At a glance
| Patent number | CN205447315U (application CN201620219584) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | U type LED fluorescent lamp (一种u型led日光灯) |
| Patent owner | Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co Ltd |
| Inventors | Yao Wentao, Guo Zhi |
| Filing date | 2016-03-22 |
| Grant date | 2016-08-10 |
| Status (China) | Expired - the 10-year term ended on 2026-03-22 |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 37 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN205447315U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a U-shaped LED fluorescent lamp with straight tubes, an LED light board, and a rear support frame made of a first U-shaped piece and a second U-shaped piece. The first U-shaped piece has first installation parts matching the tube ends and a first connection part linking them, with a first positioning column where they meet. The LED light board is a single soft substrate with two light-emitting sections and a middle connecting section. The middle connecting section is fixed by turning around the first positioning column.
Claim 2 - the second U-shaped piece has a second installation part, a second connection part, and a second positioning post that sleeves over the first positioning column. Claim 3 - the first installation part has two horizontally spaced positioning bosses, with a gap matching the thickness of the LED light board. Claim 4 - the second installation part has a vertically arranged positioning baffle. Claim 5 - the first connection part has spaced first ribs and the second connection part has spaced second ribs that correspond to each other and press the middle connecting section. Claim 6 - the first rib has a positioning groove adapted to the soft substrate. Claim 7 - hooks on both sides of the first connection part engage buckles on the second connection part to fasten the two pieces together. Claim 8 - the straight tube is glass, the light-emitting section is fixed to the inner wall with adhesive, and LED beads are on the middle connecting section. Claim 9 - the straight tube is covered with a layer of heat-shrinkable light-transmitting film. Claim 10 - the middle connection section is kept horizontal between the first installation part and the first connection part, while the first positioning column is kept vertical.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and has expired, so it no longer restricts anyone in China either. It has no US or other foreign counterpart.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. The assignee, Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co Ltd (also appearing as Zhejiang Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co., Ltd), holds several later US patents in this field (including US20170290119A1, US10190732B2, US10342078B2, US10240725B2, and US10288272B2) that cite this Chinese utility model. Those US patents remain active or have their own terms, so a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review of the specific support frame geometry and substrate routing is required before launching a product in the United States.
- Base compatibility. U-shaped LED tubes must match standard bi-pin or quad-pin bases used in North American fluorescent fixtures; the base interface is not detailed in this patent and must be engineered to fit existing sockets.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Tube length | About 12 in. or 24 in. leg lengths to match standard U-bend fixtures; exact sizes to be confirmed in design |
| Color temperature | 3000K, 4000K, 5000K, or 6500K depending on LED selection |
| Substrate material | Flexible FPC or hard PCB, as noted in the patent description |
| Frame material | Molded plastic for the U-shaped pieces |
| Tube material | Glass with heat-shrinkable light-transmitting film, or polycarbonate |
| Wattage and lumens | Set in design based on LED bead count and driver specification |
Things to plan for (US market)
- UL 1993 / UL 8750 - safety standards for self-ballasted LED lamps and LED equipment; required by most US commercial buyers and inspectors.
- FCC Part 15 - electromagnetic interference limits for the internal LED driver.
- DLC listing - DesignLights Consortium qualification is often needed for utility rebate programs in commercial retrofits.
- California Title 20 - appliance efficiency regulations covering LED lamps sold in California.
- California Prop 65 - screening of lead in solder or glass, and chemicals in plastics.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - target fixture type, wattage, color temperature, and quantity.
- Design - mold drawings for the first and second U-shaped pieces, substrate layout, and pin-base integration.
- Prototype - sample assembly to verify the bend radius around the positioning column and thermal performance of the soft substrate.
- Pilot run - testing for UL, FCC, and DLC requirements; drop tests on the glass tubes.
- Production - injection molding of the frame, SMT placement of LEDs on the soft substrate, adhesive application, tube insertion, and final snap-fit assembly.
Quantities & timeline
The rear support frame requires injection molds for the first and second U-shaped pieces, including the core pins for the positioning columns and cavities for the hooks and buckles. The soft substrate needs a dedicated flexible PCB tooling setup, and the glass tubes must be sourced or cut to the specified leg length. Certification tests for UL and FCC take significant calendar time before volume shipments begin. Send us your target wattage, tube length, color temperature, base type, estimated quantity, and certification needs and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
