JP2002270134A - Fluorescent lamp, fluorescent lamp lighting system and luminaire - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a resource-saving fluorescent lamp with the lamp efficiency higher than 1001 m/W, and a fluorescent lamp lighting system and luminaire using the fluorescent lamp. SOLUTION: Both ends of the fluorescent lamp are sealed and a pair of electrodes E1 and E2 are enclosed inside the lamp at both ends. A fluorescent layer 3 is formed on the inner side of a long and narrow translucent discharge housing 1 with the length of the discharge passage being at least 1200 mm and the inner diameter being 20 mm or less, and a lean gas and mercury are enclosed inside the fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamp is structured so that the lamp is lighted with the lamp electric power per unit length of discharge passage being 0.35 W/cm or less. The fluorescent lamp lighting system consists of a step up chopper SUT, a high frequency inverter HFI, and a load circuit LC with a step up type output transformer RT, a current limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor C3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp suitable for high frequency lighting, a fluorescent lamp lighting system using the fluorescent lamp, and a lighting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a rapidly changing office and store,
Demands for lighting such as "more comfortable", "more efficient", and "easier handling" are increasing. To satisfy such demands, fluorescent lamps exclusively for high frequency lighting (for example, FHF32EX type) have been developed. Was done. This fluorescent lamp is configured to be turned on in combination with a high-frequency inverter, and has a high lamp efficiency of 100 lm / W, so that power saving can be achieved. If the pipe diameter is 2
Since it is as small as 5.5 mm, it is possible to reduce the size of the fluorescent lamp itself and the luminaire and save resources. (Prior Art 1) Also, for home lighting fixtures, in order to meet the demand for a comfortable space where the feeling of pressure on the ceiling surface is small, a fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting (for example, FHC34 type, FHF24S) has been developed. This type of fluorescent lamp has a tube diameter of 16.5 mm,
The lamp efficiency is 90 lm / W for the former model and 87 lm / W for the latter model. (Prior art 2) Furthermore, in order to meet the demand for compact base lighting such as base lighting and underground shopping malls and tunnels where brightness is required at high ceilings such as stores and facilities, a high-frequency lighting-only fluorescent lamp with a large discharge path length ( For example, type FHP105) was developed. This type of fluorescent lamp has a U shape with a tube diameter of 17.5 mm and a tube length of 1150 mm, and has a lamp efficiency of 1.
00 lm / W. (Prior art 3)

However, the demand for power saving in recent years has been further developed, and there is a demand for higher efficiency in fluorescent lamps. On the other hand, each of the prior arts 1 to 3 has a lamp efficiency of 100 lm / W or less, and cannot sufficiently meet the above demand.

[0003] Even if only the fluorescent lamp is simply made more efficient, no real power saving will be attained unless the lighting system including lighting devices necessary for lighting the fluorescent lamp is made more efficient. However, the circuit efficiency of the lighting device is closely related to the fluorescent lamp to be used, and greatly changes depending on the matching with the fluorescent lamp.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp having a lamp efficiency higher than 100 lm / W, a fluorescent lamp lighting system using the same, and a lighting device.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent lamp having both ends sealed and a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends thereof, a discharge path length of not less than 1200 mm, and an inner diameter of not less than 1200 mm. An elongated light-transmitting discharge vessel having a length of 20 mm or less; a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface side of the light-transmitting discharge vessel;
And a discharge medium containing a rare gas and pure mercury or amalgam having a vapor pressure characteristic similar to pure mercury enclosed in a light-transmitting discharge vessel. It is characterized in that it is illuminated at 0.35 W / cm or less.

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

<Translucent Discharge Vessel> The translucent discharge vessel has a discharge path length of 1200 mm or more and an inner diameter of 2 mm.
If it is 0 mm or less, its shape is free. For example, straight or U-shaped, three or four U-shaped parts in series,
In addition, it is allowed to have a shape connected in a meandering shape or a shape in which U-shaped portions are equally arranged on the circumference. The “discharge path length” refers to the average length of a discharge path formed along the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel between a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends of the translucent discharge vessel. The measurement standard of the discharge path length at the bent portion of the discharge path depends on the center of the effective light emitting portion. The “inner diameter” refers to the inner diameter of a main part of the translucent discharge vessel. Further, "U-shaped" means that two straight portions are connected by a communication portion,
This means that the discharge path formed as a result is bent so as to be folded, and the two straight portions may be close to each other or may be separated from each other. Therefore, one straight pipe may be bent in the middle, or one end of two straight pipes arranged adjacent and parallel may be connected to each other by a connecting pipe or a blow-off method to form a U-shape. . In addition, the communication portion between the two straight portions is allowed to have a so-called H-shape, U-shape, U-shape, constriction shape, or the like. further,
The communicating portion may have an arbitrary shape such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a teardrop shape in a cross section orthogonal to the internal discharge path.

In the present invention, the reason why the discharge path length of the translucent discharge vessel is specified to be 1200 mm or more is that the ratio of the cathode loss per unit discharge path length is reduced and a high lamp efficiency is obtained, This is because a desired total luminous flux can be obtained in relation to the constituent elements. The discharge path length is
Preferably 2000-4000 mm, optimally 2400
mm ± 10%. In addition, the inner diameter of the translucent discharge vessel is set to 2
The reason for defining the diameter at 0 mm or less is that the power per length is reduced to 0.35 W / cm or less due to the extension of the discharge path length. Therefore, by reducing the surface area, the heat radiation of the fluorescent lamp is suppressed, and the lamp temperature is reduced. This is because the function of increasing the current density to an appropriate value and the characteristic of the fluorescent lamp in which the current density with respect to the sectional area increases. It is also effective to reduce the amount of the constituent materials of the translucent discharge vessel, for example, glass, and the amount of the phosphor used to save resources.

The material of the translucent discharge vessel is not particularly limited as long as it has airtightness, workability and fire resistance, but soft glass generally used for this kind of fluorescent lamp is preferred.

Further, since the fluorescent lamp of the present invention is lit in the low current region, the coldest part of the light-transmitting discharge vessel forms the light-transmitting discharge vessel so as to be formed on the lower surface of the intermediate part. Is good.

The electrodes are disposed near both ends inside the translucent discharge vessel. Further, as the electrode, a filament electrode, a ceramic electrode, or the like can be used. Appropriate means such as a flare stem, a pinch seal stem and a button stem can be used to seal the electrodes at both ends of the translucent discharge vessel. In order to form the coldest part in the middle of the translucent discharge vessel, the electrode height (mount height) is preferably set to about 10 mm from the end of the tube. In the case where the folded portion is formed in the middle of the discharge path, the folded portion can be surrounded by the heat retaining means so as not to be too cold.

<Regarding Phosphor Layer> The phosphor layer is preferably formed of, for example, a three-wavelength light emitting phosphor. Further, the phosphor layer may be formed in direct contact with the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel, or may be formed indirectly via a protective film such as alumina and / or a reflective film such as titanium oxide. . The phosphor used can be arbitrarily selected for its characteristics such as color temperature and color rendering properties according to the purpose of illumination.

<Discharge Medium> The discharge medium contains a rare gas and mercury. The rare gas facilitates the start of discharge of the fluorescent lamp and is used as a buffer gas.
It is sealed in a light-transmissive discharge vessel of about Pa. As the mercury, pure mercury is used, or an amalgam having a vapor pressure characteristic similar to that of pure mercury, for example, Zn-Hg is sealed at a sufficient mercury vapor pressure and an appropriate amount that can be supplied over the lifetime.

<Regarding Lamp Power> Lamp power is power consumed in a fluorescent lamp, and in the present invention, it is configured to light at 0.35 W / cm or less per 1 cm of discharge path length. When the lamp power is described in terms of energy balance, about 25% of the whole becomes visible light and the remaining about 75% becomes heat loss. Further, the heat loss increases the temperature of the tube wall of the translucent discharge vessel, and is further radiated by convection and radiation.

To regulate the lamp power within the above range,
It is sufficient to adjust the current-limiting impedance of the lighting device to be used, but in high-frequency lighting, since anode loss does not substantially occur, high lamp efficiency is obtained, brightness does not flicker, and instant startup is possible. Because
It is preferable to perform high frequency lighting. Therefore, the fluorescent lamp of the present invention is preferably configured as a high-frequency lighting-only type.

<Function of the Present Invention> In the present invention, when the inner diameter of the light-transmitting discharge vessel is 20 mm or less and the discharge path length is 1200 mm or more, the temperature of the coldest part is 45 to 60 ° C. higher than 40 ° C. Sometimes high lamp efficiency can be obtained. The calorific value is proportional to the tube wall temperature, and the lamp current and the tube wall temperature are approximately proportional to each other although they show a slight saturation tendency. Further, regarding the relationship between the lamp current and the lamp efficiency, a high lamp efficiency is obtained in a low lamp current region.

Next, FIGS. 1 to 5 show the results of designing a fluorescent lamp within the above numerical range by discharge simulation. The discharge model used in the discharge simulation is based on Waymouth. The fluorescent lamp obtained by the design has a translucent discharge vessel having an inner diameter of 15.5 mm, a discharge path length of 2400 mm, and a discharge medium of pure mercury and argon of 320 Pa. It has been confirmed by experiments that there is no problem in actual use. Was.

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the coldest part temperature and the lamp efficiency. In the drawing, a curve A shows a case where the lamp current is 170 mA, and a curve B shows a case where the lamp current is 300 mA.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between lamp power and heat value. The calorific value is the calorific value per meter of discharge path length, and was calculated by calculation as 75% of the lamp power.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between lamp current and tube wall temperature.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between lamp current and lamp efficiency.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between lamp power and lamp efficiency.

From the above relationship, if the lamp power per unit discharge path length is 0.35 W or less, the temperature of the coldest part becomes appropriate and high lamp efficiency can be obtained. In the present invention, it is possible to obtain a lamp efficiency of 105 to 110 lm / W. Further, when the lamp power is equal, the luminous efficiency increases as the inner diameter of the translucent discharge vessel decreases.

Further, since the discharge path length is 1200 mm or more, the cathode loss per unit discharge path length is reduced,
The luminous efficiency can be increased accordingly, and a fluorescent lamp with a large total luminous flux can be obtained.

Since the coldest part generates a small amount of heat per unit length of the present fluorescent lamp, when it is provided at the non-discharge part at the end of the light-transmitting discharge vessel, the temperature is significantly reduced. It has been found that it is preferable that the light emitting device be configured so as to be formed in the discharge portion of the optical discharge vessel. For this purpose, for example, the height of the electrode sealed at the end of the translucent discharge vessel is set to 10 m as described above.
m, and when the folded portion is unavoidably formed, the temperature may be prevented from lowering at the folded portion.

In summary, the fluorescent lamp of the present invention has a high lamp efficiency, a large total luminous flux, a small inner diameter of the light-transmitting discharge vessel, and can save resources. It is extremely suitable for lighting of facilities, underground malls, tunnels and the like.

The fluorescent lamp according to the second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention.
In the fluorescent lamp described above, the translucent discharge vessel has a discharge path length of 2400 mm ± 20% and an inner diameter of 15.5 m.
m ± 20%.

According to the present invention, the optimum discharge path length and inner diameter of the translucent discharge container are defined in claim 1. In addition, “± 20%” added after each numerical value
Indicates an allowable design margin.

In the present invention, the discharge path length is 2400 m
m, a fluorescent lamp obtained by using a translucent discharge vessel having an inner diameter of 15.5 mm and enclosing 320 Pa of argon and pure mercury as a rare gas as a discharge medium, a lamp current of 200 mA.
When turned on, lamp voltage 311V, lamp power 6
0.4 W, lamp efficiency 109 lm / W, total luminous flux 6
570 lm are obtained. This data is based on F
Not only does the HF32EX-N fluorescent lamp have more total luminous flux than the two fluorescent lamps, but the lamp power is also lower. In addition, since there is only one lamp, attachment / detachment to the lighting equipment becomes easy, and the cost of the lighting device and the lighting equipment can be reduced. In addition, since the used amount of the phosphor and the glass may be about 40%, it is possible to save the resources of the fluorescent lamp and to reduce the distribution cost.

The fluorescent lamp according to the third aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the invention.
3. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 2, wherein the light-transmissive discharge vessel has one or more folded portions in the middle of the discharge path; Equipped with heat retaining means.

According to the present invention, by forming a folded portion in the middle of the discharge path, the light-transmitting discharge vessel can be made compact. The temperature of the portion is likely to be lower than the optimum value, so that the lamp efficiency is reduced and the rise of the luminous flux is apt to be deteriorated. In addition, when the inner diameter of the translucent discharge vessel is 20 mm or less, the optimum coldest part temperature exceeds 40 ° C., so that the problem is more likely to occur.

Therefore, in the present invention, a heat retaining means is provided at the folded portion of the translucent discharge vessel. As a result, the folded portion can be kept warm, and the temperature of the folded portion can be increased as desired. As a result, if necessary, the coldest part is a part other than the folded part,
For example, it can be formed at an intermediate position between the straight portions. The heat retaining means can be configured to be attached by utilizing the shape of the folded portion of the translucent discharge vessel. As the heat retaining means, for example, a corner portion of the light-transmitting discharge vessel in which the temperature of the folded portion is easily lowered is covered with a synthetic resin molded product, and a slight gap is formed between the inner surface and the outer surface of the folded portion. It is good to be constituted as follows. In this case, if necessary, the through hole communicating the inner space with the outside is formed in the heat retaining means, so that the temperature of the folded portion can be easily adjusted as desired.

Further, if the heat retaining means is mounted by using a relatively high temperature portion adjacent to the folded portion of the translucent discharge vessel, the heat retaining means is heated by heat conduction to increase the heat retaining temperature. Can be. In addition, the heat retaining means can control the temperature of the folded portion as desired through the heat retention irrespective of the position of the coldest part of the translucent discharge vessel.

The folded portion of the translucent discharge vessel may have a structure formed by connecting with a connecting portion at a position slightly receded from the ends of the pair of straight tubes, or the center of one straight tube may be formed. It may be a structure formed by bending.

Further, the fluorescent lamp can be fixed to the lighting equipment by utilizing the heat retaining means. Thereby, the breakage of the fluorescent lamp can be prevented. Further, the heat retaining means can be formed into a shape that can be easily fixed to the lighting equipment.

Further, a part or the whole of the heat retaining means can be formed of a light-transmitting material, for example, a transparent material.
Thereby, the visible light emitted from the folded portion and / or the adjacent portion thereof can be transmitted through the translucent portion of the heat retaining means and used for illumination. Therefore, a decrease in the total luminous flux can be suppressed.

Further, the number of folded portions of the light-transmitting discharge vessel is allowed to be plural on one side. Therefore, when a plurality of folded portions are adjacent to each other, they are collectively combined into a single heat retaining means. Can be configured as However, if necessary, even in this case, an independent heat retaining means can be provided for each folded portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent lamp lighting system, wherein an input terminal is connected between an output terminal of a step-up chopper, a step-up output transformer connected to an output terminal of the high-frequency inverter, a current limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor. A lighting device provided with a load circuit having: a connection circuit connected to a secondary side of an output transformer of a high-frequency inverter in the lighting device, and connected in series with the current-limiting inductance and in parallel with the resonance capacitor. And a fluorescent lamp according to any one of (1) to (3).

According to the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent lamp lighting system suitable for increasing the efficiency of the lighting system and maximizing the luminous flux with respect to the price of the lighting system when using the fluorescent lamp according to claims 1 to 3. It specifies the configuration.

That is, the fluorescent lamps according to claims 1 to 3 are characterized in that the discharge path length is large and the lamp voltage is high because the inner diameter of the translucent discharge vessel is small. Therefore, the lighting device must output a voltage that holds the lamp voltage during lighting of the fluorescent lamp, and further output a starting voltage at the time of starting.

In order to meet the above-mentioned characteristics, the lighting device includes a boost chopper, a high-frequency inverter, and a load circuit having a boost output transformer, a current-limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor.

The step-up chopper can vary the DC output voltage by changing the on-duty of its switching means. However, since the load circuit has a step-up output transformer, it operates with the DC output voltage kept constant. can do. In general, the loss of a step-up chopper increases as the DC output voltage increases.However, the DC output voltage is maintained at a low value close to the set lower limit by assigning the step-up output transformer to perform the step-up operation. Therefore, the loss can be kept at a low value.

As the high-frequency inverter, those of various circuit systems can be adopted, and a half-bridge inverter is particularly advantageous in terms of cost.

Since the load circuit can generate a high voltage at the time of starting and a high output voltage at the time of lighting by the step-up output transformer and the resonance circuit, the fluorescent lamp can be started and lighted satisfactorily. The resonance circuit is
It is constituted by a series circuit part of a current limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor. The resonance capacitor can also serve as a filament heating circuit by connecting it in series with the current limiting inductance via a pair of electrodes or one of the electrodes of the discharge lamp. However, if necessary, the resonance capacitor can be connected between the terminals on the power supply side of the pair of electrodes.

Next, the results of a simulation study of the fluorescent lamp lighting system will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge path length and the lamp efficiency.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge path length and the lamp voltage.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between lamp voltage, loss and circuit efficiency.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge path length and the luminous efficiency and circuit efficiency.

As a result of calculating the lamp efficiency when the discharge path length is changed before and after the fluorescent lamp including the fluorescent lamp designed by the simulation described in claim 1 and the total luminous flux is 6400 lm and the lamp power is 55.56 W as fixed conditions, As shown in FIG. 6, a maximum of about 115 lm / W could be obtained. The discharge path length at this time is about 350 mm
Met. Note that the discharge model used in the simulation is the same as described above.

Furthermore, in order to obtain the lamp voltage value, the main circuit configuration of the lighting circuit device is a resonance load circuit having a boost chopper, a half-bridge type inverter and a boost type output transformer, the input voltage is 100 V DC, and the lighting frequency is 45 kHz. As a result of calculation for a case where a constant was set as shown in FIG. 7, the relationship between the discharge path length and the lamp voltage was almost proportional as shown in FIG.

As a result of calculating the relationship between the lamp voltage, the loss and the circuit efficiency, it was almost constant as shown by the solid line in FIG. Note that a straight line C indicates the loss of the step-up chopper, a straight line D indicates the loss of the high-frequency inverter, a straight line E indicates the sum of the above losses, and a straight line F indicates the circuit efficiency. On the other hand, in the case of a configuration in which a high voltage is obtained only by the boost chopper without including the boost transformer in the load circuit, the loss of the boost chopper increases according to the lamp voltage, as indicated by the dotted line. It is disadvantageous when the voltage is high. Note that the straight line and the curve indicated by the same reference numerals as those of the solid lines with “′” indicate the loss and the circuit efficiency of the components corresponding to the components of the solid line.

FIG. 9 shows the result of calculation of the relationship between the discharge path length and the system efficiency. In the figure,
Curve G is the lamp efficiency of the fluorescent lamp, straight line H is the circuit efficiency of the lighting device, and curve I is the system efficiency. As can be seen from the figure, the lamp efficiency at the peak value is 116.4 lm /.
W, circuit efficiency 95.46%, system efficiency 111.1 l
m / W was obtained. In addition, almost the same result was obtained in an experiment using a prototype lamp.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a fluorescent lamp lighting system in which the system efficiency is substantially constant with respect to the discharge path length and high.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device comprising: a lighting device main body; and the fluorescent lamp lighting system according to the fourth aspect supported by the lighting device main body.

In the present invention, the illuminating device is a broad concept including all devices utilizing the emission of a fluorescent lamp, and includes, for example, a lighting fixture, an image reading device, a display device, an ultraviolet ray generating device, a bulb-type fluorescent lamp and the like. is there.

The lighting device body is the remaining portion of the lighting device excluding the fluorescent lamp lighting system.

[0058]

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

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway front view showing a first embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a translucent discharge vessel, 2 and 2
Denotes a pair of electrodes, 3 denotes a phosphor layer, 4 denotes a base, and 5 denotes a spacer.

The translucent discharge vessel 1 has a tube diameter of 15.5 mm.
The length is such that a discharge path length of 2400 mm can be formed. By connecting at a position slightly retreated from one end of a pair of elongated soft glass tubes to form a folded portion 1d, and sealing the other end, , An elongated U-shaped discharge path is formed inside. And a pair of linear portions 1a,
1a, a communication portion 1b and a flare stem 1c. The pair of straight portions 1a, 1a are arranged close to and parallel to each other, and one end is airtightly closed. Since the communication portion 1b is formed at a position slightly retreated from one end of the straight portion 1a to the other end by a blow-off method, the folded portion 1d formed at one end of the straight portion 1a has an H shape. I have. The flare stem 1c has a pair of straight portions 1a,
1a is sealed at the other end, and a pair of lead wires 1c
1 and a thin tube 1c2. Further, inside the translucent discharge vessel 1, argon 320 is passed through the thin tube 1c2.
A discharge medium composed of Pa and an appropriate amount of pure mercury is sealed.

The pair of electrodes 2 and 2 are formed by applying an electron-emitting substance to a tungsten filament, and have a mount height of 1 between a pair of internal introduction lines 1c1 of the flare stem 1c.
It is connected so as to be 0 mm.

The phosphor layer 3 is mainly composed of a three-wavelength light emitting phosphor, and is attached to a portion of the inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel 1 which mainly faces the discharge path.

The base 4 is mounted on the translucent discharge vessel 1 so as to hold both ends of the translucent discharge vessel 1. 4a is a base pin.

The spacer 5 is inserted between the pair of linear portions 1a, 1a of the translucent discharge vessel 1 to prevent the linear portion 1a from being damaged by vibration or impact.

Thus, the fluorescent lamp has a tube length of 12
With a margin of 00 mm, a lamp current of 200 mA and a lamp power of 60.4 W, a total luminous flux of 6580 lm and a lamp efficiency of 109 lm / W can be obtained.

Hereinafter, second to fifth embodiments of the fluorescent lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway front view showing a second embodiment of the fluorescent lamp according to the present invention.

This embodiment is different in that the translucent discharge vessel 1 is formed by bending a central portion of one glass tube to form a folded portion. For this reason, the folded portion 1d formed at one end of the linear portion 1a is formed in a U-shape.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a wire bulb in a third embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

The present embodiment is different in that the translucent discharge vessel 1 forms a meandering discharge path by connecting four straight portions 1a by three communicating portions 1b. Discharge path length is 2400
mm, but the tube length is more than 600 mm.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a wire bulb in a fourth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

The present embodiment is different in that the translucent discharge vessel 1 forms a meandering discharge path by connecting six linear portions 1a by five communicating portions 1b. Discharge path length is 2400
mm, but the tube length is more than 400 mm.

Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention and its modified example will be shown in FIGS. In the present embodiment, the heat retaining means 6 is provided at the folded portion of the translucent discharge vessel.
Is different.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial sectional front view showing a fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the translucent discharge vessel 1
Has a so-called H-shape.
The heat retaining means 6 is formed by molding a synthetic resin into a cap shape, and partially surrounds the H-shaped folded portion 1d while straddling a part of the communication portion 1b. Further, the inner surface of the heat retaining means 6 is slightly separated from the surface so that a gap g is formed between the inner surface and the surface of the folded portion 1d.

Since the heat retaining means 6 surrounds the folded portion 1d of the translucent discharge vessel 1, the folded portion 1d is kept warm, so that the mercury vapor pressure inside the translucent discharge vessel 1 is maintained. Is easily maintained as high as necessary. The gap g
Is present, good thermal insulation is obtained. Further, since the heat retaining means 6 straddles the communication part 1b, the heat retaining means 6 is heated by heat conduction from the communication part 1b having a relatively high temperature, and the heat retaining effect is improved.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional front view showing a first modification of the fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

This modification is different from the first embodiment in that the heat retaining means 6 is provided with a through hole 6a at its end face. The presence of the through holes 6a makes it easier to control the degree of heat retention to an appropriate range.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged front view of an essential part showing a second modification of the fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

This modification is different from the first embodiment in that at least a part of the heat retaining means 6 is formed of a light transmitting member.
That is, the skirt portion 6b straddling the communication portion 1b of the translucent discharge vessel 1 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin. Thus, the visible light emitted from the folded portion can be prevented from being blocked by the heat retaining means 6 and the reduction of the visible light can be reduced. This modification is particularly effective when there are many portions surrounding the folded portion 1d of the heat retaining means 6.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial sectional front view showing a third modification of the fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

In this modification, the folded portion 1d of the translucent discharge vessel 1 has a U shape formed by bending a glass tube. When the folded portion 1d has such a shape, the temperature of the shoulder is apt to decrease. Therefore, the heat retaining means 6 surrounds the folded portion 1d, particularly around the shoulder.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged front view showing a fourth modification of the fluorescent lamp according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In this modification, the heat retaining means 6 surrounds the folded portion 1d of the translucent discharge vessel 1, particularly the shoulder and the end face, with a light-shielding synthetic resin portion and the other portions 6d.
The difference is that c is formed of a transparent synthetic resin.

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of a fluorescent lamp lighting system according to the present invention.

In the figure, DC is a DC power supply, SUT is a step-up chopper, HFI is a high frequency inverter, LC is a load circuit, and FL is a fluorescent lamp.

The DC power supply DC is obtained by rectifying a commercial AC power supply voltage.

The boost chopper SUT mainly includes an inductor L, a switching means Q1, a diode D and a smoothing capacitor C1. The inductor L is
One end is connected to one pole of the DC power supply DC. The switching means Q1 is connected in series with the inductor L between both poles of the DC power supply DC. The diode D and the smoothing capacitor C1 are connected in series between both ends of the switching means Q1.

Then, in the boost chopper SUT, when the on-time of the switching means Q1 is Ton, the off-time is Toff, the input voltage, that is, the output voltage of the DC power supply DC is Vp, and the output voltage is Vo, Vo = ( Ton + Toff) /
A boosted voltage of Toff can be obtained between both ends of the smoothing capacitor C1.

The high-frequency inverter HFI is composed of a half-bridge type inverter and includes a pair of switching means Q2 and Q3 connected in series to both ends of a smoothing capacitor C1 of a boost chopper SUT. To obtain a high-frequency AC voltage.

The load circuit LC has a DC cut capacitor C
2. Step-up output transformer RT and resonance capacitor C3
And is connected between the output terminals of the high-frequency inverter HFI. DC cut capacitor C2 and primary winding wp of step-up transformer RT are connected to high-frequency inverter HFI
Are connected in series between both ends of the second switching means Q3. The step-up type output transformer RT is composed of a magnetic leakage type transformer, and has a fluorescent lamp FL at both ends of the secondary winding ws.
Of the pair of electrodes E1 and E2 are connected to each other.
The leakage inductance obtained at both ends of the secondary winding ws also serves as a current-limiting inductance. The capacitance of the resonance capacitor C3 is set so as to resonate in series with the leakage inductance, ie, the current-limiting inductance, which is mainly seen from the secondary winding of the step-up output transformer RT, and the pair of electrodes E1, E2 of the fluorescent lamp FL. Are connected between the non-power supply terminals.

As the fluorescent lamp FL, the fluorescent lamps shown in FIGS. 10 to 18 are used.

Thus, in this embodiment, the DC voltage of the DC power supply DC is boosted by the boost chopper SUT, input to the high-frequency inverter HFI, converted into a high-frequency voltage, and output to the load circuit LC. In the load circuit LC, since the DC cut capacitor C2 cuts the DC component flowing from the high-frequency inverter into the load circuit LC, only the high-frequency AC voltage is applied to the primary winding wp of the step-up output transformer RT of the load circuit LC. Is applied, the voltage is increased according to the turn ratio, and applied between the pair of electrodes of the fluorescent lamp FL. Before the starting of the fluorescent lamp FL, at this time, the leakage inductance of the step-up type output transformer RT, that is, the current limiting inductance, and the resonance capacitor C3 resonate in series, so that a high voltage necessary for starting is applied between the pair of electrodes of the fluorescent lamp FL. Is applied to facilitate start-up. Also,
At this time, the pair of electrodes E1 and E2 are sufficiently heated by the resonance current. When the fluorescent lamp FL is turned on, the voltage between the pair of electrodes E1, E drops to the lamp voltage.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a ceiling-mounted fluorescent lamp apparatus as one embodiment of the lighting apparatus of the present invention.

In the figure, 11 is a lighting fixture body, and 12 is a fluorescent lamp.

The lighting fixture body 11 has a trough structure, and contains a lighting device inside. The outer surface of the lighting device main body 11 is coated with white paint to be a reflective surface, and has a lamp socket 11 at one end in the longitudinal direction.
a, and a lamp holder 11b is provided on the other end side.

The fluorescent lamp 12 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is used, the base of which is mounted on the lamp socket 11a and the portion near the longitudinal end is supported by the lamp holder 11b. It is mounted on the apparatus main body 11.

[0099]

According to each of the first to third aspects of the present invention, both ends are sealed and a pair of electrodes are sealed at both ends, and the elongated transparent member having a discharge path length of 1200 mm or more and an inner diameter of 20 mm or less is provided. A phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface side of the light discharge vessel, and a rare gas and mercury are sealed inside,
By being configured to operate at a lamp power per unit discharge path length of 0.35 W / cm or less, 100
having a higher lamp efficiency than lm / W,
A fluorescent lamp that saves resources can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the fact that the discharge path length of the translucent discharge vessel is 2400 mm ± 20% and the inner diameter is 15.5 mm ± 20%, the FHF3
Although the total luminous flux is larger than the two 2EX-N fluorescent lamps, the lamp power is low, and the use of only one lamp facilitates attachment / detachment, and the cost of the lighting device and the lighting equipment can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to provide a fluorescent lamp in which the amount of phosphor and glass used is small and resource and resource costs of the fluorescent lamp are reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the provision of the heat retaining means at the folded portion of the light-transmitting discharge vessel, the folded portion can be kept warm. Fluorescent lamps can be provided with increased height.

According to the invention of claim 4, a boost chopper whose input terminal is connected between the DC output terminals of the rectifier means, a high-frequency inverter whose input terminal is connected between the output terminals of the boost chopper, and an output terminal of the high-frequency inverter. A lighting device having a load circuit having a step-up output transformer connected thereto, a current limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor, and a lighting device connected to the secondary side of the output transformer of the high-frequency inverter; The provision of the fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3 connected in parallel with the capacitor has the effects of claims 1 to 3, and the system efficiency is reduced with respect to the discharge path length. An almost constant and high fluorescent lamp lighting system can be provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a lighting device having the effects of the first to fourth aspects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the coldest part temperature and lamp efficiency.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a relationship between lamp power and heat value.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between lamp current and tube wall temperature.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between lamp current and lamp efficiency.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between lamp power and lamp efficiency.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between discharge path length and lamp efficiency.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a relationship between a discharge path length and a lamp voltage.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between lamp voltage, loss, and circuit efficiency.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between a discharge path length and luminous efficiency and circuit efficiency.

FIG. 10 is a partially cut-away partial cross-sectional front view showing the first embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view, partly cut away and partially sectioned, showing a second embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a wire bulb in a third embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a wire bulb in a fourth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial sectional front view showing a fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial sectional front view showing a first modification of the fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged front view showing a second modified example of the fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial sectional front view showing a third modified example of the fluorescent lamp according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged front view showing a fourth modification of the fluorescent lamp according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of a fluorescent lamp lighting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a ceiling-mounted fluorescent lamp apparatus as an embodiment of the lighting apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Translucent discharge container 1a ... Linear part 1b ... Communication part 1c ... Flare stem 1c1 ... Introductory line 1c2 ... Narrow tube 1d ... Folding part 2 ... Electrode 3 ... Phosphor layer 5 ... Spacer 4 ... Base 4a ... Base pin

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (72) Inventor Yuji Takahashi 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Litec Corporation (72) Inventor Hideo Kozuka 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. Toshiba Litec Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3K072 AA02 BA05 BC02 BC03 CA16 DB03 DD04 GB12 GC04 HA10 5C039 HH03 HH05 HH11 5C043 AA02 CC09 CD10 DD01 EA01 EC01

Claims (5)

[Claims] An elongated light-transmitting discharge vessel having both ends sealed and a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends thereof, and having a discharge path length of 1200 mm or more and an inner diameter of 20 mm or less; A phosphor layer formed on the inner surface side of the transparent discharge vessel; a rare gas and pure mercury enclosed in the translucent discharge vessel or a discharge medium containing amalgam having similar vapor pressure characteristics to pure mercury; And a lamp configured to be operated at a lamp power per unit discharge path length of 0.35 W / cm or less. 2. The translucent discharge vessel has a discharge path length of 2400 m.
2. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein m ± 20% and the inner diameter is 15.5 mm ± 20%. 3. The light-transmissive discharge vessel has at least one folded portion in the middle of the discharge path; the heat-insulating insulation disposed outside the light-transmissive discharge vessel near the folded portion of the discharge path. 3. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, further comprising means. 4. A rectifier having an AC input terminal connected to a low-frequency AC power supply, a step-up chopper having an input terminal connected between DC output terminals of the rectifier, a high-frequency inverter having an input terminal connected between output terminals of the step-up chopper, A lighting device having a step-up output transformer connected to the output terminal of the high-frequency inverter and a load circuit having a current-limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor; and a lighting device connected to the secondary side of the output transformer of the high-frequency inverter in the lighting device. 4. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, which is connected in series with the current inductance and in parallel with the resonance capacitor;
A fluorescent lamp lighting system comprising: 5. A lighting device comprising: a lighting device main body; and the fluorescent lamp lighting system according to claim 4 supported by the lighting device main body.