Schoeller & Co., Elektrotechnische Fabrik Gmbh & Co.

Schoeller & Co.

Gunther Mues

Georg Seibel

Theodor Horn

An electric cigar lighter, such as used in a motor vehicle, has a bimetallic switch in the form of a snap disk positioned within a socket. When using commercial appliance plugs with such a snap disk, the diameter of the socket does not need to be enlarged compared to conventional sockets. Contact bounce and contact interruptions are prevented. These advantages are achieved by placing the contact disk and a contact part on an adjustment ring inserted with a sliding fit into a tubular member located within the socket. A control knob for the lighter fits into a plug sleeve within the socket. A spring spider on the control knob locks onto an annular bulge on the plug sleeve provides a pressure point for quickly switching the heating element to the on-position.

Electric cigar lighter with a snap disk forming a bimetallic switch

An electrical cigar lighter for automotive vehicles is provided with a socket assembly and a plug assembly including a heater element adapted to be electrically heated when the plug assembly is in a connected position within the socket assembly. Electrical circuitry is provided within the socket assembly to effect electrical heating of the heater element. A bimetallic switch including a snap disc for making and breaking contact with the electrical circuitry in response to the temperature of the heating element is also provided in the socket assembly. A dish-shaped contact member formed as part of the heater element of the plug assembly operates to place the heater element in circuit with the electrical circuitry of the socket assembly. The invention particularly provides an electrical connector device disposed between the electrical circuitry of the socket assembly and the dish-shaped contact member of the plug assembly which is connected with and disconnected from the electrical circuitry of the socket assembly by operation of the snap disc of the bimetallic switch. The electrical connector device is also disposed to cooperate with the dish-shaped contact member of the heater element when the plug assembly is in the connected position within the socket assembly to enable electrical heating of the heater element.

Growing community of inventors

Dreieich, Germany

Gunther Mues