LED tube lamp

• US 10,560,989 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2019
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Jiang, Tao, Ye, Qifeng, Zhang, Yueqiang
• Primary Examiner(s): Tan, Vibol
• Application Number:
  US16/373,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20190230756A1
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/003 Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/009 the casing being inside the housing of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/375 using buck topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/50 responsive to malfunctions or undesirable behaviour of LEDs; responsive to LED life; Protective circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/59 for reducing or suppressing flicker or glow effects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

An LED tube lamp includes a tube having two ends, two end caps respectively at the ends of the tube, a power supply in one or both of the end caps, an LED light strip in the tube; and a plurality of LED light sources on the LED light strip. Each of the end caps comprises a lateral wall substantially coaxial with the tube, an end wall substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the lateral wall, and at least one opening penetrating through the end wall. An axial direction of the at least one opening is substantially parallel with an axial direction of the lateral wall. The LED light sources electrically connected to the power supply via the LED light strip.

Claims

1. An LED tube lamp, comprising:

a tube having two ends;

an LED light strip attached to an inner circumferential surface of the tube;

a plurality of LED light sources mounted on the LED light strip;

a power supply module electrically connecting to the LED light strip and configured to drive the plurality of LED light sources; and

a first end cap and second end cap respectively attached at the two ends of the tube, each of the first and second end caps comprising a lateral wall and an end wall, the lateral wall substantially being coaxial with the tube and connecting to the tube, the end wall substantially being perpendicular to an axial direction of the lateral wall and connecting to an end of the lateral wall away from the tube,

wherein the power supply module comprises a printed circuit board and a plurality of electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to and substantially parallel to the first surface, and the first surface and the second surface of the printed circuit board are substantially parallel with the axial direction of the lateral wall;

wherein at least some of the plurality of electronic components comprise a rectifying circuit having at least two input terminals and configured to rectify signal receiving from the at least two input terminals, at least one of the plurality of electronic components comprises a filtering circuit electrically connecting to the rectifying circuit,

wherein the plurality of electronic components comprise a resistor which is positioned closest to the end wall of the first end cap and connecting to one of the input terminals of the rectifying circuit;

wherein the end wall comprises a first portion made of an insulating material.

2. The LED tube lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the end caps comprises at least one conductive pin connected to the first portion, and the resistor is electrically connected between the conductive pin and one of the input terminals of the rectifying circuit.

3. The LED tube lamp according to claim 2, wherein the end wall further comprises a second portion made of metal.

4. The LED tube lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the end caps comprises two conductive pins connected to the first portion, and the resistor is electrically connected between the two conductive pins.

5. The LED tube lamp according to claim 1, wherein the end wall comprises at least one opening.

6. The LED tube lamp according to claim 5, wherein the resistor is positioned closest to the opening.

7. The LED tube lamp according to claim 5, wherein the LED tube lamp further comprises a heat-dissipating element being extended between the opening on the end wall of the first end cap and the power supply module.

8. The LED tube lamp according to claim 7, wherein an end of the heat-dissipating element is mounted on the printed circuit board.

9. The LED tube lamp according to claim 8, wherein a part of the heat-dissipating element is disposed in the opening on the end wall of the first end cap.

10. The LED tube lamp according to claim 9, wherein each of the two end caps comprises at least one pin, the pin is a hollow conductive pin and the power supply is coupled to the pin.

11. The LED tube lamp according to claim 9, wherein the heat-dissipating element is made of metal.

12. The LED tube lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a first circuit electrically connected between the rectifying circuit and the filtering circuit and causes a delay before the LED tube lamp lights up.

13. The LED tube lamp according to claim 12, wherein the electronic components forming the first circuit comprises a capacitor configured to be charged when an AC driving signal is provided to the LED tube lamp and cause the LED tube lamp to conduct when voltage of the capacitor exceeds a threshold trigger voltage.

14. The LED tube lamp according to claim 12, wherein the LED tube lamp is delayed to light up by 0.1 to 3 seconds.

15. The LED tube lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a driving circuit electrically connected to filtering output terminals of the filtering circuit and have two driving output terminals electrically connected to the LED light strip;

and further wherein the driving circuit comprises;

a controller;

a diode, having an anode electrically connected to one of the filtering output terminals and one of the driving output terminals;

a switch, having a first terminal coupled to the other one of the filtering output terminals, a second terminal electrically connected to a cathode of the diode, and a control terminal coupled to the controller, wherein the switch is turned on or off in response to a signal received from the controller; and

an inductor, having an end electrically connected to the second terminal of the switch, and another end electrically connected to the LED light strip via the other one of the driving output terminals.

16. The LED tube lamp according to claim 15, wherein the electronic components forming the driving circuit further comprise:

a capacitor, electrically connected between the driving output terminals.

47. The LED tube lamp according to claim 4, wherein the rectifying circuit comprises:

a first full-wave bridge rectifying circuit, having two input terminals electrically connected to the two conductive pins of one of the end caps, respectively, and having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal; and

a second full-wave bridge rectifying circuit, having two input terminals electrically connected to the two conductive pins of the other one of the end caps, respectively, and having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal,

wherein the positive output terminals of the first and the second full-wave bridge rectifying circuits are electrically connected to each other, and the negative output terminals of the first and the second full-wave bridge rectifying circuits are electrically connected to each other.

48. The LED tube lamp according to claim 47, wherein the filtering circuit comprises:

an inductor, having an end electrically connected to the positive output terminals of the first and the second full-wave bridge rectifying circuits, and another end that is a filtering output terminal of the filtering circuit;

a first capacitor, having an end electrically connected to the end of the inductor, and the other end electrically connected to the negative output terminals of the first and the second full-wave bridge rectifying circuits; and

a second capacitor, having an end electrically connected to the other end of the inductor, and another end that is another filtering output terminal of the filtering circuit.

49. The LED tube lamp according to claim 4, wherein the rectifying circuit comprises:

a full-wave bridge rectifying circuit, having two input terminals electrically connected to the two conductive pins of one of the end caps, respectively, and having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal; and

a half-wave bridge rectifying circuit, having an input terminal electrically connected to one of the two conductive pins of the other one of the end caps, and having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal,

wherein the positive output terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying circuit and the half-wave bridge rectifying circuit are electrically connected to each other, and the negative output terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying circuit and the half-wave bridge rectifying circuit are electrically connected to each other.

50. The LED tube lamp according to claim 49, wherein the filtering circuit comprises:

a first capacitor, having an end electrically connected to the positive output terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying circuit and the half-wave bridge rectifying circuit, and another end electrically connected to the negative output terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying and the half-wave rectifying circuit.

51. The LED tube lamp according to claim 50, wherein the filtering circuit further comprises:

an inductor, having an end electrically connected to the end of the first capacitor, and another end that is a filtering output terminal of the filtering circuit; and

a second capacitor, having an end electrically connected to the other end of the inductor, and another end that is another filtering output terminal of the filtering circuit.

52. The LED tube lamp according to claim 50, wherein the filtering circuit further comprises:

an EMI-reducing capacitor, coupled between the two conductive pins of one of the end caps.

53. The LED tube lamp according to claim 15, wherein the driving circuit comprises:

a controller;

a diode, having an anode electrically connected to one of the filtering output terminals and one of the driving output terminals;

a switch, having a first terminal coupled to a cathode of the diode, a second terminal coupled to the other one of the filtering output terminals, and a control terminal coupled to the controller, wherein the switch is turned on or off in response to a signal received from the controller; and

an inductor, having an end electrically connected to the first terminal of the switch and the anode of the diode, and another end electrically connected to the LED light strip via the other one of the driving output terminals.

54. The LED tube lamp according to claim 53, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a mode switching circuit configured to determine to perform a first driving mode or a second driving mode according to frequency of an AC driving signal received by the rectifying circuit.

55. The LED tube lamp according to claim 54, wherein the mode switching circuit allows the driving circuit transforming a signal received from the filtering output terminals into a driving signal for driving the LED light sources when performing the first driving mode.

56. The LED tube lamp according to claim 55, wherein the mode switching circuit makes the driving circuit stop working in conducting the signal received from the filtering output terminals when performing the second driving mode.

57. The LED tube lamp according to claim 54, wherein the mode switching circuit makes at least a component of the driving circuit being bypassed when performing the second driving mode.

58. The LED tube lamp according to claim 57, wherein the component of the driving circuit being bypassed comprises at least one of the inductor and the switch.

59. The LED tube lamp according to claim 57, wherein when the mode switching circuit determines on performing the second driving mode, the mode switching circuit conducts current in a conductive path, so that one of the driving output terminals is coupled to one of the filtering output terminals by bypassing the component.

60. The LED tube lamp according to claim 59, wherein the mode switching circuit conducting current in the conductive path makes the driving circuit stop working.

61. The LED tube lamp according to claim 54, wherein the mode switching circuit performs the first driving mode when receiving a low-frequency AC driving signal and performs the second driving mode when receiving a high-frequency AC driving signal.

62. The LED tube lamp according to claim 61, wherein the low-frequency AC driving signal has frequency lower than 10 kHz, and the high-frequency AC driving signal has frequency higher than 10 kHz.

63. The LED tube lamp according to claim 62, wherein the low-frequency AC driving signal has frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

64. The LED tube lamp according to claim 62, wherein the high-frequency AC driving signal has frequency of 20 kHz to 50 kHz.

65. The LED tube lamp according to claim 4, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a filament-simulating circuit configured to conduct current during a preheat process when the LED tube lamp is powered by a ballast.

66. The LED tube lamp according to claim 65, wherein the filament-simulating circuit comprises:

a capacitor, coupled between the two conductive pins of one of the end caps.

67. The LED tube lamp according to claim 66, wherein the filament-simulating circuit further comprises:

a second resistor, coupled to the capacitor in parallel.

88. The LED tube lamp according to claim 1, wherein the tube is a glass tube.

17. An LED tube lamp, comprising:

a tube having two ends;

an LED light strip attached to an inner circumferential surface of the tube;

a plurality of LED light sources mounted on the LED light strip;

a power supply module electrically connecting to the LED light strip and configured to drive the plurality of LED light sources; and

a first end cap and second end cap respectively attached at the two ends of the tube, each of the first and second end caps comprising a lateral wall and an end wall, the lateral wall substantially being coaxial with the tube and connecting to the tube, the end wall substantially being perpendicular to an axial direction of the lateral wall and connecting to an end of the lateral wall away from the tube,

wherein the power supply module comprises a printed circuit board and a plurality of electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to and substantially parallel to the first surface, and the first surface and the second surface of the printed circuit board are substantially parallel with the axial direction of the lateral wall;

wherein at least some of the electronic components comprise a rectifying circuit having at least two input terminals and configured to rectify signal receiving from the input terminals, at least one of the electronic components comprises a filtering circuit electrically connecting to the rectifying circuit,

wherein the filtering circuit comprises an inductor, the inductor is positioned closest to the end wall of one of the first and second end caps and connect to one of the input terminals of the rectifying circuit;

wherein the end wall comprises a first portion made of an insulating material.

18. The LED tube lamp according to claim 17, wherein the end wall further comprises a second portion made of metal.

19. The LED tube lamp according to claim 17, wherein the end wall comprises at least one opening.

20. The LED tube lamp according to claim 19, wherein the inductor is positioned closest to the opening.

21. The LED tube lamp according to claim 19, wherein the LED tube lamp further comprises a heat-dissipating element being extended between the opening on the end wall of one of the first and second end caps and the power supply module.

22. The LED tube lamp according to claim 21, wherein an end of the heat-dissipating element is mounted on the printed circuit board.

23. The LED tube lamp according to claim 22, wherein a part of the heat-dissipating element is disposed in the opening on the end wall of the first end cap.

24. The LED tube lamp according to claim 23, wherein each of the two end caps comprises at least one pin, the pin is a hollow conductive pin and the power supply is coupled to the pin.

25. The LED tube lamp according to claim 23, wherein the heat-dissipating element is made of metal.

26. The LED tube lamp according to claim 17, wherein at least some of the electronic components comprises a first circuit electrically connected between the rectifying circuit and the filtering circuit and causes the LED tube lamp to delay in lighting up.

27. The LED tube lamp according to claim 26, wherein the electronic components forming the first circuit comprise a bidirectional triode thyristor having a first terminal and a control terminal receiving signal output from the rectifying circuit, and a second terminal electrically connected to the filtering circuit and the LED light strip.

28. The LED tube lamp according to claim 17, wherein at least some of the electronic components comprise a capacitor electrically connected between the two input terminals of the rectifying circuit and a resistor electrically connected to the capacitor in parallel.

29. The LED tube lamp according to claim 28, wherein the capacitor and the resistor form a filament-simulating circuit.

68. The LED tube lamp according to claim 21, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a driving circuit electrically connected to filtering output terminals of the filtering circuit and having two driving output terminals electrically connecting to the LED light strip.

69. The LED tube lamp according to claim 68, wherein the driving circuit comprises:

a controller;

a diode, having an anode electrically connected to one of the filtering output terminals and one of the driving output terminals;

a switch, having a first terminal coupled to another one of the filtering output terminals, a second terminal electrically connected to a cathode of the diode, and a control terminal coupled to the controller, wherein the switch is turned on or off in response to a signal received from the controller; and

an inductor, having an end electrically connected to the second terminal of the switch, and another end electrically connected to the LED light strip via the other one of the driving output terminals.

70. The LED tube lamp according to claim 17, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a protection circuit configured to determine whether to enter a protection state and limit, restrain or clamp down on a level of a signal flow through the power supply module under the protection state.

71. The LED tube lamp according to claim 70, wherein the protection circuit comprises:

a switch circuit, configured to be turned on or off in response to a current detection signal indicating whether a current of the LED tube lamp exceeds a reference value.

72. The LED tube lamp according to claim 71, wherein the switch circuit is coupled to at least part of the LED light sources in parallel.

73. The LED tube lamp according to claim 71, wherein the switch circuit is a thyristor.

74. The LED tube lamp according to claim 71, wherein at least one of the electronic components is a diode having an anode coupled to a first terminal of the switch circuit.

75. The LED tube lamp according to claim 71, wherein at least some of the electronic components comprises:

a resistor; and

a bipolar junction transistor, coupled to the switch circuit and receiving the current detection signal via the resistor,

wherein the bipolar junction transistor is turned on or off in response to the current detection signal and causes a voltage level of a collector of the bipolar junction transistor to be shifted correspondingly,

wherein the voltage level of the collector of the bipolar junction transistor affects on/off state of the switch circuit.

76. The LED tube lamp according to claim 75, wherein when the protection circuit does not enter the protection state, the switch circuit and the bipolar junction transistor are in a cutoff state.

89. The LED tube lamp according to claim 17, wherein the tube is a glass tube.

30. An LED tube lamp, comprising:

a tube having two ends;

an LED light strip attached to an inner circumferential surface of the tube;

a plurality of LED light sources mounted on the LED light strip;

a power supply module electrically connecting to the LED light strip and configured to drive the plurality of LED light sources; and

a first end cap and second end cap respectively attached at two ends of the tube, each of the first and second end caps comprising a lateral wall and an end wall, the lateral wall substantially being coaxial with the tube and connecting to the tube, the end wall substantially being perpendicular to an axial direction of the lateral wall and connecting to an end of the lateral wall away from the tube,

wherein the power supply module comprises a printed circuit board and a plurality of electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to and substantially parallel to the first surface, and the first surface and the second surface of the printed circuit board are substantially parallel with the axial direction of the lateral wall;

wherein at least some of the electronic components comprise a rectifying circuit having at least two input terminals and configured to rectify signal receiving from the input terminals, at least one of the electronic components comprises a filtering circuit electrically connected to the rectifying circuit,

wherein the plurality of electronic components comprise a capacitor which is positioned closest to the end wall of the first end cap;

wherein the end wall comprises a first portion made of an insulating material.

31. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein the end wall comprises at least one opening.

32. The LED tube lamp according to claim 31, wherein the LED tube lamp further comprises a heat-dissipating element being extended between the opening on the end wall of the first end cap and the power supply module.

33. The LED tube lamp according to claim 32, wherein an end of the heat-dissipating element is mounted on the printed circuit board.

34. The LED tube lamp according to claim 33, wherein a part of the heat-dissipating element is disposed in the opening on the end wall of the first end cap.

35. The LED tube lamp according to claim 34, wherein each of the two end caps comprises at least one pin, the pin is a hollow conductive pin and the power supply is coupled to the pin.

36. The LED tube lamp according to claim 34, wherein the heat-dissipating element is made of metal.

37. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein the capacitor connects between the input terminals of the rectifying circuit.

38. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a driving circuit electrically connected to filtering output terminals of the filtering circuit and having two driving output terminals electrically connecting to the LED light strip, and further wherein the driving circuit comprises:

a controller;

a diode, having an anode electrically connected to one of the filtering output terminals and one of the driving output terminals;

a switch, having a first terminal coupled to the other one of the filtering output terminals, a second terminal electrically connected to a cathode of the diode, and a control terminal coupled to the controller, wherein the switch is turned on or off in response to a signal received from the controller; and

an inductor, having an end electrically connected to the second terminal of the switch, and another end electrically connected to the LED light strip via the other one of the driving output terminals.

39. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a mode switching circuit configured to determine to perform a first driving mode or a second driving mode according to frequency of an AC driving signal received by the rectifying circuit.

40. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a protection circuit configured to determine whether to enter a protection state and limit, restrain or clamp down on a level of a signal flew through the power supply module under the protection state.

41. The LED tube lamp according to claim 40, wherein the protection circuit comprises:

a switch circuit, configured to be turned on or off in response to a current detection signal indicating whether a current of the LED tube lamp exceeds a reference value.

42. The LED tube lamp according to claim 41, wherein the switch circuit is coupled to at least part of the LED light sources in parallel.

43. The LED tube lamp according to claim 41, wherein the switch circuit is a thyristor.

44. The LED tube lamp according to claim 41, wherein at least one of the electronic components is a diode having an anode coupled to a first terminal of the switch circuit.

45. The LED tube lamp according to claim 41, wherein at least some of the electronic components comprises:

a resistor; and

a bipolar junction transistor, coupled to the switch circuit and receiving the current detection signal via the resistor,

wherein the bipolar junction transistor is turned on or off in response to the current detection signal and cause a voltage level of the collector of the bipolar junction transistor being shifted correspondingly,

wherein the voltage level of the collector of the bipolar junction transistor affects on/off state of the switch circuit.

46. The LED tube lamp according to claim 45, wherein when the protection circuit does not enter the protection state, the switch circuit and the bipolar junction transistor are in a cutoff state.

77. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein the rectifying circuit comprises:

a first full-wave bridge rectifying circuit, having two input terminals electrically connected to two conductive pins of one of the first and the second end caps, respectively, and having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal; and

a second full-wave bridge rectifying circuit, having two input terminals electrically connected to two conductive pins of the other one of the first and the second end caps, respectively, and having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal,

wherein the positive output terminals of the first and the second full-wave bridge rectifying circuits are electrically connected to each other, and the negative output terminals of the first and the second full-wave bridge rectifying circuits are electrically connected to each other.

78. The LED tube lamp according to claim 77, wherein the filtering circuit comprises:

an inductor, having an end electrically connected to the positive output terminals of the first and the second full-wave bridge rectifying circuits, and another end that is a filtering output terminal of the filtering circuit;

a first capacitor, having an end electrically connected to the other end of the inductor, and another end that is another filtering output terminal of the filtering circuit.

79. The LED tube lamp according to claim 78, wherein the filtering circuit further comprises:

a second capacitor, having an end electrically connected to the end of the inductor, and another end electrically connected to the negative output terminals of the first and the second full-wave bridge rectifying circuits.

80. The LED tube lamp according to claim 78, wherein the filtering circuit further comprises:

an EMI-reducing capacitor, coupled between the two conductive pins of one of the first and the second end caps.

81. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein the rectifying circuit comprises:

a full-wave bridge rectifying circuit, having two input terminals electrically connected to two conductive pins of one of the first and the second end caps, respectively, and having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal; and

a half-wave bridge rectifying circuit, having an input terminal electrically connected to one of two conductive pins of the other one of the first and the second end caps, and having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal,

wherein the positive output terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying circuit and the half-wave bridge rectifying circuit are electrically connected to each other, and the negative output terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying circuit and the half-wave bridge rectifying circuit are electrically connected to each other.

82. The LED tube lamp according to claim 81, wherein the filtering circuit comprises:

a first capacitor, having an end electrically connected to the positive output terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying circuit and the half-wave bridge rectifying circuit, and another end electrically connected to the negative output terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying circuit and the half-wave bridge rectifying circuit.

83. The LED tube lamp according to claim 82, wherein the filtering circuit further comprises:

an EMI-reducing capacitor, coupled between the two conductive pins of one of the first and the second end caps.

84. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein at least some of the electronic components form a filament-simulating circuit configured to conduct current during a preheat process when the LED tube lamp is powered by a ballast.

85. The LED tube lamp according to claim 84, wherein the filament-simulating circuit comprises:

a second capacitor, coupled between the two conductive pins of one of the first and the second end caps.

86. The LED tube lamp according to claim 85, wherein the filament-simulating circuit further comprises:

a resistor, coupled to the second capacitor in parallel.

87. The LED tube lamp according to claim 81, wherein the rectifying circuit further comprises a current-limiting capacitor coupled to one of the input terminals of the full-wave bridge rectifying circuit in series.

90. The LED tube lamp according to claim 30, wherein the tube is a glass tube.