EP1437803A1

EP1437803A1 - Power source connector for fluorescent lamp

Info

Publication number: EP1437803A1
Application number: EP20030000287
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shi Youl Noh
Original assignee: Feelux Co Ltd
Current assignee: Feelux Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-01-09
Filing date: 2003-01-09
Publication date: 2004-07-14

Abstract

The connector has a connector body (10) with coupling holes separated by a preset interval from each other. The holes perforate a side of an upper surface of the body and formed in edges of the body lower end. A power source connecting rod mounted at a side of the body is connected with a fluorescent lamp frame side. A connector cover (20) protects the body and an electric wire cover is mounted in a space part of the body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power source connector for a fluorescent lamp, and more particularly, to a power source connector for a fluorescent lamp capable of directly connecting a fluorescent lamp frame to an electric wire part.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a fluorescent lamp is installed at a dark place where people easily use it, and allows the people to discriminate things by emitting light using power source applied to a fluorescent material. The fluorescent lamp is adhered on the ceiling of a house or an office, or on the ceiling of an electric motor or a train.
The fluorescent lamp includes a reflecting shade, a socket for fitting the fluorescent lamp, and a ballast electrically connected with the socket for providing the fluorescent lamp with stabilized voltage.
The fluorescent lamp is mounted on a fluorescent lamp frame, and the fluorescent lamp frame is fixed on the ceiling.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional fluorescent lamp frame includes a lamp frame body 1, a first connection terminal 2 mounted at an end of the lamp frame body 1, and a second connection terminal 3 mounted at the other end of the lamp frame body 1.
Here, a concent 2a is formed on a side of the first connection terminal 2, and a plug 3a is formed on a side of the second connection terminal 3.
As described above, a number of the fluorescent lamp frames 1 are connected in series, and a number of fluorescent lamps are mounted on the lamp frames 1 respectively. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, a power source connecting wire 4 is connected between the plug 3a of the second connection terminal 3 of the first fluorescent lamp and the concent 2a of the first connection terminal 2 of the next fluorescent lamp.
However, to connect the fluorescent lamp frames 1 at predetermined intervals, additional power source connecting wires 4 are needed, and thereby, the installation expenses are increased and the installation process becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a power source connector for a fluorescent lamp that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a power source connector for a fluorescent lamp capable of directly connecting a fluorescent lamp frame to an electric wire part.
Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the power source connector for a fluorescent lamp includes: a connector body having first and second coupling holes separated by a predetermined interval from each other, the coupling holes vertically perforating a side of the upper surface of the connector body, a space part formed in the lower end thereof for mounting an electric wire part, a power source connecting rod mounted at one side of the connector body to be connected with a side of a fluorescent lamp frame, and at least one or more coupling holes formed in edges of the lower end of the connector body; a connector cover for protecting the connector body; and an electric wire cover mounted in the space part of the connector body.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG.1 is a schematic view showing a state before a conventional fluorescent lamp frame is connected;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state after the conventional fluorescent lamp frame is connected;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state that a power source connector for a fluorescent lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state before the power source connector for the fluorescent lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state that a power source connector for a fluorescent lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention is mounted;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state before the power source connector for the fluorescent lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mounted;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a state that a power source connector for a fluorescent lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention is mounted;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a state before the power source connector for the fluorescent lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention is mounted;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a state that a power source connector for a fluorescent lamp according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is mounted; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state before the power source connector for the fluorescent lamp according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is mounted;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fluorescent lamp connector includes a connector body 10, a connector cover 20 for protecting the connector body 10, and an electric wire cover 30 mounted in a space part 14 of the connector body 10. The connector body includes first and second coupling holes 11 and 12 separated by a predetermined interval from each other and vertically perforating a side of the upper surface thereof, the space part 14 formed in the lower end thereof for mounting an electric wire part 13, a power source connecting rod 15 mounted at one side thereof to be connected with a side of a fluorescent lamp frame 40, and at least one or more coupling holes 16 formed in edges of the lower end thereof.
Inside the connector body 10, a lead wire(not shown) is connected between the first coupling hole 11 and an inner power source part(not shown) of the power source connecting rod 15, and another lead wire is connected between the second coupling hole 12 and the inner power source part(not shown) of the power source connecting rod 15. The lead wires can be charged with electricity.
The connector cover 20 includes: a cover body 23 having first and second coupling protectors 21 and 22 formed at the corresponding positions of the first and second coupling holes 11 and 12 and wrapping the upper surface of the connector body 10; side wall parts 24 extending downwardly from both sides of the cover body 23; and protrusions 25 for fixing and locking end portions of the side walls 24 to the coupling holes 16.
The electric wire cover 30 is connected to the connector body 10 in such a manner that the wire cover 30 slides into the space part 14 of the connector body 10, and has a wire hole 31 formed in the upper surface thereof for mounting the electric wire part 13.
An assembling process of the fluorescent lamp connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
First, the electric wire part 13 is located inside the space part 14 of the connector body 10, and then, the wire cover 30 slides into the space part 14.
At this time, the electric wire part 13 is seated and fixed in the wire hole 31 formed in the upper surface of the wire cover 30.
Next, a coupling member B is screwed with the first coupling hole 11, and thereby, it is mounted on the upper surface of the connector body 10 and located inside the space part 14 to a predetermined depth.
Herein, an end of the coupling member B goes through a covering material of the electric wire part 13 mounted inside the space part 14, and then, contacts a conductor part(not shown) formed inside the electric wire part 13.
As the result, the coupling member B is connected with the conductor part of the electric wire part 13 so as to pass electricity.
Meanwhile, inside the connector body 10, a lead wire(not shown) is connected between the first coupling hole 11 and the electric wire part(not shown) located inside the power source connecting rod 15, and a lead wire is connected between the second coupling hole 12 and the electric wire part of the power source connecting rod 15. The lead wires can be charged with electricity.
The power source connecting rod 15 is mounted at one side of the connector body 10, and the end of the fluorescent lamp frame 40 is connected to an end of the power source connecting rod 15. The electric wire part, which has the conductor to pass electricity, is located inside the power source connecting rod 15.
Finally, electric current passes through the coupling member B, the first and second coupling holes 11 and 12, the lead wires, and the power source connecting rod 15 in order, and thereby, power source is supplied into the end of the fluorescent lamp frame 40.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views of another power source connector of the fluorescent lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The power source connector includes a power source connecting part 50 formed at one side of the fluorescent lamp frame 40, and a power source coupling part 70 detachably mounted on the power source connecting part 50 and formed on an electric wire part 60.
The power source connecting part 50 includes a connector body 51, a power source connecting rod 52 mounted at one side of the connector body 51 and having an end connected to an end of the fluorescent lamp frame 40, and a connection terminal 53 mounted at the other side of the connector body 51. The connection terminal 53 has a concent(not shown).
The power source coupling part 70 includes a coupler body 71 mounted on the electric wire part 60, and a connection terminal 72 formed at one side of the coupler body 71. The connection terminal 72 has a plug 72a formed at one side thereof.
As shown in FIG. 5, the concent of the connection terminal 53 formed at the side of the power source connecting part 50 is connected to the plug 72a of the connection terminal 72 formed at the side of the power source coupling part 70.
Finally, the power source connecting part 50 is connected to the power source coupling part 70 mounted on the electric wire part 60, so that electric current goes from the electric wire part 60 to the inside of the fluorescent lamp frame 40 through the power source connecting part 50 and the power source coupling part 70. As the result, power source is supplied into the end of the fluorescent lamp frame 40.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views of another power source connector of the fluorescent lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The power source connector of the fluorescent lamp includes a power source connecting part 50 formed at one side of the fluorescent lamp frame 40, and a power source coupling part 70 detachably mounted on the power source connecting part 50 and formed on an electric wire part 60.
The power source connecting part 50 includes a connector body 54 mounted at an end of the fluorescent lamp frame 40, and a connection terminal 55 formed at one side of the connector body 54. The connection terminal 55 has a plug 55a.
The power source coupling part 70 includes a power source body 73 mounted on the electric wire part 60, a coupler body 74, a power source connecting rod 75 mounted at one side of the power source body 73 and connected at one side of the coupler body 74, and a connection terminal 76 formed at one side of the coupler body 74. The connection terminal has a concent(not shown).
As shown in FIG. 7, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the plug 55a of the connection terminal 55 formed at the side of the power source connecting part 50 is connected to the concent of the connection terminal 76 formed at the side of the power source coupling part 70.
Finally, the power source connecting part 50 is connected to the power source coupling part 70 mounted on the electric wire part 60, so that electric current goes from the electric wire part 60 to the inside of the fluorescent lamp frame 40 through the power source connecting part 50 and the power source coupling part 70. As the result, power source is supplied into the end of the fluorescent lamp frame 40.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views of another power source connector of the fluorescent lamp according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The power source connector of the fluorescent lamp includes a power source connecting part 50 formed at one side of the fluorescent lamp frame 40, and a power source coupling part 70 detachably mounted on the power source connecting part 50 and formed on an electric wire part 60.
The power source connecting part 50 includes a connection terminal 56 mounted at one side of the fluorescent lamp frame 40. The connection terminal 56 has a plug 56a.
The power source coupling part 70 includes a power source body 77 mounted on the electric wire part 60, a coupler body 78, a power source connecting rod 79 mounted at one side of the power source body 77 and having an end connected to a side of the coupler body 78, and a connection terminal 81 formed at one side of the coupler body 78. The connection terminal 81 has a concent 81a.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the plug 56a of the connection terminal 56 formed at the side of the power source connecting part 50 is connected to the concent 81a of the connection terminal 81 formed at the side of the power source coupling part 70.
Finally, the power source connecting part 50 is connected to the power source coupling part 70 mounted on the electric wire part 60, so that electric current goes from the electric wire part 60 to the inside of the fluorescent lamp frame 40 through the power source connecting part 50 and the power source coupling part 70. As the result, power source is supplied into the end of the fluorescent lamp frame 40.
As described above, the power source connector according to the present invention allows the electric wire part to be installed on the fluorescent lamp frame easily.
Furthermore, when several fluorescent lamp frames are mounted on the wire part at a predetermined interval, the lamp frames can be mounted without adding the wire part additionally, and so, the present invention can reduce installation expenses.
The forgoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

A power source connector for a fluorescent lamp comprising:

a connector body having first and second coupling holes separated by a predetermined interval from each other, the coupling holes vertically perforating a side of the upper surface of the connector body, a space part formed in the lower end thereof for mounting an electric wire part, a power source connecting rod mounted at one side of the connector body to be connected with a side of a fluorescent lamp frame, and at least one or more coupling holes formed in edges of the lower end of the connector body;

a connector cover for protecting the connector body; and

an electric wire cover mounted in the space part of the connector body.
The power source connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector cover includes: a cover body having first and second coupling protectors, the first and second coupling protectors being formed at the corresponding positions of the first and second coupling holes and wrapping the upper surface of the connector body;
side wall parts extending downwardly from both sides of the cover body; and
protrusions for fixing and locking end portions of the side walls to the coupling holes.
The power source connector according to claim 1, wherein the electric wire cover is connected to the connector body in such a manner that the wire cover slides into the space part of the connector body, and has a wire hole formed in the upper surface thereof for mounting the electric wire part.
A power source connector for a fluorescent lamp comprising:

a power source connecting part formed at one side of the fluorescent lamp frame; and

a power source coupling part detachably mounted on the power source connecting part and formed on an electric wire part.
The power source connector according to claim 4, wherein the power source connecting part includes a connector body, a power source connecting rod mounted at one side of the connector body, an end of the connecting rod being connected to an end of the fluorescent lamp frame, and a connection terminal mounted at the other side of the connector body.
The power source connector according to claim 4, wherein the power source coupling part includes a coupler body mounted on the electric wire part, and a connection terminal formed at one side of the coupler body.
The power source connector according to claim 4, wherein the power source connecting part includes a connector body mounted at an end of the fluorescent lamp frame, and a connection terminal formed at one side of the connector body.
The power source connector according to claim 4, wherein the power source coupling part includes a power source body mounted on the electric wire part, a coupler body, a power source connecting rod mounted at one side of the power source body, an end of the connecting rod being connected at one side of the coupler body, and a connection terminal formed at one side of the coupler body.
The power source connector according to claim 4, wherein the power source connecting part includes a connection terminal mounted at one side of the fluorescent lamp frame.
The power source connector according to claim 4, wherein the power source coupling part includes a power source body mounted on the electric wire part, a coupler body, a power source connecting rod mounted at one side of the power source body, and end of the connecting rod being connected to a side of the coupler body, and a connection terminal formed at one side of the coupler body.