Structure for assembling vehicle interior lighting

• US 10,399,488 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2014
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Suzuki, Yasuo, Yamanaka, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Apenteng, Jessica M
• Application Number:
  US14/302,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20140293636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,909 Days
• Field of Search: 362488, 362520, 362657
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/51 for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/88 Means for plugging to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, e.g. by using cigarette lighter sockets

Abstract

A structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting, comprises a lens, a socket, a cover fitted to the socket, a first regulation portion configured by one side of the fitted cover or the fitted socket that is located on a front side in the insertion direction and a part of the lens, the first regulation portion regulating forward movement of the cover or the socket in the insertion direction; and a second regulation portion configured by another side of the fitted cover or the fitted socket that is located on a rear side in the insertion direction and a part of the lens, the second regulation portion regulating backward movement of the cover or the socket in the insertion direction.

Claims

1. A structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting, comprising:

a lens;

a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that are disposed on a light source opposed surface of the lens and spaced apart from each other in a linear direction extending along the light source opposed surface and corresponding to an insertion direction;

a socket to which a light source is fitted and that has a socket-side engagement portion to be engaged with the second engagement portion;

a cover configured to be fitted to the socket by movement in the linear direction so as to accommodate the light source therein and cover the light source, and having a cover-side engagement portion engaged with the first engagement portion;

a first regulation portion configured by one side of the cover or the socket that is located on a front side in the insertion direction and forming a part of the lens, the first regulation portion regulating forward movement of the cover or the socket in the insertion direction; and

a second regulation portion configured by another side of the cover or the socket that is located on a rear side in the insertion direction and forming a part of the lens, the second regulation portion regulating backward movement of the cover or the socket in the insertion direction.

2. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 1, wherein the cover is located on the front side in the insertion direction.

3. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 2, wherein the cover-side engagement portion is provided on both sides of the cover that are provided along the linear direction, and the socket-side engagement portion is provided on both sides of the socket that are provided along the linear direction.

4. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 1, wherein

the light source includes a bulb, and

the bulb, the socket, the cover and a busbar make up a functional part.

5. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 1, wherein

the light source includes a bulb, and

the cover surrounds the bulb.

6. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 1, wherein the forward movement is from the second engagement part to the first engagement part, and

wherein the backward movement is from the first engagement part to the second engagement part.

7. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to prevent a socket lock projection, of the socket, from engaging a supporting part lock projection, of the second engagement portion, and

wherein the engagement of the socket lock projection and the supporting part lock projection prevents the forward movement.

8. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are integral with the lens and directly attached thereto.

9. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 1, wherein the lens is V-shaped as viewed from the insertion direction.

10. The structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting according to claim 1, wherein the insertion direction is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lens.