Retrofitting of fluorescent tubes with light-emitting diode (LED) modules for various signs and lighting applications

• US 7,488,086 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2007
• Issued: 02/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leotek Electronics USA Corporation (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leotek Electronics USA Corporation (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Wu, Chen-Ho, Tu, Chin-Wang
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crowe; David R
• Application Number:
  US11/732,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20070242466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249, 362/250, 362/555, 362/219, 362/223, 362/252, 362/649, 362/650, 362/651, 362/657, 362/658, 362/659, 362/224, 362/225, 362/228, 362/229, 362/362, 362/652, 439/236, 439/226, 439239-244, 439/220, 439/228, 439/229, 439/614, 439/615, 439/13, 439/640
• US Class Current: 362/225
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/008 of straight tubular light sources, e.g. straight fluorescent tubes, soffit lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/02 with provision for adjustment, e.g. for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/94 Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/00 Flexible or turnable line connectors , i.e. the rotation angle being limited rotary current collectors, distributors H01R39/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A method and device for replacing a fluorescent tube lamp with an LED lamp. The LED lamp includes an elongated electrical assembly having ends terminating in first and second electrical connectors, and a plurality of LEDs mounted to the elongated electrical assembly. Mounting adaptors connect with the first and second electrical connectors, and have protruding pins to connect with conventional lamp socket connectors. The mounting adaptors have rotating connectors for connecting with the first and second electrical connectors of the LED lamp, so that the LED lamp orientation can be rotated after the LED lamp is fully mounted to the lamp socket connectors.

Claims

1. An LED lamp module for use in a housing designed for fluorescent tube lights, comprising:

an elongated electrical assembly having a first end terminating in a first electrical connector and a second end terminating in a second electrical connector;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the elongated electrical assembly;

a first mounting adaptor having a first end electrically engagable with the first electrical connector and a second end terminating in an electrical connector having two protruding pins; and

a second mounting adaptor having a first end electrically engagable with the second electrical connector and a second end terminating in an electrical connector having two protruding pins;

wherein;

the first mounting adaptor further comprises a first housing,

the first end of the first mounting adaptor comprises a third electrical connector that is removably engagable with the first electrical connector and is rotatable relative to the first housing,

the first mounting adaptor further comprising a spring for exerting a force on the third electrical connector to increase rotational friction between third electrical connector and the first housing,

the second mounting adaptor further comprises a second housing,

the first end of the second mounting adaptor comprises a fourth electrical connector that is removably engagable with the second electrical connector and is rotatable relative to the second housing, and

the second mounting adaptor further comprising a spring for exerting a force on the fourth electrical connector to increase rotational friction between fourth electrical connector and the second housing.

2. The LED lamp module of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth electrical connectors each comprise a bi-pin socket.

3. The LED lamp module of claim 1, wherein:

the third electrical connector is electrically connected to the two protruding pins of the first mounting adaptor; and

the fourth electrical connector is electrically connected to the two protruding pins of the second mounting adaptor.

4. The LED lamp module of claim 1, wherein:

the third electrical connector and the first housing are rotatably engaged together via one or more rotation threads on the third electrical connector rotatably engaged with one or more rotation threads on the first housing; and

the fourth electrical connector and the second housing are rotatably engaged together via one or more rotation threads on the fourth electrical connector rotatably engaged with one or more rotational threads on the second housing.

5. The LED lamp module of claim 4, wherein the one or more rotational threads on the third and fourth electrical connectors, and on the first and second housings, are inclined.

6. The LED lamp module of claim 1, wherein the electrical assembly comprises a single surface on which the plurality of LEDs are mounted.

7. The LED lamp module of claim 6, wherein the single surface is curved.

8. The LED lamp module of claim 7, wherein the surface is cylindrically-shaped.

9. The LED lamp module of claim 1, wherein the electrical assembly comprises a plurality of surfaces each of which including at least one of the plurality of LEDs mounted thereon.

10. The LED lamp module of claim 9, wherein the plurality of surfaces are adjoined.

11. The LED lamp module of claim 10, wherein the plurality of surfaces are adjoined such that the respective angles between each pair of adjoining surfaces are the same.

12. The LED lamp module of claim 10, wherein the plurality of surfaces includes first and second surfaces adjoined at an angle of less than ninety degrees.

13. The LED lamp module of claim 1, further comprising:

a vertical support for supporting the electrical assembly, wherein a height of the vertical support is adjustable.

14. The LED lamp module of claim 1, further comprising:

a translucent tube disposed around the elongated electrical assembly.

15. A method for retrofitting a fluorescent lamp containing a fluorescent tube lamp connected between first and second socket connectors, the method comprising:

removing the fluorescent tube lamp from the first and second socket connectors;

connecting an LED lamp to the first and second socket connectors, wherein the LED lamp comprises;

an elongated electrical assembly having a first end terminating in a first electrical connector and a second end terminating in a second electrical connector,

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the elongated electrical assembly,

a first mounting adaptor having;

a first end with a third electrical connector electrically and removably engagable with the first electrical connector and a second end terminating in an electrical connector having two protruding pins, and

a first housing, wherein the third electrical connector is rotatable relative to the first housing,

a first spring for exerting a force on the third electrical connector to increase rotational friction between third electrical connector and the first housing;

a second mounting adaptor having;

a first end with a fourth electrical connector electrically and removably engagable with the second electrical connector and a second end terminating in an electrical connector having two protruding pins,

a second housing, wherein the fourth electrical connector is rotatable relative to the second housing,

a second spring for exerting a force on the fourth electrical connector to increase rotational friction between fourth electrical connector and the second housing;

wherein the connecting of the LED lamp to the first and second socket connectors includes;

connecting the two protruding pins of the first mounting adaptor to the first socket connector and connecting the two protruding pins of the second mounting adaptor to the second socket connector;

connecting the third electrical connector with the first electrical connector; and

connecting the fourth electrical connector with the second electrical connector; and

rotating the LED lamp after the connection to the first and second socket connectors, wherein the third electrical connector rotates relative to the first housing and the fourth electrical connector rotates relative to the second housing, and wherein the rotating of the LED lamp is performed against the increased rotational friction from the first and second springs.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the third electrical connector and the first housing are rotatably engaged together via inclined rotation threads;

the fourth electrical connector and the second housing are rotatably engaged together via inclined rotation threads; and

the rotating of the LED lamp causes a change in an overall length of the LED lamp.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising;

providing a vertical support for the LED lamp, wherein a height of the vertical support is adjustable.