JPH06310094A - Multiphase alternating current-induced multi-electrode discharge type light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the uniform emission of light from all of discharge planes formed during the electrification of discharge electrode to remarkably improve the lighting effect of a multiphase alternating current-induced multi-electrode discharge type light source device when the device is installed in a big hall or the like for example, by installing the electrodes in an electric discharge lamp in such arrangement that the electrodes may induce electric discharge in planar shape instead of dotted one when a multiphase current is applied to the electric discharge lamp, for example, a fluorescent one. CONSTITUTION:A six-phase alternating current-induced six-electrode discharge type light source device for example is prepared through the following process. Namely, a discharging chamber 1 filled with argon having a pressure of several Torr is prepared by forming quartz glass in the shape of a hollow disk 700mm across, 40mm high and 5 to 6mm thick. Discharge electrodes T1 to T6 are installed in the inner wall of the discharging chamber 1 in such arrangement that their head portions may be positioned respectively at the vertexes of a regular hexagon, and also they are equally spaced from one another and projected inwardly from the inner wall so as to induce planar electric discharge. In this connection, the reason why quartz glass is used in preparing the discharging chamber 1 is that it has transmissibility, heat resistance and high strength respectively to light of a wavelength range from visible rays to ultraviolet ones, and when ordinary glass has no problem about its strength it may be used to prepare the discharging chamber 1. A power source composed of a single-phase high-voltage devices S1 to S6 is used in order to excite these electrodes T1 to T6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light source device in which a multi-phase alternating current is applied between multiple electrodes so that a flat discharge is continuously generated between all the electrodes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A light source device (discharge lamp) utilizing discharge is
It discharges in gas or vapor and obtains visible light or ultraviolet radiation from excited atoms. Generally, the target wavelength can be obtained more efficiently than other light sources. It is widely used in fields that require energy.

There are various kinds of discharge lamps, such as sodium lamp which is a thermionic emission type arc lamp using an oxide-coated electrode, and super high pressure mercury lamp which is a field electron emission type arc lamp using a mercury cathode. Other, glow discharge lamp neon light bulb,
There are various types of discharge lamps such as fluorescent discharge lamps.

However, all of these conventional discharge lamps use direct current or single-phase alternating current as their power source, and in terms of the form of discharge even if the discharge states such as glow discharge and arc discharge are different, All were linear discharges. Therefore, there is a limit to improving the discharge density, and particularly when it is used for illumination, it is used only as a point light source or a line light source.

The applicant has previously completed a 6-phase AC output device that can easily obtain 6-phase AC from a 3-phase AC power source. When the electrodes of this book are discharged by devising the connection sequence, a voltage according to the distance between the electrodes is applied to each electrode, and multiple arc discharges are interrupted not only between adjacent electrodes but also between all electrodes. However, it has been found that it occurs while rotating at high speed while aligning the discharge directions. The present inventor has already applied for the 6-phase AC output device and the 6-phase AC 6-electrode arc discharge device (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-228984).
issue).

The Applicant has found that, in addition to the extremely high efficiency of the arc discharge device described above, the discharge is performed in a plane rather than a linear discharge as in conventional devices. We devised to use this planar discharge for various discharge light source devices, and finally completed a light source device by multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge.

[0007]

The present invention provides a uniform and stable planar discharge between multiple electrodes so that visible light or ultraviolet rays having a target wavelength can be generated with extremely high brightness and in a region surrounded by electrodes. It is a technical object to provide a light source device that can radiate a planar shape from the whole.

[0008]

[Means adopted for solving the problems] Means adopted by the applicant for solving the above problems are as follows. That is, an n-phase alternating current output device for outputting an n-phase alternating current, and discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T _n whose tip portions are arranged at respective vertex positions of a regular n-sided polygon,
Encloses the discharge electrodes T ₁ through T _n, and a discharge chamber in which the gas or vapor is sealed, each phase output terminal of the n-phase alternating current output device, the discharge electrodes T ₁ through T in ascending order of the phase _n
By adopting the technical means of connecting in right or left-handed order, a light source device by a multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge that causes a uniform and stable planar discharge is constructed.

Further, if necessary, in a 6-phase AC output device for outputting 6-phase AC, two sets of three transformers are connected in parallel for each output terminal of each phase of the 3-phase AC power supply to form a pair. None,
The winding end of one transformer secondary winding and the winding start of the other transformer secondary winding of each pair of transformers connected in parallel as these pairs are connected, and these three sets of connection portions are further connected to each other. We adopted the method of connecting and using the terminal of the transformer secondary winding on the side not connected in common as the output terminal.

Further, if necessary, a means for providing an electrode preheating terminal equipped with a switch separately from the n-phase AC output terminal on the secondary winding of the transformer for outputting the n-phase AC of the required voltage is adopted. did.

[0011]

The present invention will be described below based on the first to third embodiments. 1 is a schematic wiring diagram of the structure of a light source device by 6-phase AC 6-electrode discharge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a discharge chamber in the first embodiment device of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a vector diagram of an AC voltage applied between the electrodes in the apparatus of the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a combined vector diagram of AC applied between the electrodes of the apparatus of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus in the first embodiment. Discharge path explanatory diagram showing the state of discharge,
FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of a light source device by 6-phase AC 6-electrode discharge according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration wiring diagram of a light-source device by 3-phase AC 4-electrode discharge according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure.

[First Embodiment] The first embodiment is a six-phase alternating current 6
It is a light source device using electrode discharge. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates the number of pressures.
The discharge chamber 1 is a discharge chamber in which a Torr argon gas is sealed, and the discharge chamber 1 is formed of quartz glass having a thickness of 5 to 6 mm formed into a hollow disk shape having a diameter of 700 mm and a height of 40 mm. On the inner wall of the discharge chamber 1, discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T ₆ are projected at equal intervals so that the tips are located at the respective vertices of a regular hexagon, and the discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T ₆ cause a planar discharge. Is done. In addition, in the present embodiment, quartz glass is used for forming the discharge chamber 1 because quartz glass has excellent transparency and heat resistance of light from visible rays to ultraviolet rays.
This is because it has high strength, and ordinary glass can be used when there is no problem in strength. The discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T ₆ included in the discharge chamber 1 are connected to a 6-phase AC output device described below.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals U-X, V-Y, and W-Z.
What is indicated by is a three-phase AC output terminal connected to a three-phase AC power source and a delta connection (or a star connection may be used). A transformer S ₁ · S ₄ is connected to the terminal U-X and a transformer is connected to the terminal V-Y. vessel S ₅ · S _2, and so on transformer S ₃ · S ₆ to the terminal W-Z, and the three sets of six single-phase transformer by two for each phase connected in parallel. A discharge transformer is used for the transformers S _{1 to} S ₆ . Of these two transformers for each phase,
Two sets of connections in which the winding end of the secondary winding of one transformer and the winding start of the secondary winding of the other transformer are connected, and this connecting wire is further connected to another transformer in the same manner. Connect with a wire. Then, the six terminals of the secondary winding of the transformer that are not commonly connected are used as the output terminals of the six-phase AC.

Here, when the single-phase alternating currents output from the single-phase transformers S _{1 to} S ₆ are represented by symbols A _{1 to} A ₆ , respectively, the alternating currents output from the transformers S ₁ and S ₄ connected in parallel, respectively. A ₁ and alternating current A ₄ are in opposite phases to each other, and similarly alternating current A ₅
And AC A ₂ and AC A ₃ and AC A ₆ also have opposite phases.
Further, the alternating currents A ₁ , A ₅ , and A ₃ output from the transformers S ₁ , S ₅ , and S ₃ have a phase difference of 120 ° with each other, and the same applies to the alternating currents A ₄ , A ₂ , and A _6. is there. Due to the phase relationships of the alternating currents A _{1 to} A ₆ , the 6-phase alternating current output device outputs 6 single-phase alternating currents with a phase difference of 60 °.

The 6-phase AC output device having the above-mentioned configuration and the discharge chamber 1
The discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T _{6 of No. 1} are connected by the connection method described below.

Six single-phase alternating currents A _{1 to} A ₆ output from the 6-phase alternating current output device are delivered to the discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T _{6 in the} order of their phases.
Energize in clockwise (or counterclockwise) order. The phase sequence in the 6-phase AC output device is AC A ₁ → A ₂ → A ₃ → A
_{Since 4} → A ₅ → A ₆ , if the alternating current A ₁ is applied to the electrode T ₁ and the alternating current A ₂ is applied to the electrode T ₂ next to the electrode T ₁ , the alternating current A ₃ is applied to the electrode T ₃ . The alternating current A ₄ is energized to the electrode T ₄ , the alternating current A ₅ is energized to the electrode T ₅ , and the alternating current A ₆ is energized to the electrode T ₆ (in the clockwise direction toward the drawing).

When a discharge is started by adopting this connection method, a plurality of discharges are constantly generated between the electrodes, and since these rotate at high speed, the discharge becomes flat in the area surrounded by the discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T _6. Will occur. Hereinafter, the state of the discharge generated in the discharge chamber 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 shows the voltage vectors for the other electrodes T _{2 to} T ₆ of the electrode T ₁ . When the voltage applied to each of the electrodes T _{1 to} T ₆ by the 6-phase AC output device is electrode T ₁ ; sin θ, electrode T ₂ ; sin
(Θ + 2π / 6), electrode T ₃ ; sin (θ + 4π / 6), electrode T
₄ ; sin (θ + 6π / 6), electrode T ₅ ; sin (θ + 8π /)
6), electrode T ₆ ; can be represented by sin (θ + 10π / 6). Therefore, the voltage between the electrodes T _{1 and} T ₂ ; sin θ−sin (θ + 2
π / 6) = − cos (θ + π / 6), and similarly, the electrodes T ₁ −T
Voltage between ₃ ; -√3cos (θ + 2π / 6), voltage between electrodes T _{1 and} T ₄ ; -2cos (θ + 3π / 6), voltage between electrodes T _{1 and} T ₅ ;
−√3cos (θ + 4π / 6), voltage between electrodes T _{1 and} T ₆ ; −cos
(Θ + 5π / 6). FIG. 3 shows an inter-electrode voltage vector applied between the electrode T ₁ and the other electrodes T _{2 to} T ₆ at a certain moment. Then, FIG. 4 shows a combined vector of the electrode T ₁ obtained by combining the voltage vectors shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the composite vector of the electrode T ₁ rotates in an elliptical locus. Then, at the moment when this combined vector is directed to the midpoint between the electrodes T ₄ and T ₅ , the discharge is divided and bent, and mainly reaches the electrodes T ₄ and T ₅ . The rotary composite vector is likewise present sushi to other electrode T ₂ through T _6, by the plurality of rotating composite vector is associated, uniform and stable planar discharge between the six discharge electrodes occurs Of. This state is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral a → b → c → d → d → e →→
It shows the discharge path at each moment every time the phase advances from 30 degrees to 30 degrees. The thick arrows in the figure indicate that the maximum voltage value is applied between the electrodes and the discharge current flows in the direction of the arrow, and the thin arrows indicate that the voltage is applied between the electrodes, but not the maximum value, in the direction of the arrow. It shows that a discharge current flows. In FIG. 5, the discharge path is represented by a straight line for simplification, but the actual discharge may be divided or bent as described above.

As is apparent from FIG. 5, in the device of the present invention, a plurality of discharges are always generated simultaneously at any moment. That is, in the area surrounded by the discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T ₆ , continuous planar discharge is continuously generated, and the entire area emits light. Moreover, it is also clear from FIG. 5 that these plural discharges are aligned with each other and rotate at high speed. Since the discharge makes one rotation per AC cycle, when a commercial frequency of 50 or 60 Hz is used, a planar discharge composed of a plurality of discharges in the same direction makes 50 or 60 rotations per second. Since the planar discharge aligned in this way rotates continuously at high speed without interruption, the luminous efficiency is significantly improved compared to the conventional device, and moreover, the discharge at the time of alternating single-phase alternating current as in the conventional device. The flicker caused by blinking is also eliminated.

When the light source device by the six-phase AC six-electrode discharge of the present embodiment described above is operated, glow discharge (discharge voltage; about 1 KV, discharge current; about 20 mA) occurs,
A reddish-purple planar emission peculiar to argon is obtained. The gas sealed in the discharge chamber of the device of the present invention is not limited to argon, but may be an inert gas such as helium, neon, krypton, or xenon, deuterium, sodium, mercury, or a metal halide. The vapor may be used. By selecting the type of the enclosed gas and adjusting the pressure of the enclosed gas, it is possible to highly efficiently obtain the light of the wavelength required for each application.

The "second embodiment" second embodiment also, but is to use a six-phase alternating current 6 electrodeless discharge, in the present embodiment, it preheating prior to discharge electrodes T ₁ through T ₆ to discharge Is configured as follows. This will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0025] In this embodiment, each of the transformer secondary winding of S ₁ to S ₆ for outputting a six-phase alternating current, separately from the six-phase AC output terminals, the electrode preheating terminals P ₁ to P ₆ It is provided. Then, the preheating terminals P ₁ to P _6, the distal end portion to the discharge electrode T ₁ through T ₆ that the helical filament is to connect with intervening switches Q ₁ to Q _6. With this configuration, it becomes easy to start the discharge of the light source device. That is,
When applying the discharge electrodes T ₁ through T ₆ to 6 phase alternating current, by closing the switch Q ₁ to Q _6, a certain amount of current flows to each electrode, each filament is heated by the Joule heat. Thermionic electrons are emitted due to the temperature rise of the filament,
Discharge between the electrodes can be easily started. Once discharge begins, the discharge also opens switch Q ₁ to Q ₆ is maintained. The rest of the configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment.

In the discharge chamber of the light source device of this embodiment, the pressure number Torr
Of deuterium was filled in, 6-phase alternating current was applied to each electrode, and switches Q _{1 to} Q ₆ were closed for 1 to 2 seconds.
_A flat arc discharge was generated in the entire area surrounded by _{1 to} T ₆ (discharge voltage; about 120 V discharge current; about 6 A), and ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 160 to 300 nm were emitted from the entire discharge chamber 1. Also, it was confirmed that the wavelength of the radiated ultraviolet light becomes shorter when the deuterium filling pressure is lowered, and the ultraviolet wavelength becomes longer when the deuterium filling pressure is raised.

[Third Embodiment] The third embodiment is a three-phase alternating current 4
It is a light source device using electrode discharge. This will be described with reference to FIG.

On the inner wall of the discharge chamber 11 of the apparatus of this embodiment, discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T ₃ are projected at equal intervals so that the tips are located at the respective apexes of an equilateral triangle. ₀ is provided so as to be located at the center point of the equilateral triangle. The discharge electrode T ₁ through T ₃ of the discharge chamber 11, the three-phase AC power source and a delta connection (or a star connection) and a 3-phase AC output terminal U-X, V-Y, and a W-Z, Transformers S ₁ ~
It connects through S ₃ .

Here, it is assumed that the ground electrode T ₀ is not installed, and only the _three electrodes T _{1 to} T ₃ are arranged near the respective apex positions of the equilateral triangle. Consider a rotational composite vector based on the electrode T ₁ as described in the first embodiment. Even in the case of this three-phase AC three-electrode device, the rotational combined vector is the same as that of the electrodes T ₂ and
_Although there are moments that point toward the midpoint with ₃ ,
In the discharge device, an angle between the electrode T ₂ direction and the electrode T ₃ direction viewed from the electrode T ₁ , that is, ∠T ₂ T ₁ T ₃ is
Too large at 60 ° (maximum among other multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge devices. In the case of the above-mentioned 6-phase AC 6-electrode device ∠T ₄ T
₁ T ₅ = 30 °), and almost no discharge occurs at the center point portion of the equilateral triangle formed by the electrodes T _{1 to} T ₃ . Therefore, in the third embodiment, the ground electrode T ₀ is provided near the center point of the equilateral triangle formed by the electrodes T _{1 to} T ₃ .

[0030]

As described above with reference to the embodiments, in the light source device by the multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge according to the present invention, it is possible to uniformly and stably obtain the planar discharge between the multi-electrodes. . Therefore, it can be used as a planar light source instead of the point or line light source as in the conventional device. For example, if it is installed in a large hall or the like as a flat fluorescent lamp that uniformly emits light over the entire plane, a lighting effect can be obtained. Is much improved.

Furthermore, since this planar discharge is generated by a plurality of discharges in the same direction, the luminous efficiency is extremely good,
Moreover, since these multiple discharges rotate at high speed while continuously changing their direction without interruption, the flicker caused by the blinking of the discharge during the alternating operation of the single-phase AC power supply as in the conventional device is also eliminated. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic wiring diagram of a configuration of a light source device by 6-phase AC 6-electrode discharge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a discharge chamber in the device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a voltage vector diagram of alternating current applied between each electrode in the device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a combined vector diagram of alternating currents applied between electrodes in the device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a discharge path explanatory diagram showing a state of a planar discharge generated by the device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic connection diagram of a light source device using a 6-phase AC 6-electrode discharge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of a configuration of a light source device using a three-phase AC four-electrode discharge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

P ₁ to P ₆ electrode preheating terminal Q ₁ to Q ₆ switch S ₁ to S ₆ single-phase transformer T ₀ grounding electrodes T ₁ through T ₆ discharge electrodes 1 and 11 discharge chamber

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An n-phase alternating current output device for outputting n-phase alternating current,
Discharge electrode T ₁ whose tip is arranged at each vertex of a regular n-gon
To T _n and a discharge chamber containing the discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T _n and containing gas or vapor enclosed therein, the output electrodes of the respective phases of the n-phase alternating current output device are arranged in the order of earlier phases of the discharge electrodes. A light source device by multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge, characterized in that it is connected to T _{1 to} T _{n in the} order of right or left. 2. A 6-phase AC output device for outputting 6-phase AC,
Discharge electrode T ₁ whose tip is arranged at each vertex of a regular hexagon
And through T _6, and a discharge chamber in which the gas or vapor containing the discharge electrodes T ₁ through T ₆ is sealed, the discharge electrodes of each phase output terminal of the 6-phase alternating current output device, in ascending order of the phase A light source device by multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge, characterized in that it is connected to T _{1 to} T _{6 in the} order of right or left. 3. Three sets of transformers S ₁ · S ₄ and transformers S ₅ · 2 in parallel for each output terminal of each phase of the three-phase AC power supply.
S ₂ and the transformers S ₃ and S ₆ are connected to form a pair, and the pair of transformers connected in parallel as these pairs have one winding end of one transformer secondary winding and the other transformer secondary winding. Connect the winding start of the wire and further connect these three sets of connection parts,
The light source device by multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge according to claim 2, wherein a 6-phase AC output device having an output terminal of the terminal of the secondary winding of the transformer not connected in common is used. 4. A discharge electrode T _{1 to} T ₃ having a tip portion arranged at each vertex of an equilateral triangle, a ground electrode T ₀ having a tip portion arranged at a center point position of the equilateral triangle, and the discharge electrode T ₁ to.
A discharge chamber containing T ₃ and a ground electrode T ₀ and in which gas or vapor is sealed, and each phase output terminal of the three-phase AC power supply is connected to the discharge electrodes T _{1 to} T.
A light source device using multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge, characterized in that it can be connected to ₃ . 5. A transformer S that outputs an n-phase alternating current of a required voltage.
_By providing the electrode preheating terminals P _{1 to} P _n equipped with the switches Q _{1 to} Q _n separately from the n-phase AC output terminals on the secondary windings _{1 to} S _n , respectively, the discharge electrode T
₁ light source device according polyphase AC multi-electrode discharge according to claim 1, wherein the through T _n, characterized in that the heatable. 6. A transformer S which outputs a 6-phase alternating current of a required voltage.
_{In addition} to the 6-phase AC output terminals on the secondary windings _{1 to} S ₆ , the electrode preheating terminals P _{1 to} P ₆ provided with the switches Q _{1 to} Q ₆ are provided respectively, so that the discharge electrode T can be discharged prior to the discharge.
₁ light source device according polyphase AC multi-electrode discharge according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the through T _6, characterized in that the heatable. 7. A transformer S that outputs a three-phase alternating current of a required voltage.
Apart from the three-phase AC output terminal to the secondary winding of ₁ to S _3, by providing the electrode preheating terminal P ₁ to P ₃ having a switch Q ₁ to Q ₃ respectively, prior to discharge the discharge electrodes T
_The light source device by multi-phase AC multi-electrode discharge according to claim 4, wherein _{1 to} T ₃ can be heated.