JPH0315105A - Lighting equipment and support structure for lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a clamp to be positioned with high accuracy with no scattering in position and height form mounting the lamp by supporting the both end sections of the straight tube section of an electric discharge lamp formed with bent sections at its end sections. CONSTITUTION:Each fluorescent lamp 4 is equipped with a luminescent tube 6 connected with bent end sections 5b and 5b which are bent in K-shape configu ration respectively at the both end sections of a straight tube section 5a roughly in a linear shape. The respective fluorescent lamps 4 in a tall and stout U-like configuration on the whole are arranged while the respective straight tube sections are roughly in parallel at equal intervals in the front face side of a partition wall 2, and the respective bent sections 5b and 5b are directed after ward so that they are inserted into insertion spaces 3 and 3. The respective fluorescent lamps 4 arranged in front of the front face side of the wall 2 are mechanically supported by the wall 2 while the straight tube sections of the respective lamps hold a gap interspaced with the wall 2. By this constitution, the mounting position of the lamp 4 can thereby be controlled with high accu racy, because each lamp 4 is mechanically held by a housing 1 by the use of its straight tube section 5a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a lighting device used as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, and a lamp support structure most suitable for use therein.

(Prior Art) A lighting device used as a backlight for a liquid crystal display device needs to illuminate a display surface having a predetermined extent with uniform brightness over the entire display surface. For this reason, it is necessary to arrange a light source within the housing so that the illuminance distribution is uniform, and to illuminate the display surface with uniform brightness with the light emitted from this light source.

As such a light source it is advantageous to use a lamp with a large emission length, in particular a fluorescent lamp.

Fluorescent lamps have excellent luminous efficiency and emit heat at a lower temperature when lit than incandescent lamps, so they have the advantage of having less thermal influence even when housed in a housing.

Taking advantage of these characteristics, a device has been developed in which, for example, a plurality of straight tube fluorescent lamps are arranged substantially parallel in a housing, thereby illuminating a wide area with substantially uniform brightness.

Incidentally, since a fluorescent lamp has an electrode sealed at the end of the arc tube bulb, it has the disadvantage that the brightness decreases in a portion closer to the bulb end than the electrode. Further, a cap, a connection terminal, etc. are provided at the end of the arc tube bulb. Therefore, when a plurality of straight tube fluorescent lamps are housed in a housing and turned on, there is a drawback that the brightness decreases at the portion where the end of the arc tube faces the irradiation surface of the liquid crystal.

For this reason, it is conceivable to extend the end of the straight tube fluorescent lamp outside the casing and illuminate only the high-brightness portion excluding this end.

In such a configuration, only the parts with high brightness that are effective for illumination need to be surrounded by the housing, so the brightness distribution within the housing approaches equalization, but the ends of the fluorescent lamps that do not contribute to illumination protrude outside the housing. Therefore, the entire lighting device becomes larger than the casing, and it is often impossible to apply it depending on the equipment used.

Therefore, by bending the end of the straight tube fluorescent lamp into a roughly L shape and guiding this bent end toward the back side of the housing, the straight tube part with high brightness, which is effective for illumination, will be surrounded by the housing. This equalizes the brightness distribution inside the housing, and since the end of the fluorescent lamp that does not contribute to illumination is guided to the rear of the housing, it does not protrude to the side of the housing, allowing the lighting device to be made more compact. can.

In addition, in this case, the ends of the fluorescent lamps guided to the rear side of the housing all face in the same direction, so
Another advantage is that the wiring for connecting to the electrodes can be done in a concentrated manner.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) But that's it. As mentioned above, in a lighting device in which the end of a straight tube fluorescent lamp is bent into a substantially L-shape and the bent end is arranged so as to lead to the back side of the housing, this is generally If you try to mechanically support this lamp at the end of the lamp you are using, the following problems will occur.

That is, in an arc tube bulb whose end portion is bent in this manner, the bulb is heated and softened before being bent, so that there are variations in the bending start point and variations in the bending angle.

For this reason, if you try to mechanically support such a lamp at the bent end, the position of the support and the bulb end will not match, making support impossible, or the height of the bent part will not be constant. This results in drawbacks such as the installation height of each supported lamp becoming unaltered.

The present invention was made based on such a municipal bond, and provides a lighting device and a lighting device capable of regulating the mounting position and mounting height with high accuracy when a discharge lamp having a Jul curved portion at the end is mounted on a housing. The present invention aims to provide a lamp support structure that is effective when applied to lighting devices and the like.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The first aspect of the present invention is a lighting device that houses a discharge lamp having a straight tube part in a housing and illuminates the front of the housing with light emitted from the discharge lamp. In the discharge lamp, at least one end of the straight pipe section is bent, and the bent end is directed toward the rear of the housing, so that substantially the entire length of the straight pipe section extends over substantially the entire length of the housing. The present invention is characterized in that both ends of the straight pipe portion are supported by the housing.

A second aspect of the present invention is a structure in which a lamp support member supports a discharge lamp in which a straight tube part and at least one end of the straight tube part is formed with a III curved end part. are each held by a substantially U-shaped holding device that holds the outer circumferential portion except for the irradiation direction, and this holding device is housed in a substantially U-shaped holding portion formed on a lamp support member. It is characterized by providing a retracting tool for retracting the tool into the holding part.

(Function) According to the first aspect of the present invention, since both ends of the straight tube part of the discharge lamp having a bent part at the end are supported by the housing, the precision of the straight tube part is high, so the lamp It is difficult for variations to occur in the mounting position and mounting height of the light source, so positioning can be performed with high accuracy, and the light distribution characteristics can also be highly accurate.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the discharge lamp is held by a substantially U-shaped holding tool, and the holding tool is housed in the holding part when the holding tool is pulled toward the lamp support member by the retracting tool. In this case, since the clamping tool clamps the lamp, the mounting strength is high and the reliability is excellent.

(Example) The present invention will be described below based on an example shown in the drawings.

The drawing shows an example of a lighting device used as a backlight for a liquid crystal display device, in which l is a housing and is made of a heat-resistant material such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. This housing l has a rectangular plane, and a partition wall 2 is integrally formed in the middle part in the direction from the front side to the rear side. This partition wall 2 serves both as a lamp mounting base and a board mounting surface.

Both ends of the partition wall 2 are cut out, and divine spaces 3, 3 extending from the front side to the rear side are formed here.

A light source is attached to such a housing l located on the front side of the partition 92. The light source consists of a plurality of fluorescent lamps 4 (eight in the figure), and these fluorescent lamps 4 are arranged in parallel with each other at equal intervals.

Each fluorescent lamp 4 has bent end portions 5b, 5b bent into a substantially L-shape at both ends of a straight tube portion 5a having a substantially linear shape.
The arc tube bulb G has an elongated U-shape as a whole. Although not shown, electrodes are arranged at the bent ends 5b, 5b of the arc tube bulb 6, respectively, and these electrodes are connected to terminals 7 taken at the tips of the +111a ends 5b, 5b.
···It is connected to the. Further, a phosphor coating (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of the arc tube bulb 6, and the inside of the bulb 6 is sealed with mercury and rare gas.

Each fluorescent lamp 4 has a long U-shape as a whole.
The straight pipe portions 5a are arranged substantially parallel to each other on the front side of the partition wall 2 at equal intervals, and the respective bent ends 5b, 5b face rearward to form the insertion space 3,
3 is inserted.

A wiring board 8 is fixed to the rear surface of the partition wall 2 by means such as screws, and the curved end 5b of the stone 1 guided to the rear side through the insertion spaces 3, 3 is attached to the wiring board 8.
Although terminals 7 of 5b are not shown, they are electrically connected. Although not shown, electronic lighting circuit components necessary for lighting the fluorescent lamp 4 are attached to the wiring board 8.

The back side of the wiring board 8 is used as a cover 9, and this cover 9 is screwed onto the housing 1.

Fluorescent lamps 4 arranged on the front side of the partition wall 2
Each of the straight pipe portions 5a is mechanically supported by the partition wall 2 with a gap therebetween.

This support structure will be explained based on FIGS. 4 to 6.

Holding parts 10 are integrally formed on the partition wall 2 so as to face both ends of the straight tube part 5a of each lamp 4. This holding part IO has protrusions 11 that are paired with each other.
．． 11 form a substantially U (V) shape, and in this embodiment, these paired protrusions 11. Tapered surfaces 12, 12 are formed on the inner surface side of the tip end portion of 11. And these protrusions 11. At the bottom of the holding part IO surrounded by 11, that is, the partition wall 2, insert the drawing screw l3 at tI1? A screw hole 14 is bored through it.

A valve clamp l5 is removably fixed to such a holding part 10. The valve clamping tool 15 is made of stainless steel material or the like in consideration of heat resistance.

This valve clamping tool 15 has an outer surface that is similar to the projection 11. 11
The clamping arm portion 16. 18, approximately Y(U
Alternatively, it is formed in a V-shape, and a screw hole 17 into which a retraction screw 13 is screwed is formed at the bottom.

The clamping arm portion 16 of this valve clamping tool l5. 16 is
When the projection 11 is pulled into the partition wall 2 side by the retraction screw l3. 11 tapered surface 12. 12, thereby holding the clamping arm portion 1B. The gripping arms 16 . The arc tube bulb 6 is held between the two.

In this case, these clamping arms 16. 18 from directly contacting the arc tube bulb 6, a pad l8 made of a heat insulating elastic material, for example silicone rubber, is attached to the clamping arm portion 18. 18 and the outer surface of the arc tube bulb 6 at IA3.

Note that these clamping arm portions 16. 16 and the elastic pad l8 cover a part of the bulb 6 in the circumferential direction, that is, a slightly larger circumference than half the circumference, and the irradiation surface side of the lamp 4,
In other words, the front surface of the housing l is not covered.

The lamp support structure formed in this manner supports both ends of each straight tube portion 5a of each lamp 4.

In addition, 20... are respective bent ends 5 of each lamp 4.
b, i to 5b! It is an elastic cushion made of silicone rubber or the like, and these bent ends 5b, 5b
There is also a spacer function to prevent direct contact with the sides of the housing l.

The operation of an embodiment of such a configuration will be explained.

Multiple fluorescent lamps 4 housed in housing l...
- The straight pipe portions 5a are arranged in parallel with each other at equal intervals, and the respective bent end portions 5b,
5b... are arranged toward the back side of the housing l, so that a linear light emitting part with high brightness is arranged on the front side of the housing 1 over the entire length of the housing l in the left and right direction in the figure. will be done. Therefore, the brightness distribution in the area surrounded by the housing is made uniform over the entire surface, and high brightness can be obtained.

In this case, the bent ends 5b, 5b of the fluorescent lamp 4, which do not contribute to illumination, are guided to the rear side of the housing 1, so that they do not protrude to the side of the housing 1, making the lighting device small and compact. I can do it.

Further, in this case, each bent end portion 5b. of the fluorescent lamp 4 led to the rear side of the housing l. 5b... is a position in which all the plurality of lamps are lined up facing the same direction and close to the wiring board 8, so that the connection wiring between the wiring board 8 and the electrodes can be performed in a concentrated manner, and the wiring is not complicated. Wiring work becomes easier.

By the way, in the case of the fluorescent lamp 4 whose ends are bent into a substantially L-shape as described above, since the arc tube bulb 6 is heated and softened before each end is bent, there is variation in the starting point of the assembly. At the same time, variations occur in the bending angle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, both end bent portions 5b, 5
In addition to variations in the distance L between the bending portions 5b, variations also occur in the bending lengths fil and 12 of the respective bending portions 5b and 5b.

For this reason, even if an attempt is made to mechanically support such a lamp 4 with the tips of the respective bent portions 5b, 5b, the positions of the support and the end of the bulb no longer match, making support impossible.
Since the bending length fll,02 is not constant, the housing 1
A problem occurs in which the height h from the front surface of the bulb to the front surface of the bulb becomes uneven.

On the other hand, according to this embodiment, since each lamp 4 is mechanically supported by the housing l by its respective straight pipe portion 5a, the mounting position of the lamp 4 is regulated with high precision.

That is, in each lamp 4, the straight pipe part 5a is not processed, so there is no deformation in size or shape. Therefore, if both ends of such a straight pipe part 5a are supported, the second
The distance L between the bent portions 5b, 5b at both ends of the lamp 4 shown in the figure, and the bending length Il. of the bent portions 5b, 5b. Even if there are variations in the dimensions of the lamp 12, the lamp can be supported without being affected by these variations. In other words, the mounting positions of the lamps 4 can be regulated with high precision in both the horizontal and vertical directions shown in FIG.
・Height h from the front of the housing l to the front of the valve
It is possible to make the brightness distribution uniform.

In the above embodiment, to support the lamp 4,
The arc tube bulb 6 is held by the clamping arm portion 16 of the bulb clamping tool l5 via the elastic pad 18. 16, and this valve clamping tool l5 is inserted between the drawing screw l3 inserted into the partition wall 2.
is pulled into the partition 92 side by rotating the gripping arm portion 18. 1
6 are elastically deformed so as to slide against the tapered surfaces 12.12 of the protrusions II, I1 and be closed, thereby causing these clamping arms 18. The arc tube bulb 6 is sandwiched between the bulbs 18.

Therefore, the clamping force of the arc tube bulb 6 is large, the clamping is performed reliably, and the lamp support is highly reliable.

In addition, since the lamp is attached by rotating the retracting screw i3, no effort is required for attachment, and the workability is good.

Note that the holding arm portion 18. Even if the clamping force between the clamping arms 16. Since an elastic pad 18 is provided between 16 and the valve wall, excessive tightening can be absorbed by this elastic pad 18, thus preventing valve loss. In addition, even if vibrations or heat are to be transmitted, the auxiliary pad l8 absorbs and blocks it.
The elastic pad l8 covers a part of the circumferential direction of the bulb B, that is, a slightly larger circumference than half the circumference, and does not cover the irradiation surface side of the lamp 4, that is, the surface facing the front of the housing l. Therefore, the light will not be blocked and the light distribution characteristics will not be adversely affected.

In the above embodiment, a case where a large number of substantially U-shaped fluorescent lamps were used as a light source was explained, but the present invention can also be applied to discharge lamps having straight parts, such as U-shaped or W-shaped fluorescent lamps. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

In the case of a U-shaped or W-shaped fluorescent lamp, the end of the straight portion may be bent in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the U-shape or W-shape.

Further, in the first aspect of the present invention, the lamp support structure is not limited to the embodiments, and in short, it is sufficient to support both ends of the straight pipe section.

Furthermore, when carrying out the second invention, the protrusions ti, t+
In place of the tapered surfaces 12, 12, the clamping arm portion 16
．． A tapered surface may be formed on the outer surface of 18, or both may be formed with a tapered surface.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the backlight of a liquid crystal display device.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an I
In the case of electric lamps with TTL curved parts, both of the straight tube parts are supported by the housing, so there is no variation in the lamp installation position or installation height, and the lamp can be positioned with high precision. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the discharge lamp is held by a substantially U-shaped holding tool, and this holding tool is drawn to the lamp support member by the retracting tool and housed in the holding part, so that the lamp is clamped. It has high strength and excellent reliability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a lighting device used as a backlight for a liquid crystal display device, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line The figure is in Figure 2■
Fig. 4 is a side view of the lamp support part, Fig. 5 is a side view of the lamp support part,
The figure is a sectional view taken along the line v-vm in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view thereof. l...housing, 2...partition wall, 3...insertion space, 4...fluorescent lamp, 5a...straight pipe section, 5b
, 5b...bent end portion, 6... arc tube bulb, 8...
...Wiring board, lO... Holding part, 11... Protrusion, l
2...Taber, 13...Retraction screw, l5...
・Valve clamping tool, l6... clamping arm part, l8...
Insulating elastic band.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A discharge lamp having a straight tube section is housed in the housing,
In the lighting device that illuminates the front of the housing with light emitted from the discharge lamp, the discharge lamp has at least one end of a straight tube section bent.
The bent end portion is directed toward the rear of the housing so that the straight pipe portion is installed so that substantially the entire length of the housing spans the entire length of the housing, and both ends of the straight pipe portion are supported by the housing. lighting equipment. (2) In a structure in which a straight tube section and a discharge lamp having a bent end at at least one end of the straight tube section are supported by a lamp support member, both ends of the straight tube section of the discharge lamp are bent, excluding the irradiation direction. The outer periphery is clamped by a substantially U-shaped clamping tool, and this clamping tool is housed in a substantially U-shaped holding part formed on a lamp support member, and the lamp support member has a retractor for pulling the clamping tool into the holding part. A lamp support structure characterized by being provided with a tool.