JPH10144225A - Ac plasma display panel and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an AC plasma display panel(PDP) capable of fully enlarging a substantial light emission range for each luminescent section while preventing wrong discharge by using a driving method for concurrently carrying out display discharge over its entirety. SOLUTION: A display electrode 50 is provided between adjacent luminescent sections 70. Also, a display and selection electrode 52 is provided between adjacent display electrodes 50. While selection discharge is generated between a selection electrode 66 and the display and selection electrode 52, display discharge is generated between the display and selection electrode 52 and a pair of the display electrodes 50 positioned on both sides thereof. A maintenance electrode is composed of the display electrodes 50 and the display and selection electrode 52. In the specified luminescent section 70 to emit light therefrom, the display discharge is generated between the pair of the display electrodes 50 provided between the adjacent luminescent sections 70, and the display and selection electrode 52 provided in the specified luminescent section 70. Consequently, the display discharge for each luminescent section 70 is generated at two successive positions along the selection electrode 66 to extend a substantial light emission range over the entirety of the luminescent section 70.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an AC plasma
The present invention relates to improvement of a display panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of light-emitting sections (cells) provided in an airtight space formed between a pair of parallel flat plates along one direction and another direction orthogonal to the one direction, and a plurality of light-emitting sections inside the plurality of light-emitting sections. And a plurality of discharge electrodes covered with a dielectric material for selectively generating a discharge by using a plasma generated by the discharge to display an image of a desired character, figure, symbol, or the like. 2. Description of the Related Art An AC type plasma display panel (PDP) is known. In the image display of this PDP, light emission of neon orange or the like accompanying the generation of plasma is directly used, or a phosphor is provided in each light-emitting section, and the phosphor excited by ultraviolet light generated by the plasma is used. Light emission is used. Such a PDP is relatively easy to be thin and has a large display surface,
Since a wide viewing angle and a fast response speed comparable to a cathode ray tube can be obtained, it is considered as an image display device replacing the cathode ray tube. In particular, for example, red (RED), green (GREEN), blue (BUL)
E) By forming one pixel from three or four light-emitting sections provided with phosphors of three colors to enable multicolor display, it is expected that a thin full-color display device such as a wall-mounted television can be realized. ing. In addition, the AC-type PDP has a display discharge electrode covered with a dielectric material, so that the electrode is less likely to be deteriorated due to sputtering than a DC-type PDP. Since the memory effect is obtained by the formed wall charges, there is an advantage that high luminance can be easily obtained.

[0003]

FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view, partially cut away, of one of the above AC type PDPs.
As shown in FIG. 1 (b), a cross-sectional view in the direction along the partition wall is shown in one direction in an airtight space formed between the front plate 10 and the back plate 12 positioned parallel to each other. A plurality of discharge spaces 16 defined by longitudinal partitions 14 are provided, and a plurality of selection electrodes 1 passing between the partitions 14 on the back plate 12 along one direction.
On the front plate 10, a plurality of pairs of display electrodes 24a and 24b covered with the dielectric layer 20 and the protective layer 22 are provided on the front plate 10 along the other direction orthogonal to the one direction. One provided with a predetermined center interval of about μm) is known. For example, IEICE Technical Report (EID) 92-79 (December 1992), pages 17 to 2
The AC type PDP described on page 1 is one of them. This AC type PDP is provided with a phosphor layer 26 that is separately applied to each discharge space 16 on the back plate 12, and the phosphor layer 26 is generated by ultraviolet light generated by surface discharge between the display electrodes 24a and 24b. Is excited to emit light, and the light is emitted through the front plate 10 having translucency. In addition,
The display electrodes 24a and 24b of each pair are formed, for example, with a width of about 200 (μm) and a mutual interval of about 40 (μm) in order to generate a surface discharge in a wide range and to shield the display light as much as possible. A transparent conductive film 28, and a metal film 30 having a width of, for example, about 80 (μm) provided at the outer end position in the width direction for each pair on the transparent conductive film 28 to supplement the conductivity. It is composed of

The AC type PDP described in the above-mentioned document is based on a so-called period separation type driving method in which a selection period for selecting a light emitting section (display cell) and a display period for generating display discharge are separated within one scanning period. It is driven as follows. That is, in the selection period, one of the display electrodes 24a and 24b (for example, 24b) is sequentially scanned to apply a predetermined negative voltage, and at the same time, a predetermined positive voltage is applied to the predetermined selection electrode 18 in synchronization with the scanning. Apply voltage. Thus, a discharge is sequentially generated between the selection electrode 18 to which the positive voltage is applied and the display electrode 24b, and the selection electrode 18 on the dielectric layer 20 covering each display electrode 24b is generated.
Is formed, and a light-emitting section to emit light within one scanning period is selected. Next, after the selection of all the light-emitting sections is completed, a predetermined sustaining pulse is applied to all of the plurality of pairs of display electrodes 24a and 24b during the display period, as shown in FIG. The display electrodes 24a and 24b are sustained and discharged in the light emitting section where the wall charges are formed on the dielectric layer 20, and the phosphor layer 26 in the light emitting section emits light. Therefore, in this AC type PDP, each discharge space 16 is electrically divided in the longitudinal direction by a plurality of pairs of display electrodes 24a, 24b, so that the discharge space 16 is in one direction and in a direction orthogonal thereto in a plane along front plate 10. A plurality of light-emitting sections arranged along the other direction are provided. By repeating the above selection period and display period at a frequency of, for example, about 60 (Hz), a desired image is continuously displayed.

By the way, in the AC type PDP, a range 32 where a display discharge occurs is a range between both ends of a pair of display electrodes 24a and 24b as shown in a light emitting section located at the center in FIG. It is. for that reason,
The light emission range of each light emission section 34 (only one center section is shown) indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2 is limited to a shaded area of the display discharge range 32 that is not shaded by the metal film 30. In the AC type PDP, light emission accompanying the generation of plasma generated by discharge is not used directly for display, but the excited light emission of the phosphor layer 26 is used for display. Therefore, actually, the ultraviolet light that excites the phosphor layer 26 exceeds the display discharge range 32 and emits light from the light emitting section 34.
The light emission range can be larger than the display discharge range 32 because it extends within the range, but even in this case, the luminance outside the display discharge range 32 is much lower. That is,
Regardless of the presence or absence of the phosphor layer 26, the substantial light emission range is limited to the display discharge range 32. However, since the above-described AC type PDP is premised on simultaneous display discharge over the entire surface, the discharge space 1
In order to prevent erroneous discharge between the light-emitting sections 34 adjacent to each other in the direction along 6, the distance d between the display electrodes 24a and 24b of each light-emitting section 34 is increased to, for example, about 200 (μm) or more. . For this reason, there is a problem that the substantial light emission range is reduced and the luminance of each light emitting section 34, that is, the luminance of the entire display device is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to drive a display discharge in a simultaneous manner over the entire surface and to prevent erroneous discharge while substantially preventing each discharge section from emitting light. An object of the present invention is to provide an AC-type PDP capable of sufficiently widening a light-emitting range, and a display device capable of obtaining high luminance while preventing erroneous display.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the AC type PDP of the first invention resides in that an AC type PDP is provided in a hermetically sealed space formed between a pair of parallel flat plates. A plurality of light-emitting sections provided along a direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a plurality of partitions partitioning the plurality of light-emitting sections from each other at least along the first direction; A plurality of selection electrodes provided on one surface of one of the parallel flat plates on the side of the airtight space along the first direction between the partition walls, and the other of the pair of parallel flat plates on the side of the airtight space Is provided on one surface thereof at a predetermined interval along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction so as to be covered with a dielectric layer, and performs a selective discharge for selecting a predetermined light emitting section between the dielectric layer and the selection electrode. While it is in place between its neighbors And a sustain electrode for simultaneously generating and maintaining a display discharge for causing the light-emitting sections to emit light over the entire surface, the sustain electrode comprising: (a) passing between the plurality of light-emitting sections; A plurality of display electrodes provided, and (b) provided between the plurality of display electrodes to generate the selective discharge between the plurality of display electrodes and the plurality of display electrodes. And a plurality of display / selection electrodes for generating the display discharge between a pair of display electrodes positioned adjacent to both sides of the display electrode.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of display electrodes provided between the plurality of light emitting sections and the plurality of display electrodes provided between the plurality of display electrodes are provided. A plurality of display / selection electrodes that generate a display discharge between a pair of display electrodes positioned adjacent to both sides of the plurality of display electrodes while generating a selective discharge between the plurality of display electrodes. A sustain electrode is configured. Therefore, in a predetermined light-emitting section to emit light, a pair of display electrodes provided between a pair of light-emitting sections adjacent on both sides in a direction along the selection electrode, and a display and display provided in the predetermined light-emitting section. Since a display discharge for display is generated between the selected electrode and the selected electrode, a display discharge is generated at two consecutive positions in a direction along the selected electrode in each light emitting section, and a substantial light emission range is emitted. Spreads almost all over the compartment. In this case, a pair of display electrodes positioned adjacent to both sides of the display / selection electrode both generate display discharge in a predetermined light emitting section provided with the display / selection electrode. As described above, erroneous discharge between one adjacent display electrode provided for generating display discharge in an adjacent light emitting section cannot occur. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an AC-type PDP capable of sufficiently widening a substantial light emitting range for each light emitting section while preventing erroneous discharge.

Further, according to the above configuration, the display electrodes and the display / selection electrodes are alternately provided in the direction along the selection electrodes, and one display / selection electrode is provided in each light-emitting section at a center interval equal to the light-emitting section. Will be located one by one. Therefore, as compared with the case where a pair of display electrodes are provided in each light emitting section as in the related art, the center interval between the display and selection electrodes is not changed at all, and the total number of sustain electrodes provided on the entire PDP is equal to the display electrodes. Is increased only by one, so that it is not particularly difficult to form the sustain electrodes, and the number of display electrode drive circuits does not particularly increase. For example, when the display electrodes are driven collectively over the entire surface, the number of drive circuits is the same as in the related art. Therefore, the AC type PDP is
There is also an advantage that the production of the compound does not become difficult at all.

Further, according to the above configuration, the mutual interval between all the sustain electrodes can be made sufficiently small as long as the electrical insulation can be ensured. Therefore, the width dimension of the sustain electrodes can be made sufficiently large. It is easy to increase the brightness to improve the brightness.

The "selective discharge for selecting a predetermined light-emitting section" according to the first aspect of the present invention is a method in which wall charges are formed on the dielectric layer by discharging in the predetermined light-emitting section. Good, but conversely, AC
Wall charges are formed by simultaneous discharge on the entire surface of the type PDP,
The wall charges on the dielectric layer may be erased by discharging in the non-light emitting sections except the predetermined light emitting section. In any case, wall charges are formed only in predetermined light-emitting sections to emit light after the selective discharge, and at the time of display discharge, the magnitude of the wall charges is determined by the potential difference between the display electrode and the display / selection electrode. Only the predetermined light-emitting section to be superimposed is caused to emit light.

[0012]

According to another aspect of the first invention, preferably, the display / selection electrode is provided in each of the plurality of light emitting sections through a center position in a direction along the first direction. It is. With this configuration, the distance between each of the pair of display electrodes and the display / selection electrode can be made equal in each light-emitting section, so that the discharge state in the light-emitting section becomes more uniform, and the brightness inside the light-emitting section becomes higher. Becomes uniform.

Preferably, the partition partitions the plurality of light-emitting sections from each other along the first direction, and forms the plurality of light-emitting sections at a position directly below the plurality of display electrodes. It is a grid-like partition partitioning mutually along the said 2nd direction. In this case, since the light-emitting sections are made independent of each other by the lattice-shaped partition walls, even when the phosphor layer is excited by ultraviolet rays to emit light, the ultraviolet rays generated by the display discharge in each light-emitting section are adjacent to each other. Exciting the phosphor layer in the light emitting section to emit light is suppressed. Therefore, leakage light emission of the adjacent light emitting sections is suppressed, and a more detailed display can be obtained.

Preferably, the plurality of display electrodes have a transparent conductive film extending in the second direction, and an electrical connection at a central position in the first direction on the transparent conductive film. A metal film provided with a width smaller than that of the transparent conductive film while being kept, one end and the other of the light emitting section adjacent to both ends in the width direction of the transparent conductive film located on both sides of the metal film. Respectively. According to this configuration, the display electrodes are each formed of the transparent conductive film and the metal film, and the display electrodes passing between the mutually adjacent light emitting sections are formed of the transparent conductive film located in the same width dimension in the light emitting sections on both sides. It is configured with. Therefore, the discharge state of the light emitting sections adjacent to each other becomes more uniform, and the luminance of each light emitting section becomes more uniform. Note that light is not emitted from the portion where the metal film is provided. However, in the direction along the second direction, since a partition is provided between the light emitting sections, the partition is provided between the light emitting sections. Since a non-light emitting portion equal to the width dimension is formed, in order to obtain a natural image display with a constant interval between the pixels, the non-light emitting portion equal to the width dimension of the partition wall also in the direction along the first direction. Since it is preferable that a light-emitting portion is formed, the presence of a non-light-emitting portion formed by the metal film is not particularly problematic.

Preferably, the plurality of display / selection electrodes include a transparent conductive film extending along the second direction;
A metal film provided with a width smaller than that of the transparent conductive film in a state where electrical connection is maintained at a central position in the first direction on the transparent conductive film. With this configuration, since the display / selection electrode is formed of the transparent conductive film and the metal film, the area of the metal film that prevents light generated in the light emitting section from being emitted from one of the pair of parallel flat plates is reduced. Since the width dimension of the display and selection electrode that contributes to surface discharge can be made sufficiently large while making it as small as possible,
Higher brightness can be obtained.

Preferably, the partition partitions the plurality of light-emitting sections from each other along the first direction, and the partition at a position immediately below a metal film forming the plurality of display electrodes. It is a grid-like partition which divides a plurality of light-emitting sections from one another along the second direction. With this configuration, in the AC type PDP, the inside of the hermetic space is divided into a plurality of light-emitting sections along the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction by the grid-like partition, and the metal film forming the display electrode is , Provided on a portion of the lattice-shaped partition wall along the second direction. Therefore, since the light-emitting sections are made independent of each other by the lattice-shaped partition walls, even when the phosphor layer is excited by ultraviolet light to emit light, the ultraviolet light generated by the display discharge in each light-emitting section has an adjacent light-emitting section. Excitation of the phosphor layer to emit light is suppressed. Therefore, leakage light emission of the adjacent light emitting sections is suppressed, and a more detailed display can be obtained. Note that, since the grid-like partition is located at a position directly below the metal film of the display electrode, that is, a non-light-emitting portion formed by the grid-type partition, even if the partition is formed in a grid shape, a new non-light-emitting portion is formed. The light emitting portion hardly occurs.

[0017]

The gist of the display device of the second invention for achieving the above object is to provide an AC type PDP according to any one of the first inventions, A drive device for driving, the drive device scans by applying a predetermined first voltage line-sequentially to the plurality of display / selection electrodes, By applying a predetermined second voltage to a predetermined one of the plurality of selection electrodes in synchronization with the timing,
Selection discharge means for sequentially generating the selection discharge for selecting the predetermined light emitting section between the display / selection electrode, and (b) the plurality of display / selection electrodes and the plurality of display electrodes By applying a predetermined AC voltage to all the electrodes, the display discharge occurs between a predetermined display / selection electrode and a pair of display electrodes adjacent to both sides of the predetermined display / selection electrode in each of the predetermined light emitting sections. And a display discharge means for simultaneously generating and maintaining the same over the entire surface.

[0018]

According to the above configuration, the display device is provided with A
A driving device that drives the C-type PDP scans by applying a predetermined first voltage line-sequentially to a plurality of display / selection electrodes, and at the same time, synchronizing with the timing of the scan to perform scanning. A selection discharge means for sequentially generating a selection discharge for selecting a predetermined light emitting section between the display and selection electrode by applying a predetermined second voltage to a predetermined one; By applying a predetermined AC voltage to all of the electrodes and the plurality of display electrodes, a display discharge is entirely generated between the display / selection electrode and a pair of display electrodes adjacent to both sides of the display / selection electrode in each of the predetermined light emitting sections. And a display discharge means for generating and maintaining all at once. Therefore, when a predetermined image is displayed on the display device, the predetermined discharge section in the plane of the AC type PDP is selected by the selective discharge means in accordance with the operation of the driving device, while the predetermined discharge section selected by the display discharge means is selected. The display discharge is caused between the display / selection electrode and a pair of display electrodes adjacent on both sides of the display / selection electrode in the light emission section, so that the predetermined light emission section emits light all over the AC type PDP at the same time. Therefore, as described above, based on the fact that each light-emitting section emits light over substantially the entire surface and that erroneous discharge is prevented, a display device that can obtain high luminance while preventing erroneous display can be obtained.

As is apparent from the configuration of the driving device of the display device, the driving method of the AC type PDP preferably includes the steps of (a) applying a predetermined first line to the plurality of display / selection electrodes in a line-sequential manner. At the same time as scanning by applying a voltage, by applying a predetermined second voltage to a predetermined one of the plurality of selection electrodes in synchronization with the timing of the scan, a voltage is applied between the display and selection electrode. A selective discharge step of sequentially generating the selective discharge for selecting the predetermined light emitting section, (b)
By applying a predetermined alternating voltage to all of the plurality of display / selection electrodes and the plurality of display electrodes, a predetermined display / selection electrode and the predetermined display / selection electrode in each of the predetermined light emitting sections And a display discharge step of simultaneously generating and maintaining the display discharge on the entire surface between a pair of display electrodes adjacent to both sides of the display electrode. That is,
The AC-type PDP preferably separates a selection period in which a selection discharge step for sequentially selecting light-emitting sections to emit light from is performed, and a display period in which a display discharge step of performing display discharge for simultaneously performing display discharge over the entire surface is separated. It is driven by a period-separated driving method.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description,
The dimensional ratios and the like of each part are not necessarily drawn accurately.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a structure of a display device including an AC type color PDP (hereinafter, simply referred to as PDP) 40 and a driving device for controlling its driving according to an embodiment of the present invention. , (A) is a partially cutaway perspective view, and (b) is a perspective view.
(a) is a cross-sectional view in the direction along the selection electrode. In the figure, a PDP 40 is made of, for example, a flat plate made of soda lime glass, and has a light-transmitting front plate 42.
A back plate 44 also made of a flat plate made of soda lime glass, and a plurality of discharge spaces 46 arranged between the front plate 42 and the back plate 44 along one direction and the other direction orthogonal to each other. And a grid-like partition wall 48. In this embodiment, the front plate 4
2 and the back plate 44 correspond to the other and one of the pair of parallel flat plates, respectively.

A plurality of display electrodes 50 and a plurality of display / selection electrodes 52 extending in one direction are provided on an inner surface of the front plate 42 on the side of the rear plate 44, respectively, with a transparent dielectric layer 54 and a protective layer. 56 are provided alternately. The display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52
Are, for example, ITO (indium) and ATO
A transparent conductive film 58 having a width of about 150 to 500 (μm) formed from a transparent electrode material such as (antimony) by a thin film method or a thick film printing method, and the like. Au, Al, Cr-Cu-Cr, Cr fixed by similar forming method
And a metal film (bus electrode) 60 made of a metal material such as Al-Cr and having a width of about 50 to 150 (μm). The display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52 are provided at a uniform center interval with each other, and the interval between them is, for example, about 100 to 300 (μm). The plurality of display electrodes 50 are connected to a common connection wiring 62 and are commonly driven on the entire surface. Also, a plurality of display / selection electrodes 52
Are independent connection wirings 64a, 64b, to 64
n and are driven individually or commonly on the entire surface. In this embodiment, the plurality of display electrodes 5 are used.
0 and the display / selection electrode 52 correspond to the sustain electrodes, and the display / selection electrode 52 is provided between the display electrodes 50.

The dielectric layer 54 has a thickness of, for example,
It is made of about 30 (μm) glass or the like, and is formed by thick film printing or the like. Further, the protective layer 56
For example, it is made of a dielectric material resistant to sputtering, such as MgO, and is formed to a thickness of, for example, about 0.1 (μm) by vapor deposition or the like. This protective layer 56 is
Is provided for the purpose of preventing deterioration by sputtering.

On the other hand, on the back plate 44, the central position between the grid-like partition walls 48 extending along the other direction along the other direction orthogonal to the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52 is defined. A plurality of selection electrodes 66
Are provided at predetermined intervals. This selection electrode 66
For example, a width of about 50 to 300 (μm) is formed from a conductive paste such as an Ag paste by a thick film printing method or the like.
It is about 0 to 500 (μm). Multiple selection electrodes 66
Are independent connection wirings 72a, 72b, to 72
n and are individually driven. Each of the electrodes 50, 52, 66 corresponds to a selective discharge unit for performing a selective discharge, a display discharge unit for performing a display discharge, and the like provided in the driving device 74 via the connection wires 62, 64, 72. It is connected to a plurality of drive circuits (not shown), and is driven by the drive device 74 according to, for example, a timing chart shown in FIG. Further, the grid-like partition wall 48 includes a display electrode 50 and a display / selection electrode 5.
In one direction along 2, as is clear from the positional relationship with the selection electrode 66, 200 to 200
A plurality of display electrodes 50 are provided at a center interval of about 500 (μm) in the other direction along the selection electrode 66.
Are provided at a center interval of about 600 to 1500 (μm) which is equal to the center interval between the display electrodes 50 so as to be located immediately below each metal film 60.

Therefore, each of the plurality of discharge spaces 46 is divided in the other direction along the selection electrode 66, and
At a position immediately below the metal film 60 constituting the display electrode 50, the display electrode 50 is divided in one direction along the display electrode 50,
The length in the other direction along the selection electrode 66 is equal to the length of the display electrode 5.
The length is about three times the length in one direction along the 0 and display / selection electrodes 52. As mentioned above,
Since the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52 are provided with the same width dimension and a uniform center interval, the display / selection electrode 52 passes through the longitudinal center position in each discharge space 46. Is provided. Further, the metal film 60 constituting the bus electrode of the display electrode 50 is provided at the center of the transparent electrode film 58 in the width direction, and the grid-like partition 48 is provided so as to pass right below the metal 60. From
Both ends in the width direction of the transparent conductive film 58 located on both sides of the metal film 60 are located on one side and the other side of the discharge space 46 adjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the other direction corresponds to the first direction, and one direction corresponds to the second direction. Also, the grid-like partition 48
For example, from a low softening point glass containing a filler such as alumina by a thick film printing method or the like and a width of about 80 to 150 (μm) and
It is formed at a height of about 100 to 200 (μm).

On one surface of the back plate 44 on the front plate 42 side and on the side surface of the partition wall 48, for example, a phosphor layer 68 having a thickness controlled for each color within a range of about 10 to 30 (μm). Is provided. The phosphor layer 68 has a fluorescent color corresponding to an emission color such as R (red), G (green), or B (blue) emitted by ultraviolet excitation generated by surface discharge between the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52. The body is provided by a thick film printing method, a spray coating method, or the like for each row in which the body is arranged in the other direction along the selection electrode 66 of each discharge space 46. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 5
By three discharge spaces 46 arranged in one direction along 2
One pixel of a substantially square composed of three colors of RGB (red, green, and blue) is configured. That is, in one direction, RGB (red, green, blue) pixels whose intersections between the display / selection electrodes 52 and the selection electrodes 66 provided in a grid shape orthogonal to each other are 3 of the pixel pitch. In the other direction, the pitch of the intersection between the display / selection electrode 52 and the selection electrode 66 corresponds to the pixel pitch, that is, the cell pitch.

The PDP 40 configured as described above has a transparent conductive film 58, a metal film 60, and a dielectric layer 5 on a front plate 42.
4 and the protection layer 56, the selection electrode 66, the grid-like partition 48, and the phosphor layer 68 are formed on the back plate 44, and then the front plate 42 is formed on the partition 48 with the protection layer 56.
The front side plate 42 and the back side plate 44 are joined together by frit glass or the like at the peripheral portion (not shown) so that the inside is airtight. For example, the inside of the discharge space 46 is temporarily evacuated. And, for example,
It is manufactured by filling a discharge gas such as He, Ne, Xe or the like at a pressure of about 200 to 500 (Torr). The front plate 4
2, the protective layer 56 and the grid-like partition 48 are not joined to each other, and the interior of the discharge space 46 is evacuated between them.
Alternatively, there is a slight gap for filling the discharge gas.

FIG. 4 is an example of a method of driving the PDP 40, and is a timing chart showing the operation of the driving device 74. In the drawing, An represents a voltage applied to the selection electrode 66, S _{1 to} Sn represent voltages applied to the display / selection electrode 52, and M represents a voltage applied to the display electrode 50. In driving the PDP 40, first, in the selection period, scanning is performed by applying a predetermined negative voltage Vw of, for example, about 100 (V) to the display / selection electrode 52 line-sequentially, and at the same time in synchronization with the scanning timing. A predetermined positive voltage Va of, for example, about 100 (V) is applied to the selection electrode 66 corresponding to the discharge space 46 to be displayed. As a result, discharge is caused between the display / selection electrode 52 and the predetermined selection electrode 66, and the generated charged particles face the discharge space 46 for display on the dielectric layer 54 on the display / selection electrode 52. Part and discharge space 4 to be displayed
6 is accumulated on the phosphor layer 68. At this time,
The display electrode 50 is maintained at the bias potential VB. That is, in the selection period, the driving device 74 scans by applying a negative voltage Vw corresponding to a predetermined first voltage to the plurality of display / selection electrodes 52 line-sequentially and simultaneously with the timing of the scanning. By applying a positive voltage Va corresponding to a predetermined second voltage to a predetermined one of the plurality of selection electrodes 66, a light emitting section, that is, a discharge space 46 is selected between the display and selection electrode 52. Selective discharge is sequentially generated.

When the selection of all the discharge spaces 46 is completed,
In the display period following the selection period, a predetermined potential difference VSH-VSL of, for example, about 200 (V) corresponding to the discharge sustaining voltage is periodically formed between the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52. Sustain discharge pulses are given to them. At this time, the display / selection electrode 52 is driven collectively on the entire surface as shown in the figure, and the selection electrode 66 is maintained at the bias potential VB. For this reason, in the discharge space 46 selected in the selection period, the potential difference due to the wall charge is superimposed on the discharge sustaining voltage, so that the display / selection electrode 52 and the pair of display electrodes 50, 50 located on both sides thereof are interposed. Is higher than the discharge starting voltage. As a result, a display discharge (surface discharge) is started and maintained at two places in each of the selected discharge spaces 46 simultaneously as shown in FIG. 3B over the entire surface of the PDP 40. That is, in the display period, the driving device 74 applies a sustain discharge pulse corresponding to a predetermined AC voltage to all of the plurality of display / selection electrodes 52 and the plurality of display electrodes 50, thereby forming a predetermined discharge space. In each of 46, a display discharge is generated and maintained all over the entire surface between a predetermined display / selection electrode 52 and a pair of display electrodes 50 adjacent to both sides of the predetermined display / selection electrode 52.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, each of the plurality of discharge spaces 46 corresponds to a light-emitting section, and the air-tight spaces of the plurality of light-emitting sections are separated in the other direction (first direction) and one direction (first direction) by the lattice-shaped partition walls 48. By being separated from each other in the second direction), the display electrodes 50 are provided along the one direction and the other direction, and the display electrodes 50 are provided between the light emitting sections. That is, the selective discharge is a discharge for selecting a predetermined light emitting section, and the display discharge is a discharge for causing the predetermined light emitting section to emit light. In the discharge space 46 not selected,
Since there is no potential difference due to the wall charges, the display discharge does not start because the potential difference between the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52 is lower than the discharge starting voltage. Thus, for example,
During a display period within one scanning period having a length of about 16.7 (ms) that is repeated at a cycle of about 60 (Hz), the phosphor layer 66 is excited only by the ultraviolet rays generated by the display discharge only in the selected discharge space 46. Is emitted, and a desired image is continuously displayed.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the display discharge is caused by the display / selection electrode 52 provided in each discharge space 46 through the center of the discharge space 46 in the longitudinal direction. And a display / selection electrode 52 passing over a portion of the grid-like partition 48 that partitions the discharge space 46 in the longitudinal direction.
Is generated between a pair of display electrodes 50 provided on both sides of the display electrode. Therefore, two discharge regions exist in the discharge space 46. However, since the display electrodes 50 are provided on the grid-like partition walls 48, that is, at both end positions in the longitudinal direction of the discharge space 46, The discharge area extends over substantially the entire area of the discharge space 46. Therefore, the display electrode 5
As shown in FIG. 5 showing the planar arrangement of the display / selection electrode 52 and the grid-like partition 48, as shown in FIG.
The light-emitting area (the area where light is emitted through the front plate 42) in each light-emitting section 70 (only one section located at the center of the figure is shown) having a size substantially equal to the discharge space 46 defined by FIG. As shown by the oblique lines in FIG. 3, the discharge space 46 extends over the entire area of the discharge space 46 which is not shaded by the metal film 60 of the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52, and extremely high brightness is obtained for each light-emitting section 70. The brightness as a whole is also increased.

In short, according to this embodiment, the plurality of display electrodes 50 provided between the plurality of light emitting sections 70 and the plurality of display electrodes 50 provided between the plurality of display electrodes 50 are provided. , A plurality of displays that generate a selective discharge between the display electrodes 50 and a pair of display electrodes 50 adjacent to both sides of the plurality of display electrodes 50. The sustain electrode is configured to include the selection electrode 52. Therefore, in the predetermined light-emitting section 70 for emitting light, a pair of display electrodes 50, 50 provided between a pair of light-emitting sections 70, 70 adjacent on both sides in the direction along the selection electrode 66, and the predetermined light emission Section 7
Since a display discharge for display is generated between the display and selection electrode 52 provided in the pixel 0, the display discharge is generated at two consecutive positions in the direction along the selection electrode 66 in each light emitting section 70. As a result, a substantial luminous range is extended over the entire surface of the luminous section 70. In this case, a pair of display electrodes 5 located adjacent to both sides of the display / selection electrode 52
Since both 0 and 50 generate a display discharge in a predetermined light-emitting section 70 provided with the display / selection electrode 52, a display discharge is generated in an adjacent light-emitting section 70 as in the related art. Therefore, erroneous discharge between one adjacent display electrode 50 and the other provided display electrode 50 cannot occur. Therefore,
The PDP 40 capable of sufficiently widening the substantial light emission range of each light emitting section 70 while preventing erroneous discharge is obtained. By driving the PDP 40 with the driving device 74, high brightness is prevented over the entire display surface while preventing erroneous display. Is obtained.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the selection electrode 66
The display electrodes 50 and the display / selection electrodes 52 are provided alternately in the direction along the direction, and the display / selection electrodes 52 are located one by one in each light-emitting section 70 at a center interval equal to the light-emitting section 70. For this reason, the display / selection electrode 52 and the display electrode 50 are different from each other or in the relative position with respect to the light emitting section 70 as compared with the case where a pair of display electrodes are provided in each light emitting section 70 as in the related art. However, the center intervals of the respective electrodes are not changed at all, and the total number of sustain electrodes (display electrodes 50 and display / selection electrodes 52) provided on the entire PDP 40 is only one additional display electrode 50. The formation is not particularly difficult, and the number of driving circuits for the display electrode 50 is not particularly increased. Therefore, there is an advantage that the manufacturing of the PDP 40 is not difficult at all as compared with the related art.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the distance between all the display electrodes 50 and the display / selection electrodes 52 can be made sufficiently small as long as the electrical insulation can be ensured. Since it can be sufficiently increased to about 150 to 500 (μm), it is easy to increase the driving current value and improve the luminance.

In this embodiment, the display / selection electrode 52 is provided in each of the plurality of light-emitting sections 70 through a central position in the longitudinal direction along one direction. With this configuration, the distance between each of the pair of display electrodes 50, 50 and the display / selection electrode 52 can be the same in each of the light-emitting sections 70.
The discharge state within 0 becomes more uniform, and the luminance inside becomes uniform.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of display electrodes 50 are formed of the transparent conductive film 58 extending in the one direction.
And a metal film 60 having a width smaller than that of the transparent conductive film 58 in a state where electrical connection is maintained at a central position in the width direction on the transparent conductive film 58. The two ends of the transparent conductive film 58 in the width direction are located on one and the other of the light emitting sections 70, 70 adjacent to each other. In this way, the display electrodes 50 are each composed of the transparent conductive film 58 and the metal film 60, and the display electrodes 50 passing between the mutually adjacent light emitting sections 70 have the same width in the light emitting sections 70 on both sides. The transparent conductive film 58 is provided. Therefore, the discharge state of the light emitting sections 70 adjacent to each other becomes more uniform, and the brightness of each light emitting section 70 becomes more uniform.

Further, in this embodiment, the plurality of display / selection electrodes 52 are electrically connected to the transparent conductive film 58 extending in the one direction and the central position in the width direction on the transparent conductive film 58. While the transparent conductive film 58 is maintained.
And a metal film 60 provided with a smaller width. With this configuration, since the display / selection electrode 52 is formed of the transparent conductive film 58 and the metal film 60,
The width of the display / selection electrode 52 contributing to surface discharge is made sufficiently large while reducing the area of the metal film 60 that prevents light generated in the light emitting section 70 from being emitted from the front plate 42 as much as possible. As a result, higher luminance can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the PDP 40
The airtight space is divided into a plurality of light-emitting sections 70 along one direction and another direction orthogonal to the one direction by the lattice-shaped partitions 48, and the metal film 60 constituting the display electrode 50 is arranged in one direction of the lattice-shaped partitions 48. Is provided on the portion along the line.
Therefore, since the light-emitting sections 70 are made independent of each other by the lattice-shaped partition walls 48, even when the phosphor layer 68 is excited by ultraviolet rays to emit light as in this embodiment, the display discharge in each light-emitting section 70 causes It is suppressed that the generated ultraviolet light excites the phosphor layer 68 in the adjacent light emitting section 70 to emit light. Therefore, leakage light emission of the adjacent light-emitting section 70 is suppressed, and a more detailed display can be obtained.

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 above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the reflection type AC color PDP 40 has been described, but the transmission type P which emits light from the back plate 44 side is described.
The present invention can be similarly applied to other AC-type PDPs such as a DP and a PDP for a single color display which does not include the phosphor layer 68 or has a single-color phosphor layer 68.

In the embodiment, the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52 are both composed of the transparent conductive film 58 and the metal film 60. However, if sufficient conductivity can be ensured, the transparent conductive film 58 and the metal film 60 can be used. Alternatively, if the discharge voltage does not increase so much even if the width of the electrode is reduced in order to sufficiently reduce the light shielding area, the electrode may be configured only from the metal film 60. You may.

In the embodiment, the display / selection electrode 52 is provided through the center of the discharge space 46 (that is, the light emitting section 70).
6 within a range that can be obtained in a substantially uniform discharge state.

Further, in the embodiment, the grid-like partition walls 48 for dividing the inside of the hermetic space into a plurality of discharge spaces 46 arranged vertically and horizontally are provided. Further, a plurality of longitudinal partition walls extending in a direction along the selection electrode 66 may be provided. In this case, the light emitting sections 70 are electrically separated by the display electrodes 50 in the longitudinal direction of the discharge space, but the display discharge is applied to the electrically separated light emitting sections 70.
Is generated between the display / selection electrode 52 passing through the center position of the pair and the pair of display electrodes 50, 50 located on both sides of the display / selection electrode 52, so that an erroneous discharge in the adjacent light emitting section 70 cannot occur. However, when the phosphor layer 68 is provided as in the embodiment, since the ultraviolet rays generated by the discharge may enter the adjacent light-emitting sections 70 and cause leakage light emission, the lattice-shaped partition walls 48 are provided. Is more desirable.

In the embodiment, the phosphor layer 68 is directly provided on the selection electrode 66. However, a dielectric layer covering the selection electrode 66 is provided, and the phosphor layer 68 is provided on the dielectric layer. May be provided.

Further, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the selection period, that is, the selection discharge for selecting the light-emitting section 70 is performed in a state where no wall charge is formed in the entire discharge space 46. For example, the discharge between the display electrode 50 and the display / selection electrode 52 causes the entire discharge space 4
By forming a wall charge in 6 and then performing a selective discharge during the selection period in the same manner as in the embodiment, the wall charge in the discharge space 46 where light is not emitted may be erased to select the light emitting section 70. However, in this case, what is selectively discharged in the selection period is the light emitting section 70 that does not emit light.

Although not specifically exemplified, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a conventional AC PDP with a part cut away, and FIG. 1B is a view showing a cross section in a direction along a partition wall in FIG. is there.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a light emission range in the PDP of FIG.

FIG. 3A is an AC type color PDP according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of FIG.
(b) is a diagram showing a cross section in a direction along a selection electrode in (a).

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a method of driving the PDP of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a light emission range in the PDP of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 40: AC type color PDP {42: front plate, 44: rear plate} (a pair of parallel flat plates) 46: discharge space (light-emitting section) 48: grid-like partition 50: display electrode 52: display and selection electrode 54: dielectric Layer 58: Transparent conductive film 60: Metal film 66: Select electrode

Claims (4)

[Claims] A plurality of light-emitting sections provided along a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in an airtight space formed between a pair of parallel flat plates; A partition partitioning the light-emitting partition from each other at least along the first direction, and a partition wall provided on one surface of one of the pair of parallel flat plates on the airtight space side at a position between the partition walls along the first direction. And a plurality of selection electrodes provided on one surface of the other of the pair of parallel plates covered with a dielectric layer at predetermined intervals along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A selective discharge for selecting a predetermined light emitting section between the selection electrode and the display discharge for causing the predetermined light emitting section to emit light between adjacent ones. Plasma display panel having a sustain electrode for generating and maintaining the plasma A plurality of display electrodes provided between the plurality of light-emitting sections, and a plurality of display electrodes provided between the plurality of display electrodes. A plurality of display / selection electrodes that generate the display discharge between a pair of display electrodes positioned adjacent to both sides of the plurality of display electrodes while generating the selection discharge between the plurality of display electrodes, AC type plasma characterized by including
Display panel. 2. A display device comprising: a plurality of display electrodes; a transparent conductive film extending along the second direction; and a state in which electrical connection is maintained at a central position in the first direction on the transparent conductive film. And a metal film provided in a width smaller than the transparent conductive film, and both ends in the width direction of the transparent conductive film located on both sides of the metal film are respectively located on one and the other of the adjacent light emitting sections. 2. The AC type plasma display panel according to claim 1, wherein 3. The partition wall divides the plurality of light-emitting sections along the first direction, and the plurality of light-emitting sections at a position directly below a metal film constituting the plurality of display electrodes. 3. The AC-type plasma display panel according to claim 2, wherein the partition walls are grid-shaped partition walls which are separated from each other along the second direction. 4. The AC-type plasma display panel according to claim 1, wherein said AC-type plasma display panel is provided.
A driving device for driving a display panel, wherein the driving device scans by applying a predetermined first voltage line-sequentially to the plurality of display / selection electrodes. Applying a predetermined second voltage to a predetermined one of the plurality of selection electrodes in synchronization with the timing of selecting the predetermined light emitting section between the display and selection electrode. A selective discharge means for sequentially generating a selective discharge; and a predetermined display in each of the predetermined light emitting sections by applying a predetermined AC voltage to all of the plurality of display / selection electrodes and the plurality of display electrodes. A display discharge means for simultaneously generating and maintaining the display discharge across the entire surface between a common selection electrode and a pair of display electrodes adjacent to both sides of the predetermined common display electrode. .