EP1032010A1 - Wasserfreie silberhalogenidlampe - Google Patents

Wasserfreie silberhalogenidlampe Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1032010A1
EP1032010A1 EP99943295A EP99943295A EP1032010A1 EP 1032010 A1 EP1032010 A1 EP 1032010A1 EP 99943295 A EP99943295 A EP 99943295A EP 99943295 A EP99943295 A EP 99943295A EP 1032010 A1 EP1032010 A1 EP 1032010A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lamp
mercury
halide
enclosed
arc tube
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99943295A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1032010A4 (de
Inventor
Mamoru Takeda
Makoto Horiuchi
Kiyoshi Takahashi
Makoto Kai
Takeshi Saito
Hideaki Kiryu
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Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
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Publication of EP1032010A1 publication Critical patent/EP1032010A1/de
Publication of EP1032010A4 publication Critical patent/EP1032010A4/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/04—Electrodes; Screens; Shields
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/12—Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/82—Lamps with high-pressure unconstricted discharge having a cold pressure > 400 Torr
    • H01J61/827—Metal halide arc lamps
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/30—Vessels; Containers
    • H01J61/34—Double-wall vessels or containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mercury-free metal-halide lamp comprising no mercury, which is usable for various light sources such as general luminaries, and motor vehicle headlights combined with reflectors and the like.
  • a lamp used conventionally for motor vehicle headlights has been principally a halogen lamp comprising a tungsten filament.
  • a metal-halide lamp which is a high-pressure discharge lamp of metal halide, has recently been adopted for the purpose of obtaining a high efficiency and improving a recognition of white lines.
  • rare gas, metal halide (solid matter) and, additionally, mercury are enclosed in an arc tube.
  • Rare gas of these enclosures is enclosed principally in order to facilitate a starting of a lamp and to obtain a high light output immediately after the starting, metal halide is enclosed in order to obtain an appropriate light output during a stable operation, and mercury is enclosed in order to obtain a sufficiently high voltage between the electrodes (lamp voltage), which is required for the stable operation of the lamp.
  • a high voltage between the electrodes can be obtained in the lamp in operation particularly by the enclosure of mercury, and thereby the lamp is operated at a low lamp current.
  • the heat load of the electrodes (Joule loss) is reduced and the lamp can be operated for a long time up to several thousand hours.
  • a lamp appropriate for motor vehicle headlights for instance, disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-111244, is known as a concrete example of conventional metal-halide lamps.
  • the conventional metal-halide lamp according to the Publication will be described below showing in Fig. 16.
  • 101 indicates an arc tube made of quartz, and 102 at both ends of the arc tube 101 indicates a seal portion.
  • 103 indicates a pair of electrodes made of tungsten, 104 indicates a molybdenum foil, and 105 indicates a lead wire made of molybdenum.
  • the electrodes 103 are connected electrically with an end of the molybdenum foil 104 sealed in the seal portion 102, and additionally, the lead wire 105 is connected electrically with the other end of the molybdenum foil 104.
  • the tips of the electrodes 103 in the arc tube 101 are disposed so that a distance between the tips, namely, a distance between the electrodes is approximately 4.2 (mm).
  • An internal volume of the arc tube 101 is approximately 0.03 (cc).
  • the lamp voltage becomes approximately 70 to 80 V Consequently, for instance, in the case of operating at a lamp power of approximately 35W, the lamp current becomes approximately 0.4 to 0.5 A.
  • the enclosure of mercury brings the increase of the lamp voltage, and thereby a long lamp life up to several thousand hours is provided for us.
  • the above-mentioned conventional metal-halide lamp has a disadvantage of causing high manufacturing costs frequently because of requiring the step of injecting liquid mercury for manufacturing.
  • metal-halide lamps comprising no mercury have been desired in consideration of the global environment.
  • the lamp voltage drops to approximately 25 V.
  • the lamp current in operation becomes approximately 1.5 A, which is approximately three times as high as a conventional metal-halide lamp wherein mercury is enclosed. Consequently, the heat load of the electrodes (Joule loss) is increased and the evaporation of the electrode becomes active. Therefore, in a mercury-free lamp having a constitution in which mercury is merely removed from a conventional metal-halide lamp, the problem is that the arc tube is blackened in no more than several tens of hours and reaches the end of its life in a very short time. Moreover, since a distance between the electrodes is increased by the evaporation of the electrodes, the operation of the lamp changes while operation time becomes longer, and additionally, an excessive load is caused on the driver circuit.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide a mercury-free metal-halide lamp wherein a long lamp life can be obtained without enclosing mercury and causing a rise in the lamp voltage and the blackening of an arc tube 1 by the evaporation of the electrodes while operation time becomes longer.
  • the invention according to Claim 1 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 2 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 3 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 4 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 5 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 6 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 7 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 8 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 9 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 10 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 11 is:
  • the invention according to Claim 12 is:
  • the basic principle of the present invention is that it is possible to intend a longer lamp life by making current density lower and reducing the temperature at a tip of the electrodes.
  • Embodiment 1 the current density and the temperature at a tip of the electrodes for intending a longer lamp life are described.
  • the first method of making the above-mentioned current density lower is a method of thickening an electrode stick.
  • the second method of making the current density lower is a method of raising the lamp voltage.
  • this method of raising the lamp voltage is a method of determining a distance between the electrodes at a large value, and a method of raising the vapor pressure of an enclosure (luminous substance) in the arc tube.
  • the above-mentioned method of raising the vapor pressure of an enclosure is a method of using an enclosure with a high vapor pressure (such as a scandium halide and a yttrium halide), and a method of raising the temperature on a wall of the arc tube.
  • Embodiment 2 the above-mentioned method of thickening an electrode stick and a method of determining a distance between the electrodes at a large value for raising the lamp voltage are described.
  • Embodiments 3 and 4 an enclosure with a high vapor pressure for raising the lamp voltage is described.
  • Embodiment 5 a method of raising the temperature on a wall of the arc tube for raising the lamp voltage is described.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 indicates an arc tube made of quartz, and 2 at both ends of the arc tube 1 indicates a seal portion.
  • 3 indicates a pair of electrodes made of tungsten, 4 indicates a molybdenum foil, and 5 indicates a lead wire made of molybdenum.
  • the electrodes 3 are connected electrically with an end of the molybdenum foil 4 sealed in the seal portion 2, and additionally, the lead wire 5 is connected electrically with the other end of the molybdenum foil 4.
  • Halide 7 described later and rare gas not shown in Fig. 1 are enclosed in the arc tube 1.
  • Fig. 1 indicates an arc tube made of quartz, and 2 at both ends of the arc tube 1 indicates a seal portion.
  • 3 indicates a pair of electrodes made of tungsten
  • 4 indicates a molybdenum foil
  • 5 indicates a lead wire made of molybdenum.
  • the electrodes 3 are connected electrically with an end of the molybdenum foil 4 sealed in the seal portion 2, and additionally
  • an area of a tip of the electrodes 3 (an area of a cross section at a tip in the case of a spherical tip: hereinafter referred to as 'a cross sectional area of the electrodes') is S, a distance between the electrodes 3 is L, a voltage between the electrodes 3 (the lamp voltage) is V, a current between the electrodes 3 (the lamp current) is I, and a discharge arc is A.
  • the rising rate Rv of the lamp voltage V 100 after operating for a hundred hours to the lamp voltage V o immediately after operating was calculated by using the following equation.
  • Rv (V 100 -V o )/V o
  • Fig. 2 shows a relation between the rising rate of the lamp voltage and the current density (the lamp current I/a cross sectional area S of the electrodes).
  • An error bar indicates an error of approximately 3% in Fig. 2.
  • the rising rate of the lamp voltage increases extremely when the current density is above approximately 20 A/mm 2 . In this case (such as 30 A/mm 2 ), a part of the electrodes 3 evaporate and the rest of them are deformed into a shape of folds.
  • the blackening of the arc tube 1 is caused by the above-mentioned evaporation and the maintenance rate of the luminous flux is reduced greatly.
  • the current density is high, the arc tends to be unstable.
  • the rising rate Rv of the lamp voltage becomes below approximately 0.1, which satisfies a general condition for non-defective unit.
  • the rising rate of the lamp voltage can be decreased greatly. In these cases (such as 8 A/mm 2 ), the electrodes 3 are scarcely deformed and the luminous flux is not reduced by the blackening.
  • the lamp voltage Vla is represented generally in the following equation. Vla ⁇ N 1/2 ⁇ L
  • N indicates the particle density in a lamp and L indicates a distance between the electrodes.
  • the lamp voltage Vla and a distance L between the electrodes were measured while operation time becomes longer.
  • the change rates of the voltage Vla and the distance L to the corresponding value immediately after operating were calculated, and the result was shown in Fig. 3. That is, in the case of a lamp containing mercury, the change rate of the lamp voltage Vla and the change rate of a distance L between the electrodes increase slightly while operation time becomes longer, and on the other hand, in the case of a mercury-free lamp, both increase greatly.
  • the gradient is approximately 0.9 in a lamp containing mercury as shown in Fig. 4, in other words, the change rate of the lamp voltage Vla and the change rate of a distance L between the electrodes increase in approximately the same degree. Meanwhile, the gradient is approximately 2 in a mercury-free lamp, and the change rate of the lamp voltage Vla increases more than the change rate of a distance L between the electrodes.
  • the current density is determined at a value below 20 A/mm 2 , more preferably, 10 A/mm 2 , and thereby it is possible to restrain a rise in the lamp voltage greatly and to obtain a long lamp life.
  • the temperature T of the electrodes is calculated by using the above-mentioned luminance ratio R.
  • T C(1/ ⁇ 1-1/ ⁇ 2)/ln(R ⁇ 1 5 / ⁇ 2 5 )
  • Fig. 5 shows a relation between the temperature at a tip of the electrodes thus calculated and the current density.
  • the temperature at a tip of the electrodes corresponding to a current density of 20 A/mm 2 is 3200 K, and the lamp can have a long life by determining the temperature at a value below 3200 K. It is preferable to determine the temperature at a value above 2500 K for starting a stable discharge.
  • the current density can be made lower by thickening an electrode slick More specifically, for instance, the lamp current is 0.5 A in the case of a rated power of 35W and a lamp voltage of 70 V. Then, the current density can be made 20 A/mm 2 or less by determining a cross sectional area of the electrodes at a value above 0.025 mm 2 (the diameter is approximately 0.18 mm in the case of a circular cross section). However, if an electrode stick is thickened too much, the capacity of the arc tube to resist pressure is reduced in inverse proportion to the diameter of an electrode stick. That is, a stress near a gap at a junction of the arc tube to the electrode stick becomes larger.
  • the lamp voltage is raised by making a distance between the electrodes larger, and thereby the current density can be made lower. For instance, when a distance between the electrodes of approximately 4mm in a conventional normal lamp is increased to approximately 5 mm, the lamp voltage can be raised by approximately 25%. Therefore, it becomes easy to make the current density lower. However, it is preferable not to make a distance between the electrodes too large in terms of the size of a light source when the lamp is used with reflectors, such as motor vehicle headlights.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 1 indicates an arc tube made of quartz, and 2 at both ends of the arc tube 1 indicates a seal portion.
  • 3 indicates a pair of electrodes made of tungsten, 4 indicates a molybdenum foil, and 5 indicates a lead wire made of molybdenum.
  • the electrodes 3 are connected electrically with an end of the molybdenum foil 4 sealed in the seal portion 2, and additionally, the lead wire 5 is connected electrically with the other end of the molybdenum foil 4.
  • the tips of the electrodes 3 in the arc tube 1 are disposed so that a distance between the tips, namely, a distance between the electrodes is approximately 4.2 (mm).
  • An internal volume of the arc tube 1 is approximately 0.025 (cc).
  • Halide 7 composed of approximately 0.2 m g of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) (approximately 8.0 m g / cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube), approximately 0.19mg of scandium iodide (approximately 8.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube), and approximately 0.16mg of sodium iodide (approximately 6.4mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube); and xenon gas with a pressure of approximately 0.7MPa at room temperature, not shown in Fig. 6, are enclosed inside the arc tube 1.
  • InI 3 indium iodide
  • scandium iodide approximately 8.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube
  • sodium iodide approximately 6.4mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube
  • the noticeable characteristic of the constitution of a metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 3, as compared with the constitution of a conventional metal-halide lamp, is that the constitution comprises no mercury, and the enclosed indium iodide is a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ).
  • Embodiment 3 The notable fact of a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 3, wherein a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is enclosed, is that the lamp is operated at a very high lamp voltage despite no mercury.
  • the lamp voltage of the lamp in Embodiment 3 is approximately 55 V in the case of operating at a lamp power of 45W, and the lamp voltage is approximately 50 V in the case of operating at a lamp power of 35W.
  • the lamp voltage is no more than approximately 27 V.
  • the lamp in Embodiment 3 can be operated for several hundred hours or more without the blackening of the arc tube, namely, any substantial change.
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp wherein approximately 0.2 m g of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) (approximately 8.0 m g/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube) is enclosed, is described in the above-mentioned example. As shown in Fig. 7, it is found that when the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is increased, an even higher lamp voltage is obtained, therefore the lamp voltage affects the life advantageously Fig.
  • FIG. 7 is a graph showing a relation between the lamp voltage and the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) in the case of operating at a lamp power of 35W or 45W while increasing the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) in a mercury-free metal-halide lamp of Embodiment 3. More enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) brings higher lamp voltage.
  • Fig. 8 is a graph showing a relation, under a parameter of the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ), between the enclosed pressure (an equivalent at room temperature) of xenon gas and the whole luminous flux in a mercury-free metal-halide lamp of Embodiment 3, which is operated at a lamp power of 45W.
  • InI 3 indium iodide
  • Embodiment 3 wherein a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is enclosed, is that a rise in temperature at the hotspot (an area with the highest temperature: the top outside of the arc tube 1 in the case of operating the arc tube 1 while maintaining horizontally) of the arc tube 1 by an increase in the enclosed pressure of xenon gas is negligibly small, therefore there is little possibility of an expansion of the arc tube 1 by an increase in the enclosed pressure of xenon gas.
  • a rise in temperature at the hotspot an area with the highest temperature: the top outside of the arc tube 1 in the case of operating the arc tube 1 while maintaining horizontally
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 3 wherein at least xenon gas and a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) are enclosed in the arc tube 1, has such a characteristic that when the enclosed pressure of xenon gas is increased, the whole luminous flux increases with little rise in temperature at the hotspot; and when the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is increased, the lamp voltage increases.
  • the enclosed pressure of xenon gas is described below.
  • an upper limit of the enclosed pressure of xenon gas is approximately 2.5 M Pa (an equivalent at room temperature) in a mercury-free metal-halide lamp of Embodiment 3. The reason is that if xenon gas with a pressure above approximately 2.5 MPa is enclosed in a mercury-free metal-halide lamp of Embodiment 3, it is not preferable that there is a higher possibility that the enclosures inside the arc tube 1 leak in operation near a connection portion between the electrodes 3 and the molybdenum foil 4. More preferably, the upper limit of the enclosed pressure of xenon gas is approximately 2.0MPa.
  • its appropriate lower limit is approximately 5 to 20kPa, which facilitates a starting of the lamp.
  • the lower limit is approximately 0.1MPa when a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in the present invention is used as a light source for motor vehicle headlights wherein a starting of light is required in a short time.
  • the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) and the luminous flux are described.
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in the present invention more enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) brings higher lamp voltage, and thereby the lamp voltage is to the advantage of the life.
  • the whole luminous flux of approximately 1100 (l m) is obtained at a consumption power of 55W in a halogen lamp used frequently for motor vehicle headlights nowadays.
  • a lamp in the present invention as shown in Fig. 9, when the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is determined at a value below approximately 90.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube, more luminous flux than a conventional halogen lamp is obtained at a consumption power of merely 45W, whereby a more economical lamp is obtained.
  • Fig. 9 when the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is determined at a value below approximately 90.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube, more luminous flux than a conventional halogen lamp is obtained at a consumption power of merely 45W, whereby a more economical lamp is obtained.
  • FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relation, under a parameter of the enclosed pressure (an equivalent at room temperature) of xenon gas, between the whole luminous flux and the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) in a mercury-free metal-halide lamp of Embodiment 3, which is operated at a lamp power of 45W. As shown in Fig.
  • the luminous flux of approximately 1100 (l m) or more is obtained on the condition that the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is approximately 90.0m g/cc or less per unit internal volume of the arc tube.
  • an appropriate upper limit of the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) for obtaining the luminous flux of approximately 1100 (l m) or more is approximately 70.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube in a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in the present invention.
  • the enclosed pressure of xenon gas is 2.0MPa
  • the luminous flux of approximately 1100 (l m) or more is obtained on the condition that the enclosed amount is approximately 70.0m g/cc or less per unit internal volume of the arc tube, whereby a more economical lamp than a conventional halogen lamp is obtained.
  • Fig. 10 is a graph showing a relation, under a parameter of the enclosed pressure (an equivalent at room temperature) of xenon gas, between the whole luminous flux and the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) in a mercury-free metal-halide lamp of Embodiment 3, which is operated at a lamp power of 35W.
  • the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is determined at a value below approximately 50.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube, more luminous flux than a conventional halogen lamp is obtained at a consumption power of merely 35W, whereby a more economical lamp is obtained.
  • the luminous flux of approximately 1100 (l m) or more is obtained on the condition that the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is approximately 50.0mg/cc or less per unit internal volume of the arc tube.
  • the enclosed pressure of xenon gas is lower, for instance, 2.0MPa (an equivalent at room temperature)
  • an appropriate upper limit of the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is approximately 40.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube.
  • the luminous flux of approximately 1100 (l m) or more is obtained on the condition that the enclosed amount is approximately 40.0mg/cc or less per unit internal volume of the arc tube, whereby a more economical lamp than a conventional halogen lamp is obtained.
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in the present invention when xenon gas with an appropriate pressure below an upper limit of 2.5 MPa is enclosed and a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) with an appropriate amount below an upper limit of approximately 90.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube is enclosed, it is possible to obtain a mercury-free metal-halide lamp most appropriate as a light source for motor vehicle headlights, wherein, in the case of operating at a lamp power above approximately 25W, there is no possibility of breaking the airtightness in the arc tube 1; a high lamp voltage is obtained, and thereby the lamp has a long life; and more luminous flux than a halogen lamp occurs.
  • InI 3 indium iodide
  • a lamp power when a mercury-free lamp in Embodiment 3 is operated at a higher lamp power, more luminous flux is obtained.
  • an upper limit of a consumption power of a mercury-free lamp in Embodiment 3 is actually approximately 55W if the lamp is used for motor vehicle headlights. The reason is that an operation in a range above a consumption power of a conventional halogen lamp is uneconomical and not preferable.
  • Embodiment 3 Next the light color of a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 3 is described.
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 3 when xenon gas with an appropriate pressure below an upper limit of 2.5MPa is enclosed and a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) with an appropriate amount below an upper limit of approximately 90.0m g/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube is enclosed, it is confirmed that the light color of a mercury-free lamp in Embodiment 3, in the case of operating at a lamp power of approximately 25 to 55W, is in a chromaticity range of the white light source specified in HID light sources for motor vehicle headlights (JEL 215) by the Japan Electrical Lamp Manufacturers Association.
  • a chromaticity coordinate of an emitted light of the lamp can be in a chromaticity range of the following equations in a CIE1931 x,y chromaticity diagram: x ⁇ 0.310, x ⁇ 0.500, y ⁇ 0.150 + 0.640x, y ⁇ 0.440, y ⁇ 0.050 + 0.750x, and y ⁇ 0.382 (in the case where x ⁇ 0.44).
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 3 is completely usable as a light source for motor vehicle headlights within the above-mentioned limited range of the enclosed pressure of xenon gas, the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ), and a lamp power.
  • Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described below.
  • the structural constitution of this lamp is the same as the above-mentioned lamp of Embodiment 3 shown in Fig. 6, and this lamp differs from the above-mentioned lamp of Embodiment 3 in the kind of enclosed halide 7, and approximately 1.4M Pa (an equivalent at room temperature) of the enclosed pressure of xenon gas.
  • the halide 7 is composed of approximately 0.1mg of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) (approximately 4.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube), approximately 0.1mg of thallium iodide TlI (approximately 4.0mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube), approximately 0.19 m g of scandium iodide (approximately 8.0m g/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube), and approximately 0.16mg of sodium iodide (approximately 6.4mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube).
  • InI 3 indium iodide
  • TlI thallium iodide
  • scandium iodide approximately 8.0m g/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube
  • sodium iodide approximately 6.4mg/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube.
  • the noticeable characteristic of the constitution of a metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 4, as compared with the constitution of a conventional metal-halide lamp, is that, like Embodiment 3, the constitution comprises no mercury, and the enclosed indium iodide is a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ), and additionally thallium iodide is enclosed.
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 4 is that the lamp is operated at a very high lamp voltage despite no mercury
  • Fig. 11 shows the changes of the lamp voltage in the case of operating at a lamp power of 35W like Embodiment 3 while changing the enclosed amount of thallium iodide (TlI).
  • TlI thallium iodide
  • the lamp voltage in the case of operating at a lamp power of 35W is approximately 70 V.
  • the lamp in Embodiment 4 can be operated for several hundred hours or more without the blackening of the arc tube, namely, any substantial change.
  • Fig. 12 shows the changes of the luminous flux in the case of operating at a lamp power of 35W like Embodiment 3 while changing the enclosed amount of thallium iodide (TlI) enclosed in the lamp.
  • TlI thallium iodide
  • large luminous flux can be obtained by adding thallium iodide (TlI), and the more amount of thallium iodide is enclosed, the more the luminous flux increases.
  • Figs. 13 and 14 show a relation between the enclosed pressure of Xe and the lamp voltage or the luminous flux in the case of operating at a lamp power of 35W.
  • Figs. 13 and 14 it is found that the more the enclosed pressure of Xe rises, the more the lamp voltage and the luminous flux rise.
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 4 wherein at least xenon gas, a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) and thallium iodide are enclosed in the arc tube 1, has such a characteristic that when the enclosed amount of thallium iodide is increased, the lamp voltage and the whole luminous flux increase as well as when the enclosed pressure of xenon gas is increased, the lamp voltage and the whole luminous flux increase.
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 4 when xenon gas with an appropriate pressure below an upper limit of 2.5MPa is enclosed and indium iodide, which is a trivalent of indium iodide, and thallium iodide are enclosed, it is possible to obtain a mercury-free metal-halide lamp most appropriate as a light source for motor vehicle headlights, wherein a high lamp voltage is obtained, and thereby the lamp has a long life; and more luminous flux than a halogen lamp occurs.
  • a lamp power like Embodiment 3, when a mercury-free lamp in Embodiment 4 is operated at a higher lamp power, more luminous flux is obtained.
  • an upper limit of a consumption power of a mercury-free lamp in Embodiment 4 is actually approximately 55W if the lamp is used for motor vehicle headlights. The reason is that an operation in a range above a consumption power of a conventional halogen lamp is uneconomical and not preferable.
  • Embodiment 4 in a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 4, when xenon gas with an appropriate pressure below an upper limit of 2.5 MPa is enclosed and a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) and thallium iodide with an appropriate amount below an upper limit of approximately 90.0m g/cc per unit internal volume of the arc tube are enclosed, it is confirmed that the light color of a mercury-free lamp in Embodiment 4, in the case of operating at a lamp power of approximately 25 to 55W, is in a chromaticity range of the white light source specified in HID light sources for motor vehicle headlights (JEL 215) by the Japan Electrical Lamp Manufacturers Association.
  • a chromaticity coordinate of an emitted light of the lamp can be in a chromaticity range of the following equations in a CIE1931 x,y chromaticity diagram: x ⁇ 0.310, x ⁇ 0.500, y ⁇ 0.150 + 0.640x, y ⁇ 0.440, y ⁇ 0.050 + 0.750x, and y ⁇ 0.382 (in the case where x ⁇ 0.44).
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiment 4 is completely usable as a light source for motor vehicle headlights within the above-mentioned limited range of the enclosed pressure of xenon gas, the enclosed amount of a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ), and a lamp power.
  • thallium iodide An example of a mercury-free lamp wherein thallium iodide is enclosed is described in the above-mentioned Embodiment 4, and instead of the thallium iodide, thallium bromide (TlBr) may be enclosed or thallium chloride (TlCl) may be enclosed. Furthermore, metal of thallium and halogen may be enclosed separately.
  • An example of a mercury-free lamp wherein a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) is enclosed is described in each of the Embodiments 3 and 4, and instead of the trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ), a trivalent of indium bromide (InBr 3 ) may be enclosed, or a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) and a trivalent of indium bromide (InBr 3 ) may be enclosed.
  • a trivalent of indium iodide (InI 3 ) may be enclosed in the arc tube 1 by separating into a monovalent of indium iodide (InI) and iodine I 2 .
  • a trivalent of indium bromide (InBr 3 ) may be enclosed in the arc tube 1 by separating into a monovalent of indium bromide (InBr) and bromine Br 2 .
  • halides as InI (or InBr) and AgI (or AgBr), wherein halogen separates easily at a high temperature, may be enclosed. That is, it is preferred that the enclosures comprise InX y (X: iodine or bromine, y > 1) substantially.
  • scandium bromide may be substituted for the scandium iodide
  • sodium bromide may be substituted for the sodium iodide
  • other metals such as thallium may be substituted for scandium and sodium.
  • the enclosed amount of the halides of metal is not limited to the amount in the lamp of Embodiment 4.
  • a distance between the electrodes may be a value except 4.2 (mm), and an internal volume of the arc tube 1 is not limited to 0.025 (cc).
  • xenon gas with a pressure of approximately 0.7MPa or 1.4MPa at room temperature is enclosed in the arc tube 1 for the purpose of assisting the starting.
  • Xenon gas is appropriate for rare gas in consideration of the utilization for motor vehicle headlights.
  • rare gas except xenon gas such as argon gas may be used as the rare gas, and the enclosed pressure of rare gas is not limited to approximately 0.7 MPa at room temperature.
  • a method of raising the lamp voltage by raising the vapor pressure of a metal halide after raising the temperature on a wall of the air tube is described.
  • the above-mentioned mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Fig. 1 is maintained in an external tube 8.
  • a reflection film of infrared rays 9 is coated on the outside of the above-mentioned external tube 8. Consequently, since the heat retention is raised, the vapor pressure of a metal halide rises easily, and the lamp voltage can be raised easily Accordingly, it is possible to make current density a low value and thereby to prolong the lamp life easily.
  • a film wherein TaOx film and SiOx film are coated in a multilayer by a thermal CVD method and a sputtering method is usable as the above-mentioned reflection film of infrared rays 9. It is preferred to determine the number of coated layers by tact time in manufacturing and a balance of manufacturing costs and lamp performance. For instance, if approximately eighteen layers or more are coated, an effect of a rise in the vapor pressure of a metal halide becomes notable. Furthermore, the reflection film of infrared rays 9 may be coated on the inside of the external tube 8 besides the outside.
  • Embodiments of the present invention are described in the above-mentioned Embodiments, and it goes without saying that such descriptions are not limited matters, but can have different variations.
  • a mercury-free metal-halide lamp in Embodiments of the present invention is a mere example, and the limits of the present invention are determined by Claims.
  • the present invention is serviceable in the field such as general luminaries and motor vehicle headlights.

Landscapes

  • Discharge Lamp (AREA)
  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
EP99943295A 1998-09-16 1999-09-10 Wasserfreie silberhalogenidlampe Withdrawn EP1032010A4 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP26115598 1998-09-16
JP26115598 1998-09-16
JP6473299 1999-03-11
JP6473299 1999-03-11
JP21683099 1999-07-30
JP21683099 1999-07-30
PCT/JP1999/004969 WO2000016360A1 (fr) 1998-09-16 1999-09-10 Lampe a l'halogenure d'argent anhydre

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1032010A1 true EP1032010A1 (de) 2000-08-30
EP1032010A4 EP1032010A4 (de) 2001-11-28

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99943295A Withdrawn EP1032010A4 (de) 1998-09-16 1999-09-10 Wasserfreie silberhalogenidlampe

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1032010A4 (de)
KR (1) KR20010024584A (de)
CN (1) CN1277732A (de)
TW (1) TW429390B (de)
WO (1) WO2000016360A1 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1037257A2 (de) * 1999-03-11 2000-09-20 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Quecksilberfreie Metallhalogenidlampe
EP1158567A3 (de) * 2000-05-26 2002-01-16 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Betriebsvorrichtung für eine quecksilberfreie Hochleistungsentladungslampe und quecksilberfreie Metallhalogenidlampe
WO2003067628A2 (en) * 2002-02-06 2003-08-14 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Mercury-free high-pressure gas discharge lamp
EP1339090A1 (de) 2002-02-15 2003-08-27 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation Metallhalogenidlampe und Kraftfahrzeugscheinwerfer
EP1349197A2 (de) * 2002-03-27 2003-10-01 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation Metallhalogenidlampe und Scheinwerfer-Einrichtung für Kraftfahrzeuge
WO2004017359A2 (en) * 2002-08-16 2004-02-26 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Increasing the discharge arc diffuseness in mercury-free gas discharge lamps
EP1432011A1 (de) * 2001-09-27 2004-06-23 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corp. Hochdruck-entladungslampe, hochdruck-entladungslampenbetriebseinrichtung und scheinwerfereinrichtung für kraftfahrzeuge

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US7633228B2 (en) * 2005-11-30 2009-12-15 General Electric Company Mercury-free metal halide discharge lamp
KR101032078B1 (ko) * 2008-02-12 2011-05-02 가부시키가이샤 고이토 세이사꾸쇼 방전 램프 장치용 무수은 아크 튜브
JP6086253B2 (ja) * 2014-08-28 2017-03-01 ウシオ電機株式会社 ロングアーク型放電ランプ

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GB1502612A (en) * 1974-06-07 1978-03-01 Thorn Electrical Ind Ltd Discharge lamps containing an inert gas and a metal halid
US3989970A (en) * 1974-12-19 1976-11-02 General Electric Company Metal halide high-intensity discharge lamp having improved restart capability
US4340836A (en) * 1978-09-11 1982-07-20 General Electric Company Electrode for miniature high pressure metal halide lamp
US4935668A (en) * 1988-02-18 1990-06-19 General Electric Company Metal halide lamp having vacuum shroud for improved performance
EP0416937A2 (de) * 1989-09-08 1991-03-13 General Electric Company Xenon-Metallhalogenidlampe, insbesondere geeignet für Kraftfahrzeuganwendungen, mit einer verbesserten Elektrodenstruktur
EP0587238A1 (de) * 1992-09-08 1994-03-16 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Hochdruckentladungslampe
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EP0883160A1 (de) * 1997-06-06 1998-12-09 Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation Quecksilberfreie Metallhalogenid-Entladungslampe, Spannungsversorgung für eine solche Lampe, sowie Beleuchtungseinrichtung mit einer solchen Lampe

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1037257A3 (de) * 1999-03-11 2001-02-07 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Quecksilberfreie Metallhalogenidlampe
EP1037257A2 (de) * 1999-03-11 2000-09-20 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Quecksilberfreie Metallhalogenidlampe
EP1158567A3 (de) * 2000-05-26 2002-01-16 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Betriebsvorrichtung für eine quecksilberfreie Hochleistungsentladungslampe und quecksilberfreie Metallhalogenidlampe
US6608444B2 (en) 2000-05-26 2003-08-19 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Mercury-free high-intensity discharge lamp operating apparatus and mercury-free metal halide lamp
US7242144B2 (en) 2001-09-27 2007-07-10 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corp. High-pressure discharge lamp, high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device and automotive headlamp apparatus
EP1432011A4 (de) * 2001-09-27 2006-08-02 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corp Hochdruck-entladungslampe, hochdruck-entladungslampenbetriebseinrichtung und scheinwerfereinrichtung für kraftfahrzeuge
EP1432011A1 (de) * 2001-09-27 2004-06-23 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corp. Hochdruck-entladungslampe, hochdruck-entladungslampenbetriebseinrichtung und scheinwerfereinrichtung für kraftfahrzeuge
WO2003067628A2 (en) * 2002-02-06 2003-08-14 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Mercury-free high-pressure gas discharge lamp
WO2003067628A3 (en) * 2002-02-06 2005-01-13 Philips Intellectual Property Mercury-free high-pressure gas discharge lamp
US6879101B2 (en) 2002-02-15 2005-04-12 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corp. Metal halide lamp with electrodes having a curved surface part and automotive headlamp apparatus
EP1339090A1 (de) 2002-02-15 2003-08-27 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation Metallhalogenidlampe und Kraftfahrzeugscheinwerfer
EP1349197A3 (de) * 2002-03-27 2006-02-01 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation Metallhalogenidlampe und Scheinwerfer-Einrichtung für Kraftfahrzeuge
US7141932B2 (en) 2002-03-27 2006-11-28 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corp. Metal halide lamp and automotive headlamp apparatus
EP1349197A2 (de) * 2002-03-27 2003-10-01 Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation Metallhalogenidlampe und Scheinwerfer-Einrichtung für Kraftfahrzeuge
WO2004017359A3 (en) * 2002-08-16 2004-05-13 Philips Intellectual Property Increasing the discharge arc diffuseness in mercury-free gas discharge lamps
WO2004017359A2 (en) * 2002-08-16 2004-02-26 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Increasing the discharge arc diffuseness in mercury-free gas discharge lamps
US7750571B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2010-07-06 Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. Increasing the discharge arc diffuseness in mercury-free discharge lamps

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WO2000016360A1 (fr) 2000-03-23
KR20010024584A (ko) 2001-03-26
TW429390B (en) 2001-04-11
CN1277732A (zh) 2000-12-20
EP1032010A4 (de) 2001-11-28

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