EP1768165A2 - Lampe à décharge haute pression exempte de mercure et luminaire - Google Patents

Lampe à décharge haute pression exempte de mercure et luminaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1768165A2
EP1768165A2 EP06019906A EP06019906A EP1768165A2 EP 1768165 A2 EP1768165 A2 EP 1768165A2 EP 06019906 A EP06019906 A EP 06019906A EP 06019906 A EP06019906 A EP 06019906A EP 1768165 A2 EP1768165 A2 EP 1768165A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
halide
mercury
metal halide
discharge lamp
pressure discharge
Prior art date
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.)
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EP06019906A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1768165A3 (fr
Inventor
Takahito Kahsiwagi
Masazumi Ishida
Mikio Matsuda
Kozo Uemura
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Toshiba Lighting and Technology Corp
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Toshiba Lighting and Technology Corp
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Publication of EP1768165A2 publication Critical patent/EP1768165A2/fr
Publication of EP1768165A3 publication Critical patent/EP1768165A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • H01J61/82—Lamps with high-pressure unconstricted discharge having a cold pressure > 400 Torr
    • H01J61/827—Metal halide arc lamps
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/12—Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature
    • H01J61/125—Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature having an halogenide as principal component

Definitions

  • Present invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp which is substantially excluded mercury therefrom and thus hereinafter referred to a mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp), and a luminaire using the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp.
  • a high-pressure discharge lamp for example, a metal halide lamp, which is substantially excluded mercury therefrom, is disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent JP11-238488A (hereinafter referred to as patent document 1) etc.
  • the metal halide lamp disclosed in the patent document 1 it is filled with two types of metal halides, i.e., a primary metal halide having relatively high vapor pressure and capable of mainly emitting light in visible range and an accessory metal halide hardly emitting light in the visible range in compared to the primary metal halide but contributing to fix lamp voltage, in place of mercury.
  • a metal halide lamp for liquid crystal projectors designed to have 4mm inter-electrode distance and to operate at 150W input power is described.
  • DyI3 dysprosium
  • NdI3 iodination neodymium
  • Ar argon
  • rare gas argon
  • ZnI 2 zinc iodide
  • lamp voltage is 73V
  • luminous efficiency is 68lm/W
  • color temperature is 9160K.
  • a metal halide lamp designed to have 30mm inter-electrode distance and to operate at 2KW input power is described.
  • 4mg dysprosium bromide (DyBr3), 4mg holmium bromide (HoBr3), and 4mg thulium bromide (TmBr3) are filled as the principal metal halide, respectively, and 100Torr argon (Ar) is filled as rare gas.
  • a high-pressure discharge lamp for example, a metal halide lamp, which is substantially excluded mercury therefrom, is disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent JP11-238488A (hereinafter referred to as patent document 1).
  • a mercury-free discharge lamp filled with 2 to 6 microg/mm 3 zinc iodide (ZnI 2 ) is disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent JP2003-303571A (hereinafter referred to as patent document 2).
  • 5.0 to 5.7microg/mm 3 sodium iodide (NaI) and 2.7 to 3.3microg/mm 3 iodination scandium (ScI3) are filled as main emission medium.
  • patent document 3 a high-pressure discharge lamp improved luminous efficiency, light color, and life duration is disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent JP2004-349242A (hereinafter referred to as patent document 3).
  • JP2004-349242A By carrying out the mass percentage of the halide of Na, the halide of Tl, the halide of In, and the halide of Tm into a prescribed range, respectively.
  • mercury is used as buffer gas.
  • the metal halide lamp disclosed in the patent document 1 has acquired decent electrical property and luminescent property near those of the conventional metal halide lamp using mercury, without using mercury of high environmental burden. However, an appearance of mercury-free metal halide lamp having luminous efficiency sufficiently higher than conventional metal halide lamp is expected.
  • the sodium D line is a bright line of 589nm wavelength, which is separated from 555nm, i.e., peak wavelength of visibility curve. So, in order to further advance efficiency, it is necessary to raise a temperature of the coldest part.
  • ZnI 2 has an effect on acquiring lamp voltage adequate to mercury-free discharge lamp, its luminous efficiency falls as lamp voltage rises. For this reason, if priority is given to maintenance of practical efficiency, the quantity of ZnI 2 is limited to the above-described range. As a result, lamp voltage becomes only around half that of discharge lamp containing mercury. Then, it is necessary to make a rod-shaped electrode thick for raising lamp voltage. By doing this, however, the evil of the airtightness of an electrode sealing part becoming insufficient, or circuit design becoming difficult since there is the necessity of enlarging the physical size of a lighting circuit will arise.
  • thulium (Tm) halide When thulium (Tm) halide is used alone, since thulium (Tm) halide does not evaporate enough, luminous efficiency is low. However, when zinc (Zn) halide is added by a specific ratio, luminous efficiency improves notably.
  • the inventors found out, as a result of research, a practically very advantageous combination of thulium (Tm) halide and zinc iodide (ZnI 2 ), that has the electrical property and luminescent characteristic equivalent to or more excellent than that of high-pressure discharge lamp containing mercury.
  • Tm thulium
  • ZnI 2 zinc iodide
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a practically very advantageous high-pressure discharge lamp containing thulium (Tm) halide as principal metal halide and zinc (Zn) halide as accessory metal halide in combination and exhibiting electrical property and luminescent characteristic equivalent to those of high-pressure discharge lamp containing mercury and luminaire using this high-pressure discharge lamp.
  • Tm thulium
  • Zn zinc
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-pressure discharge lamp reducing white roiling phenomenon occurring on a light-transmissive airtight envelope and luminaire using this high-pressure discharge lamp.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide high-pressure discharge lamp in easy to manufacture, and a luminaire using this high-pressure discharge lamp.
  • the principal metal halide is a metal halide which emits light mainly of visible range, and contains thulium (Tm) halide.
  • thulium (Tm) halide is an emission medium very effective for raising luminous efficiency of a high-pressure discharge lamp in combination with zinc halide.
  • thulium (Tm) halide has the operation which itself makes an inter-electrode potential gradient steep under coexistence with zinc halide in a range as described later. Therefore thulium (Tm) halide has an operation of raising lamp voltage remarkably. According to this operation, high-pressure discharge lamp containing thulium (Tm) halide is able to obtain high lamp voltage two times in compared to high-pressure discharge lamp containing only zinc (Zn) halide. Therefore, thulium (Tm) halide is an emission medium suitable for use in mercury-free discharge lamp.
  • a mass percentage of charged thulium (Tm) halide is specified within a predetermined range as described later, in relation to charged mass percentage of zinc halide.
  • the principal metal halide may contain further halide of emission contributory metals other than thulium (Tm).
  • emission contributory metal other than thulium there are thallium (T1), alkali metals, etc. These metals can be used for the purpose of further improving luminous efficiency, chromaticity and/or color temperature, etc.
  • Accessory metal halide contributes mainly to fix amp voltage.
  • the accessory metal halide contains zinc (Zn) halide as a primary constituent.
  • the accessory metal halide may contain one or more metal halides as an accessory constituent selected from following group as needed.
  • Mg magnesium
  • Fe iron
  • Co cobalt
  • Cr chromium
  • Zn zinc
  • Ni nickel
  • Mn manganese
  • Al aluminum
  • Sb antimony
  • Bi bismuth
  • Be beryllium
  • Re rhenium
  • Ga gallium
  • Ti titanium
  • Zr zirconium
  • Hf hafnium
  • Zinc halide is specified that the sum of its mass percentage and the mass percentage of thulium (Tm) halide falls in a range as described below.
  • the mass percentage of thulium (Tm) halide to the whole ionization medium is labeled WTm.
  • the mass percentage of zinc (Zn) halide to the whole ionization medium is labeled WZn.
  • Mass of a zinc (Zn) halide is labeled A.
  • the mass percentage of thulium (Tm) halide is labeled WTm and the mass percentage of zinc (Zn) halide is labeled WZn
  • quantity of the principal and accessory metal halides are decided so that the sum "WTm + WZn" of thulium (Tm) halide and zinc (Zn) halide satisfy a relation; "WTm + WZn” > 33, the mass percentage WZn of zinc (Zn) halide satisfies a relation; 0 ⁇ WZn ⁇ 5.
  • the principal metal halide contains thulium (Tm) halide and thallium (Tl) halide.
  • Thulium (Tm) is an emission contributory metal very effective for improving the luminous efficiency of a high-pressure discharge lamp, as explained in the high-pressure discharge lamp according to the 1st aspect of the present invention.
  • thulium (Tm) is filled in the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp of the third aspect by a ratio which is later mentioned to thallium (T1).
  • luminous efficiency and light color are governed by thulium like the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to first aspect of the present invention. Luminous efficiency and light color are improved further by thallium.
  • thulium (Tm) halide is iodination thulium
  • iodination thulium alone is difficult it to be pelletized, but iodination thulium has a feature that it becomes easy to be pelletized by adding thallium halide. Therefore, by using this pelletized iodination thulium high-pressure discharge lamp will become easy to manufacture.
  • the ratio WTl/WTm when the ratio WTl/WTm is 0.05 or less the vapor pressure of thallium halide becomes insufficient, the ratio WTl/WTm does not contribute to improve luminous efficiency.
  • the ratio WTl/WTm is 1.4 or more, luminous efficiency falls notably. So that such a ratio, so that the ratio WTl/WTm not suitable.
  • thallium (T1) has a bright line at a wavelength of 535nm, when thallium (Tl) is added, a green light spectrum zone can be increased.
  • the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp it is preferable to increase the quantity of thulium (Tm) halide more than other halide, and to make the mass percentage of thallium halide less than 30% to whole of the metal halide. If the mass percentage WTl of thallium halide becomes more than 30%, luminous efficiency will fall notably. Here, it is preferable that the mass percentage WTi of thallium halide is less than 15%.
  • the accessory metal halide is the same as the accessory metal halide in the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to first aspect of the present invention.
  • a mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized by that further to the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the first aspect of the present invention the principal metal halide includes thallium (T1) halide, and the ratio WTm/WT1 of the mass percentage WTm of the thulium (Tm) halide to the whole ionization medium to the mass percentage WTl of the thallium (Tl) halide satisfies a relation; 0.05 ⁇ WTl/WTm ⁇ 1.40.
  • the principal metal halide contains the thulium (Tm) halide and alkali metal halides as explained in the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the first through third aspect of the present invention.
  • the charged quantity of the thulium (Tm) halide and alkali metal halide are specified to fall in a prescribed range. Namely, when the mass percentage of thulium (Tm) halide is labeled WTm, and the mass percentage of alkali metal halides is labeled WA, WTm and WA satisfy the relation; 30 ⁇ WTm ⁇ 90 and the relation; 10 ⁇ WA ⁇ 60, respectively.
  • the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp when the thulium (Tm) halide satisfying the relation; 30 ⁇ WTm ⁇ 90 is charged as the principal metal halide, an alkali metal, for example sodium (Na) halide is added by the quantity satisfying the above relation; 10 ⁇ WA ⁇ 60, a curve of discharge arc in lighting operation is depressed. Since the temperature of the upper part of a light-transmissive airtight envelope decreases in connection with this, the reaction between thulium (Tm) halide and a light-transmissive airtight envelope is depressed. As a result, the white roiling phenomenon of light-transmissive airtight envelope decreases.
  • the WTm and WA satisfy the relation; 50 ⁇ WTm ⁇ 80 and the relation; 15 ⁇ WA ⁇ 30, respectively.
  • the mass percentage WZn of the accessory metal halide to the whole ionization medium satisfies a relation; 0 ⁇ WZn ⁇ 5, an effect of proper lamp voltage is satisfied, the effect of rising proper lamp voltage will be acquired so that occurrence of white roiling phenomenon can be depressed.
  • the WTm and WA fall in the above range satisfying the above relations, it is preferable that occurrence of white roiling phenomenon can be depressed, and the quantity of thullium (Tm) can be increased.
  • the mass percentage WTm of thulium (Tm) halide becomes 30 or less, luminous efficiency will become disadvantageously lowered.
  • the mass percentage WTm of thulium (Tm) halide becomes 90 or more, other halides are decreased too much, so that for example, inconveniences such as white roiling phenomenon, etc, will improperly increase.
  • the mass percentage WA of alkali metal becomes 10% or less, a white roiling depression effect will become improperly insufficient.
  • the mass percentage WA of alkali metal becomes 60% or more, the quantity of other metal halides will decrease, so that luminous efficiency will improperly lowers.
  • the accessory metal halide is the same as the accessory metal halide in the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to first aspect of the present invention
  • the WZn is specified to fall in the range satisfying a relation; 0 ⁇ WZn ⁇ 20.
  • the WZn fall in a range satisfying a range given by the following relation; 5 ⁇ WZn ⁇ 15.
  • a mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamps according to fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized by that further to the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamps according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention the thullium (Tm) halide includes at least thulium bromide.
  • thulium (Tm) is an emission contributory metal very effective for improving luminous efficiency of high-pressure discharge lamp as described before.
  • Tm thulium
  • iodination halide heavily used in the high-pressure discharge lamp has too high melting point of 1030 degrees C, due to its reaction being moderate. For this reason, it is needed to raise operating temperature of a light-transmissive airtight envelope to obtain emission spectrum of Tm.
  • Iodination thulium is difficult to pelletize when it is employed independently.
  • thulium bromide it can pelletize in the state where it mixed with its simple substance and iodination thulium. For this reason, a manufacturing process of an enclosure objects and, consequently manufacture of a high-pressure discharge lamp becomes easy.
  • bromine if bromine exists in discharge space, bromine will react with tungsten of an electrode and tungsten will tend to form a compound with a low melting point. Therefore, if bromine is filled too much, since breakage to an electrode becomes large, it is necessary to mind.
  • preferable constitutional examples of the ionization medium are as follows.
  • Thulium (Tm) halide and the accessory metal halide can be used the same thulium (Tm) halide and the same accessory metal halide in any one of the first through fourth aspects of the present invention as described above.
  • the thulium (Tm) halide is constituted at least one constituent thereof by thulium bromide.
  • the first constitutional example it is able to obtain a mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp excellent in luminous efficiency in addition to the effects of the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp the according to the first through fourth aspects of the present invention.
  • the second constitutional example it is able to obtain a mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp having steep potential gradient and thus excellent in electrical characteristics in addition to the effects of the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp the according to the first through fourth aspects of the present invention.
  • the third constitutional example it is able to obtain a mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp which is easy to manufacture, excellent in luminous efficiency, and hard to electrode attrition causing serious damage.
  • a mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp capable of avoiding lowering of potential gradient is easily achieved.
  • Fig. 1 is a front view showing a configuration example of the high-pressure discharge lamp according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a graph showing relations of lamp voltage and luminous efficiency to the mass percentages of zinc halide and thulium (Tm) halide according to one aspect of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relation of lamp voltage to mass percentages of thulium (Tm) halide and zinc halide to whole of halides according to another aspect of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a graph showing degree of white roiling of light-transmissive airtight envelope to the mass percentage of zinc halide to whole of halide according to still another aspect of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a graph showing luminous efficiency to the temperature of the coldest part of the light-transmissive airtight envelope according to still another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing luminous efficiency to a ratio WTl/WTm of the mass percentages WTl and WTm according to still another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a graph showing a degree of white roiling of light-transmissive airtight envelope to the mass percentage of alkali metal halide to whole of halide according to still another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a graph showing a relation of lamp voltage to the mass percentage of alkali metal halide to the whole of halide according to still another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relation of degree of electrode attrition to the mass percentage WTBr of thulium bromide to whole of halide according to still another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an exemplary high-pressure discharge lamp lighting system for lighting the high-pressure discharge lamp according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an automobile headlight embodying the luminaire according to the present invention.
  • FIGS. 1preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in reference to attached drawings.
  • Fig. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the high-pressure discharge lamp according to the present invention.
  • This configuration example is a high-pressure discharge lamp for automobile headlight.
  • high-pressure discharge lamp MHL is comprised of arc tube IT, insulation tube T, outer bulb OT, and bulb base B.
  • the high-pressure discharge lamp MHL is operated in a horizontal state.
  • Arc tube IT is comprised of a light-transmissive airtight envelope 1, a pair of electrodes 2, a pair of metal foils 3, a pair of lead wire 4 and ionization medium filled in the tube.
  • Light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 is formed by refractory material sustainable to normal yield temperature of the high-pressure discharge lamp MHL. Further the light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 just derives outside the visible light emitted by electric discharge. Therefore, as long as the material of the light-transmissiive airtight envelope 1 has refractoriness and can derive visible light outside, it may be formed with any kind of material. For example, quartz glass, light-transmissive ceramics, etc. can be used for the light-transmissive airtight envelope 1.
  • light-transmissive ceramics As for the light-transmissive ceramics, light-transmissive alumina, yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG), yttrium oxide (YOX), polycrystal non-oxide such as aluminium nitride (AIN) or single crystal ceramics, etc. can be used.
  • the light-transmissiive airtight envelope 1 may be coated a light-transmissive film on its inner surface, or the inner surface may be modified, as needed.
  • the light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 has discharge space 1c inside thereof. So as that, the light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 comprises envelope 1a for encampassing the discharge space 1c.
  • Enclosure 1a defines proper shape, for example, ball-shape, axiolite shape, column-shaped discharge space.
  • the volume of discharge space 1c may be defined in various widths according to the rated lamp wattage of the high-pressure discharge lamp MHL, inter electrode distance, etc.
  • the space can be made O.lcc or less.
  • the space can be made 0.05 c or less.
  • the lamp for common lighting according to rated lamp wattage, it can be made into a width in the vicinity of 1cc.
  • a pair of sealing portions 1b and 1b are formed on both ends of the envelope 1a. These sealing parts 1b and 1b seal envelope 1a. An axis portion of the electrodes 2 is supported by these sealing portions 1b and 1b, respectively. These sealing portions 1b and 1b contribute to hermetically introduce lead wires 4 connected to the lighting circuit (not shown) into light-transmissive airtight envelope 1. Generally, these sealing parts 1b and 1b are allocated in the ends of envelope 1a.
  • sealing portion 1b is made in solid quartz glass, and metal foil 3 is buried hermetically. Sealing portion 1b contributes to seal the enclosure 1a, and to support the axis portion of electrode 2 as mentioned later, and to introduce current from a lighting circuit hermetically to electrode 2.
  • the base end of electrode 2 is welded to the end by the side of discharge space 1c of metal foil 3, and lead wire 4 is welded to the other end.
  • Metal foil 3 is hermetically buried inside the sealing portion 1b and contributes to make the sealing portion 1b to keep the interior of the enclosure 1a airtight, and to serves as current conductor in cooperation with the sealing portion 1b.
  • molybdenum (Mo) is the optimal in case of that the light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 is comprised of quartz glass.
  • a way of burying the metal foil 3 in the sealing portion 1b is not specifically limited, it may be employed by selecting appropriate one from evacuation sealing method, pinch sealing method, etc.
  • a sealing tube 1a1 is extended integrally from the end of the sealing portion 1b to an interior of the bulb base B.
  • a technique for sealing the metal foil 3 such as frit sealing by pouring frit into a gap between light-transmissive ceramics and lead wire and then sealing, or fusion bond homogeneous to the envelope 1 or the lead wire.
  • sealing portion 1b of light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 In order to maintain the temperature of the coldest part yielding in the light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 to relatively high desirable temperature, by holding sealing portion 1b of light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 to a necessary comparatively low temperature, a thin cylindrical portion communicating to the envelope may be formed. While sealing portion 1a is allocated by the end part of a byway cylinder part in the case of such a structure, it is common to form narrow clearances in which electrode shank may extend and form a narrow gap called capillary between the electrode shank and a thin cylinder portion along the axial direction of the thin cylinder portion. The base end of electrode 2 is connected to a feed conductor, i.e., lead wire.
  • a feed conductor i.e., lead wire.
  • Pair of electrodes 2, 2 is hermetically sealed to the light-transmissive airtight envelope 1, and they are allocated so that their head ends oppositely face the discharge space 1c.
  • the distance between the pair of electrodes 2, 2 may be preferably 2mm or less, while it may also be 0.5mm.
  • an inter-electrode distance of 4.2mm in central value is standardized.
  • the inter-electrode distance in small size lamp may be set to 6mm or less, and that in middle size lamp to large size lamp may be set to 6mm or more.
  • refractory and conductive metal for example, pure tungsten (W), doped tungsten containing one or more dopants selected from a group of, for example, scandium (Sc), aluminium (Al), potassium (K), silicon (Si)), etc., treated tungsten containing thorium oxide, rhenium (Re), or tungsten-rhenium (W-Re) alloy may be employed.
  • electrode 2 In the case of small size lamp, straight wire rod or wire rod with large-diameter head are employed for electrode 2. In the case of a middle size to large size electrode, a coil made of same material with the electrode may be wound around the tip end of the electrode. In the case of operating by AC electricity, a pair of electrodes 2, 2 are formed in same configuration. In the case of operating by DC electricity, since the temperature rise of anode is intense, generally it makes the heat dissipation area of anode is made wider than cathode. Therefore, a thick wire rod is employed for anode.
  • electrode 2 is consisted of a doped tungsten wire.
  • the diameter of the axis portion of the electrode 2 is the same over the tip end, intermediate portion, and base end. Further, the tip end and a part of the intermediate portion expose in the discharge space 1c.
  • the base end of the electrode 1b is welded to the metal foil 3 at the end thereof on the side facing the discharge space 1c.
  • the intermediate portion of the electrode 1b is allocated in a predetermined position in the envelope 1b by being loosely supported by sealing portion 1.
  • Metal foil 3 is configured by molybdenum as mentioned above. Pair of lead wires 4, 4 is derived outside through the ends of sealing portions 1b, 1b.
  • lead wire 4 derived to right side from the arc tube IT its intermediate portion is folded along the outer bulb OT and introduced into the bulb base B.
  • the lead wire 4 is then connected to ring-shape bulb base terminal t1 allocated on outer surface of the bulb base B.
  • lead wire 4 derived to left side from the arc tube IT is connected to the other pin-shape bulb base terminal allocated in the center of the bulb base B along the axis of the tube.
  • the ionization medium is the characteristic constituent in the present invention as described above.
  • the ionization medium contains the principal metal halide, the accessory metal halide and rare gas, but it is substantially excluded mercury therefrom.
  • the principal metal halide contains thulium (Tm) halide.
  • zinc (Zn) halide serves as a primary constituent.
  • the filling quantity of the thulium (Tm) halide and zinc (Zn) halide are regulated in prescribed range as described below.
  • Rare gas serves as starting gas and buffer gas.
  • the rare gas is used by selecting one or a combination of two or more from a group of xenon (Xe), argon (Ar), and neon (Ne), etc.
  • the charged pressure of the rare gas can be suitably set as usage of the high-pressure discharge lamp.
  • xenon Since the atomic weight of xenon is higher than other rare gas and thus its heat conductivity is relatively small.
  • xenon By charging xenon by 0.6 atmospheric pressures or more, or preferably 5 atmospheric pressures or more, xenon contributes to fix lamp voltage just after the start of lighting.
  • Xenon also contributes to quicken luminous flux rising time by emitting white visible light at the low vapor pressure stage of halide. Therefore, xenon is advantageous for high-pressure discharge lamp for headlight.
  • mercury is completely excluded for reducing environmental burdens, it is permitted that few amounts exist as impurities.
  • Outer bulb OT has ultraviolet radiation blocking function.
  • the outer bulb OT accommodates therein arc tube IT.
  • the small diameter portion 5 (only right-side one is shown in FIG. 1) of the outer bulb OT is glass-welded to the sealing portion 1b of the arc tube IT.
  • the outer bulb OT is not hermetically sealed and thus communicates to ambient air.
  • Insulating tube T is configured by ceramic tube and coats the lead wire 4.
  • Bulb base B is standardized for the usage of automobile headlights.
  • the bulb base B then supports the arc tube IT and the outer bulb OT in standing attitude along the center axis thereof.
  • the bulb base B is then mounted in removable on the backside of automobile headlight.
  • the bulb base B is provided with a ring-shape bulb base terminal T1 allocated on cylindrical outer surface so as to be connected to power supply side lamp socket (not shown) at the time of mounting to the automobile headlight.
  • the other side bulb base (not shown) is provided with pin-shape bulb base terminal projecting in a depressed portion defined inside of cylindrical portion.
  • Light-transmissive airtight envelope 1 This is manufactured from light-transmissive ceramics by integral molding. Envelope; 8.0mm in length of tube axis direction, the maximum inner diameter of 2.9mm, the thickness of 0.5mm, the linear transmissivity of 30%, the average particle diameter of 0.5-1.0 micrometers of material, the byway cylinder part; bore of 0.7mm, and the thickness of 0.5mm, 12mm in length, linear transmissivity of 20%, average particle diameter of 0.5-1.0 micrometers of material
  • a pair of Electrodes The product made from doped tungsten, 4.2mm of inter electrode distances
  • FIG. 2 is a graph showing relations of lamp voltage and luminous efficiency to the mass percentages of zinc halide and thulium (Tm) halide according to one aspect of the present invention.
  • horizontal axis represents a ratio A/B of the mass A of zinc (Zn) halide, and mass B of thulium (Tm) halide;
  • a vertical axis represents lamp voltage (relative value) and luminous efficiency (relative value), respectively.
  • Curve Vl represents lamp voltage
  • curve f ⁇ represents luminous efficiency, respectively.
  • the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs in the constitution of an ionization medium from the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention. That is, as for the ionization medium, the sum "WTm + WZn" of the mass percentage WTm of the principal metal halide and the mass percentage WZn of the accessory metal halide to the whole of the ionization medium satisfies a relation; "WTm + WZn" > 33; and the mass percentage WZn of the zinc (Zn) halide satisfies a relation; 0 ⁇ WZn ⁇ 5. Rare gas permits that it is the same in the first aspect.
  • FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relation of lamp voltage to mass percentages of thulium (Tm) halide and zinc halide to whole of halides according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • a horizontal axis shows the ratio "WTm + WZn" of a mass percentage of thulium (Tm) halide and zinc halide (%)
  • a vertical axis shows lamp voltage (V), respectively.
  • FIG. 4 is a graph showing degree of white roiling of light-transmissive airtight envelope to the mass percentage of zinc halide to whole of halide according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • a horizontal axis shows the mass percentage WZn of zinc halide (%)
  • a vertical axis shows a white roiling grade, respectively.
  • the grade of white roiling is the relative judgment by visual observation.
  • the mass percentage WZn is less than 5% so that as seen from the drawing, the high-pressure discharge lamp controlled to such an extent that the white roiling occurring in a light-transmissive airtight envelope does not affect luminous efficiency and a life duration will be obtained.
  • FIG. 5 is a graph showing luminous efficiency to the temperature of the coldest part of the light-transmissive airtight envelope according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • a horizontal axis shows a temperature of the coldest part (degree C)
  • a vertical axis shows efficiency (lm/W), respectively.
  • the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention is identical to the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, except the specification of the ionization medium.
  • the principal metal halide is constituted including thallium (Tl) halide.
  • the ratio of the mass percentage WTl of thallium halide and the mass percentage WTm of thulium (Tm) halide to whole of the halide WTl/WTm satisfies a relation; 0.05 ⁇ WTm/WTl ⁇ 1.40.
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing luminous efficiency to a ratio WTl/WTm of the mass percentages WTl and WTm according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
  • a horizontal axis a ratio a vertical axis shows efficiency (1m/W) for WTl/WTm, respectively.
  • the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is identical to the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, except the specification of the ionization medium.
  • the principal metal halide is constituted including the alkali metal, for example, sodium (Na) halide.
  • the mass percentage WTm of thulium (Tm) halide and the mass percentage WA of alkali metal halide to whole of the halide satisfy relations; 30 ⁇ WTm ⁇ 90 and 10 ⁇ WA ⁇ 60, respectively, the mass percentage WZn of zinc halide satisfies a relation; 0 ⁇ WZn ⁇ 20.
  • FIG. 7 is a graph showing a degree of white roiling of light-transmissive airtight envelope to the mass percentage of alkali metal halide to whole of halide according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • a horizontal axis shows the mass percentage WA of alkali metal halide (%)
  • a vertical axis shows a white roiling grade, respectively.
  • White roiling is similarly estimated as FIG 4.
  • FIG. 8 is a graph showing a relation of lamp voltage to the mass percentage of alkali metal halide to the whole of halide according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • a horizontal axis shows the mass percentage WA of alkali metal halide (%)
  • a vertical axis shows lamp voltage (V), respectively.
  • the mass percentage WA and the lamp voltage of alkali metal halide are good to carry out the ratio of a mass percentage within the limits which satisfies the relation.
  • the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is identical to the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, except the specification of the ionization medium.
  • thulium (Tm) halide contains thulium bromide at least.
  • FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relation of degree of electrode attrition to the mass percentage WTBr of thulium bromide to whole of halide according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • a horizontal axis shows the mass percentage WTBr of thulium bromide (%)
  • a vertical axis shows the degree of electrode attrition, respectively.
  • the degree of electrode attrition is relative evaluation by visual observation.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an exemplary high-pressure discharge lamp lighting system for lighting the high-pressure discharge lamp according to the present invention.
  • its lighting circuit employs a low-frequency AC lighting system.
  • DC denotes DC power source
  • BUT denotes step-up chopper
  • FBI denotes full-bridge inverter
  • IG denotes igniter
  • MHL denotes the mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp.
  • DC power source DC is comprised of, e.g., battery for automobile.
  • the step-up chopper BUT is connected its input terminal to the DC power supply DC.
  • the full-bridge inverter FBI is connected its input terminal to the output terminal of the step-up chopper BUT.
  • Igniter IG generates high-voltage starting pulse by being input with low-frequency AC electricity. At the time of starting operation, the high-voltage starting pulse is applied over a pair of electrodes of metal halide lamp MHL for automobile headlight as described later.
  • High-pressure discharge lamp MHL has a construction as shown in FIG. 1, and connected to output terminal of full-bridge inverter FBI to be lit up by low-frequency AC electricity.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an automobile headlight embodying the luminaire according to the present invention.
  • 11 denotes a headlight main body
  • 12 denotes a high-pressure discharge lamp lighting system
  • 13 denote a metal halide lamps for automobile headlights.
  • Headlight main body 11 is formed in cup-shape, and provided with a reflection mirror 11a inside thereof, a lens 11b on its front and a lamp socket (not shown).
  • High-pressure discharge lamp lighting device 12 is provided with the circuit as shown in FIG 10, and has main lighting circuit 12A and starter 12B.
  • Main lighting circuit 12A is mainly constituted by step-up chopper BUT and full-bridge inverter FBI as main components.
  • starter 12B is constituted by igniter IG as main component.
  • the metal halide lamp 13 for automobile headlight is mounted to the lamp socket and then it is lit up.
  • the present invention is able to provide a practically very advantageous high-pressure discharge lamp containing thulium (Tm) halide as principal metal halide and zinc (Zn) halide as accessory metal halide in combination and exhibiting electrical property and luminescent characteristic excellent to those of high-pressure discharge lamp containing mercury and luminaire using this high-pressure discharge lamp.
  • Tm thulium
  • Zn zinc
  • the present invention is also able to provide a high-pressure discharge lamp reducing white roiling phenomenon occurring on a light-transmissive airtight envelope and luminaire using this high-pressure discharge lamp.

Landscapes

  • Discharge Lamp (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
EP06019906A 2005-09-22 2006-09-22 Lampe à décharge haute pression exempte de mercure et luminaire Withdrawn EP1768165A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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JP2005276883 2005-09-22
JP2006150886A JP2007115652A (ja) 2005-09-22 2006-05-31 高圧放電ランプおよび照明装置

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EP1768165A2 true EP1768165A2 (fr) 2007-03-28
EP1768165A3 EP1768165A3 (fr) 2008-11-26

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Cited By (5)

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WO2008012228A1 (fr) * 2006-07-27 2008-01-31 Osram Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Lampe à décharge à haute pression
EP2091304A1 (fr) * 2006-10-27 2009-08-19 Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation Lampe de décharge à haute pression, matériel d'éclairage et dispositif correspondant à la lampe
WO2009109566A1 (fr) * 2008-03-05 2009-09-11 Osram Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Électrode en tungstène pour lampes à décharge haute pression et lampe à décharge haute pression comportant une électrode en tungstène
DE102008013607B3 (de) * 2008-03-11 2010-02-04 Blv Licht- Und Vakuumtechnik Gmbh Quecksilberfreie Metallhalogenid-Hochdruckentladungslampe
WO2011018741A2 (fr) 2009-08-13 2011-02-17 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Lampe à décharge haute intensité sans mercure

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JP2009283433A (ja) * 2008-04-25 2009-12-03 Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp 高圧放電ランプおよび照明装置

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JP4340170B2 (ja) * 2003-03-03 2009-10-07 オスラム・メルコ・東芝ライティング株式会社 高圧放電ランプおよび照明装置

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DE19731168A1 (de) * 1997-07-21 1999-01-28 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Beleuchtungssystem
DE19857585A1 (de) * 1998-12-14 2000-06-15 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Metallhalogenidlampe
DE10354868A1 (de) * 2002-11-22 2004-06-17 Koito Mfg. Co., Ltd. Quecksilber-freie Bogenentladungsröhre für eine Entladungslampeneinheit
EP1530231A2 (fr) * 2003-11-07 2005-05-11 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation Lampe aux halogénures métalliques pour phare de véhicule ainsi que pour équipement de vision nocturne, et dispositif d'éclairage utilisant une telle lampe
EP1696468A2 (fr) * 2005-02-28 2006-08-30 Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation Lampe à décharge haute pression et dispositif optique

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008012228A1 (fr) * 2006-07-27 2008-01-31 Osram Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Lampe à décharge à haute pression
EP2091304A1 (fr) * 2006-10-27 2009-08-19 Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation Lampe de décharge à haute pression, matériel d'éclairage et dispositif correspondant à la lampe
EP2091304A4 (fr) * 2006-10-27 2011-04-27 Toshiba Lighting & Technology Lampe de décharge à haute pression, matériel d'éclairage et dispositif correspondant à la lampe
WO2009109566A1 (fr) * 2008-03-05 2009-09-11 Osram Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Électrode en tungstène pour lampes à décharge haute pression et lampe à décharge haute pression comportant une électrode en tungstène
DE102008013607B3 (de) * 2008-03-11 2010-02-04 Blv Licht- Und Vakuumtechnik Gmbh Quecksilberfreie Metallhalogenid-Hochdruckentladungslampe
WO2011018741A2 (fr) 2009-08-13 2011-02-17 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Lampe à décharge haute intensité sans mercure

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