Luminaire Centering Device Actuates Protective Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users can experience electric shocks when installing or removing fluorescent lamps due to potential voltage exposure at exposed contacts, particularly when only one contact section is connected to the lampholder base, leading to 'page-immanent' voltage spread.
Innovation Solution
A contact section with two pins and a central centering device that rotates to actuate a switch or protective device, preventing voltage transfer by switching off the electrical connection between contact sections, ensuring safe operation and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fluorescent lamp is installed in a socket with only one contact section connected to the lampholder base, then the lamp can be operated, but voltage spreads to exposed contacts causing electric shock hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping the lamp with a centering device that automatically actuates a protective device during the centering process. Before the lamp is fully installed and before any voltage transfer can occur, the centering device rotates the protective device to a safe position, preventing voltage from spreading to exposed contacts. This preliminary protective action eliminates the electric shock hazard while maintaining ease of lamp installation and operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a centering device is added to rotate and actuate a protective device, then electric shock hazard is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the centering function and the protective device actuation into a single integrated mechanism. The centering device, which is necessary for proper lamp installation, is combined with the protective device so that one action (centering) simultaneously performs both functions: centering the lamp and actuating the protective device to prevent voltage transfer. This merging approach prevents electric shock hazard while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering device is given multiple functions: it serves both to center the lamp in the socket and to rotate/actuate the protective device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and mechanisms, thereby preventing electric shock hazard without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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Figure 1d~1e
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to luminaires, especially luminaires to be operated in lamp holders for fluorescent lamps. In order to prevent individuals from experiencing electric shocks when inserting a luminaire, for example in the lamp holder of a fluorescent lamp, and in order to be able to operate the luminaire without complications once it is inserted in the lamp holder, the luminaire comprises a contact section to be inserted into a socket base, comprising two contact pins (B1, B2) and a centering device (BX) for centering the luminaire in the socket, which is mounted in the center between the contact pins (B1, B2). The centering device (BX) can be rotated about a main axis of the luminaire to actuate a switch or a protective device.