JP2001006622A - Discharge lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discharge lamp having a low discharge start voltage, allowing easy dimming, and making light emission from a plurality of places arranged along a longitudinal light emission part of a light-transmissive vessel and also provide a display device using the discharge lamp having a plurality of picture elements along the longitudinal light emission part. SOLUTION: A discharge lamp 11 is composed of a photo-transmissive vessel 12 having a longitudinal light emission part on the wall surface, a filler gas encapsulated in the vessel 12, a plurality of outer electrodes 17 installed parallel outside the vessel 12 corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light emission part, an inner electrode 16 inserted in the vessel 12 in a position eccentric toward the outer electrodes from the inside center of the vessel 12 corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light emission part. This shortens the distance between the inner electrode 16 and outer electrodes 17, lowers the discharge start voltage and discharge sustaining voltage, allows easy dimming, and allows light emission from a plurality places arranged along the longitudinal light emission part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a discharge lamp for emitting light and a display device using the discharge lamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
In the discharge lamp described in the publication, red, green, and blue phosphors are applied in parallel along the longitudinal direction on the inner surface of a cylindrical light-transmitting container enclosing a discharge medium, and the light-transmitting Each pair of electrodes is arranged outside the container corresponding to the position of each phosphor, and by applying a voltage between each pair of electrodes, the discharge medium in the translucent container is discharged and The phosphor is excited so that light of each emission color is emitted from the peripheral surface or the end surface of the translucent container.

In this discharge lamp, a voltage is applied between each pair of external electrodes to cause a discharge, so that a discharge starting voltage and a discharge sustaining voltage are high, and the emission color is changed between each pair of external electrodes. Control by the voltage value
Dimming from 0 to 100% is difficult, and discharge tends to flicker when darkened. In addition, it is not easy to separately apply phosphors of three colors on the inner surface of one translucent container, and it is costly.

For example, a discharge lamp used as a display element in a large display device installed in a stadium or the like is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-190152.
One phosphor or each of red, green, and blue phosphors is applied in parallel along the longitudinal direction on the inner surface of the cylindrical translucent container enclosing the discharge medium, and the inside of the translucent container is formed. The electrodes are inserted along the longitudinal direction, external electrodes are arranged outside the translucent container corresponding to the positions (numbers) of the phosphors, and a voltage is applied between the internal electrodes and the external electrodes. By doing so, the discharge medium in the translucent container is discharged to excite the phosphor, and light is emitted from the light emitting portion on one end surface of the translucent container.

[0005] In this discharge lamp, a voltage is applied between the internal electrode and the external electrode to discharge, so that the discharge starting voltage and the discharge sustaining voltage are lower than those of the above-described discharge lamp, and dimming is easily performed. However, light can be emitted only from one location on one end face of the translucent container, and when used in a display device, the same number of discharge lamps as the number of pixels must be used. In addition, when phosphors of three colors are applied and formed on the inner surface of one translucent container, it is not easy to separately apply each of the phosphors, and the cost is high.

[0006]

As described above, in the structure of the discharge lamp described in JP-A-5-212004, light can be emitted from a plurality of locations along the length of the translucent container. However, there is a problem that the discharge starting voltage and the discharge sustaining voltage are high and dimming is difficult. Furthermore, because of the structure having a pair of external electrodes, a discharge through the dielectric is generated in the translucent container, and the positive column is easily diffused,
There is a possibility that light may wrap around other than the desired discharge location. This wraparound of light is also due to the fact that the inside of the translucent container is communicated with the same cross-sectional area, and discharge is easily generated even at a portion adjacent to a desired discharge portion, and light is emitted. . In addition, circuit wiring is required for each pair of external electrodes, which complicates manufacturing.

Further, the discharge lamp described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-190152 can emit light only from one location on one end face of the translucent container. And the same number of discharge lamps must be used.

[0008] Further, when three color phosphors are applied and formed on the inner surface of one translucent container to perform color display, it is not easy to paint each of the phosphors separately, and there is a problem that the cost is high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a low discharge starting voltage, is easily dimmable, and emits light from a plurality of locations along a longitudinal light emitting portion of a translucent container. It is an object of the present invention to provide an enabled discharge lamp and a display bag using a discharge lamp having a plurality of pixels along a longitudinal light emitting portion.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge lamp comprising: a light-transmitting container having an elongated light-emitting portion on a wall; a gas filled in the light-transmitting container; A plurality of external electrodes provided in parallel outside the container corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion; and external electrodes inside the light-transmitting container from the center in the light-transmitting container corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion. And an internal electrode inserted at a position eccentric to the side.

[0011] Then, a plurality of external electrodes are provided in parallel outside the translucent container along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting portion, and the internal electrodes are inserted into the translucent container along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting portion.
By inserting the internal electrode at a position eccentric to the external electrode side from the center in the translucent container, the distance between the internal electrode and the external electrode is shortened, the discharge starting voltage and discharge sustaining voltage are low, and dimming is easy. It is possible to emit light from a plurality of locations along the elongated light emitting portion. Therefore, for example, it can be used as a display element having a plurality of pixels in which a position corresponding to each external electrode of the light emitting unit is a pixel. In addition, since discharge is generated between the internal electrode and the external electrode, the discharge generating cylinder in the light-transmitting container is easily concentrated on the internal electrode,
Undesired light wraparound is also reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge lamp having a light-transmitting container having a longitudinal light-emitting portion on a wall surface; an enclosed gas sealed in the light-transmitting container; A plurality of external electrodes provided in parallel corresponding to the longitudinal direction of;
And an internal electrode which is inserted into the light-transmitting container in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion and has an auxiliary electrode portion close to the external electrode.

A plurality of external electrodes are provided in parallel outside the light-transmitting container along the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion, and the internal electrodes are inserted inside the light-transmitting container along the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion.
Since the internal electrode has the auxiliary electrode portion close to the external electrode, the distance between the internal electrode and the external electrode is shortened, the firing voltage can be lowered, the dimming can be easily performed, and the longitudinal Light can be emitted from a plurality of locations along the light emitting section. Therefore, for example, it can be used as a display element having a plurality of pixels in which a position corresponding to each external electrode of the light emitting unit is a pixel. In addition, since the discharge is generated between the internal electrode and the external electrode, the discharge generating cylinder in the translucent container is easily concentrated on the internal electrode, and the undesirable light wraparound is reduced.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 5 show a first embodiment, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a discharge lamp and a display device, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge lamp, and FIG. 3 explains dimming control of the discharge lamp. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the display device, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of the display device.

In FIG. 1 and FIG.
Has a bulb 12 as a translucent container, and the bulb 12 is made of a translucent material such as borosilicate glass, and has a pipe diameter of about 10 mm, a pipe length of about 350 mm,
It is formed in a cylindrical shape with a thickness of about 1 mm, and both ends are closed. And the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the peripheral surface of the valve 12
Is formed as a long light emitting part 13. The light emitting section 13 is formed in a region of, for example, about 90 ° in the circumferential direction of the bulb 12.

A discharge space 14 is formed inside the bulb 12, and the discharge space 14 is filled with a sealed gas (discharge gas).
For example, 20% of neon (Ne) and 80% of xenon (Xe) are sealed at a pressure of 40000 Pa. The inner surface of the bulb 12 has an opening 15 a in a region excluding the region of the light emitting unit 13, that is, along the light emitting unit 13.
And any one of the red R, green G, and blue B phosphors 15 is individually formed. Thus, the red R, green G, and blue B discharge lamps 11 are formed.

An internal electrode 16 is inserted through the center of the bulb 12 along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section 13. The internal electrode 16 is formed of a conductive material such as nickel (Ni) in a rod shape (linear shape) with a diameter of 1 mm, and both ends are sealed to both ends of the bulb 12.

On the outer surface of the bulb 12, a plurality of external electrodes 17 are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the bulb 12 along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section 13. Each of the external electrodes 17 is formed of a conductive material such as an aluminum tape or a silver paste of 20 mm × 30 mm, for example, in an area excluding an area (aperture) of the light emitting section 13, that is, an opening 17 a is formed along the light emitting section 13. It is formed by sticking or applying to the outer surface of the bulb 12. Adjacent external electrode 1
7 are spaced apart by, for example, 5 mm and are insulated from each other. Further, the bulb 12 on which the external electrode 17 is formed
An insulating cover 18 made of a light-transmitting insulating material is formed so as to cover the entire outer surface.

The power supply 2 is connected to the internal electrode 16 of the discharge lamp 11.
1 is connected, and this power source 21 outputs, for example, 80 kHz, 7
A high-frequency voltage of 00 V is applied to the internal electrode 16. A current cutoff circuit 22 is connected to each of the external electrodes 17 of the discharge lamp 11. In the current cutoff circuit 22, a switching element 23 such as a field effect transistor (FET) is turned on and off to control a rectifying element 2 such as a diode bridge.
It is configured such that a current flows through the external electrode 17 through the external electrode 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the current cutoff circuit 22 is configured to dimm the current by controlling the time of the current, that is, by controlling the duty ratio.

Then, by applying a voltage between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17, the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 1 are applied.
7 discharges the sealing gas in the bulb 12 so that the phosphor 1
5 is excited, and the light corresponding to the emission color of the phosphor 15 is emitted from the light emitting unit 13. At this time, the discharge mainly occurs between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 to which the voltage is applied, and does not spread much outside the region where the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 face each other. The portion corresponding to the position of the external electrode 17 to which the voltage is applied emits light.

Pixels 25 that emit light respectively correspond to the external electrodes 17 of the light emitting section 13 of the discharge lamp 11.
That is, a plurality of pixels 25 are formed along the light emitting portion 13 of one discharge lamp 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, a set of three discharge lamps 11 of red R, green G, and blue B is formed, and these discharge lamps 11 are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. By arranging the external electrodes 17 of the light emitting portion 13 of the lamp 11 in parallel so that the positions of the pixels 25 are adjacent to each other, the three adjacent red R, green G, and blue B of these discharge lamps 11 are arranged in parallel. One picture element 26 for color display is constituted by one pixel 25, that is, a plurality of picture elements 26 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the discharge lamp 11, and a part of the display surface 27 is constituted by these picture elements 26. Are formed.

The internal electrode 1 of the discharge lamp 11 of each of these colors
A power supply 21 is commonly connected to 6, and a current cutoff circuit 22 is connected to each external electrode 17 of each discharge lamp 11. A constant high-frequency voltage is applied to the internal electrodes 16 of the discharge lamps 11 of the respective colors, and the current interruption to the external electrodes 17 is time-controlled, that is, the duty ratio is controlled by each of the current cutoff circuits 22. Element 2
The pixels 25 of each color constituting 6 are dimmed, and full-color display can be performed by the picture elements 26. The power supply 21 and the respective current cutoff circuits 22 constitute a display driving unit 26 for driving and controlling the display of the pixel 25 and the picture element 26.

As shown in FIG. 4, one display unit 31 is configured by using two sets of three discharge lamps 11 of red R, green G, and blue B. The display unit 31 has a square unit main body 32,
Each of the discharge lamps 11 is placed substantially horizontally on the front surface of the unit body 32, and red R, green G, blue B,
A plurality of power supply terminals 33 connected to the internal electrodes 16 and the external electrodes 17 of the discharge lamps 11 are provided on the rear surface of the unit main body 32 so as to protrude from the rear surface of the unit main body 32 in the order of red R, green G, and blue B. I have.

A large-sized display device 35 is constituted by using a plurality of the display units 31. This display device 3
5 has a display device main body 36, and this display device main body 36
A plurality of display units 31 are arranged in rows and columns in the vertical and horizontal directions and are detachably mounted on the front surface of the display unit. Is provided. And
The plurality of picture elements 26 of the plurality of display units 31 form a large display surface 27 capable of performing color display.

Thus, the discharge lamp 11 is connected to the bulb 1
2 along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section 13 along the internal electrode 16.
And a plurality of external electrodes 17 are provided in parallel outside the bulb 12 along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting portion 13,
The starting voltage is low, dimming is easily possible, and light can be emitted from a plurality of locations along the elongated light emitting portion 13. Therefore, a position corresponding to each external electrode 17 of the light emitting unit 13 can be used as a pixel 25 and a display element having a plurality of pixels 25 along the long light emitting unit 13. In addition, since a discharge is generated between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17, the location where the discharge occurs in the bulb 12 is likely to be concentrated on the internal electrode 16, and undesirable light sneak can be reduced.

A position corresponding to each external electrode 17 of the light emitting portion 13 of each of the discharge lamps 11 is defined as a pixel 25, and the light emitting portions 13 of these discharge lamps 11 are arranged in parallel and the display surface 2
7, the discharge lamp 11 used in comparison with the ratio of the number of pixels 25 and the number of picture elements 26 on the display surface 27
And the configuration can be simplified. Moreover, since the plurality of pixels 25 can emit light with one internal electrode 16 of the discharge lamp 11, the number of power supplies can be reduced and the power supply circuit can be simplified.

Each of the discharge lamps 11 has a red R, a green G, and a blue B phosphors 15 respectively.
By arranging a plurality of sets in parallel with each discharge lamp 11 having each of the fluorescent lights 15 of blue B as one set, the pixels 25 of red R, green G, and blue B of each set of discharge lamps 11 2
6, and a display surface 27 capable of displaying information such as characters and images in color can be easily formed.

Each of the discharge lamps 1 is driven by the display driving means 28.
By applying a constant voltage to one of the internal electrodes 16, characteristics between the discharge lamps 11, for example, a delay in starting each picture element 26, etc., can be kept constant.
Of the current to each of the external electrodes 17 by the current interruption circuit 2
By controlling the time through the light source 2, light can be easily adjusted in a wide light adjustment range without flicker.

The longitudinal direction of each discharge lamp 11 of the display device 35 is not limited to being arranged along the horizontal direction, but may be arranged along the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the display device 41 can be constituted by using a plurality of single-color discharge lamps 11 having the same color phosphor 15. In the display device 41, the fluorescent lamps 11 are arranged in parallel in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction on the front surface of the display device main body 42, and the position of each external electrode 17 of the light emitting portion 13 of each discharge lamp 11, that is, the position of each pixel 25. The display surface 27 is formed by arranging in parallel so that the positions are adjacent to each other.

By controlling the lighting and extinguishing of each pixel 25 on the display surface 27, information such as characters and images can be displayed.

As described above, the light emitting section 1 of each discharge lamp 11
3, the light-emitting portions 13 of the discharge lamps 11 are arranged in parallel to form the display surface 27, and the display surface 27 is formed. The number of discharge lamps 11 used can be reduced, and the configuration can be simplified.

It is to be noted that a plurality of such display devices 41 can be connected to form a large display surface 27, and that the discharge lamps 11 can be arranged in the longitudinal direction along the vertical direction.

6 to 12 show a second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of a discharge lamp, FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a part of the discharge lamp along a longitudinal direction, 8 is a sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the discharge lamp, FIG. 9 is a sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction showing a modification of the discharge lamp, and FIG. 10 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction showing another modification of the discharge lamp. FIG. 11 is a sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction showing still another modification of the discharge lamp, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction showing still another modification of the discharge lamp.

6 to 8, in this embodiment, the discharge lamp 11 of the first embodiment has partition means 51 for partitioning the interior of the bulb 12 between adjacent external electrodes 17. The partitioning means 51 includes a partition wall 52 in which the wall surface of the bulb 12 enters the interior of the bulb 12 corresponding to the position between the adjacent external electrodes 17. The partition wall portion 52 is formed smaller than the diameter of the bulb 12 so as to reduce the cross-sectional area of the discharge space 14 inside the bulb 12, and a concave portion 53 is formed on the peripheral surface of the bulb 12. The most bulb 12 of the partition 52
The minimum portion 54 that enters the inside is formed in a cylindrical shape that allows the internal electrode 16 to be inserted in a separated state and is concentric with the bulb 12.

In the discharge lamp 11 of this embodiment, for example, the inner diameter of the bulb 12 is 5 mm and the wall thickness is 0.8.
mm, the pipe length is 480 mm, and the pitch of the concave portions 53 is 15 m.
m, the width of the concave portion is 5 mm, and the inner diameter of the minimum portion 54 is 1.2 mm
The diameter of the internal electrode 16 is 1 mm, and xenon (Xe) is sealed in the bulb 12 at a pressure of 40,000 Pa.

The discharge of the discharge lamp 11 is a dielectric barrier discharge in which the wall surface of the bulb 12 has become a ballast.
Since the starting voltage of the discharge depends on the distance between the electrodes, the discharge is started between the partition 52 at the shortest distance to the internal electrode 16 at the start, and the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 1 are started after the start.
Discharge occurs in the territory opposite to No. 7.

As described above, the discharge space 14 inside the bulb 12 is divided by the partition 52 corresponding to the space between the adjacent external electrodes 17 and the cross-sectional area communicated by the inner diameter of the partition 52 is small. Of the discharge between the external electrodes 17 can be prevented, and the distinction between the light-on state and the light-off state between the adjacent pixels 25 can be clarified. In addition, the light generated by the discharge is blocked by the partition 52, so that the influence on the adjacent pixels 25 can be reduced. Further, the distance between the wall surface of the bulb 12 and the internal electrode 16 via the partition 52 is reduced, and the discharge starting voltage (starting voltage) can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 9, the internal electrode 16 is inserted into a position eccentric with respect to the center of the bulb 12, and the minimum part 54 of the partition wall 52 is eccentric corresponding to the position of the internal electrode 16. It may be formed at a specified position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the minimum portion 54 of the partition wall portion 52 may be formed in a substantially quadrangular cylindrical section.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the minimum portion 54 of the partition wall portion 52 may be formed in a substantially elliptical cross section.

As shown in FIG. 12, the minimum portion 54 of the partition wall portion 52 may be welded to the internal electrode 16 in a substantially square cross section.

In the case of each of the discharge lamps 11 shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the same operation and effect can be obtained such that the discharge can be prevented from flowing into the adjacent pixels 25 via the partition wall 52.

13 to 17 show a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a part of the discharge lamp in an exploded state, FIG. 14 is a side view of a part of the discharge lamp, and FIG.
(A) is a side view of an internal electrode to which a partition showing a modification of the discharge lamp is attached, FIG. 15 (b) is a side view of the partition, and FIG. 16 (a) is a partition showing another modification of the discharge lamp. 16 (b) is a perspective view of a partition body, and FIG. 17 is a side view of the internal electrode having a partition body showing still another modified example of the discharge lamp.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, in this embodiment, the discharge lamp 11 of the first embodiment is provided with partition means 51 for partitioning the inside of the bulb 12 between adjacent external electrodes 17. This partition means 51
The partition members 55 are attached to the internal electrodes 16 and inserted into the discharge space 14 of the cylindrical bulb 12 together with the internal electrodes 16. The partition members 55 correspond to positions between the adjacent external electrodes 17. By partitioning the discharge space 14 inside the bulb 12, it is possible to prevent the discharge from flowing between the adjacent external electrodes 17 and to reduce the influence of light generated by the discharge, and to turn on and off the adjacent pixels 25. Can be clearly distinguished.

The partition body 55 is formed in a disk shape with an insulating material such as ceramics or glass obtained by molding and sintering alumina, and an insertion hole 55a through which the internal electrode 16 is inserted is formed in the center. I have. A pipe (not shown) is press-fitted and fixed in the insertion hole 55a of the partition 55, and the internal electrode 16 is inserted into the pipe. Both ends of the pipe are caulked to the internal electrode 16, so that the partition 55 is fixed to the internal electrode 16. Have been. The pipe is formed of a conductive material such as nickel (Ni).

When one pixel 25 is lit by the discharge lamp 11, the luminance at the center of the lit pixel 25 is about 43000 cd / m ² , and the pixel 25 is lit adjacent to the lit pixel 25. The luminance at the center of the non-existent pixel 25 was about 2100 cd / m ² . Therefore, the contrast ratio is about 200: 1, and the distinction between the light-on state and the light-off state between the adjacent pixels 25 can be clarified.

As shown in FIG. 15, the insertion hole 55a of the partition 55 is formed at a position eccentric from the center of the partition 55, and the internal electrode 16 is eccentric from the center of the bulb 12 to the external electrode 17 side. You may comprise so that a position may be inserted. For example, when the inner diameter of the valve 12 is 7 mm,
The partition 55 has a diameter of about 6 mm and a width of about 2 mm.

As described above, by inserting the internal electrode 16 at a position eccentric from the center of the bulb 12 toward the external electrode 1, the distance between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 is reduced, and the discharge starting voltage is reduced. The voltage drops to about 600 V, and discharge control can be facilitated.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is a conductive material such as nickel (Ni) having a diameter of about 6
The partition 55 may be formed in a disc shape having a width of about 0.6 mm and a width of about 0.6 mm, and a pipe portion 55b forming an insertion hole 55a may be integrally formed from a central portion of one side of the partition body 55. In this case, the internal electrode 16 inserted into the insertion hole 55a is connected to the pipe portion 55b.
And the partitioning member 55 is fixed.

As described above, by fixing the electrically conductive partition body 55 to the internal electrode 16 and electrically connecting it,
The peripheral edge of the partition 55 approaches the external electrode 17 and the partition 5
The distance between the electrode 5 and the external electrode 17 is reduced, the discharge starting voltage is reduced to about 400 V, and discharge control can be facilitated.

Further, as shown in FIG.
In addition, the partitioning member 55 having the above-described insulating properties may be fixed, and an auxiliary electrode portion 56 that approaches the external electrode 17 may be provided between the adjacent partitioning members 55. Auxiliary electrode section 56
Is a conductive material such as nickel (Ni), for example, the same material as the internal electrode 16 is used, and is fixed to the internal electrode 16 by welding or the like.

As described above, the internal electrode 16 is connected to the external electrode 17.
, The distance between the supplementary electrode portion 56 and the external electrode 17 is reduced, the discharge starting voltage is reduced to about 400 V, and the discharge control can be facilitated.

The examples shown in the third embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 17 can be appropriately combined, and a synergistic effect such as a further reduction in the discharge starting voltage and the discharge sustaining voltage can be expected. .

Next, FIGS. 18 to 21 show a fourth embodiment, FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the discharge lamp, and FIG. 19 is a longitudinal direction showing a modification of the discharge lamp. 20 is a configuration diagram showing another modified example of the discharge lamp, and FIG. 21 is a partial sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction showing still another modified example of the discharge lamp.

In FIG. 18, the bulb 12 has a partition 52 in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and the internal electrode 16 has one end at a position corresponding to each external electrode 17 (pixel 25). An electron emission portion 61 is provided at a position adjacent to the partition portion 52 at one end between the external electrode 17 and the adjacent external electrode 17. The electron emitting portion 61 is formed of an electron emitting body 62 made of an electron emitting material such as LaB ₆ or MgO, which emits electrons more easily than the main body of the internal electrode 16 made of Ni. Therefore, the internal electrodes 16
Is configured as a non-electron emission portion 63 that emits less electrons than the electron emission portion 61.

One end of each external electrode 17 is inserted into the concave portion 53 along the wall surface of the bulb 12 and the minimum portion 54
, That is, it extends so as to cover one outer surface area of the partition wall portion 52 on one end side, and is close to the electron emission portion 61 arranged on one end side.

In the discharge lamp 11 of this embodiment, for example, the outer diameter of the bulb 12 is 3 mm, and the tube length is 500
mm, the width of the recess is 2 mm, the diameter of the internal electrode 16 is 0.1 mm, and xenon (Xe) is 400 in the bulb 12.
It is sealed at a pressure of 00 Pa.

The discharge of the discharge lamp 11 is a dielectric barrier discharge in which the wall surface of the bulb 12 has become a ballast.
When the external electrode 17 has a cathode cycle on the wall surface of the bulb 12, discharge occurs from the entire surface of the wall surface (fluorescent material) of the bulb 12 corresponding to the external electrode 17.
Is the cathode cycle, electrons are mainly emitted from the electron emitting portion 61 which easily emits electrons from the main body portion of the internal electrode 16, and discharge occurs. Therefore, one pixel 25
Electron emission portion 6 of external electrode 17 and internal electrode 16 corresponding to
1, a discharge is generated between the first and second pixels 25, thereby preventing the discharge from flowing to the adjacent pixel 25 via the partition wall 52. Therefore, it is possible to clearly distinguish between the light-on state and the light-off state between the adjacent pixels 25, and the brightness of each pixel 25 is high, and the display contrast can be improved.

Further, the electron emission portion 61 of the internal electrode 16 is disposed adjacent to the partition wall 52 at one end, and the one end of the external electrode 17 is extended to the outer surface area of the partition wall 52. The distance between the electron emission portion 61 of the electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 is reduced, and the starting voltage can be reduced. In addition, by extending one end of the external electrode 17 to the outer surface area of the partition 52, light generated by discharge in one pixel 25 is blocked by one end of the external electrode 17 and the adjacent pixel 25
Impact on the vehicle can be reduced.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
1 is a main body of the internal electrode 16 made of Ni, and the non-electron emission portion 63 is a coating 64 formed of a non-electron emission material such as alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) or silicide (SiO ₂ ). Is also good. The cover 64 is located at a position corresponding to each external electrode 17 (pixel 25) of the internal electrode 16 and at a position adjacent to the partition wall 52 at one end between the external electrode 17 (pixel 25) adjacent to one end. Except for, the internal electrode 16 is provided over the position adjacent to the partition 52 on the other end between the external electrode 17 (pixel 25) adjacent to the other end. Therefore, each of the external electrodes 17 is
An electron-emitting portion 61 is provided at a position corresponding to each (pixel 25) and at a position adjacent to the partition wall portion 52 at one end between the external electrode 17 adjacent to the one end.

Therefore, also in this case, one pixel 2
A discharge is generated between the external electrode 17 corresponding to the pixel electrode 5 and the electron emission portion 61 of the internal electrode 16, and the same operation and effect can be obtained such that the discharge can be prevented from flowing to the adjacent pixel 25 via the partition wall 52. can get.

Further, as shown in FIG.
1 is a coil 65 wound tightly with the internal electrode 16
The non-electron emission portion 63 may be a linear portion of the internal electrode 16.

The resistance per axial length differs between the coil 65 and the linear portion of the internal electrode 16.
When a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 66 for preheating, the temperature of the portion of the coil 65 having a high resistance rises and becomes red-hot, thereby obtaining thermoelectrons. The coil 65 is provided at a position corresponding to each external electrode 17 (pixel 25) and at a position adjacent to the partition wall 52 at one end between the external electrodes 17 adjacent to one end.

Therefore, also in this case, one pixel 2
A discharge is generated between the external electrode 17 corresponding to the pixel electrode 5 and the electron emission portion 61 of the internal electrode 16, and the same operation and effect can be obtained such that the discharge can be prevented from flowing to the adjacent pixel 25 via the partition wall 52. can get.

Next, as shown in FIG. 21, when the partitioning member 55 is used as the partitioning means 51 in the same manner as in the third embodiment, the electron emitting portion 61 is made of an internal electrode 1 made of Ni.
6, the non-electron emitting portion 63 may be constituted by a partition 55 made of a non-electron emitting material such as alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) or silica (SiO ₂ ).

The partition 55 has internal electrodes 16 on both sides.
Is integrally formed so as to protrude. The portion of the internal electrode 16 exposed between the covering portions 67 of the adjacent partitioning body 55, that is, the electron emitting portion 61 is connected to each external electrode 17 (pixel 2).
5) is located at substantially the center.

Therefore, also in this case, one pixel 2
A discharge is generated between the external electrode 17 corresponding to the pixel electrode 5 and the electron emission portion 61 of the internal electrode 16, and the same operation and effect can be obtained such that the discharge can be prevented from flowing to the adjacent pixel 25 via the partition 55. can get.

Each of the discharge lamps 11 of the second to fourth embodiments can be used for a display device, like the discharge lamp 11 of the first embodiment.

Next, FIGS. 22 to 25 show a fifth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a structural diagram of a display device, FIG. 23 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the display device, and FIG. FIG. 24B shows a comparative example in which a voltage between the internal electrode and the external electrode is equal to or less than the starting voltage when the current is interrupted by the interrupting circuit. FIG. 25 is a characteristic diagram showing a case where a voltage that is lower than the starting voltage between the internal electrode and the external electrode is not applied to the external electrode when the circuit is interrupted, and FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram illustrating a modification of the display device.

In FIG. 22, the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 are connected via a capacitor C to connect the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 to the external electrode 17 when the current interrupting circuit 22 interrupts the current. It is configured to apply a voltage (bias voltage) that is lower than the starting voltage between them.

As shown in FIG. 23, the current cutoff circuit 22 has a stray capacitance Csw, and a current flows even when the current cutoff circuit 22 is in a cutoff state. Therefore, the internal electrode 1
When the capacitor 6 and the external electrode 17 are not connected via the capacitor C, as shown in FIG. 24B, the potential of the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 to which an AC voltage (solid line) is applied is applied. Since the potential difference Vs from the (dashed line) becomes large, a discharge occurs between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17.

On the other hand, the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 1
7 is connected via a capacitor C so that FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the potential of the external electrode 17 becomes an intermediate potential between the stray capacitance Csw and the amount of the capacitor C, and the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 to which an AC voltage (solid line) is applied.
Since the potential difference Vs between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 does not reach the starting voltage, discharge is prevented. When the current cutoff circuit 22 is connected, all the AC voltage is applied between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17, and the voltage exceeds the starting voltage, so that the discharge is started.

According to the test, under the condition without the capacitor C, the lighting is performed at the lighting frequency of 80 kHz or more and 1.2 kV or more, whereas under the condition with the capacitor C, the capacitor C is operated at the lighting frequency of 300 kHz or more and 2 kV or more. It was confirmed that the lighting did not occur when the proper selection was made.

As described above, when the current is cut off by the current cutoff circuit 22, the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 1
Since a voltage that is equal to or lower than the starting voltage is applied between the current interruption circuit 7 and the stray capacitance of the current interruption circuit 22, the influence of the stray capacitance can be prevented, and the light can be reliably turned off.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The same operation and effect can be obtained by using a resistor R instead of.

The lower the impedance of the elements such as the capacitor C and the resistor R, the closer to the applied voltage, the wider the control range.

The voltage applied to the external electrode 17 may be separately supplied from a bias power supply. The same operation and effect can be obtained not only with an AC sine wave but also with a triangular wave, a rectangular wave, and a pulse wave. Further, it is desirable that the waveforms of the bias voltage and the applied voltage are similar, but there is no problem even if the waveforms, phases or polarities are different as long as the potential difference between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 does not increase.

FIGS. 26 to 30 show a sixth embodiment. FIG. 26 is a sectional view of a discharge lamp, FIG. 27 is a side view of a part of the discharge lamp, and FIG. 28 uses a discharge lamp. FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing a modification of the discharge lamp, and FIG. 30 is a sectional view showing another modification of the discharge lamp.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the internal electrode 16 is directly formed on the inner wall surface of the bulb 12 by printing using a silver paste. The internal electrode 16 has a continuous portion 16a formed along the longitudinal direction of the bulb 12, and a plurality of protruding portions 16b projecting from the continuous portion 16a in a comb-like shape in the circumferential direction.

Further, for example, 5
The phosphor 15 is formed with a thickness of 0 micron. The phosphor 15 is also formed between the plurality of protrusions 16b of the internal electrode 16. Then, between the opening 15a of the phosphor 15 and the internal electrode 16, the light emitting portion 13 is formed in a region of about 90 ° in the circumferential direction of the bulb 12, for example.

On the outer surface of the bulb 12, an external electrode 17 is provided.
For example, a conductive material such as an aluminum tape or a silver paste having a width of 10 mm is formed at a pitch of, for example, 30 mm in a longitudinal direction of the bulb 12 in a region excluding a region of the light emitting portion 13. A part of the external electrode 17 is a protrusion 16 of the internal electrode 16.
b and the wall of the valve 12.

As shown in FIG. 28, a display driving means 28 for lighting the discharge lamp 11 is provided, and includes a switching circuit 71 for connecting the internal electrode 16 of each discharge lamp 11 and each external electrode 17 to the power supply side. I have. In the switching circuit 71, with respect to the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17,
A power supply side a to which a high-frequency voltage not lower than the discharge sustaining voltage and not reaching the discharge start voltage is applied, and a power supply side b having a power supply 72 connected in series to the high-frequency voltage and raising the high-frequency voltage to the discharge start voltage or higher. Switch.

The internal electrode 16 of the discharge lamp 11
In addition, a high-frequency voltage equal to or higher than the discharge start voltage is applied through the power supply side b by switching the switching circuit 71, and the discharge start voltage is applied to the external electrode 17 of the pixel 25 to be lit through the power supply side b by switching the switching circuit 71. The above high frequency voltage is applied. As a result, a high-frequency voltage equal to or higher than the discharge starting voltage is applied between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17, so that the discharge of the sealed gas in the bulb 12 is started. After the start of the discharge, even if switching is performed by each switching circuit 71 such that a high-frequency voltage that is equal to or higher than the discharge sustaining voltage and does not reach the discharge start voltage is applied to the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 through the power supply side a The discharge in the bulb 12 is maintained.
The phosphor 15 is excited by the discharge in the bulb 12, and light corresponding to the emission color of the phosphor 15 is emitted from the light emitting unit 13.

The discharge in the bulb 12 is generated in the circumferential direction from the side of the internal electrode 16 along the inner wall surface of the bulb 12, as shown by the arrow in FIG. Thus, the phosphor 15 is efficiently excited. In particular,
Since the plurality of protrusions 16b are formed on the internal electrode 16, a discharge is generated from each protrusion 16b.

As described above, the internal electrode 16 is formed on the inner wall surface of the bulb 12 along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section 13, and a plurality of external electrodes 17 are arranged outside the bulb 12 along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting section 13. , The distance between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 is short, the discharge starting voltage and the discharge sustaining voltage are low, and dimming is easily possible. Can emit light,
A position corresponding to each external electrode 17 of the light emitting unit 13 is defined as a pixel 25.
It can be used as a display element having a plurality of pixels 25.

Further, since the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 are partially overlapped via the wall surface of the bulb 12,
The distance between the internal electrode 16 and the external electrode 17 becomes the shortest, the discharge starting voltage and the discharge maintaining voltage are further reduced, and discharge control can be facilitated.

Further, as shown in FIG.
May be formed at separate positions on the inner wall surface of the valve 12. In this example, a pair of internal electrodes 16 are formed corresponding to both sides of the light emitting section 13, and the phosphor 15 is formed between the internal electrodes 16, and each internal electrode 1 is formed.
An external electrode 17 is formed so as to partially overlap 6. Both internal electrodes 16 are electrically connected and are kept at the same potential.

As shown by arrows in FIG. 29, the discharge in the bulb 12 is simultaneously generated from two places of each internal electrode 16 and is extended in the circumferential direction along the inner wall surface of the bulb 12. Therefore, the discharge starting voltage can be averaged, and the discharge maintaining voltage can be reduced.

The number of the internal electrodes 16 may be three or more.

As shown in FIG. 30, the inner wall surface of the bulb 12 on which the phosphor 15 and the internal electrode 16 are formed,
For example, a dielectric layer 81 made of an insulating material such as glass is formed, and an electron emitting material having a high electron emission rate such as MgO, Al ₂ O ₃ , Ce ₂ O ₃ , or LaBO ₆ is formed on the dielectric layer 81. An electron emitter layer 82 may be formed.

When the internal electrode 16 is made of silver paste, the internal electrode 16 can be prevented from being sputtered by the dielectric layer 81, although the internal electrode 16 may be sputtered and scattered by collision of xenon (Xe) ions. Further, when the dielectric layer 81 is formed, the emission of electrons into the bulb 12 is reduced. However, the emission of electrons into the bulb 12 is facilitated by the electron emitter layer 82, so that a low firing voltage and a low discharge voltage are obtained. Discharge at the sustain voltage can be tolerated.

The light-transmitting container is a cylindrical valve 12.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed in a square tube shape, a polygonal tube shape, or another shape.

[0096]

According to the discharge lamp of the first aspect, a plurality of external electrodes are provided in parallel outside the light-transmitting container along the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion, and the light-emitting portion is provided inside the light-transmitting container. By inserting the internal electrode along the longitudinal direction and inserting the internal electrode at a position eccentric to the external electrode side from the center in the translucent container, the distance between the internal electrode and the external electrode is shortened, and the discharge starting voltage In addition, the discharge maintaining voltage is low, dimming can be easily performed, and light can be emitted from a plurality of locations along the longitudinal light emitting portion. Therefore, for example, it can be used as a display element having a plurality of pixels in which a position corresponding to each external electrode of the light emitting unit is a pixel. In addition, since the discharge is generated between the internal electrode and the external electrode, the discharge generating cylinder in the translucent container is easily concentrated on the internal electrode, and the undesirable light wraparound is reduced.

According to the discharge lamp of the present invention, a plurality of external electrodes are provided in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion outside the light-transmitting container, and the external electrodes are disposed inside the light-transmitting container in the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion. The distance between the internal electrode and the external electrode is shortened, the discharge starting voltage can be reduced, and the dimming can be achieved. And light can be emitted from a plurality of locations along the elongated light emitting portion. Therefore, for example, it can be used as a display element having a plurality of pixels in which a position corresponding to each external electrode of the light emitting unit is a pixel. In addition, since the discharge is generated between the internal electrode and the external electrode, the discharge generating cylinder in the translucent container is easily concentrated on the internal electrode, and the undesirable light wraparound is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a discharge lamp and a display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of dimming control of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the display device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the display device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of a discharge lamp showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the discharge lamp along the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction showing a modified example of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction showing another modification of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction showing still another modified example of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction showing still another modified example of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a part of a disassembled state of a discharge lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a part of the discharge lamp.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a modification of the discharge lamp, in which FIG. 15A is a side view of an internal electrode to which a partition is attached, and FIG. 15B is a side view of the partition.

FIG. 16 shows another modification of the discharge lamp of the above, and (a)
FIG. 2 is a side view of an internal electrode to which a partition is attached, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the partition.

FIG. 17 is a side view of an internal electrode to which a partition member according to still another modified example of the discharge lamp is attached.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view along a longitudinal direction of a discharge lamp showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view along a longitudinal direction showing a modified example of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram showing another modified example of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view along a longitudinal direction showing still another modified example of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of a display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the display device.

FIG. 24 (a) is a characteristic diagram in the case where a voltage between the internal electrode and the external electrode is equal to or less than the starting voltage when the current is interrupted by the current interrupting circuit of the display device,
(B) is a comparative example, and is a characteristic diagram in a case where a voltage that makes the voltage between the internal electrode and the external electrode equal to or lower than the starting voltage is not applied to the external electrode when the current is cut off by the current cutoff circuit of the display device.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram showing a modified example of the above display device.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of a discharge lamp showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a side view of a part of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of a display device using the same discharge lamp.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing a modified example of the discharge lamp.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the discharge lamp.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: a discharge lamp, 12: a bulb as a translucent container,
13: Light-emitting unit, 15: Phosphor, 16: Internal electrode, 17:
External electrodes, 56: auxiliary electrode unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masuo Shibuya 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside the Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation (72) Inventor Koichi Honda 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Toshiba Litec Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A light-transmitting container having a light-emitting portion having a longitudinal shape on a wall surface; a sealed gas sealed inside the light-transmitting container; A plurality of external electrodes provided in parallel; an internal electrode inserted into the light-transmitting container at a position eccentric to the external electrode side from the center of the light-transmitting container corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting portion; A discharge lamp comprising: 2. A light-transmitting container having a light-emitting portion having a longitudinal shape on a wall surface; an enclosed gas sealed in the light-transmitting container; A plurality of external electrodes provided in parallel; and an internal electrode which is inserted into the translucent container in a lengthwise direction of the light emitting portion and has an auxiliary electrode portion close to the external electrode. A discharge lamp.