Patent Publication Number: US-2012026073-A1

Title: Plasma display apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a plasma display device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The plasma display device (PDP device) has a plasma display panel (PDP) and a driver unit driving the PDP. The PDP is formed of two glass plates (a front glass plate and a back glass plate) adhered to each other and displays an image by generating a discharge in a space (discharge space) formed between the glass plates. Cells corresponding to pixels in an image are self-luminescence type, and phosphors which emit red, green, and blue visible lights under an ultraviolet ray generated by discharge are applied to the cells. 
     For example, a PDP having a three-electrode structure displays an image by generating a sustain discharge between an X electrode and a Y electrode. A cell generating the sustain discharge (cell to be lighted) is selected for example by selectively generating an address discharge between the Y electrode and an address electrode. 
     Further, the driver unit has a driver circuit which applies voltages to the X electrode, the Y electrode and the address electrode. In this type of PDP device, the driver circuit is coupled to each electrode with a flexible board (flexible cable) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In general, the driver circuit is disposed on a back side of the PDP. Accordingly, the flexible cable extending outward from a circumference part of the PDP is folded back in a U shape to be coupled to the driver circuit. 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-301317  
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     In the structure in which the flexible cable is folded back, it is possible that the coupling state becomes unstable (a non-coupled state, disconnection) in a connection part of the electrode and the flexible cable due to a force of the flexible cable to turn back to the original shape. In short, in this type of PDP device, disconnection may occur between the PDP and the driver circuit. Further, it is necessary to secure a space for bending the flexible cable gently to prevent the flexible cable itself from being disconnected. Accordingly, the size (thickness, width, and so on) of the PDP device relative to the PDP becomes large, and manufacturing costs increase. 
     A proposition of the present invention is to prevent disconnection between the PDP and the driver circuit to improve reliability of the PDP device. Further, a proposition of the present invention is to provide a thin PDP device. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     A plasma display device has a plasma display panel (PDP), a first driver circuit, and a first flexible cable. The PDP has a first plate on which a plurality of first and second electrodes extending in a first direction are provided and a second plate facing the first plate via a discharge space. Here, the first driver circuit is a circuit which applies a voltage to the first electrodes. Further, the first flexible cable has one end coupled to the first electrodes in a circumference part of the plasma display panel, and has the other end coupled to the first driver circuit inside a circumference of the plasma display panel without folding back the first flexible cable. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     The present invention enables to prevent disconnection between a PDP and a driver circuit, and thus reliability of a PDP device can be improved. Further, the present invention enables to provide a thin PDP device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view showing a PDP device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a view showing a main part of a PDP shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an overview of a circuit unit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing an example of states of flexible cables seen from a side opposite to an image display surface. 
         FIG. 5  is a view showing an overview of a side face of the PDP device along a first direction seen from a direction opposite to a side where an address driver shown in  FIG. 4  is disposed. 
         FIG. 6  is a view showing an overview of a side face of the PDP device along a second direction seen from a side where a Y driver shown in  FIG. 4  is disposed. 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing an example of a cross section along the first direction in the vicinity of a connection part of a flexible cable for Y electrode and a Y electrode shown in FIG.  5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing an example of a modification of the PDP shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing an overview of a side face along the second direction in a PDP device using the PDP shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the present invention. A plasma display device (hereinafter also referred to as a PDP device) has a plasma display panel  10  (hereinafter also referred to as PDP) having a quadrangle plate shape, an optical filter  20  provided on the side of an image display surface  16  (light output side) of the PDP  10 , a front case  30  disposed on the side of the image display surface  16  of the PDP  10 , a rear case  40  and a base chassis  50  disposed on the side of a rear face  18  of the PDP  10 , a circuit unit  60  fixed to the side of the rear case  40  of the base chassis  50  for driving the PDP  10 , and a double-faced adhesive sheet  70  for adhering the PDP  10  to the base chassis  50 . The circuit unit  60  is made up of plural components and therefore illustrated as a dashed line box in the diagram. Incidentally, the circuit unit  60  is coupled electrically to the PDP  10  with not-shown flexible cables (for example, flexible cables XFC, YFC, and AFC shown in  FIG. 4  described later). 
     The PDP  10  is made up of a front plate part  12  (first plate) forming the image display surface  16  and a back plate part  14  (second plate) facing the front plate part  12 . Not shown discharge spaces (cells) are formed between the front plate part  12  and the back plate part  14 . The front plate part  12  and the back plate part  14  are formed of a glass plate for example. The optical filter  20  is adhered to a protection glass (not shown) fixed to an opening part  32  of the front case  30 . Incidentally, the optical filter  20  may have a function to shield against electromagnetic waves. Further, the optical filter  20  may be adhered directly to the side of the image display surface  16  of the PDP  10  instead of the protection glass. 
       FIG. 2  shows details of a main part of the PDP  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . An arrow D 1  in the diagram denotes a first direction D 1 , and an arrow D 2  denotes a second direction D 2  orthogonal to the first direction D 1  in a plane parallel to the image display surface. As described above, discharge spaces DS are formed between the front plate part  12  and the back plate part  14  (more specifically, in a dent part of the back plate part  14 ). 
     The front plate part  12  has a plurality of X bus electrodes Xb and Y bus electrodes Yb, which are provided to extend in the first direction D 1  on a plane (lower side in the view) of a glass base FS that faces a glass base RS and disposed at intervals from each other. Further, X transparent electrodes Xt extending in the second direction D 2  from the X bus electrodes Xb to the Y bus electrodes Yb are coupled to the X bus electrodes Xb. Y transparent electrodes Yt extending in the second direction D 2  from the Y bus electrodes Yb to the X bus electrodes Xb are coupled to the Y bus electrodes Yb. In the shown example, the X transparent electrodes Xt and the Y transparent electrodes Yt are facing each other along the second direction D 2 . 
     For example, the X bus electrodes Xb and the Y bus electrodes Yb are opaque electrodes formed of a metal material or the like, and the X transparent electrodes Xt and the Y transparent electrodes Yt are transparent electrodes transmitting a visible light, which are formed of an ITO film or the like. X electrodes XE (second electrodes (or first electrodes), sustain electrodes) are formed of the X bus electrodes Xb and the X transparent electrodes Xt, and Y electrodes YE (first electrodes (or second electrodes), scan electrodes) are formed of the Y bus electrodes Yb and the Y transparent electrodes Yt and are paired with the X electrodes XE. A discharge (sustain discharge) is generated repeatedly between the X electrodes XE and the Y electrodes YE (more specifically, between the X transparent electrodes Xt and the Y transparent electrodes Yt) which are paired with each other. 
     Incidentally, the transparent electrodes Xt and Yt may be disposed on the entire surface between the glass base FS and the bus electrodes Xb and Yb to which the transparent electrodes Xt and Yt are coupled respectively. Further, the electrodes integrated with the bus electrodes Xb and Yb may be formed instead of the transparent electrodes Xt and Yt with the same material (metal material or the like) as the bus electrodes Xb and Yb 
     The electrodes Xb, Xt, Yb, and Yt are covered with a dielectric layer DL. For example, the dielectric layer DL is an insulating film of a silicon dioxide film or the like formed by a CVD method. On the dielectric layer DL (on a lower side in the view), a plurality of address electrodes AE (third electrodes) extending in a direction orthogonal to the bus electrodes Xb, Yb (second direction D 2 ) are provided. Thus, in the PDP in this embodiment, the electrodes XE, YE extending in the first direction D 1  and the address electrodes AE extending in the second direction D 2  are provided on the front plate part  12 . 
     The address electrodes AE and the dielectric layer DL are covered with a protective layer PL. For example, the protective layer PL is formed of an MgO film with a high emission characteristic of secondary electrons due to collision of positive ions, so that the discharge can be generated easily. 
     The back plate part  14  facing the front plate part  12  via the discharge spaces DS has barrier ribs (barrier ribs) BR formed in parallel with each other on the glass base RS and extending in the direction orthogonal to the bus electrodes Xb, Yb (second direction D 2 ). That is, the barrier ribs BR are provided on a plane of the glass base RS that faces the glass base FS, extend in the second direction D 2  intersecting the first direction D 1 , and are disposed at intervals. The barrier ribs BR form side walls of the cells. Moreover, phosphors PHr, PHg, and PHb emitting visible lights of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) as a result of being excited by an ultraviolet ray are applied on side faces of the barrier ribs BR and on the glass base RS between the barrier ribs BR adjacent to each other. 
     One pixel of the PDP  10  is made up of three cells emitting red, green and blue lights. Here, one cell (pixel with one color) is formed of a region surrounded by bus electrodes Xb, Yb and barrier ribs BR. Thus, the PDP  10  is structured by arranging cells for displaying an image in a matrix form, and alternately arranging several types of cells emitting lights of different colors from each other. Although not shown particularly, the cells formed along the bus electrodes Xb, Yb make up display lines. 
     The PDP  10  is formed by adhering the front plate part  12  and the back plate part  14  to each other so that the protective layer PL and the barrier ribs BR contact each other, and encapsulating a discharge gas such as Ne, Xe, or the like in the discharge spaces DS. 
       FIG. 3  shows an overview of the circuit unit  60  shown in  FIG. 1 . The circuit unit  60  has a control unit CNT, an X driver XDRV (second driver circuit (or first driver circuit)), a Y driver YDRV (first driver circuit (or second driver circuit)), an address driver ADRV (third driver circuit) and a power supply unit PWR. The power supply unit PWR generates power supply voltages −Vsc, Vs/2, −Vs/2, and Vsa, and so on to be supplied to the drivers YDRV, XDRV, and ADRV. 
     The control unit CNT controls operations of the drivers XDRV, YDRV, and ADRV. For example, the control unit CNT selects subfields to be used based on image data R 0 - 7 , G 0 - 7 , B 0 - 7 , and outputs control signals YCNT, XCNT, and ACNT to the drivers YDRV, XDRV, and ADRV. Here, subfields are fields divided from one field for displaying one screen of the PDP  10 , and the number of times of sustain discharge is set for each subfield. By selecting subfields to be used for every cell forming a pixel, an image with multiple gradations is displayed. For example, a subfield is formed including an address period to select a cell to be lighted (cell in which the sustain discharge is generated), a sustain period to generate the sustain discharge in the cell selected in the address period, and the like. 
     In this embodiment, the drivers XDRV, YDRV, and ADRV are electrically coupled to the electrodes XE, YE, and AE, respectively, with flexible cables XFC, YFC, and AFC shown in  FIG. 4  described later. The drivers XDRV, YDRV, and ADRV operate as a driver unit to drive the PDP  10 . 
     For example, the X driver XDRV applies the voltages −Vs/2, Vs/2 (negative and positive sustain pulses) to the X electrodes XE alternately in the sustain period. Further, the Y driver YDRV applies the voltages Vs/2, −Vs/2 (positive and negative sustain pulses), having polarities different from the voltages applied to the X electrodes XE, to the Y electrodes YE alternately in the sustain period, and applies the voltage −Vsc (scan pulse) to the Y electrodes YE selectively in the address period. The address driver ADRV applies the voltage Vsa (address pulse) to the address electrodes AE selectively in the address period. 
     In a cell selected by the scan pulse and the address pulse, a discharge (address discharge) is generated temporarily between the Y electrode YE and the address electrode AE. Thus, in the address period, a cell to be lighted in the sustain period is selected. Further, in the sustain period, the sustain pulses having different polarities from each other are applied repeatedly to the X electrodes XE and the Y electrodes YE, thereby performing a discharge (sustain discharge) repeatedly in the cell lighted in the sustain period. 
       FIG. 4  shows an example of states of flexible cables XFC, YFC, and AFC seen from a side (lower side in  FIG. 1 ) opposite to the image display surface. Arrows in the view have the same meaning as in  FIG. 2  described above. Incidentally, in  FIG. 4 , illustrations of the optical filter  20 , the front case  30 , the rear case  40 , and so on shown in  FIG. 1  described above are omitted. Now, for example, a flexible cable YFC for Y electrode (first (or second) flexible cable), a flexible cable XFC for X electrode (second (or first) flexible cable) and a flexible cable AFC for address electrode (third flexible cable) are deformable wires, which are wires of metal material formed on a base film and each have a wiring portion except a connection part to be coupled to another component or the like being covered with a protective film. 
     The circuit unit  60  is fixed to a back side (the rear case  40  side shown in  FIG. 1  described above) of the base chassis  50  inside edge parts of the back plate part  14 , and the edge parts of the back plate part  14  are located more inside than edge parts of the front plate part  12 . For example, the Y electrodes YE are drawn out to the vicinity of an edge part (the circumference part OT on a left side in  FIG. 4 ) along the second direction D 2  of the front plate part  12 , and the X electrodes XE are drawn out to the vicinity of an edge part (the circumference part OT on a right side in  FIG. 4 ) opposite to the edge part of the front plate part  12  to which the Y electrodes YE are drawn out. Further, the address electrodes AE are drawn out to the vicinity of an edge part (the circumference part OT on a lower side in  FIG. 4 ) along the first direction D 1  of the front plate part  12 . 
     As explained with  FIG. 1  described above, the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode, the flexible cable XFC for X electrode and the flexible cable AFC for address electrode are coupling the circuit unit  60  to the PDP  10  electrically. For example, one ends of the flexible cables XFC, YFC, and AFC are coupled to the electrodes XE, YE, and AE, respectively, in the circumference parts OT of the PDP  10 , and the other ends of the flexible cables XFC, YFC, and AFC are coupled to the drivers XDRV, YDRV, and ADRV, respectively, inside the circumference of the PDP  10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an overview of a side face of the PDP device along the first direction D 1  seen from a direction opposite to the side where the address driver ADRV shown in  FIG. 4  is disposed. An arrow in the view has the same meaning as in  FIG. 2  described above. Incidentally, in  FIG. 4 , illustrations of the optical filter  20 , the front case  30 , the rear case  40 , and so on shown in  FIG. 1  described above are omitted. 
     Connection parts YCT 1  which are end parts of the Y electrodes YE drawn out to the vicinity of the edge part of the front plate part  12  are coupled to connection parts YCT 2  provided on one end of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode. Connection parts YCT 3  provided on the other end of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode are coupled to the Y driver YDRV inside the circumference of the PDP  10  without folding back the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode. Specifically, the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode is arranged with the end part on which the connection parts YCT 2  are provided being directed outward, and provided to extend from the connection parts YCT 2  to the Y driver YDRV provided inside the PDP  10  without being folded back in a U shape outside the PDP  10  (outside connection parts of the connection parts YCT 1  and the connection parts YCT 2 ). 
     In this embodiment, since the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode is not folded back in a U shape, forces operating on the connection parts YCT 1  and the connection parts YCT 2  in directions to depart from each other can be reduced, and thereby it is possible to prevent coupling of the connection parts YCT 1  and the connection parts YCT 2  from becoming unstable (a non-coupled state). Further, in this embodiment, since the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode is not folded back in a U shape, disconnection of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode can be prevented. In short, in this embodiment, disconnection between the connection parts YCT 1  of the Y electrodes YE and the Y driver YDRV can be prevented, and reliability of the PDP device can be improved. 
     Connection parts XCT 1  which are end parts of the X electrodes XE drawn out to the vicinity of the edge part of the front plate part  12  are coupled to connection parts XCT 2  provided on one end of the flexible cable XFC for X electrode. Further, connection parts XCT 3  provided on the other end of the flexible cable XFC for X electrode are coupled to the X driver XDRV inside the circumference of the PDP  10  without folding back the flexible cable XFC for X electrode. 
     In this embodiment, since the flexible cable XFC for X electrode is not folded back in a U shape, forces operating on the connection parts XCT 1  and the connection parts XCT 2  in directions to depart from each other can be reduced, and thereby it is possible to prevent coupling of the connection parts XCT 1  and the connection parts XCT 2  from becoming unstable (a non-coupled state). Further, in this embodiment, since the flexible cable XFC for X electrode is not folded back in a U shape, disconnection of the flexible cable XFC for X electrode can be prevented. In short, in this embodiment, disconnection between the connection parts XCT 1  of the X electrodes XE and the X driver XDRV can be prevented, and reliability of the PDP device can be improved. 
     Further, when focusing attention to the size of the PDP device, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to secure a thickness for folding back the flexible cables XFC, YFC in a U shape, and thus the thickness of the circumference of the edge parts along the second direction D 2  of the PDP device can be reduced. Moreover, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to secure a space for folding back the flexible cables XFC, YFC in a U shape outside the PDP  10 , and thus the size of the PDP device (for example, the size in the first direction D 1  of the PDP device) can be made small. In short, in this embodiment, since the size of the PDP device can be made small, manufacturing costs of the cases  30 ,  40 , and so on shown in  FIG. 1  described above can be reduced. 
     Incidentally, the drivers XDRV, YDRV are fixed to a back side (lower side in  FIG. 5 ) of the base chassis  50  inside the edge parts of the back plate part  14  with installation members FT (screws for example). Further, the connection parts XTC 3 , YCT 3  are coupled to the drivers XDRV, YDRV with a not shown connector or the like. 
       FIG. 6  shows an overview of a side face of the PDP device along the second direction D 2  seen from a side where the Y driver YDRV shown in  FIG. 4  is disposed. An arrow in the view has the same meaning as in  FIG. 2  described above. Incidentally, in  FIG. 6 , illustrations of the optical filter  20 , the front case  30 , and the rear case  40  shown in  FIG. 1  described above and the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode and so on shown in  FIG. 4  are omitted. 
     Connection parts ACT 1  which are end parts of the address electrodes AE drawn out to the vicinity of the edge part of the front plate part  12  are coupled to connection parts ACT 2  provided on one end of the flexible cable AFC for address electrode. Connection parts ACT 3  provided on the other end of the flexible cable AFC for address electrode are coupled to the address driver ADRV inside the circumference of the PDP  10  without folding back the flexible cable AFC for address electrode. Specifically, the flexible cable AFC for address electrode is coupled to the address driver ADRV without being folded back at a corner of the back plate part  14 . Accordingly, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a disconnection preventing material or the like (for example, a disconnection preventing material DCP shown in  FIG. 9  described later) for preventing disconnection of the flexible cable AFC for address electrode at the corner of the back plate part  14 . Consequently, in this embodiment, manufacturing costs of the PDP device can be reduced. 
     Further, in this embodiment, since the flexible cable AFC for address electrode is not folded back in a U shape, forces operating on the connection parts ACT 1  and the connection parts ACT 2  in directions to depart from each other can be reduced, and thereby it is possible to prevent coupling of the connection parts ACT 1  and the connection parts ACT 2  from becoming unstable (a non-coupled state). Further, in this embodiment, since the flexible cable AFC for address electrode is not folded back in a U shape, disconnection of the flexible cable AFC for address electrode can be prevented. In short, in this embodiment, disconnection between the connection parts XCT 1  of the X electrodes XE and the X driver XDRV can be prevented, and reliability of the PDP device can be improved. 
     Further, when focusing attention to the size of the PDP device, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to secure a thickness for folding back the flexible cable AFC for address electrode in a U shape, and thus the thickness of the circumference of the edge parts along the first direction D 1  of the PDP device can be reduced. Moreover, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to secure a space for folding back the flexible cable AFC for address electrode in a U shape outside the PDP  10 , and thus the size of the PDP device (for example, the size in the second direction D 2  of the PDP device) can be made small. In short, in this embodiment, since the size of the PDP device can be made small, manufacturing costs of the cases  30 ,  40 , and so on shown in  FIG. 1  described above can be reduced. 
     Incidentally, the address driver ADRV is fixed to the back side (lower side in  FIG. 6 ) of the base chassis  50  inside the edge parts of the back plate part  14  with installation members FT (screws for example). Further, the connection parts ACT 3  are coupled to the address driver ADRV with a not shown connector or the like. 
       FIG. 7  shows an example of a cross section along the first direction D 1  in the vicinity of the connection part of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode and a Y electrode YE shown in  FIG. 5  described above. Incidentally,  FIG. 7  shows a cross section of a position where a bus electrode Yb shown in  FIG. 2  described above is disposed. An arrow in the view has the same meaning as in  FIG. 2  described above. 
     The flexible cable YFC for Y electrode has, as explained with  FIG. 4  described above, a base film FL 1 , wires ML formed on the base film FL 1 , and a protective film FL 2  covering the wires ML except the connection parts YCT 2  (connection parts YCT 3  shown in  FIG. 5  described above). An end part of the protective film FL 2  of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode on the side of the connection parts YCT 2  is located more inside than the connection parts YCT 2 , so as to expose the connection parts YCT 2  to the outside of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode. Further, the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode is arranged with the end part on which the connection parts YCT 2  are provided being directed outward as explained with  FIG. 5  described above. 
     Further, edge parts of the dielectric layer DL, the protective layer PL and the glass base RS on the side of the connection parts YCT 1  are located more inside than the connection parts YCT 1 , so as to expose the connection parts YCT 1  to the outside of the PDP  10 . The connection parts YCT 1  are coupled to the connection parts YCT 2  with solders SD or the like. Incidentally, a cross section along the first direction D 1  in the vicinity of the connection part of the flexible cable XFC for X electrode and an X electrode XE is substantially the same as the cross section along the first direction D 1  in the vicinity of the connection part of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode and a Y electrode YE. 
     Moreover, a cross section along the second direction D 2  in the vicinity of the connection part of the flexible cable AFC for address electrode and an address electrode AE is substantially the same as the cross section along the first direction D 1  in the vicinity of the connection part of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode and a Y electrode YE. Incidentally, since the connection parts ACT 1  of the address electrodes AE are formed on the dielectric layer DL, edge parts of the protective layer PL and the glass base RS on the side of the connection parts ACT 1  are located more inside than the connection parts ACT 1 . 
     As described above, in this embodiment, the connection parts XCT 3 , YCT 3 , and ACT 3  of the respective flexible cables XFC, YFC, and AFC are coupled to the respective drivers XDRV, YDRV, and ADRV without folding back the flexible cables XFC, YFC, and AFC. Accordingly, in this embodiment, disconnection between the connection parts XCT 1 , YCT 1 , and ACT 1  of the respective electrodes XE, YE, and AE and the respective drivers XDRV, YDRV, and ADRV can be prevented, and reliability of the PDP device can be improved. Moreover, in this embodiment, since it is not necessary to secure a thickness or space for folding back the flexible cables XFC, YFC, and AFC, the thickness of the PDP device can be reduced, and the size of the PDP device can be made small. That is, in this embodiment, a thin-type PDP device can be provided. Further, in this embodiment, since the size of the PDP device relative to the PDP  10  can be made small, manufacturing costs can be lowered. 
     Note that the above-described embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which one pixel is made up of three cells (red (R), green (G), blue (B)). The present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, one pixel may be formed of four or more cells. Alternatively, one pixel may be formed of cells producing colors other than red (R), green (G), blue (B), and one pixel may include a cell producing a color other than red (R), green (G), blue (B). 
     The above-described embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the second direction D 2  is orthogonal to the first direction D 1 . The present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, the second direction D 2  may intersect the first direction D 1  in a substantially orthogonal direction (for example, 90 degrees ±5 degrees). Also in this case, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. 
     The above-described embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the Y driver YDRV is coupled to the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode with a connector or the like. The present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, the Y driver YDRV may be provided integrally with the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode on the base film FL 1  of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode. Similarly, the drivers XDRV, ADRV may be provided integrally with the flexible cables XFC, AFC, respectively, on the base film FL 1  of the flexible cables XFC, AFC. 
     In this case, the PDP device has, for example, a flexible printed circuit board on which the Y driver YDRV and the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode are provided integrally. Incidentally, an end part of the flexible printed circuit board on which the Y driver YDRV is not provided is an end part (one end of the flexible cable) on which the connection parts YCT 2  of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode shown in  FIG. 5  described above are provided. Connection parts of the Y driver YDRV of the flexible printed circuit board and the wires ML of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode correspond to the connection parts YCT 3  of the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode shown in  FIG. 5 . Also in this case, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. 
     The above-described embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the connection parts ACT 1  of the address electrodes AE are provided in the vicinity of one edge part (the circumference part OT on the left side in  FIG. 6  described above) out of two edge parts along the first direction D 1  of the front plate part  12 . The present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, the connection parts ACT 1  of the address electrodes AE may be provided in the vicinities of both the edge parts (the left and right circumference parts OT in  FIG. 6 ) along the first direction D 1  of the front plate part  12 . Alternatively, the address electrodes AE on which the connection parts ACT 1  are provided in the vicinity of the one edge part and the address electrodes AE on which the connection parts ACT 1  are provided in the vicinity of the other edge part may be mixed. Also in this case, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. 
     The above-described embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the X driver XDRV applies the voltages −Vs/2, Vs/2 alternately to the X electrodes XE. The present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, the X electrodes XE may be kept at ground voltage GND. In this case, for example, the Y driver YDRV applies the voltages Vs, −Vs alternately to the Y electrodes YE in the sustain period. In a PDP device in which the X electrodes XE are kept at the ground voltage GND, the X driver XDRV and the flexible cable XFC for X electrode may be omitted from the structure shown in  FIG. 4  described above. In this case, the ground voltage GND is supplied from a ground line or the like of the PDP  10  to the X electrodes XE. 
     Specifically, the PDP device has a first driver circuit (for example, the Y driver YDRV) driving first electrodes as one electrodes out of electrodes XE, YE (for example, the Y electrodes YE), and a first flexible cable (for example, the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode) coupling the first electrodes to the first driver circuit electrically. Incidentally, the first flexible cable (for example, the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode) is coupled to the first driver circuit (for example, the Y driver YDRV) without being folded back as explained in the above-described embodiment. Also in this case, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. 
     The above-described embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the address electrodes AE are provided on the front plate part  12 . The present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the address electrodes AE may be provided on the back plate part  14 .  FIG. 8  shows an example of a modification of the PDP  10  shown in  FIG. 2  described above. Arrows in the view have the same meaning as in  FIG. 2  described above. In the structure of  FIG. 8 , the plurality of address electrodes AE extending in the second direction D 2  are provided on a plane of the glass base RS that faces the glass base FS, and is covered with a dielectric layer DL 2 . Barrier ribs BR are then formed on the dielectric layer DL 2 . In this case, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a flexible cable AFC 2  for address electrode is folded back in a U shape outside the circumference of the PDP  10  and coupled to the address driver ADRV. 
       FIG. 9  shows an overview of a side face along the second direction D 2  in a PDP device using the PDP  10  shown in  FIG. 8 . An arrow in the view has the same meaning as in  FIG. 2  described above. Incidentally, in  FIG. 9 , illustrations of the optical filter  20 , the front case  30 , and the rear case  40  shown in  FIG. 1  described above and the flexible cable YFC for Y electrode and so on shown in  FIG. 4  described above are omitted. The structure in  FIG. 9  is the same as that in the  FIG. 6  described above except the structure in the vicinity of end parts of the address electrodes AE. That is, the structure of a surrounding part of the flexible cables XFC, YFC is the same as that in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 7  described above. 
     Connection parts ACT 4  which are end parts of the address electrodes AE drawn out to the vicinity of the edge part (circumference part OT) of the back plate part  14  are coupled to connection parts ACTS provided on one end of the flexible cable AFC 2  for address electrode. Incidentally, for example, the flexible cable AFC 2  for address electrode is arranged with the end part coupled to the address electrodes AE being directed toward an inner peripheral side of the PDP  10  because the address electrodes AE are provided on the back plate part  14  (more specifically, on the glass base RS). Accordingly, connection parts ACT 3  provided on the other side of the flexible cable AFC 2  for address electrode are coupled to the address driver ADRV with the flexible cable AFC 2  for address electrode being folded back in a U shape outside the circumference of the PDP  10 . 
     Further, between the flexible cable AFC 2  for address electrode and a side face of the back plate part  14 , a disconnection preventing material DCP (for example, silicone) is provided so as to prevent the flexible cable AFC 2  for address electrode from being disconnected at a corner of the back plate part  14 . Incidentally, an edge part of the front plate part  12  on the side of the connection parts ACT 4  is located more inside than the connection parts ACT 4  so as to expose the connection parts ACT 4  to the outside of the PDP  10 . In other words, an edge part of the back plate part  14  on the side of the connection parts ACT 4  is located more outside than the edge part of the front plate part  12 . Incidentally, an edge part of the back plate part  14  on which the connection parts ACT 4  are not provided may be at the same position as an edge part of the front plate part  12 . 
     Also in the structure of  FIG. 9  ( FIG. 8 ), for example, the connection parts XCT 3 , YCT 3  of the respective flexible cables XFC, YFC are coupled to the respective drivers XDRV, YDRV without folding back the flexible cables XFC, YFC. Thus, disconnection between the connection parts XCT 1 , YCT 1  of the respective electrodes XE, YE and the respective drivers XDRV, YDRV is prevented, and reliability of the PDP device improves. Further, also in this case, the thickness in the vicinity of the edge part along the second direction D 2  of the PDP device can be reduced, and the size of the PDP device (for example, the size in the first direction D 1  of the PDP device) can be made small. Specifically, also in this case, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained except the effect by the flexible cable AFC for address electrode of the above-described embodiment. 
     In the foregoing, the present invention has been described in detail, but the above-described embodiment and modification examples thereof are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to them. It is obvious that the present invention can be modified within a range not departing from the invention. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention can be applied to a plasma display device.