JPH03182041A - Fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp suitable for display fluorescent lamps, which are display elements of electronic display panels, and light emitting elements of decorative lighting, for example. In particular, fluorescent lamps that aim to reduce the starting voltage (discharge starting voltage) and prevent stray light of single-tube monochromatic or single-tube multicolor fluorescent lamps that emit single or multiple colored lights using a single bulb. Regarding.

(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 in the pulp 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.

In other words, in this type of fluorescent lamp, the middle of the discharge path is constricted to reduce the diameter, so the impedance between the common electrode cathode and one or more anodes increases, and the starting voltage increases accordingly. There is a problem with rising.

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 constantly 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 rays generated when these thermoelectrons collide with mercury atoms cause the fluorescent film to be excited and 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 prevent stray light and reduce the starting voltage with a simple configuration.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention includes an auxiliary electrode that reduces the starting voltage (discharge starting voltage) between the cathode and the anode, and is arranged in the discharge path between the cathode and the anode. It is configured as follows.

That is, the first invention of the present application is a fluorescent lamp in which a discharge path formed between at least a pair of electrodes is provided with a constriction part that constricts the discharge path in the middle of the discharge path, and an auxiliary tube is provided in the discharge path at or near the constriction part. It is characterized by the provision of electrodes.

Further, the second invention of the present application provides a constriction section that narrows down the discharge path in the middle of the discharge path formed between one or more electrodes and the common electrode, and a light source behind the one or more electrodes. The fluorescent lamp provided with an output section is characterized in that an auxiliary electrode is provided in the discharge path closer to the common electrode than the aperture section.

(Function) <First invention> Since the auxiliary electrode is located at or near the narrowed part of the discharge path between the pair of electrodes, when a voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes and the auxiliary electrode, first the auxiliary electrode A slight discharge occurs between the electrode and one of the electrodes closer to this.

Therefore, reducing the impedance between a pair of electrodes,
The starting voltage (discharge starting voltage) can be reduced. Therefore, the lighting circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

Furthermore, since the auxiliary electrode is located within the discharge path, the auxiliary discharge starting voltage can also be reduced, and the auxiliary discharge circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

<Second invention> Since the auxiliary electrode is located in the middle of the discharge path between one or more electrodes and the common electrode, when a voltage is applied between the one or more electrodes and the common electrode and to the auxiliary electrode, the auxiliary electrode A slight discharge occurs between the electrode and a common electrode close to it.

For this reason, the starting voltage between one or more electrodes and the common electrode can be reduced, so the lighting circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

Furthermore, since the auxiliary electrode is located within the discharge path, the auxiliary discharge starting voltage can be reduced, and the auxiliary discharge circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

Furthermore, since the auxiliary electrode is located closer to the common electrode than the diaphragm of the discharge path, stray light emitted by the auxiliary discharge of the common electrode and the auxiliary electrode is hidden from the light output section by the diaphragm, thereby preventing stray light. be able to.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

Figures 1 (A), (C), and (D) are a plan view, a front view, and a front view of a fluorescent lamp 1 when the first invention of the present application is applied to a so-called single-tube multicolor fluorescent lamp; I D-I
This is a sectional view taken along the line D, and in the figure, the fluorescent lamp 1 is placed on the upper end of the opening in the figure of a cylindrical lower envelope 1a made of glass, for example.
For example, a rectangular cylindrical upper envelope 2 made of ceramic or glass is fixed coaxially.

The upper envelope 2 has an upper end of its opening in the figure hermetically sealed by a transparent plate 3 made of transparent glass.

The transparent plate 3 forms a light output section from which visible light is output to the outside.

The bottom open end of the lower envelope 1a is hermetically sealed by a glass stem 5 in which a cathode 4, which is a common electrode, is implanted. The air in the enclosure 2.1a is evacuated, and after evacuating, mercury and a rare gas are filled in. After the air is filled in, the outer end is pinched off.

The upper envelope 2 has an inner wall formed into a tapered surface 2a that expands into a truncated cone shape toward the light-transmitting plate 3, thereby increasing visibility from the light-transmitting plate 3, which is the light output section. A circular discharge hole 2 is formed at the lower end of the tapered surface 2a in the figure.
b is open.

The opening diameter of the discharge hole 2b is formed to be the same as the inner diameter of the upper end of the opening of the lower envelope 1a.

Further, the upper envelope 2 has a cross-shaped partition plate 7 coaxially inserted and fixed therein, and has, for example, four light emitting chambers 8a, 8b, 8.
It is divided equally into c and 8d.

These light emitting chambers 8a and 8d are for each chamber, for example, red (R),
A fluorescent film 9 that emits light in a desired color is coated on each tapered surface 2a facing these light emitting chambers 8a to 8d and on the outer surface of the partition plate 7 so as to emit green (G) and blue (B) light respectively. ing.

In addition, for example, four cylindrical anodes 10a to 10d are provided upright at each outer corner of each of the light emitting chambers 8a to 8d, and pins are coaxially fixed to the bottoms of these anodes 10a to 10d. The lead wires 11a to 11 lid are passed vertically through the bottom of the upper envelope 2 in an airtight manner, and
A lighting circuit (not shown) is connected to the outer ends of 1a to Lid.

Therefore, by applying a required voltage to the required anodes 10a to 10d and cathode 4, a discharge is caused between these two, and a discharge path C shown by a broken line in the figure is formed between them. Ru.

Since these discharge paths C are reduced in diameter by the discharge holes 2b, the discharge holes 2b and their surrounding areas become the constricted portions 12, where the impedance of the discharge paths C becomes maximum.

An auxiliary electrode 13 shown in FIG. 1(B) is embedded in this constriction part 12 so as to face the discharge path C, so as to reduce the maximum impedance of the constriction part 12.

In other words, the auxiliary electrode 13 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a disc-shaped electrode main body 13b, which has a center hole 13a having approximately the same diameter as the discharge hole 2b.
A flange 13c of the annular side peripheral wall is integrally connected by drawing or the like, and a pin-shaped auxiliary lead wire 13d is fixed substantially parallel to the outer surface of the flange 13c.

The auxiliary electrode 13 is embedded in the ceramic upper envelope 2 made of an electrical insulator of the constricted part 12, with the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 13a facing the discharge path C, and the required voltage is always maintained. applied.

Therefore, the cathode 4 and the required anodes 10a-10
When the required starting voltage is applied to d and d, first, a slight discharge occurs between the cathode 4 and the constantly energized auxiliary electrode (3).
The maximum impedance in the constriction section 12 is reduced.

Therefore, the starting voltage between the cathode 4 and the anodes 10a to 10(Od) is reduced by the voltage applied between the cathode 4 and the auxiliary electrode 13, and the start-up of the discharge can be accelerated.

This also allows the restriking voltage to be reduced.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

When a required voltage is applied to the cathode 4 and the anodes 10a to 10d, for example 10d, first, a slight discharge occurs between the cathode 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 13a of the auxiliary electrode 13, which is always energized. , the maximum impedance of the discharge path C in the constricted portion 12 decreases.

For this purpose, the cathode 4 and the anode 10d start discharging at a low starting voltage, exciting the mercury atoms in the upper and lower envelopes 2, la, and the light-emitting chamber 8d equipped with the anode 10d.
Ultraviolet light is generated inside.

This ultraviolet light excites the fluorescent film 9 in the light emitting chamber 8d to emit light in a desired color, and is outputted to the outside through the transparent plate 3.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the maximum impedance of the constricted portion 12 decreases due to the slight discharge of the auxiliary electrode 13.
The starting voltage of the cathode 4 and anodes 10d to 1Od can be lowered.

This allows the restriking voltage to be lowered, so
The lighting circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

Further, the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 13a of the auxiliary electrode 13 is connected to the discharge path C.
Therefore, the voltage applied to the auxiliary electrode 13 can be lowered compared to the case where the auxiliary electrode 13 is fitted around the outer periphery of the lower envelope 1a, which is an electrical insulator, and the auxiliary discharge circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2D are a plan view, a front view, and a front view of a fluorescent lamp 20 according to an embodiment of the second invention of the present application;
2 is an IrD-IID line cross-sectional view of the fluorescent lamp 20, in which the auxiliary electrode 21 shown in FIG. , is characterized in that it is embedded in the lower envelope 1a; other than this, it is the same as the fluorescent lamp 1 shown in FIGS. 1(A) to (D), so FIGS. In (D), parts common to those in FIGS. 1(A), (C), and (D) are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanation thereof will be omitted.

The auxiliary electrode 21 is attached to the bottom of the tank by fixing the upper end of a pin-shaped auxiliary lead wire 21b almost parallel to the outer circumferential surface of a ring-shaped electrode main body 21a having the same inner diameter as the inner diameter of the lower envelope 1a. ing.

The auxiliary electrode 21 is buried in the upper end in the figure of the glass lower envelope 1a, which is an electrical insulator, slightly closer to the cathode 4 than the narrowed part 12 where the impedance of the discharge path C is maximum, and its ring-shaped inner peripheral surface is It faces discharge path C.

Since the required voltage is always applied to the auxiliary electrode 21, when the required voltage is applied between the card 4 and the anodes 10a to 10d, a slight discharge occurs between the cathode 4 and the auxiliary electrode 21, The impedance of the constriction section 12 can be lowered.

Therefore, the starting voltage and restriking voltage between the cathode 4 and the anodes 10a to 10d can be reduced, and the lighting circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

In addition, since the auxiliary electrode 21 is located closer to the cathode 4 than the aperture part 12, slight discharge between the auxiliary electrode 21 and the cathode 4,
The stray light generated by exciting the fluorescent film 9 by this slight discharge is hidden by the aperture section 12 from the light-transmitting plate 3 of the light output section and becomes invisible, thereby making it possible to prevent stray light.

Furthermore, since the inner peripheral surface of the electrode main body 21a of the auxiliary electrode 21 faces the discharge path C, compared to the case where the auxiliary electrode 21 is fitted around the outer periphery of the lower envelope 1a of an electrical insulator, for example, The voltage applied to the auxiliary electrode 21 can be reduced, and the auxiliary discharge circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

FIGS. 3(A), (B), and (c) are plan views and front views showing other embodiments of the second invention of the present application, and mc-n in FIG. 3(A).
tc sectional view, in which the fluorescent lamp 30 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 2(B).

The feature is that the auxiliary electrode 21 shown in (D) is replaced with an L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31; other than this, it is the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. In A) to (C), parts common to those shown in FIGS. 2(A) to (D) are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanation thereof will be omitted.

In other words, the L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31 is made by bending a conductive linear body in an inverted shape, and a pin-shaped lead wire 21b is fixed coaxially to the lower end of the L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31, and a required voltage is constantly applied to the L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31. It looks like this.

The auxiliary electrode 31 is arranged substantially concentrically slightly below the discharge hole 2b, which is the constriction part 12, in the figure (closer to the cathode 4), and the auxiliary lead wire 31b passes through the glass stem 5 vertically downward in an airtight manner. and is electrically connected to an auxiliary discharge circuit (not shown).

The L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31 is electrically insulated by covering the hanging portion below the L-shaped horizontal portion in the figure and the outer periphery of the inner end of the auxiliary lead wire 31b with a glass coating 32.

Therefore, the cathode 4 and the required anodes 108-10
When the required starting voltage is applied to d, first, a slight discharge occurs between the constantly energized L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31 and the cathode 4,
The maximum impedance of the constriction section 12 is lowered.

Therefore, the starting voltage between the cathode 4 and the anodes 10a to 10d, which are discharged after this slight discharge, is reduced, and the lighting circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

Furthermore, since the L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31 is disposed within the discharge path C, compared to the case where the L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31 is fitted around the outer periphery of the lower envelope 1a, which is an electrical insulator, this L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31 is arranged in the discharge path C. By lowering the voltage applied to the shaped auxiliary electrode 31, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the auxiliary discharge circuit.

Also, the L-shaped auxiliary electrode 3↓ is closer to the cathode 4 than the constriction part 12.
Since the L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31 and the cathode 4 are located close to each other, the slight discharge between the L-shaped auxiliary electrode 31 and the cathode 4 and the stray light generated by exciting the fluorescent film 9 due to the leakage of this slight discharge are hidden from the transparent plate 3 by the diaphragm 12. This prevents stray light from being seen.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the first invention of the present application, since the auxiliary electrode is provided in the discharge path at or near the constriction part where the impedance is maximum, the impedance of the constriction part is lowered by energizing the auxiliary electrode. By lowering the starting voltage between at least one pair of electrodes, the lighting circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

In addition, since the auxiliary electrode is located within the discharge path, the voltage applied to the auxiliary electrode can be lowered compared to when the auxiliary electrode is provided in the discharge path via an electrical insulator, making the auxiliary discharge circuit smaller and lighter. It is possible to aim for

Furthermore, in the second invention of the present application, since the auxiliary electrode is provided on the opposite side of the light output section from the aperture section, there is a slight discharge between the auxiliary electrode and the common electrode, and stray light due to leakage of this slight discharge. Since the light can be hidden from the light output section by the aperture section, stray light can be prevented.

In addition, since the auxiliary electrode is provided in the discharge path, it is possible to reduce the starting voltage between one or more electrodes and the common electrode.
The lighting circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

Furthermore, since the auxiliary electrode is provided in the discharge path, the voltage applied to the auxiliary electrode can be reduced compared to the case where the auxiliary electrode is provided in the discharge path via an electrical insulator. The auxiliary discharge circuit can be made smaller and lighter.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1(A) to 1(D) each show an embodiment of the first invention of the present application, in which FIG. 1(A) is a plan view of a fluorescent lamp, FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view of an auxiliary electrode, and ( C) is a front view of the fluorescent lamp, (D) is a sectional view taken along the ID-ID line in (A), and
The figures each show an embodiment of the second invention of the present application, in which (A) is a plan view of the fluorescent lamp, (B) is a perspective view of the auxiliary electrode, and (C) is a front view of the fluorescent lamp. (D) is a sectional view taken along the line I[D-IID in FIG. 3(A) to (C).
) show other embodiments of the second invention of the present application, in which figure (A) is a plan view of the fluorescent lamp, (B) is a front view of the fluorescent lamp, and (C) is the same figure (A). ) is a sectional view taken along the mc-mc line. 1.20.30...Fluorescent lamp, 3...Transparent plate (light output part), 4...Cathode (common electrode), 10
a to 10d...Anode, 12-...Aperture part, 13
゜21... Auxiliary electrode, 31... L-shaped auxiliary electrode, C.
...Discharge path.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a fluorescent lamp, a discharge path formed between at least a pair of electrodes is provided with a constriction part that constricts the discharge path in the middle thereof, and an auxiliary electrode is provided in the discharge path at or near the constriction part. A fluorescent lamp characterized by being provided with. 2. In the middle of the discharge path formed between one or more electrodes and the common electrode, a constriction part is provided to narrow down the discharge path;
A fluorescent lamp in which a light output section is provided behind more than one electrode, characterized in that an auxiliary electrode is provided in the discharge path on a side closer to the common electrode than the aperture section.