LED Light Source End Caps with Segmented Pins for Fluorescent Socket Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination devices require socket replacement when switching between fluorescent lamps and LED lamps, leading to potential erroneous mounting and safety issues due to differing lighting unit designs.

Innovation Solution

A light source with end caps featuring first pins matching fluorescent lamp pins and a second pin for current feeding, compatible with existing fluorescent lamp sockets, allowing for interchangeable use without socket replacement, ensuring safe and easy mounting of both fluorescent and LED lamps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specialized end caps are used to prevent erroneous mounting of LED lamps, then mounting safety is improved, but lamp socket interchangeability deteriorates requiring socket replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting safetyVSAvoidlamp socket interchangeability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pin configuration is segmented into two distinct types: first pins for mechanical mounting and second pins for electrical current feeding. This segmentation allows the LED lamp to be mechanically compatible with fluorescent lamp sockets while electrically distinct, preventing erroneous mounting without requiring socket replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The end cap design uses asymmetric pin arrangement where the second pin has different positioning and dimensions compared to the first pins. This asymmetric configuration ensures that LED lamps can only be mounted correctly in fluorescent lamp sockets, providing mounting safety while maintaining socket compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If LED lamps are made interchangeable with fluorescent lamps, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of erroneous mounting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelamp replacement convenienceVSAvoiderroneous mounting risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The design incorporates preliminary anti-action by configuring the second pin to protrude beyond the end cap surface, creating a physical barrier that prevents fluorescent lamps from being mounted in LED socket positions and vice versa. This preliminary preventive measure eliminates erroneous mounting risk while maintaining interchangeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The second pin acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the LED lamp and the socket, providing both mechanical engagement and electrical connection while preventing incorrect lamp types from being mounted through its distinctive protruding configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9318860B2Light source, lamp socket and illumination device using the lamp socket

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A light source has an outer size set equal to the dimension of a straight tubular fluorescent lamp. The light source includes a straight light emitting tube and end caps provided at the opposite end portions of the light emitting tube. Each of the end caps includes first pins arranged at the same positions as lamp pins of the fluorescent lamp. The first pins have the same shape as the lamp pins of the fluorescent lamp. Further, at least one of the end caps includes a current-feeding second pin.