JP3956040B2 - Fluorescent lamp and lighting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp and an illumination device using the fluorescent lamp.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  The use of amalgam such as Bi—In—Hg, In—Hg, Bi—Pb—Sn—Hg as a material for controlling the mercury vapor pressure so that the luminous efficiency of the fluorescent lamp does not decrease at high temperatures is described in, for example, J. Org. An article by Bloom et al.
new Mercury Alloys for use in Fluorescent Lamps "J. Illum.
Engng, 6-3 (1977) pp 141-147 and is known in the art.
[0003]
  In addition, the above-mentioned document also describes that an auxiliary amalgam is provided in the vicinity of the electrode in order to accelerate the rise of the luminous flux immediately after starting since amalgam has a low mercury vapor pressure at room temperature.
[0004]
  Conventionally, amalgam has been often used in small and high-load fluorescent lamps, such as compact fluorescent lamps and bulb-type fluorescent lamps, in which the temperature of the lamp rises to near 100 ° C.
[0005]
  On the other hand, a fluorescent tube that is frequently used for general illumination, which has a tube diameter of around 30 mm, mainly for general illumination, does not increase the temperature of the lamp as compared with the above-mentioned fluorescent lamp. is doing. In liquid mercury, the mercury vapor pressure increases as the ambient temperature increases. Further, it is known that the luminous efficiency of the fluorescent lamp is maximized when the mercury vapor pressure is around 40 ° C.
[0006]
  For compact fluorescent lamps and bulb-type fluorescent lamps using amalgam, the composition of the amalgam is selected so that the luminous efficiency is maximized when the ambient temperature of the lamp is 20 to 5 ° C. as a practical temperature range. Yes.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  As a recent trend, lighting fixtures sealed with milky white shades have been frequently used to reduce the size of lighting fixtures, increase output by turning on an inverter, and suppress glare. When a fluorescent lamp is turned on in such a lighting fixture, the temperature of the lamp rises, and the coldest part temperature is significantly higher than around 40 ° C., which is the temperature at the optimum mercury vapor pressure. There arises a problem that the efficiency is lowered and the light output is reduced.
[0008]
  Therefore, it is conceivable to obtain high luminous efficiency even when the temperature of the fluorescent lamp rises by using amalgam (hereinafter referred to as “main amalgam”) in such a fluorescent lamp.
[0009]
  However, the main amalgam generally used conventionally has a mercury vapor pressure at a low temperature that is significantly lower than that of liquid mercury. Therefore, the straight tube shape or ring shape in which the lamp temperature rises only by about 20 to 40 ° C. with respect to the ambient temperature. In such a fluorescent lamp, for example, when the ambient temperature is as low as about 10 ° C., the mercury vapor pressure is too low to obtain the required light emission characteristics.
[0010]
  Moreover, when using a main amalgam, an auxiliary amalgam is used together in order to compensate for poor luminous flux rise characteristics due to insufficient mercury vapor pressure at the beginning of lighting.
[0011]
  However, it has been found that the expected effect cannot be achieved only by using an auxiliary amalgam as conventionally used in a bulb-type fluorescent lamp. That is, when the auxiliary amalgam formed by plating indium on the base metal absorbs too much mercury in the tube, the rise characteristic of the light beam is deteriorated. In addition, the auxiliary amalgam evaporates due to the heat at the time of lighting, which is the process of activating the electron emitting substance attached to the electrode, and the auxiliary amalgam is easily oxidized by the high heat at the time of manufacturing the fluorescent lamp. As a result, there is also a problem that the end of the fluorescent lamp is blackened to obstruct the appearance.
[0012]
  Commonly used straight tube type and ring type fluorescent lamps are main varieties having a tube outer diameter of 15 to 38 mm, a tube length of 300 to 2400 mm, and a rated lamp power of 10 to 110 W. Shows clearly different lamp structures, manufacturing methods and operating temperatures, and when using the main amalgam and the auxiliary amalgam, the configuration for adapting to these differences for optimal operation has not yet been clarified.
[0013]
  In the present invention, the tube wall load is relatively small, and by appropriately controlling the mercury vapor pressure over a wide temperature range, it exhibits good luminous efficiency even in a sealed lighting fixture, and also has a good luminous rise characteristic. An object of the present invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp and an illumination device using the same.
[0014]
[Means for achieving the object]
    The fluorescent lamp of the invention of claim 1
A thin translucent discharge vessel having a tube diameter of 15 to 38 mm and a tube length of 300 to 2400 mm; a phosphor layer formed on the inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel; a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends of the translucent discharge vessel When;4 to 16% by weight of Hg based on Bi-Pb-Sn base metalWhen the ambient temperature of the fluorescent lamp is 10 ° C., the temperature of the main amalgam is about 50 ° C., and when the ambient temperature is 30 ° C., the temperature of the main amalgam is about 70 ° C. Mercury vapor pressure that is fixed to at least one end side and is configured to have a mercury vapor pressure of 0.4 Pa or more when the temperature of the amalgam is 50 ° C. and 0.4 to 2 Pa when the temperature of the amalgam is 70 ° C. A main amalgam with control action;It is composed mainly of gold AuAn auxiliary amalgam disposed in the vicinity of the electrode sealed at the end of the translucent discharge vessel on the side of the main amalgam; and a rare gas enclosed in the translucent discharge vessel When the rated lamp power is 10 to 110 W and the ambient temperature is 20 ° C. or lower, mercury vapor pressure control is performed at the coldest part formed at a position spaced from the electrode of the translucent discharge vessel to the center side. When the ambient temperature is 25 ° C. or higher, mercury vapor pressure control is performed by the main amalgam.
[0015]
  In the present invention and each of the following inventions, the definitions and technical meanings of terms are as follows unless otherwise specified.
[0016]
    <About translucent discharge vessel>
  The translucent discharge vessel has a tube diameter of 15 to 38 mm and a length of 300 to 2400 mm, and an appropriate combination is allowed depending on the rated lamp power. Table 1 is an example.
[0017]
[Table 1]
  Type Tube diameter (mm) Tube length (ring inner diameter, ring outer diameter) (mm) Rated lamp power (W)
  Annular 26 118 170 15
  29 147 205 20
  29 167 225 30
  29 241 299 32
  29 315 373 40
Straight pipe type 25.5 330 10
  25.5 436 15
  28 580 20
  32.5 630 30
  28 1198 40
  38 2367 110
  (Hf) 25.5 588.5 16/23
  (Hf) 25.5 1198 32/45
  (Hf) 25.5 1498.5 50/65
  In Table 1, (Hf) indicates a high-frequency lighting type.
[0018]
  The translucent discharge vessel is composed of an elongated tube and a pair of end plates closing both ends of the elongated tube. The end plate portion is generally constituted by a stem. When a stem is used, a known stem structure such as a flare stem, a bead stem, a button stem, or a pinch seal stem can be employed. Then, by sealing between the elongated tube and the stem, a sealing portion is formed, and the translucent discharge vessel becomes airtight.
[0019]
  In the present invention, the reason why the outer diameter of the translucent discharge vessel is specified to be 15 to 38 mm is that fluorescent lamps conventionally used for general illumination are included in this range. Moreover, the reason which prescribes | regulates the length of a translucent discharge vessel to 300-2400 mm is that the fluorescent lamp generally used similarly is contained in this range. The “length of the translucent discharge vessel” is a length along the axis of the translucent discharge vessel, and thus a curved or bent shape in which the axis of the translucent discharge vessel is not a straight line. In some cases, it means a length approximately equal to the length of a straight line that is assumed to be straight. Furthermore, the reason why the rated lamp power of the fluorescent lamp is defined as 10 to 110 W is that this range is relatively frequently used for sealed lighting fixtures.
[0020]
  Next, the material of the translucent discharge vessel is not particularly limited as long as it has airtightness, workability and fire resistance, but soft glass generally used for this kind of fluorescent lamp is suitable. Soft glass includes lead glass and soda lime glass, either of which may be used. Soda lime glass is desirable as an environmental measure. However, soda lime glass and lead glass can be used in combination from the viewpoint of processability. For example, the portion of the long and thin tube that is most used can be formed of soda lime glass, and the stem portion can be formed of lead glass.
[0021]
[0022]
  Next, the shape of the translucent discharge vessel will be described.
[0023]
  The translucent discharge vessel may be either a straight tube shape or a ring shape. Further, if necessary, it may be curved or bent into an appropriate shape such as a U shape or a semicircular shape.
[0024]
[0025]
  Moreover, the fluorescent substance to be used can be arbitrarily selected according to the illumination purpose. For example, for general lighting applications, a white light-emitting phosphor such as a three-wavelength phosphor or a halophosphate phosphor can be used. Further, depending on the application, a monochromatic phosphor or an ultraviolet light-emitting phosphor can be used for all or part of the phosphor.
[0026]
    <About electrodes>
  A pair of electrodes are sealed at both ends in the translucent discharge vessel, and a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge is generated between them. In general, the electrode is supported by a stem and sealed.
[0027]
  As the electrode, a known electrode such as a filament electrode or a ceramic electrode can be used.
[0028]
  The filament electrode has a structure in which an electron emitting substance is applied to a tungsten double coil or triple coil, and both ends thereof are connected to the tip of a pair of internal lead-in wires that penetrate the translucent discharge vessel in an airtight manner. I have.
[0029]
  Ceramic electrodes, for example, in the form of granules or sponges, mainly composed of oxides of alkaline earth elements and transition metal elements and coated with carbides or nitrides of transition metal elements in an electrically conductive container with an opening. Or it has the structure which accommodates the thermoelectron emission substance which consists of block-like composite ceramics, and is supported by the front-end | tip of one introduction line.
[0030]
    <About the main amalgam>
  The main amalgam is a means for supplying mercury vapor for causing low-pressure mercury vapor discharge into the translucent discharge vessel, and generally has a substantially spherical shape.
[0031]
  Moreover, the main amalgam is comprised by the amalgam which becomes a mercury vapor pressure control effect | action. Examples of such amalgam include Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg, Bi-Sn-Hg, Bi-In-Hg, Bi-Sn-In-Hg, and the like.ThereTheIn the present invention, a main amalgam containing 4 to 16% by weight of Hg with respect to the Bi-Pb-Sn base metal is used in relation to the auxiliary amalgam described later.On the other hand, amalgam having no mercury vapor control action is, for example, ZnHg and exhibits substantially the same vapor pressure characteristics as pure mercury.
[0032]
  Further, the main amalgam is fixed to at least one end side of the translucent discharge vessel. Here, the “one end side” may be fixed to either the one end of the translucent discharge vessel or the exhaust pipe protruding from the one end. The phrase “fixed to the exhaust pipe” only needs to be accommodated in the exhaust pipe, and includes a mode that can move within the exhaust pipe. Further, “at least one end side” means that the main amalgam may be fixed to both end sides of the translucent discharge vessel.
[0033]
  Furthermore, the main amalgam allows one or more granules. Further, when the diameter of the particle is 2 to 3.6 mm, not only the amount of enclosed mercury becomes an appropriate amount, but also handling becomes easy and fixing becomes relatively easy.
[0034]
  Furthermore, when fixing the main amalgam to the end of the translucent discharge vessel, the longitudinal end of the translucent discharge vessel, i.e. the end of the elongated tube, for example when sealing with a flare stem It is preferable to fix to the inner surface of the sealing part sealing the flare. Since this end can fix at least a substantially spherical particle of the main amalgam with a relatively large contact area, it is easy to be surely fixed. In particular, in the case of an annular fluorescent lamp, a flared stem is sealed at both ends of a translucent discharge vessel, and then a grip portion is formed by molding at a sealing portion at the end using a mold in order to bend in an annular shape. However, since a pocket having a large contact area with respect to the main amalgam is formed inside the grip portion, it can be more reliably fixed.
[0035]
  Furthermore, when the main amalgam is fixed at a desired position, the main amalgam is introduced into the end from the exhaust pipe in a state where the temperature is raised to about 150 to 200 ° C. at least at the end of the translucent discharge vessel. Further, when the main amalgam is heated by applying a high frequency from the outside of the translucent discharge vessel for about 5 seconds using, for example, a glow tester or a Tesla coil, the surface of the main amalgam is melted and is in close contact with the translucent discharge vessel. Therefore, it can be fixed better. This main amalgam fixing method is particularly effective when the contact area of the main amalgam is smaller than in the case of an annular fluorescent lamp, such as a straight tube fluorescent lamp. However, it goes without saying that the above-described fixing method can also be adopted for an annular fluorescent lamp.
[0036]
  That is, in the case of a straight tube type fluorescent lamp, the translucent discharge vessel is at about 150 ° C. immediately after the exhausting process. The main amalgam can be fixed securely without the need for special heating.
[0037]
  In the case of a ring-shaped fluorescent lamp, the translucent discharge vessel is at about 200 ° C. immediately after the bending step, so that when the above operation is performed at this time, the main amalgam is reliably fixed. At the same time, it is not necessary to heat the end part.
[0038]
  Next, when fixing the main amalgam in the exhaust pipe, a neck portion is formed in the middle of the exhaust pipe in order to prevent movement from the exhaust pipe to the translucent discharge vessel side, for example, an internal metal introduction line, etc. An appropriate metal body can be exposed in the exhaust pipe to prevent the main amalgam from moving.
[0039]
  Thus, the main amalgam has a composition such that the mercury vapor pressure is 0.4 Pa or more when the temperature of the amalgam is 50 ° C. and 0.4 to 2 Pa when the temperature of the amalgam is 70 ° C.
[0040]
  The main amalgam is such that the temperature of the main amalgam is about 50 ° C. when the ambient temperature of the fluorescent lamp is 10 ° C., and the temperature of the main amalgam is about 70 ° C. when the ambient temperature is 30 ° C. It is preferable that it is disposed. For this purpose, for example, at least a part of the main amalgam may be fixed to the one end side of the translucent discharge vessel.
[0041]
    <About auxiliary amalgam>
  The auxiliary amalgam is used to absorb mercury in the translucent discharge vessel while the fluorescent lamp is extinguished, and to release mercury vapor to the discharge space immediately after starting to accelerate the rise of the luminous flux. For this reason, at least a part of the auxiliary amalgam is disposed in the vicinity of the electrode on the side where the main amalgam is disposed. The remaining portion of the auxiliary amalgam can be disposed in the vicinity of the electrode on the side where the main amalgam is not disposed.
[0042]
  Further, the auxiliary amalgam is made of a metal that is easy to form an amalgam by bonding with mercury such as indium In on a base metal plate or mesh piece such as stainless steel, and that easily releases mercury when the temperature rises. . When the auxiliary amalgam is disposed in the vicinity of the electrode, mercury in the translucent discharge vessel is absorbed by the amalgam-forming metal while the fluorescent lamp is turned off to form the amalgam. When a soft metal such as indium is used, it can be supported on a base metal such as stainless steel by plating or the like.
[0043]
  Furthermore, when In is used as the amalgam-forming metal constituting the auxiliary amalgam, since In has a melting point as low as 156.6 ° C., if it is too close to the electrode, it melts by the heat from the electrode and flows down to the internal lead-in line. Because it is exhausted and the effect is reduced, care must be taken.
[0044]
  For example, by using a heat-displaceable metal as the base metal, the heat-displaceable metal can be displaced by the heat from the electrode and separated from the electrode after mercury is released immediately after starting. This prevents overheating of the amalgam-forming metal after mercury release, so that the consumption of the auxiliary amalgam is reduced. As the heat displaceable metal, a bimetal, a shape memory alloy, or the like can be used.
[0045]
  Another solution is to optimize the distance between the auxiliary amalgam and the electrode. That is, the separation distance can be optimized by separating the auxiliary amalgam from the electrode by 6 to 10 mm. In addition, the separation distance from the electrode of the auxiliary amalgam is represented by the distance from the electrode side end of the auxiliary amalgam to the axis of the filament coil of the electrode. This corresponds to the length of the lead-in line between the auxiliary amalgam and the electrode connection part when the base metal of the auxiliary amalgam is welded to the internal lead-in line. In a fluorescent lamp generally used with a tube outer diameter of 15 to 38 mm, unlike a compact fluorescent lamp or a bulb-type fluorescent lamp, a double coil is generally used, so the electrodes are large. The calorific value of the electrode is large. Therefore, if the separation distance is less than 6 mm, the temperature rise due to the auxiliary amalgam electrode becomes severe, and the auxiliary amalgam made of indium is scattered and adheres to the inner surface of the translucent discharge vessel, thereby obstructing the appearance of the fluorescent lamp. It becomes easy. On the other hand, when the separation distance exceeds 10 mm, the temperature rise of the auxiliary amalgam is delayed, and the supply of mercury vapor is delayed accordingly, so that it is difficult to obtain the effect of improving the luminous flux rising characteristics.
[0046]
  Next, a configuration for disposing the auxiliary amalgam in a heat receiving relationship with respect to the electrode will be described. The base metal of the auxiliary amalgam is fixed to the internal lead wire supporting the electrode by welding or the like. However, if the constituent metal of the auxiliary amalgam is selected appropriately as described later, the internal lead wire itself can be used as the base metal. Alternatively, an anchor wire may be planted on the stem, and the auxiliary amalgam may be fixed thereto.
[0047]
  When the auxiliary amalgam-forming metal is supported on the base metal, it may be formed on either or both sides of the base metal. When forming the auxiliary amalgam on one surface of the base metal, as the auxiliary amalgam due to adhesion of barium Ba scattered from the electrode to the auxiliary amalgam by disposing the surface on which the auxiliary amalgam is formed not to face the electrode It is possible to prevent a decrease in capacity.
[0048]
  Moreover, the suitable area of an auxiliary amalgam is 16-24 mm.²It is. In this case, the base metal of the auxiliary amalgam may be either a plate shape or a mesh shape. In the latter case, the area refers to the area defined by the contour.
[0049]
  That is, the area of the auxiliary amalgam is 16 mm²The mercury vapor pressure supply immediately after starting is insufficient. Also, the area is 24mm²If it exceeds, the mercury in the translucent discharge vessel will be absorbed too much, and the rise characteristic of the luminous flux will deteriorate. This tendency is particularly remarkable when indium is used.
[0050]
  The said area of an auxiliary amalgam says the sum total of the area of all the auxiliary amalgams arrange | positioned inside the translucent discharge vessel. That is, when the main amalgam is disposed only on one end side of the translucent discharge vessel, two auxiliary amalgams are used and one of them is disposed near the electrode on the side where the main amalgam is disposed. In addition, the other auxiliary amalgam can be disposed in the vicinity of the electrode on the side where the main amalgam is not disposed. In this case, the sum of the areas of both auxiliary amalgams may be within a predetermined range.
[0051]
  In a manufacturing process of a fluorescent lamp, for example, in a bending process in which a translucent discharge vessel is bent into a ring shape in the manufacture of an annular fluorescent lamp, an auxiliary amalgam using indium is disposed on the translucent discharge vessel, and then the translucent discharge vessel When heated to a high temperature of 700 ° C. or higher, the auxiliary amalgam is oxidized and the mercury absorption ability is lowered, or the indium is scattered and the end of the tube is blackened to obstruct the appearance.
[0052]
  Indium also has a very low mercury vapor pressure, so when using a main amalgam whose mercury vapor pressure is relatively close to that of liquid mercury, the auxiliary amalgam tends to absorb mercury excessively while the fluorescent lamp is extinguished. There is also a problem that the rise of the luminous flux immediately after the start returns and gets worse.
[0053]
  Therefore, in the present invention, gold Au is used as a constituent metal of the auxiliary amalgam. Since gold has a relatively high mercury vapor pressure at room temperature, it does not absorb excessive mercury in the main amalgam. For this reason, a required high light output can be obtained immediately after starting.
[0054]
  Moreover, when using the auxiliary | assistant amalgam which makes gold | metal a constituent metal by this invention, it is effective if the distance of an auxiliary | assistant amalgam and an electrode is controlled to 5 mm or less.
[0055]
  Furthermore, the auxiliary amalgam can be used by fixing a gold plate or mesh as it is to an internal lead-in wire or the like without using a base metal. However, the present invention allows the use of a thin gold coating on the base metal. As the base metal, iron Fe, nickel Ni, stainless steel or the like can be used in the form of a plate or mesh.
[0056]
  Furthermore, since the melting point of gold is as high as 1064.4 ° C., after the auxiliary amalgam is incorporated in the fluorescent lamp manufacturing process, the auxiliary amalgam is formed in a bending process, for example, by bending the translucent discharge vessel in an annular shape. Even if it is heated to a high temperature, it does not melt and flow down from the base metal or evaporate. For this reason, the ability of the auxiliary amalgam is not reduced, or the end of the translucent discharge vessel is not blackened to obstruct the appearance, or is reduced.
[0057]
  In contrast, in a straight tube fluorescent lamp, the translucent discharge vessel is generally not heated to 700 ° C. or higher after the auxiliary amalgam is disposed, but the present invention can be applied if necessary. .
[0058]
  Next, when gold is used as the constituent metal of the auxiliary amalgam, it is preferable that the mercury vapor pressure in the translucent discharge vessel at an ambient temperature of 25 ° C. is 40 mPa or more. As a suitable configuration for realizing this, for example, a main amalgam containing 4 to 16% by weight of Hg with respect to a Bi—Pb—Sn base metal may be used.
[0059]
  Further, the internal lead wire supporting the electrode can be used as the base metal of the auxiliary amalgam. In this case, when an internal lead wire plated in advance is used, a fluorescent lamp provided with the auxiliary amalgam can be obtained without requiring any special manufacturing equipment and manufacturing method for arranging the auxiliary amalgam.
[0060]
    <About rare gas>
  The rare gas is used as a buffer gas for facilitating the start of the discharge of the fluorescent lamp, and argon Ar, krypton Kr, neon Ne and the like are enclosed in a translucent discharge vessel at about 200 to 400 Pa.
[0061]
  In addition, the rare gas may be sealed with Ar alone, or may be mixed with Ar—Kr, Ne—Ar—Kr, Ne—Ar, or the like.
[0062]
    <About the effect | action of this invention>
  When the fluorescent lamp is turned on in the horizontal direction, the coldest part is formed in the vicinity of the center sufficiently separated from the electrode of the translucent discharge vessel, and both ends have a higher temperature than the coldest part. In the translucent discharge vessel, liquid mercury remains in the vicinity of the coldest part, and main amalgam exists on the end side. The vapor pressure of liquid mercury near the coldest part varies depending on the temperature of the coldest part. Moreover, the mercury vapor pressure of the main amalgam varies depending on the temperature of the main amalgam. By the way, the light emission efficiency of the low-pressure mercury vapor discharge in the fluorescent lamp is governed by the lowest mercury vapor pressure in the translucent discharge vessel. Therefore, when the temperature of the coldest part of the translucent discharge vessel is lower than about 40 ° C. which is the optimum temperature of liquid mercury, the vapor pressure of liquid mercury in the coldest part depends on the temperature of the main amalgam at that time. If the mercury vapor pressure characteristics and temperature of the main amalgam are appropriately set so as to be lower than the mercury vapor pressure, mercury vapor pressure control by liquid mercury is performed when the ambient temperature of the fluorescent lamp is low.
[0063]
  On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is high and the optimum temperature due to liquid mercury is exceeded, the mercury vapor pressure due to the main amalgam is lower than the mercury vapor pressure due to liquid mercury remaining near the coldest part. If the composition and temperature are set, the mercury vapor pressure existing in the translucent discharge vessel is controlled by the main amalgam, and a mercury vapor pressure close to the optimum value is obtained.
[0064]
  The ambient temperature of the fluorescent lamp that controls mercury vapor pressure by liquid mercury in the coldest part of the translucent discharge vessel is set to a temperature of 20 ° C. or lower, and the mercury vapor pressure control by the main amalgam is controlled to a temperature of 25 ° C. or higher. Is set.
[0065]
  Thus, when the ambient temperature is 20 ° C. or lower, the mercury vapor pressure in the translucent discharge vessel is controlled by the liquid mercury in the coldest part, so the mercury vapor pressure is always controlled by the main amalgam. It is not too low as in the case of, and the luminous flux does not decrease too much.
[0066]
  When the ambient temperature is 25 ° C. or higher, the mercury vapor pressure is controlled by the main amalgam on the end side of the translucent discharge vessel. For this reason, even if the ambient temperature is high, the mercury vapor pressure can be brought close to the optimum range where the luminous efficiency is high.
[0067]
  As a result, the fluorescent lamp exhibits good luminous efficiency over a wide temperature range.
[0068]
  Further, regardless of the ambient temperature, the auxiliary amalgam is heated as the electrode is heated immediately after starting and releases mercury, so that the rise of the luminous flux is accelerated.
[0069]
  Therefore, even when the fluorescent lamp of the present invention is hermetically closed or close to hermetically sealed, and is turned on in a narrow lighting fixture by thinning, and even when high output is lit by an inverter, the mercury vapor pressure is reduced in luminous efficiency. Since it can be maintained at an optimum value or a value close to it, high lamp efficiency as designed can be obtained.
[0070]
    According to a second aspect of the present invention, the fluorescent lamp of the first aspect is characterized in that the translucent discharge vessel has a substantially annular shape with an outer ring diameter of 160 to 400 mm.
[0071]
  “Substantially annular” means that the both ends of the translucent discharge vessel are in close contact with each other, and the two ends are appropriately spaced apart but can be said to be nearly annular when viewed as a whole. including. Moreover, although it is one translucent discharge vessel, the shape which is bent in the center and then curved in a substantially annular shape is also substantially annular. Furthermore, the ring allows not only a circular ring but also an appropriate shape such as an elliptical ring.
[0072]
  In order to increase the luminous efficiency of the fluorescent lamp as much as possible even when the ambient temperature is high, it is effective to form the coldest part at least at one end of the translucent discharge vessel. For this reason, the mounting height of the electrode sealed at one end of the translucent discharge vessel has already been set large. This configuration can be employed in the case of a fluorescent tube such as a straight tube shape or a U-shape in which the vicinity of the end portion of the translucent discharge vessel has a linear shape.
[0073]
  However, there is a problem when such a configuration is adopted for an annular fluorescent lamp. That is, since the shape of the translucent discharge vessel is curved in an annular shape including the vicinity of the end thereof, if the electrode mount height is increased, the electrode may come into contact with the inner wall of the translucent discharge vessel or abnormal Will approach.
[0074]
  In contrast, in the present invention, the electrodemountThe mercury vapor pressure is controlled by the main amalgam disposed at the end of the translucent discharge vessel when the ambient temperature is 25 ° C. or higher without making the height larger than the electrode mounting height in a normal ring-shaped fluorescent lamp. It is possible to light in a state close to the optimum mercury vapor pressure. For this reason, even if ambient temperature is high, the fall of light flux decreases.
[0075]
  In the present invention, it is advantageous to use gold Au as a constituent metal of the auxiliary amalgam. That is, in a ring-shaped fluorescent lamp, the translucent discharge vessel is heated to a high temperature of 700 ° C. or higher in a bending process of bending the translucent discharge vessel in a substantially annular shape, but gold is used as a constituent metal of the auxiliary amalgam. This prevents the auxiliary amalgam from being oxidized or scattered at high temperatures. Also, gold does not excessively absorb the mercury in the main amalgam while the fluorescent lamp is turned off. For this reason, a required high output can be obtained immediately after starting.
[0076]
    Claim3The fluorescent lamp of the invention of claim1 or 2In the described fluorescent lamp, the auxiliary amalgam is constituted by plating gold on the surface of stainless steel as a base metal.
[0077]
  The base metal stainless steel can be used in the form of a plate or mesh.
[0078]
  The thickness of the gold plating film can be appropriately selected from the range of about 1 to 15 μm, preferably 3 to 7 μm.
[0079]
  Thus, in the present invention, since gold, which is a constituent metal of the auxiliary amalgam, is plated and used, the amount of expensive gold used can be reduced.
[0080]
  Further, since the auxiliary amalgam can be fixed by fixing the base metal to the internal lead wire by welding or the like, the manufacturing is easy.
[0081]
    Claim4The fluorescent lamp of the present invention is characterized in that3In the fluorescent lamp according to any one of the above, the main amalgam is fixed to the end portion of the translucent discharge vessel in the longitudinal direction; the electrode has a mount height of 30 mm or less.
[0082]
  “Mount height” refers to the linear distance from the outer surface of the end of the translucent discharge vessel to the axis of the filament coil of the electrode.
[0083]
  The present invention defines a configuration suitable when the main amalgam is an amalgam having a relatively small change in mercury vapor pressure with respect to a temperature change, such as an amalgam such as a Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg or Bi-In-Hg system. ing.
[0084]
  That is, by setting the mount height as described above, it is possible to increase the temperature of the main amalgam, thereby increasing the light output in the low temperature region, and thus obtaining a high light output over a wide ambient temperature range as a whole. be able to.
[0085]
  Further, the amalgam has a low mercury vapor pressure, but since the change in the mercury vapor pressure is small, the light output change is small over a wider temperature range.
[0086]
  Furthermore, when the temperature of the main amalgam is lower than an appropriate value, the mercury vapor pressure can be compensated by making the mount height smaller than the normal mount height.
[0087]
    Claim5The illuminating device of the present invention comprises: an illuminating device main body; and the illuminating device main body.4And a fluorescent lamp according to any one of the above.
[0088]
  In the present invention, the “illumination device” is a broad concept including all devices that use light emission of a fluorescent lamp for some purpose. Illustrative lighting devices include lighting fixtures, direct backlight devices, display devices and signal lamp devices.
[0089]
  The lighting fixture is suitable for a household lighting fixture, but is not limited to this, and is applicable to a store lighting fixture, an office lighting fixture, an outdoor lighting fixture, and the like.
[0090]
  Furthermore, since the fluorescent lamp used in the present invention can obtain high luminous efficiency even when the ambient temperature is high, the fluorescent lamp is particularly suitable for a lighting device that is small, hermetically sealed, and high-powered by an inverter. However, even if the ambient temperature is low, almost the same luminous efficiency as that of a fluorescent lamp using pure mercury can be obtained, so any lighting device may be used.
[0091]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0092]
    FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0093]
    FIG. 2 is a partially sectional front view of the enlarged main part.
[0094]
    FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an enlarged main part, similarly showing the periphery of the electrode from the side direction.
[0095]
  In each figure, 1 is a translucent discharge vessel, 2 is a phosphor layer, 3 is an electrode, 4 is an internal lead wire, 5 is an external lead wire, 6 is a main amalgam, 7 is an auxiliary amalgam, and 8 is a base.
[0096]
    <About translucent discharge vessel 1>
  The translucent discharge vessel 1 includes an elongated tube 1a and a pair of flare stems b, and an end portion 1c forming a sealing portion at both ends is formed to form a grip portion at the time of bending.
[0097]
  The elongated tube 1a is made of soda lime glass and has a substantially annular shape with a tube diameter of 29 mm, an annular outer diameter of 225 mm, and an annular inner diameter of 167 mm.
[0098]
  The pair of flare stems 1b is made of lead glass, includes an exhaust pipe 1b1 and a flare 1b2, respectively, and seals the pair of internal introduction lines 4 and external introduction lines 5.
[0099]
  The exhaust pipe 1 b 1 is tip-off at the base end and communicates with the translucent discharge vessel 1 at the tip end.
[0100]
  The flare 1b2 is sealed at both ends of the elongated tube 1a to form an airtight translucent discharge vessel 1.
[0101]
  The internal lead-in wire 4 and the external lead-in wire 5 are connected to each other inside the flare stem 1b via a dumet wire, and maintain airtightness with respect to the flare stem.
[0102]
    <About phosphor layer 2>
  The phosphor layer 2 is made of a three-wavelength light emitting phosphor and is formed on the inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel 1. Three-wavelength phosphor is used for blue light emission.₁₆O₂₇: Eu, green light emission is LaPO₄: CeTb, Y for red light emission₂O₃: Eu.
[0103]
    <About electrode 3>
  The electrode 3 has a double coil filament shape, and is connected to the distal ends of a pair of internal lead-in wires 4. The mount height from the outer surface of the end of the translucent discharge vessel 1 to the axis of the electrode 3 is 25 mm.
[0104]
    <About main amalgam 6>
  The main amalgam 6 is a Bi-Pb-Sn-Hg-based amalgam, and its composition is as follows by weight%. Bi: 52.4, Pb: 26, Sn: 17.4, Hg: 4.2 The main amalgam 6 has a mercury vapor pressure of about 0.4 Pa at 50 ° C. and about 1 Pa at 70 ° C.
[0105]
  Further, the main amalgam 6 is formed into a pellet having a weight of 70 mg and a particle diameter of 2.5 mm, sealed from the exhaust pipe 1b1 in the exhaust process, and heated and melted before the cap is attached to the end of the translucent discharge vessel 1 It is fixed to the inner surface of 1c.
[0106]
    <About auxiliary amalgam 7>
  The auxiliary amalgam 7 has a configuration in which indium In is plated on one surface of a base metal made of stainless steel, and is welded to the internal lead-in wire 4 on the side where the main amalgam 6 is disposed.
[0107]
    <About rare gas>
  As the rare gas, argon Ar is enclosed in the translucent discharge vessel 1 at a pressure of 330 Pa.
[0108]
    <About the base 8>
  The base 8 is attached to both ends of the translucent discharge vessel 1 so as to bridge between them, and the four external lead wires 5 connected to the pair of electrodes 3 are connected to the four base pins 8 a by the base 8. Connected inside.
[0109]
    <Other configuration>
  The fluorescent lamp of this embodiment is an annular FCL30 / 28 type fluorescent lamp, and the discharge path length is about 530 mm.
[0110]
    <About the operation of the fluorescent lamp>
  When the fluorescent lamp of this embodiment is lit in the horizontal direction at an ambient temperature of 10 ° C., the temperature of the central portion of the translucent discharge vessel 1 becomes the coldest portion at about 30 ° C. It became about 50 degreeC. And since the mercury vapor pressure of the liquid mercury remaining in the central part of the translucent discharge vessel 1 is lower than the mercury vapor pressure of the main amalgam 6, the mercury vapor pressure control of the fluorescent lamp was performed by the coldest part. .
[0111]
  Of course, immediately after starting, the auxiliary amalgam 7 is heated by receiving heat from the electrode 3 and releases the absorbed mercury, so that the rising of the luminous flux is good.
[0112]
  Next, when it was horizontally lit at an ambient temperature of 30 ° C., the coldest part temperature at the center of the translucent discharge vessel 1 was about 50 ° C., and the temperature at the end 1c was about 70 ° C. The mercury vapor pressure of the fluorescent lamp was controlled by the main amalgam 6 because the mercury vapor pressure of the main amalgam 6 was lower than the mercury vapor pressure of the liquid mercury at the coldest part.
[0113]
    FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the main amalgam / mercury temperature and the mercury vapor pressure in the first embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0114]
  In the figure, the horizontal axis represents main amalgam / mercury temperature (° C.), and the vertical axis represents mercury vapor pressure (Pa). Curve A shows the mercury vapor pressure characteristics of liquid mercury and curve B shows the main amalgam.
[0115]
  The operation described above can be easily understood from the figure.
[0116]
    FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the relative illuminance during stable lighting in the first embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention together with that of the comparative example.
[0117]
  In the figure, the horizontal axis represents ambient temperature (° C.), and the vertical axis represents relative illuminance (%). A dotted line indicates this embodiment, and a solid line indicates a comparative example. The comparative example is a fluorescent lamp having the same specifications as the present embodiment except that pure mercury is enclosed. Moreover, about the part which overlaps with a comparative example among the characteristic curves of this embodiment, only the continuous line of a comparative example is represented.
[0118]
  As can be understood from the figure, in the comparative example, the relative illuminance decreases when the ambient temperature becomes high, but in this embodiment, when the ambient temperature is low, it is the same as the comparative example. The relative illuminance is higher than the example.
[0119]
    FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional front view showing a second embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0120]
  In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0121]
  This embodiment is different in that Bi-In-Hg is used for the main amalgam 6 and the mount height is 20 mm.
[0122]
  That is, the main amalgam 6 has a composition ratio of Bi: 67%, In: 33, and Hg: 4% by weight.
[0123]
    FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the main amalgam in the second embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention together with that of the comparative example.
[0124]
  In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the ambient temperature (° C.), and the vertical axis represents the tube end temperature (° C.). A curve C shows this embodiment, and a curve D shows a comparative example. Note that the end temperature is the temperature of the end 1 c of the translucent discharge vessel 1 and is substantially equal to the temperature of the main amalgam 6. The comparative example has the same specifications as the present embodiment except that the mount height is 35 mm.
[0125]
  As can be understood from the figure, in this embodiment, since the mount height is 20 mm, when the temperature of the main amalgam 6 is increased and the ambient temperature of the fluorescent lamp is 25 ° C. or higher, mercury vapor pressure control by the main amalgam is performed. Can be made to do.
[0126]
    FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the relative light output during stable lighting in the second embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0127]
  In the figure, the horizontal axis represents ambient temperature (° C.), and the vertical axis represents relative light output (%). A curve E shows this embodiment, and a curve F shows a comparative example.
[0128]
  As can be seen from the figure, this embodiment can obtain a uniform light output of approximately 95% or more at an ambient temperature of 10 ° C. or higher, and can obtain an optical output of 80% even at an ambient temperature of 0 ° C. .
[0129]
[0130]
    FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway front view showing a third embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0131]
    FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part.
[0132]
  In each figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0133]
[0134]
  That is, the translucent discharge vessel 1 has a tube diameter of 28 mm and a tube length of 580 mm.
[0135]
  Moreover, the main amalgam 6 is a Bi-In-Hg system, and the composition is as follows by weight%. Bi: 84, In: 12, Hg: 4 Further, the main amalgam 6 is formed into a pellet having a weight of 120 mg and a particle diameter of 3.2 mm, and is sealed from the exhaust pipe 1b1 in the exhaust process, so that the translucent discharge vessel 1 A high frequency is applied from the outside of the end portion 1c to melt by heating, and is fixed to the inner surface of the sealing portion.
[0136]
  Thus, the main amalgam 6 exhibits a mercury vapor pressure of 0.45 Pa at a temperature of 50 ° C. and 0.7 Pa at 70 ° C. When the ambient temperature is 10 ° C. or lower, mercury vapor pressure control of pure mercury is performed by the coldest part at the center of the lamp. In addition, mercury vapor pressure control by the main amalgam 6 is performed at an ambient temperature of 30 ° C. or higher, but the change in mercury vapor pressure is relatively small from low to high.
[0137]
    FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the main amalgam / mercury temperature and the mercury vapor pressure in the third embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0138]
  In the figure, the horizontal axis represents main amalgam / mercury temperature (° C.), and the vertical axis represents mercury vapor pressure (Pa). Curve G represents liquid mercury, and curve H represents mercury vapor pressure characteristics of main amalgam.
[0139]
  The operation described above can be easily understood from the figure.
[0140]
    FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial sectional front view showing a fourth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0141]
  In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
[0142]
  This embodiment is different in that the main amalgam 6 is fixed in the exhaust pipe 1b1.
[0143]
  That is, a neck portion 1b11 is formed in the middle of the exhaust pipe 1b1 of the flare stem 1b, and after exhausting, the main amalgam 6 is sealed in the exhaust pipe 1b1, and then the exhaust pipe 1b1 is chipped off. Since the main amalgam 6 is blocked by the neck portion 1 b 11, it cannot move to the inside of the translucent discharge vessel 1.
[0144]
    FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0145]
  In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
[0146]
  The present embodiment is different in that the auxiliary amalgam 7 is composed of a heat-displaceable metal as a base metal.
[0147]
  That is, the thermally displaceable metal is made of a bimetal and is displaced so as to be separated from the electrode 3 when heated.
[0148]
  In the present embodiment, the auxiliary amalgam 7 is disposed at a position relatively close to the electrode immediately after starting, as indicated by a. For this reason, the temperature increase of the auxiliary amalgam 7 is fast, and the mercury supply immediately after starting is performed quickly.
[0149]
  However, after the mercury is released, the heat displaceable metal is displaced due to the temperature rise and is separated from the electrode 3 as shown in b. Therefore, the auxiliary amalgam 7 is evaporated or the indium of the metal constituting the auxiliary amalgam is evaporated. It is difficult to flow down to the line 4, and therefore, the capacity reduction of the auxiliary amalgam can be suppressed.
[0150]
    FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a sixth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0151]
  In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
[0152]
  This embodiment is different in that the auxiliary amalgam 7 is disposed on both the electrode 3 on the side where the main amalgam 6 is disposed and the electrode 3 on the side where the main amalgam 6 is not disposed.
[0153]
  That is, the auxiliary amalgam 7 has a width of 1.5 mm, a length of 4 mm, and an area of 12 mm on both sides of the stainless steel base metal.²It is formed by plating indium.
[0154]
  The main amalgam 6 is sealed from the exhaust pipe 1b1 of the flare stem 1b on the exhaust side, and is fixed to the end 1c by welding.
[0155]
  Table 2 shows the light output immediately after start-up when the auxiliary amalgam is formed using a flat plate and a mesh as the base metal in the fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention, together with a comparative example. In addition, a comparative example is the same specification as this embodiment except an auxiliary | assistant amalgam.
[0156]
[Table 2]
  Category Dimensions (mm) Number Total area (mm²) Light output immediately after start (%)
                                                    Flat mesh
Comparative Example 1 1.5 × 3 1 9 38 36
Comparative Example 2 2 × 4 1 16 60 57
Embodiment 1.5 × 3 2 24 50 60
Comparative Example 3 4 × 7 1 56 35 45
Comparative Example 4 4 × 7 2 112 30 40
  As can be easily understood from the table, Comparative Example 2 shows excellent luminous flux rising characteristics as in the embodiment.
[0157]
    FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of an enlarged main part showing a seventh embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0158]
  In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
[0159]
  In this embodiment, the position of the auxiliary amalgam from the electrode is different.
[0160]
  That is, the auxiliary amalgam is made of stainless steel with a base metal plated with indium, has a width of 2 mm, a length of 7 mm, and a distance l from the axis of the electrode 3 is set to 8 mm.
[0161]
  Table 3 shows the degree of blackening of the translucent discharge vessel 1 when the distance l between the auxiliary amalgam and the electrode is changed in the sixth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention. The degree of blackening was determined based on the visual feeling, and is as follows.
[0162]
: No problem, △: Some problem, ×: Problem
[0163]
[Table 3]
                      Distance l (mm) Degree of blackening
                        4 x
                        5 △
                        6 ○
                        8 ○
                      10 ○
  Although not included in the table, when the distance exceeds 10 mm, the rise of the luminous flux is delayed, causing a problem in practicality.
[0164]
    FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an eighth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0165]
  In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
[0166]
  In this embodiment, the configuration of the auxiliary amalgam is different.
[0167]
  That is, gold is used as the auxiliary amalgam constituent metal, and gold is plated on a stainless steel base metal having a thickness of 0.1 mm to a thickness of 5 μm to form a width of 2 mm and a length of 7 mm. And it welds to the internal lead-in wire 4 in the position 5 mm away from the electrode shaft.
[0168]
    FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the lighting time at the ambient temperature of 25 ° C. and the relative light output in the eighth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention together with that of the comparative example.
[0169]
  In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the lighting time (seconds), and the vertical axis represents the relative light output (%).
[0170]
  Curve I represents this embodiment, curve J represents Comparative Example 1, and curve K represents Comparative Example 2. In Comparative Example 1, the auxiliary amalgam uses indium as a constituent metal. Moreover, the comparative example 2 is not equipped with the auxiliary | assistant amalgam. All other configurations have the same specifications as the present embodiment.
[0171]
  As can be understood from the figure, the present embodiment has a fast luminous flux rise and generates a light output of about 90% within 10 seconds, whereas Comparative Example 1 is similar to a general fluorescent lamp enclosing pure mercury. The initial luminous flux is about 70%, and there is almost no increase after 30 seconds. In Comparative Example 2, the auxiliary amalgam absorbed too much mercury in the translucent discharge vessel, so that the initial luminous flux was about 40% and about 70% even after 10 seconds.
[0172]
    FIG. 18 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the relative light output during stable lighting in the eighth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention, together with that of the comparative example.
[0173]
  In the figure, the horizontal axis represents ambient temperature (° C.), and the vertical axis represents relative light output (%).
[0174]
  A curve L indicates the present embodiment, and a curve M indicates a comparative example. The comparative example has the same specifications except that mercury is sealed with pure mercury. Curves L and M are the same curve at an ambient temperature of about 37 ° C. or lower.
[0175]
  As can be seen from the figure, this embodiment has the same light output as that of a fluorescent lamp filled with pure mercury at an ambient temperature of about 37 ° C. or lower. The relative light output is increased from the comparative example.
[0176]
    FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of an essential part showing a ninth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
[0177]
  In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
[0178]
  In this embodiment, the configuration of the auxiliary amalgam is different.
[0179]
  That is, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary amalgam 7 is formed by plating the inner lead-in wire 4 with gold to a thickness of 5 μm. A flare stem 1b is formed using an internal lead wire 4 that has been plated in advance, and the translucent discharge vessel 1 is formed using the flare stem 1b.
[0180]
    FIG. 20 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing a ceiling light as one embodiment of the illumination device of the present invention.
[0181]
  In the figure, 11 is a chassis, 12 is a reflector, 13A and 13B are ring-shaped fluorescent lamps, 14 is a shade, 15 is a high-frequency lighting device, and 16 is a hooking ceiling adapter.
[0182]
  The chassis 11 is formed by press-molding a metal plate, a through hole is formed at the center, and a standing edge 11a is formed at the periphery.
[0183]
  The reflector 12 is formed by molding a white synthetic resin and is disposed on the lower surface of the chassis 11.
[0184]
  The annular fluorescent lamp 13A has the same specifications as shown in FIG. 1, that is, a tube diameter of 29 mm, an outer ring diameter of 225 mm, an inner ring diameter of 167 mm, and a rated lamp power of 30 W.
[0185]
  The ring-shaped fluorescent lamp 13B has a tube diameter of 29 mm, a ring outer diameter of 299 mm, a ring inner diameter of 241 mm, and a rated lamp power of 32 W.
[0186]
  The ring-shaped fluorescent lamps 13A and 13B are configured so as to be integrally attached to and detached from a predetermined place of the reflecting plate by a single lamp holder (not shown), and at the same time, required connection to the high-frequency lighting device 15 is performed. .
[0187]
  The shade 14 is formed of milky acrylic resin or the like in a thin dome shape to cover the chassis 11, the reflector 12, the ring-shaped fluorescent lamps 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B, and the opening edge 14 a is fitted inside the standing edge 11 a of the chassis 11. In this state, it is detachably fixed.
[0188]
  The high-frequency lighting device 15 energizes and lights the annular fluorescent lamps 13A and 13B. The high-frequency lighting device 15 is mainly composed of a high-frequency inverter, and is arranged in a space formed between the chassis 11 and the reflection plate 12. It is installed.
[0189]
  The hook ceiling adapter 16 receives AC power from the ceiling and supplies electric energy to the ceiling light, and functions to attach the ceiling light to the ceiling. The hooking sealing cap mechanism 16a and an electrical connector and a hooking claw, which are not shown, are provided.
[0190]
  The hooking sealing cap mechanism 16a is electrically and mechanically connected to the hooking sealing body by being detachably hooked to an embedded or exposed hooking sealing body (not shown) disposed on the ceiling. Is done.
[0191]
  The electrical connector is connected to the hooking ceiling cap mechanism via an insulated wire, and is connected to a power receiving plug disposed on the reflecting plate 12, thereby forming a power feeding path to the ceiling light.
[0192]
  The hooking claw protrudes from the side surface of the hooking ceiling adapter 16 so as to be able to advance and retreat, and is locked in a locking hole that opens on the side surface of the cylindrical hole 12a formed in the center of the reflecting plate 12.
[0193]
  In order to install the ceiling light on the ceiling, follow the procedure below.
[0194]
  First step: Hook and attach the hook ceiling adapter 16 to the hook ceiling sealing body.
[0195]
  Second step: The assembly of the chassis 11 and the reflecting plate 12 is lifted, the cylindrical hole 12a is fitted into the hooking sealing adapter 16, and then pressed toward the ceiling. The annular fluorescent lamps 13A and 13B and the shade 14 are removed.
[0196]
  Then, the hooking claw of the hooking ceiling adapter 16 slides against the side surface of the cylindrical hole 12a and the cylindrical hole 12a rises. It is pushed out by the provided spring and locked in the locking hole. In this state, the assembly of the chassis 11 and the reflection plate 12 is fixed to the ceiling via the hook ceiling adapter 16 and the hook ceiling body.
[0197]
  Third step: The electrical connector is connected to the power receiving plug of the reflector 12.
[0198]
  Fourth step: The annular fluorescent lamps 13A and 13B are locked at predetermined positions on the reflector 12 by attaching the lamp holders to predetermined positions, and the annular fluorescent lamps 13A and 13B are mounted and electrically connected with one touch.
[0199]
  Fifth step: Finally, when the opening edge 14a of the shade 14 is fitted inside the rising edge 11a of the chassis 11 and then the shade 14 is rotated to be fixed to the hooking claw disposed on the chassis 11, The shade 14 is attached and the installation of the ceiling light is completed.
[0200]
【The invention's effect】
    BookAccording to the invention, a phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface side of an elongated translucent discharge vessel having a tube diameter of 15 to 38 mm and a tube length of 300 to 2400 mm, and a pair of electrodes are sealed at both ends.4 to 16% by weight of Hg based on Bi-Pb-Sn base metalWhen the ambient temperature of the fluorescent lamp is 10 ° C., the temperature of the main amalgam is about 50 ° C., and when the ambient temperature is 30 ° C., the temperature of the main amalgam is about 70 ° C. And a main amalgam having a mercury vapor control action, which is configured to have a mercury vapor pressure of 0.4 Pa or more when the temperature of the amalgam is 50 ° C. and 0.4 to 2 Pa when the temperature of the amalgam is 70 ° C. Equipped,It is composed mainly of gold AuAn auxiliary amalgam is disposed in the vicinity of the electrode sealed at the end of the translucent discharge vessel where the main amalgam is present, the rated lamp power is 10 to 110 W, and the ambient temperature is When the temperature is 20 ° C. or lower, mercury vapor pressure control is performed at the coldest portion formed at a position away from the electrode of the translucent discharge vessel toward the center. When the ambient temperature is 25 ° C. or higher, mercury vapor pressure control is performed by the main amalgam. As a result, a high light output can be obtained over a wide range of ambient temperatures. Therefore, a fluorescent lamp that exhibits good luminous efficiency even in a sealed lighting fixture and has good luminous flux rise characteristics is provided. be able to.
[0201]
  Further, since the auxiliary amalgam is composed mainly of gold Au, the auxiliary amalgam is oxidized or scattered in the manufacturing process of the fluorescent lamp, the appearance is hindered, and the mercury absorption capacity is reduced. In addition, it is possible to provide a fluorescent lamp having excellent luminous flux rise characteristics.
[0202]
    According to the invention of claim 2, in addition, even if the translucent discharge vessel is substantially annular with an outer ring diameter of 160 to 400 mm, the electrode does not contact or approach too close to the inner wall of the translucent discharge vessel. A fluorescent lamp can be provided.
[0203]
    Claim3According to the invention, in addition, the auxiliary amalgam is configured by plating stainless steel on the surface of stainless steel as a base metal, thereby providing an economical and easily manufactured fluorescent lamp.
[0204]
    Claim4According to the invention, in addition to the main amalgam being fixed to the end of the translucent discharge vessel and the electrode on the main amalgam side having a mount height of 30 mm or less, the temperature of the main amalgam can be increased. An amalgam having a low mercury vapor pressure and a small change in mercury vapor pressure can be used as the main amalgam, and a fluorescent lamp with high luminous efficiency can be provided over a wide ambient temperature range.
[0205]
    Claim5According to the present invention, claims 1 to4It is possible to provide a lighting device having the following effects.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional front view of the same principal part.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an enlarged main part showing the periphery of the electrode of the present invention from the side direction
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between main amalgam / mercury temperature and mercury vapor pressure in the first embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the relative illuminance during stable lighting in the first embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional front view showing a second embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the main amalgam in the second embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention together with that of a comparative example.
FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the relative light output during stable lighting in the second embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway front view showing a third embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part
FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between main amalgam / mercury temperature and mercury vapor pressure in the third embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a partially sectional front view of an enlarged main part showing a fourth embodiment of a fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a sixth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of an enlarged main part showing a seventh embodiment of a fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an eighth embodiment of a fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the lighting time at the ambient temperature of 25 ° C. and the relative light output in the eighth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention, together with that of a comparative example.
FIG. 18 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the relative light output during stable lighting in the eighth embodiment of the fluorescent lamp of the present invention, together with that of a comparative example.
FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of an enlarged main part showing a ninth embodiment of a fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing a ceiling light as an embodiment of the illumination device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
      1 ... Translucent discharge vessel
      1a ... elongated tube
      1b Flare stem
      1b1 ... exhaust pipe
      1b2 ... Flare
      1c ... end
      2 ... phosphor layer
      3 ... Electrode
      4 ... Internal lead-in line
      5 ... External lead-in line
      6 ... Lord Amalgam
      7 ... Auxiliary amalgam

Claims (5)

An elongated translucent discharge vessel having a tube outer diameter of 15 to 38 mm and a length of 300 to 2400 mm;
A phosphor layer formed on the inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel; a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends of the translucent discharge vessel;
When the ambient temperature of the fluorescent lamp is 10 ° C. and the ambient temperature of the fluorescent lamp is 10 ° C. with respect to the Bi—Pb—Sn base metal , the main amalgam temperature is about 50 ° C. and the ambient temperature is 30 ° C. Sometimes it is fixed to at least one end of the translucent discharge vessel so that the temperature of the main amalgam is about 70 ° C., and when the temperature of the amalgam is 50 ° C., the mercury vapor pressure is 0.4 Pa or higher, 70 ° C. A main amalgam having a mercury vapor pressure control action, which is configured to have a composition of 0.4 to 2 Pa at the time;
An auxiliary amalgam which is composed mainly of gold Au and which is disposed in the vicinity of an electrode sealed at the end of the translucent discharge vessel on the side where the main amalgam is present;
A noble gas enclosed in a translucent discharge vessel;
And when the ambient temperature is 20 ° C. or lower, mercury vapor pressure control is performed at the coldest part formed at a position spaced from the electrode of the translucent discharge vessel toward the center side. A fluorescent lamp characterized in that mercury vapor pressure control is performed by the main amalgam when the ambient temperature is 25 ° C. or higher. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein the translucent discharge vessel has a substantially annular shape with an outer ring diameter of 160 to 400 mm. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the auxiliary amalgam is formed by plating gold on the surface of stainless steel as a base metal. The main amalgam is fixed to the longitudinal end of the translucent discharge vessel;
The electrode on the side where the main amalgam is disposed has a mount height of 30 mm or less;
The fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein: A lighting device body;
The fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , which is supported by a lighting device body;
An illumination device comprising:

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