Electron Gun Structure

This invention relates to an electron gun structure having a plurality of electron lenses along the electron beam path.

A color cathode ray tube is provided with an electron gun for generating three electron beams which excite three respective color phosphors on a screen. A well known electron gun structure is an in-line type which generates three parallel electron beams within a plane. Each of the electron gun units of this structure is contained within a united body. FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawing shows one example of an in-line type gun widely used in color cathode ray tubes. The electron gun structure 10 includes three electron units 11, each comprising a cathode 2 including filament 1, a first grid electrode 3, a second grid electrode 4, a third grid electrode 5, and a fourth grid electrode 6. All of the grid electrodes are common to the gun units, for example, the first grid electrode 3 is common to gun units 11. A main electrostatic lens 7 is formed, respectively, in each electrode gun unit 11 between the third grid electrode 5 and the fourth grid electrode 6. The third grid electrode 5 is a can-type electrode consisting of two cup-shaped metal members joined together at their open ends. Each surface of electrode 5 comprises three openings; a center electron gun axis Z.sub.G is aligned with the center opening, while side electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R are aligned with the respective side openings. Reference numerals 5.sub.B, 5.sub.R and 5.sub.G designate the three openings of electrode 5 which face fourth grid electrode 6. Grid electrode 6 is made of a cup-shaped metal member having three axial openings 6.sub.B, 6.sub.G, and 6.sub.R. The center of opening 6.sub.G coincides with the center electron gun axis Z.sub.G, while the center of both side openings 6.sub.B and 6.sub.R are offset from the respective side electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R.

As well known, the three electron beams generated must converge for proper color purity. In some prior art devices, this convergence may be obtained by inwardly tilting both side electron gun axes. However, tilting of the side electron gun axes results in imprecision of the gun assembly. Consequently, the structure of FIG. 1 relies upon another prior art method for convergence. Namely, the center electron beam 8 follows a straight path, coincident with the electron gun axis Z.sub.G through opening 5.sub.G of the third grid electrode and opening 6.sub.G of the fourth grid electrode. On the other hand, each side electron beam 8.sub.B and 8.sub.R will deflect or bend inwardly toward the center of the screen since the respective center of openings 6.sub.B and 6.sub.R are offset from the electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R, respectively. For example, the amount of offset utilized is about 0.15 mm. When one grid electrode is offset or disposed at an angle to the other grid electrode, the electron field formed therebetween is asymmetrical. An electron beam passing through such asymmetrical field will bend. The amount of deflection of the electron beam resulting from the offset or angle design depends critically on the amount of offset or angle, respectively, and the potential difference between the grid electrodes.

The amount or angle .theta. of deflection of the electron by an asymmetrical electron lens is expressed by equation (1), where k is constant, p is the amount of offset normalized by the electrostatic lens diameter, and q is a potential ratio of the electrostatic lens.

Since the amount of deflection is proportional to q, if the potential across grid electrodes q is not optimum, the electron beams will diverge rather than converge. Moreover, varying the grid voltage to set the optimum value for convergence will also affect focusing. In fact, setting the grid voltage for proper convergence will not necessarily produce proper focusing and vice versa. Consequently, the prior art has required the adjustment of the permanent magnets, attached to the outside of the tube, to partly aid in optimizing both convergence and focusing. For example, pre-set-type color cathode ray tubes have been developed in recent years in which the convergence and focus are set before the tube is attached to a TV set. Frequently, when the tube is attached to the TV set, the electron gun operating voltage is not correct for proper focusing and convengence, and readjustment is necessary. Such readjustment of the tube requires varying both the grid voltage and the position of the permanent magnets; these adjustments are very critical and time consuming.

Another prior art color cathode ray tube comprises an electron gun surrounded by a permanent magnet member within the tube. The magnet member is magnetized from the outside of the tube to converge three electron beams on the center of the screen. Readjustment of this structure, however, is virtually impossible after the tube is attached to the TV set.

Therefore, the electron guns of the prior art have the disadvantage of requiring critical and time consuming readjustment when the tube is attached to the TV set to provide proper focusing and convergence.

An object of this invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art electron guns including the necessity for critical and time consuming readjustment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electron gun system for a color cathode ray tube for converging three electron beams despite a variation in the focus electrode voltage.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electron gun system which, in response to controlling the focus electrode voltage, deflects the electron beam at one angle to compensate for the deflection of the beam at another angle.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, an electron gun system is provided with a cathode means positioned on an electron gun axis for emitting an electron beam along a beam path. A plurality of grid electrodes are arranged along the electron gun axis. A first voltage source is coupled to at least one of the electrodes for forming a plurality of electrostatic lenses on the electron gun axis for focusing the electron beam. A focus control means is coupled to the first voltage source for controlling the focusing. At least three of the grid electrodes comprise asymmetric deflecting means for forming at least two asymmetric electrostatic lenses along the electron gun axis for deflecting and focusing the electron bean.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged axial sectional view of a conventional electron gun.

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of a shadow mask type color cathode ray tube utilizing an electron gun according to this invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged axial sectional view of an electron gun according to this invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the electron gun shown in FIG. 3 taken on the line IV--IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is a graph for showing the operation of the electron gun in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of an electrode arrangement corresponding to the FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged axial sectional view of another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged axial sectional view of still another embodiment of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a color cathode ray tube 20 is provided with an evacuated envelope 21. The envelope 21 comprises a panel 22 of transparent glass on which a phosphor screen 23 is coated, a funnel portion 24 is attached to panel 22 and a neck portion 25 which extends backward from the funnel portion 24. Positioned within the envelope near screen 23 is a shadow mask 26 and an electron gun 27, according to this invention, is mounted inside of neck portion 25.

Electron gun 27, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in greater detail, is an in-line-type electron gun. Electron gun 27 generates three electron beams 18.sub.R, 18.sub.G, and 18.sub.B along respective beam paths. Phospor dots or strips corresponding to red, green and blue colors are deposited on panel 22; each of three electron beams 18.sub.R, 18.sub.G, 18.sub.B excite corresponding phosphors to emit lights of red, green and blue, respectively. These electron beams must converge for proper color purity.

The electron gun 27 comprises three cathodes 32 having heaters 31 for emitting the electron beams 18.sub.R, 18.sub.G, 18.sub.B along initially-parallel beam paths. A plurality of grid electrodes 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 are arranged along a general common direction (i.e., downstream from cathodes 32). Namely, electrode 33 is positioned nearest cathode 32. Grid electrode 35 is positioned along the general common direction downstream from grid electrode 33. Grid electrode 34 is positioned between grid electrode 33 and grid electrode 35. Grid electrode 36 is positioned along the general common axis downstream from the grid electrode 35. Grid electrode 38 is positioned along the general common axis downstream from grid electrode 36. Grid electrode 37 is positioned between grid electrode 36 and grid electrode 38.

Each of the grid electrodes comprises a plate-like grid having three apertures therethrough in a line including two side apertures and a center aperture. Grid electrodes 33, 34 and 36 are disc-shaped members. Grid electrode 35 comprises first and second cup-shaped members 351 and 352 joined together at their open ends. Grid electrode 37 also comprises first and second cup-shaped members 371 and 372. Grid electrode 38 is cup-shaped and connects at its open end with a shield cup member 39. Cathodes 32 and the grid electrodes 33 through 38 are rigidly secured by two glass insulated supporting rods 40. Three parallel electron gun axes Z.sub.B, Z.sub.G, and Z.sub.R corresponding to cathodes 32.sub.B, 32.sub.G, and 32.sub.R, respectively, are formed equidistant from each other and extending along the general common direction. Each of the three grid apertures is disposed along a respective electron gun axis.

Side apertures 36.sub.B and 36.sub.R of grid electrode 36 are aligned with side gun axis Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R, respectively; center aperture 36.sub.G is aligned with the center electron gun axis Z.sub.G. Likewise, the center aperture of each of the remaining grid electrodes are aligned with center gun axis Z.sub.G. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, except for side apertures 371.sub.B and 371.sub.R of grid electrode 371, the side apertures 372.sub.B and 372.sub.R of grid electrode 372 and the side apertures 38.sub.B and 38.sub.R of grid electrode 38, the side apertures of all the grid electrodes are aligned with their corresponding electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R. Apertures 371.sub.B, 371.sub.R, 372.sub.B, and 372.sub.R are offset slightly outwardly from the side electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R. These apertures have common relative axes Z.sub.B1 and Z.sub.R1 respectively. The apertures 38.sub.B and 38.sub.R are still more offset outwardly from the side electron gun axes Z.sub.B1 and Z.sub.R1 and have relative axes Z.sub.B2 and Z.sub.R2.

The voltages applied to the electrodes are supplied through stem pins and an anode button (not shown) on envelope 21. In operating electron gun 27 as grid drive modulation, the potential of cathode 32 is zero, the potential of grid electrode 33 is a low negative voltage, the potential of grid electrodes 34 and 36 is about +500 v, the potential of grid electrodes 35 and 37 is about +7 Kv, and the potential of grid electrode 38 is about +25 Kv. Grid electrodes 34 and 36 are interconnected with an inner lead 41, and grid electrodes 35 and 37 are interconnected with another inner lead 42. Blocks 43 through 46 as shown in FIG. 3 designate the voltage sources. Block 45 includes a variable voltage source which supplied a variable focus control voltage to adjust the focusing. In such a voltage arrangement, a first set of three electrostatic lenses (submain lenses) is formed between the grid electrode 35 and the grid electrode 37. Further, a second set of three electrostatic lenses (main lenses) is formed between the grid electrode 37 and grid electrode 38.

Each of three electron gun units is positioned along one of the respective parallel electron gun axis Z.sub.B, Z.sub.G or Z.sub.R. Three electron beams 18.sub.R, 18.sub.G and 18.sub.B emitted from cathodes 32.sub.B, 32.sub.G and 32.sub.R advance along electron gun axes Z.sub.B, Z.sub.G and Z.sub.R, respectively, passing through the apertures of grid electrodes 33 to 36. Thereafter, the center electron beam 18.sub.G passes through the electrostatic sub-main lens formed by electrodes 35, 36, and 37 along electron gun axis Z.sub.G. This electrostatic sub-main lens formed on electron gun axis Z.sub.G is a symmetric lens since aperture 317.sub.G is aligned with axis Z.sub.G ; consequently, no deflection is experienced by the center beam. However, the sub-main lens found by electrodes 33 to 36 on the electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R are asymmetric since the centers Z.sub.B1, Z.sub.R1 of each of the side aperture 371.sub.B and 371.sub.R of grid electrode member 371 is offset from the side electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R, respectively. As a result, the two side electron beams 18.sub.R and 18.sub.G are deflected inwardly to promote convergence. The deflection angle is proportional to both the potentional ratio electrostatic lens and the the amount of offset (as explained above regarding equation (1)). Thereafter, side electron beam 18.sub.B passes through the electrostatic main lens formed between apertures 372.sub.B and 38.sub.B, and the other side beam 18R passes through the electrostatic main lens formed between apertures 372.sub.R and 38.sub.R. These main lenses formed by electrodes 37 and 38 on electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R are asymmetric since the centers Z.sub.B2, Z.sub.R2 of each of the side apertures 38.sub.B and 38.sub.R of grid electrode 38 are offset from the electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R, respectively. Consequently, the two side electron beams 18.sub.B and 18.sub.R are further deflected to achieve convergence. On the other hand, the electrostatic main lens on electron gun axis Z.sub.G is symmetric since aperture 38.sub.G is aligned with center gun axis Z.sub.G. Consequently, center electron beam 18.sub.G experiences no deflection and continues to follow a straight path to a center point on screen 23. The deflection of side electron beams 18.sub.B and 18.sub. R by the sub-main lenses and main lenses direct these beams to the center point for convergence with center electron beam 18.sub.G.

The operation of the first (i.e., sub-main) and second (i.e., main) electrostatic asymmetric lenses for focusing and deflecting the electron beam is controlled by the amount of offset and, the potential difference between the grid electrodes. Therefore, by applying the voltage values described above, the deflection of the electron beam by the first asymmetric lens may be less than that caused by the second asymmetric lens. However, as previously discussed regarding the prior art, if the focus voltage is varied (e.g., source 45) to control focusing, convergence will be adversely affected; consequently, other time consuming readjustments must be made to reestablish convergence. The invention, as embodied in FIG. 3, permits focus control without adversely effecting the established convergence. That is, the differential change in deflection caused by varying the focus voltage of the first asymmetric lens is effectively compensated by the accompanying differential change in deflection of the second asymmetric lens. Accordingly, focusing can be readjusted without adversely effecting convergence.

As a result, when the voltage of grid electrode 37 is reduced, and beam deflection of the first asymmetric lens reduces while the beam deflection of the second electrostatic asymmetric lens increases. The amount of decrease in deflection caused by the first asymmetric lens will substantially equal the amount of increase in deflection caused by the second asymmetric lens. Likewise, when the voltage of grid electrode 37 is increased, the beam deflection of the first electrostatic asymmetric lens increases, while the beam deflection of the second electrostatic asymmetric lens reduces. The amount of increase in deflection caused by the first asymmetric lens will substantially equal the amount of decrease in deflection caused by the second asymmetric lens. The overall effect of the invention is that the established convergence is virtually maintained, even though the focus voltage is changed. Therefore, grid electrode 37 of the electron gun structure of the invention has a larger tolerance for variations in the supplied focus voltage than the conventional type gun structure as shown in FIG. 1. Consequently, beam convergence can be adjusted during the final manufacturing process of the color cathode ray tube before the tube is attached to a TV set, without the need to readjust beam convergence after being attached to the TV set.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the considerations in designing an electron gun of this invention. For simplicity, a single beam electron gun is represented schematically (i.e., side electron beam 18.sub.B) in FIG. 5A and in FIG. 5B, in more detail. The first asymmetric electrostatic lens L.sub.1 is formed by grid electrodes 36 and 37 and the second asymmetric electrostatic lens L.sub.2 is formed by grid electrodes 37 and 38. Line 18.sub.B represents the path of a side electron beam in which convergence has been established, while line 18.sub.B shows the electron beam path after the focus voltage has been decreased. The center point of the screen 23 is shown as O. With convergence established and the voltage supplied to grid electrode 37, the electron beam will initially travel along electron gun axis Z.sub.B and then pass through the A position of the first electrostatic asymmetric lens L.sub.1 and the B position of the second electrostatic asymmetric lens L.sub.2 along beam path 18.sub.B to the position. As shown in FIG, 5A, lens L.sub.1 will deflect the beam at an angle .theta. with the Z.sub.B axis and lens L.sub.2 will further deflect the beam at an additional angle .theta..sub.2. Next, when the focus voltage supplied to grid electrode 37 is reduced, the electron beam will pass through the A position of the first lens L.sub.1, the C position of the second lens L.sub.2, and will now pass along beam path 18.sub.B ' to again strike the screen 23 at the 0 position. As can be seen, lens L.sub.2 has compensated for the differential deflection caused by the variation in focusing voltage. As shown in FIG. 5A, lens L.sub.1 will now deflect the beam by a lesser amount (.theta..sub.1 -.DELTA..theta..sub.1); that is, the reduction in focus voltage has reduced the deflection of lens L.sub.1 by .DELTA..theta..sub.1 (i.e., differential deflection). Lens L.sub.2, on the other hand, will now deflect the beam by a greater amount (.theta..sub.2 +.DELTA..theta..sub.2); that is, the reduction in focus voltage has increased the deflection of lens L.sub.2 by .DELTA..theta..sub.2 (i.e., differential deflection). In fact, from an examination of FIG. 5A, it can clearly be seen that over all deflection is invarried against the voltage deviation.

In other words, tolerance is obtained for grid electrode 37 as compared with the conventional type electron gun against voltage deviations. For obtaining such a tolerance, the distance S.sub.g between adjacent gun axes can be expressed from the following equations:

where each of angles .theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2 is a deflection angle of electron beam 18.sub.B (as described above), each of angles .DELTA..theta..sub.1 and .DELTA..theta..sub.2 is the differential deflection (as described above) caused by reducing the focus voltage, 1 is a distance between the first electrostatic asymmetric lens L.sub.1 and the second electrostatic asymmetric lens L.sub.2, and 1.sub.Sg is a distance between the second electrostatic asymmetric lens L.sub.2 and the screen 23.

In FIG. 5B, Z.sub.B is an electron gun axis upon which the aperture of grid 36 is aligned. Z.sub.B1 is the center of the aperture of grid electrode 37, and Z.sub.B2 is the center of the aperture of grid electrode 38. P.sub.1 is the amount of offset of Z.sub.B1 from Z.sub.B and P.sub.2 is the amount of offset of Z.sub.B2 from Z.sub.B1. The offset can be calculated from equations (2) and (3) and the aforementioned equation (1) and the electron optical characteristics of the electrostatic lenses. Moreover, the calculated offset values can be confirmed experimentally. For example, in a 19 inch type 900.degree. deflection color cathode ray tube having a 5.5 mm diameter electron gun, the amount of offset of the first electrostatic asymmetric lens is from about 30 .mu.m to about 50 .mu.m and the amount of offset of the second electrostatic asymmetric lens is about 150 .mu.m.

FIG. 6, illustrates another embodiment of this invention. An electron gun structure 60 comprises three cathodes 62 having heater elements 61, emit electron beams 18.sub.B, 18.sub.G, and 18.sub.R along three electron gun axes Z.sub.B, Z.sub.G and Z.sub.R, respectively. Plate-like grid electrodes 63 through 68 are disposed downstream from the cathodes 62. Each of the grid electrodes has three apertures in a line, through which electron beams 18.sub.B, 18.sub.G and 18.sub.R pass. Each of electron gun units are aligned along respective parallel electron gun axes Z.sub.B, Z.sub.G and Z.sub.B. Each of the grid electrodes are common to all of the electron gun units.

Grid electrode 63, grid electrode 64 and grid electrode 66, each comprises a disk-shaped member. Grid electrode 65 and grid electrode 67, each comprise two cup-shaped members, respectively joined together at their open ends. Grid electrode 68 comprises a single cup-shaped member. All of the apertures of the grid electrodes are aligned with their respective electron gun axis except the side apertures 651.sub.B and 651.sub.R of grid electrode 65 and the side apertures 68.sub.B and 68.sub.R of grid electrode 68.

The centers Z.sub.B1 and Z.sub.R1 of side apertures 651.sub.B and 651.sub.R of grid electrode 65 are offset outwardly from electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R, respectively. As a result, the first electrostatic asymmetric lenses are formed by the apertures 651.sub.B and 651.sub.R, respectively, between grid electrode 64 and grid electrode 65. Each of the electron beams 18.sub.B and 18.sub.R passing through its respective first asymmetric lens is deflected inwardly toward the center gun axis Z.sub.G.

The centers Z.sub.B2 and Z.sub.R2 of side apertures 68.sub.B and 68.sub.R of grid electrode 68 are also offset outwardly from the electron gun axes Z.sub.B and Z.sub.R, respectively. As a result, second asymmetric electrostatic lenses are formed by the apertures 68.sub.B and 68.sub.R between grid electrode 67 and grid electrode 68. Consequently, side electron beams 18.sub.B and 18.sub.R are further deflected inwardly by these second asymmetric lenses, toward the center electron beam 18.sub.G. The electrodes are connected to a voltage source 81. For example, grid electrode 68 is supplied with a 25 KV volt. Grid electrodes 65 and 67 are supplied at about 20% to about 40% of the voltage of grid electrode 68 (i.e., 7 KV). Grid electrodes 64 and 66 are supplied at about 500 V. Grid electrode 63 is supplied with a low negative voltage. As described above regarding FIG. 3, the voltage of grid electrodes 65 and 67 is altered to control beam focusing. The first and the second asymmetric lenses will compensate for the differential beam deflection of each other; consequently, convergence is virtually maintained.

FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the invention. Shown is an electron gun structure 70, which is similar to the embodiments mentioned above, comprising: three cathodes 72 arranged on electron gun axes Z.sub.B, Z.sub.G and Z.sub.R, respectively; heater elements 71 placed within the cathodes; and grid electrodes 73 through 78. Each of the grid electrodes 73 through 78 has apertures arranged in a line which receive a respective electron beam 18.sub.B, 18.sub.G and 18.sub.R. Each aperture defines a plane. The plane of all the apertures are aligned perpendicular to respective electron gun axes Z.sub.B, Z.sub.G, and Z.sub.R, except for side apertures 771.sub.B and 771.sub.R of grid electrode 77 and side apertures 78.sub.B and 78.sub.R of grid electrode 78. Namely, the plane of apertures 771.sub.B and 771.sub.R are disposed at an angle with respect to the plane of the apertures 76.sub.B and 76.sub.R of grid electrode 76, and the plane of apertures 78.sub.B and 78.sub.R are disposed at an angle with respect to the plane of the apertures 772.sub.B and 772.sub.R of grid electrode 77. As a result, the first electrostatic lenses formed between apertures 771.sub.B, 771.sub.R and apertures 76.sub.B and 76.sub.R, respectively, are asymmetric. Also, the second electrostatic lenses formed between apertures 78.sub.B, 78.sub.R and apertures 772.sub.B and 772.sub.R, respectively, are asymmetric. Consequently, side electron beams 18.sub.B and 18.sub.R are deflected toward the center gun axis Z.sub.G by these asymmetric lenses. The three beams are converged to the center position on the screen. As discussed previously regarding the other embodiments, this established convergence is maintained in spite of voltage deviation of grid electrode 77 during focusing; the two asymmetric lenses on a common electron gun axis compensate for the differential beam deflection due to voltage deviation.

It is understood that the electron gun structure of this invention can be provided with both asymmetric lenses of the offset type and the angled type of FIG. 7.

It is also understood that this invention can be used in many types of electron guns, i.e., bi-potential focus, uni-potential focus, periodic potential focus, and tri-potential focus. Because an electron gun structure has generally a plurality of electrostatic lenses on an electron gun axis, even an electron gun having a single main electrostatic lens such as the bi-potential focus type can obtain the effects of this invention with an asymmetric lens field between grid electrodes 4 and 5 (see FIG. 1, for example).

According to this invention, the number of asymmetric lenses on an electron gun axis are not limited only to two; more than two asymmetric lenses can be utilized on an axis. Asymmetric lenses can also be employed whereby one asymmetric lens deflects the beam in a first direction and a second asymmetric lens deflects the beam in an opposite direction.

It is further understood that this invention can be applied to a delta type electron gun in lieu of an in-line type gun.