JPH1116536A - Bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the luminous flux stability in lighting operation without reducing the luminous flux starting characteristic in starting of a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp by constituting the composition of a main amalgam so that the reaction end temperature in the change of the main amalgam from solid phase to liquid phase is lower than the ambient temperature of the main amalgam in lighting operation. SOLUTION: A minute clearance is provided between an exhaust pipe 13 and a glass bar 14, and mercury vapor within an arc tube 2 makes contact with a main amalgam 15 through an opening part 13a and the clearance. The main amalgam 15 is formed of Bi, Pb, Sn and Hg, and the composition is Bi:Pb: Sn:Hg=(40-58):(22-55):(5-20):(1-10) by wt.%. According to such a structure, the reaction end temperature in the change of the main amalgam 15 from solid phase to liquid phase is lower than the temperature in a position where a main amalgam part 13b containing the main amalgam 15 is situated in lighting operation (the ambient temperature of the main amalgam).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to Bi, Pb, S
The present invention relates to a bulb-type fluorescent lamp sealed in an arc tube using amalgam composed of n and Hg as a main amalgam.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a bulb-type fluorescent lamp, amalgam is generally sealed in an arc tube in order to keep the vapor pressure of mercury in the arc tube to an appropriate value (about 0.8 Pa) during steady operation. is there. However, the mercury vapor pressure of amalgam is lower than that of pure mercury at room temperature. For this reason, in such a conventional bulb-type fluorescent lamp, it took time until the lighting operation became stable immediately after the lamp was turned on and the lighting operation was stabilized. In other words, there is a problem that the luminous flux rising characteristics at the time of starting the lamp are poor. As a conventional light bulb-type fluorescent lamp for improving the luminous flux rising characteristic at the time of starting, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is a compact fluorescent lamp disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3470. In this conventional bulb-type fluorescent lamp, in addition to the main amalgam for controlling the mercury vapor pressure at the time of steady lighting, an auxiliary amalgam for supplementing the mercury vapor pressure required at the time of starting is enclosed in the arc tube.
As a result, the mercury vapor pressure immediately after the start can be set to an appropriate value, and the luminous flux rising characteristics at the start can be improved.

[0003]

In the conventional bulb-type fluorescent lamp as described above, even when auxiliary amalgam is used, the luminous flux radiated from the arc tube after a lapse of about one minute from the start of the lamp. Becomes unstable, and the brightness of the light from the lamp fluctuates. Especially,
The luminous flux stability of the lamp was not good 10 minutes after the start of the lamp.

[0004] The inventors have experimentally studied that the reaction end temperature when the main amalgam changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is lower than the ambient temperature of the main amalgam during the lighting operation of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp. , Bi, Pb, Sn, and Hg, the composition of the main amalgam was determined. With such a configuration, it has been found that the luminous flux stability during the lighting operation is improved without lowering the luminous flux rising characteristic at the time of starting. The present invention has been completed based on the above findings.

[0005]

A bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to the present invention is a bulb-type fluorescent lamp in which a main amalgam comprising Bi, Pb, Sn and Hg is sealed in an arc tube. The composition of the main amalgam is configured such that the reaction end temperature when the compound changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is lower than the ambient temperature of the main amalgam during the lighting operation. With such a configuration,
It is possible to improve the luminous flux stability during the lighting operation without deteriorating the luminous flux rising characteristics at the time of starting.

In another bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention, the composition ratio of the main amalgam is Bi: Pb: Sn: Hg = (40 to 40).
58): (22-55): (5-20): (1-10)
% By weight. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the luminous flux stability during the lighting operation without lowering the luminous flux rising characteristics at the time of starting.

[0007] Another bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention is Bi, P
b, Sn, and a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp having a non-linear arc tube enclosing a main amalgam composed of Hg and a lighting device for lighting the arc tube,
The composition of the main amalgam is configured such that the reaction end temperature when the main amalgam changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is lower than the ambient temperature of the main amalgam during the lighting operation. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the luminous flux stability during the lighting operation without lowering the luminous flux rising characteristics at the time of starting.

In another bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention, the main amalgam has a composition ratio of Bi: Pb: Sn: Hg = (40 to 40).
58): (22-55): (5-20): (1-10)
% By weight. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the luminous flux stability during the lighting operation without lowering the luminous flux rising characteristics at the time of starting.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment showing a compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing a configuration of a compact fluorescent lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp 1 includes an arc tube 2 formed of a translucent glass or the like, a phosphor 3 formed in the arc tube 2, and an arc tube 2.
And an inverter lighting circuit 5 for lighting the arc tube 2. Further, the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 1 has an arc tube 2, a holder 4, and inverter lighting in an envelope 8 comprising a globe 6 made of translucent glass or the like and a case 7 made of synthetic resin or the like. The circuit 5 and the like are housed. The arc tube 2 is a compact non-linear arc tube.
This is a so-called double U-shaped arc tube, which is formed into a shape and then formed again into a U shape. A rare gas such as argon for starting and amalgam are sealed in the arc tube 2. Both ends of the arc tube 2 are fixed to the holder 4 in parallel with each other by a silicone resin 4a. Similarly, the central portion of the arc tube 2 is also fixed to the holder 4 by the silicone resin 4b. Mounts 9 for sealing the arc tube 2 are provided at both ends of the arc tube 2.

Each mount 9 is made of glass or the like, and has a pair of sealing wires 9a and 9b provided therein.
These sealing wires 9a and 9b are connected to a pair of inner lead wires 10a.
One end of each of a and 10b is welded. An electrode coil 11 is provided between the other ends of the internal lead wires 10a and 10b.
Is connected. These internal leads 10a, 10
“b” is connected to the inverter lighting circuit 5 via an electrode provided on the mount 9 and an external lead wire (not shown). Auxiliary amalgam 1 is connected to one internal lead wire 10a.
2 is fixed. The auxiliary amalgam 12 supplements the mercury vapor pressure required at the time of starting, and is made of an indium mesh or the like. Further, a cylindrical exhaust pipe 13 is welded to each mount 9. As is well known, when the light emitting tube 2 is sealed by the mount 9, excess air in the light emitting tube 2 is exhausted, and after the mount 9 is attached to the light emitting tube 2, the exhaust tube 13 Sealed. At one end of the exhaust pipe 13, an opening 13 a that opens the surface of the mount 9 is provided inside the arc tube 2. At the other end of the exhaust pipe 13, a cylindrical glass rod 14 is disposed inside, and a main amalgam portion 13 b for arranging the main amalgam 15 is provided between the inner surface of the exhaust pipe 13 and the glass rod 14. It is provided between. A minute gap is provided between the exhaust pipe 13 and the glass rod 14, and mercury vapor or the like in the arc tube 2 contacts the main amalgam 15 via the opening 13a and the small gap.

The main amalgam 15 is composed of Bi, Pb, Sn,
And Hg, whose composition ratio (% by weight) is B
i: Pb: Sn: Hg = (40-58) :( 22-5)
5): (5-20): (1-10). With this configuration, the reaction end temperature when the main amalgam 15 changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is the temperature at the location of the main amalgam portion 13b containing the main amalgam 15 during the lighting operation (the present invention). This is called the ambient temperature of the main amalgam). Here, the reaction end temperature is the temperature at which the change from the solid phase to the liquid phase is completed.
As a result, it is possible to improve the luminous flux stability during the lighting operation without lowering the luminous flux rising characteristics at the time of starting (details will be described later). Inverter lighting circuit 5 is MOS
A self-oscillation type inverter circuit using an FET is arranged on a printed circuit board, and supplies a predetermined power to the electrode coil 12. At one end of the case 7, a screw-shaped base 16, a so-called screw base, is provided. One end of the lead wires 17a and 17b is fixed to the base 16 by soldering or the like. Lead wire 17
The other ends of a and 17b are connected to the inverter lighting circuit 5. The base 16 is connected to a socket of a lighting fixture (not shown) or the like, and is supplied with electric power from an external power supply.

Next, a description will be given of the results of comparative experiments in which the composition ratio of the main amalgam 15 is changed and the light flux rising characteristics at start-up and the light flux stability during lighting operation are verified. In the following description, five sample Nos.
The experimental results of Nos. 1 to 5 will be described. Sample No.
No. 1 and No. 2 constitute the main amalgam 15 of the present embodiment, and samples No. 3 to No. 5 are comparative examples.

[0013]

[Table 1]

First, thermal analysis (Differential Scanning Calorie-mete) of the above five samples No. 1 to No. 5 was carried out.
ry) to verify the physical properties of those Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg amalgams. This verification result is shown in FIG. FIG.
In ▲, the temperature at which amalgam begins to absorb mercury vapor by the endothermic reaction when amalgam is heated, the temperature at which absorption of mercury vapor peaks, and the reaction end temperature when amalgam changes from a solid phase to a liquid phase, ▲, Indicated by ■ and ●. As shown by ● in FIG. 2, in Samples No. 3 to No. 5 of the comparative example, the reaction end temperature when changing from the solid phase to the liquid phase was higher than 150 ° C. On the other hand, in samples No. 1 and No. 2 of the present embodiment,
The reaction termination temperature when changing from the solid phase to the liquid phase was around 100 ° C. During the lighting operation of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 1 (FIG. 1), the ambient temperature of the main amalgam 15 was about 120 ° C. according to the measurement by the inventors. Therefore, each sample N
When o.3 to No.5 are installed as the main amalgam 15 in the main amalgam portion 13b, the reaction end temperature when the sample No.3 to No.5 changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is the temperature of the main amalgam 15. It was found to be above ambient temperature. As a result, when each of the samples No. 3 to No. 5 is used as the main amalgam 15, the absorption efficiency of mercury in the arc tube 2 by the main amalgam 15 is not desirable. The vapor pressure was found to be higher than the appropriate value of about 0.8 Pa. On the other hand, in samples No. 1 and No. 2 of the present embodiment, the reaction end temperature when changing from the solid phase to the liquid phase is lower than the ambient temperature, and the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 during the lighting operation is reduced. It can be an appropriate value. The ambient temperature of the main amalgam 15 was measured by attaching a thermocouple to the outer surface of the exhaust pipe 13 facing the main amalgam portion 13b.

Next, in order to confirm the results of the above thermal analysis, the mercury vapor pressure characteristics of the samples No. 1 to No. 3 were measured. FIG. 3 shows the measurement results. In this measurement, the relationship between the temperature and the mercury vapor pressure was determined by the known principle of the atomic absorption method. In FIG. 3, the result of measuring the vapor pressure of pure mercury is shown by a line 18. Sample Nos. 1 to No.
The results of measuring the mercury vapor pressure at No. 3 are plotted on lines 19, 20, 21
Are shown below. As shown by the broken lines 19 and 20 in FIG. 3, the samples No. 1 and No. 2 show the optimum mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 near the ambient temperature (120 ° C.) during the lighting operation. A value close to the pressure (0.8 Pa) was obtained.

Next, the luminous flux characteristics of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 1 when each of the samples No. 1 to No. 3 are used as the main amalgam 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Fig. 5 is a graph showing the luminous flux rising characteristics after lighting when the samples No. 1 to No. 3 are used for the main amalgam, and Fig. 5 shows the case where the samples No. 1 to No. 3 are used for the main amalgam. It is a graph which shows the relative luminous flux from 30 minutes after lighting. 4 and 5, the abscissa indicates the time elapsed from the start of lighting, and the ordinate indicates the relative luminous flux, where the luminous flux when lit for 2 hours or more, which is the time when the luminous flux is sufficiently stabilized, is taken as 100%. . In FIG. 4, the measurement results of the relative luminous flux of the samples No. 1 to No. 3 are shown by broken lines 22, 23, and 24, respectively. In FIG. 5, the measurement results of the relative luminous flux in Sample Nos. 1 to 3 are shown by broken lines 25, 26, and 27, respectively. In the case of Sample No. 3 which is a comparative example, as shown by a polygonal line 27 in FIG. 5, the relative luminous flux was reduced after a lapse of about 10 minutes after lighting. The reason is that the sample No.
In No. 3, the reaction end temperature when changing from the solid phase to the liquid phase is 150 ° C. or more, as indicated by ● in FIG. 2, and the mercury vapor absorption efficiency in the arc tube 2 is poor. Further, the sample No.
3, the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 exceeds the optimal mercury vapor pressure (0.8 Pa) around the above-mentioned ambient temperature (120 ° C.), as indicated by the polygonal line 21 in FIG. For this reason, when sample No. 3 was used for the main amalgam 15,
This is because the mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 becomes excessive.

On the other hand, in samples No. 1 and No. 2 of the present embodiment, the reaction end temperature at which the main amalgam 15 changes from a solid phase to a liquid phase is the above-mentioned ambient temperature (120 ° C.).
Therefore, the main amalgam 15 efficiently absorbs the mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 and is in a liquid state at the time of steady lighting in which the operation is stable. Therefore, the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 reaches an equilibrium state near an appropriate value (0.8 Pa), and as shown by the broken lines 25 and 26 in FIG.
The luminous flux stability of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 1 was improved. In addition, as shown by the polygonal lines 22 and 23 in FIG. 4, no decrease in the light beam rising characteristics at the time of starting was observed. As is clear from the above results, when the reaction end temperature when the main amalgam 15 changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is 120 ° C. or less, which is the ambient temperature, the light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp 1 emits light at the time of startup. It was found that the luminous flux stability in the lighting operation was improved without lowering the rising characteristics.

Next, the present inventors have proposed that Bi-Pb-Sn-H
The relationship between the reaction termination temperature and the composition ratio when g-malmal gum changed from a solid phase to a liquid phase was verified in more detail using thermal analysis. This verification result will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the composition ratio of Sn and the reaction end temperature when changing from a solid phase to a liquid phase in Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg amalgam. The measurement results shown in FIG. 6 are obtained when the composition ratio of Hg and Bi was set to a constant value of 5% by weight and 40% by weight, respectively, and the composition ratio of Sn was changed with respect to the weight of the amalgam. It is. As shown by the polygonal line 28 in FIG. 6, when the composition ratio of Sn is 5 to 20% by weight, the reaction end temperature when the amalgam changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is 120 ° C. or lower. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the Bi composition ratio and the reaction end temperature when changing from a solid phase to a liquid phase in Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg amalgam. The measurement results shown in FIG. 7 are obtained when the composition ratio of Hg and Pb was set to a constant value of 5% by weight and 22% by weight, respectively, and the composition ratio of Bi was changed with respect to the weight of the amalgam. It is. As shown by the polygonal line 29 in FIG. 7, when the composition ratio of Bi is 40 to 58% by weight, the reaction end temperature when the amalgam changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is 120 ° C. or lower. The composition ratio of Pb can be determined by creating a known ternary phase diagram based on the measurement results shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in the amalgam, the composition ratio of Pb is 22 to 5
When it is 5% by weight, the reaction end temperature when the amalgam changes from a solid phase to a liquid phase is 120 ° C. or lower.

Next, the composition ratio of Hg was changed to Bi-Pb-Sn-
As 1 to 20% by weight based on the weight of Hg amalgam,
FIG. 9 shows the result of measuring the luminous flux during steady lighting. Here, the composition ratio (% by weight) of Bi, Pb, and Sn is represented by B
i: Pb: Sn = 49.9: 30.4: 14.7.
As shown by the polygonal line 30 in FIG. 9, the composition ratio of Hg is 1
If it exceeds 0% by weight, the luminous flux of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 1 is reduced. Therefore, Hg that does not cause a decrease in luminous flux during steady lighting is used.
Was found to be 1 to 10% by weight of the main amalgam 15.

As described above, the inventors clarified the physical properties of the amalgam alloy by experimental research such as thermal analysis and measurement of mercury vapor pressure characteristics, and analyzed the behavior of mercury vapor in the arc tube 2. . The composition of the main amalgam 15 was determined so that the reaction end temperature when the main amalgam 15 changed from the solid phase to the liquid phase was lower than the ambient temperature of the main amalgam 15. For this reason, in the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 1 of the present embodiment, the main amalgam 15 absorbs excess mercury vapor in the arc tube 2 immediately after lighting, and appropriately adjusts the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 2 during the lighting operation. It was possible to value. As a result, in the bulb-type fluorescent lamp 1 of the present embodiment, the luminous flux stability during the lighting operation could be improved without lowering the luminous flux rising characteristics at the time of starting.

[0021]

As described above, in the compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention, the main amalgam enclosed in the arc tube is:
A main amalgam comprising Bi, Pb, Sn, and Hg such that the reaction end temperature when the main amalgam changes from a solid phase to a liquid phase is lower than the ambient temperature of the main amalgam during the lighting operation of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp. Was determined. This makes it possible to improve the luminous flux stability during the lighting operation without deteriorating the luminous flux rising characteristics at the time of starting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing a configuration of a compact fluorescent lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the results of thermal analysis of five samples No. 1 to No. 5 shown in Table 1.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relationship between temperature and mercury vapor pressure in pure mercury and samples No. 1 to No. 3;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing luminous flux rising characteristics after lighting when samples No. 1 to No. 3 are used for main amalgam.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing relative luminous flux from lighting up to 30 minutes in the case where Samples No. 1 to No. 3 were used as main amalgam.

FIG. 6: In Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg amalgam,
5 is a graph showing the relationship between the composition ratio of Sn and the reaction end temperature when changing from a solid phase to a liquid phase.

FIG. 7 In Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg amalgam,
6 is a graph showing the relationship between the Bi composition ratio and the reaction end temperature when changing from a solid phase to a liquid phase.

FIG. 8: In Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg amalgam,
Phase diagram of a ternary system with Bi, Pb, and Sn when Hg is constant weight%.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the composition ratio of Hg and the rate of decrease in luminous flux.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 bulb-type fluorescent lamp 2 arc tube 3 phosphor 4 holder 5 inverter lighting circuit 6 globe 7 case 8 envelope 9 mount 10a, 10b internal lead wire 11 electrode coil 12 auxiliary amalgam 13 exhaust pipe 13b main amalgam section 15 main amalgam 16 Clasp

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 4, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 8

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 8

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A bulb-type fluorescent lamp in which a main amalgam composed of Bi, Pb, Sn, and Hg is sealed in an arc tube, wherein a reaction is terminated when the main amalgam changes from a solid phase to a liquid phase. A bulb-type fluorescent lamp, wherein the composition of the main amalgam is configured such that the temperature is lower than the ambient temperature of the main amalgam during the lighting operation. 2. The composition ratio of said main amalgam is Bi: P
b: Sn: Hg = (40-58) :( 22-55):
(5-20): (1-10) weight%, The bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. A bulb-type fluorescent lamp having a non-linear arc tube enclosing a main amalgam made of Bi, Pb, Sn, and Hg therein, and a lighting device for lighting the arc tube. The composition of the main amalgam is configured such that the reaction end temperature when the main amalgam changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase is lower than the ambient temperature of the main amalgam during the lighting operation. Light bulb shaped fluorescent lamp. 4. The composition ratio of said main amalgam is Bi: P
b: Sn: Hg = (40-58) :( 22-55):
(5-20): (1-10) weight%, The bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to claim 3, characterized in that: