EP2191695A1

EP2191695A1 - Electroluminescence arrangement on textile materials

Info

Publication number: EP2191695A1
Application number: EP08803574A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Heite; Thilo-J. Werners; Jörg MÜNZ
Original assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
Current assignee: EFL HOLDINGS TECH BV
Priority date: 2007-09-04
Filing date: 2008-09-03
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Also published as: US20100195337A1; TW200920894A; WO2009030701A1

Abstract

An electroluminescence arrangement is described, which comprises at least one flexible electroluminescence element and at least one flexible textile carrier material.

Description

Electroluminescence arrangement on textile materials

The present invention relates to an electroluminescent device, to processes for their production and to their use as a lighting element.

Electro-luminescence (also abbreviated to "EL" below) is understood as meaning the direct luminescence excitation of luminescent pigments or luminophores by means of an electrical alternating field.

Electroluminescent technology has recently become increasingly important. It allows the realization of almost any size, glare-free and shadow-free, homogeneous lighting surfaces. Power consumption and installation depth on the order of one millimeter and below are extremely low. In addition to the backlighting of liquid crystal displays, the typical application involves the backlighting of transparent films provided with inscriptions and / or image motifs. Thus, transparent electroluminescent arrangements, e.g. B. electroluminescent phosphor plates based on glass or transparent plastic, e.g. can serve as information carrier, advertising transparent or for decorative purposes, known from the prior art.

As early as 1950, EC Payne in US 2,838,715 described a zinc sulfide electro-luminescent device based on the use of two conductive glass electrodes with electroluminescent phosphor interposed therebetween, and as reference a publication by G. Destriau, The New Phenomen of Electroluminescence and its Posibiiities for the Investigation of Crystal Lattice "in the" Philosophical Magazine ", where the original discovery of the particulate ZnS electroluminescence phenomenon in an AC field of Destriau was carried out as early as 1936. The luminescent pigments or luminophores which are used in these electroluminescent elements are embedded in a transparent, organic or ceramic binder. Starting materials are usually zinc sulfides which, depending on the doping or co-doping and preparation process, produce different, relatively narrow-band emission spectra. The reason for the use of zinc sulfides in the electroluminescent layers is on the one hand in the relatively large number of available zinc sulfide electroluminescent pigments. The center of gravity of the spectrum determines the respective color of the emitted light. The emission color of an electroluminescent element can be adapted to the desired color impression by a large number of possible measures. These include the doping and co-doping of the luminescent pigments, the mixture of two or more electroluminescent pigments, the addition of one or more organic and / or inorganic color-converting and / or color-feeding pigments, and the coating of the electroluminescent pigment organic and / or inorganic color-converting and / or farbfüptender substances, the incorporation of dyes in the polymer matrix in which the luminescent pigments are dispersed, and the incorporation of a color-converting and / or Farbfüptden layer or film in the structure of the electroluminescent element. Overall, when applying a correspondingly high alternating voltage of typically greater than 50 volts to over 200 volts and a frequency large 50 Hz to a few kHz, usually in the range of 400 Hz to 2 kHz, depending on the doping used and co-doping of the zinc sulfide pigments relatively broadband emission spectrum emitted.

In order for the emitted emission to be seen, at least one planar electrode is preferably made substantially transparent.

Depending on the intended use and manufacturing technology, it is possible to use glass substrates or polymeric films with an electrically conductive and largely transparent coating. In specific embodiments, an electroluminescent capacitor structure can also be used a substrate may be arranged such that only a thin layer is printed or laced as the front transparent electrode or applied by a roller coating method or a curtain coating method or a spraying method. In principle, two planar electrodes can also be made substantially transparent and thus a translucent electroluminescent element can be produced which has a light emission on both sides.

In the variety of interior lighting used today, such as motor vehicles, incandescent lamps are still used, which are behind a translucent glass or plastic disc. For the installation of such luminous fields a considerable effort is necessary because the corresponding vehicle installation openings for snapping, clipping or screwing light housings are necessary. Basically, there is therefore a need for alternative embodiments of interior lighting, as they represent, for example, electroluminescent arrangements.

In EP 1 053 91 0 A, an interior lighting of vehicles, preferably motor vehicles, with at least one light field, which is connected to a power supply of the vehicle and formed by at least one sheet-like electroluminescent panel radiator, described, the Leuchtfeid below an inner lining of the vehicle interior lies and the inner lining of translucent textile material or made of translucent foam.

US Pat. No. 6,464,381 describes a light-effect interior assembly for a vehicle, wherein an electroluminescent panel is arranged between a substrate and a tissue and the electroluminescence emission is effected through the tissue. Furthermore, the arrangement of a foam between the fabric and the substrate is described and a foam layer with tissue arranged above it is recommended, wherein the electroluminescent panel is arranged between the fabric and the foam. US Pat. No. 5,091 3,967 describes a surface freshener to which a plug is connected. The surface radiator forms together with the plug an Eiektrolumineszenz-lamp, which is inserted in the manner of a light bulb in a socket in the vehicle. So that the surface radiator is not damaged during repeated insertion or removal of the electroluminescent lamp, it is designed so that it has a high mechanical strength.

EP 0 334 799 A describes internal space lighting in which an electroluminescent foil is inserted into a housing. It is mounted from the outside on an interior panel of the vehicle, the housing is provided at the bottom with spigot, which pierce the interior trim and engage in corresponding receiving openings of the vehicle body.

EP 1 053 91 0 A describes an interior lighting of vehicles which comprises at least one light field, which is connected to a voltage supply of the vehicle and is formed by at least one foil-type, light-radiating foil tractor. In the conduction path from the power supply to the light field at least one DC / AC converter is provided, which is followed by a converter. The light field is below the interior trim of the vehicle interior.

It is not mentioned in the prior art that a corresponding electroluminescent arrangement can be used in combination with a flexible textile fabric as a carrier material. The applications described in the prior art generally do not require that the electroluminescent element used be flexible, since they are arranged in the interior at a non-flexible position of the motor vehicle.

The known from the prior art electroluminescent arrangements are therefore not suitable for flexible applications, ie for Applications where folding, buckling and / or folding of the electroluminescent device is required.

The invention has for its object to provide a ESelektrolumineszenz- arrangement which is flexible.

Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to provide an electroluminescent arrangement which can be used in the region of the headliner of a motor vehicle or for other objects of the interior of a motor vehicle.

In addition, the Eiektrolumineszenz arrangement should preferably have the smallest possible space requirements and a low installation effort and allow a uniform distribution of light emission even at longer Leuchtleisteπ.

This object is achieved by a Eiektrolumineszenz arrangement.

The electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the electroluminescent arrangement comprises at least one flexible electroluminescent element and at least one flexible textile substrate,

According to the invention, it is thus provided that the electroluminescent element is designed to be flexible so that it can execute the movements and deformation of the likewise flexible textile carrier material without restricting the functionality.

The electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention comprises at least one flexible textile carrier material. This flexible textile carrier material is provided on at least one side of the flexible electroluminescent element provided according to the invention. In addition, the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention may, for example, also comprise two flexible textile carrier materials which are provided on both sides of the electroluminescent element. In this case, egg Of the two flexible texti Trägermαteriαlien be part of a larger textile work, such as from a Dachhimmei a motor vehicle. The electroluminescent element arranged thereon is then likewise covered on the other side by a textile carrier material which extends, for example, in the direction of the observer,

In addition, systems of several inventive electroluminescent Anordπuπgen side by side are possible.

In the following, the individual components of the electroluminescent device according to the invention are described in more detail.

Eiektrol learn to study E!

The electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention comprises at least one electroluminescent element.

The electroluminescent element can generally comprise the following functional layers, wherein in some embodiments it is also possible to dispense with individual functional layers:

a) a transparent or non-transparent back electrode as

Component BE; b) a first insulation layer as component BD; c) a layer containing at least one excitable by an electric field luminous substance, as component BC; d) optionally a further isolation layer as component BB; and e) an at least partially transparent ceiling electrode

(= Front electrode) as component BA.

The electroluminescent system according to the invention is thus generally based on an inorganic thick-film AC system, for example with conventional Fiach bed and cylinder screen printing systems can be produced. Thus, the production of the Elekstranumineszenzanordnung invention is easily possible using conventional and available devices,

The individual constituents of the electroluminescence system (electroluminescence arrangement) are described in more detail below;

(1) Components BA and BE - cover and return electrode

Suitable electrically conductive materials for the electrodes are known per se to the person skilled in the art. In principle, several types of electrodes are suitable for the production of thick-film EL elements with AC excitation. On the one hand, these are sputtered or evaporated indium tin oxide electrodes (indium tin oxides, ITO) in vacuum on plastic films. They are very thin (a few 100 Å) and offer the advantage of high transparency with a relatively low sheet resistance (about 60 to 600 Ω).

Furthermore, printing pastes with ITO or ATO (antimony tin oxides, antimony tin oxide) or intrinsically conductive transparent polymer pastes can be used, from which flat electrodes are produced by means of screen printing. At a thickness of about 0.5 to 20 microns such electrodes offer only lower transparency with high sheet resistance (up to 50 kΩ). They can be applied in virtually any structure, even on structured surfaces. Furthermore, they offer a relatively good laminatability. Non-ITO screen printing layers (the term "non ITO" encompasses all screen printing layers that are not based on indium tin oxide (ITO)), ie intrinsically conductive polymer layers with usually nanoscale electrically conductive pigments, for example ATO Siebdruckpasfen with the designations 71 or 62E 7164 from DuPont, which intrinsically ieitfähigen polymer systems, such as the organisms con ^® system from Agfa, the Baytron ^® poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) -. system of H C. Starck GmbH, Ormecon's system, known as organic-conductive polymer polyethylene-dioxythiophene (PEDT), isitable coating or ink systems of Pαnipoi OY and optionally with highly flexible binders, for example based on PU (polyurethanes), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) or modified polyaniline, can be used. Is preferred as the material of the at least partially transparent electrode of the electroluminescent element Baytron ^® Po! Y (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) system H. C. Starck GmbH used. Examples of electrically conductive polymer films are polyanilines, polythiophenes, polyacetylenes, polypyrroles (Handbook of Conducting Polymers, 1 986) with and without meta-oxide filling.

In addition, tin-oxide pastes are also usable as the corresponding electrode material.

It is also possible for the electrically conductive coating to be a thin and largely transparent layer which is vacuum or pyrolytically produced metallic or metal oxide, which preferably has a sheet resistance of 5 mΩ / square to 3000 Ω / square, particularly preferably a sheet resistance of 0.1 to 1 000 Ω / square, very particularly preferably 5 to 30 Ω / square, and in a further preferred embodiment a daylight transmittance of at least greater than 60% (> 60 to 100%) and in particular greater than 76% ( > 76 to 100%).

In the context of the present invention, however, the use of intrinsically conductive polymers as electrode material, in particular of the type described above, is preferred. The surface resistance of corresponding electrodes made of intrinsically conductive polymers should generally be from 1 00 to 2 000 Ω / square, more preferably from 200 to 1500 Ω / square, in particular from 200 to 1000 Ω / square, especially from 300 to 600 Ω / square.

The electrode materials can be applied, for example by screen printing, knife coating, spraying, brushing, by vacuum or pyrolytically on corresponding carrier materials (substrates), whereby zugt then dried at low temperatures, for example, 80 to 1 20 ⁰ C is dried.

The back electrode (component BE) is - as with the at least partially transparent cover electrode (component BA) - a planar electrode, which must not be transparent or at least partially transparent, this is generally made of electrically conductive materials on inorganic or organically based, for example, metals such as silver. Suitable electrodes are also in particular polymeric electrically conductive coatings. In this case, the coatings already mentioned above with regard to the at least partially transparent cover electrode can be used. In addition, it is possible to use those polymeric, electrically conductive coatings which are known to the person skilled in the art and which are not at least partially transparent.

Suitable materials of the back electrode are thus preferably selected from the group consisting of metals such as silver, carbon, ITO screen printing layers, ATO screen printing layers, non-ITO screen printing layers, ie intrinsically conductive polymer systems with usually nanoscale electrically conductive pigments , for example ATO screen printing pastes with the designation 7162E or 71 64 by DuPont, intrinsically conductive polymer systems such as Orgacon ^® system from Agfa, the Baytroπ ^® poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) system of HC Siarck GmbH, which (as an organic metal PEDT conductive polymer polyethyle- ne-dioxythiophene) system from Ormecon, conductive coating and printing ink systems from Panipol Oy and optionally with highly flexible binders, for example based on PU (polyurethanes), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) or modified polyaniline, wherein the above-mentioned materials for improving de For electrical conductivity to metals such as silver or carbon can be added and / or can be supplemented with a layer of these materials.

Moreover, in a first embodiment it is possible that the cover electrode (component BA) comprises particles with nanostructures. It is also possible that in a second embodiment the back electrode (component BE) comprises particles with nanostructures,

In a third embodiment, both the top electrode and the back electrode comprise particles with nanostructures.

In the context of the present invention, the term "particles with nanostructures" is understood to mean nanoscale material structures which are selected from the group consisting of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNCNTs), nanohorns, nanodisks, nanocones (ie, cone-shaped structures), metallic nanowires, and combinations of the aforementioned particles. Corresponding particles with carbon-based nanostructures can be selected, for example, from carbon nanotubes (single-shell and multi-shell), carbon nanofibers (herringbone, Carbon nanotubes are also internationally known as carbon nanotubes (single-walled and multi- walled), carbon nanofibers as carbon nanofibers (of the herringbone, platelet or screw type).

The preparation of these single-walled carbon nanotubes is known to the person skilled in the art and appropriate prior art methods can be used. These include, for example, the catalytic chemical vapor deposition CCVD.

These methods often yield fractions that differ in diameter, length, chirality, and electronic properties. They occur in a cluster and are often mixed with one part of amorphous carbon. The SWCNTs are separated from these fractions.

The hitherto known separation processes for SWCNT are based on electron transfer effects on metallic SWCNT treated with diazonium salts, on dielectrophoresis, on a particular chemical affinity from conductive carbon nanotubes to octa-decylmines and to carbon nanotubes encased in single-stranded DNA. The selectivity of these methods can be further improved by intensive centrifugation of pretreated dispersions and application of ion exchange chromatography. In the context of the present invention, fractionally pure singly-walled carbon nanotubes are preferably used, ie fractions of single-walled carbon nanotubes which differ in terms of a parameter selected from the group consisting of diameter, length, chirality and electronic creatures, not more than 50%, more preferably not more than 40%, in particular not more than 30%, especially not more than 20%, especially not more than 1 0%.

With regard to metallic nanowires, reference is made to WO 2007/022226 A2, the disclosure of which with respect to the nanowires disclosed therein is incorporated by reference into the present invention. The electrically highly conductive and largely transparent silver nanowires described in WO 2007/022226 A2 are particularly suitable for the present invention.

The production of the remaining particles. with nanostructures is known to the person skilled in the art and described in corresponding documents of the prior art.

With regard to the preferably to be achieved for the present invention, flexibility of the inventive electroluminescent element, it is particularly preferable if the partially transparent electrically conductive planar top electrode and / or the Rückeiektrode on the basis of an intrinsically conductive polymer, for example Baytron ^® P from HC Starck, is performed. Here, the electrical conductivity and the deformability-increasing admixtures, such as nanoscale particles based on SWCNTs, silver nanowires, nano-cones or nano-tubes, be added, whereby the transparency is not significantly affected. Usually busbar systems are arranged especially in the contact area of the two planar electrodes and so can the electrical contacts with a low contact resistance by crimping, Piercen, Kiemmen or electrically capable adhesive bonding are performed.

(2) Component BB and BD - Insulation Layers (Dielectric Layers)

The electroluminescent element according to the invention has at least one dielectric layer (insulation layer, component BB), which is generally provided between the back electrode (component BE) and the electroluminescent layer (component BC). In addition, several, for example two or three Isoiationschichten can be used at this point. The electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention can thus also have at least two dielectric layers in one embodiment, which are then arranged next to each other and together improve the insulation effect or which are interrupted (separated) by a floating electrode layer. The use of a second dielectric layer may depend on the quality and pinhole freedom of the first dielectric layer.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the electroluminescent element used according to the invention also comprises a dielectric layer (insulation layer, component BD) between the electroluminescent layer (component BC) and the cover electrode (component BA).

Corresponding dielectric layers are known to the person skilled in the art. Corresponding layers often have high dielectric powders, such as barium titanate, which are preferably dispersed in fluorine-containing plastics or in cyan-based resins. Examples of particularly suitable particles are barium titanate particles in the range of preferably 1.0 to 2.0 μm. These can give a relative dielectric constant of up to 100 at a high degree of filling. The dielectric layer has a thickness of generally 1 to 50 μm, preferably 2 to 40 μm, particularly preferably 5 to 25 μm, especially 8 to 15 μm.

In the context of the present invention, this layer is preferably designed to be flexible and foldable. This is achieved, for example, by a polyurethane-based and more particularly by a two-component PU screen printing ink, it being possible to add barium titanate (BaTiO ₃ ) pigments of the abovementioned type in order to increase the relative dielectric constant, ie a relative dielectric constant of Since such BaTiO ₃ admixtures produce an opaque whitish layer, this layer can also be used for the reflection of the electroluminescence emission, Falis in addition to the electroluminescent emission upwards still a down electroluminescence emission required , then no BaTiO should be ₃ -Beimengung, the dielectric layer can also be performed two or more times, as especially of small air bubbles in the screen printing of the installation (microbubbles) can not be avoided, and this problem can be solved in a dual screen printing,

(3) Component BC - electroluminescent layer

The electroluminescent element used according to the invention comprises at least one electroluminescent layer as layer BC. The layer BC can also be formed from a plurality of layers having an electro-luminescence effect.

The at least one electroluminescent layer BC is generally between the cover electrode (component BA) or, if appropriate, a dielectric layer (component BD) and the dielectric layer

In this case, the electroluminescent layer can be arranged directly after the dielectric layer B or optionally one or more further layers can be arranged between the dielectric layer BB and the electroluminescent layer Be arranged BC. Preferably, the electroluminescent layer BC is arranged directly in connection with the dielectric layer BB.

The at least one electroluminescent layer can be arranged on the entire inner surface of the cover electrode (component BA) or insulation layer (component BD) or on one or more partial surfaces of the cover electrode. In the case in which the electroluminescent layer is not closed but is arranged on a plurality of partial surfaces, for example the cover electrode, the partial surfaces generally have a spacing of 0.5 to 10.0 mm, preferably 1 to 5 mm, from one another,

Moreover, in the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention, it is possible for the electroluminescent layer to consist of two or more electroluminescent layer elements arranged side by side with different electroluminescent layers.

Phosphor pigments exists, so that different colors can be generated in the context of the electroluminescent device.

The electroluminescent layer is generally composed of a binder matrix having electroluminescent pigments homogeneously dispersed therein. The binder matrix is generally chosen in such a way that a good adhesive bond is provided on the cover electrode layer (component BA) or the dielectric layer (component BD) and the dielectric layer (component BB). in a preferred embodiment, PVB or PU-based systems are used. In addition to the electroluminescent pigments, further additives may optionally be present in the binder matrix, such as color-converting organic and / or inorganic systems, color additives for a day and night light effect and / or reflective and / or light-absorbing effect pigments, such as aluminum flakes, glass flakes or mica - Plateietts, Generally the party is! the electroluminescent pigments in the total mass of the electroluminescent layer (degree of filling) 20 to 75 wt .-%, preferably 50 to 70 wt .-%. The electroluminescent pigments used in the electroluminescent layer generally have a thickness of from 1 to 50 .mu.m, preferably from 5 to 25 .mu.m.

Dickfilm AC-EL systems have been known since Destriau 1947 and are usually applied by screen printing on ITO-PET films. Since zinc sulphide electro-lumphophores have a very high degradation during operation, especially at higher temperatures and in a water vapor environment, today, for long-lived thick film AC-EL lamp assemblies, microencapsulated electroluminescent phosphors (pigments) are generally used. However, it is also possible to use non-microencapsulated pigments in the electroluminescent element used according to the invention, as further explained below.

Suitable electroluminescent screen printing pastes are generally based on inorganic substances. Suitable substances are, for example, highly pure ZnS, CdS, Zn _x Cd _{1 x} S compounds of groups IIB and IV of the Periodic Table of the Elements, with ZnS being particularly preferably used. The aforementioned substances may be doped or activated and optionally further co-activated. For doping, for example copper and / or manganese are used. The coactivation takes place z. B. with chlorine, bromine, iodine and aluminum. The content of alkali and rare earth metals is generally very low in the abovementioned substances, if they are present at all. Very particular preference is given to using ZnS, which is preferably doped or activated with copper and / or manganese and is preferably co-activated with chlorine, bromine, iodine and / or aluminum.

Common electroluminescent emission colors are yellow, green, green-blue, blue-green and white, where the emission color may be white or red by mixtures of suitable electro-luminescent phosphors (pigments) or by color conversion. The color conversion can generally be in the form of a converting layer and / or the addition of corresponding dyes and pigments in the polymeric Binder the Siebdruckfαrben or the polymeric matrix, in which the electroluminescent Pigrnente are installed done.

When the electro-illumination arrangement according to the invention is used in an interior of a motor vehicle, for example in a folding roof of a convertible, it is preferred for the electroluminescent element to emit the color white.

The screen printing matrix used to produce the electroluminescent layer is generally provided with translucent, color-feeding or color-converting dyes and / or pigments. In this way, an emission color white or a day-night light effect can be generated.

In a further embodiment, pigments are used in the electroluminescent layer which have an emission in the blue wavelength range of 420 to 480 nm and are optionally provided with a color-converting microencapsulation. In this way, the color white can also be emitted.

In addition, the AC-P-EL screen printing matrix preferably has wavelength-converting inorganic fine particles based on europium (Ii) activated alkaline earth ortho-silicate phosphors, such as (Ba, Sr, Ca) ₂ SiO ₄ : Eu ^{2 +} , and YAG phosphors such as Y ₃ Al ₅ O _{2: 1)} Ce ^3+, Tb ₃ Al ₅ O ₁₂ ICe ^3+, Sr ₂ Ga ₄₎ Eu ^2+, SrS: Eu ^2+, (Y, Lu, Gd, Tb) ₃ ( Al, Sc, Ga) ₅ O ₁₂ ; Ce ³⁺ or (Zn, Ca, Sr) (S, Se): Eu ^{2 +} . Also in this way, a white emission can also be achieved.

According to the state of the art, the abovementioned "phosphoroluminescent phosphorus" pigments can be microencapsulated. Due to the inorganic microencapsulation technology good half-lives can be achieved. Exemplary of this is the ESektrolumineszenz screen printing system Luxprint ^® for EL from E. I. called du Pont de Nemours and Companies. Organic microencapsulation technologies and film clad laminates based on the various thermoplastic films are also suitable in principle. Suitable zinc-sulfide microcapsulated electroluminescent phosphors (pigments) are described by Osram Sylvania, Inc. Towanda under the Handeisnamen GiacierGLO ^® Standard, High Brite ^® and Long Life ^® and the Durel Division of Rogers Corporation under the trade names 1 PHSOO l ^® High-Efficiency Green Encapsulated EL Phosphor, 1 PHS002 ^® High-Efficiency Biue Green Encapsulated EL Phosphor, 1 PHS003 ^® Loπg Life Blue Encapsulated EL Phosphor and 1 PHS004 ^® Long-Life Orange Encapsulated EL Phosphor offered.

The average particle diameters of the microencapsulated pigments used in the electroluminescent layer are generally from 1.5 to 60 .mu.m, preferably from 20 to 35 .mu.m.

As already mentioned, non-microencapsulated fine-grained electroluminescent pigments, preferably having a long service life, can also be used in the electroluminescent layer of the electroluminescent element according to the invention. Suitable non-microencapsulated fine-grained zinc sulfide electroluminescent phosphors are e.g. in US 6,248,261 and in WO 01/34723, the relevant disclosure of which is incorporated by reference into the present invention. These preferably have a cubic crystal structure. The non-microencapsulated pigments preferably have average particle diameters of from 1 to 30 .mu.m, particularly preferably from 2 to 15 .mu.m, very particularly preferably from 5 to 1 .mu.m.

Specially non-microencapsulated electroluminescent pigments can be used with smaller pigment dimensions down to less than 10 microns.

The starting materials used according to the present application for the Eiektrolumineszenz layer, such as the screen printing inks, thus unencapsulated pigments, preferably taking into account the special hygroscopic properties of the pigments, preferably the ZnS pigments, are added. In this case, binders are generally used which, on the one hand, have good adhesion to so-called ITO layers (indium tin oxide) or to intrinsic have [sitfähigeπ] polymeric transparent layers, and furthermore have good insulating, reinforce the dielectric and thus improve the dielectric strength at high electric field strengths, in addition have a good water vapor barrier in the cured state and additionally protect the phosphorus pigments and life extend.

The half-lives of the suitable pigments in the electroluminescent layer, that is to say the time in which the initial harshness of the electroluminescent element according to the invention has fallen to half, are generally from 100 to 80 volts and 400 hertz to 400 to 5000 hours.

The brightness values (electroluminescence emission) are generally from 1 to 200 Cd / m ² , particularly preferably from 1 to 100 Cd / m ² , in particular from 1 to 50 Cd / m ² .

However, it is also possible to use pigments with longer or shorter half-lives and higher or lower brightness values in the electroluminescent layer of the electroluminescent element according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the pigments present in the electroluminescent layer have such a small average particle diameter, or such a low degree of filling in the electroluminescent layer, or the individual electroluminescent layers are embodied geometrically so small, or the distance of the individual Eiektrolumines ™ zenz layers is chosen so large, so that the electroluminescent element is designed at least partially transparent in non-electrically activated lighting structure or a review is guaranteed. Suitable pigment particle diameters, fill levels, dimensions of the luminous elements and distances of the luminous elements are mentioned above. In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, the electroluminescent layer in the electroluminescent arrangement is based on an electroluminescent phosphor emitting the color green and color conversion pigments homogeneously dispersed in the electroluminescent layer. For example, color conversion pigments "EL Color Converting Pigments FA-OOO Series" from Sinloihi Co., Ltd. are used. Japan in question. It is also possible to add a color-converting substance, such as rhodamine, so that a white emission is achieved. The electroluminescence emission in the area of the color white is especially preferred when the electroluminescent arrangement is used in an interior of motor vehicles ,

In addition, the use of at least two electroluminescent layer elements makes it possible to produce a different field of light in terms of location and wavelength by selecting at least two adjacent electroluminescent layers with different electroluminescent phosphor pigments.

The electroluminescent device according to the invention is operated by an electroluminescent voltage supply having an AC voltage frequency in the range of 200 Hz to more than 1 000 Hz.

As already stated, it is advantageous for the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention if the electroluminescent arrangement is flexible. The electroluminescent layer is therefore preferably produced by screen printing since this results in good flexibility and foldability of the resulting electroluminescent layer , In this case, a polymeric elastic binder matrix, preferably based on poly urethane and most preferably used in a two-component embodiment, is used. In this Bindemitteipoiymer then the zinc sulfide electroluminescent pigments are dispersed.

The inventively provided electroluminescent system based on zinc sulfide Dickfiim-alternating current electroluminescence is thus a Elθktroluminβszenz system, which is particularly suitable for the required flexibility or deformability.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the electroluminescent element provided according to the invention will now be described below:

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electroluminescent element consists of the following layers (conventional structure):

a) an at least partially transparent substrate, component A,

b) at least one electroluminescent device, component B, applied to the substrate, comprising the following components:

ba) an at least partially transparent electrode, component BA, as a front electrode, bb) optionally an insulating layer, component BB, bc) a layer containing at least one excitable by an electric field luminescent pigment (Elektroluiminophor), called electroluminescent layer or pigment layer, component BC bd) optionally an insulation layer, component BD, be) a back electrode, component BE, which may be at least partially transparent, bf) one or more interconnects, component BF, for electrical contacting of both component BA and component BE, wherein the conductor track or the conductor tracks can be applied before, after or between the electrodes BA and BE, wherein preferably the conductor track or the conductor tracks are applied in one working step. The printed conductor or printed conductors can be applied in the form of a silver bus, preferably made of a silver paste. Eventueli can before the Applying the silver bus can still be applied a Grσphitschicht

c) a protective layer, component CA or a film, component CB,

The insulation layers BB and BD can be opaque, opaque or transparent, wherein at least one of the layers must be at least partially transparent if two insulation layers are present.

On the outside of the substrate A and / or between the substrate A and the electroluminescent arrangement, one or more at least partially transparent graphically designed layers can also be arranged.

In addition to the layers mentioned (components A, B and C), the Etektrolumineszenz element according to the invention (conventional structure) may have one or more reflection layer (s). The reflection layer (s) may or may in particular be arranged:

outside on component A, between component A and component BA, between component BA and component BB or BC, if component BB is missing, between component BD and component BE, between component BE and component BF, between component BF and component CA CB, outside on component CA or CB.

The reflection layer layer, if present, is preferably arranged between component BC and component BD or, BE, if component BD is missing.

The reflection layer preferably comprises glass beads, in particular hollow glass beads. The diameter of the glass beads can be in wide Borders are changed. Thus, they can have a size d ₅₀ of generally 5 μm to 3 mm, preferably 1 0 to 200 μm, particularly preferably 20 to 100 μm. The hollow glass beads are preferably embedded in a binder.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the electroluminescent element consists of the following layers (inverse layer structure):

a) an at least partially transparent substrate, component A,

b) at least one electroluminescent arrangement, component B, applied to the substrate, comprising the following components

be) a back electrode, component BE, which may be at least partially transparent, bb) optionally an insulating layer, component BB, bc) a layer containing at least one stimulable by an electric field luminescent pigment (electroluminophore), called electro-nnrnance layer or Pigmenfschicht , Component BC, bd) optionally an insulating layer, component BD, ba) an at least partially transparent electrode, component BA, as a front electrode, bf) a conductor track or a plurality of conductor tracks, component BF, for the electrical contacting of both component BA and component BE , wherein the conductor track or the conductor tracks can be applied before, after or between the electrodes BA and BE, wherein preferably the

Conductor or the conductors are applied in one step. The printed conductor or printed conductors can be applied in the form of a silver bus, preferably made of a silver paste. Eventueil can be applied before the application of the silver bus or a graphite layer. c) an at least partially transparent protective layer, component CA and / or a film, component CB.

On the transparent protective layer C and / or between the transparent protective layer C and the electroluminescent arrangement, one or more at least partially transparent graphically designed layers may also be arranged. In particular, the graphically designed layers can assume the function of the protective layer.

In a particular embodiment of the inverse layer structure, the abovementioned structures B, C can be mounted both on the front side of the substrate, component A, and on the back, as well as on both sides of the substrate (two-sided structure), the layers BA to BF they may be identical on both sides, but they may differ in one or more layers, so that, for example, the electroluminescent element emits on both sides or the electroluminescent element on each side has a different color and / or brightness and / or or another graphic design.

In addition to the layers mentioned (components A, B and C), the inverse layer structure electroluminescent element according to the invention may have one or more reflection layers. The reflection layer (s) may or may in particular be arranged:

outside on component A, between component A and component BE, between component BE and component BB, - between component BB and component BC, between component BC and component BD, between component BD and component BA, between component BA and component BF, between component BF and component CA or CB, - on component CA or CB. Preferably, the reflection layer, if present, arranged between component BC and component BB or BE, if component BB is missing.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments and features of the conventional structure, unless otherwise specified, apply mutatis mutandis to inverse layer construction and two-sided construction.

The one or more insulation layer (s) BB and / or BD, both in the conventional construction and in the inverse construction, can be dispensed with in particular if the component BC has a layer thickness which prevents a short circuit between the two electrode components BA and BE .

The following describes the characteristics of the individual components of the EL element:

electrodes

The EL element according to the invention has a first, at least partially transparent, front electrode (= cover electrode) BA and a second electrode, the back electrode BE.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "at least partially transparent" means an electrode which is constructed from a material which has a transmission of generally more than 60%, preferably more than 70%, particularly preferably more than 80%, specifically more than 90%.

The return electrode BE does not necessarily have to be transparent. Suitable electrically conductive materials for the electrodes are known per se to the person skilled in the art. In principle, several types of electrodes are suitable for the production of thick-film EL elements with AC excitation. On the one hand, these are indium tin oxide electrodes (indium tin oxide, ITO) sputtered or vapor-deposited onto plastic films in vacuum. They are very thin (some 100 Å) and offer the advantage of high transparency with a relatively low sheet resistance (about 60 to 600 Ω).

For formulation of a printing paste for producing the partially transparent electrode, BA 1 0 to 90% by weight, preferably 20 to 80% by weight, particularly preferably 30 to 65% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the printing paste, are preferred according to the invention. Clevios P, Cievios PH, Clevios P AG, Clevios P HCV4, Cievios P HS, Clevios PH 500, Cievios PH 51 0 or any mixtures thereof. Suitable solvents may be dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, ethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitoi, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, N-propanol, acetone, methylethyi-ketone, dimethylaminoethanol, water or mixtures of two or more three or more of the mentioned solvents are used. The amount of solvent can vary widely in the printing paste. Thus, in a formulation of a paste according to the invention, 55 to 60% by weight of solvent may be present, while in another inventive formulation about 35 to 45% by weight of a solvent mixture of two or more solvents are used. Furthermore, as an interface additive and adhesion promoter Silquest Al 87, Neo Rez R986, Dynol 604 and / or mixtures of two or more of these substances may be included. The amount thereof is 0, 1 to 5.0 wt .-%, preferably 0.3 to 2.5 wt .-%, based on the total weight of the printing paste.

For example, Bayderm Finish 85 UD, Bayhydrol PR340 / 1, Bayhydrol PRI 35 or any mixtures thereof, preferably in amounts of about 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably 3 to 5% by weight, can be used as binders in the formulation. be included. In the case of the polyurethane dispersions used according to the invention, which after drying the layer, the binder form medium for the conductive layer, it is preferably aqueous polyurethane dispersions.

Particularly preferred formulations of printing pastes according to the invention for producing the partially transparent electrode BA include:

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned formulations for the partially transparent electrode BA, the following formulations which have already been mentioned by way of example, for example, already finished, commercial! available printing pastes according to the invention: the Orgacon EL-Pl OOO, EL-P3000, EL-P5000 or EL-Pό000 series from Agfa, preferably the EL P3000 and EL-POOOOO series (especially for deformable applications).

These electrode materials can, for example, by means of screen printing, Ra- no. Spraying, spraying and / or brushing on appropriate Trägerma- materials (substrates) are applied, which is preferably then dried at low temperatures of, for example, 80 to 1 20 ⁰ C.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the application of the electrically conductive coating takes place by means of vacuum or pyrolytically.

Particularly preferred in the alternative embodiment, the electrically conductive coating is a thin and substantially transparent layer by means of vacuum or pyrolytically produced metallic or metal oxide, which preferably has a sheet resistance of 5 mΩ / square to 3000 Ω / square, particularly preferably a sheet resistance of 0, 1 to 1, 000 Ω / square, very particularly preferably 5 to 30 Ω / square, and in a further preferred embodiment, a daily light transmittance of at least greater than 60% (> 60 to 100%) and the other into ^¬ greater 76% (> 76 to 1 00%).

In addition, electrically conductive glass can be used as an electrode.

A particular preferred type of electrically conductive and highly transparent glass, in particular float glass, are pyrolytically produced layers which have a high surface hardness and whose surface electrical resistance can be set in a very wide range, generally from a few milliohms to 3000 Ω / square.

Such pyrolytically coated glasses can be well deformed and have a good scratch resistance, in particular scratches do not lead to an electrical interruption of the electrically conductive upper surface layer, but only to a mostly slight increase in the surface resistance.

In addition, pyrolytically produced conductive surface layers are so strongly diffused into the surface by the temperature treatment and anchored in the surface that during a subsequent application of material an extremely high adhesion to the glass substrate is provided, which is also very advantageous for the present invention. In addition, such coatings have good homogeneity, that is to say a low scattering of the surface resistance value over large surfaces. This property likewise represents an advantage for the present invention.

Electrically conductive and highly transparent thin layers can be produced on a glass substrate, which is preferably used according to the invention, much more efficiently and cost-effectively than on polymeric substrates such as PET or PlvlMA or PC. On average, the surface resistivity of glass coatings is 10 times cheaper than on a polymer film with comparable transparency, ie 3 to 10 Ω / square for glass layers compared to 30 to 100 Ω / square on PET films.

The back electrode component BE is - as in the case of the at least partially transparent electrode - a planar electrode, which, however, need not be transparent or at least partially transparent. This is generally applied to the insulation layer, if present, if no insulation layer is present is, the back electrode is applied to the layer containing at least one excitable by an electric field luminous substance, in an alternative embodiment, the back electrode is applied to the substrate A.

The back electrode is generally constructed of electrically conductive materials on an inorganic or organic basis, for example of metals such as silver, preference being given to using such materials. those which are not damaged when using the isostatic high-pressure deformation process for producing the three-dimensionally deformed film element according to the invention. Suitable electrodes are, in particular, polymeric electrically conductive coatings. In this case, the coatings already mentioned above with regard to the at least partially transparent electrode can be used. In addition, it is possible to use those polymeric, electrically conductive coatings which are known to the person skilled in the art and which are not at least partially transparent.

The formulation of the printing paste for the back electrode can correspond to that of the partially transparent electrode.

Deviating from this formulation, however, the following formulation can also be used according to the invention for the back electrode.

To formulate a printing paste for the preparation of the back electrode are from 30 to 90% by weight, preferably 40 to 80% by weight, particularly preferably 50 to 70% by weight, each based on the total weight of the Druckpas- te, the conductive polymers Clevios P, Clevios Clevios P AG, Clevios P HCV4, Clevios P HS, Clevios PH, Clevios PH 500, Clevios PH 510 or any mixtures thereof. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, ethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, N-propanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylaminoethanol, water or Mixtures of two or three or more of these solvents can be used. The amount of solvent used can vary widely. Thus, in a formulation of a paste according to the invention, 55 to 60% by weight of solvent may be present, while in another formulation according to the invention about 40% by weight of a solvent mixture of three solvents are used. Furthermore, as an interface additive and adhesion activator Silquest Al 87, Neo Rez R986, Dyno! 604 or mixtures of two or more of these substances are preferably present in an amount of 0, 7 to 1, 2 wt .-%. As a binder For example, 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of UD-85, Bαyhydrol PR340 / 1, Bαyhydrol PR I 35 or any mixtures thereof may be present.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the return electrode may be filled with graphite. This can be achieved by adding graphite to the formulations described above.

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned formulation for the back electrode can be used according to the invention as finished formulations also exemplified here already finished, commercially available printing pastes: the Orgacon EL -P 000, EL-P3000, EL-P5000 or EL-Pό000 Series from Agfa, prefers the EL-P3000 and EL-POOOOO series (for deformable applications). Here graphite can also be added.

The printing pastes of the Orgacon EL-P4000 series, especially Orgacon EL-P401 0 and EL-4020, can be used especially for the back electrode. Both can be mixed together in any ratio. Orgacon EL-P401 0 and EL-4020 already contain graphite.

Commercially available graphite pastes can also be used as back electrode, for example graphite pastes from Acheson, in particular Electrodag 965 SS or Electrodag 601 7 SS.

A particularly preferred formulation according to the invention of a printing paste for producing the back electrode BE comprises:

Conductor tracks, connections of the electrodes

For large-area light elements with a light capacitor structure, the surface conductivity for a uniform luminance plays a significant role. Frequently, in the case of large-area light-emitting elements as printed conductors, component BF, so-called bus bars are used, in particular in semiconducting LEP (Light Emitting Polymers), PLED and / or OLED systems, in which relatively large currents flow. Very good electrically conductive tracks are produced in the manner of a cross. In this way, for example, a large area is divided into four small areas. Thus, the voltage drop in the central region of a Leuchtfiäche is significantly reduced and reduces the uniformity of the luminance or the drop in brightness in the middle of a light field,

In a zinc-sulfidic particulate EL element used in one embodiment of the invention, in general, greater than 100 volts to over 200 volts AC are applied, and very low currents flow when a good dielectric or good insulation is used. Therefore, in the ZπS thick-film AC-EL element according to the invention, the problem of the current load is substantially lower than in the case of semiconducting LEP or OLED systems, so that sαtz of bus bαrs is not absolutely necessary, but large-area lighting elements without use of bus bars can be provided.

According to the invention, it is sufficient for the Siiberbus to be printed on areas below DIN A3 only at the edge of the electrode layer BA or BE; For surfaces above DiN A3, it is preferred according to the invention for the silver bus to form at least one additional conductor track.

The electrical connections can be made, for example, using electrically conductive and stovable pastes with tin, zinc, silver, palladium, aluminum and other suitable conductive metals or combinations and mixtures or alloys thereof.

In this case, the electrically conductive contact strips are generally applied to the electrically conductive and at least partially transparent thin coatings by means of screen printing, brush application, ink jet, doctor blade, roller, by spraying or by Dispensierauftrag or comparable application methods known in the art and then generally in an oven thermally treated, so that usually attached laterally along a substrate edge strips can be contacted by soldering, terminals or plug electrically conductive.

As long as only low electrical power has to be applied to electrically conductive coatings, spring contacts or carbon-filled rubber elements or so-called zebra rubber strips are sufficient. As conductive adhesive pastes, preference is given to using conductive adhesive pastes based on silver, palladium, copper or gold-filled polymer adhesive. It is also possible to apply self-adhesive electrically conductive strips, for example, of tinned copper foil with an adhesive which is electrically conductive in the z-direction, by pressing, In general, the adhesive layer is pressed uniformly with a surface pressure of some N / cm ² , and values of 0.01 3 Ω / cm ² (for example, Conductive Copper Foil Tape VE 1 691 from D & M International, A Home-shoe) or 0.005 Ω (for example Type 1 1 83 from 3M Electrical Products Division, Austin, Texas USA, according to MI L-STD-200 Method 307 maintained at 5 psi / 3.4 N / cm ² measured over 1 sq in surface area) or 0.001 Ω (for example Type 1 345 from 3M) or 0.003 Ω (for example Type 3202 from Holland Shieiding Systems BV).

However, the contacting can be carried out by all methods familiar to the person skilled in the art, for example crimping, inserting, clamping, riveting, screwing.

dielectric layer

The egg element according to the invention preferably has at least one dielectric layer, component BD, which is provided between the back electrode component BE and the EL layer component BC.

Corresponding dielectric layers are known to the person skilled in the art. Corresponding layers frequently have powders which have a high dielectric action, for example barium titanate, which are preferably dispersed in fluorine-containing plastics or in cyan-based resins. Examples of particularly suitable particles are barium titanate particles in the range of preferably 1, 0 to 2.0 microns. These can give a relative dielectric constant of up to 100 at a high degree of filling.

The dielectric layer has a thickness of generally 1 to 50 μm, preferably 2 to 40 μm, more preferably 5 to 25 μm, especially 8 to 15 μm.

In an embodiment, the EL element according to the invention may additionally also have a further dielectric layer which is arranged above one another and together the insulation effect improve or soft is interrupted by a fSoatende electrode layer. The use of a second dielectric layer may depend on the quality and pinhole freedom of the first dielectric layer. As fillers inorganic insulating materials are used, which are known to those skilled in the literature, for example: BaTiO ₃ , SrTiO ₃ , KNbO ₃ , PbTiO ₃ , LaTaO ₃ , LiNbO ₃ , GeTe, Mg ₂ TiO ₄ , Bi ₂ (TiO ₃ J ₃ , NiTiO ₃ , CaTiO ₃ , ZnTiO ₃ , Zn ₂ TiO ₄ , BaSnO ₃ , Bi (SnO ₃ J ₃ , CaSnO ₃ , PbSnO ₃ , MgSnO ₃ , SrSnO ₃ , ZnSnO ₃ , BaZrO ₃ , CaZrO ₃ , PbZrO ₃ , MgZrO ₃ , SrZrO ₃ , ZnZrO ₃ and BIeI-Zikonat Titanate mixed crystals or mixtures of two or more of these fillers According to the invention preferably as a filler are BaTiO ₃ or PbZrO ₃ or mixtures thereof, preferably in Füllmengeπ of 5 to 80 wt .-%, preferably from 1 0 to 75% by weight, particularly preferably from 40 to 70% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the paste, in the paste for producing the insulating layer.

Binders for this layer may be one- or preferably two-component polyurethane systems, preferably Bayer Materiai Science AG, in turn Desmodur and Desmophen, or the lacquer raw materials of the Lupranate, Lupranol, Pluracol or Lupraphen series from BASF AG; Degussa AG (Evonik), preferably Vestanat, again particularly preferred Vestanat T and B; or the Dow Chemical Company, again preferably Vorastar; be used. Furthermore, even highly flexible binders, for example! those based on PMMA, PVA, in particular Mowiol and Poval from Kuraray Speciaities Europe GmbH or Polyviol from Wacker AG, or PVB, in particular Mowital from Kuraray Speciaities Europe GmbH (B 20 H, B 30 T, B 30 H, B 30 HH, B 45 H, B 60 T, B 60 H, B 60 HH, B 75 H), or Pioloform, in particular Pioloform BR I 8, BM I 8 or BTI 8, from Wacker AG.

Examples of suitable solvents are ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, 1-methoxypropyl acetate-2, toluene, xylene, Solvesso 100, Shellsol A or mixtures of two or more of these solvents. PVB as a binder further methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanoi, diacetone alcohol, Benzylalkohoi, 1 - Methoxypropαπo! -2, Butylglykol, Mθthoxybutαnoi, Dowαnol, Methoxyprop- pylαcetαt, Methylαcetαt, EthySαcetαt, Butylαcetαt, Butoxyl, Glycolic acid n-butyl ester. Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, Methylisobutyiketoπ, cyclohexanone, toluene, XyIoI, hexane, cyclohexane, heptane and mixtures of two or more of said solvents! in amounts of from 1 to 30% by weight, based on the total mass of the paste, preferably from 2 to 20% by weight, particularly preferably from 3 to 10% by weight. In addition, additives such as dissolving agents and rheology additives can be added to improve the properties. Examples of reducing agents are Additol XL480 in butoxyl in a mixing ratio of 40:60 to 60:40. Further additives may be 0.01 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0, 1 to 2 wt .-%, each based on the total paste mass. As rheology additives which reduce the settling behavior of pigments and fillers in the paste, BYK 41 0, BYK 41 1, BYK 430, BYK 431 or any mixtures thereof may be present, for example.

According to the invention particularly preferred formulations of a printing paste for the preparation of the insulating layer as component BB and / or BD contain:

EL layer

The EL element according to the invention comprises at least one EL layer, component BC. The at least one EL layer may be disposed on the entire inner surface of the first ^~ τi partially transparent electrode or on one or more faces of the first at least partially transparent electrode. In the case where the EL layer is arranged on a plurality of partial surfaces, the partial surfaces generally have a section of 0.5 to 10 mm, preferably 1 to 5 mm from each other.

The EL layer is generally composed of a binder matrix having homogeneously dispersed EL pigments therein. The binder matrix is generally chosen such that a good adhesion bond is provided on the electrode layer (or the dielectric layer, if applied thereto.) In a preferred embodiment, PVB or PU-based systems are used other additives are present in the binder matrix, such as color-converting organic and / or inorganic systems, color additives for a day and night light effect and / or reflective and / or light-absorbing effect pigments such as aluminum flakes or glass flakes or mica platelets.

The EL pigments used in the EL layer generally have a thickness of 1 to 50 μm, preferably 5 to 25 μm,

The at least one EL layer BC is preferably an AC thick-film powder e-electroluminescence (AC-P-EL) luminous structure.

Thick film AC-EL systems are well known since Destriau 1 947 and are usually applied by screen printing on ITO-PET films. Since zinc sulfide electroliminophores have a very high degradation during operation and especially at higher temperatures and in a water vapor environment, microencapsulated EL pigments are generally used today for long-lived thick film AC-EL lamp assemblies. However, it is also possible to use non-microencapsulated pigments in the EL element according to the invention, as further explained below.

For the purposes of the present invention, EL elements are understood to be thick-film EL systems which are operated by means of alternating voltage at normative 100 V and 400 Hertz and thus emit a so-called cold light of a few cd / m ² up to a few 100 cd / m ² , In such inorganic thick film AC EL elements, EL screen pastes are generally used.

Such EL screen-printing pastes are generally based on inorganic substances. Suitable substances are, for example, highly pure ZnS, CdS, Cd _x Zn ₁ ^ S compounds of Groups II and IV of the Periodic Table of the Elements, particularly preferably being einge- ZnS is set. The aforementioned substances may be doped or activated and optionally further co-activated. For doping, for example, copper and / or manganese are used. Coactivation takes place, for example, with chlorine, bromine, iodine iodine and aluminum. The content of alkali and rare earth metals is generally very low in the above-mentioned substances, if any at all available. ZnS is very particularly preferably used, which is preferably doped or activated with copper and / or manganese and is preferably co-activated with chlorine, bromine, iodine iodine and / or aluminum. Common EL emission colors are yellow, orange, green, green-biow, blue-green and white, where the emission color may be white or red by mixtures of suitable EL pigments or by color conversion. Color conversion may generally take the form of a converting layer and / or the addition of appropriate dyes and pigments in the polymeric binder of the screen printing inks or the polymeric matrix in which the EL pigments are incorporated, carried out.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the screen-printing matrix used to produce the EL layer is provided with translucent, color-filtering or color-converting dyes and / or pigments. In this way, an emission color white or a day-night lighting effect can be generated.

In a further embodiment, pigments are used in the EL layer which have an emission in the blue wavelength range of 420 to 480 nm and are provided with a color-converting microencapsulation. In this way, the color white can be emitted,

In one embodiment, AC-P-EL pigments having an emission in the blue wavelength range of 420 to 480 nm are used as pigments in the EL layer. In addition, the AC-P-EL screen printing matrix preferably has wavelength-controlling inorganic fine particles based on Europium (II) activated alkaline earth metal ortho silicate luminescent pigments such as (Ba, Sr, Ca) ₂ SiO ₄ ) Eu ^{2 +} or YAG luminescent pigments such as Y ₃ Al ₅ O ₁₂ ) Ce ^{3 +} or Tb ₃ Al ₅ O ₁₂ ) Ce ^{3 +} or Sr ₂ Ga ₄₎ ^{2 +} Eu or SrS) Eu2 ⁺ or (YΛu, Gd, Tb) ₃ (Al, Sc, Ga) ₅ O _12; Zn, or Ce ³⁺ (Ca, Sr) (S, Se): Eu ^{2 +} on, Also in this way a white emission can be achieved.

According to the prior art, the above-mentioned

EL pigments are microencapsulated. Due to the inorganic micro-capification technology good half-lives can be achieved. exemplary Let us mention the EL screen printing system Luxprint ^® for EL by EI du Pont de Nemours and Companies. Organic microencapsulation technologies and film clad laminates based on the various thermoplastic films are also generally suitable, but have proven to be expensive and not significantly extended in life.

Suitable zinc sulfide microencapsulated EL luminescent pigments are available from Osram Sylvania, Inc. Towanda under the trade name GlacierGLO € Standard, High Brite and Long Life and the Durel Division of Rogers Corporation, under the trade names 1 PHSOO l ^® High-Efficiency Green Encapsulated EL Phosphor, 1 PHS002 ^® High Efficiency Blue-Green Encapsulated EL Phosphor , 1 PHS003 ^® Long-Life Blue Encapsulated EL phosphor, 1 PHS004 ^® Long-Life Orange Encapsulated EL phosphor offered.

The mean particle diameters of the microencapsulated pigments suitable in the EL layer are generally 15 to 60 μm, preferably 20 to 35 μm.

Non-microencapsulated fine-grained EL pigments, preferably having a long service life, can also be used in the EL layer of the EL element according to the invention. Suitable non-microencapsulated fine-particle zinc sulfide EL pigments are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,248,261 and in WO 01/34723. These preferably have a cubic crystal structure. The non-microencapsulated pigments preferably have average particle diameters of from 1 to 30 .mu.m, particularly preferably from 3 to 25 .mu.m, very particularly preferably from 5 to 20 .mu.m.

Specially non-microencapsulated EL pigments can be used with smaller pigment dimensions down to less than 10 μm. As a result, the transparency of the glass element can be increased.

Thus, suitable according to the present application

Screen printing inks are encapsulated unencapsulated pigments, preferably taking into account the special hygroscopic properties of Pigments, preferably the ZnS pigments. This binders are generally used, on the one hand have a good adhesion to so-called ITO layers (indium-tin oxide) or intrinsically conductive polymeric transparent layers, and the Wetteren good insulating effect, enhance the dielectric and thus improve the dielectric strength at high electric field strengths cause and additionally in the cured state have a good water vapor barrier and additionally protect the EL pigments and extend life span.

In one embodiment of the present invention, pigments which are not microencapsulated are used in the AC-P EL luminescent layer.

The half-lives of the suitable pigments in the EL layer, ie the time in which the initial brightness of the EL element according to the invention has fallen to half, are generally at 100 or 80 volts and 400 hertz 400 to a maximum of 5000 hours, usually but not more than 1, 000 to 3500 hours.

The brightness values (EL emission) are generally from 1 to 200 cd / m ² , preferably from 3 to 100 cd / m ² , more preferably from 5 to 40 cd / m ² ; For large illuminated areas, the brightness values are preferably in the range from 1 to 50 cd / m ² .

However, it is also possible to use pigments with longer or shorter half-lives and higher or lower brightness values in the EL layer of the EL element according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the pigments present in the EL layer have such a small mean

Particle diameter, or such a low FuI - - degree in the EL layer, or the individual EL layers are designed geometrically so small, or the distance between the individual EL layers is chosen so large, so that the EL element at not electrically activated lighting structure as at least partially is made transparent, or a review is guaranteed. Suitable pigment particle diameters, degrees of filling, dimensions of the luminous elements and distances of the luminous elements are mentioned above. The layer contains the abovementioned optionally doped ZnS trap crystals, preferably microencapsulated as described above, preferably in an amount of 40 to 90% by weight, preferably 50 to 80 wt .-%, particularly preferably 55 to 70 wt .-%, each based on the weight of the paste. Binders which can be used are one-component and preferably two-component polyurethanes. According to the invention, highly flexible materials from Bayer MaterialScience AG are preferred, for example the lacquer raw materials of the desmophen and desmodur series, preferably desmophen and desmodur, or the lacquer raw materials of the Lupranate, Lupranol, Pluracol or Lupraphen series from BASF AG. The solvents used may be ethoxypropyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methoxypropyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha 100 or any mixtures of two or more of these solvents in amounts of preferably from 1 to 50% by weight. preferably 2 to 30 wt .-%, particularly preferably 5 to 15 wt .-%, each based on the total paste mass, are used. Furthermore, other highly flexible binders, for example those based on PMMA, PVA, in particular Mowiol and Poval from Kuraray Europe GmbH (now called Kuraray Specialties or Polyviol from Wacker AG, or PVB, in particular Mowitai from Kuraray Europe GmbH (B 20 H, B 30 T, B 30 H, B 30 HH, B 45 H, B 60 T, B 60 H, B 60 HH, B 75 H), or Pioloforneta, in particular Pioloform BR l 8, BM 1 8 or BTl 8, from Wacker If polymer bleaching agents such as PVB are used, solvents such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, diacetone alcohol, benzyl alcohol, 1-methoxypropanol-2, butylglycol, methoxybutanol, dodecanol, methoxypropyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, Butoxyl, n-butyl glycolate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, toluene, xyiol, hexane, cyclohexane, heptane and mixtures of two or more of these in amounts of from 1 to 30% by weight, based on the total mass of the Paste, preferably 2 to 20 wt.%, Particularly preferably 3 to 1 0 wt -% are added. Furthermore, it is possible for 0.1 to 2% by weight of additives to improve the flow control and the course to be present. Examples of leveling agents are Additol XL480 in butoxyl in a mixing ratio of 40:60 to 60:40. As further additives, from 0.01 to 1.0% by weight, preferably from 0.05 to 5% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 2% by weight, in each case based on the total paste mass, of rheology additives can be contained Decrease settling behavior of pigments and fillers in the paste, for example BYK 41 0, BYK 41 1, BYK 430, BYK 431 or any mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred formulations of printing pastes according to the invention for producing the EL luminous pigment layer as component BC include:

Substance Salary / Salary /

covering

In addition to the components A and B, the EL element according to the invention contains a protective layer, component CA, in order to avoid destruction of the electroluminescent element or the optionally present graphical representations. Suitable materials of the protective layer are known to the person skilled in the art. Suitable protective layers CA are, for example, high-temperature-resistant protective lacquers, such as conformal lacquers containing polycarbonates and binders. An example of such a protective lacquer is Noriphan HTR ^® of impingement, Weissenburg.

Alternatively, the protective layer can also be formulated on the basis of flexible polymers such as polyurethanes, PMMA, PVA, PVB. For this purpose, polyurethanes from Bayer MaterialScience AG can be used. This formulation can also be provided with fillers. All fillers known to those skilled in the art, for example those based on inorganic metal oxides such as TiO ₂ , ZnO, lithopone, etc., having a degree of filling of from 10 to 80% by weight of the printing paste, preferably from 20 to 70%, particularly preferably from 40, are suitable for this purpose up to 60%. Furthermore, the formulations may contain leveling agents as well as rheology additives. As a solvent, for example. Ethoxypropylacetat, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methoxypropylacetat, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, Toiuol, xylene, Solveπtnaphtha 1 00 or mixtures of two or more of these solvents can be used.

According to the invention, particularly preferred formulations of the protective lacquer CA include, for example:

substrates

The EL element according to the invention may have substrates on one or both sides of the respective electrodes, such as, for example, glasses, plastic films or the like, in addition to the textile carrier material.

In the case of the EL element according to the invention, it is preferred that at least the substrate, which is in contact with the transparent electrode, is designed on the inside graphically translucent and opaque covering. An opaque covering design is understood to mean a large-area electroluminescent region, which is opaquely covered by a high-resolution graphic design and / or glazed, for example. wise in the sense of red - green - blue translucent designed for signaling purposes.

In addition, it is preferable that the substrate which is in contact with the transparent electrode BA is a film which is cold-stretchable under the gate transition temperature Tg. This results in the possibility of three-dimensionally deforming the resulting EL element.

Moreover, it is preferred that the substrate, which is in contact with the back electrode BE, is a film which is also cold stretchable below Tg. This results in the possibility of deforming the resulting EL element three-dimensionally.

The EL element is thus three-dimensionally deformable, wherein the radii of curvature may be less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. The deformation angle can be greater than 60 °, preferably greater than 75 °, particularly preferably greater than 90, in particular greater than 1 05 °.

Moreover, it is preferred that the EL element is three-dimensionally deformable and in particular is cold bendable deformable below Tg and thus obtains a precisely shaped three-dimensional shape.

The three-dimensionally deformed element can be formed in an injection molding tool on at least one side with a thermoplastic material.

Production of corresponding EL elements

Usually, the above pastes (screen printing pastes) are applied to transparent plastic films or glasses, which in turn have a substantially transparent electrically conductive coating and thereby represent the electrode for the visible side. At- closing the printing technology and / or lαminσtionstechnisch the dielectric, if present, and the backside electrode are produced.

However, a reverse manufacturing process is also possible, in which first the backside electrode is produced or the backside electrode in the form of a metallized foil is used and the dielectric is applied to this electrode. Subsequently, the EL layer and then the transparent and electrically conductive upper electrode are applied. The system obtained can then optionally be laminated with a transparent cover film and thus protected against water vapor or also against mechanical damage.

In one embodiment of the invention, the conductor tracks (silver bus) can be applied as a first layer to the substrate A. According to the invention, however, they are preferably applied to the electrodes BA or BE, either individually in two operations on the electrodes, or in one working step, the electrodes are applied together.

The EL layer is usually applied by printing by means of screen printing or dispenser application or inkjet application or else by a doctor blade process or a roller coating process or a curtain casting process or a transfer process, preferably by screen printing. Preferably, the EL layer is applied to the surface of the electrode or to the optionally applied to the back electrode insulation layer.

Textile carrier material

The electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention comprises at least one textile carrier material.

The selection of suitable textile carrier materials is not subject to any particular restriction and the textile carrier material can be selected from a variety of number of commonly used textile materials.

For example, the fibrous material corresponding textile carrier material can be selected from the group consisting of vegetable fibers, fibers of animal origin, mineral fibers, chemical fibers, fibers of natural polymers, fibers of synthetic polymers, inorganic chemical fibers and synthetic leather.

For example, in the present invention, when a textile carrier made of vegetable fibers is used, the vegetable fibers may be selected from the group consisting of seed fibers such as cotton, i. Fibers from the seed hairs of the fruit of the cotton plant, Kapok, d. H. Fibers from inside the capsule fruit of the cocoa tree, poplar fluff; Bast fibers such as bamboo fiber, stinging nettle, hemp, jute, linen, i. Fibers from the flax plant, ramie; Hard fibers such as wood fibers, sisal, i. Fibers from the leaves of the Sisalagave, Manila, hard fibers from the leaves of a banana species; Fruit fibers such as coconut, i. Fibers from the pericarp of coconut palm fruits; and fibers of rush grasses.

In the present invention, when a textile base made of fibers of animal origin is used, the fibers of animal origin may be selected, for example, from the group consisting of wool and fine animal hair such as wool of sheep (eg new wool), alpaca, llama, vicuna, guanaco Angora (Angora rabbit hair), Kanin (ordinary rabbit hair), cashmere, merino wool, camel hair, mohair, goat hair, bovine hair (eg yak hair), horsehair, silks such as mulberry silk (silk), tussah silk and seashell silk.

For example, in the present invention, when a textile substrate of mineral fibers is used, the mineral fibers may be selected from the group consisting of fibers having no organically bound carbon such as asbestos. In the present invention, when a textile support member of natural polymer fibers is used, the fibers may be selected, for example, from the group consisting of cellulosic fibers such as viscose, modal, lyocell, cupro, acetate, triacetate, paper fibers, bamboo fiber regenerate, and cellulon; Rubber fibers such as rubber; Plant protein fibers; and animal protein fibers such as casein. In the present invention, when a textile support material made of synthetic polymer fibers is used, the fibers may be selected, for example, from the group consisting of polycondensation fibers such as polyester (PES), especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) and aramid ; Polymerization fibers like PolyacrySnitrt! (PAN), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (referred to as CLF in fibers, otherwise PVC); and polyaddition fibers such as polyurethane (PU).

When a textile carrier material of inorganic chemical fibers is used in the present invention, the fibers may be, for example, glass fibers.

In addition, carbon fiber, metal fiber (MTF), ceramic fibers and nanotube fibers are also considered.

In addition to the fibrous materials described above, textile materials of leather and artificial leather are also suitable as the carrier material in the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention.

Leather is a chemically preserved by tanning skin or skin layer with or without hair or Woile, the original fiber structure is preserved. Leather is usually obtained from the dermis called skin layer. This is subdivided into the outward-lying, and the leather surface giving her appearance papillary layer and the underlying reticular layer. The person skilled in the art speaks of a skin, a filing or a bellows, depending on the size of the skin of the animal on which the leather is based. Depending on the production of the textile leather materials, a distinction is made between bare leather, chrome leather, vegetable-tanned leather, rhubarb leather, cosplay leather, split leather, age-aged leather and full bodice, textile materials based on these entire leather materials can be used in the context of the present invention.

Depending on the surface treatment, a distinction is made between colored leather, glacial leather, chicken leather, patent leather, nubuck leather, rough leather, black leather, suede leather and buckskin leather. Textile materials based on these entire leather materials can be used in the context of the present invention.

In addition, suede or synthetic leather can be used.

As a rule, synthetic leather is understood to mean the composite of textile fabric with a coating made of plastic. These are natural fiber fabrics or synthetic fibers which are coated with a soft PVC layer. These coatings can be made compact or foamed depending on the application. As a rule, the upper surfaces are still grained, so that they correspond to a leather structure. Synthetic leather may also have a polyurethane coating instead of the PVC coating.

The textiie Trägermateriai can also be in the form of a knitted, woven, woven / non-woven or feet.

According to a preferred embodiment, the carrier material is a textile carrier material, as used for example for the headliner of a motor vehicle or for other objects of the interior of the motor vehicle.

The textiie carrier material is in a particularly preferred embodiment, a textile carrier material, as used for example, for a folding roof ^¬ element of a convertible, or for a reference element of a Sitzele- management. Other possible textile Trägermαteriαlien clothing items, sporting goods and the like.

In addition, it is also possible to use textile carrier materials which are used, for example, as large-format advertising media. They serve to advertise diverse products, as art objects, event announcements, in the manner of a billboard, as temporary coverings for a building during a conversion or the like. Advertising media made of textile material have proven to be advantageous, in particular because of their better properties than paper, cardboard, plastic or other materials. These include weather resistance, tear resistance, no tendency for the formation of a welle or the fading of the colors or the good printability also in connection with large-area advertising media. It is also known to coat advertising media with metal in order to produce certain visual effects and to give the advertising medium overall a more appealing design, which is roughly comparable to the metallic effect in a car painting. The textile carrier material used according to the invention is generally a planar element which has a light transmittance in the visible wavelength range of at least 40%, but more particularly more than 50%. If necessary, the textile carrier material has small holes or points which are thinned in the thickness, so that a special light transparency or transparency is thereby produced. It is also possible for the carrier material designed as a flat element to be provided with patterns and to have a corresponding surface structure or graining or embossing. Also, a color design is possible, wherein in the field of electroluminescent fields, a light or translucent or translucent color is preferably used.

The side of the textile carrier material to which the electroluminescent

Anordπung is provided, is preferably designed such that an adhesive bond with a thermoplastic film or layer relationship a heat-sealable adhesion promoter layer or a heat-sealable nonwoven fabric is possible,

Association between electroluminescence system and textile carrier material

The individual constituents of the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention, namely the at least one flexible textile carrier material and the at least one flexible electroluminescent element, are connected to one another, preferably adhesively bonded. The adhesive bond between the textile carrier material and the electroluminescent arrangement preferably takes place by means of an adhesion layer formed from TPU, which is provided between the cover electrode (component E) and the textile carrier material. The electroluminescent emission is then emitted through the cover electrode and the textile carrier material.

Under a TPU layer, for example, films from Epurex be film (Bayer Material Science Company) with the designations Durefiex ^®, Platilon ^® and Walopur ^® understood. Such films are used with and without carrier film and have film thicknesses of generally 0.01 to 2.00 mm, in particular 0.02 to 0.50 mm, more preferably 0.05 to 0.40 mm, most preferably 0, 1 0 to 0.40 mm, especially 0, 15 to 0.40 mm, on.

Such a TPU film has a much lower Formstabiütät so that they easily flexible designed with appropriate deformation of texiilen carrier materials. In addition, at elevated temperature these TPU films - Compared to corresponding films of polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate - also formed less dimensionally stable, so preferably a special electroluminescent layer system with respect to the production of the various screen prints and very spezieil with respect to the drying temperatures of the individual Electroluminescent layers is preferred. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, therefore, are relatively temperature-resistant TPU films, for example with the type designation Dureflex ^® A 4700 Opfical Aiiphatic polyether polyurethanes Grade used Foiien the company Deerfield Urethane, a Bayer Materi- alScience company or highly elastic polyurethane films with the label Platilon ^® and Walopur ^® the company epurexfilms, a Bayer MaterialScience company. On these films, the corresponding electro-luminescent layers are preferably applied by means of screen printing. Subsequently, the TPU film with the TPU film side can be laminated with the fabric, and on the back electroluminescent layer sequence, another elastic layer such as a TPU or TPE film can be laminated or printed. In addition, a fabric can also be directly exposed to the electroluminescence -Layer be laminated or laminated over the TPU or TPE layer.

It is possible to make the TPU or TPE film graphic. This optional graphic design is preferably carried out by means of screen printing and can have opaque as well as translucent or translucent graphically designed elements. In this way, an underlying electroluminescent system can additionally be masked or the electroluminescent emission in the emission color can be filtered or converted. When using corresponding elastic screen printing inks, for example those based on polyurethane or two-component screen printing inks based on polyurethane, the preferred screen printing design of the graphic design offers the necessary flexibility and foldability of the resulting E lekfrol um ineszeπz- arrangement.

The optional graphic design of the TPU or TPE film may in principle be present on each side of the film. However, it is preferred if the graphic design is arranged on the side of the TPU film on which the electroluminescent layer sequence is also arranged. The graphic design is preferably carried out by screen printing. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a carrier system in the form of a special coated paper or a temperature-stabilized polyester film with an anti-adhesive coating (so-called release coating) is used for the individual electrolyte singles layers. After the completion of the various electroluminescent layer sequences described below with the drying processes required therebetween, the coated paper or the temperature-stabilized polyester film serves as a transfer medium for transferring the electroluminescent layer sequence onto the surface substrate or onto the TPU film.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a support system in the form of a special coated paper or a temperature-stabilized polyester film with an anti-adhesive coating (so-called release coating) is used, on which the TPU or TPE film is arranged and so improves the dimensional stability, especially at elevated temperature. In this way, the electroluminescent layer sequence can then be arranged directly on the TPU or TPE film.

The connection of the electroluminescent system with the textile carrier material via the adhesion layer based on TPU can be achieved under the action of pressure and / or temperature on the individual components of the arrangement according to the invention.

Moreover, it is possible in the context of the present invention for the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention to have a textile carrier material on both sides of the electroluminescent element. In this case, the electroluminescent element on each side of a corresponding TPU film described above with the respective textiles Trägermateria! be connected.

In the first, preferred construction of the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention, a textile support material is used as the surface substrate. This textile carrier material can be, for example, in a motor vehicle. The lower side, which is directed in the direction of the desired electroluminescent emission, ie, for example, in the direction of the interior of a motor vehicle, for example, designed such that an adhesive bond with a thermoplastic film or layer or a heat-sealable adhesive layer or a Heißsiegeifähigem nonwoven is possible. As already mentioned, a given graphically shaped TPU film as carrier for the electroluminescent system may be bonded to this surface of the textile carrier material as a laminate with the surface of the textile carrier material.

As already mentioned, the TPU film can optionally also be provided with a graphic design, or only on the underside, and is used on one side as a carrier for the electroluminescent layers.

In addition, instead of the TPU Foiie another adhesion-promoting layer can be used, as far as the preferred achievable flexibility and deformability of the resulting arrangement is achieved. Finally, the electroluminescent element of the electroluminescent device according to the invention may also be located on the other side, i. towards the return electrode, be provided with a carrier material. This may also be a flexible textile carrier material, which is optionally also connected to the electroluminescent element via a TPU adhesion layer or another adhesive layer.

The inventive EL arrangement on textile material is characterized inter alia by the fact that an arrangement of the area 20 cm x 20 cm, preferably 1 6 cm x 1 6 cm, particularly preferably 1 2 cm x 1 2 cm with a thickness of 450 each to at least twice, preferably three times, more preferably four times in the middle of the area can be folded by about 1 80 °, wherein the resulting folding object has a height of at most 4 cm, preferably of at most 3 c, more preferably of at most 2 cm own, without the luminescence of the EL device is impaired. The folding is to be carried out in this way. that folds alternately create a square and a rectangle; the contacts of the EL devices are to be excluded from the folding. Even after the deployment of the EL device, it is capable of lighting to the same extent as before. For EL arrangements with other dimensions, the information on the folding and the folding object are proportional. Thus, EL devices with a larger surface area and / or smaller thickness can naturally be folded more often than those with a smaller surface area and / or greater thickness.

Arrangement in a motor vehicle

The luminous fields generated by the electroluminescence arrangement according to the invention can, in a preferred embodiment, have a protective layer on the side facing the motor vehicle interior. These may also be formed like a foil and serve as mechanical and electrical protection for the electroluminescent arrangement.

If the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention is used in a motor vehicle, then the voltage supply of the luminous fields preferably takes place via the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery, which usually operates with 1 2 V DC, is followed by a DC / AC Wandier, which converts the direct current coming from the battery into alternating current. The light boxes are assigned converters that are connected to the DC / AC converter. The converters operate, for example, each with a voltage of 1 20 V and a frequency of 400 Hz. The converters are preferably provided with dimmers, so that the brightness of the light fields can be easily regulated.

With an input device, which is preferably arranged in the access area of the driver, the respective light fields can be switched on or off via corresponding keys. The keys can be membrane keys, but also conventional pushbuttons. The lighthouses are illuminated over their entire area, if a corresponding power supply takes place. Due to the areal illumination, the interior of the vehicle is pleasantly illuminated. The light fields can moisten in the same color, but also in unterschiediicheπ color tones. The light fields are provided for example in the area of the vehicle roof. Instead of the three individual light fields, only a single light field could be provided, which extends over the surface of the roof of the vehicle. Then the entire passenger compartment is evenly lit. However, for example, only the front seats or only the rear seats of the vehicle can be illuminated. In this case, the corresponding light panels are provided only in the front or in the back of the roof of the vehicle interior.

As a converter passive or active converter can be used.

Production of the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention

The present invention furthermore relates to processes for the production of the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention,

In principle, it is possible to produce the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention in two different ways:

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention is constructed starting from the textile carrier monomaterial. On this textile Trägermateriai a TPU Foiie is laminated. The electroluminescent layer sequences comprising at least the cover electrode, the electroluminescent layer, if appropriate the insulating layer (dielectric layer) and the back electrode can then be applied to the TPU film by printing technology, in particular by screen printing. The application of the individual functional layers of the Eiektrolumineszenz-Eiements according to the invention is generally carried out in the above order, wherein the electro-luminescence emission, which from the electroluminescent layer abge- will be discharged through the cover electrode and the textile substrate of the Eiektrolumineszenz layer.

With regard to the production of the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention, the second embodiment of the present invention differs in the method in that the electroluminescent system is first printed onto the TPU film and then namination-bonded as semi-finished product with the textile carrier material , In this second embodiment, the cover electrode or the graphic design should be designed as adhesion promoter to the surface substrate.

The present invention also provides the electroluminescent arrangements obtainable by these processes.

use

The present invention furthermore relates to the use of the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention and to the electro-illumination arrangement for illumination which can be obtained by the method according to the invention.

In particular, the present invention relates to the use of the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention and the electroluminescent arrangement obtainable by the method according to the invention for illuminating motor vehicle interiors, for seat elements such as chairs or seats, and for articles of clothing such as sporting goods.

It is advantageous in the lighting device according to the invention also the ability to change the lighting frequency and voltage-dependent. For example, by changing the frequency applied to the electrodes of the layered body, the radiated light color and by changing the voltage, the brightness can be adjusted. When using a correspondingly designed control unit, it is possible to be adapted with the Iπnenrαumbeieuchtung the motor vehicle to certain situations. If, for example, certain color pigments are added to the electroluminescent layer, different illumination colors can be preset, as already explained.

The invention also opens up completely new applications for the provided with a light strip textile materials. These include above all the uniform marking of floor areas, for example in aircraft or for the display of escape routes, wall sections and handrails in railings and all other types of self-luminous markings. The small thickness of the electroluminescent arrangement according to the invention enables its simple attachment, for example on an outer side of a textile cladding element. Also, the light bar may be formed in the form of a profile, which fits into a recess or groove of the textile cladding element and is held there positively and / or non-positively. In this case, either a relatively rigid light bar profile can be held in a form-fitting manner in a correspondingly shaped groove after insertion or a flexible (rubber-like) profile can be held predominantly non-positively after being pressed into a groove of the Verkieidungselements,

Brief Description:

The present invention will be described with reference to two figures, but the present invention is not limited to those shown in these fi gures ^¬ embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Flexible light element

2 Oberfiachensubstrat of textile material or leather relationship ^¬ synthetic leather

3 TPU or TPE film (eg., Films labeled "You-reflex ^® A 4700 Optical Aliphatic polyether polyurethanes Grade" the company Deerfield Urethane or highly elastic polyurethane foils with the name Platilon ^® and Walopur ^® the company epurexfilms)

4 Graphic design

5 Upper transparent electrically conductive ceiling electrode 6 Electroluminescent layer (zinc sulfide electroluminophores in a polymeric matrix, for example in a 2K PU screen printing layer)

7 Insulating dielectric (e.g., 2K PU screen ink with perovskite / ferroelectric particles dispersed therein, especially particles with nanostructures and optionally electrically conductive

Nanoparticles, in particular CNTs or MWCNTs and the like)

8 back electrode (depending on the application in an opaque version in the form of a carbon print layer with grid-like silver paste printing as a flat busbar or largely transparent or translucent translucent in the execution analogous to the upper transparent electrically conductive electrode)

A primer layer (e.g., TPU / TPE film or nonwoven hotmelt or adhesive coating); optional 1 0 Textile material or leather or artificial leather in the form of a fabric or non-woven fabric; optional

1 1 Electroluminescence emission upwards

1 2 Electroluminescent power supply (typically 1 00 to 200 volts AC with 50 Hz to some 1, 000 Hz, usually in the range 200 Hz to 2,000 Hz)

1 3 electroluminescent capacitor

1 4 electroluminescent binder polymer

1 5 electroluminescent pigment

1 6 Dielectric binder polymer 1 7 Dielectric additive (eg BaTiO ₃ pigments in μm and sub-μm and nm range and various nanoscale conductive particles such as CNTs) 1 8 Electroluminescence emission downwards FIG. 1 shows a schematic section through an exemplary flexible luminous element 1 in a first embodiment.

In this case, a surface substrate 2 made of textile woven or fleece-like material or leather or artificial leather is used as the uppermost layer. The surface substrate 2 is a planar element which has a light transmittance in the visible wavelength range of at least 40%, in particular more than 50% and is provided with small holes or thinned areas or sounds and has a corresponding surface structure or graining or embossing and, where appropriate, color-artistic design, wherein a bright or transient or translucent coloring is preferably used in the field of electro-nucleation fields. The lower side of the surface substrate 2 is designed such that an adhesive bond with a thermoplastic film or layer or a heat-sealable adhesive layer or a heat-sealable nonwoven fabric is possible.

The TPU film 3 may be provided on the bottom with an optioπelien graphic design 4 and is used on the one hand as a support for the electroluminescent layers 1 3 and is used together with these layers 4, 1 3 with the Oberfiächensubstrat 2 by means of lamination connected. As TPU film 3 may, for example, films with the designations Dureflex ^®, Platilon ^® and Walopur ^® by Epurex film, a Bayer Material Science Company, can be used. Such films can be used with and without carrier film and have film thicknesses of 0.01 to 2 mm, in particular 0.02 to 0.5 mm and especially 0.15 to 0.40 mm.

The optional graphic design 4 can in principle also be arranged on the upper side of the TPU film, but will preferably be arranged on the lower side, since the electroluminescent layer sequence 1 3 is also arranged on the lower side, the graphic see Design 4 is preferably carried out by screen printing and can have opaque and translucent or translucent graphically designed elements and can be masked in such a subordinate Elektroiumineszenz system 1 3 additionally or the Eiektrolumineszenz emission 1 1 can be filtered or converted in the emission color. The preferred screen printing technical design of the graphic design 4 offers the necessary flexibility and foldability when using appropriate elastic screen printing inks, for example based on PU or two-konπponentiger polyurethane-based screen printing ink.

The electroluminescent layer sequence 1 3 is produced largely according to the prior art as a result of the printing technology of the upper electrode 5, the electroluminescent layer 6, the at least one insulating dielectric layer 7 and the back electrode 8 with suitable elastic screen printing inks.

The at least piecewise upper substantially transparent electrode 5 must likewise have good flexibility and foldability and is preferably formed by screen printing in accordance with the graphically required configuration. The electrode 5 can be carried out and / or it may intrinsically conductive screen-printing pastes based on polymer systems such as Orgacon ^® system from Agfa, the Baytron ^® poly according to the prior art with ITO Indium-Tin-Oxide or ATO Antimony-Tin-Oxide screen printing pastes 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene system from H, C. Starck GmbH, the Ormecon system referred to as organic metal PEDT-conductive polymer polyethylene-dioxythiophene, conductive coating or printing ink systems from Panipol OY and optionally with highly flexible binders, for example based on PU polyurethanes, PMMA polymethyl methacrylate, PVA polyvinyl alcohol or modified polyaniline can be used.

5 of the electroluminescent element Baytron ^® poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene system from HC Starck GmbH is preferably employed as the material of at least partially transparent electrode. Examples of electrically conductive Polymerfiime are Polyαπiline, Polythiophene, Pofyαcetylene, Polypyrrole Hαndbook of Conducting Polymers, 1 986 with and without Metαlloxid filling.

The electroluminescent layer ό is also preferably produced by screen printing technology and is paid attention to good flexibility and foldability. In this case, a polymeric elastic binder matrix 14, preferably based on polyurethane, and more preferably in a two-component embodiment, is used. Zinc sulfide electroluminophoric pigments 15 are preferably dispersed in this binder polymer 14. Such electroluminescent pigments 15 are preferably used in a microencapsulated form with thin and transparent meta-oxidic or nitridic layers, as well as unencapsulated. It is also possible to use electroluminescent pigments 1 5 with different emission wavelengths, it being possible to use the different electroluminescent pigments mixed or in different graphically designed electroluminescent fields or elements. Further, in the polymer matrix 1 4 color-converting admixtures such as color-converting Pigments or dyes may be used and / or the electroluminescent pigments 15 may be provided with such color-converting microencapsulations. In principle, the color-converting admixtures in the printing layer 4 can also be comprised in a planar or graphic manner.

Subsequent to the electroluminescent layer 6, the insulating dielectric layer 7 is arranged. This layer 7 must be flexible and foldable. Usually, a polyurethane-based and especially a two-component PU screen printing ink is also preferably used here, wherein to increase the relative dielectric constant barium titanate BaTiO ₃ pigments in the μm range, in the 100 to 400 nm range and in the range 5 to 1 00 nm can be added and thus a relative dielectric constant of 30 to 200 can be achieved. Since such BaTiO ₃ admixtures cause an opaque whitish layer, this layer can also be used for the reflection of the electro-luminescence emission 1 1. If in addition to the electrolu- minescence emission 1 1 upwards still a down electroluminescence emission 1 8 is required, then no BaTiO ₃ -Beirnengung done. The Dielekfrikumsschicht 7 can also be performed twice or more times, especially since in the screen printing the installation of small air bubbles (micro-bubbles) can not be avoided and in a double screen printing this problem can be solved

Subsequent to the dielectric layer 7, the back electrode 8 is printed and here too, attention must be paid to high elasticity and foldability. If only one eiektrolumineszenz emission 1 1 is required up, the Rύckeiektrode 8 can, for example, a carbon screen printing paste with some 1 00 Ohm / square can be printed and then a grid-like silver paste printing structure in the manner of a busbar system can be arranged. Since conventional silver pastes have a surface resistance in the range of a few milli-ohms / square and, moreover, permit very ductile print formations, grid-like structures with a few 1 to 5 mm wide silver paste webs are sufficient. This silver paste Eiemente are basically used as terminal reinforcement elements for the electrical contact 12. In this case, a subregion of the front electrode 5 is printed in the manner of a bus bar in a silk screen print, and the electrical connection 12 is formed.

Following the return electrode 8 with the bus bar system, an insulation layer 9 is arranged. In the simplest embodiment, this can be done by screen printing. In a further embodiment, a TPU FoMe 9 can be applied by laminating and in a further embodiment, a textile material 1 0 or leather or imitation leather PU-coated microfiber fabric u. The same can be laminated.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through an exemplary flexible luminous element 1 in a second embodiment. Compared to the first embodiment, this layer sequence has the great difference that the electroluminescent system 13 is printed on the TPU film 9 and is laminated as a semi-finished product to the surface substrate 2,

Basically, this manufacturing variant is also possible in the first embodiment, if in the first embodiment, the TPU Foüe 9 is provided,

In the arrangement of the electro-luminescence system 13 on the film 9, clearly the back electrode 8, then the at least one dielectric layer 7, then the electroluminescent layer 6, then the front electrode 5 and then optionally the graphic design 4 are arranged,

In this second embodiment, the front electrode 5 or the graphic design 4 must be designed as a bonding agent to the surface substrate,

In this second embodiment, on the back of a textile Ma- teriai 1 0 or leather or imitation leather PU-coated microfibre fabric u. the like.

This second embodiment can also be designed in such a way that an electroluminescence emission 1 1, 1 8 can take place on both sides.

Claims

claims:

1, electroluminescent device comprising at least one flexible electroluminescent element and at least one flexible textile carrier material.

2, electroluminescent arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile carrier material is constructed from the

Group consisting of vegetable fibers, fibers of animal origin, mineral fibers of geological origin, man-made fibers, fibers of synthetic polymers, inorganic man-made fibers and artificial leather.

3. electroluminescent arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier material is a textile carrier material which can be used in motor vehicles.

4. electroluminescence arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the carrier material is a textile carrier material, which can be used for the headliner of a motor vehicle,

5. Elektroiumineszenz arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electroluminescent element has the following layer structure: a) a transparent or non-transparent back electrode as component BE; b) a first insulation layer as component BD; c) a layer containing at least one excitable by an electric field luminous substance as component BC; d) optionally a further insulation layer as component BB; and Θ) an at least partially transparent cover electrode as

Component BA.

ό. Electroluminescent arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the Hattverbund between the tex- tilen carrier material and the electroluminescent arrangement is effected by an adhesive layer formed from TPU.

7. A process for the production of an electroluminescent device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electroluminescent device is constructed starting from the textile carrier material, wherein a TPU film is laminated onto the textile carrier material and applied to the TPU. Foiie then the electro-luminescence layer sequences comprising at least the cover electrode (component BA), optionally the dielectric layer

(Component BB), the electroluminescent layer (component BC), the insulating layer (component BD) and the back electrode (component BE), printing technology, in particular by screen printing, are applied.

8. Verfa hren for producing a Elektroiumineszenz arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the Elektroiumzenzzenz element is first printed on the adhesive layer based on TPU and then laminated as semi-finished with the tex- tilen carrier material.

9. Use of an electroluminescent arrangement obtainable according to claim 7 or 8 for illumination for illuminating motor vehicle interior spaces, for seating elements such as chairs or seats, and for articles of clothing such as sporting goods.