JPH0656956U - Fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide a fluorescent lamp in which the life of the fluorescent lamp is not influenced by the life of the discharge electrode enclosed in the glass tube 1. [Structure] The discharge electrode sealed in the glass tube 1 is composed of a plurality of groups that can be selectively used. [Effect] When one electrode deteriorates, the other electrode can be selected and used, and therefore the life of the fluorescent lamp is not shortened by the electrode.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp or a fluorescent tube, and more specifically, an electrode for discharge is enclosed in a glass tube, and when discharged by this electrode, ultraviolet rays are converted into visible light and visible to the outside of the glass tube. It relates to a fluorescent lamp adapted to emit light rays.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Fluorescent lamps or fluorescent tubes are well known in the art without mentioning the name of the literature, and are generally composed of a glass discharge tube and an electrode enclosed therein. In addition to the electrodes, small particles of mercury, argon gas, etc. are enclosed inside the discharge tube, and the tube wall is coated with a phosphor.

Therefore, when thermoelectrons are emitted from the electrodes, ultraviolet rays are generated. Then, this ultraviolet ray hits the phosphor coated on the inner wall, is converted into long-wavelength visible light, and is emitted outside the tube.

The fluorescent lamp as described above is characterized by higher efficiency and does not generate heat as compared with an incandescent light bulb, and various kinds such as daylight color and white can be obtained by combining fluorescent materials. Fluorescent lamps of various shapes such as straight tube shape, ring shape, and light bulb shape are available for practical use.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 As mentioned above, fluorescent lamps have various characteristics, but they have the drawback of having a relatively short life. That is, the electrode provided in the fluorescent lamp is generally made of tungsten, and the activator is applied on the electrode, but this activator has a drawback that it is slightly evaporated during use.

When the tungsten activator evaporates as described above, the life of the lamp is reached even if there is no abnormality or deterioration in the mercury vapor enclosed in the lamp, the phosphor coated on the inner wall of the lamp, or the like. In that case, it must be discarded, which is one of the drawbacks of the fluorescent lamp. Therefore, attempts have been made to suppress the evaporation of the activator, but the actual situation is that no effective suppression method has been found yet. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a fluorescent lamp having a long life.

[0007]

[Means for solving]

 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention encloses at least a discharge electrode in a glass tube, and when discharged by the electrode, ultraviolet rays are converted into visible light and emitted to the outside of the glass tube. In such a lamp, the electrodes are composed of a plurality of sets that can be selectively used.

[0008]

[Action]

 According to the present invention, the glass tube is filled with a plurality of electrodes which can be selectively used, and one of the electrodes is selected to be lit for a predetermined period. Then, when the electrode you are using is worn out, use the next set of electrodes. Similarly, select a new electrode and light it.

[0009]

【Example】

 In implementing the present invention, it is preferable that two electrodes are provided in the fluorescent lamp. This is because it is structurally simple, and considering the life of other elements, about two sets are suitable. Therefore, the figure shows only an example of two sets. However, it goes without saying that three or four groups can be implemented. Also, the lamp can be implemented in a ring shape other than the straight tube type, but only the example of the straight tube type is shown in the figure.

In order to turn on the fluorescent lamp according to the present embodiment, it is necessary to devise a socket or a base. For example, the socket may be provided with contacts corresponding to the number of electrodes, and when one electrode reaches the end of its life, the lamp may be rotated to switch to another contact. It is also possible to provide a changeover switch in the socket and operate the switch to select an electrode. However, the figure only shows an example in which the mouthpiece is devised. It would be convenient if the conventional socket could be applied as it is by devising the mouthpiece.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. It is easy to understand that the mouthpiece portion is different from the conventional one by referring to these drawings. That is, also in the present embodiment, the fluorescent tube 1 part, the argon gas sealed in the tube, the constituent materials and shapes of the electrodes, etc. are the same as those of the conventional one. However, the difference is that two sets of electrodes are provided. Then, corresponding to the electrodes, the first cap pins 2 and 2 and the second cap pins 3 and 3 are projected to the outside from the cap 10. Although not shown in the drawing, these base pins are respectively connected to two sets of electrodes in the tube 1. It is composed of a plastic metal material that can be easily bent and stretched, or a metal material that can be easily cut.

The base 10 has the same overall size as that of the conventional one, but has four groove-like members each having a predetermined length from the end face 11 toward the pipe 1 at substantially equal intervals in the periphery. A recess 12 is formed. The first mouthpiece pins 2 and 2 project outward from the end surface 11 of the mouthpiece 10 in the same manner as conventional pins, but the second mouthpiece pins 3 and 3 are bent at the end surface 11 by approximately 180 degrees. It is housed in the groove-shaped recesses 12, 12. Therefore, in the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first socket pins 2 and 2 can be used to light the conventional socket.

Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, at first, for example, the first base pins 2, 2 are used for lighting. When the electrodes connected to the first base pins 2 and 2 have reached the end of their life, the fluorescent tube 1 is removed from the socket in the conventional manner. Then, the second cap pins 3 and 3 housed in the groove-shaped recesses 12 and 12 are extended, and the first cap pins 2 and 2 are bent in the opposite direction by about 180 degrees and housed in the groove-shaped recesses 12. Alternatively, the used first ferrule pins 2 and 2 are cut off at the end face 11 of the ferrule 10 with a tool such as pliers. When such a treatment is performed, only the second base pins 3, 3 are left on the end face, so that the second base pins 3, 3 are used for lighting.

According to this embodiment, it is necessary to bend and extend the base pin, but there is an advantage that a conventional socket can be used for lighting. It should be noted that the end face 11 may also be provided with grooves connected to the groove-shaped recesses 12, 12 so that the bent cap pin does not project outward from the end face 11.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the present embodiment, the base portion 20 is composed of a base body 21 that seals the end of the fluorescent tube 1 and a base cap 25 that is attached or fitted to the outer periphery of the main body.

The end face 22 of the base body 21 is provided with first contact points 23, 23 and second contact points 24, 24, and these contact points are provided in two sets inside the fluorescent tube 1. Electrically connected to the electrodes. The spacing between the first contacts 23, 23 is the same as the spacing between the conventional base pins, and the spacing between the second contacts is also set similarly.

The mouthpiece cap 25 is fitted in the mouthpiece main body 21, and its outer diameter dimension and length in the hand direction are formed to be substantially the same as those of a conventional mouthpiece when fitted. Then, from the bottom surface 26 of the base cap 25, base pins 27, 27 having the same intervals as the conventional base pins extend outward. The cap pins 27, 27 are provided with contacts inside the cap, which correspond to the first contacts 23, 23, for example.

When the cap 25 is fitted into the cap body 21, the contacts of the cap pins 27, 27 should be electrically and surely in contact with the first contacts 23, 23 or the second contacts 24, 24. Position control means, guide means, etc. are provided on the mouthpiece body or the mouthpiece cap 25, but they are not shown in the drawing.

Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, when the base cap 25 is fitted into the base body 21, the base pins 27, 27 are connected to the first contacts 23, 23, for example. Therefore, the electrode connected to the first contact can be used to light a conventional socket in the same manner as a conventional fluorescent lamp. When the life of the electrode is reached, the position of the cap 25 is shifted and the cap pins 27, 27 are connected to the second contacts 24, 24. The new electrode can then be used as well. According to this embodiment, the electrodes can be switched simply by shifting the position of the cap. Of course, this embodiment also has an advantage that the conventional socket can be used as it is.

[0020]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, since the electrode enclosed in the glass tube is composed of a plurality of groups that can be selectively used, when one electrode deteriorates, it can be switched to another electrode. Therefore, the life of the fluorescent lamp is not determined by the life of the electrode as in the conventional case, and the fluorescent lamp can be used for a long time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Fluorescent Tube 2, 2, 3, 3 Base Pin 12, 12 Groove-Shaped Recess 21 Base Body 23, 24 Contact 25 Base Cap 27, 27 Base Pin

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A lamp in which at least an electrode for discharge is enclosed in a glass tube, and when discharged by the electrode, ultraviolet rays are converted into visible rays and emitted to the outside of the glass tube, The fluorescent lamp is characterized in that the electrodes are composed of a plurality of groups that can be selectively used.