GB2216334A

GB2216334A - Light source

Info

Publication number: GB2216334A
Application number: GB8903809A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rolf Sverre Bergman; John Martain Davenport; Richard Lowell Hansler
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1988-02-18
Filing date: 1989-02-20
Publication date: 1989-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-20
Also published as: JPH07169441A; NL193231C; DE3904926C2; CA1301238C; FR2627627B1; DE3904926A1; NL193231B; JP3213181B2; JPH0550097B2; GB8903809D0; NL8900395A; GB2216334B; FR2627627A1; JPH027347A

Description

n r /. 16 3 3 Al LD 9844 LIGHT SOURCE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

British patent applications Nos. 7(Attorney Docket No. LD 9804); and S') (Attorney Docket No. LD 9843) filed herewith, respectively for "Metal Halide Eiglt Source" arTd "Xenon Lamp" are related to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a discharge lamp. Illustratively such a lamp is for forward lighting applications of a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, bus, van or tractor, to which reference is made hereinafter by way of example.

BACKGROUND

Automotive designers are interested in lowering the hood lines of cars in order to improve their appearance and also their aerodynamic performance. As discussed in the cross - referenced Patent Application No. 890-3007-c) having Attorney Docket No. LD 9843, the amount that the hood lines may be lowered is limited by the dimensions of the automotive headlamp, which, in turn, is limited by the dimensions of the light source itself which is typically comprised of a tungsten filament.

As disclosed in Patent Application R9C)3R,0-1.9 having Attorney Docket Number LD 9843, a xenon discharge light source having dimensions which are substantially reduced relative to a tungsten light source allows for the reduction of the overall size of the reflector of the automotive headlamp so that the hood lines of the automobile may be substantially reduced by the automotive designers. In addition, the disclosed xenon discharge light source has an instant start capability similar to a tungsten filament and therefore is particularly suited for automotive applications.

The xenon light source while serving its desired functions suffers some disadvantage in that its efficiency is less than that of other discharge lamp types such as a metal halide lamp. This disadvantage is partly because the operating voltage of the xenon lamp, finding use in automotive appl ications is relatively low such as 15 volts. This causes a large fraction of the energy consumed by such a xenon lamp to be dissipated by the electrodes of the xenon lamp rather than contributing to the light output. A further reason for the lower efficiency is that the xenon spectrum contains a relatively large amount of infrared energy which serves no useful purpose for automotive applications and is also detrimental to-the plastic housing of the automobile headlamp.

It is desired that a discharge lamp such as a metal halide lamp be provided so as to serve the needs of the automotive headlamp. It is further desired, that the metal halide lamp provide for substantially instant light output such as that of a xenon lamp or tungsten incandescent light source. Still further, in addition to the metal halide lamp serving the needs of automobile, it is desired that the metal halide lamp find lighting applications in the home, office and other commercial and industrial usages.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a metal halide discharge light source for lighting applications and which is particularly suited to serve the needs of the automobile by allowing for substantially instant light.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides a metal halide discharge lamp having relatively small dimensions so as to allow for reduction in its related reflector of the headlamp, which, in turn allows for a reduction in the hood lines desired for aerodynamically styled automobiles.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided-axenon-metal halide discharge light source.

An embodiment of the source comprises an envelope containing xenon at greater than atmospheric pressure, mercury and a metal halide, and a pair of separated electrodes via which the source is energised.

In one embodiment an automotive headlamp comprises a reflector, a lens, and an inner envelope. The reflector has a section to which is mated means capable of being connected to an excitation source of an automobile. The reflector also has a predetermined focal length. The lens of the automotive headlamp is mated to the front section of the reflector. The inner envelope of the automotive lamp is predeterminently positioned within the reflector so as to be approximately disposed near the focal length of the reflector. The inner envelope contains a fill of xenon at a relatively high pressure, an amount of mercury, and a metal halide. The inner envelope has a pair of electrodes separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The inner envelope is connected to the means mated to the section of the automotive lamp so that the excitation source is capable of being applied across the electrodes, whereby upon such application the fill of xenon contained in the inner envelope is excited so as to produce.a significant amount of light which is then followed by vaporization and ionization of the mercury along with the metal halide ingredients. The ionization of the xenon and the metal halide develops a high intensity high efficiency source of light that is located between the electrodes.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:

is. Fig. 1 is a side view generally illustrating an illustrative automotive headlamp in accordance with the present invention having its light source oriented in a vertical manner.

Fig. 2 is a top view generally illustrating an illustrative automotive headlamp in accordance with the present invention having its light source oriented in a horizontal axial manner.

Figs. 3(A) and 3( B) respectively illustrate a comparison between the light beam divergence developed by a filament light source and the beam divergence developed by a smaller xenon-metal halide light source according to the present invention in reflectors of the same size.

Fig. 4(A) and 4(B) respectively illustrate a comparison of the effect of the reduction of the size of a reflector on the divergence of the light from an incandescent light source and from the xenon metal halide light source according to the present invention in order to have the same light beam divergence.

Figs. S(A) and S(B) are respective perspective views of a prior art rectangular automotive headlamp and a rectangular automotive headlamp in accordance 1 with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a side view generally illustrating an automotive headlamp 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprising a reflector 12, a lens 14 and an inner envel ' ope 16.

The reflector 12 has a rear section 18 having means mounted thereon, such as a connector 20 with prongs 22 and 24 capable of being connected to a excitation source on an automobile.

The reflector 12 has a predetermined focal length 26 occurring along the axis 28 of the automotive headlamp 10. The reflector 12 has a parabolic shape with a focal length in the range of about 6mm to about is 35mm with a preferred range of about 8mm to about 20mm. The lens 14 is mated to the front section of the reflector 12. The lens 14 is of a transparent material selected from the group consisting of glass and plastic. The transparent member has a face preferably formed of prism members.

The inner envelope 16 is predeterminently positioned within the reflector so as to be approximately disposed near the focal length 26 of the reflector. For the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the inner envelope 16 is oriented in a vertical and transverse manner relative to the axis-28 of the reflector 12, whereas, Fig. 2 illustrates the inner envelope 12 as being oriented in a horizontal manner relative to and along the axis 28 of the reflector 12.

The inner envelope 16 of Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated as being of a double-ended type having a pair of electrodes 30 and 32 disposed at opposite ends in the neck sections of the inner envelope and separated from each other by predetermined distance in the range of about 2mm to about 4mm. The inner envelope 16 may also be of a single-ended type with both electrodes disposed at the same end of the lamp and separated from each other by the given predetermined range. The pair of electrodes are of a rod-like members formed of the materials selected from the group preferably comprising of-tungsten, and tungsten with 1-3% thorium. In one embodiment related to an inner envelope of a quartz material, the rodlike electrodes are respectively connected to foil members 34 and 36 sealed in opposite neck portion of the inner envelope. The foil members 34 and 36 are electricalll, connected to relatively thick inner leads 38 and 40, which, in turn, are respectively connected to prongs 22 and 24. In another embodiment related to-an inner envelope preferably of a type #180 glass available from the oresent aoolicants, the rod-like tungsten electrodes may be welded to molybdenum inleads which may be directly sealed in the #180 glass thereby eliminating the need of the foil members 34 and 36.

The electrodes 30 and 32 are preferably of the spot-mode type disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,574,219 of Davenport et al. and herein incorporated by reference.

The spot-mode electrodes coated with a cement material disclosed in Table 3 of U.S. Patent 4,574,219 develop thermionic emission to supply the needs of a thermionic arc condition within the inner envelope 16 in a substantially instantaneous manner.

The inner envelope 16 is of an elongated body having an overall length in the range of about 15mm to about 40mm, neck portions with a diameter in the range of about 2mm to about 5mm, and bulbous shape central portion having a mid-portion with a diameter in the -range of about 6mm to about 15mm. The inner envelope 16 may have a coating 42 preferably on its outer surface which is preferably a multi-layer infrared reflecting film of alternating layers preferably of tantalum oxide and silicon dioxide or titanium oxide and silicon dioxide. The nulti-layer infrared reflective film improves the efficiency of the operating lamp 16, to be described, by reflecting infrared energy emitted by the lamp back toward the arc of the lamp so that the arc temperature may be increased and maintained without any further increases in input power from the excitation source. The infrared reflective coating 42 is also advantageous in that it incidently absorbs the ultraviolet energy of the lamp 16 which night otherwise cause degradation to the plastic or other parts of the headlamp 10. The process of absorbing the ultraviolet and reflecting the infrared electromagnetic energy has the additional benefit of increasing the heating rate of the lamp 16 which speeds-up or increases the vaporization and ionization of the mercury and the metal halide within the lamp 16 and thereby shortens the warm-up time of the xenon-inetal-halide lamp 16 as it operates with the xenon high pressure.

The fill contained in the xenon-netal halide lamp 16 is comprised of xenon, nercury and a metal halide. The xenon fill has a fill pressure at room temperature in the range of about 2 atmospheres to about 15 atmospheres. The mercury contained in the xenon-metal halide lamp is in an amount in the range of about 2mg to about long. The amount of mercury is chosen so that with a bulb of a certain size and a distance between the electrodes of acertain amount the voltage drop across the lamp is a convenient value and such that the convection currents within the lamp that produce bowing of the arc do not produce excessive bowing. The operating pressure which is the result of both the xenon and the mercury is in the range of about 3 to 100 atmospheres. The metal halide is a mixture of an amount in the range of about 4mg to about 12mg. The mixture is comprised of halides selected from the group given in Table 1. - TABLE I

Sodium Iodine Scandium Iodine Thallium Iodine Indium. Iodine Tin Iodine Dysprosium Iodine Holmium Iodine Thulium Iodine Thorium Iodine Cadmium Iodine Cesium Iodine One preferred choice of the above ingredients is a mixture of sodium and scandium iodides with a molar ratio of about 19:1. The illustrative lamD 16 of the present invention is particularly suited to serve as a light source for automotive forward lighting applications.

The initial application of the excitation source across the electrodes of the xenon-metal halide lamp causes the fill of xenon to ionize and produce light instantly and then by continuing the application of the excitation source cause the vaporization and the ionization of the mercury along with the metal halide. The amount of instant light varies linearly with the xenon pressure within the inner envelope. The xenon ingredient of the xenon-metal halide lamp envelope operates to provide sufficient instant light for automotive applications, whereas, the mercury and metal halide ingredients operate to provide for a long life higher efficiency headlamp compared to a discharge lamp 1k.

containing only xenon or a tungsten filament lamp, for automotive applications. The xenon-metal halide light source having a relatively short distance of 3mm between the electrodes provides for substantially instant starting by means of the xenon gas which yields an adequate light output for initial automotive applications. The xenon-metal halide lamp warms up within 30 seconds and the mercury and metal halide ionization provides for a high efficacy output.

In order for the xenon-metal halide lamp to be operated in its cold condition, a current of 5 amps at a voltage of 12V is supplied to the lamp so as to be operated at about 60 watts. As the mercury and metal halide within the lamp ionize and vaporize, the voltage across the lamp gradually rises to about 40 volts and the current is adjusted to approximately I amp so as to operate the lamp at be approximately 40 watts.

When the xenon-metal halide lamp is energized in a cold condition, the mercury in the metal halide lamp is mostly condensed as are the metal halides, and the lanp is essentially operating as a high pressure xenon lamp. During such initial conditions, thehigh - intensity light spots are located in front of one of the electrodes which provides a region of moderate brightness. As the xenon-netal halide lamp 16 warms up, the xenon emission is gradually augmented by the mercury and metal halide emissions. As the voltage across the lamp begins to rise and as the current delivered to the lamp begins to drop, the electrode loss of the metal halide lamp decreases and correspondingly causes the efficacy of the lamp to increase. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a 19:1 molar mixture of sodium and scandium iodide along with an amount of mercury necessary to produce the voltage drops of about 30-50V and a 5 atmosphere fill-pressure of xenon was utilized for the xenon-metal halide lamp. The selection of other metal halides are advantageous and provide for certain colors which are advantageous to automotive applications.

The xenon-metal halide lamp of the present embodiment, by the use of the high pressure xenon provides light of a sufficient magnitude during the first few seconds of the lamp operation to provide for the illumination needs of the automotive. After these first few seconds have expired, the discharge of the xenon is augmented by the mercury and metal halide components within the inner envelope to provide for a high efficiency light output. The automotive headlamp 10 of the present embodiment may provide the low beam illumination needs of the automobile when the xenonmetal halide lamp is excited with an voltage and current of 30V, and 1.4A respectively. The high beam illumination may be provided with the same excitation.

One of the advantages of the high efficiency metal halide is that because of its relatively small arc dimensions it allows for the reduction in the dimensions of reflector in which it is housed to form an automotive headlamp, and thereby allows for a reduction in the hood lines of the automobile previously discussed in the "Background". Such a reduction may be described with reference to Figs. 3(A) and 3(B) ' Figs. 3(A) and 3(B) are interrelated and show a comparison of the divergence of the beam produced by a headlamp using a tungsten filament 116 compared to that produced by a headlamp having the smaller xenon-metal halide light source 16 of the present emoodi-ment. Fig. 3(A) shows the light source 116 indicated in the form LD 9844 of an arrow having its mid-portion located at the focal point 26 along the axis 28 of the reflector 12, whereas, Fig. 3(B) shows the xenon-light metal halide light source 16 in the form of an arrow having its mid-portion located at the focal point 26 along the axis 28 of reflector 12 having the same dimensions as that of Fig 3(A). The incandescent light source 116 may have a typical length such as 5mm, whereas, the xenon-metal halide light source 16 has a length of approximately 3mm.

The incandescent filament 116 when activated provides for a plurality of reflected light rays that diverge at a rate which is proportional to the size of the light source 116 and is represented by the angle eA. Similarly, the xenon-metal halide light source 16 provides for a plurality of light rays that diverge from each other by an angle eB With reference to Fig 3(A), the angle of divergence of the light from filament 116 is illustrated by a light ray 116A emitted from the upper most portion of filament 116 which is intercepted and reflected by reflector 12 as light ray 116B The angle between the light ray 116B which passes through the focal point 26 and the axis 28 is the divergence angle eA of the light from the filament 116. For the values previously given to the filament 116 (5mm) and the reflector 12, (focal length 25mm) this angle eA is 11.30.

Fig. 3(B) shows light rays 16A and 16B which are similar to light rays 116A and 116B described with regard to Fig. 3(A). The angle of the divergence eB produced by the light rays emitted by the xenon-metal halide light source 16, for the previously given values of the light source 16 (3mm) and the reflector 12 (focal length 25mm), is 6.80. The angle of divergence eB is approximately three-fifths smaller than the angle of the divergence eA The \'I overall effect of such light produced by the xenon-metal halide light source 16 is that a desired beam pattern, developed by the automotive headlamp, 10 of the present embodiment and directed to a roadway has less spread and may therefore be directed where.it is needed to illuminate the road with less light where it is not wanted. The reduction of this spread or unwanted light by the xenon-metal halide light source 16, relative to an incandescent light source 116, reduces the veiling or concealing effect of fog, rain and snow and thereby provides more useful direct light for automotive applications.

A further advantage provided by the relatively small size of the xenon-metal halide light source 16 is to reduce the necessary size of the reflector of the automotive headlamp and may be described with reference to Figs. 4(A) and 4(B). Figs. 4(A) and 4(B) are respectively similar to Figs. 3(A) and 3(B) and use similar reference numbers where applicable. Figs. 4(A) and 4(B) are different i n that the focal length 26 has been reduced i)y a factor to two (2) relative to the focal length 26 respectively shown in Figs. 3(A) and 3(B). Further, the reflector 12 of Figs. 4(A) and 4(B) has been reduced in height by a factor of about 2/3 relative to that of Figs. 3(A) and 3(B).

Fig. 4(A) shows that the tungsten incandescent filament 116 produces light rays 116A and 116B in which ray 116B forms an angle of divergence ec having a value of about 21.80 for the reflector of Figs. 4(A) and 4(B) with focal length 12.5mm and previously given value of filament 116 (5mm length) which would produce stray light in a beam pattern of a sufficient amount for an automotive headlamp that would not meet the needs of the automotive technology. Conversely, Fig. 4(B) shows the xenon-netal halide light source 16 of about 3mm in length producing light rays 16A and 16B in which ray 16B forms an angle of divergence 6D having a value of about 13.50 which produces a bean pattern having a limited amount of stray light so as to more than meet the needs of the automotive technology. The effect of the smaller size xenon-netal halide light source 16 allows for an increase in the collection efficiency of the reflector 12 through a reduction in its focal length and a slightly smaller reduction in its overall dimensions. The overall effect is that the xenon-metal halide light source allows for both decreasing the.size of the reflector and improving the collection efficiency of the reflector by sufficient amounts so as to allow the automotive designer to decrease the hood lines of the automobile as discussed in the "Background" section. It is contemplated that a oreferred ernbodiment of the invention allows for a reduction of the reflector for an automotive headlamp by a factor of 2/3 relative to prior automotive headlamp utilizing a typical incandescent filament so that the hood lines of the automobile may be correspondingly reduced.

The overall reduction of the dimensions of the reflector and thereby the corresponding dimensions of the automotive headlamp may be illustrated with reference to Pigs. 5(A) and 5(B). Fig. 5(A) is a perspective view illustrative of a prior art rectangular automotive headlampemploying an incandescent filament and having similar elements of the automotive headlamp 10 of Pigs. 1 and 2 with corresponding reference numbers that have been increased by a factor of 100. Fig S(B) is a perspective view illustrative of one embodiment of the present invention being a rectangular automotive headlamp 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and having dimensions that have been reduced relative to the prior -art lamp 100 by a factor of about 40% in accordance with the description of the lamp 10 given hereinbefore. From a comparison between Fig. 5(A) of the prior art lamp 100 and the lamp 10 of the present invention Fig. 5(B) is may be easily seen that the practice of the present embodiment provides the automotive designers with the means in the form of the xenon-metal halide lamp 16 to substantially reduce the hood lines of the automobile.

It should now be appreciated that the xenon-metal halide lamp 16 not only provides for an instant light to serve the illumination needs of the automobile but also because of its reduced dimensions allows for the reduction in the hood lines of the automobiles thereby accommodating the aerodynamic styling desires of the automotive designers.

The xenon-metal halide lamp 16 also has a relatively long anticipated life such as 5,000 hours, which, in turn, provides for the needs of the automotive headlamps for more than its anticipated life.- ' It should further be appreciated that the infrared multi-layer film coating on the outside of the inner envelope of the xenon-metal halide lamp increases the efficiency of the lamp by reflecting the infrared radiation back to the arc of the xenon- metal halide lamp and reduces the undesired ultraviolet energy which may otherwise be detrimental to any plastic members in close proximity to the automotive headlamp. i Although the previously given description of the xenon-metal halide lamp was related to automotive application, it is contemplated that the practice of this invention is equally applicable to other various lighting applications. A significant feature of the light source of the present invention is that a LD 9844 substantial amount of instantaneous light is created by the xenon within the light source which requires a relatively high current and a relatively low voltage and then other ingredients, halide and mercury, are ionized and vaporized allowing for lowering of the current and increasing the voltage so as to yield a high efficient light source. The features of instantaneous light and high efficiency of the present light source allows it to be advantageously utilized in homes, offices and other various commercial and industrial applications.

-z:

1

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A light source comprising; an envelope having a pair of electrodes disposed therein and separated from each other by a predetermined distance; said envelope containing a fill comprising; A) a xenon pressure at a room temperature in the range of about 2 atmospheres to about 15 atmospheres; B) mercury in an amount in the range of about 2mg to about 15mg; and C) a mixture of an amount in the range of about 2mg to about 1Ong, said mixture selected from the group consisting of sodium iodide, scandium iodide; thallium iodide; indium iodide; tin iodide; dysprosium iodide; holmium iodide; thulium iodide; thorium, iodide; cadmium iodide and cesium iodide.

2. A light source according to claim 1 wherein said mixture consists of sodium and scandium iodides with a molar ratio of about 19:1.

3. A light source according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said inner envelope comprises; (A) a material selected from the group consisting of glass, and quartz, (B) an elongated.body having an overall length in the range of about 15mm to about 40mm, said body having opposite neck portions having a diameter in the range of about 2mm to about 5mm, a bulbous shaped central portion having a mid-portion with an outer diameter in the range of about 6nm to about 15mm, and an inner diameter of the bulbous shaped central portion having a range of about 4mm to 12mm.

4. A light source according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein said disposed electrodes comprises; a pair of rod-like members formed of a material selected from the group consisting of tungsten and tungsten with 1% to 3% thorium, oxide, said rod-like members being electrically connected by means to respective inleads.

5. A light source according to claim 1,2,3 or 4 wherein said electrodes are disposed at opposed ends of said envelope.

6. A light source according to claim 1,2,3 or 4 wherein said electrodes are both disposed at one end of said envelopes.

7. A light source according to any preceding claim wherein said inner envelope is coated with a multi-layer infrared reflecting film.

8. A light source according to claim 7 wherein said film consists of alternate layers of materials selected from the group consisting of (1) tantalum oxide and silicon dioxide, and (2) titanium oxide and silicon dioxide.

9. An automotive headlamp comprising; (A) a reflector having a section to which is mated means capable of being connected to an excitation source of an automobile, said reflector having a predetermined focal length and focal point; (B) a lens mated to the front section of said reflector; and -is- LD 9844 (C) an inner envelope predeterminently positioned within said reflector so as to be approximately disposed near said focal point of said reflector, said inner envelope containing a fill of xenon at a relatively high pressure along with mercury and metal halide ingredients, said inner envelope having a pair of electrodes separated from each other by a predetermined distance, said.inner envelope being connected to said means mated to said section so that said excitation source is capable of being applied across said electrodes, whereby upon such application said xenon contained in said envelope is excited so as to produce a significant amount of light which ig then followed by the excitation of the mercury and the metal halide, said excitation of said xenon, mercury and metal halide developing a high intensity source of light that is located between said electrodes.

10. An automotive headlamp according to claim 9 wherein said reflector comprises; a parabola of revolution having a focal length in the range from 6mm to 35mm,

11. An automotive headlamp according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said lens comprises; (A) a transparent member formed of a material selected from the group consisting of glass and plastic, said transparent member having a face with prism shaped members.

12. An automotive headlamp according to claim 9,10 or 11 wherein said excitation source capable of being applied across said electrodes is initiall at a current of y about five (5) amps and at a voltage at about twelve (12) volts for duration of about 10 seconds causing said inner envelope to be operated at about 60 watts LD 9844 and then said current being gradually decreased to a value of about 1.4 amperes and said voltage being increased to a voltage of about 30 volts causing said inner envelope to be operated at about 40 watts.

13. An automotive headlamp according to claim 9,10,11 or 12 wherein said high intensity source of light in cooperation with said reflector provides for a plurality of reflected light rays that diverge from each other by an angle having a value which is less than about 0 7

14. A light source substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or 2 of the drawings.

15. A headlamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1,2,3B,4B, or 5B of the drawings.

Published 1989 atThe Patent Office, State House, 8571 High Holl> ozmLondonWClR4TP. Further copies maybe obtainedfrom The P&tentOff2ce. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1/87