JP2002260884A - Decorative illumination - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a decorative illumination that has a simple structure and can maintain illumination effect even if the decorating lamp has failed. SOLUTION: The cable 11 of conductive part is connected wound in spiral form to the lead wire 2 from the power source and a part or whole of the lead wires 8 that are connected to the filament 6 of a decorating lamp 1. Thereby, the filament 6 and the cable are connected in parallel, thus the illumination effect of the other decorating lamp 1 is secured even if the filament 6 is broken.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to decorative lighting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a decorative lamp in which decorative bulbs are connected in series cannot be used as illumination because if the decorative bulb breaks down in some way, such as a disconnection, the other decorative bulbs are extinguished at the same time. . Then, if one decorative bulb fails, it becomes impossible to determine which bulb has failed. Therefore, instead of connecting decorative lamps in series, after connecting several decorative lamps in parallel and connecting them in series, even if one decorative lamp fails, current to other decorative lamps is secured. Some can be used as decorative lighting. In addition, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 11-50997
As shown in FIG. 4, in the decorative lighting connected in series, the switching means by the back-to-back zener diodes are connected in parallel to each of the decorative bulbs, and when the bulb fails, a current automatically flows to the diode side, Some can be used as decorative lighting.

[0003]

However, when several decorative bulbs are connected in parallel and then connected in series, the length of the conductor connecting them is increased, and at the same time, more conductors are required. In addition, in the case of using a back-to-back zener diode switching means, the cost of the zener diode is increased, so that inexpensive decorative lighting may be expensive.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a decorative lighting device having a simple structure and capable of maintaining a lighting effect even if a decorative light bulb fails.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems, Functions and Effects In order to solve the above problems, the first structure of the decorative lighting of the present invention is as follows.
A filament that generates light by passing an electric current;
A bulb covering the filament, a decorative bulb including a lead wire electrically connected to the filament, a lead wire that connects a plurality of decorative bulbs in series, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the decorative bulb. , Is provided with a conductive portion between both ends of the filament and electrically connected in parallel with the filament.

The conductive part is connected in parallel with the filament. As a result, even if the filament is cut, the current flows on the conductive portion side, and the current to another decorative bulb can be secured, so that the decorative lighting can secure the lighting effect.

Further, in the decorative lighting, the conductive portion is an electric wire, and the electric wire has an electric resistance equal to or higher than that of the filament. The electric wire is always applied in synchronization with the filament.

[0008] The electric wire, which is the conductive portion, has a higher resistance value than the filament. The electric wire is always applied.
As a result, a large amount of current flows to the side of the filament having a small resistance, thereby enabling transmission with a small loss.

In the decorative lighting, the conductive portion is an electric wire, and the electric wire is wound around the outer periphery of the lead wire, and is provided so as to connect the lead wires.

[0010] The electric wire is wound around the lead wire to connect the lead wires. This allows
A part of the lead wire connected to the electric wire and the filament serving as the conductive portion becomes a resistor, and a large amount of current flows to the filament side.

As described above, since the decorative light bulb has the conductive portion connected in parallel with the filament, even when a failure such as the filament being broken occurs, the current flows on the electric wire side to prevent the lighting from being cut off. . In addition, since the conductive portion is wound around the lead wire, parallel connection can be made compactly and inexpensively. And, since the structure is simple, it is possible to manufacture without requiring advanced knowledge.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view of a decorative lighting 50 in which decorative bulbs 1 are connected in series. The decorative lighting 50 includes a decorative bulb 1 and a lead 2 connecting them,
A control circuit 3 for changing a lighting effect and an outlet 4 for securing power are provided. The decorative bulb 1 will be described later. The conductor 2 is made of copper or the like, which has a high electric conductivity and is inexpensive. The conductive wire 2 is covered with, for example, a synthetic resin or the like except for a portion necessary for preventing short circuit. However, the conducting wire 2 has a thickness that can be freely bent, and it is easy to attach the conducting wire 2 to a Christmas tree or many other places where decoration is desired. Although not shown, the decorative lighting 50 can produce not only a ring-shaped structure but also a different lighting effect by using several types of decorative bulbs 1 by using a straight line or several times the conducting wire 2. Become.

The control circuit 3 uses an electric signal to light or blink the decorative bulb 1. Although the internal configuration of the control circuit 3 will not be described, a signal example thereof is, for example, a button 5 attached to the upper surface of the control circuit 3.
Each time is pressed, a lighting effect in the order of lighting → flashing every 0.5 seconds → flashing every 1 second → flashing every 2 seconds → flashing every 3 seconds → lighting is provided. The outlet 4 secures electric power, and its shape differs depending on the place where it is used. Therefore, a conversion connector or the like (not shown) may be used. The decorative lighting 50 is used in alternating current, for the purpose of extending the life of the electric bulb, and has a life twice as long as that of direct current.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the decorative light bulb 1. The decorative bulb 1 includes a filament 6, a bulb 7 covering the filament 6, a lead wire 8 connected to the filament 6,
An insulator 9 for isolating the lead wire 8 is provided. The filament 6 generates light by passing an electric current in the bulb 7, and is made of a metal having high heat resistance such as tungsten, for example, in a coil shape. In this embodiment, the filament 6 connects the lead wire 8 at the shortest distance.
The variety is abundant. Mainly, the voltage, current, brightness, and life of the filament 6 are determined by its length and diameter.
Further, the shape of the valve 7 is determined by the size of the valve 7.
Although not shown, an anchor for supporting the filament 6 is attached to improve vibration resistance and impact resistance. The life of the filament 6 is longer as the power consumption is higher and the brightness is lower, that is, the efficiency is lower.
The higher the current value and the lower the brightness, the better.

The life of the decorative bulb 1 depends on the evaporation of the filament 6 when the lamp is lit in a stationary state. However, the life of the filament 6 may be due to factors other than evaporation. It is called filament notching. Filament notching is
Stepwise or saw-tooth irregularities appear on the surface of the filament 6 during the use process. In the case of lighting by AC, it appears on a part of the surface of the temperature gradient, and in the case of lighting by DC, it appears on the entire surface and reduces the diameter of the filament 6 non-uniformly. As a result, the thinned portion of the filament 6 becomes abnormally high in temperature, so that the portion is evaporated and the life is shortened. Therefore, the filament 6 having a small diameter is particularly affected.

The bulb 7 is made of a transparent and heat-resistant material such as glass, and most of them are made of soft glass (softening point around 600 ° C.). The bulb 7 is not limited to be transparent, but can be made more beautiful and brighter with a mood by coating and depositing various colors on the surface and inside, or by using colored glass or the like. The lower part of the valve 7 has a thickness to improve its strength.

The lead wire 8 is made of, for example, copper, which has a high electrical conductivity and is inexpensive, like the conductive wire 2. In particular,
An iron or nickel alloy coated with copper or plated with nickel is used. Insulator 9 is lead wire 8
Is provided so as not to cause a short circuit. The insulator 9 is made of a material that can be insulated and has heat resistance, such as ceramics such as pottery, synthetic resin, and non-conductive metal.

Although not shown, the interior of the decorative light bulb 1 is evacuated by removing air to suppress the evaporation of the tungsten filament 6 during lighting. Also,
Some of them are filled with an inert gas (argon, krypton, xenon, etc.) and have a longer life, while others have a higher filament 6 temperature. By the way, when the decorative bulb 1 is used in a high temperature state, gas is generated from the glass, and the life is shortened due to the influence of the gas. In this case, it is necessary to devise to avoid the high temperature state or to increase the glass ball diameter.However, in this embodiment, since there are many uses outdoors at night where the high temperature state is difficult, the countermeasure is not necessary much. Not be.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a process of manufacturing the decorative lighting of the present invention. First, the conducting wire 2 and the lead wire 8 are connected by the connecting member 10. The connecting member 10 can be freely used, for example, a metal having a low melting point such as solder, a thin metal flat plate wound around the conductive wire 2 and the lead wire 8 and then crimped. In the case where the connecting member 10 is not provided, the conductor 2 and the lead 8 may be substituted by twisting them so as not to separate them.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a manufacturing process of the decorative lighting 50 of the present invention following FIG. After the conducting wire 2 and the lead wire 8 are connected by the connecting member 10, the electric wire 11 serving as a conductive portion is spirally wound around a part or the whole of the conducting wire 2 and the lead wire 8. The electric wire 11 has a higher resistance than the filament 6, and therefore, when connected in parallel, a large amount of current flows on the filament 6 side. The winding method of the electric wire 11 is free, such as manual winding or mechanical winding, and the winding shape is not limited to the above-mentioned spiral, and it is also possible to wind the electric wire 11 in a figure-eight shape around two conductive wires or lead wires. is there.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a manufacturing process of the decorative lighting 50 of the present invention following FIG. Cover member 12 is decorative bulb 1
It is set at a position where it passes through the decorative bulb 1 from the side and covers the conducting wire 2 and the lead wire 8 and a part of the decorative bulb 1. The cover member 12 which covers the lead wire 8 and the lead wire 2 and the connecting member 10 and a part of the decorative bulb 1 is made of, for example, heat-shrinkable plastic. The shape is desirably tubular. In addition, it has a diameter that allows it to pass through at least the outer periphery of the decorative bulb 1. Further, it has a length sufficient to cover at least a part of the lead wire 8, the conductive wire 2, and the decorative bulb 1.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the connection process of the decorative lighting 50 of the present invention. After the cover member 12 is set at a position where the cover member 12 covers the conducting wire 2, the lead wire 8, and a part of the decorative light bulb 1, the heat W is applied and contracts. The heat W has a heat amount enough to shrink the cover member 12 and is a temperature at which the cover member 12 does not melt. The heat W may be an easily available heat source such as a hair dryer, or a simple and safe heat source.

In this manner, the connection and coating of one decorative bulb 1 are completed. The decorative bulbs 1 are connected to the conductor 2
, The decorative lighting 50 is completed. In this decorative lighting 50, even if one decorative bulb 1 is broken due to some failure and no current flows through the filament 6, current flows through the conducting wire 2 and the lead wire 8 via the electric wire 11 connected in parallel. Thereby, the current of the other decorative bulbs 1 is secured, and the lighting effect of the decorative lighting 50 is secured.

Next, a modification of the present invention is shown in FIG. The decorative bulb 20 of this modification uses a conductive member that melts at a relatively low temperature, such as the solder 13, instead of the electric wire 1 that is the conductive portion. As the conductive member 13, a solder having a higher resistance than the filament is used.
Further, in the case of the solder 13, using the solder 13 used when connecting the conductive wire 2 and the lead wire 8,
It is also possible to form a conductive part at the same time as connecting the conducting wire 2 and the lead wire 8.

Next, a modification of the present invention is shown in FIG. The decorative bulb 30 of this modification uses a conductive plate such as a thin metal plate 14 instead of the electric wire 11 as a conductive portion. As the metal plate 14 as the conductive plate, a metal plate having a higher resistance value than the filament 6 is used. As with solder,
The metal plate 14 can also be configured so that the metal plate used when connecting the conductive wire 2 and the lead wire 8 also serves as a conductive portion.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The present invention is not limited to this, and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be appropriately added without departing from the scope described in each claim.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a decorative illumination as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the decorative light bulb as the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection process of the decorative bulb.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a connection process of the decorative bulb following FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a process of connecting the decorative bulb following FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a connection process of the decorative bulb following FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of connecting a decorative bulb which is a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a process of connecting a decorative bulb as a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Decorative bulb 2 Lead wire 6 Filament 8 Lead wire 11 Electric wire 13 Conductive member 14 Conductive plate 50 Decorative lighting

Claims (4)

[Claims] A plurality of decorative bulbs each including a filament that generates light by passing an electric current, a bulb that covers the filament, and a lead wire that is electrically connected to the filament; And a power supply unit for supplying power to the decorative bulb, comprising a conductive portion electrically connected in parallel with the filament between both ends of the filament. Decorative lighting. 2. The decorative lighting device according to claim 1, wherein in the decorative lighting device, the conductive portion is an electric wire, and the electric wire has an electric resistance equal to or higher than that of the filament. 3. The decorative lighting device according to claim 1, wherein in the decorative lighting device, the conductive portion is an electric wire, and the electric wire is constantly applied in synchronization with the filament. 4. The decorative lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion is an electric wire, and the electric wire is wound around an outer periphery of the lead wire and provided so as to connect the leads. Decorative lighting.