JP2002193035A - Fluorescent lamp device and on-vehicle instrument device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluorescent lamp device having a structure to support a long and narrow fluorescent lamp and a flexible wiring board on a long and narrow support board and hardly damaging the lamp and to provide an on-vehicle instrument device using the lamp. SOLUTION: This lamp device comprises the long and narrow fluorescent lamp FL equipped with a pair of soft insulated holders SH and a pair of first lead wires w1a, w1b guided through the holders SH at both ends in a longitudinal direction, thermal elements SE1, SE2 equipped with a second lead wire w2 and thermo-conductively spliced to the lamp FL, the long and narrow flexible wiring board FPC connected with at least one of the first lead wires w1a and the second lead wire w2 of the lamp FL at a spacing position in a longitudinal direction for spacingly extending in a longitudinal direction of the lamp FL, and the support board SM inserted between the lamp FL and the board FPC to lock the board FPC for supporting the lamp FL.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp device suitable for use in a backlight type vehicle-mounted instrument device and a vehicle-mounted instrument device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A small incandescent light bulb is generally used in a so-called backlight, which illuminates various instruments and the like arranged on an instrument panel of an automobile by illuminating the instruments from the back or side thereof. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-80916, a bent small fluorescent lamp is used. By using such a fluorescent lamp, power can be saved, and the luminance of the panel surface can be increased to significantly improve the visibility.

Further, when the instrument panel of an automobile has a substantially trapezoidal shape, the shape of the light guide is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape, and substantially conforms to the shape of the three sides excluding the bottom of the light guide. If the fluorescent lamp is bent and arranged above the light guide as described above, it is convenient in terms of arranging parts of the automobile.

On the other hand, when a fluorescent lamp is provided on the end face of the light guide, the provision becomes easy if a support substrate is interposed. That is, the fluorescent lamp is first attached to the support substrate, and the support substrate is attached to the case together with the light guide while maintaining a predetermined positional relationship. In addition, wiring for the fluorescent lamp is performed using a wiring board. Generally, the wiring substrate is supported by a support substrate. Then, an integrated fluorescent lamp device mainly including the fluorescent lamp, the support substrate, and the wiring substrate is configured.

Further, in the case of illuminating a vehicle instrument panel with a backlight using a fluorescent lamp, a thermistor for controlling the temperature at the time of starting the fluorescent lamp and a circuit are opened and protected when the temperature of the fluorescent lamp rises excessively. Is generally provided with a heat-sensitive element such as a thermal fuse. Therefore, these thermal elements are arranged so as to respond to the temperature of the fluorescent lamp.

[0006]

However, as a fluorescent lamp used for this type of lighting, for example, an extremely elongated fluorescent lamp having a diameter of about 3 mm and a length of about 350 mm is used, vibration and impact during driving of a car are sometimes caused. Also, there is a problem that the fluorescent lamp is easily damaged due to thermal stress caused by flickering of the fluorescent lamp. Conventionally, in order to cope with this, the soft insulating holders mounted on both ends of the fluorescent lamp are fixed to the support substrate, but the above problem has not been solved.

Further, the conventional fluorescent lamp device used for this type of illumination also has a problem that workability is poor in assembling and integrating the fluorescent lamp, the supporting substrate and the wiring substrate as required.

Furthermore, since both the heat-sensitive element and the fluorescent lamp have small diameters, it has been difficult to abut the heat-sensitive element to the fluorescent lamp without thermal conductivity variation. Therefore, it is necessary to make adjustments on the circuit side, and thus the workability is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent lamp device having a structure in which an elongated fluorescent lamp is supported on an elongated support substrate together with a flexible wiring substrate, and which is less likely to be damaged by the fluorescent lamp, and an on-vehicle instrument device using the same. .

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent lamp device in which a thermosensitive element is in contact with a fluorescent lamp in a thermally conductive manner with a small variation, and a vehicle-mounted instrument device using the same.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent lamp device comprising: a light-transmitting discharge vessel; a phosphor layer formed on an inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel; A sealed discharge medium, a pair of electrodes arranged to generate a discharge inside the translucent discharge vessel, a pair of soft insulating holders mounted at both ends of the translucent discharge vessel, and a soft insulating property. An elongated fluorescent lamp having a pair of first lead wires led out of the electrode via the holder; a second intermediate portion which is thermally conductively attached to the fluorescent lamp at an intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp; A heat-sensitive element having a lead wire; connecting at least one of the pair of first lead wires and the second lead wire at positions separated along the longitudinal direction, and separating along the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp. Elongate flexible while extending And Bull wiring board; is characterized in that it comprises the; as well as interposed between the fluorescent lamp and the flexible wiring board, and the elongated support substrate for supporting the fluorescent lamp by locking the flexible wiring board.

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

<Regarding the Fluorescent Lamp> The fluorescent lamp includes a translucent discharge vessel, a phosphor layer, a pair of electrodes, and a discharge medium.

(Translucent Discharge Vessel) The translucent discharge vessel is formed by sealing both ends of a glass bulb or by sealing an opening formed at a base end of a glass bulb having a closed end. It is preferable because it is the easiest to manufacture and the cost is low, but it may be made of a translucent ceramic if necessary. Note that as the glass, soft glass, semi-hard glass, hard glass, quartz glass, or the like can be appropriately selected and used. “Translucent” of a translucent discharge vessel does not require that the entire translucent discharge vessel be translucent, but at least visible light emitted from the phosphor layer upon discharge. It is only necessary that the portion that attempts to lead out to the outside be transparent to the light. Further, that the light-transmitting discharge vessel is elongated means that the light-transmissive discharge vessel has a length twice or more the outer diameter of the discharge vessel.

Further, the light-transmitting discharge vessel may be either a straight tube or a curved tube. Various shapes such as a trapezoidal shape without a base, a U-shape, an L-shape, a U-shape, and a semi-annular shape can be adopted as the curved tubular shape.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the translucent discharge vessel may have a flat cross section, a quadrangle, a triangle, or the like.

(About Phosphor Layer) The phosphor layer is a means for converting the wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by the discharge medium by discharge into visible light. And it is arrange | positioned at the inner surface side of a translucent discharge container. Further, the phosphor layer may be provided over the entire circumference on the inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel, or may be provided so as to form an aperture extending in a slit shape along the longitudinal direction. . The “inside surface of the light-transmissive discharge vessel” refers to a mode in which the phosphor layer is formed directly on the inside surface of the light-transmissive discharge vessel, and indirect fluorescent light is applied to the inside surface of the light-transmissive discharge vessel via a protective film. It is meant to include any of the embodiments for forming a body layer.

Next, a single phosphor or a mixture of plural phosphors can be used as the phosphor. It is possible to use a white-light-emitting three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor obtained by mixing red, green, and blue light-emitting phosphors. However, if necessary, in order to obtain a discharge lamp of each emission color of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) as the discharge lamp, a phosphor of each single color emission may be used. Further, the phosphor layer may have a single layer configuration or a multilayer configuration. In the latter case, the type of phosphor may be different for each layer.
Further, a third layer made of another substance that is not a phosphor, for example, a conductive layer, a discharge state improving layer mainly composed of a metal oxide, or the like may be interposed between the phosphor layers.

(Regarding Discharge Medium) The discharge medium is not limited to a specific substance as long as it is sealed in a translucent discharge vessel and emits radiation by discharge. For example, any configuration such as the first mode including mercury vapor and a rare gas that emits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 300 nm or less at the time of discharge, and the second mode mainly including a rare gas including at least xenon may be used.

In the first mode, although the amount of light is relatively large, the dependence on the ambient temperature is strong, and the luminous flux rising characteristic is poor. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, there is no dependency on the ambient temperature, and the luminous flux rising characteristics are good. Noble gas is
At least xenon can be used, and neon, argon, krypton, helium, and the like can be used in any combination as desired. Of course, xenon can be used alone. In the case where the fluorescent lamp performs a dielectric barrier discharge using the external electrodes or the internal and external electrodes, a rare gas halide such as KrF or ArCl or a simple halogen may be added in addition to the rare gas. As the halogen, iodine, bromine, and chlorine can be used. If the element exists as a vapor in the range of several hundreds to about 1 MPa, discharge is possible. However, when the discharge lamp performs arc discharge using the internal electrodes, it is preferable to use only the rare gas.

(Regarding a pair of electrodes) The term "a pair of electrodes" means a plurality of pairs as long as at least one pair of electrodes is provided inside a translucent discharge vessel so as to generate a discharge through a discharge medium. It means that it may be. Then, in that case, some electrodes are allowed to act in common on a plurality of pairs.

[0022] The pair of electrodes may be disposed inside or outside the translucent discharge vessel. When the discharge lamp is configured to perform mercury vapor discharge, at least one pair of electrodes can be separately sealed inside the translucent airtight container, that is, as an internal electrode. On the other hand, in the case where the discharge lamp performs a dielectric barrier discharge, either the inner-outer electrode arrangement or the outer electrode arrangement can be employed.

Hereinafter, for convenience, an electrode provided on the outer surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel is referred to as an “external electrode”, and an electrode provided inside the light-transmitting discharge vessel is referred to as an “internal electrode”. As a mode of the pair of electrodes, a mode in which both the pair of electrodes are external electrodes and a mode in which one is an external electrode and the other is an internal electrode can be adopted. If at least one of the pair of electrodes is an external electrode, a dielectric barrier discharge can be generated because a capacitance having the wall of the discharge vessel as a dielectric is interposed between the electrodes.

The external electrode is disposed substantially in contact with the outer surface of the discharge vessel. And, it is preferably made of a conductive thin film.
As the conductive thin film, a conductive metal foil such as aluminum, silver, and copper, a conductive metal vapor-deposited film, a plated film, a conductive metal foil, and a conductive paste, which are adhered to a transparent resin sheet described later, are screened. Coating film formed by printing, ITO film,
An NESA film or the like can be used. When the external electrode is formed of a conductive thin film, the external electrode may be formed in a ribbon shape, or may be formed in a deformed shape such as a wavy shape.

However, the external electrode is not limited to the conductive thin film, and is made of a conductive material such as a coil or a mesh structure if necessary, and is disposed almost in contact with the outer surface of the discharge vessel. It can be in the form. In addition, it is preferable that the external electrode is `` disposed substantially in contact with '' the outer surface of the discharge vessel, but it is preferable that the entire external electrode is in contact with the outer surface of the surface of the discharge vessel, but this is an essential requirement. In general, it means that the external electrode only needs to be in contact with the outer surface of the discharge vessel. Further, the external electrode can have a size such that at least a part thereof extends in the longitudinal direction, that is, the axial direction of the discharge vessel. Then, in the outer circumferential direction of the discharge vessel, the discharge vessel can be arranged within an angle range that forms the entire circumference or a part of the outer circumference. Furthermore, when the external electrode is composed of a coil, a mesh structure, and a transparent conductive film, these configurations transmit light through the external electrode or pass through a gap between the external electrodes, and light is guided to the outside. Therefore, it can be arranged all around the discharge vessel.
On the other hand, when the external electrode is made of a metal foil, and when the external electrode is made of a metal foil, the metal foil is previously adhered to one surface of a translucent resin sheet described later and applied to the transparent resin sheet. It can be provided by sticking to the outer surface of the discharge vessel with the used adhesive. However, a metal foil can be directly adhered to the outer surface of the discharge vessel. Further, the width of the external electrode may change in the axial direction of the discharge vessel.

Next, in order to bring the external electrode into contact with the outer surface of the discharge vessel, an adhesive can be applied to the contact surface of the external electrode in advance, and the external electrode can be adhered to the discharge vessel with the adhesive. However, an adhesive may be applied to a portion of the discharge vessel to be contacted with the external electrode, and the external electrode may be adhered from above. Further, instead of using an adhesive or an adhesive, the external electrode may simply be brought into contact with the contact portion, and a light-transmissive resin sheet to which the adhesive has been applied may be wound over the entire periphery of the discharge vessel.

Further, the arrangement of the pair of electrodes will be described. That is, the electrode arrangement can be arbitrarily selected from the various embodiments described below.

1. Internal Electrode Configuration In the internal electrode configuration, a pair of electrodes are both sealed inside a translucent discharge vessel. The internal electrode may be either a hot cathode or a cold cathode. However, in general, when the inner diameter is 4 mm or less, it is difficult to use a hot cathode. For example, Ni, W, or the like can be used as the cathode.

2. Internal / External Electrode Configuration The internal / external electrode configuration is an electrode configuration in which an internal electrode and an external electrode are paired. Further, this arrangement is divided into a short internal electrode and a long internal electrode extending along the longitudinal direction of the discharge vessel.

(1) Electrode arrangement using short internal electrodes In this electrode arrangement, short electrodes similar to those used for a normal internal electrode type fluorescent lamp are used.

(1-1) An electrode arrangement in which a single internal electrode is arranged at one end of the discharge vessel and a single external electrode is arranged on the outer surface of the discharge vessel. (1-2) A pair of internal electrodes is provided at both ends of the discharge vessel. Place the electrodes,
An electrode arrangement in which a single external electrode is arranged on the outer surface of the discharge vessel.In this electrode arrangement, a pair of internal electrodes are both connected to one pole of the lighting circuit, and the external electrode is connected to the other pole of the lighting circuit; There is a configuration in which a pair of lighting circuits are prepared, one pole of each lighting circuit is separately connected to an internal electrode, and an external electrode is connected to the other pole of the pair of lighting circuits at the same potential.

(1-3) Electrode arrangement in which internal electrodes are arranged at both ends of the discharge vessel and a pair of external electrodes are arranged on the outer surface of the discharge vessel. In this electrode arrangement, the internal electrodes and the external electrodes are in one-to-one correspondence. Make them face each other.

(1-4) Internal electrodes are arranged at both ends and the middle of the discharge vessel, respectively, and a single external electrode is commonly opposed. (1-5) Internal electrodes are arranged at both ends and the middle of the discharge vessel, respectively. An electrode arrangement in which an external electrode facing the internal electrode is arranged on the outer surface of the discharge vessel (2) An electrode arrangement using a long internal electrode In this electrode arrangement, the electrode extends over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the discharge vessel. A length internal electrode is used. A structure in which both ends of the internal electrode pass through both ends of the discharge vessel in an airtight manner and are led to the outside, and only one end of the internal electrode passes through one end of the discharge vessel in a gastight manner and are led out to the outside. Is located inside the vicinity of the other end of the discharge vessel.

3 External electrode type arrangement In this arrangement, a pair of external electrodes are arranged on the outer surface of the discharge vessel so as to face each other. One or more pairs of external electrodes can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the discharge vessel. In addition,
In the case of the aperture type, the external electrodes must be arranged so as not to substantially block light projection from the aperture.

(Regarding a pair of soft insulating holders) A pair of soft insulating holders are attached to both ends of a translucent discharge vessel. Then, both ends of the discharge vessel are mechanically protected, and the fluorescent lamp acts as a spacer when the fluorescent lamp is supported on a support substrate, which will be described later, and acts as an insulating bush when the lead wire is led out. be able to.

The pair of soft insulative holders may be made of any material as long as it is appropriately soft and insulative. For example, the soft insulative holders can be formed using silicone resin or rubber.

(Regarding the First Lead Wire) The first lead wire extends from the pair of electrodes through the end of the light-transmitting discharge vessel. At least one of them is connected to a flexible wiring board described later. Thus, the lead allows the conductor to be exposed. In the case where the other first lead wire is connected to the lighting circuit without passing through the flexible wiring board, the lead wire is preferably an insulated conductor.

(Other Configurations of Fluorescent Lamp Body) 1. Heater When mercury and a rare gas are used as the discharge medium, the light is discharged on the outer surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel in the longitudinal direction in order to accelerate the rise of the light flux in a low-temperature atmosphere. The heater can be arranged along. Note that the heater may be attached in a straight line, or may be spirally wound. Further, as the material of the heater, for example, a thin ribbon-shaped stainless steel plate can be used, but any material may be used.

In addition, terminals are provided at both ends of the heater, and the terminals are led out via a soft insulating holder to be described later and connected to the flexible wiring board in the same manner as the first and second lead wires. be able to.

2. Translucent Insulating Tube The translucent insulating tube can be coated on the outer surface of the translucent discharge vessel. The translucent insulating tube is effective for keeping the translucent discharge vessel warm, holding a heater or an external electrode, or mechanically protecting the translucent discharge vessel. In addition, for the light-transmitting insulating tube, for example, a heat-shrinkable tube is used,
They can be arranged by dipping.

(3) Protective Film and the Like A protective film made of alumina fine particles or the like or an electron-emitting material film can be formed on the inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel as required. When forming a protective film, a protective film may be formed between the phosphor layer and the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel, or a protective film may be formed on the inner surface of the phosphor layer on the discharge space side. Is also good.
In addition, it is possible to form an electron emitting material film, and in this case, it is effective to avoid or reduce the occurrence of dark characteristics of the fluorescent lamp.

4. Outer tube The translucent discharge vessel can be housed in an elongated outer tube. In this case, the outer tube can be filled with an inert gas at a low pressure or evacuated. By storing the translucent discharge vessel in the outer tube in this way, the translucent discharge vessel can be kept warm and the rise of the luminous flux at the time of low-temperature starting can be improved. Therefore, an outer tube can be used instead of the heater wire.

<About the thermosensitive element> In the present invention,
The “thermal element” is an element that responds to the temperature of the fluorescent lamp, and is a conceptual circuit element that includes, for example, a thermistor, a thermal fuse, and the like. The thermal element has a second lead wire. Since the second lead wire is connected to a flexible wiring board described later, the conductor is allowed to be exposed.

The thermal element is thermally conductively attached to the fluorescent lamp in order to respond to the temperature of the fluorescent lamp. That is, the heat-sensitive element may directly contact the translucent discharge vessel, or may indirectly contact the translucent discharge vessel via an appropriate heat conductor.

Further, the thermosensitive element can be connected to various circuits depending on the specific mode of the circuit element. For example,
In the case of a thermistor, it can be configured to be connected to a heater temperature control circuit. In the case of a thermal fuse, it can be connected to the power supply side of the lighting circuit of the fluorescent lamp. Thus, when the temperature of the fluorescent lamp exceeds a preset allowable temperature for some reason, the power supply circuit is shut off to ensure safety.

<Regarding Flexible Wiring Board> The flexible wiring board extends along the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp and is separated from the fluorescent lamp by an appropriate distance. Note that the shortest separation distance is a distance equal to the thickness of a support substrate described later. Then, the flexible wiring board, the fluorescent lamp, and the thermal element are integrated by connecting at least the first and second lead wires to the flexible wiring board.

Further, the flexible wiring board has a structure in which at least one of the pair of first lead wires and the second lead wire are connected thereto, whereby the fluorescent lamp is connected to the lighting circuit, and the heat-sensitive element is connected to the predetermined circuit. The printed wiring is formed so as to be connected to. If necessary, a lighting circuit or a predetermined circuit may be mounted on the flexible wiring board.
However, these circuits may be configured to be provided outside the flexible wiring. In the latter case, a connector for an external circuit can be mounted on the flexible wiring board.

Further, the flexible wiring board may be formed with a notch, a locking hole, and the like for locking with a support substrate described later.

<Regarding the Supporting Substrate> The supporting substrate is a means for supporting and integrating the fluorescent lamp and the flexible wiring, and is formed to be elongated in its entirety. The support board is interposed between the fluorescent lamp and the flexible wiring board, and also locks the flexible wiring board. With this locking, the fluorescent lamp is supported by the support substrate. Attachment means such as an attachment hole for attaching the support substrate to a case or the like can be provided on the support substrate.

The material of the support substrate is not particularly limited, but is preferably a white insulator.

<Function of the Present Invention> In the present invention, the fluorescent lamp and the flexible wiring board are connected to each other with at least one of a pair of lead wires of the fluorescent lamp and the second lead wire of the heat-sensitive element to be separated from each other. By inserting a support substrate between the lamp and the flexible printed circuit board and locking the flexible printed circuit board to the support substrate, not only the flexible printed circuit board but also the fluorescent lamp is supported by the support substrate. It is flexibly supported by the flexibility of the flexible wiring board. For this reason,
Vibration and shock make it difficult for the fluorescent lamp to be transmitted. Further, even if thermal stress is generated by the flickering of the fluorescent lamp itself, the fluorescent lamp is easily deformed due to the flexible support structure, and thus is less likely to be damaged.

Since the fluorescent lamp device of the present invention has the configuration, operation and effect described above, it can be fully understood that it is suitable for a backlight for an instrument panel of an automobile. Adapts to any application from the beginning.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluorescent lamp device comprising: a light-transmitting discharge vessel; a phosphor layer formed on an inner surface side of the light-transmitting discharge vessel; a discharge medium sealed in the light-transmitting airtight container; A pair of electrodes arranged to generate a discharge inside the translucent discharge vessel, a pair of soft insulating holders mounted on both ends of the translucent discharge vessel, and a pair of via a soft insulating holder An elongated fluorescent lamp having a lead wire derived from the electrode of the fluorescent lamp; connecting at least one lead wire of the fluorescent lamp, and extending while being spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp, and being integrated with the fluorescent lamp. And a flexible printed circuit board; one end of the fluorescent lamp is fixed via a soft insulating holder and the other end is free to support the fluorescent lamp flexibly and support the flexible printed circuit board It is characterized in that comprises a; that the elongated support substrate.

The present invention specifies a configuration in which the fixing of the fluorescent lamp to the supporting substrate is improved to facilitate the deformation of the fluorescent lamp due to thermal stress and the like, thereby preventing the fluorescent lamp from being damaged.

That is, if only one end of the fluorescent lamp is fixed to the supporting substrate and the other end is free, even if the translucent discharge vessel of the fluorescent lamp is deformed, breakage can be prevented. In addition, fixing one end of the fluorescent lamp to the support substrate means that it is substantially difficult to move in the tube axis direction. Movement to is allowed.

On the other hand, the other end of the fluorescent lamp is configured to move freely without being fixed to the supporting substrate. However, since the flexible wiring substrate is integrated with the fluorescent lamp and the flexible wiring substrate is supported by the support substrate, the fluorescent lamp is indirectly supported by the support substrate. Further, it is permissible that the other end of the fluorescent lamp is in a state of being in contact with the surface of the support substrate.

Therefore, in the present invention, the fluorescent lamp is supported by the supporting substrate via the flexible structure.
Vibration and impact received from the outside are less likely to be transmitted, and thermal stress generated therein can be easily deformed to cope with damage, so that breakage is significantly reduced.

A fluorescent lamp device according to a third aspect of the present invention provides a light-transmitting discharge container, a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface side of the light-transmitting discharge container, a discharge medium sealed in the light-transmitting airtight container, Electrodes arranged to generate a discharge inside the translucent discharge vessel, a pair of soft insulating holders attached to both ends of the translucent discharge vessel, and derived from the electrodes via the soft insulating holder An elongated fluorescent lamp having a first lead wire provided; a second lead wire being thermally conductively attached to the fluorescent lamp via a silicone resin spacer at a longitudinally intermediate portion of the fluorescent lamp; A flexible printed circuit board, which is connected to the first and second lead wires as required at positions separated along the longitudinal direction, and extends while being separated along the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp; Lamp It is characterized in that it comprises a; interposed between the fine flexible wiring board and the supporting substrate for supporting them.

The present invention specifies a configuration in which the thermal element is attached to the fluorescent lamp with little variation in heat conductivity.

That is, the thermal element is attached to the fluorescent lamp via the silicone resin spacer. Silicone resin has a high thermal conductivity, so that heat of the fluorescent lamp can be easily transmitted to the thermosensitive element. Further, since the silicone resin can be easily formed and formed into various shapes, even if the cross-sectional shapes of the translucent discharge vessel and the thermal element of the fluorescent lamp are circular, respectively, the fluorescent lamp and the thermal element Since the heat receiving and heat transfer area can be increased in accordance with the outer surface shape, heat conduction is improved. For the above reasons,
The heat-sensitive element can detect the temperature of the fluorescent lamp with little variation in heat conductivity.

Further, since the silicone resin is flexible and has an appropriate elasticity, even if the silicone resin is in close contact with the surface of the fluorescent lamp, a large stress is not applied to the fluorescent lamp, and the silicone resin has a cushioning effect. Therefore, the silicone resin spacer also functions as a spacer between the fluorescent lamp and the support substrate and as a cushion material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fluorescent lamp device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the support substrate has a reflective surface facing the fluorescent lamp on the front surface and a flexible surface on the rear surface. It is characterized in that it constitutes a supporting portion of the wiring board.

The present invention specifies a preferred configuration of the support substrate.

That is, since the supporting substrate is close to the fluorescent lamp in order to support the fluorescent lamp, the front surface facing the fluorescent lamp can be used as a reflection surface. In order to form a reflective surface, the support substrate is preferably formed of a white synthetic resin to obtain a diffusive reflective surface. However, if necessary, a mirror surface may be used.

Further, since the back surface of the support substrate faces the flexible wiring substrate, the support structure of the flexible wiring substrate on the back surface simplifies the support structure. The support portion can be constituted by, for example, a locking groove, a locking projection, or the like. The locking groove receives and locks, for example, a cutout on the side edge of the flexible wiring board. The locking projections are locked in, for example, a locking hole formed in the flexible wiring board or a notch formed in a side edge. Furthermore, when the flexible wiring board is locked, the locking guide is guided to the locking projection, but it is preferable to form a taper so that once the locking is performed, the flexible wiring board is not easily detached.

The on-vehicle instrument device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is provided with the on-vehicle instrument device main body having a light guide; and the on-vehicle instrument device is disposed on the on-vehicle instrument device main body such that light emitted from a fluorescent lamp enters from a side of the light guide. And a fluorescent lamp device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

<On-vehicle instrument device> The "on-vehicle instrument device" is generally disposed almost in front of the driver's seat, and is used to concentrate various meters, indicator lights, warning lights, and the like of the vehicle so that the driver can recognize them. It is equipment and, in some cases, is provided with an operation unit for switches and the like.

As meters, for example, a part or all of a speedometer, a tachometer, a water temperature gauge, a fuel gauge, an oil pressure gauge, a trip meter, an odometer and the like can be provided. As the indicator lamp, for example, a turn indicator lamp, a high beam indicator lamp, a selector position indicator lamp, a fog lamp indicator lamp or the like can be partially or entirely provided. As the warning light, for example, a fuel level warning light, a hand brake warning light, a seat belt warning light, an airbag warning light, and the like can be partially or entirely provided.

Further, the on-vehicle instrument device according to the present invention is configured so that at least a main part performs various displays by backlight illumination, and thus includes a light guide.

(Regarding Light Guide) The light guide functions to illuminate at least a main part of various meters of an automobile, such as a speedometer and a tachometer. Further, the light guides for the indicator light and the warning light can be supported or formed integrally. The light guide is
In the case of an analog meter, only the scale may be illuminated, and a separate light emitting needle may be used for the pointer, or both the scale and the pointer may be illuminated. Furthermore, the light guide is
A display engraving may be formed in advance on the back surface of the light guide, and light may be reflected at the engraved portion for display and emitted to the surface of the light guide, or display may be performed using a display unit such as a liquid crystal. It may be configured as follows.

Then, light emitted from the fluorescent lamp device enters the light guide by the sidelight method. for that reason,
This is advantageous for making the on-vehicle instrument panel device thin. It is preferable that the light emitted from the fluorescent lamp device is configured to enter from the upper side and the side of the light guide. In order to improve the luminance uniformity on the front surface of the light guide, various known luminance uniforming means can be appropriately used.

(Other Configurations of In-Vehicle Instrument Device) 1. Display Panel A display panel having a required display formed on the surface of the light guide can be provided.

2. Case The case accommodates members such as a fluorescent lamp device, a light guide, and a display panel in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0074]

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

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the fluorescent lamp device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is also a rear view.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway vertical sectional view showing the fluorescent lamp body.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the same flexible wiring board.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing one end.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway enlarged front view showing the other end.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged end view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged end view taken along the line XI-XI of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged end view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged end view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

In each figure, FL is a fluorescent lamp, SE is a thermosensitive element, FPC is a flexible wiring board, and SM is a support board.

<About the Fluorescent Lamp FL>
L includes a fluorescent lamp body FLa, a pair of soft insulating holders SH, SH, first lead wires w1a and w1b, a heater wire HW, a translucent insulating tube IT, and an O-ring R.

(Regarding the Fluorescent Lamp Body FLa) As shown in FIG. 4, the fluorescent lamp body FLa has a light-transmitting discharge vessel 1, a phosphor layer 2, a pair of electrodes 3, 3, and a pair of first introduction lines 4a. , 4b and a discharge medium. The translucent discharge vessel 1 has bead stems 1 at both ends of an elongated glass bulb 1a.
b and 1b are hermetically sealed by sealing them.
As shown in FIG.
Each of the pair of electrodes 3, 3 is formed of a cold cathode, and is supported at the inner ends of the translucent discharge vessel 1 at the ends of the introduction lines 4 a, 4 b. The phosphor layer 2 is made of a three-wavelength light emitting phosphor and is formed on the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel 1.
A pair of lead wires 4a and 4b have a bead stem 1b in the middle.
And the base end is led out from both ends of the translucent discharge vessel 1 to the outside. The discharge medium is made of a mixed rare gas of mercury, neon, and argon, and is sealed in the translucent discharge vessel 1.

(Regarding the pair of soft insulating holders SH, SH) The pair of soft insulating holders SH, SH are formed of a molded article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape of silicone rubber, and the translucent discharge vessel of the fluorescent lamp body FLa. 1 are attached to both ends. Further, the soft insulating holder SH is provided with a first
And a lead-out hole for leading out the lead wire w1 and the heater lead wire hr.

(Regarding First Lead Wires w1a and w1b) One first lead wire w1a is connected to the fluorescent lamp body F
It is formed by bending the intermediate portion on the base end side of the introduction line 4a led out from one end of La substantially at a right angle.
On the other hand, the other first lead wire w1b is formed of an insulated conductor, and has a base end connected to an introduction wire 4b led out from the other end of the fluorescent lamp body FLa. As shown in FIG. 3, a connector CN is connected to the tip of the other first lead wire w1b. The connector C
N is directly connected to the lighting circuit.

(Regarding Heater Wire HW) Heater Wire HW
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, is made of a thin ribbon-shaped stainless steel plate, comes into contact with the outer surface of the translucent discharge vessel 1 of the fluorescent lamp body FLa, and has terminals (not shown) disposed at both ends. , Are insulated from the first lead wires w1a and w1b inside the pair of soft insulating holders SH. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the heater lead hr connected to the terminal is connected to the soft insulating holder S.
It is led out from the side of H.

(Transparent Insulating Tube IT) As shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the translucent insulating tube IT is made of a heat-shrinkable transparent fluororesin tube, and the heater wire HW is connected to the translucent discharge vessel. 1 is fixed so as to be in close contact with the bottom surface.

(Regarding O-Ring R) The O-ring R is formed by molding a transparent silicone resin into a ring shape having a circular cross section. As shown in FIGS. The light-transmitting discharge vessel 1 is mounted on the light-transmitting insulating tube IT.

<Thermosensitive Element SE> In the present embodiment, the thermosensitive element SE includes a thermistor SE1 and a thermal fuse SE2, as shown in FIGS. 3, 9 and 12, each of which has a pair of second lead wires w2. , W2. These heat-sensitive elements SE are respectively provided with a silicone resin spacer 11 and a heat-shrinkable tube 12.
, And is thermally conductively attached to the fluorescent lamp FL.

The silicone resin spacer 11 is formed by molding a transparent silicone resin.
2, a semi-cylindrical concave portion 11a conforming to the shape of the fluorescent lamp FL is provided at the upper part and the thermal element SE is provided at the lower part. The width in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp FL is formed larger than the diameter of the fluorescent lamp FL.

The heat-shrinkable tube 12 is made of a transparent fluororesin, and the recess 11 a of the transparent silicone resin spacer 11 is formed.
The fluorescent lamp FL, the thermistor SE1, and the thermal fuse SE2 are fitted into the fluorescent lamp FL, respectively.
2 are thermally conductive.

<About Flexible Wiring Board FPC>
As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible wiring board FPC is elongated as a whole, has a connection portion 21 branched at one end and is provided with a required printed wiring 22, and is further provided with a support substrate SM described later. Notch 2 for locking
3, 24 and a locking hole 25 are provided.

The connection section 21 has connectors for connecting the printed wiring 22, that is, the fluorescent lamp FL and the temperature fuse SE2 to the lighting circuit, and the thermistor SE1 to the control circuit.

The printed wiring 22 includes a plurality of lead wire connecting portions 2.
2a1 to 22a7 are provided. Lead wire connection 2
One first lead wire w1 connected to the electrode 4a of the fluorescent lamp FL is inserted into 2a1 and connected by soldering. The connection portions 22a2 and 22a7 have heater wires H
The heater leads hr connected to both ends of W are inserted,
Connected by soldering. Connection parts 22a3, 22a4
, Second lead wires w2, w2 connected to both ends of the thermistor SE1 are inserted, soldered and connected. The connecting portions 22a5 and 22a6 have a temperature fuse SE.
The second lead wires w2 and w2 connected to both ends of the second connector 2 are inserted, and connected by soldering.

The notch 23 is formed in the flexible wiring board 22
Are formed on one side edge along the longitudinal direction. Two notches 24 are formed on the other side edge along the longitudinal direction of the flexible wiring board 22 so as to be dispersed.

The locking hole 25 is
Is formed substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction.

<About Supporting Substrate SM> Supporting Substrate SM
Is formed by molding a white polycarbonate resin into an elongated shape bent similar to the shape of the fluorescent lamp FL, and the first wall surface 31 and the first A second wall surface 32 which is continuous at a right angle to the wall surface 31 of the second surface 32, protruding pieces 33 and 34 which are opposed to the second wall surface 32 in parallel with the fluorescent lamp FL interposed therebetween, and a rear side of the second wall surface 32 Locking means 35, 3
6, 37, a mounting portion 38, and an insulating-coated wire holding portion 39.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first wall surface 31 is provided with a thermistor SE which is a thermal element and a thermal fuse SE.
2 are provided with concave portions 31a and 31b, and portions facing the pair of soft insulating holders SH are provided with rising steps 31c and 31d.

The second wall surface 32 extends from one side edge of the first wall surface 31 in both up and down directions in FIG. 3, and cutout portions 32a to 32f are formed in a portion facing the fluorescent lamp FL. Have been. The notch 32a allows the first lead wire w1a of the fluorescent lamp FL to pass through the rear surface of the second wall surface 32. The notch portion 32b allows the heater lead wire hr connected to the terminal of the heater wire HW of the fluorescent lamp FL to pass through the rear surface of the second wall surface 32, and the soft insulating holder SH at one end of the fluorescent lamp FL to the notch portion 32b. To fit. The notch 32c is formed in order to prevent the second wall surface 32 from protruding at a corner as much as possible. Notch 32d is
The second lead wire w2 of the thermistor SE1 is connected to the second wall 3
2 to the back side. The notch 32e allows the second lead wire w2 of the thermal fuse SE2 to pass through the rear surface of the second wall surface 32. The notch 32f prevents the soft insulating holder SH at the other end of the fluorescent lamp FL from coming into contact with the second wall surface 32.

The protruding piece 33 contacts the soft insulating holder SH at one end of the fluorescent lamp FL to limit the movement thereof. The protrusion 34 and the O-ring R mounted on the fluorescent lamp FL
Between the inner wall surface 32 and the inner wall surface 32.

The locking means 35 is formed by a locking groove, and locks the notch 23 formed on one side edge of the flexible wiring board FPC. The locking means 36 is formed by a locking projection and locks the cutout 24 formed on the other side edge of the flexible printed circuit board FPC. The locking means 37 is formed by a locking projection, and locks the locking hole 25 formed in the center of the flexible wiring board FPC in the width direction.

The mounting portions 38 are dispersed at both ends of the support substrate SM, and a pair of them are disposed so as to protrude to the rear side of the support substrate SM.

[0110] The insulation-coated conductor holding portion 39 is provided on the first wall surface 3.
1. In FIG. 1 of FIG.
The other first lead wire w1b is pushed in and supported by the deformation of the insulating coating and the insulating coating wire holding portion.

<Relationship Between Components> The configuration of this embodiment has been described for each component, and the relationship between them will be described below.

1. Connection Between Fluorescent Lamp FL and Flexible Wiring Board FPC The fluorescent lamp FL and the flexible wiring board FPC are connected to the terminals at both ends of the first lead w1a, the second lead w2, and the heater wire HW. A pair of heater leads h
The connection is made by soldering through a small gap by r.

2. Attachment of Fluorescent Lamp FL and Flexible Wiring Board FPC to Support Substrate SM The second wall surface 32 of the support substrate SM is inserted into a slight gap between the fluorescent lamp FL and the flexible wiring board FPC to form a flexible wiring board. The board FPC is provided with the locking means 35, 3
6 and 37, the fluorescent lamp FL
The flexible printed circuit board FPC is supported by the support substrate SM. At one end of the fluorescent lamp FL, the soft insulating holder SH is surrounded by the protruding piece 33, the rising wall 31c of the second wall surface 32 and the first wall surface 31, and the flexible printed circuit board FPC is connected to these members. It is fixed by being locked to a locking means 35 which is arranged in the vicinity. On the other hand, the other end of the fluorescent lamp is free even if the soft insulating holder SH comes into contact with the rising step 31d.

FIG. 14 is an exploded front view showing one embodiment of the vehicle-mounted instrument device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the same.

In each of the figures, reference numeral 41 denotes a fluorescent lamp device;
2 is a light guide, 43 is a display panel. In addition, the illustration of the configuration of the meter driving unit and the like is omitted.

The fluorescent lamp device 41 is shown in FIGS.
Is similar to that shown in FIG.

The light guide 42 is made of a transparent acrylic resin plate and has a substantially trapezoidal shape. Then, the fluorescent lamp device 41 is arranged close to the three sides except the bottom side.

The display panel 43 is disposed on the front surface of the light guide 42 and has respective meter display sections. That is, SM is a speedometer, TM is a tachometer, F
M is a fuel gauge, WTM is a water temperature gauge, and TI is a turn indicator.

Although a front panel and a case are provided in addition to the above configuration, they are not shown.

[0121]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an elongated fluorescent light having a pair of soft insulating holders and a pair of first leads led out via the soft insulating holders at both ends in the longitudinal direction. A lamp, a heat-sensitive element provided with a second lead wire and thermally attached to the fluorescent lamp, and at least one of a pair of first lead wires and a second lead of the fluorescent lamp at positions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. An elongated flexible printed circuit board connected to a wire and extending apart in the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp, and a fluorescent lamp supported by being inserted between the fluorescent lamp and the flexible printed circuit board and locking the flexible printed circuit board With such a support substrate, it is possible to provide a fluorescent lamp device in which the fluorescent lamp is less likely to be damaged by vibration, impact, or thermal stress.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an elongated fluorescent lamp having a pair of soft insulating holders and a pair of lead wires led through the soft insulating holder at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and a fluorescent lamp. At least one of the lead wires is connected, and an elongated flexible wiring board extending while being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp and integrated with the fluorescent lamp, and one end of the fluorescent lamp is fixed via a soft insulating holder. With the other end being free, the fluorescent lamp is flexibly supported, and the supporting substrate for supporting the flexible wiring board is provided, so that the fluorescent lamp is less likely to be damaged due to vibration, impact, and thermal stress. A lamp device can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongated fluorescent lamp having a pair of soft insulating holders and a pair of first lead wires led through the soft insulating holder at both ends in the longitudinal direction. A heat-sensitive element having a second lead wire thermally conductively attached to the fluorescent lamp via a silicone resin spacer at an intermediate portion of the fluorescent lamp, and a pair of first and second fluorescent lamps at a position separated in the longitudinal direction. An elongated flexible wiring board connected to at least one of the first lead wires and the second lead wire and extending apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp; By providing a support substrate for supporting the fluorescent lamp by locking the wiring substrate, it is possible to minimize the damage of the fluorescent lamp due to vibration, impact and thermal stress. Moni, thermally specific variation is reduced relative to the thermal element, moreover it is possible to provide a fluorescent lamp device silicone resin spacer also acts as a spacer to the supporting substrate of the fluorescent lamp.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the front surface of the support substrate constitutes a reflection surface, and the rear surface constitutes a support portion of a flexible wiring board. A fluorescent lamp device having a simple structure for supporting a wiring board can be provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the on-vehicle instrument main body provided with the light guide and the fluorescent lamp device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. It is possible to provide an in-vehicle instrument device having the effects of the fourth to fourth aspects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of a fluorescent lamp device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is also the back

FIG. 3 is also a bottom view

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway longitudinal sectional view showing the fluorescent lamp body.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the same flexible wiring board.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing the same end.

FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away enlarged front view showing the other end portion.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged end view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view taken along line XX of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged end view along the line XI-XI in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged end view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged end view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an exploded front view showing one embodiment of the vehicle-mounted instrument device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Translucent discharge container 12 ... Translucent heat-shrinkable tube 31 ... 1st wall surface 31a ... Depression 31b ... Depression 31c ... Protrusion step 31d ... Protrusion step 32 ... 2nd wall 32a ... Notch Part 32b ... Notch 32c ... Notch 32d ... Notch 32e ... Notch 32f ... Notch 33 ... Protrusion piece 34 ... Protrusion piece 35 ... Locking means 36 ... Locking means 37 ... Locking means 38 ... Mounting part 39 ... Insulating coated wire holding part FL: Fluorescent lamp FLa: Fluorescent lamp body FPC: Flexible wiring board hr: Heater lead wire IT: Transparent insulating coating SE1: Thermistor SE2: Thermal fuse SH: Soft insulating holder w1a: First Lead w1b ... First lead w2 ... Second lead

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light-transmissive discharge vessel, a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface side of the light-transmissive discharge vessel, a discharge medium sealed in the light-transmissive discharge vessel, and a discharge in the light-transmissive discharge vessel. , A pair of soft insulating holders attached to both ends of the translucent discharge vessel, and a pair of first electrodes derived from the electrodes via the soft insulating holder. An elongated fluorescent lamp having a lead wire; a heat-sensitive element thermally conductively attached to the fluorescent lamp at an intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp and having a second lead wire; An elongated flexible wiring board that connects at least one of the pair of first lead wires and the second lead wire at a separated position and extends while being separated from each other along the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp; substrate Fluorescent lamp unit characterized in that it comprises a; as well as interposed, the elongated support substrate for supporting the fluorescent lamp by locking the flexible wiring board between. 2. A light-transmitting discharge container, a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface side of the light-transmitting discharge container, a discharge medium sealed in the light-transmitting discharge container, and a discharge in the light-transmitting discharge container. , A pair of soft insulating holders mounted on both ends of the translucent discharge vessel, and a pair of leads led out from the pair of electrodes via the soft insulating holder. An elongated fluorescent lamp provided with a wire; an elongated flexible wiring board connected to at least one of a pair of lead wires of the fluorescent lamp and extended while being spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp and integrated with the fluorescent lamp; An elongated support substrate that supports the flexible lamp by flexibly supporting the fluorescent lamp by fixing one end of the fluorescent lamp via the soft insulating holder and freeing the other end; Fluorescent lamp unit characterized in that it comprises. 3. A light-transmitting discharge container, a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface side of the light-transmitting discharge container, a discharge medium sealed in the light-transmitting discharge container, and a discharge in the light-transmitting discharge container. , A pair of soft insulating holders attached to both ends of the translucent discharge vessel, and a pair of first electrodes derived from the electrodes via the soft insulating holder. An elongated fluorescent lamp having a lead wire; and a heat-sensitive element having a second lead wire, which is thermally conductively attached to the fluorescent lamp via a silicone resin spacer at a longitudinally intermediate portion of the fluorescent lamp; At least one of a pair of first lead wires and a second lead wire are connected as required at positions separated along the longitudinal direction, and a flexible wiring board extending while being separated along the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent lamp And fireflies Fluorescent lamp unit characterized in that it comprises a; a supporting substrate for supporting the inserted between the lamp and the flexible wiring board. 4. The support substrate according to claim 1, wherein the front surface constitutes a reflection surface facing the fluorescent lamp, and the back surface constitutes a support portion of the flexible wiring board. Fluorescent lamp device. 5. An in-vehicle instrument main body provided with a light guide, and disposed on the in-vehicle instrument main body such that light emitted from a fluorescent lamp enters from a side surface of the light guide. An in-vehicle instrument device, comprising: the fluorescent lamp device according to claim 1.