JPH0772476A - Illumination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the illumination device which can be produced and assembled at a good yield, has high reliability occurring in a constitution field at the time of use and is applicable to a back light. CONSTITUTION:This illumination device is constituted to include a casing 5 which is openably formed with a front surface, a flat planar curvilinear type discharge lamp 6 which is arranged within the casing 5, lamp holders 7 which consist of elastic materials mounted and arranged on the power feed terminal side of the curvilinear type discharge lamp 6, a pair of supporting mechanisms 8 which fit and support these lamp holders 7 by sandwiching the lamp holders with casing side wall parts 5b and a diffusion transmission plate 9 which is freely attachably and detachably mounted in the aperture of the casing 5. The illumination device described above is constituted to the mechanism of sandwiching and supporting the device by the surfaces formed with projecting parts 7a, 8a on at least either (or both) of the surfaces to be sandwiched of the lamp holders 7 and the surface to be sandwiched of the supporting mechanisms 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illuminating device which uses a flat-bend type discharge lamp as a light source and is suitable for a backlight of a liquid crystal television or a liquid crystal meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an illuminating device for a backlight such as a liquid crystal television or a liquid crystal meter uses a discharge lamp (a fluorescent lamp composed of a cold cathode or a hot cathode) as a light source, and a back surface of a liquid crystal panel such as a small liquid crystal television or a liquid crystal meter. Therefore, it is often used to display a liquid crystal surface by shining light that is substantially uniform in a plane. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the basic structure of a backlight illuminating device of this type. In FIG. 7, 1
Is a casing having a shallow dish shape whose front surface is openable, 2 is a discharge lamp (for example, W-shaped or U-shaped, etc.) which is bent in a plane and is arranged in the casing 1, 3 is the discharge lamp 2 The lamp holder is made of an elastic material such as rubber that is mounted and arranged on the power supply terminal side of the. Here, the bottom wall surface of the casing 1 functions as a reflecting surface, and the discharge lamp 2 is arranged and mounted in the casing 1 with the bent portions 2a and the like thereof being locked by the locking pieces 1a, and the lamp holder 3 Is supported by the pair of support mechanisms 4 arranged on the casing side wall 1b in a sandwiched manner,
It is fixed and mounted in the casing 1. In addition, in the conventional configuration, due to the functionality of push-fitting, the sandwiching / contacting surfaces of the support mechanism 4 for sandwiching and the lamp holder 3 supported for sandwiching are formed to be planar. ing. A diffuse transmission plate (not shown) is detachably attached to the opening of the casing 1 to be used as a so-called backlight illumination device. It should be noted that both ends of the discharge lamp 3 are fitted and supported in the supporting mechanism (supporting groove) 4 via the lamp holder 3,
A minute deformation of the bulb due to thermal expansion that occurs when the discharge lamp 2 is lit, and external force due to shock or vibration during use are absorbed by the rubber-based elastic material holder 3 to prevent the discharge lamp 2 from being damaged, while preventing electrical damage. It also has insulation.

[0003]

However, in the case of the illumination device having the above structure, the following inconvenient problems often occur. That is, the mounted discharge lamp 2 has a bulb bent and shaped in a W shape or a U shape, but in the bending and shaping process, dimensional variation (about ± 1 mm) is likely to occur in the interval between both ends of the bulb (power supply terminal side). . And
Both side wall surfaces of a pair of supporting mechanisms (supporting grooves) 4 arranged on the side wall portion 1b of the casing 1 and both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder 3 mounted on both end portions of the discharge lamp 2 have a planar shape. Therefore, since the lamp holder 3 in the state of being press-fitted into the pair of support grooves 4 does not have a sufficient margin for elastic deformation, when the distance between both ends of the bulb of the discharge lamp 2 varies. However, the dimensional variation cannot be sufficiently absorbed, and the discharge lamp (bulb) 2 is assembled with unnecessary stress applied thereto. In addition, because there is no margin in the elastic deformation amount,
Since the discharge lamp 2 cannot fully absorb the stress caused by external factors such as shock and vibration during the use (operation) as the lighting device, the discharge lamp 2 has a bulb 2a at the bent portion (or in the vicinity) 2a during the manufacturing process or during the use. There may be a problem that is damaged. In other words, practical improvements are desired in terms of low yield in assembling / manufacturing the lighting device and reliability during use (operation).

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is suitable for a backlight, which can be manufactured and assembled with a good yield and is highly reliable due to the structural aspect during use. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0005]

An illumination device according to the present invention comprises a casing whose front surface is openable, and a flat bendable discharge lamp arranged in the casing.
A lamp holder made of an elastic body mounted and arranged on the power supply terminal side of the bent type discharge lamp, a pair of support mechanisms for sandwiching and supporting the lamp holder on the side wall of the casing, and an opening of the casing. In a lighting device comprising a diffuse transmission plate detachably attached to a lamp portion, a surface having a convex portion formed on at least one of the clamped surface of the lamp holder and the clamp surface of the support mechanism. It is characterized in that it is configured as a mechanism that is supported by being sandwiched and contacted by.

That is, according to the present invention, both side wall surfaces (sandwich surfaces) of a support mechanism (or support groove) for sandwichingly supporting both side surfaces of a lamp holder made of an elastic body are formed in an uneven shape,
This uneven shape allows the lamp holder to be fitted or pinched,
A lamp made of an elastic body in which both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder are partially pressed and sandwiched by the convex portions of the both wall surfaces, or elastically supported by a support mechanism (or a support groove) in a sandwiched (fitted) manner. Both outer side surfaces (faces to be clamped) of the holder are formed in a concavo-convex shape, and these are fitted or clamped in a supporting mechanism (or a supporting groove), and convex portions on both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder are supported by the supporting mechanism ( Alternatively, the skeleton is configured so as to be partially pressed and sandwiched by both side wall surfaces of the support groove).

The convex and concave shapes on both side wall surfaces of the support mechanism or both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder have one convex portion (protruding portion) whose outer shape is generally "Kamaboko" or "conical" (Fuji shape). Alternatively, a plurality of them may be provided on the both side wall surfaces, both outer side surfaces, or both both side wall surfaces and both outer side surfaces.

[0008]

As described above, in the lighting apparatus according to the present invention, the lamp holder that greatly contributes to the mounting and fixing of the discharge lamp is formed of an elastic body such as rubber, while the lamp holder is fitted or pinched. The supporting surface (supporting groove) that supports each other or the clamped surface of the lamp holder is formed in an uneven shape, and the mutual contact surfaces are partially pressed and sandwiched and supported by the protrusions. It adopts a configuration that
That is, the surface to be clamped of the lamp holder and the support mechanism (support groove) that is fitted or clamped by the support mechanism (support groove) are in the form of being partially supported by pressing and clamping. In addition, the dimensional error of the distance between the lamp holders can be easily absorbed together with the elasticity of the lamp holder.

[0009]

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

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 (a) to 3 (c) show that a lamp holder 3 of a flat bent discharge lamp 2 is fitted and sandwiched from both side surfaces. It is an example of a configuration in which both side wall surfaces of the mechanism (support groove) are formed in an uneven shape.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device according to the present invention. Reference numeral 5 is a casing made of synthetic resin or metal, and has a shallow dish shape in which a front surface is opened and a bottom wall surface 5c forms a reflection surface. is doing. Then, a lamp holder 7 made of an elastic body attached to both end sides (that is, the power supply terminal side) of the flat bending discharge lamp 6 is fitted (fitted) to the side wall portion 5b on one end side of the casing 5. The support mechanism 8 is provided with a pair of support grooves having a predetermined width that can be supported in a sandwiched manner. In addition, a plurality of convex portions 8a (for example, a semi-cylindrical convex portion) are formed on both side wall surfaces of the support mechanism 8 to form concave and convex surfaces. The reference numeral 5a is a curved locking claw that projects from the bottom wall surface 5c of the casing 5 and locks the bent portion 6a of the bent discharge lamp 6 mounted and arranged in the casing 5. Further, the discharge lamp 6 has a fluorescent coating formed on the inner wall surface thereof, and a plurality of bent portions 6a are provided to form a W
It consists of a flat bent bulb 6b shaped like a letter, and inside each end of the bulb 6b, electrodes that are cold cathodes are sealed, and a required amount of rare gas and mercury are sealed inside. There is. The lamp holder 7 is made of a rubber-based elastic material such as silicon rubber, and has a rectangular shape, for example. The outer width of the lamp holder 7 is larger than the interval (minimum groove width) between the convex portions 8a formed on both side wall surfaces of the support mechanism 8, and the lamp holder 7 is fitted into the support mechanism 8. In the state, the convex portion
8a can press and hold both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder 7 to support them. The lamp holder 7
The discharge lamp 6 in the lamp mounting hole provided at the center.
Both power supply terminal sides (both ends) are attached, respectively, and the power supply line 6c is led out through the end of the lamp holder 7. Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 9 denotes a light diffusion / transmission plate, which is made of acrylic resin or the like, has a milky white color, and has a light diffusion function.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the discharge lamp 6 is mounted and arranged in the casing 5, and the bending type discharge lamp 6 in which the lamp holders 7 are attached to both ends of the casing 5 is shown. The discharge lamp 6 is arranged, the bent portion 6a of the discharge lamp 6 is locked by the locking claws 5a, and the lamp holder 7 is press-fitted into the support mechanism groove 8 to be formed on the facing surface of the support mechanism 8. A structure is used in which both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder 7 are partially pressed (appropriately bitten) by a plurality of convex portions 8a and elastically sandwiched and supported. That is, the discharge lamp 6 mounted and arranged in the casing 5 is elastically supported by the support mechanism 8 via the lamp holder 7. Figure 3 (a) ~
(c) shows the support mechanism 8 in the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 (a) is a plan view of a main part schematically showing a form in which the lamp holder 7 is fitted or sandwiched in the supporting groove of FIG. 3A, and the dimension (spacing) between the power supply terminal parts of the discharge lamp 6 is predetermined. It is an example in which the discharge lamp 3 having the center value of is arranged and fitted, and the support mechanism 8 is supported with the center axis of the discharge lamp 6 (and the mounted lamp holder 7) aligned. This is the case.

On the other hand, FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c) show the discharge lamp 6 in which the dimension (spacing) between the two power supply terminal portions varies during the bending process of the bending bulb 6b forming the discharge lamp 6. It is an example of when the support mechanism 8 is arranged and fitted.
The lamp holder 7 mounted on the central axis of the lamp and the discharge lamp 6.
The center axis of the lamp holder 7 is eccentrically sandwiched and supported in the left-right direction, but the protrusions 8a formed on the opposing surfaces of the support mechanism 8 bite the outer sides of the lamp holder 7 in opposite directions. This is a case where elastic deformation occurs, and as a result, unnecessary stress applied to the lamp holder 7 is reduced / absorbed, and stable attachment / support is achieved. And in this case,
Not only the unnecessary stress caused by the assembly can be reduced and absorbed, but also the stress caused by external shock or vibration during use as a lighting device can be absorbed, which greatly reduces the risk of damage. , Greatly contributes to the improvement of functional reliability. The shape of the lamp holder 7 is not limited to a rectangular shape (illustrated example), and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape.

Example 2 FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 (a) to 6 (c) show a case where both outer side surfaces of a lamp holder mounted on both power supply terminal sides of a bent type discharge lamp are formed in an uneven shape. It is an example of an illuminating device.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the illuminating device according to the present invention, and 5 is a casing made of synthetic resin or metal, which has a shallow dish shape in which the front surface is opened and the bottom wall surface 5c forms a reflection surface. is doing. Then, a lamp holder 7 made of an elastic body attached to both end sides (that is, the power supply terminal side) of the flat bending discharge lamp 6 is fitted (fitted) to the side wall portion 5b on one end side of the casing 5. The support mechanism 8 is provided with a pair of support grooves having a predetermined width that can be supported in a sandwiched manner. The reference numeral 5a is a curved locking claw that projects from the bottom wall surface 5c of the casing 5 and locks the bent portion 6a of the bent discharge lamp 6 mounted and arranged in the casing 5.

Further, the discharge lamp 6 has a fluorescent coating formed on the inner wall surface thereof, and a plurality of bent portions 6a are provided to form a W
It consists of a flat bent bulb 6b shaped like a letter, and inside each end of the bulb 6b, electrodes that are cold cathodes are sealed, and a required amount of rare gas and mercury are sealed inside. There is. The lamp holder 7 is made of a rubber-based elastic material such as silicon rubber, and has a rectangular shape, for example. The outer width (maximum width of the convex portion) of the lamp holder 7 is made larger than the space (groove width) between the side wall surfaces of the support mechanism 8,
In addition, a plurality of convex portions 7a (for example, a semi-cylindrical convex portion) are formed on both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder 7 to form concave and convex surfaces. That is, in a state in which the support mechanism 8 is fitted, both opposing wall surfaces of the support mechanism 8 can press and sandwich the convex portions 7a on both outer surfaces of the lamp holder 7 to support them. The lamp holder 7
Both the power supply terminal sides (both ends) of the discharge lamp 6 are mounted in the lamp mounting holes provided in the central portion, respectively, and the power supply line 6c is led out through the end portion of the lamp holder 7. Further, in FIG. 4, 9 is a light diffusion / transmission plate, which is made of acrylic resin or the like and has a milky white color and has a light diffusion function.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the discharge lamp 6 is mounted and arranged in the casing 5, and a bending type discharge lamp 6 in which a lamp holder 7 is attached to both ends of the casing 5 is shown. The discharge lamp 6 is arranged, and the bent portion 6a of the discharge lamp 6 is locked by the locking claws 5a, and the lamp holder 7 is press-fitted into the support mechanism groove 8 so that the lamp holder 7 faces the support mechanism 8. The plurality of convex portions 7a formed on both outer side surfaces of the above are partially pressed (appropriately bited) and supported in an elastically sandwiched state. That is, the discharge lamp 6 mounted and arranged in the casing 5 is elastically supported by the support mechanism 8 via the lamp holder 7. Figure 6 (a) ~
(c) shows the support mechanism 8 in the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 (a) is a plan view of a main part schematically showing a form in which the lamp holder 7 is fitted or pinched in the support groove of FIG. 6A. It is an example in which the discharge lamp 6 having the center value of is arranged and fitted, and the discharge lamp 6 (and the attached lamp holder 7) is supported in a state where the center axis of the support mechanism 8 is aligned. This is the case.

On the other hand, FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c) show the discharge lamp 6 in which the dimension (spacing) between the two power supply terminal portions varies during the bending process of the bending bulb 6b forming the discharge lamp 6. It is an example of when the support mechanism 8 is arranged and fitted.
The lamp holder 7 mounted on the central axis of the lamp and the discharge lamp 6.
The center axis of the lamp holder is eccentrically supported in the left-right direction and is sandwiched and supported, but the convex portions formed on both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder 7.
7a elastically deforms in opposite directions with respect to the facing surface of the support mechanism 8, and as a result, unnecessary stress applied to the lamp holder 7 is reduced / absorbed, and stable mounting / support is achieved. This is the case. In this case, not only the unnecessary stress caused by the assembly can be reduced and absorbed, but also the stress caused by external shock or vibration during use as a lighting device can be absorbed, which may cause damage. Etc. is greatly reduced, which also contributes greatly to improvement in functional reliability.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the relationship between the change in the space due to the dimensional variation between the power supply terminal portions and the support state, which occur during the bending process of the bending discharge lamp 6, and the relationship with the supporting state will be described in more detail. ), (C) and FIG. 6 (b),
(c) In both cases, when the dimension (spacing) between both power supply terminal portions extending in one direction is narrow, the casing 5 is supported by the support mechanism (support groove) 8 side toward you, and the fitting / pinching on the left side is performed. The wearing form is shown in (b), and the fitting / sandwiching form on the right side is shown in (c). On the contrary, when the dimension (spacing) between the two power supply terminal portions is wide, the opposite is the case where the fitting / sandwiching form on the left side is indicated by (c), and the fitting / sandwiching form on the right side is
It is shown in (b). In addition, the protruding position is shifted on both the sandwiched surface of the lamp holder 7 and the sandwiched surface of the support mechanism.
7a and 8a may be provided, and may be sandwiched and supported so as to form a partial gap between both sandwiching surfaces except for the portions where the respective convex portions 7a and 8a are in contact.

It should be noted that the discharge lamp 6 is not limited to the one formed by the bent bulb 6a formed in a W shape, and in the case of a flat shape such as a U shape having a bent portion, the same action and It has an effect.

With respect to each of the lighting devices having the above-described structure and the conventional lighting device (FIG. 7), the vibration acceleration is fixed at 4 G, the vibration frequency is 15 to 200 Hz, and the entire frequency range is reciprocated in about 20 minutes. A support mechanism 8 is provided by a vibration exciter that generates vibration.
A vibration resistance test was carried out for 12 hours by applying vibration in the right-angled direction (direction connecting a pair of support grooves) to both side walls of the. as a result,
In the case of the conventional lighting device, the remaining rate was 85% due to the occurrence of bulb damage in the discharge lamp 2, whereas in the case of the lighting device according to the present invention, the discharge lamp bulb was not damaged in any of the lighting devices. It was not observed and 100% residual rate could be obtained.

[0022]

As can be seen from the above description, the lighting device according to the present invention has a structure in which the discharge lamp is mounted and supported in a sandwiched manner with a sufficient margin for the amount of elastic deformation of the lamp holder. I am collecting. That is, since both outer side surfaces of the lamp holder are attached and supported by the support mechanism in a sandwiched manner while being easily elastically deformed, unnecessary stress is easily and satisfactorily absorbed. . Therefore, even if there is dimensional variation (± 1mm) in the distance between the bulb ends (power supply terminals) of the discharge lamp to be mounted, the discharge lamp can be mounted without applying excessive stress to the bulb that makes up the discharge lamp. -Because it can be supported, the risk of valve damage will not be completely eliminated during the mounting and assembling process to the casing, or during the lighting operation.
It can be said that this greatly contributes to the improvement of manufacturing yield and the reliability of the liquid crystal display device as a backlight. In particular, the function of favorably absorbing stress due to external factors such as shock and vibration during use makes it possible to supply a highly reliable lighting device in terms of vibration resistance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a main part of a lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a fitting / sandwiching state of a lamp holder by a support mechanism in a configuration example of a main part of a lighting device according to the present invention, in which (a) the lamp holder is coaxial with the support mechanism. Plan view showing a state of being fitted / sandwiched on (b),
(c) The lamp holder shaft is eccentrically fitted to the support mechanism.
The top view which shows the state which was pinched.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of another lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another structural example of the main part of the lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a fitting / sandwiching state of a lamp holder by a supporting mechanism in another example of the configuration of the main part of the lighting device according to the present invention. A plan view showing a coaxially fitted and pinched state,
(b), (c) A plan view showing a state where the lamp holder shaft is fitted and pinched eccentrically with respect to the support mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a main configuration of a conventional lighting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 5 ... Casing 1a, 5a ... Locking claws 1b, 5b ... Side wall portions 1c, 5c ... Bottom wall surface 2, 6 ... Discharge lamp 2
a, 6a ... Bent parts 2b, 6b ... Bent type valves 2c, 6c ...
Power supply lines 3, 7 ... Lamp holders 7a, 8a ... Projections
4, 8 ... Support mechanism (support groove) 9 ... Light diffusion / transmission plate

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 18, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 3

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 3]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A casing having a front surface formed so as to be openable, a flat curved discharge lamp arranged in the casing, and an elastic body mounted / disposed on a power supply terminal side of the curved discharge lamp. Illumination comprising: a lamp holder, a pair of support mechanisms that clamp and support the lamp holder on the side wall of the casing, and a diffuse transmission plate detachably attached to the opening of the casing. In the device, a structure is provided in which at least one of the sandwiched surface of the lamp holder and the sandwiched surface of the support mechanism is sandwiched and supported by a surface in which a convex portion is formed so as to be sandwiched and supported. Lighting equipment.