JP4665984B2 - Discharge tube connector, discharge tube with connector, and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a discharge tube connector attached to an end of a glass tube constituting a discharge tube, a discharge tube with a connector, and a method for manufacturing the same.

  A discharge tube (cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube or CCFL) is used as a liquid crystal backlight light source of a display device such as a TV monitor, a notebook computer, or a mobile phone. As shown in FIG. 14, a known discharge tube (20) includes a glass tube (21) that forms a closed space (23) that contains a discharge gas such as argon and mercury, and a cup-shaped and closed space. (23) A pair of metal electrodes (24) disposed in the metal, one end connected to the electrode (24) and the other end led to the outside from the end (21a) of the glass tube (21) And a phosphor layer (25) that is coated on the inner surface of the glass tube (21) and emits light upon irradiation with ultraviolet rays generated by the discharge of the electrode (24). Although not shown, the display device described above includes a resin holder for holding or sandwiching the glass tube (21) on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the discharge tube (20) is disposed adjacent to the light guide plate by the holder. The harness wire is connected to the leads (22) at both ends (21a) of the glass tube (21) by soldering, and power is supplied from the power supply device of the display device to the discharge tube (20), and light is applied to the liquid crystal panel from the back side. Can be irradiated.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 below discloses a plate-like conductive portion, a mounting portion attached to the conductive portion, and an electrode holder that is formed by bending vertically from the tip of the mounting portion and supports the lead of the discharge tube. Disclosed is a metal discharge tube holding member (holder). A lead of the discharge tube is fitted into a groove-like fitting portion formed in the electrode holding portion, and power can be supplied to the discharge tube through the conductive portion, the attachment portion, and the electrode holding portion. Therefore, the soldering operation can be omitted and the connection workability between the discharge tube and the power supply device can be improved. However, when the lead of the discharge tube is fitted to the electrode holder, stress is applied to the lead, causing a crack between the lead and the glass tube, and the discharge gas in the discharge tube leaks for a long time. A slow leak occurred. The electrode holding part of patent document 1 supports a fitting part by the belt | band | zone formed with the metal which has elasticity, and mitigates the impact at the time of fitting the lead | read | reed of a discharge tube to a fitting part. However, the discharge tube holding member of Patent Document 1 that directly supports the lead of the discharge tube by the electrode holding portion cannot sufficiently reduce the stress applied to the lead, and cannot completely prevent the glass tube from cracking.

  The following Patent Document 2 discloses a metal cap that is fitted to an end of a glass tube. The lead of the discharge tube is inserted into the hole formed in the bottom of the cap, and the cap and the lead are fixed. If it does in this way, electric power can be supplied to a discharge tube through a cap by fitting a cap to the groove-like fitting part formed in the above electrode holding parts. However, when a metal cap is fitted to the end of the glass tube and the inner peripheral surface of the cap and the outer peripheral surface of the glass tube are brought into close contact with each other, when the discharge tube is turned on, the end of the glass tube is caused by the cap. Partially cooled. Therefore, mercury in the glass tube is concentrated on the end of the glass tube, the discharge tube cannot emit uniform light in the length direction, and the life of the discharge tube is also reduced. On the other hand, a plurality of convex portions (beads) protruding radially inward are formed on the cap, a gap is formed between the cap and the end of the glass tube, and the glass tube by the cap is insulated by the heat insulating action of the gap. A method for preventing partial cooling was considered by the applicant. The following Patent Document 3 discloses a base sleeve having a pair of inclined convex portions protruding inward in the radial direction, although the purpose is different.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-329047 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-48851 JP-A-3-285231

  However, as described above, when the discharge tube is attached to the holder, if the cap provided at the end of the glass tube is fitted into the fitting portion of the electrode holding portion, an external force is applied to the cap and the glass tube is displaced. Sometimes. In particular, when a gap is formed between the cap and the glass tube, the cap is easily displaced from the glass tube. Thus, when the cap is displaced from the glass tube, stress is applied to the lead of the discharge tube, and cracks are likely to occur in the glass tube.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a discharge tube connector, a discharge tube with a connector, and a method for manufacturing the same for suppressing stress applied to the lead of the discharge tube. Another object of the present invention is to provide a discharge tube connector, a discharge tube with a connector, and a method for producing the same for preventing partial cooling of the glass tube.

The discharge tube connector of the present invention includes a metal cylinder (1) attached to an end (21a) of a glass tube (21) constituting the discharge tube (20). The cylindrical body (1) has an opposing end portion that forms a joint portion (17) in the direction of the central axis (C ₁ ), and a plurality of convex portions (11) that protrude radially inward of the cylindrical body (1). . When the cylindrical body (1) formed in an intermittent annular shape having the abutment portion (17) is attached to the glass tube (21) with a diameter increased from a predetermined diameter, the glass tube (21) has a reduced diameter elastic force. It can be held at the end (21a). As a result, when the discharge tube (20) is mounted on the holder, even if an external force is applied to the tube (1), the tube (1) is not displaced from the glass tube (21), and the lead of the discharge tube (20) It is possible to prevent stress from being applied to the surface. Further, when the cylindrical body (1) is attached to the end portion (21a) of the glass tube (21), the plurality of convex portions (11) abut on the outer peripheral surface (21b) of the glass tube (21), and the cylindrical body A gap (12) is formed between (1) and the glass tube (21). Due to the heat insulating action of the gap (12), partial cooling of the glass tube (21) by the cylinder (1) can be prevented, and fluctuations in the characteristics of the discharge tube (20) can be suppressed.

Moreover, the discharge tube with a connector of the present invention includes a discharge tube (20) having a glass tube (21) for storing discharge gas and mercury, and a connector (10) attached to the discharge tube (20). Connector (10) is provided with a glass tube (21) end (21a) to the mounting is a metal tubular body of (1), cylindrical body (1) has a central axis (C ₁₎ direction abutment joint (17 ) And a plurality of convex portions (11) projecting radially inward of the cylindrical body (1). The plurality of convex portions (11) abut on the outer peripheral surface (21b) of the glass tube (21), and a gap (12) is formed between the cylindrical body (1) and the glass tube (21).
The method for producing a discharge tube with a connector according to the present invention comprises a discharge tube (20) having a discharge tube and a lead (22) extending from an end (21a) of a glass tube (21) and a glass tube (21) containing mercury. Steps to prepare, opposing end portions that form the abutment portion (17) in the central axis (C ₁ ) direction, a plurality of convex portions (11) protruding radially inward, and a lead-out portion (2) extending outward in the axial direction Preparing a metal cylinder (1) having a cylindrical body (1), attaching the cylinder (1) to the end (21a) of the glass tube (21), and a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces (21b) of the glass tube (21). A step of contacting the convex portion (11) to form a gap (12) between the cylindrical body (1) and the glass tube (21); a lead (22) of the discharge tube (20) and the cylindrical body ( And 1) electrically connecting the connecting portion (3) provided in the lead-out portion (2) with the brazing material (5).

  The stress applied to the lead of the discharge tube from the connector when assembling the discharge tube and the connector or assembling the discharge tube into the display device is reduced, and the occurrence of cracks between the lead and the glass tube is prevented. A high discharge tube and light source device can be obtained. Further, partial cooling of the glass tube can be prevented, and fluctuations in characteristics of the discharge tube can be suppressed.

  Embodiments of a discharge tube connector, a discharge tube with a connector, and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention applied to a cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube used for a backlight of a display device will be described below with reference to FIGS. The discharge tube (20) shown in the drawing is the same as the discharge tube shown in FIG. 14, and is given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a discharge tube connector according to the present invention includes a tubular body (1) and a strip-shaped lead-out portion (1a) extending from the one end (1a) of the tubular body (1) outward in the axial direction of the tubular body (1). 2) and a connection portion (3) formed by bending from the tip (2a) of the lead-out portion (2). The cylindrical body (1), the lead-out portion (2) and the connection portion (3) are integrally formed of a metal having excellent elasticity such as phosphor bronze and plated with nickel. As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical body (1) holds the glass tube (21) in a predetermined position in the cylindrical body (1), and protrudes radially inward to increase the mechanical strength against deformation. When the cylindrical body (1) is attached to the end (21a) of the glass tube (21), the end of the cylindrical body (1) and the glass tube (21) A gap (12) is formed between the portion (21a). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, three convex portions (11) are formed in the circumferential direction and the length direction of the cylindrical body (1), for a total of nine convex portions (11). However, the number, size, and shape of the protrusions (11) can be appropriately changed depending on conditions such as the size of the cylindrical body (1). The cylindrical body (1) is formed in an intermittent annular shape having an abutment portion (17), and has a reduced-diameter elastic force when it is expanded from a predetermined diameter and attached to the glass tube (21). Therefore, the cylindrical body (1) is held by the end (21a) of the glass tube (21) in a state where the convex portion (11) is in contact with the outer peripheral surface (21b) of the glass tube (21). A stopper (16) that protrudes radially inward and is integrally formed with the cylindrical body (1) is provided at one end (1a) of the cylindrical body (1), and the cylindrical body (1) is attached to the glass tube (21). The end (20a) of the glass tube (21) comes into contact with the stopper (16).

As shown in FIG. 4, the lead-out part (2) is formed narrower than the cylindrical body (1) and the connecting part (3), and has a strip-like planar shape extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical body (1). Have. For this reason, the lead-out portion (2) has a small sectional view in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction, has flexibility, and is easily bent in the upper surface direction or the lower surface direction. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the lead-out part (2) is the same as the thickness of the cylindrical body (1) together with the connection part (3), but the width and length of the lead-out part (2) It is determined appropriately according to the degree of flexibility required in (2). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the connecting portion (3) has a central axis (C ₂ ) on the extension of the central axis (C ₁ ) of the cylindrical body (1) and leads the discharge tube (20). A circular through hole (13) having a large diameter with respect to the cross-sectional area of (22) is provided. When the cylindrical body (1) is attached to the end (21a) of the glass tube (21), the lead (22) extending from the end (21a) of the glass tube (21) is a through-hole ( 13) is placed within. The size of the through hole (13) depends on the workability when inserting the lead (22) of the discharge tube (20) into the through hole (13) of the connection part (3) and the lead (22) and the connection part (3). It is determined as appropriate in consideration of workability when connecting the two with the brazing material (5).

  The lead-out part (2) and the connection part (3), which are formed in a band shape and have elasticity and flexibility, are easily deformed by receiving external force, so that the cylindrical body (1) is displaced from the glass tube (21). At this time, the lead-out part (2) and the connection part (3) are easily bent, and the external force is prevented from being strongly applied to the lead (22). As a result, it is possible to prevent the glass tube (21) from being cracked. Further, a plurality of convex portions (11) protruding radially inward are formed in the cylindrical body (1), and a gap (12) is formed between the cylindrical body (1) and the end portion (21a) of the glass tube (21). ) To prevent partial cooling of the glass tube (21) by the cylindrical body (1) due to the heat insulating action of the gap (12), thereby suppressing fluctuations in the characteristics of the discharge tube (20).

  When the connector (10) is manufactured, as shown in FIG. 5, a plate member (6) in which the lead-out portion (2), the connecting portion (3), the stopper (16) and the like are integrally formed from a metal plate by press molding. ). Next, the plate member (6) is bent into an annular shape by bending to form the cylindrical body (1), the connecting portion (3) and the stopper (16) are bent, and the connector (10) shown in FIG. Is formed. When the connector (10) is attached to the discharge tube (20) and the discharge tube with connector (10, 20) is assembled, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the end of the glass tube (21) Attach the cylindrical body (1) of the connector (10) to the part (21a), arrange the lead-out part (2) in parallel with the lead (22) of the discharge tube (20), and connect the through hole ( 13) Insert the lead (22) into the inside. At this time, the discharge tube (20) is inserted from the other end (1c) of the cylindrical body (1) until the end (20a) of the glass tube (21) contacts the stopper (16). The stopper (16) positions the discharge tube (20) within the cylindrical body (1).

  Next, the connecting portion (3) and the lead (22) are fixed by a brazing material (5) such as solder, and the connector (10) and the lead (22) of the discharge tube (20) are electrically connected. As shown in FIGS. 7 (c) and 7 (d), at least the through hole (13) of the connecting portion (3) and a part of the lead (22) are immersed in the molten brazing material (5). The brazing material (5) adhering to the inside of the through hole (13) of the connection portion (3) can be cooled to connect the connection portion (3) and the lead (22). Conventionally, the lead (22) of the discharge tube (20) and the harness wire were connected by manual soldering, but after attaching the cylindrical body (1) to the end (20a) of the glass tube (21), The lead (22) and the connector (10) can be connected by immersing the through hole (13) and the lead (22) of the connecting part (3) in the molten brazing material (5) and cooling, so brazing Work can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

  When the discharge tubes with connectors (10, 20) are incorporated into the display device, the metal holder (30) is disposed adjacent to the light guide plate on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel. The holder (30) is connected to the power supply device of the display device through wiring. As shown in FIG. 8, the holder (30) is composed of a support plate (31) and a pair of plates formed integrally with the support plate (31) and extending in the vertical direction with respect to the support plate (31). (32), and the support plate (31) is fixed to a display device (not shown). As shown in FIG. 9, the discharge tube with connector (10, 20) is disposed between two pairs of plates (32) provided to face each other. The plate body (32) has a curved surface that sandwiches the cylindrical body (1) of the connector (10) .When the cylindrical body (1) is pressed, the plate body (32) moves in a direction away from each other, Then, it recovers by elasticity and hold | maintains the discharge tube (10, 20) with a connector. Although not shown, the connector (10) is attached to both ends (21a) of the glass tube (21). The cylindrical body (1) is sandwiched between the plate bodies (32) of the holder (30) and discharged from the power supply device of the display device through the holder (30), the cylindrical body (1), the lead-out section (2), and the connection section (3). Power can be supplied to the lead (22) of the tube (20) to light the discharge tube (20). When holding the cylinder (1) by the holder (30), the external force applied to the lead (22) through the cylinder (1) is alleviated by the lead-out part (2) and the connection part (3), and the discharge tube (20) A large stress is not transmitted to the glass tube (21).

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 and can be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the lead-out portion (2) of the connector (10) may be formed of a plurality of band members. Further, the through hole (13) of the connecting portion (3) is not limited to a circle, and may be formed in a square shape. As shown in FIG. 11, it is good also as a notch part which notched the front-end | tip part of the connection part (3) in Y shape or U shape. As shown in FIG. 12, the bent portion (18) may be formed in a part of the lead-out portion (2). The bent portion (18) can further relieve the stress transmitted between the cylindrical body (1) and the connection portion (3) by its own elasticity. In addition, when the discharge tube (20) is turned on or off, the glass tube (21) is stretched or contracted due to thermal expansion, but the bent portion (18) that expands and contracts in the length direction of the discharge tube (20) By absorbing the stretch or shrinkage of the tube (21), the stress applied to the glass tube (21) due to the stretch or shrinkage of the glass tube (21) can be reduced. Similarly to the electrode holding part of Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 13, a band (33) formed by bending the support plate (31) in the vertical direction may be formed on the holder (30). . The support part (34) formed at the tip of the band (33) supports the lead-out part (2) or the connection part (3) of the connector (10), reduces the impact at the time of connection, ) And the holder (30) can be connected. The discharge tube (10, 20) with a connector can be fixed to the holder (30) by fixing the support portion (34) and the lead-out portion (2) or the connection portion (3) of the connector (10) with a brazing material. In the discharge tube with connector (10, 20) shown in the figure, the connecting portion (3) and the lead (22) are fixed by the brazing material (5) before being incorporated in the display device, but after being incorporated in the display device, It may be fixed by (5).

  The present invention can be suitably applied to, for example, a cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube used in a light source device such as a backlight of a liquid crystal display.

Sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the discharge tube with a connector by this invention Sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 1. Another cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. Plan view showing the connector of FIG. The top view which shows the board member which forms the connector of FIG. The perspective view which shows the connector of FIG. Process diagram showing connection between connecting part and lead Cross section of holder The perspective view which shows the process of attaching the discharge tube with a connector to a holder The perspective view which shows other embodiment of a derivation | leading-out part The perspective view which shows other embodiment of a connection part. Sectional drawing of the discharge tube with a connector of FIG. 1 which has a bent part in the lead-out part The perspective view which shows other embodiment of a holder Sectional view showing a conventional discharge tube

Explanation of symbols

  (1) ・ ・ Cylinder, (1a) ・ ・ One end, (2) ・ ・ Leading part, (2a) ・ ・ Tip, (3) ・ ・ Connecting part, (10) ・ ・ Connector, (11) ・ ・Convex, (13) ・ ・ Through hole (notch), (16) ・ Stopper, (18) ・ Bending part, (20) ・ ・ Discharge tube, (21) ・ ・ Glass tube, (21a)・ ・ End, (22) ・ ・ Lead, (23) ・ ・ Closed space, (24) ・ ・ Electrode,

Claims (8)

A metal cylinder that is attached to the end of a glass tube that contains discharge gas and mercury and constitutes a discharge tube,
The cylindrical body has opposing end portions that form a joint portion in a central axis direction, and a plurality of convex portions that protrude radially inward of the cylindrical body,
When the cylindrical body is attached to the end of the glass tube, the plurality of convex portions abut on the outer peripheral surface of the glass tube, and a gap is formed between the cylindrical body and the glass tube. Characteristic discharge tube connector.   The discharge tube connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of convex portions are formed apart from each other in a circumferential direction and a length direction of the cylindrical body.   The discharge tube connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the three convex portions are formed apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. A discharge tube having a glass tube containing discharge gas and mercury, and a connector attached to the discharge tube;
The connector includes a metal cylinder attached to an end of the glass tube,
The cylindrical body has opposing end portions that form a joint portion in a central axis direction, and a plurality of convex portions that protrude radially inward of the cylindrical body,
A discharge tube with a connector, wherein a plurality of the convex portions abut on the outer peripheral surface of the glass tube, and a gap is formed between the cylindrical body and the glass tube.   The discharge tube with a connector according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of convex portions are formed apart from each other in a circumferential direction and a length direction of the cylindrical body.   The discharge tube with a connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the three convex portions are formed apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. The connector includes a strip-shaped lead-out portion extending from the cylindrical body, and a connection portion that is formed at the tip of the lead-out portion and connected to a lead that extends outward from the end of the glass tube,
The discharge tube with a connector according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the cylindrical body, the lead-out portion, and the connection portion are formed of metal. Preparing a discharge tube having a discharge tube and mercury and a discharge tube having a lead extending from an end of the glass tube;
A step of preparing a metal cylinder having opposing ends that form a joint portion in the central axial direction, a plurality of convex portions protruding radially inward, and a lead-out portion extending axially outward;
Attaching the cylindrical body to an end of the glass tube, bringing the plurality of convex portions into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the glass tube, and forming a gap between the cylindrical body and the glass tube;
A method of manufacturing a discharge tube with a connector, comprising: a step of electrically connecting a lead of the discharge tube and a connection portion provided at a lead-out portion of the cylindrical body with a brazing material.

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