JP2006324053A - Electrodeless discharge lamp and luminaire equipped with it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrodeless discharge lamp capable of improving efficiency by reducing light intercepted by a core, and to provide a luminaire equipped with it. <P>SOLUTION: This electrodeless discharge lamp 1 includes: a loop-shaped bulb 2 with a discharge gas enclosed in a tube body of a translucent material; a core surrounding a part of the bulb 2; an induction coil 4 wound around at least a part of the core 3; and a coil retention means (bobbin) 5 with the induction coil 4 wound around it. The induction coil 4 is provided with a lighting circuit 6 having a high-frequency power source for exciting the discharge gas to emit light by electromagnetic induction by carrying a high-frequency current to the induction coil 4. The single core 3 is arranged at one end of the loop-shaped bulb 2, the induction coil 4 is wound around the bobbin 5 along the bulb 2 and in a space in its inside, and the core 3 surrounds a part of the induction coil 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrodeless discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp or an ultraviolet sterilizer and a lighting fixture including the same, and more particularly to an electrodeless discharge lamp which is long and emits light uniformly and reduces the shielding of light emission by a core and increases efficiency. It is related with the lighting fixture provided with it.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an electrodeless discharge lamp that emits light by exciting a discharge gas sealed in a bulb formed in a loop shape by electromagnetic induction.

  This conventional electrodeless discharge lamp includes a bulb formed in a loop shape, a discharge gas containing mercury vapor sealed in the bulb, a ring-shaped core provided to surround both longitudinal ends of the bulb, Each of the cores has an induction coil and a lighting circuit including a high frequency power source and connected to each induction coil. In this electrodeless discharge lamp, when a high-frequency current of several hundred kHz is applied to the induction coil, discharge is generated by electromagnetic induction, and the discharge gas is excited to generate ultraviolet rays. When a fluorescent material is applied to the inner surface of the bulb, the ultraviolet light is converted into visible light by the fluorescent material applied to the inner surface of the bulb, thereby forming an electrodeless fluorescent lamp.

  In such an electrodeless discharge lamp, in order to efficiently use the energy from the lighting circuit, the two cores are arranged at approximately equal intervals at two locations in the bulb extending direction. For example, when the length of the loop valve is as long as 600 mm, ring-shaped cores are provided so as to surround both ends in the longitudinal direction of the valve, and induction coils are wound around these cores.

  However, in such an electrodeless discharge lamp, since there are induction coils for generating plasma only at both ends in the longitudinal direction, plasma is unlikely to exist at a location away from these induction coils (near the center in the longitudinal direction). Become. Therefore, a current path is not formed in the entire bulb, the light emission efficiency is lowered, and an induction coil is further required to obtain high efficiency and uniform light emission.

Further, for example, an invention as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is also known. The electrodeless discharge lamp of Patent Document 1 is made of glass in which both ends of the glass tube are sealed so as to form a closed-loop tube wall having at least one glass tube and a closed-loop tube axis. A valve (envelope), a metal vapor (discharge gas) sealed in the valve whose vapor pressure is controlled by the cold spot temperature, an inert gas sealed in the valve at a pressure higher than 66.7 Pa, and a tube wall of the valve A high-frequency power is supplied from a high-frequency power source to start and maintain a high-frequency discharge in the bulb, which is directly provided along the tube axis of the closed loop on the outer wall surface of the bulb. An induction coil having a winding of one turn or more, a glass tube forming a bulb, and a portion of the winding of the induction coil adjacent to the bulb are surrounded to couple the induction coil to the bulb. It is also made from a single core.
(Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-1000025)

  In the conventional electrodeless discharge lamp, as shown in the drawing of Patent Document 1, there are two cores, and an induction coil is bridged between the cores. However, the core is made of a magnetic material such as ferrite, and generally has many materials that shield light. Therefore, the amount of light blocked by the core is large, and there is still room for improving efficiency. Moreover, if the number of cores is one, the induction coil cannot be held, but there is no suggestion about the instruction of the induction coil.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to provide an electrodeless discharge lamp capable of improving efficiency by reducing light blocked by a core and a lighting fixture including the same.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electrodeless discharge lamp according to the present application includes a loop-shaped bulb in which a discharge gas is sealed in a translucent material tube, and a magnetic material surrounding a part of the bulb. An electrodeless discharge lamp comprising: a core; an induction coil wound around at least a part of the core; and a high-frequency power source for exciting and emitting the discharge gas by electromagnetic induction by flowing a high-frequency current through the induction coil, One or more cores are arranged at one end of the loop-shaped valve, and the induction coil is wound around coil holding means in a space inside the valve along the valve, and the core surrounds a part of the induction coil. It is a feature.

  A lighting fixture according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the electrodeless discharge lamp according to the first aspect.

  According to the electrodeless discharge lamp of the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, a core made of a magnetic material surrounding a part of the bulb is disposed at one or more ends of the loop-shaped bulb, and an induction coil is provided along the bulb. The coil is wound around the coil holding means in the inner space, and the core surrounds a part of the induction coil. By adopting a configuration in which the core is arranged only at one end in this way, the light blocked by the core can be reduced to one place and the efficiency can be improved. Moreover, compared with the case where two or more cores are provided, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition to the effect of the electrodeless discharge lamp according to the first aspect, the luminaire including the electrodeless discharge lamp according to the second aspect of the invention can further simplify the structure and reduce the cost. Can do.

  An electrodeless discharge lamp capable of improving efficiency and a lighting fixture equipped with the same have been realized by simplifying the structure. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 are views showing an embodiment of the electrodeless discharge lamp of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment of the electrodeless discharge lamp of the present invention, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part.

  An electrodeless discharge lamp 1 according to the present embodiment includes a loop-shaped bulb 2 in which a discharge gas is sealed in a light-transmitting material tube, a core 3 surrounding a part of the bulb 2, and at least a portion of the core 3. And a coil holding means (bobbin) 5 around which the induction coil 4 is wound. In addition, a lighting circuit 6 having a high-frequency power source that causes a high-frequency current to flow through the induction coil 4 to excite and emit the discharge gas by electromagnetic induction is provided. One core 3 is arranged at one end of the loop-shaped valve 2, and the induction coil 4 is wound around the bobbin 5 in the space inside the valve 2, and the core 3 is a part of the induction coil 4. Is enclosed. A mercury reservoir 7 connected to the valve 2 is also provided.

  The bulb 2 has two glass straight pipes 11a, 11b and connecting pipes 12a, 12b connected in series at the pipe ends, communicated with each other, formed into a loop shape, and the connecting pipe 12a is provided with a mercury reservoir 7; Discharge gas is enclosed. Phosphor is applied to the inner surfaces of the straight tubes 11a and 11b and the connecting tubes 12a and 12b, and the straight tubes 11a and 11b serve as a main light emitting portion. The discharge gas is composed of an inert gas such as helium, neon, krypton, or argon and a metal vapor such as mercury. The core 3 is manufactured from a known magnetic material such as ferrite, and the I-shaped core 3a and the E-shaped core 3b are combined to form a Japanese-shaped core 3. The induction coil 4 is composed of a conductive winding of one turn or more.

  Although not shown, the structure of the bobbin 5 as another holding means having a function of holding the valve 2 and its shape at the end of the valve 2 at the end in the longitudinal direction different from the core 3. It is preferable to attach an object. In particular, when the length of the valve 2 is increased, the necessity of other holding means is increased.

Example 1
In the present invention configured as described above, the bulb 2 is a straight tube 11a, 11b, a glass tube having a length of about 500 mm and a diameter of 50 mm, and the connecting tubes 12a, 12b are glass having a diameter of 40 mm and a length of about 20 mm. A tube is used to connect the ends to make a loop shape. A mercury reservoir 7 having a diameter of 6 mm is formed on the connecting pipe 12a having a diameter of 40 mm. A phosphor is applied on the inner surface of the glass tube. The core 3 is made of a magnetic material such as ferrite, and the I-shaped core 3 a and the E-shaped core 3 b are combined to form a Japanese-shaped core 3.

  As the discharge gas, about 13 Pa of argon and about 10 mg of mercury are enclosed. The mercury reservoir 7 is set to the coldest point, and the temperature is set to about 40 ° C., so that the ultraviolet light emission efficiency of mercury is almost maximized. The induction coil 4 is formed by winding 8 turns around a part of the core 3 and the bobbin 5 (6 turns in the figure). A lighting circuit 6 having a high-frequency circuit including a high-frequency power source connected to the induction coil 4 is provided, and a high-frequency current (here, several hundred kHz) is supplied to the induction coil 4.

  In the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 according to the first embodiment configured as described above, when a high frequency current (several hundred kHz in this case) is passed through the induction coil 4, a high frequency electromagnetic field formed around the induction coil 4 by electromagnetic induction is generated. By acting on the loop-shaped bulb 2 described above, mercury atoms in the discharge gas are ionized or excited, and the excited mercury atoms mainly emit ultraviolet rays when returning to the ground state. Ultraviolet rays emitted from mercury atoms are converted into visible light by the phosphor.

  In the case of the present embodiment, particularly in the vicinity where the core 3 is disposed, the electric field strength is relatively high, and therefore it is considered that the electric field in this vicinity greatly contributes to startability and plasma generation. Furthermore, the plasma generated here diffuses to a location away from the core 3. Furthermore, since the induction coil 4 is close to the entire inner periphery of the valve 2, energy can be supplied even at a location away from the core 3. That is, in light emission at a location away from the core 3, plasma is easily generated due to the plasma diffusion effect in the vicinity of the core 3 and the effect of the electric field generated by electromagnetic induction of the induction coil 4, and a current path is formed in the entire bulb 2. It becomes easy. As a result, light emission with relatively high light emission efficiency can be obtained as compared with the case where the induction coil 4 is not wound around the entire bulb 2.

  As described above, when an appropriate electric power is applied using the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the present embodiment, it becomes possible to emit visible light with high efficiency and good uniformity. In the case of the present embodiment, the induction coil 4, the bobbin 5 and the core 3 are integrally coupled. Therefore, when producing, the induction coil 4 and the core 3 are attached to the bobbin 5, and the valve 2 is fitted thereto. Is relatively easy. In addition, the bobbin 5 can prevent deterioration from progressing as much as possible during the lifetime by using a white heat resistant plastic. In addition, the bobbin 5 is hollow here, but if the core 3 is further disposed in this portion, the uniformity of the electromagnetic field energy is further increased, and a long lamp with good luminous efficiency and luminous uniformity is achieved. Can do.

(Example 2)
FIG. 3 is a view showing another embodiment of the electrodeless discharge lamp of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the electrodeless discharge lamp of the embodiment 2. The electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the present embodiment is different from the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the embodiment 1 in that the vicinity of the core 3 is covered with a metal plate 8. In the present embodiment, parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of Example 2 is configured by covering the vicinity of the core 3 with a metal plate 8.

  If comprised in this way, the metal plate material 8 turns into a structural material in the case of attaching to the fixture main body part which actually comprises a lighting fixture, and it is possible to hold | maintain a lighting system by attaching this location to a fixture main body part. Improves. Furthermore, noise radiated from the vicinity of the core 3 can be reduced.

(Example 3)
4 and 5 are diagrams showing still another embodiment of the electrodeless discharge lamp according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the electrodeless discharge lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of structure. The electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the present embodiment is the same as the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the above-described embodiment 1 except that the bobbin 5 is removed and the induction coil 4 having the same function as that of the core 3 is disposed in the longitudinal direction. It is different in that it is arranged at the end position. In the present embodiment, parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a locking member 9 as a holding means having a function of holding the induction coil 4. Also in the case of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

Example 4
6 and 7 are diagrams showing still another embodiment of the electrodeless discharge lamp of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the electrodeless discharge lamp of Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of structure. The electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the present embodiment is different from the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the first embodiment in the structure of the core 3. In the present embodiment, parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of this embodiment has a relatively effective structure when the straight tube 11a and the straight tube 11b of the bulb 2 serving as a main light emitting portion are relatively separated from each other. In Example 1, when the distance between the pair of straight pipes 11a and 11b having a diameter of 50 mm is large (for example, about 50 mm), it is advantageous in terms of light emission efficiency.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a core 3 composed of an I-shaped core 3a and a U-shaped core 3c is assembled, and a portion connecting a straight pipe 11a and a straight pipe 11b having a diameter of 50 mm to one end in a longitudinal direction having a diameter of 50 mm (connection pipe) A single core 3 is arranged in 12a). This configuration is advantageous in terms of light emission efficiency because a relatively large core 3 can be used, and is long and uniform as in Example 1 by installing the induction coil 4 on the inner periphery of the lamp. Can be lit. In addition, in the case of this embodiment, when the metal plate structure similar to that of Embodiment 2 is used, the light shielding portion can be relatively reduced, which is also advantageous in terms of luminous efficiency.

(Example 5)
The electrodeless discharge lamp of this example is different from the electrodeless discharge lamp of Example 1 in that a quartz tube is used instead of a glass tube as a transparent material. In the present embodiment, detailed description of portions that perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be omitted. In the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 of the present embodiment, a sterilization electrodeless discharge lamp device capable of emitting ultraviolet rays by using an ultraviolet transmitting material such as quartz as a bulb material and not applying a phosphor is obtained. However, since the apparatus itself is exposed to ultraviolet rays unlike a fluorescent lamp, it is necessary to pay attention to the components. For example, plastics and the like are deteriorated and deteriorated when exposed to ultraviolet rays for a long period of time. Therefore, a bobbin material, a coil coating material, or the like is made of a material such as a fluororesin that is hardly deteriorated by UV.

  Since this apparatus has a long shape, it can be applied to a sterilization system that requires a long lamp, such as running water sterilization, surface sterilization, and air sterilization. In particular, since lamps in this field have a short life span and a commercial value, a long life span is very advantageous in terms of the total cost during the life span because the number of lamp replacements is reduced.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of one Example of the electrodeless discharge lamp of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part of the structure. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the other Example of the electrodeless discharge lamp of this invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the other Example of the electrodeless discharge lamp of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part of the structure. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the further another Example of the electrodeless discharge lamp of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part of the structure.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrodeless discharge lamp 2 Valve 3 Core 4 Induction coil 5 Bobbin (holding means)
6 Lighting circuit 7 Mercury reservoir 8 Metal plate 9 Locking member (holding means)
11a, 11b Straight pipe

Claims (2)

  A loop-shaped bulb in which a discharge gas is sealed in a translucent material tube, a core made of a magnetic material surrounding a portion of the outer bulb, an induction coil wound around at least a portion of the core, and An electrodeless discharge lamp comprising a high-frequency power source that causes a high-frequency current to flow through an induction coil to excite and emit the discharge gas by electromagnetic induction, wherein the core is disposed at one or more ends of the loop-shaped bulb, An electrodeless discharge lamp characterized in that an induction coil is wound around coil holding means in a space inside the bulb along a bulb, and a core surrounds a part of the induction coil.   A luminaire comprising the electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1.

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