IP Library Granted Patent US 10,840,657
Granted Patent B1
US 10,840,657 · App. 16/580,196 · Granted Nov 17, 2020

Vehicle trim panel power outlet

Inventors: Eduardo Arturo Aguilar Ruelas (Mexico City, MX); Silvia Lopez Portela (Mexico City, MX); Alejandra Sofia Herrera Ramirez (Mexico City, MX)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
H01R27/00B60R16/033H01R13/447H01R13/506H01R13/7175H01R39/64B60R13/0256H01R2201/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,840,657
App. No.
16/580,196
Granted
Nov 17, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

A power outlet for a vehicle trim panel comprises an electrical socket having first and second bezels. The second bezel includes a pin that extends toward the first bezel and an adapter assembly is disposed within the electrical socket between the first and second bezels such that a first conductive plate of the adapter assembly is aligned and in contact with a second conductive plate on the pin. The adapter assembly has a base with a plurality of terminals disposed within the base and a faceplate, wherein the adapter assembly is rotatable about a center axis of the electrical socket.

Claims (26)

1. A power outlet for a trim panel for a vehicle, comprising:

an electrical socket having first and second bezels, the second bezel including a pin that extends toward the first bezel; and

an adapter assembly disposed within the electrical socket between the first and second bezels such that a first conductive plate of the adapter assembly is aligned and in contact with a second conductive plate on the pin, the adapter assembly having a faceplate and a base with a plurality of terminals disposed within the base, wherein the adapter assembly is rotatable about a central axis of the electrical socket.

2. The power outlet of claim 1 further comprising a light source disposed on the faceplate such that the adapter assembly is illuminable.

3. The power outlet of claim 1 further comprising a spring attached with, and disposed between, a back of the base and a first conductive plate, the spring presses the first conductive plate against a second conductive plate disposed within the second bezel to transmit energy through the electrical socket.

4. The power outlet of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate includes a sheath defining slots, the sheath extends around an outer surface of the base having bars that engage the slots.

5. The power outlet of claim 1 further comprising a cover attached to, and hinged with, a side of the first bezel.

6. The power outlet of claim 1 , wherein the adapter assembly rotates 360 degrees about the center axis of the power outlet.

7. The power outlet of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate is formed from a material that allows light transmission through the faceplate such that the adapter assembly is illuminable.

8. A vehicle, comprising:

a trim panel disposed within an interior of the vehicle; and

an electrical socket including an adapter assembly disposed within the trim panel, the adapter assembly being disposed between first and second bezels of the electrical socket and including a base with a plurality of terminals disposed within the base and a faceplate, wherein the adapter assembly is rotatable about a central axis of the electrical socket; and

a spring attached with, and disposed between, a back of the base and a first conductive plate, the spring presses the first conductive plate against a second conductive plate disposed within the second bezel to transmit energy through the electrical socket.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the second bezel includes a pin that extends through the first and second conductive plates.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the adapter assembly rotates 360 degrees about the central axis on the pin such that the first and second conductive plates maintain contact.

11. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the second bezel includes a plurality of clips that secure the electrical socket into the trim panel.

12. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the faceplate includes a sheath defining slots, the sheath extends around an outer surface of the base having bars that engage the slots.

13. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the first bezel engages the second bezel using a plurality of clips.

14. A trim panel for a vehicle, comprising:

an electrical socket having an adapter assembly disposed between first and second bezels, the adapter assembly having a base with a plurality of terminals disposed within the base and a faceplate, wherein the adapter assembly is rotatable about a central axis of the electrical socket; and

a spring attached with, and disposed between, a back of the base and a first conductive plate, the spring presses the first conductive plate against a second conductive plate disposed within the second bezel to transmit energy through the electrical socket.

15. The trim panel of claim 14 , wherein the faceplate includes a sheath defining slots, the sheath extends around an outer surface of the base having bars that engage the slots.

16. The trim panel of claim 14 , wherein the adapter assembly rotates 360 degrees about the central axis.

17. The trim panel of claim 14 , wherein the second bezel includes a pin that extends through the first and second conductive plates to maintain contact between the first and second conductive plates.

18. The trim panel of claim 14 , wherein the faceplate is formed from a material that allows light transmission through the faceplate such that the electrical socket is illuminable.

19. The trim panel of claim 14 , wherein the first conductive plate defines a surface area being less than a surface area of the first conductive plate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2019
From: AGUILAR RUELAS, EDUARDO ARTURO; LOPEZ PORTELA, SILVIA; HERRERA RAMIREZ, ALEJANDRA SOFIA
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 050471/0267 →
Cited By (3)
US 12,294,190 US 12,341,306 US 12,418,132