US 2007/0176559 A1 · Fluorescent lamp with external electrodes

Abstract

An external-electrode fluorescent lamp has two external electrodes disposed on its ends, wherein each external electrode has an extended portion flattened to form two substantially flat circumferential areas. With such flattened circumferential areas, the electric contact made to the conductive strip can be improved. For mounting a row of external-electrode fluorescent lamps, a mounting base with two electrically conductive strips are used. Each electrically conductive strip has a plurality of curved sections to fit the extended portion of the external electrode. The curved section has two substantially sidewalls to make contact with the flat circumferential areas of the extended portion of the external electrode. The extended portion can also be slightly tapered.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A fluorescent lamp having a first end, an opposing second end and a tube body between the first and second ends, the tube body having a diameter at the first and second ends, said lamp comprising:

a first external electrode on the first end;
and
a second external electrode on the second end, wherein
the first external electrode has a first section contacting the tube at the first end, and a second section extended from the first section away from the first end, and wherein the first section has an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tube at the first end,
the second external electrode has a first section contacting the tube at the second end, and a second section extended from the first section away from the second end, and wherein the second section has an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tube at the second end, and
the second section of the first external electrode has a first elongated cross section.

3 more elements

A panel for mounting a plurality of fluorescent lamps, at least some of the fluorescent lamps having a first end, an opposing second end and a tube body between the first and second ends, the tube body having a diameter at the first and second ends, each of said at least some lamps having:

an external electrode on each of the first and second ends, wherein the external electrode has a first section contacting the tube at the respective end, and a second section extended from the first section away from the respective end, and wherein the first section has an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tube at the ends, and wherein the second section of the external electrode has an elongated cross section, the elongated cross section has a smaller dimension, said panel comprising:
a first electrically conductive strip, and
a second electrically conductive strip, wherein
the first strip has a row of curve sections, each curve section having two side walls dimensioned to fit the smaller dimension of the elongated cross section of the second section of the external electrode on the first end of one of said lamps, and
the second strip has a row of curve sections, each curve section having two side walls dimensioned to fit the smaller dimension of the elongated cross section of the second section of the external electrode on the second end of one of said lamps.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluorescent lamp with external electrodes

Life of this patent

Fluorescent lamp with external electrodes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18