JP2000067818A - Electrodeless discharge lamp device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrodeless discharge lamp device that has a simple structure and an excellent startup property. SOLUTION: In this electrodeless discharge lamp device which comprises: a first coil 3 that is received in a recessed part 2 formed in a bulb 1 filled with a discharge gas, and generates a high-frequency electromagnetic field; a high-frequency power source 4 to supply high-frequency power to the first coil 3; a core 5 surrounded by the first coil 3; and a second coil 6 magnetically coupled to the first coil 3; and in which a first end 6a of the second coil 6 is connected to a second end 3b of the first coil 3; a second end 6b of the second coil 6 is extended at least more outside than a connection part 9 of the bulb 1 with the recessed part 2; and a voltage generated from the first end 6a toward the second end 6b of the second coil 6 has the same polarity as that of a voltage generated from the first end 3a toward the second end 3b of the first coil 3 at least in an igniting condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrodeless discharge lamp device for supplying high-frequency power from a high-frequency power supply circuit to a coil disposed near an electrodeless discharge lamp bulb to induce a high-frequency electromagnetic field to light the bulb. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art (Prior Art 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-22086 discloses a conventional example relating to improvement of starting of an electrodeless discharge lamp device. FIG. 12 shows this conventional example. This electrodeless discharge lamp device includes a bulb 1, a first coil 3, a lighting device 4, and an auxiliary coil 6. A substantially cylindrical concave portion 2 is formed on one side of a light-transmitting bulb 1 formed by a light-transmitting member so as to be airtight and substantially spherical. A discharge gas containing an active gas and a metal vapor is sealed. Although the number of turns is not particularly limited, the first coil 3 having three turns is wound around the circumference so that the center axis of the first coil 3 is substantially parallel to the center axis of the recess 2. In the recess 2, an auxiliary coil 6 wound around an iron core 5 such as a ferrite core is provided.
However, the first coil 3 and the first coil 3 are accommodated such that their central axes are substantially parallel or substantially coincide with each other. Note that the winding central axis of the first coil 3 is not parallel to the central axis of the recess 2 and the auxiliary coil 6 and the central axis do not have to match.

The lighting device 4 comprises a first high-frequency generator 4a for supplying a high-frequency current to the first coil 3, and a second high-frequency generator 4b for supplying a high-frequency current to the auxiliary coil 6.
It is comprised including. And the first coil 3
When a high-frequency current is supplied from the first high-frequency generation circuit 4a, a high-frequency magnetic field is generated, and the high-frequency magnetic field acts on a discharge gas inside the bulb 1 to generate an annular discharge and excite the discharge gas. Causes light emission. That is, an annular induction electric field is generated inside the bulb 1 by the high-frequency magnetic field, and the discharge gas inside the bulb 1 is ionized by the induction electric field to generate an annular discharge. The auxiliary coil 6 is supplied with a high-frequency current from the second high-frequency generation circuit 4b and generates a high-frequency magnetic field around the same as the first coil 3.
In the same manner as the first coil 3, an annular discharge serving as a preliminary discharge is generated. Here, the auxiliary coil 6 has a smaller diameter than the first coil 3, and the annular discharge generated as the preliminary discharge is smaller than the annular discharge generated by the first coil 3. Therefore, the second high-frequency generation circuit 4b
The energy supplied from the power supply to the auxiliary coil 6 can be made smaller than the energy supplied from the first high-frequency generation circuit 4a to the first coil 3, and the startability can be improved.

(Conventional Example 2) FIG. 13 shows another conventional example of an electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-320540).
In this lighting device, one end of the coil 20 is connected to one end of the high-frequency power supply, and the other end of the high-frequency power supply is connected near the middle 23 of the coil 20. JP-A-9-320
540, the tip 24 and the supply point 23 of the high frequency power supply
Is opposite to the direction of the axial high-frequency electric field generated between the supply points 22 and 23, and is stated to have the effect of canceling out the radiated electric field. Here, this conventional example uses one coil 20, one end 22 of the coil 20 is connected to one end of the high frequency power supply, and the other end of the high frequency power supply is
It is said that they are connected near the middle 23 of 0. However, this is, as shown in FIG.
, The first coil 3 and the second coil 6 are magnetically coupled, the ends 3a and 3b of the first coil 3 are connected to the high frequency power supply 4, and the second end 3b of the first coil 3 is Second coil 6
It is considered that the first end 6a is electrically equivalent to the first end 6a. In the first conventional example, the supply point 22 corresponds to the first end 3a of the first coil 3, and the supply point 22 corresponds to the connection point of the second end 3b of the first coil 3 and the first end 6a of the second coil 6, respectively. Further, the tip 24 in Conventional Example 1 corresponds to the second end 6 b of the second coil 6.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-320540 does not describe the position of the tip 24. In order to achieve the effect of canceling the radiated electric field, the position of the tip 24 is considered to be close to the supply points 22 and 23 of the high-frequency power. This is shown in FIG. Also, there is no description in JP-A-9-320540 regarding starting of an electrodeless discharge lamp.

[0006]

As described above, in the configuration of the first conventional example, the second high-frequency generating circuit 4b is required for supplying energy to the auxiliary coil 6. Further, even if the second high-frequency generation circuit 4b can be realized with a simple circuit configuration, two sets of power supply lines are required in the vicinity of the bulb 1, which complicates the configuration of the electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device.

In the electrodeless discharge lamp device shown in FIG. 12, if an annular induction electric field is generated by the first coil 3, only the discharge gas serving as a seed is ionized in the bulb 1 and the annular discharge is generated. Is formed.
That is, even if an electric field is generated in the bulb 1 by the electrostatic coupling, the discharge gas serving as a seed is ionized and an annular discharge is formed, so that the lamp can be started. When an electric field is generated in the bulb 1 by this electrostatic coupling, a voltage may be applied, and almost no current is required. As a result, very little power is required to ionize the seed discharge gas.

This point will be considered in Conventional Example 2. As described above, Conventional Example 2 is described from the viewpoint of noise reduction, and there is no description regarding startability. For this reason, how the startability is improved in Conventional Example 2 will be considered. In the configuration of the conventional example 2, as a result, a higher voltage applied by the high-frequency power supply is generated between the tip 24 and the supply point 22. However, this high voltage only produces an electric field mainly in the depression, and is not effective for ionizing the discharge gas. Therefore, in order to ionize the discharge gas, a relatively high voltage must be generated at the tip 24, which not only makes the insulation design of the coil difficult but also increases the amount of noise generated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrodeless discharge lamp device having a simple configuration and good startability.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as shown in FIG. 1, a bulb 1 filled with a discharge gas and a concave portion provided in the bulb are provided. 2, a first coil 3 housed in the recess to generate a high-frequency electromagnetic field, a high-frequency power supply 4 for supplying high-frequency power to the first coil, a core 5 surrounded by the first coil, A second coil 6 magnetically coupled to the first coil 3; a first end 6a of the second coil 6;
Is connected to the second end 3b of the first coil 3 in the electrodeless discharge lamp device, the second end 6b of the second coil 6 extends at least to the outside of the connecting portion 9 between the bulb 1 and the concave portion 2. And at least in the ignition state, a voltage generated from the first end 6a of the second coil 6 toward the second end 6b is changed from the first end 3a of the first coil 3 to the second end 6a.
It has the same polarity as the voltage generated toward the end 3b.

According to the present invention, high frequency power is supplied to the first coil 3 by the high frequency power supply 4. As a result, a voltage is generated in the second coil 6 magnetically connected to the first coil 3. As a result, the second end 6b of the second coil 6 and the first
A potential difference between the first end 3a of the coil and the voltage supplied by the high-frequency power supply 4 is generated. Here, the second
By providing the second end 6b of the coil 6 outside the recessed portion 2 in which the first end 3a of the first coil 3 is accommodated, the second end 6b of the second coil 6 and the first end of the first coil 3 are formed. The electric field due to the high potential difference generated between the ends 3a traverses the portion of the bulb 1 in which the discharge gas is sealed, so that the discharge gas in the bulb 1 can be effectively ionized. Using this ionization as a seed, an annular discharge is formed by the electric field generated by the first coil 3. Since the ionization of the discharge gas in the bulb 1 can be effectively performed so as to be a seed of the annular discharge, the distance between the second end 6b of the second coil 6 and the first end 3a of the first coil 3 is increased. Required voltage is small. As a result, the second coil 6
The voltage required for the second coil 6 can be reduced, and the insulation design between the coils and the configuration for suppressing the noise generated from the second coil 6 can be simplified. This provides an electrodeless discharge lamp device having a simple configuration and good startability.

[0012]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the present invention. Valve 1 filled with discharge gas
A concave portion 2 provided in the valve, and a first coil 3 for generating a high-frequency electromagnetic field stored in the concave portion
A high-frequency power supply 4 for supplying high-frequency power to the first coil; a core 5 surrounded by the first coil;
A second coil 6 magnetically coupled to the coil 3, and a first end 6 a of the second coil 6 is connected to the first coil 3.
In the electrodeless discharge lamp device connected to the second end 3b, the second end 6b of the second coil 6 extends outside the recess 2 through the connection 9 between the bulb 1 and the recess 2. And at least in the ignition state, a voltage generated from the first end 6a of the second coil 6 to the second end 6b is changed from the first end 3a of the first coil 3 to the second end 3b.
Characterized in that it has the same polarity as the voltage generated toward. The second end 6b of the second coil 6 is
, The electric field crosses the portion of the bulb 1 where the discharge gas is sealed between the first end 3a of the first coil 3 having a high potential difference, and the discharge gas inside the bulb 1 is effectively discharged. Ionization will be possible. Therefore, it is possible to realize an electrodeless discharge lamp having a simple configuration and easy starting of the lamp.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 shows the second embodiment of the present invention. Although the configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, the discharge gas in the bulb 1 can be more effectively ionized by bringing the second end 6 b of the second coil 6 a close to the bulb 1 at the proximity point 8. Become like Thus, the voltage generated at both ends 6a and 6b of the second coil 6 can be set low, so that the number of turns of the second coil 6 can be reduced,
There is an effect that the degree of freedom in designing the second coil is increased, for example, the magnetic coupling with the coil 3 can be set small.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 shows the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the structure shown in FIG. 2, the second end 6b of the second coil 6 is connected to the proximity point 8 made of metal. Thus, the voltage of the second end 6b of the second coil 6 can be easily applied to the bulb 1, and the fixing of the proximity point 8 can be easily performed. Further, when the proximity point 8 is formed in a plate shape or a foil shape, the proximity point 8 can be brought into contact with the bulb 1 over a wide area, so that the proximity point 8 can be more easily fixed and the discharge gas in the bulb 1 can be effectively ionized. become able to.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the structure shown in FIG. 2, the second end 6b of the second coil 6 is connected to a proximity point 8 made of a transparent conductive film. This makes it easy to apply the voltage of the second end 6b of the second coil 6 to the valve 1, makes it possible to contact the valve 1 with a large area, facilitates the fixing of the proximity point 8, and effectively reduces the valve. There is an effect that the discharge gas in the first gas can be ionized. In addition, since it is a transparent conductive film, there is also an effect that no shadow is generated on the bulb 1 during lighting.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 shows the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The structure shown in FIG. 1 is different from that shown in FIG. 1 in that an introduction member penetrating the valve 1 is provided in the recess 2, and a second end 6 b of the second coil 6 extends outside the recess 2 through the introduction member. are doing. Thereby, the second coil 6
The second end 6b of the
It can extend outside the recess 2. Since the power supply line from the high-frequency power supply 4 and the jig for fixing the valve 1 to the instrument are provided at the entrance of the recess 2, the structural design is difficult. According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an electrodeless discharge lamp in which insulation from the power supply line is easy and the structural design of the entrance of the recess 2 is not complicated.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the structure shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of adjacent points 8 made of metal are provided on the valve 1. As a result, the discharge gas in the bulb 1 can be effectively ionized without increasing the area of one location of the proximity point 8, so that the shadow generated in the bulb 1 during lighting is less noticeable. . In the present embodiment, the second end 6b of the second coil 6 communicates with the outside of the recess 2 through the entrance of the recess 2;
May be provided so as to penetrate the recess 2 through the introduction member. Further, a transparent conductive film may be used for the proximity point 8 instead of the metal.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 7 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG.
Connected via As a result, the first coil 3
The potential of the end 3a becomes stable, and conversely, the potential of the second end 6b of the second coil 6 has a large amplitude with respect to the housing or the like. Accordingly, many portions near the bulb 1 have a large potential difference with the second end 6b of the second coil 6, and a high electric field is easily applied to the discharge gas of the bulb 1, thereby improving the startability of the lamp.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 8 shows the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG.
Connected via As a result, the second end 6b of the second coil 6 and the first end 3a of the first coil 3 involved in lamp starting
The potential difference between the second end 6b of the second coil 6 and the stable potential is smaller than the potential difference between. Therefore, there is an effect that noise generated from the electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device is reduced.

(Embodiment 9) FIG. 9 shows the tenth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG.
A switch 7 is provided between the first end 6a of the coil 6 and the second end 3b of the first coil 3. The switch 7 is turned on at the time of ignition, and turned off after the lamp is turned on. Thus, after the lamp is turned on, the second coil 6
Is separated from the first coil 3 and the radiated noise is reduced.

(Embodiment 10) FIG. 10 shows an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG.
The switch 7 is provided between the connection point between the second end 6 b of the second coil 6 and the proximity point 8. The switch 7 is turned on at the time of ignition, and turned off after the lamp is turned on. As a result, after the lamp is turned on, the proximity point 8 is electrically disconnected, so that the emitted noise is reduced.

At this time, if the switch 7 is provided in the recess 2, there is an effect that noise radiated outside the recess 2 is reduced. Conversely, if the switch 7 is provided outside the recess 2, the switch 7 can be avoided from the high temperature inside the recess 2, and the reliability of the device increases. At the same time, there is an effect that the number of circuit elements included in the concave portion 2 is reduced, and the structural design near the concave portion 2 becomes easy.

(Embodiment 11) FIG. 11 shows the twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is in addition to that shown in FIG.
Means for changing the magnetic coupling between the first coil 3 and the second coil 6 is provided. Here, this is realized by lowering the magnetic permeability of the core 5b in the portion where the second coil 6 is wound after the lamp is turned on. This can be realized, for example, by detecting a temperature rise due to lamp operation and changing the magnetic permeability. At the time of ignition, the coupling is changed so as to be high, and after lighting, the coupling is lowered. Thereby, after lighting, the second coil 6
This has the effect of lowering the voltage generated at the point of time and reducing noise. In order to prevent the magnetic flux generated in the portion of the core 5 where the first coil 3 is wound from passing, it is possible to provide a means for increasing the distance from the portion of the core 5 where the second coil 6 is wound. The same effect can be obtained by providing a magnetic shield between the portion where the second coil 6 is wound.

[0024]

According to the present invention, by providing a second coil magnetically coupled to the first coil and extending the second end of the second coil to the outside of the concave portion, the second coil is formed. A high electric field between the second end and the first end of the first coil,
Since the discharge gas can be generated so as to cross the filled portion of the discharge gas of the bulb, the discharge gas in the bulb can be effectively ionized. As a result, the voltage required for the second coil can be reduced, and the insulation design between the coils and the configuration for suppressing noise generated from the second coil are simplified. This provides an electrodeless discharge lamp device having a simple configuration and good startability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1;

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 2;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 3;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 4;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 6;

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 7;

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 8;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural view of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 9;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 10;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural view of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 11;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 12;

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of Conventional Example 1.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of Conventional Example 2.

FIG. 14 is an equivalent circuit diagram of Conventional Example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Valve 2 Depressed part 3 1st coil 4 High frequency power supply 5 Core 6 2nd coil

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A bulb filled with a discharge gas, a hollow provided in the bulb, a first coil housed in the hollow to generate a high-frequency electromagnetic field, and a first coil.
A high-frequency power supply for supplying high-frequency power to the coil;
An electrodeless discharge lamp comprising a core surrounded by a coil and a second coil magnetically coupled to the first coil, wherein a first end of the second coil is connected to a second end of the first coil. In the apparatus, the second end of the second coil extends at least to the outside of the connection portion between the valve and the recess, and at least in the ignition state, extends from the first end to the second end of the second coil. An electrodeless discharge lamp device, wherein a voltage generated toward the first coil has the same polarity as a voltage generated from a first end to a second end of the first coil. 2. The electrodeless device according to claim 1, wherein a second end of the second coil is close to the valve at a proximity point outside a connection between the valve and the recess. Discharge lamp device. 3. The electrodeless discharge lamp device according to claim 2, wherein the proximity point is formed of metal and is connected to a second end of a second coil. 4. The proximity point is formed of a transparent conductive film,
The electrodeless discharge lamp device according to claim 2, wherein the electrodeless discharge lamp device is connected to a second end of the second coil. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the second coil extends to the outside of the recess through the connection between the valve and the recess. An electrodeless discharge lamp device according to any one of the above. 6. The second end of the second coil penetrates the valve using an introduction member provided on the valve and extends to the outside of the recess.
An electrodeless discharge lamp device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 7. The electrodeless discharge lamp device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said proximity points are provided on said bulb. 8. The electrodeless discharge lamp device according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the first coil is connected to one of the introduction lines of the main power supply via an impedance element. . 9. The electrodeless discharge lamp device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first coil is connected to one of the introduction lines of the main power supply via an impedance element. . 10. A stable lighting state after disconnecting connection between the first end of the second coil and the second end of the first coil after turning on the power. 2. The electrodeless discharge lamp device according to item 1. 11. The stable lighting state according to claim 1, wherein after the power is turned on, the connection between the second end of the second coil and the adjacent point is cut off. Electrodeless discharge lamp device. 12. The electrodeless discharge lamp device according to claim 1, wherein after power-on, magnetic coupling between the first coil and the second coil is reduced. 13. A bulb filled with a discharge gas, a recess provided in the bulb, a first coil housed in the recess to generate a high-frequency electromagnetic field, and a high-frequency power supplied to the first coil. A high-frequency power supply, a core surrounded by the first coil, and a second coil magnetically coupled to the first coil, wherein a first end of the second coil is connected to a first end of the first coil. In the electrodeless discharge lamp device connected to the two ends, the second end of the second coil 6 is close to the bulb at least outside the connection between the bulb and the recess, and at least in the ignition state,
An electrodeless discharge lamp device, wherein the voltage generated from the first end to the second end of the coil has the same polarity as the voltage generated from the first end to the second end of the first coil.