JP2002075662A - Organic el element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an organic EL element which makes a complicated luminescence form possible. SOLUTION: The organic EL element is equipped with, a light-transmitting segment electrodes 2, 4 located on a non-light-emitting surface of a light transmitting substrate 1, a light-emitting organic layer 5 located on the segment electrodes 2, 4, and a common electrode 6 located on the organic layer 5 which faces the segment electrodes 2, 4. The organic EL element has a 'figure' which emits light in a 'ground' which does not emit light by a form of the segment electrodes 2, 4. The segment electrodes 2, 4 have a form that at least one part 2 is surrounded with a remainder section 4 to form two or more of the above 'figures' separated on a plane. Electricity supply terminals 2a, 4a are formed with the one part 2 and the remainder section 4 pulled out while crossing in two levels, respectively to the peripherals of the above non-light-emitting field of the substrate 1. An electricity supply terminal 6a is formed with the common electrode 6 pulled out while insulating with the segment electrodes 2, 4 through the organic layer 5, to the peripherals of the above non-light-emitting field of the substrate 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an organic EL (electroluminescence) device, and more particularly to an organic EL device capable of forming a complicated light emitting shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-234681 discloses an organic EL device in which a transparent electrode, an organic layer, and a back electrode are sequentially formed on a glass substrate. It consists of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer.

In such an organic EL device, a DC power supply of several tens of volts is connected between the transparent electrode and the back electrode to apply a current between the two electrodes, so that the organic layer emits light. The emitted light is radiated to the outside through the glass substrate, and the shape of the emitted light is generally determined by the pattern of the transparent electrode except for the dot matrix type.

[0004]

In such an organic EL device, a complex light-emitting shape, for example, a "first figure" that emits light in a ring inside a "ground" which does not emit light, and an inner side of the first figure. In the light emitting shape having the "second figure" that emits light in an island shape, the transparent electrodes corresponding to the first figure and the transparent electrodes corresponding to the second figure need to be formed in independent patterns. In order to extend the latter to the periphery of the glass substrate to form a power supply terminal, it is necessary to cut out at least one of the former in order to avoid electrical contact with the former.

As a result, the light emission shape in the first figure is
It has a light emitting shape having a defective portion, such as a substantially C-shape that is not a closed ring shape, and has a problem that an unnatural light emitting (displaying) shape appears to give a sense of incongruity.

An object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL device capable of forming a complicated light emitting shape by focusing on such a problem.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an organic EL device comprising a light-transmitting substrate located on a non-light-emitting surface of a light-transmitting substrate. A segment electrode, an organic layer that emits light when located on the segment electrode, and a common electrode that is located on the organic layer and faces the segment electrode are provided. An organic EL element having a “drawing” that emits light in “ground”, wherein the segment electrode is at least partially surrounded by a remainder to constitute a plurality of the “drawings” separated on a plane. The part and the remaining part are drawn out to the periphery of the non-light-emitting surface of the substrate while forming a power supply terminal while three-dimensionally intersecting with each other.

As a result, it is possible to provide an organic EL device capable of forming a complicated light emitting shape.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-transmitting segment electrode located on a non-light-emitting surface of a light-transmitting substrate, and an organic layer emitting light on the segment electrode. An organic EL element having a “drawing” that emits light in “ground” that does not emit light due to the shape of the segment electrode, provided with a common electrode opposed to the segment electrode positioned on the organic layer. , The segment electrode comprises:
In order to constitute a plurality of "drawings" separated on a plane, at least a part of the shape is surrounded by the remainder, and the part and the remainder are each three-dimensionally intersected via an insulating layer. The power supply terminal is formed by being pulled out to the periphery of the non-light emitting surface of the substrate.

As a result, it is possible to provide an organic EL device capable of forming a complicated light emitting shape.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-transmitting segment electrode located on a non-light-emitting surface of a light-transmitting substrate, and an organic layer which emits light on the segment electrode. An organic EL element having a “drawing” that emits light in “ground” that does not emit light due to the shape of the segment electrode, provided with a common electrode opposed to the segment electrode positioned on the organic layer. , The segment electrode comprises:
In order to constitute the plurality of "diagrams" separated on a plane, at least a part is surrounded by the remaining part, and the part and the remaining part intersect three-dimensionally, and each of the non-light-emitting portions of the substrate The common electrode is drawn out to the periphery of the non-light-emitting surface of the substrate while being insulated from the segment electrode through the organic layer and / or the insulating layer. A power supply terminal is formed.

As a result, it is possible to provide an organic EL device capable of forming a complicated light emitting shape.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a plate-shaped insulating light-transmitting support member, for example, a substrate made of a glass plate, and 2 denotes a light-transmitting member formed on one surface (non-light emitting surface) of the substrate 1. A first transparent electrode made of a conductive material, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), 3 is an insulating material formed on the first transparent electrode 2, for example, an insulating layer made of a polyimide-based insulating material, and 4 is an insulating layer. The second transparent electrode 5 made of the same material as the first transparent electrode 2 formed on the first transparent electrode 2, the insulating layer 3, and the organic light emitting material formed on the second transparent electrode 4 It may be an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer and a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer formed in a laminated state. Reference numeral 6 denotes a back electrode made of a metal conductive material formed on the organic layer 5, for example, aluminum (Al).

The manufacturing process will be described below. First, a first transparent electrode 2 is formed on the entire non-light-emitting surface of the substrate 1 by vapor deposition, and is patterned by etching. 2), the power supply terminal 2a, and the shape corresponding to the wiring portion 2b connecting the light emitting point and the power supply terminal 2a (FIG. 2A). Thereby, the first transparent electrode 2 becomes a segment electrode.

Next, an insulating layer 3 is formed on the first transparent electrode 2 over the entire non-light emitting surface of the substrate 1 by vapor deposition, and is patterned by etching so that the light emitting portion and the power supply terminal 2a are exposed. To leave a predetermined shape (Fig. 2
(B)).

Next, a second transparent electrode 4 is formed by vapor deposition on the entire non-light-emitting surface of the substrate 1 from above the insulating layer 3 and is patterned by etching to form a light-emitting portion described later (see FIG. 2), the power supply terminal 4a, and the shape corresponding to the wiring portion 4b connecting the light emitting portion and the power supply terminal 4a, and the corresponding shape is left (FIG. 2C). Thereby, the second transparent electrode 4 becomes a segment electrode.

Next, an organic layer 5 is formed by vapor deposition such that the power supply terminal 4a is exposed from above the second transparent electrode 4.
It is formed by patterning by etching (FIG. 2
(D)). Thereby, the back electrode 6 becomes a common electrode.

Finally, a back electrode 6 is formed on the organic layer 5 by vapor deposition (FIG. 2E). The back electrode 6 has a power supply terminal (not shown) extended to the periphery of the non-light emitting surface of the substrate 1. A wiring portion (not shown) on the way to the power supply terminal includes the organic layer 5 and / or It is insulated from the segment electrodes 2 and 4 via the insulating layer 3.

In such a configuration, as shown in FIG.
Where the transparent electrode 2 or the second transparent electrode 4 and the back electrode 6 do not face each other.
In addition, a point where the second transparent electrode 4 and the back electrode 6 which are the above-mentioned "first figure" are opposed to each other is a light-emitting point B, and a part where the first transparent electrode 2 which is the above-mentioned "second figure" is the place. And back electrode 6
Is a light-emitting portion C, and light is emitted from a surface (light-emitting surface) of the glass substrate 1 opposite to the non-light-emitting surface. That is, the light-emitting portion C becomes a part of the “figure” and is surrounded by the remaining portion of the “figure” including the light-emitting portion B. In the light-emitting portion B, light is emitted from the light-emitting surface of the substrate 1 through the insulating layer 3, but light can be emitted by using a light-transmitting material for the insulating layer 3, and the intensity of the light is applied. It can be set arbitrarily by adjusting the magnitude of the current flowing.

These light emitting points B and C are electrically separated by an insulating layer 3 and can be independently controlled according to the application of current to each of the power supply terminals 4a and 2a (see FIG. 2). Can be.

Moreover, the wiring portion 2b connecting the light emitting point C located inside the light emitting point B and the power supply terminal 2a for applying a current to the light emitting point B crosses the light emitting point B but is formed by the insulating layer 3 so as to form a three-dimensional intersection. To cross the light emitting point B,
There is no need to cut out the second transparent electrode 2 constituting the light emitting point B. Thereby, the light emission shape of the first figure determined by the light emission point B can be a light emission shape having no defective portion, and such an organic EL element can have a complicated light emission shape.

The order in which the first transparent electrode 2 and the second transparent electrode 4 are formed on the substrate 1 is as described in the above embodiment.
Although the insulating layer 3 is formed after the first transparent electrode 2 is formed, and then the second transparent electrode 4 is formed, the insulating layer 3 is formed after the second transparent electrode 4 is formed. After that, the first transparent electrode 2 may be formed.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the two-layer structure of the first and second transparent electrodes 2 and 4.

[0025]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an organic EL device having a complicated light emitting shape.
The application field of the L element can be expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of an organic EL element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an essential part cross sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the above organic EL element.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of a light emitting shape according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Substrate 2 1st transparent electrode (segment electrode) 2a Power supply terminal 2b Wiring part 3 Insulating layer 4 2nd transparent electrode (segment electrode) 4a Power supply terminal 4b Wiring part 5 Organic layer 6 Back electrode (common electrode) A Ground B First light emitting point (remaining part of the figure) C Second light emitting point (part of the figure)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A light-transmitting segment electrode located on a non-light-emitting surface of a light-transmitting substrate; an organic layer emitting light on the segment electrode; and an organic layer located on the organic layer. To provide a common electrode facing the segment electrode,
An organic EL element having a “diagram” that emits light in a “ground” that does not emit light due to the shape of the segment electrode, wherein the segment electrodes constitute a plurality of the “diagrams” separated on a plane. And at least a part is surrounded by the remaining part, and the part and the remaining part are drawn out to the periphery of the non-light emitting surface of the substrate while forming a three-dimensional intersection, thereby forming a power supply terminal. Organic EL device. 2. A light-transmitting segment electrode located on a non-light-emitting surface of a light-transmitting substrate, an organic layer emitting light on the segment electrode, and being located on the organic layer. To provide a common electrode facing the segment electrode,
An organic EL element having a “diagram” that emits light in a “ground” that does not emit light due to the shape of the segment electrode, wherein the segment electrodes constitute a plurality of the “diagrams” separated on a plane. And at least a portion is surrounded by the remaining portion, and the portion and the remaining portion are drawn out to the periphery of the non-light emitting surface of the substrate while three-dimensionally intersecting via an insulating layer to form a power supply terminal. An organic EL device, comprising: 3. A light-transmitting segment electrode located on a non-light-emitting surface of a light-transmitting substrate, an organic layer emitting light on the segment electrode, and being located on the organic layer. To provide a common electrode facing the segment electrode,
An organic EL element having a “diagram” that emits light in a “ground” that does not emit light due to the shape of the segment electrode, wherein the segment electrodes constitute a plurality of the “diagrams” separated on a plane. And at least a portion is surrounded by the remaining portion, and the portion and the remaining portion are drawn out to the periphery of the non-light emitting surface of the substrate while three-dimensionally crossing each other to form a power supply terminal, and the common electrode An organic EL device, wherein the power supply terminal is formed by being drawn out to the periphery of the non-light emitting surface of the substrate while insulated from the segment electrode via the organic layer and / or the insulating layer.