JPH01105455A - Fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the starting voltage while suppressing the stray light by providing an ionizing electrode near the shrunk end of a discharge path. CONSTITUTION:A discharge path limiter 5 inserted between an anode 9a and a cethode 2 and shrinking one end on the cathode side of a discharge path arranged in response to the number of anodes, a fluorescent film 8 coated on the surface facing the discharge path of the discharge path limiter 5 or a bulb 1, and an ionizing electrode 13 arranged near the shrunk end of the discharge path 7a are provided. The ionizing electrode 13 is inserted between the cathode 2 and the anode 9a and also arranged near the shrunk end of the discharge path provided to prevent the stray light, thus an ionization state occurs between the cathode 2 and the anode 9a by the excitation of the ionizing electrode 13, the impedance near the shrunk end of the discharge path 7a is reduced, and the starting voltage between the cathode 2 and the anode 9a can be reduced while the stray light is prevented.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp suitable for a display element such as an electronic display panel, and in particular, it relates to a fluorescent lamp suitable for a display element such as an electronic display panel. This is intended to reduce the starting voltage (discharge starting voltage) of single-tube monochromatic or single-tube multicolor fluorescent lamps that emit colored light.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a means for reducing the starting voltage in fluorescent lamps for lighting, etc., a third electrode described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 140358/1982 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 154736/1982 have been used. auxiliary electrodes etc. are provided.

These third electrodes and auxiliary electrodes can exhibit the effect of reducing the starting voltage if the width of the discharge path within the bulb is substantially uniform over substantially the entire length, as described in each publication.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, when such a conventional third electrode or auxiliary electrode is incorporated into a single-tube single-color or single-tube multicolor fluorescent lamp used as a display element in an electronic display panel, etc. However, there is a problem in that the starting voltage reduction effect is extremely low.

That is, in this type of fluorescent lamp, one end of the discharge path is constricted and reduced in size, which causes a problem in that the impedance between the cathode and the anode increases, and the starting voltage increases accordingly.

Fluorescent lamps with high starting voltages light up instantly, and it is difficult to repeatedly blink them.
It is unsuitable for display fluorescent lamps that require these characteristics.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the starting voltage by always energizing the conventional third electrode or auxiliary electrode, but this method does not allow discharge between the cathode and the anode. Microscopic thermoelectrons and ions are emitted from the mercury atoms, and the ultraviolet light generated when these thermoelectrons collide with mercury atoms excites the fluorescent film to emit light, creating a new problem of stray light.

Therefore, the present invention was made in consideration of such circumstances.
The purpose is to provide a fluorescent lamp that can reduce the starting voltage while preventing stray light with a simple configuration.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) According to the present invention, an ionization electrode that reduces the starting voltage between the cathode and the anode is disposed near the reduced end of the discharge path, and is configured as follows.

In other words, the invention of claim 1 of the present case comprises a bulb forming a discharge space, a cathode and an anode disposed oppositely within the bulb, and a cathode and an anode interposed between the anode and the cathode corresponding to the number of anodes. a discharge path regulating body that reduces one end of the cathode side of the disposed discharge path; a fluorescent film coated on the discharge path regulating body or the surface of the pulp facing the discharge path; Ionized N
It is characterized by having a pole.

Moreover, the invention of claim 2 of the present case is characterized in that the ionizing electrode is disposed on the cathode side in the invention of claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention of claim 3 of the present case is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the ionizing electrode is locked and fixed to a locking step in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the pulp.

(Function) In the invention of claim 1 of the present case, the ionization electrode is interposed between the cathode and the anode, and moreover, it is disposed near the reduced end of the discharge path provided to prevent stray light, so this ionization W1
By energizing the poles, an ionization state is generated between the cathode and the anode, reducing the impedance near the reduced end of the discharge path, so that the starting voltage between the cathode and the anode can be reduced while preventing stray light.

Furthermore, in the invention of claim 2, since the ionizing electrode is placed closer to the cathode than the reduced end of the discharge path, a slight discharge due to the ionizing electrode does not occur at a position facing the fluorescent film, and therefore ionization during energization is prevented. It is possible to suppress so-called stray light in which ultraviolet rays generated by thermoelectrons and ions emitted from the electrodes cause the fluorescent film in the discharge path to emit light.

Furthermore, the invention of claim 3 of the present case fixes the ionizing electrode by locking it to the locking step on the outer peripheral surface of the bulb, so that the ionizing electrode can be easily positioned by locking to the locking step. Therefore, the assembly work of the fluorescent lamp can be simplified, and the cost of the fluorescent lamp can be reduced.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the overall structure of an embodiment in which the invention of claims 1 and 2 of the present case is applied to a so-called single-tube multicolor fluorescent lamp. Mercury and rare gas are sealed in the bulb 1 of
Cathode 2 is sealed.

The cathode 2 is implanted on the inner bottom 3 inside the bulb 1, and the outer periphery of the cathode 2 is surrounded by a cylindrical body 4 with openings at both left and right ends in the figure, thereby regulating the diffusion of discharge around the cathode 2. It is now possible to do so.

A cylindrical discharge path regulating body 5 is coaxially accommodated in the bulb 1 on the left side of the cylinder 4 in the figure, and the inner surface of the discharge path regulating body 5 extends from a front opening to a rear opening having a smaller diameter than the front opening. Since it communicates with the center hole 5a, it is formed into a conical shape.

The right end in the figure of the discharge path regulating body 5 having the small diameter end (reduced end) 5b of the center hole 5a almost contacts the left end of the cylindrical body 4, and the discharge from the cathode 2 is directed into the center hole 5a of the discharge path regulating body 5. It is planned to be introduced in

The discharge path regulating body 5 has its conical center hole 5a connected to an inverted Y-shaped partition wall 6, for example, as shown in FIG.
divided into three equal parts in the circumferential direction to form three conical parallel discharge paths 7.
a, 7b, and 7c are arranged in parallel in the axial direction, and each parallel discharge path 7a to 7C is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 5a of the discharge path regulating body 5 facing each of these parallel discharge paths 7a to 7C. Each bulb is coated with a phosphor film 8 that emits a different color, and a single bulb 1
It is constructed as a single-tube multicolor display fluorescent lamp that can emit light of a plurality of colors. Note that the direction of arrow A in the figure is the viewing direction.

Fan-shaped anodes 9a, 9b, 9G are located inside each large-diameter end (left end in FIG. 1) of each of the conical parallel discharge paths 78 to 7c.
are arranged respectively, and each anode 98 to 9c is connected to the inner bottom part 3.
Glass sleeves 10a, 10b, 10c erected above
each glass sleeve 1
They are each electrically connected to a plurality of external pins 11 via power supply bodies coaxially inserted into the insides of 0a to 10c.

Each external pin 11 is provided to protrude outwardly through the inner bottom 3, and two of the external pins 11 are connected to the cathode 2.
are electrically connected to both ends of the

A circumferential groove 12 of a required width is cut out on the outer circumferential surface of the left end of the cylinder 4 in FIG. The ionization electrode 13 is electrically connected to one external pin 11 via a power supply 14, and is energized.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

When the ring-shaped ionization electrode 13 is energized when one anode, for example 9a, and the cathode 2 are energized, electrons and ions are transferred from the ionization electrode 13 to the anode 9a and the cathode 2.
It is supplied almost evenly in the circumferential direction to the discharge path between the anodes 9 and 9.
The discharge starting voltage between a and the cathode 2 is reduced.

Therefore, discharge is started between the anode 9a and the cathode 2 at a low starting voltage without affecting the main discharge between the two.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently meet the requirements for instantaneous lighting and frequently repeated flashing lighting required for display fluorescent lamps.

Further, since the ionizing electrode 13 is ring-shaped and goes around the outer circumference of the cylinder 4, the electric field intensity distribution generated by energization of the ionizing electrode 13 is almost uniform in the circumferential direction, and the anodes 9a to 9
C can prevent variations in starting voltage from occurring.

Furthermore, the ionization electrode 13 is a cathode 2 and anodes 9a to 9.
Although the small diameter end 5 of the discharge path regulating body 5 is located between the
Since it is located closer to the cathode 2 than b, it is possible to suppress stray light in which ultraviolet light generated based on electrons and ions from the ionizing electrode 13 excites the fluorescent film 8 and causes it to emit light. Fluorescent film 8 due to discharge only
can be excited and emit light.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, only the fluorescent film 8 of the discharge path 7a having the anode, for example 9a, which is energized emits light, and light emission other than this, that is, stray light can be suppressed.

In particular, in the embodiment described above, since the ionizing electrode 13 is located on the outer peripheral side of the small diameter end 5b, visible light generated by electrons and ions generated around the ionizing electrode 13 is also difficult to see on the back side of the discharge path regulating body 5. This reduces the proportion of stray light.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a single-tube single-color fluorescent lamp. This embodiment differs from the above embodiments in the discharge path 7 of the discharge path regulating body 5A and the fluorescent film 8a. , the anode 9 is single, and the shape of the ionizing electrode 13A is not annular but rectangular, for example.

That is, in this embodiment, a single colored light is emitted by a single bulb 1, but similarly to the above embodiment, the ionizing electrode 13A receives a force 9 from the small diameter end 5b of the discharge path regulating IJ body 5A.
- Since it is located on the side of the electrode 2, it is located on the back side of the surface to which the fluorescent film 8a of the discharge path 7 is adhered, and the ultraviolet rays generated based on the electrons and ions from the ionization electrode 13 excite the fluorescent film 8a and cause it to emit light. This stray light can be hidden and prevented from the viewing direction A by the reduced end 5b of the discharge path 7, and the fluorescent film 8 can be excited and emit light only by the main discharge between the cathode 2 and the anodes 9a to 9C. .

In addition, in this embodiment, since the discharge path 7 and the anode 9 are single, there is no need to make the electric field intensity distribution of the ionizing electrode 13A uniform in the circumferential direction, and the shape of the ionizing electrode 13A is formed into a rectangle, simplifying the process. We are trying to

FIG. 4 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which a fluorescent lamp 20 of this embodiment is arranged on a large-diameter open end of a bottomed cylindrical lower bulb 21 made of ceramics. The upper valve 22 is made of ceramic and has a cylindrical shape with a bottom of approximately the same diameter.
The bottom of the upper bulb 22 is fixed in a coaxial manner, and the opening upper end of the upper bulb 22 is sealed with a circular plate upper lid 23 made of glass, and mercury and rare gas are sealed inside the upper bulb 22 and the lower bulb 21. ing.

A glass stem 25 on which the cathode 24 is implanted is erected on the center of the inner bottom of the lower valve 21, and the cathode 2
An exhaust pipe 27 communicates the lower end of the left and right wells 26 and 26 in the figure with the inside of the lower valve 21.
At the same time, the bottom of the lower valve 21 is vertically penetrated and protruded outward.

Also, above the cathode 24 and above the upper valve 22
A ring-shaped ionization electrode 28 is disposed coaxially with the cathode 24 in the lower bulb 21 near the bottom of the upper bulb 22, and a ring-shaped ionization electrode 28 is disposed coaxially with the cathode 24, and in the center of the bottom of the upper bulb 22, the inside of the upper bulb 22 is divided equally in the circumferential direction. Discharge holes 30a, 30b are formed to communicate with the required number of discharge paths 29a, 29b, respectively, and these discharge holes 30a, 30b are connected to the respective discharge paths 29a, 29bl).
It forms a reduced end.

For example, each discharge path 29 is provided on the inner surface of each discharge path 29a, 29b.
Fluorescent films emitting different colors of light are deposited on each of discharge paths 29a and 29b, and an anode 318.
31b are arranged respectively, and the arrow B in the figure indicates the fluorescent lamp 2.
This is the viewing direction of 0.

Then, a starting voltage is applied to the cathode 24 and each anode 318.31b, a main discharge is performed, and a positive column is generated inside the upper bulb 22 and the lower bulb 21.
The diameter of this positive column is reduced by each discharge hole 30a, 30b and the impedance increases, but the electric current III electrode 2 below it
Since an ionized state is formed around the discharge hole 8 by energizing the ionization electrode 28, the impedance around each discharge hole 30a, 30b can be lowered, and the starting voltage can be lowered.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to reduce the starting voltage, so that it can sufficiently respond to the instantaneous lighting required for display fluorescent lamps and the frequently repeated flashing lighting. be able to.

Further, the ionization electrode 28 is ring-shaped, and each discharge hole 30a,
Since the anode 31a goes around the outer circumference of the anode 30b, the electric field strength distribution when the ionizing electrode 28 is energized can be made almost uniform in the circumferential direction.

It is possible to prevent variations in starting voltage caused by 31b.

Furthermore, the ionizing electrode 28 is located closer to the cathode 24 than the lower end in the figure of each discharge hole 30a, 30b, which is the reduced end of each discharge path 29a, 29b, and the ionizing electrode 28 is located closer to the cathode 24 than the lower end in the figure of each discharge hole 30a, 30b, which is the reduced end of each discharge path 29a, 29b. Since it is hidden, the ionizing electrode 2
Each discharge path 29a is caused by ultraviolet rays generated based on electrons and ions from 8.

Most of the stray light that excites the fluorescent film 29b and causes it to emit light can be hidden by the bottom of the upper bulb 22, and as a result, stray light can be prevented.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3,
This embodiment is an embodiment in which the invention of claim 3 is applied to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and parts common to the embodiment are given the same symbols in FIG. , the explanation of the duplicated parts will be omitted.

This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIG.
A positioning locking step 40 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the axially intermediate portion of A, and a ring-shaped or C-shaped external ionizing electrode 41 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the positioning locking step 40. It is at the point where it is stopped and fixed.

That is, approximately the left half portion of the bulb 1A in FIG. 5, in other words, a portion of the bulb 1A that coaxially accommodates the conical discharge path regulating body 5 is bulged in the outer radial direction to form, for example, a square shape. A positioning locking step 40 is formed in a portion of the bulb 1A corresponding to the vicinity of the reduced end 5b of the discharge path regulating body 5 so as to go around the circumferential direction. Vertical outer wall 40 that stands almost perpendicular to the outer wall of
It forms a.

On the other hand, the ionization electrode 41 is the ionization electrode 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
The difference is that this -15-' ionization electrode 13 is disposed inside the bulb 1, whereas it is disposed outside the bulb 1A.

Further, the external ionizing electrode 41 is formed into a ring shape or a C-shape to match the outer diameter of the right end of the bulb 1A in the figure, and is fitted around the outer periphery of the right end of the bulb 1A. A required voltage is applied between the bulb 1A and the cathode 2 to generate an ionized state within the bulb 1A.

Therefore, when attaching the ionizing electrode 41 to the outer periphery of the bulb 1A, the tip of the ionizing electrode 41 is positioned by fitting the ionizing electrode 41 around the outer periphery of the fabric end in the figure of the bulb 1A and further pushing it toward the anode 9a. The ionizing electrode 41 can be positioned by bringing it into contact with the vertical outer wall 40a of the locking step 40.

Once this positioning is completed, the ionizing electrode 41 is fixed to the outer periphery of the bulb 1A using conductive tape or conductive paste.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the positioning when attaching the ionizing electrode 41 to the bulb 1A can be simplified, and the work for attaching the ionizing electrode 41 to the bulb 1A can be simplified. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of assembling the fluorescent lamp and reduce its production cost.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the ionization electrode 41 is provided near the contracted end 5b of the discharge path 7a, the effect is almost the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the starting voltage is reduced and stray light is prevented. can be achieved.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the invention of claims 1 to 3 of the present invention, since the ionization electrode is provided near the reduced end of the discharge path, it is possible to reduce the starting voltage while suppressing stray light.

As a result, according to these inventions, it is possible to provide a fluorescent lamp suitable for use as a display element in an electronic display panel, etc., which requires instantaneous lighting and frequent repeated blinking, for example.

Further, in the invention of claim 2, since the ionizing electrode is disposed closer to the cathode than the discharge path contracting end, stray light due to the ionizing electrode can be hidden by the discharge path contracting end from the m direction of the fluorescent lamp. , a slight discharge can be generated facing the fluorescent film, and rapid light can be prevented accordingly.

Furthermore, since the invention of claim 3 locks and fixes the ionizing electrode to the locking step on the outer circumferential surface of the bulb, positioning when attaching the ionizing electrode to the bulb is facilitated, and the work efficiency of assembling the fluorescent lamp is improved. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the production cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the fluorescent lamp according to the invention of claim 1 of the present case, FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention of claim 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 3 of the present invention. 1.1A...Bulb, 2...Cathode, 4...Cylinder, 5.5A...Discharge path regulator, 5b...Small diameter end (
reduction end), 7.7a, 7b, 7C-...discharge path, 8.8
a... Fluorescent film, 9.9a, 9b, 9c... Anode, 13.13A, 41... Ionization electrode, 40... Locking step portion. Sweet potato once

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A bulb forming a discharge space, a cathode and an anode disposed oppositely within the bulb, and a cathode and an anode interposed between the anode and the cathode and arranged corresponding to the number of anodes. a discharge path regulating body that reduces one end of the cathode side of the discharge path; a fluorescent film that is applied to a surface of the discharge path regulating body or the bulb facing the discharge path; and a fluorescent film that is disposed near the reduced end of the discharge path. A fluorescent lamp characterized in that it has an ionizing electrode. 2. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein the ionizing electrode is disposed closer to the cathode than the reduced end of the discharge path. 3. Claim 1 or 2, wherein the ionizing electrode is locked and fixed to a locking step formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the bulb.
Fluorescent lamp as described.