Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R33/00—Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection via a counterpart which is structurally associated with the apparatus, e.g. lamp holders; Separate parts thereof
  • H01R33/94—Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
  • H01R33/942—Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part for tubular fluorescent lamps
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R33/00—Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection via a counterpart which is structurally associated with the apparatus, e.g. lamp holders; Separate parts thereof
  • H01R33/05—Two-pole devices
  • H01R33/06—Two-pole devices with two current-carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts, having their axes parallel to each other
  • H01R33/08—Two-pole devices with two current-carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts, having their axes parallel to each other for supporting tubular fluorescent lamp
  • H01R33/0836—Two-pole devices with two current-carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts, having their axes parallel to each other for supporting tubular fluorescent lamp characterised by the lamp holding means
  • H01R33/0845—Two-pole devices with two current-carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts, having their axes parallel to each other for supporting tubular fluorescent lamp characterised by the lamp holding means with axially resilient member

Definitions

• TL tubes are provided with two or more wirelike contact elements in the form of robust contact pins projecting from the tube lamp in the longitudinal direction thereof.
• lamp holders for TL tubes are known in practice in which the contact pins can be inserted into the lamp holder via a slot that is present therein.
• the contact pins are electrically contacted with an electrical contact member, generally in the form of two electrically conductive, spring lips that are mounted in the lamp holder, by turning the lamp about its longitudinal axis.
• the tube lamp must be turned a quarter turn so that the contact pins are no longer positioned in front of the slots in the lamp holder so as to prevent the lamp from being undesirably detached from the lamp holder.
• the relatively thin wirelike contact elements of these new tube lamps and also the litzen wire formed thereon are not suitable for taking up or transmitting the mechanical forces required for supporting the tube lamp.
• the invention in a first aspect thereof provides a lamp holder of the kind referred to in the introduction, which is characterised in that the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are formed such that the sleeves can rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the lamp holder in mounted condition so as to enable the contact member to electrically contact the wirelike electrical contact element.
• the receiving opening in the outer sleeve opens into a slotted opening in the circumferential edge of the outer sleeve body
• the receiving opening in the outer sleeve is formed by a cavity that extends in longitudinal direction therein, which cavity is dimensioned to rotatably receive the inner sleeve therein, with a slot formed in the circumferential edge of the body, which opens into the cavity, which slot has a first part adapted to receive the free end of the tube lamp and a second part connecting to the first part adapted to receive the contact element of the tube lamp.
• This embodiment of the invention makes it possible to insert the tube lamp into the inner sleeve via the slot in the outer sleeve, in which the inner sleeve is already mounted. This can be done in such a manner that the tube lamp can be fitted in the lamp holder transversely to the longitudinal direction rather than in the longitudinal direction thereof.
• fitting the lamp holder according to the invention can take place in a relatively simple and quick manner, which is necessary when the lamps are used in the horticultural industry, for example, as in that case the lamps must be cleared of herbicides and the like that have precipitated thereon from time to time. It stands to reason that the above advantage also obtains when lamps, which are difficult to reach in some cases, are being replaced within the framework of maintenance.
• the contact member of the lamp holder may have various forms, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention the contact member is essentially V-shaped, having a first leg and a second leg and a receiving opening formed between the two legs for receiving the wirelike contact element of the tube lamp.
• the contact element can be received in the contact member without exerting any appreciable forces by spreading the two legs sufficiently far apart. In this way damage to the contact element itself and to the transition between the contact element and the glass lamp body is prevented in an effective manner.
• an essentially semicircular protrusion is formed transversely to the two legs of the contact member, in such a manner that the protrusions are positioned opposite each other, forming an essentially cylindrical receiving opening for the wirelike contact element.
• This receiving opening in the contact member itself prevents the wirelike contact element from being bent or moved, for example upon rotation of the tube lamp about its longitudinal axis, and makes it possible to obtain a sufficiently low contact resistance between the contact element and the contact member.
• the two legs of the V-shaped contact member blend into a contact bus for a contact pin near their fixed ends.
• a chamber extends in radial direction in the outer sleeve from the circumferential edge thereof and terminates near the axial line of the outer sleeve, which chamber accommodates the contact member, in such a manner that the receiving opening of the contact member connects to the second part of the receiving opening in the outer sleeve.
• the lamp holder is provided with locking means made up of a spring washer present in the outer sleeve body, which partially surrounds the circumference of the cavity formed therein, which spring washer is provided with raised parts formed on the free ends thereof, and of recesses formed in the inner sleeve body, which are distributed over the outer circumference thereof, such that when the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer sleeve in mounted condition, at least one of the raised parts of the spring washer can engage in at least one recess.
• locking means made up of a spring washer present in the outer sleeve body, which partially surrounds the circumference of the cavity formed therein, which spring washer is provided with raised parts formed on the free ends thereof, and of recesses formed in the inner sleeve body, which are distributed over the outer circumference thereof, such that when the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer sleeve in mounted condition, at least one of the raised parts of the spring washer can engage in at least one recess.
• the raised parts of the spring washer and the recesses in the inner sleeve are positioned to interlock when the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are rotated about 30-60° relative to each other.
• the contact member is mounted in the inner sleeve in such a manner that the two legs join the second part of the sleeve formed in the inner sleeve body with their free ends.
• the contact member is according to the invention mounted in the inner sleeve in such a manner that the receiving opening for the wirelike contact element in the contact member is aligned with the central axis of the inner sleeve.
• a contact part is according to the invention formed at the end of the outer sleeve body to which the second part of the slot formed therein is adjacent, which contact part comprises a contact pin that engages in and makes electrical contact with the contact bus of the contact member for electrically connecting a lamp holder in a lighting fixture or the like.
• the contact part is a plate-shaped body extending transversely to the outer sleeve body, which plate-shaped body comprises at least one contact terminal that is electrically connected to the contact pin.
• the plate-shaped body can form part of or fit in a lighting fixture in that case.
• the inner sleeve may be formed of an electrically conductive material, if desired, but preferably, like the outer sleeve, it is made of a suitable electrically insulating material, such as a polymer material. Both the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve may be made of a polymer material which is resistant to high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation.
• the polymer material may comprise a high degree of glass fibre filling. The polymer material may be capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to temperatures of 145 0 C or higher, for example, and peak temperature loads of 240 0 C.
• Suitable materials for the contact member of the lamp holder are in particular phosphorus bronze, a nickel-manganese alloy, a beryllium-copper alloy, a nickel alloy or a chromium-nickel-iron alloy.
• the contact member is advantageously formed of leaf spring material.
• the invention also relates to an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve as discussed in the foregoing.
• the invention furthermore relates to a lighting fixture for a tube lamp, comprising at least two spaced-apart, opposed outer sleeves as discussed in the foregoing, for receiving between them at least one tube lamp provided with an associated inner sleeve according to the invention at each of its ends.
• the invention also relates to a method for electrically contacting, by means of a lamp holder as discussed in the foregoing, a tube lamp provided with an outwardly projecting, wirelike electrical contact element at each free end thereof, which method is characterised by the steps of
• Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a first end face of the inner sleeve that is shown in figure 2.
• Figure 5 is a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of an outer sleeve of the lamp holder according to the invention, which is mounted to a connecting plate for placement in a lighting fixture.
• Figure 13 is a schematic view of the fitted-together inner sleeve and outer sleeve of figure 12 in a rotated position relative to each other.
• Figure 14 is a schematic view similar to figure 12, in which the contact member is provided with a contact bus.
• Figure 21 is a schematic view of a second end face of the outer sleeve that is shown in figure 19.
• numeral 1 indicates an elongate cylindrical tube lamp having a body 2 of glass, which blends with a substantially H-shaped glass connecting piece 3 at each of its ends, which connecting piece comprises a wirelike contact element 4 of an electrically conductive material, for example molybdenum, having a diameter of about 1-1.5 mm and a length of about 10-15 mm that projects in outward direction therefrom.
• a litzen wire 5 may be attached to the contact element 4, for example by means of a clamping element 6, for contact purposes, for example for electrically connecting the tube lamp 1 by soldering or by means of a contact terminal.
• Figure 3 is a view of the end face 12 of the inner sleeve 10 that is shown in figure 2. The figure clearly shows that the first part 15 of the receiving opening 14 extends across the entire body 11 and that the second part 16 of the receiving opening 14 extends to slightly beyond the centre of the body 12. The first part 15 and the second part 60 of the receiving opening blend into one another.
• FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of an outer sleeve 20 of the lamp holder according to the invention.
• the outer sleeve 20 is built up of an elongate, cylindrical body 21 having a first end face 22 and a second end face 23.
• a slotted receiving opening 24 extends in the body 21 from the circumferential edge thereof.
• the receiving opening 24 has a first part 15, which opens into the first end face 22.
• the shape and the dimensions of the first part 25 of the receiving opening 24 are adapted to receive the connecting piece 3 of the tube lamp 1 therein.
• the slotted opening 24 has a second part 26 adjacent to the second end face 23 of the outer sleeve 20.
• the dimensions of the second part 26 are adapted to conform to the dimensions of the contact element 4 of the tube lamp 1.
• the first part 25 and the second part 26 of the receiving opening 24 blend into one another, as is clearly shown in figure 6, which is a view of the outer sleeve 20 along the line Vl-Vl in figure 5.
• the receiving opening 24 of the outer sleeve 20 extends in the body from the first end face 22 to the second end face 23 and is dimensioned to receive the inner sleeve 10 for rotation about the longitudinal axis 27 of the outer sleeve 20 therein.
• the two legs 41 , 42 are each provided with a semicircular protrusion 44 and 45, respectively, extending across the width of the legs.
• the two protrusions 44, 45 are positioned opposite each other and form an essentially cylindrical receiving opening 46 for receiving the contact element 4, 5 of the tube lamp 1 therein from the opening 43 that is present between the two legs 41 , 42.
• the dimensions of the two protrusions are adapted to conform to the thickness and the length of the contact element 4, 5.
• the two legs 41 , 42 blend with a contact bus 47 for clampingly receiving a contact pin therein.
• the contact member 40 is accommodated in the outer sleeve 20 near the second end face 23, in such a manner that the outward movement of the two legs 41 , 42 is limited by the stops 28, 29.
• the free ends of the two legs 41 , 42 engage in the receiving opening 19 of the body 11 of the inner sleeve 10.
• the contact bus 47 engages round the contact pin 36 of the connecting plate 35.
• the opening 43 between the two legs 41 , 42 of the contact member 40 connects to the second part 26 of the receiving opening 24 in the outer sleeve 20.
• the receiving opening 46 is exactly in line with the central axis 27 of the outer sleeve 20.
• one of the raised parts 31 , 32 of the spring washer 30 engages in a recess 17 or 18 of the inner sleeve 10, depending on the direction of rotation of the tube lamp 1 , for interlocking the inner sleeve 10 and the outer sleeve 20. This prevents the tube lamp from falling out of the lamp holder 1 in fitted condition, for example due to shocks or impacts or the like.
• the tube lamp 1 is mechanically supported by the lamp holder via the connecting piece 3 thereof, with no mechanical forces or no appreciable mechanical forces being exerted on the wirelike contact element 4.
• the receiving opening 54 has a second part 56 adjacent to the second end face 53 of the inner sleeve 50, which opens into the first part 55. Also in this case, the dimensions of the second part 56 are adapted to receive the contact element 4 of the tube lamp 1.
• a recess 57 extending over approximately 1/4 of the circumference of the body 51 is formed in the body from the circumferential edge thereof.
• An essentially V-shaped contact member 60 of an electrically conductive material having a first leg 61 and a second leg 62 is present in the inner sleeve 50 near the aforesaid recess.
• the first leg 61 is loosely accommodated in the recess 57 and the second leg 62 abuts against the boundary wall 58 of the second part 56 of the receiving opening 54.
• the slotted receiving opening 74 has a second part 76 adjacent to the second end face 73 of the outer sleeve 70. Also in this case, the dimensions of the second part 76 are adapted to receive the contact element 4 of the tube lamp 1.
• the first part 75 and the second part 76 of the receiving opening 74 blend into one another. In this embodiment, the second part 76 of the receiving opening 74 does not open into the second end face 73 of the outer sleeve 70.
• Figure 12 is a view of the second end faces 53, 73 of the fitted- together inner sleeve 50 and outer sleeve 70.
• the inner sleeve 50 and the outer sleeve 70 are fitted together in such a manner that the receiving opening 54 of the inner sleeve 50, the receiving opening 74 of the outer sleeve 70 and the receiving opening 64 of the contact member 60 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the lamp holder and that respective receiving openings 54 and 74 are positioned opposite each other to enable insertion of the connecting piece 3 with the contact element 4 of the tube lamp 1 from the circumferential edge of the outer sleeve 70.
• Figure 12 shows that the second leg 62 of the contact member 60 has an extension 65 provided with a nose-shaped projection 66, which projection engages in a recess 79 in the inner circumference of the inner sleeve 70.
• the projection 66 and the recess 79 have upwardly sloping sides for moving the nose- shaped projection out of the recess 79 by turning the inner sleeve 50.
• the two legs 61 , 62 are pressed together and the nose-shaped projection 66 will eventually engage in the second part 76 of the receiving opening 74 of the outer sleeve 70 so as to block the inner sleeve 50 against backward rotation.
• the contact element 4 of the tube lamp 1 is clamped down firmly in the receiving opening 64 of the contact member 60.
• the fact that the two legs 61 , 62 of the contact member 60 are clamped together renders this second embodiment of the lamp holder according to the invention highly suitable for contacting a contact element 5 formed of litzen wire of the tube lamp.
• This can be realised through interaction with the second part 76 of the receiving opening 74, which does not continue as far as the second end face 73 of the outer sleeve 70, so that a litzen wire functioning as the contact element 5 of the tube lamp 1 is bent between the two legs 61 , 62 of the contact member 60.
• the contact member is preferably provided with projections or raised parts 68, as is shown schematically in figure 12 and figure 13. These raised parts or projections 68 can be created by forming the contact surface of the contact member 60 with, for example, a wafer-like profile.
• Figure 14 shows another embodiment of the inner sleeve 50 in mounted condition in the outer sleeve 70, seen from the second end faces 53, 73, with a V-shaped contact member 80 having legs 81 , 82, which are provided with a contact bus 83 formed by folding back the legs, which functions to rotatably accommodate a contact pin therein, such as the contact pin 36 of the connecting plate 35, as described above.
• the contact surface of the contact member has cross teeth 84, which function to reduce the current displacement effect therein.
• Figures 16-21 show a third embodiment of the lamp holder according to the invention.
• Figure 16 shows a third embodiment of an inner sleeve 90 of the lamp holder according to the invention.
• the inner sleeve 90 is built up of an elongate, cylindrical body 91 having a first end face 92 and a second end face 93.
• a slotted receiving opening 94 extends in the body 91 from the circumferential edge thereof.
• the receiving opening 94 comprises a first part 95, which opens into the first end face 92.
• the shape and the dimensions of the first part 95 of the receiving opening 94 are adapted to receive the connecting piece 3 of the tube lamp 1 therein.
• a second part 96 of the receiving opening 94 in the body 91 which second part is adjacent to the second end face 93 of the inner sleeve 90. Also in this case, the dimensions of the second part 96 are adapted to conform to the dimensions of the contact element 4 of the tube lamp 1.
• centring means for the tube lamp 2 in the form of a wirelike, spring element 100 are provided in the first part 95 of the receiving opening 94.
• the spring element 100 comprises two legs 102 and 103, which are movable relative to each other against the spring force of the element 100.
• Figure 17 is a view of the end face 92 of the inner sleeve 90 that is shown in figure 16.
• the first part 95 of the receiving opening 94 does not extend across the entire body 91 , unlike the first embodiment of the lamp holder according to the invention, but terminates in a boundary wall 99.
• the second part 96 of the receiving opening 94 extends from the second end face 93 to substantially the centre of the body 91.
• the first part 95 and the second part 96 of the receiving opening 94 blend into one another.
• the spring element 100 is formed of one piece of spring wire, having two ends 104, 105 which engage in small recesses 106, 107 (see figure 18) formed in the body 91 at the transition between the first part 95 and the second part 96 of the slotted opening 94.
• the spring element 100 engages in a slotted recess 110 with a connecting piece 109 between the two legs 102, 103 thereof, which slotted recess is likewise formed at the transition between the first part 95 and the second part 96 of the slotted opening 94 in the body 91.
• the connecting piece 3 of the tube lamp 1 engages between the two legs 103 and 104 of the spring element 100 for the purpose of precisely centring the tube lamp 1 in the receiving opening 94.
• the legs 103, 104 of the spring element 100 engage a precisely formed (with narrow tolerances) part of the tube lamp 1 , viz. the H-shaped connecting piece 3.
• the tube lamp 1 Upon placement of the tube lamp 1 in a lighting fixture provided with a reflector, the tube lamp 1 will thus be positioned precisely in the focal line of the reflector, so that an optimum directional effect and a maximum light output are ensured.
• Figure 19 shows a third embodiment of an outer sleeve 120 of the lamp holder according to the invention.
• the outer sleeve 120 is built up of an elongate, cylindrical body 121 having a first end face 122 and a second end face 123.
• a slot that the receiving opening 124 extends in the body 121 from the circumferential edge thereof.
• the receiving opening 124 has a first part 125, which opens into the first end face 122.
• the shape and the dimensions of the first part 125 of the receiving opening 124 have been adapted to receive the connecting piece 3 of the tube lamp 1 therein.
• Figure 20 is a view of the first end face 122 of the outer sleeve 120.
• a spring washer 130 having raised parts 131 , 132 at the ends thereof is shown to be present near the circumference of the body 121 , which spring washer extends along approximately half the circumference.
• the raised parts 131 , 132 are formed to extend a specified radial distance into the outer sleeve 120.
• Figure 21 is a view of the second end face 123 of the outer sleeve 120.
• the legs form an opening 137 for receiving therebetween a contact end 4 of the litzen wire 5 of the tube lamp 1.
• the two legs 134, 135 are each provided with a longitudinally extending slotted opening 138, thus providing two halves capable of independent springing movement relative to each other. This makes it possible in an advantageous manner to contact relatively short as well as relatively long contact ends without any loss of clamping force. That is, relatively short contact ends which only engage one half of a leg 134, 135 and relatively long contact ends which engage both halves of a leg 134, 135.
• the spring element 100 is made of spring wire having a diameter of 0.5- 1 mm. It will be understood that the illustrated embodiment is an example of many possible variants of centring means according to the invention.
• the contact member 133 is accommodated in the chamber 128 in the outer sleeve 120 near the second end face 123, in such a manner that the extent to which the two legs 134, 135 can move apart in the chamber is limited.
• the opening 137 between the two legs 134, 145 of the contact member 133 connects to the second part 126 of the receiving opening 124 in the outer sleeve 120.
• the inner sleeve 90 and the outer sleeve 120 are mounted in such a manner that the receiving opening 94 of the inner sleeve 90, the receiving opening 124 of the outer sleeve 120 and the receiving opening 137 of the contact member 133 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the lamp holder and that the respective receiving openings 94 and 124 are positioned opposite each other to enable insertion of the connecting piece 3 with the contact element 4 of the tube lamp 1 from the circumferential edge of the outer sleeve 20 and between the two legs 102, 103 of the spring element 100 for precisely centring the tube lamp 1.
• one of the raised parts 131 , 132 of the spring washer 130 engages in the recess of the inner sleeve 90, depending on the direction of rotation of the tube lamp 1 , for interlocking the inner sleeve 90 and the outer sleeve 120. This prevents the tube lamp 1 from falling out of the lamp holder in fitted condition, for example due to shocks or impacts or the like.
• the raised parts 131 , 132 may be formed as cams, in such a manner that they form a stop (not shown), for example by interacting with the recess 112, to protect the tube lamp against being rotated too far.
• the tube lamp 1 is mechanically supported by the la,mp holder via the connecting piece 3 thereof, with no mechanical forces or no appreciable mechanical forces being exerted on the wirelike contact element 4.
• one of the legs 97, 98 engages a leg 135, 134 of the contact member 133 for moving the two legs 134, 135 together with a contact end 4 or litzen wire 5 of the tube lamp received therebetween while exerting a force for the purpose of firmly and adequately contacting the tube lamp 1. It depends on the direction of rotation of the inner sleeve 90 relative to the outer sleeve 120 which of the two legs 134, 135 presses against a leg of the contact body.
• Figure 24 is a schematic, perspective view of a holder 140 provided with a receiving opening 141 for receiving the outer sleeve 120 with the second end face 123 therein.
• the holder 140 has a connecting plate 142, whose shape and dimensions are adapted for being mounted in a lighting fixture (not shown).
• a connecting plate may be an integral part of the outer sleeve 120 of the lamp holder according to the invention, or be accommodated as a separate part or as an integrated part of a fixture suitable for use with a lamp holder according to the invention.
• the body 121 of the outer sleeve 120 has barblike lips 143, which engage in suitably shaped recesses 144 in the holder 140 for locking the outer sleeve 120 to the holder.
• Figure 15 is a schematic view of one end of a tube lamp 1 with a lamp holder according to the invention fitted thereto.
• Suitable materials for the contact member 40, 60, 80, 133 of the lamp holder are in particular phosphorous bronze, a nickel-manganese alloy or a beryllium-copper alloy.
• the contact member 40, 60, 80, 133 is advantageously formed of about 0.3-0.8 mm thick leaf spring material.
• the contact member 40, 60, 80, 133 may comprise a contact surface that is coated with silver for receiving a contact element 4 of the tube lamp 1.

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• Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
• Common Detailed Techniques For Electron Tubes Or Discharge Tubes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

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Cited By (1)

Citations (4)

• 2005
  • 2005-12-20 NL NL1030707A patent/NL1030707C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2006
  • 2006-02-27 WO PCT/NL2006/000101 patent/WO2006093402A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

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