Patent Treuhand Gesellschaft Fur Elektrische Gluhlampen Mbh

Horst Wittmann

Erolf Weinhardt

Helmut Grahmann

Michael Dietrich

The present invention relates to a compact low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel (,) with electrodes and supply leads (,), and a base (,) assembled from a cap (,), housing (,) and mounting plate (,) with a ballast arrangement. The mounting plate (,) with the ballast arrangement is installed in the interior of the base housing (,) and has terminals (,) for the electric connection of the supply leads (,) to the mounting plate (,). In this case, the supply leads (,) are pressed against the electric terminals (,) of the mounting plate (,) by means of a spring element (,).

Compact low pressure discharge lamp having spring element to connect the supply leads of the lamp to the electric terminals of the mounting plate

The invention relates to a compact low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel 14 having electrodes and supply leads 30, and having a mp cap 12 assembled from a cap 16, housing 18 and mounting plate 24 with a ballast arrangement. In this case, the mounting plate 24 with the ballast arrangement 32 is fitted in the interior of the lamp cap housing 18. The mounting plate 24 also has terminals 26 for the electric connection of the supply leads 30. According to the invention, in this case the supply leads 30 are connected to the electric terminals 26 of the mounting plate 24 via or by means of an electrically conducting helical or spiral spring 28 in each case.

Compact low-pressure discharge lamp utilizing helical or spiral springs

To simplify assembly of a bottom portion (4) with a cap portion (3) of a base to a compact fluorescent lamp, and permit automated assembly thereof, the cap portion is formed with inner axially extending projections (23-26), and current supply leads (27a-28b) are looped about the axially extending projections. A circuit board (8) located transversely across the bottom portion (4) has essentially U-shaped bow frames or arched or clip elements (35-38) located thereon which are positioned to engage by resilient surface contact with the end portions (31) of the current supply leads when the bottom portion and the cap portion are snapped together upon axial movement. Inwardly extending ribs (44, 45; 48, 49) projecting from the inner wall of the bottom portion support the bow frame or arched or clip elements, and ensure prestressed reliable contact engagement between the bow frame or arched or clip elements and the end portions of the current supply leads. Preferably, the end portions of the current supply leads and of the clip elements are made of tinned wires.

Compact fluorescent lamp and base combination, and method of lamp-base

To improve mass production of fluorescent lamps, and introduction of merc within the interior thereof, the lamp mount includes an electrically conductive strip, band or wire secured within the vessel, to which a heater wire (11, 31, 40) is connected, the heater wire being melt-connected to extend into the glass capsule, forming therein a narrow V, or U-shaped structure. Upon application of a high frequency field, the heater wire will heat and open the glass capsule in the region of the melt-through connection thereof, thus liberating mercury previously introduced into the glass capsule, for example in the form of a drop, a pellet of porous substance with mercury dispersed therein, or the like.

Mercury discharge lamp with mercury containing capsule

A cover module (1) of an adaptor for single-based fluorescent lamps is prded with a cylindrical element, having a cross-sectionally rectangular recess (2) therein, for receiving the base of the lamp. Spring elements (5) for gripping the base are formed on opposing interior sidewalls of the recess (2). The lower ends (6) of the spring elements (5) are integrally formed with the cover module (1) and the play or travel of each of their upper ends (7) is limited by a stop (10) formed on the cover module (1). Between the upper (7) and lower (6) ends, detents (8) are formed on the spring elements (5) forcibly engage behind, in the direction of lamp insertion, cam surfaces (12) on the lamp base. The force, with which the lamp base is held in the cover module (1), is selectable within a certain range, dependent upon the spacing of the play-limiting stops (10), thus assuring a secure mechanical engagement of the lamp in the cover module socket.

Socket for receiving the base of a single-based fluorescent lamp

To reliably attach a connection lead (12) to a screw-in sleeve (9) fitted er a connection portion (3) of a base body (1) which retains parallel legs of a compact fluorescent lamp (5), the current supply lead is bent over in a groove (13) formed at an end face of the connection portion (3) and carried along parallel thereto at the inside of the screw-in sleeve, to provide for reliable electrical and mechanical connection, and retained in position by a punch retention of the screw-in sleeve on the connection portion (3) of the base body.

Single-ended fluorescent lamp-base combination

To eliminate the necessity for a temperature-hardening cement to set the ular ends of paired discharge tubes into a plastic base, a holding element (7), including inwardly and downwardly directed barbs or tongues (8), is located within the base, the barbs or tongues engaging in depressions (3) or behind projections (3') of the pinch seal (2) normally formed at the end of the tubes. To additionally hold the tubes in position, a compression gasket (9) is interposed between a cover cap (6) and the bottom portion (5) of the base, the cover cap and the bottom portion being connected together by a snap fit.

Growing community of inventors

Stadtbergen, Germany

Horst Wittmann