JP2001229877A - Fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deterioration in luminous efficiency and increasing work efficiency. SOLUTION: The fluorescent lamp is equipped with the following elements; an exhaust tube mounted on the terminal of the arc tube 1, a container 9 housed in the exhaust tube 4 and having amalgam 8 within, a means for controlling the position of the container 9 in the exhaust tube 4 and a means which is provided between the tip of the exhaust tube 4 and the container 9 for preventing the contact between the container 9 and the tip of the exhaust tube 4. The container 9 is equipped with an opening part 10 through which mercury gas is transferred and a means for preventing the molten amalgam 8 from leaking through the opening part 10 to the outside of the container 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional fluorescent lamps are filled with amalgam to regulate the mercury vapor pressure in an arc tube during operation. Then, in order to obtain an optimum mercury vapor pressure, it is necessary to arrange this amalgam at a position in an atmosphere of an appropriate temperature.

In a conventional fluorescent lamp disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 62-48659, a reduced diameter portion is provided in an exhaust pipe attached to an end of a curved tube bulb (light emitting tube). The glass rod and the amalgam are stored between the reduced diameter portion and the distal end of the exhaust pipe such that the glass rod is positioned closer to the reduced diameter portion and the amalgam is positioned closer to the distal end of the exhaust pipe.

[0004] In such a fluorescent lamp in which amalgam is housed in an exhaust pipe, mercury contained in the amalgam is generally evaporated by heat applied during an exhaust process during production, and exhausted together with impurity gas in the bulb. Will be done.
As a method of preventing such a problem, a portion of the exhaust pipe where the amalgam is located is placed outside an exhaust furnace (normally, the valve is heated in the exhaust furnace in order to efficiently exhaust the impurity gas in the valve). Or a method of cooling that part with air or the like, or placing a sealed capsule containing mercury and a metal for amalgam formation in an exhaust pipe, and after evacuating the valve, breaking the capsule to form a mercury and amalgam A method for forming amalgam by reacting with a metal is known.

[0005]

However, in the conventional fluorescent lamp, during operation, the dissolved amalgam flows into the gap between the exhaust pipe and the glass rod, and as a result, the position of the amalgam is deviated from the optimum position, and There is a problem that a high mercury vapor pressure is not maintained and the luminous efficiency is reduced.

[0006] In addition, in the case of exhausting while cooling the portion of the exhaust pipe where amalgam is located at the time of manufacturing, a cold portion is formed in the lamp, so that there is a problem that the evacuation time becomes longer and the working efficiency is reduced. .

On the other hand, even when mercury is encapsulated in an exhaust pipe in a capsule state, a step of breaking the capsule and a step of removing the broken capsule are required, which complicates the process and lowers the working efficiency. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent lamp capable of preventing a decrease in luminous efficiency and improving a working efficiency in manufacturing.

[0009]

A fluorescent lamp according to the present invention comprises:
An exhaust pipe attached to an end of an arc tube, a container arranged in the exhaust pipe and containing amalgam therein, a means for regulating a position of the container in the exhaust pipe, and the exhaust Means provided between the tip of a tube and the vessel and for preventing the vessel from contacting the tip of the exhaust pipe, wherein the vessel has an opening through which mercury vapor enters and exits. And means for preventing the melted amalgam from flowing out of the container through the opening.

With this, even if the amalgam melts during the lighting or the exhaust process, the amalgam can be kept at a position within the optimum temperature range, so that the luminous efficiency can be improved, and during the exhaust process, Since it is no longer necessary to cool the portion of the exhaust pipe where the amalgam is arranged as in the conventional case, the working efficiency can be improved, and the exhaust can be performed efficiently, and the container is located at the tip of the exhaust pipe. Since no collision occurs, it is possible to prevent a leak from occurring.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electrodeless fluorescent lamp having a rated power of 50 W according to a first embodiment of the present invention has an outer shape of an incandescent light bulb, a total length of 180 mm, and a maximum width of 11 mm.
0 mm, and includes an arc tube 1 and a base 2.

A predetermined amount of a rare gas is sealed in the arc tube 1. The phosphor 3 is applied to the inner surface of the arc tube 1.

At the end of the arc tube 1, a stem 5 integrated with an exhaust tube 4 having an inner diameter of 3.7 mm and a length of 60 mm is attached. The end of the exhaust pipe 4 is sealed off.

Approximately 15 mm from the tip of the exhaust pipe 4 (FIG. 1)
(Indicated by the distance L in the middle), a reduced diameter portion 6 is provided as a means for preventing a later-described container 9 from contacting the distal end portion of the exhaust pipe 4.

In the exhaust pipe 4, there are provided a rod 7 as a means for regulating the position of a container 9 described later in the exhaust pipe 4, and a container 9 for accommodating amalgam 8. Have been. The container 9 is sandwiched between the reduced diameter portion 6 and the rod 7.

The rod 7 is made of, for example, a metal (the same material as the container 9 described later) that does not easily react with glass or mercury, and has a total length of 30 mm and a diameter of 2.6 mm. By providing the rod-shaped body 7 in this manner, the amalgam 8 described later can be arranged at a position where the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 1 becomes optimal.

The amalgam 8 is made of, for example, an alloy of bismuth, indium and mercury and has a spherical shape with a diameter of 2 mm. Four amalgams 8 are stored in a container 9.

The container 9 has a total length of 10 as shown in FIG.
mm, and an outer diameter of 2.5 mm, which prevents the mercury vapor from flowing into and out of the container 9 and the molten amalgam 8 (not shown in FIG. 2) from flowing out of the opening 10. As a means for performing the above, a depression 11 formed in the opening 10 is provided.

The container 9 containing the amalgam 8 is disposed in the exhaust pipe 4 at a position where the temperature exceeds 60 ° C., for example, at 65 ° C. during lighting, in order to obtain an optimum mercury vapor pressure. . However, the temperature at the position where the amalgam 8 is to be arranged differs depending on the type of the amalgam 8.

As a material of the container 9, a metal which does not easily react with mercury, for example, any one of nickel, iron, chromium, brass, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, platinum and alloys thereof are used. Is preferred. Further, the container 9 may be plated with these materials.

When the above-described metal is used as the material of the container 9, the recess 11 is preferably formed by a caulking jig.

As the material of the container 9, besides the above-mentioned metals, glass which is difficult to react with mercury and which is easy to process,
For example, it is preferable to use soda lime glass, lead glass, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, or alumina silicate glass.

The container 9 in the recess 11 of the container 9
Area of the opening portion of the cross section cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of (the same as the area of the opening 10 in the example shown in FIG. 2)
Is not less than 0.01 mm ² , and the portion of the container 9 narrowed by the recess 11 has such a size that a solid sphere exceeding 0.5 mm in diameter cannot pass through.

Next, the characteristics and the like of such an electrodeless fluorescent lamp (hereinafter referred to as product A of the present invention) were examined.

First, the product A of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the product A of the present invention except that the amalgam is housed directly in the exhaust pipe together with the rod-shaped body without storing the amalgam in the container. An electrode fluorescent lamp (hereinafter referred to as comparative product A) and an electrodeless fluorescent lamp (hereinafter referred to as comparative product B) having a rated power of 50 W and having the same configuration as the product A of the present invention except that a reduced diameter portion is not provided in the exhaust pipe. ), And each of the lamps was placed with the base 2 upward, the arc tube 1
The light emission efficiency during stable lighting and the presence or absence of leakage when lighting was positioned below (hereinafter, referred to as base-up lighting) were examined, and the results shown in Table 1 were obtained.

In the comparative product A, the amalgam is located between the tip of the exhaust pipe and the rod.

When the luminous efficiency was measured, the product A of the present invention, the comparative product A, and the comparative product B were used after lighting for 2 hours.

[0029]

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, the luminous efficiency of the product A of the present invention and the comparative product B was 75 lm / W. On the other hand, in Comparative product A, the luminous efficiency was 70 lm / W. Thus, the product A of the present invention and the comparative product B have a luminous efficiency of the comparative product A.
It was found that the luminous efficiency was improved by 7% as compared with the luminous efficiency.

This is because, in the case of the comparative product A, the amalgam dissolved during the lighting turned into the gap between the exhaust pipe and the rod and shifted from the optimum position, whereas the product A of the present invention and the comparative product In the case B, it is considered that because the amalgam 8 is stored in the container 9, even if the amalgam 8 is dissolved during lighting, the dissolved amalgam 8 is kept at the optimum position.

However, when the product A of the present invention and the comparative product B are compared, as apparent from Table 1, the product A of the present invention
No leak occurred in the arc tube 1. On the other hand, in the comparative product B, leak occurred in 6 out of 20 tubes. This is because, in the case of the comparative product B, the container collides with the distal end portion of the weak exhaust pipe, that is, the sealed portion during transportation, and the portion is damaged. On the other hand, in the product A of the present invention, since the reduced diameter portion 6 is provided between the distal end portion of the exhaust pipe 4 and the container 9, the container 9 collides with the sealed portion of the exhaust pipe 4. It is considered that the leak did not occur.

The exhaust pipe 4 attached to the end of the arc tube 1 as described above, the container 9 disposed in the exhaust pipe 4 and containing the amalgam 8 therein, and the container in the exhaust pipe 4 Means for regulating the position of the exhaust pipe 4 and means for preventing the vessel 9 from contacting the distal end of the exhaust pipe 4 provided between the distal end of the exhaust pipe 4 and the container 9. , Container 9
Has an opening 10 through which mercury vapor enters and exits, and a means for preventing the molten amalgam 8 from flowing out of the container 9 through the opening 10, so that it can be used during lighting or during the exhaust process. Even when the amalgam 8 is melted, the amalgam 8 can be kept at a position within the optimum temperature range, so that the luminous efficiency can be improved and the amalgam 8 is arranged as in the prior art during the exhaust process. Since there is no need to cool the portion of the exhaust pipe 4 that is present, the working efficiency can be improved, the exhaust can be performed efficiently, and the container 9 does not contact the tip of the exhaust pipe 4. In addition, it is possible to prevent a leak from occurring.

The container 9 is sandwiched by means for regulating the position of the container 9 and means for preventing the container 9 from coming into contact with the tip of the exhaust pipe 4, so that the container 9 can be transported. Since the container 9 does not collide with a portion other than the tip of the exhaust pipe 4, the occurrence of leak can be further prevented.

Here, in the hollow portion 11 of the container 9,
Of a section cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 9
The area of the mouth (hereinafter simply referred to as the opening area) is 0.01
mm ^TwoThus, the volume narrowed by the recess 11
The part of the vessel 9 cannot pass a sphere exceeding 0.5 mm in diameter
Explain why it is preferable to have a large size
I do.

In the product A of the present invention, the opening area is 0.00
5mm ² , 0.01mm ² , 0.1mm ² , 0.2mm ²
20 lamps were manufactured, and the occurrence probability of the extinguishing of each lamp was examined. The results shown in Table 2 were obtained.

[0037]

[Table 2]

As is evident from Table 2, the opening area is 0.
Above 01 mm ² , no disappearance occurred. On the other hand, the opening area is less than 0.01 mm ² , for example, 0.005
In mm ² , the probability of occurrence of disappearance was 75%. This is because if the opening area is less than 0.01 mm ^2, since mercury contained in the amalgam is not released smoothly into the discharge space from the opening of the container, lit immediately, the starting voltage is too increased, because prone to extinction It is considered to be.

On the other hand, the opening area is 0.01 mm ²
In the above, the area of the opening 10 is sufficiently large and the amalgam 8
It is considered that mercury contained in the gas is smoothly discharged from the opening into the discharge space.

When the portion of the container 9 narrowed by the recess 11 has a size that a sphere having a diameter of more than 0.5 mm cannot pass, even if the base 2 is turned down or close to it, The amalgam 8 dissolved during the lighting did not flow out of the container 9. This is presumably because surface tension is acting.

On the other hand, when the portion of the container 9 narrowed by the recess 11 has a size that allows a sphere having a diameter of more than 0.5 mm to pass through, the dissolved amalgam flows out of the container during lighting and is connected to the exhaust pipe. It adhered to the gap between the rod-shaped body and the luminous efficiency was reduced as in the case of the comparative product A.

Therefore, the area of the opening of the cross section of the hollow portion 11 of the container 9 cut perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the container 9 is 0.01 mm ² or more, and the container 11 is narrowed by the hollow 11. Part 9 is 0.5m in diameter
By having such a size that a sphere exceeding m cannot pass through, it is possible to prevent extinction and prevent the molten amalgam from flowing out of the container. In particular, by setting the area of the opening of the cross section of the hollow 11 of the container 9 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 9 to 0.2 mm ² or more, the amount of mercury vapor released into the discharge space Can be further increased, so that a smoother rise of the luminous flux can be obtained.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, an electrodeless fluorescent lamp having a rated power of 50 W according to a second embodiment of the present invention has an opening in which amalgam 12 is housed and mercury vapor enters and exits. 13 has the same configuration as the electrodeless fluorescent lamp of the rated power of 50 W according to the first embodiment of the present invention except that the container 13 has a tapered container.

The amalgam 12 is made of an alloy of bismuth, indium and mercury.

The opening 13 has a diameter of, for example, 0.4 mm. The container 14 is made of, for example, metal or glass and has a total length of 10 mm and a maximum outer diameter of 2.5 mm.

According to the configuration of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention as described above, the same effect as that of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to the first embodiment, that is, during lighting or during lighting, Even if the amalgam 12 is melted during the evacuation process, it can be kept at a position within the optimum temperature range, so that the luminous efficiency can be improved, and the amalgam 12 is arranged as in the prior art during the evacuation process. Since there is no need to cool the exhaust pipe 4 part, the working efficiency can be improved, the exhaust can be performed efficiently, and the container 14 does not collide with the tip of the exhaust pipe 4. In addition, it is possible to prevent a leak from occurring.

Next, an electrodeless fluorescent lamp having a rated power of 50 W according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
It has the same configuration as the electrodeless fluorescent lamp with a rated power of 50 W according to the first embodiment of the present invention except that the amalgam 12 is housed therein.

As shown in FIG. 4, the container 15 has a total length of 1
It has an opening 16 having an opening diameter of 2.5 mm at one end with a diameter of 2 mm and a maximum inner diameter of 2.5 mm.

The material of the container 15 is the first material described above.
In addition to the metals and glasses exemplified in the above embodiments, ceramics which are hard to react with mercury and are strong and hard to break, such as alumina and zirconia, are used. Container 15
When such a material is used as a material for the amalgam 12, the molten amalgam 12 is difficult to process.
As shown in FIG. 2, the recess 11 cannot be provided as a means for preventing the fluid from flowing out of the housing.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a lid 17 is provided at the opening 16 of the container 15 as a means for preventing the molten amalgam 12 from flowing out of the opening 16. The lid 17 is fixed to the container 15 by, for example, a sealant (not shown).

The lid 17 has a diameter of 2.2 mm and a thickness of 0.2 mm.
It has a disk shape of 5 mm. As a material of the lid 17, for example, alumina, zirconia, silica, carbon, magnesia, or the like is used.

By making the diameter of the lid 17 slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the container 15, the mercury vapor is
5 so that you can get in and out.

The area of the gap formed between the container 15 and the lid 17 is 0.01 mm ² or more, and the gap formed between the container 15 and the lid 17 is 0.5 mm in diameter.
Cannot pass through Thereby, it is possible to prevent the disappearance of the amalgam 1
2 can be prevented from flowing out of the container 15.

In particular, the area of the gap formed between the container 15 and the lid 17 is preferably at least 0.2 mm ² .

As described above, according to the configuration of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as that of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to the first embodiment, that is, during lighting or during lighting, Even if the amalgam 12 is melted during the evacuation process, it can be kept at a position within the optimum temperature range, so that the luminous efficiency can be improved, and the amalgam 12 is arranged as in the prior art during the evacuation process. Since it is not necessary to cool the portion of the exhaust pipe 4 which is present, the working efficiency can be improved, the exhaust can be performed efficiently, and the container 15 does not collide with the tip of the exhaust pipe 4. In addition, it is possible to prevent a leak from occurring.

In the third embodiment, the diameter of the lid 17 is made slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the container 15 so that mercury vapor can enter and exit the container 15. Although the case where a gap is formed between them has been described,
To allow mercury vapor to enter and exit, as shown in FIG.
For example, a sector-shaped notch 19 may be formed on the side surface of 8.

In the third embodiment, the case where the lid 17 is provided on the container 15 made of ceramics has been described. However, even if the lid 17 is provided on a container made of metal, glass, or the like, the same effect as described above can be obtained. Can be obtained.

Next, an electrodeless fluorescent lamp having a rated power of 50 W according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. For example, it has the same configuration as the electrodeless fluorescent lamp with a rated power of 50 W according to the third embodiment of the present invention except that a lid 21 provided with an opening 20 having a diameter of 0.4 mm is provided. ing.

The lid 21 is made of, for example, the same material as the lid 17 and has a disk shape of 2.4 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm in thickness.

As described above, according to the configuration of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as that of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to the first embodiment, that is, during lighting, Even if the amalgam 12 is melted during the evacuation process, it can be kept at a position within the optimum temperature range, so that the luminous efficiency can be improved, and the amalgam 12 is arranged as in the prior art during the evacuation process. Since it is not necessary to cool the portion of the exhaust pipe 4 which is present, the working efficiency can be improved, the exhaust can be performed efficiently, and the container 15 does not collide with the tip of the exhaust pipe 4. In addition, it is possible to prevent a leak from occurring.

In the first to fourth embodiments, means for regulating the positions of the containers 9 and 15 are as follows.
Although the case where the rod 7 is used has been described, the same effect as described above can be obtained by using, for example, a cylindrical body or a plurality of spherical bodies arranged in place of the rod 7.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the electrodeless fluorescent lamp has been exemplified. However, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a bulb-type fluorescent lamp and a compact fluorescent lamp.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the case where an alloy of bismuth, indium and mercury is used as the amalgams 8 and 12 has been described.
For example, an alloy of indium and mercury, an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin, and mercury, and an alloy of zinc and mercury may be used.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fluorescent lamp capable of improving the luminous efficiency and the working efficiency and preventing the occurrence of a leak.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of an electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container used for the electrodeless fluorescent lamp.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a container used for an electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a container used for an electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of the lid used in the electrodeless fluorescent lamp.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lid used for an electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Arc tube 2 Cap 3 Phosphor 4 Exhaust tube 5 Stem 6 Reduced diameter portion 7 Rod 8, 12 Amalgam 9, 14, 15 Container 10, 13, 16, 20 Opening 11 Indentation 17, 18, 21 Lid 19 Notch Department

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Waki 1-1, Sachimachi, Takatsuki-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electronics Corporation (72) Inventor Toshiki Oga 1-1, Sachimachi, Takatsuki-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electronics Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuaki Iwama 1-1, Sachimachi, Takatsuki-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electronics Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5C015 UU04

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An exhaust pipe attached to an end of an arc tube, a container arranged in the exhaust pipe and containing amalgam therein, and a container for regulating a position of the container in the exhaust pipe. Means, and means provided between the tip of the exhaust pipe and the vessel, and for preventing the vessel from contacting the tip of the exhaust pipe, wherein the vessel is provided with mercury vapor. And a means for preventing the melted amalgam from flowing out of the container through the opening. 2. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein the means for regulating the position of the container in the exhaust pipe is a rod-shaped body provided in the exhaust pipe. 3. The exhaust pipe further includes means provided between the tip of the exhaust pipe and the container, and means for preventing the container from contacting the tip of the exhaust pipe. 3. A reduced diameter portion as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2.
The fluorescent lamp as described. 4. The container is sandwiched by means for regulating the position of the container in the exhaust pipe and means for preventing the container from contacting the tip of the exhaust pipe. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the means for preventing the molten amalgam from flowing out of the container through the opening is a recess provided in the container. The fluorescent lamp according to any one of the above. 6. The container, wherein the area of the opening portion of the cross section obtained by cutting the hollow portion of the container perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the container is 0.01 mm ² or more, and narrowed by the hollow. 6. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 5, wherein said portion has a size such that a sphere having a diameter exceeding 0.5 mm cannot pass through. 7. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 6, wherein the area of the opening is 0.2 mm ² or more. 8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the means for preventing the molten amalgam from flowing out of the container through the opening is a lid provided at the opening of the container. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 4. 9. The gap formed between the container and the lid has an area of 0.01 mm ² or more, and the gap formed between the container and the lid has a diameter of 0.5 mm. 9. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 8, wherein a sphere that exceeds does not pass. 10. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 9, wherein an area of a gap formed between the container and the lid is 0.2 mm ² or more. 11. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 8, wherein the lid is provided with the opening through which mercury vapor enters and exits.