RETAINING SLEEVE WITH RETENTION FEATURE
An automotive headlamp has a light source capsule including a seal area and a cup-shaped retainer affixed to the seal area. A plastic base includes a cavity arrayed about an axis and has a circumferential wall about the cavity. Axial slots are formed in the circumferential wall, the slots forming segments of a circle arching around the axis, the slots being further defined by a pair of oppositely disposed end stops. Metal inserts having base ends sized and shaped to closely fit the axial slots are positioned in the slots, each of the metal inserts having an extended resilient finger each having a retainer engager formed to engage the retainer. Retention features are formed with each of the base ends, the retention features engaging the circumferential wall and increasing the force necessary to remove the inserts.
1 . An automotive headlamp comprising:
a light source capsule including a seal area;
a retainer affixed to said seal area;
a plastic base including a cavity arrayed about an axis and a circumferential wall about said cavity;
an annular receptor associated with said circumferential wall;
a plurality of axial slots formed in said circumferential wall, said slots forming segments of a circle arching around said axis, said slots being further defined by angularly located end stops;
a plurality of metal inserts having base ends sized and shaped to closely fit said axial slots positioned in said slots, each of said metal inserts having one or more extended resilient fingers provided with a retainer engager engaging and supporting said retainer; and
a retention feature formed with each of said base ends, said retention feature engaging said annular receptor.
2 . The automotive headlamp of claim 1 wherein said retention feature comprises a prong struck from said base end.
3 . The automotive headlamp of claim 1 wherein said inserts are formed from stamped metal.
4 . The automotive headlamp of claim 1 wherein each of said inserts is formed with two extended fingers.
5 . The automotive headlamp of claim 1 wherein said inserts are arrayed in a circle.