JPH103886A - Light emitting element for display - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light emitting element for display, which can be downsized and which can save the power and which can accurately regenerate the tone of color display and which can improve the luminance, by forming an electrical insulating partitioning wall for partitioning inside of an outer tube into plural discharge spaces. SOLUTION: An outer tube 1 of this light emitting element for display is formed into a nearly cylindrical body made of the translucent material, which has a translucent surface 1a in one end thereof and a stem surface 1b in the other end thereof. The inner surface except for the translucent surface 1a is formed into a reflecting surface, and the inside thereof is sealed with the rare gas and mercury. A partitioning wall 2a having the reflecting surface abuts on the inner wall surface of the outer tube 1 for fixation so as to radially divide the inside of the outer tube 1 into equal three parts. Each phosphor film for emitting chromatic light of red, green and blue is fitted to the peripheral surface of the outer tube 1 except for the translucent surface 1a and the stem surface 1b and the partitioning wall 2a so that each discharge space 5a, 5b, 5c, which are divided by the partitioning wall 2a, emits a different color light.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display light emitting device used for a display device for displaying characters and images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, display devices for displaying characters, images, and the like on a large display surface have been widely used in stadiums and the like. In this type of device, thousands or tens of thousands of display light-emitting elements are densely arranged on the display surface, and these display light-emitting elements are selectively turned on appropriately in accordance with a display signal. Desired display is performed on the display surface.

[0003] By the way, as the display light emitting element,
At present, a CRT called a CRT and a color light bulb coated with a translucent paint are known. In any case, when a variety of color tones are expressed, a single color of red, green and blue is emitted.
A set of four types of light emitting elements for display is arranged as one set, and a plurality of sets of light emitting elements for display are arranged on the display surface, so that the light emitting area per pixel becomes large, and as a result, high resolution display is achieved. Implementation was difficult.

[0004] In order to solve this problem, for example, a display light emitting device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. S59-51452 has been proposed. In this display light-emitting element, a plurality of discharge paths for emitting different colored lights are formed in one picture element, and as shown in FIGS. A common filament electrode 22 sealed at the center of the opening of the tube 21, three opposed filament electrodes 23 located around the opening of the tube 21, and a partition wall 24 for separating the opposed filament electrodes 23 from each other.
And a phosphor film 25 formed on the inner surface of the top of the tube 21. The partition wall 24 forms three U-shaped discharge paths between the common filament electrode 22 and the opposing filament electrode 23 with the top of the tube 21 as a turning point. Also,
The phosphor film 25 is provided to emit red, green, and blue light, respectively. The common filament electrode 22 and the three opposing filament electrodes 23 are each preheated by energization from a power supply.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional light-emitting device for display has a common filament electrode
Since each of the opposing filament electrodes is preheated, excess power is wasted. Further, for example, when displaying red, even if a discharge is formed in the discharge space facing the phosphor film that emits red light, the red visible light passes through the partition because the partition 24 is translucent. The green and blue discharge spaces are reddish. That is, not only does the colored light per picture element bleed, but it also mixes under the influence of visible light from the adjacent discharge space, and the color tone of the color display cannot be accurately reproduced.

Further, there is a problem that the luminance of a color to be displayed is reduced by transmitting visible light to another discharge space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a display light emitting device which can reduce the size and power consumption, can accurately reproduce the color tone of a color display, and can improve the luminance. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

The light-emitting device for display of the present invention has a light-transmitting surface at one end, is hermetically sealed with a rare gas and mercury sealed therein, and has at least an inner surface excluding the light-transmitting surface. An outer tube having a reflective surface on a portion of the outer tube; formed in the outer tube;
A partition wall having a reflective surface that partitions the inside of the outer tube into a plurality of discharge spaces; a plurality of cold anodes respectively disposed on the light transmitting surface side of each discharge space; and a plurality of cold anodes disposed on the other end side of the outer tube; A hot cathode common to a plurality of cold anodes forming a discharge path between the anode and the cold anode; irradiation of ultraviolet rays emitted from each discharge space, being attached to at least a part of an outer tube and a partition wall facing the discharge path. And a phosphor film that emits different kinds of visible light when excited by the following.

The reflecting surfaces of the outer tube and the partition are formed on at least a part of the inner surface and the partition of the outer tube so that light emitted from the phosphor film can be reflected toward the light transmitting surface.
Note that, for example, a film made of a metal oxide such as aluminum oxide or titanium oxide may be used as a reflective film having a structure different from that of the outer tube and the partition wall.

The display light-emitting element having the above-described configuration can selectively control an arbitrary discharge path among a plurality of discharge paths formed between a hot cathode and a cold anode by controlling a lighting circuit to be electrically connected. It is possible to form a discharge. The specific phosphor film is excited by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light generated by this discharge,
Emit specific colored light. Then, the specific colored light is emitted from the light transmitting surface to the outside of the outer tube.

For example, to display a desired color, here red, a discharge is formed between the hot cathode and the cold anode provided in the discharge space facing the phosphor film corresponding to red. The phosphor film corresponding to red is excited by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light emitted by this discharge to emit red visible light, and the red visible light is reflected directly or by the reflecting surface to the outside of the outer tube from the light transmitting surface. Radiated. The discharge space provided with the phosphor film corresponding to red is partitioned by the adjacent discharge space provided with the phosphor films corresponding to other colors and the partition, but the partition has a reflective surface. Therefore, most of the red visible light emitted by the phosphor film corresponding to red does not reach the adjacent discharge space.

[0012]

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

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a partially cutaway perspective view and a cross sectional view showing the first embodiment, respectively. The outer tube 1
One end has a light-transmitting surface 1a and the other end has a stem surface 1b,
It has a substantially cylindrical shape made of quartz glass as a light-transmitting material. The inner surface excluding the light-transmitting surface is a reflection surface, and a rare gas or the like is sealed therein. In addition, this outer tube 1
A partition wall 2a disposed inside and having a reflective surface formed of, for example, glass, which is an insulating material, is fixed while being in contact with the inner wall surface of the outer tube 1 so as to radially divide the inside of the outer tube 1 into three equal parts. The structure is such that the discharge path connecting the cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c and the hot cathode 4 is not obstructed. Then, on the peripheral surface of the outer tube 1 and the partition 2a except for the light transmitting surface 1a and the stem surface 1b, the discharge spaces 5a, 5b, 5c divided by the partition 2a emit different colors. , Red, green, and blue colored light-emitting phosphor films, respectively.

The three cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c disposed in the vicinity of the light transmitting surface 1a of the discharge spaces 5a, 5b, 5c are hollow fan-shaped, and the supporting members 6a, 6b, 6c also serve as conductors.
And is electrically led out of the outer tube 1.

Since the cold anodes 3a, 3b and 3c are arranged in the vicinity of the light transmitting surface 1a, the hot cathode is arranged at a distance from the light transmitting surface so that the hot cathode glow does not affect the light transmitting surface. Also, there is no influence of the Faraday dark area. These supports 6a, 6b, 6c
Is formed of copper whose portion located in the discharge path is covered with an electric insulating film (not shown).
b is inserted in an airtight manner. Further, a common hot cathode 4 disposed substantially at the center of the stem surface 1b, which is the other end surface of the outer tube 1 facing the light transmitting surface 1a, is also supported by the support 6d, and is electrically led out to the outside. ing.

FIG. 3 shows a light emitting device for display and an external power supply circuit 1.
FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical connection circuit diagram showing an electrical connection relationship with 0. The only hot cathode 4 is connected to a preheating power supply 11 via a conductor 6d, and is always in a preheating state. Further, the three cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c are provided on a support 6 serving as respective conductors.
They are connected to the lighting control circuit 12 via a, 6b, and 6c. Each of the cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c has a lighting control circuit 12a, 12c for each color so that the luminous intensity of each emission color is adjusted.
Electric signals emitted from 12b and 12c are added.
The lighting control circuit 12 is supplied with power from the power supply 13.

In the display light emitting device thus electrically connected, the hot cathode 4 and each of the cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c
When a DC voltage is applied between the discharge spaces 5a, 5b, and 5c separated by the partition wall 2a, discharge is performed.
The translucent surface 1a provided on the outer tube 1 has a red color corresponding to the phosphor film attached to the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 1 and the partition wall 2a.
Emit green and blue visible light. Cold anode 3 as described above
Since a, 3b and 3c are arranged near the light transmitting surface 1a and the hot cathode 4 is arranged at a position separated from the light transmitting surface 1a,
The hot cathode glow generated in the vicinity of the hot cathode 4 does not affect the light-transmitting surface 1a and does not change the emission color. 1a is not affected at all.

Further, since the intensity of these three colors of visible light changes in accordance with the electric signals output from the lighting control circuits 12a, 12b and 12c, by adjusting these electric signals, one picture element and one It is possible to change the color tone of the light emission color of the display light emitting element.

According to the first embodiment, only the hot cathode 4 and the three cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c are provided inside the outer tube 1, so that the support The number is five, which can be reduced as compared with the conventional example, and since only one hot cathode 4 requires preheating, no extra power is consumed. A partition 2 that partitions the inside of the outer tube 1 and forms three discharge spaces 5a, 5b, 5c.
a can also be a simple shape. Therefore, the structure of the light emitting element for display is simplified and downsized, and accordingly, the number of manufacturing steps can be significantly reduced.

Further, since the hot cathode 4, which is colored red by preheating, is disposed on the stem surface 1b remote from the light transmitting surface 1a, it is possible to suppress the emission color of the display light emitting element from becoming red. it can.

In the first embodiment, the insulating partition 2a
And the respective cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c are independent of each other and are arranged inside the outer tube 1, but the insulating partition walls 2a
And the respective cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c disposed in the vicinity of the light transmitting surface 1a of the respective discharge spaces 5a, 5b, 5c defined by the partition walls 2a.
The stem surface 1b is arranged so that the supports 6a, 6b, 6c serving as conductors electrically connected to the cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c can support the respective cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c and the partition walls 2a. It may be a structure that is inserted in an airtight manner and protrudes to the outside.

With such a configuration, the partition walls 2a for partitioning the respective discharge spaces 5a, 5b, 5c and the cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c corresponding to the discharge spaces 5a, 5b, 5c are integrally formed. Therefore, the relative arrangement of the partition 2a and the cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c does not change permanently. For this reason, the work of aligning the partition walls 2a and the cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c at the time of manufacture becomes unnecessary. Even if the state of contact between the partition wall 2a and the outer tube 1 changes during light emission and during transportation, the three supports 6a, 6b, 6c inserted through the stem surface 1b in an air-tight manner are connected to the partition wall 2a. , The partition wall 2a
Does not change. Thus, the partition 2
a, the respective cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c and the hot cathode 4 are always in a fixed arrangement.
The discharge path lengths of the discharge spaces a, 5b, and 5c do not change, so that the light emission states of the discharge spaces 5a, 5b, and 5c are always kept constant.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the second embodiment. In this embodiment, partition walls 2b are provided on the outer tube 1 at predetermined intervals in a direction along the tube axis,
Discharge spaces 5a, 5b, 5c are formed. Here, the partition 2b is notched near the stem surface 1b, and the cold anodes 3a, 3a
The discharge paths connecting the b, 3c and the hot cathode 4 are not obstructed. According to this embodiment, the number of supports can be reduced, and the three discharge spaces 5a,
Partition walls 2b forming 5b and 5c have a very simplified shape.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partially cutaway perspective views showing the third and fourth embodiments, respectively. In the first and second embodiments, the outer tube has a substantially cylindrical shape. However, the outer tube is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. It is also possible to arrange a partition wall 2c or 2d or the like which is fixed while abutting on the outer tube 1 '.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, a tubular partition 2e is provided inside the outer tube 1, cold anodes 3a, 3b, 3c are arranged near the light transmitting surface 1a of the tubular partition 2e, and a discharge path is formed near the stem surface 1b. It has a notched structure so as not to obstruct it.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the sixth embodiment. In the first to fifth embodiments, the inside of the outer tube is partitioned using partition walls to form three discharge spaces 5a, 5b, and 5c each having the same volume. It is also possible to change the volume. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the volume of the discharge space 5G to which the phosphor film is attached is changed to another 2 so as to emit green light.
Partition wall 2 that is larger than two discharge spaces 5R and 5B.
f is disposed inside the outer tube 1.

Here, as is well known, the human luminous efficiency distribution tends to be green at the top and weakened in red and blue, and thus the green information greatly contributes to brightness and resolution. In the sixth embodiment, utilizing this characteristic, the discharge space 5G for emitting green light is enlarged to increase the visual brightness.

In the sixth embodiment, the discharge spaces 5R and 5B for emitting red and blue light are configured to be substantially equal. However, comparing the two, the red contributes less to the resolution than the blue. Therefore, the partition wall 2f may be formed so as to further reduce the volume of the discharge space 5R that emits red light.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the visual brightness is increased without increasing the diameter of the outer tube 1 and without increasing the power consumption. be able to.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, four discharge spaces are formed by using a partition wall 2g which divides the inside of the outer tube 1 'into approximately four equal parts, and the outer tube 1' corresponding to two of the discharge spaces is formed.
A phosphor film (not shown) that emits green light is applied to the inner wall surface and the partition wall 2g, and different kinds of visible light are emitted to the inner wall surface and the partition wall 2g corresponding to the other two discharge spaces. Phosphor films that emit red and blue light can also be applied.

In the sixth and seventh embodiments,
Although the volume of the green discharge space is expanded, the volume of the discharge space that emits red light, for example, can be expanded according to various purposes.

As described above, in the first to seventh embodiments, the outer tubes 1 and 1 'are made of quartz glass, but this may be made of a material such as transparent glass.
The translucent glass as described above is used for the translucent surface 1a, and at least some of the other portions are made of, for example, ceramic or the like.
Made of insulating material with low UV degradation and excellent heat resistance,
These may be integrated to form the outer tubes 1 and 1 '.

When the material forming the partition 2 is transparent or translucent, light radiated in the respective discharge spaces 5 divided and divided in the outer tube 1 passes through the partition 2 to mix colors. As a result, it becomes difficult to obtain desired colored light from the light transmitting surface 1a. In addition, when light passes through another discharge space 5, the luminance emitted in the discharge space 5 is reduced. Therefore, the inner surface of the outer tube 1 except the light transmitting surface 1a and the partition 2 have a reflecting surface. As a result, desired colored light without color mixture can be obtained. The reflection surface may be formed on the partition 2 by a light reflection film such as aluminum oxide or titanium oxide.

Thus, the red, green, and blue lights emitted in the respective discharge spaces 5 can independently emit colored light from the light transmitting surface 1a without interfering with each other. Color light can be easily obtained, and the color tone of the color display can be accurately reproduced.

Further, since the outer tube 1 and the partition 2 have the reflecting surfaces, the colored light radiated from the light transmitting surface 1a can be further increased.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the phosphor film is applied to the peripheral surfaces of the outer tubes 1 and 1 'and the partition wall 2. However, the outer tubes 1 and 1' may be used depending on various conditions and purposes. It is also possible to adhere to part or all of the partition wall 2, and as a preferred example, for example, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide Or the like, and a phosphor film may be applied on the light reflecting film to increase the amount of colored light emitted from the light transmitting surface 1a. In addition, a light diffusing film may be provided on the inner surface of the light transmitting surface 1a to improve color development, or similarly, a colored coating may be applied to improve the chromaticity of the emitted colored light.

Further, in all of these embodiments, the display light-emitting elements which emit light in the three wavelength regions of red, green, and blue, respectively, are described. It is also possible to divide the inside of 1 'into two parts by the partition walls 2, apply different phosphor films to the respective discharge spaces, and configure the display light emitting element to emit light in two wavelength regions.

[0038]

According to the present invention, since an electrically insulating partition for partitioning the inside of the outer tube into a plurality of discharge spaces is formed, the light-transmitting surface constituting one picture element can be reduced in size and power can be saved. It is easy to obtain the desired colored light by radiation from each discharge space, and furthermore, the cold anode is close to the light-transmitting surface and the hot cathode is far from the light-transmitting surface, so the influence of the hot cathode glow on the light-transmitting surface is small, and The influence on the light output such as the Faraday dark area near the hot cathode is small.

Further, since at least a part of the inner surface and the partition walls of the outer tube have reflecting surfaces, the light emitted from the phosphor film is reflected to the light transmitting surface side, so that the luminance can be further improved.

Further, since the partition has a reflection surface, light generated in the discharge space provided with the phosphor film emitting light of an arbitrary color is provided by the phosphor film emitting another adjacent color through the partition. Hardly reach the discharge space
As a result, since undesired colored light due to color mixing is not generated, desired colored light can be reliably obtained, and the color tone of color display can be accurately reproduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a first embodiment of a display light emitting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display light emitting element.

FIG. 3 is an electrical connection diagram of the display light emitting element and an external power supply circuit.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional light emitting element for display.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the display light emitting element.

FIG. 12 is an electrical connection diagram of the display light-emitting element and an external power supply circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 ': outer tube, 1a: translucent surface, 2a to g: partition, 3
a, 3b, 3c, 3R, 3G, 3B: cold anode; 4, hot cathode; 5a, 5b, 5c, 5R, 5G, 5B: discharge space.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An outer tube having a light-transmitting surface on one end side, hermetically sealed with a rare gas and mercury sealed therein, and a reflecting surface on at least a part of the inner surface excluding the light-transmitting surface; A partition wall formed in the tube and having a reflective surface for partitioning the inside of the outer tube into a plurality of discharge spaces; a plurality of cold anodes respectively disposed on the light transmitting surface side of each discharge space; A hot cathode common to a plurality of cold anodes that form a discharge path between the cold cathode and the cold anode; and a hot cathode that is attached to at least a part of an outer tube and a partition wall facing the discharge path, and is generated in each discharge space. A phosphor film that emits different kinds of visible light when excited by irradiation of the ultraviolet light.