Patent ID: 6066921
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B60Q,F21S,H05B,Y02B

Abstract:
A discharge lamp lighting device comprising:a lamp socket including a pair of main electrodes for connecting a discharge lamp;a stabilizing circuit connected to a power source and outputting a voltage to said lamp socket;a starting circuit connected between said stabilizing circuit and said lamp socket, activated before said discharge lamp begins discharging to generate a high voltage required to start discharging, and deactivated after discharging begins;means for deactivating said starting circuit when said discharge lamp is not installed in response to installation or non-installation of said discharge lamp to said lamp socket; andsaid deactivating means including an auxiliary electrode to deactivate said starting circuit when said discharge lamp is not installed by interrupting a connection between said auxiliary electrode and one of said pair of main electrodes, and activating said starting circuit when said discharge lamp is installed by connecting conductively said auxiliary electrode and said one of said pair of main electrodes.