JP3059383B2 - Ornamental fish tank lighting system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, tropical fish,
Goldfish, as ornamental or breeding such aquatic organisms such as aquatic plants, further relates to lighting apparatus of aquarium tank that is used as such ornamental models and aquatic environment model aquatic organisms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, ornamental fish tanks have been widely used not only for watching and breeding tropical fish and the like but also for indoor interiors.

[0003] In this type of water tank, an illuminating device provided with an illuminator for illuminating the inside of the water tank is generally arranged above the water tank. As such a lighting device, there is provided a lighting device provided with an outlet used as a power source of an electric device for a water tank such as a heater, a pump for a filtration device, and a pump for air supply. By inserting the plug, power is supplied from a power supply to these electric devices.

[0004]

The electric equipment for aquarium as described above is used at all times.
It is common that the plug is left for a long time with the plug inserted in the outlet. However, if left unattended for a long period of time, dust and dirt will enter between the plug and the outlet of the outlet, accumulate over time and intervene in a bridge between the pair of terminals of the plug. There is a possibility that so-called tracking, in which an electric current flows through the object and heat is generated, may cause a problem.

[0005] This invention, the was made in order to solve the problems of the prior art, to provide a lighting device of aquarium tank which has been subjected to security measures into an outlet to the like tracking Aim.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises an illuminating lamp installed on an upper part of a water tank for illuminating the inside of the water tank and through at least one set of plug connection terminals. In a lighting device for an ornamental fish tank provided with an outlet for connecting a power source to an electric device for the tank, such as a heater, a pump for a filtration device, and a pump for air supply, a power supply from the power source to a plug connection terminal of the outlet. Lead wires are drawn out from both ends in series with the circuit.
Is inserted, and the total length of the thermal fuse is
Some of the lead wires at both ends are covered with a coating tube,
The thermal fuse is connected via the coated tube at least.
Also exposed part of one plug connection terminal outside the outlet
Is provided in thermal contact with the
Watch the end, characterized in that it is screwed to the relay terminal
It is in the aquarium for award fish.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the connection between the outlet and the plug generates heat due to tracking, the temperature of the thermal fuse rises through the plug connection terminal and the thermal fuse is melted. Is cut off to prevent further heat generation.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 5 to 10, (T) denotes an aquarium fish tank, and a lighting device for illuminating the inside of the tank from above is provided in the front half area in the depth direction at the upper end of the tank (T). P) is installed. In addition, this lighting device (P)
Is provided with a housing (1) formed of a molded article of a hard synthetic resin.

The housing (1) is in the form of a horizontally elongated box having an open lower surface, in which three illumination lamps (2) such as fluorescent lamps are housed and arranged, and a lower end opening is provided. In addition, a transparent hard synthetic resin light-transmitting plate (13) is attached by screws so as to close the opening.

Further, the central region of the upper wall of the housing (1) is bulged upward to form a bulged portion (11), and at the rear of one side of the bulged portion (11),
A concave portion (12) having a rectangular shape in a plan view is formed.

Various electric components are arranged in the recess (12). That is, on one side of the front wall in the recess (12), three lighting switches (3) for individually turning on and off the three lighting lamps are provided. 50Hz /
A frequency changeover switch (31) for switching the frequency between 60 Hz is provided, and three glow discharge tubes (32) for lighting the three illumination lamps (2) are provided on both side walls. ing. In addition, outlets used for power supply connection to electric equipment for water tanks, for example, heaters, thermostats, pumps for filtration devices, pumps for air supply, etc., are provided at corners between the front wall and one side wall of the recessed portion (12). 6) is provided.

Each of the illumination lighting switches (3) can be switched on and off by operating a finger in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the outlet (6) includes a front plate (61a) and a bottom plate (61b) formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section. Is provided with a terminal accommodating portion (61c) protruding rearward on the back surface of the terminal. Further, a pair of cylindrical relay terminal mounting portions (61d) (61d) are formed on the rear upper surface of the bottom plate portion (61b) to protrude upward, and the front plate portion (61b) is formed on the front upper surface of the bottom plate portion (61b). Short cylindrical outlet mounting portions (61e) (61e) are formed to protrude upward at positions on both sides of 61a). These front plate portion (61a), bottom plate portion (61b), terminal accommodating portion (61c), relay terminal attaching portion (61d), and outlet attaching portion (61e) connect plug connecting terminals (62a) (62b) described later. Terminal housing (6
1c), while being integrally formed of an insulating resin while being accommodated in the recessed portion (1c).
In a state facing 2), it is fitted into a fitting hole (7) drilled at a corner between the front wall and one side wall of the recessed portion (12), and is vertically penetrated into the outlet mounting portion (61e). Are screwed and fixed to the housing (1) by screws (8) (8) inserted into the housing (1).

The plug connection terminals (62) and (63)
It consists of a pair of upper and lower metal thin terminal boards. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the plug connection terminals (62) and (63) has a bifurcated U-shaped portion (62a) (63a) having an opening on the front plate portion side and a rear portion from the rear center of the U-shaped portion. Extension part (6
2b) and (63b), and both ends of the U-shaped portions (62a) and (63a) are curved in an arc shape. Then, the U-shaped portions (62a) and (63a)
Almost the entirety of the terminal accommodating portion (61) of the outlet (6).
c), while the rear extensions (62b) (63)
In the state where b) is exposed, they are arranged in a vertically parallel state.

The front plate portion (61a) has a U-shaped portion (62a) of each of the plug connection terminals (62) (63).
(63a) A total of four plug insertion holes (64) are provided in the width direction and the vertical direction of the front plate portion (61a) so as to communicate with the front end.
a) to (64d) are provided. In the plug insertion holes (64), the upper and lower parts constitute a set of plug insertion ports (65). Therefore, a total of two sets of plug insertion ports are provided in the width direction of the front plate portion (61a). (65) The (65) is formed so that two electric equipments for water tanks can be connected to a power supply.

Further, rectangular thin metal relay terminals (66a) (66b) are screwed to the relay terminal mounting portion (61d) of the outlet (6) in an inverted C shape in plan view. On the other hand, a thermal fuse (67) is disposed in close contact with the extension (62b) of the upper plug connection terminal (62) via a coating tube (68) that covers the thermal fuse (67). From both ends of (67), two lead wires (69a) (69
a) is led out, and the other ends of the lead wires are connected to one ends of the relay terminals (66a) (66b) by screws or the like. The coated tube (68) is at the temperature
Covers the entire length of the fuse (67) and part of both leads
are doing. The other end of one of the relay terminals (66a) is connected to one of a power cord (9) connected to a commercial power source, and the other of the power cord (9) is connected to a lower plug connection terminal ( 63), the other end of the other relay terminal (66b) and the extension (62b) of the upper plug connection terminal (62) connect the connecting lead wire (69b). Connected through. Therefore, when the power cord (9) is connected to the commercial power source, one pole of the power source and the relay terminal (66a), the temperature fuse (67), the other relay terminal (66b), and the upper plug connection terminal (62) ) Are electrically connected, and the other pole of the power supply and the lower plug connection terminal (63) are electrically connected.

The thermal fuse (67) has a known structure that melts when a predetermined temperature is reached, and a current-carrying circuit between a commercial power supply and an outlet (6) is formed at that portion by melting the fuse (67). It is to be shut off. Further, the tube (68) covering the thermal fuse (67) can be formed while avoiding a short circuit due to electrical contact between the thermal fuse (67) and the extension (62b) of the upper plug connection terminal (62). The thermal fuse (67) is brought into close contact with the extension portion (62b) via the (68) to secure a thermal contact state, and is made of a material having both good insulating properties and thermal conductivity. In this embodiment, a silicon rubber glass tube is used to satisfy such conditions.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, a cord insertion notch (14) is formed in a rear wall of the recess (12) of the housing (1), and is connected to the outlet (6). A power cord (not shown) of the electric device for the aquarium is inserted through the cutout (14) so as to be drawn out of the apparatus.

Also, a recess (12) of the housing (1).
In the upper open portion, a rectangular hard synthetic resin concave portion cover (4) that can be fitted to the open portion is detachably attached.

In the recess cover (4), a rectangular switch operation hole (41) large enough to allow approximately two or three fingers to be inserted at a position corresponding to the lighting switch (3).
Are formed.

Further, a rear end of a rectangular lid member (5) that can fit in the switch operation hole (41) is pivotally attached to a rear edge of the switch operation hole (41) of the recess cover (4). Have been. When the lid member (5) rotates in the vertical direction with its rear edge as a fulcrum, the switch operation hole (4
1) is configured to be opened and closed by a lid member (5).

In the illumination device for an ornamental fish tank according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the plug of the power cord (9) connected to the outlet (6) is inserted into a commercial power outlet (not shown). At the same time, a plug (not shown) of the electric equipment for the aquarium is inserted into a pair of upper and lower insertion ports (65) of the outlet (6). Thereby, one of the relay terminals (66a), the thermal fuse (67), the other relay terminal (66b), and the upper plug connection terminal (6
2) Electric equipment for aquarium, lower plug connection terminal (63)
, A closed circuit extending to the commercial power supply is formed, and the electric equipment for the aquarium operates.

If the plug of the electric equipment for the aquarium and the outlet (6) are always connected, the outlet (6)
Dust and dust may enter the gap between the plug and the plug, and may accumulate with the passage of time, and may severely intervene between the two terminals of the plug. Then
There is a danger that current will flow from the plug connection terminals (62) and (63) above and below the outlet (6) connected to both terminals of the plug to the bridge-shaped accumulation material, causing the accumulation to generate heat, so-called tracking. However, when the accumulated heat is generated, this heat is generated by the plug connection terminal (62) of the outlet (6).
It is also conducted to (63), and the temperature of the plug connection terminal rises. As the temperature of the upper plug connection terminal (62) rises,
The temperature of the thermal fuse (67) that is in close contact with the extension (62b) of the plug connection terminal (62) via the silicon rubber glass tube (68) also increases. When the temperature fuse (67) rises to the set temperature, the fuse (67) melts. As a result, the power supply circuit from the power supply is cut off at this portion, and the subsequent power supply to the electric equipment for the aquarium and the accumulation is cut off, thereby ensuring safety.

Further, in the illumination device (P) of the present embodiment, the cover member (5) of the concave fitting cover (4) is closed in a normal state. And the lighting (2)
In order to light the switch, the cover member (5) of the recessed cover (4) is opened to open the switch operation hole (41), and the hole (4) is opened.
The finger is inserted from 1) and the lighting switch (3) is operated. Conversely, when turning off the illumination lamp (2), the lid member (5) is opened and the lighting switch (3) is operated in the same manner as described above.

In the illumination device (P) for the ornamental fish tank according to the illustrated embodiment, two sets of plug insertion ports (65) for the electric equipment for the tank are provided in the outlet (6), but at least one set is provided. Just do it. The location of the outlet (6) in the water tank (T) is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

Although the lighting device is provided with the outlet with the thermal fuse (6), the outlet is not necessarily provided in the lighting device.
However, since electric components such as the frequency changeover switch (31) and the glow discharge tube (32) are collectively provided in the recessed portion (12) of the housing (1), the operation of the electric system and the like can be performed by the recessed portion (12). 12) It is preferable to provide the lighting device so that it can be performed at one place.

[0027]

As is evident from the foregoing description, lighting apparatus aquarium tank according to the present invention, the temperature fuse is interposed in series from the power supply to the energization circuit extending to the plug connection terminal, the temperature fuse is at least Since one plug connection terminal is provided in a thermal contact state, even if heat is generated by tracking, the heat is transmitted to the thermal fuse via the plug connection terminal, As a result of the melting of the fuse, an energizing circuit from the power supply to the plug connection terminal can be cut off, and subsequent heat generation can be stopped. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lighting device and an ornamental fish tank with a high commercial value that take a safety measure against tracking.

In addition, since the thermal fuse is in thermal contact with the plug connection terminal, heat at the time of tracking can be efficiently conducted to the thermal fuse via the plug connection terminal, and therefore extremely sensitive. There is also an effect that the thermal fuse can be operated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outlet portion of a lighting device for an ornamental fish tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the outlet shown in FIG. 1,
(B) is a front view similarly viewed from the insertion port side, and (c) is a side view.

FIG. 3A is a rear view of the outlet shown in FIG. 1,
(B) is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in (A).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a plug connection terminal of the outlet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an aquarium fish tank provided with an illuminating device provided with an outlet with a thermal fuse according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a concave fitting portion of the lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the concave fitting portion of the lighting device according to the embodiment with the concave fitting cover removed.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of a concave fitting portion of the lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of a concave fitting portion of the lighting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 T: Aquarium for aquarium fish P: Lighting device 6: Outlet 62, 63: Plug connection terminal 67: Thermal fuse

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An illumination lamp for illuminating the inside of an aquarium is provided at an upper portion of the aquarium, and is used for an aquarium such as a heater, a filter pump, and an air supply pump via at least one set of plug connection terminals. In an illumination device for an ornamental fish tank provided with an outlet for connecting a power source to an electric device, a temperature at which a lead wire is led out from both ends in series with an energizing circuit from the power source to a plug connection terminal of the outlet.
The fuse is inserted and the full length of the thermal fuse and both
A part of the end lead wire is coated with a coating tube, and the coating
At least one thermal fuse through a tube
To the exposed part of the plug connection terminal
The lighting device for an ornamental fish tank, wherein the lighting device is provided in a contact state, and the other end of each of the lead wires is screwed to a relay terminal .