JPH0896746A - Neon glow discharge lamp, neon glow discharge lamp device and lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a neon glow discharge lamp, neon glow discharge lamp device and a lighting device, increasing brightness also to make a snake phenomenon not so relatively conspicuous and improving also startability. CONSTITUTION: A device comprises a bulb 1 arranging an electrode 2 in both end parts, photodiffusing metal oxide coating 1a formed in an internal surface of this bulb 1 and a neon sealed with 30 to 120 Torr gas pressure in the bulb 1. Thus by increasing the sealed gas pressure in the neon, brightness is improved, and by forming the photodiffusing metal oxide coating 1a in the internal surface of the bulb 1, since a snake phenomenon of a positive column, even when generated, is photodiffused, light distribution is uniformed further to enable also start voltage to decrease.

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. The low-pressure discharge lamp has higher luminous efficiency than that of an incandescent lamp, has the advantages that bright light can be obtained with less power consumption, and that the light source can be formed to be elongated. Therefore, the low-pressure discharge lamp is effective when used for the 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-based light emission of 700 to 710 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. 4-71155 (hereinafter referred to as "conventional example 2") and the like. This discharge lamp will be described with reference to FIG.

Electrode shafts 22 are provided on both ends of the glass bulb 10.
A stem 22 having a cold cathode 20 connected to is sealed. An electron emitting material layer 18 of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide or the like is formed on the inner surface of the glass bulb 10, and a phosphor coating 15 is formed thereon.

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.

Therefore, a desired visible light can be obtained by forming a desired phosphor coating 15 such as reddish color.

[0012]

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.

In view of the above, in the rare gas discharge lamp of Conventional Example 2, it is conceivable that the red-based phosphor coating is formed on the inner surface of the bulb to cause the red-based light emission.

However, since the number of working steps for forming the red phosphor coating film is increased and the phosphor is used, the manufacturing cost may increase. Further, since the electron emitting material layer has a structure covered with the phosphor coating, there is a possibility that the initial electrons that trigger the discharge may be difficult to be emitted into the bulb. 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 Conventional Example 1, it is conceivable to increase the gas pressure of neon. 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.

However, when the pressure of the neon-filled gas is increased, the generated positive columns are narrowed and thinned, and the thinned positive columns cause distortion and sway (snake phenomenon) in the bulb, Discharge becomes unstable. Further, there is a problem that the starting voltage becomes high.

Therefore, the present invention has been made based on such a situation, and it is a neon glow discharge lamp, a neon glow discharge lamp device and a neon glow discharge lamp device in which the luminance is increased and the snake phenomenon is made inconspicuous and the starting voltage is lowered. An object is to provide a lighting device.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bulb having electrodes at both ends thereof; a light diffusing metal oxide coating film formed on an inner surface of the bulb; With neon sealed at a gas pressure of 30 to 120 torr;
Is 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 equal to or less than 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, the neon sealing gas pressure is increased to improve the brightness. Further, since the light diffusing metal oxide film is formed on the inner surface of the bulb, the snake phenomenon of the positive column occurs. Also, the red color of the emitted neon is diffused and the light distribution becomes uniform. Further, the metal oxide film can lower the starting voltage and always emit the initial electrons to shorten the starting time.

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 radiated 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, if the inner diameter of the bulb is less than 1.0 mm, the lamp becomes too small and the field that can be used as a light source is limited, and the strength becomes low. If it exceeds 10.0 mm, the positive column narrowed down causes a snake phenomenon and the discharge becomes unstable. Therefore, the inner diameter of the valve is 1.0 ~
The range of 10.0 mm is good.

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 electrodes 2 and 2 are arranged at both ends of the valve 1.

Further, the inner surface of the bulb 1 is provided with a light diffusing metal oxide coating 1a made of, for example, aluminum oxide (α-alumina), magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, lead oxide or the like. Note that these have high electrical insulation.

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

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 present embodiment, it is enclosed at an enclosed gas pressure of 60 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 since the light diffusing metal oxide film 1a is formed on the inner surface of the bulb 1, even if the snake phenomenon of the positive column occurs, it is emitted. The red color of neon is diffused and the light distribution becomes uniform.

Further, the metal oxide coating was able to reduce the starting voltage as compared with the case where the coating was not formed. Furthermore, the start-up start time was shortened.

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 the end of the proximity conductor 5 at the electrodes 2,
No more than 50 mm away from the tip of 2 in the axial direction. Specifically, the proximity conductor 5 is arranged so that its end portion is located at a position 5 mm apart from the tips of the electrodes 2 and 2.

Therefore, at the time of starting, the positive column is induced between the one electrode 2 and the adjacent conductor 5, and this positive column is grown to the other electrode. Since the discharge is promoted, the starting can be facilitated and the starting voltage can be lowered as compared with the case where only the metal oxide film 1a is formed.

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 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 of neon is high, the loss 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 and 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 red light emitted from the neon glow discharge lamp. Can also be implemented. Further, the electrode is not limited to the cold cathode, but may be a small hot cathode.

[0060]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the neon sealing gas pressure is increased, so that the brightness is improved. Further, since the light diffusing metal oxide film is formed on the inner surface of the bulb, the snake phenomenon of the positive column occurs. Even then, the emitted red color of neon is diffused and the light distribution becomes uniform. Further, the metal oxide film can lower the starting voltage and always emit the initial electrons to shorten the starting time.

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.

According to 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, the electrode material is less scattered and the life is extended.

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 the 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 the reflector formed in a substantially gutter shape extending along the tube axis direction, the illuminating device is constructed. 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.

[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 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 number Office reference number FI technical display location H01J 61/68 V

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A valve having electrodes arranged at both ends; a light diffusing metal oxide film formed on the inner surface of the valve; a gas pressure of 30 to 120 torr is sealed in the valve. A neon glow discharge lamp comprising: neon; 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.