Abstract:
A light source locking mechanism comprising a housing configured to receive a light source, wherein the housing has a central axis. The locking mechanism also includes an engaging mechanism coupled to the lamp housing and radially disposed about the central axis. The engaging mechanism comprises a plurality of rollers to releasably engage the light source as well as a biasing apparatus coupled to the rollers to flexibly bias the rollers towards the central axis.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of light emitting apparata, with common but by no means exclusive application to photocuring devices.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Certain light emitting devices such as photocuring devices require relatively precise alignment of the light source within the housing of the device to ensure efficient emission of light. These same light sources often require replacement.  
           [0003]    Prior art techniques for properly aligning light sources are time consuming and frequently require special tools for adjustment.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, the inventors have recognized a need for a locking mechanism, which provides a relatively simple means for aligning the light source.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    This invention is directed toward a light source locking mechanism.  
           [0006]    Specifically, the subject invention is directed towards a light source locking mechanism comprising a housing configured to receive a light source and an engaging mechanism coupled to the lamp housing and configured to releasably engage the light source.  
           [0007]    The invention is further directed towards a light source locking mechanism comprising a housing configured to receive a light source, wherein the housing has a central axis. The locking mechanism also comprises an engaging mechanism coupled to the lamp housing and radially disposed about the central axis. The engaging mechanism comprises a plurality of rollers to releasably engage the light source as well as a biasing apparatus coupled to the rollers to flexibly bias the rollers towards the central axis. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism made in accordance with the present invention, with a lamp locked within the locking mechanism.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the locking mechanism of FIG. 1 without a lamp and without the engaging mechanism, rotated approximately 45° about the central axis in comparison to the view in FIG. 1.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a top view of the engaging mechanism for the locking mechanism of FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4A is a side schematic diagram of a lamp being inserted into the locking mechanism of FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4B is a graph illustrating the insertion force required over time by the insertion of the lamp illustrated in FIG. 4A.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5A is a side schematic diagram of a lamp being removed from the locking mechanism of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5B is a graph illustrating the removal force required over time by the removal of the lamp illustrated in FIG. 5A.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6A is a side schematic diagram of a lamp being inserted into an alternate locking mechanism made in accordance with the present invention in which the channel is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6B is a graph illustrating the insertion force required over time by the insertion of the lamp illustrated in FIG. 6A.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7A is a side schematic diagram of a lamp being removed from the locking mechanism of FIG. 6A.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7B is a graph illustrating the removal force required over time by the removal of the lamp illustrated in FIG. 6A. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 2 &amp;  3 , illustrated therein is a preferred embodiment of the lamp locking mechanism of the subject invention. The locking mechanism, shown generally as  10 , comprises a housing  12  and a socket  14  in the housing configured to receive a light source  16 , such as a lamp. The housing  12  and socket  14  are preferably substantially circular about a central axis  18 .  
         [0021]    The locking mechanism  10  also includes an engaging mechanism  20 . As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, the engaging mechanism  20  comprises a compression spring  22  radially disposed about or approximately centered about the central axis  18  (which is normal to the page on which FIG. 3 is printed) and a plurality of rollers  24  assembled onto the spring  22 .  
         [0022]    Preferably, the rollers  24  are positioned equidistant about the spring  22 . As will be understood, spring  22  biases the rollers in, towards the central axis  18 . The compression spring  22  is typically formed from a straight compression spring, having a hook at each end, onto which the rollers  24  are mounted. These ends are joined together, forming a circular loop. Additionally, given the spring&#39;s  22  proximity to the light source  16  and the heat generated thereby, the spring  22  will generally be made from metal or other heat resistant material.  
         [0023]    The housing  12  preferably also comprises slots  26  sized to receive the rollers  24 . As will be understood, the slots  26  are larger, vertically, than the diameter of the rollers, but are only slightly wider than the width of the rollers, in order to enable the rollers  24  to travel vertically (and radially outwardly) within the slots  26 .  
         [0024]    As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, the housing  12  also includes a circular channel  30  centered about the central axis. Preferably, the channel  30  is angled at an angle of less than 90° relative to the central axis  18 . As noted above, preferably the rollers  24  are positioned equidistant about the spring  22 . Positioning the rollers  24  in such a manner, in conjunction with the centered spring  22 , helps ensure that a uniform radial force is exerted upon the light source  16  thereby correctly aligning the lamp  16 .  
         [0025]    As will be understood, the housing  12  is preferably mounted to the housing of a light emitting apparatus (not shown), for example a photocuring device, such that once the light source  16  has been inserted into the socket  14 , the light source  16  is correctly aligned with any optical components or emission port which the light emitting apparatus may contain. Additionally, as will also be apparent, once the light source  16  has been inserted into the locking mechanism  10 , it will still be necessary to couple the light source  16  to the power supply of the light emitting apparatus.  
         [0026]    As well, the locking mechanism  10  has been illustrated as having four equidistant rollers  24  and corresponding slots  26 . However, it should be understood that different quantities of rollers  24 /slots  26  can be used, as long as the configuration adequately aligns the light source  16 , once it is completely inserted into the socket  14 .  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIGS.  4 A- 5 B, illustrated therein is the use of the locking mechanism  10 . For illustrative purposes, as will be understood, the light source  16  and the locking mechanism  10  are depicted schematically, with only one segment of the housing  12 , spring  22 , channel  30  and one roller  24  illustrated.  
         [0028]    In FIG. 4A, the light source  16  is inserted into the socket  14  of the locking mechanism  10  with an insertion force illustrated by force vector  40 . The force vectors FN, FNy and FNx indicate the reaction force exerted by the spring  22  (FN) as well as the vertical (FNy) and horizontal (FNx) force components.  
         [0029]    The graph in FIG. 4B illustrates the amount of insertion force  40  required  46  over time (t) from the point at which the lip  42  of the lamp&#39;s  16  parabolic reflector  44  first engages the rollers  24 . As will be understood, the insertion force  40  is opposite in direction and value to the vertical (FNy) force component of the force FN exerted by the spring  22 . As the lamp  16  is inserted into the socket  14 , the rollers  24  are pushed downwardly and outwardly as this interaction causes the spring  22  to follow the channel  30  downward and outward. Eventually, once the rollers  24  have substantially passed the lip  42  of the reflector  44 , the insertion force  40 / 46  returns to 0. As should be understood, the size of the rollers  24  must be selected such that they can effectively engage and roll over the lip  42  of the reflector  44 .  
         [0030]    Referring now to FIG. 5A, the light source  16  is removed from the socket  14  of the locking mechanism  10  with a removal force illustrated by force vector  50 . The force vectors FN′, FNy′ and FNx′ indicate the reaction force exerted by the spring  22  (FN′) as well as the vertical (FNy′) and horizontal (FNx′) force components.  
         [0031]    The graph in FIG. 5B illustrates the amount of removal force  50  required  56  over time (t) from the point at which the lip  42  of the lamp&#39;s  16  parabolic reflector  44  first engages the rollers  24 . As the lamp  16  is removed from the socket  14 , the rollers  24  are pushed downwardly and outwardly as this interaction causes the spring  22  to follow the channel  30  downward and outward. Eventually, once the rollers  24  have substantially passed the lip  42  of the reflector  44 , the removal force  50 / 56  return to 0.  
         [0032]    Upon comparing the graphs of FIGS. 4B and 5B, it is apparent that the removal force  50 / 56  is substantially greater than and in this case approximately four times, although opposite in direction to, the insertion force  40 / 46 . Having a removal force  50 / 56  that is greater than the insertion force  40 / 46  will generally be considered advantageous, as the light source  16  will be relatively easy to insert, but will be locked in place with a greater (removal) force.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIGS.  6 A- 7 B, illustrated therein is the use of an alternative embodiment of a locking mechanism, shown generally as  100 . The alternative locking mechanism  100  is largely similar to the locking mechanism  10 ; however, instead of having a channel  30  at an angle less than 90° relative to the central axis, the channel  130  is substantially perpendicular to the central axis  18 . For illustrative purposes, as will be understood, the light source  16  and the locking mechanism  100  are depicted schematically, with only one segment of the housing  112 , spring  22 , channel  130  and one roller  24  illustrated.  
         [0034]    In FIG. 6A, the light source  16  is inserted into the socket  14  of the locking mechanism  100  with an insertion force illustrated by force vector  140 . The force vectors FN″, FNy″ and FNx″ respectively indicate the reaction force exerted by the spring  22  (FN″) as well as the vertical (FNy″) and horizontal (FNx″) force components.  
         [0035]    The graph in FIG. 6B illustrates the amount of insertion force  140  required  146  over time (t) from the point at which the lip  42  of the lamp&#39;s  16  parabolic reflector  44  first engages the rollers  24 . As the lamp  16  is inserted into the socket  14 , the rollers  24  are pushed outwardly as this interaction causes the spring  22  to follow the channel  130  outward. Gradually, as the rollers  24  pass the lip  42  of the reflector  44 , the insertion force  140 / 146  returns to 0.  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIG. 7A, the light source  16  is removed from the socket  14  of the locking mechanism  100  with a removal force illustrated by force vector  150 . The force vectors FN′″, FNy′″ and FNx′″ respectively indicate the reaction force exerted by the spring  22  (FN′″) as well as the vertical (FNy′″) and horizontal (FNx′″) force components.  
         [0037]    The graph in FIG. 7B illustrates the amount of removal force  150  required  156  over time (t) from the point at which the lip  42  of the lamp&#39;s  16  parabolic reflector  44  first engages the rollers  24 . As the lamp  16  is removed from the socket  14 , the rollers  24  are pushed outwardly as this interaction causes the spring  22  to follow the channel  130  outward. Gradually, as the rollers  24  pass the lip  42  of the reflector  44 , the removal force  150 / 156  returns to 0. Upon comparing the graphs of FIGS. 4B and 5B, it is apparent that the removal force  150 / 156  is substantially equal (although opposite in direction) to the insertion force  140 / 146 .  
         [0038]    Thus, while what is shown and described herein constitute preferred embodiments of the subject invention, it should be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the subject invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.