JP2002260582A - Fluorescent lamp and compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluorescent lamp and a compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp in which a light flux quickly rises at start-up. SOLUTION: A fluorescent lamp 1 comprises tubules 4 sealed to at least one ends of bent bulbs 10, 11, 12, and 13. Main amalgams 5 are housed in the tubules 4 so as to be arranged to correspond to the bent bulbs 10, 11, 12, and 13. Auxiliary amalgams 6 are so sealed to bulb end sides 10b, 11a, 12a, and 13a as to be arranged corresponding to the bent bulbs 10, 11, 12, and 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp having a plurality of bulbs formed in a U-shape and a bulb-type fluorescent lamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fluorescent lamp of this type has a long discharge path formed by communicating a plurality of U-shaped bulbs, and a pair of filament electrodes is sealed at both ends thereof. It is made compact by using it and is used for a compact fluorescent lamp. BACKGROUND ART In recent years, bulb-type fluorescent lamps have become widespread in place of general incandescent bulbs because of their small size, high light output, and power saving.

However, the bulb-type fluorescent lamp has a small bulb diameter, and when a large amount of power is input to the fluorescent lamp, the load on the bulb wall of the bulb tends to increase. Therefore, it is necessary to control the mercury vapor pressure in the bulb to an appropriate range. is there. Also, if the discharge path is long and the diffusion of mercury in the bulb is slow at startup, the rise time of the luminous flux will be long, so the rate of rise of the mercury vapor pressure in the bulb should be increased, that is, the rise of the luminous flux should be made faster. It has been demanded.

[0004] In order to control the mercury vapor pressure in the valve within an appropriate range, a main amalgam is disposed at the end of the valve.
The provision of an auxiliary amalgam in a valve is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-47995 (prior art). This prior art fluorescent lamp is shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a development view of the fluorescent lamp 50.
The fluorescent lamp 50 includes three U-shaped bulbs 51a, 51.
b, 51c are formed by joining the end portions to each other.
The U-shaped valves 51a, 51b, 51c are connected to the communicating portion 52,
One discharge path is formed as a whole by communicating with each other through 52. Electrode mounts 53, 53 are sealed at one end of the U-shaped valves 51a, 51c located at both ends, respectively.
3 and 53 are provided with filament electrodes 54 and 54, respectively.

A U-shaped valve 51b located in the middle
A stem having no electrode, that is, a dummy stem 55 is sealed to one end of the dummy stem 55, and a thin tube 56 projecting outward is connected to the dummy stem 55. A main amalgam 57 is accommodated in the small tube 56, and the inside of the small tube 56 and the inside of the U-shaped valve 51b are communicated. Further, the dummy stem 55 has a support wire 5
An auxiliary amalgam 59 is welded to the support wire 58. And auxiliary amalgam 59
Is disposed further on the top (bent portion) side than the communication portion 52 in the U-shaped bulb 51b, and is located in an arc (sunlight) region during lighting.

The main amalgam 5 housed in the capillary 56
7 is located outside the end of the U-shaped bulb 51b, so that the temperature does not rise excessively during operation and the mercury vapor pressure during operation is controlled to an optimum state. Since the auxiliary amalgam 59 is provided in the arc region in the middle U-shaped valve 51b, the auxiliary amalgam 59 is heated by receiving the heat of the arc at the time of starting, the temperature rises quickly, and mercury is immediately released, and the mercury vapor is released. It is easy to diffuse over the entire discharge space. As a result, the rising time of the luminous flux of the fluorescent lamp 50 is shortened.

[0008]

In the prior art, at the time of starting,
Since the mercury released from the auxiliary amalgam 59 diffuses into the entire area of the U-shaped bulbs 51a and 51c located at both ends, it takes time to diffuse the mercury vapor over the entire discharge space, and the fluorescent light is emitted. There is a disadvantage that the light flux of the lamp 50 does not rise quickly.

In order to improve the rising of the luminous flux of the fluorescent lamp 50, U-shaped bulbs 51 located at both ends are used.
It is conceivable to provide an auxiliary amalgam at the ends of the a and 51c.
No. 147995. The main amalgam and the auxiliary amalgam of this fluorescent lamp are provided near the respective electrodes of the U-shaped bulbs 51a and 51c located at both ends, and only another auxiliary amalgam is provided in the U-shaped bulb 51b located in the middle. . However, when the fluorescent lamp is turned off, the U-shaped bulbs 51a, 51b, 51c
Is absorbed by the main amalgams of the U-shaped valves 51a and 51c located at both ends having relatively low mercury vapor pressure characteristics, so that the auxiliary amalgam disposed in the U-shaped valve 51b located in the middle is absorbed by the auxiliary amalgam. Mercury is not easily absorbed. As a result, at the time of restart, the amount of mercury released from the middle auxiliary amalgam is small, so that the U-shaped valve 51b
Is relatively dark, and has a drawback that unevenness in brightness occurs at the rise of the light flux.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a fluorescent lamp and a bulb-type fluorescent lamp in which the luminous flux rises quickly upon starting.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent lamp in which at least one bent bulb having a U-shaped top is disposed at both ends in a pair and in the middle. An arc tube connected to each other to form one discharge path; a pair of filament electrodes respectively sealed on the non-connection end sides of the bent bulbs at both ends of the arc tube; A capillary tube sealed at at least one end; a main amalgam housed in the capillary tube so as to be disposed corresponding to each of the bent valves; disposed corresponding to each of the bent valves. The auxiliary amalgam sealed at the end of the bent bulb, a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface of the arc tube, and a discharge medium sealed in the arc tube. I do.

The U-shape means a shape in which the discharge path is bent, and includes not only a curved top but also a square shape and a joint shape.

Of the U-shaped bent valves, 2
The bulb is a pair of bulbs having a communicating part formed at one end and a filament electrode sealed at the other end to constitute both ends of the fluorescent lamp. A communication part is formed on the part side.

The tubule may be sealed at one or the other end of each bent valve, or may be sealed at both ends. Further, it may be extended (positioned) outward or inward from the end.

[0015] Therefore, "so that the main amalgam is arranged corresponding to each of the bent valves" means that at least one or both of the thin tubes sealed to the bent valves are used for each bent valve. It means that amalgam is contained.

Similarly, "so that the auxiliary amalgam is disposed corresponding to each of the bent valves" means that for each bent valve, the auxiliary amalgam is provided on at least one or both ends of the bent valve. Means sealed.

That is, each bent valve is provided with a main amalgam and an auxiliary amalgam.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the fluorescent lamp is started, mercury is released from each auxiliary amalgam provided in each bent bulb, and the mercury only needs to diffuse into at least one bent bulb. Therefore, the rising speed of the mercury vapor pressure of the arc tube is fast, and the rise of the luminous flux is quickened. Then, when the fluorescent lamp is turned off, the mercury is moved to the main amalgam provided in each bent valve, and during the movement of the mercury, each auxiliary amalgam adsorbs a large amount of mercury in a short time. Therefore, even at the time of restart, the light flux rises quickly, and uneven brightness is less likely to occur.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fluorescent lamp according to the first aspect, the auxiliary amalgam comprises:
The thin tube containing the main amalgam is sealed at the sealed end.

The main amalgam and the auxiliary amalgam may be arranged at least on the same end side of the bending valve arranged in the middle.

The suspended mercury (mercury vapor) in the bent bulb during operation is adsorbed by the main amalgam and the auxiliary amalgam when the lamp is turned off. At this time, the more mercury adsorbed on the auxiliary amalgam, the greater the amount of mercury released from the auxiliary amalgam during startup, and the faster the rise of the luminous flux.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the fluorescent lamp is turned off, the auxiliary amalgam is positioned while the floating mercury in the bent bulb moves to the main amalgam, so that the floating mercury is easily adsorbed to the auxiliary amalgam. Therefore, when the fluorescent lamp is started, mercury is more easily released than the auxiliary amalgam.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to the first or second aspect, a lighting circuit for lighting the fluorescent lamp, and a base which can be attached to a bulb socket at one end. And a cover for supporting both ends of the fluorescent lamp at the other end, and a cover containing a lighting circuit therein.

The bulb-type fluorescent lamp may have a glove containing the fluorescent lamp mounted on the other end of the cover. Even if gloves are worn, the influence on mercury release and adsorption by the main and auxiliary amalgams is small.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at the time of starting, mercury is released from each of the auxiliary amalgams disposed in each of the bent bulbs, and excess mercury in the arc tube after starting is sealed in each of the bent bulbs. Since the fluorescent lamps are provided to be absorbed by the main amalgam in each of the small tubes, a light-bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp can be provided in which the luminous flux rises quickly upon starting.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a development view and a partially cutaway sectional view of a fluorescent lamp showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

The fluorescent lamp 1 includes an arc tube 2, a pair of filament electrodes 3, 3, a thin tube 4, a main amalgam 5, auxiliary amalgams 6, 7, a phosphor layer 8, and a discharge medium 9.

The arc tube 2 includes a bent bulb 10 made of glass,
11, 12, and 13 are provided at both ends in pairs and two in the middle. And the bending valves 10, 11, 1
2 and 13 are such that the tops 10c, 11c, 12c and 13c are U
The pipes 10A, 10A are formed in the shape of a letter,
B, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B
Is formed. The end 10b of the tube 10B, the end 11a of the tube 11A, and the end 1 of the tube 11B.
1b and the end 12a of the tube 12A,
The communicating portions 14 that communicate with each other are connected to the end portion 12b of the 2B and the end portion 13a of the tube 13A, respectively.
The arc tube 2 has one discharge path 15 formed therein.

A pair of filament electrodes 3 and 3 are sealed on the end 10a of the tube 10A and the end 13b of the tube 13B, respectively. That is, the pair of filament electrodes 3, 3 are sealed on the non-connection end sides of the communicating portions 14, 14 of the bent bulbs 10, 13, which form both ends of the arc tube 2, respectively. The pair of filament electrodes 3, 3 are disposed between the wells 16, 16, respectively. The pinch seal portions 17, 17, which pinch seal the wells 16, 16, respectively, enable the end 10a of the tubular body 10A and the pinch seal portions 17, 17 to close. The end 13b of the tube 13B is sealed.

Then, each of the bent valves 10, 11, 12,
13 is one end side 10b, 11a, 12
a, 13a so as to extend outwardly from the thin tubes 4,.
Is sealed. That is, the thin tubes 4,..., 4 are connected to the pinch seal portions 18,.
b, end 11a of tube 11A, end 1 of tube 12A
2a and the end 13a of the tube 13A are sealed.

The thin tubes 4,..., 4 are connected to one end 4a,.
a is chipped off, and through holes (not shown) are formed in the other end portions 4b,..., 4b.
, 4 and the insides of the bent valves 10, 11, 12, 13 are in communication. The thin tubes 4,..., 4 exhaust the inside of each of the bent valves 10, 11, 12, and 13. After the exhaust, the one end portions 4a,. Further, the thin tubes 4,...
It is also used to blow through to form

The amalgams 5,..., 5 are accommodated in the capillaries 4,. The main amalgams 5,..., 5 are made of, for example, bismuth (Bi) -indium (In) -mercury (Hg) amalgam. This amalgam has a low mercury vapor pressure,
…, Release mercury immediately even at a low temperature of 4. And
The mercury released from the main amalgams 5,..., 5 diffuses into the bent valves 10, 11, 12, 13 from through holes (not shown). And each bending valve 10,11,1
Excess mercury in the holes 2, 13 moves from the through holes to the small tubes 4,..., 4 and is absorbed by the main amalgams 5,. Also,
When the fluorescent lamp 1 is turned off, the mercury in each of the bent bulbs 10, 11, 12, 13 moves from the through hole to the thin tubes 4,..., 4 and is absorbed by the main amalgams 5,.

The thin tubes 4,..., 4 are connected to the other end 4b,
, 4b, the inside diameter is reduced. That is, the inner diameter of the thin tubes 4,..., 4 of the other end portions 4b,..., 4b is formed smaller than the maximum particle size of the main amalgams 5,. , 1
Positions (fixed) outside 1, 12, and 13. This allows the main amalgams 5,..., 5 to bend the bulbs 10, 11, 1 regardless of the lighting direction of the fluorescent lamp 1.
2 and 13 can be located outside, so that the thermal effect due to the discharge is reduced and the bent valves 10, 11, 1
It is easy to control the mercury vapor pressure in 2 and 13.

The auxiliary amalgam 6 is located between the wells 16 of the tube 10A and the wells 16 of the tube 13B in the vicinity of the filament electrodes 3 and 3, respectively.
6 are provided. In addition, the end side 11b of the tube body 11B
The end side 12b of the tube body 12B is sealed with pinch seal portions 22, 22, and support wires 23, 23 are implanted in the pinch seal portions 22, 22, respectively.
Auxiliary amalgams 7, 7 are arranged on the tip side of 3, 23. The auxiliary amalgam 7, 7 is disposed in the middle of the discharge path 15 on the top 11c, 12c side with respect to the communicating portions 14, 14.

The auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 and the auxiliary amalgams 7, 7 are made of indium (I) on a metal plate such as a SUS plate.
n) is applied, and mercury in the arc tube 2 is absorbed to form amalgam. The auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 are heated by the heat generated by the filament electrodes 3, 3 to release mercury. Then, the auxiliary amalgam 7, 7 is heated by the heat generated by the discharge of the pair of filament electrodes 3, 3 formed in the discharge path 15, and emits mercury. Then, when the fluorescent lamp 1 is turned off, the mercury in the arc tube 2 is adsorbed by the auxiliary amalgam 6, 6 or the auxiliary amalgam 7, 7.

As described above, each bent valve 10, 1
1, 12 and 13 are provided with a main amalgam 5 and an auxiliary amalgam 6 or an auxiliary amalgam 7, respectively. That is, the main amalgam 5 is arranged so as to correspond to each of the bent valves 10, 11, 12, and 13.
And auxiliary amalgams 6 and 7 are provided. Therefore, the bent bulbs 11 and 12 disposed in the middle of the arc tube 2
In the bending valve 11, the main amalgam 5 is connected to the tube 1
The auxiliary amalgam 7 may be provided on the tube 11A side on the 1B side, and similarly, the bent valve 12 may be provided with the main amalgam 5 on the tube body 12B side and the auxiliary amalgam 7 on the tube body 12A side.

Then, each of the bent valves 10, 11, 12,
13 has an end face 10a, 10b, 11
Except for the end faces of the a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b and the communicating portions 14, 14, 14, the phosphor layers 8,..., 8 are formed. The phosphor layers 8, ..., 8
It emits visible light in response to ultraviolet rays emitted from mercury ions by discharge. In addition, each bending valve 10,
A rare gas 2 such as argon is provided inside 11, 12, and 13.
A discharge medium 9 made of zero or a predetermined amount of mercury 21 is sealed.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

When the fluorescent lamp 1 is supplied with power by a lighting device (not shown), a discharge is formed in the discharge path 15 between the pair of filament electrodes 3 and 3 to light the lamp. That is, the arc tube 2 discharges and emits light by the preheating of the filament electrodes 3 and the high-frequency power applied between the filament electrodes 3. As a result, mercury 2 sealed in the arc tube 2
1, auxiliary amalgams 6,6, auxiliary amalgams 7,7 and main amalgams 5, ..., accommodated in capillaries 4, ..., 4
5 evaporates the mercury from each of the bent valves 10, 11, 1
The bent valves 10, 11, 12, and 13 are maintained at a predetermined vapor pressure after a predetermined time.

At the time of starting, since the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 are disposed near the filament electrodes 3, 3, the auxiliary amalgams 6, 2 are immediately heated by the heat generated by the filament electrodes 3, 3 to release a large amount of mercury. The mercury released from the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 is converted into mercury vapor from the inside of the tube 10A.
B and from the tube 13B to the tube 13A. Further, since the auxiliary amalgam 7, 7 is located in the middle of the discharge path 15 where the discharge by the pair of filament electrodes 3, 3 is formed, it is easily heated by the discharge. As a result, the auxiliary amalgam 7, 7 immediately releases a large amount of mercury. Mercury released from the auxiliary amalgams 7, 7 is diffused as mercury vapor from the inside of the tube 11B into the tube 11A and from the tube 12B into the tube 12A.

Since the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 and the auxiliary amalgams 7, 7 are arranged in correspondence with the respective bent valves 10, 11, 12, 13, the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6, 7, 7 are discharged from the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6, 7, 7. If the mercury diffused into at least the respective bent bulbs 10, 11, 12, and 13, the arc tube 2 is filled with the diffused mercury.
That is, the diffusion distance of mercury released from the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 and the auxiliary amalgams 7, 7 is short, and the arc tube 2
Since the inside is immediately filled with mercury vapor, the rising speed of the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 increases. As a result, the light flux of the fluorescent lamp 1 rises quickly.

Since a large amount of mercury is immediately released from the auxiliary amalgams 6 and 6 and the auxiliary amalgams 7 and 7, after starting, the mercury vapor is excessive in the arc tube 2 and the mercury vapor pressure is high. . If the mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 is excessive, the light output from the arc tube 2 will be considerably lower than a predetermined value. Each of the thin tubes 4,...
End portions 10b, 11a, 12 of 0, 11, 12, 13
a, 13a.
The main amalgam 5, housed in the capillaries 4, ..., 4
, 5 are relatively lower than the temperature of the arc tube 2. Therefore, the excess mercury vapor in the arc tube 2
It moves into the small tubes 4.

After starting, the excess mercury vapor in the arc tube 2
By moving in each of the bent valves 10, 11, 12, and 13, it penetrates into the small tubes 4,..., 4 through through holes (not shown) provided at one end sides 4b,. Adsorbed on the main amalgams 5, ..., 5. Then, as time passes, the excess mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 decreases, and after a predetermined time, the inside of the arc tube 2 is maintained at a predetermined vapor pressure. As a result, the lamp characteristics of the fluorescent lamp 1 are stabilized, and
A predetermined value of light output is produced from the arc tube 2.

Since the main amalgams 5,..., 5 are arranged corresponding to the respective bent valves 10, 11, 12, 13, each excess amalgam in each bent valve 10, 11, 12, 13 is formed. Mercury vapor is supplied to each bent valve 10,1
Main amalgams 5, ..., 1,2,13
5 easy to be adsorbed.

When the fluorescent lamp 1 is turned off, the mercury vapor in each of the bent valves 10, 11, 12, and 13 moves to and is absorbed by the main amalgams 5,. A large amount of amalgam is adsorbed on amalgams 6, 6, 7, 7 to form amalgam. In addition, mercury adheres to the inner walls of the bent valves 10, 11, 12, and 13 as mercury. The auxiliary amalgams 6, 6, 7, 7 are fluorescent lamps 1
Since a large amount of mercury is adsorbed when the light is turned off, the light beam rises quickly at the time of restart. In addition, since all of the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6, 7, and 7 adsorb a large amount of mercury, uneven brightness at the rising of the luminous flux is prevented.

As described above, when the fluorescent lamp 1 is started,
Mercury is released from the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6, 7, 7 provided corresponding to each of the bending valves 10, 11, 12, 13, and the mercury is discharged to the corresponding bending valve 1 respectively.
0, 11, 12 and 13 so that the arc tube 2
Of the mercury vapor pressure is increased, and the rise of the luminous flux can be accelerated. In addition, mercury is supplied to each of the bending valves 10, 1
Since the light is uniformly diffused into the inside of the bent valves 10, 12, and 13, unevenness in brightness is hardly generated in each of the bent valves 10, 11, 12, and 13.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a fluorescent lamp showing a second embodiment of the present invention and a schematic front view seen through an arc tube. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The fluorescent lamp 23 shown in FIG. 2 is different from the fluorescent lamp 1 shown in FIG. 1 in that auxiliary amalgams 6, 6, 7, and 7 are used.
In which the main tubes amalgam 5,..., 5 are accommodated, are sealed at the ends 10a, 11a, 12b, 13b of the bent valves 10, 11, 12, 13 in which. It is. That is, in FIG. 1, the thin tubes 4, 4 are attached to pinch seal portions 17, 17 sealing the end 10 a of the tube 10 A and the end 13 b of the tube 13 B, respectively.
Are connected, and the thin tube 4 is connected to a pinch seal portion 22 which seals the end portion 12b of the tube 12B. Also,
A support wire 23a is implanted in a pinch seal portion 18 that seals an end portion 11a of the tube body 11A, and an auxiliary amalgam 7 is provided at a tip end of the support wire 23a. Tubes 11A, 1 of bent bulbs 11, 12 arranged in the middle of the arc tube 2
Support wire 23 implanted on end side 11a, 12b of 2B
a, 23a connect the auxiliary amalgam 7, 7 to the tube 11A, 1
It is bent in the middle for installation in the center of 2B. In this way, the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 and the auxiliary amalgams 7, 7 are composed of the ends 10a, 11a, 1 to which the capillaries 4, ..., 4 containing the main amalgams 5, ..., 5 are sealed.
2b and 13b are respectively sealed.

The main amalgam 5 and the auxiliary amalgam 7 provided corresponding to the bending valve 11 may be provided not on the tube 11A but on the tube 11B. Similarly, the main amalgam 5 and the auxiliary amalgam 7 provided corresponding to the bending valve 12 may be provided not on the tube 12B side but on the tube 12A side.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

Immediately after the fluorescent lamp 23 is turned off, the temperature of the arc tube 2 is high. On the other hand, the thin tubes 4,.
End portions 10a, 11a, 12 of 0, 11, 12, 13
b, 13b are provided even if they extend outward.
The main amalgam 5, housed in the capillaries 4, ..., 4
, 5 are considerably lower than the temperature of the arc tube 2. As a result, the mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 is inevitably reduced to the thin tubes 4,.
Move into 4.

Then, the mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 easily moves in the direction of the thin tube 4 having a low temperature. Since the temperature of the arc tube 2 is high, the mercury vapor consequently moves to the narrow tube 4 which is closer in distance. For example, the mercury vapor in the tube 10A is in the thin tube 4 sealed at the end 10a, and the mercury in the tube 10B, the tube 11A and the tube 11B is in the thin tube 4 sealed at the end 11a. , Mercury in the tube 12A, the tube 12B and the tube 13A is transferred to the thin tube 4 sealed at the end 12b.
The mercury vapor in the tube 13A easily moves to each of the thin tubes 4 sealed at the end 13b.

Then, a large amount of mercury vapor is supplied to the small tubes 4,.
On the way to 4, the auxiliary amalgam 6,6
Or it passes through the auxiliary amalgam 7,7. At this time, the auxiliary amalgam 6,6 or the auxiliary amalgam 7,7 absorbs mercury vapor to form amalgam. That is, a large amount of amalgam is formed in the auxiliary amalgam 6, 6 or the auxiliary amalgam 7, 7 by disposing the auxiliary amalgam 6, 6 or the auxiliary amalgam 7, 7 during the movement of the mercury vapor.

When the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 and the auxiliary amalgams 7, 7 absorb a mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 to form a large amount of amalgam when the fluorescent lamp 23 is turned off, the auxiliary amalgams 6 and 6 are activated at the time of start-up (when restarted). ) Can release a large amount of mercury. As a result, at the time of starting, the rising speed of the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 is increased, and the rising of the luminous flux of the fluorescent lamp 23 can be accelerated.

In the fluorescent lamp 23 shown in FIG. 2 (the same applies to the fluorescent lamp 1 shown in FIG. 1).
The thin tubes 4,... 4 are each bent valve 10, 11, 12, 13
Suffices if they are respectively sealed to at least one end. Therefore, each bent valve 10, 11, 12, 13
Among them, the thin tubes 4, 4 may be sealed at both ends with respect to all or at least one bent valve. In this case, the main amalgam 5 may be accommodated in both the small tubes 4. If the number of main amalgams 5 is large, it is easy to adsorb mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 or release mercury vapor into the arc tube 2 because of the large number, so the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 is controlled. It's easy to do. Further, since the mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 is easily adsorbed, the luminous flux can be quickly stabilized after starting.

In the first and second embodiments, the arc tube 2 has the two bent bulbs 11 and 12 disposed in the middle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At least one bulb is disposed in the middle. It just needs to be set up. That is, in a fluorescent lamp having no bent bulb in the middle, the length of the discharge path 15 formed between the pair of filament electrodes 3 is generally small. Release and adsorption are easily performed immediately, and the effect of the present invention does not significantly work.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of a light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 and the parts corresponding to the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The compact fluorescent lamp 24 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a fluorescent lamp 25, a cover 27 having a base 26 at one end, a lighting circuit 28 housed in the cover 27, and the like.

The fluorescent lamp 25 is formed as shown in FIG.
Is arranged. That is, in the fluorescent lamp 1 shown in FIG. 1, the bent bulb 12 is removed, and the arc tube 2 has a pair of bent bulbs 10 and 13 at both end sides, and one in the middle.
The bent valve 11 is provided. And
The fluorescent lamp 24 includes three bent bulbs 10, 11, and 13.
Are arranged so as to form a substantially equilateral triangle and are made compact. The fluorescent lamp 25 is provided with the bent bulbs 10 and 1.
A protective film 29 is formed on the inner surfaces of the first and the first 13, and the phosphor layer 8 is formed on the protective film 29. The protective film 29 is made of, for example, alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) and prevents mercury ions from dissolving into the bent valves 10, 11, and 13. And each end side 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 13a, 1 of each bending valve 10,11,13
3b is supported by a partition plate 30 as a support.

The cover 27 is made of a heat-resistant polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin, has a base 26 at one end, and has a partition plate 30 as a supporting portion on which the fluorescent lamp 25 is supported at the other end. And this partition plate 3
0 is fixed by a thermosetting adhesive (not shown).
The base 26 is a base that can be attached to, for example, an E26 type bulb socket. The partition plate 30 as a support portion is provided at each end side 10a, 1 of each of the bent valves 10, 11, 13.
0b, 11a, 11b, 13a, 13b are passed through through holes (not shown), and these end portions 10a, 10b, 11
a, 11b, 13a and 13b are fixed by a thermosetting adhesive. The cover 27 has a lighting circuit 2 inside.
8 are accommodated.

The lighting circuit 28 comprises a well-known circuit in which electronic components such as a transistor 32, an electrolytic capacitor 33 and a film capacitor 34 are mounted on a circuit board 31 made of PBT resin. And the circuit board 3
1 is attached to an inner wall of the cover 27 by an adhesive or a screw or the like on a mounting plate 35 fixed to the inner wall of the cover 27 by an adhesive or the like. The lighting circuit 28 is electrically connected to the base 26 and the filament electrodes 3 and 3 of the fluorescent lamp 25 by lead wires 36 and the like. Lights up.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

When the lighting circuit 28 is supplied with power via the base 26, the lighting circuit 28 outputs high-frequency power and applies it between the filament electrodes 3 and 3 of the fluorescent lamp 24. Then, a discharge is formed in the discharge path 15 between the filament electrodes 3, 3, the fluorescent lamp 25 is started, and the mercury 2 adhering to the inner walls of the bent bulbs 10, 11, 13 is formed.
1 evaporates, and mercury evaporates from the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 and 7. Visible light is emitted from the phosphor layer 8 by these mercury emission lines, and emitted from the arc tube 2 to the outside.

At start-up, a large amount of mercury is immediately released from the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6 and 7,
The mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 rises rapidly. As a result,
The light beam rises quickly. And the thin tube 4,
The main amalgams 5, ..., 5 housed in ..., 4 are:
Excess mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 is adsorbed. Since the main amalgams 5,..., 5 are disposed in each of the bent valves 10, 11, 13, the excess mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 is immediately adsorbed by the main amalgams 5,. . As a result, the luminous flux is quickly stabilized after the start. The fluorescent lamp 25 maintains the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 at a predetermined vapor pressure, stabilizes the lamp characteristics, and emits stable visible light from the arc tube 2. That is, the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 24
After lighting, a predetermined brightness can be obtained in a short time after lighting, and the brightness becomes constant.

When the fluorescent lamp 25 is turned off, the mercury vapor in each of the bent bulbs 10, 11, and 13 is adsorbed by the main amalgams 5,... Is formed. Further, a part of the mercury vapor is supplied to each of the bending valves 10 and 1.
It adheres as mercury to the inner walls of 1,13.

As described above, the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 24
During start-up, mercury is released from the auxiliary amalgams 6, 6, 7 disposed in the respective bent valves 10, 11, 13 and excessive mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 after the start is discharged. , 5 in the capillaries 4,..., 4 sealed to the tubes 4, 11, 13 are provided with the fluorescent lamps 25, respectively. And a stable brightness can be obtained.

In the first to third embodiments,
The same operation and effect can be obtained even if the arc tube is formed by making one bulb into a saddle type.

[0072]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the fluorescent lamp is started, mercury is released from each auxiliary amalgam disposed in each bent bulb, and the mercury diffuses into at least one bent bulb. Therefore, the rising speed of the mercury vapor pressure of the arc tube becomes faster, and the rising of the luminous flux can be made faster. In addition, when the fluorescent lamp is turned off, each auxiliary amalgam adsorbs a large amount of mercury in a short time, so that the rising of the luminous flux can be sped up even at the time of restart, and the brightness does not easily become uneven.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the fluorescent lamp is turned off, the auxiliary amalgam is positioned while the mercury vapor in the bent bulb moves to the main amalgam. Occasionally, greater amounts of mercury can be released than auxiliary amalgam.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at the time of starting, mercury is released from each of the auxiliary amalgams disposed in each of the bent bulbs, and excess mercury in the arc tube after starting is sealed in each of the bent bulbs. Since the main amalgam in the thin tube is provided with a fluorescent lamp to which the main amalgam is adsorbed, it is possible to provide a bulb-type fluorescent lamp in which the light flux rises quickly at startup and the light flux is immediately stabilized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a development view and a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of a fluorescent lamp showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a development view of a fluorescent lamp showing a second embodiment of the present invention and a schematic front view seen through an arc tube.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of a light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a development view of a conventional fluorescent lamp.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 23, 25 Fluorescent lamp 2 Arc tube 3 Filament electrode 4 Thin tube 5 Small amalgam 6, 7 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ········································································································································································ ............ Lighting circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] At least one bent valve having a U-shaped top is disposed at both ends in a pair and in the middle, and is connected to each other to form one discharge path. A pair of filament electrodes respectively sealed on the non-connection end sides of the bent bulbs on both ends of the arc tube; a thin tube sealed on at least one end of each bent bulb; Main amalgam contained within the capillary tube so as to be disposed corresponding to each of the following: an auxiliary amalgam sealed at the end of the bent valve so as to be disposed corresponding to each of the bent valves And a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface of the arc tube; and a discharge medium sealed in the arc tube. 2. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary amalgam is sealed at an end where a thin tube containing the main amalgam is sealed. 3. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein:
A lighting circuit for illuminating the fluorescent lamp; having a base on one end side that can be attached to a light bulb socket, a support portion for supporting both ends of the fluorescent lamp on the other end side, and a lighting circuit housed therein. A fluorescent lamp comprising: a light-emitting fluorescent lamp;