JPH01281659A - High pressure metallic vapor electric discharge lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate starting by supporting one end of a proximity conductor disposed obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of a luminous tube at a position not subjected to the heat of a starting device by means of a heat- responsive metallic member and bending and supporting the other end freely rotatably in the vicinity of an electrode having an opposing potential by means of a luminous tube supporting member. CONSTITUTION:A heat-responsive switch type starting device 9 is incorporated in one tube end side of a luminous tube 1 located in an outer tube 7. A proximity conductor 4 disposed on the outer surface of the luminous tube 1 is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the luminous tube 1. One end of the proximity conductor 4 is supported at a position outside the tube end of the luminous tube 1 and on the opposite side of the starting device 9 by means of a heat responsive metallic member 5. The other end of the proximity conductor 4 is bent in the vicinity of electrodes 2a, 2b having an opposite potential and supported freely rotatably with a luminous tube supporting body 3. As a result, the proximity conductor comes into contact with the outer surface of the luminous tube near the electrodes having the opposing potential at the time of starting to make starting easy.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp, and more particularly to a high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp with an improved starting assist mechanism.

(Prior Art) High-pressure metal vapor discharge lamps, such as high-pressure sodium lamps, have extremely high luminous efficiency and are therefore widely used as power-saving light sources for road lighting and the like.

This type of lamp cannot be started with a commercial power supply voltage due to the high starting voltage of the arc tube, and therefore requires an expensive ballast with a special starting device that generates high voltage pulses.

In recent years, however, a starting device consisting of a thermally responsive switch and a resistive heating element has been connected in parallel with the arc tube and housed inside the outer bulb, and in order to make it easier to start the lamp using the switch, two A proximate conductor for starting aid consisting of a high melting point metal thin wire having the same potential as one electrode is disposed along the longitudinal direction so as to reach the vicinity of the opposite electrode. Lamps that can be lit using mercury lamp ballasts have been developed and are becoming more popular.

However, if such a lamp is continued to be lit with the proximate conductor in contact with the outer surface of the arc tube, shadows may appear due to the proximal conductor.

Not only does the heat from the arc tube deform the adjacent conductor, which hinders starting, but the electric field created within the wall of the arc tube causes the sodium ions present in the arc tube to permeate into the wall during lighting. As a result, the lamp voltage increases, resulting in a shortened lifespan.

To address these drawbacks, various means have been proposed for keeping the adjacent conductor away from the outer surface of the arc tube while the lamp is lit.

For example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-5815 discloses a means as shown in FIG. 4.

The figure shows an arc tube mount, where (1) is an arc tube with a pair of electrodes (2a) and (zb) facing each other at both ends, and an arc tube support member that also serves as a power supply to one electrode (2b). (3) is supported. (4) is a nearby conductor and the arc tube (1
) is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the outer surface of 1kJK, and both ends thereof are made of thermally responsive metal members such as bimetal (5a).
, (5b) to the arc tube support member (3). With such a configuration, one electrode (2b
) and the adjacent conductor (4) at the same potential create a potential difference between the other electrode (2a) which has an opposite potential and can facilitate starting. On the other hand, when the second arc tube (1) lights up, its temperature rises, and in response to this heat, the metal members (5a) and (5b) that support the adjacent conductor (4) bend, and therefore the adjacent conductor (4) ) can be separated from the outer surface of the arc tube (1) with which it was in contact, and the above-mentioned drawback can be improved.

However, such a means causes the following problems in a type of lamp in which a thermally responsive switch type starting device (not shown) is built into the outer bulb. That is, the above-mentioned starting device usually has a stem (6) so as not to block the light from the arc tube.
) near the end of the arc tube (1), so
Due to the heat generated by the resistance heating element of the starting device that operates when the lamp is started, one of the thermally responsive metal members (5a) located near it bends, and the adjacent conductor (4) bends before the thermally responsive switch is activated. One end part separated from the arc tube wall in the vicinity of the counter electrode (2a), and as a result, the starting assist function deteriorated, resulting in a lamp malfunction.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in a conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp, heat generated by the resistance heating element of the starting device near the end of the arc tube, which is close to the stem, causes one thermally responsive metal member to curve. However, there is a problem in that the end of the proximal conductor separates from the arc tube before the thermally responsive switch is activated, causing the lamp to malfunction. The present invention has been made to solve the problem of preventing the above-mentioned problem from occurring, and ensures that the adjacent conductor contacts the outer surface of the arc tube at the time of starting, and separates from the outer surface of the arc tube while the lamp is lit. Moreover, the present invention provides a high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp with a built-in thermally responsive switch-type starter device that enables reliable starting without causing undesirable deformation due to overheating of the thermally responsive metal member supporting the adjacent conductor throughout the life of the lamp. The purpose is to provide.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a high-pressure metal structure having a built-in pressure-responsive switch-type starting device at one end of the arc tube in the outer bulb, and a proximate conductor disposed on the outer surface of the arc tube. In the steam discharge lamp, the proximal conductor is provided at an angle with respect to the long axis of the arc tube, and one end thereof is connected to a thermally responsive metal member outside the end of the arc tube opposite to the thermally responsive switch type starting device. , while the other end of the proximal conductor is bent near the electrode with the opposing potential.

Furthermore, it is characterized in that it is rotatably supported by the arc tube support member.

(Function) The high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp of the present invention has a heat-responsive switch type starting device built into one end of the arc tube in the outer bulb, and two adjacent arc tubes disposed on the outer surface of the arc tube. A conductor is provided at an angle with respect to the long axis of the arc tube, and one end side of the adjacent conductor is a thermally responsive metal member located outside the tube end of the arc tube on the opposite side from the thermally responsive switch type starting device. It has a structure in which the other end of the proximate conductor is bent near an electrode having a opposing potential and rotatably supported by two arc tube support members.

Therefore, at the time of starting, the above-mentioned proximate conductor contacts the outer surface of the arc tube near the electrodes having a counter potential to facilitate starting, and when the lamp is lit, it separates from the outer surface of the arc tube and prevents the contents filled in the tube from penetrating into the tube wall. To prevent. Therefore, it prevents shortening of lamp life.

Further, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the starting assisting effect due to undesired deformation of the adjacent conductor and the thermally responsive metal member supporting it.

(Examples) The details of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a front view of a high-pressure sodium lamp with a built-in starting device, which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the arc tube mount, which is the main part. In the figure, (
7) is an outer tube that maintains a high vacuum inside and has a cap (8) attached to one end, and (1) is an arc tube.

A pair of electrodes (2a) are placed at both ends of an arc tube bulb (1a) made of translucent ceramics, such as alumina ceramics,
(2b) are installed opposite each other, and the rare starting gas xenon and sodium amalgam are sealed inside.

(9) is the starting device, which consists of a normally closed thermally responsive switch member made of bimetal and contacts, and a coiled filament-shaped resistance heating element connected in series with the starting device. 8), and is electrically connected in parallel with the two arc tubes (1).

(4) is a nearby conductor, which is a heat dissipating metal such as tungsten.

It is made of molybdenum, mental, etc., and is disposed along the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the two arc tubes (1), and is in contact with the outer surface at room temperature. In addition, the adjacent conductor (4) is the arc tube (1)
The arc tube (1) is provided at an angle with respect to the long axis of the arc tube so as to cover about 1/4 of the circumference of the arc tube (1), and one end thereof is located outside the tube end on the opposite side from the base side of the arc tube (1). An arc tube support that also serves as a power supply to one electrode (2b) via a thermally responsive metal member (5) such as a bimetal.

A member (31K) is attached, and the other end is bent into a crank shape T, that is, bent once near the electrode (2a) having a counter potential, and then aligned along the arc tube support member (3). It is bent again to form a crank shape, and the bent tip (4a) is connected to two locking rings Q3 provided on the arc tube support member (3).
It is rotatably supported by α3.

Therefore, before starting the lamp, the outer tube (direction is at room temperature, so the adjacent conductor (4) is in contact with the outer surface of the arc tube (1) by the thermally responsive metal member (5), and the starting device (9) is in contact with the outer surface of the arc tube (1). ) is closed.

When a lamp with such a configuration is connected to an AC power source via a single yoke type mercury lamp ballast for a 200V AC power source (not shown), the starting device (9
) is closed, so the resistance heating element α
υ generates heat when energized, and this heat opens the thermally responsive switch Ql. This kick voltage at the time of opening generates a high voltage pulse in the ballast, and this high voltage pulse is applied to the picture electrode (2a) of the arc tube.

(2b) is applied to start the lamp. At this time, the proximal conductor (4) contacts the outer surface of the arc tube (1), and since the electrode (2a) with the opposite potential is close, the high voltage pulse is applied to the electrode (2a). A steep potential gradient is generated, which promotes the generation of arc discharge within the arc tube (1), leading to lighting.

Moreover, since the thermally responsive metal member (5) supporting one end of the proximal conductor (4) is located at a location away from the starter (9), when the resistance heating element a0 of the starter is energized and generates heat, It will not bend due to the heat, so
The starting assist function of the adjacent conductor (4) is not reduced.

When the next pressure lighting becomes stable, the temperature of the arc tube (11) rises, and this heat causes the thermally responsive metal member (5) supporting one end of the adjacent conductor (4) to bend, and of course one end of the adjacent conductor (4) bends. In fact, since the other end (4a) is only rotatably supported by the locking ring α2.α2, the entire proximal conductor (4) follows the movement of the thermally responsive metal member (5) and is connected to the arc tube. (1)
can be separated from the outer surface of the

Therefore, the disadvantage of the conventional method is that sodium ions present in the arc tube penetrate into the tube wall during lighting due to the electric field created within the tube wall of the arc tube, increasing the lamp voltage and shortening the lamp life. It can be prevented.

Moreover, even when the thermally responsive metal member (5) is bent.

Since the proximal conductor (4) is formed into a long and thin shape along the longitudinal direction of the arc tube, the elasticity of this long and thin portion can sufficiently absorb and alleviate the strain and twisting applied to the thermally responsive metal member (5), so that when the lamp is turned off, The thermally responsive metal member (5) can be returned to its normal position before bending, and therefore the proximal conductor (4) can also be returned to a position in close contact with the outer surface of the arc tube (1). In addition, deformation of the proximal conductor (4) due to the difference in thermal expansion between the proximal conductor (4) and the arc tube support member (3) due to heat generation of the arc tube (1) during rung lighting is also caused.
Only one end of the adjacent conductor (4) is a thermally responsive metal member (5)
It's just that the K mounting is fixed.

This does not occur because the other end is rotatably supported.

Furthermore, the adjacent conductor (4) is provided obliquely with respect to the long axis of the arc tube so as to cover 1/4 of the circumference of the arc tube (1), and is arranged in a crank shape near the electrode (2a) having a counter potential. When the lamp is started, the arc tube (4a) is supported so that it can rotate freely.
1) can be brought into close contact with the outer surface, particularly in the vicinity of the electrode (2a). In addition, it is effective to provide the locking ring (13) at two or more locations as shown in the figure to improve the adhesion of the adjacent conductor (4), and if the locking ring (13) is provided at only one location, it can be used instead of the locking ring. It is sufficient to use an elongated cylindrical locking tool to rotatably lock the bent tip (4a) of the proximal conductor in a line rather than a point. If (4) is simply tilted, the vicinity of its center will rise from the outer surface of the arc tube +1), and as a result, the adhesion with the outer surface of the arc tube (1) near the electrode (2a) having a counter potential will decrease. This will reduce the effectiveness of the starting aid.

In the above embodiment, the adjacent conductor (4) is inclined with respect to the long axis of the arc tube so as to cover approximately 1/4 of the circumference of the arc tube (1), but the range of this inclination is 1/6 of the circumferential direction. ~1/3
This degree is preferable from the viewpoint of adhesion to the outer surface of the arc tube (11).

Figure 4 shows the main part (luminous tube mount part) in another embodiment.
The same parts as in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. The difference between the two is that in the previous embodiment, the end of the adjacent conductor (4) on the side not supported by the thermally responsive metal member (5) was bent into a crank shape, whereas in this embodiment, it was bent into a U-shape. That's the point.

Similar actions and effects can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the position of the thermally responsive metal member (5) supporting one end of the proximal conductor (4) was set to the outside of the tube end of the arc tube (1), but the point is that the arc tube +1) Any position that is not easily exposed to heat radiation, that is, a position that avoids the arc tube bulb (1a) may be sufficient.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned high pressure (+7 um).

The present invention can also be applied to other high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamps, such as lamps in which a metal halide is sealed in place of sodium in the arc tube.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, according to the FiAK of the present invention, the adjacent conductor disposed along the outer surface of the arc tube is tilted toward the long axis of the arc tube, and one end of the conductor is placed at a position where it does not receive heat from the starter device. supported by a responsive metal member;

The other end is bent into a crank shape or a U-shape near the electrode with the opposing potential, and the bent end is rotatably supported by the arc tube support member, so that the adjacent conductor is In KL, it contacts the outer surface of the arc tube at least near the electrodes that have a counter potential to facilitate starting, and after the lamp is turned on, it separates from the outer surface of the arc tube to prevent the infiltration of the contents inside the tube into the tube wall. This prevents the life of the lamp from being shortened, and also prevents a decrease in the starting aid effect due to undesired deformation of the adjacent conductor and the thermally responsive metal member supporting it throughout the entire life of the lamp.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view of a high-pressure sodium lamp which is an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an arc tube mount which is also the main part, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an arc tube mount of another embodiment. 4 and 4 respectively show front views of conventional arc tube mounts. (1)... Arc tube, (2a), (2b).
·····electrode. (3)... Arc tube support member, (4)...
・Proximity conductor. (5)...Thermal responsive metal member, (7)...
・Outer tube. (8)......cap, (9)...starting device. 03...Latching ring

Claims (1)

[Claims] An arc tube has a pair of electrodes supported by an arc tube support member disposed inside an outer tube with a cap attached to one end, and a thermally responsive switch type disposed near the tube end on the cap side of the arc tube. A starter and a proximate conductor disposed along the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the arc tube are sealed, and the proximal conductor is provided at an angle with respect to the long axis of the arc tube, and one end side is connected to the base of the arc tube. It is attached to the arc tube support member via a thermally responsive metal member in the direction of the tube end on the opposite side, while the other end is in a crank shape or U-shape near an electrode having a counter potential. A high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp characterized in that it is bent and its tip is rotatably supported by an arc tube support member.