Bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp and luminaire

The present invention relates to a compact fluorescent lamp and a luminaire having improved luminous flux rise characteristics.

[0002] In recent years, light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamps have been miniaturized to the extent equivalent to general incandescent light bulbs, and the demand for replacing the light source of general incandescent light bulb appliances with light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamps has been promoted. There is.

[0003] The lamp efficiency of this compact fluorescent lamp has been improved due to the development of lamp technology and lighting circuit technology. However, since the surface area of the main body becomes smaller as the compact fluorescent lamp becomes smaller, the temperature of the arc tube tends to rise even when the calorific value of the arc tube is not excessively large. In particular, in a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp in which the arc tube is covered with a glove in order to give an appearance similar to that of a general incandescent bulb, the temperature of the arc tube may exceed 100 ° C. When pure silver is sealed in the arc tube, the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube rises excessively and the light output decreases. Therefore, in the case of a fluorescent lamp that lights up in a high temperature environment, an amalgam, which is an alloy of indium (In), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), bismuth (Bi), and mercury (Hg), is used as an arc tube. There is known a technique for improving the luminous efficiency by encapsulating the mercury vapor pressure in an optimal manner (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] As described above, the arc tube using the amalgam has a drawback that the time from the start of lighting to the output of a predetermined luminous flux is long and the so-called luminous flux rise characteristic is poor. This is because when the arc tube before lighting is in a low temperature state of about room temperature, it is dark because the mercury vapor pressure is lowered by the amalgam control immediately after the start of lighting, and the mercury vapor pressure rises as the temperature of the arc tube rises. This is because it lights up so that it gradually becomes brighter. As a method for improving this luminous flux rising characteristic, a technique has been proposed in which an auxiliary amalgam made of indium (In) or the like is provided in the vicinity of the filament electrode to compensate for the shortage of mercury vapor immediately after the start of lighting (for example, Patent Documents 2 to 4). reference).

[0005] On the other hand, a bulb-type fluorescent lamp in which a coldest portion is provided in a part of an arc tube is also known in order to improve the luminous flux rise characteristic without using an amalgam that controls mercury vapor pressure (for example, a patent). See Reference 5). In this conventional technique, by providing the coldest portion in a part of the arc tube, it is not necessary to use amalgam, and the mercury vapor pressure in the tube can be kept high even in a low temperature state when the light is turned off. That is, since the lighting device and the arc tube are housed in the outer enclosure in a nearly sealed state, the internal temperature of the outer enclosure rises, but the space inside the outer enclosure is kept so as not to rise above a certain temperature. The space on the lighting device side and the space on the arc tube side are separated by a partition plate. Furthermore, by extending the exhaust pipe sealed at the end of the arc tube to the space on the lighting device side by 5 to 20 mm, the exhaust pipe becomes relatively cold during normal lighting, and it is possible to provide the coldest part in this part. Become.

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-243913 [0007] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-146444 [0008] [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-233065 [0009] [Patent Document 4] ] Patent Publication No. 3262168 [0010] [Patent Document 5] Jitsukaisho 61-63759 [0011] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, the main amalgam and auxiliary such as Patent Documents 1 to 4 The bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp with both amal gum is off. The mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube takes about several weeks to several months until the mercury is in equilibrium from the main amal gum to the auxiliary amal gum. Continue to move. However, the fluctuation of the mercury vapor pressure in the pipe during this period is not so large, and according to an experiment using an absorption method, for example, there is almost no large fluctuation after about 10 hours after turning off the light. In addition, this mercury vapor pressure is determined by the composition of the main amalgam, which gives a high mercury vapor pressure at almost the same temperature (2000 Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan National Conference Proceedings, NO.7). In addition, mercury released from the auxiliary amalgam near the electrode during lighting diffuses toward the center of the discharge path of the arc tube by density diffusion within several tens of seconds from the start of lighting, and almost the entire area inside the arc tube takes about a few minutes. The desired mercury vapor pressure may be obtained, or the vapor pressure may be excessive beyond the optimum range. Then, the entire lamp reaches thermal equilibrium in about several tens of minutes to one hour, and mercury becomes constant at the vapor pressure controlled by the temperature of the main amalgam. At this time, the auxiliary amalgam was 100 ° C or higher, and in some cases 200 ° C or higher, and the mercury adsorbed on the auxiliary amalgam (more accurately, the metal such as indium (In) that formed the auxiliary amalgam). Is released virtually entirely.

[0012] However, even with a fluorescent lamp provided with an auxiliary amalgam, it is difficult to quickly increase the mercury vapor pressure immediately after lighting to secure the desired brightness, and further improvement in the luminous flux rise characteristic is required. Has been done.

[0013] Further, as in Patent Document 5, the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp in which the coldest portion is provided in a part of the arc tube becomes compact and narrow because the heat capacity in the enclosure becomes smaller as the size is further reduced. It is difficult to form the coldest part in a part of the exhaust pipe even if the exhaust pipe is projected by about 5 to 20 mm in the space on the lighting device side where the inside of the almost sealed enclosure is divided by the partition plate.

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp capable of improving the luminous flux rise characteristic by a simple configuration and a lighting fixture using the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp. The purpose.

The compact fluorescent lamp according to claim 1 is an arc tube having a bent bulb; and is mounted on a substrate and the substrate.<u style="single">Includes smoothing electrolytic capacitors</u>Has electronic components<u style="single">This electrolytic capacitor protrudes more than other electronic components and converts the DC output of the electrolytic capacitor.</u>A lighting device that outputs high-frequency power to the arc tube; a base is provided on one end side, a holding portion that holds the arc tube is provided on the other end side, and most of the electronic components are arranged on the base side.<u style="single">At the same time, the electrolytic capacitor protrudes toward the base side.</u>With the cover body mounted on the board and housed in the lighting device; extending from a part of the end of the bent bulb toward the mouthpiece side inside the cover.<u style="single">The tip is located inside the mouthpiece adjacent to the electrolytic capacitor and</u>It is characterized by having a protrusion and; in which a part of the surface temperature is 40 to 70 ° C when normally lit.

[0016] The compact fluorescent lamp according to claim 2 is an arc tube having a bent bulb; and is mounted on a substrate and this substrate.<u style="single">Includes smoothing electrolytic capacitors</u>Has electronic components<u style="single">This electrolytic capacitor protrudes more than other electronic components and converts the DC output of the electrolytic capacitor.</u>A lighting device that outputs high-frequency power to the arc tube; a base is provided on one end side, a holding portion that holds the arc tube is provided on the other end side, and most of the electronic components are arranged on the base side.<u style="single">At the same time, the electrolytic capacitor protrudes toward the base side.</u>With a cover body that houses a lighting device with a board mounted on it; it extends from a part of the end of the bent bulb toward the mouthpiece side inside the cover.<u style="single">The tip is located inside the mouthpiece adjacent to the electrolytic capacitor and</u>It is characterized by having a protrusion 25 to 70 mm protruding from the valve end;

Since such a compact fluorescent light bulb is close to the size of an incandescent light bulb, the space inside the surrounding device that covers the lighting device and the arc tube becomes a narrow space that is further sealed, and the heat capacity is reduced, so that the internal temperature is reduced. Tends to get even hotter. Even if a part of the arc tube constituting such a fluorescent lamp is extended toward the base side of the cover body, it is easily affected by the heat.

[0018] Generally, a fluorescent lamp has a maximum luminous efficiency when the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube during normal lighting is 1 to 2.4 Pa. In a lamp filled with pure silver, the mercury vapor pressure in the tube can be kept in an optimum state by setting a part of the arc tube to 40 to 60 ° C in order to obtain this vapor pressure. However, in a compact fluorescent lamp that becomes hot during lighting, it is difficult to form a portion of 40 to 70 ° C in a part of the arc tube, so a part of the arc tube should be separated from the discharge path. Therefore, the temperature of a part of the arc tube during lighting can be set to 40 to 70 ° C, and amalgam having a vapor pressure characteristic close to that of pure silver can be used.

[0019] Therefore, in order to improve the luminous flux rise characteristic, the present inventors have focused on the temperature of the main amalgam and the temperature of the arc tube protrusion during stable lighting.

[0020] When the temperature of each part of the compact fluorescent lamp that was lit with the base facing upward was measured experimentally, the temperature of the space where the main parts of the lighting device were gathered was close to 100 ° C. , It was found that the temperature of the space on the base side of those main parts is relatively low at 40 to 50 ° C. This is because the air inside the storage case is stagnant and convection inside the cover does not occur so much, so it is considered that the temperature near the base side of the main part of the lighting device is relatively low. Here, the main component of the lighting device means a circuit element having a relatively large amount of heat generation during the lighting operation and a relatively large volume among transistors, inductors, transformers, film capacitors, and resistors, and has a large volume. However, circuit elements such as electrolytic capacitors, which generate a relatively small amount of heat, are not included. That is, even when the electrolytic capacitor is arranged so as to protrude toward the base side from the main parts of the lighting device, the amount of heat generated by the electrolytic capacitor is relatively small, so that the amount of heat generated during the lighting operation is relatively large. If it is on the base side of the element, the temperature of the space near the electrolytic capacitor is relatively low.

[0021] Therefore, the encapsulation location and temperature of the amalgam having a high mercury vapor pressure used in the arc tube, which becomes hot during lighting, were examined.

[0022] For example, a compact fluorescent lamp having a main amalgam composed of Bi-In-Hg or the like was lit in a room having an ambient space temperature of 25 ° C. The temperature of the main amalgam at that time was 90 to 130 ° C, but the mercury vapor pressure in the tube was controlled to 1 to 2.4 Pa from the enclosed amalgam, so the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube was optimal. .. Even if the temperature of the main amalgam becomes as high as 90 to 130 ° C, the main amalgam formed by the Bi-In system etc. keeps the optimum mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube even during stable lighting in a high temperature environment. It is possible to control around 1Pa.

However, such a main amalgam has a characteristic that the mercury vapor pressure at room temperature (25 ° C) is an order of magnitude lower than that of pure silver, so that the ambient temperature is about 25 ° C. When I turned it off in the room, left it on, and then turned it on, the start-up was not good. This is because the mercury vapor pressure at the moment of lighting is around 0.1 Pa, and the luminous flux is low until it reaches a high temperature atmosphere due to self-heating.

[0024] If the temperature of the main amalgam at the time of stable lighting can be lowered, it is not necessary to control the mercury vapor pressure to be excessively low by the main amalgam, and the mercury vapor pressure at the moment of lighting can be increased, so that the rise of the luminous flux can be improved. It becomes.

[0025] Therefore, in order to enclose the main amalgam having a high mercury vapor pressure, a thin tube sealed at the end of the arc tube is extended to the mouthpiece side where the temperature is relatively low in the cover body, and the main amalgam is placed in the low temperature space. We made a prototype of a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp in which the above position was placed and turned it on. As a result, it was possible to obtain an optical output characteristic in which the luminous flux rises immediately after lighting is good and the luminous flux during stable lighting does not decrease.

[0026] Next, as conditions for improving the luminous flux rising characteristic and the light output characteristic at the time of stable lighting, the temperature and the protruding length of a part of the protruding portion were examined.

[0027] In order to maximize the light output of the fluorescent lamp, in order to position the space temperature at which the arc tube protrusion is located in the optimum temperature space of 40 to 70 ° C during normal lighting, the light emission becomes high during lighting. It must be separated from the tube and extend toward the base inside the cover, which has a relatively low temperature, and its protrusion length must be 25 mm or more. If the protrusion length is 25 mm or less, the lamp approaches a fluorescent lamp that becomes hot during lighting, so that the arc tube protrusion is located in a space where the ambient temperature is relatively high, and is easily affected by the heat. On the other hand, if the protruding length of the arc tube protruding portion is 70 mm or more, it becomes longer than the total length in the height direction of the cover body, so that it cannot be accommodated in the cover body. In addition, the temperature of the internal space near the top of the cover body, which is the base side of the cover body, may be lower than the optimum temperature of mercury vapor pressure, and sufficient mercury vapor pressure cannot be maintained, resulting in light emission efficiency. May decrease. Therefore, the protruding length of the arc tube protrusion needs to be 25 to 70 mm. However, depending on the lighting direction, even if the arc tube protrusion is projected toward the base inside the cover, the temperature of a part of the arc tube may exceed 70 ° C. It is desirable that the arc tube protrusion is extended to the extent that it does not come into contact with the inner wall on the mouthpiece side inside the cover in order to achieve a temperature at which the light output is maximized in a part of the arc tube protrusion. , The cover body wall and the base may be in contact with each other to form a temperature at which the optimum vapor pressure is obtained.

[0028] By extending the projecting portion of the arc tube toward the mouthpiece side of the cover body by 25 to 70 mm, the optimum mercury vapor during normal lighting is used without using amalgam, which controls the mercury vapor pressure in the tube to be excessively low. The temperature for obtaining pressure can be formed.

[0029] Although it is possible to use pure silver or an amalgam having a vapor pressure close to that of pure silver, the mercury vapor pressure immediately after lighting is not limited to this. Further, the main amalgam sealed in the arc tube protrusion may be located near the end of the arc tube or near the middle of the protrusion extending to the mouthpiece side, and the encapsulation method and the method of encapsulating the main amalgam may be used. The positioning means and the like are not particularly limited.

[0030] When encapsulating the main amalgam, an auxiliary amalgam is usually placed in the arc tube in order to supplement the diffusion of mercury vapor immediately after lighting, but this auxiliary amalgam is not essential and is appropriately placed in the arc tube immediately after lighting. The present invention is applicable as long as the arc tube is configured under conditions that can supply amalgam vapor.

[0031] The term "normally lit" means a state in which the ambient temperature of the compact fluorescent lamp before lighting is about 25 ° C. and is not covered with a lighting fixture or the like.

[0032] The bending valve is formed into a U-shaped bending shape by heating and melting a substantially central portion of a straight tubular glass valve and bending the valve, or by molding the glass valve. Here, "U-shaped bending formed" means that the glass valve is formed so that the discharge path is folded back at the bending portion and the discharge is bent, and the bending portion is curved or circular. It means that the bent portion is not limited to the one formed in an arc shape, but also includes the one in which the bent portion is formed in a square shape or a sharp shape. In short, it means a valve formed so that one ends of straight portions are continuous so that the discharge path is bent. Further, the bending valve may be one in which one ends of two substantially parallel straight portions are connected by a communication pipe formed by blowing through or the like, or one formed in a spiral shape. The bending valve does not have to be made of glass, and it is allowed to be made of a material such as ceramics capable of forming a translucent airtight container.

[0033] The arc tube is composed of a single bending valve, and is a glass valve so that at least one discharge path is formed inside by connecting the ends of a plurality of bending valves with each other via a communication pipe. It may be arranged side by side so as to communicate with each other.

[0034] A phosphor layer is directly or indirectly adhered to the inner surface of the arc tube. Examples of the phosphor layer include, but are not limited to, rare earth metal oxide phosphors and halophosphate phosphors. However, in order to improve the luminous efficiency, it is preferable to use a three-wavelength emission type phosphor in which a phosphor that emits light in each of red, blue, and green colors is mixed.

[0035] In the arc tube, electrodes are sealed at both ends of a discharge path formed in the arc tube. Examples of the electrode include a hot cathode made of a filament, a ceramic electrode carrying an electron radioactive substance, and a cold cathode made of nickel or the like.

[0036] A discharge medium is enclosed in the arc tube. The discharge medium comprises an inert gas such as argon, neon, krypton, xenon and mercury.

The protruding portion protrudes from the valve end so as to communicate with the arc tube. For example, the protruding portion has the same diameter as the inner diameter of the arc tube, is smaller than the arc tube, or has a smaller diameter. A glass bulb, or thin tube, may be sealed at the end of the arc tube. Further, the portion where a part of the end of the valve extends may be used for filling the main amalgam or as an exhaust pipe.

[0038] As the base, a screw-in type called an E type for incandescent light bulbs is usually used, but the base is not limited to this. Further, the mouthpiece does not need to be directly attached to the cover body, and may be indirectly attached to the case or a part of the cover body may form the mouthpiece.

[0039] The lighting device is housed in the cover body. The substrate of the lighting device is housed in the cover directly or indirectly with respect to the cover, regardless of whether the main surface of the circuit board and the longitudinal direction of the arc tube are substantially orthogonal or parallel to each other. I do not care.

[0040] According to the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to claims 1 and 2, the arc tube protrusion.<u style="single">So that the tip of the is located inside the mouthpiece adjacent to the electrolytic capacitor</u>By projecting, it becomes possible to enclose pure silver or a main amalgam having a high mercury vapor pressure almost equal to that of pure silver. As a result, as compared with the case of using the conventional amalgam having a low mercury vapor pressure, the luminous flux rise characteristic immediately after lighting is improved, and it is possible to suppress the decrease in luminous efficiency during lighting.

[0041] Claim 3<u style="single">The bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mercury-filled structure containing mercury and having a vapor pressure characteristic equivalent to that of pure silver is sealed in the protruding portion.</u>The compact fluorescent lamp according to claim 4 has an arc tube having a bent valve and an electronic component including a substrate and a smoothing electrolytic capacitor mounted on the substrate, and the electrolytic capacitor is provided.<u style="single">Is more prominent than other electronic components</u>A lighting device that converts the DC output of an electrolytic capacitor to output high-frequency power to the arc tube; a base is provided on one end side, and a holding portion that holds the arc tube is provided on the other end side.<u style="single">Most of the electronic components are placed on the base side</u>The electrolytic capacitor is on the base side<u style="single">Protruding to</u>With a cover body that houses a lighting device with a board mounted on it; it extends from a part of the end of the bent bulb toward the mouthpiece side inside the cover.<u style="single">The tip is located inside the mouthpiece adjacent to the electrolytic capacitor and</u>Containing the Lord Amalgam<u style="single">ing</u>It is characterized by having a protrusion and;

【0043】<u style="single">It is preferable that the main amalgam is housed so as to be located on the base side of the electronic component of the lighting device, which has a relatively large amount of heat generation.</u>Here, the "element having a relatively large amount of heat generation" can be defined as an element whose surface temperature is 70 ° C. or higher at the time of stable lighting. In this case, an element having a small volume such that the calorific value itself is small but the temperature becomes locally high is not included. A "element that generates a relatively large amount of heat" is an element that generates heat loss in a lighting device, and the total circuit loss power as the heat loss of the element accounts for 70% or more of the total circuit loss power. ..

[0044] When the smoothing electrolytic capacitor of the lighting device is arranged so as to protrude toward the base side from the main component of the lighting device, in the lighting device, the main amalgam enclosed in the bulb end uses the smoothing electrolytic capacitor. It is housed in the cover in a positional relationship so that it is located on the base side of the electronic parts to be removed. The lighting device is generally provided with a smoothing electrolytic capacitor, but the lighting device is not limited to this.

[0045] Claim<u style="single">4</u>According to the invention of the main amalgam, the base in the cover body where the temperature is relatively low<u style="single">inside</u>By extending it to the space, it becomes possible to use the main amalgam having a characteristic of high mercury vapor pressure, and it is possible to improve the luminous flux rise characteristic with a simple configuration.

[0046] Claim 5<u style="single">In the compact fluorescent lamp according to claim 4, a lighting device is mounted on the cover so that the substrate is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arc tube, and the main amalgam is from the substrate surface.</u><u style="single">15</u><u style="single">~</u><u style="single">40</u><u style="single">It is characterized in that it is housed in a protrusion so as to be located at a distance of mm.</u>[0047] As described above, it has been confirmed that the temperature of the space inside the cover is lower as the space is separated from the arc tube. Further, as disclosed in the prior art, the substrate of the lighting device has an effect of blocking the radiant heat of the arc tube, and the temperature becomes lower as the distance from the substrate surface of the lighting device increases.

[0048] The temperature of the space 5 mm or more away from the substrate surface is lower than the temperature near the substrate surface on the arc tube side, and the temperature of the space 10 mm or more away from the substrate surface is about 40 to 60 ° C. By locating the arc tube protrusion in this space, the mercury vapor pressure in the tube can be maximized. In addition, since the space about 10 mm away from the substrate surface is 50 to 60 ° C, the optimum vapor pressure in the pipe during lighting is maximized by locating the main amalgam in this space, and the light output can be maximized. .. However, the larger the distance from the main amalgam to the arc tube, the larger the dimension in the height direction, and the larger the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp becomes. Further, since the main amalgam that releases mercury is enclosed in a long and thin arc tube protrusion, it takes time for mercury vapor to diffuse into the arc tube. Therefore, the main amalgam housed in the arc tube protrusion needs to be housed in the cover while being separated from the substrate surface by 5 to 50 mm, preferably 10 to 50 mm, and optimally 15 to 40 mm. ..

[0049] According to the invention of claim 5, the mercury vapor pressure is formed by projecting the arc tube protruding portion toward the base and placing the main amalgam encapsulated therein at a desired distance from the substrate surface toward the base. It is possible to use a main amalgam having high characteristics, and it is possible to improve the luminous flux rising characteristics with a simple configuration.

【0050】<u style="single">The present invention</u>The compact fluorescent lamp<u style="single">、</u>When the lamp input power is 7 to 25 W, the arc tube protrusion shall protrude 25 to 60 mm from the end of the arc tube.<u style="single">Is desirable.</u>[0051] Since the compact fluorescent light bulb is close to the size of a general incandescent light bulb, the space inside the enclosure that covers the lighting device and the arc tube becomes a narrow enclosed space, and the temperature inside the cover becomes even higher. It is rising. Further, in order to achieve high efficiency and high output, the tube wall load of the arc tube tends to be high. However, the amount of heat generated by the fluorescent lamp, which is the heat source of the compact fluorescent lamp, depends on the lamp input power.

[0052] Therefore, the structure excluding the lamp input power is the same, and the range of the input power at which a part of the thin tube protruding from the bulb end can maintain a desired temperature is investigated. A compact fluorescent lamp with a lamp input power of 7 W or less is enclosed in a thin tube because the amount of heat generated by the arc tube is not so large even if the arc tube is housed in a sealed and miniaturized enclosure. The temperature of the amal gum is not so high. Therefore, it is not necessary to extend the thin tube containing the main amalgam enclosed in the thin tube toward the base side and separate the main amalgam from the arc tube.

[0053] On the other hand, when the lamp input power becomes 25 W or more, it is necessary to separate the main amalgam from the end of the arc tube, which becomes extremely hot during lighting. However, even if the cover is projected to the space near the mouthpiece and separated from the arc tube, the amount of heat from the arc tube during lighting is large, so that the temperature exceeds a desired temperature. Therefore, the lamp power needs to be 7 to 25 W.

【0054】<u style="single">The present invention</u>Bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp<u style="single">Is</u>By restricting the protrusion length of the arc tube protrusion to 25 to 60 mm, the temperature of the main amalgam enclosed in the arc tube protrusion that protrudes toward the mouthpiece inside the cover can be adjusted to the optimum mercury vapor pressure during stable lighting. Amalgam, which can be maintained at a certain temperature and has a relatively high mercury vapor pressure, can be used, and the light emission efficiency is also improved.

【0055】<u style="single">The present invention</u>The compact fluorescent lamp<u style="single">, As described in claim 3, the protrusion</u>Contains mercury inside and has the same vapor pressure characteristics as pure silver.<u style="single">Mercury-filled structure</u>Was enclosed<u style="single">It may be a thing.</u>【0056】<u style="single">The present invention</u>The compact fluorescent lamp<u style="single">, Protruding part</u>The surface temperature of a part of is 40 to 60 ° C when it is normally lit.<u style="single">With</u>A glove with an opening formed at one end and the opening side attached to the cover so as to cover the arc tube.<u style="single">To</u>With what you have<u style="single">There may be.</u>[0057] The vapor pressure equivalent to that of pure silver means that the mercury vapor pressure at room temperature (25 ° C) is close to that of the mercury vapor pressure of pure silver.

[0058] The compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention does not use amalgam that controls mercury vapor pressure, but can use pure silver or a structure in which mercury is sealed in an arc tube as a mercury-filled structure. Here, the mercury-filled structure affects the light output while the arc tube is lit, such as titanium (Ti) -mercury (Hg) alloy such as the trade name "GEMEDIS" manufactured by Saes, and zinc (Zn) amalgam. In addition to mercury alloys that do not absorb mercury to the extent that they do, and do not substantially control mercury vapor pressure, mercury capsules that are made of an inorganic material such as glass or ceramics and contain liquid mercury inside. Such a mercury-filled structure releases mercury into the arc tube by being heated from the outside after encapsulating the arc tube. Therefore, since the mercury vapor pressure of the arc tube is not controlled by the main amalgam, the mercury vapor pressure characteristic is almost the same as that of a general fluorescent lamp in which pure water silver is sealed.

【0059】<u style="single">The present invention</u>According to the compact fluorescent light bulb, the protruding part of the arc tube is projected to the space on the base side inside the cover, so it is possible to form the coldest part during stable lighting, and the vapor pressure characteristics are equivalent to those of pure silver. It is possible to improve the luminous flux rise characteristic with a simple configuration without impairing the light output at the time of stable lighting.

【0060】<u style="single">The present invention</u>The compact fluorescent lamp<u style="single">、</u>When the lamp input power is 7 to 25 W, the arc tube protrusion shall protrude 25 to 70 mm from the arc tube end.<u style="single">Is desirable.</u>【0061】<u style="single">The present invention</u>According to the compact fluorescent lamp, it is possible to use pure silver or amalgam close to pure silver by projecting the protruding part of the arc tube to a predetermined length, and the conventional amalgam with low mercury vapor pressure is used. Compared with the case, the mercury vapor pressure in the temperature state at the time of turning off is increased, the luminous flux rising characteristic immediately after lighting is improved, and the decrease in luminous efficiency during lighting is suppressed.

【0062】<u style="single">According to claim 6, in the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to claim 4 or 5, the main amalgam is sealed in the arc tube, and the content of mercury (Hg) in the entire alloy of the main amalgam is 3% by mass or more. The metal forming the alloy is characterized by consisting of at least one of the group consisting of bismuth (Bi), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and tin (Sn).</u>【0063】<u style="single">The mercury vapor pressure characteristics of the main amalgam are determined by the composition and mercury content of the amalgam-forming metal, but the most suitable amalgam-forming metals are bismuth (Bi), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and tin ( Sn). For example, bismuth (Bi) -tin (Sn) -mercury (Hg), bismuth (Bi) -tin (Sn) -lead (Pb) -mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn) -mercury (Hg) and the like. Is not limited to this. Further, when the mercury content is 3% by mass or more with respect to the total mass of the main amalgam, the amount of mercury precipitated on the surface of the main amalgam increases, which is effective in improving the luminous flux rise characteristic.</u>【0064】<u style="single">The mercury sealed in the arc tube is generally but not limited to amalgam in a compact fluorescent lamp that lights in a high temperature environment.</u>【0065】<u style="single">According to the compact fluorescent lamp of claim 6, the luminous flux rising characteristic can be further improved by optimizing the composition of the main amalgam.</u>【0066】<u style="single">The bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to claim 7 has an insertion portion through which an arc tube protrusion can penetrate in the circuit board of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Is attached to the cover body so as to be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the bending valve constituting the arc tube.</u>【0067】<u style="single">The heat shield effect of the substrate of the lighting device is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the arc tube and the circuit board surface are substantially orthogonal to each other, and a through hole or notch for extending a part of the bulb end toward the base side. It can be obtained more reliably by extending it to the base side through the insertion portion formed on the substrate by such means. In particular, compared to the case where the substrate is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arc tube and at least the central space surrounded by the valve is not covered by the circuit board, the radiant heat of the arc tube is efficiently blocked and the base is used. It becomes difficult for heat to be transferred to the space on the side. Further, since the thin tube is projected through the insertion portion, this heat shielding effect is not significantly impaired. At this time, the gap between the insertion portion and the thin tube is as small as possible, preferably 1 mm or less.</u>【0068】<u style="single">When the longitudinal direction of the arc tube and the surface of the circuit board are substantially orthogonal to each other, for example, a fluorescent lamp in which the arc tube is formed by arranging a plurality of bending valves in parallel and a plurality of ends are formed in the arc tube. It is sufficient that the substrate covers a part of the imaginary surface formed by the end of the arc tube necessary for heat shielding, but sufficient shielding is provided by arranging so that all of each end is covered by the circuit board surface. A thermal effect can be obtained.</u>【0069】<u style="single">According to the invention of claim 7, the arc tube is mounted on the cover body so that the longitudinal direction of the arc tube and the circuit board surface are substantially orthogonal to each other, and the arc tube projecting portion extends to the base side via an insertion portion formed in the substrate. Therefore, it is possible to set the temperature of the arc tube protruding portion to a desired temperature without raising the temperature of the space on the base side in the cover body.</u>[0070] Claim<u style="single">8</u>1 to<u style="single">7</u>In any one of the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamps, an auxiliary amalgam is disposed in the arc tube, and the metal substrate forming the auxiliary amalgam is gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), or platinum. It is characterized in that it is formed mainly of (Pt), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), bismuth (Bi) or tin (Sn).

[0071] The present invention is an optimized auxiliary amalgam to be arranged in the arc tube. First, the luminous flux rise characteristic of a compact fluorescent lamp having a main amalgam placed on the base side and an arc tube without an auxiliary amalgam was investigated. Then, although a constant brightness was obtained immediately after lighting, the luminous flux decreased and the lighting state remained dark for a while, and after a few minutes, stable lighting was sometimes performed by the mercury vapor pressure controlled by the main amalgam. .. It is considered that this phenomenon is because mercury vapor is adsorbed on the inner surface of the valve and the state where the mercury vapor is temporarily insufficient in the discharge space continues. That is, when the lighting starts, the liquid mercury remaining in the bulb evaporates into the discharge space to become mercury vapor, but the property of adsorbing mercury vapor on the phosphor material, protective film material, glass surface, etc. on the inner surface of the bulb. If the amount of mercury adsorbed is larger than the amount of mercury vaporized, a state in which mercury vapor is insufficient occurs, and the arc tube lights up dimly.

[0072] In this phenomenon, a thin tube sealed at the end of the arc tube of a conventional compact fluorescent lamp is projected by 5 to 15 mm, and the main amalgam is sealed in the thin tube whose tip does not reach the circuit board. In some cases, it is unlikely to occur, and it is likely to occur when the main amalgam is projected to the base side to the arrangement. That is, when the main amalgam is arranged on the base side, the mercury released from the main amalgam is carried to the discharge space via the arc tube by density diffusion. The protruding part of the arc tube between the main amalgam and the discharge space has a long mercury vapor diffusion path and a relatively small diameter, so the diffusion rate is very slow, and as a result, the arc tube is dimly lit for several minutes. It will continue.

[0073] Therefore, in order to retain a certain amount of mercury in the discharge path while the compact fluorescent lamp is extinguished and to provide a means for supplying mercury vapor after the start of lighting, it is considered to use an auxiliary amalgam in the arc tube. did. First, in order to investigate the light output characteristics, the total luminous flux and the luminous flux rising characteristics were measured by changing the composition of the main amalgam and the auxiliary amalgam and the length of the thin tube. As a result, it was confirmed that the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp in which the main amalgam with high mercury vapor pressure is arranged on the base side can optimize the total luminous flux at the time of stable lighting, but the luminous flux rise characteristic is improved by the composition of the auxiliary amalgam. It turned out that there was a difference in the effect. This is because the main amalgam is located on the base side of the lighting device via the arc tube protrusion, so the small-diameter mercury vapor diffusion path becomes longer, and the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube immediately after lighting is the auxiliary amalgam mercury adsorption. This is because it is easy to be controlled by power. In the case of a conventional compact fluorescent lamp, the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube immediately after lighting is generally determined by the mercury vapor pressure characteristics of the main amalgam because the small-diameter mercury vapor diffusion path is about 5 to 15 mm. On the other hand, in the case of a compact fluorescent lamp in which the main amalgam is arranged on the base side, the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube immediately after lighting is considered to be easily determined by the mercury vapor pressure characteristics of the auxiliary amalgam.

Next, the optimization of the auxiliary amalgam was examined. It is important that the auxiliary amalgam does not significantly reduce the mercury vapor pressure. That is, a metal such as indium (In), which has been conventionally used as an auxiliary amalgam, is unsuitable because it has a high ability to adsorb mercury and it is difficult to release an appropriate amount of mercury vapor immediately after lighting. We have found that it is preferable to use it as an auxiliary amalgam as a means of retaining mercury. The best materials for this type of auxiliary amalgam are gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), bismuth (Bi) or tin (Sn). ) Etc. can be mentioned. In particular, gold (Au) and silver (Ag) are suitable from the viewpoint of mercury adsorption power. For example, in the case of a 12W class compact fluorescent lamp, which is equivalent to 60W of an incandescent light bulb, the optimum mercury vapor in the arc tube is about 2 μg in terms of mass, so the auxiliary amalgam adsorbs about 20 μg of mercury, which is 10 times that amount. If possible, it will be enough.

[0075] The auxiliary amalgam can be made of a metal leaf such as gold or silver, a substrate surface such as stainless steel, or a wells plated, and is attached to a desired portion in the vicinity of an electrode or in a discharge path. The main component of the metal substrate that forms the auxiliary amal gum is, for example, the amal gum is formed by absorbing mercury in the arc tube on the surface of a metal plate made of a heat-resistant metal such as stainless steel or an iron-nickel alloy. It means a metal coated on the surface of a metal plate by plating, coating, vaporizing, etc., and does not include a base portion which is a metal plate to be plated, coated, and vapor-deposited.

[0076] Claim<u style="single">8</u>According to the compact fluorescent lamp, the composition of the auxiliary amalgam is optimized, so even if the main amalgam is placed on the base side, the decrease in luminous flux due to lack of mercury immediately after lighting is suppressed, and the luminous flux rise characteristic. Can be surely improved.

[0077] Claim<u style="single">9</u>1 to<u style="single">8</u>The bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to any one of the above is characterized in that the arc tube is covered with a glove attached to a cover body.

[0078] The glove covering the arc tube may be either light-diffusing or transparent as long as it has light-transmitting property, and may be patterned or colored. The material of the glove may be either glass or plastic. The shape of the glove is arbitrary, but it is similar to the popular incandescent light bulb shape, so-called A shape, almost spherical shape, so-called G shape, tip spherical and cylindrical so-called T shape. A shape called a shape can be adopted.

[0079] As described above, in the case of the compact fluorescent lamp with gloves, the temperature of the space inside the cover tends to rise, and it is necessary to use amalgam having a low mercury vapor pressure, and the luminous flux rise characteristic is particularly poor.

[0080] Claim<u style="single">9</u>According to the compact fluorescent lamp of the above, claims 1 to<u style="single">8</u>Since the main amalgam is placed on the base side as described in any one of them, it is possible to use amalgam with a high mercury vapor pressure even in a compact fluorescent lamp with gloves, and the effect of improving the luminous flux rise characteristic. Becomes noticeable.

[0081] Claim<u style="single">10</u>Lighting equipment of claims 1 to<u style="single">9</u>It is characterized by comprising the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to any one of the above; and the fixture body to which the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp is mounted.

[0082] Claim<u style="single">10</u>Lighting equipment of claims 1 to<u style="single">9</u>A lighting fixture provided with any one of the compact fluorescent lamps can be provided.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0084] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the compact fluorescent lamp of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a developed view illustrating the structure of the arc tube.

[0085] In FIGS. 1 and 2, 10 is a compact fluorescent light bulb, and the compact fluorescent light bulb 10 is attached to a cover body 14 having a base 12 and an opening of the cover body 14 as a part of the cover body 14. It includes a holder 15 as a holding portion, a lighting device 16 housed in a cover body 14, a translucent glove 17, and a light emitting tube 18 as a fluorescent lamp housed in the glove 17. .. The outer enclosure composed of the glove 17 and the cover body 14 is formed in an outer shape that approximates the standard dimensions of a general lighting light bulb such as an incandescent light bulb having a rated power of 60 W. That is, the height H1 including the base 12 is about 110 to 125 mm, the diameter, that is, the outer shape D1 of the glove 17 is about 50 to 60 mm, and the outer shape D2 of the cover body 14 is about 40 mm. The light bulb for general lighting is defined in JIS C 7501.

[0086] Alumina (Al) is formed on the inner surface of the arc tube 18.₂O₃) A protective film (not shown) and a phosphor layer (not shown) are formed on the protective film (not shown). The phosphor layer is composed of a three-wavelength light emitting phosphor. As a red-emitting phosphor, an active yttrium oxide phosphor with europium (Y) having a peak wavelength near 610 nm.₂O₃:EU³⁺) Etc. can be mentioned. As a blue-emitting phosphor, an active barium-magnesium aluminate phosphor with europium (BaMg) having a peak wavelength near 450 nm₂Al₁₆O₂₇:EU²⁺) Etc. can be mentioned. As a green luminescent phosphor, an active lanthanum phosphate phosphor with cerium and terbium ((La, Ce, Tb) PO) having a peak wavelength near 540 nm₄) Etc. can be mentioned. In addition to the above-mentioned phosphor that emits light in each of the red, blue, and green colors, the three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor is prepared by mixing a fluorescent substance that emits light in another color so as to emit light at a desired chromaticity. You may. The phosphor layer of the arc tube 18 is applied and formed after the bending of the bending valve 31 ..., Which will be described later.

[0087] The arc tube 18 is formed by arranging three U-shaped bent valves 31, 31, 31 having substantially the same shape at predetermined positions and sequentially connecting them via the communication tube 32 to discharge one tube. The road is formed.

[0088] The three glass bulbs 31, 31, 31 are triples in which the straight portion 31a ... of the bulb is arranged so as to be located on the circumference and the three bending portions 31b ... form a triangular shape. It is configured in a U shape. It should be noted that four glass valves 31 may be used so that the bent portion 31b ... forms a quadrangular shape.

[0089] Each bulb 31, 31, 31 is made of lead-free glass having a pipe outer diameter of about 11 mm, a pipe inner diameter of about 9.4 mm, and a wall thickness of about 0.8 mm, and is an intermediate portion of a straight pipe glass valve having a pipe outer diameter of about 110 to 130 mm. Is bent so as to be smoothly curved, and is formed in a substantially U shape having a bent portion 31b. The bent portion 31b is formed into a desired shape by heating the intermediate portion of the straight glass valve to bend the bent portion, then putting the bent portion of the bent valve into a molding die and pressurizing the inside of the bulb. Depending on the shape of this molding die, the shape of the bent portion 31b can be arbitrarily molded.

[0090] The pipe outer diameter of the bending valve 31 is preferably 9.0 to 13 mm, and the wall thickness is preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Further, it is preferable that the discharge path length of the arc tube 18 is in the range of 250 to 500 mm and the lamp input power is 8 to 25 W. The bent valve 31 is easily deformed by heating or a blinking temperature difference in the manufacturing process, and the condition that the mechanical strength of the communicating pipe 32 is low depends largely on the relationship between the outer diameter of the glass valve and the wall thickness. If the outer diameter of the tube is smaller than 9.0 mm, or if the wall thickness of the valve is smaller than 0.5 mm, the arc tube itself is easily damaged due to factors other than the deformation of the bent valve 31, which is not preferable. Further, when the outer diameter of the pipe exceeds 13 mm or the wall thickness of the valve exceeds 1.5 mm, the mechanical strength of the communication pipe 32 can be secured to some extent. An incandescent light bulb shape is designed with a discharge path length of 250 to 500 mm and a lamp input power of 8 to 25 W as an arc tube using a glass valve with a tube outer diameter of 9.0 to 13 mm and a wall thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. It is possible to construct a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp similar to the above. Furthermore, as a result of examining the lighting area where the lamp efficiency of the arc tube is improved by increasing the discharge path length, if the discharge path length is within the range of 250 to 500 mm and the lamp input power is within the range of 8 to 25 W, the lamp efficiency is increased. Is particularly improved.

[0091] In order to facilitate heat processing of the bent valve 31, it is common practice to mix a lead component into the glass used for the bent valve 31 to lower the softening temperature of the glass. Since the ingredients are substances that affect the environment, it is preferable to refrain from using them as much as possible. In addition, the glass used for the bent bulb 31 has a sodium component (Na) as an alkaline component.₂Although a large amount of O) is mixed, it is considered that this sodium component is precipitated and reacts with the phosphor substance in the heat processing of the bent valve 31, and the phosphor is deteriorated. Therefore, the bent valve 31 is substantially free of lead components and is Na.₂By setting O to 10% by mass or less, the influence on the environment can be reduced, deterioration of the phosphor can be suppressed, and the luminous flux maintenance rate can be improved. The glass used for the bent valve 31 is SiO by mass ratio.₂Is 60-75%, Al₂O₃Is 1-5%, Li₂O is 1-5%, Na₂O is 5 to 10%, K₂O is 1 to 10%, CaO is 0.5 to 5%, MgO is 0.5 to 5%, SrO is 0.5 to 5%, BaO is 0.5 to 7%, and SrO / BaO 1.5 and MgO + BaO SrO. It has a composition that satisfies the conditions. Although the reason is not clear, it was confirmed that the use of this glass improves the luminous flux rise compared to the arc tube manufactured under the same conditions except that it is formed from a bent bulb 31 using lead glass. ..

[0092] One end of the bent valve 31, 31, 31 is sealed by a pinch seal portion 40, etc., and a thin tube 41a, 41b, 41c having an inner diameter of 2 to 5 mm is provided at the other end. It is sealed by a pinch seal. The main amalgam 42 is enclosed in the thin tube 41b sealed in the intermediate bent valve 31.

[0093] At one end of the bent valve 31 on both sides of the arc tube 18 on the non-communication tube 32 side, a filament coil 44 as an electrode is arranged so as to be supported by a pair of wells 45, 45. The pair of wells 45, 45 was led out to the outside of the bent valves 31, 31 via a jumet wire sealed at the ends of the bent valves 31, 31 at both ends by a pinch seal or the like without using a mount. It is connected to the lamp side wire. Then, the two pairs, that is, the four lamp-side wires derived from the arc tube 18, are electrically connected to the lighting device 16.

Auxiliary amalgam 46 is provided at the desired end of the intermediate bending valve 31 and at the wells 45 near the electrodes. The auxiliary amalgam 46 provided in the intermediate bent valve 31 is attached to the wells sealed by a pinch seal or the like, and is arranged at an intermediate position of the discharge path. The auxiliary amalgam 46 is formed by plating about 3 mg of gold (Au) or silver (Ag) on a stainless steel substrate having a length of 2 mm, a width of 7 mm, and a thickness of 40 μm.

[0095] The thin tube 41b as a protruding portion sealed to the intermediate bent valve 31 has a protruding length L1 from the end of the bent valve 31 so that the tip thereof is located on the base 12 side in the cover body 14. It is preferable that the length is 25 to 50 mm, and in the present embodiment, the linear length is about 45 mm and the protrusion is projected. The thin tube 41b has a bent shape that is bent at two points so that the tip is located slightly inward so as not to abut on the inner wall of the cover body 14, from the end of the bent valve 31 to the tip of the thin tube 41b. The protrusion height L2 is about 40 mm.

[0096] The main amalgam 42 is based on an alloy consisting of 50 to 65% by mass of bismuth (Bi) and 35 to 50% by mass of tin (Sn), and contains 12 to 25% by mass of mercury with respect to this alloy. It is an alloy.

[0097] The arc tube 18 is formed so that the valve height H2 is 50 to 60 mm, the discharge path length is 200 to 350 mm, and the maximum width D3 in the valve parallel direction is 32 to 43 mm.

[0098] Then, the arc tube 18 is filled with argon gas having a filling gas ratio of 99% or more at a filling pressure of 300 to 800 Pa.

Hereinafter, the base 12 side will be referred to as the upper side, and the glove 17 side will be referred to as the lower side.

[0100] The arc tube 18 is attached to a holder 15 which is also a light emitting tube fixing member and a lighting device fixing member, and the holder 15 is attached to the cover body 14 so as to cover the opening of the cover body 14. .. Further, the circuit board 24 of the lighting device 16 is attached to the holder 15 by a fitting means (not shown). The lighting device 16 includes a disk-shaped circuit board 24 that is horizontally arranged, that is, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the arc tube 18, and is provided on both sides of the circuit board 24, that is, on the upper surface that is the base 12 side and the arc tube 18 side. A plurality of parts (electrical parts) are mounted on a certain lower surface to form an inverter circuit (high-frequency lighting circuit) for high-frequency lighting.

[0101] The circuit board 24 is formed with a circular insertion hole 26 as an insertion portion having a diameter of about 6 mm, and the tip of the thin tube 41b extends to the base 12 side through the insertion hole 26. There is. On one side of the circuit board 24, most of the electronic components including the smoothing electrolytic capacitor 16a, the inductor, the transformer, the resistor, and the film capacitor are mounted. Small electronic elements such as field effect transistors (FETs), rectifier diodes (RECs), and chip resistors, which have relatively high heat-resistant temperatures, are mounted on the other surface of the circuit board 24 on the arc tube 18 side. The tip of the smoothing electrolytic capacitor 16a protrudes toward the base 12 side of the electronic components that generate a relatively large amount of heat, such as field effect transistors, transformers, current limiting inductors, resistors, and resonant capacitors. The main amalgam 42 is housed in a thin tube 41b so as to be located on the base 12 side of the electronic components excluding the electrolytic capacitor 16a and adjacent to the electrolytic capacitor 16a. At this time, the main amalgam 42 is separated so that the distance L3 from the surface of the circuit board 24 on the base 12 side is about 40 mm.

[0102] The cover body 14 includes a cover body 21 formed of a heat-resistant synthetic resin such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The cover body 21 has a substantially cylindrical shape that expands downward, and the upper end thereof is covered with a mouthpiece 12 such as an E26 type, and is fixed by an adhesive or caulking.

[0103] Further, the glove 17 is transparent or milky white having light diffusivity, and is formed of glass or synthetic resin into a smooth curved shape having substantially the same shape as the glass bulb of a general lighting light bulb having a rated power of 60 W. At the same time, a fitting edge 17a that fits inside the opening at the lower end of the cover body 21 is formed at the edge of the opening. The glove 17 can also be combined with another member such as a diffusion film to improve the uniformity of brightness.

[0104] The circuit board 24 has a substantially disk shape, and is formed to have a diameter (maximum width dimension) of 1.2 times or less the maximum width D3 of the arc tube 18.

[0105] The lighting device 16 has a current density (current per cross-sectional area) of 3 to 5 mA / mm in the arc tube 18 due to a lamp power of 7 to 15 W.²It is configured to light up with. The compact fluorescent lamp 10 of the present embodiment has an input power rating of 12 W, a power of 10.5 W is applied to the arc tube 18 at a high frequency, the lamp current is 190 mA, the lamp voltage is 58 V, and the light output from the arc tube 18 The total luminous flux is about 810lm.

[0106] When the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp 10 defined in this way is used as a lighting fixture of a general lighting bulb, the light distribution of the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp 10 is similar to the light distribution of the general lighting bulb. A sufficient amount of light is applied to the reflector in the vicinity of the socket arranged in the luminaire, and the luminaire characteristics according to the optical design of the reflector can be obtained. Moreover, even in a lighting fixture such as a light bulb stand where the image of the internal light source is projected on a light diffusing cover made of cloth or the like, the light distribution of the light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp 10 is similar to the light distribution of a general lighting light bulb. So, you can use it without any discomfort.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the temperature distribution of the present embodiment. The measurement condition of this temperature distribution was that the base was lit upward when the ambient temperature was 25 ° C and there was no wind. At this time, about 10% of the input power of 12.1 W of the compact fluorescent lamp 10 is consumed by the lighting circuit.

[0108] The temperature of each part was as follows. The surface temperature T1 of the thin tube near Amalgam is 55 ° C, the space temperature T2 inside the base 12 is 53 ° C, the space temperature in the center of the cover (the space temperature where the upper end of the heat generating component is located) T3 is 62 ° C, and the top surface of the substrate 24. The temperature T4 is 98 ° C, the upper surface temperature T5 of the outer surface of the cover body 14 is 62 ° C, the temperature of the middle part of the outer surface of the cover body 14 is 62 ° C, and the surface temperature T7 of the valve 31 near the electrode of the arc tube 18 is 158 °. C, the surface temperature T8 of the straight part of the valve 13 is 136 ° C, the surface temperature T9 of the bent part 13b is 106 ° C, the upper temperature T10 of the outer surface of the glove 17 is 81 ° C, and the outer surface temperature T11 of the maximum outer diameter part is 60 ° C. , Top outer surface temperature T12 is 57 ° C.

[0109] As described above, since the vicinity of the lighting device 16 is located above the arc tube 18 which is the main heat generating element, the temperature becomes high. This means that heat is diffused in the upper direction and the outer diameter direction, and a high temperature space is created in the vicinity of the ballast winding and the transistor, which are the main heat generating components of the lighting device 16. The space inside the cover body 14 on the base 12 side of the parts group mounted in such a high temperature region has a relatively low temperature, and by locating the main amalgam 42 in this space, the temperature of the main amalgam 42 is lowered. ing. The electrolytic capacitor 16a near the main amalgam 42 is a component that hardly generates heat, and the internal space near the base is about 50 to 60 ° C. By the way, when the temperature of the main amalgam of the conventional example (short thin tube method) equipped with an arc tube having a protruding length of about 10 mm in the thin tube containing the main amalgam was measured, it was about 90 ° C. As described above, the elongated tube method in which the main amalgam 42 is arranged on the base 12 side as in the present embodiment has the effect of reducing the temperature of the main amalgam 42 by about 30 to 40 ° C.

[0110] Next, in order to evaluate the luminous flux rising characteristic, bulb-shaped fluorescent lamps of the present embodiment, the conventional example, and the comparative example were prepared and turned on, respectively. A conventional example includes an arc tube (short tube method) in which a thin tube containing a bismuth (Bi) -indium (In) -based main amalgam has a protruding length of about 10 mm. Auxiliary amalgam made of indium was used instead of the auxiliary amalgam of the long thin tube method), and Comparative Example 2 was obtained by removing the auxiliary amalgam from the above embodiment (long thin tube method). The luminous flux rise characteristic was measured. The measurement conditions were lighting with a 100V commercial AC power supply, the ambient temperature was 25 ° C, and the base was lit upward in a windless state. The input current and power consumption at this time were all 194mA and 12.1W.

[0111] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the measurement result, and shows the change of the luminous flux with each elapsed time from the start of lighting. In the graph, line a shows the present embodiment, line b shows Comparative Example 1, line c shows Comparative Example 2, and line d shows a conventional example. The luminous flux immediately after lighting was in the order of [0112] Comparative Example 2&gt; Present Embodiment&gt; Comparative Example 1&gt; Conventional Example.

However, the luminous flux of Comparative Example 2 begins to decrease from about 2 to 3 seconds after the start of lighting, and until 30 seconds have passed from the start of lighting, [0114] the present embodiment&gt; Comparative Example 1&gt; Conventional Example&gt;. The order was in Comparative Example 2. Comparative Example 2 resulted in a so-called dim brightness condition for several minutes thereafter.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, it can be seen that the mercury vapor pressure rises rapidly and the luminous flux rise characteristic is improved as compared with the conventional example, but the luminous flux immediately after lighting is not much different from that of the conventional example.

[0116] On the other hand, in the compact fluorescent lamp 10 of the present embodiment, since an appropriate amount of mercury is released from the auxiliary amalgam 46 immediately after lighting, the mercury deficiency phenomenon does not occur, and the luminous flux rises early and lights up. It was confirmed that about 50% of the light output at the time of stable lighting was obtained when 5 seconds had passed from the start, and about 85% of the light output was obtained after about 25 seconds had passed.

[0117] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0118] FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing the compact fluorescent lamp of the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0119] The compact fluorescent lamp 10 of the present embodiment does not enclose the main amalgam for controlling the mercury vapor pressure, and uses mercury pellets 47 for quantitative encapsulation as a mercury-encapsulated structure made of zinc (Zn) amalgam. The arc tube 18 is filled with 10 mg or less of mercury. The pellet 47 is placed on a throttle portion (diameter-reduced portion) formed in the thin tube 41b, and then fixed to the tip of the thin tube 41b by means such as melting. Further, the thin tube 41b is used as an exhaust pipe, and the thin tubes 41a and 41c used in the first embodiment are chipped off near the end after being used at the time of manufacturing the arc tube 18. Therefore, only the thin tube 41b protrudes from the end of the arc tube 18, and the distance between the holder 15 and the arc tube 18 can be reduced. Therefore, the height dimension of the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp 10 can be shortened. It is possible.

[0120] Since the mercury vapor pressure of the arc tube 18 of the present embodiment is not controlled by the main amalgam, the mercury vapor pressure characteristic is almost the same as that of a general fluorescent lamp in which pure water silver is sealed. .. Therefore, since the tip of the thin tube 41b is arranged on the base 12 side in the cover body 14 in which the space temperature during stable lighting is about 50 to 60 ° C, the coldest part is secured in the thin tube during stable lighting. Therefore, the light output during stable lighting is not impaired, and the luminous flux rise characteristic can be improved.

[0121] Next, FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp of the third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway enlarged sectional view of the fluorescent lamp of FIG. The same configurations as those of the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0122] The thin tube 41a closest to one of the pair of electrodes projects about 6 mm from the end of the valve 31, and the main amalgam 42 is enclosed in the thin tube 41a. This main amalgam 42 has mercury vapor pressure characteristics equivalent to those of pure silver or pure silver, and is an alloy composed of Bi-Sn-Hg, which is contained so as not to move from the inside of the thin tube 41a into the valve 31. ing.

[0123] The remaining thin tube 41b of the bent valve 31 in which a pair of electrodes is sealed is a thin tube 41b for exhaust, which protrudes about 30 mm from the end of the valve 31, and the tip thereof is inside the valve. Due to the negative pressure, it is sucked into the inside of the thin tube 41b at the time of sealing, and particularly the central part protrudes to form a thin sealing part.

[0124] Since the composition of the main amalgam 42 is Bi-Sn-Hg, the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 18 can be relatively high even at room temperature, and when the lighting is stable, the temperature of the arc tube 18 covered with the glove 17 can be increased. Rise and become hot. However, by extending the exhaust pipe 41b to the base 12 side in the cover body 14 so as not to be affected by the heat of the electrodes of the arc tube 18, the temperature near the tip of the exhaust pipe 41b is suppressed so as not to exceed 60 ° C. are doing. That is, since the heat of the arc tube 18 is blocked by the circuit board 24 and convection is unlikely to occur, the internal space temperature on the base 12 side is not as high as the internal space on the arc tube 18 side.

[0125] As described above, excess mercury extends into the vicinity of the tip of the exhaust pipe 41b extending into the cover body 14 so that the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 18 does not become excessive even if the arc tube 18 becomes hot during lighting. It is absorbed by the coldest part of the lamp, and the mercury vapor can be kept at an appropriate value to prevent a decrease in luminous efficiency. Further, as compared with the case of using the main amalgam 42 having a low mercury vapor pressure, the mercury vapor pressure in the temperature state at the time of turning off is higher, the luminous flux rise characteristic immediately after lighting is improved, and the luminous efficiency during lighting is lowered. Can also be suppressed.

[0126] According to the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp 10 as described above, the arc tube 18 is covered with the globe 17, separated from the electrode, penetrates the exhaust pipe 41b toward the base 12 side of the circuit board 24, and reaches the inside of the cover body 14. By extending it, the temperature of a part of it becomes 50 to 60 ° C, so even if the temperature of the arc tube 18 covered with the glove 17 rises, the coldest part formed in the exhaust pipe 41b will cause it. It is possible to absorb the mercury vapor in the valve 31 and keep the mercury vapor pressure in the valve 31 at a desired pressure.

[0127] Further, if the exhaust pipe 41b sealing portion is formed in the vicinity of the thin pipe sealing at the end of the bulb 31, cracks may occur due to heating at the time of sealing and the fluorescent lamp may cause a slow leak. By lengthening 41b, it is possible to prevent cracks from occurring in the sealing portion.

[0128] In the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp of the present embodiment, the base 12 side is on the upper side and the fluorescent lamp 18 side is on the lower side, but when the base is lit, that is, the base 12 side is on the lower side. The same effect can be obtained regardless of the lighting posture such as lighting the fluorescent lamp 18 side on the upper side.

[0129] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0130] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compact fluorescent lamp 10 of the fourth embodiment. The same configurations as those of the first to third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0131] In FIG. 8, in the bent valve 31 located in the middle, a main amalgam 42 made of, for example, Bi-Sn-In, which controls the mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 18 to a desired pressure, is contained in the arc tube 18. It is enclosed in granular and spiral particles so that it can be moved, and it is also enclosed in a thin tube 41b extending into the cover body.

[0132] Further, the thin tube 41b sealed to the intermediate arc tube 18 projects from the end of the arc tube 18 so that the tip thereof is located on the base 12 side in the cover 14, and the projecting length is 25. The length is preferably ~ 70 mm. In the present embodiment, the protruding length from the sealed portion of the thin tube 41b to the tip of the thin tube 41b is about 40 mm in height.

[0133] The main amalgam 42 is based on an alloy consisting of 50 to 65% by mass of bismuth (Bi) and 35 to 50% by mass of tin (Sn), and contains 12 to 25% by mass of mercury with respect to this alloy. It is an alloy.

[0134] The circuit board 24 is formed with a circular or elliptical insertion hole 26 as an insertion portion having a diameter of about 6 mm, and the tip end portion of the thin tube 41b is on the base 12 side in the cover body 14 through the insertion hole 26. It extends to the space.

[0135] In the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp 10 assembled as described above, the main amalgam 42 enclosed in the thin tube 41b is heated by the heat generated by the arc tube during lighting to release mercury. The released mercury is diffused into the arc tube 18. Immediately after the start, mercury is released from the main amalgam 42 enclosed in the arc tube 18. As the vapor pressure of mercury in the arc tube 18 increases with the lighting time, the mercury vapor fills the arc tube 18, and the main amalgam 42 enclosed so as to be movable in the arc tube 18 absorbs mercury. The mercury vapor pressure in the arc tube 18 is kept constant, and the rated lamp characteristics can be obtained.

[0136] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the optimum thin tube length that maximizes the total luminous flux. In (A), the first embodiment of the present invention is that the length of the thin tube 41b containing the main amalgam 42 having a high mercury vapor pressure and a vapor pressure close to mercury is changed to 22 to 45 mm, and the input power is constantly lit at 12 W. A bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp that is a form. In (B), the length of the thin tube 41b in which the main amalgam 42 was not sealed was changed to 22 to 45 mm, and the main amalgam 42 having a high mercury vapor pressure and a vapor pressure close to mercury was sealed in the thin tube 41a excluding the thin tube 41b. The bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention is constantly lit with an input power of 12 W.

As is clear from the graph of FIG. 9, a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp (A) having a thin tube 41b containing a main amalgam 42 having a high mercury vapor pressure close to pure silver and having a length of 22 to 45 mm has a thin tube length of 35 mm. At the time, the maximum total luminous flux is 720lm, and when it exceeds 35 mm, the total luminous flux is low. This is because the temperature inside the cover body 14 decreases as the distance from the fluorescent lamp 18, which becomes high during lighting, decreases, so that the ambient space where the tip of the thin tube 41b is located is higher than the temperature at which the optimum mercury vapor pressure of the main amalgam is obtained. This is because it is low. On the other hand, when the length of the thin tube 41b is 35 mm or less, on the contrary, the tip of the thin tube 41b where the main amalgam 42 is located is located in the space close to the fluorescent lamp 18, so the temperature becomes higher than the optimum mercury vapor pressure. Luminous efficiency is reduced.

[0138] The compact fluorescent lamp (B) in which the amalgam 42 is sealed in the thin tube 41a excluding the thin tube 41b having a thin tube 41b length of 22 to 45 mm has a maximum total luminous flux of 720 lm when the thin tube length is 45 mm. The coldest part for controlling the mercury vapor pressure is formed in a part of the thin tube 41b. Comparing the compact fluorescent lamps (A) and (B), the optimum temperature for (A) is about 10 ° C higher than that for (B), so the thin tube 41b is higher than (B). (A) can be shortened by 10 mm.

[0139] Fig. 10 shows the compact fluorescent lamps (a) and (b) of the first embodiment of the present invention in which the length of the thin tube 41b containing the main amalgam was changed to 22 to 45 mm at input powers of 12 W and 13 W. It is a lit graph.

[0140] From the graph of FIG. 10, even in the (a) and (b) compact fluorescent lamps, the temperature of the amalgam encapsulated inside decreases as the length of the thin tube increases. The farther away from the arc tube, which becomes hot during lighting, the less likely it is to be affected by the heat. Furthermore, by lengthening the length of the capillary tube, it becomes possible to position the cover body on the side of the base where the temperature is relatively low, which is considered to have a synergistic effect with each other.

[0141] Based on the above experimental results, the inventor found that when the lamp power is X (W) and the thin tube length is Y (mm), the thin tube 42 protruding from the end of the arc tube 18 is on the base 12 side in the cover body 14. The length of the thin tube 41b when the main amalgam 42 is enclosed in the long thin tube 41b protruding toward is expressed by the relational expression of [0142] 5X-37 Y 5X-17 [0143].

[0144] When the amalgam 42 is enclosed in the short tube 41a protruding from the end of the arc tube 18, the length of the thin tube 41a protruding toward the mouthpiece 12 in the cover body 14 is set to [0145] 5X-27 Y 5X-7. It was found that it can be obtained from the relational expression of [0146].

Next, a lighting fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the luminaire of the present invention. In the figure, 51 is a compact fluorescent lamp and 50 is an embedded luminaire body. The instrument body 50 is composed of a substrate 52, a reflector 53, and the like.

[Effect of the Invention] According to the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to claims 1 and 2, the arc tube protruding portion.<u style="single">So that the tip of the is located inside the mouthpiece adjacent to the electrolytic capacitor</u>By projecting, it becomes possible to enclose pure silver or a main amalgam having a high mercury vapor pressure almost equal to that of pure silver. As a result, as compared with the case of using the conventional amalgam having a low mercury vapor pressure, the luminous flux rise characteristic immediately after lighting is improved, and it is possible to suppress the decrease in luminous efficiency during lighting.

【0149】<u style="single">According to the compact fluorescent lamp of claim 3, it is possible to form the coldest part at the time of stable lighting, it is possible to have the same vapor pressure characteristics as pure silver, and the light output at the time of stable lighting is impaired. It is possible to improve the luminous flux rising characteristics with a simple configuration.</u>【0150】<u style="single">According to the invention of claim 4, by extending the main amalgam to the space on the base side in the cover body having a relatively low temperature, it becomes possible to use the main amalgam having a characteristic of high mercury vapor pressure, which is simple. The configuration makes it possible to improve the luminous flux rise characteristics.</u>【0151】<u style="single">According to the invention of claim 5, by keeping the main amalgam at a desired distance from the substrate surface in the direction of the base side, it is possible to use the main amalgam having a characteristic of high mercury vapor pressure, and a luminous flux can be obtained with a simple configuration. It is possible to improve the rising characteristics.</u>【0152】<u style="single">Further, since the tip of the arc tube protruding portion is projected to the space inside the mouthpiece inside the cover, it is possible to form the coldest portion at the time of stable lighting.</u>【0153】<u style="single">Also,</u>By projecting the projecting portion of the arc tube to a desired length, it is possible to use pure silver or amalgam close to pure silver, and the temperature at the time of extinguishing is compared with the case of using conventional amalgam having a low mercury vapor pressure. The mercury vapor pressure in the state becomes high, the luminous flux rise characteristic immediately after lighting is improved, and the decrease in luminous efficiency during lighting is also suppressed.

【0154】<u style="single">According to the invention of claim 6, the luminous flux rise characteristic can be further improved by optimizing the composition of the main amalgam.</u>【0155】<u style="single">According to the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp of claim 7, the arc tube is mounted on the cover so that the longitudinal direction of the arc tube and the circuit board surface are substantially orthogonal to each other, and the arc tube projecting portion is placed on the base side via an insertion portion formed in the substrate. Since it is extended, it is possible to set the temperature of the arc tube protruding portion to a desired temperature without raising the temperature of the space on the base side in the cover body.</u>[0156] Claim<u style="single">8</u>According to the compact fluorescent lamp, the composition of the auxiliary amalgam is optimized, so even if the main amalgam is placed on the base side, the decrease in luminous flux due to lack of mercury immediately after lighting is suppressed, and the luminous flux rise characteristic. Can be surely improved.

[0157] Claim<u style="single">9</u>According to the compact fluorescent lamp<u style="single">、</u>Even with a bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp with gloves, it is possible to use amalgam with a high mercury vapor pressure, and the effect of improving the luminous flux rising characteristics becomes remarkable.

[0158] Claim<u style="single">10</u>According to the compact fluorescent lamp of the above, claims 1 to<u style="single">9</u>A lighting fixture provided with any one of the compact fluorescent lamps can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [Fig. 1] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a compact fluorescent lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a development view illustrating the structure of the arc tube of the compact fluorescent lamp of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the temperature distribution when the compact fluorescent lamp of FIG. 1 is lit.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a luminous flux rising characteristic of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compact fluorescent lamp of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view of the compact fluorescent lamp of the third embodiment.

7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp of FIG. 6 with a partial notch.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view of the compact fluorescent lamp of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a relative graph showing experimental results showing the optimum capillary length and the optimum amalgam encapsulation position where the total luminous flux is maximized.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the experimental results showing the protruding length of the capillary tube and the amalgam temperature.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a side surface showing an embodiment of the luminaire of the present embodiment.

[Description of code] 10 ... bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp, 12 ... base, 14 ... cover body, 16 ... lighting circuit, 18 ... arc tube, 24 ... board, 26 .. Insertion hole, 31 ... bending valve, 41b ... thin tube, 42 ... main amal gum, 46 ... auxiliary amal gum.