CA2095468A1 - Low pressure discharge lamp assembly - Google Patents
Low pressure discharge lamp assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2095468A1 CA2095468A1 CA002095468A CA2095468A CA2095468A1 CA 2095468 A1 CA2095468 A1 CA 2095468A1 CA 002095468 A CA002095468 A CA 002095468A CA 2095468 A CA2095468 A CA 2095468A CA 2095468 A1 CA2095468 A1 CA 2095468A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- control circuit
- low pressure
- lamp assembly
- discharge lamp
- base
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/02—Details
- H01J61/56—One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/02—Details
- H01J61/30—Vessels; Containers
- H01J61/32—Special longitudinal shape, e.g. for advertising purposes
- H01J61/327—"Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path
Landscapes
- Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
- Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
- Discharge Lamp (AREA)
- Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
- Common Detailed Techniques For Electron Tubes Or Discharge Tubes (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The invention relates to a low pressure mercury vapour discharge lamp assembly. The assembly comprises an elongate wedge-shaped control circuit arranged to be plugged into a base. A pair of splayed discharge tubes extend from the base and flank the control circuit housing. The base terminates in a conventional screw or bayonet-type fitting. The invention extends to a control circuit housing arranged to house both ballast and starter circuitry.
The overall length of the assembly is reduced by virtue of the control circuit housing being positioned alongside the discharge tube. The compact nature of the discharge assembly makes it suited as a replacement for conventional incandescent light bulbs.
The invention relates to a low pressure mercury vapour discharge lamp assembly. The assembly comprises an elongate wedge-shaped control circuit arranged to be plugged into a base. A pair of splayed discharge tubes extend from the base and flank the control circuit housing. The base terminates in a conventional screw or bayonet-type fitting. The invention extends to a control circuit housing arranged to house both ballast and starter circuitry.
The overall length of the assembly is reduced by virtue of the control circuit housing being positioned alongside the discharge tube. The compact nature of the discharge assembly makes it suited as a replacement for conventional incandescent light bulbs.
Description
ul. ~ 3 13:25 ~011 88~ SPOOR & Fl SI~ER Ç~1001,'020 ~ 2~9~'16~
BAC:R~.ROUN~ TO THE I~VE.~TON
1, .
This in~rendo~ relates to a low pressure disc harge l~np assembly, and in particular to a low preSS~lre mercllry vapour dlsch~ e lamp assembly.
, Low pressure mercury vapour discharge lamps, such as that described in Europe~n patent applicatiorl EP 00274870, have, owin~r to their significantly reduced power consumption~ become increasinl Iypop~-lar as replacements for conventional incandescent filamcnt lamps. A lamp of t~is type comprises aI~
H-shaped di5charge tube terminating at onc e ~ d irl a co~nector which can be plugged into a b~ce. T~e connector rnay contar~ st~rter circuitly, and the base usually houses a ballast. The base in tu~n te l ninates iD a bayoIlet or screw cor~ectnr for coupling wi~h a hght fimni.
An entire di.~charge lamp asselnbly of the typ described above is usu.ally too IOD~ tO Iqt into a convennorlal light fit~ng whi~h has been designed to house an i~lcandescent fil ~n~nt li~ht ~ulb. A5~a re ~It, ma~y light fittings need to , .
.
:~ ..
.
IJ~ IJ~ ~.S 13: ~5 ~1)11 SS~9~ SP~OR ~ FI~SIIER l~boo5~0~u 2~93~68 be changed to acco~modate such a low pressure discharge lamp assembly.
Sl~lA~Y OF THE I~VENTION
Accordi~g tO the invention there is pro~ided a low pressure: dischar~e lamp assem~ly comprising a base tc~inating in 'a fitti ~g, a~ elongate control' circuit housing being mountable to the base opposite the fit~Dg~ and at least a pau of discharge tubes flanking the control circuit¦housing, the discharge tubes' extending away from the base and being splayed away from one aIlot'her.
:
~ a preferred form of the invention~ the contl ol circuit housing is provided with a reilec-~ve outer surface for reflecting light outwardly from the discharge tubes.
Preferably, the discharge tubes extend away from the base in a vee-shaped configuration.
.
Converliently, the control circuit housing hous s both ba}last arld electronic starter circuitIy.
A~vantageously, the control ~rcuit housing is detachably mountable to tho base via ~ electromechar~cal connection, the¦ electromechanical connection i~cludiDg a first set of connectors for ComleCting the fitting clec~rically to the control circuit for powering ~ereof and a ¦second set o~ connectoIs for con~ecting outputs from the control circuit to input leads coDnectcd to the discbarge tubes.
Typically, the control circuit housin~ includesl an electromagnetic and radio frequency interference shield for protec~ing the control circuit.
.
.
O5 ' ~3 13: 25 ~Oll S~4~9 SPOOR & FISHER 1~100'3~ 020 ' I
2 0 9 ~ Ll 6 8 !
~ one form of the invention, the dischar~e tl Ibes may be rect~inear.
The comrol circ~ housmg is conveniently wedge-shaped, with the housi~g tapering outwardIy from the base.
.
An acute included a~gle of between 20 a~d 41 ), a~d preferably 30, may be defi~ed benvcen the discharge tubes.
, The maximurn width of the assembly is ad~ ,~antageous~y def~ed by the outelmost ends of ~e discharge tubes, and cor~esponds to or is less tha3l the ma~num u~idth of a cor~vendo~al incandescent filament light bulb.
The overalI length of the assem~ly is conveniently reduced by virtue both of ~e control circu~t housing being posilioned ¦alongside and between the disc~arge tubes rather than between the fLxed ends of the discharge tubes and the fitti~g and by ~e discharge tubes being spllyed away frorn one anot~er.
I
... 4 1 . I .
Figure 1 shows a side view of a fL~It embodiment of a mcrcu~y vapour low pressurc dischlar,ge lamp assembly of the inVeDtion;
. '.
Figure 2 sbows a f~oIIt ~iew of the 1 DW pressure dischar~e lamp assembly of Figure 1;
. I .
~i~ure 3 shows a top plan view of the low pressure discharge lamp assembly of Figurcs 1 and 2;
: ~
. ¦!
:. :
.- : . . .
.: . ~ :
,~
:
.: . -: .
: : ::::.:, :
::: ::: .
:: . :
1)~ ll.; ~.3 I.~:~a ~Ull .~ 99 SPI:IOR & FiSlIER ~!1001'020 2~9~8 .
Figare 4 sho\trs a perspective ~iew olf the control arcuit ~o lsing of rhe low pressure dischargej lamp assembly of Figures 1 to 3;
I
Flg~e 5 shows a partly cut away side view of second embodiment of a mercu~y vapour low pressure d~scharge lamp assembly of the invention;
Fi~re 6 sbows a top plan view of the embooimont of Fi~e S;
Fl~re 7 shows a cross-sec~on of lower portion of the discharge Iamp assembly on the li b 7-7 of Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a cross-section of a lower portion of the discharge Iamp assembly on the linle 8~ of Figure 6;
re g shows a side view of a third embodimcnt of a low pressure disc~arge la~p ~ssembly of l~e inventlon;
Figure 10 shows a perspectivc ~elv of a control circuit housing ~orminC~ part of the~lam~ assembly of l~ re 9; and Fig~
aIId llB sho~ polar light distrl~u~on graphs of a respecfive co~ventional discharge ]~np assembly and a discharge lamp ssscmbly of ~e i~emiolL
:
' 5 ~.3 13:21~ ~Ull .~ EI~) SPdOR ~; FISHER l~luo8~ o ., , I
2~954~
I
~PTI~F EMBO~IME~S
Refel~ g ~sl to Figures 1 to 3, a first embodir~ellt of a low pressure mercuIy vapour discharge lamp assembly 10 comprises a~base 12 terminatiug in a screw connector fit~n~ 14. A pair of 7 Watt H-shaped biaxial mercury discharge tubes 16 and 18 of the ~rpe manufacnlred¦by General ElectTic extend upwardly ~om the base in a ~-con~i~ratiorl, and are angled from one another at an inc~uded augle of appro~nately 24, as is shown at 20. The discha~ge tubes 16 and 18 flank a central housi~g 22 w llh is wedge-shaped in profile.
The cerltral housin~ æ houses electronic starter circuitry as a well as a choke or ballast~ The hollsing ~22 has connectio~L pins 24 which allow it to be plu~oed into a soclcel arrangement 26 which extends axia~ly from the centre of thebase 12.
The housi:ng preferably has a reflect~ve metalliclcoating, such as an aluminium coatirlg, applied to its outer surface by vacuu I deposihor~ for euhancing its reflectivity. 'rhe meta~ic coating doublcs as I electromagnetic and ~adio frequency inter~erence shield for eflechvely shielding the control circuitry.
Cathode sputtering, using alten~atinO layers of steel with an intermediate copper layer sandwiched therebetween, may alslo be employed. The re~e~tive outer surface may alternatively be constituted by a white plastics matuial havin,~ a ~loss Iqnish A eur~her option is to sprly a conducive nickel coating onto the outer suIface of the housinO.
As call be seen in ~igure 4, the housing has a p air of opposed re~ective faces 28 and 30, which are arranged to re~lect lig~ emitted from the discharge tubes 16 ~nd 18. Each face comprises a raised pair of triangular facets 32 and 34 i la~ked by a flat pair of triangular facets 36 alnd 38. ~ectangular side faces 40 and 42 ex~end bet-veerl the opposed faces 21 and 30. The faces 32 and 34 .
: :: . ~ - ..
S ~3 1~: 2~ ~111 s~ a~ SPOOR & FISIIER 1~!100~120 2~9~8 7 .
are angled at appro~amately 110 ~om one a~ lother in order to provide an even dismbution of reflected light from the re ~ ective discharge tubes 16 and 18.
The overall lengrh 44 of the discharge lamp assembly ~om the top of the~
screw co~nector 14 to the end of the discharge tubes 16 and 18 is appro~mately 10~rnnl. Thc maximum width 46 of the discharge lamp assembly is approximately 55mm These dimerlions a]Iow the d~ccharge lamp.
asscmbly to be housed within conventional lighI fittings which are des;gned to accommodate conventional 60 Watt or 100 Wl tt ~:llcandescent filarnent-type light bulbs. The cornpac~ess of the lamp asse I bly is achieved largely by the position of the control circuit housing 22, whichlhouses both the sta~ter circuit and the ballast alongside, rather than beneath tl!le fluorescent tubes 16 and 18.
As a result, the overall length of the incandescent lamp assembly is considerably reduccd. Xn addition, the relalLvely spacious wedge-shaped corlfiguration of the control circuit housing pro v~des for autorn~ted assembly of the electror~ic cornponents housed therein.
Once the discharge tubes have reached the cnd of their lifesparl, thc housing 22 is unplugged from the base and the dischar~,e tubcs 16 and 18 and the base 12 to whl'ch they are mounted are disposed ¦o The housing 22 is then plugged into a replaccment base 1~, from whicfi ~esh discharge tubes 16 and 18 exterid.
.
Referring now to ~ e 6, ~ second embodi :ment of a fluoresceM larnp assembly 48 is shown which is similar to the cl bodiment of Figures 1 to 4, with a pair of ~W U-shaped tubes 16A and 18l!A bcing angled fi~er apart ~om one another at an included angle of 30, ~ is shown at 50. The central hous~ng ~A is of substantially the s~ne shape ls the central housing ~2, save :
' ~
'~
O5 '93 1~:2/ ~011 88~44a9 SPOOR & FISIIER 1~!1010~020 . . 209~8 .
, .
tLat it h~ rectan~uIar side faces 40A and 4ZA which are substantially narrower tha~ the rectangular side fac~s '40 a; d 42. A prmted c~rc uit board, , which is indicated irl broke l outline at 52, is populated with various crrcuit componerl~s 54, including starter circuit~y and at least o~ e ballast or cLoke.
~. is best seen in ~ ,ures 7 and 8, a ten pm soc ket 56 is embedded wi~in the base 1~ A ~t pair of leaus 57 e Ytends' ~rom the lower end~s of the first two socketls 58. The leads 57 extend into a cathode terminal 60 of the fluorescent U-tube 16~ A similar pair of leads (not sh( ~wn) extend from second and third sockets 6Z into an anodc terminal of the¦U-tube 16A A positive lead o~ extends ~om a b&se contact 66 of the fitting to the lower end of a fi*h socket 68, and an earth or nega~ive lead 70 ex~nds from a sixth socket 72 to an outer earth or negative shell 74 of the'scre~ fitting 14. The sixth to tenth sockets 76 are provided with co~espondirlg leads which extend iIltO the, respcctive cathode and anode terminals of t~ e ~J-tube 18A~ One pair of cathode leads is show~ at 78. The housino 22AIlterminates in a corresponding ten pin plu~, 80 whi~h is arranged to plug into t~e socket 56.
Turning ~ow to Figurc 9, an alternative, emb diment of a discharge lamp ~ssembly is shown havinO a pair of U-tubes 82 and 84 withcor~esponding base portions 86 and 88 which extend upwardly frol the base 12A iII a splayed vee-shaped co~ ration. The base portiol 86 and 88 tern~inate i rcspective upright portioDs ~0 and 9~ which are parallel both to o~e ~nother;
and to a central axis of ~ymmetry 94. '~ su~tably shaped control,'circuit housing 96 extends between the U-tubes 82 and 8~. The housing has an upper portion 98 whieh is square-cylindrical in fon~, thereby allowi~ increased, space for the various circuitry cornponents such as the starter circUitTy and thc;
ballast. A conventiorlal incandescent bulb ~s superimposed i~2 broken outL~e at 100 onto the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9. It is cIear how the : ` ' 1~ 0.; '93 13:~9 ~011 ~8~1~99 SPOOR & FIS~ER l~bO11,'020 2~9~
il ~, g.
ma7~n widths of the incandescent bulb l00 a~d the fluorescent bulb æsembly 84 correspond. It is also clear from this drawin~ how the base of the incandescent bulb 100 is appro~mately cot!rra~nous with the base 12A, thereby allowing the fluorescent light fitt1n~ 84 to be screwed into any socket which previously hou~ed a conven~ional incandescent bulb of th~ ~pe illustrated at 100~ ~
~efernng ~ow to Figure 11A, a downlight sarn~le testwas performed in which a convenffonal CAS-PROLUX ~ 11W-PLE- l 0V S lamp assembly io~ was htted withi~ a cascade downlighter 104. At an average li~ht intensity was measured over a hlminous area of 300 cmZ lo I ted beneath the downlighter 104. A accompauying polar Oraph 106 is sho I in which average intensity n candelas per Idlolumen was measured against degrees. Measu~e~ents were taken iu the hori~o~ 180) as well as the ~ertical (~0-270) planes. ~hc same test was ~hcn performed with a fluorescen~ lamp assembly 48 of *e ~pe illated in Fie,ure ~, so as to yield a polar laph ~08. It is cIear ~om the graph 108 how the solid line 110 plot~g the¦ average light intensity has a more even distribution and a greater ma~num value that the solid line 112 of the polar graph 106. This is as a result l~oth of the centIal reflective housing and the V-shapcd configuratlon of the fluoresceut bulbs.
The fluorcsccnt lamp assembly of the inv~ :ntion enjoys a ~umber of advantages over conveIItional lamp assemblies. ¦Its compact dirnensions ~llow it to be fitted to conventional incandescent light sockets without havl'ng to change any li~ht housings. For the sa~ne or I cven greater light output, it .
has a power consumption considerably less than that of a conventio~al incandescent bulb. The bulbs can be replaced ~ithout disposing of the starter circuitry, aIld Yice vers~ In addition, tlie disfharge light assembly.of the irNelltiOr makes use of re~inerr ~uores~nt lbes which are relati~eb essy :
dS ~3 13:29 ~ B8~sa SPOOR & FI,SHER l~bOl~, 02U
2~9~16~
10 `
to m~n~lfactllre in compa~i~on with tubes having nlore unconventio~al curved shapai -.''.
:
1, ~.
BAC:R~.ROUN~ TO THE I~VE.~TON
1, .
This in~rendo~ relates to a low pressure disc harge l~np assembly, and in particular to a low preSS~lre mercllry vapour dlsch~ e lamp assembly.
, Low pressure mercury vapour discharge lamps, such as that described in Europe~n patent applicatiorl EP 00274870, have, owin~r to their significantly reduced power consumption~ become increasinl Iypop~-lar as replacements for conventional incandescent filamcnt lamps. A lamp of t~is type comprises aI~
H-shaped di5charge tube terminating at onc e ~ d irl a co~nector which can be plugged into a b~ce. T~e connector rnay contar~ st~rter circuitly, and the base usually houses a ballast. The base in tu~n te l ninates iD a bayoIlet or screw cor~ectnr for coupling wi~h a hght fimni.
An entire di.~charge lamp asselnbly of the typ described above is usu.ally too IOD~ tO Iqt into a convennorlal light fit~ng whi~h has been designed to house an i~lcandescent fil ~n~nt li~ht ~ulb. A5~a re ~It, ma~y light fittings need to , .
.
:~ ..
.
IJ~ IJ~ ~.S 13: ~5 ~1)11 SS~9~ SP~OR ~ FI~SIIER l~boo5~0~u 2~93~68 be changed to acco~modate such a low pressure discharge lamp assembly.
Sl~lA~Y OF THE I~VENTION
Accordi~g tO the invention there is pro~ided a low pressure: dischar~e lamp assem~ly comprising a base tc~inating in 'a fitti ~g, a~ elongate control' circuit housing being mountable to the base opposite the fit~Dg~ and at least a pau of discharge tubes flanking the control circuit¦housing, the discharge tubes' extending away from the base and being splayed away from one aIlot'her.
:
~ a preferred form of the invention~ the contl ol circuit housing is provided with a reilec-~ve outer surface for reflecting light outwardly from the discharge tubes.
Preferably, the discharge tubes extend away from the base in a vee-shaped configuration.
.
Converliently, the control circuit housing hous s both ba}last arld electronic starter circuitIy.
A~vantageously, the control ~rcuit housing is detachably mountable to tho base via ~ electromechar~cal connection, the¦ electromechanical connection i~cludiDg a first set of connectors for ComleCting the fitting clec~rically to the control circuit for powering ~ereof and a ¦second set o~ connectoIs for con~ecting outputs from the control circuit to input leads coDnectcd to the discbarge tubes.
Typically, the control circuit housin~ includesl an electromagnetic and radio frequency interference shield for protec~ing the control circuit.
.
.
O5 ' ~3 13: 25 ~Oll S~4~9 SPOOR & FISHER 1~100'3~ 020 ' I
2 0 9 ~ Ll 6 8 !
~ one form of the invention, the dischar~e tl Ibes may be rect~inear.
The comrol circ~ housmg is conveniently wedge-shaped, with the housi~g tapering outwardIy from the base.
.
An acute included a~gle of between 20 a~d 41 ), a~d preferably 30, may be defi~ed benvcen the discharge tubes.
, The maximurn width of the assembly is ad~ ,~antageous~y def~ed by the outelmost ends of ~e discharge tubes, and cor~esponds to or is less tha3l the ma~num u~idth of a cor~vendo~al incandescent filament light bulb.
The overalI length of the assem~ly is conveniently reduced by virtue both of ~e control circu~t housing being posilioned ¦alongside and between the disc~arge tubes rather than between the fLxed ends of the discharge tubes and the fitti~g and by ~e discharge tubes being spllyed away frorn one anot~er.
I
... 4 1 . I .
Figure 1 shows a side view of a fL~It embodiment of a mcrcu~y vapour low pressurc dischlar,ge lamp assembly of the inVeDtion;
. '.
Figure 2 sbows a f~oIIt ~iew of the 1 DW pressure dischar~e lamp assembly of Figure 1;
. I .
~i~ure 3 shows a top plan view of the low pressure discharge lamp assembly of Figurcs 1 and 2;
: ~
. ¦!
:. :
.- : . . .
.: . ~ :
,~
:
.: . -: .
: : ::::.:, :
::: ::: .
:: . :
1)~ ll.; ~.3 I.~:~a ~Ull .~ 99 SPI:IOR & FiSlIER ~!1001'020 2~9~8 .
Figare 4 sho\trs a perspective ~iew olf the control arcuit ~o lsing of rhe low pressure dischargej lamp assembly of Figures 1 to 3;
I
Flg~e 5 shows a partly cut away side view of second embodiment of a mercu~y vapour low pressure d~scharge lamp assembly of the invention;
Fi~re 6 sbows a top plan view of the embooimont of Fi~e S;
Fl~re 7 shows a cross-sec~on of lower portion of the discharge Iamp assembly on the li b 7-7 of Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a cross-section of a lower portion of the discharge Iamp assembly on the linle 8~ of Figure 6;
re g shows a side view of a third embodimcnt of a low pressure disc~arge la~p ~ssembly of l~e inventlon;
Figure 10 shows a perspectivc ~elv of a control circuit housing ~orminC~ part of the~lam~ assembly of l~ re 9; and Fig~
aIId llB sho~ polar light distrl~u~on graphs of a respecfive co~ventional discharge ]~np assembly and a discharge lamp ssscmbly of ~e i~emiolL
:
' 5 ~.3 13:21~ ~Ull .~ EI~) SPdOR ~; FISHER l~luo8~ o ., , I
2~954~
I
~PTI~F EMBO~IME~S
Refel~ g ~sl to Figures 1 to 3, a first embodir~ellt of a low pressure mercuIy vapour discharge lamp assembly 10 comprises a~base 12 terminatiug in a screw connector fit~n~ 14. A pair of 7 Watt H-shaped biaxial mercury discharge tubes 16 and 18 of the ~rpe manufacnlred¦by General ElectTic extend upwardly ~om the base in a ~-con~i~ratiorl, and are angled from one another at an inc~uded augle of appro~nately 24, as is shown at 20. The discha~ge tubes 16 and 18 flank a central housi~g 22 w llh is wedge-shaped in profile.
The cerltral housin~ æ houses electronic starter circuitry as a well as a choke or ballast~ The hollsing ~22 has connectio~L pins 24 which allow it to be plu~oed into a soclcel arrangement 26 which extends axia~ly from the centre of thebase 12.
The housi:ng preferably has a reflect~ve metalliclcoating, such as an aluminium coatirlg, applied to its outer surface by vacuu I deposihor~ for euhancing its reflectivity. 'rhe meta~ic coating doublcs as I electromagnetic and ~adio frequency inter~erence shield for eflechvely shielding the control circuitry.
Cathode sputtering, using alten~atinO layers of steel with an intermediate copper layer sandwiched therebetween, may alslo be employed. The re~e~tive outer surface may alternatively be constituted by a white plastics matuial havin,~ a ~loss Iqnish A eur~her option is to sprly a conducive nickel coating onto the outer suIface of the housinO.
As call be seen in ~igure 4, the housing has a p air of opposed re~ective faces 28 and 30, which are arranged to re~lect lig~ emitted from the discharge tubes 16 ~nd 18. Each face comprises a raised pair of triangular facets 32 and 34 i la~ked by a flat pair of triangular facets 36 alnd 38. ~ectangular side faces 40 and 42 ex~end bet-veerl the opposed faces 21 and 30. The faces 32 and 34 .
: :: . ~ - ..
S ~3 1~: 2~ ~111 s~ a~ SPOOR & FISIIER 1~!100~120 2~9~8 7 .
are angled at appro~amately 110 ~om one a~ lother in order to provide an even dismbution of reflected light from the re ~ ective discharge tubes 16 and 18.
The overall lengrh 44 of the discharge lamp assembly ~om the top of the~
screw co~nector 14 to the end of the discharge tubes 16 and 18 is appro~mately 10~rnnl. Thc maximum width 46 of the discharge lamp assembly is approximately 55mm These dimerlions a]Iow the d~ccharge lamp.
asscmbly to be housed within conventional lighI fittings which are des;gned to accommodate conventional 60 Watt or 100 Wl tt ~:llcandescent filarnent-type light bulbs. The cornpac~ess of the lamp asse I bly is achieved largely by the position of the control circuit housing 22, whichlhouses both the sta~ter circuit and the ballast alongside, rather than beneath tl!le fluorescent tubes 16 and 18.
As a result, the overall length of the incandescent lamp assembly is considerably reduccd. Xn addition, the relalLvely spacious wedge-shaped corlfiguration of the control circuit housing pro v~des for autorn~ted assembly of the electror~ic cornponents housed therein.
Once the discharge tubes have reached the cnd of their lifesparl, thc housing 22 is unplugged from the base and the dischar~,e tubcs 16 and 18 and the base 12 to whl'ch they are mounted are disposed ¦o The housing 22 is then plugged into a replaccment base 1~, from whicfi ~esh discharge tubes 16 and 18 exterid.
.
Referring now to ~ e 6, ~ second embodi :ment of a fluoresceM larnp assembly 48 is shown which is similar to the cl bodiment of Figures 1 to 4, with a pair of ~W U-shaped tubes 16A and 18l!A bcing angled fi~er apart ~om one another at an included angle of 30, ~ is shown at 50. The central hous~ng ~A is of substantially the s~ne shape ls the central housing ~2, save :
' ~
'~
O5 '93 1~:2/ ~011 88~44a9 SPOOR & FISIIER 1~!1010~020 . . 209~8 .
, .
tLat it h~ rectan~uIar side faces 40A and 4ZA which are substantially narrower tha~ the rectangular side fac~s '40 a; d 42. A prmted c~rc uit board, , which is indicated irl broke l outline at 52, is populated with various crrcuit componerl~s 54, including starter circuit~y and at least o~ e ballast or cLoke.
~. is best seen in ~ ,ures 7 and 8, a ten pm soc ket 56 is embedded wi~in the base 1~ A ~t pair of leaus 57 e Ytends' ~rom the lower end~s of the first two socketls 58. The leads 57 extend into a cathode terminal 60 of the fluorescent U-tube 16~ A similar pair of leads (not sh( ~wn) extend from second and third sockets 6Z into an anodc terminal of the¦U-tube 16A A positive lead o~ extends ~om a b&se contact 66 of the fitting to the lower end of a fi*h socket 68, and an earth or nega~ive lead 70 ex~nds from a sixth socket 72 to an outer earth or negative shell 74 of the'scre~ fitting 14. The sixth to tenth sockets 76 are provided with co~espondirlg leads which extend iIltO the, respcctive cathode and anode terminals of t~ e ~J-tube 18A~ One pair of cathode leads is show~ at 78. The housino 22AIlterminates in a corresponding ten pin plu~, 80 whi~h is arranged to plug into t~e socket 56.
Turning ~ow to Figurc 9, an alternative, emb diment of a discharge lamp ~ssembly is shown havinO a pair of U-tubes 82 and 84 withcor~esponding base portions 86 and 88 which extend upwardly frol the base 12A iII a splayed vee-shaped co~ ration. The base portiol 86 and 88 tern~inate i rcspective upright portioDs ~0 and 9~ which are parallel both to o~e ~nother;
and to a central axis of ~ymmetry 94. '~ su~tably shaped control,'circuit housing 96 extends between the U-tubes 82 and 8~. The housing has an upper portion 98 whieh is square-cylindrical in fon~, thereby allowi~ increased, space for the various circuitry cornponents such as the starter circUitTy and thc;
ballast. A conventiorlal incandescent bulb ~s superimposed i~2 broken outL~e at 100 onto the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9. It is cIear how the : ` ' 1~ 0.; '93 13:~9 ~011 ~8~1~99 SPOOR & FIS~ER l~bO11,'020 2~9~
il ~, g.
ma7~n widths of the incandescent bulb l00 a~d the fluorescent bulb æsembly 84 correspond. It is also clear from this drawin~ how the base of the incandescent bulb 100 is appro~mately cot!rra~nous with the base 12A, thereby allowing the fluorescent light fitt1n~ 84 to be screwed into any socket which previously hou~ed a conven~ional incandescent bulb of th~ ~pe illustrated at 100~ ~
~efernng ~ow to Figure 11A, a downlight sarn~le testwas performed in which a convenffonal CAS-PROLUX ~ 11W-PLE- l 0V S lamp assembly io~ was htted withi~ a cascade downlighter 104. At an average li~ht intensity was measured over a hlminous area of 300 cmZ lo I ted beneath the downlighter 104. A accompauying polar Oraph 106 is sho I in which average intensity n candelas per Idlolumen was measured against degrees. Measu~e~ents were taken iu the hori~o~ 180) as well as the ~ertical (~0-270) planes. ~hc same test was ~hcn performed with a fluorescen~ lamp assembly 48 of *e ~pe illated in Fie,ure ~, so as to yield a polar laph ~08. It is cIear ~om the graph 108 how the solid line 110 plot~g the¦ average light intensity has a more even distribution and a greater ma~num value that the solid line 112 of the polar graph 106. This is as a result l~oth of the centIal reflective housing and the V-shapcd configuratlon of the fluoresceut bulbs.
The fluorcsccnt lamp assembly of the inv~ :ntion enjoys a ~umber of advantages over conveIItional lamp assemblies. ¦Its compact dirnensions ~llow it to be fitted to conventional incandescent light sockets without havl'ng to change any li~ht housings. For the sa~ne or I cven greater light output, it .
has a power consumption considerably less than that of a conventio~al incandescent bulb. The bulbs can be replaced ~ithout disposing of the starter circuitry, aIld Yice vers~ In addition, tlie disfharge light assembly.of the irNelltiOr makes use of re~inerr ~uores~nt lbes which are relati~eb essy :
dS ~3 13:29 ~ B8~sa SPOOR & FI,SHER l~bOl~, 02U
2~9~16~
10 `
to m~n~lfactllre in compa~i~on with tubes having nlore unconventio~al curved shapai -.''.
:
1, ~.
Claims (13)
1. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly comprising a base terminating in a fitting, an elongate control circuit housing being mountable to the base opposite the fitting, and at least a pair of discharge tubes flanking the control circuit housing, the discharge tubes extending away from the base and being splayed away from one another.
2. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according to claim 1 in which the control circuit housing is provided with a reflective outer surface for reflecting light outwardly from the discharge tubes.
3. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according to claim 1 in which the discharge tubes extend away from the base in a vee-shaped configuration.
4. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according to claim 1 in which the control circuit housing houses both ballast and electronic starter circuitry.
5. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according to claim 1 in which the control circuit housing is detachably mountable to the base by means of an electromechanical connection, the electromechanical connection including a first set of connetors for connecting the fitting electrically to the control circuit for powering thereof and a second set of connectors for connecting outputs from the control circuit to input leads connected to the discharge tubes.
6. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly accoding to claim 1 in which the control circuit housing includes an electromagnetic and radio frequency interference shield for protecting the control circuit.
7. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according to claim 1 in which the discharge tubes are rectilinear.
8. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according claim 1 in which the control circuit housing is wedge-shaped, with the housing tapering outwardly from the base.
9. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according to claim 1 in which an acute included angle of between 20°and 40° is defined between the discharge tubes.
10. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according to claim 1 in which the maximum width of the assembly is defined by the outermost ends of the discharge tubes, and corresponds to or is less than the maximum width of a conventional incandescent filament light bulb.
11. A low pressure discharge lamp assembly according to claim 1 in which the overall length of the assembly is reduced by virtue both of the control circuit housing being positioned alongside and between the discharge tubes rather than between the fixed ends of the discharge tubes and the fitting and by the discharge tubes being splayed away from one another.
12. A control circuit housing for a low pressure discharge lamp assembly, the housing being arranged to accommodate both a ballast and starter
13 circuitry, and including electromechanical mounting means for mounting the housing to a base between at least a pair of splayed discharge tubes extending from the base, and a reflective outer surface for reflecting light outwardly from the discharge tubes.
13. A control circuit housing according to claim 12 in which the housing is wedge-shaped in profile, with the electromechanical mounting means being located at a thin end of the wedge-shaped housing.
13. A control circuit housing according to claim 12 in which the housing is wedge-shaped in profile, with the electromechanical mounting means being located at a thin end of the wedge-shaped housing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA92/3212 | 1992-05-04 | ||
| ZA923212 | 1992-05-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2095468A1 true CA2095468A1 (en) | 1993-11-05 |
Family
ID=25581638
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002095468A Abandoned CA2095468A1 (en) | 1992-05-04 | 1993-05-04 | Low pressure discharge lamp assembly |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0569208B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH06132016A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE147541T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2095468A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69307181D1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA933158B (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4439727A1 (en) * | 1994-11-09 | 1996-05-15 | Walter Holzer | Screw-in base for compact gas-discharge lamp |
| DE29518752U1 (en) * | 1995-11-29 | 1996-01-25 | Holzer, Walter, Prof. Dr.h.c. Ing., 88709 Meersburg | Gas discharge vessel for fluorescent lamps with a base on one side |
| DE29518894U1 (en) * | 1995-11-30 | 1996-01-25 | Holzer, Walter, Prof. Dr.h.c. Ing., 88709 Meersburg | Compact fluorescent lamp with reflector |
| DE19607208C2 (en) * | 1996-02-26 | 2002-02-21 | Walter Holzer | Fluorescent lamp with replaceable light part |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2590725B1 (en) * | 1985-06-27 | 1988-06-17 | Elf Aquitaine | FLUORESCENT TUBE LAMP |
| EP0447957A3 (en) * | 1990-03-19 | 1992-04-29 | Walter Holzer | Compact fluorescent lamp |
-
1993
- 1993-05-04 DE DE69307181T patent/DE69307181D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-05-04 EP EP93303444A patent/EP0569208B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-05-04 AT AT93303444T patent/ATE147541T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-05-04 CA CA002095468A patent/CA2095468A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-05-05 ZA ZA933158A patent/ZA933158B/en unknown
- 1993-05-06 JP JP5129908A patent/JPH06132016A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69307181D1 (en) | 1997-02-20 |
| ZA933158B (en) | 1993-12-07 |
| EP0569208A1 (en) | 1993-11-10 |
| EP0569208B1 (en) | 1997-01-08 |
| ATE147541T1 (en) | 1997-01-15 |
| JPH06132016A (en) | 1994-05-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |