Rapid starter switch for a fluorescent lamp

A rapid starter switch for a fluorescent lamp to be connected in series with a ballast and a pair of filaments of a fluorescent lamp comprising:

• (a) a cap for connecting electrically the present starter switch to an external circuit and supporting the present starter switch, and said cap being able to be engaged with a socket for a glow switch for a fluorescent lamp,
• (b) a non-linear capacitor having the non-linear characteristics between a voltage applied to the capacitor and the charge stored in the capacitor, said nonlinear capacitor being in cylindrical shape having a cylindrical dielectric body and an inner electrode attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical dielectric body and an outer electrode attached on the outer surface of the cylindrical dielectric body, and said non-linear capacitor being fixed to said cap,
• (c) a printed circuit board mounting at least a semiconductor switching circuit, said printed circuit board being suspended substantially parallel to said cylindrical non-linear capacitor by lead lines (21d, 21e) and another pair of lead lines (14, 15) which provide the electrical coupling between said printed circuit board and said cap, said lead lines absorbing vibration of said non-linear capacitor, and
• (d) a housing coupled to said cap and covering said cylindrical non-linear capacitor.

A rapid starter switch for a fluorescent lamp to be connected in series with a ballast and a pair of filaments of a fluorescent lamp comprising:

• (a) first means for connection to a source of alternating current;
• (b) a printed circuit board including switching means supported from said first means;
• (c) a ferroelectric capacitor having a non-linear dielectric material portion composed at least in part of means that causes the capacitor to produce vibrations when alternating current is applied thereto because said means has non-linear characteristics between a voltage applied to the capacitor and the charge stored in the capacitor, such that the capacitor mechanically vibrates when an alternating current voltage is applied to the capacitor from the first means, and whereby the switching means and capacitor are adapted to be put into operable association as a rapid starter switch for the series connection;
• (d) a pair of lead lines for providing electrical coupling between said printed circuit board and said first means and which double as a support for supporting the printed circuit board;
• and
• (e) another pair of lead lines electrically connected between said printed circuit board and said non-linear capacitor with a length and diameter for electrically conducting alternating current in the series, for supporting the weight of the capacitor, and for absorbing the vibration of the capacitor for preventing the transfer of the vibration to the printed circuit board.