JP2009110703A - Electrodeless discharge lamp and luminaire - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a non-complete coupling state to be determined in one glance by lighting a lamp part only in the complete coupling state where the lamp part normally couples with a coupler part. <P>SOLUTION: A loop-like conductor 13 is disposed in a base 2 of the lamp part C. This loop-like conductor 13 is circumferentially tripartitely divided into conductor pieces 13a, on each facing ends of which a contact part S is provided. When a base receiving section 7 is inserted into the base 2 and is rotated to provide a complete coupling state, one contact part S is pressed and opened by an operation projection 15 disposed in the base receiving section 7 to electrically block the loop-like conductor 13. In the non-complete coupling state, the loop-like conductor 13 is kept in an electrically conductive state and the inductance value of an induction coil 9 decreases, so that the lamp part C does not light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrodeless discharge lamp that generates a high-frequency electromagnetic field in a bulb in which a discharge gas is sealed to excite the discharge gas to emit light, and a lighting fixture using the discharge lamp.

  As is well known, an electrodeless discharge lamp has an induction coil portion comprising a ferrite core and an induction coil wound around the inside of a bulb which is a light-transmitting hermetic container (usually a glass sphere) filled with a discharge gas. And a high-frequency electromagnetic field (induction electric field) is generated by flowing a high-frequency current from a high-frequency power source through the induction coil portion (induction coil).

  The high-frequency electromagnetic field acts on the discharge gas to generate plasma, and ultraviolet rays generated from mercury atoms are converted into visible light by a fluorescent film on the inner periphery of the bulb and emitted to the outside.

  A specific configuration example of a conventional electrodeless discharge lamp is shown in FIG. Here, only the principle configuration is shown and described for easy understanding.

  This discharge lamp is composed of a lamp part A that is a light emitter and a coupler part B that is a high-frequency electromagnetic field generating means.

  The lamp part A is constituted by a glass bulb 1 filled with discharge gas, and a base 2 (usually made of synthetic resin) attached to the base end side of the bulb 1. In addition, the cross section of the valve | bulb 1 is represented by the thick line.

  The bulb 1 is provided with a protective film and a fluorescent film (not shown) in the form of a double membrane on the inner peripheral surface, and at the center, downward (downward when the bulb 1 is upward as shown. A cylindrical cavity 3 having an opening in the vertical direction is integrally provided with an exhaust narrow tube 4 extending downward from the upper surface of the cavity at the center of the cavity 3.

  In the exhaust thin tube 4, a metal container 5 in which a mercury compound containing mercury discharged into the valve 1 is accommodated is provided.

  The coupler part B includes a cylindrical cylinder 6 and a base receiving part 7 provided on the base end (lower end) side of the cylinder 6.

  For simplicity, the cylinder 6 and the base 7 are shown as a single unit, but these are usually formed separately and connected. Further, in many cases, the cylinder 6 is formed by combining a metal cylindrical portion which is a heat conductor and a resin bobbin.

  A ferrite core 8 and an induction coil 9 wound around the outer periphery of the core 8 are provided on the upper outer periphery of the cylinder 6 to form an induction coil portion (reference numeral omitted), and this induction coil portion is formed of the cavity 3 in the lamp portion A. A cylinder 6 is inserted from below into the cavity 3 through the base 2 so as to be located at the upper part.

  In this cylinder insertion state, the base receiving portion 7 is fitted into the base 2 and either one or both of them are relatively rotated, so that, for example, a plurality of engaging protrusions 10, 11 are illustrated. The lamp part A and the coupler part B are detachably coupled by engaging in a vertically overlapping state.

  Thus, the electrodeless discharge lamp is assembled, and a high-frequency current flows from the high-frequency power source (not shown) to the induction coil 9 as described above, thereby generating a high-frequency electromagnetic field around the induction coil portion. When excited, the bulb 1 emits light (lamp part A is lit).

The above configuration is shown in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP 2006-12461 A

  In the above configuration, the fitting state of the base 2 and the base receiving part 7, that is, the coupling state of the lamp part A and the coupler part B becomes incomplete at the time of assembly, for example, the induction coil part is displaced from the normal position during or after assembly. there is a possibility.

  In this case, unlike an electroded discharge lamp, an electrodeless discharge lamp is lit even if there is a position shift of the induction coil portion, so that it is difficult to determine that it is in an incompletely coupled state.

  For this reason, there is a high possibility that the device will continue to be used in an incompletely coupled state. In such a case, a malfunction such as a reduction in the service life of the component occurs because the circuit operation is not normal.

  As an interlock mechanism, it is conceivable to provide a switch mechanism that works in the fitting operation of the base 2 and the base receiving part 7 and cuts off the power supply by the operation of this switch mechanism in an incompletely coupled state.

  However, if the switch mechanism is provided in the main circuit through which a high-frequency current flows, trouble factors such as welding of contacts increase and the reliability of the apparatus decreases. Further, if a switch circuit different from the main circuit is provided to control the energization, the wiring becomes complicated and the cost is high, both of which are harmful, and are not advantageous.

  Therefore, the present invention does not light up in an incompletely coupled state, can reliably determine that it is in an incompletely coupled state at a glance, can solve problems such as a decrease in the life of circuit components, and has a switch mechanism added. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrodeless discharge lamp and a lighting fixture that do not cause such harmful effects.

  The invention of claim 1 (electrodeless discharge lamp) emits light by exciting the discharge gas by generating a high-frequency electromagnetic field in the bulb by a lamp portion having a bulb and a base in which a discharge gas is sealed and an induction coil portion. A coupler portion that is provided with a base receiving portion on the base end side of a cylindrical cylinder around which the induction coil portion is wound, and the base and the base receiving portion are fitted to each other. In an electrodeless discharge lamp in which the lamp unit and the coupler unit are coupled in a state where the cap is connected, a short-circuit loop is formed that reduces the inductance value of the induction coil in an incompletely coupled state where the cap and the cap receiver are not properly fitted. The short-circuited loop is extinguished in a completely coupled state in which it is normally fitted.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, a loop-shaped conductor is provided inside the base, and the loop-shaped conductor is electrically cut off in a fully coupled state, and the loop-shaped conductor is electrically disconnected in an incompletely coupled state. And is configured to form a short-circuit loop.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, the contact portion is provided in the circumferential middle portion of the loop conductor, while the operation projection is provided in the base receiving portion, and the contact portion is provided by the operation projection in a completely coupled state. The loop conductor is configured to be electrically disconnected by being operated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the third aspect, the loop-shaped conductor is divided in the circumferential direction, and ends of the divided conductor pieces are overlapped to form a contact portion, and the contact point is formed by the operation protrusion. The part is pushed open so that the loop conductor is electrically cut off.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect, the loop conductor is divided into three or more conductor pieces to form a plurality of contact portions, and the operation protrusion pushes open any one of the contact portions. It is composed.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention (lighting fixture) comprises the electrodeless discharge lamp according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

  According to the electrodeless discharge lamp of the present invention and the lighting fixture using the same, a short-circuit loop is formed in an incompletely coupled state in which the base of the lamp part and the base of the coupler part are not normally fitted (claim 2). In ~ 5, the inductance of the induction coil part is reduced by electrically conducting the loop conductor, and the short circuit loop is extinguished in the fully coupled state (the conductor is electrically cut off). Lights only in the combined state and does not light in the incompletely connected state.

  For this reason, whether the combined state is correct or not can be determined at a glance with lighting / non-lighting. In addition, the circuit component is not lit in the incompletely coupled state and improper circuit operation is not performed, so there is no possibility that the life of the circuit component is reduced.

  In addition, since the short circuit loop that reduces the inductance value is configured (in the inventions of claims 2 to 5, the loop conductor is provided inside the base), the main circuit is directly or indirectly opened and closed by the switch mechanism. In this case, troubles such as welding of contacts and troubles such as complicated wiring do not occur.

  In this case, according to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, the contact portion is provided in the circumferential middle portion of the loop conductor, and the contact portion is operated by the operation protrusion provided in the base receiving portion to electrically connect the loop conductor. Since it is configured to cut off (when completely coupled) or conduct (when incompletely coupled), the structure for switching between breaking and conducting of the same conductor according to the coupling state is simple and inexpensive.

  According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the loop-shaped conductor is divided in the circumferential direction, the end portions of the divided conductor pieces are overlapped to form a contact portion, and the contact portion is pushed open by the operation protrusion. Since it is a structure, switching of interruption | blocking / conduction | electrical_connection of the conductor is performed reliably.

  Further, in the invention of claim 5, since any one of the plurality of contact portions may be pushed open, the positional relationship in the circumferential direction between the contact portion and the operation projection is not specified as one, and the positional relationship can be freely selected. The degree becomes higher. For this reason, it is advantageous in terms of the work of assembling the lamp part and the coupler part.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the electrodeless discharge lamp according to the embodiment, the following basic configuration is the same as that of the conventional electrodeless discharge lamp shown in FIG.

  (I) The point comprised by the lamp | ramp part C which is a light-emitting body, and the coupler part D which is a high frequency electromagnetic field generation means.

  (Ii) The lamp portion C is constituted by a glass bulb 1 in which discharge gas is sealed and a base 2 (usually made of synthetic resin) attached to the base end side of the bulb 1.

  (Iii) The bulb 1 is provided with a protective film and a fluorescent film in the form of a double film on the inner peripheral surface, a cylindrical cavity 3 having an opening at the center, and a cavity at the center of the cavity 3. The exhaust thin tube 4 extending downward from the upper surface is integrally provided, and the metal container 5 in which the mercury compound is accommodated is provided in the exhaust thin tube 4.

  (Iv) The coupler portion C includes a cylindrical cylinder 6 and a base receiving portion 7 provided on the base end (lower end) side of the cylinder 6.

  (V) A ferrite core 8 and an induction coil 9 wound around the outer periphery of the core 8 are provided on the upper outer periphery of the cylinder 6 to form an induction coil portion, and this induction coil portion is an upper portion of the cavity 3 in the lamp portion C. The cylinder 6 is inserted into the cavity 3 from below through the base 2 so as to be located at

  (Vi) In this cylinder insertion state, the base receiving part 7 is fitted into the base 2 and either one or both are relatively rotated, for example, a plurality of protrusions (only one is shown) 10, 11 is a point in which the lamp part C and the coupler part D are detachably coupled with each other in an overlapping state.

  On the premise of the above configuration, a loop-shaped conductor 13 that forms a short-circuit loop is provided on the lower surface of the convex edge portion 12 projecting in a ring shape on the inner peripheral surface of the base 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the loop-shaped conductor 13 is divided into three parts in the circumferential direction, and the opposite ends of the divided conductor pieces 13a. Installed.

  As a result, each conductor piece 13a is electrically connected to form one short-circuit loop, and a contact portion S is formed for each overlapping end portion (three places in the circumferential direction) of each conductor piece 13a. When any one of the contact portions S is opened, the short-circuit loop disappears.

  The loop-shaped conductor 13 is formed of a thin plate-like conductive material having a spring property so that the contact portion S can be opened and closed.

  As means for opening and operating the contact portion S, window holes 14 are provided at three circumferential positions where the contact portions S in the convex edge portion 12 are located, while needles projecting upward on the upper surface of the base receiving portion 7 When the lamp portion C (base 2) and the coupler portion D (base receiving portion 7) are normally coupled (completely coupled) during assembly, the operational projection 15 is provided. Is configured to push open any one contact portion S.

  This point will be described in detail.

  The base receiving part 7 of the coupler part D is inserted into the base 2 of the lamp part C with a circumferential positional relationship in which the mutual engaging projections 10 and 11 do not interfere with each other.

  FIG. 4 (a) shows this state during insertion. At this stage, the operation projection 15 is close to one contact portion S of the loop conductor 13 but does not reach yet, and all the contact portions S are closed, that is, a short-circuited loop is formed. Yes.

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which the base receiving part 7 is inserted to the back of the base 2. At this stage, the tip of the operation projection 15 comes into contact with one contact portion S facing from below. However, since the operation protrusion 15 is only in contact with the tip end side of the contact portion S, the contact portion S is still closed.

  When the base receiving part 7 (or the base 2) is rotated at an angle necessary for complete coupling from this state, the operation projection 15 moves to the base end side of the contact part S as shown in FIG. One end of the conductor is pushed up into the corresponding window hole 14 and the contact portion S is opened.

  In this way, the lamp portion C (base 2) and the coupler portion D (base receiving portion 7) are completely coupled with each other, and at the same time, the contact portion S is opened and the loop conductor 13 is electrically cut off.

  In other words, in the incompletely coupled state in which the insertion amount and the rotation amount of the base receiving part 7 are insufficient, the loop conductor 13 is electrically connected to form a short circuit loop.

  When the induction coil 9 is energized in the short-circuit loop formation state, the magnetic flux of the high-frequency electromagnetic field generated in the lamp portion C is linked to the loop conductor 13 to generate an eddy current, and the inductance value of the induction coil portion (high-frequency power source) The load impedance as viewed from the above is significantly lower than the appropriate value, so that the discharge gas is not excited and the lamp section C is not lit.

  Note that it may be configured to detect an abnormality in the load impedance at the time of incomplete coupling and stop the oscillation action of the high-frequency power source.

  According to this electrodeless discharge lamp, since the lamp part C is lit only in the fully coupled state as described above, it is clear at a glance whether the coupled state is correct or not by turning on / off the lamp part C at the end of the fitting operation. Can be determined.

  In addition, the circuit component is not lit in the incompletely coupled state, and improper circuit operation is not performed, so that there is no possibility that the life of the circuit component is reduced.

  Moreover, since it is only necessary to provide the loop-shaped conductor 13 inside the base 2, unlike the case where the main circuit connecting the high-frequency power source and the induction coil 9 is directly or indirectly opened and closed by a switch mechanism, the welding of the contacts is performed. This does not cause any troubles such as troubles and complicated wiring.

  In this case, a contact portion S is provided at the circumferential intermediate portion of the loop-shaped conductor 13, and at the time of complete coupling, the loop-shaped conductor 13 is electrically connected by operating the contact portion S with the operation projection 15 provided on the base receiving portion 7. Since it is the structure which interrupts | blocks, the structure for switching of interruption | blocking / conduction of the same conductor 13 according to a coupling state is simple, and cost can be reduced.

  Further, in the embodiment, the loop-shaped conductor 13 is divided into three in the circumferential direction, and the end portions of the divided conductor pieces 13a are overlapped to form the contact portion S at three locations, among which the operation protrusion 15 is opposed. Since the contact portion S to be opened is configured to be opened, switching of the interruption / conduction of the conductor 13 is reliably performed.

  Furthermore, the positional relationship between the contact portion S and the operation projection 15 in the circumferential direction is not specified as one, and the degree of freedom in selecting the positional relationship is increased. This is advantageous in terms of the coupling (assembly) operation of the lamp part C and the coupler part D.

  FIG. 5 shows a security light device L as an example of a lighting fixture using this discharge lamp.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a housing in which the discharge lamp is accommodated, 17 is a translucent panel made of acrylic or the like, and 18 is a mounting portion for a pole or the like.

  In such a security light device L, the discharge lamp is often installed obliquely downward. In this case, if the coupling between the lamp part C and the coupler part D is incomplete, the lamp part C may be inclined further downward due to its own weight or vibration when the apparatus is installed or after installation.

  In the conventional discharge lamp, since the lamp portion C is lit and can continue to be used even in this state, problems such as a reduction in the life of the circuit components occur due to continued abnormal circuit operation. On the other hand, according to the discharge lamp according to the embodiment, since the lamp portion C is not lit in the incompletely coupled state, such a problem does not occur at all.

Other Embodiments (1) The loop conductor 13 may be provided on the upper surface side of the convex edge portion 12 so that the opening operation of the contact portion S by the operation protrusion 15 is performed through the window hole 14.

  (2) The number of the operation protrusions 15 may be the same as that of the contact portions S (three in the embodiment), or a plurality of the operation protrusions 15 may be provided. In this way, even if the opening operation of the contact portion S by the operation protrusion 15 becomes unsatisfactory for one reason (a reason other than incomplete coupling), it is covered with another contact portion S and looped. The conductor 13 can be interrupted.

  Or when taking the fitting structure where the positional relationship of the circumferential direction of the contact part S and the operation protrusion 15 is specified to one, you may provide only one each.

  (3) The loop-shaped conductor 13 may be formed into an end ring shape in which a part in the circumferential direction is opened, and the contact portion S may be configured at the open end.

  (4) As means for forming a short-circuited loop, a configuration other than the above-described embodiment in which the loop-shaped conductor 13 is provided inside the base may be taken. For example, a semi-loop conductor is provided in both the base 2 and the base receiving part 7 so as to be displaced in the circumferential direction so as to form one loop in an incompletely connected state, and the loop is in the intermediate part in the fully connected state. You may comprise so that it may interrupt.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the base receiving part 7 of the coupler part D is inserted into the base 2 of the lamp part C and rotated to couple them. A structure in which the male screw and the female screw are coupled to each other, or a structure in which the base receiving portion 7 is inserted into the back and further pushed in against the spring force to be in a completely coupled state may be employed.

It is sectional drawing of the electrodeless discharge lamp concerning embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which expanded a part of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. (A)-(c) is a figure for demonstrating the opening / closing effect | action of the loop-shaped conductor according to coupling | bonding operation of the nozzle | cap | die of a lamp part, and the nozzle | cap | die receiving part of a coupler part. It is a perspective view of a security light device as a lighting fixture using the discharge lamp concerning an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the conventional electrodeless discharge lamp.

Explanation of symbols

C Lamp part 1 Valve 2 Base D Coupler part 7 Base receiving part 8 Ferrite core constituting the induction coil part 9 Same induction coil 10, 11 Engagement protrusion 12 for connecting the base and the base receiving part 12 Convex edge part of the base 13 Loop-shaped conductor 13a Conductor piece constituting loop-shaped conductor S Contact portion 14 Window hole of convex edge portion 15 Operation projection L Security light device as lighting fixture

Claims (6)

  A lamp unit having a bulb and a base in which a discharge gas is sealed, and a coupler unit that generates a high-frequency electromagnetic field in the bulb by an induction coil unit to excite the discharge gas to emit light, A base receiving part is provided on the base end side of the cylindrical cylinder around which the induction coil part is wound, and the lamp part and the coupler part are coupled in a state where the base and the base receiving part are fitted. In an electrodeless discharge lamp, a short-circuit loop is formed to reduce the inductance value of the induction coil in an incompletely coupled state where the base and the base receiving part are not normally fitted. An electrodeless discharge lamp characterized in that the short-circuit loop disappears.   A loop-shaped conductor is provided inside the base, and the loop-shaped conductor is electrically cut off in a completely coupled state, and the short-circuited loop is formed by electrically connecting the loop-shaped conductor in an incompletely coupled state. The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the electrodeless discharge lamp is provided.   A contact portion is provided in the middle portion in the circumferential direction of the loop conductor, while an operation projection is provided in the base receiving portion so that the contact portion is operated by the operation projection in the completely coupled state so that the loop conductor is electrically cut off. The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 2, wherein the electrodeless discharge lamp is configured as follows.   The loop-shaped conductor is divided in the circumferential direction, and the end portions of the divided conductor pieces are overlapped to form a contact portion. The contact portion is pushed open by the operation protrusion, and the loop-shaped conductor is electrically cut off. The electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 3, wherein the electrodeless discharge lamp is configured as described above.   5. The electrodeless electrode according to claim 4, wherein the loop-shaped conductor is divided into three or more conductor pieces to form a plurality of contact portions, and the operation projection is configured to push open any one of the contact portions. Discharge lamp.   A lighting fixture comprising the electrodeless discharge lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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