Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LED TUBE LAMP
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to the features of light emitting
diode
(LED) lighting. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments describe various
improvements for LED tube lamps.
BACKGROUND
(0002] LED lighting technology is rapidly developing to replace traditional
incandescent and fluorescent lighting. LED tube lamps are mercury-free in
comparison with fluorescent tube lamps that need to be filled with inert gas
and
mercury. Thus, it is not surprising that LED tube lamps are becoming a highly
desired
illumination option among different available lighting systems used in homes
and
workplaces, which used to be dominated by traditional lighting options such as
compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and fluorescent tube lamps. Benefits of
LED
tube lamps include improved durability and longevity and far less energy
consumption.
Therefore, when taking into account all factors, they would typically be
considered as
a cost effective lighting option.
[0003] Typical LED tube lamps have a lamp tube, a circuit board disposed
inside
the lamp tube with light sources being mounted on the circuit board, and end
caps
accompanying a power supply provided at two ends of the lamp tube with the
electricity from the power supply transmitting to the light sources through
the circuit
board. However, existing LED tube lamps have certain drawbacks. For example,
the
typical circuit board is rigid and allows the entire lamp tube to maintain a
straight tube
configuration when the lamp tube is partially ruptured or broken, and this
gives the
user a false impression that the LED tube lamp remains usable and is likely to
cause
the user to be electrically shocked upon handling or installation of the LED
tube lamp.
[0004] Conventional circuit design of LED tube lamps typically doesn't provide
suitable solutions for complying with relevant certification standards. For
example,
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since there are usually no electronic components in a fluorescent lamp, it's
fairly easy
for a fluorescent lamp to be certified under EMI (electromagnetic
interference)
standards and safety standards for lighting equipment as provided by
Underwriters
Laboratories (UL). However, there are a considerable number of electronic
components in an LED tube lamp, and therefore consideration of the impacts
caused
by the layout (structure) of the electronic components is important, resulting
in
difficulties in complying with such standards.
[0005] Further, the driving of an LED uses a DC driving signal, but the
driving signal
for a fluorescent lamp is a low-frequency, low-voltage AC signal as provided
by an AC
powerline, a high-frequency, high-voltage AC signal provided by a ballast, or
even a
DC signal provided by a battery for emergency lighting applications. Since the
voltages and frequency spectrums of these types of signals differ
significantly, simply
performing a rectification to produce the required DC driving signal in an LED
tube
lamp may not achieve the LED tube lamp's compatibility with traditional
driving
systems of a fluorescent lamp.
[0006] Moreover, when an LED tube lamp has an architecture with dual-end power
supply and one end cap thereof is inserted into a lamp socket but the other is
not, an
electric shock situation could take place for the user touching the metal or
conductive
part of the end cap which has not been inserted into the lamp socket.
[0007] In the prior art, a solution of disposing a mechanical structure on the
end cap
for preventing electric shock is proposed. In this electric shock protection
design,
the connection between the external power and the internal circuit of the tube
lamp
can be cut off or established by the mechanical component's
interaction/shifting when
a user installs the tube lamp, so as to achieve the electric shock protection.
[0008] Besides, a published US patent application with publication no.
US20160219672A1 discloses an installation detection module that can be
disposed
on the power loop of the LED module for detecting whether the lamp tube is
correctly
installed on the lamp socket by detecting an electrical signal in a power loop
of the
LED tube lamp.
[0009] Currently, LED tube lamps used to replace traditional fluorescent
lighting
devices can be primarily categorized into two types. One is for ballast-
compatible
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LED tube lamps, e.g., T-LED lamp, which directly replaces fluorescent tube
lamps
without changing any circuit on the lighting device; and the other one is for
ballast
by-pass LED tube lamps, which omit traditional ballast on their circuit and
directly
connect the commercial electricity to the LED tube lamp. The latter LED tube
lamp is
suitable for the new surroundings in fixtures with new driving circuits and
LED tube
lamps.
SUMMARY
[0010] It's specially noted that the present disclosure may actually include
one or
more inventions claimed currently or not yet claimed, and for avoiding
confusion due
to unnecessarily distinguishing between those possible inventions at the stage
of
preparing the specification, the possible plurality of inventions herein may
be
collectively referred to as "the (present) invention" herein.
[0011] Various embodiments are summarized in this section, and may be
described
with respect to the "present invention," which terminology is used to describe
certain
presently disclosed embodiments, whether claimed or not, and is not
necessarily an
exhaustive description of all possible embodiments, but rather is merely a
summary
of certain embodiments. Certain of the embodiments described below as various
aspects of the "present invention" can be combined in different manners to
form an
LED tube lamp or a portion thereof.
[0012] The present disclosure provides a novel LED tube lamp, and aspects
thereof.
[0013] According to certain embodiments, an installation detection circuit
configured in the LED tube lamp configured to receive an external driving
signal is
disclosed. The installation detection circuit includes; a pulse generating
circuit
configured to output one or more pulse signals; wherein the installation
detection
circuit is configured to detect during one or more pulse signals whether the
LED tube
lamp is properly installed on a lamp socket, based on detecting a signal
generated
from the external driving signal; and a switch circuit coupled to the pulse
generating
circuit, wherein the one or more pulse signals control turning on and off of
the switch
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circuit; wherein the installation detection circuit is further configured to:
when it is
detected during one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is not
properly
installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in an off
state to
cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open; and when it is detected
during
one or more pulse signals that the LED tube lamp is properly installed on the
lamp
socket, control the switch circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause
the power
loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain conducting state.
[0014] According to certain embodiments, an installation detection circuit
configured in a light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp is disclosed. The
installation
detection circuit includes: means for generating one or more pulse signals;
means for
detecting during one or more pulse signals whether the LED tube lamp is
properly
installed on a lamp socket; and a switch circuit coupled to the means for
generating
one or more pulse signals, wherein the one or more pulse signals control
turning on
and off of the switch circuit; wherein the installation detection circuit is
further
configured to: when it is detected during the one or more pulse signals that
the LED
tube lamp is not properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch
circuit to
remain in an off state to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open;
and
when it is detected during the one or more pulse signals that the LED tube
lamp is
properly installed on the lamp socket, control the switch circuit to remain in
a
conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to maintain a
conducting state.
[0015] According to certain embodiments, a detection method adopted by a
light-emitting device (LED) tube lamp for preventing a user from electric
shock when
the LED tube lamp is being installed on a lamp socket is disclosed. The
detection
method includes: when at least one end of the LED tube lamp is installed on
the lamp
socket, generating one or more pulse signals by a pulse generating circuit,
wherein
the pulse generating circuit is configured in the LED tube lamp; detecting a
sample
signal on a power loop of the LED tube lamp by a detection determining
circuit, to
detect during the one or more pulse signals whether the other end of the LED
tube
lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket; receiving the one or more pulse
signals
through a detection result latching circuit by a switch circuit, wherein the
switch circuit
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is on the power loop; and comparing the sample signal with a predefined
signal,
wherein during the one or more pulse signals when the sample signal is smaller
than
the predefined signal, the detection method further comprises: controlling the
switch
circuit to remain in an off state to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp
to be
open.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0016] Fig. I is a plane cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an
LED tube
lamp including an LED light strip that is a bendable circuit sheet with ends
thereof
passing across the transition region of the lamp tube of the LED tube lamp to
be
connected to a power supply according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0017] Fig. 2 is a plane cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a bi-
layered
structure of a bendable circuit sheet of an LED light strip of an LED tube
lamp
according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0018] Fig. 3A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a soldering
pad of a
bendable circuit sheet of an LED light strip for a solder connection with a
power
supply of an LED tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0019] Fig. 3B is a block diagram illustrating leads that are disposed between
two
end caps of an LED tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0020] Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a bendable circuit sheet and a printed
circuit
board of a power supply soldered to each other in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment;
[0021] Figs. 4B, 4C, and 4D are diagrams of a soldering process of the
bendable
circuit sheet and the printed circuit board of the power supply of Fig. 4A in
accordance
with an exemplary embodiment;
[0022] Fig. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a circuit board
assembly composed of a bendable circuit sheet of an LED light strip and a
printed
circuit board of a power supply according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0023] Fig. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating another
arrangement of
a circuit board assembly, according to some exemplary embodiments;
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[0024] Fig. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a bendable
circuit sheet
of an LED light strip formed with two conductive wiring layers according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0025] Fig. 8A is a block diagram of an exemplary power supply system for an
LED
tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0026] Fig. 8B is a block diagram of an exemplary power supply system for an
LED
tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0027] Fig. 8C is a block diagram of an exemplary power supply system for an
LED
tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0028] Fig. 8D is a block diagram of an exemplary LED lamp according to some
exemplary embodiments;
[0029] Fig. 8E is a block diagram of an exemplary LED lamp according to some
exemplary embodiments;
[0030] Fig. 8F is a block diagram of an exemplary LED lamp according to some
exemplary embodiments;
[0031] Fig. 8G is a block diagram of a connection configuration between an LED
lamp and an external power source according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0032] Fig. 9A is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0033] Fig. 9B is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0034] Fig. 9C is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0035] Fig. 9D is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0036] Fig. 9E is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0037] Fig. 9F is a schematic' diagram of a rectifying circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0038] Figs. 10A-10C are block diagrams of exemplary filtering circuits
according to
some exemplary embodiments;
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[0039] Figs. 11A-11B are schematic diagrams of exemplary LED modules
according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0040] Figs; 110-11I, 11K are plan views of a circuit layout of an LED module
according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0041] FIG. 11J is a schematic view of a power pad according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0042] Fig. 12A is a block diagram of an exemplary power supply module in an
LED
lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0043] Fig. 12B is a block diagram of a driving circuit according to some
exemplary
embodiments;
[0044] Figs. 12C-12F are schematic diagrams of exemplary driving circuits
according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0045] Fig. 13A is a block diagram of an exemplary power supply module in an
LED
tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0046] Fig. 13B is a schematic diagram of an over-voltage protection (OVP)
circuit
according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0047] Fig. 14A is a block diagram of an exemplary power supply module in an
LED
tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0048] Fig. 14B is a block diagram of an exemplary power supply module in an
LED
tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0049] Fig. 140 is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary power module according
to
some exemplary embodiments;
[0050] Fig. 14D is a block diagram of an exemplary power supply module in an
LED
tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0051] Fig. 14E-14F are schematic structures of an auxiliary power supply
module
disposed in an LED tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0052] Fig. 14G is a block diagram of a power supply module in an LED tube
lamp
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0053] Fig. 15A is a block diagram of an LED tube lamp according to some
exemplary embodiments;
[0054] Fig. 15B is a block diagram of an installation detection module
according to
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some exemplary embodiments;
[0055] Fig. 15C is a schematic detection pulse generating module according to
some exemplary embodiments;
[0056] Fig. 15D is a schematic detection determining circuit according to some
exemplary embodiments;
[0057] Fig. 15E is a schematic detection result latching circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0058] Fig. 15F is a schematic switch circuit according to some exemplary
embodiments;
[0059] Fig. 15G is a block diagram of an installation detection module
according to
some exemplary embodiments;
[0060] Fig. 15H is a schematic detection pulse generating module according to
some exemplary embodiments;
[0061] Fig. 151 is a schematic detection result latching circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0062] Fig. 15J is a schematic switch circuit according to some exemplary
embodiments; and
[0063] Fig. 15K is a schematic detection determining circuit according to some
exemplary embodiments.
[0064] Fig. 15L is a block diagram of an installation detection module
according to
some exemplary embodiments;
[0065] Fig. 15M is an internal circuit block diagram of an integrated control
module
according to some exemplary embodiments;
[0066] Fig. 15N is a schematic pulse generating auxiliary circuit according to
some
exemplary embodiments;
[0067] Fig. 150 is a schematic detection determining auxiliary circuit
according to
some exemplary embodiments;
[0068] Fig. 15P is a schematic switch circuit according to some exemplary
embodiments;
[0069] Fig. 15Q is an internal circuit block diagram of a three-terminal
switch device
according to some exemplary embodiments;
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[0070] Fig. 15R is a schematic signal processing unit according to some
exemplary
embodiments;
[0071] Fig. 15S is a schematic signal generating unit according to some
exemplary
embodiments;
[0072] Fig. 15T is a schematic signal capturing unit according to some
exemplary
embodiments;
[0073] Fig. 15U is a schematic switch unit according to some exemplary
embodiments;
[0074] Fig. 15V is a schematic internal power detection unit according to some
exemplary embodiments;
[0075] Fig. 15W a block diagram of an installation detection module according
to an
exemplary embodiment; and
[0076] Fig. 15X is a block diagram of a detection path circuit according to an
exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0077] The present disclosure provides a novel LED tube lamp. The present
disclosure will now be described in the following embodiments with reference
to the
drawings. The following descriptions of various embodiments of this invention
are
presented herein for purpose of illustration and giving examples only. It is
not
intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.
These
example embodiments are just that ¨ examples ¨ and many implementations and
variations are possible that do not require the details provided herein. It
should also
be emphasized that the disclosure provides details of alternative examples,
but such
listing of alternatives is not exhaustive. Furthermore, any consistency of
detail
between various examples should not be interpreted as requiring such detail ¨
it is
impracticable to list every possible variation for every feature described
herein. The
language of the claims should be referenced in determining the requirements of
the
invention.
[0078] In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of components may be
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exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
[0079] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used
herein,
the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural
forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term
"and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items and
may be abbreviated as "/".
[0080] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third
etc. may be
used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, or
steps,
these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or steps should not be
limited by
these terms. Unless the context indicates otherwise, these terms are only used
to
distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or step from another
element,
component, region, or step, for example as a naming convention. Thus, a first
element, component, region, layer, or step discussed below in one section of
the
specification could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or
step in
another section of the specification or in the claims without departing from
the
teachings of the present invention. In addition, in certain cases, even if a
term is not
described using "first," "second," etc., in the specification, it may still be
referred to as
"first" or "second" in a claim in order to distinguish different claimed
elements from
each other.
[0081] It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or
"comprising,"
or "includes" and/or "including" when used in this specification, specify the
presence
of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or
components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
regions,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0082] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being
"connected" or "coupled" to or "on" another element, it can be directly
connected or
coupled to or on the other element or intervening elements may be present. In
contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or
"directly
coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other
words
used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a
like
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fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus
"directly
adjacent," etc.). However, the term "contact," as used herein refers to direct
connection (i.e., touching) unless the context indicates otherwise.
[0083] Embodiments described herein will be described referring to plane views
and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the
exemplary views may be modified depending on manufacturing technologies and/or
tolerances. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to those
shown in
the views, but include modifications in configuration formed on the basis of
manufacturing processes. Therefore, regions exemplified in figures may have
schematic properties, and shapes of regions shown in figures may exemplify
specific
shapes of regions of elements to which aspects of the invention are not
limited.
[0084] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above,"
"upper"
and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one
element's or
feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the figures. It
will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass
different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the
orientation
depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned
over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would
then be
oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" can
encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially
relative
descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0085] Terms such as "same," "equal," "planar," or "coplanar," as used herein
when
referring to orientation, layout, location, shapes, sizes, amounts, or other
measures
do not necessarily mean an exactly identical orientation, layout, location,
shape, size,
amount, or other measure, but are intended to encompass nearly identical
orientation,
layout, location, shapes, sizes, amounts, or other measures within acceptable
variations that may occur, for example, due to manufacturing processes. The
term
"substantially" may be used herein to emphasize this meaning, unless the
context or
other statements indicate otherwise. For example, items described as
"substantially
the same," "substantially equal," or "substantially planar," may be exactly
the same,
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equal, or planar, or may be the same, equal, or planar within acceptable
variations
that may occur, for example, due to manufacturing processes.
[0086] Terms such as "about" or "approximately" may reflect sizes,
orientations, or
layouts that vary only in a small relative manner, and/or in a way that does
not
significantly alter the operation, functionality, or structure of certain
elements. For
example, a range from "about 0.1 to about 1" may encompass a range such as a
0%-5% deviation around 0.1 and a 0% to 5% deviation around 1, especially if
such
deviation maintains the same effect as the listed range.
[0087] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
terms)
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill
in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood
that terms,
such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as
having
a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant
art
and/or the present application, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or
overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0088] As used herein, items described as being "electrically connected" are
configured such that an electrical signal can be passed from one item to the
other.
Therefore, a passive electrically conductive component (e.g., a wire, pad,
internal
electrical line, etc.) physically connected to a passive electrically
insulative
component (e.g., a prepreg layer of a printed circuit board, an electrically
insulative
adhesive connecting two devices, an electrically insulative underfill or mold
layer, etc.)
is not electrically connected to that component. Moreover, items that are
"directly
electrically connected," to each other are electrically connected through one
or more
passive elements, such as, for example, wires, pads, internal electrical
lines, resistors,
etc. As such, directly electrically connected components do not include
components
electrically connected through active elements, such as transistors or diodes.
Directly
electrically connected elements may be directly physically connected and
directly
electrically connected.
[0089] Components described as thermally connected or in thermal communication
are arranged such that heat will follow a path between the components to allow
the
heat to transfer from the first component to the second component. Simply
because
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two components are part of the same device or board does not make them
thermally
connected. In general, components which are heat-conductive and directly
connected
to other heat-conductive or heat-generating components (or connected to those
components through intermediate heat-conductive components or in such close
proximity as to permit a substantial transfer of heat) will be described as
thermally
connected to those components, or in thermal communication with those
components.
On the contrary, two components with heat-insulative materials therebetween,
which
materials significantly prevent heat transfer between the two components, or
only
allow for incidental heat transfer, are not described as thermally connected
or in
thermal communication with each other. The terms "heat-conductive" or
"thermally-conductive" do not apply to any material that provides incidental
heat
conduction, but are intended to refer to materials that are typically known as
good
heat conductors or known to have utility for transferring heat, or components
having
similar heat conducting properties as those materials.
[0090] Embodiments may be described, and illustrated in the drawings, in terms
of
functional blocks, units and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that
these blocks, units and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic
(or
optical) circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, analog
circuits,
hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like, which
may be
formed using semiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturing
technologies. In the case of the blocks, units and/or modules being
implemented by
microprocessors or similar, they may be programmed using software (e.g.,
microcode)
to perform various functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven by
firmware and/or software. Alternatively, each block, unit and/or module may be
implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware
to
perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed
microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Also,
each
block, unit and/or module of the embodiments may be physically separated into
two
or more interacting and discrete blocks, units and/or modules. Further, the
blocks,
units and/or modules of the various embodiments may be physically combined
into
more complex blocks, units and/or modules.
13
[0091] If any terms in this application conflict with terms used in any
application(s)
from which this application claims priority, a construction based on the terms
as used
or defined in this application should be applied.
[0092] It should be noted that, the following description of various
embodiments of
the present disclosure is described herein in order to clearly illustrate the
inventive
features of the present disclosure. However, it is not intended that various
embodiments can only be implemented alone. Rather, it is contemplated that
various of the different embodiments can be and are intended to be used
together in a
final product, and can be combined in various ways to achieve various final
products.
Thus, people having ordinary skill in the art may combine the possible
embodiments
together or replace the components/modules between the different embodiments
according to design requirements. The embodiments taught herein are not
limited to
the form described in the following examples, any possible replacement and
arrangement between the various embodiments are included.
[0093] Applicant's prior U.S. Patent Application No. 14/724,840 (US PGPUb No.
2016/0091156, as an illustrated example, has addressed certain issues
associated
with the occurrence of electric shock in using a conventional LED lamp by
providing a
bendable circuit sheet. Some of the embodiments disclosed in U.S. Patent
Application No. 14/724,840 can be combined with one or more of the example
embodiments disclosed herein to further reduce the occurrence of electric
shock in
using an LED lamp.
[0094] Referring to Fig. 1, an LED tube lamp may include an LED light strip 2.
In
certain embodiments, the LED light strip 2 may be formed from a bendable
circuit
sheet, for example that may be flexible. As described further below, the
bendable
circuit sheet is also described as a bendable circuit board. The LED light
strip 2, and
for example the bendable circuit sheet, may also be a flexible strip, such as
a flexible
or non-rigid tape or a ribbon. The bendable circuit sheet may have ends
thereof
passing across a transition region of the lamp tube of the LED tube lamp to be
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,
connected to a power supply 5. In some embodiments, the ends of the bendable
circuit sheet may be connected to a power supply in an end cap of the LED tube
lamp.
For example, the ends may be connected in a manner such that a portion of the
bendable circuit sheet is bent away from the lamp tube and passes through the
transition region where a lamp tube narrows, and such that the bendable
circuit sheet
vertcally overlaps part of a power supply within an end cap of the LED tube
lamp.
[0095] Referring to Fig. 2, to form an LED light strip 2, a bendable circuit
sheet
includes a wiring layer 2a with conductive effect. An LED light source 202 is
disposed
on the wiring layer 2a and is electrically connected to the power supply
through the
wiring layer 2a. Though only one LED light source 202 is shown in Fig. 2, a
plurality of
LED light sources 202, as shown in Fig. 1, may be arranged on the LED light
strip 2.
For example, light sources 202 may be arranged in one or more rows extending
along
a length direction of the LED light strip 2, which may extend along a length
direction of
the lamp tube as illustrated in Fig. 1. The wiring layer with conductive
effect, in this
specification, is also referred to as a conductive layer. Referring to Fig. 2
again, in one
embodiment, the LED light strip 2 includes a bendable circuit sheet having a
conductive wiring layer 2a and a dielectric layer 2b that are arranged in a
stacked
manner. In some embodiments, the wiring layer 2a and the dielectric layer 2b
may
have the same areas or the area of the wiring layer 2a may slightly be smaller
than
that of the dielectric layer 2b. The LED light source 202 is disposed on one
surface of
the wiring layer 2a, the dielectric layer 2b is disposed on the other surface
of the
wiring layer 2a that is away from the LED light sources 202 (e.g., a second,
opposite
surface from the first surface on which the LED light source 202 is disposed).
The
wiring layer 2a is electrically connected to a power supply 5 (as shown in
Fig. 1) to
carry direct current (DC) signals. In some embodiments, the surface of the
dielectric
layer 2b away from the wiring layer 2a (e.g., a second surface of the
dielectric layer
2b opposite a first surface facing the wiring layer 2a) is fixed to an inner
circumferential surface of a lamp tube, for example, by means of an adhesive
sheet 4.
The portion of the dielectric layer 2b fixed to the inner circumferential
surface of the
lamp tube 1 may substantially conform to the shape of the inner
circumferential
surface of the lamp tube 1. The wiring layer 2a can be a metal layer or a
power supply
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layer including wires such as copper wires.
[0096] A power supply as described herein may include a circuit that converts
or
generates power based on a received voltage, in order to supply power to
operate an
LED module and the LED light sources 202 of the LED tube lamp. A power supply,
as described in connection with power supply 5, may be otherwise referred to
as a
power conversion module or circuit or a power module. A power conversion
module
or circuit, or power module, may supply or provide power from external
signal(s), such
as from an AC power line or from a ballast, to an LED module and the LED light
sources 202. For example, a power supply 5 may refer to a circuit that
converts ac
line voltage to dc voltage and supplies power to the LED or LED module. The
power
supply 5 may include one or more power components mounted thereon for
converting
and/or generating power.
[0097] In some example embodiments, the outer surface of the wiring layer 2a
or
the dielectric layer 2b may be covered with a circuit protective layer made of
an ink
with function of resisting soldering and increasing reflectivity.
Alternatively, in other
example embodiments, the dielectric layer may be omitted and the wiring layer
may
be directly bonded to the inner circumferential surface of the lamp tube, and
the outer
surface of the wiring layer 2a may be coated with the circuit protective
layer. Whether
the wiring layer 2a has a one-layered, or two-layered structure, the circuit
protective
layer may be adopted. In some embodiments, the circuit protective layer is
disposed
only on one side/surface of the LED light strip 2, such as the surface having
the LED
light source 202. In some embodiments, the bendable circuit sheet is a one-
layered
structure made of just one wiring layer 2a, or a two-layered structure made of
one
wiring layer 2a and one dielectric layer 2b, and thus is more bendable or
flexible to
curl when compared with the conventional three-layered flexible substrate (one
dielectric layer sandwiched with two wiring layers). As a result, the bendable
circuit
sheet of the LED light strip 2 may be installed in a lamp tube with a
customized shape
or non-tubular shape, and fitly mounted to the inner surface of the lamp tube.
A
bendable circuit sheet closely mounted to the inner surface of the lamp tube
is
desirable in some cases. In addition, using fewer layers of the bendable
circuit sheet
improves the heat dissipation, lowering the material cost, and is more
environmental
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friendly, and provides the opportunity to increase the flexible effect.
[0098] Nevertheless, the bendable circuit sheet is not limited to being one-
layered
or two-layered; in other embodiments, the bendable circuit sheet may include
multiple
layers of the wiring layers 2a and multiple layers of the dielectric layers
2b, in which
the dielectric layers 2b and the wiring layers 2a are sequentially stacked in
a
staggered manner, respectively. These stacked layers may be between the
outermost wiring layer 2a (with respect to the inner circumferential surface
of the lamp
tube), which has the LED light source 202 disposed thereon, and the inner
circumferential surface of the lamp tube, and may be electrically connected to
the
power supply 5 (as shown in Fig. 1.) Moreover, in some embodiments, the length
of
the bendable circuit sheet (e.g., the length along a surface of the bendable
circuit
sheet from one end of the circuit sheet to a second end of the circuit sheet)
(or an
axial projection of the length of the bendable circuit sheet) is greater than
the length of
the lamp tube (or an axial projection of the length of the lamp tube), or at
least greater
than a central portion of the lamp tube between two transition regions (e.g.,
where the
circumference of the lamp tube narrows) on either end. For example, the length
following along the contours of one surface of the bendable circuit sheet
(e.g., a top
surface of the circuit sheet) may be longer than the length from one terminal
end to an
opposite terminal end of the lamp tube. Also, a length along a straight line
that
extends in the same direction as the direction in which the lamp tube extends,
from a
first end of the bendable circuit sheet to a second, opposite end of the
bendable
circuit sheet, may be longer than the length along the same straight line of
the lamp
tube.
[0099] Referring to Fig. 7, in one embodiment, an LED light strip 2 includes a
bendable circuit sheet having in sequence a first wiring layer 2a, a
dielectric layer 2b,
and a second wiring layer 2c. In one example, the thickness of the second
wiring
layer 2c (e.g., in a direction in which the layers 2a through 2c are stacked)
is greater
than that of the first wiring layer 2a, and the length of the LED light strip
2 (or an axial
projection of the length of the LED light strip 2) is greater than that of a
lamp tube 1, or
at least greater than a central portion of the lamp tube between two
transition regions
(e.g., where the circumference of the lamp tube narrows) on either end. The
end
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region of the LED light strip 2 extending beyond the end portion of the lamp
tube 1
without having a light source 202 disposed thereon is formed with two separate
through holes 203 and 204 to respectively electrically communicate the first
wiring
layer 2a and the second wiring layer 2c. The through holes 203 and 204 are not
in
communication with each other to avoid short.
[00100] In this way, the greater thickness of the second wiring layer 2c
allows
the second wiring layer 2c to support the first wiring layer 2a and the
dielectric layer
2b, and meanwhile allows the LED light strip 2 to be mounted onto the inner
circumferential surface without being liable to shift or deform, and thus the
yield rate
of product can be improved. In addition, the first wiring layer 2a and the
second wiring
layer 2c are in electrical communication such that the circuit layout of the
first wiring
later 2a can be extended downward to the second wiring layer 2c to reach the
circuit
layout of the entire LED light strip 2. Moreover, since the circuit layout
becomes
two-layered, the area of each single layer and therefore the width of the LED
light
strip 2 can be reduced such that more LED light strips 2 can be put on a
production
line to increase productivity.
[00101] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first wiring layer 2a and
the
second wiring layer 2c of the end region of the LED light strip 2 that extends
beyond
the end portion of the lamp tube 1 without disposition of the light source 202
can be
used to accomplish the circuit layout of a power supply module so that the
power
supply module can be directly disposed on the bendable circuit sheet of the
LED light
strip-2 .
[00102] In a case where two ends of the LED light strip 2 are detached
from the
inner surface of the lamp tube 1 and where the LED light strip 2 is connected
to the
power supply 5 via wire-bonding, certain movements in subsequent
transportation
are likely to cause the bonded wires to break. Therefore, a desirable option
for the
connection between the LED light strip 2 and the power supply 5 (as shown in
Fig. 1)
could be soldering. Specifically, referring to Fig. 1, the ends of the LED
light strip 2
including the bendable circuit sheet are arranged to pass over the
strengthened
transition region of a lamp tube, and to be directly solder bonded to an
output terminal
of the power supply 5. This may improve product quality by avoiding using
wires
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and/or wire bonding. As discussed herein, a transition region of the lamp tube
refers
to regions outside a central portion of the lamp tube and inside terminal ends
of the
lamp tube. For example, a central portion of the lamp tube may have a constant
diameter, and each transition region between the central portion and a
terminal end of
the lamp tube may have a changing diameter (e.g., at least part of the
transition
region may become more narrow moving in a direction from the central portion
to the
terminal end of the lamp tube).
[00103] Referring to Fig. 3A, an output terminal of a printed circuit
board of the
power supply 5 may have soldering pads "a" (as shown in Fig. 1 as well)
provided
with an amount of solder (e.g., tin solder) with a thickness sufficient to
later form a
solder joint "g" (or a solder ball "g"). Correspondingly, the ends of the LED
light strip 2
may have soldering pads "b" (as shown in Fig. 1 as well). The soldering pads
"a" on
the output terminal of the printed circuit board of the power supply 5 are
soldered to
the soldering pads "b" on the LED light strip 2 via the tin solder on the
soldering pads
"a". The soldering pads "a" and the soldering pads "b" may be face to face
during
soldering such that the connection between the LED light strip 2 and the
printed
circuit board of the power supply 5 may be the firmest. However, this kind of
soldering
typically includes a thermo-compression head pressing on the rear surface of
the
LED light strip 2 and heating the tin solder, i.e., the LED light strip 2
intervenes
between the thermo-compression head and the tin solder, and therefore may
cause
reliability problems. In some embodiments, a through hole may be formed in
each of
the soldering pads "b" on the LED light strip 2 to allow the soldering pads
"b" to
overlay the soldering pads "a" without being face-to-face (e.g., both
soldering pads
"a" and soldering pads "b" can have exposed surfaces that face the same
direction)
and the thermo-compression head directly presses tin solders on the soldering
pads
"a" on surface of the printed circuit board of the power supply 5 when the
soldering
pads "a" and the soldering pads "b" are vertically aligned. This example
provides a
simple process for manufacturing.
[00104] Referring again to Fig. 3A, two ends of the LED light strip 2
detached
from the inner surface of the lamp tube 1 (as shown in Fig. 7) are formed as
freely
extending portions 21 (as shown in Figs. 1 and 7 as well), while most of the
LED light
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strip 2 is attached and secured to the inner surface of the lamp tube. One of
the freely
extending portions 21 has the soldering pads "b" as mentioned above. Upon
assembling of the LED tube lamp, the freely extending end portions 21 along
with the
soldered connection of the printed circuit board of the power supply 5 and the
LED
light strip 2 would be coiled, curled up or deformed to be fittingly
accommodated
inside the lamp tube as shown in Fig. 1. When the bendable circuit sheet of
the LED
light strip 2 includes in sequence the first wiring layer 2a, the dielectric
layer 2b, and
the second wiring layer 2c as shown in Fig. 7, the freely extending end
portions 21,
which are the end regions of the LED light strip 2 extending beyond the lamp
tube
without disposition of the light sources 202, can be used to accomplish the
connection
between the first wiring layer 2a and the second wiring layer 2c and arrange
the
circuit layout of the power supply 5. As described above, the freely extending
portions
21 may be different from a fixed portion of the LED light strip 2 in that the
fixed portion
may conform to the shape of the inner surface of the lamp tube and may be
fixed
thereto, while the freely extending portion 21 may have a shape that does not
conform to the shape of the lamp tube. As shown in Fig. 1, the freely
extending
portion 21 may be bent away from the lamp tube. For example, there may be a
space
between an inner surface of the lamp tube and the freely extending portion 21.
[00105] In designing the conductive pin or external connection terminal in
the
LED tube lamp, various arrangements of pins may be provided in one end or both
ends of the LED tube lamp according to exemplary embodiments. For example, two
pins may be provided in one end anda no pins may be provided on the other end.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, two pins in corresponding ends of two ends
of
the LED tube lamp, or four pins in corresponding ends of two ends of the LED
tube
lamp may be provided. When a dual-end power supply between two ends of the LED
tube lamp is utilized to provide power to the LED tube lamp, at least one pin
of each
end of the LED tube lamp is used to receive the external driving signal from
the power
supply.
(00106] Fig. 3B is a block diagram illustrating leads that are disposed
between
two end caps of an LED tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments.
[00107] Referring to Fig. 3B, in some embodiments, the LED tube lamp
includes
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a lamp tube (not shown in Fig. 3B), end caps (not shown in Fig. 3B), a light
strip 2,
short circuit boards 253 (also referred to as right end short circuit board
253 and left
end short circuit board 253) respectively provided at two ends of the lamp
tube, and
an inductive element 526. Each of the lamp tube's two ends may have at least
one
pin or external connection terminal for receiving the external driving signal.
The end
caps are disposed respectively at the two ends of the lamp tube, and (at least
partial
electronic components of) the short circuit boards 253 shown as located
respectively
at the left, and right ends of the lamp tube in Fig. 3B may be disposed
respectively in
the end caps. The short circuit boards may be, for example, a rigid circuit
board such
as depicted in and described in connection with Fig. 1 and the various other
rigid
circuit boards described herein. For example, these circuit boards may include
mounted thereon one or more power supply components for generating and/or
converting power to be used to light the LED light sources on the light strip
2. The
light strip 2 is disposed in the lamp tube and includes an LED module, which
includes
an LED unit 632.
[00108] For an LED tube lamp, such as an 8 ft. 42W LED tube lamp, to
receive
a dual-end power supply between two ends of the LED tube lamp, two (partial)
power-supply circuits (each having a power rating of e.g. 21W) are typically
disposed
respectively in the two end caps of the lamp tube, and a lead (typically
referred to as
lead Line or Neutral) disposed between two end caps of the lamp tube (e.g.,
between
two pins or external connection terminals at respective end caps of the lamp
tube)
and as an input signal line may be needed. The lead Line may be disposed along
an
LED light strip that may include, e.g., a bendable circuit sheet or flexible
circuit board,
for receiving and transmitting an external driving signal from the power
supply. This
lead Line is distinct from two leads typically referred to as LED+ and LED-
that are
respectively connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of an
LED
unit in the lamp tube. This lead Line is also distinct from a Ground lead
which is
disposed between respective ground terminals of the LED tube lamp. Because the
lead Line is typically disposed along the light strip, and because parasitic
capacitance(s) (e.g., about 200pF) may be caused between the lead Line and the
lead LED+ due to their close proximity to each other, some high frequency
signals
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(not the intended frequency range of signal for supplying power to the LED
module)
passing through the lead LED+ will be reflected to the lead Line through the
parasitic
capacitance(s) and then can be detected there as undesirable EMI effects. The
unfavorable EMI effects may lower or degrade the quality of power transmission
in
the LED tube lamp.
(00109] Again referring to Fig. 3B, in some embodiments, the right and
left short
circuit boards 253 are electrically connected to the light strip 2. In some
embodiments,
the electrical connection (such as through soldering or bond pad(s)) between
the
short circuit boards 253 and the light strip 2 may comprise a first terminal
(denoted by
"L"), a second terminal (denoted by "+" or "LED+"), a third terminal (denoted
by "2 or
"LED-"), and a fourth terminal (denoted by "GND" or "ground"). The light strip
2
includes the first through fourth terminals at a first end of the light strip
2 adjacent to
the right end short circuit board 253 near one end cap of the lamp tube and
includes
the first through fourth terminals at a second end, opposite to the first end,
of the light
strip 2 adjacent to the left end short circuit board 253 near the other end
cap of the
lamp tube. The right end short circuit board 253 also includes the first
through fourth
terminals to respectively connect to the first through fourth terminals of the
light strip 2
at the first end of the light strip 2. The left end short circuit board 253
also includes
the first through fourth terminals to respectively connect to the first
through fourth
terminals of the light strip 2 at the second end of the light strip 2. For
example, the first
terminal L is utilized to connect a lead (typically referred to as Line or
Neutral) for
connecting both of the at least one pin of each of the two ends of the lamp
tube; the
second terminal LED+ is utilized to connect each of the short circuit boards
253 to the
positive electrode of the LED unit 632 of the LED module included in the light
strip 2.
The third terminal LED- is utilized to connect each of the short circuit
boards 253 to
the negative electrode of the LED unit 632 of the LED module included in the
light
strip 2. The fourth terminal GND is utilized to connect to a reference
potential.
Preferably and typically, the reference potential is defined as the electrical
potential of
ground. Therefore, the fourth terminal is utilized for a grounding purpose of
the power
supply module of the LED tube lamp.
(00110] To address the undesirable EMI effects mentioned above caused by
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parasitic capacitance(s) between the lead Line and the lead LED+, inductive
element
526 disposed in the Ground lead serves to reduce or prevent the EMI effects by
blocking the forming of a complete circuit between the lead LED+ and the
Ground
lead for the high frequency signals mentioned above to pass through, since at
these
high frequencies inductive element 526 behaves like an open circuit. When the
complete circuit is prevented or blocked by inductive element 526, the high
frequency
signals will be prevented on the lead LED+ and therefore will not be reflected
to the
lead Line, thus preventing the undesirable EMI effects. In some embodiments,
the
inductive element 526 is connected between two of the fourth terminals
respectively
of the right end and left end short circuit boards 253 at the two ends of the
lamp tube.
In some embodiments, the inductive element 526 may comprise an inductor such
as
a choke inductor or a dual-inline-package inductor capable of achieving a
function of
eliminating or reducing the above-mentioned EMI effects of the lead ("Line")
disposed
along the light strip 2 between two of the first terminals ("L") respectively
at two ends
of the lamp tube. Therefore, this function can improve signal transmission
(which may
include transmissions through leads "L", "LED-'-", and "LED-") of the power
supply in
the LED tube lamp, and thus the qualities of the LED tube lamp. Therefore, the
LED
tube lamp comprising the inductive element 526 may effectively reduce EMI
effects of
the lead "L" or "Line". Moreover, such an LED tube lamp may further comprise
an
installation detection circuit or module, which is described below with
reference to
Figs. 15, for detecting whether or not the LED tube lamp is properly installed
in a lamp
socket.
[00111] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, in another embodiment, the LED light
strip
and the power supply may be connected by utilizing a circuit board assembly 25
configured with a power supply module 250 instead of solder bonding as
described
previously. The circuit board assembly 25 has a long circuit sheet 251 and a
short
circuit board 253 that are adhered to each other with the short circuit board
253 being
adjacent to the side edge of the long circuit sheet 251. The short circuit
board 253
may be provided with the power supply module 250 to form the power supply. The
short circuit board 253 is stiffer or more rigid than the long circuit sheet
251 to be able
to support the power supply module 250.
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[00112] The long circuit sheet 251 may be the bendable circuit sheet of
the LED
light strip 2 including a wiring layer 2a as shown in Fig. 2. The wiring layer
2a of the
LED light strip 2 and the power supply module 250 may be electrically
connected in
various manners depending on the demand in practice. As shown in Fig. 5, the
power
supply module 250 and the long circuit sheet 251 having the wiring layer 2a on
surface are on the same side of the short circuit board 253 such that the
power supply
module 250 is directly connected to the long circuit sheet 251. As shown in
Fig. 6,
alternatively, the power supply module 250 and the long circuit sheet 251
including
the wiring layer 2a on surface are on opposite sides of the short circuit
board 253
such that the power supply module 250 is directly connected to the short
circuit board
253 and indirectly connected to the wiring layer 2a of the LED light strip 2
by way of
the short circuit board 253.
[00113] The power supply module 250 and power supply 5 described above
may include various elements for providing power to the LED light strip 2. For
example, they may include power converters or other circuit elements and/or
components for providing power to the LED light strip 2. Also, it should be
noted that
the power supply 5 depicted and discussed in FIG. 1 may also include a power
supply
module 250, though one is not labeled in FIG. 1. For example, the power supply
module may be mounted on the circuit board, as shown in FIG. 1, and may
include
power converters or other circuit elements and/or components for providing
power to
the LED light strip 2.
[00114] Fig. 4A is a perspective view of an exemplary bendable circuit
sheet
200 and a printed circuit board 420 of a power supply 400 soldered to each
other. Fig.
4B to Fig. 4D are diagrams illustrating an exemplary soldering process of the
bendable circuit sheet 200 and the printed circuit board 420 of the power
supply 400.
In an embodiment, the bendable circuit sheet 200 and the freely extending end
portion have the same structure. The freely extending end portions are the
portions of
two opposite ends of the bendable circuit sheet 200 and are utilized for being
connected to the printed circuit board 420. The bendable circuit sheet 200 and
the
power supply 400 are electrically connected to each other by soldering. The
bendable
circuit sheet 200 comprises a circuit layer 200a and a circuit protection
layer 200c
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over a side of the circuit layer 200a. Moreover, the bendable circuit sheet
200
comprises two opposite surfaces which are a first surface 2001 and a second
surface
2002. The first surface 2001 is the one on the circuit layer 200a and away
from the
circuit protection layer 200c. The second surface 2002 is the other one on the
circuit
protection layer 200c and away from the circuit layer 200a. Several LED light
sources
202 are disposed on the first surface 2001 and are electrically connected to
circuits of
the circuit layer 200a. The circuit protection layer 200c is made, for
example, by
polyimide (PI) having less thermal conductivity but being beneficial to
protect the
circuits. The first surface 2001 of the bendable circuit sheet 200 comprises
soldering
pads "b" (or referred as first soldering pads). Soldering material "g" can be
placed on
the soldering pads "b". In one embodiment, the bendable circuit sheet 200
further
comprises a notch T. The notch "f" is disposed on an edge of the end of the
bendable
circuit sheet 200 soldered to the printed circuit board 420 of the power
supply 400. In
some embodiments instead of a notch, a hole near the edge of the end of the
bendable circuit sheet 200 may be used, which may thus provide additional
contact
material between the printed circuit board 420 and the bendable circuit sheet
200,
thereby providing a stronger connection. The printed circuit board 420
comprises a
power circuit layer 420a and soldering pads "a". Moreover, the printed circuit
board
420 comprises two opposite surfaces which are a first surface (or a top
surface) 421
and a second surface (or a bottom surface) 422. The second surface 422 is the
one
on the power circuit layer 420a. The soldering pads "a" are respectively
disposed on
the first surface 421 (those soldering pads "a" on the first surface 421 may
be referred
as second soldering pads) and the second surface 422 (those soldering pads "a"
on
the second surface 422 may be referred as third soldering pads). The soldering
pads
"a" on the first surface 421 are corresponding to those on the second surface
422.
Soldering material "g" can be placed on the soldering pad "a". In one
embodiment,
considering the stability of soldering and the optimization of automatic
process, the
bendable circuit sheet 200 is disposed below the printed circuit board 420
(the
direction is referred to Fig. 4B). For example, the first surface 2001 of the
bendable
circuit sheet 200 is connected to the second surface 422 of the printed
circuit board
420. Also, as shown, the soldering material "g" can contact, cover, and be
soldered to
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a top surface of the bendable circuit sheet 200 (e.g., first surface 2001),
end side
surfaces of soldering pads "a," soldering pad "b," and power circuit layer
420a formed
at an edge of the printed circuit board 420, and a top surface of soldering
pad "a" at
the top surface 421 of the printed circuit board 420. In addition, the
soldering material
"g" can contact side surfaces of soldering pads "a," soldering pad "b," and
power
circuit layer 420a formed at a hole in the printed circuit board 420 and/or at
a hole or
notch in bendable circuit sheet 200. The soldering material may therefore form
a
bump-shaped portion covering portions of the bendable circuit sheet 200 and
the
printed circuit board 420, and a rod-shaped portion passing through the
printed circuit
board 420 and through a hole or notch in the bendable circuit sheet 200. The
two
portions (e.g., bump-shaped portion and rod-shaped portion) may serve as a
rivet, for
maintaining a strong connection between the bendable circuit sheet 200 and the
printed circuit board 420.
[00115] As shown in Fig. 4C and Fig. 4D, in an exemplary soldering process
of
the bendable circuit sheet 200 and the printed circuit board 420, the circuit
protection
layer 200c of the bendable circuit sheet 200 is placed on a supporting table
42 (i.e.,
the second surface 2002 of the bendable circuit sheet 200 contacts the
supporting
table 42) in advance of soldering. The soldering pads "a" on the second
surface 422
of the printed circuit board 420 contact the soldering pads "b" on the first
surface 2001
of the bendable circuit sheet 200. And then a heating head 41 presses on a
portion of
soldering material "g" where the bendable circuit sheet 200 and the printed
circuit
board 420 are soldered to each other. When soldering, the soldering pads "b"
on the
first surface 2001 of the bendable circuit sheet 200 contact the soldering
pads "a" on
the second surface 422 of the printed circuit board 420, and the soldering
pads "a" on
the first surface 421 of the printed circuit board 420 contact the soldering
material "g,"
which is pressed on by the heating head 41. Under this circumstance, the heat
from
the heating head 41 can transmit through the soldering pads "a" on the first
surface
421 of the printed circuit board 420 and the soldering pads "a" on the second
surface
-422 of the printed circuit board 420 to the soldering pads "b" on the first
surface 2001
of the bendable circuit sheet 200. The transmission of the heat between the
heating
heads 41 and the soldering pads "a" and "b" won't be affected by the circuit
protection
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layer 200c which has relatively less thermal conductivity, since the circuit
protection
layer 200c is not between the heating head 41 and the circuit layer 200a.
Consequently, the efficiency and stability regarding the connections and
soldering
process of the soldering pads "a" and "b" of the printed circuit board 420 and
the
bendable circuit sheet 200 can be improved.
[00116] As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4C, the printed
circuit
board 420 and the bendable circuit sheet 200 are firmly connected to each
other by
the soldering material "g". Components between the virtual line M and the
virtual line
N of Fig. 4C from top to bottom are the soldering pads "a" on the first
surface 421 of
printed circuit board 420, the power circuit layer 420a, the soldering pads
"a" on the
second surface 422 of printed circuit board 420, the soldering pads "b" on the
first
surface 2001 of bendable circuit sheet 200, the circuit layer 200a of the
bendable
circuit sheet 200, and the circuit protection layer 200c of the bendable
circuit sheet
200. The connection of the printed circuit board 420 and the bendable circuit
sheet
200 are firm and stable. The soldering material "g" may extend higher than the
soldering pads "a" on the first surface 421 of printed circuit board 420 and
may fill in
other spaces, as described above.
[00117] In other embodiments, an additional circuit protection layer
(e.g., PI
layer) can be disposed over the first surface 2001 of the circuit layer 200a.
For
example, the circuit layer 200a may be sandwiched between two circuit
protection
layers, and therefore the first surface 2001 of the circuit layer 200a can be
protected
by the circuit protection layer. A part of the circuit layer 200a (the part
having the
soldering pads "b") is exposed for being connected to the soldering pads "a"
of the
printed circuit board 420. Other parts of the circuit layer 200a are exposed
by the
additional circuit protection layer so they can connect to LED light sources
202. Under
these circumstances, a part of the bottom of each LED light source 202
contacts the
circuit protection layer on the first surface 2001 of the circuit layer 200a,
and another
part of the bottom of the LED light source 202 contacts the circuit layer
200a.
[00118] According to the exemplary embodiments shown in Fig. 4A to Fig.
4D,
the printed circuit board 420 comprises through holes "h" passing through the
soldering pads "a". In an automatic soldering process, when the heating head
41
27
automatically presses the printed circuit board 420, the soldering material
"g" on the
soldering pads "a" can be pushed into the through holes "h" by the heating
head 41
accordingly. As a result, a soldered connection may be formed as shown in
Figs. 4C
and 4D.
[00119] In one exemplary embodiment, examples of the soldering structure
of
the bendable circuit sheet and the printed circuit board that of the LED light
strip (i.e.,
bendable circuit sheet) firmed onto the printed circuit board of the power
supply are
described in US Application. No. 201600911471 Al (US'471). Specifically, the
structures illustrated in Fig. 31 and Fig. 32 of US'471 have an upside down
structural
arrangement compared to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 4B to Fig. 4D.
That is,
in the embodiments of Fig. 4B to Fig. 4D of the present application, the
printed circuit
board 420 is disposed onto the bendable circuit sheet 200; and in the
embodiments of
Fig. 31 and Fig. 32 of US'471, the LED light strip 2 (bendable circuit sheet)
is
disposed onto the printed circuit board of the power supply 5.
[00120] Fig. 8A is a block diagram of a system including an LED tube
lamp
including a power supply module according to certain embodiments. Referring to
Fig.
8A, an alternating current (AC) power supply 508 is used to supply an AC
supply
signal, and may be an AC powerline with a voltage rating, for example, in 100-
277V
and a frequency rating, for example, of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. A lamp driving circuit
505
receives the AC supply signal from the AC power supply 508 and then converts
it into
an AC driving signal. The power supply module and power supply 508 described
above may include various elements for providing power to the LED light strip
2. For
example, they may include power converters or other circuit elements for
providing
power to the LED light strip 2. In some embodiments, the power supply 508 and
the
lamp driving circuit 505 are outside of the LED tube lamp. For example, the
lamp
driving circuit 505 may be part of a lamp socket or lamp holder into which the
LED
tube lamp is inserted. The lamp driving circuit 505 could be an electronic
ballast and
may be used to convert the signal of commercial electricity into high-
frequency and
high-voltage AC driving signal. The common types of electronic ballast, such
as
instant-start electronic ballast, program-start electronic ballast, and rapid-
start
28
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electronic ballast, can be applied to the LED tube lamp. In some embodiments,
the
voltage of the AC driving signal is bigger than 300V and in some embodiments
400-700V with frequency being higher than 10 kHz and in some embodiments 20-50
kHz, An LED tube lamp 500 receives the AC driving signal from the lamp driving
circuit 505 and is thus driven to emit light. In the present embodiment, the
LED tube
lamp 500 is in a driving environment in which it is power-supplied at its one
end cap
having two conductive pins 501 and 502 (which can be referred to the external
connection terminals), which are used to receive the AC driving signal. The
two pins
501 and 502 may be electrically coupled to, either directly or indirectly, the
lamp
driving circuit 505.
[00121] In some embodiments, the lamp driving circuit 505 may be omitted
and
is therefore depicted by a dotted line. In certain embodiments, if the lamp
driving
circuit 505 is omitted, the AC power supply 508 is directly coupled to the
pins 501 and
502, which then receive the AC supply signal as the AC driving signal.
[00122] In an alternative to the application of the single-ended power
supply
mentioned above, the LED tube lamp may be power-supplied at its both end caps
respectively having two conductive pins, which are coupled to the lamp driving
circuit
to concurrently receive the AC driving signal. Under the structure where the
LED tube
lamp having two end caps and each end cap has two conductive pins, the LED
tube
lamp can be designed for receiving the AC driving signal by one pin in each
end cap,
or by two pins in each end cap. An example of a circuit configuration of the
power
supply module receiving the AC driving signal by one pin in each end cap can
be
seen in Fig. 8B (referred to as a "dual-end-single-pin configuration"
hereinafter),
which illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary power supply module for an
LED
tube lamp according to some exemplary embodiments. Referring to Fig. 8B, each
end cap of the LED tube lamp 500 could have only one conductive pin for
receiving
the AC driving signal. For example, it is not required to have two conductive
pins used
in each end cap for the purpose of passing electricity through the both ends
of the
LED tube lamp. Compared to Fig. 8A, the conductive pins 501 and 502 in Fig. 8B
are
correspondingly configured at both end caps of the LED tube lamp 500, and the
AC
power supply 508 and the lamp driving circuit 505 are the same as those
mentioned
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above. The circuit configuration of the power supply module receiving the AC
driving signal by two pins in each end cap can be referred to Fig. 8C
(referred to
"dual-end-dual-pin configuration" hereinafter), which illustrates a block
diagram of an
exemplary power supply module for an LED tube lamp according to some exemplary
embodiments. Compared to Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, the present embodiment further
includes pins 503 and 504. One end cap of the lamp tube has the pins 501 and
502,
and the other end cap of the lamp tube has the pins 503 and 504. The pins 501
to
504 are connected to the lamp driving circuit 505 to collectively receive the
AC driving
signal, and thus the LED light sources (not shown) in the LED tube lamp 500
are
driven to emit light.
[00123] Under the dual-end-dual-pin configuration, no matter whether the
AC
driving signal is provided to one pin on each end cap, or two pins on each end
cap,
the AC driving signal can be used for the operating power of the LED tube lamp
by
rearranging the circuit configuration of the power supply module. When the AC
driving signal is provided to one pin on each end cap (i.e., different
polarities of the
AC driving signal are respectively provided to the two end caps), in an
exemplary
embodiment, another one pin on each end cap is set to a floating state. For
example, the pins 502 and 503 can be set to the floating state, so that the
tube lamp
receives the AC driving signal via the pins 501 and 504. The power supply
module
performs rectification and filtering to the AC driving signal received from
the pins 501
and 504. In another exemplary embodiment, both pins on the same end cap are
connected to each other, for example, the pin 501 is connected to the pin 502
on the
left end cap, and the pin 503 is connected to the pin 504 on the right end
cap.
Therefore, the pins 501 and 502 can be used for receiving the positive or
negative AC
driving signal, and the pins 503 and 504 can be used for receiving the AC
driving
signal having opposite polarity with the signal received by the pins 501 and
502.
Thus, the power supply module within the tube lamp may perform the
rectification and
filtering to the received signal. When the AC driving signal is provided to
two pins on
each end cap, the pins on the same side may receive the AC driving signal
having
different polarity. For example, the pins 501 and 502 may receive the AC
driving
signal having opposite polarity, the pins 503 and 504 may receive the AC
driving
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signal having opposite polarity, and the power supply module within the tube
lamp
may perform the rectification and filtering to the received signal.
[00124] Fig. 8D is a block diagram of an LED lamp according to one
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 8D, the power supply module of the LED lamp
includes
a rectifying circuit 510, a filtering circuit 520, and may further include
some parts of an
LED lighting module 530. The rectifying circuit 510 is coupled to two pins 501
and 502
to receive and then rectify an external driving signal, so as to output a
rectified signal
at two rectifying output terminals 511 and 512. In some embodiments, the
external
driving signal may be the AC driving signal or the AC supply signal described
with
reference to Figs. 8A and 8B. In some embodiments, the external driving signal
may
be a direct current (DC) signal without altering the LED tube lamp. The
filtering circuit
520 is coupled to the rectifying circuit for filtering the rectified signal to
produce a
filtered signal. For instance, the filtering circuit 520 is coupled to the
rectifying circuit
output terminals 511 and 512 to receive and then filter the rectified signal,
so as to
output a filtered signal at two filtering output terminals 521 and 522. The
LED lighting
module 530 is coupled to the filtering circuit 520 to receive the filtered
signal for
emitting light. For instance, the LED lighting module 530 may include a
circuit coupled
to the filtering output terminals 521 and 522 to receive the filtered signal
and thereby
to drive an LED unit (not shown) in the LED lighting module 530 to emit light.
Details
of these operations are described below in accordance with certain
embodiments.
[00125] Fig. 8E is a block diagram of an exemplary LED lamp according to
some exemplary embodiments. Referring to Fig. 8E, the power supply module of
the LED lamp includes a first rectifying circuit 510, a filtering circuit 520,
an LED
lighting module 530 and a second rectifying circuit 540, which can be utilized
in the
dual-end power supply configuration illustrated in Fig. 8C. The first
rectifying circuit
510 is coupled to the pins 501 and 502 to receive and then rectify an external
driving
signal transmitted by the pins 501 and 502; the second rectifying circuit 540
is
coupled to the pins 503 and 504 to receive and then rectify an external
driving signal
transmitted by pins 503 and 504. The first rectifying circuit 510 and the
second
rectifying circuit 540 of the power supply module collectively output a
rectified signal
at two rectifying circuit output terminals 511 and 512. The filtering circuit
520 is
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coupled to the rectifying circuit output terminals 511 and 512 to receive and
then filter
the rectified signal, so as to output a filtered signal at two filtering
output terminals.
The LED lighting module 530 is coupled to the filtering output terminals to
receive the
filtered signal, so as to drive the LED light source (not shown) for emitting
light.
[00126] Fig. 8F is a block diagram of an exemplary LED lamp according to
some
exemplary embodiments. Referring to Fig. 8F, the power supply module of LED
tube
lamp includes a rectifying circuit 510', a filtering circuit 520 and part of
an LED light
module 530, which can also be utilized in the dual-end power supply
configuration
illustrated in Fig. 8C. The difference between the embodiments illustrated in
Fig. 8F
and Fig. 8E is that the rectifying circuit 510' has three input terminals to
be coupled to
the pins 501 to 503, respectively. The rectifying circuit 510' rectifies the
signals
received from the pins 501 to 503, in which the pin 504 can be set to the
floating state
or connected to the pin 503. Therefore, the second rectifying circuit 540 can
be
omitted in the present embodiment. The rest of circuitry operates
substantially the
same as the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8E, so that the detailed
description is not
repeated herein.
[00127] Although there are two rectifying output terminals 511 and 512 and
two
filtering output terminals 521 and 522 in the embodiments of these Figs., in
practice
the number of ports or terminals for coupling between the rectifying circuit
510, the
filtering circuit 520, and the LED lighting module 530 may be one or more
depending
on the needs of signal transmission between the circuits or devices.
[00128] In addition, the power supply module of the LED lamp described in
Fig.
8D, and embodiments of a power supply module of an LED lamp described below,
may each be used in the LED tube lamp 500 in Figs. 8A and 8B, and may instead
be
used in any other type of LED lighting structure having two conductive pins
used to
conduct power, such as LED light bulbs, personal area lights (PAL), plug-in
LED
lamps with different types of bases (such as types of PL-S, PL-D, PL-T, PL-L,
etc.),
etc. Further, the implementation for LED light bulbs may provide better
effects on
protecting from electric shock as combining this invention and the structures
disclosed in EU patent application W02016045631.
[00129] When the LED tube lamp 500 is applied to the dual-end power
structure
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with at least one pin, retrofit can be performed to a lamp socket including a
lamp
driving circuit or a ballast 505, so as to bypass the ballast 505 and provide
the AC
power supply (e,g., commercial electricity) as the power source of the LED
tube lamp.
Fig. 8G is a block diagram of a connection configuration between an LED lamp
and
an external power source according to some exemplary embodiments. Compared
to Fig. 8A, the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8G further provides a ballast
bypass
module 506 disposed between the AC power supply 508 and the ballast 505. The
rest of the circuit modules perform the same or similar function with the
embodiment
illustrated in Fig. 8B. The ballast bypass module 506, also described as a
ballast
bypass circuit, receives the power provided by the AC power supply 508, and is
connected to the pins 501 and 502 of the LED tube lamp 500 illustrated in Fig.
8G (in
which the ballast bypass module 506 is also connected to the ballast 505 for
performing specific control). The ballast bypass module 506 is configured to
bypass
the electricity received from the AC power supply 508 and then output to the
pins 501
and 502 for providing power to the LED tube lamp 500. In some exemplary
embodiments, the ballast bypass module 506 includes a switch circuit
configured to
bypass the ballast 505, in which the switch circuit includes, for example, a
component
or a device such as an electrical switch or an electronic switch. One skilled
in the ark
of fluorescent lighting may understand or design a feasible structure or
circuit that
constitutes the ballast bypass module 506. Furthermore, the ballast bypass
module
506 can be disposed in a traditional fluorescent lamp socket having the
ballast 505, or
in the power supply module 5 or 250 of the LED tube lamp 500. Furthermore, if
the
bypass function of the ballast bypass module 506 is suspended, the equivalent
connection configuration between the LED tube lamp and the external power
source
is similar to the configuration illustrated in Fig. 8A to Fig. 8C, in which
the ballast 505
is still coupled to the pins 501 and 502, so that the LED tube lamp 500 still
can be
powered (i.e., receive AC power supply 508) through the ballast 505. This
modification (adding the ballast bypass module 506) allows the LED tube lamp
500 to
compatibly receive power, provided by the AC power supply 508 (but not
provided by
the ballast 505), through the dual-end pin configuration even though the LED
tube
lamp 500 is installed on a lamp socket having the ballast 505.
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[00130] Fig. 9A is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according
to an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 9A, a rectifying circuit 610, i.e. a bridge
rectifier,
includes four rectifying diodes 611, 612, 613, and 614, configured to full-
wave rectify
a received signal. The diode 611 has an anode connected to the output terminal
512,
and a cathode connected to the pin 502. The diode 612 has an anode connected
to
the output terminal 512, and a cathode connected to the pin 501. The diode 613
has
an anode connected to the pin 502, and a cathode connected to the output
terminal
511. The diode 614 has an anode connected to the pin 501, and a cathode
connected
to the output terminal 511.
[00131] When the pins 501 and 502 receive an AC signal, the rectifying
circuit
610 operates as follows. During the connected AC signal's positive half cycle,
the AC
signal is input through the pin 501, the diode 614, and the output terminal
511 in
sequence, and later output through the output terminal 512, the diode 611, and
the
pin 502 in sequence. During the connected AC signal's negative half cycle, the
AC
signal is input through the pin 502, the diode 613, and the output terminal
511 in
sequence, and later output through the output terminal 512, the diode 612, and
the
pin 501 in sequence. Therefore, during the connected AC signal's full cycle,
the
positive pole of the rectified signal produced by the rectifying circuit 610
keeps at the
output terminal 511, and the negative pole of the rectified signal remains at
the output
terminal 512. Accordingly, the rectified signal produced or output by the
rectifying
circuit 610 is a full-wave rectified signal.
[00132] When the pins 501 and 502 are coupled to a DC power supply to
receive a DC signal, the rectifying circuit 610 operates as follows. When the
pin 501 is
coupled to the positive end of the DC power supply and the pin 502 to the
negative
end of the DC power supply, the DC signal is input through the pin 501, the
diode 614,
and the output terminal 511 in sequence, and later output through the output
terminal
512, the diode 611, and the pin 502 in sequence. When the pin 501 is coupled
to the
negative end of the DC power supply and the pin 502 to the positive end of the
DC
power supply, the DC signal is input through the pin 502, the diode 613, and
the
output terminal 511 in sequence, and later output through the output terminal
512, the
diode 612, and the pin 501 in sequence. Therefore, no matter what the
electrical
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polarity of the DC signal is between the pins 501 and 502, the positive pole
of the
rectified signal produced by the rectifying circuit 610 keeps at the output
terminal 511,
and the negative pole of the rectified signal remains at the output terminal
512.
[00133] Therefore, the rectifying circuit 610 in this embodiment can
output or
produce a proper rectified signal regardless of whether the received input
signal is an
AC or DC signal.
[00134] Fig. 9B is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according
to an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 9B, a rectifying circuit 710 includes two
rectifying
diodes 711 and 712, configured to half-wave rectify a received signal. The
rectifying
diode 711 has an anode connected to the pin 502, and a cathode connected to
the
rectifying output terminal 511. The rectifying diode 712 has an anode
connected to
the rectifying output terminal 511, and a cathode connected to the pin 501.
The
rectifying output terminal 512 can be omitted or connect to ground according
to the
practical application. Detailed operations of the rectifying circuit 710 are
described
below.
[00135] During the connected AC signal's positive half cycle, the signal
level of
the AC signal input through the pin 501 is greater than the signal level of
the AC
signal input through the pin 502. At that time, both the rectifying diodes 711
and 712
are cut off since being reverse biased, and thus the rectifying circuit 710
stops
outputting the rectified signal. During the connected AC signal's negative
half cycle,
the signal level of the AC signal input through the pin 501 is less than the
signal level
of the AC signal input through the pin 502. At that time, both the rectifying
diodes
711 and 712 are conducting since they are forward biased, and thus the AC
signal is
input through the pin 502, the rectifying diode 711, and the rectifying output
terminal
511 in sequence, and later output through the rectifying output terminal 512
or
another circuit or ground of the LED tube lamp. Accordingly, the rectified
signal
produced or output by the rectifying circuit 710 is a half-wave rectified
signal.
[00136] It should be noted that, when the pins 501 and 502 shown in Fig.
9A
and Fig. 9B are respectively changed to the pins 503 and 504, the rectifying
circuit
610 and 710 can be considered as the rectifying circuit 540 illustrated in
Fig. 8E.
More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, when the full-wave rectifying
circuit
CA 02987975 2017-12-01
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610 shown in Fig. 9A is applied to the dual-end tube lamp shown in Fig. 8E,
the
configuration of the rectifying circuits 510 and 540 is shown in Fig. 9C.
Fig. 9C is a
schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according to an embodiment.
[00137]
Referring to Fig. 9C, the rectifying circuit 640 has the same
configuration as the rectifying circuit 610, which is the bridge rectifying
circuit. The
rectifying circuit 610 includes four rectifying diodes 611 to 614, which has
the same
configuration as the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9A. The rectifying circuit
640
includes four rectifying diodes 641 to 644 and is configured to perform full-
wave
rectification on the received signal. The rectifying diode 641 has an anode
coupled
to the rectifying output terminal 512, and a cathode coupled to the pin 504.
The
rectifying diode 642 has an anode coupled to the rectifying output terminal
512, and a
cathode couple to the pin 503. The rectifying diode 643 has an anode coupled
to the
pin 502, and a cathode coupled to the rectifying output terminal 511. The
rectifying
diode 644 has an anode coupled to the pin 503, and a cathode coupled to the
rectifying output terminal 511.
[00138]
In the present embodiment, the rectifying circuits 610 and 640 are
configured to correspond to each other, in which the difference between the
rectifying
circuits 610 and 640 is that the input terminal of the rectifying circuit 610
(which can
be used as the rectifying circuit 510 shown in Fig. 8E) is coupled to the pins
501 and
502, buy the input terminal of the rectifying circuit 640 (which can be used
as the
rectifying circuit 540 shown in Fig. 8E) is coupled to the pins 503 and 504.
Therefore,
the present embodiment applies a structure including two full-wave rectifying
circuits
for implementing the dual-end-dual-pin circuit configuration.
[00139]
In some embodiments, in the rectifying circuit illustrated in the example
of Fig. 9C, although the circuit configuration is disposed as the dual-end-
dual-pin
configuration, the external driving signal is not limited to be provided
through both
pins on each end cap. Under the configuration shown in Fig. 9C, no matter
whether
the AC signal is provided through both pins on single end cap or through
signal pin on
each end cap, the rectifying circuit shown in Fig. 9C may correctly rectify
the received
signal and generate the rectified signal for lighting the LED tube lamp.
Detailed
operations are described below.
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[00140] When the AC signal is provided through both pins on single end
cap,
the AC signal can be applied to the pins 501 and 502, or to the pins 503 and
504.
When the AC signal is applied to the pins 501 and 502, the rectifying circuit
610
performs full-wave rectification on the AC signal based on the operation
illustrated in
the embodiment of Fig. 9A, and the rectifying circuit 640 does not operate. On
the
contrary, when the external driving signal is applied to the pins 503 and 504,
the
rectifying circuit 640 performs full-wave rectification on the AC signal based
on the
operation illustrated in the embodiment of Fig. 9A, and the rectifying circuit
610 does
not operate.
[00141] When the AC signal is provided through a single pin on each end
cap,
the AC signal can be applied to the pins 501 and 504, or to the pins 502 and
503.
For example, the dual pins on each end cap can be arranged based on standard
socket configuration so that the AC signal will be applied to either pins 501
and 504 or
pins 502 and 503, but not pins 501 and 503 or pins 502 and 504 (e.g., based on
the
physical positioning of the pins at each end cap).
[00142] When the AC signal is applied to the pins 501 and 504, during the
AC
signal's positive half cycle (e.g., the voltage at pin 501 is higher than the
voltage at pin
504), the AC signal is input through the pin 501, the diode 614, and the
output
terminal 511 in sequence, and later output through the output terminal 512,
the diode
641, and the pin 504 in sequence. In this manner, output terminal 511 remains
at a
higher voltage than output terminal 512. During the AC signal's negative half
cycle
(e.g., the voltage at pin 504 is higher than the voltage at pin 501), the AC
signal is
input through the pin 504, the diode 643, and the output terminal 511 in
sequence,
and later output through the output terminal 512, the diode 612, and the pin
501 in
sequence. In this manner, output terminal 511 still remains at a higher
voltage than
output terminal 512. Therefore, during the AC signal's full cycle, the
positive pole of
the rectified signal remains at the output terminal 511, and the negative pole
of the
rectified signal remains at the output terminal 512. Accordingly, the diodes
612 and
614 of the rectifying circuit 610 and the diodes 641 and 643 of the rectifying
circuit
640 are configured to perform the full-wave rectification on the AC signal and
thus the
rectified signal produced or output by the diodes 612, 614, 641, and 643 is a
full-wave
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rectified signal.
[00143] On the other hand, when the AC signal is applied to the pins 502
and
503, during the AC signal's positive half cycle (e.g., the voltage at pin 502
is higher
than the voltage at pin 503), the AC signal is input through the pin 502, the
diode 613,
and the output terminal 511 in sequence, and later output through the output
terminal
512, the diode 642, and the pin 503. During the AC signal's negative half
cycle (e.g.,
the voltage at pin 503 is higher than the voltage at pin 502), the AC signal
is input
through the pin 503, the diode 644, and the output terminal 511 in sequence,
and
later output through the output terminal 512, the diode 611, and the pin 502
in
sequence. Therefore, during the AC signal's full cycle, the positive pole of
the
rectified signal remains at the output terminal 511, and the negative pole of
the
rectified signal remains at the output terminal 512. Accordingly, the diodes
611 and
613 of the rectifying circuit 610 and the diodes 642 and 644 of the rectifying
circuit
640 are configured to perform the full-wave rectification on the AC signal and
thus the
rectified signal produced or output by the diodes 611, 613, 642, and 644 is a
full-wave
rectified signal.
[00144] When the AC signal is provided through two pins on each end cap,
the
operation in each of the rectifying circuits 610 and 640 can be referred to
the
embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9A, and it will not be repeated herein. The
rectified
signal produced by the rectifying circuits 610 and 640 is output to the rear-
end circuit
after superposing on the output terminals 511 and 512.
[00145] In an exemplary embodiment, the rectifying circuit 510'
illustrated in Fig.
8F can be implemented by the configuration illustrated in Fig. 9D. Fig. 9D is
a
schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according to an embodiment.
Referring to
Fig. 9D, the rectifying circuit 910 includes diodes 911 to 914, which are
configured as
the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9A. In the present embodiment, the
rectifying
circuit 910 further includes rectifying diodes 915 and 916. The diode 915 has
an
anode coupled to the rectifying output terminal 512, and a cathode coupled to
the pin
503. The diode 916 has an anode coupled to the pin 503, and a cathode coupled
to
the rectifying output terminal 511. The pin 504 is set to the float state in
the present
embodiment.
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[00146] Specifically, the rectifying circuit 910 can be regarded as a
rectifying
circuit including three sets of bridge arms, in which each of the bridge arms
provides
an input signal receiving terminal. For example, the diodes 911 and 913
constitute a
first bridge arm for receiving the signal on the pin 502; the diodes 912 and
914
constitute a second bridge arm for receiving the signal on the pin 501; and
the diodes
915 and 916 constitute a third bridge arm for receiving the signal on the pin
503.
According to the rectifying circuit 910 illustrated in Fig. 9D, the full-wave
rectification
can be performed as long as different polarity AC signal is respectively
received by
two of the bridge arms. Accordingly, under the configuration illustrated in
Fig. 9D, no
matter what kind of power supply configuration, such as the AC signal being
provided
to both pins on single end cap, a single pin on each end cap, or both pins on
each
end cap, the rectifying circuit 910 is compatible for producing the rectified
signal,
correctly. Detailed operations of the present embodiment are described below.
[00147] When the AC signal is provided through both pins on single end
cap,
the AC signal can be applied to the pins 501 and 502. The diodes 911 to 914
perform full-wave rectification on the AC signal based on the operation
illustrated in
the embodiment of Fig. 9A, and the diodes 915 and 916 do not operate.
[00148] When the AC signal is provided through single pin on each end cap,
the
AC signal can be applied to the pins 501 and 503, or to the pins 502 and 503.
When
the AC signal is applied to the pins 501 and 503, during the AC signal's
positive half
cycle (e.g., when the signal on pin 501 has a larger voltage than the signal
on pin
503), the AC signal is input through the pin 501, the diode 914, and the
output
terminal 511 in sequence, and later output through the output terminal 512,
the diode
915, and the pin 503 in sequence. During the AC signal's negative half cycle
(e.g.,
when the signal on pin 503 has a larger voltage than the signal on pin 501),
the AC
signal is input through the pin 503, the diode 916, and the output terminal
511 in
sequence, and later output through the output terminal 512, the diode 912, and
the
pin 501 in sequence. Therefore, during the AC signal's full cycle, the
positive pole of
the rectified signal remains at the output terminal 511, and the negative pole
of the
rectified signal remains at the output terminal 512. Accordingly, the diodes
912, 914,
915, and 916 of the rectifying circuit 910 are configured to perform the full-
wave
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rectification on the AC signal and thus the rectified signal produced or
output by the
diodes 912, 914, 915, and 916 is a full-wave rectified signal.
[00149] On the other hand, when the AC signal is applied to the pins 502
and
503, during the AC signal's positive half cycle (e.g., when the signal on pin
502 has a
larger voltage than the signal on pin 503), the AC signal is input through the
pin 502,
the diode 913, and the output terminal 511 in sequence, and later output
through the
output terminal 512, the diode 915, and the pin 503. During the AC signal's
negative
half cycle (e.g., when the signal on pin 503 has a larger voltage than the
signal on pin
502), the AC signal is input through the pin 503, the diode 916, and the
output
terminal 511 in sequence, and later output through the output terminal 512,
the diode
911, and the pin 502 in sequence. Therefore, during the AC signal's full
cycle, the
positive pole of the rectified signal remains at the output terminal 511, and
the
negative pole of the rectified signal remains at the output terminal 512.
Accordingly,
the diodes 911, 913, 915, and 916 of the rectifying circuit 910 are configured
to
perform the full-wave rectification on the AC signal and thus the rectified
signal
produced or output by the diodes 911, 913, 915, and 916 is a full-wave
rectified
signal.
[00150] When the AC signal is provided through two pins on each end cap,
the
operation of the diodes 911 to 914 can be referred to the embodiment
illustrated in
Fig. 9A, and it will not be repeated herein. Also, if the signal polarity of
the pin 503 is
the same as the pin 501, the operation of the diodes 915 and 916 is similar to
that of
the diodes 912 and 914 (i.e., the first bridge arm). On the other hand, if the
signal
polarity of the pin 503 is the same as that of the pin 502, the operation of
the diodes
915 and 916 is similar with the diodes 912 and 914 (i.e., the second bridge
arm).
[00151] Fig. 9E is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according
to an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 9E, the difference between the embodiments of
Fig.
9E and Fig. 9D is that the rectifying circuit shown in Fig. 9E further
includes a terminal
adapter circuit 941. The terminal adapter circuit 941 includes fuses 947 and
948.
One end of the fuse 947 is coupled to the pin 501, and the other end of the
fuse 947 is
coupled to the connection node of the diodes 912 and 914 (i.e., the input
terminal of
the first bridge arm). One end of the fuse 948 is coupled to the pin 502, and
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other end of the fuse 948 is coupled to the connection node of the diodes 911
and
913 (i.e., the input terminal of the second bridge arm). Accordingly, when the
current flowing through any one of the pins 501 and 502 is higher than the
rated
current of the fuses 947 and 948, the fuse 947/948 will be fused (e.g.,'
broken) in
response to the current so as to form an open circuit between the pin 501/502
and the
rectifying circuit 910, thereby achieving the function of over current
protection. In the
case of only one of the fuses 947 and 948 being fused (e.g., the over current
situation
just happens in a brief period and then is eliminated), if the AC driving
signal is
provided through both pins on each end cap, the rectifying circuit still
works, after the
over current situation is eliminated, since the AC driving signal can be
provided
through single pin on each end cap.
[00152] Fig. 9F is a schematic diagram of a rectifying circuit according
to an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 9F, the difference between the embodiments of
Fig.
9F and Fig. 9D is that the pins are connected to each other through a thin
wire 917.
Compared to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 9D or Fig. 9E, when the AC
signal is
applied to the dual-end-single-pin configuration, no matter the AC signal is
applied to
the pin 503 or the pin 504, the rectifying circuit of the present embodiment
can be
normally operated. Furthermore, when the pins 503 and 504 are installed on the
wrong lamp socket which provides the AC signal to the single end cap, the thin
wire
917 can be reliably fused. Therefore, when the lamp is .installed on the
correct lamp
socket, the tube lamp utilizing the rectifying illustrated in Fig. 9F may keep
working,
normally.
[00153] According to the embodiments mentioned above, the rectifying
circuits
illustrated in Fig. 9C to 9F are compatible for receiving the AC signal
through both
pins on single end cap, through single pin on each end cap, and through both
pins on
each end cap, such that the compatibility of the LED tube lamp's application
is
improved. In this manner, an LED tube lamp can include a rectifying circuit
that is
arranged to rectify an AC signal in all of the following situations: when the
LED tube
lamp is connected (e.g., coupled to a socket) to receive the AC signal through
both of
two pins on a single end cap; when the LED tube lamp is connected (e.g.,
coupled to
a socket) to receive the AC signal through both of two pins on each end cap;
and
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when the LED tube lamp is connected (e.g., coupled to a socket) to receive the
AC
signal through a single pin on each end cap. In addition, based on the aspect
of the
actual circuit layout scenario, the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 9D to 9F
require only
three power pads for connecting the corresponding pins, so that the process
yield can
be significant enhanced since the manufacture process of the three pads
configuration is easier than the four power pads configuration.
[00154] Fig. 10A is a block diagram of the filtering circuit according to
an
embodiment. A rectifying circuit 510 is shown in Fig. 10A for illustrating its
connection
with other components, without intending a filtering circuit 520 to include
the rectifying
circuit 510. Referring to Fig. 10A, the filtering circuit 520 includes a
filtering unit 523
coupled to two rectifying output terminals 511 and 512 to receive and to
filter out
ripples of a rectified signal from the rectifying circuit 510. Accordingly,
the waveform
of a filtered signal is smoother than that of the rectified signal. The
filtering circuit 520
may further include another filtering unit 524 coupled between a rectifying
circuit and
a pin correspondingly, for example, between the rectifying circuit 510 and the
pin 501,
the rectifying circuit 510 and the pin 502, the rectifying circuit 540 and the
pin 503,
and/or the rectifying circuit 540 and the pin 504. The filtering unit 524 is
used to filter a
specific frequency, for example, to filter out a specific frequency of an
external driving
signal. In this embodiment, the filtering unit 524 is coupled between the
rectifying
circuit 510 and the pin 501. The filtering circuit 520 may further include
another
filtering unit 525 coupled between one of the pins 501 and 502 and one of the
diodes
of the rectifying circuit 510, or between one of the pins 503 and 504 and one
of the
diodes of the rectifying circuit 540 to reduce or filter out electromagnetic
interference
(EMI). In this embodiment, the filtering unit 525 is coupled between the pin
501 and
one of diodes (not shown in Fig. 10A) of the rectifying circuit 510. Since the
filtering
units 524 and 525 may be present or omitted depending on actual circumstances
of
their uses, they are depicted by a dotted line in Fig. 10A.
[00155] Fig. 10B is a schematic diagram of the filtering unit according to
an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 10B, a filtering unit 623 includes a capacitor
625
having an end coupled to the output terminal 511 and a filtering output
terminal 521
and the other end thereof coupled to the output terminal 512 and a filtering
output
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terminal 522, and is configured to low-pass filter a rectified signal from the
output
terminals 511 and 512, so as to filter out high-frequency components of the
rectified
signal and thereby output a filtered signal at the filtering output terminals
521 and
522.
[00156] Fig. 10C is a schematic diagram of the filtering unit according to
an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 10C, a filtering unit 723 includes a pi filter
circuit
including a capacitor 725, an inductor 726, and a capacitor 727. As is well
known, a pi
filter circuit looks like the symbol Tr in its shape or structure. The
capacitor 725 has an
end connected to the output terminal 511 and coupled to the filtering output
terminal
521 through the inductor 726, and has another end connected to the output
terminal
512 and the filtering output terminal 522. The inductor 726 is coupled between
output
terminal 511 and the filtering output terminal 521. The capacitor 727 has an
end
connected to the filtering output terminal 521 and coupled to the output
terminal 511
through the inductor 726, and has another end connected to the output terminal
512
and the filtering output terminal 522.
[00157] As seen between the output terminals 511 and 512 and the filtering
output terminals 521 and 522, the filtering unit 723 compared to the filtering
unit 623
in Fig. 10B additionally has an inductor 726 and a capacitor 727, which
perform the
function of low-pass filtering like the capacitor 725 does. Therefore, the
filtering unit
723 in this embodiment compared to the filtering unit 623 in Fig. 10B has a
better
ability to filter out high-frequency components to output a filtered signal
with a
smoother waveform.
[00158] The inductance values of the inductor 726 in the embodiments
mentioned above are chosen in the range of, for example in some embodiments,
about 10 nH to 10 mH. And the capacitance values of the capacitors 625, 725,
and
727 in the embodiments stated above are chosen in the range of, for example in
some embodiments, about 100 pF to 1 uF.
[00159] Fig. 11A is a schematic diagram of an LED module according to an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11A, an LED module 630 has an anode connected to
a
filtering output terminal 521, a cathode connected to a filtering output
terminal 522,
and includes at least one LED unit 632, such as the light source mentioned
above.
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When two or more LED units are included, they are connected in parallel. The
anode
of each LED unit 632 is connected to the anode of LED module 630 to couple
with the
filtering output terminal 521, and the cathode of each LED unit 632 is
connected to
the cathode of LED module 630 to couple to the filtering output terminal 522.
Each
LED unit 632 includes at least one LED 631. When multiple LEDs 631 are
included in
an LED unit 632, they are connected in series with the anode of the first LED
631
connected to the anode of this LED unit 632 (the anode of the first LED 631
and the
anode of the LED unit 632 may be the same terminal) and the cathode of the
first LED
631 connected to the next or second LED 631. And the anode of the last LED 631
in
this LED unit 632 is connected to the cathode of a previous LED 631 and the
cathode
of the last LED 631 connected to the cathode of this LED unit 632 (the cathode
of the
last LED 631 and the cathode of the LED unit 632 may be the same terminal).
[00160] In some embodiments, the LED module 630 may produce a current
detection signal S531 reflecting the magnitude of current through the LED
module
630 and being used for controlling or detecting the LED module 630.
[00161] Fig. 11B is a schematic diagram of an LED module according to an
exemplary embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11B, an LED module 630 has an anode
connected to a filtering output terminal 521, a cathode connected to a
filtering output
terminal 522, and includes at least two LED units 732 with the anode of each
LED unit
732 connected to the anode of LED module 630 and the cathode of each LED unit
732 connected to the cathode of LED module 630 (the anode of each LED unit 732
and the anode of the LED module 630 may be the same terminal, and the cathode
of
each LED unit 732 and the cathode of the LED module 630 may be the same
terminal). Each LED unit 732 includes at least two LEDs 731 connected in the
same
way as those described in Fig. 11A. For example, the anode of the first LED
731 in an
LED unit 732 is connected to the anode of this LED unit 732, the cathode of
the first
LED 731 is connected to the anode of the next or second LED 731, and the
cathode
of the last LED 731 is connected to the cathode of this LED unit 732. Further,
LED
units 732 in an LED module 630 are connected to each other in this embodiment.
All
of the n-th LEDs 731 in the related LED units 732 thereof are connected by
their
anodes and cathodes, such as those shown in Fig. 8B but not limit to, where n
is a
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positive integer. In this way, the LEDs in the LED module 630 of this
embodiment are
connected in the form of a mesh.
[00162] In some embodiments, the LED lighting module 530 in the above
embodiments includes the LED module 630, but doesn't include a driving circuit
for
the LED module 630.
[00163] Also, the LED module 630 in this embodiment may produce a current
detection signal S531 reflecting the magnitude of current through the LED
module
630 and being used for controlling or detecting the LED module 630.
[00164] In some embodiments, the number of LEDs 731 included by an LED
unit 732 is in the range of 15-25, and may be in some embodiments in the range
of
18-22.
[00165] Fig. 11C is a plan view of a circuit layout of the LED module
according
to an embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11C, in this embodiment, multiple LEDs 831
are
connected in the same way as described in Fig. 11B, and three LED units are
assumed in the LED module 630 and described as follows for illustration. A
positive
conductive line 834 and a negative conductive line 835 are to receive a
driving signal
for supplying power to the LEDs 831. For example, the positive conductive line
834
may be coupled to the filtering output terminal 521 of the filtering circuit
520 described
above, and the negative conductive line 835 coupled to the filtering output
terminal
522 of the filtering circuit 520 to receive a filtered signal. For the
convenience of
illustration, all three of the n-th LEDs 831 in the three related LED units
thereof are
grouped as an LED set 833 in Fig. 11C.
[00166] The positive conductive line 834 connects the three first LEDs 831
of
the leftmost three related LED units thereof, for example, connects the anodes
on the
left sides of the three first LEDs 831 as shown in the leftmost LED set 833 of
Fig. 11C.
The negative conductive line 835 connects the three last LEDs 831 of the
rightmost
three corresponding LED units thereof, for example, connects the cathodes on
the
right sides of the three last LEDs 831 as shown in the rightmost LED set 833
of Fig.
11C. The cathodes of the three first LEDs 831, the anodes of the three last
LEDs 831,
and the anodes and cathodes of all the remaining LEDs 831 are connected by
conductive lines or parts 839.
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[00167] For example, the anodes of the three LEDs 831 in the leftmost LED
set
833 may be connected together by the positive conductive line 834, and their
cathodes may be connected together by a leftmost conductive part 839. The
anodes
of the three LEDs 831 in the second, next-leftmost LED set 833 are also
connected
together by the leftmost conductive part 839, whereas their cathodes are
connected
together by a second, next-leftmost conductive part 839. Since the cathodes of
the
three LEDs 831 in the leftmost LED set 833 and the anodes of the three LEDs
831 in
the second, next-leftmost LED set 833 are connected together by the same
leftmost
conductive part 839, the cathode of the first LED 831 in each of the three LED
units is
connected to the anode of the next or second LED 831. As for the remaining
LEDs
831 are also connected in the same way. Accordingly, all the LEDs 831 of the
three
LED units are connected to form the mesh as shown in Fig. 11B.
[00168] In this embodiment, the length 836 of a portion of each conductive
part
839 that connects to the anode of an LED 831 is smaller than the length 837 of
another portion of each conductive part 839 that connects to the cathode of an
LED
831. This makes the area of the latter portion connecting to the cathode
larger than
that of the former portion connecting to the anode. Moreover, the length 837
may be
smaller than a length 838 of a portion of each conductive part 839 that
connects the
cathode of an LED 831 and the anode of the next LED 831 in two adjacent LED
sets
833. This makes the area of the portion of each conductive part 839 that
connects a
cathode and an anode larger than the area of any other portion of each
conductive
part 839 that connects to only a cathode or an anode of an LED 831. Due to the
length differences and area differences, this layout structure improves heat
dissipation of the LEDs 831.
[00169] In some embodiments, the positive conductive line 834 includes a
lengthwise portion 834a, and the negative conductive line 835 includes a
lengthwise
portion 835a, which are conducive to make the LED module have a positive "+"
connective portion and a negative "-" connective portion at each of the two
ends of the
LED module, as shown in Fig. 11C. Such a layout structure allows for coupling
any of
other circuits of the power supply module of the LED lamp, including e.g. the
filtering
circuit 520 and the rectifying circuits 510 and 540, to the LED module through
the
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positive connective portion and/or the negative connective portion at each or
both
ends of the LED lamp. Thus the layout structure increases the flexibility in
arranging
actual circuits in the LED lamp.
[00170] Fig. 11D is a plan view of a circuit layout of the LED module
according
to another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11D, in this embodiment, multiple
LEDs 931
are connected in the same way as described in Fig. 11A, and three LED units
each
including 7 LEDs 931 are assumed in the LED module 630 and described as
follows
for illustration. A positive conductive line 934 and a negative conductive
line 935 are
to receive a driving signal for supplying power to the LEDs 931. For example,
the
positive conductive line 934 may be coupled to the filtering output terminal
521 of the
filtering circuit 520 described above, and the negative conductive line 935 is
coupled
to the filtering output terminal 522 of the filtering circuit 520, so as to
receive a filtered
signal. For the convenience of illustration, all seven LEDs 931 of each of the
three
LED units are grouped as an LED set 932 in Fig. 11D. Thus there are three LED
sets
932 corresponding to the three LED units.
[00171] The positive conductive line 934 connects the anode on the left
side of
the first or leftmost LED 931 of each of the three LED sets 932. The negative
conductive line 935 connects the cathode on the right side of the last or
rightmost
LED 931 of each of the three LED sets 932. In each LED set 932 of each two
adjacent LEDs 931, the LED 931 on the left has a cathode connected by a
conductive
part 939 to an anode of the LED 931 on the right. By such a layout, the LEDs
931 of
each LED set 932 are connected in series.
[00172] In some embodiments, the conductive part 939 may be used to
connect
an anode and a cathode of two consecutive LEDs 931 respectively. The negative
conductive line 935 connects the cathode of the last or rightmost LED 931 of
each of
the three LED sets 932. And the positive conductive line 934 connects the
anode of
the first or leftmost LED 931 of each of the three LED sets 932. Therefore, as
shown
in Fig. 11D, the length of the conductive part 939 is larger than that of the
portion of
negative conductive line 935 connecting to a cathode, which length is then
larger than
that of the portion of positive conductive line 934 connecting to an anode.
For
example, the length 938 of the conductive part 939 may be larger than the
length 937
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of the portion of negative conductive line 935 connecting a cathode of an LED
931,
which length 937 is then larger than the length 936 of the portion of the
positive
conductive line 934 connecting an anode of an LED 931. Such a layout structure
improves heat dissipation of the LEDs 931 in LED module 630.
[00173] The positive conductive line 934 may include a lengthwise portion
934a,
and the negative conductive line 935 may include a lengthwise portion 935a,
which
are conducive to make the LED module have a positive "+" connective portion
and a
negative "-" connective portion at each of the two ends of the LED module, as
shown
in Fig. 11D. Such a layout structure allows for coupling any of other circuits
of the
power supply module of the LED lamp, including e.g. the filtering circuit 520
and the
rectifying circuits 510 and 540, to the LED module through the positive
connective
portion 934a and/or the negative connective portion 935a at each or both ends
of the
LED lamp. Thus the layout structure increases the flexibility in arranging
actual
circuits in the LED lamp.
[00174] Further, the circuit layouts as shown in Figs. 11C and 11D may be
implemented with a bendable circuit sheet or substrate, or may be a flexible
circuit
board depending on its specific construction. For example, the bendable
circuit sheet
may comprise one conductive layer where the positive conductive line 834, the
positive lengthwise portion 834a, the negative conductive line 835, the
negative
lengthwise portion 835a, and the conductive parts 839 shown in Fig. 11C, and
the
positive conductive line 934, the positive lengthwise portion 934a, the
negative
conductive line 935, the negative lengthwise portion 935a, and the conductive
parts
939 shown in Fig. 11D are formed by the method of etching.
[00175] Fig. 11E is a plan view of a circuit layout of the LED module
according
to another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11E, the connection relationship of
the
LEDs 1031 is the same as Fig. 11B. The configuration of the positive
conductive
line and the negative conductive line (not shown) and the connection
relationship
between the conductive lines and other circuits is substantially the same as
Fig. 11D.
The difference between the present embodiment and the above embodiments is
that
the LEDs 1031 are modified to be arranged in the longitudinal direction (i.e.,
the
positive and negative electrodes of each LEDs are disposed along the direction
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perpendicular to the lead extension direction) from the transverse direction
such as
arrangement of the LEDs 831 shown in Fig. 11C (i.e., the positive and negative
electrodes of each LEDs are disposed along the lead extension direction), and
the
connection configuration of the present embodiment are correspondingly
adjusted
due to the arrangement direction.
[00176] Specifically, taking a conductive part 1039_2 for example, the
conductive part 1039_2 includes a first long-side portion having a width 1037,
a
second long-side portion having a width 1038 which is greater than the width
of the
first long-side portion, and a transition portion connecting the first and the
second
long-side portions. The conductive part 1039_2 can be formed in a right-angled
Z
shape, which means the joints of each long-side portions and the transition
portion
are perpendicular. The first long-side portion of the conductive part 1039_2
and the
second long-side portion of the adjacent conductive part 1039_3 are
correspondingly
disposed; similarly, the second long-side portion of the conductive part
1039_2 and
the first long-side portion of the adjacent conductive part 1039_1 are
correspondingly
disposed. According to the configuration described above, the conductive part
1039
is arranged along the extension direction of the long-side portions, and the
first
long-side portion of each conductive parts 1039 and the second long-side
portion of
each adjacent conductive parts 1039 are correspondingly disposed; similarly,
the
second long-side portion of each conductive parts 1039 and the first long-side
portion
of each adjacent conductive parts 1039 are correspondingly disposed.
Therefore,
each of the conductive parts 1039 can be formed as a wiring configuration
having
consistent width. The configuration of the other conductive parts 1039 can be
similar to the description of the conductive part 1039_2 described above.
[00177] The conductive part 1039 is taken as an example for explaining the
relative configuration of the LEDs 1031 and the conductive parts 1039 as well.
In
the present embodiment, the positive electrodes of part of the LEDs 1031
(e.g., the
four LEDs 1031 at the right-hand side) are connected to the first long-side
portion of
the conductive part 1039_2 and connected to each other via the first long-side
portion;
and the negative electrodes of the part of the LEDs 1031 are connected to the
second
long-side portion of the adjacent conductive part 1039_3 and connected to each
other
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via the conductive part 1039_3. On the other hand, the positive electrodes of
another part of the LEDs 1031 (e.g., the four LEDs 1031 at the left-hand side)
are
connected to the first long-side portion of the conductive part 1039_1, and
the
negative electrodes of the another part of the LEDs 1031 are connected to the
second long-side portion of the conductive part 1039_2.
[00178] As can be seen in FIG. 11E, positive electrodes of the four LEDs
1031
at the left-hand side are connected to each other via the conductive part
1039_1, and
the negative electrodes of the four LEDs 1031 at the left-hand side are
connected to
each other via the conductive part 1039_2. The positive electrodes of the four
LEDs
1031 at the right-hand side are connected to each other via the conductive
part
1039_2, and the negative electrodes of the four LEDs 1031 at the right-hand
side are
connected to each other via the conductive part 1039_3. Since the negative
electrodes of the four LEDs 1031 at the left-hand side are connected to the
positive
electrodes of the four LEDs 1031 at the right-hand side via the conductive
part
1039_2, the left four LEDs 1031 can be respectively referred to as the first
LED in the
four LED units, and the right four LEDs can be respectively referred to as the
second
LED in the four LED units. The connection relationship of the other LEDs can
be
derived from the above configuration, so as to form the mesh connection as
shown in
Fig. 11B.
[00179] It should be noted that, compared to Fig. 11C, the LEDs 1031 of
the
present embodiment are modified to be arranged in the longitudinal direction,
such
that the gap between the LEDs 1031 can be increased, which allows the
effective
width (which can be referred to the lead width) of the conductive part to be
broadened.
Therefore, the risk that the circuit is easily punctured when reconditioning
the tube
= lamp can be avoided. Moreoever, the short-circuit issue caused by the
insufficient
coverage area of the copper foil between the LEDs 1031 when the LEDs 1031
require
to be arranged tightly can be removed or reduced.
[00180] On the other hand, by designing the width 1037 of the first long-
side
portion connected to the positive electrodes smaller than the width 1038 of
the
second long-side portion connected to the negative electrodes, the connection
area
of the negative electrodes on the LEDs 1031 is larger than the connection area
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positive electrodes on the LEDs 1031. Thus, such wiring architecture
facilitates heat
dissipation of the LEDs.
[00181] Fig. 11F is a plan view of a circuit layout of the LED module
according to
another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11F, the present embodiment is basically
similar to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 11E, the difference between
those two
embodiments is that the conductive part 1139 is formed in a non right-angled Z
shape.
In other words, in the present embodiment, the transition portion is formed by
an
oblique wiring, such that the joints of each long-side portion and the
transition portion
are non-right angle. In the configuration of the present embodiment, in
addition to
increasing the gap between each LEDs 1031 by disposing the LEDs 1031 along the
longitudinal direction and thus the effective width of the conductive part can
be
broadened, the oblique wiring configuration may reduce the likelihood of the
displacement or the offset when attaching the LED to an uneven soldering pad.
[00182] Specifically, according to the embodiment utilizing the flexible
circuit
board as the LED light strip, the vertical conductive parts/leads (e.g.,
portions that
extend in a vertical direction in the configuration shown in Fig. 11C to Fig.
11E) cause
a regular recessed/indented area at the transition portion, so that the
soldering spots
of the LED soldering pads on the conductive parts are relatively on a raised
position.
Since the soldering spots are not a flat surface, it is hard to dispose the
LEDs on the
predetermined position when attaching the LEDs on the LED light strip. Thus,
the
present embodiment eliminates the recessed area by adjusting the configuration
of
the vertical wiring to the oblique wiring, so that the strength of the copper
foil of the
whole wiring can be uniform without a bulge or uneven situation at a specific
position
crossing the width of the LED light strip. Accordingly, the LEDs 1131 can be
attached on the conductive part easier, so as to enhance the reliability of
tube lamp
installation process. Also, since each of the LED units only passes the
oblique
wiring once on the LED light strip, the strength of the entire LED light strip
can be
greatly improved, therefore, the LED light strip can be prevented from being
bent and
the length of the LED light strip can be shortened.
[00183] In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the copper foil can be
covered around the soldering pads of the LEDs 1131, so as to eliminate the
offset
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generated from attaching the LEDs 1131 and avoid the short-circuit caused by
the
solder ball.
[00184] Fig. 11G is a plan view of a circuit layout of the LED module
according
to another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11G, the present embodiment is
basically
similar to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 11C, the difference between the
two
embodiments is that the corresponding configuration between the conductive
parts
1239 (i.e., not the soldering pad position of the LEDs 1231) is modified to
the oblique
wiring.
[00185] In addition, according to the configuration of the present
embodiment,
the color temperature points CTP can be disposed between the LEDs 1231 as
shown
in Fig. 11H. Fig. 11H is a plan view of a circuit layout of the LED module
according
to another embodiment. In the present embodiment, by disposing the color
temperature points CTP between the LEDs in a consistent manner, the
corresponding color temperature points CTP on the different conductive parts/
LED
units is on the same line and can be at a same relative location compared to
each
LED. As a result, the entire LED module may only use several tapes for
covering all
of the color temperature points CTP when soldering (e.g., use three tapes if
there has
three color temperature points CTP on each conductive parts as shown in Fig.
11H).
Therefore, the smoothness of the assembly process can be improved and the
assembly time can be saved as well.
[00186] Fig. 111 is a plan view of a circuit layout of the LED module
according to
another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 111, the soldering pads b1 and b2 of the
LED
light strip are adapted to solder with the soldering pads of the power supply
circuit
board. The soldering pads of the present embodiment can be adapted to the
dual-end-single-pin configuration, which means the soldering pads at the same
side
will receive the external driving signal having the same polarity.
[00187] Specifically, the soldering pads b1 and b2 are connected to each
other
via a S-shaped fuse FS, in which the fuse FS is constituted by, for example, a
thin
wire. In one embodiment, the resistance of the thin wire is extremely low, so
that the
soldering pads b1 and b2 can be regarded as short-circuit. In the correct
application
situation, the soldering pads b1 and b2 receive the external driving signal
having the
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same polarity. Even if the soldering pads bl and b2 are mis-connected to the
external driving signal having opposite polarities, the fuse will be fused
(e.g. broken)
by a large current passing through, thereby preventing the tube lamp from
being
damaged. In addition, the soldering pad b2 is at the floating state and the
soldering
pad bl is still connected to the LED light strip after the fuse FS is fused,
therefore, the
LED light strip can be continuously used by receiving the external driving
signal via
the soldering pad bl
[00188] In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the soldering pads bl
and b2 and the wiring connected to the soldering pads bl and b2 at least reach
0.4
mm, and the actual thickness can be selected from any thickness greater than
0.4
mm that is capable of implementing in the LED light strip design based on the
understanding of one of the ordinary skill in the art. Based on the
verification result,
once the thickness of the soldering pads bl and b2 and the connection wire
reach 0.4
mm, even if the copper foil at the soldering pads bl and b2 is broken when the
soldering pads bl and b2 are connected to the power supply circuit board and
disposed into the lamp tube, the copper foil on the periphery of the soldering
pads bl
and b2 can also connect the LED light strip to the circuit on the power supply
circuit
board, so that the tube lamp can work normally.
[00189] In addition, in another exemplary embodiment, the positions where
the
pads bl and b2 on the LED light strip are disposed cause the pads bl and b2 to
have
a gap from the edge of the LED light strip. Through the gap configuration, a
fault-tolerant space can be enhanced when bonding the power circuit board and
the
LED light strip.
[00190] FIG. 11J is a schematic view of a power pad according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11J, the power supply
circuit
board has, for example, three pads al, a2, and a3, and the power supply
circuit board
can be a printed circuit board (PCB), however, the present invention is not
limited
thereto. There are a plurality through holes hp disposed on each of the pads
at a2
and a3. During the welding process, the soldering material (e.g., soldering
tin ) is
filled with at least one of the through holes hp so that the soldering pads al
to a3 on
the power supply circuit board (herein described as an after "power soldering
pad")
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are connected to the pad on the LED light strip (hereinafter "LED soldering
pad").
Herein, the LED light strip is, for example, a flexible circuit board. It
should be noted
that in some embodiments, a flexible circuit board has a higher rigidity than
a
bendable circuit sheet or flexible tape or ribbon. For example, a flexible
circuit board
may substantially maintain its shape when supported by one or two hands of a
person,
whereas a flexible or bendable circuit sheet, tape, or ribbon may collapse or
coil and
thus significantly changes shape when supported by one or two hands. Both a
flexible circuit board and bendable circuit sheet may be bent or deformed, but
the
flexible circuit board may be bent by applying a force, whereas a bendable
circuit
sheet, when held, may bend on its own without the application of any force.
[00191] Due to the through holes hp, the contact area between the solder
and
the power soldering pads al to a3, and thus the adhesion force between the
power
soldering pads al to a3 and the LED soldering pad can be enhanced. In
addition,
duo to the arrangement of the through holes hp, the heat dissipation area can
be
increased, and the terminal characteristic of the tube lamp can be improved.
In the
present embodiment, the number of the through holes on each power soldering
pads
is selected, for example, to be 7 or 9. If the configuration of 7 through
holes being
selected, the arrangement of the through holes hp can be that 6 through holes
are
arranged on a circumference on the pad, and the remaining is disposed on the
center
of the circle. If the configuration of 9 through holes being selected, the
arrangement
of the through holes hp can be arranged in a 3x3 array. According to the
selected
arrangement, the effect of the heat dissipation can be preferably improved.
[00192] Fig. 11K is a plan view of a circuit layout of the LED module
according
to another embodiment. The layout structures of the LED module in Figs. 11K
and
11C correspond to the same way of connecting the LEDs 831 as those shown in
Fig.
11B, but the layout structure in Fig. 11K comprises two conductive layers
instead of
only one conductive layer for forming the circuit layout as shown in Fig. 11C.
Referring to Fig. 11K, the main difference from the layout in Fig. 11C is that
the
positive conductive line 834 and the negative conductive line 835 have a
lengthwise
portion 834a and a lengthwise portion 835a, respectively, that are formed in a
second
conductive layer instead. The difference is elaborated as follows.
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[00193]
In certain embodiments, referring to Fig. 7 again at the same time, a
bendable circuit sheet of the LED module includes a first conductive layer 2a
and a
second conductive layer 2c electrically insulated from each other by a
dielectric layer
2b. Of the two conductive layers, the positive conductive line 834, the
negative
conductive line 835, and the conductive parts 839 in Fig. 11E are formed in
first
conductive layer 2a by the method of etching for electrically connecting the
plurality of
LED components 831 e.g. in a form of a mesh, whereas the positive lengthwise
portion 834a and the negative lengthwise portion 835a are formed in second
conductive layer 2c by etching for electrically connecting (the filtering
output terminal
of) the filtering circuit. Further, the positive conductive line 834 and the
negative
conductive line 835 in the first conductive layer 2a have via points 834b and
via points
835b, respectively, for connecting to second conductive layer 2c, And the
positive
lengthwise portion 834a and the negative lengthwise portion 835a in second
conductive layer 2c have via points 834c and via points 835c, respectively.
The via =
points 834b are positioned corresponding to the via points 834c, for
connecting the
positive conductive line 834 and the positive lengthwise portion 834a. The via
points
835b are positioned corresponding to the via points 835c, for connecting the
negative
conductive line 835 and the negative lengthwise portion 835a. An exemplary
desirable way of connecting the two conductive layers 2a and 2c is to form a
hole
connecting each via point 834b and a corresponding via point 834c, and to form
a
hole connecting each via point 835b and a corresponding via point 835c, with
the
holes extending through the two conductive layers 2a and 2c and the dielectric
layer
2b in-between. And the positive conductive line 834 and the positive
lengthwise
portion 834a can be electrically connected by welding metallic part(s) through
the
connecting hole(s), and the negative conductive line 835 and the negative
lengthwise portion 835a can be electrically connected by welding metallic
part(s)
through the connecting hole(s). It should be noted that, electrically
speaking, the
positive lengthwise portion 834a and the negative lengthwise portion 835a in
second
conductive layer 2c are part of the positive conductive line 834 and negative
conductive line 835 respectively.
[00194]
Similarly, the layout structure of the LED module in Fig. 11D may
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alternatively have the positive lengthwise portion 934a and the negative
lengthwise
portion 935a disposed in a second conductive layer to constitute a two-layered
layout
structure.
[00195] The positive conductive lines (834 or 934) may be characterized as
including two end terminals at opposite ends, a plurality of pads between the
two end
terminals and for contacting and/or supplying power to LEDs (e.g., anodes of
LEDs),
and a wire portion, which may be an elongated conductive line extending along
a
length of an LED light strip and electrically connecting the two end terminals
to the
plurality of pads. Similarly, the negative conductive lines (835 or 935) may
be
=characterized as including two end terminals at opposite ends, a plurality of
pads
between the two end terminals .and for contacting and/or supplying power to
LEDs
(e.g., cathodes of LEDs), and a wire portion, which may be an elongated
conductive
line extending along a length of an LED light strip and electrically
connecting the two
end terminals to the plurality of pads.
[00196] The circuit layouts may be implemented for one of the exemplary
LED
light strips described previously, for example, to serve as a circuit board or
sheet for
the LED light strip on which the LED light sources are disposed.
[00197] As described herein, an LED unit may refer to a single string of
LEDs
arranged in series, and an LED module may refer to a single LED unit, or a
plurality of
LED units connected to a same two nodes (e.g., arranged in parallel). For
example,
the LED light strip 2 described above may be an LED module and/or LED unit.
[00198] In some embodiments, the thickness of the second conductive layer
of
a two-layered bendable circuit sheet is, larger than that of the first
conductive layer in
order to reduce the voltage drop or loss along each of the positive lengthwise
portion
and the negative lengthwise portion disposed in the second conductive layer.
Compared to a one-layered bendable circuit sheet, since a positive lengthwise
portion
and a negative lengthwise portion are disposed in a second conductive layer in
a
two-layer bendable circuit sheet, the width (between two lengthwise sides) of
the
two-layered bendable circuit sheet is or can be reduced. On the same fixture
or plate
in a production process, the number of bendable circuit sheets each with a
shorter
width that can be laid together at most is larger than the number of bendable
circuit
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sheets each with a longer width that can be laid together at most. Thus
adopting a
bendable circuit sheet with a shorter width can increase the efficiency of
production of =
the LED module. And reliability in the production process, such as the
accuracy of
welding position when welding (materials on) the LED components, can also be
improved, because a two-layer bendable circuit sheet can better maintain its
shape.
[00199] As a variant of the above embodiments, a type of an exemplary LED
tube lamp is provided that may have at least some of the electronic components
of its
power supply module disposed on a light strip of the LED tube lamp. For
example, the
technique of printed electronic circuit (PEC) can be used to print, insert, or
embed at
least some of the electronic components onto the LED light strip (e.g., as
opposed to
being on a separate circuit board connected to the LED light strip).
[00200] In one embodiment, all electronic components of the power supply
module are disposed on the light strip. The production process may include or
proceed with the following steps: preparation of the circuit substrate (e.g.
preparation
of a flexible printed circuit board); ink jet printing of metallic nano-ink;
ink jet printing of
active and passive components (as of the power supply module);
drying/sintering; ink
jet printing of interlayer bumps; spraying of insulating ink; ink jet printing
of metallic
nano-ink; ink jet printing of active and passive components (to sequentially
form the
included layers); spraying of surface bond pad(s); and spraying of solder
resist
against LED components. The production process may be different, however, and
still
result in some or all electronic components of the power supply module being
disposed directly on the LED light strip.
[00201] In certain embodiments, if all electronic components of the power
supply module are disposed on the LED light strip, electrical connection
between the
terminal pins of the LED tube lamp and the light strip may be achieved by
connecting
the pins to conductive lines which are welded with ends of the light strip. In
this case,
another substrate for supporting the power supply module is not required,
thereby
allowing of an improved design or arrangement in the end cap(s) of the LED
tube
lamp. In some embodiments, (components of) the power supply module are
disposed
at two ends of the light strip, in order to significantly reduce the impact of
heat
generated from the power supply module's operations on the LED components.
Since
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no substrate other than the light strip is used to support the power supply
module in
this case, the total amount of welding or soldering can be significantly
reduced,
improving the general reliability of the power supply module.
[00202] Another case is that some of all electronic components of the
power
supply module, such as some resistors and/or smaller size capacitors, are
printed
onto the light strip, and some bigger size components, such as some inductors
and/or
electrolytic capacitors, are disposed in the end cap(s). The production
process of the
light strip in this case may be the same as that described above. And in this
case
disposing some of all electronic components on the light strip is conducive to
achieving a reasonable layout of the power supply module in the LED tube lamp,
which may allow of an improved design in the end cap(s).
[00203] As a variant embodiment of the above, electronic components of the
power supply module may be disposed on the LED light strip by a method of
embedding or inserting, e.g. by embedding the components onto a bendable or
flexible light strip. In some embodiments, this embedding may be realized by a
method using copper-clad laminates (CCL) for forming a resistor or capacitor;
a
method using ink related to silkscreen printing; or a method of ink jet
printing to
embed passive components, wherein an ink jet printer is used to directly print
inks to
constitute passive components and related functionalities to intended
positions on the
light strip. Then through treatment by ultraviolet (UV) light or
drying/sintering, the light
strip is formed where passive components are embedded. The electronic
components embedded onto the light strip include for example resistors,
capacitors,
and inductors. In other embodiments, active components also may be embedded.
Through embedding some components onto the light strip, a reasonable layout of
the
power supply module can be achieved to allow of an improved design in the end
cap(s), because the surface area on a printed circuit board used for carrying
components of the power supply module is reduced or smaller, and as a result
the
size, weight, and thickness of the resulting printed circuit board for
carrying
components of the power supply module is also smaller or reduced. Also in this
situation since welding points on the printed circuit board for welding
resistors and/or
capacitors if they were not to be disposed on the light strip are no longer
used, the
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reliability of the power supply module is improved, in view of the fact that
these
welding points are most liable to (cause or incur) faults, malfunctions, or
failures.
Further, the length of conductive lines needed for connecting components on
the
printed circuit board is therefore also reduced, which allows of a more
compact layout
of components on the printed circuit board thus improving the functionalities
of these
corn ponents.
[00204] As mentioned above, electronic components of the power supply
module 5 or 250 may be disposed either on the light strip 2 or on a circuit
board (such
as a printed circuit board) in the end cap(s) of one or two ends of the lamp
tube. For
improving benefits or advantages of embodiments of the power supply module or
the
general LED tube lamp, in some embodiments, capacitor(s) in the power supply
module may be chip capacitor(s), such as multilayer ceramic chip capacitor(s),
disposed either on the light strip 2 or on the short circuit board 253.
However, such
disposed chip capacitor(s) in use is likely to produce or incur distinct noise
due to
piezoelectric effects, which may adversely affect the comfort level of using
the LED
tube lamp by consumers. To address and reduce this problem, in the LED tube
lamp
of this disclosure, a hole or groove may be disposed (directly) below the chip
capacitor by drilling or boring, to significantly reduce the noise by changing
the
vibration system formed under piezoelectric effects between the chip capacitor
and
the circuit board carrying the chip capacitor. The shape of the circumference
of the
hole or groove may be substantially close to, for example, a circle or round,
an oval or
ellipse, or a rectangle. In some embodiments, the hole or groove is formed in
a
conductive or wire layer in the light strip 2, or in the short circuit board
253 in the end
cap(s), and (directly) below the chip capacitor.
[00205] Next, methods to produce embedded capacitors and resistors are
explained as follows.
[00206] Usually, methods for manufacturing embedded capacitors employ or
involve a concept called distributed or planar capacitance. The manufacturing
process may include the following step(s). On a substrate of a copper layer a
very thin
insulation layer is applied or pressed, which is then generally disposed
between a pair
of layers including a power conductive layer and a ground layer. The very thin
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insulation layer makes the distance between the power conductive layer and the
ground layer very short. A capacitance resulting from this structure can also
be
realized by a conventional technique of a plated-through hole. Basically, this
step is
used to create this structure comprising a big parallel-plate capacitor on a
circuit
substrate.
[00207] Of products of high electrical capacity, certain types of products
employ
distributed capacitances, and other types of products employ separate embedded
capacitances. Through putting or adding a high dielectric-constant material,
such as
barium titanate, into the insulation layer, the high electrical capacity is
achieved.
[00208] A usual method for manufacturing embedded resistors employ
conductive or resistive adhesive. This may include, for example, a resin to
which
conductive carbon or graphite is added, which may be used as an additive or
filler.
The additive resin is silkscreen printed to an object location, and is then
after
treatment laminated inside the circuit board. The resulting resistor is
connected to
other electronic components through plated-through holes or microvias. Another
method is called Ohmega-Ply, by which a two metallic layer structure of a
copper
layer and a thin nickel alloy layer constitutes a layer resistor relative to a
substrate.
Then through etching the copper layer and nickel alloy layer, different types
of nickel
alloy resistors with copper terminals can be formed. These types of resistor
are each
laminated inside the circuit board.
[00209] In an embodiment, conductive wires/lines are directly printed in a
linear
layout on an inner surface of the LED glass lamp tube, with LED components
directly
attached on the inner surface and electrically connected by the conductive
wires. In
some embodiments, the LED components in the form of chips are directly
attached
over the conductive wires on the inner surface, and connective points are at
terminals
of the wires for connecting the LED components and the power supply module.
After
being attached, the LED chips may have fluorescent powder applied or dropped
thereon, for producing white light or light of other color by the operating
LED tube
lamp.
[00210] In some embodiments, luminous efficacy of the LED or LED component
is 80 lm/VV or above, and in some embodiments, it may be 120 Im/VV or above.
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Certain more optimal embodiments may include a luminous efficacy of the LED or
LED component of 160 ImAN or above. White light emitted by an LED component in
the invention may be produced by mixing fluorescent powder with the
monochromatic
light emitted by a monochromatic LED chip. The white light in its spectrum has
major
wavelength ranges of 430-460 nm and 550-560 nm, or major wavelength ranges of
430-460 nm, 540-560 nm, and 620-640 nm.
[00211] Fig. 12A is a block diagram of a power supply module in an LED
lamp
according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12A, the power supply module of
the
LED lamp includes a rectifying circuit 510, a filtering circuit 520, and may
further
include some parts of an LED lighting module 530. The LED lighting module 530
in
this embodiment comprises a driving circuit 1530 and an LED module 630. The
driving circuit 1530 comprises a DC-to-DC converter circuit, and is coupled to
the
filtering output terminals 521 and 522 to receive a filtered signal and then
perform
power conversion for converting the filtered signal into a driving signal at
the driving
output terminals 1521 and 1522. The LED module 630 is coupled to the driving
output
terminals 1521 and 1522 to receive the driving signal for emitting light. In
some
embodiments, the current of LED module 630 is stabilized at an objective
current
value. Descriptions of this LED module 630 can be the same as those provided
above
with reference to Figs. 11A-11K.
[00212] In some embodiments, the LED lighting module 530 shown in Fig. 8D
may include the driving circuit 1530 and the LED module 630 as shown in Fig.
12A.
Thus, the power supply module for the LED lamp in the present embodiment can
be
applied to the single-end power supply structure, such as LED light bulbs,
personal
area lights (PAL), and so forth.
[00213] Fig. 12B is a block diagram of the driving circuit according to an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 12B, a driving circuit includes a controller
1531, and a
conversion circuit 1532 for power conversion based on a current source, for
driving
the LED module to emit light. The conversion circuit 1532 includes a switching
circuit
1535 and an energy storage circuit 1538. And the conversion circuit 1532 is
coupled
to the filtering output terminals 521 and 522 to receive and then convert a
filtered
signal, under the control by the controller 1531, into a driving signal at the
driving
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output terminals 1521 and 1522 for driving the LED module. Under the control
by the
controller 1531, the driving signal output by the conversion circuit 1532
comprises a
steady current, making the LED module emitting steady light.
[00214] Fig. 12C is a schematic diagram of the driving circuit according
to an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 12C, a driving circuit 1630 in this embodiment
comprises a buck DC-to-DC converter circuit having a controller 1631 and a
converter circuit. The converter circuit includes an inductor 1632, a diode
1633 for
"freewheeling" of current, a capacitor 1634, and a switch 1635. The driving
circuit
1630 is coupled to the filtering output terminals 521 and 522 to receive and
then
convert a filtered signal into a driving signal for driving an LED module
connected
between the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522.
[00215] In this embodiment, the switch 1635 includes a
metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and has a first
terminal
coupled to the anode of freewheeling diode 1633, a second terminal coupled to
the
filtering output terminal 522, and a control terminal coupled to the
controller 1631
used for controlling current conduction or cutoff between the first and second
terminals of switch 1635. The driving output terminal 1521 is connected to the
filtering
output terminal 521, and the driving output terminal 1522 is connected to an
end of
the inductor 1632, which has another end connected to the first terminal of
switch
1635. The capacitor 1634 is coupled between the driving output terminals 1521
and
1522 to stabilize the voltage between the driving output terminals 1521 and
1522.
The freewheeling diode 1633 has a cathode connected to the driving output
terminal
1521.
[00216] Next, a description follows as to an exemplary operation of the
driving
circuit 1630.
[00217] The controller 1631 is configured for determining when to turn the
switch 1635 on (in a conducting state) or off (in a cutoff state) according to
a current
detection signal S535 and/or a current detection signal S531. For example, in
some
embodiments, the controller 1631 is configured to control the duty cycle of
switch
1635 being on and switch 1635 being off in order to adjust the size or
magnitude of
the driving signal. The current detection signal S535 represents the magnitude
of
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current through the switch 1635. The current detection signal S531 represents
the
magnitude of current through the LED module coupled between the driving output
terminals 1521 and 1522. The controller 1631 may control the duty cycle of the
switch
1635 being on and off, based on, for example, a magnitude of a current
detected
based on current detection signal S531 or S535. As such, when the magnitude is
above a threshold, the switch may be off (cutoff state) for more time, and
when
magnitude goes below the threshold, the switch may be on (conducting state)
for
more time. According to any of current detection signal S535 and current
detection
signal S531, the controller 1631 can obtain information on the magnitude of
power
converted by the converter circuit. When the switch 1635 is switched on, a
current of
a filtered signal is input through the filtering output terminal 521, and then
flows
through the capacitor 1634, the driving output terminal 1521, the LED module,
the
inductor 1632, and the switch 1635, and then flows out from the filtering
output
terminal 522. During this flowing of current, the capacitor 1634 and the
inductor 1632
are performing storing of energy. On the other hand, when the switch 1635 is
switched off, the capacitor 1634 and the inductor 1632 perform releasing of
stored
energy by a current flowing from the freewheeling diode 1633 to the driving
output
terminal 1521 to make the LED module continuing to emit light.
[00218] In some embodiments, the capacitor 1634 is an optional element, so
it
can be omitted and is thus depicted in a dotted line in Fig. 12C. In some
application
environments, the natural characteristic of an inductor to oppose
instantaneous
change in electric current passing through the inductor may be used to achieve
the
effect of stabilizing the current through the LED module, thus omitting the
capacitor
1634.
[00219] As described above, because the driving circuit 1630 is configured
for
determining when to turn a switch 1635 on (in a conducting state) or off (in a
cutoff
state) according to a current detection signal S535 and/or a current detection
signal
S531, the driving circuit 1630 can maintain a stable current flow through the
LED
module. Therefore, the color temperature may not change with current to some
LED
module, such as white, red, blue, green LED modules. For example, an LED can
retain the same color temperature under different illumination conditions. In
some
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embodiments, because the inductor 1632 playing the role of the energy-storing
circuit
releases the stored power when the switch 1635 cuts off, the voltage/current
flowing
through the LED module remains above a predetermined voltage/current level so
that
the LED module may continue to emit light maintaining the same color
temperature.
In this way, when the switch 1635 conducts again, the voltage/current flowing
through
the LED module does not need to be adjusted to go from a minimum value to a
maximum value. Accordingly, the LED module lighting with flickering can be
avoided,
the entire illumination can be improved, the lowest conducting period can be
smaller,
and the driving frequency can be higher.
[00220] Fig. 120 is a schematic diagram of the driving circuit according
to an
embodiment. Referring to Fig. 12D, a driving circuit 1730 in this embodiment
comprises a boost DC-to-DC converter circuit having a controller 1731 and a
converter circuit. The converter circuit includes an inductor 1732, a diode
1733 for
"freewheeling" of current, a capacitor 1734, and a switch 1735. The driving
circuit
1730 is configured to receive and then convert a filtered signal from the
filtering
output terminals 521 and 522 into a driving signal for driving an LED module
coupled
between the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522.
[00221] The inductor 1732 has an end connected to the filtering output
terminal
521, and another end connected to the anode of freewheeling diode 1733 and a
first
terminal of the switch 1735, which has a second terminal connected to the
filtering
output terminal 522 and the driving output terminal 1522. The freewheeling
diode
1733 has a cathode connected to the driving output terminal 1521. And the
capacitor
1734 is coupled between the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522.
[00222] The controller 1731 is coupled to a control terminal of switch
1735, and
is configured for determining when to turn the switch 1735 on (in a conducting
state)
or off (in a cutoff state), according to a current detection signal S535
and/or a current
detection signal S531. When the switch 1735 is switched on, a current of a
filtered
signal is input through the filtering output terminal 521, and then flows
through the
inductor 1732 and the switch 1735, and then flows out from the filtering
output
terminal 522. During this flowing of current, the current through the inductor
1732
increases with time, with the inductor 1732 being in a state of storing
energy, while
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the capacitor 1734 enters a state of releasing energy, making the LED module
continuing to emit light. On the other hand, when the switch 1735 is switched
off, the
inductor 1732 enters a state of releasing energy as the current through the
inductor
1732 decreases with time. In this state, the current through the inductor 1732
then
flows through the freewheeling diode 1733, the capacitor 1734, and the LED
module,
while the capacitor 1734 enters a state of storing energy.
[00223] In some embodiments the capacitor 1734 is an optional element, so
it
can be omitted and is thus depicted in a dotted line in Fig. 12D. When the
capacitor
1734 is omitted and the switch 1735 is switched on, the current of inductor
1732 does
not flow through the LED module, making the LED module not emit light; but
when the
switch 1735 is switched off, the current of inductor 1732 flows through the
freewheeling diode 1733 to reach the LED module, making the LED module emit
light.
Therefore, by controlling the time that the LED module emits light, and the
magnitude
of current through the LED module, the average luminance of the LED module can
be
stabilized to be above a defined value, thus also achieving the effect of
emitting a
steady light.
[00224] As described above, because the controller 1731 included in the
driving
circuit 1730 is coupled to the control terminal of switch 1735, and is
configured for
determining when to turn a switch 1735 on (in a conducting state) or off (in a
cutoff
state), according to a current detection signal S535 and/or a current
detection signal
S531, the driving circuit 1730 can maintain a stable current flow through the
LED
module. Therefore, the color temperature may not change with current to some
LED
modules, such as white, red, blue, or green LED modules. For example, an LED
can
retain the same color temperature under different illumination conditions. In
some
embodiments, because the inductor 1732 playing the role of the energy-storing
circuit
releases the stored power when the switch 1735 cuts off, the voltage/current
flowing
through the LED module remains above a predetermined voltage/current level so
that
the LED module may continue to emit light maintaining the same color
temperature.
In this way, when the switch 1735 conducts again, the voltage/current flowing
through
the LED module does not need to be adjusted to go from a minimum value to a
maximum value. Accordingly, the LED module lighting with flickering can be
avoided,
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the entire illumination can be improved, the lowest conducting period can be
smaller,
and the driving frequency can be higher.
[00225] Fig. 12E is a schematic diagram of the driving circuit according
to an
exemplary embodiment. Referring to Fig. 12E, a driving circuit 1830 in this
embodiment comprises a buck DC-to-DC converter circuit having a controller
1831
and a converter circuit. The converter circuit includes an inductor 1832, a
diode 1833
for "freewheeling" of current, a capacitor 1834, and a switch 1835. The
driving circuit
1830 is coupled to the filtering output terminals 521 and 522 to receive and
then
convert a filtered signal into a driving signal for driving an LED module
connected
between the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522.
[00226] The switch 1835 has a first terminal coupled to the filtering
output
terminal 521, a second terminal coupled to the cathode of freewheeling diode
1833,
and a control terminal coupled to the controller 1831 to receive a control
signal from
the controller 1831 for controlling current conduction or cutoff between the
first and
second terminals of the switch 1835. The anode of freewheeling diode 1833 is
connected to the filtering output terminal 522 and the driving output terminal
1522.
The inductor 1832 has an end connected to the second terminal of switch 1835,
and
another end connected to the driving output terminal 1521. The capacitor 1834
is
coupled between the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522 to stabilize the
voltage
between the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522.
[00227] The controller 1831 is configured for controlling when to turn the
switch
1835 on (in a conducting state) or off (in a cutoff state) according to a
current
detection signal S535 and/or a current detection signal S531. When the switch
1835
is switched on, a current of a filtered signal is input through the filtering
output
terminal 521, and then flows through the switch 1835, the inductor 1832, and
the
driving output terminals 1521 and 1522, and then flows out from the filtering
output
terminal 522. During this flowing of current, the current through the inductor
1832 and
the voltage of the capacitor 1834 both increase with time, so the inductor
1832 and
the capacitor 1834 are in a state of storing energy. On the other hand, when
the
switch 1835 is switched off, the inductor 1832 is in a state of releasing
energy and
thus the current through it decreases with time. In this case, the current
through the
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inductor 1832 circulates through the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522,
the
freewheeling diode 1833, and back to the inductor 1832.
[00228] In some embodiments the capacitor 1834 is an optional element, so
it
can be omitted and is thus depicted in a dotted line in Fig. 12E. When the
capacitor
1834 is omitted, no matter whether the switch 1835 is turned on or off, the
current
through the inductor 1832 will flow through the driving output terminals 1521
and
1522 to drive the LED module to continue emitting light.
[00229] As described above, because the controller 1831 included in the
driving
circuit 1830 is configured for controlling when to turn a switch 1835 on (in a
conducting state) or off (in a cutoff state) according to a current detection
signal S535
and/or a current detection signal S531, the driving circuit 1730 can maintain
a stable
current flow through the LED module. Therefore, the color temperature may not
change with current to some LED modules, such as white, red, blue, or green
LED
modules. For example, an LED can retain the same color temperature under
different
illumination conditions. In some embodiments, because the inductor 1832
playing the
role of the energy-storing circuit releases the stored power when the switch
1835 cuts
off, the voltage/current flowing through the LED module remains above a
predetermined voltage/current level so that the LED module may continue to
emit
light maintaining the same color temperature. In this way, when the switch
1835
conducts again, the voltage/current flowing through the LED module does not
need to
be adjusted to go from a minimum value to a maximum value. Accordingly, the
LED
module lighting with flickering can be avoided, the entire illumination can be
improved,
the lowest conducting period can be smaller, and the driving frequency can be
higher.
[00230] Fig. 12F is a schematic diagram of the driving circuit according
to an
exemplary embodiment. Referring to Fig. 12F, a driving circuit 1930 in this
embodiment comprises a buck DC-to-DC converter circuit having a controller
1931
and a converter circuit. The converter circuit includes an inductor 1932, a
diode 1933
for "freewheeling" of current, a capacitor 1934, and a switch 1935. The
driving circuit
1930 is coupled to the filtering output terminals 521 and 522 to receive and
then
convert a filtered signal into a driving signal for driving an LED module
connected
between the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522.
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[00231] The inductor 1932 has an end connected to the filtering output
terminal
521 and the driving output terminal 1522, and another end connected to a first
end of
the switch 1935. The switch 1935 has a second end connected to the filtering
output
terminal 522, and a control terminal connected to controller 1931 to receive a
control
signal from controller 1931 for controlling current conduction or cutoff of
the switch
1935. The freewheeling diode 1933 has an anode coupled to a node connecting
the
inductor 1932 and the switch 1935, and a cathode coupled to the driving output
terminal 1521. The capacitor 1934 is coupled to the driving output terminals
1521 and
1522 to stabilize the driving of the LED module coupled between the driving
output
terminals 1521 and 1522.
[00232] The controller 1931 is configured for controlling when to turn the
switch
1935 on (in a conducting state) or off (in a cutoff state) according to a
current
detection signal S531 and/or a current detection signal S535. When the switch
1935
is turned on, a current is input through the filtering output terminal 521,
and then flows
through the inductor 1932 and the switch 1935, and then flows out from the
filtering
output terminal 522. During this flowing of current, the current through the
inductor
1932 increases with time, so the inductor 1932 is in a state of storing
energy; but the
voltage of the capacitor 1934 decreases with time, so the capacitor 1934 is in
a state
of releasing energy to keep the LED module continuing to emit light. On the
other
hand, when the switch 1935 is turned off, the inductor 1932 is in a state of
releasing
energy and its current decreases with time. In this case, the current through
the
inductor 1932 circulates through the freewheeling diode 1933, the driving
output
terminals 1521 and 1522, and back to the inductor 1932. During this
circulation, the
capacitor 1934 is in a state of storing energy and its voltage increases with
time.
[00233] In some embodiments the capacitor 1934 is an optional element, so
it
can be omitted and is thus depicted in a dotted line in Fig. 12F. When the
capacitor
1934 is omitted and the switch 1935 is turned on, the current through the
inductor
1932 doesn't flow through the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522, thereby
making the LED module not emit light. On the other hand, when the switch 1935
is
turned off, the current through the inductor 1932 flows through the
freewheeling diode
1933 and then the LED module to make the LED module emit light. Therefore, by
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controlling the time that the LED module emits light, and the magnitude of
current
through the LED module, the average luminance of the LED module can be
stabilized
to be above a defined value, thus also achieving the effect of emitting a
steady light.
[00234] As described above, because the controller 1931 included in the
driving
circuit 1930 is configured for controlling when to turn a switch 1935 on (in a
conducting state) or off (in a cutoff state) according to a current detection
signal S535
and/or a current detection signal S531, the driving circuit 1930 can maintain
a stable
current flow through the LED module. Therefore, the color temperature may not
change with current to some LED modules, such as white, red, blue, or green
LED
modules. For example, an LED can retain the same color temperature under
different
illumination conditions. In some embodiments, because the inductor 1932
playing the
role of the energy-storing circuit releases the stored power when the switch
1935 cuts
off, the voltage/current flowing through the LED module remains above a
predetermined voltage/current level so that the LED module may continue to
emit
light maintaining the same color temperature. In this way, when the switch
1935
conducts again, the voltage/current flowing through the LED module does not
need to
be adjusted to go from a minimum value to a maximum value. Accordingly, the
LED
module lighting with flickering can be avoided, the entire illumination can be
improved,
the lowest conducting period can be smaller, and the driving frequency can be
higher.
[00235] With reference back to Figs. 5 and 6, a short circuit board 253
includes
a first short circuit substrate and a second short circuit substrate
respectively
connected to two terminal portions of a long circuit sheet 251, and electronic
components of the power supply module are respectively disposed on the first
short
circuit substrate and the second short circuit substrate. The first short
circuit substrate
and the second short circuit substrate may have roughly the same length, or
different
lengths. In general, the first short circuit substrate (i.e. the right circuit
substrate of
short circuit board 253 in Fig. 5 and the left circuit substrate of short
circuit board 253
in Fig. 6) has a length that is about 30% - 80% of the length of the second
short circuit
substrate (i.e. the left circuit substrate of short circuit board 253 in Fig.
5 and the right
circuit substrate of short circuit board 253 in Fig. 6). In some embodiments
the length
of the first short circuit substrate is about 1/3 - 2/3 of the length of the
second short
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circuit substrate. For example, in one embodiment, the length of the first
short circuit
substrate may be about half the length of the second short circuit substrate.
The
length of the second short circuit substrate may be, for example in the range
of about
15 mm to about 65 mm, depending on actual application occasions. In certain
embodiments, the first short circuit substrate is disposed in an end cap at an
end of
the LED tube lamp, and the second short circuit substrate is disposed in
another end
cap at the opposite end of the LED tube lamp.
[00236] For example, capacitors of the driving circuit, such as the
capacitors
1634, 1734, 1834, and 1934 in Figs. 12C - 12F, in practical use may include
two or
more capacitors connected in parallel. Some or all capacitors of the driving
circuit in
the power supply module may be arranged on the first short circuit substrate
of short
circuit board 253, while other components such as the rectifying circuit,
filtering circuit,
inductor(s) of the driving circuit, controller(s), switch(es), diodes, etc.
are arranged on
the second short circuit substrate of short circuit board 253. Since the
inductors,
controllers, switches, etc. are electronic components with higher temperature,
arranging some or all capacitors on a circuit substrate separate or away from
the
circuit substrate(s) of high-temperature components helps prevent the working
life of
capacitors (especially electrolytic capacitors) from being negatively affected
by the
high-temperature components, thus improving the reliability of the capacitors.
Further,
the physical separation between the capacitors and both the rectifying circuit
and
filtering circuit also contributes to reducing the problem of EMI.
[00237] In certain exemplary embodiments, the conversion efficiency of the
driving circuits is above 80%. In some embodiments, the conversion efficiency
of the
driving circuits is above 90%. In still other embodiments, the conversion
efficiency of
the driving circuits is above 92%. The illumination efficiency of the LED
lamps is
above 120 lm/W. In some embodiments, the illumination efficiency of the LED
lamps
is above 160 lm/W. The illumination efficiency including the combination of
the driving
circuits and the LED modules is above 120 Im/W * 90% = 108 Imm. In some
embodiments, the illumination efficiency including the combination of the
driving
circuits and the LED modules is above 160 ImNV * 92% = 147.21 ImNV.
[00238] In some embodiments, the transmittance of the diffusion film in
the LED
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tube lamp is above 85%. As a result, in certain embodiments, the illumination
efficiency of the LED lamps is above 108 Im/W * 85% = 91.8 lm/W. In some
embodiments, the illumination efficiency of the LED lamps is above 147.21 Im/W
*
85% = 125.12 lm/W.
[00239] Fig. 13A is a block diagram of a power supply module in an LED
tube
lamp according to an exemplary embodiment. Compared to that shown in Fig. 8D,
the
present embodiment comprises a rectifying circuit 510, a filtering circuit
520, and a
driving circuit 1530, and further comprises an over voltage protection (OVP)
circuit
1570. In this embodiment, a driving circuit 1530 and an LED module 630 compose
the LED lighting module 530. The OVP circuit 1570 is coupled to the filtering
output
terminals 521 and 522 for detecting the filtered signal. The OVP circuit 1570
clamps
the logic level of the filtered signal when determining the logic level
thereof higher
than a defined OVP value. Hence, the OVP circuit 1570 protects the LED
lighting
module 530 from damage due to an OVP condition.
[00240] Fig. 13B is a schematic diagram of an overvoltage protection (OVP)
circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. An OVP circuit 1670 comprises a
voltage clamping diode 1671, such as zener diode, coupled to the filtering
output
terminals 521 and 522. The voltage clamping diode 1671 is conducted to clamp a
voltage difference at a breakdown voltage when the voltage difference of the
filtering
output terminals 521 and 522 (i.e., the logic level of the filtered signal)
reaches the
breakdown voltage. In some embodiments, the breakdown voltage may be in a
range
of about 40 V to about 100 V. In certain embodiments, the breakdown voltage
may be
in a range of about 55 V to about 75V.
[00241] Fig. 14A is a block diagram of a power supply module in an LED
tube
lamp according to an exemplary embodiment. Compared to that shown in Fig. 8D,
the
present embodiment comprises a rectifying circuit 510, a filtering circuit
520, and a
driving circuit 1530, and further comprises an auxiliary power module 2510.
The
auxiliary power module 2510 is coupled between the filtering output terminals
521
and 522. The auxiliary power module 2510 detects the filtered signal in the
filtering
output terminals 521 and 522, and determines whether to provide an auxiliary
power
to the filtering output terminals 521 and 522 based on the detected result.
When the
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supply of the filtered signal is stopped or a logic level thereof is
insufficient, i.e., when
a drive voltage for the LED module is below a defined voltage, the auxiliary
power
module provides auxiliary power to keep the LED lighting module 530 continuing
to
emit light. The defined voltage is determined according to an auxiliary power
voltage
of the auxiliary power module 2510.
[002421
Fig. 14B is a block diagram of a power supply module in an LED tube
lamp according to an exemplary embodiment. Compared to that shown in Fig. 14A,
the present embodiment comprises a rectifying circuit 510, a filtering circuit
520, and
may further include some parts of an LED lighting module 530, and an auxiliary
power
module 2510, and the LED lighting module 530 further comprises a driving
circuit
1530 and an LED module 630. The auxiliary power module 2510 is coupled between
the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522. The auxiliary power module 2510
detects
the driving signal in the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522, and
determines
whether to provide an auxiliary power to the driving output terminals 1521 and
1522
based on the detected result. When the driving signal is no longer being
supplied or a
logic level thereof is insufficient, the auxiliary power module 2510 provides
the
auxiliary power to keep the LED module 630 continuously light.
[00243]
In an exemplary embodiment of Fig. 14A, an energy storage unit of the
auxiliary power module 2510 can be implemented by a supercapacitor (e.g.,
electric
double-layer capacitor, EDLC).
In such an embodiment, since the supercapacitor
provides the filtering function which is the same as the filtering circuit
520, the filtering
circuit 520 can be removed in this embodiment.
[00244]
In another exemplary embodiment, the LED lighting module 530 or LED
module 630 can be driven merely by the auxiliary power provided by the
auxiliary
power module 2510, and the external driving signal is merely used for charging
the
auxiliary power module 2510. Since such an embodiment applies the auxiliary
power provided by the auxiliary power module 2510 as the only power source for
the
LED lighting module 530 or the LED module 630, regardless of whether the
external
driving signal is provided by commercial electricity or a ballast, the
external driving
signal charges the energy storage unit first, and then the energy storage unit
is used
for supplying power to the LED module. Accordingly, the LED tube lamp applying
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said power architecture may be compatible with the external driving signal
provided
by commercial electricity or a ballast.
[00245] From the perspective of the structure, since the auxiliary
power module
2510 is connected between the outputs of the filtering circuit 520 (i.e., the
first filtering
output 521 and the second filtering output 522) or the outputs of the driving
circuit
1530 (i.e., the first driving output terminal 1521 and the second driving
output terminal
1522), the circuit components of the auxiliary power module 2510 can be
placed, in
an exemplary embodiment, in the lamp tube (e.g., the position adjacent to the
LED
lighting module 530 or LED module 630 and between the two end caps), such that
the
power transmission loss caused by the long wiring can be avoided. In another
exemplary embodiment, the circuit components of the auxiliary power can be
placed
in at least one of the end caps, such that the heat generated by the auxiliary
power
module 2510 when charging and discharging does not affect operation and
illumination of the LED module.
[00246] Fig. 14C is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary power module
according
to an embodiment. The auxiliary power module 2610 can be applied, for example,
to the configuration of the auxiliary power module 2510 illustrated in Fig.
14B. The
auxiliary power module 2610 comprises an energy storage unit 2613 and a
voltage
detection circuit 2614. The auxiliary power module further comprises an
auxiliary
power positive terminal 2611 and an auxiliary power negative terminal 2612 for
being
respectively coupled to the filtering output terminals 521 and 522 or the
driving output
terminals 1521 and 1522. The voltage detection circuit 2614 detects a logic
level of a
signal at the auxiliary power positive terminal 2611 and the auxiliary power
negative
= terminal 2612 to determine whether releasing outward the power of the
energy
storage unit 2613 through the auxiliary power positive terminal 2611 and the
auxiliary
power negative terminal 2612.
[00247] In some embodiments, the energy storage unit 2613 is a battery
or a
supercapacitor. When a voltage difference of the auxiliary power positive
terminal
2611 and the auxiliary power negative terminal 2612 (the drive voltage for the
LED
module) is higher than the auxiliary power voltage of the energy storage unit
2613,
the voltage detection circuit 2614 charges the energy storage unit 2613 by the
signal
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in the auxiliary power positive terminal 2611 and the auxiliary power negative
terminal
2612. When the drive voltage is lower than the auxiliary power voltage, the
energy
storage unit 2613 releases the stored energy outward through the auxiliary
power
positive terminal 2611 and the auxiliary power negative terminal 2612.
[00248] The voltage detection circuit 2614 comprises a diode 2615, a
bipolar
junction transistor (BJT) 2616 and a resistor 2617. A positive end of the
diode 2615 is
coupled to a positive end of the energy storage unit 2613 and a negative end
of the
diode 2615 is coupled to the auxiliary power positive terminal 2611. The
negative end
of the energy storage unit 2613 is coupled to the auxiliary power negative
terminal
2612. A collector of the BJT 2616 is coupled to the auxiliary power positive
terminal
2611, and an emitter thereof is coupled to the positive end of the energy
storage unit
2613. One end of the resistor 2617 is coupled to the auxiliary power positive
terminal
2611 and the other end is coupled to a base of the BJT 2616. When the
collector of
the BJT 2616 is a cut-in voltage higher than the emitter thereof, the resistor
2617
conducts the BJT 2616. When the power source provides power to the LED tube
lamp normally, the energy storage unit 2613 is charged by the filtered signal
through
the filtering output terminals 521 and 522 and the conducted BJT 2616 or by
the
driving signal through the driving output terminals 1521 and 1522 and the
conducted
BJT 2616 until that the collector-emitter voltage of the BJT 2616 is lower
than or equal
to the cut-in voltage. When the filtered signal or the driving signal is no
longer being
supplied or the logic level thereof is insufficient, the energy storage unit
2613 provides
power through the diode 2615 to keep the LED lighting module 530 or the LED
module 630 continuously light.
[00249] In some embodiments, the maximum voltage of the charged energy
storage unit 2613 is at least one cut-in voltage of the BJT 2616 lower than
the voltage
difference applied between the auxiliary power positive terminal 2611 and the
auxiliary power negative terminal 2612. The voltage difference provided
between the
auxiliary power positive terminal 2611 and the auxiliary power negative
terminal 2612
is a turn-on voltage of the diode 2615 lower than the voltage of the energy
storage
unit 2613. Hence, when the auxiliary power module 2610 provides power, the
voltage
applied at the LED module 630 is lower (about the sum of the cut-in voltage of
the
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BJT 2616 and the turn-on voltage of the diode 2615). In the embodiment shown
in the
Fig. 14B, the brightness of the LED module 630 is reduced when the auxiliary
power
module supplies power thereto. Thereby, when the auxiliary power module is
applied
to an emergency lighting system or a constant lighting system, the user
realizes the
main power supply, such as commercial power, is abnormal and then performs
necessary precautions therefor.
[00250] In addition to utilizing the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 14A
to Fig.
14C in a single tube lamp architecture for emergency power supply, the
embodiments
also can be utilized in a lamp module including a multi tube lamp. Taking the
lamp
module having four parallel arranged LED tube lamps as an example, in an
exemplary embodiment, one of the LED tube lamps includes the auxiliary power
module. When the external driving signal is abnormal, the LED tube lamp
including
the auxiliary power module is continuously lighted up and the others LED tube
lamps
go off. According to the consideration of the uniformity of illumination, the
LED tube
lamp having the auxiliary power module can be arranged in the middle position
of the
lamp module.
[00251] In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of the LED tube lamps
respectively include the auxiliary power module. When the external driving
signal is
abnormal, the LED tube lamps including the auxiliary power module are
continuously
lighted up and the other LED tube lamps (if any) go off. In this way, even if
the lamp
module is operated in an emergency situation, a certain brightness can still
be
provided for the lamp module. In addition, if there are two LED lamps that
have the
auxiliary power module, the LED tube lamps having the auxiliary power module
can
be arranged, according to the consideration of the uniformity of illumination,
in a
staggered way with the LED tube lamps that don't have the auxiliary power
module.
[00252] In still another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of the LED tube
lamps
respectively include the auxiliary power module. When the external driving
signal is
abnormal, part of the LED tube lamps including the auxiliary power module is
first
lighted up by the auxiliary power, and the other part of the LED tube lamps
including
the auxiliary power module is then lighted up by the auxiliary power after a
predetermined period. In this way, the lighting time of the lamp module can be
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extended during the emergency situation by coordinating the auxiliary power
supply
sequence of the LED tube lamps.
[00253] The embodiment of coordinating the auxiliary power supply sequence
of
the LED tube lamps can be implemented by setting different start-up time for
the
auxiliary power module disposed in different tube lamp, or by disposing
controllers in
each tube lamp for communicating the operation state of each auxiliary power
module.
The present invention is not limited thereto.
[00254] Fig. 14D is a block diagram of a power supply module in an LED
tube
lamp according to an exemplary embodiment. The LED tube lamp of the present
embodiment includes a rectifying circuit 510, a filtering circuit 520, an LED
lighting
module 530, and an auxiliary power module 2710. The LED lighting module 530 of
the present embodiment can only include the LED module or include the driving
circuit and the LED module, the present invention is not limited thereto.
Compared
to the embodiment of Fig. 14B, the auxiliary power module 2710 of the present
embodiment is connected between the pins 501 and 502 to receive the external
driving signal and perform a charge-discharge operation based on the external
driving
signal. The auxiliary power module 2710 includes an energy storage unit and a
voltage detection circuit. The voltage detection circuit detects the external
driving
signal on the pins 501 and 502, and determines whether the energy storage
provides
the auxiliary power to the input terminal of the rectifying circuit 510
according to the
detection result. When the external driving signal stops providing or the AC
signal
level of the external driving signal is insufficient, the energy storage unit
of the
auxiliary power module 2710 provides the auxiliary power, such that the LED
lighting
module 530 continues to emit light based on the auxiliary power provided by
the
auxiliary power module 2710. In the practical application, the energy storage
unit for
providing auxiliary power can be implemented by an energy storage assembly
such
as a battery or a supercapacitor, however, the present invention is not
limited thereto.
[00255] In an exemplary embodiment, the brightness of the LED module on
the
external driving signal is different from the brightness of the LED module on
the
auxiliary power. Therefore, a user may find the external power is abnormal
when
observing that the brightness of LED module changed, and thus the user can
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eliminate the problem as soon as possible. In this manner, the operation of
the
auxiliary power module 2710 can be considered as an indication for indicating
whether the external driving signal is normally provided, by providing the
auxiliary
power having the output power different from the external driving signal when
the
=
external driving signal is abnormal. For example, in some embodiments, the
luminance of the LED module is 1600 to 2000 Im when being lighted up by the
external driving signal; and the luminance of the LED module is 200 to 250 Im
when
being lighted up by the auxiliary power. From the perspective of the auxiliary
power
module 2710, in order to let the luminance of the LED module reach 200-250 Im,
the
output power of the auxiliary power module 2710 is, for example, 1 watt to 5
watts,
but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the electrical
capacity of
the energy storage unit in the auxiliary power module 2710 may be, for
example, 1.5
to 7.5 Wh (watt-hour) or above, so that the LED module can be lighted up for
90
minutes under 200-250 Im based on the auxiliary power. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto.
[002561 From the perspective of the structure, Fig. 14E illustrates a
schematic
structure of an auxiliary power module disposed in an LED tube lamp according
to an
exemplary embodiment. In the present embodiment, in addition, or as an
alternative,
to disposing the auxiliary power module 2710 in the lamp tube 1 as the
embodiment
mentioned above, the auxiliary power module 2710 can be disposed in the end
cap 3
as well. When the auxiliary power module 2710 is disposed in the end cap 3,
the
auxiliary power module 2710 connects to the corresponding pins 501 and 502 via
internal wiring of the end cap 3, so as to receive the external driving signal
provided to
the pins 501 and 502. Compared to the structure of disposing the auxiliary
power
module into the lamp tube 1, the auxiliary power module 2710 can be disposed
far
apart from the LED module since the auxiliary power module 2710 is disposed in
the
end cap 3 which is connected to the respective end of the lamp tube 1.
Therefore,
the operation and illumination of the LED module won't be affected by the
charging or
discharging heat generated by the auxiliary power module 2710.
[002571 In another exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary power module 2710
can be disposed in a lamp socket corresponding to the LED tube lamp as shown
in
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Fig. 14F, which illustrates a schematic structure of an auxiliary power module
disposed in a lamp socket according to an exemplary embodiment. The lamp
socket
l_LH includes a base 101LH and a connecting socket 102_LH. The base 101_LH
has power line disposed inside and is adapted to lock/attach to a fixed object
such as
a wall or a ceiling. The connecting socket 102_LH has slot corresponding to
the pin
(e.g., the pins 501 and 502) on the LED tube lamp, in which the slot is
electrically
connected to the corresponding power line. In the present embodiment, the
connecting socket 102_LH and the base 101_LH can be formed in one piece, or
the
connecting socket 102_LH can be removably disposed on the base 101_LH. The
invention is not limited one of these embodiments.
[1:10258] When the LED tube lamp is installed on the lamp socket 1_LH, the
pins
on both end caps 3 are respectively inserted into the slot of the
corresponding
connecting socket 102_LH, and thus the power line can be connected to the LED
tube lamp for providing the external driving signal to the corresponding pins
of the
LED tube lamp. Taking the configuration of the left end cap 3 as an example,
when
the pins 501 and 502 are inserted into the slots of the connecting socket
102_LH, the
auxiliary power module 2710 is electrically connected to the pins 501 and 502
via the
slots, so as to implement the connection configuration shown in Fig. 14D.
[00259] Compared to the embodiment of disposing the auxiliary power module
2710 in the end cap 3, the connecting socket 102_LH and the auxiliary power
module
2710 can be integrated as a module since the connecting socket can be designed
as
a removable configuration in an exemplary embodiment. Under such
configuration,
when the auxiliary power module 2710 has a fault or the service life of the
energy
storage unit in the auxiliary power module 2710 has run out, a new auxiliary
power
module can be replaced for use by replacing the modularized connecting socket
102_LH, instead of replacing the entire LED tube lamp. Thus, in addition to
reducing
the thermal effect of the auxiliary power module, the modularized design of
the
auxiliary power module makes the replacement of the auxiliary power module
easier.
Therefore, the durability of the LED tube lamp is improved since it is no
longer
necessary to replace the entire LED tube lamp when a problem occurs to the
auxiliary
power module.
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[00260] Under a lamp module architecture having multi tube lamps, which is
similar with the embodiments described in Fig. 14A to Fig. 14C, the auxiliary
power
module can be disposed in one tube lamp, or in plural tube lamps, in which the
multi
tube lamps architectures based on the consideration of the uniformity of
illumination
are adapted to the present embodiment as well. The difference between the
embodiment having multi tube lamps and the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 14A
to
Fig. 14C is that the auxiliary power module disposed in one of the tube lamps
may
supply power to the other tube lamps.
[00261] It should be noted that, although the description of the lamp
module
having multi tube lamps herein is taking the four parallel LED tube lamps as
an
example, those skilled in the art should understand, based on the description
mentioned above, how to implement an auxiliary power supply by selecting and
disposing the suitable energy storage unit. Therefore, any embodiments
illustrated
in which the auxiliary power module 2710 provides auxiliary power to one or
plural
tube lamps, such that the corresponding LED tube lamp has a specific
illuminance in
response to the auxiliary power, may be implemented according to the disclosed
embodiments.
[00262] In another exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary power modules 2510,
2610, and 2710 determine whether to provide the auxiliary power to the LED
tube
lamp according to a lighting signal. Specifically, the lighting signal is an
indication
signal indicating the switching state of the lamp switch. For example, the
signal level
of the lighting signal can be adjusted to a first level (e.g., high logic
level) or a second
level different from the first level (e.g., low logic level) according to the
switching of the
lamp switch. When a user toggles the lamp switch to an on-position, the
lighting
signal is adjusted to the first level; and when the user toggles the lamp
switch to an
off-position, the lighting signal is adjusted to the second level. For
example, the
lamp switch may be switched to the on-position when the lighting signal is at
the first
level and to the off-position when the lighting signal is at the second level.
The
generation of the lighting signal can be implemented by a circuit capable of
detecting
the switching state of the lamp switch.
[00263] In still another exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary power module
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2510/2610/2710 further includes a lighting determination circuit for receiving
the
lighting signal and determining whether the energy storage unit provides the
auxiliary
power to the end of the LED tube lamp (e.g., to provide the auxiliary power to
the LED
module) according to the signal level of the lighting signal and the detection
result of
the voltage detection circuit. Specifically, based on the signal level of the
lighting
signal and the detection result, there are three different states as follows:
(1) the
lighting signal is at the first level and the external driving signal is
normally provided;
(2) the lighting signal is at the first level and the external driving signal
stops being
provided or the AC signal level of the external driving signal is
insufficient; and (3) the
lighting signal is at the second level and the external driving signal stops
being
provided. Herein, state (1) is the situation where a user turns on the lamp
switch
and the external driving signal is normally provided, state (2) is the
situation where a
user turns on the lamp switch however a problem occurs to the external power
supply,
and state (3) is the situation where a user turns off the lamp switch so that
the
external power supply is stopped.
[00264] In the present exemplary embodiment, states (1) and (3) belong to
normal states, which means the external power is normally provided or stops in
accordance with the user's control. Therefore, under states (1) and (3), the
auxiliary
power module does not provide auxiliary power to the end of the LED tube lamp
(e.g.,
to the LED module). More specifically, the lighting determination circuit
controls the
energy storage unit not to provide the auxiliary power to the end of the LED
tube lamp
according to the determination result of states (1) and (3). In state (1), the
external
driving signal is directly input to the rectifying circuit 510 and charges the
energy
storage unit. In state (3), the external driving signal stops being provided
so that the
energy unit is not charged by the external driving signal.
[00265] State (2) represents the external power is not provided to the
tube lamp
when the user turns on the light, therefore, the lighting determination
circuit controls
the energy storage unit to provide the auxiliary power to the rear end
according to the
determination result indicating state (2), so that the LED lighting module 530
emits
light based on the auxiliary power provided by the energy storage unit.
[00266] Accordingly, based on the application of the lighting
determination
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circuit, the LED lighting module 530 may have three different luminance
variations.
The LED lighting module 530 has a first luminance (e.g., 1600 to 2200 Im) when
the
external power is normally supplied; the lighting module 530 has a second
luminance
(e.g., 200 to 250 Im) when the external power is abnormal and the power supply
is
changed to the auxiliary power; and the lighting module 530 has a third
luminance
(e.g., does not light up the LED module) when the user turns off the power on
their
own such that the external power is not provided to the LED tube lamp.
[00267] More specifically, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 14C,
the
lighting determination circuit is, for example, a switch circuit (not shown)
connected
between the auxiliary power positive terminal 2611 and the auxiliary power
negative
terminal 2612 in series. The control terminal of the switch circuit receives
the
lighting signal. When the lighting signal is at the fist level, the switch
circuit is
conducted in response to the lighting signal, such that the external driving
signal
charges the energy storage unit 2613 via the auxiliary power positive terminal
2611
and the auxiliary power negative terminal 2612 when the external driving
signal is
normally supplied (state (1)), or makes the energy storage unit 2613 discharge
to the
LED lighting module 530 or LED module 630 via the auxiliary power positive
terminal
2611 and the auxiliary power negative terminal 2612 when the external driving
signal
stops providing or the AC signal level of the external driving signal is
insufficient (state
(2)). On the other hand, when the lighting signal is at the second level, the
switch
circuit is cut off in response to the lighting signal (state (3)). At this
time, even
though the external driving signal stops being provided or the AC signal level
is
insufficient, the energy storage unit 2613 won't provide the auxiliary power
to the rear
end.
[00268] Fig. 14G is a block diagram of a power supply module in an LED
tube
lamp according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to Fig. 14G, the LED tube
lamp of the present embodiment includes a rectifying circuit 510', a filtering
circuit 520,
an LED lighting module 530, and an auxiliary power module 2810. The LED
lighting
module 530 of the present embodiment can only include the LED module or can
only
include the driving circuit and the LED module, but the present invention is
not limited
thereto. The rectifying circuit 510' can be implemented by the rectifying
circuit 910
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having three bridge arms shown in Fig. 9D, in which the rectifying circuit
510' has
three input signal receiving terminals P1, P2, and P3. The input signal
receiving
terminal P1 is connected to the pin 501, the input signal receiving terminal
P2 is
connected to the pin 502 and one output end of the auxiliary power module
2810, and
the input signal receiving terminal P3 is connected to another output end of
the
auxiliary power module. The auxiliary power module 2810 is, for example, an
emergency ballast.
[00269] In the present embodiment, input signal receiving terminal P2 can
be
regarded as a common terminal shared by the external driving signal and the
auxiliary
power module 2810, in which the external driving signal can be provided to the
rectifying circuit 510' via the input signal receiving terminals P1 and P2 and
the
auxiliary power of the auxiliary power module 2810 can be provided to the
rectifying
circuit 510' via the input signal receiving terminals P3 and P2. According to
the
configuration of the present embodiment, when the external driving signal is
normally
supplied, the rectifying circuit 510'performs full-wave rectification by the
bridge arms
corresponding to the input signal receiving terminals P1 and P2, so as to
provide
power to the LED lighting module 530 for use. When the external driving signal
is
abnormal, the rectifying circuit 510'receives the auxiliary power via the
input signal
receiving terminals P3 and P2, so as to provide the power to the LED lighting
module
530 for use. The unidirectional conduction characteristics of the diodes
disposed in
the rectifying circuit 510' isolate the external driving signal from the
auxiliary power,
so that the two inputs cannot influence each other, and the effect of
providing the
auxiliary power when the external driving signal is abnormal can be achieved.
In
practical applications, the rectifying circuit 510' can be implemented by fast
recovery
diodes, so as to deal with the high-frequency current characteristic of the
emergency
ballast.
[00270] It should be noted that, the hardware architecture of the
auxiliary power
module 2810 can be implemented using the architectures illustrated in Fig. 14E
and
Fig. 14F. The similar benefits can be achieved by utilizing the similar
architecture.
[00271] Referring to Fig. 15A, a block diagram of an LED tube lamp
including a
power supply module in accordance with certain embodiments is illustrated.
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Compared to the LED lamp shown in Fig. 8D, the LED tube lamp of Fig. 15A
includes
a rectifying circuit 510, a filtering circuit 520, and an LED lighting module
530, and
further includes an installation detection module 2520. The installation
detection
module 2520 is coupled to the rectifying circuit 510 via an installation
detection
terminal 2521 and is coupled to the filtering circuit 520 via an installation
detection
terminal 2522. The installation detection module 2520 detects the signal
passing
through the installation detection terminals 2521 and 2522 and determines
whether to
cut off an LED driving signal (e.g., an external driving signal) passing
through the LED
tube lamp based on the detected result. The installation detection module 2520
includes circuitry configured to perform the steps of detecting the signal
passing
through the installation detection terminals 2521 and 2522 and determining
whether
to cut off an LED driving signal, and thus may be referred to as an
installation
detection circuit, or more generally as a detection circuit or cut-off
circuit. When an
LED tube lamp is not yet installed on a lamp socket or holder, or in some
cases if it is
not installed properly or is only partly installed (e.g., one side is
connected to a lamp
socket, but not the other side yet), the installation detection module 2520
detects a
smaller current compared to a predetermined current (or current value) and
determines the signal is passing through a high impedance through the
installation
detection terminals 2521 and 2522. In this case, in certain embodiments, the
installation detection circuit 2520 is in a cut-off state to make the LED tube
lamp stop
working. Otherwise, the installation detection module 2520 determines that the
LED
tube lamp has already been installed on the lamp socket or holder (e.g., when
the
installation detection module 2520 detects a current equal to or larger than a
predetermined current and determines the signal is passing through a low
impedance
through the installation detection terminals 2521 and 2522), and maintains
conducting state to make the LED tube lamp working normally.
[00272] For example, in some embodiments, when a current passing through
the installation detection terminals 2521 and 2522 is greater than or equal to
a
specific, defined installation current (or a current value), which may
indicate that the
current supplied to the LED lighting module 530 is greater than or equal to a
specific,
defined operating current, the installation detection module 2520 is
conducting to
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make the LED tube lamp operate in a conducting state. For example, a current
greater than or equal to the specific current value may indicate that the LED
tube
lamp has correctly been installed in the lamp socket or holder. When the
current
passing through the installation detection terminals 2521 and 2522 is smaller
than the
specific, defined installation current (or the current value), which may
indicate that the
current supplied to the LED lighting module 530 is less than a specific,
defined
operating current, the installation detection module 2520 cuts off current to
make the
LED tube lamp enter in a non-conducting state based on determining that the
LED
tube lamp has been not installed in, or does not properly connect to, the lamp
socket
or holder. In certain embodiments, the installation detection module 2520
determines
conducting or cutting off based on the impedance detection to make the LED
tube
lamp operate in a conducting state or enter non-conducting state. The LED tube
lamp
operating in a conducting state may refer to the LED tube lamp including a
sufficient
current passing through the LED module to cause the LED light sources to emit
light.
The LED tube lamp operating in a cut-off state may refer to the LED tube lamp
including an insufficient current or no current passing through the LED module
so that
the LED light sources do not emit light. Accordingly, the occurrence of
electric shock
caused by touching the conductive part of the LED tube lamp which is
incorrectly
installed on the lamp socket or holder can be efficiently avoided.
[00273] Referring to Fig. 15B, a block diagram of an installation
detection
module in accordance with certain embodiments is illustrated. The installation
detection module includes a switch circuit 2580, a detection pulse generating
module
2540, a detection result latching circuit 2560, and a detection determining
circuit 2570.
Certain of these circuits or modules may be referred to as first, second,
third, etc.,
circuits as a naming convention to differentiate them from each other.
[00274] The detection determining circuit 2570 is coupled to and detects
the
signal between the installation detection terminals 2521 (through a switch
circuit
coupling terminal 2581 and the switch circuit 2580) and 2522. The detection
determining circuit 2570 is also coupled to the detection result latching
circuit 2560
via a detection result terminal 2571 to transmit the detection result signal
to the
detection result latching circuit 2560. The detection determining circuit 2570
may be
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configured to detect a current passing through terminals 2521 and 2522 (e.g.,
to
detect whether the current is above or below a specific current value).
[00275] The detection pulse generating module 2540 is coupled to the
detection
result latching circuit 2560 via a pulse signal output terminal 2541, and
generates a
pulse signal to inform the detection result latching circuit 2560 of a time
point for
latching (storing) the detection result. For example, the detection pulse
generating
module 2540 may be a circuit configured to generate a signal that causes a
latching
circuit, such as the detection result latching circuit 2560 to enter and
remain in a state
that corresponds to one of a conducting state or a cut-off state for the LED
tube lamp.
The detection result latching circuit 2560 stores the detection result
according to the
detection result signal (or detection result signal and pulse signal), and
transmits or
provides the detection result to the switch circuit 2580 coupled to the
detection result
latching circuit 2560 via a detection result latching terminal 2561. The
switch circuit
2580 controls the state between conducting or cut off between the installation
detection terminals 2521 and 2522 according to the detection result.
[00276] In some embodiments, the detection pulse generating module 2540
may be referred to as a first circuit 2540, the detection result latching
circuit 2560 may
be referred to as a second circuit 2560, the switch circuit 2580 may be
referred to as a
third circuit 2580, the detection determining circuit 2570 may be referred to
as a fourth
circuit 2570, the switch circuit coupling terminal 2581 may be referred to as
a first
terminal 2581 and the detection result terminal 2571 may be referred to as a
second
terminal 2571, the pulse signal output terminal 2541 may be referred to as a
third
terminal 2541, the detection result latching terminal 2561 may be referred to
as a
fourth terminal 2561, the installation detection terminal 2521 may be referred
to as a
first installation detection terminal 2521, and the installation detection
terminal 2522
may be referred to as a second installation detection terminal 2522. In this
exemplary
embodiment, the fourth circuit 2570 is coupled to the third circuit 2580 and
the second
circuit 2560 via the first terminal 2581 and the second terminal 2571,
respectively, the
second circuit 2560 is also coupled to the first circuit 2540 and the third
circuit 2580
via the third terminal 2541 and the fourth terminal 2561, respectively.
[00277] In some embodiments, the fourth circuit 2570 is configured for
detecting
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a signal between the first installation detection terminal 2521 and the second
installation detection terminal 2522 through the first terminal 2581 and the
fourth
circuit 2580. For example, because of the above configuration, the fourth
circuit 2570
is capable of detecting and determining whether a current passing through the
first
installation detection terminal 2521 and the second installation detection
terminal
2522 is below or above a predetermined current value and transmitting or
providing a
detection result signal to the second circuit 2560 via the second terminal
2571.
[00278] In some embodiments, the first circuit 2540 generates a pulse
signal
through the second circuit 2560 to make the third circuit 2580 working in a
conducting
state during the pulse signal. Meanwhile, as a result, the power loop of the
LED tube
lamp between the installation detection terminals 2521 and 2522 is thus
conducting
as well. The fourth circuit 2570 detects a sample signal on the power loop and
generates a signal based on a detection result to inform the second circuit
2560 of a
time point for latching (storing) the detection result received by the second
circuit
2560 from the fourth circuit 2570. For example, the fourth circuit 2570 may be
a circuit
configured to generate a signal that causes a latching circuit, such as the
second
circuit 2560 to enter and remain in a state that corresponds to one of a
conducting
state or a cut-off state for the LED tube lamp. The second circuit 2560 stores
the
detection result according to the detection result signal (or detection result
signal and
pulse signal), and transmits or provides the detection result to the third
circuit 2580
coupled to the second circuit 2560 via the fourth terminal 2561. The third
circuit 2580
receives the detection result transmitted from the second circuit 2560 and
controls the
state between conducting or cut off between the installation detection
terminals 2521
and 2522 according to the detection result. It should be noted that the labels
"first,"
"second," "third," etc., described in connection with these embodiments can be
interchangeable and are merely used here in order to more easily differentiate
the
different circuits, nodes, and other components from each other.
[00279] Referring to Fig. 15C, a block diagram of a detection pulse
generating
module in accordance with certain embodiments is illustrated. A detection
pulse
generating module 2640 may be a circuit that includes multiple capacitors
2642, 2645,
and 2646, multiple resistors 2643, 2647, and 2648, two buffers 2644 and 2651,
an
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inverter 2650, a diode 2649, and an OR gate 2652. The capacitor 2642 may be
referred to as a first capacitor 2642, the capacitor 2645 may be referred to
as a
second capacitor 2645, and the capacitor 2646 may be referred to as a third
capacitor
2646. The resistor 2643 may be referred to as a first resistor 2643, the
resistor 2647
may be referred to as a second resistor 2647, and the resistor 2648 may be
referred
to as a third resistor 2648. The buffer 2644 may be referred to as a first
buffer 2644
and the buffer 2651 may be referred to as a second buffer 2651. The diode 2649
may
be referred to as a first diode 2649 and the OR gate 2652 may be referred to
as a first
OR gate 2652. With use or operation, the capacitor 2642 and the resistor 2643
connect in series between a driving voltage (e.g., a driving voltage source,
which may
be a node of a power supply), such as VCC usually defined as a high logic
level
voltage, and a reference voltage (or potential), such as ground potential in
this
embodiment. The connection node between the capacitor 2642 and the resistor
2643
is coupled to an input terminal of the buffer 2644. In this exemplary
embodiment, the
buffer 2644 includes two inverters connected in series between an input
terminal and
an output terminal of the buffer 2644. The resistor 2647 is coupled between
the
driving voltage, e.g., VCC, and an input terminal of the inverter 2650. The
resistor
2648 is coupled between an input terminal of the buffer 2651 and the reference
voltage, e.g. ground potential in this embodiment. An anode of the diode 2649
is
grounded and a cathode of the diode 2649 is coupled to the input terminal of
the
buffer 2651. First ends of the capacitors 2645 and 2646 are jointly coupled to
an
output terminal of the buffer 2644, and second, opposite ends of the
capacitors 2645
and 2646 are respectively coupled to the input terminal of the inverter 2650
and the
input terminal of the buffer 2651. In this exemplary embodiment, the buffer
2651
includes two inverters connected in series between an input terminal and an
output
terminal of the buffer 2651. An output terminal of the inverter 2650 and an
output
terminal of the buffer 2651 are coupled to two input terminals of the OR gate
2652.
According to certain embodiments, the voltage (or potential) for "high logic
level" and
"low logic level" mentioned in this specification are all relative to another
voltage (or
potential) or a certain reference voltage (or potential) in circuits, and
further may be
described as "logic high logic level" and "logic low logic level."
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[002801 When an end cap of an LED tube lamp is inserted into a lamp socket
and the other end cap thereof is electrically coupled to a human body, or when
both
end caps of the LED tube lamp are inserted into the lamp socket, the LED tube
lamp
is conductive with electricity. At this moment, the installation detection
module (e.g.,
the installation detection module 2520 as illustrated in Fig. 15A) enters a
detection
stage. The voltage on the connection node of the capacitor 2642 and the
resistor
2643 is high initially (equals to the driving voltage, VCC) and decreases with
time to
zero finally. The input terminal of the buffer 2644 is coupled to the
connection node of
the capacitor 2642 and the resistor 2643, so the buffer 2644 outputs a high
logic level
signal at the beginning and changes to output a low logic level signal when
the
voltage on the connection node of the capacitor 2642 and the resistor 2643
decreases to a low logic trigger logic level. As a result, the buffer 2644 is
configured
to produce an input pulse signal and then remain in a low logic level
thereafter (stops
outputting the input pulse signal.) The width for the input pulse signal may
be
described as equal to one (initial setting) time period, which is determined
by the
capacitance value of the capacitor 2642 and the resistance value of the
resistor 2643.
[00281] Next, the operations for the buffer 2644 to produce the pulse
signal with
the initial setting time period will be described below. Since the voltage on
a first end
of the capacitor 2645 and on a first end of the resistor 2647 is equal to the
driving
voltage VCC, the voltage on the connection node of both of them is also a high
logic
level. The first end of the resistor 2648 is grounded and the first end of the
capacitor
2646 receives the input pulse signal from the buffer 2644, so the connection
node of
the capacitor 2646 and the resistor 2648 has a high logic level voltage at the
beginning but this voltage decreases with time to zero (in the meantime, the
capacitor
stores the voltage being equal to or approaching the driving voltage VCC.)
Accordingly, initially the inverter 2650 outputs a low logic level signal and
the buffer
2651 outputs a high logic level signal, and hence the OR gate 2652 outputs a
high
logic level signal (a first pulse signal) at the pulse signal output terminal
2541. At this
moment, the detection result latching circuit 2560 (as illustrated in Fig.
15B) stores
the detection result for the first time according to the detection result
signal received
from the detection determining circuit 2570 (as illustrated in Fig. 15B) and
the pulse
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signal generated at the pulse signal output terminal 2541. During that initial
pulse time
period, as illustrated in Fig. 15B, the detection pulse generating module 2540
outputs
a high logic level signal, which results in the detection result latching
circuit 2560
outputting the result of that high logic level signal.
[00282] When the voltage on the connection node of the capacitor 2646 and
the
resistor 2648 decreases to the low logic trigger logic level, the buffer 2651
changes to
output a low logic level signal to make the OR gate 2652 output a low logic
level
signal at the pulse signal output terminal 2541 (stops outputting the first
pulse signal.)
The width of the first pulse signal output from the OR gate 2652 is determined
by the
capacitance value of the capacitor 2646 and the resistance value of the
resistor 2648.
[00283] The operation after the buffer 2644 stops outputting the pulse
signal is
described as below. For example, the operation may be initially in an
operating stage.
Since the capacitor 2646 stores the voltage being almost equal to the driving
voltage
VCC, and when the buffer 2644 instantaneously changes its output from a high
logic
level signal to a low logic level signal, the voltage on the connection node
of the
capacitor 2646 and the resistor 2648 is below zero but will be pulled up to
zero by the
diode 2649 rapidly charging the capacitor 2646. Therefore, the buffer 2651
still
outputs a low logic level signal.
[00284] In some embodiments, when the buffer 2644 instantaneously changes
its output from a high logic level signal to a low logic level signal, the
voltage on the
one end of the capacitor 2645 also changes from the driving voltage VCC to
zero
instantly. This makes the connection node of the capacitor 2645 and the
resistor 2647
have a low logic level signal. At this moment, the output of the inverter 2650
changes
to a high logic level signal to make the OR gate output a high logic level
signal (a
second pulse signal) at the pulse signal output terminal 2541. The detection
result
latching circuit 2560 as illustrated in Fig. 15B stores the detection result
for a second
time according to the detection result signal received from the detection
determining
circuit 2570 (as illustrated in Fig. 158) and the pulse signal generated at
the pulse
signal output terminal 2541. Next, the driving voltage VCC charges the
capacitor
2645 through the resistor 2647 to make the voltage on the connection node of
the
capacitor 2645 and the resistor 2647 increase with time to the driving voltage
VCC.
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When the voltage on the connection node of the capacitor 2645 and the resistor
2647
increases to reach a high logic trigger logic level, the inverter 2650 outputs
a low logic
level signal again to make the OR gate 2652 stop outputting the second pulse
signal.
The width of the second pulse signal is determined by the capacitance value of
the
capacitor 2645 and the resistance value of the resistor 2647.
[00285] As those mentioned above, in certain embodiments, the detection
pulse
generating module 2640 generates two high logic level pulse signals in the
detection
stage, which are the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal. These
pulse
signals are output from the pulse signal output terminal 2541. Moreover, there
is an
interval with a defined time between the first and second pulse signals (e.g.,
an
opposite-logic signal, which may have a low logic level when the pulse signals
have a
high logic level), and the defined time is determined by the capacitance value
of the
capacitor 2642 and the resistance value of the resistor 2643.
[00286] From the detection stage entering the operating stage, the
detection
pulse generating module 2640 does not produce the pulse signal any more, and
keeps the pulse signal output terminal 2541 on a low logic level potential. As
described herein, the operating stage is the stage following the detection
stage (e.g.,
following the time after the second pulse signal ends). The operating stage
occurs
when the LED tube lamp is at least partly connected to a power source, such as
provided in a lamp socket. For example, the operating stage may occur when
part of
the LED tube lamp, such as only one side of the LED tube lamp, is properly
connected to one side of a lamp socket, and part of the LED tube lamp is
either
connected to a high impedance, such as a person, and/or is improperly
connected to
the other side of the lamp socket (e.g., is misaligned so that the metal
contacts in the
socket do not contact metal contacts in the LED tube lamp). The operating
stage may
also occur when the entire LED tube lamp is properly connected to the lamp
socket.
[00287] Referring to Fig. 15D, a detection determining circuit in
accordance with
certain embodiments is illustrated. An exemplary detection determining circuit
2670
includes a comparator 2671 and a resistor 2672. The comparator 2671 may also
be
referred to as a first comparator 2671 and the resistor 2672 may also be
referred to
as a fifth resistor 2672. A negative input terminal of the comparator 2671
receives a
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reference logic level signal (or a reference voltage) Vref, a positive input
terminal
thereof is grounded through the resistor 2672 and is also coupled to a switch
circuit
coupling terminal 2581. Referring to Figs. 15B and 15D, the signal flowing
into the
switch circuit 2580 from the installation detection terminal 2521 outputs to
the switch
circuit coupling terminal 2581 to the resistor 2672. When the current of the
signal
passing through the resistor 2672 reaches a certain level (for example, bigger
than or
equal to a defined current for installation, (e.g. 2A) and this makes the
voltage on the
resistor 2672 higher than the reference voltage Vref (referring to two end
caps
inserted into the lamp socket,) the comparator 2671 produces a high logic
level
detection result signal and outputs it to the detection result terminal 2571.
For
example, when an LED tube lamp is correctly installed on a lamp socket, the
comparator 2671 outputs a high logic level detection result signal at the
detection
result terminal 2571, whereas the comparator 2671 generates a low logic level
detection result signal and outputs it to the detection result terminal 2571
when a
current passing through the resistor 2672 is insufficient to make the voltage
on the
resistor 2672 higher than the reference voltage Vref (referring to only one
end cap
inserted into the lamp socket.) Therefore, in some embodiments, when the LED
tube
lamp is incorrectly installed on the lamp socket or one end cap thereof is
inserted into
=the lamp socket but the other one is grounded by an object such as a human
body,
the current will be too small to make the comparator 2671 output a high logic
level
detection result signal to the detection result terminal 2571.
[00288] Referring to Fig. 15E, a schematic detection result latching
circuit
according to some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. A
detection
result latching circuit 2660 includes a D flip-flop 2661, a resistor 2662, and
an OR
gate 2663. The D flip-flop 2661 may also be referred to as a first D flip-flop
2661, the
resistor 2662 may also be referred to as a fourth resistor 2662, and the OR
gate 2663
may also be referred to as a second OR gate 2663. The D flip-flop 2661 has a
CLK
input terminal coupled to a detection result terminal 2571, and a D input
terminal
coupled to a driving voltage VCC. When the detection result terminal 2571
first
outputs a low logic level detection result signal, the D flip-flop 2661
initially outputs a
low logic level signal at a Q output terminal thereof, but the D flip-flop
2661 outputs a
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high logic level signal at the Q output terminal thereof when the detection
result
terminal 2571 outputs a high logic level detection result signal. The resistor
2662 is
coupled between the Q output terminal of the D flip-flop 2661 and a reference
voltage,
such as ground potential. When the OR gate 2663 receives the first or second
pulse
signals from the pulse signal output terminal 2541 or receives a high logic
level signal
from the Q output terminal of the D flip-flop 2661, the OR gate 2663 outputs a
high
logic level detection result latching signal at a detection result latching
terminal 2561.
The detection pulse generating module 2640 only in the detection stage outputs
the
first and the second pulse signals to make the OR gate 2663 output the high
logic
level detection result latching signal, and thus the D flip-flop 2661 decides
the
detection result latching signal to be the high logic level or the low logic
level the rest
of the time, e.g., including the operating stage after the detection stage.
Accordingly,
when the detection result terminal 2571 has no high logic level detection
result signal,
the D flip-flop 2661 keeps a low logic level signal at the Q output terminal
to make the
detection result latohing terminal 2561 also keep a low logic level detection
result
latching signal in the detection stage. On the contrary, once the detection
result
terminal 2571 has a high logic level detection result signal, the D flip-flop
2661
outputs and keeps a high logic level signal (e.g., based on VCC) at the Q
output
terminal. In this way, the detection result latching terminal 2561 keeps a
high logic
level detection result latching signal in the operating stage as well.
[00289] Referring to Fig. 15F, a schematic switch circuit according to
some
embodiments is illustrated. A switch circuit 2680 includes a transistor, such
as a
bipolar junction transistor (BJT) 2681, as being a power transistor, which has
the
ability of dealing with high current/power and is suitable for the switch
circuit. The all*
2681 may also be referred to as a first transistor 2681. The 13JT 2681 has a
collector
coupled to an installation detection terminal 2521, a base coupled to a
detection
result latching terminal 2561, and an emitter coupled to a switch circuit
coupling
terminal 2581. When the detection pulse generating module 2640 produces the
first
and second pulse signals, the Rif 2681 is in a transient conduction state.
This allows
the detection determining circuit 2670 to perform the detection for
determining the
detection result latching signal to be a high logic level or a low logic
level. When the
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detection result latching circuit 2660 outputs a high logic level detection
result latching
signal at the detection result latching terminal 2561, the BJT 2681 is in the
conducting
state to make the installation detection terminals 2521 and 2522 conducting.
In
contrast, when the detection result latching circuit 2660 outputs a low logic
level
detection result latching signal at the detection result latching terminal
2561 and the
output from detection pulse generating module 2640 is a low logic level, the
BJT 2681
is cut-off or in the blocking state to make the installation detection
terminals 2521 and
2522 cut-off or blocking.
[00290] Since the external driving signal is an AC signal and in order to
avoid
the detection error resulting from the logic level of the external driving
signal being
just around zero when the detection determining circuit 2670 detects, the
detection
pulse generating module 2640 generates the first and second pulse signals to
let the
detection determining circuit 2670 perform two detections. So the issue of the
logic
level of the external driving signal being just around zero in a single
detection can be
avoided. In some cases, the time difference between the productions of the
first and
second pulse signals is not multiple times of half one cycle of the external
driving
signal. For example, it does not correspond to the multiple phase differences
of 180
degrees of the external driving signal. In this way, when one of the first and
second
pulse signals is generated and unfortunately the external driving signal is
around zero,
it can be avoided that the external driving signal is again around zero when
the other
pulse signal is generated.
[00291] The time difference between the productions of the first and
second
pulse signals, for example, an interval with a defined time between both of
them can
be represented as following:
[00292] the interval = (X+Y)(T/2),
[00293] where T represents the cycle of an external driving signal, X is a
natural
number, 0 <Y < 1, with Y in some embodiments in the range of 0.05 - 0.95, and
in
some embodiments in the range of 0.15- 0.85.
[00294] Furthermore, in order to avoid the installation detection module
entering
the detection stage from misjudgment resulting from the logic level of the
driving
voltage VCC being too small, the first pulse signal can be set to be produced
when
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the driving voltage VCC reaches or is higher than a defined logic level. For
example,
in some embodiments, the detection determining circuit 2670 works after the
driving
voltage VCC reaching a high enough logic level in order to prevent the
installation
detection module from misjudgment due to an insufficient logic level.
[00295] According to the examples mentioned above, when one end cap of an
LED tube lamp is inserted into a lamp socket and the other one floats or
electrically
couples to a human body or other grounded object, the detection determining
circuit
outputs a low logic level detection result signal because of high impedance.
The
detection result latching circuit stores the low logic level detection result
signal based
on the pulse signal of the detection pulse generating module, making it as the
low
logic level detection result latching signal, and keeps the detection result
in the
operating stage, without changing the logic value. In this way, the switch
circuit keeps
cutting-off or blocking instead of conducting continually. And further, the
electric
shock situation can be prevented and the requirement of safety standard can
also be
met. On the other hand, when two end caps of the LED tube lamp are correctly
inserted into the lamp socket, the detection determining circuit outputs a
high logic
level detection result signal because the impedance of the circuit for the LED
tube
lamp itself is small. The detection result latching circuit stores the high
logic level
detection result signal based on the pulse signal of the detection pulse
generating
module, making it as the high logic level detection result latching signal,
and keeps
the detection result in the operating stage. So the switch circuit keeps
conducting to
make the LED tube lamp work normally in the operating stage.
[00296] In some embodiments, when one end cap of the LED tube lamp is
inserted into the lamp socket and the other one floats or electrically couples
to a
human body, the detection determining circuit outputs a low logic level
detection
result signal to the detection result latching circuit, and then the detection
pulse
generating module outputs a low logic level signal to the detection result
latching
circuit to make the detection result latching circuit output a low logic level
detection
result latching signal to make the switch circuit cutting-off or blocking. As
such, the
switch circuit blocking makes the installation detection terminals, e.g. the
first and
second installation detection terminals, blocking. As a result, the LED tube
lamp is in
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non-conducting or blocking state.
[00297] However, in some embodiments, when two end caps of the LED tube
lamp are correctly inserted into the lamp socket, the detection determining
circuit
outputs a high logic level detection result signal to the detection result
latching circuit
to make the detection result latching circuit output a high logic level
detection result
latching signal to make the switch circuit conducting. As such, the switch
circuit
conducting makes the installation detection terminals, e.g. the first and
second
installation detection terminals, conducting. As a result, the LED tube lamp
operates
in a conducting state.
[00298] Thus, according to the operation of the installation detection
module, a
first circuit, upon connection of at least one end of the LED tube lamp to a
lamp
socket, generates and outputs two pulses, each having a pulse width, with a
time
period between the pulses. The first circuit may include various of the
elements
described above configured to output the pulses to a base of a transistor
(e.g., a 13..1T
transistor) that serves as a switch. The pulses occur during a detection stage
for
detecting whether the LED tube lamp is properly connected to a lamp socket.
The
timing of the pulses may be controlled based on the timing of various parts of
the first
circuit changing from high to low logic levels, or vice versa.
[00299] The pulses can be timed such that, during that detection stage
time, if
the LED tube lamp is properly connected to the lamp socket (e.g., both ends of
the
LED tube lamp are correctly connected to conductive terminals of the lamp
socket), at
least one of the pulse signals occurs when an AC current from a driving signal
is at a
non-zero level. For example, the pulse signals can occur at intervals that are
different
from half of the period of the AC signal. For example, respective start points
or mid
points of the pulse signals, or a time between an end of the first pulse
signal and a
beginning of the second pulse signal may be separated by an amount of time
that is
different from half of the period of the AC signal (e.g., it may be between
0.05 and
0.95 percent of a multiple of half of the period of the AC signal). During a
pulse that
occurs when the AC signal is at a non-zero level, a switch that receives the
AC signal
at the non-zero level may be turned on, causing a latch circuit to change
states such
that the switch remains permanently on so long as the LED tube lamp remains
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properly connected to the lamp socket. For example, the switch may be
configured to
turn on when each pulse is output from the first circuit. The latch circuit
may be
configured to change state only when the switch is on and the current output
from the
switch is above a threshold value, which may indicate a proper connection to a
light
socket. As a result, the LED tube lamp operates in a conducting state.
[00300] On the other hand, if both pulses occur when a driving signal at
the LED
tube lamp has a near-zero current level, or a current level below a particular
threshold,
then the state of the latch circuit is not changed, and so the switch is only
on during
the two pulses, but then remains permanently off after the pulses and after
the
detection mode is over. For example, the latch circuit can be configured to
remain in
its present state if the current output from the switch is below the threshold
value. In
this manner, the LED tube lamp remains in a non-conducting state, which
prevents
electric shock, even though part of the LED tube lamp is connected to an
electrical
power source.
[00301] It is worth noting that according to certain embodiments, the
width of the
pulse signal generated by the detection pulse generating module is between 10
ps to
1 ms, and it is used to make the switch circuit conducting for a short period
when the
LED tube lamp conducts instantaneously. In some embodiments, a pulse current
is
generated to pass through the detection determining circuit for detecting and
determining. Since the pulse is for a short time and not for a long time, the
electric
shock situation will not occur. Furthermore, the detection result latching
circuit also
keeps the detection result during the operating stage (e.g., the operating
stage being
the period after the detection stage and during which part of the LED tube
lamp is still
connected to a power source), and no longer changes the detection result
stored
previously complying with the circuit state changing. A situation resulting
from
changing the detection result can thus be avoided. In some embodiments, the
installation detection module, 'such as the switch circuit, the detection
pulse
generating module, the detection result latching circuit, and the detection
determining
circuit, could be integrated into a chip and then embedded in circuits for
saving the
circuit cost and layout space.
[00302] As discussed in the above examples, in some embodiments, an LED
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tube lamp includes an installation detection circuit comprising a first
circuit configured
to output two pulse signals, the first pulse signal output at a first time and
the second
pulse signal output at a second time after the first time, and a switch
configured to
receive an LED driving signal and to receive the two pulse signals, wherein
the two
pulse signals control turning on and off of the switch. The installation
detection circuit
may be configured to, during a detection stage, detect during each of the two
pulse
signals whether the LED tube lamp is properly connected to a lamp socket. When
it is
not detected during either pulse signal that the LED tube lamp is properly
connected
to the lamp socket, the switch may remain in an off state after the detection
stage.
When it is detected during at least one of the pulse signals that the LED tube
lamp is
properly connected to the lamp socket, the switch may remain in an on state
after the
detection stage. The two pulse signals may occur such that they are separated
by a
time different from a multiple of half of a period of the LED driving signal,
and such
that at least one of them does not occur when the LED driving signal has a
current
value of substantially zero. It should be noted that although a circuit for
producing two
pulse signals is described, the disclosure is not intended to be limiting as
such, For
example, a circuit may be implemented such that a plurality of pulse signals
may
occur, wherein at least two of the plurality of pulse signals are separated by
a time
different from a multiple of half of a period of the LED driving signal, and
such that at
least one of the plurality of pulse signals does not occur when the LED
driving signal
has a current value of substantially zero.
[00303] Referring to Fig. 15G, an installation detection module according
to an
exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The installation detection module
includes a
detection pulse generating module 2740 (which may also be referred to as a
detection pulse generating circuit or a first circuit), a detection result
latching circuit
2760 (which may also be referred to as a second circuit), a switch circuit
2780 (which
may also be referred to as a third circuit), and a detection determining
circuit 2770
(which may also be referred to as a fourth circuit). The detection pulse
generating
module 2740 is coupled (e.g., electrically connected) to the detection result
latching
circuit 2760 via a path 2741, and is configured to generate at least one pulse
signal.
A path as described herein may include a conductive line connecting between
two
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components, circuits, or modules, and may include opposite ends of the
conductive
line connected to the respective components, circuits or modules. The
detection
result latching circuit 2760 is coupled (e.g., electrically connected) to the
switch circuit
2780 via a path 2761, and is configured to receive and output the pulse
signal(s) from
the detection pulse generating module 2740. The switch circuit 2780 is coupled
(e.g.,
electrically connected) to one end (e.g., a first installation detection
terminal 2521) of
a power loop of an LED tube lamp and the detection determining circuit 2770,
and is
configured to receive the pulse signal(s) output from the detection result
latching
circuit 2760, and configured to conduct (or turn on) during the pulse
signal(s) so as to
cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to be conducting. The detection
determining circuit 2770 is coupled (e.g., electrically connected) to the
switch circuit
2780, the other end (e.g., a second installation detection terminal 2522) of
the power
loop of the LED tube lamp and the detection result latching circuit 2760, and
is
configured to detect at least one sample signal on the power loop when the
switch
circuit 2780 and the power loop are conductive, so as to determine an
installation
state between the LED tube lamp and a lamp socket. The power loop of the
present
embodiment can be regarded as a detection path of the installation detection
module.
The detection determining circuit 2770 is further configured to transmit
detection
result(s) to the detection result latching circuit 2760 for next control. In
some
embodiments, the detection pulse generating module 2740 is further coupled
(e.g.,
electrically connected) to the output of the detection result latching circuit
2760 to
control the time of the pulse signal(s).
[00304] In some embodiments, one end of a first path 2781 is coupled to a
first
node of the detection determining circuit 2770 and the opposite end of the
first path
2781 is coupled to a first node of the switch circuit 2780. In some
embodiments, a
second node of the detection determining circuit 2770 is coupled to the second
installation detection terminal 2522 of the power loop and a second node of
the switch
circuit 2780 is coupled to the first installation detection terminal 2521 of
the power
loop. In some embodiments, one end of a second path 2771 is coupled to a third
node of the detection determining circuit 2770 and the opposite end of the
second
path 2771 is coupled to a first node of the detection result latching circuit
2760, one
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end of a third path 2741 is coupled to a second node of the detection result
latching
circuit 2760 and the opposite end of the third path 2741 is coupled to a first
node of
the detection pulse generating circuit 2740. In some embodiments, one end of a
fourth path 2761 is coupled to a third node of the switch circuit 2780 and the
opposite
end of the fourth path 2761 is coupled to a third node of the detection result
latching
circuit 2760. In some embodiments, the fourth path 2761 is also coupled to a
second
node of the detection pulse generating circuit 2740.
[00305] In some embodiments, the detection determining circuit 2770 is
configured for detecting a signal between the first installation detection
terminal 2521
and the second installation detection terminal 2522 through the first path
2781 and
the switch circuit 2780. For example, because of the above configuration, the
detection determining circuit 2770 is capable of detecting and determining
whether a
current passing through the first installation detection terminal 2521 and the
second
installation detection terminal 2522 is below or above a predetermined current
value
and transmitting or providing a detection result signal to the detection
result latching
circuit 2760 via the second path 2771.
[00306] In some embodiments, the detection pulse generating circuit 2740,
also
referred to generally as a pulse generating circuit, generates a pulse signal
through
the detection result latching circuit 2760 to make the switch circuit 2780
remain in a
conducting state during the pulse signal. For example, the pulse signal
generated by
the detection pulse generating circuit 2740 controls turning on the switch
circuit 2780
which is coupled to the detection pulse generating circuit 2740. As a result
of
maintaining a conducting state of the switch circuit 2780, the power loop of
the LED
tube lamp between the installation detection terminals 2521 and 2522 is also
maintained in a conducting state. The detection determining circuit 2770
detects a
sample signal on the power loop and generates a signal based on a detection
result
to inform the detection result latching circuit 2760 of a time point for
latching (storing)
the detection result received by the detection result latching circuit 2760
from the
detection determining circuit 2770. For example, the detection determining
circuit
2770 may be a circuit configured to generate a signal that causes a latching
circuit,
such as the detection result latching circuit 2760 to enter and remain in a
state that
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corresponds to one of a conducting state (e.g., "on" state) or a cut-off state
for the
LED tube lamp. The detection result latching circuit 2760 stores the detection
result
according to the detection result signal (or detection result signal and pulse
signal),
and transmits or provides the detection result to the switch circuit 2780
coupled to the
third node of the detection result latching circuit 2760 via the fourth path
2761. The
switch circuit 2780 receives the detection result transmitted from the
detection result
latching circuit 2760 via the third node of the switch circuit 2780 and
controls the state
between conducting or cut off between the installation detection terminals
2521 and
2522 according to the detection result. For example, when the detection
determining
circuit 2770 detects during the pulse signal that the LED tube lamp is not
properly
installed on the lamp socket, the pulse signal controls the switch circuit to
remain in
an off state to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be open, and when
the
detection determining circuit 2770 detects during the pulse signal that the
LED tube
lamp is properly installed on the lamp socket, the pulse signal controls the
switch
circuit to remain in a conducting state to cause the power loop of the LED
tube lamp
to maintain a conducting state.
[00307] The detailed circuit architecture and the entire operation thereof
of each
of the detection pulse generating module 2740 (or circuit), the detection
result
latching circuit 2760, the switch circuit 2780, and the detection determining
circuit
2770 will be described below.
[00308] Referring to Fig. 15H, a detection pulse generating module
according to
an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The detection pulse generating module
2740
includes: a resistor 2742 (which also may be referred to as a sixth resistor),
a
capacitor 2743 (which also may be referred to as a fourth capacitor), a
Schmitt trigger
2744, a resistor 2745 (which also may be referred to as a seventh resistor), a
transistor 2746 (which also may be referred to as a second transistor), and a
resistor
2747 (which also may be referred to as an eighth resistor).
[00309] In some embodiments, one end of the resistor 2742 is connected to
a
driving signal, for example, Vcc, and the other end of the resistor 2742 is
connected
to one end of the capacitor 2743. The other end of the capacitor 2743 is
connected to
a ground node. In some embodiments, the Schmitt trigger 2744 has an input end
and
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an output end, the input end connected to a connection node of the resistor
2742 and
the capacitor 2743, the output end connected to the detection result latching
circuit
2760 via the third path 2741 (Fig. 15G). In some embodiments, one end of the
resistor 2745 is connected to the connection node of the resistor 2742 and the
capacitor 2743 and the other end of the resistor 2745 is connected to a
collector of
the transistor 2746. An emitter of the transistor 2746 is connected to a
ground node.
In some embodiments, one end of the resistor 2747 is connected to a base of
the
transistor 2746 and the other end of the resistor 2747 is connected to the
detection
result latching circuit 2760 (Fig. 15G) and the switch circuit 2780 (Fig. 15G)
via the
fourth path 2761. In certain embodiments, the detection pulse generating
module
2740 further includes: a Zener diode 2748, having an anode and a cathode, the
anode connected to the other end of the capacitor 2743 to the ground, the
cathode
connected to the end of the capacitor 2743 (the connection node of the
resistor 2742
and the capacitor 2743).
[00310] Referring to Fig. 151, a detection result latching circuit
according to an
exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The detection result latching circuit
2760
includes: a D flip-flop 2762 (which also may be referred to as a second D flip-
flop),
having a data input end D, a clock input end CLK, and an output end Q, the
data input
end D connected to the driving signal mentioned above (e.g., Vcc), the clock
input
end CLK connected to the detection determining circuit 2770 (Fig. 15G); and an
OR
gate 2763 (which also may be referred to as a third OR gate), having a first
input end,
a second input end, and an output end, the first input end connected to the
output end
of the Schmitt trigger 2744 (Fig. 15H), the second input end connected to the
output
end Q of the D flip-flop 2762, the output end of the OR gate 2763 connected to
the
other end of the resistor 2747 (Fig. 15H) and the switch circuit 2780 (Fig.
15G).
[00311] Referring to Fig. 15J, a switch circuit according to an exemplary
embodiment is illustrated. The switch circuit 2780 includes: a transistor 2782
(which
also may be referred to as a third transistor), having a base, a collector,
and an
emitter, the base connected to the output of the OR gate 2763 via the fourth
path
2761 (Fig. 151), the collector connected to one end of the power loop, such as
the first
installation detection terminal 2521, the emitter connected to the detection
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determining circuit 2770 (Fig. 15G). In some embodiments, the transistor 2782
may
be replaced by other equivalently electronic parts, e.g., a MOSFET.
[00312] Referring to Fig. 15K, a detection determining circuit according
to an
exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The detection determining circuit 2770
includes:
a resistor 2774 (which also may be referred to as a ninth resistor), one end
of the
resistor 2774 connected to the emitter of the transistor 2782 (Fig. 15J), the
other end
of the resistor 2774 connected to the other end of the power loop, such as the
second
installation detection terminal 2522; a diode 2775 (which also may be referred
to as a
second diode), having an anode and a cathode, the anode connected to an end of
the
resistor 2744 that is not connected to a ground node; a comparator 2772 (which
also
may be referred to as a second comparator), having a first input end, a second
input
end, and an output end; a comparator 2773 (which also may be referred to as a
third
comparator), having a first input end, a second input end, and an output end;
a
resistor 2776 (which also may be referred to as a tenth resistor); a resistor
2777
(which also may be referred to as an eleventh resistor); and a capacitor 2778
(which
also may be referred to as a fifth capacitor).
[00313] In some embodiments, the first input end of the comparator 2772 is
connected to a predefined signal, for example, a reference voltage, Vref =
1.3V, but
the reference voltage value is not limited thereto, the second input end of
the
comparator 2772 is connected to the cathode of the diode 2775, and the output
end
of the comparator 2772 is connected to the clock input end of the D flip-flop
2762 (Fig.
151). In some embodiments, the first input end of the comparator 2773 is
connected to
the cathode of the diode 2775, the second input end of the comparator 2773 is
connected to another predefined signal, for example, a reference voltage, Vref
= 0.3V,
but the reference voltage value is not limited thereto, and the output end of
the
comparator 2773 is connected to the clock input end of the D flip-flop 2762
(Fig. 151).
In some embodiments, one end of the resistor 2776 is connected to the driving
signal
mentioned above (e.g., Vcc) and the other end of the resistor 2776 is
connected to
the second input end of the comparator 2772 and one end of the resistor 2777
that is
not connected to a ground node and the other end of the resistor 2777 is
connected
to the ground node. In some embodiments, the capacitor 2778 is connected to
the
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resistor 2777 in parallel. In certain embodiments, the diode 2775, the
comparator
2773, the resistors 2776 and 2777, and the capacitor 2778 may be omitted, and
the
second input end of the comparator 2772 may be directly connected to the end
of the
resistor 2774 (e.g., the end of the resistor 2774 that is not connected to the
ground
node) when the diode 2775 is omitted. In certain embodiments, the resistor
2774 may
include two resistors connected in parallel based on the consideration of
power
consumption having an equivalent resistance value ranging from about 0.1 ohm
to
about 5 ohm.
[00314] In some embodiments, some parts of the installation detection
module
may be integrated into an integrated circuit (IC) in order to provide reduced
circuit
layout space resulting in reduced manufacturing cost of the circuit. For
example, the
Schmitt trigger 2744 of the detection pulse generating module 2740, the
detection
result latching circuit 2760, and the two comparators 2772 and 2773 of the
detection
determining circuit 2770 may be integrated into an IC, but the disclosure is
not limited
thereto.
[00315] An operation of the installation detection module will be
described in
more detail in accordance with some example embodiments. In one exemplary
embodiment, the capacitor voltage may not mutate; the voltage of the capacitor
in the
power loop of the LED tube lamp before the power loop is conductive is zero
and the
capacitor's transient response may appear to have a short-circuit condition;
when the
LED tube lamp is correctly installed to the lamp socket, the power loop of the
LED
tube lamp in a transient response may have a smaller current-limiting
resistance and
a bigger peak current; and when the LED tube lamp is incorrectly installed to
the lamp
socket, the power loop of the LED tube lamp in transient response may have a
bigger
current-limiting resistance and a smaller peak current. This embodiment may
also
meet the UL standard to make the leakage current of the LED tube lamp less
than 5
MIU. The following table illustrates the current comparison in a case when the
LED
tube lamp works normally (e.g., when the two end caps of the LED tube lamp are
correctly installed to the lamp socket) and in a case when the LED tube lamp
is
incorrectly installed to the lamp socket (e.g., when one end cap of the LED
tube lamp
is installed to the lamp socket but the other one is touched by a human body).
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Correct installation Incorrect installation
V in _ pk
Maximum i pk _max
500
fuse +
transient current = 305 x 1.414
= 845 mA
+ 500
Minimum i pk _ min
= D
fuse
transient current = = 5 A
[00316] As illustrated in the above table, in the part of the denominator:
Rfuse
represents the resistance of the fuse of the LED tube lamp. For example, 10
ohm may
be used, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, as resistance value for
Rfuse in
calculating the minimum transient current ipk_min and 510 ohm may be used as
resistance value for Rfuse in calculating the maximum transient current
ipk_max (an
additional 500 ohms is used to emulate the conductive resistance of human body
in
transient response). In the part of the numerator: maximum voltage from the
root-mean-square voltage (Vmax = Vrms * 1.414 = 305 * 1.414) is used in
calculating
the maximum transient current ipk_max and minimum voltage difference, for
example,
50V (but the disclosure is not limited thereto) is used in calculating the
minimum
transient current ipk_min. Accordingly, when the LED tube lamp is correctly
installed
to the lamp socket (e.g., when two end caps of the LED tube lamp are installed
to the
lamp socket correctly) and works normally, its minimum transient current is
5A. But,
when the LED tube lamp is incorrectly installed to the lamp socket (e.g., when
one
end cap is installed to the lamp socket but the other one is touched by human
body),
its maximum transient current is only 845 mA. Therefore, certain examples of
the
disclosed embodiments use the current which passes transient response and
flows
through the capacitor in the LED power loop, such as the capacitor of the
filtering
circuit, to detect and determine the installation state between the LED tube
lamp and
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the lamp socket. For example, such embodiments may detect whether the LED tube
lamp is correctly installed to the lamp socket. Certain examples of the
disclosed
embodiments further provide a protection mechanism to protect the user from
electric
shock caused by touching the conductive part of the LED tube lamp which is
incorrectly installed to the lamp socket. The embodiments mentioned above are
used
to illustrate certain aspects of the disclosed invention but the disclosure is
not limited
thereto.
[00317] Further, referring to Fig. 15G again, in some embodiments, when an
LED tube lamp is being installed to a lamp socket, after a period (e.g., the
period
utilized to determine the cycle of a pulse signal), the detection pulse
generating
module 2740 outputs a first high level voltage rising from a first low level
voltage to
the detection result latching circuit 2760 through a path 2741 (also referred
to as a
third path). The detection result latching circuit 2760 receives the first
high level
voltage, and then simultaneously outputs a second high level voltage to the
switch
circuit 2780 and the detection pulse generating module 2740 through a path
2761
(also referred to as a fourth path). In some embodiments, when the switch
circuit
2780 receives the second high level voltage, the switch circuit 2780 conducts
to
cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp to be conducting as well. In this
exemplary embodiment, the power loop at least includes the first installation
detection
terminal 2521, the switch circuit 2780, the path 2781 (also referred to as a
first path),
the detection determining circuit 2770, and the second installation detection
terminal
2522. In the meantime, the detection pulse generating module 2740 receives the
second high level voltage from the detection result latching circuit 2760, and
after a
period (e.g., the period utilized to determine the width (or period) of pulse
signal), its
output from the first high level voltage falls back to the first low level
voltage (the first
time of the first low level voltage, the first high level voltage, and the
second time of
the first low level voltage form a first pulse signal). In some embodiments,
when the
power loop of the LED tube lamp is conductive, the detection determining
circuit 2770
detects a first sample signal, such as a voltage signal, on the power loop.
When the
first sample signal is greater than or equal to a predefined signal, such as a
reference
voltage, the installation detection module determines that the LED tube lamp
is
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correctly installed to the lamp socket according to the application principle
of this
disclosed embodiments described above. Therefore, the detection determining
circuit
2770 included in the installation detection module outputs a third high level
voltage
(also referred to as a first high level signal) to the detection result
latching circuit 2760
through a path 2771 (also referred to as a second path). The detection result
latching
circuit 2760 receives the third high level voltage (also referred to as the
first high level
signal) and continues to output a second high level voltage (also referred to
as a
second high level signal) to the switch circuit 2780. The switch circuit 2780
receives
the second high level voltage (also referred to as the second high level
signal) and
maintains conducting state to cause the power loop to remain conducting. The
detection pulse generating module 2740 does not generate any pulse signal
while the
power loop remains conductive.
[00318] However, in some embodiments, when the first sample signal is
smaller
than the predefined signal, the installation detection module, according to
certain
exemplary embodiments as described above, determines that the LED tube lamp
has
not been correctly installed to the lamp socket. Therefore, the detection
determining
circuit 2770 outputs a third low level voltage (also referred to as a first
low level signal)
to the detection result latching circuit 2760. The detection result latching
circuit 2760
receives the third low level voltage (also referred to as the first low level
signal) and
continues to output a second low level voltage (also referred to as a second
low level
signal) to the switch circuit 2780. The switch circuit 2780 receives the
second low
level voltage (also referred to as the second low level signal) and then keeps
blocking
to cause the power loop to remain open. Accordingly, the occurrence of
electric shock
caused by touching the conductive park of the LED tube lamp which is
incorrectly
installed on the lamp socket can be sufficiently avoided.
[00319] In some embodiments, when the power loop of the LED tube lamp
remains open for a period (a period that represents the cycle of pulse
signal), the
detection pulse generating module 2740 outputs the first high level voltage
rising from
the first low level voltage to the detection result latching circuit 2760
through the path
2741 once more. The detection result latching circuit 2760 receives the first
high level
voltage, and then simultaneously outputs a second high level voltage to the
switch
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circuit 2780 and the detection pulse generating module 2740. In some
embodiments,
when the switch circuit 2780 receives the second high level voltage, the
switch circuit
2780 conducts again to cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp (in this
exemplary
embodiment, the power loop at least includes the first installation detection
terminal
2521, the switch circuit 2780, the path 2781, the detection determining
circuit 2770,
and the second installation detection terminal 2522) to be conducting as well.
In the
meantime, the detection pulse generating module 2740 receives the second high
level voltage from the detection result latching circuit 2760, and after a
period (a
period that is utilized to determine the width (or period) of pulse signal),
its output from
the first high level voltage falls back to the first low level voltage (the
third time of the
first low level voltage, the second time of the first high level voltage, and
the fourth
time of the first low level voltage form a second pulse signal). In some
embodiments,
when the power loop of the LED tube lamp is conductive again, the detection
determining circuit 2770 also detects a second sample signal, such as a
voltage
signal, on the power loop yet again. When the second sample signal is greater
than or
equal to the predefined signal, the installation detection module determines,
according to certain exemplary embodiments described above, that the LED tube
lamp is correctly installed to the lamp socket. Therefore, the detection
determining
circuit 2770 outputs a third high level voltage (also referred to as a first
high level
signal) to the detection result latching circuit 2760 through the path 2771.
The
detection result latching circuit 2760 receives the third high level voltage
(also
referred to as the first high level signal) and continues to output a second
high level
voltage (also referred to as a second high level signal) to the switch circuit
2780. The
switch circuit 2780 receives the second high level voltage (also referred to
as the
second high level signal) and maintains a conducting state to cause the power
loop to
remain conducting. The detection pulse generating module 2740 does not
generate
any pulse signal while the power loop remains conductive.
[00320] In some embodiments, when the second sample signal is smaller than
the predefined signal, the installation detection module determines, according
to
certain exemplary embodiments described above, that the LED tube lamp has not
been correctly installed to the lamp socket. Therefore, the detection
determining
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circuit 2770 outputs the third low level voltage (also referred to as the
first low level
signal) to the detection result latching circuit 2760. The detection result
latching circuit
2760 receives the third low level voltage (also referred to as the first low
level signal)
and continues to output the second low level voltage (also referred to as the
second
low level signal) to the switch circuit 2780. The switch circuit 2780 receives
the
second low level voltage (also referred to as the second low level signal) and
then
keeps blocking to cause the power loop to remain open. According to the
disclosure
mentioned above, the pulse width (i.e., pulse on-time) and the pulse period
are
dominated by the pulse signal provided by the detection pulse generating
module
2740 during the detection stage; and the signal level of the control signal is
determined according to the detection result signal provided by the detection
determining circuit 2770 after the detection stage.
[003211 Next, referring to Fig. 15H to Fig. 15K at the same time, in some
embodiments when an LED tube lamp is being installed to a lamp socket, the
capacitor 2743 is charged by the driving signal, for example, Vcc, through the
resistor
2742. And when the voltage of the capacitor 2743 rises enough to trigger the
Schmitt
trigger 2744, the Schmitt trigger 2744 outputs a first high level voltage
rising from a
first low level voltage in an initial state to an input end of the OR gate
2763. After the
OR gate 2763 receives the first high level voltage from the Schmitt trigger
2744, the
OR gate 2763 outputs a second high level voltage to the base of the transistor
2782
and the resistor 2747. When the base of the transistor 2782 receives the
second high
level voltage from the OR gate 2763, the collector and the emitter of the
transistor
2782 are conducting to further cause the power loop of the LED tube lamp (in
this
exemplary embodiment, the power loop at least includes the first installation
detection
terminal 2521, the transistor 2782, the resistor 2744, and the second
installation
detection terminal 2522) to be conducting as well. In the meantime, the base
of the
transistor 2746 receives the second high level voltage from the OR gate 2763
through
the resistor 2747, and then the collector and the emitter of the transistor
2746 are
conductive and grounded to cause the voltage of the capacitor 2743 to be
discharged
to the ground through the resistor 2745. In some embodiments, when the voltage
of
the capacitor 2743 is not enough to trigger the Schmitt trigger 2744, the
Schmitt
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trigger 2744 outputs the first low level voltage falling from the first high
level voltage (a
first instance of a first low level voltage at a first time, followed by a
first high level
voltage, followed by a second instance of the first low level voltage at a
second time
form a first pulse signal). When the power loop of the LED tube lamp is
conductive,
the current passing through the capacitor in the power loop, such as, the
capacitor of
the filtering circuit, by transient response flows through the transistor 2782
and the
resistor 2774 and forms a voltage signal on the resistor 2774. The voltage
signal is
compared to a reference voltage, for example, 1.3V, but the reference voltage
is not
limited thereto, by the comparator 2772. When the voltage signal is greater
than
and/or equal to the reference voltage, the comparator 2772 outputs a third
high level
voltage to the clock input end CLK of the D flip-flop 2762. In the meantime,
since the
data input end D of the D flip-flop 2762 is connected to the driving signal,
the D
flip-flop 2762 outputs a high level voltage (at its output end Q) to another
input end of
the OR gate 2763. This causes the OR gate 2763 to keep outputting the second
high
level voltage to the base of the transistor 2782, and further results in the
transistor
2782 and the power loop of the LED tube lamp remaining in a conducting state.
Besides, since the OR gate 2763 keeps outputting the second high level voltage
to
cause the transistor 2746 to be conducting to the ground, the capacitor 2743
is
unable to reach an enough voltage to trigger the Schmitt trigger 2744.
[00322] However, when the voltage signal on the resistor 2774 is smaller
than
the reference voltage, the comparator 2772 outputs a third low level voltage
to the
clock input end CLK of the D flip-flop 2762. In the meantime, since the
initial output of
the D flip-flop 2762 is a low level voltage (e.g., zero voltage), the D flip-
flop 2762
outputs a low level voltage (at its output end Q) to the other input end of
the OR gate
2763. Moreover, the Schmitt trigger 2744 connected by the input end of the OR
gate
2763 also restores outputting the first low level voltage, the OR gate 2763
thus keeps
outputting the second low level voltage to the base of the transistor 2782,
and further
results in the transistor 2782 to remain in a blocking state (or an off state)
and the
power loop of the LED tube lamp to remain in an open state. Still, since the
OR gate
2763 keeps outputting the second low level voltage to cause the transistor
2764 to
remain in a blocking state (or an off state), the capacitor 2743 is charged by
the
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driving signal through the resistor 2742 once again for next (pulse signal)
detection.
(00323] In some embodiments, the cycle (or interval) of the pulse signal
is
determined by the values of the resistor 2742 and the capacitor 2743. In
certain
cases, the cycle of the pulse signal may include a value ranging from about 3
milliseconds to about 500 milliseconds or may be ranging from about 20
milliseconds
to about 50 milliseconds. In some embodiments, the width (or period) of the
pulse
signal is determined by the values of the resistor 2745 and the capacitor
2743. In
certain cases, the width of the pulse signal may include a value ranging from
about 1
microsecond to about 100 microseconds or may be ranging from about 10
microseconds to about 20 microseconds. The Zener diode 2748 provides a
protection
function but it may be omitted in certain cases. The resistor 2744 may include
two
resistors connected in parallel based on the consideration of power
consumption in
certain cases, and its equivalent resistance may include a value ranging from
about
0.1 ohm to about 5 ohm. The resistors 2776 and 2777 provides the function of
voltage
division to make the input of the comparator 2773 bigger than the reference
voltage,
such as 0.3V, but the value of the reference voltage is not limited thereto.
The
capacitor 2778 provides the functions of regulation and filtering. The diode
2775 limits
the signal to be transmitted in one way. In addition, the installation
detection module
disclosed by the example embodiments may also be adapted to other types of LED
lighting equipment with dual-end power supply, e.g., the LED lamp directly
using
commercial power as its external driving signal, the LED lamp using the signal
outputted from the ballast as its external driving signal, etc. However, the
invention is
not limited to the above example embodiments.
[00324] Based on the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 15G to Fig. 15K,
compared to the installation detection module of Fig. 15B, the installation
detection
module illustrated in Fig. 15G uses the control signal output by the detection
result
latching circuit 2760 for the reference of determining the end of the pulse or
resetting
the pulse signal by feeding back the control signal to the detection pulse
generating
module 2740. Since the pulse on-time is not merely determined by the detection
pulse generating module 2740, the circuit design of the detection pulse
generating
module can be simplified. Compared to the detection pulse generating module
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illustrated in Fig. 15C, the number of the components of the detection pulse
generating module illustrated in Fig. 15H is less than the detection pulse
generating
module 2640, and thus the detection pulse generating module 2740 may have
lower
power consumption and may be more suitable for integrated design.
[00325] Referring to Fig. 15L, a block diagram of an installation
detection
module according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The installation
detection module 2520 includes a pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840, an
integrated control module 2860, a switch circuit 2880, and a detection
determining
auxiliary circuit 2870. The integrated control module 2860 includes at least
three
pins such as two input terminals IN1 and IN2 and an output terminal OT. The
pulse
generating auxiliary circuit 2840 is connected to the input terminal IN1 and
the output
terminal OT of the integrated control module 2860 and configured to assist the
integrated control module 2860 for generating a control signal. The detection
determining auxiliary circuit 2870 is connected to the input terminal IN2 of
the
integrated control module 2860 and the switch circuit 2880 and configured to
transmitt a sample signal related to the signal passing through the LED power
loop to
the input terminal IN2 of the integrated control module 2860 when the switch
circuit
2880 and the LED power loop are conducting, such that the integrated control
module
2860 may determine an installation state between the LED tube lamp and the
lamp
socket according to the sample signal. For example, the sample signal may be
based on an electrical signal passing through the power loop during the pulse-
on time
of pulse signal (e.g., the rising portion of the pulse signal). Switch circuit
2880 is
connected between one end of the LED power loop and the detection determining
auxiliary circuit 2870 and configured to receive the control signal, outputted
by the
integrated control module 2860, in which the LED power loop is conducting
during an
enable period of the control signal.
[00326] Specifically, under the detection stage, the integrated control
module
2860 temporarily causes the switch circuit 2880 to conduct, according to the
signal
received from the input terminal IN1, by outputting the control signal having
at least
one pulse. During the detection stage, the integrated control module 2860 may
detect whether the LED tube lamp is properly connected to the lamp socket and
latch
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the detection result according to the signal on the input terminal IN2. The
detection
result is regarded as the basis of whether to cause the switch circuit 2880 to
conduct
after the detection stage (i.e., it determines whether to provide power to LED
module).
The detail circuit structure and operations of the present embodiment will be
described below,
[00327] Referring to Fig. 15M, an inner circuit diagram of an integrated
control
module according to some exemplary embodiments is illustrated. The integrated
control module includes a pulse generating unit 2862, a detection result
latching unit
2863, and a detection unit 2864. The pulse generating unit 2862 receives the
signal
provided by the pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840 from the input
terminal IN1 and
accordingly generates a pulse signal. The generated pulse signal will be
provided to
the detection result latching unit 2863. In an exemplary embodiment, the pulse
generating unit 2862 can be implemented by a Schmitt trigger (not shown, it
can use
a Schmitt trigger such as 2744 illustrated in Fig. 15H). According to the
exemplary
embodiment mentioned above, the Schmitt trigger has an input end coupled to
the
input terminal IN1 of the integrated control module 2860 and an output
terminal
coupled to the output terminal OT of the integrated control module 2860 (e.g.,
through
the detection result latching unit 2863). It should be noted that, the pulse
generating
unit 2862 is not limited to be implemented by the Schmitt trigger, any analog
/ digital
circuit capable of implementing the function of generating the pulse signal
having at
least one pulse may be utilized in the disclosed embodiments.
[00328] The detection result latching unit 2863 is connected to the pulse
generating unit 2862 and the detection unit 2864. During the detection stage,
the
detection result latching unit 2863 outputs the pulse signal generated by the
pulse
generating unit 2862 as the control signal to the output terminal OT. On the
other
hand, the detection result latching unit 2863 further stores the detection
result signal
provided by the detection unit 2864 and outputs the stored detection result
signal to
the output terminal OT after the detection stage, so as to determine whether
to cause
the switch circuit 2880 to conduct according to the installation state of the
LED tube
lamp. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection latching unit 2863 can be
implemented by a circuit structure constituted by a D flip-flop and an OR gate
(not
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shown, for example it can use the D flip-flop 2762 and OR gate 2763
illustrated in Fig.
151). According to the exemplary embodiment mentioned above, the D flip-flop
has
a data input end connected to the driving voltage VCC, a clock input end
connected to
the detection unit 2864, and an output end. The OR gate has a first input end
connected to the pulse generating unit 2862, a second input end connected to
the
output end of the D flip-flop, and an output end connected to the output
terminal OT.
It should be noted that, the detection result latching unit 2863 is not
limited to be
implemented by the aforementioned circuit structure, any analog / digital
circuit
capable of implementing the function of latching and outputting the control
signal to
control the switching of the switch circuit may be utilized in the present
invention.
[00329] The detection unit 2864 is coupled to the detection result
latching unit
2863. The detection unit 2864 receives the signal provided by the detection
determining auxiliary circuit 2870 from the input terminal IN2 and accordingly
generates the detection result signal indicating the installation state of the
LED tube
lamp, in which the generated detection result signal will be provided to the
detection
result latching unit 2863. In an exemplary embodiment, detection unit 2864 can
be
implemented by a comparator (not shown, it can be, for example, the comparator
2772 illustrated in Fig. 15K). According to the exemplary embodiment mentioned
above, the comparator has a first input end receiving a setting signal, a
second input
end connected to the input terminal 1N2, and an output end connected to the
detection result latching unit 2863. It should be noted that, the detection
unit 2864 is
not limited to be implemented by the comparator, any analog/digital circuit
capable of
implementing the function of determining the installation state based on the
signal on
the input terminal IN2 may be utilized in the disclosed embodiments.
[00330] Referring to Fig. 15N, a circuit diagram of a pulse generating
auxiliary
circuit according to some exemplary embodiments is illustrated. The pulse
generating auxiliary circuit 2840 includes resistors 2842, 2844, and 2846, a
capacitor
2843, and a transistor 2845. The resistor 2842 has an end connected to a
driving
voltage (e.g., VCC). The capacitor 2843 has an end connected to another end of
the
resistor 2842, and another end connected to ground. The resistor 2844 has an
end
connected to the connection node of the resistor 2842 and the capacitor 2843.
The
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transistor 2845 has a base, a collector connected to another end of the
resistor 2844,
and an emitter connected to the ground. The resistor 2846 has an end connected
to
the base of the transistor 2845, and another end connected to the output
terminal OT
of the integrated control module 2840 and the control terminal of the switch
circuit
2880 via the path 2841. The pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840 further
includes
a Zener diode 2847. The Zener diode 2847 has an anode connected to another end
of the capacitor 2843 and the ground and a cathode connected to the end
connecting
the capacitor 2843 and the resistor 2842.
[00331] Referring to Fig. 150, a circuit diagram of a detection
determining
auxiliary circuit according to some exemplary embodiments is illustrated. The
detection determining auxiliary circuit 2870 includes resistors 2872, 2873 and
2874, a
capacitor 2875 and diode 2876. The resistor 2872 has an end connected to the
switch circuit 2880, and another end connected to another end of the LED power
loop
(e.g., the second installation detection terminal 2522). The resistor 2873 has
an end
connected to the driving voltage (e.g., VCC). The resistor 2874 has an end
connected to another end of the resistor 2873 and the input terminal IN2 of
the
integrated control module 2860 via the path 2871, and another end connected to
the
ground. The capacitor 2875 is connected to the resistor 2874 in parallel. The
diode 2876 has an anode connected to the end of the resistor 2872 and a
cathode
connected to the connection node of the resistors 2873 and 2874. In one
exemplary
embodiment, the resistors 2873 and 2874, the capacitor 2875, and the diode
2876
can be omitted. When the diode 2876 is omitted, one end of the resistor 2872
is
directly connected to the input terminal IN2 of the integrated control module
2860 via
the path 2871. In another one exemplary embodiment, the resistor 2872 can be
implemented by two paralleled resistors based on the power consideration, in
which
the equivalent resistance of each resistors can be 0.1 ohm to 5 ohm.
[00332] Referring to Fig. 15P , a circuit diagram of a switch circuit
according to
some exemplary embodiments is illustrated. The switch circuit 2880 includes a
transistor 2882. The transistor 2882 has a base connected to the output
terminal OT
of the integrated control module 2860 via the path 2861, a collector connected
to one
end of the LED power loop (e.g., the first installation detection terminal
2521), and an
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emitter connected to the detection determining auxiliary circuit.
In some
embodiments, the transistor 2882 may be replaced by other equivalently
electronic
parts, e.g., a MOSFET.
[00333]
It should be noted that, the installation detection module of the present
embodiment utilizes the same installation detection principle as the
aforementioned
embodiment. For example, the capacitor voltage may not mutate; the voltage of
the
capacitor in the power loop of the LED tube lamp before the power loop being
conductive is zero and the capacitor's transient response may appear to have a
short-circuit condition; when the LED tube lamp is correctly installed to the
lamp
socket, the power loop of the LED tube lamp in transient response may have a
smaller current-limiting resistance and a bigger peak current; and when the
LED tube
lamp is incorrectly installed to the lamp socket, the power loop of the LED
tube lamp
in transient response may have a bigger current-limiting resistance and a
smaller
peak current. This embodiment may also meet the UL standard to make the
leakage
current of the LED tube lamp less than 5 MIU. For example, the present
embodiment may determine whether the LED tube lamp is correctly/properly
connected to the lamp socket by detecting the transient response of the peak
current.
Therefore, the detail operation of the transient current under the correct
installation
state and the incorrect installation state may be seen by referring to the
aforementioned embodiment, and it will not be repeated herein. The following
disclosure will focus on describing the entire circuit operation of the
installation
detection module illustrated in Fig. 15L to 15P.
[00334]
Referring to Fig. 15L again, when an LED tube lamp is being installed to
a lamp socket, the driving voltage may be provided to modules/circuits within
the
installation detection module 2520 when power is provided to at least one end
cap of
the LED tube lamp. The pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840 starts charging
in
response to the driving voltage. The output voltage (referred to "first output
voltage"
hereinafter) of the pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840 rises from a first
low level
voltage to a voltage level greater than a forward threshold voltage after a
period (e.g.,
the period utilized to determine the cycle of a pulse signal), in which the
first output
voltage may output to the input terminal of the integrated control module 2860
via the
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path 2841. After receiving the first output voltage from the input terminal
IN1, the
integrated control module 2860 outputs an enabled control signal (e.g., a high
level
voltage) to the switch circuit 2880 and the pulse generating auxiliary circuit
2840.
When the switch circuit 2880 receives the enabled control signal, the switch
circuit
2880 is turned on so that a power loop of the LED tube lamp is conducted as
well.
Herein, at least the first installation detection terminal 2521, the switch
circuit 2880,
the path 2881, the detection determining auxiliary circuit 2870 and the second
installation detection terminal 2522 are included in the power loop. In the
meantime,
the pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840 conducts a discharge path for
discharging
in response to the enabled control signal. The first output voltage falls down
to the
first low level voltage from the voltage greater than the forward threshold
voltage.
When the first output voltage is less than a reverse threshold voltage (which
can be
defined based on the circuit design), the integrated control module 2860 pulls
the
enabled control signal down to a disable level in response to the first output
voltage
(i.e., the integrated control module 2860 outputs a disabled control signal,
in which
the disabled control signal is, for example, a low level voltage), and thus
the control
signal has a pulse-type signal waveform (i.e., the first time of the first low
level voltage,
the first high level voltage, and the second time of the first low level
voltage form a
first pulse signal ). When the power loop is conducting, the detection
determining
auxiliary circuit 2870 detects a first sample signal (e.g., voltage signal) on
the power
loop and provides the first sample signal to the integrated control module
2860 via the
input terminal IN2. When the integrated control module 2860 determines the
first
sample signal is greater than or equal to a setting signal (e.g., a reference
voltage),
which may represent the LED tube lamp has been properly installed on the lamp
socket, the integrated control module 2860 outputs and keeps the enabled
control
signal to the switch circuit 2880. Since receiving the enabled control signal,
the
switch circuit 2880 remains in the conductive state so that the power loop of
the LED
tube lamp is kept on the conductive state as well. During the period when the
switch
circuit 2880 receives the enabled control signal, the integrated control
module 2860
does not output the pulses anymore.
[00335] On the contrary, when the integrated control module 2860
determines
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the first sample signal is less than the setting signal, which may represent
the LED
tube lamp has not been properly installed on the lamp socket yet, the
integrated
control module 2860 outputs and keeps the disabled control signal to the
switch
circuit 2880. As a result of receiving the disabled control signal, the switch
circuit
2880 remains in the non-conducting state so that the power loop of the LED
tube
lamp is kept on the non-conducting state as well.
[00336] Since the discharge path of the pulse generating auxiliary circuit
2840 is
cut off, the pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840 starts to charge again.
Therefore,
after the power loop of the LED tube lamp remains in a non-conducting state
for a
period (Le., pulse on-time), the first output voltage of the pulse generating
auxiliary
circuit 2840 rises from the first low level voltage to the voltage greater
than the
forward threshold voltage again, in which the first output voltage may output
to the
input terminal of the integrated control module 2860 via the path 2841. After
receiving the first output voltage from the input terminal IN1, the integrated
control
module 2860 pulls up the control signal from the disable level to an enable
level (i.e.,
the integrated control module 2860 outputs the enabled control signal) and
provides
the enabled control signal to the switch circuit 2880 and the pulse generating
auxiliary
circuit 2840. When the switch circuit 2880 receives the enabled control
signal, the
switch circuit 2880 is turned on so that the power loop of the LED tube lamp
is
conducted as well. Herein, at least the first installation detection terminal
2521, the
switch circuit 2880, the path 2881, the detection determining auxiliary
circuit 2870 and
the second installation detection terminal 2522 are included in the power
loop. In
the meantime, the pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840 conducts, in
response to the
enabled control signal, a discharge path again for discharging. The first
output
voltage gradually falls down to the first low level voltage from the voltage
greater than
the forward threshold voltage again. When the first output voltage is less
than a
reverse threshold voltage (which can be defined based on the circuit design),
the
integrated control module 2860 pulls the enabled control signal down to a
disable
level in response to the first output voltage (i.e., the integrated control
module 2860
outputs a disabled control signal, in which the disabled control signal is,
for example,
a low level voltage), and thus the control signal has a pulse-type signal
waveform (i.e.,
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the third time of the first low level voltage, the second time of the high
level voltage,
and the fourth time of the first low level voltage form a second pulse
signal). When
the power loop is conducted again, the detection determining auxiliary circuit
2870
detects a second sample signal (e.g., voltage signal) on the power loop and
provides
the second sample signal to the integrated control module 2860 via the input
terminal
IN2. When the integrated control module 2860 determines the second sample
signal is greater than or equal to a setting signal (e.g., a reference
voltage), which
may represent the LED tube lamp has been properly installed on the lamp
socket, the
integrated control module 2860 outputs and keeps the enabled control signal to
the
switch circuit 2880. Since receiving the enabled control signal, the switch
circuit
2880 remains in the conductive state so that the power loop of the LED tube
lamp is
kept on the conductive state as well. During the period when the switch
circuit 2880
receives the enabled control signal, the integrated control module 2860 does
not
output the pulses anymore.
[003371 When the integrated control module 2860 determines the second
sample signal is less than the setting signal, which may represent the LED
tube lamp
has not been properly installed on the lamp socket yet, the integrated control
module
2860 outputs and keeps the disabled control signal to the switch circuit 2880.
Since
receiving the disabled control signal, the switch circuit 2880 remains in the
non-conducting state so that the power loop of the LED tube lamp is kept on
the
non-conducting state as well. Based on the above operation, when the LED tube
lamp has not been properly installed on the lamp socket, the problem in which
users
may get an electric shock caused by touching the conductive park of the LED
tube
lamp can be prevented.
[00338] Operation of circuits/modules within the installation detection
module is
further described below. Referring to Fig. 15M to 15P, when the LED tube lamp
is
installed in the lamp socket, the capacitor 2843 is charged by a driving
voltage VCC
via resistor 2842. When the voltage of the capacitor 2843 is raised to trigger
the
pulse generating unit 2862 (i.e., the voltage of the capacitor 2843 is raised
greater
than the forward threshold voltage), the output of the pulse generating unit
2862
changes to a first high level voltage from an initial first low level voltage
and provides
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to the detection result latching unit 2863. After receiving the first high
level voltage
outputted by the pulse generating unit 2862, the detection result latching
unit 2863
outputs a second high level voltage to the base of the transistor 2882 and the
resistor
2846 via the output terminal OT. After the second high level voltage outputted
from
the detection result latching unit 2863 is received by the base of the
transistor 2882,
the collector and the emitter of the transistor are conducted so as to conduct
the
power loop of the LED tube lamp. Herein, at least the first installation
detection
terminal 2521, the transistor 2882, the resistor 2872, and the second
installation
detection terminal 2522 are included in the power loop.
[00339] In the meantime, the base of the transistor 2845 receives the
second
high level voltage on the output terminal OT via the resistor 2846. The
collector and
the emitter of the transistor 2845 are conducting and connected to the ground,
such
that the capacitor 2843 is discharged to the ground via the resistor 2844.
When the
voltage of the capacitor 2843 is insufficient so that the pulse generating
unit 2862
cannot be triggered, the output of the pulse generating unit 2862 is pulled
down to the
first low level voltage from the first high level voltage (i.e., the first
time of the first low
level voltage, the first high level voltage, and the second time of the first
low level
voltage form a first pulse signal). When the power loop is conducting, the
current,
generated by the transient response, passing through a capacitor (e.g.,
filtering
capacitor in the filtering circuit) in the LED power loop flows through the
transistor
2882 and the resistor 2872 so as to build a voltage signal on the resistor
2872. The
voltage signal is provided to the input terminal IN2, and thus the detection
unit 2864
may compare the voltage signal on the input terminal IN2 (i.e., the voltage on
the
resistor 2872) with a reference voltage.
[00340] When the detection unit 2864 determines the voltage signal on the
resistor 2872 is greater than or equal to the reference voltage, the detection
unit
outputs a third high level voltage to the detection result latching unit 2863.
On the
contrary, when the detection unit 2864 determines the voltage signal on the
resistor
2872 is less than the reference voltage, the detection unit 2864 outputs a
third low
level voltage to the detection result latching unit 2863.
[00341] The detection result latching unit 2863 latches/stores the third
high level
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voftagel third low level voltage provided by the detection unit 2864 and
performs a
logic operation based on the latched/stored signal and the signal provided by
the
pulse generating unit 2862, such that the detection result latching unit 2863
outputs
the control signal. Herein, the result of the logic operation determines
whether the
signal level of the outputted control signal is the second high level voltage
or the
second low level voltage.
[00342] More specifically, when the detection unit 2864 determines that
the
voltage signal on the resistor is greater than or equal to the reference
voltage, the
detection result latching unit 2863 may latch the third high level voltage
outputted by
the detection unit 2864, and the second high level voltage is maintained to be
output
to the base of the transistor 2882, so that the transistor 2882 and the power
loop of
the LED tube lamp maintain the conductive state. Since the detection result
latching
unit 2863 may continuously output the second high level voltage, the
transistor 2845
is conducted to the ground as well, so that the voltage of the capacitor 2843
cannot
rise enough to trigger the pulse generating unit 2862. When the detection unit
2864
determines that the voltage signal on the resistor 2872 is less than the
reference
voltage, both the detection unit 2864 and the pulse generation unit 2862
provide a low
level voltage, and thus the detection result latching unit 2863 continuously
outputs,
after performing the OR logical operation, the second low level voltage to the
base of
the transistor 2882. Therefore, the transistor 2882 is maintained to be cut
off and
the power loop of the LED tube lamp is maintained to be at the non-conducting
state.
However, since the control signal on the output terminal OT is maintained at a
second
low level voltage, the transistor 2845 is thus maintained in a cut-off state
as well, and
repeatedly performs the next (pulse) detection until the capacitor 2843 is
charged by
the driving voltage VCC via the resistor 2842 again.
[00343] It should be noted that, the detection stage described in this
embodiment can be defined as the period that the driving voltage VCC is
provided to
the installation detection module 2520, however, the detection unit 2864 has
not yet
determined that the voltage signal on the resistor 2872 is greater than or
equal to the
reference voltage. During the detection stage, since the control signal
outputted by
the detection result latching unit 2863 alternatively conducts and cuts off
the
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transistor 2845, the discharge path is periodically conducted and cut off,
=
correspondingly. Thus, the capacitor 2843 is periodically charged and
discharged in
response to the conduction state of the transistor 2845, so that the detection
result
latching unit 2863 outputs the control signal having a periodic pulse waveform
during
the detection stage. The detection stage ends when the detection unit 2864
determines that the voltage signal on the resistor 2872 is greater than or
equal to the
reference voltage or the driving voltage VCC is stopped. The detection result
latching unit 2863 is maintained to output the control signal having the
second high
level voltage or the second low level voltage after the detection stage.
[00344] In one embodiment, compared to the exemplary embodiment
illustrated
in Fig. 15G, the integrated control module 2860 is constituted by integrating
part of
the circuit components in the detection pulse generating module 2740, the
detection
result latching circuit 2760, and the detection determining circuit 2770
(e.g., as part of
an integrated circuit). Another part of the circuit components which are not
integrated in the integrated control module 2860 constitutes the pulse
generating
auxiliary circuit 2840 and the detection determining auxiliary circuit 2870 of
the
embodiment illustrated in Fig. 15L. In some embodiments, the function/circuit
configuration of the combination of the pulse generating unit 2862 in the
integrated
control module 2860 and the pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840 can be
equivalent
to the detection pulse generating module 2740. The function/circuit
configuration of
the detection result latching unit 2863 in the integrated control module 2860
can be
equivalent to the detection result latching module 2760. The function/circuit
configuration of the combination of the detection unit 2864 in the integrated
control
module 2860 and the detection determining auxiliary circuit 2870 can be
equivalent to
the detection determining circuit 2770. However, in these embodiments, the
circuit
elements included in the pulse generating unit 2862, the detection result
latching unit
2863, and the detection unit 2864 are included in an integrated circuit (e.g.,
formed on
a die or chip).
[00345] Referring to Fig. 15Q, an internal circuit block diagram of a
three-terminal switch device according to an exemplary embodiment is
illustrated.
The installation detection module according to one embodiment is, for example,
a
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three-terminal switch device 2920 including a power terminal VP1, a first
switching
terminal SP1, and a second switching terminal SP2. The power terminal VP1 of
the
three-terminal switch device 2920 is adapted to receive a driving voltage VCC.
The
first switching terminal SP1 is adapted to connect one of the first
installation detection
terminal 2521 and the second installation detection terminal 2522 (the first
switching
terminal SP1 is illustrated as being connected to the first installation
detection
terminal 2521 in Fig. 15Q, but the invention is not limited thereto), and the
second
switching terminal SP2 is adapted to connect to the other one of the first
installation
detection terminal 2521 and the second installation detection terminal 2522
(the
second switching terminal SP2 is illustrated as being connected to the second
installation detection terminal 2522 in Fig. 15Q, but the invention is not
limited
thereto).
[00346] The three-terminal switch device 2920 includes a signal processing
unit
2930, a signal generating unit 2940, a signal capturing unit 2950, and a
switch unit
2960. In addition, the three-terminal switch device 2920 further includes an
internal
power detection unit 2970. The signal processing unit 2930 outputs a control
signal
having a pulse or multi-pulse waveform during a detection stage, according to
the
signal provided by the signal generating unit 2940 and the signal capturing
unit 2950.
The signal processing unit 2930 outputs the control signal, in which the
signal level of
the control signal remains at a high voltage level or a low voltage level,
after the
detection stage, so as to control the conduction state of the switch unit 2960
and
determine whether to conduct the power loop of the LED tube lamp. The pulse
signal generated by the signal generating unit 2940 can be generated according
to a
reference signal received from outside, or by itself, and the present
invention is not
limited thereto. The term "outside" described in this paragraph is relative to
the
signal generating unit 2940, which means the reference signal is not generated
by the
signal generating unit 2940. As such, whether the reference signal is
generated by
any of the other circuits within the three-terminal switch device 2920, or by
an
external circuit of the three-terminal switch device 2920, those embodiments
belong
the scope of "the reference signal received from the outside" as described in
this
paragraph. The signal capturing unit 2950 samples an electrical signal passing
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through the power loop of the LED tube lamp to generate a sample signal and
detects
an installation state of the LED tube lamp according to the sample signal, so
as to
transmit a detection result signal indicating the detection result to the
signal
processing unit 2930 for processing.
[00347] In an exemplary embodiment, the three-terminal switch device 2920
can be implemented by an integrated circuit. For example, the three-terminal
switch
device 2920 can be a three-terminal switch control chip, which can be utilized
in any
type of the LED tube lamp having two end caps for receiving power so as to
provide
the function of preventing electric shock. It should be noted that, the three-
terminal
switch device 2920 is not limited to merely include three pins/connection
terminals.
For example, a multi-pins switch device (with more than three pins) having at
least
three pins having the same configuration and function as the embodiment
illustrated
in Fig. 15Q can include additional pins for other purposes, even though those
pins
may be not described in detail herein. It should be noted that the various
"units"
described herein, in some embodiments, are circuits, and will be described as
circuits.
[00348] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal processing unit 2930, the
signal generating unit 2940, the signal capturing unit 2950, the switch unit
2960, and
the internal power detection unit 2970 can be respectively implemented the
circuit
configurations illustrated in Fig. 15R to 15V, but the present invention is
not limited
thereto. Detail exemplary operation of each of the units in the three-terminal
control
chip are described below.
[00349] Referring to Fig. 15R, a block diagram of a signal processing unit
according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The signal processing
unit
2930, which in one embodiment is a circuit, includes a driver 2932, an OR gate
2933,
and a D flip-flop 2934. The driver 2932 has an input end, and has an output
end
connected to the switch unit 2960 via the path 2931, in which the driver 2932
provides
the control signal to the switch unit 2960 via the output end and the path
2931. The
OR gate 2933 has a first input end connected to the signal generating unit
2940 via
the path 2941, a second input end, and an output end connected to the input
end of
the driver 2932. The D flip-flop 2934 has a data input end (D) receiving a
driving
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voltage VCC, a clock input end (CK) connected to the signal capturing unit
2950 via
the path 2951, and an output connected to the second input terminal of the OR
gate
2933.
[00350] Referring to Fig. 15S, a block diagram of a signal generating unit
according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The signal generating
unit
2940 includes resistors 2942 and 2943, a capacitor 2944, a switch 2945, and a
comparator 2946. One end of the resistor 2942 receives the driving voltage
VCC,
and the resistors 2942 and 2943 and the capacitor 2944 are serial connected
between the driving voltage VCC and the ground. The switch 2945 is connected
to
the capacitor 2944 in parallel. The comparator 2946 has a first input end
connected
to the connection node of the resistors 2942 and 2943, a second input end
receives a
reference voltage Vref, and an output end connected to the control terminal of
the
switch 2945.
[00351] Referring to Fig. 15T, a block diagram of a signal capturing unit
according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The signal capturing unit
2950
includes an OR gate and comparators 2953 and 2954. The OR gate 2952 has a
first
input end and a second input end, and an output end connected to the signal
processing unit 2930 via the path 2951. The comparator 2953 has a first input
end
connected to one end of the switch unit 2960 (i.e., a node on the power loop
of the
LED tube lamp) via the path 2962, a second input end receiving a first
reference
voltage (e.g., 1.25V, but not limited thereto), and an output end connected to
the first
input end of the OR gate 2952. The comparator 2954 has a first input end
connected to a second reference voltage (e.g., 0.15V, but not limited
thereto), a
second input end connected to the first input end of the comparator 2953, and
an
output end connected to the second input end of the OR gate 2952.
[00352] Referring to Fig. 15U, a block diagram of a switch unit according
to an
exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The switch unit 2960 includes a
transistor
2963. The transistor 2963 has a gate connected to the signal processing unit
2930
via the path 2931, a drain connected to the first switch terminal SP1 via the
path 2961,
and a source connected to the second switch terminal SP2, the first input end
of the
comparator 2953, and the second input end of the comparator via the path 2962.
In
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one embodiment, for example, the transistor 2963 is an NMOS transistor.
[00353] Referring to Fig. 15V, a block diagram of an internal power
detection
unit according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The internal power
detection unit 2970 includes a clamp circuit 2972, a reference voltage
generating unit
2973, a voltage adjustment circuit 2974, and a Schmitt trigger 2975. The clamp
circuit 2972 and the voltage adjustment circuit 2974 are respectively
connected to the
power terminal VP1 for receiving the driving voltage, so as to perform a
voltage clamp
operation and a voltage level adjustment operation, respectively. The
reference
voltage generating unit 2973 is coupled to the voltage adjustment circuit 2974
and is
configured to generate a reference voltage to the voltage adjustment circuit
2974.
The Schmitt trigger 2975 has an input end coupled to the clamp circuit 2972
and the
voltage adjustment circuit 2974, and an output end to output a power
confirmation
signal for indicating whether the driving voltage VCC is normally supplied. If
the
driving voltage VCC is normally supplied, the Schmitt trigger 2975 outputs the
enabled power confirmation signal, such that the driving voltage VCC is
allowed to be
provided to the component/circuit within the three-terminal switch device
2920. On
the contrary, if the driving voltage VCC is abnormal, the Schmitt trigger 2975
outputs
the disabled power confirmation signal, such that the component/circuit within
the
three-terminal switch device 2920 won't be damaged based on working under the
abnormal driving voltage VCC.
[00354] Referring to Fig. 15Q to 15V, under the circuit operation of the
present
embodiment, when the LED tube lamp is installed on the lamp socket, the
driving
voltage VCC is provided to the three-terminal switch device 2920 via the power
terminal VP1. At this time, the driving voltage VCC charges the capacitor 2944
via
the resistors 2942 and 2943. When the capacitor voltage is raised greater than
the
reference voltage Vref, the comparator 2946 switches to output a high level
voltage to
the first input end of the OR gate 2933 and the control terminal of the switch
2945.
The switch 2945 is conducted in response to the received high level voltage,
such
that the capacitor starts to discharge to the ground. The comparator 2946
outputs
an output signal having pulse-type waveform through this charge and discharge
process.
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[00355] During the period when the comparator 2946 outputs the high level
voltage, the OR gate 2952 correspondingly outputs the high level voltage to
conduct
the transistor 2963, such that the current flows through the power loop of the
LED
tube lamp. When the current passes the power loop, a voltage signal
corresponding
to the current size can be established on the path 2962. The comparator 2953
samples the voltage signal and compares the signal level of the voltage signal
with
the first reference voltage (e.g., 1.25V).
[00356] When the signal level of the sampled voltage signal is greater
than the
first reference voltage, the comparator 2953 outputs the high level voltage.
The OR
gate 2952 generates another high level voltage to the clock input end of the D
flip-flop
2934 in response to the high level voltage outputted by the comparator 2953.
The D
flip-flop 2934 continuously outputs the high level voltage based on the output
of the
OR gate 2952. Driver 2932 generates an enabled control signal to conduct the
transistor 2963 in response to the high level voltage on the input terminal.
At this
time, even if the capacitor 2944 has been discharged to below the reference
voltage
Vref and thus the output of the comparator 2946 is pulled down to the low
level
voltage, the transistor 2963 still remains in the conductive state since the
output of the
D flip-flop 2934 is kept on the high level voltage.
[00357] When the sampled voltage signal is less than the first reference
voltage
(e.g., 1.25V), the comparator 2953 outputs the low level voltage. The OR gate
2952
generates another low level voltage in response to the low level voltage
outputted by
the comparator, and provides the generated low level voltage to the clock
input end of
the D flip-flop 2934. The output end of the D flip-flop 2934 remains on the
low level
voltage based on the output of the OR gate 2952. At this time, once the
capacitor
2944 is discharged to the capacitor voltage below the reference voltage Vref,
the
output of comparator 2946 is pulled down to the low level voltage which
represents
the end of the pulse on-time (i.e., the fallen edge of the pulse). Since the
two input
ends of the OR gate 2933 are at the low level voltage, the output end of the
OR gate
2933 also outputs the low level voltage, therefore, the driver 2932 generates
the
disabled control signal to cut off the transistor 2963 in response to the
received low
level voltage, so as to cut off the power loop of the LED tube lamp.
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[00358] As noted above, the operation of the signal processing unit 2930
of the
present embodiment is similar to that of the detection result latching circuit
2760
illustrated in Fig. 151, the operation of the signal generating unit 2940 is
similar to that
of the detection pulse generating module 2740 illustrated in Fig. 15H, the
operation of
the signal capturing unit 2950 is similar to that of the detection determining
circuit
2770 illustrated in Fig. 15K, and the operation of the switch unit 2960 is
similar to that
of the switch circuit 2780 illustrated in 15J.
[00359] Referring to Fig. 15W, a block diagram of an installation
detection
module according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The installation
detection module 2520 includes a switch circuit 3080, a detection pulse
generating
module 3040, a control circuit 3060, a detection determining circuit 3070, and
a
detection path circuit 3090. The detection determining circuit 3070 is coupled
to the
detection path circuit 3090 via the path 3081 for detecting the signal on the
detection
path circuit 3090. The detection determining circuit 3070 is coupled to the
control
circuit 3060 via the path 3071 for transmitting the detection result signal to
the control
circuit 3060 via the path 3071. The detection pulse generating module 3040 is
coupled to the detection path circuit 3090 via the path 3041 and generates a
pulse
signal to inform the detection path circuit 3090 of a time point for
conducting the
detection path. The control circuit 3060 outputs a control signal according to
the
detection result signal and is coupled to the switch circuit 3080 via the path
3061, so
as to transmit the control signal to the switch circuit 3080. The switch
circuit 3080
determines whether to conduct the current path between the installation
detection
terminals 2521 and 2522 (i.e., part of the power loop).
[00360] In the present embodiment, the configuration of the detection
pulse
generating module 3040 can correspond to the configurations of the detection
pulse
generating module 2640 shown in Fig. 15C or the detection pulse generating
module
2740 shown in Fig. 15H. Referring to Fig. 15C, when the detection pulse
generating
module 2640 is applied to implement the detection pulse generating module
3040,
the path 3041 of the present embodiment can correspond to the path 2541, which
means the OR gate 265 is connected to the detection path circuit 3090 via the
path
3041. Referring to Fig. 15H, when the detection pulse generating module 2740
is
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applied to implement the detection pulse generating module 3040, the path 3041
can
correspond to the path 2741. In one embodiment, the detection pulse generating
module is also connected to the output terminal of the control circuit 3060
via the path
3061, so that the path 3061 can correspond to the path 2761.
[00361] The control circuit 3060 can be implemented by a control chip or
any
circuit capable of performing signal processing. When the control circuit 3060
determines the tube lamp is properly installed (e.g., a user is not touching
the pins on
one end of the tube lamp with the other end plugged in) according to the
detection
result signal, the control circuit 3060 may control the switch state of the
switch circuit
3080 so that the external power can be normally provided to the LED module
when
the tube lamp is properly installed into the lamp socket. In this case, the
detection
path will be cut off by the control circuit 3060. On the contrary, when the
control
circuit 3060 determines the tube lamp is not properly installed (e.g., a user
is touching
the pins on one end of the tube lamp with the other end plugged in) according
to the
detection result signal, the control circuit 3060 keeps the switch circuit
3080 at the
off-state since the user has the risk from getting electric shock.
[00362] In an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit 3060 and the
switch
circuit 3080 can be part of the driving circuit in the power supply module.
For
example, if the driving circuit is a switch-type DC-to-DC converter, the
switch circuit
3080 can be the power switch of the converter, and the control circuit 3060
can be the
controller of the power switch.
[00363] An example of the configuration of the detection determining
circuit
3070 can be seen referring to the configurations of the detection determining
circuit
2670 shown in Fig. 15D or the detection determining circuit 2770 shown in Fig.
15K.
Referring to Fig. 15D, when the detection determining circuit 2670 is applied
to
implement the detection determining circuit 3070, the resistor 2672 can be
omitted.
The path 3081 of the present embodiment can correspond to the path 2581, which
means the positive input terminal of the comparator 2671 is connected to the
detection path circuit 3090. The path 3071 of the present embodiment can
correspond to the path 2571, which means the output terminal of the comparator
2671 is connected to the detection result latching circuit 3060. Referring to
Fig. 15K,
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when the detection determining circuit 2770 is applied to implement the
detection
determining circuit 3070, the resistor 2774 can be omitted. The path of the
present
embodiment can correspond to the path 2771, which means the output terminal of
the
comparators 2772 and 2773 are connected to the detection result latching
circuit
3060.
[00364] The configuration of the switch circuit 3080 can correspond to the
configurations of the switch circuit 2680 shown in Fig. 15F or the switch
circuit 2780
shown in Fig. 15J . Since the switch circuit in both embodiments of Fig. 15F
and Fig.
15J are similar to each other, the following description discusses the switch
circuit
2680 shown in Fig. 15F as an example. Referring to Fig. 15F, when the switch
circuit 2680 is applied to implement the switch circuit 3080, the path 3061 of
the
present embodiment can correspond to the path 2561. The path 2581 is not
connected to the detection determining circuit 2570, but directly connected to
the
installation detection terminal 2522.
[00365] An exemplary configuration of the detection path circuit 3090 is
shown
in Fig. 15X. The detection path circuit 3090 includes a transistor 3092 and
resistors
3093 and 3094. The transistor 3092 has a base, a collector, and an emitter.
The
base of the transistor 3092 is connected to the detection pulse generating
module
3040 via the path 3041. The resistor 3092 is serially connected between the
emitter
of the transistor 3092 and the ground. The resistor 3093 is serially connected
between the collector of the transistor 3092 and the installation detection
terminal
2521.
[00366] In the present embodiment, the transistor 3092 is conducting
during a
pulse-on time when receiving the pulse signal provided by the detection pulse
generating module 3040. Under the situation where at least one end of the tube
lamp is inserted in the lamp socket, a detection path is built from the
installation
detection terminal 2521 to the ground (via the resistor 3094, the transistor
3092, and
the resistor 3093) in response to the conducted transistor 3092, so as to
establish a
voltage signal on the node X of the detection path. In one embodiment, the
detection path is built from one of the rectifying circuit input terminals to
another one
of the rectifying circuit input terminals (via the rectifying diodes, the
resistors 3093 and
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3094, and the transistor 3092). When the user does not touch the tube lamp
(e.g.,
but one end of the tube lamp is plugged in), the signal level of the voltage
signal is
determined by the voltage division of the resistors 3093 and 3094. When the
user
touches the tube lamp, an impedance of human body is equivalent to connect
between the resistor 3094 and the ground, which means it is connected to the
resistors 3093 and 3094 in series. At this time, the signal level of the
voltage signal
is determined by the voltage division of the resistor 3093, the resistor 3094,
and the
impedance of human body. Accordingly, by setting the resistors 3093 and 3094
having reasonable resistance, the voltage signal on the node X may reflect the
state
of whether the user touches the tube lamp, and thus the detection determining
circuit
3070 may generate the corresponding detection result signal according to the
voltage
signal on the node X.
[00367] As noted above, the present embodiment may determine whether a
user has a chance to get the electric shock by conducting a detection path and
detecting a voltage signal on the detection path. Compared to the embodiment
mentioned above, the detection path of the present embodiment is additionally
built,
but does not use the power loop as the detection path. Since the configuration
of
the components on the additional detection path is much simpler than the power
loop,
the voltage signal on the detection path may reflect a user's touching state
more
accurately.
[00368] Furthermore, similar to the above embodiment, part or all of the
circuit/module can be integrated as a chip, as illustrated in the embodiments
in Fig.
15L to Fig. 15V, and it will not be repeated herein.
[00369] Further, according to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 15G to
15X,
one skilled in the art should understand that the installation detection
module
illustrated in Fig. 15G can not only be designed as a distributed circuit
applied in the
LED tube lamp, but rather some components of the installation detection module
can
be integrated into an integrated circuit in an exemplary embodiment (e.g., the
embodiment illustrated in Fig. 15L). Alternatively, all circuit components of
the
installation detection module can be integrated into an integrated circuit in
another
exemplary embodiment (e.g., the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 15Q).
Therefore,
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the circuit cost and the size of the installation detection module can be
saved. In
addition, by integrating/modularizing the installation detection module, the
installation
detection module can be more easily utilized in different types of the LED
tube lamps
so that the design compatibility of the LED tube lamp can be improved. Also,
under
the application of utilizing the integrated installation detection module in
the LED tube
lamp, the light emitting area of the LED tube lamp can be significantly
improved since
the circuit size within the tube lamp is reduced. For example, the integrated
circuit
design may reduce the working current (reduced by about 50%) and enhance the
power efficiency of the integrated components. As a result, the saved power
can be
used for being supplied to the LED module for emitting light, so that the
luminous
efficiency of the LED tube lamp can be further improved.
[00370] The embodiments of the installation detection module illustrated
in Fig.
15B, Fig. 15G, Fig. 15L, and Fig. 15Q teach the installation detection module
includes
a pulse generating mechanism such as the detection pulse generating modules
2540
and 2740, the pulse generating auxiliary circuit 2840, and the signal
generating unit
2940 for generating a pulse signal, however, the present invention is not
limited
thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the installation detection module can use
the
original clock signal in the power supply module to replace the function of
the pulse
generating mechanism in the above embodiments. For example, in order to
generate a PWM signal, the driving circuit (e.g., DC-to-DC converter) in the
power
supply module has a reference clock, originally. The function of the pulse
generating mechanism can be implemented by using the reference clock of the
PWM
signal as a reference, so that the hardware of the detection pulse generating
module
2540, 2740/ pulse generating auxiliary module 2840/ signal generating unit
2940 can
be omitted. In this case, the installation detection module can share the
circuit
configuration with another part of the circuit in the power supply module, so
as to
realize the function of generating the pulse signal.
[00371] Although the modules/circuits are named by their functionality in
the
embodiments described in the present disclosure, it should be understood by
those
skilled in the art that the same circuit component may be considered to have
different
functions based on the circuit design. That is, different modules/circuits may
share
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the same circuit component to implement their respective circuit functions.
Thus,
the functional naming of the present disclosure is not intended to limit a
particular unit,
circuit, or module to particular circuit components.
[00372] To summarize, the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 15A to Fig. 15X
teach a concept of electric-shock protection by utilizing electrical control
and
detection method. Compared to mechanical electric-shock protection (i.e.,
using the
mechanical structure interaction/shifting for implementing the electric shock
protection), the electrical electric-shock protection has higher reliability
and durability
since the mechanical fatigue issue may not occur in the electrical
installation
detection module.
[00373] According to some embodiments, the present invention further
provides
a detection method adopted by a light-emitting device (LED) tube lamp for
preventing
a user from electric shock when the LED tube lamp is being installed on a lamp
socket. The detection method includes: generating a first pulse signal by a
detection
pulse generating module, wherein the detection pulse generating module is
configured in the LED tube lamp; receiving the first pulse signal through a
detection
result latching circuit by a switch circuit, and making the switch circuit
conducting
during the first pulse signal to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be
conducting, wherein the switch circuit is on the power loop; and detecting a
first
sample signal on the power loop by a detection determining circuit as the
power loop
being conductive, and comparing the first sample signal with a predefined
signal,
wherein when the first sample signal is greater than or equal to the
predefined signal,
the detection method further includes: outputting a first high level signal by
the
detection determining circuit; receiving the first high level signal by the
detection
result latching circuit and outputting a second high level signal; and
receiving the
second high level signal by the switch circuit and conducting to cause the
power loop
to remain conductive.
[00374] In some embodiments, when the first sample signal is smaller than
the
predefined signal, the detection method further includes: outputting a first
low level
signal by the detection determining circuit; receiving the first low level
signal by the
detection result latching circuit and outputting a second low level signal;
and receiving
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the second low level signal by the switch circuit and maintaining an off state
of the
switch circuit to cause the power loop to remain open.
[00375] In some embodiments, when the power loop remains open, the
detection method further includes: generating a second pulse signal by the
detection
pulse generating module; receiving the second pulse signal through the
detection
result latching circuit by the switch circuit, and changing an off state of
the switch
circuit to a conducting state again during the second pulse signal to cause
the power
loop to be conducting once more; and detecting a second sample signal on the
power
loop by the detection determining circuit as the power loop being conductive
once
more, and comparing the second sample signal with the predefined signal,
wherein
when the second sample signal is greater than or equal to the predefined
signal, the
detection method further includes: outputting the first high level signal by
the
detection determining circuit; receiving the first high level signal by the
detection
result latching circuit and outputting the second high level signal; and
receiving the
second high level signal by the switch circuit and maintaining a conducting
state of
the switch circuit to cause the power loop to remain conducting.
[00376] In some embodiments, when the second sample signal is smaller than
the predefined signal, the detection method further includes: outputting the
first low
level signal by the detection determining circuit; receiving the first low
level signal by
the detection result latching circuit and outputting the second low level
signal; and
receiving the second low level signal by the switch circuit and maintaining an
off state
of the switch circuit to cause the power loop to remain open.
[00377] In some embodiments, a period (or a width) of the first pulse
signal is
between 10 microseconds ¨ 1 millisecond, a period (or a width) of the second
pulse
signal is between 10 microseconds ¨ 1 millisecond.
[00378] In some embodiments, a time interval between the first and the
second
pulse signals (or a cycle of the pulse signal) includes (X+Y)(T/2), where T is
the cycle
of the driving signal, Xis an integer which is bigger than or equal to zero,
O<Y<1.
[00379] In some embodiments, a period (or a width) of the first pulse
signal is
between 1 microsecond ¨ 100 microseconds, a period (or a width) of the second
pulse signal is between 1 microsecond ¨ 100 microseconds.
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[00380]
In some embodiments, a time interval between the first and the second
pulse signals (or a cycle of the pulse signal) is between 3 milliseconds ¨ 500
milliseconds.
[00381]
In some embodiments, at least two protection elements, such as two
fuses, are respectively connected between the internal circuits of the LED
tube lamp
and the conductive pins of the LED tube lamp, and which are on the power loop
of the
LED tube lamp. In some embodiments, four fuses are used for an LED tube lamp
having power-supplied at its both end caps respectively having two conductive
pins.
In this case, for example, two fuses are respectively connected between two
conductive pins of one end cap and between one of the two conductive pins of
this
end cap and the internal circuits of the LED tube lamp; and the other two
fuses are
respectively connected between two conductive pins of the other end cap and
between one of the two conductive pins of the other end cap and the internal
circuits
of the LED tube lamp. In some embodiment, the capacitance between a power
supply
(or an external driving source) and the rectifying circuit of the LED tube
lamp may be
ranging from 0 to about 100 pF. In some embodiments, the abovementioned
installation detection module may be configured to use an external power
supply.
[00382]
According to the design of the power supply module, the external
driving signal may be a low frequency AC signal (e.g., commercial power), a
high
frequency AC signal (e.g., that provided by an electronic ballast), or a DC
signal (e.g.,
that provided by a battery or external configured driving source), input into
the LED
tube lamp through a drive architecture of dual-end power supply. For the drive
architecture of dual-end power supply, the external driving signal may be
input by
using only one end thereof as single-end power supply.
[00383]
The LED tube lamp may omit the rectifying circuit in the power supply
module when the external driving signal is a DC signal.
[00384]
According to the design of the rectifying circuit in the power supply
module, there may be a dual rectifying circuit. First and second rectifying
circuits of
the dual rectifying circuit are respectively coupled to the two end caps
disposed on
two ends of the LED tube lamp. The dual rectifying circuit is applicable to
the drive
architecture of dual-end power supply. Furthermore, the LED tube lamp having
at
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least one rectifying circuit is applicable to the drive architecture of a low
frequency AC
signal, high frequency AC signal or DC signal.
[00385] The dual rectifying circuit may comprise, for example, two half-
wave
rectifier circuits, two full-wave bridge rectifying circuits or one half-wave
rectifier circuit
and one full-wave bridge rectifying circuit.
[00386] According to the design of the pin in the LED tube lamp, there may
be
two pins in single end (the other end has no pin), two pins in corresponding
ends of
two ends, or four pins in corresponding ends of two ends. The designs of two
pins in
single end and two pins in corresponding ends of two ends are applicable to a
signal
rectifying circuit design of the rectifying circuit. The design of four pins
in
corresponding ends of two ends is applicable to a dual rectifying circuit
design of the
rectifying circuit, and the external driving signal can be received by two
pins in only
one end or any pin in each of two ends.
[00387] According to the design of the filtering circuit of the power
supply
module, there may be a single capacitor, or Th- filter circuit. The filtering
circuit filers
the high frequency component of the rectified signal for providing a DC signal
with a
low ripple voltage as the filtered signal. The filtering circuit also further
comprises the
LC filtering circuit having a high impedance for a specific frequency for
conforming to
current limitations in specific frequencies of the UL standard. Moreover, the
filtering
circuit according to some embodiments further comprises a filtering unit
coupled
between a rectifying circuit and the pin(s) for reducing the EMI resulted from
the
circuit(s) of the LED tube lamp. The LED tube lamp may omit the filtering
circuit in the
power supply module when the external driving signal is a DC signal.
[00388] According to the design of the LED lighting module in some
embodiments, the LED lighting module may comprise the LED module and the
driving circuit or only the LED module. The LED module may be connected with a
voltage stabilization circuit in parallel for preventing the LED module from
over
voltage. The voltage stabilization circuit may be a voltage clamping circuit,
such as
Zener diode, DIAC and so on. When the rectifying circuit has a capacitive
circuit, in
some embodiments, two capacitors are respectively coupled between two
corresponding pins in two end caps and so the two capacitors and the
capacitive
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circuit as a voltage stabilization circuit perform a capacitive voltage
divider.
[00389] If there are only the LED module in the LED lighting module and
the
external driving signal is a high frequency AC signal, a capacitive circuit
(e.g., having
at least one capacitor) is in at least one rectifying circuit and the
capacitive circuit is
connected in series with a half-wave rectifier circuit or a full-wave bridge
rectifying
circuit of the rectifying circuit and serves as a current modulation circuit
(or a current
regulator) to modulate or to regulate the current of the LED module due to
that the
capacitor equates a resistor for a high frequency signal. Thereby, even
different
ballasts provide high frequency signals with different voltage logic levels,
the current
of the LED module can be modulated into a defined current range for preventing
overcurrent. In addition, an energy-releasing circuit is connected in parallel
with the
LED module. When the external driving signal is no longer supplied, the
energy-releasing circuit releases the energy stored in the filtering circuit
to lower a
resonance effect of the filtering circuit and other circuits for restraining
the flicker of
the LED module. In some embodiments, if there are the LED module and the
driving
circuit in the LED lighting module, the driving circuit may be a buck
converter, a boost
converter, or a buck-boost converter. The driving circuit stabilizes the
current of the
LED module at a defined current value, and the defined current value may be
modulated based on the external driving signal. For example, the defined
current
value may be increased with the increasing of the logic level of the external
driving
signal and reduced with the reducing of the logic level of the external
driving signal.
Moreover, a mode switching circuit may be added between the LED module and the
driving circuit for switching the current from the filtering circuit directly
or through the
driving circuit inputting into the LED module.
[00390] A protection circuit may be additionally added to protect the LED
module. The protection circuit detects the current and/or the voltage of the
LED
module to determine whether to enable corresponding over current and/or over
voltage protection.
[00391] According to the design of the auxiliary power module of the power
supply module, the energy storage unit may be a battery or a supercapacitor,
connected in parallel with the LED module. The auxiliary power module is
applicable
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to the LED lighting module having the driving circuit.
[00392] According to the design of the LED module of the power supply
module,
the LED module comprises plural strings of LEDs connected in parallel with
each
other, wherein each LED may have a single LED chip or plural LED chips
emitting
different spectrums. Each LEDs in different LED strings may be connected with
each
other to form a mesh connection.
[00393] In other words, the abovementioned features can be implemented in
any combination to improve the LED tube lamp.
[00394] The above-mentioned exemplary features of the present invention
can
be accomplished in any combination to improve the LED tube lamp, and the above
embodiments are described by way of example only. The present invention is not
herein limited, and many variations are possible without departing from the
spirit of
the present invention and the scope as defined in the appended claims.
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