JPH0992209A - Compact fluorescent lamp and lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact fluorescent lamp and the lighting system having a wide shape in plane and a good balanced appearance. SOLUTION: A plurality of glass tubes 11a to 11c of which the outer dia. is 10 to 15mm and the form is substantially the letter U or H are arranged in the width direction, and one electric discharge path of which the whole length is 200mm or more is formed to path through the tubes 11a to 11c of which the ends are communicated with each other, thereby providing a compact fluorescent lamp 1. When the tube length including its end metal part is A (mm), the total length of the glas tube part B (mm) in the lamp 1, an equation of 1/2<=A/B<=3/2 is established, and the rating lamp power is 10W or more. The ratio of A/B is made 3/2 thereby improving the balance in length of one side and the other side good to provide a good planar wideness for making even the illumination distribution as the surface light source while improving the appearance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a substantially U-shape or H-shape.
The present invention relates to a compact fluorescent lamp configured by arranging a plurality of V-shaped glass tubes in a plane and connecting them, and an illuminating device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a compact fluorescent lamp (FML type) in which a plurality of glass tubes formed in a substantially U shape or an H shape are arranged side by side in the width direction and connected to each other has become popular. In this type of fluorescent lamp, a plurality of substantially U-shaped or H-shaped glass tubes are arranged in the width direction, and end portions of the plurality of glass tubes are connected to each other to form one meandering discharge path as a whole. Cage,
A pair of electrodes are provided at the ends of such a discharge path to form an arc tube. A base is attached to one side of the arc tube having the above-mentioned electrode, so that a so-called single base structure is formed.

The fluorescent lamp having such a structure has a high-density light emitting portion and spreads in a plane, so that a high illuminance can be obtained and the illuminance distribution can be made uniform, which is advantageous for thinning the equipment. Therefore, it is widely used as a surface light source such as table lamps, base lights, and down lights.

Therefore, such compact fluorescent lamps are required to have higher output and higher efficiency. In order to increase the output of the fluorescent lamp, it is considered that the lamp power is increased to increase the discharge length, and it is effective to reduce the diameter of the glass tube to achieve high efficiency. If the glass tube is made thin, the lamp current IL can be made small and the cathode drop voltage can be made low, so that the efficiency is improved.

However, the conventional compact fluorescent lamp of this type has a rated lamp power of 18 W (FML1
In the case of 8EX) and 27W type (FML27EX), the diameter of the glass tube is 17.5mm, and 36W type (FML36EX) and 55W.
In the case of the type (FML55EX), the diameter of each glass tube was 20.0 mm. For this reason, the efficiency is being reviewed.

On the other hand, recently, attempts have been made to improve the efficiency by reducing the diameter of the glass tube to about 12.5 mm. However, if the tube diameter is made thin and the discharge length is made long by the structure in which two U-shaped glass tubes are connected, the planar shape of the compact fluorescent lamp as a whole becomes elongated. That is, in this type of compact fluorescent lamp, the length along the tube axis direction including the base is called the tube length A,
The widthwise extension of the glass tube portion is referred to as the width B of the glass tube portion (see the example described later). If the tube length A is regarded as the length of one side of the quadrangle, the width B of the glass tube portion can be regarded as the length of the other adjacent side. Considering the balance of illuminance distribution and appearance, the closer the A / B value is to 1, the better.
In other words, it is desirable to be close to a square.

However, if the tube diameter is made thin, the width B of the glass tube portion becomes small, and if the discharge length is made long, the tube length A becomes long, so that the value of A / B exceeds 1 and becomes extremely large. It becomes an elongated rectangle.

[0008] Such a shape is close to a linear light source because the planar spread required as a surface light source is impaired. In addition, the shape of a lighting fixture that accepts such a lamp is also elongated, and when it is attempted to cantileverly support such a lamp with a socket to which a base is attached, the dimension A extending from the base in the tube axis direction is relatively large. The distance from the center of gravity to the center of gravity is long, which causes problems such as stress concentration on the die.

[0009]

In order to avoid such inconvenience, if the discharge path length becomes long, the number of U-shaped glass tubes connected to each other is increased to increase the spread in the width direction B. However, the width of the entire lamp can be increased.

However, in this case, the expansion in the width direction B cannot be increased indefinitely. That is, when it is expanded in the width direction B, on the contrary, the value of A / B becomes far below 1 and becomes horizontally long, which not only affects the illuminance distribution as a surface light source, but also deteriorates the external appearance balance of the lamp. There's a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a compact fluorescent lamp which has a well-balanced appearance while having a shape having a planar spread, and a lighting device therefor. It is intended to provide a lighting device.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is to arrange a plurality of glass tubes each having an outer diameter of 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less and formed in a substantially U shape or an H shape in the width direction. The ends of the plurality of glass tubes are connected to each other to form a single bent discharge path having a total discharge path length of 200 mm or more, and a pair of electrodes are sealed at the ends of the discharge path. An arc tube; a cap attached to one side of the arc tube having the electrode; a tube length including the cap is A (mm), and a total width of glass tube portions arranged in the width direction is B. (Mm), the compact fluorescent lamp is characterized in that 1/2 ≦ A / B ≦ 3/2 and the rated lamp power is 10 W or more.

In the compact fluorescent lamp having the structure of claim 1, since the A / B ratio is 1/2 to 3/2, the lengths of one side and the other side are well balanced, and the plane shape is reasonably flat. Since it has a spread, the illuminance distribution is uniform as a surface light source, and the appearance is improved. If the A / B ratio is less than 1/2, the width as a whole becomes large and there is a feeling of slump. On the contrary, if the A / B ratio exceeds 3/2, the width becomes elongated in the vertical direction.

When the rated power is 10 W or more and the outer diameter of the glass tube is 10 mm to 15 mm, the glass tube feels relatively thin and the width direction tends to become small, but The ratio of A / B to the lamp is 1/2 ~
When it is set to 3/2, the illuminance distribution and the appearance are well balanced.

Further, when the discharge path length is 200 mm or more and the outer diameter of the glass tube is 10 mm to 15 mm, the glass tube feels relatively thin.
By setting the ratio of / B to 1/2 to 3/2, the overall balance is improved and the illuminance distribution and appearance are improved.

In the invention of claim 2, the rated lamp power is 27.
When it is W or more, the compact fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein three or more glass tubes formed in a substantially U shape or an H shape are arranged and connected in the width direction.

When the rated lamp power is 27 W or more and the outer diameter of the glass tube is 10 mm to 15 mm, the discharge path length becomes long. Therefore, in such a case, by arranging and connecting three or more glass tubes formed in a substantially U shape or an H shape side by side in the width direction, the A / B ratio can be set to 1/2 to 3/2. , The overall balance is improved and the illuminance distribution and appearance are improved.

An invention according to claim 3 is an illumination device comprising the compact fluorescent lamp according to claim 1 or 2, and a lighting fixture to which the fluorescent lamp is attached.

According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to provide an illuminating device which makes use of the advantages of the compact fluorescent lamp of claim 1 or 2 and can be made thin.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a compact fluorescent lamp 1 constructed by connecting three U-shaped glass tubes.
Is composed of an arc tube 10 and a base 20. The arc tube 10 comprises three U-shaped glass tubes 11a, 11
b and 11c are arranged two-dimensionally in the width direction and joined at their ends. Three U-shaped glass tubes 11
Each of a, 11b, and 11c consists of a glass tube such as lead glass or soda lime magnesia glass with an outer diameter of 12.5 mm (including an error of ± 2.5 mm). The blown parts are joined together by abutting against each other and fusing. Therefore, these three U-shaped glass tubes 11a,
11b and 11c are mechanically joined to each other by the fusion-bonding portion 12, and each U is connected through the fusion-bonding portion 12.
The internal spaces of the V-shaped glass tubes 11a, 11b, 11c are electrically connected to each other, and therefore, one meandering discharge path is formed inside the arc tube 10 as a whole.

The ends of the glass tubes 11a and 11c at the ends corresponding to the ends of the meandering discharge path have stems 13, 13 respectively.
The stems 13 and 13 are attached with electrodes 14a and 14b. Electrodes 14a, 1
Reference numeral 4b is a filament electrode made of tungsten having a double or triple coil structure, and is made of BaO, Sr (not shown).
An electron emitting substance (emitter) such as O or CaO is applied.

A phosphor coating (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of the discharge path of the arc tube 10. The phosphor coating is
Calcium halophosphate phosphor that has been often used from now on = 3Ca ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ · Ca (F, Cl) ₂ : Sb
However, recently, a three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor, which is a mixture of three kinds of rare-earth phosphors that emit light in the wavelength bands of blue, green, and red, is often used. The three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor is, for example, europium-activated yttrium oxide (Y ₂ O ₃ : Eu) as a red-based phosphor, and divalent europium-activated alkaline earth halophosphate phosphor as a blue-based phosphor. Alternatively, a divalent europium-activated alkaline earth aluminate phosphor (BaMg ₂ Al ₁₆ O ₂₇ : Eu), and a green phosphor is a phosphate phosphor (La, C).
e, Tb) · (P, Si) O ₄ is used.

The arc tube 10 having such a structure is provided with a base 20.
It is fixed to. The base 20 is formed by a base 21 made of an insulator such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin, and a total of four base pins 22 ... (Only two shown) made of a conductive material such as brass. There is.

On the base 21 of the base, the ends of the arc tube 10 in which the electrodes 14a and 14b are sealed and the fused portion 1 are formed.
2 is inserted and joined by an adhesive (not shown). The electrodes 14a and 14b are connected to the external lead wire 1 respectively.
5 are connected to the base pins 22 ....

The compact fluorescent lamp 1 having such a structure has a base 2 to which electrodes 14a and 14b are attached.
The length from the 0 side to the opposite side without the base 20, that is, the tube length including the base 21 is A (mm), and the glass tube portion along the width direction in which a plurality of U-shaped glass tubes 11a, 11b, 11c are arranged. When the total width is B (mm), 1/2 ≦ A / B ≦ 3/2.

Incidentally, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, when the rated lamp power is 27 W, A = 103 mm and B = 91 mm, and A / B = 1.13. FIG. 2 also shows three U-shaped glass tubes 11a to 11 each having a tube diameter of 12.5 mm.
A front view of a compact fluorescent lamp 1 constructed by connecting c is shown, and this compact fluorescent lamp 1 is shown.
Has a rated lamp power of 36 W, and in this case, A = 1
26 mm, B = 91 mm, and A / B = 1.39.

The compact fluorescent lamp 1 having such a structure is used as a light source of the illuminating device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. The lighting device of FIGS. 3 and 4 is an example applied to the ceiling-embedded lighting fixture 30, and 31 is the ceiling surface 3
5 is a lighting fixture main body embedded in an embedded hole 36 formed in FIG. A reflector 32 is attached to the inside of the instrument body 31.

The compact fluorescent lamp 1 shown in FIG. 1 or 2 is attached to the main body 31 of the fixture, and the fluorescent lamp 1 is connected to a lighting device 33 attached to the ceiling of the main body 31 of the fixture. ing. As the lighting device 33, a lighting circuit such as a single coil choke type ballast or a high frequency inverter lighting device is used.

According to the embodiment having such a structure, the compact fluorescent lamp 1 has a tube length A including the base 21.
(Mm) and the total width of the glass tube is B (mm), 27
1.13 for W type (Fig. 1) and 1.36 for 36W type.
39, the plane view is square (A / B = 1.
It becomes close to 0). Therefore, the dimension A and the dimension B of the external shape are well balanced while maintaining the surface light source, and the illuminance distribution and the external appearance are improved.

Since the value of A / B is close to 1, the shape of the luminaire 30 also has a good ratio of the dimension along the A direction and the dimension along the B direction, that is, it is close to a square and the appearance is improved. Further, when the base 20 is attached to a socket (not shown) and the fluorescent lamp 1 is supported, the center of gravity is close to the center because the ratio of the A dimension and the B dimension is close to 1, so that the base 20 and the socket are Since it is relatively close to
No large stress acts on 0 or the socket.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and shows a front view of a compact fluorescent lamp constructed by connecting four U-shaped glass tubes 11a to 11d. This compact fluorescent lamp is rated. The lamp power is 36 W, A = 99 mm, B = 120 mm, A / B =
It is 0.83.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a compact fluorescent lamp which is also constructed by connecting four U-shaped glass tubes. The compact fluorescent lamp has a rated lamp power of 55 W. , A = 137 mm, B = 120
mm, and A / B = 1.14.

FIG. 7 shows the optimum range of the lamp dimensions A and B and the discharge path length for various lamp powers W. Generally, when the lamp power W is increased, the discharge path length tends to be long, and when the discharge path length is increased, the number of U-shaped glass tubes used increases. For example, the lamp power W is 27W
In the following cases, the discharge path length is 200 mm to 350 mm and U
It is also possible to use two V-shaped glass tubes (referred to as 2U type). When the lamp power W exceeds 27 W and is 36 W or less, the discharge path length is 270 to 800 mm, and it is preferable to use three U-shaped glass tubes (referred to as 3U type).
When the lamp power W exceeds 36W, the discharge path length is 270
Up to 1500 mm, 4 U-shaped glass tubes (4
It is recommended to use).

Therefore, when the lamp power W increases, the number of U-shaped glass tubes to be connected should be increased. However, even if the number of glass tubes used is increased, the appearance is deteriorated. The lamp dimensions A and B shown in FIG. 7 are values indicating a favorable range obtained from a questionnaire of many observers for these ratios. When the outer diameter of the glass tube is reduced to 12.5 mm with the aim of improving efficiency, 1/2 ≤ A /
It is confirmed that the illuminance distribution and the appearance are improved when the condition of B ≦ 3/2 is satisfied.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the compact fluorescent lamp having the U-shaped glass tubes connected to each other has been described, but the glass tubes are formed by connecting the H-shaped glass tubes 41a to 41c as shown in FIG. You may comprise. The H-shaped glass tubes 41a to 41c are joined by heating the side walls of the ends of the straight tube type glass tubes and blowing them off, and abutting the blown points against each other and fusing them together. Thus, the two glass tubes connected by the fusion-bonding portion 42 look like a substantially H-shape and are called H-shaped glass tubes. Even with a compact fluorescent lamp having such a structure, if the outer diameter of the glass tube is 12.5 mm, it is 1/2
If the condition of ≦ A / B ≦ 3/2 is satisfied, the appearance is improved.

FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is an example in which a starting auxiliary electrode 51 is provided. The auxiliary electrode 51 for starting is airtightly pierced through the end portion of the glass tube 11b without electrodes, for example, the end wall of the glass tube 11b at the intermediate position, and the tip is exposed to the discharge space, and is led out from the glass tube 11b. The outer end portion is connected via a resistor 52 to a lighting circuit, for example, an external lead wire 15 connected to one electrode 14a.

According to this structure, both electrodes 14a,
When a starting voltage is applied between 14b, a slight discharge is generated between the auxiliary electrode 51 and the counter electrode 14b, and this slight discharge induces a main discharge between both electrodes 14a and 14b.
Therefore, starting becomes easy.

Particularly, when the outer diameter of the glass tube is made thin and the discharge path length is made long, the starting voltage becomes high and it becomes difficult to start. However, if the starting auxiliary electrode 51 as described above is provided, a reliable starting is possible. To

The auxiliary electrode 51 for starting is the glass tube 1
The end wall of 1b may be attached by pinch-sealing, but as shown in FIG.
5, the stem 55 may be sealed to the tube end. By doing this, the auxiliary electrode 51 can be attached by the same operation as the attachment of the electrodes 14a and 14b, and there is an advantage that the sealing machine can be shared, for example.

Further, FIG. 11 shows another embodiment. This example is an example in which amalgam 61 is enclosed as mercury. A thin tube 62 is provided so as to project at the end of the tube that does not seal the electrodes 14a and 14b, and the amalgam particles 61 are placed in the thin tube 62.
Is housed. Of the external lead wires 15 ... Connected to the electrodes 14a and 14b, the lead wire 15a having a high line resistance value is wound around the outer surface of the thin tube 62. The lead wire 15a having a high line resistance value is not on the power source side of the lighting circuit. For example, in the case of a lighting circuit using a choke coil ballast, a lead wire connected to a lighting tube or a lighting circuit using an electronic ballast is used. In the case, it is a lead wire connected to the capacitor side.

In this way, the electrodes 14a,
When a starting current is passed between 14b, a current also flows through the lead wire 15a having a high wire resistance value, which heats the amalgam 61 in the thin tube 62. Therefore, since the amalgam 61 immediately starts to vaporize mercury immediately after the start voltage is applied, the rising of the luminous flux after the start is accelerated.

Further, a high voltage is applied to the thin tube 62, and the thin tube 62 and the electrode 14a or 14 are formed in the discharge space.
A potential difference is generated between this and b, which promotes discharge and improves startability.

The present invention is not limited to a ceiling-embedded luminaire, and can be implemented in various luminaires such as a ceiling-mounted luminaire, a pendant luminaire, and a stand luminaire.

[0044]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, since the ratio of A / B is set to 1/2 to 3/2, the lengths of one side and the other side are well balanced, and a suitable flat surface is obtained. Has a uniform spread, so that the illuminance distribution is uniform as a surface light source,
In addition, since the A / B balance is good, the appearance is improved. And, the rated power is 10 W or more and the outer diameter of the glass tube is 10 mm to
Even if it is 15 mm, if the A / B ratio is set to 1/2 to 3/2, the illuminance distribution and the appearance are well balanced. Furthermore, the discharge path length is 200 mm or more and the glass tube outer diameter is 10 mm.
Even if it is ˜15 mm, if the ratio of A / B is ½˜3 / 2, the overall balance is improved, and the illuminance distribution and the appearance are improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the rated lamp power is 27 W or more and the outer diameter of the glass tube is 10 mm to 15 mm, the glass tube formed into a substantially U-shape or H-shape is 3
By arranging more than one line in the width direction and connecting them, the A / B ratio becomes 1 /
2 to 3/2, the overall balance is improved, and the illuminance distribution and appearance are improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an illuminating device which can make use of the advantages of the compact fluorescent lamp according to the first or second aspect and can be made thinner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a compact fluorescent lamp in which three U-shaped glass tubes are connected, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a compact fluorescent lamp in which three U-shaped glass tubes are connected, showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a ceiling-embedded luminaire using the fluorescent lamp of the embodiment as a light source.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ceiling-embedded luminaire of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a compact fluorescent lamp in which four U-shaped glass tubes are connected, showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a compact fluorescent lamp in which four U-shaped glass tubes are connected, showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between lamp power and dimensions A and B, the discharge path length, and the number of glass tubes used.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a compact fluorescent lamp in which three H-shaped glass tubes are connected, showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention and is a partially sectional front view of a compact fluorescent lamp using a starting auxiliary electrode.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention and is a view of a main part of a compact fluorescent lamp using a starting auxiliary electrode.

FIG. 11 is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention, in which a compact fluorescent lamp using an amalgam is partially sectioned.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Compact fluorescent lamp 10 ... Arc tube 11a-11d ... U-shaped glass tube 12 ... Fusion part 14a, 14b ... Electrode 15 ... External lead wire 20 ... Base 21 ... Base 22 ... Base pin A ... Including base Tube length B ... Full width of glass tube section 30 ... Lighting equipment 31 ... Instrument body 32 ... Reflector 34 ... Lighting device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of glass tubes each having an outer diameter of 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less and formed in a substantially U shape or an H shape are arranged in a width direction, and end portions of the plurality of glass tubes are connected to each other to form an entire discharge path. An arc tube having one bent discharge path having a length of 200 mm or more and having a pair of electrodes sealed at the ends of the discharge path; and attached to one side of the arc tube having the electrode. And the total length of the glass tube portions arranged in the width direction is B (mm), 1/2 ≦ A / B ≦ 3 / 2. A compact fluorescent lamp characterized by having a rated lamp power of 10 W or more. 2. The compact according to claim 1, wherein when the rated lamp power is 27 W or more, three or more glass tubes formed in a substantially U shape or an H shape are arranged side by side in the width direction and connected. Shaped fluorescent lamp. 3. A lighting device comprising: the compact fluorescent lamp according to claim 1; and a lighting fixture to which the fluorescent lamp is attached.