LAMP MODULE AND CONNECTION MECHANISM THEREOF

• US 20130250565A1
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delta Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Delta Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Chiang, Wen-Hsing, Liao, Jen-Meng
• Granted Patent: US 8,764,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/217.17
• 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: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/008 of straight tubular light sources, e.g. straight fluorescent tubes, soffit lamps
• 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]

Abstract

A connection mechanism is provided for connection to a lamp tube, including a male member and a female member. The female member has a wave-shaped structure on an inner surface thereof. The male member has a main body and several pins, wherein each pin has a curved slope and a curved surface connecting the main body with the curved slope. The male member is rotatable relative to the female member when in a first position, wherein the curved slope is slidable on the wave-shaped structure. The curved surface is engaged with the wave-shaped structure when the male member moves to a second position, so as to restrict rotation between the male and female members.

Claims

1. A connection mechanism for connection to a lamp tube, comprising:

a hollow female member, comprising a flange protruding from an inner surface of the female member, wherein the flange forms a wave-shaped structure; and

a male member, comprising a main body and a plurality of pins connected to the main body, wherein each of the pins comprises a curved slope and a curved surface connecting the main body with the curved slope, and the male member is rotatable around a central axis relative to the female member when in a first position in the female member, wherein the curved slopes are slidable on the wave-shaped structure, and the curved surfaces are engaged with the wave-shaped structure when the male member is in a second position in the female member, so as to restrict rotation between the male and female members.

2. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange further comprises a stopper, and the pins contact the stopper when the male member rotates to a limit angle relative to the female member, so as to restrict the male member to the limit angle.

3. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stopper protrudes from the wave-shaped structure.

4. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the male member further comprises a strip protruding from an outer surface of the male member, the female member further comprises a first rib and a second rib, and the strip is received between the first and second ribs when the male member is in the first position in the female member.

5. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first and second ribs are parallel to each other.

6. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the height of the first rib exceeds that of the second rib.

7. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the strip is engaged with the second rib when the male member is in the second position.

8. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein an acute angle is formed between the curved slope and the central axis.

9. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wave-shaped structure comprises a plurality of curved protruding portions and depressed portions arranged in a staggered manner, and the curved surfaces of the pins are engaged with the depressed portions when the male member is in the second position, so as to restrict rotation between the male and female members.

10. The connection mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the male member further comprises an electrode, and the electrode and the pins are disposed on opposite sides of the main body.

11. A LED lamp module, comprising:

a LED lamp tube;

a connection mechanism for connection to the lamp tube, comprising;

a hollow female member, comprising a flange protruding from an inner surface of the female member, wherein the flange forms a wave-shaped structure; and

a male member, comprising a main body and a plurality of pins connected to the main body, wherein each of the pins comprises a curved slope and a curved surface connecting the main body with the curved slope, and the male member is rotatable around a central axis relative to the female member when in a first position in the female member, wherein the curved slopes are slidable on the wave-shaped structure, and the curved surfaces are engaged with the wave-shaped structure when the male member is in a second position in the female member, so as to restrict rotation between the male and female members.

12. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flange further comprises a stopper, and the pins contact the stopper when the male member rotates to a limit angle relative to the female member, so as to restrict the male member to the limit angle.

13. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stopper protrudes from the wave-shaped structure.

14. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the male member further comprises a strip protruding from an outer surface of the male member, the female member further comprises a first rib and a second rib, and the strip is received between the first and second ribs when the male member is in the first position in the female member.

15. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first and second ribs are parallel to each other.

16. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the height of the first rib exceeds that of the second rib.

17. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strip is engaged with the second rib when the male member is in the second position.

18. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 11, wherein an acute angle is formed between the curved slope and the central axis.

19. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wave-shaped structure comprises a plurality of curved protruding portions and depressed portions arranged in a staggered manner, and the curved surfaces of the pins are engaged with the depressed portions when the male member is in the second position, so as to restrict rotation between the male and female members.

20. The LED lamp module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the male member further comprises an electrode, and the electrode and the pins are disposed on opposite sides of the main body.