JP2001093428A - Gas discharge tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas discharge tube in which decrease in luminance, luminous efficiency, and mechanical strength that may be caused by securing a discharge route is suppressed. SOLUTION: A discharge route 44 is spatially divided into four small chambers 26 owing to dividing walls 25 which organize an inner surface of a luminous room 12. However, discharge between a cathode 42 and an anode 28 is electrically connected between the small chambers 26 owing to continuously placed independent electrodes 38 between the small chambers. Therefore, discharge through the dividing walls 25 doesn't occur even though voltage is applied between the cathode 42 and the anode 28, however, discharge occurs between the small chambers 26 owing to a difference of electric potentials between the independent electrodes 38 and other electrodes put in the chambers 26. Therefore, one substantially continuous discharge route 44 can be formed in the luminous room 12 without keeping the spatially continuing discharge route 44 by making through holes on the dividing walls 25. As it is not necessary that the through holes should be made on the dividing walls 25, lowering of luminance, luminous efficiency, and mechanical strength that may happen when keeping the discharge route 44 can be sufficiently suppressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an improvement in a gas discharge tube.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a gas discharge tube of a type in which light generated by discharge in an airtight container having a transparent or translucent light-transmitting wall is emitted through the light-transmitting wall. For example, such as a discharge tube for lighting such as a flat fluorescent lamp, a plasma display panel (PDP) using a glow discharge region or a display fluorescent lamp using a positive column discharge region. In addition, a display discharge tube or the like used for displaying a desired image is such. The former discharge tube for lighting or the like is suitably used for a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, a space-saving lighting device, or the like because of its thin configuration. Further, in the latter display discharge tube, since it is a self-luminous type, a high luminance can be obtained at a low voltage and a wide viewing angle, so that not only can it be used alone as a display device, but also a plurality of display discharge tubes can be formed on one plane or By forming a large-area display surface by arranging it vertically and horizontally (that is, in a matrix) on one curved surface, a large display device for a stadium or the like that displays images for a large number of viewers indoors or outdoors can be easily formed. There is an advantage that can be configured.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned gas discharge tube, one or a plurality of mutually independent luminous chambers serving as luminous units are provided in the internal space, but the luminous units have a large area. In a large lighting device or an image display device, it is difficult to uniformly generate a discharge over the entire surface of the light emitting chamber. This is because the spread of the discharge in a plane perpendicular to the discharge direction is finite, and therefore, when the size of the light-emitting chamber becomes large, it does not reach the periphery. Therefore, as shown in a configuration example of the display fluorescent lamp in FIG. 13, when the area of the light emitting chamber 12 is large, the divided wall 2 having the communication hole 60 may be used.
By dividing into a plurality of small chambers 26 communicating with each other at 5, a meandering discharge path 44 is formed in the light emitting chamber 12. The reason why the communication hole 60 is provided in the divided wall 25 to allow the plurality of small chambers 26 to communicate with each other is that the plurality of small chambers 2
6 is disadvantageous in terms of power consumption, driving circuit cost, and the like when each discharge electrode (anode 28) is provided. In order to

However, in the structure in which the plurality of small chambers 26 are defined in the light emitting chamber 12 by the dividing wall 25 as described above, the discharge path 44 passes through the position of the shortest path in the cross section of the communication hole 60. As a result, there is a problem that the luminance is reduced at a position deviating from the path, and luminance unevenness may occur. In addition, since the mechanical strength of the dividing wall 25 is reduced in the portion where the communication hole 60 is provided, there is a problem that the dividing wall 25 is easily damaged during the manufacturing process, during use, and the like, and the handling property is poor. Moreover, since the communication hole 60 is provided at the longitudinal end of the small chamber 26 so that the discharge path 44 is formed as widely as possible, a plurality of metal thin plates as shown in FIG. In the structure in which the dividing wall 25 is provided and the communication hole 60 is located near the fitting portion, a problem such as deformation during the manufacturing process due to a decrease in strength becomes significant. Further, in a gas discharge tube of a type in which a phosphor layer is provided on the inner surface of a light emission chamber to obtain a desired emission color and the phosphor is excited and emitted by ultraviolet rays generated by discharge, a communication hole 60 provided in the dividing wall 25 is provided. Is to reduce the phosphor application area,
Luminance decreases near the communication hole 60, which may cause uneven luminance and lower luminous efficiency. Further, in a configuration in which a cathode chamber is provided below the light emitting chamber 12, a cathode is provided on the bottom of the light emitting chamber 12 in order to secure a discharge path 44 between the hot cathode in the cathode chamber and the anode 28 in the light emitting chamber 12. Since the cathode hole 40 communicating with the room is provided, there is a problem that the brightness on the cathode hole 40 becomes low for the same reason.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to suppress a decrease in luminance, luminous efficiency, and mechanical strength caused by securing the discharge path as described above. To provide a gas discharge tube.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the present invention is to form a pair of discharge lamps in an airtight container filled with a discharge gas and covered on one side with a transparent wall. A gas discharge tube of a type that includes electrodes and emits light generated in a light-emitting chamber provided in the hermetic container through the light-transmitting wall by discharging between the discharge electrodes; A barrier constituting a part of the inner surface of the chamber and spatially dividing a discharge path formed between the pair of discharge electrodes; and (b) continuous over two spaces divided by the barrier, and And an independent electrode provided independently of the discharge electrode.

[0007]

In this manner, the discharge path is spatially divided by the barrier constituting the inner surface of the light emitting chamber, but the discharge between the pair of discharge electrodes is continuous over the two divided spaces. Electrically connected by independent electrodes. Even if a voltage is applied between the discharge electrodes, no discharge through the barrier can occur, but in each of the divided spaces, a discharge can occur due to a potential difference between the independent electrode and the other electrodes existing in the space. is there. Therefore, one substantially continuous discharge path can be formed in the light emitting chamber without providing a communication hole in the barrier constituting the inner surface of the light emitting chamber to secure a spatially continuous discharge path. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a communication hole on the inner surface of the light emitting chamber in order to secure the discharge path, a decrease in luminance, luminous efficiency, and mechanical strength due to the securement of the discharge path is suitably suppressed. In the present application, the “inner surface of the light-emitting chamber” includes not only the inner surface of the peripheral wall and the inner surface of the bottom wall constituting the outer edge of the light-emitting chamber, but also the side surface of the divided wall provided inside.

[0008]

Another aspect of the present invention, preferably, (a-2) the barrier comprises a plurality of small chambers arranged in a plane parallel to the light-transmitting wall in the light emitting chamber and extending in one direction. (B-2) the independent electrode is disposed at an end position in the longitudinal direction such that a discharge path is formed in each of the plurality of small chambers along the longitudinal direction. It was done.
In this way, in the case where the dividing wall is provided in the light emitting chamber and divided into a plurality of small chambers, discharge is generated in each of the plurality of small chambers along the longitudinal direction thereof over substantially the entire length thereof. Therefore, since the discharge is uniformly generated over the entire surface of the light emitting chamber, there is an advantage that the uniformity of the luminance can be improved as compared with the case where the small chamber is defined by the dividing wall having the communication hole.

Preferably, the independent electrode extends over substantially the entire width of the discharge path perpendicular to the discharge direction in the space divided by the barrier. In this way, the range of discharge in the vicinity of the independent electrode is expanded, so that a uniform discharge can be obtained over a wider area in the divided space.

Preferably, the gas discharge tube is a display fluorescent lamp having a cathode chamber below the light emitting chamber and a phosphor layer on the inner surface of the light emitting chamber, and the barrier is provided in the light emitting chamber. On the bottom wall facing the cathode compartment. With this configuration, since it is not necessary to provide a cathode hole for communicating the cathode chamber and the light emitting chamber on the bottom surface of the light emitting chamber, it is possible to further increase the luminance by providing a phosphor layer on the entire bottom surface. By the way, in the fluorescent lamp for display, the closer to the cathode, the larger the amount of ultraviolet rays generated and the higher the brightness. There was a disadvantage that it could not be used effectively. Incidentally, since the potential of the independent electrode is equal to the space potential, the cathode dark portion is not formed in the light emitting chamber even with this configuration.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing an entire display fluorescent lamp 10 for color display, which is an embodiment of a gas discharge tube of the present invention. In the drawing, a display fluorescent lamp 10 is a display element provided on a viewing side with a plurality of pixels including light-emitting chambers 12 (light-emitting units) of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). In order to form a large display surface, a plurality of display devices are arranged vertically and horizontally. Display fluorescent lamp 10
Is a flat box-shaped light emitting chamber housing 1 having a substantially square planar shape.
4, a plurality of flat chamber-shaped cathode chambers 16 are hermetically sealed with a low softening point glass such as a lead-containing glass, and the inner space thereof is a discharge chamber filled with a discharge gas such as mercury vapor. Space.

The light emitting chamber accommodating portion 14 has a flat box-shaped front side container 18 having an open lower surface to which the cathode chamber 16 is fixed, and a peripheral portion formed at its open end by low softening point glass or the like. And a bottom plate 20 which is fixed and closes the opening. The front side container 18 is made of, for example, substantially transparent soda lime glass for a window, and has a translucent wall portion 18 located on the upper side in a drawing parallel to the bottom plate 20.
a, and an outer peripheral wall portion 1 extending from the entire periphery of the peripheral portion downward, that is, toward the bottom plate 20 side so as to be substantially perpendicular thereto.
8b. On the other hand, the bottom plate 20 is formed of a thin plate made of a metal material such as a 426 alloy (Ni 42, Cr 6, balance Fe) having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially similar to that of the low softening point glass, and both surfaces thereof are boron. It is covered with an insulating film 50 made of silicate glass or the like (see FIG. 6 and the like). In the present embodiment, the bottom plate 20 corresponds to a bottom wall.

A flat space is formed in the light-emitting chamber accommodating portion 14 formed by the front-side container 18 and the bottom plate 20, and the plurality of light-emitting chambers 12 are provided in a lattice-shaped partition provided therein. 22 and surrounding wall 24 surrounding the periphery
Is formed in the flat space. A peripheral wall 24 is arranged between the translucent wall 18a and the bottom plate 20 along the outer peripheral wall 18b, and a space on the inner peripheral side is parallel to the translucent wall 18a by the partition wall 22. It is divided into a plurality of light emitting chambers 12 arranged inside. Both the partition wall 22 and the peripheral wall 24 are made of, for example, a 426 alloy covered with an insulating film 50.
Each part constituting the outer peripheral wall of each of the plurality of light emitting chambers 12 has, for example, a thickness of about 200 (μm) and a height of about 3 (mm) in the direction from the bottom plate 20 to the translucent wall 18a. Form a thin plate. Note that the partition wall 22 and the peripheral wall 24 are placed on the upper surface 30 (see FIG. 3) of the bottom plate 20 at a position slightly inside the outer peripheral end thereof.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the overall arrangement of the light emitting chamber 12. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
Is a substantially square, and a total of 64 light-emitting chambers 12 are arranged in each of the vertical and horizontal directions in a flat space having a substantially square shape. Each of the plurality of light emitting chambers 12 is further divided into four elongated rectangular parallelepiped small chambers 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d by dividing walls 25 extending in the vertical direction in the drawing. In FIG. 2, "R", "G",
“B” represents the luminescent color of each luminous chamber 12. In each of the light emitting chambers 12, a phosphor layer 52 is provided on the side surface and the bottom surface of the partition 22 as described later.
“G” and “B” correspond to the emission colors of the phosphor layers 52 provided respectively.

In FIG. 2, the partition 22 is composed of a plurality of X-direction partition portions 32 and Y-direction partition portions 34 extending in two directions perpendicular to each other. The small chambers 26 are separated by these. That is, the Y-direction partition 34
The one passing through the light emitting chamber 12 corresponds to the dividing wall 25. Therefore, the light-emitting chamber 12 is separated from the X-direction partition 32 by the Y direction.
Each of the luminous chambers 12 is further divided into eight rows and columns by the direction partition 34, and each of the light emitting chambers 12 is further divided into Y direction partition 34.
Are divided into four small chambers 26 by the dividing wall 25. The interval between the partition walls 32 and 34 is substantially constant in each of the X and Y directions except for the non-light emitting portion between the picture elements.

As shown in the figure, the partition wall 22 and the partition wall 25, that is, the X-direction partition portion 32 and the Y-direction partition portion 34 intersect the peripheral wall 24 surrounding the periphery thereof at both ends. That is, the partition wall 22 and the dividing wall 25 are provided such that a part of both ends thereof protrudes outside the peripheral wall 24 which is outside the light emitting chamber 12. Further, the peripheral wall 24 has a rectangular frame shape as a whole, but extends along the longitudinal direction of the X-direction partition 32 and the Y-direction partition 34 to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to each other. The two peripheral wall portions 36 are fitted to each other. The four peripheral wall portions 36 intersect at both end portions, and both end portions are provided so as to protrude toward the outer peripheral surface side, although both are perpendicular to each other. In FIG. 2, only a part of the dividing wall 25 that partitions the small chamber 26 from each other is shown at both ends in the width direction in the figure, and the part provided at the center is omitted. In addition, one picture element of the display is composed of four light-emitting chambers 12 of R, G, G, and B adjacent to each other. A non-light-emitting area (a section in which none of R, G, and B is shown) having a fixed width is provided between the light emitting areas 32. This non-light-emitting area is for arranging all picture elements at a uniform interval when a plurality of display fluorescent lamps 10 are arranged.

Returning to FIG. 1, each of the plurality of light emitting chambers 12 is provided with one anode 28 at one corner thereof.
As described above, since each of the light emitting chambers 12 is divided into four small chambers 26, the anode 28 is located at the longitudinal end of one of the four divided small chambers 26. The anode 28 is connected to the hot cathode 4 housed in the cathode chamber 16.
2 (see FIG. 4 described later). The cathode chamber 16 is made of a glass material similar to that of the front container 18 or an enamel thin plate made of 426 alloy or the like having an insulating film formed on the same surface as the bottom plate 20. Is omitted, for example, the bottom plate 20
It has a substantially flat box shape with one side open. That is, the inner wall surface of the airtight container facing the discharge space is entirely an insulator. The display fluorescent lamp 10 is provided with, for example, an exhaust pipe for evacuating the interior and filling in a discharge gas, for example, on the lower surface of the cathode chamber 16. It is not necessary for understanding the example, and is omitted.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view for explaining in detail the configuration of the main part in the light emitting chamber accommodating section 14 in which the plurality of light emitting chambers 12 are arranged. As described above, each of the light emitting chambers 12 is provided with the dividing wall 25 (Y
It is divided into four small chambers 26 by the direction partition 34 that passes through the light emitting chamber 12). The dividing wall 25 has a communication hole 6 for communicating the small chambers 26 located on both sides thereof.
0 (see FIG. 13) and the like are not provided at all. Therefore, the discharge spaces in each of the small chambers 26 constituting one light emitting chamber are substantially discontinuous. Here, “substantially discontinuous” means that no discharge path is formed between the small chambers 26. The upper and lower ends of the dividing wall 25 are only in contact with the inner surface of the translucent wall 18a and the upper surface 30 of the bottom plate 20 (see FIG. 1), and there is a slight gap between them.
The gap is not large enough to form a discharge path therethrough. The light-emitting chamber 12 is provided with a light-transmitting wall 18.
a and the bottom plate 20 are formed by partitioning the space with the partition 22, and the inner surface thereof is formed of the light-transmitting wall 18.
a, the upper surface 30 of the bottom plate 20, and the side surface of the partition wall 22, the surface of the dividing wall 25 also faces the inside of the light emitting chamber 12, and substantially constitutes the inner surface.

On the other hand, the bottom plate 2 constituting the bottom of the light emitting chamber 12
On the upper surface 30 of the light emitting chamber 12, a plurality of independent electrodes 38a, 38b, 38c common to the mutually adjacent ones of the small chambers 26 constituting the one light emitting chamber 12 are provided.
26 are provided with both ends exposed. That is, in the light emitting chamber 12, independent electrodes 38 that are continuous over the mutually adjacent small chambers 26, 26 are provided so as to be exposed on both sides of the divided wall 25 dividing the small chambers 26, respectively. This independent electrode 38 is provided on the bottom plate 20.
Ni, provided by Fe-Ni, C, Al, Ag-Au, Cu, ITO, to print a thick film conductor paste comprising SnO ₂ or the like as a conductive component, or that like to fix the sheet metal made of these conductive materials The anode 28, the cathode 42, and the other independent electrode 38 provided in the airtight space are all electrically independent.

Each of the independent electrodes 38 is disposed near one of the ends of the small chamber 26 in the longitudinal direction.
2 are alternately located in the arrangement direction of the small chambers 26. That is, the independent electrode 38a provided between the small chambers 26a and 26b is provided between the small chambers 26b and 26c at an end opposite to the anode 28 provided at one longitudinal end of the small chamber 26a. The provided independent electrode 38b is located at the end opposite to the independent electrode 38a, and the independent electrode 38c provided between the small chambers 26c and 26d is located at the end opposite to the independent electrode 38b. 4 adjacent to each other
At the common corner of the two light emitting chambers 12, a cathode hole 40 is provided for communicating the inside of the light emitting chamber 12 and the inside of the cathode chamber 16 as shown in the center position in the figure, and the position of the independent electrode 38c is The opposite side of the cathode hole 40. In the drawing, reference numeral 52 denotes an upper surface 30, a partition wall 22, and a dividing wall 2 of the bottom plate 20.
5 is a phosphor layer provided on the side surface, and is applied to a thickness of, for example, about 200 (μm) determined for each color. In the present embodiment, since the communication hole 60 is not provided in the dividing wall 25, the phosphor layer 52 is provided on the entire side surface thereof, so that the coating is performed in comparison with the case where the communication hole 60 is provided. The wearing area is about 10% larger.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the light emitting chamber 12 as viewed from above. As described above, since the three independent electrodes 38 are provided at the end positions of the small chamber 26, the independent electrodes 38, the independent electrode 38, the anode 28, and the cathode hole 40 are provided in each of the four small chambers 26. Are located opposite each other. The hot cathode 42 in the cathode chamber 16 is provided, for example, at a position immediately below the cathode hole 40,
It can be said that it is disposed substantially at the end of the small chamber 26 in which the cathode hole 40 is provided. Since the cathode holes 40 are provided in common for the four light emitting chambers 12,
The hot cathode 42 works in common for the four light emitting chambers 12. For this reason, in each of the small chambers 26, the electrodes that substantially form a pair are arranged to face each other. In addition, the independent electrode 3
8 has a length of less than twice the width of the small chamber 26,
The two ends are arranged so as to be accommodated in the small chambers 26, 26 adjacent to each other. That is, the independent electrode 3
Reference numeral 8 has a relatively small width, but has a length in substantially the entire width direction in each small chamber 26.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line VV in FIG. In the figure, the independent electrode 38c is connected to the small chamber 26.
The cathode 42 is provided below the inside of the cathode chamber 16. The cathode hole 40 provided in the bottom plate 20 is provided to form a communication passage between the independent electrode 38 and the cathode 42 arranged at different heights as described above. That is, the small room 26
d and the inside of the cathode chamber 16 are spatially continuous. FIG. 5 shows the configuration inside the small chamber 26d. The cross-sectional structure of the other small chambers 26a to 26c is not shown, but as apparent from the comparison between FIGS.
Instead of the cathode hole 40, they are independent electrodes 38 or anodes 2
8 is provided near the partition 22. In the drawing, reference numeral 46 denotes a color filter provided inside the translucent wall 18a for the purpose of increasing the color purity of light emitted from the light emitting chamber 12 (small chamber 26). The color filter 46 is formed, for example, by coating a plate glass or the like having a thickness of about 1 (mm) into three colors of RGB for each section corresponding to each of the light emitting chambers 12. Strictly speaking, the upper end surface of the light emitting chamber 12 is constituted by the color filter 46.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the independent electrode 38c located on the right side in FIG.
7 is a view corresponding to a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. However, the other independent electrodes 38a and 38b (not shown) are configured in the same manner as the independent electrode 38c, and will be collectively handled as the independent electrodes 38 in the following description. Independent electrode 3
8 is formed, for example, using a thick film printing or the like as described above, for example, to have a thickness of about 10 (μm), a width of about 0.1 (mm), and a length of about 5 (mm). It was done.
The sheet resistance of the independent electrode 38 is, for example, about 1 (Ω / □) and has relatively high conductivity. For this reason, the voltage drop in the independent electrode 38 is, for example, 10 discharge currents.
When it is set to about 0 (μA), it is so small that it can be said that it is practically impossible. The thickness dimension and the width dimension are determined so that the conductivity is sufficiently high. In addition, the length dimension of the independent electrode 38 is, as described above, the small chamber 2.
6 is provided so as to be provided with an electrode which is exposed over substantially the entire width thereof.

On the other hand, the bottom plate 20 is provided with a recess 48 at the position where the independent electrode 38 is provided, for example, by etching. The recess 48 has a depth dimension substantially the same as the thickness dimension of the independent electrode 38, and a width dimension and a length dimension of the independent electrode 3.
8 is almost the same as that of FIG. Therefore, the independent electrode 38
Substantially embedded in the recess 48 and the entirety of the recess 4
8. Therefore, although the dividing wall 25 is provided on the upper surface 30 of the bottom plate 20 so as to intersect with the independent electrode 38, the independent electrode 3 which is located almost entirely in the recess 48 is provided.
8 does not form a convex portion on the upper surface 30, and therefore a gap (a gap that forms a discharge path) between the dividing wall 25 and the upper surface 30 due to the presence of the independent electrode 38 is substantially formed as described above. Does not occur.

As described above, the inner surface of the bottom plate 20 and the surfaces of the partition walls 22 and the divided walls 25 are covered with the insulating film 50.
8 is performed. Therefore, the insulating film 50
Are provided in accordance with the surface shape of the bottom plate 20 including the recess 48, and the four
26 alloy is not exposed. The independent electrode 38 is provided in the recess 48 provided with the insulating coating as described above, so that electrical insulation between the independent electrode 38 and the bottom plate 20 is ensured. Further, since the partition wall 22 and the divided wall 25 are also coated after forming the entire shape, the lower end surfaces are also covered with the insulating film 50. Therefore, the independent electrode 38
It is in a state of being electrically insulated from all metal parts existing in the hermetic space as well as other electrodes.

As described above, the phosphor layer of any one of the RGB luminescent colors is provided on the inner wall surface of each of the light emitting chambers 12 (the side surfaces of the partition wall 22 and the divided wall 25 and the inner surface of the bottom plate 20). 52, the phosphor layer 52 is omitted in FIGS. 6, 7 and the like. Also, in FIG. 1, the RGB and grid-like black patterns 45 shown for each light-emitting chamber 12 are obtained by projecting the color-coded pattern on the color filter 44 and the black mask between picture elements. The light-transmitting wall 18a is not color-coded at all.

When driving the display fluorescent lamp 10 configured as described above, for example, an anode provided in a desired light emitting chamber 12 for emitting light with a steady heat current flowing through the cathode 42 is used. 28, a predetermined positive voltage is applied. As a result, a voltage gradient is formed in a path passing through the independent electrodes 38a, 38b, and 38c provided between the anode 28 and the cathode 42, and these independent electrodes 38a, 38b, and 3c are formed.
8c is an intermediate potential between the anode 28 and the cathode 42, and becomes a potential lower toward the cathode 42 side. Therefore, the adjacent small chambers 26 are electrically connected to each other by the independent electrodes 38, so that a state in which a pair of discharge electrodes is provided for each small chamber 26 is realized. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the anode 28 and the independent electrode 38a, and the independent electrode 38a and the independent electrode 3
8b, a discharge is generated between the independent electrode 38b and the independent electrode 38c, and between the independent electrode 38c and the cathode 42, and discharge paths 44a, 44b, 44c, and 4 are formed in each small chamber 26.
4d are respectively formed. That is, although the discharge path 44 is spatially divided by the dividing wall 25, the divided discharge paths 44 are connected to each other by the independent electrode 38, so that a pseudo continuous discharge path 44 is formed, and a discharge occurs substantially between the anode 28 and the cathode 42. In addition, since the discharge electrode in each small chamber 26 is provided on the bottom surface 30 except for the anode 28, the discharge path 44 is curved as illustrated in FIG. 5 in the vertical section.

As described above, the independent electrodes 38a, 38b, 3
When a discharge is generated between the cathode 42 and the anode 28 via the cathode 8c, the phosphor in the light emitting chamber 12 is excited and emits light by the ultraviolet light generated by the discharge, and the light is emitted to the color filter 4.
6 and the light is emitted through the translucent wall 18a. Therefore, a desired image can be displayed continuously by causing one or a plurality of desired light emitting chambers 12 to emit light sequentially.

At this time, since the thickness and width of the independent electrode 38 are determined so as to have sufficient conductivity as described above, there is substantially no voltage drop in the electrode, and each small chamber Since the potential difference between the paired electrodes in the inside 26 is substantially uniform, the four small chambers 26 constituting the light emitting chamber 12 are formed.
In any case, a discharge having substantially the same intensity is generated. Therefore, since a discharge of uniform intensity is generated over substantially the entire surface of the light emitting chamber 12, the luminance of the phosphor excited and emitted by the discharge becomes uniform, so that a partial decrease in luminance or luminance unevenness occurs. Alternatively, a decrease in the luminous efficiency caused by providing the communication hole 60 in the divided wall 25 is preferably suppressed. In addition,
In driving in this manner, it was confirmed that the luminance was as high as about 10 (%) when the driving conditions such as voltage and current were the same as those of the conventional display fluorescent lamp having the communication hole 60. This improvement in luminance is considered to be due to an increase in the application area of the phosphor layer 52.

In short, according to the present embodiment, the discharge path 44
Is spatially divided into four small chambers 26 by a dividing wall 25 constituting the inner surface of the light emitting chamber 12, and discharge between the cathode 42 and the anode 28 is performed by an independent electrode 38 continuous between the small chambers 26. Connected. That is, as described above, even if a voltage is applied between the cathode 42 and the anode 28, no discharge can occur through the dividing wall 25, but in each of the small chambers 26, the independent electrode 38 and the other electrodes existing in the small chamber 26 exist. Discharge can occur due to the potential difference between the electrodes. Therefore, a communication hole 60 is provided in the dividing wall 25 to form a spatially continuous discharge path 44.
, It is possible to form one substantially continuous discharge path 44 in the light emitting chamber 12. Therefore, the discharge path 44
Since it is not necessary to provide the communication hole 60 in the dividing wall 25 in order to secure the brightness, the reduction in the brightness, the luminous efficiency, and the mechanical strength due to the securing of the discharge path 44 are suitably suppressed.
The mechanical strength of the dividing wall 25 was ten times or more as compared with the case where the communication hole 60 was provided.

In this embodiment, the independent electrode 38
Are arranged at end positions in the longitudinal direction such that discharge paths 44 are formed in each of the plurality of small chambers 26 along the longitudinal direction. Then, a discharge is generated over the substantially entire length along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, since the discharge is uniformly generated over the entire surface of the light emitting chamber 12, there is an advantage that the uniformity of the luminance is improved as compared with the case where the small chamber 26 is defined by the dividing wall having the communication hole 60. is there.

In this embodiment, the independent electrode 38
Is provided in the small chamber 26 divided by the dividing wall 25 so as to extend over substantially the entire width of the discharge path 44 perpendicular to the discharge direction. As a result, the range of discharge in the vicinity of the independent electrode 38 is expanded, so that a uniform discharge can be obtained over each of the small chambers 26 over a wider range.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, portions common to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example in which the arrangement method of the independent electrodes 38 is different. In the figure, no recess 48 or the like is provided on the upper surface 30 of the bottom plate 20, and the upper surface 30 is substantially flat. The independent electrode 38 has a flat upper surface 3
0, and a convex portion is formed on the upper surface 30 thereof. The dimensions of each part of the independent electrode 38 are the same as in the above-described embodiment. On the other hand, the split wall 25 is provided with a shallow cutout 54 at a position corresponding to the independent electrode 38.
The notch 54 has a depth slightly larger than the thickness of the independent electrode 38 and an opening width slightly larger than the width of the independent electrode 38. Therefore, the independent electrode 3
8 and the dividing wall 25 are in contact with each other or in a positional relationship separated by a small distance. Since the lower end surface of the divided wall 25 on the side of the independent electrode 38 is covered with the insulating film 50 including the inside of the notch 54, even if they are in contact, the electrical insulation state is ensured. In addition, the gap therebetween is extremely small, and in this embodiment, a continuous discharge cannot be generated between the two small chambers 26 via the dividing wall 25. Thus, even if the independent electrode 38 is provided on the upper surface 30 in a convex manner,
Its function is the same as that of the case where the light emitting chamber 12 is embedded with the surface exposed, and the discharge path 44 can be formed over the entire light emitting chamber 12 divided into the small chambers 26.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for explaining still another example of the arrangement of the independent electrodes 38. FIG. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 9, the independent electrode 38 is provided on the side surface of the partition wall 22 that forms the inner surface of the light emitting chamber 12. In the configuration example shown in FIG.
An independent electrode 38 is provided on the inner surface of the color filter 46. In any case, a cutout 54 is provided in the divided wall 25 at a position corresponding to the independent electrode 38, so that interference between the divided wall 25 and the independent electrode 38 is prevented. Even with such a configuration, the function of the independent electrode 38 similar to the above-described two examples can be obtained.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the independent electrode 38 is provided at a position separated from the partition wall 22 or the bottom plate 20 by a small distance, and the independent electrode 3 is provided on the divided wall 25.
The missing portion provided at the position corresponding to 8 is a recess located at the middle of the side. However, independent electrodes 3
8 may be provided at a position in contact with the partition wall 22 in the examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 and at a position in contact with the bottom plate 20 or the color filter 46 in the example shown in FIG. Even in such a case, the notch 54 may be provided at a position corresponding to the independent electrode 38, that is, the cutout 54 may be provided in a shape including a corner of the divided wall 25 in a rectangular area. Good.

The embodiment shown in FIG.
This is a configuration example in which the present invention is applied to a portion where a cathode hole 40 is to be provided, that is, a portion where a cathode hole 40 is to be provided. In the figure, a cathode hole 40 is not provided in the bottom surface 30 of the corner shared by the four light emitting chambers 12, and a cathode pin 56 is erected in each light emitting chamber 12 there. The cathode pin 56 is made of, for example, Fe
It has a diameter of about 100 (μm) and a length of about 2 (mm) in the light emitting chamber 12. The configuration of the other parts is the same as that shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 and illustrating the sectional structure of the structure shown in FIG. In the figure, a cathode pin 56 is provided to penetrate the bottom plate 20, and its upper end is located in the light emitting chamber 12, while its lower end is located in the cathode chamber 1.
6 located. Therefore, when a voltage is applied between the anode 28 and the cathode 42, discharge occurs between the cathode 42 and the cathode pin 56 and between the cathode pin 56 and the independent electrode 38 c, as in the case of the independent electrode 38. , Each having a discharge path 44d
_1, 44d ₂ are formed, substantially continuous discharge path 44d between the cathode 42 through the cathode pin 56 and the independent electrode 38c in the chamber 26d is formed. That is, a discharge is generated between the cathode 42 and the independent electrode 38c as in the case where the cathode hole 40 is provided. Since a discharge is generated in each of the other small chambers 26a to 26c in the light emitting chamber 12 as in the case shown in FIG. 4, a discharge is generated between the cathode 42 and the anode 28 in this embodiment. .

Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the cathode hole 40 for communicating the inside of the cathode chamber 16 with the inside of the light emitting chamber 12 on the bottom surface 30 of the light emitting chamber 12.
By providing the phosphor layer 52 on the entire bottom surface 30, the luminance can be further increased. Moreover, in the display fluorescent lamp 10, the closer to the cathode 42, the larger the amount of ultraviolet rays generated and the higher the brightness.
Since the cathode hole 40 is not provided at a position close to the above, the luminance can be further increased due to this.

While the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the present invention can be embodied in still another embodiment.

For example, in the embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the display fluorescent lamp 10 has been described. However, a pair of discharge electrodes is provided in an airtight container, and the discharge path 44 therebetween is a barrier. As long as the gas discharge tube is of a divided type, it is similarly applied to a display discharge tube of another type such as a PDP, a fluorescent lamp which is a discharge tube for illumination or illumination for LCD backlight and the like. . For example, PDP
Also, in the case where the area of the light-emitting room becomes large for large-screen display, it may be desirable to divide one light-emitting room into a plurality of small rooms as in the case of the fluorescent lamp 10, but in such a case, the present invention Can be similarly applied. Also, in a discharge tube for lighting or the like, since it is desired to uniformly generate a discharge in a flat space, the present invention can be applied when the space is divided into a plurality of small chambers. In addition, the light emission method using discharge includes a method using glow discharge and a method using positive column discharge, and the present invention can be applied to any of them, and the driving method also has an exposed electrode. The direct current (DC) type may be an alternating current (AC) type covered with a dielectric material. Further, the cathode is not limited to the hot cathode shown in the examples,
A cold cathode may be used.

Further, in the embodiment, the flat space in the airtight container is divided into a plurality of light-emitting chambers 12 arranged in a matrix by partition walls 22, and each light-emitting chamber 12 is divided into four small chambers 26. Had been divided into flat spaces,
The number of divisions is appropriately determined according to the size, configuration, application, and the like of the gas discharge tube. For example, the light-emitting room 12 may not be divided at all and may be constituted by one space, or may be divided into two, three, five or more small rooms 26. In addition, even if only one light emitting chamber 12 is provided in the airtight space, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the light emitting chamber 12 is divided into a plurality of small chambers 26. Also, regardless of whether or not there are a plurality of light emitting chambers 12, the present invention can be applied to a case where the light emitting chamber 12 and the cathode chamber 16 are divided on the bottom surface 30 of the light emitting chamber 12, as shown in FIGS. is there. Further, the planar shape of the airtight container is not limited to a substantially square shape as shown in the embodiment, but can be appropriately changed depending on the use and the like.

Further, in the embodiment, the case where the phosphor layer 52 is provided in the light emitting chamber 12 has been described, but the phosphor layer 52 is not necessarily required to be provided. The phosphor layer 52 is unnecessary when the display is performed directly by gas, ions, plasma or the like generated by the discharge.

The dimensions of each part of the independent electrode 38 are appropriately determined so that the voltage drop is sufficiently small and the discharge occurs in the small chamber 26 with high uniformity. For example, in the embodiment, the independent electrode 38 is provided with a length dimension substantially covering the entire width of the small chamber 26. However, if uniform discharge occurs, both ends are slightly exposed in the small chamber 26. It may be shortened to the extent. If the area occupied by the independent electrode 38 is reduced, there is an advantage that the application area of the phosphor layer 52 can be relatively increased and the luminance can be increased. Therefore, it is desirable to set the size in consideration of these effects. . Also, in the structure in which the cathode pin 56 is provided, the size of each part is determined so that the sectional area and the surface area are sufficiently large and the voltage drop is sufficiently small.

In the embodiment, the independent electrode 38 is
Ni, Fe-Ni, C, Al, Ag-Au, Cu, ITO, in SnO ₂ or the like, but the cathode pin 56 consists of a Fe-Ni or the like, the constituent material, the discharge characteristics and durability It is changed as needed in consideration.
For example, a display fluorescent lamp 1 filled with mercury vapor
In the case of 0 or the like, it can be said that thick film silver or the like is not preferable from the viewpoint of durability, and it is desirable to use a material having poor chemical reactivity such as Ni (nickel).

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, it has been described that a slight gap is formed between the dividing wall 25 and the independent electrode 38.
When the entire surface of 5 is covered with insulating film 50, there is no need to provide a gap in terms of electrical insulation. However, since the insulating film 50 may be peeled off at the end face of the dividing wall 25 due to rubbing or the like during the work, the size of the notch 54 is determined so that a gap is formed, or the independent electrode 38 and the dividing wall are separated. It is desirable to take measures such as applying an insulating coating to the intersection with 25.

Further, in the embodiment, the case where two spaces electrically connected by the independent electrode 38 or the cathode pin 56 are divided by a thin metal plate, but are divided by an insulating material such as glass. In this case, the present invention can be similarly applied.

Further, in the embodiment, only the example in which the small chambers 26 are spatially separated and the independent electrodes 38 are provided therebetween is shown. However, the cathode pins 56 shown in FIGS.
On the other hand, the small chambers 26 may be spatially continuous with each other by the communication holes 60 as in the conventional configuration example shown in FIG. Also in this case, since the reduction in luminance due to the provision of the cathode hole 40 is suppressed, the effect of suppressing luminance unevenness and luminous efficiency reduction can be obtained.

Although not specifically exemplified, the present invention
Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire display fluorescent lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement state of a light emitting chamber of the display fluorescent lamp in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an essential part for explaining a configuration of a light emitting chamber of the display fluorescent lamp of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the light emitting chamber is viewed from above.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line VV in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of an independent electrode in FIG. 5;

7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating still another configuration example of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating still another configuration example of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating still another configuration example of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to a section taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a light emitting chamber of a conventional display fluorescent lamp.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Fluorescent lamp for display (gas discharge tube) 12: Light emitting chamber 18a: Translucent wall (translucent wall) 20: Bottom plate (bottom wall) 25: Dividing wall 26: Small chamber 28: Anode 38: Independent electrode 42 : Cathode 44: Discharge path

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pair of discharge electrodes is provided in an airtight container in which a discharge gas is sealed and one surface of which is covered with a light-transmitting wall, and the discharge electrodes are provided in the airtight container by discharging between the discharge electrodes. A gas discharge tube of a type that emits light generated in a light-emitting chamber through a light-transmitting wall thereof, wherein the gas discharge tube forms a part of an inner surface of the light-emitting chamber and forms a discharge path formed between the pair of discharge electrodes. A gas discharge tube comprising: a spatially divided barrier; and an independent electrode that is continuous over two spaces divided by the barrier and that is provided independently of the discharge electrode. 2. The barrier includes a dividing wall that divides the light-emitting chamber into a plurality of small chambers arranged in a plane parallel to the light-transmitting wall and extending in one direction. 2. The gas discharge tube according to claim 1, wherein a discharge path is formed in each of the plurality of small chambers along a longitudinal direction thereof at an end position in the longitudinal direction.