JP2000100381A - Fluorescent lamp and light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maximally realize beam deterioration preventing effect and consumed mercury amount reduction effect. SOLUTION: This fluorescent lamp has a metal oxide other than phosphor particles in a glass protective film between the inner surface of a translucent airtight vessel 1 and a phosphor film 3, and at two positions in the phosphor film 3. A metal oxide to constitute the glass protection film 9 and a metal oxide present in the phosphor film 3 have starting materials different from each other and the same chemical composition of a final product. As a result, a barrier function can be provided for restraining such various damages to a minimum as causing the metal oxide to be a cause for adsorbing mercury or beam deterioration. As a whole, consumed mercury amount reduction effect and beam deterioration prevention effect can be extracted maximally, regarding mercury consumption within the translucent airtight vessel 1 with the lapse of lighting time and beam deterioration.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a phosphor film formed in a light-transmitting hermetically sealed container enclosing a discharge medium, and converts ultraviolet light emitted by discharge of the discharge medium into visible light by the phosphor film. The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp and a light source device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fluorescent lamps are one of the important light sources widely used today. Generally, a fluorescent lamp converts ultraviolet light generated by exciting mercury sealed in a light-transmitting airtight container by discharge into visible light by a phosphor applied on the inner surface of the light-transmitting airtight container, and radiates the fluorescent light. Things.

[0003] In recent years, awareness of global environmental issues has been rising more than ever, and mercury waste used in fluorescent lamps has been increasingly recognized as one of the sources of environmental pollution. Under such circumstances, various approaches for fluorescent lamps have been activated, and for example, many studies have been made on reducing the amount of mercury used in fluorescent lamps and eliminating mercury.

[0004] First, regarding the non-use of mercury, as a harmless ultraviolet radiation source instead of mercury, for example, there is a rare gas fluorescent lamp using ultraviolet light (main wavelength 147 nm) from xenon discharge. This rare gas fluorescent lamp has excellent features, such as no luminous flux fluctuation due to a change in ambient temperature and a good luminous flux rising characteristic after starting, as compared with a conventional fluorescent lamp using mercury. Although practically used in some applications such as equipment, it is far inefficient compared to a fluorescent lamp using mercury, and at present it is difficult to substitute it in fields such as general lighting.

For this reason, at present, reduction of the amount of mercury used is a practical measure. As a specific measure,
Reduction of the amount of mercury enclosed per lamp (optimization to the minimum required amount), reduction of mercury consumption from a long-term perspective by reducing the frequency of lamp disposal due to improvement of lamp life, etc. .

[0006] First, will be described. The mercury sealed in the translucent airtight container is gradually consumed by the inner surface of the glass bulb and the phosphor that constitute the translucent airtight container as the lighting time elapses. In other words, after mercury is adsorbed on these sites, it reacts with components in glass and phosphors and residual impurities in the translucent airtight container, deposits as various compounds, and can contribute to discharge. It will be invalidated. For this reason, in order to avoid depletion of mercury before the lamp life (rated life), excess mercury is sealed. Therefore, in order to reduce the amount of enclosed mercury, it is necessary to reduce the amount of mercury consumed in the translucent airtight container, that is, to reduce the generation of ineffective mercury.

Next, the above will be described. Generally, the life deciding factors of a fluorescent lamp are: 1) a so-called spot life caused by disconnection of an electrode substrate or consumption of a thermionic emitting material (emitter) applied to the electrode substrate; and 2) a glass bulb or a fluorescent lamp. The so-called luminous flux life, which is caused by discoloration or blackening of the body surface or a decrease in luminous efficiency due to deterioration of the phosphor itself with time, is roughly classified into two. That is, the life of the fluorescent lamp is generally defined by the shorter one of the point life due to electrode breakage and the light flux life due to light flux deterioration.

[0008] Of these, regarding 2), the formation and deposition of compounds due to the reaction of mercury with phosphor components, alkali components in glass or residual impurities in a light-tight hermetic container, and mercury and rare gas It is considered that the phosphor is deteriorated by ion bombardment, and that the phosphor is deteriorated by ultraviolet rays. As a countermeasure, improvement of a phosphor and development of a transparent protective film provided on the inner surface of glass have been performed. However, in a general fluorescent lamp having an electrode (filament) in a light-transmitting hermetic container, there is essentially a limit to the improvement of the above 1), which is a hindrance in improving the life.

From such a viewpoint, in recent years, electrodeless fluorescent lamps having no electrodes in a light-transmitting hermetic container have been particularly spotlighted, and some of them have already been put to practical use. This type of electrodeless fluorescent lamp has a light-transmitting property similar to the above-described fluorescent lamp having electrodes in a light-transmitting airtight container (hereinafter, referred to as an electrodeed fluorescent lamp to distinguish it from an electrodeless fluorescent lamp). Mercury and a rare gas are sealed in the hermetic container, but no electrodes are provided in the translucent hermetic container, and the enclosed gas is excited by the energy supply means disposed outside the translucent hermetic container. Thus, a discharge is generated in the hermetic space, and visible light is obtained by exciting the fluorescent film formed on the inner surface of the translucent hermetic container with the ultraviolet light emitted thereby. This type of electrodeless fluorescent lamp has no electrode in the translucent airtight container, and thus does not have the above-mentioned pointless life.
Since the life is determined by the life of the luminous flux, a longer life can be expected in principle than an electroded fluorescent lamp. Therefore,
In this type of electrodeless fluorescent lamp, it is more important to improve the luminous flux maintenance rate than in the electroded fluorescent lamp.

As described above, in the field of a fluorescent lamp (including both an electrode fluorescent lamp and an electrodeless fluorescent lamp) and a light source device using the fluorescent lamp, a future important subject is a translucent airtight container. There are two ways of reducing the amount of mercury consumed and improving the luminous flux maintenance factor, but as can be seen from the above description, these two issues are considered to be very closely related to each other.

Various solutions have been proposed for solving such problems. For example, a protective film made of alumina fine particles is provided between the translucent airtight container and the phosphor, and alumina fine particles are added to the phosphor coating to improve the luminous flux deterioration of the fluorescent lamp. (JP-A-62-2520
In addition, a thin film formed from a metal alkoxide liquid is formed between the translucent airtight container and the phosphor and in the phosphor coating to reduce the amount of mercury consumed in the fluorescent lamp. I have. (See JP-A-9-213277)

[0012]

However, in the conventional fluorescent lamp disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-252059, the composition is not contained between the translucent airtight container and the phosphor and in the phosphor coating. In the fluorescent lamp disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-213277, the composition between the translucent airtight container and the phosphor and in the phosphor coating are used. A protective material made of the same metal alkoxide liquid is used.

Therefore, in the fluorescent lamp disclosed in the above publication, the properties of the protective material formed between the translucent airtight container and the phosphor and at two sites in the phosphor coating are the same, In addition, since the composition of the materials is the same, there is a problem that the effect of preventing the luminous flux from deteriorating and the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed cannot be maximized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp capable of maximizing the effect of preventing the deterioration of the luminous flux and the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed, and a light source device using the same. It is assumed that.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-transmitting airtight container in which a discharge medium containing at least mercury is sealed. A phosphor coating is formed on the inner surface, and a metal oxide other than the phosphor particles is interposed between the translucent airtight container inner surface and the phosphor coating, and at two sites in the phosphor coating, and the metal The oxides are characterized as metal oxides having different starting materials and the same chemical composition of the final product.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that either the metal oxide fine particles or the metal compound sol is used as the starting material.

[0017] Also, a light-transmitting airtight container in which a discharge medium containing at least mercury is enclosed is provided, and a phosphor film is formed on an inner surface of the light-transmitting airtight container. Metal oxides other than the phosphor particles are interposed between the phosphor coatings and at two sites in the phosphor coating, and the metal oxides are metal oxides having different chemical compositions of a starting material and a final product from each other. There is a feature.

Further, one of the metal oxides interposed between the two portions is formed of fine metal oxide, and the other is formed of a metal oxide continuous body by a sol-gel method.

Further, the invention is characterized in that a metal oxide other than the phosphor particles is disposed on the surface of the phosphor coating opposite to the inner surface of the translucent airtight container.

The chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide disposed on the surface of the phosphor coating opposite to the inner surface of the light-transmitting hermetic container is at least one of the chemical compositions of the metal oxides of the two portions. It is characterized in that it is the same as either one.

Further, the chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide disposed on the surface of the phosphor coating opposite to the inner surface of the translucent airtight container is at least one of the chemical compositions of the metal oxides of the two portions. It is characterized by being different from either one.

Further, the fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and an energy which is disposed inside or outside the translucent airtight container and supplies energy to the discharge medium. It is characterized by comprising a supply means and a lighting device for lighting the fluorescent lamp via the energy supply means.

By the way, the present inventors have found that, in extracting the solution to the above problem, the consumption of mercury in the translucent airtight container does not occur uniformly in all regions in the phosphor coating. Various experimental studies based on the hypothesis that luminous flux degradation has many factors and does not occur uniformly in all regions in the phosphor coating were performed. More specifically, since the phosphor film usually has a thickness of several tens of μm, attention is paid to each part in the film thickness direction, and the adhesion of mercury and the phosphor due to ions such as mercury and rare gas are applied to the phosphor film. Degradation of the phosphor due to ion bombardment or ultraviolet rays is most likely to occur on the discharge plasma side (that is, the surface of the phosphor coating), which is the source of the ion bombardment. It was thought that this was most likely to occur near the boundary between the body coating and the inner surface of the glass bulb. According to this hypothesis, the metal oxide applied to the protective layer is expected to exhibit different effects depending on the portion in the thickness direction in the phosphor film. A comparison was made for each application site in the body coat. As a result, a clear effect difference was found for each application site of various metal oxides. Therefore, based on this result, the present inventors have focused on the fact that various metal oxides do not have the same effect depending on the difference in the application site, and have performed the present invention.

[0024]

(Embodiment 1) In this embodiment,
The fluorescent lamp La is an electrodeless fluorescent lamp as shown in FIG. 2, and a discharge medium made of mercury vapor and a rare gas is sealed in an airtight space 2 inside a spherical translucent airtight container 1 made of glass. ing. A phosphor coating 3 is formed on the inner surface of the translucent airtight container 1. An induction coil 5 is wound outside the translucent airtight container 1 close to the translucent airtight container 1. Here, the induction coil 5 constitutes energy supply means for supplying energy to the discharge medium. The fluorescent lamp La is connected to a power supply 6 via a lighting device 20 in which the induction coil 5 lights the fluorescent lamp La. Here, the fluorescent lamp La, the induction coil 5 and the lighting device 2
0 constitutes the light source device.

In this light source device, a high-frequency current is caused to flow through the induction coil 5 by the lighting device 20 to generate a high-frequency electromagnetic field around the induction coil 5, and the discharge medium in the translucent airtight container 1 is excited. , And emit light. In the present embodiment, the induction coil 5 is used as the energy supply means. However, instead of the induction coil 5, a conductive foil may be used in proximity to the induction coil.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the phosphor coating 3 is composed of phosphor particles 7 and a metal oxide 8 interposed on the surface or the periphery thereof. That is, the metal oxide 8 is interposed in the phosphor coating 3 in addition to the phosphor particles 7. Here, "the metal oxide 8 is interposed in the phosphor coating 3 in addition to the phosphor particles 7" means that the metal oxide 8 exists in a state of being directly coated on the surface of the phosphor particles 7, or It means at least any one of the cases where the phosphor particles are present in the gaps between the phosphor particles 7.

A glass protective film 9 made of a metal oxide other than phosphor particles is provided between the inner surface of the translucent airtight container 1 and the phosphor film 3. Here, the metal oxides provided in the phosphor coating 3 and in the two portions between the inner surface of the translucent airtight container 1 and the phosphor coating 3 have different starting materials from each other, and have the chemical properties of the final product. The composition is the same.

Here, in the manufacturing process of the fluorescent lamp,
The process for forming the phosphor film 3 will be described.
Normally, a phosphor powder as a product is suspended in water or an organic solvent together with an additive such as a suitable binder, and this is used as a coating solution (phosphor slurry) in a translucent airtight container 1.
After flowing or spraying into the inner surface of the glass bulb constituting the above, it is formed through a drying and firing process. Therefore, the phosphor particles 7 are contained in the phosphor coating 3 of the final lamp finished product.
As means (introduction process) for introducing a metal oxide other than the above, there are the following two methods a) and b).

A) Method using existing metal oxide fine particles In this case, after the metal oxide fine particles have been applied to the surface of the phosphor powder in advance, the phosphor is suspended in water or an organic solvent. There are two methods, a method of applying as a slurry (coating liquid) and a method of simultaneously dispersing and suspending a phosphor powder and metal oxide fine particles at the time of preparing a phosphor slurry.

B) Method using a sol-gel method A solution of an inorganic salt of a metal element constituting a metal oxide to be finally formed, an organic compound (metal alkoxide) of a metal element of the metal oxide to be finally formed, etc. After the phosphor particles are dispersed in the sol in advance by using a solution (sol) of the above, a desired metal oxide film is formed on the surface of the phosphor particles by a hydrolysis reaction in a drying / firing step,
This phosphor is converted into a phosphor slurry, or a phosphor coating is formed on the inner surface of a glass bulb constituting the translucent airtight container 1 by a normal method, and the sol is permeated from above the phosphor coating. There is a method of forming a desired metal oxide in the phosphor film by a hydrolysis reaction by the same heat treatment.

Accordingly, the starting material of the metal oxide other than the phosphor particles between the inner surface of the translucent airtight container 1 and the phosphor coating 3 and in the phosphor coating 3 will be described in the above a) and b). It means either a particulate material already having a composition as a metal oxide as described above, or a sol of a metal compound which is not originally an oxide.

In the present embodiment, specifically, a metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 formed between the inner surface of the light-transmitting hermetic container 1 and the phosphor coating 3, that is, interposed in the glass protective film 9. Fine metal oxide is used as the starting material of the metal oxide, and a metal oxide continuum formed by the sol-gel method is used as the starting material of the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3. Alternatively, on the contrary, a metal oxide continuum formed by a sol-gel method as a starting material for the metal oxide interposed in the glass protective film 9 is used as a starting material for the metal compound interposed in the phosphor coating 3. I use things. In each case, the chemical composition of the final metal oxide product is the same.

With this configuration, the metal oxide interposed in the glass protective film 9 and the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 can prevent various damages that cause the adsorption of mercury or the deterioration of the luminous flux. Demonstrate the barrier function to minimize, and as a whole, maximize the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed and the effect of preventing the luminous flux from deteriorating as the mercury consumption and luminous flux degradation in the translucent airtight container 1 with the lighting time elapses. It is possible to pull out.

Here, the “continuous body” is formed by a sol-gel-based starting material as compared with an aggregate or a coating layer having voids between the fine particles, such as a coating layer using a fine-particle-based starting material. Means a relatively dense aggregate or coating layer.

(Embodiment 2) The basic configuration of this embodiment is almost the same as that of Embodiment 1, and the introduction of the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 and the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 is introduced. The starting material (or the accompanying introduction process) at the time is different. One uses metal oxide fine particles having a primary particle diameter of 1 μm or less as it is, and the other uses a metal oxide and a sol-gel method containing a metal element. It is characterized in that it is finally a continuum of the metal oxide.

Specifically, fine metal oxide is used as a starting material of the metal oxide interposed in the glass protective film 9,
A metal oxide continuum formed by a sol-gel method is used as a starting material of a metal oxide interposed in the phosphor film 3. Alternatively, on the contrary, a metal oxide continuum formed by a sol-gel method as a starting material for the metal oxide interposed in the glass protective film 9 is used as a starting material for the metal compound interposed in the phosphor coating 3. I use things. Here, different from the first embodiment, the chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide at the two sites is different in each case.

Also in this embodiment, the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9 and the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 minimize the various damages that cause the adsorption of mercury or the deterioration of the luminous flux. The translucent airtight container 1 with the lighting time elapses as a whole
It is possible to maximize the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed and the effect of preventing the luminous flux from deteriorating.

(Embodiment 3) This embodiment is, as shown in FIG. 3, an embodiment shown in FIG. 3 from the viewpoint of more surely preventing the adsorption of mercury to the phosphor particles and various damages as already described in the prior art. In addition to the configuration 1, the surface of the phosphor coating 3 opposite to the inner surface of the translucent airtight container 1 is also provided with a surface protection layer 10 made of a metal oxide other than the phosphor particles.

In this embodiment, the starting material of one or two of the three parts is a fine metal oxide, and the rest is a metal oxide continuum formed by a sol-gel method. Also, the chemical composition of the final product at the three sites is the same.

In this embodiment, in addition to the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9, the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10 also includes Exhibits a barrier function that minimizes various damages that cause the adsorption of mercury or the deterioration of the luminous flux, and as a whole, suppresses the consumption of mercury and the deterioration of the luminous flux in the translucent airtight container 1 over the lighting time. It is possible to maximize the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed and the effect of preventing luminous flux deterioration.

(Embodiment 4) In this embodiment, the basic configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 3, and one to three of the glass protective film 9 and the surface protective layer 10 in the phosphor coating 3 are used. The starting material of the metal oxide constituting the two portions is a fine metal oxide, and the rest is a metal oxide continuum formed by a sol-gel method.

The chemical composition of the final final product of the metal oxide constituting the surface protective layer 10 is the same as that of the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9. Different from either one.

In this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3, the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9, and the surface protective layer 10 are formed.
Exhibit a barrier function of minimizing various damages that cause adsorption of mercury or deterioration of luminous flux, and as a whole, mercury in the translucent airtight container 1 with the passage of lighting time It is possible to maximize the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed and the effect of preventing luminous flux deterioration in which consumption and luminous flux deterioration are suppressed.

In the above embodiments, an electrodeless fluorescent lamp has been described as the fluorescent lamp La. However, the fluorescent lamp La may be a straight tube electrode fluorescent lamp as shown in FIG. In this fluorescent lamp La, a discharge medium made of mercury vapor and a rare gas is sealed in a hermetically sealed space 2 inside a translucent airtight container 1 made of glass. Electrodes 4 (which may be either a hot cathode type or a cold cathode type) serving as energy supply means are disposed inside both ends of the translucent airtight container 1, respectively.
Is connected to the power supply 6 via the. Also in this case, the fluorescent lamp La and the lighting device 20 constitute a light source device. Further, although the shape of the translucent airtight container 1 of the electrodeed fluorescent lamp La shown in FIG. 4 is a straight tube shape, the translucent airtight container 1 is not limited to a straight tube shape. Alternatively, it may be of course a bent type.

[0045]

EXAMPLES (Examples 1 to 6) In the fluorescent lamp La described in the first embodiment, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. As shown in Table 2, the lighting experiment was performed by making various changes, and as a result, the mercury consumption was reduced and the luminous flux was maintained as compared with the conventional example in which the two portions were made of the same metal oxide fine particles. The rate was improved. Here, Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 shown in Tables 1 and 2 are all electrodeless fluorescent lamps, and the phosphor particles 7 are representative rare earth phosphors as phosphors. Y2O
3: Eu (trivalent europium inactivated yttrium oxide) is used. The lighting experiment was performed by setting the tube wall load (value obtained by dividing the lamp input by the light emitting area, that is, the application area of the phosphor coating) at the time of lighting to about 150 mW / cm 2.

[0046]

[Table 1]

[0047]

[Table 2] In Tables 1 and 2, the types of metal oxides constituting the glass protective film 9 are described in the upper part of the middle row of Table 1, and the types of metal oxides interposed in the phosphor coating 3 are shown in Table 1. It is described at the top of the lower row. Table 1 shows preferred Examples 1 to 3 from the viewpoint of improving the luminous flux maintenance rate with the passage of the lighting time in comparison with Conventional Example 1, and Table 2 shows the viewpoint from the viewpoint of mercury consumption. Preferred Embodiments 4 to 6 are shown in comparison with Conventional Example 2.

Further, referring to Table 1, the lower part of the middle part of Table 1 shows the luminous flux maintenance ratio of the metal oxide sample constituting the glass protective film 9 described in the same frame.
The relative value (%) with respect to the luminous flux maintenance rate of the metal oxide sample that forms the glass protective film 9 with the metal oxide in the middle stage of Conventional Example 1 is described. In the lower part of the lower part of Table 1,
In the sample shown in the same frame, the luminous flux maintenance factor of the sample constituting the metal oxide 8 interposed in the phosphor coating 3 is lower than that of the conventional example 1 by the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 by the lower metal oxide. Relative value (%) to luminous flux maintenance rate of sample of object 8
Is described. Here, as a measure of the luminous flux maintenance rate, when the luminous flux value is 100% when the lighting time is 100 hours, the time until the luminous flux value decreases to 70% is measured as the luminous flux life. The numerical value (%) in Table 1 means that the larger the numerical value, the longer the luminous flux life and the more advantageous.

In Conventional Example 1, fine particles of Y 2 O 3 (yttrium oxide) are used as the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9.

On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 2, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 were made of different starting materials (one of which was metal oxide fine particles). The other is a metal oxide continuum. The final chemical composition is the same (both are Y2O3).

In the first embodiment, the same material as that of the conventional example 1 was used as the metal oxide material for forming the glass protective film 9.
Although three fine particles are used, improvement of the luminous flux life can be expected as a whole as shown in Table 1 by using a Y2O3 continuum as a material of the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3.

In the second embodiment, the same material as that of the conventional example 1 was used as the material of the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor film 3.
Although fine particles are used, by using a Y2O3 continuum as a material of the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9, improvement in the luminous flux life can be expected as a whole as shown in Table 1.

Further, in Example 3, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 were different from each other in starting materials (one was fine metal oxide particles and the other was fine metal oxide). Continuum) and the final chemical composition is also different. That is, in the third embodiment, the phosphor coating 3
Y2O3 similar to that of Conventional Example 1 as the material of the metal oxide therein
Although fine particles are used, by using an Al2O3 continuum as the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9, an improvement in the luminous flux life can be expected as a whole as shown in Table 1.

Next, Table 2 will be described. In the lower part of the middle part of Table 2, the metal oxide constituting the middle part of the glass protective film of the conventional example 2 is the mercury consumption of the metal oxide sample constituting the glass protective film 9 described in the same frame. The relative value (%) to the mercury consumption of the sample is described.
In the lower middle part of Table 2, the lower surface protection layer 10 of the conventional example 2 of the mercury consumption of the sample of the metal oxide 8 interposed in the phosphor coating 3 described in the same frame is shown. The relative value (%) to the mercury consumption of the sample of the constituent metal oxide is described. The amount of mercury consumption is determined based on data obtained by measuring the amount of mercury contained in the phosphor coating 3 of the fluorescent lamp after the lighting test by chemical analysis. Thus, the numerical value (%) in Table 2 means that the smaller the numerical value, the less mercury consumption and the more advantageous.

As shown in Table 2, in Examples 4 and 5, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 were different from each other in starting materials (one of them was metal). The final chemical composition is the same (both are Al 2 O 3) and the starting materials are different in Example 6 (one is metal oxide fine particles and the other is metal oxide (Continuous body) and metal oxides having different final chemical compositions are used in combination. In any of the examples, an effect of improving mercury consumption can be expected as compared with Conventional Example 2.

From these results, as compared with the conventional examples 1 and 2 in which the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 have the same properties and the same composition, As in the first to sixth embodiments, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 are replaced with metal oxides having different chemical compositions or metal oxides formed by a sol-gel method. By using the right material in the right place, such as using different continuum materials with different chemical compositions, the effect of preventing luminous flux deterioration and the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed could be maximized.

(Examples 7 to 12) In the fluorescent lamp La described in the third embodiment, the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3, and the surface protective layer 10 were used. The constituent metal oxides are shown in Tables 3 and 4 below.
As a result, lighting experiments were carried out by making various changes as shown in the figure. As a result, the mercury consumption was reduced and the luminous flux maintenance rate was improved as compared with Conventional Examples 3 and 4 in which all were made of the same metal oxide fine particles. Was done. Here, Examples 7 to 12 and Conventional Examples 3 and 4 shown in Tables 3 and 4 are all electrodeless fluorescent lamps, and the phosphor particles 7 are representative rare earth phosphors as phosphors. Y2O3: Eu (trivalent europium inactivated yttrium oxide) is used. In the lighting experiment, the tube wall load at the time of lighting (the value obtained by dividing the lamp input by the light emitting area, that is, the coating area of the phosphor coating) was about 150 mW /
cm2.

[0058]

[Table 3]

[0059]

[Table 4] In addition, Table 3 and Table 4 are common to Tables 1 and 2, and the type of metal oxide used as a material is described in the upper part of each column. Rate, Table 4
Shows the relative value (%) of each mercury consumption.
Table 3 shows preferred Examples 7, 8, and 9 in comparison with Conventional Example 3 from the viewpoint of improving the luminous flux maintenance rate with the passage of the lighting time, and Table 4 shows mercury consumption. Preferred Examples 10, 11 and 12 are shown in comparison with Conventional Example 4 in terms of quantity.

In Conventional Example 3, Y2O3 was used as the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3, and the metal oxide constituting the surface protective layer 10.
(Yttrium oxide) fine particles are applied.

On the other hand, in Examples 7 and 8, the metal oxides of the above three sites have different starting materials, and the chemical products of the final products are all the same. Specifically, in Example 7, the starting material of the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the starting material of the metal oxide forming the surface protection layer 10 are different from the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9. The products have the same chemical composition. In Example 8, the starting material of the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 was different from the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9 and the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10, and the final product Have the same chemical composition. At this time, in Examples 7 and 8, the chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10 is the final composition of the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9 and the metal oxide in the phosphor coating 3. It is the same as one of the chemical compositions of the product.

In the ninth embodiment, the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9 and the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10 of the three metal oxides described above are compared with the phosphor coating 3. The starting material of the metal oxide interposed therein is different, and the chemical composition of the final product depends on the glass protective film 9.
Is different from the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10 and the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3. At this time, the chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide constituting the surface protective layer 10 is the same as the chemical composition of the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 and the final product of the metal oxide in the phosphor coating 3. Different from either one. In each case, improvement in the luminous flux life can be expected as a whole, as shown in Table 3, as compared with Conventional Example 3.

On the other hand, as shown in Table 4, in Conventional Example 4, the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9, the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3, and the metal oxide constituting the surface protective layer 10 were: In each case, fine particles of Al2O3 (aluminum oxide) are applied.

On the other hand, in Examples 10 and 11, the metal oxides of the above three sites have different starting materials, and the chemical products of the final products are all the same. Specifically, in Example 10, the starting material of the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 and the starting material of the metal oxide forming the surface protection layer 10 were different from the metal oxide forming the glass protection film 9. The products have the same chemical composition. Further, in Example 11, the starting material of the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 was different from the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9 and the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10, and the final product Have the same chemical composition. At this time, in Examples 10 and 11, the surface protection layer 10 was used.
Is the same as one of the chemical composition of the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 and the chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide in the phosphor coating 3. ing.

In the twelfth embodiment, the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9 and the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10 and the phosphor coating 3 are compared with the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9 among the three metal oxides described above. The starting material of the metal oxide interposed therein is different, and the chemical composition of the final product depends on the glass protective film 9
The metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10 is different from the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10 and the metal oxide existing in the phosphor coating 3. At this time, the chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide constituting the surface protective layer 10 is the same as the chemical composition of the metal oxide constituting the glass protective film 9 and the final product of the metal oxide in the phosphor coating 3. Different from either one. In each case, an improvement in mercury consumption can be expected as a whole, as shown in Table 3, as compared with that of Conventional Example 4.

From these results, the metal oxide forming the glass protective film 9, the metal oxide forming the surface protective layer 10, and the metal oxide interposed in the phosphor coating 3 have the same properties and the same composition. As compared with the conventional examples 3 and 4, which are composed of the metal oxide of the present invention, the metal oxides of the respective portions are formed by the metal oxide or the sol-gel method having different chemical compositions from each other as in Examples 7 to 12. By using the right material in the right place, such as using metal oxide continuum with different chemical compositions, the effect of preventing luminous flux deterioration and the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed could be maximized.

In the above-mentioned first to twelfth embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an electrodeless fluorescent lamp has been described. Needless to say.

[0068]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-transmitting airtight container in which a discharge medium containing at least mercury is sealed, and a phosphor film is formed on an inner surface of the light-transmitting airtight container, and the light-transmitting airtight container is formed. Metal oxides other than the phosphor particles are interposed between the inner surface of the light-tight container and the phosphor coating, and at two sites in the phosphor coating. Since the metal oxides have the same chemical composition, the metal oxide between the inner surface of the translucent airtight container and the phosphor coating, and in the phosphor coating cause adsorption of mercury or deterioration of luminous flux. Demonstrates a barrier function that minimizes various types of damage and, as a whole, reduces mercury consumption and reduces luminous flux in the translucent airtight container as the lighting time elapses, and reduces luminous flux. To maximize Succoth there is an effect that can be achieved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, either the fine particles of the metal oxide or the sol of the metal compound is used as the starting material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-transmitting airtight container in which a discharge medium containing at least mercury is sealed, wherein a phosphor film is formed on an inner surface of the light-transmitting airtight container, and the light-transmitting airtight container is formed. Metal oxides other than the phosphor particles are interposed between the inner surface of the airtight container and the phosphor coating, and at two sites in the phosphor coating, and the metal oxides have a chemical composition of a starting material and a final product mutually. Since different metal oxides are used, the metal oxide between the inner surface of the light-transmitting hermetic container and the phosphor coating and in the phosphor coating minimizes various damages that cause adsorption of mercury or deterioration of luminous flux. Demonstrate the barrier function to reduce the amount of mercury consumed in the translucent airtight container and the deterioration of the luminous flux as the lighting time elapses. Can There is an effect that becomes.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, one of the metal oxides interposed between the two portions is formed of fine metal oxide and the other is formed of a metal oxide continuous body by a sol-gel method. The same effects as in the invention of Item 3 are exerted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a metal oxide other than the phosphor particles is disposed on the surface of the phosphor coating opposite to the inner surface of the light-transmitting airtight container. Is
6. The chemical composition of the metal oxide final product disposed on the phosphor coating surface opposite to the inner surface of the light-transmitting hermetic container according to the invention of claim 5, Is the same as at least one of
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide disposed on the phosphor coating surface opposite to the inner surface of the light-transmitting hermetic container is defined by the two parts. Since the metal oxide is made different from at least one of the chemical compositions of the metal oxide, the metal oxide layer disposed on the phosphor coating surface opposite to the inner surface of the light-transmitting airtight container exhibits a barrier function, There is an effect that the effect of reducing the amount of consumed mercury and the effect of preventing luminous flux deterioration can be further improved.

An eighth aspect of the present invention includes the fluorescent lamp according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and a lighting device for starting and maintaining the discharge of the discharge medium of the fluorescent lamp to light the fluorescent lamp. Therefore, there is an effect that a light source device capable of maximizing the effect of reducing the amount of mercury consumed and the effect of preventing luminous flux deterioration can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a light source device using the above.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a main part of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of another light source device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Translucent airtight container 2 Airtight space 3 Phosphor coating film 7 Phosphor particle 8 Metal oxide 9 Glass protective film

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Higashikawa 1048 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. 5C039 NN04 5C043 AA03 AA20 CC09 CD01 DD28 DD36 EA09 EA16 EB14

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A light-transmitting airtight container in which a discharge medium containing at least mercury is sealed, a phosphor film is formed on an inner surface of the light-transmitting airtight container, and the light-transmitting airtight container has an inner surface and a light-transmitting airtight container. Metal oxides other than the phosphor particles are interposed between the phosphor coatings and at two sites in the phosphor coating,
A fluorescent lamp, wherein the metal oxides are metal oxides having different starting materials and the same chemical composition of a final product. 2. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein one of a metal oxide fine particle and a metal compound sol is used as the starting material. 3. A light-transmitting airtight container in which a discharge medium containing at least mercury is enclosed, a phosphor film is formed on an inner surface of the light-transmitting airtight container, and the light-transmitting airtight container has an inner surface and a light-transmitting airtight container. Metal oxides other than the phosphor particles are interposed between the phosphor coatings and at two sites in the phosphor coating,
The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide is a metal oxide having different chemical compositions of a starting material and a final product. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein one of the metal oxides interposed between the two portions is formed of fine metal oxide and the other is formed of a metal oxide continuous body by a sol-gel method. The fluorescent lamp as described. 5. The hole according to claim 1, wherein a metal oxide other than the phosphor particles is disposed on the surface of the phosphor coating opposite to the inner surface of the translucent airtight container. The fluorescent lamp according to item 1. 6. The chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide disposed on the surface of the phosphor coating opposite to the inner surface of the light-transmitting hermetic container is at least the chemical composition of the metal oxide of the two sites. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 5, wherein the fluorescent lamp is the same as any one of the fluorescent lamps. 7. The chemical composition of the final product of the metal oxide disposed on the phosphor coating surface opposite to the inner surface of the light-transmitting hermetic container is at least the chemical composition of the metal oxide of the two portions. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 5, wherein the fluorescent lamp is different from one of the fluorescent lamps. 8. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, and energy that is disposed inside or outside the translucent airtight container to supply energy to the discharge medium. A light source device comprising: a supply unit; and a lighting device for lighting the fluorescent lamp via the energy supply unit.