Abstract: A discharge lamp operating apparatus or a compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes: an AC/DC conversion unit 5 for converting an alternating voltage phase-controlled by a dimmer 2 into a direct current voltage; a DC/AC conversion unit 6 for converting an output from the AC/DC conversion unit 5 into a high frequency voltage and applying the high frequency voltage to a discharge lamp, whereby the discharge lamp is intermittently operated; and a dimming control unit 7 which generates a dimming instruction signal for driving the DC/AC conversion unit 6 so that the discharge lamp performs an intermittent operation and outputs the dimming instruction signal to the DC/AC conversion unit via a photocoupler 9, and synchronizes the timings of turn-ON and turn OFF of the phase-controlled voltage with the timings of turn-ON and turn OFF of an operation of the DC/AC conversion unit 6, respectively.

Abstract: A self-ballasted electrodeless discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel having a cavity, an induction coil that is inserted into the cavity, a ballast for supplying power to the induction coil, a case for covering the ballast, and a lamp base provided in the case. The discharge vessel is secured to the case via a holder. A part of the discharge vessel and a first portion of the holder are engaged with each other to constitute a combination structure. A second portion of the holder and a part of the case are engaged with each other to constitute a combination structure.

Abstract: A winding rod 104a of a bobbin 104 around which a winding 103 of an induction coil 109 is wound is inserted into a re-entrant part 120 of a luminous bulb 101. Plural projections 108, 108, . . . are provided on the winding rod 104a. These projections 108, 108, . . . project toward the wall surface of the re-entrant part 120 beyond the winding 103 of the induction coil 109. The winding 103 of the induction coil 109 is formed closer to the winding rod 104a than a virtual line linking between the adjacent corners of the adjacent projections 108 and 108 in the circumferential direction of the winding rod 104a.

Abstract: A discharge lamp operating apparatus or a compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes: an AC/DC conversion unit 5 for converting an alternating voltage phase-controlled by a dimmer 2 into a direct current voltage; a DC/AC conversion unit 6 for converting an output from the AC/DC conversion unit 5 into a high frequency voltage and applying the high frequency voltage to a discharge lamp, whereby the discharge lamp is intermittently operated; and a dimming control unit 7 which generates a dimming instruction signal for driving the DC/AC conversion unit 6 so that the discharge lamp performs an intermittent operation and outputs the dimming instruction signal to the DC/AC conversion unit via a photocoupler 9, and synchronizes the timings of turn-ON and turn OFF of the phase-controlled voltage with the timings of turn-ON and turn OFF of an operation of the DC/AC conversion unit 6, respectively.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp with a first coupling member includes a translucent discharge vessel in which a discharge gas is enclosed. A bobbin that includes a coil holding part for an induction coil and a vessel mounting part with a second coupling member is formed as a single piece. The coil holding part holds the induction coil on an outer surface thereof and is placed in proximity to the discharge vessel. The first and second coupling members are complementary and engage to mount the discharge vessel on the vessel mounting part of the bobbin to assure a long life and a positioning accuracy of the discharge vessel and the induction coil thereof.

Abstract: An electrode-less discharge lamp lighting apparatus which is electrically connected to a dimming unit (2) is provided with: an electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3); and a lighting circuit (4) operable to apply a high-frequency voltage to the electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3), wherein the lighting circuit (4) includes: an AC/DC converting unit (5) operable to convert a phase-controlled AC voltage outputted from the dimming unit (2) into a DC voltage; a DC/AC converting unit (6) operable to convert the DC voltage into a high-frequency voltage; and a dimming controlling unit (7) that includes a resistor (29), a switching element (28), and a timer circuit (27) so as to detect a timing of a turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and to, based on the detected timing, allow a current whose value is at least a threshold to flow across output terminals of the AC/DC converting unit (5) for at least a duration of a time lag between the turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and the generation of the high-freque

Abstract: The invention provides a self-ballasted fluorescent lamp provided with a function for operating normally when the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp is inadvertently connected to a lighting fixture provided with a light bulb dimmer if the dimmer is at the maximum level, and with a function for reliably stopping operation of the ballast circuit if the dimmer is in a dimmed state and thereby latch the lamp in an unlit state and protect the ballast circuit. Even if the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp is connected to a power source via a light bulb dimmer, when a current detected by a current detection circuit exceeds a predetermined current value, a stop circuit stops operation of an inverter circuit and latches it in that stopped state in order to maintain the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp in an unlit state.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes an induction coil that includes a core and a winding wound around the core and generates an electromagnetic filed inside a bulb, an insert portion provided inside the core, and a plane portion that releases heat from the insert portion to the outside of a case. A tolerance in the inductance of the induction coil is reduced by spacing the end portion of the core on the side of the plane portion apart from the plane portion, which makes reliable start-up possible.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes a translucent bulb enclosing a luminous material; a coil for generating an alternating magnetic field that causes discharge in the luminous material; a power source for supplying an alternating current to the coil, the coil including a core and a winding provided near the bulb; and further includes startability improving means for improving startability of the lamp by generating a portion in which the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil is intensified in the bulb.

Abstract: The induction coil core used for an induction coil of a discharge lamp, the discharge lamp including: a bulb containing discharge gas inside; and the induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field with a frequency in a range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz inclusive in the bulb. The core is made of a Mn—Zn polycrystalline ferrite and has a Curie temperature of 270° C. or more.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes: a bulb filled with discharge gas; an induction coil; a power supply circuit including a plurality of electric components; a case for accommodating the plurality of electric components; a stick-shaped heat conducting member; a first planar heat conducting member thermally connected to the stick-shaped heat conducting member; a second heat conducting member thermally connected to the first heat conducting member; and a third heat conducting member for thermally connecting at least two of the plurality of electric components, wherein the second heat conducting member is thermally connected to the case, and the thermal conductivity of the first heat conducting member is lower than the thermal conductivity of the stick-shaped heat conducting member and the thermal conductivity of the second heat conducting member.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrodeless discharge lamp whose discharge vessel will not fall off for long until the last stage of the lifespan of the lamp, and is capable of obtaining a uniform luminous performance throughout its luminous area by assuring a positioning accuracy of the discharge vessel and the induction coil thereof.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes: a bulb filled with discharge gas; an induction coil; a power supply circuit including a plurality of electric components; a case for accommodating the plurality of electric components; a stick-shaped heat conducting member; a first planar heat conducting member thermally connected to the stick-shaped heat conducting member; a second heat conducting member thermally connected to the first heat conducting member; and a third heat conducting member for thermally connecting at least two of the plurality of electric components, wherein the second heat conducting member is thermally connected to the case, and the thermal conductivity of the first heat conducting member is lower than the thermal conductivity of the stick-shaped heat conducting member and the thermal conductivity of the second heat conducting member.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-ballasted fluorescent lamp provided with a function for operating normally when the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp is inadvertently connected to a lighting fixture provided with a light bulb dimmer if the dimmer is at the maximum level, and with a function for reliably stopping operation of the ballast circuit if the dimmer is in a dimmed state and thereby latch the lamp in an unlit state and protect the ballast circuit. Even if the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp is connected to a power source via a light bulb dimmer, when a current detected by a current detection circuit exceeds a predetermined current value, a stop circuit stops operation of an inverter circuit and latches it in that stopped state in order to maintain the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp in an unlit state.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp operating apparatus includes a transparent discharge vessel (1) in which a luminescent substance is enclosed; a coil (3) for generating an alternating electromagnetic field that discharges the luminescent substance; a power source (4) for supplying alternating current to the coil (3). The coil (3) comprises at least a magnetic material, and is disposed on an inner side than the outer side wall of the discharge vessel (1), and the luminescent substance comprises at least a rare gas, and does not comprise mercury.

Abstract: A discharge lamp operating apparatus includes a DC power circuit portion for outputting a DC voltage; an inverter circuit including a switching element provided with a control terminal for converting an output from the DC power circuit portion to an AC voltage; a control terminal driving circuit for controlling the switching element provided with a control terminal to be on or off; and a resonant load circuit including a discharge lamp, a first inductor and a first capacitor. The control terminal driving circuit includes a drive winding mutually coupled to the first inductor; a series circuit of a voltage clamp element and an impedance element, the series circuit being connected to at least one end of the drive winding, and the control terminal driving circuit is configured to control the switching element provided with a control terminal to be on or off by a voltage generated at the drive winding.

Abstract: A self-ballasted electrodeless discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel having a cavity, an induction coil that is inserted into the cavity, a ballast for supplying power to the induction coil, a case for covering the ballast, and a lamp base provided in the case. The discharge vessel is secured to the case via a holder. A part of the discharge vessel and a first portion of the holder are engaged with each other to constitute a combination structure. A second portion of the holder and a part of the case are engaged with each other to constitute a combination structure.

Abstract: In a conventional electrodeless discharge lamp, a large amount of magnetic field leaks from at light-transparent envelope, and the efficiency of conversion from electric power to light energy is low. In a electrodeless discharge lamp in which light-emitting gases in a light-transparent envelope are excited with a magnetic field generated from a coil, end portions of a magnetic material included in the coil are substantially axially disposed in the light-transparent envelope. As a result, the magnetic flux which leaks outside the light-transparent envelope is decreased so the density of the magnetic flux in the envelope is increased and the efficiency of the lamp is improved.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp operating at relatively low frequencies (50-500 kHz) whereby a ferrite core is utilized to generate the necessary magnetic and electric fields to maintain the discharge where the core material is Mn—Zn type combination due to its low power losses, 400 mW/cm3, in the frequency range of 50-100 kHz and magnetic field strengths of 150 mT. Furthermore, the material may cover a variety of atomic percentages of Mn and Zn added to Fe2O3 base to obtain favorable grain boundary and crystalline structure, resulting in a practical ferrite core material, having a Curie temperature greater than 200° C. Such material enables the operation of electrodeless fluorescent lamps with powers ranging from 10 W to about 250 W at low frequencies, as mentioned above, in such a manner that ferrite core losses constitute less than 20% of the lamp power and heat generated by core losses is minimized.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes a translucent bulb enclosing a luminous material; a coil for generating an alternating magnetic field that causes discharge in the luminous material; a power source for supplying an alternating current to the coil, the coil including a core and a winding provided near the bulb; and further includes startability improving means for improving startability of the lamp by generating a portion in which the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil is intensified in the bulb.