JP2007287333A - Luminous neon tube - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a luminous neon tube in which a synergistic effect of an electroluminescent effect by covering the surface of an electroluminescent fiber with a phosphorescent pigment and a phosphorescent effect by its excitation light is generated, performance such as strength, installation performance, water resistance, and a light volume is sufficient, and a long lifetime of the electroluminescent fiber by improving insulation by multiple coating and an effect of the application of a high electric field is provided. <P>SOLUTION: The electroluminescent fiber is formed into a luminous neon tube in which phosphor containing a rare earth element in an alkaline earth aluminate as an activator is formed on the surface layer or between the layers of the fiber, and the neon tube is provided with the electroluminescent fiber in which a plurality of conductors for AC power supply are arranged inside the insulating electric wires coated with the phosphor and the phosphor layer to cover these. Since the luminous neon tube has electric wires for power supply built in the tube, a long length can be achieved by connecting a plurality of pieces. Thereby, a safe current of a maximum allowable current value or smaller can be supplied and sufficient luminance can be secured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a phosphorescent neon tube in which an electroluminescent fiber is coated with a phosphorescent material.

The electroluminescent fiber is an electroluminescent element formed in a fiber shape, a linear core electrode, a light emitting layer disposed on the outer periphery of the core electrode, a transparent electrode layer disposed on the outer periphery of the light emitting layer, The additional electrode spirally arranged on the outer periphery of the transparent electrode layer and a coating covering the outer periphery are provided. The core electrode and the additional electrode are connected to an AC power supply source at one end of the electroluminescent fiber, and the light emitting layer emits light by applying a constant alternating current between the core electrode and the additional electrode.

Such an electroluminescent fiber is expected to be applied to various illuminations and warning lights. However, the diameter of the electroluminescent fiber is as thin as about 2 to 3 mm, and there is a limit in strength, light quantity, and the like. Moreover, since the electroluminescent material used for the light emitting layer 22 is easily affected by moisture or the like, there is a limit to application to outdoor applications.

Moreover, since the core electrode and the additional electrode of the electroluminescent fiber are also very thin, the resistance is large, and there is a limit to the AC current value that can be passed (for example, 25 to 50 mA). Accordingly, the length of the electroluminescent fiber capable of obtaining the necessary luminance is also limited by this allowable maximum current value. For example, the allowable maximum current value of the electroluminescent fiber having a diameter of 2.1 mm is 50 mA at 130 V, depending on the frequency. The maximum length was 30m. If the electroluminescent fiber length is made longer than this while the supply current value is kept within the allowable maximum current value, the current value becomes insufficient and the necessary luminance cannot be obtained.

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention solves such problems in the practical application of electroluminescent fibers, and is a phosphorescent neon using an electroluminescent fiber that has sufficient performance such as strength, mountability, water resistance, and light quantity and can be applied outdoors. The purpose is to provide a tube.

Means for solving the problem

The phosphorescent neon tube according to the first aspect of the present invention that achieves such an object includes an insulated wire obtained by coating a conducting wire for supplying AC power with a phosphorescent material, and at least one strip disposed inside the insulated wire. An electroluminescent fiber, and a phosphorescent body covering the insulated wire and the electroluminescent fiber are provided.

According to the phosphorescent neon tube according to the first aspect of the present invention, the insulation and environmental resistance of the electroluminescent fiber can be improved by further covering the electroluminescent fiber with the phosphorescent material. Moreover, the light quantity per unit length can be increased by using a plurality of electroluminescent fibers and arranging them in a spiral shape. Further, the luminance can be further improved by using a phosphorescent material as the covering material.

Since the phosphorescent neon tube of the present invention has a built-in electric power supply wire, power can be supplied by connecting a plurality of electroluminescent fibers, and therefore within the allowable maximum current value of each electroluminescent fiber. It is possible to provide a long-sized phosphorescent neon tube that can be driven with an electric current of.

The phosphorescent neon tube according to the second aspect of the present invention is a phosphorescent neon tube having improved flexibility and brightness of the phosphorescent neon tube according to the first aspect described above, and realizes high-efficiency luminous performance.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

A phosphorescent neon tube according to the present invention includes a cabtyre cord having a predetermined length, an electroluminescent fiber disposed on the outer periphery of the cabtire cord, and a phosphorescent material layer covering the outer periphery, and further on an end portion. The terminal part for connecting with AC power supply is provided, and it is like the schematic diagram of FIG.

The cabtyre cord is composed of a plurality of conductors for supplying AC power to the electroluminescent fiber and a phosphorescent insulating coating, and the plurality of conductors are connected to each terminal. Each terminal is connected to a power source via a drive circuit such as an inverter. The power source may be a commercial AC power source or a DC power source.

The electroluminescent fiber includes a linear electrode, a light emitting layer disposed inside the electrode, an additional electrode spirally disposed on the outer periphery, and a phosphor layer covering the outer periphery. When the electroluminescent fiber is used alone, the phosphorescent material layer is also used to increase the weather resistance and is ideally thick. However, in the phosphorescent neon tube of the present invention, a predetermined layer thickness may be maintained.

The phosphor layer has the effect of protecting the electroluminescent fiber from the external environment and improving the luminance without blocking the light of the electroluminescent fiber. As such a material, a phosphorescent material containing a rare earth element as an activator in an alkaline earth aluminate is suitable. Moreover, it is preferable to contain an ultraviolet absorber in these. Thereby, a light emitting layer can be protected and the weather resistance of a luminous neon tube can be improved.

In general, the frequency (color tone) of light emitted from the electroluminescent fiber depends on the applied voltage and the frequency. If the voltage and frequency are constant, the color tone of the light is also constant. Light can be produced and the decorativeness of the phosphorescent neon tube can be enhanced.

The phosphorescent neon tube of the present invention configured as described above is flexible and weather resistant, so it can be attached to a desired base material or bent into a desired shape and used for indoor and outdoor illumination. Can do. In addition, sufficient luminance can be ensured by arranging spirally or a plurality of electroluminescent fibers having a phosphor layer. Furthermore, since the phosphorescent neon tube of the present invention can be connected to a desired length, it can be installed in a wide range of road construction sites, indoors, passages, parking lots, etc. and functions as a guidance display or warning light It is also possible to make it.

The invention's effect

As is clear from the above embodiments, the phosphorescent neon tube of the present invention incorporates a power supply wire to the electroluminescent fiber in the tube, so that it can be connected to a desired length by connecting the wire. Therefore, it is possible to supply a safe current below the allowable maximum current value to the electroluminescent fibers of the individual phosphorescent neon tubes and to ensure sufficient luminance.

The schematic diagram of the luminous neon tube provided with the electroluminescent fiber covered with the luminous layer according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Core electrode 2 Phosphor layer 3 Electroluminescent element layer 4 Additional electrode 5 Phosphor layer

Claims (3)

An electroluminescent fiber disposed inside an insulated wire, in which a plurality of conductors for supplying AC power are covered with an alkaline earth aluminate layered with a phosphor containing a rare earth element as an activator, and covering them A phosphorescent neon tube comprising the phosphorescent material layer. 2. The phosphorescent neon tube according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the layer of the coated phosphorescent material is 5 mm or less. A phosphorescent neon tube in which a plurality of electroluminescent fibers according to claim 1 or 2 are connected, wherein the insulated wires are connected to each other.

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