EP0951108B1 - 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 lamp part to be fastened socket body Insulating material, one to one side of the socket body, especially open to his viewpoint Receiving channel for the lamp base and at least a the receiving channel adjacent to the view side includes opening chamber for contact elements, into which the lamp contact pins transverse to their longitudinal extent can be used.

Such a prior art, but printed unassignable 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 between the two chambers metallic retaining spring provided, which is the mechanical Holding the fluorescent lamp by the socket non-positive attack of the retaining springs on peripheral areas the lamp base serves. The chambers are added this version of its broadside, not the View side ago, equipped with the contact elements. They are designed partially open to the view side Shape of an L-shaped lamp contact insertion slot, in the between the chambers and the receiving channel protrudes arranged wall.

The fluorescent lamp is from the view side used in the receiving channel, wherein the transversely of the Lamp socket protruding pins across their Longitudinal extension into the designated insertion openings and insert the insertion slot.

When the lamp base is completely inserted into the socket the pins are in the chambers and contact with the contact elements. The Pins themselves are from the view side in principle freely accessible. Thus, contaminants, such as vapors and dust or solid foreign bodies get into the contact area. The in terms of Cleaning required for the operation of the luminaire requires due to the outer "rugged" shape the socket body a great deal of effort. When using of damp cloths consists of the relative unprotected arrangement of the contact elements and the contact pins for the user even the danger of one electric shock.

It is an object of the invention, a version according to To provide preamble of claim 1, the above avoided disadvantages of the prior art.

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

The principle of the invention is thus essentially therein, 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 located therein and the contact element safely covers. At the same time the Invention that when befindlicher in open position flap the fluorescent lamp can be used without hindrance. The flap has in its closed position beyond the advantage that now also a foreign body protection is available, for example, the classification the version in higher protection classes (IP marking) allows. Furthermore, there are aesthetic Advantages of the version according to the invention such that the in the prior art relatively unsightly freestanding Chamber openings are covered by a flap, even an externally matched to the lamp base Design may have.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the Invention, the flap is a control member with a Assigned control surface in the open position located flap in the trajectory of the lamp base protrudes, with the insertion of the lamp cap in the receiving channel of the lamp base the Flap automatically shifted to its closed position.

The lamp base is in the open position befindlicher Flap moved into the receiving channel and meets there on the control surface of the control body. By the automatic adjustment of the flap in her Closure eliminates the user for a special Handle for closing the flap. Thus is a very simple and effortless, automatic Valve operation achieved. Be handling errors excluded.

According to a further embodiment of the invention is on the flap a first type of locking elements arranged on the actuation of the flap of a Pre-assembly in the open position with appropriate Counter-locking elements on the socket body in engagement reach and hold the flap in the open position. By arranging this type of locking elements and the corresponding counter-locking elements is a defined, created an exact open position, the one selected position of the flap secures. In the open position the receiving channel is released, so that the lamp cap with the contact pins disability-free, i. introduced without abutment of the flap in the receiving channel can be. In addition, it is possible after Production of the socket the flap from the pre-assembly position machine into the open position, what the user in the later assembly of the version on the light part or the insertion of the fluorescent lamp saved in the version additional handles.

According to a further embodiment of the invention is on the flap a second type of locking elements arranged, which upon actuation of the flap from the Open position in the closed position with appropriate second counter-locking elements on the socket body in Engage access and the flap in the closed position hold. In this way, a well-defined Closed position created in the flap the Chamber opening safely and permanently covers. In this Closure position can be the second type of locking elements and the second counter-latching elements so far away from warm, heated by the lamp operation Be arranged sensing areas that an impairment the locking elements by heat or strong UV radiation 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 at the peripheral areas lie on the lamp base and the fluorescent lamp hold securely in the socket. In connection with the second type of locking elements and the second Gegenrastelementen the flap thus serves the mechanical Mounting the fluorescent lamp and prevents Release the lamp from the socket. Additional fasteners, like those available in the prior art metallic retaining springs are therefore unnecessary. 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 will be apparent from the unquoted 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.

In the following an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

in an oblique view, an inventive version with two flaps in the open position,

Fig. 2

in an oblique view, the version of Figure 1 with located in the closed position flaps,

Fig. 3

1 with an annular fluorescent lamp only partially shown in the region of the lamp cap before insertion of the lamp in the receiving channel of the socket,

Fig. 4

the version of FIG. 3 with inserted fluorescent lamp,

Fig. 5

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

Fig. 6

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

Fig. 7

Socket and lamp base according to FIG. 6, wherein the lamp base is completely inserted into the receiving channel and the flaps are in the closed position, wherein additionally in the left half of the figure a contact element is shown,

Fig. 8

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

Fig. 9

in view, the version of FIG 1 with flaps, which are in a pre-assembly,

Fig. 10

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

Fig. 11

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

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

Transverse from the lamp base 16 away lamp contact pins extend 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 cap 16 approximately radially in pairs Arrangement 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 back are completely open, so that the electrical Contacts 18 from the view side of the socket body 11 are installable.

On the socket body 11 are corresponding to the preferred embodiment, two flaps 21 articulated, the one-piece material fit with the socket body 11 are connected. The articulation of the flaps 21 takes place in each case via a kind of a film hinge trained joint portion 22 to the respective outer edge of the socket body 11. The flaps 21 are pivotable over a range, the for example, from a pre-assembly shown in Fig. 9 via an open position shown, for example, in FIG. 1 to one example in FIG. 2 shown closure position extends.

With each flap 21 is one-piece cohesive a control device 23 connected to his free End projects into the receiving channel 14. The controlling body 13 has an approximately an elongated triangle corresponding cross section and is approximately below a 75 ° angle to the flap 21 from the underside thereof from. The control member 23 engages in a movement gap 24, which separates two chambers 19 from each other and of corresponding wall portions 40 of the chambers 19 is limited.

When inserting the fluorescent lamp socket 16 in the receiving channel 14 abuts the lamp base 16 with 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 members 23 movement unitary 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 accompanied.

When inserting the fluorescent lamp 15 in the receiving channel 14 engage the lamp contact pins 17 in the designated insertion slots 26 in the respective arranged between chamber 19 and receiving channel 14 Wall 27 a. So that the beyond the base circumference protruding contact pins 17 during insertion into the Receiving channel 14 is not obstructed by the flaps 21 are, the flaps 21 are in their open position according to Fig. 5 so far apart that enough space is available.

The open position of the flaps 21 is replaced by a first type of locking elements 28 ensures that on Control member 23 are arranged. At the locking elements The first type is one from the tax authority 23 projecting prismatic bar with a retention surface 29, which is in open position Flap 21 on a corresponding counter-holding surface 30th the socket body 11 is applied. The counter-holding surface 30 is used by a as material area of the chamber wall 40 formed counter-latching element 31 available placed in the movement gap 24 inside extends.

With its lower edge 32, the locking element 28 is located on the top 33 of a corresponding second Counter-locking element 34. This is also from the chamber walls 40 away in the movement gap 24 into it 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 a lot exactly defined.

From a pre-assembly according to FIG. 9, as they for example, directly in the production of the one-piece Can yield the injection molded part, the Flaps 21 in a simple way during the machine Handling by pivoting inwards, i. towards each other in the defined open position shown in FIG. 1 be spent.

In a displacement of the flaps 21 from their Open position in its closed position shown in FIG. 2 slides the wedge surface 35 of the locking element 28 first over the edge of the upper side 33 of the second counter-locking element 34. When reaching the closed position engages behind then the holding surface 29 of the locking element 28, the bottom 36 of the second counter-locking element 34th In this closed position, the flaps 21 are safe held and prevent dissolution of the fluorescent lamp 15 from the version 10. The fluorescent lamp 15 is located in built-in state with peripheral areas 37 at corresponding Section 38 of the flaps 21, whereby a Falling out of the fluorescent lamp 15 from in the Normally mounted on the ceiling version 10 against the Insertion direction E is completely impossible.

The locking elements 28 and the counter-locking elements 34th are located relatively far from heated Regions of the lamp cap 16 and the contact elements 18. Thus, an impairment of the plastic material, such as. Deformation or embrittlement through Heat or UV radiation excluded. Additional retaining elements for the lamp base 16 as mechanical fastening clips or the like. can do that omitted, since the flaps 21 in conjunction with the Locking elements 28 and the counter-locking elements 34 this Take over function with.

When releasing the lamp cap 16 from the socket 10th as shown in FIG. 8, the free ends of the contact pins slide 17 along the respective inner side of the flap 21 along. The flaps 21 are due to the movement of the Lamp 15 is opened relative to the socket body 11 and in the open position pivoted into it. The glide Locking elements 28 on the second counter-locking elements 34th past, where 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 formed elastically so that they together with the second counter-latching element 34 relative to the Controls 23 evades. So when replacing a Lamp 15, the flaps 21 not in a position according to Fig. 8 remain and reinserting a new Can obstruct lamp 15 are forced control surfaces 35, 39 provided, the flap 21 automatically in their Pivoting open position. The forced control surface 35 is thereby of the inclined surface of the locking element 28th provided, whereas the forced tax area 39 provided on the second counter-latching element 34 can be what is not shown in the drawings is. For this purpose, for example, the end face 39 of the second counter-latching element 34 with respect to the Movement gap 24 bounding chamber wall 40 in the corresponding Sense to be inclined. It is crucial that on the flap 21, which is in a position between Open position shown in FIG. 1 and closed position as shown in FIG. 7, ie in an intermediate position as shown for example in Fig. 8, a additional restoring force is exercised which the Flap 21 automatically in the defined open position acted upon in FIG. 5.

To the chambers 19 already in the open position of Flaps 21 protected to overlap, can with the Flap 21 movement unit covers 41 connected being at about the same angle as that Control member 23 are to the flap 21 and from this protrude. This is especially true for fully open Chambers 19 makes sense from the view page 20 ago be equipped with the contact elements 18.

For versions of the broadsides or the Bottom sides equipped with the contact elements 18 are and in which as opening 44 only an insertion gap for the contact pins 17 in the view side Chamber ceiling is provided, is such Cover 41 not necessary.

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

Upon actuation of the flaps 21 from the open position in the closed position to pivot the Covers 41 with the flaps 21 in the chambers 19th in and at the substantially L-shaped Contact elements 18 over.

In the closed position according to FIG. 7 overlap the flaps 21 the entire socket base 16. They are with their free edges 43 to each other and close the chamber opening 44 with the entire contact area and also spread over the socket 16. On this way, as shown particularly in FIG. 4, a pleasing external appearance of socket 10 and fluorescent lamp 15.

The outer contour of the flaps 21 can to the contour the lamp cap 16 are adapted to the design effect even further to improve. Also the inside the flap 21 can be shaped accordingly about to the outer periphery of the lamp cap 16th to conform.

That way, one is particularly skilled and simply designed version 10 created the Use of separate, in particular metal retaining elements unnecessary. The forces with which the flaps 21 the Holding lamp 15 in the socket 10 are on the one hand sufficiently large that the lamp 15 is not due could solve their own weight from the version 10. On the other hand, the required power to overcome the second counter-latching elements 34 to the flaps 21 from its closed position to the open position relocate, so small that it is for the user through Attack on the lamp base 16 no special force required to release the lamp 15 from the socket 10.

Claims (14)

1. Socket (10) for fluorescent lamps (15), in particular for annular lamps, having a socket body (11) made of insulating material, which is to be fastened to a luminaire part and comprises a receiving channel (14) for the lamp cap (16), which channel is open towards one side (20) of the socket body (11), in particular towards its visible side, and also at least one chamber (19) for contact elements (18), which chamber is adjacent to the receiving channel (14) and opens towards the visible side (20), and into which the lamp contact pins (17) can be inserted transversely to their longitudinal extent, characterised in that at least one flap (21) is articulated on the socket body (11), which flap is pivotable from an open position before insertion of the lamp cap (16) into a closed position when the lamp cap (16) is inserted and in which at least the opening (44) of the chamber (19) is covered on the visible side.
2. Socket according to Claim 1, characterised in that the flap (21) is assigned a control member (23) having a control surface (45) which projects into the movement path of the lamp cap (16) when the flap (21) is in the open position, and in that as the lamp cap (16) is introduced into the receiving channel (14) the lamp cap (16) automatically displaces the flap (21) into its closed position.
3. Socket according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that there is arranged on the flap (21) a first type of catch elements (28) which, on actuation of the flap (21) from a premounting position into the open position, engage with corresponding mating catch elements (31) on the socket body (11) and hold the flap (21) in the open position.
4. Socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is arranged on the flap a second type of catch elements (28) which, on actuation of the flap (21) from the open position into the closed position, engage with corresponding second mating catch elements (34) on the socket body (11) and hold the flap (21) in the closed position.
5. Socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in its closed position the flap (21) at least partly covers over the lamp cap (16).
6. Socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cover (41) is connected in a motionally coupled manner to the flap (21), which cover at least partly covers the opening (44) of the chamber (19) in the open position of the flap (21).
7. Socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in its closed position the flap (21) covers the entire chamber (19).
8. Socket according to Claim 2, characterised in that, at least on one side of the receiving channel (14), two chambers (19) arranged one beside the other are provided and the control member (23) engages in a movement gap (24) between the two chambers (19).
9. Socket according to Claim 8, characterised in that the first and the second type of catch elements (28) are arranged on that portion of the control member (23) which reaches through the movement gap (24), and the corresponding mating catch elements (31, 34) are arranged on the wall regions (40) of the chamber (19) which delimit the movement gap (24).
10. Socket according to Claim 9, characterised in that the first and the second type of catch elements (28) is formed by a strip (28) extending away from the control member (23) transversely to the movement gap and having a holding surface (29) for bearing on a retaining surface (30, 36) arranged on the mating catch elements (31, 34).
11. Socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there are arranged on the catch elements (28) and/or on the mating catch elements (34) positive control surfaces (35, 39) which exert on the flap (21) in a position between the open position and the closed position an additional restoring force for automatically pivoting the flap (21) into the open position.
12. Socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flap (21) is integrally materially connected, in particular in the manner of a film hinge (22), to the socket body (11).
13. Socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that on both sides of the receiving channel (14) there are provided respective chambers (19) for contact elements (18), and on the socket body (11) there are arranged two mutually opposite flaps (21) which are movable towards one another and in their closed position conceal the entire visible side (20) of the socket body (11).
14. Socket according to Claim 13, characterised in that the two flaps (21) are elongated such that they completely cover over the lamp cap (16) and bear against one another with their front edges (43).

Images