DE20121275U1 - Holding device for a UV lamp - Google Patents

Description

Bremen, 22 March 2002 Our reference: N 2105

Applicant/Owner: NORDSON CORPORATION
Official reference number: New registration

Patent attorneys

European Patent Attorneys

Dipl.-Ing. Henning Christiansen

Dipl.-Ing. Joachim von Oppen

Dipl.-Ing. Jutta Kaden

Patent Attorney

Dipl.-Phys. Dr. Andreas Theobald

Alicante

European Trademark Attorney Dipl.-Ing. Jürgen Klinghardt

Munich

Patent attorneys

European Patent Attorneys

Dipl.-Phys. Heinz Nöth

Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Rainer Fritsche

Lbm.-Chem. Gabriele Leißler-Gerstl

Dipl.-Ing. Olaf Ungerer

Patent Attorney

Dipl.-Chem. Dr. Peter Schuler

Arnulfstrasse 25

D-80335 Munich

Phone +49-10189-549 0750

Phone +49-10)89-544 1380

Fax +49-10)89-5502 7555 IG3)

Fax +49-10)89-5441 3838 (G3)

Fax +49-10)89-5490 7529 (G4)

mail@eisenfuhr.com

http://www.eisenfuhr.com

Patent Attorneys European Patent Attorneys Dipl.-Ing. Günther Eisenführ Dipl.-Ing. Dieter K. Speiser Dr.-Ing'. Werner W. Rabus Dipl.-Ing. Jürgen Brügge Dipl.-Ing. Jürgen Klinghardt Dipl.-Ing. Klaus G. Göken Jochen Ehlers Dipl.-Ing. Mark Andres Dipl.-Chem. Dr. Uwe Stilkenböhmei Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Keck Dipl.-Ing. Johannes M. B. Wasiljeff Patent Attorney Dr.-Ing. Stefan Sasse

Attorneys Ulrich H. Sander Christian Spin'tig Harald A. Förster Sabine Richter

Hamburg

Patent Attorney

European Patent Attorney

Dipl.-Phys. Frank Meier

Lawyers

Rainer Boehm

Nicol A. Schrömgens, LL. M.

Holder for a UV lamp Subject of the invention

The present invention relates generally to ultraviolet (UV) lamp systems and, more particularly, to holders for holding a UV lamp in a housing.

Background of the invention

UV lamp systems are used to cure or dry adhesives, sealants, inks, coatings, or other similar materials. A typical UV lamp system includes a housing to which a UV lamp or ultraviolet bulb is removably attached by a pair of opposing brackets. The brackets receive the ends of the UV lamp and secure them to the housing. In some UV lamp systems, each bracket is connected to a source of electricity to power the UV lamp or UV bulb.

As is obvious, every UV lamp has a finite lifespan after which the lamp will burn out and need to be replaced. Depending on the curing or drying application, multiple UV lamp systems may be used simultaneously. If a UV lamp burns out during the drying or curing process, there is a possibility that the process will have to be stopped until the UV lamp can be replaced with a new one. Such interruptions reduce production efficiency because the entire process must be stopped until the new UV lamp is installed.

When using conventional UV lamp systems, the installation or assembly of a new UV lamp is relatively cumbersome and involves an unacceptably long interruption in the curing or drying process. In some cases, the interruption may be longer than 30 minutes. A large part of the time required to replace the UV lamp is taken up by removing the fasteners that hold the UV lamp to the housing. Generally, several fasteners of various types must be removed using one or more hand tools, such as screwdrivers and wrenches. In addition, hand tools are necessary to break any electrical connection between the UV lamp and the housing. In many situations, an electrician must be used when hand tools are required to break the electrical connections. Calling an electrician further increases the downtime of the production process and increases the cost of changing the UV lamp.

There is therefore a need for a UV lamp system that provides quick and easy installation of a UV lamp. The UV lamp system should allow installation of the UV lamp without the use of hand tools or the need for an electrician.

Summary of the invention

The present invention eliminates the above and other limitations and disadvantages of the known lamp holding devices, which

used to hold UV lamps. The lamp holding device of the present invention provides for quick and easy installation and/or disassembly of a UV lamp from a housing without the need for hand tools and without the assistance of an electrician. Although the lamp holding device of the present invention is particularly suitable for use with UV lamps, it is equally applicable for use with other types of lamps.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the lamp holding device includes a bracket capable of being attached to a housing. The bracket includes a first channel formed therein and having a portion oriented such that an end of the lamp rests bare or unsupported thereon. In other words, the lamp is held therein without the use of any fasteners or holding means once the lamp ends are positioned in the portion of the channel. However, in order to securely secure the lamp in the bracket, a holding means is connected to the bracket. In particular, the holding means includes a holding portion capable of being inserted into the channel to securely secure the end of the lamp in the aligned portion of the channel. The holding means further includes connecting means for releasably connecting the holding means to the bracket. Preferably, the channel is L-shaped, with a leg of the L-shaped channel corresponding to the aligned portion discussed above. Advantageously, the holding portion includes a spring-loaded projection capable of engaging the lamp end with a uniquely acting force. Preferably, the spring-loaded projection is a spring-loaded ball bearing.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the housing includes an end member which is arranged adjacent to, but not in contact with, the holder. The end member has a second channel formed therein which is similar to the first channel in the holder. In this respect, the holding device includes not only a holding portion for insertion into the first channel of the holder, but also a

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Filling element for insertion into the second channel in the end element. The filling element, in cooperation with the end element, helps to block the transfer of heat from the lamp to sections of the housing which are not actively cooled.

In a further aspect of the invention, the bracket includes a fastening means and the connecting device on the holding device includes a sliding element. The sliding element moves between a locked and an unlocked position relative to the fastening means in order to connect or release the holding device and the bracket to one another.

Various additional advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

Short description of the drawing figures

The accompanying drawing figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the foregoing general description of the invention and the following detailed description of the embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is an exploded bottom view of the UV lamp holder assembly of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the assembled lamp holder taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4A is an enlarged partial perspective view of the lamp retaining assembly of Figure 2 shown in the unlocked position; and

Figure 4B is an enlarged partial perspective view of the lamp retaining device of Figure 2 shown in the locked position.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment
Referring now to Figure 1, a UV lamp system 10 includes a lamp support assembly 12 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It should be noted that the lamp support assembly 12 of the present invention is not limited to the installation and support of UV lamps. The invention is equally applicable to other types of elongated, tubular lamps or even single-ended light bulbs. The UV lamp system 10 includes a lamp housing 14 operatively connected to a source of cooling water and a source of electricity (not shown). The lamp housing 14 includes a cooling water manifold 16 operatively connected to the cooling water source. The cooling water manifold 16 serves to cool the UV lamp system 10 while it is in operation, such as during a heating or curing operation. The UV lamp system further includes a UV lamp 18 which is selectively removable from the lamp holder device 12. Preferably, the UV lamp 18 is made of quartz.

The lamp holder assembly 12 includes a lamp holder 20 which is attached to the cooling water manifold 16 by fasteners (not shown) and is in thermal contact therewith. The lamp holder 20 is thus cooled by the cooling water manifold 16 while the UV lamp system 10 is in operation. To provide further thermal protection for the lamp holder, a housing end member 21 is disposed adjacent the lamp holder 20. The housing end member 21 is also in thermal contact with the cooling water manifold 16 and shields the lamp holder 20 from the direct influence of UV light rays emitted by the UV lamp 12.

The lamp holder assembly 12 further includes a lamp holding device 22 selectively connected to the lamp holder 20 for securing the UV lamp 18 thereto. The lamp housing 14 further includes an electrical connector 24 operatively connected to a source of electricity.

Referring now to Figure 2, a lamp end 26 of the UV lamp 18 is shown installed or mounted in the lamp holder 12. The mounting of the lamp end 26 is substantially similar to the opposite end of the UV lamp 18, so that the discussion below is equally applicable to this opposite lamp end. The housing end member 21 and the lamp holder 20 include channels 27 and 28, respectively, both of which are substantially L-shaped. The lamp holder 20 further includes a fastener 30. The L-shaped channels 27, 28 include vertically extending portions 31, 32 and horizontally extending portions 33, 34.

The lamp end 26 includes an end fitting 36 which is fixedly connected by an adhesive to a terminal end 38 of the UV lamp 18. A UV lamp 18 having end fittings 38 of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 is manufactured by Primearc, a subsidiary of the assignee of the present invention. Preferably, the end fitting 36 is made of a ceramic material. When the UV lamp 18 burns out, the UV lamp 18 having the end fittings 36 is removed and replaced with a new UV lamp 18 having new end fittings 36.

The end mount 36 includes a threaded electrical element 40 for threadably engaging a wing nut 42. During installation of the UV lamp 18, the electrical connector 24 is placed over the threaded electrical element 40 and is threadably held thereto by the wing nut 42. The wing nut 42 is readily manually removable from the threaded electrical element 40.

removable without the use of hand tools. It should be noted that the end fitting 36 could comprise a female positive electrical connector into which a male positive thumbscrew is inserted to attach the electrical connector 24. Alternatively, the electrical connector 24 could comprise an electrical plug which engages a complementary electrical receptacle in the end fitting 36 such that no additional fasteners are necessary. Whichever type of connection is used, the electrical connector 24 should be securely attached to the end fitting 36 to prevent electrical arcing while the UV lamp system is in operation.

The end fitting 36 further includes a sleeve 44 sized to mate with the L-shaped channel 28. The L-shaped channel 27 of the housing end member 21 is sized to mate with the connection end 38 of the UV lamp 18, which has a smaller diameter than that of the sleeve 44. When the end fitting 36 is inserted into the L-shaped channel 28, the sleeve 44 rests on the horizontally extending portion 34 (Fig. 3) and remains therein without any additional fastening means, which allows the UV lamp 18 to be installed by only a single person since there is no need for a second person to hold the other end while the lamp end 26 is being installed.

The lamp holder assembly 22 has a mounting plate 46. A filler element 48, a holding portion 50 and a connector 52 are attached to the mounting plate 46. Advantageously, the filler element 48 and the holding portion 50 are spaced apart from one another such that heat is not transferred from the filler element 48 to the holding portion 50. The filler element 48 is sized to substantially fill the vertically extending portion 31 of the L-shaped channel 27 when inserted therein. The filler element 48 in conjunction with the housing end member 21 provides further thermal shielding from the heat generated by an operating UV lamp 18.

, thereby minimizing heating of uncooled portions of the lamp housing 14. Advantageously, the housing end member 21 and the filler member 48 are made of a material capable of withstanding high temperatures. The retaining portion 50, which is sized to substantially fill the vertically extending portion 32 of the L-shaped channel 28, includes a spring-loaded ball bearing or ball 54 which is in secure contact with the sleeve 44 when the lamp retainer 22 is attached to the lamp holder 20. The ball bearing 54 provides a positive contact force against the sleeve 44 to minimize inadvertent movement and vibration of the UV lamp 18 which may occur during a particular heating or curing application. In particular, as shown in Figure 3, the ball bearing 54 urges the sleeve 44 into contact with the end of the horizontally extending portion of the L-shaped channel 28 so that the sleeve 44 and the end mount 36 are cooled by the water cooled lamp holder 20. The vertically extending portions 31, 32 are offset from one another in the transverse direction such that when the filler member 48 and the support portion 50 are disposed in the vertically extending portions 31, 32, respectively, there are no visible gaps for UV light rays to pass directly through. This offset helps to minimize heating of uncooled portions of the lamp housing.

The connector assembly 52 includes a stationary member 56 attached to the mounting plate 46 by fasteners 57. The stationary member 56 includes a through hole 58 that is aligned with a through hole 60 in the mounting plate 46. The stationary member 56 also includes folded tabs 62 that form a channel through which a slide member 64 can be slidably moved. The slide member 64 includes opposing flexible members 66 that clampingly engage the fastener 30 when the slide member 64 is moved from an unlocked position to a locked position.

A preferred embodiment of the connector 52 is shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The slide member 64 includes external extensions 68 along the outboard edges of the flexible members 66 to prevent the slide member 64 from being pushed out of the channel formed by the tabs 62 when the slide member 64 is moved to the unlocked position (Figure 4A). The slide member 64 also includes internal extensions 70 along the inboard edges of the flexible members 66 to ensure that the slide member 66 is not moved beyond the fastener 30 when the slide member 66 is moved to the locked position (Figure 4B).

To install or mount the UV lamp 18 in the lamp housing 14, the terminal ends 38 and sleeve 44 of a new UV lamp 18 are pushed up into the vertically extending sections 31, 32 and then across into the horizontally extending sections 33, 34. At this point, the UV lamp 18, and in particular the sleeve 44, rests unsupported on the horizontally extending section 34 without any fasteners being necessary to hold the UV lamp 18 in place. The electrical connector 24 is then attached to threadably secure the electrical element 40 through the wing nut 42. The lamp retaining device 22 is then connected to the lamp holder 20. In particular, the filler element 48 and the holding portion 50 are inserted into the vertically extending portions 31, 32 of the L-shaped channels 27, 28 and the fastener 30 is inserted through the through holes 60, 58. Once the lamp holder 22 is in place, the sliding element 64 is moved by hand or by means of a finger 70 from an unlocked position (Fig. 4A) to a locked position (Fig. 4B) such that the flexible elements 66 engage the fastener 30 and surround the fastener 30 to securely hold the lamp holder 22 to the lamp holder 20. The entire installation process can be carried out without the use of any hand tools or the assistance of an electrician. The UV lamp 18 can be removed from the lamp holder 22.

housing 14 can be removed by simply reversing the installation procedure.

Although the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments, and although these embodiments have been explained in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to limit or restrict the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Other advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broadest aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative devices, methods, and examples shown and described. Accordingly, such details may be departed from without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.

According to the description of the invention, I CLAIM:

Claims (7)

1. Lamp holding device for holding an elongated lamp within a housing, comprising:
a bracket capable of being attached to the housing and having a first channel formed therein, the channel having a portion aligned to hold one end of the lamp, and
a retaining device having a portion adapted for insertion into the channel to securely hold the end of the lamp in the portion of the channel, the retaining device further comprising connecting means to enable selective connection and detachment of the retaining device and the bracket. 2. The lamp holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an end member disposed adjacent the mount, wherein each end member includes a second channel, wherein the holder assembly further comprises a filler member configured for insertion into the second channel in the end member. 3. A lamp holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the end holding means includes a spring loaded projection capable of coming into secure contact with the lamp end and holding the lamp end against the holder. 4. A lamp holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holder includes a fastening means, wherein the connecting device comprises a sliding element which is selectively displaceable between a locked and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the sliding element engages the fastening means to connect and hold the holding device to the holder, and wherein in the unlocked position the sliding element disengages from the fastening means to enable the holding device to be released from the holder. 5. UV lighting device comprising:
a housing having a first end and a second end;
an elongated UV lamp having first and second end attachments;
wherein first and second brackets are respectively attached to the first and second ends of the housing, each bracket having a first channel formed therein, each channel having a portion oriented to retain the end fasteners unsupported therein; and
first and second retaining means, each retaining means having a portion adapted to be inserted into the first channels in the first and second supports to securely fasten each end fastening in the portion of the first channel, each retaining means further comprising connecting means to enable selective connection and disconnection of the retaining means relative to the supports. 6. The UV illumination device of claim 5, wherein the housing further includes first and second end members respectively disposed adjacent the first and second supports, each end member having a second channel formed therein, each of the first and second support means further comprising a filler member configured to be inserted into the second channels in the first and second end members. 7. A UV lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the holder includes a fastening element and wherein the connecting device comprises a sliding element which is selectively movable between a locked and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the sliding element engages the fastening means to connect and hold the holding device to the holder, and wherein in the unlocked position the sliding element disengages from the fastening means to enable the holding device to be released from the holder.