JPH1140383A - Lighting device for rare gas discharge lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp which is capable of obtaining relatively stable starting characteristics, even if placed in a dark state, and surely moving to a stable discharge state after starting of lighting. SOLUTION: This lighting device has a rare gas discharge lamp DL in which a pair of belt-shaped outside electrodes 5, 6 is separately arranged on the outer circumferential surface of an envelope 1 having a luminescent layer on the inside, a first high frequency high voltage generating circuit H for generating sinusoidal high frequency high voltage, and a second high frequency high voltage generating circuit HA for generating the pulse-shaped high frequency high voltage. The rare gas discharge lamp DL is connected to the output sides of the first and a second high frequency high voltage generating circuits through a switching means S so that high frequency high voltage is applied to a pair of outside electrodes, and before the noble gas discharge lamp DL starts operation, electric power is supplied from the first high frequency high voltage generating circuit H to the noble gas discharge lamp DL, and after starting of operation, the electric power is supplied from the second high frequency high voltage generating circuit HA to the noble gas discharge lamp by switching over the switching means S.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rare gas discharge lamp lighting device, and more particularly to a rare gas discharge lamp having a light emitting layer having an aperture on an inner surface of a glass bulb and a pair of band-shaped external electrodes on an outer peripheral surface. The present invention relates to an improvement in a circuit configuration in which a starting device in which a gas discharge lamp is connected to a high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit has a stable starting characteristic under an environment in which extraneous light applied to the rare gas discharge lamp is scarce.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The present applicant has previously proposed a rare gas discharge lamp L shown in FIGS. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a straight tubular envelope which is hermetically sealed by a glass bulb, for example, and has a light emitting layer 2 made of a phosphor such as a rare earth phosphor or a halophosphate phosphor on the inner surface thereof. Is formed.
In particular, the light emitting layer 2 is formed with an aperture 2a having a predetermined opening angle over substantially the entire length. And
The sealing structure of the envelope 1 is configured by sealing a disk-shaped sealing glass plate to an end of a glass bulb. For example, the sealing structure is performed by simply reducing the diameter while heating the glass bulb and fusing the glass bulb. You can also. In the enclosed space of the envelope 1, a rare gas such as xenon (Xe), krypton (Kr), neon (Ne), and helium (He) which does not contain metal vapor such as mercury is used alone or mixed. A predetermined amount is enclosed.

[0003] A sheet structure 3 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 so as to be in close contact therewith. This sheet structure 3
For example, an insulating translucent sheet 4 having a length substantially equal to the entire length of the envelope 1 and a thickness set in a range of 20 to 100 μm, and the translucent sheet 4 A pair of strip-shaped external electrodes 5 and 6 made of a non-translucent metal member which are adhered to one surface of the first electrode 4 at a predetermined distance from each other, and from the ends of the external electrodes 5 and 6, Terminals 51 and 61, which have an electrical connection relationship and are led out so that the leading ends protrude from an edge portion of the translucent sheet 4, and the translucent sheet 4
And an adhesive layer 9 having an adhesive or adhesive function provided to one surface of the substrate. In addition, when the sheet structure 3 is mounted on the envelope 1, one end 5 of the external electrodes 5, 6 is provided.
a and 6a, a first opening 7 is formed between the other ends 5b and 6b of the external electrodes 5 and 6, and a second opening 8 is formed between the other ends 5b and 6b. It is mainly emitted outside through the first opening 7 through the aperture 2a.
Further, in the sheet structure 3, as the translucent sheet 4,
For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin is suitable, but other resins such as polyester resin can also be used.

The above-mentioned sheet structure 3 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 so that the external electrodes 5 and 6 are located between the envelope 1 and the translucent sheet 4 (see FIG. 1). Winding). This sheet
The mounting of the structure 3 to the envelope 1 is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. First, the sheet structure 3 is arranged on the stage 10 in an expanded state. Next, the envelope 1 is arranged at one end 4a of the translucent sheet 4 in the sheet structure 3, and
The envelope 1 is formed by a pair of driven rollers 11
After the stage 10 is set so as to be pressed against the stage 4, the stage 10 is slightly moved in the M direction and then moved in the N direction. Then, the sheet structure 3 relatively rolls on the translucent sheet 4 and is mounted on the outer peripheral surface by being wound around the sheet structure 3. In the sheet structure 3, the external electrodes 5 and 6 are adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 by using an adhesive layer formed on the surface thereof, and the translucent sheet 4 is Using the adhesive layer 9 formed on one side, it is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the envelope 1 at the time of winding, and the respective ends 4a and 4b are overlapped and adhered at the second opening 8. .

The rare gas discharge lamp L is lit by a lighting device shown in FIG. 15, for example. The lighting device includes a high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit (inverter circuit) H that generates a high-frequency high voltage having a frequency of about 30 KHz and a voltage of about 2500 V0 _-P , and has an output waveform that is substantially a sine wave. A switching element for controlling the supply of DC power to the inverter circuit H, such as a switching transistor Q, and a smoothing capacitor C. The inverter circuit H includes, for example, primary coils TRa and TRb, and a secondary coil. Oscillation transformer T having coil TRc and excitation coil TRd
R, a choke coil CH connected between the midpoint of the primary coils TRa and TRb and the switching transistor Q.
And first and second connected to the primary coils TRa and TRb.
Switching element, for example, the first and second transistors Q
a, Qb and resistors Ra, connected between the bases of the first and second transistors Qa, Qb and the exciting coil TRd.
Rb. And an inverter circuit H
Are connected to external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp L.

In this lighting device, when a DC power source obtained by, for example, full-wave rectification of a commercial power source is connected between the terminals T1 and T2 and a drive signal is applied to the terminal T3 at appropriate intervals, the switching transistor Q is turned on, When the first and second transistors Qa and Qb are turned on and off at appropriate times, the high-frequency high voltage described above is generated in the secondary coil TRc of the oscillation transformer TR, and the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp L are generated. Is applied to Thereby, the rare gas discharge lamp L
Unlike a discharge lamp using a hot cathode or a cold cathode, which is lit by one discharge path along the longitudinal direction of the envelope, it is different between the external electrodes 5 and 6 (in the longitudinal direction of the envelope 1). (In a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction), the lighting is performed in a striped state by forming an infinite number of discharge paths. In this state, the light emitting layer 2 is excited by a rare gas excitation line to emit light, and the light is emitted from the first opening 7 to the outside through the aperture 2a. In a normal lighting state, a striped discharge state cannot be visually observed.

In particular, since no mercury is used in the rare gas discharge lamp L, there is a characteristic that the light quantity rises sharply after lighting and reaches almost 100% at the same time as lighting. ing. For this reason, it is suitable as a light source for reading originals of OA equipment such as a facsimile, an image scanner, and a copying machine.

[0008]

As described above, when the rare gas discharge lamp L is applied to a document irradiating apparatus, the density of radiated light from the light emitting layer 2 is increased by the aperture structure. Is possible, the original surface illuminance can be increased, and the reading accuracy of the original can be improved. However, recently, in order to further improve the processing capability of the OA equipment, the original surface illuminance is further increased. There is a need for a rare gas discharge lamp that can operate.

In order to meet such a demand, the present applicant has proposed a rare gas discharge lamp lighting device shown in FIG. In the figure, the basic configuration is the same as the lighting device of the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG. The difference is that a rare gas discharge lamp L is connected to the output side of a high frequency high voltage generating circuit (for example, an inverter circuit) HA for generating a pulsed high frequency high voltage, and that the inverter circuit HA has at least a primary circuit. It is configured by an oscillation transformer TRA having a coil TRa and a secondary coil TRc, a capacitor CA, and a switching element QA.

This lighting device operates as follows. First, when a DC power supply that is full-wave rectified from a commercial power supply is connected to the terminals Ta and Tb, the capacitor CA is charged. In this state, when a drive signal is applied to the base electrode of the switching element (for example, transistor) QA via the terminal Tc, the transistor QA is turned on and the electric charge charged in the capacitor CA is changed to the primary voltage of the oscillation transformer TRA. Released to the coil TRa. Next, when the transistor QA is inverted to the OFF state, a pulsed high-frequency high voltage is generated in the secondary coil TRc and applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp L. As a result, a discharge is generated between the external electrodes, and the rare gas discharge lamp L is turned on.

According to this proposal, since a pulsed high-frequency high voltage is applied to the rare gas discharge lamp L, the luminous efficiency is improved, and the illuminance on the document surface is increased as compared with the lighting device shown in FIG. For example, even if the document feed speed is increased,
Sufficient reading accuracy can be expected.

However, recently, the document irradiating device has been
In some cases, the rare gas discharge lamp L is hardly irradiated with extraneous light and is almost in a dark state. Therefore, in the presence of extraneous light, when a pulsed high-frequency high voltage having a frequency of 30 KHz and a voltage of about 2500 V _OP is applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6, the applied voltage is approximately 20 to 3 after application of the voltage.
Although the lighting is performed in less than 00 mS (millisecond), in such a dark state, not only the variation of the lighting time becomes large, but also
Some of them require more than one second to light (start). For this reason, use of the OA equipment may sometimes be hindered.

The cause is considered as follows. That is, in general, a fluorescent lamp cannot be started or is difficult to start because the ionization is not performed smoothly unless initial electrons are present at the time of starting. Normally, initial electrons that trigger discharge include thermoelectrons, photoelectrons, electrons emitted by a high electric field, and cosmic rays in the natural world. However, for example, when a rare gas discharge lamp is arranged in a place shielded from the outside like the above-described OA equipment, natural cosmic rays hardly reach the rare gas discharge lamp, and initial electrons cannot be expected. Become. In addition, since the output waveform of the high-frequency high-voltage generation circuit HA has a pulse shape, the power integrated value per unit time at startup is small, and the power supply amount from the high-frequency high-voltage generation circuit HA to the rare gas discharge lamp L (Power injection amount) becomes insufficient, and it may take a relatively long time to shift to regular lighting. Therefore, in the rare gas discharge lamp lighting device, there is a problem that the starting characteristics of the rare gas discharge lamp become unstable and the variation of the lighting time becomes large.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a relatively stable starting characteristic even when the rare gas discharge lamp is arranged in an environment shielded from extraneous light, and to ensure a stable discharge state after starting. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp which can be shifted to the above.

[0015]

Therefore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member on the outer peripheral surface of an envelope having a light emitting layer on the inner surface.
A rare gas discharge lamp arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other so that the first and second openings are formed over substantially the entire length of the envelope; and a high frequency high voltage generating circuit for generating a high frequency high voltage. The rare gas discharge lamp is connected to an output side of a high frequency high voltage generating circuit so that a high frequency high voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes, and before starting the rare gas discharge lamp, a high frequency high voltage is generated. The power supply from the circuit to the rare gas discharge lamp is increased, and the power supply is reduced after the start thereof.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are provided on the outer peripheral surface of an envelope having a light-emitting layer on the inner surface over a substantially entire length of the envelope. , A rare gas discharge lamp arranged to be spaced apart from each other so as to form a second opening, a first high frequency high voltage generating circuit for generating a sine wave or rectangular wave high frequency high voltage, and a pulse And a second high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit for generating the high-frequency high-voltage of the first and second high-frequency high-voltage generating circuits. The high frequency high voltage is connected to the electrodes so that the rare gas discharge lamp is supplied with electric power from the first high frequency high voltage generating circuit before the rare gas discharge lamp is started, and the switching means is provided after the rare gas discharge lamp is started. Switching of the rare gas from the second high frequency high voltage generation circuit And supplying power to the lamp.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are provided on the outer peripheral surface of an envelope having a light-emitting layer on the inner surface over the entire length of the envelope. A rare gas discharge lamp, which is spaced apart from each other so as to form a second opening, and a rare gas discharge lamp which generates a pulsed high-frequency high voltage and is provided on the output side, and a pair of external electrodes. A high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit connected so that a high-frequency high voltage is applied to the high-frequency high-voltage generator; an adjusting means for adjusting the output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit by detecting whether or not the rare gas discharge lamp is started; Voltage varying means for varying the input voltage to the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit according to the output frequency of the generating circuit, and before starting the rare gas discharge lamp, based on a control signal from the adjusting means, Set the output frequency of the generator to the first frequency. A high second frequency is set, and an input voltage to the high-frequency high voltage generating circuit is set to a second voltage higher than the first voltage by a voltage variable means. The output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is set to the first frequency based on the first frequency, and the input voltage to the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is set to the first voltage.

Further, the fourth invention of the present invention is characterized in that a modified portion is formed at an appropriate side edge of an external electrode forming the first and second openings in the rare gas discharge lamp, Characterized in that one of the formed external electrodes is grounded,
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rare gas discharge lamp is configured such that light emitted from the light emitting layer is mainly emitted to the outside from the first opening, and a pair of external electrodes forming the first opening. Of the pair of external electrodes forming the second opening is formed with a deformed portion only on the side edge of one of the external electrodes, and the other external electrode is formed. The side edge portion of the electrode is formed in a straight shape, and the external electrode forming the deformed portion of the rare gas discharge lamp is grounded. The external electrode of the rare gas discharge lamp is formed in one of a triangular shape, a rectangular shape including a trapezoidal shape, and a substantially semicircular shape including a waveform, and is formed over substantially the entire length so as to have periodicity. It is characterized by.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the rare gas discharge lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the prior art shown in FIGS. 11 to 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The basic principle of the present invention is that a rare gas discharge lamp is connected to the output side of a high frequency high voltage generation circuit so that a high frequency high voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes, and before starting the rare gas discharge lamp. Is to increase the amount of power supply from the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit to the rare gas discharge lamp, and to reduce the amount of power supply after startup to stabilize the starting characteristics in the dark state. Different from prior art.

In this figure, the characteristic parts of this embodiment are as follows.
Triangular irregular portions 5A, 6A having periodicity are formed at side edges 5b, 6b of the external electrodes 5, 6 forming the second opening 8 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL, and other external electrodes are formed. The side edges 5a and 6a of the tubes 5 and 6 are formed in the form of a straight line. The rare gas discharge lamp DL is switched via a switch means S to a first high-frequency wave for generating a sinusoidal or rectangular wave high-frequency high voltage. The output side of the high-voltage generation circuit H and the second high-frequency high-voltage generation circuit HA for generating a pulsed high-frequency high voltage are connected so as to be switchable, and the deformed portions 5A and 6A of the rare gas discharge lamp DL are connected. One (one) of the formed external electrodes 5 and 6 is grounded.

The deformed portions 5A and 6A are formed to have a periodicity. For example, when the outer diameter of the envelope 1 is 8 mm, the width including the deformed portions 5A and 6A is 8 mm, and the deformed portion 5A is formed. , 6A are preferably set to dimensions of about 4 mm, and the heights of the deformed parts 5A, 6A (apex of the triangular portion) are set to about 1.5 mm, but may be appropriately changed depending on the specifications of the rare gas discharge lamp and the lighting device. it can. The intervals between the vertices of the deformed portions 5A, 6A formed on the side edges 5b, 6b of the external electrodes 5, 6 are set to be substantially the same over the entire length. The opening width (interval) of the first opening 7 is also set to be substantially the same over the entire length.

As a constituent member of the envelope 1, any material can be used as long as it has a high dielectric constant, can reliably maintain airtightness, and has a light-transmitting property. Lead glass having a large dielectric constant is suitable. The thickness is set in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 mm (preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 mm), and in this range, desired productivity and optical characteristics can be obtained.
However, the wall thickness is less than 0.4 mm, especially 0.2 mm
If it is less than 1, the mechanical strength of the envelope 1 is extremely reduced, so that the defect rate due to glass breakage in the production process by mass production equipment increases, and conversely, the wall thickness is reduced to 0. 7
If the distance exceeds mm, a striped discharge state is visually observed, and flicker occurs in light emitted from the aperture portion 2a. Therefore, it is desirable to set the thickness of the envelope 1 within the above range.

A rare gas such as xenon (Xe), krypton (Kr), neon (Ne) and helium (He) is sealed in the inner space of the envelope 1 by mixing one or more kinds. The sealing pressure is, for example, 83 to 200
Torr range. In this range, the starting characteristics,
The effect of improving light output (original surface illuminance) and flicker can be obtained. However, when the sealing pressure is less than 83 Torr, the effect of improving the light output becomes insufficient, and conversely,
When the sealing pressure exceeds 200 Torr, not only the starting characteristics are impaired, but also a striped discharge state is visually observed, and the light emitted from the aperture portion 2a becomes flickering. Therefore, it is desirable to set the rare gas charging pressure within the above range.

The light emitting layer 2 may be composed of only one type of phosphor or a mixture of two or more types depending on the use of the rare gas discharge lamp. For example, in the case of a three-wavelength emission type, for example, a europium-activated barium magnesium aluminate phosphor having an emission spectrum in a blue region, and a cerium magnesium having an emission spectrum in a green region.
It is formed of a mixture of a terbium-activated lanthanum phosphate phosphor and a europium-activated yttrium / gadolium borate phosphor having an emission spectrum in the red region. The amount of the attached phosphor is 5 to 30 mg / cm ² . Is set in the range. Sufficient light intensity (light output) in this range
Is obtained, but when the attached amount is less than 5 mg,
Insufficient light causes insufficient illumination on the document surface.
If the amount exceeds 30 mg, it is difficult to form a uniform light emitting layer. Therefore, it is desirable that the amount of the light-emitting layer 2 attached be set within the above range.

Further, first and second openings 7 and 8 are formed in the separated portions of the external electrodes 5 and 6, respectively.
The respective opening angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are set in a relation of θ ₁ > θ ₂ . The opening angle θ ₁ of the first opening 7 is 60 to 90
It is desirable that the opening angle θ ₂ of the second opening 8 be about 55 °. However, the opening angle θ ₁ of the first opening 7 can be set outside the above range depending on the application, and the second opening 8 is desirably narrow enough not to cause dielectric breakdown, for example, at least about 2 mm. It is recommended that the separation distance be maintained. The opening angle of the aperture 2a is set substantially equal to the opening angle θ1 of the _first opening 7.

Next, the operation of the lighting device shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, it is assumed that the rare gas discharge lamp DL is arranged in a dark state. First, prior to starting the rare gas discharge lamp DL, the switch means S is connected to the output side of the first high-frequency high voltage generation circuit H as shown by the solid line in the figure. In this state, when a DC power supply having a predetermined voltage (first voltage) is connected to the terminals T1 and T2, and a drive signal is applied to the terminal T3 at appropriate intervals, the switching transistor Q is turned on, and the first and second terminals are turned on. When the two transistors Qa and Qb are turned on and off at appropriate times, a sine-wave high-frequency high voltage is generated in the secondary coil TRc of the oscillation transformer TR and applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp DL. You. Thereby, the rare gas discharge lamp D
L starts to start, but since the output waveform is substantially a sine wave, the power integrated value per unit time increases, and the transition to regular lighting is reliably performed.

On the other hand, when the rare gas discharge lamp DL starts and shifts to regular lighting, the switch means S is connected to the output side of the second high-frequency high voltage generating circuit HA as shown by a dotted line in the figure.
In this state, a predetermined voltage (first voltage) is applied to the terminals Ta and Tb.
Is connected, a capacitor CA is charged. Then, when a drive signal is applied to the base electrode of the switching element (for example, transistor) QA via the terminal Tc, the transistor QA is turned on as shown in FIG. 4A and the capacitor CA is charged. Electric charges are released to the primary coil TRa of the oscillation transformer TRA. Next, when the transistor QA is turned off,
In the secondary coil TRc, a pulsed high-frequency high voltage is generated as shown in FIG. 3B and applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp DL. As a result, the normal lighting state of the rare gas discharge lamp DL is maintained by the pulsed high-frequency high voltage. The input voltages to the first and second high-frequency high-voltage generating circuits H and HA can be constantly applied. However, the input voltage to the first high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit H is applied to the second high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit H. It is desirable to shut off the power supply when switching to the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA.

According to this embodiment, before starting the rare gas discharge lamp DL, the high frequency high voltage (power) having a sinusoidal output waveform is applied from the first high frequency high voltage generation circuit H to the rare gas discharge lamp DL. Since the high-frequency high-voltage (power) having a pulse-like output waveform is supplied from the second high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA to the rare gas discharge lamp DL by switching the switch means S after the start thereof, The power integral value per unit time can be set large only at the time of starting, and a sufficient power supply amount (power injection amount) to the rare gas discharge lamp DL can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to increase the certainty of the transition to the regular lighting after the start, and to shorten the transition time.

Moreover, the rare gas discharge lamp DL is lit by the pulsed high-frequency high voltage from the second high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA after the transition to normal lighting, so that the luminous efficiency can be increased. In addition, the amount of light emitted from the first opening 7 can be increased. Therefore, when the present invention is applied to a document irradiating apparatus, the illuminance of the document surface can be further increased, and it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the processing capability of the OA equipment.

In the rare gas discharge lamp DL, triangular shaped portions 5A, 6A are formed at the side edges 5b, 6b of the external electrodes 5, 6 forming the second opening 8 so as to have a periodicity. In addition, since the external electrode 6 is grounded in a state of being incorporated into the lighting device, when a high-frequency high voltage is applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 from the first high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit H, the odd-shaped portion The electric field concentrates on the apexes of the triangular portions in 5A and 6A, and not only easily discharges between the external electrodes through the rare gas space, but also stable lighting is maintained even after switching to a pulsed high-frequency high voltage after starting. it can.

On the other hand, the envelope 1 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL
Is set in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 mm,
When a high-frequency high voltage is applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6, flicker is likely to occur in a thick range in connection with an increase in voltage distribution to the envelope itself due to an increase in the resistance component. As described above, the irregular portions 5A and 6A are formed on the external electrodes 5 and 6, and together with the fact that the external electrodes 6 are grounded, the generation of flicker can be effectively suppressed even in a thick region. The light output emitted from the first opening 7 through the aperture 2a can also be effectively improved.

When the pressure for filling the rare gas is increased, the light output is increased, but the starting characteristics are impaired. However, the triangular irregular portions 5A are formed on the side edges 5b, 6b of the external electrodes 5, 6. , 6A, even if the upper limit of the noble gas charging pressure is increased to 200 Torr, practically usable starting characteristics can be secured, and the generation of moving stripes (flickering) can be effectively suppressed. In addition, the light output can be effectively improved.
Therefore, when the present invention is applied to a document irradiating apparatus, a stable discharge state can be obtained and the illuminance of the document surface can be increased, so that an improvement in reading quality can be expected.

In particular, if the amount of the light-emitting layer 2 is set in the range of 5 to 30 mg per 1 cm ² , the thickness of the envelope 1 is set in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 mm and the rare gas The light output from the first opening 7 through the aperture 2a can be effectively increased in combination with the setting of the sealing pressure at 83 to 200 torr.

The amount of the light emitting layer 2 adhered is about 2 to 10 times the level of an ordinary fluorescent lamp for illumination.
The light output of the rare gas discharge lamp has been effectively increased, though the amount is considered to be unfavorable in terms of characteristics in a normal fluorescent lamp for illumination. Although the cause is not clear, a stripe-shaped stripe is formed by forming an infinite number of discharge paths in the rare gas space between the external electrodes 5 and 6 (in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the envelope 1). This is considered to be a phenomenon peculiar to the rare gas discharge lamp that is lit in the state.

Further, the thickness of the envelope 1 and the structure of the external electrodes, preferably the adhesion amount of the light emitting layer 2 and the sealing pressure of the rare gas are set within the above ranges, and then the first opening portion is formed. If the opening angle θ1 of the _first opening 7 is set in the range of 60 to 90 °, the light output emitted from the first opening 7 can be further increased. At this time, if the separation length of the second opening 8 (the distance between the tips of the deformed portions 5A and 6A) is set to about 2 mm, light leakage from the second opening 8 is suppressed, A further improvement in the light output emitted from the first opening 7 can be expected.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, which is basically constituted mainly by the second high frequency high voltage generating circuit HA shown in FIG. This embodiment is characterized in that a voltage variable means COV such as a DC-DC converter is provided on the input side of a high frequency high voltage generating circuit HA for generating a pulsed high frequency high voltage, and that the rare gas discharge lamp DL The adjustment means FV for adjusting the output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA by detecting the presence / absence of lighting is provided on the input side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA.

This voltage varying means COV is preferably constituted by a DC-DC converter, connected to the input side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA, and provided with a rare gas discharge lamp DL.
It operates in cooperation with the operation of the adjusting means FV based on the presence or absence of lighting of. That is, the output voltage V _CA of the voltage varying means COV before the rare gas discharge lamp DL is started (before lighting) is the first output voltage V _CA related to the increase of the output frequency of the high-frequency high voltage generating circuit HA by the adjusting means FV. Is set to a second voltage higher than the voltage (voltage at the time of steady state). For example, when the output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA is set to be twice that at the time of lighting, the output voltage V _CA of the voltage varying means COV is controlled to be almost twice. When the rare gas discharge lamp DL is turned on, the output voltage V _CA of the voltage varying means COV becomes
The voltage is reduced from the second voltage to the first voltage in association with the decrease in the output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA by the adjusting means FV.

The output frequency adjusting means FV includes, for example, a pulse generator P connected to a base electrode of a switching element (transistor) QA of the high frequency high voltage generating circuit HA.
G, a time constant circuit including a resistor R1, a resistor R2, and a capacitor C1 connected to the pulse generator PG;
, A voltage dividing means including resistors R3 and R4 connected to the input side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA, a voltage dividing means and a transistor QB.
And a capacitor C2 connected between the diode D and the Zener diode ZD. Have been.

Next, the operation of this lighting device will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. First, the input voltage of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA (the output voltage of the voltage varying means COV) V _CA
Is set to the first voltage V _CA1 , the capacitor CA is charged to the first voltage V _CA1 as shown by a solid line in FIG. In this state, when a drive signal is supplied from the pulse generator PG to the base electrode of the transistor QA, the transistor QA is turned on at time t0 as shown in FIG.
And the charge charged in the capacitor CA is discharged to the primary coil TRa of the oscillation transformer TRA.
Next, when the transistor QA is turned off at the point in time t2, the secondary coil TRc has the t2 as shown in FIG.
At this point, a pulsed high-frequency high voltage is generated and applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp DL.

By the way, since the starting characteristics are generally improved by increasing the frequency of the voltage applied to the discharge lamp, it is conceivable to increase the frequency of the high frequency high voltage applied to the rare gas discharge lamp DL. Can be For this,
When the control frequency of the transistor QA is increased, the charging period for the capacitor CA is shortened. Therefore, when the input voltage V _CA of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA is set to the first voltage V _CA1 , the transistor QA turns on. By the time the charging voltage charged to the capacitor CA is equal to the first voltage V _CA1
Lower voltage. Accordingly, the pulsed high-frequency high voltage generated in the secondary coil TRc has a small power integrated value per unit time as shown by a dotted line in FIG. It is difficult to smoothly shift the rare gas discharge lamp to regular lighting by applying such a pulse.

Therefore, before starting the rare gas discharge lamp DL, the input voltage V _CA of the high-frequency high voltage generating circuit HA is increased by the voltage variable means COV to the second voltage V _CA higher than the first voltage V _CA1.
When the voltage is boosted to _CA2 , the capacitor CA is charged as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 6B, and is charged to a voltage higher than the first voltage V _CA1 even during a period of about half the full charge, for example. In this state, when a drive signal is supplied from the pulse generator PG to the base electrode of the transistor QA, the transistor QA turns on at time t0 as shown in FIG. 6A, and the capacitor CA is charged. Electric charges are released to the primary coil TRa of the oscillation transformer TRA. Next, when the transistor QA is turned off at the time point t1, a pulsed high-frequency high voltage having a large power integrated value per unit time is generated at the time point t1 in the secondary coil TRc, as shown in FIG. Are applied to the external electrodes 5 and 6 of the rare gas discharge lamp DL.

Although a pulsed high frequency high voltage is applied,
Until the rare gas discharge lamp DL is turned on, the oscillation transformer TR
The secondary side of A is substantially unloaded, producing a much higher voltage than under load. Since this voltage is fed back from the secondary side of the oscillation transformer TRA to the primary side, the input voltage V is applied to the input side of the high frequency high voltage generating circuit HA.
_A feedback voltage of an AC component higher than _CA (second voltage V _CA2 ) appears. This voltage is divided by a resistor R3 and a resistor R4, and a capacitor C is connected via a diode D.
2 is charged. The terminal voltage of the capacitor C2 is
When the operating voltage is higher than the operating voltage of the diode ZD, the Zener diode ZD is turned on, and a drive signal is applied to the base electrode of the transistor QB. Transistor QB is ON
, The time constant circuit is configured as a parallel circuit of the resistor R1, the resistor R2, and the capacitor C1, the time constant decreases, and the frequency of the control signal of the transistor QA increases. For this reason, the output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA is maintained at the second frequency higher than the first frequency in the lighting state.

Then, the rare gas discharge lamp DL is in a regular lighting state.
State, the secondary side of the oscillation transformer TRA becomes
And the feedback voltage to the primary coil TRa is
It will be kept small. For this purpose,
Therefore, the charging voltage charged in the capacitor C2 is also low.
And always lower than the operating voltage of the Zener diode ZD.
Maintained at pressure. Therefore, the transistor QB is OFF.
And the time constant circuit is composed of the resistor R1 and the capacitor C1.
It is configured as a parallel circuit, the time constant becomes large,
The frequency of the control signal of the transistor QA decreases. this
Therefore, the output frequency of the high frequency high voltage
Is changed to the first frequency in the lighting state. I
Reduction of feedback voltage and change of output frequency
The output voltage from the voltage variable means COV is related to the second
Voltage V_CA2From the first voltage V_CA1To noble gas
While the lamp DL is on, the input power of the high-frequency high-voltage generation circuit HA is
Pressure V _CAIs the first voltage V_CA1Is maintained.

According to this embodiment, not only the starting characteristics in the dark state can be improved as in the above-described embodiment, but also the circuit configuration of the lighting device can be simplified as compared with the above-described embodiment, so that the cost can be reduced. It can be reduced effectively.

Before starting the rare gas discharge lamp DL, the input voltage V _CA of the high frequency high voltage generating circuit HA is set to the second voltage V _CA2 by the voltage variable means COV, and the high voltage high voltage generating circuit HA Since the output frequency is set to the second frequency, a pulsed high-frequency high voltage having a large power integrated value per unit time can be applied to the rare gas discharge lamp DL. Therefore, even if the arrangement environment of the rare gas discharge lamp DL is dark,
It can be started in a short time.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration is the same as that of the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG. The difference is that the high frequency high voltage generation circuit HA
A triangular shaped portion 6A is formed only on the side edge 6b of the external electrode 6 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL connected to the output side of
Other side edges 5a and 6b of the external electrode 5, the external electrode 6
Is formed in a straight shape.
The external electrode 6 having the irregular portion 6A is grounded.

In particular, the rare gas discharge lamp DL having this structure is shown in FIG.
In the case of being incorporated in the lighting device shown in (1), by grounding the external electrode 6 on the side where the deformed portion 6A is formed, even if the power supply voltage is reduced by about 10%, a stable discharge state in which flicker is suppressed is suppressed. can get. The rare gas discharge lamp DL can be applied to the lighting device shown in FIG.

According to this embodiment, the external electrodes 5, 6
When a pulsed high-frequency high voltage is applied to the
b. Discharge occurs between the deformed portion 6B and the straight side edge portion 5b. Since one side edge portion (5b) is formed in a straight shape, the pitch between the two is changed. There is no need for alignment (positioning), and assemblability can be improved.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The basic structure is the same as that of the rare gas discharge lamp lighting device shown in FIG. 5, and the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG. Is the same as The difference is that the elliptical shape having a periodicity only in the side edge 6b of the external electrode 6 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL connected to the output side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit HA, the semicircular irregular shape including a waveform, and the like. 6B, and the other side edges 5a and 6b of the external electrode 5 and the side edge 6a of the external electrode 6 are formed in a straight shape. Note that the external electrode 6 having the deformed portion 6B is grounded.

FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration is the same as that of the rare gas discharge lamp lighting device shown in FIG. 5, and the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG. Is the same as The difference is that the side edge 6 of the external electrode 6 in the rare gas discharge lamp DL connected to the output side of the inverter circuit HA.
rectangular shaped portion 6C including trapezoid having periodicity only at b
Are formed, and the other side edges 5a, 6b,
The side edge 6a of the external electrode 6 is formed in a straight shape. The external electrode 6 having the irregular portion 6C is grounded.

In particular, the rare gas discharge lamp DL having different deformed portions shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be combined with the lighting device shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the light-emitting layer of the rare gas discharge lamp can be used by mixing one or more phosphors. The aperture may be omitted and formed on the entire inner surface of the envelope. In addition, the pitch, height, etc. of the deformed portion in the external electrode can be appropriately changed according to the size of the rare gas discharge lamp. The high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit can use not only an inverter circuit but also various oscillation circuits and the like, and a switching element other than a transistor, such as a thyristor and a field effect transistor, can be used. Further, the output waveform of the first high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit may be a rectangular wave in addition to a sine wave.

[0053]

Next, an experimental example will be described. First, a water-soluble phosphor coating solution containing a cerium-terbium-activated lanthanum phosphate phosphor (LaPO ₄ : Ce, Tb) having a yellow-green emission color has an outer diameter of 8 mm and a wall thickness of 0.
It is applied to the inner surface of an envelope made of lead glass having a length of 5 mm and a length of 300 mm to form a light emitting layer. Next, an aperture having an opening angle of 75 ° is formed by forcibly peeling off a part of the light emitting layer using a scraper. Note that the amount of the light emitting layer attached is 15 mg / cm ² . Next, the envelope is sealed, and xenon gas is sealed in the internal space at a pressure of 120 Torr.
Thereafter, a sheet structure is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the envelope, and FIG.
To 8 were manufactured. An aluminum foil having a width of 8 mm is used for the pair of external electrodes, and only one side edge of the external electrode forming the second opening has a triangular shape having a pitch of 4 mm and an apex height of 1.5 mm. And the other opposing side edge was formed in a straight shape.

The rare gas discharge lamp is incorporated in the lighting device shown in FIG. 5, and the external electrode having the deformed portion is grounded.
The rare gas discharge lamp is arranged so as to be shielded from extraneous light.
In this lighting device, DC as voltage varying means is used.
-The output voltage of the DC converter is boosted from the first voltage of 24V to the second voltage of 48V, and the output frequency of the inverter circuit as high frequency high voltage generating means is approximately 70 KHz when there is no load ( The second frequency) and the load state are set to approximately 35 KHz (the first frequency). In this state, when the lighting time of the rare gas discharge lamp was measured, it was approximately 0.7 seconds.

However, when the output frequency was constant before and after the start, the time was 1.5 to 2.0 seconds.
In the lighting device shown in FIG. 1, the average was 300 mS or less.

In the lighting state, the output voltage is 90%
As a result, a stable discharge state was observed as in the rated state, and no flicker was observed.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, the power supply from the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit to the rare gas discharge lamp is increased before the rare gas discharge lamp is started, and the power is supplied after the start. Since the amount is reduced, the power integrated value per unit time can be set large only at the time of starting, and a sufficient power supply amount (power injection amount) to the rare gas discharge lamp can be secured. . Therefore, the starting characteristics in the dark state can be improved, and the reliability of the transition to the regular lighting after the start can be increased, and the transition time can be shortened.

In particular, before starting the rare gas discharge lamp, the input voltage of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is set high, and the output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is set high. If it is configured to decrease, a high frequency high voltage in the form of a pulse having a large power integrated value per unit time can be applied to the rare gas discharge lamp at the time of starting. Therefore, even if the arrangement environment of the rare gas discharge lamp is under darkness, it can be started in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a development view of an envelope and external electrodes of the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG. 2;

4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the operation of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 4A is an operation timing diagram of the transistor QA, and FIG. 4B is a diagram of a secondary voltage waveform of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit.

FIG. 5 is an electric circuit diagram of a lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the operation of FIG. 5, wherein FIG. 6A is an operation timing diagram of the transistor QA, FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a charged state of the capacitor CA, and FIG. FIG. 4D is a secondary voltage waveform diagram when the output frequency is the first frequency, and FIG. 6D is a secondary voltage waveform diagram when the output frequency is the second frequency.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a development view of an envelope and external electrodes of the rare gas discharge lamp shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a development view of an envelope and external electrodes showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a development view of an envelope and an external electrode according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rare gas discharge lamp according to the prior art.

FIG. 12 is a development view of a sheet structure according to the prior art.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining a method for manufacturing a rare gas discharge lamp according to the prior art.

FIG. 15 is an electric circuit diagram of a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to the prior art.

FIG. 16 is another electric circuit diagram of a lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 envelope 2 light emitting layer 2a aperture 3 sheet structure 4 translucent sheet (insulating member) 5, 6 external electrode 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b side edge (end) 5A, 6A , 6B, 6C Deformed portion 7 First opening 8 Second opening DL Rare gas discharge lamp COV Voltage varying means FV adjusting means PG Pulse generator H First high frequency high voltage generating circuit (inverter circuit) HA Second high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit (inverter circuit) TR, TRA Oscillating transformer Qa, Qb, QA, QB Switching element (transistor) C, CA, C1, C2 Capacitor R1, R2, R3, R4 Resistance ZD Zener Diode

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are formed on the outer peripheral surface of an envelope having a light emitting layer on the inner surface, and first and second openings are formed over substantially the entire length of the envelope. And a high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit that generates a high-frequency high voltage. The rare-gas discharge lamp is provided on the output side of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit in a pair. Connected so that high frequency high voltage is applied to the external electrodes of
In addition, before starting the rare gas discharge lamp, the amount of power supplied from the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit to the rare gas discharge lamp is increased, and after starting the power supply, the amount of power supplied is reduced. Lighting device. 2. A pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are formed on the outer peripheral surface of an envelope having a light emitting layer on the inner surface, and first and second openings are formed over substantially the entire length of the envelope. Gas discharge lamps arranged so as to be separated from each other, a first high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit for generating a sine-wave or rectangular-wave high-frequency high voltage, and a second high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit for generating a pulsed high-frequency high voltage And a high-frequency high voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes of the rare gas discharge lamp via switch means on the output side of the first and second high-frequency high voltage generators. Power is supplied to the rare gas discharge lamp from the first high frequency high voltage generation circuit before the rare gas discharge lamp is started, and after the rare gas discharge lamp is started, the second high frequency high voltage is supplied by switching the switch means. Supplying power from the generator circuit to the rare gas discharge lamp Characteristic lighting device for rare gas discharge lamps. 3. A pair of band-shaped external electrodes made of a metal member are formed on the outer peripheral surface of an envelope having a light emitting layer on the inner surface, and first and second openings are formed over substantially the entire length of the envelope. A rare gas discharge lamp arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other, a pulsed high frequency high voltage is generated, and the rare gas discharge lamp is output to the output side, and a high frequency high voltage is applied to a pair of external electrodes. A high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit connected to the power supply, adjusting means for adjusting the output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit by detecting the presence or absence of starting of the rare gas discharge lamp; Voltage varying means for varying the input voltage to the high-voltage generating circuit, wherein before starting the rare gas discharge lamp, the output frequency of the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is set to a first value based on a control signal from the adjusting means. Set to a second frequency higher than the frequency In addition, the input voltage to the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is set to a second voltage higher than the first voltage by the voltage variable means, and after the start thereof, the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is set based on a control signal from the adjusting means. A lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp, wherein the output frequency is set to a first frequency and the input voltage to the high-frequency high-voltage generating circuit is set to the first voltage. 4. An external electrode forming the first and second openings in the rare gas discharge lamp has a deformed portion formed at an appropriate side edge thereof, and one of the external electrodes having the deformed portion is formed. The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is grounded. 5. The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the radiated light from the light emitting layer is mainly emitted to the outside from the first opening, and a pair of external electrodes forming the first opening are provided. Each side edge portion is formed in a straight shape, and of the pair of external electrodes forming the second opening, a deformed portion is formed only on the side edge portion of one of the external electrodes, and the other external electrode is formed. 5. The rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 4, wherein the side edges of the rare gas discharge lamp are formed in a straight shape, and the external electrode forming the deformed portion of the rare gas discharge lamp is grounded. Lighting device. 6. The rare gas discharge lamp in which the deformed portion of the external electrode is formed in a triangular shape, a rectangular shape including a trapezoidal shape, or a substantially semicircular shape including a waveform, and has a substantially full length so as to have a periodicity. The lighting device for a rare gas discharge lamp according to claim 4, wherein the lighting device is formed over the entirety of the lamp.