Electronic control module (ECM) for controlling lighting functions of a lamp bulb and method of manufacture
US5214354A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 25, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01K1/46
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A new and improved electronic control module (ECM) for controlling lighting functions of an incandescent light bulb and method of manufacturing the ECM. The ECM is installed, such as by press fitting into a dielectric insulating material at the socket end of the bulb, after the high temperature bulb fabrication steps have been completed. In this manner, the solid state and associated circuitry of the electronic control module are not subjected to the high temperature processing used in lamp bulb fabrication. The electronic control module is especially well suited and adapted for integration into the lamp bulb housing and is constructed using a minimum number of reliably constructed and connected electrical components in a hybrid-type circuit module assembly which is economical to manufacture. In one embodiment of the invention, this module is operative by rotational adjustment to provide lighting function control and selectivity for the bulb, and in both embodiments described herein it is in direct contact with the copper center terminal of an adjoining electrical socket. This feature provides excellent heat sinking for and cooling of the module.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.