Illuminated power outlet

• US 6,109,760 A
• Filed: 12/14/1998
• Issued: 08/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Watson, James A., Salatrik, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Negron, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US09/211,083
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 362/489, 362/555, 362/95, 362/376, 362/378, 362/800, 219/260, 219/267, 219/269, 219/200, 219/209, 219/507-510, 219/520
• US Class Current: 362/95
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/14 of electrically-heated lighters
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/275 Smoking-related fittings, e.g. cigarette lighters or ashtrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An illuminated power outlet assembly for a motor vehicle having an insulator and an illumination device. The illumination device includes a light emitting diode and a resistor electrically coupled in series. The illumination device is positioned within a power outlet, specifically between the casing and the insulator, such that when the illumination device illuminates, the light passes through the insulator to light the power outlet.

Claims

1. An illuminated power outlet assembly for a motor vehicle, said illuminated power outlet assembly comprising:

a housing having an open end and a base portion;

a power terminal assembly mounted to said base portion of said housing;

an insulator having at least one flange, said insulator being disposed within said housing such that said at least one flange and said base portion of said housing forms a cavity;

an illumination device having a light emitting diode and a resistor electrically coupled in series, said illumination device being positioned within said cavity, said illumination device being electrically coupled to said power terminal assembly for illuminating light through said insulator; and

a connecting member coupling said insulator and said illumination device to said housing, said connecting member further being electrically coupled to said power terminal assembly.

2. The illuminated power outlet assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cap member for mating with said open end of said housing; and

a lens disposed in said cap member.

3. The illuminated power outlet assembly according to claim 1 wherein said insulator includes a hole formed therethrough to facilitate the illumination of light through said insulator.

4. The illuminated power outlet assembly according to claim 1 wherein said insulator is made of a translucent material.

5. The illuminated power outlet assembly according to claim 1 wherein said connecting member is a rivet.

6. An illuminated power outlet assembly for a motor vehicle, said illuminated power outlet assembly comprising:

a housing having an open end and a generally closed portion;

a power terminal assembly mounted to said generally closed portion of said housing;

a translucent insulator having at least one flange, said insulator being disposed within said housing such that said at least one flange and said generally closed portion of said housing forms a cavity;

an illumination device having a light emitting diode and a resistor electrically coupled in series, said illumination device being positioned within said cavity, said illumination device being electrically coupled to said power terminal assembly for illuminating light through said insulator; and

a rivet coupling said insulator and said illumination device to said housing, said rivet further being electrically coupled to said power terminal assembly.