JPH04169038A - Electric discharge type display device and its drive method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a structure and improve the opening rate of a display surface, by arranging a cathode and display anode and an auxiliary anode in each electric discharge cell, and also providing only auxiliary anodes on the front surface base side. CONSTITUTION:Each of cathode 4, display anode 7 and auxiliary anode 8 is arranged in each electric discharge cell 5 by providing on the inner surface of the back surface base 1 cathodes 4 and display anodes 7 alternately and in parallel with each other and in separation respectively at predetermined intervals, and at the same time by providing on the inner surface of the front surface base 2 auxiliary anodes 8 which meet at right angles with back surface base 1 side electrodes and are needed for 'data write', in parallel with each other and in separation at predetermined intervals. Also, the insides of adjoining cells 5 which are in parallel with anodes 8 and in a scanning 'wirte' direction, are connected to each other by forming openings 31d at the wall portion of a sealing wall 31a along the scanning 'write' direction that is in parallel with the back surface base 1 side electrodes 4, 7. Accordingly, the start of electric discharge cab be done without having a sphere that does not contribute to display emission, such as an auxiliary electric discharge cell, in a picture. As a result, the opening rate of a display surface is improved, and a structure is simplified, and memory display is realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a discharge type display device such as a plasma display that utilizes discharge, and a method for driving the same.

[Conventional technology]

Currently, there are many attempts to create multicolor or full color displays using rare gas discharges, and it has become technically possible.

Figures 4 and 5 show, for example, the rent of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Japan (Light-related Materials and Devices Research Group Materials, MD-90-16°P, 83).
~P, 88.1990) and JP-A-62-21183
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view and a sectional view showing a cell structure of a panel similar to that of the conventional discharge type display device disclosed in Publication No. 1. In both figures, a conventional discharge type display device includes a back substrate (1) made of a translucent material such as soda glass, and a back substrate (1) made of soda glass or the like placed opposite to the back substrate (1) at a predetermined distance. a front substrate (2) made of a translucent material; and vertical ribs (3a) interposed between the front substrate (2) and the rear substrate (1) to define a discharge space as described later.
and a sealing wall (hereinafter referred to as a sealing lip) (3) made of an insulator as a separating member having horizontal ribs (3b).

On the inner surface of the back substrate (1) facing the front substrate (2), a plurality of cathodes (4) are formed parallel to each other and spaced at equal intervals, and are arranged regularly so as to be orthogonal to these cathodes (4). The cathode (4) and the horizontal ribs (3b) are formed at regular intervals and are perpendicular to the vertical ribs (3a). Defining a display discharge cell (5) including an intersection with a display v4 pole provided on the front substrate (2) side, which will be described later,
The vertical ribs (3a) define an auxiliary discharge cell (6) that becomes a pilot flame transfer cell and includes an intersection of all the cathodes (4) and an auxiliary anode provided on the front substrate (2) side, which will be described later. There is. Then, the auxiliary discharge cell (
6) A briming path (3C) is formed on the side outer wall by providing a gap in order to draw the space charge generated by the discharge in the auxiliary discharge cell (6) into the display discharge cell (5). Display discharge cells (5) are arranged on both sides of the auxiliary discharge cell (6) with the recording path (3C) in between.

Further, on the inner surface facing the rear substrate (1) of the front substrate (2), which corresponds to the display surface of the discharge vessel formed by overlapping with the rear substrate (1), a display anode (7) and writing are provided. An auxiliary anode (8) necessary for 9) is applied. Note that a discharge gas such as He-Xe or Ne-Xe is contained inside the display discharge cell (5) and the auxiliary discharge cell (6) of the discharge vessel, which is constructed by overlapping the rear substrate (1) and the front substrate (2). is sealed at, for example, 10 to 600 Torr.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to the pulse voltage waveform applied to each electrode shown in diagram N6. In the figure, OA is the pulse applied to the display anode (7), K n + K n
*l indicates a pulse sequentially applied to the cathode (4) in the n and (n+1)th rows. First, by applying a pulse voltage to the cathode (4) and the auxiliary anode (8), an auxiliary discharge moves in parallel to the lines of each cathode (4) along the auxiliary anode (8). ) After forming a pilot flame by supplying space charges to the display discharge cells (5) on both sides via the briming path (3C), the generated charge is transferred to the display discharge cells (5) to perform display writing. As shown in the timing chart of FIG. A charging pulse is applied to draw charge into the display discharge cell (5) and discharge starts. After completing the writing operation, the display anode (7) and cathode (4) in the selected display discharge cell (5) are repeatedly injected with a sustain pulse and a display pulse (DC-applied negative By applying a voltage pulse), the discharge continues for one frame period, and the generated ultraviolet rays are applied to the phosphor (9
) is excited to emit light, and the so-called memory display is performed in which the operation continues until an erase pulse is applied. In this way,
A specific display discharge cell (5) is selected and displayed.

Note that if there is no write pulse applied to the display anode (7), no display will occur.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Since the conventional discharge type display device is configured as described above, when causing a discharge in the display discharge cell (5), a pilot discharge is carried out sequentially through each cathode (4) line in the auxiliary discharge cell (6). moves in parallel along the auxiliary ray 8i (8), and the auxiliary ray 8i (
8) Briming path (3) to display discharge cells (5) on both sides
c) It is necessary to supply space charge through the display discharge cell (5), and the auxiliary discharge cell (6) for performing the pilot discharge is separately provided from the display discharge cell (5). :1
Therefore, the aperture ratio, which is the ratio of the area occupied in the entire screen of the display discharge cell (5), becomes smaller.
There are problems in that the average brightness is low and the structure for that purpose is complicated.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to start a discharge without having an area in the screen that does not contribute to display light emission, such as an auxiliary discharge cell, and to improve the display discharge cell. It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge type display device which can increase the aperture ratio, has a simple structure, and is capable of memory display.

[Means to solve the problem]

A discharge type display device according to the present invention has a front substrate and a rear substrate made of a transparent material, and is provided between the two substrates to block outside air and is formed to define a plurality of discharge cells in a matrix shape inside. , and a discharge type display device, which includes a sealing wall formed by sealing a discharge gas inside each discharge cell, and displays by individually selecting the discharge cells and emitting light from the discharge, on the inner surface of the rear substrate. Cathodes and display anodes are alternately arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and auxiliary anodes necessary for writing data perpendicular to the electrodes on the rear substrate are arranged in parallel on the inner surface of the front substrate at predetermined intervals. The cathode, the display anode, and the auxiliary anode are arranged in each discharge cell, and a gap is formed in the wall of the sealing wall along the scanning writing direction parallel to the back substrate side electrode. Adjacent discharge cells in the scanning write direction parallel to the anode are communicated with each other.

Further, in the discharge type display device having the above configuration, the auxiliary anode has a main body perpendicular to the back substrate side electrode, and a branch part arranged from the main body parallel to each other and facing any of the back substrate side electrodes. It is composed of a comb shape.

Furthermore, in the discharge type display device having the above configuration, a negative pulse voltage is sequentially applied to the cathode, and a positive pulse voltage is applied to the auxiliary t8i at the same timing, thereby creating a potential difference and causing a discharge to the display anode. The discharge is sustained and displayed by applying continuous positive pulse voltage.

[Function] In the discharge type display device having the above configuration, a cathode, a display anode, and an auxiliary anode are arranged in each discharge cell, and only the auxiliary anode is arranged on the front substrate side. The aperture ratio can be increased, and due to the structure of the discharge cells that communicate with each other, the discharge start and the sustained discharge after the start are performed using the charges remaining in the space.

Further, by configuring the auxiliary anode in a comb shape, the area facing the cathode is increased, thereby stabilizing the discharge.

Further, in the driving method of the present invention, in the above configuration, a negative pulse voltage is sequentially applied to the cathode, and a positive pulse voltage is applied to the auxiliary electrode at the same timing to create a potential difference and cause a discharge. A continuous positive pulse voltage is applied to the anode to sustain the discharge, and a cell is selected between the auxiliary electrode and the cathode, and a display is driven between the display anode and the cathode.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are an exploded perspective view and a sectional view of a discharge type display device according to this embodiment, which corresponds to the conventional example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In both figures, the same parts as in the conventional example are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. On the inner surface of the back substrate (1) of the discharge type display device according to this embodiment, eleventh! A plurality of cathodes (4) as poles are patterned, and display anodes a (7) as second electrodes are arranged parallel and equally spaced between the cathodes to form a pair with the cathodes (4).
are patterned (the display anode (7) and cathode (2) are set at an interval of 50 to 800 μm, for example), and a discharge section is formed by interposing the display anode (7) and the cathode (2) with a front substrate (2), which will be described later, so as to surround these electrodes. A sealing lip (31) is formed as a separating body.

This sealing rib (31) is a mouth-shaped outer frame sealing rib (31).
a), and a plurality of vertical ribs (31b) and horizontal ribs (31b) orthogonal to each other on the inside of the outer frame sealing rib (31a).
1c) are formed in a matrix shape, and the vertical ribs (31b) are composed of an outer frame sealing rib (31a) and a rear substrate (31b).
1) have the same height from the surface, while the horizontal ribs (31c
) is set at a lower height than the vertical rib (31b), and the display discharge cell () in which the cathode (4) and the display anode (7) are respectively disposed facing an auxiliary electrode on the front substrate (2) side, which will be described later.
5), and this display discharge cell (5)
are adjacent display discharge cells (5
) and the horizontal rib (31c) are communicated via a briming bus (31d) having a charge transfer function. As shown in FIG. 1, the display anode (7) is patterned so that it extends beyond the outer frame sealing rib (31a) to the front end surface of the rear substrate (1) as shown in the figure, making it easy to apply voltage. Similarly, the patterning of the cathode (4) is also patterned on the outer frame sealing rib (31) in the opposite direction to the display anode (7).
a) to the end surface of the rear substrate (1) to facilitate voltage application (not shown).

On the other hand, on the inner surface of the front substrate (2) which is overlapped with the rear substrate (1) in a state facing the rear substrate (1), the cathode (4) and the display anode (7) are arranged in parallel and at equal intervals in a direction orthogonal to each other. The main trunk is branched perpendicularly from the main trunk to each display discharge cell (5), and the area facing the cathode (4) of the rear substrate (1) is increased as shown in the cross section of FIG. For stabilization, all the auxiliary anodes of each discharge cell should be kept at the same potential (a comb-shaped auxiliary anode as the third electrode with a structure). 8)
is patterned, and the sealing rib (3t) of the rear substrate (1) ((31) is the sealing rib (31a),
A sealing rib (32) of the same shape is formed on the part facing the auxiliary electrode (8) and the sealing rib (32), and a luminescent substance is formed on the inner surface except for the auxiliary electrode (8) and the sealing rib (32). phosphor (9) is coated.

Next, a method for driving the discharge type display device having the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

In Fig. 3, the cathode (4) is sequentially exposed to one frame period.
The erase pulse and the write pulse are applied once each time, and the cathode (4 times) is applied.
), a sustain pulse is continuously applied to the display anode (7) corresponding to the cathode (4) at a time other than when the erase pulse and the write pulse are applied to the cathode (4), and the auxiliary anode (8) is connected to the cathode (4). )
When the cell is selected, the selection pulse of the auxiliary anode (8) is turned ON in accordance with the timing of the write pulse of , and when the cell is not selected, it is turned OFF.

Next, the operation of this driving method will be explained.

k which is the nth row of the cathode (4). The display caused by continuous discharge in the previous frame period is erased by the erase pulse applied to the auxiliary anode (8), and the discharge is started again depending on the presence or absence of the write pulse and the selection pulse applied to the i-th DAI of the auxiliary anode (8). or make a selection. When the discharge is started when the selection pulse is turned ON, the sustain pulse is again applied to the Hl of the display anode (7) in the nth row immediately after the write pulse is applied, and the sustain pulse and the nth row are 8i. (4) k. This is indicated by the discharge being connected by the bias voltage νB of .

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the cathode (4), the display anode (
7) Since the auxiliary anode (8) exists in the same display discharge cell (5) for display, the structure can be simplified without requiring the conventional auxiliary discharge cell, and the aperture ratio of the display discharge cell can be increased. be able to.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the cathode (4) was arranged at a position facing the auxiliary v4 pole (8), but the auxiliary anode (
The display anode (7) may be arranged opposite to the display anode (7) and the cathode (4) may be arranged next to each other, so that the display anode (7) and the cathode (4) in FIGS. 1 and 2 are interchanged. .

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the auxiliary anode (7) is located at the end of the display discharge cell (5), but is located slightly away from the sealing rib (32). By forming the sealing wand, even if an electric charge is generated on the surface of the sealing wab, the influence of the electric charge can be reduced.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example of a color plasma display was shown in which the phosphor (9) layer provided on the front substrate (2) is made to emit light by ultraviolet rays generated by rare gas discharge. 9), a monochromatic plasma display that performs display using visible light directly emitted by gas discharge may be used, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be achieved.

Furthermore, the transverse ribs (31
c) is lower than the height of the vertical rib (31b) to provide a briming path (31d), but if the area of this gap is small, the amount of movement of the charged particles will be small and the start of discharge will become unstable. On the other hand, if it becomes too large, ultraviolet rays generated by discharge light will leak into adjacent discharge cells, causing crosstalk and making it impossible to obtain a good display. For this reason, it has been confirmed that good results can be obtained when the briming path (31d) accounts for 10 to 60% of the cross-sectional area of the discharge cell.

【Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the discharge type display device of the present invention, three poles, a cathode, a display anode, and an auxiliary anode, are arranged in each display discharge cell, and by applying a voltage to these electrodes,
It is possible to perform memory drive by performing discharge initiation and sustained discharge, and to increase the aperture ratio of display discharge cells with a simple structure, and to allow discharge initiation and sustained discharge after initiation to remain in space due to the structure of connected discharge cells. This can be done stably by using the electric charge.

In addition, by configuring the auxiliary anode in a comb shape, the area facing the cathode can be increased and discharge can be stabilized.

Further, in the driving method of the present invention, in the above configuration, a negative pulse voltage is sequentially applied to the cathode, and a positive pulse voltage is applied to the auxiliary electrode at the same timing to create a potential difference and cause a discharge. By applying a continuous positive pulse voltage to the anode to sustain the discharge, a cell can be selected between the auxiliary electrode and the cathode, and a memory display can be driven between the display anode and the cathode.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1, 2, and 3 are an exploded perspective view, a sectional view, and a drive waveform diagram showing an embodiment of the discharge type display device of the present invention,
FIG. 4, a vSS diagram, and FIG. 6 are an exploded perspective view, a sectional view, and a drive waveform diagram showing an example of a conventional discharge type display device. (1) Rear substrate (2) Front substrate (4) Cathode (5) Display discharge cell (7) Display anode (8) Auxiliary anode (9 )...phosphor (31), (32)...sealing rib (31dl...
-Briming path In each figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. 113 Figure IIG Figure

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A front substrate and a rear substrate made of a light-transmitting material, which are provided between the two substrates to block outside air, and are formed to define a plurality of discharge cells in a matrix shape inside each discharge cell. In a discharge type display device which is provided with a sealing wall formed by sealing a discharge gas and displays by individually selecting the discharge cells and emitting light from the discharge, a cathode and a display anode are arranged alternately on the inner surface of the rear substrate. Auxiliary anodes, which are necessary for data writing and are perpendicular to the electrodes on the rear substrate, are arranged on the inner surface of the front substrate in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, and each discharge cell is arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval. The cathode, the display anode, and the auxiliary anode are respectively disposed within the sealing wall, and a gap is formed in the wall of the sealing wall along the scanning writing direction parallel to the back substrate side electrode, so that the scanning writing direction parallel to the auxiliary anode is formed. A discharge type display device characterized in that adjacent discharge cells are connected to each other. (2) In the discharge type display device according to claim 1, the auxiliary anode is arranged to face either a main body perpendicular to the back substrate side electrode and a back substrate side electrode from this main body in parallel with each other. What is claimed is: 1. A discharge type display device characterized in that it is comb-shaped having branch parts. (3) In the discharge type display device according to claim 1 or 2, by sequentially applying a negative pulse voltage to the cathode and applying a positive pulse voltage to the auxiliary electrode at the same timing. A method for driving a discharge type display device, characterized in that a potential difference is applied to cause a discharge, and a continuous positive pulse voltage is applied to a display anode to sustain the discharge and display.