WO2010009263A1 - Support pour lampe fluorescente - Google Patents

Support pour lampe fluorescente Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010009263A1
WO2010009263A1 PCT/US2009/050742 US2009050742W WO2010009263A1 WO 2010009263 A1 WO2010009263 A1 WO 2010009263A1 US 2009050742 W US2009050742 W US 2009050742W WO 2010009263 A1 WO2010009263 A1 WO 2010009263A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lamp holder
ballast
lamp
power distribution
distribution unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2009/050742
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2010009263A8 (fr
Inventor
Robert Quercia
Greg Galluccio
Anthony Tufano
Francisco Schapira
Ruel Sarino
Original Assignee
Leviton Mfg. Co, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US12/173,171 external-priority patent/US8113684B2/en
Application filed by Leviton Mfg. Co, Inc. filed Critical Leviton Mfg. Co, Inc.
Priority to US12/679,980 priority Critical patent/US20110164414A1/en
Priority to CN2009801271915A priority patent/CN102089580A/zh
Priority to EP09798716A priority patent/EP2300747A1/fr
Priority to CA2730736A priority patent/CA2730736A1/fr
Priority to MX2011000548A priority patent/MX2011000548A/es
Publication of WO2010009263A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010009263A1/fr
Priority to US12/770,468 priority patent/US20100265700A1/en
Publication of WO2010009263A8 publication Critical patent/WO2010009263A8/fr
Priority to US13/662,670 priority patent/US20130049591A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V19/00—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders
    • F21V19/0075—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders of tubular light sources, e.g. ring-shaped fluorescent light sources
    • F21V19/008—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders of tubular light sources, e.g. ring-shaped fluorescent light sources of straight tubular light sources, e.g. straight fluorescent tubes, soffit lamps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/02—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
    • F21V23/026—Fastening of transformers or ballasts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/006—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
    • H05K1/02—Details
    • H05K1/11—Printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits
    • H05K1/117—Pads along the edge of rigid circuit boards, e.g. for pluggable connectors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
    • H05K1/18—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2103/00—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
    • 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
    • H01R33/74—Devices having four or more poles, e.g. holders for compact fluorescent lamps
    • H01R33/76—Holders with sockets, clips, or analogous contacts adapted for axially-sliding engagement with parallely-arranged pins, blades, or analogous contacts on counterpart, e.g. electronic tube socket
    • H01R33/7692—Holders with sockets, clips, or analogous contacts adapted for axially-sliding engagement with parallely-arranged pins, blades, or analogous contacts on counterpart, e.g. electronic tube socket for supporting a tubular fluorescent lamp
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/09—Shape and layout
    • H05K2201/09145—Edge details
    • H05K2201/09172—Notches between edge pads
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/10—Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
    • H05K2201/10007—Types of components
    • H05K2201/10113—Lamp
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/10—Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
    • H05K2201/10227—Other objects, e.g. metallic pieces
    • H05K2201/10386—Clip leads; Terminals gripping the edge of a substrate
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/10—Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
    • H05K2201/10431—Details of mounted components
    • H05K2201/10439—Position of a single component
    • H05K2201/10446—Mounted on an edge
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/30—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor
    • H05K3/306—Lead-in-hole components, e.g. affixing or retention before soldering, spacing means
    • H05K3/308—Adaptations of leads
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/30—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor
    • H05K3/32—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits
    • H05K3/325—Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits by abutting or pinching, i.e. without alloying process; mechanical auxiliary parts therefor

Definitions

  • This application relates to apparatus and methods for supporting and powering fluorescent lamps.
  • the application relates to apparatus and methods for distributing power from a ballast to a lamp holder.
  • Fluorescent lamp holders are typically installed in a sheet metal fixture with a ballast and associated wiring.
  • the manufacturer will generally assemble the lamp holders to the sheet metal fixture, attach the ballast to the fixture, and run wires between the ballast and lamp holders. This process can be labor intensive and may lead to wiring errors and an unappealing installation .
  • lamp holders that are assembled in this manner may require features that are designed for a predetermined width-wise placement of the lamps. For example, the installation of lamps at 2-inch center-to-center distances would require a crossbar configured to engage lamp holders, and provide power, at those locations. This assembly may preclude the possibility of adjusting the center-to-center distances of the lamps once the lamp holder is assembled, requiring different manufacturing protocols for each center-to-center distance.
  • FIG. 1 shows typical light fixture 100.
  • Light fixture 100 may include enclosure 102.
  • Enclosure 102 may be a fixture housing.
  • Surface 103 of enclosure 102 may be a reflector.
  • Surface 103 may have breaks in slope 105 to direct light in selected directions.
  • Light fixture 100 may include lamp holders 104, 106 and 108.
  • Lamp holders 104, 106 and 108 may each hold one end of a tube-type fluorescent lamp. The other end of each lamp may be held by lamp holders 110, 112 and 114, respectively.
  • Arrows A, B and C show where fluorescent tubes would be placed between corresponding lamp holders. The lamp holders are fixed directly to enclosure 102.
  • FIG. 2 shows typical lamp holder 200.
  • Lamp holder 200 may includes base 202, body 204, lamp pin guide 206 and pin slot 208. Paired contact pins from a fluorescent lamp may be inserted into slot 208 until the pins occupy positions 210 and 212. The pins may then be rotated in direction A about rotational axis X until the pins contact power terminals 214 and 216 (shown in broken line) inside body 204 of lamp holder 200.
  • the lamp may be a fluorescent lamp or any other suitable lamp.
  • the apparatus may include a ballast module.
  • the ballast module may include a ballast.
  • the ballast may be removed from the ballast module for replacement and/or reconfiguration. This may provide a lamp fixture that is modular in nature and a more efficient manufacturing process.
  • a lamp holder may be removably coupled to the ballast module.
  • the lamp holder may be in electrical communication with the ballast contained in the ballast module such that when the ballast module supports a lamp, it is configured to provide power from the ballast to the lamp.
  • the ballast may include a rigid power distribution unit.
  • the rigid power distribution unit may transfer power from the ballast to the lamp. Some embodiments, therefore, may not require the use of wires to transmit power from the ballast to the lamp holder. In other embodiments, wires may be used to transmit power from the ballast to the lamp holder.
  • the lamp may be any suitable lamp, including the T5, T8 and T12 lamps.
  • the rigid power distribution unit may include a track that has conducting rails for supplying power to the lamp holders.
  • the track may be used to position lamp holders at any desired spacing.
  • the track may be used in connection with fixture designs requiring different center-to- center lamp spacing.
  • the rigid power distribution unit may include a printed circuit board.
  • the lamp holder may clamp onto or be otherwise electrically connected to the printed circuit board and draw power from it.
  • the printed circuit board may have traces for each lamp holder.
  • conductive buses may be used either as traces on the printed circuit board or separate from the printed circuit board.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of a typical light fixture
  • FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken along lines 2-2 shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of other apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of additional apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of additional apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6A-6C show perspective, top, and frontal views, respectively, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 with a cover removed;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of additional apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of other apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 shown in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. HA is a perspective view of apparatus shown in accordance with the present disclosure;
  • FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional views taken along line 12-12 shown in FIG. HA;
  • FIGS. 13 and 13A are exploded perspective views of additional apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14D are cross sectional views of apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 14C is a partial cross-sectional view of apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 14E is a frontal view of additional apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;
  • FIGS. 15A and 15B are frontal and side views, respectively, of a lamp holder that may be incorporated into any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-6;
  • FIGS. 16A-16C show top, front, and side views, respectively, of a cover which may be used with any of the embodiments of the invention.
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 18 is a perspective view of other apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 19 is a different perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 18;
  • FIG. 20 is a side view, corresponding to the view along line A-A shown in FIG. 17, of apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 21 is a perspective view of other apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 22 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21;
  • FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 shown in FIG. 22;
  • FIG. 24 is a perspective view of still other apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the apparatus may include a ballast housing.
  • the apparatus may also include a lamp holder configured to be coupled to the ballast housing.
  • a ballast may be at least partially enclosed within the ballast housing.
  • the lamp holder may be configured to hold one end of a tube-shaped lamp.
  • the lamp holder may be in electrical communication with a conductor such that when the lamp holder supports a lamp, the lamp holder is able to provide power from the conductor to the lamp.
  • two opposing lamp holders are generally required—one to support and excite each end of the lamp.
  • one lamp holder for the lamp may be sufficient. It should be noted that the lamp holder may be configure to support any suitable lamp, including the T5, T8 and T12 lamps.
  • Some embodiments of the invention may include modules that may be fastened to a lamp fixture enclosure.
  • the lamp fixture enclosure may be referred to alternately throughout the disclosure as a fixture housing.
  • the ballast module may be fasted to the lamp fixture enclosure.
  • a lamp holder module containing at least one lamp holder may also be fastened to the lamp fixture enclosure.
  • the ballast module may be arranged at one end of the lamp fixture enclosure.
  • the lamp holder module may be arranged opposite the ballast module at the other end of the lamp fixture enclosure. Because the ballast module includes at least one lamp holder, the need for wiring between the ballast enclosed in the ballast module and the lamp holder may be reduced or eliminated.
  • Some embodiments of the invention may include a ballast and lamp holder with a wireless connection therebetween. For example, the wiring that is present in a typical lamp fixture may be replaced by a conductor that is integrated into a structural element of the ballast.
  • the lamp holder may be in electrical connection with the conductor integral on the ballast to create a wireless electrical connection. In other embodiments, one or more wires may be used to transmit power from the ballast to the lamp holder.
  • the lamp holder may be removably coupled to the ballast module and/or the lamp holder module.
  • the lamp holder may be removably coupled to the wires that transmit power from the ballast module to the lamp holder.
  • the ballast module and/or the lamp holder module may be removable from the lamp fixture enclosure.
  • Removable modules may facilitate repair, replacement and/or reconfiguration of the fluorescent tube pattern.
  • the repair, replacement and/or reconfiguration may take place at the point of manufacture. In other embodiments, the repair, replacement and/or reconfiguration may take place in the field.
  • the ballast enclosed in the ballast housing may receive power from a standard power line, such as a IIOVAC power line or any other suitable power line.
  • the ballast may include a reactive coil and a power conditioner for providing appropriate current to the lamp.
  • a conductor that is configured to transmit electrical power from the ballast to the lamp holder may be enclosed within the ballast housing as well.
  • the conductor may be part of a rigid power distribution unit.
  • the conductor may be rigidly supported substantially continuously along its length.
  • the conductor may be part of a continuous bus.
  • the continuous bus may be configured such that one or more lamp holders may be placed at any location along the bus.
  • a lamp holder electrical connector may mate with the continuous bus through clamping, press fit, mating, or any other suitable means.
  • the lamp holder may be removably connected to the continuous bus.
  • the conductor may be included in a printed circuit board ("PCB") .
  • the rigid power distribution unit may include the printed circuit board.
  • the printed circuit board may have traces from each lamp holder to be plugged into it.
  • the printed circuit board may be part of a ballast printed circuit board assembly.
  • the lamp holder printed circuit board may be connected to the ballast by any suitable connectors, such as male/female connectors.
  • the ballast may be located either inside or outside a housing that may enclose the rigid power distribution unit.
  • the lamp holder may clamp or be otherwise mechanically and electrically secured to the printed circuit board and draw power from it.
  • the printed circuit board may be in electrical communication with the lamp holder via flat cable and male/female connectors.
  • the lamp holder may be connected to the PCB by soldering.
  • the lamp holder may be removably connected to the PCB via male/female connectors, pin and sleeve connectors, or any other suitable connectors.
  • Lamp holder electrical connectors may mate with the PCB through clamping, press fit, mating, or any other suitable means.
  • the lamp holder may be slidably connected to the PCB via a slidable contact brush, a leaf spring or any other suitable slidable contact.
  • one or more detents may be provided to position the lamp holder at one of a series of positions.
  • the series of positions may be regular intervals.
  • the regular intervals may be spaced apart by any suitable distance, such as 0.25 inch.
  • the rigid power distribution unit may include a track that has conducting rails for supplying power to lamp holders.
  • the rigid power distribution unit may include a housing.
  • the housing may be made of plastic, metal or other suitable enclosure material.
  • the rails may be made of any suitable conducting metal such as copper, silver, brass or the like.
  • the conducting metal may be an abrasion-resistant metal, such as brass .
  • the track may be open on one or both ends for insertion of a lamp holder.
  • An open end of the track may be blocked by a skirt after insertion of one or more lamp holders.
  • the skirt may include any suitable material, such as a polymer or elastomer such as ethylene acrylic elastomer ("AEM”) such as that available under the trademark "VAMAC” from E. I. DuPont and Co., located in Wilmington, Delaware.
  • AEM ethylene acrylic elastomer
  • VAMAC ethylene acrylic elastomer
  • skirt may be removably connected to the open end of the track, allowing for the removal and/or addition of lamp holders during manufacture and/or in the field.
  • the rails may run along a portion of the track so that lamp holders engaging a portion of the track may receive power from the rails.
  • the track may include a slot or edge along which the lamp holders may slide.
  • the track may include one or more detents to maintain a lamp holder in a position along the track.
  • the track may be used to position lamp holders at any desired spacing so the track may be used in connection with fixture designs requiring different center-to-center lamp spacing.
  • the spacing may optionally be standardized to accommodate one or more of the various industry standards.
  • the lamp holder may be permanently fixed in position after assembly.
  • the lamp holder may be fixed in position by welding, soldering, crimping, buttressing or by any other suitable approach.
  • the lamp holder may be held in place by the one or more detents or by any other suitable means.
  • the position of the lamp holder may be adjusted at a later point in time.
  • the aforementioned embodiments taught by the disclosure allow for one or more lamp holders to be adjustably positioned on the ballast module. This may provide a manufacturer with the ability to use a single fixture type for more than one fluorescent tube configuration or any other desirable lamp configuration. Different configurations may be based on the different sizes and numbers of lamps such as T5, T8 and T12 style fluorescent lamps, which are commonly used in the electrical industry, in addition to any other suitable lamps.
  • a fixture may be fitted with one or more of several different modules having different ballasts or different lamp holder configurations.
  • the ballast housing may include a slotted opening that is configured to receive a portion of the lamp holder.
  • One or more contacts or traces may be disposed inside the slotted opening to electrically communicate with the lamp holder.
  • the contacts or traces may be in electrical communication with the ballast.
  • the contacts or traces may be in electrical communication with the ballast via the PCB or any other suitable means.
  • the electrical communication may involve the use of a male/female connector, a pin and sleeve connector, and/or soldering to the PCB.
  • the ballast housing may also include a top cover.
  • the top cover may include one or more openings to provide various lamp holder numbers and configurations.
  • the openings may accommodate any number of lamp holders, such as 2-6 lamp holders.
  • the lamp holder may snap and lock into place on the top cover of the unit in such a manner as to allow for quick and easy replacement.
  • the lamp holder may be mounted on a different aspect of the ballast housing, such as a front, back or end of the ballast housing.
  • FIGS. 3-24 show illustrative embodiments and features of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows illustrative body 308.
  • Body 308 may be a ballast module.
  • Body 308 may be a unitary structure and may be made of a non-conductive material. Alternatively, body 308 made be made from an assembly of parts.
  • body 308 is assembled onto a PCB and includes apertures configured to receive and support lamp holders 302.
  • Enclosure 310 encloses the PCB which may be constructed of sheet metal. Body 308 is dimensioned such that, when assembled, the lamp holders 302 are supported and enclosed with no access to live parts.
  • Lamp holders 302 may include one or more electrical contacts configured to conduct electricity from lamp holder 302 to one or more lamps installed in lamp holder 302.
  • Each lamp holder may include slots 304 which allow for pins of fluorescent lamps to engage with the electrical contacts.
  • the systems and methods of the invention include lamp holders of any suitable configuration (including, for example, the rotary lamp holders shown in FIG. 9) .
  • Body 308 may at least partially contain a conductive bus, a ballast, wiring, or any combination of one or more of these elements.
  • Lamp holders 302 may be removable from body 308 for replacement, repair, or reconfiguration during manufacture and/or in the field.
  • FIG. 4 shows illustrative body 404.
  • Body 404 may include one or more depressions 406. Depressions 406 may be adjacent to one or more lamp holders 402. Depressions 406 may allow for shorter lamp holders 402 to be inserted into body 404 resulting in a thinner overall profile of the fixture. This is advantageous in certain installations when space is limited.
  • FIG. 5 shows illustrative body 504. Lamp holders 502 are attached to body 504, wherein the attachment provides an electrical connection therebetween.
  • FIG. 6 shows illustrative body 604. Slot 606 in body 604 allows for one or more lamp holders 602 to be installed in body 604 at any point along slot 606. An electrical bus may run along the length of body 604, allowing the lamp holders to be placed at any point along slot 606.
  • slot 606 may include fixed points (not shown) in which lamp holders 602 may be installed.
  • the fixed points may be located at any suitable interval along slot 606, such as 0.25 inch along the length of slot 606.
  • FIG. 6A shows that PCB 608 may be located below body 604.
  • the bus may take the form of a trace along PCB 608.
  • Contact points may be located below slot 606 to connect to lamp holders 602.
  • optional detents may be included in the housing, on the PCB, or on any other suitable member in order to positively locate the lamp holders at regular intervals along the bus.
  • FIG. 6B shows a top view of body 604 without lamp holders 602 and with the cover of body 604 removed.
  • FIG. 6C shows a side view of body 604 without lamp holders 602 and with the cover of body 604 removed.
  • FIG. 7 shows illustrative body 704.
  • Each lamp holder 702 includes a leg 708 which is disposed perpendicularly to the main lamp holder body 710. In this embodiment, the lamp holder exits along side face 706 of the body instead of along top face 704.
  • FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of FIG. 7.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 show illustrative PCB 910 with a portion of housing 912 removed to show internal components.
  • PCB 910 is at least partially enclosed within housing 912.
  • PCB 910 may support a ballast.
  • PCB 910 may include one or more PCB tabs 908 which are disposed to engage opening 906 of leg 904 of lamp holder 902.
  • a contact may be located on PCB tab 908.
  • the contact may be a trace on PCB 910.
  • the contact may provide power to lamp holder 902.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cross sectional view along line 11-11 shown in FIG. 10 of illustrative lamp holder 902 with leg 904 and opening 906.
  • FIG. 11 further illustrates sleeve 1102 that is configured to make electrical contact with a PCB, as further illustrated in FIG. HA.
  • FIG. HA illustrates a detailed view of a contact 1104 that is contained in illustrative lamp holder 902.
  • Contact 1104 may include one or more tines 1106 that are disposed to connect to pins of a lamp.
  • Contact 1104 may additionally include sleeve 1102.
  • Sleeve 1102 may be disposed to slide over PCB tab 908 and make electrical contact with conductor 1108.
  • Conductor 1108 may be a trace on PCB 910.
  • FIGS. 12A and 12B show sections taken along line 12-12 shown in FIG. HA.
  • FIG. 12A illustrates a cross sectional view of sleeve 1102 and a cross sectional view of conductor 1108 disposed along the top and bottom surfaces of PCB 910.
  • FIG. 12B illustrates an alternate contact geometry of the contact geometry illustrated in FIG. 12A that is included in some embodiments of the invention.
  • FIG. 13 shows illustrative body 1310.
  • Lamp holder 1302 may be removably attached to body 1310.
  • Lamp holder 1302 may be easily assembled and removed from body 1310 for replacement, repair and/or reconfiguration.
  • lamp holder 1302 may be a lamp holder that has a locking feature (not shown) .
  • the locking feature of lamp holder 1302 may be a snap hook arm. The locking feature, when depressed, may unhook the lamp holder from body 1310 without the need of a special tool.
  • Body 1310 may include apertures 1304 to receive one or more lamp holders 1302.
  • PCB 1314 may be at least partially disposed within body 1310. In some embodiments of the invention, a ballast and/or additional electrical components may be disposed in body 1310 as well.
  • PCB 1314 may include pin 1308.
  • Pin 1308 may engage sleeve 1306 of lamp holder 1302. The engagement of pin 1308 with sleeve 1306 may provide power from PCB 1314 to lamp holder 1302.
  • Pins 1308 may be spaced at regular intervals such as 0.25 inches and may have a cross- section of any suitable shape and size such as 0.062 inch round pins.
  • Sleeves 1306 may be of any suitable shape and size such as having a gap in the sleeve of 0.030 inches.
  • the PCB may be of any suitable shape or size such as having a thickness of 0.062 inches.
  • lamp holders 1302 may include pins and the PCB may include sleeves, wherein the mating of the pins to the sleeves provides electrical power from PCB 1314 to lamp holder 1302.
  • FIG. 13A shows a cross sectional view of sleeve 1306 of illustrative lamp holder 1302 when mated to pin 1308 of PCB 1314.
  • the mating of sleeve 1306 to pin 1308 may create an electrical connection therebetween.
  • FIGS. 14A- 14D show illustrative tang 1406 that may be located on contact 1402 of a lamp holder taught by the invention.
  • Contact 1402 may contain one or more tines 1404 configured to contact pins 1408 of a lamp.
  • Contact 1402 may additionally contain conductive tang 1406.
  • FIG. 14E shows illustrative PCB 1412.
  • Conductive tang 1406 may be configured to connect to PCB 1412.
  • PCB 1412 may have one or more openings 1410 configured to receive tang 1406.
  • Tang 1406 may include tab 1416.
  • Tab 1416 may be configured such that, when tang 1406 is inserted into opening 1410, tang 1406 latches in place. Tang 1406 may then be electrically connected to PCB 1412. In some embodiments of the invention, Tang 1406 may be soldered to trace 1414 of PCB 1412.
  • FIGS. 15A and 15B show an illustrative rotary lamp holder with its associated contact and tang that may be used in some embodiments of the invention.
  • FIG. 15A illustrates a frontal elevational view of the rotary lamp holder.
  • FIG. 15B illustrates a side view of the rotary lamp holder.
  • the rotary lamp holder illustrated in FIG. 15 may be used to snap onto a PCB such as PCB 1412 illustrated in FIG. 14.
  • FIG. 16A shows illustrative cover 1602 which may be used to encase any of the apparatus taught by the systems and methods of the invention.
  • FIG. 16B shows illustrative wall 1604 of cover 1602. Wall 1604 may include latching tabs 1606 which are disposed to secure the cover 1602 to other parts of the device housing. Tabs 1606 may be in the form of barbs.
  • FIG. 16C illustrates a side view of the housing illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B.
  • FIG. 17 shows schematically lamp support 1700.
  • Lamp support 1700 includes power input leads 1702, ballast 1704, rigid power distribution unit 1706 and lamp holders 1708.
  • Lamp support 1700 also includes rigid power distribution unit 1710 and lamp holders 1712.
  • Each of lamp holders 1708 has a facing lamp holder 1712. Together, a pair of lamp holders—one 1708 and a corresponding 1712—hold a fluorescent lamp or tube at its ends.
  • Lines Ll represent the center lines of lamps that may be installed between corresponding lamp holders. Adjacent lines Ll may be separated, for example, by center-to-center distance Cl.
  • Rigid power distribution units 1706 and 1710 may be affixed to an enclosure (not shown) .
  • Ballast 1704 receive power via leads 1702 and provide the power to lamp holders 1708 via rigid power distribution unit 1706.
  • Rigid power distribution unit 1706 may be connected to ballast 1704 by connector 1714.
  • Connector 1714 may be a pin connector or any other suitable connector.
  • Rigid power distribution unit 1710 may receive power from ballast 1704 via leads 1716.
  • rigid power distribution units 1706 and 1710 may include a printed circuit board for delivering power along traces or conductors to lamp holders 1708 and 1712, respectively.
  • Positive and negative conductors, each corresponding to one of leads 1702 and one of leads 1716, may be provided along edges 1718 and 1720, respectively, of rigid power distribution units 1706 and 1710.
  • the positive and negative conductors may match corresponding positive and negative terminals of lamp holders 1708 and 1712.
  • the positive and negative conductors may be arranged in any suitable configuration.
  • the positive and negative conductors may be, respectively, on top and bottom of edges 1718 and 1720.
  • both the positive and negative conductors both may on one side (top or bottom) of edges 1718 and 1720.
  • the positive and negative conductors may be routed through their respective rigid power distribution units in any suitable manner to deliver power to positions on edges 1718 and 1720 where power is or may be desired.
  • power may be routed to points on edges 1718 and 1720.
  • power may be routed to elongated segments of edges 1718 and 1720. The segments may allow lamp holders 1708 and 1712 to be positioned with greater flexibility.
  • the segments may be sufficiently elongated that the lamp holder may be attached subject to an appropriate mechanical tolerance, but sufficiently restricted such that a properly installed lamp holder will shield the segment from contact with other objects.
  • the traces may be below the surface of the rigid power distribution unit.
  • the lamp holders may be provided with crimps or fasteners to make electrical contact with the traces.
  • Rigid power distribution units 1706 and 1710 should be sufficiently rigid to mechanically support lamp holders 1708 and 1712 such that corresponding lamp holders can support and power a lamp.
  • FIG. 18 shows in perspective, from below (in an operational orientation), illustrative lamp support 1800.
  • Lamp support 1800 includes ballast 1802.
  • Ballast 1802 connects via connector 1804 to rigid power distribution unit 1806.
  • Rigid power distribution unit 1806 may mechanically support lamp holders 1808 via a press fit of lamp holders 1808 onto edge 1812.
  • Edge 1812 includes conductors to provide power to electrical terminals (not shown) of lamp holders 1808.
  • Rigid power distribution unit 1806 may be a printed circuit board that has traces that deliver power to lamp holders 1808.
  • Lamp holders 1808 may include pin slots 1810 for receiving pins of fluorescent lamps.
  • FIG. 19 shows lamp support 1800, in perspective, from above (in an operational orientation) .
  • Slots 1814 in lamp holders 1808 may be press fit onto edge 1812.
  • Slots 1814 may include electrical terminals for transmitting power from edge 1812 to lamps, when lamps are installed in lamp holders 1808.
  • FIG. 20 shows illustrative lamp support 2000 in side view.
  • the view shown in FIG. 20 may correspond to a side view along direction A-A, shown in FIG. 17.
  • Lamp support 2000 includes ballast 2002.
  • Lamp support 2000 include rigid power distribution unit 2004.
  • Ballast 2002 and rigid power distribution unit 2004 may be electrically joined by connector 2006.
  • Lamp holder 2008 may have groove 2010 for mating with edge 2012 of rigid power distribution unit 2004.
  • Groove 2010 may include terminals 2014 and 2016 for contacting traces 2018 and 2020, respectively, on edge 2012.
  • Slot 2022 may be provided for testing circuit continuity via lamp holder 2008.
  • FIG. 21 shows illustrative lamp support 2100.
  • Illustrative lamp support 2100 includes ballast 2102 and rigid power distribution unit 2104.
  • Lamp holders 2106 are slidably mounted in track 2108 of rigid power distribution 2104.
  • Detents such as detents 2110, or any other suitable detents, may be present in or about track 2108 to provide determined locations at which lamp holders 2106 may be maintained.
  • Ballast 2102 may receive power via leads (not shown) .
  • Ballast 2102 may provide power to rigid power distribution unit 2104 via a connector (not shown) .
  • Ballast 2102 may provide power to a distal power distribution unit (not shown) via leads (not shown) .
  • the distal power distribution unit may support a distal end of one or more lamps.
  • rigid power distribution unit 2104 may be referred to as a "proximal" power distribution unit, because it is adjacent bal last 2102 . )
  • Rigid power distribution unit 2104 may be mounted to plate 2112.
  • Plate 2112 may have any suitable features for attaching lamp support 2100 to a lamp enclosure (not shown) or any other suitable structure.
  • FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of lamp support 2100.
  • Lamp holders 2106 may include slots 2116 for receiving terminal pins from a lamp. (It will be appreciated that there are different arrangements by which lamp holders may mechanically and electrically engage lamps. Any suitable lamp holder may be used in conjunction with the lamp supports shown and described herein.) Test holes 2118 may optionally be present in lamp holders 2106 to receive continuity test probes.
  • FIG. 22 also shows lamp center lines L2, which correspond to lamps that may be installed in lamp support 2100.
  • Distance C2 between adjacent lines L2 may be adjusted by sliding lamp holders 2152 and 2154. By adjusting C2 during a manufacturing or assembly process, lamp support 2100 may be used for different luminaires having different center-to-center lamp distances .
  • FIG. 23 shows additional detail of the lamp holders 2106 and their mechanical and electrical interface with rigid power distribution unit 2104. Slots 2116 may open up to a cavity
  • Lamp holder 2106 may include groove 2123, which may be defined at least in part by bosses 2120 and 2122. Groove 2123 may receive tongue 2121 of rigid power distribution unit 2104. Knee 2125 at the base of lamp holder 2106 may occupy groove 2108. Any suitable adjacent surfaces between lamp holder 2106 and rigid power distribution unit 2104 may be used for transferring electrical power between the two. For example, interfacial surfaces 2124 and 2126 may include electrical contacts for transferring the power. In general, positive and negative contact will be present on lamp holder 2106 and rigid power distribution unit 2104. In some embodiments, the positive and negative contacts may be in opposite sides of a structure, such as tongue 2121. In some embodiments, the positive and negative contacts may be separated from each other, but on the same interfacial surface.
  • FIG. 24 shows illustrative lamp support 2400.
  • Lamp support 2400 includes ballast 2402 in a perpendicular orientation with respect to rigid power distribution unit 2404 and plate 2412.
  • Lamp holders 2406 are slidably mounted in track 2408. It will be appreciated that the ballasts shown and described herein may be mounted in any suitable orientation with respect to a corresponding rigid power distribution unit.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Appareil et procédés de support d’une lampe fluorescente, l’appareil pouvant comporter un ballast et un ou plusieurs porte-lampe. Les porte-lampe peuvent être reliés électriquement au ballast par un conducteur. Un ou plusieurs porte-lampe peuvent être fixés de façon amovible au ballast. Si un porte-lampe est fixé au ballast, il peut être fixé de manière à être relié électriquement au conducteur. L’appareil peut comporter un module porte-lampe susceptible de supporter un ou plusieurs porte-lampe. Si un porte-lampe est fixé au module porte-lampe, il peut être fixé de manière à être relié électriquement à un conducteur conçu pour distribuer l’alimentation aux porte-lampe fixés au module porte-lampe.
PCT/US2009/050742 2008-07-15 2009-07-15 Support pour lampe fluorescente WO2010009263A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/679,980 US20110164414A1 (en) 2008-07-15 2009-07-15 Fluorescent lamp support
CN2009801271915A CN102089580A (zh) 2008-07-15 2009-07-15 一种荧光灯支座
EP09798716A EP2300747A1 (fr) 2008-07-15 2009-07-15 Support pour lampe fluorescente
CA2730736A CA2730736A1 (fr) 2008-07-15 2009-07-15 Support pour lampe fluorescente
MX2011000548A MX2011000548A (es) 2008-07-15 2009-07-15 Soporte de lampara fluorescente.
US12/770,468 US20100265700A1 (en) 2008-07-15 2010-04-29 Flourescent lamp support
US13/662,670 US20130049591A1 (en) 2008-07-15 2012-10-29 Fluorescent lamp support

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/173,171 US8113684B2 (en) 2008-07-15 2008-07-15 Fluorescent lamp support
US12/173,171 2008-07-15
US14461209P 2009-01-14 2009-01-14
US61/144,612 2009-01-14

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/173,171 Continuation-In-Part US8113684B2 (en) 2008-07-15 2008-07-15 Fluorescent lamp support

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/679,980 A-371-Of-International US20110164414A1 (en) 2008-07-15 2009-07-15 Fluorescent lamp support
US12/770,468 Continuation-In-Part US20100265700A1 (en) 2008-07-15 2010-04-29 Flourescent lamp support

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010009263A1 true WO2010009263A1 (fr) 2010-01-21
WO2010009263A8 WO2010009263A8 (fr) 2011-02-24

Family

ID=41550705

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2009/050742 WO2010009263A1 (fr) 2008-07-15 2009-07-15 Support pour lampe fluorescente

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2300747A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN102089580A (fr)
CA (1) CA2730736A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2011000548A (fr)
WO (1) WO2010009263A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202014007923U1 (de) * 2014-01-21 2014-10-28 Bjb Gmbh & Co. Kg Lampenfassung und Lampensockel, System aus Lampenfassung und Lampensockel
CN108087846A (zh) * 2017-11-28 2018-05-29 广东瑞可创意设计有限公司 一种安装照明灯用支架
CN108131644A (zh) * 2017-11-29 2018-06-08 广东瑞可创意设计有限公司 一种照明灯安装支架

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US5446617A (en) * 1994-05-13 1995-08-29 Diversitec Incorporated Ballast circuit enclosure and grounding structure
US5751117A (en) * 1995-01-12 1998-05-12 Bruce Industries, Inc. Modular fluorescent track lighting
US5759054A (en) * 1995-10-06 1998-06-02 Pacific Scientific Company Locking, wire-in fluorescent light adapter
US5982645A (en) * 1992-08-25 1999-11-09 Square D Company Power conversion and distribution system
US20030123252A1 (en) * 1999-09-17 2003-07-03 Cercone Samuel P. Adjustable fluorescent lighting fixtures

Patent Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5982645A (en) * 1992-08-25 1999-11-09 Square D Company Power conversion and distribution system
US5446617A (en) * 1994-05-13 1995-08-29 Diversitec Incorporated Ballast circuit enclosure and grounding structure
US5751117A (en) * 1995-01-12 1998-05-12 Bruce Industries, Inc. Modular fluorescent track lighting
US5759054A (en) * 1995-10-06 1998-06-02 Pacific Scientific Company Locking, wire-in fluorescent light adapter
US20030123252A1 (en) * 1999-09-17 2003-07-03 Cercone Samuel P. Adjustable fluorescent lighting fixtures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX2011000548A (es) 2011-02-24
CA2730736A1 (fr) 2010-01-21
CN102089580A (zh) 2011-06-08
WO2010009263A8 (fr) 2011-02-24
EP2300747A1 (fr) 2011-03-30

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