LED TUBE LAMP

Abstract

An LED tube lamp includes a glass lamp tube, two end caps, an LED light strip, a power supply, and a diffusion film. The glass lamp tube includes a main body region and two rear end regions, each of the two rear end regions coupled to a respective end of the main body region and each of the two end caps coupled to a respective rear end region. A length of the light strip is longer than the length of a main body region of the glass lamp tube. Each of the two end caps is coupled to a respective end of the glass lamp tube by a adhesive. The LED light strip is attached to an inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube with a plurality of LED light sources mounted on the LED light strip. The diffusion film is disposed on an out surface of the glass lamp tube.

Claims

1. An LED tube lamp, comprising: a glass lamp tube comprising a main body region and two rear end regions, each of the two rear end regions coupled to a respective end of the main body region; two end caps, each of the two end caps coupled to a respective rear end region, each of the end caps comprising a lateral wall and an end wall, wherein the lateral wall is substantially coaxial with the glass lamp tube and sleeving with the respective rear end region, the end wall is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the glass lamp tube; an adhesive disposed between each of the lateral wall and each of the rear end regions; an LED light strip attached to an inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube with a plurality of LED light sources mounted on the LED light strip; a power supply comprising a circuit board electrically connecting to the LED light strip, the circuit board comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to and substantially parallel to the first surface, and the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board are substantially parallel with the axial direction of the lateral wall; and a diffusion film covering on an outer surface of the glass lamp tube, wherein a length of the LED light strip is longer than a length of the main body region of the glass lamp tube.

2. The LED tube lamp of claim 1, wherein each of the two end caps comprises an insulating end wall, two conductive pins and at least one opening, the two conductive pins and the opening are arranged on the insulating end wall.

3. The LED tube lamp of claim 2, wherein the LED light strip further comprises a mounting region and a connecting region, the plurality of LED light sources are mounted on the mounting region, the connecting region electrically connecting the plurality of LED light sources to the power supply, further wherein the connecting region, one of the rear end regions, the adhesive and one of the lateral wall are stacked sequentially in a radial direction of the glass lamp tube.

4. The LED tube lamp of claim 3, wherein the LED tube lamp further comprises a reflective film covering a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube.

5. The LED tube lamp of claim 4, wherein the reflective film are disposed on two opposite sides of the LED light sources.

6. The LED tube lamp of claim 5, wherein the LED light strip and the reflective film are stacked on each other in the radial direction of the glass lamp tube and are fixed on the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube.

7. The LED tube lamp of claim 6, wherein at least one of the two end caps comprises a socket, the circuit board of the power supply are inserted into the socket.

8. The LED tube lamp of claim 6, wherein an outer diameter of each of the lateral wall is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the main body region.

9. The LED tube lamp of claim 8, wherein the outer diameter of each of the two rear end regions is less than the outer diameter of the main body region.

10. The LED tube lamp of claim 6, wherein the mounting region is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the main body and the connecting region is detached from the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube to form a freely extending end portion.

11. The LED tube lamp of claim 10, wherein the freely extending end portion of the LED light strip is directly soldered to the circuit board of the power supply.

12. An LED tube lamp, comprising: a glass lamp tube comprising a main body region and two rear end regions, each of the two rear end regions coupled to a respective end of the main body region; two end caps, each of the two end caps coupled to a respective rear end region, each of the end caps comprising a lateral wall and an end wall, wherein the lateral wall is substantially coaxial with the glass lamp tube and sleeving with the respective rear end region, the end wall is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the glass lamp tube; an adhesive disposed between each of the lateral wall and each of the rear end regions; an LED light strip attached to an inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube with a plurality of LED light sources mounted on the LED light strip; a power supply comprising a circuit board electrically connecting to the LED light strip, the circuit board comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to and substantially parallel to the first surface, and the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board are substantially parallel with the axial direction of the lateral wall; and a diffusion layer covering on an inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube, wherein a length of the LED light strip is longer than a length of the main body region of the glass lamp tube.

13. The LED tube lamp of claim 12, wherein each of the two end caps comprises an insulating end wall, two conductive pins and at least one opening, the two conductive pins and the opening are arranged on the insulating end wall.

14. The LED tube lamp of claim 13, wherein the LED light strip further comprises a mounting region and a connecting region, the plurality of LED light sources are mounted on the mounting region, the connecting region electrically connecting the plurality of LED light sources to the power supply, further wherein the connecting region, one of the rear end regions, the adhesive and one of the lateral wall are stacked sequentially in a radial direction of the glass lamp tube.

15. The LED tube lamp of claim 14, wherein the LED tube lamp further comprises a reflective film covering a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube.

16. The LED tube lamp of claim 15, wherein the reflective film are disposed on two opposite sides of the LED light sources.

17. The LED tube lamp of claim 16, wherein the LED light strip and the reflective film are stacked on each other in the radial direction of the glass lamp tube and are fixed on the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube.

18. The LED tube lamp of claim 17, wherein a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube not covered by the reflective film is covered by the diffusion layer.

19. The LED tube lamp of claim 18, wherein at least one of the two end caps comprises a socket, the circuit board of the power supply are inserted into the socket.

20. The LED tube lamp of claim 18, wherein an outer diameter of each of the lateral wall is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the main body region.

21. The LED tube lamp of claim 20, wherein the outer diameter of each of the two rear end regions is less than the outer diameter of the main body region.

22. The LED tube lamp of claim 18, wherein the mounting region is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the main body and the connecting region is detached from the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube to form a freely extending end portion.

23. The LED tube lamp of claim 22, wherein the freely extending end portion of the LED light strip is directly soldered to the circuit board of the power supply.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is an exploded view schematically illustrating the LED tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the end cap according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a side view schematically illustrating the end cap according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 4A is a perspective view schematically illustrating the soldering pad of the bendable circuit sheet of the LED light strip for soldering connection with the printed circuit board of the power supply of the LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 4B is a plane cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a single-layered structure of the bendable circuit sheet of the LED light strip of the LED tube lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form a circle;

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form a partial circle;

[0037] FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form two partial circles;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form two concentric circles;

[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form concentric partial circles;

[0040] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form concentric partial circles;

[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically illustrating at least one opening is located on an end surface of the end cap, and at least one opening is located on an outer circumferential surface of the end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 12 is an exploded view schematically illustrating the LED tube lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form a circle;

[0044] FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form a partial circle;

[0045] FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form two partial circles;

[0046] FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form two concentric circles;

[0047] FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form concentric partial circles;

[0048] FIG. 18 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention which are arranged to form concentric partial circles;

[0049] FIG. 19 is a perspective view schematically illustrating at least one opening is located on an end surface of the electrically insulating tubular part of the end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and at least one opening is located on an outer circumferential surface of the electrically insulating tubular part of the end cap;

[0050] FIG. 20 is an exploded view schematically illustrating the LED tube lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] FIGS. 21-26 are perspective views schematically illustrating the at least one opening of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention which is in a shape of arc;

[0052] FIG. 27 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the openings of end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention which are in a shape of partial circle;

[0053] FIG. 28 is a perspective view schematically illustrating openings on the outer circumferential surface of the electrically insulating tubular part of the end cap of the LED tube lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be in a shape of line, and at least one opening on the end surface of the electrically insulating tubular part of end cap is in a shape of partial circle;

[0054] FIG. 29A is an exploded view schematically illustrating the LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the glass lamp tube has only one inlets located at its one end while the other end is entirely sealed or integrally formed with tube body;

[0055] FIG. 29B is an exploded view schematically illustrating the LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the glass lamp tube has two inlets respectively located at its two ends;

[0056] FIG. 29C is an exploded view schematically illustrating the LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the glass lamp tube has two inlets respectively located at its two ends, and two power supplies are respectively disposed in two end caps;

[0057] FIG. 30 is a plane cross-sectional view schematically illustrating inside structure of the glass lamp tube of the LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein two reflective films are respectively adjacent to two sides of the LED light strip along the circumferential direction of the glass lamp tube;

[0058] FIG. 31 is a plane cross-sectional view schematically illustrating inside structure of the glass lamp tube of the LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein two reflective films are respectively adjacent to two sides of the LED light strip along the circumferential direction of the glass lamp tube and a diffusion film is disposed covering the LED light sources;

[0059] FIG. 32 is an exemplary exploded view schematically illustrating the LED tube lamp according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] FIG. 33 is a plane cross-sectional view schematically illustrating end structure of a lamp tube of the LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] FIG. 34 is a plane cross-sectional partial view schematically illustrating a connecting region of the end cap and the lamp tube of the LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0062] FIG. 35 is a plane sectional view schematically illustrating the LED light strip is a bendable circuit sheet with ends thereof passing across the transition region of the lamp tube of the LED tube lamp to be soldering bonded to the output terminals of the power supply according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0063] The present disclosure provides a novel LED tube lamp based on the glass made lamp tube to solve the abovementioned problems. 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 thatexamplesand 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 detailit 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.

[0064] 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% to 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 1, an LED tube lamp in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a glass lamp tube 1, two end caps 3 respectively disposed at two ends of the glass lamp tube 1, a power supply 5, and an LED light strip 2 disposed inside the glass lamp tube 1.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the end cap 3 includes a socket 305 for connection with a power supply 5. The power supply 5 is provided inside the end cap 3 and can be fixed in the socket 305. The power supply 5 has a metal pin 52 at one end, while the end cap 3 has a hollow conductive pin 301 to accommodate the metal pin 52 of the power supply 5. In one embodiment, the electrically insulating tubular part 302 is not limited to being made of plastic or ceramic, any material that is not a good electrical conductor can be used. In some one embodiment, the end cap 3 may further include an electrically insulating tubular part 302.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, the LED light strip 2 is disposed inside the glass lamp tube 1 with a plurality of LED light sources 202 mounted on the LED light strip 2. The LED light strip 2 has a bendable circuit sheet 205 electrically connecting the LED light sources 202 with the power supply 5. The length of the bendable circuit sheet 205 is larger than the length of the glass lamp tube 1. The glass lamp tube 1 and the end cap 3 are secured by a highly thermal conductive silicone gel. The bendable circuit sheet 205 has at least one end extending beyond one of two ends of the glass lamp tube 1 to form a freely extending end portions 21. In one embodiment, the bendable circuit sheet 205 has a first end 2051 and a second end 2052 opposite to each other along the first direction, and at least the first end 2051 of the bendable circuit sheet 205 is bent away from the glass lamp tube 1 to form the freely extending end portion 21 along a longitudinal direction of the glass lamp tube 1. In some embodiments, if two power supplies 5 are adopted, then the second end 2052 might be bent away from the glass lamp tube 1 to form another freely extending end portion 21 along the longitudinal direction of the glass lamp tube 1. The freely extending end portion 21 is electrically connected to the power supply 5. Specifically, the power supply 5 has soldering pads a which are capable of being soldered with the soldering pads b of the freely extending end portion 21 by soldering material g.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 4B, in the third embodiment, the bendable circuit sheet 205 is made of a metal layer structure 2a. The thickness range of the metal layer structure 2a may be 10 m to 50 m and the metal layer structure 2a may be a patterned wiring layer.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 11, in order to dissipate heat resulting from the power supply 5, the end cap 3 has openings 304. In some embodiments, the openings 304 may be located on end surface 3021 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302 of the end cap 3. In some embodiments, the openings 304 may be adjacent to an edge of the end surface 3021 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302 of the end cap 3. In some embodiments, the openings 304 may be arranged to form a circle as shown in FIG. 5, or a partial circle as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the openings 304 may be arranged to form two concentric circles as shown in FIG. 8, or two concentric partial circles as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 11, in some embodiments, at least one of the openings 304 is located on end surface 3021 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302 of the end cap 3, and at least one of the openings 304 is located on outer circumferential surface 3023 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302 of the end cap 3.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 12, an LED tube lamp in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention includes a glass lamp tube 1, end cap 30a and end cap 30b, a power supply 5, and an LED light strip 2 disposed inside the glass lamp tube 1.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 12, the end caps 30a and 30b are different in size, in which the end cap 30a is smaller than the end cap 30b. The end caps 30a and 30b are respectively disposed at two ends of the glass lamp tube 1. The larger end cap 30b includes an electrically insulating tubular part 302. The electrically insulating tubular part 302 is sleeved with the end of the glass lamp tube 1. In one embodiment, the electrically insulating tubular part 302 is not limited to being made of plastic or ceramic, any material that is not a good electrical conductor can be used.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 12, the power supply 5 is fixed inside the larger end cap 30b. The power supply 5 has two metal pins 52 at one end, while the end cap 30b has two hollow conductive pins 301 to accommodate the metal pins 52 of the power supply 5. In some embodiments, even though only one power supply 5 is needed, the smaller end cap 30a may also have two dummy hollow conductive pins 301 for the purpose of fixing and installation.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 12, the LED light strip 2 is disposed inside the glass lamp tube 1 with a plurality of LED light sources 202 mounted on the LED light strip 2. The LED light strip 2 has a bendable circuit sheet 205 electrically connect the LED light sources 202 with the power supply 5. The length of the bendable circuit sheet 205 is larger than the length of the glass lamp tube 1. The glass lamp tube 1 and the end cap 3 are secured by a highly thermal conductive silicone gel. In one embodiment, the bendable circuit sheet 205 has a first end 2051 and a second end 2052 opposite to each other along the first direction, and at least the first end 2051 of the bendable circuit sheet 205 is bent away from the glass lamp tube 1 to form a freely extending end portion 21 along a longitudinal direction of the glass lamp tube 1. In some embodiments, if two power supplies 5 are adopted, then the second end 2052 might be bent away from the glass lamp tube 1 to form another freely extending end portion 21 along the longitudinal direction of the glass lamp tube 1. The freely extending end portion 21 is electrically connected to the power supply 5. Specifically, the power supply 5 has soldering pads a which are capable of being soldered with the soldering pads b of the freely extending end portion 21 by soldering material g.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 13 to FIG. 19, in order to dissipate heat resulting from the power supply 5, the larger end cap 30b has openings 304. In some embodiments, the openings 304 may be located on end surface 3021 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302. In some embodiments, the openings 304 may be adjacent to an edge of the end surface 3021 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302. In some embodiments, the openings 304 may be arranged to form a circle as shown in FIG. 13, or a partial circle as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. In some embodiments, the openings 304 may be arranged to form concentric circles as shown in FIG. 16, or concentric partial circles as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18

[0077] Referring to FIG. 19, in some embodiments, at least one of the openings 304 is located on an end surface 3021 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302, and at least one of the openings 304 is located on an outer circumferential surface 3023 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 20, an LED tube lamp in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention includes a glass lamp tube 1, two end caps 3, a power supply 5, and an LED light strip 2.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 20, the two end caps 3 are respectively disposed at one end of the glass lamp tube 1. At least one of the end caps 3 includes a socket 305 for connection with a power supply 5. The power supply 5 is provided inside the end cap 3 and can be fixed in the socket 305. The power supply 5 has a metal pin 52 at one end, while the end cap 3 has a hollow conductive pin 301 to accommodate the metal pin 52 of the power supply 5. In one embodiment, the electrically insulating tubular part 302 is not limited to being made of plastic or ceramic, any material that is not a good electrical conductor can be used.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 20, the LED light strip 2 is disposed inside the glass lamp tube 1 with a plurality of LED light sources 202 mounted on the LED light strip 2. The LED light strip 2 is electrically connected with the power supply 5. In some embodiments, the light strip 2 has a bendable circuit sheet 205. The length of the bendable circuit sheet 205 is larger than the length of the glass lamp tube 1. The bendable circuit sheet 205 has a first end 2051 and a second end 2052 opposite to each other along the first direction, and at least the first end 2051 of the bendable circuit sheet 205 is bent away from the glass lamp tube 1 to form a freely extending end portion 21 along a longitudinal direction of the glass lamp tube 1. In some embodiments, if two power supplies 5 are adopted, then the second end 2052 might be bent away from the glass lamp tube 1 to form another freely extending end portion 21 along the longitudinal direction of the glass lamp tube 1. The freely extending end portion 21 is electrically connected to the power supply 5. Specifically, the power supply 5 has soldering pads a which are capable of being soldered with the soldering pads b of the freely extending end portion 21 by soldering material g. In some embodiments, the glass lamp tube 1 and the end caps 3 are secured by a highly thermal conductive silicone gel.

[0081] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the shape of opening 304 is not limited to be a circle. The openings 304 can be designed to be in a shape of arc as shown in FIG. 21 to FIG. 26, or in a shape of partial circle as shown in FIG. 27. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 28, the openings 304 on the outer circumferential surface 3023 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302 may be in a shape of line, and the opening 304 on the end surface 3021 of the electrically insulating tubular part 302 is in a shape of partial circle.

[0082] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the openings 304 disposed on the surface of the end cap 3 may help to dissipate heat resulting from the power supply 5 by passing through the end cap 3 such that the reliability of the LED tube lamp could be improved. While in some embodiments, the openings 304 disposed on the surface of the end cap 3 may not pass through the end cap 3 for heat dissipation. In those embodiments using highly thermal conductive silicone gel to secure the glass lamp tube 1 and the end caps 3, the openings 304 may also accelerate the solidification process of the melted highly thermal conductive gel.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 29A, FIG. 29B and FIG. 29C, an LED tube lamp in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a glass lamp tube 1, an LED light strip 2 disposed inside the glass lamp tube 1, and one end cap 3 disposed at one end of the glass lamp tube 1. Each of the end caps 3 has at least one pin. As shown in FIG. 1 A, FIG. 29B, and FIG. 29C, there are two pins on each end cap 3 to be connected with an outer electrical power source. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29A, the glass lamp tube 1 may have only one inlet located at one end while the other end is entirely sealed or integrally formed with tube body. The LED light strip 2 is disposed inside the glass lamp tube 1 with a plurality of LED light sources 202 mounted on the LED light strip 2. The end cap 3 is disposed at the end of the glass lamp tube 1 where the inlet located, and the power supply 5 is provided inside the end cap 3. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29B, the glass lamp tube 1 may have two inlets, two end caps 3 respectively disposed at two ends of the glass lamp tube 1, and one power supply 5 provided inside one of the end caps 3. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29C, the glass lamp tube 1 may have two inlets, two end caps 3 respectively disposed at two ends of the glass lamp tube 1, and two power supplies 5 respectively provided inside the two end caps 3.

[0084] The glass lamp tube 1 is covered by a heat shrink sleeve 19. The thickness of the heat shrink sleeve 19 may range from 20 m to 200 m. The heat shrink sleeve 19 is substantially transparent with respect to the wavelength of light from the LED light sources 202 such that only a slight part of the lights transmitting through the glass lamp tube is absorbed by the heat shrink sleeve 19. The heat shrink sleeve 19 may be made of PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) or PTFE (poly tetra fluoro ethylene). Since the thickness of the heat shrink sleeve 19 is only 20 m to 200 m, the light absorbed by the heat shrink sleeve 19 is negligible. At least a part of the inner surface of the glass lamp tube 1 is formed with a rough surface and the roughness of the inner surface is higher than that of the outer surface, such that the light from the LED light sources 202 can be uniformly spread when transmitting through the glass lamp tube 1. In some embodiments, the roughness of the inner surface of the glass lamp tube 1 may range from 0.1 m to 40 m.

[0085] The glass lamp tube 1 and the end cap 3 are secured by a highly thermal conductive silicone gel disposed between an inner surface of the end cap 3 and outer surfaces of the glass lamp tube 1. In some embodiments, the highly thermal conductive silicone gel has a thermal conductivity not less than 0.7 w/mk. In some embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the highly thermal conductive silicone gel is not less than 2 w/mk. In some embodiments, the highly thermal conducive silicone gel is of high viscosity, and the end cap 3 and the end of the glass lamp tube 1 could be secured by using the highly thermal conductive silicone gel and therefore qualified in a torque test of 1.5 to 5 newton-meters (Nt-m) and/or in a bending test of 5 to 10 newton-meters (Nt-m). The highly thermal conductive silicone gel has excellent weatherability and can prevent moisture from entering inside of the glass lamp tube 1, which improves the durability and reliability of the LED tube lamp.

[0086] In some embodiments, the inner surface of the glass lamp tube 1 is coated with an anti-reflection layer with a thickness of one quarter of the wavelength range of light coming from the LED light sources 202. With the anti-reflection layer, more light from the LED light sources 202 can transmit through the glass lamp tube 1. In some embodiments, the refractive index of the anti-reflection layer is a square root of the refractive index of the glass lamp tube 1 with a tolerance of 20%.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 29A, FIG. 29B and FIG. 29C, an LED tube lamp in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes a glass lamp tube 1, an LED light strip 2, and one end cap 3 disposed at one end of the glass lamp tube 1. At least a part of the inner surface of the glass lamp tube 1 is formed with a rough surface and the roughness of the inner surface is higher than that of the outer surface.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 30, in some embodiments, the glass lamp tube 1 may further include one or more reflective films 12 disposed on the inner surface of the glass lamp tube 1. The reflective film 12 can be positioned on two sides of the LED light strip 2. And in some embodiments, a ratio of a length of the reflective film 12 disposed on the inner surface of the glass lamp tube 1 extending along the circumferential direction of the glass lamp tube 1 to a circumferential length of the glass lamp tube 1 may be about 0.3 to 0.5, which means about 30% to 50% of the inner surface area may be covered by the reflective film(s) 12. The reflective film 12 may be made of PET with some reflective materials such as strontium phosphate or barium sulfate or any combination thereof, with a thickness between about 140 m and about 350 m or between about 150 m and about 220 m for a more preferred effect in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the part of the inner surface which is not covered by the reflective film 12 is formed with the rough surface. As shown in FIG. 30, a part of light 209 from LED light sources 202 are reflected by two reflective films 12 such that the light 209 from the LED light sources 202 can be centralized to a determined direction.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 31, in some embodiments, the glass lamp tube 1 may further include a diffusion film 13 so that the light emitted from the plurality of LED light sources 202 is transmitted through the diffusion film 13 and the glass lamp tube 1. The diffusion film 13 can be in form of various types, such as a coating onto the inner wall or outer wall of the glass lamp tube 1, or a diffusion coating layer (not shown) coated at the surface of each LED light sources 202, or a separate membrane covering the LED light sources 202. The glass lamp tube 1 also includes a heat shrink sleeve 19 and a plurality of inner roughness 17.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 31, the diffusion film 13 is in form of a sheet, and it covers but not in contact with the LED light sources 202. In some embodiments, the diffusion film 13 can be disposed on the inner surface or the outer surface of the lamp tube. The diffusion film 13 in form of a sheet is usually called an optical diffusion sheet or board, usually a composite made of mixing diffusion particles into polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and/or polycarbonate (PC), and/or any combination thereof. The light passing through such composite is diffused to expand in a wide range of space such as a light emitted from a plane source, and therefore makes the brightness of the LED tube lamp uniform.

[0091] The diffusion film 13 may be in form of an optical diffusion coating, which is composed of any one of calcium carbonate, halogen calcium phosphate and aluminum oxide, or any combination thereof. When the optical diffusion coating is made from a calcium carbonate with suitable solution, an excellent light diffusion effect and transmittance to exceed 90% can be obtained.

[0092] In some embodiments, the composition of the diffusion film 13 in form of the optical diffusion coating may include calcium carbonate, strontium phosphate, thickener, and a ceramic activated carbon. Specifically, such an optical diffusion coating on the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube 1 has an average thickness ranging from about 20 to about 30 m. A light transmittance of the diffusion film 13 using this optical diffusion coating may be about 90%. Generally speaking, the light transmittance of the diffusion film 13 may range from 85% to 96%. In addition, this diffusion film 13 can also provide electrical isolation for reducing risk of electric shock to a user upon breakage of the glass lamp tube 1. Furthermore, the diffusion film 13 provides an improved illumination distribution uniformity of the light outputted by the LED light sources 202 such that the light can illuminate the back of the light sources 202 and the side edges of the bendable circuit sheet 205 so as to avoid the formation of dark regions inside the glass lamp tube 1 and improve the illumination comfort. In another possible embodiment, the light transmittance of the diffusion film can be 92% to 94% while the thickness ranges from about 200 to about 300 m.

[0093] In another embodiment, the optical diffusion coating can also be made of a mixture including calcium carbonate-based substance, some reflective substances like strontium phosphate or barium sulfate, a thickening agent, ceramic activated carbon, and deionized water. The mixture is coated on the inner circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube 1 and may have an average thickness ranging from about 20 to about 30 m. In view of the diffusion phenomena in microscopic terms, light is reflected by particles. The particle size of the reflective substance such as strontium phosphate or barium sulfate will be much larger than the particle size of the calcium carbonate. Therefore, adding a small amount of reflective substance in the optical diffusion coating can effectively increase the diffusion effect of light.

[0094] Halogen calcium phosphate or aluminum oxide can also serve as the main material for forming the diffusion film 13. The particle size of the calcium carbonate may be about 2 to 4 m, while the particle size of the halogen calcium phosphate and aluminum oxide may be about 4 to 6 m and 1 to 2 m, respectively. When the light transmittance is required to be 85% to 92%, the required average thickness for the optical diffusion coating mainly having the calcium carbonate may be about 20 to about 30 m, while the required average thickness for the optical diffusion coating mainly having the halogen calcium phosphate may be about 25 to about 35 m, the required average thickness for the optical diffusion coating mainly having the aluminum oxide may be about 10 to about 15 m. However, when the required light transmittance is up to 92% and even higher, the optical diffusion coating mainly having the calcium carbonate, the halogen calcium phosphate, or the aluminum oxide must be thinner.

[0095] The main material and the corresponding thickness of the optical diffusion coating can be decided according to the place for which the glass lamp tube 1 is used and the light transmittance required. It is to be noted that the higher the light transmittance of the diffusion film 13 is required, the more apparent the grainy visual of the light sources is.

[0096] In some embodiments the inner peripheral surface or the outer circumferential surface of the glass lamp tube 1 may be further covered or coated with an adhesive film (not shown) to isolate the inside from the outside of the glass lamp tube 1. In this embodiment, the adhesive film is coated on the inner peripheral surface of the glass lamp tube 1. The material for the coated adhesive film includes methyl vinyl silicone oil, hydro silicone oil, xylene, and calcium carbonate, wherein xylene is used as an auxiliary material. The xylene will be volatilized and removed when the coated adhesive film on the inner surface of the glass lamp tube 1 solidifies or hardens. The xylene is mainly used to adjust the capability of adhesion and therefore to control the thickness of the coated adhesive film.

[0097] In some embodiments, the thickness of the coated adhesive film may be between about 100 and about 140 micrometers (m). The adhesive film having a thickness being less than 100 micrometers may not have sufficient shatterproof capability for the glass lamp tube 1, and the glass lamp tube 1 is thus prone to crack or shatter. The adhesive film having a thickness being larger than 140 micrometers may reduce the light transmittance and also increases material cost. The thickness of the coated adhesive film may be between about 10 and about 800 micrometers (m) when the shatterproof capability and the light transmittance are not strictly demanded.

[0098] In some embodiments, the LED tube lamp according to the embodiment of present invention can include an optical adhesive sheet. Various kinds of the optical adhesive sheet can be combined to constitute various embodiments of the present invention. The optical adhesive sheet, which is a clear or transparent material, is applied or coated on the surface of the LED light source 202 in order to ensure optimal light transmittance. After being applied to the LED light sources 202, the optical adhesive sheet may have a granular, strip-like or sheet-like shape. The performance of the optical adhesive sheet depends on its refractive index and thickness. The refractive index of the optical adhesive sheet is in some embodiments between 1.22 and 1.6. In some embodiments, it is better for the optical adhesive sheet to have a refractive index being a square root of the refractive index of the housing or casing of the LED light source 202, or the square root of the refractive index of the housing or casing of the LED light source 202 plus or minus 15%, to contribute better light transmittance. The housing/casing of the LED light sources 202 is a structure to accommodate and carry the LED dies (or chips) such as a LED lead frame. The refractive index of the optical adhesive sheet may range from 1.225 to 1.253. In some embodiments, the thickness of the optical adhesive sheet may range from 1.1 mm to 1.3 mm. The optical adhesive sheet having a thickness less than 1.1 mm may not be able to cover the LED light sources 202, while the optical adhesive sheet having a thickness more than 1.3 mm may reduce light transmittance and increases material cost.

[0099] In process of assembling the LED light sources to the LED light strip 2, the optical adhesive sheet is firstly applied on the LED light sources 202; then an insulation adhesive sheet is coated on one side of the LED light strip 2; then the LED light sources 202 are fixed or mounted on the LED light strip 2; the other side of the LED light strip 2 being opposite to the side of mounting the LED light sources 202 is bonded and affixed to the inner surface of the lamp tube 1 by an adhesive sheet; finally, the end cap 3 is fixed to the end portion of the lamp tube 1, and the LED light sources 202 and the power supply 5 are electrically connected by the LED light strip 2.

[0100] In one embodiment, each of the LED light sources 202 may be provided with a LED lead frame having a recess, and an LED chip disposed in the recess. The recess may be one or more than one in amount. The recess may be filled with phosphor covering the LED chip to convert emitted light therefrom into a desired light color. Compared with a conventional LED chip being a substantial square, the LED chip in this embodiment is in some embodiments rectangular with the dimension of the length side to the width side at a ratio ranges generally from about 2:1 to about 10:1, in some embodiments from about 2.5:1 to about 5:1, and in some more desirable embodiments from 3:1 to 4.5:1. Moreover, the LED chip is in some embodiments arranged with its length direction extending along the length direction of the glass lamp tube 1 to increase the average current density of the LED chip and improve the overall illumination field shape of the glass lamp tube 1. The glass lamp tube 1 may have a number of LED light sources 202 arranged into one or more rows, and each row of the LED light sources 202 is arranged along the length direction (Y-direction) of the glass lamp tube 1.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, a glass made lamp tube of an LED tube lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention has structure-strengthened end regions described as follows. The glass made lamp tube 1 includes a main body region 102, two rear end regions 101 (or just end regions 101) respectively formed at two ends of the main body region 102, and end caps 3 that respectively sleeve the rear end regions 101. The outer diameter of at least one of the rear end regions 101 is less than the outer diameter of the main body region 102. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 15, the outer diameters of the two rear end regions 101 are less than the outer diameter of the main body region 102. In addition, the surface of the rear end region 101 is in substantially parallel with the surface of the main body region 102 in a cross-sectional view. Specifically, the glass made lamp tube 1 is strengthened at both ends, such that the rear end regions 101 are formed to be strengthened structures. In certain embodiments, the rear end regions 101 with strengthened structure are respectively sleeved with the end caps 3, and the outer diameters of the end caps 3 and the main body region 102 have little or no differences. For example, the end caps 3 may have the same or substantially the same outer diameters as that of the main body region 102 such that there is no gap between the end caps 3 and the main body region 102. In this way, a supporting seat in a packing box for transportation of the LED tube lamp contacts not only the end caps 3 but also the lamp tube 1 and makes uniform the loadings on the entire LED tube lamp to avoid situations where only the end caps 3 are forced, therefore preventing breakage at the connecting portion between the end caps 3 and the rear end regions 101 due to stress concentration. The quality and the appearance of the product are therefore improved.

[0102] Referring FIG. 34, in one embodiment, one end of the thermal conductive member 303 extends away from the electrically insulating tube 302 of the end cap 3 and towards one end of the lamp tube 1, and is bonded and adhered to the end of the lamp tube 1 using a hot melt adhesive 6. In this way, the end cap 3 by way of the thermal conductive member 303 extends to the transition region 103 of the lamp tube 1. In one embodiment, the thermal conductive member 303 and the transition region 103 are closely connected such that the hot melt adhesive 6 would not overflow out of the end cap 3 and remain on the main body region 102 when using the hot melt adhesive 6 to join the thermal conductive member 303 and the lamp tube 1. In addition, the electrically insulating tube 302 facing toward the lamp tube 1 does not have an end extending to the transition region 103, and that there is a gap between the electrically insulating tube 302 and the transition region 103. In one embodiment, the electrically insulating tube 302 is not limited to being made of plastic or ceramic, any material that is not a good electrical conductor can be used.

[0103] The hot melt adhesive 6 is a composite including a so-called commonly known as welding mud powder, and in some embodiments includes one or more of phenolic resin 2127#, shellac, rosin, calcium carbonate powder, zinc oxide, and ethanol. Rosin is a thickening agent with a feature of being dissolved in ethanol but not dissolved in water. In one embodiment, a hot melt adhesive 6 having rosin could be expanded to change its physical status to become solidified when being heated to high temperature in addition to the intrinsic viscosity. Therefore, the end cap 3 and the lamp tube 1 can be adhered closely by using the hot melt adhesive to accomplish automatic manufacture for the LED tube lamps. In one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive 6 may be expansive and flowing and finally solidified after cooling. In this embodiment, the volume of the hot melt adhesive 6 expands to about 1.3 times the original size when heated from room temperature to about 200 to 250 degrees Celsius. The hot melt adhesive 6 is not limited to the materials recited herein. Alternatively, a material for the hot melt adhesive 6 to be solidified immediately when heated to a predetermined temperature can be used. The hot melt adhesive 6 provided in each embodiments of the present invention is durable with respect to high temperature inside the end caps 3 due to the heat resulted from the power supply. Therefore, the lamp tube 1 and the end caps 3 could be secured to each other without decreasing the reliability of the LED tube lamp.

[0104] Furthermore, there is formed an accommodation space between the inner surface of the thermal conductive member 303 and the outer surface of the lamp tube 1 to accommodate the hot melt adhesive 6, as indicated by the dotted line B in FIG. 34. For example, the hot melt adhesive 6 can be filled into the accommodation space at a location where a first hypothetical plane (as indicated by the dotted line B in FIG. 34) being perpendicular to the axial direction of the lamp tube 1 would pass through the thermal conductive member, the hot melt adhesive 6, and the outer surface of the lamp tube 1. The hot melt adhesive 6 may have a thickness, for example, of about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive 6 will be expansive to solidify in and connect with the lamp tube 1 and the end cap 3 to secure both. The transition region 103 brings a height difference between the rear end region 101 and the main body region 102 to avoid the hot melt adhesives 6 being overflowed onto the main body region 102, and thereby saves manpower to remove the overflowed adhesive and increase the LED tube lamp productivity. The hot melt adhesive 6 is heated by receiving heat from the thermal conductive member 303 to which an electricity from an external heating equipment is applied, and then expands and finally solidifies after cooling, such that the end caps 3 are adhered to the lamp tube 1.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 34, in one embodiment, the electrically insulating tube 302 of the end cap 3 includes a first tubular part 302a and a second tubular part 302b connected along an axial direction of the lamp tube 1. The outer diameter of the second tubular part 302b is less than the outer diameter of the first tubular part 302a. In some embodiments, the outer diameter difference between the first tubular part 302a and the second tubular part 302b is between about 0.15 mm and about 0.30 mm. The thermal conductive member 303 sleeves over the outer circumferential surface of the second tubular part 302b. The outer surface of the thermal conductive member 303 is coplanar or substantially flush with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the first tubular part 302a. For example, the thermal conductive member 303 and the first tubular part 302a have substantially uniform exterior diameters from end to end. As a result, the entire end cap 3 and thus the entire LED tube lamp may be smooth with respect to the outer appearance and may have a substantially uniform tubular outer surface, such that the loading during transportation on the entire LED tube lamp is also uniform. In one embodiment, a ratio of the length of the thermal conductive member 303 along the axial direction of the end cap 3 to the axial length of the electrically insulating tube 302 ranges from about 1:2.5 to about 1:5.

[0106] In one embodiment, for the sake of securing adhesion between the end cap 3 and the lamp tube 1, the second tubular part 302b is at least partially disposed around the lamp tube 1, and the accommodation space further includes a space encompassed by the inner surface of the second tubular part 302b and the outer surface of the rear end region 101 of the lamp tube 1. The hot melt adhesive 6 is at least partially filled in an overlapped region (shown by a dotted line A in FIG. 34) between the inner surface of the second tubular part 302b and the outer surface of the rear end region 101 of the lamp tube 1. For example, the hot melt adhesive 6 may be filled into the accommodation space at a location where a second hypothetical plane (shown by the dotted line A in FIG. 34) being perpendicular to the axial direction of the lamp tube 1 would pass through the thermal conductive member 303, the second tubular part 302b, the hot melt adhesive 6, and the rear end region 101.

[0107] The hot melt adhesive 6 is not required to completely fill the entire accommodation space as shown in FIG. 34, especially where a gap is reserved or formed between the thermal conductive member 303 and the second tubular part 302b. For example, in some embodiments, the hot melt adhesive 6 can be only partially filled into the accommodation space. During manufacturing of the LED tube lamp, the amount of the hot melt adhesive 6 coated and applied between the thermal conductive member 303 and the rear end region 101 may be appropriately increased, such that in the subsequent heating process, the hot melt adhesive 6 can be caused to expand and flow in between the second tubular part 302b and the rear end region 101, and thereby solidify after cooling to join the second tubular part 302b and the rear end region 101.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 35, in the embodiment, the bendable circuit sheet 2 passes the transition region 103 to be soldered or traditionally wire-bonded with the power supply 5. The ends of the LED light strip 2 including the bendable circuit sheet are arranged to pass over the strengthened transition region 103 and directly soldering bonded to an output terminal of the power supply 5 such that the product quality is improved without using wires. in the embodiment, the lamp tube 1 includes the rear end region 101, the main body region 102, and the transition region 103. The length of the LED light strip 2 is greater than that of the main body region 102 of the lamp tube 1 along the axial direction of the LED tube lamp. The freely extending end portions 21 of the LED light strip 2 extends beyond the interface between the main body region 102 and the transition region 103 while the LED light strip 2 is properly positioned in the lamp tube 1.

[0109] In addition, in some embodiments, the length of the LED light strip 2 is greater than that of the sum of the rear end region 101, the main body region 102, and the transition region 103 of the lamp tube 1 along the axial direction of the LED tube lamp. The freely extending end portions 21 of the LED light strip 2 extends beyond the rear end region 101 towards inside of the end cap 3 while the LED light strip 2 is properly positioned in the lamp tube 1.

[0110] The above-mentioned 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.