JP2002536795A - Semi-lamp for electronic operation, improving lights with induction ballast - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention facilitates insertion of fluorescent semilamps for retrofitting of existing fluorescent lamps with inductive ballasts to electronic high-frequency ballast operation. The pin bases of the semilamps are designed to be separably rotatable as opposed to the previously rigid pin base assembly. The rotatable pin base allows easy insertion of the new semilamps into existing lamps, with only the pin base being rotated to secure the semilamps in their sockets. The semilamp may further provide a grip to aid in the rotation of the pin base, locking snaps to secure the rotatable pin base, or length equalization between different types of fluorescent lamps by addition of an expansion shoulder to the pin base.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the development of fluorescent lamps. For example, by reducing the diameter of the glass tube forming the fluorescent lamp, ie, to 16 mm, and by using new fluorescent materials, the light output of the fluorescent lamp has been significantly increased. Compared to previous fluorescent lamps with tubes of 40 mm or 27 mm in diameter, these tubes of reduced diameter show an increase in light output by up to 50%.
According to some commercial literature, these reduced diameter tubes operate up to 104 lumens per watt.

Not only by using tubes of reduced diameter and by using new fluorescent materials, but also by using high frequencies passing through the fluorescent tubes, the properties of the light are significantly improved. Stroboscopic effects are often considered in conjunction with the use of low frequencies, but are avoided by the use of high frequencies.

However, high performance fluorescent lamps require electronic ballasts and are not easily used as replacements in conventional fluorescent lamp lighting assemblies using inductive ballasts.

[0003] As a result, millions of existing fluorescent lighting assemblies are useless and urgent relief is needed. The requirement for useless replacement parts for high performance fluorescent lamps is universal. However, the high costs associated with disassembly of old lights and the introduction of new high-performance fluorescent lamps are often discouraging.

[0004] Attempts to address the high cost problem have resulted in creating semi-lamps. A semi-lamp is an electric lamp that solves the above problem in principle. Semi lamps are fluorescent lamp housings into which new powerful fluorescent lamps can be plugged in normally. Semi-lamps, in other words, can be plugged into existing lights to improve on high-performance fluorescent lights.

[0005] Such a semi-lamp or adapter set also includes all electronic components for high frequency operation. However, they should, if possible, be equipped with reflectors that widen the light emitting surface of the thin, intense fluorescent lamps. The reflector reduces dazzling and increases the light output of the semi-lamp. However, both electronic components and reflectors have a lot of room.

To insert an old fluorescent light into a socket, the light is first inserted into the socket with a pin base, and then the light is turned 90 ° about its longitudinal axis to prevent it from falling out. To plug into an existing light, the same procedure must be followed for the entire semi-lamp. With the addition of electronics and reflectors to the semi-lamp, the operation of this rotation is not only impractical, but also considerably limits the tolerance for semi-lamp designers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The task of the present invention is to provide a semi-lamp that can be plugged into an existing light without the entire semi-lamp being moved by a pivot. The fixture of the present invention greatly increases the possibilities of semi-lamp design, as the 90 ° movement required to plug in a typical light reduces the design tolerance of the semi-lamp. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the semi-lamp pin base is rotated so that it can be separated, so that the semi-lamp can be inserted into an existing lamp without being moved by the pivot axis.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a semi-lamp fixture utilizing a pin base is provided at the end of the semi-lamp, the pin base being separated by 90 degrees about its longitudinal axis so as to be separable.
° rotation is possible. The semi-lamp and the pin base are inserted into the existing lamp base with the semi-lamp provided in the driving alignment and the pin base rotated 90 ° with respect to the insertion alignment.

[0009] Once plugged into an existing lamp, the pin base is rotated so that it can be separated, the semi-lamp has little or no pivoting motion, and the semi-lamp is securely fastened within the lamp base. You.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semi-lamp device having a detachable rotatable pin base, further provided with associated stops and snaps. And facilitates the pivoting movement of the pin base about the pivot axis and provides a solid mounting for the semi-lamp.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semi-lamp device having a separable rotatable pin base, the frame facilitating an operator to make a pivotal movement of the pin base about a pivot. Alternatively, a hand grip is further provided with a pin base.

[0012] Furthermore, the fluorescent lamps recently available on the market, called T5, are characterized by a better efficiency, that is to say that they have a higher lumen per watt compared to similar T8 or T10 fluorescent lamps, but somewhat short. The length difference between the different mold lengths is about 40 to 50 mm. Because of the length differences, any common semi-lamp design must be able to accommodate these different types.

[0013] Accordingly, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semi-lamp device having a pin base that can be rotatably detached, and a pin base having different length shoulders for supporting the pins. . With a variable length shoulder, the semi-lamp assembly generally accommodates different lengths of a particular fluorescent lamp type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description of the present invention should be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The detailed description may be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention, ensuring that all changes that come within the scope of the appended claims are used exclusively.

The instructions used in the following description for the base / socket systems G5 and G13 correspond to globally standardized systems, but should not be interpreted restrictively. However, the G5 and G13 base / socket systems are the most popular systems in use. In particular, the base / socket system G5 is 1
Provided for a new powerful fluorescent lamp with a diameter of 6 mm. For this reason, the following description has been applied to the base / socket system G5. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present invention can be used in the future with other base / socket systems.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein throughout the different figures the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts, and referring more closely to FIG. 1, the semi-lamp comprises a reflector (1) and a reflector. It consists essentially of a G13 pin base (2) having pins (19) located on the surfaces at both ends of (1). According to the invention, the G13 pin base (2) and the pin (19) are at least 9 around the longitudinal axis (3).
A rotation of 0 ° is possible. Two G5 sockets (4) are provided in the reflector (1), into which powerful fluorescent lamps (5) can be inserted. The components of the electronic ballast required for the operation of a powerful fluorescent lamp are housed in a housing (6).

FIG. 2 shows the semi-lamp of FIG. 1 with the G13 pin base (2) rotated 90 °. After insertion, the G13 pin base (2) is rotated to secure the semi-lamp to the existing light (15) depending on the horizontal position taken by the pin (19).

FIG. 3 shows a view of a semi-lamp according to the invention in a position inserted into an existing lamp (15). The semi-lamp has a reflector (1), two rotatable G1s
Along the 3-pin base (2) and the housing (6), it is inserted into the G13 socket (8). The G13 pin base (2) in FIG. 3 is shown in its original, unrotated position, ie the two pins (19) are still visible in the inserted position. Grip (11), each G13 pin base (2)
It is connected to be usable. The grip (11) is rotated about the longitudinal axis (3) to secure the semi-lamp to the existing lamp (15).

FIG. 4 shows the problem involved in trying to plug a stationary semi-lamp into an existing light (15). In a stationary semi-lamp fixture, the entire semi-lamp must be rotated along with the reflector (1) and the housing (6) to insert the pin (19) of the G13 pin base (2) into the G13 socket (8). . When the stationary semi-lamp is inserted and rotated, the stationary semi-lamp components come into contact with the existing light (15), preventing the stationary semi-lamp from completing the rotation. For example, as depicted by the dotted line, the stationary semi-lamps are subject to interference from the inductive ballast (18), the base of the existing light (15), or other components attached to the cover (17). Sometimes.

In FIG. 5, the present invention solves the problem associated with trying to insert a stationary semi-lamp by using a separable rotatable G13 pin base (2). In the vertical position of the pin (19) shown in FIG. 5, the G13 pin base (2) is moved to the G position without the semi-lamp touching any part of the existing lamp (15).
13 socket (8). The rotatable pin base (2) is rotated in the direction of the arrow (16) to secure the semi-lamp to the existing lamp (15). Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. In these embodiments, for example, the rotatable mounting of the G13 pin base (2)
Possible at 7), whose sleeve (7) delimits a defined rotational movement by a recess (9) working in cooperation with the grip (11). At the time of rotation, G1
The grip (11) on the 3-pin base (2) contacts the stop (10) in the recess (9) that determines the rotational movement of the G13 pin base (2).

In order to prevent unwanted rotational movement, for example by vibration, a clasp is provided to secure the position of the G13 pin base (2). In the embodiment shown, the ball (13) snaps into the notch (12) under the pressure of the spring (14). Thus, the G13 pin base (2) may snap into any desired position and remain there until sufficient force is used to overcome the clasp. This embodiment of the clasp is to be interpreted merely as an example, and any desired clasp may be used by those skilled in the art, for example, an elastically variable plastic assembly.

In still another embodiment of the semi-lamp according to the invention, a G13 pin base (
2) a G13 pin base (2) modified to use a shoulder (20) that extends the length, and thereby work with other types of fluorescent lamps;
FIG. 8 shows this. In the present embodiment, a pin (19) is prepared at a slightly higher position on the shoulder (20) of the G13 pin base (2). Depending on the length differences of the T5 lamps associated with the previously used T8 or T10 fluorescent lamps, the shoulder (20) is variable in size and effectively compensates for the length differences. In addition, the shoulder (20) can be made directly on the G13 pin base (2) from plastic or alternatively designed as a separate intermediate disk.

In summary, the introduction of expensive and high performance fluorescent lamps requires the ability to upgrade existing lamps to new electronic high frequency operation, but the demand is for more expensive and high performance fluorescent lamps. It does not require the introduction of sockets. Improvements allow customers to take advantage of new and more efficient fluorescent lights without having to pay a large expense. By providing a rotatable pin base according to the present invention, improved light designers can take advantage of newer light technology. Without the present invention, a universally available and universally pluggable retrofit lamp would find no wide application potential.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a semi-lamp consistent with the invention, ie, a semi-lamp remote from a light socket.

FIG. 2 shows the above-mentioned semi-lamp with a pin base turned by 90 °.

FIG. 3 shows a semi-lamp according to the invention, ie a semi-lamp inserted into a socket of an existing light.

FIG. 4 illustrates a stationary semi-lamp without a rotatable pin base when trying to insert the semi-lamp into an existing light socket.

FIG. 5 shows a stationary semi-lamp without a rotatable pin base when inserting the semi-lamp into an existing light socket.

FIG. 6 is a view of a rotatable base consistent with the present invention, having a stop, a snap, and a grip.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the rotatable base shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows the aforementioned rotatable base in FIG. 7 with an increased shoulder width.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), BR, CA, CN, ID, IN, JP, MX, RU, US

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Improving a lamp with an inductive ballast, containing a fluorescent lamp and an integrated ballast
The semi-lamp for electronic operation, which has two sockets and two pin bases at the end for inserting the light inside, The pin base prepared at the end of the semi-lamp is used for insertion into the existing light,
A semi-lamp characterized by being able to rotate about 90 ° around a longitudinal axis. 2. A semi-lamp according to claim 1, wherein there are stops which limit the angle of rotation. 3. A semi-lamp according to claim 1, wherein there are snaps at the end of the rotational movement. 4. The semi-lamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein a grip for easy operation is provided on the rotatable pin base. 5. Provided with rotatable pin bases on shoulders of different heights, which shoulders support the pins and enable the semi-lamp to fit the various spacings of the light socket. A semi-lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: