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The cigarette lighter receptacle (also called a cigar lighter receptacle) in an automobile was initially designed to power an electrically heated cigarette lighter, but became a de facto standard DC connector to supply electrical power for portable accessories used in or near an automobile. While the cigarette lighter receptacle is a common feature of automobiles and trucks, as a DC power connector it has the disadvantages of bulkiness, relatively low current rating, and poor contact reliability. Examples of devices that can be operated from a cigarette lighter receptacle include lights, fans, beverage heating devices, and small motorized tools such as air compressors for inflating tires. Many portable electronic devices such as music players or mobile telephones use a cigarette lighter receptacle to recharge their internal batteries or to directly operate from the vehicle electrical system. Adapters for electronic devices may change voltage to be compatible with the supplied device. Devices that require alternating-current mains electricity can be operated with a plug-in inverter. Currently, automobiles may provide several 12 V receptacles that are intended only to operate electrical accessories, and which cannot be used with a cigarette lighter. Car manufacturers may offer a cigarette lighter only as an optional extra-cost accessory. Usually, only one 12 V receptacle near the driver will be able to accommodate an actual cigarette lighter, with other receptacles designated as "12 V auxiliary power outlets" which are not physically able to power a lighter. == History == The electrical cigar-lighter for gastronomic and home use was invented and patented in the early 1880s by the German inventor Friedrich Wilhelm Schindler. In the 1890s, these tools were sold as electrical cigar lighters (''Cigarrenanzuender''), and later as ''Zigarrenanzuender'' in the major German warehouse catalogues. Probably in the 1920s they were renamed "cigarette lighters", as cigarettes overtook cigars in sales. In the United States, cigarette lighters started appearing as standard equipment in automobiles in 1925/26. In 1928, the Connecticut Automotive Specialty Company (Casco) in Bridgeport patented the first automotive cigarette lighter, which used a cord and reel.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Casco Cigar lighter Facts & Figures )〕 In the reel-type lighters, the igniter unit was connected with a source of current by a cable which was wound on a spring drum so that the igniter unit and cable could be withdrawn from the socket and be used for lighting a cigar or cigarette. As the removable plug was returned to the socket, the wires were reeled back into it. The circuit was closed either by pressing a button or removing the igniter from its socket. In 1921, the Morris was issued for a so-called "wireless" or "cordless" lighter. This lighter eliminated the cables and the mechanism for winding and unwinding them. The igniter was heated in the socket then removed for use.〔 The modern "automatic" automotive V-Coil lighter was developed by Casco in 1956.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Cigarette lighter receptacle」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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