UV Lamp Holder Twist-Lock Interlock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet C-band lamp holders lack a reliable safety interlock mechanism to prevent electrical circuit activation when the lamp is not properly installed, posing a risk of accidental UV exposure.
Innovation Solution
A lamp holder design featuring a microswitch activated by an actuator finger when the housing is inserted and rotated onto the base, ensuring the lamp is securely locked in place before allowing power activation, utilizing deflectable tabs and detents for secure alignment and a twist-lock mechanism to prevent inadvertent separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-biased switch depressing lever is used to prevent lamp illumination when not properly installed, then safety is improved, but the interlock can be easily defeated by depressing the exposed lever
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the actuator finger coupled to the microswitch) that mediates between the lamp holder installation state and the electrical circuit activation. The microswitch is positioned such that it can only be activated when the lamp holder is properly installed and rotated into place, preventing direct access to the switch actuation mechanism and eliminating the vulnerability of exposed levers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical spring-biased lever system with a more sophisticated microswitch mechanism that requires specific rotational positioning and alignment to activate. This substitution transforms the interlock from a easily-defeated mechanical lever system to a position-dependent electrical switch system that is much harder to defeat accidentally or intentionally.
2Reliability
If a mounting base contact mechanism is used to energize the electrical circuit, then safety is improved, but the interlock can still be defeated by contacting the depressing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a rotational dimension to the interlock mechanism. Instead of relying solely on linear contact with the mounting base, the microswitch is positioned to require both proper linear installation and specific rotational positioning to activate. This dimensional addition creates a more robust interlock that cannot be defeated by simple contact with a depressing surface.
3Reliability
If the microswitch is positioned to require rotation for activation, then safety is improved by preventing accidental activation, but the installation procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features (such as alignment lugs and corresponding slots) that guide the lamp holder into the correct rotational position during installation. This preliminary alignment action ensures that when the lamp holder is properly installed, the microswitch is automatically positioned for activation, eliminating the need for separate manual switching actions and simplifying the overall installation procedure despite the added rotational requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp holder comprising a lamp holder base, a lamp holder housing and a microswitch. In a preferred embodiment, the lamp holder base has a longitudinal axis and an actuator finger coupled to and shielded within the lamp holder base. The lamp holder housing is removably coupleable to the lamp holder base, and the microswitch is mounted within the lamp holder housing, wherein the microswitch is activated by the actuator finger when the lamp holder housing is inserted into and rotated with respect to the lamp holder base.