JPH07262970A - Low-pressure gas discharge lamp, low-pressure gas discharge lamp device and lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a low-pressure discharge lamp, of which starting property is improved, and a low-pressure discharge lamp device and a lighting system using this low-pressure discharge lamp. CONSTITUTION:In this low-pressure gas discharge lamp, plural unit bulbs 11a, 11b, which are arranged so that both ends thereof are in parallel with each other, form one bent discharge passage through a communication part 12, and a pair of main electrodes 13a, 13b are provided in the ends of the unit bulbs positioned in both ends of the bent discharge passage. An impedance element 6b is electrically connected between a lead wire 14, which is led from one end of the unit bulbs except for the main electrodes into the discharge space, and any one of the main electrodes 13a, 13b, and the tip 14d of the lead wire 14 is processed at an acute angle. In the case where two lead wires 2 are provided, the lead wire 14c closer to a communication hole is connected to one of the main electrodes 13a, 13b through the impedance element 6b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a low pressure gas discharge lamp such as a so-called compact fluorescent lamp having improved startability,
The present invention relates to a low pressure gas discharge lamp device and a lighting device having the low pressure gas discharge lamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among compact fluorescent lamps defined by JIS, those having model names of FML, FWL and FDL have two unit bulbs which form a plurality of U-shaped discharge paths in which both ends are juxtaposed. This is a fluorescent lamp that is fully connected and filament electrodes are installed at both ends of the discharge path to form one double U-shaped bent discharge path as a whole.

Since this fluorescent lamp has a communicating portion having a communicating hole with a small inner diameter in the middle of the discharge path, the starting performance is slightly poorer than that of the other fluorescent lamps. Due to their electrical characteristics, the model names of FML and FWL tended to have poor startability.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-206439 discloses a compact fluorescent lamp having improved starting performance. In this device, an introduction line is introduced into the discharge space from at least one end of the unit bulb to which the filament electrode forming the main electrode for discharge is not attached. The tip of the lead-in wire is configured to face the communication part, and this lead-in wire is used as an auxiliary electrode for starting assistance, and an impedance element such as a resistance element is provided between either the lead-in wire or the filament electrode. It is electrically connected.

In the fluorescent lamp having such a structure, at the time of starting, an initial discharge occurs between the auxiliary electrode and the filament electrode to which the auxiliary electrode is not connected, and this initial discharge lowers the impedance in the tube, The discharge extends to the other filament electrode.

[0006]

By the way, the present inventors noticed an interesting fact during the process of reproducing the technique. For example, the starting voltage changes depending on the insertion depth of the introduction line as the auxiliary electrode, the insertion position, or the processing state of the tip of the introduction line. Therefore, with these configurations, the startability is slightly changed, and this variation causes unstable start characteristics. Such an unstable starting characteristic is a drawback found in low-pressure discharge lamps in general with or without a phosphor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to improve the drawbacks of the prior art, and provides a low-pressure discharge lamp having a better startability, a low-pressure discharge lamp device using the low-pressure discharge lamp, and a lighting device. Is.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a low pressure gas discharge lamp in which a plurality of unit bulbs, both ends of which are arranged side by side, and a plurality of unit bulbs are connected to each other, and a communication hole is formed therein. Through a plurality of unit bulbs to form a single bent discharge path, a plurality of unit bulbs and a communicating section, and a discharge space having the single bent discharge path. Discharge medium, and a pair of main electrodes provided at the end of the unit bulb located at both ends of the bent discharge path,
An introduction line introduced into the discharge space from at least one end of the unit bulb other than the main electrode, and an impedance element electrically connected between the introduction line and one of the main electrodes. A low-pressure gas discharge lamp characterized in that the tip of the lead-in wire is sharpened.

The unit valve having both ends juxtaposed means, for example, a U-shaped bent valve or a valve in which two straight pipe valves are connected to form a U-shaped discharge path. Also,
The number of unit valves connected by the communicating portion is not limited to two, and may be three or more. As for the arrangement of the unit valves, for example, two U-shaped bent valves may be arranged on the same plane or may be arranged so as not to be on the same plane.

In the case of a general fluorescent lamp, the discharge medium means a rare gas such as mercury and argon. In the case of a rare gas discharge lamp, it is a rare gas such as xenon. Impedance elements are, for example, resistance elements, capacitors,
A coil is applicable. The acute-angle treatment means, for example, when the cutting wire is cut, the introduction line is cut obliquely, a cutting burr is left at the time of cutting, or the tip of the introduction wire is polished to be sharpened. The lead-in wire may be inserted from any one of a plurality of ends connected by the communication hole. The phosphor coating may or may not be formed.

A low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to a second aspect of the present invention is the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the first aspect, wherein the leading end of the lead wire has a cutting flash.

In a low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of unit bulbs, both ends of which are arranged side by side, are connected to each other, and a plurality of unit bulbs are formed inside, and a plurality of unit bulbs are formed through the communication bores. A communicating portion that communicates inside the bulb to form one bent discharge path, a discharge medium that is formed by a plurality of unit bulbs and a communicating portion, and is enclosed in a discharge space having the one bent discharge path, A pair of main electrodes provided at the ends of the unit bulbs located at both ends of the bent discharge path, and two introduction lines that are introduced into the discharge space from at least one end of the unit bulb other than the main electrodes and are adjacent to each other. And an impedance element electrically connected between the lead-in wire closer to the communication hole and one of the main electrodes.

The lead-in wire may be inserted from any one of a plurality of end portions connected by a communication hole.

A low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the two introduction lines that are close to each other are located symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the bulb end portion.

For example, a so-called dummy stem that seals two lead wires that do not suspend the filament electrode corresponds to this.

A low-pressure gas discharge lamp device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and a base portion attached to an end of a unit bulb of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp. It is characterized by having.

The base part means a part that has a function of fitting into a socket and making an electromechanical connection.

An illumination device according to a sixth aspect of the invention is characterized by comprising a device body and the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, which is mounted on the device body.

The illuminating device includes, for example, not only general luminaires but also a bulb-type fluorescent lamp in which a lighting circuit and a fluorescent lamp are integrated and a screw base is attached.

[0020]

In the low-pressure gas discharge lamp of claims 1 and 2, since the tip of the lead-in wire functioning as an auxiliary electrode is sharpened, an electric field is concentrated at the tip of this lead-in wire at the time of start-up to locally discharge. Occurs, leading to the start. At this time, since the acute angle treatment is performed, electric discharge is likely to occur intensively, and it is easy to start.

In particular, the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the second aspect of the present invention can provide a low-pressure gas discharge lamp that is easy to start because it is only necessary to intentionally leave a flash when the lead wire is cut.

The low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to claims 3 and 4 has two
Of the lead-in wires close to each other in the book, the lead-in wire closer to the communication hole is electrically connected to one of the main electrodes via an impedance element so as to function as an auxiliary electrode. , The auxiliary discharge is more likely to pass through the communication hole as it comes closer to the communication hole.

The low-pressure gas discharge lamp device of the fifth aspect and the illuminating device of the sixth aspect have the same effects as the low-pressure gas discharge lamp of the present invention.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a fluorescent lamp will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a so-called JIS-defined FML type compact fluorescent lamp in which two U-shaped unit bulbs are connected on the same plane, and FIG. 2 is a front view thereof. The compact fluorescent lamp 1 includes an arc tube 10 and a base 20. The arc tube 10 is configured by connecting two U-shaped unit bulbs 11a and 11b having an outer diameter of 20.0 mm on the same plane at their ends. The two U-shaped unit bulbs 11a and 11b are made of lead glass or soda lime glass, respectively, and heat the sidewalls of the adjacent ends to increase the internal pressure and blow them off to make blow-out protrusions. The blowout and blowout protruding portions are brought into contact with each other and fused to each other to form the communication portion 12. These two
In the U-shaped unit valves 11a and 11b, the internal spaces of the U-shaped unit valves 11a and 11b communicate with each other through the communication holes of the communication portion 12 formed by fusing the blowout protrusions. A discharge space is formed which forms one curved discharge path that meanders as a whole. Unit valve 11a,
The unit valve 11 is provided on the opposite side of the communication portion 12 between the 11b.
An elastic member 12b for absorbing stress applied between a and 11b, for example, silicone rubber is filled.

Electrodes 13a and 13 are provided at the ends of the U-shaped unit bulbs 11a and 11b located at both ends of the curved discharge path.
b is attached. The electrodes 13a and 13b are double or triple coil filaments made of tungsten,
An electron emitting substance (emitter) such as BaO, CaO, SrO (not shown) is deposited. Both ends of the electrodes 13a and 13b are connected to lead-in wires 14a and 14a, respectively, and these lead-in wires 14a and 14a are connected to the unit valve 11 respectively.
The flare stem 15a made of lead glass sealed at the end portions of a and 11b is hermetically penetrated and connected to the external lead wires 16. It should be noted that the flare stem 15a is connected to thin tubes 17a and 17b, respectively, one of which functions as an exhaust pipe and is sealed off after the exhaust process. Amalcum 18 for controlling mercury vapor pressure in one thin tube
May be accommodated.

At the other ends of the U-shaped unit bulbs 11a and 11b which are not located at both ends of the bent discharge path, so-called dummy stems 15b and 15b to which electrodes are not attached are sealed. The lead wires 14b ..., 14c pass through the dummy stems 15b, 15b, respectively, but the electrodes are not suspended. These introduction lines 14b ..., 14c are
It is originally for mechanically and electrically connecting the electrodes, and is essentially unnecessary if the electrodes are not suspended, but it is provided because it is cheaper to use common parts . Of these four introduction lines 14b ..., 14c,
One lead wire 14c is electrically connected to one external lead wire 16 by the conductive wire 6a via the resistance element 6b. The electric resistance value of the resistance element 6b varies depending on the rated value of the lamp, and is 670 KΩ in the case of the FML36 specified by JIS. This lamp has a lamp voltage of 105 V, a lamp current of 435 mA, and a lamp power consumption of 36 W.

A lead wire 14c electrically connected to one external lead wire 16 by a conductive wire 6a and a resistance element 6b.
Is closer to the communicating portion 12 than the other lead-in wire 14b penetrating the same dummy stem 15b, and the tip of the lead-in wire 14c on the discharge space side, in other words, on the side exposed to the discharge path. 14 d faces the communication part 12.
In other words, the leading end 14d of the lead-in wire 14c faces the opening of the communicating portion 12 so as to face it.

The lead-in wire 14c is so-called Dumet wire (iron-nickel alloy coated with copper) so that the sealed portion thereof has good compatibility with glass and has the same coefficient of thermal expansion as glass. However, since the discharge space side functions as an auxiliary electrode as described later, it is thermally strong, and a nickel wire with a low work function is used to make it easy for the electrons for auxiliary discharge to be emitted. It is connected to the wire.

A lead wire 14c electrically connected to one external lead wire 16 by a conductive wire 6a and a resistance element 6b.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tip 14d facing the communicating portion 12 is sharpened. Specifically, the tip 1
4d is cut diagonally, and cutting burrs remain.

A silicon coating 19 is formed on the inner surface of the arc tube 10 facing the discharge path. The phosphor coating 19 is
A so-called three-wavelength band emission type fluorescent lamp phosphor in which three kinds of rare earth metal light-emitting phosphors which emit light in respective wavelength bands of blue, green and red are mixed is used. These phosphors are, for example, yttrium oxide phosphor [Y2O3: Eu] activated with trivalent europium as red, and phosphate phosphor [(La, Ce, Tb). (P, Si) O
4], an alkaline earth aluminate phosphor activated with divalent europium as blue [BaMg2 Al16 O27:
Eu] is used. Instead of these, for example, antimony / manganese co-activated calcium halophosphate phosphor which has been used for a long time may be used.

The discharge space is filled with a few milligrams of a trace amount of mercury and a few torr of a rare gas such as argon.

The arc tube 10 having such a structure is fixed to the base 20 shown in a perspective view in FIG. The base 20 is formed of a base 21 made of, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin as a base, and four base pins 22 ... (Only two shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) made of a conductive material such as brass. ing. The required structure of the base 20 is specified in JIS.

The base 21 has an insertion hole 2 into which the ends of the arc tube 10 in which the electrodes 13a and 13b are sealed are inserted.
3, 23, the communication portion 12 and the dummy stem 15
It is provided with a rising tube portion 24 into which the end portions to which b and 15b are attached are inserted. The insertion holes 23, 23 of the arc tube 10 and the end portions inserted into the rising tube portion 24 are fixed to the base 21 by a silicone adhesive 25.

Since the base 20 of the present embodiment is the JIS standard GX10q type for 36 W or less, the base pins 22 are projected to the outside from the bottom surface of the base 21. Four external lead wires 16 ... Are connected to the base pins 22. Introductory wire 14c that functions as a starting auxiliary electrode
Are connected to one of the external lead wires 16 or the base pin 22 via the conductive wire 6a and the resistance element 6b.

Although the amalgam 18 is not essential,
In the case of a fluorescent lamp using this, the lead-in wire 14c which functions as a starting auxiliary electrode is connected to the external lead wire 16 connected to the electrode 13a formed on the other unit bulb 11a having no amalgam 18. Is good. This is because the lead wire 14c and the electrode 13b to which the voltage is first applied are
The discharge is started in the unit bulb 11b between the electrodes, but the mercury absorbed by the amalgam 18 is immediately supplied, and the initial discharge in the unit bulb 11b between the lead-in wire 14c and the electrode 13b is caused by both electrodes. This is because it is easy to shift to the main discharge between 13a and 13b.

Such a compact fluorescent lamp 1
Is used as a light source of the illumination device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example. 5 and 6 is a ceiling-embedded luminaire in which a plurality of compact fluorescent lamps 1 are mounted, and 31 is a luminaire body (apparatus body) embedded in an embedding hole 36 formed in a ceiling surface 35. ). A reflector 32 is attached to the inside of the device main body 31.
A louver 33 for light control is provided in the opening of the. The plurality of compact fluorescent lamps 1 attached to the fixture body 31 are electrically connected to a lighting device 34 housed in the ceiling of the fixture body.

The lighting device 34 may be a single choke coil type ballast, but in the case of this embodiment, a high frequency inverter circuit as shown in FIG. 7 is used. In this figure, the part of the fluorescent lamp 1 is simplified, and many constituents (for example, the lead-in wire 14b, the stem 15a, the dummy stem 1) are included.
5b) is omitted in the drawing. This circuit includes a rectifying / smoothing circuit 51 connected to a commercial power supply 50, an oscillation circuit section 52 for converting direct current into high frequency alternating current, and a start timer circuit 53.
And so on. The start-up timer circuit 53 is provided for setting the filament preheating time, and preheats the filament for a certain period of time before applying a high voltage, which is the operation output of the lighting device 34, to the lamp, and thereafter, between the both ends of the lamp, the lighting device 34. It is configured so that a smooth start can be performed by applying the high voltage which is the output of.

In the above fluorescent lamp, the lighting device 34 operates when the power is turned on and supplies a high frequency voltage to the fluorescent lamp. At this time, the supplied high frequency voltage is applied between the electrode 13a and the lead-in wire 14c. Since the distance between the electrode 13b and the lead-in wire 14c is about half the distance between the electrode 13a and the electrode 13b, the electric field strength between the electrode 13b and the lead-in wire 14c is approximately doubled. As such, the initial discharge or the auxiliary discharge between the electrode 13b and the lead-in wire 14c is easily started. Once the initial discharge starts,
Even if the discharge path of the communication part 12 is narrow and the impedance is high, the tip 14d of the lead-in wire 14c is located near the communication part 12.
Is located, the plasma due to the discharge near the tip 14d of the lead-in wire 14c easily passes through the communicating portion 12. When the plasma due to the discharge near the tip 14d of the introduction line 14c passes through the communication portion 12, the impedance between the introduction line 14c and the electrode 13a also decreases, and when the impedance lowers than that of the resistance element 6b, the electrodes 13b and 14c are separated. The initial discharge during the period extends to the electrode 13a, and eventually shifts to the main discharge between the electrodes 13a and 13b.

Since the leading end 14d of the lead-in wire 14c is sharp as shown in FIG. 3, the initial discharge is likely to start. This is because if the tip 14d of the lead-in wire 14c is sharp, the electric field concentrates on the sharp tip, so that the initial electrons are more likely to be emitted, and the more initial electrons there are, the higher the probability of shifting to the initial discharge, and therefore the main discharge. This is because it is easy to shift to.

The tip 14d of the lead-in wire 14c is obtained by cutting the wire obliquely and not removing the cutting flash at that time. By not carrying out polishing after cutting, the tip can be sharpened at a relatively low cost.

Further, the leading end 14d of the lead-in wire 14c is closer to the opening of the communicating portion 12 than the lead-in wire 14b arranged in parallel. Therefore, plasma around the tip 14d of the lead-in wire 14c easily passes through the communicating portion 12. Therefore, the initial discharge is likely to shift to the main discharge.

Instead of the introduction line 14c, the conductive line 6a and the resistance element 6b are provided on the introduction line 14b of the other dummy stem.
In the case of connecting the same to form an auxiliary electrode similar to the introduction line 14c, the introduction line 14b closer to the opening of the communication portion 12 is used (that is, the introduction line of the electrode and the dummy stem of the same unit valve). Is connected via the conductive line 6a and the resistance element 6b), there is an effect that initial discharge is likely to occur. This is because the initial electrons emitted from the tip of the lead-in wire 14b before the initial discharge becomes a glow discharge and easily passes through the communicating portion 12, and as a result, the probability of transition to the initial discharge becomes high.

Such a startability improving effect is obtained by combining this fluorescent lamp with a high-frequency lighting circuit designed for other types of lamps having substantially the same lamp current and lamp voltage, for example, FDL type and FPL type fluorescent lamps. When noticeable. This is FWL, FML type fluorescent lamp is F
This is because, compared to the DL type and FPL type fluorescent lamps, the electrodes are not arranged side by side, the rise in the electrode temperature is slow and it is difficult to start, and the device of the auxiliary electrode is effective.

The above effects were confirmed by experiments. As the prototype a, the conductive wire 6a and the resistance element 6b are connected as shown in FIG. 1, and the introduction wire 14c has a sharpened tip as shown in FIG. Although the resistance element 6b is connected as shown in FIG. 1, the conductive wire 6a and the resistance element 6b are separated from the communicating portion 12 as a prototype or a lamp in which the leading end of the lead-in wire 14c is cut off and the cutting burrs are cut off. A lamp which is connected to the lead-in wire and has the tip of the lead-in wire sharpened as shown in FIG.
The lamp was connected to the lead-in wire farther from 2, and the lamp with the cut-out burrs cut off in the lead-in wire was used for the experiment. The results are shown in Table 1. The experiment measured the starting voltage when a preheating current of 200 mA and 400 mA was applied to each of 10 prototype lamps. Table 1 shows the average value, maximum value, and
This is the minimum value.

[0045]

[Table 1] Although there are large variations among the individual lamps, when the average value is taken, the starting voltage is in the order of trial product a <trial product c <trial product b <trial product d, so the order of startability is trial product a>. Prototype c ＞ Prototype b ＞ Prototype d.

[0046]

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a low-pressure gas discharge lamp with high startability and stable quality can be obtained.

Particularly, in the low-pressure gas discharge lamps of claims 1 and 2, since the tip of the lead-in wire functioning as an auxiliary electrode is subjected to an acute angle treatment, the electric field is concentrated at the tip of this lead-in wire and the initial discharge is generated. It is likely to occur, and accordingly, stable quality can be obtained.

Further, the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to claim 2 is
Since it is only necessary to intentionally leave a flash when cutting the lead-in wire, a stable quality low-pressure gas discharge lamp that is easy to start can be obtained.

The low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to claims 3 and 4 has two
Of the lead-in wires close to each other in the book, the lead-in wire closer to the communication hole is electrically connected to one of the main electrodes via an impedance element so as to function as an auxiliary electrode. The closer to the communication hole, the more the initial discharge easily passes through the communication hole, and stable quality can be obtained.

According to the low-pressure gas discharge lamp device of the fifth aspect and the illuminating device of the sixth aspect, stable quality can be obtained based on the quality improvement of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a cross section of a compact fluorescent lamp which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the entire compact fluorescent lamp of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial front view showing the shape of the tip of a lead-in wire that serves as a start-up assisting function.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the ceiling-embedded luminaire using the compact fluorescent lamp of the embodiment as a light source.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling-embedded lighting fixture according to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a circuit configuration diagram of a high-frequency lighting circuit connected to the compact fluorescent lamp of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Compact fluorescent lamp, 10 ... Arc tube, 11
a, 11b ... Unit valve 12 ... Communication part, 13a, 13b ... Electrode, 14a, 14
b, 14c ... Introductory wire 15a ... Stem, 15b ... Dummy stem, 16 ... External lead wire, 20 ... Base, 31 ... Instrument body, 34 ... Lighting device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of unit valves whose both ends are juxtaposed;
A connecting portion that connects the plurality of unit bulbs, forms a communication hole therein, and communicates with the plurality of unit bulbs through the communication hole to form one bent discharge path; and a plurality of unit bulbs. A discharge medium formed of a communication part and enclosed in a discharge space having the one bent discharge path; a pair of main electrodes provided at end portions of the unit bulbs located at both ends of the bent discharge path; A unit bulb other than the unit bulb introduced into the discharge space from at least one end of the unit bulb; and an impedance element electrically connected between the lead wire and one of the main electrodes; A low-pressure gas discharge lamp characterized in that the tip of the lead-in wire is sharpened. 2. The low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the leading end of the lead-in wire has a cutting flash. 3. A plurality of unit valves whose both ends are juxtaposed;
A connecting portion that connects the plurality of unit bulbs, forms a communication hole therein, and communicates with the plurality of unit bulbs through the communication hole to form one bent discharge path; and a plurality of unit bulbs. A discharge medium formed of a communication part and enclosed in a discharge space having the one bent discharge path; a pair of main electrodes provided at end portions of the unit bulbs located at both ends of the bent discharge path; Other than at least one end of the unit bulb other than the two introduction lines introduced into the discharge space in close proximity to each other; electrically between the introduction line closer to the communication hole and one of the main electrodes Connected impedance element;
A low-pressure gas discharge lamp comprising: 4. The low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to claim 3, wherein the two introduction lines adjacent to each other are located symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the bulb end. 5. A low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a base part mounted on an end of a unit bulb of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp. Low-pressure gas discharge lamp device. 6. A device main body; a low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, which is mounted on the device main body.
A lighting device comprising: