JP2004253148A - Electrodeless fluorescent lamp and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrodeless fluorescent lamp capable of easily arranging a start-up aiding agent at a suitable position. <P>SOLUTION: In a hollow part 13 of a concave of a light-emitting bulb 10, an exhaust tube 16 is fitted along a tube shaft A and a core 21 and an exterior coil 22 are plugged. The exhaust tube 16 made of a straight glass tube extending outside from the bottom of an inner tube through the center of an inner space of the concave 13 with its tip 16a sealed. An amalgam sealing vessel 40 and a structure 50 with a retainer retaining the start-up-aiding agent and filling members 41, 42 are housed between the tip 16a and a tapered part 16b of the exhaust tube. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrodeless fluorescent lamp and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The electrodeless fluorescent lamp has a structure in which a phosphor layer is formed on an inner wall of a glass container serving as a light emitting bulb, a luminescent metal such as mercury is sealed inside, and a coil is mounted outside the glass container. Since it has no filament or electrode in the glass container, it exhibits excellent long life characteristics.
[0003]
As disclosed in Patent Literature 1, as a mode for attaching a coil to a glass container, a glass container is generally provided with a concave portion, and an excitation coil and a core are inserted into the concave portion.
Such an electrodeless fluorescent lamp excites mercury in an emission bulb by generating a high-frequency magnetic field in an excitation coil and a core, generating ultraviolet light, and converting the generated ultraviolet light into visible light by a phosphor layer. It emits light by doing.
[0004]
An electrodeless fluorescent lamp filled with mercury can realize an excellent light source as a fluorescent lamp.However, since the vapor pressure of mercury is too high due to heat during lighting and the luminous efficiency is reduced, the mercury vapor pressure is reduced using amalgam. The control configuration is the mainstream.
On the other hand, when amalgam is used, there is a problem that the mercury vapor pressure does not immediately rise in the initial stage of lighting and the rise of the luminous flux is poor. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Literature 2 and Patent Literature 3, for example, a technique of installing indium amalgam in a lamp is known. According to this technique, as the temperature of the discharge space rises due to the initial discharge, mercury vapor is quickly released from the auxiliary amalgam (indium amalgam coating portion), so that a certain level of brightness is obtained even at the beginning of lighting. It is possible to secure.
[0005]
The electrodeless fluorescent lamp is manufactured through a process of exhausting the inside of the container and filling a rare gas. Therefore, an exhaust pipe is attached to the glass container so as to extend outward from the bottom of the concave portion, and exhaust and rare gas filling are performed through the exhaust pipe, and thereafter, the distal end of the exhaust pipe is sealed. Then, even after completion of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp, this exhaust pipe is left in a state of penetrating the space inside the excitation coil.
[0006]
In general, when a fluorescent lamp is lit in a dark place, a lamp that is difficult to be lit is stochastically generated. For example, when turning on the lamp in a dark basement, deep sea, closed room, etc., or at the time of an illumination effect such as turning on instantly from darkness, the lamp may not turn on or it may take time to turn on . In particular, in an electrodeless fluorescent lamp, non-lighting is likely to occur when starting in a dark place.
[0007]
The dark place starting characteristic of the fluorescent lamp can be improved by devising a circuit, but a light emitting bulb is also devised to improve the dark place starting characteristic.
For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 4, there is known a technique in which a starting auxiliary agent such as a cesium compound is provided in a light-emitting bulb in order to easily start a low-pressure discharge lamp including an electrodeless fluorescent lamp and a fluorescent lamp. I have.
[0008]
As a method of disposing the starting aid in the light-emitting bulb, a method of applying the starting aid to the inner surface of the light-emitting bulb can be considered.However, when a non-luminescent substance such as cesium is applied to the inner surface of the light-emitting bulb, the bulb is colored. And the luminous flux is easily reduced. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a starting member is supported on a supporting member (mesh wire) such as metal or glass, and the supporting member is attached to the inner wall of the discharge vessel. As described above, there is known a technique of embedding a mesh wire holding a starting aid in a stem portion in various discharge lamps.
[0009]
As described above, by disposing the member supporting the starting aid at an appropriate position in the arc tube, the dark place starting characteristics of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp can be improved.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-185965
[0011]
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-10-503879
[0012]
[Patent Document 3] US Pat. No. 4,622,495
[0013]
[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-329900
[0014]
[Patent Document 5] JP-A-7-254391, FIG.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is difficult to attach the member supporting the starting aid to the inner wall of the arc tube or to bury the member in the stem portion, and parts for the operation are required, so that the production cost is increased.
For example, as in a light-emitting bulb 110 shown in FIG. 5, a support rod (wire) 151 to which a structure 150 in which a starting aid is carried by a carrier is attached by joining to a tube wall with frit glass. It can be done, but it requires a lot of time and labor because it involves melting the frit glass with a burner.
[0016]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily arrange a starting aid in an appropriate position in an electrodeless fluorescent lamp.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an arc tube in which a phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface of a discharge vessel having a concave portion whose wall surface is inwardly recessed, and mercury or amalgam and a rare gas are sealed therein. In an electrodeless fluorescent lamp in which the excitation coil is disposed in the recess and the exhaust pipe extends outward from the bottom of the recess through the vicinity of the excitation coil, a starting auxiliary agent is applied in the exhaust pipe. The carrier was sealed.
[0018]
Here, “mercury or amalgam” may be enclosed in a state of being put in a capsule container or the like, or may be enclosed as it is.
According to the electrodeless fluorescent lamp of the present invention, the starting aid can be easily arranged at an appropriate position.
That is, in general, when the starting aid is arranged, it is appropriate that the starting auxiliary agent is located at an outer edge deviated from the center of the discharge region generated by the excitation coil. Since the tube extends outward through the vicinity of the excitation coil, and since the exhaust tube has a small diameter, it is possible to arrange the starting aid in an appropriate position by storing the carrier in the exhaust tube. it can.
[0019]
Here, if the reduced diameter portion is formed in the exhaust pipe and the carrier is disposed between the reduced diameter portion and the tip end of the exhaust pipe, the position of the holding body in the exhaust pipe can be determined.
In addition, cesium oxide has excellent performance as a starting aid and is easy to handle.
Further, in the electrodeless fluorescent lamp having the above-described structure, a discharge layer having a concave portion in which a wall surface is inwardly formed has a phosphor layer formed on an inner surface thereof, and a holder including a carrier including a starting aid is connected thereto. A container body forming step for manufacturing a container body in which a pipe extends outward from the inside of the concave portion, an exhaust sealing step for exhausting the rare gas from the exhaust pipe, and a carrier after the exhaust sealing step Can be manufactured by a manufacturing method having a moving step of moving the holder from the holder to the exhaust pipe, and after the moving step, a sealing step of sealing off the tip end side of the exhaust pipe from a position where the carrier exists. According to the production method, the production can be performed while keeping the exhaust conductance low during the exhaust filling step.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Overall configuration of electrodeless fluorescent lamp)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of an electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
The electrodeless fluorescent lamp 1 includes a light emitting bulb 10 and a lighting unit 20 for generating an electromagnetic induction coupling type discharge in the light emitting bulb 10.
The light emitting bulb 10 is configured by fitting an inner tube 12 having a bottomed cylindrical shape into an outer tube 11 having a bulb shape similar to that of a general incandescent lamp. The inner tube 12 is fitted into the outer tube 11 from the opening of the outer tube 11 while being inserted into the outer tube 11 along the tube axis A. The inner tube 12 forms a recess 13 in the light emitting bulb 10.
[0022]
In the light-emitting bulb 10, the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12 are entirely formed of translucent glass, and the entire surface of the inner tube is coated with a phosphor to form phosphor layers 14 and 15.
Further, an exhaust pipe 16 is provided along the pipe axis A in a hollow portion inside the recess 13 in the light emitting bulb 10.
[0023]
The lighting unit 20 includes a core 21 made of a cylindrical magnetic material, an external coil 22 wound around the outer peripheral end of the core 21, and a power coupler 23 connected to the external coil 22. , Surrounding the upper part of the core 21 and surrounding the exhaust pipe 16.
The core 21 and the external coil 22 are inserted into the recess 13.
[0024]
The core 21 is mounted on a power coupler 23, and the light emitting bulb 10 is mounted on a lighting unit 20 via a base 30.
The power coupler 23 is connected to a high frequency generator 60 that supplies external power to the power coupler 23.
(Exhaust pipe structure)
The exhaust pipe 16 is formed of a straight glass pipe, extends outward from the bottom of the inner pipe 12 through the center of the internal space of the recess 13, and a distal end 16 a of the exhaust pipe 16 is sealed. Further, the exhaust pipe 16 is connected at the bottom 12 a of the inner pipe 12 so as to communicate with the internal space of the light emitting bulb 10.
[0025]
Further, in the exhaust pipe 16, an amalgam enclosing container 40, a structure 50 in which a starting aid is carried on a carrier, and an enclosed material such as a filling member (beads 41, muk stick 42) are stored. .
A reduced diameter portion 16b having an inner diameter smaller than that of the other portion is formed in the middle of the exhaust pipe 16, and the enclosed material is provided between the distal end portion 16a and the reduced diameter portion 16b in the exhaust pipe 16. It is stored. Since the enclosed material cannot pass through the reduced diameter portion 16b, the enclosed material does not touch the phosphor layers 14 and 15.
[0026]
The reduced diameter portion 16b can be formed by partially heating and softening the glass tube with a burner.
With such an exhaust pipe 16, the position of the structure 50 is defined between the distal end portion 16 a and the reduced diameter portion 16 b in the exhaust pipe 16. By adjusting the position of the structure 16 b, the structure 50 can be arranged at an appropriate position with respect to the external coil 22 without fixing the structure 50 to the exhaust pipe 16.
[0027]
(About the position of the structure 50 with respect to the external coil 22)
Basically, the starting aid is preferably arranged at the outer edge of the discharge area formed by the excitation coil. Because, when placed in the central region of the discharge, the starting auxiliary agent receives heat and energy by the discharge, so if it is lit for a long time, its starting auxiliary characteristics are likely to deteriorate, while if it is too far from the central region of the discharge, This is because the starting assist effect cannot be obtained.
[0028]
Therefore, the “appropriate position with respect to the external coil 22” can be regarded as a position corresponding to the outer edge portion of the discharge region formed by the external coil 22.
Incidentally, the exhaust pipe 16 extends outward from the bottom of the recess 13 through the space inside the external coil 22. That is, it extends outward through the vicinity of the external coil 22.
[0029]
Therefore, the exhaust pipe 16 extends from the central portion of the discharge region formed by the external coil 22 to the outer edge portion.
Therefore, as described above, by appropriately setting the positions of the distal end portion 16a and the reduced diameter portion 16b with respect to the external coil 22, the structure 50 can be positioned at the outer edge of the discharge region formed by the external coil 22. Can be.
[0030]
Further, the position of the structure 50 can be finely adjusted by adjusting the number of the beads 41 as the filling member, the length of the stick 42, and the like.
(About amalgam container)
The amalgam enclosing container 40 is a container in which amalgam is filled in a sealed container in which fine ventilation holes (not shown) through which mercury vapor enters and exits are formed. The amalgam enclosing container 40 is preferably manufactured using a metal that is easy to process, for example, by filling amalgam in a metal tube made of niobium material having one end closed and the other end open, and caulking the opening to close the opening. Can be made. However, not only metal but also ceramic and glass containers can be used.
[0031]
It is preferable that the diameter of the ventilation hole be a size that allows mercury vapor to enter and exit easily. On the other hand, if the diameter of the vent is too large, the amalgam may spill out due to vibration at a temperature higher than the melting point and the lamp characteristics may be drastically changed. Therefore, the diameter of the vent is preferably φ0.5 mm or less.
Although there is no problem in characteristics as long as the number of vent holes is one or more, it is preferable that the number of vent holes is large because lamp characteristics are stabilized in a shorter time after lighting.
[0032]
If the total area of the ventilation holes is 0.3 mm2 or more, there is no problem in characteristics. On the other hand, if it is lower than this, the mercury vapor pressure during lighting becomes unstable, and problems such as mercury blurring tend to occur.
Along with the structure 50, the amalgam enclosing container 40 and the filling members 41 and 42 are also accommodated in the exhaust pipe 16 between the distal end portion 16a and the reduced diameter portion 16b.
[0033]
The filling position of the amalgam enclosing container 40 is finely adjusted by the filling members 41 and 42.
That is, the amount of heat generated due to the discharge by the external coil 22 varies depending on the location, so that the temperature of the amalgam-filled container 40 also changes depending on the storage position of the amalgam-filled container 40.
[0034]
It is preferable that the installation position of the amalgam enclosing container 40 is usually set in the range of 60 to 130 ° C., and by installing the amalgam in this range, high lamp efficiency can be obtained. The position of the amalgam enclosing container 40 is adjusted by the filling members 41 and 42 so that the temperature in the container becomes the appropriate temperature.
In the above configuration, the amalgam in the amalgam enclosing container 40 keeps the mercury vapor pressure in the light emitting bulb 10 at a high luminous efficiency.
[0035]
However, as for the installation place of the structure 50, if it is a place other than the vicinity of the external coil 22, there is not so much difference with respect to the dark place starting characteristic. Almost the same effects can be obtained even if they are arranged.
(About start-up aid and dark place start-up characteristics)
Here, the meaning of arranging the starting aid in the light emitting bulb and a substance preferable as the starting aid will be described.
[0036]
As described in the prior art section, methods for improving dark start can be derived from all directions. For example, in a lighting system, a dark place starting characteristic can be improved by changing a circuit configuration and a power input method to high voltage starting, intermittent transmission, frequency fluctuation, and the like. The starting characteristics can be improved.
[0037]
The dark start performance of a light emitting bulb is determined by how high frequency magnetic field energy generated from an external coil can be converted to discharge within the lamp. In particular, it is also known that the dark place start-up characteristics are significantly different depending on the material forming the light emitting bulb and the structure of the light emitting body. In terms of the relationship between the material forming the light emitting bulb and the starting characteristics, the starting tends to be quick when a large amount of an element having a low work function is included.
[0038]
From such a viewpoint, intentionally encapsulating a material having a low work function as a starting aid in a light emitting bulb is an effective means for designing and constructing a lamp system having good starting characteristics in a dark place.
Materials suitable for the starting aid used for the structure 50 include materials including aluminum, cesium, tin, thorium, barium, and strontium.
[0039]
Above all, a material containing cesium has an excellent effect of improving the starting characteristics.
As the cesium compound, a cesium material that is most easily handled is cesium oxide. This is because cesium oxide can be easily dispersed and dissolved and stabilized using water as a medium, and can exhibit a starting effect by being applied and dried in a lamp by a dipping method.
[0040]
For example, cesium oxide, cesium hydroxide, cesium aluminum orthosilicate, cesium aluminum silicate, cesium aluminate, cesium phosphate, cesium titanate, cesium metavanadate, cesium orthovanadate, cesium tungstate, cesium manganate, and the like are preferable. Material.
In addition, cesium acetate, cesium acetyl acetate, cesium azide, cesium carbonate, cesium hydrogen carbonate, cesium metasulfonate, cesium nitrate, cesium sulfate, cesium propionate, cesium oxalate, etc. contain organic substances, so the heat decomposition process By adopting it, it is possible to improve the starting characteristics without affecting the lamp characteristics.
[0041]
According to our investigation results, cesium aluminate is the most industrially available cesium aluminate because it has a stable liquid dispersibility, is easy to apply and dry, and has good start-up improvement properties. It is considered to be one of the starting aid materials that are easy to operate and can be obtained at low cost. Cesium aluminate is easy to handle as a starting aid.
[0042]
In the presence of cesium, even if the glass material, the phosphor material, and the protective film material differ, there is no significant difference in the starting characteristics, so if a material containing cesium is used, the existing glass material, phosphor All materials and protective film materials can be used.
(Loading of starting aid)
In order to dispose the starting aid in the exhaust pipe 16, a method of applying the starting aid to the inner wall of the exhaust pipe 16 may be considered. 16 is preferable.
[0043]
As the carrier, it is preferable to use a structure that can take a large surface area when the starting aid is applied and can be sealed in a large amount in the lamp. Shape, a cup-shaped structure, or a metal sponge.
This will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.
[0044]
FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a structure 50 in which a starting aid is carried on a carrier.
This carrier is formed by winding a tungsten wire 52 around a tungsten rod 51 in a coil shape, and a starting auxiliary agent layer 53 is formed in a gap between the wires 52. More specifically, since the wire 52 is single-wound at a large pitch so that a gap is formed between the windings, a large amount of the starting aid can be filled in the gap. .
[0045]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a starting material is filled in a carrier made of Ni foam metal to form a starting aid material layer 55, as in a structure 54 shown in FIG. 2 (b). As shown in the structure 56, a carrier formed in a cup shape and filled with a starting aid to form a starting aid layer 57 is also preferable.
Further, as the material of the carrier, a material that can maintain the shape for a long time and maintain the effect of the starting aid, for example, a normal metal represented by Fe, Ni, Cu, etc., or glass or ceramic is preferable.
[0046]
As a method of loading the starting aid on the support, a simple method of applying the starting aid containing cesium to an aqueous solution or a paste in which powder is dispersed, applying the starting aid to the support, and drying.
Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the light-emitting bulb 10 with the exhaust pipe 16 in which the enclosed material is sealed will be described. According to the manufacturing methods 1 and 2, the exhaust and gas sealing steps are performed in a state where the enclosure is not clogged with the main exhaust pipe portion 17a, so that good exhaust conductance can be maintained.
[0047]
(Manufacturing method 1)
An exhaust device 70 having a pipe 71 for exhaust and buffer gas filling is used.
In the exhaust sealing step, as shown in FIG. 3, a T-shaped branch pipe 17 having a holder pipe 17b branching from the middle of the main exhaust pipe section 17a is previously attached to the light-emitting bulb 10. Prepare it. In the branch pipe 17, the end of the holder pipe 17b is closed, and the sealed contents (the amalgam enclosing container 40, the filling members 41 and 42, and the structure 50) are stored in the holder pipe 17b. Note that a reduced diameter portion 17c corresponding to the reduced diameter portion 16b is formed on the main exhaust pipe portion 17a on the base side from the branch point A.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 3, the light-emitting bulb 10 with the branch pipe 17 is used to prevent the enclosed matter in the holder pipe 17b from spilling out of the holder pipe 17b toward the main exhaust pipe section 17a. Evacuation is performed while maintaining the position of No. 17, and a predetermined buffer gas represented by argon gas is sealed at a constant pressure.
Specifically, in the exhaust device 70, the pipe 71 is connected to an exhaust pump 72 and an Ar gas supply source 73.
[0049]
The main exhaust pipe 17a is connected to the pipe 71 with the main exhaust pipe 17a oriented vertically so that the light-emitting bulb 10 is positioned above, and the Ar gas valve 75 is closed and the exhaust valve 74 is opened to emit light. Air is exhausted from the valve 10.
Subsequently, the exhaust valve 74 is closed and the Ar gas valve 75 is opened, and the Ar gas is sealed in the light emitting bulb 10.
[0050]
Next, the valves 74 and 75 are closed, and a point B closer to the tip than the branch point A in the main exhaust pipe portion 17a is sealed off with a burner (first sealing).
Thereafter, the attitude of the light emitting bulb 10 is changed so that the main exhaust pipe portion 17a is positioned below the holder tube 17b, and the enclosed matter in the holder tube 17b is dropped into the main exhaust pipe portion 17a. At this time, in the main exhaust pipe portion 17a, the enclosed matter is blocked by the reduced diameter portion 17c.
[0051]
Then, a portion C of the main exhaust pipe portion 17a between the portion where the enclosed matter exists and the branch portion A is cut off with a burner (second sealing). As a result, the holder pipe 17b is removed, and the straight exhaust pipe 16 in which the enclosed matter is stored remains.
(Manufacturing method 2)
As shown in FIG. 4, an exhaust circuit having a rotating arm 80 is used.
[0052]
The rotary arm 80 is rotatable about a horizontal rotary shaft 82, and is provided with a branch pipe 81 having connection ports 81a to 81c on three sides.
The distal end of the exhaust pipe 16 can be attached to and detached from the first connection port 81a, and the holder 83 can be attached and detached from the second connection port 81b. The exhaust port 90 is connected to the third connection port 81c.
[0053]
The exhaust device 90 includes an exhaust pump and a pipe connected to an Ar gas supply source, similarly to the exhaust device 70 described above.
Prior to the exhaust sealing step, a container body in which the exhaust pipe 16 (having the reduced diameter portion 16b formed) is connected to the light emitting bulb 10 is prepared.
As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end portion of the exhaust pipe 16 attached to the container body is attached to the first connection port 81a, and the inside of the inside (the amalgam enclosing container 40, the filling members 41 and 42, the structure 50 Is attached to the second connection port 81b. Then, the gas is exhausted by an exhaust pump and filled with a buffer gas. At this time, exhausting and gas sealing are performed while maintaining the attitude of the holder 83 so that the bottom of the holder 83 is lower than the entrance side of the holder 83 or horizontal so as not to spill the enclosed matter from the holder 83.
[0054]
Next, the rotation arm 80 is rotated, and the exhaust pipe 16 connected to the first connection port 81a and the holder 83 connected to the second connection port 81b are also rotated around the rotation shaft 82 together with the rotation arm 80. Turn 83 down.
Thereby, the enclosed matter in the holder 83 falls into the exhaust pipe 16 and is locked by the reduced diameter portion 16b.
[0055]
In this state, a portion D on the exhaust pipe 16 which is slightly on the distal end side from the portion where the enclosed matter exists is cut off with a burner.
According to the above-described manufacturing methods 1 and 2, any of the above-described electrodeless fluorescent lamps can be easily manufactured. However, in the manufacturing method 2, the T-shaped thin tube is used as in the manufacturing method 1. Since the holder 83 can be repeatedly used, there is little generation of glass cullet, which is a more preferable method in this respect.
[0056]
(Effect of this embodiment)
Since the structure 50 is housed in the exhaust pipe 16 as described above, the structure 50 is provided at the outer edge of the discharge region formed by the external coil 22 without fixing the structure 50 to the exhaust pipe 16. Can be located. Therefore, a lamp having excellent starting characteristics can be manufactured without the trouble of attaching the structure 50 to the inner wall surface of the light emitting bulb 10 in manufacturing.
[0057]
Further, the structure 50 has a simple structure and can be easily manufactured.
Further, since the structure 50 has high strength, the structure 50 is securely locked by the reduced diameter portion 16b. That is, since the structure 50 does not damage the phosphor layers 14 and 15 through the reduced diameter portion 16b, the lamp characteristics can be stably maintained.
(Modification of Embodiment)
In the manufacturing methods 1 and 2 described above, the exhaust and gas filling are performed in a state where the enclosed material is stored in the holder. However, it is also possible to directly dispose the enclosed material in the exhaust pipe 16 and perform the exhaust and gas filling. It is possible. In this case, in order to improve the exhaust conductance as much as possible, it is preferable to set the size of the enclosed matter to be small.
[0058]
In the above embodiment, the filling member is inserted to secure a certain distance between the amalgam enclosing container 40 and the structure 50. Instead of inserting this filling member, the tungsten rod 51 of the structure 50 and the amalgam are inserted. The sealing container 40 may be joined in advance.
In the above embodiment, amalgam is put in the amalgam enclosing container 40 and sealed in the exhaust pipe 16, but amalgam or mercury may be directly filled into the light emitting bulb from the exhaust pipe 16.
[0059]
【Example】
Hereinafter, examples based on the above embodiment will be described.
The luminous bulb 10 was made of a borosilicate glass bulb. The outer tube 11 had a maximum diameter of 150 mm, a length of 170 mm, and a neck diameter of 45 mm. The inner tube 12 had an inner diameter of 30 mm and a length of 140 mm. The size of the exhaust pipe 16 was 5 mm in outer diameter and 3.2 mm in inner diameter.
[0060]
Regarding the structure containing the starting aid, in Example 1, a tungsten coil (φ0.1 mm, total length 6.0 mm) wound around a tungsten rod was used as a support, and cesium aluminate as a starting aid was added thereto. One coated with 0.5 mg was used.
In Example 2, as shown in FIG. 2B, a carrier made of a Ni foam metal (about 100 mesh) was filled with cesium aluminate.
[0061]
In Example 3, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a starting support agent layer 57 was formed by filling cesium aluminate in a carrier formed by molding a niobium material into a cylindrical cup with a bottom. Was used.
In the fourth embodiment, the tungsten rod 51 of the structure 50 and the amalgam-encapsulated container 40 are used in advance, as described in the above modification.
[0062]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the following specifications are common.
The amalgam enclosing container 40 is a metal container having a material Fe: Ni = 50: 50, a dimension φ2.6 mm, a length 12 mm, and a thickness t0.2 mm, in which 120 mg of amalgam (Bi: In: Hg3.5%) is enclosed. is there. The metal container has a hole of φ0.4 mm. This hole has a structure in which mercury vapor can flow in and out smoothly and amalgam does not fall down due to vibration.
[0063]
The position of the amalgam-filled container 40 in the exhaust pipe 16 is adjusted such that the temperature around the amalgam-filled container 40 becomes 100 ± 10 ° C. during lighting at the external temperature of 25 ° C. It was set at a position facing 15 mm inside.
The rod 42 is made of lead glass and has a diameter of 2.5 mm and a length of 10 mm. The beads 41 are made of lead glass and have a diameter of 2.5 mm. The gas sealed in the light emitting bulb 10 is argon, and the pressure is 20 Pa to 30 Pa.
[0064]
(Comparative example)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a light emitting bulb 110 according to a comparative example.
The light-emitting bulb 110 is the same as the light-emitting bulb 10 according to the embodiment. The light-emitting bulb 110 has phosphor layers 114 and 115 formed on the inner surface of a container including an outer tube 111 and an inner tube 112. have. The amalgam enclosing container 140 and the filling member (beads 141, muk rod 142) are housed between the distal end portion 16a and the reduced diameter portion 16b in the exhaust pipe 116.
[0065]
However, the starting aid is not stored in the exhaust pipe 116, and a structure 150 in which cesium aluminate is supported on a support is attached to the wall of the inner pipe 12 instead.
This support is obtained by cutting a SUS mesh into a size of 8 mm × 7 mm, and is welded to a wire 151 made of Fe: Ni. The end of the wire 151 is adhered to the tube wall of the inner tube 12 with low-melting glass.
[0066]
The amalgam enclosing container 140 is the same as the amalgam enclosing container 40 of the embodiment, and the beads 141 and the sticks 142 are the same as the beads 41 and the sticks 42 of the embodiment. As in the embodiment, the pressure is 20 Pa to 30 Pa of argon.
Since no structure is stored in the exhaust pipe 116, the position of the reduced diameter portion 116 b in the exhaust pipe 116 is lowered by that much as compared with the reduced diameter portion 16 b of the exhaust pipe 16. Also in this comparative example, the temperature near the amalgam enclosing container 40 was 100 ° C. during the lighting at the external temperature of 25 ° C.
[0067]
The performance of the lamps of the examples and the comparative examples was measured as follows.
(Flux measurement)
Using the same lighting circuit, each of the lamps of Examples 1 to 4 and the comparative example was lit at a base frequency of 13.5 MHz at an input power of 150 watts, and the luminous flux about 2 hours after the start of lighting was measured. . The results were both about 12000 lm.
[0068]
(Amount of starting aid loaded and dark place starting characteristics)
In the lamp of Example 1, ten lamps were prepared by changing the amount of the starting aid (cesium aluminate) to be carried on the carrier of the structure 50 as 0 mg, 0.1 mg, 0.2 mg,. The dark place starting characteristics were examined.
The measuring method was as follows. First, the lamp to be measured was left unlit for 16 hours in a light place of 1000 lx or more, and then the dark place start time was measured in a place of 0.1 lx or less.
[0069]
The dark start time is measured by attaching the lamp to the dedicated lighting circuit, monitoring the waveform change with an oscilloscope from the time the power switch is turned on until the lamp is turned on, and recording the waveform change time until the lamp is turned on. It was measured.
As a result, when the loading amount was 0 mg, out of the 10 tubes, 2 were not lit, 5 were at least 3 seconds in the dark place start start time, and 3 were less than the 3 seconds in dark place start start time.
[0070]
In addition, when the loading amount was 0.1 mg, out of the ten tubes, three had a dark place start start time of 3 seconds or more, and seven had a dark place start start time of less than 3 seconds.
Further, when the loading amount was 0.2 mg or more, all of the 10 rods had a dark place start start time of less than 3 seconds.
From this result, it can be seen that the greater the amount of the starting aid loaded, the higher the effect of improving the dark place starting characteristics, but the effect is sufficient when the amount is about 0.2 mg.
[0071]
Also, with respect to the electrodeless fluorescent lamps of Examples 2 to 4, ten lamps each in dark place were examined.
As a result, there was no difference between the start times of starting the dark places, and all the lamps were turned on in less than about 3 seconds.
Finally, each lamp was split and the applied amount of cesium aluminate per one was quantitatively analyzed to be 0.15 mg to 0.25 mg.
[0072]
(Vibration test)
Ten lamps of each of Example 1 and Comparative Example were prepared, and a vibration test was performed at the same time as described below.
A 1.5 G gravity was applied to the lamp, and a vibration test of three reciprocations was performed in about one hour under a vibration condition in which a fluctuation frequency of 0 to 100 Hz was constantly and randomly applied.
[0073]
As a result, in the comparative example, the structure 150 was peeled off at the glass bonding portion of two of the ten, and the phosphor layers 114 and 115 were damaged.
On the other hand, in Example 1, no change was observed in the structure 50 and the phosphor layers 14 and 15 for all ten lines.
The luminous flux and the starting characteristics of each lamp were compared before and after the vibration test.
[0074]
As a result, in the lamp from which the structure 150 was peeled off, the luminous flux was reduced by about 5% after the test as compared to before the test, but in the other lamps, no change was observed in the luminous flux and the starting characteristics before and after the vibration test. I couldn't.
(Temperature durability test)
Ten lamps of each of the example 1 and the comparative example were prepared, and the lamp was allowed to stand for about 150 hours while alternately repeating low temperature (−10 ° C.) and high temperature (150 ° C.) for about 2 hours, and observed changes occurring in the lamps. .
[0075]
As a result, no change was observed in the example, but five structures 150 were peeled off in the comparative example.
As can be seen from the results of the above-described vibration test and temperature durability test, in the example, compared to the comparative example, the lamp characteristics can be maintained for a long time, and a long-life lamp lighting system can be realized.
[0076]
(Life test)
The electrodeless fluorescent lamps of Examples 1 to 4 were installed on a relatively dark high ceiling (0.1 lx or less) and subjected to a life test while being exposed to the same vibrational atmosphere as the above vibration test.
As a result, in any case, the starting aid did not fall off until 10,000 hours, and the starting characteristics in the dark place could be maintained favorably.
[0077]
Incidentally, the constituent materials of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp are not limited to those used in the above-described embodiment, and when various materials and parts applied to a normal electrodeless fluorescent lamp are used, as a result of various experiments, It was confirmed that a similar effect was achieved.
Also, the type of the electrodeless fluorescent lamp is not limited to the type described in the above embodiment, and for example, the light emitting bulb is integrated with a circuit incorporating an external coil and a high-frequency power supply, and is provided in a light bulb socket. The present invention can be applied to a type that is inserted and turned on.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention includes a light emitting bulb in which a phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface of a discharge vessel having a concave portion whose wall surface is inwardly recessed, and mercury or amalgam and a rare gas are sealed therein. In the electrodeless fluorescent lamp in which the excitation coil is arranged at the entrance and has an exhaust pipe extending outward from the bottom of the recess through the vicinity of the excitation coil, a starting aid is applied in the exhaust pipe. By enclosing the carrier, the starting aid can be easily arranged at an appropriate position.
[0079]
In addition, since the starting aid is fixed for a long period of time, it does not come into contact with the phosphor layer, so that it is effective to maintain lamp characteristics such as luminous flux.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of an electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a structure in which a starting aid is carried on a carrier.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing method 1 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing method 2 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to a comparative example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 electrodeless fluorescent lamp
10. Light-emitting bulb
11 outer tube
12 Inner tube
12a bottom
13 recess
14,15 phosphor layer
16 Exhaust pipe
16a Tip
16b reduced diameter part
17 Branch pipe
17a Main exhaust pipe
17b holder tube
21 core
22 External coil
23 power coupler
40 Amalgam sealed container
41 beads
42 Muku stick
50 structures
51 Tungsten rod
52 Tungsten wire
53 Starting aid layer
60 High frequency generator
80 Rotating arm
81 Branch pipe
83 holder

Claims (5)

A phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface of the discharge vessel having a concave portion whose wall surface is recessed inward, and includes an arc tube in which mercury or amalgam and a rare gas are sealed.
An electrodeless fluorescent lamp including an excitation coil disposed in the recess, and an exhaust pipe extending outward from the bottom of the recess through the vicinity of the excitation coil.
In the exhaust pipe,
An electrodeless fluorescent lamp, wherein a carrier to which a starting aid is applied is enclosed. A reduced diameter portion is formed in the exhaust pipe,
2. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is disposed between a reduced diameter portion and a tip portion of the exhaust pipe. The starting aid,
3. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a cesium oxide. A phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface of the discharge vessel having a recess whose wall surface is recessed inward, and an exhaust pipe connected to a holder containing a carrier containing a starting aid is directed outward from inside the recess. A container body creating step of creating a container body that is attached and extended;
An exhaust sealing step of exhausting the rare gas while exhausting from the exhaust pipe;
A moving step of moving the carrier from the holder to the exhaust pipe after the exhaust sealing step;
And a sealing step of cutting off the tip end side of the exhaust pipe from a position where the carrier is present, after the moving step. In the container body manufacturing step,
In the holder, in addition to the carrier, containing a pellet containing mercury or amalgam,
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the pellet is moved together with the carrier from the holder to the exhaust pipe.

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