JPH11204232A - Discharge element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the dispersion of discharge starting voltage and to improve the responsiveness to impulse voltage by connecting partial regions of the opposite surfaces of two discharge electrodes which are enclosed in an inert gas atmosphere and discharge by the application of voltage exceeding a predetermined value through a dielectric. SOLUTION: This discharge element 10 for a high-voltage purpose is composed by connecting lead wires 14, 15 to discharge electrodes 11, 12 in which partial regions of their surfaces opposite to each other are connected through a dielectric 13 and enclosing them in a vessel 17 filled with an inert gas 16. When an impulse voltage exceeding a rated voltage is applied to it, an electric field at boundary parts 11a, 12a between the dielectric 13 and the inert gas 16 on the discharge electrodes 11, 12 is emphasized based on the dielectric 13 and electrons are emitted sufficiently and stably to trigger discharge. In addition, the discharge performed along the boundary surface of the dielectric 13 by the emitted electrons is stabilized more rapidly than is performed in space. The contact area between the discharge electrodes 11, 12 and the dielectric 13 is so small that only a little capacitance is necessary and the effect on an electronic apparatus is accordingly small.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device, such as a telephone, a TV, or a VTR, which is protected from abnormal voltage (surge) by a surge-introduced portion of the electronic device or a CRT. The present invention relates to a discharge element used in a portion where occurs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a discharge tube in which two discharge electrodes are arranged to face each other in an inert gas atmosphere, and discharge is performed between a gap defined by these two discharge electrodes. In addition, an electron-emitting material is applied to the discharge electrode to reduce the discharge voltage, or the time from the application of an abnormal voltage to the discharge of the first electron for starting discharge (statistical delay of discharge). There is also known a discharge tube devised so as to shorten the length of the discharge tube.

[0003]

However, in a discharge tube in which the discharge electrodes are simply placed facing each other in an inert gas atmosphere, the electrons emitted from the discharge electrodes are based on the inert gas. Release effect is small. Therefore, there is a problem that the time from when the abnormal voltage is applied to when the first electron is emitted is long, and the variation in the discharge starting voltage becomes large. Furthermore, the time from the appearance of the first single electron to the formation of a discharge (discharge formation delay) is long, which causes a problem that the response to a steep impulse voltage is poor.

On the other hand, in a discharge tube in which an electron-emitting agent is applied to a discharge electrode, in a situation where light is not applied, electrons emit insufficient photoelectrons required for discharge, and the discharge starting voltage varies greatly. There is a problem. The present invention
In view of the above circumstances, the variation in the discharge starting voltage is reduced,
It is another object of the present invention to provide a discharge element having good responsiveness to an impulse voltage.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a discharge element according to the present invention has two discharge electrodes facing each other sealed in an inert gas atmosphere, and these two discharge electrodes are applied by applying a voltage exceeding a predetermined voltage. A discharge element that discharges between discharge electrodes is characterized in that the discharge element includes a dielectric that connects partial regions of the surfaces of the two discharge electrodes that face each other.

[0006] In the discharge element of the present invention, the electric field is enhanced at the boundary between the dielectric and the inert gas in the discharge electrode based on the dielectric. Are emitted sufficiently and stably from the boundary portion of. For this reason, variations in the discharge start voltage are reduced. Further, the emitted electrons discharge along the boundary surface of the dielectric connecting the two discharge electrodes. Such a discharge
It is formed quickly and stably as compared to a discharge extending in space. Therefore, a discharge element having good responsiveness to an impulse voltage can be obtained.

Further, the discharge element of the present invention has a structure in which a part of the two opposing surfaces of the two discharge electrodes are connected to each other with a dielectric, so that the discharge element has a structure in which the discharge electrode is arranged along the dielectric, Alternatively, compared to a discharge element in which a discharge electrode is covered with a dielectric, the contact area between the discharge electrode and the dielectric is sufficiently small. Therefore, to obtain a discharge element for high voltage, a relatively large relative permittivity is required. Even if a dielectric having
The influence on the electronic device due to the capacitance can be reduced.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the discharge element according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The discharge element 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes two discharge electrodes 11 and 12 facing each other. Partial regions of the surfaces of the two discharge electrodes 11 and 12 facing each other are connected by a dielectric 13. The discharge element 10 is a discharge element for high voltage. For this reason, the dielectric 13 is made of a material having a relatively large relative dielectric constant of 20,000. Also, the sectional area of the dielectric 13 is
1/10 of the cross-sectional area of 1,12.

The lead wires 14, 1 are connected to the discharge electrodes 11, 12, respectively.
The discharge electrodes 11 and 12 are connected to the inert gas 1 in a state where the lead wires 14 and 15 are partially protruded.
6 is sealed in a container 17 filled with the resin, thereby maintaining insulation from the outside. An impulse voltage exceeding a predetermined voltage (rated voltage) of the discharge element 10 is applied to the discharge element 10 configured as described above. Then, first, at the boundaries 11a, 12a of the discharge electrodes 11, 12 between the dielectric 13 and the inert gas 16, the dielectric 1
The electric field is enhanced based on the discharge electrode 1
1 and 12 at boundary 1 between dielectric 13 and inert gas 16
Electrons for triggering discharge are sufficiently and stably emitted from 1a and 12a. For this reason, variations in the discharge start voltage are reduced.

Further, the emitted electrons discharge along the boundary surface of the dielectric 13 connecting the discharge electrodes 11 and 12. This discharge is quickly and stably formed as compared to a discharge extending in a space. Therefore, the response to the impulse voltage is good. Further, in the discharge element 10 of the present embodiment, in order to obtain a discharge element for a high voltage, the dielectric 13 having a relatively large relative dielectric constant 20,000 is used. Of the discharge electrodes 11 and 12 and the dielectric 1
3 has a small contact area. Therefore, in order to obtain the discharge element 10 for high voltage, although the dielectric 13 having a relatively large relative dielectric constant 20,000 is used, a small capacitance is sufficient.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge element according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge electrode and the dielectric taken along the line AA 'in FIG. It is a perspective view (b). The discharge element 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes a pair of bar electrodes 21 and 22. In the vicinity of the center of the bar electrodes 21 and 22, recesses 21a and 21a as shown in FIG.
2a are formed, and both ends of a plate-shaped dielectric 23 are fitted into these recesses 21a and 22a. The dielectric constant of the plate-shaped dielectric 23 is 20,000. Lead wires 24 and 25 are connected to the rod electrodes 21 and 22, respectively.
These rod electrodes 21 and 22 are formed of a container 27 filled with an inert gas 26 with a part of the lead wires 24 and 25 protruding.
To maintain the insulation from the outside. In such a discharge element 20 as well, at the boundary between the dielectric 23 and the inert gas 26 in the dents 21a and 22a formed in the bar electrodes 21 and 22, the dielectric 23 is formed.
, The electric field is enhanced, and electrons are sufficiently and stably emitted. Furthermore, the emitted electrons cause the dielectric 2
Discharge occurs along the boundary surface of No. 3. For this reason, also in the discharge element 20 of the present embodiment, the variation of the discharge start voltage is reduced, the response to the impulse voltage is good, and a small capacitance is sufficient even for a high voltage.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. As Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention, the above-described discharge elements 10 and 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 were manufactured. Comparative examples 1, 2,
Three and four discharge elements were manufactured. In Comparative Example 1, the discharge element 10 shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured without the dielectric 13. Further, in Comparative Example 2, the rod electrodes 21 and 22 constituting the discharge element 20 shown in FIG. Comparative Examples 3 and 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a discharge element manufactured as Comparative Example 3. First, a pair of discharge electrodes 42 and 43 was formed on the surface of a plate-shaped dielectric 41 having a relative dielectric constant of 20,000. Next, lead wires 44 and 45 were connected to these discharge electrodes 42 and 43. Further, a part of the lead wires 44 and 45 protruded and was filled with an inert gas 46 in a container 47 having insulation from the outside. Thus, the discharge element 40 was manufactured.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a discharge element manufactured as Comparative Example 4. First, a pair of discharge electrodes 5 is formed so as to cover the vicinity of both end surfaces of a columnar dielectric 51 having a relative dielectric constant of 20,000.
2,53 were formed. Next, lead wires 54 and 55 were connected to the discharge electrodes 52 and 53, respectively. Further, a part of the lead wires 54, 55 protruded and was filled with an inert gas 56 in a container 57 having insulation with the outside.
Thus, the discharge electrode 50 was manufactured.

Further, as a comparative example, by a known method,
Micro gap formula 1 (dielectric constant of dielectric material 2000)
0), micro gap type 2 (dielectric constant of dielectric material 10)
Was manufactured. Table 1 shows preparation conditions, electric characteristics, and capacitances of the discharge elements of Examples 1 and 2, Comparative Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the microgap types 1 and 2.

[0016]

[Table 1]

As apparent from Table 1, in the first embodiment,
The variation (σ _{n- 1} ) of the firing voltage Vs was relatively small at 50 volts both in a bright place and in a dark place. The value of the discharge start voltage Vs in a bright place and the value of the discharge start voltage Vs in a dark place were both 1000 volts. Therefore, there was no increase in the discharge start voltage Vs in a dark place with respect to a bright place. Further, the impulse discharge starting voltage Vim
The value of p was 1150 volts, and it was confirmed that a material having a value close to the value of the discharge starting voltage Vs of 1000 volts was produced. The above data was the same in Example 2. Further, in Examples 1 and 2, in order to obtain a discharge element for a high voltage, a dielectric having a relative permittivity of 20,000 was used, but the capacitance was 2.26 × 10 ⁻⁵ , respectively.
It was as small as 4.27 × 10 ⁻⁸ μF.

On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the discharge starting voltage V
The variation in s (σ _n-1 ) is 150 volts, 2
00 volts and 300 volts and 400 volts in a dark place, and the difference between the discharge start voltage Vs between a bright place and a dark place was 800 volts and 1200 volts. Further, the difference between the value of the discharge start voltage Vs and the value of the impulse discharge start voltage Vimp in a bright place was as large as 1000 volts.

In Comparative Examples 3 and 4, since the contact area between the dielectric and the discharge electrode was large (see FIGS. 4 and 5), the capacitance was as large as 2.25 × 10 ⁻³ μF. Further, in the microgap formulas 1 and 2, the value of the firing voltage Vs was as small as 300 volts, and the value of the impulse firing voltage Vimp was as small as 400 volts. In the micro gap system 1, the capacitance is 1 ×
It was as large as 10 ^-3 μF.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Variations in the discharge start voltage are reduced, the responsiveness to the impulse voltage is good, and even when a high voltage discharge element is manufactured, a small capacitance is sufficient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a discharge element according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a discharge element according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a sectional view taken along line AA ′ of a discharge electrode and a dielectric in the discharge element shown in FIG. 2 and a perspective view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a discharge element manufactured as Comparative Example 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a discharge element manufactured as Comparative Example 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20 Discharge element 11, 12 Discharge electrode 11a, 12a Boundary part 13, 23 Dielectric 14, 15, 24, 25 Lead wire 16, 26 Inert gas 17, 27 Container 21, 22 Rod electrode 21a, 22a Depression

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A discharge element in which two discharge electrodes facing each other are sealed in an inert gas atmosphere and discharges between these two discharge electrodes by applying a voltage exceeding a predetermined voltage, wherein: A discharge element comprising: a dielectric which connects partial regions of surfaces facing each other.