Ultraviolet Lamp Base With Offset Female Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet lamps used in air and water purifiers face issues with secure and reliable electrical connections, particularly in humid environments, leading to potential disconnection due to vibration and improper alignment of pins, which can result in incomplete disinfection and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a female terminal pin configuration on the lamp base with offset pins and a complementary socket with centering rings and keying systems to ensure secure, vibration-resistant, and proper alignment of electrical connections, preventing arcing and allowing only compatible wattage lamps to be used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pin configurations are used in ultraviolet lamps, then the lamp can be manufactured with simpler electrical connections, but the connections become vulnerable to vibration-induced disconnection and improper alignment in humid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the pins from the longitudinal axis of the lamp. This asymmetric positioning prevents pins from aligning in a straight line, thereby reducing the risk of arcing between adjacent pins while maintaining secure electrical connections. The offset configuration ensures that even under vibration, the pins remain properly engaged without creating harmful electrical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrical connection structure by separating the pins into different spatial locations rather than having them clustered together. This segmentation reduces the likelihood of simultaneous contact between multiple pins during vibration, preventing arcing while still providing reliable individual connections to the electrodes.
2Ease of manufacture
If pins are positioned closer together to simplify the socket design, then manufacturing becomes easier, but the risk of electrical arcing between pins increases in humid conditions
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning pins at offset locations rather than symmetrically close to each other, the design prevents direct alignment between pins. This asymmetric arrangement increases the effective spacing between electrical contacts, reducing arcing risk in humid environments while still allowing for a relatively simple socket structure that accommodates the offset configuration.
3Ease of operation
If traditional electrical connections are used without alignment features, then the device complexity is reduced, but proper alignment of pins with socket contacts cannot be ensured during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features such as positioning ribs or guides on the lamp base that engage with corresponding features in the socket before the pins make contact. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment is established during insertion, guiding the pins into correct positions with the socket contacts before electrical connection is finalized, thereby ensuring reliable operation.
4Reliability
If no mechanical locking features are provided, then the lamp can be inserted and removed more easily, but vibration can cause the lamp to become disconnected from the socket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function with mechanical retention function into a unified structure. The offset pin configuration works in conjunction with the socket design to provide both electrical connectivity and mechanical locking. The asymmetric pin positions create a natural mechanical interlock that resists vibration-induced disconnection while still allowing straightforward insertion and removal by the user.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the reliability and safety of ultraviolet lamp connections by ensuring secure, vibration-resistant, and proper alignment, reducing the risk of electrical shock and ensuring effective disinfection while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
When the electrodes are energized by voltage from an electrical power supply, an electrical discharge is initiated in the gas between the electrodes. This discharge results from a reaction between the electrical energy, gas and mercury to produce ultraviolet radiation
Implementation Method 2
This discharge results from a reaction between the electrical energy, gas and mercury to produce ultraviolet radiation to be emitted from the lamp
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp base is provided having terminal pins mounted on and extending outwardly along a longitudinal axis of the lamp base. At least one of the pins may be a female pin connector. The female pin connector may be provided within a sheath that extends from an end of the lamp base along a longitudinal axis of the lamp base.