EP0302748A2 - Anzeigegerät vom Entladungslampentyp - Google Patents

Anzeigegerät vom Entladungslampentyp Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0302748A2
EP0302748A2 EP88307261A EP88307261A EP0302748A2 EP 0302748 A2 EP0302748 A2 EP 0302748A2 EP 88307261 A EP88307261 A EP 88307261A EP 88307261 A EP88307261 A EP 88307261A EP 0302748 A2 EP0302748 A2 EP 0302748A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
glass
electrode
glass plate
display device
discharge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP88307261A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0302748A3 (de
Inventor
Shing Cheung Chow
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP62197262A external-priority patent/JPH0640482B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP62197261A external-priority patent/JPH0640481B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP62197263A external-priority patent/JPS6445041A/ja
Priority claimed from JP62197260A external-priority patent/JPH0640480B2/ja
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0302748A2 publication Critical patent/EP0302748A2/de
Publication of EP0302748A3 publication Critical patent/EP0302748A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J65/00—Lamps without any electrode inside the vessel; Lamps with at least one main electrode outside the vessel
    • H01J65/04—Lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminesce by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation, e.g. for indicating plasma display panels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J65/00—Lamps without any electrode inside the vessel; Lamps with at least one main electrode outside the vessel
    • H01J65/04—Lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminesce by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation, e.g. for indicating plasma display panels
    • H01J65/042—Lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminesce by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation, e.g. for indicating plasma display panels by an external electromagnetic field
    • H01J65/046—Lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminesce by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation, e.g. for indicating plasma display panels by an external electromagnetic field the field being produced by using capacitive means around the vessel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flat discharge lamp type display device.
  • a discharge lamp type display device represented by a neon sign is well known.
  • such a display device includes a plurality of tubular discharge lamps formed in predetermined shapes and disposed in such a specific arrangement as to transmit information.
  • Such a prior art neon sign employing a plurality of tubular discharge lamps, is difficult to manufacture, and the electrical circuit to activate the discharge lamps for luminous discharge is complicated and high in cost.
  • the tubular discharge lamps must be arranged more closely, but the prior art device employing a number of discharge lamps has limits in itself. Further, in the conventional display device using tubular discharge lamps, the information expressible by a dynamic display also has limits.
  • the present invention provides a discharge lamp type display device which comprises a discharge vessel including a first and a second transparent glass plate arranged in parallel to each other, xenon gas serving as a discharge material and enclosed in a discharge space defined between the first and second glass plates, a fluorescent layer coated on a predetermined position of the inner surface of at least one of the first and second glass plates and having a thickness of 0.01 to 1 mm, a first electrode formed on the outer surface of the first glass plate, and a second electrode formed on the outer surface of the second glass plate.
  • the present invention provides a discharge lamp type display device which comprises a discharge vessel including a first and a second transparent glass plate arranged in parallel to each other, xenon gas serving as a discharge material and enclosed in a discharge space defined between the first and second glass plates, a fluorescent layer coated on a predetermined position of the inner surface of at least one of the first and second glass plates and having a thickness of 0.01 to 1 mm, a first electrode formed on the outer surface of the first glass plate, and a second electrode mounted on one end of the discharge vessel and extending into the discharge space, voltage impressing means for impresseing to the second electrode a voltage having frequency of 0.5 to 20 kHz and varying peak values, and grounding means for grounding the first electrode.
  • the present invention provides a discharge lamp type display device which comprises a discharge vessel including a first and a second transparent glass plate arranged in parallel to each other, xenon gas serving as a discharge material and enclosed in a discharge space defined between the first and second glass plates, a fluorescent layer coated on a predetermined position of the inner surface of at least one of the first and second glass plates and having a thickness of 0.01 to 1 mm, a first electrode formed on the outer surface of the first glass plate, a protective plate disposed over the second glass plate with a predetermined space thereto and serving to protect the first and second glass plates, and an electrically conductive liquid enclosed in the space defined between the second glass plate and the protective plate and serving as a second electrode.
  • the present invention provides a discharge lamp type display device which comprises a discharge vessel inclduing a transparent glass plate, and a transparent glass member having a glass flat portion disposed in parallel to the galss plate, a galss sealing portion formed along the periphery of the glass flat portion and bonded to the glass plate to form the discharge vessel, the glass sealing portion being made of the same glass as the glass flat portion and having a predetermined height, and a plurality of spacers disposed between the glass plate and the glass flat portion, the plurality of spacers being made of the same glass as the glass flat portion and formed to have the same height as the glass sealing portion; xenon gas serving as a discharge material and enclosed in the discharge vessel; a fluorescent layer coated on a predetermined position of the inner surface of at least one of the glass plate and the glass flat portion and having a thickness of 0.01 to 1 mm; a first electrode formed on the outer surface of the glass plate; and a second electrode formed on the outer surface of the glass member.
  • the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a discharge lamp type display device including a discharge vessel having a pair of transparent glass plates and a plurality of spacers provided in between the glass plates, a discharge gas enclosed in the discharge vessel, a fluorescent layer coated on a predetermined position of the inner surface of at least one of the glass plates, and at least one electrode formed on the interior or the exterior of the discharge vessel.
  • the method comprises the steps of preparing a first and a second glass plate; attaching masks on one surface of the first glass plate at the periphery thereof and at the portion where the spacers are formed; chemically etching the first glass plate into a predetermined depth; combining and sealing the first and second glass plates to form the discharge vessel having the spacers; evacuating the discharge vessel; and filling the discharge vessel with a discharge gas at a predetermined pressure.
  • the discharge vessel of the display device is formed of the glass plates, with the fluorescent layer coated on the inner surface of at least one of the glass plates. Desired information can be closely written on the glass plate by properly selecting a pattern of the fluorescent layer and a fluorescent material for forming the pattern and locating the pattern on a predetermined position of the glass plate. Therefore, the predetermined information may be displayed distinctly. Further, the discharge gas employed is xenon which has a large ultraviolet output and little heat loss, and the thickness of the fluorescent layer is kept within such a range from 0.01 to 1 mm as to provide high luminous output. As the predetermined information can be displayed by a single discharge vessel, the display device can be easily manufactured and a simple electrical circuit can be employed to activate the same for luminous discharge.
  • a voltage having frequency of 0.5 to 20 kHz and varying peak values is applied to the electrode within the discharge vessel and hence, the luminous output distribution of a positive column formed in the discharge space may be varied with the varying voltage as time elapses.
  • various information may be displayed with dynamic effects.
  • the display device includes the protective plate for protecting the first and second glass plates, thereby increasing the strength of the display device.
  • the electrically conductive liquid enclosed between the first glass plate and the protective plate also protects the first glass plate, thereby further increasing the strength of the display device.
  • a plurality of spacers having the same height as the glass sealing portion are provided between the glass plate and the glass flat portion, thereby increasing the glass components forming the discharge vessel.
  • the discharge vessel can employ large-sized glass plates, thereby making it possible to manufacture display devices having a large display area.
  • the spacers and the glass sealing portion for sealing the discharge vessel may be formed at the same time by etching the first glass plate by way of masks.
  • the height of the glass sealing portion and that of the spacers may be precisely uniformed.
  • the spacers perfectly support the glass plates so that in the evacuating step of the discharge vessel, any possible damage to the discharge vessel may be reliably prevented.
  • the spacers also serve to support the glass plates so that no possible internal stress may be developed in the glass plates. Thus, display devices having improved strength may be easily manufactured.
  • the display device includes a first glass plate 10 and a second glass plate 12 disposed in parallel to each other, and they are made of soft glass such as transparent soda glass, or hard glass such as borosilicate glass. Between the first and second glass platees 10 and 12, a sealing glass member 14 is provided having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to that of the first and second glass plates, and thus, the first glass plate 10, second glass plate 12 and sealing glass member 14 form a discharge vessel.
  • the interior of the discharge vessel is evacuated and is then filled with xenon gas at a pressure from several to 100 mmHg, for example, at 50 mmHg.
  • Xenon which has a high output in the ultraviolet region and little heat loss, is suitable for use as a discharge gas.
  • employment of xenon gas has a further advantage of reducing blackening of the discharge vessel through scattering of the electrode material with the result of extended life of the display device.
  • Other rare gases such as neon, argon and krypton may be used as a discharge gas.
  • enclosure of a getter material in the discharge vessel causes no side effect and consequently no fear of environmental pullution.
  • a fluorescent layer 16 having a predetermined pattern is formed on the inner surface of the second glass plate 12.
  • the fluorescet layer 16 is formed of a single fluorescent material, a single color light is obtainable, but if a plurality of fluorescent materials are employed to form respective predetermined patterns, a display composed of various color patterns is achieved by luminous discharge.
  • the fluorescent layer 16 is formed of spot-like fluorescent elements 18 as shown in this embodiment, luminous output is obtained not only from the surface of the fluorescent elements 18 contacting the second glass plate 12 but also from the sides thereof, so that the luminous output obtainable is higher than that obtained by the fluorescent layer formed evenly on the whole inner surface of the second glass plate 12.
  • the fluorescent layer 16 has a thickness from 0.01 to 1mm, for example 0.12 mm, so that absorption of light in the fluorescent layer 16 may be little, and consequently high luminous output is obtainable.
  • the thickness less than 0.01 mm it is disadvantageous in that the fluorescent layer 16 would be too thin to provide satisfactory luminous output and accompanied with fluctuation of thickness, which would cause substantial change in the luminous output from the fluorescent layer 16.
  • the thickness more than 1 mm it is disadvantageous in that the luminous output from the fluorescent layer 16 would be substantially saturated or lowered.
  • the fluorescent layer 16 may be formed, for example, by silk printing. An emulsion is applied onto a fine mesh of nylon, and a film having a net pattern to be printed is tightly attached to the mesh and exposed to light.
  • the mesh with the emulsion is developed and fixed, and the emulsion at the unexposed portion is washed off.
  • the mesh is then placed on the second glass plate 12 and fluorescent material powders are applied on the mesh, so that the fluorescent layer 16 may be printed on the second glass plate 12 through the mesh.
  • a first electrode 20 is provided on the outer surface of the first glass plate 10.
  • the first electrode 20 is formed by applying, for example, an opaque carbon paint on the outer surface of the first glass plate 10.
  • a second electrode 22 is provided on the outer surface of the second glass plate 12.
  • the second electrode 22 is formed of an electrically conductive and transparent film such as of tin oxide. Such a film of tin oxide if formed by spraying an aqueous solution such as of tin halide under atomized condition onto the outer surface of the second glass plate 12 heated at 500 to 600°C. With this arrangement of the first electrode 20 formed of the opaque material and the second electrode 22 formed of the transparent material, light is emitted only from the second glass plate 12.
  • the first electrode 20 may be also formed of an electrically conductive and transparent film such as of tin oxide. In such a case, it is preferable to provide a fluorescent layer of a predetermined pattern also on the inner surface of the first glass plate 10. Lead wires 28 and 29 are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes 20 and 22, respectively.
  • the fluorescent layer 16 may be arranged to have various patterns. It may be arranged to display, for example, dots as shown in FIG. 3(a), characters as shown in FIG. 3(b), or graphics, symbols, pictures, or the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the fluorescent layer 16 may be formed in grids. Such an arrangement permits the fluorescent layer 16 to give out discharge light also from the sides thereof, as is the case in the one formed in spots, so that the display device can increase the luminous output.
  • desired information can be displayed by a single discharge lamp, so that the display device can be manufactured easily and a simple electrical circuit can be employed to activate the display device for luminous discharge.
  • the fluorescent layer 16 having a predetermined pattern and adapted for radiating lights having various wavelengths is provided at a desired position on the inner surface of the second glass plate 12, permitting close and distinct display of information.
  • Xenon gas employed as a discharge gas has a large ultraviolet output and little heat loss, and the fluorescent layer 16 has a thickness from 0.01 to 1 mm, assuring quite effective luminous output.
  • FIGS 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that there is no electrode provided on the outer surface of the second glass plate 12 but an internal electrode 30 is provided at one end of the discharge vessel and extends into a discharge space defined between the first and second glass plates 10 and 12.
  • the internal electrode 30 serves as a second electrode and is sealed in a glass tube 32 communicating with the discharge space.
  • the glass tube 32 is made of soft glass
  • Dumet wire is preferably used for the electrode 30; in case of hard glass, a tungsten wire is preferably used.
  • Other materials suitable for the electrode 30 are nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta) and zirconium (Zr).
  • Titanium, tantalum and zirconium, which have getter effect, are more preferable.
  • the glass material must be selected so as to have a thermal expansion coefficient corresponding thereto.
  • the glass tube 32 has an exhaust port 34 through which it can be evacuated.
  • the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. Like parts are given like reference numbers and their description will not be repeated.
  • the second embodiment can give an effect similar to that of the first embodiment, and application of high frequency voltage whose peak value changes as time elapses to the internal electrode 30 enables various dynamic effects on the information to be displayed.
  • FIGS. 6 to 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that there is no electrode provided on the outer surface of the first glass plate 10, but only the internal electrode 30 is provided at one end of the discharge vessel and extends into the discharge space.
  • the internal electrode 30 is equal to the one employed in the second embodiment, and is sealed in the glass tube 32 communicating with the discharge space.
  • the third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment. Like parts are given like reference numbers and their description will not be repeated.
  • the display device (now designated by the reference number 40) is put in a water tank 38 containing water 36.
  • An electrical circuit 42 for activating the display device 40 has two lead wires 43 and 44, one lead wire 43 connected to the internal electrode 30 and the other 44 inserted into the water 36. As shown in FIG. 8, no trouble occurs even when goldfish 46 are in the water tank 38.
  • the display device according to the third embodiment has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment, and furthermore, it can provide a novel display as shown in FIG. 8.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 show a flat discharge lamp type display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the display device includes a first glass plate 110 and a second glass plate 112 disposed in parallel to each other, and they are made of soft glass such as transparent soda glass, or hard glass such as borosilicate glass. Between the first and second glass plates 110 and 112, a sealing glass member 114 is provided having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to that of the first and second glass plates, and thus, the first glass plate 110, second glass plate 112 and sealing glass member 114 form a discharge vessel.
  • the interior of the discharge vessel is evacuated and is then filled with xenon gas at a pressure from several to 100 mmHg, for example, at 50 mmHg.
  • a fluorescent layer 116 having a pattern shown in FIG. 9 is formed on the inner surface of the second glass plate 112.
  • the fluorescent layer 116 is formed of a single fluorescent material, a single color light is obtainable, but if a plurality of fluorescent materials are employed to form respective predetermined patterns, a display composed of various color patterns is achieved by luminous discharge.
  • a first electrode 120 is provided on the outer surface of the first glass plate 110.
  • the first electrode 120 is formed by applying, for example, an opaque carbon paint on the outer surface of the first glass plate 110.
  • a second electrode 122 is provided on the outer surface of the second glass plate 112.
  • the second electrode 122 is formed of a conductive aqueous solution containing a small amount of, for example, 0.001 to 0.01 parts by weight of sodium chloride NaCl or sodium hydroxide NaOH.
  • a protective plate 124 made of a transparent acrylic plate is provided on the second electrode 122.
  • a sealing member 126 made of silicone is provided to receive the second electrode 122 between the protective plate 124 and the second glass plate 122.
  • Lead wires 128 and 129 are electrically connected to the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 122, respectively.
  • the protective plate 124 is adapted for protecting the first and second glass plates 110 and 112 so as to increase the strength of glass as well as for transmitting the light generated by discharge.
  • the second electrode 122 formed of the conductive aqueous solution is also adapted for protecting the first and second glass plates as well as for transmitting the light externally.
  • provision of the protective plate 124 and the second electrode 122 increases the strength of the display device.
  • the first electrode 120 formed of the opaque material and the second electrode 122 formed of the transparent material light is emitted only from the protective plate 124.
  • the first electrode 120 may be also formed of an electrically conductive transparent film such as of tin oxide.
  • Such a film of tin oxide is formed by spraying an aqueous solution such as of tin halide under atomized condition onto the outer surface of the second glass plate 12 heated at 500 to 600°C.
  • an aqueous solution such as of tin halide under atomized condition
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that there is no electrode provided on the outer surface of the first glass plate 110 but an internal electrode 130 is provided at one end of the discharge vessel and extends into a discharge space defined between the first and second glass plates 110 and 112.
  • the internal electrode 130 serves as a first electrode and is sealed in a glass tube 132 communicating with the discharge space.
  • Dumet wire is preferably used for the electrode 130; in case of hard glass, a tungsten wire is preferably used.
  • the glass tube 132 has an exhaust port 134 through which it can be evacuated.
  • the fifth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment.
  • the fifth embodiment can give an effect similar to that of the fourth embodiment, and application of high frequency voltage whose peak value changes as time elapses to the internal electrode 130 enables various dynamic effects on the information to be displayed.
  • FIGS. 13 to 15 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the sixth embodiment is different from the fifth embidiment in that there is no internal electrode extending into the discharge space. In other respects, the sixth embodiment is similar to the fifth embodiment. Like parts are given like reference numbers and their description will not be repeated.
  • the display device (now designated by the reference number 140) is put in a water tank 138 containing water 136.
  • An electrical circuit 142 for activating the display device 140 has two lead wires 143 and 144, one lead wire 143 connected to the second electrode 122 and the other 144 inserted into the water 136.
  • no trouble occurs even when goldfish 146 are in the water tank 138.
  • the display device according to the sixth embodiment has an effect similar to that of the fourth embodiment, and furthermore, it can provide a novel display as shown in FIG. 15.
  • FIGS. 16 and 17 show a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the same as the fourth embodiment insofar as the second glass plate 112 and the sealing glass member 114 are concerned, but employing a modified first electrode 121 provided on the outer surface of the first glass plate 110.
  • the first electrode 121 is formed of the same conductive aqueous solution as the second electrode 122 of the fourth embodiment.
  • a protective plate 125 made of a transparent acrylic plate is provided on the first electrode 121.
  • a sealing member 127 made of silicone is provided to receive the first electrode 121 between the protective plate 125 and the first glass plate 110.
  • a lead wire 131 is electrically connected to the first electrode 121.
  • a fluorescent layer 117 is provided on the inner surface of the first glass plate 110.
  • the eighth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment. Like parts are given like reference numbers and their description will not be repeated.
  • the same effect as in the fourth embodiment may be obtained and further, luminous output may be obtained from both of the first and second glass plates 110 and 112.
  • the strength of the display device may be further increased by the addition of the protective plate 125 and the first electrode 121.
  • FIGS. 18 and 19 show a flat discharge lamp type display device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the display device includes a glass member 210 and a glass plate 212.
  • the glass member 210 and the glass plate 212 are made of soft glass such as transparent soda glass, or hard glass such as transparent borosilicate glass.
  • the glass member 210 is comprised of a glass flat portion 213 disposed in parallel to the glass plate 212, a glass sealing portion 214 having a predetermined height and formed along the periphery of the glass flat portion 213, and a plurality of spacers or glass support members 215 having the same height as the glass sealing portion 214 and disposed between the glass plate 212 and the glass flat portion 213.
  • the glass sealing portion 214 is bonded to the glass plate 212 by low-melting glass to thereby form a discharge vessel.
  • the flat portion 213, the sealing portion 214 and the support members 215 are of the same glass and are formed integrally. Since the support members 215 support the glass member 210 and the glass plate 212, the strength of the glass member 210 and the glass plate 212 may effectively be increased. Thus, the glass member 210 and the glass plate 212 may have a large area, making it possible to manufacture large-sized display devices.
  • the interior of the discharge vessel is evacuated and is then filled with xenon gas at a pressure from several to 100 mmHg, for example, at 50 mmHg.
  • a fluorescent layer 216 corresponding to the fluorescent layer 116 of the fourth embodiment is formed on the inner surface of the glass plate 217.
  • a first electrode 220 is provided on the outer surface of the glass flat portion 213.
  • the first electrode 220 is formed by applying, for example, an opaque carbon paint on the outer surface of the glass flat portion 213.
  • a second electrode 222 is provided on the outer surface of the glass plate 212.
  • the second electrode 222 is formed of an electrically conductive and transparent film such as of tin oxide. Lead wires 228 and 229 are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes 220 and 222, respectively.
  • the glass support members 215 having the same height as the glass sealing portion 214 are provided between the glass plate 212 and the glass flat portion 213.
  • the display device can employ large-sized glass plates, thereby making it possible to manufacture display devices having a large display area.
  • FIGS. 20 and 21 show a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the ninth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that there is no electrode provided on the outer surface of the second glass plate 212 but an internal electrode 230 is provided at one end of the discharge vessel and extends into a discarge space defined between the glass plate 212 and the glass flat portion 213.
  • the internal electrode 230 serves as a second electrode and is sealed in a glass tube 232 communicating with the discharge space.
  • the glass tube 232 has an exhaust port 234 through which it can be evacuated.
  • the ninth embodiment is similar to the eighth embodiment. Like parts are given like reference numbers and their description will not be repeated.
  • the ninth embodiment can give an effect similar to that of the eighth embodiment, and application of high frequency voltage whose peak value changes as time elapses to the internal electrode 230 enables various dynamic effects on the information to be displayed.
  • FIGS. 22 and 23 show a tenth embodiment of th present invention.
  • the tenth embodiment is different from the ninth embodiment in that there is no electrode provided on the outer surface of the glass flat portion 213, but only the internal electrode 230 is provided at one end of the discharge vessel and extends into the discahrge space.
  • the internal electrode 230 is equal to the one employed in the ninth embodiment and is sealed in the glass tube 232 communicating with the discharge space.
  • the tenth embodiment is similar to the ninth embodiment. Like parts are given like reference number and their description will not be repeated. Further, the system and electrical circuit to activate the display device of the tenth embodiment is substantially the same as those of the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 and any further description will be omitted.
  • FIGS. 24 and 25 show an 11th embodiment similar to the 8th embodiment wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts that will not be redescribed.
  • the 11th embodiment includes a modified second electrode 223, a protective plate 224 and a sealing member 226. All of these parts 223, 224 and 226 correspond to their couterparts 122, 124 and 126, respectively, of the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and any further description will be omitted.
  • the display device since the display device includes the second electrode 223 formed of aqueous solution and the protective plate 224 to protect the glass components, the strength of the display device may effectively be increased.
  • FIGS. 26 and 27 show a 12th embodiment of the present invention.
  • the 12th embodiment is different from the 11th embodiment in that there is no electrode provided on the outer surface of the glass flat portion 213 but an internal electrode 230A is provided at one end of the discharge vessel and extends into a discharge space defined between the glass plate 212 and the glass flat portion 213.
  • the internal electrode 230A serves as a second electrode and is sealed in a glass tube 232A communicating with the discharge space.
  • the glass tube 232A has an exhaust port 234A through which it can be evacuated.
  • the 12th embodiment is similar to the 11th embodiment. Like parts are given like reference numbers and their description will not be repeated. It will be noted that the effect of the 12th embodiment is similar to that of the 9th embodiment.
  • FIGS. 28 and 29 show a 13th embodiment of the present invention.
  • the 13th embodiment is different from the 12th embodiment in that there is no internal electrode extending into the discharge space.
  • the 13th embodiment is similar to the 12th embodiment.
  • Like parts are given like reference numbers and their description will not be repeated.
  • the system and electrical circuit to activate the display device of the 13th embodiment is substantially the same as those of the 6th embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 and any further description will be omitted.
  • FIGS. 30 and 31 show a 14th embodiment similar to the 11th embodiment wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts that will not be redescribed.
  • the 14th embodiment includes a modified first electrode 221 provided on the outer surface of the glass flat portion 213.
  • the first electrode 221 is formed of the same conductive aqueous solution as the second electrode 122 of the fourth embodiment.
  • a protective plate 225 made of a transparent acrylic plate is provided on the first electrode 221.
  • a sealing member 227 made of silicone is provided to seal the first electrode 221 between the protective plate 225 and the glass flat portion 213.
  • the inner surface of the glass flat portion 213 is provided with a fluorescent layer 217 to obtain luminous output also from the protective plate 225.
  • a lead wire 231 is electrically connected to the first electrode 221.
  • the same effect as in the 11th embodiment may be obtained and further, the strength of the display device may be increased by the addition of the protective plate 225 and the first electrode 221.
  • a glass plate 310 of 6mm thick and a glass plate 212 of 3mm thick are prepared.
  • plurality of masks 314 are attached to a peripheral portion of the glass plate 310 and portions of the glass plate 310 on which to form spacers.
  • the glass plate 310 with the masks 314 is chemically etched as by hydrofluoric acid for predetermined time.
  • the glass member 210 is formed having the glass flat portion 213, the glass sealing portion 214 and the glass support members 215 serving as spacers, which are used in the 8th to 14th embodiments.
  • the fluorescent layer 216 is formed on the glass palte 212 as by silk printing.
  • the fluorecent layer 216 is formed on regions of the glass plate 212 except the portions of the glass plate 212 which contact the glass sealing portion 214 and the glass support members 215 when the glass plate 212 and the glass member 210 are combined in the subsequent process to form a discharge vessel.
  • a low-melting glass member 320 is applied to the border between the glass sealing portion 214 and the glass plate 212, thereby combining the glass member 210 and the glass plate 212, to form a discharge vessel 318.
  • the discharge vessel 318 is evacuated and is then filled, for example, with xenon gas at a predetermined pressure.
  • the discharge vessel 318 of FIG. 32(d) is formed and the internal electrode 230 is inserted into the discharge vessle 318 through a predetermined point thereof.
  • the glass member 210 of FIG. 32(b) is formed and the glass tubes 232, 232A of the 9th, 10th and 12th embodiments is attached to the glass member 210 so as to provided the internal electrode 230 or 230A.
  • the opaque electrode 220 of the 8th, 9th and 11th embodiments on the inner surface of the glass flat portion 213 the discharge vessel 318 of FIG. 32(d) is formed, and carbon paint is applied to the outer surface of the glass flat portion 213.
  • the electrode 222 is formed before the fluorescent layer 216 is formed on the glass plate 212.
  • the electrically conductive liquids 223, 221, the sealing members 226, 227 and the protective plates 224, 225 of the 11th to 14th embodiments may be formed after the discharge vessel 318 of FIG. 32(d) has been formed.
  • various methods may be employed to form electrodes.
  • the fluorescent layer 216 may be formed on the inner surface of the glass flat portion 213. In this case, the fluorescent layer 216 may be formed after the glass member 210 of FIG. 32(d) has been formed.
  • the glass support members 215 and the glass sealing portion 214 having the same height may be precisely formed, so that when the discharge vessel is evacuated, the internal stress of the glass plate 212 and the glass flat portion 213 may be mitigated. Therefore, during manufacture, any possible damage to the discharge vessels may be prevented, thereby making it possible to manufacture large-sized discharge lamp type display devices.
  • the distance H (FIG. 32(d)) may be freely determined between the glass plate 212 and the glass flat portion 213.
  • a desired discharge lamp type display device may be manufactured easily.
  • FIG. 33 shows an electrical circuit which may be used to activate the display device according to any of the foregoing embodiments for luminous discharge thereof, but hereinafter the description will be given in relation to, for example, the display device of the first embodiment (now designated by the reference number 48).
  • FIGS. 34 and 35 show the waveform of a pulse signal generated by a control signal generator 52 in FIG. 33.
  • the pulse signal is adapted for controlling a high frequency voltage to be applied to the display device 48 of the invention.
  • a power supply 50 is connected at one end thereof to an input terminal of the control signal generator 52 and to one end of a primary winding of a boosting transformer 54.
  • the power supply 50 is also connected at the other end thereof to the other input terminal of the control signal generator 52 and to an emitter of a transistor 56.
  • the transistor 56 has a collector connected to the other end of the primary winding of the boosting transformer 54 and a base connected through a resistance 58 to an output terminal of the control signal generator 52.
  • the other ends of the power supply 50 and the control signal generator 52 and the emitter of the transistor 56 are grounded.
  • the boosting transformer 54 has a secondary winding connected at one end thereof to the first electrode 20 of the display device 48. The other end of the secondary winding of the boosting transformer 54 is connected to the second electrode 22 and is grounded.
  • the control signal generator 52 is composed of a pulse signal generator and is adapted to supply a pulse signal as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 through the resistance 58 to the base of the transistor 56.
  • the pulse signal has a pulse width t and a frequency T2 of 0.5 to 20 kHz, and in response to the frequency T2, the transistor 56 is turned on and off.
  • the boosting transformer 54 boosts the voltage at the primary winding to sufficient magnitude to discharge and light up the display device 48, creating at the secondary winding thereof a high frequency voltage in the order of 300 V to 6 kV at the peak, which is applied across the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 22.
  • the electrical circuit thus constructed permits uniform luminous discharge of the display device 48, and in case both of the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 are transparent, uniform luminous output is obtainable from the surfaces of the first and second glass plates 10 and 12.
  • FIGS. 36 to 38 Another electrical circuit to activate the display device of the present invention for luminous discharge will be described with reference to FIGS. 36 to 38.
  • This circuit may be employed to activate the display device having the internal electrode, but hereinafter the description will be given in relation to, for example, the display device of the second embodiment (now designated by the reference number 60).
  • the first electrode 20 is connected to a grounded end of the boosting transformer 54 and the internal electrode 30 is connected to the other terminal of the boosting transformer 54.
  • the arrangement are equal to that of the electrical circuit in FIG. 33, except the construction of a control signal generator 62.
  • Like parts are given like reference numbers and any further description of the electrical circuit will be omitted.
  • the control signal generator 62 is composed of a pulse signal generator 64 and a sawtooth signal generator 66.
  • the pulse signal generator 64 has two input terminals which are connected to input terminals 70 and 72 of the control signal generator 62, respectively, and the sawtooth signal generator 66 has tow input terminals which are also connected to the input terminals 70 and 72, respectively.
  • Outputs of the pulse signal generator 64 and the sawtooth signal generator 66 are connected to output terminal 74 and 76 of the control signal generator 62.
  • the pulse signal generator 64 is adapted to generate a pulse signal having a frequency T2 of 0.5 to 20 kHz, as shown in FIG.
  • the sawtooth signal generator 66 is adapted to generate a sawtooth signal having a frequency T1 of about a fraction of 1 Hz to several Hz, as shown in FIG. 38(b).
  • the waveforms of FIGS. 38(a) and 38(b) provides a control pulse signal shown in FIG. 38(c).
  • the control pulse signal has its peak value varied in a sawtooth form and has a frequency T1.
  • the input terminals 70 and 72 are connected to the output terminal of the power supply 50.
  • the output terminal 74 is connected to the base of the transistor 56 and the output terminal 76 is connected to the primary winding of the boosting transformer 54.
  • FIG. 39 shows how the display appears with the high luminance portion gradually moving in the direction indicated by an arrow as time elapses.
  • Such a periodical change of the luminance gives a dynamic display effect indicating, for example, a surf and a waterfall.
  • the pattern of the fluorescent layer and the fluorescent material forming the pattern may be selected as desired, so that luminous discharge of th display device activated by the above circuit can provided a dynamic display with various ideas.
  • the length A mm of the internal electrode extending into the discharge space may preferably be determined by the size of the discharge space (L mm long by l mm wide by H mm deep). For example, given that L is 100 mm and l is 100 mm, and when H is about 0.2 mm, the length A of the internal electrode 30 may be about 100 mm; when H is about 1 mm, the length A may be about several tens mm; and when H is about 3 to 4 mm, the length A may be several mm.
  • FIG. 41 shows various types of pulse signals which can be transmitted from the pulse signal generator 64.
  • FIG. 41(a) shows a pulse signal having a frequency of T2 and a pulse width of t
  • FIG. 41(b) a pulse signal having a frequency of T2 and a pulse width of t/2
  • FIG. 41(c) a pulse signal having a frequency of T2 and a pulse width of 2t.
  • the luminance is decreased in comparison with that of the pulse signal in FIG. 41(a) to save energy.
  • the pulse signal in FIG. 41(c) the luminance is increased in comparison with that of the pulse signal in FIG. 41(a).
  • FIG. 42 shows various types of sawtooth control signals which can be transmitted from the control signal generator 62.
  • FIG. 42(a) shows a sawtooth control signal having a period of T1
  • FIG. 42(b) a sawtooth control signal having a period of T1/2
  • FIG. 42(c) a sawtooth control signal having a period of 2T1.
  • the luminance distribution in the illumination region is continuously varied in a shorter period to provide a quicker luminance change of the dynamic display
  • the luminance distribution in the illumination region is continuously varied in a longer period to provide a slower luminance change of the dynamic display.
  • the control signal transmitted from the control signal generator 62 is not limited to the sawtooth signal.
  • a triangular signal generator 78 may be employed to generate a control signal whose peak value is varied in a triangular waveform.
  • FIG. 44(a) shows a pulse signal from the pulse signal generator 64
  • FIG. 44(b) a triangular signal from the triangular signal generator 78
  • FIG. 44(c) a control signal having a period of T3 generated from the control signal generator 62.
  • the control signal generator 62 can generate various control signals, which may be used to achieve a dynamic display in which the luminance changes variously.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Gas-Filled Discharge Tubes (AREA)
EP88307261A 1987-08-06 1988-08-05 Anzeigegerät vom Entladungslampentyp Withdrawn EP0302748A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP197261/87 1987-08-06
JP197262/87 1987-08-06
JP62197262A JPH0640482B2 (ja) 1987-08-06 1987-08-06 放電灯ディスプレイ装置
JP62197261A JPH0640481B2 (ja) 1987-08-06 1987-08-06 放電灯ディスプレイ装置
JP62197263A JPS6445041A (en) 1987-08-06 1987-08-06 Discharge lamp display
JP62197260A JPH0640480B2 (ja) 1987-08-06 1987-08-06 放電灯ディスプレイ装置
JP197260/87 1987-08-06
JP197263/87 1987-08-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0302748A2 true EP0302748A2 (de) 1989-02-08
EP0302748A3 EP0302748A3 (de) 1990-07-04

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EP88307261A Withdrawn EP0302748A3 (de) 1987-08-06 1988-08-05 Anzeigegerät vom Entladungslampentyp

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EP (1) EP0302748A3 (de)
KR (1) KR890004264A (de)
AU (1) AU607520B2 (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0399428A2 (de) * 1989-05-22 1990-11-28 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Leuchtstoffentladungslampe mit Edelgas
WO1994006259A1 (en) * 1992-09-10 1994-03-17 A.D. Electronic Ltd Circuit for operating fluorescent and neon-argon gas tubes without starter, ballast and high-voltage transformers
WO1994023442A1 (de) * 1993-04-05 1994-10-13 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Verfahren zum betreiben einer inkohärent emittierenden strahlungsquelle
EP0729694A1 (de) * 1993-11-03 1996-09-04 Science Applications International Corporation Hocheffiziente uv rückbeleuchtung für elektronische displays
US5598052A (en) * 1992-07-28 1997-01-28 Philips Electronics North America Vacuum microelectronic device and methodology for fabricating same
WO1997004625A1 (de) * 1995-07-18 1997-02-06 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Verfahren zum betreiben eines beleuchtungssystems und dafür geeignetes beleuchtungssystem
US5624293A (en) * 1992-07-28 1997-04-29 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Gas discharge lamps and lasers fabricated by micromachining methodology
WO1999005892A1 (de) * 1997-07-22 1999-02-04 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Verfahren zum erzeugen von impulsspannungsfolgen und zugehörige schaltungsanordnung
US5955838A (en) * 1992-07-28 1999-09-21 Philips Electronics North America Corp. Gas discharge lamps and lasers fabricated by micromachining methodology
DE10005156A1 (de) * 2000-02-07 2001-08-09 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Flache Gasentladungslampe mit Abstandselementen

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3532578B2 (ja) * 1991-05-31 2004-05-31 三菱電機株式会社 放電ランプおよびこれを用いる画像表示装置
KR100444387B1 (ko) * 2001-08-16 2004-08-16 안석두 액형 립 펜슬의 용기

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Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0399428A3 (de) * 1989-05-22 1992-03-25 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Leuchtstoffentladungslampe mit Edelgas
EP0399428A2 (de) * 1989-05-22 1990-11-28 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Leuchtstoffentladungslampe mit Edelgas
US5919070A (en) * 1992-07-28 1999-07-06 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Vacuum microelectronic device and methodology for fabricating same
US5598052A (en) * 1992-07-28 1997-01-28 Philips Electronics North America Vacuum microelectronic device and methodology for fabricating same
US5955838A (en) * 1992-07-28 1999-09-21 Philips Electronics North America Corp. Gas discharge lamps and lasers fabricated by micromachining methodology
US5624293A (en) * 1992-07-28 1997-04-29 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Gas discharge lamps and lasers fabricated by micromachining methodology
US5796209A (en) * 1992-07-28 1998-08-18 Philips Electronics North America Gas discharge lamps and lasers fabricated by michromachining
WO1994006259A1 (en) * 1992-09-10 1994-03-17 A.D. Electronic Ltd Circuit for operating fluorescent and neon-argon gas tubes without starter, ballast and high-voltage transformers
WO1994023442A1 (de) * 1993-04-05 1994-10-13 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Verfahren zum betreiben einer inkohärent emittierenden strahlungsquelle
CN1066854C (zh) * 1993-04-05 2001-06-06 电灯专利信托有限公司 放电灯的运行方法
US5604410A (en) * 1993-04-05 1997-02-18 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fur Elektrische Gluhlampen Mbh Method to operate an incoherently emitting radiation source having at least one dielectrically impeded electrode
EP0729694A1 (de) * 1993-11-03 1996-09-04 Science Applications International Corporation Hocheffiziente uv rückbeleuchtung für elektronische displays
EP0729694A4 (de) * 1993-11-03 1997-02-26 Science Applic Int Corp Hocheffiziente uv rückbeleuchtung für elektronische displays
US5994849A (en) * 1995-07-18 1999-11-30 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fuer Electrische Gluehlampen Mbh Method for operating a lighting system and suitable lighting system therefor
WO1997004625A1 (de) * 1995-07-18 1997-02-06 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Verfahren zum betreiben eines beleuchtungssystems und dafür geeignetes beleuchtungssystem
WO1999005892A1 (de) * 1997-07-22 1999-02-04 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Verfahren zum erzeugen von impulsspannungsfolgen und zugehörige schaltungsanordnung
US6323600B1 (en) 1997-07-22 2001-11-27 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Process for generating voltage pulse sequences and circuit assembly therefor
DE10005156A1 (de) * 2000-02-07 2001-08-09 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Flache Gasentladungslampe mit Abstandselementen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU607520B2 (en) 1991-03-07
EP0302748A3 (de) 1990-07-04
AU2003688A (en) 1989-02-09
KR890004264A (ko) 1989-04-21

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