DE102006055407A1 - Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) e.g., for displays and monitors, has OLED-element arranged in seated space between two glass discs - Google Patents

Abstract

An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) protection device has at least one OLED-element comprising a functional layer, a covering layer, a support layer, and an electrical connection element. The OLED-element (5) is arranged in the space (4) between two glass discs (1,2), of which at least one is transparent and the inter-space (4) between the discs (1,2) is seated. An independent claim is included for an organic LED protection device with glass walls for sales or service counters.

Description

Flat luminous elements are for lighting purposes, for example, as a light or for displays, for example, as flat monitors, known. With monitors exists usually a layered structure, with an LCD screen in front of an associated luminaire is arranged.

Farther are now known as organic light-emitting diodes, known as OLED known become. Such OLEDs usually consist of a thin glass substrate, on the the. Functional layers of the OLED are. These functional layers be with a thin one Cover glass or transparent cover layers covered and hermetically sealed. It can Also, several transparent layers are provided, so that an OLED composite element is present, such as in WO 2004/114429 A1.

such OLED elements are very sensitive mechanically. Also the protection on the functional layer, which is very sensitive to oxygen and Moisture is due to the limited properties of the sealant the cover glass limited.

task The invention is therefore to propose an OLED protection device which is mechanically robust without sacrificing the properties such as transparency and flat appearance to dispense with the OLED element.

Accordingly is a protection device according to the invention with at least one OLED element as functional agent, e.g. as a light source or sensor element characterized in that the OLED element, the like stated above, itself is a composite element, in a gap between two Disks is arranged, of which at least one is transparent. An OLED element according to the present invention is a complete hermetic sealed unit comprising at least one substrate layer, a Functional layer, at least one cover plate or at least one cover layer and at least one electrical connection element. This as an OLED element designated, manageable without further protection measure for the functional layer Unit is now according to the invention between two additional mechanically loadable discs arranged.

By These two discs will make the OLED element from mechanical stress protected. The fact that at least one disc is transparent, the remains Luminous or sensor function of the behind this transparent pane arranged OLED element obtained. With appropriate dimensioning and material selection for the said disks can thus provide an OLED protection device be universally applicable, in particular accessible or can be drivable.

there can this mechanical stability through a particularly strong or by interaction of both discs be accomplished.

Farther becomes the space between the two disks according to the invention hermetically sealed. That way the OLED element will not work only mechanically protected, but receives An additional Protection against the influence of oxygen and moisture. The life span of the OLED element becomes considerable as a result extended.

Around the gap between the two discs well hermetically seal, therefore, the two discs are preferably dimensioned so that they edge so clearly over protrude the OLED element that this hermetic, edge-sided Sealing in the edge area of the gap between the two Slices can be made.

In a particular embodiment According to the invention, the OLED element is glued to one of the panes. By gluing is a reliable attachment of the OLED element in the space guaranteed between the two discs. The OLED element is firmly fixed and therefore reliable All mechanical loads, especially against vibrations the entire protection device protected.

Preferably the OLED element is in an at least the area of the OLED area filling adhesive layer embedded. A flat, embedding adhesive layer ensures a flat distributed bond and thus a uniform, areal force transmission between the mechanical stable disc and the OLED element and improves the protective effect on the OLED element. Depending on the adhesive can also be a permanent positive connection between the mechanically stable protective screen and the OLED element be effected so that the OLED element is not mechanically deformed more as the protective screen.

Furthermore can through such, the OLED element embedding adhesive layer already a seal of the OLED element against the outside environment and thus a Protection against Form oxygen or air and moisture.

In a further development of this embodiment, the gap between the two panes is now completed in the region of the OLED element filled with adhesive to further increase the mechanical strength as with a laminate.

Of the above supernatant the plates over the OLED element causes at the complete filling the gap between the two discs with adhesive one accordingly large diffusion barrier against air and thus oxygen.

In a particular embodiment The invention is a filter function for influencing the the OLED - incoming Radiation from the environment provided. Such a filter function can be formed frequency specific. For example, a UV blockers are provided to reduce harmful UV light from the OLED element and thus also to keep away the existing there OLED functional layer. This filter function can be realized in one or both discs become. Also, the glue used in the space between the Both discs can be designed as a filter, for example as a UV blocker.

In another embodiment The invention relates to the space containing the OLED element between the discs of the invention hermetically sealed only by a marginal seal of the two discs locked. Such an embodiment corresponds, for example a known insulating glass, in which also the edge region between two washers hermetically sealed.

Similar to In such an insulating glass may additionally be a functional gas in Gap be provided. As a functional gas comes, for example a noble gas in question, which is the functional layer of the OLED element not impaired.

On this way, in the environment of the OLED element, a gas pressure be realized, the ingress of air from the environment counteracts the gap through the seal.

One an insulating glass modeled protective element for recording an OLED element can in addition to the protective function for the OLED element also have the other advantageous properties of insulating glass. This concerns in particular the thermal properties.

One Such functional gas may, for example, at least partially Argon. in principle However, other protective or functional gases come, for example Nitrogen or the like, or gas mixtures in question.

In a particular embodiment According to the invention, markings which can be illuminated by the OLED element are obtained on the transparent pane and / or in the space between them provided two discs. Such an embodiment may serve as a scoreboard or used as a monitor when lighting the marker conveys a corresponding information content. A protection device according to the invention can also be designed as an LED display with OLED lighting. in this connection will both an LED disc as well as the OLED element in the space between the two plates appropriate. In this way, results in an extremely robust, durable and to this still areal LED display or a LED monitor.

In another embodiment The invention will be additional Photocells for powering the OLED element arranged in the intermediate space. Accordingly, external light can be used in this arrangement to light the OLED element. Such Arrangement makes an external power supply at least in time and / or partially dispensable. A development of this embodiment may additionally a Energy storage, such as a capacity or a battery include around the OLED element even in intermediate times without incident external light to supply with electrical energy.

Around Providing the OLED element with external energy is advantageous an electrical feedthrough provided in the space between the two discs. A such electrical implementation can for example be passed through a marginal seal. It can but also without further drilling in one or both discs be made to perform the electrical wiring.

A particularly advantageous embodiment with external power supply includes traces on at least one of the two discs. Even a flat, structured, conductive film can for the external power supply can be used without the seal too affect.

Finally, in the Gap itself quite wires be laid, for example, as stated above, by the edge seal or through one or more holes in the discs outwards guided become. However, wires laid in the intermediate space can also be used with flat feedthroughs be connected, for example, in turn printed conductors or conductive films, which do not affect the sealing of the gap.

Preferably, the transparent pane and / or the second disc formed as a glass pane. A protective device according to the invention can be produced in a similar manner as an insulating glass or in the case of an embedding in an adhesive layer in the manner of a laminated glass. In particular, in this way, a protective device with high mechanical strength, eg realized with the properties of a bulletproof glass.

Especially when using glass or transparent plastic discs results from the areal, in all spatial directions emitted radiation of the OLED element at Electricity supply a reinforced Edge illumination of the narrow sides of the illuminated panes. This edge lighting can in a particular embodiment be reinforced by a reflection element, so that in the corresponding disc results in a Lichtleiteffekt. Such a Effect, for example, by attaching a mirror or a diffuser on the outside one or both discs are achieved by means of the otherwise thrown back light emerging from the front side of the disc becomes.

at Using an OLED element that has a reflective electrode, For example, has an aluminum electrode is on this Just lit one of the two panes at the edge, because the OLED element radiates only in one direction and through the specular Electrode reflects back the emitted light in the opposite direction becomes.

at Use of a diffusion disk or lens as a reflection element the reflected light is added directed to the edge of the corresponding disc out.

A OLED protection device according to the invention can be used in many different ways.

Thus, the protection device can be designed as walk-in or passable glass surface. The device may be designed, for example, as a laminated glass pane with an integrated OLED element and thereby have a load capacity of more than 200 kg / m ² . The individual disks, which are used on the front and the back of the device according to the invention, have a load capacity of more than 50 kg / m ² in such an embodiment. The protection device can also be used as a signboard, for example as an illuminable traffic sign or as an information sign. Another application of the invention is to use it as a lighting element for illuminating rooms.

As already mentioned, may be a protective device according to the invention In addition, an inventive OLED protection device is also suitable as Advertising space. In particular, the content of the advertising space under appropriate arrangement and driving a structured OLED or when using for example an additional one LED variable, i. with moving pictures or changing content be designed.

A Protection device according to the invention can used as part of windows and additionally thermally exercise insulating functions. It can be building windows, but also around windows of devices or containers or room partitions. In this context, a Protection device according to the invention also be used as a variable, switchable insight protection, because with OLED switched on by the resulting light radiation the transparency is prevented.

A inventive protection device allows beyond the lighting or signage of environments that have previously been difficult a lighting accessible were. This is the case, for example, in potentially explosive environments. Even in humid surroundings, z. B. within a ski resort or from swimming pools, can with a protective device according to the invention a lighting and / or the hint function with illuminated panels will be realized.

A Protection device according to the invention can For example, as part of furniture, mirrors and / or Glaswandabtrennungen Find use. For example, shower cubicles, Sales counters, and in particular also bank counters.

Basically a protective device according to the invention everywhere used where a flat Lighting, a display and / or hint function is desired. As another example, this can be called the use in ceramic hobs where all of the functions mentioned, i. H. lighting, Indication and display function of an OLED element advantageously used are.

Another advantageous use is to use an OLED within a protective device according to the invention as a sensor. An OLED as well as conventional light emitting diodes in the case of light incidence from an electrical voltage, which is useful as a sensor signal. Due to the transparent viewing window of the protective device, light can reach the OLED of the OLED element located in the intermediate space, so that an OLED protective device according to the invention can also be used as a light sensor. Within one According to the OLED protection device according to the invention, one or more OLED elements can be arranged, which are used both as a light source and as a sensor. In this case, the function of the luminous means or this sensor can be distributed to different OLEDS. However, it is also a temporal sequence of the use of the same OLED as a light source and sensor element conceivable.

One embodiment The invention is illustrated in the drawing and is based on the Figures in more detail below explained.

in the Show individual:

1 a schematic cross section through an inventive OLED protection device;

2 a schematic cross section through a second embodiment of an OLED protection device according to the invention;

3 a schematic cross section of a third variant of an OLED protection device according to the invention and

4 a schematic cross section of a fourth variant with reflection or lens.

In the embodiment according to 1 a structure in the manner of a laminated glass is shown. Two glass panes 1 . 2 are spaced from each other and edge with a seal 3 connected. The seal 3 is designed around the circumference, so that there is a gap 4 results in which an OLED element 5 is arranged, which has a structure as a composite element as in the aforementioned prior art, ie, the OLED element 5 represents an operable as a functional unit element, wherein the functional layer is hermetically sealed in a composite of substrate and cover layer or layers, wherein only one or more electrical connection elements are guided by the functional layer to the outside. Substrate and / or cover layer or layers may also be formed of glass as a carrier disk or as a covering protective disk. Such an OLED element is already sealed edge, eg glued.

According to the invention will now an already structured OLED element integrated into a laminated glass.

In the present embodiment, the OLED element 5 with an adhesive layer 6 on the glass pane 2 attached. The adhesive layer 6 For example, it may consist of a curing under UV irradiation adhesive, so that a fast and effective attachment of the OLED element 5 on the glass pane 2 can be done.

In the present embodiment is on the back, ie on the gap 4 opposite side of the glass pane 2 one more labeling layer 7 arranged, for example, can be glued as a film or applied in a printing process.

As in 1 is shown schematically, are two wire connections 8th . 9 as line connections for the OLED element 5 intended.

The illustrated embodiment is except for the inscription layer 7 covered areas translucent. Both the glass panes 1 . 2 as well as the applied on a glass substrate OLED element 5 as well as the adhesive layer 6 are at least in the de-energized state of the OLED element 5 translucent. When current is applied to the OLED element 5 this forms a planar illuminant, so that the light passing through the review by the OLED support element according to 1 is prevented. On the side of the labeling layer 7 become the areas not covered by this layer of the back of the glass 2 illuminated by the luminous OLED element, so that, for example, a neon or a luminous image, such as a lit symbol on the back of the glass 2 appears.

The embodiment according to variant 2 corresponds in the basic layer structure variant 1 , where now the gap 4 between the glass panes 1 and 2 completely filled with a filling material. The gap is in this case preferably with an adhesive layer 10 filled, on the one hand the two glass panes 1 . 2 connects the surface with each other and on the other the OLED element 5 includes completely. Suitable adhesives for such an adhesive layer are, for example, hot melt adhesives, epoxies or the like.

The power supply is in this embodiment through a bore 11 in the glass pane 2 realized through the wire lines 12 . 13 are guided. The hole 11 can in this case after introduction of the wire lines 12 . 13 be closed again, for example, glued.

The embodiment according to 3 corresponds to the above-described variant, in which case it should be symbolized by a hatching executed differently, that the gap 4 between the glass panes 1 . 2 as well as the adhesive layer 6 for fixing the OLED element consists of a UV-crosslinking adhesive.

Variants according to 2 and 3 correspond to a laminated glass while the variant according to 1 corresponds to an insulating glass in the structure, wherein in each case an OLED element is fixed in the space. The fixation of the OLED element does not necessarily have to be accomplished with a UV-crosslinking adhesive, here also hot melt adhesives, epoxies, adhesive tapes, etc. can be used.

The electrical connection of the OLED can be made via wires routed between the plates, conductive silver traces or structured conductive foils interposed between the plates and connected to the OLED. The contacting of the OLED with the electrical conductors can be carried out by soldering or by means of conductive adhesive. Another advanced solution is the pressing of the connection surface of the OLED with the electrical conductor point. The required contact pressure between OLED and electrical conductor is generated before bonding and maintained until the bonding takes over the contact pressure. To improve the contact can be applied to the pads of the OLED, for example, contacts made of tin. It may readily in addition to the OLED and other electrical and electronic components in the space 4 between the plates 1 and 2 be inserted, which may for example also be electrically connected to the OLED. An example, as stated above, would be an LCD panel that is backlit by the OLED, a solar cell or battery that provides power to operate the OLED.

The embodiment according to 4 corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to 3 , Now, however, is on the disc 2 additionally on the outside a reflection or scattering layer 15 arranged. In this embodiment, an OLED element 5 used a reflective electrode on the side of the disc 1 so that that of the OLED element 5 emitted light exclusively in the glass 2 arrives. There it becomes, as indicated by arrows, at the reflection or scattering layer 15 distracted and to one of the edge sides 16 . 17 guided. In this way, there is a reinforcement of the edge illumination of the edge sides 16 . 17 , due to the already existing reflections at the plane-parallel interfaces of the disc 2 anyway, but may occur in a reduced form.

Essential in an OLED support element according to the invention the arrangement of the OLED elements is so between two mechanical to integrate stable disks, of which at least one light transparent is that improved protection against mechanical, chemical and physical effects is realized from the outside and at the same time the electrical function, inter alia, in cooperation with other electrical components is achieved.

1

pane

2

pane

3

sealing

4

gap

5

OLED element

6

adhesive layer

7

inscription layer

8th

wire connection

9

wire connection

10

adhesive layer

11

drilling

12

wire line

13

wire line

14

UV adhesive layer

15

reflective layer

16

edge side

17

edge side

Claims (26)

OLED protection device with at least one at least one support layer, at least one functional layer, at least one cover layer and at least one electrical connection element comprising OLED element, characterized in that the OLED element ( 5 ) in the space ( 4 ) between two discs ( 1 . 2 ) is arranged, of which at least one is transparent, and that the space ( 4 ) between the two discs ( 1 . 2 ) is sealed. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the OLED element ( 5 ) on one of the discs ( 1 . 2 ) is glued. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the OLED element ( 5 ) in a flat adhesive layer ( 6 ) is embedded. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the OLED element ( 5 ) into a space ( 4 ) between the glass sheets ( 1 . 2 ) at least in the region of the OLED element ( 5 ) filling adhesive layer ( 10 ) is embedded. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that a frequency filter for influencing the provided the OLED element falling radiation from the environment is. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the OLED element ( 5 ) containing gap ( 4 ) between the discs ( 1 . 2 ) by a peripheral seal ( 3 ) of the two discs ( 1 . 2 ) is hermetically sealed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a functional gas in the intermediate space ( 4 ) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the functional gas is at least partially made of argon consists. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that of the OLED element ( 5 ) illuminable markings on the transparent pane ( 1 . 2 ) and / or provided in the intermediate space. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an LED display with OLED lighting in the intermediate space ( 4 ) between the two discs ( 1 . 2 ) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that solar cells for energy supply in the intermediate space ( 4 ) are arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrical feedthrough ( 11 . 12 . 13 ) for the power supply of the OLED element ( 5 ) into the space ( 4 ) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that printed conductors on a pane and / or structured conductive films and / or wires in the intermediate space ( 4 ) for the electrical supply of the OLED element ( 5 ) are provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both discs ( 1 . 2 ) Are glass panes, which are connected to each other in the manner of an insulating glass or a laminated glass. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the discs 1 . 2 has a reflection and / or scattering element. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that at least one OLED as a light sensor between the two discs is arranged. Use of an OLED protection device after a the aforementioned claims as walkable or passable glass surface. Use of an OLED protection device after a the claims 1 to 14 as a billboard, in particular road sign or information plate. Use of an OLED protection device after a the claims 1 to 14 as a source of illumination. Use of an OLED protection device after one the claims 1 to 14 as a display or monitor. Use of an OLED protection device after a the claims 1 to 14 as advertising space. Use of an OLED protection device after a the claims 1 to 14 as a window and / or component of windows in buildings, appliances or Room dividers. Use of an OLED protection device after a the claims 1 to 14 as part of furniture, Reflect. Use of an OLED protection device in glass walls, such as glass walls of shower cubicles, sales or service switches, etc. Use of an OLED protection device according to the claims 1 to 14 as a marking element in a ceramic hob. Use of an OLED protection device after a the claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the use in explosive and / or humid environment is provided.