KR100606248B1 - flat-format fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flat fluorescent lamp, and more particularly, to a flat fluorescent lamp employing an electrode structure for generating a dielectric barrier discharge. A flat fluorescent lamp has a flat discharge tube composed of opposed front and rear substrates, and frames that are mutually sealed and bonded along edges of the front and rear substrates. The flat discharge tube is filled with a discharge gas and has a plurality of spacers provided between the front substrate and the rear substrate to support each other. Phosphor is applied to at least one surface of the front substrate and the back substrate, and has a double electrode pair provided to face the frame along each other. The double electrode pair is electrically connected to a power supply source for supplying AC power. The flat fluorescent lamp has a structure which is easy to manufacture in a large size compared to a conventional flat fluorescent lamp, and generates an electric field crossed by a double electrode pair arranged opposite to a frame, thereby obtaining a uniform high brightness in a wide plane. .

Description

Flat-fluorescent lamp             

1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a flat fluorescent lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

2A and 2B are plan sectional and side cross-sectional views of the flat fluorescent lamp of FIG. 1;

3 is a view for explaining an acceleration path of electric field and gas ion particles by the first and second electrode pairs;

4A and 4B are top and side cross-sectional views showing an example in which the first and second electrode pairs are installed on the outer wall of the flat fluorescent lamp;

5A and 5B are a plan sectional view and a side sectional view showing an example in which the first and second electrode pairs are embedded in the side wall of the flat fluorescent lamp;

6-11 show various modifications to the shape of the first and second electrode pairs;

12 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a flat fluorescent lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

13A and 13B are plan cross-sectional and side cross-sectional views of the flat fluorescent lamp of FIG. 12;

14 is a view showing an example in which a reflector is installed outside the flat fluorescent lamp; And

15 is a diagram illustrating an example in which electrodes are embedded in a rear substrate.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10, 50: front substrate 12, 52: back substrate

14, 54: reflector 16, 16, 56: phosphor

20, 60: discharge space 22, 62: spacer

24, 58: frames 26a to 26d, 64: electrode pairs

28: dielectric 30, 32, 66: power source

34: phase control part 100, 200: flat discharge tube

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flat-format fluorescent lamp, and more particularly, to a flat fluorescent lamp employing an electrode structure for generating a dielectric barrier discharge.

The liquid crystal display device is a non-light emitting device and requires a backlight unit (BLU) for irradiating light from the rear stage. In general, a backlight unit includes a method using a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) and a flat-format fluorescent lamp method in which a substrate on which a phosphor layer is distributed is assembled.

The cold cathode fluorescent lamp is divided into an edge light method and a direct light method in which a plurality of light sources are superimposed on a plane according to the arrangement of the light sources. The method using such a cold cathode fluorescent lamp is unsuitable for a large liquid crystal display panel in view of its characteristics, and the flat fluorescent lamp method is mainly adopted.

A general structure of a flat fluorescent lamp includes a rear substrate and a front substrate bonded to the rear substrate at a predetermined interval through a frame to form a flat discharge space. The discharge space is filled with discharge gases such as xenon (Xe) and neon (Ne). Phosphors are coated on the inner surface of the discharge space, and a plurality of electrodes are alternately arranged in parallel on the upper surface of the rear substrate, and a dielectric barrier is provided thereon. As power is applied to the discharge electrode, the phosphor layer is excited by ultraviolet rays generated as a dielectric barrier discharge between the electrodes to generate visible light. Flat fluorescent lamps are used not only for backlight units of liquid crystal display panels, but also for general lighting fixtures and advertisement display panels.

Such flat fluorescent lamps are becoming larger in size. Therefore, there is a need for a flat fluorescent lamp having a large size, easy to manufacture structure, high efficiency, uniform high brightness on a large plane, and low manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a high-efficiency flat fluorescent lamp having a large size, easy to manufacture structure, and which can obtain uniform high brightness in a wide plane.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the object of the present invention as described above, the flat fluorescent lamp is: a frame that is mutually sealed bonded along the edges of the opposing front substrate and back substrate, the front substrate and the back substrate A flat discharge tube configured; Discharge gas injected into a flat discharge tube; A plurality of spacers installed between the front substrate and the rear substrate to support each other; A phosphor applied to at least one side of the front substrate and the back substrate; At least one electrode pair installed to face each other along a frame; And a power supply source for supplying alternating current power to the at least one pair of sidewall electrodes.

In this embodiment, it further includes a reflecting plate provided on the upper substrate.

In this embodiment, the ignition electrode is installed in the flat discharge tube and is connected to an ignition power source.

In this embodiment, the front substrate and the back substrate has a substantially rectangular shape, and the at least one electrode pair is opposite to the other two sides opposed to the first electrode pair installed in the longitudinal direction along the frame provided on two opposite sides And a second electrode pair installed in a longitudinal direction along a frame provided at the second electrode, wherein the first electric field by the first electrode pair and the second electric field by the second electrode pair are generated by crossing each other, so that the discharge gas ions Accelerated by a second electric field.

In this embodiment, each of the inner rectangular corners of the flat discharge tube includes a discharge preventing spacer for preventing discharge between the first and second electrode pairs.

In this embodiment, the power supply source is a first power supply source for supplying an AC power source having a first frequency to the first electrode pair, and a second power source for supplying an AC power source having a second frequency to the second electrode pair It includes a power source.

In this embodiment, the at least one electrode pair is mounted to the frame inside the flat discharge tube and includes a dielectric layer covering the electrode pair.

In this embodiment, the at least one electrode pair is mounted to a frame on the outside of the flat discharge tube, and the frame is a dielectric.

In this embodiment, a phosphor is applied to the inner side of the frame.

In this embodiment, the at least one electrode pair is embedded in the frame, and the frame is a dielectric.

In this embodiment, the at least one electrode pair is formed with a plurality of projections, the projections have any one of triangular, square, semi-circular or fin shape.

In this embodiment, the at least one electrode pair is formed with a plurality of projections, the projections are composed of carbon nanotubes.

In this embodiment, the at least one electrode pair consists of a plurality of separate electrodes arranged in series along a frame, and an insulating member is provided between the separated electrodes.

In this embodiment, a plurality of separate electrodes are connected in parallel to the same power source.

In this embodiment, the plurality of electrodes are connected to a neighboring electrode with a different power source.

In this embodiment, a phase control unit for controlling the phase of the power supply source is included.

According to another feature of the present invention, a flat fluorescent lamp includes: a flat discharge tube comprising a front facing substrate and a rear substrate facing each other, and a frame sealingly bonded along edges of the front substrate and the rear substrate; Discharge gas injected into a flat discharge tube; A plurality of spacers installed between the front substrate and the rear substrate to support each other; A phosphor applied to at least one side of the front substrate and the back substrate; An electrode pair in which a plurality of anodes and cathodes are alternately arranged in parallel on a rear surface of a rear substrate; An electrode protective cover mounted on a rear surface of the rear substrate to protect the electrode pairs; And a power supply source for supplying AC power to the electrode pair.

In this embodiment, it further comprises a reflecting plate which is provided at any one of the top of the rear substrate or the back of the rear substrate and the electrode pair.

In this embodiment, the ignition electrode is installed in the flat discharge tube and is connected to an ignition power source.

In this embodiment, a phosphor is applied to the inner side of the frame.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flat fluorescent lamp comprising: a flat discharge tube comprising a front facing substrate and a rear substrate facing each other, and a frame sealingly bonded along edges of the front substrate and the rear substrate; Discharge gas injected into a flat discharge tube; A plurality of spacers installed between the front substrate and the rear substrate to support each other; A phosphor applied to at least one side of the front substrate and the back substrate; A pair of electrodes embedded in the rear substrate and alternately arranged with a plurality of anodes and cathodes arranged in parallel; A power supply source supplying AC power to the electrode pairs; And a reflecting plate installed on the rear substrate.

In this embodiment, a phosphor is applied to the inner side of the frame.

In this embodiment, the ignition electrode is installed in the flat discharge tube and is connected to an ignition power source.

The embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments described below. This embodiment is provided to explain more clearly the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shape of the elements in the drawings and the like are exaggerated to emphasize a clearer description.

(Example 1)

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a flat fluorescent lamp according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are plan cross-sectional and side cross-sectional views of the flat fluorescent lamp of FIG. 1. 3 is a view for explaining the acceleration path of the electric field and gas ion particles by the double sidewall electrode.

Referring to the drawings, the flat tube lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mutually along the edges of the front substrate 10 and the rear substrate 12, the front substrate 10 and the rear substrate 12 facing each other It consists of the frame 24 sealed-bonded, and the inside constitutes the flat discharge tube 100 which forms the discharge space 20. As shown in FIG. The flat discharge tube 100 is filled with a discharge gas such as xenon (Xe) or neon (Ne). An ignition electrode 17 connected to an ignition power source (not shown) is installed in the flat discharge tube 100.

A plurality of spacers 22 are installed between the front substrate 10 and the rear substrate 12 to support each other. Phosphors 16 and 18 are applied to at least one surface of the front substrate 10 and the rear substrate 12. In this embodiment, phosphors 16 and 18 are applied to the front substrate 10 and the back substrate 12, respectively, and a reflector 14 is provided between the upper portion of the back substrate 12 and the phosphor 16.

The first and second electrode pairs 26a and 26b and 26c and 26d are provided to face each other along the frame 24. The front substrate 10 and the rear substrate 12 have a square shape to form a square flat discharge tube 100. The first electrode pair 26a 26b is installed in the longitudinal direction along a frame provided on two opposite sides, and the second electrode pair 26c, 26d is provided in the longitudinal direction along a frame provided on the two opposite sides. The first and second electrode pairs 26a and 26b and 26c and 26d are mounted to the frame 24 inside the flat discharge tube 100 and the first and second electrode pairs 26a and 26b and 26c and 26d. ) Is covered by the dielectric layer 28, respectively.

Discharge preventing spacers 27 for preventing discharge between the first and second electrode pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d are respectively provided at the inner corners of the flat discharge tube 100.

The first and second electrode pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d are electrically connected to the first and second power sources 30, 32, respectively. The first and second power sources 30 and 32 generate alternating current power sources having first and second frequencies, respectively. The first and second frequencies may be the same frequency or different frequencies in the range of several KHz to several tens of MHz. The phase is controlled by the phase control part 34 of the 1st and 2nd power supply sources 30 and 32. FIG.

When AC power is applied from the first and second power sources to the first and second electrode pairs 26a and 26b and 26c and 26d, as shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode pair 26a and 26b is applied to the first electrode pair 26a and 26b. The first electric field E1 and the second electric field E2 due to the second electrode pairs 26c and 26d cross each other. The discharge gas ions 34 and 36 have an acceleration path that is rotated by the first and second electric fields E1 and E2. Phosphors 16 and 18 are excited by ultraviolet rays generated by the dielectric barrier discharge between the electrodes to generate visible light. Therefore, uniform and high density plasma discharge is performed in the flat discharge tube 100.

As a modified example, the first and second electrode pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d may be mounted to the frame 24 on the outside of the flat discharge tube 100, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. have. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first and second electrode pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d may be embedded in the frame 24. The material of the frame 24 is preferably composed of a dielectric.

The first and second electrode pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d of the flat fluorescent lamp as described above may be modified in various shapes as shown in FIGS. 6 to 11.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the plurality of protrusions 40, 42, 44, and 46 are formed in the first and second electrode pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d. In this case, the shape of the protrusion may have any one of a shape of a quadrangle 40, a semicircle 42, a triangular 44 or a pin 46. Alternatively, although not shown in the drawing, the first and second electrode pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d may be configured using electrodes having a plurality of carbon nanotubes formed thereon.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first and second electrode pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d are composed of a plurality of separate electrodes 48 arranged in series along the frame 24. An insulating member 49 is provided between the electrodes 48. Multiple separate electrodes 48 are connected in parallel to the same power source. That is, a group of separated electrodes are electrically connected in parallel and connected to the same power source. The separated electrodes constituting the first electrode pairs 26a and 26b are electrically connected in parallel to the first power supply 30, and the separated electrodes constituting the second electrode pairs 26c and 26d are electrically connected in parallel. Is connected to the second power supply (32).

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the separated electrodes may be connected to neighboring electrodes by different power sources. That is, the separated electrodes forming the first electrode pairs 26a and 26b are alternately electrically connected to the first and third power sources 30-1 and 30-2, and the second electrode pairs 26c and 26d are alternately connected. The separated electrodes constituting) are alternately electrically connected in parallel to the second and fourth power sources 32-1 and 32-2. The phase is controlled by the phase controller 34 of the first to fourth power sources 30-1, 30-2, 32-1, and 32-2.

(Example 2)

12 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a flat fluorescent lamp according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 13A and 13B are plan cross-sectional and side cross-sectional views of the flat fluorescent lamp of FIG. 12.

Referring to the drawings, the flat fluorescent lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mutually along the edges of the front substrate 50 and the rear substrate 52, the front substrate 50 and the rear substrate 52 facing each other It consists of the frame 58 sealed-bonded, and the inside constitutes the flat discharge tube 200 which forms the discharge space 60. As shown in FIG. The flat discharge tube 200 is filled with a discharge gas such as xenon (Xe) or neon (Ne). An ignition electrode 57 connected to an ignition power source (not shown) is installed in the flat discharge tube 200.

A plurality of spacers 62 are installed between the front substrate 50 and the rear substrate 52 to support each other. The phosphor 56 is coated on at least one surface of the front substrate 50 and the back substrate 52. In this embodiment, the phosphor 56 is applied to the front substrate 50, the back substrate 52, and the frame 58, respectively, and a reflector 54 is disposed between the upper portion of the back substrate 52 and the phosphor 56. Is installed. The reflector plate 54 may be disposed between the back substrate 52 and the electrode pair 64, as shown in FIG. 14.

The rear substrate 52 has a dielectric material, and on the rear thereof, an electrode pair 64 in which a plurality of anodes and cathodes are alternately arranged in parallel is disposed. An electrode protective cover 64 is mounted on the rear surface of the rear substrate 52 to protect the electrode pair 64. Electrode pair 64 is electrically connected to a power source 66 that supplies AC power. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the electrode pair 64 may be embedded in the rear substrate 52.

When AC power is applied from the power supply source 66 to the electrode pair 64, the phosphor 56 is excited by the ultraviolet rays generated by the dielectric barrier discharge between the electrodes to generate visible light.

Although the configuration and operation of the flat fluorescent lamp according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as described above has been shown according to the above description and drawings, this is merely described for example and within the scope not departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible.

According to the present invention as described above, the flat fluorescent lamp has a structure that is easy to manufacture in large size compared to the conventional flat fluorescent lamp. In addition, an electric field intersected by a pair of dual electrode pairs arranged opposite to the frame is generated, thereby obtaining a uniform high brightness in a wide plane.

Claims (23)

A flat discharge tube comprising a front substrate and a rear substrate facing each other and having a substantially rectangular shape, and a frame which is mutually sealed and bonded along edges of the front substrate and the rear substrate; Discharge gas injected into a flat discharge tube; A plurality of spacers installed between the front substrate and the rear substrate to support each other; A phosphor applied to at least one side of the front substrate and the back substrate; A first electrode pair provided in a longitudinal direction along a frame provided at two opposite sides; A second electrode pair provided in a longitudinal direction along a frame provided at two opposite sides; A flat fluorescent lamp comprising a power supply for supplying alternating current power to the first and second electrode pairs. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, further comprising a reflector disposed on the rear substrate. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, further comprising an ignition electrode installed in the flat discharge tube and connected to an ignition power source. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, wherein the discharge gas ions are accelerated by the first and second electric fields because the first electric field by the first electrode pair and the second electric field by the second electrode pair cross-generate each other. 5. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 4, wherein the flat fluorescent lamp comprises discharge preventing spacers respectively installed at inner corners of the flat discharge tube to prevent discharge between the first and second electrode pairs. The power source of claim 1 or 4, wherein the power source includes a first power source for supplying AC power having a first frequency to the first electrode pair, and a second frequency to the second electrode pair. A flat fluorescent lamp comprising a second power supply for supplying alternating current power. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrode pairs are mounted to a frame inside the flat discharge tube and include a dielectric layer covering the electrode pairs. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrode pairs are mounted to a frame outside the flat discharge tube, and the frame is a dielectric. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrode pairs are embedded in a frame, and the frame is a dielectric. The flat fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein a phosphor is applied to an inner surface of the frame. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrode pairs have a plurality of protrusions, and the protrusions have any one of triangular, square, semicircular, or fin shapes. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrode pairs have a plurality of protrusions, and the protrusions are carbon nanotubes. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrode pairs are composed of a plurality of separated electrodes arranged in series along a frame, and an insulating member is provided between the separated electrodes. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 13, wherein the plurality of separate electrodes are connected in parallel to the same power source. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 13, wherein the plurality of electrodes are connected to a different power source from a neighboring electrode. The flat fluorescent lamp according to any one of claims 6, 14 and 15, comprising a phase control unit for controlling the phase of the power supply. A flat discharge tube comprising a front substrate and a rear substrate facing each other and a frame that is mutually sealed and bonded along edges of the front substrate and the rear substrate; Discharge gas injected into a flat discharge tube; A plurality of spacers installed between the front substrate and the rear substrate to support each other; A phosphor applied to at least one side of the front substrate and the back substrate; An electrode pair in which a plurality of anodes and cathodes are alternately arranged in parallel on a rear surface of a rear substrate; An electrode protective cover mounted on a rear surface of the rear substrate to protect the electrode pairs; And A flat fluorescent lamp comprising a power supply for supplying alternating current power to an electrode pair. 18. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 17, further comprising a reflector disposed above one of the rear substrate or between the rear surface of the rear substrate and the electrode pair. 18. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 17, further comprising an ignition electrode installed in the flat discharge tube and connected to an ignition power source. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 17, wherein a phosphor is coated on an inner surface of the frame. A flat discharge tube comprising a front substrate and a rear substrate facing each other and a frame that is mutually sealed and bonded along edges of the front substrate and the rear substrate; Discharge gas injected into a flat discharge tube; A plurality of spacers installed between the front substrate and the rear substrate to support each other; A phosphor applied to at least one side of the front substrate and the back substrate; An electrode pair embedded in the rear substrate and alternately arranged with a plurality of anodes and cathodes in parallel; A power supply source supplying AC power to the electrode pairs; A reflection plate installed on an upper portion of the rear substrate; And And a ignition electrode installed in the flat discharge tube and connected to an ignition power source. 22. The flat fluorescent lamp of claim 21, wherein a phosphor is coated on an inner surface of the frame. delete

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