Prinztronic Asset VFD Display Technology

A vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) produces a bright display that is very high quality when compared to LED and LCD displays. The PRINZTRONIC ASSET uses this type of display in a glass vacuum tube, which resembles a radio valve.

VFD Display

A VFD consists of a hot filament cathode, which emits electrons. Since electrons are negatively charged, they attract to the anode, which has a positive charge. The anode has a coating of blue coloured phosphor, which glows blue when electrons strike it. In this display, a digit consists of seven segments, and each segment is a phosphor-coated anode. When the anode segment receives a positive current, it attracts the electrons, which collide with the phosphor causing it to glow blue.

Tube Display

Here is a clear view from an angle to show the internal structure of the display tube. The honeycombed style wire mesh is the cathode, which provides a uniformly spread source of electrons. The wire mesh is actually in front of the segments, however because it is extremely thin, it is not noticeable to the naked eye.

7-Segment Display

Here is an extremely magnified image of the anode segments, and the wire mesh grid in front of it.

8 Digits

There are eight digits in total for displaying numbers, and the ninth digit is for displaying symbols.

VFD Display

This Article Continues...