JPH0945280A - Fluorescent discharge lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems, such as blackening of portions around a pair of electrodes, which are hermetically sealed to both ends of an envelope, and alloying with sealed-in mercury, by covering mercury emitting structures with electrode conductors. SOLUTION: A pair of electrodes 21 are hermetically sealed to both ends of an envelope 20. The electrodes 21 are connected to the ends of first conductors 23 which are located inside the envelope 20, the first conductors 23 connecting the inside of the envelope 20 to the outside and having a coefficient of thermal expansion which approximates that of the envelope 20. Second conductors 25 are connected to the first conductors 23 in such a way that they cover mercury-emitting structures 24 which are made to emit mercury on heating and the enclosures of the mercury emitting structures 24 so that the mercury emitting structures 24 do not form discharge parts, and in such a way that they do not interfere with emission of mercury into the envelope 20 from the mercury emitting structures 24. When an electric energy is supplied between the pair of electrodes 21, discharge action takes place between the pair of electrodes 21 to cause emission.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluorescent discharge lamp which is useful as a light source for, for example, a so-called backlight of a liquid crystal display device, and in particular, blackening the inner wall of the discharge lamp around the electrodes and enclosing the discharge lamp in the discharge lamp. -The present invention relates to a fluorescent discharge lamp capable of preventing a decrease in the amount of built-in mercury and achieving a long life.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a fluorescent discharge lamp has been used as a light source of a backlight in a liquid crystal display device, and further, the fluorescent emission has been demanded in accordance with the demand for thinning and weight reduction of the backlight, long life, and high brightness. With regard to the electric lamp itself, further thinning, longer life, and higher brightness are desired.

By the way, in order to make the fluorescent discharge lamp into a thin tube, it is necessary to reduce the outer diameter of the discharge lamp, and inevitably, the inner diameter of the discharge lamp and components such as electrodes to be sealed in the discharge lamp, for example, in the discharge lamp. The so-called mercury-releasing structure for encapsulating mercury must also be miniaturized. Therefore, when attempting to make a fluorescent discharge lamp into a thin tube, the amount of mercury that can be encapsulated in the discharge lamp at the time of its manufacture will inevitably decrease. And then
On the other hand, if the amount of mercury that can be enclosed in the discharge lamp is reduced, there is a problem that the life of the fluorescent discharge lamp is shortened.

Therefore, in recent years, in order to discharge the necessary amount of mercury into the discharge lamp to realize a thin tube and a long life of the fluorescent discharge lamp, for example, a mercury alloy powder is contained in a cylindrical sleeve as the mercury emitting structure. It has become common to use a filled material or a material obtained by alloying a cylindrical metal sintered body and mercury as an electrode. On the other hand, as the cause of defining the life of the fluorescent discharge lamp, in addition to the amount of mercury enclosed in the discharge lamp described above, the electrodes constituting the electrode by ion impact or thermal impact on the discharge part of the electrode during discharge. It is well known that the electrode material itself, which is the constituent material, and the emitter are scattered into the discharge lamp, that is, the scattered electrode constituent material adheres to the inner wall of the discharge lamp around the electrode and blackens the inner wall. Or, it is known that the life of the discharge lamp is shortened by the fact that the scattered electrode constituent materials are alloyed with the enclosed mercury in the discharge lamp and the amount of the enclosed mercury is reduced. The occurrence of the above-mentioned scattering phenomenon is no exception for mercury-releasing structures that take into account the above.

For this reason, conventionally, in fluorescent discharge lamps having the above-described mercury-releasing structure, various attempts have been made to reduce the blackening of the electrode peripheral portion due to the above-mentioned scattering phenomenon and to achieve a long life. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 6-111775, the mercury released from the mercury releasing structure that releases an appropriate amount of mercury into the thin tube bulb directly adheres to the inner wall of the tube to cause fluorescence. A low-pressure discharge lamp 1 having a main part as shown in the cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. In a low-pressure discharge lamp having an electrode connected to the lead wire 3, a mercury emitter 4 that fills (mercury alloy and getter) 5 in a conductor-made container 6 and emits mercury by heating, This mercury emitter 4 is Low-pressure discharge lamp 1, characterized in that sealed within the bulb 2 has been proposed to accommodate with the sintered electrodes 8 in the blanking 7.

[0006] Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-251746 discloses a thin-tube fluorescent discharge lamp capable of reducing the thickness, weight, high brightness, and long life of a backlight unit. A cold cathode low-pressure discharge lamp 9 having a main part as shown in the cross-sectional view of the main part of b), that is, a glass tube 10 provided with a phosphor layer on its inner surface and sealing a rare gas, and the glass tube 10 described above. A cold cathode low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a pair of cold cathodes 11 sealed at both ends of
The cold cathode body comprises a bottomed cylindrical cup 12 having an opening on the opposite surface, and a sleeve 14 filled with a mercury alloy 13 fitted and arranged in the bottomed cylindrical cup 12, and the sleeve 14 A cold cathode low-pressure discharge lamp 9 is proposed in which the tip surface of the cold cathode low-pressure discharge lamp 9 is located inside the open end of the bottomed cylindrical cup 12.

It should be noted that Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-111763 does not clearly state that mercury can be emitted, but it is intended to reduce the adhesion of the emitter or other metal components emitted from the electrode to the periphery thereof to the bulb tube wall. 9 (c) for the purpose of reducing the blackening of the tube wall and prolonging the lamp life.
Low-pressure discharge lamp 1 having a main part as shown in the cross-sectional view of the main part of
5, that is, in the low pressure discharge lamp 15 which is connected to the lead wire 18 in the bulb 16 and has the electrode 17 in which the porous conductor is impregnated with the electron emitting substance, at least the outer peripheral side surface of the electrode 17 is separated by a required distance. A low-pressure discharge lamp 1 has been proposed, which is characterized in that a conductor sleeve 19 surrounding it is provided.

[0008]

In each of the three proposed discharge lamps described above, a sintered electrode 8, a mercury emitter 4, a cold cathode 11 and an electrode 17 are used as a pair of electrodes to make an electrode component. Since the sleeve 7, the bottomed cylindrical cup 12, and the conductor sleeve 19 are surrounded by the tubular body, the ions at the time of discharge can be compared to the case where the electrode body is not surrounded by the tubular body. It is possible to reduce the scattering phenomenon of the electrode constituent material due to impact or the like, and when the electrode constituent material scatters, a part of the scattered material will adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, that is, the scatter The discharge lamp can effectively shield the discharge lamp from reaching the inner wall of the bulb, which can reduce the amount of the scattered matter scattered into the bulb and the amount adhered to the inner wall of the bulb. Alloy with mercury and electrodes Would be expected an effect of improving the generation disadvantages that blackening of the sides.

However, looking at the structure of each of the above proposed tubular bodies in more detail, each of the tubular bodies has a structure in which an opening is provided on the surface facing the other. Therefore, in the above three discharge lamps, because of the above structure, the electrode constituent material forms the discharge part, and the scattering phenomenon cannot be completely prevented, and the black color due to the scattering material of the electrode constituent material described above is impossible. It still has the inconvenience of occurrence of deterioration.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned disadvantages, and an appropriate conductor having a bag shape having an accommodating portion for accommodating the mercury-releasing structure at the outer peripheral portion of the mercury-releasing structure. Thus, at least one electrode is configured by covering the built-in mercury so as not to block the discharge into the discharge lamp, which is outside the storage portion, thereby preventing the scattering phenomenon of the electrode constituent material into the discharge lamp, Or significantly reduced,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent discharge lamp capable of preventing the occurrence of inconveniences such as the blackening of the electrode peripheral portion and achieving a long life.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention comprises an envelope in which mercury and an inert gas are enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on the inner wall surface, and both ends of the envelope. At least one of the pair of electrodes hermetically sealed to the body emits mercury by being heated, and the mercury emitting structure does not function as a discharge part at the time of discharge, and the envelope described above. It is formed by an electrode conductor that covers the inside so that mercury can be released.

Another fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention is an envelope in which mercury and an inert gas are enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on the inner wall surface, and airtightly sealed at both ends of the envelope. At least one of the pair of electrodes is configured to emit mercury by being heated and the mercury emitting structure can emit the mercury into the envelope only from a side not facing the other electrode. It is configured by being formed from an electrode conductor covering the.

[0013]

In the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention, at least one of the pair of electrodes hermetically sealed at both ends of the envelope has a structure in which a mercury emitting structure for emitting mercury is covered with an electrode conductor. Therefore, the mercury-releasing structure in the electrode does not form a discharge part during the discharge operation.

Therefore, by forming the electrode conductor with a material having resistance to ion bombardment during discharge,
It is possible to prevent or significantly reduce the scattering phenomenon of the electrode constituent material from the electrode during the discharging operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of blackening of the periphery of the electrode and alloying with the enclosed mercury due to the scattering phenomenon of the electrode constituent material, that is, it is possible to provide a fluorescent discharge lamp having a long life.

[0015]

1 is a schematic side view including a partially cutaway portion showing an embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the notched portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. . In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 indicates a mercury layer and an inert gas, for example, a mixed gas of argon and neon, which is enclosed at a predetermined pressure and a phosphor layer 22 is provided on the inner wall surface. Of the glass tube, and a pair of electrodes 21 acting as discharge electrodes are hermetically sealed at both ends thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of electrodes 21 in this embodiment are hermetically sealed to both ends of the envelope 20 to electrically connect the inside and the outside of the envelope 20. Having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the envelope 20 to be electrically connected, such as tungsten, iron, nickel,
A first conductor 23, which is a metal rod made of a metal such as a cobalt alloy, and an end portion of the first conductor 23 located inside the envelope 20 and being heated to release mercury by releasing mercury. The structure 24 and the outer peripheral portion of the mercury emission structure 24 are covered so that the mercury emission structure 24 does not form a discharge part, and the mercury emission structure 24 does not interfere with the emission of mercury into the interior of the envelope 1. And a second conductor 25 connected to the first conductor 23. The first conductor 23 and the second conductor 25 can also be described as electrode conductors having the functions as described above and forming a part of the pair of electrodes 21.

The mercury-releasing structure 24 is, in this embodiment, a metal sintered body containing titanium or zirconium as a main component, for example, about 90% by weight of titanium powder and about 10% by weight of tantalum powder. A mercury alloy is used which is formed by alloying mercury with a porous metal sintered body obtained by adding nickel powder and sintering it into a predetermined shape, for example, a cylindrical shape. The mercury-releasing structure 24 is connected to the tip of the first conductor 23 by, for example, welding, and the mercury-releasing structure 24 and the first conductor 23 are connected by welding as described above. Forming a mercury-releasing structure 24 made of a different mercury alloy into a cylindrical shape,
A well-known connecting method such as so-called crimping, in which the first conductor 23 is fitted in the hollow portion and both are pressure-bonded and fixed, can be adopted.

The second conductor 25 is made of a conductor having resistance to the scattering phenomenon described above, for example, a metal such as nickel or molybdenum, and has a basic structure shown in FIG.
As shown in the perspective view and the cross-sectional view in (b), the opening 25a and the mercury-releasing structure 24 connected to the opening 25a.
Has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a storage space 25b and a bottom portion 25c for storing, that is, a bag shape, and the second conductor 25 of the present embodiment has a state in which the mercury-releasing structure 24 is stored in the storage space 25b. Is connected to the first conductor 23 through the opening 25a. That is, in the second conductor 25, the end portion including the opening 25a is located at the first conductor 23 and is indicated by Y in FIG.
As shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 3C, which schematically shows the cross section taken along the line -Y, for example, it is pressure-bonded and fixed at four places.

Therefore, the entire area of the outer periphery of the mercury-releasing structure 24 is covered by the second conductor 25 so as not to prevent the discharge of the built-in mercury into the envelope 20. When the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention is manufactured, the mercury contained in the mercury-releasing structure 24 is heated as mercury vapor in the envelope 20, and the second conductor 25 is heated.
And the first conductor 23, that is, from the side not facing the other electrode 21. In addition,
The number of pressure-bonded fixations is not limited to the above-mentioned four locations unless the release of the built-in mercury into the envelope 20 is prevented.

Since the embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the above-mentioned structure, when a predetermined electric energy is supplied between the pair of electrodes 21,
As is well known, a discharge operation is performed between the pair of electrodes 21 to emit light. Here, looking at the discharge operation, it is well known that the actual discharge portion in such a fluorescent discharge lamp is formed at the end portions of the pair of discharge electrodes facing each other, that is, near the tip portion of the so-called discharge electrode, In addition, in the mercury-releasing structure 24 of the present invention, the entire outer peripheral portion is the second
Considering that it is covered with the conductor 25, it is needless to say that the mercury emitting structure 24 cannot act or function as a discharge part, that is, in the present embodiment, the actual discharge part is the first part. Only the vicinity of the tip of the two conductor 25 is formed.

Therefore, due to the discharge operation, the mercury-releasing structure 24 does not cause the scattering phenomenon of its constituent materials, while the second conductor 25 is formed of the metal having resistance to the scattering phenomenon as described above. In consideration of the above, one embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention can prevent or significantly reduce the scattering phenomenon of the constituent materials of the pair of electrodes 21 into the discharge lamp.

As a result, the embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can prevent the occurrence of inconveniences such as blackening of the electrode peripheral portion due to the above-mentioned scattering phenomenon. Therefore, the life of the fluorescent discharge lamp can be extended. In the embodiment described above, both of the pair of electrodes 21 are made of the mercury emitting structure 24 and the like. However, depending on the specifications of the fluorescent discharge lamp, at least one of the pair of electrodes 21 may have the above structure. Adopted the configuration,
It is needless to say that the same action and effect can be expected by using the other structure as another structure, for example, a simple metal rod of tungsten or the like that does not hinder the airtight adhesion to the envelope 20.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are partial cross-sectional views showing the essential parts of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention, in which the same reference numerals as in FIG. Is shown.
As is clear from FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), in the present embodiment, both ends of the envelope 20 described as a metal rod in one embodiment according to the present invention described in FIGS. Another embodiment of the first conductor 23 that electrically connects the inside and the outside of the envelope 20 by being hermetically sealed is shown.

That is, the first conductor 2 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a metal cap 26 made of nickel, for example, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section and is airtightly attached to the end portion of the envelope 20.
And the mercury emission structure 2 located inside the envelope 20 and one end connected to the inner surface of the metal cap 26 by, for example, welding.
4 and a metal rod 27 made of, for example, tungsten or the like.

The second conductor 25 that covers the mercury-releasing structure 24 is connected to the metal rod 27 that is erected on the inner surface of the metal cap 26 by, for example, crimping and fixing it. . The first conductor 23 shown in FIG. 4B has an end plate 28 having one end surface located outside the envelope 20 and made of conductive nickel, and the end plate 28.
Has a first end connected to the other end face of the mercury and the other end is located inside the envelope 20 via the envelope 20.
A metal rod 29 that supports, for example, tungsten
It is composed of

In the present embodiment, the first conductor 23 and the envelope 20 are hermetically sealed only between the metal rod 29 and the envelope 20, or the end plate 28 and the metal rod 29. Of the mercury emission structure 2 and the envelope 20.
In the present embodiment, the second conductor 25 covering 4 is connected to the above-mentioned metal rod 29 erected on the inner surface of the end plate 28 by, for example, crimping and fixing.

Therefore, in the other embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, as in the previous embodiment, there are disadvantages such as blackening of the electrode peripheral portion due to the scattering phenomenon as described at the beginning. It is possible to prevent the generation of the fluorescent lamp, and thus to extend the life of the fluorescent discharge lamp. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are partial cross-sectional views showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention,
In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 etc. indicate the same functional members.

Both of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are
In the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the first embodiment has been described as being crimped and fixed to the metal rod.
It shows another embodiment of a method of connecting the conductor 23 and the second conductor 25. That is, the embodiment shown in FIG.
Part of the opening 25a of the second conductor 25 and the metal cap 26
This is an example in which the second conductor 25 and the metal cap 26 are connected by welding a part of the inner surface of the above to form the connecting portion 30.

In this embodiment, only the metal cap 26 excluding the metal rod 27 from the embodiment of the first conductor 23 shown in FIG. 4A is adopted as the first conductor 23. The discharge structure 24 is directly connected to the inner surface of the metal cap 26. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5B includes a part of the opening 25a of the second conductor 25, a conductive end plate 28, and a metal rod 29 connected to the other end surface of the end plate 28. The second conductor 2 is formed by welding a part of the metal rod 29 of the first conductor 23 that is present to form the connecting portion 31.
5 is an example in which 5 and the first conductor 23 are connected.

Therefore, in the other embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, similarly to the previous embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconveniences such as blackening of the electrode peripheral portion due to the scattering phenomenon. As a result, the life of the fluorescent discharge lamp can be extended. Although some embodiments of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention have been described above, when the electrode 21 of each of the above-mentioned embodiments is focused on the mercury emitting structure 24, any of the embodiments is
The entire outer peripheral portion of the mercury emitting structure 24 is covered with the second conductor 25 so that the mercury emitting structure 24 does not form a discharge portion during the discharge operation.

That is, the mercury emitting structure 24 is the second conductor 2
5, the mercury-releasing structure 24 is connected to the first conductor 23 by welding or the like in each of the above-described embodiments, but for example, the relationship between the mercury-releasing structure 24 and the first conductor 23 is It can also be free. In other words, the mercury-releasing structure 24 in each of the above-described embodiments has the first conductor 2 in the storage space 25b of the second conductor 25.
Even if it is housed so that it can be moved freely without being connected to 3, it is possible to expect the same operation and effect as in the case of being connected to the first conductor 23.

FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are partial cross-sectional views showing the essential parts of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention, in which the same reference numerals as in FIG. Is shown.
In both of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, as is apparent from the drawings, an embodiment in which both the mercury emitting structure 24 and the second conductor 25 are pressure-bonded and fixed to the first conductor 23 Is shown.

That is, the embodiment shown in FIG.
The mercury-releasing structure 24 is formed into a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the metal rod 29 forming the first conductor 23 together with the end plate 28, and the second conductor 25 is outside the cylindrical mercury-releasing structure 24. It is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter, and further, in a state in which the mercury emission structure 24 is fitted in the metal rod 29 and the second conductor 25 is inserted in the mercury emission structure 24, for example, at the fixing portion 32 This is an example in which the mercury-releasing structure 24 and the second conductor 25 are pressure-bonded and fixed to the metal rod 29 by applying more force.

Further, in this embodiment, the end 24a of the mercury-releasing structure 24 on the side not facing the other electrode 21 and the second conductor 2 are provided.
The end portion 25d on the same side of 5 forms a substantially same plane. That is, the mercury-releasing structure 24 in this embodiment cannot be expressed as covering the entire outer peripheral surface thereof with the second conductor 25, unlike the previous embodiments, but the mercury-releasing structure 24 is discharged during the discharge operation. It is well known that the formation of the portion is not described in detail because it is well known that the discharge portions of the discharge electrodes in such a fluorescent discharge lamp are formed in the vicinity of so-called tip portions that face each other, as described above. It goes without saying that mercury contained in the mercury emitting structure 24 is emitted into the envelope 20 from the side not facing the other electrode 21.

Considering only that the mercury-releasing structure 24 does not form a discharge part, for example, depending on the specifications of the fluorescent discharge lamp to be obtained, although not shown, the end 25d of the second conductor 25 is not shown. May be positioned closer to the other electrode 21 side than the end 24a of the mercury emitting structure 24.
At this time, the built-in mercury of the mercury-releasing structure 24 is absorbed by the other electrode 2
Although it cannot be expressed only from the side that does not face the electrode 1, it goes without saying that it is emitted into the envelope 20 from the side that does not face the other electrode 21.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6B is the same as that shown in FIG.
This is an example in which the space between the inner surface of the bottom portion 25c of the second conductor 25 and the end portions of the mercury emission structure 24 and the metal rod 29 is eliminated in the embodiment of FIG. It is possible to improve the space utilization rate in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) can prevent the occurrence of inconveniences such as the blackening of the electrode peripheral portion due to the scattering phenomenon, as in the previous embodiment, and thus the fluorescent discharge lamp Longer life can be realized.

The structure itself such as the mercury-releasing structure 24 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and the second conductor 25 have a bottomed cylinder having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mercury-releasing structure 24. The technical idea of forming the shape is not limited to the first conductor 23 that adopts the configuration including the end plate 28 and the metal rod 29, and the metal rod shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. The same can be applied to each of the embodiments having 27 or the like.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention, in which the same reference numerals as in FIG. 6 etc. show the same functional members. As is apparent from the drawings, in addition to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, this embodiment is similar to the mercury-releasing structure 24 in that the outer diameter of the metal rod 29 forming a part of the first conductor 23. The metal alloy 33 has a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mercury-releasing structure 24 and an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mercury-releasing structure 24.

The metal alloy 33 is composed of, for example, a titanium-tantalum alloy impregnated with a so-called emission material such as cesium that assists the discharge operation, and the second conductor 25 and the second conductor 25 emit mercury. Structure 24
The entire outer peripheral surface is covered by pressure at the fixing portion 34. Therefore, in this embodiment, the mercury contained in the mercury emitting structure 24 is emitted into the envelope 20 from the side not facing the other electrode 21 through the metal alloy 33 and the fixing portion 34, and the mercury is emitted. Not only the structure 24 does not form a discharge surface during the discharge operation, but also the emission effect due to the emission material contained in the metal alloy 33 can be expected.

As a result, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 can prevent the occurrence of inconveniences such as the blackening of the electrode peripheral portion due to the scattering phenomenon as in the previous embodiment, thereby extending the life of the fluorescent discharge lamp. Will be realized. The structure and technical concept of the mercury-releasing structure 24 and the like of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 are the same as those of the embodiments shown in FIGS. It can be applied to the embodiment shown in FIG.

Further, depending on the specifications of the fluorescent discharge lamp, the development of impregnating the cesium with the mercury-releasing structure 24 makes it possible to expect the emission effect of the emission material without using the metal alloy 33 described above. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are partial cross-sectional views showing the main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention, in which the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7 etc. indicate the same functional members. There is.

Both of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B are
As is apparent from the drawings, the outer diameter dimension of the mercury emitting structure 24, or the mercury emitting structure 24 and the metal alloy 33 is made to match the outer diameter dimension of the metal rod 29 forming a part of the first conductor 23, and This is an example in which the inner diameter of the storage space 25b for the two conductors 25 also matches the outer diameter of the metal rod 29, and the second conductor 25 is fixed to the metal rod 29 at the fixing portion 35 by pressure bonding.

Therefore, in both of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the mercury contained in the mercury-releasing structure 24 does not face the other electrode 21 through the fixing portion 35 from the side of the envelope. In addition to being discharged into the inside 20, the mercury emitting structure 24 does not form a discharge surface during the discharge operation. As a result, both of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B can prevent the occurrence of inconveniences such as the blackening of the electrode peripheral portion due to the scattering phenomenon, as in the previous embodiment, and the fluorescence emission. The life of the electric lamp can be extended.

In addition, the mercury-releasing structure 24,
Alternatively, since the outer diameter dimensions of the mercury-releasing structure 24 and the metal alloy 33 are matched with the outer diameter dimension of the metal rod 29, it is possible to cope with the inner diameter of the envelope 20 being smaller, in other words. Therefore, the envelope 20 can be made thinner. The structure of the mercury-releasing structure 24 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B has an end plate 28 and a metal rod 29.
Of course, the present invention can be applied not only to the first conductor 23 that employs the structure described above, but also to the embodiment having the metal rod 27 shown in FIG. Is.

[0045]

In the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention, at least one of the pair of discharge electrodes hermetically sealed at both ends of the envelope has the mercury-releasing structure capable of discharging mercury by the electrode conductor.
A structure in which the mercury-releasing structure does not form a discharge part during discharge and the built-in mercury is coated so as to be discharged into the envelope, or the inside of the envelope is covered only from the side not facing the other electrode. Since it has a structure for covering the discharge electrode, the mercury-releasing structure does not form a discharge part during the discharge operation between the pair of discharge electrodes. It is possible to prevent or significantly reduce the scattering phenomenon of the above, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the inconveniences such as the blackening of the electrode peripheral portion and the alloying with the enclosed mercury due to the scattering phenomenon of the above-mentioned electrode constituent materials, which leads to a longer life. It has the effect that can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view including a partial cutout showing an embodiment of a fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a cutout portion of the embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention shown in FIG.

3 (a) is a perspective view of a second conductor indicated by reference numeral 25 in FIG. 1 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second conductor indicated by reference numeral 25 in FIG. 1 (c) is Y indicated in FIG. A schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line Y-

FIG. 4 (a) is a partial sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention. FIG. 4 (b) is a partial sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 (a) is a partial sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention. (B) A partial sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention. FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 (a) is a partial sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention. FIG. 8 (b) is a partial sectional view showing a main part of another embodiment of the fluorescent discharge lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view of a main part of a low-pressure discharge lamp proposed in JP-A-6-111775. FIG. 9B is a main part of a cold-cathode low-pressure discharge lamp proposed in JP-A-6-251746. Sectional view (c) Sectional view of essential parts of a low-pressure discharge lamp proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-111763

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 Enclosure 21 Electrode 22 Phosphor Layer 23 First Conductor 24 Mercury Emitting Structure 25 Second Conductor 26 Metal Cap 27 Metal Rod 28 End Plate 29 Metal Rod 30 Connection Part 31 Connection Part 32 Fixed Part 33 Metal Alloy 34 Fixed Part 35 Fixed part

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An envelope in which mercury and an inert gas are enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on an inner wall surface, and a pair of electrodes which are hermetically sealed at both ends of the envelope. At least one of them has a mercury-releasing structure that emits mercury when heated, and an electrode conductor that covers the mercury-releasing structure so that it does not function as a discharge part during discharge and that mercury can be discharged into the interior of the envelope. A fluorescent discharge lamp including and. 2. An envelope in which mercury and an inert gas are enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on an inner wall surface, and a pair of electrodes which are hermetically sealed at both ends of the envelope. At least one of them is a mercury-releasing structure that emits mercury when heated, and an electrode conductor that covers the mercury-releasing structure so that the mercury can be discharged into the envelope only from the side not facing the other electrode. A fluorescent discharge lamp formed to include. 3. A porous metal sintered body, which is connected to a first conductor for electrically connecting the inside and the outside of the envelope, to the inside of the envelope by alloying reaction with mercury. In a fluorescent discharge lamp having a mercury emitting structure built-in, mercury is provided to the outer peripheral portion of the mercury emitting structure so that the mercury emitting structure does not form a discharge part and from the mercury emitting structure to the inside of the envelope. A fluorescent discharge lamp, characterized in that it is covered with a second conductor so as not to interfere with the emission of the. 4. A fluorescent emission device comprising an envelope in which a rare gas is enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on an inner wall surface, and a pair of electrodes which are hermetically sealed at both ends of the envelope. A lamp, wherein at least one of the electrodes is connected to a first conductor that electrically connects the inside and the outside of the envelope and the first conductor in the envelope and is heated. Has a bag-like shape having a mercury-releasing structure for releasing mercury by means of an opening and an accommodating space for accommodating the mercury-releasing structure, the accommodating space for accommodating the mercury-releasing structure in the accommodating space. A fluorescent discharge lamp comprising a second conductor connected to the first conductor through the opening so as to cover the entire outer peripheral portion of the structure without hindering the emission of the mercury into the envelope. . 5. A fluorescent emission device comprising an envelope in which a rare gas is enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on the inner wall surface, and a pair of electrodes which are hermetically sealed to both ends of the envelope. In the electric lamp, at least one of the electrodes is connected to a first conductor that electrically connects the inside and the outside of the envelope, and the first conductor in the envelope. And a bag-like shape having a mercury-releasing structure for discharging mercury therein, an opening, and a storage space continuous with the opening for storing the mercury-releasing structure,
A second conductor that covers the mercury-releasing structure by being connected to the mercury-releasing structure through the opening so that the mercury-releasing structure is housed in the housing space and does not function as a discharge part of the electrode. A fluorescent discharge lamp consisting of. 6. An envelope having mercury and an inert gas sealed therein and a phosphor layer provided on the inner wall surface, and a pair of electrodes airtightly attached to both ends of the envelope. In the fluorescent lamp, at least one of the pair of electrodes is connected to a first conductor that electrically connects the inside and the outside of the envelope, and the first conductor in the envelope, A mercury-releasing structure that discharges mercury into the envelope, and the mercury-releasing structure so as to cover at least the other electrode and the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral surface of the mercury-releasing structure that opposes the inner wall of the envelope. A fluorescent discharge lamp comprising a second conductor connected to the. 7. An envelope in which mercury and an inert gas are enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on an inner wall surface, and a pair of discharge electrodes which are hermetically sealed at both ends of the envelope. In the fluorescent discharge lamp, at least one of the pair of discharge electrodes electrically connects the inside and the outside of the envelope.
A conductor and the first that emits mercury when heated
A mercury-releasing structure having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the conductor, a bag shape having an opening and an appropriate space having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first conductor connected to the opening, and having a bag shape through the opening. The mercury-releasing structure is housed in the appropriate space by being connected to the first conductor, and the entire outer peripheral portion of the mercury-releasing structure is covered without hindering the discharge of the mercury into the envelope. A fluorescent discharge lamp including a second conductor. 8. An envelope, a first conductor electrically connecting the inside and the outside of the envelope, and a mercury-releasing structure that is connected to the first conductor and emits mercury when heated. A metal alloy containing an emission material connected to the first conductor on the side close to the end of the envelope, and having a bag shape having an opening at one end and an appropriate space inside, In a state where the mercury-releasing structure is arranged in an appropriate space inside, the metal alloy and the metal alloy are connected through the opening,
A second conductor that covers the outer peripheral portion of the mercury-releasing structure so that the mercury-releasing structure does not form a discharge part and that the mercury-releasing structure does not interfere with the discharge of mercury into the interior of the envelope; A fluorescent discharge lamp including the. 9. An envelope in which mercury and an inert gas are enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on an inner wall surface, and a pair of discharge electrodes which are hermetically sealed at both ends of the envelope. In the fluorescent discharge lamp, at least one of the pair of discharge electrodes electrically connects the inside and the outside of the envelope.
A conductor; and a mercury-releasing structure that has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first conductor and that emits built-in mercury when heated.
A metal alloy having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first conductor containing an emission material, and a bag shape having an opening and an appropriate space having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first conductor connected to the opening. The mercury-releasing structure and the metal alloy are accommodated in the appropriate space by being connected to the first conductor through the opening, and the entire outer peripheral portion of the mercury-releasing structure is covered by the internal mercury. A fluorescent discharge lamp comprising: a second conductor that covers the interior of the envelope without hindering its release. 10. The fluorescent discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the mercury emitting structure is impregnated with an emission material. 11. The first conductor has one end located outside the envelope,
The fluorescent discharge lamp according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the other end is a metal rod located inside the envelope via the envelope and supporting the mercury emitting structure. 12. The first conductor has a conductive end plate whose one end surface is located outside the envelope, and one end connected to the other end face of the end plate, and the other end through the envelope. 5. A metal rod positioned in the envelope and supporting the mercury-releasing structure.
10. The fluorescent discharge lamp according to any one of 9 to 9. 13. The first conductor has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a metal cap is hermetically sealed to an end portion of the envelope, one end connected to an inner surface of the metal cap and the inside of the envelope. 10. The fluorescent discharge lamp according to claim 4, comprising a metal rod positioned at, and having the other end supporting the mercury emitting structure. 14. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first conductor includes a metal rod, and the mercury-releasing structure is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the metal rod and is crimped and fixed to the metal rod. The fluorescent discharge lamp described. 15. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second conductor has a bottomed cylindrical shape having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mercury-releasing structure, and is crimped and fixed to the first conductor or the mercury-releasing structure. The fluorescent discharge lamp described. 16. Fluorescent light comprising an envelope in which a rare gas is enclosed and a phosphor layer is provided on the inner wall surface, and a pair of discharge electrodes which are hermetically sealed at both ends of the envelope. A discharge lamp, wherein at least one of the pair of discharge electrodes comprises a bottomed conductor tube, a mercury emission structure, and an end conductor, and the bottomed conductor tube has a mercury emission structure disposed therein. Yes,
The mercury emitting structure emits mercury when heated, the end conductor electrically connects the outside and the inside of the envelope, and the bottomed conductor tube is placed inside. It is electrically and mechanically connected to the end conductor or the mercury-releasing structure so that the mercury-releasing structure does not form a discharge part during discharge and the mercury-releasing structure can discharge mercury into the envelope. Fluorescent discharge lamp. 17. The end conductor has one end located outside the envelope,
The fluorescent discharge lamp according to claim 13, wherein the other end is a metal rod that is located inside the envelope via the envelope and supports the mercury emitting structure. 18. The end conductor has a conductive end plate whose one end surface is located outside the envelope, and one end connected to the other end face of the end plate, and the other end through the envelope. Is a metal rod located within the envelope and supporting the mercury emitting structure.
The fluorescent discharge lamp according to item 3. 19. The end conductor has a substantially U-shaped cross section and is hermetically sealed to the end of the envelope, and one end connected to the inner surface of the metal cap and the inside of the envelope. The fluorescent discharge lamp according to claim 11, comprising a metal rod positioned at, and having the other end supporting the mercury emitting structure. 20. The fluorescent discharge lamp according to claim 16, wherein the mercury emitting structure is impregnated with an emission material.