1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electrical devices, and in particular, it relates to a light switch with light regulator.
2. Description of the Related Art
A regulator for a light is an electric device with relatively large power consumption and may produce a large amount of heat quantity during operation. If the heat is not effectively dissipated (radiated), the life of the product may be directly impacted. Conventional light regulator that uses a linear sliding control technique typically comprises a housing, a radiating aluminum plate, a panel frame, a micro-switch, a switching titling-board, a light regulator circuit board, a silicon controlled rectifier, an inductor mounted on the circuit board. The titling-board is pivotally connected to the panel frame with a spring between the two. The housing is mounted on one side of the radiating aluminum plate; the panel frame and the titling-board are mounted on the other side of the aluminum plate. On the panel frame there is a sliding slit, and within the sliding slit is a sliding button which is connected via a rod to a sliding variable resistor on the circuit board. Movement of the sliding button thus adjusts the light level. The micro-switch, light regulator circuit board, silicon controlled rectifier and inductor are disposed inside of the housing. The connection between the circuit board and radiating aluminum plate is by a plastic stand, which is small and sealed, making it inefficient for heat dissipation. The plastic stand is fixed with a clip which is not very secure and may become loose. The conventional light regulator uses a magnetic-ring inductor which occupies significant space within the limited space of the device. This forces the plastic stand to be short and small, reducing the effective radiating space and adversely affecting to the life of the product.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a light regulator device that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a linear sliding light regulator with more effective heat dissipation and a longer life.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the descriptions that follow and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides an improved light switch with light regulator having a housing, a radiating metal plate, a panel frame, a micro-switch, a titling-board pivotally connected to the panel frame with a spring disposed therebetween, a light regulator circuit board having mounted thereon a silicon controlled rectifier, an inductor and a sliding variable resistor, a sliding slit defined on the panel frame, a sliding button accommodated in the sliding slit, the sliding button being connected to the sliding variable resistor, wherein the housing is mounted on one side of the radiating metal plate and the panel frame and titling-board are disposed on the other side of the radiating metal plate, and wherein the micro-switch, circuit board, silicon controlled rectifier and inductor are placed inside of the housing. The improvement includes: a plurality of hollow plastic casings disposed between the radiating metal plate and the circuit board; and a metal rivet or bolt through each casing for fastening the circuit board and the radiating metal plate together, wherein a space defined between the radiating metal plate and the circuit board is open on at least three sides.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
Embodiments of the present invention are described with references to the drawings.
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To increase the radiation effectiveness, long through holes 20 may be opened on both sides of the roof of the housing 1 of this embodiment (see
Compared with conventional devices, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has the following features and advantages: 1. The radiating aluminum plate is larger and more effective in its radiating function. 2. There are eight angled portions on the ends of the aluminum plate and all are upside-down inclined ones. 3. There are two through holes instead of four ones as in the conventional devices, resulting in less reduction in the radiating area. 4. There is one rectangular hole with inner beveling on each of the two ends of the aluminum plate. 5. The space between the aluminum plate and the circuit board is higher than in conventional devices, which facilitate the dissipation of heat. 6. The space between the radiating aluminum plate and the circuit board is open on at least three sides, which facilitate the dissipation of heat. 7. On the center of each two long sides of the titling-board there is a semi-triangular portion with a round hole for coupling to a tenon on each of the two long sides of the frame, making the structure sturdier. 8. Both ends of the sliding slit are arched, giving it a better feel for the user.
From the above description, it can be seen that a feature of the light switch according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use of hollow plastic casings between the circuit board and the radiating aluminum plate and the use of hollow rivets inside the hollow plastic casings to fasten the circuit board and radiating aluminum plate together. This structure has the advantages that the plastic casings are long and thin and take up a relatively small space. The structure is strong and provides a large free space to enhance head dissipation.
Further, the use of the magnet rod inductor reduces the space required for the inductor and enables an arrangement of the electrical components on the circuit board that is more effective in heat dissipation.
Moreover, with a small radiating block in between the silicon controlled rectifier and the radiating aluminum plate and with the silicon controlled rectifier mounted on the radiating block, the temperature rise of the silicon controlled rectifier is greatly reduced. This enables the light regulator to stably and reliably work for a long time and increases the life of the product.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modification and variations can be made in the switch with light regulator of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, although the radiating plate is made of aluminum in the preferred embodiment, other metals may be used. Although the rivets in side the plastic casing are made of copper in the preferred embodiment, other metals may be used. In addition to rivets, other fastening devices may be used such as bolts, pins, etc. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2005 2 0114165 U | Jul 2005 | CN | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20070018505 A1 | Jan 2007 | US |