JPH08298190A - Discharge lamp lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent damaging a lamp socket and an accident before occurrence, by providing a means of disabling a starting circuit from operating when a discharge lamp is not fixed on the lamp socket, and preventing applying high voltage when the discharge lamp is not fixed on without changing a lighting fixture or the like. CONSTITUTION: In a headlamp device or the like for a vehicle, a lamp socket 1, stabilizer circuit 2, starting circuit 3 and a means 4 are provided, to provide a high voltage pulse transformer 3a and an igniter main circuit 3b in the circuit 3. One input end of the circuit 3b is connected to an output line of the circuit 2 connected to a socket 1 in a connection point A, and the other end is connected to an auxiliary electrode 7, to connect an output end of the circuit 3b to between the connection point A and a central electrode 5. The auxiliary electrode 7 as the means 4 provided in the socket 1 is provided by the same constitution to an electrode 6 in a position opposed to the peripheral electrode 6 with the electrode 5 interposed. The electrode 7, in a state of connecting a discharge lamp, is connected to the electrode 6 through the peripheral electrode of a base of the discharge lamp, to disable the circuit 3 from operating when the discharge lamp is not fixed on the socket 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discharge lamp lighting device applied to a vehicle headlight device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A discharge lamp lighting device applied to a vehicle headlight device using a discharge lamp such as a metal halide lamp as a light source has a structure as shown in FIG. That is, the battery 50 is used as a power source, the voltage and power required by the discharge lamp 52 are controlled, the inverter circuit unit 51 that converts the AC voltage and stabilizes it, and the high voltage required to start the discharge lamp 52 (for example, It has an igniter circuit portion 53 which is a starting device for generating 20 kV), and a lamp 54 which supports the discharge lamp 52.

FIG. 43 shows a discharge lamp 52 connected to a lamp socket, 55 is a central electrode of a base 59, 56 is an outer peripheral electrode of the base 59, 57 is a locking pin for attaching to the lamp socket, and 59a is a center. It is a peripheral wall portion located on the outer periphery of the electrode 55. FIG. 44 shows a lamp socket, 60 is a recess for inserting the base 59, 61 is a recess 6 for the base 59.
A mounting slit that locks the locking pin 57 by inserting it into 0 and rotating, 62 is an outer peripheral electrode that contacts the outer peripheral electrode 56, and 63 is a central electrode that contacts the central electrode 55.

FIG. 45 shows a discharge lamp 52 and a lamp socket 7.
0 shows the relationship between the igniter circuit portion 53, and the lamp socket 70 and the output end of the igniter circuit portion 53 are connected by a high-voltage harness 71. 72 is a pulse transformer, 73 is a circuit component, and 74 is a harness connected to the inverter 51 or the like. FIG. 46 shows a part of the vehicle body of the discharge lamp. Reference numeral 75 is a vehicle body, 76 is a lamp body attached to the vehicle body 75, 77 is a reflector plate attached to the lamp body 76, 78 is a power line, and the igniter circuit portion 53 and the inverter circuit portion 51 are attached to the lamp body 76. ing.

In this discharge lamp lighting device, power is supplied to the discharge lamp 52 by contact between the cylindrical central electrode 55 provided on the base 59 and the central electrode 63 of the lamp socket 70 and on the outer periphery of a part of the base 59. This is performed through contact between the provided outer peripheral electrode 56 and the outer peripheral electrode 62 of the lamp socket. However, when the discharge lamp lighting device is operated with the discharge lamp 52 not connected, the high voltage generated in the igniter circuit portion 53, for example, 20 kV, causes discharge between the central electrode 63 and the outer peripheral electrode 62 of the lamp socket, It may damage the socket or cause an accident.

On the other hand, the second conventional example (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-293630) is not of the socket type as shown in FIG. 47, but has a fixture 80 for fixing the discharge lamp 52 to the lamp 54. Some have an interlock function part 81 that determines the presence or absence of the discharge lamp 52 by contacting the discharge lamp insertion part 54 and stops the output of the high voltage. 82
Is a drive control circuit of the discharge lamp 52.

[0007]

However, in this discharge lamp lighting device, it is necessary for the lamp fixture 54 and the fixture 80 to have a switch function. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge lamp lighting device capable of preventing application of a high voltage in a state where a discharge lamp is not connected without changing a lamp or the like.

[0008]

A discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a lamp socket to which the discharge lamp is connected, a stabilizing circuit which is connected to a power source and outputs a voltage to the lamp socket, and the stabilizing circuit. Is connected between the lamp socket and the lamp socket and is activated before the discharge of the discharge lamp is started to generate a high voltage necessary for starting the discharge of the discharge lamp to discharge the discharge lamp and after the discharge is started. Starting circuit to be deactivated, and mounting the discharge lamp in the lamp socket
And means for disabling the starting circuit in response to non-mounting.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the first aspect,
Since the means for disabling the starting circuit when the discharge lamp is not installed is provided, a high voltage is not generated when the discharge lamp is not installed, so that damage or accident of the lamp socket can be prevented. Moreover, since the interlock mechanism is constructed in the lamp socket by the above-mentioned means, it is not necessary to change the lamp and the stabilizing circuit. On the other hand, even if an oxide film is generated on the surface of each electrode of the lamp socket, high self-recovery can be expected by increasing the voltage applied to each electrode.

A discharge lamp lighting device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a lamp socket for connecting a discharge lamp and a lamp socket connected to the lamp socket for stably lighting the discharge lamp. A stabilizing circuit for generating a voltage, which operates at an operating voltage lower than the voltage when the lamp of the stabilizing circuit is turned off and higher than the voltage when the lamp is turned on, and is connected to the lamp socket to operate the discharge lamp. It is provided with a starting circuit for starting the discharge from an off state, and means for reducing the input voltage of the starting circuit to the operating voltage or less provided in the lamp socket when the discharge lamp is not connected.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the second aspect,
Since the lamp socket is provided with a means to reduce the input voltage of the starting circuit to the operating voltage or less when the discharge lamp is not connected, high voltage does not occur when the discharge lamp is not connected, so damage and accidents of the lamp socket can be prevented. be able to. Moreover, since the interlock mechanism is constructed in the lamp socket by the above-mentioned means, it is not necessary to change the lamp and the stabilizing circuit. On the other hand, even if an oxide film is formed on the surface of each electrode of the lamp socket, high self-recovery can be expected because the voltage applied to each electrode is relatively high.

A discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3 is the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lamp socket has a pair of main electrodes, and at least one of the main electrodes is at the output end of the stabilizing circuit. Connected via a circuit, one of the input parts of the starting circuit is connected to the output end of the stabilizing circuit connected to the one main electrode, and the means is provided in the lamp socket and the starting circuit is provided. An auxiliary electrode connected to the other of the input portions of the discharge lamp, and the auxiliary electrode is configured to be connected to the other main electrode by the conductive portion of the discharge lamp in the connected state of the discharge lamp. is there.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the third aspect, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect can be obtained. A discharge lamp lighting device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the device according to the third aspect, wherein the conductive portion of the discharge lamp is an outer peripheral electrode of a base. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fourth aspect, there is the same effect as the third aspect.

A discharge lamp lighting device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the device according to the third aspect, wherein the conductive portion of the discharge lamp is a central electrode of a base. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fifth aspect, there is the same effect as the third aspect. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 6 is the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5, wherein one main electrode of the lamp socket is connected to an output end of the stabilizing circuit via the starting circuit. The other main electrode is directly connected to the output terminal of the stabilizing circuit.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the sixth aspect, the same effect as the third, fourth or fifth aspect is obtained. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the pair of main electrodes of the lamp socket are all output terminals of the stabilizing circuit via the starting circuit according to claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5. And a high voltage blocking means is connected to the auxiliary electrode.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5, it is possible to prevent a high voltage from being applied to the input side of the starting circuit. . The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 8 is the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the high-voltage blocking means is provided in the high-voltage transformer of the starting circuit and has substantially the same polarity as the high voltage applied to the other main electrode. It is a secondary winding that generates a high voltage.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the eighth aspect, there is the same effect as the seventh aspect. A discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 9 is the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the auxiliary electrode is the discharge lamp in the connected state. It is connected to the conductive part of the electric lamp, and its contact position is located on the inner side of the lamp socket than the contact position between the other main electrode and the conductive part of the discharge lamp. .

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 9, in addition to the effects of claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8, the discharge lamp is provided with respect to the lamp socket. The auxiliary electrode is loosely contacted with the outer electrode of the base, and even if the operation of the starting circuit is unstable, the outer electrode and the center electrode to which a high voltage is applied must be the discharge lamp. Since it is in a state of being connected to the lamp socket, it is possible to prevent a damage phenomenon or an accident due to a discharge phenomenon at the electrode portion of the lamp socket or a high voltage applied to the input portion of the starting circuit.

A discharge lamp lighting device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the first aspect.
Alternatively, in claim 2, the means forms a closed circuit with respect to the output of the stabilizing circuit when the discharge lamp is not connected to the lamp socket, and the closed circuit is opened by connecting the discharge lamp. It is a thing. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the tenth aspect, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect can be obtained.

The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 11 is claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, claim 9, or claim 9. Claim 10
In the above, the starting circuit is configured separately from the lamp socket. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 11, claim 1, claim 2, claim 3,
Claim 4, Claim 5, Claim 6, Claim 7, Claim 8,
It has the same effect as claim 9 or claim 10.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the eleventh aspect, the high voltage blocking means connected to the auxiliary electrode is integrally incorporated in the lamp socket. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the twelfth aspect, in addition to the effect of the eleventh aspect, it is sufficient that the wiring line from the high voltage blocking means to the starting circuit has a low voltage.

The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 13 is a claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, claim 9 or claim 9. Claim 10
In the above, the starting circuit is integrally formed in the lamp socket. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 13, claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, claim 9 or claim. It has the same effect as item 10.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the thirteenth aspect, a case having a socket portion, a pulse transformer housing portion and an igniter circuit block housing portion is provided, and the starting circuit is housed in the pulse transformer housing portion. And a pulse transformer that constitutes a part of an igniter circuit embedded in the filling material, and an igniter circuit block that is housed in the igniter circuit block housing portion and embedded in the filling material.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fourteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the thirteenth aspect, since the socket portion, the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion are provided in the case, a dedicated case for the pulse transformer or the like is provided. Is unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, and the size and cost can be reduced. According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the fourteenth aspect, the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion are separated by a partition wall.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fifteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to prevent mixing of the filler in the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion. According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the fifteenth aspect, the pulse transformer housing portion is formed on one surface side of the case, and the igniter circuit block housing portion is formed on the other surface side of the case. .

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the sixteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifteenth aspect, the storage surfaces of the pulse transformer and the igniter circuit block are divided to prevent mixing of the filling material during the filling work. You can The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 17 is the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 16,
The opening of the pulse transformer housing is directed in the same direction as the lamp insertion opening of the socket of the case.

The discharge lamp lighting device according to the seventeenth aspect has the same effect as the sixteenth aspect. According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the sixteenth aspect, the opening of the igniter circuit block storage section is oriented in the same direction as the lamp insertion opening of the socket section of the case. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 18 has the same effect as that of claim 16.

The discharge lamp lighting device according to a nineteenth aspect is the one according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the socket portion is provided between the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the nineteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifteenth aspect, a good weight balance can be achieved.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the nineteenth aspect, the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion are opened in the same direction as the lamp insertion opening portion of the socket portion of the case. It is aimed at. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 20 has the same effect as that of claim 19. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 21 is the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 19, wherein the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion have openings facing the lamp insertion opening portion of the socket portion of the case. It is a thing.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the twenty-first aspect, it has the same effect as the nineteenth aspect. A discharge lamp lighting device according to a twenty-second aspect is the device according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the partition wall is formed separately from the case. Claim 22
According to the discharge lamp lighting device described above, in addition to the effect of the fifteenth aspect, the pulse transformer and the igniter circuit block can be assembled outside the case, which improves the assembling property.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the case is arranged such that the igniter circuit block housing section and the pulse transformer are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to an opening direction of the lamp insertion opening section of the socket section. It has a storage opening communicating with the storage portion. Claim 23
According to the discharge lamp lighting device described in the above, in addition to the effect of claim 14, since the pulse transformer and the igniter circuit block are sequentially housed and embedded in the filling material in each of them, the partition wall is not necessary, so that the cost can be reduced. At the same time, further miniaturization is possible.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the fourteenth aspect, the case is divided into a portion in which the socket portion and the pulse toslan storage portion are integrated, and the igniter circuit block storage portion. The pulse transformer housing portion housing the pulse transformer and the socket portion are housed in the igniter circuit block housing portion and embedded in the filling material.

The discharge lamp lighting device according to the twenty-fourth aspect has the same effect as the fourteenth aspect. The discharge lamp lighting device according to a twenty-fifth aspect is the one according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the center of gravity of the starting circuit is set below an extension line behind a socket shaft of the lamp socket. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the twenty-fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the thirteenth aspect, the optical axis of the discharge lamp is less likely to be displaced due to vibration, and the stability is improved, and the entire lighting circuit block approaches the discharge lamp. Since the space between the rear of the lamp body and the vehicle body can be increased, the discharge lamp replacement work becomes easier. Furthermore, the high-voltage output of the high-voltage transformer of the lighting circuit block can be transmitted to the socket portion in the shortest distance, which is efficient, and since a high-voltage harness is not required, the safety of the discharge lamp replacement work is ensured. Furthermore, since the center of gravity is located around the socket axis, it is possible to reduce the mechanical load on the reflector serving as the mounting portion of the discharge lamp.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the starting circuit is an igniter, and the pulse transformer of the igniter is arranged below the lamp socket, so that the center of gravity of the igniter is the above-mentioned. It is arranged below the extension line behind the socket shaft. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 26 has the same effect as that of claim 25.

[0035]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, this discharge lamp lighting device is applied to a vehicle headlamp device, and includes a lamp socket 1, a stabilizing circuit 2, a starting circuit 3, and a means 4.
Have and. The lamp socket 1 is connected to the discharge lamp 49 (FIG. 3). The discharge lamp 49 has the same structure as in FIG. In the lamp socket 1 of the embodiment, the discharge lamp 4 is used as the main electrode.
9 has a central electrode 5 that contacts a central electrode (not shown) of the base 49a, and an outer peripheral electrode 6 that contacts an outer peripheral electrode 49b of the base 49a that serves as a conductive portion of the discharge lamp 49. The outer peripheral electrode 6 at a position facing the outer peripheral electrode 6.
An auxiliary electrode 7 having the same structure as is provided. The auxiliary electrode 7 and the outer peripheral electrode 6 are connected to each other by the outer peripheral electrode 49b of the base 49a when the base 49a of the discharge lamp 49 is inserted. Reference numeral 8 holds the discharge lamp 49 by locking the lamp holding locking pin 49c provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base 49a of the discharge lamp 49 by inserting and rotating the base 49a of the discharge lamp 49 into the lamp socket 1. It is a mounting slit.
A starting circuit 3 is provided inside the lamp socket 1.

The stabilizing circuit 2 is connected to a power source and outputs a voltage to the lamp socket 1. The stabilizing circuit 2 is connected to the lamp socket 1 to stably turn on the discharge lamp and generate a higher voltage when the lamp is off than when the lamp is on. To do. In this embodiment, an inverter circuit having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 41 is used to generate a voltage of, for example, 300 V when the lamp is turned off, the input end is connected to the battery 9 as a power source, and the output end is connected to a starting circuit 3 described later. It is connected to the central electrode 5 and the outer peripheral electrode 6 of the lamp socket 1 through. The inverter circuit in the rectangular wave lighting system is connected to the battery 9 via a switch (not shown), and has an input section having a noise filter, a function for protection against reverse connection and a surge absorption, a booster, a constant power, and a high flux standup. DC / having a function of power control such as raising
It is composed of a DC converter, a low frequency rectangular wave inverter for converting a rectangular wave, and an output section having a noise filter. Further, in order to control the lighting state, it has a control unit for controlling the stabilizing circuit 2 by a microcomputer or the like.

The starting circuit 3 is connected between the stabilizing circuit 2 and the lamp socket 1 and is activated before the discharge of the discharge lamp is started to generate a high voltage necessary for starting the discharge of the discharge lamp. The discharge lamp is discharged and it is deactivated after the discharge is started. In the embodiment, the operating voltage is lower than the voltage when the lamp of the stabilizing circuit 2 is off, and is higher than the voltage when the lamp is on, and is connected to the lamp socket 1 to start the discharge from the extinguished state of the discharge lamp. It is what makes me. This stabilizing circuit 3 is provided in the lamp socket 1 and uses an igniter circuit composed of a high voltage transformer 3a and an igniter main circuit 3b having the same configuration as that of FIG. One of the input ends of the igniter main circuit 3b is connected to the output line in the lamp socket 1 connected to one of the output ends of the stabilizing circuit 2 at a connection point A, and the other end is connected to the auxiliary electrode 7. . The output end of the igniter main circuit 3b is connected between the connection point A and the central electrode 5.

FIG. 2 shows the starting circuit 3. In FIG.
IN1 and IN2 are input terminals connected to the stabilizing circuit 2, C
_{0 to} C ₃ are capacitors, R _{1 to} R ₅ are resistors, L is an inductance, D ₁ and D ₂ are diodes, SBS is a voltage responsive element, TR is a bidirectional thyristor, and OUT ₁ and OUT ₂ are outer circumferences of the lamp socket 1. An output terminal connected to the electrode 6 and the auxiliary electrode 7, OUT ₃ is an output terminal connected to the central electrode 5 of the lamp socket 1.

When there is no load, the stabilizing circuit 2 has, for example, 300
A rectangular wave of V (40 Hz) is output. When a rectangular wave is applied from the stabilizing circuit 2 to the input terminals IN1 and IN2 of the starting circuit 3, the rectangular wave operation consisting of the resistors R ₁ and R ₂ , the capacitors C ₁ and C ₂ , and the diodes D ₁ and D ₂ is used. By the double voltage charging circuit, the series charging voltage of the capacitors C ₁ and C ₂ becomes 500V or more. The series charging voltage of the capacitors C ₁ and C ₂ is detected by the voltage dividing resistors R ₃ and R ₄ , and when the voltage reaches 500 V, the SBS is turned on and the triac TR is turned on. At this time, the gate energy is supplied from the capacitor C ₃ . The charges of the capacitors C ₁ and C ₂ flow to the primary side of the high voltage pulse transformer 3b via the inductance L, and 2
Generates a high voltage on the secondary side. The capacitor C ₀ functions as a filter.

After the start of discharge, the stabilizing circuit 2 is kept constant at 2.6 A.
After a transition period from current operation (lamp voltage = 0 to 29 V)
To a 35 W steady state operation (lamp voltage ≧ 63 V).
The inverter output voltage is equal to the lamp voltage and is 0V to 120V.
It becomes V. In this way, the inverter output voltage (lamp voltage
Voltage) is 120V or less, the capacitor C₁, C ₂
The serial charging voltage of is less than 500V,
Does not work and does not generate high voltage pulses.

In the case of no point, the stabilizing circuit 2 is stopped after 0.6 s, so that the starting circuit 3 is also stopped and the high voltage pulse is not generated. Lamp is installed, stabilizing circuit 2 inputs IN1 connected to is connected to the igniter main circuit 3b of the starter circuit 3 through the outer peripheral electrode 49b from the output terminal OUT1 in the path of the output end OUT _2, the circuit of the starting circuit 3 A high voltage pulse is generated according to the operation.

Output terminals OUT1 and OUT when the lamp is not attached
Since 2 is not connected, the power from the input terminal IN1 is not supplied to the starting circuit 3 and the high voltage pulse is not generated. In addition,
In this starting circuit 3, a high-voltage pulse is applied to the center electrode of the discharge lamp 49 from the output end OUT3 via the center electrode 5, and the outer peripheral electrode 6 and the auxiliary electrode 7 are connected from the output ends OUT1 and OUT2.
Since the outer peripheral electrode 49b via is almost grounded (the maximum is the inverter output voltage), the safety is high.

The means 4 responds to the mounting / non-mounting of the discharge lamp in the lamp socket 1, and deactivates the starting circuit 3 when not mounted. In the embodiment, the input voltage of the starting circuit 2 is provided below the lamp socket 1 when the discharge lamp 49 is not connected, and the input voltage of the starting circuit 2 is lowered to the operating voltage or less.
Auxiliary electrode 7 connected to one of the input parts of the starting circuit 3 is used for the outer circumference which is one of the main electrodes through the outer circumference electrode 49b which also serves as a conductive part for discharging or the like in the connected state of the discharge lamp 49. It is connected to the electrode 6.

FIG. 3 shows the internal arrangement of the lamp socket 1 of FIG. A high-voltage pulse transformer 3a is arranged immediately behind the lamp socket 1, and a printed wiring board 3c forming an igniter main circuit 3b is provided behind the high-voltage pulse transformer 3a. 3d is a harness connected to the stabilizing circuit 2 and the like. FIG. 4 shows a state applied to a vehicle body. 40 is a vehicle body, 41 is a lamp housing, 42 is an outer lens, 43 is a reflector, 44 is a reflector fixing screw,
45 is a reflector plate aiming bolt for adjusting the optical axis, 46
Is a socket fixing screw with an igniter for fixing to the reflector 43, 47 is an inverter fixing screw for fixing to the lamp housing 41, 48 is a power supply connecting wire, 41a is a lamp cover, 41
b is a lamp fixing bolt, 3e is a connector, 1a is a discharge lamp 4
It is a metal fixture for fixing the lamp 9 to the reflector 43.

FIG. 5 shows the order of assembling the vehicle headlight device. According to the order of the symbols in the ○ symbol attached to the arrow,
Assembled. That is, first, the stabilizing circuit 2 is fixed by the inverter fixing screw 47 as follows.
Fixed to. Connector 3e of harness 3d like
Are guided into the lamp housing 41. , The reflection plate 43 is fixed by the reflection plate fixing screw 44. The outer lens 42 is attached to the vehicle body 40 as described above.
The discharge lamp 49 is inserted into the reflection plate 43 as shown in FIG. 4 and the discharge lamp 49 is fixed to the reflection plate 43 with the lamp fixing fitting 1 a as shown in. The metal fitting 1 a is composed of a leaf spring and engages with an engaging portion of the lamp insertion opening of the reflection plate 43 to fix the discharge lamp 49 to the reflection plate 43. , ◯ 10, the lamp socket 1 is attached to the discharge lamp 49, and is fixed to the reflection plate 43 by the socket fixing screw 46. The lamp cover 41a is fixed to the lamp housing 41 as indicated by ○ 11. ○ As shown in 12, the lamp body fixing bolt 41b is used to fix the lamp body housing 41.
Is fixed to the vehicle body 40.

This discharge lamp lighting device comprises a lamp socket 1
When the discharge lamp 49 is not connected to, the input terminal of the igniter main circuit 3b of the starting circuit 3 is lower than the operating voltage and no power is supplied, so that a high voltage is not generated,
Therefore, safety can be achieved when replacing the lamp. When the discharge lamp 49 is connected to the lamp socket 1, an input voltage of 300 V, which is the voltage when the lamp is turned off, is applied to the igniter main circuit 3b through the outer peripheral electrode 6, the outer peripheral electrode 49b which is a conductive part of the discharge lamp, and the auxiliary electrode 7. Since this is an operating voltage of 250 V or higher, the starting circuit 3 operates, whereby a high voltage is generated and the discharge lamp can be started.

According to the first embodiment, since the means 4 for lowering the input voltage of the stabilizing circuit 2 to the operating voltage or less when the discharge lamp is not connected is provided in the lamp socket 1, the discharge lamp 49 is not connected. Since no high voltage is generated at the time of connection, it is possible to prevent damage to the lamp socket 1 and accidents.
Moreover, since the lamp socket 1 is provided with the interlock mechanism by the means 4, it is not necessary to change the lamp, the stabilizing circuit and the like. Further, even if an oxide film is generated on the surface of each electrode of the lamp socket 1, a high self-recovery can be expected because the voltage applied to each electrode is relatively high (for example, the initial voltage when extinguished is 300 V).

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the first embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7 is arranged outside the outer peripheral electrode 6 in the radial direction of the lamp socket 1 so as to face the outer peripheral electrode 6. When the base of the discharge lamp is inserted into the lamp socket 1, the outer peripheral electrode 6 comes into contact with the outer peripheral electrode of the base, and at the same time, the outer peripheral electrode 6 is pushed outward in the radial direction of the base. At this time, the outer peripheral electrode 6 comes into contact with the auxiliary electrode 7 so that power can be supplied to the starting circuit 3.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this discharge lamp lighting device, the conductive portion of the discharge lamp 49 is used as the central electrode of the base 49b. That is, in the first embodiment, by arranging the auxiliary electrode 7 in parallel with the central electrode 5 and connecting the discharge lamp to the lamp socket 1,
The auxiliary electrode 7 and the central electrode 5 are connected by bringing the auxiliary electrode 7 and the central electrode 5 into contact with the central electrode of the discharge lamp. In this case, the secondary winding of the high-voltage transformer 3a of the starting circuit 3 is connected to the outer peripheral electrode 6 side as compared with the first embodiment.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, in this discharge lamp lighting device according to the first embodiment, the lamp socket 1 and the starting circuit 3 are separated, and both of them have three lead wires 10a-1.
It is connected by 0c. Also in this discharge lamp lighting device, as shown in the figure, the main electrode 5 of the lamp socket 1 is connected to the output end of the stabilizing circuit 2 via the starting circuit 3, and the main electrode 6 is directly connected to the output end of the stabilizing circuit 2. It is connected.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the first embodiment, the high voltage transformer 3a of the starting circuit 3 is replaced with the high voltage transformer 2a.
Separated into two secondary windings 12 and 13, each with a central electrode 5
Also, the positive electrode high voltage is applied to one of the outer peripheral electrodes 6 and the negative electrode high voltage is applied to the other electrode, and the electrodes are connected in series in consideration of the polarity. In other words, the main electrodes 5, 6 of the lamp socket 1 are connected to the output end of the stabilizing circuit 2 via the starting circuit 3.

On the other hand, in this case, since the high voltage is applied to the auxiliary electrode 7, the reactor 14 for blocking the high voltage is provided so that the high voltage is not applied to the power input terminal of the igniter main circuit 3b. It is connected to the auxiliary electrode 7 in series. A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, this discharge lamp lighting device is
In the embodiment of the present invention, in place of the reactor 14, another secondary winding 16 that generates a voltage substantially equal to that of the secondary winding 12 connected to the outer peripheral electrode 6 is provided, and with respect to the voltage appearing on the outer peripheral electrode 6, Are connected so that voltages of the same polarity are generated in the auxiliary electrode 7. As a result, the high voltage applied to the auxiliary electrode 7 can be canceled as in the fifth embodiment, so that the high voltage can be prevented from being applied to the input terminal of the igniter main circuit 3b.

The seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, this discharge lamp lighting device is similar to the discharge lamp 4 in the first and fourth embodiments.
The contact position between the outer electrode 49b of the base 49a that serves as the conductive portion of 9 and the auxiliary electrode 7 is moved to the inner side of the lamp socket 1 by a dimension d from the contact position between the outer electrode 49b of the base 49a of the outer electrode 6. It was done.

In this case, the central electrode 5 is set so that the central electrode of the base 49a contacts the central electrode 5 at the position where the outer peripheral electrode 6 contacts the outer electrode 49b of the base 49a, and the discharge lamp 49 uses a lamp. When completely inserted in the socket 1, the outer peripheral electrode 6 and the auxiliary electrode 7 are both in the base 49.
The auxiliary electrode 7 and the like are set so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral electrode 49b of a.

According to this embodiment, the discharge lamp 49 is about to come off the lamp socket 1, the auxiliary electrode 7 is in loose contact with the outer peripheral electrode 49b of the base 49a, and the starting circuit 3 Even if the movement is unstable,
Since the outer peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 5 to which a high voltage is applied are always connected to the discharge lamp, the discharge phenomenon in the electrode part of the lamp socket 1 and the application of the high voltage to the input part of the starting circuit 3 It is possible to prevent damages and accidents caused by the above.

As a modified example of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case where the auxiliary electrode 7 is located on the central electrode 5 as in the third embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7 is located above the central electrode 5. Is also provided on the inner side. An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
That is, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to the first embodiment and the like, the discharge lamp 49 has means 4 for lowering the input voltage of the starting circuit 3 to the operating voltage of the starting circuit 3 or less when the discharge lamp is not connected. When not connected to the lamp socket 1, a closed circuit is formed for the output of the stabilizing circuit 2, and the discharge lamp 49 is connected to open the closed circuit.

In the embodiment, the central electrode 5 and the peripheral electrode 6 are
And the input end of the starting circuit 3 is connected between and, and the secondary winding of the high voltage transformer is connected in series between the central electrode 5 and the connection point B of the input end of the starting circuit 3 connected thereto. There is. Further, one of the output ends of the stabilizing circuit 2 is connected to the connection point B of the starting circuit 3 which is connected to the central electrode 5, and the other is connected to the outer peripheral electrode via the contact points 24 and 25 formed by the leaf springs of the circuit protector 33. Connected to 6. Moreover, the short-circuit piece 1 is attached to the central electrode 5.
The auxiliary electrode 7a which extends 7 and contacts the tip of the short-circuit piece 17 when the discharge lamp is not connected and is pressed by the tip of the peripheral wall portion of the base 49a by the connection of the discharge lamp 49 to be opened is arranged adjacent to the central electrode 5. , The heating element 21 of the circuit protector 33 is connected between the outer peripheral electrode 6 and the auxiliary electrode 7a, and the outer peripheral electrode 6 is connected to the contact portion 24 of the circuit protector 33.
One of the output ends of the stabilizing circuit 2 is connected to 5.

Since the auxiliary electrode 7a is connected to the outer peripheral electrode 6 through the heating element 21, when the discharge lamp 49 is not connected,
This means that the central electrode 5 and the outer peripheral electrode 6 are connected with a relatively low impedance close to a short circuit state. As a result, the voltage between the terminals is remarkably lowered and becomes lower than the operating voltage of the igniter main circuit 3b, so that the starting circuit 3 does not operate, and therefore, the high voltage is not applied to the central electrode 5. Further, while the lamp is not connected, a current flows from the central electrode 5 to the auxiliary electrode 7a by the output of the stabilizing circuit 2, but the stabilizing circuit 2 is controlled so as not to exceed the maximum current value (for example, 2.6 A). There is no overcurrent. However, unless the stabilizing circuit 2 is stopped, this current continues to flow, which may cause an accident. Therefore, when a current flows in the auxiliary electrode 7a, the circuit protector 33 is operated by the current and the output power from the stabilizing circuit 2 is cut off.

FIG. 14 shows a circuit protector 33, in which the contact portions 24 and 25 are provided in a normally open state. Two
3 is a bimetal heated by the heating element 21,
A locking claw 27 for locking the contact portion 25 in contact with the contact portion 24 is provided at the tip. Reference numeral 26 denotes a reset button penetrating the through hole 29 of the body 28 in a reciprocating manner, and the contact portion 25 opened from the contact portion 24 is reset button 26.
Re-contact by pressing.

The state of FIG. 13 of this circuit protector is a state where the contact portions 24 and 25 are in contact with each other, and the output of the stabilizing circuit 2 is output to the outer peripheral electrode 6. The current flowing through the auxiliary electrode 7a by the output of the stabilizing circuit 2 heats the heating element 21 in the circuit protector 33, deforms the bimetal 23 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 14, and the locking claw 27 separates from the contact plate 25. . Since the contact plate 25 is made of a spring material, when the bimetal 23 deforms in the direction of the arrow,
The contacts 24 and 25 are separated, and the output of the stabilizing circuit 2 is cut off. When the bimetal 23 has cooled and returned to its original position, pressing the reset button 26 causes the contact portions 24 and 25 to come into contact again, and the locking claw 27 of the bimetal 23 is locked to the contact portion 25 to contact the contact portion 24. , 25 contact state is maintained.

On the other hand, when the discharge lamp 49 is connected to the lamp socket 1, the auxiliary electrode 7a and the central electrode 5 are connected to each other by the discharge lamp 49.
Since it is pushed open to the open state by the base 49a of the lamp, a high voltage can be generated and the discharge lamp 49 can be started. Others are the same as those in the first embodiment. The circuit protector 33 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be an electromagnetic circuit protector.

The ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, in this discharge lamp lighting device according to the eighth embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7a and the short-circuit piece 17 of the central electrode 5 are arranged inside the partition wall 30 that partitions the base insertion portion 1a of the lamp socket 1, and the partition wall 30 is provided. A base 4 into which an insulating member 31 penetrating the wall 30 is inserted into the lamp socket 1.
By pressing with 9a, the short-circuit piece 17 and the auxiliary electrode 7a are separated. Shorting piece 17 and auxiliary electrode 7
The state in which a is separated from the insulating member 31 is set so that a sufficient insulating distance can be obtained with respect to the applied high voltage. In addition, 32 is a spring for urging the insulating member 31 in the connecting direction of the discharge lamp of the lamp socket 1,
A tension spring may be used, or a compression spring may be used when the spring force for the short-circuit piece 17 and the auxiliary electrode 7a to make mutual contact is greater. Others are the same as those in the eighth embodiment.

A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, this discharge lamp lighting device is
In the embodiment, the starting circuit 3 is separated from the lamp socket 1 and is a separate body. In this case, since the reactor 14 of the high voltage blocking means is built in the lamp socket 1, the wiring line 10a from the reactor 14 to the starting circuit 3 can be of a low voltage.

The eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, this discharge lamp lighting device is applied to a vehicle headlamp device and has a starting circuit integrally incorporated in a lamp socket, and has a case 101, an igniter circuit block 1022, and a pulse transformer 1033. The case 101 has a socket portion 106, a pulse transformer housing portion 107 of the starting circuit, and an igniter circuit block housing portion 108 of the starting circuit. Pulse transformer housing 107 and igniter circuit block housing 10
8 is a partition wall 109, that is, the socket portion 1 in the embodiment.
Separated by 06. In the socket 106, 113 and 114 are electrodes that come into contact with the base (not shown) of the discharge lamp.

The igniter circuit block 102 is housed in the igniter circuit block housing portion 108 and is embedded in the filler 111 of which urethane is the embodiment.
112a is an electronic component of the igniter circuit block 102,
112b is a wiring board. The pulse transformer 103 is
It constitutes a part of the igniter circuit, is housed in the pulse transformer housing 107, and is filled with epoxy resin in the filling material 110 according to the embodiment. In this case, the partition wall 109 prevents the fillers 110 and 111 from being mixed.

According to this embodiment, the socket portion 10
6. Since the pulse transformer housing 107 and the igniter circuit block housing 108 are provided in the case 101, a dedicated case such as a pulse transformer is not required, the number of parts can be reduced, and the size and cost can be reduced. Further, since the pulse transformer housing portion 107 and the igniter circuit block housing portion 108 are separated by the partition wall 109, it is possible to prevent mixing of the fillers 110 and 111 in the pulse transformer housing portion 107 and the igniter circuit block housing portion 108. .

A twelfth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. That is, in the vehicle headlamp device according to the eleventh embodiment, the pulse transformer housing portion 107 is formed on the one surface 101a side of the case 101, and the igniter circuit block housing portion 108 is formed on the other surface 101b side of the case 101.
Is formed. Further, the pulse transformer housing portion 107 and the igniter circuit block housing portion 108 are separated by a partition wall 109. Other configurations are similar to those of the eleventh embodiment.

According to this embodiment, by separating the storage surfaces of the pulse transformer 103 and the igniter circuit block 102, the filling materials 110 and 111 during the filling work are separated.
Can be prevented. A thirteenth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. That is, in the vehicle headlight device according to the twelfth embodiment, the opening of the pulse transformer housing portion 107 is oriented in the same direction as the lamp insertion opening portion 106a of the socket portion 106 of the case 101, and is directed in the opposite direction. An igniter circuit block housing portion 108 is formed. Others are the same as those in the twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 20 shows a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the vehicle headlight device according to the thirteenth embodiment, the opening of the igniter circuit block housing portion 108 is directed in the same direction as the lamp insertion opening portion 106a of the socket portion 106 of the case 101, and the opposite surface thereof. The part transformer housing portion 107 is formed in the facing direction. Others are the same as those in the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. That is, in this vehicle headlight device, the socket portion 106 is provided between the pulse transformer housing portion 107 and the igniter circuit block housing portion 108 in the twelfth embodiment. In the embodiment, the pulse transformer storage unit 107 and the igniter circuit block storage unit 1 are provided.
The opening 08 faces the same direction as the lamp insertion opening 106 a of the socket 106 of the case 1.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to balance the weight as a whole. Others are the same as those in the twelfth embodiment. A sixteenth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. That is, this vehicle headlamp device is similar to the fifteenth embodiment in that the pulse transformer housing portion 10 is provided.
7 and the igniter circuit block accommodating portion 108, the lamp insertion opening 106 of the socket portion 106 of the case 101
The opening is directed in the opposite direction to a. Others are the same as those in the fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 23 shows a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the vehicle headlamp device according to the twelfth embodiment, the partition wall 109 is formed separately from the case 101, and is arranged between the pulse transformer housing portion 107 and the igniter circuit block housing portion 108. ing. In the embodiment, the igniter circuit block 10 is attached to the partition wall 109.
2 is fixed, and the electronic component 11 of the igniter circuit block 102 is provided on one side of the wiring board 112b which is partitioned by the partition wall 109.
2a is mounted, and the pulse transformer 103 is mounted on the other side. Others are the same as those in the twelfth embodiment.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the twelfth embodiment, the pulse transformer 3 and the igniter circuit block 102 can be assembled outside the case 101, so that the assemblability is improved. An eighteenth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. That is, this vehicle headlight device is the same as the case 1 according to the eleventh embodiment.
01 is the lamp insertion opening 106a of the socket 106
Has a storage opening 101c that communicates with the igniter circuit block storage 107 and the pulse transformer storage 108 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening direction.

In the embodiment, the case 101 is provided with the detachable lid 115, and the socket portion 106 is provided on the upper surface of the lid 115.
Is provided. Further, the pulse transformer 103 is mounted on the wiring board 112a of the igniter circuit block 102, and is housed together in the case 101 so that the pulse transformer 103 is on the inner side, ie, the lower side of the housing opening 101c. The igniter circuit block 1 is embedded in the filling material 110 according to the embodiment.
For No. 02, a urethane resin is embedded in the filler 111 according to the embodiment.

According to this embodiment, since the partition wall 109 and the like are not necessary, the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the size can be further reduced. A nineteenth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
That is, in the vehicle headlamp device according to the eleventh embodiment, the case 101 includes a portion 101 in which the socket portion 106 and the pulse toslan storage portion 107 are integrated.
d and the igniter circuit block housing portion 108, the pulse transformer housing portion 107 housing the pulse transformer 103 and the socket portion 106 are housed in the igniter circuit block housing portion 108, and a urethane resin filling material 111 is used as an embodiment. It is embedded inside.

In the embodiment, the part 10 of the case 101 is used.
1d is a socket portion 106 and a pulse transformer housing portion 107
Are integrally formed in the opposite direction, the pulse transformer 103 is housed in the pulse transformer housing 107, and the epoxy resin is embedded in the filling material 110 according to the embodiment.
The igniter circuit block housing portion 108 has a space for housing the igniter circuit block 102 and the pulse transformer housing portion 107 of the portion 101d, and the pulse transformer housing portion 107 has the igniter circuit block housing portion 108.
The socket portion 106 projects from the case 101 in the state of being housed in. Further, the pulse transformer 103 is mounted on the wiring board 112b of the igniter circuit block 102. Assemble the pulse transformer 103 on the wiring board 112b.
And electronic component 112 of igniter circuit block 102
After mounting a, the igniter circuit block storage unit 108
The igniter circuit block storage portion 108 is embedded in the filler 111.

Others are the same as in the eleventh embodiment. Although the filler 110 is made of epoxy resin and the filler 111 is made of urethane resin, the present invention is not limited to these, and the fillers 110 and 111 may be the same material. FIG. 2 shows a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.
8 and FIG. 29. That is, in this vehicle headlamp device, the lighting circuit block 203 integrally has the socket portion 202 on which the discharge lamp 201 is mounted, and the center of gravity of the lighting circuit block 203 is extended behind the socket shaft 213 of the socket portion 202. It is set below the line 213a. 202a
Is an outer electrode, 202b is a central electrode, 204 is a base, 20
5 is a harness connected to a stabilizing circuit or the like, 206 is a high voltage pulse transformer, 207 is a printed circuit board, 208 is an electronic component, 209 is a vehicle body, 210 is a lamp, 211 is a reflector, 2
Reference numeral 12 is a fitting, 214 is a locking projection, 230 is a discharge lamp fitting portion of the socket portion 202, and 231 is a center of gravity of the lighting circuit block 203.

According to this embodiment, the moment of the lighting circuit block 203 due to the center of gravity 231 generated around the fitting portion 230 of the discharge lamp 201 and the socket portion 202 during traveling is as shown by the arrow in FIG. In addition, the optical axis of the discharge lamp 201 is less likely to shift with respect to vibration, and the stability is improved, and the entire lighting circuit block 203 has the entire discharge circuit 201.
Space C between the rear of the lamp body 210 and the vehicle body 209
Therefore, the discharge lamp 201 can be easily replaced. Furthermore, the high-voltage output of the high-voltage pulse transformer 206 of the lighting circuit block 203 is supplied to the socket unit 202 at the shortest distance.
Since it can be transmitted to the discharge lamp 201, it is efficient, and since a high-voltage harness is unnecessary, the safety at the time of replacement work of the discharge lamp 201 is secured. Further, since the center of gravity is around the socket shaft 213, it is possible to reduce the mechanical load on the reflection plate 211 that is the mounting portion of the discharge lamp 201.

Although the center of gravity of the lighting circuit block 203 is set below the extension line of the socket shaft 213, it may be set below the socket shaft 213 in the radial direction. A twenty-first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. That is, in the vehicle headlamp device according to the twentieth embodiment, the pulse transformer 206 is arranged below the socket portion 202 so that the center of gravity of the lighting circuit block 203 is extended behind the socket shaft 213 by an extension line 213a. It is located below.

Others are the same as in the twentieth embodiment. In addition, the lighting circuit block 203 of this embodiment
Is the igniter, that is, the starting circuit, among the constituent elements of the lighting circuit, but the entire lighting circuit may be included. A twenty-second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. That is,
The discharge lamp lighting device applied to this vehicle headlight device is such that the rectangular case 250 is divided into approximately three equal partitions 251 and 252.
The socket section 253 is arranged in one end space, and the pulse transformer 254 of the starting circuit is arranged in the central space.
Igniter circuit block 2 in the space at the other end
55, and the pulse transformer 254 and the igniter circuit block 255 are filled with filling materials 256 and 257, respectively.

When the lamp is attached, the peripheral electrode 258
a and 258b are conducted by the lamp peripheral electrode, and the input from the inverter of the stabilizing circuit is one peripheral electrode 258a.
Is input to the igniter circuit through the other peripheral electrode 258b via the lamp peripheral electrode. Two
Reference numeral 59 is a central electrode, and 260 is an electronic component. A twenty-third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. That is, in this vehicle headlight device, a power transformer housing portion 301 is formed at a position slightly offset in the radial direction from substantially the center of a cylindrical resin molded product case 300, and the power transformer housing portion 301 is adjacent to the power transformer housing portion 301. The socket portion 302 is integrally formed in the larger space to be used, and the remaining peripheral portion serves as the igniter circuit storage portion 303 (FIGS. 34 and 35). In the power transformer housing 301, the PT primary winding 326
And PT bobbin 3 having PT secondary winding 304 wound
05 is arranged, the core 306 is provided so as to surround the bobbin 305 from one side, and the core 306 is joined to the printed board 307.
Secondary input / output PT terminal 308, secondary input PT terminal 3
27 and a PT high voltage output unit 309 for secondary side output are provided. The power transformer housing 301 is epoxy vacuum cast.

The socket part 302 is provided with a peripheral electrode 310 and an auxiliary electrode 311 which are connected to the printed circuit board 307 of the starting circuit and contact the lamp peripheral electrode, and contact the lamp central electrode and are joined to the PT high voltage output part 309. The central electrode 312 is provided at the center. Further, although the lamp pin insertion portion 313 is provided at the edge portion of the opening, it is for positioning the electrodes of the discharge lamp and the electrodes on the socket side, and does not rotate and fit, that is, the lamp pin insertion portion 313 has a linear slit. Is formed. Igniter circuit storage unit 30
In FIG. 3, 307 is a printed circuit board, 314 is a connector receiver for connecting a stabilizing circuit connector 315, 316 is a triac, 317 is a capacitor, 318 is an inductance coil, and 323 is an SBS. The igniter circuit housing 303 is cast in silicon.

Further, fixing portions 319 for fixing to the reflecting plate are extended at three locations on the outer circumference of the case 300. Further, the peripheral surface and the back surface of the case 300 excluding the front surface are covered with a cover 320 formed of a conductor for noise shielding. However, the cover 320 is formed with a hole for protruding the fixing portion 319 and a hole for inserting the connector. 321
Is a terminal 325 that receives the inverter output of the connector 314
Are ground terminals arranged side by side, and the cover 320 is grounded by the lead portion 321a. Reference numeral 322 is an insulating wall for ensuring insulation between the central electrode 312 and the peripheral electrode 310 and the auxiliary electrode 311.

A twenty-fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 39 to 41. That is, this vehicle headlight device is almost the same as the twenty-third embodiment, but the difference is that
The case 300 and the socket part 302 are formed separately, and the socket part 302 is attached to the case 300 by an attaching means. Further, in the socket portion 302, a lamp pin insertion portion 313 is formed in a substantially L-shaped slit so that the lamp pin is rotationally locked and the weight of the whole is held. Further, the connector 314 is directed not in the axial direction of the case 300 but in the radial direction. Further, the fixed portion 319 is omitted.

In the present invention, it may be possible to combine the above-described embodiments with each other.
Further, as the stabilizing circuit 2, not only the one in which the voltage is changed before and after the discharge of the discharge lamp is started as in the above-described embodiment, the stabilizing circuit 2 is operated at a constant voltage, and the change in the lamp voltage is inserted in series. There is also a method of loading with the impedance.

[0086]

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the first aspect, since the means for disabling the starting circuit when the discharge lamp is not mounted is provided, a high voltage is not generated when the discharge lamp is not mounted. It is possible to prevent damage to the socket and accidents. Moreover, since the interlock mechanism is constructed in the lamp socket by the above-mentioned means, it is not necessary to change the lamp and the stabilizing circuit. On the other hand, even if an oxide film is generated on the surface of each electrode of the lamp socket, high self-recovery can be expected by increasing the voltage applied to each electrode.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the second aspect,
Since the lamp socket is provided with a means to reduce the input voltage of the starting circuit to the operating voltage or less when the discharge lamp is not connected, high voltage does not occur when the discharge lamp is not connected, so damage and accidents of the lamp socket can be prevented. be able to. Moreover, since the interlock mechanism is constructed in the lamp socket by the above-mentioned means, it is not necessary to change the lamp and the stabilizing circuit. On the other hand, even if an oxide film is formed on the surface of each electrode of the lamp socket, high self-recovery can be expected because the voltage applied to each electrode is relatively high.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the third aspect, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect can be obtained. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fourth aspect, there is the same effect as the third aspect. Claim 5
According to this discharge lamp lighting device, the same effect as that of claim 3 is obtained.
According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 6, the same effect as that of claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5 can be obtained.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5, it is possible to prevent a high voltage from being applied to the input side of the starting circuit. . The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 8 has the same effect as that of claim 7. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 9, in addition to the effects of claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8, the discharge lamp is about to come off from the lamp socket. The auxiliary electrode comes into loose contact with the outer electrode of the base, and even if the operation of the starting circuit is unstable, the outer electrode and the center electrode to which a high voltage is applied must be connected to the discharge lamp. As a result, the damage and accidents due to the discharge phenomenon at the electrode portion of the lamp socket and the application of high voltage to the input portion of the starting circuit can be prevented.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the tenth aspect, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect can be obtained. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 11, claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, claim 9 or claim. It has the same effect as item 10.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the twelfth aspect, in addition to the effect of the eleventh aspect, it is sufficient that the wiring line from the high voltage blocking means to the starting circuit has a low voltage. Claim 1
According to the discharge lamp lighting device of claim 3, claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, claim 9, or claim 10. Has the same effect as.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fourteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the thirteenth aspect, since the socket portion, the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion are provided in the case, a dedicated case for the pulse transformer or the like is provided. Is unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, and the size and cost can be reduced. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fifteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to prevent mixing of the filler in the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the sixteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifteenth aspect, by separating the storage surfaces of the pulse transformer and the igniter circuit block, it is possible to prevent the filler from being mixed during the filling operation. You can The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 17 has the same effect as that of claim 16. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 18 has the same effect as that of claim 16.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the nineteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifteenth aspect, a good weight balance can be achieved. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 20 has the same effect as that of claim 19. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 21 has the same effect as that of claim 19. According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the twenty-second aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifteenth aspect, the pulse transformer and the igniter circuit block can be assembled outside the case, and the assemblability is improved.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the twenty-third aspect, in addition to the effect of the fourteenth aspect, since the pulse transformer and the igniter circuit block are sequentially housed and embedded in the filling material in each, a partition wall is required. Since it is eliminated, the cost can be reduced and the size can be further reduced. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 24 has the same effect as that of claim 14.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the twenty-fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the thirteenth aspect, the optical axis of the discharge lamp is less likely to be displaced due to vibration, and the stability is improved, and the entire lighting circuit block is the discharge lamp. Since the space between the rear of the lamp and the vehicle body can be enlarged by approaching to, it becomes easy to perform the replacement work of the discharge lamp. Furthermore, the high-voltage output of the high-voltage transformer of the lighting circuit block can be transmitted to the socket portion in the shortest distance, which is efficient, and since a high-voltage harness is not required, the safety of the discharge lamp replacement work is ensured. Furthermore, since the center of gravity is located around the socket axis, it is possible to reduce the mechanical load on the reflector serving as the mounting portion of the discharge lamp.

According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the twenty-sixth aspect, there is the same effect as the twenty-fifth aspect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a starting circuit.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a lamp socket in which a discharge lamp is removed and a starting circuit is incorporated.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle body in which the discharge lamp lighting device is applied to the vehicle body.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assembly thereof.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the modified example.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a circuit protector.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of a sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a seventeenth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an exploded sectional view of the eighteenth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the assembled state.

FIG. 26 is an exploded sectional view of the nineteenth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the assembled state.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the twentieth embodiment with the discharge lamp removed.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lighting circuit block is attached to the vehicle body.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the twenty-first embodiment with the discharge lamp removed.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of a twenty-second embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a front view of the discharge lamp mounting side of the twenty-third embodiment as seen from the front.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view thereof.

FIG. 34 is a rear view of the cover with the cover broken.

FIG. 35 is a rear view of the case.

FIG. 36 is a rear view of the case where the printed circuit board is attached to the case and the cover is broken.

FIG. 37 is a rear view of the case where the high-voltage pulse transformer is attached to the case.

FIG. 38 is a rear view showing a state in which the electrode is attached to the case and the cover is broken.

FIG. 39 is a front view of the discharge lamp mounting side of the twenty-fourth embodiment seen from the front.

FIG. 40 is a sectional view thereof.

FIG. 41 is a rear view of the cover with the cover broken.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram of a first conventional example.

FIG. 43 is a partially cutaway side view of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 44 is a partially cutaway side view of the lamp socket.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing a lamp socket without a discharge lamp and a starting circuit.

FIG. 46 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle body with the discharge lamp lighting device attached to the vehicle body.

FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Lamp Socket 2 Stabilizing Circuit 3 Starting Circuit 3a High Voltage Transformer 4 Means 5 Central Electrode 6 Peripheral Electrode 7 Auxiliary Electrode 14 Reactor of High Voltage Blocking Means 49 Discharge Lamp 49a Base 101 Case 102 Igniter Circuit Block 103 Pulse Transformer 106 Socket Part 107 Pulse Transformer Storage section 108 Igniter circuit block Storage section 109 Partition wall 201 Discharge lamp 202 Socket section 203 Lighting circuit block 213 Socket shaft

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ryosuke Maruyama 1048 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A lamp socket to which a discharge lamp is connected, a stabilizing circuit which is connected to a power source and outputs a voltage to the lamp socket, and a stabilizing circuit which is connected between the stabilizing circuit and the lamp socket. A starting circuit that is activated before the start of discharge to generate a high voltage necessary for starting the discharge of the discharge lamp to discharge the discharge lamp and to disable it after the start of discharge; and the lamp of the discharge lamp. A discharge lamp lighting device, comprising means for disabling the starting circuit in response to attachment / non-attachment to a socket when the socket is not attached. 2. A lamp socket to which a discharge lamp is connected, and a stabilizing circuit which is connected to the lamp socket to stably turn on the discharge lamp and which generates a higher voltage when the lamp is turned off than when the lamp is turned on. A starting circuit which operates at an operating voltage lower than the voltage when the lamp is turned off and higher than the voltage when the lamp is turned on in the stabilizing circuit, and which is connected to the lamp socket to start discharging from the extinguished state of the discharge lamp. A discharge lamp lighting device, provided in the lamp socket, for lowering the input voltage of the starting circuit to the operating voltage or lower when the discharge lamp is not connected. 3. The lamp socket has a pair of main electrodes, and at least one main electrode is connected to an output end of the stabilizing circuit through the starting circuit, and one of the input parts of the starting circuit is the one side. The auxiliary electrode connected to the output end of the stabilizing circuit connected to the main electrode of the auxiliary means, the auxiliary electrode being provided in the lamp socket and connected to the other input of the starting circuit. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an electrode is configured to be connected to the other main electrode by a conductive portion of the discharge lamp in a connected state of the discharge lamp. 4. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the conductive portion of the discharge lamp is an outer peripheral electrode of a base. 5. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the conductive portion of the discharge lamp is a central electrode of a base. 6. One of the main electrodes of the lamp socket is connected to the output end of the stabilizing circuit via the starting circuit, and the other main electrode is directly connected to the output end of the stabilizing circuit. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5. 7. The pair of main electrodes of the lamp socket are both connected to the output end of the stabilizing circuit through the starting circuit so that positive and negative high voltages are applied to them. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein a high voltage blocking means is connected to the auxiliary electrode. 8. The high voltage blocking means is a secondary winding provided in the high voltage transformer of the starting circuit and for generating a high voltage having substantially the same polarity as the high voltage applied to the other main electrode. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 7. 9. The auxiliary electrode is connected to a conductive portion of the discharge lamp in a connected state of the discharge lamp, and a contact position of the auxiliary electrode is between the other main electrode and the conductive portion of the discharge lamp. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, or claim 8, wherein the discharge lamp lighting device is located on an inner side of the lamp socket than a contact position. 10. The means comprises a closed circuit for the output of the stabilizing circuit when the discharge lamp is not connected to the lamp socket, and the closed circuit is opened by connecting the discharge lamp. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1 or 2. 11. The starting circuit is configured separately from the lamp socket, claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, and claim 7. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 8, 9, or 10. 12. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the high voltage blocking means connected to the auxiliary electrode is integrally incorporated in the lamp socket. 13. The starting circuit is integrally incorporated in the lamp socket, and the starting circuit is configured as described in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, and claim 7. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 8, 9, or 10. 14. A case having a socket portion, a pulse transformer housing portion, and an igniter circuit block housing portion is provided, and the starting circuit includes a part of an igniter circuit housed in the pulse transformer housing portion and embedded in a filling material. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 13, further comprising: a pulse transformer and an igniter circuit block that is housed in the igniter circuit block housing and embedded in a filling material. 15. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 14, wherein the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion are separated by a partition wall. 16. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 15, wherein the pulse transformer housing portion is formed on one surface side of the case, and the igniter circuit block housing portion is formed on the other surface side of the case. 17. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 16, wherein the opening of the pulse transformer housing is oriented in the same direction as the lamp insertion opening of the socket of the case. 18. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 16, wherein the opening of the igniter circuit block housing portion is oriented in the same direction as the lamp insertion opening of the socket portion of the case. 19. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 15, wherein the socket portion is provided between the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion. 20. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 19, wherein the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion are oriented in the same direction as the lamp insertion opening portion of the socket portion of the case. 21. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 19, wherein the pulse transformer housing portion and the igniter circuit block housing portion have openings facing in a direction opposite to a lamp insertion opening portion of the socket portion of the case. 22. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 15, wherein the partition wall is formed separately from the case. 23. The case has a storage opening communicating with the igniter circuit block storage section and the pulse transformer storage section in a direction substantially perpendicular to an opening direction of a lamp insertion opening section of the socket section. Discharge lamp lighting device. 24. The case is divided into a portion in which the socket portion and the pulse toslan storage portion are integrated and the igniter circuit block storage portion, and the pulse transformer storage portion and the socket portion that store the pulse transformer. 15. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 14, wherein the discharge lamp lighting device is housed in the igniter circuit block housing part and embedded in a filling material. 25. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the center of gravity of the starting circuit is set below an extension line behind the socket shaft of the lamp socket. 26. The starting circuit is an igniter, and a center of gravity of the igniter is arranged below an extension line behind the socket shaft by arranging a pulse transformer of the igniter below the lamp socket. Two
5. The discharge lamp lighting device according to item 5.