Abstract: The orientation of fluorescent lamps is detected in a manufacturing method for a direct backlight unit that alternates orientations of adjacent fluorescent lamps. In a preparation step of the manufacturing method for the backlight unit of the present invention, a plurality of fluorescent lamps are prepared. In each of the fluorescent lamps, a length (a1) from a first sealed portion of a glass bulb (26) to a non-phosphor layer (32) area is shorter than a length (a2) from a second sealed portion to a non-phosphor layer (32) area (a1<a2). In a detection step, the difference between the lengths is detected with use of a sensor. In an installation step, the fluorescent lamps are arranged with use of the detection results so that the first and second ends alternate on a same side of a housing.

Abstract: The orientation of fluorescent lamps is detected in a manufacturing method for a direct backlight unit that alternates orientations of adjacent fluorescent lamps. In a preparation step of the manufacturing method for the backlight unit of the present invention, a plurality of fluorescent lamps are prepared. In each of the fluorescent lamps, a length (a1) from a first sealed portion of a glass bulb (26) to a non-phosphor layer (32) area is shorter than a length (a2) from a second sealed portion to a non-phosphor layer (32) area (a1<a2). In a detection step, the difference between the lengths is detected with use of a sensor. In an installation step, the fluorescent lamps are arranged with use of the detection results so that the first and second ends alternate on a same side of a housing.

Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp has an improved heat dissipation characteristic without an overall increase in size, and a lead wire thereof does not readily break. The cold cathode fluorescent lamp (20) includes electrodes (28 and 30) composed of electrode main bodies (28a and 30a) that are located in an interior of a glass bulb (21), a lead wire (28b and 30b), the glass bulb (21) having ends into which the lead wires are sealed, and a heat dissipater (32 and 34) that is provided on an other portion of the lead wire, the other portion being outside the glass bulb 21. The portion of the heat dissipater surrounding the lead wire (28b and 30b) are in contact with the end surfaces (21c and 21d) of the glass bulb, when viewed externally along an extending direction of the lead wire.

Abstract: A cold-cathode fluorescent lamp including a glass bulb, a pair of hollow electrodes, and a pair of electrically connected terminals. The hollow electrodes each include an electrode body and a lead wire. The hollow electrodes are hermetically connected to the glass bulb at both ends of the glass bulb. The pair of electrically connected terminals are thin coats that are, except for connection portions connected to lead wires, provided on an outer surface of the glass bulb at both ends of the glass bulb.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp including a glass bulb that is in a shape of a tube. External electrodes are formed as conductive layers each of which covers an outer surface of the glass bulb at an end thereof. Metal members in a shape of a cap are respectively connected to the external electrodes by covering at least part of the external electrodes. The metal members are formed such that rims of the metal members recede from a center of the glass bulb in the tube axis direction a distance L than rims of the external electrodes.

Abstract: A backlight unit has an external electrode fluorescent lamp in an housing. The external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a glass bulb having a discharge space inside, and electrodes around both ends of the glass bulb. A protective layer and a phosphor layer are formed on an internal surface of the glass bulb in this order. The glass bulb is made of soda glass, and sodium oxide precipitated from this soda glass appears on part of the internal surface of the glass bulb where the protective layer is not formed, so as to be exposed to the discharge space.

Abstract: A discharge lamp includes a glass bulb and a pair of electrodes provided at both ends of the glass bulb. At least one of the electrodes is an external electrode formed on an outer surface of the glass bulb as a thin layer whose maximum thickness is 70 ?m or less, and an end portion of the external electrode becomes smaller in thickness towards an end of the external electrode.

Abstract: A backlight unit has an external electrode fluorescent lamp in a housing. The external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a glass bulb having a discharge space inside, and electrodes around both ends of the glass bulb. A protective layer and a phosphor layer are formed on an internal surface of the glass bulb in this order. The glass bulb is made of soda glass, and sodium oxide precipitated from this soda glass appears on part of the internal surface of the glass bulb where the protective layer is not formed, so as to be exposed to the discharge space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp, and in particular to a fluorescent lamp with an improved in-dark starting characteristic. A fluorescent lamp includes: a glass bulb (101) having a discharge space therein; two external electrodes (102 and 103) provided at both ends of the glass bulb; and a phosphor layer (106) provided on an inner surface of the glass bulb. The glass bulb is made of glass that contains 3% to 20% inclusive of sodium oxide. The phosphor layer includes phosphor particles (106R and 106G) containing no alumina and phosphor particles (106B) containing alumina. A metal oxide (107) is attached to surfaces of the phosphor particles containing alumina. Sodium oxide precipitated on the inner surface of the glass bulb improves the in-dark starting characteristic. The phosphor particles containing alumina are protected by the metal oxide for being susceptible to deterioration due to reaction thereof with sodium oxide.

Abstract: A discharge lamp includes a glass bulb and a pair of electrodes provided at both ends of the glass bulb. At least one of the electrodes is an external electrode formed on an outer surface of the glass bulb as a thin layer whose maximum thickness is 70 ?m or less, and an end portion of the external electrode becomes smaller in thickness towards an end of the external electrode.

Abstract: A backlight unit has an external electrode fluorescent lamp in an housing. The external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a glass bulb having a discharge space inside, and electrodes around both ends of the glass bulb. A protective layer and a phosphor layer are formed on an internal surface of the glass bulb in this order. The glass bulb is made of soda glass, and sodium oxide precipitated from this soda glass appears on part of the internal surface of the glass bulb where the protective layer is not formed, so as to be exposed to the discharge space.

Abstract: A cold-cathode fluorescent lamp including a glass bulb, a pair of hollow electrodes, and a pair of electrically connected terminals. The hollow electrodes each include an electrode body and a lead wire. The hollow electrodes are hermetically connected to the glass bulb at both ends of the glass bulb. The pair of electrically connected terminals are thin coats that are, except for connection portions connected to lead wires, provided on an outer surface of the glass bulb at both ends of the glass bulb.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp including a glass bulb that is in a shape of a tube. External electrodes are formed as conductive layers each of which covers an outer surface of the glass bulb at an end thereof. Metal members in a shape of a cap are respectively connected to the external electrodes by covering at least part of the external electrodes. The metal members are formed such that rims of the metal members recede from a center of the glass bulb in the tube axis direction a distance L than rims of the external electrodes.