JPH08102289A - Neon glow discharge lamp, neon glow discharge lamp device and lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a neon glow discharge lamp, neon glow discharge lamp device and the lighting system, which can restrict the oscillation of the negative glow so as to obtain the stabilized discharge and which can improve the luminance. CONSTITUTION: This neon glow discharge lamp is provided with cylindrical electrodes 2, of which main part is formed into the cylindrical shape, an electrically insulating metal oxide film 2c provided on the outer surface of each cylindrical electrode 2, a bulb 1 arranged in the end of the cylindrical electrode 2, and the neon sealed in the bulb 1 at 30-120Torr of sealing gas pressure. Consequently, since the sealing gas pressure of the neon gas is set high, luminance is improved, and since the electrically insulating metal oxide film is used, oscillation of the negative glow is restricted so as to obtain th stabilized discharge.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a neon glow discharge lamp, a neon glow discharge lamp device and an illuminating device in which neon is mainly enclosed in a bulb.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, the use of a low-pressure discharge lamp as a light source for a high mount stop lamp of a vehicle such as an automobile and a lighting device such as a rear combination lamp has been studied. Low-pressure discharge lamps have higher luminous efficiency than incandescent bulbs,
Since it has advantages that bright light can be obtained with low power consumption and that the light source can be formed to be long and thin, it is effective when used for the above-mentioned vehicle-mounted lighting device.

Fluorescent lamps are the most well-known low-pressure discharge lamps. However, fluorescent lamps have a problem in that the mercury vapor pressure changes depending on the ambient temperature conditions, which causes a significant change in brightness. In order to use it as a light source for a vehicle-mounted lighting device, it is necessary to devise a device such as a heater for compensating for a decrease in brightness at low temperatures, which complicates the structure. On the other hand, the rare gas discharge lamp has a small rate of change in brightness depending on the ambient temperature condition, and is effective as a light source of this type of vehicle-mounted lighting device.

Among the rare gas discharge lamps, the neon glow discharge lamp is a lamp that utilizes the high luminance spectrum of the red light emission of 550 to 800 nm emitted by neon (Ne), and is capable of effectively utilizing red light. It is advantageous for light sources such as high mount stop lamps and rear combination lamps.

That is, in many cases, the high mount stop lamp and the rear combination lamp illuminate the display cover colored in red to emit a warning to the following vehicle.

Therefore, if a neon glow discharge lamp that emits red light is used as the light source, the red light emitted from this light source and the display cover colored in red are combined to form a red display cover. It can emit light effectively. Further, since the emission of the neon glow discharge lamp itself is red as described above, it is also possible to use the emission color of the neon glow discharge lamp as it is by using a colorless and colorless display cover.

The neon glow discharge lamp is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-93048 (hereinafter, referred to as "conventional example 1") and the like. Although not shown in the drawing, this discharge lamp has 0.5 to 20 torr in a bulb with an inner diameter of 5 mm or less.
The neon is filled in and the power input per arc length of 1 cm is set to 0.5 to 2.5 W, and the inner diameter of the bulb is extremely thin.

On the other hand, a rare gas discharge lamp in which a rare gas mainly containing xenon is enclosed is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-121942 (hereinafter referred to as "conventional example 2") and the like, and FIG. Will be described with reference to.

Electrode shafts 17 are provided at both ends of the glass bulb 10.
The stem 13 configured to support the cold cathode 15 composed of the cylindrical electrode body 16 having the electron emitting material layer 18 connected thereto is sealed. Also, glass bulb 1
A phosphor coating 12 is formed on the inner surface of 0.

In this rare gas discharge lamp, the xenon itself irradiates ultraviolet rays as well as pale light, so that the ultraviolet rays excite the phosphor to emit light. The electron emitting material layer 18 is intended to shorten the start-up time by constantly emitting the initial electrons that trigger the discharge.

[0011]

However, in the neon glow discharge lamp of Conventional Example 1, the neon filling gas pressure is 0.
Since it is relatively low at 5 to 20 torr, the brightness is not improved.

Therefore, in the rare gas discharge lamp of Conventional Example 2, it may be possible to emit red light by forming the red phosphor coating 12 on the inner surface of the bulb 1.

However, since the number of working steps for forming the red phosphor coating 12 is increased and the phosphor is used, the manufacturing cost may increase. Therefore, in order to further reduce the cost without increasing the work steps, the neon glow discharge lamp is still preferable.

Therefore, first, in order to improve the brightness, in the neon glow discharge lamp of the first conventional example, it is conceivable to increase the pressure of neon filled gas. In this case, it has been confirmed by experiments by the present inventors that the brightness can be increased by setting the pressure to 30 torr or more.

If the electrode body 16 as in the second conventional example is used when the gas pressure of neon is increased, most of the negative glow generated in the vicinity of the electrode body 16 is the electrode 16.
It enters inside to generate the hollow cathode effect. However, some negative glow also oscillates on the outer surface of the cylindrical electrode (16a). The swing of the negative glow 16a causes the positive column 11 generated between the electrode bodies 16 to flicker, and as a result, the discharge becomes unstable.

Therefore, the present invention has been made based on such a situation, and when a cylindrical electrode capable of generating a hollow cathode effect is used, it suppresses the oscillation of the negative glow and is stable. An object of the present invention is to provide a neon glow discharge lamp, a neon glow discharge lamp device, and an illuminating device that can obtain discharge and have improved brightness.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical electrode whose main portion is formed in a cylindrical shape; and an electrically insulating metal oxide coating provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical electrode; A valve having the cylindrical electrode at its end portion; and neon sealed in the valve at a sealed gas pressure of 30 to 120 torr are provided.

Here, if the filling pressure of neon is less than 30 torr, improvement in luminance cannot be expected, and especially if less than 1.0 torr, neon will disappear during the life. Further, when the neon filling pressure exceeds 120 torr, the starting voltage becomes extremely high and the starting becomes difficult.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the neon glow discharge lamp according to the first aspect, the metal oxide film is formed of aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the neon glow discharge lamp according to the first aspect, the discharge lamp is used with an electric power input of 0.5 W or less per 1 cm of arc length.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the neon glow discharge lamp according to the first aspect, a proximity conductor is provided on the outer surface of the bulb along the tube axis direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the neon glow discharge lamp according to the fourth aspect, the region where the proximity conductor is formed is less than or equal to the entire length of the bulb and the end of the proximity conductor is within 50 mm from the tip of the electrode.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the neon glow discharge lamp according to the fourth aspect, the proximity conductor is made of a conductive tape.

The invention according to claim 7 comprises the neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 1; and a lighting circuit capable of supplying a high frequency power of 20 KHz or more.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the neon glow discharge lamp according to the first aspect; and a reflector which houses the discharge lamp and which is formed in a substantially gutter shape and extends along the tube axis direction of the discharge lamp. It is equipped with.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the neon glow discharge lamp according to the fourth aspect; and a reflector formed in a gutter shape so that a proximity conductor formed in the discharge lamp faces a reflecting surface. are doing.

[0027]

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the gas pressure of neon is increased, the brightness is improved, and since the cylindrical electrode on which the electrically insulating metal oxide film is formed is used, the hollow cathode effect is obtained. In addition, the electrically insulating metal oxide film suppresses the oscillation of the negative glow and a stable discharge can be obtained.

In the invention of claim 2, the metal oxide film is
Since it is formed of aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide, the effect of claim 1 can be sufficiently obtained.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the discharge lamp is used with an electric power input of 0.5 W or less per 1 cm of arc length, the scattering of electrode substances is small and the life is long.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the proximity conductor is provided in close contact with or close to the outer surface of the valve along the tube axis direction, the starting voltage can be further reduced. Moreover, since the proximity conductor is provided along the tube axis direction of the valve,
The positive columns will be attracted and become stable.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the region where the proximity conductor is formed is less than or equal to the entire length of the valve, and the end of the proximity conductor is set within 50 mm from the tip of the electrode. Prevent the swaying of the sunlight pillar.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the adjacent conductor is composed of the conductive tape, the structure is simple and the assembling is easy.

In the invention of claim 7, since the neon glow discharge lamp is lit with a high frequency power of 20 KHz or more, the positive column near the electrodes is stable and flicker is prevented.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the neon glow discharge lamp is housed in a reflector formed in a substantially gutter shape extending along the tube axis direction to constitute a lighting device, a lighting device having high brightness is provided. Can be provided.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the discharge lamp is arranged with the proximity conductor facing the reflecting surface of the reflector, the proximity conductor is less likely to block the light emitted forward.

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a neon glow discharge lamp, in which 1 is a bulb made of an elongated glass tube. The valve 1 has an inner diameter in the range of 1.0 to 10.0 mm. That is, the inner diameter of the valve 1 is 1.0 mm
If it is less than the above range, the size of the lamp becomes too small, so that the field which can be used as a light source is limited and the intensity becomes low. If it exceeds 10.0 mm, the thinly squeezed positive column causes a snake phenomenon,
Discharge becomes unstable. Therefore, the inner diameter of the valve 1 is 1.
The range of 0 to 10.0 mm is preferable.

Specifically, the inner diameter is 4.8 mm (the outer diameter is 5.8 m).
m) is formed. The valve 1 has a total length of 50 to 1000 mm, specifically 300 mm, and cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2 whose main parts are cylindrical electrodes are arranged at both ends of the valve 1. It is set up.

The cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2 are cold cathodes, for example, a cylindrical electrode body 2a made of nickel and an electrode shaft 2b.
The electrode shaft 2b is led out to the outside by hermetically penetrating the sealing portions 3 and 3 formed at the end portion of the bulb 1.

An electrically insulating metal oxide film 2c is formed on the outer surfaces of the cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2. The metal oxide coating 2c is made of, for example, aluminum oxide (α-
Alumina), magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, lead oxide, silicon oxide, calcium pyrophosphate, calcium barium borate, and the like. You may mix and use these.

The bases 1 and 4 are attached to the ends of the bulb 1, and the electrode shafts 2b and 2b of the cold cathodes 2 and 2 are connected thereto. Such cold cathodes 2 and 2 are 27
The electrodes are arranged facing each other with a distance between electrodes of 0 mm.

Mainly neon (Ne) is contained in the valve 1.
Is enclosed. All neon may be used, but some argon (0.5% or less) is used to improve startability.
May be added. Neon is enclosed in a pressure range of 30 to 120 torr, and in the case of this embodiment, neon is enclosed at an enclosed gas pressure of 100 torr.

The above neon glow discharge lamp has a rated input of 12
The power input is 0.5 W or less per 1 cm of arc length. 12 W in the above embodiment
÷ 27 cm = 0.444 W / cm.

Therefore, since the pressure of neon gas is increased, the brightness is improved, and the electrically insulating metal oxide film 2c is formed.
Since the cylindrical electrode 2 in which is formed is used, the hollow cathode effect can be obtained, and the electrically insulating metal oxide film 2c suppresses the oscillation of the negative glow, so that stable discharge can be obtained. That is, the flicker of the positive column generated between the electrodes, which is caused by the oscillation of the negative glow, is prevented.

Furthermore, since the sputtering of the cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2 can be suppressed, it is possible to prevent the inner surface of the bulb 1 from being blackened, and to prevent the luminance from decreasing during the life of the discharge lamp. .

Furthermore, when the metal oxide film 2c is formed of an electron emitting substance such as aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, lead oxide, etc., the starting voltage is higher than that when the film is not formed. It is also possible to shorten the starting time.

This is because the electron emitting substance 2c is formed on the outer surfaces of the cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2, so that the electrons emitted from this substance promote the discharge breakdown, so that a reliable discharge is possible. That is, since the emitted electrons are low-velocity electrons, they have a relatively low probability of contributing to the start of discharge, and when these electrons are generated near the inner surface of the bulb 1, they are absorbed inside the glass and are effective for discharge breakdown. Although it is feared that it will not act, most of the electrons contribute to the start of discharge before the absorption into the glass occurs because the electron-emitting substance 2c is provided on the surface of the cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2. It is considered to be a thing.

Next, the bulb 1 of the neon glow discharge lamp
An adjacent conductor 5 having a long length along the tube axis was provided in close contact with or close to the outer surface of the.

In this case, the proximity conductor 5 is formed by bonding a conductive tape made of an aluminum adhesive tape having a width of about 5 mm to the outer surface of the bulb 1. In the range where the proximity conductor 5 made of a conductive tape is attached, the maximum corresponds to the valve length, and the minimum is that the end of the proximity conductor 5 exceeds 50 mm in the axial direction from the tips of the cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2. Never leave. Specifically, the proximity conductor 5 is arranged such that the end portion thereof is located at a position 5 mm away from the tips of the cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2.

Therefore, when starting, one of the cylindrical electrodes 2
A positive column is induced between the adjacent conductor 5 and the adjacent conductor 5, and this positive column grows up to the other electrode, and the adjacent conductor 5 promotes the discharge between the cylindrical electrodes 2 and 2 so that the starting is easy. I was able to reduce the starting voltage.

The proximity conductor 5 is not limited to the use of a conductive tape made of an aluminum adhesive tape, and a means such as applying a conductive paint to the outer surface of the valve 1 or attaching a wire thereto may be used. The proximity conductor 5 is not limited to being in close contact with the outer surface of the bulb 1, but may be slightly apart.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the neon glow discharge lamp is connected to a high frequency oscillator 7 which is a lighting circuit to form a neon glow discharge lamp device. Then, high frequency power of 20 KHz or more and 60 KHz or less is supplied from the high frequency oscillator 7 to be turned on, and flicker does not occur.

In this case, the starting voltage Vs is 1.5 to 2.
The voltage is 0 KV, the lamp voltage VL is 600 V, and the lamp current IL is 20 mA. The lamp current IL is 1 mA
Dimming is possible by changing in the range of up to 100 mA.

Particularly, the lamp current IL is relatively large 15
It was confirmed that the luminance was improved by about 1.5 times as compared with the above-mentioned conventional case when the current was up to 20 mA. This is because the gas pressure of neon is increased.

Since the gas pressure for filling neon is high, the disappearance of neon during the life is prevented and the life characteristics are improved. Further, since the electric power input per 1 cm of arc length is 0.5 W or less, the load on the electrode is reduced and the scattering of the electrode material is reduced. The life characteristics will continue to improve from now on.
A life of more than an hour can be obtained.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the construction of an illuminating device constructed by combining the neon glow discharge lamp shown in FIG. 1 with a reflector 10. This lighting device is effectively applied to a high-mount stop lamp for vehicles, a rear combination lamp, and the like.

The reflector 10 is formed by pressing an aluminum plate, for example, and has a partially elliptical cross section.
That is, it is almost U-shaped and has a long shape along the bulb axis of the neon glow discharge lamp.
It has a length equivalent to that of, and is therefore generally gutter-shaped. The neon glow discharge lamp has the reflector 10
It is housed in the reflector 10 such that the central axis of the bulb 1 coincides with or comes close to the focal position of. A display cover 11 made of translucent glass or synthetic resin is attached to the front opening of the reflector 10. The display cover 11 is preferably colored red and emits red light.

When the proximity conductor 5 is attached to the bulb 1 of the neon glow discharge lamp, the proximity conductor 5 is used as the reflector 1.
It is formed on the outer surface of the bulb 1 on the side opposite to the opening of 0, that is, the outer surface of the bulb 1 facing the back of the reflector 10.

In this illuminating device, the light emitted from the neon glow discharge lamp is applied to the display cover 11 directly or by being reflected by the reflecting surface 12 of the reflector 10. For this reason, the display cover 11 is illuminated from the back surface, so that the entire surface is illuminated. In this case, the light emitted from the neon glow discharge lamp is red, and if the display cover 11 is also colored in red, the surface emission of red will be made toward the front. Since the light emitted from the neon glow discharge lamp of the present invention has high brightness, the display cover 11 also has high brightness, and the visibility from a distance is improved.

In this case, the proximity conductor 5 attached to the bulb 1 is formed on the outer surface of the bulb 1 on the side opposite to the opening of the reflector 10 so that the proportion of the light traveling forward is reduced. . If the proximity conductor 5 is formed of a reflective member such as an aluminum tape, it reflects light that travels backward, so that the light can be effectively used.

The display cover 11 is not limited to the translucent one colored in red, and a colorless and transparent display cover is used to display only reddish light emitted from the neon glow discharge lamp. Can also be implemented. Further, the cylindrical electrode is not limited to the cold cathode, and may be a small hot cathode.

[0062]

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the neon sealing gas pressure is increased, the brightness is improved, and furthermore, the cylindrical electrode having the electrically insulating metal oxide film formed thereon is used. In addition to being able to obtain the cathode effect,
The electrically insulating metal oxide film suppresses the oscillation of the negative glow and stable discharge is obtained.

In the invention of claim 2, the metal oxide coating film comprises:
Since it is formed of aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide, the effect of claim 1 can be sufficiently obtained.

In the third aspect of the present invention, since the discharge lamp is used with an electric power input of 0.5 W or less per 1 cm of arc length, scattering of electrode substances is small and the life is long.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the proximity conductor is provided in close contact with or close to the outer surface of the valve along the tube axis direction, the starting voltage can be further reduced. Moreover, since the proximity conductor is provided along the tube axis direction of the valve,
The positive columns will be attracted and become stable.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, the region where the proximity conductor is formed is less than or equal to the entire length of the bulb, and the end of the proximity conductor is set within 50 mm from the tip of the electrode. Prevent the swaying of the sunlight pillar.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the adjacent conductor is made of the conductive tape, the structure is simple and the assembling is easy.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the neon glow discharge lamp is lit with a high frequency power of 20 KHz or more, the positive column near the electrodes is stable and flicker is prevented.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the neon glow discharge lamp is housed in the reflector formed in a substantially gutter shape extending along the tube axis direction to constitute the illuminating device, the illuminating device having high brightness is provided. Can be provided.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the discharge lamp is arranged with the proximity conductor facing the reflection surface of the reflector, the proportion of the proximity conductor blocking the light radiated forward is small.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a neon glow discharge lamp showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device configured by incorporating the neon glow discharge lamp in a reflector.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled state of the lighting device.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a rare gas discharge lamp showing Conventional Example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bulb 2 ... Cold cathode 2c ... Metal oxide film 3 ... Sealing part 4 ... Base 5 ... Proximity conductor 10 ... Reflector 11 ... Display cover 12 ... Reflective surface

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H01J 61/68 V

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A tubular electrode whose main part is formed in a tubular shape; an electrically insulating metal oxide coating provided on the outer surface of the tubular electrode; and the tubular electrode arranged at an end. A neon glow discharge lamp comprising: a bulb; and neon sealed in the bulb at a sealed gas pressure of 30 to 120 torr. 2. The neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide coating film is formed of aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide. 3. The neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the discharge lamp is used with an electric power input of 0.5 W or less per 1 cm of arc length. 4. The neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein a proximity conductor is provided on the outer surface of the bulb along the tube axis direction. 5. The neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 4, wherein the region where the adjacent conductor is formed is less than the entire length of the bulb, and the end of the adjacent conductor is within 50 mm from the tip of the electrode. 6. The neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 4, wherein the adjacent conductor is a conductive tape. 7. A neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 1, 2
A neon glow discharge lamp device, comprising: a lighting circuit capable of supplying high-frequency power of 0 KHz or more; 8. A neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 1; and a reflector which is housed in the discharge lamp and which is formed in a substantially gutter shape and extends along the tube axis direction of the discharge lamp. A lighting device characterized by the above. 9. A neon glow discharge lamp according to claim 4, and a reflector formed in a gutter shape so that a proximity conductor formed in the discharge lamp faces a reflecting surface. Characteristic lighting device.