Abstract:
A plasma display apparatus includes a plurality of display element electrodes each constituted of a pair of electrode segments having linear edges opposing each other, with a predetermined distance provided therebetween, the width of each of the electrode segments becoming narrower in the direction away from the associated one of the linear edges. The plasma display apparatus also includes a barrier structure, the inner surfaces of which being disposed along the outer ends of the plurality of display element electrodes and thereby defining a plurality of cells each of which is to be activated by the associated one of the plurality of display element electrodes so as to emit light. In the plasma display apparatus, ultraviolet rays caused by a discharge are efficiently transmitted to phosphor members on the surfaces of cells to emit light with a reduced loss of energy.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to plasma display apparatuses, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus in which the efficiency of emission of light is improved.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of an AC plasma display panel (hereinafter abbreviated as PDP) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,068. Referring to FIG. 1, the PDP includes a plurality of display electrodes, only one of which is shown and is indicated by the reference numeral  141 . The display electrode  141  extends in the row direction of the PDP. The display electrode  141  is constituted of a pair of electrodes X and Y having edges opposing each other. The display electrode  141  is formed on a front substrate  11 , and is covered by a dielectric layer  17 . The surface of the dielectric layer  17  is covered by a protective MgO film. The PDP also includes linear-shaped barrier ribs  129  extending in the column direction of the PDP. The height of the barrier ribs is usually on the order of 100 to 150 μm. The inner faces of the bulkheads  129  are coated with a phosphor member  28 . The PDP further includes a plurality of address electrodes  22  to perform address discharge on the X electrode of the display electrode  141 . The barrier ribs  129  and the address electrodes  22  are formed on a back substrate  21 . Within the PDP, mixture of ionizable gases, such as xenon, neon, and helium, is sealed. The mixed gas is used to cause discharge and thereby generating ultraviolet rays, which excite the phosphor member  28  to cause emission.  
           [0005]    In operation, first, a voltage higher than the breakdown voltage is applied between the X electrode of the display electrode  141  and the address electrodes  22  to cause an address discharge. At this time, a temporary discharge occurs between the electrodes X and Y, generating a charge on the surfaces of the electrodes X and Y. The charges generated on the surfaces of the electrodes X and Y due to the address discharge is referred to as a wall charge. After the address discharge, a pulse voltage lower than the breakdown voltage is applied between the electrodes X and Y of the display electrode  141 ; then, a discharge occurs between the electrodes X and Y of the display electrode  141  due to the wall charge generated by the address discharge. The discharge between the electrodes X and Y is called a sustaining discharge, which occurs only in the region where a wall charge is generated due to the address discharge. The sustaining discharge emits ultraviolet rays that excite the phosphor member  28  to cause luminescence.  
           [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a PDP disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,128. The PDP shown in FIG. 2 has meandering barrier ribs  129 . Separation of discharge areas by the meandering barrier ribs  129  serves to enhance resolution of the PDP. Each of the areas separated by the barrier ribs  129  is generally called a cell.  
           [0007]    The conventional PDPs with the constructions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have the following problems.  
           [0008]    [0008]FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating a state of discharge caused by the display electrodes  141  of the conventional PDPs shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The problems of the conventional PDPs will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a discharge produced in a gap (g) between the X and Y electrodes spreads in a direction away from the discharge gap (g), maintaining a circular or an elliptical shape, and terminates by reaching an inner surface of the barrier ribs  129 . The energy of the discharge terminated by the inner surface of the barrier ribs  129  is dissipated as thermal energy without generating ultraviolet rays that excite the phosphor  28  to cause luminescence. The conventional PDP shown in FIG. 2, has the display electrode  141  formed continuously over multiple cells arranged in the row direction; thus, discharge spreads beyond a range of a single cell, as shown in FIG. 3A. This means the discharge is terminated by the inner surfaces of the barrier ribs  129  without causing the phosphor  28  to emit light.  
           [0009]    On the other hand, the conventional PDP shown in FIG. 1, has continuous cells in the column direction; thus, discharge spreads beyond a range of single cell, as shown in FIG. 3B. This means the propagation loss of the ultraviolet rays emitted by discharge becomes greater as the energy propagates away from the discharge gap g in the column direction until reaching the surface of the phosphor  28 . This is more prominent at the anode side, at which progression of discharge is smaller.  
           [0010]    PDPs generate ultraviolet rays by discharging, and excite the phosphor  28  by the ultraviolet rays to cause emission of light. Therefor, the energy loss caused in that two processes must be minimized to produce luminescence efficiently.  
           [0011]    The conventional PDPs have another problem caused by an electric field formed around the address electrode  22  disposed in the center of the cells, and this electric field disturbs the sustaining discharge generated by display electrode  141 . The below further describes this problem. Because the address electrode  22  is composed of a conductive material such as metal, an intense electric field is formed around the address electrode  22  due to the electric field formed between the X and Y electrodes during a sustaining discharge. By way of example, if the pulse voltage for sustaining discharge is 180 V, the address electrode  22  is at a voltage between 180 V and 0 V, for example, 65 V, in which case voltage differences of 115 V and 65 V occurs between the address electrode  22  and the X and Y electrodes of the display electrodes  141 , respectively, forming an intense electric field. FIG. 4A shows a distribution of electric field where the address electrode  22  is not disposed, and FIG. 4B shows a distribution of electric field where a voltage of 65 V is generated on the address electrode  22 . FIG. 5A shows a discharge area corresponding to the distribution of electric field shown in FIG. 4A, in which the discharge is concentrated within the discharge gap g. FIG. 5B shows a discharge area corresponding to the distribution of electric field shown in FIG. 4B, in which the discharge extends over a large area, causing loss of discharge energy at the barrier ribs  129 .  
           [0012]    In PDPs, loss of discharge energy is a significant factor for power consumption. In the conventional PDPs, the display electrode  141 , the barrier ribs  129 , and the address electrode  22  are not configured so that the phosphor  28  emits light efficiently, resulting in necessity of high power supply.  
           [0013]    It is therefor, a primary object of the invention to provide a plasma display apparatus that is able to emit high light with low energy supply.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    This object is achieved in accordance with one aspect of the present invention which is a plasma display apparatus comprising a front and back substrates opposing each other. A plurality of display element electrodes each constituted of a pair of electrode segments is formed on the front substrate. The pair of electrode segments has linear edges opposing each other, and the width of each of the electrode segments becoming narrower in the direction away from the linear edges. A barrier structure having the inner surfaces disposed along the outer ends of the plurality of display element electrodes is formed on the back substrate. The barrier structure defines a plurality of cells each of which is activated by the associated one of the plurality of display element electrodes.  
           [0015]    In another aspect of the present invention is a plasma display apparatus comprising a front and back substrates opposing each other. A plurality of display element electrodes each constituted of a pair of rectangular electrode segments is formed on the front substrate. A barrier structure having the inner surfaces disposed along the outer ends of the plurality of display element electrodes is formed on the back substrate. The barrier structure defines a plurality of cells each of which is activated by the associated one of the plurality of display element electrodes. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of a plasma display apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,068;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of a plasma display apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,128;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams each illustrating a discharge generated at the surface of a display electrode, in the plasma display apparatuses shown respectively in FIG. 2 and FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams each illustrating a distribution of electric field in a conventional plasma display apparatus, respectively at positions where an address electrode is not disposed and where an address electrode is disposed;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams each illustrating discharge areas corresponding to the distributions of electric field shown respectively in FIGS. 4A and 4B;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6A is a top partial view of a plasma display apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 6B and 6C are sectional views taken along the lines W-W′ and V-V′ in FIG. 6A, respectively;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 7A and 7B are top partial views showing modifications of a barrier structure in the first embodiment;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a modification of the plasma display apparatus according to the first embodiment, in which a reflecting layer is incorporated;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is top partial view showing a modification of the plasma display apparatus according to the first embodiment, in which a display element electrode is constituted of a pair of triangular electrode segments;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a top partial view of a plasma display apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a top partial view of a plasma display apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a top partial view of a modification of the plasma display apparatus according to the third embodiment;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a top partial view of another modification of the plasma display apparatus according to the third embodiment;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a top partial view of a plasma display apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a top partial view of a modification of the plasma display apparatus according to the fourth embodiment;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 16A and 16B are, respectively, a top partial view and a sectional view of a plasma display apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 17A and 17B are, respectively, a top partial view and a sectional view of a plasma display apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]    First Embodiment  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6A is a top view showing in part the construction of a PDP according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6B and 6C are sectional views taken along, respectively, the lines W-W′ and V-V′ of FIG. 6A.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and  6 C, the PDP includes a plurality of display element electrodes, one of which is indicated by the reference numeral  41 . The display element electrode  41  is constituted of a pair of semicircular or semielliptical electrode segments X and Y, and is formed in a shape similar to the shape of a discharge area. The display element electrode  41  serves to cause a discharge in the associated one of a plurality of cells  27  defined by a barrier structure  29 . The inner surface of the barrier structure  29  is coated with a phosphor member  28  which cause luminescence in response to a discharge of the display element electrode  41 . The PDP also includes a plurality of address electrodes, one of which is indicated by the reference numeral  22 . The address electrode  22  is disposed along one side of the cell in the associated column. The PDP also includes a plurality of bus electrodes, one of which is indicated by the reference numeral  42 . The bus electrode  42  serves to apply a voltage to the display element electrodes in the associated row. The display element electrodes  41  and the bus electrodes  42  are formed on a front substrate  11 , and are covered by a dielectric layer  17 . The address electrodes  22  are formed on a back substrate  21 , and are covered by a overglazing layer  16 , composed of a white dielectric material, which reflects light emitted by the phosphor member  28 . The top surface of the barrier structure  29  is formed in black so as to achieve a good contrast. On the dielectric layer  17 , there are provided a plurality of spacer layers, one of which is indicated by the reference numeral  13 , so as to prevent excessive progress of discharges and for enhancing the priming effect.  
         [0037]    A discharge generated in a discharge gap g between the electrode segments X and Y spreads on the surface of the display element electrode  41  and terminates at the outer end of the display element electrode  41 , before it reaches to the inner surfaces of the barrier structure  29 . The inner surfaces of the barrier structure  29  is formed along the outer end of the display element electrode  41  at which the discharge terminates, therefore ultraviolet rays generated by the discharge efficiently impinge on the phosphor member  28  to cause luminescence. Accordingly, the discharge energy is prevented from being dissipated, as thermal energy at the barrier structure  29 , thereby enhancing the efficiency of emission of light. Furthermore, the address electrode  22  is disposed along one side of cells  27  in the associated row to prevented undesired effect to the discharge caused by an electric field formed around the address electrode  22 . Accordingly, the discharge is concentrated at the discharge gap g of the display element electrode  41 , as shown in FIG. 5A, which serves to provide a high efficiency of emission of light. In accordance with the above construction, a weak electric field is formed in the proximity of the inner surface of the barrier structure  29 , coated with the phosphor member  28 , enhancing the efficiency of ultraviolet radiation and thereby enhancing the efficiency of emission of light.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 7A and 7B are top views showing modifications of the barrier structure  29 . In the modifications, the barrier structure  29  is provided with openings j, facilitating the evacuation process. FIG. 8 shows a modification in which a reflecting layer  25  is provided under the phosphor member  28  of the cell  27 . The reflecting layer  25  serves to reflect light going into overglazing layer  16  or the barrier structure  29 . The reflecting layer  25  may be formed, for example, by screen printing, using white particles of oxides such as magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, and zinc oxide.  
         [0039]    It is to be appreciated that because the actual shape of the discharge area may vary depending on the pressure and composition of the gas, the dimensions and specific shapes of the display element electrodes should be determined in accordance therewith. For example, the display element electrode  41  may be constituted of a pair of triangular electrode segments while the cell  27  being defined in a rhombus shape along the outer end of the display element electrode  41 . Alternatively, it is equally advantageous when the display element electrode  41  is constituted of a pair of electrodes having the shape of a polygon such as a hexagon or an octagon while the cell  27  being defined along the outer end of the display element electrode  41 .  
         [0040]    Second Embodiment  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 10 is a top view showing in part the construction of a PDP according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the PDP according to the second embodiment has display element electrodes  41  constituted of a pair of trapezoidal electrodes and the barrier structure  29  of which width is varied in accordance with the shapes of the display element electrodes. The barrier structure  29  defines cells  27  having channel in the column direction. The channel passing through each of the cells  27  in the column direction facilitates the evacuation process to introduce ionizable gas in between the front substrate  11  and the back substrate  21 .  
         [0042]    Third Embodiment  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 11 is a top view showing in part the construction of a PDP according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, in the PDP according to the third embodiment, each of the cells  27  is arranged closely to achieve higher density of cells, thereby enhancing brightness of the PDP. The address electrode  22  is arranged so as to extend along left end and right side of the cells of alternately row by row. The cells may be arranged so that a set of R. G, and B cells forms a triangle, i.e., in a delta arrangement, so that interlacing may be used for operation.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are top views showing modifications of the third embodiment. In the PDP shown in FIG. 12, the display element electrode  41  is constituted of a pair of substantially triangular electrode segments, and the bus electrode  42  is formed on top of the top surface of the barrier structure  29  so as not to overlap the cells. In the PDP shown in FIG. 13, the display element electrode  41  is constituted of a pair of triangular or trapezoidal electrode segments while the barrier structure  29  being formed in a lattice pattern.  
         [0045]    Fourth Embodiment  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 14 is a top view showing in part the construction of a PDP according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the barrier structure  29  includes separate units. Each of the separate units defines the cell  27  and evacuation channel  50 . The evacuation channel  50  running in two crossing directions facilitates the evacuation process. FIG. 15 shows a modification of the fourth embodiment, in which the evacuation channel  50  is formed in black so as to enhance contrast.  
         [0047]    It is to be appreciated that the fourth embodiment may be practiced while forming the cells in elliptical or rhombus shapes as in the PDPs shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, respectively.  
         [0048]    Fifth Embodiment  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 16A is a top view showing in part the construction of a PDP according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16B is a sectional view taken along the line W-W′ in FIG. 16A. The PDP shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B has the display element electrode  41  constituted of a pair of rectangular electrode segments, and rectangular cell  27  defined by the barrier structure  29  and a plurality of dielectric members, one of which is indicated by the reference numeral  15 . The inner surface of the cell  27  is coated with the phosphor member  28 . The phosphor members over the entire cells are coated continuously in the column direction so as to form stripes pattern. The address electrode  22  disposed along one side of the cells  27  has projecting portions, one of which is indicated by h. Each of the projecting portions is disposed so as to overlap the X electrode segment of the display element electrodes  41 , to produce address discharge with the X electrode segments.  
         [0050]    Sixth Embodiment  
         [0051]    With the address electrode  22  being disposed along one side edge of the associated column of cells, the efficiency of emission of light improved when the distance between the display element electrode  41  and the phosphor member  28  was increased. For example, with the address electrode  22  disposed at the center of the associated column of cells, the brightness becomes maximum when the height of the barrier structure  29  is approximately 150 μm, whereas when the address electrode  22  is disposed along one side end of the associated column of cells, the brightness increased as the height of the barrier structure  29  was increased up to 300 μm. The sealed gas was a mixture of 95% of Ne and 5% of Xe, and the pressure thereof is 66 kPa at room temperature. The discharge gap of the display element electrode  41  was 70 to 100 μm.  
         [0052]    However, if the distance between the display element electrode  41  and the phosphor member  28  is increased, the distance between the display element electrode  41  and the address electrode  22  also increases, causing the problem that the breakdown voltage for address discharge is raised. A sixth embodiment of the present invention involves a PDP in which address discharge is readily performed even if the distance between the display element electrode  41  and the address electrode  22  is increased.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 17A is a top view showing in part the construction of a PDP according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17B is a sectional view taken along the line V-V′ in FIG. 17A. Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, in the PDP according to the sixth embodiment, a plurality of convex dielectric projections are provided on the address electrodes, one of which is indicated by the reference numeral  31 . The top end of each dielectric projection  31  faces the X electrode segment of the display element electrode  41 . Because the dielectric projection  31  is provided in between the address electrode  22  and the display element electrode  41 , the discharge gap therebetween is effectively reduced, facilitating address discharge. The dielectric projection  31  may be manufactured of the same material as and simultaneously with the barrier structure  29  by, for example, press forming. The dielectric projection  31  may also be formed integrally with the barrier structure  29 .  
         [0054]    By extending the height of the barrier structure employing the construction as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the efficiency of emission of light by the phosphor member  28  is improved, and the capacitance generated between the display element electrode  41  and the address electrode  22  is reduced. In addition, the construction serves to provide a sufficient distance between the display element electrode  41  and the phosphor member  28 , thus inhibiting the problem which otherwise occurs that breakdown voltage differs among phosphor members for different colors.