JPS62291856A - Fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the shape of a luminous tube which is easily formed aud suitable for hermetical sealing, by forming connection planes of luminous tubes nearly flat. CONSTITUTION:Flat parts 8 are formed on the connection sides of luminous tubes 3. The flat parts 8 can be easily formed by heating, softening, pressing by a mold, of glasses. Successively the flat parts 8 themselves are jointed, heated, and evaporated from the lower side by using a burner 11 or the like so that a discharge channel 9 and an opening part 10 are concurrently formed. Because the planes to be connected being flat, this process can be easily done. And because the contact plane being wide, this connection becomes strong. Hence the connection can be also easily formed hermetically.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp, and particularly to a small fluorescent lamp that is easy to manufacture.

[Conventional technology]

A fluorescent lamp relating to the present invention is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-87747. The structure of a conventional lamp is shown in FIG.

The outer tube 1 and the base portion 2 form an airtight space. The two arc tubes 3 have phosphor 4 coated on their inner surfaces, electrodes 5 are disposed at one end, and the other ends are connected by a connecting portion 6. The space inside the arc tube 3 and the space inside the outer tube 1 are continuous through the opening 7. A small amount of mercury and a rare gas are sealed inside the outer bulb, and the lamp emits light due to the discharge generated between the electrodes 5. This lamp takes advantage of its small size and is used as a replacement for light bulbs. The connecting portion 6 of the arc tube 3 is provided to increase mechanical strength.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Fluorescent lamps require a structure that is easy to manufacture as a mass-produced product. In the conventional technology, the connection of arc tubes is technically difficult because they are connected between cylinders. Furthermore, this connection method is not suitable when it is desired to hermetically seal the connection portion, that is, when it is desired to eliminate the opening 6 or to attach it at a different location.

An object of the present invention is to provide an arc tube shape that is simple and suitable for hermetically sealing.

[Means for solving problems]

The above object is achieved by making the connecting surface of one arc tube nearly flat.

[Effect]

By making the connection part of the arc tube flat, the contact surface between the discharge tubes becomes wider. This facilitates and strengthens the connection between the arc tubes. Moreover, it also facilitates making the connection part airtight.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the F1 invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1(a) shows an arc tube of a lamp, in which a flat portion 8 is provided on the connecting portion side. The flat part 8 is.

It can be easily made by softening glass with 7JO heat and pressing it with a mold.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the flat parts 8 are brought into contact with each other and heated and welded from below with a burner 11 or the like, thereby forming the discharge passage 9 and the opening 10 at the same time. Since the connection part is flat, this process is easy, and the contact surface is wide, so the connection is strong. FIG. 2 shows a self-ballasted fluorescent lamp constructed using the arc tube 3 manufactured as described above. The operating principle is exactly the same as the lamp of FIG. Openings 6 and 10 correspond. In the lamp of FIG. 2, the opening 10 may be located anywhere in the arc tube, and the discharge path 9 may be airtight.

A hole may be made in one of the bent parts of the arc tube 3, on the electrode 5 side, or in other parts.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. This lamp is the same as the lamp shown in FIG. 2, except that the opening 10 is eliminated, the base 2 and the arc tube 3 are hermetically connected with a glass tube, etc., and the outer tube 1 is removed by q. Arrows in the figure indicate the path of the discharge. Making the connection part flat also makes it easier to assemble such a lamp.

ii. Figure 5 shows yet another embodiment, in which the number of arc tubes is increased to three in the lamp of Figure 2. Although this figure has been expanded to make the connection of the arc tube easier to see, the actual arc tube is arranged so that the straight portions form a regular hexagonal prism. In this case, the present invention is effective because one of the connection parts of the arc tube needs to be concave. The opening 10 may be located not at the connection but at other locations on the arc tube. Also,
The opening 10 may not be provided, and the outer tube 1 may be removed and the structure shown in FIG. 4 may be adopted.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment, which is a lamp in which two of the three arc tubes 3 are hermetically connected, the remaining one is not connected to the others, and is provided with an opening 12.

The present invention is equally effective even when the number of arc tubes is further increased.

Furthermore, the flat LFI portion 8 of the arc tube 3 shown in FIG. 1 is not completely flat, but the connecting portion is extended into an oval shape.

It may have a shape close to a flat surface.

Further, the shape of the arc tube is not limited to the U-shape.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, connection of one arc tube is easy and fi'! 'Since sealing is also possible, it is possible to provide a 1JL bulb replacement fluorescent lamp suitable for mass production.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an enlarged view of the luminous tube part and its connection part of a fluorescent lamp for use as a substitute for a light bulb, showing an embodiment of the present invention, a main part configuration diagram of the lamp as a first example, and Fig. 3 shows main parts of a conventional fluorescent lamp. FIG. l... outer tube, 2... base, 3... arc tube, 4...
... Phosphor, 5... Polarization, 6... Connection part, 7, 10
．． DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12... Opening part, 8... Flat part, 9... Discharge path, 11... Burner.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An arc tube formed by connecting side surfaces near the feet of a plurality of bent glass tubes in series, a base portion that closes the opening side of the arc tube, and a plurality of bent glass tubes provided at the base portion. What is claimed is: 1. A fluorescent lamp comprising two electrodes, characterized in that the side surface of the bent glass tube, which is the connection part, is flat. 2. The fluorescent lamp according to item 1, wherein the arc tube is housed within an outer bulb forming an airtight space, and the interior of the outer bulb and the interior of the arc tube are electrically connected.