JP6314771B2 - UV lamp - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultraviolet lamp.

  For example, a double-tube fluorescent lamp is disclosed in which a phosphor is provided apart from a position where it comes into contact with a positive column or mercury gas.

JP-A-10-112286

  Embodiments of the present invention provide an ultraviolet lamp that suppresses uneven illumination distribution in the circumferential direction in a longitudinal section.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, an inner tube having an inner diameter of 13 to 17 mm and sealed at both ends so that a discharge space is provided therein, a pair of electrodes provided at both ends of the discharge space, and a discharge space An amalgam containing mercury encapsulated in a gas, and a flare portion formed extending from both ends, and an arc tube that emits a first ultraviolet light; provided through the arc tube and a space, and a flare portion; A lamp per unit length comprising: an outer tube having a phosphor layer that is connected, irradiated with the first ultraviolet light, and emits a second ultraviolet light having a wavelength longer than that of the first ultraviolet light. The input density is 0.5-4 W / cm.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet lamp in which unevenness of the illuminance distribution in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section is suppressed.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are schematic views illustrating the ultraviolet lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the ultraviolet lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an ultraviolet lamp according to a conventional example of the ultraviolet lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution of the ultraviolet lamp according to the first embodiment and the conventional ultraviolet lamp. FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an ultraviolet lamp according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an ultraviolet lamp according to the third embodiment.

  The ultraviolet lamps 110, 120, and 130 according to the embodiments described below have inner diameters of 13 to 17 mm and sealed at both ends so that the discharge space 12 is provided inside, and both ends of the discharge space 12. A pair of electrodes 16a and 16b provided on the discharge space 12, an amalgam 13 containing mercury sealed in the discharge space 12, and flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b and 15b formed extending from both ends, and the first An arc tube 10 that emits the ultraviolet light; provided through the arc tube 10 and the space 30, connected to the flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, and 15b, irradiated with the first ultraviolet light, and the first ultraviolet light An outer tube 21 having a phosphor layer 20 that emits a second ultraviolet light having a longer wavelength, and a lamp input density per unit length of 0.5 to 4 W / cm.

  Further, in the ultraviolet lamps 110, 120, and 130 according to the embodiments described below, the amount of mercury enclosed in the amalgam 13 is 0.03 to 3 wt%.

  Further, the ultraviolet lamps 110, 120, and 130 according to the embodiments described below include any one of titanium, indium, tin, bismuth, and zinc in the amalgam 13.

  Further, in the ultraviolet lamps 110, 120, and 130 according to the embodiments described below, the gas enclosed in the space 30 is neon, argon, nitrogen, or a mixture of two or more of 97.1 kPa or more. Is done.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are schematic views illustrating the ultraviolet lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1A illustrates an ultraviolet lamp 110. FIG. 1B illustrates an enlarged view of the broken line portion A in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B2 of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1 </ b> B, and 2, the ultraviolet lamp 110 according to the present embodiment includes an arc tube 10 and a phosphor layer 20.

  In the present embodiment, an embodiment using a hot cathode discharge lamp as the arc tube 10 is illustrated.

  In this example, the arc tube 10 includes an inner tube 11. A discharge space 12 is provided inside the inner tube 11. In the discharge space 12, for example, an amalgam 13 which is an alloy of mercury or a rare gas (not shown) is enclosed.

  In this example, the inner tube 11 is a straight tube. The inner tube 11 keeps the discharge space 12 airtight. The inner tube 11 is made of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays, for example, quartz glass.

  The amalgam 13 is an alloy containing mercury and releases mercury into the discharge space 12 when a part of the amalgam 13 is melted. The amalgam 13 is, for example, a four-element system of mercury-tin-indium-titanium, with 0.3 wt% mercury, 1.2 wt% tin, 91.6 wt% indium, and 6.9 wt% titanium. The amount of amalgam 13 enclosed is, for example, 0.05 to 10 g. The amalgam 13 is disposed away from the first electrode 16a toward the discharge space 12 side. The composition of the amalgam 13 is not limited to the above. For example, mercury may be provided with any one of titanium, indium, bismuth, tin, and zinc, or two or more alloys, and the composition ratio is as described above. May be different.

  The rare gas is used to excite mercury when mercury constituting the amalgam 13 enclosed in the ultraviolet lamp 110 emits light by discharge. As the rare gas, a rare gas (argon) slightly lower than the metastable voltage of mercury is added to lower the lamp starting voltage (Penning effect) to excite mercury and start discharge. It contributes to maintaining the discharge after the start of discharge. The pressure of the rare gas is, for example, 0.132 to 13.2 kPa (0.1 to 10 torr). Further, the rare gas may be any one of neon, argon, krypton, or a mixed gas of two or more.

  The inner tube 11 has a sealing portion 14a provided at one end and a sealing portion 14b provided at the other end. The sealing portion 14a is provided with flare portions 15a and 15a extending from the sealing portion 14a. The sealing portion 14b is provided with flare portions 15b and 15b extending from the sealing portion 14b. The sealing portion 14a is provided with the first electrode 16a partially embedded. The sealing portion 14b is provided with a second electrode 16b embedded in a part thereof.

  The same material as that of the inner tube 11 is used for the sealing portions 14a and 14b.

  The flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, and 15b are formed extending from the sealing portions 14a and 14b. The flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, and 15b are made of the same material as that of the sealing portion 14, that is, the same material as that of the inner tube 11.

  The first electrode 16a includes, for example, a filament 17a, lead wires 18a and 18a, and metal foils 19a and 19a.

  The filament 17a is, for example, a so-called triple coil in which the coil is triple wound. For example, tungsten is used for the filament 17a. In order to improve electron emission, an emitter (not shown) is applied to the gap between the coils of the filament 17a. For the emitter, for example, a carbonate of at least one of calcium, barium, zirconium and strontium is used.

  The lead wires 18a and 18a are connected by holding the filament 17a at one end, and the other end is connected with the metal foil 19a. For example, a molybdenum rod is used for the lead wires 18a and 18a.

  The metal foils 19a and 19a are embedded in the sealing portion 14a, and the inside of the inner tube 11 is kept airtight by sealing the sealing portion 14a. Lead wires 18a, 18a are connected to one end of the metal foils 19a, 19a, and external lead wires 31a, 31a described later are connected to the other ends of the metal foils 19a, 19a. Electrical connection between the inside and the outside of the inner tube 11 is obtained by the metal foils 19a and 19a. The linear expansion coefficient of the metal foils 19a and 19a is substantially equal to the linear expansion coefficient of the inner tube 11, for example. For example, molybdenum is used for the metal foils 19a and 19a.

  A configuration similar to that of the first electrode 16a is applied to the second electrode 16b (which is not shown because it is symmetrical with the first electrode 16a). That is, the second electrode 16b includes a filament 17b, lead wires 18b and 18b, and metal foils 19b and 19b.

  As described above, the arc tube 10 emits the first ultraviolet light including the discharge space 12 and including the mercury emission line. The first ultraviolet light includes a mercury emission line of 253.7 nm.

  The phosphor layer 20 is provided outside the inner tube 11. In this example, the wall portion of the inner tube 11 is provided between the discharge space 12 and the phosphor layer 20, so that the discharge space 12 and the phosphor layer 20 are separated from each other. In this example, a space 30 is further provided between the phosphor layer 20 and the inner tube 11. The space 30 is filled with an inert gas (for example, neon gas, argon gas, nitrogen gas).

  In this example, an outer tube 21 is provided around the inner tube 11. A phosphor layer 20 is provided on the inner wall of the outer tube 21. For the outer tube 21, for example, ozoneless quartz is used.

  The phosphor layer 20 is irradiated with the first ultraviolet light emitted from the arc tube 10. That is, the phosphor layer 20 absorbs at least a part of the 253.7 nm mercury emission line. The phosphor layer 20 emits second ultraviolet light different from the first ultraviolet light. The wavelength of the second ultraviolet light is longer than the wavelength of the first ultraviolet light. The wavelength (peak wavelength) of the second ultraviolet light is, for example, not less than 280 nm and not more than 400 nm. That is, the second ultraviolet light is, for example, ultraviolet light. In this example, the second ultraviolet light passes through the outer tube 21 and is emitted to the outside. In this example, by using quartz having a high ultraviolet transmittance for the outer tube 21, absorption of ultraviolet rays in the outer tube 21 can be suppressed, so the illuminance of the second ultraviolet light is high. The second ultraviolet light does not have to be a single wavelength ultraviolet light like the first ultraviolet light, and has a broad spectral distribution of 280 to 400 nm having a peak at 360 nm, for example. Also good.

  FIG. 1B illustrates the connection mode between the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 21 and the sealing of the outer tube 21 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, in the ultraviolet lamp 110, the outer tube 21 has outer tube sealing portions 21c and 21d. The outer tube sealing portions 21c and 21d are formed by sealing the flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b and 15b formed extending from the sealing portions 14a and 14b of the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 21. The

  The space 30 is filled with 97.1 kPa or more of neon gas, argon gas, nitrogen gas, or a mixed gas of two or more. Note that the gas sealed in the space 30 preferably has a thermal conductivity of 0.016 W / (m · K) or more.

  The external lead wires 31 a and 31 a supply power from the outside of the ultraviolet lamp 110 to the inner tube 11 provided in the outer tube 21. One ends of the external lead wires 31a and 31a are connected to the metal foils 19a and 19a. The other ends of the external lead wires 31 a and 31 a are exposed to the outside of the outer tube 21. For example, molybdenum is used for the external lead wires 31a and 31a.

  Thus, the ultraviolet lamp 110 according to the present embodiment has a double tube structure. In the double tube structure, an outer tube 21 is provided outside the arc tube 10 serving as an inner tube. A phosphor layer 20 is provided at a position other than the discharge space of the arc tube 10. The periphery of the inner tube 11 is sealed with, for example, neon gas.

  The ultraviolet lamp is used in a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal panel, for example. In the curing step during the manufacturing process, light (for example, ultraviolet rays) emitted from the ultraviolet lamp is irradiated onto the workpiece. The illuminance of this light is, for example, 1 mJ or more and 10,000 mJ or less, and the wavelength of the light (for example, peak wavelength) is, for example, 300 nm or more and 400 nm or less. A liquid crystal panel is manufactured by irradiating materials such as ultraviolet curable resins or polymerization initiators, which are members included in the liquid crystal panel, with such ultraviolet rays to cure the materials or polymerize molecules. .

  Here, it is desirable that the inner tube 11 of the hot cathode ultraviolet lamp 110 has an inner diameter of 13 to 17 mm. This is because when the arc tube 10 is turned on with the lamp input density (W / cm) per unit length in the range of 0.5 to 4, the inner diameter of the inner tube 11 is in the range of 13 to 17 mm. This is because the vapor pressure can be kept within a desired range, and the emission intensity of ultraviolet rays can be maintained appropriately.

  The input density (W / cm) per unit length of the hot cathode ultraviolet lamp 110 is preferably in the range of 0.5-4. If the input density per unit length is less than 0.5 W / cm, the ultraviolet illuminance decreases, which is not preferable. On the other hand, when the input density per unit length exceeds 4 W / cm, the radiation heat from the positive column (not shown) generated in the arc tube 10 when the arc tube 10 is turned on increases, and mercury enclosed in the arc. This is not preferable because it is difficult to control the vapor pressure. Therefore, the input density per unit length is desirably 0.5 to 4 W / cm. The “lamp input density per unit length (W / cm)” here refers to the lamp power (W) input to the hot cathode ultraviolet lamp 110 from the first electrode 14 a in the hot cathode ultraviolet lamp 110. It is a value obtained by dividing the length to the second electrode 14b, that is, the interelectrode distance (cm).

  Moreover, it is desirable that mercury is enclosed as amalgam. In order to provide the ultraviolet lamp according to the present embodiment, even when trying to enclose mercury alone so that the lamp input density satisfies the condition of 0.5 to 4 W / cm, the sunlight formed when power is supplied to the arc tube Due to the influence of radiant heat from the pillars, the vapor pressure of mercury greatly exceeds the desired range, and it is difficult to control the vapor pressure of mercury. Therefore, it is desirable to exist in an amalgam capable of lowering the vapor pressure than mercury alone.

Here, like a fluorescent lamp used for general illumination, a comparison is made with a reference example in which a phosphor layer is provided in the discharge space of the arc tube. It was found that when the ultraviolet lamp of this embodiment and the ultraviolet lamp of the reference example were lit at 1 A, the characteristics of the phosphor layer were likely to deteriorate. The reason is that an appropriate current value is different between the present embodiment and the reference example. An appropriate current value of the reference example is about 0.8A. On the other hand, a suitable current value of this embodiment is 1 to 4A. If the current value increases, the temperature of the discharge space increases, so that, for example, the phosphor deteriorates due to the applied temperature. Further, since the temperature of the discharge space rises, excited mercury or a rare gas element more easily collides with the phosphor, the phosphor is deteriorated, and the conversion efficiency in the phosphor is lowered. Due to these factors, in the reference example, the illuminance decreases and it is difficult to maintain the illuminance.

  As such an ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet rays, a phosphor that is used in a hot cathode fluorescent lamp for general illumination and emits light in a wavelength range of 280 nm to 400 nm (UV phosphor) that is applied to the inner surface of the bulb. There is a configuration to change. However, in this configuration, the inventors have found that phosphors are more likely to deteriorate than phosphors for general illumination.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge space 12 of the arc tube 10 and the phosphor layer 20 are separated from each other. Thereby, deterioration in the phosphor layer 20 can be suppressed, and the illuminance maintenance rate is high.

  Further, as a result of various studies by the inventor, the inner tube 11 is sealed with the outer tube 21 through the flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, and 15b formed extending from the sealing portions 14a and 14b. It was found that the uneven illumination distribution in the circumferential direction can be suppressed. The reason is that the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 21 are sealed through the flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, and 15b, thereby suppressing the eccentricity of the longitudinal central axes of the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 21. Because it can.

  The first ultraviolet rays emitted from the inner tube 11 are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section of the inner tube 11, and are irradiated to the phosphor layer 20 provided in the outer tube 21. At this time, if the inner tube 11 is eccentric and sealed by the outer tube 21, even if the first ultraviolet rays emitted from the inner tube 11 are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section of the inner tube 11. The distribution of the first ultraviolet rays applied to the phosphor layer 20 is not uniform. For this reason, the second ultraviolet ray emitted from the phosphor layer 20 also has a nonuniform illuminance distribution in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section. For this reason, the illuminance distribution in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section of the ultraviolet lamp 110 is not uniform.

  On the other hand, the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 21 are sealed through flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, and 15b formed by extending from the sealing portions 14a and 14b of the inner tube 11, so that the inner tube 11 and The eccentricity of the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 21 can be suppressed, and the above problems can be suppressed.

  In the amalgam 13, the mercury-tin-indium-titanium amalgam preferably has a weight% (wt%) of mercury in the range of 0.03 to 3.0, particularly 0.3 wt%. In the mercury-tin-indium-titanium amalgam, when the mercury content is 0.3 wt%, the highest UV illumination intensity is obtained, and in the range of 0.03 to 3 wt%, 90% of the UV illumination intensity is 0.5 wt%. This is because the relative illuminance value can be obtained. The composition of the amalgam contained in the lamp inner tube is, for example, a hot-cathode ultraviolet lamp cooled with liquid nitrogen, and after a sufficient time has passed, the amalgam is broken and taken out, and the amalgam is dissolved in nitric acid. Can be determined by performing quantitative analysis with ICP (Emission Spectroscopy). By setting the amount of mercury enclosed in the amalgam to be 0.03 to 3 wt%, it is possible to further suppress the uneven illuminance distribution in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section of the ultraviolet lamp.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the amalgam 13 is provided in the inner tube 11 of the arc tube 10 in the ultraviolet lamp 110. The amalgam 13 is bonded to the inner tube 11 by chemical interaction. This is influenced by titanium contained in the amalgam 13. Titanium contained in the amalgam 13 is chemically weakly bonded with quartz glass (SiO ₂ ) constituting the inner tube 11 because it easily interacts chemically. That is, the amalgam 13 is joined to the inner tube 11. In general, in the hot cathode lamp, the amalgam 13 is often provided in the coldest part, but in the double-tube hot cathode lamp as in the present embodiment, the coldest part is intended for the inner tube provided in the outer tube. It is difficult to provide them. If the coldest part is provided by branching from the inner tube, sealing with the outer tube becomes difficult. Also, unlike the case where the amalgam 13 is provided in the single pipe, when the amalgam 13 is provided in the inner pipe of the double pipe, the inner pipe is less affected by the temperature from the outside, and a part of the inner pipe is locally cooled. Difficult to do. Therefore, it is difficult to intentionally provide the coldest part. In addition, if a metal such as titanium that easily interacts with the inner tube is not put in the amalgam 13, the amalgam 13 can move freely in the inner tube, and the amalgam 13 is dispersed particularly by an impact of movement or the like. Dispersing the amalgam 13 is not preferable because the ultraviolet intensity due to the difference in mercury vapor pressure varies when the lamp is lit. Therefore, it is preferable to enclose the amalgam 13 with titanium or the like that easily interacts with the inner tube. Moreover, it is desirable that the weight% (wt%) of titanium in the amalgam 13 is 1 to 10 wt%. This is because when the weight percentage of titanium in the amalgam 13 is less than 1.0, the force with which the amalgam 13 is bonded to the inner tube 11 is weakened, and the amalgam 13 moves freely. On the other hand, if the weight of titanium in the amalgam 13 exceeds 10, the melting point of the amalgam 13 itself increases, so that the amount of mercury vapor released into the discharge space 12 decreases, the mercury vapor pressure decreases, and the ultraviolet illuminance decreases. It is because it will do. The metal contained in the amalgam 13 is not limited to titanium, and any metal element may be used as long as it is a metal element that weakly interacts with the quartz glass of the inner tube 12. For example, aluminum or silicon may be used. When the metal contained in the amalgam 13 is aluminum, the weight percentage (wt%) in the amalgam 13 is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 3, and in the case of silicon, the weight percentage (wt%) in the amalgam 13 is 2 to 2. A range of 12 is desirable.

  Moreover, since the vapor pressure of mercury contained in the amalgam 13 can be controlled by including any one of indium, tin, bismuth, and zinc in the amalgam 13, the circumferential illuminance in the longitudinal section of the ultraviolet lamp Distribution nonuniformity can be suppressed.

  The space 30 is filled with 97.1 kPa or more of neon gas, argon gas, nitrogen gas, or two or more mixed gases. Note that the gas sealed in the space 30 preferably has a thermal conductivity of 0.016 W / (m · K) or more. If the thermal conductivity of the gas sealed in the space 30 is less than 0.016 W / (m · K), the heat emitted from the arc tube 10 is trapped in the space 30 and the temperature of the arc tube 10 is excessive. To rise. If the temperature of the arc tube 10 rises excessively, the vapor pressure of mercury released from the amalgam 13 enclosed in the arc tube 10 will rise excessively, and ultraviolet self-absorption occurs due to the mercury itself. Will fall. For this reason, the thermal conductivity of the gas sealed in the space 30 is desirably 0.016 W / (m · K) or more. However, even if the thermal conductivity of the gas sealed in the space 30 is 0.016 W / (m · K) or more, for example, gas having a small atomic radius such as helium enters the arc tube 10. Therefore, it is not preferable. Therefore, it is desirable that the gas sealed in the space 30 is filled with neon, argon, nitrogen, or a mixed gas of two or more. The pressure of the gas sealed in the space 30 is desirably 97.1 kPa (730 torr) or more. If the pressure of the gas sealed in the space 30 is less than 97.1 kPa, the heat released from the arc tube 10 is trapped in the space 30 and the temperature of the arc tube 10 rises excessively. If the temperature of the arc tube 10 rises excessively, the vapor pressure of mercury released from the amalgam 13 enclosed in the arc tube 10 will rise excessively, and ultraviolet self-absorption occurs due to the mercury itself. Will fall. For this reason, the pressure of the gas sealed in the space 30 is desirably 97.1 kPa (730 torr) or more. Preferably, 97.1 kPa (730 torr) or more and 111 kPa (833 torr) or less when the gas sealed in the space 30 is neon, 97.1 kPa (730 torr) or more and 111 kPa (833 torr) or less when argon is used, or nitrogen. Is preferably 99.8 kPa (750 torr) or more and 111 kPa (833 torr) or less. The space 30 is filled with at least 97.1 kPa (730 torr) of neon gas, argon gas, nitrogen gas, or a mixed gas of two or more, so that the illuminance distribution in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section of the ultraviolet lamp is not uniform. It is possible to provide an ultraviolet lamp that suppresses the above.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet lamp in which unevenness in the circumferential illuminance distribution in the longitudinal section is suppressed.

  Furthermore, in a hot cathode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications, for example, soda lime glass or so-called lead-free soft glass is used as a material for the lamp tube. These materials have low transmittance for light having a wavelength of 300 nm. For this reason, in the structure which changes the fluorescent substance used for the hot cathode fluorescent lamp for a general illumination use to UV fluorescent substance, the illumination intensity of the ultraviolet-rays obtained is low. When the illuminance is low, for example, in the above manufacturing process, the time for curing becomes long and the productivity is low.

  In the ultraviolet lamp 110 according to the present embodiment, high illuminance can be obtained by using a material (for example, quartz) having a high transmittance with respect to ultraviolet rays as the outer tube 21. Thereby, the productivity in the manufacturing process is high.

  The material used for the outer tube 21 is not limited to quartz. For example, soda lime glass or so-called lead-free soft glass may be used. In short, any material that transmits the light converted by the phosphor layer 20 may be used.

  Here, the longitudinal section of the ultraviolet lamp 110 according to the embodiment and the ultraviolet lamp 500 produced without providing the flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, 15b (an enlarged view of the outer tube sealing portion is shown in FIG. 3). FIG. 4 shows the result of comparison of the illuminance distribution in the circumferential direction. In the measurement for obtaining the comparison result shown below, an ultraviolet illuminance meter UV-M03A manufactured by ORC is used as the illuminance meter, and the UV lamps 110 and 500 are vertically positioned at a position 30 mm away from the centers of the ultraviolet lamps 110 and 500. Is defined as 0 °, and the illuminance measured 45 ° clockwise is plotted, and normalized by setting the maximum value of illuminance of each of the ultraviolet lamps 110 and 500 as 100%. The detailed specifications are as follows.

  The ultraviolet lamp 110 according to the embodiment: the inner diameter is 17 mm, the length of the inner tube 11 is 500 mm, and the entire length of the ultraviolet lamp 110 is 600 mm.

  Conventional product UV lamp 500: inner diameter 17 mm, inner tube 51 length: 300 mm, inner tube 11 and outer tube sealing part 21 structure: outer tube sealing part 21c includes outer tube 21 and stem 22c. The stem 22c has a sealing portion 24c and a flare portion 26c. The sealing part 24c has a pinch seal structure. The flare portion 26c is a sealing portion (sealing portion) between the outer tube 21 and the stem 22c. In the outer tube sealing portion 21c, the ends of the inner lead wires 27a and 27a of the inner tube 11 (ends not connected to the metal foils 19a and 19a), the outer tube metal foils 28a and 28a, and the outer lead wires 31a and 31a are provided. The outer tube metal foils 28a and 28a are embedded and sealed in the sealing portion 24c, thereby keeping the inside of the outer tube 21 airtight. Further, the outer tube metal foils 28a, 28a provide electrical connection between the inside and the outside of the outer tube 21. For example, molybdenum is used for the outer tube metal foils 28a and 28a.

  As is clear from FIG. 4, the ultraviolet lamp 110 produced with the flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, 15b is more than the ultraviolet lamp 500 produced without the flare portions 15a, 15a, 15b, 15b. The circumferential illuminance distribution in the longitudinal section is uniform.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an ultraviolet lamp according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the ultraviolet lamp 120 according to the present embodiment, the inner tube 11 of the arc tube 10 is U-shaped. That is, the inner tube 11 includes a first portion 11a, a second portion 11b, and a third portion 11c. The first portion 11a and the second portion 11b extend along the first direction. The second portion 11b is aligned with the first portion 11a along a second direction that intersects (orthogonally in this example) the first direction. The third portion 11c connects one end of the first portion 11a and one end of the second portion 11b. In this example, the first electrode 16a is provided at the other end of the first portion 11a, and the second electrode 16b is provided at the other end of the second portion 11b.

  The third portion 11 c serves as a bent portion of the inner tube 11. Thus, in the embodiment, the inner pipe 11 may be provided with a bent portion. The number of the bent portions may be 1 or 2 or more. For example, the inner tube 11 may have an S shape or a W shape. As described above, by providing the inner tube 11 with the bent portion, it is possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays over a wider range without using a plurality of ultraviolet lamps.

  Also in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet lamp that suppresses uneven illumination distribution in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section.

  The configuration according to the present embodiment may be applied to the ultraviolet lamp according to the first embodiment and modifications thereof.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an ultraviolet lamp according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ultraviolet lamp 130 according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of arc tubes 10. When each of the plurality of arc tubes 10 has a shape extending in one direction, the extending directions of the plurality of arc tubes 10 can be set parallel to each other, for example. The extending directions in at least two of the plurality of arc tubes 10 may intersect each other. As described above, by providing a plurality of arc tubes 10, it is possible to increase the amount of light as an ultraviolet lamp by using a plurality of arc tubes 10 even if the light amount of the arc tube used in the ultraviolet lamp is small. .

  Also in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet lamp that suppresses uneven illumination distribution in the circumferential direction in the longitudinal section.

  The configuration according to this embodiment may be applied to the ultraviolet lamp according to the first and second embodiments and modifications thereof.

  The ultraviolet lamps 110, 120, and 130 may be so-called single-sided ultraviolet lamps that are fed from one end of the outer tube 21. By adopting the one-side power feeding structure, when power is supplied to the ultraviolet lamp, the power supply means can be integrated into one of the ultraviolet lamps, and the space in the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp can be shortened.

  In the present specification, “vertical” and “parallel” include not only strictly vertical and strictly parallel, but also include, for example, variations in the manufacturing process, and may be substantially vertical and substantially parallel. It ’s fine.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. For example, specific configurations of each element such as an arc tube, a mercury-containing portion, a tube portion, an electrode, a phosphor layer, a conductive layer, a kovar conductive layer, a glass plate, a casing, and a reflective layer included in an ultraviolet lamp and an irradiation device With regard to, it is included in the scope of the present invention as long as a person skilled in the art can carry out the present invention by selecting appropriately from a known range and obtain the same effect.

  Moreover, what combined any two or more elements of each specific example in the technically possible range is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the gist of the present invention is included.

  In addition, all ultraviolet lamps and irradiation devices that can be implemented by those skilled in the art based on the ultraviolet lamps and irradiation devices described above as embodiments of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention. It belongs to the scope of the present invention.

  In addition, in the category of the idea of the present invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of various changes and modifications, and it is understood that these changes and modifications also belong to the scope of the present invention. .

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

10 ... arc tube,
11 ... Valve,
11a, 11b, 11c ... 1st, 2nd, 3rd part,
12 ... discharge space,
13 ... Amalgam,
14a, 14b ... sealing part,
15a, 15b ... Flare part,
16a ... 1st electrode,
16b ... the second electrode,
17a, 17b ... Filament,
18a, 18b ... internal lead wires,
19a, 19b ... metal foil,
20 ... phosphor layer,
21 ... Outer pipe,
21c, 21d ... external sealing part,
30 ... space,
31a, 31b ... external lead wires,
110, 120, 130 ... UV lamp

Claims (3)

An inner tube having an inner diameter of 13 to 17 mm and sealed at both ends so as to provide a discharge space therein, a pair of electrodes provided at both ends of the discharge space, and mercury sealed in the discharge space An arc tube having an amalgam and a flare formed extending from both ends, and emitting a first ultraviolet light;
A phosphor layer that is provided through the space with the arc tube, is connected to the flare portion, is irradiated with the first ultraviolet light, and emits second ultraviolet light having a longer wavelength than the first ultraviolet light. An outer tube having;
The provided, the lamp input density per unit length Ri 0.5 to 4 W / cm der,
Gas is enclosed in a space provided between the arc tube and the outer tube, and the gas is neon, argon, nitrogen, or a mixed gas of two or more, and the gas is 97 in the space. .Ultraviolet lamp enclosed in 1 kPa or more .   The ultraviolet lamp according to claim 1, wherein the amount of mercury enclosed in the amalgam is 0.03 to 3 wt%.   The ultraviolet lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amalgam includes any one of titanium, indium, tin, bismuth, and zinc.