Compact protection device for automotive cigar lighter and power outlet

Abstract

An electrical outlet has a conductive socket well for slidably receiving an electrical plug, the well having a transverse distal end having a center hole; an insulating connector housing adjacent the transverse distal end of the socket well having at least two electrical terminals for connection to an electrical supply; a first of the electrical terminals being coupled to a central fastener and a second of the electrical terminals terminating in a conductive element adjacent the transverse end of the socket well; a fuse member provided between the transverse end of the socket well and the conductive element, the fuse member in series electrical connection between the conductive element and the socket well; the fuse member providing compact integral over-current protection; an insulator disposed at the distal end of the socket well in the socket well, the central fastener holding the socket well, the insulator, the fuse member, insulating connector housing and first and second electrical terminals together as a unit; a proximal end of the central fastener providing a first electrical contact insulated from said socket well and the socket well providing a second electrical contact for electrically contacting with respective contacts of the electrical plug received in the socket well. The electrical outlet is also preferably provided with integral over-temperature protection, preferably comprising a spring-loaded leaf spring impinging on a thermoplastic disc that softens at a threshold temperature, allowing the leaf spring to penetrate through the disc and short-circuit the electrical supply.