JP2004055403A - Manufacturing method of fluorescent lamp and recycled fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluorescent lamp which is suitable to utilize the glass recycled from waste rapid start fluorescent lamps. <P>SOLUTION: The fluorescent lamp is provided with a translucent discharge container 1 consisting of a soft glass containing a minute amount of tin (Sn), a fluorescent material layer 3 arranged almost all over the inner face side of the translucent discharge container 1, a pair of electrodes 4, 4 arranged so that the discharge is generated inside the translucent discharge container 1, and a discharge medium encapsulated inside the translucent discharge container 1. For the soft glass, the recycled glass manufactured by mixing and melting the glass collected from a wasted rapid start fluorescent lamp as a cullet with a raw material, can be used. The fluorescent material layer 3 may be formed to the inner surface side of the translucent discharge container 1 on the inner face of which, translucent conductive film 2 consisting mainly of tin oxide is formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

次に、環形で高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプの主な商品仕様を表２に示す。
【００７９】
【表２】

なお、本発明を適用し得る蛍光ランプとして、上記の他にも高周波点灯専用二重環形蛍光灯と称される丸形発光管を同心円上に２本ブリッジ技術で繋いだ高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプがある。この蛍光ランプは、ガラス管径が２０ｍｍである。
【００８０】
さらに、Ｕ字形で高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプの主な商品仕様を表３に示す。
【００８１】
【表３】

本発明においては、高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプの透光性放電容器および蛍光体のいずれか一方または両方が蛍光ランプのリサイクル材料を用いて形成されている。
【００８２】
透光性放電容器をリサイクル材料にて形成する場合、請求項１ないし４のいずれか一記載の構成を採用することができる。高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプにおいては、透光導電膜を透光性放電容器の内面に配設しないが、このような構成においてＳｎを含有する軟質ガラスを透光性放電容器に用いても特段の問題はない。しかし、要すれば、たとえば高周波点灯専用形廃蛍光ランプやスイッチスタート形の廃蛍光ランプから回収したガラスを一部または全部使用して製造されたスズを含有しないリサイクルガラスを用いることが許容される。
【００８３】
蛍光体層は、これをリサイクル材料にて形成する場合、請求項１において記載した構成を採用することができる。
【００８４】
透光性放電容器の内部に封入する放電媒体としては、水銀および希ガスを含んでいるものを用いるのが一般的である。水銀は、低圧水銀蒸気放電を行わせるためのイオン化媒体である。そして、水銀は、ペレット状のアマルガムや純粋水銀の形で封入することができる。希ガスは、蛍光ランプの放電開始を容易にするため、および緩衝ガスとして用いられ、アルゴン、クリプトンなどを数１００〜１０００Ｐａ程度透光性放電容器内に封入される。
【００８５】
そうして、本発明の高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプは、蛍光体層にリサイクル蛍光体を用いて構成する場合、低周波点灯用の一般の蛍光ランプに比較して、発光効率が高くなることが分った。高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプの管壁負荷が大きいために発光効率が高くなると考えられる。
【００８６】
また、高周波点灯専用形は、グリーン購入の基準である発光効率８０ｌｍ／Ｗ以上、かつ、平均演色評価数Ｒａ８０以上の条件を満足するが、本発明の蛍光ランプは、これに加えて透光性放電容器および蛍光体層の少なくとも一方にリサイクル材料を用いているので、環境対策上すこぶる有意義である。
【００８７】
以上、説明した各請求項記載の蛍光ランプは、照明装置の光源として用いることができる。この場合、蛍光ランプは、照明装置本体に支持され、安定器により付勢される。なお、「照明装置」とは、蛍光ランプの発光を何らかの目的で用いるあらゆる装置を含む広い概念である。照明装置を例示すれば、照明器具、直下式バックライト装置、表示装置および信号灯装置などである。なお、照明器具は、家庭用の照明器具に好適であるが、これに限定されるものではなく、店舗用照明器具、オフィス用照明器具、屋外用照明器具などにも適応する。また、「照明装置本体」とは、照明装置から蛍光ランプおよび安定器を除いた残余の部分をいう。
【００８８】
安定器は、蛍光ランプを所定条件で点灯する手段であり、照明装置本体に配設することができる。しかし、要すれば、照明装置本体から離間して、たとえば天井裏などに配置することもできる。また、安定器は、コイルおよびコアを主体とする磁気漏れトランスやチョークコイル、高周波インバータを主体とする電子化安定器などを用いることができる。
【００８９】
そうして、照明装置は、請求項１ないし５の作用、効果を奏する。
【００９０】
【発明の実施の形態】以下、図面を参照して本発明の実施の形態を説明する。
【００９１】
図１および図２は、本発明の蛍光ランプの第１の実施形態としての直管形のラピッドスタート形蛍光ランプを示し、図１は一部切欠正面図、図２は管端部の拡大断面図である。本実施形態は、請求項１ないし４記載の発明に対応する。蛍光ランプＦＬは、透光性放電容器１、透光性導電膜２、蛍光体層３、一対の電極４、４、内部導入線５、外部導入線６および口金７を具備している。
【００９２】
透光性放電容器１は、ガラスバルブ１ａ、一対のフレアステム１ｂ、１ｂからなり、両端の封止部を形成している。ガラスバルブ１ａは、微量のスズを含有するソーダ石灰ガラスからなる。このガラスは、ラピッドスタート形の廃蛍光ランプから回収したガラスをカレットとしてその他の生原料とともに調合し、混合してガラス溶融炉に投入し、加熱溶融して得た微量のスズを含有するソーダ石灰ガラスである。
【００９３】
ガラスバルブ１ａは、溶融ガラスをダンナーやドロー法によって管引きし、徐冷してから所定寸法にカットして得たものである。一対のフレアステム１ｂは、排気管１ｂ１およびフレア１ｂ２を備え、一対の内部導入線４および外部導入線５を封着している。排気管１ｂ１は、基端がチップオフされているとともに、先端が透光性放電容器１内に連通している。フレア１ｂ２は、バルブ１ａの両端に封止されて気密な透光性放電容器１を形成する。
【００９４】
透光性導電膜２は、透明なネサ膜からなり、透光性放電容器１の内面のほぼ全体にわたり配設されている。
【００９５】
蛍光体層３は、リサイクルと未使用の３波長発光形蛍光体を質量％で７０：３０の割合で混合してなり、透光性放電容器１の非発光物質膜２の内面に密着して配設されている。
【００９６】
一対の電極４、４は、いずれも２重コイル形のタングステン線フィラメントに電子放射性物質を塗布してなり、後述する一対の内部導入線５、５の先端部に継線されている。
【００９７】
内部導入線５および外部導入線６は、透光性放電容器１のフレアステム１ｂの内部でジュメット線を介して接続し、フレアステム１ｂに対して気密性を維持している。図２に示す排気管１ｂ１は、透光性放電容器１の排気、封入後に封止される。
【００９８】
口金７は、アルミニウム製のキャップ状成形品７ａに一対の口金ピン７ａ、７ａを絶縁関係に支持して備えていて、透光性放電容器１の両端にその一対が装着されている。
【００９９】
放電媒体は、水銀および希ガスからなり、透光性放電容器１内に封入している。
【実施例１】
蛍光ランプは、ＦＬＲ４０Ｓ・ＥＸ形で、透光性放電容器１の管径３２．５ｍｍ、管長１１９８ｍｍ、全長１２１３．６ｍｍ以下である。
【０１００】
透光性放電容器１；還元清澄により製造されたスズ含有ソーダ石灰ガラス、成分は、表１のとおりである。なお、含有率の単位は質量％である。
【０１０１】
【表１】
ＳｉＯ_２　　　　　　７０
ＡＬ_２Ｏ_３　　　　　　１．７
Ｎａ_２Ｏ　　　　　　１６
Ｋ２Ｏ　　　　　　　　１．３
ＣａＯ　　　　　　　　６．３
ＢａＯ　　　　　　　　０．４
ＭｇＯ　　　　　　　　３
Ｆｅ_２Ｏ_３　　　　　　０．０４
Ｂ_２Ｏ_３　　　　　　　１
Ｓｂ_２Ｏ_３　　　　　　０．３４
ＳｎＯ_２　　　　　　　０．００５
蛍光体層；膜厚２０μｍ
赤色発光蛍光体；Ｙ_２Ｏ_３：Ｅｕ
緑色発光蛍光体；ＬａＰＯ４：Ｃｅ，Ｔｂ
青色発光蛍光体；ＢａＭｇ_２Ａｌ_１６Ｏ_２７：Ｅｕ，Ｍｎ
放電媒体；液体水銀および３３０Ｐａの圧力で封入されたアルゴンＡｒ
次に、実施例１の蛍光ランプの透光性導電膜の抵抗低下率を、従来のラピッドスタート形蛍光ランプを比較例として、比較した結果を表２に示す。
【０１０２】
【表２】
抵抗比較率　　　　１００時間　　　１０００時間
実施例１　　　　　０．５％　　　　　０．３％
比較例　　　　　　０．８％　　　　　０．５％
表１から理解できるように、実施例の方が抵抗低下率が大きい。これは、透光性放電容器の内表面の導電率がスズの含有によって低くなっていることが寄与している。このため、ＥＣ黒化が発生しにくくなる。
【０１０３】
図３および図４は、本発明の蛍光ランプの第２の実施形態としての高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプを示し、図３は正面図、図４は要部拡大断面図である。本実施形態は、請求項５の発明に対応する。なお、各図において、図１および図２と同一部分については同一符号を付して説明は省略する。
【０１０４】
透光性放電容器１は、ほぼ環形をなすスズを微量含有するソーダ石灰ガラスからなる軟質ガラスバルブ１ａの両端に一対のステム１ｂ、１ｂを封着し、さらに両端部に環状凹溝１ｃを形成することによって構成されている。
【０１０５】
一対のステム１ｂ、１ｂは、いずれもフレアステムからなるが、それぞれ後述する細管１ｂ１を備えている。図４の右側の細管１ｂ１は、透光性放電容器１の一端に配設され、その先端のチップオフ部が細管内に凹入している。これは透光性放電容器１内を排気し、放電媒体を封入した後にチップオフしているからである。これに対して、図４の左側の細管１ｂ１は、透光性放電容器１の他端に配設され、その先端のチップオフ部が突出している。これは透光性放電容器１内を排気する以前に予め内外に気圧差のない状態でチップオフしているからである。なお、チップオフ部の形状は、相対的な差であるにすぎず、実際は多様な形状をしている。そうして、ステム１ｂ、細管１ｂ１および第１の電極４は、マウントＭを構成している。
【０１０６】
蛍光体層３は、リサイクルの３波長発光形蛍光体を主体としていて、透光性放電容器１の内面に形成された図示しない薄い保護膜を介してその上に形成されている。なお、保護膜はアルミナ微粒子により形成されている。
【０１０７】
透光性放電容器１の内部には、図４の右側の細管１ｂ１から排気し、水銀および希ガスとしてアルゴンからなる放電媒体を封入している。
【０１０８】
一対の電極４、４は、いずれもフィラメント電極からなり、その両端がステム１ｂの一対の内部導入線５、５の先端間に継線されている。
【０１０９】
口金７は、透光性放電容器１の環の欠如部に装着され、外部導入線６を経由して各電極４Ａ、４Ｂに接続する口金ピン７ａを備えている。
【実施例２】
蛍光ランプは、ＦＨＣ３２Ｅ形で、透光性放電容器の管径１６．５ｍｍ、管外径３７３ｍｍである。
透光性放電容器：実施例１と同じスズ含有ソーダ石灰ガラス使用。
蛍光体層：リサイクルおよび未使用のそれぞれの３波長発光形蛍光体をそれぞれ５０質量％使用。３波長発光形蛍光体の組成は実施例１と同じ。
ランプ効率：約９８％（未使用の３波長発光形蛍光体を用いて製造した他は同一仕様の高周波点灯専用形蛍光ランプのランプ効率を１００％とした場合）。なお、ラピッドスタート形の蛍光ランプＦＬＲ４０Ｓ／ＥＸにおいて、未使用の３波長発光形蛍光体を用いて製造した蛍光ランプのランプ効率を１００％とした場合、リサイクルの３波長発光形蛍光体および未使用の同様の蛍光体をそれぞれ５０％混合して製造した他は同一仕様の蛍光ランプでは、ランプ効率は約９２％であった。
【０１１０】
図５は、本発明の蛍光ランプを用いる照明装置の一実施形態としての天井直付け形蛍光灯器具を示す斜視図である。図において、２１は照明装置本体、２２は蛍光ランプ、２３は安定器である。
【０１１１】
照明装置本体２１は、内部に安定器２３を内蔵し、ランプソケット２１ａなどを備えている。
【０１１２】
蛍光ランプ１２は、実施例１に示す構成であり、ランプソケット２１ａに装着されることにより、照明装置本体２１に支持されている。
【０１１３】
【発明の効果】請求項１ないし５の各発明によれば、微量のスズを含有する軟質ガラスからなる透光性放電容器と、透光性放電容器の内面側のほぼ全体にわたって配設された蛍光体層と、一対の電極と、放電媒体とを具備していることにより、蛍光ランプとして本質的に問題がないとともに、ラピッドスタート形の廃蛍光ランプからのリサイクルガラスを利用するのに好適な蛍光ランプを提供することができる。
【０１１４】
請求項３の発明によれば、加えて透光性放電容器の内面のほぼ全体にわたって配設された酸化スズ（ＳｎＯ_２）を主体とする透光性導電膜を具備していることにより、透光性導電膜の形成が容易で、しかも、透光性導電膜によるＥＣ黒化が生じにくいラピッドスタート形の蛍光ランプを提供することができる。
【０１１５】
請求項４の発明によれば、加えて軟質ガラスがスズを含有するカレットを用いて製造されていることにより、所定量のスズを含有する軟質ガラスの製造が容易な蛍光ランプを提供することができる。
【０１１６】
請求項５の発明によれば、加えて軟質ガラスが酸化清澄により製造されていることにより、スズのぶつができにくい蛍光ランプを提供することができる。
【０１１７】
請求項６の発明によれば、酸化スズ（ＳｎＯ_２）を主体とする透光性導電膜付の廃蛍光ランプから蛍光体層を分離して透光性放電容器からカレットを得る第１の工程と、第１の工程で得たカレットを生原料に混合し、溶融してスズの含有率が０．１質量％以下のリサイクルガラスを製造する第２の工程と、第２の工程で得たリサイクルガラスを用いて蛍光ランプを製造する第３の工程とを具備していることにより、微量のスズを含有するリサイクルガラスを容易に得るリサイクル蛍光ランプの製造方法を提供することができる。
【０１１８】
請求項７の発明によれば、軟質ガラスからなる外径２５．５ｍｍ以下の透光性放電容器、その内面側のほぼ全体にわたって配設された蛍光体層と、一対の電極と、放電媒体とを具備し、透光性放電容器および蛍光体層の少なくとも一方が廃蛍光ランプのリサイクル原料を含んで形成されていることにより、ラピッドスタート形を含む種々の廃蛍光ランプからのリサイクル材料を利用するのに好適で、しかも、リサイクル蛍光体を用いた場合にランプ効率の低下が少ない高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプを提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の蛍光ランプの第１の実施形態としての直管形のラピッドスタート形蛍光ランプを示す一部切欠正面図
【図２】同じく管端部の拡大断面図
【図３】本発明の蛍光ランプの第２の実施形態としての高周波点灯専用形の蛍光ランプを示す正面図
【図４】同じく要部拡大断面図
【図５】本発明の蛍光ランプを用いる照明装置の一実施形態としての天井直付け形蛍光灯器具を示す斜視図
【符号の説明】
１…透光性放電容器、１ａ…バルブ、１ｂ…フレアステム、１ｂ１…排気管、１ｂ２…フレア、２…透光性導電膜、３…蛍光体層、４…電極、５…内部導入線、６…外部導入線[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp suitable for producing a waste fluorescent lamp using recycled materials.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art Recycling of glass material from waste fluorescent lamps has been conventionally known, for example, as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-7719 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-286828. In these prior arts, the glass is collected and recycled, and the phosphor is disposed of as sludge.
[0003]
Further, when trying to recover the phosphor contained in the waste fluorescent lamp, the glass bulb must be destroyed, so that glass fragments are inevitably mixed. For this reason, separation of glass fragments is troublesome, and costs increase. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-116865 discloses a technique in which a nozzle for sucking only the fluorescent substance without breaking the glass bulb of the waste fluorescent lamp is inserted from the end of the bulb to recover the fluorescent substance. .
[0004]
However, mercury adheres to the phosphor recovered from the waste fluorescent lamp during lighting, or mercury combines with the phosphor to form a mercury compound. If mercury adheres to the phosphor, the mercury undesirably evaporates during the manufacturing process of the fluorescent lamp, deteriorating the environment, and must be removed in advance. Further, when the phosphor is combined with mercury to form a mercury compound, the performance of the phosphor deteriorates.
[0005]
When recovering phosphors from waste fluorescent lamps, commercially available fluorescent lamps are roughly classified into three types of phosphors, namely, three-wavelength phosphors and halophosphate phosphors. In order to recycle them, waste fluorescent lamps must be separated and collected for each type of phosphor. In addition, even fluorescent lamps using the same kind of phosphor are available in various light source colors. For example, in the case of a fluorescent lamp of a three-wavelength band emission type, depending on the light source color, daylight (6700K), There are lunch white (5000K), warm white (3500K), and bulb color (3000K), each having a different color temperature.
[0006]
Due to various problems as described above, collecting and recycling the phosphor from the waste fluorescent lamp has been conventionally studied, but has not been actively performed. However, recycling of various articles is more strongly required due to the necessity of maintaining the environment. Recycling of the phosphor is preferable from the viewpoints of environmental protection and resource saving, and recycling is particularly significant because the three-wavelength band light-emitting phosphor is expensive as described above.
[0007]
Therefore, the present inventors have previously invented a method of recycling a phosphor from a waste fluorescent lamp and a fluorescent lamp using the recycled phosphor, and this invention is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-345047. In the above invention, the phosphor can be recovered from the waste fluorescent lamp, heated and purified to obtain a recycled phosphor. By performing such a treatment, mercury and its compounds adhering to or invading the phosphor fine particles are removed, and the performance of the phosphor can be recovered.
[0008]
On the other hand, fluorescent lamps for general illumination are classified into a starter type, a rapid start type, and a high frequency lighting-only type according to their lighting methods, and have different structures. Among these, in the rapid start type, a light-transmitting conductive film is formed on the inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge container, and a phosphor layer is formed on the light-transmitting conductive film. Note that the light-transmitting conductive film is made of tin oxide (SnO). ₂ ) As the main component. In addition, rapid start type fluorescent lamps are mainly used for business purposes in many fields such as facility lighting.
[0009]
The fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting is a fluorescent lamp designed for high-frequency lighting literally, and has features such as high efficiency, high color rendering, long life, and compactness.
[0010]
However, it has been found that when recycling glass from a waste fluorescent lamp of the rapid start type, it is difficult to remove the light-transmitting conductive film from the glass. On the other hand, the glass used for the fluorescent lamp is a soft glass such as soda-lime glass, and the soft glass conventionally used does not have a composition containing tin (Sn) as a component. For this reason, the glass melting furnace is damaged by tin by adding tin, tin is contained in the soft glass, so that tin does not melt as a metal or tin oxide and is aggregated in the glass in a granular form. Problems such as so-called "collapsing" may occur, obstructing the appearance, and causing tube breakage at the time of pipe drawing, making it impossible to obtain a non-defective glass tube.
[0011]
As a result of various studies, the present inventors have found that if the content of tin is very small, not only is there no essential problem in any of the glass melting furnace and the fluorescent lamp, but also it becomes easy to form a light-transmitting conductive film. This has led to the present invention.
[0012]
An object of the present invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp suitable for using recycled glass from a rapid start type waste fluorescent lamp and a method of manufacturing the recycled fluorescent lamp.
[0013]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rapid-start type fluorescent lamp suitable for using recycled glass from a rapid-start type waste fluorescent lamp and easily forming a light-transmitting conductive film. And
[0014]
Further, the present invention is suitable for using recycled materials from various waste fluorescent lamps including a rapid start type, and further, when a phosphor layer containing a recycled phosphor is employed, the lamp efficiency is reduced. Another object of the present invention is to provide a low-frequency fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting.
[0015]
[Means for achieving the object]
A fluorescent lamp according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a light-transmitting discharge vessel made of a soft glass containing a trace amount of tin (Sn); and a phosphor layer disposed over substantially the entire inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel. A pair of electrodes arranged so as to generate a discharge inside the light-transmitting discharge vessel; and a discharge medium sealed inside the light-transmitting discharge vessel.
[0016]
In the present invention and each of the following inventions, definitions and technical meanings of terms are as follows unless otherwise specified.
[0017]
<About Translucent Discharge Vessel> The translucent discharge vessel is sealed by sealing both ends of a glass bulb using a sealing member such as an end plate, or by directly sealing without using a pinch seal or the like. It is formed. When sealing is performed using an end plate, a portion of the end plate is generally constituted by a stem. When a stem is used, a known stem structure such as a flare stem, a bead stem, or a button stem can be employed. However, if necessary, a so-called pinch seal structure is adopted, in which the end of the glass bulb is heated and melted, and the end is crushed and air-tightened using a mold without using the stem as described above. You can also.
[0018]
The glass bulb allows it to be straight, curved or bent. Further, the glass bulb allows a structure in which a plurality of straight pipes, curved pipes, or bent pipes are connected by a connecting pipe so as to form one discharge path.
[0019]
Furthermore, the tube diameter of the glass bulb and the tube axis of the translucent discharge vessel, in other words, the length along the discharge path are not limited. However, in general, the tube diameter of the translucent discharge vessel is 40 mm or less, and the length along the tube axis is 2400 mm or less. In the case of a fluorescent lamp for general illumination having a relatively small tube wall load, the tube diameter is 25 to 38 mm and the length along the tube axis is 300 to 2400 mm. In the case of a fluorescent lamp dedicated to high frequency lighting, the tube diameter is 15 to 25.5 mm and the length along the tube axis is 500 to 2400 mm. Further, in the case of a compact fluorescent lamp, the tube diameter is 25 mm or less, for example, 12 to 22 mm, and the length along the tube axis is 2400 mm or less, for example, 200 to 2300 mm. Furthermore, in the case of a bulb-type fluorescent lamp, the tube diameter is 13 mm or less, for example, 8 to 12 mm, and the length along the tube axis is 500 mm or less, for example, 400 to 500 mm.
[0020]
Next, as a material of the glass bulb of the translucent discharge vessel, a soft glass containing a small amount of Sn is used. Examples of the soft glass include lead glass, soda lime glass, and barium silicate glass, and any of them may be used. However, soda lime glass and barium silicate glass are preferable for environmental protection. However, soda lime glass and lead glass can be used in combination from the viewpoint of workability and the like. For example, the bulb portion that uses the most glass can be formed of soda-lime glass, and the stem portion can be formed of lead glass. The tin content in the soft glass may be very small. For example, it is generally 0.1% by mass or less in glass. Tin may be recycled soft glass containing glass material recovered from a rapid-start-type waste fluorescent lamp, or soft glass produced using tin as a part of raw material in the form of tin oxide, for example. You may.
[0021]
Next, the shape of the translucent discharge container will be described. The translucent discharge vessel may be any of a straight tube type and a ring type. If necessary, various shapes such as a shape in which two to four U-shaped, semicircular, and U-shaped portions are connected in series and appropriately arranged are allowed.
[0022]
<About Phosphor Layer> The phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface side of the translucent conductive film. The “inner side” may be formed by directly contacting the inner surface of the light-transmitting conductive film, or indirectly through a protective film such as alumina and a reflective film such as titanium oxide. It means that you may.
[0023]
Further, the phosphor to be used can be arbitrarily and desirably selected according to the purpose of illumination. For example, for general lighting applications, a white light emitting phosphor such as a three-wavelength light emitting phosphor or a halophosphate phosphor can be used. Further, depending on the application, an ultraviolet-emitting phosphor may be used for all or a part of the phosphor. Still further, the phosphor allows one or both of an unused phosphor and a recycled phosphor to be mixed.
[0024]
When a three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor is used, the phosphor particles of the red light-emitting phosphor, the green light-emitting phosphor, and the blue light-emitting phosphor are mixed to generate white light by additive color mixing. You. As the red light emitting phosphor, for example, a europium-activated yttrium oxide phosphor (commonly called “YOX”) or the like can be used. As the green light emitting phosphor, for example, cerium, terbium-activated lanthanum phosphate, terbium-activated cerium-terbium-magnesium-aluminum phosphor (commonly called "CAT"), or the like can be used. As the blue light emitting phosphor, for example, europium-activated strontium phosphate phosphor, europium-activated strontium-barium-calcium phosphate phosphor (commonly referred to as “apatite”), and europium-activated barium-magnesium-aluminum phosphor ( Commonly known as "BAM") can be used.
[0025]
In the case where a phosphor layer mainly composed of a three-wavelength light emitting phosphor is formed, a recycling method will be described. That is, first, a recycled three-wavelength band light emitting phosphor recovered from a waste fluorescent lamp having a phosphor layer using the three wavelength band light emitting phosphor is prepared. However, it is also possible to directly or indirectly purchase and prepare a recycled three-wavelength light emitting phosphor from a recovery processing company, or to provide a waste light having a phosphor layer using the three-wavelength light emitting phosphor. A mode in which the phosphor is collected from the fluorescent lamp and a recycled three-wavelength-band light-emitting phosphor may be prepared.
[0026]
In the case of collecting and recycling the three-wavelength light emitting phosphor, the first step includes a step of collecting the phosphor, a step of removing the mercury from the collected phosphor, and a step of subsequently purifying the phosphor. Can be. The step of collecting the phosphor is performed, for example, as follows. That is, the waste fluorescent lamp is collected, the translucent discharge vessel is cut at substantially the center, and the phosphor is wiped from the inner surface of the bulb, or an air blower or an air drawer is applied to the phosphor film to mechanically peel off. Alternatively, the phosphor may be recovered by finely pulverizing the light-transmitting discharge container. When recovering the fluorescent material, it is desirable that a fluorescent lamp using a three-wavelength light emitting fluorescent material and a fluorescent lamp using a halophosphoric acid fluorescent material be classified in advance. This is because these phosphors have clearly different characteristics. Since the degree of deterioration of the phosphor increases as the number of times of recycling increases, it can be separated and collected for each number of times of recycling, or the recycling can be performed only once.
[0027]
Next, mercury is released from the recycled three-wavelength light emitting phosphor. In order to do this, mercury and glass fragments are removed by a floating sedimentation method or the like, further dehydrated, and then heat-treated. By heating the phosphor for recycling in this way, a recycled phosphor having high luminance can be obtained.
[0028]
In addition, during the mercury removal treatment, in addition to or in place of the above-described treatment, the collected phosphor can be subjected to an acid treatment to etch the surface layer of the phosphor such as mercury trapped in the surface layer. . However, on the other hand, the phosphor which has been subjected to the acid treatment has a problem that mercury and gas tend to adhere thereto. This is because the surface of the phosphor particles is roughened by the etching. Therefore, by performing a surface treatment on the recycled three-wavelength band light emitting phosphor after the acid treatment, it is possible to reduce the adhesion of mercury and gas. In this case, it is preferable that the acid treatment removes an extremely thin surface layer of the recycled phosphor particles by etching. For example, an acid treatment can be performed by washing the recycled phosphor using a dilute nitric acid solution or the like and then washing with pure water. The surface treatment is a treatment for preventing mercury and gas from adhering to the surface of the recycled phosphor particles.For example, metal oxide fine particles are almost uniformly attached to the surface of the recycled phosphor particles, Surface treatment can be performed by forming a continuous thin film of metal oxide on the surface of the phosphor particles. In the former case, the average particle diameter of the metal oxide fine particles is suitably about 10 to 100 nm. In addition, the particle diameter of the three-wavelength band light emitting phosphor is about 5 to 8 μm for the phosphor.
[0029]
Finally, the phosphor for recycling is purified. This is for the purpose of setting the aggregated size of the recycling phosphor to an appropriate particle size, and this can be performed by sieving and / or milling.
[0030]
Then, the quality level of the phosphor of the three-wavelength band light-emitting phosphor recycled from the above steps can be determined by measuring the reflectance or luminance of the phosphor.
[0031]
On the other hand, in the case of a phosphor layer mainly composed of a halophosphoric phosphor, 30 to 50% by mass of a three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor mainly composed of a recycled three-wavelength band light-emitting phosphor can be mixed. In addition, it is permissible to mix 5 to 15% by mass of unused red light-emitting phosphors for chromaticity adjustment with respect to recycled three-wavelength light-emitting phosphors. In order to form a phosphor layer mainly composed of a halophosphate phosphor, the color temperature of the phosphor layer is adjusted so as to be substantially equal to the color temperature of the calcium halophosphate phosphor while being mainly composed of a recycled three-wavelength band phosphor. A three-wavelength-range light-emitting phosphor having the same color temperature is prepared. It should be noted that the three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor having the same color temperature is mainly composed of the three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor that is recycled. It means that the light emitting phosphor accounts for 50% by mass or more.
[0032]
As the calcium halophosphate phosphor, one having a color temperature that matches the color temperature of the fluorescent lamp to be manufactured is selected. Means for adjusting the color temperature of the recycled three-wavelength light emitting phosphor to be substantially equal to that of the calcium halophosphate phosphor is not particularly limited, but unused red light emitting phosphors, green light emitting phosphors, and the like can be used. The body and the blue-emitting phosphor can be selectively mixed.
[0033]
Next, in order to form the phosphor layer on the inner surface side of the translucent conductive film, any of a known wet method and a dry method may be adopted. In the former case, the phosphor is suspended in a solution of a solvent, a binder, and a binder to prepare a phosphor coating solution.For example, the phosphor coating solution is allowed to flow into the bulb from above, or the phosphor is dropped from the lower end of the bulb. The phosphor coating solution can be applied to the inner surface of the bulb by blowing up the coating solution to form a phosphor coating film. When the phosphor coating film is not formed on both ends of the bulb, the phosphor coating film can be formed on the entire inner surface of the bulb, and then unnecessary portions on both ends of the bulb can be wiped off with a buff or the like. In the latter case, a powder coating method such as electrostatic coating can be used.
[0034]
After forming the phosphor coating film, the phosphor coating film is fired to form a phosphor layer. In this phosphor layer baking step, the binder formed in the phosphor coating film is decomposed and removed by heating the bulb on which the phosphor coating film is formed in a heating furnace to, for example, about 600 ° C. Is evaporated to form a phosphor layer.
[0035]
<About a pair of electrodes> A pair of electrodes is provided so that a discharge may be generated inside a translucent discharge container. For example, it is sealed at both ends in a translucent discharge vessel to generate a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge between them. As the electrode, a known electrode such as a filament electrode, a ceramic electrode, or a cold cathode can be used.
[0036]
The filament electrode has a structure in which an electron-emitting substance is applied to a double coil or triple coil of tungsten, and both ends of the filament electrode are connected to the tip of a pair of internal introduction lines that penetrate a light-transmitting discharge vessel in an airtight manner. Have.
[0037]
The ceramic electrode is, for example, in the form of a granule or sponge whose main surface is an oxide of an alkaline earth element and a transition metal element and whose surface is coated with a carbide or nitride of a transition metal element in an electrically conductive container having an opening. Alternatively, it has a structure in which a thermoelectron emitting material made of massive composite ceramics is housed, and is supported at the tip of one internal introduction wire.
[0038]
<About Discharge Medium> The discharge medium contains mercury and a rare gas in order to perform low-pressure mercury vapor discharge.
[0039]
Mercury is encapsulated as liquid amalgam or as an amalgam exhibiting a mercury vapor pressure characteristic almost similar to that of liquid mercury, for example, a Zn-Hg or Ti-Hg amalgam. In order to enclose liquid mercury, mercury can be taken out by dropping liquid mercury or putting it in a capsule and then breaking the capsule by an appropriate means. Further, in order to enclose the amalgam as amalgam, it can be formed into a pellet, or the amalgam can be supported using an appropriate metal plate as a base. That is, in the case of Zn-Hg amalgam, it is suitable for molding into a pellet and enclosing it. In the case of Ti-Hg amalgam, it is suitable for being supported on a metal plate. The latter is also referred to as a mercury-releasing alloy, but is heated by applying a high frequency after sealing to release mercury.
[0040]
Next, the rare gas is used for facilitating the discharge start of the fluorescent lamp and as a buffer gas, and argon Ar, krypton Kr, neon Ne, or the like is sealed in a light-transmissive discharge vessel of about 200 to 400 Pa. In addition, the rare gas may be sealed with Ar alone, or may be mixed and sealed with Ar-Kr, Ne-Ar-Kr, Ne-Ar, or the like.
[0041]
<Other Configurations> Although not essential components of the present invention, the following configurations can be added as desired.
[0042]
1. Light-transmitting conductive film The light-transmitting conductive film can be provided when a rapid-start fluorescent lamp is obtained. The light-transmitting conductive film is formed over substantially the entire inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel.
[0043]
2. Protective Film The protective film is formed on the inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel or the light-transmitting conductive film, and suppresses coloring of the light-transmitting discharge vessel with mercury and blackening of the light-transmitting conductive film. And it can be mainly composed of one or more kinds of fine particles of a metal oxide such as alumina.
[0044]
3. Reflecting Film The reflecting film is provided between the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel and the phosphor layer, and is used to reflect visible light generated from the phosphor layer to obtain desired light distribution characteristics.
[0045]
4. Use of UV-reflective particles UV-reflective particles are mixed with a phosphor layer and interposed as a UV-reflective film between the phosphor layer and the light-transmitting discharge vessel to form a three-wavelength luminescent fluorescent light. Body use can be reduced as much as possible. As the UV-reflecting particles, those mainly composed of strontium pyrophosphate particles having a high purity by, for example, high-temperature baking and having an irregular shape are preferable.
[0046]
5. Aperture The aperture is an elongated light opening formed by cutting a part of the phosphor layer in the tube axis direction. Since high luminance can be obtained in the vicinity of the aperture, it is suitable for a fluorescent lamp for reading.
[0047]
<Operation of the Present Invention> The fluorescent lamp of the present invention operates in the same manner as a general fluorescent lamp. That is, the discharge causes discharge of the discharge medium to occur between the pair of electrodes, and ultraviolet rays are emitted. The ultraviolet rays enter the phosphor layer and excite the phosphor, so that the phosphor emits long-wavelength radiation such as visible light, for example, visible light. The visible light passes through the translucent discharge vessel and is led to the outside, so that it can be used for illumination.
[0048]
In the present invention, the light-transmitting discharge vessel contains tin, but the tin contained in the soft glass is very small, so that the tin is uniformly distributed in the glass structure and the appearance of the light-transmitting discharge vessel is reduced. It does not inhibit.
[0049]
In addition, soft glass containing a trace amount of tin can be easily obtained by using recycled glass manufactured by melting glass raw materials collected from waste fluorescent lamps of the rapid start type together with other glass raw materials. it can. When the recycled soft glass is produced in this manner, the tin contained therein is very small, so that the glass melting furnace is not damaged, or the influence is only slight. The above-described operation of the fluorescent lamp does not present an essential problem.
[0050]
A fluorescent lamp according to a second aspect of the present invention is the fluorescent lamp according to the first aspect, wherein the soft glass has a tin content of 0.1% by mass or less.
[0051]
In the present invention, the content range of a trace amount of tin contained in the soft glass is specified by a numerical value. If the tin content exceeds 0.1% by mass, the tin or tin oxide is easily crushed in the glass, and the glass becomes brittle. When these bumps are formed, the glass is likely to be cut during the drawing of the glass, and the appearance of the glass is impaired even if the tube is not cut. Further, when the glass becomes brittle, the mechanical strength of the glass decreases.
[0052]
On the other hand, if it is within the scope of the present invention, it is difficult for bumps of tin or the like to occur in the glass, so that the appearance of the fluorescent lamp is not hindered.
[0053]
If the tin contained in the glass of the translucent discharge vessel is within the above range, there is no essential problem as a fluorescent lamp.
[0054]
Further, recycled glass recovered from a rapid start type waste fluorescent lamp can be used. However, the more effective range of tin content is 0.001-0.01% by mass.
[0055]
A fluorescent lamp according to a third aspect of the present invention is the fluorescent lamp according to the first or second aspect, wherein the tin oxide (SnO) disposed over substantially the entire inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel. ₂ ) Is mainly provided with a light-transmitting conductive film.
[0056]
<Regarding the Translucent Conductive Film> The translucent conductive film is mainly composed of tin oxide as described above, and is disposed over substantially the entire inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel. Note that "disposed over substantially the entire inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel" means that the light-emitting element is disposed on most of the effective surface portion of the light-transmitting discharge vessel. Therefore, it does not need to be provided at a site for sealing or joining the valve. In addition, the conductive film is referred to as “translucent” when visible light generated from the phosphor layer is irradiated with ultraviolet rays radiated by low-pressure discharge such as mercury vapor and transmitted to the outside with as little loss as possible. It means that it is translucent to the extent that it is performed. Therefore, it is desirable that the visible light transmittance is high, and more preferably, it is transparent.
[0057]
In addition, the light-transmitting conductive film has a starting voltage between the electrode and the light-transmitting conductive film in a portion facing the electrode when the rapid-start fluorescent lamp is started, via a capacitance formed therebetween. It acts so as to be applied under a concentrated or high electric field strength. This promotes start-up, but after lighting, the light-transmitting conductive film has an appropriate resistance so that an arc discharge occurs directly between the electrodes without passing through the light-transmitting conductive film. Is regulated.
[0058]
As the translucent conductive film having the above configuration, for example, a so-called “Nesa film” (chemical formula: SnO film) _2-n ) Are preferred. The nesa film behaves as a semiconductor because free electrons are generated by oxygen vacancies. The film thickness is generally several 100 nm and the visible light transmittance is 90% or more. For example, the resistance value is set to several tens kΩ to several MΩ / □ (by opposing the square plane) by appropriately setting the conditions of the impurity to be added. (A resistance value between a pair of end edges).
[0059]
Further, the light-transmitting conductive film can be formed by using various known methods for forming a thin film, such as a dipping method, a spray method, and a CVD method.
[0060]
<Function of the Present Invention> The fluorescent lamp of the present invention operates as a rapid start fluorescent lamp, like a general rapid start fluorescent lamp. That is, when the fluorescent lamp is started, the electrodes are heated by the ballast, and when a starting voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes, the light-transmitting conductive film acts as a nearby conductor, and the electrodes and the light-transmitting discharge vessel are used. A potential difference of about the starting voltage is generated between the light-transmitting conductive film formed on the inner surface of the substrate and a minute current flows. Ultraviolet rays emitted from the discharge medium from the discharge enter the phosphor layer and excite the phosphor particles to generate visible light.
[0061]
In the present invention, since the soft glass constituting the light-transmitting discharge vessel contains a trace amount of tin, the light-transmitting conductive film becomes easy to be adapted to the glass surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel. Adhesion strength to the inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel, which is the main component, is improved. That is, since the soft glass contains a trace amount of tin, the formation of the light-transmitting conductive film is facilitated.
[0062]
Further, since tin is contained in the soft glass, the conductivity of the glass surface is lower than that of the soft glass containing no tin, so that so-called EC blackening by the light-transmitting conductive film is less likely to occur.
[0063]
A fluorescent lamp according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the fluorescent lamp according to the first or second aspect, wherein the soft glass is manufactured using a cullet containing tin (Sn).
[0064]
The present invention specifies a structure suitable for obtaining recycled glass recovered from a waste fluorescent lamp of a rapid start type. In other words, in order to manufacture glass, in addition to raw materials such as silica sand and lime, a certain amount of scrap glass having the same composition as the glass as a cullet is prepared, mixed, and charged into a glass melting furnace, and these raw materials are heated. It is common to melt and obtain glass. The produced soft glass is then processed in a molten state into a glass tube for a light-transmitting discharge vessel through a drawing step, a slow cooling step, and a cutting step.
[0065]
Thus, in the present invention, since a soft glass in which tin oxide is previously attached to the cullet is used, a predetermined amount of tin can be easily added to the glass.
[0066]
Further, since the glass can be recycled without removing the light-transmitting conductive film from the rapid-start-type waste fluorescent lamp, it is possible to avoid complication of the recycling process and the accompanying cost increase.
[0067]
A fluorescent lamp according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the fluorescent lamp according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the soft glass is manufactured by oxidizing and refining.
[0068]
In the present invention, a fining means which contains tin n but is easy to produce a soft glass free of bumps of tin or tin oxide is defined. That is, bubbles are generated in the molten glass during the glass manufacturing process, and a fining agent is added to the raw materials to eliminate the bubbles. The fining method includes oxidation fining and reduction fining. In the case of producing a soft glass containing tin, it has been found that an excellent soft glass without bubbles can be produced by adopting oxide fining.
[0069]
The method for manufacturing a recycled fluorescent lamp according to the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that tin oxide (SnO) ₂ A) a step of separating a phosphor layer from a waste fluorescent lamp with a light-transmitting conductive film mainly comprising a cullet from a light-transmitting discharge vessel by using the cullet obtained in the first step as a raw material; A second step of mixing and melting to produce a recycled glass having a tin content of 0.1% by mass or less; a third step of producing a fluorescent lamp using the recycled glass obtained in the second step And;
[0070]
The present invention defines a manufacturing method suitable for manufacturing a soft glass as defined in claim 4 or 5.
[0071]
The first step is a step of obtaining a cullet to which tin oxide is attached. The waste fluorescent lamp with the translucent conductive film is, for example, a rapid start type fluorescent lamp. In order to obtain the above cullet, it is preferable to remove the phosphor and mercury in advance. To remove the phosphor and mercury, these substances can be sucked out with a nozzle before crushing the translucent discharge vessel, sorted after crushing, or used in combination.
[0072]
The second step is a step of obtaining glass. Raw materials determine the components of the glass to be produced.When mixing, the raw materials must be accurately weighed and prepared in advance.Then, the mixed raw materials are put into a glass melting furnace, and then heated and melted in a conventional manner. To get the glass.
[0073]
The third step is a step of manufacturing a fluorescent lamp using the glass obtained in the second step. That is, the glass is drawn to form a glass bulb, cooled slowly, and then cut to obtain a glass bulb for a fluorescent lamp. After washing the glass bulb, a phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface side of the glass bulb, and an electrode mount having a pair of flare stems is sealed at both ends of the glass bulb to form a light-transmitting discharge vessel. Further, the inside of the light-transmitting discharge vessel is evacuated while heating through a thin tube formed in a flare stem or the like, and then the discharge medium is sealed to seal the thin tube. In the case of a rapid start type fluorescent lamp, a light-transmitting conductive film is formed before forming a phosphor layer, and a protective film is formed on the light-transmitting conductive film if necessary.
[0074]
Thus, a fluorescent lamp is manufactured.
[0075]
A fluorescent lamp according to a seventh aspect of the present invention comprises a light-transmitting discharge vessel made of soft glass and having an outer diameter of 25.5 mm or less; A phosphor layer disposed over the whole; a pair of electrodes disposed so as to generate a discharge inside the translucent discharge vessel; and a discharge medium sealed inside the translucent discharge vessel. A high-frequency lighting-only type, wherein at least one of the translucent discharge vessel and the phosphor layer is formed to include a recycled material of a waste fluorescent lamp.
[0076]
The fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting is designed to be used in combination with a dedicated electronic ballast, and has features such as high efficiency and high color rendering, long life, and compactness. are doing. This fluorescent lamp is commercially available in several forms such as a straight tube type, a tube type and a U-shaped. A wall-loaded, three-wavelength light emitting phosphor is used. That is, as the small-diameter glass bulbs, those having a tube diameter of 25.5 mm and 16.5 mm in a straight tube shape, 16.5 mm in a ring shape, and 17.5 mm in a U-shape are commercially available. Regarding the high tube wall load, for example, the rated tube power is 32 W and 45 W for a straight tube type of FHF32EX with a tube diameter of 25.5 mm and a tube length of 1198 mm. On the other hand, a straight tube fluorescent lamp for general lighting is FL40S.EX with a tube diameter of 32.5 mm, a tube length of 1198 mm, and a rated lamp power of 40 W. Therefore, the tube wall load ratio between the two is approximately 30% higher than that for general lighting when the rated lamp power of the high frequency lighting type is 32W, and approximately 80% or more when the rated lamp power is 45W. . In addition, the tube wall load tends to increase as the tube diameter becomes smaller. Furthermore, the use of three-wavelength light emitting phosphors has recently been increasing in fluorescent lamps for general illumination.
[0077]
Table 1 shows the main product specifications of the commercialized straight tube type fluorescent lamp dedicated to high frequency lighting.
[0078]
[Table 1]

Next, Table 2 shows the main product specifications of the ring-shaped fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting.
[0079]
[Table 2]

As a fluorescent lamp to which the present invention can be applied, in addition to the above, a high-frequency lighting-only fluorescent lamp in which a circular arc tube called a double-ring fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting is connected concentrically by two bridge technology. There is a lamp. This fluorescent lamp has a glass tube diameter of 20 mm.
[0080]
Table 3 shows the main product specifications of the U-shaped fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting.
[0081]
[Table 3]

In the present invention, one or both of the translucent discharge vessel and the phosphor of the fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting are formed using a recycled material of the fluorescent lamp.
[0082]
When the translucent discharge container is formed of a recycled material, the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 4 can be adopted. In a fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting, the light-transmitting conductive film is not disposed on the inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel. However, in such a configuration, even if soft glass containing Sn is used for the light-transmitting discharge vessel, there is no particular problem. No problem. However, if necessary, for example, it is permissible to use tin-free recycled glass manufactured by partially or entirely using glass recovered from a high-frequency lighting-dedicated waste fluorescent lamp or a switch-start-type waste fluorescent lamp. .
[0083]
When the phosphor layer is made of a recycled material, the structure described in claim 1 can be adopted.
[0084]
Generally, a discharge medium containing mercury and a rare gas is used as the discharge medium sealed in the translucent discharge vessel. Mercury is an ionizing medium for causing low pressure mercury vapor discharge. Mercury can be encapsulated in the form of amalgam in pellet form or pure mercury. The rare gas is used for facilitating the start of discharge of the fluorescent lamp and as a buffer gas, and argon, krypton, or the like is sealed in a light-transmitting discharge vessel of several hundred to 1,000 Pa.
[0085]
Thus, when the fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting of the present invention is configured using a recycled phosphor for the phosphor layer, the luminous efficiency is higher than that of a general fluorescent lamp for low-frequency lighting. I understand. It is considered that the luminous efficiency is increased due to the large tube wall load of the fluorescent lamp dedicated to high frequency lighting.
[0086]
In addition, the high-frequency lighting-only type satisfies the conditions for luminous efficiency of 80 lm / W or more and the average color rendering index Ra of 80 or more, which are the criteria for green purchasing. Since a recycled material is used for at least one of the discharge vessel and the phosphor layer, it is extremely significant in environmental measures.
[0087]
The fluorescent lamp described in each claim described above can be used as a light source of a lighting device. In this case, the fluorescent lamp is supported by the lighting device body and is energized by the ballast. The “illumination device” is a broad concept including any device that uses the light emitted from a fluorescent lamp for some purpose. Illustrative examples of the lighting device include a lighting fixture, a direct-type backlight device, a display device, and a signal light device. Note that the lighting fixture is suitable for household lighting fixtures, but is not limited thereto, and is also applicable to store lighting fixtures, office lighting fixtures, outdoor lighting fixtures, and the like. The “illumination device main body” refers to the remaining portion excluding the fluorescent lamp and the ballast from the illumination device.
[0088]
The ballast is means for lighting the fluorescent lamp under predetermined conditions, and can be provided in the lighting device body. However, if necessary, it can be placed away from the lighting device main body, for example, behind the ceiling. As the ballast, a magnetic leakage transformer or a choke coil mainly composed of a coil and a core, an electronic ballast mainly composed of a high-frequency inverter, and the like can be used.
[0089]
Thus, the lighting device has the functions and effects of the first to fifth aspects.
[0090]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0091]
1 and 2 show a straight tube rapid start type fluorescent lamp as a first embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of a tube end. FIG. This embodiment corresponds to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention. The fluorescent lamp FL includes a light-transmitting discharge vessel 1, a light-transmitting conductive film 2, a phosphor layer 3, a pair of electrodes 4, 4, an internal lead 5, an external lead 6, and a base 7.
[0092]
The translucent discharge vessel 1 includes a glass bulb 1a and a pair of flare stems 1b and 1b, and forms sealing portions at both ends. The glass bulb 1a is made of soda-lime glass containing a trace amount of tin. This glass is prepared by mixing glass recovered from a rapid-start waste fluorescent lamp with other raw materials as a cullet, mixing, throwing it into a glass melting furnace, and heating and melting it to obtain a soda lime containing a trace amount of tin. It is glass.
[0093]
The glass bulb 1a is obtained by drawing a molten glass by a dunner or a draw method, gradually cooling the glass, and then cutting the glass to a predetermined size. The pair of flare stems 1b includes an exhaust pipe 1b1 and a flare 1b2, and seals the pair of internal introduction lines 4 and external introduction lines 5. The exhaust pipe 1 b 1 has a base end that is chipped off and a front end that communicates with the light-transmitting discharge vessel 1. The flare 1b2 is sealed at both ends of the bulb 1a to form an airtight translucent discharge vessel 1.
[0094]
The translucent conductive film 2 is made of a transparent Nesa film, and is disposed over substantially the entire inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel 1.
[0095]
The phosphor layer 3 is a mixture of recycled and unused three-wavelength light-emitting phosphors in a ratio of 70:30 by mass%, and is in close contact with the inner surface of the non-light emitting material film 2 of the translucent discharge vessel 1. It is arranged.
[0096]
Each of the pair of electrodes 4, 4 is formed by coating a double coil type tungsten wire filament with an electron-emitting material, and is connected to the tip of a pair of internal introduction wires 5, 5 described later.
[0097]
The internal introduction line 5 and the external introduction line 6 are connected via a dumet wire inside the flare stem 1b of the translucent discharge vessel 1, and maintain airtightness with respect to the flare stem 1b. The exhaust pipe 1b1 shown in FIG. 2 is sealed after the translucent discharge vessel 1 is evacuated and sealed.
[0098]
The base 7 is provided with a pair of base pins 7a, 7a supported in an insulating relationship on a cap-shaped molded product 7a made of aluminum, and the pair is mounted on both ends of the translucent discharge vessel 1.
[0099]
The discharge medium is made of mercury and a rare gas, and is sealed in the translucent discharge vessel 1.
Embodiment 1
The fluorescent lamp is a FLR40S / EX type, and has a tube diameter of 32.5 mm, a tube length of 1198 mm, and a total length of 1213.6 mm or less.
[0100]
Translucent discharge vessel 1; tin-containing soda-lime glass produced by reduction fining, and the components are as shown in Table 1. The unit of the content is mass%.
[0101]
[Table 1]
SiO ₂ 70
AL ₂ O ₃ 1.7
Na ₂ O 16
K2O 1.3
CaO 6.3
BaO 0.4
MgO 3
Fe ₂ O ₃ 0.04
B ₂ O ₃ 1
Sb ₂ O ₃ 0.34
SnO ₂ 0.005
Phosphor layer; film thickness 20 μm
Red light-emitting phosphor; Y ₂ O ₃ : Eu
Green light emitting phosphor; LaPO4: Ce, Tb
Blue light emitting phosphor; BaMg ₂ Al ₁₆ O ₂₇ : Eu, Mn
Discharge medium: liquid mercury and argon Ar sealed at a pressure of 330 Pa
Next, Table 2 shows the results of comparison of the resistance reduction rate of the translucent conductive film of the fluorescent lamp of Example 1 with the conventional rapid start fluorescent lamp as a comparative example.
[0102]
[Table 2]
Resistance comparison rate 100 hours 1000 hours
Example 1 0.5% 0.3%
Comparative example 0.8% 0.5%
As can be understood from Table 1, the example has a higher resistance reduction rate. This is attributed to the fact that the conductivity of the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel is reduced due to the tin content. For this reason, EC blackening hardly occurs.
[0103]
3 and 4 show a fluorescent lamp exclusively used for high-frequency lighting as a fluorescent lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part. This embodiment corresponds to the fifth aspect of the present invention. In each figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0104]
In the translucent discharge vessel 1, a pair of stems 1b, 1b are sealed at both ends of a soft glass bulb 1a made of soda-lime glass containing a trace amount of tin, which is substantially annular, and further, annular concave grooves 1c are formed at both ends. It is constituted by doing.
[0105]
Each of the pair of stems 1b, 1b is formed of a flare stem, and includes a thin tube 1b1 described later. The thin tube 1b1 on the right side in FIG. 4 is provided at one end of the translucent discharge vessel 1, and the tip-off portion at the tip is recessed into the thin tube. This is because the inside of the light-transmitting discharge vessel 1 is evacuated, and the tip is turned off after the discharge medium is sealed. On the other hand, the thin tube 1b1 on the left side in FIG. 4 is disposed at the other end of the translucent discharge vessel 1, and the tip-off portion at the tip protrudes. This is because the chip-off is performed in advance with no pressure difference between the inside and the outside before the inside of the translucent discharge vessel 1 is exhausted. Note that the shape of the tip-off portion is merely a relative difference, and actually has various shapes. Thus, the stem 1b, the thin tube 1b1, and the first electrode 4 constitute a mount M.
[0106]
The phosphor layer 3 is mainly composed of a recycled three-wavelength light emitting phosphor, and is formed thereon via a thin protective film (not shown) formed on the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel 1. Note that the protective film is formed of alumina fine particles.
[0107]
The inside of the translucent discharge vessel 1 is evacuated from the thin tube 1b1 on the right side of FIG. 4 and sealed with a discharge medium made of mercury and argon as a rare gas.
[0108]
Each of the pair of electrodes 4, 4 is composed of a filament electrode, and both ends thereof are connected between the tips of the pair of internal introduction wires 5, 5 of the stem 1b.
[0109]
The base 7 is attached to the missing portion of the ring of the translucent discharge vessel 1 and includes a base pin 7a connected to each of the electrodes 4A and 4B via the external lead wire 6.
Embodiment 2
The fluorescent lamp is of the FHC32E type and has a light-transmissive discharge vessel having a tube diameter of 16.5 mm and a tube outer diameter of 373 mm.
Translucent discharge vessel: The same tin-containing soda-lime glass as in Example 1 was used.
Phosphor layer: Recycled and unused three-wavelength light-emitting phosphors are each used at 50% by mass. The composition of the three-wavelength light emitting phosphor is the same as in Example 1.
Lamp efficiency: about 98% (assuming that the lamp efficiency of a fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting of the same specifications is 100% except that it is manufactured using an unused three-wavelength light emitting phosphor). In the rapid start type fluorescent lamp FLR40S / EX, when the lamp efficiency of a fluorescent lamp manufactured by using an unused three-wavelength light emitting phosphor is set to 100%, the recycled three-wavelength light emitting phosphor and the unused three-wavelength light emitting phosphor are used. The lamp efficiency was about 92% for a fluorescent lamp of the same specifications except that the same phosphors were mixed at 50%.
[0110]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a ceiling-mounted fluorescent lamp apparatus as one embodiment of a lighting device using the fluorescent lamp of the present invention. In the figure, 21 is a lighting device main body, 22 is a fluorescent lamp, and 23 is a ballast.
[0111]
The lighting device body 21 has a ballast 23 built therein and a lamp socket 21a and the like.
[0112]
The fluorescent lamp 12 has the configuration shown in the first embodiment, and is supported by the lighting device main body 21 by being mounted on a lamp socket 21a.
[0113]
According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, a light-transmitting discharge vessel made of a soft glass containing a trace amount of tin and a substantially entire inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel are provided. By providing a phosphor layer, a pair of electrodes, and a discharge medium, there is essentially no problem as a fluorescent lamp, and it is suitable for using recycled glass from a rapid start type waste fluorescent lamp. A fluorescent lamp can be provided.
[0114]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition, tin oxide (SnO) disposed over substantially the entire inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel is provided. ₂ ), A rapid-start fluorescent lamp that is easy to form a light-transmitting conductive film and hardly causes EC blackening due to the light-transmitting conductive film. Can be provided.
[0115]
According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the fact that the soft glass is manufactured using the cullet containing tin, it is possible to provide a fluorescent lamp in which the soft glass containing a predetermined amount of tin can be easily manufactured. it can.
[0116]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition, since the soft glass is manufactured by oxidizing and refining, it is possible to provide a fluorescent lamp in which tin is hardly bumped.
[0117]
According to the invention of claim 6, tin oxide (SnO) ₂ ), A first step of separating the phosphor layer from a waste fluorescent lamp with a light-transmitting conductive film and obtaining a cullet from a light-transmitting discharge vessel, and using the cullet obtained in the first step as a raw material. A second step of mixing and melting to produce a recycled glass having a tin content of 0.1% by mass or less, and a third step of producing a fluorescent lamp using the recycled glass obtained in the second step By providing the method, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a recycled fluorescent lamp that can easily obtain recycled glass containing a trace amount of tin.
[0118]
According to the invention of claim 7, a translucent discharge vessel made of soft glass and having an outer diameter of 25.5 mm or less, a phosphor layer disposed over substantially the entire inner surface side, a pair of electrodes, and a discharge medium Wherein at least one of the translucent discharge vessel and the phosphor layer is formed to include a recycled material for a waste fluorescent lamp, thereby utilizing recycled materials from various waste fluorescent lamps including a rapid start type. In addition, it is possible to provide a high-frequency lighting-only fluorescent lamp which is suitable for the above-mentioned and has a small decrease in lamp efficiency when a recycled phosphor is used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing a straight tube rapid start type fluorescent lamp as a first embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the end of the tube.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a fluorescent lamp exclusively used for high-frequency lighting as a fluorescent lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the same.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a ceiling-mounted fluorescent lamp apparatus as an embodiment of a lighting device using the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Translucent discharge container, 1a ... Valve, 1b ... Flare stem, 1b1 ... Exhaust pipe, 1b2 ... Flare, 2 ... Translucent conductive film, 3 ... Phosphor layer, 4 ... Electrode, 5 ... Internal introduction line, 6 ... External introduction line

Claims (7)

A light-transmitting discharge vessel made of a soft glass containing a trace amount of tin (Sn);
A phosphor layer disposed over substantially the entire inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel;
A pair of electrodes arranged to generate a discharge inside the translucent discharge vessel;
A discharge medium enclosed in a translucent discharge vessel;
A fluorescent lamp comprising: The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein the soft glass has a tin content of 0.1% by mass or less. Claim 1 or 2 fluorescent lamp according to characterized in that it comprises a light-transmitting conductive film mainly made of tin oxide disposed across substantially (SnO ₂₎ of the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel. The fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the soft glass is manufactured using a cullet containing tin (Sn). The fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the soft glass is manufactured by oxidizing and refining. A first step of separating a phosphor layer from a waste fluorescent lamp provided with a light-transmitting conductive film mainly composed of tin oxide (SnO ₂ ) to obtain a cullet from a light-transmitting discharge vessel; obtained in the first step A second step in which cullet is mixed with the raw material and melted to produce recycled glass having a tin content of 0.1% by mass or less;
A third step of producing a fluorescent lamp using the recycled glass obtained in the second step;
A method for producing a recycled fluorescent lamp, comprising: A translucent discharge vessel made of soft glass and having an outer diameter of 25.5 mm or less;
A phosphor layer disposed over substantially the entire inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel;
A pair of electrodes arranged to generate a discharge inside the translucent discharge vessel;
A discharge medium enclosed in a translucent discharge vessel;
With
A fluorescent lamp dedicated to high-frequency lighting, wherein at least one of the translucent discharge vessel and the phosphor layer is formed containing recycled materials of a waste fluorescent lamp.

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