EP0210877A1 - Fluorescent-tube lamp - Google Patents

Fluorescent-tube lamp Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0210877A1
EP0210877A1 EP86401162A EP86401162A EP0210877A1 EP 0210877 A1 EP0210877 A1 EP 0210877A1 EP 86401162 A EP86401162 A EP 86401162A EP 86401162 A EP86401162 A EP 86401162A EP 0210877 A1 EP0210877 A1 EP 0210877A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluorescent tube
lamp
base
loops
polygonal
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP86401162A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Guy Nathan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ELENE SA
Original Assignee
ELENE SA
Societe National Elf Aquitaine
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Application filed by ELENE SA, Societe National Elf Aquitaine filed Critical ELENE SA
Publication of EP0210877A1 publication Critical patent/EP0210877A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/30—Vessels; Containers
    • H01J61/32—Special longitudinal shape, e.g. for advertising purposes
    • H01J61/327—"Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/025—Associated optical elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluorescent tube lamp which can operate either on direct current or from the mains.
  • Fluorescent tube lamps operating on the mains are known, the fluorescent tube of which is supplied through an inductor limiting the current.
  • This self, called ballast is of a high weight and a large volume. Consequently, the fluorescent tube bulbs currently existing have dimensions greater than the normal dimensions of incandescent filament lamps and are of a significantly higher weight.
  • the object of the present invention is to produce a fluorescent tube lamp which overcomes the above drawbacks and which can have a range of light power corresponding to the light powers of filament lamps, while having equivalent weight and dimensions.
  • the fluorescent tube lamp comprises, in the enclosure formed by a hollow, cylindrical envelope, blind at one first end and closed at the other end by a base, a fluorescent tube forming a succession loops arranged along a polygonal contour, this fluorescent tube being mounted on an annular support and fixing plate of reflective material, said lamp further comprising a central reflector formed by a hollow cylinder whose base is an polygon with n sides , an electronic power supply and start-up circuit for the fluorescent tube.
  • a second object of the invention is to improve the efficiency of such a lamp.
  • the electronic circuit delivers, from a DC voltage supply, a current of frequency greater than the frequency of 50 hertz from the sector and having a form factor less than 1.7.
  • the central reflector is tightly mounted on a flange secured to the annular plate and comprises, at the end opposite to the annular plate, a pyramidal cap with a polygonal base, of which the polygon is angularly offset by , so as to have its sides parallel to the loops of the fluorescent tube adjacent to the first end.
  • a third object of the invention is to have a fluorescent tube lamp which can work in all applications.
  • This third object is achieved by the fact that, in the lamp, the DC voltage is obtained, either by an accumulator, or from the mains voltage, by a rectifier circuit integrated into the electronic circuit.
  • the polygonal contour of the loops of the fluorescent tube adjacent to the base is offset from the polygonal contour of the loops located near the first end of the enclosure by an angle .
  • the sides of the polygon of the base of the hollow cylinder of the central reflector are parallel to the polygonal contour of the loops of the fluorescent tube, adjacent to the base.
  • the polygonal contours are six or eight sides.
  • FIG. 1 represents a fluorescent tube lamp (5) according to the invention, having the normal dimensions of a filament lamp which are of the order of 70 mm in diameter and 180 mm in length.
  • This lamp comprises a base (1) provided with a thread (10) allowing, in known manner, its fixing in a socket.
  • a central connection stud (11) is connected by a wire (41) to a block (4) representing the electronic circuit making it possible, on the one hand, to perform the "starter” function for starting the lighting of the fluorescent tube, on the other hand, the "ballast” function for limiting the current during operation.
  • An insulator (12) makes it possible to electrically isolate the central stud (11) from the threaded part of the base to which the electronic circuit is connected by a second wire (40).
  • the wires (42) and (43) of the electronic circuit output (4) make it possible to supply, by the wire (43) a first end (52 f) of the fluorescent tube and by the wire (42) the second end (52 e) not visible from the fluorescent tube.
  • the fluorescent tube (5) describes, by forming loops, a circular path parallel to the annular edges (13) of the base (1).
  • On the external surface of the annular edge (13) is mounted, by any means known to those skilled in the art, a cylindrical hollow casing (20), blind at one end, so as to form a closed enclosure (2) with the nerve.
  • This hollow cylindrical envelope made of a material allowing the passage of light, is closed at its first end by a surface (21).
  • annular plate (3) On the internal surface of the annular rim (13) is mounted, by any means known to those skilled in the art, an annular plate (3), comprising a central orifice (31) provided a rim (30).
  • the annular plate (3) comprises, as can be seen in FIG. 1, an orifice (33) of dimension corresponding to the dimension of the fluorescent tube through which the end (52 f) of this tube passes which is connected by the conducting wire (43) to the electronic circuit (4).
  • the conductive wire (42) will be connected to the second end (52 e) of the tube which also passes through a hole (32) not shown and adjacent to the hole (33).
  • a reflector (6) is mounted on the edge of the plate (3) made of reflective material. This reflector (6) comprises, as can be seen in FIGS.
  • the cylindrical body (60) comprises, as can be seen in FIG. 2, a base whose vertices are coincident with the vertices of a hexagon and the sides connecting each vertex are constituted by arcs of a circle. This base will constitute what will be called subsequently a polygonal contour whose sides are (60 a) to (60 f).
  • the pyramid cap (61) also has a six-sided polygonal base (61 a) to (61 f) whose ends adjacent to the cylindrical body (60) form a curved surface which joins the vertices of the polygon forming the base of the cylinder.
  • the fluorescent tube (5) forms a succession of loops having a U-shaped section, so that two consecutive loops have their U-shaped section oriented in opposite directions. These loops are arranged parallel to the walls of the enclosure (2), of the reflector (6) and inside the hollow volume delimited by these walls.
  • a first loop is formed by the vertical portions (52 f, 52 fa) and by the portion (51 f) which is in the direction perpendicular to the portions (52 f, 52 fa) and parallel to the surface (21).
  • the next loop is constituted by the portions (52 fa, 52 a), which are in the direction parallel to the cylindrical sides (20) and (60 a) and by the central part (50 a), which is adjacent to the annular plate ( 3) and direction parallel thereto.
  • the loop having the central part the part (51 f) of the tube is in the opposite direction to the loop having the central part the part (50 a) of the tube.
  • the consecutive loop and direction identical to that having for central part the part (51 f) is constituted by the elements (52 a), (51a) and (52 ab).
  • the fluorescent tube is thus formed by a succession of loops, of the fluorescent tube, adjacent to the base (1) and of the plate (3) and a second succession of loops, of the fluorescent tube, adjacent to the first end (21) of the 'pregnant. These two sets of loops form a single continuous tube starting at the end (52 f) and ending at the end (52 e) that cannot be seen.
  • the loops (50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, 50 e), the loop (50 f) not existing because it is replaced by the connections (43) and (42), are arranged in a hexagonal outline , parallel to the hexagonal contour (60 a) to (60 e) of the cylinder (60) of the reflector (6).
  • the second series of loops comprising the central portions (51 f), (51 a), (51 e), loops which are located near the first end (21) of the enclosure, are arranged along a polygonal contour, parallel at the outline (61 a) to (61 f) constituting the base of the pyramid cap (61).
  • This arrangement allows in parallel to have the upper adjacent parts (51 a) and (51 b) arranged parallel to the faces (61 a) and (61 b) of the pyramid cap so that a radius (B), emerging from the face (51 a) of the tube, facing the pyramid cap, is reflected towards the outside of the enclosure closed by the surface (21). It will be the same for the radius (A) emitted by the face of the portion of the tube (51 b) turned towards the reflector (61 b). It will be noted that this arrangement of the elements makes it possible to release a hollow volume inside the cylindrical reflector (60).
  • This hollow volume communicates, through the orifice (31), with the part of the base (1) which contains the electronic circuit (4), which makes it possible, if necessary, to penetrate the electronic circuit (4) into this portion of volume hollow, if the need arises.
  • the electronic circuit (4) serving as "ballast", will operate at a frequency of the order of 20 to 25 KHz. This frequency, significantly higher than the sector frequency of 50 Hertz, clearly improves the light output of the fluorescent tube because of the better removal of electrons and cathodes by thermal agitation.
  • this electronic circuit (4) delivers to the electrodes of the ends of the fluorescent tube (5) a current having a form factor less than 1.7. We will recall that the form factor is equal to the ratio of the effective current on the peak current.
  • This electronic circuit (4) is intended to be supplied normally by a direct voltage of 12 or 24 volts which allows lamp applications for emergency lighting, for example.

Abstract

Lamp comprising in the enclosure (2) formed by a hollow cylindrical envelope (20) which is recessed at a first end (21) and closed at the other end by a cap (1), a fluorescent tube (5) forming a succession of loops arranged following a polygonal contour, characterised in that this tube is mounted on an annular support and fixing plate (3) made of a reflective material, the said lamp comprising, in addition, a central reflector (6) formed by a hollow cylinder (60) whose base is an n-sided polygon, and an electronic circuit (4) for powering and starting the fluorescent tube.

Description

La présente invention concerne une lampe à tube fluorescent qui puisse fonctionner, soit sur un courant continu, soit à partir du secteur.The present invention relates to a fluorescent tube lamp which can operate either on direct current or from the mains.

Il est connu des lampes à tube fluorescent fonctionnant sur secteur, dont le tube fluorescent est alimenté au travers d'une self limitant le courant. Cette self, dite de ballast, est d'un poids élevé et d'un volume important. Par conséquent, les ampoules à tube fluorescent existant actuel­lement présentent des dimensions supérieures aux dimensions normales des lampes à filaments incandescents et sont d'un poids nettement plus élevé. Ces inconvénients empêchent l'utilisation de ce type d'ampoule dès que le poids ou le volume de la lampe peut devenir une gêne (par exemple dans les lampes d'architecte).Fluorescent tube lamps operating on the mains are known, the fluorescent tube of which is supplied through an inductor limiting the current. This self, called ballast, is of a high weight and a large volume. Consequently, the fluorescent tube bulbs currently existing have dimensions greater than the normal dimensions of incandescent filament lamps and are of a significantly higher weight. These drawbacks prevent the use of this type of bulb as soon as the weight or volume of the lamp can become a nuisance (for example in architect's lamps).

La présente invention a pour but de réaliser une lampe à tube fluores­cent palliant les inconvénients ci-dessus et pouvant avoir une gamme de puissance lumineuse correspondant aux puissances lumineuses des lampes à filaments, tout en ayant un poids et des dimensions équivalentes.The object of the present invention is to produce a fluorescent tube lamp which overcomes the above drawbacks and which can have a range of light power corresponding to the light powers of filament lamps, while having equivalent weight and dimensions.

Ce premier but est atteint par le fait que la lampe à tube fluorescent comporte, dans l'enceinte formée par une enveloppe creuse, cylindrique, borgne à une première extrémité et fermée à l'autre extrémité par un culot, un tube fluorescent formant une succession de boucles disposées suivant un contour polygonal, ce tube fluorescent étant monté sur une plaque annulaire de support et de fixation en matériau réfléchissant, ladite lampe compor­tant, en outre, un réflecteur central formé par un cylindre creux dont la base est un polygone à n côtés, un circuit électronique d'alimentation et de démarrage du tube fluorescent.This first object is achieved by the fact that the fluorescent tube lamp comprises, in the enclosure formed by a hollow, cylindrical envelope, blind at one first end and closed at the other end by a base, a fluorescent tube forming a succession loops arranged along a polygonal contour, this fluorescent tube being mounted on an annular support and fixing plate of reflective material, said lamp further comprising a central reflector formed by a hollow cylinder whose base is an polygon with n sides , an electronic power supply and start-up circuit for the fluorescent tube.

Un deuxième but de l'invention est d'améliorer le rendement d'une telle lampe.A second object of the invention is to improve the efficiency of such a lamp.

Ce deuxième but est atteint par le fait que, dans la lampe, le circuit électronique délivre, à partir d'une alimentation en tension continue, un courant de fréquence supérieure à la fréquence de 50 hertz du secteur et ayant un facteur de forme inférieur à 1,7.This second object is achieved by the fact that, in the lamp, the electronic circuit delivers, from a DC voltage supply, a current of frequency greater than the frequency of 50 hertz from the sector and having a form factor less than 1.7.

Ce deuxième but est également atteint par le fait que, dans la lampe, le réflecteur central est monté serré sur une collerette solidaire de la plaque annulaire et comporte, à l'extrémité opposée à la plaque annulaire, un chapeau pyramidal à base polygonale, dont le polygone est décalé angu­lairement de

Figure imgb0001
, de façon à avoir ses côtés parallèles aux boucles du tube fluorescent adjacentes à la première extrémité.This second object is also achieved by the fact that, in the lamp, the central reflector is tightly mounted on a flange secured to the annular plate and comprises, at the end opposite to the annular plate, a pyramidal cap with a polygonal base, of which the polygon is angularly offset by
Figure imgb0001
 , so as to have its sides parallel to the loops of the fluorescent tube adjacent to the first end.

Un troisième but de l'invention est de disposer d'une lampe à tube fluorescent qui puisse fonctionner dans toutes les applications.A third object of the invention is to have a fluorescent tube lamp which can work in all applications.

Ce troisième but est atteint par le fait que, dans la lampe, la tension continue est obtenue, soit par un accumulateur, soit à partir de la tension du secteur, par un circuit redresseur intégré au circuit électronique.This third object is achieved by the fact that, in the lamp, the DC voltage is obtained, either by an accumulator, or from the mains voltage, by a rectifier circuit integrated into the electronic circuit.

Selon une autre caractéristique, dans la lampe, le contour polygonal des boucles du tube fluorescent adjacentes du culot est décalé du contour polygonal des boucles situées à proximité de la première extrémité de l'enceinte d'un angle

Figure imgb0002
.According to another characteristic, in the lamp, the polygonal contour of the loops of the fluorescent tube adjacent to the base is offset from the polygonal contour of the loops located near the first end of the enclosure by an angle
Figure imgb0002
 .

Selon une autre caractéristique, dans la lampe, les côtés du polygone de la base du cylindre creux du réflecteur central, sont parallèles au contour polygonal des boucles du tube fluorescent, adjacentes du culot.According to another characteristic, in the lamp, the sides of the polygon of the base of the hollow cylinder of the central reflector are parallel to the polygonal contour of the loops of the fluorescent tube, adjacent to the base.

Selon une autre caractéristique, les contours polygonaux sont à six ou huit côtés.According to another characteristic, the polygonal contours are six or eight sides.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention appa­raîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description faite en référence aux dessins ci-après, dans lesquels :

  • - la figure 1 représente une vue en coupe et en perspective de la lampe ;
  • - la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective de la partie supérieure du réflecteur central de la lampe.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description given with reference in the drawings below, in which:
  • - Figure 1 shows a sectional and perspective view of the lamp;
  • - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the upper part of the central reflector of the lamp.

La figure 1 représente une lampe à tube fluorescent (5) selon l'invention, présentant les dimensions normales d'une lampe à filament qui sont de l'ordre de 70 mm de diamètre et 180 mm de long. Cette lampe comporte un culot (1) pourvu d'un filetage (10) permettant, de façon connue, sa fixation dans une douille. Un plot central (11) de connexion est relié par un fil (41) à un bloc (4) représentant le circuit électronique permet­tant d'assurer, d'une part la fonction "starter" de démarrage de l'éclaire­ment du tube fluorescent, d'autre part la fonction "ballast" de limitation du courant en fonctionnement. Un isolant (12) permet d'isoler électrique­ment le plot central (11) de la partie filetée du culot auquel est relié par un deuxième fil (40) le circuit électronique. Les fils (42) et (43) de sortie du circuit électronique (4) permettent d'alimenter, par le fil (43) une première extrémité (52 f) du tube fluorescent et par le fil (42) la deuxième extrémité (52 e) non visible du tube fluorescent. Le tube fluores­cent (5) décrit, en formant des boucles, un parcours circulaire parallèle aux bords annulaires (13) du culot (1). Sur la surface externe du bord annu­laire (13) vient se monter, par tout moyen connu de l'homme de métier, une enveloppe creuse cylindrique (20), borgne à une première extrémité, de façon à former une enceinte fermée (2) avec le culot. Cette enveloppe cylindrique creuse, réalisée en matériau permettant le passage de la lumière, est fermée à sa première extrémité par une surface (21). Sur la surface interne du rebord annulaire (13) vient se monter, par tout moyen connu de l'homme de métier, une plaque annulaire (3), comportant un orifice central (31) pourvu d'un rebord (30). La plaque annulaire (3) comporte, comme on peut le voir sur la figure 1, un orifice (33) de dimension correspondant à la dimension du tube fluorescent dans lequel passe l'extrémité (52 f) de ce tube qui est reliée par le fil conducteur (43) au circuit électronique (4). Comme on peut le comprendre, le fil conducteur (42) sera relié à la deuxième extré­mité (52 e) du tube qui passe , elle aussi, dans un trou (32) non représenté et adjacent du trou (33). Sur le rebord de la plaque (3) en matériau réflé­chissant, vient se monter un réflecteur (6). Ce réflecteur (6) comporte, comme on peut le voir sur les figures 1 et 2, un corps cylindrique (60), fermé à une première extrémité par un chapeau pyramidal (61). L'extrémité ouverte de ce réflecteur (6) est montée serrée sur le rebord (30). Le corps cylindrique (60) comporte, comme on peut le voir sur la figure 2, une base dont les sommets sont confondus avec les sommets d'un hexagone et les côtés reliant chaque sommet sont constitués par des arcs de cercle. Cette base constituera ce que l'on appellera par la suite un contour polygonal dont les côtés sont (60 a) à (60 f). Le chapeau pyramidal (61) comporte, lui aussi, une base polygonale à six côtés (61 a) à (61 f) dont les extrémités adja­centes au corps cylindrique (60) forment une surface incurvée qui rejoint les sommets du polygone formant la base du cylindre. On remarquera sur la figure 2 que le polygone formant la base du chapeau pyramidal est décalé angulairement d'une valeur de 15° =

Figure imgb0003
avec n = 6 par rapport au polygone formant la base de la partie cylindrique (60) du réflecteur. Le tube fluo­rescent (5) forme une succession de boucles ayant une section en forme de U, de façon que deux boucles consécutives aient leur section en forme de U orientée suivant des directions contraires. Ces boucles sont disposées parallèlement aux parois de l'enceinte (2), du réflecteur (6) et à l'inté­rieur du volume creux délimité par ces parois. Comme on peut le noter, une première boucle est décalée de sa suivante qui est de direction opposée d'un angle de 15° =
Figure imgb0004
 avec n = 6, tandis que deux boucles consécutives de même direction sont décalées entre elles d'un angle de 60°. Ainsi, une première boucle est constituée par les portions verticales (52 f, 52 f a) et par la portion (51 f) qui est de direction perpendiculaire aux por­tions (52 f, 52 f a) et parallèle à la surface (21). La boucle suivante est constituée par les portions (52 f a, 52 a), qui sont de direction parallèle aux côtés cylindriques (20) et (60 a) et par la partie centrale (50 a), qui est adjacente à la plaque annulaire (3) et de direction parallèle à celle-­ci. La boucle ayant pour partie centrale la partie (51 f) du tube est de direction opposée à la boucle ayant pour partie centrale la partie (50 a) du tube. La boucle consécutive et de direction identique à celle ayant pour partie centrale la partie (51 f) est constituée par les éléments (52 a), (51a) et (52 a b) . Le tube fluorescent est ainsi formé par une succession de bou­cles, du tube fluorescent, adjacentes du culot (1) et de la plaque (3) et une deuxième succession de boucles, du tube fluorescent, adjacentes de la première extrémité (21) de l'enceinte. Ces deux ensembles de boucles for­ment un seul et même tube continu commençant par l'extrémité (52 f) et se terminant par l'extrémité (52 e) que l'on ne voit pas. Les boucles (50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, 50 e), la boucle (50 f) n'existant pas car elle est rem­placée par les liaisons (43) et (42), sont disposées selon un contour hexagonal, parallèle au contour hexagonal (60 a) à (60 e) du cylindre (60) du réflecteur (6). La deuxième série de boucles comportant les portions centrales (51 f), (51 a), (51 e), boucles qui sont situées à proximité de la première extrémité (21) de l'enceinte, sont disposées suivant un contour polygonal, parallèle au contour (61 a) à (61 f) constituant la base du chapeau pyramidal (61). Comme les boucles inférieures (50 a) sont décalées des boucles supérieures (51 f), (51 a) d'un angle correspondant à 15°, l'on comprend, maintenant, l'intérêt du décalage de l'angle de 15° =
Figure imgb0005
 entre le polygone de base du cylindre réflecteur (60) et le polygone de base du chapeau pyramidal (61). En effet, ceci permet d'avoir la portion cen­trale (50 b) et les portions latérales (52 a b) et (52 b) disposées symé­triquement par rapport à la surface concave (60 b) du cylindre réflec­teur (60), de façon qu'un rayon (C), émergeant du tube (52 ab) en direction du réflecteur (60) soit réfléchi vers la face externe de l'enceinte (2). Cette disposition permet parallèlement d'avoir les parties adjacentes supérieures (51 a) et (51 b) disposées parallèlement aux faces (61 a) et (61 b) du chapeau pyramidal de façon qu'un rayon (B), émergeant de la face (51 a) du tube, tournée vers le chapeau pyramidal soit réfléchi en direction de l'extérieur de l'enceinte fermée par la surface (21). Il en sera de même pour le rayon (A) émis par la face de la portion du tube (51 b) tournée en direction du réflecteur (61 b). On remarque­ra que cette disposition des éléments permet de libérer un volume creux à l'intérieur du réflecteur cylindrique (60). Ce volume creux commu­nique, par l'orifice (31), avec la partie du culot (1) qui contient le circuit électronique (4), ce qui permet de faire pénétrer, éventuellement, le cir­cuit électronique (4) dans cette portion de volume creux, si le besoin s'en fait sentir. Le circuit électronique (4), servant de "ballast", fonction­nera à une fréquence de l'ordre de 20 à 25 KHz. Cette fréquence, nettement supérieure à la fréquence du secteur de 50 Hertz, améliore nettement le rendement lumineux du tube fluorescent à cause du meilleur arrachement des électrons, des cathodes par agitation thermique. De même, ce circuit électronique (4) délivre aux électrodes des extrémités du tube fluorescent (5) un courant ayant un facteur de forme inférieure à 1,7. Nous rappelle­rons que le facteur de forme est égal au rapport du courant efficace sur le courant crête. Ce circuit électronique (4) est destiné à être alimenté normalement par une tension continue de 12 ou 24 volts qui permet des applications de la lampe pour l'éclairage de sécurité, par exemple.FIG. 1 represents a fluorescent tube lamp (5) according to the invention, having the normal dimensions of a filament lamp which are of the order of 70 mm in diameter and 180 mm in length. This lamp comprises a base (1) provided with a thread (10) allowing, in known manner, its fixing in a socket. A central connection stud (11) is connected by a wire (41) to a block (4) representing the electronic circuit making it possible, on the one hand, to perform the "starter" function for starting the lighting of the fluorescent tube, on the other hand, the "ballast" function for limiting the current during operation. An insulator (12) makes it possible to electrically isolate the central stud (11) from the threaded part of the base to which the electronic circuit is connected by a second wire (40). The wires (42) and (43) of the electronic circuit output (4) make it possible to supply, by the wire (43) a first end (52 f) of the fluorescent tube and by the wire (42) the second end (52 e) not visible from the fluorescent tube. The fluorescent tube (5) describes, by forming loops, a circular path parallel to the annular edges (13) of the base (1). On the external surface of the annular edge (13) is mounted, by any means known to those skilled in the art, a cylindrical hollow casing (20), blind at one end, so as to form a closed enclosure (2) with the nerve. This hollow cylindrical envelope, made of a material allowing the passage of light, is closed at its first end by a surface (21). On the internal surface of the annular rim (13) is mounted, by any means known to those skilled in the art, an annular plate (3), comprising a central orifice (31) provided a rim (30). The annular plate (3) comprises, as can be seen in FIG. 1, an orifice (33) of dimension corresponding to the dimension of the fluorescent tube through which the end (52 f) of this tube passes which is connected by the conducting wire (43) to the electronic circuit (4). As can be understood, the conductive wire (42) will be connected to the second end (52 e) of the tube which also passes through a hole (32) not shown and adjacent to the hole (33). A reflector (6) is mounted on the edge of the plate (3) made of reflective material. This reflector (6) comprises, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cylindrical body (60), closed at one end by a pyramidal cap (61). The open end of this reflector (6) is mounted tight on the flange (30). The cylindrical body (60) comprises, as can be seen in FIG. 2, a base whose vertices are coincident with the vertices of a hexagon and the sides connecting each vertex are constituted by arcs of a circle. This base will constitute what will be called subsequently a polygonal contour whose sides are (60 a) to (60 f). The pyramid cap (61) also has a six-sided polygonal base (61 a) to (61 f) whose ends adjacent to the cylindrical body (60) form a curved surface which joins the vertices of the polygon forming the base of the cylinder. Note in Figure 2 that the polygon forming the base of the pyramid cap is angularly offset by a value of 15 ° =
Figure imgb0003
 with n = 6 relative to the polygon forming the base of the cylindrical part (60) of the reflector. The fluorescent tube (5) forms a succession of loops having a U-shaped section, so that two consecutive loops have their U-shaped section oriented in opposite directions. These loops are arranged parallel to the walls of the enclosure (2), of the reflector (6) and inside the hollow volume delimited by these walls. As can be noted, a first loop is offset from its next which is in the opposite direction at an angle of 15 ° =
Figure imgb0004
 with n = 6, while two consecutive loops of the same direction are offset between them by an angle of 60 °. Thus, a first loop is formed by the vertical portions (52 f, 52 fa) and by the portion (51 f) which is in the direction perpendicular to the portions (52 f, 52 fa) and parallel to the surface (21). The next loop is constituted by the portions (52 fa, 52 a), which are in the direction parallel to the cylindrical sides (20) and (60 a) and by the central part (50 a), which is adjacent to the annular plate ( 3) and direction parallel thereto. The loop having the central part the part (51 f) of the tube is in the opposite direction to the loop having the central part the part (50 a) of the tube. The consecutive loop and direction identical to that having for central part the part (51 f) is constituted by the elements (52 a), (51a) and (52 ab). The fluorescent tube is thus formed by a succession of loops, of the fluorescent tube, adjacent to the base (1) and of the plate (3) and a second succession of loops, of the fluorescent tube, adjacent to the first end (21) of the 'pregnant. These two sets of loops form a single continuous tube starting at the end (52 f) and ending at the end (52 e) that cannot be seen. The loops (50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, 50 e), the loop (50 f) not existing because it is replaced by the connections (43) and (42), are arranged in a hexagonal outline , parallel to the hexagonal contour (60 a) to (60 e) of the cylinder (60) of the reflector (6). The second series of loops comprising the central portions (51 f), (51 a), (51 e), loops which are located near the first end (21) of the enclosure, are arranged along a polygonal contour, parallel at the outline (61 a) to (61 f) constituting the base of the pyramid cap (61). As the lower loops (50 a) are offset from the upper loops (51 f), (51 a) by an angle corresponding to 15 °, we now understand the advantage of shifting the angle by 15 ° =
Figure imgb0005
 Between the base polygon of the reflecting cylinder (60) and the base polygon of the pyramid cap (61). In fact, this makes it possible to have the central portion (50 b) and the lateral portions (52 ab) and (52 b) arranged symmetrically with respect to the concave surface (60 b) of the reflective cylinder (60), so that 'A ray (C), emerging from the tube (52 ab) towards the reflector (60) is reflected towards the external face of the enclosure (2). This arrangement allows in parallel to have the upper adjacent parts (51 a) and (51 b) arranged parallel to the faces (61 a) and (61 b) of the pyramid cap so that a radius (B), emerging from the face (51 a) of the tube, facing the pyramid cap, is reflected towards the outside of the enclosure closed by the surface (21). It will be the same for the radius (A) emitted by the face of the portion of the tube (51 b) turned towards the reflector (61 b). It will be noted that this arrangement of the elements makes it possible to release a hollow volume inside the cylindrical reflector (60). This hollow volume communicates, through the orifice (31), with the part of the base (1) which contains the electronic circuit (4), which makes it possible, if necessary, to penetrate the electronic circuit (4) into this portion of volume hollow, if the need arises. The electronic circuit (4), serving as "ballast", will operate at a frequency of the order of 20 to 25 KHz. This frequency, significantly higher than the sector frequency of 50 Hertz, clearly improves the light output of the fluorescent tube because of the better removal of electrons and cathodes by thermal agitation. Likewise, this electronic circuit (4) delivers to the electrodes of the ends of the fluorescent tube (5) a current having a form factor less than 1.7. We will recall that the form factor is equal to the ratio of the effective current on the peak current. This electronic circuit (4) is intended to be supplied normally by a direct voltage of 12 or 24 volts which allows lamp applications for emergency lighting, for example.

Toutefois, à ce circuit électronique (4), on peut adjoindre un circuit de redressement qui permet, à partir du secteur, de délivrer la tension continue nécessaire à l'alimentation du circuit électronique (4). Cette variante permet une utilisation de la lampe pour l'éclairage domestique.However, to this electronic circuit (4), it is possible to add a rectification circuit which makes it possible, from the mains, to deliver the DC voltage necessary for the supply of the electronic circuit (4). This variant allows the lamp to be used for domestic lighting.

On a présenté et décrit une lampe ayant un contour polygonal à 6 côtés, mais il est bien évident que, pour permettre à la lampe de couvrir une gamme de puissance lumineuse équivalente à l'éclairement d'une lampe à filament de puissance électrique, variant de 25 à 100 Watts, on peut être amené à avoir un contour polygonal à huit côtés. On a intérêt à choisir un contour polygonal à huit côtés, car ceci permet d'atteindre plus faci­lement les puissances lumineuses élevées, et lorsque l'on veut réduire la puissance, pour passer de 100 Watts à 25 Watts, il suffit de réduire la longueur des côtés (52 f, 52 f a, 52 a, 52 a b etc...) d'une proportion d'autant moins importante que le contour polygonal aura plus de côtés, car la puissance lumineuse d'un tube fluorescent est proportionnelle à sa longueur.We have presented and described a lamp having a polygonal contour with 6 sides, but it is quite obvious that, to allow the lamp to cover a range of light power equivalent to the illumination of a filament lamp of electric power, varying from 25 to 100 Watts, we may have to have a polygonal contour with eight sides. It is advantageous to choose an eight-sided polygonal contour, because this makes it easier to reach the high light powers, and when one wants to reduce the power, to go from 100 Watts to 25 Watts, it is enough to reduce the length sides (52 f, 52 fa, 52 a, 52 ab etc ...) of a proportion all the less important as the polygonal contour will have more sides, because the light power of a fluorescent tube is proportional to its length.

Enfin, on remarquera qu'en supprimant le "ballast selfique" et en le remplaçant par un "ballast électronique", non seulement on gagne en poids, mais on améliore le rendement de la lampe car les pertes par effet joule de la self sont supprimées et, d'autre part, pour un volume donné, on peut augmenter la puissance lumineuse du tube situé dans ce volume, car l'échauffement de la lampe n'est dû qu'au tube et non plus à l'ensemble tube-ballast selfique comme dans l'art antérieur. Ceci nécessi- tait, d'ailleurs, d'utiliser une plaque de support comme radiateur du "ballast" vers les surfaces externes de la lampe.Finally, it will be noted that by removing the "self ballast" and replacing it with an "electronic ballast", not only does it gain weight, but it improves the efficiency of the lamp because the losses by the joule effect of the self are eliminated and, on the other hand, for a given volume, the light power of the tube located in this volume can be increased, because the heating of the lamp is only due to the tube and no longer to the tube-ballast assembly selfic as in the prior art. This necessitated, moreover, to use a support plate as a radiator for the "ballast" towards the external surfaces of the lamp.

Avec la lampe que nous venons de décrire, on peut ainsi arriver, dans les dimensions et le poids d'une lampe normale, à avoir des lampes dont la puissance lumineuse équivalente à l'éclairement d'une lampe à filament couvre une gamme de 25 à 100 Watts, avec une puissance électrique consom­mée de 8 à 24 Watts, c'est-à-dire avec un rendement énergétique de 4.With the lamp that we have just described, we can thus arrive, in the dimensions and the weight of a normal lamp, to have lamps whose light power equivalent to the illumination of a filament lamp covers a range from 25 to 100 Watts, with an electrical power consumed from 8 to 24 Watts, i.e. with an energy efficiency of 4.

Toute modification à la portée de l'homme de métier fait également partie de l'esprit de l'invention.Any modification within the reach of the skilled person is also part of the spirit of the invention.

Claims (8)

1) Lampe à tube fluorescent comportant dans l'enceinte (2) formée par une enveloppe creuse cylindrique (20), borgne à une première extrémité (21), fermée à l'autre extrémité par un culot (1), un tube fluorescent (5) formant une succession de boucles disposées suivant un contour polygonal, carac­térisée en ce que ce tube est monté sur une plaque annulaire (3) de support et de fixation en matériau réfléchissant, ladite lampe comportant, en outre, un réflecteur central (6) formé par un cylindre creux (60) dont la base est un polygone à n côtés, un circuit électronique (4) d'alimentation et de démarrage du tube fluorescent.1) Fluorescent tube lamp comprising, in the enclosure (2) formed by a hollow cylindrical envelope (20), blind at one first end (21), closed at the other end by a base (1), a fluorescent tube ( 5) forming a succession of loops arranged along a polygonal contour, characterized in that this tube is mounted on an annular plate (3) for support and fixing in reflective material, said lamp further comprising a central reflector (6) formed by a hollow cylinder (60) whose base is an n-sided polygon, an electronic circuit (4) for supplying and starting the fluorescent tube. 2) Lampe selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le circuit électronique (4) délivre, à partir d'une alimentation en tension continue, un courant de fréquence supérieure à la fréquence de 50 Hz du secteur et ayant un facteur de forme inférieur à 1,7.2) Lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit (4) delivers, from a DC voltage supply, a current of frequency greater than the frequency of 50 Hz from the mains and having a lower form factor at 1.7. 3) Lampe selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la tension continue est obtenue, soit par un accumulateur, soit à partir de la tension du secteur par un circuit redresseur intégré au circuit électronique (4).3) Lamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the DC voltage is obtained either by an accumulator or from the mains voltage by a rectifier circuit integrated into the electronic circuit (4). 4) Lampe selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le contour polygonal des boucles du tube fluorescent adjacentes du culot (1) est décalé du contour polygonal des boucles du tube fluorescent situé à proximité de la première extrémité (21) de l'enceinte, d'un angle
Figure imgb0006
 4) Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polygonal contour of the loops of the fluorescent tube adjacent to the base (1) is offset from the polygonal contour of the loops of the fluorescent tube located near the first end (21) of the pregnant, angle
Figure imgb0006
 5) Lampe selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le réflecteur central (6) est monté serré sur une collerette (30), solidaire de la plaque annulaire (3) et comporte, à l'extrémité opposée à la plaque annulaire (3) un chapeau pyramidal (61) à base polygonale dont le polygone est décalé angulairement de
Figure imgb0007
 par rapport au polygone du cylindre (60) , de façon à avoir ses côtés parallèles aux boucles du tube fluorescent adjacentes à la première extrémité.5) Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the central reflector (6) is mounted tight on a flange (30), integral with the annular plate (3) and comprises, at the end opposite to the annular plate (3) a pyramidal cap (61) with a polygonal base, the polygon is angularly offset by
Figure imgb0007
 relative to the polygon of the cylinder (60), so as to have its sides parallel to the loops of the fluorescent tube adjacent to the first end. 6) Lampe selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les côtés du polygone de la base du cylindre creux (60) du réflecteur central sont parallèles au contour polygonal des boucles du tube fluores­cent adjacentes du culot (1).6) Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sides of the polygon of the base of the hollow cylinder (60) of the central reflector are parallel to the polygonal outline of the loops of the fluorescent tube adjacent to the base (1). 7) Lampe selon une des revendications 1, 4, 5, 6, caractérisée en ce que le nombre de côtés des contours polygonaux est supérieur à 4.7) Lamp according to one of claims 1, 4, 5, 6, characterized in that the number of sides of the polygonal contours is greater than 4. 8) Lampe selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que le nombre de côtés des contours polygonaux est de préférence 6 ou 8.8) Lamp according to claim 7, characterized in that the number of sides of the polygonal contours is preferably 6 or 8.
EP86401162A 1985-06-27 1986-05-30 Fluorescent-tube lamp Withdrawn EP0210877A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8509807A FR2590725B1 (en) 1985-06-27 1985-06-27 FLUORESCENT TUBE LAMP
FR8509807 1985-06-27

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EP0210877A1 true EP0210877A1 (en) 1987-02-04

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EP (1) EP0210877A1 (en)
JP (1) JPS622402A (en)
FR (1) FR2590725B1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0569208A1 (en) * 1992-05-04 1993-11-10 Dennis Goldman Low pressure discharge lamp assembly
DE29518894U1 (en) * 1995-11-30 1996-01-25 Holzer Walter Prof Dr H C Ing Compact fluorescent lamp with reflector
EP0740492A2 (en) * 1995-04-27 1996-10-30 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Process and circuit for starting and operating a discharge lamp
US5672932A (en) * 1992-05-04 1997-09-30 Goldman; Dennis Compact lamp assembly with tubular portions arranged in V-shaped configuration
WO1998036439A2 (en) * 1997-01-30 1998-08-20 Wilhelmus Hermanus Iding Lighting unit with integrated reflector-antenna
WO2000033343A1 (en) * 1998-12-01 2000-06-08 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Electrical lamp for a headlight of a vehicle
EP1061552A2 (en) * 1999-06-16 2000-12-20 Matsushita Electronics Corporation Bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp
EP1248283A1 (en) * 2001-04-04 2002-10-09 E. Energy Technology Ltd. Novel structures for electronically-controlled compact fluorescent lamps

Families Citing this family (3)

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JPS59103209A (en) * 1982-12-03 1984-06-14 住友電気工業株式会社 Electrically insulating cable
JPH02168503A (en) * 1988-12-21 1990-06-28 Matsushita Electron Corp Bulb base type fluorescent lamp
JP2678041B2 (en) * 1989-01-12 1997-11-17 松下電子工業株式会社 Bulb base fluorescent lamp

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EP0143419A2 (en) * 1983-11-25 1985-06-05 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Compact low-pressure discharge lamp

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EP0143419A2 (en) * 1983-11-25 1985-06-05 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Compact low-pressure discharge lamp

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Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0569208A1 (en) * 1992-05-04 1993-11-10 Dennis Goldman Low pressure discharge lamp assembly
US5672932A (en) * 1992-05-04 1997-09-30 Goldman; Dennis Compact lamp assembly with tubular portions arranged in V-shaped configuration
EP0740492A2 (en) * 1995-04-27 1996-10-30 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Process and circuit for starting and operating a discharge lamp
EP0740492A3 (en) * 1995-04-27 2003-05-21 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Process and circuit for starting and operating a discharge lamp
DE29518894U1 (en) * 1995-11-30 1996-01-25 Holzer Walter Prof Dr H C Ing Compact fluorescent lamp with reflector
WO1998036439A2 (en) * 1997-01-30 1998-08-20 Wilhelmus Hermanus Iding Lighting unit with integrated reflector-antenna
WO1998036439A3 (en) * 1997-01-30 1999-01-14 Wilhelmus Hermanus Iding Lighting unit with integrated reflector-antenna
WO2000033343A1 (en) * 1998-12-01 2000-06-08 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Electrical lamp for a headlight of a vehicle
EP1061552A2 (en) * 1999-06-16 2000-12-20 Matsushita Electronics Corporation Bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp
EP1061552A3 (en) * 1999-06-16 2003-01-29 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp
US6558019B2 (en) 1999-06-16 2003-05-06 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp
EP1248283A1 (en) * 2001-04-04 2002-10-09 E. Energy Technology Ltd. Novel structures for electronically-controlled compact fluorescent lamps

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS622402A (en) 1987-01-08
FR2590725B1 (en) 1988-06-17
FR2590725A1 (en) 1987-05-29

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