Lamp and light emitting diode tube thereof

A lamp including a tube holder and a light emitting diode tube is disclosed. The tube holder includes a first terminal socket and a second terminal socket. The first terminal socket is electrically connected to a power source. The light emitting diode tube is installed onto the tube holder. One end of the light emitting diode tube has two first conductive terminals plugging in the first terminal socket so as to provide the power source to the light emitting diode tube. Alternatively, one end of the light emitting diode tube includes at least one first conductive terminal and the other end includes at least one second conductive terminal so as to conduct an alternate current power or a direct current power to the light emitting diode tube via the first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal of two ends of the light emitting diode tube, respectively.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 098123569 filed in Taiwan, Republic of China on Jul. 13, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a lamp and a light emitting diode tube thereof. The lamp can be electrically connected to a power source via one end of the light emitting diode tube; otherwise, the lamp can be electrically connected to the power source via a first conductive terminal of one end of the light emitting diode tube and a second conductive terminal of the other end of the light emitting diode tube.

2. Related Art

FIG. 1Ais a schematic view showing a connection configuration of a conventional fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamp9includes a fluorescent tube92, a magnetic ballast93and a starter94. For small fluorescent tubes, they do not require high voltage to start the lamp. However, for larger fluorescent tubes, they require a substantial high voltage (in the range of a thousand volts) to start the lamp. The starter94is used to preheat the electrodes of two ends of the fluorescent tube92. When starting the lamp, a glow discharge will appear over the electrodes of the starter. This glow discharge will heat the gas in the starter and cause the bi-metallic electrode of the starter to bend towards the other electrode. When the electrodes touch, the two filaments95of the fluorescent lamp and the ballast will effectively be switched in series to the supply voltage. This causes the filaments to glow and emit electrons into the gas column by thermal ion emission. Once the tube is struck, the impinging main discharge then keeps the cathode hot, permitting continued emission without the need for the starter to close. The starter does not close again because the voltage across the starter is reduced by the resistance in the cathodes and ballast. The glow discharge in the starter will not happen at the lower voltage so it will not warm and thus close the starter. Tube strike is reliable in these systems, but glow starters will often cycle a few times before letting the tube stay lit, which causes undesirable flashing during starting.

Light emitting diodes have many advantages such as saving electricity and protecting environment, and are used to replace conventional lighting devices to be the major light source in the future.FIG. 1Bis a schematic view showing a connection configuration of a conventional light emitting diode lamp8adapted from the fluorescent lamp9inFIG. 1A. In the light emitting diode lamp8, the starter94will be removed, and the magnetic ballast93will be kept for lighting on the light emitting diode tube82.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of foregoing, the present invention is to provide a lamp and a light emitting diode tube thereof. In the present invention, two first conductive terminals at one end of the light emitting diode tube are responsible for providing the current from a power source to the light emitting diode tube. Therefore, even if the light emitting diode tube is unconsciously installed onto the conventional fluorescent tube holder, the current can not flow through the lamp so that the safety can be enhanced.

The present invention is also to provide a lamp and a light emitting diode tube thereof that allow a direct current power or an alternative current power to be conducted to the light emitting diode tube through its two ends.

The present invention is further to provide a light emitting diode tube that can be installed onto a conventional fluorescent lamp without a starter.

To achieve above, the present invention discloses a light emitting diode tube to be installed onto a tube holder. The light emitting diode tube includes a light emitting diode module and two first conductive terminals. The light emitting diode module includes at least one light emitting diode string. The two first conductive terminals are disposed at one end of the light emitting diode module, and are electrically connected to a power source to drive the light emitting diode strings. Alternatively, one first conductive terminal and one second conductive terminal are disposed at different ends of the light emitting diode module, respectively, and are electrically connected to a power source to drive the light emitting diode strings.

To achieve above, the present invention also discloses a lamp including a tube holder and a light emitting diode tube. The tube holder includes a first terminal socket and a second terminal socket, and the first terminal socket is electrically connected to a power source. The light emitting diode tube is installed onto the tube holder, and one end of the light emitting diode tube has two first conductive terminals plugging into the first terminal socket so that the power source can be applied through one end of the light emitting diode tube. Alternatively, a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal are disposed at two ends of the light emitting diode module, respectively, and electrically connected to a power source to drive the light emitting diode strings.

As mentioned above, the present invention provides types of lamps and light emitting diode tubes thereof. The light emitting diode tube is electrically connected to a power source through its one end. Therefore, when the light emitting diode tube is unconsciously installed onto a conventional lamp, the light emitting diode tube can not be lighted. Because the light emitting diode tube is electrically connected to the power source via two terminals of the first lamp cap mounted on one end of the light emitting diode tube, the safety can be enhanced.

The present invention also provides types of lamps and light emitting diode tubes thereof. The light emitting diode tube includes at least one first conductive terminal and at least one second conductive terminal. The first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal conduct a direct current power or an alternative current power to the light emitting diode tube.

The present invention further provides a light emitting diode tube installed onto a conventional fluorescent lamp without a starter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

FIG. 2Ais a schematic view of a lamp2according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The lamp2mainly includes a tube holder21and a light emitting diode tube22.

As shown inFIG. 2A, the tube holder21includes a first terminal socket211and a second terminal socket212. The first terminal socket211is electrically connected to an alternative-current power source, and the second terminal socket212is not electrically connected to any power source. The light emitting diode tube22is installed onto the tube holder21.FIG. 3Ais a perspective view of a light emitting diode tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3Bis a cross-sectional view of the light emitting diode tube inFIG. 3A. With reference toFIGS. 2A,3A and3B, the light emitting diode tube22includes a light emitting diode module23, a first lamp cap241and two first conductive terminals242. The first lamp cap241is mounted on one end of the light emitting diode module23. The two first conductive terminals242are disposed on the first lamp cap241and plug in the first terminal socket211. The light emitting diode tube22is electrically connected to a power source through its one end.

The light emitting diode module23mainly includes a substrate231and at least one light emitting diode string26. The light emitting diode string26is formed by connecting a plurality of light emitting diodes261in series, and disposed on one surface of the substrate231. Although the light emitting diode tube22is only illustrated with a single light emitting diode string26in all of the views in the embodiments of the present invention, it is just exemplary and not to limit the scope of the present invention.FIG. 4is a schematic view showing the circuit of the light emitting diode tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 4, if the light emitting diode module23includes a plurality of light emitting diode strings26, the light emitting diode strings26are connected in parallel.

The substrate231includes an insulation substrate and a first printed circuit formed on the insulation substrate (not shown). The insulation substrate can be a glass fiber film FR-4.

The light emitting diode module23can further include a heat sink232disposed on the other surface of the substrate231. The heat sink232is manufactured by way of aluminum extrusion or casting formation, or is assembled by a number of heat fins, and the material of the heat sink232can be copper, aluminum, iron, magnesium alloy, metal or a material with good thermal conductivity. The light emitting diode tube22can further include an insulation thermo-conductive tape234disposed between the substrate231and the heat sink232to adhere the substrate231with the heat sink232firmly.

The light emitting diode tube22further includes a second lamp cap251mounted on the other end of the light emitting diode module23. The light emitting diode tube22can further include two insulation terminals, which may, for example but not limited to, be integrally formed with the second lamp cap251as one piece and plug in the second terminal socket212. Alternatively, the light emitting diode tube22can further include two second conductive terminals252, which are disposed on the second lamp cap251and plug in the second terminal socket212. The two second conductive terminals232are electrically floating.

The light emitting diode tube22can further include a driving unit27disposed between the light emitting diode module23and the first conductive terminals242. Preferably, the driving unit27is an alternative current to direct current converter. One of the first conductive terminals242is electrically connected to a Line wire, and the other one of the first conductive terminals242is electrically connected to a Neutral wire. The driving unit27can convert the alternative current power to the direct current power to drive at least one light emitting diode string26in the light emitting diode module23.

The lamp2can further include a plug28electrically connected to an alternative current power source. The lamp2also can further include two conductive lines. One end of each of the conductive lines is connected to the plug28, and the other end of each of the conductive lines is electrically connected to the first terminal socket211. Thus, the other ends of the conductive lines are electrically connected to two first conductive terminals242, respectively. In more detailed, the two conductive lines are composed by a first conductive line281and a second conductive line282. One end of the first conductive line281and one end of the second conductive line282are electrically connected to the plug28, and the other ends thereof are connected to the first terminal socket211to electrically connect the first conductive line281and the second conductive line282to the two first conductive terminals242, respectively.

The lamp2further includes a switch29disposed on the first conductive line281or the second conductive line282. The switch29is used to control an on/off state of the alternative current power source. As shown inFIG. 2A, the switch29is disposed on, for example but not limited to, the first conductive line281.

FIG. 2Bis a schematic view of another variation of the lamp inFIG. 2A. The lamp2afurther includes two conductive lines connected to the second terminal socket212for conducting the current from the alternative current power source to the second terminal socket212. In more detailed, the two conductive lines are composed by a third conductive line283and a fourth conductive line284. One end of the third conductive line283is electrically connected to the first conductive line281, and the other end thereof is connected to the second terminal socket212. One end of the fourth conductive lines284is electrically connected to the second conductive line282, and the other end thereof is connected to the second terminal socket212. Accordingly, the second terminal socket212can be electrically connected to the same alternative current power source, so that the two first conductive terminals242of the light emitting diode tube22can be electrically connected to the alternative current power source via the first terminal socket211or the second terminal socket212. In this case, one of the first conductive terminals242is electrically connected to the Line wire, and the other one of the first conductive terminals242is electrically connected to the Neutral line. This may increase the flexibility for installing the light emitting diode tube22. As shown inFIG. 2B, the described electrical connection of the third conductive line283and the fourth conductive line284of the lamp2ais for illustrations only and is not to limit the scope of the present invention. Besides, because the power source is an alternative power source, the two second conductive terminals252can be interchangeably connected to the third conductive line283and the fourth conductive line284, respectively.

FIG. 2Cis a schematic view of another variation of the lamp inFIG. 2A. The light emitting diode tube22bof the lamp2bincludes at least one first conductive terminal242and at least one second conductive terminal252. One end of each of the two conductive lines is connected to the plug28, and the other ends thereof are electrically connected to the first conductive terminal242and the second conductive terminal252, respectively. The alternative current power is applied to the light emitting diode tube22bvia the first conductive terminal242and the second conductive terminal252. Moreover, the first conductive terminal242and the second conductive terminal252are electrically connected to two input ends of the driving unit27, and two output ends of the driving unit27are electrically connected to the light emitting diode module23. To be noted, the light emitting diode tube22bcan also be installed onto a conventional fluorescent lamp9without a starter (as shown inFIG. 1B).

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5Ais a schematic view of a lamp2caccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. The lamp2cis substantially identical with the lamp2of the first embodiment except that the driving unit27of the lamp2cis disposed on a conductive line outside the tube holder21for converting the alternative current power to the direct current power, which is then inputted to a light emitting diode tube22cvia either the first terminal socket211or the second terminal socket212(FIG. 5Aonly shows the first terminal socket211). The driving unit27is not disposed between the light emitting diode module23and the two first conductive terminals242.

In more detailed, the lamp2cof the present embodiment includes a first conductive line281cand a second conductive line282c. One end of the first conductive line281cand one end of the second conductive line282care connected to the plug28, and the other end of the first conductive line281cand the other end of the second conductive line282care connected to the driving unit27.

The lamp2cfurther includes a fifth conductive line285and a sixth conductive line286. One end of the fifth conductive line285and one end of the sixth conductive line286are connected to the driving unit27, and the other end of the fifth conductive line285and the other one end of the sixth conductive line286are connected to the first terminal socket211for electrically connecting with the two first conductive terminals242, respectively. The remaining parts of the lamp2care identical with the lamp2of the first embodiment, so the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5Bis a schematic view of another variation of the lamp inFIG. 5A. The lamp2dis substantially identical with the lamp2cexcept the following features. The lamp2dfurther includes a seventh conductive line287and an eighth conductive line288. One end of the seventh conductive line287and one end of the eighth conductive line288are electrically connected to the fifth conductive line285and the sixth conductive line286, respectively, and the other end of the seventh conductive line287and the other end of the eighth conductive line288are connected to the second terminal socket212. Accordingly, the second terminal socket212and the first terminal socket211can be electrically connected to a direct current power source. The first conductive terminal242of the light emitting diode tube22bcan be conducted to the direct current power source via the first terminal socket211and the second terminal socket212, thereby increasing the flexibility for installing the light emitting diode tube22d. The remaining parts of the structure of the lamp2dare identical with the lamp2c, so the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5Cis a schematic view of another variation of the lamp inFIG. 5A. The differences between the lamp2einFIG. 5Cand the lamp2cinFIG. 5Aare described hereinafter. The light emitting diode tube22eof the lamp2eincludes at least one first conductive terminal242and at least one second conductive terminal252. The direct current power is conducted to the light emitting diode tube22evia the first conductive terminal242and the second conductive terminal252. In more detailed, one end of the fifth conductive line285eand one end of the sixth conductive line286eare connected to the driving unit27, and the other end of the fifth conductive line285eand the other end of the sixth conductive line286eare electrically connected to the first conductive terminal242and the second conductive terminal252, respectively. The detailed descriptions of the remaining parts will be omitted.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6Ais a schematic view of a lamp2faccording to a third embodiment of the present invention. The lamp2fis substantially identical with the lamp2cof the second embodiment except the following features. The lamp2ffurther includes a direct current to direct current converter31disposed between the first conductive terminal242and the light emitting diode module23. The direct current to direct current converter31converts the alternative current power to the direct current power, and then the driving unit27provides appropriate current to the at least one light emitting diode string26to drive the light emitting diodes261. The remaining parts of the lamp2fare identical with the lamp2cof the second embodiment, so the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6Bis a schematic view of another variation of the lamp of theFIG. 6A. The lamp2gis substantially identical with the lamp2dexcept the following feature. The lamp2gfurther includes a direct current to direct current converter31disposed between the first conductive terminal242and the light emitting diode module23. The remaining parts of the lamp2gare identical with the lamp2dof the second embodiment, so the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6Cis a schematic view of another variation of the lamp ofFIG. 6A. The differences between the lamp2hinFIG. 6Cand the lamp2finFIG. 6Aare described hereinafter. The light emitting diode tube22hof the lamp2hincludes at least one first conductive terminal242and at least one second conductive terminal252. The light emitting diode tube22his electrically connected to the direct current to direct current converter31via one of the first conductive terminals242and one of the second conductive terminals252. Two input ends of the direct current to direct current converter31are electrically connected to one of the first conductive terminals242and one of the second conductive terminals252, respectively, and two output ends of the direct current to direct current converter31are electrically connected to the light emitting diode module23to conduct the direct current power to the light emitting diode module23. The detailed descriptions of the remaining parts of the lamp2hwill be omitted.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 7is a schematic view of a lamp2iaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the lamp2iis similar to the lamp2of the first embodiment except the following features.

The second conductive terminals252of the lamp2iare shorted. One end of the first conductive line281iand one end of the second conductive line282iare connected to the plug28, the other end of the first conductive line281iis electrically connected to one of the first conductive terminals242, and the other end of the second conductive line282iis electrically connected to one of the second conductive terminals252. The lamp2ifurther includes a third conductive line283i, a fourth conductive line284i, and a short-circuit device30. One end of the third conductive line283iis electrically connected to the other one of the first conductive terminals242, and one end of the fourth conductive line284iis electrically connected to the other one of the second conductive terminals252. The short-circuit device30is electrically connected to the other end of the third conductive line283iand the other end of the fourth conductive line284i, respectively, so as to short the third conductive line283iand the fourth conductive line284i. The lamp2ican further include a ballast (not shown) disposed on the first conductive line281i.

The light emitting diode tube22iof the present embodiment can be successfully installed onto the conventional fluorescent lamp9after removing the starter94of the conventional fluorescent lamp9and installing the short-circuit device30to short the third conductive line283iand the fourth conductive line284i.

Fifth Embodiment

In this embodiment, the alternative current light emitting diodes are used instead of the direct current light emitting diodes, which are used in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. The difference among the lamp of the present embodiment and the lamps2,2a, and2bof the first embodiment is in that the alternative current to direct current converter is not needed. The connection configuration of the lamp of the present embodiment can be similar to those of the three variations disclosed in the first embodiment, and there is no alternative current to direct current converter installed inside the light emitting diode tube. Therefore, the two first conductive terminals242at one end of the light emitting diode tube of the present embodiment are electrically connected to a Line wire and a Neutral wire, respectively. Alternatively, one of the first conductive terminals242and one of the second conductive terminals252are electrically connected to a Line wire and a Neutral wire, respectively, and the first conductive terminal242and the second conductive terminal252are further electrically connected to the light emitting diode module. The remaining parts of the lamp of the present embodiment are identical with either one of the lamps2,2aand2bof the first embodiment, so the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In summary, the present invention provides types of lamps and light emitting diode tubes thereof. The light emitting diode tube can be electrically connected to a power source through its one end. Therefore, when the light emitting diode tube is unconsciously installed onto a conventional lamp, the light emitting diode can not be lighted. It is because the light emitting diode tube is electrically connected to the power source via two terminals of the first lamp cap mounted on one end of the light emitting diode tube, so that the safety can be enhanced.

The present invention also provides types of lamps and light emitting diode tubes thereof. The light emitting diode tube includes at least one first conductive terminal and at least one second conductive terminal. The first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal conduct a direct current power or an alternative current power to the light emitting diode tube.

The present invention further provides a light emitting diode tube installed onto a conventional fluorescent lamp without a starter.