JPS61190844A - Fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To apply a burner flame or the like well in sealing an electrode mount, by providing a continuous wall between the adjacent portions of a discharge path, and making the width of a slit between both the ends of the continuous wall larger than that of the wall. CONSTITUTION:A fluorescent lamp is composed of a U-shaped glass tube 11a, 11b, electrode mounts 2 at the ends of the tube, and a base 3. The gap between the straight portions 11b of the glass tube is set small. The walls of the straight portions 11b are melt-bonded to each other to provide a continuous wall 13 between the straight portions to enhance the mechanical strength of the lamp against the external force. The continuous wall 13 is provided with a slit 14, near which the mounts 2 are sealed at the end of the wall. The width of the slit 14 is set larger than that of the wall 13 so as to apply the flame of a burner or the like well to uniformly soften the mounts 2 and surely seal them by heating the mounts with the burner or the like.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp having a curved discharge path, such as a U-shaped discharge path, a serpentine discharge path or a saddle-shaped discharge path.

(Technical Background of the Invention) In recent years, from the standpoint of power saving through energy conservation, fluorescent lamps with excellent luminous efficiency have been used in place of incandescent light bulbs.Using fluorescent lamps as an alternative light source to incandescent light bulbs In some cases, it becomes advantageous to further increase the light efficiency by miniaturizing the lamp, and for this reason, instead of straight tube fluorescent lamps, fluorescent lamps with U-shaped, figure-8, serpentine or saddle-shaped shapes have been developed. ing.

A conventional U-shaped fluorescent lamp has a glass tube bent into a U-shape, and has straight parts at both ends of the U-shaped bent part.

However, in such conventional U-shaped fluorescent lamps, the two straight parts are separated from each other with a gap, so if an external force is applied to bring these straight parts closer together, the curved part will It has the drawbacks of being easily damaged and having low mechanical strength.

In addition, since the linear portions of this type of lamp are spaced apart from each other, the width of the lamp is relatively large, resulting in a large size of the fixture that accommodates this type of lamp.

In contrast to such conventional U-shaped fluorescent lamps, the present applicant is developing a fluorescent lamp proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 58-203802. This fluorescent lamp has a planar discharge path formed by a glass tube, and the discharge paths in adjacent straight sections are brought closer to each other, and the glass walls forming the discharge paths in the adjacent straight sections are moved closer to each other. , which are connected by a fused continuous wall, and slits are formed in the continuous wall near both ends where electrodes are attached.

According to this structure, since the adjacent straight parts are connected to each other by a continuous wall, the mechanical strength is increased, and even if an external force is applied to the adjacent straight parts in a direction that causes them to approach each other, damage is reduced.

Furthermore, since the width of the lamp can be reduced, the fixture that accommodates the lamp can be downsized, which has the advantage of increasing the degree of freedom in designing the fixture.

By the way, in the fluorescent lamp described in the above-mentioned prior application, slits are formed in the continuous wall of the fluorescent lamp located near the openings at both ends where the electrodes are attached. These slits are designed to uniformly soften the openings and ensure reliable sealing when sealing the electrode mounts to both ends of the discharge path.

That is, when sealing electrode mounts to both ends of a discharge path, both ends are heated to soften them, but when this glass tube is heated, if there is a continuous wall in the vicinity,
Due to uneven temperature distribution, problems such as not being able to soften evenly in the circumferential direction of the openings at both ends, or the flesh becoming warm, can lead to problems such as poor sealing of the electrode mount. . On the other hand, when the slits are provided, both ends are separated from each other, so when these ends are heated, the temperature distribution is more likely to be equalized in the circumferential direction, making it possible to securely seal the electrode mount. It has the following advantages.

[Problems with background technology]

However, the width of the slit described in the above-mentioned earlier application is formed to be equal to or less than the width of the continuous wall, and in such a structure, it is difficult to heat and soften both ends during the electrode mount sealing process. It has been found that because the slit width is small, it is difficult for heat from the burner flame to enter the slit, and the side surfaces on the slit side at both ends may not be heated properly.

Also, because the slit width is small, both ends are close to each other,
There is also a problem that it is difficult to insert the electrode mount.

Furthermore, in the completed lamp state, the electrodes sealed at both ends approach each other, and when the lamp is lit, the temperature of each sealed part increases as it receives heat from the other electrode, so as the lamp is lit repeatedly, There is also a concern that thermal strain will grow and cause cracks to occur.

Of course, compared to the case without slits originally devised by the present inventors, the crack occurrence rate has been significantly reduced, but it is desired to further reduce this crack occurrence rate.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to serve as a 'R electrode mount sealing part in a fluorescent lamp in which the glass walls of adjacent discharge paths are connected to each other by a continuous wall. When heating both ends of the discharge path, both ends are softened evenly, allowing for reliable sealing, making it easier to insert the electrode mount, and reducing the temperature rise during lighting, making it less likely that cracks will occur. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent lamp which is further prevented from emitting light.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fluorescent lamp in which the glass walls of adjacent discharge paths are connected to each other by a continuous wall, and the width of the slit provided between the ends of the discharge path is adjusted to By forming the wall to be larger than the width of the wall, both ends are separated from each other, and when both ends are heated during the sealing process of the l-pole mount, the burner flame and heat can easily wrap around between these ends. The opening of the section is softened evenly in the circumferential direction to ensure reliable sealing, and the two ends are spaced apart from each other, making it easier to insert the electrode mount.Furthermore, the electrodes separate from each other when lit, making it easy to connect to the other side. This is designed to reduce the rate of thermal effects.

[Embodiments of the invention]

The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

In the figure, 1 is a fluorescent lamp having a U-shaped discharge path, 10 is a glass tube constituting the bulb, 2.2 is an electrode mount, and 3 is a cap.

The glass tube 10 is made of soft glass such as soda lime glass, and as shown in FIG. 2, it has straight portions 11b, 11b extending from both sides of a curved portion 11a and parallel to each other.
It has a curved part 11a and a straight part 11b,
A single U-shaped discharge path 12 is formed inside 11b. The linear portions 11b and 11b have a mutual interval 1 set to be extremely small, and the linear portion 11
b, a continuous wall 13 is formed by melting the glass wall 11b. Therefore, the curved portion 11a and the straight portion 1
'1b and llb are interconnected by a continuous wall 13.

A slit 14 is formed in the continuous wall 13.

This slit 14 is located at both ends 15a of the discharge path 12.

15a side is open, and both ends 1 of this discharge path 12
5a and 15a to a predetermined depth h toward the curved portion 11a. Therefore, there is a linear portion 11b between both ends 15a of the discharge path 12,
11b are separated from each other.

These both ends 15a, 15a are electrode mounts 2.2
These arrival parts are separated from each other by the slit 14. In this case, the width of the slit 14 is the width of the continuous wall 13 (-straight portion 1
1b, 11b mutual spacing) greater than 1 - (L<
1) Formed.

When the width W of the lamp is uniform in the longitudinal direction of the glass tube 10,
When the width of the slit 14 is formed to be larger than the width 1 of the continuous wall 13 (LSI), the diameter d of both end portions 15a, 15a, which serve as the arrival portions, is substantially smaller than the diameter of the discharge path 12. It becomes a shape.

A phosphor coating (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of the glass tube 10.

The electrode mount 2.2 is sealed to both ends 15a, 15a of the glass tube 10. Electrode mount 1-2
．． 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the lead wires 5 are sealed to the stem glass 4.
It is constructed by connecting R poles 6.6. Note that 7 is an exhaust pipe.

Such an electrode mount 2.2 is made by heating and softening both ends 15a, 15a of the glass tube 10 with a burner or the like, and at the same time heating and softening the flared ends of the stem glasses 4, 4. Both ends 15a of
15a and the flared ends of the stem glasses 4, 4 are melted and sealed together.

Note that when sealing the electrode mount, the stem glasses 4, 4
Alternatively, the softened ends 15a, 15a may be pinch-sealed.

Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the glass tube 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described based on FIG. 5 and subsequent figures.

In FIG. 5, 20 is a glass tube as a raw material before molding, and this raw glass tube 20 may be open at both ends or closed at one end. The length M of this raw glass tube 20 is the length M of the glass tube 10 after molding shown in FIG.
The hollow area (proportional to the inner diameter) of the material glass tube 20 is set to be slightly larger than the height H of the third
The discharge path 12 is approximately twice as large as one discharge path 12 shown in the figure.

After cleaning the inner and outer surfaces of the raw glass tube 20, the entire tube is heated substantially uniformly in a heating furnace or a burner to soften it.

The softened raw glass tube 20 is molded into a mold 21 shown in FIG.
It will be accommodated in 22 spaces. These molding molds 21.22 have molding surfaces 23.24 that form a predetermined shape, that is, a U-shaped space when abutted against each other, and have partition walls 25.26 between straight straight parts of the U-shape. We are prepared. In addition, the partition wall 25
．． Flat parts 27 and 28, which are wider than the partition walls 25 and 26, are formed on the open end side of the partition wall 26.
．． 28 is formed slightly higher than the partition walls 25 and 26. The total length of the molding molds 21 and 22 is shorter than the length M of the raw glass tube 20, and at least the length M of the raw glass tube 20 is shorter than the length M of the raw glass tube 20.
The heated and softened portion is longer than the molding molds 21 and 22.

The softened raw glass tube 20 is pressurized by such molding molds 21 and 22. In this case, the material glass tube 20
Simultaneously with the crushing of the material glass tube 20, pressurized air is blown into the material glass tube 20. In this way, as shown in FIG. 7, the raw glass tube 20 fits neatly into each molding surface 23, 24, forming a molded product having a U-shaped discharge path in one part. After this, cut off any excess parts or holes that have not been formed.

The glass tube 10' manufactured by such a process has a structure as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. That is, the curved part 11a and the straight part 11b connected thereto.
, 11b, there is a partition wall 2 of the molding die 21, 22.
A continuous wall 13 is formed by pinching molten glass at 5.26 WII, and an *a-shaped slit planning wall 30 is formed continuously to this continuous wall 13. This thin film-like slit planned wall 30 is formed by the flat portion 27.28 of the molding die 21.22, and as described above, the flat portion 27.28 of the molding die 21.22 is formed by the partition wall 25°. 26, the width of the planned slit wall 30 is larger than the width I of the continuous wall 13, and the thickness t of the planned slit wall 30 is greater than the thickness T of the continuous wall 13. It is also formed to have a thin wall.

When the glass tube 10' formed in this manner is exposed to flame on the slit planned wall 30 by the burner 40 shown in FIG. It is extremely easy to dissolve everything.

Accordingly, the glass tube 10 of FIG. 2, which is also shown in cross section in FIG. 11, is completed.

In addition to the method described above, the slit 14 can be formed using a molding die 21. which cuts the intended slit wall 30.
By forming the flat surfaces 127 and 28 of 22 in close contact with each other, these molding molds 21 and 22 may be closed to form the glass tube 10 at the same time.

In the glass tube 10 configured as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
3, the glass tube 10 will not be damaged even if an external force is applied in the direction of the arrow, and its mechanical strength will be increased.

Further, since both ends 15a and 15a of the discharge path 12 are separated from each other by the slit 14, when the electrode mounts 2 and 2 are sealed, these ends 15a.

When heating and softening 15a, these both ends 15a.

Compared to the case where the continuous wall 13 exists between the ends 15a, each end portion 15a, 15a is more likely to be heated uniformly in the circumferential direction, the softening state in the circumferential direction is more likely to be uniform, and layering is less likely to occur.

Moreover, the width of the slit 14 is equal to the width of the continuous wall 13.
Since it is formed larger, both ends 15 of the discharge path 12
A large gap (slit 14) is ensured between the ends 15a and 15a, and these ends 15a and 15a are spaced apart from each other.

As a result, when heating and softening both ends 15a, 15a for sealing the N-pole mounts 2, 2, the burner flame and heat tend to enter the slit 14 between the ends 15a, 15a, and each end 15a , 15a are uniformly heated and softened in the circumferential direction.

Furthermore, since the distance between the two end portions 15a, 15a is large, when the electrode mount 2.2 is inserted into the two end portions 15a, 15a, there will be no interference with each other, and the insertion operation will be facilitated.

For this reason, the electrode mount 2.2 can be reliably sealed and the reliability can be increased.

Furthermore, when the lamp 1 shown in FIG. 1 is turned on in its completed state, the electrodes 6.6 move away from each other and a space for the slit 14 exists between the electrodes 6, 6.
The heat generated by these electrodes 6, 6 has less influence on the other electrode, and excessive temperature rise is reduced, so even if the flashing is repeated, thermal strain will not grow and cracks will not occur. prevent.

The results of an experiment regarding the size of the slit 14 and the extent to which cracks occur when the electrodes are attached will be explained.

The above table is a result of investigating the situation in which cracks occur in the sealed part of a lamp with a lamp width W of 34all when an electrode is attached and the sealed part is cooled. In this case, it was found that no cracks would occur if the slit width L≧3 m and the slit height h≧2 am. Note that the stem used was a flared stem.

If the lamp width W is too small, it will be difficult to insert the electrode, and even if it can be inserted, problems such as the electrode touching the tube wall will occur, and if the lamp width W is too large, it will be impossible to downsize the device. Therefore, the lamp width W is generally 18
It is recommended that you wear shoes with a length of 42am or 42am.

Therefore, as a result of conducting a similar experiment for 18jIl≦W≦42am+, we found that even in such a range, if the slit width is ≧3mm and the slit height is formed within the range of h≧2mm, cracks will not occur. It was found that there was no occurrence of

Similar results were also obtained when a button stem was used instead of a flared stem.

The general tendency is that as the lamp width W increases, the slit width also increases to prevent cracks from occurring.
If the minimum value is 3ms+, the effect is recognized. Further, the larger the slit height h, the better the results, but if the slit height h is formed within the range of at least h≧2, a certain effect can be recognized.

In the above embodiments, a U-shaped fluorescent lamp has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a fluorescent lamp whose discharge path has a meandering shape or a saddle shape.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, in a fluorescent lamp in which the glass walls of adjacent discharge paths are connected to each other by a continuous wall, a slit is provided between both ends of the discharge path, and the width of this slit is set to the width of the continuous wall. Since the width of the wall is larger than the width of the wall, both ends of the wall are separated from each other, and when both ends are heated during the sealing process of the electrode mount, the burner flame and heat tend to wrap around between these ends, causing the ends to become separated from each other. The electrode mount is softened evenly in the direction, ensuring reliable sealing, and the electrode mount can be inserted easily since both ends are spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, after the lamp is completed, the electrodes are separated from each other when lit, reducing the rate of thermal influence on the other side, and preventing excessive temperature rise, which has the advantage of eliminating the occurrence of cracks.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a front view of the entire fluorescent lamp, Fig. 2 is an exploded front view showing the glass tube and electrode mount, and Fig. 3 is taken along line X-X in Fig. 9. cross section of the line,
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in Fig. 9, Fig. 5 and the following show an example of a method for manufacturing a glass tube, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a raw glass tube, and Fig. 6 is a molding die. An exploded perspective view, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the glass tube formed by the mold, FIG. 8 is a front view of the glass tube formed by the mold, and FIG. 9 is an X in FIG.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X--X in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the completed glass tube. 1... Fluorescent lamp, 2, 2... Electrode mount, 1
0...Glass tube, 11a...Bending part, 11b,
11b... Straight portion, 12... Discharge path, 13... Continuous wall, 14... Slit, 15a. 15a... end. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 10 Figure 11

Claims (1)

[Claims] It has a curved discharge path formed by a glass tube, and both ends of the discharge path to which electrodes are attached are arranged side by side, and the glass walls forming adjacent discharge paths are connected by a continuous wall that is fused together. A slit is formed in the continuous wall near both ends of the discharge path, and the width of the slit is formed to be larger than the width of the continuous wall so that the both ends are spaced apart from each other. Fluorescent lamp.