WO2008119537A1

WO2008119537A1 - Lamp for use as a tanning lamp for a tanning device for tanning human skin

Info

Publication number: WO2008119537A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/002546
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Schwellenbach
Original assignee: Christoph Schwellenbach
Priority date: 2007-03-30
Filing date: 2008-03-31
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Also published as: DE102007015738A1; DE112008000716A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a lamp for use as a tanning lamp for a tanning device for tanning human skin. The invention is characterized in that the lamp is configured as a xenon discharge lamp which is filled with a gas that contains mercury and metal salts. During operation of the lamp, radiation in the UV/A and UV/B range is emitted for the purpose of tanning the skin.

Description

A lamp for use as a tanning lamp for a tanning device for tanning the human skin

The invention relates to a lamp for use as a tanning lamp for a tanning device for tanning the human skin.

Modern tanning devices for tanning the human skin usually contain two different radiator systems, namely on the one hand tanning tubes, which are also called low pressure lamps, and special burners, especially in the facial area, which are referred to as high pressure burners. Both the low-pressure lamps and the high-pressure lamps are light sources which use either the spontaneous emission by atomic or molecular electronic transitions or the recombination radiation of a plasma generated by electrical discharge for generating light.

For example, DE-U-295 14 036 discloses an irradiation apparatus in which a high-pressure metal halide lamp is provided as the radiation source. The metal halide lamp has a cylindrical burner tube with two opposing electrodes. The burner tube contains a filling containing mercury, halogens and other materials. Irradiation devices of the aforementioned type are usually operated with a conventional ballast (CCG), wherein the lamp voltage is usually between 100 and 150 volts. The ignition circuit is located in the current path, which provides ignition pulses until the lamp ignites. After the ignition of the lamp, the filling must heat in the burner tube until it evaporates. The filling is not ionized during start-up and has a very high resistance, which requires a high ignition voltage, so that an arc between the two electrodes is formed. In the arc, the mercury first reaches its boiling point at approx. 356 ° C and starts with the light emission. As the heating progresses, the other ingredients will also boil in time. During this process, the lamp comes very slowly to its optimum operating condition. The burning up of the lamp to its optimum operating state is clearly recognizable to the user and is perceived as disturbing. If the known lamp is turned off, it must first cool again to allow a restart. If lamps of the aforementioned type are used in sunbeds, strong fans usually take over these tasks. Despite the cooling via the fans, it is often not possible to switch the lamp on again immediately after switching it off. In general, a cooling phase of more than one minute is required, which is particularly disadvantageous in commercial operation.

Lamps of the aforementioned type usually have a lifespan between 500 to 1000 hours. This is u.a. Remember that the lamps are subject to heavy loads due to the relatively high heat emission. However, the high heat output not only adversely affects the maximum operating time, but is also uncomfortable for the user, as this leads to a strong sweating during tanning. In addition, such lamps are comparatively large, so that correspondingly large reflectors are required. The large reflectors lead to large focal lengths, a larger scattered radiation and thus a relatively low efficiency in the UV radiation range.

Incidentally, xenon gas discharge lamps are known, which are known, above all, for illumination purposes, in particular in motor vehicles. Furthermore, xenon gas discharge lamps are known for special applications such as cinema projectors in solid-state lasers or for effect headlights. The lamps used in this case generally have filters that filter the UV component from the emitted during operation of the lamp radiation.

The object of the present invention is to provide a lamp for use as a tanning lamp for a tanning device for tanning the human skin, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided.

To solve the above problem will now be a tanning lamp

Xenon gas discharge lamp proposed according to claim 1. Although xenon gas discharge lamps as such are already known in principle, such lamps are containing mercury and metal salts However, filling has not hitherto been used as tanning lamps for UV irradiation of human skin in the UV / A and UV / B ranges. It has surprisingly been found that such lamps are excellent as tanning lamps for tanning the human skin. A xenon gas discharge lamp as a tanning lamp offers a multitude of advantages. Xenon is used in the gas discharge lamp according to the invention as a starting gas to provide sufficient light directly after switching. The xenon discharge then vaporizes the liquid mercury contained in the charge, which forms at least the essential part of the discharge gas at the operating temperature. Due to this circumstance, unlike the known high-pressure metal halide lamps, a direct hot start is possible. In addition, the xenon gas discharge lamp is characterized by low energy consumption, which is especially important for browning devices that are permanently operated with a high electrical power. Moreover, since xenon gas discharge lamps are very small in size and produce a rather punctiform light, there are further significant advantages, particularly with tanning devices. The xenon gas discharge lamp has a very small focal length. Due to the small focal length of the lamp, the reflector of the tanning device can be designed very efficiently in its geometry. The scattered radiation in the reflector is minimized and reduces the radiation path compared to known systems, so that there is a high efficiency in the UV radiation range.

Another advantage of the xenon gas discharge lamp is that in relation to high-pressure metal halide lamps, a significantly reduced heat emission occurs, which ultimately also results in the much longer service life of the lamp according to the invention over the lamps used in the prior art. The average life is about 2000 hours. Since the lamp according to the invention has a significantly higher light output than the conventional halogen lamps, a lower energy consumption can be achieved with the same performance as conventional lamps.

The lamp according to the invention preferably has a radiation spectrum in which dominant spectral lines are provided in the UV / A and in the UV / B range and preferably also in the blue light range. Here, nante spectral lines such frequency ranges in which considerably more energy is given off, than in other areas. In the case of the lamp according to the invention, it is preferred that, with the exception of the wavelength range between 520 nm and 550 nm, the highest spectral lines or the spectral peaks exclusively in the UV / A and in particular in the UV / B range and preferably also in the blue light range, in particular up to ca. 450 nm. In this case, at least more than 30%, preferably more than 40% and in particular more than 50% of the radiation is emitted into this area for browning. Ultimately, between 60% and 90% of the emitted radiation energy or intensity is in the wavelength range between 280 nm and 450 nm. By this amount of radiation is meant the proportion of radiation or energy that ultimately acts on the user during the tanning.

Incidentally, it has been found in connection with the present invention that not only the UV / B radiation in the wavelength range between 280 to 315 nm and the UV / A radiation in the wavelength range between 315 and 380 nm is suitable for browning the human skin, but also the blue light radiation in the wavelength range between 380 and 500 nm and in particular in the range up to 450 nm. Previously, it was considered that the blue light radiation is only for medical treatment purposes, such as acne, suitable. Thus, the radiation emitted in the lamp according to the invention not only has a tanning, but by the blue light radiation component both a complementary tanning and a medical effect.

A prerequisite for use as a tanning lamp is, of course, that the combustion chamber transmits the desired proportion of UV radiation which arises during the gas discharge, ie not, as in known xenon gas discharge lamps, which are used for illumination purposes, filtered. In this context, the combustion chamber should have a transmittance of UV radiation that is (significantly) greater than 20%. In principle, any permeability of between 20% and 100%, preferably greater than 50%, is possible, whereby each individual value within the previously stated interval is possible without it being necessary to expressly mention it. For optimal operation of the lamp according to the invention this is designed so that the operating pressure between 25 and 100 bar, in particular between 35 and 50 bar. In this case, the gas filling pressure of the lamp in the off state is greater than 2 bar and is preferably between 5 and 15 bar and in particular between 6 and 10 bar.

Moreover, the lamp according to the invention is preferably designed such that a high voltage pulse of more than 15 kV, preferably between 20 and 40 kV is required to ignite the arc of the lamp. The operating voltage then drops considerably and is usually between 10 and 130 volts. This is then usually a square wave voltage, which usually has a frequency of more than 50 Hz, in particular between 200 and 600 Hz.

To protect the combustion chamber against external influences and incidentally for heat insulation, the combustion chamber may be provided or arranged in an outer, preferably evacuated envelope. Incidentally, in the case of a possible bursting of the combustion chamber, the enveloping piston prevents accidental escape of the mercury. In order for UV irradiation of the user to be possible, it is understood that the enveloping piston, like the combustion chamber also, has a greater than 20% permeability to UV radiation. Finally, the enveloping piston has at least the same permeability as the combustion chamber.

In order to provide a high light output in the required UV range, the material of the combustion chamber and / or the enveloping bulb consists of UV-transmitting quartz glass. The quartz glass is also preferred because of its mechanical and thermal stability. The type of quartz depends on the high UV intensity necessary for the purpose of the invention. In order to achieve a high UV-A and a certain UV-B content while avoiding or reducing the UV-C content, the combustion chamber and / or the enveloping piston can have a corresponding, possibly partial coating and / or surface treatment for the corresponding Filtering have. Moreover, the combustion chamber and / or the enveloping piston can also be designed as a reflector and be coated on one side accordingly. The lamp according to the invention is distinguished by an extremely small combustion space in the combustion chamber compared to the high-pressure metal halide lamp. In this case, the combustion chamber is preferably formed ellipsoidal and in particular rotationally symmetrical. In view of the very high operating pressure, a spherical shape of the combustion chamber and / or the combustion chamber located therein is particularly suitable. However, it is understood that other, in particular rotationally symmetric ellipsoidal shapes are possible. In the case of a spherical combustion chamber, the inside diameter should be between 2 and 10 mm and preferably between 5 and 6 mm. The use of such a small combustion chamber has the advantage that, as it were, a punctiform light source results. Such a punctiform light source, when used in the reflector of a fencing device, is extremely effective because, with appropriate reflector design, the scattered radiation is minimized and the amount of radiation supplied to the user during tanning is optimized. Ultimately, there are hardly any radiation losses due to scattered radiation.

The anode and the cathode of the lamp according to the invention are preferably made of tungsten and are in particular doped with thorium in order to prevent the

Amplify electron emissions. In this case, the cathode can be small and pointed so that the tip reaches the high temperature required for efficient electron emission. The anode can be more massive for you to use

Withstand electron bombardment and effectively dissipate the resulting heat. In principle, windings may be provided on one or both electrodes in order to support the formation of the arc.

In the context of the present invention it has been found that the clear distance of the electrodes should be more than 1 mm. The electrode spacing is preferably between 2 and 15 mm and in particular between 3 and 10 mm.

In connection with the present invention, it has been found that the filling of the combustion chamber in addition to the starting gas xenon and the actual discharge gas mercury may additionally have sodium iodide and / or scandium iodide as metal salts. Incidentally, the lamp of the present invention may have either a terminal base at one end or at both ends, which may be inserted into corresponding brackets on the irradiation device. The metal base (s) ultimately provide for the external electrical connection and the mechanical support.

It should be pointed out that all of the above-mentioned and also subsequent range indications and intervals contain all intermediate range indications and intermediate intervals as well as all individual values that are specified within the respective interval limits. All interspaces and intermediate intervals are considered to be essential to the invention, even if they are not specified in detail. This applies in particular to the radiation energy emitted in the wavelength range between 280 and 500 nm, which may be between 30 and 90% of the total radiation emitted by the lamp according to the invention. Between the range limits, each individual value and also every intermediate interval, also in the decimal range, is possible. For example, values like 31%, 32% ... 88%, 89% are possible.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawing. All described features alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the present invention, independently of the following description of the embodiments per se.

It shows

1 is a perspective view of a lamp according to the invention having a tanning device,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a part of the tanning device from FIG. 1 with a lamp according to the invention, FIG.

3 is a view of another embodiment of a tanning device with a lamp according to the invention,

4 shows a schematic representation of a lamp according to the invention, Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a lamp according to the invention and

6 shows a graphic representation of the spectrum of the radiation of the lamp according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 designed as a sunbed tanning device 1 for UV irradiation of the human skin is shown. The irradiation device 1 is a so-called tunnel device which has a substructure 2 with a lying surface 3 and a pivotable upper part 4 hinged to the substructure 2. The upper part 4 is swung down onto the substructure 2, so that a tunnel results, in which the user is located during operation. Below the lying surface and in the upper part 4 are presently elongated fluorescent B irradiation lights 5. Behind the irradiation lights are each reflectors, which are not shown in detail.

In the facial region of the upper part 4 of the tanning device 1 there is a facial tanner 6. The facial tanner 6 has an outer protective plate 7, at least one tanning lamp 8 designed as a gas discharge lamp and an outer reflector 9.

FIG. 3 illustrates a browning device 1 designed as a tabletop device. This device also has a facial tanner 6 with an outer protective screen 7, a tanning lamp 8 and a reflector 9.

Moreover, it is understood that only two alternatives of tanning devices 1 are shown in the present case, but there are also other embodiments of tanning devices. The use of the lamp 1 according to the invention is not limited to the alternatives shown.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 and 5, the lamp 8 has a

Combustion chamber 10 with a combustion chamber 11 located within the combustion chamber 10 on. In the combustion chamber 11 is a filling gas 12. The filling gas 12 is used to generate an arc. In the combustion chamber 10 protrude two Electrodes 13, 14 into it. In the present case, the electrode 13 is the anode, and the electrode 14 is the cathode. Incidentally, the combustion chamber 12 is made of a material having a UV transmittance of more than 20%, preferably between 50% and 100%. The material of the combustion chamber preferably has a very high UV transmittance.

It is essential that the tanning lamp 8 is designed as a xenon gas discharge lamp and in operation has an operating pressure of more than 20 bar in each case. In the present case, the operating pressure is approximately up to 40 bar, wherein the gas filling pressure in the off state is about 8 bar. The ignition of the filling gas 6 for generating the arc takes place by applying an ignition voltage between 20 and 40 kV. The ignition control and the subsequent operation are controlled via an electronic ballast 15, shown schematically in FIG. 4, which is coupled to the tanning lamp 8. About the electronic ballast 15, the tanning lamp 8 is also dimmed, if necessary, as needed. For this purpose, a corresponding control and regulation and at least one corresponding switch are provided.

As is apparent in particular from FIGS. 4 and 5, the combustion chamber 10 is located in an enveloping piston 16. The enveloping piston 16 is evacuated in the present case. The enveloping piston 16 has, like the combustion chamber 10, a high permeability to UV radiation. In the illustrated embodiment, the material of the combustion chamber 10 and the enveloping bulb 16 is UV-transparent quartz glass. By appropriate choice of material and / or coating and / or surface treatment certain desired spectra or UV-A and / or UV-B components can be achieved. Otherwise, it is also possible to influence visible and infrared radiation.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the combustion chamber 10 is formed approximately spherical, while it is formed in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 in the form of a rotationally symmetric ellipsoid. The distance between the electrodes 13, 14 is in both cases between 4 and 5 mm. The inner diameter of the spherical combustion chamber 10 shown in FIG. 4 is between 5 and 6 mm. The electrodes 13, 14 themselves exist made of tungsten, wherein in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the cathode is sharpened at its front end and rather thin, while the anode at its front end is rather rounded and otherwise thicker.

The filling 12 itself consists in the present case predominantly of xenon and a small proportion of mercury. Furthermore, small amounts of sodium iodide and scandium iodide are provided.

Incidentally, it is shown schematically in FIG. 4 that the tanning lamp 8 is assigned a cooling device 17. In the present case, the cooling device 17 is an axial fan, it being understood that other coolers can be used.

The tanning lamp 8 shown in FIG. 4 has a terminal socket 18 only at one end. In the tanning lamp 8 shown in Fig. 5, a terminal socket 18 is provided at each end. In this case, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the enveloping piston 16 is fastened to the connecting lugs 18. Incidentally, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the tanning lamp 8 is arranged vertically, while in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a horizontal arrangement is provided.

The operation of the tanning lamp 8 according to the invention provides such a way that a spark generated by the electronic ballast 15 generates a spark which ionizes the filling gas 12 in the combustion chamber 10, which is not electrically conductive per se, and thereby ultimately a conductive one Tunnel between the electrodes 13, 14 creates. Through this tunnel, the electrical resistance is small and there is a current flowing between the electrodes 13, 14. The current excites the xenon contained in the filling to light emissions. After ignition, the lamp can be operated at rated power or higher power, in particular with controlled overload. Thus, the time can be influenced until reaching the optimum operating position (operating state). Due to the higher-powered arc, the temperature in the piston rises rapidly and the mercury begins to evaporate. This slightly changes the light color. The vapor pressure in the lamp and the light output increases. In addition, the resistance between the electrodes 13, 14 decreases, which is detected by the electronic ballast 15 and regulated accordingly. Already in this start-up phase, the mercury spectrum dominates the emitted radiation. When the mercury and any metal salts present are in the vapor phase, the arc has reached its final shape and the luminous efficacy has reached its target value. The electronic ballast 15 controls the supplied electric power and keeps it stable so that the arc does not flicker. Depending on the control and regulation of the electronic ballast 15 reaching the full UV yield can be achieved in a few seconds.

The ignition of the lamp takes place at a high voltage pulse of up to 25 kV. It only takes about 5 seconds to reach the full light output. Until the final light color has settled, up to 10 seconds may pass.

FIG. 6 shows the spectrum of the radiation of the lamp 8. The power in [W] is indicated on the Y-axis and the wavelength in [nm] on the X-axis. The UV / C range is between 250 to 280 nm, the UV / B range between 280 and 315 nm, the UV / A range between 315 and 380 nm and the blue light range between 380 and about 500 nm The diagram shows that the spectrum is dominant, ie. H. has very high spectral lines or spectral line peaks in the range between 300 and 450 nm. Furthermore, spectral line peaks are in the range between 520 and 550 nm. However, this part of the radiation does not contribute to the browning. In addition, the radiation component emitted in this wavelength range is not greater than 40%, in particular less than 30% of the total emitted radiation. The majority of the emitted radiation with more than 50% is between 280 nm and 450 nm, ie in the UV / A, UV / B and blue light range. In the aforementioned wavelength range between 50% to 80%, in particular between 60% and 70% of the radiation is emitted.

Particular spectral line peaks are between 320 and 325 nm, 356 to 359 nm, between 360 and 363 nm, between 364 and 367 nm, between 372 and 378 nm, at 380 nm, between 381 and 391 nm, between 404 and 409 nm, between 430 and 432 nm, between 435 and 437 nm, between 438 and 442 nm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 browning device

2 substructure

3 lying area

4 shell

5 fluorescent tanning lights

6 facial tanner

7 protective screen

8 lamp

9 reflector

10 combustion chamber

11 combustion chamber

12 filling gas

13 electrode

14 electrode

15 electronic ballast

16 enveloping pistons

17 cooling device

18 connection socket

Claims

claims:

1. A lamp (8) for use as a tanning lamp for tanning device (1) for tanning the human skin, wherein the lamp (8) is designed as Xeneon gas discharge lamp with a mercury and metal salts containing filling gas, wherein during operation of the lamp radiation in the UV / A and UV / B range for skin tanning is emitted.

2. Lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the spectrum of the radiation has dominant spectral lines in the UV / A range, in the UV / B range and preferably in the blue light range.

3. Lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the highest spectral line peaks of the spectrum with the exception of spectral line peaks in the wavelength range between 520 nm and 550 nm only in the UV / A range, in the UV / B range and preferably in the blue light range are provided.

4. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that more than 30%, preferably more than 40% and in particular more than 50% of the radiation in the UV / A range, in the UV / B range and preferably in the blue light range is emitted for browning.

5. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between 50% and 90%, in particular between 60% and

80% of the radiation is emitted in the wavelength range between 280 nm and 450 nm.

6. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a combustion chamber (10) with more than 20%, preferably more than 40% and in particular more than 60%, permeability to UV radiation is provided and in that electrodes (13, 14) and the filling gas are provided in the combustion chamber (10).

7. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas filling pressure of the lamp (8) in the off state is between 6 and 10 bar.

8. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a high voltage pulse of more than 15 kV, preferably between 20 and 40 kV is provided for igniting the arc of the lamp (8).

9. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lamp (8) with an operating voltage between 10 and 130 volts and / or a square wave voltage, which preferably has more than 50 Hz, is operable.

10. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combustion chamber (10) in an outer, in particular evacuated enveloping piston (16) is provided and that the enveloping piston (16) a more than 20%, preferably more than 40% and in particular more than 60%, having UV radiation.

11. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combustion chamber (10) and / or the enveloping piston (16) consists of UV-transparent quartz glass.

12. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combustion chamber (10) and / or the enveloping piston (16) to achieve predetermined UV-A and / or UV-B components has a coating and / or surface treatment, and / or that the combustion chamber (10) and / or the enveloping piston (16) is designed as a reflector.

13. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner diameter of the combustion chamber (10) is between 2 and 10 mm, preferably in the range between 5 and 6 mm.

14. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling gas (12) as metal salts of sodium iodide and / or Scandi- umjodid has.