JPS6366027B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp device that can be used in place of an incandescent light bulb.

In recent years, energy saving measures have come to the fore as a social requirement, and there is also a demand for the development of energy saving lamps in the field of light sources. By the way, fluorescent lamps have better light efficiency (lm/W) than incandescent lamps, and are more advantageous than incandescent lamps as power-saving light sources. Therefore, conventionally,
As described in Publication No. 22880, a straight tube fluorescent lamp is housed in an envelope having a screw cap, and a ballast and a lighting tube (gross starter) as a starting aid are housed in the envelope. A fluorescent lamp device has been proposed that can replace an incandescent light bulb by accommodating an incandescent light bulb and attaching it to an incandescent light bulb socket via the above-mentioned screw-type cap.

However, in the fluorescent lamp device described in the above publication, the straight tube fluorescent lamp does not have a base shell, and this straight tube fluorescent lamp is different from the inner tube of the conventional double tube high pressure discharge lamp. In other words, like an arc tube, it was supported by support wires and housed in an envelope.

According to such a conventional structure, the straight tube fluorescent lamp is supported by a support wire, so the support strength is low, and the mounting position of the lamp, that is, centering, cannot be determined with high precision.
There was a problem with the product that required time and effort to assemble.

In the present invention, although a straight tube fluorescent lamp, a ballast, and a starter are housed, the straight tube fluorescent lamp has a large support strength, has high positioning accuracy, and is easy to assemble. The present invention aims to provide a light lamp device.

In the present invention, a straight pipe type having a screw-type cap is connected to one end of a translucent or semi-transparent outer tube, a cap is attached to the other end, and a bipost type cap pin is provided in the outer tube. A fluorescent lamp is accommodated, a ballast is housed in the base, a starter is housed in the cap, and insertion holes are provided at both ends of the outer tube, into which the base pins of the lamp are inserted, respectively. The present invention is characterized in that a holding plate having a shape formed thereon is provided, and these holding plates come into contact with both end surfaces of the fluorescent lamp to sandwich the fluorescent lamp.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer tube, which has a cylindrical shape with both ends open. The surrounding tube 1 is made of a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate or a translucent material such as glass, but may also be made of a translucent material such as a milky white material. A cap structure 2 is connected to one end of the surrounding tube 1. This cap structure 2 is composed of a stepped screw cap 3 such as E27, and an insulating connecting tube 4. As is well known, the stepped screw cap 3 has an eyelet terminal 7 integrally formed by loading an insulating cement or an insulating adhesive 6 into a shell 5 molded into a male thread shape, and a large diameter cover 8 is attached to the insulating adhesive 6. It is constructed by embedding. In addition, insulating adhesive 6
A conductive hole 9 is formed inside. The insulating connection tube 4 is made of non-transparent or semi-transparent synthetic resin, and is fitted into the opening of the cover 8. The connecting tube 4 is integrally engaged with the cover 8 by pressing and deforming a part of the outer surface of the cover 8 with a punch or the like to dent it 8a. Ribs 10 projecting toward the center are formed at four locations on the inner surface of the connecting tube 4 in directions orthogonal to each other. A fitting groove 11 is provided on the upper surface of the base end of the rib 10, and a stop step 1 is provided on the inner end.
2 is formed. One end of the outer tube 1 is inserted into the connecting tube 4, and its opening edge is fitted into the fitting groove 11 of the rib 10. The connecting tube 4 has a locking claw 1 on its inner surface.
3 are formed, and the locking claws 13 are engaged with engagement holes 14 formed in the outer tube 1 to connect the outer tube 1 and the connecting tube 4.

On the other hand, a cap 15 is attached to the other end of the outer tube 1.
is covered. The cap 15 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom and is made of non-transparent or semi-transparent synthetic resin. A clamping step 16 is formed on the inner surface of the cap 15, and a holding plate 25, which will be described later, is clamped to this clamping step 16. The other end of the surrounding tube 1 is inserted into the opening of the cap 15. Also formed on the inner surface of this cap 15 are locking claws 17 similar to the locking claws 13 of the connecting tube 4.
7 maintains the connection between the outer tube 1 and the cap 15 by engaging with engagement holes 18 formed in the outer tube 1.

However, inside the surrounding tube 1 there is a fluorescent lamp 2.
0 is inserted. This fluorescent lamp 20 has the same structure as the conventional one, with bipost type caps 21, 21 attached to both ends of the bulb.
Pins 22, 22, 22, 22 are protruded from 21, respectively. Note that filaments 23a and 23b shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4 are provided within the bulb, and a predetermined amount of mercury and inert gas are sealed within the bulb. Both ends of such a fluorescent lamp 20 are supported by holding plates 24 and 25. One of the holding plates 24 is made of insulating synthetic resin, and its outer diameter matches the inner diameter of the outer tube 1, and has legs 26, 26 on its peripheral edge. These legs 26, 26
are adapted to come into contact with and be supported by the end faces of ribs 10 formed on the connecting tube 4. The holding plate 24 has insertion holes 27, 27 into which the pins 22, 22 of the fluorescent lamp 20 are inserted. Therefore, one end of the fluorescent lamp 20 has pins 22, 22 inserted into the insertion holes 27 of the holding plate 24,
It is coupled to this holding plate 24 by penetrating it through 27. This holding plate 24 is attached to the leg portion 2.
6 and 26 are brought into contact with the ribs 10 of the connecting tube 4, positioning along the axial direction is achieved,
Further, the outer periphery of the holding plate 24 is fitted onto the inner surface of the outer tube 1, thereby regulating the position in the radial direction. For this reason, one end of the fluorescent lamp 20 is axially and radially positioned and mechanically held via the holding plate 24.

The other holding plate 25 has an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the opening of the cap 15, and is adapted to abut against a holding step 16 formed on the cap 15. This holding plate 25 is attached to the step portion 1.
6 and the other end opening edge of the outer tube 1, the tube is positioned and fixed in the axial and radial directions. And this holding plate 2
5 are also formed with pin insertion holes 28, 28, through which the pins 22, 22 on the other end side of the fluorescent lamp 20 are passed. Note that the holding plate 25 has a rotation prevention groove 2.
9 and 29 are formed and are engaged with locking ribs 30 and 30 formed on the cap 15. Therefore, the other end of the fluorescent lamp 20 is connected to this holding plate 2.
5, the axial and radial positions are regulated and mechanically held. As a result, the fluorescent lamp 20 is positioned on the central axis of the surrounding tube 1 by the holding plates 24 and 25 at both ends.

Therefore, the lighting tube 31 is inside the cap 15.
A noise prevention capacitor 32 is housed as required. Both the lighting tube 31 and the capacitor 32 are supported by the holding plate 25.
Support protrusions 33, 33, 34 are integrally provided on the holding plate 25, and the lighting tube 31 is provided with a pair of protrusions 3.
3 and 33, and is held between the protrusions 33 and 33 using the elastic force of these protrusions 33 and 33. Further, the capacitor 32 is attached to the protrusion 34 by winding its lead wire 32a or 32b.

On the other hand, a stabilizer 35 is housed within the aforementioned base structure 2. The ballast 35 is made of a non-linear positive temperature coefficient thermistor having the characteristics as shown in FIG. It is obtained by adding a small amount of one or more kinds, and is formed into a disc-shaped ceramic crystal. Such a ballast 35 is sandwiched between a spring receiving seat 36 and a terminal plate 37, each made of a conductive plate, and a hook 3 formed on the spring receiving seat 36.
8... prevents movement in the radial direction. The spring receiving seat 36 faces the end surface of the above-mentioned insulating adhesive 6, and supports the coil spring 39 housed in the conductive hole 9.
It is constantly pressed by. Note that 40 is a lead wire made of a bare wire that electrically connects the spring receiving seat 36 and the eyelet terminal 7. Also, the terminal plate 37
has a bending piece 41... and a connecting piece 42,
This terminal plate 37 holds a temperature adjustment member 43. The temperature adjustment member 43 includes a plurality of fins 44...
The fins 44 at the lower end are locked to the bending pieces 41 by bending the bending pieces 41 .
2 and are in surface contact. Temperature adjustment member 4
The shoulder portion of 3 abuts against a stop step 12 formed on the rib 10 of the connecting tube 4. As a result, the spring receiving seat 36 is pressed by the coil spring 39,
The spring receiving seat 36 is pressed against the ballast 35 in surface contact, the ballast 35 is in surface contact with the terminal plate 37, and the terminal plate 37 is in surface contact with the temperature adjustment member 43. Then, the temperature adjusting member 43 receives the elasticity of the coil spring 39 and the rib 10 of the connecting tube 4
It is supported by

Note that 45 and 46 are conductive cords which are guided in the axial direction inside the surrounding tube 1 along the outer surface of the fluorescent lamp 20. One cord 45 connects to one pin 2 at each end of the fluorescent lamp 20.
2 and 22, and the other cord 45
electrically connects one lead wire of the lighting tube 31 and the shell 5. Note that these codes 4
5 and 46 are attached to the base 2 by adhesive tapes 47 and 47.
1 and 21. Further, 48 is another cord, which electrically connects the connecting piece 42 of the terminal plate 37 and the other pin 22 on one base 21 of the fluorescent lamp 20.

A fluorescent lamp 20 as described above and a lighting tube 3
1. The capacitor 32 and the ballast 35 have a circuit configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the filament 23a of the fluorescent lamp 20 is provided with a ballast 35.
are connected in series. Also filament 23
A lighting tube 31 is connected in series to a and 23b, and the lighting tube 31 is parallel to the fluorescent lamp 20 when lit. The capacitor 32 is connected in parallel to the lighting tube 31.

The operation of the fluorescent lamp device having such a configuration will be explained.

When the cap 3 of the fluorescent lamp device is inserted into a screw socket for an incandescent light bulb (not shown) in place of the incandescent light bulb and the power switch 50 is closed, the voltage of the power source 51 is applied to the lamp device.
When the power source 51 is turned on, a current flows through the lighting tube 31, causing glow discharge. This glow discharge heats and closes the bimetallic switch of the lighting tube 31, so that the lighting tube 31 closes, thereby causing a preheating current to flow through both filaments 23a and 23b of the fluorescent lamp 20. When the bimetal switch of the lighting tube 31 opens due to cooling, a sudden change in current occurs, so a high pulse voltage is generated based on the kick voltage, and this high voltage pulse is applied between both filaments 23a and 23b. , the fluorescent lamp 20 is turned on.

When discharge is started in this way, a discharge current will flow, but since the voltage and current during discharge exhibit negative characteristics, the lamp 20 itself cannot limit the current. A ballast 35 connected in series suppresses the current to maintain stable discharge.

However, if a positive temperature coefficient thermistor having the characteristics shown in FIG. 5 is used as the ballast 35, the temperature of the ballast 35 is low at the time of starting, so the resistance value is small, and therefore a large current flows in the preheating circuit. As a result, the filaments 23a and 23b are heated to a high temperature, emitting a large amount of electrons, and becoming susceptible to discharge. Therefore, reliable discharge can be performed even if the pulse voltage is relatively low.

Furthermore, when a large current flows during the start-up preheating process, the ballast 35 self-heats, is heated to a specific temperature t1 _or higher, and its resistance value increases rapidly. Therefore, the current in the lighting circuit is suppressed and only the current necessary for discharging the lamp 20 flows, thereby maintaining stable discharge.

Further, when the power supply voltage increases during lighting, the current flowing through the ballast 35 increases, so the ballast 35 generates heat by itself and regulates the current flowing to the lamp 20. Conversely, when the power supply voltage decreases, the self-heating of the ballast 35 decreases, and the lamp 20
Increase the current to. Therefore, the lamp can sustain stable discharge.

As in, the fluorescent lamp device is fluorescent lamp 2
0, lighting tube 31, and ballast 35 are integrated into a unit, so even if you replace an incandescent light bulb and insert it into a socket, there will be no special lighting tube 3 on the outside.
1 or ballast 35, there is no functional problem as an alternative light source for incandescent light bulbs.

However, according to the above configuration, the fluorescent lamp 20
is supported by the outer tube 1 via retaining plates 24 and 25 connected to both ends, so that the fluorescent lamp 20 can be reliably positioned, and in particular its center axis alignment with the outer tube 1 can be maintained well. . Moreover, since the fluorescent lamp 20 has its load supported by the surrounding tube 1, its mechanical strength is improved. Moreover, since this fluorescent lamp 20 does not require any modification to the conventional structure, the lamp itself is easy to manufacture.

On the other hand, the fluorescent lamp device has a cap 15.
Since the lighting tube 31 is housed in the interior and the ballast 35 is housed in the base 3, the lighting tube 31 and the ballast 35 are separated from each other by a large distance. Yotsute lighting tube 3
1 is not subjected to heat radiation due to self-heating of the ballast 35, and the bimetal switch of the lighting tube 31 is not accidentally closed during lighting, thereby preventing the lamp from going out. And like this cap 1
Since the lighting tube 31 housed in the lamp 5 is supported by the holding plate 25, no special holding member or holding structure is required, and the structure is simplified.

Note that connecting the temperature adjustment member 43 to the stabilizer 35 has the following advantages. That is, if the ballast 35 is constituted by a positive temperature coefficient thermistor as shown in FIG. 5, as described above, the amount of self-heating increases as the power supply voltage increases, leading to an increase in the resistance value. As the resistance value increases, the current flowing through the lamp 20 decreases, but if this current becomes less than the lamp current required to maintain stable discharge when the lamp is lit, the lamp will go out. Therefore, this type of ballast 35 has an upper limit of its own temperature (t ₂ in FIG. 5).
need to be regulated.

For this reason, since the temperature adjustment member 43 is connected to the ballast 35 via the terminal plate 37, when the ballast 35 self-generates heat, this heat is thermally conducted to the temperature adjustment member 43 via the terminal plate 37. This temperature adjustment member 4
3 is equipped with heat radiation fins 44, so that heat is radiated through the heat radiation fins 44. Moreover, the heat capacity of the temperature adjustment member 43 is also large. Therefore, the temperature rise of the ballast 35 is suppressed to t2 or _less by the heat capacity and heat radiation of the temperature adjustment member 43,
This effectively maintains stable lighting of the lamp 20.

Furthermore, since the stabilizer 35 is pressed toward the temperature adjustment member 43 by the coil spring 39,
A contact area for heat conduction from the stabilizer 35 to the temperature adjustment member 43 is ensured, and heat conduction is performed satisfactorily. Since the temperature adjusting member 43 is supported by the ribs 10 of the connecting tube 4, the supporting structure is also simple.

In the above embodiment, a positive temperature coefficient thermistor was used as the stabilizer 35, but the stabilizer may be a conventional resistance stabilizer such as a carbon film resistor or a metal oxide film resistor. Because there is, it is not limited to the above embodiment,
Therefore, the provision of the temperature adjustment member 43 is not restricted.

Further, the holding plates 24 and 25 holding both ends of the fluorescent lamp 20 are held on the surrounding tube 1 by the connection between the surrounding tube 1, the base structure 2, and the cap 15. 25 may be directly fixed only to the outer tube 1, or the retaining plates 24 and 25 may be directly fixed to the cap structure 2 and the cap 15, respectively, so that the cap structure 2 and the cap 15 are
It is not limited to the embodiment, as it may be held indirectly in the outer tube 1 via the tube.

As detailed above, according to the present invention, since both end surfaces of the straight tube fluorescent lamp having the bipost type cap pin are held between the holding plates, the axial positioning and mechanical support can be performed with high precision and reliability. Since the above-mentioned bipost type base pins are inserted into the pin insertion holes formed in these holding plates, positioning and mechanical support in a direction crossing the axial direction of the lamp can be performed with high precision and reliability. Become. Moreover, since each of the holding plates is provided directly or indirectly at the end of the outer tube, the fluorescent lamp can be positioned with high precision with respect to the outer tube. In addition, the fluorescent lamp can be used as a commercially available lamp that has a bipost type base pin, and is easy to assemble because it can be attached to the holding plate using this pin as described above. There are advantages.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a front view showing the external appearance of a fluorescent lamp device, Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view, and Fig. 4 is a lighting circuit configuration. FIG. 5 is an operational characteristic diagram of a ballast consisting of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor. 1... Surrounding tube, 2... Cap structure, 3...
Base, 4...Connection tube, 15...Cap,
20... Fluorescent lamp, 24, 25... Holding plate,
31... Lighting tube, 35... Ballast, 21... Cap, 22... Pin, 27, 28... Insertion hole.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A straight fluorescent lamp with a screw-type cap connected to one end of a translucent or semi-transparent outer tube and a cap attached to the other end, and having a bipost-type cap pin inside the outer tube. At the same time, a ballast is housed in the base, a starter is housed in the cap, and a holding plate is provided at both ends of the outer tube, each having an insertion hole into which the base pin of the lamp is inserted. A fluorescent lamp device characterized in that the holding plates are provided and sandwich the fluorescent lamp by coming into contact with both end surfaces of the fluorescent lamp.