US3737707A - Indicator tube utilizing a barrier electrode around each of the indicator units to which one of two voltages may be applied - Google Patents

Indicator tube utilizing a barrier electrode around each of the indicator units to which one of two voltages may be applied Download PDF

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Publication number
US3737707A
US3737707A US00180727A US3737707DA US3737707A US 3737707 A US3737707 A US 3737707A US 00180727 A US00180727 A US 00180727A US 3737707D A US3737707D A US 3737707DA US 3737707 A US3737707 A US 3737707A
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Prior art keywords
indicator
segments
barrier
units
cathode
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00180727A
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English (en)
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Y Yanagisawa
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Sony Corp
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Sony Corp
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K21/00—Details of pulse counters or frequency dividers
    • H03K21/08—Output circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/38—Cold-cathode tubes
    • H01J17/48—Cold-cathode tubes with more than one cathode or anode, e.g. sequence-discharge tube, counting tube, dekatron
    • H01J17/49—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current
    • H01J17/491—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current with electrodes arranged side by side and substantially in the same plane, e.g. for displaying alphanumeric characters

Definitions

  • Segments 315/169 R 315/169 TV 340/324 R are selectively energized by the driver logic to display 340/344: required figures, in combination with an electrode in 511 1111.01. .5 .1101 61/66, HOlk 7/04 the Same Plane which seleflively may as [58] Field 61 Search ..313/109.5, 210, 217; anode as 315/846, 169 R, 169 TV; 340/324 R, 344
  • This invention relates in general to gaseous glow indicator tubes and particularly to that type of indicator tube in which a number ofindicator units are contained within a sealed envelope and which have one or more anodes for each indicator unit and a number of cathodes for each indicator unit, the anodes being energized on a time sequential basis, and selected cathodes of each indicator unit being connected on a time sharing basis to a potential source which is negative with respect to the anode potential source.
  • Gaseous glow indicator tubes which include a plurality of indicator units mounted inside a transparent envelope and which are utilized for displaying numerals, symbols, letters, or the like, have been commercially available.
  • such indicators have been used with electronic counters and various other indicating means.
  • One example of such indicators are the socalled Nixie" tubes in which an anode electrode and a plurality of cathode electrodes are aligned in a stack one above the other such that selected cathode elements may be energized so that an observer sees a selected numeral or letter.
  • glow indicator tubes utilize cathode segments mounted in a common plane with an anode in the form of a wire screen or mesh mounted in a second plane and which when various cathode segments are energized at the same time that the corresponding anode is energized the unit will glow.
  • Such prior art indicator tubes utilized a separate lead for each of the anodes, or alternatively provide separate leads for each of the cathode segments. This resulted in indicator tubes with a very large number of leads and limited the minimum size of the unit as well as requiring many electrical connections to be made to each of the units.
  • the present invention comprises a novel indicator tube in which a plurality of indicator units are formed in a common plane, each indicating unit including a plurality of cathode segments and one or more electrodes formed in the same plane. Each indicator unit is isolated from other indicator units by having the electrode surround each indicator unit respectively and by applying a potential bias to cause it to function as an ion barrier.
  • cathode segments are electrically connected together and in which anode segments for each indicator unit are time sequentially energized such that a particular indicating unit which has its anode energized produces an indication.
  • the barrier electrode also functions as an anode when a higher potential bias is applied thereto.
  • the electrode sur rounding each indicating unit acts as a barrier, when supplied with a positive potential sufficient to prevent unwanted energization of an adjacent indicating unit but not sufficient in itself to cause energization of any cathode segments in its own associated indicating unit.
  • one of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved indicator tube in which there is a plurality of indicator units eachincluding a plurality of cathode segments, at least one electrode, which acts either as an anode or as a barrier, depending on the voltage applied thereto.
  • Each barrier or anode surrounds the cathode segments of its associated indicator unit.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a gaseous glow indicator device having a base plate, a plurality of indicator units formed in a single plane on said base plate, each indicator unit including a plurality of cathode segments, at least one anode and barrier electrode surrounding each indicator unit, means for applying a first voltage to the electrodes to prevent undesired accidental actuation of indicator units, and means to apply a second voltage to at least one of the electrodes to actuate the indicating unit corresponding thereto.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a fragmental portion of an indicator tube
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view showing only two of the electrodes of the indicator unit of FIG. 1 and showing the energization circuit for the cathode segments and the anode electrodes;
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a portion of an indicator tube of this invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tube exemplified by FIG. 3;
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are wave pulse diagrams explaining the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is schematically illustrated a conventional flat-type indicator tube for displaying letters, numerals, symbols or the like.
  • this indicator tube includes an insulating plate 1 forming a part of an envelope 2, on which plate are formed a plurality of indicator units A,, A etc., each consisting of a plurality of cathode segments E to E arranged in a figure 8 configuration and anode segments P P and P associated with the cathode segments as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • corresponding electrodes E to E of each of the indicator units A,, A etc. are connected together in the envelope and are grounded or connected to a predetermined negative voltage source through switches S to S,,.
  • the anode segments P, to P of the respective indicator units are connected to switches K,, K etc.
  • the indicator units A,, A etc are energized on a time sequential basis for providing a display. That is, in the case of dispiaying a number, for example, 1.8 with the indicator units A, and A,,, the switches S, to S are closed first to ground the cathode segments E 13 and E and the switch K, is closed to supply an anode voltage to the anode segments P, to P of the indicator unit A,, by which the cathode segments E E and E,, are lighted to display 1..
  • the switches S, to S and K are opened and the switch K, is closed and, at the same time, the switches, 5,, S and S to S are closed, by which the cathode segments E, to E of the indicator unit A are lighted to display 8.
  • the switches S, to S and K are opened and the switch K, is closed and, at the same time, the switches, 5,, S and S to S are closed, by which the cathode segments E, to E of the indicator unit A are lighted to display 8.
  • 1. and 8 are alternately displayed with the indicator units A, and A and, by increasing the switching speed, 1. and 8 can be dispiayed as if they are simultaneously displayed as 1.8 at all times.
  • a common barrier electrode C is formed on the insulating plate 1 surrounding the indicator units A,, A etc. as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the barrier electrode C is supplied with a fixed positive voltage such, for example, as about 100 volts which is lower than a discharge supporting'voltage, such as 150 to 200 volts, between the anode segments P, to P and the cathode segments E, to E and does not cause a potential difference between the cathodes and the anode segments to exceed the discharge initiating voltage therebetween.
  • a discharge supporting'voltage such as 150 to 200 volts
  • This invention provides a flat-type indicator tube which is provided with barrier electrodes but does not require leads therefor and in which more cathode segments may be employed than those employed in a simple figure 8 configuration type tube, and thus it is possible to display more letters, symbols or the like than those obtainable with the prior type tube.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 one example of this invention will hereinbelow be described as being applied to a discharge type indicator tube such as above described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a plurality of indicator units A,, A etc. each consisting of a plurality of cathode segments E, to E, arranged in the form of, for example, a cross in a square, are formed on a common insulating base plate 4 which forms a part of an envelope 3 and independent combined anode and barrier electrodes 8,, 8,, etc. are formed on the insulating base plate 4 such that each electrode surrounds each indicator unit, as depicted in FIG. 4. Only selected ones of the electrodes 8,, 8,, etc., corresponding to the indicator units to be energized, are supplied with a voltage higher than a discharge initiating voltage and the selected electrodes are thereby caused to serve as anode electrodes, while the electrodes 3,, B etc.
  • corresponding to the indicator units to be held inactive are supplied with a voltage which does not cause discharge between the electrodes and the cathode segments of the undischarged indicator units but is high enough to prevent ionized ions from flowing into the inactive indicator units from the discharged ones.
  • the anode voltage is about 160V and the ion barrier voltage is 40 to 120V, preferably about V.
  • the anode and ion barrier voltages may be selectively impressed on the electrodes 3, B etc. by means of a circuit such, for example, as shown in FIG. 4. Namely, as depicted, first switching transistors T,, T,, etc. are connected between the independent combined anode and barrier electrodes 8,, 3,, etc. and an anode power source 5 of, for example, about 160V respectively and these switching transistors T,, T,, etc are switched on and off to selectively apply an anode voltage to the electrodes 8,, 13,, etc. Further, impedance elements D,, D etc. are connected between the electrodes B,, 8,, etc. and an ion barrier power source 6 of, for example, about V respectively and when the switching transistors T,, T etc. are in the off state, an ion barrier voltage of 1 10V is supplied to the electrodes 8,, B etc. corresponding to the switching'transistors held non-conductive.
  • input terminals r,, t,, etc. of the first switching transistors T,, T etc. are supplied with timing pulses e,, e,, etc. such as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 respectively. While input terminals 2, to t,,,' of the second switching transistors T, to T are supplied with decoding signals respectively.
  • the timing pulse e, of FIG. 5 is sup plied to the input terminal t, of the first switching transistor T, to turn it on to apply the anode voltage of V to the combined anode and barrier electrode B, of the indicator unit A,.
  • While the decoding signal is supplied to the input terminals t t and t, of the second switching transistors T T and T, to turn them on to apply ground potential to the cathode segments E E and E-,, by which discharge is caused between the anode electrode B, and the cathode segments E,,, E, and E, to light the latter, thus displaying 1."
  • the switching transistors T, to T.,, T,,', T, and T,,,,' connected to the other cathode segments E, to E 15,, E and E are in the off state, so that these cathode segments are supplied with a positive voltage of 45V to hold the potential difference between each of these cathode segments and the anode electrode 8 of the indicator unit A lower than the discharge initiating voltage therebetween, thus preventing accidental discharge.
  • the timing pulse 2 depicted in FIG. 6 is supplied to the first switching transistor T and the decoding signal is applied to the second switching transistors T T T T T and T by which the indicator unit A is caused to display 8. Also in this case, accidental discharge is similarly prevented. Thereafter, 1. and 8 are alternately displayed to provide a display of the number 1.8" without fail.
  • the independent electrodes 8,, B etc. are disposed around the indicator units A,, A etc. respectively and are selectively supplied with the anode voltage and the ion barrier voltage, thereby to ensure avoidance of a wrong message display. Accordingly, as compared with the indicator tube shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube of this invention is simple in the electrode structure and the number of leads led out from the envelope is small.
  • the indicator unit Since no anode electrode is incorporated in the pattern of the cathode segments of the indicator unit, it is possible to make up the indicator unit with many cathode segments which are arranged in the form of, for example, a cross in a square for displaying alphabets.
  • the cathode segments E to E and the electrodes B B etc. are aligned in the same plane on the insulating base plate 4, but the electrodes B B etc. can be disposed above the cathode segments E to E
  • the present invention has been described as being applied to the discharge type indicator tube, the invention is applicable to, for example, a fluorescent indicator tube.
  • a plurality of indicator units each consisting of anode segments coated with a phosphor material and arranged in a predetermined pattern, are aligned on a common insulating base plate; independent grids are disposed corresponding to the indicator units respectively; a filament is disposed above the indicator units; the grid corresponding to the indicator unit to be energized is supplied with a predetermined voltage to case impingement of electrons from the filament onto the anodes of the indicator unit energized; and those grids corresponding to the indicator units to be held inactive are supplied with a control voltage more negative than the aforementioned predetermined voltage to prevent impingement of the electrons from the filament onto the anodes of the indicator units.
  • a wrong message display can be avoided by selective application of the control voltage to the grids.
  • An indicator tube comprising:
  • each of the indicator units comprising a plurality of cathode segments arranged in a predetermined configuration
  • barrier electrodes formed on the same side of the planar base plate and with one of said barrier electrodes surrounding each one of said indicator units, respectively;
  • each of said barrier electrodes is selectively energized with one voltage which causes its associated indicator unit to glow when certain cathode segments are energized while other of said barrier electrodes are energized with a lower voltage to create an ion barrier around their associated indicator units to prevent glow.
  • An indicator tube according to claim 1, wherein corresponding ones of said plurality of cathode segments of each of said indicator units are electrically connected together, means for selectively applying a voltage to said cathode segments, a first positive voltage source connected one at a time to said plurality of barrier electrodes on a time sequential basis to energize the cathode segments of each indicator unit as said first voltage source is connected to the associated barrier electrode, and a second positive voltage source having a lower potential than said first voltage source connected to all of the barrier electrodes of said other indicator units than the one to which said first voltage source is connected to prevent energization of the associated cathode segments of said indicator units.
  • An indicator unit comprising a plurality of cathode leads corresponding in number to the number of cathode segments of a single indicator unit, each one of said cathode leads connected to said corresponding ones of said plurality of cathode segments of each of said indicator units, and said means for selectively applying a voltage to said cathode segments connecting certain ones of said plurality of cathode leads to a source of potential which is negative with respect to both said first and second positive voltage sources to create a desired pattern on a particular indicator unit each time said barrier electrode of said particular indicator unit is connected to said first positive voltage source.
  • An indicator tube as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of barrier leads and each one connected to a different one of said plurality of barrier electrodes.
  • An indicator tube comprising:
  • each of the indicator units including a plurality of segments arranged in a predetermined configuration
  • An indicator unit comprising:
  • each of said indicator units including a plurality of cathode segments in a discrete pattern located in a single plane;

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  • Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)
  • Gas-Filled Discharge Tubes (AREA)
  • Cathode-Ray Tubes And Fluorescent Screens For Display (AREA)
US00180727A 1970-09-18 1971-09-15 Indicator tube utilizing a barrier electrode around each of the indicator units to which one of two voltages may be applied Expired - Lifetime US3737707A (en)

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JP45081750A JPS5126031B1 (en, 2012) 1970-09-18 1970-09-18

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US (1) US3737707A (en, 2012)
JP (1) JPS5126031B1 (en, 2012)
CA (1) CA949648A (en, 2012)
DE (1) DE2146385A1 (en, 2012)
FR (1) FR2108302A5 (en, 2012)
GB (1) GB1348833A (en, 2012)
NL (1) NL7112803A (en, 2012)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3873171A (en) * 1972-06-01 1975-03-25 Hitachi Ltd Multiple-digit display device and method of manufacturing the same
US3873169A (en) * 1972-06-01 1975-03-25 Hitachi Ltd Multiple digit display device and method of manufacturing same
US3943881A (en) * 1973-06-02 1976-03-16 Sony Corporation Numeric character indicator
US4163230A (en) * 1976-07-14 1979-07-31 Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. Display device for electronic timepieces
US4566006A (en) * 1982-05-17 1986-01-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Gas discharge display apparatus
US4658186A (en) * 1983-12-27 1987-04-14 Sanyo Electric Co. Control apparatus for fluorescent display tube
US6634464B1 (en) 2000-08-03 2003-10-21 Steven Troyen Elevator position indicator display system and method of driving the display
WO2013126419A1 (en) 2012-02-20 2013-08-29 Louis Finkle Apparatus and method for efficient stator windings termination

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3327153A (en) * 1964-03-30 1967-06-20 Sylvania Electric Prod Compact glow discharge device having improved connection means for supplying electrical energy
US3327154A (en) * 1965-03-24 1967-06-20 Gen Telephone & Elect Ionizable gas display device with segmented electrode pattern
US3652891A (en) * 1970-07-20 1972-03-28 Ncr Co Plasma display panel having display and counter conductors on one plate

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3327153A (en) * 1964-03-30 1967-06-20 Sylvania Electric Prod Compact glow discharge device having improved connection means for supplying electrical energy
US3327154A (en) * 1965-03-24 1967-06-20 Gen Telephone & Elect Ionizable gas display device with segmented electrode pattern
US3652891A (en) * 1970-07-20 1972-03-28 Ncr Co Plasma display panel having display and counter conductors on one plate

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3873171A (en) * 1972-06-01 1975-03-25 Hitachi Ltd Multiple-digit display device and method of manufacturing the same
US3873169A (en) * 1972-06-01 1975-03-25 Hitachi Ltd Multiple digit display device and method of manufacturing same
US3943881A (en) * 1973-06-02 1976-03-16 Sony Corporation Numeric character indicator
US4163230A (en) * 1976-07-14 1979-07-31 Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. Display device for electronic timepieces
US4566006A (en) * 1982-05-17 1986-01-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Gas discharge display apparatus
US4658186A (en) * 1983-12-27 1987-04-14 Sanyo Electric Co. Control apparatus for fluorescent display tube
US6634464B1 (en) 2000-08-03 2003-10-21 Steven Troyen Elevator position indicator display system and method of driving the display
WO2013126419A1 (en) 2012-02-20 2013-08-29 Louis Finkle Apparatus and method for efficient stator windings termination

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Publication number Publication date
GB1348833A (en) 1974-03-27
JPS5126031B1 (en, 2012) 1976-08-04
CA949648A (en) 1974-06-18
AU3362171A (en) 1973-03-22
NL7112803A (en, 2012) 1972-03-21
DE2146385A1 (de) 1972-03-30
FR2108302A5 (en, 2012) 1972-05-19

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