LIGHT TUBE WITH ANTI-ELECTRIC SHOCK MECHANISM

Abstract

 A light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism is provided, which includes an end cap (11), a driving module (12), an interlocking mechanism (13) and a button (14). The end cap (11) has a locking slot (1111) disposed at one end thereof and a switch hole (1121) disposed at one side of the end cap (11). The driving module (12) is disposed in the end cap (11) and has a switch (121). The interlocking mechanism (13) is disposed in the locking slot (1111), and includes a wedge-shaped block (131), a supporting plate (132), an interlocking point (133), a supporting post (134) and an elastic member (135). The wedge-shaped block (131) and the supporting post (134) are disposed at the two ends of the supporting plate (132) respectively. The interlocking point (133) is disposed on the supporting plate (132) and the supporting post (134) is sleeved with the elastic member (135). The button (14) is disposed in the end cap (11) and protrudes from the switch hole (1121).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a light tube, in particular to a light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism and compatible with multiple input voltages.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Lighting devices, such as light tubes, have been widely used in various buildings so as to provide people with lighting and make people's lives more convenient. Due to advance of technology, the efficiency of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has also been greatly improved, so most of currently available light tubes adopt LEDs as the main light sources. LED light tubes have many advantages, such as energy saving, environmental protection, high efficiency, etc. However, the currently available LED light tubes do not provide effective anti-shock protection, so users often get electric shocks accidentally when installing the LED light tubes. Therefore, the safety of the currently available LED light tubes still needs to be further improved.

SUMMARY

[0003] One embodiment of the present invention provides a light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism, which includes an end cap, a driving module, an interlocking mechanism and a button. The end cap has a locking slot disposed at one end thereof and a switch hole disposed at one side of the end cap. The driving module is disposed in the end cap and has a switch. The interlocking mechanism is disposed in the locking slot, and includes a wedge-shaped block, a supporting plate, an interlocking point, a supporting post and an elastic member. The wedge-shaped block and the supporting post are disposed at the two ends of the supporting plate respectively. The interlocking point is disposed on the supporting plate and the supporting post is sleeved with the elastic member. The button is disposed in the end cap and protrudes from the switch hole. When the elastic member is in a balance state, the interlocking point and the button are arranged in a straight line so as to limit the button to move in a direction toward the switch.

[0004] In one embodiment, the elastic member is a spring or other similar elements.

[0005] In one embodiment, when the elastic member is in compressed state, the interlocking point and the button is not in a straight line, such that the button moves in the direction toward the switch to trigger the switch.

[0006] In one embodiment, the light tube further includes a light-emitting module disposed at the other end of the end cap and connected to the driving module.

[0007] In one embodiment, the light-emitting module includes a housing, a circuit board and a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed in the housing. The light-emitting elements are disposed on the circuit board.

[0008] In one embodiment, the light-emitting elements are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0009] In one embodiment, the driving module is a constant-current driving circuit or a constant-voltage driving circuit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the end cap includes a cover having a plurality of snap-fit hooks and a main cap body having a plurality of locking blocks. The snap-fit hooks are engaged with the locking blocks in order to combine the cover with the main cap body.

[0011] In one embodiment, the button has a pressing end and a triggering end.

[0012] In one embodiment, the triggering end moves in the direction toward the switch so as to trigger the switch.

[0013] The light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention may have the following advantages:

(1) In one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism integrates an interlocking mechanism with a button having a pressing end and a triggering end, which can serve as an effective anti-electric shock mechanism. This anti-electric shock mechanism can avoid that the user gets electric shock when the user is installing the light tube. Accordingly, the safety of the light tube can be further enhanced.

(2) In one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism has the integrated structure formed by the interlocking mechanism and the button having the pressing end and the triggering end so as to provide the anti-electric shock function. When the light tube is not installed on the tube light holder, the light tube can be in open-loop state in order to prevent the user from getting electric shock.

(3) In one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism can adopt LEDs, so the light tube can achieve many advantages, such as energy saving, environmentally-friendly and high efficiency. Accordingly, the light tube can be more comprehensive in use and can satisfy actual requirements.

(4) In one embodiment of the present invention, the end cap of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism includes a cover and a main cap body. The cover and the main cap body can be combined with each other via a plurality of snap-fit hooks and locking blocks. Therefore, the assembly of the light tube can be more convenient.

(5) In one embodiment of the present invention, the structure design of the light tube is simple, so the light tube can achieve the desired technical effects without significantly increasing the cost thereof. Thus, the light tube can have high commercial value.

[0014] Further scope of applicability of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first operational state of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second operational state of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a third operational state of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an end cap of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the end cap of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. It should be understood that, when it is described that an element is "coupled" or "connected" to another element, the element may be "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to the other element or "coupled" or "connected" to the other element through a third element. In contrast, it should be understood that, when it is described that an element is "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0017] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is an exploded view of a light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the light tube 1 includes an end cap 11, a driving module 12, an interlocking mechanism 13, a button 14 and a light-emitting module 15.

[0018] The end cap 11 includes a cover 11 and a main cap body 112. The cover 111 is disposed at one end of the main cap body 112. The end cap 11 has a locking slot 1111 disposed at one end of the end cap 11. In this embodiment, the locking slot 1111 is disposed on the cover 111. The end cap 11 further has a switch hole 1121 disposed at one side of the end cap 11. In this embodiment, the switch hole 1121 is disposed on the main cap body 112.

[0019] The driving module 12 is disposed in the end cap 11 and has a switch 121. In this embodiment, the driving module 12 is disposed in the main cap body 112. In one embodiment, the driving module 12 may be a constant-current driving circuit, a constant-voltage driving circuit or other similar circuits. The circuit structures of the constant-current driving circuit and constant-voltage driving circuit are already known by those skilled in the art, so will not be described herein.

[0020] The light-emitting module 15 is disposed at the other end of the end cap 11 and connected to the driving module 12. The light-emitting module 15 includes a housing 151, a circuit board 152 and a plurality of light-emitting elements 153. The circuit board 152 and the light-emitting elements 153 are disposed in the housing 151. The light-emitting elements 153 are disposed on the circuit board 152. In one embodiment, the light-emitting elements are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other similar elements. The functions and structure of the LEDs are already known by those skilled in the art, so will not be described herein.

[0021] The interlocking mechanism 13 is disposed in the locking slot 1111 and penetrates through the locking slot 1111 to enter the inner space of the end cap 11. The interlocking mechanism 13 includes a wedge-shaped block 131, a supporting plate 132, an interlocking point 133, two supporting posts 134 and two elastic members 135. The wedge-shaped block 131 and the supporting posts 134 are disposed at the two ends of the supporting plate 132. The interlocking point 133 is disposed on the supporting plate 132. The supporting posts 134 are sleeved with the elastic members 135 respectively. In one embodiment, the elastic members 135 may be a spring or other similar elements.

[0022] The button is disposed in the end cap 11 and is exposed from the switch hole 1121. The button 14 has a pressing end 141 and a triggering end 142. The pressing end 141 is exposed from the switch hole 121. The triggering end 142 is disposed in the inner space of the end cap 11. When an external force is applied to the pressing end 141 (e.g., the user presses the pressing end 141), the triggering end 142 can move in the direction toward the switch 121 of the driving module 12 so as to trigger the switch 121.

[0023] The embodiment just exemplifies the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention; any equivalent modification and variation according to the spirit of the present invention is to be also included within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

[0024] Please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first operational state of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second operational state of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a third operational state of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, when the light tube 1 is not installed on the tube light holder, the elastic member 135 is in balance state (the elastic member 135 is not compressed), the interlocking mechanism 13 protrudes from the locking slot 1111 and the interlocking point 133 and the button 14 are arranged in a straight line. Thus, if the pressing end 141 of the button 14 is pressed by an external force, the interlocking point 133 can block up the moving path of the triggering end 142 of the button 14, so the triggering end 142 cannot move in the direction toward the switch 121 of the driving module 12. Thus, the light tube 1 can be in open-loop state. Accordingly, in the above state, the interlocking point 133 can limit the triggering end 142 of the button 14 to move in the direction toward the switch 121. At the moment, the light tube 1 is in anti-electric shock state.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, when the user installs the light tube 1 on the tube light holder, the interlocking mechanism 13 is pushed by the tube light holder to enter the inner space of the end cap 11. In this way, the elastic member 135 is in compressed state, so the interlocking point 133 and the button 14 are not arranged in a straight line. Therefore, if an external force is applied to the pressing end 141 of the button 14, the interlocking point 133 does not block up the moving path of the triggering end 142 of the button 14. Thus, the triggering end 142 of the button 14 can move in the direction toward the switch 121 of the driving module 12. At the moment, the light tube 1 is in installation state (the light tube 1 has been installed on the tube light holder).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, when the light tube 1 is in installation state, the user can press the pressing end 141 of the button 14, such that the triggering end 141 of the button 14 can move in the direction toward the switch 121 in order to trigger the button 121. At the moment, the circuit of the light tube 1 is in closed-loop state, so the light tube 1 can enter operating state.

[0027] When the user moves the light tube 1 from the tube light holder, the elastic member 135 returns to balance state again (the elastic member 135 is not compressed). Then, the interlocking mechanism 13 is pushed out of the inner space of the end cap 11 and protrudes from the locking slot 11. At the moment, the interlocking point 133 and the button 14 are arranged in a straight line again. Therefore, the light tube 1 can return to anti-electric shock state shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] As previously stated, the light tube 1 integrates the interlocking mechanism 133 with the button 14 having the pressing end 141 and the triggering end 142, which can serve as an effective anti-electric shock mechanism. This anti-electric shock mechanism can avoid that the user gets electric shock when installing the light tube 1. Accordingly, the safety of the light tube 1 can be further enhanced.

[0029] The embodiment just exemplifies the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention; any equivalent modification and variation according to the spirit of the present invention is to be also included within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

[0030] It is worthy to point out that the currently available LED light tubes do not provide effective anti-shock protection, so users often get electric shock accidentally when installing the LED light tubes. Therefore, the safety of the currently available LED light tubes still needs to be further improved. On the contrary, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism integrates an interlocking mechanism with a button having a pressing end and a triggering end, which can serve as an effective anti-electric shock mechanism. This anti-electric shock mechanism can avoid that the user gets electric shock when installing the light tube. Accordingly, the safety of the light tube can be further enhanced.

[0031] Also, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism has the integrated structure formed by the interlocking mechanism and the button having the pressing end and the triggering end so as to provide the anti-electric shock function. When the light tube is not installed on the tube light holder, the light tube can be in open-loop state in order to prevent the user from getting electric shock.

[0032] Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism can adopt LEDs, so the light tube can achieve many advantages, such as energy saving, environmentally-friendly and high efficiency. Accordingly, the light tube can be more comprehensive in use and can satisfy actual requirements.

[0033] Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the end cap of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism includes a cover and a main cap body. The cover and the main cap body can be combined with each other via a plurality of snap-fit hooks and locking blocks. Therefore, the assembly of the light tube can be more convenient.

[0034] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the structure design of the light tube is simple, so the light tube can achieve the desired technical effects without significantly increasing the cost thereof. Thus, the light tube can have high commercial value. As set forth above, the light tube according to the embodiments of the present invention can definitely achieve great technical effects.

[0035] Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, which are an exploded view and a sectional view of an end cap of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Please also refer to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the end cap 11 includes a cover 111 and a min cap body 112. The cover 111 has a plurality of snap-fit hooks H1 and the main cap body 112 has a plurality of locking blocks H2. The snap-fit hooks H1 can be engaged with the locking blocks H2 in order to combine the cover 111 with the main cap body 112.

[0036] Via the above structure design, the user can manually combine the cover 111 with the main cap body 112 without a tool, which can make the installation of the light tube 1 be more convenient.

[0037] The embodiment just exemplifies the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention; any equivalent modification and variation according to the spirit of the present invention is to be also included within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism integrates an interlocking mechanism with a button having a pressing end and a triggering end, which can serve as an effective anti-electric shock mechanism. This anti-electric shock mechanism can avoid that the user gets electric shock when the user is installing the light tube. Accordingly, the safety of the light tube can be further enhanced.

[0039] Also, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism has the integrated structure formed by the interlocking mechanism and the button having the pressing end and the triggering end so as to provide the anti-electric shock function. When the light tube is not installed on the tube light holder, the light tube can be in open-loop state in order to prevent the user from getting electric shock.

[0040] Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism can adopt LEDs, so the light tube can achieve many advantages, such as energy saving, environmentally-friendly and high efficiency. Accordingly, the light tube can be more comprehensive in use and can satisfy actual requirements.

[0041] Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the end cap of the light tube with anti-electric shock mechanism includes a cover and a main cap body. The cover and the main cap body can be combined with each other via a plurality of snap-fit hooks and locking blocks. Therefore, the assembly of the light tube can be more convenient.

[0042] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the structure design of the light tube is simple, so the light tube can achieve the desired technical effects without significantly increasing the cost thereof. As a result, the light tube can have high commercial value.

[0043] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the present invention being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism characterized by comprising:

an end cap (11) having a locking slot (1111) disposed at one end thereof and a switch hole (1121) disposed at one side of the end cap (11);

a driving module (12) disposed in the end cap (11) and having a switch (121);

an interlocking mechanism (13) disposed in the locking slot (1111), and comprising a wedge-shaped block (131), a supporting plate (132), an interlocking point (133), a supporting post (134) and an elastic member (135), wherein the wedge-shaped block (131) and the supporting post (134) are disposed at two ends of the supporting plate (132) respectively, the interlocking point (133) is disposed on the supporting plate (132) and the supporting post (134) is sleeved with the elastic member (135); and

a button (14) disposed in the end cap (11) and protruding from the switch hole (1121),

wherein when the elastic member (135) is in a balance state, the interlocking point (133) and the button (14) are arranged in a straight line so as to limit the button (14) to move in a direction toward the switch (121).

2. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elastic member (135) is a spring.

3. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that when the elastic member (135) is in a compressed state, the interlocking point (133) and the button (14) is not in a straight line, such that the button (14) moves in the direction toward the switch (121) in order to trigger the switch (121).

4. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized by further comprising a light-emitting module (15) disposed at the other end of the end cap (11) and connected to the driving module (12).

5. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the light-emitting module (15) comprising a housing (151), a circuit board (152) and a plurality of light-emitting elements (153) disposed in the housing (151), wherein the light-emitting elements (153) are disposed on the circuit board (152).

6. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the light-emitting elements (153) are light-emitting diodes.

7. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the driving module (12) is a constant-current driving circuit or a constant-voltage driving circuit.

8. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the end cap (11) comprises a cover (111) having a plurality of snap-fit hooks (H1) and a main cap body (112) having a plurality of locking blocks (H2), wherein the snap-fit hooks (H1) are engaged with the locking blocks (H2) in order to combine the cover (111) with the main cap body (112).

9. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the button (14) has a pressing end (141) and a triggering end (142).

10. The light tube (1) with anti-electric shock mechanism as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the triggering end (142) moves in a direction toward the switch (121) so as to trigger the switch (121).

Drawing