WO2012114096A1

WO2012114096A1 - An led tube lamp and socket

Info

Publication number: WO2012114096A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/050387
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott Wade; Xiang Fa CAI; Drew COURTRIGHT
Original assignee: Novar Ed&S Limited
Priority date: 2011-02-24
Filing date: 2012-02-21
Publication date: 2012-08-30
Also published as: GB2502487A; GB201103191D0; GB201315792D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an LED tube lamp (1) and a socket (3) in which an end of the tube lamp comprises a pair of conductor pins (9a) for insertion into the socket (3), and a male member (13a). The socket comprises a receiving portion {for example a passageway (23a)) for receiving the male member (13a). The tube lamp (1) and socket (3) are arranged such that an electrical connection between the socket and the conductor pins (9a) is unable to be formed unless the male member (13a) has been received in the receiving portion (23a). The male member (13a), for example a protruding finger, may thereby avert electrical connection between the conductor pins (9a) and a conventional fluorescent tube lamp socket.

Description

An LED tube lamp and socket

Technical Field The present invention relates to lighting, and more particularly to an LED tube lamp, a socket and the combination thereof .

Background of the Invention

It is becoming increasingly popular to use LED tube lamps in applications that would traditionally have used fluorescent tube lamps. LED tube lamps per se are known. A known design of LED tube lamp has external features that correspond to those on a conventional fluorescent tube lamp, namely a circular cylindrical glass tube containing the light source and two conductor pins at either end for insertion into a power socket. To maintain ease of fitting and familiarity for the user, it is desirable to also use a socket for the LED tube lamp that functions in a similar manner to standard sockets for a fluorescent tube lamp (e.g. a type G13 socket) . These types of socket tend to both mechanically support the tube lamp and safely establish an electrical connection.

A disadvantage with this approach is that the LED tube lamp may be insertable into a socket intended for a

fluorescent tube lamp. Installation of an LED tube lamp into this type of socket may damage the LED tube lamp. It may also present a safety issue.

During fitting of a conventional fluorescent tube lamp, one end of the tube lamp may be inserted into the socket before the other end of the tube lamp. The conductivity of the gas in the tube is sufficiently poor that little current can flow through the tube and the exposed end of the tube lamp does not present a risk of electric shock. When an LED tube lamp is inserted into a socket intended for an LED tube lamp, the voltage tends to be sufficiently low not to present a risk of serious electric shock. It has now been recognised that if one end of an LED tube lamp is inserted into a socket intended for a fluorescent tube, the other end of the tube lamp may, in theory, present a risk of electric shock because the internal circuitry of the LED tube lamp is conductive.

In contrast to a fluorescent tube lamp, many LED tube lamps have positive and negative connectors at opposing ends of the tube and must be connected with the correct polarity in order for the LEDs to illuminate. Sockets of the prior art type described above, tend to be able to receive the LED tube lamp in either orientation and thus it may inadvertently be installed the wrong way round.

Fluorescent tube lamps typically emit light in a 360 degree range all around the axis of the tube. In contrast, an LED tube lamp tends to emit light in a particular direction (typically a range of less than 180 degrees around the axis of the tube) and must therefore be fitted with the light source facing in a particular direction. Sockets of the prior art type described above, may be able to receive the LED tube lamp with the light source facing in either direction and thus a tube may be able to be installed with the light source facing the wrong direction.

It is desirable to provide an LED tube lamp and socket that overcome, or mitigate, at least one of the above- mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an LED tube lamp and a socket, an end of the tube lamp comprising a pair of conductor pins for insertion into the socket, wherein the end of the tube lamp further comprises a male member and the socket comprises a receiving portion for receiving the male member, the tube lamp and socket being arranged such that an electrical connection between the socket and the conductor pins is unable to be formed unless the male member has been received in the receiving portion, thereby averting electrical connection between the conductor pins and a socket that does not comprise said receiving portion. Such an arrangement seeks to ensure that the end of the LED tube lamp cannot be inserted into conventional fluorescent tube lamp sockets, which do not comprise the receiving portion. This may prevent the tube being fully inserted into the conventional socket which might otherwise damage the LED tube lamp. In addition, this arrangement may prevent the end of the LED tube being inserted into the conventional socket which may otherwise cause the opposing end of the tube to become live.

The male member may be received in the receiving portion when the electrical connection is formed. The male member may have been received in the receiving portion at some point in the installation process before the electrical connection is formed. For example, the male member may have been received in the receiving portion before the electrical connection is formed, but may have subsequently been removed from the receiving portion when or before the electrical connection is formed. It will be appreciated that in all cases however, the male member has been received in the receiving portion.

The male member is preferably arranged to not form an electrical power connection with the socket. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the male member may be non- conductive. For example it may be formed of a plastics material. In other embodiments of the invention, the male member may be arranged to form a data connection with the socket. The socket and tube lamp may be arranged to allow data to be communicated between the socket and the lamp. The movement of data may be one-way or two-way. The receiving portion of the socket preferably comprises a data receptacle for receiving the male member, thereby forming the data connection.

The tube lamp may comprise an end cap from which the conductor pins protrude. The end cap preferably comprises the male member. The male member may be integrally formed with the end cap. The end cap may comprise a circular end face from which the conductor pins protrude. The male member may comprise a proximal end at which the member is attached to the remainder of the end cap, and a distal end for being received in the receiving portion.

It is desirable for the socket to provide both mechanical support and safe establishment of an electrical connection in a similar, or the same, manner as some conventional

fluorescent tube lamp sockets. Thus, some features of the socket in the present invention may correspond to those features on known fluorescent sockets. The socket may be of a type that is compliant with BS EN 60061.

A common type of socket is often referred to as a " twist- and-lock' style socket. The socket in some embodiments of the present invention may be a twist-and-lock style socket. For example, the tube lamp and socket may be arranged such that the pair of conductor pins is insertable into the socket to form the electrical connection, by means of a translation and a rotation; the electrical connection may be formed upon rotation of the tube lamp; and/or the tube lamp may be

mechanically supported in the socket upon rotation of the tube lamp. In these embodiments of the invention, the socket may comprise a housing and a receptacle in the housing for receiving the conductor pins. The receptacle may comprise an opening, typically a circular opening, and a pair of shutters rotatable in the opening. The shutters may be rotatable between a first position in which the shutters cover an electrical contact and a second position in which the

electrical contact is exposed for connection with a pair of conductor pins. In contrast to known twist-and-lock style sockets, the twist-and-lock style socket according to

embodiments of the present invention also comprises a

receiving portion. The receiving portion may be adjacent to the receptacle. For example the receiving portion may be radially outward of the receptacle.

In embodiments in which the socket is a twist-and-lock style socket, the tube lamp and socket are preferably arranged such that the male member is received in the receiving portion during translation of the conductor pins into socket. In embodiments in which the translational movement is performed before the rotational movement, such an arrangement may prevent the conductor being even partially inserted into an incompatible socket. The tube lamp and socket may be arranged such that the electrical connection between the socket and the conductor pins is unable to be formed unless the male member has been received in the receiving portion during the

translational movement into the socket.

Referring now to features of the tube lamp, the conductor pins are preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp. The male member preferably protrudes in a direction parallel to the conductor pins. The male member preferably protrudes in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp.

The pair of conductor pins are preferably of common polarity. The conductor pins may be connected to a common conductor. The end of the tube lamp may comprise only two conductor pins.

The male member may be offset from the pair of conductor pins. The male member may be located radially outward of the conductor pins. Por example, the pair of conductor pins may be evenly spaced either side of the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis. The male member is preferably located at a second, greater, radial distance from the longitudinal axis. The height of the male member is preferably measured in a

direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp. The width of the male member is preferably measured in a circumferential direction. The depth of the male member is preferably measured in a radial direction. Using such

definitions, the height of the male member is preferably significantly greater than its depth. The width of the male member may be significantly greater than its depth. In embodiments in which its width is significantly greater than its depth, the male member may extend in a direction that is substantially parallel to the notional line joining the centre of the conductor pins. The male member may be curved about the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp. The features of the male member described in this paragraph may be especially beneficial in averting electrical connection with conventional twist-and-lock style sockets.

It is also desirable to avert electrical connection between LED tube lamps and other types of socket, including non-twist- and-lock sockets. A non-twist -and-lock socket, may receive the pins of a lamp tube through only a tranelational movement of the tube lamp. For example the electrical connection may be formed on translation of the tube lamp into the socket in a direction parallel to the axis of the tube lamp, or the electrical connection may be formed on translation in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp (for example through parallel slots in the housing of the socket) .

The features of the male member subsequently described in this paragraph may be especially beneficial in averting electrical connection in embodiments in which the tube lamp is only translated into the socket during installation (for example in some non-twist-and-lock sockets) : The male member may be located radially inwardly of the conductor pins. The male member may be co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp. The male member may be in-line with the conductor pins. The male member may be mid-way between the conductor pins. The male member may be of similar shape to a conductor pin; for example the male member may be circular cylindrical.

In some embodiments of the invention, a male member may be provided for averting electrical connection between the conductor pins and a first type, e.g. twist-and-lock style, of socket (that does not comprise said receiving portion) . In other embodiments of the invention, a male member may be provided for averting electrical connection between the conductor pins and a second type, e.g. a non-twist-and-lock style, of socket (that does not comprise said receiving portion) . In preferred embodiments of the invention, the end of the tube lamp may comprise a first male member and a second male member and the socket may comprise a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion for receiving the first and second male members respectively. The first male member may be provided for averting electrical connection between the conductor pins and a type of socket (e.g. a twist-and-lock style socket) that does not comprise the first receiving portion, and the second male member may be provided for averting electrical connection between the conductor pins and a second type of socket (e.g. a non-twist-and-lock style socket) that does not comprise the second receiving portion. The first and second male members may have any or all of the features described above. For example, the end of the tube lamp may comprise a first male member offset from the

conductor pins, and a second male member located in line with the pins.

In embodiments in which the socket comprises a housing and a receptacle in the housing for receiving the conductor pins, the second receiving portion may comprise a passageway, for example a second passageway, passing through the housing into the receptacle. The passageway may pass through the

longitudinal axis of the tube lamp. The passageway is

preferably between 2.29 and 2.67mm wide. Such an arrangement is especially beneficial in embodiments in which the second male member is co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp, and more preferably in which the second male member also has a circular cylindrical shape and protrudes in a direction parallel to the conductor pins. In such embodiments the second male member may interfere with incompatible sockets during translation into the socket, but allows rotation of the tube lamp once it has been inserted into a compatible socket.

It will be appreciated that reference herein to features of a male member may be equally applicable to one or both of the male members of an embodiment of the invention having first and second male members. In addition, reference herein to features of a receiving portion may be equally applicable to one or both of the receiving portions of an embodiment of the invention having first and second receiving portions.

In some embodiments of the invention comprising first and second male members, the second male member may be arranged to form a data connection with the socket. The second male member is preferably coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp. The receiving portion may simply be the absence of a structure that would be present on a conventional fluorescent socket. Thus, in principle, the receiving portion may be an open space. More preferably, the receiving portion comprises a passageway in the housing of the socket. At least a portion of the passageway may be open-sided. At least a portion of the passageway may be bounded by the housing on two opposing side faces (for example the passageway may comprise a channel in the housing) .

At least part of the receiving portion may be complementary with the male member. For example, at least part of the receiving portion may be arranged to receive a face of the male member, and more preferably opposing faces of the male member, in a close fit.

The opposing end of the tube lamp may also comprise a pair of conductor pins for insertion into the socket to form an electrical connection, and a male member. The socket may comprise a further receiving portion for receiving the male member of said opposing end of the tube lamp. The tube lamp and socket may be arranged such that an electrical connection between the socket and the pair of conductor pins of said opposing end of the tube is unable to be formed unless the male member has been received in the further receiving

portion, thereby averting electrical connection between the pair of conductor pins of said opposing end of the tube lamp and a socket that does not comprise said further receiving portion. Such an arrangement ensures neither end of the tube lamp may be accidentally inserted into a conventional

fluorescent tube. It will be appreciated that any of the features described with reference to one end of the tube lamp are equally applicable to the other end of the tube lamp. For example the opposing end of the tube lamp may also comprise a second male member. In embodiments of the invention having male members at both ends of the tube lamp, the male member of one end of the tube lamp is preferably not receivable in the receiving portion of the socket for the male member of the opposing end of the tube lamp. More preferably, each male member is only receivable in its respective receiving portion of the socket. Such an arrangement seeks to ensure the tube lamp is inserted in the correct orientation (i.e. with the connections having the correct polarity) . This arrangement may also seek to ensure the light source faces the correct direction (typically downwards from the socket) .

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an LED tube lamp for use as the LED tube lamp in the first aspect of the invention. The LED tube lamp preferably has an end comprising a pair of conductor pins for insertion into a socket and a male member receivable in a receiving portion of the socket. The male member may protrude in a direction parallel to the conductor pins. The male member may be arranged to be received in the receiving portion of the socket during translation of the conductor pins into socket. The end of the tube lamp may comprise a first male member and a second male member. The first male member may be arranged to avert electrical connection with conventional twist -and- lock style sockets. The second male member may be arranged to avert electrical connection with non-twist-and-lock style sockets. The opposing end of the tube lamp may also comprise one or more male members. The male member (s) of each end of the tube lamp are preferably only receivable in their

respective receiving portion (s) of the socket.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a socket for use as the socket in the first aspect of the invention. The socket may comprise a receiving portion for receiving a male member on the end of an LED tube lamp. The socket is preferably a twis -and-lock style socket. For example, the socket may comprise a housing and a receptacle in the housing for receiving the conductor pins. The receptacle may comprise an opening and a pair of shutters rotatable in the opening. The shutters may be rotatable between a first position in which the shutters cover an electrical contact and a second position in which the electrical contact is exposed for connection with a pair of conductor pins. The receiving portion may comprise a passageway in the housing. The receiving portion may be adjacent to the receptacle. The receptacle may comprise a second receiving portion (e.g. a central opening) for receiving a second male member on the LED tube lamp.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an LED tube lamp and a socket, an end of the tube lamp comprising a conductor for insertion into the socket, wherein the end of the tube lamp further comprises a male member and the socket comprises a receiving portion for receiving the male member, the tube lamp and socket being arranged such that an electrical connection between the socket and the conductor is unable to be formed unless the male member has been received in the receiving portion, thereby averting electrical connection between the conductor and a socket that does not comprise said receiving portion. The conductor may comprise a conductor pin. The conductor is preferably arranged to form an electrical power connection with the socket.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided an LED tube lamp and a socket, an end of the tube lamp comprising a conductor for insertion into the socket to form an electrical power connection, and a connector for connection with the socket to form a data connection. The connector is preferably a male member for insertion into a data receptacle of the socket. The conductor may comprise a pair of conductor pins. The connector may also be arranged to mechanically inhibit, or even prevent, insertion of the LED tube lamp into incompatible sockets. There is also provided an LED tube lamp for use as the LED tube lamp in the above-described tube lamp and socket combination, an end of the tube lamp comprising an electrical power conductor and a data connector. There is also provided a socket for use as the socket in the above-described tube lamp and socket combination, the socket being arranged to provide an electrical power connection and a data connection to an LED tube lamp.

It will be appreciated that features described with reference to one aspect of the invention are equally

applicable to another aspect of the invention, and vice versa. For example, any features of the LED tube lamp and socket in the first aspect of the invention may be equally applicable to the LED tube lamp of the second aspect of the invention and/or the socket of the third aspect of the invention.

Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will now be

described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one end of a known twist-and-lock style G13 socket;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a LED tube lamp and a socket according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one end of the socket in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of one end of the tube lamp in Figure 2;

Figure S shows side views of the ends of the tube lamp of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of a socket according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an end of an LED tube lamp according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

A known LED tube lamp (not shown) comprises a circular cylindrical glass tube and opposing end caps closing the ends of the tube. A pair of conductor pins extends from each of the end caps. The two conductor pins at either end of the tube lamp are similar in appearance to those on a fluorescent tube lamp and the pins are receivable in a low voltage LED tube lamp socket. The socket comprises two opposing ends for receiving the opposing ends of the lamp tube. One end of this known socket is shown in Figure 1. The end 1002 comprises a standard type 613 receptacle 1004 into which the pins on the lamp tube can be inserted. As is well known, the type 013 receptacle 1004 comprises a slotted opening 1006 into which conductor pins are inserted by a translational movement

(typically from below (which is above in the orientation shown in Figure 1) , or from along the axis of the socket into the receptacle) . Subsequent rotation of the conductor pins rotates two curved shutters 1008, thereby exposing electrical contacts in the receptacle (not visible in Figure 1) . The pins are held between the electrical contacts and the fingers 1010 in the centre of the receptacle 1004.

Having the above-described LED tube lamp and socket combination, with similar physical appearance to a conventional fluorescent tube lamp and socket, is advantageous because it is familiar to the user and is known to provide a good mechanical and electrical connection. However, this arrangement has also been found to present a number of problems: Firstly, the LED tube lamp may be insertable into a high voltage fluorescent tube lamp socket. Installation of an LED tube lamp into this type of socket may damage the LED tube lamp. Secondly, during accidental fitting of the LED tube lamp into a fluorescent lamp tube socket, one end of the tube lamp may be inserted before the other end. It has been recognised that in this scenario the opposing end of the lamp tube may, in theory, present a risk of electric shock.

Another problem is that the LED lamp tube is able to be received in the LED tube lamp socket in the wrong orientation (polarity) and/or with the LED light source facing the wrong direction.

Figure 2 shows an LED tube lamp 1 and socket 3 according to a first embodiment of the invention, which seeks to

overcome or mitigate some of these problems. The LED tube lamp 1 comprises many of the features of the known product described above, namely: a circular cylindrical glass tube 5 housing an array of LED lights (not visible in Figure 2) ;

opposing end caps 7a, 7b closing the ends of the tube 5; and a pair of conductor pins 9a, 9b extending from each of the end caps 7a, 7b. The left-hand end (as shown in Figure 2) of the tube lamp is DC+ and has a red coloured end cap 7a, and the right-hand end is DC- and has a black coloured end cab 7b.

The socket 3 comprises two protruding arms 15a, 15b detachably connected to opposing ends of a support frame 17. Each arm comprises two adjacent receptacles 19, 21 each receptacle being arranged to receive the pair of conductor pins on an end of the tube lamp. The receptacles are standard receptacles on a G13 twist-and-lock style socket and are substantially identical to the receptacle in the known socket arrangement of Figure 1. The socket is BS EN 60061 compliant.

The socket shown in Figure 2 is arranged to receive two tube lamps adjacent to one another, and in opposing

orientations. Thus, each arm 15a, 15b in the socket comprises a DC+ receptacle 19, and a DC- receptacle 21. Reference is made below to a single tube lamp 1 inserted in the socket 5. For ease of reference, only one end arm 15b of the socket is described in detail, but it will be appreciated that an identical arm 15a is located at the other end of the socket (albeit orientated at 180 degrees to the other arm) .

Referring now to Figure 2 and to Figure 4, which shows the end cap 7a on the DC+ end of the lamp tube, each end of the tube lamp in the first embodiment of the invention

comprises a male member in the form of a protruding finger 13a, 13b. The finger 13a is integrally moulded with, and protrudes from the end face of the end cap 7a.

The finger 13a protrudes in a direction parallel to the conductor pins 9a. The finger 13a is arcuate and is curved about the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp 5. It is located adjacent to the pins 9a and is offset to one side of the pins 9a (i.e. offset from a notional straight line joining the pins) at a greater radius than said pins about the

longitudinal axis of the tube lamp.

Referring to Figure 3, the socket 3 of the first

embodiment of the invention comprises curved passageways 23a, 23b located adjacent to each receptacle 19, 21. Each

passageway extends from above the slot 25 (at which point the outermost side face of the passageway is open) and curves around the perimeter of the receptacle 19, 25 forming a channel bounded on either side by the housing surrounding the receptacle. Each channel is approximately the same width as the respective fingers 13a, 13b and the innermost face 27 of each passageway is complementary with the innermost face 29 of the fingers respectively.

As will be apparent from the description below, the provision of the protruding finger 13a, 13b on each end of the tube lamp and the passageway 23a, 23b on the socket mitigates many of the problems with the above-mentioned known design.

To insert the LED tube lamp 1 into the socket 3, the conductor pins 9a, 9b on both ends of the tube lamp are translated into the slot 25 in the two respective receptacles 19, 21 in the socket 3. The tube lamp 1 and socket 3 are arranged such that when the pins are translated into the slots 25, the fingers 13a, 13b are received in the channels at the end of the passageways 23a and 23b respectively. The tube lamp 1 may then be rotated (as per installation of known tube lamps) to establish an electrical connection between the pairs of pins 9a, 9b and the socket. During this rotational movement, the fingers 13a, 13b move along, but remain in, their respective passageways 23a, 23b which are curved to avoid interference during rotation of the tube lamp.

The finger 13a protrudes in the direction of the pins.

The finger 13a would therefore interfere with the housing surrounding the receptacle on a conventional socket (e.g. the socket of Figure 1) . Thus, the finger 13a prevents the user installing the DC+ end of the socket into a conventional socket, which may have otherwise damaged the tube lamp and/or presented a safety issue for the user. In the first

embodiment of the invention, both ends (DC+ and DC-) have a finger 13a, 13b protruding in the direction of the pins.

Thus, the user is prevented from inserting either end into the conventional socket.

Referring now to Figure 5, the spacing between the pins 9a, 9b and the finger 13a, 13b is different on opposite ends of the tube lamp. For the DC+ end of the lamp, the inner face 29 of the finger 13a is 9.5mm from the centre of the pins 9a, whereas for the DC- end of the lamp the inner face 29 of the finger 13b is 10.9mm from the centre of the pins 9b. The passageways 23a, 23b are correspondingly

positioned/dimensioned on the socket 3. As most visible in Figure 3, the passageway 23a for the DC+ receptacle is closer than the passageway 23b for the DC- receptacle. Furthermore, the channel of the passageways are sized to receive the fingers in a close fit. Thus the tube lamp can only be inserted into the socket in the correct orientation (both in terms of polarity of connection and the direction in which the LED light sources face) .

In the first embodiment of the invention, the end caps are also colour coded (red for DC+ and black for DC-) to give a visual aid for inserting the tube in the correct

orientation.

Figure 6 shows one end of the socket according to a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is substantially as described with reference to the first embodiment except for the differences described herein. When referring to like features, the same reference numerals are used, but with the prefix "1" or "10" as appropriate.

In the second embodiment, the tube lamp (not shown) has a finger on only the DC+ end, and the socket comprises a passageway 123a associated with only the DC+ receptacle 119. This arrangement prevents the DC+ end being inserted into a conventional socket and also ensures the correct orientation of the tube lamp.

Figure 7 shows one end of an LED tube lamp according to a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is substantially as described with reference to the first embodiment except for the differences described herein. When referring to like features, the same reference numerals are used, but with the prefix "2" or "20" as appropriate.

The end of the lamp tube 201 comprises end cap 207a, a pair of conductor pins 209a and a moulded finger 213a which is substantially identical to that in the first embodiment. In addition, the end cap 207a of the lamp tube further comprises a second male member in the form of an insulated pin 231. The pin 231 is integrally moulded with the end cap 207a. It is located co-axially with the central axis of the tube lamp such that is in line with, and bisects, a notional line between the conductor pins 209a.

The tube lamp is suitable for insertion into the socket of the first embodiment of the invention. On insertion into this socket, the pin 231 is received in the slot 25 during translation of the tube lamp into the socket. By virtue of the pin 231 being located co-axially with the axis of the tube lamp, it also remains in the centre of the slot during

rotation of the tube lamp. The provision of the second male member does not, therefore prevent use of the lamp tube 201 in the socket of the first embodiment. However, the second male member does act to avert electrical connection with non-twist- and-lock style sockets which only require translation into the socket. For example, some conventional fluorescent lamp sockets comprise a housing having two parallel slots into which the conductor pins are translated. For this type of socket, the central pin (second male member) 231 will

interfere with the housing between the slots and prevent insertion of the LED tube lamp into this socket. The tube lamp of the third embodiment of the invention is therefore particularly safe as it averts electrical connection with at least two types of socket, whilst still allowing electrical connection with a suitable socket (such as that in the first embodiment) . Another embodiment of the invention (not shown) is substantially identical to the embodiment of Figure 7, except that the central pin (second male member) 231 is instead arranged to provide a data connection with a corresponding receptacle in the centre of the slot 25 of the socket. This data connection allows 2-way data exchange to and from the LED tube lamp (e.g. for dimming control or lamp status feedback) .

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. For example, the socket may be arranged to hold only one tube lamp; the fingers and passageways need not necessarily be in the exact forms shown. Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable

equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present

invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.

Claims

1. An LED tube lamp and a socket, an end of the tube lamp comprising a pair of conductor pins for insertion into the socket,

wherein the end of the tube lamp further comprises a male member and the socket comprises a receiving portion for receiving the male member, the tube lamp and socket being arranged such that an electrical connection between the socket and the conductor pins is unable to be formed unless the male member has been received in the receiving portion, thereby averting electrical connection between the conductor pins and a socket that does not comprise said receiving portion.

2. An LED tube lamp and socket according to claim 1, wherein the opposing end of the tube lamp also comprises a pair of conductor pins for insertion into the socket to form an electrical connection, and a male member, and the socket comprises a further receiving portion for receiving the male member of said opposing end of the tube lamp, the tube lamp and socket being arranged such that the electrical connection between the socket and the pair of conductor pins of said opposing end of the tube lamp is unable to be formed unless the male member has been received in the further receiving portion, thereby averting electrical connection between the pair of conductor pins of said opposing end of the tube lamp and a socket that does not comprise said further receiving portion.

3. An LED tube lamp and socket according to claim 2 , wherein the male member of one end of the tube lamp, is not receivable in the receiving portion of the socket for the male member of the opposing end of the tube lamp.

4. An LED tube lamp and socket according to claim 3 , wherein each male member is only receivable in its respective

receiving portion of the socket.

5. An LED tube lamp and socket according to any preceding claim, the socket comprising a housing and a receptacle in the housing for receiving the conductor pins, wherein the

receiving portion comprises a passageway in the housing.

6. An LED tube lamp and socket according to claim 5, wherein the receptacle comprises an opening and a pair of shutters rotatable in the opening between a first position in which the shutters cover an electrical contact and a second position in which the electrical contact is exposed for connection with a pair of conductor pins.

7. An LED tube lamp and socket according to any preceding claim wherein the end of the tube lamp further comprises a second male member, and the socket comprises a second

receiving portion for receiving the second male member.

8. An LED tube lamp and socket according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the second receiving portion comprises a second passageway passing through the housing into the receptacle.

9. An LED tube lamp and socket according to claim 8 wherein the second passageway passes through the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp.

10. An LED tube lamp and socket according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second male member is co-axial with the

longitudinal axis of the tube lamp.

11. An LED tube lamp and socket according to claim 10, wherein the second male member has a circular cylindrical shape and protrudes in a direction parallel to the conductor pins.

12. An LED tube lamp and socket according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the second male member is arranged to form a data connection with the socket.

13. An LED tube lamp for use as the LED tube lamp in any of claims 1 to 12, the LED tube lamp having an end comprising a pair of conductor pins for insertion into a socket and a male member receivable in a receiving portion of the socket.

14. An LED tube lamp according to claim 13, wherein the

opposing end of the tube lamp also comprises a pair of

conductor pins for insertion into the socket and a male member receivable in a receiving portion of the socket.

15. An LED tube lamp according to claim 13 or claim 14, the end of the tube lamp further comprising a second male member receivable in a second receiving portion of the socket.

16. An LED tube lamp according to claim 15, the second male member being arranged to form a data connection with the socket .

17. A socket for use as the socket in any of claims 1 to 12, the socket comprising a receiving portion for receiving a male member on the end of an LED tube lamp.

18. An LED tube lamp, a socket, or the combination thereof, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2 to 7.