Ultraviolet Lamp Base With Stepped Pin Connectors
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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 contact pins, which can result in incomplete disinfection and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A lamp base design featuring a cylindrical body with stepped portions and centrally positioned male members or extensions on the barrier wall, which interlock with a complementary socket to ensure proper orientation and secure connection, reducing the risk of arcing and misalignment, and incorporating keying systems to prevent improper wattage insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional lamp bases with offset pins are used, then electrical connection simplicity is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to vibration-induced disconnection and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the pins on the lamp base in a non-offset, symmetric arrangement relative to the lamp axis. This symmetric positioning, combined with the cylindrical socket design, ensures that the pins align properly with the socket contacts regardless of rotational orientation, thereby preventing misalignment and vibration-induced disconnection while maintaining connection simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements equipotentiality through the cylindrical socket design with uniformly distributed contacts that create an isotropic connection interface. This design ensures that electrical connections are maintained at equivalent reliability levels in all orientations, eliminating the directional weaknesses present in offset pin configurations and ensuring consistent connection reliability under vibration
2Ease of operation
If pins are mounted on end caps, then ease of insertion is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates leading to improper connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a cylindrical socket that serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, electrical connection, and alignment guidance simultaneously. The cylindrical geometry with uniformly distributed contacts creates a universal interface that automatically aligns pins with contacts regardless of insertion orientation, eliminating the need for precise pre-alignment while ensuring proper connection
3Volume of moving object
If electrical contacts are positioned close together, then device compactness is improved, but harmful factors worsen due to increased arcing risk in humid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a cylindrical socket structure that acts as a protective shell enclosing the electrical contacts. This cylindrical enclosure provides physical protection and isolation for the contacts, reducing their exposure to humid environmental conditions that promote arcing, while maintaining a compact overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an intermediary approach by introducing the cylindrical socket as a mediating structure between the electrical contacts and the external humid environment. This socket serves as a protective barrier that isolates the contacts from moisture and contaminants, thereby reducing arcing risk while allowing the contacts to remain positioned close together for compactness
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
The design provides a secure, reliable, and safe electrical connection that resists vibration-induced disconnection, ensures proper alignment of pins, and prevents the use of inappropriate wattage, enhancing the operational stability and safety of ultraviolet lamps in purifiers.
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 may include a cylindrical body having an end surface, a first step portion and a second step portion, a first upper pin connector provided on the first step portion, a second upper pin connector provided on the second step portion, and a first and second lower pin connector provided on the end surface. Interfitting keys and recesses may also be used to insure that a lamp base is only coupled to an appropriate socket. Adapter blocks may be used to apply such recesses to an existing lamp.