JP2001135277A - Rare-gas fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rare-gas fluorescent lamp that can utilize its outgoing light with a high efficiency and raise its light output at its aperture portion. SOLUTION: This rare-gas fluorescent lamp unit 1 has a rare-gas fluorescent lamp 10, that is equipped with a glass tube 11 providing a fluorescent material layer 13 on the inner face, sealed with a rare gas and formed with an aperture portion 14, along with electrodes 12 extending in the axial direction of the glass tube 11 and a holder 2 supporting an end part of the rare-gas fluorescent lamp 10. This light is featured by providing light-reflecting function either on the inner face of the holder 2 or on the supported part in the holder 2 of the rare-gas fluorescent lamp 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rare gas fluorescent lamp for illuminating a document in an information device such as a facsimile, a copying machine, an image reader, or a backlight of a liquid crystal panel display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a light source for illumination of a document reading device,
Noble gas fluorescent lamps are known. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a configuration of a rare gas fluorescent lamp and a rare gas fluorescent lamp. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the rare gas fluorescent lamp, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the rare gas fluorescent lamp shown in FIG. Sectional view taken on a plane perpendicular to the tube axis,
FIG. 3C shows a rare gas fluorescent lamp in which a holder is mounted on the rare gas fluorescent lamp shown in FIGS. In FIG. 4A, a discharge gas is sealed in a transparent glass tube 11 whose both ends are hermetically sealed, and the outer peripheral surface of the glass tube 11 is formed of, for example, a metal tape or a conductor layer. A pair of strip-shaped electrodes 12 are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other. A power supply terminal 16 is joined to each electrode 12. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4B, a phosphor layer 13 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the glass tube 11, and the phosphor layer 13 has a certain opening angle in the tube axis direction. 13
Is formed over the entire length. The aperture portion 14 is formed at the space between the electrodes 12 so that the radiated light from the lamp 11 can be effectively emitted. Note that an insulating protective sheet 15 is provided on the electrode 12 to prevent creeping discharge.

The rare gas serving as a discharge gas is, for example, a mixed gas containing xenon (Xe) as a main component,
It is sealed with a sealing pressure of MPa. When a high-frequency voltage is applied between the electrodes 12, a discharge of a rare gas is generated, and the phosphor layer 13 is excited by, for example, 172 nm vacuum ultraviolet light of xenon to emit light. Most of the visible light (hereinafter simply referred to as “light”) obtained by this light emission is emitted from the aperture section 14, and a particularly large light output can be obtained.

The rare gas fluorescent lamp 10 has a structure shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the holder 2 is mounted to accommodate a part of the glass tube 11, and the rare gas fluorescent lamp 1 is configured. Such holder 2
For example, a light-transmissive insulating resin material is preferable, and black polycarbonate is generally used. Therefore, the light emitting area of the rare gas fluorescent lamp 1 is the entire length excluding the holder 2 portion.

[0005]

Since the rare gas fluorescent lamp 10 can emit light over the entire length of the glass tube, light is naturally emitted from the vicinity of the end of the lamp 10 supported by the holder 2. However, since the light emitted from the end of the lamp 10 is absorbed after irradiating the inner surface of the holder 2, it is not emitted from a predetermined light emitting area.
Not all of the light emitted from 0 was available.

In the rare gas fluorescent lamp, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), a region where the phosphor layer 13 is not disposed at both ends of the lamp 10 in the working process when the glass tube 11 is hermetically sealed. (S) is formed all around the inner surface of the glass tube 11. In such a region (S), a large light output similar to that of the aperture portion can be obtained, but this portion is a portion supported by the holder 2 and light emitted from this portion irradiates the inner surface of the holder 2 as described above. And was not conventionally used.

In recent years, in information reading equipment, there has been an increasing demand for higher reading speed and higher definition, and in order to realize this, an illumination light source having a larger light output is required. Have been. Also in the rare gas fluorescent lamp, it is strongly desired to increase the light output from the aperture.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rare gas fluorescent lamp capable of efficiently using the light emitted from the rare gas fluorescent lamp and increasing the light output at the aperture. Is to provide.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rare gas in which a pair of electrodes is provided in a glass tube in which a rare gas is sealed, a phosphor layer is provided on an inner surface and an aperture is formed. In a rare gas fluorescent lamp including a gas fluorescent lamp and a holder supporting an end of the rare gas fluorescent lamp, an inner surface of the holder has a light reflecting function.

Further, in the second invention of the present application, a phosphor layer is provided on the inner surface and a rare gas is sealed, and an electrode extending in the tube axis direction of the glass tube is provided on a glass tube having an aperture formed therein. In a rare gas fluorescent lamp including a rare gas fluorescent lamp provided and a holder for supporting an end of the rare gas fluorescent lamp, a light supported on a portion of the rare gas fluorescent lamp supported in the holder is provided. It is characterized by having a reflection function.

[0011]

According to the invention, the light emitted from the end of the lamp is reflected inside the glass tube by the light reflecting function provided on the inner surface of the holder (or the end of the lamp).
Light is emitted from the light emitting area. Then, inside the glass tube, light is reflected by the phosphor layer, so that the light is eventually emitted from the aperture,
The light output at the aperture section can be increased.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of a rare gas fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. Here, the base of the rare gas fluorescent lamp 10
The basic configuration is the same as the conventional technology,
The lamp will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 4A, a straight tubular rare gas fluorescent lamp 10 is
For example, the total length is 372 mm, and the glass tube 11 is made of translucent lead.
It is made of glass and has an outer diameter of 8 mm and a thickness of 0.55 mm.
The phosphor layer 13 on the inner peripheral surface of the glass tube 11 is made of, for example, red.
Y for color_TwoO_Three: Eu:, (YGd) BO_Three: Eu, again
LaPO for green_Four: Ce, Tb, Zn _TwoSiO_Four: M
n, Y_TwoSiO_Four: Tb, blue (SrCaBaMg)
_Five(PO4)_ThreeCl: Eu, 3 (BaMgEu) O.8A
l_TwoO_ThreeIs formed by coating. This phosphor layer 1
3, an aperture portion 14 is formed over the entire length of the tube shaft.
Have been.

The pair of electrodes 12 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the glass tube 11 are provided by, for example, printing silver paste. In addition, about the electrode 12, regardless of silver paste,
In addition, a conductive paste may be used, and a metal tape may be attached in addition to the paste material.

The discharge gas in the glass tube 11 is, for example, a mixed gas consisting of 70% xenon and 30% neon at 30M.
About Pa is enclosed.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the rare gas fluorescent lamp 1
The holder 2 is attached to both ends of the “0”. The holder 2 is, for example, a bottomed cap type. As the material, for example, an insulating material such as polycarbonate and acrylic resin is preferably used. From the holder 2 on one end side of the rare gas fluorescent lamp 1, a lead wire 23 leading from the power supply terminal 16 is led out.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the other end of the rare gas fluorescent lamp 1. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inner surface of the holder 2 in which the lamp 10 is accommodated has a light reflecting function. The light emitted from the end of the lamp 10 to the inner surface of the holder 2 is reflected toward the inside of the glass tube 11 by the light reflecting function. Here, the phosphor layer 13 formed on the inner surface of the glass tube 11 itself has light reflectivity, and the light reflected by the light reflection function is reflected by the phosphor layer 13. Are finally emitted from the aperture portion 14 where the phosphor layer 13 is not formed. As a result, the light output at the aperture section 14 increases.

A specific embodiment of the holder 2 according to the first invention of the present application will be described. In FIG. 2, a light reflection layer 21 is formed on the inner surface of the holder 2 to provide a light reflection function. As a material for forming the light reflection layer 21, specifically, alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ), titania (TiO ₂ ), calcium pyrophosphate, or the like can be used. Further, a white paint may be applied to the inner surface of the holder 2.

When the light reflecting layer 21 is formed on the inner surface of the holder 2 made of black polycarbonate, the radiated light from the lamp 10 is reflected by the light reflecting layer 21 toward the inside of the glass tube 11. No light absorption due to The reflected light is applied to the phosphor layer 13 inside the glass tube 11.
Is repeated, so that the light is more preferably emitted from the aperture section 14.

As described above, when the light reflecting layer 21 is formed on the holder 2, the holder 2 may be made translucent, and specifically, may be made of transparent polycarbonate or acrylic resin. In such a case, the light emitted from the end of the lamp 10 does not pass through the holder 2 but is reflected toward the inside of the glass tube 11 by the light reflecting layer 21 formed on the inner surface of the holder 2. Then, as a result of being reflected by the phosphor layer 13 inside the glass tube 11, the light is emitted from the aperture section 14.

Further, another embodiment of the first invention of the present application will be described. The light reflection function is also provided by changing the color of the holder itself to, for example, white depending on the material of the holder 2. According to the conventional black holder 2, light is absorbed by the inner surface of the holder 2, but light is preferably reflected by making the holder white. Specifically, the holder 2 may be made of white polycarbonate. In this embodiment, the color of the holder 2 is described as "white". However, the color is not limited to white as long as the holder 2 has a light reflection function, and a light color similar to white is sufficient.

Next, an embodiment of the second invention of the present application will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. A light reflecting function is provided on the outer surface of the rare gas fluorescent lamp 10 at a portion supported by the holder 2 (region of the hatched portion A). Thus, the light emitted from the end of the lamp 10 is reflected toward the inside of the glass tube 11 by the light reflecting function without irradiating the inner surface of the holder 2. Then, the light reflected by the light reflecting function is reflected by the phosphor layer 13 inside the glass tube, and finally emitted from the aperture section 14. With such a configuration,
Light absorption by the holder 2 can be prevented irrespective of the color or material of the holder 2, and light can be preferably used.

Further, a specific embodiment of the second invention of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. A layer made of a light-reflective substance is formed on the outer surface of the rare gas fluorescent lamp 10 at a portion (A) supported by the holder 2 to have a light reflection function. Specifically, it is formed of a substance such as alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ), titania (TiO ₂ ), and calcium pyrophosphate. As a method of disposing these substances, a low melting point glass is mixed with a predetermined substance to form a paste material, which is applied to a predetermined area of the glass tube 11 and baked. Further, a paint of a white color or a color similar to white may be applied to the end of the lamp 10 only in a predetermined area. Further, as another embodiment, a light reflecting function can be added to the insulating protective sheet 15 provided on the electrode.
Specifically, the portion A of the protection sheet 15 supported by the holder 2 may be configured to be white. For example, protective sheet 1
It may be formed by mixing a paint of a color similar to white or white into the material of No. 5.

As described above, according to the present invention, the light from the end of the lamp, which has not been used conventionally, can be effectively used with a relatively simple configuration, and the light output at the aperture section can be reduced. It is possible to increase.

Example The light distribution characteristics in the tube axis direction of the rare gas fluorescent lamp according to the present invention and a conventional rare gas fluorescent lamp were compared. The rare gas fluorescent lamp according to the present invention is configured such that both ends of the lamp are supported by using a holder made of white polycarbonate. One conventional rare gas fluorescent lamp uses a black polycarbonate holder to support the lamp.

The glass tube of the rare gas fluorescent lamp is made of lead glass, has an outer diameter of 8 mm, a wall thickness of 0.55 mm, and has a total length of about 3 mm.
It was 72 mm. The phosphor layer was mainly made of a rare earth phosphor, the thickness was 0.22 to 0.1 mm, and the aperture angle of the aperture was 65 ° to form a region where the phosphor layer was not formed. In addition, a holder was attached so as to accommodate about 13 mm of the end of the glass tube.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the light distribution in the direction of the tube axis in the aperture portion of the rare gas fluorescent lamp according to the present invention and the rare gas fluorescent lamp according to the related art. In the same figure, the light intensity is shown as relative intensity (%) with the light intensity at the center of the rare gas fluorescent lamp according to the comparative example being 100 (%). In the rare gas fluorescent lamp according to the present invention, the relative intensity increased over the entire length of the light emitting area as compared with the conventional one, and an extremely remarkable increase in the light amount was observed especially near the end of the light emitting area.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it has been confirmed that the light output in the light emitting area of the rare gas fluorescent lamp can be increased, and it is particularly effective near the end of the light emitting area.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the light from the end of the lamp, which has not been used conventionally, can be effectively used with a relatively simple structure, and the rare gas It is possible to provide a rare gas fluorescent lamp capable of efficiently emitting light from the fluorescent lamp from the light emitting area and increasing the light output in the aperture section.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rare gas fluorescent lamp illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a rare gas fluorescent lamp for explaining the first invention of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a rare gas fluorescent lamp for explaining a second invention of the present application.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a rare gas fluorescent lamp. (B) It is sectional drawing perpendicular to the tube axis of a rare gas fluorescent lamp. FIG. 3C is a front view for explaining the rare gas fluorescent lamp.

FIG. 5 is a diagram comparing light distributions of a rare gas fluorescent lamp of the present invention and a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rare gas fluorescent lamp 10 Rare gas fluorescent lamp 11 Glass tube 12 Electrode 13 Phosphor layer 14 Aperture part 15 Protective sheet 16 Power supply terminal 2 Holder 21 Light reflection layer 23 Lead wire

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A rare gas fluorescent lamp in which a phosphor layer is disposed on an inner surface and a rare gas is sealed, and a glass tube having an aperture formed therein is provided with an electrode extending in a tube axis direction of the glass tube. A rare gas fluorescent lamp comprising: a holder for supporting an end of the rare gas fluorescent lamp; and a light reflecting function on an inner surface of the holder. 2. A rare gas fluorescent lamp in which a phosphor layer is provided on an inner surface and a rare gas is sealed, and a glass tube having an aperture formed therein is provided with an electrode extending in a tube axis direction of the glass tube. And a holder supporting an end of the rare gas fluorescent lamp, wherein a portion of the rare gas fluorescent lamp supported in the holder has a light reflecting function. Noble gas fluorescent lamp.