Planar light generating device and display device having the same

Abstract

A light generating device includes a body having discharge spaces generating light in response to a voltage signal, and electrodes providing the voltage signal to the discharge spaces. The discharge spaces are apart from each other and arranged substantially parallel with each other. The electrodes are disposed at external portions of the body. The body includes a first substrate, and a second substrate disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate includes space forming members and space dividing members. The discharge spaces are each formed between corresponding one of the space forming members and the first substrate. The space dividing members are each disposed between the adjacent space forming members. The space dividing members include connecting passages each connecting adjacent ones of the discharge spaces. A display device includes a display panel for displaying images using an image signal, a driving signal and light, the planar light generating device for providing the light to the display panel, and an inverter for generating the voltage signal to the planar light generating device.

1 - 35 . (canceled)  
   
   
       36 . A device for generating light, comprising: 
 a body having discharge spaces that generate light in response to a voltage signal, the discharge spaces being apart from each other at a selected distance;    electrodes that provide the voltage signal to the discharge spaces, the electrodes being disposed at external portions, respectively, of the body; and    space dividing members being each disposed between adjacent ones of the discharge spaces, the space diving members including connecting passages arranged in a zigzag pattern, each of the connecting passages connecting adjacent ones of the discharge spaces in fluid communication.    
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the electrodes comprise: 
 a first electrode adjacent to odd numbered connecting passages; and    a second electrode opposite to the first electrode and adjacent to even numbered connecting passages.    
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein each of the connecting passages has a linear shape, an S-shape or a zigzag shape.  
   
   
       39 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the body comprises: 
 a first substrate; and    a second substrate disposed on the first substrate, the second substrate including: 
 space forming members that are disposed on the first substrate and have a shape such that each space forming member and the first substrate defines each discharge space; and  
 the space dividing members that are in contact with the first substrate, the space dividing members being each disposed between adjacent ones of the space forming members.  
   
   
   
       40 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein each of the space dividing members includes corresponding one of the connecting passages.  
   
   
       41 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein each of the space dividing members includes two or more connecting passages.  
   
   
       42 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the body includes: 
 a reflecting layer formed on the first substrate, the reflecting layer reflecting light generated from the discharge spaces; and    a fluorescent layer formed on an inner surface of the respective discharge spaces.    
   
   
       43 . A device for generating light, comprising: 
 a body having discharge spaces that generate light in response to a voltage signal, the discharge spaces being apart from each other at a selected distance;    electrodes that provide the voltage signal to the discharge spaces, the electrodes being disposed at external portions, respectively, of the body, each of the electrodes having a varying width which varies along a longitudinal direction of the electrode; and    space dividing members being each disposed between adjacent ones of the discharge spaces, the space diving members including connecting passages each of which connects adjacent ones of the discharge spaces in fluid communication.    
   
   
       44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein each of the electrodes has a width at a central portion of the electrode and different widths at side portions of the electrode.  
   
   
       45 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the width at the central portion is smaller than the different widths at the side portions.  
   
   
       46 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein each of the first and second electrodes has a stepwise shape.  
   
   
       47 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein each of the first and second electrodes has a linear shape.  
   
   
       48 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein each of the first and second electrodes has a linearly curved shape.  
   
   
       49 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the connecting passages are arranged along a central line of the body.  
   
   
       50 . A device for generating light, comprising: 
 a body having discharge spaces that generate light in response to a voltage signal, the discharge spaces being apart from each other at a selected distance;    electrodes that provide the voltage signal to the discharge spaces, the electrodes being disposed at external portions, respectively, of the body; and    space dividing members being each disposed between adjacent ones of the discharge spaces, the space diving members including connecting passages each of which connects adjacent ones of the discharge spaces,    wherein each of the connecting passages has a length larger than a width of the respective space dividing member.