Title of Invention

"CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR ENERGY-SAVING OPERATION OF A FLUORESCENT TUBE"

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for energy-saving operation of a fluorescent tube (1) whereby two respective connections (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) are arranged on the end caps (la, 1b) of said tube. The fluorescent tube is mechanically and electrically linked to brackets (8, 9) via said connections (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and can be connected to an alternating current supply (6) via a reactance coil (4) and a starter (5). The objective of the invention is to allow the fluorescent tube to be retrofitted in a simple manner. This is achieved by means of a quadrupole (4) circuit arrangement, whereby the input terminals (7a, 7b) of said quadrupole form a series connection with the two connections (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) on one end cap (la, 1b) and the reactance coil (4), whereby said circuit is connected in parallel to the alternating current source (6), and the output terminals (7c, 7d) of said quadrupole are electrically connected to the two connections (3a, 3b, 2a, 2b) on the other end cap (1b, la).

Full Text

The present invention relates at first to a circuit arrange-ment for the energy-saving operation of a fluorescent tube. Such a fluorescent tube generally, consists of a tubular dis-charge vessel made of glass, into the end caps of which ther-mionic cathodes are melted. The discharge vessel is generally evacuated and filled with argon and mercury. At both end caps, the thermionic cathodes are routed to the outside as two con-nections each. Such a fluorescent tube is then electrically and mechanically accommodated in brackets via these connec-tions. The operation of such a fluorescent tube is mostly effected at an alternating current supply, with a reactance coil and a glow discharge igniter, simply referred to as starter, being required for striking the gas discharge. How-ever, the reactance coil and the. starter imply an additional energy consumption or a reduction of the. efficiency, respect-ively. Due to the fact that such a fluorescent tube is a com-paratively economical and reliable light source, an efficiency in the order of only 0.5 is accepted. It is known to use an electronic ballast - (elektronisches Vorschaltserat) briefly referred to as EVG - for the energy-saving operation of a fluorescent tube. For this purpose, the EVG is connected between the alternating current supply, and the connections of the fluorescent tube with the reactance coil and the starter being replaced. From a circuit engineering point of view, the EVG thus represents a six-terminal network. By means of the EVG an efficiency in the order of nearly 1 can be achieved. A great disadvantage is that electrical appliances, such as e.g. lamps, in which conventionally operated fluorescent tubes are employed can only be retrofitted to an energy-saving operation with EVG with very great effort and expenditure. This is because a retrofit would mean both time and labour-intensive installation costs apart from the procurement cost of the EVG, because in addition to the reactance coil and the starter, the entire cabling would have to be replaced. The invention is therefore based on the object to develop a circuit arrangement which renders itself for retrofitting the initially mentioned fluorescent tube in a simple manner for the energy-saving operation. The solution of this object is effected according to the present invention which provides a circuit arrangement constitutes a quadripole which can be connected with the existing cabling in a simple manner after the opening of two lines. When connecting the inventive circuit arrangement all that has to be done is to make sure that the input terminals of the quadripole form a series connection with the two connections at the one end cap and with the reactance coil, which is connected in parallel to the alternating current supply, and that the output terminals of the quadripole are connected electrically with the two connections at the other end cap. In other respects, interchanging of individual connections or terminals, respectively, proves to be uncritical because of the alternating current operation. Likewise, the series connection comprising the input terminals of the quadripole, the two connections at the one end cap, and the reactance coil which is connected in parallel to the alternating current supply can have any order. Insofar, the connection of the inventive circuit arrangement can princip-ally be performed by anybody. Furthermore, the already exist-ing reactance coil will be retained upon a connection, because it assumes the function of a pre-filter for the inventive cir-cuit arrangement, so that the construction of the inventive circuit arrangement requires only a small installation space and can be implemented economically. Depending on which site the line into which the starter is connected is opened upon connection the starter is located either to the input or the output side of the inventive circuitry. In order to ensure a current flow for the proper function of the circuit arrangement the starter is bridged. For this purpose it is simply replaced with a short-circuited design in its existing bracket. In the case in which the starter is located on the input side of the inventive circuit arrangement it can advantageously be replaced with an electric fuse which can be inserted into the existing bracket and additionally protects the inventive circuit arrangement against overload. The inventive circuit arrangement can be retrofitted in a particularly advantageous manner if it is integrated in the fluorescent tube or in one of the end caps of the fluorescent tube, respectively. In this case, only the fluorescent tube has to be replaced so that any intervention into the existing cabling is omitted. A further alternative can be that the inventive circuit arrangement is integrated in one of the brackets accommodating the fluorescent tube. With this alter-native, retrofitting merely requires the replacement of the bracket(s). The invention also relates to a device for the connection of the inventive circuit arrangement with the aforementioned fluorescent tube. By means of the inventive circuit arrangement it is already possible to retrofit an initially mentioned fluorescent tube for the energy-saving operation in a simple manner. Now, the inventive device for the connection of an inventive circuit arrangement enables retrofitting in a particularly advantageous manner, which neither requires an intervention in the existing cabling of the fluorescent tube nor a replacement of the fluorescent tube or its accommodating bracket (s). For this purpose, the inventive device, on the one hand, comprises two contact receptacles which electrically accommodate the two connections of one of the end caps. On the other hand, the inventive device comprises two connections which are electrically accommodated in one of the brackets. The connections and the contact receptacles of the inventive device are electrically insulated against each other, with the connections of the inventive device being electrically connected with the input terminals, and the contact receptacles of the inventive device being connected with the output terminals of the inventive circuit arrangement. Due to the fact that the contact receptacles and the connections are arranged coaxially to one another the inventive device is of such a narrow installation size that it fits between an end cap of the fluorescent tube and the associated bracket. The great advantage therefore is that retrofitting of the inventive circuit arrangement by means of the inventive device can be carried out in a manner as simple as the replacement of the fluorescent tube. For this purpose, the existing fluorescent tube is removed from its brackets, then the inventive device is plugged onto the connections at one end cap, and subsequently the fluorescent tube together with the inventive device is re-inserted between the brackets. The inventive circuit arrangement itself can be arranged remotely from the inventive device, depending on the installation conditions of the electrical appliance in which the fluorescent tube is arranged, while the electrical connection between the inventive device and the inventive circuit arrangement can be made in a flexible manner via an electric cable. Due to the fact that the inventive circuit arrangement is a quadripole, a four-wire cable is preferably used. Both the inventive device and the inventive circuit arrangement can be arranged in respective housings which are optionally pro-vided with electrical connecting contacts for a simple connection by means of the cable. In a particularly preferred manner, however, the inventive circuit arrangement is arranged in the housing of the invent-ive device or in a common housing, respectively. In the ideal case, the housing of the inventive device comprises an extension extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluorescent tube, which accommodates the inventive circuit arrangement. In this manner, the inventive circuit arrangement and device can be retrofitted in a particularly simple way and without interfering with the constructional conditions. As an essential for the invention the cost advantage should be mentioned which results from the fact that both standardised fluorescent tubes can remain in service and the standardised distance between the brackets accommodating the fluorescent tube can be retained. Due to the advantages which can be achieved with the invention with respect to energy saving and simple retrofittability, the inventive circuit arrangement and device are suitable in a special manner for the use in electrical appliances in which one or several fluorescent tubes are operated, such as e.g. lamps, solar booth lamps or the like. The invention and further advantageous features thereof will be explained in more detail in the following with reference to the drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a first sample circuit with an inventive circuit arrangement; Fig. 2 is a second sample circuit with an inventive circuit arrangement; Fig. 3 is a third sample circuit with an inventive circuit arrangement; Fig. 4 shows a first embodiment of an inventive device for the connection of an inventive circuit arrangement; and Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of an inventive device for the connection of an inventive circuit arrangement, with identical components being identified by the same refer-ence numerals. Figs. 1 to 3 schematically show a commercially available fluorescent tube 1 in a straight design. The fluorescent tube 1 comprises two connector pins each 2a, 2b or 3a, 3b, respect-ively, at both end caps la, 1b. The fluorescent tube 1 is accommodated between two oppositely arranged brackets 8, 9 via the connector pins 2a, 2b or 3a, 3b, respectively. On the one hand, the brackets 8, 9 carry the fluorescent tube 1 mecha-nically, on the other hand, the brackets 8, 9 comprise contact receptacles 8a, 8b or 9a, 9b, respectively, in order to make an electrical connection with the connector pins 2a, 2b or 3a, 3b, respectively, of the fluorescent tube 1. As is known, rotating brackets are a choice for this purpose, between which the fluorescent tube is inserted vertically and by rotating through an angle of 90° makes contact and is mechanically locked. The connection of the fluorescent tube 1 with an alternating current supply 6 is now made in a known manner under interconnecting a ballast comprising a solenoid 4a, which is simply referred to as reactance coil 4, as well as a starter 5. For this purpose, a contact receptacle 8a of a bracket 8 is directly connected with a pole 6a of the alternating current supply 6 according to Fig. 1. A contact receptacle 9a of the other bracket 9 is connected with the other pole 6b of the alternating current supply 6 via a second line 12, with the reactance coil 4 being interconnected in the second line 12. Moreover, a contact receptacle 8b of the one bracket 8 is connected with a contact receptacle 9b of the other bracket 9 via a third line 13 in which the starter 5 is interconnected. Due to the alternating current operation, it is of no signi-ficance whether the connector pins 2a, 2b, or 3a, 3b, res-pectively, of the fluorescent tube 1, the contact receptacles 8a, 8b or 9a, 9b, respectively, of the brackets 8, 9, or the poles 6a, 6b of the alternating current supply 6 are inter-changed among each other. For the same reason as shown in Fig. 2, the reactance coil 4 can be interconnected in the first line 11, instead of in the second line 12 as shown in Fig. 1. The inventive circuit arrangement is designed as a quadripole 7 which is interconnected in the second and third line 12, 13 according to Figs. 1 and 2. Thus the input terminals la, 7b of the quadripole 7 form a series connection with the contact re-ceptacles 8a, 8b of the one bracket or of the one thermionic cathode 1c, respectively, of the fluorescent tube 1, the re-actance coil 4, and the starter 5, which is connected parallel to the alternating current supply 6. The output terminals 7c, 7d of the quadripole 7 are electrically connected with the contact receptacles 9a, 9b of the. other bracket 9, or the other thermionic cathode 1d, respectively, of the fluorescent tube 1. Due to the alternating current operation, the same holds true in the connection of the quadripole 7 in that both the poles 7a, 7b of the input terminals and the poles 7c, 7d of the out-put terminals can be interchanged among each other. Likewise, the series connection consisting of input terminals 7a, 7b, thermionic cathode 1c, reactance coil 4, and starter 5, can have any order, for example the one shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the quadripole 7 can be interconnected in the first and third line 11, 13 as is shown in Fig. 3. In this case the input terminals 7a, 7b of the quadripole 7 form a series connection with the contact receptacles 9a, 9b of the bracket 9, or the thermionic cathode 1d, respectively, of the fluorescent tube 1, the reactance coil 4, and the starter 5, which is connected in parallel to the alternating current supply 6, and the output terminals 7c, 7d of the quadripole 7 are electrically connected with the contact receptacles 8a, 8b of the bracket 8, or the thermionic cathode 1c, respectively, of the fluorescent tube 1. According to Figs. 1 and 3, the starter 5 connected therein in series with the input terminals 7a, 7b, is designed as an electrical fuse 5a and thus serves as an additional protection of the inventive circuit arrangement. Provided, this addition-al protection is not desired or required, respectively, the starter 5 must be bridged or short-circuited, respectively. If the starter 5 is bridged by means of a line 5b it can also be connected as is shown on Fig. 2 so that the output terminals 7c, 7d of the quadripole 7 and the starter 5 form a series connection which is electrically connected with the thermionic cathode 1d of the fluorescent tube 1. The quadripole 7 has an identical internal construction in the sample circuits according to Figs. 1 to 3. The input side of the quadripole 7 is supplied by the alternating current supply 6 so that its output side applies a high-frequency current IHF to one thermionic cathode 1d or lc, respectively, of the fluorescent tube. In more detail, this results in the follow-ing mode of function: a.) One thermionic cathode lc or 1d, respectively, of the fluorescent tube 1 is always connected in series with the in-put terminals la, 7b of the quadripole 7 so that this thermi-onic cathode always carries the input current of the quadri-pole 7 and is thus preheated. b.) Moreover, the thermionic cathode lc or 1d, respect-ively, connected in series with the input terminals la, 7b of the quadripole returns the high-frequency current IHF flowing through the other thermionic cathode 1d or lc, respectively, to the input side of the quadripole 7 and thus serves as "virtual ground". For the high-frequency current IHF it is basically irrelevant whether it flows directly to ground or whether it flows to ground via the input side of the quadri-pole 7. Due to the fact that the high-frequency current IHF in this case flows to ground via the input side of the quadripole 7, a "short" path is advantageously provided so that the high-frequency radiation is on the lowest possible level. c.) Due to the fact that the reactance coil 4 is also always connected in series with the input terminals 7a, 7b of the quadripole 7, the solenoid 4a of the reactance coil 4 functions as a pre-filter which, on the one hand, optimises power as well as the crest factor and, on the other hand, suppresses electromagnetic as well as high-frequency inter-ferences . d.) The input current of the quadripole 7 amounts to only 30% of the current consumption of a conventionally - i.e. without the inventive circuit arrangement - operating fluor-escent tube. In this manner, almost no power dissipation occurs in the reactance coil 4 so that, furthermore, the re-actance coil 4 remains cool during operation. e.) A capacitor 83 is connected in parallel to the input terminals 7a, 7b of the quadripole 7. The capacitor 83 to-gether with the upstream reactance coil 4 serves as a com-pensation and causes an increase of the power factor. f.) A rectifier 70 is connected downstream of the input terminals 7a, 7b of the quadripole 7, which is usually formed by four diodes in a bridge circuit. Due to the fact that the high-frequency current IHF superposes the input current as ex-plained under b.), so-called "fast recovery" diodes are pre-ferably used for the connection of the rectifier 70. g.) Between the input terminals 7a, 7b of the quadripole 7 and the plus and minus output of the rectifier 70, prefer-ably one capacitor each 81, 82 is connected or - in other words - the rectifier 70 is quasi bridged by the capacitors 81, 82. This is always necessary if plain and thus low-cost diodes are used for the connection of the rectifier 70 in lieu of the "fast recovery" diodes mentioned under f.). The capa-citors 81, 82 namely form a high-frequency short-circuit link via which the high-frequency current IHF which superposes the input current can flow off as explained under b.). h.) Two smoothing capacitors 71, 72 which are connected in series are connected parallel to the plus and minus output of the rectifier 70. The connection point of the smoothing capacitors 71, 72 can be bridged to one of the input terminals 7a, 7b of the quadripole 7 by means of a line 73 in order to enable the adaptation of the overall capacitance of the smoothing capacitors 71, 72 to different voltages of the alternating current supply 6, e.g. 110 V or 220 V. i.) Between the plus output of the rectifier 70 and one of the output terminals 7c, 7d of the quadripole 7 a coupling capacitor 77 is connected so that the thermionic cathode 1d or 1c, respectively, to which the high-frequency current IHF is applied is preheated during the starting phase of the fluor-escent tube 1. k.) Two transistors 75, 76 which are driven by a control circuit 74, as well as a solenoid 79 form a high-frequency stage for the generation of the high-frequency current IHF. The high-frequency stage is connected between the plus and the minus output of the rectifier 70 and the output terminals 7c, 7d of the quadripole 7. The control circuit 74 can, for example, be an annular core transformer. However, in order to reduce the power dissipation and the heat emission associated therewith, it is advantageous to use a commercially available driver 1C for the control circuit 74 and to employ transistors 75, 76 of the MOSFET type. 1.) A blocking capacitor 78 is connected in series with the output of the high-frequency stage or the solenoid 79, respectively. The blocking capacitor 78 prevents the low-fre-quency current from the alternating current supply 6 from flowing through the fluorescent tube 1, which would expose the high-frequency stage to the high voltage of the alternating current supply 6 and thus damage same. Fig. 4 schematically shows a sectional view of an inventive device for connecting an inventive circuit arrangement with the fluorescent tube 1. The components 28 of the inventive circuit arrangement are installed as an electr(on)ic circuit in a known manner on a circuit board 26 which is accommodated in a housing 27 for protection. The inventive device comprises two connector pins 20a, 20b which herein are electrically and mechanically accommodated in the right hand bracket 9. The connector pins 20a, 20b are formed as hollow pins. Coaxial with the connector pins 20a, 20b contact receptacles or connection sockets, respectively, 21a, 21b are arranged in the respective interior. The con-nector pins 3a, 3b of the r.h. end cap 1b of the fluorescent tube 1 are electrically and mechanically accommodated in the contact receptacles or connection sockets, respectively, 21a, 21b. The connector pins 20a, 20b and the contact receptacles or connection sockets, respectively, 21a, 21b are isolated from each other by means of a layer 25a, 25b made from an insulating material. The connector pins 20a, 20b as well as the contact receptacles or connection sockets, respectively, 21a, 21b are secured or soldered, respectively, to a circuit board 24. The circuit board 24 herein comprises (four) conductors not shown in detail which lead to solder connections from which the one end of a four-conductor cable 23 starts. At its other end the cable 23 is connected with the circuit board 26 of the inventive circuit arrangement designed as the quadripole 7 via solder connections. Thereby the connector assignment is provided in such a manner that the connector pins 20a, 20b are connected with the input terminals 7a, 7b of the quadripole 7, and the contact receptacles or connection sockets, respectively, 21a, 21b are connected with the output terminals 7c, 7d of the quadripole 7. In this way - equivalent to the sample circuits according to Figs. 1 and 2 - the input terminals 7a, 7b of the quadripole 7 are connected in series with the contact receptacles 8a, 8b of the l.h. bracket 8, and the output terminals 7c, 7d of the quadripole 7 are connected with the connectors pins 3a, 3b or the thermionic cathode lc, respectively, at the r.h. end cap 1b of the fluorescent tube 1. A housing 22 serves to accommodate the inventive device in a protective manner. Due to the fact that the connector pins 20a, 20b and the contact receptacles or connection sockets, respectively, 21a, 21b are arranged coaxially to one another, the inventive device has such a narrow installation size that the housing 22 fits into the gap between fluorescent tube 1 and bracket 9, which is provided anyway. It is understood that one/both housing(s) 22, 27 can be equipped with connections so that the cable 23 can be disconnected, for example, via plug-in contacts or, if different cable lengths are required, be replaced. Compared to Fig. 4, the embodiment of the inventive circuit arrangement according to Fig. 5 is arranged in the housing 22 of the inventive device or - in other words - both are arranged in a common housing 22. Therein housing 22 comprises an extension for accommodating the circuit board 27 of the inventive circuit arrangement, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the fluorescent tube 1. This results in a particularly compact unit which can be retrofitted in a par-ticularly simple manner, regardless of the physical conditions prevailing in the electrical appliance in which it is employ-ed. It is understood, that the circuit boards 24, 26 can be combined to a common circuit board in alternative versions. Finally, it should be noted that although the description of the figures primarily deals with a straight design of the fluorescent tube, it is nevertheless possible to utilise the invention for other fluorescent tube designs as well, for example, arc-shaped designs, as it is known for those with skill in the art. WE CLAIM: 1. A circuit arrangement for the energy-saving operation of a fluorescent tube, which comprises two connections at each end cap of said tube, said arrangement being electrically and mechanically accommodated in brackets via said connections and is connectable to an alternating current supply through the interconnection of a reactance coil and a starter, said circuit arrangement comprising a quadripole which transforms the current fed to its input terminals from the alternating current supply into a high- frequency current which exits from its output terminals, said input terminals forming a series connection with the two connections at one end cap of said tube and the reactance coil, which is connected in parallel to the alternating current supply, the output terminals of said quadripole being electrically connected with the two connections at the other end cap of said tube. 2. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said input terminals form a series connection with the two connections at said one of said end caps and the reactance coil, and the starter, which is connected in parallel to the alternating current supply, said starter being bridged. 3. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said input terminals form a series connection with the two connections at said one of said end caps and the reactance coil, and the starter, which is connected in parallel to the alternating current supply, said starter being an electric fuse. 4. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said output terminals and the starter form a series connection which is electrically connected with the two connections at the other end cap, with the starter being bridged. 5. A circuit arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein a rectifier is connected downstream of the input terminals, with one or at least two smoothing capacitors being connected in parallel to the plus and minus output (+, -) of the said rectifier. 6. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 5, wherein one capacitor each is connected between the input terminals of the quadripole and the plus and minus output (+, -) of the rectifier. 7. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein a coupling capacitor is connected between the plus output (+) of the rectifier and one of the output terminals. 8. A circuit arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a high-frequency stage is connected between the plus and minus output (+, -) of the rectifier and the output terminals, said stage consisting of at least one control circuit, at least two transistors as well as at least one solenoid. 9. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 8, wherein a blocking capacitor is connected in series with the solenoid. 10. A circuit arrangement as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the circuit arrangement is integrated in the fluorescent tube or on one of the respective end caps. 11. A circuit arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the circuit arrangement is integrated in one of the brackets. 12. A circuit arrangement as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said circuit arrangement is connected with the fluorescent tube by means of a device comprising two connections capable of accommodation in one of the brackets, contact receptacles being respectively provided coaxially within said connections, in which the connections of one of the end caps of the fluorescent tube are accommodated, the connections of the device and the contact receptacles being electrically insulated against each other, said connections being electrically connected with the input terminals of the quadripole, and the contact receptacles being electrically connected with the output terminals of the quadripole. 13. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said device is accommodated in a housing which is arranged between one end cap of the fluorescent tube and one bracket. 14. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein the electrical connection between said device and said circuit arrangement designed as quadripole is effected via an electrical cable, preferably a four-wire cable. 15. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said circuit arrangement is provided within the housing of said device. 16. A circuit arrangement as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the housing of said device comprises an extension extending along the fluorescent tube in which the circuit arrangement designed as quadripole is accommodated. 17.An electrical appliance such as a lamp, a solar booth lamp, or the like incorporating at least one fluorescent tube equipped with at least one circuit arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16 for the energy-saving operation of said fluorescent tube.

Documents:

in-pct-2001-69-del-abstract.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-claims.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-correspondence-others.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-correspondence-po.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-description (complete).pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-drawings.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-form-1.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-form-19.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-form-2.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-form-3.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-form-5.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-form-6.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-gpa.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-pct-210.pdf

in-pct-2001-69-del-petition-138.pdf