NL2002333C2 - TUBE LAMP, COMPOSITION AND METHOD. - Google Patents

Description

P86858NL00

Title: Tube lamp, assembly and method

The invention relates to a tube lamp adapted to be powered by a fluorescent tube fixture and provided with an electrical circuit with light sources,

Such a tube lamp is per se known, for example, from US application US 2004/0095078. The tube lamp can be mounted in existing fluorescent tube fixtures to be powered thereby. A fluorescent tube fixture is usually provided with a circuit (comprising one or more starters and one or more ballasts) to generate a plasma in a fluorescent tube lamp (for example by means of a high starting voltage) and then to keep it in an ignited state ( the ballast effecting current limitation). Ultraviolet radiation emitted by the plasma is converted into visible light by fluorescence, which is emitted through the tube. The fluorescent tube and respective luminaires have a large number of fields of application, for example in emergency lighting systems.

Application of LED (Light Emitting Diode) light sources offers various advantages over fluorescent tubes. That is why LED lamps have been developed that can be installed in fluorescent tube luminaires instead of fluorescent tubes. An integral electrical circuit 20 of the LED tube lamp is generally adapted to convert the supply voltage supplied by the fluorescent tube fixture into supply voltage suitable for the LED light sources. For this purpose, the integral circuit of the LED tube lamp usually comprises a rectifier (for converting alternating voltage into more suitable direct voltage for the LED sources). The tube lamp circuit is moreover preferably adapted to "mislead" the electrical circuit of a fluorescent tube fixture, such that the fixture-after one or more starter pulses- continuously supplies current 2 to the tube lamp (with the starter-starter switched off). The known tube lamp circuit furthermore comprises a voltage limiter, in order to prevent said starter voltage from being transmitted to the LED sources.

A conventional fluorescent tube fixture is adapted to receive elongated fluorescent tubes, wherein end ends of the lamp tube are only electrically coupled to contacts of the fixture after a quarter turn of the lamp relative to the fixture. To this end, the fixture is provided with two rotary contacts arranged opposite one another, adapted to receive electrode pins from the fluorescent tube. The connection and disconnection of a real fluorescent tube can be carried out safely, even if the power supply circuit of the luminaire is already under voltage. Thus, the chance is excluded that a fluorescent tube generates an undesirably high current from one tube contact to the other when one contact is already electrically coupled to the luminaire circuit, but the other contact is not yet.

A drawback of the known LED tube lamp is that it does generate a said leakage current when the fixture is under voltage. This can lead to dangerous situations, for example during coupling 20, in which one (still free) end of the lamp is touched, while the other end has already been turned into a luminaire rotary contact and is therefore under voltage. In particular, it has been found that leakage currents greater than 150 mA can be possible, which is many times higher than a rated leakage current (AC) of at most 0.7 mA (with a resistance to ground of 2 kOhm, according to international standard IEC60598) .

In order to exclude leakage currents during the fitting of the known LED tube lamp, the fixture must not yet be energized. However, the operating status (on or off) of many common fluorescent tube luminaires is not immediately noticeable; therefore, safety cannot be guaranteed.

3

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of the tube lamp. In particular, the invention contemplates a tube lamp that is safe to use.

To this end, the tube lamp adapted to be powered by a fluorescent tube fixture and provided with an electrical circuit with light sources, is characterized in that the lamp is provided with a circuit breaker which can be operated under the influence of external operating means.

A tube lamp is provided in this surprisingly simple manner, which offers great safety to a user. The circuit breaker can completely prevent the occurrence of leakage currents, in particular during fitting of the tube lamp in a fixture, and removal of the lamp from the fixture.

The circuit breaker, which is preferably located entirely in the tube lamp 15 (at least in a tube inner space surrounded by the tube lamp) can be designed in various ways. According to a further elaboration, the circuit breaker can be operated remotely. To this end, the internal circuit breaker can for instance be provided with a receiver, which can be controlled (wirelessly) by an external transmitter, for instance using electromagnetic control signals.

An additional advantageous development comprises an internal circuit breaker which can be operated under the influence of a magnetic field; in that case the external operating means can for instance be adapted to provide an operating magnetic field. The circuit breaker 25 may in that case, for example, comprise a magnetically operable switch, in particular a Reed contact.

Another extra advantageous, reliable and durable effect comprises a mechanically operable circuit breaker, which can be operated under the influence of mechanical force (for example a compressive force).

4

A circuit breaker integrated in the tube lamp can, for example, be provided with a switch that can be accessed from outside to operate the circuit breaker. To this end, a part of the switch may, for example, extend the tube lamp. An advantageous embodiment offers a tube lamp, the circuit breaker of which is accessible and can be operated therewith by means of an operating part to be coupled to the lamp.

The external operating means can for instance comprise a circuit breaker operating part which can be releasably coupled to the lamp. In particular, the circuit breaker is then arranged to interrupt current (in the tube lamp) when the operating part is removed from the tube lamp, and to allow current to pass when the operating part is mounted on a lamp at the circuit breaker operating position.

The circuit breaker and / or said operating part 15 can / can per se constitute a visual means to indicate the safety condition of the tube lamp. The circuit breaker is preferably easy to operate manually.

An aspect of the invention further relates to an assembly comprising a fluorescent tube fixture and a tube lamp according to the invention. The lamp can be detachably connected to the fixture to be powered by the fixture. The lamp can only be connected to the luminaire when the circuit breaker of the lamp is in a circuit-breaking state.

The invention further provides a method for connecting a tube lamp according to the invention to electrical contacts of a fluorescent tube fixture, the method being characterized in that the electrical circuit in the lamp is kept in an interrupted state during coupling, said interrupted state is canceled after the lamp is coupled to the electrical contacts. In the said interrupted state, an electrical connection between electrical contacts of the tube lamp is particularly broken, so that no leakage currents can occur between those contacts.

Furthermore, a method for disconnecting the tube lamp according to the invention from electrical contacts of a fluorescent tube fixture is provided, which method is characterized in that the electric circuit of the lamp is first kept in a current-conducting state, said current-conducting state first being canceled , only then to disconnect the lamp from the fixture.

Further advantageous elaborations of the invention are described in the subclaims. The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a partly cut-away side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, during coupling of the tube lamp; Figure 2 shows such a view as Figure 1, with a circuit breaker operating means; figure 3 shows a similar view as figure 2, after fitting of the operating means; Fig. 4 schematically shows a part of the tube lamp of the example shown in Figs. 1-3; figure 5 shows a perspective drawing of a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, at a position of the operating means remote from the tube lamp; figure 6 shows a partly cut-away perspective drawing of a part 25 of the second exemplary embodiment, with a position of the operating means arranged on the tube lamp; and figure 7 shows a top view of the part of the second exemplary embodiment shown in figure 6.

In this application 30 identical or corresponding measures are indicated by the same or corresponding reference numerals.

6

Figure 1 shows a non-limitative first example of the invention (shown partly in cut-away view), comprising an assembly with a fluorescent tube luminaire 20 known per se, as well as a tube lamp 1.

The luminaire 20 is arranged in a known manner to ignite conventional (not shown) fluorescent tubes and to keep them in an ignited state. To this end, the armature 20 comprises, for example, a fluorescent tube supply circuit 21, which can be designed in various ways (for example, comprising fluorescent tube starter means, a ballast, and the like). Supply circuit 21 can be coupled to the mains, for example (via mains mains coupling means not shown).

In particular, the armature 20 is provided with two contact holders 22 arranged opposite one another, between which a space is available to receive a tube. The contact holders 22 are provided with rotary contacts 24, each adapted to receive two end electrode contacts from a fluorescent tube. The rotary contacts 24 are arranged to receive the four electrode contacts (two per end face) from a fluorescent tube, via receiving slots 23 of the holders (see Figs. 5-7). With a corresponding insertion position of the tube, preferably no electrical connection is yet formed between the rotary contacts 24 and the tube electrodes 20. Subsequently, the fluorescent tube is rotatable through a quarter turn (90 degree angle) with respect to the armature 20, so that the tube electrodes make electrical contact with rotary contacts 24, and thus the power supply circuit 21, to ignite the tube (ie a plasma therein on it). awake) and keep it lit.

An example of a tube lamp 1 is shown in the drawing. The tube lamp is dimensioned to be connected to the fluorescent tube fixture 20. For this purpose, the ends of the tube lamp 1 are provided with contacts 4A, 4B (comprising two contact pins per side projecting the tube 1, namely two first pins 4A on one side and two second pins 4B on the other side), arranged to cooperate with the 7 rotary contacts 24 of the armature 20 to be electrically connected to the armature 20 by means of an insertion and rotation movement described above. The four pins 4A, 4B are arranged symmetrically with respect to a tube axis, parallel to each other, and parallel to a tube longitudinal direction, as in a fluorescent tube lamp known per se.

The tube lamp 1 can be designed in various ways, and comprises, for example, an elongated, cylindrical wall 2, for example with a circular cross-section, which surrounds a tube interior. The wall 2 can for instance be manufactured wholly or partly from transparent material, for example glass or a transparent plastic.

The present tube lamp 1 is not a fluorescent tube. The tube lamp 1 is adapted to be supplied by the fluorescent tube fixture 20 (after coupling to the rotary contacts 24) and is provided with an electrical circuit 7 with one or more light sources 8. An example of such a circuit 7 is in Figure 4 displayed.

The light source supply circuit 7 of the tube lamp 1 is preferably located entirely in the space surrounded by the tube wall 2. The light sources 8 of the circuit can comprise different types of light sources.

According to a further elaboration, the light sources 8 are adapted to be supplied by low voltage, in particular a voltage of less than 25 Volts, in particular, for example, a direct voltage. On the other hand, an embodiment may comprise use of light sources 8 which are adapted to be supplied by a voltage equal to or higher than 25 volts. In the example, LED light sources 8 are used, for example semiconductor LED sources or OLED (organic LED) light sources.

The tube circuit 7 is adapted to convert a supply voltage supplied by the fluorescent tube fixture (for example a voltage higher than 100 V, for example approximately 110 V and / or approximately 220-240 V alternating voltage) into supply voltage suitable for the light sources 8. For this purpose an 8 (schematically shown) circuit part 9 is provided, to which on the one hand the light sources 8 are connected and on the other hand the contact pins 4A, 4B. Circuit part 9 is adapted to convert alternating voltage received via pins 4A, 4B into direct voltage suitable for LED sources 8. The circuit part 9 is moreover preferably adapted to "mislead" the electrical circuit 21 of the luminaire, such that the luminaire - after one or more starter pulses - continuously supplies current to the tube lamp 1 (when the luminaire starter is switched off). Furthermore, circuit part 9 preferably functions as a voltage limiter, in order to prevent said starter voltage from being transmitted to sources 8.

Said circuit part 9 of the tube 1 can be designed in various ways, for example with suitable electronics, microelectronics, a (programmable or not) controller, and the like. In the example, the tube lamp 1 is provided with an internal power supply 10, for example a battery or battery. The internal power supply 10 may, for example, be intended to supply circuit part 9 with power separately. In addition, the internal power supply 10 may be intended to supply the light sources 8 (for example via circuit part 9) in the event of a sudden power failure (in particular under the influence of a power supply supplied via contact pins 4A, 4B 20; are detected).

According to the present invention, the tube lamp 1 is advantageously provided with a circuit breaker 5 which can be operated under the influence of external operating means 6. The circuit breaker 5 forms part of the electrical circuit 7, and is arranged, for example, between a contact 4A (of a tube end) and the circuit part 9, for example for interrupting a respective electrical connection (conductor 11).

In the example, the circuit breaker is located in the tube 1.

The interruptor 5 can be switched between a current-interrupting (for example, open) position and a current-transmitting (for example, closed) position 9. At the current-interrupting position of the circuit breaker 5, an electrical connection 11 between the respective contact 4A and another circuit part is broken, while said electrical connection 11 is present when the circuit breaker 5 is in the current-transmitting position 5.

In this example, only one circuit breaker 5 is provided, disposed near a head end of the tube lamp 1, to interrupt local current. Optionally, for example, two circuit breakers 5 can be provided, for example one per tube end, in order to be able to break electrical connections 11, 12 to each of the external contacts 4A, 4B of the tube lamp 1.

The (at least one) circuit breaker 5 can guarantee that no leakage currents occur from the second contact 4B to the first contact 4A, for example if the tube lamp 1 is coupled to the fixture 20 in an incorrect manner (for example, skewed). Furthermore, the circuit breaker 5 can be operated via external operating means 6, so that an "idiot-proof" connection and disconnection of the tube lamp can be achieved.

In particular, the contacts 4 of the tube are only mutually electrically conductive, via the electrical circuit 7 of the tube lamp 1, when the circuit breaker 5 is in the current-transmitting state (effected by the external operating means). The contacts 4 of the tube ends are electrically disconnected at the circuit breaker state of the circuit breaker 5.

Moreover, as follows from the drawings, the tube lamp 1 can be releasably coupled to the fixture 20 to be supplied by the fixture, the lamp 1 being connectable only to the fixture 20 when the integral circuit breaker 5 of the lamp 1 is in the current-interrupting state. Similarly, the lamp 1 can only be disconnected from the armature 20 when the integral circuit breaker 5 of the lamp 1 is in the current-interrupting state.

10

In particular, the assembly 1, 20 is configured such that the circuit breaker 5 can be brought into the current-transmitting state after an electrical connection has been established between luminaire contacts 24 on the one hand and tube lamp contacts 4 on the other.

According to a further elaboration, the external operating means 6 for this purpose comprise a circuit breaker operating part detachably coupled to the lamp 1. The present operating part 6 is adapted to engage the tube lamp 1, in an operating position, and then to cooperate with the circuit breaker 5, in order to keep the breaker in the current transmission position. As soon as the operating part 6 (which in this example does not form part of the armature 20) has been removed from the lamp 1, the circuit breaker 5 is released to switch to the current-interrupting position automatically.

In particular, the operating position of the operating part 6 also comprises a rotation prevention position, wherein operating part 6 counteracts rotation of the tube lamp 1 relative to the armature 20 (when the tube lamp is included between the rotary contacts 24). To this end, operating part 6 can on the one hand be rotatably connected to the wall 2 of the tube lamp 1. To this end, the tube wall 2 can be provided with a passage 3, 20 into which a blocking piece 6a of operating part 6 fits with little play.

In the example, said passage 3 is directly opposite a virtual tube-median longitudinal plane defined by tube contacts 4.

On the other hand, operating part 6 is adapted to engage the fixture 20, at said operating position, to prevent tube rotation.

Operating part 6 may, for example, comprise integral support parts (not shown), which support against an upper side 20a of the armature 20 when a tube rotation attempt is made, such that further rotation is impossible. In the second exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 5-7, the operating part 6 comprises a cam 6b which is designed to fall into a recess of the armature 20 (in particular an 11 electrode pin receiving slot 23) for locking tube rotation. Tube rotation (with respect to the armature 20, and when the tube is connected to the rotary contacts 24) is then only possible when the circuit breaker operator 6 has been removed from the lamp 1.

In the present examples, the operating element 6 is provided with a pressure piece 6a, adapted to extend through the passage 3 through the tube wall 2 for the purpose of operating the integrated circuit breaker 5. In the present example, the operating means comprises mechanical operating, circuit breaker 5 can be switched to the current-transmitting position under the influence of a pressure force exerted by operating element 6 via pressure piece 6a. The circuit breaker 5 can, for example, automatically switch from the current-transmitting position to the current-interrupting position, for example by applying suitable spring means, when the compressive force is lost.

Preferably, operating element 6 is designed for releasably engaging the tube wall 2 by means of a clamping or clicking force, without damaging the wall. Operating element 6 can, for example, be of a somewhat resilient design for the purpose of clamping onto the tube wall 2. A releasable coupling between pipe wall 2 and operating element 6 can, for example, comprise a Velcro coupling, or a snap or clamp engagement between operating element 6 and the passage 3 of the wall. In the example shown in Figs. 5-7, the element 6 (in this case a half sleeve to be arranged on the tube) comprises parts extending along either side of the tube wall 2 to clamp the tube between them. Alternatively, operating element 6 and tube lamp 1 can exert an attraction on each other in the assembled state, for example magnetically, by using (not shown) magnet means.

Figures 1 - 3 further show a method for coupling the 12 tube lamp 1 to electrical contacts 24 of the fluorescent tube fixture 20. The tube lamp 1 is then first slid between the rotary contacts 24 in the tube-receiving position (in an insertion direction) according to arrows Z). As follows from figure 1, the insertion proceeds along the (virtual) central longitudinal plane of the tube lamp 1, which plane 5 comprises the four contact pins 4A, 4B. The tube lamp 1 is then rotated a quarter of a turn relative to the armature 20 (according to arrows R), so that the tube contacts 4 reach a position in which they are made electrical contact with the rotary contacts 24. As follows from figure 1, the circuit breaker 5 of the tube lamp 1 is in this case in the circuit-interrupting position (with a removed operating element 6), so that the coupling operations can be carried out safely.

Subsequently, the circuit breaker 5 can be brought into the current-transmitting position, under the influence of a said pressure force, by applying operating element 6, via wall passage 3. As follows from figure 3, the luminaire 20 can then supply tube lamp 1 electrically, so that the light sources 8 light up and light L.

Disconnection of the tube lamp 1 can be carried out by performing the above-described operations in reverse order. In this case, a current-conducting state of the interrupter 5 is first eliminated, by removing the operating element 6, the lamp 1 being subsequently disconnected from the fixture 20. (by rotation and translation).

Figures 5-7 show an additional advantageous embodiment of the invention; for the sake of clarity of the drawing, tubular circuit parts 25 are not shown in FIG. Furthermore, only one said rotary contact holder 22 (comprising a rotary contact) of the armature 20 is visible. Pipe pins 4A are visible in broken lines in Figure 7.

The operation of this second example is the same as the operation described above, with the proviso that operating element 6 is now adapted to engage the rotary contact holder 22 for the purpose of tube rotation locking.

The operating element 6 of the second example is provided with a laterally extending cam 6b, adapted to reach along an end face of the tube lamp 1, and to fall into a said insertion slot 23 of the luminaire 20 when the operating element 6 enters the lamp. 1 engaging breaker operating position. The cam 6b prevents control element 6 from being rotated relative to the armature. The cam 6b, in the assembled state with the tube lamp 1, extends along a second virtual middle longitudinal plane of the tube lamp 1 which extends at right angles to the first middle longitudinal plane defined by the lamp contacts 4A, 4B.

Furthermore, operating element 6 comprises a number of (in this case two) pressure pins 6a for operating a circuit breaker 5 of the tube lamp 1 which is not visible in figures 5-7 (when operating element 6 is brought into the position engaging lamp 1). These pressure means 6a and said blocking cam 6b of operating element 6 are preferably parallel to each other. The tube wall 2 of the lamp 1 can for instance be provided with a slit or two respective passages, for passing through the pressure pins 6a, such that a rotation-proof coupling between operating element 6 and pipe wall 2 is achieved. As follows from Figures 6 and 7, in the assembled state of tube 1 and operating element 6, the pressure pins 6a extend along said second virtual middle longitudinal plane of the tube 2.

According to a further elaboration, the tube lamp 1 can be stored, sold and / or supplied per se in a state assembled with operating element 6. In that case, the tube lamp 1 can only be coupled to a fixture 20 by first removing the operating element 6 from the lamp 1, so that the circuit breaker 5 is opened and leakage currents are prevented during placement of the tube lamp.

14

It will be clear to the skilled person that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. Various changes are possible within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

For example, a said fixture can be adapted to receive one or more lamps.

According to an example, not shown, the circuit breaker of the tube lamp 1 may itself be adapted to counteract a said rotational movement (relative to the armature) when the circuit breaker is in a current-transmitting state. The circuit breaker of the tube lamp can for instance be provided with an operating element that can be operated from outside, for example an operating element protruding from the tube lamp, for example a switch. Such an operating element can be adapted to engage the luminaire (to prevent lamp rotation) at a first switch position where the circuit breaker is closed, and to release the armature (to allow lamp rotation) at a second switch position at which the circuit breaker is open.

Claims (16)

A tube lamp adapted to be powered by a fluorescent tube fixture (20) and provided with an electrical circuit (7, 9) with light sources (8), characterized in that the lamp (1) is provided with a circuit breaker (5) which can be operated under the influence of external control means (6). A lamp according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the tube lamp (1) are provided with contacts to receive electricity from a fluorescent tube fixture (20), the contacts being only in mutually electrically conducting state via the electrical circuit of the tube lamp, when the circuit breaker (5) is in a current-transmitting state, the contacts of the tube ends being electrically disconnected at a circuit-breaking state of the circuit breaker (5), the circuit breaker (5) preferably being near at least one of said pipe ends. 3. Tube lamp as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the external operating means (6) comprise a circuit breaker operating part (6) detachably coupled to the lamp (1), the operating part preferably only in an operating position engaging the lamp (1) can cooperate with the circuit breaker (5) to maintain the circuit breaker in a current transfer position. A lamp according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to be engaged by rotary contacts of a luminaire (20), to be electrically connected to the luminaire (20) by means of a rotational movement, 5. A lamp according to claim 4, wherein said circuit breaker is adapted to counteract a rotation movement when the circuit breaker is in a current-transmitting state. A lamp according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the external circuit breaker operating means (6) can be brought into a rotation prevention position to counteract said rotation movement. 7. A lamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit breaker operating means (6) are provided with a cam (6b), which extends along a head end of the tube lamp in an assembled state, in particular to form a pin insertion slot (23) of said fixture. 8. A lamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a wall (2) of the tube lamp (1) is provided with a passage (3) for receiving said operating means (6). 9. Lamp according to claim 8, wherein the operating means (6) are provided with an operating piece (6a), adapted to extend through said tube passage (3) for the purpose of operating the circuit breaker (5) located in the tube 15. A lamp according to any one of the preceding claims, provided with an internal power supply (10) for supplying the circuit (7, 9) and / or the light sources (8). 11. Assembly comprising a fluorescent tube fixture (20) and a tube lamp (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamp can be releasably coupled to the fixture (20) to be supplied by the fixture, characterized in that: that the lamp (1) can only be coupled to the armature (20) when the circuit breaker (5) of the lamp (1) is in a circuit-breaking state. 12. Assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lamp can be coupled to the armature by means of rotational movement, wherein the rotation is only possible when the circuit breaker operating means have been removed from the lamp. 13. Assembly as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the assembly is configured such that the circuit breaker can be brought into a current-transmitting state after an electrical connection has been established between luminaire contacts on the one hand and tube lamp contacts on the other. 14. A method for mounting a tube lamp on electrical contacts of a fluorescent tube fixture according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the electric circuit in the lamp is kept in an interrupted state during the coupling, said interrupted condition is canceled after the lamp is connected to the electrical contacts. 15. Method for disconnecting a tube lamp from electrical contacts of a fluorescent tube fixture according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the electric circuit of the lamp is first kept in a current-conducting state, said current-conducting state first is lifted, only to then disconnect the lamp from the fixture. An assembly provided with a tube lamp (1) according to any one of claims 1-10 in combination with external operating means (6) which are designed to operate the circuit breaker (5) of the lamp (1).