EP0951108A2 - Socket for fluorescent lamps, in particular for annular fluorescent lamps - Google Patents

Abstract

The socket fitting (10) has an insulating socket fitting body (11) provided on one side with a reception channel (14) for the fluorescent lamp socket, with adjacent contact chambers (19) receiving the lamp contact pins, inserted transverse to their longitudinal direction. At least one hinged flap (21) is attached to the socket fitting body and moved between an open position for insertion of the fluorescent lamp socket and a closed position in which the pin contacts are covered.

Description

The invention relates to a socket for fluorescent lamps, especially for ring lamps, with one on a luminaire part to be fastened from Insulating material that one to one side of the socket body, especially open to its view side Receiving channel for the lamp base and at least one adjacent to the receiving channel, facing the view side includes opening chamber for contact elements, into which the lamp contact pins are transverse to their longitudinal extension can be used.

Such a known, but in print non-verifiable version of the prior art has a total of four chambers for contact elements, each paired side by side on both sides of the receiving channel are arranged. On each side of the receiving channel is one between the two chambers metallic retaining spring provided that the mechanical Holder of the fluorescent lamp on the socket non-positive attack of the retaining springs on peripheral areas of the lamp base. The chambers are at this version from its broad side, not from the View side, equipped with the contact elements. They are partially open towards the view side in Shape of an L-shaped lamp contact insertion slot, that in the between the chambers and the receiving channel arranged wall protrudes.

The fluorescent lamp is from the view side forth used in the receiving channel, the cross from Lamp base protruding contact pins across to her Longitudinal extension in the insertion openings provided and the insertion slot are inserted.

With the lamp base fully inserted into the socket the contact pins are in the chambers and contact with the contact elements. The Contact pins themselves are from the view side in principle freely accessible. Impurities, such as vapors and dust or solid foreign bodies get into the contact area. The in view cleaning required for the operation of the lamp required due to the outer "jagged" shape of the socket body a lot of effort. When using of wet cloths is due to the relative unprotected arrangement of the contact elements and the contact pins for the user even the risk of electric shock.

It is an object of the invention, a version according to The preamble of claim 1 to create the above avoids the disadvantages of the prior art listed.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 1, in particular with those of the identification part, after which at least one on the socket body Flap is hinged in front of an open position the insertion of the lamp base in a closed position is pivotable when the lamp base is inserted, in the at least the opening of the chamber on the view side is covered.

The principle of the invention thus essentially exists in it by providing a flap on the socket body a protective cover for the insertion opening to create the chamber, which only after insertion of the Fluorescent lamp is used and the chamber with the contact pin and the contact element covers safely. At the same time, the Invention that when the flap is in the open position the fluorescent lamp can be used without hindrance. The flap also has in its closed position the advantage that now also foreign body protection is available, for example also the classification the version in higher protection classes (IP marking) enables. There are also aesthetic ones Advantages of the version according to the invention such that the relatively unsightly freestanding in the prior art Chamber openings are covered by a flap, which even matched the outside of the lamp base Can have design form.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the Invention is a control unit with a flap Control surface assigned when in the open position located flap in the path of movement of the lamp base protrudes, with the insertion of the lamp base into the receiving channel of the lamp base Flap automatically shifted to its closed position.

The lamp base is in the open position Flap moved into the receiving channel and meets the control organ's control surface there. Through the automatic adjustment of the flap in your The user does not need a special locking position Handle for closing the flap. So is a particularly simple and effortless, automatic Flap actuation achieved. Handling errors will be thus excluded.

According to a further embodiment of the invention is a first type of locking elements on the flap arranged which when actuating the flap from a Pre-assembly position in the open position with the corresponding Counter-locking elements in engagement on the socket body and keep the flap in the open position. By arranging this type of locking elements and of the corresponding counter-locking elements, a defined created an exact open position secure the selected position of the flap. In the open position the receiving channel is released so that the lamp base with the contact pins, i.e. inserted into the receiving channel without hitting the flap can be. In addition, it is possible to post Manufacture of the lampholder from the pre-assembly position mechanically to open position, what the user will do when assembling the frame later on the light part or the insertion of the fluorescent lamp saves additional handles in the socket.

According to a further embodiment of the invention is a second type of locking elements on the flap arranged which when the flap is actuated from the Open position in the closed position with the corresponding second counter-locking elements on the socket body in Get involved and the flap in the closed position hold. In this way, an exactly defined one Closed position created in which the flap Chamber opening covered securely and permanently. In this Lock position can be the second type of locking elements and the second counter-locking elements so far away warm, heated by lamp operation Socket areas should be arranged that an impairment the locking elements due to heat or strong UV radiation can be permanently excluded can.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment the invention overlaps the flap in its closed position the lamp base at least partially. In order to the flap has holding surfaces on the peripheral areas of the lamp base and the fluorescent lamp keep it safe. In connection with the second type of locking elements and the second The flap thus serves as a mechanical counter-locking element Holder of the fluorescent lamp and prevents one Loosen the lamp from the socket. Additional fasteners, like those available in the prior art there is no need for metallic retaining springs. In order to individual parts, especially metal parts, are saved, what the manufacturing cost of an inventive Version significantly reduced.

Further advantageous and expedient refinements the invention result from the not cited Subclaims and the description of the figures.

Fig. 1

in Schrägansicht eine erfindungsgemäße Fassung mit zwei Klappen in Offenstellung,

Fig. 2

in Schrägansicht die Fassung aus Fig. 1 mit in Verschlußstellung befindlichen Klappen,

Fig. 3

die Fassung gemäß Fig. 1 mit einer nur abschnittsweise dargestellten ringförmigen Leuchtstofflampe im Bereich des Lampensockels vor dem Einsetzen der Lampe in den Aufnahmekanal der Fassung,

Fig. 4

die Fassung gemäß Fig. 3 mit eingesetzter Leuchtstofflampe,

Fig. 5

in teilgeschnittener Ansicht die Fassung gemäß Fig. 1 mit in Offenstellung befindlichen Klappen und die Lampenfassung zu Beginn des Einsetzvorgangs, wobei die bezüglich Fig. 5 linke Zeichnungshälfte einen Fassungsschnitt in einer bezüglich der rechten Zeichnungshälfte in Blickrichtung versetzten Ebene darstellt,

Fig. 6

die Fassung mit teilweise eingesetzter Lampenfassung und Klappen in einer zwischen Offenstellung und Verschlußstellung befindlichen Position,

Fig. 7

Fassung und Lampensockel gemäß Fig. 6, wobei der Lampensockel vollständig in den Aufnahmekanal eingesetzt ist und sich die Klappen in Verschlußstellung befinden, wobei zusätzlich in der linken Figurenhälfte ein Kontaktelement dargestellt ist,

Fig. 8

die Lampenfassung gemäß Fig. 7 mit einem Lampensockel, der aus der Fassung herausgeführt wird,

Fig. 9

in Ansicht die Fassung gemäß Fig. 1 mit Klappen, die sich in einer Vormontagestellung befinden,

Fig. 10

einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 9 in dem Bereich von Steuerorgan und Bewegungsspalt, und

Fig. 11

in Schnittansicht eine vergrößerte Darstellung von einem Kammerbereich und einer Klappe.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the figures. The drawings show:

Fig. 1

an oblique view of a holder according to the invention with two flaps in the open position,

Fig. 2

in an oblique view the socket from FIG. 1 with the flaps in the closed position,

Fig. 3

1 with an annular fluorescent lamp shown only in sections in the region of the lamp base before the lamp is inserted into the receiving channel of the socket,

Fig. 4

3 with inserted fluorescent lamp,

Fig. 5

1 with the flaps in the open position and the lamp holder at the beginning of the insertion process, the left half of the drawing with respect to FIG. 5 representing a socket section in a plane offset in the viewing direction with respect to the right half of the drawing,

Fig. 6

the socket with the lamp socket and flaps partially inserted in a position between the open position and the closed position,

Fig. 7

6, the lamp base is fully inserted into the receiving channel and the flaps are in the closed position, a contact element being additionally shown in the left half of the figure,

Fig. 8

7 with a lamp base which is led out of the socket,

Fig. 9

1 with flaps, which are in a pre-assembly position,

Fig. 10

a section of Fig. 9 in the area of control member and movement gap, and

Fig. 11

in sectional view an enlarged view of a chamber area and a flap.

The numbered 10 in the figures Lamp socket comprises a socket body 11 made of insulating material, in particular made of thermoplastic. From a base 12 of the socket body 11 Superstructures 13 extend upwards between a receiving channel 14 for receiving the base 16 limit a fluorescent lamp 15 (Fig. 3). Especially is the fluorescent lamp 15 a ring lamp with one of a lamp base 16 held, shaped into a ring lamp tube. It can is, for example, a T5 lamp, which as Standard dimension has a tube diameter of 5/8 inches.

Lamp contact pins extend across the lamp base 16 17 for electrical contacting of Contact elements 18 (Fig. 7) in the socket body 11. When illustrated embodiment extend to each side of the lamp base 16 approximately radially in pairs Arrangement of two lamp contact pins 17.

For housing and holding the contact elements 18 are in the structures 13 of the socket body 11 chambers 19 arranged to the view side 20 are completely open, so that the electrical Contacts 18 from the view side of the socket body 11 can be installed.

On the socket body 11 are accordingly preferred embodiment two flaps 21 articulated, which are integral with the frame body 11 are connected. The linkage of the flaps 21 each takes place in the manner of a film hinge trained hinge portion 22 to the respective outer edge of the socket body 11. The flaps 21 are pivotable over an area that approximately from a pre-assembly position shown in FIG. 9 via an open position shown for example in FIG. 1 up to one, for example in FIG. 2 shown locking position extends.

With each flap 21 is integral a control member 23 connected to its free End protrudes into the receiving channel 14. The tax authority 13 has an approximately elongated triangle corresponding cross-section and is about a 75 ° angle to the flap 21 from the bottom from. The control member 23 engages in a movement gap 24, which separates two chambers 19 from each other and corresponding wall sections 40 of the chambers 19 is limited.

When inserting the fluorescent lamp base 16 in the lamp socket 16 coincides with the receiving channel 14 Surface areas of its bottom 25 on control surfaces 45 at the free ends of the control members 23 and presses this in the insertion direction E to the base 12 of the socket body 11 down. Since the control elements 23 are uniform in motion are connected to the flaps 21, goes with the movement of the control members 23 a movement the flaps 21 in the sense of pivoting to the receiving channel 14 along.

When inserting the fluorescent lamp 15 into the receiving channel 14 engage the lamp contact pins 17 in the provided insertion slots 26 in each arranged between chamber 19 and receiving channel 14 Wall 27 a. So that beyond the base circumference protruding contact pins 17 when inserted into the Receiving channel 14 is not hindered by the flaps 21 the flaps 21 are in their open position 5 so far apart from each other that enough space is available.

The open position of the flaps 21 is determined by a ensures first type of locking elements 28, which on Control member 23 are arranged. With the locking elements 28 first type is one from the tax body 23 protruding prism-shaped strips with a retention surface 29, which is in the open position Flap 21 on a corresponding counter-holding surface 30 of the socket body 11 abuts. The counter surface 30 is used as a material area of the chamber wall 40 trained counter-locking element 31 available placed in the movement gap 24 extends.

The catch element 28 lies with its lower edge 32 on the top 33 of a corresponding second one Counter locking element 34. This is also from the chamber walls 40 into the movement gap 24 in front and has an approximately triangular shape. The open position the flap 21 is due to the gap limitation between the two stop surfaces 30 and 33 very much precisely defined.

From a pre-assembly position according to FIG. 9, as it is for example immediately during the manufacture of the one-piece Injection molded part can result Flaps 21 in a simple manner during the machine Handling by swiveling inwards, i.e. towards each other in the defined open position according to FIG. 1 to be spent.

When the flaps 21 are moved out of their Open position in its closed position according to FIG. 2 the wedge surface 35 of the locking element 28 initially slides over the edge of the top 33 of the second counter-locking element 34. Reaches behind when the closed position is reached then the holding surface 29 of the locking element 28 the underside 36 of the second counter-latching element 34. In this closed position, the flaps 21 are secure held and prevent the fluorescent lamp from loosening 15 from the version 10. The fluorescent lamp 15 is in the installed state with circumferential areas 37 at corresponding Sections 38 of the flaps 21, creating a Falling out of the fluorescent lamp 15 in the Rule 10 installed on the ceiling opposite the Insertion direction E is completely impossible.

The locking elements 28 and the counter-locking elements 34 are relatively far from heated Areas of the lamp base 16 or the contact elements 18. So there is an impairment of the plastic material, such as. Deformation or embrittlement from Exposure to heat or UV radiation excluded. Additional holding elements for the lamp base 16 like mechanical fastening clips or the like can use it omitted since the flaps 21 in connection with the Locking elements 28 and the counter-locking elements 34 this Take over the function.

When loosening the lamp base 16 from the socket 10 8, the free ends of the contact pins slide 17 along the respective inside of the flap 21. The flaps 21 are due to the movement of the Lamp 15 opened relative to the socket body 11 and in the open position swung in. The glide Locking elements 28 on the second counter-locking elements 34 over, whereby a defined force is necessary to Dodge one of the two elements relative to the other allow. For example, the wall 40 of the Chamber 19 may be elastic so that they are together with the second counter-locking element 34 relative to the Controls 23 evades. So when replacing one Lamp 15 not the flaps 21 in a position according to Fig. 8 remain and the replacement of a new one Can obstruct lamp 15 are forced control surfaces 35, 39 provided that the flap 21 automatically in their Swivel open position. The forced control surface 35 is thereby from the inclined surface of the locking element 28th provided, whereas the positive control area 39 is provided on the second counter-locking element 34 may be what is not shown in the drawings is. For example, the end face 39 of the second counter-locking element 34 with respect to the Movement gap 24 delimiting chamber wall 40 in the corresponding Be inclined towards it. It is crucial that on the flap 21, which is in a position between 1 and closed position 7, that is in an intermediate position as shown in Fig. 8, for example additional restoring force is exerted which the Flap 21 automatically in the defined open position 5 acted upon.

To the chambers 19 already in the open position of the Flaps 21 protected to overlap with the Flap 21 covers 41 connected in the same motion be about the same angle as that Control member 23 to the flap 21 and from this stick out. This is especially true with fully open ones Chambers 19 sensible from the view side 20 can be equipped with the contact elements 18.

For frames that are from the broadsides or the Bottom ago equipped with the contact elements 18 be and in which only an insertion gap as opening 44 for the contact pins 17 in the view side Chamber ceiling is provided is one Cover 41 is not necessary.

In the exemplary embodiment, the covers 41 via its upper side by means of webs 42 to the flap 21 tied up. So the contact area is already in the Open position of the flaps 21 not freely accessible, but at least overlapped by the covers 41, that a contact of the contact elements 18th is safely prevented.

When the flaps 21 are actuated from the open position pivot into the closed position Covers 41 with the flaps 21 in the chambers 19th into and on the substantially L-shaped Contact elements 18 over.

Reach over in the closed position according to FIG. 7 the flaps 21 the entire socket base 16. They lie with their free edges 43 to each other and close the chamber opening 44 with the entire contact area and also overlap the base 16. Auf this results, as shown in FIG. 4 in particular, an appealing external appearance of frame 10 and fluorescent lamp 15.

The outer contour of the flaps 21 can match the contour the lamp base 16 can be adjusted to the design effect to improve even further. Even the inside the flap 21 can be shaped accordingly approximately around the outer circumference of the lamp base 16 to nestle.

This way one is particularly clever and simply designed version 10 created the Use of separate, in particular metal holding elements superfluous. The forces with which the flaps 21 die Hold lamp 15 in the socket 10 are on the one hand big enough that the lamp 15 is not due could release their own weight from the version 10. On the other hand, the force required to overcome the second counter-locking elements 34 to the flaps 21 from its closed position to the open position relocate, so low that it passes through to the user Attack on the lamp base 16 has no particular force needed to detach the lamp 15 from the socket 10.

Claims (14)

Socket (10) for fluorescent lamps (15), in particular for ring lamps, with a lampholder body (11) made of insulating material to be attached to a luminaire part, which has a receptacle channel open to one side (20) of the lampholder body (11), in particular to its visible side ( 14) for the lamp base (16) and at least one chamber (19) adjacent to the receiving channel (14) and opening to the view side (20) for contact elements (18), into which the lamp contact pins (17) can be inserted transversely to their longitudinal extent characterized in that at least one flap (21) is articulated on the socket body (11) and can be pivoted from an open position before the lamp base (16) is inserted into a closed position when the lamp base (16) is inserted, in which at least the opening ( 44) of the chamber (19) is covered on the view side. Socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap (21) is a control member (23) with a Control surface (45) is assigned, which in the open position located flap (21) in the path of movement of the Lamp base (16) protrudes, and that with the insertion the lamp base (16) into the receiving channel (14) the lamp base (16) the flap (21) automatically in their locking position shifted. Socket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the flap (21) a first type of Locking elements (28) is arranged when actuated the flap (21) from a pre-assembly position in the Open position with corresponding counter-locking elements (31) engage on the socket body (11) and hold the flap (21) in the open position. Version according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the flap a second type of locking elements (28) is arranged, the when the flap (21) is actuated from the open position in the closed position with corresponding second counter-locking elements (34) on the socket body (11) in engagement arrive and the flap (21) in the closed position hold. Version according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (21) in the lamp base (16) at least in its closed position partially spilled over. Version according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that uniform movement a cover (41) is connected to the flap (21), which in the open position of the flap (21) the opening (44) of the chamber (19) at least partially covers. Version according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (21) in the entire chamber (19) in its closed position covers. Socket according to claim 2, characterized in that at least on one side of the receiving channel (14) two adjacent chambers (19) are provided are and the control member (23) in a movement gap (24) engages between the two chambers (19). Socket according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and the second type of locking elements (28) on the penetrating the movement gap (24) Section of the control body (23) and the corresponding Counter-locking elements (31, 34) on the movement gap (24) delimiting wall areas (40) of the chamber (19) are arranged. Socket according to claim 9, characterized in that the first and the second type of locking elements (28) transversely away from one of the control member (23) to the movement gap extending bar (28) with a holding surface (29) for contact with one of the Counter locking elements (31, 34) arranged retaining surface (30, 36) is formed. Version according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the locking elements (28) and / or on the counter-locking elements (34) positive control surfaces (35, 39) are arranged on the in an open and closed position located flap (21) an additional restoring force for automatic pivoting of the flap Exercise (21) in the open position. Version according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (21) integrally, especially in the manner of a Film hinge (22), connected to the socket body (11) is. Version according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on both sides of the Receiving channel (14) each have chambers (19) for contact elements (18) are provided and on the socket body (11) two facing and facing each other movable flaps (21) are arranged in their Closed position the entire view side (20) of the Cover the socket body (11). Socket according to claim 13, characterized in that the two flaps (21) are elongated are that they completely overlap the lamp base (16) and rest with their front edges (43).

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