CN1028571C - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas discharge display device which is formed by that electro luminescence gas is filled in a panel. The display device is suitable for quickly and economically making durable and firm illuminating indicating plates by using patterns printed on panels by painting, screen printing, stenciling, lithography, etc. The display device comprises a pair of approximately parallel and separated rigid plates or sheets, electro luminescence gas is encapsulated in the display device, and the display device is provided with various electric conduction surface coatings which are arranged on different positions and are used for exciting electrodes of the encapsulated electro luminescence gas. An electric conduction member (such as a hand) which is coupled with the ground is put near a cavity opposite to an electric conduction surface, and the glow discharge of plasma can be obtained in the cavity in an interaction mode.

Description

Display device

The present invention relates to the field of active display and luminescence scutcheon, particularly relate to a kind of gas plasma volumetric display.

Produce only known phenomenon by means of electricity by gas.

Extensively developed the plasma scope that utilizes this phenomenon to show concrete numeral, letter, symbol, figure etc. so far.The neon lamp label is exactly an example of gas discharge display, and this display generally comprises an elongated neon glass tube and a pair of exciting electrode that is configured in the glass tube two ends of filling.In this example, the body of rigidity or housing have been determined the shape of luminous pattern.This shape is decided when making display, can not change.

The gas discharge display of other prior art may be included in a plurality of character electrodes with definite shape direct with electroluminescent gas or that closely contact, for example Nixie glow discharge nixie tube in the glass shell.In this class display,, can obtain desirable character and show encouraging through selected some electrodes with definite shape.Here the shape of luminophor also is by having pre-determined with regard to the electrode shape of setting up when making display.

Other forms of prior art gas discharge display are included in filling channel and the one group of suitable exciting electrode that has in the lamp housing around the character shape for dielectric surrounded.For example at United States Patent (USP) 3,621, in 332, a plurality of these class passages just are arranged in the single lamp housing, and each electrode system disposes to such an extent that can make a passage be in the state of excited target selectively at every turn.On the other hand, resemble United States Patent (USP) 4,584, like that, can in a plate of two glass plate sandwich device, form single elongated passageway in 501, encourage passage to be located in the plate that adjoins each.All these configuration modes all suit to show various marks, but as talking about during front argumentation prior art, the shape of demonstration, promptly the configuration of passage is just decided when device is made.

The gas discharge device of other prior art then comprises similar demonstration configuration usually, but has an addressable matrix, and wherein the some district through selecting can be encouraged selectively.For example, as United States Patent (USP) 4,035, shown in 690 like that, some electrodes through selecting in the electrode group of overlapping quadrature can be encouraged to produce desirable dot character.In this patent, electroluminescent gas system is enclosed in a plurality of insulation spheroids inside between each electrode group.Addressable dot matrix has been arranged, just can for example adopt general bit map graph technology to show any dot pattern neatly.But as other above-mentioned prior art, all possible display graphics (being each electrode overlay region) has all just been decided when making device.

At United States Patent (USP) 3,629, the another kind of form of prior art gas discharge device is also disclosed in 654.Shown in this patent like that, be sealed with the opposed a pair of plate of the segment distance of being separated by mutually at the periphery of this device, form the loculus that is filled with electroluminescent gas.Dispose transparent conductive layer on the outside surface of loculus.A removable outer thin plate with reservation shape conduction region is pressed on the outside surface of loculus, adds ionization signal at conductive layer and outer thin plate conduction region two ends, so that the visible discharge of thin plate conduction region shape outside generation is in loculus.In order to form image, this dual-element formula display thereby need a device that outer thin plate is located with respect to loculus.

The Method and circuits that the luminous and illuminating device of many mutual controls is arranged in the prior art.These Method and circuits have in the light modulator or light switch of " the contact control " that much has been applied to the market sale.These devices normally adopt can be by going out the circuit of external field or electric capacity (for example any part of human body or human body) near circuit component or with the direct contact detection of circuit component.

In these devices, the effect that adds external field or electric capacity is the duty that changes circuit, thereby has bucking voltage or electric current to be added to circuit inside.Then this bucking voltage or electric current are added to the illuminating device (being incandescent lamp bulb) that connects in some, thus according to adding alien influence duration or the brightness of characteristic changing illuminating device.

Here " reciprocation " speech is used for representing the character of control gear, it be beginning or continue the people that circuit is exerted one's influence and circuit is exported together with illuminating device light the reaction that variation rose of illuminating device light output and the people between the formed control loop of feedback.Reciprocation between people and control gear/illuminating device subassembly changes the running parameter of assembly, and the light output of illuminating device is changed.The characteristics of this class lighting control devices are that its reciprocation is indirect, and this is that its character is indirect because of the influence of control to illuminating device itself.

In the prior art, everybody also knows, can directly work in coordination with luminous method, thereby directly control illuminating device.For example, some gaseous plasma handicraft (for example those handicrafts of the inventor) is arranged, wherein electroluminescence gaseous medium system is contained in the air hermetic loculus of sealing, and is configured in around the electrode at loculus center.When suitably this electrode being encouraged, just produce luminous plasma discharge by the reference potential outside the loculus trend loculus from electrode.This device has been arranged, when the people touches the loculus surface, the part of human body or human body just plays condenser armature, thus make electrode with reference to alternating current being arranged between the current potential along direct and body capacitance and mobile at the relevant field line of the application point of loculus wall.This capacitor effect has played device that luminous gas is charged, has produced so-called capacitive discharge.In the process of using, device reacts near human body or the effective condenser armature of any other this class that is in it, and the degree of reaction is directly corresponding with its electric capacity, so produce luminous demonstration, this shows directly and the distance dependent of itself and central electrode.

An object of the present invention is to provide a kind of through improved plasma scope.

Another object of the present invention provide a kind of can by user programming make its demonstrate desirable image through improved plasma scope.

A further object of the invention, promptly provide a kind of can with economical and effectively configuration show desirable image through improved plasma scope.

Another purpose provide a kind of for example can form by means of the mutual control of the electric capacity of human body luminous Plasma Display through improved display.

In fact brief, the present invention relates to a kind of double-walled panel that is filled with electroluminescent gas, be provided with the electrode surface that can produce luminous gas (or plasma) discharge when suitably being encouraged in the both sides of the gas space.This electrode surface can be the shape of mark to display (or other image), is enough to light figure as the analogous shape of label, indicator or other expression visual information thereby can produce visibility.

The figure of one of them electrode surface can be provided by drawing, stencilization, serigraphy, litho etc. by second fabricator (for example user).By so providing the back a kind of electrode surface, just solved originally in all difficulties or the cost problem of making signal utensil (Signage for example adopts the hot bending formula gas-discharge tube of general neon bulb signal), still can produce luminous gas image simultaneously.Also be not difficult to utilize display of the present invention to show that the user wants the image that shows even therefore produce the small enterprise or the domestic consumer of signalling means.

In addition, display panel of the present invention is more solid, durable and much safe than the bent-tube boiler neon sign plate similar with it.Some structure of this display is to be provided with transparent electrode in gas space both sides, thereby also can be used as window or glass door when having image or information.

This display panel also is used for building and exterior lighting place usually, as present its similar bent-tube boiler neon sign plate.Equally, adopt the assembly of inflation luminotron as diagram and engraving target as artist and designer, the media of active display of the present invention art of also can be used as and design is used with or without luminous pattern ground.

In more detail, display of the present invention comprises the nonconducting sheet element of first and second rigidity, and each sheet material has positive and negative surface, can be in parastate haply.One of them of first and second sheet elements is individual to be transparent.

In a kind of form of the best, this sheet element is the plane haply, but also can adopt other form, for example similar cylindrical or spherical structure.For example, this sheet element can be a glass plate.First sheet element can be transparent haply, and on its front surface a coating region is arranged, and suits to hold first conductive layer at its each relative section.In general, this first conductive coating is exactly an image to be shown.First conductive coating can part be removed, and makes it corresponding to the shape of image after changing.Second sheet element also can be transparent.First conductive coating can be coated by drawing, stencilization, serigraphy, litho etc.

One or more distance piece is located first and second sheet elements mutually, makes the rear surface of first sheet element depart from the front surface of second sheet element, and is in the opposite of front surface.

Air-locked sealing has formed discharge cavity between the rear surface of first sheet element and the second sheet element front surface portion.This discharge cavity has defined the closed area in gap between the front surface of the rear surface of first sheet element and the second material member.This closed area has at least a part to be in below first conductive coating.

Be filled with electroluminescent gas in the closed area.Although can adopt other gaseous mixture, electroluminescent gas preferably adopts the Peng Ning gaseous mixture, and this gaseous mixture comprises 99% neon, 1% argon and the mercury of trace (less than 0.1%) haply under the pressure of about 120 torrs.

Second conductive coating is configured on one of them the part of the second sheet element front surface and rear surface, has at least a part to be in part below closed area and the part coating region.Added driving voltage can be coupled between first conductive coating and second conductive coating, so that exciter component, thereby the part of the closed area between the lap of all conductive coatings forms luminous plasma image.

In a kind of form of the present invention, sept comprises the distance piece of at least one rigidity, and spacer arrangement and is extended between the front surface of the rear surface of first sheet element and second sheet element in the closed area.

In various embodiments, first and second conductive coatings, one of them or both can be translucent, transparent, reflective or opaque substantially.In addition, conductive coating can be configured on the front surface of second sheet element, and has part at least in the closed area.Otherwise second conductive coating also can be configured on the rear surface of second sheet element, and has at least part to be in above the closed area, and the 3rd non-conductive sheet member can be in above second conductive coating on opposite, the second sheet element rear surface.The 4th non-conductive material member can be in above first conductive coating.The non-conductive sheet material in back can be in order to guarantee in use unlikely each electrode that touches of user.In addition, those additional sheet materials have improved the cracking resistance of device integral body.In addition, when being stacked, those sheet materials and first and second sheet layers improved the rigidity of each wall that defines loculus, thereby can adopt more cheap material (for example polycarbonate) to make the 3rd and/or the 4th sheet element with thin sheet material as first and second sheet elements.

In another form, the present invention includes one or more than be filled with the shell of electroluminescent gas.One side of the gas space disposes an electrode surface, and has taked the effective capacitance plate that adds is coupled to the measure of the opposite side of the gas space.This structure has been arranged, when then electrode suitably being encouraged, the gas space is near just producing luminous gas (or plasma) discharge in the regional area of outer capacitor board, and when the gas space was between those elements, outer capacitor board formed the electric capacity with the ground coupling just between this plate and this electrode the time.The figure of the discharge gas light that usually, obtains is the shape of effective capacitance plate.

Display of the present invention can be configured its inflation shell is clipped between a pair of rigid member, forms durable device.Under those member tool flat type and at least one block of plate are transparent situation, this display just suits as dynamic interaction platform or counter panel fully or as wallboard or floor, each luminous pattern then produces according to end user's contact action (this has formed effectively outer capacitor board).

In application facet, this display is applicable to wants various occasions that near illumination is controlled, for example in the direct interactive walkway that illumination arranged.At this moment these devices just comprise the panel of a series of inflations possibly, a current-carrying plate is arranged under each panel and a transparent non-conductive cover plate is arranged.The people who walks about on panel causes the local gas discharge near reaching body capacitance, and this gas discharge causes producing in the panel light again.Simple design comprises the sandwich construction that the bottom is made up of sheet metal, the top cover that an evenly spaced inflation luminotron of the one deck directly over this plate and a tempered glass are made.The pressure of human body passes on the base plate greater than the non-conductive perpendicular elements of caliber by being placed between each pipe height on the top cover, passes on any other vertical support member again.

Display panel also is applicable to building and exterior lighting place usually.Equally, use the element of inflation luminotron as chart and engraving target as artist and designer, active display of the present invention also can be used as interactive art and design medium.

In more detail, display of the present invention comprises the first non-conductive sheet element with front and rear surfaces of partially transparent at least.Have front and rear surfaces and preferably the basal component of sheet material comprise a conduction region.Basal component itself can conduct electricity, or on folder between the front surface of basal component or rear surface or this two surface conductive film.In a kind of form of the best, sheet element and basal component are the plane substantially, but also can adopt other structure, for example similar cylindrical or spherical structure.For example, sheet element and basal component can be the flat boards that parallel glass or polycarbonate or acrylate or other material are made.

Sheet element can be transparent substantially, and on its front surface a coupled zone is arranged, suit its each several part hold with ground coupling add conductive member (for example staff).In general, this adds conductive member and forms image to be shown.

One or more spacer element is settled sheet element and basal component mutually, make the rear surface of sheet element depart from the front surface one preset distance D of basal component, and opposed with this front surface, and make conduction region to the small part of basal component be in the sheet element coupled zone below.

Discharge cavity forms one or more airtight cavity between the each several part of the front surface of the rear surface of sheet element and basal component.Each discharge cavity has defined each closed area in the gap between sheet element rear surface and the basal component front surface.These closed areas have at least part to be between the conduction region of the coupled zone of sheet element and basal component.

Be filled with electroluminescent gas in each closed area.Although can adopt other gaseous mixture, in the form of the best, electroluminescence gas is the Peng Ning gaseous mixture of being made up of neon basically in about 40-200 torr pressure limit haply.

In the form of a kind of the best of the present invention, the conduction region of basal component is formed by one of them the conductive coating that is on the part under each closed area and the sheet element part coupled zone to small part of the front surface that is configured in basal component and rear surface.If not, basal component also can be conductive material, for example aluminium sheet.

Between basal component conduction region and reference potential (for example earth potential), can be coupled and go up added driving voltage, so that display is encouraged, thereby by adding an outer conductive member (for example staff) that is coupled with ground toward the coupled zone of sheet element, can form luminous plasma image at the each several part between the lap of the conduction region of closed area and coupled zone.

In a kind of form of the present invention, sept comprises at least one rigid spacers that sealing is interior and extend that is configured between sheet element rear surface and basal component front surface.

In various embodiments, basal component and conduction region thereof can be translucent or transparent, reflective or opaque haply.At basal component is among some embodiment conduction or that the conduction fauna of basal component is formed by the conductive film on this basal component rear surface, on the relative conduction region in basal component rear surface non-conducting material can be set.A kind of non-conducting material in back can be in order to guarantee the in use unlikely electrode that touches of user.In addition, added material has improved the ability of the anti-fracture of display integral body.

Read following explanation in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and can more fully understand above and other objects of the present invention, the various features of the present invention, the various features of the present invention, and the present invention itself.In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 shows display of the present invention with the form that parts decompose;

Figure 1A shows the part of Fig. 1 display in the mode of section, comprises the inflation bar;

The form that Fig. 2 decomposes with parts shows the structure of another kind of plasma device;

Fig. 3 shows the plasma scope with a plurality of interior distance pieces with the form of skeleton view;

Fig. 4 shows the cut-open view of the plasma scope of Fig. 3 along the intercepting of 4-4 line;

Fig. 5 shows the transmission plot with the another kind of distance piece of the display adapted of Fig. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6-9 shows the cut-open view with the more another kind of spacing bodies of the display adapted of Fig. 3 and 4;

The formula that forms that Figure 10 decomposes with parts shows the another kind of structure of plasma scope of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows the skeleton view of the another kind of form display of the present invention;

Figure 12 then shows the phantom view of Figure 11 display.

The form of decomposing with parts among Fig. 1 shows an example of luminous (plasma) panel display 10.Display 10 comprises two flat and parallel non-conductive clear glass sheet material members 12 and 14, and they have " preceding " surperficial 12a and 14a and " back " surperficial 12b and 14b respectively.As shown in the figure, sheet element 12 and 14 is the plane substantially, but also can adopt other form, for example right cylinder or cone.

Edge sealing and distance piece 16 are defining the sealing airtight space (or district) 20 that the inside is filled with electroluminescent gas.Dispose the conductive coating 26 and 28 of stack on the front surface 12a of sheet element 12 and the rear surface 14b of sheet element 14 respectively.

The inflation bar 22 that is parallel to space 20 principal planes extension passes through between sheet element 12 and the 14 relative parts, and passes distance piece 16, leads to cavity space 20.The external diameter of inflation bar 22 is less than or equal to the distance between front surface 12a and the rear surface 14b.This inflation bar 22 allows to vacuumize and recharge after assembling sheet element 12,14 and sealed spacer spare 16.Finish recharge after, bar 22 is sealed.In further embodiments, can adopt difform inflation bar.For example, but in the hole that gets out on the barre insertion sheet element, be fused to the edge in this hole again, make of the principal plane extension of the central axis of bar perpendicular to space 20.

In most preferred embodiment, sheet element 12 and 14 is sodium calcium flat glass sheets.Spacer element 16 also is a soda-lime glass.The thickness of glass sheet depends on following factors: (1) must make two glass sheet parallel-oriented after inflation, produces the uniform gas sealed space in gap; (2) performance that total mechanical stress and thermal stress should not surpass glass on the glass sheet member in display 10 assembling and when bleeding cause glass breakage.The volume that most preferred embodiment is got enclosure space is 15 cm x, 15 cm x (0.25-1.0 millimeter), and wherein the 0.25-1.0 millimeter is the interstice coverage between distance piece 16 formed glass sheet.Soda-lime glass sheet element 12 and 14 thickness are 3.0 millimeters.When surface area is big, can adopt thicker glass sheet, surface area hour can adopt thin glass.For the higher glass of the ability of anti-temperature stress and anti-mechanical stress, what Pyrex for example, the required thickness in any concrete surface can also be than soda-lime glass sheets used in the illustrated embodiment is little.For example, the gap that Bai Liekesi board (Pyrex brand) Pyrex sheet forms is 15 centimetres of cavitys of 15 cm x of 1 millimeter, and the thickness of glass sheet is desirable big 2.5 millimeters and be unlikely over stress.

Although this example is the structure (being sheet element 12,14 and distance piece 16) of a three element assembly, but also can adopt other structure, for example, get two sheet elements of hierarchy, wherein one or two surface of abutment surface comprises the zone once etched formation cavity.In a kind of structure in back, the distance piece of periphery forms integral body with at least one sheet element wherein.

Usually, the cavity 20 of the interval of display 10 and sealing is formed by peripheral seal.Can adopt various elements gas-tight seal glass sheet 12 and 14 and distance piece 16.For example, vacuum epoxy resin and general seal glass all are suitable for.For embodiment in, panel that 15 cm x are 15 centimetres 10 adopts 1 millimeters thick, 1.5 centimetres of wide distance pieces 16 to be configured in the periphery of cavity 20.Sealing is to carry out with the 100% solid vacuum epoxy resin that Massachusetts Walcha nurse (Waltham) epoxy resin technology company prescription and the 360T type sold do not carry.The epoxy sealing layer is baking acquisition in molten 10 minutes in baker under 120 ℃.This sealant has been arranged, and the degree of gas leakage reaches about 6 months the serviceable life of panel 10 just less than 5 * 10 cubic centimetres/second at least.

If adopting vacuum epoxy resin also can adopt code is that 7575 Corning Pyroceram board seal glass powder seals soda- lime glass sheet 10 and 12 each other, distance piece adopts the glass partition thing of 0.25 to 10 millimeters thick.When sealing in this way, the seal glass powder is that the form with slurries applies, and the nitrocellulose bonding agent is dissolved in the matchmaker's liquid that resembles amyl acetate and so on.Bonding agent and medium are burning-off under 350 ℃ temperature, and sealing was then cured in the process at 60 minutes and finished under 450 ℃ temperature.Slowly cooling is with so that panel does not have stress basically, seals air tight basically.The life-span of sealed glass panel is subjected to the restriction of the gas leakage of glass own, sputter and gas clean-up, and these phenomenons have some it to be significantly reduced by vacuum(-)baking and admixture resembles the minimizing sputter of mercury and so in the filling gas steam.

No matter adopt any encapsulating method, before assembling and seal glass sheet 12 and 14, all will carefully clean out all surface with general method.For example, before sealing panel 10, carry out a series of activities: water and solvent with the band washing agent clean, and carry out rinsing with distilled water and deionized water, carry out drying with vapour degreasing fat with warm air, and everything all will be finished well.

Can adopt multiple gases, gaseous mixture and gaseous tension in the space 20, so that adopting 280 to 1800 volts of scopes and 5 kilo hertzs of alternating voltages to adopt the light that obtains shades of colour and intensity under the situation of sinusoidal wave and square-wave signal and complicated wave form to export to 10 megahertzes.Usually, the electroluminescent gas in the cavity 20 is the potpourri of some inert gases, adds assist gas in a small amount to form Peng Ning gaseous mixture (Penning mixes).In most preferred embodiment, be about under the situation of 100 lumens the very effective gas of filling out at driving power 1.5 watts/square centimeter and largest light intensity and form the Peng Ning gaseous mixture of under about 120 torr pressure, filling by the mercury of 99% neon, 1% argon gas and trace (being less than 0.1%).In this mixture examples, available nitrogen replaces argon wherein.The color of the light that this panel filling is sent is orange-yellow (adopt optical alignment sensor) when the brightest, but may brightness be lost because of the frequency of AC driving signal and the slight variation of waveform, color from yellowish orange to orange red.

For electroluminescent gas being charged in the enclosure space 20, at first panel 10 is vacuumized by inflation bar 22, be about to inflate bar 22 and receive vacuum pump by the gas charging system of band appropriate filters, tensimeter and vacuum meter and pressure gas regulator and valve.In the present embodiment, inflation bar 22 assembling sheet element 12 and 14 and distance piece 16 before form, method sheet element 12 and 14 and spacer element 16 before form, method is relative part grinding coupling conical internal cavity district 23a and the 23b at sheet element 12 and 14 peripheries, and cuts out a hole in the appropriate section of distance piece 16.Shown in Figure 1A, subsequent is in assembling and seal stock member 12 and 22 and the formed passage in hole of tubular inflating bar 22 being put into and is sealed to during distance piece 16 conical internal cavity district and distance piece.The inner abutment space 20 of bar 22.Therefore bar 22 be with lead to sheet element 12 and 14 and the punching channel seal of the inner space (being space 20) that constitutes of distance piece 16 to the panel 10.In most preferred embodiment, inflation bar 22 is to be connected on the display 10 with low-steam pressure epoxy resin or with seal glass.

In further embodiments, bar 22 can run through one of them of sheet element 12 and 14 along the direction perpendicular to sheet element.Form this inflation bar, on sheet element, bores an aperture with diamond, before connection, the sealing surfaces of boom end is opened then and polish.Connect with seal glass or epoxy resin then.

On glass sheet 12,14, adopt conductive coating 26,28 to make the panel 10 can be luminous when connecting the driving voltage source.Conductive coating is made certain shape several methods, and this depends on the desired optics of panel 10 finished products and serviceability and decides.Panel 10 has two conductive coatings 26 and 28 as shown in Figure 1, and respectively with a coating, electroluminescent gas is between the glass sheet, but does not contact with any coating on the outside surface of transparent glass sheet 12,14.Can adopt the different conductive coating of optical property of three fundamental types, promptly translucent, transparent in, reflective opaque.

Transparent conductive coating printing opacity, color is not remarkable or colourless, thereby this coating naked eyes be can't see.The example of this coating has metallic film vacuum evaporation or sputter, normally golden film or aluminium film and mix the tin oxide film of indium, and sputter or chemical deposition are to glass sheet.Coating can evenly apply, and also can be applied as certain figure.The coating that is suitable for, its resistivity 0.1 to 100 Europe/square about scope, the Heat stability is good under seal temperature, and scratch resistance and resistance to chemical attack usually.Coating is etched into figure can adopts protective seam figure serigraphy, drawing or stencilization with the luminous zone that forms panel; use chemistry (acid or alkalescence) solution then, with local or all coatings, promptly soak, spraying or swabbing process or remove coating with the mechanical means that grinds or scrape.

Reflective or the reflecting part of reflective conductive coating shines the light on it, normally translucent and semi reflective.The example of this conductive layer has aluminium, chromium, silver or gold plating, and its reflectivity surpasses 10%.Coating can be applied as figure with sputtering method, evaporation method, chemical deposition method or mechanical means (being embossing) coating, perhaps can all even continuously coating.The resistivity of this type coating 0.01 to 10 Europe/square scope in change, and they can tolerate seal temperature and process usually.As described above, this coating can be made the figure as the trade mark or indicator.

Opaque conductive coating can not allow light transmission to a great extent.This type coating can only be seen gas discharge from a direction, and the contrast of background is higher.This coating is normally coated with lacquer or the printing ink type coating, is made up of matchmaker's liquid, cementing agent and the conductive component (for example nickel oxide, nickel metal powder, graphite or these mixtures of material) that exists with the suspended matter form.It can spraying, roller coat, brushing or with any all even continuously coating of many machineries or chemical method or paint certain figure.

In the embodiment in figure 1, the suitable conductive coating 26 of first (being mark shape) that holds of the front surface 12a of sheet element 12.Second conductive coating 28 is being supported in the rear surface of coating 14.With electrically contacting of coating 26,28 can be directly, for example by means of cursor slide (not shown) or conductive epoxy resin (not shown), make added driving voltage can be added to the two ends of those coatings.Various coatings 26,28 can be that transparent, reflective or opaque that is a kind of separately, and this depends on the characteristic of desired luminousing image and decides.

For example, shown in structure in, thin-film covering layer 28 is transparent deposits mixes the thin-film covering layer 28 of the tin oxide of indium, resistivity be 100 Europe/square.As shown in Figure 1, front surface 12a has borrowed silk screen print method to scribble for example gloomy colloid of Archie company limited (Acheson Coiloid, Inc.) the 401 type conductive paints of Chu Pining) of nickel-graphite colloidal suspension coating 26(.Under the situation of this structure, the sinusoidal signal that adds 30 kilo hertzs 900 volts toward coating 26 and 28 two ends will produce the demonstration of yellowish orange row " A " font.The suitable especially coating 26 of holding the conventional method coating of using such as serigraphy of structure shown in Figure 1 is because inflation bar 22 is on the principal plane identical with display 10 haply in the total planar structure of display 10.

Fig. 2 show with the similar display 10 of Fig. 1 ', wherein corresponding each element is discerned by the same numbering of Fig. 1.Among Fig. 2, dispose conductive edge bar 30 on the peripheral part of glass sheet 12 front surface 12a.Edge strip 30 is connected on the coating 26 by part 30b and 30c.This structure (at contact 44) just can be coupled with external signal with simple connected mode.

The embodiment of Fig. 2 also comprises the 3rd non-conductive 40 on the rear surface 14b that is superimposed upon glass sheet 14.Sheet 40 forms the electric insulation layer of Fig. 2 embodiment, and the protection user makes its unlikely driving voltage that is added to coating 28 with respect to ground connection coating 26 that touches.Connector 46 is placed on the sheet 40 and feed is to coating 28 always, and the easy element of coating 28 is coupled to drive signal in formation.If not, the embodiment of Fig. 2 just and the embodiment of Fig. 1 similar, and work in the same way.

Fig. 3 and 4 shows and similar structure embodiment illustrated in fig. 2, but also comprises the distance piece 55-62 of eight protrusions, and these distance pieces protrude in outside the sheet 12, and extend to sheet 14, all are in the enclosure space 20.These distance pieces make a pair of sheet element have bigger area to be used, and make its structure still have bigger rigidity simultaneously.These distance pieces also allow to adopt the gaseous tension of wider range in cavity 20.Distance piece 55-62 shown in the figure is cylindrical.Other form of these distance pieces is shown in the sectional view of Fig. 5-9.

In optimised form of the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, each outstanding distance piece only extends to halfway between surperficial 12a and 14a when enclosure space 20 is filled with electroluminescent gas.For this structure, in the process of assembling near some embodiment of atmospheric pressure (in enclosure space 20), space 20 can be vacuumized, and each outstanding distance piece can limit the total displacement of sheet element 12,14, thereby can adopt thin sheet element 12,14.Then, after recharging electroluminescent gas, each outstanding distance piece only partly extends between each surperficial 12b and the 14a once more, and luminous demonstration can evenly be carried out on whole enclosure space 20 substantially.

Another embodiment, display 60 have been shown among Figure 10.Display 60 is with shown in Figure 1 similar, and just coating 28 is to be configured on the front surface 14a of sheet 14.This structure need be with the 3rd sheet material 40, because drive electrode is in the enclosure space 20 fully.By electrically contacting of part 28a that stretches out sealing/spacer element 16 and coating 28.

Here, coating 28 gases direct and in the cavity 20 contact.When the electric coupling between coating 28 and the gas has reached preferably effect, can adopt lower driving voltage, and the distinct degree of image edge is to compare also at the embodiment of rear surface 14b to increase with those coatings 28.But owing to sputtering phenomenon is arranged being coated with 28 places, room, thereby the life-span of display shortens to some extent.

Show another luminous (plasma) display 110 with the form with cut-open view among the form of skeleton view, Figure 12 among Figure 11.Display 110 comprises two blocks of flat parallel non-conductive clear sheet members 112 and 118, has " preceding " surperficial 112a and 118a and " back " surperficial 112b and 118b respectively.As shown in the figure, sheet element 112 and 118 is the plane substantially, but also can adopt other form, for example right cylinder or cone.

In most preferred embodiment, sheet material (or substrate) member 12 is 1 foot * 4 feet, thick 3/16 inch polycarbonate (Lexan) panel.On the front surface 112a of sheet element 112 conductive coating 114 is arranged.In most preferred embodiment, the formation of spraying paint of coating 14 usefulness nickel oxide, (the Acme Chemical and Insulation Co of Connecticut, USA Niu Hawen city Ai Kemo chemicals and insulating material company for example, New Haven, Connecticut) the E-Kote63 nickel electrically-conducting paint of Chu Pining.

Sheet element 118 is 1 foot * 1 foot, the hot tempered glass panel of 1/4 inch thickness, settle to such an extent that make its end (or back) surperficial 118b relative with the coating 114 of sheet element 112 front surface 112a, and the distance D (in most preferred embodiment be 7/8 inch) predetermined at interval with this coating.In optimised form of the present invention, sheet element 112 and this spatial relationship of 118 are determined by nonconducting perimeter support member 120,122,124 and 126.In the embodiment of Figure 11, those supporting members 120,122,124 and 126 are to be made of the timber (for example oak) of high-modulus.Form totally-enclosed district between surface 112a and the 118b and then be not difficult to adopt other electrically non-conductive material.

Configured in parallel has one group nine 46 inches long, 1/2 inch internal diameters, 3/4 inch cylindrical borosilicic acid (heat-resisting) glass tube 130a-130i that external diameter, end are sealed in the space between surface 112a and the 118b.Each glass tube 130a-130i forms and is filled with can luminously be the sealing inner region of electroluminescent gas.In the illustrated form of the present invention, this gas is the neon under 88 torr pressure.Also can adopt the pressure of 40-200 torr scope, but the glass tube of these or other size also can adopt other gaseous mixture and pressure.

Each is managed 130a-130i and keeps substantially separated by spaces relation uniformly by the nonconducting distance piece 136a-136h of rigidity, distance piece 136a-136h regional each between surperficial 112a and 118b held, and is on the evenly spaced position along length direction of each pipe 130a-130i.Distance piece 136a-136h is of a size of 1 inch on the direction perpendicular to surperficial 112a and 118b, even and have external force to be added on those sheet elements also to play a supportive role, keep sheet element 112 and 118 to be on the due position.

The display panel 10 that so draws is solid devices, suits to support human weight or is used as table top or sales counter end face.Also can make the not device of interband spacing body, this depends on the power that may bear and decides.

During work, AC signal generator 140 provides with respect to 9 kilovolts of earth potentials, 38 kilo hertzs driving voltage for conductive layer 144.In these cases, for example, people's hand may reach the front surface 118a of sheet element 118, as shown in figure 11.Hand is in or near the situation of surperficial 118a, and capacity effect impels and leads to hand at the position of subordinate from this position of coating from the AC field of coating 114 and lead to earth potential again.This electric field by the inner region of pipe 130a-130i each several part the time, impel in subordinate those parts and near gas in the inner region produce glow discharge.The degree that image exceeds the conductive member profile depends in part on gaseous tension and added frequency and voltage, and conductive member is apart from the distance of surperficial 118a.

Therefore, luminous when adopting conductive coating 114 to make panel 110 receive on the driving voltage source on the glass sheet 112 and conductive member suitable and the ground coupling is set near surperficial 118a.Forming conductive coating 114 has several methods, and this depends on decides the finished product panel 110 desired optical properties that have and serviceability.As shown in figure 11, on " interior " surface of the glass sheet 112 of panel 110 conductive coating 114 is arranged, between glass sheet 112 and 118, be filled with electroluminescent gas.Can adopt three kinds of fundamental types to have the conductive coating of different optical performance, promptly translucent or transparent, reflective and opaque.

Transparent conductive coating printing opacity, color is not remarkable or colourless, thereby coating with the naked eye be can't see.The example of this type coating has metallic film vacuum evaporation or sputter, normally golden film or aluminium film and mix the oxide film of indium, and sputter or chemical deposition are to glass sheet.Coating can apply with transparent, reflective or opaque basal component adapted.

Reflective or the partial reflection of reflective conductive coating shines the light on it, normally translucent and semi reflective.The example of this conductive layer has aluminium, chromium, silver or golden coating, and its reflectivity surpasses 10%.Coating can be applied as figure with sputtering method, evaporation method, chemical deposition method or mechanical means (being rolling process) coating, also can all even continuously coating.The resistivity of this type coating .01 to 10 Europe/square scope in change.

Opaque conductive coating can not allow light transmission to a great extent.This type coating can only be seen gas discharge from a direction, and the contrast of background is higher.This coating is normally coated with lacquer or the printing ink type coating, is made up of matchmaker's liquid, cementing agent and the conductive component (for example nickel oxide, nickel metal powder, graphite or these mixtures of material) that exists with the suspended matter form.It can spraying, roller coat, brushing or apply with many machineries or chemical method.

Present embodiment is a kind of form of the present invention.The all changes selectively of the general geometry of the various parametric variables of gas volumetric method, gaseous mixture, gaseous tension, voltage on capacitor, driving voltage frequency and amplitude and panel are so that change operating characteristic of the present invention and optical characteristics on request.

On the basis that does not break away from spirit of the present invention or main performance, the present invention can implement by other particular form.Therefore all embodiment of the present invention should be considered as restrictive in all respects, scope of the present invention shows by appended claims rather than by above-mentioned explanation, therefore all are revised, every at these claims equivalent meaning and scope in, all must be included in these claims.

Claims (23)

1, the board-like display of a kind of light-emitting area is characterized in that it comprises:

A. the non-conductive sheet member of one first rigidity has front surface and rear surface, and some part of the described first sheet element front surface has coated areas, and described coated areas is fit to hold first conductive coating of the predetermined image of expression;

B. the non-conductive sheet member of one second rigidity has front surface and rear surface, and one of them is transparent for described first and second sheet elements;

C. spacer device, in order to described first and second sheet elements are located mutually, thereby the front surface of described second sheet element is departed from preset space length in the rear surface that makes described first sheet element, and relative with front surface;

D. discharge chamber device, in order between the front surface each several part of the rear surface of described first sheet element and described second sheet element, forming air-locked sealing, so that between the front surface of the described rear surface of described first sheet element and described second sheet element, under described coated areas, form the closed area in the gap;

E. electroluminescent gas is filled in the described closed area; With

F. one second conductive coating is configured on one of them the part of the front surface of described second sheet element and rear surface, be in described closed area and a part of described coated areas to small part under.

According to the display of claim 1, it is characterized in that 2, it also comprises described first conductive coating that is configured on the described coated areas.

According to the display of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that 3, it also comprises a tubular inflation bar that extends by the described sealing of described discharge cavity, thereby make the inner area and the described closed area adjacency of described bar.

4,, it is characterized in that it also comprises the driving voltage coupling device, in order to added driving voltage is coupled on described first conductive coating and described second conductive coating according to the display of claim 1 or 2.

5, according to the display of claim 4, it is characterized in that, described coupling device comprises the 3rd conductive coating, and described the 3rd conductive coating is configured on the surrounding zone of described front surface of described first sheet element, and comprises at least one extension that extends to described coated areas.

6, according to the display of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that, described spacer device comprises described discharge cavity, and the distance piece that also comprises at least one rigidity, the latter is configured in the described closed area, and one of them extends towards another described surface from the described front surface of the described rear surface of described first sheet element and described second sheet element.

7, according to the display of claim 6, it is characterized in that, when described electroluminescent gas is in predetermined pressure following time in described closed area, the distance that described rigid spacers is extended is less than the whole distance between the described front surface of the described rear surface of described first sheet element and described second sheet element.

According to the display of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that 8, described electroluminescent gas is the Peng Ning gaseous mixture.

9, display according to claim 8 is characterized in that, described gaseous mixture comprises about 99% neon, 1% argon and is less than 0.1% mercury approximating greatly under the 120 torr pressure.

10, according to the display of 1 or 2 claims, it is characterized in that, described second conductive coating is to be configured on the described front surface of described second sheet element, and be in the described closed area to small part, perhaps described second conductive coating system is configured on the described rear surface of described second sheet element, and to small part be in described closed area above.

According to the display of claim 10, it is characterized in that 11, it also comprises the 3rd non-conductive sheet member, relative with the described rear surface of described second sheet element, and be in above described second conductive coating.

12, a kind of reciprocation active display is characterized in that it comprises:

A. the non-conductive sheet member of partially transparent at least has front surface and rear surface, on the front surface each several part of described first sheet element coupled zone is arranged, the suitable conductive member that adds that holds thereon in described coupled zone;

B. a basal component has front surface and rear surface, and comprises a conduction region;

C. spacer device, in order to described sheet element and described basal component are located mutually, thereby the front surface preset distance of described basal component is departed from the rear surface that makes described sheet element, and relative with this front surface, and the described conduction region of described basal component is in below the described coupled zone of at least a portion of described sheet element;

D. discharge cavity, in order between the front surface of the each several part of described sheet element rear surface and described basal component, to form at least one air-locked cavity, some closed areas are defined in the gap of described each cavity between the front surface of the described rear surface of described sheet element and described basal component, and are in to small part between the described conduction region of described coupled zone and described basal component; With

E. be filled in the electroluminescent gas in the described closed area.

According to the display of claim 12, it is characterized in that 13, it also comprises the AC drive voltage coupling device, in order to added AC drive voltage is coupling between described conduction region and the reference potential; With

Wherein said display produces the luminous gas discharge according to the each several part that is configured near the described closed area of earth potential coupling conductive member between the described conduction region of described conductive member and described basal component, described coupled zone.

14, according to the display of claim 12, it is characterized in that, described spacer device comprises described discharge chamber device, comprise that also at least one is configured in the rigid spacers in the described closed area, the latter extends towards another described surface from one of them of the described front surface of the described rear surface of described sheet element and described basal component.

15, according to the display of claim 14, it is characterized in that, when described electroluminescent gas was in predetermined pressure in described closed area, the distance that the distance piece of described rigidity extends was less than the whole distance between the described front surface of the described rear surface of described sheet element and described basal component.

According to the display of claim 12, it is characterized in that 16, described electroluminescent gas is the Peng Ning gaseous mixture.

According to the display of claim 16, it is characterized in that 17, described gaseous mixture is made up of neon basically.

According to the display of claim 12, it is characterized in that 18, described basal component is sheet material, and described conduction region is a film, the latter is configured on the described rear surface of described basal component, and to small part be in described closed area below.

According to the display of claim 18, it is characterized in that 19, it also comprises one the 3rd non-conductive sheet element, relative with the described rear surface of described basal component, and be under the described conduction region.

According to the display of claim 12, it is characterized in that 20, described second sheet element comprises reflex reflector, in order to be reflected into the light on the described front surface that is mapped to described second sheet element.

According to the display of claim 12, it is characterized in that 21, described cavity comprises the tubular member of at least one clear elongated, each end of described tubular member all seals.

22, according to the display of claim 12, it is characterized in that, described sheet element and described basal component are a little rigidity and parallel plane sheets haply, and wherein said discharge chamber device comprises the tubular member of a plurality of clear elongated, and each end of described tubular member all seals.

23, according to the display of claim 22, it is characterized in that, it also comprises some distance pieces, is configured at least wherein between two described tubular member, and the size of described distance piece on the direction between described first and second sheet elements is substantially equal to described preset distance.

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