JP2001345190A - Glow starter lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a glow starter lamp having a short discharge delay time even if the glow starter is left as it is for many hours in a dark place. SOLUTION: This glow starter lamp is provided with a discharge vessel 1, a pair of electrodes 2 and 3 having at least one composed of the movable electrode 3 having bimetal 3b, contacting each other by being displaced by generated head by glow discharge and sealed and installed in the discharge vessel 1, a discharge medium mainly composed of rare gas sealed in the discharge vessel 1 and an exoelectron emitting substance 4 arranged in the discharge vessel 1, for example, a stem 1b. The exoelectron emitting substance 4 is one kind or plural kinds selected from a group of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, barium oxide nitride, lead oxide, zinc oxide and beryllium oxide. The exoelectron emitting substance is formed into the shape of a particle aggregating film-like body, and includes a zirconium oxide particle as a binding material, and is easily manufactured, and adhesion is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a glow starter that can be used to start a fluorescent lamp or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Glow starters have been frequently used to start discharge lamps such as fluorescent lamps.

However, the glow starter needs to be improved because the time required for lighting in a dark place tends to be long. The lighting time is the discharge delay time,
It is the sum of the glow discharge duration, filament preheating time and pulse generation time. The reason why the required lighting time is long in a dark place is that the supply of initial electrons is insufficient, so that the discharge delay time becomes long.

Therefore, conventionally, the discharge delay time has been improved by the following means.

[0005] 1. A small amount of a radioactive isotope such as ¹⁴⁷ Pm is applied to the vicinity of the electrode or electrochemically coated, and a metal such as Ni is plated.

[0006] 2. A gaseous radioisotope such as ⁸⁵ Kr, ³ H is sealed as an ionized filling gas in a discharge vessel.

In any of the above means, the inside of the discharge vessel can always be ionized by the radioactive isotope, whereby the discharge is started immediately at the time of lighting, so that the effect of improving the discharge delay time is remarkable.

However, when radioactive materials are used, even if they are used in a very small amount, facilities that meet radiation safety standards in production and handling and strict management for safe handling are required.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-255724
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-209,086 discloses a technique for improving discharge delay time by supplying initial electrons by photoelectron emission by making afterglow incident on an electrode surface in a dark place using a phosphor exhibiting long persistence. ing. Since this method does not use a radioactive substance, it is effective for the above-mentioned problem.

[0010]

However, although the phosphor exhibits a long persistence, there is a limit to the period during which the required amount of residual light can be maintained. In the above document, after irradiation with light of 100 lx for 30 minutes by a FL15 type fluorescent lamp, it is left in a dark place for 60 hours (2.5 days) to 90 hours (3.75).
Day) is stated to be the limit.

An object of the present invention is to provide a glow starter having a short discharge delay time even when left in a dark place for a long time.

[0012]

The glow starter of the present invention comprises a discharge vessel and at least one of the movable electrodes provided with a bimetal, and is sealed in a discharge vessel which is displaced and contacted by heat generated by glow discharge. A pair of electrodes; a discharge medium mainly composed of a rare gas sealed in a discharge vessel;
And an exo-electron emitting substance disposed in the discharge vessel.

In the present invention and each of the following inventions, definitions and technical meanings of terms are as follows unless otherwise specified.

<Regarding the Discharge Vessel> The discharge vessel is formed of a material having airtightness, workability, and preferably heat resistance, for example, glass, and has a discharge space therein.
Further, among glass materials, soft glass is excellent in workability and cost.

<Regarding a Pair of Electrodes> At least one of the electrodes is a movable electrode provided with a bimetal, and is sealed in a discharge vessel. Then, the movable electrode is displaced with the temperature rise due to the heat generated by the glow discharge generated between the electrodes, and the pair of electrodes come into contact when the temperature reaches 50 to 150 ° C. Since the electrodes are short-circuited by the contact, when the glow discharge stops, the pair of electrodes are separated again.

The distance between the electrodes is set to 0.1 so that the duration of the glow discharge is as short as possible.
It is set to be about 2 mm.

Further, in order to seal the pair of electrodes at a predetermined position in the discharge vessel while maintaining a predetermined distance between the electrodes, a mount previously assembled at a predetermined distance between the electrodes using a stem may be used. it can. The stem is a flare stem,
A bead stem or the like can be used as appropriate.

Furthermore, an electron-emitting substance having a secondary electron emission property such as BaO and / or an electrode activator such as Ba or La can be applied.

The surface of the portion can be covered with an insulating material in order to suppress the surface voltage from being generated on the stem surface between the electrodes and reducing the pulse voltage. If a film mainly composed of aluminum oxide particles of an exo-electron emitting material described later is formed as an insulating material in this case, it is effective for both exo-electron emission and creeping discharge suppression.

<Regarding the Discharge Medium> The discharge medium is mainly composed of a rare gas and is sealed in a discharge vessel. Argon is generally used as the rare gas, but hydrogen or an organic gas can be mixed with argon for the purpose of increasing the glow discharge current. Alternatively, instead of argon, a mixed gas utilizing the penning effect of neon or neon-argon can be used.

<Regarding Exo Electron Emitting Substance> An exo (EXO) electron emitting substance is a substance for supplying initial electrons by exo electron emission, and can be disposed at an appropriate position in a discharge vessel. For example, it can be disposed on the surface of the stem, the inner surface of the discharge vessel, or an electrode.

Various substances are known as exo-electron emitting substances, for example, aluminum oxide,
Magnesium oxide and the like are preferred.

Further, the exo-electron emitting material can be disposed in the discharge vessel by various film forming methods such as vacuum deposition, chemical vapor deposition, or application and drying of a particle suspension. In the case of the latter means, the adhesion strength of the particle-aggregated film can be improved by adding appropriate binder particles.

<Other Configurations> About the case If necessary, to protect the glow starter mechanically,
The case can be surrounded by a synthetic resin case. In addition, in order to facilitate attachment and detachment of the glow starter to and from the socket, a non-slip ridge can be formed on the case so as to be easily picked.

2. Regarding the cap A screw cap such as E17 type or a pin cap such as P21 type can be used depending on the rating of the applicable fluorescent lamp.

<Function of the Present Invention> In the present invention, since the exo-electron emitting material is provided in the discharge vessel, exo-electron emission can be obtained even in a dark place. Since the supply is performed, the starting is easily performed reliably, and the discharge delay time is also reduced. For this reason, there is no need to enclose a radioactive isotope that is difficult to manage in production and handling.

In addition, unlike the afterglow of the phosphor, the efficiency of the exo-electron emission does not decrease with the passage of time, so that the startability of the exo-electron emission is less reduced even if the exo-electron is left in a dark place for a long time.

Further, according to the present invention, an applied voltage of 90 to 240
It is suitable for a glow starter of about V.

The glow starter according to a second aspect of the present invention is the glow starter according to the first aspect, wherein the exoelectron emitting substance is a group of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, barium oxynitride, lead oxide, zinc oxide and beryllium oxide. Or one or more selected from the group consisting of:

The present invention defines a group of substances suitable as exo-electron emitting substances. When exo-electron emitting substances of these groups are disposed in the form of a particle-aggregated film in a discharge vessel, their BET values (specific surface areas) are 1 to 25 m.
2 / g or an average particle size of 0.2 to 0.8 μm is preferable. Further, the amount to be applied is preferably in the range of 2 to 20 mg. Furthermore, among the above groups, aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide are particularly excellent.

That is, aluminum oxide has excellent exo-electron emission properties. Further, aluminum oxide having an α-type crystal structure has a small specific surface area, so that an impure gas is not easily adsorbed, and therefore, it is easy to degas when sealed in a discharge vessel. Furthermore, since aluminum oxide is electrically insulating, it is effective in suppressing creeping discharge on the stem surface by coating the surface of the stem between the electrodes.

Further, since magnesium oxide and barium oxynitride have a high secondary electron emission coefficient in addition to the exoelectron emission properties, the use of these materials further lowers the firing voltage of the glow starter and improves the startability. become.

A glow starter according to a third aspect of the present invention is the glow starter according to the first or second aspect, wherein the exo-electron emission material is a particle-aggregated film to which zirconium oxide particles are added. I have.

The present invention defines a preferred configuration for disposing an exoelectron emitting material in a discharge vessel. That is, when disposing a particle-aggregated film formed by aggregation of particles of the exo-electron emitting substance in the discharge vessel, the suspension of the particles of the exo-electron emitting substance is adjusted to the position where the particles are to be disposed. Since it only has to be applied using a dispenser and dried,
Disposition of the exo-electron emitting material is facilitated. In addition, the addition of the zirconium oxide particles causes the zirconium oxide particles to act as a binder, thereby increasing the adhesion of the particle-aggregated film. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable when the exoelectron emitting substance is aluminum oxide.

As a result, the film is peeled off due to mechanical shock at the time of manufacture or vibration during transportation, or the peeled particle-aggregated film adheres to the contact portion of the electrode to cause poor contact. The risk is significantly reduced.

The glow starter according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the glow starter according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the exo-electron emitting material is attached to a stem supporting a pair of electrodes. Features.

The present invention defines a configuration in which an exo-electron emitting substance is disposed on a stem. That is, the stem is relatively close to the electrode, and is a position where the exo-electron emitting material can be easily disposed without largely changing the process. The stem may have any structure, such as a flare stem or a bead stem.

The location of the exo-electron emitting material is as follows:
The distance between the electrodes on the stem top surface, the side surface, or almost the entirety can be appropriately selected.

A glow starter according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the glow starter according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the exo-electron emitting material is attached to an inner surface of the discharge vessel. .

The present invention defines a configuration in which an exo-electron emitting substance is disposed on the inner surface of a discharge vessel. That is, the inner surface of the discharge vessel is a position relatively close to the electrode and relatively easy to dispose the exo-electron emitting material.

[0041]

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

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the glow starter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front view of the essential parts.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing the mount.

In each figure, 1 is a discharge vessel, 2 is a fixed electrode, 3 is a movable electrode, 4 is an exoelectron emitting material, 5 is a case, and 6 is a base. This embodiment is an E-shaped glow starter.

The discharge vessel 1 is made of soft glass, and has a glass bulb 1a, a stem 1b, and an exhaust tip-off section 1.
c, and a discharge space 1d is formed inside. Although not shown, the glass bulb 1a is integrally formed with an open end at one end and a narrow exhaust pipe relatively at the other end in advance. The stem portion 1b is integrated with the glass bulb by sealing a flare stem HS described later on the open end of the glass bulb 1a. The exhaust tip-off portion 1c is formed when the exhaust pipe formed at the other end of the glass bulb is chipped off.

The fixed electrode 2 and the movable electrode 3 are assembled in advance as an electrode mount EM as shown in FIG.
This is hermetically supported at a predetermined position in the discharge vessel 1 by sealing it to the open end of the glass bulb 1a.
That is, the electrode mount EM is configured by integrating the flare stem HS, the fixed electrode 2, the movable electrode 3, the external introduction lines OL1, OL2, and the exo-electron emission material 4.
The discharge vessel 1 is formed by sealing the flare portion of the flare stem HS to the open end of the glass bulb 1a, and the fixed electrode 2 and the movable electrode 3 are sealed in the discharge vessel 1.

The fixed electrode 2 is made of a rod-shaped metal, the base end of which is sealed to the flare stem HS, and the external introduction line O
Connected to L1.

On the other hand, the movable electrode 3 is
a and the bimetal 3b. The rod-shaped metal 3 a is longer than the fixed electrode 2, and its base end is sealed at a position facing the fixed electrode 2 of the flare stem HS so as to be spaced apart from the fixed electrode 2.
2 connected. The bimetal 3b is bent in the shape of a letter, and the upper end in FIG. 3 is welded to the upper part of the rod-shaped metal 3a, and the lower end in the cooled state has the rod-shaped metal 3a.
Abuts and is locked.

The exo-electron emitting material 4 is prepared by preparing a coating solution which is a suspension of the exo-electron emitting material 4, applying the coating solution to a position near the electrode of the flare stem HS using a dispenser, and drying the applied solution. 1.

The case 5 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by molding a light diffusing polycarbonate resin by adding titanium oxide fine particles, and has a plurality of ridges 5a on the peripheral edge.
Is formed. Then, a pair of electrodes 2, 3
And a discharge vessel 1 in which a discharge medium is sealed is housed.

The base 6 is formed of an E17 screw base, is mounted on the open end of the case 5 and is fixed to the open end of the case 5 by caulking. In the figure, reference numeral 6a denotes a caulking mark formed at the time of caulking.

Example 1 In the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 20 glow starters were manufactured by depositing 3 mg of aluminum oxide as the exoelectron emitting material 4. Then, these were left in a dark place for 15 hours, and the lighting delay time was measured together with that of the comparative example. The comparative example has the same specifications as the present example except that the comparative example does not include an exo-electron emitting material.

[0053]

Table 1 Lighting delay time less than 1 second Same as above 1 to 2 seconds Same as above 2 seconds Example 19 10 Comparative Example 13 4 3 FIG. 4 shows the aluminum oxide deposition in the first embodiment of the glow starter of the present invention. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount and the maximum discharge delay time.

In the figure, the horizontal axis indicates the amount of aluminum oxide deposited (mg), and the vertical axis indicates the maximum discharge delay time (second). The data was obtained by measuring the discharge delay time after leaving the glow starter in a dark place for 15 hours.

If the discharge delay time is 2 seconds or less, it is within the practical range. As can be understood from the figure, if the aluminum oxide deposition amount is about 1 mg or more, the discharge delay time must be within the allowable range. Can be.

FIG. 5 is a partially sectional front view showing a second embodiment of the glow starter of the present invention.

In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, P
It is a glow starter. That is, the P-type glow starter of the present embodiment has the noise prevention capacitor 7 in the case 5.
And the base 6 is a P21 type pin base.

The case 5 is formed by molding a light-transmitting synthetic resin into a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a base 6 is engaged with an open end and fixed by an adhesive. Further, a knurling portion 5b for picking is provided on the periphery of the head.

The base 6 comprises an insulating substrate 6a and a pair of base pins 6b, 6b. The insulating substrate 6a
The open end of the case 5 is closed. A pair of base pins 6b,
6b is fixed to the insulating substrate 6a so as to be spaced apart and opposed to each other;
A locking projection 6b1 protruding outside the case 5;
Is provided with a connecting portion 6b2 protruding into the inside.

The noise prevention capacitor 7 has its lead wire 7
The pin 6b is connected to the connecting portion 6b2 of the pair of pins 6b so as to be connected in parallel to the fixed electrode 2 and the movable electrode 3 via a.

Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
20 glow starters were manufactured by applying mg. After leaving them in a dark place for 15 hours, the discharge delay time was measured together with that of the comparative example. The comparative example has the same specifications as the present example except that the comparative example does not include an exo-electron emitting material.

[0061]

[Table 2] Discharge delay time less than 1 second Same as above 1 to 2 seconds Same as above 2 seconds Example 18 20 Comparative example 10 4 6

Embodiment 3 In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, a coating solution consisting of a suspension is prepared by adding 4% by weight of zirconium oxide as a binder to aluminum oxide as an exoelectron emitting material 4. did. This coating solution is applied to the flare stem by a dispenser, dried, and dried.
0 were made. And, these are Japanese Industrial Standard JIS
A peeling test was performed using a cylindrical drop test device based on 7603.

As a result, there was no peeling of the exo-electron emitting material. Further, the discharge delay time after being left in a dark place for 15 hours was almost the same as in Example 1.

Hereinafter, third to sixth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each drawing, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a partially sectional front view showing a wire valve in a glow starter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the exo-electron emitting substance 4 is attached to the inner surface of the discharge vessel 1.

FIG. 7 is a partially sectional front view showing a mount of a glow starter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the exo-electron emitting substance 4 is attached to the back surface of the bimetal 3b of the movable electrode 3.

FIG. 8 is a partially sectional front view showing a mount of a glow starter according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the exo-electron emitting substance 4 is disposed on almost the entire top of the stem 1b so as to be attached to a portion between the fixed electrode 2 and the movable electrode 3 on the surface of the stem 1b. Is different. Since the exo-electron emitting material 4 is insulative, it prevents creeping discharge of the stem portion 1b,
It also has the effect of keeping the pulse voltage generated from the ballast high.

EXAMPLE 4 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, 20 glow starters of the present invention using aluminum oxide as the exoelectron emitting substance 4 were manufactured and pulse voltages were measured. As a result, 1000 to 1181 V, average 1062 V, σ 92 Met.

On the other hand, as a comparative example, 20 glow starters of the same specification were manufactured except that aluminum oxide was adhered to the side surface of the stem, and the same measurement was performed. As a result, the pulse voltage was 848 to 1120 V, the average was 998 V, sigma 136.

When only creeping discharge is to be prevented, a simple insulating material such as silicon oxide particles may be used instead of the exo-electron emitting material.

FIG. 9 is a partially sectional front view showing a mount of a glow starter according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the exo-electron emitting substance 4 is applied so as to cover the surface of the rod-shaped metal 3a of the movable electrode 3. As a result, glow discharge easily occurs intensively between the bimetal 3b and the fixed electrode 2.

[0074]

According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the exo-electron emitting material is provided in the discharge vessel, so that the exo-electron emitting material can be used in a dark place without using a radioactive material. It is possible to provide a glow starter having a short discharge delay time even if left for a long time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the exo-electron emitting material is one or more selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, barium oxynitride, lead oxide, zinc oxide and beryllium oxide. A glow starter can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the exo-electron emitting substance is made of a particle-aggregated film to which zirconium oxide particles are added, the production is easy and the adhesion of the exo-electron emitting substance is high. Therefore, it is possible to provide a glow starter in which the exo-electron emitting material is less likely to peel off due to mechanical shock received during the manufacturing process or vibration received during transportation.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition, since the exo-electron-emitting substance is attached to the stem, it is possible to provide a glow starter in which the attachment of the exo-electron-emitting substance is easy.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a glow starter in which the exo-electron emitting material is easily adhered to the inner surface of the discharge vessel by attaching the exo-electron emitting material. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a glow starter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front view of the same main part.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing the same mount.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of aluminum oxide deposited and the maximum discharge delay time in the first embodiment of the glow starter of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional front view showing a second embodiment of the glow starter of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a wire valve according to a third embodiment of the glow starter of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view showing a mount of a glow starter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view showing a mount according to a fifth embodiment of the glow starter of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view showing a mount of a glow starter according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Discharge container 1a ... Glass bulb 1b ... Stem part 1c ... Exhaust tip-off part 1d ... Discharge space 2 ... Fixed electrode 3 ... Movable electrode 3a ... Bar-shaped metal 3b ... Bimetallic 4 ... Exo electron emission material 5 ... Case 5a ... Ridge Reference numeral 6: Base 6a: Caulking mark EM: Electrode mount HS: Flare stem OL1: External introduction line OL2: External introduction line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuma Ishimitsu 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Litetech Corporation (72) Inventor Naoyuki Toda 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Toshiba Litec Corporation (72) Inventor Masahiko Asakura 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Masami Takagi 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Toshiba Litec Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Naoki Tsutsui 4-3-1 Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Toshiba Litec Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] A discharge vessel; at least one of which is composed of a movable electrode provided with a bimetal; and a pair of electrodes sealed in the discharge vessel which are displaced and contacted by heat generated by glow discharge; and enclosed in the discharge vessel. A glow starter, comprising: a discharge medium mainly composed of a rare gas; and an exo-electron emitting substance disposed in a discharge vessel. 2. The exo-electron emitting material is one or more selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, barium oxynitride, lead oxide, zinc oxide and beryllium oxide. The described glow starter. 3. The glow starter according to claim 1, wherein the exo-electron emitting substance comprises a particle-aggregated film to which zirconium oxide particles are added. 4. The glow starter according to claim 1, wherein the exo-electron emitting material is attached to a stem supporting a pair of electrodes. 5. The glow starter according to claim 1, wherein the exo-electron emitting material is adhered to an inner surface of the discharge vessel.