JPH04503281A - Light emitting panel and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Light emitting panel and display device The present invention provides two gas discharge chambers that are sealed to each other at their peripheries and define a reduced pressure gas discharge space. It has parallel plates, at least one of which is directed against the radiation. The present invention relates to transparent light emitting panels.

In many applications, such as backlighting devices, it provides uniform illumination over a wide area. It is hoped that it will survive. A lighting device can emit high-intensity light with low power; It is also desirable that the material has excellent heat radiation and is small and lightweight.

A fluorescent light-emitting device that generates light by the photo-ionization effect of fluorescent material in a gas discharge tube is , is suitable for the above purpose as far as the illumination light level and power consumption are concerned. On the other hand, wide If uniform illumination is required over a large area, several fluorophores placed parallel to each other can be used. It is necessary to generate a uniform distribution of light using a light tube or by using a curved fluorescent tube. Ru. International Publication No. 87104562 describes a device consisting of a plurality of parallel fluorescent tubes. A display device formed in a planar panel is disclosed. This display device allows multiple Several walls divide the panel into separate discharge areas, each with a separate electrode. There is. A curved fluorescent tube device similarly has a wall that defines a circular discharge area between two electrodes. It is formed by the section. Even in such devices, the front side of the fluorescent tube device Some form of dispersion device in place should be used to produce more uniform illumination. . However, due to the presence of walls, this device is not sufficient for certain applications. Evenly distributed illumination light is not generated.

International Publication No. 87104562 discloses a method in which phosphors are coated on opposing surfaces. Discloses a flat panel fluorescent device composed of two glass plates has been done. The two plates are spaced apart and sealed at the periphery. The space between the plates is under reduced pressure. The electrode is located in the space between the plates. Extending along the edges opposite each other, a discharge can occur between the plates . The problem with devices with this type of configuration is that the pressure inside the device is reduced, so the pressure inside the device is reduced. The thickness of the plate must be relatively thick to withstand the pressure differential acting on the plate. There is. However, thicker plates make the device heavier. As the thickness increases, the thickness becomes too thick.

An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting panel in which the above-mentioned drawbacks are eliminated. .

According to one concept of the invention, in a light emitting panel of the type mentioned above, the plate at least one of the plates is a phosphor that generates synchrotron radiation due to an electrical discharge within the panel. a coating on an inner surface, the plate having a plurality of optical transparency within its periphery; Provided is a light-emitting panel, characterized in that it is supported by transmissive pillars. It is in.

The pillar preferably has a phosphor coating on its surface and emits less light. at least an inclined surface that reflects the emitted light so that it passes through the light-transmissive plate. I can do it. One of the plates preferably has a reflective outer surface; The emitted light is reflected through the light transmissive plate. Pillars have multiple columns The dimensions of the pillars in the column direction are the distance between adjacent pillars in the column direction. approximately equal to the spacing of . The pillars in one row are preferably the same as the pillars in the adjacent row. The edges of adjacent rows touch each other. can do. The pillars are preferably shaped like truncated pyramids. at least one The plates can have integrally formed pillars.

According to another concept of the invention, the invention comprises a display section and a light emitting panel, the light emitting panel , so that the synchrotron radiation emitted from this light emitting panel backlights the display section. 9. A display device disposed behind a display section, wherein the light emitting panel is provided in any one of claims 1 to 9. Provides a display device characterized by being a light emitting panel according to any one of the preceding items. It is about providing.

A light emitting panel according to the invention and a display device including this panel are shown in the accompanying drawings. An example of this will be explained below.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a panel according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of the panel, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the display device including the panel. , illustrating the optical path within the panel, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a modified example of the panel.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the light emitting panel consists of two rectangular glasses that are both transparent to light. It has sprays 1-1 and 2. The glass bar can be configured with electrical An insulating spacer 3 is placed between the two plates at their periphery to connect these plates. are spaced apart from each other and form an airtight seal between the plates. both pre The outer surfaces 4 and 5 of the plates 1 and 2 are flat planes, and the outer surfaces of the lower plate 2 5 faces a planar reflector 6, which is coated with a specular reflective metal coating or It can be coated with a diffuse reflective color coating.

The inner surfaces 7 and 8 of both plates 1 and 2 form an array of pillars 10. . These pillars have a square cross section and are shaped like a truncated pyramid. Its representative The dimensions are 0.707 mm in width at the base, 1 mm in diagonal length, and the angle θ of the wall. It forms an angle of 60° with respect to the horizontal line, and its height is 0.433 mm. this In Fig. 1, the pillars are formed in a straight line in the horizontal direction, and adjacent pillars on the same row The spacing between the pillars shall be equal to the base dimension of the pillar. Pillar lO of adjacent pillar row are adjacent to each other with a distance equal to the pillar dimension, so that the pillars 10 of a certain row is aligned midway between the pillars of adjacent rows. The ends of adjacent columns are adjacent to each other Therefore, there is no space between adjacent columns.

Since the pillar rows of the two plates l and 2 are made equal to each other, one plate Each pillar 10 of the plate is aligned with the top of the corresponding pillar of the other plate and adjacent to each other. The mutually opposing top surfaces of the pillars 10 of the two plates are They are bonded using an adhesive whose refractive index matches that of the glass that makes up the plate. subordinate Therefore, the distance between the two plates is equal to the sum of the pillar heights of the two plates. Ru.

Two electrodes 2I and 22 respectively, and enclose these electrodes in the spacer 3 and penetrate the spacer. Connect a conductor extending through the conductor and apply a voltage to the electrode with the conductor. Each electrode 21 and 22 at the ends of all pillar rows along almost the entire length of one side of the panel. It extends perpendicularly to and transversely. Electrodes 21 and 22 are preferably Since it is not heated, this panel constitutes a cold cathode type glass discharge device. Variants and Therefore, a hot cathode electrode can also be used. The electrode is shaped on the spacer 3. It can also be constructed with a thick conductive coating. The device of the present invention , unlike conventional devices, only one set of electrodes is required, resulting in the use of different electrode sets. Conventional problems caused by interactions between the two and discharges are eliminated.

The interior space of the panel is filled with argon gas and mercury vapor or other gases and gas mixtures. Contains a low pressure gas mixture. The exposed surface inside the panel, i.e. the two plates 1 and one or more phosphor layers on the flat inner surface between the two pillars and on the walls of the pillars. 30 is a cordon, and fluorescence is generated from this phosphor layer 30 by a gas discharge to obtain a desired result. emit a radiation spectrum.

During operation, the distance between the two electrodes 21 and 22 is sufficient for a discharge to occur inside the panel. A sufficiently high voltage is applied, and the generated discharge causes the phosphor layer 30 to emit fluorescence.

Plasma is generated by the discharge that occurs between the two electrodes, and this plasma flows inside the panel. uniformly distributed around pillar 10 inside the panel without being restricted by the internal barrier of to clothe The light emitted from the phosphor layer 30 is transmitted to the plates 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. and into the glass material supporting the phosphor layer. Pyra -10, the light incident on the pillar is directed to the outer surfaces 4 and 2 of plates 1 and 2. and 5. In this regard, the wall of the pillar forms the surface of the plate. It is preferable to set the angle to 90 degrees or less. The light incident on the lower surface 5 is a reflector 6 towards the upper plate 1. Pillar lO is reflected by reflector 6 Most of the light is transmitted through the panel without being attenuated by absorption in the phosphor layer 30. It acts as a light guide which directs the light out of the outer surface 4. As a result, the panel When looking at almost equal to the light emitted from the Slight differences in lighting levels in these areas It has little effect on body illumination. The reason for this is that the pillars are distributed evenly. cloth, the width of the pillar is small, and the pillar is surrounded by the flat surface of the plate. This is because it has been done.

The pillar lO reduces the flat surface area of the inner surfaces 7 and 8 of the plates by about 20%. Ru. However, the exposed wall of pillar 10 covers approximately 38% of the surface area of the flat area. Since the surface area on which the phosphor layer 30 is formed is divided into two flat plates, Therefore, the surface area formed will be increased by about 18%. Also, the pillar Since it has light guide performance, it is more effective for light emitted to the lower plate. achieve practical utility.

The pillars also provide structural support for the panels against forces acting perpendicular to the panels. . This structural support allows plates 1 and 2 to be relatively thin. . The reason for this is that the pillars precisely separate the plates. Therefore, It can be significantly lighter and thinner than similar panels without pillars. example For example, a 100mm square panel can be made using a 2cm thick plate so that the total thickness is approximately 5mm can be manufactured.

According to the invention, a panel capable of high uniform illumination and high unidirectional radiation becomes possible. On the other hand, by removing the reflector, light is emitted from both sides. It is also possible to realize interactive panels that are displayed.

The pillars on plates 1 and 2 are formed by chemical etching, mechanical or ionic processing, Alternatively, it can be manufactured using conventional techniques such as laser processing techniques.

Instead of forming pillars on both plates, one plate as shown in Figure 4 It is also possible to form a pillar only on 2'. In the device shown in FIG. ’ is similarly sloped along its length. When using this device, the light is preferentially Since it propagates towards the lower plate 2', the reflector is supported by the upper plate 1'. It is clear that it is preferable to do so.

Alternatively, the pillar may be constructed as a member separating both plates, and one or both plates may be It can also be combined with rates. In this case, the light passes through the pillar and enters the plate. In order not to reduce the amount of light transmitted, the coupling between the pillars and the plate is It is possible to use an optical bonding agent that has the same refractive index as the glass that makes up the plate. desirable.

The pillars do not have to be truncated pyramid shapes, but can be other shapes such as truncated conical shapes. It is also possible to On the other hand, four-sided pyramids can be made by mechanical processing rather than conical shapes. It can be easily produced. The outer surface of the plate does not necessarily have to be flat. It is not necessary, and it is also possible to form a shape that converges or diverges light.

This type of light emitting panel can be used for various purposes.

For example, a package incorporating a liquid crystal matrix display device 40 (FIG. 3) It can also be applied to a crat-type advertising device or display device. Also, photos and other applications where uniform illumination is required, such as interior lighting with reduced shadows. be able to.

Copy and translation of written amendment) Submission (Article 184-7, Paragraph 1 of the Patent Act) August 1991 12th of the month

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Two parallel plates sealed to each other at their peripheries and defining a reduced pressure gas discharge space. at least one of the plates is transparent to the emitted light. In a bright light emitting panel, at least one of said plates (1, 2) The panel includes a phosphor coating (30) that generates synchrotron radiation due to electrical discharge within the panel. on the side surface, said plates (1 and 2) having a plurality of light transmitting elements within their periphery; A light emitting panel characterized in that it is supported by pillars (10). 2. said pillar (10) having a phosphor coating (30) thereon; A light emitting panel featuring: 3. The pillars are arranged such that the emitted light passes through at least the light-transmissive plate (1). The light emitting panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light emitting panel has an inclined surface that reflects the light. Le. 4. One of the plates (2) is a light-transmissive plate for emitted light. (1) having a reflective outer surface (16) that is reflective to pass through (1); A light emitting panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The pillars (10) are arranged in a plurality of rows, and the dimension (d) of each pillar in the row direction is Claim 1 characterized in that: is approximately equal to the spacing between adjacent pillars in the same row. 4. The light emitting panel according to any one of items 4 to 4. 6. The pillars in one row are separated from the pillars in the adjacent row by a distance equal to the pillar dimension (d). A light emitting panel characterized in that the light emitting panels are alternately arranged with a distance between them. 7. According to claim 5 or 6, the edges of adjacent pillar rows are in contact with each other. Light emitting panel as described. 8. Claims 1 to 7, wherein the pillar has a truncated pyramid shape. The light emitting panel according to any one of the items. 9. At least one of the plates (1, 2) is integrally shaped. Any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it has a pillar (10) made of The light emitting panel according to item 1. 10. It has a display section and a light emitting panel, and the light emitting panel is arranged behind the display section so that the radiation light emitted from the display backlights the display section. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting panel is defined in any one of claims 1 to 9. A display device comprising the light emitting panel described above.