Discharge lamp

Abstract: A discharge lamp comprising an arc tube containing a pair of electrodes in a light-emitting portion and an outer tube that envelops the light-emitting portion and is at least partly fused to the arc tube, wherein the outer tube comprises silicon dioxide in the range from 90 to 99.88 wt. % and boron in the range from 0.12 wt. % or more. The discharge lamp can inhibit the arc tube from deforming when the outer tube and arc tube are fused to each other by adjusting a softening temperature of the outer tube to an appropriate temperature and can realize a high accuracy of luminous intensity distribution.

Description: The present invention relates to a discharge lamp used for an automobile headlight, a light source for the backlight of a liquid crystal projector or the like. A discharge lamp is provided with an arc tube having a pair of electrodes in a gas and uses light emitted by an arc discharge generated in the arc tube. In this discharge lamp, light emitted from the arc tube includes ultraviolet rays. Therefore, there was a problem in that the ultraviolet rays deteriorate the quality of various components such as a reflecting mirror, a front glass, etc., which are located in the vicinity of the discharge lamp. In order to eliminate such a problem, a discharge lamp in which an arc tube is enveloped by an outer tube containing additives capable of absorbing ultraviolet rays has been suggested. This discharge lamp is produced by inserting the arc tube into the outer tube and then fusing the end portion of the outer tube to the arc tube. However, in the above-mentioned discharge lamp, both the outer tube and the arc tube are made of silica glass. Since the softening temperature of the outer tube is high and the same level as that of the arc tube, when the outer tube is fused to the arc tube, the arc tube also may be softened and deformed. The softening of the arc tube causes the electrodes located in the arc tube to deviate from the appropriate location, and, in turn, an arc generated between the electrodes to deviate, which may result in deteriorating the accuracy of luminous intensity distribution of the discharge lamp. It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge lamp achieving a high accuracy of luminous intensity distribution by inhibiting the deformation of the arc tube. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first discharge lamp of the present invention is defined in claim 1. In the first discharge lamp the outer tube contains 0.12 weight % (referred to as wt.% hereinafter) or more of boron. Thus, the softening temperature of the outer tube can be adjusted to a more preferable temperature. Furthermore, in the first discharge lamp that the expression: w B /D ≦ 120 is satisfied, wherein w B [wt.%] is the content of boron in the outer tube and D [mm] is the shortest distance between the inner surface of the outer tube and the external surface of the light-emitting portion. Thus, the softening temperature of the outer tube is inhibited from becoming excessively low. Furthermore, the outer tube is inhibited from deforming with the passage of the lighting time of the discharge lamp. Still furthermore, it is preferable in the first discharge lamp that the expression: w B /L ≦ 1.2 is satisfied, wherein w B [wt.%] is the content of boron in the outer tube and L [mm] is the shortest distance between the tip of the electrode located in the light-emitting portion and the portion where the outer tube and the arc tube are fused to each other. Thus, the softening temperature of the outer tube is inhibited from becoming excessively low. Furthermore, the fusing portion is inhibited from deforming with the passage of the lighting time of the discharge lamp. Still furthermore, in the first discharge lamp that the outer tube contains 90 to 99.88 wt.% of silicon dioxide. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a second discharge lamp of the present invention is defined in claim 6. In the second discharge lamp the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr ) ≧ 0.12 is satisfied, wherein w B [wt.%] is the content of boron, w Al [wt.%] is the content of aluminum and w Zr [wt.%] is the content of zirconium in the outer tube. Furthermore, in the second discharge lamp that the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr )/D ≦ 120 is satisfied, wherein w B [wt.%] is the content of boron, w Al [wt.%] is the content of aluminum, w Zr [wt.%] is the content of zirconium in the outer tube, and D [mm] is the shortest distance between the inner surface of the outer tube and the external surface of the light-emitting portion. Thus, the outer tube can be inhibited from deforming with the passage of the lighting time of the discharge lamp. Still furthermore, it is preferable in the second discharge lamp that the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr ) / L ≦ 1.2 is satisfied, wherein w B [wt.%] is the content of boron, w Al [wt.%] is the content of aluminum, w Zr [wt.%] is the content of zirconium it the outer tube, and L [mm] is the shortest distance between the tip of the electrode located in the light-emitting portion and the portion where the outer tube and the arc tube are fused to each other. Thus, the fused portion can be inhibited from deforming with the passage of the lighting time of the discharge lamp. Still furthermore, in the second discharge lamp that the outer tube contains 90 to 99.88 wt.% of silicon dioxide. In the first and second discharge lamps that the outer tube contains no more than 0.1 wt.% of at least one element selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. Furthermore, it is preferable in the first and second discharge lamps that the outer tube further comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of cerium, titanium, iron, praseodymium and europium. Thus, ultraviolet rays radiated from the discharge lamp can be reduced. Moreover, it is preferable that the content of the above-mentioned element in the outer tube is 0.01 to 1 wt.%. Still further, it is preferable in the first and second discharge lamps that the expression: P/D ≦ 2000 is satisfied, wherein P [W] is an electric power supplied to the discharge lamp and D [mm] is the shortest distance between the inner surface of the outer tube and the external surface of the light-emitting portion. Thus, the deformation of the outer tube due to the temperature increase in the outer tube during the lighting operation of the discharge lamp can be inhibited. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a discharge lamp of one example of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way of Examples with reference to the drawing. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a discharge lamp according to one example of the present invention. An arc tube 1 comprises a spherical tubular light-emitting portion 1a forming a discharge space, flat sealing portions 1b and 1c that seal the both ends of the light-emitting portion 1a and a cylindrical side tube portion 1d provided continuously with the sealing portion 1c. The light-emitting portion 1a is provided with a pair of electrodes 5a and 5b and filled with mercury, metal halide and inert gas. One end of the electrode 5a is placed in the light-emitting portion 1a, and another end is connected to an outer lead wire 7a via a metal foil 6a embedded in the sealing portion 1c. Similarly, one end of the electrode 5b is placed in the light-emitting portion 1a and another end is connected to an outer lead wire 7b via a metal foil 6b embedded in the sealing portion 1b. An outer tube 2 has an inner diameter that is larger than that of the light-emitting portion 1a. The arc tube 1 is inserted in the outer tube 2. The ends of the outer tube 2 are fused to the sealing portion 1b and the side tube portion 1d, respectively. In other words, the outer tube 2 is joined to the arc tube 1 so that it envelops the light-emitting portion 1a. Furthermore, the arc tube 1 fused to the outer tube 2 is inserted into the concave portion formed in a base 3 and fixed with a support 4. Furthermore, the outer lead wire 7a is connected to a connection terminal 8a formed in the base 3, and the outer lead wire 7b is connected to a connection terminal 8b via a power supply line 9. The arc tube 1 is made of silica glass. The softening temperature of the silica glass constituting the arc tube 1 is preferably 1600 to 1700 °C, more preferably 1650 to 1700 °C. The silica glass constituting the arc tube 1 preferably contains 90 wt.% or more of silicon dioxide, more preferably 95 wt.% or more, further preferably 98 wt.% or more. In addition, the silica glass may contain various kinds of elements as additives and impurities as long as the softening temperature of the glass is not excessively reduced and the glass is not devitrified with respect to visible light. The outer tube 2 is made of silica glass. The silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 contains silicon dioxide in the range from 90 to 99.88 wt.%, more preferably 95 to 99.8 wt.%, further preferably 97 to 99.5 wt.%. The silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 has a softening temperature that is sufficiently lower than that of the silica glass constituting the arc tube 1. The softening temperature of the silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 is lower than that constituting the arc tube 1 preferably by 50 °C or more, more preferably by 100 °C or more. Specifically, the softening temperature is preferably 1650 °C or less, more preferably 1600 °C or less, and further preferably 1550 °C or less. In order to achieve the above-mentioned softening temperature, the silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 contains additives capable of reducing the softening temperature. As such additives, at least one element selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum and zirconium can be used. In particular, it is preferable that boron is used alone or in combination with at least one of aluminum and zirconium. The greater the amount of the above-mentioned additives, the more the softening temperature of the silica glass can be lowered. Therefore, the lower limit of the content of the additives is specified as the amount capable of achieving the above-mentioned softening temperature. When boron is used alone as the additive, the content (w B wt.%) is 0.12 wt.% or more, more preferably 0.3 wt.% or more. On the other hand, when the boron is used in combination with at least one of aluminum and zirconium as the additives, the content of the additives satisfies the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr ) ≧ 0.12, more preferably the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr ) ≧ 0.3. Herein, w Al [wt.%] and w Zr [wt.%] represent the contents of aluminum and zirconium, respectively. Furthermore, it is preferable that the softening temperature of the silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 is sufficiently higher than the temperature the outer tube 2 reaches during the lighting operation of the discharge lamp. When the discharge lamp lights up, the light-emitting portion 1a is heated by the heat generated by the electrodes 5a and 5b, subsequently the outer tube 2 is heated by the heat from the light-emitting portion 1a. Furthermore, the portion where the outer tube 2 and the arc tube 1 are fused to each other is heated by a heat conducted from the electrodes via a metal foil and the outer lead wire. Therefore, the temperature that the outer tube 2 reaches during the lighting operation of the discharge lamp depends upon the distance between the outer tube 2 and the light-emitting portion 1a, and the distance between the portion where the outer tube 2 and the arc tube 1 are fused to each other and the electrode. Therefore, the softening temperature of the silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 can be determined by the distance between the outer tube 2 and the light-emitting portion 1a, more specifically by the shortest distance D [mm] between the inner surface of the outer tube 2 and the external surface of the light-emitting portion 1a. Moreover, D depends on an electric power P [W] that is supplied to the discharge lamp. Preferably, D is set so that the expression: P/D ≦ 2000 is satisfied. For example, in a 35 W lamp, D is usually 0.05 to 2 mm, preferably 0.1 to 2 mm. Furthermore, the softening temperature can be determined by the distance between the portion where the outer tube 2 and the arc tube 1 are fused to each other and the electrode, more specifically the shortest distance L [mm] between the portion where the outer tube 2 and the arc tube 1 are fused to each other and the tip of the electrode located in the light-emitting portion 1a. Herein, L means the shortest distance among L 1 and L 2 . L 1 is a distance between the tip of the electrode 5a located in the light-emitting portion 1a and the portion where the inner surface of the outer tube 2 is in contact with the light-emitting portion 1a. L 2 is a distance between the tip of the electrode 5b located in the light-emitting portion 1a and the portion where the inner surface of the outer tube 2 is in contact with the light-emitting portion 1a. Moreover, L 1 and L 2 may be the same or different from each other. Furthermore, L is set based on the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp. For example, in a 35 W lamp, L is usually 3 to 5 mm, preferably 3.8 to 4.6 mm. For example, in the case of a 35 W lamp, the softening temperature of the silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 is 1400 °C or more, and more preferably 1450 °C or more. Therefore, the upper limit of the content of the above-mentioned additives can be specified by the distance between the outer tube 2 and the light-emitting portion 1a. When boron is used alone as the additive, the content of boron (w B wt.%) satisfies the expression: w B /D ≦ 120, more preferably w B /D ≦ 100. Moreover, when boron is used in combination with at least one of aluminum and zirconium as the additives, the contents of the elements satisfy the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr )/D ≦ 120, more preferably the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr )/D ≦ 100. Furthermore, the upper limit of the content of the above-mentioned additives also can be specified by the distance between the portion where the outer tube 2 and the arc tube 1 are fused to each other and the electrode. When boron is used alone as the additive, the content of boron (w B wt. %) preferably satisfies the expression: w B /L ≦ 1.2, more preferably w B /L ≦ 0.8. Moreover, when boron is used in combination with at least one of aluminum and zirconium as the additives, the contents of the elements preferably satisfy the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr )/L ≦ 1.2, more preferably the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr )/L ≦ 0.8. The content of boron in the silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 is preferably 0.04 to 2.0 wt.%, more preferably 0.1 to 1.8 wt.%, further preferably 0.5 to 1.5 wt.%. Moreover, the content of aluminum is preferably 0.02 to 1.0 wt.%, more preferably 0.05 to 0.8 wt.%, further preferably 0.05 to 0.5 wt.%. Moreover, the content of the zirconium is preferably 0.008 to 0.4 wt.%, more preferably 0.008 to 0.3 wt.%, further preferably in the range from 0.008 to 0.2 wt.%. Moreover, the silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 preferably contains an element that absorbs ultraviolet rays. As such an element, at least one element selected from the group consisting of cerium, titanium, iron, praseodymium and europium can be used. The content of such an element is preferably 0.01 to 1 wt.%, more preferably 0.1 to 1.0 wt.%, and further preferably 0.2 to 0.8 wt.%. Furthermore, the silica glass constituting the outer tube 2 may contain the other elements as additives and impurities. Examples of such elements include an alkaline metal such as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and the like, and an alkaline earth metal such as beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and the like. However, the contents of the alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal are 0.1 wt.% or less, more preferably 0.05 wt.% or less, and further preferably 0.03 wt.% or less, because too large a content of them may lead to the devtrification of the outer tube 2. In the discharge lamp of the present invention, although the ultraviolet radiant quantity (k UV ) is not particularly limited, however, it is preferably 2.0 × 10 -5 W/lm or less, more preferably 1.0 × 10 -5 W/lm or less. Herein, the ultraviolet radiant quantity (k UV ) denotes a value expressed by the following equation: Kuv = ∫ λ = 250 ⁢ nm 400 ⁢ nm ⁢ E e λ ⋅ S λ ⋅ d ⁢ λ Km ⁢ ∫ λ = 250 ⁢ nm 400 ⁢ nm ⁢ E e λ ⋅ v λ ⋅ d ⁢ λ E e (λ): spectral distribution of radiant flux [W] ν (λ): spectral luminous efficacy [l] λ : wavelength [nm] S(λ): spectral load function [l] k m : optical radiant equivalent (= 683 [lm/W]) Furthermore, the total luminous flux at the initial period of lighting operation of the lamp is preferably 2900 lm or more, more preferably 3000 lm or more. Furthermore, the luminous flux maintenance factor after 1000 hours of lighting operation is preferably 70 % or more, more preferably 75 % or more. Furthermore, in the discharge lamp of the present invention, the general color rendering index (Ra) is preferably 60 or more, more preferably 65 or more. In order to obtain such properties, it is preferable in the discharge lamp of the present invention that a mixture of sodium halide (NaX) and scandium halide (ScX 3 ) is used as the metal halide to be sealed in the light-emitting portion 1a. Furthermore, in this case, the weight ratio of NaX and ScX 3 is preferably in the range: 1 < NaX / ScX 3 < 20. Moreover, as the halide (X), I and Br preferably are used. Furthermore, as the inert gas, for example, xenon is preferably used. Example 1 As shown in Table 1, sixteen types of outer tubes (Nos. 1 to 16) were produced by variously changing the contents of boron (w B ), aluminum (w Al ) and zirconium (w Zr ). Moreover, the outer tubes Nos. 1 to 16 contained 90 wt.% or more of silicon dioxide. Discharge lamps having the same structure as FIG. 1 were produced by using the above-produced outer tubes. Silica glass containing 99.98 wt.% silicon dioxide and having a softening temperature of 1683 °C was used for an arc tube. 16 mg of NaI, 4 mg of ScI 3 , 50mg of mercury and 7 atm of xenon gas were filled in the light-emitting portion. Moreover, the light-emitting portion had a content volume of 0.025cc and an arc length of 4.2mm. The arc tube was inserted into the outer tube, and then the outer tube and the arc tube were fused to each other, thus forming a discharge lamp. The fusing temperature was as low as possible in the range capable of softening the outer tube to be used. The produced discharge lamps were visually observed for the deformation of the arc tube. The results are shown in Table 1. In Table 1, A indicates that the arc tube was not deformed; B indicates that the arc tube was slightly deformed; and C indicates that the arc tube is greatly deformed. Table 1 Outer tube No. Content of additives in the outer tube [wt.%] Deformation of the arc tube w B w Al W Zr W B + 2w Al + 5w Zr 1 0.12 0 0 0.12 A 2 3.00 0 0 3.00 A 3 0.08 0.02 0 0.12 A 4 0.04 0.05 0 0.14 A 5 3.00 1.00 0 5.00 A 6 0.07 0 0.01 0.12 A 7 7.00 0 1.00 12.00 A 8 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.12 A 9 0.90 0.10 0.10 1.60 A 10 0.94 0.26 0.07 1.81 A 11 2.96 0.45 0.32 5.46 A 12 5.00 1.00 1.00 12.00 A 13 0.01 0 0 0.10 B 14 0.05 0.02 0 0.09 B 15 0.05 0 0.01 0.10 B 16 0 0 0 0 C As shown in Table 1, when the outer tubes Nos. 1 to 12 were used, the arc tubes were not deformed. When the outer tubes Nos. 13 to 15 were used, the arc tubes were slightly deformed. On the other hand, when the outer tube No. 16 without containing boron, aluminum or zirconium was used, the arc tube was greatly deformed. Example 2 Discharge lamps were produced using the same arc tubes and outer tubes (Nos. 1 to 16) as Example 1 and by changing the distance between the inner face of the outer tube and the outer face of the arc tube (the distance shown by D in FIG. 1). The thus produced discharge lamps were observed visually for the deformation of the outer tube after 1000 hours of lighting operation with 35 W electric power. The results are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, A indicates that the outer tube was not deformed, and B indicates that the outer tube was deformed. Table 2 Outer tube No. Distance between the outer tube and the arc tube D[mm] 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.10 1 A A A A 2 B B A A 3 A A A A 4 A A A A 5 B B A A 6 A A A A 7 B B B A 8 A A A A 9 B A A A 10 B A A A 11 B B A A 12 B B B A 13 A A A A 14 A A A A 15 A A A A 16 A A A A As shown in Table 2, when (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr )/D ≦ 120 was satisfied, the deformation of the outer tube was not observed. On the other hand, when (w B + 2w Al + 5w zr )/D > 120 was satisfied, the deformation of the outer tube was observed. Example 3 Discharge lamps were produced by using the same arc tubes and the outer tubes (Nos. 1 to 16) as Example 1 and by changing the shortest distance between the tip of the electrode and the fused portion of the arc tube and the outer tube (the distance shown by L in FIG. 1). The produced discharge lamps were observed visually for the deformation of the outer tube after 1000 hours of lighting operation with 35 W electric power. The results are shown in Table 3. In Table 3, A indicates that the fused portion was not deformed and B indicates that the fused portion was deformed. Table 3 Outer tube No. Distance between the fused portion of the outer tube and the arc tube and the electrode L[mm] 0.1 1.0 0.5 10.0 1 A A A A 2 B B B A 3 A A A A 4 B A A A 5 B B B A 6 A A A A 7 B B B A 8 A A A A 9 B B A A 10 B B A A 11 B B B A 12 B B B A 13 A A A A 14 A A A A 15 A A A A 16 A A A A As shown in Table 3, when the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr )/L ≦ 1.2 is satisfied, the deformation was not observed in the fused portion of the outer tube and the arc tube. On the other hand, when the expression: (w B + 2w Al + 5w Zr )/L > 1.2 is satisfied, the deformation was observed in the fused portion. Example 4 Seven types of outer tubes (Nos. 17 to 23) were produced by using silica glass containing boron, aluminum and zirconium and by variously changing the contents of potassium (w K ) and barium (w Ba ), as shown in Table 4. Moreover, the outer tubes (No. 17 to 23) contained 90 wt.% or more of silicon dioxide. By using the thus produced outer tubes, discharge lamps having the same structure as FIG. 1 were produced. As the arc tube, the same arc tube as Example 1 was used. The arc tube was inserted into the outer tube, and then the outer tube and the arc tube were fused to each other, thus forming a discharge lamp. The fusing temperature was made to be as low as possible in the range capable of softening the outer tube to be used. The produced discharge lamps were observed visually for devitrification of the outer tubes after 1000 hours of lighting operation with 35 W electric power. The results are shown in Table 4. In Table 4, A indicates that the devitrification of the outer tube was not observed and B indicates that the devitrification of the outer tube was observed. Table 4 Outer tube No. Content of additives in the outer tube [wt.%] Devitrification of the outer tube w B w Al w Zr w K w Ba 17 1.00 0.30 0.07 0 0 A 18 1.00 0.30 0.07 0.10 0 A 19 1.00 0.30 0.07 0 0.10 A 20 1.00 0.30 0.07 0.02 0.08 A 21 1.00 0.30 0.07 0.12 0 B 22 1.00 0.30 0.07 0 0.15 B 23 1.00 0.30 0.07 0.08 0.04 B As shown in Table 4, when the outer tubes Nos. 17 to 20 were used, the devitrification of the outer tubes were not observed. On the other hand, when the outer tubes No. 21 to 23 were used, the devitrification of the outer tube was observed. Example 5 Fourteen types of outer tubes (Nos. 24 to 37) were produced by using silica glass containing boron, aluminum and zirconium and by variously changing the contents of cerium (w Ce ), titanium (w Ti ), iron (w Fe ), praseodymium (w Pr ) and europium (w Eu ), as shown in Table 5. Moreover, the outer tubes No. 24 to 37 contained 90 wt.% or more of silicon dioxide. By using the thus produced outer tubes, discharge lamps having the same structure as FIG. 1 were produced. As the arc tube, the same arc tube as Example 1 was used. The arc tube was inserted into the outer tube, and then the outer tube and arc tube were fused to each other, thus forming a discharge lamp. When the produced discharge lamps were lighted up with 35 W electric power, ultraviolet rays radiant quantities (k UV ) and the total luminous flux at the initial period of lighting operation were examined. The results are shown in Table 5. Table 5 Outer tube No Content of additives in the outer tube [wt.%] K UV [10 -5 W/lm] Total luminous flux [lm] w B w Al w Zr w Ce w Ti w Fe w Pr w Eu 24 0.90 0.20 0.01 0.01 0 0 0 0 1.98 3250 25 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0.01 0 0 0 1.85 3240 26 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0 0.01 0 0 1.95 3270 27 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0 0 0.01 0 1.76 3240 28 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0 0 0 0.01 1.88 3260 29 0.90 0.20 0.01 1.00 0 0 0 0 0.07 3100 30 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 1.00 0 0 0 0.11 3080 31 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0 1.00 0 0 0.03 3010 32 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0 0 1.00 0 0.11 3040 33 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.23 3030 34 0.90 0.20 0.01 3.00 0 0 0 0 0.03 2840 35 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 3.00 0 0 0 0.04 2860 36 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0 3.00 0 0 0.02 2760 37 0.90 0.20 0.01 0 0 0 0 0 2.25 3260 As shown in Table 5, when the outer tubes Nos. 24 to 36 containing cerium, titanium, iron, praseodymium or eurogium were used, k UV was lower by about 10 % or more than the case where the outer tube No. 37 without containing the above-mentioned elements was used. Furthermore, when the outer tubes Nos. 24 to 33 containing less than 1 wt.% of cerium, titanium, iron, praseodymium and europium were used, high total luminous flux could be obtained.

Claims: A discharge lamp, comprising: an arc tube having a light-emitting portion provided with a pair of electrodes; and an outer tube enveloping said light-emitting portion and being at least partly fused to said arc tube; wherein said outer tube contains 90 to 99,88 wt. silicon dioxide as a main component, characterized in that said outer tube further contains 0.12 wt.% or more of boron and no Al and/or Zr, and wherein when w B is the content of boron in said outer tube and D is the shortest distance between an inner surface of said outer tube and an external surface of said light-emitting portion, the relationship w B wt . % / D mm ≤ 120 is satisfied and wherein said outer tube contains no more than 0.1 wt.% of.at least one element selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. The discharge lamp according to claim 1, satisfying w B wt . % / L mm ≤ 1.2 wherein w B is the content of boron in said outer tube and L is the shortest distance between a tip of one of said electrodes located in said light-emitting portion and the portion where said outer tube and said arc tube are fused to each other. The discharge lamp according to claims 1 to 2, wherein said outer tube further comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of cerium, titanium, iron, praseodymium and europium. The discharge lamp according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the content of at least one element selected from the group consisting of cerium, titanium, iron, praseodymium and europium in said outer tube is 0.01 to 1 wt.%. The discharge lamp according to claim 1, satisfying P W / D mm ≤ 2000 wherein P is an electric power supplied to said discharge lamp and D is the shortest distance between an inner surface of said outer tube and an external surface of said light-emitting portion. A discharge lamp, comprising: an arc tube having a light-emitting portion provided with a pair of electrodes; and an outer tube enveloping said light-emitting portion and being at least partly fused to said arc tube; wherein said outer tube contains 90 to 99.88 wt. silicon dioxide as a main component and further contains at least one selected from aluminum and zirconium together with boron, and wherein when w B is the content of boron, w Al is the content of aluminum, w Zr is the content of zirconium in said outer tube, and D is the shortest distance between an inner surface of said outer tube and an external surface of said light-emitting portion, the relationships ( w B wt . % + 2 ⁢ w Al wt . % + 5 ⁢ w Zr wt . % ≥ 0.12 and w B wt . % + 2 ⁢ w Al wt . % + 5 ⁢ w Zr wt . % / D mm ≤ 120 are satisfied and wherein said outer tube contains no more than 0.1 wt.% of at least one element selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. The discharge lamp according to claim 6, satisfying w B wt . % + 2 ⁢ w Al wt . % + 5 ⁢ w Zr wt . % / L mm ≤ 1.2 wherein w B is the content of boron, w Al is the content of aluminum, w Zr is the content of zirconium in said outer tube, and L is the shortest distance between a tip of one of said electrodes located in said light-emitting portion and a portion where said outer tube and said arc tube are fused to each other. The discharge lamp according to claim 6, wherein said outer tube further comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of cerium, titanium, iron, praseodymium and europium. The discharge lamp according to claim 8, wherein the content of at least one element selected from the group consisting of cerium, titanium, iron, praseodymium and europium in said outer tube is 0.01 to 1 wt.%. The discharge lamp according to claim 6, satisfying P W / D mm ≤ 2000 wherein P is an electric power supplied to said discharge lamp and D is the shortest distance between an inner surface of said outer tube and an external surface of said light-emitting portion.

Inventors: KIRYU HIDEAKI, SAITOH TAKESHI, TANAKA KAZUHISA, KIRYU, HIDEAKI, SAITOH, TAKESHI, TANAKA, KAZUHISA, Saitoh, Takeshi,, Tanaka, Kazuhisa, c/o Matsushita Electronics Corp.
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: C03C3
IPC codes: C03C3, H01J61