Patent Application
20100127631
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 2008-297735 filed Nov. 21, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention generally relates to a high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus having a high pressure discharge lamp in which 0.20 mg/mm3 of mercury is enclosed and the pressure thereof at time of lighting becomes 200 atmospheric pressure or more, and a power supply apparatus therefor.
Conventionally, a high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus having a high pressure discharge lamp in which 0.20 mg/mm3 of mercury is enclosed and the pressure thereof at time of lighting becomes 200 atmospheric pressure or more, and a power supply apparatus therefor, is known. In such a high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus, during a lighting operation, a projection is formed at the tip of an electrode(s) of a high pressure discharge lamp by a special lighting method, so that arc discharge is stabilized with this projection which serves as a starting point, thereby preventing generation of a flicker. This special lighting method is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-59790, wherein alternating current with a frequency selected from a range of 60-1,000 Hz as a steady state lighting frequency is supplied to such a high pressure discharge lamp, and when frequency of alternating current which is lower than the steady state lighting frequency and is selected from a range of 5-200 Hz, is called a low frequency, the alternating current with the low frequency, in which a length thereof is a half cycle or more to five or less cycle, is inserted in the alternating current of the steady state lighting frequency at an interval selected from a range of 0.01-120 seconds, so that the alternating current of the steady state lighting frequency and the alternating current of the low frequency are applied by turns so as to turn on the lamp.
In many of projector apparatuses using such a high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus, a user can arbitrarily switch between a normal mode which turns on a lamp with rated power, and an economic mode in which an operation is performed with lower electric power. Electric power in a conventional economic mode is generally about 80% of electric power in the normal mode. Furthermore, in recent years, there are use needs of a super economic mode in which an operation is performed at 80% or less of electric power in the normal mode, for example, 60%-40%, or a brightness adjustment mode using a timing function in which an input electric power to a lamp is controlled so as to be low, according to a screen, in order to raise a contrast ratio.
In recent years, a high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus generally has both the “normal mode” and “economic mode.” Therefore, in the present specification, a lighting operation in which a lamp is turned on in the “normal mode” and “economic mode” is referred to as a steady state lighting (operation). Moreover, since electric power in the “super economic mode” is smaller than that in the steady state lighting, and also the electric power in the “brightness adjustment mode” becomes smaller than that at time of the steady state lighting, a lighting operation in which a lamp is turned on in the “super economic mode” and the “brightness adjustment mode” is hereinafter referred to as a small electric power lighting.
In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-59790, when a high pressure discharge lamp is turned on in the “super economic mode” and “brightness adjustment mode,” the temperature of electrodes decreases with decreasing lighting electric power so that the thermionic emission from the electrodes becomes insufficient, whereby an arc luminescent spot is not stabilized so that a so-called flicker occurs. The principle of generation of the flicker phenomenon will be explained, referring to
As mentioned above, in an extra-high voltage discharge lamp in which 0.20 mg/mm3 of mercury is enclosed and the inner pressure becomes 200 or more atmospheric pressure at time of lighting, a flicker occurs in a small electric power lighting operation, so that it is not possible to carry out stable lighting.
In view of the background, an object of the present invention is to prevent generation of the so-called a flicker in an extra-high pressure discharge lamp containing 0.20 mg/mm3 of mercury by stabilizing the position of an arc luminescent spot at time of such a small electric power lighting operation
The above mentioned problem is solved by a high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus comprising a high pressure discharge lamp including a pair of electrodes, in which the electrodes are arranged so as to face each other at an interval of 2.0 mm or less in an electric discharge container made of quartz glass, and a projection is formed at a tip of each of the electrodes, wherein 0.20 mg/mm3 or more of mercury and halogen in a range of 10-6 to 10-2 μmol/mm3 is enclosed in the electric discharge container; and a power supply apparatus which supplies an alternating current to the discharge lamp, wherein the power supply apparatus supplies an alternating current and a direct current to the high pressure discharge lamp, so as to light the discharge lamp in a manner set forth below.
in a steady state lighting operation (in which the lamp is lighted with electric power which is larger than 80% of the rated electric power), an alternating current of a steady state lighting frequency and an alternating current of a low frequency are supplied by turns to the high pressure discharge lamp. The steady state lighting frequency of the alternating current is selected from a range of 60-1000 Hz, and the low frequency of the alternating current is lower than the steady state lighting frequency of the alternating current, and is selected from a range of 5-200 Hz. A time length of the low frequency of the alternating current is a half cycle thereof or more and five cycles thereof or less, and an interval between generation of the low frequency alternating current and the following generation of low frequency alternating current is in a range of 0.01-120 seconds.
(2) in a small electric power lighting operation (in which the lamp is lighted with 80% or less of rated electric power), alternating current of small electric power lighting frequency and direct current are supplied by turns to the high pressure discharge lamp. The small electric power lighting frequency of the alternating current is selected from a range of 60-1000 Hz, and the time length of application of the direct current is in a range of 0.2-5 seconds, and an interval between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current is in a range of 1-100 seconds.
In such a high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus according to the present invention, having an extra-high voltage discharge lamp in which 0.20 mg/mm3 of mercury is enclosed, it is possible to prevent generation of the so-called flicker by stabilizing the position of an arc luminescent spot at time of a small electric power lighting operation.
Other features and advantages of the present high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus will be apparent from the ensuing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
A description will now be given, referring to embodiments of the present high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus. While the claims are not limited to such embodiments, an appreciation of various aspects of the present high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus is best gained through a discussion of various examples thereof.
The rare gas such as argon gas, whose amount is, for example, approximately 13 kPa, is enclosed in order to improve lighting startability. The halogen gas is enclosed therein in form of a compound of mercury or other metal with iodine, bromine, chlorine or the like. The amount of halogen gas to be enclosed is selected from a range of 10-6 to 10-2 μmol/mm3. Although the function of the halogen is to achieve a longer life span using the so-called halogen cycle, there is also an action of preventing devitrification of an electric discharge container, in case where a discharge lamp is very small and the lighting vapor pressure thereof is very high as in the present invention. The specification (numerical examples) of an embodiment of a discharge lamp is set forth below. For example, the maximum outer diameter of the light emission section is 10 mm, the distance between the electrodes is 1.0 mm, and the internal volume of the arc tube is 64.8 mm3. Rated voltage applied thereto is 80 V, and rated power applied thereto is 30 W, wherein the discharge lamp is lighted with alternating current lighting.
Moreover, this kind of discharge lamp is built in a projector apparatus for a miniaturization purpose, wherein while a severe miniaturization is required in an overall dimension, high intensity of light emission is also required. For this reason, the thermal influence on the light emission section becomes very severe. A bulb wall load value of a lamp is 0.8-2.4 W/mm2, specifically, 2.15 W/mm2. When a discharge lamp having such high mercury vapor pressure and bulb wall load value is installed in an apparatus for presentation such as a projector apparatus or an overhead projector, it is possible to provide radiation light with good color rendering property.
According to the present invention, when the lamp is turned on in small electric power lighting, the second projection 22 is formed at the tip of the first projection 21 (an end portion of the first projection 21 which faces the other electrode). Although such a phenomenon, in which such a second projection 22 is formed, is not entirely clear, change of the projection of the electrode, will be explained below referring
While the discharge lamp is turned on in the normal mode or economic mode, only the first projection exists. Since the electrode is high in temperature, most surface of the first projection is in a molten state, and since the temperature of the electrode decrease with the fall of electric power when changing to the small electric power lighting, a melting portion contracts and only a portion near the arc attachment is melted.
(b) Direct current Lighting (
In the time of small electric power lighting, an alternating current of the small electric power lighting frequency selected from the range of 60-1000 Hz is supplied to the lamp, and then direct current is supplied thereto, following this alternating current. The direct current lighting period of the direct current is in a range of 0.2-5 seconds, and the interval of the direct current lighting (direct current supply interval) is in a range of 1-100 seconds. During such direct current lighting, only the first projection 21 of the electrode which is used as the anode and which is near the arc attachment is melting, and the melted portion rises due to surface tension so that the second projection 22 is formed.
After that, although the small electric power lighting continues, the operation is changed from the direct current lighting to an alternating current lighting of the small electric power lighting frequency selected from the range of 60-1000 Hz.
Although the small electric power lighting further continues after that, the operation is changed from the alternating current lighting of the small electric power lighting frequency to the direct current supply in the above mentioned lighting method. In this case, the polarity of the direct current is changed so as to supply a direct current to the electrode, so that the electrode which was a cathode in the previous direct current lighting becomes an anode. At this time, the electrode in the opposite side of the electrode which served as the anode last time, has served as an anode, and only the first projection 21 of the electrode which is near the arc attachment and is serving as the anode, is melting, whereby the melted portion rises due to surface tension, so that the second projection 22 is formed.
Although the small electric power lighting further continues after that, the operation is changed from the direct current lighting to an alternating current lighting of a small electric power lighting frequency selected from the range of 60-1,000 Hz. It is believed that the second projection 22 is formed at the tip of the first projection 21 of each of the electrodes, by repeating the operation.
The second projections 22 formed in such a manner, disappear when the operation is changed to the normal mode or economic mode, since the temperature of the electrodes rises with a rise of electric power. After that, the second projection 22 is again formed by the above mentioned mechanism when the operation is again changed to the small electric power lighting. Furthermore, in the discharge lamp according to the present invention, the second projection 22 is formed at the tip of each first projection 21, and arc discharge takes place therefrom as the starting point, light from the arc is hardly interrupted by the sphere section 20a of the electrode, so that, there is an advantage that the use efficiency of light is improved. In addition, as shown in
In
In the circuit, DC (direct current) lighting can be attained by adjusting the switching cycle of the switching elements Q1-Q4 of the full bridge circuit 2. In addition, output power can be attained by adjusting the operational duty ratio of the switching element Qx of the step down chopper circuit 1. For example, the output power is 230 W in the “normal mode” of steady state lighting, and 184 W in the “economic mode” of the steady state lighting, and 140 W in small electric power lighting. The switching element Qx of the step down chopper circuit 1 is turned on/off according to the duty ratio of the gate signal Gx, whereby the electric power which is supplied to the discharge lamp 10 is changed. That is, when an electric power is raised, the duty ratio of the switching element Qx is raised, and when the electric power is decreased, the duty ratio of the switching element Qx is decreased, so that the gate signal Gx is controlled so as to be an electric power value corresponding to the inputted electric power adjustment signal value.
A control unit 5 includes a drive signal generating unit 51 and a controller 52. The drive signal generating unit 51 comprises, for example, alternating current signal generating sections 51a-51c, a direct current signal generating section 51d, and a selector 51e which selects an output(s) therefrom, wherein the outputs from the alternating current signal generating sections 51a-51c and the direct current signal generating section 51d are selectively outputted, whereby an drive signal for driving the switching elements Q1-Q4 of the full bridge circuit 2 is generated. In
When an lighting instruction is given thereto, while the electric supply to the discharge lamp 10 starts, the lighting operation control section 52a of the controller 52 generates a starting circuit drive signal, thereby triggering the starter circuit 3 so that the discharge lamp 10 is turned on.
(2) When the discharge lamp 10 is lighted up, in the electric power control unit 52c, lighting electric power is calculated from the voltage value V detected by the voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2 and the current value I detected by the resistor Rx.
(3) The electric power control unit 52c of the controller 52 controls the switching element Qx of the step down chopper circuit 1, based on a lighting electric power command signal and the calculated value of electric power, thereby controlling lighting electric power.
(4) When a lighting electric power instruction value is large in the steady state lighting (larger than 80% of the rated power of the discharge lamp), the frequency selection section 52b of the controller 52 selects an output of the alternating current signal generating section 51a and an output of the alternating current signal generating section 51c by the selector 51e of the drive signal generating unit 51, thereby outputting, by turns, the steady state lighting frequency signal f1 and the low frequency signal f3 from the selector 51e. The output of the selector 51e is given to the switching elements Q1-Q4 of the full bridge circuit 2 through the driver 4. Although the switching elements Q1-Q4 are driven by the steady state lighting frequency signal f1 (60-1000 Hz) at the time of the steady state lighting, they are driven at the low frequency signal f3 (5-200 Hz), whose frequency is lower than the steady state lighting frequency, every first predetermined time (0.01 seconds-120 seconds), for a second predetermined period (a period of half cycle to 5 cycles of the low frequency signal). Refer to the waveform at the time of steady state lighting of
(5) When a lighting electric power instruction value is small (80% or less of the rated power of the discharge lamp) in small electric power lighting, the frequency selection section 52b of the controller 52 selects an output of the alternating current signal generating section 51b and an output of the direct current signal generating section 51d by the selector 51e of the drive signal generating unit 51, so as to output, by turns, the small electric power lighting frequency signal f2 and direct current voltage +V1, and −V1 from the selector 51e.
The polarity of the direct current voltage is reversed every time it is outputted. The output of the selector 51e is given to the switching elements Q1-Q4 of the full bridge circuit 2 through the driver 4. Although the switching elements Q1-Q4 are driven at the small electric power lighting frequency signal f2 (60-1000 Hz) at the time of the small electric power lighting, they are driven by the direct current voltage +V1 and −V1, wherein the polarity thereof changes by turns every third predetermined time (1-100 seconds), for a fourth predetermined period (0.2-5 seconds). Refer to a waveform at the time of the small electric power lighting of
(6) In addition, when the small electric power lighting continues for a long time (for example, 3 hours or more) in the small electric power lighting operation, a second projection deforms and the lamp voltage value V rises. When the voltage value V exceeds a threshold, the frequency selection section 52b of the controller 52 selects an output of the alternating current signal generating section 51b and an output of alternating current signal generating section 51c by the selector 51e of the drive signal generating unit 51, so that the small electric power lighting frequency signal f2 and the low frequency signal f3 are outputted by turns from the selector 51e. When the output of the selector 51e is given to the switching elements Q1-Q4 of the full bridge circuit 2 through the driver 4, although the switching elements Q1-Q4 are driven by the small electric power lighting frequency signal f2 (60-1000 Hz) at the time of the small electric power lighting, they are driven at the low frequency signal f3 (5-200 Hz), whose frequency is lower than the steady state lighting frequency, every first predetermined time (0.01-120 seconds) for the second predetermined period (a period of half cycle to 5 cycles of the low frequency signal). Refer to a waveform “a′” at the time of small electric power lighting of
Hereafter, the patterns shown in
And the lamp is turned on by the waveform (b) at time of the small electric power lighting with electric power smaller than that at the time of the steady state lighting. The waveform (b) includes an alternating current of the small electric power lighting frequency which is selected from the range of 60-1000 Hz, is supplied. In addition, direct current is supplied to a high pressure discharge lamp for time (direct current lighting period) selected from a range of 0.2-5 seconds at an interval of the direct current lighting, which is selected from the range of 1-100 seconds, (an interval between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current), so that alternating current of the small electric power lighting frequency and the direct current are supplied by turns so as to light the discharge lamp. Details of the waveform (b) are shown in Table 2.
When electric power at the time of steady state lighting (“normal mode”) is defined as 100% of rated power, electric power at time of power saving lighting is in a range of, for example, 60%-40% of the rated power. If a dimming range in one lamp is large, it is possible to display a clear image in a bright place by turning on the lamp with high electric power. In addition, it is possible to save energy in a dark place, by turning on the lamp with low electric power, and it is possible to reduce cooling function. Therefore, a reduced noise design (silent design) can be possible if the dimming range is large. Moreover, an image with a high contrast ratio can be displayed by continuously adjusting lighting electric power according to the image to be displayed. On the other hand, if electric power becomes 40% or less of that in the steady state lighting (normal mode), it becomes difficult to maintain lighting of the lamp.
At time of steady state lighting (at time of the normal mode or economic mode), the discharge lamp 10 is turned on with the waveform (a) in the pattern 2 of
This waveform (a′) falls in the waveform range at the time of steady state lighting, and alternating current of the frequency selected from the range of 60-1000 Hz is supplied, as alternating current of the second small electric power lighting frequency, to the high pressure discharge lamp. In addition, when frequency which is lower than the second small electric power lighting frequency and which is selected from a range of 5-200 Hz is defined as “low frequency,” alternating current of the “low frequency,” whose length is a half cycle or more to five or less cycle of the low frequency is applied at an interval selected from a range of 0.01-120 seconds (an interval from time low frequency is generated until the following low frequency is generated) with respect to the second small electric power lighting frequency, so that the alternating current of the low frequency and the alternating current of the second small electric power lighting frequency are applied by turns so as to turn on the discharge lamp. Thus, such deformation of the electrode can be controlled if the lamp is turned on with the waveform (a′) at the time of small electric power. In addition, the volume of the second projection of the electrode is very small, and a decrease in temperature of the second projection is small and further thermionic emission fully functions, so that an arc starting point is stabilized and a Flicker can be prevented. Specifically, the waveform (a′) is different from the waveform (a) in that only electric power thereof differs from each other. The lighting frequency, the low frequency, and the length of low frequency and the low frequency supply interval are all the same as those of the waveform (a). Detail of the waveform (a′) is shown in Table 3. In addition, the pattern of
Next, lighting parameters of the present invention at the time of small electric power lighting is described below. When the high pressure discharge lamp was operated in the small electric power lighting at the small electric power lighting frequency of 60 Hz or less or 1000 Hz or more, the flicker occurred. It is thought that, since the frequency is low when the cycle is 60 Hz or less, the temperature of the electrode falls too much while one electrode serves as a cathode, so that the temperature of the electrode cannot fully be raised even if the electrode serves as an anode next time, whereby an arc luminescent spot is not stabilized and a flicker occurs. Moreover, since it is viewed as a flicker by human's eyes when it is 60 Hz or less so that it is not practical. On the other hand, it is considered that since a period per one pulse is too short when it is 1000 Hz or more, the polarity thereof is reversed before the temperature of the electrode fully goes up, so that such a flicker occurs.
Moreover, also in case of a direct current lighting whose period is 0.2 seconds or less, or whose interval is 100 seconds or more, the temperature of the electrode cannot be fully raised, so that a flicker occurs. On the other hand, when the direct current lighting whose period is 5 seconds or more, or whose interval is 1 second or less, since the temperature of the electrode is too high, the second projection may not be formed, and in some cases, even the first projection may disappear depending on the conditions.
For such a reason, while alternating current of frequency selected from the range of 60-1000 Hz which is the small electric power lighting frequency, is supplied, direct current whose direct current lighting period is in a range for 0.2-5 seconds and whose interval is selected from the range which is 1-100 seconds, is supplied, so that the alternating current and the direct current by turns are supplied, whereby no flicker occurs and a good lighting state can be obtained.
In order to determine the numerical range of the lighting parameter of the present invention, the lighting conditions were changed so as to exam the existence of a flicker.
In the case of (3) of this figure, a lamp was lighted on the same lighting electric power as that in the case of (2), at small electric power lighting frequency of 60 Hz, providing direct current for lighting time of 1 second at an interval of 4 seconds between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current. As shown in this figure, except that lighting electric power was 81 W, in all the lighting operations of the case (3), no flicker occurred as indicated as “No”, a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” and electrodes were not deformed as indicated as “No,” so that the judgment was good as indicated as “Good,” respectively. However, in the case where the lighting electric power was 81 W, a flicker occurred as indicated as “Yes,” a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” and electrodes were deformed as indicated as “Yes,” so that the judgment was no-good as indicated as “NG.” Thus, if the lighting electric power turned into 35% of the rated power, the electrode tip could not be melted even if direct current lighting time was provided.
In the case of (4), a lamp was lighted on the same lighting electric power as that in the case of (2), at small electric power lighting frequency of 500 Hz, providing direct current for lighting time of 1 second at an interval of 4 seconds between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current. As shown in this figure, except that the lighting electric power was 81 W, in all the operations of the case (4), no flicker occurred as indicated as “No,” a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” and electrodes were not deformed as indicated as “No,” so that the judgment was good as indicated as “Good,” respectively. In the case where lighting electric power was 81 W, a flicker occurred as indicated as “Yes,” a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” and electrodes were deformed as indicated as “Yes,” so that the judgment was no-good, as indicated as “NG.” As in the case (3), when lighting electric power turned into 35% of the rated power, an electrode tip could not be melted, even if the direct current lighting time was provided. In the case (5) of this figure, a lamp was lighted on the same lighting electric power as that in the case (2), at small electric power lighting frequency of 1000 Hz, providing direct current for lighting time of 1 second at an interval of 4 seconds between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current. As shown in this figure, except that the lighting electric power was 81 W, in all the operations of the case (5), no flicker occurred as indicated as “No,” a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” and electrodes were not deformed, so that the judgment was good as indicated as “Good,” respectively. However, in the case where the lighting electric power was 81 W, a flicker occurred as indicated as “Yes,” a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” and electrodes were deformed as indicated as “Yes,” so that the judgment was no-good as indicated as “NG.” As in the cases (3) and (4), when lighting electric power turned into 35% of the rated power, an electrode tip could not be melted, even if direct current lighting time was provided.
In the case of (6) of this figure, a lamp was lighted on the same lighting electric power as that in the case of (2), at small electric power lighting frequency of 1100 Hz, providing direct current for lighting time of 1 second at an interval of 4 seconds between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current. As shown in this figure, a flicker occurred as indicated as “Yes,” a “first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” and electrodes were deformed as indicated as “Yes,” so that the judgment was no-good, as indicated as “NG,” respectively. In this case, since the small electric power lighting frequency is high, the polarity was inverted before the electrode warmed up, so that there was no keeping-warm effect and an electrode tip could not be melted even in the direct current lighting.
In the case of (7) of this figure, a lamp was lighted on lighting electric power of 92 W (the rated power ratio: 40%), at small electric power lighting frequency of 500 Hz, providing direct current while changing lighting time of 0.1 second, 0.2 seconds, 5 seconds, and 6 seconds, at an interval 4 seconds between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current. As shown in this figure, when the direct current lighting time was 0.1 second, a flicker occurred as indicated as “Yes,” a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” and electrodes were deformed as indicated as “Yes,” so that the judgment was no-good as indicated as “NG.” When direct current lighting time was 6 seconds, a flicker occurred as indicated as “Yes,” a first projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” a second projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” and electrodes were deformed as indicated as “Yes,” so that the judgment wad no-good as indicated as “NG.” However, when the direct current lighting time was 0.2 seconds, and 5 seconds, a flicker did not occur as indicated as “No,” a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” and electrodes were not deformed as indicated as “No,” so that the judgment was good as indicated as “Good,” respectively. In this case, when the direct current lighting time was 0.1 second, since the period during which an electrode was warmed was short, an electrode tip could not be melted. On the other hand, when it was 6 seconds, since the period during which an electrode was warmed was too long, the first projection was also melted, so that the judgment was no-good.
In the case of (8) of this figure, a lamp was lighted on the same lighting electric power as that in the case of (2), at small electric power lighting frequency of 500 Hz, providing direct current for lighting time of 1 second while changing intervals between generation of direct current and generation the following direct current, as 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 100 seconds, and 110 seconds. As shown in this figure, when the interval between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current was 0.5 seconds, a flicker occurred as indicated as “Yes,” a projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” a second projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” and electrodes were deformed as indicated as “Yes,” so that the judgment was no-good as indicated as “NG.” In the case where the interval between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current was 110 seconds, a flicker occurred as indicated as “Yes,” a projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” and a second projection was not formed as indicated as “No,” and electrodes were deformed as indicated as “Yes,” so that the judgment was no-good as indicated as “NG.” However, when the intervals between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current were 1 second and 100 seconds, a flicker did not occur as indicated as “No,” a first projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” a second projection was formed as indicated as “Yes,” and electrodes were not deformed as indicated “No,” so that the judgment was good as indicated as “Good,” respectively. In this case, when a period between generation of direct current and the following generation of direct current was 0.5 seconds, the electrodes were warmed frequently so that the first projection was melted. On the other hand, when it was 110 seconds, since the interval during which the electrodes were warmed was too long, the electrode tip could not be melted even if the direct current lighting time was provided.
In the above embodiments, description of the current waveform patterns at the time of the steady state lighting time (where the lamp is turned on with electric power larger than 80% of the rated power) and at the time of the small electric power lighting (where the lamp was turned on with 80% or less of electric power of rated power) is given. However, in a brightness adjustment mode using a dimming function (in which an input electric power to the lamp is controlled so as to be low according to a screen in order to raise a contrast ratio), the lamp can be stably turned on by lighting the lamp with the current waveform at the time of the small electric power lighting.
The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the present high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-297735 | Nov 2008 | JP | national |
