JP2003303575A - Electrodeless discharge lamp and electrodeless discharge lamp system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the brightness even when an electrodeless lamp including amalgam in an air release pipe is operated at low temperatures. <P>SOLUTION: Amalgam 3 is accommodated in the air release pipe 2 of this electrodeless discharge lamp, and the electrodeless discharge lamp is operated in a state of placing a cover 1 on the air release pipe 2. By placing the cover 1 on the air release pipe 2, amalgam 3 is kept warm, whereby the brightness can be obtained even when the circumferential temperature of a lighting fixture provided with the electrodeless discharge lamp is low. As the cover 1 can be fixed to the air release pipe 2 by an adhesive, it can be easily mounted and replaced. The brightness at low temperatures can be improved by placing the cover 1 on the air release pipe 2, and combining a proper power source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the efficient use of energy in electrodeless discharge lamps. In particular,
The present invention relates to improvement of brightness at low temperature by disposing a cover on an exhaust pipe of an electrodeless discharge lamp containing an amalgam in the exhaust pipe and effectively utilizing lamp energy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of an electrodeless discharge lamp by thermal coupling with an amalgam is disclosed in JP-A-11-191398. 7 to 10 are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-1913.
It is the figure disclosed by 98. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. The disclosed electric lamp assembly is provided with an electrodeless discharge lamp 10 having a lamp envelope 12 filled with a filling material for supporting a low pressure discharge. This electrodeless discharge lamp 10 has an amalgam 104 installed in a lamp envelope 12. In addition, the transformer core 2 is placed close to the lamp envelope 12.
2, 24 are provided. Furthermore, high frequency source (RF source)
In order to receive high frequency energy from the transformer cores 22 and 24, input windings 30 and 32 are provided to receive high frequency energy from the lamp core 20.
The low-voltage discharge is generated therein.

Thermal coupling is provided between the transformer core 22 and the amalgam 104 so that the amalgam 104 is heated by the transformer core 22 during operation. This thermal coupling is realized by surrounding the exhaust pipe 72 with the tab 90. The tab 90 is welded to the iron core arena 80. Therefore, the heat from the transformer core 22 is conducted to the tub 90, and the heat from the tub 90 heats the amalgam 104 in the exhaust pipe 72. In this way, a thermal bond is formed. Iron core arenas 80 and 82,
The leaf springs 86 and 88 integrally hold individual iron cores. By providing the mounting holes 84 in the iron core arenas 80, 82, the iron core arenas 80, 82 are threaded and screwed to the lighting fixture. However, this method is difficult and time-consuming to process, and the transformer core 2
Since the heat from 2 is difficult to be transmitted, only a low total luminous flux was obtained.

[0004]

In the prior art, the processing is difficult and time-consuming, and the transformer iron core 22 is used at low temperatures.
Since it has a drawback that heat from is difficult to be transmitted, only a low total luminous flux can be obtained at a low temperature.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure of an electrodeless discharge lamp which provides a high total luminous flux at low temperature.

[0006]

An electrodeless discharge lamp according to the present invention is characterized by comprising an arc tube containing an amalgam and an arc tube having a cover for covering the exhaust tube.

The electrodeless discharge lamp has at least two exhaust pipes, at least one of which has an amalgam inserted therein, and each of the at least two exhaust pipes has:
It is characterized in that it is covered by the cover.

The cover is characterized in that it is made of either silicone rubber or silicone foam material.

The cover is characterized in that it has any one of a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a cylindrical shape, and a U shape.

The height of the cover (the length in the direction in which the exhaust pipe projects from the electrodeless discharge lamp) is 10 mm (mm) or more and 20 mm or less, and the width (the length perpendicular to the height). ), But more than 8 mm 20
It is characterized by being either less than or equal to mm and less than or equal to 8 phi (φ) and less than or equal to 20 phi.

The exhaust pipe is characterized by having a constricted portion.

The cover is characterized by being made of a material having a heat retaining property.

An electrodeless discharge lamp system according to the present invention is an electrodeless discharge lamp system having an electrodeless discharge lamp and a power source for supplying electric power to the electrodeless discharge lamp, wherein the electrodeless discharge lamp is an amalgam. And an arc tube having a cover for covering the exhaust pipe, wherein the power source has a power supply value greater than the standard value of the power supply set for the electrodeless discharge lamp. It is characterized by supplying.

The electrodeless discharge lamp is a 100 watt standard, and the power source supplies 85 watts (W) to 140 watts to the 100 watt standard electrodeless discharge lamp. And

The electrodeless discharge lamp system further comprises a container in which the electrodeless discharge lamp is arranged, and the temperature inside the container is maintained at -40 ° C or higher.

The above-mentioned container is characterized by having a volume of 90 liters or less.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view including a portion of an exhaust pipe of an electrodeless discharge lamp, showing a state in which a cover 1 is attached to an exhaust pipe 2. The amalgam 3 is housed in the exhaust pipe 2. The exhaust pipe 2 is entirely covered with a cover 1. By disposing the cover 1 on the exhaust pipe 2, the amalgam is kept warm during the operation of the electrodeless discharge lamp (at the time of lighting). Cover 1
Are bonded and fixed to the exhaust pipe 2 with an adhesive. Therefore, the cover 1 can be easily attached and replaced.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a concrete example of the cover 1 shown in FIG. (A) is an example of a rectangular type,
(B) is an example of a cylindrical shape, and (c) is an example of a U-shape. Further, (a) to (c) respectively, perspective views,
And the figure of the direction seen from each of A, B, and C is shown. Although (a) is an example of a rectangular parallelepiped type, it may be a dice shape (cube shape). Furthermore, the above is an example, and the cover 1 may have a shape other than the above. Further, the portion into which the exhaust pipe 2 is inserted may be a cylindrical hole (pipe type) or may be a notch with a cross. It is sufficient that the exhaust pipe 2 can be inserted.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a lighting fixture (lighting device) to which an electrodeless discharge lamp having a cover on an exhaust pipe is attached. In the electrodeless discharge lamp 4 of FIG. 3, an exhaust pipe 2 containing an amalgam 3 is covered with a cover 1,
Further, the exhaust pipe 2 not containing the other amalgam is also covered with the cover 1. The cover 1 is bonded and fixed with a silicon bond (an example of an adhesive). The cover 1 is attached to the exhaust pipe 2 of the electrodeless discharge lamp 4 to keep the exhaust pipe 2 warm.
By keeping the temperature of the exhaust pipe 2, the amalgam 3 capable of obtaining a constant total luminous flux is included in the exhaust pipe 2. The cover 1 is attached to all the exhaust pipes 2 of the electrodeless discharge lamp 4 regardless of whether the amalgam 3 is inserted in the exhaust pipe 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrodeless discharge lamp and the power source, which is also installed in the electrodeless discharge lamp system shown in FIG. The power source is shown in Figure 3.
Not explicitly stated. In the configuration of FIG. 4, 100 watt type (100 watt standard) electrodeless discharge lamps 4 and 15 are used.
A configuration in which a 0 watt type high frequency source (RF source) 6 is combined is shown. Such an electrodeless discharge lamp 4 and R
By configuring with F source 6, the ambient temperature minus 4
The heat generation of the lamp can be promoted at 0 ° C (-40 ° C). Further, the combination of the electrodeless discharge lamp 4 and the RF source 6 shown in FIG. 4 is installed in the electrodeless discharge lamp system shown in FIG. 3 to raise the coldest point temperature of the lamp to obtain brightness. I am trying.

When the electrodeless discharge lamp is arranged in the lighting equipment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the following effects are produced. The electrodeless discharge lamp is a 100 watt type, tubular, closed-loop contour and has a transformer for supplying energy to the exhaust tube and the arc tube. High frequency energy from the RF source 6 is inductively coupled to the electrodeless discharge lamp by the transformer. By covering the exhaust pipe 2 with the cover 1, heat energy is inductively coupled from the transformer to the electrodeless discharge lamp and heat energy of visible light emitted from ultraviolet rays from the arc tube causes heat conduction to the exhaust pipe, resulting in amalgam. The heat is transmitted to. At this time, heat is kept warm by covering the exhaust pipe of the arc tube. In addition, the lighting equipment is in a sealed state. The closed state is closed by covering with a lid made of glass or the like.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration of the electrodeless discharge lamp system, the electrodeless discharge lamp is provided with the exhaust pipe having the amalgam, and by covering the exhaust pipe, the amalgam is kept warm by the cover during the operation. It is possible to expand the range of input power of the electrode discharge lamp. In addition, heat generation is promoted by the increase in energy of the electrodeless discharge lamp, the temperature of the amalgam is raised, and the electrodeless discharge lamp and the power supply are incorporated into the lighting fixture, and the sealed state is obtained, whereby the electrodeless discharge lamp is cooled the most. The point was kept at 40 ° C. or higher at low temperature. Therefore, even when the ambient temperature of the lighting fixture is low, the temperature of the electrodeless discharge lamp itself is kept at 40 ° C. or higher.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the exhaust pipe 2 is provided with a constriction. By providing the exhaust pipe 2 with a constriction, the cover 1 is less likely to come off. Further, the example of the exhaust pipe 2 shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and the exhaust pipe 2 having a shape other than this may be used.

[0024]

EXAMPLES Example 1. Relative light output was measured using the electrodeless discharge lamp system shown in FIGS. The luminaire has a part of the container in which the electrodeless discharge lamp is installed.
The capacity of the luminaire is approximately 35 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 39 or approximately 4
The case of 8 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 86 was set. The volume of the lighting equipment means the volume of the container portion. The lighting equipment was in a sealed state. The closed state is set by covering the lighting fixture with a lid (using a lid made of glass).
The electrodeless discharge lamp used was a 100 watt type. As a power source (RF source), either a 100 watt type or a 150 watt type was used. The power source 100 watt type can supply power of about 85 watts. Moreover, the power source 150 watt type can supply power of about 140 watts. An electrodeless discharge lamp system was constructed by combining a lighting fixture, an electrodeless discharge lamp, and a power source, and the relationship between ambient temperature and brightness (relative light output) was measured. The ambient temperature indicates the temperature around the lighting equipment, that is, the temperature outside the lighting equipment.

An electrodeless discharge lamp system was set in which a 100-watt type electrodeless discharge lamp with a cover on an exhaust pipe and a 150-watt type RF source were arranged in a lighting fixture of about 35 to 39 liters (l). When this electrodeless discharge lamp system operates, the ambient temperature is -40 ° C,
Due to self-heating of the arc tube, heat was conducted, the coldest spot temperature was raised moderately, and the total luminous flux reached a range where brightness of about 90% of the relative value was obtained.

An electrodeless discharge lamp system in which a 100-watt type electrodeless discharge lamp having a cover on an exhaust pipe and a 150-watt type RF source are arranged in a lighting fixture of about 48 to 86 liters (1) is set. did. When this electrodeless discharge lamp system operates, the ambient temperature is -20.
At the temperature of ℃, heat conduction was caused by self-heating of the arc tube, the coldest spot temperature was raised moderately, and the total luminous flux reached a range where brightness of about 90% of the relative value was obtained.

From the above results, in a configuration of a 100 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp and a 150 watt type RF source, about 130 watts of electric power is supplied from the RF source to the arc tube and the ambient temperature is -40 ° C. It is considered that the state is the same as when a heater of about 30 watts is added to the watt type electrodeless discharge lamp.

Example 2. The basic configuration of the electrodeless lamp system is the same as in Example 1 except for the following points. About 3
In a 5 to 39 liter (l) luminaire, a 100 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp with a cover on an exhaust pipe and a 150 watt type RF source are arranged, and an ambient temperature is in a range of about -40 ° C to 30 ° C. Was measured at each ambient temperature. At an ambient temperature of -40 ° C, the amalgam temperature reaches about 55 ° C to 65 ° C, and the coldest spot temperature is about 30 ° C to 40 ° C.
℃ was reached. At an ambient temperature of 30 ° C, the amalgam temperature reached about 120 ° C-130 ° C. As a result, the total luminous flux reaches about 86 to 92% of the maximum value at low temperature.

A 100 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp with a cover and a 150 watt type RF source are arranged in a luminaire of about 48 to 86 liters (1), and the ambient temperature is about -20 ° C to 50 ° C. Measurements were taken at each ambient temperature over the range. At an ambient temperature of -20 ° C, the amalgam temperature reaches about 55 ° C to 60 ° C and the coldest spot temperature is about 30 ° C.
Reached -40 ° C. At an ambient temperature of 50 ° C, the amalgam temperature reached about 120 ° C-130 ° C. As a result, the relative total luminous flux can reach about 86 to 92% of the maximum value at a low temperature.

FIG. 6 shows the relative total luminous flux with respect to the ambient temperature. Curve 1 (solid line) has a cover to the exhaust pipe, 100
7 shows the results of an electrodeless discharge lamp system using a watt type electrodeless discharge lamp, a 150 watt type RF source, a luminaire with a volume of about 35 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 39. Curve 2
(Dotted line) is a cover for the exhaust pipe, a 100 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp, a 150 watt type RF source, a lighting fixture of about 48 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 86, and a cover, 150
7 shows the results for a watt type electrodeless discharge lamp, a 150 watt type RF source, a luminaire with about 35 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 39. Curve 3 (dashed line) shows a covered, 150 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp, a 150 watt type RF source, a luminaire with about 48 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 86.

The exhaust pipe is covered (covered), 100 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp, 150 watt type R
In the case of an electrodeless discharge lamp system of a combination of F source and 35 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 39 (curve 1 in FIG. 6),
Brightness is obtained at an ambient temperature of -40 ° C (relative light output is 9
0% or more).

Covering the exhaust pipe, a 100 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp, a 150 watt type RF source, an electrodeless discharge lamp system of a combination of luminaires having a volume of about 48 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 86, or to the exhaust pipe Covered, 150 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp, 150 watt type R
In the case of the powerless discharge lamp system of the combination of the F source and the luminaire of about 35 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 39 (curve 2 in FIG. 6), the brightness is obtained at the ambient temperature −20 ° C. (relative light output is 90% that's all).

Further, by covering the exhaust pipe, a 150 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp and a 150 watt type RF
In the case of an electrodeless discharge lamp system with a combination of luminaires of the source, about 35 ≦ volume 1 ≦ 39 (curve 3 in FIG. 6), brightness was obtained above 20 ° C. ambient temperature.

In the above embodiment, the size of the cover is
A cylindrical cover having a diameter of 20 mm (mm) and a length of 20 mm (mm) (an example of FIG. 2B), a diameter of 8 mm (mm), and a length of 20 mm (m).
m) of the bowl shape (an example of FIG. 2C). There was no big difference due to the difference in the size of the two covers.

Example 3. Using the same lighting device as in Example 1, the relationship between the capacity of the lighting fixture and the electrodeless discharge lamp was investigated by measuring the relative brightness. Lighting equipment shall be sealed. The ambient temperature was -20 ° C. The electrodeless discharge lamp system of the combination of the following (1) to (3) was set and measured. The exhaust pipes of the electrodeless discharge lamp were all covered. (1) Lighting fixture capacity is 35.5 liters (l), RF
A combination of a 150 watt type source and a 150 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp. (2) The capacity of the lighting equipment is 86.6 liters (l), RF
A combination of a 150 watt type source and a 150 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp. (3) The capacity of the lighting equipment is 86.6 liters (l), RF
A combination of a 150 watt type source and a 100 watt type electrodeless discharge lamp.

As a result of the measurement, in the combination of (1) above, a relative brightness of about 100% was obtained. With the combination of (3) above, a relative brightness of about 98% was obtained. However, with the combination of (2) above, only about 30% brightness was obtained.

From the above results, it was found that brightness can be obtained even at low temperatures due to the relationship between the capacity of the lighting equipment and the wattage (watt type) of the electrodeless discharge lamp.
Therefore, the capacity of the luminaire is about 90 liters or less,
If the electrodeless discharge lamp is a 100 watt type, relative brightness can be obtained.

[0038]

According to the state of the art, since heat from the transformer core is difficult to be transferred at low temperatures, in an electrodeless discharge lamp with a low total luminous flux, the workability is improved by covering the exhaust pipe of the electrodeless discharge lamp. Improve the electrodeless discharge lamp and RF
The source and the lamp were housed in the luminaire to expand the range of input power of the electrodeless discharge lamp. By this, heat generation is promoted by the increase in energy of the electrodeless discharge lamp, heat is conducted to the amalgam, the temperature of the amalgam is raised, the amalgam is heated and kept warm by the cover, the coldest point temperature becomes an appropriate temperature, and the total temperature at low temperature is low. The luminous flux went up and became brighter.

By preliminarily bonding and fixing the cover to the electrodeless discharge lamp, workability is improved. Further, the cover can be easily replaced by fixing the cover to the exhaust pipe having an amalgam in the electrodeless discharge lamp with an adhesive. Further, unlike the case where the tabs are welded / processed, the tabs can be easily bonded and the exhaust pipe portion is not subjected to a load due to welding or the like, so that the risk of damaging the exhaust pipe portion can be reduced. In particular, it is possible to reduce damage due to vibration and shock during transportation.

The electrodeless discharge lamp is provided with an exhaust pipe having an amalgam, and a cover is arranged on the exhaust pipe so that the amalgam is kept warm by the cover during operation, so that even when the ambient temperature is low. , So that you can get the brightness.

Further, by covering the exhaust pipe of the electrodeless discharge lamp, heat is conducted from the electrodeless discharge lamp to the amalgam during operation of the electrodeless discharge lamp system, and heat is conducted by covering the exhaust pipe of the electrodeless discharge lamp. The amalgam can be kept warm.

Further, a cover is arranged on the exhaust pipe of the electrodeless discharge lamp to keep the amalgam warm, and energy for increasing the input power of the electrodeless discharge lamp is supplied so that the electrodeless discharge lamp system is not operated. Even if the ambient temperature is low, the temperature of the arc tube can be kept at a specified temperature by heating the amalgam by the heat conduction of the heat generated by the electrode discharge lamp and sealing the electrodeless discharge lamp system in the lighting fixture. Can be held.

By covering the exhaust pipe,
In addition to improving the heat retention of the amalgam, the brightness at low temperatures can be improved by combining an appropriate power source.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view (partial view) showing an example of the configuration of an exhaust pipe.
Is.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a cover that covers an exhaust pipe.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an electrodeless discharge lamp system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which a power source (RF source) and an electrodeless discharge lamp are arranged.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a case where an exhaust pipe is provided with a constriction.

FIG. 6 shows the relative light output with respect to temperature for electrodeless discharge lamp systems of different volumes.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional electrodeless discharge lamp assembly.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the electrodeless discharge lamp assembly of FIG. 7.

9 is a schematic diagram showing an iron core subassembly used in the electrodeless discharge lamp of FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

10 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the electrodeless discharge lamp assembly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cover, 2 exhaust pipe, 3 amalgam, 4 electrodeless discharge lamp, 5 lighting equipment, 6 radio frequency source (RF source), 10 electrodeless discharge lamp, 12 lamp envelope, 14 discharge region, 2
2,24 Transformer core, 26, 28 strips, 27, 29
Lead wire, 30, 32 winding, 54, 56 tube, 5
8,60 Bridge, 70,72 Exhaust tubular part, 80,
82 iron core retainer, 84 mounting hole, 90 tab, 10
4,112 Amalgam.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An electrodeless discharge lamp comprising an arc tube containing an amalgam and an arc tube having a cover for covering the exhaust tube. 2. The electrodeless discharge lamp has at least two exhaust pipes, at least one exhaust pipe has an amalgam inserted therein, and each of the at least two exhaust pipes is covered by the cover. The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of either silicon rubber or silicon foam material. 4. The cover has a rectangular shape, a cylindrical shape, and a U shape.
The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the electrodeless discharge lamp has a character shape. 5. The cover has a height (a length in a direction in which the exhaust pipe projects from the electrodeless discharge lamp) of 10 mm (mm) or more and 20 mm or less, and a width (a direction perpendicular to the height). 20 mm or more)
4. The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the electrodeless discharge lamp has a diameter of 8 mm or less and a diameter of 8 phi (φ) or more and 20 phi or less. 6. The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe has a constricted portion. 7. The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of a material having a heat retaining property. 8. An electrodeless discharge lamp system having an electrodeless discharge lamp and a power source for supplying electric power to the electrodeless discharge lamp, wherein the electrodeless discharge lamp includes an exhaust pipe containing amalgam and the exhaust gas. An electric arc tube having a cover for covering the tube is provided, and the electric power source supplies electric power having a supply power value larger than a standard value of the supply power set for the electrodeless discharge lamp. Electrode discharge lamp system. 9. The electrodeless discharge lamp is 100 watt standard, and the power source supplies 85 watts (W) to 140 watts to the 100 watt standard electrodeless discharge lamp. 9. The electrodeless discharge lamp system according to claim 8. 10. The electrodeless discharge lamp system further comprises a container in which the electrodeless discharge lamp is arranged, and the temperature inside the container is maintained at -40 ° C. or higher. Electrode discharge lamp system. 11. The electrodeless discharge lamp system according to claim 10, wherein the container has a volume of 90 liters or less.