DE2352145A1 - GLIMUM DISCHARGE INDICATOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING IT - Google Patents

Description

PATENT LAWYERS HELMUT SCHROETER KLAUS LEHMANN

'0

OIPL.-PHYS. OIPL.-INO.

8 MÖNCHEN 25 · LIPOWSKYSTR. 10 - "SI" * S 4 , f.

AMP Incorporated amp-26

BB / pp

15th October 1973

Glow discharge display device and method for making the same

The invention first relates to a glow discharge display device of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 and a method for their production.

A device of the type mentioned is known from U.S. Pat. Reissue Patent No. 27,773 is known.

Various embodiments have been disclosed, but in generally, in some embodiments, the base consists of a disk-shaped anode with respect to which individual cathodes are constructed, and in other embodiments from a disk-shaped cathode. The gas-tight The housing consists of a non-conductive box in which the cathodes and the disc-shaped anode are installed so that that contact pins protrude through the bottom of the box outside.

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The previously known device has the disadvantage that it is quite complex and involves a relatively large number of manufacturing processes needed. The overall thickness of the device could also be too great for some applications.

The object of the invention is to propose a simpler construction of the device that is easier to manufacture can be. Furthermore, it should be made very thin.

According to the invention, this is achieved by ... (see characterizing part of claim 1). The base represents a wall of the gas-tight housing.

The invention is based on an embodiment and the attached drawings.

1 shows an exploded perspective partial illustration of a first embodiment of the glow discharge display device, showing part of the apparatus used to make this device.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the device of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged perspective partial representation the device of FIG. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of part of a display device for a modified method of manufacture explain.

Fig. 5 shows a partial cross-section of the device and apparatus of Fig. 1, with parts in an exploded view Illustration are shown.

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Pig. 6 shows a representation similar to that of Pig, but FIG now the individual parts are assembled.

Pig. 7 shows a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the display device.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross section taken along line .8-8 of FIG. 7 depicting depicts the inverted device over a mold used in the manufacture of the device will.

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged partial cross-section of the device shown in Fig. 7 in another Manufacturing method.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a glow discharge display device, which has a rectangular base plate 1 with an upstanding edge 2 which extends over its circumference and includes a surface J of the base plate. A punched out and shaped metal pattern 4 is arranged on the surface 3 of the base plate and forms a plurality of anodes. A plurality of cathodes 6, which are constructed in an alphanumeric arrangement, are provided on projections 7, which protrude from the surface 3 of the base plate. Each protrusion and the associated cathode together have one trapezoidal cross-section. Some of the projections cross the anode 4, the glass of the projections serving to the Isolate the anode from the cathodes, which are made from sintered metal particles as described below. The pins 9 and 10, as can be seen in Fig. 6, are connected to the anode 4 and the cathodes 6 and extend through the

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Base plate 1 through to get out of the surface 11 of the base plate to protrude »A transparent glass cover, not shown, is attached to the edge 2« urn a gas » -filled tight casing too. form =

a generally reshtscisig® Sohraslsform 13 iicL% iiner üurGiigshsnüsii ^! "üi-sfüiig 24 on? cli-s around clis Fcs ^.: s! runs parallel 3u their Zianten and a flat surface 15 with sizier Yielsahi delimited by depressions Ιβ» the tertie -: H, ingen 16 are "'/ oneiiianöey g @ 1? 2? Si32i1; ιιώ, ο siiicl © iitssz * © hurrying eggs sr ^ rünsGiiten alphanums ^ isehen design ö®r cathodes 6 arranged.

l * ^ is manufacturing the display device is as follows "VJie it is particularly seen from Figure" 5 su _P are the "recesses 16 substantially having particles of an appropriate?. atodenmateriais β filled For example, a suitable ICatodenmaterial from sinem Hiokelgranulat consist, wherein the grain size kLsin according to its Bnißc vm öureh meshes 320 si * fit »Other passsncies ICatodeiiäiats ^ ial in de? For-in" on izleinen Tsilolisn isaiiir Jea ^ tst 77Θϊ / ώ®η ₀ The Gi'-smulat is i; i Jsds der I ⁷ STtISfUiIgSn 15 cSsp Sehiiislzfosia i fitted into it = 'ZIn EsuMVsn IJ εχλ3 leiotitsoinsmlzosup ^ m. Glass πίτα in öi® TSR = ^■:; isfuiAg l4 gsl "gto Di © ansgesftanaten TJAO, gsfoKiit; ®n Aricds ^ i 4 ■ ind in allgsüieinen S'bavv ¹ ynci ^ srdsii i .b © r ^j CiSi2?!. ¥ sr = ^ iefmigsn 16. who arranged the gramilis ^ t® Katodenaiaterial 6 '3HtI ^ aIfcsn ^. How to look at it from Figure 5 _o may η are you i.usgestanzten and shaped Metallanoöen 4 integrally ni'fe s ± aer '"lsi, r.-Fihl sound" out alternate end! ContaJctstlftsxi aas? SeEtsllt YND τοπ which silage 9 is designated . Sins multitude of slightly jchmela- ■ '.arsn glass stones 18 is made out of the anodes 4 so designed -iaß die Steinehsn sin composite Hseliteek bildsn, its

'■ 4

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Edge dimension which the frame 7 is similar ₀ Di © with - nevertheless anodes k integrally formed contact pins 9 pass through openings I9 _FL provided in the stone marriage layer 18 sindο The layer 18 formed from the Steinohen is directly on the Rah = men 17 and the metal particles, which are contained in the corresponding depressions 16 of the melt mold 13 made of carbon, pressed on. Therefore, the anodes 4 are formed from the stones between the layer 18 and the metal ,, which is contained in the depressions 16 Sindo The anodes 4 are directly adjacent to the planar surface of the stones from the ge ~ l8 layer formed _o a plurality of additional openings provided in the stone layer 18, some of which are labeled 21. The corresponding metal contact pins are inserted through the additional openings 21, some of which are designated by 10. As can be seen particularly in FIG. 6, sin. the contact pins are partially embedded in the granulated cathode material located in the depressions 16 of the melting mold 13 »In addition, each of the stones has an opening 22 with a relatively large diameter o A selected opening 22 accommodates a metal tube 24»

Part 26 of the carbon melt form shows a reverse flat surface 27, which is formed on the layer formed from easily fusible glass and a multitude of small stones

18 is pressed. This part of the melt mold has a surrounding edge 28 which extends over the circumference of the layer 18 fits, which is formed from a large number of stones placed side by side »Part 26 of the enamel mold has a large number of openings, some of which are designated by 30 and which receive the corresponding pins 9 and 10, whereby the pins are guided in parallel when the part 26 of the shrink mold is pressed over the layer 18 formed from easily fusible glass and a large number of small stones »Continue the part 26 of the melt mold contains a relatively large opening 32 into which the metal tube 24 is inserted and

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parallel to. the pins 9 and 10 is held. A mold pressure is exerted on the stones through the part 2β of the melt mold when the assembled device is heated for about 18 minutes in a 90 ^ s0 ^ hydrogen and nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 1015 ° C Pebbles consist of easily fusible glass in powder form ^ which was pressed ^ to produce the individual pebbles and the frame 17 = The temperature of 1015 ° C is below the melting point of the winding particles of the KatoöenmaterialSj, but above the melting point of the glass used ^ from which the Little stones and the frame 17 are formed. During the heating process described, the particles of the little stones made of fusible glass melt and form the continuous rectangular base plate 1. The base plate is essentially non-porous and will melt around the pins 9 and 10 and the metal tube 24 . The pins and the tube are preferably formed of an alloy of 52 ^ the check ^ nickel and iron KQfo composed so that they have a coefficient of expansion of the fusible glass particles of the tiles is compatible with the "

In the molten state, the easily fusible glass particles flow down into the depressions 16 and bind the granulated cathode material in the depressions through the same Process, the frame 17 is melted uniformly to the base plate 1, whereby the edge 2 is formed, and at the same time are the openings 2j? disappear or during the plating of the glass to be closed »After the melting process is complete, the arrangement is at room temperature cooled down and then parts 1J5 and 26 of Removed enamel mold. From Fig. 5 it can be seen that the easily fusible glass during the heating in the Vertis = Fungen 6 flows in and the Vorsprühge 7 forms, egg-s metal particles β are connected to the protrusions through their partial diffusion into the glass surface = Sg holds that

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Glass when it has solidified, the individual particles of each well together firmly., Wherein the particles are pressed against each other and together in mechanical and conductive contact are "As shown in the Pig" 3 refer XST _5, the anodes 4 loop portions 36. that are surrounded by certain cathodes *, Such loop sections 36 are connected by anode bridges 38 rait the parts of the anodes, which are outside of the cathodes framing them o The cathodes are electrically isolated from the anode bridges 38 by the easily fusible glass of the base, which has flowed into the depressions 6 of the melt mold 1 during heating to form the projections 7. The glow discharge display device according to the invention is completed by a cover made of glass (this is not shown) and connected to the hand 2 in a known manner, for example by using a fusible sealant or other connecting material between the glass cover and the edge 2 The anodes and cathodes are thus enclosed in an envelope, which is then pumped out and filled with a suitable luminous gas, as is generally known. The metal tube 24 can be used for this purpose and is closed gas-tight even after the luminous gas has flown in The protruding pins 9 and 10 can advantageously be connected to the conductor tracks of a card for printed circuits or directly to a printed circuit, which has been applied directly to the exterior of the flat surface of the base plate 1 in a serigraphic decay

In operation, a voltage is applied to the anodes and selected cathodes to produce the desired alphanumeric character in a known manner Way to represent by glow discharge «Since the anodes 4 lie deeper in relation to the cathodes β, the Electron stream coming from the cathodes is directed downwards onto the surface of the base plate 1 and from the transparent one Window directed away, whereby a discoloration of the 'window by bombardment of scattered electrons is avoided =

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The trapezoidal shape of the projections 7 enables electrons to flow from the cathodes to the anode along the shortest possible connection without collisions with the easily fusible glass from which the surfaces of the projections are formed or migration through these surfaces. This effect achieves the greatest possible brightness of the glow discharge. In addition, in order to increase the brightness of the glow discharge, each of the cathodes is made of cathode material composed of separate particles. Although the separated particles are contiguous as previously described, the surface of the cathodes is very rough with protruding protrusions formed by the individual particles, and valleys or crevices formed between irregular surfaces of abutting particles can also be seen. As electrons are emitted from the surface of the selected cathodes, some will emerge from the crevices so as to collide with others and with protruding portions of the cathode. This achieves a cascade effect that causes additional electron emission and increases the power of the glow discharge. The rough surface also has the effect of reducing the splashing of xatode material from the crevices in which it is captured again.

4 shows a modification in which the stones of the embodiment according to the Pig. 1 - 3> 5 and β can be replaced by a uniform plate 40 made of easily fusible ceramic material or glass, as it was used in a similar manner for the pebbles. The plate serves as a base plate on which the anodes and cathodes melt during the sintering and heating process described. From Fig. 4 it can be seen 'that the pattern of the anodes 4 on the base plate before the heating process '.

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came to be attached. Since the base plate is too ₃ , the anode pattern can be applied graphically directly aiaf Ite © Qteerfläeti® @@? Ί ° without the need * to use an anode pattern made of metal ^ as in the embodiment according to the Pig. 1-3 is required

A second embodiment 40 of the display device is shown in FIG. A glass baseplate 42 has a plurality of cathodes 44 attached directly to the surface using a sintering process similar to that previously described. The pre-formed cathodes 44 are mounted directly on the surface of the base plate 42 and not on outstanding pre-cracks, as was the case with the embodiment according to the Fig. 1-5 .. The base plate 42 has recesses 46 to t in which anode sections 48 in a similar arrangement as the arrangement of the depressions 46 are provided. The base plate 42 shows a multiplicity of contact pins 50 and 51a which are introduced into it in a manner similar to that which was carried out with the pins 9 and 10 in the case of the first embodiment. The pins 50 and 51 are connected to the anode sections 48 and the cathodes 44. In this embodiment, each anode section 48 is connected to its one contact pin 50, and not connected to other sections via anode bridges, as was provided in the first embodiment. 8 shows a carbon clay mold 52 which includes tapered projections 46 *, each of which has a recessed portion 48 *, and with projections 46 'protruding from a flat surface 54. The flat surface 54 has a plurality of depressions 44 ′ which correspond to the arrangement of the desired cathodes 44 of the preferred embodiment 40. The cathodes 44 and the anode sections 48 can be applied directly to the base plate 40 made of glass, which already has the recess 46.

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For example, the cathodes 44 and the anode sections 48 can be applied using a serigraphic process in which a certain amount of metal particles contained in a binder that sublimes during the sintering process at an elevated temperature are applied. This assembly is then snugly placed over the carbon mold 52 with the recessed portions 44 'of the carbon mold receiving the cathodes 44 and the recessed portions 48' receiving the anode portions 48. The part 26 of the melt mold already used in the first embodiment is placed on the assembly. The entire assembly is then sintered to simultaneously convert the metal particles of cathodes 44 and anode sections 48 into a coherent agglomerate of discrete particles to produce cathodes and anodes having the same properties as those used in the production of the first embodiment. The easily fusible glass of the base plate 40 is made possible by the arrangement of the carbon mold 52 with its recessed sections 44 ^! and 48 'and projections 46' formed into the desired shape with recessed anodes, the arrangement of which is shown in FIG. In addition, the cathodes 44, the anode sections 48 and the pins 50 and 51 are fused tightly to the base plate 40 during the sintering process. The base plate 40 has a protruding edge 56 on which the transparent window is applied in a gas-tight manner. The rim is produced in that the fusible glass flows into a continuous recess 56 ′ in the fusing mold 52.

Another mode of making the preferred embodiment disclosed in Pig. 7 is shown in the fact that metal particles, which are to form the cathodes and anodes, are first placed in the depressions 44 'and 48' of the carbon mold 52. The fusible glass base plate 40 can then overlie the carbon mold 52 with the pins 50 and 51 in FIG fusible base plate are provided and with the appropriate Cathodes and anodes are connected. With this type of production it is not necessary to make the base plate 40

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2352U5

To provide fusible glass with recesses 46 beforehand. Instead, the glass is melted during the sintering process and flows out from the shape of the melting mold 52 Align carbon »The depressions 46, which the resulting Anode sections 48 included ^ are so in the fusible glass plate shaped The cathodes and anodes will adhere to the glass without it being necessary * the To pretreat the base plate before the sintering process »

As can be seen from Fig. 7, each alphanumeric character can be separated from the character following it on the base plate 42 either by a recessed barrier 58 or a protruding barrier 60, which is separated by corresponding sections 58 ^? and 6o ^s the melting mold 52 are formed from 'carbon "The locks 58 and βθ form an elongated bridge-like section between successive alphanumeric Zeiallen" The extended bridge-like portion reduces the possibility to establish a connection between adjacent alphanumeric characters. that might arise throughout splashing cathode material ο Either a recessed barrier 99 or a protruding barrier 99 can be provided between the cathodes 44 of each display particle, which are designed in a similar manner as the barriers 58 and 60 »

The apparatus of the Figo 7 can be prepared in a different way ^ as described by referring to the Pig "9 ο The apparatus includes a melting form of carbon whose parts 101, * denotes 102 103 and 104 are. The cathodes 44 are applied serigraphically to the surface 108 of the molded part 102 "The molded part 103 has projections 110 that extend through the molded part 102 * The anode sections 48 are applied serigraphically to the ends of the projections 110, a recess 106 in the molded part 102 contains; glass to form frame 56, preforms 18 of glass

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are placed between parts 101 and 102. To hold the contact pins 50 and 51 are in the molded part 101 corresponding openings provided. As soon as this structure is compressed a little, the protrusions 110 come out of the Surface 108 of part 102 protrude. The rows of glass stones 18 flow around the projections 110 and thereby form the depressions 46, as can be seen from FIG. The anode sections 48 and cathodes 44 are fused to the glass and removed from the moldings 102 and 103 made of carbon.

Expectations

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Claims (11)

PATENT LAWYERS HELMUT SCHROETER KLAUS LEHMANN DIPL.-PHYS. DIPL.-tNC. 8 MUNICH 25 LIPOWSKYSTR. IO i. O Q C. \ U O AMP Incorporated ~ arap-26. BB / pp 15th October 1973 PATENT CLAIMS ( 1 .1 glow discharge display device in which cathodes and anodes are laid out on a base plate according to a desired arrangement, and wherein the cathodes and anodes are in a sealed housing filled with luminous gas, and the cathodes are closer than the anodes to a transparent one Cover of the housing are located, and wherein contact pins for connection to an external voltage source are connected to the cathodes and anodes and protrude from the housing, characterized in that one (3) of the main surfaces (3, 11) of the base plate (1) sections (7 or 3) protruding relative to other sections (3 or 46) and that the cathodes (6 or 44) on the relatively protruding sections (7 or 3) "and the anodes (4 or 48) on the relatively non-protruding Sections (3 or 46) are attached, and that the contact pins (9, 10 or 50, 51) in the base plate (1), which forms a wall of the housing, are embedded. 2. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the one main surface (3) is substantially is flat, but shows projections (7), the cathodes (6) on the projections (7) and the anodes (4) on the flat sections of one main surface (3) are attached. 409818/0886 amp-26 2352-5 3. Display device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the anodes (4) has two sections (36) which are connected by a bridge which passes under the cathode (6), and that the bridge (38) of the anode (4) facing the cathode (6) on which the cathode (6) is attached through the insulating material of the projection (7)>, is isolated. 4. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the one main surface (3) in the is essentially flat but has depressions (46), the cathodes (44) on the flat sections of the one Main surface (3) and the anodes (48) are mounted in the recesses (46). 5. Display device according to claim 4, characterized in that the recesses (46) inclined walls have in such a way that the bottoms of the depressions are smaller than their openings. 6- Display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one main surface (3) Depressions (58 or 99) between selected cathodes, thereby providing spacing for bridging cathodes is enlarged. 7. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one main surface (3) has projections (60 or 99) between selected cathodes, whereby the distance to the bridging of Cathodes is enlarged. 8. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeichne t, that the base plate (1) has a circumferential edge (2) of which protrudes a main surface (3), and that the transparent cover gas-tight manner on this edge (2) is attached. 409818/0886 ainp-26 2352U5 9. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the base plate (1) consists of glass, on which the cathodes (6 or 44) and the Anodes (4 or 48) are attached by melting the glass. 10. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the cathodes (6 or 44) is formed from metal particles which under Pressure sintered to form an agglomerate. 11. A method for producing a glow discharge display device according to one of the preceding claims _9, characterized in that the anodes (4 or 48) and the cathodes (6 or 44) on a first main surface (3) of a fusible base plate (I) - are arranged * that contact pins (9, 10) are inserted through holes (19 * 21) in the base plate so that the first ends of the contact pins (9 * 10) protrude from the second main surface (11) of the fusible base plate (1), and that the The ends of some contact pins (10 or 51) are connected to the cathodes (6 or 44) and the ends of the remaining contact pins (9 or 50) to the anodes (4 or 48), and that this assembly is brought to a temperature below the melting point of the cathode and anode material is above the melting point of the base plate material, and that the structure is formed between enamel parts (IjJ and 26, or 52 and 26, or 101-104), which are applied to the two main surfaces (J ₃ 11 ) de r base plate (1) act, is pressed together, and that the assembly is cooled and removed from the mold parts, after which the transparent cover is gas-tight attached to the base plate and the space between the first main surface (j5) 'and the cover with a glow discharge suitable gas is filled. 409818/0888 Blank page