JP2005243497A - Organic el panel and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an organic EL panel capable of reducing a driving voltage by suppressing an occurrence of the voltage drop phenomenon in a wiring portion without complicating a manufacturing process of the organic EL panel, and its manufacturing method. <P>SOLUTION: The organic EL panel A includes an organic EL element formed by layering a first electrode 2 formed on a translucent substrate 1, an organic layer having at least a luminous layer formed on the first electrode 2, and a second electrode 4 formed on the organic layer and facing to the first electrode 2. Frame-like partitions W1 and W2 are formed on the side of the organic EL element formed on the substrate 1. Connection portions Lc1 and Lc2 are connected to the first electrode and formed of a part of a fourth electrode 4 isolated from the second electrode 4 by the partitions W1 and W2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an organic EL panel in which an organic EL (electroluminescence) element is disposed on a translucent substrate and a method for manufacturing the same.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a light-transmitting first metal material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is formed on a light-transmitting substrate 1, and at least a light emitting layer. An organic layer 3 having a second metal material having a lower resistivity than the first metal material, such as aluminum (Al) or magnesium silver (Mg: Ag), and a second electrode 4 serving as a cathode; An organic EL panel in which organic EL elements are sequentially formed is known, and the organic layer 3 includes, for example, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  In such an organic EL panel, a direct current power source is connected between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 4 and current is supplied between the electrodes 2 and 4, whereby the organic layer 3 emits light, and the light emission. Is emitted to the outside through the substrate 1, and the light emitting portion S is a laminated portion of the first electrode 2, the organic layer 3, and the second electrode 4.

  The shape of the light emitting portion S is determined by the shape of the first electrode 2 and the insulating layer 5 formed between the first electrode 2 and the organic layer 3. That is, on the substrate 1, a first electrode 2 having a display portion D and a wiring portion L made of the same material as the first electrode 2 for supplying a current to the first electrode 2 are formed. Between the first electrode 2 and the wiring part L and the organic layer 3, an insulating layer 5 is formed by forming an insulating material such as polyimide, acrylic or phenol based on an appropriate means such as spin coating or roll coating. positioned. The insulating layer 5 is formed except for a desired light emission shape, and a portion where the insulating layer 5 is not formed becomes the light emitting portion S. Note that a portion of the display portion D other than the light emitting portion S (a portion covered by the insulating layer 5) is a part of the wiring portion L.

  In such an organic EL panel, the wiring portion L for supplying a current to the first electrode 2 is formed of the first metal material having a high light transmittance as described above. When the resistivity is high and the area of the wiring portion L increases depending on the position where the display portion D is formed, a voltage drop phenomenon occurs in the wiring portion L, and the drive voltage is increased to compensate for this voltage drop phenomenon. There was a problem that it was necessary.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the applicant of the present application disclosed in Patent Document 2 that an anode (first electrode) is composed of a display unit having a shape related to display and a terminal unit for voltage application, and the display unit And a method of forming an auxiliary energization layer made of a metal material having a low resistivity made of aluminum (Al) or the like by etching between the first and second terminal portions.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-234681 JP 2001-15268 A

  However, the above method requires a step of providing the metal material to be the auxiliary energization layer in layers, and a step of removing unnecessary portions of the metal material by etching to form the auxiliary energization layer. The manufacturing process of the panel becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost increases.

  The present invention pays attention to such a problem, and without complicating the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a voltage drop phenomenon in the wiring portion and the manufacturing thereof. It aims to provide a method.

  In order to solve the above problems, an organic EL panel of the present invention includes a first electrode formed on a light-transmitting substrate, an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer formed on the first electrode, and the organic layer. An organic EL element formed by laminating a second electrode formed on a layer and facing the first electrode; a frame-shaped partition wall formed on the organic EL element forming surface side of the substrate; And a connecting portion formed of a part of the second electrode connected to the first electrode and separated from the second electrode by the partition wall.

  Further, the second electrode and the connection portion are made of a metal material having a resistivity lower than that of the first electrode.

  In addition, an electrode terminal portion for connecting the connection portion to the first electrode and / or a power supply terminal portion connected to the connection portion and formed at an end portion on the substrate is provided.

  Moreover, the manufacturing method of the organic electroluminescent panel of this invention has the process of forming a 1st electrode on the translucent board | substrate, the process of forming a frame-shaped partition part on the said 1st electrode formation surface side of the said board | substrate, A step of forming an organic layer having at least a light-emitting layer on the first electrode; a second electrode on the organic layer and the partition; and a part of the second electrode by the partition And a step of forming a connection portion that is isolated from the second electrode and connected to the first electrode.

  Further, the second electrode and the connection portion are made of a metal material having a resistivity lower than that of the first electrode.

  A step of forming an electrode terminal portion for connecting the connection portion to the first electrode on the substrate; and / or a step of forming a power supply terminal portion connected to the connection portion at an end portion on the substrate. It is characterized by that.

  The present invention relates to an organic EL panel in which an organic EL (electroluminescence) element is disposed on a light-transmitting substrate and a method for manufacturing the same, and without complicating the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of the voltage drop phenomenon.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those of the above-described conventional technology, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the organic EL panel A includes a first electrode 2 having display portions D1 and D2, a display portion D1 and D2, and a constant current source (not shown) on a translucent substrate 1. ), The insulating layer 5 having openings 5a1 and 5a2 located on the display portions D1 and D2 excluding the light emitting portions S1 and S2 of the first electrode 2, and the insulating layer 5 The frame-shaped partition walls W1 and W2, the organic layer 3, and the second electrode 4 are provided. In FIG. 2, only the display part D1, the light emitting part S1, the wiring part L1, and the partition part W1 are shown. However, the other display part D2, the light emitting part S2, the partition part W2, and the wiring part L2 are the same. Is formed.

  The wiring parts L1 and L2 are made of the same metal material as that of the first electrode 2, the anode terminal parts (electrode terminal parts) La1 and La2 and the power supply terminal parts Lb1 and Lb2, and the second metal material. The connection portion Lc1 and Lc2 are used to apply a constant current from the constant current source to the display portions D1 and D2 of the first electrode 2. The anode terminal portions La1 and La2 are formed such that one end is connected to the display portions D1 and D2 of the first electrode 2 and a part of the other end is exposed from the openings 5a1 and 5a2 of the insulating layer 5. The other end overlaps and is connected to the connection portions Lc1 and Lc2. The power supply terminal portions Lb1 and Lb2 are formed at the end portions on the substrate 1, one end of which is connected to the constant current source via a predetermined circuit board, and the other end is an insulating layer. 5 is exposed from the openings 5a1 and 5a2, and the other end is overlapped and connected to the connecting portions Lc1 and Lc2. The connecting portions Lc1 and Lc2 are parts of the second electrode 4 separated from the second electrode 4 by the partition walls W1 and W2 (discussed later), and are made of the second metal material. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the opening 5a1 of the insulating layer 5 is surrounded by the partition wall W1, and the connection portion 5c1 formed on the substrate 1 in the opening 5a1 surrounded by the partition wall W1. Is separated from the surrounding second electrode 4 by the partition wall W1. Further, one end of each of the connection portions Lc1 and Lc2 is connected to the display portions D1 and D2 of the first electrode via the anode terminal portions La1 and La2, and the other end is connected to the power supply terminal portions Lb1 and Lb2.

  The partition walls W1 and W2 are provided on the insulating layer 5 so as to surround the openings 5a1 and 5a2, and are made of an insulating material such as a novolac resin. Further, in order to reliably isolate the connection portions 5a1 and 5a2 from the second electrode 4, the partition wall portions W1 and W2 have a cross-sectional shape whose upper side is longer than the lower side, that is, reversely tapered with respect to the insulating layer 5 It is desirable to form so that it may become a shape.

  The second electrode 4 is formed on the organic layer 3 and the insulating layer 5 and is connected to a cathode terminal portion 4a made of a conductive material such as ITO. The cathode terminal portion 4a is connected to the constant current source via a predetermined circuit board. When the second electrode 4 is formed, a part of the second electrode 4 is surrounded by the partition walls W1 and W2 on the insulating layer 5, that is, on the substrate 1 in the openings 5a1 and 5a2. The partition portions W1 and W2 are separated (staged) from the second electrode 4 connected to the cathode terminal portion 4a, and connection portions Lc1 and Lc2 are formed separately from the second electrode 4, respectively.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the organic EL panel which is 1st embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.3 and FIG.4. 3 and 4, only the display part D1, the light emitting part S1, the wiring part L1, and the partition part W1 are shown, but the other display part D2, the light emitting part S2, the partition part W2, and the wiring part L2 are shown. Is formed in the same manner.

  First, a first metal layer made of a light-transmitting metal material such as ITO is formed on the light-transmitting substrate 1 by means such as sputtering or vapor deposition, and this first metal layer is formed by a photolithography method. The first electrode 2 having the display part D1 (D2), the anode terminal part La1 (La2) connected to the display part D1 (D2), and the power supply terminal part Lb1 (Lb2), respectively And a cathode terminal portion 4a connected to the second electrode 4 described later (see FIGS. 3A and 4A). The anode terminal portion La1 (La2) and the power supply terminal portion Lb1 (Lb2) are formed by laminating a material different from the first electrode 2 such as chromium (Cr) on the first metal material. There may be.

  Next, an insulating layer 5 is formed by means of spin coating, roll coating or the like using an insulating material such as polyimide, acrylic or phenol, and each light emitting portion S1 (S2) is formed by means such as photolithography. The portions to be the portions and the openings 5a1 (5a2) are removed, and an insulating material such as a novolac resin is formed on the insulating layer 5, and the openings 5a1 (in the insulating layer 5) by means such as photolithography. 5a2) is formed to form a frame-shaped partition wall W1 (W2) (see FIGS. 3B and 4B). The partition wall portion W1 (W2) is formed so that the cross-sectional shape is a reverse taper with respect to the insulating layer 5.

  Next, an organic layer 3 having at least a light emitting layer is laminated by means such as vapor deposition, and further the second metal material such as aluminum (Al) or magnesium silver (Mg: Ag) is vapor deposited. To form an organic EL element by forming the second electrode 4. (See FIG. 3C and FIG. 4C). At this time, in the part surrounded by the partition wall portion W1 (W2) of the insulating layer 5, a part of the second electrode 4 is isolated from the second electrode 4 by the partition wall portion W1 (W2), and the anode terminal portion La1 (La2). ) And the power supply terminal portion Lb12 (Lb2), respectively, and a connection portion Lc1 (Lc2) is formed, and wiring portions L1 (L2) for connecting the display portion D1 (D2) and the constant current source are obtained. . In addition, a sealing member (not shown) that hermetically covers the organic EL element is disposed on the substrate 1 in order to suppress the deterioration of the organic layer 3 over time.

  Through the above steps, the organic EL panel A having the light emitting portion S1 (S2) composed of the laminated portion of the first electrode 2, the organic layer 3, and the second electrode 4 can be obtained.

  In the organic EL panel A and the manufacturing method thereof, frame-shaped partition walls W1 and W2 are formed on the organic EL element forming surface side of the substrate 1, and a part of the second electrode 4 is isolated from the second electrode 4. Thus, the connection portions Lc1 and Lc2 are formed, and by using the connection portions Lc1 and Lc2 as at least a part of the wiring portions L1 and L2, at least a part of the wiring portions L1 and L2 is made of the first metal material. Since the connection portions Lc1 and Lc2 are made of the second metal material having a low resistivity, the wiring resistance values of the wiring portions L1 and L2 can be reduced, and a voltage drop phenomenon occurs in the wiring portions L1 and L2. Can be prevented from occurring. Further, since the connection portions La1 and La2 can be formed simultaneously with the formation of the second electrode 4, the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel A is not complicated. In addition, since the wiring portions L1 and L2 have a lower resistivity than the conventional wiring portion made of the first metal material, when applying a constant current with the same voltage, the wiring portions L1 and L2 are compared with the conventional wiring portion. The cross-sectional area can be reduced, the space on the substrate 1 required for the wiring portions L1 and L2 can be reduced, and the degree of freedom of the shape of the wiring portions L1 and L2 is increased, thereby improving the commerciality of the organic EL panel. It becomes possible to make it.

  Further, the conventional wiring portion is opposed to the second electrode 4 with the insulating layer 5 interposed therebetween, and a capacitor component is generated to have a capacitance. However, in the organic EL panel A, the wiring portions L1 and L2 do not face the second electrode 4 in the connection portions Lc1 and Lc2, and therefore no capacitor component (capacitance) is generated. That is, the capacitance of the wiring portions L1 and L2 can be reduced. Regarding the light emission of the organic EL element, the light emission rise time increases as the value of the ratio (CLn / CSn) of the capacitance CSn of any light emitting portion Sn and the capacitance CLn of the wiring portion Ln corresponding to the light emitting portion Sn increases. Becomes longer, and the smaller the value of CLn / CSn, the shorter the light emission rise time. Therefore, the organic EL panel A capable of reducing the capacitance CLn of the arbitrary wiring portion Ln can shorten the light emission rise time of the arbitrary light emitting portion Sn. Note that the ratio (CLn / CSn) between the electrostatic capacitance CSn of any light emitting portion Sn and the electrostatic capacitance CLn of the wiring portion Ln connected to the light emitting portion Sn is desirably 0.5 or less. In addition, when a plurality of light emitting units are provided, it is desirable to form the wiring units so that the ratio between the capacitance of each light emitting unit and the capacitance of the wiring unit connected to the light emitting unit is substantially constant.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the connection portions Lc1 and Lc2 have one end overlapped with the anode terminal portions La1 and La2 and the other end overlapped with the power supply terminal portions Lb1 and Lb2. A wiring portion made of the same material as that of the first electrode and connected to the first electrode is formed on the substrate, and a part of the second electrode separated from the second electrode by a partition portion on the wiring portion. The connecting portion may be formed by stacking.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the anode terminal portions La1 and La2 and the power supply terminal portions Lb1 and Lb2 are made of the first metal material. However, in the present invention, the anode terminal portion (electrode terminal) Part) and / or the power supply terminal part may be formed of the second metal material having a low resistivity.

The top view explaining the organic electroluminescent panel which is embodiment of this invention. The principal part sectional view explaining an organic EL panel same as the above. Cross-sectional view of relevant parts for explaining the method for producing the organic EL panel of the above. Cross-sectional view of relevant parts for explaining the method for producing the organic EL panel of the above. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part explaining the structure of the conventional organic EL panel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Board | substrate 2 1st electrode 3 Organic layer 4 2nd electrode 5 Insulating layer D1, D2 Display part S1, S2 Light emission part L1, L2 Wiring part La1, La2 Anode terminal part (electrode terminal part)
Lb1, Lb2 Power supply terminal part Lc1, Lc2 Connection part W1, W2 Bulkhead part

Claims (6)

A first electrode formed on a light-transmitting substrate; an organic layer having at least a light-emitting layer formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on the organic layer and facing the first electrode An organic EL element formed by stacking and
A frame-shaped partition wall formed on the organic EL element forming surface side of the substrate;
A connecting portion comprising a part of the second electrode connected to the first electrode and separated from the second electrode by the partition;
An organic EL panel comprising: The organic EL panel according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode and the connection portion are made of a metal material having a lower resistivity than the first electrode. 2. An electrode terminal portion for connecting the connection portion to the first electrode and / or a power supply terminal portion connected to the connection portion and formed at an end portion on the substrate. Or the organic electroluminescent panel of Claim 2. Forming a first electrode on a translucent substrate;
Forming a frame-shaped partition wall on the first electrode forming surface side of the substrate;
Forming an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer on the first electrode;
A second electrode is formed on the organic layer and the partition wall, and a part of the second electrode is isolated from the second electrode by the partition wall to form a connection portion connected to the first electrode. A process for producing an organic EL panel, comprising at least a step. 5. The method of manufacturing an organic EL panel according to claim 4, wherein the second electrode and the connection portion are made of a metal material having a resistivity lower than that of the first electrode. Forming a terminal portion for connecting the connecting portion to the first electrode on the substrate and / or forming a power terminal portion connected to the connecting portion at an end portion on the substrate. 6. The method for producing an organic EL panel according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the organic EL panel is produced.

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