EP0105408A1 - Elektrolumineszente Anzeige - Google Patents

Elektrolumineszente Anzeige Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0105408A1
EP0105408A1 EP19830109358 EP83109358A EP0105408A1 EP 0105408 A1 EP0105408 A1 EP 0105408A1 EP 19830109358 EP19830109358 EP 19830109358 EP 83109358 A EP83109358 A EP 83109358A EP 0105408 A1 EP0105408 A1 EP 0105408A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
thin film
electroluminescent display
cover sheet
set forth
base substrate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19830109358
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0105408B1 (de
Inventor
Henry T. Hidler
Lawrence L. Hope
Ernst A. Davey
Martin P. Schrank
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Osram Sylvania Inc
Original Assignee
GTE Products Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GTE Products Corp filed Critical GTE Products Corp
Publication of EP0105408A1 publication Critical patent/EP0105408A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0105408B1 publication Critical patent/EP0105408B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B33/00—Electroluminescent light sources
    • H05B33/02—Details
    • H05B33/04—Sealing arrangements, e.g. against humidity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to thin film, multi-layer, electroluminescent display devices, and more particularly, to an improved hermetic seal for use with such electroluminescent display devices.
  • hermetic seal In the construction of thin film electroluminescent display devices, there is a requirement for a hermetic seal to protect the device against contamination. Water vapor is in particular damaging to the thin films that are deposited in constructing the display device. Any water or humidity penetration of the hermetic seal causes rapid degradation in display performance. Even relatively slow water penetration substantially shortens the useful life of the display.
  • This hermetic seal is typically provided between the glass substrate upon which the thin films are deposited, and a cover sheet usually in the form of a protective glass plate.
  • hermetic seals there are two types that are predominantly used; one an epoxy seal and the other a glass frit seal.
  • the epoxy hermetic seal particularly has problems under excess humidity conditions.
  • Present epoxy seals are effective under high humidity conditions for only up to periods of seven hundred hours of operation.
  • the glass frit seal does not suffer from degradation under high humidity conditions, but it does break down at higher temperatures.
  • This hermetic seal is between the display substrate and a cover sheet (protective glass plate).
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved electroluminescent display device having a hermetic seal that provides substantially total protection against penetration of water vapor and other contaminants.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hermetic seal for an electroluminescent display device having increased operating life and having substantially total resistance to damage from humidity. This permits use of the electroluminescent display device in outdoor and other harsh environments.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved technique for hermetically sealing thin film electroluminescent display devices in which the technique is carried out easily and effectively and is compatible with associated steps carried out in the fabrication of the display device.
  • an electroluminescent display having a base substrate upon which multiple thin film layers are formed including electrically conductive thin film leads.
  • a protection cover sheet is disposed over the layers.
  • Hermetic seal means join the cover to the base substrate and includes an electrically insulating thin film layer disposed over the conductive thin film leads, and metallic solder means over the insulative thin film layer.
  • the hermetic seal is formed by first applying the electrically insulative thin film layer over the conductive thin film leads of the substrate and/or cover sheet. After the leads are covered by the insulating film in the area to be sealed, the metallic solder sealing material is applied to the seal area preferably on botn the base substrate and cover sheet.
  • the sealing is provided by means of a eutectic (solder) metal, or combinations of metal preferably disposed in a picture frame configuration about the periphery of the display substrate.
  • the cover sheet which may be glass, ceramic or other material. is typically a flat element lying in a plane lying in parallel to the substrate and separated from the substrate by the aforementioned picture frame seal.
  • the cover sheet may carry leads, drive chips, or other ancillary components.
  • a thin film dielectric insulating layer which covers the area on the substrate and cover sheet over which the electrical leads pass and upon which the metallic seal is formed. This insulating layer extends beyond the seal area to provide a safety margin.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electroluminescent display constructed in accordance with the present invention and employing the hermetic seal of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the details of the hermetic seal and other thin films associated with the display device.
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear view showing further details- of the hermetic seal.
  • the different layers that are shown may be deposited by known techniques such as by vapor deposition, thermal evaporation, electron beam evaporation or sputtering. Because the deposition process is basically known, it is not discussed in any detail herein. Also, because the formation of the basic thin films such as those forming the phosphor is also well known, the process involving the deposition of these thin films is not described in detail herein.
  • the thin film, multi-layer electroluminescent device basically comprises, from front to back, a glass substrate 20, a transparent front electrode or conductor pattern 22, and an aluminum back electrode pattern 24.
  • the front electrode pattern 22 and the back electrode pattern 24 are formed by known deposition techniques with the employment of the proper mask.
  • FIG. 1 shows the deposited patterns for the transparent front electrode pattern 22 and the aluminum back electrode pattern 24.
  • the back electrode pattern 24 may be formed by the deposition of a metal such as aluminum.
  • the transparent front electrode pattern pattern may be formed by the deposition of a doped tin oxide.
  • the front electrode pattern may also be constructed by depositing an indium-tin oxide.
  • FIG. 2 shows the layer 32 as actually being formed, in one embodiment, by four separate layers, including the phosphor layer 34, the dark field layer 40, and dielectric layers '36 and 38.
  • the layer 36 is a dielectric layer that functions as a capacitive ballast layer. This may be formed of a material such as yttrium oxide.
  • the phosphor layer 34 may be formed of a zinc sulfide usually doped with manganese. Another material that may be used as a phosphor is zinc selenite.
  • the layer 38 is usually formed of silcion nitride. Layer 38 is a dielectric insulating layer.
  • the dark field layer 40 may consist of a cermet of chromium oxide and chromium.
  • FIG. 1 shows the aluminum lead-ins 50 extending to the transparent electrode terminal pads 23.
  • FIG. 1 it is noted there are provided seven such aluminum lead-ins 50 associated respectively with the seven segments 46 of the single digit display. In addition, there are also two additional aluminum lead-ins that couple from the front electrode pattern 22. All of these aluminum lead-ins are shown in FIG. 1, coming out at the pads 23.
  • FIG. 2 shows the additional layers that form the hermetic seal of the present invention.
  • These layers include a first layer which is an insulating layer preferably of silicon nitride in combination with a eutectic sealing material. These are illustrated in FIG. 2 as respective layers 60 and 62.
  • the basic sealing function is provided by the eutectic mixture or metallic sealing element.
  • the silicon nitride layer 60 functions primarily as an insulating layer so as to insulate the metallic sealing layer 62 from any electrical leads that pass beneath it. In this regard note FIG. 3 and leads 50 that pass under the sealing area.
  • FIG. 3 shows the additional layers that form the hermetic seal of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates such aluminum leads as coupling only from the back electrode 24, it is understood that such leads may also be in the form of conductive thin films associated with the cover sheet or a back glass 70. Also note, as illustrated in FIG. 1, that the sealing area is in a picture frame configuration so as to provide a total hermetic seal about the entire display area.
  • the silicon nitride layer 60 may be deposited using substantially the same equipment as is used for depositing the other thin film layers forming the electroluminescent device. Alternatively, the silicon nitride layer 60 may be deposited using separate equipment. This insulating layer covers the area on the substrate or the cover sheet over which the electrical leads pass and upon which the metallic seal lies. The insulating layer, as illustrated in FIG. 3, extends beyond the seal layer to provide a safety margin.
  • the eutectic metallic solder layer 62 is applied to the seal area on both the substrate and cover sheet in substantially- identically shaped picture frame configurations, such as illustrated- in FIG. 1.
  • the application of the layer 62 may be by known techniques such as by flashing or other means of deposition. These separately deposited picture frame configurations of the layer 62 are then mated and heated so that the solder material meets and flows together to form a single seal between the base substrate and cover sheet or protective back glass.
  • the eutectic sealing material may be applied in a paste form such as by depositing a bead in a picture frame configuration. In this instance, the device is then subjected to heat for driving off binders or other foreign materials associated with the paste. Also, the eutectic sealing material is one that is chosen for good adherence to the insulating film.
  • the fabrication of the electroluminescent device be carried out in a dry box or other controlled environment.
  • a dry box the parts are inserted, mated, and heated to reflow the seal material.
  • an additional layer of the metallic seal material may be used between the sealing elements on the substrate and cover sheet.
  • the layer 62 may be formed of a tin solder and the insulating layer is preferably silicon nitride.

Landscapes

  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
  • Electroluminescent Light Sources (AREA)
EP19830109358 1982-09-30 1983-09-20 Elektrolumineszente Anzeige Expired EP0105408B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US43195482A 1982-09-30 1982-09-30
US431954 1982-09-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0105408A1 true EP0105408A1 (de) 1984-04-18
EP0105408B1 EP0105408B1 (de) 1988-01-07

Family

ID=23714152

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19830109358 Expired EP0105408B1 (de) 1982-09-30 1983-09-20 Elektrolumineszente Anzeige

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0105408B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS59131975A (de)
CA (1) CA1229905A (de)
DE (1) DE3375273D1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998053644A1 (en) * 1997-05-22 1998-11-26 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Organic electroluminescent device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5080838B2 (ja) 2007-03-29 2012-11-21 富士フイルム株式会社 電子デバイスおよびその製造方法

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3330982A (en) * 1964-08-14 1967-07-11 Sylvania Electric Prod Hermetically encased electroluminescent display device
DE2735493A1 (de) * 1977-08-05 1979-02-08 Siemens Ag Fluessigkristallzelle mit durchkontaktierter elektrode sowie verfahren zur herstellung einer solchen zelle
GB2020684A (en) * 1978-03-16 1979-11-21 Sharp Kk Thin film electroluminescent display panel sealed by glass substrates
GB2049274A (en) * 1979-03-16 1980-12-17 Sharp Kk Moisture absorptive arrangement for a glass sealed thinfilm electroluminescent display panel
US4297004A (en) * 1978-09-20 1981-10-27 Technical Research of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display cell
EP0079045A1 (de) * 1981-11-06 1983-05-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh LCD-Anzeigevorrichtung

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3330982A (en) * 1964-08-14 1967-07-11 Sylvania Electric Prod Hermetically encased electroluminescent display device
DE2735493A1 (de) * 1977-08-05 1979-02-08 Siemens Ag Fluessigkristallzelle mit durchkontaktierter elektrode sowie verfahren zur herstellung einer solchen zelle
GB2020684A (en) * 1978-03-16 1979-11-21 Sharp Kk Thin film electroluminescent display panel sealed by glass substrates
US4297004A (en) * 1978-09-20 1981-10-27 Technical Research of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display cell
GB2049274A (en) * 1979-03-16 1980-12-17 Sharp Kk Moisture absorptive arrangement for a glass sealed thinfilm electroluminescent display panel
EP0079045A1 (de) * 1981-11-06 1983-05-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh LCD-Anzeigevorrichtung

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN VOL. 23, no. 11, April 1981 J. ADDY, W. L. WRIGHT "Liquid Crystal Cell Seal" page 5111 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998053644A1 (en) * 1997-05-22 1998-11-26 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Organic electroluminescent device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1229905A (en) 1987-12-01
JPH0380314B2 (de) 1991-12-24
DE3375273D1 (en) 1988-02-11
EP0105408B1 (de) 1988-01-07
JPS59131975A (ja) 1984-07-28

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