EP1544892A1 - Image-displaying device, method of producing spacer used for image-displaying device, and image-displaying device with the spacer produced by the method - Google Patents

Image-displaying device, method of producing spacer used for image-displaying device, and image-displaying device with the spacer produced by the method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1544892A1
EP1544892A1 EP03798494A EP03798494A EP1544892A1 EP 1544892 A1 EP1544892 A1 EP 1544892A1 EP 03798494 A EP03798494 A EP 03798494A EP 03798494 A EP03798494 A EP 03798494A EP 1544892 A1 EP1544892 A1 EP 1544892A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
spacer
spacers
paste
distal end
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Withdrawn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
EP03798494A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Shigeo I.P. division Toshiba Corporation TAKENAKA
Masaru I.P.division Toshiba Corporation NIKAIDO
Satoshi I.P. division Toshiba Corp. ISHIKAWA
Satoko I.P. divisionCorporation OYAIZU
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.)
Toshiba Corp
Original Assignee
Toshiba Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toshiba Corp filed Critical Toshiba Corp
Publication of EP1544892A1 publication Critical patent/EP1544892A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J31/00—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes
    • H01J31/08—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes having a screen on or from which an image or pattern is formed, picked up, converted, or stored
    • H01J31/10—Image or pattern display tubes, i.e. having electrical input and optical output; Flying-spot tubes for scanning purposes
    • H01J31/12—Image or pattern display tubes, i.e. having electrical input and optical output; Flying-spot tubes for scanning purposes with luminescent screen
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J29/00—Details of cathode-ray tubes or of electron-beam tubes of the types covered by group H01J31/00
    • H01J29/02—Electrodes; Screens; Mounting, supporting, spacing or insulating thereof
    • H01J29/028—Mounting or supporting arrangements for flat panel cathode ray tubes, e.g. spacers particularly relating to electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J31/00—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes
    • H01J31/08—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes having a screen on or from which an image or pattern is formed, picked up, converted, or stored
    • H01J31/10—Image or pattern display tubes, i.e. having electrical input and optical output; Flying-spot tubes for scanning purposes
    • H01J31/12—Image or pattern display tubes, i.e. having electrical input and optical output; Flying-spot tubes for scanning purposes with luminescent screen
    • H01J31/123—Flat display tubes
    • H01J31/125—Flat display tubes provided with control means permitting the electron beam to reach selected parts of the screen, e.g. digital selection
    • H01J31/127—Flat display tubes provided with control means permitting the electron beam to reach selected parts of the screen, e.g. digital selection using large area or array sources, i.e. essentially a source for each pixel group
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J9/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture, installation, removal, maintenance of electric discharge tubes, discharge lamps, or parts thereof; Recovery of material from discharge tubes or lamps
    • H01J9/02—Manufacture of electrodes or electrode systems
    • H01J9/18—Assembling together the component parts of electrode systems
    • H01J9/185—Assembling together the component parts of electrode systems of flat panel display devices, e.g. by using spacers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2329/00—Electron emission display panels, e.g. field emission display panels
    • H01J2329/86—Vessels
    • H01J2329/8625—Spacing members
    • H01J2329/864—Spacing members characterised by the material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2329/00—Electron emission display panels, e.g. field emission display panels
    • H01J2329/86—Vessels
    • H01J2329/8625—Spacing members
    • H01J2329/865—Connection of the spacing members to the substrates or electrodes
    • H01J2329/8655—Conductive or resistive layers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image display device that has substrates opposed to each other and a plurality of electron sources arranged on the inner surface of one of the substrates.
  • the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a spacer for use in the image display device and to an image display device that has spacers manufactured by the method.
  • the FED has a first substrate and a second substrate that are opposed to each other, with a given gap between them.
  • the substrates have their respective peripheral edge portions joined directly or by a sidewall shaped like a rectangular frame.
  • the substrates constitute a vacuum envelope.
  • Phosphor layers are formed on the inner surface of the first substrate.
  • a plurality of electron-emitting elements, which are used as electron sources that excite the phosphor layers, causing them to emit light, are provided on the inner surface of the second substrate.
  • a plurality of spacers, or support members, are arranged between the first and second substrates in order to support the atmospheric load that acts on these substrates.
  • anode voltage is applied to the phosphor screen, and electron beams emitted from the electron emitting elements are accelerated by the anode voltage as they hit the phosphor screen, thereby causing the phosphors to glow and display a video image.
  • each electron-emitting element has a size on the micrometer order, and the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate can be on the millimeter order.
  • this image display device can achieve higher resolution and can be lighter and thinner than cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) that are used as displays of existing television receivers or computers.
  • CRTs cathode-ray tubes
  • the anode voltage should preferably be several kilovolts or more with use of phosphors that are similar to those of a conventional cathode-ray tube.
  • the gap between the first and second substrates cannot be large. It must be about 1 mm to about 3 mm.
  • secondary electrons and reflected electrons are generated when electrons emitted from the second substrate impinge on the spacers. Consequently, the spacers are electrically charged. Generally, the spacers are charged positively at the acceleration voltage of the FED.
  • the spacers attract the electron beams emitted from the electron-emitting elements, deflecting the electron beams from their original paths. This results in erroneous landing of the beams on the phosphor layers and ultimately lowers the color purity of the image displayed.
  • each spacer may be rendered electrically conductive at its entire surface or at a part thereof.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,726,529 discloses a structure in which an insulating spacer is rendered electrically conductive at one end close to the second substrate. Thus, the spacer is prevented from being electrically charged.
  • the spacers are rendered electrically conductive, however, an ineffective current flowing from the first substrate to the second substrate will increase. This raises the temperature and increases the power consumption. Further, the conventional process of rendering the spacers electrically conductive cannot help but increase the manufacturing cost.
  • an image display device comprises: a first substrate which has a phosphor surface; a second substrate which is opposed to the first substrate with a gap and has a plurality of electron sources configured to emit electron beams to excite the phosphor surface; and a plurality of spacers which are made of insulating material, are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate and support an atmospheric load acting on the first and second substrates, each spacer having distal end portions at the first and second substrates, respectively, and the distal end portions being impregnated with electrically conductive material and constituting conductivity-imparting portions.
  • the electron beams emitted from each electron source located near one spacer is repelled by the electric field generated by the conductivity-imparting portions provided at the end portions of the spacer.
  • the electron beam therefore travels along a path deviated from the spacer.
  • the electron beam is attracted toward the spacer, thus traveling along a path approaching the spacer.
  • the repulsion and the attraction cancel out the deviation of the electron beam from the path.
  • the electron beam emitted from the electron-emitting element ultimately reaches the target position on the phosphor surface. This prevents erroneous landing of the electron beam and, hence, reduces color purity.
  • the SED can therefore display images of higher quality.
  • the image display device can therefore display images of improved quality.
  • the increase in temperature and the increase in power consumption can be more controlled than in image display devices having spacers that are electrically conductive as a whole.
  • a method of manufacturing a plurality of spacers in an image display device comprises forming spacers by using insulating material; applying paste or solution, either containing an electrically conductive component, to distal end portions of each spacer, and causing the paste or solution to permeate into the distal end portion by virtue of an capillary action; and firing each spacer into which the paste or solution has permeated, thereby providing a spacer that has, at the distal end portions, conductivity-imparting portions impregnated with electrically conductive material.
  • a method of manufacturing a spacer comprises: forming a spacer by using insulating material; applying paste containing an electrically conductive component, to distal end portions of the spacer; and performing heat treatment on the spacer applied with the paste, diffusing the electrically conductive component in the distal end portions of the spacer, thereby providing a spacer that has, at the distal end portions, conductivity-imparting portions impregnated with electrically conductive material.
  • a method of manufacturing a spacer comprises: preparing dies having a plurality of through holes for forming spacers; pouring first paste containing no electrically conductive components, into the through holes; pouring second paste in which an electrically conductive component is dispersed, into the through hole, thereby applying the second paste onto the first paste; and heating the first paste and the second paste, thereby providing a spacer that has, at distal end portions, conductivity-imparting portions in which the electrically conductive component is dispersed.
  • the SED comprises a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 12, which are rectangular glass plates serving as transparent insulating substrates. These substrates are opposed to each other with a gap of about 1.0 to 2.0 mm between them.
  • the second substrate 12 has a size a little greater than that of the first substrate 10.
  • the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 12 are joined together at their peripheral edge portions, by a glass sidewall 14 shaped like a rectangular frame. Thus joined, the substrates 10 and 12 constitute a flat, rectangular vacuum envelope 15. A high vacuum is maintained inside the vacuum envelope 15.
  • a phosphor screen 16, or a phosphor surface, is formed on the inner surface of the first substrate 10.
  • the phosphor screen 16 is composed of phosphor layers R, G and B and black light-shielding layers 11, which are arranged on the first substrate 10.
  • the layers R emit red light
  • the layers G emit green light
  • the layers B emit blue light, when electrons impinge on them.
  • the phosphor layers R, G and B are provided in the form of stripes or dots.
  • a metal back 17 made of aluminum or the like is formed on the phosphor screen 16.
  • a transparent electrically conductive film of, for example, ITO, or color filter film may be interposed between the first substrate 10 and the phosphor screen 16.
  • a large number of surface-conduction electron-emitting elements 18 are provided on the inner surface of the second substrate 12. They are electron sources and emit electron beams that excite the phosphor layers of the phosphor screen 16.
  • the electron-emitting elements 18 are arranged in rows and columns, each provided for one pixel.
  • Each electron-emitting element 18 has an electron-emitting portion (not shown), a pair of element electrodes that apply voltage to the electron emitting portion, and the like.
  • a large number of wires (not shown) for applying voltage to the electron-emitting elements 18 are provided in the form of a matrix, on the inner surface of the second substrate 12. The wires are drawn at either end portion, from the vacuum envelope 15.
  • The_sidewall 14 that serves as a joining member is sealed to the peripheral edge portions of the first substrate 10 and second substrate 12, with a sealant 20.
  • the sealant 20 is made of, for example, low-melting glass or low-melting metal.
  • the SED has a spacer assembly 22.
  • the spacer assembly 22 is located between the second substrate 10 and the first substrate 12.
  • the spacer assembly 22 has a plate-like grid 24 and a plurality of columnar spacers that are integrally formed on the both surfaces of the grid.
  • the grid 24 has a first surface 24a and a second surface 24b and is located parallel to those substrates.
  • the first surface 24a faces the inner surface of the first substrate 12.
  • the second surface 24b faces the inner surface of the second substrate 10.
  • the grid 24 has a number of electron-beam passage apertures 26 and a plurality of spacer openings 28.
  • the apertures 26 and openings 28 have been made by etching or a similar process.
  • the electron-beam passage apertures 26 are arranged, opening to the electron-emitting elements 18, respectively, and the electron beams emitted from the electron-emitting elements are passed through the respective electron-beam apertures.
  • the spacer openings 28 are located between the electron-beam passage apertures 26 and are arranged at given pitches.
  • the grid 24 is a sheet of iron-nickel metal having a thickness of, for example, 0.1 to 0.25 mm. On the surfaces of the grid 24 there is formed an oxide film of the metal forming a metal film.
  • the oxide film is made of, for example, Fe 3 O 4 and Fe 2 NiO 4 .
  • a high-resistance film is provided on at least that surface of the grid 24, which lies at the second substrate.
  • the high-resistance film has been formed by applying and firing high-resistance substance that is made of glass and ceramics.
  • the high-resistance film has resistance of E + 8 ⁇ / ⁇ or more.
  • the electron-beam passage apertures 26 are rectangular, each 0.15 to 0.25 mm wide and 0.15 to 0.25 mm long, for example.
  • the spacer openings 28 have a diameter of about 0.2 to 0.5 mm, for example.
  • the aforesaid high-resistance film is provided, also on the surface of the wall that defines the electron-beam passage apertures 26.
  • a first spacer 30a protrudes from, and is integrally formed with, the first surface 24a of the grid 24, overlapping each corresponding spacer opening 28.
  • the extended end of each first spacer 30a abuts against the inner surface of the first substrate 10 via the metal back 17 and the black light-shielding layer 11 of the phosphor screen 16.
  • a second spacer 30b protrudes from, and is integrally formed with, the second surface 24b of the grid 24, overlapping each corresponding spacer opening 28.
  • the extended end of the second spacer 30b abuts against the inner surface of the second substrate 12.
  • the extended end of the second spacer 30b lies above the wire 21 provided on the inner surface of the second substrate 12.
  • the first spacer 30a and second spacer 30b are made of insulating material.
  • the distal end portions of the first spacer 30a and second spacer 30 contain electrically conductive material and constitute conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b, respectively.
  • the content of the electrically conductive material gradually decreases from the distal end toward the middle potion, namely toward the grid 24.
  • the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b generate an electric field.
  • the electric field deflects the electron beams emitted from the electron-emitting elements 18, away from the first spacer 30a and second spacer 30.
  • the electrically conductive material contained in the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b may be, for example, Ni, In, Ag, Au, Pt, Ir, Ru, W or the like.
  • the height of the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b and the content of the conductive material are determined from the repulsion applied to the electron beams, i.e., the degree of correcting the paths of electron beams.
  • Each of the first and second spacers 30a and 30b is tapered so that its diameter decreases from the side of the grid 24 toward the extended end.
  • each first spacer 30a is formed so that the diameter of its proximal end on the side of the grid 24 is about 0.4 mm, the diameter of its extended end is about 0.3 mm, and its height is about 0.6 mm.
  • Each second spacer 30b is formed so that the diameter of its proximal end on the side of the grid 24 is about 0.4 mm, the diameter of its extended end is about 0.25 mm, and its height is about 0.8 mm.
  • the height of the second spacer 30b is greater than the height of the first spacer 30a.
  • the first and second spacers 30a and 30b have surface resistance of 5 ⁇ 10 13 ⁇ . Each spacer opening 28 and the first and second spacers 30a and 30b are aligned with one another. The first and second spacers 30a and 30b are connected to each other through the spacer opening 28, forming an integral part. The first and second spacers 30a and 30b are therefore formed integrally with the grid 24, clamping the grid 24 is sandwiched at both sides.
  • the spacer assembly 22 constructed as described above is interposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 12.
  • the first and second spacers 30a and 30b abut on the inner surfaces of the first substrate 10 and second substrate 12, respectively, bearing the atmospheric load acting on these substrates.
  • the spacers 30a and 30b support the atmospheric load that acts on these substrates and keep the substrates spaced apart by a prescribed distance.
  • the SED has a voltage supply unit (not shown) that applies voltages to the grid 24 and the metal back 17 of the first substrate 12.
  • the voltage supply unit is connected to the grid 24 and the metal back 17. It applies a voltage of, for example, 12 kV and a voltage equal to or lower than 12 kV, to the grid 24 and the metal back 17, respectively.
  • the voltage applied to the grid 24 is set to one equal to or higher than the voltage applied to the first substrate 10.
  • an anode voltage is applied to the phosphor screen 16 and the metal back 17, and the anode voltage accelerates the electron beams B emitted from the electron-emitting elements 18, causing the beams to impinge on the phosphor screen 16 by.
  • the beams excite the phosphor layers of the phosphor screen 16. The image is thereby displayed.
  • a thin plate made of Fe-45-55% Ni and having thickness of 0.12 mm is degreased, washed and dried.
  • electron-beam passage apertures 26 and spacer openings 28 are formed in the thin plate by etching, thus providing the grid 24.
  • the entire grid 24 is oxidized by means of an oxidation process, forming an insulating film on the surfaces of the grid 24 and also in the inner surface of each electron-beam passage aperture 26 and the inner surface of each spacer opening 28.
  • a solution with fine oxide antimony particles dispersed in it is sprayed onto the insulating film, forming a layer of the solution. This layer of solution is dried and fired, thereby forming a high-resistance film.
  • the first die 36a and the second die 36b which serve as molds, have a through hole 38a and a through hole 38b, respectively.
  • the holes 38a and 38b are used to form spacers. These through holes are arranged in alignment with the spacer openings 28 of the grid 24, respectively.
  • the first and second dies 36a and 36b are coated with resin that can thermally decompose, at least on the inner surfaces of through holes 38a and 38b.
  • the first die 36a is laid on the first surface 24a of the grid 24, while positioned, with the through holes 38a is aligned with the respective spacer openings 28 of the grid 24.
  • the second die 36b is laid on the second 24b of the grid 24 and positioned, with the through holes 38b aligned with the respective spacer openings 28 of the grid 24.
  • the first die 36a, grid 24, and second die 36b are fixed to one another by using a clamper (not shown) or the like.
  • pasty spacer-forming material 40 is supplied, for example, from the outer surface of the first die 36a, filling the through holes 38a of the first die, the spacer openings 28 of the grid 24, and the through holes 38b of the second die 36b.
  • a glass paste containing at least ultraviolet-curing binder (organic component) and glass filler is used as the spacer-forming material 40.
  • UV ultraviolet
  • the resin that is applied in the through hole 38a of the first die 36a and the through hole 38b of the second die 36b is thermally decomposed by heat treatment, providing gaps between the spacer-forming material 40 and the through holes as is illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • Screen printing for example, is performed, applying silver paste 42, or electrically conductive material, to both ends of each layer of spacer-forming material 40, i.e., only those portions that will be a first spacer 30 and a second spacer 30b. Then, the first and second dies 36a and 36b are removed from the grid 24.
  • the grid 24 now having the first and second spacers 30a and 30b made of the spacer-forming material 40 are heat-treated in a heating oven.
  • the binder is thereby evaporated from the spacer-forming material.
  • the spacer-forming material is regularly fired at about 500 to 550°C for 30 minutes to one hour.
  • a spacer assembly 22, which has the first and second spacers 30a and 30b, is thereby provided on the grid 24 as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the silver component of the silver paste spreads over the distal ends of the first and second spacers 30a and 30b, for a distance of about 0.15 mm.
  • the first and second spacers 30a and 30b acquire, as bulgs, conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b.
  • the portions 31a and 31b contain silver in the distal end and are formed integral with the spacers 30a and 30b.
  • the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 12 are prepared.
  • the first substrate 10 has a phosphor screen 16 and a metal back 17.
  • the second substrate 12 has electron-emitting elements 18 and wires 21 and is joined to the sidewall 14.
  • the spacer assembly 22 constructed as described above is arranged on the second substrate 12.
  • the spacer assembly 22 is positioned so that the extended ends of the second spacers 30b lie on the wires 21.
  • the first substrate 10, the second substrate 12, and the spacer assembly 22 thus positioned are arranged in a vacuum chamber.
  • the vacuum chamber is evacuated, and the first substrate is joined to the second substrate, by using the sidewall 14. An SED having the spacer assembly 22 is thereby manufactured.
  • the electron beam B emitted from an electron-emitting element 18 located near the second spacer 30b is repelled by the electric field generated by the conductivity-imparting portions 31b that is the distal end portion of the second spacer 30b.
  • the electron beam B therefore propagates toward the electron-beam passage aperture 26, while traveling in a path that deviates from the second spacer. Thereafter, the electron beam B is attracted toward the second spacer 30b and first spacer 30b, both electrically charged, and travels in a path, approaching these spacers. Then, the electron beam B is repelled by the electric field generated by the conductivity-imparting portions 31a that constitutes the distal end portion of the first spacer 30a.
  • the beam B therefore propagates toward the phosphor screen 16, while traveling in a path that deviates from the first spacer.
  • the repulsion and the attraction cancel out the deviation of the electron beam B from the path.
  • the electron beam B emitted from the electron-emitting element 18 ultimately reaches the target phosphor of the phosphor screen 16.
  • the distance the electron beam moves toward the spacer is negligibly short if the distance between the electron-emitting element and the spacer is sufficiently long.
  • the electron beam keeps moving until the secondary electrons or the reflected electrons, generated at the phosphor surface, impinge on the spacers and electrically charge the spacers.
  • the acceleration voltage used in the SED is of such a value that the emission coefficient of secondary electrons is 1 or more. Therefore, the spacer sidewall is positively charged and attracts the electron beam toward the spacer.
  • the electric field that repels electron beams from the spacers is generated, not by discharging the spacers. Rather, the electric field is generated by providing the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b, respectively at the distal end portions of the first and second spacers 30a and 30b that are located near the first and second substrates 10 and 12, respectively.
  • the heights of the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b can be controlled thereby to change the intensity of the magnetic field and, ultimately, control the degree of repulsion.
  • the electron beam B can be prevented from deviating from the path in the SED even if the first and second spacers 30a and 30b are electrically charged and attract the electron beam B. This prevents erroneous landing of the electron beam B and, hence, reduces the degradation of color purity.
  • the SED can therefore display images of higher quality.
  • the conductivity-imparting portion 31b provided at the second substrate 12 is located near the electron-emitting side.
  • the electric field generated by the conductivity-imparting portion 31b greatly influences the path of the electron beam. That is, the electron beam is sensitive to the electric field generated by the conductivity-imparting portion 31b.
  • the path of the electron beam will greatly change even if the height of the conductivity-imparting portion 31b, as measured from the second substrate 12, changes a little. This is why the electron beams emitted from a plurality of electron-emitting elements move by different distances if the conductivity-imparting portions 31b have acquired different heights during the manufacturing process. Consequently, the paths of the electron beams can hardly be controlled accurately, by the use of only the conductivity-imparting portions 31b that is provided near the second substrate.
  • the paths of the electron beams can easily be controlled with high accuracy in the SED according to the present embodiment of this invention.
  • the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b are provided at the distal end portions of the first and second spacers 30a and 30b, respectively, and the action that the conductivity-imparting portion 31b exerts on the electron beam is mitigated.
  • the conductivity-imparting portion 31a that has low sensitivity compensates for the insufficient path correction. This makes it possible to control the path of the electron beam, easily and correctly.
  • the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b need not be made at high precision. They can therefore be manufactured easily. That is, a conductivity-imparting portion is provided at the distal end portions of both the first spacer 30a and the second spacer 30b, thus attaining the same advantage as achieved by providing a conductivity-imparting portion having a precise height on the side of the second substrate 12 only.
  • first and second spacers 30a and 30b are rendered electrically conductive in their entirety, the ineffective current that flows from the first substrate 10 to the second substrate 12 through the spacers will increase to raise the temperature and increase the power consumption. Further, the parts of each spacer, which is electrically conductive, generates gas while the SED is operating, and may cause ion impact at the electron-emitting elements that are arranged near the spacers.
  • the first and second spacers 30a and 30 have conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b, respectively, at the distal end portion only.
  • Each spacer is a three-stage structure, or a conductor-insulator-conductor unit. Therefore, the spacers would not cause an increase in the ineffective current, a rise of temperature, or ion impact.
  • the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b change the electric field around the spacers, making it possible to control the path of an electron beam easily and accurately.
  • the electron beams were attracted toward the spacers by about 120 ⁇ m.
  • the movement of the electron beams was ⁇ 20 ⁇ m, and the color purity of image was improved, too.
  • the grid 24 is arranged between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 12, and the height of the first spacer 30a is smaller than that of the second spacer 30b.
  • the grid 24 is closer to the first substrate 10 than to the second substrate 12.
  • the grid 24 can therefore inhibit the discharge loss at the electron-emitting elements 18 provided on the second substrate 12, even if discharge occurs at the first substrate 10.
  • the SED excels in resistance to discharge and can display images of improved quality.
  • the height of the first spacer 30a is smaller than that of the second spacer 30b.
  • the electrons emitted from the electron-emitting elements 18 can therefore reliably reach the phosphor screen even if the voltage applied to the grid 24 is higher than the voltage applied to the first substrate 10.
  • a method of manufacturing a spacer according to a second embodiment of this invention will be described.
  • a grid 24 of a prescribed size is formed in the same way as in the method according to the first embodiment.
  • first and second dies 36a and 36 are prepared.
  • the first die 36a is laid on the first surface 24a of the grid and positioned, with the through holes 38a aligned with the spacer openings 28 of the grid 24, as is illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the second die 36b is laid on the second surface 24b of the grid 24 and positioned, with the through hole 38b aligned with the spacer opening 28 of the grid 24.
  • the first die 36a, grid 24, and second die 36b are fixed to one another by using a clamper (not shown) or the like.
  • pasty spacer-forming material 40 for example, is supplied from the outer surface of the first die 36a, filling the through holes 38a of the first die, the spacer openings 28 of the grid 24, and the through holes 38b of the second die 36b.
  • An insulating glass paste containing at least UV-curing binder (organic component) and glass filler is used as the spacer-forming material 40.
  • UV rays are applied to the filled spacer-forming material 40 from the outer surface side of the first and second dies 36a and 36b, curing the spacer-forming material. Thereafter, thermal curing may be performed as required. Then, the resin that is applied in the through hole 38a of the first die 36a and the through hole 38b of the second die 36b is thermally decomposed by heat treatment, providing gaps between the spacer-forming material 40 and the through holes as is illustrated in FIG. 7. Thereafter, the first and second dies 36a and 36b are removed from the grid 24.
  • the grid 24 now having the first and second spacers 30a and 30b made of the spacer-forming material 40 are heat-treated in a heating oven.
  • the binder is thereby evaporated from the spacer-forming material.
  • the binder is thereby removed.
  • a solution composed of very file silver particles and etradecane solution is applied by, for example, ink-jet process, to the distal end of the first spacer 30a and the distal end of the second spacer 30b as shown in FIG. 8, while the spacer-forming material 40 remains porous before it is fired.
  • the solution applied permeates into the distal end portions of the first and second spacers 30a and 30b to the depth of about 0.2 mm by virtue of a capillary action.
  • the grid 24 having the first and second spacers 30a and 30b is placed in a heating oven.
  • the grid 24 is regularly fired at about 500 to 550°C for 30 minutes to one hour.
  • the firing makes the glass grains constituting the spacer-forming material fuse together.
  • a spacer assembly 22 is thereby obtained.
  • first and second spacers 30a and 30b having, as bulgs, conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b are obtained.
  • the conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b have a distal end portion each, which contains silver.
  • first substrate 10, spacer assembly 22 and second substrate are coupled in the same method as in the first embodiment.
  • an SED having the spacer assembly 22 is manufactured.
  • the electron beams were attracted toward the spacers by about 120 ⁇ m.
  • the movement of the electron beams was ⁇ 20 ⁇ m, and the color purity of image was improved, too.
  • This embodiment is identical to the first embodiment in other structural respects.
  • the components identical to those of the first embodiment are designated at the same reference numerals and will not describe in detail.
  • the SED having spacers made by the method according to the second embodiment can achieve the same advantages as the first embodiment.
  • a method of manufacturing a spacer according to a third embodiment of this invention will be described.
  • a grid 24 is formed in the same way as in the method according to the first embodiment.
  • first and second dies 36a and 36 are prepared.
  • the first die 36a is laid on the first surface 24a of the grid and positioned, with the through holes 38a aligned with the spacer openings 28 of the grid 24, as is illustrated in FIG. 9.
  • the second die 36b is laid on the second surface 24b of the grid 24 and positioned, with the through hole 38b aligned with the spacer opening 28 of the grid 24.
  • the first die 36a, grid 24, and second die 36b are fixed to one another by using a clamper (not shown) or the like.
  • first paste 40a used as spacer-forming material, is supplied from the outer surface of the first die 36a, filling the through holes 38a of the first die, the spacer openings 28 of the grid 24, and the through holes 38b of the second die 36b.
  • the end portions of the through holes 38a and 38b are not filled with the first paste 40a, leaving some space in these holes 38a and 38b.
  • the first paste 40a is insulating glass paste that contains UV-curing binder and glass filler. It is paste that contains no electrically conductive components.
  • first paste 40b used as spacer-forming material, is supplied from the outer surface of the second die 36b into the end portions of the through holes 38a and 38b, on top of the first paste 40a.
  • the second paste 40b is glass paste that contains UV-curing binder (organic component), glass filler and Au particles.
  • the Au particles are used as electrically conductive component.
  • UV rays are applied to the first and second pastes 40a and 40b thus applied, from the outer surface side of the first and second dies 36a and 36b.
  • the first and second pastes 40a and 40b are cured with the UV rays. Thereafter, thermal curing may be performed as required.
  • the resin applied in the through hole 38a of the first die 36a and the through hole 38b of the second die 36b is thermally decomposed by heat treatment. Gaps are thereby provided between the spacer-forming material 40 and the through holes. Thereafter, the first and second dies 36a and 36b are removed from the grid 24.
  • the grid 24 now having the first and second spacers 30a and 30b made of the first and second pastes 40a and 40b are heat-treated in a heating oven.
  • the binder is thereby evaporated from the first and second pastes 40a and 40b.
  • the binder is thereby removed.
  • the first and second pastes 40a and 40b are regularly fired at about 500 to 550°C for 30 minutes to one hour.
  • a spacer assembly 22 is thereby provided, which has first and second spacers 30a and 30b formed on the grid 24 as is shown in FIG. 11.
  • first and second spacers 30a and 30b are obtained, whose distal end portions have, as bulgs, conductivity-imparting portions 31a and 31b containing dispersed Au.
  • first substrate 10, spacer assembly 22 and second substrate are coupled in the same method as in the first embodiment.
  • an SED having the spacer assembly 22 is manufactured.
  • the electron beams were attracted toward the spacers by about 120 ⁇ m.
  • the movement of the electron beams was ⁇ 20 ⁇ m, and the color purity of image was improved, too.
  • the third embodiment is identical to the first embodiment in other structural respects.
  • the components identical to those of the first embodiment are designated at the same reference numerals and will not describe in detail.
  • the SED having spacers made by the method according to the third embodiment can achieve the same advantages as the first embodiment.
  • the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.
  • the invention is not limited to image display devices having a grid. It can be applied to image display devices that have no grids.
  • spacers integrally formed, shaped like either a column or a plate, are used, and each spacer has two conductivity-imparting portions at the distal ends that face the first and second substrates, respectively.
  • Such devices can attain the same advantages as the embodiments described above.
  • each spacer which is provided on the second substrate, is located above the wires provided on the second substrate. Nonetheless, it may be located at any other position so long as it is spaced apart from the electron-emitting elements.
  • the grid 24 and the first substrate may be set at the same potential. If this is the case, the first spacer may be impregnated with electrically conductive material and thereby rendered electrically conductive in its entirety.
  • the first and second spacers have a distal end portion each, which imparts electrical conductivity. Nonetheless, only the second spacer may have a conductivity-imparting portion at the end facing the second substrate. Using this spacer, the SED may be constituted.
  • the electron sources are not limited to surface-conductive electron-emitting elements.
  • the present invention can be applied to any FED that uses electron sources that emits electrons in a vacuum, such as field-emission elements or carbon nano-tubes.
  • the present invention can provide an image display device in which the paths of the electron beams can be easily controlled, without raising the temperature, increasing the power consumption or increasing the manufacturing cost, and which can therefore display images of higher quality.
  • the invention can provide also a method of manufacturing spacers for use in the image display device and an image display device that has the spacers manufactured by the method.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Cathode-Ray Tubes And Fluorescent Screens For Display (AREA)
  • Vessels, Lead-In Wires, Accessory Apparatuses For Cathode-Ray Tubes (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Electron Tubes, Discharge Lamp Vessels, Lead-In Wires, And The Like (AREA)
EP03798494A 2002-09-27 2003-09-25 Image-displaying device, method of producing spacer used for image-displaying device, and image-displaying device with the spacer produced by the method Withdrawn EP1544892A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002283984A JP2004119296A (ja) 2002-09-27 2002-09-27 画像表示装置、画像表示装置に用いるスペーサの製造方法、およびこの製造方法により製造されたスペーサを備えた画像表示装置
JP2002283984 2002-09-27
PCT/JP2003/012248 WO2004030010A1 (ja) 2002-09-27 2003-09-25 画像表示装置、画像表示装置に用いるスペーサの製造方法、およびこの製造方法により製造されたスペーサを備えた画像表示装置

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1544892A1 true EP1544892A1 (en) 2005-06-22

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EP03798494A Withdrawn EP1544892A1 (en) 2002-09-27 2003-09-25 Image-displaying device, method of producing spacer used for image-displaying device, and image-displaying device with the spacer produced by the method

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EP (1) EP1544892A1 (ja)
JP (1) JP2004119296A (ja)
KR (1) KR100691580B1 (ja)
CN (1) CN1685463A (ja)
TW (1) TWI241147B (ja)
WO (1) WO2004030010A1 (ja)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004311247A (ja) * 2003-04-08 2004-11-04 Toshiba Corp 画像表示装置および画像表示装置に用いるスペーサアッセンブリの製造方法
CN105700219B (zh) * 2015-12-18 2019-09-13 厦门天马微电子有限公司 一种彩色滤光片及其制造方法、一种显示面板

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5859502A (en) * 1996-07-17 1999-01-12 Candescent Technologies Corporation Spacer locator design for three-dimensional focusing structures in a flat panel display
JP3187367B2 (ja) * 1997-03-31 2001-07-11 キヤノン株式会社 電子装置及びそれを用いた画像形成装置
EP1048045A1 (en) * 1997-12-17 2000-11-02 Motorola, Inc. Field emission device having a composite spacer
JP4095195B2 (ja) * 1999-02-15 2008-06-04 キヤノン株式会社 電子線発生装置および画像形成装置
JP2001272926A (ja) * 2000-03-23 2001-10-05 Toshiba Corp 平面表示装置のスペーサアッセンブリ、これを備えた平面表示装置、スペーサアッセンブリの製造方法、スペーサアッセンブリの製造に用いる金型
US6441559B1 (en) * 2000-04-28 2002-08-27 Motorola, Inc. Field emission display having an invisible spacer and method
JP3999942B2 (ja) * 2001-02-20 2007-10-31 京セラ株式会社 突起部材付基板およびその製造方法並びに画像形成装置
JP2003297265A (ja) * 2002-04-03 2003-10-17 Toshiba Corp 画像表示装置およびその製造方法

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See references of WO2004030010A1 *

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CN1685463A (zh) 2005-10-19
KR20050053686A (ko) 2005-06-08
TW200414795A (en) 2004-08-01
TWI241147B (en) 2005-10-01
JP2004119296A (ja) 2004-04-15
WO2004030010A1 (ja) 2004-04-08
KR100691580B1 (ko) 2007-03-12

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