EP0872875A1 - Heizvorrichtung für eine Lampe - Google Patents

Heizvorrichtung für eine Lampe Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0872875A1
EP0872875A1 EP98107046A EP98107046A EP0872875A1 EP 0872875 A1 EP0872875 A1 EP 0872875A1 EP 98107046 A EP98107046 A EP 98107046A EP 98107046 A EP98107046 A EP 98107046A EP 0872875 A1 EP0872875 A1 EP 0872875A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lamp
heater
lamp base
thermistor
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP98107046A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0872875B1 (de
Inventor
Rolland B. Hall
Scott M. Hardenstine
Peter A. Dudek
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.)
Osram Sylvania Inc
Original Assignee
Osram Sylvania Inc
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 Osram Sylvania Inc filed Critical Osram Sylvania Inc
Publication of EP0872875A1 publication Critical patent/EP0872875A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0872875B1 publication Critical patent/EP0872875B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/52—Cooling arrangements; Heating arrangements; Means for circulating gas or vapour within the discharge space

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a heater and more particularly to a heater for a lamp assembly
  • a lamp assembly has various uses in various industries.
  • a lamp assembly may he provided which includes a display device.
  • a display device is an automobile instrument cluster panel.
  • Such a panel typically contains 13 to 28 wedge base incandescent automotive lamps which serve as light sources for the panel.
  • the bases of such lamps cause many problems.
  • typically such wedge base incandescent automotive lamps are made by one manufacturer and the sockets into which such lamps are inserted are made by another. When assembled, this can result in questionable reliability, varying coil robustness and limited life.
  • wedge base lamps operate at current levels of about 3.5 amps to 7.5 amps (50 to 105 watts), at temperature levels above 200° C. and provide only 5 to 8 lumens per watt. Such levels limit the design of the lamp envelopes available and the materials used in the fabrication thereof. Further, such hot lamps typically have a life expectancy of only 500 to 2500 hours at best. Such a limited lamp life expectancy is not consistent with present automotive warranties of 10 years/100,000 miles.
  • Incandescent lamps have been the primary light source for automotive lighting due to their ability to light in cold conditions.
  • a fluorescent lamp is known in the automotive art.
  • a subminiature fluorescent U-shaped lamp as a light source in an automotive instrument cluster panel.
  • a single insulative plastic base is used to house both ends of such U-shaped lamp as well as a header-type electrical connector provided for attachment to a controller circuit board.
  • One disadvantage of such a base is that the electrical connections between the lamp and the connector, and the electrical connections between the connector and the circuit board, are typically effected by soldering.
  • Such fluorescent lamps are also difficult to operate in cold environments.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved lamp heater.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a lamp heater which is compact.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lamp heater which facilitates use of a lamp in cold weather.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a lamp heater for use with a fluorescent lamp.
  • This invention achieves the above and other objects by also providing a heater; especially a heater which can be used with a lamp.
  • This heater comprises a backing material that has an inner surface and an opposite outer surface.
  • a bonding material is in contact with the inner surface.
  • At least one foil trace is provided having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface of each foil trace is in contact with a first portion of the bonding material and bonded thereby to the backing material.
  • a second portion of the bonding material is bondable to a surface of an article to he heated, for example, a lamp.
  • a thermal breaker is electrically and mechanically connected to each foil trace.
  • a thermistor may also be provided for controlling the temperature of the lamp or aother article with the heater is used..
  • FIG. 1 depicts a lamp assembly comprising lamp 12, insulative lamp bases 14 attached to the lamp, heater element 16 and thermistor 18 adjacent the lamp, thermal breaker 20 electrically and mechanically connected to the heater element, and connector 22 electrically and mechanically connected to the lamp, heater element and thermistor by conductors 24 illustrated as a wire harness.
  • the lamp assembly of FIG. 1 is a subminiature lamp assembly for use in automotive applications. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is applicable to other types of lamp assemblies for use in other applications, and that the lamp of the present invention is not limited to any particular configuration or dimensions discussed herein.
  • lamp 12 is an arc discharge lamp such as a conventional cold cathode subminiature mercury arc discharge fluorescent lamp.
  • Lamp 12 is elongated and tubular and extends in the direction 26 of a longitudinal axis 28 from a first end 30 to an opposite second end 32.
  • a subminiature fluorescent lamp such as lamp 12 will include a glass tube 34, a phosphor coating 36 on the inside of the tube wall, a cathode end 38, and one or more lead wires 40, 42 extending from each tube end.
  • Thermal breaker 20 is positioned in close proximity to lamp cathode end 38.
  • the subminiature fluorescent lamp 12 may be of the type which operates under 100°C. and provides at least about 25 lumens per watt compared to 5 to 8 lumens per watt provided by conventional incandescent lamps. Such lamp 12 typically will provide at least 8000 hours of lamp life and have a color temperature of about 5300°K.. Lamp 12 is more robust than conventional incandescent lamps, lamp 12 having cathodes rather than coils. Lamp 12 is also very adaptable, such lamp being available in different colors and in different lengths. Without limitation, a typical lamp 12 will be about 300mm in length and have a diameter of about 7mm.
  • the ends 30 and 32 of lamp 12 include respective flat press seals 44 and 46 through which respective lead wires 40 and 42 extend in a conventional manner.
  • the lamp of the present invention may be provided with one or more abutment regions.
  • press seal 44 of lamp 12 includes two abutment regions in the form of recesses 48 and 50 which extend into opposite surfaces at opposite edges of press seal 44.
  • press seal 46 includes two abutment regions in the form of recesses 52 and 54 which extend into opposite surfaces at opposite edges of press seal 46.
  • recesses 48, 50, 52 and 54 may be in the form of protuberances which extend from respective press seals 44 and 46. The function of such abutment regions will be described hereinafter.
  • an insulative lamp base may be provided to which the lamp is attached.
  • an insulative lamp base may be provided to which the lamp is attached.
  • Lamp base housing 56 is mechanically attached to end 30 of lamp 12 and lamp base housing 58 is mechanically attached to end 32.
  • lamp base housings 56 and 58 are identical, each including identical base halves 56', 56'' and 58', 58'', respectively.
  • lamp base halves 56',56'' and 58',58'' may be fabricated using conventional procedures.
  • such lamp base halves may be molded from a plastic material such as, without limitation, nylon or polypropylene.
  • such plastic material is glass-filled PPA (polyphthalamide) which will be effective at temperatures of about -40°C. to 165°C..
  • lamp base housing 58 is depicted in FIG. 3, it being understood that lamp base housing 56 is identical thereto.
  • lamp base housing 58 extends in a direction 60 of a longitudinal axis 62 from a first end 64 to a second end 66.
  • Lamp base housing 58 comprises a plurality of openings each of which extends in direction 60 from end 64 to end 66.
  • One such opening 68 formed by connecting the two mechanically connecting base halves 58', 58'' of lamp base housing 58, is configured to mate with end 32 of lamp 12 and comprises one or more surfaces having one or more abutment regions configured to mate with a respective abutment region of the lamp 12.
  • the portion of opening 68 of base half 58'' depicted in FIG. 3 comprises a first surface 70 which comprises an abutment region which is configured to mate with a respective abutment region of press seal 46 as described hereinafter.
  • Base half 58' comprises an identical abutment region (not shown).
  • the mating abutment regions of lamp base halves 58',58'' will be in the form of mating protuberances 72, one such protuberance 72 of base half 58'' being illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • protuberances are substituted for recesses 52, 54 of lamp 12
  • mating recesses will be substituted for protuberances 72 of lamp base halves 58',58''.
  • End 30 of lamp 12 will be inserted into and mate with an identical lamp base housing 56 in the same manner, protuberances 72 of lamp base halves 56',56'' mating with respective recesses 48,50 of press seal 44.
  • lamp base housings 56, 58 of the type depicted in FIG. 3 When using lamp base housings 56, 58 of the type depicted in FIG. 3, the ends 30, 32 of lamp 12 are inserted into respective openings 68 of respective lamp base housings 56, 58, the mating abutment regions providing axial and rotational orientation of the lamp relative to the lamp base housing. To this end, lamp ends 30, 32 are inserted into respective openings 68 of lamp base housings 56 and 58 such that each protuberance 72 of lamp base halves 56',56'' mates with a respective recess 48, 50 of lamp 12, and each protuberance 72 of lamp base halves 58',58'' mates with a respective recess 52, 54.
  • heater element 16 is positioned adjacent lamp 12 and has heater conductors electrically and mechanically connected thereto.
  • heater element 16 may be in the form of a resistive foil heater which comprises one or more foil traces as described in more detail hereinafter.
  • the thermistor 18 is also positioned adjacent lamp 12 and has thermistor conductors electrically and mechanically connected thereto.
  • Thermal breaker 20 is electrically and mechanically connected to heater element 16.
  • the heater element 16 and thermal breaker 20 may be electrically and mechanically connected together to form a lamp heater useful in practicing the present invention.
  • the lamp heater of the present invention is particularly used in heating a subminiature fluorescent lamp useful, for example, in automotive applications.
  • the lamp heater of the present invention facilitates operation of a highly reliable and efficient low power (about 1.5 amps starting current, O.6 amps operating current) integral single lamp assembly, such as the lamp assembly depicted in FIG. 1, in cold weather requirements.
  • the heater element 16, thermistor 18, thermal breaker 20, and connector 22 are connected together to form one embodiment of an integral lamp heater of the present invention.
  • Thermal breaker 20 provides a high temperature safety device, and thermistor 18 controls the degree of heat.
  • a lamp heater 74 which comprises a heating element 16 which comprises a backing material 76, a layer of bonding material 78 and lengths of foil traces 80 and 82 bonded to the bonding material.
  • foil traces 80 and 82 have a somewhat serpentine pattern to increase the length and therefore the effective heating area of the traces.
  • backing material 76 is a flexible polyamide film sold by E. I.
  • du Pont under its trademark KAPTON®, and bonding material 78 is a silicon pressure-sensitive adhesive sold by FLEXcon Company, Inc. of Spencer, Massachusetts under its trademark DENSIL®.
  • the KAPTON® polyamide film is purchased with the DENSIL® bonding material coated thereon, and the foil traces 80,82 are adhered to such coated substrate which may then be adhered directly to lamp surface 84.
  • the flexible KAPTON® substrate is conformable to the rounded surface 84 of the tubular lamp 12.
  • the DENSIL® adhesive is particularly useful at elevated lamp temperatures.
  • a preferred form of the DENSIL® adhesive is flame retardant and thermally conductive.
  • the resistance heater element 16 described herein operates at an input of about 13.5 volts D.C., with an operating range of about 9.0 to 16.0 volts D.C. Maximum operating current is about 2 amps and resistance is about 17.69 Ohms ⁇ 10% (10.3 watts reference).
  • Such a lamp element 16 has an ambient operating temperature of about -40°C. to 159°C. and a storage temperature of about -40°C. to 165°C.. The life of such lamp is about 10,000 hours, and it has a high UV rating.
  • the heating element 16 is illustrated as comprising a backing material 86, and layers of bonding materials 88 and 90 with lengths of foil traces therebetween. Only one foil trace 92 is depicted in FIG. 5.
  • Foil trace 92 has a first surface 94 a second surface 96. Bonding material 88 is in contact with an inner surface 98 of the backing material 86. Surface 94 of foil trace 92 is in contact with bonding material 88 and is thereby adhered to the inner surface 98 of the backing material 86.
  • thermal breaker 20 is electrically and mechanically connected in series to the length of foil traces 80 and 82.
  • foil traces 80 and 82 include respective tabular end segments 100 and 102 which are soldered or welded to respective leads 104 and 106 of the thermal breaker 20.
  • Thermal breaker 20 is placed in close proximity to the high heat source lamp cathode end 38. Thermal breaker 20 controls the maximum temperature of lamp 12, and in a preferred embodiment includes a resettable safety switch.
  • thermal breaker sold by Texas Instruments, Inc. of Attleboro, Massachusetts under catalogue no. 6MM01AA has been found to he particularly useful in the lamp heater of the present invention.
  • the input of such thermal breaker is about 13.5 volts; and the current is about 4 amps (maximum inrush) and about 2 amps (maximum operating).
  • the temperature ratings are about 75°C. ⁇ 10°C. (switch temperature), -40°C. to 105°C. (operating temperature) and -40°C. to 165°C. (storage temperature).
  • the preferred style is 6mm without nickel strips.
  • Such thermal breaker measures about 3mm x 6mm x 18.5mm and fits nicely within the lamp base housing 56 as described herein.
  • Connector 22 is electrically and mechanically connected to the length of foil traces 80 and 82 and to the thermistor 18.
  • foil traces 80 and 82 include respective tabular end segments 106 and 108 which are soldered or welded to one end of respective conductors 110 and 112. The other end of conductors 110 and 112 are electrically and mechanically connected to connector 22 in a conventional manner.
  • Thermistor 18 comprises thermistor conductors 114 and 116 which are also electrically and mechanically connected to the connector 22 in a conventional manner.
  • the thermistor 18 is attached directly on the lamp 12 by tape 120.
  • Tape 120 may be high temperature and optically clear so as not to interfere with the illumination of lamp 12.
  • Thermistor 18 controls the operating temperature of lamp 12 in a conventional manner to stabilize lamp temperature at its operating temperature.
  • a thermistor sold by Inter-Technical Group, Inc. of Elmsford, New York under catalogue no. Uppermost #NA1036K1B-160(03) (Type NTC) has been found to be particularly useful in the lamp heater of the present invention.
  • the resistance of such thermistor is about 10K W ⁇ 10% at 25°C. and about 3K W ⁇ 10% at 55°C.
  • the lead wire is 24-28 gage with about 1.25mm maximum insulation.
  • a thermistor When used with a subminiature fluorescent lamp 12 having a length of about 300mm and a width of about 7mm, such a thermistor is positioned about 100mm from the distal end of end 32 of the lamp.
  • the embodiment of the lamp heater of the present invention described herein and depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 allows a subminiature mercury arc discharge fluorescent lamp to be readily heated up to and stabilized at its operating temperature, even in automotive applications which may be subjected to cold temperatures.
  • Such a heater assembly provides a simplified, compact assembly with a minimum number of wire connections. It must be emphasized that the lamp heater of the present invention is not limited to use with the lamp type, size or configuration described herein. Regardless of the application, a zero maintenance, long life lamp assembly is provided in accordance with the present invention.
  • each lamp base housing 56 and 58 comprises an opening 122 and an opening 124 as depicted with respect to lamp base housing 56 in FIG. 1.
  • openings 122 and 124 each extend in direction 60 from end 64 to end 66, and opening 68 is positioned between openings 122 and 124.
  • lead wires 42 and 40 of lamp 12 are electrically and mechanically connected to lamp conductors 126 and 128, respectively, in a conventional manner.
  • lead wires 42 and 40 are spliced to lamp conductors 126 and 128 at 130 and 132, respectively.
  • Lamp conductor 128 may be fastened to lamp 12 by tape 120 as depicted in FIG. 1.
  • Lamp conductors 126, 128, heater conductors 110,112 and thermistor conductors 114,116 are electrically and mechanically connected to connector 22 in a conventional manner.
  • the thermal breaker extends into and is held in place by an insulative base housing.
  • the thermal breaker 20 extends into opening 124 and is held in place by the lamp base housing 56 as described in more detail hereinafter.
  • the various conductors extend through one or more of the lamp base housings.
  • heater conductors 110,112, thermistor conductors 114,116 and lamp conductors 126,128 extend through the lamp base housing 58 to the connector 22.
  • Lamp conductor 128 also extends through lamp base housing 56. The orientation of such conductors will he described in more detail hereinafter.
  • FIG. 6 is an enlargement of lamp base half 58'' of FIG. 3, viewed from end 66.
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6.
  • Lamp base halves 58', 56' and 56'' are identical to lamp base half 58''.
  • Lamp base half 58'', and lamp base half 58' each comprise a portion of opening 68, a portion of opening 122 and a portion of opening 124.
  • respective portions form respective openings 68, 122 and 124.
  • each lamp base half 58'' comprises a first recess 134 which extends from end 64 towards end 66 and a second recess 136 which extends from end 66 towards end 64 and opens into recess 134.
  • the surface 70 is adjacent recess 136. It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that each recess 134,136 of lamp base half 58'' will be aligned with a respective recess 134,136 of lamp base half 58' when lamp base halves 58' and 58'' are connected together to form opening 68.
  • lamp base half 58'' comprises a portion of openings 122 and 124.
  • the portion of openings 124 and 122 of each lamp base half 58'' comprises respective recesses 138 and 140 which extend from end 64 to end 66.
  • each recess 138 and 140 of lamp base half 58'' will be aligned with a respective recess 140 and 138 of lamp base half 58' when lamp base halves 58'' and 58' are connected together to form openings 122 and 124 as described hereinafter.
  • Each recess 138,140 comprises a respective base 142,144 and a respective protuberance 146,148 extending therefrom. In the embodiment of FIG.
  • protuberances 146,148 are in the form of posts.
  • Recess 136 extends between surface 70 and an opposite surface 150 such that surface 70 is adjacent recesses 136 and 140, and surface 150 is adjacent recesses 136 and 138. Since lamp base halves 58' and 58'' are identical, it will be apparent from FIG. 3 that when they are connected together, protuberance 72 of lamp base half 58'' will face surface 150 of lamp base half 58', and protuberance 72 of lamp base half 58' will face surface 150 of lamp base half 58''. In this manner, when assembled as depicted in FIG.
  • a protuberance 70 of lamp base halves 56',56'' and 58',58'' will extend into a respective recess 48,50,52 and 54 of lamp 12.
  • surfaces 70 and 150 of lamp base halves 56', 56'' and 58', 58'' are configured to engage a respective surface of a respective press seal 44,46 of lamp 12 depicted in FIG. 2.
  • each recess 134 is configured to substantially conform to, engage and thereby support a respective tubular lamp end portion adjacent press seals 44,46.
  • recess 138 comprises a protuberance 152
  • recess 140 comprises a protuberance 154 extending from respective bases 142 and 144.
  • the recess 138 comprises a region 156 which extends from end 64 towards end 66 and a region 158 which extends from end 66 towards end 64 and opens into region 156.
  • Region 158 has a width 160 which is greater than a width 162 of region 156, the protuberance 146 being positioned in region 158 and the protuberance 152 being positioned in region 156.
  • recess 140 comprises a region 164 which extends from end 64 towards end 66 and a region 166 which extends from end 66 towards end 64 and opens into region 164.
  • Region 166 has a width 168 which is greater than a width 170 of region 164, the protuberance 148 being positioned in region 166 and the protuberance 154 being positioned in the region 164.
  • Region 156 comprises opposing wall segments 172, 174 which extend vertically from base 142, and region 158 comprises opposing wall segments 176,178 which extend vertically from base 142.
  • the protuberance 146 is substantially centered between wall segments 176,178, and the protuberance 152 is positioned against wall segment 172.
  • region 164 comprises opposing wall segments 180, 182 which extend vertically from base 144, and region 166 comprises opposing wall segments 184,186 which extend vertically from base 144.
  • the protuberance 148 is substantially centered between wall segments 184,186, and the protuberance 154 is positioned against wall segment 180.
  • Wall segments 174 and 182 comprise a length 188,190, respectively, which protrude towards respective wall segments 172,180.
  • Protuberances 192,194 extend from respective wall segments 174,182 towards a protuberance 152,154, respectively.
  • Protuberances 196,198 extend from respective wall segments 178,176 towards protuberance 146, and protuberances 200,202 extend from respective wall segments 186,184 towards protuberance 148.
  • the lamp heater is attached to lamp 12 by adhesively bonding the heater element 16, and taping the thermistor 18, to surface 84 of the lamp, as described herein.
  • the end 30 of the lamp 12 is then inserted into a lamp base half 56'', which is identical to lamp base half 58'', such that recess 134 supports a tubular end portion of the lamp and the protuberance 72 of lamp base half 56'' protrudes into recess 50 of the lamp.
  • such mating protuberance 72/recess 50 serves to properly locate the end 30 of lamp 12 relative to the lamp base half 56''.
  • the lead wire 40 and lamp conductor 128 spliced thereto at 132 are wrapped around a protuberance such as, for example, protuberance 146, and the lamp conductor 128 is extended through the recess 138 such that the lamp conductor 128 is wedged between, and held in place by, facing surfaces of protuberances 152 and 192.
  • All of the conductors depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 are illustrated as single phantom lines for clarity of the drawings. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that such conductors will have a diameter. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, conductor 128 may have a diameter slightly greater than the distance between protuberances 152 and 192 allowing such wedging to be effected.
  • the thermal breaker 20 is inserted into recess 138 by inserting the thermal breaker between wall segment 172 and wall length 188 until the thermal breaker rests upon the protuberance 152.
  • lamp 12 lamp conductor 128 and thermal breaker 20 are in place within lamp base half 56'', an identical mating lamp base half 56' is fastened in place relative to lamp base half 56'', as depicted in FIG. 3, to thereby enclose (a) the end 30 of lamp 12 within opening 68 and (b) the lengths of lamp conductor 128 and thermal breaker 20 within opening 124.
  • protuberance 72 of lamp base half 56' will extend into lamp recess 48.
  • Protuberances 152 and 192 provide strain relief for lamp conductor 128, and protuberance 146 provides a guide for lead wire 40 and lamp conductor 128 welded thereto.
  • the end 32 of lamp 12 is inserted into a lamp base half 58'' such that recess 134 supports a tubular end portion of the lamp and the protuberance 72 of lamp base 58'' protrudes into recess 54 of lamp 12.
  • such mating protuberance 72/recess 54 serves to properly locate the end 32 of lamp 12 relative to the lamp base half 58''.
  • the lead wire 42 and lamp conductor 126 spliced thereto at 130 are wrapped around a protuberance such as, for example, protuberance 148, and the lamp conductor 126 is extended through a portion of the recess 140 such that the lamp conductor 126 is wedged between, and held in place by, protuberances 148 and 202 by providing a conductor having a diameter slightly greater than the distance between protuberance 148 and 202.
  • lamp conductor 128, which extends from end 30 of lamp 12, and heater conductors 110,112 are inserted into recess 140 and wedged between protuberances 148 and 200.
  • conductors 110,112 and 128 side by side for clarity of the drawing, in the preferred embodiment such conductors will be stacked upon each other so that each such conductor may be similarly wedged between protuberances 148 and 200.
  • Thermistor conductors 114,116 will then be inserted into recess 138 such that conductor 114 is similarly wedged between protuberances 146 and 196, and conductor 116 is similarly wedged between protuberances 146 and 198.
  • Conductors 110,112 and 128 will also be wedged between protuberances 154,194 and conductors 114,116 will also be wedged between protuberances 152,192.
  • a mating lamp base half 58' is fastened in place relative to lamp base half 58'', to thereby enclose (a) the end 32 of lamp 12 within opening 68, (b) the lengths of conductors 110, 112, 126 and 128 within opening 122, and (c) the lengths of conductors 114 and 116 within opening 124.
  • protuberance 72 of lamp base 58' will extend into lamp recess 52.
  • Protuberances 146 and 148 provide guides for respective conductors as depicted in FIG. 9. Further, as depicted in FIG.
  • strain relief is provided by protuberances 146, 196 for conductor 114; by protuberances 146, 198 for conductor 116; by protuberances 152, 192 for conductors 114, 116; by protuberances 148, 202 for conductor 126; and by protuberances 148, 200 and 154, 194 for conductors 110, 112 and 128.
  • each lamp base half comprises a clip member and a mating clip member which are connectable together.
  • lamp base half 58'' comprises a flexible conventional clip member 208 having a locking edge 210 which snaps into place relative to a latch locking ledge 212 of a mating clip member 214 of lamp base half 58'.
  • Lamp base half 58' comprises a similar flexible clip member 208, only partially seen in FIG. 3, and lamp base half 58" comprises a similar mating clip member 214.
  • Self-alignment tabs 216 are provided to facilitate alignment of each clip member 208 with a respective mating clip member 214.
  • Guide arms 218 are provided for facilitating positioning each lamp base housing 56,58 relative to a support surface.
  • Conductors 110, 112, 114, 116, 126 and 128 extend from lamp base housing 58 to connecter 22 which provides a common connector head for such conductors.
  • a display device is provided.
  • a display device 220 is provided having a lamp 12 secured thereto.
  • the lamp base housings 56,58 are secured to the display device to hold lamp 12 in place relative to the display device.
  • the display device 220 comprises a display device housing 222, having an opening 224, and a clear plastic display panel 226 attached to the display device housing.
  • Lamp 12 is positioned between the display device housing 222 and the display panel 226.
  • first and second lamp base housings 56 and 58 are sandwiched between the display device housing 222 and display panel 226, and screws 228 secure the package together.
  • lamp 12 is positioned adjacent an edge 230 of the display panel 226, and the display panel may be mounted to the dashboard of a vehicle at mounts 232 in a conventional manner.

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  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
  • Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
EP19980107046 1997-04-18 1998-04-17 Heizvorrichtung für eine Lampe Expired - Lifetime EP0872875B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US84434597A 1997-04-18 1997-04-18
US844345 1997-04-18

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EP0872875A1 true EP0872875A1 (de) 1998-10-21
EP0872875B1 EP0872875B1 (de) 2004-07-28

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JP (1) JPH10302944A (de)
CA (1) CA2226538A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69825203T2 (de)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3736404A (en) * 1969-12-18 1973-05-29 P Eisler Combined demisting and defrosting heating panel for windows and other transparent areas
JPS5944757A (ja) * 1982-09-06 1984-03-13 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd 放電灯の加熱装置
US4931685A (en) * 1987-08-21 1990-06-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Discharge lamp
US5095336A (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-03-10 Xerox Corporation Temperature control of a fluorescent lamp having a central and two end amalgam patches
JPH0696741A (ja) * 1992-09-10 1994-04-08 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp 屈曲形低圧放電灯およびこれを用いた液晶表示装置
JPH06260146A (ja) * 1993-03-08 1994-09-16 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp 放電灯
JPH07161221A (ja) * 1993-12-10 1995-06-23 Nippondenso Co Ltd 蛍光ランプ用ヒータ
JPH08293286A (ja) * 1995-04-20 1996-11-05 Harrison Denki Kk 低圧放電灯

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3736404A (en) * 1969-12-18 1973-05-29 P Eisler Combined demisting and defrosting heating panel for windows and other transparent areas
JPS5944757A (ja) * 1982-09-06 1984-03-13 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd 放電灯の加熱装置
US4931685A (en) * 1987-08-21 1990-06-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Discharge lamp
US5095336A (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-03-10 Xerox Corporation Temperature control of a fluorescent lamp having a central and two end amalgam patches
JPH0696741A (ja) * 1992-09-10 1994-04-08 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp 屈曲形低圧放電灯およびこれを用いた液晶表示装置
JPH06260146A (ja) * 1993-03-08 1994-09-16 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp 放電灯
JPH07161221A (ja) * 1993-12-10 1995-06-23 Nippondenso Co Ltd 蛍光ランプ用ヒータ
JPH08293286A (ja) * 1995-04-20 1996-11-05 Harrison Denki Kk 低圧放電灯

Non-Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 008, no. 135 22 June 1984 (1984-06-22) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 018, no. 355 5 July 1994 (1994-07-05) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 018, no. 65813 13 December 1994 (1994-12-13) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 095, no. 009 31 October 1995 (1995-10-31) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 097, no. 003 31 March 1997 (1997-03-31) *

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CA2226538A1 (en) 1998-10-18
EP0872875B1 (de) 2004-07-28
JPH10302944A (ja) 1998-11-13
DE69825203T2 (de) 2004-11-18
DE69825203D1 (de) 2004-09-02

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