EP1843380B1 - Method and device for introducing an exactly dosable amount of mercury into a discharge lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves introducing the mercury into a dosage volume in form of single drops (16) in a pre-operative step during or after the dosage of the mercury quantity and finally the total introducing quantity of mercury is transported into a filling section by maintaining the drops formed before in the discharge container (13). The discharge container is attached to a lamp holder (11) and is subjected with a gas flow through the lamp holder and further filled with a predetermined quantity of mercury through a tube. A reversal mechanism is provided, which passes a gas flow through a bypass channel (64) to the drops during the pre-operative step and blocks the bypass channel during the filling process in such a way that the gas flow is led while blocking the bypass channel by the dosage volume and carries along the drops into the discharge container. An independent claim is also included for a device for introducing an accurate dosable quantity of mercury into the discharge container of a lamp particularly into a fluorescent tube.

Description

The invention relates to a method for introducing a precisely metered amount of mercury in the discharge vessel of a lamp, in particular in a straight fluorescent lamp, wherein the discharge vessel is connected to a lamp holder and acted upon by the lamp holder with a gas stream and further via a mercury introduction channel with a predetermined amount of Mercury is filled. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device.

Fluorescent lamps are produced on fully automatic production machines, where lamp blanks in a horizontal position undergo various processes. These include: baking out the phosphors slurried into the discharge vessel, melting an electrode at the end of the discharge vessel, evacuating the discharge vessel, filling the discharge vessel with an inert filling gas, introducing a predetermined amount of mercury and then hermetically sealing the discharge vessel at both ends of the discharge tube ,

In the documents US Pat. No. 2,699,279 . US 2,842,290 and US 2,726,799 describes how liquid mercury from a container as part of a fully automatic production machine for the evacuation and filling of straight discharge vessels with inert filling gas and mercury, is metered. Such fully automated production machines are widely used and in use for many years.

An alternative approach to introduce mercury into the discharge vessel of fluorescent lamps is in the WO 97/19461 specified. In the process specified there, a metal strip coated with a mercury compound is attached to the electrodes. After the discharge vessel hermetically sealed, in particular is melted, the metal strip together with the mercury compound is heated inductively and released the mercury.

The heating of the mercury strip in the finished lamp has the consequence that possibly other unwanted components, in particular H _{2 are released} from the metal strip, which negatively influence the ignition and burning properties of the lamp.

In order to at least partially absorb these interfering materials, a getter material is usually additionally attached to the metal strip, which also has to be heated inductively to activate it. The heating necessary to activate the getter or to release the mercury is achieved by inductive energy input, wherein a very strong alternating electromagnetic field must be applied for heating the metal strip to 900 ° to 1000 ° over a period of 10 to 30 seconds. A certain radiation of the antenna in the production hall, e.g. Persons with pacemakers could negatively influence, can not be avoided. The energy consumption at a lamp throughput of 7000 / h is considerable and the energy efficiency of this method is extremely low. The production of the metal strip with pressed-on mercury and getter compounds (usually in welded ring form) and the handling in the lamp manufacturing make the getter tape technology very expensive and expensive.

In the method of Hg-liquid dosage mentioned above, the scattering of the metered amount is very large. Depending on the lamp type, phosphor and other specific design features, consumption of mercury added during the lifetime, which should be on the order of 20,000 hours, takes place. It is therefore usually necessary to overdose in order to ensure the minimum amount of mercury required for operation and to guarantee the intended average service life of the lamp.

A generic method and a corresponding device for introducing a precisely metered amount of mercury is already out of the JP 55-43729 A known. In JP 55-43729 A a device for introducing a quantity of mercury into an elongate discharge vessel 13 of a lamp is described. The decor is located in this case between the discharge vessel 13 connected to the device and a horizontal, also elongated main shaft or piston 2 of a suction nozzle connected to the device. Arranged essentially axially symmetrically with respect to the outer dimensions of the device, a stationary shaft or piston 4 extends over the greater part of the distance between the end of the discharge vessel 13 facing the device and the end of the main shaft 2 facing the device Discharge vessel 13, the main shaft 2 and the shaft 4 match. In the interior of the shaft 4, the mercury sump 24 extends axially symmetrically, which essentially represents a cavity that runs like a tube along the longitudinal axis of the shaft 4.

In turn, around the shaft 4 is an elongated mercury separation sleeve 6, in such a way that the shaft 4 lies in the interior of the mercury separation sleeve 6, forming its quasi core, and that their longitudinal axes also coincide. Around the mercury separation sleeve 6, in turn, there is an elongate mercury reservoir body 9, in such a way that the mercury separation sleeve 6 lies in the interior of the mercury reservoir body 9, by virtually forming its core, and their longitudinal axes also coincide. Thus, it can be said that the shaft 4, the mercury separation sleeve 6 and the mercury reservoir body 9 are three slidably fitting sleeves, which are slidably abutting one another as in one another.

At the mercury reservoir body 9, a mercury ladle 8 eccentrically mounted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mercury reservoir body 9 is provided. A mercury lake 18 is provided at the bottom of a larger cavity inside the device, the device comprising a hollow cylindrical housing 7. The longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical housing 7 in turn coincides with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 4, the mercury separation sleeve 6 and the mercury reservoir body 9. The diameter of the housing 7 in the illustrated embodiment of the device is about three times as large as the diameter of the mercury reservoir body 9. The upper edge of the mercury lake 18 is located immediately below the mercury reservoir body 9. The mercury ladle 8 is used to absorb mercury from the mercury lake 18 during rotation of the mercury reservoir body 9 about its longitudinal axis.

For the purpose of forwarding a portion of the taken over the mercury ladle 8 from the mercury lake 18 mercury to the mercury sump 24, from where it is ultimately introduced into the discharge vessel 13 is in the mercury reservoir body 9, the connection bore 22, in the shaft 4, the Ubertragungsbohrung 23, and in the mercury separation sleeve 6 the mercury separation hole 19 is present. When the mercury ladle 8 has moved through the mercury lake 18 about its longitudinal axis during the rotation of the mercury reservoir body 9 and is then significantly above the level of the mercury lake 18, the mercury passes through the channel present in the interior of the mercury ladle 8 and finally arrives at the adjacent one Mercury separation sleeve 6, where the mercury fills the mercury separation hole 19 and the flow is blocked in the direction of the mercury sump 24, and until such time by a lever 5, the mercury separation sleeve 6 is rotated relative to the shaft 4 such that the connecting holes 22, 23 and the in the mercury separation sleeve 6 existing mercury separation hole 19 are superimposed. The mercury reservoir body 9 and the shaft 4 are constantly set relative to one another in such a way that the connecting bore 22 and the connection or transmission bore 23 present in the shaft 4 are aligned. That is, when the communication hole 22 and the mercury separation hole 19 are superimposed, the communication hole 23 and each of the mercury separation hole 19 and the communication hole 22 are superimposed. In this position, then the metered portion of the mercury in the mercury separation hole 19 through which the connecting hole 23 through the mercury sump 24 to flow, followed by a gas flow from the housing 7 through the connecting hole 22nd

JP 55-43729 A further comprises a switching mechanism to which, in addition to the shaft 4, the mercury separation sleeve 6 and the mercury reservoir body 9, among others, the other connection or transmission bores 10, 11 and 12 include. In the course of this switching mechanism, a gas flow over the bypass channel comprising the connecting bores 10, 11 and 12 past the amount of mercury to be introduced in the mercury separation bore 19 during a preparation step and locked during a filling step of the bypass channel 10-12. As a result, the gas flow is used to entrain the amount of mercury to be introduced.

The object of the present invention is in contrast to provide a method for introducing a precisely metered amount of mercury in the discharge vessel of lamps, with which the dosage can be made much more accurate than in the prior art. Furthermore, a corresponding device should be specified.

This object is achieved in the present invention in that in a preparation step at or after the dosage of mercury introduced, the mercury is placed in a dosing volume in the form of a single, continuous drop, then in a filling step, the total amount of mercury to be introduced while maintaining the previously shaped drop is transported into the discharge vessel and wherein a switching mechanism is provided, which bypasses the gas flow through the bypass passage during the preparation step and the bypass passage blocks during the filling step, such that the gas flow is guided during the blocking of the bypass channel on the dosing and entrains the drop in the discharge vessel. In this case, a core idea of the invention is that the metering volume is designed as a metering bore, wherein its cross-sectional shape is formed substantially in the shape of an isosceles triangle.

On off JP 55-43729 A known per se aspect of the invention is to bring the total gas flow for the process of introduction behind the already predosed droplets of mercury, to let the droplets through the gas flow in the discharge vessel entrain.

Although the dosage of the droplet could already be made spatially separated or well in advance, it is preferred if the metering takes place through or within the metering volume. However, it is ensured that exactly the predosed amount of mercury is ready for filling into the discharge vessel.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the drop is formed as a structure of at least approximately spherical shape. The device is accordingly provided in a further preferred embodiment with a metering bore which is dimensioned so that the drop is formed therein into a single, fixed by the metering bore in the circumference to a predetermined diameter ball.

Accordingly, unlike in the prior art, the metering bore is designed so that the drop has space only as a sphere. In the prior art, however, the metering bore was elongated, so that the mercury has split into a plurality of small balls. However, this division is not reproducible, the balls are small and are poorly promoted.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the metering of mercury according to the invention together to form a single ball and the process engineering vote with regard to the deflection of the gas stream together.

In order to improve the introduction of the drop of mercury, deflections with angles greater than or equal to 90 ° are advantageously avoided. For example, the drop over two deflections, each with about 45 ° can be performed. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to guide the drop in a, in particular continuously curved channel, in particular by providing a curved acceleration channel such that sharp angles are completely avoided. Especially when providing a curved acceleration channel can be further provided that this opens kink-free and / or steplessly in the feed channel.

In a further preferred embodiment, the drop of mercury is guided in such a way that steps or edges in the direction of introduction are avoided during transitions. Corresponding transitions can be formed either completely flat or the droplets can be guided so that the diameter of guide means at the transitions widened, so that the drop of mercury in the direction of motion encounters no obstacle.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the metering volume may have a length substantially equal to the diameter of a circle inscribed in the cross section of the metering well.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the length of the metering well may also be sized slightly shorter than the diameter of a circle inscribed in the cross section of the metering well to ensure that the mercury flow is cut off above the metering well despite the high surface tension of the mercury the metering hole actually only makes exactly one drop.

The object of the present invention is also achieved by a device for introducing a precisely metered amount of mercury into the discharge vessel of lamps, in particular straight fluorescent lamps, as defined in claim 10.

Again, if necessary, the gas stream is redirected during introduction of the drop of mercury such that the drop is entrained by the gas flow into the discharge vessel.

It is particularly preferred if the metering volume is designed as a metering bore and dimensioned such that a drop of at least approximately spherical shape is formed.

According to an essential aspect of the present invention, the metering bore of the device according to the invention is formed with walls which are shaped or aligned with one another so that the droplets formed at least approximately in spherical form only touch the walls of the metering bore pointwise or in sections. The formation of a sphere or spherical shape approximated compact structure is thus favored; At the same time, frictional forces are reduced during the subsequent release from the metering bore.
Specifically, this means that the metering bore is formed as a recess with a cross-sectional shape substantially in the shape of an isosceles triangle. Here, the legs of the isosceles triangle may be arranged to extend in a straight line in a first embodiment, in an alternative embodiment, they may be based on the interior of the dosing bore also convex or concave running.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, an acceleration channel is provided between the dosing unit and the feed channel, which is aligned so that the drop is transferred by utilizing the gravitational force with an additional gravitational pulse into the feed channel. In the prior art, the divided into a plurality of individual spheres mercury also accelerated by gravitational force hits the feed channel. However, this is done in the prior art at right angles, so that no effective in the longitudinal direction of the feed channel pulse component remains. In contrast, according to the invention, an additional gravitational pulse is used for the transport of the mercury within the feed channel in the direction of the discharge vessel.

Acceleration channel and feed channel can be arranged relative to each other so that the acceleration channel opens at an angle <90 °, preferably <60 °, more preferably <50 ° in the feed channel. This ensures undisturbed transport of the mercury from the acceleration channel into the feed channel.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the bypass channel opens into the feed channel and has one or more inlet openings facing away from the discharge vessel for charging the discharge vessel with a gas stream, in particular with inert filling gas.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the at least one, preferably two or more inflow openings can be closed with covers, the inflow openings being arranged off-axis relative to the feed channel.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, inflow opening (s) and cover (s) can be opened or closed by rotating the inflow openings relative to the covers or the covers relative to the inflow openings.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the dosing unit comprises a tilting spoon unit, which is mounted coaxially to the feed channel and can be tilted between a dosing position and a release position, wherein the tilting with the rotation of the lamp holder takes place in that the center of gravity of the tipper unit by their geometric configuration and / or by an additional trim weight is well outside its axis of rotation about the feed channel. In this embodiment, a separate drive of Kipplöffeleinheit is not required; Rather, the change takes place between dosing and release position solely due to a triggered by gravity tilting movement with rotation of the lamp holders, which - as from US Pat. No. 2,699,279 respectively. US 2,726,799 known per se - can be arranged equidistantly spaced in a predetermined number on a circular disk rotating in the production process.

In a further preferred embodiment, the tilting spoon unit comprises a scooping arm with a spoon arranged on its end side. According to a particular aspect of the present invention, which ensures a particularly rapid tilting and thus the most reproducible dosage or release, the center of gravity of the tilting spoon unit is spaced by a distance from the axis of rotation, which in about 5% to 25% of Total radial extent of the scoop including the spoon from the pivot point to its radially outermost point corresponds.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the spoon on its side facing away from the scoop arm on a radially outwardly, in particular to a ridge or a tip tapered roof, which promotes drainage of mercury the radial outer side of the spoon. This ensures that mercury, which is located on the radially outer side of the spoon, not on the tipper unit along toward the inflow opening and / or yet to be explained gas passage bore, which is aligned in the release position with the metering bore, can flow.

Preferably, the feed channel has an upstream first portion and a downstream second portion coaxially aligned with each other and at the same time rotatably supported against each other about their common axis.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the first section engages with a conical surface in a facing opening of the second section. As a result, a comparatively tight contact between the first section and the second section is ensured, at the same time the rotatability of both sections is maintained against each other.

To further improve the sliding seal, the opening of the second section can preferably have an extension matched to the angle of the conical surface.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first portion of the feed channel relative to the associated lamp holder is rotatably mounted, this is preferably achieved in that the first portion of the feed channel is rotatably mounted in a relative to the associated lamp holder fixed dosing sleeve. The dosing sleeve can comprise the dosing bore according to the invention and furthermore a bearing for the tilting spoon unit as well as for a central inner part, in which also the bypass channel and the inflow opening (s) are formed form.

Preferred dimensions, the first portion of the feed channel is formed in a central inner part and rotatably mounted in a relative to the associated lamp holder fixed dosing sleeve.

In the central inner part, the bypass channel may preferably be formed. This opens at its one end in the first section of the feed channel. At the opposite end it forms one or more inflow openings for the entry of a gas flow into the bypass channel.

In a further preferred embodiment, the already mentioned covers for closing the inflow opening (s) are fixed relative to the fixed metering sleeve, preferably formed integrally with the metering sleeve.

In a specific embodiment, this has the consequence -as out JP 55-43729 A known per se, that at the same time the inflow openings can be brought into coincidence with the covers or out of overlap with the covers with pivoting of the tipper unit relative to the fixed dosing. Specifically, this causes that in a preparation step, the inflow openings are not covered by the covers, so that flows past in the preparation step, the gas flow through the inflow through the bypass channel at the drop. Only in the filling step, the inflow openings are blocked by the covers by rotation of the metering sleeve relative to the inner part, so that in this way the bypass channel is blocked. The gas stream is then passed over the metering volume and entrains the drop in the discharge vessel.

The tipper unit may be provided with an already mentioned gas passage bore which, in the release position of the tipper unit, is aligned with the metering bore so that the pressure of the inflation gas present at the gas passage bore effects the transport of the drop into the feed passage.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the gas passage bore can have deflection means, in particular a deflection sleeve, in order to keep excess mercury draining from the metering unit away from the gas passage bore in the respective metering operation. In this way it is avoided that mercury passing along the tipper unit passes into the gas passage bore and thus, in addition to the exactly predosed droplet, further mercury likewise passes into the feed channel.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit in einer ersten Stellung (Vorbereitungsschritt);

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht der Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit entlang der Linie C-C in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3:

eine Schnittansicht der Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit nach Fig. 1 entlang der Linie A-A;

Fig. 4:

eine Schnittansicht der Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit entlang der Linie B-B in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5:

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch die Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit nach Fig. 1 in einer zweiten Stellung (Befüllschritt);

Fig. 6:

eine Schnittansicht durch die Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit entlang der Linie C-C in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7:

eine Schnittansicht durch die Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit in einer Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8:

eine Schnittansicht durch die Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit in einer Schnittansicht entlang der Linie B-B in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9:

eine Prinzipskizze, welche eine Ausführungsform der Dosiereinheit mit Kipplöffeleinheit während der Rotation der zugeordneten Pump-/Füllmaschine, die mit einer Mehrzahl von Lampenaufnahmen zur Aufnahme jeweils eines Entladungsgefäßes bestückt sein kann, zeigt;

Fig.10

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Dosierhülse;

Fig. 11

eine Draufsicht auf die Dosierhülse nach Fig. 10;

Fig.12

ein Innenteil der anhand der Fig. 1 bis 8 veranschaulichten Dosiereinheit;

Fig.13

das Innenteil nach Fig. 12 in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 14

einen zur Darstellung aus Fig. 1 abweichenden Längsschnitt englang der Linie A-A in Fig. 2 durch die erfindungsgemäße Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit in einer ersten Stellung (Vorbereitungsschritt) zur Erläuterung des Umlenkmechanismus;

Fig. 15

die Lampenaufnahme mit darin angeordneter Dosiereinheit in einer Längsschnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 6 zur Erläuterung des Umlenkmechanismus in der zweiten Stellung der Dosiereinheit (Befüllschritt).

The invention will be explained below with regard to further features and advantages with reference to the description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a schematic longitudinal section through an embodiment of a lamp holder according to the invention with dosing unit disposed therein in a first position (preparation step);

Fig. 2

a sectional view of the lamp holder with dosing unit disposed therein along the line CC in Fig. 1 ;

3:

a sectional view of the lamp holder with arranged therein dosing Fig. 1 along the line AA;

4:

a sectional view of the lamp holder with arranged therein metering unit along the line BB in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5:

a schematic longitudinal section through the embodiment of a lamp holder according to the invention with arranged therein dosing Fig. 1 in a second position (filling step);

Fig. 6:

a sectional view through the lamp holder with dosing unit disposed therein along the line CC in Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 7:

a sectional view through the lamp holder with dosing unit disposed therein in a sectional view along the line AA in Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 8:

a sectional view through the lamp holder with dosing unit arranged therein in a sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 9:

a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the dosing unit with tipper unit during the rotation of the associated pump / filling machine, which may be equipped with a plurality of lamp receptacles for receiving a respective discharge vessel;

Figure 10

a perspective view of an embodiment of a metering sleeve according to the invention;

Fig. 11

a plan view of the dosing after Fig. 10 ;

Figure 12

an inner part of the basis of the Fig. 1 to 8 illustrated dosage unit;

Figure 13

the inner part after Fig. 12 in perspective view;

Fig. 14

one for presentation Fig. 1 Deviating longitudinal section of the line AA in Fig. 2 by the inventive lamp holder with dosing unit arranged therein in a first position (preparation step) for explaining the deflection mechanism;

Fig. 15

the lamp holder with dosing unit arranged therein in a longitudinal sectional view along the line AA in Fig. 6 to explain the deflection mechanism in the second position of the metering unit (filling step).

In Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through an embodiment of a lamp holder 11 according to the invention shown in a longitudinal section. The lamp holder 11 comprises first a housing 61 and a housing 43 mounted on the holder, in which a discharge vessel 13 of a fluorescent lamp to be produced via a discharge vessel fused pump tube 44 is held. The holder 43 includes sealing means 45, which may be concretely formed as an annular sealing rubber.

The discharge vessel 13 is also supported at its opposite end by a holder in a lamp holder, which may be formed differently from the lamp holder 11 described here, but is known per se from the prior art. The opposite lamp holder, for example, evacuate the discharge vessel 13 via a second pump tube fused to the associated end or support a flushing with filling gas by means of a suction.

The relevant and illustrated lamp holder 11 comprises an inner space 42, which is in flow connection with the pumping tube 44 inserted via a feed line 19, in particular a rectilinear one, with the discharge vessel 13. The feed channel 19 defines a central axis 50. The interior 42 of the lamp holder 11 can be acted upon by a filling gas 46 with filling gas, which projects with an inlet 60 in the vicinity of the axis 50 of the substantially rotationally symmetrical about this axis 50 formed interior 42.

Within the interior 42 is still a supply of mercury, which forms a mercury lake 47. The mirror of the mercury lake 47 is always sufficiently below the centrally arranged feed channel 19 and the inlet 60 of the filling gas 46.

A predetermined amount of mercury can be transferred from the mercury lake 47 into the central feed channel 19 via a metering unit 15 and then be introduced into the discharge vessel 13 with the aid of a filling gas stream.

The dosing unit 15 initially comprises a relative to the lamp holder 11 fixed dosing sleeve 38 which is aligned coaxially with the feed part 19 formed in an inner part 41 and encloses this. The dosing sleeve 38 has an outer portion 48 with which it is rotatably connected to the housing 61 of the lamp holder 11 and an inner portion 49 on which a Kipplöffeleinheit 28 - as another element of the dosing unit 15 - to the through the (central) feed channel 19 defined axis 50 is rotatably mounted. About a drive screw 51, which passes through a slot 52 in the dosing sleeve 38, takes the tipper unit 28, the aforementioned inner part 41 as a third element of the dosing unit 15 with the rotational movement of the Kipplöffeleinheit 28 with.

The inner part 41 of the dosing unit 15 simultaneously comprises a first section 33 of the feed channel 19 and a bypass channel 64 opening into this first section 33 of the feed channel 19. The first section 33 of the feed channel 19 and the bypass channel 64 are thus rotatable relative to the housing of the lamp holder 11 the axle 50 stored. Although it would be theoretically conceivable to apply the pumping tube 44 directly to this first section 33 of the feed channel 19; however, it is preferred to extend the feed channel 19 by a second section 34 which is in fluid communication with the pump tube 44 on one side and in fluid communication with the rotatably mounted first section 33 on the opposite side. The aforementioned second portion 34 is formed with respect to the housing of the lamp holder 11 as a separate component or integral with the metering sleeve 38 fixed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the first portion 33 of the feed channel 19 for improved cooperation with the second portion 34 of the feed channel at its end facing the second portion 34, a conical surface 35 which engages in an associated opening 36 of the second portion 34. The second section 34 preferably forms at its opening 36 at the same time an extension 37 which is matched to the conical surface 35 of the first section 33, so that the occurrence of an uncontrolled gap as possible according to the prior art is avoided.

The tipper unit 28 is with rotation of the lamp holder 11, which will be explained below with reference to the explanation of Fig. 3 will be described in more detail, tiltable between a metering position (preparation step) and a release position (filling step). The dosing position or the release position represent the end positions of a pivoting movement of the tipper unit 28 about the axis 50 of the feed channel 19 and the dosing sleeve 38, on which the tipper unit 28 as described above is stored. These end positions are determined by the dimensioning of the slot 52 in the metering sleeve 38.

In Fig. 2 the lamp holder 11 is off along the line CC Fig. 1 , in Fig. 3 along the line AA Fig. 1 and in Fig. 4 off along the BB line Fig. 1 illustrated, in which representation, the tipper unit 28 is in its first position, namely the dosing position (preparation step).

Like from the Fig. 2 . 3 and 4 Recognizable, the tipper unit 28 comprises a relative to the axis 50 radially outer spoon 31 which is connected via a scooping 30 with a substantially annular inner portion 53. In a preferred embodiment, spoon 31, scoop arm 30 and the substantially annular inner portion 53 are integrally formed. About the spoon 31, the in Fig. 3 is illustrated in a partially broken view, the tipper unit 28 from the mercury lake 47 can absorb mercury and lead via a channel 54 within the scoop arm 30 to a metering volume, specifically to a metering bore 21 in the dosing sleeve 38. In order to ensure that the metering bore 21 is filled with mercury as completely as possible, a drain 55 is provided in the inner part 41 of the metering unit 15, said drain 55 of the inner part 41 in the metering position of the tilting spoon unit 28 being aligned with the metering bore 21.

The metering sleeve 38 has at its end facing away from the outer portion 48 still two covers 65, 66 which protrude beyond the inner portion 49 in the axial direction and form part of a still closer to be explained switching mechanism 63 for the guided into the discharge vessel 13 gas flow. The covers 65, 66 have a radius of the Abweisscheibe 57 according to rounded inner surface 67, 68, which slides as close to the outside of the deflector 57. The covers 65, 66, which are formed as above the inner portion protruding Flunken, cover in the release position (filling step) diametrically formed on the shell side of the deflector 57 inlet openings 26 in the inner part, so that in the filling step, the gas flow through the bypass channel 64 is blocked. In dosing (preparation step), however, the inner part 41 and dosing 38 are rotated against each other so that the covers 65, 66, the diametrically arranged inlet openings 26 in the Do not cover deflector 57, so that the gas flow via the inlet openings 26 in the bypass channel 64 and from there via the first portion 33 of the feed channel 19 and the second portion 34 of the feed channel 19 can enter into the discharge vessel 13. Bypass channel 64 and first portion 33 of the feed channel 19 may be formed as a continuous bore, which is closed at the end facing away from the discharge vessel by a cap 69, at the same time T-shaped side channels lead to the two diametrically opposed inlet openings 26.

In the following, the process controlled by the tilting bucket unit 28 will be explained again in context. If the tipper unit 28 after the metering bore 21 is filled with a predetermined amount of mercury, tilted into the release position (by tilting clockwise from the in the Fig. 2 . 3 and 4 Dosing position shown), passes a gas passage hole 39 in the annular inner portion 53 of the Kipplöffeleinheit 28 in an aligned with the metering bore 21 alignment. At the same time, the inner part 41 of the dosing unit 15 is entrained with this tilting of the tipper unit 28, so that an acceleration channel 25 within the inner part 41 also comes into alignment with the dosing bore 21. At the same time by turning the inner part 41 relative to the metering sleeve 38, the inflow openings 26 of the bypass channel 64 closed by the covers 65, 66, so that the gas flow is now guided over the metering bore 21 and entrains the droplets 16 in the discharge vessel 13. This release position, ie the position of the dosing unit 15 in the filling step is based on Fig. 5 to 8 illustrated.

The metering bore according to the invention in the form of a triangular hole 18, that is formed as a through hole with a triangular cross-sectional shape. The triangle is identically defined in the present embodiment with each rectilinear legs, with different designs are conceivable. One consideration here is that the mercury received in the metering bore 21 forms into a single drop 16 which has as few points of contact with walls 22 to 24 of the metering bore 21 as possible. If a maximum amount of mercury (depending on the lamp type) of 5 mg or 10 mg given by European regulations is used, the calculated diameter of the drop 16, which is as spherical as possible, is 0.89 mm or 1.12 mm.

In the release position of the tilting spoon unit 28, the drop 16 of mercury formed in the metering bore can enter the acceleration channel 25 of the inner part 41. The acceleration channel 25 within the inner part 41 is arranged at an angle of 45 ° in the present embodiment. As a result, on the one hand a 90 ° transition during transport of the drop 16 from the metering bore 21 into the feed channel 19 is avoided, which made the transport of mercury considerably more difficult in the prior art; In addition, in the here proposed orientation of the acceleration channel 25 of the droplets 16 is also accelerated by the gravity acting on them, without this pulse would go completely lost when entering the feed channel 19. In addition, transitions 17 between the metering bore 21 and the acceleration channel 25 or between the acceleration channel 25 and the feed channel 19 or between the feed channel 19 and pump tube 44 are formed such that the drop 16 encounters no obstacles formed as steps in the transport direction.

In addition, in the construction according to the invention, a number of measures have been taken to prevent accidental entry of mercury past the metering bore 21. First, the inner part 41 of the metering unit 15 is provided at its end facing away from the pump tube 44 with a deflector 27 which is designed to prevent accidental entry of accumulating on the Kipplöffeleinheit 28 mercury in the pump tube 44 facing away from the inlet opening 26 of the feed channel 19. Specifically, the deflector 27 is formed here in the form of a groove 56.

In order to allow the quickest possible drainage of mercury from the outsides of the spoon 31 protruding in the metering position, according to a further aspect of the present invention, this top side of the spoon 31 is designed as a roof 32 (cf. Fig. 1 ), ie with surfaces inclined to the horizontal, so that mercury can drain off. Finally, deflection means 40 are also provided on the gas passage bore 39 provided in the annular inner section 53 of the tilting-bucket unit 28, which in this case is specifically designed as a projection sleeve (v. Fig. 3 ) may be formed. This also avoids that mercury draining from the tipper unit 28 can pass directly into the feed channel 19 without passing through the metering bore 21.

In order to ensure the fastest possible tilting of the tilting spoon unit 28 between metering position and release position, whereby - to minimize the formation of the drop 16 of substantially spherical shape as possible - defined conditions are created, the Kipplöffeleinheit 28 is still equipped with an additional trim weight 29, which is secured by a fixing screw 58 on the scoop 30 in the vicinity of the spoon 31.

In Fig. 9 is shown on the basis of a schematic diagram of the rotation of the pump / filling machine to which a plurality of lamp holders 11 may be attached. Thus, the plurality of lamp holders 11 rotate about a central axis of rotation of the pumping / filling machine along a circular path. At the same time, the tipper unit 28 tilts periodically from the dosing position (preparation step) to the release position (filling step) and from the release position back into the dosing position.

In positions A and B, the bucket 31 is completely submerged in the mercury lake 47 and exits the mercury lake 47 at position C filled with mercury so that both buckets 31 and channel 54 are filled with mercury. In the positions D and E, the tipper unit 28 is still in the dosing position, in which case the mercury present in the channel 54 can enter the dosing bore 21. In the positions F and G, the tipper unit 28 is transferred by a rapid tilting into the release position, so that the formed in the metering bore 21 ball 16 of mercury via the acceleration channel 25 in the central feed channel 19 and from there into the discharge vessel 13 can occur.

This is supported by a Füllgastoß, which can be generated, for example, characterized in that on the opposite side of the discharge vessel in the discharge vessel such a negative pressure is generated that at the right moment, when the ball 16 arrives at the entrance of the pumping tube 44, a Füllgastoß from the Füllgasleitung 46 in the feed passage 19 via the inflow opening 26 and the gas passage bore 39 is passed.

In position H, the tipper unit 28 tilts from the release position back to the dosing position.

In Fig. 10 the dosing sleeve 38 is shown in a perspective view. The metering sleeve 38 comprises the already mentioned outer portion 48 for insertion into the housing 61 of the lamp holder 11 and an inner diameter smaller dimensioned in the outer diameter inner portion 49. In this inner portion 49, the already mentioned slot 52 and formed with a triangular cross-section metering bore 21 is arranged , Fig. 11 shows the dosing sleeve 38 after Fig. 10 in a side view.

In Fig. 12 is a side view and in Fig. 13 a perspective side view of the inner part 41 of the dosing unit 15 is shown. The inner part 41 comprises the already mentioned first section 33 of the feed channel 19. For connection to the second section 34 of the feed channel 19, the inner part 41, the already mentioned conical surface 35 at its one end face on. At its opposite end, the centrally continuous first section 33 of the feed channel 19 forms the inflow opening 26, also mentioned above, which is protected by the rejection device 27 comprising groove 56 and deflector plate 57, as well as possible against undesired inflowing mercury. From lateral surface of the inner part 41 of the acceleration channel 25 extends in the direction of the first portion 33 of the feed channel 19 at 45 °. Also indicated is a bore 59 for receiving the driving screw 51 (not shown here) and the drain 55 for the removal of Mercury when filling the metering bore 21 of the associated metering sleeve 38th

In the Fig. 14 and 15 is one of the presentation in the Fig. 1 and 5 a different sectional view to illustrate the operation of the switching mechanism 63, which includes the diametrically arranged inlet openings 26 in the inner part 41 and the covers 65, 66 which are integrally formed with the metering sleeve 38 includes. In Fig. 14 the dosing position (preparation step) is illustrated. In this position, the switching mechanism 63 leads the gas flow over the inlet openings 26 and the bypass channel 64 past the metering bore 21 formed as a triangular hole 18.

In Fig. 15 the arrangement is shown in the release position (filling step). In this position of the switching mechanism 63, the covers 65, 66 close the inflow openings 26 of the bypass channel such that the gas flow is now guided over the metering volume or the metering bore 21 and thus entrains the droplets 16 into the discharge vessel 13.

With the dosing unit proposed here or the method proposed here, a much more accurate and reliable dosing of the absolute amount of mercury per lamp can be made. Due to the low variance compared to the conventional liquid metering method, underdosing and associated early dropout of the lamp can be avoided. An accidental overdose is prevented with much higher security.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

lamp receptacle

13

discharge vessel

15

dosing

16

drops

17

crossing

18

triangle hole

19

(central) feed channel

21

Dosing volume, dosing hole

22 to 24

Walls (dosing hole)

25

accelerating channel

26

inflow

27

stand-off

28

spoon unit

29

trim weight

30

the scoop

31

spoon

32

top, roof

33

first section (charging channel)

34

second section (charging channel)

35

conical surface

36

Opening (second section)

37

extension

38

dosing

39

Gas through hole

40

repellents

41

Inner part (dosing unit)

42

inner space

43

bracket

44

exhaust tube

45

sealant

46

fill gas

47

sea of mercury

48

outer section (dosing sleeve)

49

inner section (dosing sleeve)

50

Axis (feed channel)

51

driver screw

52

Long hole

53

(ring-shaped) inner section

54

channel

55

procedure

56

groove

57

Abweisscheibe

58

fixing screw

59

drilling

60

Inlet (filling gas line)

61

casing

63

switching mechanism

64

bypass channel

65, 66

covers

67, 68

inside

69

cap

Claims (29)

1. A method of introducing a precisely meterable amount of mercury into the discharge vessel of a lamp, in particular into a straight fluorescent lamp,
   in which the discharge vessel (13) is connected to a lamp receptacle (11) and is applied with a gas stream via the lamp receptacle (11), and furthermore is filled with a predefined amount of mercury via a mercury introduction channel,
   in which, in a preparation step during or after the metering of the amount of mercury to be introduced, the mercury in a metering volume (21) is brought into the form of a single, coherent drop (16),
   subsequently, in a filling step, the entire amount of mercury to be introduced is transported into the discharge vessel (13) with preservation of the previously formed drop (16), and
   in which a switch-over mechanism (63) is provided, which guides the gas stream during the preparation step past the drop (16) via a bypass channel (64) and blocks the bypass channel (64) during the filling step such that the gas stream, during the blocking of the bypass channel (64), is guided via the metering volume (21) and entrains the drop (16) into the discharge vessel (13), the metering volume (21) being configured as a metering bore (21),
   characterized in that
   the cross-sectional shape of the metering bore (21) essentially is configured in the form of an isosceles triangle.
2. The method according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   in the cross-sectional shape of the metering bore (21), the legs of the isosceles triangle are arranged so as to extend in a straight line.
3. The method according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   in the cross-sectional shape of the metering bore (21), the legs of the isosceles triangle are configured so as to extend convexly or concavely.
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the metering is performed by or within the metering volume (21).
5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the drop (16) is formed as a configuration of an at least approximately spherical shape.
6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   during its introduction into the discharge vessel (13), the drop (16) is guided such that deflections having angles larger than or equal to 90° are avoided.
7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   transitions (17) are configured such that in the introduction direction steps or edges are avoided.
8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the metering volume (21) has a length essentially equal to the diameter of a circle inscribed into the cross-section of the metering bore (21).
9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a switch-over is performed between the preparation step and filling step by a tipping spoon unit (28) tippable with rotation of the lamp receptacle (11).
10. A device for introducing a precisely meterable amount of mercury into the discharge vessel (13) of lamps, in particular into straight fluorescent lamps, comprising at least one lamp receptacle (11) to which the discharge vessel (13) is connected,
    the lamp receptacle (11) comprising a feed channel (19) communicating with the interior of the discharge vessel (13), and
    the device including a metering unit (15) pre-metering a predefined amount of mercury within a metering volume (21) and transmitting the amount of mercury pre-metered within the metering volume (21) to the feed channel (19) for introduction into the discharge vessel (13),
    the metering volume (21) being sized such that the mercury therein forms into a single drop (16), and the metering unit (15) comprising a switch-over mechanism (63) for being able to block and/or deviate, as required, a gas stream flowing past the metering volume (21) through a bypass channel (64), such that the gas stream during blocking of the bypass channel (64) is guided via the metering volume (21) and entrains the drop into the discharge vessel (13), the metering volume (21) being configured as a metering bore (21),
    characterized in that
    the cross-sectional shape of the metering bore (21) essentially is configured in the form of an isosceles triangle.
11. The device according to claim 10,
    characterized in that
    in the cross-sectional shape of the metering bore (21), the legs of the isosceles triangle are arranged so as to extend in a straight line.
12. The device according to claim 10,
    characterized in that
    in the cross-sectional shape of the metering bore (21), the legs of the isosceles triangle are configured so as to extend convexly or concavely.
13. The device according to any one of claims 10 through 12,
    characterized in that
    the metering volume (21) has a length essentially equal to the diameter of a circle inscribed into the cross-section of the metering bore (21).
14. The device according to any one of claims 10 through 13,
    characterized in that
    between the metering volume (21) and the feed channel (19) an acceleration channel (25) is provided extending straight or bent such that the drop (16) is transferred into the feed channel (19) utilizing gravitational force with an additional gravitation-caused impulse.
15. The device according to claim 14,
    characterized in that
    the acceleration channel (25) extending straight or bent opens into the feed channel (19) at an angle of < 90°, preferably < 60°, more preferably < 50°.
16. The device according to any one of claims 10 through 15,
    characterized in that
    the bypass channel (64) opens into the feed channel (19) and comprises one or more inlet opening/s (26) facing away from the discharge vessel (13) for feeding the discharge vessel (13) with a gas stream, in particular an inert filling gas.
17. The device according to any one of claims 10 through 16,
    characterized in that
    the at least one, preferably two or more inlet opening/s (26) is/are arranged off-axis relative to the feed channel (19) and may be closed by covers (65, 66).
18. The device according to any one of claims 10 through 17,
    characterized in that
    the metering unit (15) comprises a tipping spoon unit (28) supported so as to be coaxial to the feed channel (19) and being tippable between a metering position and a release position, the tipping taking place with rotation of the lamp receptacle (11) in that the center of gravity of the tipping spoon unit (28), due to its geometrical configuration and/or due to an additional trimming weight (29), is situated clearly outside of its axis of rotation about the feed channel (19).
19. The device according to claim 18,
    characterized in that
    the tipping spoon unit (28) comprises a scoop arm (30) having a spoon (31) arranged at its terminal side, and that, relative to the radial extension of the scoop arm (30) inclusive of the spoon (31), in the radial direction from the axis of rotation defined by the feed channel (19), the center of gravity is spaced from this axis of rotation by a distance corresponding to about 5 % to 25 % of the total radial extension of the scoop arm (30) inclusive of the spoon (31).
20. The device according to claim 18 or 19,
    characterized in that
    the tipping spoon unit (28) comprises a scoop arm (30) having a spoon (31) arranged at its terminal side, the spoon (31), at its side facing away from the scoop arm (30), comprising a roof (32) tapering radially outward, in particular towards a ridge or a top, which aids mercury in flowing off the radial outside of the spoon (31).
21. The device according to any one of claims 10 through 20,
    characterized in that
    the feed channel (19) comprises a first portion (33) situated upstream and a second portion (34) situated downstream, which are in coaxial alignment with respect to each other and at the same time are supported counterrotatable about their common axis, the first portion (33) engaging into a facing opening (36) of the second portion (34) with a cone surface (35).
22. The device according to claim 21,
    characterized in that
    the opening (36) of the second portion (34) comprises an expansion (37) adapted to the angle of the cone surface (35).
23. The device according to any one of claims 10 through 22,
    characterized in that
    the feed channel (19) comprises a first portion (33) situated upstream and a second portion (34) situated downstream, which are in coaxial alignment with respect to each other and at the same time are supported counterrotatable about the common axis, the first portion (33) being supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the associated lamp receptacle (11).
24. The device according to any one of claims 21 through 23,
    characterized in that
    the first portion (33) of the feed channel (19) is formed in a central inner part (41) and is supported in a metering sleeve (38) fixed with respect to the associated lamp receptacle (11).
25. The device according to claim 24,
    characterized in that
    within the central inner part (41), furthermore the bypass channel (64) is formed having one or more inlet opening/s (26).
26. The device according to claim 24 or 25,
    characterized in that
    it comprises covers (65, 66) for closing the inlet openings (26), which are formed so as to be immovable relative to the fixed metering sleeve (39), preferably are formed in one piece with the metering sleeve (38).
27. The device according to any one of claims 24 through 26,
    characterized in that
    the metering bore (21) is formed within the metering sleeve (38).
28. The device according to claim 18 or any one of claims 19 through 27 with reference to claim 18,
    characterized in that
    the tipping spoon unit (28) comprises a gas passage bore (39) aligned with the metering bore (21) when the tipping spoon unit (28) is in the release position, so that the pressure of the filler gas present at the gas passage bore (39) causes or supports the transport of the drop (16) into the feed channel (19).
29. The device according to claim 28,
    characterized in that
    the gas passage bore (39) comprises deflecting means (40), in particular a deflecting sleeve so as to keep mercury, flowing off the metering unit (15) and in excess during the respective metering process, away from the gas passage bore (39).

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