SE0950570A1 - Lighting systems - Google Patents

Description

LED lamps similar to the one described above are also known from the patent applications SE 0950075-2 and SE 0950074-5 not yet granted.

A problem related to this type of LED lamps is that the end contacts at opposite ends of the lamp are electrically connected to each other via the electrical circuit to which the LEDs are connected. Thus, while fluorescent lamps do not conduct current until a high voltage is applied between the end contacts at opposite ends of the tube, LED lamps intended to replace fluorescent lamps in fluorescent luminaires do so. This puts a person trying to install an LED lamp in a fluorescent luminaire at risk because the person may receive electric shocks if he touches an end contact in a loose end of the LED lamp when an end contact at the opposite end of the LED lamp is brought into electrical contact with a conductor in a fluorescent lamp socket.

WO2009 / 067074 A1 addresses this problem by presenting a rod-shaped LED lamp comprising at least one switch which is caused to close a circuit including light emitting elements, such as LEDs, when the two ends of the lamp are simultaneously inserted into a respective socket of a lamp holder, such as a fluorescent lamp arm. . The switch comprises one or more switch elements which may consist of one or more pressure means projecting from the lamp. The pressure means are slidable into the lamp and are arranged to close the electrical circuit including the light emitting elements when they are pushed into the lamp. The pressure means can be arranged on at least one breaking body which is arranged to be pushed into the lamp when the pressure means are brought into contact with the respective contact base or contact sockets. The breaking body can support at least one hinge pin which is arranged to run in at least one hinge groove when the two ends of the lamp are slamultantly inserted into a respective contact base. The inward movement of the hinge pin may be arranged to be stopped by at least one hinge head if one end of the lamp is inserted into a contact base before the other. Thus, WO2009 / 067074 describes a mechanical solution intended to prevent a contact arranged at one of the ends of a rod-shaped lamp from being brought into electrical contact with a conductor in a contact socket unless both ends of the lamp are inserted simultaneously in a respective contact socket.

However, the above-described mechanical safety device for rod-shaped lamps suffers from several disadvantages. First, the use of moving parts increases the complexity of the product and thus also the manufacturing costs of the product. Second, faults or inaccuracies in the function of the switch can jeopardize the safety of a person installing the lamp in a lamp holder.

Summary The object of the invention is to provide a device which allows a tubular lamp, such as an LED lamp, to be used in a standardized fluorescent luminaire, which device eliminates or at least reduces the risks of being exposed to electric shock when inserting the lamp into the luminaire.

This object is achieved by a lighting system comprising: - a fluorescent luminaire comprising: - a spark plug holder for receiving a spark plug; a first and a second fluorescent lamp base, each of which comprises two conductors for connection to a respective end contact of a fluorescent lamp, and - a tubular lamp comprising a first pair of end contacts in a first end of the lamp and a second pair of end contacts a second end of the lamp, and a circuit arrangement comprising at least one light emitting element. The lighting system is characterized in that a device configured to provide continuous electrical contact between an end contact in the first pair of end contacts and an end contact in the second pair of end contacts during normal operation of the lighting system is mounted in the spark plug holder, and in that the tubular lamp circuitry is configured so that no current can flow from an end contact in the first pair to an end contact in the second pair, through the lamp.

By replacing the spark plug in a standardized fluorescent luminaire with the proposed replacement device, the conductors in the fluorescent sockets that are normally connected to the spark plug are continuously connected to each other during normal operation of the lighting system, ie as long as the system operates as intended and no overcurrent occurs in the system ( in contrast to the case where a conventional spark plug is mounted in the spark plug holder when electrical contact is established between said sockets only for a very short period of time when the fluorescent lamp is lit). This allows the use of a tubular lamp that can be supplied with current from only one side, which in turn allows the end contacts on opposite sides of the lamp to be internal, electrically isolated from each other, which means that electric current can not flow from a end contact at one end of the lamp to an end contact at the other end of the lamp, through the lamp. Instead, when the lamp is mounted in the fluorescent luminaire and the power is on, current will flow between the end contacts on opposite sides of the lamp only through wires in the fluorescent luminaire.

Since no current can flow from an end contact at one end of the lamp to an end contact at the other end of the lamp unless the lamp is properly mounted in the luminaire, a person holding one end of the lamp while the free end is inserted into a fluorescent lamp base in a luminaire to be exposed to electric shock.

Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a tubular lamp intended to replace a fluorescent lamp in a standardized fluorescent lamp. The tubular lamp comprises a first pair of end contacts, a first end of the lamp and a second pair of end contacts in a second end of the lamp, and a circuit arrangement comprising at least one light emitting element. The lamp is characterized in that the circuit arrangement is configured so that no electric current can flow from an end contact in the first pair to an end contact in the second pair, through the lamp.

The circuit arrangement of the tubular lamp is configured so that the at least one light emitting element is connected along an electrical line between the end contacts of the same pair, i.e. end contacts at the same end of the lamp. Thereby, the lamp can be driven by applying a voltage across these end contacts, or, in other words, the circuit arrangement is configured to make the tubular lamp a "one-sided lamp". The end contact pair to which the at least one light emitting element is electrically connected will hereinafter be referred to as the power supply end pair. As mentioned above, this design of the circuit arrangement allows end contacts at opposite ends of the lamp to be electrically insulated from each other. Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a one-sided, end-to-end insulated, tubular lamp, which lamp is electrically safe and minimizes the risks of electric shock upon installation thereof.

The circuit arrangement may for example comprise a first circuit which electrically connects the end contacts of the first pair to each other, the first electrical circuit comprising the at least one light emitting element, and a second circuit which electrically connects the end contacts of the second pair to each other. The first and second electrical circuits are electrically isolated from each other so that no current can flow between end contacts at opposite ends of the lamp.

Preferably, the first electrical circuit comprises AC / DC converters configured to convert alternating current received through the end contacts of the first pair to direct current, to supply direct current to the at least one light emitting element.

The AC / DC converter may further be connected to current regulating means in the first electrical circuit, the current regulating means being configured to supply a controlled direct current to the at least one light emitting element to maintain the light intensity emitted by the light emitting element at a substantially constant level. .

The second electrical circuit which electrically connects the end contacts of the second pair to each other need not include anything other than a wire or signal line connecting the two end contacts to each other. However, the second electrical circuit may also include overcurrent protection means, such as a fuse, to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value from flowing between the end contacts of the second pair.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one light emitting element is a plurality of LEDs. Preferably, a plurality of LEDs are connected in series along the first electrical circuit which electrically connects the end contacts of the first pair to each other. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is applicable to any type of light emitting element having conductive connections. For example, the light emitting element could be one or more conventional light bulbs.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device intended to replace a spark plug in a standardized spark plug holder (spark plug socket) in a fluorescent luminaire.

The device, which will hereinafter be referred to as a spark plug replacement device, is thus for use in a lighting system comprising a fluorescent luminaire which includes fluorescent sockets for receiving a fluorescent lamp, and a spark plug holder for receiving a spark plug. The device comprises a housing and a first and a second connector, the housing and the connectors being configured so that the device can be fitted into, and electrically connected to, a spark plug holder. The device is characterized in that it comprises a circuit which is configured to provide continuous electrical connection between said first and second connectors during normal operation of the lighting system.

The spark plug replacement device thus differs from a conventional spark plug in that current can flow continuously therethrough when the lighting system is in use, so that the conductors in the fluorescent tube sockets to which the spark plug holder is connected are continuously connected to each other.

The spark plug replacement device is advantageously adapted in size so that its dimensions correspond to conventional, standardized spark plugs.

Preferably, the electrical circuit that provides continuous connection between the first and second connectors includes current limiting means, such as a fuse, to prevent current in excess of a certain threshold value from flowing therebetween.

When the spark plug replacement device is mounted in the spark plug holder of a fluorescent luminaire which holds a tubular lamp as described above, one of the tubular lamp power supply end contacts will be connected (directly or indirectly) to a phase line while the other power supply end plug will be connected (directly or indirectly). to a neutral line so that the required one-sided feed connection is obtained.

Several advantageous embodiments of the lamp and the spark plug replacement device are described in the dependent claims and in the detailed description which follows. General description of the drawings Objects, advantages and effects, and features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts, and in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a fluorescent luminaire in which a conventional fluorescent lamp is fitted.

Fig. 2 illustrates the same fluorescent luminaire adapted to operate with an LED lamp according to the prior art.

Fig. 3 illustrates a lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a spark plug replacement device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a fluorescent lamp 1 in which a fluorescent lamp 3 according to the prior art is inserted.

The fluorescent luminaire 1 (hereinafter referred to as the luminaire) comprises two fluorescent lamp sockets 5A, 5B spaced apart and adapted to receive the ends of the fluorescent lamp 3.

The fluorescent lamp 3 includes two end contacts 7A-7D (one end contact pair) at each end of the tubular lamp body 8, and each fluorescent lamp base 5A, 5B includes two conductors 9A-9D adapted for electrical connection to a respective end contact 7A-7D when the fluorescent lamp 3 is properly installed in the luminaire.

One of the conductors 9B, 9D in each fluorescent lamp base 5A, 5B is electrically connected to a mains voltage source 11 via a neutral line 12A and a phase line 12B, respectively, the mains voltage source 11 supplying the fluorescent lamp 3 with current. An inductor 13, sometimes also called choke, ballast or choke ballast, is typically arranged within the luminaire 1 along the phase line 12B. The second conductor 9A, 9B in each fluorescent lamp base 5A, 5B is electrically connected to a spark plug 14 mounted in a spark plug holder 15, via a respective spark plug lead 16A, 16B arranged inside the luminaire 1.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of the fluorescent luminaire shown in Fig. 1, in which the fluorescent lamp 3 has been replaced by an LED lamp (LED lamp) 17 according to prior art. The luminaire 1 has been adapted for operation with the LED lamp 17 by removing the spark plug 14 which is not needed and which can damage the components of the LED lamp 17 as it can cause inductive kicks from the inductor 13, which voltage peaks are used to light fluorescent lamps. for which the luminaire 1 is originally intended. The end contacts 7A-7D in each end contact pair 7A / 7B, 7C / 7D of the LED lamp 17 are electrically connected to each other via resistors 19 to allow the LED lamp 17 to be inserted into the fluorescent sockets 5A, 5B in any manner, that is, to insure that the LED lamp 17 operates regardless of which end contact 7A-7D is connected to which conductor 9A-9D in the fluorescent lamp sockets 5A, 5B. Furthermore, both end contact pairs 7A / 7B, 7C / 7D are electrically connected to AC / DC converter 21 to convert the alternating voltage received from the mains voltage source 11 to direct current. The direct current is then supplied to a plurality of LEDs 25 which are connected in series.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a lighting system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The lighting system 10 comprises a fluorescent luminaire 1 and a tubular, or rod-shaped, lamp 27. The luminaire 1 comprises a first 5A and a second 5B fluorescent lamp base, each of which comprises two conductors 9A-9D for connection to a respective end contact of a fluorescent lamp. The luminaire further comprises a spark plug holder 15 for receiving a spark plug, which spark plug holder 15 comprises two conductors (not shown), one of which is connected to a conductor 9A in the first fluorescent lamp base 5A and the other is connected to a conductor 9C in the second fluorescent lamp base 5B by spark plug leads 16A, 16B within the luminaire 1. The tubular lamp 27 includes a housing 40, a first end contact pair 7A / 7B in a first end of the lamp and a second end contact pair 7C / 7D 1 a second end of the lamp, and a circuit arrangement 29A, 29B comprising at least one light emitting element 28. In this embodiment, the at least one light emitting element consists of a plurality of LEDs connected in series, which makes the tubular lamp 27 a tubular, or rod-shaped, LED lamp.

The lighting system 10 further comprises a device 30 which is mounted in the spark plug holder 15 and thus replaces the spark plug (14 in Fig. 1) which is normally located in the spark plug holder 15 when the luminaire 1 is used with conventional fluorescent lamps.

The spark plug replacement device 30 is configured to connect the two conductors in the spark plug holder 15 during normal operation of the lighting system 10 so that a continuous electrical contact between an end contact 7A in the first end contact pair 7A / 7B and an end contact in the second end contact pair 7C / 7D of the tubular lamp 27 is obtained when the lamp is inserted between the fluorescent lamp sockets 5A, 5B. The circuit arrangement 29A, 29B in the tubular lamp 27 is configured so that the end contacts 7A, 7B in the first pair are electrically connected to each other via a first circuit 29A comprising the at least one light emitting element 28, and so that the end contacts 7C, 7D in the second pair are electrically connected to each other via a second circuit 29B, the first 29A and the second 29B electrical circuit being electrically isolated from each other within the lamp. The first electrical circuit 29A comprises two resistors 31 (of which only one is indicated by a reference numeral), each of which is connected between a respective end contact 7A, 7B in the first end contact pair and ACIDC converter 21 as previously described with reference to Fig. 2. The resistors 31 may be, for example, resistors with negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistors and the AC / DC converter 21 may consist of, for example, a diode bridge which rectifies the alternating current (AC) received from the mains voltage source to a direct current (DC).

The AC / DC converter 21 is connected to current regulating means 23 to supply direct current to the current regulating means. The current regulating means 23 is in turn connected to the plurality of LEDs 28 to which it is adapted to supply a controlled direct current in order to maintain the light intensity emitted by the LEDs 28 at a substantially constant level. To this end, the current regulating means 23 may include a switched-mode power supply (SMPS), such as a Buck controller, and be configured to limit the strength of the rectified voltage wave received from the AC / DC converter. to limit the strength of the direct current supplied to the LEDs 28, and to up-convert the frequency of said rectified voltage wave to obtain a high frequency, pulsating voltage wave having a frequency exceeding the human flicker frequency to obtain a fusion threshold. LEDs 28 appear continuously lit. Thus, the ACIDC converter 21 and the current regulating means 23 can transform the high voltage with alternating current received from the mains voltage source 11 to a high frequency, pulsating low voltage with direct current which is suitable for driving the LEDs 28.

In this exemplary embodiment, the second electrical circuit 29B comprises nothing more than a wire or signal line connecting the two end contacts 7C, 7D of the second end electrode pair to each other. However, the second electrical circuit 29B may very well include electrical components. For example, overcurrent protection means, such as a fuse, may be connected between the end contacts 7C, 7D in the second pair to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value from flowing therebetween. This is particularly advantageous if no such overcurrent protection means are included in the spark plug replacement device 30.

The design of the circuit arrangement 29A, 29B in the tubular lamp 29 allows the lamp to be energized from only one side, namely by applying a voltage across the end contacts 7A, 7B in the first end contact pair. The tubular lamp 27 is thus a one-sided lamp. The end contact pair 7A, 7B between which the at least one light emitting element 28 is connected will hereinafter sometimes be referred to as the power supply end pair.

The igniter replacement device 30 serves to adapt the luminaire 1 to operate with one-sided lamps by ensuring that the end contacts 7A, 7B in the power supply end contact pair 7A, 7B are electrically connected to a neutral line 12A and a phase line 12B, respectively, regardless of how the tubular lamp is inserted into the tubular lamp. fluorescent lamp sockets 5A, 5B. In the scenario illustrated in Fig. 3, one of the power supply end contacts 7A is electrically connected to the phase line 12B via the second end contact pair 7C, 7D which are connected to each other by the second electrical circuit 29B, the spark plug wires 16A, 16B which are connected to each other by the replacement device. 30, and the conductor 9A 1 the fluorescent lamp socket 5A, while the second power supply end contact 7B is electrically connected to the neutral line 12A via the conductor 9B in the fluorescent lamp socket 5A.

Fig. 4 illustrates the spark plug replacement device 30 in more detail. When Fig. 4 is described, reference will be made simultaneously to previous drawings.

As mentioned previously, the device 30 is intended to replace a spark plug 14 in a standardized spark plug holder 15 in a fluorescent luminaire 1. The spark plug device 30 is thus intended for use in a lighting system 10 comprising a fluorescent luminaire including fluorescent sockets 5A, 5B for receiving a fluorescent lamp 3, and spark plug holder 15 for receiving a spark plug 14. The device 30 is intended for use in such a system when a single-sided lamp 27 as described above is inserted into the fluorescent lamp sockets 5A, 5B. The spark plug replacement device 30 includes a housing 32 and a first 33A and second 33B connectors, the housing and connectors being configured so that the spark plug replacement device can fit into, and be electrically connected to, the spark plug holder 15. The spark plug replacement 30 further includes a current circuit 34 configured to connection between the first 33A and the second 33B connector during normal operation of the lighting system, ie as long as the system works as intended and no overcurrents occur in the system.

Preferably, the electrical circuit 34 includes overcurrent protection means 35, such as a fuse, to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value from flowing through the device, i.e. between the first 33A and the second 33B connector.

The overcurrent protection means 35 is configured for a rated current, that is, a maximum current that the overcurrent protection means 35 can conduct continuously without breaking the electrical connection between the first 33A and the second 33B connector, which is high enough to ensure continuous connection. between the connectors 33A, 33B during normal operation of the lighting system, and low enough to ensure that the circuit is broken if a fault occurs in the system. The overcurrent protection means 35 may, for example, be configured for a rated current of 330 mA.

Preferably, the spark plug replacement device 30 is sized so that its dimensions correspond to conventional, standard spark plugs. For this reason, the housing 32 of the spark igniter replacement device is typically a 21 mm diameter cylindrical housing, preferably made of aluminum or a plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), or any combination. of these. The connectors 33A, 33B are preferably shaped as contact pins projecting from one end of the cylindrical housing 30, separated from each other by a distance of 12 mm. The length of the replacement device 30, i.e. the distance from the top of the connectors 33A, 33B to the opposite side of the cylindrical housing 32, is preferably 39 mm.

The tubular lamp 27 can be dimensioned for use in any existing fluorescent luminaire. As is well known in the art, there are several standards for fluorescent lamps (for example, T8, T10, T12 and T5), each of which defines fluorescent lamps of a certain length and diameter, a certain distance between the end contacts, etc. It should be understood that the tubular the lamp 27 and its components may be adapted so that the lamp 27 may replace a fluorescent lamp according to any of these standards.

Claims (11)

10 15 20 25 30 35 12 Patent claims A lighting system (10) comprising: - a fluorescent luminaire (1) comprising: - a spark plug holder (15) for receiving a spark plug (14); a first (5A) and a second (5B) fluorescent lamp socket, each comprising two conductors (9A-9D) for connection to a respective end contact (7A-7D) of a fluorescent lamp (3); a tubular lamp (27) comprising a first pair of end contacts (7A-7B) in a first end of the lamp and a second pair of end contacts (7C, 7D) in a second end of the lamp, and a circuit arrangement (29A, 29B) comprising at least a light emitting element (28), characterized in that a device (30) which is configured to provide continuous electrical contact between an end contact (7A) in the first pair of end contacts (7A, 7B) and an end contact (7C) in the second the pair of end contacts (7C, 7D) during normal operation of the lighting system (10) is mounted in the spark plug holder (15), and in that the circuit arrangement (29A, 29B) of the tubular lamp (27) is configured so that no current can fl surface from a end contact (7A, 7B) in the first pair to an end contact (7C, 7D) in the second pair, through the lamp (27). A tubular lamp (27) for replacing a fluorescent lamp in a fluorescent lamp (1), comprising a first pair of end contacts (7A, 7B) in a first end of the lamp and a second pair of end contacts (7C, 7D) in a second end of the lamp, and a circuit arrangement (29A, 29B) comprising at least one light emitting element (28), characterized in that the circuit arrangement (29A, 29B) is configured so that no current can flow from an end contact (7A, 7B) in the first pair of an end contact (7C, 7D) in the second pair, through the lamp (27). A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 2, wherein said circuit arrangement (29A, 29B) comprises a first circuit (29A) which electrically connects the end contacts (7A, 7B) of the first pair to each other. A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 3, wherein said first circuit (29A) comprises said at least one light emitting element (28). A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 4, wherein said first circuit (29A) comprises AC / DC converting means (21) configured to convert alternating current received through the end contacts (7A, 7B) of the first the pair to direct current, to supply the at least one light emitting element (28) with direct current. A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 5, wherein said first circuit (29B) further comprises current regulating means (23) connected to said AC / DC conversion means (21), which current regulating means (23) is configured to supply the at least one light emitting element (28) having a controlled direct current to maintain the light intensity output from the at least one light emitting element (28) at a substantially constant level. A tubular lamp (27) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said circuit arrangement (29A, 29B) comprises a second circuit (29B) which electrically connects the end contacts (7C, 7D) of the second pair to each other, said second circuit (29B) is electrically isolated from said first circuit (29A). A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 7, wherein said second circuit (29B) comprises overcurrent protection means configured to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value from flowing between the end contacts (7C, 7D) of the second pair. A tubular lamp (27) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the at least one light emitting element (28) is a plurality of LEDs. A device (30) for use in a lighting system (10) comprising a fluorescent lamp (1) which includes fluorescent sockets (5A, 5B) for receiving a fluorescent lamp (3) and a spark plug holder (15) for receiving a spark plug (14) ), the device (30) comprising a housing (32) and a first (33A) and a second (33B) connector, and wherein the housing (32) and the connectors (33A, 33B) are configured so that the device (30) can be moved and electrically connected to said spark plug holder (15), characterized in that the device (30) comprises a circuit (34) configured to provide continuous electrical contact between said first and second connectors (33A, 33B) during normal operation of the lighting system (10). ). A device (30) according to claim 10, wherein the circuit (34) comprises overcurrent protection means (35) configured to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value from flowing between said connectors (33A, 33B).