JP2000156295A - Lighting device for rare gas discharge lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device for a rare gas in which expansion to an undesired heating condition of an enclosure, burning of a high frequency voltage generating circuit by an excessive current, etc., can be restricted even when a self-heating condition of the enclosure in a rare gas discharge lamp is continued for a long time. SOLUTION: On an inner surface of an enclosure 1A in a straight tube form comprising a glass member having a volume resistance ratio at 150 deg.C of 1×109 Ωcm or more, mainly comprising silicon oxide and boron oxide, and without containing lead, a light emitting layer is formed, a pair of strips of external electrodes 5, 6 comprising metal members are disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the enclosure to be apart from each other roughly along the whole length of the enclosure, a translucent and insulating outer member is installed on the outer circumferential surface of the enclosure to form a rare gas discharge lamp DL, and a high frequency voltage generating circuit H to generate a high frequency voltage based on switching actions of switching elements Qa, Qb is provided, where the rare gas discharge lamp DL is connected to the output side of the high frequency voltage generating circuit H in such a way that the high frequency voltage is applied to the pair of external electrodes 5, 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp, and more particularly to a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp, in which a light emitting layer having an aperture is formed on an inner surface of a glass bulb and a pair of strip-shaped external electrodes are arranged on an outer circumferential surface. The present invention relates to an improvement of a lighting device in which a rare gas discharge lamp is incorporated in a high frequency voltage generation circuit.

2. Description of the Related Art The present applicant has previously proposed a rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a straight tubular envelope which is hermetically constituted by a glass bulb, for example.
On its inner surface, a light emitting layer 2 containing one or more phosphors such as a rare earth phosphor and a halophosphate phosphor is formed. In particular, the light emitting layer 2 is formed with an aperture 2a having a predetermined opening angle over substantially the entire length. The sealing structure of the envelope 1 is configured by sealing a disk-shaped sealing glass plate to an end of a glass bulb. It can also be constituted by a top seal. A predetermined amount of a rare gas mainly composed of xenon gas not containing metal vapor such as mercury is sealed in the enclosed space of the envelope 1. A pair of band-shaped external electrodes 5 and 6 made of a metal member are separated from each other on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 over substantially the entire length thereof, and the first and second openings 7 and 8 are formed. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1, an exterior member 10 made of a cylindrical glass member or a ceramic member having excellent translucency and insulation properties is mounted so as to cover the external electrodes 5 and 6. I have. The rare gas discharge lamp L thus configured is lit by, for example, a lighting device shown in FIG. This lighting device generates a high-frequency voltage having a frequency of about 30 KHz and a voltage of about 1880 V, for example, and a high-frequency voltage generating circuit (for example, an inverter circuit) H whose output waveform is substantially a sine wave.
A switching element Q such as a transistor for controlling the power supply from the DC power supply EB to the inverter circuit H, a driving circuit P for controlling the driving of the switching element Q, and a smoothing capacitor C. Have been.
The inverter circuit H includes, for example, primary coils TRa and TR
b, an oscillation transformer TR having a secondary coil TRc and an exciting coil TRd, a choke coil CH connected between the middle point of the primary coils TRa and TRb and the switching element Q, and connected to the primary coils TRa and TRb. First
Second switching elements (eg, first and second transistors) Qa and Qb and first and second transistors Qa and
A resistor R connected to the base of Qb and the exciting coil TRd
a and Rb. The rare gas discharge lamp L is connected to the output side (secondary coil TRc) of the inverter circuit H.
External electrodes 5 and 6 are connected. In this lighting device, when a drive signal is applied and stopped at a predetermined timing from the drive circuit P to the base of the switching element Q, the switching element Q is turned on and off at a predetermined interval. While the switching element Q is on, the first and second transistors Qa and Qb are turned on and off in a timely manner by the cooperation of the resistors Ra and Rb and the oscillation transformer TR. The high-frequency voltage described above is generated in TRc and applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp L. Thus, unlike the rare gas discharge lamp L, which is lit by one discharge path along the longitudinal direction of the envelope, like a discharge lamp using a hot cathode or a cold cathode, the external electrodes 5, 6 During this period (in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the envelope 1), an infinite number of discharge paths are formed, so that the light is emitted in a striped state. In this state, the light emitting layer 2 is excited by the rare gas excitation line to emit light, and the light is transmitted to the aperture 2.
a to the outside through the first opening 7. In particular, since no mercury is used in the rare gas discharge lamp L, the rising of the light amount after lighting is steep,
It has the feature that the light amount reaches almost 100% at the same time as the lighting. For this reason, facsimile and image
It is suitable as a light source for reading originals of OA equipment such as scanners and copiers.

In the rare gas discharge lamp L, a high-frequency voltage is applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 to generate a discharge between the external electrodes via the glass bulb as described above. At this time, a current also flows through the glass bulb, and the glass bulb self-heats due to this current, the temperature rises, and an excessive current flows due to a decrease in the resistance value of the glass bulb due to the temperature rise. There is a tendency. For example, when soda glass is applied to the glass member constituting the envelope, the volume resistivity of the soda glass at 150 ° C. is as small as 1 × 10 8 Ωcm, so that the The current flowing through the bulb causes the glass bulb to abnormally generate heat, so that the luminous efficiency is reduced, and the excessive current causes the lighting device, particularly the inverter circuit H, to burn out. In particular, when lead glass is applied to the glass member constituting the envelope, the above-described problem can be effectively solved at the beginning of lighting. this is,
Volume resistivity of lead glass at 150 ° C. is 1 × 10 11
Ωcm, which is much larger than that of soda glass, minimizing troubles such as development of abnormal heat due to self-heating of lead glass, lowering of luminous efficiency, and burning of lighting device in the early stage of lighting. It can be stopped at. The inventor of the present invention has found that the volume resistivity of the glass member at 150 ° C. is 1 × 10 9 Ωcm in order to prevent abnormal heat generation of the glass bulb, decrease in luminous efficiency, and burning of the lighting device.
It is confirmed by another experiment that the above is sufficient.
However, the above-mentioned rare gas discharge lamp L is inferior in heat dissipation and tends to accumulate heat because the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 is covered by the exterior member 10. Therefore, even at the beginning of lighting, the temperature rises undesirably due to the self-heating of the lead glass, and the resistance value of the glass bulb gradually decreases as the lighting time elapses. For example, when about 100 to 300 hours have elapsed from the initial lighting, an excessive current flows due to a large decrease in the resistance value, and the heat generation abnormally progresses to lower the luminous efficiency, or the lighting shown in FIG. The device may burn out. In particular, when the lighting device has a high output, these tendencies become more prominent. Such a phenomenon is caused by the exterior member 10.
Even when there is no lighting device, the lighting device appears when the output is increased or the lighting device is used in a high-temperature environment. On the other hand, if the current capacity of the circuit components is designed to be sufficiently large so as not to burn out even if an excessive current flows, not only the size of the lighting device becomes large, but also restrictions on the incorporation into OA equipment arise. And the cost increases. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to develop an undesired heating state of an envelope in a rare gas discharge lamp even if the self-heating state of the envelope continues for a long time, and to increase a high frequency by an excessive current. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rare gas discharge lamp lighting device capable of suppressing burnout and the like of a voltage generation circuit.

Accordingly, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a volume resistivity at 150 ° C. of 1 × 10 9 Ωcm or more and contains silicon oxide and boron oxide as main components. A light emitting layer is formed on the inner surface of a straight tubular envelope made of a lead-free glass member, and a pair of strip-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope.
A rare gas discharge lamp that is disposed apart from each other over substantially the entire length of the envelope; and a high-frequency voltage generation circuit that generates a high-frequency voltage based on a switching operation of a switching element, wherein the rare gas discharge lamp Is connected to the output side of the high-frequency voltage generation circuit so that the high-frequency voltage is applied to the pair of external electrodes. The second invention of the present invention is characterized in that the volume resistivity at 150 ° C. is 1 × 10 9 Ωcm
As described above, a light emitting layer is formed on the inner surface of a straight tubular envelope made of a lead-free glass member containing silicon oxide and boron oxide as a main component, and a metallic member is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope. A pair of band-shaped external electrodes are arranged apart from each other over substantially the entire length of the envelope, and a translucent and insulating exterior member is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope so that the external electrodes are covered. A rare gas discharge lamp mounted on the device, and a high-frequency voltage generation circuit that generates a high-frequency voltage based on the switching operation of the switching element, the rare gas discharge lamp on the output side of the high-frequency voltage generation circuit, a pair of The high-frequency voltage is connected to the external electrode so as to be applied. Further, according to the third invention of the present invention, the volume resistivity at 150 ° C. is 1 ×
A straight tubular envelope having a lead-free glass member of at least 10 9 Ωcm and containing silicon oxide and boron oxide as a main component, and having a light emitting layer on its inner surface; A pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are arranged on one surface of a light-transmitting sheet as an exterior member having a length and are spaced apart from each other, and a light-transmitting sheet on the side where the external electrodes are located. A sheet structure in which an adhesive layer is formed on the sheet surface, and the sheet structure is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope, and an external electrode is located between the envelope and the translucent sheet. A rare gas discharge lamp configured to be wound as described above, and a high-frequency voltage generation circuit that generates a high-frequency voltage based on the switching operation of the switching element, and the rare gas discharge lamp is provided on the output side of the high-frequency voltage generation circuit. That the pair of external electrodes are connected so that high-frequency voltage is applied Features. Further, according to the fourth invention of the present invention, the volume resistivity at 150 ° C. is 1 × 10 9 Ωc
m and a lead-free glass member containing silicon oxide and boron oxide as a main component, a straight tubular envelope having a light-emitting layer on its inner surface, and a length substantially equal to the entire length of the envelope. A pair of strip-like external electrodes made of a metal member are arranged on one surface of a light-transmitting sheet as an exterior member having a distance from each other, and a light-transmitting sheet on the side where the external electrodes are located. A sheet structure having an adhesive layer formed on a surface thereof; and a light-transmitting exterior member made of a cylindrical glass member or a ceramic member having an outer diameter larger than that of the envelope. A rare gas discharge lamp in which a sheet structure is wound so that an external electrode is located between the envelope and the translucent sheet, and an exterior member is mounted on the sheet structure; A high-frequency voltage generation circuit that generates a high-frequency voltage based on the switching operation of the switching element. , The noble gas discharge lamp to the output side of the high-frequency voltage generating circuit, characterized by being connected to a high frequency voltage is applied to the pair of external electrodes. A fifth invention of the present invention is characterized in that the high-frequency voltage generation circuit is configured to generate a sinusoidal high-frequency voltage,
A sixth invention is characterized in that the high-frequency voltage generation circuit is configured to generate a pulsed high-frequency voltage,
A seventh invention is characterized in that the high-frequency voltage generation circuit is constituted by an inverter circuit for converting DC to AC, and an eighth invention is characterized in that the high-frequency voltage generation circuit comprises at least a primary coil, It is characterized by comprising an output transformer having a secondary coil, a switching element connected in series to the primary coil of the output transformer, and a capacitor connected in parallel to the primary coil of the output transformer.
Further, a ninth invention of the present invention is characterized in that the exterior member of the rare gas discharge lamp is constituted by a cylindrical glass member or a ceramic member, and a tenth invention is that the rare gas discharge lamp The exterior member is formed of a tube made of a heat-shrinkable resin, and is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the envelope, and then heat-treated so as to be substantially adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the envelope.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to FIG.
The same parts as those of the prior art shown in FIG.
Detailed description is omitted. In FIG.
Is characterized by a volume resistivity of 1 × 1 at 150 ° C.
More than 09 Ωcm and mainly composed of silicon oxide and boron oxide
The envelope 1A is made of a lead-free glass member.
The rare gas discharge lamp DL is connected to the output side of the high-frequency voltage generation circuit H,
Connect the pair of external electrodes so that high-frequency voltage is applied.
And the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1A in the rare gas discharge lamp
The sheet structure 3 is placed between the translucent sheet 4 and the envelope 1A.
While winding so that the external electrodes 5 and 6 are located,
A cylindrical tube having an outer diameter larger than the envelope 1A
The exterior member 10 made of a lath member or a ceramic member is mounted.
It is wearing. Note that the first of the external electrodes 5 and 6
Light is emitted on the inner surface of the envelope 1A substantially corresponding to the opening 7.
An aperture portion 2a in which the layer 2A is not formed is formed.
You. Configuration of envelope 1A in rare gas discharge lamp DL described above
As a member, as described above, the volume resistance at 150 ° C is used.
Having a resistivity of 1 × 10 9 Ωcm or more;
Boron silicate glass based on silicon and containing no lead (hereinafter referred to as
(Referred to as BFK glass for convenience).
You. This BFK glass is made of, for example, silicon oxide (SiO2
), Alumina (Al203), boron oxide (B2O3)
), Sodium oxide (Na20), potassium oxide (K2
0), lithium oxide (Li2 0), titanium oxide (Ti
O2), and the composition ratio is, for example, silicon oxide.
67.6% elemental, 4% alumina, 18% boron oxide, sodium oxide
Thorium 1%, Potassium oxide 8%, Lithium oxide 1%,
Titanium oxide is set to about 0.4%, but desired
Depending on the glass properties, within the range satisfying the above conditions
The composition ratio can be appropriately changed. The softness of this BFK glass
The conversion point is approximately 705 ° C, and the volume at 150 ° C
The resistivity is approximately 7.9.times.10@12 .OMEGA.cm. Also outside this
The thickness of the enclosure 1A is, for example, in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 mm.
In this range, productivity and light characteristics are reasonable.
Which is obtained. However, the wall thickness is less than 0.4 mm,
Particularly, when the thickness is less than 0.2 mm, the mechanical strength of the envelope 1A is reduced.
In the production process with mass production equipment,
The failure rate due to glass breakage increases, and vice versa
If the wall thickness exceeds 0.7 mm, a striped discharge
And the light emitted from the aperture portion 2a is flickering.
Not only occurs, but also the power to the rare gas discharge lamp
Does not enter sufficiently, and the light output decreases.
Therefore, the thickness of the envelope 1A should be set within the above range.
Is desirable. The light emitting layer 2A is used for a rare gas discharge lamp.
Therefore, the phosphor used is composed of only one kind,
It may be composed of a mixture of two or more. For example, three wavelength ranges
In the case of the emission type, for example, the emission spectrum is
Europium-activated barium aluminate magnesium
Phosphor, cerium with emission spectrum in the green region
Mu terbium activated lanthanum phosphate phosphor in red region
Europium-activated boric acid yttria having emission spectrum
Um and gadolinium phosphors are mixed.
Is formed, and the coating amount is 5 to 30 mg / cm 2.
Set to range. In this range, the desired light output can be obtained.
However, if the amount of adhesion is less than 5 mg,
The power drops and the illuminance on the document surface becomes insufficient
On the other hand, if the amount exceeds 30 mg, the formation of a uniform light emitting layer
It becomes difficult. Therefore, the adhesion amount of the light emitting layer 2A is within the above range.
It is desirable to set to. Further, the above-mentioned sheet structure 3
Is, for example, as shown in FIGS.
Insulating translucent sheet 4 having a length substantially the same as
And a predetermined distance from one surface of the translucent sheet 4.
Strips made of metal members that are separated and arranged only
A pair of external electrodes 5 and 6 and the end portions of the external electrodes 5 and 6
Have an electrical connection with it, and the output end is transparent.
End protruding from the edge of the sex sheet 4
Elements 51, 61 and one surface of the translucent sheet 4.
And an adhesive layer 9. In this sheet structure 3
The light-transmitting sheet 4 has a thickness of, for example, 20 to 100.
For insulating and transmissive members set in the μm range
For example, polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) resin is preferred, but other materials such as polyester resin
Can also be used. The external electrodes 5 and 6 are made of, for example, meat.
With a metal member whose thickness is set in the range of 10 to 100 μm
It is composed, for example, aluminum foil is suitable,
Other metal members and the like are also applicable. In addition, translucent sheet
4 and the thickness of the external electrodes 5 and 6 are as described above depending on the application.
Can be set out of the range. This
The external structure 5 includes external electrodes 5 and 6 on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1A.
Wrap so as to be located between the envelope 1A and the translucent sheet 4.
Times and adhered, on which a cylindrical glass member or
The exterior member 10 made of a ceramic member is mounted.
You. Note that a cylindrical cap (not shown) is attached to the end of the exterior member 10.
A hood such as polyamide resin is
The exterior member 1 is filled with a melt or the like.
0, the ends of the sheet structure 3 and the envelope 1A are hermetically sealed.
ing. As the above-mentioned exterior member 10, for example, barium
Glass is preferred, but other glass members are available
is there. This barium glass is, for example, silica, alumina,
Boric acid, potassium, barium, calcium oxide, etc.
And its softening point is approximately 665 ° C, 1
The volume resistivity at 50 ° C is approximately 1 × 10 11 Ωcm
is there. Further, at the separated portions of the external electrodes 5 and 6,
Has first and second openings 7, 8 formed therein.
The opening angles θ1 and θ2 are set so that θ1> θ2.
I have. The opening angle θ1 of the first opening 7 is 60 to 120 °.
The opening angle θ2 of the second opening 8 is about 55 °.
Each is desirable. However, the second opening 8 is insulated
Desirably narrow enough not to break, for example at least 2m
It is recommended to secure a separation distance of about m. In addition, above
The opening angle of the aperture 2a is the opening angle of the first opening 7.
The angle is set to substantially the same as the angle θ1. This rare gas discharge
The lamp DL is manufactured, for example, as follows. First, for example
Emission spectrum for blue, green, and red regions respectively
Water-soluble phosphor coating solution containing phosphor having
Coating, drying and firing on the inner surface of envelope 1A consisting of a valve
By doing so, the light emitting layer 2A is formed. Next,
A part of the light emitting layer 2A using a scraper
By peeling and removing at a predetermined opening angle, aperture
A tea portion 2a is formed. Next, the envelope 1A is sealed.
And a rare gas such as xenon in the internal space.
Enclose in a fixed amount. Next, as shown in FIGS.
9 has an adhesive layer 9 on a predetermined portion of the light-transmitting sheet 4
When the pair of external electrodes 5 and 6 are separated and
The terminals 51 and 61 are led out from the ends of the external electrodes 5 and 6, respectively.
Thus, the sheet structure 3 is formed. Next, as shown in FIG.
With the sheet structure 3 expanded, for example, an assembling stage
11. Subsequently, the envelope 1A is connected to the sheet structure 3.
To one end 4a of the translucent sheet 4 in the longitudinal direction of the envelope 1A.
Along the longitudinal direction of the external electrodes 5 and 6 (become parallel
So) position. In this state, the rotor is driven by the envelope 1A.
The envelopes 1 and 12 are slightly attached to the translucent sheet 4;
Arrange to press. In this state, the stage 11
Is slightly moved in the M direction, and then moved in the N direction. This
As a result, as shown in FIG.
Is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the container 1A and one end of the translucent sheet 4
The other end 4b is superimposed on 4a and adhered by the adhesive layer 9.
Thus, the rare gas discharge lamp DL is completed. This rare gas discharge lamp
The DL is lit by, for example, the lighting device shown in FIG. This
Of the lighting device, the driving element P
When a drive signal is applied to the base of Q, the switching element
Q is turned on and off at appropriate intervals. Switching element Q
Are ON, the first and second transistors Qa, Qb
Is used in cooperation with the resistors Ra and Rb and the oscillation transformer TR.
Therefore, it is turned on and off in a timely manner.
A high-frequency voltage is generated in the secondary coil TRc of the TR to generate a rare gas.
It is applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the discharge lamp DL. This
This rare gas discharge lamp DL has no space between the external electrodes 5 and 6.
Lights in a striped state by forming several discharge paths
I do. In this state, light is emitted by the rare gas excitation line.
The layer 2A is excited to emit light, and light is emitted from the aperture 2a.
It is emitted to the outside through the first opening 7. In addition, normal
In the lighting state, the striped discharge state is not visible and flickering
Does not occur. According to this embodiment, the rare gas discharge lamp DL
The envelope 1A is made of lead mainly composed of silicon oxide and boron oxide.
Is made of BFK glass that does not contain
Volume resistivity at 150 ° C is 1 × 10 9 Ωcm or more
, The sheet is formed by the exterior member 10.
Although the structure 3 and the envelope 1A are covered,
The lighting condition lasts for a long time as well as the initial lighting.
Even if it is, the envelope itself develops into abnormal heat due to self-heating.
And the volume resistivity caused by abnormal heat generation
Reduction can also be suppressed. Therefore, the undesired increase of the current is suppressed.
And reliably prevent burning of the lighting device shown in FIG.
can do. In particular, BFK glass is a state-of-the-art lead
6. Volume resistivity at 150 ° C. compared to glass is 7.
Because it is much larger at 9 × 10 12 Ωcm,
The input current of the lighting device can be reduced by about 12%
Regardless, brightness comparable to that of the prior art can be obtained. this is
Since the temperature rise due to self-heating is small, the light emitting layer 2A
It is considered that the decrease in luminous efficiency was suppressed.
You. Therefore, the rare gas discharge lamp DL is connected to the lighting device shown in FIG.
Lighting device can be downsized and low
Costs can be reduced. In addition, the envelope 1A is
Since the BFK glass formed does not contain lead,
Environmental impacts caused by emission of harmful substances
Pollution can be prevented. The softening point of the envelope 1A is lead glass.
For example, about 80 ° C. higher than the softening point of
In the phosphor coating film formed on the inner surface of the envelope
The firing temperature must be set high enough to allow the binder
Even if it is set, the phosphor forming the light emitting layer 2A
Luminous efficiency without being fused to constituent glass members
Not only can be improved, but also the envelope 1A
Easy to attach to exhaust head (adhesion) to prevent deformation
Can be improved, and breakage at the time of attachment to it can be reduced. or,
The amount of the light emitting layer 2A is set to 5 to 30 mg / cm 2.
And the opening of the first and second openings 7 and 8
The mouth angles θ1 and θ2 are set so that θ1> θ2, and
Mouth angle θ1 is set in the range of 60 to 120 °
In combination with the first opening 7 through the aperture 2a
Effectively improves the light output emitted from the device, and also reduces the volume resistivity
Can be suppressed. Therefore, to suppress the undesired increase in current
It is possible to reliably prevent burning of the lighting device shown in FIG.
Can be. In particular, BFK glass is a prior art lead glass
Has a volume resistivity of 7.9 × 1 at 150 ° C.
Because it is extremely large at 012 Ωcm,
Despite the fact that the input current of the lamp unit is reduced by about 12%
And the same brightness as the prior art can be obtained. This is self
Since the temperature rise due to heat generation is small, the light emission of the light emitting layer 2A
It is considered that the decrease in efficiency was suppressed.
Therefore, this rare gas discharge lamp DL is used in the lighting device shown in FIG.
Lighting device can be downsized and low cost by combining
Can be achieved. Further, the envelope 1A is constructed.
Because BFK glass contains no lead,
Environmental pollution due to emission of harmful substances during manufacturing
Can be prevented. The softening point of the envelope 1A is the softening point of lead glass.
For example, about 80 ° C higher than the
And is included in the phosphor coating film formed on the inner surface of the envelope.
Set the firing temperature high to allow the binder to fully evaporate
However, the phosphor forming the light emitting layer 2A forms the envelope 1A.
Luminous efficiency without being fused to the glass member
Not only can be improved, but the envelope 1A is almost
Because it is not shaped, it is easy to attach (adhesion) to the exhaust head.
In addition, it is possible to reduce breakage at the time of attachment to the device. Also, light emission
The coating amount of the layer 2A is set to 5 to 30 mg / cm 2.
And the opening angles of the first and second openings 7 and 8
θ1 and θ2 are set so that θ1> θ2, and the opening angle
θ1 is set in the range of 60 to 120 °
In addition, release from the first opening 7 through the aperture 2a.
The emitted light output can be effectively improved. So, for example,
When applied to the document irradiation device of OA equipment,
The document feed speed.
Even if the speed is increased, sufficient reading quality can be ensured.
In particular, the adhesion amount of the light emitting layer 2A is the same as that of a normal fluorescent lamp for illumination.
By comparison, it is set to about 2 to 10 times,
Light fluorescent lamps are not considered characteristically favorable.
Despite the required amount, noble gas discharge lamps
The output is effectively increasing. The cause is obvious
It is not, however, between the external electrodes 5 and 6 (the longitudinal direction of the envelope 1A).
Countless discharge paths are formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
Unique to rare gas discharge lamps that are lit in stripes
This phenomenon is considered. Further, the amount of the light emitting layer to be attached is 5 to 3
The opening angle θ1 of the first opening 7 is set in the range of 0 mg / cm2.
Is set in the range of 60 to 120 °, and the external electrode
If light reflectivity is given to the envelope side of 5, 6, the first opening
The light output emitted from the unit 7 can be further increased.
Wear. At this time, the separation length of the second opening 8 is about 2 mm.
If the aperture angle is set to be narrow (equivalent to approximately 29 °), the second
Leakage of light from the opening 8 of the first opening 7 is suppressed.
The effect of improving the light output emitted from is expected. Figure 6
FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a basic structure.
It is composed of a rare gas discharge lamp incorporated in the lighting device shown in FIG.
Is the same. The difference is that the outside corresponding to the first opening 7
Aperture 2a formed on inner surface of enclosure 1A
Is larger than the opening angle θ1 of the first opening 7.
It is set. The aperture angle θ of the aperture 2a
3 is set, for example, in the range of 70 to 130 degrees
However, it can be changed as appropriate according to the use and purpose. In addition,
The opening angle θ1 of the first opening 7 and the opening angle θ of the second opening 8
2 is set to satisfy the relationship of θ1> θ2. In this embodiment
According to the first embodiment, the exterior member 10 is mounted similarly to the first embodiment.
Abnormal heat generation of the enclosure 1A, decrease in resistance,
Can be prevented, and burnout of the lighting device shown in FIG. 1 can be suppressed.
The effect that it can control is obtained. In addition, the envelope 1A
When winding the sheet structure 3 around the outer peripheral surface, the first opening 7
Even if the center of the aperture part 2a is slightly deviated from the center, the first
Deviation of the optical axis of the light emitted from the opening 7 can be reduced.
You. For this reason, for example, even when applied to a document irradiation apparatus,
High reading accuracy can be obtained in minutes. Fig. 7
FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and the basic configuration is
Same as the rare gas discharge lamp incorporated in the lighting device shown in FIG.
It is. The difference is that each end of the translucent sheet 4
4a and 4b are superimposed on the external electrode 5,
That is, the overlapped portion was ultrasonically welded. This implementation
According to the example, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.
The ultrasonic welding of the superposed portions 4a and 4b
5, light emission on the inner surface of the envelope to be performed on the outer surface
Ultrasonic vibration acting on the layer 2A is reduced. Therefore,
1, compared with the second embodiment, the inside of the envelope of the light emitting layer 2A
The peeling from the surface can be greatly suppressed, and the light output can be improved.
Become. FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The basic configuration was incorporated into the lighting device shown in FIG.
It is the same as a rare gas discharge lamp. The difference is that the envelope 1A
A pair of external electrodes 5 and 6 are attached to the outer peripheral surface using an adhesive layer
After that, the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1A is made of a transparent resin such as PET resin.
The conductive sheet 4A is wound so that the external electrodes 5 and 6 are covered.
It is that it turned and adhered. According to this embodiment, the first
In addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the embodiment of FIG.
Prior to winding the translucent sheet 4A around the peripheral surface,
Transparent insulating material such as silicone varnish is applied to the outer peripheral surface of 1A.
By forming a film, the dielectric strength between external electrodes can be improved.
You. FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
The basic configuration is a rare gas built into the lighting device shown in FIG.
It is the same as a discharge lamp. The different point is the outer circumference of the envelope 1A.
A pair of external electrodes 5 and 6 were attached to the surface using an adhesive layer
Later, heat shrinkage such as PET resin is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1A.
The external electrodes 5 and 6 cover the tube 13 made of resin.
And heat shrink it. In addition, this
Tube 13 is larger than envelope 1A before heat treatment.
It has an outer diameter, and after being attached to the envelope 1A, for example, 1
By heating to about 50-200 ° C and shrinking
It is closely attached to the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1A. According to this embodiment
For example, compared to the above embodiments,
Although it is inferior in point, no adhesive layer was used for the tube 13.
Corrosion due to the reaction between the components of the terminal and the adhesive component
And stable operating state can be maintained for a long period of time
In addition, since the tube 13 is seamless,
Peeling off the overlapping portion of the end of the above-mentioned translucent sheet 4
This can be completely prevented. In particular, the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1A
Prior to mounting the tube 13, the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1A
To form a translucent insulating film such as silicone varnish
By doing so, the dielectric strength between the external electrodes can be further increased
You. FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
The basic configuration was incorporated into the lighting device shown in FIG.
It is the same as a rare gas discharge lamp. The differences are shown in FIGS.
The sheet structure 3 shown is omitted, and an exterior is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1A.
The member 10 is mounted so that the external electrodes 5 and 6 are covered.
In addition, a silicon-silicon is provided between the envelope 1A and the exterior member 10.
That is, an insulating member 14 such as resin is interposed.
It is to be noted that the insulating member 14 is attached to the envelope 1A before the exterior member 10 is mounted.
In addition to being attached to the outer peripheral surface of the
Can also be injected into the space. According to this embodiment
For example, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and
Because it is simplified compared to the above embodiments
In addition, productivity can be increased and costs can be reduced.
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the lighting device according to the present invention.
Mainly generates a pulsed high-frequency voltage
It is composed of a high frequency voltage generating circuit HA. This high lap
The wave voltage generating circuit HA includes, for example, a primary coil TRa,
An output transformer TRA having a coil TRc;
Field effect connected in series to the primary coil TRa of the
Including a switching element QA such as a fruit transistor
And a power conversion circuit PST. This high frequency power
Capacitor CA, DC power supply on input side of pressure generating circuit HA
EB is connected to the rare gas discharge lamp DL on the output side.
The external electrode 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp DL is grounded.
I have. The above-described constant power circuit PST includes, for example, an output transformer.
Switch connected in series to primary coil TRa
Resistor QA and the switching element QA connected in series.
A current detecting circuit 30 comprising an anti-R1
Connected to a capacitor C1 and resistors R2 and R3.
Circuit 40 for operational amplifier OP and hysteresis
, The non-inverting input of the operational amplifier OP.
The reference voltage Vref is applied to the input terminal (+) via the resistor R4.
The output terminal of the phase advance circuit 40 is connected to the inverting input terminal (-).
A comparison circuit 50, a monostable multivibrator M and a switch
The capacitor C2 for setting the off time of the switching element QA,
The comparison circuit 50 includes a resistor R6 and a current detection circuit.
The output voltage corresponding to the current detected at 30 is the reference voltage V
switch based on the signal output when the
After the switching element QA is turned off, the capacitor C2
, After a certain time set by the resistor R6
Signal (gate signal) for turning on the switching element QA
And a drive circuit PA for outputting the same. In addition, drive
From the driving circuit PA to the gate of the switching element QA
A square-wave drive signal is provided. And high frequency voltage generation
On the output side of the raw circuit HA, a rare gas discharge lamp DL is provided.
So that a pulsed high-frequency voltage is applied to the electrodes 5 and 6
Connected to one of the external electrodes 5 and 6
6 is grounded. In particular, the drive signal from the drive circuit PA
During the off period of the switching element QA based on the
Effective inductance on secondary coil TRc side of lance TRA
And the effective capacitance when the rare gas discharge lamp DL is lit
The first cycle of the free oscillation of the lamp current caused by the
(Within the period of t1 + t2), preferably at the beginning of the free oscillation
Bounce period in which the direction of lamp current is reversed from the peak point
It is set during (t2). Configured like this
The lighting device operates as follows. First, high frequency voltage generation
When a DC power supply EB is connected to the input side of the circuit HA,
The sensor CA is charged. In this state, the drive circuit PA
The gate of the switching element QA is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13 (b), a square wave drive signal (switched
Since the gate of the switching element QA has a stray capacitance,
Is applied, resulting in a switched
The switching element QA is turned on. This on operation allows
Capacitor CA, DC power supply EB to output transformer TRA
Primary coil TRa, switching element QA, current detection circuit
As shown in FIG. 12B, the road 30 is substantially linearly
The increasing primary current (drain current Ip) flows and the output
As soon as electromagnetic energy is stored in the lance TRA,
In addition, the resistance R1 and the drain current Ip
Causes a voltage drop (output voltage). This output voltage is
Operational amplifier in comparison circuit 50 via phase advance circuit 40
The signal is applied to the inverting input terminal (-) of the OP. This opian
The drain current Ip is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal (+) of the
The voltage (Ip · R1) corresponding to the preset value is the reference
The voltage Vref is applied as the voltage Vref.
The output voltage is compared with this reference voltage Vref. Current detection
The output voltage of the circuit 30 increases with time,
When the voltage becomes higher than the voltage Vref, the output side of the operational amplifier OP
Outputs a signal that changes from high level to low level.
You. This output signal is a monostable multivibrator of the drive circuit PA.
The data is input to the data recorder M. This allows a monostable multibar
The output side of the eraser M changes from high level to low level.
The gate of the switching element QA is
Signal is not applied, and the switching element QA is turned off.
State. Next, the switching element QA is turned off.
Is reached, stored in the primary coil TRa of the output transformer TRA.
Based on the action of the accumulated electromagnetic energy, the secondary coil T
Rc is a winding of the primary coil TRa and the secondary coil TRc
A pulsed high-frequency voltage is generated according to the ratio of the rare gas discharge lamp.
By being applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the DL,
A discharge is generated between the electrodes, and the rare gas discharge lamp DL is turned on.
State, as shown in FIG. 12 (c) and FIG. 13 (a).
First half of each cycle (T) in the repetition cycle
The lamp current Ib flows during the period t1
Since the discharge lamp DL forms a capacitor, the discharge lamp DL
Load is accumulated. When the lamp current Ib becomes 0, the rare gas
The electric charge accumulated in the discharge lamp DL jumps as the lamp current Ib.
During the bounce period t2, the current flows in a direction opposite to the direction of the period t1.
Become like On the other hand, the switching element QA is turned off.
After the inversion, the driving circuit PA includes the capacitor C2 and the resistor R6.
After a certain period of time set by
A is again supplied with a gate signal. This time is the jump
Since this is set in the first half of the bounce period t2,
At the timing, the switching element QA is turned on, and FIG.
The lamp current Ibj indicated by oblique lines in FIG.
The current is superimposed on the lamp current flowing at t2. In addition, Sui
Timing of applying drive signal to switching element QA jumps
After the return period t2, the lamp current Ib is
In (a), the vibration becomes damped as shown by the dotted line,
Does not flow. Like this
Due to the superposition of the pump current Ibj, the rare gas discharge lamp DL
As shown in FIG. 12 (d) and FIG. 13 (c), light emission (φ)
In response to the increase in the lamp current Ibj, the brightness φ also changes as shown in FIG.
3 (c), as shown by the oblique line (φj).
You. It should be noted that the timing of applying the drive signal to the switching element QA is
Mining is to the lighting device earlier in the rebound period t2
The lamp power indicated by diagonal lines without further increase
The flow Ibj can be effectively increased. This lighting
In the device, high-frequency voltage generation by the constant power circuit PST
Basically, the power on the input side of the raw circuit HA is made constant power.
Drain current flowing during the ON operation of the switching element QA
Each time Ip reaches a preset value, the switching element
This is performed by turning off the child QA. here,
Inductance of primary coil TRa of output transformer TRA
Lp, drain current Ip, switching frequency
f, the power P on the input side is P = 0.5 Lp · Ip
2 · f This power P is output transformer
The inductance Lp of the primary coil TRa of the TRA is substantially
Since it is constant, drain current Ip, switching
It will depend on the frequency f. Therefore, this constant power
In the circuit PST, for example, the voltage VIN of the DC power supply EB fluctuates.
However, even if the drain current changes, the power P on the input side is almost one.
It is controlled to be constant. According to this embodiment,
The primary voltage of the output transformer TRA is
Including switching element QA connected in series to TRa
Since the constant power circuit PST is incorporated,
The power on the input side of the voltage generating circuit HA is changed to the voltage fluctuation of the DC power supply.
It can be controlled almost constant without being affected by. Therefore,
The light amount of the rare gas discharge lamp DL can be stabilized. In addition, rare gas release
In the lighting state of the electric light DL, the switching element QA
During the off period, the secondary coil TRc side of the output transformer TRA
Effective inductance and rare gas discharge lamp DL turned on
Oscillation of the lamp current generated by the effective capacitance of the lamp
Is set within the first cycle of
It depends on the capacitor C2 and the resistor R6 of the driving circuit PA.
Because it is set to be constant, the switching element QA
Off-period (from off to on again
At the same time). Therefore, the lamp current
When the brightness (light amount) increases due to the increase
As a result, stable brightness with little fluctuation can be obtained. In particular,
The off period of the switching element QA depends on the direction of the lamp current.
By setting the reversal bounce period t2, high-frequency voltage
Without further increasing the input current of the raw circuit HA,
The lamp current flowing during the bounce period t2 is increased by Ibj.
The brightness (light amount) φ
Can also be increased by φj. Therefore, noble gas
Not only can the light quantity of the discharge lamp DL be increased,
Efficiency can be increased, for example, originals in OA equipment
It is also possible to cope with an increase in the feed speed of the feed. Moreover,
The operational amplifier O in the current detection circuit 30 and the comparison circuit 50
The capacitor C1 and the resistor R
Since the phase advance circuit 40 including R2 and R3 is connected,
Even if a signal delay occurs in a circuit such as the drive circuit PA,
The switching element QA is turned off at an appropriate timing.
To achieve the desired constant power function.
It will work. It should be noted that the present invention is limited only to the above embodiment.
Without a volume resistance, for example, as a component of the envelope.
The resistivity is 1 × 10 9 Ωcm or more, and the volume resistivity over time
If there is little change and there is no lead, BF
Glass members other than K glass are also applicable. Also, light emission
The aperture in the layer is omitted, and the envelope of the sheet structure is omitted.
It is also possible to improve the winding workability. Also, see
Exterior made of glass or ceramic members on the structure
The members are omitted, and the translucent sheet of the sheet structure is used as an exterior member.
To use or, depending on the application, all exterior parts
It is also possible to omit the material. Also, in the form of external electrodes
Here, the term “belt” means that the overall form is a belt
Means that there is a deformed part such as a triangle on the side edge,
Or there are irregular parts, holes, etc.
Shall be included. In addition, the lighting device smell
Therefore, the high-frequency voltage generation circuit can be either sinusoidal or pulsed.
A high frequency voltage may be used. For example, in the case of an inverter circuit, 2
In addition to stone type, one stone type can be used, and pulse-shaped high circumference
In the case of a circuit that generates a wave voltage, the current detection in FIG.
Circuits, phase advance circuits, and comparison circuits may be omitted as appropriate.
Can also.

Next, a first experimental example will be described. First, a europium-activated barium / magnesium aluminate phosphor having an emission spectrum in a blue region, a cerium / terbium-activated lanthanum phosphate phosphor having an emission spectrum in a green region, and europium having an emission spectrum in a red region. A water-soluble phosphor coating solution obtained by mixing activated yttrium and gadolinium borate phosphors at a ratio of 65, 15, and 20% by weight, respectively, has an outer diameter of 8 mm and a wall thickness of 0.
It is applied to the inner surface of an envelope made of BFK glass having a length of 5 mm and a length of 360 mm to form a light emitting layer. Next, an aperture having an opening angle of 75 ° is formed by forcibly peeling off a part of the light emitting layer using a scraper. The light emitting layer 1
The amount deposited per cm @ 2 is 15 mg. Thereafter, the sheet structure is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the envelope by the method shown in FIG. 5, and the outer diameter is 10 mm and the thickness is 0.5 m on the sheet structure.
A rare gas discharge lamp was manufactured by mounting barium glass having a length of 360 mm. The opening angle θ1 of the first opening was set to 75 °, and the opening angle θ2 of the second opening was set to 55 °. This rare gas discharge lamp is incorporated in the lighting circuit shown in FIG. 1, and the output voltage (frequency is 30K) of the inverter circuit.
Hz) was set to 1880 V, and changes in the input current and the illuminance at the beginning of lighting and after lighting for 300 hours were measured. The results shown in FIGS. 14 to 15 were obtained. The prior art has the same configuration as the present invention, and only the glass member constituting the envelope is made of lead glass. As is clear from the figure, the input current of the product of the present invention is 525 mA in the initial stage of lighting, and 3
Although it increased to 600 mA after 00 hours,
This corresponds to the initial value of the prior art product. In particular, the input current of the product of the present invention is saturated after 80 to 100 hours and does not increase, but increases with time in the prior art product. In the product of the present invention, no abnormality has occurred in the lighting circuit after 300 hours. However, in the case of the prior art product, 78
0mA, the lighting circuit is overloaded,
It is in an undesirable state. On the other hand, the illuminance shows the same value, and the product of the present invention has the same illuminance as the prior art product even with a small input current. Further, the firing temperature (working temperature) was set to 700 ° C., and the effect of the fusion of the phosphor to the glass member in the firing step on the luminous efficiency and the shape of the envelope was observed. Almost no occurrence was observed, there was no deformation of the envelope, and the rate of occurrence of breakage failure due to attachment to the exhaust head could be suppressed to 0.5% or less. In the prior art in which the glass member of the envelope was made of lead glass with the same specifications, a decrease in luminous efficiency was observed due to the fusion of the phosphor to the lead glass, and the defect occurrence rate due to deformation was 3 to 5%. Was.

As described above, according to the present invention, the envelope in the rare gas discharge lamp is made of a lead-free glass member mainly composed of silicon oxide and boron oxide.
Since the volume resistivity at 1 ° C. is set to 1 × 10 9 Ωcm or more, even if the envelope is covered by an exterior member or the input power is increased, it is obvious that the envelope is not only in the initial stage of lighting, Even if the lighting state is continued for a long time, development of abnormal heat generation due to self-heating of the envelope itself can be suppressed, and a decrease in volume resistivity due to abnormal heat generation can also be suppressed. Therefore, an undesired increase in the current can be suppressed, the stable operation of the lighting device can be maintained, and burning of the lighting device can be reliably prevented. In particular, a lead-free borosilicate glass-based glass member containing silicon oxide and boron oxide as a main component is 150 times less than the prior art lead glass.
Due to the large volume resistivity at ° C, the same brightness as the prior art can be obtained despite the fact that the input current of the lighting device in the initial stage of lighting is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of the rare gas discharge lamp.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a development view of the sheet structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining a method for manufacturing the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an electric circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention.

12 (a) is a waveform diagram of a gate signal, FIG. 12 (b) is a waveform diagram of a drain current flowing through a switching element, and FIG. 12 (c) is a diagram illustrating the operation of FIG. FIG. 5D is a waveform diagram of a lamp current, and FIG.

13A and 13B are enlarged views showing the relationship between the lamp current and the drive timing of the switching element, wherein FIG. 13A is a waveform chart of the lamp current, FIG. 13B is a waveform chart of the gate signal, and FIG. FIG. 3C is a light emission waveform diagram.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state of a change over time of an input current and illuminance with respect to a material of a glass member constituting an envelope.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state of a change with time of an input current.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rare gas discharge lamp according to the prior art.

17 is an electric circuit diagram of the lighting device of the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A Enclosure 2A Light Emitting Layer 2a Aperture 3 Sheet Structure 4,4A Translucent Sheet (Insulating Member) 4a, 4b End 5,6 External Electrode 7 First Opening 8 Second Opening 9 Adhesive layer 10 Exterior member 13 Heat-shrinkable resin tube 14 Insulating member DL Rare gas discharge lamp

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. The volume resistivity at 150 ° C. is 1 × 1.
A light emitting layer is formed on the inner surface of a straight tubular envelope made of a glass member having a resistivity of not less than 09 Ωcm and containing silicon oxide and boron oxide as a main component, and a metal member is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope. A rare gas discharge lamp in which a pair of strip-shaped external electrodes made of a plurality of electrodes are spaced apart from each other over substantially the entire length of the envelope; With
A rare gas discharge lamp lighting device, wherein the rare gas discharge lamp is connected to an output side of a high frequency voltage generation circuit so that a high frequency voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes. 2. The volume resistivity at 150 ° C. is 1 × 1.
A light emitting layer is formed on the inner surface of a straight tubular envelope made of a glass member having a resistivity of not less than 09 Ωcm and containing silicon oxide and boron oxide as a main component, and a metal member is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope. A pair of strip-shaped external electrodes composed of a plurality of outer electrodes are disposed apart from each other over substantially the entire length of the envelope, and a translucent and insulating exterior member is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope. A rare gas discharge lamp mounted as described above, and a high-frequency voltage generation circuit that generates a high-frequency voltage based on the switching operation of the switching element, the rare gas discharge lamp on the output side of the high-frequency voltage generation circuit, A lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp, wherein a high frequency voltage is connected to a pair of external electrodes so as to be applied. 3. The volume resistivity at 150 ° C. is 1 × 1.
A straight tube-shaped envelope having a light emitting layer on its inner surface, which is made of a glass member of not less than 09 Ωcm and containing no lead mainly composed of silicon oxide and boron oxide; A pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are arranged on one surface of a light-transmitting sheet as an exterior member having a length and are spaced apart from each other, and a light-transmitting sheet on the side where the external electrodes are located. A sheet structure in which an adhesive layer is formed on the sheet surface, and the sheet structure is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope, and an external electrode is located between the envelope and the translucent sheet. A rare gas discharge lamp configured to be wound as described above, and a high-frequency voltage generation circuit that generates a high-frequency voltage based on the switching operation of the switching element, and the rare gas discharge lamp is provided on the output side of the high-frequency voltage generation circuit. The fact that the high frequency voltage is applied to the pair of external electrodes Lighting device for rare gas discharge lamps. 4. The volume resistivity at 150 ° C. is 1 × 1.
A straight tube-shaped envelope having a light emitting layer on its inner surface, which is made of a glass member of not less than 09 Ωcm and containing no lead mainly composed of silicon oxide and boron oxide; A pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are arranged on one surface of a light-transmitting sheet as an exterior member having a length and are spaced apart from each other, and a light-transmitting sheet on the side where the external electrodes are located. And a light-transmitting exterior member made of a cylindrical glass member or ceramic member having an outer diameter larger than that of the envelope, and an outer periphery of the envelope. A rare gas discharge lamp in which a sheet structure is wound on a surface so that an external electrode is located between the envelope and the translucent sheet, and an exterior member is mounted on the sheet structure. A high-frequency voltage generating circuit that generates a high-frequency voltage based on the switching operation of the switching element; And a lighting device for the rare gas discharge lamp, wherein the rare gas discharge lamp is connected to an output side of a high frequency voltage generating circuit so that a high frequency voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes. 5. The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the high-frequency voltage generating circuit is configured to generate a sine-wave high-frequency voltage. 6. The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the high-frequency voltage generating circuit is configured to generate a pulsed high-frequency voltage. 7. The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 5, wherein said high frequency voltage generating circuit is constituted by an inverter circuit for converting a direct current into an alternating current. 8. An output transformer having at least a primary coil and a secondary coil, comprising:
The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 6, comprising a switching element connected in series to a primary coil of the output transformer, and a capacitor connected in parallel to the primary coil of the output transformer. 9. The rare gas discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the exterior member of the rare gas discharge lamp is formed of a cylindrical glass member or a ceramic member. 10. The exterior member of the rare gas discharge lamp is formed of a tube made of a heat-shrinkable resin, and is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope and then subjected to a heat treatment to thereby provide an outer periphery of the envelope. The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 2, wherein the lighting device is brought into close contact with a surface.