material is poured around the connection of wires  160  to terminals  130 , substantially covering the lead end  132  of the terminals  130 . In a preferred embodiment, the sealing material fills the terminal accepting body  30  to the rim  31 . Cover plate  136  prevents any of the sealing material from leaking through slots  150  into the interior of bulb accepting body  20  of socket  100 . Although small holes exist between terminals  130  and slots  150 , the sealing material is sufficiently viscus and hardens fast enough to prevent significant amounts of the sealing material from flowing into the bulb accepting body  20  of socket  100 . Any type of sealing material can be used in sealing wires  160  to terminal lead ends  132  of terminals  130 , but it is preferred that quick curing sealing materials, such as a polyurethane or a low pressure mold nylon, be used to allow for quick manufacturing of socket  100 . In addition to providing a secure connection, direct potting creates an environmental seal around the connection and in this manner, eliminates any leak path between wires  160  and socket  100 . Direct potting also eliminates the need for separate seals to connect terminals  130  to harness wires  160 . In this manner, direct potting reduces the number of parts needed to assemble socket  100 , reduces manufacturing cost, and reduces the amount of space needed to house the socket.  
         [0051]    Once the sealing material hardens, harness wires  160  are sealed to terminals  130  and lamp bulb socket  100 . Harness wires  160  are sealed to and exit wire retention slots  40  at about a ninety degree angle from insertion axis  190  (shown in FIG. 1). In this position, socket  100  can be right angle loaded into socket recess  210 . Alternatively, after wires  160  are threaded through retention slots  40  and sealed to terminals  130  and socket  100 , the wires can be bent approximately ninety degree so that the harness wires exit the socket substantially parallel to insertion axis  190 . In this position, socket  100  can be axially loaded into socket recess  210 . In an embodiment without retention slots  40 , harness wires  160  are sealed to and exit socket  100  substantially parallel to insertion axis  190 . In this position, socket  100  can be axially loaded into socket recess  210 . Alternatively, after wires  160  are sealed to and exit socket  100 , the wires can be bent approximately ninety degrees so that the harness wires exit the socket substantially perpendicular to insertion axis  190 . In this position, socket  100  can be right angle loaded into socket recess  210 .  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 6 a,  the W- 2  embodiment of lamp bulb socket  100  further comprises a bulb stabilizing feature  170 . FIG. 6 a  shows a top perspective view of bulb accepting body  20  of lamp bulb socket  100  with bulb  10  removed. FIG. 7 shows a top view of bulb accepting body  20  in relation to socket  100 . FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 7 of bulb accepting body  20  and bulb stabilizing feature  170 . Stabilizing feature  170  works in conjunction with terminals  130  (not pictured in FIG. 6 a -FIG. 8) to minimize bulb wobbling, to provide bulb retention, and to provide electrical contact between the terminals and bulb  10 . Referring to FIG. 6 a,  bulb stabilizing feature  170  comprises angular ribs  180  which are molded to form four opposing edges: edge A  230 , edge B  240 , edge X  250 , and edge Y  260 . Diagonally opposed edge A  230  and edge B  240  define a first distance  580  in relation to a centerline  600 , and diagonally opposed edge X  250  and edge Y  260  define a second distance  590  in relation to the centerline. First distance  580  equals the perpendicular distance from edge A  230  to centerline  600  plus the perpendicular distance from edge B  240  to centerline  600 . Second distance  590  equals the perpendicular distance from edge X  250  to centerline  600  plus the perpendicular distance from Y  260  to centerline  600 . The second distance  590  is greater than the first distance  580 . In this embodiment, bulb flange channels  581  are provided on opposite sides of the angular ribs  180 . Stabilizing feature  170  allows socket  100  to accept various bulb types of various sizes.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 6 b  shows a front view and FIG. 6 c  shows a side view of bulb  10  and bulb base  510 . Bulb  10  comprises base  510  that includes cylindrical portion  550 , flange portions  570 , and bulb leads  560 . Bulb leads  560  electrically connect to filament  561 . Bulb  10  is inserted into lamp bulb socket  100  by first contacting the sides of flange portion  570  of the bulb base  510  with edge A 230  and edge B 240  (see FIG. 6 a ). When flange portion  570  of bulb base  510  has a thickness greater than first distance  580  and is inserted into socket  100 , the flange portion will contact edge A  230  and edge B  240  and force the bulb base to rotate about bulb insertion axis  190 . Rotation of bulb  10  forces flange portions  570  against the spring tension of terminals  130 , which are inserted into the flange channels  581 . When bulb base  510  is inserted into socket  100 , flange bulb base portions  570  will be kept in place by lamp bulb connecting blades  134  of terminals  130  and bring bulb leads  560  into electrical contact with terminals  130 . This creates a tight grip on bulb base  510  and secures bulb  10  in place. In this manner, bulb stabilizing feature  170  creates a tight grip on bulb base  510 , secures bulb  10  in place and prevents the bulb from wobbling.  
         [0054]    In FIG. 9, the W- 3  embodiment of the present invention is shown fully assembled comprising a bulb  650  and a lamp bulb socket  300 . Bulb socket  300  comprises a bulb accepting body  310  connected to a terminal accepting body  320 , a plurality of wire retention slots  40 , three lugs  50  (only one pictured) molded onto the side of bulb accepting body  310 , exterior alignment features  330 , a seal gasket  70 , and a seal flange  80 . While the W- 3  embodiment comprises three lugs  50 , it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that a single lug or any number of a plurality of lugs can be used. In this embodiment, lugs  50  comprising stop feature  60  and lock feature  90 , seal gasket  70 , seal flange  80 , rim  31 , and harness wire retention slots  40  perform the same function as described in the W- 2  embodiment. Accordingly, the W- 3  embodiment of the present invention can be loaded into socket recess  210  (shown in FIG. 3) in the same manner as the W- 2  embodiment.  
         [0055]    Further, lamp bulb socket  300  may optionally comprise socket insertion wings  340 . Socket insertion wings  340  provide an operator with a part of socket  300  to grasp and use to insert lamp socket  300  into lamp housing  200 . This provides for easier installation and prevents damage to socket  300  and bulb  650  during the installation process. While the exemplary embodiment comprises two insertion wings  340 , it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any number of insertion wings may optionally be used in the present invention.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 10 displays a top perspective view of terminal accepting body  320  of lamp bulb socket  300 . In the W- 3  embodiment, lamp bulb socket  300  further comprises two major/minor terminals  350  with a major/minor terminal lead end  352  and ground terminal  360  with a ground terminal lead end  362 . FIG. 11 displays a cross-sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 9 of terminal accepting body  320 . As shown in FIG. 11, lamp bulb socket  300  further comprises two major/minor receiver slots  370  and ground terminal receiver slot  380  for receiving two major/minor terminals  350  and ground terminal  360  respectively (shown in FIGS. 12 and 13). As shown in FIG. 10, an assembled socket  300  has major/minor terminal lead ends  352  and ground terminal lead end  362  protruding out of the posterior of the lamp socket. While the W- 3  embodiment of the present invention comprises two major/minor terminals  350 , it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that this embodiment of the present invention can comprise one or two major/minor terminals  350 .  
         [0057]    Referring to FIG. 12, major/minor terminals  350  comprise a one-piece, axial terminal assembly that comprises major/minor terminal lead end  352 , a lamp bulb connecting blade  354 , and a cover plate  356 . Terminal lead end  352  comprises a wire connecting piece  358  and a wire cradle  359 . Terminal lead end  352  electrically connects major/minor terminal  350  to harness wires  160  in the same manner as terminal lead ends  132  of the W- 2  embodiment connect to harness wires  160 . It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that major/minor terminal lead ends  352  can comprise either a single crimp terminal lead end or a double crimp terminal lead end. Further, while terminals  350  comprise a one-piece major/minor terminal design, one skilled in the art realizes that terminals  350  can comprise a two-piece major/minor terminal design.  
         [0058]    Cover plate  356  is located below connecting blade  354  so that when connecting blade  354  is axially inserted into major/minor terminal receiver slot  370 , the cover plate will cover the entire opening of receiver slot  370 . It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that major/minor terminal  350  may comprise of many equivalent types of lamp bulb connecting blades to connect major/minor terminals to bulb  650  and is not limited to blade  354  pictured in FIG. 12. Additionally, major/minor terminal  350  can further comprise terminal connecting pieces  355 . When terminal  350  is inserted into major/minor receiver slots  370 , connecting pieces  355  will slide into the slots and expand once the terminal is fully inserted. In this manner, connecting pieces  355  interact with the floor of the bulb accepting body  310  of socket  300  to hold major/minor terminals  350  in place.  
         [0059]    Referring to FIG. 13, ground terminal  360  comprises ground terminal lead end  362 , a ground lamp bulb connecting blade  364  and a ground terminal cover plate  366 . Ground terminal lead end  362  comprises a wire connecting piece  368  and a wire cradle  369 . Terminal lead end  362  electrically connects ground terminal  360  to harness wires  160  in the same manner as terminal lead ends  132  of the W- 2  embodiment connect to harness wires  160 . It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that ground terminal lead end  362  can comprise either a single crimp terminal lead end or a double crimp terminal lead end. Further, while terminal  360  comprises a one-piece ground terminal design, one skilled in the art realizes that terminal  360  can comprise a two-piece ground terminal design.  
         [0060]    Cover plate  366  is located below connecting blade  364  so that when the connecting blade is inserted into ground terminal receiver slot  380 , the cover plate will cover the entire opening of ground terminal receiver slot  380 . It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that ground terminal  360  may comprise many equivalent types of lamp bulb connecting blades to electrically connect ground terminal  360  to bulb  650  and is not limited to blade  364  pictured in FIG. 13. Additionally, ground terminal  360  can further comprise terminal connecting piece  365 . When terminal  360  is inserted into ground terminal receiver slots  380 , connecting piece  365  will slide into the slot and expand once the ground terminal is fully inserted. In this manner, connecting piece  365  interacts with the floor of bulb accepting body  310  of socket  300  to hold major/minor terminals  350  in place.  
         [0061]    Referring back to FIG. 10- 12 , in order to electrically connect two major/minor terminals  350  and ground terminal  360  to a lamp bulb, major/minor bulb connecting blades  354  and ground bulb connecting blade  364  are inserted into major/minor receiver slots  370  and ground receiver slot  380  respectively. During the assembly process, harness wires  160  (shown in FIG. 17) are attached to major/minor terminal lead ends  352  and to ground terminal lead end  362  by a method well known in the art, such as the crimp method. Harness wires  160  are threaded through harness wire retention slots  40 . Wires  160  are then sealed to major/minor terminal lead ends  352 , ground terminal lead end  362  and terminal accepting body  320  by the use of the direct potting method already described. After harness wires  160  are sealed, the wires are in a position that allows socket  100  to be right angle loaded into socket recess  210 . Alternatively, after wires  160  are threaded through retention slots  40  and sealed to major/minor terminals  350 , ground terminal  360 , and socket  300 , the wires can be bent approximately ninety degree so that the harness wires exit the socket substantially parallel to insertion axis  190 . In this position, socket  300  can be axially loaded into socket recess  210 .  
         [0062]    As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 a,  lamp bulb socket  300  further comprises exterior alignment features  330  that include side rail alignment channels  410  and interior alignment features that include retention arms  425 , centrally located angular ribs  420  and an axial channel  430 . Axial channel  430  is located between angular ribs  420 . FIG. 14 displays a top view of bulb accepting body  310  of socket  300  and exterior alignment features  330  that comprise side rail alignment channels  410 . In the present embodiment, side rail alignment channels  410  are notches made on opposing sides of the interior of the lamp bulb socket wall. Side rail alignment channels  410  run from the top of lamp bulb socket  300  down to minor/major terminals  350  and ground terminal  360 , when the terminals are inserted into slots  370  and  380 . The height of side rail alignment channels  410  is optimally set in relation to the height of terminals  350  to provide for initial bulb  650  (shown in FIG. 9) entry alignment. Side rail channels  410  include angular seats  440 . In this manner, side rail alignment channels  410  line up the base of bulb  650  with major/minor terminals  350  and ground terminal  360  and limit the rotational and lateral movement of the lamp bulb within the walls of lamp bulb socket  300 .  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 15 a  displays a cross-sectional view of the interior of the bulb accepting body along line D-D of FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 15 a,  the interior of bulb accepting body further comprises centrally located angular ribs  420  and an axial channel  430  between the angular ribs. While the W- 3  embodiment of the present invention comprises two centrally located angular ribs  420  and one axial channel  430 , one skilled in the art appreciates that the present invention can comprise any number of angular ribs and axial channels.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 15 b  shows a side view and FIG. 15 c  shows a front view of bulb  650 . Bulb  650  comprises base  660  that includes bulb collar  652 , key tabs  670 , flange portion  680 , and bulb leads  690 . Bulb leads  690  electrically connect to filament  691 . When bulb  650  is inserted into bulb accepting body  310 , key tabs  670  of the bulb (see FIG. 15 c ) first slide down side rail alignment channels  410  until they contact angular seats  440 . As the bulb continues into bulb accepting body, angular ribs  420  direct flange portion  680  toward and into axial channel  430 . Flange portion  680  then enters axial channel  430  which is designed and dimensioned to hold the center of the flange portion. In this manner, angular ribs  420  further guides base  660  of bulb  650  into proper alignment with major/minor terminals  350  and assure clearance between the lamp bulb and the major/minor terminals. At the same time, axial channel  430  accepts the center of the flange portion  680 . Further, angular ribs  420  and axial channel  430  protect the tops of terminals  350  during bulb insertion and ensure that bulb  650  does not hit the tops of terminals  350  and break. Bulb  650  is inserted until the tops of retention arms  425  clip onto bulb collar  652 .  
         [0065]    Both of the embodiments of the present invention allow for a new wiring configuration in automotive lighting. Referring to FIG. 16, the prior art method of electrically connecting a plurality of lamp bulb sockets  450  utilizes two individual harness wires  460  connected to each socket. Harness wires  460  are then spliced together to form an electrical connection  470 . As shown in FIG. 17, the present invention, in contrast to the prior art, allows for a plurality of sockets  500  to be “daisy chained” together by harness wires  160 . Daisy chaining is possible in the present invention because the direct potting method allows for a lamp socket to make an environmental seal around a terminal connected to multiple wires. In this configuration, wires  160  travel directly from one lamp bulb socket  500  to another. This method reduces the number of splices and wire seals that need to be employed resulting in decreased manufacturing costs.  
         [0066]    While the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to particular embodiments thereof, such is offered by way of non-limiting examples of the invention as many other versions are possible. It is anticipated that a variety of other modifications and changes will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art and that such modifications and changes are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.