Fluorescent tube structure

The present invention relates to a fluorescent tube structure, which fluoresces when connecting electric power, including a base plate and an upper cover forming a enclosed discharge chamber, wherein pellicles applied inside to enable an illuminant to project to the curved surface of the upper cover and then be reflected to the base plate, which enhances illumination and also reduces illumination loss to the lateral, thereby improving illuminant efficiency. The present invention can be used as a backlight on illuminating and electronic display devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fluorescent tube structure, which fluoresces when connecting electric power, and more particularly to apply layers of pellicles to an inner surface of the fluorescent tube and a base plate to enhance illuminant efficiency. The present invention can be used as a backlight of illuminating and electronic display devices.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Referring toFIG. 1. A conventional fluorescent tube10, short in life and fast in illumination decay, is formed by applying diluted fluorescent material12to an inner surface of a glass tube11and then assembled after processing. Referring toFIG. 2. Another conventional fluorescent tube10, usually with a thickness over 10 mm, is formed by infusing into mercury, Ar, Ne, and Kr etc after vacuuming. Due to a thicker thickness, the tube10requires a larger room to install, which lowers the efficiency. With the tube10usually used as an illuminating device installing on the ceiling and with its thick and long tube, heat generating from illuminating rises the tube temperature, which yellows the tube after long use, causing a downgrade in illuminant efficiency and also a possible fire.

Another type of illuminant is a backlight of an electronic display device, which divided into an edge side illuminant and a rear direct illuminant. The edge side illuminant, low in luminance and high in cost, is to place an illuminant (Light Emitting Diode, LED) on a lateral of a light guide plate to guide light through the light guide plate to a reflective sheet, wherein forming an area illuminant, and further to illuminate a LCD panel. The rear direct illuminant uses a Cold Cathode Fluorescence Lamp (CCFL) as the illuminant placed on the rear of the LCD, wherein an expand sheet formed in front and a reflective sheet behind. Light from the CCFL will be reflected and expanded and finally illuminated the LCD panel. The rear direct illuminant requires a wider fluorescent tubes' spacing and a thicker tube thickness, which may generate shadows and requires a large installation space, respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide an illuminant tube with thin tube thickness, less light loss from lateral and with high illuminant efficiency.

The present invention relates to a fluorescent tube structure, which fluoresces when connecting electric power, comprising a base plate and an upper cover forming a enclosed discharge chamber, wherein a protective pellicle, a reflective pellicle, and a fluorescent pellicle applied inside to enable an illuminant to project to the curved surface of the upper cover and then be reflected to the base plate, which enhances illumination and also reduces illumination loss to the lateral, thereby improving illuminant efficiency. The present invention can be used as a backlight of illuminating and electronic display devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 3. The present invention relates to a fluorescent tube20comprising a base plate21and an upper cover22, wherein the base plate21is of a flat surface and the upper cover22is of a heat processed continual wave form. On the base plate21, a layer of less than 3 μm protective pellicle31and followed by a layer of about 5˜20 μm fluorescent pellicle32are applied. On an inner surface of the upper cover22, a layer of protective pellicle31, followed by a layer of reflective pellicle33and a layer of fluorescent pellicle32are applied. The method used for applying pellicle can be coating, steam plating, or printing.

By applying transparent adhesive221and211on the connection surfaces222and212, respectively, and forcing the upper cover22and the base plate21to bond together, a discharge chamber23thereby formed. To maximize the bonding effect, material for the base plate21and the upper cover22is preferably with the same or close thermal expansion coefficient.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5. After formation of the fluorescent tube20, the discharge chamber23is infused with Ar, Ne, and Kr etc, separated or combined, and then with mercury from the exhaust hole26. The exhaust hole26can then be sealed.

Referring toFIG. 5, an application to the present invention. To prevent high temperature, generated due to illuminating, from spreading to a nearby area of the discharge chamber23, cooling tubes27formed, accompanying with cooling holes24to exhaust heat energy, thereby keeping the discharge chamber23a constant temperature and also an uniform illumination. Electrodes25are formed by a Nickel-based fiber, which is advantageous in not only transmitting heat, but also increasing current density and lowering working voltage. To improve blacken on electrodes25, due to explosive material generated during discharging, suction points231closing to electrodes25are formed to catch explosive material and also unify the current, thereby creating an uniform illumination, reducing electric charges on the tube and also lowering the electric discharging voltage.

Comparing with the conventional fluorescent tube, the present invention has the following advantages:1. thin in tube thickness, which reduces the weight;2. uniform in illumination and light color;3. lower in production cost;4. longer in service life.

In summary, the present invention thins the tube, reduces illumination loss to the lateral, and enhances illuminant efficiency.