JPH05503607A - Thin flat vacuum sealed envelope container - 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] Thin vacuum sealed envelope container Kaisho■Background This application is filed under U.S. Pat. This is a partial continuation application of No. 51).

The present invention generally relates to internal elements and/or parts of lamps and various electronic devices. glass envelopes containing gas under vacuum Regarding the structure and operation of the Vacuum tube, incandescent lamp with a glass envelope that allows it to operate in an ambient atmosphere , relating to fluorescent lamps and other devices.

Vacuum tubes, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, electronic equipment, etc. are operated at very low pressure or partial vacuum. A glass envelope is used to confine the internal elements in a gaseous atmosphere.

The basic problem with this type of glass envelope is that it cannot withstand atmospheric pressure without breaking. Is Rukoto. Prior art designs respond to compressive forces exerted externally by atmospheric pressure. An envelope having a spherical, tubular, or combination of spherical and tubular shapes with an inherent resistance to This is achieved by forming a .

Very thin and flat shape (l flat) that can be used in the above type of vacuum sealed device There is an increasing need for vacuum-sealed enclosures for Use of thin flat envelope containers The internal elements may be arranged continuously or in one plane. There is an electron tube placed. Another example is the ability to see through a glass envelope. Vacuum fluorescent display device or incandescent filament display device with an internal element that There is a spray device. Historically, these devices have used flat glass enclosures. However, their size is extremely limited. This is because the span width increases. If this increases, the thickness of the glass must be correspondingly increased to withstand atmospheric pressure. That's because there isn't. Other examples of benefits from having a flat shaped envelope As a fluorescent lamp, it is traditionally formed into a tubular shape to withstand atmospheric pressure. There is a lamp that lights up.

In the prior art, a flat glass vacuum envelope is constructed using a thick glass plate to prevent atmospheric pressure. Although it is constructed to withstand sufficient pressure, vacuum tubes are not preferred in this case. For example, a flat sheet with plane dimensions of 154 x 112- A typical fluorescent lamp requires heavy glass with a thickness of 18-1 and a weight of 450 grams. this Fluorescent lamps with such a design include LCD (liquid crystal display) Buffklight, etc. impractical for many applications.

Prior art includes Christy U.S. Pat. No. 3.226.950 and Jon A panel lamp design of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,383 to es et al. There is. As disclosed in these patents, the front and back plates of the panel have numerous recesses are formed, and these recesses can be used to prevent loosening when the front and rear plates are integrated. form an ence channel.

These panels have a comparative thickness on the order of 1 inch or more. It is constructed on a large scale. Also, there is a wide space between the labyrinth channels. A flat support surface is formed, which creates the problem of brightness non-uniformity. Ru. In these patents, the problem of brightness non-uniformity is alleviated by providing a recess. It is necessary to have a special shape and size of the wall.

Prior art flat tube designs include a separate support element between the front and rear glass plates. Insertions of elements or other artifacts have been proposed. Generally, this technique Used in many types of display devices. An example is Yaara to No. 4,767.965. In this patent, flat The glass plate consists of a glass tube, a glass bulb, a semi-disc or a deposited glassy material. It is supported by a separate spacer piece formed by either a raised portion or the like.

Also, the use of these separate spacers increases complexity and manufacturing costs, which These spacers may interfere with the function of the tube or may be incompatible with the function of the tube. 9 For example, when these spacers are used in a flat fluorescent lamp, the light A new area will be created.

Skin Ωdanryu antifall! portrait A broad object of the invention is that the internal elements and/or gases are housed under partial vacuum conditions. non-containing materials that can be used in vacuum tubes, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, electronic equipment and other structures. An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum-sealed envelope that is always thin and flat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum-sealed envelope of the type described above, comprising: Vacuum of internal elements and parts installed in continuous element array or planar array An object of the present invention is to provide a flat vacuum-sealed envelope that can improve the relationship between the containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flat shaped envelope of the above type which is capable of improving visual properties. Vacuum so you can actually see the internal elements through the glass envelope Provide an enclosure for fluorescent display devices or incandescent filament display devices, etc. It is about providing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum-sealed enclosure of the type described above, comprising: a liquid crystal display; Lights, equipment panels, aircraft lighting, surface-mounted lights, etc. Vacuum seals provide a more favorable overall form factor for attached instruments The purpose of the present invention is to provide a shaped outer container.

In short, according to the present invention, a thin vacuum envelope is provided, and the envelope includes: In an embodiment consisting of a flat wall plate spaced parallel from the regular wall plate. have. Regular wallboard has a support structure consisting of spaced ridges. The ridges converge on the top and support the opposing surfaces of the flat wallboard. The cavity between the two wall plates with walls may contain internal elements of the lamp or other decorations. hermetically sealed so that the gas can be contained within a partial vacuum. ing. In other embodiments, the envelope is comprised of a pair of shaped wall plates; These standard wallboards have protrusions that touch when the wallboards are installed together. It is growing.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be explained in some embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. This will become clear from the following description.

Concave plate ■Dansu f theory plate FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway flat fluorescent lamp showing one preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the fluorescent lamp of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the chamfer segment of the fluorescent lamp of FIG. It is.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of providing a parallel channel pattern in a flat lamp. It is a schematic diagram.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of providing a serpentine channel pattern in a flat lamp. This is a schematic diagram.

Figure 6 shows a flat ramp with multiple serpentine channels converging It is a schematic diagram showing an example of.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway portion of a flat fluorescent lamp showing one preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the fluorescent lamp of FIG. 7.

Hikari Plate q “Kashif Seisho” 1, 2 and 3, the present invention forms a flat fluorescent lamp 10. One preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to fluorescent lamp applications. However, the present invention is a glass envelope in which a partial vacuum is sealed (within the inner type of vacuum in which the element is actuated and/or in which a gas is contained) It is understood that it also includes other applications such as tubes, incandescent lamps, electronic devices and other similar devices. I want to be

The fluorescent lamp 10 is fitted with a flat wall plate I4 to confine a partial vacuum or gaseous atmosphere. It has a regular wall plate 12 attached thereto. Both wall plates 12 and 14 are made of transparent glass. made of a suitable transparent or translucent vitreous material such as glass.

In a typical application, a flat wall plate 14 would be placed on the back side of the lamp, whereas 1. The regular wall plate 12 is arranged on the front side through which light passes. In other applications of lamps It is also possible to place a flat wall plate on the front side that transmits light. Back side that does not transmit light The sides can be made of a conductive substrate (preferably metal) covered with a glass layer. Ru. This substrate can be made of a suitable material such as stainless steel with thermal expansion properties matching that of the glass layer. It can be made of metal. The side with the glass layer of the back plate faces the front plate. and its outer periphery is sealed. Based on specific application conditions, glass The metal substrate with layers forms either a regular wall plate or a flat wall plate of the envelope. You may also do so.

A support structure is integrally molded on the inner surface of the regular wall plate 12, and the support structure is The walls protrude so as to be juxtaposed to the opposing inner surfaces of the flat wall plates 14 and are spaced apart from each other. It is formed by a plurality of ridges 16, 18, 20 arranged in parallel. these ridges 16.18.20 supports both wall plates 12.14 in parallel spaced relation to each other. A long cavity or channel 2 is formed between the ridges 16, 18, and 20. Form 4-30. If necessary, these ridges 16, 18, 20 are made of vitreous material. The glass frit seals against the flat wall plate 14 and the adjacent It is possible to seal between channels.

As best shown in FIG. The paired side walls 32,34 converge at a predetermined included angle β. Each raised portion 16 to 20 is It has a sharp apex 35, which apex 35 can be considered to be a substantially line contact. It contacts the inner surface 22 of the planar wall plate 14 along a very narrow line of contact. side wall angle The degree β is preferably in the range 40 to 90°; in the illustrated embodiment this angle β is 9 It is 0°.

Wall plates 12.14 resist atmospheric pressure when channels 24-30 are evacuated. The shape and implosion resistance It has different sizes. For a particular application, the wallboard thickness Tp is primarily It is a function of the span width Wr between the raised portions. Span width Wr becomes relatively large , the plate thickness T9 also increases correspondingly, which makes both plates 12 and 14 more resistant to implosion. The present invention also provides a range of 5:1 to 10:1 to provide sufficient structural strength. The specific cross-sectional aspect ratio Wr, :Hc of the area is given. In addition, the aspect ratio Hc:Tp is 1.5 : 1 to 3: Within the range of I. Channel size is Wr = 0.40 0 inch (approximately 1'0.16 + n), Hc = 0.060 inch (approximately 1.52 4 mm), the wall plate thickness TpO The size ranges from 0.02 to 0.045 inches (approximately 0.508 to 1.143 mm). It is within the surrounding area.

This allows for a range of 0.100 to 0.150 inches (approximately 2.54 to 3.81 mm). A total lamp thickness T, within the range T, is formed.

A preferred method of manufacturing the shaped wallboard 12 is to fabricate a shaped wallboard with a surface corresponding to the desired shape. This method uses a suitable mold (not shown). Heat the mold and place it in the preheated gas. If the glass sheet is pressed between the surfaces of both molds, the plastic glass will flow and conform to the curvature of the mold. Match. Next, the raised parts 16 to 20 of the regular wall board 12 and the flat wall board 14 facing each other are The regular wall board 12 and the flat wall board 14 are assembled together by bringing them into contact with each other. Both wall boards 12.A small spacing (not shown) is initially provided along the outer circumferential rim of 14; Vacuum-tight seals can be easily formed. Outer circumference of both wall plates 12.14 A suitable vitreous molten glaze is applied within the opening and the edges of the envelope are sealed. will be controlled. Next, the discharge electrodes 36.38 are attached on the pair of electrode substrates 40.42. The electrode substrate 40.42 is inserted into the cavity before both wall plates 12.14 are sealed. are inserted into opposite ends of the wires 24-30. Lead wires 44. are connected to the electrode substrates 40.42. 46 is printed or glued and electrodes 36.38 are connected to suitable AC drive control circuitry (as shown). ).

On the inner surface 22.48 of each glass plate 12.14, Magnesium tungsten or calcium fluorochlorophosphate, antimony D. It is coated with a suitable active powder fluorescent material such as Manganese. Kya Bitties 24-30 are fitted with suitable exhaust tubes (one of which is designated by the number 50). The 0th order is evacuated (evacuated) to a partial vacuum, either by Inside the cavities 24 to 30, there is a mixture of inert gas such as argon and a small proportion of mercury gas. An ionic medium consisting of a mixture is filled. Gas in gas cavities 24-30 Preferably, the pressure is in the range of 3 to 30 torr.

During operation of the fluorescent lamp 10, the channels (cavities) 24-30 are Free electrons are accelerated by the electric field formed between the eclipsed electrodes. These free electricity When a particle collides with a neutral atom/molecule, if enough voltage is applied, the neutral atom/molecule is ionized, thereby creating ion-electron pairs. Ions are transported to the electrode surface. When the electrons collide with the electrode surface, secondary electrons are generated. These secondary electrons are are carried to one electrode, creating additional ions-electrons. Sufficient voltage is applied In this case, an avalanche or arc occurs, and the gas becomes highly ionized, producing a large number of On-electron pairs as well as a large number of excited atoms/molecules are created. These excited atoms/min When the child decays to the ground state, it releases a photon of energy. The partial pressure of mercury is This is particularly true for ultraviolet photons that emit light. Fluorescent material coating is UV rays radiation and re-emits light at wavelengths visible to the human eye.

Depending on the area size requirements of a particular application, the length and width dimensions of the wallboard may vary in the examples above. Repeating or extending the various matrix patterns for the protrusions described It can be expanded by

In FIG. 4, the channels form a flat lamp 51 arranged parallel to each other. An example is shown. The regular wall plate 52 has four raised portions 5 spaced apart from each other. 4 to 60 are formed. If these ridges 54-60 are adjacent to a flat wall, When installed, there are five long, parallel columns that contain a gaseous atmosphere under partial vacuum. A channel 62 is formed. At both ends of each channel 62 are tit poles 64 . 66 is attached. These discharge electrodes 64.66 are connected to lead wires 68.70 ACit is connected to the drive control circuit 72 via the drive control circuit 72. Power is supplied from source 74 . The control circuit 72 is connected to the discharge electrodes 64 and 66. All five channels 62 are synchronously applied by applying variable voltages simultaneously. Drive to. Any suitable synchronous drive control circuit design may be used for this purpose. can be done. Driving channels 62 synchronously in this manner results in Since the voltage difference between the channels 62 is not large, the channels along the ridges 54 to 60 The need to create an airtight seal between each other can be eliminated. channel barrier Channels across ridges 54-60 even if narrow and unsealed No dielectric breakdown occurs between the two.

Figure 5 shows a number of serpentine channels configured to conduct current through ionized gas. 0 diagram showing another embodiment forming a flat lamp 76 with channels In the embodiment, three spaced apart ridges formed on the template 86 Four channels 78 are formed by sections 80-84. Each ridge has a chi It has an end 88 that terminates shorter than both ends of the channel, so that The ends of the chamfers adjacent to each other are in open communication with each other. The ridges 80 to 84 These short terminated ends alternately form a serpentine path. In this example In this case, the contact lines between the raised portions 80 to 84 and the flat wall plate facing them are electrically connected. Sealed against insulated adjacent channels. The serpentine pattern allows the causing dielectric breakdown between channels across unprotected channel barriers. A relatively high channel-to-channel potential difference is created that can cause Discharge electrode 90.92 is attached to the closed end of a channel located on one side of the envelope.

Both electrodes 90.92 and the drive control circuit 98 are connected by lead wires 94.96, The drive control circuit is further connected to an ACiit source 100. Due to a specific usage If necessary, improve the lamp envelope by increasing the number of channels in the serpentine pattern. The size of the container can be expanded.

Figure 6 shows multiple separate meandering channels organized into multiple clusters. An embodiment is shown that forms a flat lamp 102 with a. In the illustrated embodiment In this case, three clusters 104-108 are provided. Each cluster has three ridges For example, the cluster 104 is formed by three raised parts 110 to 110. 114. The alternating ends of these ridges are shorter than the channel. As described for the embodiment of FIG. An open communication is formed between the parts. Each cluster is provided with a pair of electrodes 116, 118. These electrodes are connected to the closed end of the channel on one side of each cluster. attached to the section. The AC [source 120 and drive control circuit 122 are 124.126 to electrodes 116.118. Drive circuit (drive Control B circuit) 122 can drive the flock independently or as required by the particular application. The cluster may be driven in parallel.

The above-mentioned parallel meandering shape or clustered meandering shape is manufactured using the following two standard plate structure. You can also. The line contact formed by opposing ridges is to prevent insulation breakdown due to voltage, or If the potential difference is not necessary, it can be left unsealed.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a fluorescent lamp 1 in which standard wall plates are arranged in a relationship facing each other. An alternative embodiment comprising 30 is shown. The fluorescent lamp 130 is flat as a whole. It consists of a flat upper glass plate 132 and a lower glass plate 134, and these glass plates 1 32.134 are integrally attached and their peripheral edges 136.138 In the embodiment shown, the upper and lower glass plates 132, 134 are sealed. A support structure is formed on each of the projections 140 and 142, and the support structure It is made up of tricks. The support structure has an arch-like cross-sectional shape as a whole. It has straight parallel ridges 144 and 146. ridge wall The straight portions of the glass plates forming the (see illustration), this ensures that both glass plates are in contact along the top of the ridge. ing. Curved walls create an arched structure that provides high column strength against compressive forces. There is.

The upper and lower glass plates 132, 134 are shaped so that their corresponding ridges contact each other. It can be attached to a sea urchin. The contact line along the ridges that coincide with each other is a linear support area It forms the 14th. The raised parts are the flat parts of the upper and lower glass plates 132 and 134. holding these glass plates 132, 134 so that they are separated by a predetermined gap; A long and parallel cavity 150, 152 is formed between both glass plates 132, 134. I'm trying to make it happen. All these cavities 150, 152 are internally interconnected. These cavities 150 and 152 are connected to each other. to form a sealed envelope that confines the gaseous atmosphere under partial vacuum. The sea urchin is turning. The length and number of cavities 150 and 152 are determined by the required lamp support. They are different based on is. - As an example, the lamp surface area is 77.42 cm” , the thickness of the shell glass plate is 0.7 am, and the height of each gas cavity is 1.4, the interval between the ridges is 9.5 ms+. Also, each protrusion has its own 0.7 mm from the inner surface of each glass plate, and half the curvature of the wall of each ridge. The diameter is 1.5-1.

A preferred method of manufacturing the upper and lower glass plates 132, 134 is to This method uses a suitable mold with a surface matching the . Heat this mold and then When a preheated glass sheet is pressed between the surfaces of both molds, the glass flows. The ridges of the upper and lower glass plates 132, 134 to zero order to match the curvature of the mold Both glass plates are assembled together by bringing the parts into contact with each other. both glass plates A small gap (not shown) is formed along the perimeter to allow for the formation of a vacuum-tight seal. It's easy. A glaze of suitable glass melt is applied within this peripheral gap; Before the six glass plates 132 and 134 to which the periphery of the envelope is sealed are sealed. Then, a suitable electrode 154 mounted on a pair of electrode substrates 155, 156 is connected to the key. It is inserted into both ends of cavities 150 and 152. Moreover, the inner surface 157 of the glass plate is , magnesium tungsten or calcium fluorochlorophosphate, anti A suitable active powder phosphor such as Moni, Manganese, etc. is coated. cabi Tees 150, 152 are evacuated to partial vacuum via suitable evacuation tubes 159. Next, the cavities 150 and 152 are filled with an inert gas such as argon and a small A mixture with mercury gas in proportion is filled. Force in gas cavity 150.152 ``The high pressure is preferably in the range of 3 to 30 Torr, and the poles 154 are at both ends of the lamp. through an external circuit connected via conductors 158 and 160 formed on the electrode substrate. AC from a suitable source! Driven by pressure.

Depending on the area size requirements of the particular application, the protrusions or By repeating or extending various matrix patterns consisting of 132.134 length and width dimensions can be expanded. This is the thickness of the glass According to the present invention, the matrix Expansion of the pattern increases the strut strength of the individual modules or cells of the matrix. This is because it has no influence.

The present invention also allows the protrusion of the wallboard support structure to be tailored to a specific material and glass wall thickness. It is also taken into consideration that it can be formed into other shapes by combining the two shapes. Arch shape G of the protrusion, It can be modified to provide sufficient strut strength according to specific conditions. Also, protruding The walls of the section can also be substantially flat, for example with a truncated ridge. It can also be made into a section).

Although the above embodiment is currently considered preferable, those skilled in the art will It will be understood that various modifications may be made. However, these changes It is intended to be covered within the scope of the claims and within the spirit and scope of the invention.

abstract According to the present invention, a thin-shaped vacuum envelope is provided, and the envelope comprises an embodiment comprising: has a flat wall plate spaced parallel from a regular wall plate. Ru. The regular wallboard is formed with a support structure consisting of spaced apart ridges. and the ridge includes side walls converging at the top and supporting opposing surfaces of the flat wall plate. There is. The cavity between the two wall plates may contain internal elements of the lamp or other equipment and/or are hermetically sealed so that the gas can be confined within a partial vacuum.

In other embodiments, the enclosure is comprised of a pair of shaped wall plates, which Standard wallboards have a protrusion that contacts when both wallboards are installed together. .

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Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. Partial vacuum, i.e., confining a gaseous atmosphere, used in electronic lamps, bulbs, tubes, etc. In a thin flat envelope container, there is a flat wall plate, a regular wall plate, and the outside of both wall plates. said flat wall plate or At least one of the regular wall plates is formed of a transparent glass material, and the regular wall plate is made of a transparent glass material. A support structure is integrally molded on one side of the board, and the support structure is connected to a regular wall board. projecting from said one side toward the opposite surface of the flat wall plate and juxtaposed to said opposite surface. and at least one ridge that aligns both wall panels parallel to each other. are supported in spaced relation to form a cavity between the wall plates, with said raised portions being supported in spaced apart relationship. a pair of side walls, the side walls converging at a predetermined bevel angle and forming a contact line; forming a sharp apex that contacts the opposite surface of the flat wall plate along the cavity. can be hermetically sealed to confine a partial vacuum or gaseous atmosphere. A thin flat envelope container characterized by: 2. The bevel angle between each pair of side walls is in the range of 40 to 90 degrees, and the contact line is , when light passes through the regular wall plate, the non-uniformity of brightness through the envelope is minimized. The thin flat outer surface according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a substantial line contact. enclosure. 3. A plurality of ridges are formed in parallel relationship, and adjacent ones of these ridges The paired ridges form a plurality of channels in which the ionic medium is contained. is confined and conducts current in a path through the gas along the length of each channel. 2. The thin flat envelope container according to claim 1, further comprising: means. 4. the ridges forming the plurality of channels arranged in side-by-side relationship with each other; and the electrode means includes means for forming electrodes at both ends of each channel. , characterized by forming an independent current path through the gas along each channel. The thin flat envelope container according to claim 3. 5. The electrodes of each channel are synchronized with the electrodes of the channel adjacent to it. Claim 4, further comprising a driving circuit means. Thin flat outer container. 6. The channels are oriented in pairs, and the channels are connected to each other in pairs. Claims further comprising circuit means for synchronously driving the electrodes of the cell. The thin flat envelope container according to item 4. 7. the ridges forming at least two channels; The common end is open and communicated, forming a meandering path through which the radio waves flow. A thin flat envelope container according to claim 1. 8. The outer container may form two or more meandering paths that are independent of each other. The thin flat shape according to claim 7, characterized in that several ridges are confined. outer container. 9. In order to prevent short circuits between adjacent channels, the ridges are connected to adjacent channels. means for providing a gas-tight seal with the opposing surface of said flat wall plate along the line of contact between the channels; Claims 1, 7, or 8, characterized in that: The thin flat envelope container according to item 1. 10. The support structure has a cross-sectional aspect ratio Wr:Hc (within the range of 5:1 to 10:1). where Wr is the width of the channel measured between the tops of adjacent ridges, and Hc is the width of the channel measured between the tops of adjacent ridges; The height of the cavity measured between opposing surfaces) The thin flat envelope container according to item 1. 11. The support structure has a cross-sectional aspect ratio Hc:Tp within the range of 1.5:1 to 3:1. (Here, Hc is the height of the cavity measured between the facing surfaces of both wall plates, and Tp is the height of the cavity measured between the facing surfaces of both wall plates. According to claim 1 or 11, A thin flat outer container. 12. in a hermetically sealed lamp, bulb or other enclosure of material such as glass. In a flat enclosure that confines a partial vacuum, a pair of wall plates and a vacuum confinement are used. In order to form a cavity with and a means for attaching both wall plates in a parallel relationship as shown in FIG. each includes a support structure that projects outwardly from the inner surface of both wall plates. the protrusion is in contact with the support area of the opposite part of the other wall plate, and the protrusion The wall plates are moved against the compressive force from atmospheric pressure acting on the partial vacuum within the They have a defined cross-sectional shape that provides sufficient support strength to hold them at the defined spacing. A flat outer container characterized by: 13. a plurality of said protrusions extending in parallel relationship across each wall plate; 13. A flat envelope according to claim 12, characterized in that it consists of a ridge. 14. Claims characterized in that the protrusion has an arch-like cross-sectional shape. 13. A flat envelope according to paragraph 12.