JP3424331B2 - Mercury vapor discharge lamp, method of manufacturing this lamp, and lighting device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discharge lamp having a bulb filled with mercury.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, has a bulb filled with mercury and argon.
There is a light source that plays a major role of light emission by using 185 nm or the like as an excitation source of a fluorescent material, and there is a lamp in which only a rare gas is partially enclosed, but mercury is an essential lamp for obtaining high efficiency. the like fluorescent lamps for general lighting is that it is well known that mercury is sealed.

In the manufacture of this fluorescent lamp, as a method of enclosing mercury in the bulb, it is general to send liquid mercury through an exhaust pipe connected to the end of the bulb, but the encapsulation amount is insufficient or there is variation. Since it became large, it was difficult to mount a fixed amount.

However, when liquid mercury is sealed in, it is fed through an exhaust pipe connected to the end of the valve, but since it is liquid, mercury adheres to the wall of the sealing passage such as the sealing device or the exhaust pipe, or is exhausted at high temperature. It was difficult to quantitatively seal the amount because the amount filled was insufficient or varied due to evaporation from the valve inside. For this reason, it was attempted to supply excess mercury in anticipation of loss, but it is preferable to minimize the amount of mercury necessary for environmental protection. Although it was covered with a stable powder and then enclosed, the problem has not been solved yet.

As a solution to this problem, a method of encapsulating mercury and an amalgam-forming metal such as indium as an amalgam, a method of alloying and encapsulating mercury and titanium or the like, alumina or the like of mercury. There is a method of impregnating and encapsulating a pellet made of, or a method of enclosing and encapsulating mercury in a glass capsule. Then, according to these methods, a fixed amount of sealing was possible as compared with the method of dropping mercury.

However, in the case of encapsulating as amalgam, the amalgam forming metal still contains a considerable amount of mercury even though the lamp is in operation, and the amalgam is in contact with the phosphor film formed on the inner surface of the bulb. In that case, there is a drawback that mercury in the amalgam reacts with the phosphor to easily cause blackening of the phosphor film. Also, amalgam cannot be used for any lamp due to its temperature characteristics.

Further, the present applicant has previously developed a technique for quantitatively encapsulating mercury using a mercury-releasing metal of zinc-mercury. This is sealed in the form of a granular alloy in the lamp manufacturing process, and is heated from the outside to release mercury, and at the same time, the alloy is melted and welded to the inner surface of the glass bulb.

However, there is a difference in adhesion strength between the glass bulb and the glass bulb for each granular alloy, and there is a problem in that the particles cannot be firmly welded and fall off, and this drop off scratches the phosphor film. There was a case where it was damaged and the commercialability was impaired.

[0009]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to further improve such a prior art, and it is possible to quantitatively enclose mercury even in a small amount, and it is easy to manufacture without fixing problem. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mercury vapor discharge lamp in which a mercury-releasing metal structure that is economical and has a wide range of application is enclosed, a method for manufacturing the lamp, and a lighting fixture using the lamp.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

A mercury vapor discharge lamp according to claim 1 of the present invention has a glass bulb, an electrode provided in the vicinity of a sealing portion at an end of the glass bulb, and fixed to an inner wall of the glass bulb. Also, it is composed of alloy particles of zinc and mercury forming the substrate, and the mercury concentration of the alloy particles is relatively higher on the center side than on the surface side, and exceeds the bulb wall temperature when the lamp is lit, Further, it is characterized in that it comprises a mercury-releasing metal substrate that melts below the softening temperature of the glass bulb and a rare gas sealed in the glass bulb.

The mercury vapor discharge lamp according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the mercury-releasing metal substrate is disposed in the vicinity of the sealing portion.

The mercury vapor discharge lamp according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that at least one of the glass bulb and the stem is made of lead glass, and the mercury-releasing metal substrate is fixed to the lead glass portion.

The mercury vapor discharge lamp according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the mercury-releasing metal substrate is disposed in the exhaust pipe.

[0016] A lamp according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in Rukoto fluorescent lamp or a high pressure discharge lamp or ultraviolet radiation lamp Tona.

A method of manufacturing a mercury vapor discharge lamp according to a sixth aspect of the present invention comprises a step of directly or indirectly sealing an electrode to a glass bulb having a film formed on its surface or having no film, and this glass. The bulb consists of alloy particles of zinc and mercury that compose the substrate, and the mercury concentration of the alloy particles is relatively higher on the center side than on the surface side and exceeds the bulb wall temperature when the lamp is lit. And, the step of encapsulating the mercury-releasing metal structure that is molten below the softening temperature of the glass bulb and becomes porous after releasing the mercury, and the mercury-releasing metal structure from the mercury-releasing metal structure due to the residual heat at the time of exhaust of the glass bulb. And a step of releasing mercury.

The lighting device according to claim 7 of the present invention, a lighting fixture body, the mercury vapor discharge lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is attached to the body, between the lamp and the power source And a ballast that is connected to the lamp to stably light the lamp.

[0019]

[Action] In the invention described in claim 1 and 2, to give a valve temperature <br/> during operation of the lamp super, and melt below the processing temperature of the glass bulb, a metal such as zinc to the surface side Since it is a mercury-releasing metal structure that exists in large numbers, it is well-adapted to glass and the like and has good fusion properties, and easily melts and adheres to the glass bulb, and also adheres to the vicinity of the bulb and sealing part, so the adhesion contact area is large. Hard to drop off.

[0020] In the invention described in claim 3, beyond the valve temperature during operation of the lamp, and melt below the processing temperature of the glass bulb, the mercury on the surface side and there are many zinc emitting metals group member der is, zinc component can provide falling hardly discharge lamp because the well familiar melted and fixed with a lead component of the lead <br/> glass bulb or stem.

In the invention according to claim 4 , the mercury-releasing metal substrate does not move from the inside of the exhaust pipe to the inside of the valve, and the appearance is not spoiled.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a fluorescent lamp, a high pressure discharge lamp, an ultraviolet radiation lamp or the like is provided.
The above-mentioned contract by enclosing the mercury-releasing metal substrate according to claim 1.
The effects of the requirements 1 to 4 are achieved.

[0023] claimed in the invention described in claim 6, enclosed mercury emissions metal structure in just after thermal processing valves, Rutotomoni mercury releasing metal base body place can in particular emit mercury without the addition of heat Can be fixed to.

In the invention described in claim 7, the lamp according to claim 1 or claim 5 can be turned on without impairing the appearance.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one end of a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp, for example, an annular fluorescent lamp L. (Note that the term "mercury-releasing metal structure" used in the present invention means mercury Hg- zinc Zn before mercury is released.
An alloy is represented, and the mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 represents a mercury Hg- zinc Zn alloy having a reduced mercury content after mercury is released. In the figure, 1 is an annular valve made of soda lime glass or lead glass, 2 is a stem made of lead glass, 3 is a sealing portion 3 between the valve 1 and the stem 2, and a tip portion of the sealing portion 3 is shown. An annular protrusion 3a is formed on the outer peripheral edge, and an annular recess 3b is formed inside. Reference numeral 4 is an electrode provided on the stem 2 and reference numeral 5 is an exhaust pipe made of soda lime glass or lead glass. On the inner surface of the bulb 1, a phosphor film 6 coated with a three-wavelength type rare earth phosphor, a continuous-wavelength emission type halophosphate phosphor, or the like is formed. In addition, argon Ar, krypton Kr, and xenon Xe are contained in the valve 1.
Noble gas such as a single gas or a mixture thereof, and the sealing portion 3
A granular mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 is provided in the annular recess 3b at the tip.
Is sealed and fixed.

This granular mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 is zinc Z
For example, the maximum part of a spherical shape made of an n-mercury Hg alloy has a size of about 1.5 mm, and the mercury Hg component is mainly present on the central side, and decreases toward the surface side, that is, mercury. The concentration is relatively higher on the center side than on the front side.

After the lamp L is completed, the mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 has a portion of mercury Hg released by heating in the manufacturing process, and in the state shown in the figure, zinc Zn-mercury Hg containing a portion of mercury Hg. Only the alloy remains,
The mercury Hg concentration is about 20% by weight on the center side and the zinc Zn concentration is about 80% by weight, and the mercury Hg concentration is about 10% by weight on the surface side.
The zinc concentration was about 90% by weight, that is, the mercury concentration on the central side was relatively higher than that on the surface side (there was a large amount of mercury), and the concentration decreased as it went toward the surface side. ing. Further, the surface state of the substrate 7 after the mercury Hg has been scattered is porous. Further, the mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 does not substantially reabsorb mercury after the mercury is released. The term "substantially" means that it does not absorb so much that it affects the mercury vapor pressure in the bulb unlike amalgam.

Next, a method for manufacturing the annular fluorescent lamp L will be described. First, a fluorescent substance is applied to the straight tube type glass bulb 1 by a conventional method to form a fluorescent substance film 5. Next, the glass stems 2 and 2 provided with electrodes 4 at both ends of the bulb 1 are sealed. During this sealing, while the glass was in a softened state, this part was put into a mold and the bulb 1
By molding by pressurizing the inside, an annular protruding portion 3a is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the tip end portion of the sealing portion 3, and an annular concave portion 3b is formed inside.
To form. (It is needless to say that the sealing portions 3 are formed at both ends of the valve 1, although not shown.) Then, the sealed valve 1 is heated and softened as a whole to The annular protruding portion 3a of the sealing portion 3 is grasped by a jig and wound around a circular drum to form an annular shape. At this time, the inside of the valve 1 is pressurized so as not to be crushed. Then, the valve 1 is exhausted through the exhaust pipe 5 of the stem 2 while heating the valve 1, and then a granular mercury-releasing metal structure containing a rare gas and mercury Hg is sealed through the exhaust pipe 5 at one end, and exhausted. Cut off the tube 5.

When the granular mercury-releasing metal structure is enclosed, the structure falls through the exhaust pipe 5 to the lower side of gravity,
While the temperature of the bulb 1 including the stem 2 is high in order to reach the recess 3b, the bulb 1 is rotated to move the mercury-releasing metal structure to the recess 3b. The phosphor film 5 is provided at the endmost position of the recess 3b where the bulb 1 and the stem 2 are fused.
However, the mercury-releasing metal structure comes into contact with the inner surface of the recess 3b, is heated by the residual heat of the heating for degassing at the time of evacuation, releases the mercury contained therein, and melts.
The mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 is welded to the inner surface of the glass wall b. The mercury is mainly emitted from the mercury on the surface side of the granular mercury-releasing metal structure. Then, a base (not shown) is attached between the both end sealing portions 3 and 3 of the bulb 1 to complete the lamp L.

Incidentally, the mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 having the above composition is
Since Zn, which has a low melting point in the metal, is used, the melting start temperature is about 350 ° C, and the mercury in the structure is about 100 ° C.
The substrate 7 is welded to the inner surface of the glass wall when the temperature evaporates from the surface and the temperature lowers at about ° C. The melting of the mercury-releasing metal structure can be automatically performed by utilizing the residual heat of the gas discharge heating in the normal exhaust step, but when the temperature of the inner surface of the glass wall of the recess 3b of the sealing portion 3 is low, You may make it heat separately from the outside of 1.

The mercury-releasing metal structure is used in the lamp L.
The valve 1 wall temperature of normal lighting of the completed exceeded, and melted at below the softening temperature of the glass bulb 1, the mercury releasing metal substrate 7 after the mercury release does not substantially reabsorbed mercury. The term "substantially" means that it does not absorb mercury vapor so much that it affects the vapor pressure of mercury in the bulb 1 unlike amalgam. The surface state of the substrate 7 after the mercury Hg has escaped is porous.

The production of the above-mentioned mercury-releasing metal assembly is
Zinc Zn 40 to 50% by weight, for example 45% by weight, mercury H
50 to 60% by weight, for example 55% by weight, are fused in a tank, and a melt of mercury Hg and zinc Zn at about 500 ° C. is dropped from the tip of the nozzle into silicon oil or the like, or dropped liquid particles. Is gradually cooled in air or in a non-oxidizing gas. The granular structure has a mercury Hg concentration of about 50% by weight and a zinc Zn concentration of about 5 on the central side.
0% by weight, surface Hg concentration is about 40% by weight mercury, Zinc Z
n concentration is about 60% by weight, that is, mercury Hg
The concentration is relatively higher on the center side than on the surface side (there is a large amount of mercury), and the concentration decreases as it goes toward the surface side. The size of the mercury-releasing metal structure and the concentration states of the zinc Zn component and the mercury Hg component can be adjusted by changing the temperature of the melt and the inner diameter of the nozzle.

In this structure, when the temperature is raised, mercury Hg having a low melting point gradually evaporates from the surface side, and after that, a porous Zn Zn component portion having a large number of pores and the mercury Hg component inside are formed. The part remains. Incidentally, the zinc Zn-mercury Hg alloy having the above-mentioned structure causes a part of mercury Hg to be released by the heating in the lamp manufacturing process, and this mercury Hg is released on the surface side. The central part has a mercury Hg concentration of about 20% by weight and a zinc Zn concentration of about 80.
% By weight, mercury Hg concentration on the surface side is about 10% by weight, zinc Zn
The concentration is about 90% by weight, that is, the center side has a relatively high mercury concentration (there is a large amount of mercury) compared to the surface side, and the concentration decreases toward the surface side. .

In the above-mentioned annular fluorescent lamp L, since the mercury-releasing metal structure is solid, its handling is particularly easy to perform quantitative filling, and adhesion and adsorption of impurities are small, and impure gas that has a bad influence on the characteristics after being enclosed in the lamp L is contained. There is no occurrence, and the lamp characteristics can be improved. Moreover, mercury is released at a relatively low temperature, no special means for releasing is required, and mercury is released quickly and easily. Further, as for the mercury inside the structure that could not be released during the fusion of the mercury-releasing metal structure, the mercury on the center side gradually exudes through a number of holes as the lamp L is turned on, and the consumed mercury is replenished. None, and has an effect of preventing deterioration of lamp characteristics.

Further, in fusing the mercury-releasing metal structure, since this structure has a high zinc concentration on the surface side and the material of the stem 2 portion to be fused is lead glass, the lead component of this glass and the mercury-releasing metal structure are It has good compatibility with the zinc component and can firmly adhere. If the material of the bulb 1 is lead glass,
The mercury-releasing metal structure can be firmly fixed even if it falls off the sealing portion 3. Further, when the material of the bulb 1 is soda lime glass and the dropping location of the mercury-releasing metal structure hits the sealing portion 3, the material of the stem 2 portion is lead glass, so that the stem 2 portion is fused firmly. Can be fixed.

Further, this structure has a valve 1 at the tip of the sealing portion 3.
In the concave portion 3b between the stem 2 and the stem 2, it comes into contact with the glass wall portion having an irregular curved surface with a large contact area, so that the heat conduction becomes large and the fixing strength does not become insufficient due to insufficient melting, so that strong fixing can be achieved and drop off. Can be prevented.

Further, since the place where the mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 is fixed is the end of the sealing portion 3 and cannot be seen from the outside when the base is capped, the appearance when the lamp L is lit is not considered.

2 to 4 show another embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 2 is a sectional view in which a part of the straight fluorescent lamp L is broken and a part thereof is enlarged, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a main part showing another embodiment. FIG.

Each of the bulbs 1 of this embodiment has a straight tube shape made of soda lime glass, and stems 2 made of lead glass are sealed at both ends thereof.
The lamp L is substantially the same as the lamp L except that it is not bent in an annular shape and the structure of the base is different. First, the lamp L shown in FIG.
After sealing the stems 2 and 2 at both ends of the valve 1 as usual, after performing the same exhausting work as the above-mentioned embodiment through the exhaust pipe 5, the above-mentioned embodiment from the exhaust pipe 5 into the valve 1 The same granular mercury-releasing metal structure and a rare gas are filled in and the exhaust pipe 5 is closed. Then, the mercury-releasing metal structure is left on the phosphor film 6 in the middle of the bulb 1, or the bulb 1 is erected or tilted as shown in FIG. The mercury-releasing metal structure on the film 6 is moved to the position of the recess 3b on the innermost surface of the end of the sealing portion 3. (If the valve 1 is erected and the exhaust work is performed, it may be left as it is.) Then, the structure of the valve 1 where the mercury-releasing metal structure is located is heated from the outside so that the structure is also heated. The structure is welded and fixed to the inner surface of the glass, and mercury is released. (Of course, if the structure of the valve 1 is stuck immediately after the exhaust work is completed, no special heating is necessary.) At this time, the mercury-releasing metal structure is welded to the middle part of the valve 1. In this case, the appearance may be slightly impaired, but if the welding position is the surface of the stem 2 made of lead glass or the innermost end inner surface of the sealing portion 3, the lead components are compatible with each other and can be firmly fixed. In the case of this embodiment as well, the same operational effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment are obtained, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 is arranged in the sealing portion 3 of the bulb 1, but the substrate 7 may be arranged in the exhaust pipe 5. This is Figure 3
Part of the inner surface of the exhaust pipe 5 as shown by the dotted line so that the mercury can pass even if a granular mercury-releasing metal substrate 71 is welded and fixed to the inner surface of the exhaust pipe 5 as shown by the dotted line therein. It is also possible to form a concave portion 5a that is recessed inward to prevent the base body 71 from moving into the valve 1. By disposing the mercury-releasing metal base 71 in the exhaust pipe 5 in this manner, there is no problem in the appearance when the lamp L is lit.

In each of the above embodiments, the stem 2 is used for sealing the valve 1. However, the present invention does not use a stem such as a flare stem or a button stem, but the lead wires 8, 8 as shown in FIG. The valve 1 may be directly sealed in the sealing portion 3 obtained by crushing the end portion of the valve 1. In this case, it is necessary to take measures so that the mercury-releasing metal substrate 7 does not short-circuit between the lead wires 8 and 8. For example, the exhaust pipe 5 may be projected between the lead wires 8 and 8 as shown by the dotted line. You can deal with it by putting it in.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an illuminating device using the fluorescent lamp L of the present invention. The illuminating device shown in the figure is a luminaire D, and D1 in the figure is a luminaire main body,
An attachment (not shown) to a building or the like is attached to the main body D1.
The power supply connection mechanism, ballast D2, etc. are stored in the main body D1.
Lamp sockets D3 and D3 are mounted below the lamp, and a fluorescent lamp L is mounted between them. This fluorescent lamp L
Is supported by the sockets D3 and D3, and is supplied with power via the power supply connection mechanism, the ballast D2 and the sockets D3 and D3, and can be lit stably.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is not limited to a general fluorescent lamp, and a protective film such as alumina may be provided between the glass bulb surface and the phosphor film. In addition to other fluorescent lamps having a transparent conductive film formed thereon, the present invention can be applied to other lamps in which mercury is enclosed in a glass bulb, such as an ultraviolet radiation lamp with or without a coating formed on the bulb surface.

Further, the shape of the glass bulb is not limited to the annular shape and the straight tube shape, but may be a so-called compact shape such as a U shape, a W shape, a WU shape, etc., in which the lamp and the ballast are integrated. It may be one. Further, in the present invention, the term "sealing the mercury-releasing metal substrate (structure) in the valve" means the portion including the exhaust pipe portion as the valve as described above, and the term "directly sealing the electrode to the valve" means that it is shown in FIG. The lamp having such a structure and indirectly sealing means a lamp having a structure using a stem as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Further, the vicinity of the sealing portion means a portion of the valve and the stem adjacent to the fusion portion of the valve and the stem, a sealing portion obtained by crushing the valve and the adjacent portion.

Further, the material of the glass bulb and the stem and the combination of the materials are not limited to those in the embodiment, but soda lime glass, lead glass, etc. are appropriately selected according to the rating, load, use, price, etc. of the lamp. Can be used.

Further, this mercury-releasing metal structure is composed of mercury Hg.
Zinc Zn has an advantage that the melting point is low in the metal, no impure gas is generated in the sealed bulb, and the luminous flux and life of the lamp are not reduced.
To do. Further, the grain shape is not limited to a spherical shape, and may be a polyhedron composed of an aggregate of circular portions, an indeterminate distorted polyhedron shape or a substantially regular polygonal polyhedron. Further, the structure of the granular mercury-releasing metal structure, that is, its mercury concentration is relatively higher on the central side than on the surface side, that is, on the surface side, there are many metal components constituting the substrate such as zinc Zn. As long as it has a configuration, the change in the concentration may be changed gradually or stepwise.

The size of the granular mercury-releasing metal structure may be such that it can pass through the inside of the exhaust pipe, and the amount of the enclosed metal structure may be appropriately determined depending on the type, required characteristics, etc. The number of structures to be enclosed in the lamp is not limited to one and may be plural. Further, the mercury-releasing metal structure may be provided with holes or slits as shown in FIG. Figure 6
Indicates a mercury-releasing metal structure 7A, and 7h in the figure is a hole or a slit formed toward the center of the structure. This hole or slit 7h is 1
There may be only one place or a plurality of places, and it may penetrate not a dead end. By forming the holes and the slits 7h in this way, it is easy to release the mercury Hg inside when the structure 7A is fused and during lamp lighting, and when the mercury-releasing metal structure 7A is rapidly heated. There is an advantage that the structure 7A does not burst, the surrounding area is not polluted, and the appearance is not damaged.

Further, the method of enclosing the mercury-releasing metal structure may be encapsulation separately, not simultaneously with the rare gas.

[0049]

[0050]

According to the invention described in claims 1 and 2, water is used.
Since silver as solid mercury releasing metal structure is easy encapsulation of mercury less quantitative impurities adhesion and adsorption, without generation of impurity gases adversely affect the properties after the lamp encapsulation, also from the substrate It can be easily improved La <br/> lamp characteristics since it replenished mercury. In addition, it is a mercury-releasing metal structure in which a large amount of zinc is present on the surface side, which melts above the bulb temperature during lamp operation and below the glass bulb processing temperature. It does not require any special means for discharging and is well compatible with glass and the like, and can be firmly fixed to the inner surface of the glass wall, which is an irregularly curved surface of the sealing portion, with a large contact area, and is unlikely to fall off.

According to the invention described in claim 3, a sub- surface is formed on the surface side.
Since it is a mercury-releasing metal structure containing a lot of lead , it can be easily melted and fixed to the glass bulb or the sealing part made of lead glass, so the lead component of the glass is well compatible with the mercury-releasing metal structure and has good fusion properties and is strong. It can be firmly fixed and does not fall off easily.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the mercury-releasing metal substrate does not escape from the exhaust pipe into the valve and does not impair the appearance.

[0053] In the invention described in claim 5, the mercury release metal structure mainly composed of zinc, the above claims, with such a fluorescent lamp or a high pressure discharge lamp or ultraviolet radiation lamps
Discharge run having the same effect as described in items 1 to 4.
Can be provided . According to the invention described in claim 6, the mercury-releasing metal structure can be enclosed in the bulb immediately after the thermal processing so that the mercury can be discharged and the structure can be fixed to a predetermined place without particularly heating.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5 can be lit without impairing the appearance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional front view showing an end portion of an annular fluorescent lamp of the present invention in a cutaway manner.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a partially broken and partially enlarged straight tube fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional front view showing a cutaway end portion of the straight tube fluorescent lamp of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional front view showing an end portion of a fluorescent lamp of another embodiment of the present invention in a cutaway manner.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a lighting fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a mercury-releasing metal structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

L: Lamp D: Lighting equipment 1: Glass bulb 2: Stem 3: Sealing part 3a: annular protrusion 3b: annular recess 4: Electrode 5: Exhaust pipe 7, 71: Mercury-releasing metal substrate

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Takashi Ito 4-3-1, Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Toshiba Lightec Co., Ltd. (72) Osamu Shirai 4-3-1, Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. Toshiba Toshiba Light Tech Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A 6-260139 (JP, A) JP-A 1-169838 (JP, A) JP-A 62-177855 (JP, A) JP-A 63- 174259 (JP, A) JP-A-5-242861 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01J 61/24 H01J 9/395

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A glass bulb; an electrode provided in the vicinity of a sealing portion at an end portion of the glass bulb; and a sub- substrate which is fixed to an inner wall of the glass bulb.
It consists of alloy particles of lead and mercury, and the mercury concentration of the alloy particles is relatively higher on the center side than on the surface side,
A mercury-releasing metal base that melts at a temperature above the bulb wall temperature when the lamp is lit and below the softening temperature of the glass bulb; and a rare gas enclosed in the glass bulb; Vapor discharge lamp. 2. The mercury vapor discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the mercury-releasing metal substrate is arranged in the vicinity of the sealed portion. 3. The mercury vapor discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the glass bulb and the stem is made of lead glass, and the mercury-releasing metal base is fixed to the lead glass portion. 4. The mercury vapor discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the mercury-releasing metal substrate is arranged in the exhaust pipe. 5. A fluorescent lamp, a high-pressure discharge lamp, or an ultraviolet radiation lamp.
A mercury vapor discharge lamp according to claim 4. 6. A step of directly or indirectly sealing an electrode to a glass bulb having a film formed on its surface or having no film formed thereon; alloy particles of zinc and mercury constituting a substrate in the glass bulb. The mercury concentration of this alloy granule is relatively higher on the center side than on the surface side, exceeds the bulb wall temperature when the lamp is lit, and melts below the softening temperature of the glass bulb. A step of enclosing a mercury-releasing metal structure that becomes porous after the release of; and a step of releasing mercury from the mercury-releasing metal structure by the residual heat during exhaust of the glass bulb. A method for manufacturing a characteristic mercury vapor discharge lamp. 7. A lighting fixture main body; a mercury vapor discharge lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5 mounted on the main body; and a lamp which is connected between the lamp and a power source to stabilize the lamp. A lighting device, comprising: a ballast that lights up;