1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an image display apparatus using electron-emitting devices.
2. Related Background Art
Flat panel type image display apparatuses have been vigorously being studied and developed as display apparatuses of images, characters, and the like. A large panel display screen size and high definition are demanded for the flat panel type-image display apparatuses.
In a PDP, an LCD, and an SED (surface conduction type electron-emitting device display) as flat panel type image display apparatuses, flat panel glass is used and a thickness of image display apparatus lies within a range from a few cm to tens of cm and is thinner than general CRTs. Although those display apparatuses are of the flat panel type, actually they have a warp of about a few mm or less which is caused due to a manufacturing processor the like. There is a case where a color variation and a luminance variation are caused by such a warp.
The image display apparatus in which such a warp occurred has been disclosed in for example, JP-A-2003-109528 and is shown in
As for the sub-pixels 32 provided for the face plate 30, a pitch between the sub-pixels 32 is set so that sizes of projection images onto the one surface of the rear plate 20 in the sub-pixels 32 are made coincident. Therefore, the projection image of the sub-pixel 32 is almost equal to the surface shape of the electron-emitting device 10 and is overlapped to the electron-emitting device 10. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the electron emitted from the adjacent electron-emitting device 10 from reaching, a blur of an image can be prevented, and color reproducibility can be improved.
There is a case where a temperature difference or the like occurs between the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 in a thermal process in the panel sealing step. Thus, there is a case where the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 which were almost flat surfaces before the panel sealing step are warped after that, so that the panel 104 is warped as illustrated in
There is also a case where the fear plate 101 or the face plate 102 is sealed and bonded in the panel sealing step by using a hot plate while being pressed, or the like. In the hot plate, there is a case where a slight warp is caused by a thermal distortion and the hot plate becomes a non-flat surface after the sealing step is repetitively executed.
In the panel in which such a temperature difference occurs or the panel which was sealed and bonded by the warped hot plate, a warp occurs and the panel becomes the non-flat surface. Such a warp becomes remarkable with an increase in panel size.
In the flat panel type display apparatus, there is a case where a spacer is interposed between the face plate and the rear plate so that a space between the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 is not broken by the atmospheric pressure. In the case of such a construction, since the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 are pressed to the spacer by the atmospheric pressure, a macroscopic radius of curvature of the whole rear plate 101 and that of the whole face plate 102 almost coincide.
It is now presumed the panel 104 in which the electron source pattern 105 and the phosphor pattern 106 are formed at the same size on the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 in the almost flat surface state, respectively, and the panel 104 is sealed and bonded so that a center position of the rear plate 101 and that of the face plate 102 coincide. An electron beam emitted from the electron-emitting device is irradiated in the direction of a normal line of the rear plate in the electron-emitting device. Therefore, if the panel is warped by the foregoing reasons, a difference of δ/2 occurs in each of both ends as shown in
In other words, a position of a center of gravity of phosphor which should inherently exist does not exist in the direction of a normal line of a position of a center of gravity of a certain electron-emitting device or apposition of a center of gravity of the emitted electron beam, so that a deviation occurs in an irradiating position of the electron beam to the face plate. Such a situation is illustrated in
When the electron beam is deflected by a deflecting voltage or the like, an ideal position of the center of gravity of phosphor is set in consideration of its deflection amount and a similar idea is used.
Although such a positional deviation due to the warp is small at the center of a display screen, it increases as a position approaches an outer position of the display screen. When the positional deviation is small, there is no problem as picture quality.
However, as the positional deviation amount increases, the electron beam is deviated from phosphor to be inherently irradiated by the electron beam, so that luminance decreases. Further, when the positional deviation increases, phosphor adjacent to phosphor to be inherently irradiated by the electron beam is irradiated, so that a color drift occurs in the case of a color television. Such a color drift becomes a typical problem with an increase in size of display screen.
The decrease in the luminance can be suppressed to a certain extent by increasing a size of phosphor to a value larger than abeam size. However, in the case of a high-definition display apparatus, the positional deviation becomes a remarkable problem.
As mentioned above, the positional deviation which is caused by the warp of the airtight container (panel) will become an important problem in association with the realization of a large screen size and high definition of the image display apparatus in the future.
According to the invention which solves the above problems, there is provided a display apparatus comprising
a first plate-shaped member having a plurality of electron-emitting devices which are dispersively distributed and
a second plate-shaped member having a plurality of light-emitting members arranged on a surface which faces the first plate-shaped member in correspondence to the plurality of electron-emitting devices,
in which in at least either the first plate-shaped member or the second plate-shaped member, directions of normal lines extending from the plurality of electron-emitting devices or the plurality of light-emitting members are distributed in a tendency,
wherein a pitch between at least a part of the electron-emitting devices and an electron-emitting device adjacent to the electron-emitting device and a pitch between a light-emitting member corresponding to the electron-emitting device and a light-emitting member adjacent to the light-emitting member are different so that an electron emitted from each of the plurality of electron-emitting devices is irradiated to each of the plurality of corresponding light-emitting members.
The following two methods of causing a difference between the relative pattern sizes can be mentioned.
The size of phosphor pattern denotes a distance between both ends of the phosphor pattern. The size of electron source pattern denotes a distance between both ends of the electron source.
Since an image is determined by the phosphor pattern, the method (1) is preferable. However, if the method (1) is difficult to be used depending on a manufacturing process or the like, the method (2) can be also used.
The following two methods of changing the size of pattern can be mentioned.
Even by changing the phosphor size and the electron source size, if no change appears in the luminance, the method (4) may be used. However, if a change occurs in the luminance, the method (3) is properly used.
To realize high definition or increase a relative positioning margin of the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 in the sealing step, it is desirable to select the methods (1) and (3).
Subsequently, the difference of the pattern sizes is quantitatively calculated from the warped shape of the panel 104.
In
Reference numeral 121 denotes a point C′ and 122 indicates a point D′. The points C′ and D′ are both ends of the phosphor pattern 108. Reference numeral 117 denotes a point C and 118 indicates a point D. The points C and D are points obtained by projecting the points C′ 121 and D′ 122 to the neutral plane 114 of the face plate. When a distance between the points C and D is assumed to be L, a distance between the points C′ and D′ is also equal to L. That is, the phosphor pattern 108 is formed so as to be longer (larger) than the electron source pattern 107 by δ.
Since a length of neutral plane of the rear plate 101 and a length of neutral plane of the face plate 102 are almost equal, an arc AB=L−δ and an arc CD=L. However, since the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 are warped, it is necessary to form them so that the electron-emitting device pitch and the phosphor pitch are made different. This point is expressed by the following equations.
where,
To eliminate the positional deviation, it is necessary that a point O and the points A′ and C′ are aligned on a straight line and, at the same time, the point O and the points B′ and D′ are aligned on a straight line. Assuming that a distance between the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 is equal to S, it is preferable that the following equation is satisfied.
Arc C′D′=arc A′B′×[1+S/(2R)]
The above calculations are executed. For simplicity of the calculations, it is assumed that each of T1, T2, and S is equal to about a few millimeter, δ is equal to or less than 1 mm, L is equal to about 1 m, and R is equal to about tens of meter and the term whose value is very small is ignored. Thus, the following result which is substantially correct is obtained.
δ=L[(T1+T2)/2+S]/R
where, [(T1+T2)/2+S] coincides with the distance between the neutral plane 113 of the rear plate 101 and the neutral plane 114 of the face plate 102. That is, assuming that the distance between the neutral plane 113 of the rear plate 101 and the neutral plane 114 of the face plate 102 is set to T,
δ=TL/R
Further, there is a relation of the following equation between the warp amount h and the radius of curvature.
R=L2/8h
The following equation is obtained by using the above equation.
δ=8Th/L
That is, it is sufficient to set the size of electron source pattern 107 to be smaller than the size of phosphor pattern 108 by δ. When expressing it in a manner of a reduced scale, it is sufficient to set the size of electron source pattern 107 to be K times as large as the size of phosphor pattern 108.
K=(L−δ)/L=(L−TL/R)/L=1−T/R
The phosphor pattern and the electron source pattern shown in
L=N×P
In
L−δ=N×p
Thus, it is sufficient to set p as follows.
p=P−δ/N=P−TL/NR
T denotes the distance between the neutral plane 113 of the rear plate 101 and the neutral plane 114 of the face plate 102. Therefore, the larger the substrate thickness of the rear plate 101 or the face plate 102 is, the larger a value of T is. The larger the distance between the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 is, the larger the value of T is. Consequently, in the FED type image display apparatus in which the distance between the rear plate 101 and the face plate 102 needs to be set to a value within a range of about 0.5 to 3 mm or more, the positional deviation due to the warp is large and the invention is very effective.
The larger the panel size is, the higher definition in the panel sealing process or the like is necessary and the more the warp amount increases. Therefore, a value of h/L increases with an increase in panel size L. Thus, the larger the panel size is, the more the invention becomes effective.
In the above embodiment, the flat panel type image display apparatus using the surface conduction type electron-emitting devices as an electron source has been shown. However, the invention is not limited to such an apparatus. A similar effect is also obtained in a flat panel type image display apparatus using field emission type electron-emitting devices or the like as an electron source, a PDP, or the like.
In
The length L of phosphor pattern 108 is equal to 787.2 mm. The electron source pattern 107 has to be formed so as to be smaller than the length of phosphor pattern by δ in consideration of the positional deviation due to the warp. The electron source is constructed by a plurality of surface conduction type electron-emitting devices. When δ is calculated, it is equal to 49 μm. Therefore, the electron source pattern 107 is formed so that its length is equal to 787.151 mm. The phosphor pitch P is set to 205 μm. Therefore, when the panel is sealed and bonded so that the positional deviation does not occur at the center of the phosphor pattern 108, a positional deviation of 24.5 μm occurs at both ends of the phosphor pattern 108. Non-light emitting regions each having a width of 30 μm and called a black matrix are formed among a plurality of light-emitting members although not shown. Therefore, in the display apparatus which does not use the invention, a bombarding position of the electron beam is deviated, the electron beam is bombarded to the non-light emitting region, and the luminance decreases. However, the good image can be obtained by taking the countermeasure of the invention.
In
In the zone 1, since there is no radius of curvature, when the positional deviation due to the warp occurs, the positional deviation amounts are equal in the zone 1.
Since the panel shape as mentioned above has previously been known by the heating temperature characteristics of the sealing apparatus, the pattern which eliminates the positional deviation is prepared.
A length of phosphor pattern 208 is set to L=787.2 mm. On the other hand, in order to decide a length of electron source pattern 207, δ1, δ2, and δ3 in the zones 1, 2, and 3 are obtained.
δ1=0 mm. δ2=11.5 μm when the radius of curvature of 100 m is used for the length of about 262 mm. δ3=19.2 μm when the radius of curvature of 60 m is used for the length of about 262 mm.
The electron source pattern is constructed by 7680 electron-emitting devices (not shown). In
That is, the positional deviation can be eliminated by allocating the electron source pattern 207 having three pattern pitches of the zones 1, 2, and 3 to the phosphor pattern 208 having a predetermined pattern pitch.
Finally, it is sufficient to form the electron source pattern 207 so as to be smaller than the phosphor pattern by 31 μm. Therefore, the length of electron source pattern 207 is equal to 787.169 mm.
The electron-emitting devices are the surface conduction electron-emitting devices.
The phosphor pitch is set to 102.5 μm. When the same electron source pattern as the phosphor pattern is used without considering the positional deviation, if the panel is sealed and bonded so that no positional deviation occurs at the center of the phosphor pattern 208, the positional deviation of 15.5 μm has occurred at each of both ends of the phosphor pattern 208. The non-light emitting regions (not shown) each having a width of 12 μm and called a black matrix are formed among a plurality of light-emitting members. Therefore, in the display apparatus which does not use the invention a bombarding position of the electron beam is deviated, the electron beam is bombarded to the adjacent light-emitting member, and the decrease in luminance and the color drift occur. However, the good image can be obtained by taking the countermeasure of the invention.
By measuring a 3-dimensional shape, it has been found that the panel has an almost spherical shape whose radius of curvature is equal to about 85 m (R=85 m). Such a shape has been presumed by the sealing process, mainly, by the heating temperature characteristics of the sealing apparatus.
Since the panel has the convex shape in the direction directing from the face plate 302 to the rear plate 301, an electron source pattern which is formed on the rear plate 301 has to be larger than a phosphor pattern which is formed on the face plate 302.
According to the above examination, Lx is equal to 985.9 mm, an X-directional pitch Px of the electron-emitting devices 324 is equal to 0.514 mm, Ly is equal to 554.6 mm, a Y-directional pitch Py of the electron-emitting devices 324 is equal to 0.514 mm. Thus, δx=41.8 μm and δy=23.5 μm.
Therefore, the electron source pattern 307 is not made coincident with the phosphor pattern 308 but the length Lx in the X direction is set to 985.942 mm which is larger by 41.8 μm and the length Ly in the Y direction is set to 554.624 mm which is larger by 23.5 μm.
The electron-emitting devices are the surface conduction electron-emitting devices.
When the image is displayed onto the panel, the good image without decrease in luminance can be obtained.
Although the invention has been described above with respect to the embodiments, the invention is not limited to them. For example, as for the convex shape in each embodiment, when the convex shape directing from the rear plate to the face plate is changed to the convex shape directing from the face plate to the rear plate, it can be realized by replacing the relation between the electron-emitting device pitch and the phosphor pitch. Similarly, when the convex shape directing from the face plate to the rear plate is changed to the convex shape directing from the rear plate to the face plate, it can be realized by replacing the relation between the electron-emitting device pitch and the phosphor pitch.
As described above, according to the invention, by changing the sizes of the phosphor pattern and the rear plate pattern or by changing the pattern pitch, the relative positional deviation due to the warp is eliminated and the image forming apparatus without the luminance variation and the color drift can be manufactured.
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-379827filed on Dec. 28, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2004-379827 | Dec 2004 | JP | national |
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5811928 | Hill | Sep 1998 | A |
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5-174742 | Jul 1993 | JP |
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8-171875 | Jul 1996 | JP |
2003-109528 | Apr 2003 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20060138934 A1 | Jun 2006 | US |