JP2004103526A - El element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate shortcomings such as that when an EL element is constituted using two sheets of film-like substrates, stiffness and heat expansibility of the EL element become uneven if the peripheral part only is sealed by a sealing material and that the spacing between the two sheets of film-like substrates cannot be maintained constant. <P>SOLUTION: The EL light emitting part 7 constituted by laminating a first electrode 4, an EL luminous layer 5, and a second electrode 6 to order is laminated on a first film-like substrate 2 leaving margin, and a second film-like substrate 10 is laminated via a sealing material layer 8 which covers continuously over the space of the EL light-emitting part 7 and the first film-like substrate 2. The film-like substrates 2, 10 may be accompanied with barrier layers 3, 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electroluminescence device (EL device) configured using a film-shaped substrate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An EL element is a self-luminous type in which a phosphor layer is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes, electrons are injected from one side and holes are injected from the other side, and energy is generated when both recombine with each other. Since the response is fast, the image has excellent visibility and is suitable for displaying moving images. Among them, the organic EL element emits light at a direct current and a low voltage, and thus the use thereof is spreading. In this specification, the EL element refers to the organic EL element unless otherwise specified.
[0003]
In a conventional EL device, a first electrode, an EL light-emitting layer, a second electrode, and a protective layer are sequentially stacked on a glass substrate. In order to complete the function of the protective layer, a protective layer is formed. Like the lower glass substrate, it was made of a glass substrate, and a sealing agent layer was formed on a peripheral portion between the two glass substrates to perform sealing.
[0004]
By the way, recently, it has been attempted to configure an EL element on a film-like substrate instead of a glass substrate, and the film-like substrate, the first electrode, the organic EL layer, the second electrode, and the protective layer are sequentially arranged. A stacked EL element has been proposed, and the protective layer is made of aluminum, gold, chromium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, silicon oxide, or the like, or is a SiN film formed by sputtering (for example, And Patent Document 1.).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-15859 (paragraphs “0020”, “0049”, “0050”, and “0063”).
[0006]
In order to improve the function of the protective layer of the EL element formed on the above-mentioned film-like base material, if the protective layer is to be composed of a film-like base material, it is necessary to seal the upper and lower film-like base materials. However, as in the case where the upper and lower parts are composed of glass substrates, a sealant layer is formed on the peripheral portion between the upper and lower film-shaped base materials, and when sealing is performed, the sealant layer is formed. The mechanical properties such as rigidity and thermal expansion properties of the EL element become uneven between the portion and the portion where it is not formed, making it difficult to handle, and the portion where the sealant layer is not formed is the upper and lower film-like substrates. Since the distance between them cannot be kept constant, the flatness of the surface of the EL element may not be maintained, and the entire EL element may be used by taking advantage of the characteristics of the EL element formed using the film-shaped base material. When rolled, the upper and lower film substrates approach each other and It was first electrode, EL light-emitting layer, and the EL light emitting portion is pressurized made of a second electrode, and the like, there is a risk of damage.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the present invention, when a conventional EL element using a film-shaped base material is further formed, and a protective layer thereof is also formed of a film-shaped base material, a sealing agent layer is formed only on a peripheral portion to seal the EL element. When the stopping is performed, the rigidity and the thermal expansion property of the EL element are prevented from becoming non-uniform, and the drawbacks due to the inability to keep the distance between the upper and lower film-shaped substrates constant are also resolved. As an issue.
[0008]
[Means to solve the problem]
According to the study of the inventor, the sealing between the upper and lower film-shaped base materials by applying a sealant layer not only on the peripheral edge but also on the entire surface including the peripheral edge, thereby improving the rigidity of the EL element. Since the thermal expansion properties become uniform and the space between the upper and lower film-like substrates is fixed, the distance between the upper and lower film-like substrates can be constantly maintained, and the problem can be solved. Was. Alternatively, even when a film-shaped substrate was not provided on the upper side, the rigidity and thermal expansion of the EL element could be made uniform.
[0009]
According to a first aspect of the invention, an EL light-emitting portion having a laminated structure in which a first electrode, an EL light-emitting layer, and a second electrode are sequentially laminated is laminated on a first film-shaped substrate while leaving a blank space. An EL element, wherein a second film-like base material is laminated via a sealant layer which continuously covers the EL light-emitting portion and a margin of the first film-like base material. It is about.
[0010]
In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the first and second film-shaped substrates each have a gas barrier property and / or a water vapor barrier property on one or both of the surfaces facing each other. Are stacked one on top of another.
[0011]
The third invention relates to the EL device according to the first or second invention, wherein the whole is transparent.
[0012]
In a fourth aspect based on the first or second aspect, either the first film-shaped substrate and the first electrode, or the second electrode and the second film-shaped substrate have transparency. The present invention relates to an EL element characterized by having an element.
[0013]
A fifth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the first film-shaped substrate has a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm, and the total thickness is 100 μm to 700 μm. An EL device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
[0014]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an EL light-emitting portion having a laminated structure in which a first electrode, an EL light-emitting layer, and a second electrode are sequentially stacked is laminated on the first film-shaped substrate with a blank space. In addition, the present invention relates to an EL device, wherein a sealant layer is continuously laminated on the EL light-emitting portion and on a margin of the first film-shaped base material.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a laminated structure of an EL element according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 to 5 are views showing the structure of various aspects of the EL light emitting unit. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked structure of an EL element according to another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a laminated structure of an EL element according to still another embodiment.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, an EL element 1 of the present invention has a laminated structure in which various layers are laminated on a first film-shaped base material 2 on which a barrier layer 3 is laminated on an upper surface. An EL light-emitting portion 7 composed of a first electrode 4, a light-emitting layer 5, and a second electrode is laminated on the barrier layer 3 such that the first electrode 4 faces the barrier layer 3 side. Here, the EL light-emitting portion 7 is laminated on the barrier layer 3 of the film-like base material 2 with leaving a blank space. On the second electrode 6 and on the margin of the barrier layer 3, a transparent sealant layer 8 having a flat end surface and continuously covering the both is laminated, and further the sealant layer On the upper surface of 8, a barrier layer 9 and a second film-shaped substrate 10 are sequentially described.
[0017]
In the description of the preceding paragraph, the barrier layers 3 and 9 are important in terms of improving the airtightness of the entire EL element and extending the life of the EL element. However, the barrier layers 3 and 9 are important in solving the problem of the present invention. And / or 9 can also be omitted. When the barrier layers 3 and 9 are omitted, the EL element is formed by laminating the first electrode 4, the EL light-emitting layer 5, and the second electrode 6 on the first film-like base material 2 in this order. An EL light-emitting portion 7 having a structure is laminated on the first film-shaped base material 2 with a margin so that the first electrode 4 faces the first film-shaped base material 2 side, and the EL light-emitting portion 7 is formed. On the portion 7 (that is, on the second electrode 6) and on the margin of the first film-shaped base material 2, a sealant layer 8 having a flat end surface is formed so as to continuously cover them. Further, a second film-shaped base material 10 is sequentially laminated on the upper surface of the sealant layer 8. The laminated structure described in this paragraph corresponds to the EL element described with reference to FIG. 1 in the previous paragraph, except that the two barrier layers 3 and 9 are omitted, and thus is not shown.
[0018]
In the description of the above two examples, the description has been made on the assumption that the EL light emitting portion 7 does not exist in the blank portion of the barrier layer 3 or the blank portion of the film-shaped base material 2. Depending on necessity, the first electrode 4 and / or the second electrode 6 of the EL light-emitting portion 7 reaches the peripheral portion of the barrier layer 3 (the peripheral portion of the EL element) or the margin of the film-shaped base material 2. May be extended to However, since the EL light-emitting layer 5 needs to be airtight, it is preferable to leave a blank portion of the barrier layer 3 or a blank portion of the film-shaped substrate 2 over the entire periphery of the EL element.
[0019]
The EL light emitting unit 7 has been described as having a laminated structure in which the first electrode 4, the EL light emitting layer 5, and the second electrode 6 are sequentially stacked. Various laminated structures can be adopted as described with reference to FIGS.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the EL light-emitting portion 7 has an organic light emitting device between a lower first electrode (temporarily referred to as an anode) and an upper second electrode (temporarily referred to as a cathode) in the figure. An organic light emitting layer mainly composed of a phosphor may be laminated.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, the EL light emitting section 7 may be a layer in which a hole (hole) transport layer, an organic light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, and a cathode are sequentially stacked on an anode. Here, either the hole (hole) transport layer or the electron transport layer may be omitted.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4, the EL light emitting section 7 may be a layer in which an organic light emitting layer / hole transporting layer, an electron transporting layer, and a cathode are sequentially stacked on an anode.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 5, the EL light emitting section 7 may be a layer in which a hole (hole) transport layer, an electron transport layer / organic light emitting layer, and a cathode are sequentially stacked on an anode.
[0024]
There may be various stacked structures of the EL light emitting units other than those shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, and any of the EL light emitting units 7 has the stacked structure of the EL element described with reference to FIG. 1. Alternatively, it can be replaced as the EL light-emitting portion 7 in a stacked structure of the EL element from which one or both of the barrier layers are omitted.
[0025]
Each of the first film-shaped base material 2 and the second film-shaped base material 10 is basically composed of a similar flexible base material (flexible base material). From among them, it is selected according to the application, and further, a thin glass (or a sheet-like thin glass) having a thickness of about 200 μm or less can also be used as a flexible base material. Shall be included in the concept. The first film-shaped substrate 2 and the second film-shaped substrate 10 may be made of the same material or different materials. The resin constituting the resin film is not particularly limited, but preferably has relatively high solvent resistance and heat resistance. Further, although it depends on the application, it is preferable that the material has a gas barrier property of blocking gas such as water vapor or oxygen. Specific resins constituting the resin film include fluorine resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polystyrene, ABS resin, polyamide, polyacetal, polyester, polycarbonate, modified polyphenylene ether, polysulfone, polyarylate, Polyetherimide, polyamideimide, polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystalline polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyoxymethylene, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone, polyacrylate, acrylonitrile-styrene resin, phenol resin , Urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane, silicone Fat, or amorphous polyolefin, etc., but any other high-molecular material that satisfies the conditions can be used, and copolymerization is performed by using two or more kinds of monomers as starting materials of the above-described resin. The obtained copolymer may be used.
[0026]
It is preferable that at least one of the first film-shaped base material 2 and the second film-shaped base material 10 has transparency so that an observer can see a display obtained by operating the EL element 1. As will be described later, it is preferable that the electrode on the film-like substrate side having transparency also has transparency. In addition, the EL element 1 in which both the first film-shaped base material 2 and the second film-shaped base material 10 have transparency, and both electrodes also have transparency, has transparency. It can be used as a display element. Further, the thickness of the first film-shaped substrate 2 and the second film-shaped substrate 10 is preferably from 50 μm to 300 μm, and the thickness of the entire EL element 1 is preferably from 100 μm to 700 μm.
[0027]
In the EL element 1 of the present invention, the light emitting portion 7 is basically sandwiched between the first film-shaped base material 2 and the second film-shaped base material 10, and is sealed with a sealing agent. However, it is preferable that the first film-shaped substrate 2 and the second film-shaped substrate 10 are further laminated with a barrier layer having a gas barrier property and / or a water vapor barrier property. This is because the organic phosphor constituting the EL light-emitting layer 5 of the EL light-emitting portion 7 is liable to lose its fluorescence emission property by a gas such as oxygen or water vapor, particularly the latter water vapor.
[0028]
The barrier layers 3 and 9 may be formed of a resin having a barrier property. However, in order to obtain a high barrier property, the barrier layers 3 and 9 are preferably formed of a thin film formed by vapor deposition or sputtering of an inorganic oxide. Examples of such an inorganic oxide include silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, germanium oxide, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, boron oxide, strontium oxide, barium oxide, lead oxide, zirconium oxide, and sodium oxide. , Lithium oxide, or potassium oxide, and one or more of them can be used. Among them, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or titanium oxide is preferably used. Further, silicon nitride can also be used. The thickness of the barrier layers 3 and 9 is about 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm. When the EL element 1 requires transparency, it is preferable to secure the transparency of the barrier layer without excessively increasing the thickness of the barrier layer at least on the side requiring transparency.
[0029]
The barrier layers 3 and 9 can be composed of one layer of the above-mentioned inorganic oxide thin films, but are composed of two or more layers of the same kind of inorganic oxide or two or more layers of different kinds of inorganic oxides. May be. When the barrier layer is composed of one or more inorganic oxide thin films, between the barrier layer 3 and the film-like substrate 2 or between the barrier layer 9 and the film-like substrate 2, or An appropriate synthetic resin layer may be laminated on the opposite side of the barrier layer 3 from the film-like substrate 2 side or on the opposite side of the barrier layer 9 from the film-like substrate 10 side. When the barrier layer is composed of two or more inorganic oxide thin films, an appropriate synthetic resin layer may be laminated between the inorganic oxide thin films.
[0030]
The above-mentioned barrier layer, and a synthetic resin layer provided as needed, can improve the barrier properties of the film-like base material by being laminated on one side of the film-like base material. Since the thermal expansion behaviors of the conductive layer, the synthetic resin layer, and the film-shaped substrate are different, the obtained EL element tends to be easily curled. As described with reference to FIG. 1, if a film-like base material and a barrier layer are respectively laminated on both sides of the EL element, a certain degree of symmetry can be obtained as a whole. In such a case, the barrier layer and, if necessary, the synthetic resin layer provided on both sides of each film-like base material are symmetrical. It is more preferable to use them in a laminated manner.
[0031]
For the first electrode 4 and the second electrode 6 in the EL element 1 of the present invention, for example, the first electrode is an anode, and in that case, the second electrode is a cathode. Specific anode materials include indium tin oxide (ITO), indium oxide, gold, and polyaniline. Specific cathode materials include magnesium alloys (MgAg, etc.) and aluminum alloys (AlLi, AlCa , AlMg, etc.) or metallic calcium. The material of the anode and the material of the cathode may be a mixture of a plurality of materials. The formation of the anode and / or the cathode is performed by forming a layer on one surface by using a method such as evaporation or sputtering using these materials, or by patterning the layer formed on one surface using a photosensitive resist. This can be performed by forming a predetermined electrode pattern by etching. In order to make the entire EL element 1 of the present invention transparent, it is necessary to form the anode and the electrode with a transparent material. Since it has transparency, there is no problem, and those listed as the material of the cathode, because transparency cannot be obtained depending on the thickness, such that the transparency can be ensured, for example, 500 nm or less, more preferably Is preferably 300 nm or less. In order to make the light emission of the EL element 1 of the present invention visible from one side of the element, the first film-like base material 2 and the first electrode 4 (including the barrier layer 3 if necessary) ) Are made of a transparent material, or both the second electrode and the second film-like substrate (including the barrier layer 9 if necessary) are both transparent. It is preferable to use a material.
[0032]
The organic light emitting layer of the EL light emitting section 7 can be formed using a commonly used organic light emitting material (organic fluorescent light emitting material), and specific organic light emitting materials include pyrene, anthracene, naphthacene, phenanthrene, and the like. Examples include coronene, chrysene, fluorene, perylene, perinone, diphenylbutadiene, coumarin, styryl, pyrazine, aminoquinoline, imine, diphenylethylene, merocyanine, quinacridone, or rubrene, or a derivative thereof. In addition, the organic light-emitting layer and hole transport layer, or the electron-transport layer and organic light-emitting layer can be formed by using the above-described organic light-emitting body together with a hole-transport material or an electron-transport material described below. . The formation of the organic light emitting layer, the organic light emitting layer and hole transporting layer, or the electron transporting layer and the organic light emitting layer is performed by vapor deposition or sputtering using the material constituting these layers, or by forming these layers. It is carried out by dissolving or dispersing the material in an appropriate solvent, preferably by applying, printing, inkjet or dispensing using a coating solution obtained by dissolving. The subsequent formation of the hole transport layer or the electron transport layer can be performed in the same manner as described above.
[0033]
Examples of the hole transporting material for forming the hole transporting layer of the EL light emitting unit 7 include phthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine, porphyrin, oxadiazole, triphenylamine, triazole, imidazole, imidazolone, pyrazoline, tetrahydroimidazole, hydrazone, stilbene. Or butadiene, or derivatives thereof. Also, commercially available as a composition for forming a hole injection buffer, for example, poly (3,4) ethylenedioxythiophene / polystyrene sulfonate (abbreviation: PEDOT / PSS, manufactured by Bayer AG, trade name: Baytron P AI 4083, as an aqueous solution) And the like can be used as the hole transport material.
[0034]
Examples of the electron transporting material for forming the electron transporting layer of the EL light emitting section 7 include anthraquinodimethane, fluorenylidenemethane, tetracyanoethylene, fluorenone, diphenoquinone oxadiazole, anthrone, thiopyran dioxide, diphenoquinone Benzoquinone, malononitrile, nitrotrobenzene, nitroanthraquinone, maleic anhydride, or perylenetetracarboxylic acid, or derivatives thereof.
[0035]
The sealant layer 8 is formed by laminating the EL light-emitting portion 7 between the two film-like substrates 2 and 10, and directly between the two film-like substrates at the peripheral portion. By bonding, the EL light-emitting portion 7 is sealed, and the organic light-emitting body in the EL light-emitting portion 7 is shielded from a gas such as oxygen or water vapor, in particular, the latter water vapor. Alternatively, without the second film-shaped substrate 10, on the EL light-emitting portion 7 and on the first film-shaped substrate 2 (if the barrier layer 3 is involved, it is on the barrier layer 3. ), The organic light-emitting body in the EL light-emitting portion 7 can be similarly shielded from a gas such as oxygen or water vapor, especially the latter water vapor. become. Therefore, the material of the sealant forming the sealant layer 8 includes adhesiveness to the first and second film-like base materials, or adhesiveness to the barrier layers 3 and 9, and an EL light emitting portion. 7, especially those having adhesiveness to the second electrode 6.
[0036]
As a specific sealing agent, a thermoplastic acrylic resin, a thermosetting epoxy resin (two-component curing type), a rubber-modified epoxy resin, or a two-component curing urethane resin is used as a main component. Those are preferred, and any of them may be further added with an isocyanate compound.
[0037]
As the curable sealant, in addition to the thermosetting material, an ionizing radiation curable material containing an acrylate compound (usually an ultraviolet (UV) curable material, but also a visible light curable material). Can also be used. When using a sealing agent containing a thermosetting resin as a main component, it is necessary to cure at a temperature necessary for curing so as not to damage the materials constituting the EL element 1. When using a sealant containing as a main component, it is necessary to cure the irradiation conditions of ionizing radiation under irradiation conditions that do not impair the materials constituting the EL element 1. Specifically, a UV-curable acrylic resin (radical-curable acrylic), a UV-curable epoxy (cationic-curable epoxy), a two-part curable epoxy, or a visible light-curable acrylic adhesive may be used. Can be.
[0038]
The thickness of the sealant layer 8 at the portion where the EL light-emitting portion 7 is interposed is preferably 20 μm to 1000 μm, and more preferably 100 μm to 500 μm. In a portion where the EL light-emitting portion 7 is not provided, the thickness of the sealant layer 8 is increased by the thickness of the EL light-emitting portion 7. Since the thickness is as small as about 5 μm, the thickness of the entire sealant layer 8 can be considered to be constant.
[0039]
The formation of the sealant layer 8 is performed by applying a sealant for forming the sealant layer 8 to an object to be sealed, and then overlapping and pressing the objects.
[0040]
The preparation of the sealant depends on the type of the sealant, but if necessary, use the necessary sealant material, and if it is a two-part curing type, mix the main agent and the curing agent at a predetermined mixing ratio, A solvent or a diluent is added according to the above to adjust the viscosity to be suitable for application. In the present invention, since the sealant layer 8 occupies most of the EL element 1, if the foreign matter or bubbles are present in the applied sealant, the appearance and display performance of the obtained EL element 1 are impaired. It is preferable to remove foreign substances by filtering with an appropriate means or to remove bubbles using a centrifugal defoaming machine.
[0041]
As the surface to which the sealant can be applied, in the example described with reference to FIG. 1, (1) the barrier layer 3 is laminated on the upper surface of the film-like base material 2 but on the barrier layer 3 side. The exposed surface of the barrier layer 3 where the EL light emitting section 7 is not laminated and the second electrode which is the surface opposite to the barrier layer of the EL light emitting section 7 in the stacked EL light emitting section 7. There is an exposed surface and (2) a surface on the barrier layer 9 side although the barrier layer 9 is laminated on the lower surface of the film-shaped substrate 10. (1) is the element side, and (2) is the sealing plate side. The sealant can be applied to one or both of the surfaces to which the sealants (1) and (2) are applied.
[0042]
The sealant can be applied by an appropriate method.For example, a device such as a syringe or a dispenser capable of discharging a predetermined amount by pressurization is used to seal a line or a band at one end of the surface to be applied. A stopper such as a rod or a blade is brought into contact with the discharged linear or band-shaped sealant to maintain a constant distance between the doctor and the surface to which the sealant is applied. The sealant can be applied to a predetermined surface by moving the sealant while extending the sealant while regulating the amount of application. In addition, a method in which the sealant is extruded from the slit and the slit is moved relatively to the application surface, a method using an applicator for forming a thin layer in a thin layer chromatograph, or a silk screen printing, etc. Also available.
[0043]
The bonding is performed by, for example, gently stacking a sealing plate on the element to which the sealing agent has been applied so as to prevent air bubbles from entering, and applying pressure as necessary. After that, depending on the type of the sealing agent used, a method such as curing the sealing agent by heating or baking, or curing by curing the sealing agent by irradiating ultraviolet rays is taken. .
[0044]
The EL element 1 of the present invention has the above-described configuration, and includes a film-like base material, a sealant layer, a thin barrier layer, and each of the thin layers constituting the EL light-emitting portion. Since the EL element 1 is thin, lightweight, and flexible as a whole, the EL element 1 using a plate-shaped substrate such as glass is used for the EL element 1 by rolling or fixing the EL element 1 along the side surface of a cylindrical surface. Impossible uses can be adopted.
[0045]
Also, when a film-shaped substrate was used for the substrate side and the sealing plate side, when a conventional plate-shaped substrate was used, the substrate was processed one by one to produce an EL element. It is possible to adopt a method in which a roll-shaped film-shaped base material is supplied and processed, and then wound up again in a roll shape, so that various processes can be continuously performed.
[0046]
In the example described with reference to FIG. 1, the EL element 1 according to the present invention is configured such that the second electrode is configured as a metal opaque electrode, and is configured to be viewed from the first film-shaped base material side. Alternatively, each layer may be configured to be transparent, and may be of a transparent type as a whole in a non-display state.
[0047]
The EL element 1 of the present invention can be configured so that uniform light emission can be obtained over the entire surface. However, the first electrode 4 and / or the second electrode 6 are configured in a pattern, and A general color display is performed by configuring the EL light-emitting layer 5 as a structure in which minute sections for each color emission of different colors, for example, for red emission, green emission, and blue emission are arranged. be able to.
[0048]
The EL element 1 of the present invention can be used in the following manner by adding elements in addition to performing general color display.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 6, when an insulating layer pattern 11 having an opening portion of a through hole is interposed between a first electrode 4 of the EL light emitting portion and the EL light emitting layer 5 in a layer made of an insulating material. Fluorescence is emitted at a position corresponding to the opening of the insulating pattern 11, but no fluorescence is emitted at a position other than the opening, so that pattern-like emission of the opening can be obtained after all. . The position where the insulating layer pattern 11 is interposed may be between the EL light emitting layer 5 and the second electrode 6. When the EL element 1 is not energized, the color of the EL element 1 is visible. Therefore, if the second electrode is formed of an opaque metal layer, the color is visible. See through is possible. Therefore, such an EL element is superimposed on a printed matter, and when the EL element is not energized, the printed matter can be seen. When the EL element is energized, a fluorescent light emission pattern corresponding to the pattern of the insulating layer pattern 11 of the EL element 1 can be seen. In areas other than the pattern, you can use it so that you can see the printed matter. In this case, the fluorescent light emission may be configured to be uniform over the entire surface, or may be configured for color display as described in the preceding paragraph.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 7, a pattern 12 constituted by the presence or absence of a light-shielding layer is provided on the lower surface side of the film substrate 2 of the EL element 1 described with reference to FIG. By doing so, when the EL element 1 is energized, it looks as if the EL element emits fluorescent light in a pattern according to the portion without the pattern 12. The pattern 12 is not necessarily light-shielding, but may be any pattern as long as the transmission of light such as colored and transparent is suppressed as compared with a colorless and transparent pattern. With such a configuration, a very thin conventional illuminated signboard can be obtained, so that when the illuminated signboard is installed, it can be applied to a place where the thickness of the illuminated signboard is an obstacle. Become. Note that, in this case as well, the fluorescent light emission may be configured to be uniform over the entire surface, or may be configured for color display as described in the paragraphs immediately before.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the sealing is performed by forming the sealing agent layer on the entire surface including the peripheral portion, the overall rigidity and thermal expansion properties are uniform, and the film-like base material on both sides is formed. Can be kept constant, and a flexible EL element can be provided as a whole.
[0052]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, since the barrier layer is laminated on the film-like base material, the EL light-emitting portion, particularly, the organic light-emitting body is formed of a gas such as oxygen or water vapor. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an EL element capable of more reliably preventing the loss of the fluorescence.
[0053]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an EL element which is entirely transparent and can be seen behind.
[0054]
According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, it is possible to provide an EL element capable of observing light emission from any of the film-like base materials.
[0055]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a light-weight EL element having a small overall thickness.
[0056]
According to the invention of claim 6, since the sealing is performed by forming the sealing agent layer on the entire surface including the peripheral portion, the entire rigidity and thermal expansion properties are uniform and the entire EL element is flexible. Can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an EL device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating each layer of an EL light emitting unit.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an EL light emitting unit having a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an EL light emitting portion having an organic light emitting layer and a hole transport layer.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an EL light emitting portion having an electron transport layer and an organic light emitting layer.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an application example of the EL element of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another application example of the EL element of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 EL element 2, 10 Film base material 3, 9 Barrier layer 4, 6 Electrode 5 EL light emitting layer 7 EL light emitting part 8 Sealant layer 11 Insulating layer pattern 12 Pattern

Claims (6)

An EL light-emitting portion having a laminated structure in which a first electrode, an EL light-emitting layer, and a second electrode are sequentially stacked is laminated on a first film-shaped base material with a margin left over, and the EL light-emitting portion is formed on the first film-shaped substrate. And an EL element, wherein a second film-shaped substrate is laminated via a sealant layer which continuously covers a margin of the first film-shaped substrate. The first and second film-shaped substrates are characterized in that a barrier layer having a gas barrier property and / or a water vapor barrier property is laminated on one or both of the surfaces facing each other. The EL device according to claim 1. 3. The EL device according to claim 1, wherein the entirety has transparency. The first film-shaped substrate and the first electrode, or the second electrode and the second film-shaped substrate each have transparency. 2. The EL device according to 2. The EL device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first film-shaped substrate has a thickness of 50 m to 300 m, and the total thickness is 100 m to 700 m. An EL light-emitting portion having a laminated structure in which a first electrode, an EL light-emitting layer, and a second electrode are sequentially stacked is laminated on a first film-shaped substrate with a blank space, and the EL light-emitting portion is formed. An EL element, wherein a sealant layer is continuously laminated on a portion and on a margin of the first film-shaped base material.

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