JP2010248009A - Glass tube heating device and lamp manufacturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A glass tube heating apparatus and a lamp manufacturing apparatus capable of efficiently suppressing heating on the apparatus side with a relatively simple configuration.
The lamp manufacturing apparatus includes a glass tube heating device for heating the glass tube. The glass tube heating device 70 includes a burner 73 that blows and heats the glass tube 11 to heat, a holding head 74 that holds the glass tube 11, and a suction device 75. The suction device 75 includes a blower 75a and a duct 75b connected to the air supply port of the blower 75a. The air heated by the burner 73 is sucked from the suction port 75c of the duct 75b and exhausted from the discharge port 75d of the blower 75a.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a glass tube heating apparatus and a lamp manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a lamp typified by a cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

  Conventionally, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (or cold cathode discharge lamp; CCFL) is generally used as a light source for a backlight of, for example, a liquid crystal display device.

  Such a cold cathode fluorescent lamp is manufactured as follows, for example. First, a phosphor layer is formed at a predetermined portion of the inner wall surface of the glass tube, and reduced diameter portions are respectively formed at two locations along the longitudinal direction. Next, a mount (electrode) is sealed at one end of the glass tube. The mount includes an electrode portion, a lead wire extending from the electrode portion, and a glass bead provided on the base end portion side of the lead wire. And after mounting this mount temporarily in the predetermined position of a glass tube edge part, a glass tube and the said bead are welded mutually. Subsequently, another mount and a mercury alloy member are inserted from the other end, and another mount is temporarily fixed to one reduced-diameter portion, and the other reduced-diameter portion (located on the other end side). The mercury alloy member is positioned in the reduced diameter portion. Thereafter, the inside of the glass tube is once evacuated, an inert gas is introduced, and mercury vapor is released into the glass tube by heating. Then, the other mount that has been temporarily fixed is sealed. More specifically, in a state where the glass tube is positioned at a predetermined position, the outer periphery of the diameter-reduced portion temporarily fixed to another mount is heated and welded to each other, and then unnecessary portions, that is, mercury alloy members are present. The site is excised.

  By the way, when going through each process mentioned above, in the scene which needs heating of a glass tube, a heating device is used. As a heating device, for example, one end of a glass tube is held by a holding unit such as a holding head, and a predetermined portion of the glass tube is heated by a heating unit such as a burner in a state where the longitudinal direction of the glass tube is vertical. What is heated is known.

  However, when the holding means is heated by the air heated by the heating means or the burned gas (hereinafter referred to as hot air, etc.), the holding means is thermally expanded, and the position of the glass tube being held is upset. Arise. As a result, defective products may be generated, and the manufacturing yield may be reduced.

  On the other hand, a technique (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) including a water-cooling type cooling mechanism for flowing water to the holding means itself, a technique for dispersing hot air from the heating means by air blow, hot air etc. by a heat shield plate. A technique for blocking (see, for example, Patent Document 2) is known.

JP-A-11-283504 JP 2001-23572 A

  However, the technology provided with the water-cooling type cooling mechanism makes the mechanism remarkably complicated, leading to an increase in the cost of the apparatus, and requires a lot of labor for maintenance work.

  In addition, although the technology that disperses hot air by air blow can avoid local heating, the air blow is protected as a non-heating target (cooling target) such as holding means because the hot air diffuses over a wide range. There is a possibility that an unintended part different from the part to be heated is heated. For example, rubber / resin parts such as a sealing member provided in a gas exchanger or the like and a driving belt member of a transport mechanism are heated, and there is a possibility that the elongation and deterioration of these members are accelerated. Further, since air blows out strong air from a small-diameter nozzle, it is likely to cause noise and causes strong convection that disturbs the flame of the burner, which may prevent the glass tube from being properly heated.

  In addition, the technology for shutting off hot air or the like with a heat shield plate requires a relatively large member that covers the periphery of the glass tube as the heat shield plate, which may be an obstacle when processing the glass tube. Since the heat shield plate itself is heated and emits radiant heat, its effect diminishes with time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a glass tube heating apparatus and a lamp manufacturing apparatus capable of efficiently suppressing heating on the apparatus side with a relatively simple configuration. It is one.

  Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above-described problem will be described separately. In addition, the effect specific to the means to respond | corresponds as needed is added.

Means 1. A glass tube heating device for performing heat treatment on a glass tube,
Holding means for holding the glass tube;
Heating means for spraying and heating a predetermined portion of the glass tube;
A glass tube heating apparatus comprising: suction means for sucking air heated by the heating means.

  According to the means 1, by providing the suction means, air heated by the heating means (including burned gas, etc., hereinafter referred to as hot air, etc.) can be sucked and discharged to a distant place. Thereby, the malfunction that a holding means etc. will be heated can be suppressed. As a result, the position of the glass tube held by the holding means is less likely to be distorted, the occurrence of defective products can be suppressed, and the production yield can be improved.

  In addition, if the suction means is used, there is no possibility of diffusing hot air or the like over a wide range unlike air blow, so the intention is different from the part that the air blow protects as a non-heating target (cooling target) such as a holding means. There is little possibility of heating the part which is not. Furthermore, since the suction means does not cause strong air convection as much as the air blow, there is little possibility of generating noise and disturbing the flame of the heating means.

  Moreover, according to this means, since it is not necessary to provide a heat shield plate or the like for preventing diffusion of hot air or the like, there is no fear of receiving radiant heat from the heat shield plate or the like, and the glass tube can be easily processed.

  As a result, with a relatively simple configuration, heating on the apparatus side can be efficiently suppressed, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Mean 2. 2. The glass tube heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating unit and the suction unit are arranged to face each other with the glass tube interposed therebetween when viewed in the tube axis direction of the glass tube.

  According to the means 2, hot air or the like can be sucked more efficiently, and the operational effect of the means 1 can be further enhanced. Further, the flame of the heating means can be guided to the periphery of the glass tube in a balanced manner, and the heat treatment of the glass tube can be performed efficiently.

  Means 3. 3. The glass tube heating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction unit is disposed at a position farther from the holding unit than the heating unit with respect to the tube axis direction of the glass tube.

  According to the means 3, since hot air or the like can be sucked away from the holding means, the function and effect of the means 1 and 2 can be further enhanced.

  If the glass tube is heated so that the tube axis direction (longitudinal direction) of the glass tube is in the vertical direction and the glass tube is subjected to heat treatment, the holding means is used by rising hot air or the like. Is easily heated and the above-mentioned problems are likely to occur, so that the effect of the means 3 is more exhibited.

  Means 4. A lamp manufacturing apparatus comprising the glass tube heating apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 3.

  As shown in the means 4, when the lamp manufacturing apparatus is provided with the glass tube heating apparatus, heating on the apparatus side can be efficiently suppressed with a relatively simple structure when manufacturing the lamp. As a result, the generation of defective products can be suppressed and the production yield can be improved. The glass tube heating device can be applied in various processes that require heating of the glass tube in lamp manufacture.

(A)-(j) is sectional drawings, such as a glass tube, which shows typically the manufacturing process of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp in one Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows a cold cathode fluorescent lamp. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the manufacturing apparatus of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp. It is a side view which shows a glass tube heating apparatus. It is an expansion schematic diagram for demonstrating the positional relationship of a burner and a duct. It is an expansion schematic diagram for demonstrating the positional relationship of a burner and a duct.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (j) and 2, the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1 constituting the lamp in this embodiment includes a bulb 2 made of glass and electrodes provided in a sealed state at both ends of the bulb 2. A first bead mount 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as “first mount”) and a second bead mount 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as “second mount”) are provided. A phosphor layer 5 is provided on the inner wall surface of the bulb 2, and mercury vapor is present inside the bulb 2. In the drawing, for the sake of convenience, the length of the valve 2 is shown to be relatively short, but it is actually quite long. For example, the outer diameter of the bulb 2 in the present embodiment is about 1.8 mm to 4.0 mm, and the length of the bulb 2 is about several tens mm to several hundred mm (may exceed 1000 mm). It is configured. Each of the mounts 3 and 4 includes an electrode portion 7, a lead wire 8 extending from the electrode portion 7, and a glass bead portion 9 provided on the base end side of the lead wire 8.

  The cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1 is manufactured by using a lamp manufacturing apparatus 51 (hereinafter simply referred to as a manufacturing apparatus 51) described below. As shown in FIG. 3, the manufacturing apparatus 51 includes a coating unit 52 and a baking unit 53. The application means 52 has a function of applying a fluorescent paint to a predetermined portion of the inner wall surface of the glass tube 11 (see FIG. 1A) as will be described later. The baking means 53 has a function of forming the phosphor layer 5 by baking (heating) the applied fluorescent paint.

  The manufacturing apparatus 51 includes a first temporary fixing means 54 and a glass tube heating apparatus 70 (see FIG. 4) described later. The first temporary fixing means 54 is provided with first mount supply means 55. The first temporary fixing means 54 inserts the first mount 3 (see FIG. 1B) guided from the first mount supply means 55 into the glass tube 11 from one end side of the glass tube 11, and 1 mount 3 has a function to temporarily fix.

  The first temporary fixing means 54 includes a pair of pinches (not shown) in addition to the first mount supply means 55 and the glass tube heating device 70. Then, a portion corresponding to the first mount 3 of the glass tube 11 heated and softened by the burner 73 of the glass tube heating device 70 is pressed from the outside two sides by the pinch, whereby the bead portion 9 of the first mount 3 is temporarily mounted. Stop. The second temporary fixing means 57 to be described later has the same configuration.

  The manufacturing apparatus 51 includes a reduced diameter portion processing means 56. The reduced diameter portion processing means 56 includes a glass tube heating device 70 described later (see FIG. 4). The reduced diameter portion processing means 56 is temporarily fixed by heating and softening a predetermined position with the burner 73 while the glass tube 11 is rotated, and pressing a rotating roller (not shown) against the softened portion. It has a function of forming a reduced diameter portion 14 (see FIG. 1C) on one end side of one mount 3.

  The manufacturing apparatus 51 includes a second temporary fixing means 57 and a glass tube heating apparatus 70 (see FIG. 4) described later. The second temporary fixing means 57 is provided with second mount supply means 58. The second temporary fixing means 57 inserts the second mount 4 (see FIG. 1D) guided from the second mount supply means 58 into the glass tube 11 from the other end side of the glass tube 11, The second mount 4 has a function of temporarily fixing the second mount 4 to the other end of the glass tube 11.

  The manufacturing apparatus 51 includes a sealing unit 59 and a glass tube heating apparatus 70 (see FIG. 4) described later. The sealing means 59 has a function of sealing the second mount 4 temporarily fixed by the second temporary fixing means 57 at the other end portion of the glass tube 11 (see FIG. 1E).

  The manufacturing apparatus 51 includes mercury alloy charging means 61. The mercury alloy charging means 61 has a function of charging the mercury alloy member 31 (see FIG. 1 (f)) into the reduced diameter portion 14 of the glass tube 11 conveyed by a turret (not shown).

  The manufacturing apparatus 51 includes exhaust / filled gas filling means 62. The exhaust / filled gas filling means 62 includes an exhaust head 62a, an exhaust line 62b, a sealed gas line 62c, and the like (see FIG. 1G). The inside of the glass tube 11 is once evacuated, and then has a function of introducing a sealed gas (for example, argon gas, argon + neon gas, etc.) into the glass tube 11. Further, a sealing means 63 is attached to the exhaust / filled gas filling means 62. The sealing means 63 includes a glass tube heating device 70 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, and after the sealed gas is introduced into the exhaust / filled gas filling means 62, one end of the glass tube 11 is chipped off (removed). It has a function to seal the part.

  The manufacturing apparatus 51 includes an evaporation unit 64. The evaporation means 64 includes a heating bombarder 64a (see FIG. 1 (h)). The bombarder 64a heats the outer periphery of the glass tube 11 in the vicinity of the mercury alloy member 31, and eventually the mercury alloy member 31. The glass tube 11 has a function of releasing mercury vapor.

  The manufacturing apparatus 51 includes a sealing unit 65 that performs final sealing. Cutting means 66 is attached to the sealing means 65. The sealing means 65 includes a glass tube heating device 70 (see FIG. 4) described later, and has a function of sealing a portion corresponding to the first mount 3 that is temporarily fixed. More specifically, the sealing means 65 heats the bead portion 9 and the glass tube 11 of the first mount 3 by the burner 73 (see FIG. 1 (i)) while rotating the glass tube 11, and makes the two mutually To weld. The cutting means 66 has a function of cutting the portion to be cut 13 (see FIG. 1 (j)) after the welding.

  Next, details of manufacturing the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1 using the manufacturing apparatus 51 configured as described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1A, the phosphor layer 5 is formed on a predetermined portion of the inner wall surface of the glass tube 11 by the coating means 52 and the baking means 53 described above. In the present embodiment, a portion of the glass tube 11 that substantially corresponds to the phosphor layer 5 is referred to as a bulb portion 12 for convenience, and a left portion of the drawing is referred to as a portion to be cut 13.

  Next, the glass tube 11 is guided to the first temporary fixing means 54. As shown in FIG. 1B, in the first temporary fixing means 54, the first mount 3 is temporarily fixed to the left end (one end) of the bulb portion 12 of the glass tube 11.

  Subsequently, the glass tube 11 is guided to the reduced diameter portion processing means 56. In the processing means 56, as shown in FIG. 1C, the reduced diameter portion 14 is formed in the glass tube 11 on the end side of the temporarily mounted first mount 3.

  Next, the glass tube 11 is guided to the second temporary fixing means 57. Then, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), the second mount 4 is inserted from the other end portion (right end portion in the drawing) of the glass tube 11 and temporarily fixed by the second mount supply means 58.

  Subsequently, the glass tube 11 is guided to the sealing means 59. Then, the second mount 4 locked to the glass tube 11 is sealed by the sealing means 59 as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the glass tube 11 is guided to the mercury alloy charging means 61. And as shown in FIG.1 (f), the mercury alloy member 31 is thrown in from the to-be-cut part 13 side of the said glass tube 11. FIG. In the present embodiment, the mercury alloy member 31 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cut portion 13 and larger than the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion 14. For this reason, the mercury alloy member 31 is locked to the reduced diameter portion 14 by the introduction. As the mercury alloy member 31, for example, a ceramic or metal cylinder in which a mercury alloy capable of releasing mercury vapor is enclosed is preferably used.

  Next, the glass tube 11 in which the mercury alloy member 31 is inserted and locked in this way is guided to the exhaust / filled gas filling means 62. And as shown in FIG.1 (g), the one end part of the glass tube 11 is connected to the exhaust head 62a. And while the glass tube 11 is heated from the outside, the deaeration means connected to the exhaust head 62a is driven, and the inside of the glass tube 11 is deaerated through the exhaust line 62b. Thereafter, the sealed gas is introduced into the glass tube 11 via the sealed gas line 62c. After introducing the sealed gas, the glass tube 11 is guided to the sealing means 63, where one end (the end side of the portion 13 to be cut) is chipped off (cut off) and the one end is sealed (see FIG. 1 (h)).

  Next, the glass tube 11 is guided to the evaporation means 64. In the evaporation means 64, as shown in FIG. 1 (h), the outer periphery of the glass tube 11 corresponding to the mercury alloy member 31 is heated by a bombarder 64a. Mercury vapor is released from the mercury alloy member 31 into the glass tube 11 by the heating. In this example, the heat treatment is performed after the end of the portion to be cut 13 is chipped off, but the heat treatment may be performed with the exhaust head 62a attached. By this heat treatment, mercury vapor is released and flows into the valve portion 12.

  Next, the glass tube 11 is guided to the final sealing means 65. In the sealing means 65, as shown in FIGS. 1 (i) and (j), the first mount 3 temporarily fixed at one end of the glass tube 11 is sealed. More specifically, the outer periphery of the first mount 3 is heated by the burner 73 while the glass tube 11 is rotated. As a result, the bead portion 9 and the glass tube 11 are welded to each other, and in the cutting means 66, as shown in FIG. 1 (j), the portion to be cut 13 is cut away leaving the sealed sealing portion. Is done. Thus, the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1 is obtained through a series of steps.

  Now, in this embodiment, since it has the characteristics in the glass tube heating apparatus 70 which the said 1st temporary fix | stop means 54 grade | etc., Has, the structure of the said glass tube heating apparatus 70 is demonstrated in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the glass tube heating device 70 is provided with a base 71, a fixed column 72 erected on the base 71, and slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the fixed column 72. 11 is provided with a burner 73 as a heating means that blows and heats a flame 73a against the heater 11, a holding head 74 as a holding means that rotatably holds the glass tube 11, and a suction device 75 as a suction means.

  The holding head 74 holds the glass tube 11 so that the tube axis C1 direction of the glass tube 11 is maintained in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Then, the glass tube 11 is rotated with the tube axis C1 of the glass tube 11 as the rotation axis. Thereby, the circumference | surroundings of the glass tube 11 can be heated comparatively uniformly.

  The suction device 75 includes a blower 75a as a blowing means installed on the floor 77, and a duct 75b connected to an air supply port of the blower 75a. Then, air heated by the burner 73 (including burned gas, etc., hereinafter referred to as hot air) is sucked from the suction port 75c of the duct 75b and exhausted from the discharge port 75d of the blower 75a.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the suction port 75 c of the duct 75 b and the burner 73 are disposed so as to face each other with the glass tube 11 therebetween, as viewed in the direction of the tube axis C <b> 1 of the glass tube 11. Hot air or the like can be efficiently sucked. Further, the flame 73a of the burner 73 can be guided to the periphery of the glass tube 11 with good balance, and the heat treatment of the glass tube 11 can be performed efficiently.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the burner 73 is set to a higher position, that is, a position closer to the holding head 74 in accordance with the difference in the various processes described above, the position where the glass tube 11 is heated, and the like. In this case, the position of the suction port 75c of the duct 75b is arranged below the position of the burner 73, that is, at a position further away from the holding head 74 with respect to the vertical direction. ing. As a result, hot air or the like can be sucked away from the holding head 74.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, by providing the suction device 75, the air heated by the burner 73 can be sucked and discharged to a distant place. Thereby, the malfunction that the holding head 74 grade | etc., Will be heated can be suppressed. As a result, the position of the glass tube 11 held by the holding head 74 is less likely to be distorted, the occurrence of defective products can be suppressed, and the manufacturing yield can be improved.

  Further, if the suction device 75 is used, there is no risk of diffusing hot air or the like over a wide range unlike air blow, so the intention is different from the part that the air blow protects as a non-heating target (cooling target) such as the holding head 74. There is little possibility that the part which has not been heated will be heated. Furthermore, since the suction device 75 does not cause strong air convection as much as an air blow, there is little risk of generating noise and disturbing the flame of the heating means.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide the heat shield etc. which prevent diffusion of hot air etc., there is no fear of receiving radiant heat from the said heat shield etc., and it is easy to process the glass tube 11. FIG.

  As a result, with a relatively simple configuration, heating on the apparatus side can be efficiently suppressed, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  In addition, you may implement as follows, for example, without being limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the lamp manufacturing apparatus is embodied in the manufacturing apparatus 51 for manufacturing the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 1, but may be embodied in an apparatus for manufacturing other lamps.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the glass tube heating device is embodied in the glass tube heating device 70 in the first temporary fixing means 54 or the like of the manufacturing device 51. However, the glass tube heating device is used in another manufacturing process different from the above embodiment. It can also be embodied in a glass tube heating device. However, it is preferable to use it for the heating process in which a flame is blown against the glass tube 11 and the glass tube 11 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point in view of its action and effect. Moreover, it is not necessary to use the glass tube heating apparatus 70 for all the manufacturing processes shown by the said embodiment, and it is good also as a structure used in the one part.

  Of course, the glass tube heating apparatus is not limited to that used in the lamp manufacturing apparatus, and may be used for other purposes.

  (C) In the said embodiment, although the glass tube 11 is hold | maintained so that the tube axis C1 direction of the glass tube 11 may maintain an up-down direction, it becomes the structure by which the said glass tube 11 is heat-processed. The holding posture of the glass tube 11 is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a structure which hold | maintains the glass tube 11 and heat-processes so that the tube axis C1 direction of the glass tube 11 may turn into a horizontal direction. In such a case, for example, the burner 73 may be disposed below the glass tube 11, and the suction port 75 c of the duct 75 b of the suction device 75 may be disposed above the glass tube 11.

  (D) In the above-described embodiment, the suction port 75c of the duct 75b and the burner 73 are disposed to face each other with the glass tube 11 interposed therebetween when viewed in the direction of the tube axis C1 of the glass tube 11. The position of the mouth 75c is not limited to this. For example, two suction ports 75c of the duct 75b may be provided, and the two suction ports 75c and the burner 73 may be arranged at equal intervals of 60 degrees in the circumferential direction of the glass tube 11.

  (E) The shape, size, configuration and the like of the suction device 75 are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the opening area of the suction port 75c of the duct 75b may be larger than that illustrated.

  (F) In the said embodiment, although it becomes the structure which heat-processes, rotating the glass tube 11 by making the tube axis C1 of the glass tube 11 into a rotating shaft, it is not restricted to this, The state which fixed the glass tube 11 It is good also as a structure which heat-processes by. Even when the glass tube 11 is not rotated, the suction port 75c of the duct 75b and the burner 73 are arranged to face each other with the glass tube 11 interposed therebetween as in the above embodiment, so that the flame 73a of the burner 73 is caused to flow into the glass tube 11. The glass tube 11 can be efficiently heat-treated.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cold cathode fluorescent lamp, 11 ... Glass tube, 51 ... Lamp manufacturing apparatus, 70 ... Glass tube heating apparatus, 73 ... Burner, 74 ... Holding head, 75 ... Suction apparatus, 75a ... Blower, 75b ... Duct, 75c ... Suction Mouth, C1 ... tube axis.

Claims (4)

A glass tube heating device for performing a heat treatment on a glass tube,
Holding means for holding the glass tube;
Heating means for spraying and heating a predetermined portion of the glass tube;
A glass tube heating apparatus comprising: suction means for sucking air heated by the heating means.   2. The glass tube heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when viewed in the tube axis direction of the glass tube, the heating unit and the suction unit are disposed to face each other with the glass tube interposed therebetween.   3. The glass tube heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction unit is disposed at a position farther from the holding unit than the heating unit with respect to a tube axis direction of the glass tube.   The lamp manufacturing apparatus provided with the glass tube heating apparatus in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3.

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