Separate LED Lamp Tube and Light Source Module Formed Therefrom

• US 20100201269A1
• Filed: 09/01/2009
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation (Ennostar, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation (Ennostar, Inc.)
• Inventors: TZOU, Hua-Lung, Wu, Meng-Chai
• Granted Patent: US 8,304,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/51
• 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 23/006 the substrate being distinct from the light source holder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/507 of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/75 with fins or blades having different shapes, thicknesses or spacing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• 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: H05K 1/141 One or more single auxiliary printed circuits mounted on a main printed circuit, e.g. modules, adapters H05K1/142 and H05K1/147 take precedence

Abstract

A lamp tube according to the present invention at least comprises: a tube body, a light-emitting module, a driving module and an electrical connection module. The light-emitting module and the driving module are disposed in the tube body. The light-emitting module is provided with a first circuit board and a plurality of LEDs. The driving module is provided with at least a second circuit board and a drive circuit. The electrical connection module forms an electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards. It is convenient to independently replace or repair the driving module or the light-emitting module without discarding the entire lamp tube so as to effectively save costs and achieve the effects of energy saving and environmental protection.

Claims

1. A separate LED lamp tube at least comprising:

a tube body;

a light-emitting module, which is disposed in the tube body and is provided with a first circuit board and a plurality of LEDs disposed on the first circuit board;

a driving module, which is disposed in the tube body and is provided with at least a second circuit board and a drive circuit disposed on the second circuit board; and

an electrical connection module, which is disposed between the first and second circuit boards and forms an electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards.

2. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube body is a light transparent hollow tube body and is provided respectively at the both ends thereof with fixed covers which are provided thereon with through holes such that electrical connection terminals are fixed and exposed, and the electrical connection terminals are electrically connected to the second circuit board.

3. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube body is provided with a light transparent body and a supporting body which are assembled with each other, a fastening means is disposed between the light transparent body and the supporting body, and the fastening means is a projection and a rail that are mutually engageable.

4. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 3, wherein the supporting body is provided with a placement portion and a heat sink disposed under the placement portion, the light-emitting module is disposed on the placement portion, the light-emitting surface of each of the LEDs is toward the light transparent body, and the heat sink is provided with a recess for accommodating the second circuit board which is disposed under the first circuit board.

5. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 4, wherein the tube body is provided respectively at the both ends thereof with fixed covers which are provided thereon with through holes such that electrical connection terminals are fixed and exposed, and the electrical connection terminals are electrically connected to the second circuit board.

6. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 5, wherein a connecting member is further disposed between the tube body and the fixed cover and is provided with a through hole for the passage of the electrical connection module.

7. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 6, wherein the heat sink is provided with a plurality of spaced cooling fins and the connecting member is provided with nubs, each of which can be caught in the space between two of the cooling fins.

8. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection module is comprised of electrically conductive terminals and electrically conductive holes that are respectively disposed on the first and second circuit boards and are mutually insertable.

9. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 1, wherein the driving module is provided with one to two of the second circuit boards, which are respectively assembled on the sides of the first circuit board by means of the electrical connection modules.

10. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 9, wherein the lamp tube is further cascaded with at least one light-emitting assembly by means of an electrical connection member and the light-emitting assembly is provided with a tube body and a light-emitting module.

11. A separate LED lamp tube at least comprising:

a tube body, which is provided with a light transparent body that is assembled on at least one end thereof with a fixed cover;

a light-emitting module, which is disposed in the light transparent body of the tube body and is provided with a first circuit board and a plurality of LEDs disposed on the first circuit board;

a driving module, which is provided with at least a second circuit board and a drive circuit disposed on the second circuit board that is disposed in the fixed cover of the tube body; and

an electrical connection module, which is disposed between the first and second circuit boards and forms an electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards.

12. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 11, wherein the fixed cover is provided thereon with a through hole such that electrical connection terminals are fixed and exposed, and the electrical connection terminals are electrically connected to the second circuit board.

13. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 11, wherein the tube body is further provided with a supporting body, a fastening means is disposed between the light transparent body and the supporting body, and the fastening means is a projection and a rail that are mutually engageable.

14. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 13, wherein the supporting body is provided with a placement portion and a heat sink disposed under the placement portion, the light-emitting module is disposed on the placement portion, the light-emitting surface of each of the LEDs is toward the light transparent body, and the heat sink is provided with a recess for accommodating the second circuit board which is disposed under the first circuit board.

15. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 11, wherein the electrical connection module is comprised of electrically conductive terminals and electrically conductive holes that are respectively disposed on the first and second circuit boards and are mutually insertable.

16. The separate LED lamp tube according to claim 11, wherein the driving module is provided with one to two of the second circuit boards, which are respectively assembled on the sides of the first circuit board by means of the electrical connection modules.

17. A light source module at least comprising:

at least one lamp tube, which is provided with a tube body, a light-emitting module and at least one driving module, wherein the light-emitting module is disposed in the tube body and is provided with a first circuit board and a plurality of LEDs disposed on the first circuit board, and the driving module is provided with a second circuit board and a drive circuit disposed on the second circuit board;

an electrical connection module, which comprises electrically conductive terminals and electrically conductive holes that are respectively disposed on the both sides of the lamp tube, wherein the lamp tubes are cascaded with each other by means of the electrical connection modules to form the light source module.

18. The light source module according to claim 17, wherein an electrical connection module is further disposed between the first and second circuit boards and forms an electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards.

19. The light source module according to claim 17, wherein a driving module is provided on each of the opposite sides of the lamp tube.

20. The light source module according to claim 17, wherein the lamp tube is further cascaded with at least one light-emitting assembly by means of at least one electrical connection member and the light-emitting assembly is provided with a tube body and a light-emitting module.