LINEAR SOLID-STATE LIGHTING WITH SHOCK PROTECTION SWITCHES

• US 20110149563A1
• Filed: 12/22/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aleddra, Inc. (Lightel Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lightel Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Ching-Feng, Hsia, Chungho, Shen, Pai-Sheng
• Granted Patent: US 8,147,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/221
• 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 25/04 breaking the electric circuit
• 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 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7036 the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/945 Holders with built-in electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/96 with switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/26 Circuit arrangements for protecting against earth faults

Abstract

A linear light-emitting diode (LED)-based solid-state device comprising at least two shock protection switches, at least one each at the two ends of the device, fully protects a person from possible electric shock during re-lamping with LED lamps.

Claims

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

a housing having two ends and a platform on a top side thereof between the two ends;

a light-emitting diode printed circuit board (LED PCB) fixed on top of the platform, the LED PCB having a plurality of LEDs fixed thereon;

an LED driver that powers the plurality of LEDs on the LED PCB, the LED driver having two inputs and fixed inside the housing below the platform; and

two lamp bases respectively connected to the two ends of the housing, each lamp base having an end cover and a lamp base PCB assembly comprising a bi-pin with two pins protruding outwards through the end cover, a lamp base PCB, and a shock protection switch mounted on the lamp base PCB, wherein;

when the shock protection switch is off, the bi-pin is not electrically connected with the LED driver;

when the bi-pin is inserted into a lamp socket, the shock protection switch is actuated to electrically connect the bi-pin with one of the inputs of the LED driver.

2. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the shock protection switch of each of the lamp bases comprises:

at least two electrical contacts, one electrically connected to the bi-pin of the lamp base and the other electrically connected to one of the inputs of the LED driver; and

at least one switch actuation mechanism having a front portion protruding outwards through the end cover of the lamp base,

wherein when the front portion of the switch actuation mechanism is pressed in by inserting the bi-pin of the lamp base into a lamp socket, the two electrical contacts are electrically connected to actuate the shock protection switch so that the bi-pin is electrically connected with one of the inputs of the LED driver.

3. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the LEDs include white, red, green, blue LEDs or a combination thereof.

4. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the LED driver is enclosed in a driver enclosure fixed inside the housing below the platform.

5. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the shock protection switch is of a contact type.

6. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 5, wherein the shock protection switch is a snap switch, a push-button switch, or a micro switch.

7. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the shock protection switch is of a non-contact type.

8. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 7, wherein the shock protection switch is electro-mechanical, magnetic, optical, electro-optic, fiber-optic, infrared, or wireless based.

9. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 8, wherein the shock protection switch has a proximity control or sensing range up to 8 mm.

10. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the end cover is fixed to the associated lamp base PCB assembly by screws.

11. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the LED PCB is fixed to the platform by screws or rivets.

12. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the LEDs are surface mount device (SMD) LEDs or dual in-line package (DIP) LEDs.

13. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, further comprising a lens covering the LED PCB and the LEDs.

14. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein a plurality of projections are formed on an outer surface of the housing for improved heat dispersion.

15. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the housing has a cross section with a circumference composed of a circular curve and a chord, the chord corresponding to the platform of the housing.

16. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 15, wherein a plurality of projections are formed on an outer surface of the housing for improved heat dispersion.

17. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 15, further comprising a lens covering the LED PCB and the LEDS, wherein the lens and the housing have a combined cross section with a full-circle circumference.

18. The linear LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a metallic material.