JPS6142849A

JPS6142849A - Low pressure discharge lamp and method of controlling it

Info

Publication number: JPS6142849A
Application number: JP16254584A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Katsumasa Nakai; 中井　勝雅
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Priority date: 1984-08-01
Filing date: 1984-08-01
Publication date: 1986-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2004-08-01
Also published as: JPH0228228B2

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control the emission color with rapid response while maintaining the circuit current constant by adding an auxiliary electrode to a low pressure discharge lamp assembled by installing a few inner tubes coated with phosphors with different emission colors in an outer tube. CONSTITUTION:A discharge lamp (FL) is constituted by charging the space 3 formed by an outer tube 1 and a stem 2 with a rare gas and mercury vapor and installing in the space 3 three U-shaped inner tubes 4a, 4b and 4c coated with phosphors with different emission colors, containing electrodes 5a, 5b and 5c in ends and having the other ends opening into the space 3. And, a common electrode 7 and an auxiliary electrode 8 are also installed in the space 3. Electrodes 5, 7 and 8 are connected to a power supply through a selection switch (SW) and the emission color is varied by changing the ratio of the intensities of luminous fluxes produced from the inner tubes 4a, 4b and 4c. Accordingly, optical controlling can be performed by properly selecting the discharge duration of the auxiliary electrode 8, thereby maintaining the circuit current constant and improving the response of the lamp.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】（技術分野）本発明は、光色及び光束を自由に変えることができる螢
光ランプの如き低圧放電灯及びその制御方法に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a low-pressure discharge lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, whose light color and luminous flux can be freely changed, and a method of controlling the same.

（背景技術）光色を自由に選択制御できるカラー放電灯及びその制御
方法として、先に第１図及び第２図に示すようなランプ
と基本制御回路を提案した（特願昭５８−１３１５９３
号）。(Background Art) As a color discharge lamp and its control method that can freely select and control the light color, we previously proposed a lamp and basic control circuit as shown in Figures 1 and 2 (Japanese Patent Application No. 131593/1983
issue).

これは、外管１とステム２により気密に形成された放電
空間３に、数Ｔｏｏｒの希ガスと水銀蒸気を封入し、内
面にそれぞれ異なる発光色（例えば、赤、緑、青の３原
色）の蛍光体を塗布した略同形状の３本のＵ字状内管４
ａ、４ｂ、４ｃを収納したものでり、各内管４ａ、４ｂ
、４ｃの一端はステム２上に配設した３個の電極５ａ、
５ｂ、５ｃの周囲にそれぞれ気密的に固着され、他゛端
６はステム２上に配設した他の１個の共通電極７の近傍
に開口するように配設されている。This is a discharge space 3 that is airtightly formed by an outer tube 1 and a stem 2, and is filled with several tens of tons of rare gas and mercury vapor. Three U-shaped inner tubes 4 of approximately the same shape coated with phosphor of
a, 4b, 4c, each inner tube 4a, 4b
, 4c has three electrodes 5a arranged on the stem 2,
5b and 5c, respectively, and the other end 6 is arranged so as to open near another common electrode 7 arranged on the stem 2.

第２図に示す点灯回路は、上記放電灯ＦＬと、放電路選
択スイッチ３ｗと、限流可変抵抗ＶＲとより成る直列回
路を直流電源Ｖｓで動作させるものである。放電路選択
スイッチＳｗの操作は、第３図のタイムチャートに示す
ように、３本の内管４ａ、４ｂ、４ｃの放電を順次切り
換えるようにして行う、つまり、周期Ｔを３本の内管４
ａ、４ｂ、４ｃの発光期間に分割し、その発光期間の比
率を変えることにより、各内管４ａ、４ｂ、４ｃより発
する光束の比率を変え、発光色（混合色）を変化させる
ものである。なお、第３図に示すタイムチャートにおい
ては、Ｔ１が白色、Ｔ２が白黄色、Ｔ３〜Ｔ４が黄色の
例を示している。また、周期Ｔを約１０ｍ５に設定すれ
ば、各内管４ａ、４ｂ、４ｃは同時に点灯しているよう
に見える。The lighting circuit shown in FIG. 2 operates a series circuit consisting of the discharge lamp FL, a discharge path selection switch 3w, and a current-limiting variable resistor VR using a DC power source Vs. The operation of the discharge path selection switch Sw is performed by sequentially switching the discharge of the three inner tubes 4a, 4b, and 4c, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 4
By dividing the tube into light emitting periods a, 4b, and 4c and changing the ratio of the light emitting periods, the ratio of the luminous flux emitted from each inner tube 4a, 4b, and 4c is changed, and the emitted color (mixed color) is changed. . In addition, in the time chart shown in FIG. 3, an example is shown in which T1 is white, T2 is white-yellow, and T3 to T4 are yellow. Furthermore, if the cycle T is set to about 10 m5, each of the inner tubes 4a, 4b, and 4c appears to be lit at the same time.

かかる可変色放電灯装置は、複数の放電路を有するにも
かかわらず、限流インピーダンスは１つで良く、コスト
及び小型化の面で有利なものであり、また、発光色（混
合色）を変えても回路電流は略一定となるため、共通電
極７は常に適当な温度に保たれ、発光色の異なる３本の
螢光ランプをそれぞれ開光する場合と比べ、寿命及び発
光色変化に対する応答性の面で極めて有利なものである
が、光束（輝度）°を限流可変抵抗ＶＲで制御している
ため、光束変化に対する応答性は、発光色変化に対する
応答速度よりも遅いという問題があった。また、可変抵
抗で光束制御した場合、電流を変化させるため、回路（
陰極）電流が一定という本装置の゛特徴が損なわれる欠
点があった。Although such a variable color discharge lamp device has a plurality of discharge paths, only one current-limiting impedance is required, which is advantageous in terms of cost and miniaturization. Since the circuit current remains approximately constant even when the current is changed, the common electrode 7 is always kept at an appropriate temperature, and the lifespan and responsiveness to changes in luminescent color are improved compared to when three fluorescent lamps with different luminescent colors are opened individually. However, since the luminous flux (luminance) ° is controlled by a current-limiting variable resistor VR, there was a problem that the response speed to changes in luminous flux was slower than the response speed to changes in luminescent color. . In addition, when controlling the luminous flux with a variable resistor, the circuit (
There was a drawback that the feature of this device, which is a constant cathode current, was lost.

（発明の目的）本発明は上記問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的
とするところは、回路（陰極）電流を一定に保った状態
で、しかも十分に早い応答性を有する低圧放電灯及びそ
の制御方法を提供するにある。(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a low-pressure discharge lamp with sufficiently fast response while keeping the circuit (cathode) current constant. and a control method thereof.

（発明の開示）第４図は本発明に係る低圧放電灯の一実施例を示し、前
記第１図に示す従来例と異なる点は、ステム２上に補助
電極８を配設したことであり、他の構成は同等であるの
で、同等構成に同一符号を付すことにより説明を省略す
る。(Disclosure of the Invention) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the low-pressure discharge lamp according to the present invention, which differs from the conventional example shown in FIG. 1 in that an auxiliary electrode 8 is provided on the stem 2. , and other configurations are the same, so the description will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the equivalent configurations.

第５図は上記実施例に係る螢光ランプを点灯する基本回
路例であり、前記第２図に示す回路に、補助電極８から
抵抗ｒ（ゼロでも良い）を介して放電路選択スイッチＳ
Ｗへ接続し、他の３つの放電路と合わせて４つの放電路
選択スイッチＳｗとする。放電路選択スイッチＳＷの切
り換えのタイムチャートの一例を第６図に示す。同図に
おいて、Ｔｌ〜Ｔ２は、従来と同様に３本の内管４ａ。FIG. 5 shows an example of a basic circuit for lighting the fluorescent lamp according to the above embodiment, and a discharge path selection switch S is connected to the circuit shown in FIG.
W, and together with the other three discharge paths, there are four discharge path selection switches Sw. An example of a time chart for switching the discharge path selection switch SW is shown in FIG. In the figure, Tl to T2 are three inner tubes 4a as in the conventional case.

４ｂ、４ｃを均等に発光させ、略白色の状態としている
。そして、Ｔ３からは補助電極８を介して流れる放電期
間を（１／３）Ｔ設けたものであり、かかる放電期間を
設けることにより、光束はＴ１〜Ｔ２の光束の約２／３
になる。つまり、補助電極８を通って流れる放電は、ラ
ンプＦＬの発光に寄与せず、かかる放電期間を適当にと
ることによって所望の光束を得ることができる。4b and 4c are caused to emit light evenly, resulting in a substantially white state. From T3, a discharge period (1/3) T is provided for flowing through the auxiliary electrode 8, and by providing such a discharge period, the luminous flux becomes approximately 2/3 of the luminous flux from T1 to T2.
become. In other words, the discharge flowing through the auxiliary electrode 8 does not contribute to the light emission of the lamp FL, and by appropriately setting the discharge period, a desired luminous flux can be obtained.

このように、発光に寄与しない放電電流を流して調光（
光束調節）することにより、光束を変えても回路電流を
略一定に保てるので、従来のように、ランプ寿命に悪影
響を及ぼすというよなこともなく、また、放電路を切り
換えることにより光束を調節するため、色相を変える場
合と同程度の応答性を有する。さらに、制御に関しても
、３本の内管４ａ、４ｂ、４ｃの放電路切り換えと全く
同様の制御方式となるため、回路構成上も有利である。In this way, dimming (
By adjusting the luminous flux, the circuit current can be kept approximately constant even if the luminous flux is changed, so there is no negative effect on the lamp life as in conventional methods, and the luminous flux can be adjusted by switching the discharge path. Therefore, it has the same level of responsiveness as changing the hue. Furthermore, regarding control, the control method is exactly the same as that for switching the discharge paths of the three inner tubes 4a, 4b, and 4c, which is advantageous in terms of circuit configuration.

なお、上記実施例においては、補助電極８をステム２上
に設けたが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、
また、補助電極８からの放電特性を明確にするために、
螢光体を塗布しない第４の内管を設けてもよく、さらに
、各内管４ａ、４ｂ、４ｃの形状もＵ字状に限らず、例
えば直管でもよく、さらにまた、内管の数も３本である
必要のないのは言うまでもないことである。In addition, in the above embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 8 was provided on the stem 2, but the present invention is not limited to this.
In addition, in order to clarify the discharge characteristics from the auxiliary electrode 8,
A fourth inner tube to which no phosphor is coated may be provided, and furthermore, the shape of each inner tube 4a, 4b, 4c is not limited to the U-shape, but may be a straight tube, for example, and the number of inner tubes may be changed. Needless to say, there is no need for the number to be three.

次に、補助電極８を光束調整だけでなく、始動にも用い
た場合の実施例を、第７図に示す回路図に基づいて述べ
る。本実施例は前記第５図に示す回路に、共通電極７の
非電源側端子と補助電極８との間を抵抗Ｒｆで接続した
ものであり、始動時は放電路選択スイッチ３ｗを補助電
極８に接続し、直流電源Ｖｓ−抵抗抵抗数−放電路選択
スイッチ−抵抗ｒ−抵抗Ｒｆ−共通電極７−直流電源Ｖ
Ｓなる径路で共通電極７を構成するフィラメントを予熱
する。フィラメントの予熱う（十分になされると、抵抗
Ｒｆの両端に生じる電位差によって、共通電極７と補助
電極８との間で放電が生じ、始動が完了する。始動後の
動作は前述の通りである。この場合、始動を容易にする
ためには、補助電極８が共通電極７の近傍に位置してい
ることが望ましい。Next, an embodiment in which the auxiliary electrode 8 is used not only for adjusting the luminous flux but also for starting will be described based on the circuit diagram shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the non-power supply side terminal of the common electrode 7 and the auxiliary electrode 8 are connected by a resistor Rf in the circuit shown in FIG. DC power supply Vs - resistance resistance number - discharge path selection switch - resistance r - resistance Rf - common electrode 7 - DC power supply V
The filament constituting the common electrode 7 is preheated through a path S. Preheat the filament (if the filament is sufficiently preheated, a potential difference generated across the resistor Rf will cause a discharge between the common electrode 7 and the auxiliary electrode 8, completing the startup. The operation after startup is as described above. In this case, it is desirable that the auxiliary electrode 8 be located near the common electrode 7 in order to facilitate starting.

このように本実施例では、他に始動回路を設ける必要が
なく、コスト面からも極めて有利である、なお、本実施
例においても、内管の形状、本数に対する制限はない。As described above, in this embodiment, there is no need to provide any other starting circuit, and it is extremely advantageous from the cost perspective.In addition, in this embodiment as well, there are no restrictions on the shape or number of inner tubes.

（発明の効果）本発明は上記のように、放電空間内に補助電極を設け、
該電極に発光に寄与しない放電電流を流して調光（光束
調節）したことにより、光束を変えても回路電流を略一
定に保てる。従って、従来のように、ランプ寿命に悪影
響を及ぼすというよなこともなく、また、放電路を切り
換えることにより光束を調節するため、色相を変える場
合と同程度の応答性を有する。(Effect of the invention) As described above, the present invention provides an auxiliary electrode in the discharge space,
By controlling the light (luminous flux adjustment) by flowing a discharge current that does not contribute to light emission through the electrodes, the circuit current can be kept approximately constant even if the luminous flux is changed. Therefore, unlike the conventional method, there is no adverse effect on the lamp life, and since the luminous flux is adjusted by switching the discharge path, the response is comparable to that when changing the hue.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は従来例に係る螢光ランプを示し、Ｔａ）は斜視
図、申）は平面図、第２図は従来例に係る基本制御回路
、第３図は同上のタイムチャート、第４図は本発明に係
る低圧放電灯の一実施例を示し、（ａ）は斜視図、（ｂ
）は平面図、第５図は本発明に係る基本制御回路例、第
６図は同上のタイムチャート、第７図は本発明に係る異
なる制御回路例である１・・・外管、２・・・ステム、
３・・・放電空間、４・・・内管、５・・・電極、７・
・・共通電極、８・・・補助電極。Fig. 1 shows a fluorescent lamp according to the conventional example, Ta) is a perspective view, Ta) is a plan view, Fig. 2 is a basic control circuit according to the conventional example, Fig. 3 is a time chart of the same as above, and Fig. 4 1 shows an embodiment of a low-pressure discharge lamp according to the present invention, (a) is a perspective view, (b)
) is a plan view, FIG. 5 is an example of a basic control circuit according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a time chart of the same as above, and FIG. 7 is an example of a different control circuit according to the present invention.・Stem,
3... Discharge space, 4... Inner tube, 5... Electrode, 7...
...Common electrode, 8...Auxiliary electrode.

Claims

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims]

（１）外管とステムにより気密に形成された放電空間内
に数Ｔｏｏｒの希ガスと水銀蒸気を封入すると共に、ス
テム上に配設された複数の電極のそれぞれの周囲に一端
が気密的に固着され、他端が上記放電空間に開口した複
数の内管を配設し、上記放電空間内に配設した共通電極
との間でそれぞれ放電路を形成せしめてなる低圧放電灯
において、上記放電空間内に補助電極を配設したことを
特徴とする低圧放電灯。(1) Several tens of tons of rare gas and mercury vapor are sealed in the discharge space airtightly formed by the outer tube and the stem, and one end is airtightly placed around each of the multiple electrodes arranged on the stem. In a low-pressure discharge lamp, a plurality of inner tubes are fixed to each other and the other end opens into the discharge space, and each of the inner tubes forms a discharge path with a common electrode disposed in the discharge space. A low-pressure discharge lamp characterized by having an auxiliary electrode arranged within the space.

（２）上記複数の内管にそれぞれ発光色の異なる螢光体
を塗布したことを特徴とする特許請求の範囲第１項記載
の低圧放電灯。(2) The low-pressure discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of inner tubes is coated with a phosphor that emits light of a different color.

（３）上記補助電極を共通電極の近傍に配設したことを
特徴とする特許請求の範囲第１項または第２項記載の低
圧放電灯。(3) The low-pressure discharge lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the auxiliary electrode is disposed near the common electrode.

（４）外管とステムにより気密に形成され、数Ｔｏｏｒ
の希ガスと水銀蒸気が封入された放電空間に、ステム上
に配設された複数の電極のそれぞれの周囲に一端が気密
的に固着され、他端が上記放電空間に開口した複数の内
管を配設すると共に、共通電極と補助電極を配設して成
る低圧放電灯を、上記複数の各電極と補助電極とを順次
切り換え、共通電極との間の放電時間比を制御し、光色
及び光束を制御したことを特徴とする低圧放電灯の制御
方法。(4) Airtightly formed by the outer tube and stem, several Toor
A plurality of inner tubes each having one end hermetically fixed around each of the plurality of electrodes disposed on the stem and the other end opening into the discharge space are placed in a discharge space filled with rare gas and mercury vapor. At the same time, a low-pressure discharge lamp consisting of a common electrode and an auxiliary electrode is controlled by sequentially switching between each of the plurality of electrodes and the auxiliary electrode, controlling the discharge time ratio between the electrodes and the common electrode, and changing the light color. and a method for controlling a low-pressure discharge lamp, characterized in that the luminous flux is controlled.