JP2001035446A - Discharge tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discharge tube capable of generating discharges at a specified potential stably in repetitions. SOLUTION: A discharge tube includes an air-tight cylinder 10 furnished in the center of its inner wall with a first discharge trigger line 50 approx. parallel with a metallized surface 40 formed on the top face of the cylinder 10 in a loop form in such a way as crossing the inner wall of the cylinder 10. In the upper and the lower inner wall, the cylinder 10 is also furnished with second discharge trigger lines 60 in a loop form in such a way as drawing a wave and crossing the inner wall of the cylinder 10. The top of this wave of each second discharge trigger line 60 is connected to the metallized surface 40 formed on the top and the bottom face of the cylinder 10 located near. Electric discharge at a specified potential is stably generated in repetition between the discharge surface 23 at the forefront of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the forefront of the lower discharge electrode, the two being located inside the cylinder 10 in such a way as opposing in its center.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discharge tube in which a discharge is repeatedly generated between a discharge surface at a tip of an upper discharge electrode and a discharge surface at a tip of a lower discharge electrode facing each other at the center in an airtight cylinder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art JP-A-10-335 discloses a discharge tube used for a ballast circuit for lighting a HID (High Indenity Discharge) lamp of a vehicle, an igniter circuit for lighting a back lamp of a liquid crystal projector, and the like.
No. 042 is disclosed. This discharge tube is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of main discharge trigger lines 80 are formed in a horizontal direction at the center of the inner side wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 so as to stand up and down at a predetermined pitch in parallel with the axial direction of the hermetic cylinder 10. Have been. A sub-discharge trigger line 90 is formed between the main discharge trigger lines 80 on the upper inner wall or the lower inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 so as to stand up and down in parallel with the axial direction of the hermetic cylinder 10. The upper or lower end of the sub-discharge trigger line 90 is connected in series to a metallized surface 40 formed on the upper or lower end surface of the airtight cylinder 10 near the sub discharge trigger line 90.

In this discharge tube, the airtight cylinder 10 is sputtered from the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode and attached to the center of the inner side wall of the gastight cylinder 10. It is possible to prevent the electrical insulation between the main discharge trigger line 80 and the sub discharge trigger line 90 formed on the inner side wall from being deteriorated. Then, a discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode for a long period of time.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned ballast circuit or igniter circuit which is mounted at a high density, a discharge tube is arranged close to the primary side booster coil of the circuit. The winding direction of the primary side booster coil is substantially perpendicular to the main discharge trigger line 80 and the sub discharge trigger line 90 of the discharge tube. Therefore, under the influence of the magnetic field generated in the primary side booster coil, the main discharge trigger line 80 and the sub discharge trigger line 90
A current was generated due to electromagnetic induction. And
Under the influence of the current, the discharge surface 2 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode
The discharge potential repeatedly generated between the discharge electrode 3 and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode fluctuates without stability, or the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 2 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.
5, the discharge potential generated at the first time rises or falls.

The above-mentioned ballast circuit for lighting the HID lamp of the vehicle is fixed by being embedded in a resin such as urethane resin or epoxy resin in order to protect the circuit from shock or vibration. Then, the discharge tube of the ballast circuit is surrounded by the dielectric resin. Therefore, when a discharge is generated between the discharge surface 23 of the upper discharge electrode tip of the discharge tube and the discharge surface 25 of the lower discharge electrode tip under the influence of the dielectric resin, the sub-discharge trigger line 90
In order to smoothly induce a discharge between the discharge surface 23 of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface 25 of the lower discharge electrode tip,
Electrons for creeping corona discharge cannot be efficiently converged. Then, the initial discharge potential generated between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode has increased.

The present invention solves such a problem and discharges a predetermined potential without being influenced by a magnetic field generated in a primary boosting coil of a ballast circuit or an igniter circuit or a dielectric resin embedded in the ballast circuit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge tube that can be repeatedly generated stably and can maintain a constant initial discharge potential.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a first discharge tube according to the present invention is characterized in that an upper end opening and a lower end opening of a hermetic cylinder made of an insulator are arranged above the hermetic cylinder. A discharge tube hermetically sealed by an upper discharge electrode and a lower discharge electrode joined to a metallized surface formed on an end face and a lower end face, respectively, wherein the upper discharge electrode is opposed at the center in the hermetic cylinder. One first discharge trigger line is formed at the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder located on a first plane crossing the center of the discharge gap between the discharge surface of the electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode. The inner wall of the hermetic cylinder is formed in a loop shape so as to traverse the inner wall substantially in parallel with the surface, and one second discharge trigger line draws a wave on each of the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall of the hermetic cylinder in an airtight manner. It is formed in a loop shape across the inner wall of the cylinder, Top of the second discharge trigger wires Wave, is characterized in that connected to the metallized surface of the near, respectively.

In order to achieve the above object, a second discharge tube according to the present invention is characterized in that an upper end opening and a lower end opening of an airtight cylinder made of an insulator are formed at the upper end face and the lower end face of the airtight cylinder. A discharge tube hermetically sealed by an upper discharge electrode and a lower discharge electrode respectively joined to the metallized surface formed at the end of the upper discharge electrode which is opposed at the center in the hermetic cylinder. A first discharge trigger line is substantially parallel to the metallized surface at the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder located on the first plane crossing the center of the discharge gap between the surface and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. The second inner wall of the hermetic cylinder is formed in a loop shape across the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder, and one second discharge trigger line draws a wave across the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder on the upper inner wall of the hermetic cylinder corresponding to the negative electrode side. To form a loop, and the second discharge trigger line Top of the LFO waveforms have been characterized in that it is connected to the metallized surface of the nearby.

In the first or second discharge tube, the first discharge trigger line formed at the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder crosses the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder substantially parallel to the metallized surface to form a loop. Is formed. In other words, the first discharge trigger line is formed in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the airtight cylinder. Therefore, the first discharge trigger line is substantially parallel to the winding direction of the primary side booster coil such as a ballast circuit arranged near the discharge tube. Then, generation of current due to electromagnetic induction in the first discharge trigger line due to the influence of the magnetic field of the primary side booster coil is prevented. Then, under the influence of the current generated in the first discharge trigger line, the discharge potential repeatedly generated between the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower electrode fluctuates without being stabilized. Can be prevented.

[0010] Similarly, the second discharge trigger line is formed in a loop shape by drawing a wave in the lateral direction of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder substantially parallel to the winding direction of the primary side booster coil. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a current based on electromagnetic induction from being generated in the second discharge trigger line under the influence of the magnetic field of the primary side booster coil. Under the influence of the current generated in the second discharge trigger line, the discharge potential repeatedly generated between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip fluctuates without being stabilized. Can be prevented.

Further, even if the discharge tube is surrounded by a resin made of a dielectric, the second discharge trigger line is formed in a loop shape by drawing a wave in the lateral direction of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder. Electrons for creeping corona discharge can be efficiently converged on the second discharge trigger line without being affected by body resin. Then, by using the second discharge trigger line, a discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip.

Further, the first discharge trigger line and the second discharge trigger line are substantially parallel to the metallized surface in a lateral direction between the center of the inner wall of the airtight cylinder and the upper inner wall of the airtight cylinder or in addition to the lower inner wall. Because it is formed in a loop by drawing a wave, a plurality of main discharge trigger lines and sub-discharge trigger lines are arranged side by side at a predetermined pitch in the vertical direction of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder. In comparison, the distance between the first discharge trigger line and the second discharge trigger line can be easily kept constant without length. Then, using the first discharge trigger line and the second discharge trigger line separated by a certain distance, a discharge of a predetermined potential is caused between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip. Can be triggered repeatedly and stably.

In the manufacture, the first discharge trigger line and the second discharge trigger line are formed by metallizing the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder and the upper inner wall of the hermetic cylinder or in addition to the metallized surface in the lateral direction of the lower inner wall. The main discharge trigger line and the sub-discharge trigger line may be formed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder and may be formed side by side substantially in parallel or in a loop by drawing a wave. The first and second discharge trigger lines can be formed easily and quickly on the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder without trouble as compared with the discharge tube described above.

In the second discharge tube, a first discharge trigger line formed at the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder and a metallized surface on the positive electrode side formed at the lower end face of the hermetic cylinder. In addition, the inner wall portion of the hermetic cylinder made of an insulator on which no discharge trigger line is formed is widely interposed. Therefore, the spatter generated at the time of discharge from the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode or the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode causes the inner wall portion of the hermetic cylinder between the first discharge trigger line and the metallized surface on the positive electrode side. Even if it adheres, it is possible to prevent the electrical insulation between the first discharge trigger line and the metallized surface on the positive electrode side from deteriorating due to the sputtering. Then, a discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip over a long period of time.

In the second discharge tube, the aging treatment for activating the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode is performed by the upper discharge electrode on the negative electrode side and the aging process. It can be performed only by applying a DC overvoltage to the lower discharge electrode on the positive electrode side in only one direction, and the troublesome aging process can be reduced to almost half. Here, the aging treatment is a process in which an overvoltage is repeatedly applied to the upper discharge electrode and the lower discharge electrode during the manufacture of the discharge tube, and a discharge is generated between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip. Is repeatedly and forcibly generated to activate the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. By performing this process, a discharge can be smoothly and accurately generated between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip thereafter.

In the first or second discharge tube of the present invention, an airtight seal located between a second plane including a discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and a third plane including a discharge surface at a tip of the lower discharge electrode. Instead of the one first discharge trigger line, a plurality of first discharge trigger lines are vertically symmetrical about the first plane and substantially parallel to the metallized surface at the center portion of the inner wall of the cylinder. It is preferable to form a structure in which a loop is formed vertically at a predetermined pitch across the inner wall.

In the first or second discharge tube, the plurality of first discharge trigger lines are formed on the upper inner wall of the airtight cylinder outside the second plane and the lower part of the airtight cylinder outside the third plane. It is formed at the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder inside it without protruding to the inner wall. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the first discharge trigger lines outside the plurality of first discharge trigger lines from being too close to the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode or the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. Then, it is possible to prevent the discharge potential generated between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip from being lowered.
Further, since the plurality of first discharge trigger lines are formed in a lateral direction substantially parallel to the winding direction of the primary side booster coil, the plurality of first discharge trigger lines are affected by the magnetic field of the primary side booster coil. It is possible to prevent a current based on electromagnetic induction from being generated in the first discharge trigger line. Then, it is possible to prevent the discharge potential repeatedly generated between the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode from fluctuating without being stabilized under the influence of the current.

In the first or second discharge tube of the present invention, the first discharge trigger line and / or the second discharge trigger line may have a structure having one or a plurality of discontinuous portions in the middle thereof. good.

In the first or second discharge tube, like the first discharge trigger line and / or the second discharge trigger line having no broken part, the first discharge trigger line having the broken part is provided. And / or efficiently converging electrons for creeping corona discharge on the second discharge trigger line to smoothly induce a discharge between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip. Can be. Then, using the first discharge trigger line and / or the second discharge trigger line having the interrupted portion, discharge of a predetermined potential is repeatedly performed between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip. It can be generated stably.

Further, in the first or second discharge tube of the present invention, the second discharge trigger line is provided so that the top of the wave on the inner side of the hermetic cylinder is connected to the second plane and the upper discharge electrode side. The upper inner wall portion of the hermetic cylinder located on a fourth plane crossing the center between the metallized surfaces or the fifth inner plane crossing the center between the third plane and the metallized surface on the lower discharge electrode side. It is preferable that the structure be formed at a lower inner wall portion of the airtight cylinder.

In the first or second discharge tube, the top of the wave on the inner side of the hermetic cylinder of the second discharge trigger line is
It is possible to prevent the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip or the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip from being too close to the discharge surface or the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip or the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip from being too far from the discharge surface. Then, by using the second discharge trigger line, a discharge of a predetermined potential can be stably and easily and accurately induced between the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.

[0022]

1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of a first discharge tube according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view thereof.
FIG. 2 is a development view of the inner wall of the airtight cylinder. Hereinafter, the first discharge tube will be described.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a cylindrical airtight cylinder made of an insulator such as ceramic. The upper end opening and the lower end opening of the airtight cylinder 10 are each made of 42 alloy (iron-
It is covered with an upper discharge electrode 22 and a lower discharge electrode 24 made of a metal such as a nickel alloy). Specifically, the outer ends of the upper discharge electrode 22 and the lower discharge electrode 24 are formed on disk-shaped lids 26, 28, and the lids 26, 28
The upper end opening and the lower end opening of the airtight cylinder 10 are covered by 28.

The upper discharge electrode 22 and the lower discharge electrode 24 are air-tightly brazed to a metallized surface 40 made of chromium or the like formed on the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the airtight cylinder 10, respectively. The inner space of the hermetic cylinder 10 in which a mixed gas such as an inert gas is sealed is hermetically sealed by the upper discharge electrode 22 and the lower discharge electrode 24.

The tip of the upper discharge electrode 22 and the tip of the lower discharge electrode 24 protruding into the interior of the hermetic cylinder 10 are formed in a small-diameter cylindrical shape, and the tip of the upper discharge electrode 22 and the tip of the lower discharge electrode 24 are They are arranged facing each other at the center in the airtight cylinder 10. The discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode have these discharge surfaces 23,
Concave portion 2 for stably generating a discharge during 25
7 are provided.

The above structure is the same as that of the conventional discharge tube. However, in the first discharge tube shown in FIG. First across the center of the discharge gap with discharge surface 25
At the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 located on a plane (the surface shown by a dashed line in the figure) 31, as shown in FIG. 2, one first wire made of carbon or the like having a line width of about 0.5 mm is provided. The discharge trigger line 50 is formed continuously in a loop shape across the inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10 substantially parallel to the metallized surface 40.

The upper inner wall and the lower inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10 are each made of carbon or the like having a line width of about 0.5 mm.
The second discharge trigger line 60 is formed continuously in a loop shape across the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 by drawing a wave once or a plurality of times (once in the drawing). One or several places (one place in the figure) corresponding to the top of the wave of the second discharge trigger line 60 are connected in series to a metallized surface 40 formed on the upper end surface or the lower end surface of the nearby hermetic cylinder 10.

The first discharge tube shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as described above.

FIG. 3 shows another preferred embodiment of the first discharge tube of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a developed view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder. Hereinafter, the first discharge tube will be described.

In the first discharge tube shown in the figure, a second plane (surface indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1) 33 including the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and a second plane 33 including the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode At the central portion of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 located between the three flat surfaces (the surface indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1) 35, instead of one first discharge trigger line 50, the line width is 0.2 mm. A plurality (two in the figure) of first discharge trigger lines 50 made of carbon or the like
Is the first crossing the center of the discharge gap between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.
It is formed vertically symmetrically across a plane (line indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1) 31, traversing the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 substantially parallel to the metallized surface 40, and vertically arranged at a predetermined pitch in a loop. .

The other components are the same as those of the first discharge tube shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a preferred embodiment of the second discharge tube of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a developed view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder. Hereinafter, the second discharge tube will be described.

In the second discharge tube, the first discharge tube
In the same manner as in the discharge tube of FIG.
The second discharge trigger line 60 is formed continuously in a loop shape across the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 by drawing a wave once or a plurality of times (once in the drawing). One or several places (one place in the figure) corresponding to the top of the wave of the second discharge trigger line 60 are connected in series to a metallized surface 40 formed on the upper end surface of the hermetic cylinder 10 nearby.

The inner wall portion of the hermetic cylinder 10 made of an insulator is widely exposed without forming the second discharge trigger line 60 on the lower inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 corresponding to the positive electrode side.

In other respects, the structure is the same as that of the first discharge tube shown in FIGS.

FIG. 6 shows another preferred embodiment of the second discharge tube of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a developed view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder. Hereinafter, the second discharge tube will be described.

In the second discharge tube shown in the figure, a second plane (surface indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 4) 33 including the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and a second plane including the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. At the central portion of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 located between the three flat surfaces (the surface indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 4) 35, instead of one first discharge trigger line 50, the line width is 0.2 mm. A plurality of first discharge trigger lines 50 made of carbon or the like intersect a first plane (one point in FIG. 4) crossing the center of the discharge gap between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. The airtight cylinder 10 is vertically symmetrical with respect to the line 31 shown by a chain line).
Are formed side by side at a predetermined pitch so as to be substantially parallel to the metallized surface 40 across the inner side wall of the base.

In other respects, the structure is the same as that of the second discharge tube shown in FIGS.

In these first or second discharge tubes, one or more first discharge trigger lines 50 are
Since it is formed in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the airtight cylinder 10 and in a direction substantially parallel to the winding direction of the primary side booster coil such as a ballast circuit, it is affected by the magnetic field of the primary side booster coil. As a result, it is possible to prevent generation of a current based on electromagnetic induction in the first discharge trigger line 50. Then, under the influence of the current, it is possible to prevent the discharge potential repeatedly generated between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower electrode from fluctuating without being stabilized.

Similarly, since the second discharge trigger line 60 is formed by drawing a wave in the lateral direction of the inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10 substantially parallel to the winding direction of the primary side booster coil,
Due to the influence of the magnetic field of the primary side booster coil, it is possible to prevent the second discharge trigger line 60 from generating a current based on electromagnetic induction. Then, under the influence of the current, it is possible to prevent the discharge potential repeatedly generated between the discharge surface 23 at the top of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the top of the lower discharge electrode from fluctuating without being stabilized.

Even if the discharge tube is surrounded by a resin made of a dielectric material, the second discharge trigger line 60 is formed in a loop shape in the lateral direction of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10, so that the dielectric tube is made of a dielectric material. Electrons for creeping corona discharge can be efficiently converged on the second discharge trigger line 60 without being affected by the resin. Then, using the second discharge trigger line 60, a discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.

One or several points at the top of the wave of the second discharge trigger line 60 are connected in series to a metallized surface 40 formed on the upper end surface or the lower end surface of the airtight cylinder 10 nearby. Since the second discharge trigger line 60 is electrically connected to the upper discharge electrode 22 or the lower discharge electrode 24 via the metallized surface 40, the second discharge trigger line 60 is connected to the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode. Electrons for creeping corona discharge can be efficiently converged to smoothly induce a discharge between the discharge electrode 25 and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. Then, the upper discharge electrode tip discharge surface 2
A discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge electrode 3 and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.

The first discharge trigger line 50 is connected to the airtight cylinder 10.
And the second discharge trigger line 60 is formed in a loop by drawing a wave in the lateral direction of the upper inner wall of the hermetic cylinder or in addition to the lower inner wall. The first discharge trigger line 5
The distance between 0 and the second discharge trigger line 60 can be easily kept constant without length. Then, the first discharge trigger line 50 and the second discharge trigger line 60 separated by the predetermined distance
By using the above, discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably induced on the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.

In the manufacture, the first discharge trigger line 50 and the second discharge trigger line 60 are connected between the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 and the upper inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 or the lower inner wall in addition thereto. The first discharge trigger line 50 and the second discharge trigger line 60 may be formed on the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 without trouble. Can be formed easily and quickly.

In the second discharge tube, the airtight cylinder 1
A first discharge trigger line 50 formed at the center of the inner wall of
Since the inner wall portion of the airtight cylinder 10 made of an insulator on which the discharge trigger line is not formed is widely interposed between the positive electrode side metallized surface 40 formed on the lower end surface of the airtight cylinder 10 and the upper discharge, Spatters generated during discharge from the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode cause the inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10 between the first discharge trigger line 50 and the metallized surface 40 on the positive electrode side. Even if it adheres to the portion, it is possible to prevent the electrical insulation between the first discharge trigger line 50 and the metallized surface 40 on the positive electrode side from deteriorating due to the sputtering. Then, a discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.

In the second discharge tube, a discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and a discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode are provided.
Can be performed only by applying a DC overvoltage in one direction between the upper discharge electrode 22 on the negative electrode side and the lower discharge electrode 24 on the positive electrode side of the aging process. Can be almost halved.

Further, in the first or second discharge tube in which a plurality of first discharge trigger lines 50 are vertically arranged at the center of the inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10, the plurality of first discharge trigger lines 50 are provided. The trigger line 50 does not project to the upper inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 outside the second plane 33 or the lower inner wall of the hermetic cylinder 10 outside the third plane 35 including the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. Are formed at the central portion of the inner side wall of the airtight cylinder 10 on the inner side thereof, so that the plurality of first discharge trigger lines 50 are formed.
Can be prevented from being too close to the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode or the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. The discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 2 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode
5 can be prevented from dropping below a predetermined potential.

In the first or second discharge tube shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the first discharge trigger line 50 and / or the second discharge trigger line 6 are provided.
0 is one or more discontinuous points 52 in the middle
Or / and a structure having 62. Also in this case, the first portion having the discontinuous portion 52 and / or 62
To the discharge trigger line 50 or / and the second discharge trigger line 60,
Electrons for creeping corona discharge for smoothly inducing a discharge between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode can be efficiently converged. Then, using the first discharge trigger line 50 and / or the second discharge trigger line 60 having the discontinuous portion 52 and / or 62, the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode are used. During this time, a discharge at a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated. However, the total length of the interrupted portions 52 of the first discharge trigger line 50 or the interrupted portions 62 of the second discharge trigger line 60
Is preferably smaller than the discharge gap distance between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. The reason is that if the sum of the lengths of the interrupted points 52 or 62 becomes larger than the discharge gap distance, the first discharge trigger line 50 having the interrupted point 52 or the second discharge trigger line having the interrupted point 62 Discharge surface 2 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode on line 60
This is because it becomes impossible to efficiently converge the electrons for creeping corona discharge for smoothly inducing a discharge between the discharge electrode 3 and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.

In the first or second discharge tube shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the second discharge trigger line 60 is arranged such that the top of the wave on the inner side of the hermetic cylinder 10 is placed on the second plane 3.
The upper inner wall portion of the hermetic cylinder 10 located on a fourth plane 37 (a surface shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4) which crosses the center between the metallization surface 3 and the metallized surface 40 on the upper discharge electrode 22 side, or Third plane 35 and metallized surface 4 on lower discharge electrode 24 side
It is formed on the inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10 at the lower inner wall portion of the airtight cylinder 10 located on the fifth plane 39 (the surface indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1) 39 crossing the center between 0 and 0. It should be a structure. In that case, the second discharge trigger line 60
It has been confirmed by experiments that the discharge of a predetermined potential can be stably repeated repeatedly and easily and accurately between the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower discharge electrode.

By the way, the second discharge trigger line 60 moves the top of the wave on the inner side of the hermetic cylinder 10 to the second plane 33.
Alternatively, if the inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10 is located at the center of the inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10 outside the third flat surface 35 and is formed in the lateral direction of the inner wall of the airtight cylinder 10, It has been experimentally confirmed that it becomes impossible to repeatedly and stably induce a discharge of a predetermined potential between the discharge surface 23 at the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface 25 at the lower discharge electrode tip.

For reference, experimental data of the conventional discharge tube shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and the first discharge tube shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown in FIGS. FIG. 11 is a discharge characteristic data diagram of a conventional discharge tube before being incorporated in a ballast circuit,
FIG. 12 is a discharge characteristic data diagram of a conventional discharge tube which is arranged near the primary side booster coil of the ballast circuit and is embedded in resin, FIG. 13 is a discharge characteristic data diagram of a first discharge tube before being incorporated in the ballast circuit, FIG. 14 is a discharge characteristic data diagram of a first discharge tube which is arranged near the primary side booster coil of the ballast circuit and embedded in resin. In this discharge characteristic data diagram, the vertical axis direction (horizontal direction in the figure) indicates the discharge voltage, and one scale indicates 1000 V. The horizontal axis (vertical direction in the figure) indicates the discharge frequency, and the scale of one cell is 200 msec. Is represented. According to the discharge characteristic data diagrams of FIGS. 11 and 14, compared to the conventional discharge tubes shown in FIGS.
In the first discharge tube shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Even if the discharge tubes are arranged side by side near the primary side booster coil of the ballast circuit or embedded in resin, the discharge surface 23 at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface 25 at the tip of the lower electrode are not affected. It can be seen that a discharge of a predetermined voltage can be repeatedly and stably generated in the meantime, or the initial discharge potential can be kept constant without increasing or decreasing.

[0052]

As described above, according to the first or second discharge tube of the present invention, the first discharge trigger line formed in a loop at the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder, A second discharge trigger line formed in a loop by drawing a wave on the upper inner wall or the lower inner wall in addition thereto, the second discharge trigger line being electrically connected to the upper discharge electrode or the lower discharge electrode via the metallized surface. 2 Using a discharge trigger line, a discharge of a predetermined potential is repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode. The first discharge potential generated between the lower discharge electrode and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode can be kept constant.

Further, the distance between the first discharge trigger line and the second discharge trigger line for inducing a discharge between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip can be easily set. Can be kept constant. And the first
By using the discharge trigger line and the second discharge trigger line, a discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip.

In the manufacture, the first discharge trigger line is formed in a loop shape in the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder in a lateral direction substantially parallel to the metallized surface, or the second discharge trigger line is formed inside the upper part of the hermetic cylinder. It may be formed by drawing a wave in the horizontal direction of the wall or the lower inner wall in addition to the wall and forming a loop,
The first discharge trigger line and the second discharge trigger line can be easily and quickly formed on the inner wall of the airtight cylinder without trouble.

Further, in the second discharge tube of the present invention,
An aging process for activating the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode is performed between the upper discharge electrode on the negative electrode side and the lower discharge electrode on the positive electrode side.
It can be done by applying C overvoltage only in one direction,
The troublesome aging process can be reduced by almost half.

Further, in the second discharge tube of the present invention,
The inner wall portion of the hermetic cylinder, which is an insulator, is widely exposed between the positive electrode side metallized surface formed on the lower end surface of the hermetic cylinder and the first discharge trigger line. Even if spatter generated during discharge from the discharge surface at the top of the upper discharge electrode or the discharge surface at the bottom of the lower discharge electrode adheres, the spatter causes electrical insulation between the metallized surface on the positive electrode side and the first discharge trigger line. It is possible to prevent the property from deteriorating. Then, a discharge of a predetermined potential can be repeatedly and stably generated between the discharge surface of the upper discharge electrode tip and the discharge surface of the lower discharge electrode tip over a long period of time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a first discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a developed view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder of the first discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a development view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder of the first discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a second discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a developed view of an inner wall of an airtight cylinder of a second discharge tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a development view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder of the second discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a developed view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder of the first discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a developed view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder of the first discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a developed view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder of the second discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a developed view of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder of the second discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a discharge characteristic data diagram of a conventional discharge tube.

FIG. 12 is a discharge characteristic data diagram of a conventional discharge tube.

FIG. 13 is a discharge characteristic data diagram of the first discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a discharge characteristic data diagram of the first discharge tube of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front sectional view of a conventional discharge tube.

FIG. 16 is a development view of an inner wall of a hermetic cylinder of a conventional discharge tube.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Hermetic cylinder 22 Upper discharge electrode 23 Discharge surface of upper discharge electrode tip 24 Lower discharge electrode 25 Discharge surface of lower discharge electrode tip 26, 28 Lid 31 First plane 33 Second plane 35 Third plane 37 Fourth plane 39 5 plane 40 metallized surface 50 first discharge trigger line 52 break point of first discharge trigger line 60 second discharge trigger line 62 break point of second discharge trigger line

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An upper discharge electrode and a lower discharge electrode in which an upper end opening and a lower end opening of an airtight cylinder made of an insulator are respectively joined to metallized surfaces formed on an upper end surface and a lower end surface of the airtight cylinder. And a discharge tube sealed in an airtight manner, wherein the discharge tube traverses the center of the discharge gap between the discharge surface of the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface of the tip of the lower discharge electrode which are opposed to each other at the center in the hermetic cylinder. At the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder located on the first plane, one first discharge trigger line is formed in a loop shape across the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder substantially parallel to the metallized surface, and A single second discharge trigger line is formed on the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall of the airtight cylinder in a loop across the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder. Of the metallization near each Discharge tube, characterized in that connected to the surface. 2. An upper discharge electrode and a lower discharge electrode in which an upper end opening and a lower end opening of an airtight cylinder made of an insulator are respectively joined to metallized surfaces formed on an upper end surface and a lower end surface of the airtight cylinder. And a discharge tube sealed in an airtight manner, wherein the discharge tube traverses the center of the discharge gap between the discharge surface of the tip of the upper discharge electrode and the discharge surface of the tip of the lower discharge electrode which are opposed to each other at the center in the hermetic cylinder. At the center of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder located on the first plane, one first discharge trigger line is formed in a loop shape across the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder substantially parallel to the metallized surface and hits the negative electrode side. On the upper inner wall of the hermetic cylinder, one second discharge trigger line is formed in a loop across the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder in a wave shape, and the top of the wave of the second discharge trigger line is formed. Connected to the nearby metallized surface, Discharge tube characterized by and. 3. The central portion of the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder located between a second plane including the discharge surface at the tip of the upper discharge electrode and a third plane including the discharge surface at the tip of the lower discharge electrode, Instead of the first discharge trigger line, a plurality of first discharge trigger lines traverse the inner wall of the hermetic cylinder substantially vertically and symmetrically with respect to the first plane and across the inner wall of the airtight cylinder in a predetermined pitch. The discharge tube according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tube is formed vertically. 4. The discharge tube according to claim 1, wherein the first discharge trigger line and / or the second discharge trigger line has one or a plurality of interrupted portions in the middle thereof. 5. The second discharge trigger line is arranged such that the top of the wave on the inner side of the hermetic cylinder is on a fourth plane crossing the center between the second plane and the metallized surface on the upper discharge electrode side. Formed on the upper inner wall portion of the hermetic cylinder positioned or on the lower inner wall portion of the hermetic cylinder located on the fifth plane crossing the center between the third plane and the metallized surface on the lower discharge electrode side. The discharge tube according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.