WO2004053918A1

WO2004053918A1 - Ac-plasma display panel and method for forming barrier rib of the same

Info

Publication number: WO2004053918A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/002696
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seok Joon Moon
Original assignee: Orion Electric Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-12-10
Filing date: 2003-12-09
Publication date: 2004-06-24
Also published as: AU2003302840A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surface-discharge AC plasma display panel and a method for forming a barrier rib of the panel to prevent mis-discharge which may be generated in a dummy region by irregular cutting the dummy region for a multi-screen. In the surface-discharge AC plasma display panel, discharge can be controlled by connecting a dummy address electrode of the dummy region, whose part is disconnected by the cutting operation and does not receive a dummy address signal, to an address electrode of a display region. Additionally, in the surface-discharge AC plasma display panel, a space between barrier ribs of the dummy region is formed narrower than that of the display region by using a principle wherein a higher discharge voltage is required for discharge as the interval between the barrier ribs becomes narrower. Accordingly, the surface-discharge AC plasma display panel has an improved structure of the address electrode and the barrier rib, thereby easily preventing mis-discharge in the dummy region.

Description

AC-PLASMA DISPLAY PANEL AND METHOD FOR FORMING BARRIER RIB OF THE SAME

[Technical Field] The present invention relates to a plasma display panel (abbreviated as 'PDP') and more specifically to a plasma display panel having improved structures of an address electrode and barrier ribs to prevent mis-discharge generated from a cell of a dummy region of the PDP due to non-uniform cutting of the panel. [Background Art] A plasma display panel is a light-emitting device that projects images by exciting a fluorescent substance formed in a discharge cell. The plasma display panel is lighter than a conventional cathod ray tube, and a process for manufacturing the plasma display panel is simple. Moreover, due to its simplicity in producing a slim and wide screen, demands for the plasma display panel are tending upward in use of a status bulletin board at the stock exchange, a display for videoconferences, and a wall mounted wide TV set. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disassembled plasma display panel. The plasma display panel comprises a front substrate 10 whereon the images are displayed and a rear substrate 20 which forms a back portion of the panel. The front and the rear substrates are coupled in parallel with a fixed distance in between. A pair of a sustain electrode X and a scan electrode Y for sustaining light emission of a cell are formed on one side of the front substrate 10, by inter-discharging in one pixel. Each electrode X and Y comprises transparent electrodes (or ITO electrode) Xa and Ya formed of a transparent ITO material and bus electrode Xb and Yb made out of a metallic material. The sustain electrode X and the scan electrode Y limit discharge current, and are covered with a dielectric layer 12 for insulating a space between the paired electrodes X and Y. Finally, a protective layer 13 is formed on the dielectric layer 12.

The sustain electrode X and the scan electrode Y have the following functions: a scan electrode function to form barrier charges by discharge in initial driving of a plasma display panel and a common electrode function for applying an AC voltage at discharge.

On the rear substrate 20 are formed barrier ribs arranged in parallel as a stripe type (or a dot type), thereby forming a plurality of discharge space which are the cells C. Moreover, on the rear substrate are arranged a plurality of address electrodes A in parallel with barrier ribs. The plurality of address electrodes A perfoπn address discharge in a position where the paired electrodes X and Y, thereby generating vacuum UV. Finally, a dielectric layer 23 is formed on top of the address electrodes A.

Furthermore, a R.G.B fluorescent layer 24 which radiates visible radiation in order to display images at address discharge is covered on the top of the rear substrate 20 except the top cross section of the barrier rib 21. However, due to technical restraint or equipment limitation, the plasma display panel has been developed in the size 63 inches at largest to date.

The commercial display requires conditions to be wide, slim, and highly bright. Therefore, the conventional 60 inch commercial display is too small in size matter, and needs for a larger size have been continuously desired. In order to meet the requirements, a plurality of plasma display panels are arranged so that a multi screen device forms large screen. In case of arranging a plurality of plasma display panel, while a space between adjacent plasma displays is minimized, a cutting process is performed after each plasma display panel is manufactured.

Nonetheless, during the cutting process, equipment error and technical defect could result in error range ranging from hundreds of μm to mm. Fig. 2 is a drawing illustrating a conventional plasma display panel having an electrode structure wherein a mis-discharge cell is generated from a dummy region of a plasma display panel by a non-uniform cutting process.

In Fig. 2, the region © is able to control discharge by using a signal that is applied through a dummy address electrode. However, since the region © is disconnected to the dummy address electrode by the cutting process, an address signal cannot be applied, and controlling discharge is disabled. [Detailed Description of the Invention]

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved structure of a plasma display panel, thereby obviating mis-discharge generated in a dummy region due to cutting deviation.

In an embodiment, there is provided a surface-discharge AC Plasma display panel, wherein the dummy address electrode whose part is disconnected by cutting a side of the panel not to receive a dummy address signal is commonly connected to one of said address electrodes through an auxiliary electrode.

In another embodiment, there is provided a surface-discharge AC Plasma display panel, wherein an auxiliary dummy address electrode is formed on a lower part of a barrier rib which sectionalizes the address electrode and the dummy address electrode, and the dummy address electrode whose part is disconnected by cutting a side of the panel not to receive a dummy address signal is commonly connected to one of said address electrodes through said auxiliary electrode. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disassembled plasma display panel.

Fig. 2 is a drawing illustrating a conventional plasma display panel having an electrode structure wherein a mis-discharge cell is generated from a dummy region of a plasma display panel by a non-uniform cutting process.

Fig. 3 is a plane block diagram illustrating a structure of a plasma display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a plane block diagram illustrating a structure of a plasma display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a plane block diagram illustrating a structure of a plasma display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a plane block diagram illustrating a structure of a plasma display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 7a to 7c are block diagrams each illustrating a complex structure of a plasma display panel wherein the structures of Figs. 3 to 5 and 6 are combined. [Preferred Embodiments of the Invention]

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a plasma display panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 3, vertically oblique lines represent a barrier rib, and an address electrode is formed in parallel between the barrier ribs. A R.G.B fluorescent layer which radiates visible radiation in order to display images at address discharge is covered on an address electrode.

In order to form a multi screen, an edge region of a plasma display panel contacting another plasma display panel (not shown) is formed a dummy region, which is distinguished from a display region.

When a cutting process is performed on the plasma display panel to contact two different plasma display panels, the dummy region is irregularly cut, as shown in Fig. 2, which results in disconnection of a dummy address electrode. That is, the dummy address electrodes can be separated into a region © where the dummy address signal is applied from a dummy address driver (not shown) and regions © and © where a dummy address signal cannot be applied due to disconnection of line. Here, the regions ® and © where the dummy address signal cannot be applied are unable to control discharge, thereby causing mis-discharge. Accordingly, the regions © and © must be made controlling discharge.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention, the dummy address electrodes © and © that are not able to receive dummy address signals, are connected to the address electrode in the display region electrically. In the embodiment of the Fig. 3, an auxiliary address electrode electrically connects an address electrode Al, which is located closest to the dummy region of address electrodes of the display region to the dummy address electrodes ® and © that are not able to receive dummy address signals. Therefore, the dummy address electrode in the region @ is discharge-controlled in response to the dummy address signal and the regions © and © are discharge- controlled in response to the address signal applied to the address electrode Al.

A brief description on the operation of a plasma display panel having an address structure of Fig. 3 is as follows. If a predetermined voltage is supplied to a sustain electrode X, a scan electrode

Y and the address electrode A in a random discharge cell of the plasma display panel, writing discharge occurs in the cell which is formed between the paired electrodes X and

Y and the address electrode A, thereby forming a wall electric charge on the inner surface of the corresponding discharge space. Afterward, if a the sustain discharge voltage is provided to the paired electrodes X and Y, the sustain discharge occurs easily between the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode X due to the wall electric charge formed in address discharge, thereby sustaining luminescence of the cell wherein the writing discharge occurs for certain period of time. That is, an electric field is generated in the cell by discharge between electrodes, thereby accelerating electrons in discharge gas. The accelerated electrons and neutrons in the gas collide with each other, and they are changed into electrons and ions. The neutrons collide with the changed electrons, and they are also changed into electrons and ions rapidly. As a result, the discharge gas not only changes into plasma condition but also generate vacuum UV.

The UV, generated as described above, excites the R.G.B fluorescent layer to produce visible radiation, and the visible radiation exits through the front substrate. The exit of the visible radiation enables image display.

At this time, the dummy address electrode is either grounded or receiving a control signal so that the discharge of the discharge cells in. the dummy region of the plasma display panel is inhibited. However, when the dummy address electrode is cut by the cutting process, as shown in Fig. 2, the discharge is not controlled in the dummy address electrode which do not receive address signal due to electrode disconnection.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dummy address electrodes that cause mis-discharge are connected to the address electrode Al through auxiliary address electrode and receive a signal applied to the address electrode Al, thereby allowing discharge controlling.

It is preferable that the auxiliary address electrode is formed to have a width wider than that of the address electrode A and formed of a metallic electrode with low impedance. Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a plasma display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the above described first embodiment (Fig. 3), the dummy address electrodes of the cut dummy regions © and © are commonly connected to the end portion of the address electrode Al which is located closest to the dummy region of the address electrode Al of the display region. Meanwhile, in the second embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary address electrode is further comprised that is partially connected to the dummy address electrodes ® and © in the cut dummy region.

For example, as shown in Fig.4, the auxiliary dummy address electrode is formed on the lower part of a barrier rib which sectionalizes the display region and the. dummy region, and a portion of the auxiliary dummy address electrode is connected to the dummy address electrodes of the cut dummy regions © and ©.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a plasma display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, an auxiliary dummy address electrode is formed to have a broader width than that of the second embodiment so that whole auxiliary dummy address electrode may be connected with the dummy address electrode.

That is, the auxiliary dummy address electrode is formed widely so that the auxiliary dummy address electrode of the second embodiment is connected not partially but as a whole.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a plasma display panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment, a pitch between the barrier ribs of the dummy region is formed narrower than that of the address electrode region. A firing voltage for discharging a cell C increases as the pitch between the barrier ribs 21 become narrower. Therefore, if the pitch between the barrier ribs 21 in the dummy region is smaller than that of the display region, when a discharge voltage is conventionally applied to the panel for discharging the cell, discharge occurs in the display region. However, discharge does not occur because the dummy region requires a higher firing voltage. As a result, the mis-discharge does not occur in the dummy region.

At this time, it is preferable that the pitch between the barrier ribs of the dummy region is less sized than 3/4 of that of the display region, thereby preventing mis- discharge due to abnormal increase in the firing voltage.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a plasma display panel can be formed by combining the first to the third embodiment with the fourth embodiment.

Figs. 7a to 7c are block diagrams each illustrating a complex structure of a plasma display panel wherein the structures of Figs. 3 to 5 and 6 are combined. In this embodiment, the mis-discharge in the dummy region can be more stably prevented by adopting both of an electrode structure and a barrier rib structure. [Industrial Applicability]

In this regard, a surface-discharge AC-plasma display panel according to the present invention has an improved structure of an address electrode and a barrier rib, thereby easily preventing mis-discharge in the dummy region so that the plasma display panel may have elevated the image display performance.

Claims

[What is claimed is]

1. A surface-discharge AC Plasma display panel comprising: an address electrode and a dummy address electrode on one side of two sealed panels, wherein the dummy address electrode whose part is disconnected by cutting a side of the panel not to receive a dummy address signal is commonly connected to one of said address electrodes through an auxiliary electrode.

2. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the address electrode connected to the auxiliary electrode is the most adjacent address electrode to the dummy address electrode.

3. The panel according to claim 2, wherein a barrier rib space of a region whereon the dummy address electrode is formed narrower than that of a region whereon the address electrode is formed.

4. A surface-discharge AC Plasma display panel comprising: an address electrode and a dummy address electrode on one side of two sealed panels, wherein an auxiliary dummy address electrode is formed on a lower part of a barrier rib which sectionalizes the address electrode and the dummy address electrode, and the dummy address electrode whose part is disconnected by cutting a side of the panel not to receive a dummy address signal is commonly connected to one of said address electrodes through said auxiliary electrode.

5. The panel according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary dummy address electrode has a linewidth identical to the length between the barrier rib and the dummy address electrode.

6. The panel according to claim 5, wherein a barrier rib space of a region whereon the dummy address electrode is formed narrower than that of a region whereon the address electrode is formed.

7. A surface-discharge AC plasma display panel comprising: an address electrode and a dummy address electrode on one side of two sealed panels, wherem the panel is separated into a display region that controls discharge by said address electrode to allow normal cell discharge and a dummy region that controls discharge by said dummy address electrode at one or more sides of the panel, and wherein a space between the barrier ribs of the dummy region is formed narrower than that of the display region.

8. The panel according to claim 7, wherein the space between the barrier ribs of the dummy region is the same as or less sized than 3/4 of that of the display region.

9. A method for forming barrier ribs of a surface-discharge AC Plasma display panel comprising: separating the panel into a display region that controls discharge by said address electrode to allow normal cell discharge and a dummy region that controls discharge by said dummy address electrode; and forming the barrier ribs simultaneously with a fixed distance on a lower part of said panel corresponding to said display region and said dummy region, wherein a space between the barrier ribs of the dummy region is formed narrower than that of the display region.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the space between the barrier ribs of the dummy region is the same as or less sized than 3/4 of that of the display region.