JP2003045376A - Flat discharge light source - Google Patents
Flat discharge light sourceInfo
- Publication number
- JP2003045376A JP2003045376A JP2001233016A JP2001233016A JP2003045376A JP 2003045376 A JP2003045376 A JP 2003045376A JP 2001233016 A JP2001233016 A JP 2001233016A JP 2001233016 A JP2001233016 A JP 2001233016A JP 2003045376 A JP2003045376 A JP 2003045376A
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- Prior art keywords
- discharge
- light source
- electrode
- flat
- source according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は平面状に発光する放
電装置等の平面放電光源、例えば液晶パネル等のバック
ライトが必要な表示素子を使用するビデオカメラ、デジ
タルカメラ、テレビ、ゲーム機やカーナビゲーションシ
ステム等の情報映像機器やワープロ等のＯＡ機器、若し
くは光源を内蔵した表示システム等における平面放電光
源、平面放電光源を用いた照明装置および液晶表示装置
に関するものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flat panel discharge light source such as a flat panel discharge device, for example, a video camera, a digital camera, a television, a game machine or a car which uses a display element such as a liquid crystal panel which needs a backlight. The present invention relates to a flat discharge light source, an illuminating device using the flat discharge light source, and a liquid crystal display device in an information video device such as a navigation system, an OA device such as a word processor, or a display system having a built-in light source.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】液晶パネルは薄型軽量でありかつ低消費
電力であるため、ビデオカメラ等の携帯用機器やパソコ
ン、テレビ等各種の情報映像ディスプレイとして広く利
用されている。しかし、液晶自体は発光素子でなく、表
示のためには液晶パネルの背面から光を供給するバック
ライトが必要である。通常用いられているバックライト
は水銀と希ガスを封入した冷陰極蛍光ランプとアクリル
樹脂の導光体を組み合わせて平面状に発光させたものが
主であるが、平板型放電ランプも使用されている。2. Description of the Related Art Since a liquid crystal panel is thin and lightweight and has low power consumption, it is widely used as various information image displays such as portable devices such as video cameras, personal computers and televisions. However, the liquid crystal itself is not a light emitting element, and a backlight for supplying light from the back surface of the liquid crystal panel is required for display. The most commonly used backlight is a combination of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp containing mercury and a rare gas, and a light guide made of acrylic resin that emits light in a flat shape, but a flat discharge lamp is also used. There is.
【０００３】図６は、例えば特開昭６２−１９５８４８
号公報に記載されている従来の平面放電光源（平板型光
源）の断面図である。図に示すように、ソーダガラス等
からなる透光性の前面板２と、背面板３と側板４とが、
一体に気密封着され、扁平状の放電空間８を有する密閉
容器１が構成されている。発光面となる前面板２の内面
には蛍光体が塗布され、背面板３の内面には互いに平行
な複数の放電電極９が設けられており、さらに放電空間
内の放電電極９の表面には絶縁層と誘電体層が形成され
ている。放電空間８には水銀と始動用ガスとしてアルゴ
ン等の希ガスが封入されている。FIG. 6 shows, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-195848.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional flat discharge light source (flat plate light source) described in Japanese Patent Publication No. As shown in the figure, a translucent front plate 2 made of soda glass or the like, a rear plate 3 and a side plate 4 are
The airtight container 1 is integrally air-sealed, and a closed container 1 having a flat discharge space 8 is formed. A phosphor is applied to the inner surface of the front plate 2 serving as a light emitting surface, a plurality of discharge electrodes 9 parallel to each other are provided on the inner surface of the back plate 3, and the surface of the discharge electrode 9 in the discharge space is further provided. An insulating layer and a dielectric layer are formed. The discharge space 8 is filled with mercury and a rare gas such as argon as a starting gas.
【０００４】本構造による平面放電光源は図７に示すよ
う複数の電極９に、相隣接する電極に相互の電極電位の
極性が相互に異なるようＡＣ電源１０からＡＣ電圧を印
加することにより放電空間８内に水銀放電が発生し、こ
れにより蛍光体が励起されて発光し、前面板２を通して
外部に放射される。As shown in FIG. 7, the planar discharge light source having this structure applies a discharge voltage to a plurality of electrodes 9 by applying an AC voltage from an AC power supply 10 to adjacent electrodes so that the polarities of the electrode potentials are different from each other. A mercury discharge is generated in the phosphor 8, and the phosphor is excited and emits light, which is emitted to the outside through the front plate 2.
【０００５】[0005]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】従来の平面放電光源は
複数本の放電電極を設け、隣り合った電極間でＡＣ放電
を行わせている。この構成による放電では相隣接する電
極の間隔が短いため、蛍光体を発光させる紫外線は負グ
ローからの放射であり発光効率が悪い問題があった。効
率改善のため陽光柱を発生させると、従来の構造と電圧
印加法では放電が片寄ったり収縮することがあり全面が
均一発光しない問題があった。また、水銀放電で発生す
る紫外線により蛍光体を励起発光させると比較的発光効
率は良いが、水銀蒸気を利用しているため光出力や電圧
などの特性が温度によって大きく変化する問題がある。
特に低温になると大幅な輝度の低下や始動電圧の上昇等
が起きると共に、短寿命になる問題もあった。A conventional flat discharge light source is provided with a plurality of discharge electrodes, and AC discharge is performed between adjacent electrodes. In the discharge according to this configuration, since the interval between the electrodes adjacent to each other is short, the ultraviolet light that causes the phosphor to emit is the radiation from the negative glow, and there is a problem that the luminous efficiency is poor. If a positive column is generated to improve efficiency, the conventional structure and voltage application method may cause uneven discharge or contraction of the discharge, resulting in non-uniform light emission over the entire surface. Further, when the phosphor is excited to emit light by ultraviolet rays generated by mercury discharge, the light emission efficiency is relatively good, but since mercury vapor is used, there is a problem that characteristics such as light output and voltage greatly change with temperature.
Particularly, when the temperature becomes low, there is a problem that the brightness is drastically reduced, the starting voltage is increased, and the life is shortened.
【０００６】さらに、大面積の平面放電光源では、扁平
容器のガラス板厚を厚くしないと大気圧で破損するため
支柱やリブ等を放電空間に設けて薄型軽量化を図ってい
る。しかし、放電路中に上記支柱やリブがあると放電が
収縮したり、放電空間全体に渡って均一に放電せず平面
状の発光が得られない問題もあった。Further, in a large-area flat discharge light source, unless the glass plate thickness of the flat container is increased, the flat discharge light source is damaged by the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, columns and ribs are provided in the discharge space to reduce the thickness and weight. However, if the above-mentioned support pillars or ribs are present in the discharge path, there are problems that the discharge contracts, or the discharge does not occur uniformly over the entire discharge space, so that planar light emission cannot be obtained.
【０００７】本発明の目的は上述した課題を解決するた
めになされたもので始動時から輝度変化が少なく薄型、
高輝度、高効率で均一な平面発光を有する平面放電光源
を提供することにある。An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. It has a small change in luminance from the start and is thin.
An object of the present invention is to provide a planar discharge light source having high brightness, high efficiency, and uniform planar light emission.
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的を達成するため
に本発明による平面放電光源は、透光性を有する前面板
と背面板とを略平行に位置させて扁平状の放電空間を有
する密閉容器を構成し、前記前面板の内面に複数対の放
電電極を設け、前記放電電極の表面を覆って誘電体層を
設け、前記密閉容器の内部に放電ガスを封入した平面放
電光源において、前記複数対の放電電極の互いに隣接し
た電極に同一の電圧を印加して放電させる。また、上記
複数対の放電電極の隣接した電極間に支柱やリブを設け
る。さらに、上記複数の放電電極の各々の対の間隔はほ
ぼ同じで、前記間隔を放電時に陽光柱が発生する長さに
なるよう構成する。また、上記密閉容器の内面や支柱、
リブの表面に蛍光体を塗布する。また、上記放電電極を
上記放電空間の辺の長さ方向ほぼ全長に渡って設ける。
また、上記放電電極を複数個に分割する。また、上記放
電電極として透明導電膜を用いる。また、上記誘電体層
の表面に保護膜を設ける。また、放電ガスとしてキセノ
ンあるいはキセノンと他の希ガスを混合して用いる。In order to achieve the above object, a planar discharge light source according to the present invention is a hermetically sealed flat discharge space in which a front plate and a rear plate having translucency are positioned substantially parallel to each other. A flat discharge light source comprising a container, a plurality of pairs of discharge electrodes provided on the inner surface of the front plate, a dielectric layer provided to cover the surface of the discharge electrodes, and a discharge gas sealed in the sealed container. The same voltage is applied to the adjacent electrodes of the plurality of pairs of discharge electrodes to cause discharge. Further, columns and ribs are provided between the adjacent electrodes of the plurality of pairs of discharge electrodes. Further, the interval between each pair of the plurality of discharge electrodes is substantially the same, and the interval is configured to have a length at which a positive column is generated during discharge. In addition, the inner surface of the above-mentioned closed container and the pillar,
Apply the phosphor on the surface of the rib. Further, the discharge electrode is provided over substantially the entire length of the side of the discharge space in the length direction.
Further, the discharge electrode is divided into a plurality of parts. A transparent conductive film is used as the discharge electrode. Further, a protective film is provided on the surface of the dielectric layer. Further, xenon or a mixture of xenon and another rare gas is used as the discharge gas.
【０００９】この場合、上記放電電極に矩形波かパルス
電圧を印加して高周波放電を行わせる。In this case, a high frequency discharge is performed by applying a rectangular wave or pulse voltage to the discharge electrode.
【００１０】本発明の平面放電光源は、液晶表示装置の
バックライトとして適しているが、照明用の光源として
も有効である。The planar discharge light source of the present invention is suitable as a backlight for a liquid crystal display device, but is also effective as a light source for illumination.
【００１１】なお、図８は請求項１に記載の発明を説明
するための図である。この図は図１と図２の併せて示し
たものである。一端の電極5a、一対の電極（5b, 5b）、
(5a,5a)、…、（5b, 5b）、他端の電極5aが設けられて
いる。電極5aには共通の電圧V1(例えば、矩形波電圧が
印加される。)、電極5bにはそれとは位相の異なる共通
の電圧V2(例えば、矩形波電圧が印加される。)が印加さ
れる。１は放電容器を示す。この電極5a, 5bの一部に別
の符号(1a, 1b)、(2a, 2b)、(3a, 3b)を記した。請求項
１の発明では少なくとも電極1b-2a間および電極2b-3a間
に放電が生じることを示している。楕円の点線で放電の
生じる電極対を示している。放電自体はこの間の電極間
の長手方向に幅広く生じることがあり得るし、本発明の
実施例ではそのような様子を示している。FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the invention described in claim 1. This figure is a combination of FIG. 1 and FIG. Electrode 5a at one end, a pair of electrodes (5b, 5b),
(5a, 5a), ..., (5b, 5b), the electrode 5a at the other end is provided. A common voltage V1 (for example, a rectangular wave voltage is applied) is applied to the electrode 5a, and a common voltage V2 (for example, a rectangular wave voltage is applied) having a different phase from that of the electrode 5b is applied. . Reference numeral 1 denotes a discharge container. Other symbols (1a, 1b), (2a, 2b), (3a, 3b) were written on a part of the electrodes 5a, 5b. The invention of claim 1 indicates that at least discharge occurs between the electrodes 1b-2a and between the electrodes 2b-3a. The elliptical dotted line shows the electrode pair where discharge occurs. The discharge itself can occur widely in the longitudinal direction between the electrodes in between, and the embodiment of the present invention shows such a state.
【００１２】[0012]
【発明の実施の形態】つぎに本発明の実施例を図面と共
に説明する。図１は本発明による平面放電光源の一実施
例を示す断面斜視図である。図に示すように、ソーダガ
ラス等からなる透光性の前面板２と、ソーダガラス等か
らなる背面板３と側板４が、例えば低融点ガラス（図示
せず）で略平行に位置するよう一体に気密封着され、扁
平状の放電空間８を有する密閉容器１が構成されてい
る。発光面となる前面板２の内面と側板４の内面には蛍
光体７が塗布されている。背面板３には互いに略平行な
放電電極５ａ、５ｂが４対合計８本設けられており、さ
らに放電空間８内の放電電極５ａ、５ｂの表面には誘電
体層６が形成されている。上記放電電極５ａ、５ｂの幅
は例えば１mmであり、隣り合う放電電極５ａ−５ａ及び
５ｂ−５ｂの間隔は１mmで、一対の放電電極５ａ、５ｂ
の電極間隔は４０mmでその間にはやはり蛍光体７が塗布
されている。放電空間８には例えば、キセノンとネオ
ン、アルゴンの混合ガスが封入されている。DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view showing an embodiment of a planar discharge light source according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the translucent front plate 2 made of soda glass, etc., the back plate 3 made of soda glass, etc. and the side plate 4 are integrated so that they are positioned substantially parallel to each other, for example, low melting glass (not shown). A hermetically sealed container 1 that is air-tightly sealed and has a flat discharge space 8 is formed. A phosphor 7 is coated on the inner surface of the front plate 2 and the inner surface of the side plate 4 which are the light emitting surfaces. The rear plate 3 is provided with four pairs of discharge electrodes 5a and 5b which are substantially parallel to each other in total, and a dielectric layer 6 is formed on the surfaces of the discharge electrodes 5a and 5b in the discharge space 8. The width of the discharge electrodes 5a, 5b is, for example, 1 mm, the interval between the adjacent discharge electrodes 5a-5a and 5b-5b is 1 mm, and the pair of discharge electrodes 5a, 5b is 5 mm.
The electrode spacing is 40 mm, and the phosphor 7 is also applied between them. The discharge space 8 is filled with, for example, a mixed gas of xenon, neon, and argon.
【００１３】本実施例による平面放電光源の駆動方法
は、放電電極５a、５ｂに矩形波電圧やパルス電圧を印
加して放電させる。In the method of driving the planar discharge light source according to this embodiment, a rectangular wave voltage or a pulse voltage is applied to the discharge electrodes 5a and 5b to discharge.
【００１４】図２は電極結線図と矩形波の駆動電圧波形
の例を示した図で、例えば放電電極５ａには０Ｖを中心
にＶｓと−Ｖｓの電圧を有する矩形波か略矩形波の電圧
１１を印加し、放電電極５ｂには同じ周波数で、１１と
逆の極性を有する矩形波か略矩形波の電圧１２を印加し
て放電を行わせることで放電空間８内に希ガス放電が発
生し、キセノンから放射される紫外線により蛍光体７が
励起されて発光し、前面板２を通して外部に放射され
る。矩形波電圧は上記した実施例のように両電極５ａ、
５ｂに印加しても良いし、どちらか片方の放電電極に印
加して放電させても良い。図３は別の駆動波形を示した
図で、例えば前記電極５ａに-Ｖｈの電圧パルスを有す
る電圧１１を印加し、他の一方の電極５ｂには１１と同
じ電圧パルスで、半周期位相のずれた電圧パルス-Ｖｈ
を有する電圧１２を印加して放電を行わせる。パルス幅
Ｗ１と休止期間Ｗ２の関係をＷ１＜Ｗ２にすれば休止期
間のあるパルス電圧の駆動となり、同じ時間幅にすれば
矩形波駆動となる。周波数は１０ｋＨｚから１００ｋＨ
ｚ位まで使用できる。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electrode connection diagram and a drive voltage waveform of a rectangular wave. For example, the discharge electrode 5a has a rectangular wave voltage or a substantially rectangular wave voltage having a voltage of Vs and -Vs centered on 0V. 11 is applied to the discharge electrode 5b at the same frequency, and a rectangular wave or a substantially rectangular wave voltage 12 having a polarity opposite to that of 11 is applied to cause discharge, whereby a rare gas discharge is generated in the discharge space 8. Then, the phosphor 7 is excited by the ultraviolet rays emitted from xenon to emit light, and is emitted to the outside through the front plate 2. The rectangular wave voltage is applied to both electrodes 5a, as in the above-described embodiment.
5b may be applied, or one of the discharge electrodes may be applied to cause discharge. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another driving waveform. For example, a voltage 11 having a voltage pulse of −Vh is applied to the electrode 5a, the same voltage pulse as 11 is applied to the other electrode 5b, and a half cycle phase is applied. Offset voltage pulse-Vh
A voltage 12 having a voltage of 10 is applied to cause discharge. If the relationship between the pulse width W1 and the rest period W2 is W1 <W2, the pulse voltage is driven with the rest period, and if the same time width is used, the rectangular wave drive is performed. Frequency is 10kHz to 100kHz
Can be used up to z position.
【００１５】本発明による平面放電光源は、複数対の放
電電極を有するが、接近して隣接している別の対の放電
電極には同一の電圧が印加されているため隣接した別の
対の電極間で誤放電が発生することはない。また、各々
の対の放電電極５ａ、５ｂはほぼ間隔を同じにしてあ
り、この間隔を陽光柱が発生するのに十分な長さまで長
くして放電発生時には必ず陽光柱が発生するよう構成し
てある。電極間隔は封入ガスの圧力にもよるが１０mm以
上あれば陽光柱が発生する。この陽光柱で蛍光体を励起
発光させるため高輝度、高発光効率で均一性の良い平面
発光が得られる特徴を有する。さらに、封入ガスとして
キセノン混合ガスを用いているため、周囲温度の変化に
対して特性変化が殆どなく、低温でも高温でも点灯直後
から一定の明るさで発光する。The planar discharge light source according to the present invention has a plurality of pairs of discharge electrodes, but since the same voltage is applied to the discharge electrodes of another pair which are closely adjacent to each other, the discharge electrodes of the other adjacent pair are discharged. There is no erroneous discharge between the electrodes. Further, the discharge electrodes 5a and 5b of each pair have substantially the same interval, and the intervals are made long enough to generate a positive column so that the positive column is always generated when a discharge occurs. is there. If the electrode interval depends on the pressure of the enclosed gas, a positive column will be generated if it is 10 mm or more. Since the phosphor is excited by the positive column to emit light, it has a feature that high-luminance, high-emission efficiency and highly uniform plane emission can be obtained. Furthermore, since the xenon mixed gas is used as the enclosed gas, there is almost no change in characteristics with respect to changes in the ambient temperature, and light is emitted at a constant brightness immediately after lighting at low and high temperatures.
【００１６】本発明による平面放電光源は、発光面の大
きさに応じて放電電極対の数を増減させればよく、放電
電極対の数を増やすことで印加電圧を上昇させることな
く発光面積を大きくできるため、大面積用の平面放電光
源に適している。放電電極５ａ、５ｂの長さは上記実施
例では放電空間８の一辺の全長とほぼ同じ長さとした
が、これに限らず多少短くても良いし、放電空間の辺よ
り長く封着部分にまで形成されていても良い。また、発
光面が大きくなると放電電極が長くなるが、あまり長く
なると電極面積が増えて放電電流が多くなり駆動回路の
電流容量が大きくなる。駆動回路の電流容量が大きくな
ると放熱やコスト高になるなどの問題がでてくるので、
この場合は放電電極を適当な数に分割して形成すると電
極１ヶあたりの電流は少なくなるので回路を小さく、低
コストでできる。放電電極５ａ、５ｂは、このほかＩＴ
Ｏ膜やネサ膜等の透明導電膜を用いても良い。また、誘
電体層６の表面をＭｇＯ等の保護層（図示せず）で覆っ
てやることで動作電圧の低下、スパッタの減少が可能に
なり、さらに長寿命の平面放電光源が得られる。図４は
本発明による平面放電光源の別の実施例を示す断面斜視
図である。本構造の平面放電光源は、３対の放電電極が
形成された背面板３を発光面に用い、例えばソーダガラ
スで成型加工して作った浅皿状容器１３とで放電空間８
を形成する。放電空間８内には放電空間の高さと同じ高
さの支柱１４が設けられている。支柱１４は互いに隣接
する放電電極５ａ−５ａ、５ｂ−５ｂの間に位置し、表
面には蛍光体が塗布されている。背面板３の外表面には
光拡散板１５が設けてあり、放電電極５ａ、５ｂや支柱
１４の影による発光の不均一をなくし全面ほぼ均一な発
光面が得られるよう構成している。本実施例のように、
放電電極間が長いと放電電極が形成してある背面板も発
光面として用いることができるので、両面発光の平面放
電光源を得ることができる。放電空間８内に封入してあ
る希ガスの圧力は通常1／３〜１／１０気圧であり、大
型化するとガラス板厚を厚くしないと大気圧との差圧に
より密閉容器１が破壊されてしまう。差圧に耐えられる
よう背面板３や容器１３のガラス板を厚くするとテレビ
のブラウン管のように非常に重くなり、厚くなる。本実
施例における平面放電光源は、放電空間８内に設けた支
柱１４によって放電空間８の高さをほぼ一定の保つと共
に、外圧を分散して受け止められるため、前面板や背面
板等を薄くしても大気圧との差圧による応力に耐えるこ
とができる。このため、平面放電光源を大型化しても破
損することなく薄型、軽量に出来る。また、放電路中に
支柱がないため、放電の収縮や不均一放電が発生せず、
安定な平面発光が得られる利点もある。支柱は浅皿状容
器１３と一体成型で設けても良いし浅皿状容器１３とは
別に設けても良い。また、間隔は規則的或いは不規則的
でも良い。支柱１４の形状は発光面に向かって細くなる
錐体が好ましいが柱状、球状でも構わない。また、円形
や角形、十字形など任意の形状でよい。In the planar discharge light source according to the present invention, the number of discharge electrode pairs may be increased or decreased according to the size of the light emitting surface. By increasing the number of discharge electrode pairs, the light emitting area can be increased without increasing the applied voltage. Since it can be made large, it is suitable for a planar discharge light source for a large area. The lengths of the discharge electrodes 5a, 5b are set to be substantially the same as the entire length of one side of the discharge space 8 in the above embodiment, but the length is not limited to this and may be a little shorter, or longer than the side of the discharge space to the sealing portion. It may be formed. Also, the discharge electrode becomes longer as the light emitting surface becomes larger, but if it becomes too long, the electrode area increases and the discharge current increases, which increases the current capacity of the drive circuit. If the current capacity of the drive circuit becomes large, problems such as heat dissipation and cost increase will occur, so
In this case, if the discharge electrode is divided into an appropriate number and formed, the current per electrode is reduced, so that the circuit is small and the cost can be reduced. The discharge electrodes 5a and 5b are also IT
A transparent conductive film such as an O film or a NES film may be used. Further, by covering the surface of the dielectric layer 6 with a protective layer (not shown) such as MgO, it is possible to reduce the operating voltage and reduce the spatter, and to obtain a flat discharge light source with a longer life. FIG. 4 is a sectional perspective view showing another embodiment of the planar discharge light source according to the present invention. The flat discharge light source of this structure uses the back plate 3 on which three pairs of discharge electrodes are formed as a light emitting surface, and the discharge space 8 is formed by a shallow dish-shaped container 13 formed by molding with soda glass, for example.
To form. In the discharge space 8, a column 14 having the same height as the height of the discharge space is provided. The pillar 14 is located between the discharge electrodes 5a-5a and 5b-5b adjacent to each other, and the surface thereof is coated with a phosphor. A light diffusing plate 15 is provided on the outer surface of the back plate 3 so that the unevenness of light emission due to the shadows of the discharge electrodes 5a, 5b and the pillar 14 can be eliminated and a substantially uniform light emitting surface can be obtained. As in this example,
If the distance between the discharge electrodes is long, the back plate on which the discharge electrodes are formed can also be used as the light emitting surface, so that a planar discharge light source that emits light from both sides can be obtained. The pressure of the rare gas sealed in the discharge space 8 is usually 1/3 to 1/10 atmospheric pressure, and if the glass plate thickness is increased, the sealed container 1 will be destroyed due to the pressure difference from the atmospheric pressure unless the glass plate thickness is increased. I will end up. If the back plate 3 and the glass plate of the container 13 are thickened so as to withstand the differential pressure, they become very heavy and thick like a cathode ray tube of a television. In the flat discharge light source of this embodiment, the height of the discharge space 8 is kept substantially constant by the pillars 14 provided in the discharge space 8 and the external pressure is dispersed and received. Therefore, the front plate and the back plate are made thin. However, it can withstand the stress caused by the pressure difference from the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, even if the planar discharge light source is increased in size, it can be made thin and lightweight without being damaged. Also, since there are no columns in the discharge path, there is no contraction of discharge or non-uniform discharge,
There is also an advantage that stable plane emission can be obtained. The support column may be provided integrally with the shallow dish container 13 or may be provided separately from the shallow dish container 13. The intervals may be regular or irregular. The shape of the pillar 14 is preferably a cone that narrows toward the light emitting surface, but may be columnar or spherical. Also, any shape such as a circle, a square, or a cross may be used.
【００１７】図５は本発明による平面放電光源の別の実
施例を示す断面斜視図である。本構造の平面放電光源
は、図１に示した構造に加えて放電空間８の中央部分の
互いに隣接する放電電極５ａ−５ａの間にリブ１６を設
けたもので、リブ１６の表面にはやはり蛍光体が塗布さ
れている。また、形状は台形としたが角形などでも構わ
ない。リブ１６の機能や効果は上記図４に示した実施例
の支柱１４と同じである。リブ１６は前記実施例では放
電空間中央部分に短いのもを適当な間隔で設けたが、各
放電電極間５ａ−５ａ、５ｂ−５ｂの間全部に設けても
良い。また、長さは放電空間８の長さとほぼ同じに設け
てもよい。FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view showing another embodiment of the planar discharge light source according to the present invention. In addition to the structure shown in FIG. 1, the planar discharge light source of this structure has ribs 16 provided between the discharge electrodes 5a-5a adjacent to each other in the central portion of the discharge space 8. The phosphor is applied. Further, although the shape is trapezoidal, it may be rectangular or the like. The function and effect of the rib 16 are the same as those of the pillar 14 of the embodiment shown in FIG. In the above-described embodiment, the ribs 16 are provided in the central portion of the discharge space at short intervals at appropriate intervals, but they may be provided in all of the discharge electrodes 5a-5a and 5b-5b. The length may be set to be substantially the same as the length of the discharge space 8.
【００１８】[0018]
【発明の効果】本発明の実施例によれば、周囲温度で特
性が変化せず、高輝度、高発光効率で安定性の良い平面
発光が維持される効果を有する。また、大面積化を図っ
ても薄型軽量にでき、高電圧回路を用いなくとも点灯で
きる効果もある。本発明の実施例による平面放電光源
を、例えば液晶表示装置のバックライト用光源に用いれ
ば、高輝度で長寿命の平板型バックライトが得られる。According to the embodiments of the present invention, there is an effect that the characteristics do not change at ambient temperature, and high-luminance, high luminous efficiency and stable plane emission are maintained. Further, there is an effect that the device can be made thin and lightweight even if it has a large area and can be turned on without using a high voltage circuit. If the planar discharge light source according to the embodiment of the present invention is used as a light source for a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, for example, a flat panel backlight with high brightness and long life can be obtained.
【図１】本発明による平面放電光源の断面斜視図であ
る。FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view of a planar discharge light source according to the present invention.
【図２】平面放電光源の結線図と駆動電圧波形である。FIG. 2 is a connection diagram of a planar discharge light source and a drive voltage waveform.
【図３】平面放電光源の別の駆動電圧波形である。FIG. 3 is another driving voltage waveform of the planar discharge light source.
【図４】本発明による別の平面放電光源の断面斜視図で
ある。FIG. 4 is a sectional perspective view of another planar discharge light source according to the present invention.
【図５】本発明による他の平面放電光源の断面斜視図で
ある。FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view of another planar discharge light source according to the present invention.
【図６】従来の平面放電光源を示す斜視図である。FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional planar discharge light source.
【図７】従来の回路結線図である。FIG. 7 is a conventional circuit connection diagram.
【図８】本発明の実施例に係る平面光源の各電極に印加
する電圧のかけ方を説明するための図である。FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining how to apply a voltage applied to each electrode of the flat light source according to the embodiment of the present invention.
１…密閉容器、２…前面板、３…背面板、４…側板、５
ａ、５ｂ、９…放電電極、６…誘電体、７…蛍光体、８
…放電空間、１０…ＡＣ電源、１１、１２…駆動電圧波
形、１３…浅皿状容器、１４…支柱、１５…光拡散板、
１６…リブ。1 ... airtight container, 2 ... front plate, 3 ... rear plate, 4 ... side plate, 5
a, 5b, 9 ... Discharge electrode, 6 ... Dielectric material, 7 ... Phosphor, 8
... discharge space, 10 ... AC power supply, 11, 12 ... drive voltage waveform, 13 ... shallow dish container, 14 ... support, 15 ... light diffusion plate,
16 ... Ribs.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 池田 完 東京都世田谷区駒沢一丁目22−２−Ｂ1207 (72)発明者 生田 靖 東京都青梅市新町六丁目16番地の２ 青梅 産業株式会社内 Ｆターム(参考） 5C043 AA02 AA20 CC16 CD08 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Inventor Kan Ikeda 22-2-B1207 Komazawa 1-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Yasushi Ikuta 2 Ome, 6-16 Shinmachi, Ome City, Tokyo Sangyo Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5C043 AA02 AA20 CC16 CD08
Claims (13)
内部に放電空間を有する放電容器の一の内面上に第１、
第２および第３の２本の非交差電極対（1a, 1b）、（2
a, 2b）および（3a, 3b）が所定の間隔をおいて設けら
れ、前記放電容器内には放電用ガスが封入されており、 前記第１および第３の電極対（1a, 1b）および（3a, 3
b）には第１の電位の電圧が印加され、前記第２の電極
対（2a, 2b）には前記第１の電位とは異なる第２の電位
の電圧が印加されることにより前記第１の電極1bと前記
第２の電極2aとの間および前記第１の電極2bと前記第２
の電極3aとの間で放電が生るように構成した平面放電光
源。1. A first, on a first inner surface of a discharge vessel having a cubic shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape and having a discharge space therein.
The second and third two non-intersecting electrode pairs (1a, 1b), (2
a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) are provided at a predetermined interval, a discharge gas is enclosed in the discharge vessel, and the first and third electrode pairs (1a, 1b) and (3a, 3
The voltage of the first potential is applied to b), and the voltage of the second potential different from the first potential is applied to the second electrode pair (2a, 2b). Between the first electrode 2b and the second electrode 2a, and between the first electrode 2b and the second electrode 2a.
A planar discharge light source configured to generate a discharge with the electrode 3a of the.
設けられ、その面から可視光放射が可能な請求項１記載
の平面放電光源。2. The flat discharge light source according to claim 1, wherein a phosphor film is provided on one glass surface of the discharge vessel, and visible light can be emitted from the surface.
支柱やリブを設けたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の
平面放電光源。3. The flat discharge light source according to claim 1, wherein columns or ribs are provided between adjacent electrodes of the plurality of pairs of discharge electrodes.
間隔と、前記第２の電極対と前記第３の電極対との間隔
とがほぼ等しく、かつ、前記第１の電極対と前記第２の
電極対との間に放電時に陽光柱が発生する長さになるよ
う構成され、かつ、前記第２の電極対と前記第３の電極
対との間に放電時に陽光柱が発生する長さになるよう構
成されていることを特徴とする請求項１から請求項３の
いずれか一に記載の平面放電光源。4. An interval between the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair and an interval between the second electrode pair and the third electrode pair are substantially equal to each other, and the first electrode pair and the third electrode pair are substantially equal to each other. A length between the electrode pair and the second electrode pair is such that a positive column is generated at the time of discharge, and a sunlight beam is generated between the second electrode pair and the third electrode pair during discharge. The flat discharge light source according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flat discharge light source is configured to have a length for generating columns.
支柱が設けられ、前記放電容器の内面、前記支柱および
リブに蛍光体膜を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１から
請求項４のいずれか一に記載の平面放電光源。5. A column for supporting a discharge space of the discharge vessel is provided, and a phosphor film is provided on an inner surface of the discharge vessel, the column and the rib. The planar discharge light source according to any one of 1.
であり、前記放電電極は前記一の面の上であって、その
短辺または長辺の一端から他端に向けてそのほぼ全長に
渡って設けられていることを特徴とする請求項１から請
求項５のいずれか一に記載の平面放電光源。6. A planar shape of one surface of the discharge vessel is a rectangle, and the discharge electrode is on the one surface, and the discharge electrode is formed substantially from one end of the short side or the long side toward the other end. The flat discharge light source according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flat discharge light source is provided over the entire length.
ことを特徴とする請求項１から請求項６のいずれか一に
記載の平面放電光源。7. The flat discharge light source according to claim 1, wherein a transparent conductive film is used as the discharge electrode.
を特徴とする請求項１から請求項７のいずれか一に記載
の平面放電光源。8. The flat discharge light source according to claim 1, wherein a protective film is provided on the surface of the dielectric layer.
るいはキセノンと他の希ガスを封入したことを特徴とす
る請求項１から請求項８のいずれか一に記載の平面放電
光源。9. The flat discharge light source according to claim 1, wherein xenon or xenon and another rare gas is enclosed as a discharge gas in the discharge space.
加して高周波放電を行わせたことを特徴とする請求項１
から請求項９のいずれか一に記載の平面放電光源。10. A high frequency discharge is performed by applying a rectangular wave or a pulse voltage to the discharge electrode.
10. The planar discharge light source according to claim 9.
ことを特徴とする請求項１から請求項１０のいずれか一
に記載の平面放電光源。11. The flat discharge light source according to claim 1, wherein a light diffusion plate is provided on the outer surface of the closed container.
記載の平面放電光源を用いて照明するよう構成したこと
を特徴とする照明装置及び情報機器。12. An illuminating device and information equipment, which are configured to illuminate using the planar discharge light source according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
記載の平面放電光源をバックライトとして用いたことを
特徴とする液晶表示装置。13. A liquid crystal display device using the flat discharge light source according to claim 1 as a backlight.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001233016A JP3722025B2 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2001-08-01 | Flat discharge light source |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001233016A JP3722025B2 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2001-08-01 | Flat discharge light source |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2003045376A true JP2003045376A (en) | 2003-02-14 |
| JP3722025B2 JP3722025B2 (en) | 2005-11-30 |
Family
ID=19064843
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001233016A Expired - Fee Related JP3722025B2 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2001-08-01 | Flat discharge light source |
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| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3722025B2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1562221A2 (en) * | 2003-12-03 | 2005-08-10 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Flat lamp |
| WO2005117068A1 (en) * | 2004-05-26 | 2005-12-08 | Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation | Flat type discharge lamp and lighting device |
| JP2008538853A (en) * | 2005-04-26 | 2008-11-06 | ユヤン エアポート ライティング イクウィプメント インコーポレーション | Flat fluorescent lamp and electrode structure of the fluorescent lamp |
| JP2009164094A (en) * | 2007-12-31 | 2009-07-23 | Ind Technol Res Inst | Surface light source device for light-emitting on both surfaces |
-
2001
- 2001-08-01 JP JP2001233016A patent/JP3722025B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1562221A2 (en) * | 2003-12-03 | 2005-08-10 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Flat lamp |
| EP1562221A3 (en) * | 2003-12-03 | 2008-09-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Flat lamp |
| WO2005117068A1 (en) * | 2004-05-26 | 2005-12-08 | Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation | Flat type discharge lamp and lighting device |
| JP2008538853A (en) * | 2005-04-26 | 2008-11-06 | ユヤン エアポート ライティング イクウィプメント インコーポレーション | Flat fluorescent lamp and electrode structure of the fluorescent lamp |
| JP2009164094A (en) * | 2007-12-31 | 2009-07-23 | Ind Technol Res Inst | Surface light source device for light-emitting on both surfaces |
| US8049400B2 (en) | 2007-12-31 | 2011-11-01 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Surface light source apparatus with dual-side emitting light |
| US8692450B2 (en) | 2007-12-31 | 2014-04-08 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Surface light source apparatus with dual-side emitting light |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3722025B2 (en) | 2005-11-30 |
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