Abstract:
A cathode ray tube which comprises: an evacuated envelope having at least one transparent flat portion, a fluorescent target arranged on the inner surface of the flat portion, an electron gun within the envelope in laterally spaced relation to the target for emitting an electron beam along a path parallel with the surface of the flat portion, a first deflecting device comprising the target, and an opposite electrode in the envelope for impinging the electron beam upon the target, a second deflecting device comprising a pair of plates to control the electron beam passing therebetween and arranged in the envelope for deflecting the electron beam perpendicularly to the surface of the flat portion, the pair of plates being connected with the opposite electrode and the anode electrode of the electron gun, respectively, and a vertical deflection signal being applied to the anode electrode, and a third deflecting device arranged adjacent to the envelope in cooperation with the pair of plates for concentrating deflecting flux generated by means of the third device on the electron beam between the pair of plates for deflecting the electron beam in parallel with the surface of the flat portion and generally transverse to the direction of the electron beam, thereby to produce an image on the target.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a flat-type cathode ray tube and more particularly to a flat-type cathode ray tube in which an electron gun is extendably mounted along a surface direction of a fluorescent screen thereby to improve the flatness of the tube envelope. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The prior art includes a flat-type cathode ray tube as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, having a fluorescent screen 2 disposed on one inner surface of a flat envelope 1, a back electrode 3 mounted thereon so as to oppose the fluorescent screen 2 and an electron gun 4 mounted along a surface direction of the fluorescent screen 2. The gun 4 is positioned in such a manner that the axis thereof lies, with the tube axis, in a central vertical direction of the fluorescent screen 2. Reference numeral 5 represents a transparent target electrode onto which the fluorescent screen 2 is coated. To this target electrode 5, that is, the fluorescent screen 2 is applied an anode voltage V H  of a high voltage, for example 5 KV and to the back electrode 3 is applied a high voltage V B , for example, 4 KV a little lower than the preceding anode voltage V H , to form thereby a first deflecting system between the fluorescent screen 2 and the back electrode 3. A second deflecting system is provided in the area between the electron gun 4 and the fluorescent screen 2 and by action of the first and second deflecting systems, the electron beam b is horizontally and vertically deflected to scan the fluorescent screen 2. Accordingly, the second deflecting system horizontally and vertically deflects the electron beam b emitted from the electron gun 4. Here the horizontal deflection designates a deflection of the electron beam b along a direction of the arrow H which perpendicularly intersects an axial direction of the fluorescent screen 2, to thereby horizontally scan the fluorescent screen 2, (a so-called horizontal scanning). The vertical deflection represents a deflection of the beam b in a direction which perpendicularly intersects the fluorescent screen 2 to thereby move the beam b on the fluorescent screen 2 in a direction perpendicular to the aforedescribed scanning direction, (a so-called vertical scanning). Numeral 6 denotes a horizontal and vertical deflecting means and this deflecting means 6 uses an electromagnetic deflection to perform, for example, the horizontal deflection which requires a relatively large deflecting angle, and uses an electrostatic deflection which employs, for example, the pair of inner pole pieces utilized for the aforesaid electromagnetic horizontal deflection as electrostatic deflecting plates to perform the vertical deflections. 
     As shown in the figure, this deflection means 6 is comprised of: (1) a magnetic core 7 of an annular shape formed of, for example, a ferrite having a high magnetic permeability and which is provided at the rear side of the electron gun 4 so as to surround an external surface of the envelope 1, (2) an electromagnetic coil 8 (8a and 8b) to carry a horizontal deflecting current therethrough and (3) a pair of inner pole pieces or electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b comprising a high magnetic permeability material placed within the envelope 1. The magnetic core 7, a cross-section of which is shown in FIG. 2, is formed of an annular shape so as to surround the external surface of the envelope 1. Inwardly projected outer center poles 7a and 7b are opposed to each other in a widthwise direction of the envelope 1. The coils 8a and 8b are wound on the external surfaces of these outer center poles 7a and 7b or the coil may be wound to any one of the external surface thereof. By such an arrangement, a magnetic flux generated in accordance with the horizontal deflecting current flowing in the coil 8 (8a and 8b) is provided between both outer center poles 7a and 7b and hence a magnetic field is applied to the widthwise direction of the envelope 1 across the passage of the electron beam b between the inner pole pieces 9a and 9b intermediate therebetween. The inner pole pieces or electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b within the envelope 1 are formed of plate-shaped high magnetic permeability material of substantially trapezoidal shape placed across the passage of the electron beam b so as to oppose each other on both sides with respect to the widthwise direction of the envelope 1 such that the space therebetween is widened in the direction toward the screen 2 and likewise such deflecting plates 9a and 9b may become widened towards the screen. Further, the pair of pole pieces or electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b may be comprised of, for example, a high magnetic permeability material having a resistivity in which a surface electric resistance is 10 7  ω cm or below, more preferably 10 4  ω cm or below, such as the ferrites, and these are used to deflect the above-described electron beam b vertically. That is, a vertical deflecting voltage is applied between both inner pole pieces or electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b. In this case, a back electrode voltage of, for example, 4 KV, is applied to the inner pole pieces or electrostatic deflecting plates of the deflecting means 6, and the vertical deflecting signal voltage is further superimposed therebetween. 
     In the flat-type cathode ray tube of such prior art construction, as described above, the electron beam b emitted from the electron gun 4 under the influence of the first and second deflection systems, is adapted to scan horizontally and vertically the fluorescent screen 2. 
     According to the cathode ray tube thus arranged, the whole of the cathode ray tube can be flattened. However, since the electron gun 4 is disposed along and generally parallel to the surface direction of the fluorescent screen 2, as shown, and on account of the fact that the upper and lower portion of the screen are different distances from the lens system of the electron gun 4, i.e., by the vertical scanning distance, the flying distance of the electron beam to the upper and lower portions of the screen is different. It becomes necessary, accordingly, to adjust the focusing, that is, to perform what is called a dynamic focusing correction in accordance with a scanning position of the electron beam b in order to satisfactorily focus the beam spot at each position. 
     The dynamic focusing correction is normally carried out by applying a correction signal voltage to a focusing electrode of the electron gun. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in an arrangement wherein the electron gun 4 is composed of a cathode K, a first grid G 1 , a second grid G 2 , a third grid G 3 , and a fourth grid G 4  comprise a main electron lens of a bi-potential type, the dynamic focusing correction voltage is adapted to be supplied to the third grid G 3  of the focusing electrode thereof. At that time, when 5 KV of the anode voltage V H  or a fixed voltage of 4 KV of the back electrode voltage V B  is applied, for example, to the fourth grid G 4  and a fixed voltage of 500 V is applied to this third grid G 3 , it is arranged that the dynamic focusing correction voltage of about 30 V is superimposed on the aforesaid fixed voltage of 500 V, which is supplied to the third grid G 3  during a vertical scanning period. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a flat-type cathode ray tube in which an electron gun is extendably mounted along a surface direction of a fluorescent screen thereby to improve the flatness of an envelope. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a flat-type cathode ray tube in which, a dynamic focusing (correction) is automatically performed together with the vertical deflection so that the arrangement thereof can be made simple. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a flat-type cathode ray tube of a post-acceleration arrangement in which a vertical deflection and the dynamic focusing (corrrection) during like vertical period are performed by the same signal. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a cathode ray tube which comprises: an evacuated envelope having at least one transparent flat portion, a fluorescent target arranged on the inner surface of the flat portion, an electron gun within the envelope in laterally spaced relation to the target for emitting an electron beam along a path parallel with the surface of the flat portion, first deflecting means comprising the target and an opposite electrode in the envelope for impinging the electron beam upon the target, second deflecting means comprising a pair of plates to put the electron beam therebetween arranged in the envelope for deflecting the electron beam perpendicularly to the surface of the flat portion, the pair of plates being connected with the opposite electrode and anode electrode of the electron gun, respectively, and a vertical deflection signal being applied to the anode electrode, third deflecting means arranged adjacent to the envelope in cooperation with the pair of plates for concentrating deflecting flux generated by means of the third means on the electron beam between the pair of plates and for deflecting the electron beam in parallel with the surface of the flat portion, thereby to produce an image on the target. 
     The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings throughout which the like references designate the same elements and parts. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view and a side view of a prior art flat-type cathode ray tube each useful for explaining this invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an explanatory view thereof; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are a front view and a side view each taking one part as a cross-section of one example of a flat-type cathode ray tube according to this invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an arrangement of an electrode shown in FIGS. 4 and 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one example of a spring shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are respectively a top view, a side view and a rear view of an electrostatic deflecting plate arrangement used in the example of FIGS. 4 and 5; 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively a perspective view and an arrangement view of one example of a high voltage terminal piece used in the example of FIGS. 4 and 5; and 
     FIG. 13 is a graphic representation of a measurement curve showing a relation between a deflecting voltage and a vertical scanning position of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Considering a case wherein the fixed voltage is applied to the third grid and the dynamic focusing (correction) is carried out at the fourth grid which is a final arrangement of the electron gun, the inventors of this invention have established the fact that the dynamic focusing (correction) voltage to be supplied to the fourth grid was approximated to the vertical deflection voltage of this flat-type cathode ray type of post acceleration type. 
     This invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4-13. In these figures, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are marked with the same reference numerals and the explanations thereof are made briefly. In this case, this flat envelope 1 is comprised of a panel such as a glass substrate 1a, a glass funnel 1b connected to one surface thereof to form a flat space 10 between the panel 1a and the glass funnel 1b, and a glass necked tube 1c connected to one side of these so as to extend along a surface direction of the flat space 10 and to continuously connect into the flat space 10. 
     The funnel 1b includes a flat plate portion 1b 1  opposing to the panel 1a, a peripheral side wall portion 1b 2  extended toward the panel 1a on the periphery thereof and a flange portion 1b 3  air-tightly connected with the panel 1a by a frit bonding. 
     On the other hand, the panel 1a is formed with an outline shape corresponding to the peripheral shape of the funnel 1b and having an elongated plate portion 1a 1  projecting to a left or right side. By providing the long distance along the surface of this elongated plate portion 1a 1 , it is intended to improve arc discharge preventing (in view of safety standards) between the high voltage terminal group 11 and other parts, such as the cabinet that this flat-type cathode ray tube is assembled into, for example. 
     On an inner surface of the funnel 1b, that is, an inner surface of the peripheral side wall portion 1b 2  is bonded or coated a conductive layer (not shown) such as a carbon layer to which the anode voltage V H  is supplied. 
     On the inner surface of the panel 1a is bonded or deposited a transparent conductive layer composing the target electrode 5. After the fluorescent screen 2 is coated thereon a metal back is applied thereto forming the completed target electrode 5. Further, it may be desired to coat a carbon layer in a picture-frame-shaped pattern having a window in a part corrresponding to an effective picture area of the fluorescent screen 2 to thereby form the target electrode 5 and within the window thereof is coated the fluorescent screen 2 across the picture-frame-shaped portion. 
     Also, a further arrangement may be used. The back electrode 3 placed opposite the target electrode may be made of a metal plate bonded by the frit to be secured utilizing studs 11 at a predetermined position of the flat plate portion 1b 1  of the funnel 1b so as to form the back electrode 5. 
     The horizontal and vertical deflecting means 6 is comprised of the magnetic core 7 of an annular shape formed of, for example, a ferrite having high magnetic permeability and surrounding the external periphery of the envelope 2 as previously described; the electro-magnetic coil 8 (8a and 8b) conducting the horizontal deflecting current and a high magnetic permeability magnetic material placed within the envelope 1 opposingly to the widthwise direction of the flat envelope 1. The horizontal and vertical deflecting means 6 is further composed of the inner pole pieces or electrostatic deflecting plates (hereinafter simply referred to as the electrostatic deflecting plates) 9a and 9b having a predetermined electric conductivity in which the surface resistance of the opposite internal surface thereof is about 10 7  Ω cm or below and more preferably 10 4  Ω cm or below. Especially in this invention, the electrostatic deflecting plate on the side corresponding to the side wherein the back electrode 3 is mounted, i.e., the electrostatic deflecting plate 9b as shown by the example in the figure, is electrically coupled to the back electrode 3 to thereby lead to terminal t 1 . The other electrostatic deflecting plate 9a is electrically coupled to an anode of a final portion of the electron gun 4, i.e., the fourth grid G 4  as shown for example in FIG. 6 via a terminal t 2  and a terminal t 3  is led out from the target electrode 5. 
     To the terminal t 1 , that is, the back electrode 3 and the electrostatic deflecting plate 9b, is applied the back electrode voltage V B , for example, a fixed voltage of 4 KV, to form the first deflecting system. To the terminal t 3 , that is the target electrode, is applied the high voltage V h  such as the fixed voltage of 5 KV. To the terminal t 2 , i.e., the other electrostatic deflecting plate 9a, is applied a vertical deflecting signal voltage V def  taking the back electrode voltage V b  as substantially a main or central voltage. In other words, to the terminal t 2  is supplied a deflecting signal voltage of a saw-tooth wave which changes approximately from V B  -1/2 V def  to V B  +1/2 V def  during the vertical scanning period. For example, if the back electrode voltage V B  is given as 4 KV and the vertical deflecting signal voltage V def  as 250 V, to the terminal t 2  is applied the deflecting signal voltage of, for example, 3.875 KV to 4.125 KV. At that time, to the third grid G 3  is supplied the fixed voltage of 500 V, to the second grid G 2  the fixed voltage of 250 V, to the first grid G 1  a ground electric potential and to the cathode K a video signal voltage of 0 to 30 V. 
     Supplying the deflecting voltage to the terminal t 2  is accomplished by a capacity coupling or an inductance coupling. In this case, these three terminals t 1 , t 3 , t 2  are placed in parallel with one another in order shown in FIG. 4. When these terminals are placed in parallel with one another in the order of the value of voltage applied thereto, the spaces between terminals are reduced in comparison with the case illustrated in FIG. 4 in view of arc discharge between terminals. Accordingly, these terminals are preferably placed in order of t 3 , t 1 , and t 2 . 
     In order to electrically connect the back electrode 3 with the electrostatic deflecting plate 9b provided on the side corresponding thereto, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, a spring 12 formed of a thin metal plate which is punched out and bent is welded on the external surface of the back electrode plate 3 and a free end thereof is resiliently contacted with an end surface in the rear side of the electrostatic deflecting plate 9b. The spring 12 contains two band-shaped members 12a and 12b which are connected to each other at each end thereof. The coupling member 12c and bent piece 12d, provided on the free end of one band-shaped member 12b, are welded onto the back of the back electrode plate 3. 
     Both electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b are mechanically coupled to each other, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, so that both deflecting plates 9a and 9b face each other keeping a predetermined positional relation therebetween and a pair of insulating plates 13A and 13B of material such as ceramic are provided on left and right side surfaces of both deflecting plates 9a and 9b across both of them and are fused and bonded thereto by glass g. At the outside of both insulating plates 13A and 13B are fixedly embedded a pair of two pins, or pins comprised of one pin on one side and two conductive pins 14 on another side, which are coupled to a metal cylindrical guide body 15 smoothly accepting the electron gun 4 into the space between deflecting plates 9a and 9b. On the cylindrical body 15 are provided arm pieces 16A and 16B elongated left and right therefrom with the free ends thereof welded to the pins 14 of the left and right insulating plates 13A and 13B so that both deflecting plates 9a and 9b are mechanically connected to the cylindrical body 15 concentrically. Within this cylindrical guide body 15 is inserted the end portion of the electron gun 4, such as the fourth grid G 4 , for example, having a cylindrical shape so that the guide 15 and the grid G 4  are electrically coupled to each other and in addition, the electron gun 4 and the deflecting plates 9a and 9b are concentrically oriented on the axis. On the other hand, for example, on the right side pin 14 is welded one end of a conductive metal contact piece 17 and a free end thereof is contacted with a side surface of one deflecting plate 9a thereby to electrically connect the fourth grid G 4  with the deflecting plate 9a. 
     Each of the high voltage terminals t 1  to t 3  can be formed of metal pieces and the terminals t 1  to t 3  are placed in parallel and to each outer end are connected lead wires to connect an external circuit therewith. Or, it may be also provided that the terminal group is embedded into the glass funnel 1b. The inner end of the metal piece terminal t 1  is welded, for example, to the external side surface of the back electrode 3, and that of the metal piece terminal t 2  is welded to the pin 14 electrically coupled to the cylindrical guide body 15 which is connected to the electrostatic deflecting plate 9a and the grid G 4 . Further, the metal piece t 3  is provided with an elastic foot member 19 on both sides of a band-shaped resilient piece member 18 as shown in FIG. 11. As illustrated in FIG. 12, these foot members 19 are resiliently contacted with the conductive layer 5a such as the carbon layer elongated from the target electrode 5 and a tongue piece 20 bent up from the inner end of the resilient piece member 18 is contacted with an inner surface conductive layer c coated on the peripheral side wall portion 1b 2  of the funnel portion 1b thereby supplying the anode voltage V H . 
     According to an arrangement of this invention as set forth above, since the vertical deflecting voltage is applied between a pair of the electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b composing the second deflecting system, the electron beam is vertically scanned on the fluorescent screen 2 by the electrostatic field generated therefrom. In this case, since this vertical deflecting voltage is also supplied to the fourth grid G 4 , the strength of the focusing action of the main electron lens of the bi-potential type formed by the fourth grid G 4  and the third grid G 3  to which the fixed voltage is applied is altered. Between both electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b is supplied a maximum voltage taking the deflecting plate 9b side as positive so that when the electron beam exists in the farthest vertical scanning position on the fluorescent screen 2 from the electron gun 4, a voltage difference between the fourth and third grids G 4 , and G 3  is made smallest and the focusing action of the main electron lens is weakened, thereby making the focus position farthest. On the contrary, when a maximum voltage, taking the deflecting plate 9a side as positive, is supplied therebetween so that the electron beam exists, on the fluorescent screen 2 in the nearest vertical scanning position from the electron gun 4, the voltage difference between the fourth and third grid G 4  and G 3  is made largest and the focusing action of the main electron lens is strengthened, thereby making the focus position nearest. As a result, a focus adjustment is carried out in synchronism with the vertical deflection so as to form a good beam spot on each vertical scanning position. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the relation between the vertical scanning position on the fluorescent screen 2 and the vertical deflecting voltage V def  and it is apparent that a satisfactory linearity is obtained. At that case, the anode voltage V H  is selected as 5.5 KV, the back electrode voltage V B  as 4.55 KV and a maximum deflection voltage to be applied between the deflecting plates 9a and 9b as 0.95 KV. In this case, the vertical deflecting signal voltage V def  and the vertical scanning position show a good linearity. However, should they not show proper linearity, if the waveform of the signal voltage V def  is changed to an appropriate one in accordance with the above, vertical scanning having a good linearity can be realized. 
     In accordance with the arrangement of this invention as described above, since the dynamic focusing (correction) is carried out together with the vertical deflection, it is not necessary to supply a particular focusing correction signal to, for example, the third grid G 3  and the arrangement thereof can be simplified. However, if a distance from a deflecting center of the second deflecting system of the electron beam, to a central portion with respect to the horizontal scanning direction on the fluorescent screen 2, is different from that of up to the peripheral portion, the dynamic focusing (correction) voltage with respect to the horizontal scanning direction is applied to the focusing electrode, for example, the third grid G 3  of the electron gun 4 so as to correct the difference thereof. 
     In the aforedescribed embodiment of the invention, the vertical deflecting voltage is applied to the terminal t 2 , that is, any one of a pair of the electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b and in other cases, such vertical deflecting voltage can be applied to both deflecting plates 9a and 9b, i.e., the terminals t 1  and t 2 . For example, if the V H  is selected as 5 KV, the V B  as 4 KV and the V def  as 250 V, to the terminals t 1  and t 2  are applied the signal voltages of 
     
         V.sub.B to (V.sub.B -1/2V.sub.def) and (V.sub.B -1/2V.sub.def) to V.sub.B each having contrary waveforms during the vertical period. 
    
     As seen in the above, according to this invention, it becomes possible to perform the vertical scanning accompanied by the focusing correction and in addition, although the electrode to which the high voltages are applied requires four electrodes of the target electrode 5, the back electrode 3 and the electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b, since the number of the terminals to be led out therefrom is reduced to three high voltage terminal t 1  to t 3  by the arrangement of this invention, it also becomes quite easy to lead out the high voltage terminals free from a problem of arc discharge. 
     Further, according to the aforedescribed arrangement of this invention, since the first deflecting system becomes the high voltage side to form an post-focusing type system and the second deflecting system to perform a main horizontal and vertical scanning forms a low-speed portion of the beam, the deflecting sensitivity can be raised and in this connection, there is an advantage that the deflecting voltage can be made smaller. 
     As seen in the above, if the inner pole pieces or electrostatic deflecting plates 9a and 9b perform the vertical horizontal deflections as the second deflecting system at the same position, there is further advantage that an availability of a space in the envelope can be raised, the deflecting centers of these are made nearer to the fluorescent screen side and the length of the envelope in the vertical scanning direction on the screen can be shortened if the deflecting angles thereof are made larger than the angle of narrow portion of panel. 
     Further, in the flat-type cathode ray tube according to this invention, with respect to the positional relation of the back electrode and the fluorescent screen, a modification becomes possible in which the back electrode may become the panel side and the fluorescent screen the funnel side, or the back electrode is taken as the transparent electrode and the screen may be observed from this transparent back electrode side. If so arranged, it is apparent that the aforedescribed modification will not depart from the patentable concepts of this invention.