EP0054401A2 - Elektrische Lichtquelle mit eingebauter Ausschaltvorrichtung - Google Patents

Elektrische Lichtquelle mit eingebauter Ausschaltvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0054401A2
EP0054401A2 EP81305793A EP81305793A EP0054401A2 EP 0054401 A2 EP0054401 A2 EP 0054401A2 EP 81305793 A EP81305793 A EP 81305793A EP 81305793 A EP81305793 A EP 81305793A EP 0054401 A2 EP0054401 A2 EP 0054401A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
envelope
switch
light source
filament
lamp
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP81305793A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0054401A3 (de
Inventor
Keith Elphinstone
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Badalex Ltd
Original Assignee
Badalex Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Badalex Ltd filed Critical Badalex Ltd
Publication of EP0054401A2 publication Critical patent/EP0054401A2/de
Publication of EP0054401A3 publication Critical patent/EP0054401A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01K—ELECTRIC INCANDESCENT LAMPS
    • H01K1/00—Details
    • H01K1/62—One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp
    • H01K1/64—One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp with built-in switch

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns an electric light source with an integral electric switch. More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention concerns a novel incandescent filament lamp which incorporates an attitude and movement sensitive switch for controlling the supply of electric power to the filament of the lamp.
  • Incandescent lamps are used in a large variety of situations and positions where the requirement for illumination is associated with some physical movement.Thus, for instance, it is desirable to provide a light source for the bonnet (hood) or the boot (trunk) of a motor car in order to illuminate these spaces especially when the ambient light is poor.
  • -Also safety lifebelts incorporating a light bulb are normally stored in one attitude in which an attitude-sensitive switch prevents the filament of the bulb from being energised but when the belt is used a floating ring on it ensures that it floats on water in an attitude inverted in relation to the storage attitude, and in this attitude the switch permits the filament to be energised.
  • attitude-sensitive switch prevents the filament of the bulb from being energised but when the belt is used a floating ring on it ensures that it floats on water in an attitude inverted in relation to the storage attitude, and in this attitude the switch permits the filament to be energised.
  • attitude sensitive light switches may readily be conceived; any situation where the opening of a door or lid, or the movement of some other physical member is desirably accompanied by light illumination (or extinction) e.g. car doors, doors of washing machines and refrigerators, power sub-stations etc.,
  • the present invention seeks to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of existing lamps and associated supply circuitry and to provide an improved electric light source with its own integrated attitude-sensitive or movement-sensitive switch.
  • an integrated device comprises an electric light source having an envelope and supply leads for feeding current from terminals of the device connectable with a source of external electric supply to a filament or electrode(s) disposed within the envelope, and displacement-responsive switch means connected in the path of at least one of said leads, between the associated device terminal and the filament or electrode, characterised in that the said switch means is permanently enclosed within an integral part of the light source structure.
  • the switch means which preferably comprises a mercury switch, according to various preferred embodiments of the invention be incorporated within the high source envelope itself; within a divided compartment of the envelope; within an exhaust or like tube sealed to or extending from the envelope; or within a cap structure sealed to the light source envelope.
  • the switch means is conveniently incorporated into the light source structure during its fabrication to provide an integral unit which preferably can be fitted in conventional bayonet, screw and other sockets in the manner of a corresponding conventional light source.
  • the switch means comprises a mercury switch the switch chamber being formed between pinch seals in an exhaust or like tube sealed to the light source envelope.
  • the light source is an incandescent lamp the envelope of which is divided into two compart ments by a dividing wall and one compartment contains a filament the other providing a sealed enclosure for the switch means in which a portion of a supply lead passes from the filament through the dividing wall into the switch enclosure to provide a first contact terminal therefor, and a second switch contact terminal is provided within the switch enclosure by a portion of another supply lead another portion of which extends outside the envelope to provide a device terminal for connection to an external supply.
  • the light source is an incandescent lamp in which the lamp envelope itself provides the enclosure for the switch means, a first supply lead passing without interruption from an associated device termina to the filament within the envelope, and a second su p p lead comprises a first portion connected to the filament and terminating within the envelope to provide a first contact terminal for the switch, and a second portion connected to an associated device terminal and terminating within the envelope, to provide the second contact terminal for the.switch, a portion of the first supply lead within the envelope being provided with means for preventing a short-circuit between that supply lead and the second portion at the second supply lead.
  • the mercury switch is secured within a cap structure of the light source permanently secured to the envelope, and the cap structure includes a cap shell, first and second insulating elements at least partially accommodated within the cap shell the two elements defining a sealed mercury-containing switch chamber therebetween, and a pair of conductors extending into said chamber to provide the switch contacts.
  • the mercury switch instead of being formed or assembled during fabrication of the light source, may comprise a pre-formed capsule already containing mercury and switch contacts.
  • a method of making an integral mercury-switched electric light source includes the steps of tipping-off by means of a pinch seal an exhaust tube sealed to or extending from an envelope for the light source, introducing a predetermined quantity of mercury into the open end of the said tube, introducing contact terminals into the open end of the tube and forming a second seal in the tube to seal said terminals into position and to define a sealed space to provide a mercury switch chamber.
  • the second seal is preferably also a pinch seal, and contact terminals to provide conveniently both the switch contacts and the device terminals may be inserted into the open end of the said tube, prior to forming the second pinch seal to be sealed in position on formation of that seal.
  • a miniature lamp 10 comprising a lamp envelope or bulb 11 into the neck 12 of which a bead mount 13 has been butt-sealed.
  • the bead mount 13 includes an exhaust tube 15 for pumping out therethrough the interior of the envelope 11 and a bead 17 carrying supply leads 19 which are connected to and support an incandescent lamp filament 18. Lead-in wires or supply leads 19 also serve to connect the filament 18 to an external source of electric power, not shown.
  • the integral lamp and switch according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference 30.
  • it includes a lamp envelope 11-having a neck 32 to which a bead mount 13 has been butt-sealed.
  • Lead-in wires 19 are provided for connecting an incandescent filament 18 to an external source of electric power (not shown). Again, as before, the interior of the lamp envelope 11 is pumped out to a suitably low pressure.
  • tipping-off in the conventional manner by playing a flame from burners on the neck 32 and exhaust tube 15 and simultaneously mechanically drawing the exhaust tube in a direction away from the bulb, tipping-off is effected by a pinch seal 35. This results in an open stump 36' of the exhaust tube 15.
  • This second pinch seal is designated by 42.
  • the arrangement of the pins is such that the top end (as seen in Figure 2) of pin 38 terminates within the pinch seal 42 while the other two pins 39, 40 extend preferably as shown by unequal amounts through the pinch seal 42 into the now sealed interior 43 of the exhaust tube 15 that contains the mercury 37.
  • the pin 40 extends further below the pinch-seal 42 than the pin 39 and, together with the pin 38, constitutes the usual bi-pin arrangement providing terminals for connection of the device to an external supply. Now the lead-in wires 19 are welded to the nickel pins 38, 39.
  • the drop of mercury 37 forms a conductive path or bridge between the pins 39 and 40.
  • a cap e.g. a moulded plastics cap 45, is secured around the exhaust tube and pins, in a manner known per se, with two nickel terminal pins 38, 40 protruding therethrough.
  • the integral lamp and switch device is shown in two different attitudes, e.g. with reference to its use as a boot (trunk) lid lamp in a motor car.
  • the lid (not shown) is open, it is desired that the filament 18 should be energised to illuminate the interior of the boot or trunk, and in that position the drop of mercury 37 bridges over the two contact pins 39, 40 to make the electric circuit.
  • the drop of mercury 37 has rolled away from the end of the hollow space 43, thus open-circuiting the electric supply to the filament 46.
  • Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a "festoon"-type of lamp 50. It has an elongated envelope 11 containing an incandescent filament 18 carried on a bead 13 and fed from two supply leads 19a, 19b. Lead 19a passes through the envelope 11 for connection to an external supply, not shown.
  • the supply lead 19b comprises a first portion 60 terminating outside the envelope 11 and an angled portion 61 within the envelope 11.
  • a dividing wall 62 divides the envelope 11 into two compartments 56, 57.
  • the lead 19a passes through a bead 13 and is then connected to one end of filament 18 the other end of which is connected to one end of a conductor 19c.
  • the conductor 19c passes through dividing wall 62 and terminates in an angled portion 58 somewhat spaced from angled portion 61 of conductor 19b.
  • the compartment 57 contains a volume of mercury 59 capable of electrically connecting the portions 58 and 61.
  • FIG 8 there is shown a miniature lamp 70 having an incandescent filament 18 supported on a bead 13 and fed from supply leads 19d, 19e.
  • the leads 19d, 19e pass through the envelope 11 for connection to a non-illustrated external supply.
  • the portion 73a of the lead 19d which is within the envelope 11 is provided with an insulating sleeve 76.
  • the other lead through the bead 13 is designated 74 and terminates within and adjacent to the envelope 11.
  • the end of the lead 19e remote from the source of electric supply is designated 78 and is located within the envelope 11, terminating at a small distance from the end of the wire 74 remote from the bead 13.
  • a pool of mercury 79 bridges the gap between lead ends 78, 79 in the illustrated position, thereby "making" the circuit.
  • the mercury moves away from the wire ends to "break" the circuit.
  • Means may be provided to prevent direct contact between the mercury 79 and the filament 18.
  • a short circuit between the two supply leads is prevented by the insulating sleeve 76 surrounding the lead 73a. Alternatively, this may be achieved by spacing the lead 73a and lead'portion 74 sufficiently far apart to prevent bridging contact by the mercury pool 79.
  • the lead portion 74 may be sealed into-the envelope 11 at the time when the envelope 11 is butt-sealed to the bead mount.
  • the lamp 70 may be gas-filled.
  • a lamp 90 comprising a lamp envelope or bulb 11 into the neck 12 of which a bead mount 13 has been sealed.
  • the envelope 11 has been exhausted and tipped off at 14.
  • the bead mount 13 may include an exhaust tube (not shown) for pumping out therethrough the interior of the envelope and a bead 17 carrying an incandescent lamp filament 18.
  • Lead-in wires or supply leads 19f, 19g are provided for connecting the filament to an external source of electric power, not shown.
  • An existing type of lamp base oT cap 80 is secured to the envelope 11 in a manner to be described.
  • the external surface of the cap 80 may be threaded, or as is usual in the United Kingdom, is provided with lateral pins 81 for a bayonet type socket.
  • the lead-in wire 19f is soldered to an external surface of the cap 80.
  • the other lead-in wire 19g is guided within the hollow interior of the cap 80 past the tip-off stump 82 to a central position where it is welded to an axially extending contact pin 83, made of an alloy of metals, e.g. of Ni-Fe.
  • the pin 83 projects through and is adhesively sealed in an aperture 83a in a preform 84 of synthetic material.
  • the preform 84 has a cylindrical outer surface which is adhesively cemented to the internal surface of the cap 80, the gap between these two surfaces in Figure 1 being exaggerated for clarity.
  • the preform 84 may itself be made of an adhesive e.g. a thermoplastic material, or the adhesive cement may be applied separately.
  • the preform 84 is secured via epoxy seals 85 to a conventional vitrite element 86 fixed within the cap 80.
  • the vitrite element 86 is annular and its internal surface is partly of an inverted frusto- conical shape, partly cylindrical, whereby a chamber 87 is formed between it and the lower end face (as viewed) of the preform 84.
  • the central part of the element 86 is apertured at 88 and a metallic contact pin 89 is sealed therein.
  • the pin 89 has an enlarged head 89a extending underneath the element 86 to form the usual lamp centre contact.
  • the other end of the pin 89 extends into the chamber 87 towards the other contact pin 83 so as to form a small gap 91 therebetween.
  • this gap 91 is conductively bridged by a drop of mercury 97 previously introduced into the chamber 87.
  • the drop of mercury would roll or flow away from the gap 91 to break the electric power supply to the lamp filament 18.
  • FIG. 10 illustrating the normal or "on" attitude of a lamp according to a variant of the Figure 9 embodiment, only the differences will be described.
  • the pin 83 of Figure 9 is dispensed with; instead one lead-in wire 19h itself is moulded in the preform 84a.
  • the other lead-in wire 19i is also moulded in the preform 84a. and as before, soldered at 93 to a conventional lamp cap 80a.
  • the preform 84a is longer than the preform 84 of Figure 9: it extends out of the cap 80a and is transfer-moulded to the envelope 11 and stump 14.
  • the upper end 92 (as viewed) of the preform 84a is generally V-shaped in section and forms with the vitrite element 86 the chamber 87 containing mercury 97.
  • contiguous surfaces of the preform 84a.and the vitrite element 86 are sealed together by seals 85.
  • a contact pin 89 extending through and sealed in the central aperture 88 extends well into the chamber 87 and forms the gap 91 with the tip or end of the lead-in wire 19h which thus provides the other contact for the mercury switch.
  • This lead-in wire may be of Ni-Fe.
  • FIGS 11 and 12 illustrate two variants in which like parts have been allotted like reference numbers.
  • a volume of mercury 37 is contained in a discrete capsule 100 provided with contacts 101, 102.
  • the unit 100, 101, 102 may then be a pre-existing mercury switch e.g. that manufactured by the Gunther Company, Germany, type designation HG 2703.
  • a conventional envelope 11 and a conventional cap 80 are connected together by an annular plastics mounting 103 the upper end of which flares outwardly and is sealed at 104 to the envelope 11. Its lower end is cemented to the inside of the cap 80. In this way, a generally cylindrical internal space or chamber 105 arises and the capsule 100 is accommodated in the chamber 105.
  • the lead-in wires 19k, 191 are led through (and fused to) the wall of the envelope 11.
  • One wire 19k is passed through (and sealed in) an aperture in the moulding 103 and is soldered to the outside of the cap 80.
  • the other wire 191 is welded to the upper (as viewed) contact 101 of the mercury switch capsule 100 which is spaced by a small gap 91 from the lower contact 102.
  • the lower contact 102 passes through an aperture 88 in the vitrite element 86 and is formed with a contact head 90.
  • the filament 18 In the illustrated attitude the filament 18 is not energised because the mercury 37 does not bridge the contact gap 91. In the inverted position the circuit is made and the filament 18 is energised.
  • the Figure 12 embodiment differs from the Figure 11 embodiment only in the following significant respects.
  • a commercially available mercury switch capsule 100 is used wherein the two contacts 101, 102, are at the same (lower) end of the capsule 100.
  • the moulding or cap extension 103a is right annular and is not apertured: one lead-in wire 19k is passed under the lower end of the moulding 103 and then bent back to pass between the outer surface of the cap 80 over the rim of the cap and is then soldered to the outer surface of the cap 80.
  • An insulating plastics tube 110 supported by means not shown, is disposed around the capsule 100 to protect the latter and to prevent metal-to metal contact between the lead-in wire 191 and the cap 80.

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  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
EP81305793A 1980-12-15 1981-12-08 Elektrische Lichtquelle mit eingebauter Ausschaltvorrichtung Withdrawn EP0054401A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8040117 1980-12-15
GB8040117 1980-12-15
GB8105847 1981-02-24
GB8105847 1981-02-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0054401A2 true EP0054401A2 (de) 1982-06-23
EP0054401A3 EP0054401A3 (de) 1983-01-19

Family

ID=26277854

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81305793A Withdrawn EP0054401A3 (de) 1980-12-15 1981-12-08 Elektrische Lichtquelle mit eingebauter Ausschaltvorrichtung

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EP (1) EP0054401A3 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2252816A (en) * 1991-02-13 1992-08-19 Howard George Anthony Thomas Indicator lamps
EP0694955A1 (de) * 1994-07-20 1996-01-31 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Lampe-Schaltungseinheit

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US339253A (en) * 1886-04-06 aexold
US2086192A (en) * 1935-04-04 1937-07-06 William L Schumaker Electric light bulb
US2561460A (en) * 1950-11-14 1951-07-24 Bloese Max Electric light bulb
FR1518839A (fr) * 1967-02-13 1968-03-29 Lampe électrique à contacteur

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US339253A (en) * 1886-04-06 aexold
US2086192A (en) * 1935-04-04 1937-07-06 William L Schumaker Electric light bulb
US2561460A (en) * 1950-11-14 1951-07-24 Bloese Max Electric light bulb
FR1518839A (fr) * 1967-02-13 1968-03-29 Lampe électrique à contacteur

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2252816A (en) * 1991-02-13 1992-08-19 Howard George Anthony Thomas Indicator lamps
EP0694955A1 (de) * 1994-07-20 1996-01-31 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Lampe-Schaltungseinheit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0054401A3 (de) 1983-01-19

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Inventor name: ELPHINSTONE, KEITH