LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LIGHTING TUBE

• US 20100277918A1
• Filed: 08/31/2009
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Power Data Communication Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Power Data Communication Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Yi-Sheng, CHEN, CHIEN-YUAN
• Application Number:
  US12/550,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20100277918A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/249.02
• 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 9/272 Details of end parts, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within end parts F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• 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: H01R 33/942 for tubular fluorescent lamps

Abstract

A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting tube is of a disassembleable structure, which arranges those components that are susceptible to easy damage in an end cap that is located at an outer side. Thus, when the lighting device is malfunctioning, it only needs to replace the end cap module that is located at the outer side to resume normal operation of the lighting tube. Parts of long lifespan of the lighting tube are preserved so that the costs are reduced and the tread of environmental protection is met.

Claims

1. A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting tube, comprising:

a tube, which comprises a tubular body made of a light-transmitting material and having opposite ends;

a circuit board, which is mounted inside the tube and has a surface on which a plurality of light-emitting diodes is mounted in an array, the circuit board having opposite ends each forming two conductive terminals extending beyond a respectively end of the tube;

two end caps, which are movably and respectively coupled to the ends of the tube; and

a power supply circuit, which is arranged inside at least one of the end caps, the power supply circuit having an inner end forming a set of inner contacts and an outer end forming outer terminals that extend beyond the end cape to thereby form a lighting tube.

2. The LED lighting tube according to claim 1, wherein the end cap has a U-shaped cross-section.

3. The LED lighting tube according to claim 1, wherein the coupling between the end caps and the ends of the tube is force fitting.

4. The LED lighting tube according to claim 1, wherein the coupling between the end caps and the ends of the tube is rotary connection.