LED tube lamp

• US 9,939,140 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2016
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Liu, Xintong, Xiong, Aiming, Jiang, Tao, Zou, Feng
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, ANH Q
• Application Number:
  US15/339,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20170067627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/02 coming into action when lighting device is disturbed, dismounted, or broken
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/061 the material being glass
• 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: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/34 Voltage stabilisation; Maintaining constant voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/36 Circuits for reducing or suppressing harmonics, ripples or electromagnetic interferences [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/375 using buck topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/50 responsive to malfunctions or undesirable behaviour of LEDs; responsive to LED life; Protective circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/59 for reducing or suppressing flicker or glow effects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

An LED tube lamp is disclosed. An installation detection circuit is configured in the LED tube lamp configured to receive an external driving signal. The installation detection circuit includes: a pulse generating circuit configured to output one or more pulse signals; wherein the installation detection circuit is configured to detect during one or more pulse signals whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on a lamp socket, based on detecting a signal generated from the external driving signal; and a switch circuit coupled to the pulse generating circuit, wherein the one or more pulse signals control turning on and off of the switch circuit. The installation detection circuit is further configured to: when it is detected during one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in an off state to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open; and when it is detected during one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain a conducting state.

Claims

1. An installation detection circuit configured in a light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp configured to receive an external driving signal, the installation detection circuit comprising:

a pulse generating circuit configured to output one or more pulse signals;

wherein the installation detection circuit is configured to detect during at least one of the one or more pulse signals whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on a lamp socket, based on detecting a signal generated from the external driving signal; and

a switch circuit coupled to the pulse generating circuit, wherein the one or more pulse signals control turning on and off of the switch circuit;

wherein the installation detection circuit is further configured to;

when it is detected during one of the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in an off state to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open; and

when it is detected during one of the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain a conducting state,

wherein the signal generated from the external driving signal is a sampling signal on the power loop, the installation detection circuit further comprises a detection determining circuit configured to detect the sampling signal for determining whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, and the power loop includes the switch circuit and the detection determining circuit, and

wherein the pulse generating circuit is configured to output one or more pulse signals independent of whether the detection determining circuit detects the sampling signal.

2. The installation detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein the pulse generating circuit comprises:

a first capacitor, one end connected to a driving signal;

a first resistor, one end connected to the other end of the first capacitor, the other end the first resistor connected to a reference voltage;

a first buffer, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the other end of the first capacitor;

a second capacitor, one end connected to the output end of the first buffer;

a third capacitor, one end connected to the output end of the first buffer;

a second resistor, one end connected to the driving signal, the other end of the second resistor connected to the other end of the second capacitor;

a third resistor, one end connected to the other end of the third capacitor, the other end of the third resistor connected to a reference voltage;

a first diode, having an anode and a cathode, the anode connected to the other end of the third resistor, the cathode connected to the one end of the third resistor that is not connected to a reference voltage;

a first inverter, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the other end of the second capacitor;

a second buffer, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the other end of the third capacitor; and

a first OR gate, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to the output end of the first inverter, the second input end connected to the output end of the second buffer, the output end of the first OR gate for outputting the one or more pulse signals.

3. The installation detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein when the detection determining circuit determines that the sampling signal is greater than or equal to a predefined signal, it is detected that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket;

and when the detection determining circuit determines that the sampling signal is smaller than a predefined signal, it is detected that the LED tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket.

20. The installation detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein a period of each of the one or more pulse signals is between 1 microsecond and 1 millisecond.

31. The installation detection circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a detection result latching circuit coupled to the switch circuit, wherein the detection result latching circuit is configured to receive the one or more pulse signals to control turning on and off of the switch circuit based on a detection result signal from the detection determining circuit.

32. The installation detection circuit according to claim 31, wherein the pulse generating circuit is coupled to an output of the detection result latching circuit to control the time of the one or more pulse signals.

33. The installation detection circuit according to claim 31, wherein the pulse generating circuit comprises:

a second capacitor, one end coupled to a driving signal;

a third capacitor, one end coupled to the driving signal;

a second resistor, one end connected to the driving signal, the other end of the second resistor connected to the other end of the second capacitor;

a third resistor, one end connected to the other end of the third capacitor, the other end of the third resistor connected to a reference voltage;

a first diode, having an anode and a cathode, the anode connected to the other end of the third resistor, the cathode connected to the one end of the third resistor that is not connected to a reference voltage;

a first inverter, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the other end of the second capacitor;

a second buffer, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the other end of the third capacitor; and

a first OR gate, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to the output end of the first inverter, the second input end connected to the output end of the second buffer, the output end of the first OR gate for outputting the one or more pulse signals.

34. The installation detection circuit according to claim 31, wherein the pulse generating circuit comprises:

a sixth resistor, one end connected to a driving signal;

a fourth capacitor, one end connected to the other end of the sixth resistor, the other end of the fourth capacitor connected to a reference voltage;

a Schmitt trigger, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the one end of the fourth capacitor, the output end connected to the detection result latching circuit;

a seventh resistor, one end connected to the one end of the fourth capacitor;

a second transistor, having a base, a collector, and an emitter, the collector connected to the other end of the seventh resistor, the emitter connected to a reference voltage; and

an eighth resistor, one end connected to the base of the second transistor, the other end of the eighth resistor connected to the detection result latching circuit and the switch circuit.

35. The installation detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein a period of each of the one or more pulse signals is between 1 microsecond and 1 millisecond.

4. An installation detection circuit configured in a light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp configured to receive an external driving signal, the installation detection circuit comprising:

a pulse generating circuit configured to output one or more pulse signals;

wherein the installation detection circuit is configured to detect during at least one of the one or more pulse signals whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on a lamp socket, based on detecting a signal generated from the external driving signal; and

a switch circuit coupled to the pulse generating circuit, wherein the one or more pulse signals control turning on and off of the switch circuit;

wherein the installation detection circuit is further configured to;

when it is detected during one of the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in an off state to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open; and

when it is detected during one of the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain a conducting state, and

wherein the signal generated from the external driving signal is a sampling signal on the power loop, the installation detection circuit further comprises a detection determining circuit configured to detect the sampling signal for determining whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, and the power loop includes the switch circuit and the detection determining circuit; and

wherein the installation detection circuit further includes a detection result latching circuit coupled to the switch circuit, wherein the detection result latching circuit is configured to receive the one or more pulse signals to control turning on and off of the switch circuit based on a detection result signal from the detection determining circuit.

5. The installation detection circuit according to claim 4, wherein the pulse generating circuit is coupled to an output of the detection result latching circuit to control the time of the one or more pulse signals.

6. The installation detection circuit according to claim 4, wherein the pulse generating circuit comprises:

a second capacitor, one end coupled to a driving signal;

a third capacitor, one end coupled to the driving signal;

a second resistor, one end connected to the driving signal, the other end of the second resistor connected to the other end of the second capacitor;

a third resistor, one end connected to the other end of the third capacitor, the other end of the third resistor connected to a reference voltage;

a first diode, having an anode and a cathode, the anode connected to the other end of the third resistor, the cathode connected to the one end of the third resistor that is not connected to a reference voltage;

a first inverter, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the other end of the second capacitor;

a second buffer, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the other end of the third capacitor; and

a first OR gate, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to the output end of the first inverter, the second input end connected to the output end of the second buffer, the output end of the first OR gate for outputting the one or more pulse signals.

7. The installation detection circuit according to claim 6, wherein the second buffer comprises two inverters connected in series.

8. The installation detection circuit according to claim 6, wherein the detection result latching circuit comprises:

a first D flip-flop, having a data input end, a clock input end, and an output end, the data input end connected to the driving signal, the clock input end connected to the detection determining circuit;

a fourth resistor, one end connected to the output end of the first D flip-flop, the other end of the fourth resistor connected to a reference voltage; and

a second OR gate, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to the output end of the first OR gate, the second input end connected to the output end of the first D flip-flop, the output end of the second OR gate connected to the switch circuit.

9. The installation detection circuit according to claim 6, wherein the switch circuit comprises:

a first transistor, having a base, a collector, and an emitter, the base connected to the detection result latching circuit, the collector connected to one end of the power loop, the emitter connected to the detection determining circuit.

10. The installation detection circuit according to claim 6, wherein the detection determining circuit comprises:

a fifth resistor, one end connected to the switch circuit, the other end of the fifth resistor connected to a second end of the power loop; and

a first comparator, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to a predefined signal, the second input end connected to the one end of the fifth resistor, the output end of the first comparator connected to the detection result latching circuit.

11. The installation detection circuit according to claim 4, wherein the pulse generating circuit comprises:

a sixth resistor, one end connected to a driving signal;

a fourth capacitor, one end connected to the other end of the sixth resistor, the other end of the fourth capacitor connected to a reference voltage;

a Schmitt trigger, having an input end and an output end, the input end connected to the one end of the fourth capacitor, the output end connected to the detection result latching circuit;

a seventh resistor, one end connected to the one end of the fourth capacitor;

a second transistor, having a base, a collector, and an emitter, the collector connected to the other end of the seventh resistor, the emitter connected to a reference voltage; and

an eighth resistor, one end connected to the base of the second transistor, the other end of the eighth resistor connected to the detection result latching circuit and the switch circuit.

12. The installation detection circuit according to claim 11, wherein the pulse generating circuit further comprises:

a Zener diode, having an anode and a cathode, the anode connected to the other end of the fourth capacitor, the cathode connected to the one end of the fourth capacitor.

13. The installation detection circuit according to claim 11, wherein the detection result latching circuit comprises:

a second D flip-flop, having a data input end, a clock input end, and an output end, the data input end connected to the driving signal, the clock input end connected to the detection determining circuit; and

a third OR gate, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to the output end of the Schmitt trigger, the second input end connected to the output end of the second D flip-flop, the output end of the third OR gate connected to the other end of the eighth resistor and the switch circuit.

14. The installation detection circuit according to claim 11, wherein the switch circuit comprises:

a third transistor, having a base, a collector, and an emitter, the base connected to the detection result latching circuit, the collector connected to one end of the power loop, the emitter connected to the detection determining circuit.

15. The installation detection circuit according to claim 11, wherein the detection determining circuit comprises:

a ninth resistor, one end connected to the switch circuit, the other end of the ninth resistor connected to a second end of the power loop; and

a second comparator, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to a predefined signal, the second input end connected to the one end of the ninth resistor, the output end of the second comparator connected to the detection result latching circuit.

16. The installation detection circuit according to claim 11, wherein the detection determining circuit comprises:

a ninth resistor, one end connected to the switch circuit, the other end of the ninth resistor connected to a second end of the power loop;

a second diode, having an anode and a cathode, the anode connected to the one end of the ninth resistor;

a second comparator, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to a predefined signal, the second input end connected to the cathode of the second diode, the output end of the second comparator connected to the detection result latching circuit;

a third comparator, having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to the cathode of the second diode, the second input end connected to another predefined signal, the output end of the third comparator connected to the detection result latching circuit;

a tenth resistor, one end connected to the driving signal;

an eleventh resistor, one end connected to the other end of the tenth resistor and the second input end of the second comparator, the other end of the eleventh resistor connected to a reference voltage; and

a fifth capacitor, connected to the eleventh resistor in parallel.

30. The installation detection circuit according to claim 4, configured such that when the detection determining circuit determines that the sampling signal is greater than or equal to a predefined signal, it is detected that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket;

and when the detection determining circuit determines that the sampling signal is smaller than a predefined signal, it is detected that the LED tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket.

17. An installation detection circuit configured in a light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp configured to receive an external driving signal, the installation detection circuit comprising:

a pulse generating circuit configured to output one or more pulse signals;

wherein the installation detection circuit is configured to detect during at least one of the one or more pulse signals whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on a lamp socket, based on detecting a signal generated from the external driving signal; and

a switch circuit coupled to the pulse generating circuit, wherein the one or more pulse signals control turning on and off of the switch circuit;

wherein the installation detection circuit is further configured to;

when it is detected during one of the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in an off state to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open; and

when it is detected during one of the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain a conducting state, and

wherein the LED tube lamp comprises a lamp tube and a circuit board, and comprises an inductive element connected between two terminals respectively at two ends of the lamp tube for grounding or connecting to a reference potential, wherein one of the two terminals is connected to the circuit board.

18. The installation detection circuit according to claim 17, wherein the inductive element is an inductor.

19. The installation detection circuit according to claim 18, wherein one end of the inductor is directly electrically connected to the circuit board.

21. An installation detection circuit configured in a light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp, the installation detection circuit comprising:

means for generating one or more pulse signals;

means for detecting during one or more pulse signals whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on a lamp socket; and

a switch circuit coupled to the means for generating one or more pulse signals, wherein the one or more pulse signals control turning on and off of the switch circuit;

wherein the installation detection circuit is further configured to;

when it is detected during one of the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in an off state to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open; and

when it is detected during one of the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain a conducting state,

wherein the means for detecting is configured to detect a sampling signal on the power loop for determining whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, and the power loop includes the switch circuit and the means for detecting, and

wherein the LED tube lamp is configured to receive an external driving signal and comprises a rectifying circuit for rectifying the external driving signal and a filtering circuit coupled to the rectifying circuit, wherein the installation detection circuit is coupled between the rectifying circuit and the filtering circuit.

22. The installation detection circuit according to claim 21, wherein when the means for detecting determines that the sampling signal is greater than or equal to a predefined signal, it is detected that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket;

and when the means for detecting determines that the sampling signal is smaller than a predefined signal, it is detected that the LED tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket.

23. The installation detection circuit according to claim 21, further comprising a detection result latching circuit coupled to the switch circuit, wherein the detection result latching circuit is configured to receive the one or more pulse signals to control turning on and off of the switch circuit based on a detection result signal from the means for detecting.

24. A detection method adopted by a light-emitting device (LED) tube lamp for preventing a user from electric shock when the LED tube lamp is being installed on a lamp socket, the detection method comprising:

when at least one end of the LED tube lamp is installed on the lamp socket, generating one or more pulse signals by a pulse generating circuit, wherein the pulse generating circuit is configured in the LED tube lamp;

detecting a sampling signal on a power loop of the LED tube lamp by a detection determining circuit, to detect during the one or more pulse signals whether the other end of the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket;

receiving the one or more pulse signals through a detection result latching circuit by a switch circuit, wherein the switch circuit is on the power loop; and

comparing the sampling signal with a predefined signal, wherein during the one or more pulse signals when the sampling signal is smaller than the predefined signal, the detection method further comprises;

controlling the switch circuit to remain in an off state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open.

25. The detection method according to claim 24, wherein the step of controlling the switch circuit to remain in an off state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open comprises:

outputting a first low level signal by the detection determining circuit;

receiving the first low level signal by the detection result latching circuit and outputting a second low level signal; and

receiving the second low level signal by the switch circuit and maintaining an off state of the switch circuit to cause the power loop to be open.

26. The detection method according to claim 24, wherein during any of the one or more pulse signals when the sampling signal is greater than or equal to the predefined signal, the detection method further comprises:

controlling the switch circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain a conducting state.

27. The detection method according to claim 26, wherein the step of controlling the switch circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain a conducting state comprises:

outputting a first high level signal by the detection determining circuit;

receiving the first high level signal by the detection result latching circuit and outputting a second high level signal; and

receiving the second high level signal by the switch circuit and conducting the switch circuit to cause the power loop to maintain a conducting state.

28. The detection method according to claim 24, wherein a period of each of the one or more pulse signals is between 10 microseconds and 1 millisecond.

29. The detection method according to claim 24, wherein a period of each of the one or more pulse signals is between 1 microsecond and 100 microseconds.