JPH118086A - Rare gas discharge lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp which can suppress generation of flickering with a relatively simple structure, and can obtain a stable discharging condition. SOLUTION: This rare gas discharge lamp is provided with an envelope 1, and a sheet structure 3 which is constituted by disposing band-shaped external electrodes 5, 6 at one surface of a translucent sheet 4 involving almost the same length as the whole length of the envelope, separated from each other so as to form the first and second opening part 7, 8, and forming a bonding layer at the translucent sheet surface on the side where the external electrodes 5, 6 are positioned. Deformed parts 6a to 6c are formed only at the side edge part of the external electrode 6 of a pair of outer electrodes which form the second opening part 8, and the side edge part of the other external electrode 5 is formed so as to be a straight shape, and the sheet structure 3 is wound around the periphery surface of the envelope 1 so that the external electrode may be positioned between the envelope 1 and the translucent sheet 4. A rare gas discharge lamp DL is connected to the output side of a high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA so that the high frequency and high voltage may be applied to a pair of the external electrodes, and the external electrode 6 formed with the deformed parts is grounded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rare gas discharge lamp lighting device, and more particularly to a rare gas discharge lamp having a light emitting layer having an aperture on an inner surface of a glass bulb and a pair of band-shaped external electrodes on an outer peripheral surface. The present invention relates to an improvement in a circuit configuration in which a stable operation state can be obtained in a lighting device in which a gas discharge lamp is connected to a high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The applicant has previously proposed a rare gas discharge lamp L shown in FIGS. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a straight tubular envelope which is hermetically sealed by a glass bulb, for example, and has a light emitting layer 2 made of a phosphor such as a rare earth phosphor or a halophosphate phosphor on the inner surface thereof. Is formed.
In particular, the light emitting layer 2 is formed with an aperture 2a having a predetermined opening angle over substantially the entire length. And
The sealing structure of the envelope 1 is configured by sealing a disk-shaped sealing glass plate to an end of a glass bulb. For example, the sealing structure is performed by simply reducing the diameter while heating the glass bulb and fusing the glass bulb. You can also. In the enclosed space of the envelope 1, a rare gas such as xenon (Xe), krypton (Kr), neon (Ne), and helium (He) which does not contain metal vapor such as mercury is used alone or mixed. A predetermined amount is enclosed.

[0003] A sheet structure 3 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 so as to be in close contact therewith. This sheet structure 3
For example, an insulating translucent sheet 4 having a length substantially equal to the entire length of the envelope 1 and a thickness set in a range of 20 to 100 μm, and the translucent sheet 4 A pair of strip-shaped external electrodes 5 and 6 made of a non-translucent metal member which are adhered to one surface of the first electrode 4 at a predetermined distance from each other, and from the ends of the external electrodes 5 and 6, Terminals 51 and 61, which have an electrical connection relationship and are led out so that the leading ends protrude from an edge portion of the translucent sheet 4, and the translucent sheet 4
And an adhesive layer 9 having an adhesive or adhesive function provided to one surface of the substrate. In addition, when the sheet structure 3 is mounted on the envelope 1, one end 5 of the external electrodes 5, 6 is provided.
a and 6a, a first opening 7 is formed between the other ends 5b and 6b of the external electrodes 5 and 6, and a second opening 8 is formed between the other ends 5b and 6b. It is mainly emitted outside through the first opening 7 through the aperture 2a.
Further, in the sheet structure 3, as the translucent sheet 4,
For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin is suitable, but other resins such as polyester resin can also be used.

The above-mentioned sheet structure 3 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 so that the external electrodes 5 and 6 are located between the envelope 1 and the translucent sheet 4 (see FIG. 1). Winding). This sheet
The mounting of the structure 3 to the envelope 1 is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. First, the sheet structure 3 is arranged on the stage 10 in an expanded state. Next, the envelope 1 is arranged at one end 4a of the translucent sheet 4 in the sheet structure 3, and
The envelope 1 is formed by a pair of driven rollers 11
After the stage 10 is set so as to be pressed against the stage 4, the stage 10 is slightly moved in the M direction and then moved in the N direction. Then, the sheet structure 3 relatively rolls on the translucent sheet 4 and is mounted on the outer peripheral surface by being wound around the sheet structure 3. In the sheet structure 3, the external electrodes 5 and 6 are adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 by using an adhesive layer formed on the surface thereof, and the translucent sheet 4 is Using the adhesive layer 9 formed on one side, it is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 at the time of winding, and the respective ends 4a and 4b are overlapped and adhered at the second opening 8. .

[0005] The rare gas discharge lamp L is lit by, for example, a lighting device shown in FIG. This lighting device generates an inverter circuit H having a frequency of about 30 KHz, a high-frequency high voltage of about 2500 V0 _-P , and an output waveform of substantially a sine wave, and a DC power to the inverter circuit H. The inverter circuit H is composed of a switching element, for example, a switching transistor Q for controlling the supply of power, and a smoothing capacitor C. The inverter circuit H comprises, for example, a primary coil TRa, TRb, a secondary coil TRc, and an exciting coil T.
An oscillation transformer TR having Rd and a primary coil TRa,
A choke coil CH connected between the middle point of TRb and the switching transistor Q, and primary coils TRa and T
The first and second switching elements connected to Rb, for example, the first and second transistors Qa and Qb, and the bases of the first and second transistors Qa and Qb and the exciting coil TRd. And the resistances Ra and Rb. External electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp L are connected to the output side of the inverter circuit H.

In this lighting device, when a DC power source obtained by, for example, full-wave rectification of a commercial power source is connected between the terminals T1 and T2 and a drive signal is applied to the terminal T3 at appropriate intervals, the switching transistor Q is turned on, When the first and second transistors Qa and Qb are turned on and off at appropriate times, the high-frequency high voltage described above is generated in the secondary coil TRc of the oscillation transformer TR, and the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp L are generated. Is applied to Thereby, the rare gas discharge lamp L
Unlike a discharge lamp using a hot cathode or a cold cathode, which is lit by one discharge path along the longitudinal direction of the envelope, it is different between the external electrodes 5 and 6 (in the longitudinal direction of the envelope 1). (In a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction), the lighting is performed in a striped state by forming an infinite number of discharge paths. In this state, the light emitting layer 2 is excited by a rare gas excitation line to emit light, and the light is emitted from the first opening 7 to the outside through the aperture 2a. In a normal lighting state, a striped discharge state cannot be visually observed.

In particular, since no mercury is used in the rare gas discharge lamp L, there is a characteristic that the light quantity rises sharply after lighting and reaches almost 100% at the same time as lighting. ing. For this reason, it is suitable as a light source for reading originals of OA equipment such as a facsimile, an image scanner, and a copying machine.

[0008]

When the rare gas discharge lamp L is lit at or near the rated voltage in the above-described lighting device, the striped discharge state is not visually observed. However, for example, a large voltage fluctuation (voltage drop) occurs in the power supply line, or the amount of light emitted to the outside from the first opening 7 may be 100
% In some cases (light control state). In such a case, the striped discharge state becomes unstable and flickers become visible. The above dimming state can be easily achieved, for example, in the lighting device shown in FIG. 14, by controlling the ON time of the switching transistor Q to an appropriate length by a drive signal applied to the terminal T3. .

However, the voltage drop of the power supply line is 1
As the output voltage of the inverter circuit H applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp L decreases due to a large fluctuation so as to exceed 0% or an increase in the dimming rate, discharge occurs. The state becomes unstable. For example, if the dimming rate is
When it reaches about 0%, the discharge state becomes extremely unstable, so that not only the striped discharge state becomes visible, but also the discharge position (discharge point) is not constant, and the longitudinal direction of the envelope is constantly constant. And the light emitted from the first opening 7 has a strong flicker.

In particular, the rare gas discharge lamp is a facsimile,
When the present invention is applied to a document irradiating device in an OA device such as an image scanner, the luminance of each position in the longitudinal direction of the aperture portion 2a constantly fluctuates. In some cases, a problem that the quality is deteriorated may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp in which a flicker can be suppressed with a relatively simple structure and a stable discharge state can be obtained.

[0012]

Therefore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member on the outer peripheral surface of an envelope having a light emitting layer on the inner surface.
Appropriate side edges of external electrodes which are spaced apart from each other so that the first and second openings are formed over substantially the entire length of the envelope, and which form the first and second openings. A high-voltage high-voltage generating circuit that generates a high-frequency high voltage, and the rare-gas discharge lamp is provided on the output side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit with a pair of external electrodes. Are connected so that a high-frequency high voltage is applied thereto, and one of the external electrodes on which the deformed portion is formed is grounded.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rare gas discharge lamp is configured such that light emitted from the light emitting layer is mainly emitted to the outside from the first opening, and the first opening is formed in the first opening. The side edges of a pair of external electrodes forming a portion are formed in a straight shape, and only the side edge of one of the pair of external electrodes forming a second opening is deformed. A third portion of the rare gas discharge lamp is grounded, and a third edge of the other external electrode is formed in a straight shape. According to the invention, in the rare gas discharge lamp, a translucent insulating member is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the envelope so as to cover the external electrode, and the insulating member is made of a translucent sheet or heat. The protection tube is made of a shrinkable resin.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided one of a straight tubular envelope having a light emitting layer on an inner surface thereof and a translucent sheet having a length substantially equal to the entire length of the envelope. A pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are arranged on the surface of the substrate so as to be separated from each other so as to form first and second openings, and a light-transmitting sheet on the side where the external electrodes are located. A sheet structure having an adhesive layer formed on a surface thereof, wherein a deformed portion is formed only on a side edge of one of the pair of external electrodes forming the second opening, Strain the side edge of the other external electrode
A rare gas discharge lamp formed in the shape of a sheet and wound around an outer peripheral surface of the envelope so that an external electrode is located between the envelope and the translucent sheet. The output side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is connected to a pair of external electrodes so that a high-frequency high voltage is applied thereto, and the external electrodes having the deformed portions are grounded.

Further, a fifth invention of the present invention is characterized in that the deformed portion of the external electrode in the rare gas discharge lamp is formed over substantially the entire length so as to have a periodicity.
The invention of the seventh aspect is characterized in that the deformed portion of the external electrode in the rare gas discharge lamp is formed in any one of a triangular shape, a rectangular shape including a trapezoidal shape, and a substantially semicircular shape including a waveform. The high frequency high voltage generating circuit is constituted by an inverter circuit for generating a high frequency high voltage such as a sine wave, a rectangular wave and a pulse wave.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the prior art shown in FIGS. 10 to 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this figure, the characteristic part of this embodiment is a rare gas discharge lamp DL.
In the side edges 5b, 6b of the external electrodes 5, 6 forming the second opening 8 in the above, a triangular irregular shaped portion 5A having periodicity,
6A, the side edges 5a, 6a of the other external electrodes 5, 6 are formed in a straight shape, and connected to the output side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit H.
One (one) of the external electrodes 5 and 6 where A is formed is grounded.

The deformed portions 5A and 6A are formed so as to have a periodicity. For example, when the outer diameter of the envelope 1 is 8 mm, the width including the deformed portions 5A and 6A is 8 mm, and the deformed portion 5A is formed. , 6A are preferably set to dimensions of about 4 mm, and the heights of the deformed parts 5A, 6A (apex of the triangular portion) are set to about 1.5 mm. it can. The intervals between the vertices of the deformed portions 5A, 6A formed on the side edges 5b, 6b of the external electrodes 5, 6 are set to be substantially the same over the entire length. The opening width (interval) of the first opening 7 is also set to be substantially the same over the entire length.

As a constituent member of the envelope 1, any material can be used as long as it is a material having a large dielectric constant, which can reliably maintain airtightness, and has a light-transmitting property. Lead glass having a large dielectric constant is suitable. The thickness is set in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 mm (preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 mm), and in this range, desired productivity and optical characteristics can be obtained.
However, the wall thickness is less than 0.4 mm, especially 0.2 mm
If it is less than 1, the mechanical strength of the envelope 1 is extremely reduced, so that the defect rate due to glass breakage in the production process by mass production equipment increases, and conversely, the wall thickness is reduced to 0. 7
If the distance exceeds mm, a striped discharge state is visually observed, and flicker occurs in light emitted from the aperture portion 2a. Therefore, it is desirable to set the thickness of the envelope 1 within the above range.

A rare gas such as xenon (Xe), krypton (Kr), neon (Ne) and helium (He) is sealed in the inner space of the envelope 1 by mixing one kind or two or more kinds. The sealing pressure is, for example, 83 to 200
Torr range. In this range, the starting characteristics,
The effect of improving light output (original surface illuminance) and flicker can be obtained. However, when the sealing pressure is less than 83 Torr, the effect of improving the light output becomes insufficient, and conversely,
When the sealing pressure exceeds 200 Torr, not only the starting characteristics are impaired, but also a striped discharge state is visually observed, and the light emitted from the aperture portion 2a becomes flickering. Therefore, it is desirable to set the rare gas charging pressure within the above range.

The light emitting layer 2 may be composed of only one type of phosphor or a mixture of two or more types depending on the use of the rare gas discharge lamp. For example, in the case of a three-wavelength emission type, for example, a europium-activated barium magnesium aluminate phosphor having an emission spectrum in a blue region, and a cerium magnesium having an emission spectrum in a green region.
It is formed of a mixture of a terbium-activated lanthanum phosphate phosphor and a europium-activated yttrium / gadolium borate phosphor having an emission spectrum in the red region. The amount of the attached phosphor is 5 to 30 mg / cm ² . Is set in the range. Sufficient light intensity (light output) in this range
Is obtained, but when the attached amount is less than 5 mg,
Insufficient light causes insufficient illumination on the document surface.
If the amount exceeds 30 mg, it is difficult to form a uniform light emitting layer. Therefore, it is desirable that the amount of the light-emitting layer 2 attached be set within the above range.

Further, first and second openings 7 and 8 are formed in the separated portions of the external electrodes 5 and 6, respectively.
The respective opening angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are set in a relation of θ ₁ > θ ₂ . The opening angle θ ₁ of the first opening 7 is 60 to 90
It is desirable that the opening angle θ ₂ of the second opening 8 be about 55 °. However, the opening angle θ ₁ of the first opening 7 can be set outside the above range depending on the application, and the second opening 8 is desirably narrow enough not to cause dielectric breakdown, for example, at least about 2 mm. It is recommended that the separation distance be maintained. The opening angle of the aperture 2a is set substantially equal to the opening angle θ1 of the _first opening 7.

According to this embodiment, the side edges 5b, 6b of the external electrodes 5, 6 forming the second opening 8 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL are provided with triangular irregular portions 5A, 6A having periodicity. In addition, since the external electrode 6 is grounded in a state of being incorporated into the lighting device, when the high frequency high voltage is applied from the inverter circuit H to the external electrodes 5 and 6, the irregular shape is obtained. The electric field concentrates on the apexes of the triangular portions in the portions 5A and 6A, and the discharge easily occurs between the external electrodes via the rare gas space. Therefore, even if the voltage applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 is slightly reduced due to the power supply fluctuation, or the dimming rate is increased to, for example, about 40%, the lighting can be reliably performed, and the occurrence of flicker is suppressed. it can.

Further, the thickness of the envelope 1 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL is set in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 mm, and when a high frequency high voltage is applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6, In the thick range, flickering is likely to occur due to an increase in voltage distribution to the envelope itself due to an increase in the resistance component. However, as described above, the deformed portions 5A and 6A are formed on the external electrodes 5 and 6.
Is formed and the external electrode 6 is grounded, which effectively suppresses the occurrence of flickering even in a thick region, and the first opening portion is formed through the aperture portion 2a. 7 can also be effectively improved.

In particular, when the pressure of filling the rare gas is increased, the light output is increased, but the starting characteristics are impaired. However, the triangular irregular portions 5A are formed on the side edges 5b, 6b of the external electrodes 5, 6. , 6A, even if the upper limit of the noble gas charging pressure is increased to 200 Torr, practically usable starting characteristics can be secured, and the generation of moving stripes (flickering) can be effectively suppressed. In addition, the light output can be effectively improved.
Therefore, when the present invention is applied to a document irradiating apparatus, a stable discharge state can be obtained and the illuminance of the document surface can be increased, so that an improvement in reading quality can be expected.

Further, the amount of the light emitting layer 2 deposited is 5 per cm ^2.
If the thickness is set in the range of 30 to 30 mg, the thickness of the envelope 1 is set in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 mm, and the sealing pressure of the rare gas is set in the range of 83 to 200 torr. Thus, the light output emitted from the first opening 7 through the aperture 2a can be effectively increased.

In particular, the adhesion amount of the light emitting layer 2 is set to be about 2 to 10 times as large as that of a normal fluorescent lamp for illumination, and it is considered that a normal fluorescent lamp for illumination is not characteristically preferable. Despite the amount, the light output of the rare gas discharge lamp is effectively increased. Although the cause is not clear, a stripe-shaped stripe is formed by forming an infinite number of discharge paths in the rare gas space between the external electrodes 5 and 6 (in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the envelope 1). This is considered to be a phenomenon peculiar to the rare gas discharge lamp that is lit in the state.

Further, the thickness of the envelope 1 and the structure of the external electrode, preferably the amount of the light-emitting layer 2 attached and the pressure of the rare gas charged are set within the above ranges, and then the first opening portion is formed. If the opening angle θ1 of the _first opening 7 is set in the range of 60 to 90 °, the light output emitted from the first opening 7 can be further increased. At this time, if the separation length of the second opening 8 (the distance between the tips of the deformed portions 5A and 6A) is set to about 2 mm, light leakage from the second opening 8 is suppressed, A further improvement in the light output emitted from the first opening 7 can be expected.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The basic structure is the same as that of the rare gas discharge lamp lighting device shown in FIGS. The difference is that a high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit, for example, an inverter circuit HA, includes an oscillation transformer TRA having at least a primary coil TRa and a secondary coil TRc, a capacitor CA, and a switching element Q.
A.

This lighting device operates as follows. First, when a DC power supply that is full-wave rectified from a commercial power supply is connected to the terminals T1 and T2, the capacitor CA is charged. In this state, when a drive signal is applied to the base electrode of the switching element (for example, transistor) QA via the terminal T3, the transistor QA is turned ON as shown in FIG. The discharged charge is released to the primary coil TRa of the oscillation transformer TRA. Next, when the transistor QA is turned off, a pulsed high-frequency high voltage is generated in the secondary coil TRc as shown in FIG. 5B and applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp DL. You. The deformed portions 5A, 6 of the external electrodes 5, 6
When the electric field concentrates on A, a discharge is generated between the external electrodes, and the rare gas discharge lamp DL is turned on.

According to this embodiment, similarly to the above-described embodiment, even if the dimming rate is increased, not only a stable discharge state with reduced flicker is obtained, but also the circuit configuration of the lighting device is different from that of the above-described embodiment. The cost can be effectively reduced because the simplification can be achieved. In addition, since a pulsed high-frequency high voltage is applied to the rare gas discharge lamp DL, luminous efficiency can be improved.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The basic structure is the same as that of the rare gas discharge lamp lighting device shown in FIG. The difference is that a triangular shaped portion 6A is formed only on the side edge 6b of the external electrode 6 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL connected to the output side of the inverter circuit HA, and the other side of the external electrode 5 is formed. The edges 5a and 6b and the side edge 6a of the external electrode 6 are formed in a straight shape. The external electrode 6 having the irregular portion 6A is grounded.

In particular, the rare gas discharge lamp DL having this structure is shown in FIG.
When incorporated in the lighting device shown in (1), if all the external electrodes are lighted in a floating state, the discharge is unstable even if the power supply line is maintained at the rated voltage.
The stripe-like discharge state is visually observed, and flicker may occur. However, as shown in FIG.
By grounding the external electrode 6 on the side where A is formed, a stable discharge state with reduced flicker can be obtained even if the power supply voltage drops by about 10%. The rare gas discharge lamp DL can be applied to the lighting device shown in FIG.

According to this embodiment, the external electrodes 5, 6
When a pulsed high-frequency high voltage is applied to the
b. Discharge occurs between the deformed portion 6B and the straight side edge portion 5b. Since one side edge portion (5b) is formed in a straight shape, the pitch between the two is changed. There is no need for alignment (positioning), and assemblability can be improved.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The basic structure is the same as that of the rare gas discharge lamp lighting device shown in FIG. Same as gas discharge lamp. The only difference is that a semicircular deformed portion 6B including an elliptical shape and a waveform having periodicity only at the side edge 6b of the external electrode 6 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL connected to the output side of the inverter circuit HA. The other side edges 5a and 6b of the external electrode 5 and the side edge 6a of the external electrode 6 are formed in a straight shape. Note that the external electrode 6 having the deformed portion 6B is grounded.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The basic structure is the same as that of the rare gas discharge lamp lighting device shown in FIG. 4, and the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIGS. Same as gas discharge lamp. The difference is that a rectangular irregular portion 6C including a trapezoid having periodicity is formed only on the side edge 6b of the external electrode 6 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL connected to the output side of the inverter circuit HA. Side edges 5a, 6 of external electrode 5 other than
(b) The side edges 6a of the external electrodes 6 are formed in a straight shape. The external electrode 6 having the irregular portion 6C is grounded.

In particular, the rare gas discharge lamp DL having differently shaped portions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be combined with the lighting device which outputs a high frequency high voltage of a sine wave (or rectangular wave) shown in FIG. .

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, the light-emitting layer of a rare gas discharge lamp can be used by mixing one or more phosphors. The aperture may be omitted and formed on the entire inner surface of the envelope. In addition, the pitch, height, etc. of the deformed portion in the external electrode can be appropriately changed according to the size of the rare gas discharge lamp. The high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit in the lighting device can use not only an inverter circuit but also various oscillation circuits and the like, and a switching element can use a thyristor, a field effect transistor and the like in addition to a transistor. Further, the output waveform of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit may be a sine wave, a pulse wave, a rectangular wave, or the like, and the duty ratio thereof may be appropriately changed in relation to the luminous efficiency.

[0038]

Next, an experimental example will be described. First, a cerium / terbium-activated yttrium silicate phosphor (Y ₂ SiO ₅ : C) having a yellow-green emission color
e, Tb) containing a water-soluble phosphor coating solution having an outer diameter of 8 m
m, a wall thickness of 0.5 mm and a length of 300 mm are applied to the inner surface of an envelope made of lead glass to form a light emitting layer. next,
An aperture having an opening angle of 75 ° is formed by forcibly peeling off a part of the light emitting layer using a scraper. still,
The attached amount of the light emitting layer is 15 mg / cm ² . Next, the envelope is sealed, and xenon gas is sealed in the internal space at a pressure of 120 Torr. Thereafter, a sheet structure was wound around the outer peripheral surface of the envelope to produce a rare gas discharge lamp having the structure shown in FIGS. An aluminum foil having a width of 8 mm was used for the pair of external electrodes, and only one side edge of the external electrode forming the second opening had a pitch of 4 mm and an apex height of 1.5 mm.
And the other opposing side edge was formed in a straight shape.

The rare gas discharge lamp is incorporated in the lighting circuit shown in FIG. 4, and the external electrode having the deformed portion is grounded,
Output voltage of the HA circuit to the rated value (frequency 30 KHz
Then, when the rare gas discharge lamp was turned on with the pulse voltage set to 2000 V _0-P ), and the presence or absence of flicker caused by the striped discharge was observed, no flicker occurred and a stable discharge state was observed. . Next, when the output voltage was reduced to 90%, a stable discharge state was observed as in the rated state. However, when the external electrode having the deformed portion was changed to the floating state while the output voltage of the inverter circuit HA was maintained at the rated value, the discharge state became unstable, and flicker was sometimes observed. . When the output voltage was further reduced to 90%, not only the discharge state became unstable but also flickering was frequently observed.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, an irregularly shaped portion having periodicity is formed at an appropriate side edge of an external electrode in a rare gas discharge lamp. When one of the external electrodes having the deformed portion is grounded, when a high-frequency high voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes from the high-frequency high-voltage generation circuit, the presence of the deformed portion causes the external electrode to pass through the rare gas space. A stable discharge is generated in between. Therefore, even if the power supply fluctuation or the dimming rate increases and the voltage applied to the external electrodes decreases, a stable discharge state with reduced flicker can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a development view of an envelope and external electrodes of the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of a lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the operation of FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 5A is an operation timing diagram of the transistor QA, and FIG. 5B is a diagram of a secondary voltage waveform of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a development view of an envelope and external electrodes of the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a development view of an envelope and external electrodes showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a developed view of an envelope and external electrodes according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rare gas discharge lamp according to the prior art.

FIG. 11 is a development view of a sheet structure according to the prior art.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining a method for manufacturing a rare gas discharge lamp according to the prior art.

FIG. 14 is an electric circuit diagram of a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 envelope 2 light-emitting layer 2 a aperture portion 3 sheet structure 4 translucent sheet (insulating member) 5, 6 external electrode 5 a, 5 b, 6 a, 6 b side edge (end) 5 A, 6 A , 6B, 6C Deformed portion 7 First opening 8 Second opening DL Rare gas discharge lamp H, HA High frequency high voltage generating circuit (inverter circuit) TR, TRA Oscillating transformer Qa, Qb, QA Switching element ( Transistor)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are formed on the outer peripheral surface of an envelope having a light emitting layer on the inner surface, and first and second openings are formed over substantially the entire length of the envelope. And a rare gas discharge lamp in which the external electrodes forming the first and second openings are formed so as to be spaced apart from each other, and a deformed portion is formed at an appropriate side edge of the external electrode. A high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit, wherein the rare gas discharge lamp is connected to an output side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit so that a high-frequency high voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes, and a deformed portion is formed. A lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp, wherein one of the external electrodes is grounded. 2. The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the radiated light from the light emitting layer is mainly emitted to the outside from the first opening, and a pair of external electrodes forming the first opening are provided. Each side edge portion is formed in a straight shape, and of the pair of external electrodes forming the second opening, a deformed portion is formed only on the side edge portion of one of the external electrodes, and the other external electrode is formed. 2. The rare gas discharge lamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side edges of the rare gas discharge lamp are formed in a straight shape, and the external electrodes forming the irregular portions of the rare gas discharge lamp are grounded. apparatus. 3. In the rare gas discharge lamp, a translucent insulating member is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope so as to cover the external electrode, and the insulating member is formed of a translucent sheet or 3. The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises a protective tube made of a heat-shrinkable resin. 4. A straight tubular envelope having a light-emitting layer on the inner surface thereof, and a translucent sheet having a length substantially equal to the entire length of the envelope. A pair of external electrodes are spaced apart from each other so as to form first and second openings, and a light-transmitting screen on the side where the external electrodes are located.
A sheet structure in which an adhesive layer is formed on the contact surface, and a deformed portion is formed only on a side edge of one of the pair of external electrodes forming the second opening. The side edge of the other external electrode is formed in a straight shape, and a sheet structure is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope, and the external electrode is located between the envelope and the translucent sheet. A rare gas discharge lamp wound in such a manner as to be connected to the output side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit so that a high-frequency high voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes, and the external electrode on which the deformed portion is formed is grounded A lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp, characterized in that: 5. The lighting of the rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the deformed portion of the external electrode in the rare gas discharge lamp is formed over substantially the entire length so as to have periodicity. apparatus. 6. The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the deformed portion of the external electrode has a triangular shape, a rectangular shape including a trapezoid, or a substantially semicircular shape including a waveform.
Or the lighting device of the rare gas discharge lamp according to 4. 7. A high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit, comprising:
5. The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises an inverter circuit for generating a high frequency high voltage such as a rectangular wave or a pulse wave.