Patent Publication Number: US-8123540-B2

Title: Lamp socket having a rotor assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/243,509 filed on Oct. 1, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to lamp sockets, and in particular, to a lamp socket adapted ensure a lamp is fully engaged prior to being energized. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Fluorescent lamps typically comprise a hermetically sealed structure or tube containing one or more gases with a small amount of mercury contained therein. The tube is typically coated with a phosphor-based power along the inside of the tube. Additionally, fluorescent lamps also generally contain two electrodes spaced apart and configured such that current flows through the gas and mercury in certain conditions. When sufficient electric charge is applied between the electrodes, electrons migrate through the gas away from one electrode and towards the other. As aggregate electric charge is displaced, some of the electrons collide with the vapor-phase mercury thus exciting electrons contained therein into higher energy states (sometimes incorrectly referred to as “orbital” states). Quickly thereafter, these excited vapor-phase mercury atoms (ionized mercury gas) quickly drop to a lower excitation state and release one or more photons equal to the energy loss resulting from the reduced excitation state of the gas-phase mercury atom. The photons released from the mercury gas are mostly in the ultraviolet region of the light spectrum, and consequentially, are invisible to the human eye and are not directly desirable for human lighting. However, these UV photons are absorbed by the phosphor-based coating. The absorption of the UV photons excites the phosphor atoms, which after rising to a higher energy state, quickly return to a lower energy state giving off light mostly in the visible spectrum. 
     These fluorescent lamps typically include at least one pin and commonly two pins electrically connected to an electrode. Each electrode is at the end of the hermetically sealed tube. In some configurations, current is injected between the two pins of the electrode to heat the electrodes thereby “boiling off” electrons from the metal surface sending them into the gas thus partially ionizing the gas. However, in some embodiments, this function is bypassed and the two pins are simply electrically connected together in the control circuitry, the lamp socket and/or in the lamp housing. 
     These fluorescent lamps have a life span and therefore need frequent replacing from time to time. Several fluorescent lamp designs have been standardized including their respective lamp sockets; for example, T5, T8 and T12 are standard fluorescent lamp designs. Lamp sockets are usually designed so that fluorescent lamps may be quickly installed and/or removed. Typically, the lamp sockets are installed by a technician that inserts the pins of the florescent lamp into a socket (usually from the side) and rotates the lamp to secure the lamp within the lamp fixture. These florescent lamps are usually electrically connected immediately upon insertion or after a very minimal amount of rotation. When a florescent lamp is inserted into a lamp socket and not fully rotated, the lampholder may not be fully seated which may be undesirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to lamp sockets, and in particular, to a lamp socket adapted ensure a lamp is fully engaged prior to being energized. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-pin socket assembly includes a rotor assembly, a housing, and at least one electrical contact. The rotor assembly has an axis of rotation and defines a channel having a length about perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The rotor assembly is adapted to receive at least one lamp pin within the channel from an edge of the rotor assembly. Each of the at least one lamp pin defines a longitudinal axis. Each of the axis of each of the at least lamp pin is about parallel to the axis of rotation when each of the at least one lamp pin is received from the edge of the rotor assembly to within the channel. the housing is adapted to receive the rotor assembly such that the rotor assembly is rotatable along its axis of rotation therein. The housing defines a notch adapted to receive each of the at least one lamp pin when each of the axis of each of the at least one pin is about parallel to the axis of rotation. The rotator assembly is rotatable to at least first and second positions and the channel of the rotor assembly aligns with the notch of the housing when in the first position such that each of the at least one lamp pin is received through the notch of the housing and into the channel of the rotor assembly. A least one electrical contact is disposed within the housing and an electrical contact of the at least one electrical contact is adapted for operative engagement with a lamp pin of the at least one lamp pin. The electrical contact is operatively disengaged from the lamp pin when the rotor assembly is in about the first position and operatively engages the lamp pin when the rotor assembly is rotated at least substantially to the second position. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a socket assembly includes a mounting structure and a lamp socket. The mounting structure has a plurality of snaps adapted to secure the mounting structure to a receiving portion of a surface. Each of the plurality of snaps includes an elongated length defining an axis and each of the plurality of snaps includes a flange disposed at an end thereof. Each flange of each of the plurality of snaps extends at a radial angle of the axis and at least two of the plurality of snaps have different radial angles of extending flanges. The lamp socket is adapted to receive a lamp. The lamp socket operatively connected to the mounting structure to operatively secure the lamp to the receiving portion of the surface. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a socket assembly includes a rotor assembly, a housing, and at least one electrical contact. The rotor assembly defines an axis about perpendicular to a surface of the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly further defines a channel having a length about perpendicular to the axis of the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly is adapted to receive at least one lamp pin within the channel from an edge of the rotor assembly. Each of the at least one lamp pin defines a longitudinal axis and each of the axis of each of the at least lamp pin is about parallel to the axis when each of the at least one lamp pin is received from the edge of the rotor assembly to within the channel. The housing is adapted to receive the rotor assembly such that one of the housing and/or the rotor assembly is rotatable about the axis about perpendicular to the surface of the rotor assembly. The housing defines a notch adapted to receive each of the at least one lamp pin when each of the axis of each of the at least one pin is about parallel to the axis. One of the housing and the rotator assembly is rotatable to at least first and second positions and the channel of the rotor assembly aligns with the notch of the housing when in the first position such that each of the at least one lamp pin is received through the notch of the housing and into the channel of the rotor assembly. The at least one electrical contact is disposed within the housing. An electrical contact of the at least one electrical contact is adapted for operative engagement with a lamp pin of the at least one lamp pin. The electrical contact is operatively disengaged from the lamp pin when the one of the housing and the rotor assembly is in about the first position and operatively engages the lamp pin when the one of the housing and the rotor assembly is rotated at least substantially to the second position. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of using a lamp includes: providing the lamp having a lamp pin disposed thereon; providing a lamp socket; inserting the lamp pin into the channel such that the lamp pin is received from the edge of the rotor assembly to within the channel; and rotating the rotor assembly to the second positions such that the electrical contact operatively engages the lamp pin. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a multi-pin socket assembly having a housing adapted to be detachably attachable to a mounting structure in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A-2F  show the multi-pin socket assembly of  FIG. 1  further including a variety of mounting structures in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a multi-pin socket assembly having two rotor assemblies with a common mounting structure adapted to mount to a panel in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a mounting structure shaped and adapted to receive two of the multi-pin sockets of the one shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a multi-pin socket assembly having a mounting structure with three snaps for mounting the mounting structure through a hole in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows the multi-pin socket assembly of  FIG. 5  with the rotor assembly rotated to a second position such that lamp pins make contact with electrical contacts disposed therein in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the multi-pin socket assembly of  FIG. 5  which also shows a cross-sectional view of the rotor assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  shows another cross-sectional view of the multi-pin socket assembly of  FIG. 5  in accordance with the present disclosure 
         FIG. 9  shows the multi-pin socket assembly of  FIG. 5  with the rotor assembly rotated to a second position such that lamp pins make contact with electrical contacts disposed therein without the housing being shown in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross-section view of another multi-pin socket assembly having another embodiment of electrical contacts disposed therein in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  shows the electric contacts of the multi-pin socket assembly of  FIG. 10  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a multi-pin socket assembly  100  having a housing  102  adapted to be detachably attachable to a mounting structure (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) in accordance with the present disclosure. Although the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is shown as being adapted to receive two lamp pins, embodiments of one or more lamp pins are envisioned. Multi-pin socket assembly  100  includes a housing  102 . Multi-pin socket assembly  100  also includes a rotor assembly  104  that can rotate within housing  102 . Rotor assembly  104  can rotate within housing  102  about Axis “A”. Rotor assembly  104  defines a channel  106  having a length “L”. Additionally, housing  102  defines a notch  108 . Although rotor assembly  104  is rotatable within housing  102 , it is envisioned that housing  102  is rotatable in other embodiments such that an electrical connection is made to the lamp pins via electrical contacts by rotating housing  102  (not shown). 
     Rotor assembly  104  can receive two-lamp pins (not shown) within channel  106  via notch  108 . The lamps pins can cause rotor assembly  104  to rotate. The lamps pins cause rotation when the lamp is rotated. The lamp pins are received when about parallel to axis “A”. Once the lamp pins are within channel  106 , rotor assembly  104  may be rotated around axis “A” thereby also rotating the lamp pins along with the attached lamp (not shown). 
     Initially, when the rotor assembly  104  is in the position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the channel  106  is aligned with notch  108  to receive the lamp pins. After the two-lamp pins are received, electrical contacts therein (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) are not in electrical communication with the lamp pins. However, rotor assembly  104  is rotatable from the position shown in  FIG. 1  to other positions, e.g., 90 degree of rotation from the position as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     When the rotor assembly  104  is rotated  90  degrees about axis “A”, the lamp pins positioned therein make electrical contact with the pins when about fully rotated. This prevents the lamp from being energized because the two lamp pins are not in electrical communication until rotor assembly  104  is rotated to a second predetermined position, which in this embodiment as mentioned above, is 90 degrees of rotation around axis “A”. 
     Additionally, the electrical contacts may protrude (not shown) into the channel  106 , thus “snapping” rotor assembly  104  into a semi-locked position while simultaneously and suddenly making full electrical contact with the lamp-pins with the electrical contacts disposed therein (discussed in more detail below). The electrical contacts within multi-pin socket assembly are adapted for being electrically wired for sufficient operation of the lamp, e.g., a fluorescent lamp may be wired to an electrical ballast via the internal electrical contacts. Additionally, multi-pin socket assembly  100  may have torque resistance from further rotation about axis “A” after positioned in the semi-locked position. 
     Multi-pin socket assembly  100  may be adapted to receive several types of lamp sockets, including a T5 lamp, a T8 lamp and a T12 lamp. The lamps pins may be positioned at or near the periphery of rotor assembly  104  when positioned therein. Multi-pin socket assembly  100  may also be adapted to be attachable to a mounting structure (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, multi-pin socket assembly  100  may be detachably attachable to a mounting structure such that axis “A” is parallel to a panel (as mounted thereto) and is a distance therefrom, e.g., 16 millimeters, 20 millimeters or 23 millimeters. The distance may be any amount, for example the first distance may be greater than 12 millimeters, e.g., from about 16 millimeters to about 30 millimeters. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 2A-2F  show the multi-pin socket assembly  102  of  FIG. 1  further including a variety of mounting structures in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 2A  shows multi-pin socket assembly  200 ;  FIG. 2B  shows multi-pin socket assembly  202 ;  FIG. 2C  shows multi-pin socket assembly  204 ;  FIG. 2D  shows multi-pin socket assembly  206 ;  FIG. 2E  shows multi-pin socket assembly  208 ; and  FIG. 2F  shows multi-pin socket assembly  210 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows a multi-pin socket assembly  200  including housing  102  and mounting structure  212 . Mounting structure  212  attaches housing  102  with rotor assembly  104  to a panel (not shown). For example, two of multi-pin assemblies  200 , each facing each other may be attached to a lighting panel. A fluorescent bulb (not shown) may be positioned between the two multi-pin socket assemblies  200  and thereafter may be rotated to enable electrical communication with the fluorescent bulb. Multi-pin socket assembly  200  is attachable to a panel via hole  214 . A fastener, e.g., a screw, fastens multi-pin socket assembly  200  to a panel through hole  214 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows a multi-pin socket assembly  202  including a mounting structure  216 . Mounting structure  216  includes legs  218  and  220 . Leg  218  includes a snap  222  and leg  220  include a snap  224 . Snaps  222  and  224  can snap into a panel having sufficiently sized holes (not shown). Each of snaps  222  and  224  snap into a respective hole of the holes. 
       FIG. 2C  shows a multi-pin socket assembly  204  including a mounting structure  226 . Mounting structure  226  includes snap  228  adapted to snap into a panel.  FIG. 2D  shows a multi-pin socket assembly  206  having a mounting structure  228 , similar to mounting structure  226  of  FIG. 2C , however, mounting structure  228  includes a spring  230 . Spring  230  may be a planar piece of metal having a bend inwards towards mounting structure  228 . When mounting structure  228  is mounted to a panel, spring  230  presses against the panel because of the bend thereby applying resistance force against multi-pin socket assembly  206  being pressed into a panel. 
       FIG. 2E  shows a multi-pin socket assembly  208  having a mounting structure  232 . Mounting structure  232  is attachable to a panel such that axis “A” of rotor assembly  104  is perpendicular to the panel (not shown). Mounting structure  232  includes a snap  234  and a snap  236 . Snap  236  is partially obscured by mounting structure  232 , however, it is a “mirror” image of snap  234 . Snaps  234  and  236  may be placed into two holes of a panel (not shown) to secure multi-pin socket assembly  208  thereto. 
       FIG. 2F  shows a multi-pin socket assembly similar to multi-pin socket assembly  208 ; however, multi-pin socket assembly  210  includes a mounting structure  236  with a spring  238 . Spring  238  may be a planar and flexible piece of metal with a preformed bend, such that spring  238  resists being pressed between mounting structure  232  and a panel. 
       FIG. 3  shows a multi-pin socket assembly  300  having two rotor assemblies  302  and  304  with a common mounting structure  306  adapted to mount to a panel (not shown) in accordance with the present disclosure. Rotor assemblies  302  and  304  are rotatable about axes “B” and “C”, respectively. 
     Rotor assemblies  302  and  304  are each adapted to receive lamp pins (not shown) via channels  306  and  306 , respectively. After the pins are received, each may be rotated about 90-degree which causes rotor assemblies  302  and  304  to make electrical contact to the lamp pins and semi-lock rotor assemblies  302  and  304  into the 90-degree position. Electrical contacts disposed within multi-pin socket assembly may protrude through channels  306  and  308  (discussed below). Mounting structure  306  mounts rotor assemblies  302  and  306  to a panel (not shown). 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 4  shows a mounting structure  400  shaped and adapted to receive two of the multi-pin sockets  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present disclosure. Mounting structure  400  includes cavities  402  and  404 . Each of cavities  402  and  404  can receive a rotor assembly, e.g., rotor assembly  104  of  FIG. 1 . Additionally or alternatively, each of cavities  402  and  404  can receive a housing of a rotor assembly, e.g., housing  102  of  FIG. 1 , which may also include rotor assembly  104  positioned therein. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 5  shows a multi-pin socket assembly  500  having a mounting structure  502  with snaps  504 ,  508  and  510 . Snaps  504 ,  508 , and  510  are shown as being mounted to panel  512 . Multi-pin socket assembly  500  includes a rotor assembly  514  having a channel  516 . Multi-pin socket assembly  500  also includes a housing  518 . 
     Rotor assembly  514  is disposed within housing  518  and is rotatable therewithin. Housing  518  defines a notch  520 . Although notch  520  is shown as being about the same width as channel  516 , notch  520  may be larger or smaller than the width of channel  516 . Additionally or alternatively, notch  520  may be substantially surrounding rotor assembly  514 , e.g., housing  518  may not extend flush with rotor assembly  514  thereby the “notch”, in this example, would extend all around rotor assembly  514  (not shown). 
     Multi-pin socket assembly  500  also includes securing members, i.e., snaps  504 ,  508 , and  510 . Snaps  504 ,  508 , and  510  each include flanges  522 ,  524 , and  526 , respectively. Flange  522  defines an axis “E”, flange  524  defines an axis “F” and flange  526  defines an axis “G”. Note that flange  524  has a radial angle (along axis “F”) of about 180 degrees relative to the radial angles of flanges  522  and  526  (along axes “E” and “G”, respectively). The radial angle is defined by the angle in which the flange generally points. For example, snap  504  has a flange  522  that has a radial angle that is about parallel to axis “D”, i.e., note that flange  522  is pointing towards a direction about parallel to the direction axis “D” points towards. 
     Note that rotor assembly  514  is positioned within housing  518  and that the channel  516  is orientated in a first position therewithin. Refer now simultaneously to  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  FIG. 6  also shows the multi-pin socket assembly  500  of  FIG. 5 . Note that the rotor assembly  514  is rotated to a second position, which is about 90-degrees of rotation along axis “D” relative to the first position as shown in  FIG. 5 . Multi-pin socket assembly  500  also includes electrical contacts  528  and  530 . Electrical contacts  528  and  530  extend into channel  516  to make electric contact with lamp pins (not shown) positioned within channel  516 . Electrical contacts  528  and  530  extent into channel  516  which resists further rotation along axis “D”. 
     Additionally, electrical contacts  528  and  530  may be configured to quickly and suddenly enter into channel  516  to semi-secure (i.e., resist further rotation about axis “D”) rotor assembly  514 ; this also facilitates direct and complete electrical contact with pins positioned within channel  516 . The details of electrical contacts  528  and  530  are discussed below. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , note the cross-sectional portion of multi-pin socket assembly  500  as indicated along lines  7 - 7 . Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 7  is the cross-sectional view of multi-pin socket assembly  500  along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  also shows a cross-sectional view of rotor assembly  514 .  FIG. 7  shows lamp pins  532  and  534  as positioned within channel  516  of rotor assembly  514 . 
     Rotor assembly  514  has a general circular shape to facilitate rotation along axis “D”. Pins  532  and  534  are of lamp  536 . After pins  532  and  534  of lamp  536  are inserted into channel  516  via notch  520 , lamp  536  may be rotated along axis “D” thereby rotating rotor assembly  514  therewith. Thereafter, electrical contacts  528  and  530  will contact pins  532  and  534 , respectively, providing an electrical connection for proper operation of lamp  536 . Also, multi-pin socket assembly  500  includes shunt  538  for electrically connecting together electrical contacts  528  and  530 , thus keeping pins  532  and  534  in electrical communication. 
     Most fluorescent lamps (e.g., lamp  536 ) have four pins with two at each end. Each pair of pins at each end has an opposite charge relative to the other pair. Older ballast systems utilize pins  532  and  534  by communicating electrically to them separately, however, most modern electrical ballasts utilize them such that they are electrically connected. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , multi-pin socket assembly  500  is shown in  FIG. 8  as the cross sectional view along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 . Rotor assembly  514  is shown and is disposed within housing  518 . Rotor assembly  514  is rotatable within housing  518  along axis “D”. Disposed within housing  518  are electrical contacts  528  and  530 . Note that electrical contacts  528  and  530  semi-secure rotor assembly  514  via dimples  540  and  542 . Dimples  540  and  542  each provided resistance torque when rotor assembly  514  is positioned such that channel  516  is aligned with notch  520 . 
     Additionally, when rotor assembly  524  is rotated along axis “D” about 90-degree to a second position, each of electrical contacts  528  and  530  extend into channel  516  thus providing torque resistance away from the second position, and securing lamp pins disposed therein to electrical contacts  528  and  530 . 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 9  shows the multi-pin socket assembly  500  of  FIG. 5  with the rotor assembly  514  rotated to a second position such that lamp pins (not shown) make contact with electrical contacts  528  and  530  in accordance with the present disclosure. Multi-pin socket assembly  500  is shown without the housing  518  (see  FIG. 5 ). Multi-pin socket assembly  500  is shown such that rotor assembly  514  is easily seen. Rotor assembly  514  includes dimples  540  and  542  to provide a semi-locking mechanism (resists rotational movement with counter-torque) because electrical contacts  528  and  530  “press” into dimples  540  and  542  when rotor assembly  514  is rotated about axis “D”. Note that rotor assembly  514  includes an engagement surface  548  defined around axis “D”. Dimple  540  is defines as a recessed portion being closer to axis “D” than adjacent portions  550  and  522 . As previously mentioned, dimple  540  is shaped to receive electrical contacts  528  and  530 . The negative direction of axis “D” is indicated by an arrow labeled as D′. As shown, both of electrical contacts  528  and  530  protrude into channel  516  from opposite positions. Also note that rotor assembly  514  includes lips  544  and  546  which guide electrical contacts  528  and  530  to remain in a sufficient position around rotor assembly  514  throughout rotation of rotor assembly  514  about axis “D”. 
       FIG. 10  shows a cross-section view of a multi-pin socket assembly  1000  having electrical contacts  1002  and  1004  disposed therein in accordance with the present disclosure. Electrical contacts  1002  and  1004  are disposed within housing  1006 . Additionally, rotor assembly  1008  is shown and rotates about an axis “H”. Rotor assembly  1008  has a channel  1010  such that electrical contacts  1002  and  1004  can protrude therein to make electrical contact with lamp pins (not shown). Multi-pin socket assembly  1000  also includes a housing  1016  for mounting to a structure. Note that electrical contacts  1002  and  1004  have a different shape than the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8  (see electrical contacts  528  and  530 ). 
     Refer now to  FIG. 11  which shows electric contacts  1002  and  1004  of the multi-pin socket assembly  1000  of  FIG. 10  in accordance with the present disclosure. Electrical contacts  1002  and  1004 , include protrusion members  1006  and  1008 , respectively, to protrude into channel  1010  of rotor assembly  1008  (see  FIG. 10 ). Additionally, protrusion members  1006  and  1008  are adapted to protrude into dimples  10102  and  1014  of rotor assembly  1008  (see  FIG. 10 ). 
     While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings and/or discussed herein, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments.