JP2006324600A - Light emitting device and liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To selectively attain the light emission of a plurality of light emission regions, and to prevent any dark line from being made conspicuous in a full surface light emission status or an apparent full surface light emission status, in a light emitting device where an EL element is configured as a light emitting part. <P>SOLUTION: This light emitting device 11 is configured by forming an organic EL element 16 where an organic EL layer 14 is interposed between a transparent electrode 13 and an opposed electrode 15 as a light emitter 17, and provided with a plurality of first regions 19 and a second region 20 interposed between the first regions 19. The second region 20 is formed in such a status that a plurality of non-light emission regions 20a and light emitting regions 20b exist. The non-light emission region 20a is configured by forming a hole 13b at a portion of a transparent electrode 13. The hole 13b is formed so that its existence density can be made higher according as it is made closer to the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13 of the first region 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emitting device and a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a light emitting device and a liquid crystal display device having an electroluminescence element in which a light emitting layer is provided between a first electrode and a second electrode as a light emitting part.

  Liquid crystal display devices are widely used as display devices for computers, portable devices, and the like. In recent years, these display devices have been provided with a backlight so that the display can be easily recognized even when the surroundings are dark. As a liquid crystal display device, a device that displays a plurality of screens using one liquid crystal panel has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the liquid crystal display device of Patent Document 1, a light shielding wall is provided between adjacent display areas of a liquid crystal panel so that light from a backlight arranged corresponding to one display area is not incident on the other display area. It has become.

  In order to improve display quality, the backlight of the liquid crystal display device is composed of an EL panel (hereinafter, electroluminescence is appropriately described as EL), and the light emitting unit is divided into a plurality of parts, and each light emitting unit is selected. In other words, a configuration that can be driven is proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2). In the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, as shown in FIG. 16, the EL panel 71 has a plurality of light emitting units 72 </ b> A, 72 </ b> B, arranged for each display row as a display unit with respect to the display area of the LCD panel. 72C and 72D are provided, and electrodes 73A to 73D are provided corresponding to the light emitting portions 72A to 72D, respectively. When the EL panel 71 is used as the backlight of the LCD panel, the light emitting units 72A to 72D of the EL panel 71 are selectively driven by the control unit.

In addition, the liquid crystal display device displays not only still images but also moving images. As a liquid crystal display device for improving the image quality of moving images, a scanning backlight that uses an LED or a fluorescent lamp as a light source and scans linear light having a specific width in a direction orthogonal to the liquid crystal scanning direction is used. A display device provided has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2004-184494 A (paragraphs [0041] to [0045] in FIG. 5, FIG. 5) JP 2000-75802 A (paragraphs [0048] to [0050] of the specification, FIG. 11) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-6766 (paragraph [0055] in FIG. 3, FIG. 3)

  In a configuration in which a plurality of light emitting units are provided for each display row, which is a display unit of the LCD panel, as in the EL panel 71 of Patent Document 2, a line that does not always emit light in a portion between the plurality of light emitting units 72A to 72D. There is a non-light emitting portion in the shape of a circle. As described above, in the configuration in which the non-light emitting portion exists, when the adjacent light emitting portions are turned on at the same time, the line of the non-light emitting portion is visually recognized, which is not preferable as a backlight.

  Patent Document 2 does not describe any moving image display. However, when an EL element is used as a backlight, an EL light-emitting unit is formed in a divided linear shape to cope with moving image display. It is conceivable to perform so-called pseudo impulse driving as in the apparatus disclosed in the above. In the case of pseudo impulse driving, each light emitting unit is switched between a light emitting state and a non-light emitting state during a time required to scan the entire LCD screen once, that is, one frame time. Even if each light emitting part is switched between a light emitting state and a non-light emitting state within one frame time, all light emitting parts appear to be lit up due to an afterimage of human eyes. However, since the non-light-emitting portion between the adjacent light-emitting portions is always in a non-light-emitting state, a dark line is visually recognized, which is not preferable as a backlight.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and a first object thereof is a light-emitting device using an EL element as a light-emitting portion, which can selectively emit light in a plurality of light-emitting regions and emits light entirely. An object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting device that can make dark lines inconspicuous in a state or apparently a full-light-emitting state. A second object is to provide a liquid crystal display device using the light emitting device as a backlight.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a light-emitting device having an electroluminescence element in which a light-emitting layer is provided between a first electrode and a second electrode as a light-emitting unit, The first electrode has a terminal to which a voltage is applied from the outside, and includes a plurality of first regions and a second region sandwiched between the first regions, and the plurality of first regions emit light. It is possible to switch between a state and a non-light-emitting state, and the second region is configured not to be visually recognized regardless of the light-emitting / non-light-emitting state of the first region.

  In the present invention, the first region is switched between the light emitting state and the non-light emitting state, but the second region is hardly visible regardless of whether the first region is in the light emitting state or the non-light emitting state. Therefore, for example, even if the plurality of first regions are selectively driven or simultaneously driven, dark lines can be made inconspicuous in the entire light emission state or the apparent full light emission state.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the light emitting layer are formed of a common material in the first region and the second region. The first electrode has a volume resistivity higher than that of the second electrode and is made of a transparent material, and the second region has a state in which the first electrode is formed in the first region. Different from the formation state. In the present invention, the first region and the second region can be made inconspicuous with respect to the dark line only by the formation state of the first electrode.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second region includes a plurality of non-light-emitting regions and a plurality of light-emitting regions. In the present invention, since the light emitting region exists in the second region that has been configured only by the non-light emitting region in the related art, the second region is less likely to be visually recognized compared to the conventional case.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the non-light emitting region is formed in a dot shape, and the density of the non-light emitting region increases as the density of the non-light emitting region is closer to the terminal of the first light emitting region. It is formed as follows. In the present invention, the second region is less likely to be visually recognized as compared to the case where the density of the non-light emitting regions is uniform.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the first electrode is made of a transparent material having a volume resistivity higher than that of the second electrode, and the second electrode. In this region, the thickness of the first electrode is thinner than that of the first electrode in the first region. In the present invention, the first electrode is also present in the second region as a whole, but since the thickness is thinner than that of the first electrode in the first region, the amount of current flowing is small and light is emitted weaker than in the first region. Therefore, the second region is less likely to be visually recognized compared to the conventional case.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the thickness of the first electrode constituting the second region is made thinner as the terminal is closer to the terminal in the first region. Is formed. In this invention, compared with the case where the thickness of the 1st electrode which comprises a 2nd area | region is uniform, a 2nd area | region will be in the state which is hard to be visually recognized.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the light emitting device includes a diffusing member on the light emitting side, and the second region is formed in a meandering state by a non-light emitting region. . Here, the “meandering state” means that the bending direction is different, such as a shape in which the S-shaped portion repeats, a zigzag shape in which the straight portion is continuously bent, or a shape in which the straight portion and the curved portion are continuous in a zigzag shape. It means a state where there are a plurality of bent portions.

  Conventionally, since the second region sandwiched between the first regions that are light emitting regions is formed linearly by the non-light emitting region, the second region is sandwiched even if a diffusion member is used. Since there is no light emitted from the first region and traveling in the second region along the direction in which the second region extends, it is difficult to make the second region difficult to view. However, in the present invention, since the second region is formed in a meandering state, the light emitted from the first region sandwiching the second region enters the second region from various directions. Therefore, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the second region by using the diffusion member.

  The invention according to claim 8 is a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal panel, a backlight provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and a control device for controlling the liquid crystal panel and the backlight, The backlight is the light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of first regions is configured to extend in a direction perpendicular to a vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel, The control device controls the plurality of first regions of the backlight to switch between a light emitting state and a non-light emitting state sequentially in synchronization with the vertical scanning of the liquid crystal panel, and at least directly above each first region. In the liquid crystal display data rewriting period, the backlight is controlled so that the first region is in a non-light emitting state.

  In the present invention, the first region is configured to extend in a direction orthogonal to the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel, and each first region is in a non-light emitting state at least during the display data rewriting period of the liquid crystal directly above it. It is controlled to become. Therefore, not only is the second region difficult to be visually recognized, but also in the liquid crystal display device that displays a moving image, it is possible to suppress the afterimage from being seen, and the quality of the moving image is improved.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a light-emitting device having an electroluminescence element in which a light-emitting layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode as a light-emitting portion. The first electrode and the second electrode are each composed of a solid electrode, the first electrode is made of a transparent material having a volume resistivity higher than that of the second electrode, and the first electrode has three pieces. When the terminal to which voltage is applied is different, the light emitting region that emits light is different, and each terminal corresponds to a part of the light emitting region corresponding to the terminal and a terminal adjacent to the terminal. A part of the light emitting region is provided so as to overlap.

  In the present invention, when a voltage is applied to each terminal of the first electrode, the light emitting region corresponding to the terminal enters a light emitting state. And since a part of the light emitting area of the adjacent terminal overlaps, unlike the prior art which has a plurality of light emitting areas and can be divided and driven, it is possible to make the dark line inconspicuous in the full light emission state or the apparent full light emission state. it can.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the invention, the light emitting section is formed in a rectangular shape, and a plurality of the light emitting sections are provided on both sides of the light emitting section with the terminals facing each other. In the present invention, the degree of freedom of the range covered by the light emitting region is increased corresponding to the state of voltage application to the terminals.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal panel, a backlight provided on a back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and a control device for controlling the liquid crystal panel and the backlight. The backlight is the light emitting device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the terminals are arranged at predetermined intervals along the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel, and the display data of the liquid crystal immediately above each light emitting area is rewritten. During the period, application of voltage to each terminal is controlled so that the light emitting region is in a non-light emitting state. According to the present invention, dark lines can be made inconspicuous in the full light emission state or the apparent full light emission state, and in the liquid crystal display device that displays a moving image, it is possible to suppress the appearance of an afterimage and improve the image quality of a moving image. .

  According to the present invention, in a light-emitting device using an EL element as a light-emitting portion, a plurality of light-emitting regions can selectively emit light, and dark lines can be made inconspicuous in an entire light-emitting state or apparently an entire light-emitting state. . In addition, a liquid crystal display device using the light-emitting device as a backlight can be provided.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a backlight of a pseudo impulse drive type liquid crystal display device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A is a schematic plan view of the light emitting device, FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view showing the first electrode in the first region and the second region, and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial sectional view of a liquid crystal panel and a light emitting device, and FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drive circuit. 1 to 3 schematically show the configurations of the light emitting device, the first electrode, the liquid crystal panel, and the like, and for the sake of illustration, some dimensions are exaggerated for easy understanding. In addition, the ratio of dimensions such as width, length, and thickness of each part is different from the actual ratio.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, a light emitting device 11 includes a transparent electrode 13 as a first electrode, an organic EL layer 14 as a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode as a second electrode in order on a substrate 12. An organic EL element 16 as an electroluminescence element (EL element) provided with 15 is provided as a planar light emitting unit 17. The organic EL element 16 is covered with a protective film 18 so that the organic EL layer 14 is not adversely affected by moisture (water vapor) and oxygen.

  In this embodiment, a transparent glass substrate is used as the substrate 12. The transparent electrode 13 constitutes an anode, and the counter electrode 15 constitutes a cathode. The transparent electrode 13 has a higher volume resistivity than the counter electrode 15 and is made of a transparent material. Here, “transparent” means that at least visible light can be transmitted. The transparent electrode 13 is made of ITO (indium tin oxide) used as a transparent electrode in a known organic EL element. The counter electrode 15 is formed of metal (for example, aluminum) and has a function of reflecting light. The organic EL element 16 is configured as a so-called bottom emission type in which light from the organic EL layer 14 is extracted (emitted) from the substrate 12 side. The protective film 18 is made of, for example, silicon nitride.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the organic EL element 16 extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal (the left-right direction in FIG. 1A) when used as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device. A plurality of first regions 19 and a second region 20 sandwiched between the first regions 19 are provided. In this embodiment, the first regions 19 are formed with the same width.

  The transparent electrode 13 constituting the first region 19 is formed to have the same width as the first region 19 and corresponds to one end of each first region 19 (the left end in FIGS. 1A to 1C). A terminal 13a is formed on the terminal. That is, the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19 is formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal, and a terminal 13a is formed on one end side. The width of the first region 19 is not a width corresponding to one pixel of a liquid crystal display device to be described later, but a width corresponding to a plurality of pixels. That is, the first region 19 is not provided for each column of liquid crystal pixel regions scanned simultaneously, but is formed to have a width necessary for illuminating a plurality of columns of pixel regions.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, the second region 20 is formed in a state where a plurality of non-light emitting regions 20a and a plurality of light emitting regions 20b exist. The non-light emitting region 20a is formed in a dot shape, and is formed such that its density increases as it approaches the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19.

  The transparent electrode 13, the organic EL layer 14, and the counter electrode 15 are formed of a common material in the first region 19 and the second region 20. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a plurality of holes 13 b are formed in the transparent electrode 13 at a predetermined interval at locations corresponding to the second region 20. The transparent electrode 13 in the second region 20 is partially removed to form a hole 13b. That is, the second region 20 is formed such that the formation state of the transparent electrode 13 is different from the formation state of the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19.

  The organic EL layer 14 is formed so as to cover a portion excluding a part of the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13 and the hole 13b. The organic EL layer 14 is formed using a known organic EL material. For example, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer are stacked in this order from the transparent electrode 13 side. The organic EL layer 14 is configured to emit white light. When the light emitting device 11 is used as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, the organic EL layer 14 can support full color display using a color filter. As a structure for emitting white light, a known structure, for example, a structure for emitting white, red, green, and blue as a whole by layering layers that emit red, green, and blue finely on a plane, a layer that emits red, green, and blue is used. There are configurations in which white light is emitted as a whole, and red, green, and blue pigments are dispersed in a host molecule or polymer.

  The counter electrode 15 is composed of a solid electrode, and as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the width is smaller than that of the organic EL layer 14, and the length is organic on the side opposite to the terminal 13a side of the transparent electrode 13. It is formed to be longer than the EL layer 14. (Here, the width indicates the distance in the vertical direction in FIG. 1, and the length indicates the distance in the horizontal direction in FIG. 1.) The terminal portion 15a of the counter electrode 15 is opposite to the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13. Is provided. The terminal portion 15 a is formed of the same material as the transparent electrode 13 and is electrically connected to the electrode extension portion 15 b of the counter electrode 15. The light emitting device 11 is used in a state where the terminal 13a is connected to a driver described later.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the light emitting device 11 configured as described above will be described. When manufacturing the light emitting device 11, a transparent substrate 12 (glass substrate) on which an ITO film is formed is prepared. The ITO film is etched to form the transparent electrode 13, the terminal 13a, the hole 13b, and the terminal portion 15a.

  Next, after the substrate 12 and the transparent electrode 13 are cleaned, the organic EL layer 14 is formed so as to cover the transparent electrode 13. The organic EL layer 14 is formed by, for example, a vapor deposition method, and is formed by sequentially stacking the layers constituting the organic EL layer 14 by vapor deposition. Thereafter, the counter electrode 15 is formed on the organic EL layer 14 by vapor deposition of Al. At this time, the counter electrode 15 is formed in a state in which the electrode extending portion 15b covers a part of the terminal portion 15a and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 15a. Finally, the protective film 18 is formed. When a ceramic film such as silicon nitride is formed as the protective film 18, the ceramic film is formed by, for example, a plasma CVD method.

Next, an operation when the light emitting device 11 configured as described above is used as a backlight of a pseudo impulse drive type liquid crystal display device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the light-emitting device 11 is used by being disposed on the back surface (surface opposite to the display surface) side of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 32 constituting the liquid crystal display device 31. The liquid crystal panel 32 has basically the same configuration as a known active matrix liquid crystal panel for full color display. The liquid crystal panel 32 includes a pair of transparent substrates 33 and 34. The substrates 33 and 34 are bonded to each other with a sealing material (not shown) at a predetermined interval, and the liquid crystal 35 is sealed therebetween. . The substrates 33 and 34 are made of glass, for example. On one substrate 33 disposed on the light emitting device 11 side, a pixel electrode 36 and TFTs (thin film transistors) 37 connected to the pixel electrode 36 are formed in a matrix on the surface facing the liquid crystal 35. The pixel electrode 36 is made of ITO (indium tin oxide). One set of three pixel electrodes 36 constitutes one pixel. A polarizing plate 38 is disposed on the surface of the substrate 33 opposite to the liquid crystal 35.

  On the other substrate 34, a color filter 39 is formed on the surface on the liquid crystal 35 side, and a transparent electrode 40 common to all pixels is formed on the color filter 39. The transparent electrode 40 is also made of ITO. The color filter 39 is disposed so that regions 39a, 39b, and 39c that transmit red, green, and blue light correspond to the pixel electrodes 36 that constitute the sub-pixels. Each region 39 a to 39 c is partitioned by a black matrix 41. A polarizing plate 42 is formed on the surface of the substrate 34 opposite to the liquid crystal 35.

  In the light emitting device 11, the substrate 12 faces the liquid crystal panel 32, and the first region 19 extends in a direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) orthogonal to the vertical scanning direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3) of the liquid crystal 35. Are arranged as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the outside of the display unit 43 composed of the liquid crystal panel 32 and the light emitting device 11, a gate driver 44 that drives the gate electrode of the TFT 37 and a source driver 45 that drives the source electrode (data electrode). And are provided. A driver 46 that drives the transparent electrode 13 is provided outside the display unit 43. The terminal 13 a of the transparent electrode 13 is electrically connected to the driver 46. The drivers 44 to 46 are driven and controlled by a control signal from the control device 47.

  The gate driver 44 supplies an address signal (sequential scanning signal) to the gate of the TFT 37 based on a control signal from the control device 47, and the source driver 45 sends a data signal to the TFT 37 based on the control signal from the control device 47. Supply to the source. The time used to scan the entire screen once, that is, one frame time is set to 1/60 second. Therefore, the interval at which the address signal is output is (1/60) × (1 / An) seconds, where An is the number of address signal lines.

  The control device 47 controls the plurality of first regions 19 to be switched between the light emitting state and the non-light emitting state in order in synchronization with the vertical scanning of the liquid crystal 35, that is, the output of the address signal. In this embodiment, for example, when the number of the first regions 19 is N, the control device 47 sequentially emits light (lighted state) in each first region 19 at a timing of 1 / N of one frame time. It is controlled to become. Each first region is controlled so that the light emission state is maintained for a predetermined time after switching to the light emission state. Accordingly, when the liquid crystal display device is driven, a plurality of (for example, two) first regions 19 are simultaneously in a light emitting state.

  When the first region 19 is switched from the light emitting state to the non-light emitting state, the first region 19 that is switched to the non-light emitting state is replaced with the other first region 19 that is switched to the light emitting state. After a predetermined time t, a command signal is output from the control device 47 to the driver 46 so that the first area 19 is switched to the non-light emitting state. This fixed time t is an extremely short time, and is a time when almost no change is felt by human eyes.

  Each first region 19 is controlled to be switched between a light emitting state and a non-light emitting state by a command signal from the control device 47, but the first region 19 that illuminates the liquid crystal 35 immediately above the first region 19. Is controlled so as to be in a non-light emitting state at least during the display data rewriting period of the liquid crystal 35. If each first region 19 corresponds to one scan line of the pixel electrode 36 at a ratio of 1: 1, the data rewriting period for one scan line is a period of the liquid crystal 35 immediately above the first region 19. This is the display data rewriting period. However, in this embodiment, since each first region 19 corresponds to a plurality of scanning lines of the pixel electrode 36, during the display data rewriting period T for the plurality of scanning lines, The region 19 is held in a non-light emitting state. After that, it is kept on for a preset period.

  When an image is displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 32, the liquid crystal panel 32 outputs an address signal from the gate driver 44 in response to a command signal from the control device 47, and each TFT 37 is turned on for each column. Data is written to each pixel electrode 36 by the data signal output from the source driver 45. The written data is accumulated as a charge / discharge charge in a storage capacitor (not shown) of the pixel electrode 36, and a voltage corresponding to the charge is applied to the pixel electrode 36 until the next data write is performed. Held in a state. As the voltage applied to each pixel electrode 36 increases, the amount of light transmitted through the liquid crystal 35 facing the pixel electrode 36 increases. When the display data is rewritten to the pixel electrode 36, the first area 19 facing the pixel electrode 36 is kept in a non-light emitting state, so that the quality of the moving image is improved.

  Based on the command signal from the control device 47, the light emitting device 11 outputs an ON signal from the driver 46 to each terminal 13a so as to synchronize with the address signal. While the ON signal is output, a current flows through the first region 19 corresponding to the terminal 13a, and the organic EL layer 14 emits white light. Light from each organic EL layer 14 is emitted from the substrate 12 and enters the substrate 33 side of the liquid crystal panel 32.

  Each first region 19 emits light in order in synchronization with the vertical scanning of the liquid crystal 35. However, in this embodiment, the pixel electrode 36 row for a plurality of scanning lines of the liquid crystal 35 and the first regions 19 are opposed to each other, and therefore, to the terminal 13 a of the transparent electrode 13 constituting the first region 19. The ON signal is output after the display data rewriting (writing) to the TFTs 37 of the plurality of pixel electrode 36 columns facing the first region 19 is completed.

  Then, an amount of light corresponding to the voltage application state to the pixel electrode 36 passes through the liquid crystal 35, passes through the transparent electrodes 40, and passes through the regions 39 a to 39 c of the color filter 39. A user of the liquid crystal display device 31 visually recognizes an image formed by the light transmitted through the color filter 39 as a display of the liquid crystal display device 31.

  When displaying a color image, the color of the image is adjusted to a desired color by mixing the three primary colors of red, green, and blue in each pixel. In this embodiment, white light is emitted from the light emitting device 11 with a substantially constant amount of light, and the amount of light transmitted through the color filter 39 in each pixel according to the magnitude of the applied voltage applied to the pixel electrode 36, that is, the three primary colors in each pixel. The mixing ratio of is adjusted.

  The plurality of first regions 19 are selectively driven sequentially and switched between the light emitting state and the non-light emitting state within one frame time, and apparently, all the first regions 19 are in a full light emitting state in which light is emitted simultaneously. Become. In the prior art, the second region 20 sandwiched between the adjacent first regions 19 is always in a non-light emitting state, and therefore is visually recognized as a dark line. However, in this embodiment, the second region 20 is formed in a state where there are a plurality of non-light emitting regions 20a and a plurality of light emitting regions 20b, respectively, and the transparent electrode 13 constituting the light emitting region 20b is adjacent to the first electrode. When the region 19 is in the light emitting state, a current flows from the transparent electrode 13 that constitutes the first region 19 to enter the light emitting state. Therefore, the second region 20 is difficult to be visually recognized regardless of whether the adjacent first region 19 is in a light emitting state or a non-light emitting state. The non-light emitting area 20 a and the light emitting area 20 b constitute a visibility weakening means for weakening the visibility of the second area 20 in the light emitting state of the first area 19.

  A plurality of holes 13b are formed in the transparent electrode in the second region between the first regions adjacent to each other. For this reason, the volume resistivity of the transparent electrode of the second region as a whole is higher than that of the first region. Therefore, it is difficult for current to flow from one first region to the adjacent first region, thereby partitioning the first region.

  The luminance of the organic EL element 16 is affected by the current density in the organic EL layer 14, and the higher the current density, the higher the luminance of the element. The transparent electrode 13 has a higher volume resistivity than the counter electrode 15, and the difference in electrical resistance value between the portion near and far from the terminal 13 a increases, and the difference in current density in the organic EL layer 14 also increases. Accordingly, when the density of the light emitting region 20b is closer to the terminal 13a, that is, when the density of the non-light emitting region 20a is higher, the luminance unevenness of the second region 20 as a whole becomes smaller and the second region 20 is reduced. Is difficult to see.

This embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The light emitting device 11 uses the organic EL element 16 in which the organic EL layer 14 is provided between the transparent electrode 13 and the counter electrode 15 as the light emitting unit 17, and includes a plurality of first regions 19, A second region 20 sandwiched between the regions 19, and configured so that the second region 20 is hardly visible regardless of the light emission / non-light emission state of the first region 19. Therefore, even if the plurality of first regions 19 are selectively driven or simultaneously driven, dark lines can be made inconspicuous in the entire light emission state or apparently the entire light emission state.

  (2) The transparent electrode 13, the counter electrode 15, and the organic EL layer 14 are formed of a common material in the first region 19 and the second region 20, and the transparent electrode 13 has a higher volume resistivity than the counter electrode 15. In addition, the second region 20 is different in the formation state of the transparent electrode 13 from the formation state of the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19. Therefore, the first region 19 and the second region 20 can be made indistinguishable from dark lines easily only by the formation state of the transparent electrode 13 being different.

  (3) The second region 20 includes a plurality of non-light emitting regions 20a and a plurality of light emitting regions 20b. Therefore, since the light emitting region 20b exists in the second region 20 that is conventionally configured only by the non-light emitting region, the second region 20 is less likely to be visually recognized as compared with the conventional case.

  (4) The non-light emitting region 20a is formed in a dot shape, and is formed so that its density increases as the distance from the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19 increases. Therefore, as compared with the case where the non-light emitting region 20a has a uniform density, the luminance unevenness of each light emitting region 20b constituting the second region 20 is reduced, and the second region 20 is less visible. .

  (5) The non-light emitting region 20a is configured by removing a part of the transparent electrode 13 in the second region 20 and providing a hole 13b. Therefore, the hole 13b can be provided simultaneously in the formation process of the transparent electrode 13, and can be manufactured without increasing the number of man-hours at the time of manufacture.

  (6) The counter electrode 15 constituting the organic EL element 16 has a function of reflecting light. Therefore, compared to the case where the counter electrode 15 does not have a function of reflecting light, the amount of light that is efficiently reflected by the counter electrode 15 from the organic EL layer 14 and emitted from the transparent electrode 13 side. Can be more.

  (7) The liquid crystal display device 31 includes the light emitting device 11 as a backlight. The plurality of first regions 19 of the backlight are configured to extend in a direction perpendicular to the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel 32, and are controlled to be switched between a light emitting state and a non-light emitting state by a command signal from the control device 47. . Then, at least a display data rewriting period of the liquid crystal 35 immediately above each first region is controlled so that the first region is in a non-light emitting state. Therefore, not only the second region 20 is hardly visible, but also the afterimage can be suppressed from being displayed in the liquid crystal display device 31 that displays a moving image, and the quality of the moving image is improved.

  (8) When the liquid crystal display device 31 is driven, the backlight is simultaneously held so that the plurality of first regions 19 are in the light emitting state, and thus each first region 19 in the one frame time is in the light emitting state. The period becomes longer, and the luminance of the entire display screen can be increased as compared with a configuration in which only one first region 19 always emits light when the liquid crystal display device 31 is driven.

(9) The organic EL element 16 is used as the EL element. Therefore, it is possible to emit light at a lower voltage than when an inorganic EL element is used for the light emitting portion 17.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the configuration of the second region 20 is different from that of the first embodiment. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. 5A is a schematic plan view of the transparent electrode 13, and FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 5A.

  As shown to Fig.5 (a), each transparent electrode 13 which comprises the 1st area | region 19 is formed in parallel with the same width | variety, and the terminal 13a is formed in the end. As shown in FIG. 5B, the transparent electrode 13 </ b> S constituting the second region 20 is formed thinner than the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19. In this embodiment, the transparent electrode 13S is also present in the second region 20 as a whole. That is, the second region 20 has no non-light emitting region and is entirely composed of the light emitting region.

  In the case of forming the second region 20 having this configuration, the ITO film formed on the transparent substrate 12 (glass substrate) is etched to form the transparent electrode 13, the terminal 13a, and the terminal portion 15a. At the same time, the portion of the second region 20 that is to become the transparent electrode 13S is also etched to form the transparent electrode 13S having a predetermined thickness. The subsequent steps for forming the organic EL layer 14, the counter electrode 15, the protective film 18 and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the configuration of this embodiment, when the first region 19 adjacent to the second region 20 is in a light emitting state, the transparent electrode of the second region 20 is interposed via the transparent electrode 13 of the first region 19. The current flows through 13S, and the second region 20 is also in the light emitting state. However, since the thickness of the transparent electrode 13 </ b> S is thinner than that of the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19, the amount of flowing current is small and light is emitted weaker than in the first region 19. The transparent electrode 13S that is thinner than the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19 constitutes a visibility weakening means that weakens the visibility of the second region 20 in the light emitting state of the first region 19.

Therefore, the second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the same effects as the effects (1), (2), and (6) to (9) of the first embodiment.
(10) The transparent electrode 13S is also present in the second region 20 as a whole, but since the thickness is thinner than that of the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19, the amount of flowing current is small and light is emitted weaker than in the first region 19. . Therefore, the second region 20 is less likely to be visually recognized as compared to the conventional case.

(11) In the manufacturing process of the light emitting device 11, it can be easily handled by changing only a part of the etching process for the ITO film on the substrate 12.
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the second region 20 and a diffusing member are provided on the light emitting side of the light emitting device. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. 6A is a schematic partial plan view of the transparent electrode 13, and FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light emitting device.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, each transparent electrode 13 constituting the first region 19 has a groove 21 formed in a meandering state with a certain width between the transparent electrode 13 in the adjacent first region 19. The terminal 13a is formed at one end. In this embodiment, the groove | channel 21 is formed in the shape by which the linear part 21a bend | folds continuously 90 degree | times. The width of the groove 21 is, for example, about 30 μm. In the light emitting device 11, a portion corresponding to each groove 21 becomes a second region 20 sandwiched between the first regions 19. In other words, the second region 20 has no light emitting region and is entirely composed of a non-light emitting region.

  In the case of forming the second region 20 having this configuration, the ITO film formed on the transparent substrate 12 (glass substrate) is etched to form the transparent electrode 13, the terminal 13a, and the terminal portion 15a. At the same time, etching is performed also on a portion to be the second region 20, that is, a portion to be the groove 21. The subsequent steps for forming the organic EL layer 14, the counter electrode 15, the protective film 18 and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the light emitting device 11 includes a diffusion sheet 22 as a diffusion member on the surface opposite to the surface facing the transparent electrode 13 of the substrate 12, that is, on the light emitting side. As the diffusion sheet 22, for example, one having a known configuration used in a liquid crystal display device or the like is used.

  In the configuration of this embodiment, the light emitted from the substrate 12 is diffused by the diffusion sheet 22 and applied to the liquid crystal panel 32. The second region 20 does not include a light emitting region. Therefore, when the second region 20 is in a straight line as in the prior art, the second region 20 is emitted from the first region 19 with the second region 20 sandwiched therebetween, and the second region 20 passes through the second region 20. Since there is no light traveling along the line 20 (in the direction in which the second area 20 extends), even if the diffusion sheet 22 is used, the user of the liquid crystal display device 31 can easily recognize the second area 20 as a dark line. .

  However, in the configuration of this embodiment, the second region 20 is formed in a meandering state instead of a straight line. Accordingly, the light emitted from the first region 19 with the second region 20 in between is incident on the second region 20 from various directions and much light travels in the extending direction of the second region 20. Therefore, the second region 20 is hardly visible by using the diffusion sheet 22.

Therefore, the third embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects (1) and (6) to (9) of the first embodiment.
(12) The light emitting device 11 includes a diffusion sheet 22 on the light emitting side, and the second region 20 is formed in a meandering state by a non-light emitting region. Accordingly, the second region 20 does not include a light emitting region, but light emitted from the first region 19 with the second region 20 interposed therebetween enters the second region 20 from various directions. Therefore, the use of the diffusion sheet 22 makes it difficult for the second region 20 to be visually recognized.

  (13) In the manufacturing process of the light emitting device 11, a part of the etching process for the ITO film on the substrate 12 can be changed, and the diffusion sheet 22 can be provided on the substrate 12.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a schematic plan view of the light emitting device, FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 7, FIG. 9A is a schematic plan view of a transparent electrode, and FIG. It is. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the light emitting device 11 is provided with a transparent electrode 13 as a first electrode, an organic EL layer 14 as a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode 15 as a second electrode in order on a substrate 12. An organic EL element 16 as the EL element is provided as the planar light emitting portion 17. The organic EL element 16 is covered with a protective film 18 so that the organic EL layer 14 is not adversely affected by moisture (water vapor) and oxygen.

  In this embodiment, a transparent glass substrate is used as the substrate 12. The transparent electrode 13 and the counter electrode 15 are each composed of a solid electrode, and the transparent electrode 13 has a volume resistivity higher than that of the counter electrode 15 and is formed of a transparent material. The transparent electrode 13 constitutes an anode, and the counter electrode 15 constitutes a cathode. The transparent electrode 13 is made of ITO, and the counter electrode 15 is made of aluminum. The organic EL element 16 is configured as a so-called bottom emission type in which light from the organic EL layer 14 is extracted (emitted) from the substrate 12 side.

  The transparent electrode 13, the organic EL layer 14, and the counter electrode 15 are formed in a rectangular shape. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A, the transparent electrode 13 has a direction perpendicular to the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal when the light emitting device 11 is used as a backlight of the liquid crystal display device (left and right in FIG. 7). A plurality of terminals 13a are provided at opposite ends in the direction). That is, a plurality of terminals 13 a of the transparent electrode 13 are provided on both sides of the light emitting unit 17 in a state of facing each other. The light emitting device 11 has different light emitting areas that emit light when different terminals to which voltage is applied. Each terminal corresponds to a part of the light emitting area corresponding to the terminal and a terminal adjacent to the terminal. A part of the light emitting region is provided so as to overlap.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the counter electrode 15 is provided so that the terminal portion 15 a extends along a side different from the side corresponding to the terminal 13 a of the transparent electrode 13. Each terminal 13a is electrically connected to a driver 46, and is configured such that a voltage can be selectively applied via the driver 46 by a command signal from the control device 47. The driver 46 constitutes a voltage applying means that can selectively apply a voltage to the terminal 13a.

  The light emitting device 11 in this embodiment is manufactured in substantially the same manner as the light emitting device 11 of the first embodiment. The difference from the case of the first embodiment is that the transparent electrode 13 is a solid electrode and that the terminals 13 a are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the transparent electrode 13.

  The light emitting device 11 of this embodiment is also used as a backlight of the pseudo impulse drive type liquid crystal display device 31. Based on a command signal from the control device 47, an ON signal is output from the driver 46 to each terminal 13a so as to synchronize with the address signal. At this time, during the display data rewriting period of the liquid crystal immediately above each light emitting area, the application of voltage to each terminal is controlled by the driver 46 so that the light emitting area is in a non-light emitting state. While the ON signal is output, a current flows in a range corresponding to the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13, and the organic EL layer 14 emits white light. Light from each organic EL layer 14 is emitted from the substrate 12 and enters the substrate 33 side of the liquid crystal panel 32.

  Since the transparent electrode 13 is a solid electrode and has a large volume resistivity, a predetermined range centered on the terminal 13a in a state where a voltage is applied (ON state) as shown by a chain line in FIG. 9B. Becomes the light emitting region 24 of the organic EL element 16. The light emitting region 24 extends to a part of the virtual belt-like region 23 corresponding to the terminal 13a to which the adjacent voltage is not applied (OFF state). As a result, a region that does not correspond to the terminal 13a adjacent to the virtual band-shaped region 23 corresponding to the terminal 13a in a state where a voltage is applied is also in a light emitting state.

Therefore, the fourth embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects (6) and (9) of the first embodiment.
(14) The transparent electrode 13 and the counter electrode 15 are each composed of a solid electrode, and the transparent electrode 13 has a volume resistivity higher than that of the counter electrode 15, and three or more terminals 13a are provided. The light emitting device 11 has different light emitting regions that emit light when different terminals to which voltage is applied. Each terminal has a part of a light emitting region corresponding to the terminal and a light emitting region corresponding to a terminal adjacent to the terminal. It is provided so that a part may overlap. Therefore, unlike the prior art that includes a plurality of light emitting regions and can be divided and driven, it is possible to make the dark line inconspicuous in the full light emission state or the apparent full light emission state.

  (15) The light-emitting portions 17 are formed in a rectangular shape, and a plurality of light-emitting portions 17 are provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion 17 with the terminals 13a facing each other. Accordingly, the degree of freedom of the range covered by the light emitting region is increased corresponding to the state of voltage application to the terminal 13a. For example, the liquid crystal display device 31 can display an image only on one half of the liquid crystal panel 32 or can be driven simultaneously under different conditions by half.

  (16) The light emitting device 11 is used as a backlight of a pseudo impulse drive type liquid crystal display device. The terminals 13a are arranged at predetermined intervals along the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel 32, and the light emitting area is in a non-light emitting state during the display data rewriting period immediately above each light emitting area. The application of voltage to each terminal 13 a is controlled by the driver 46. Accordingly, it is possible to make the dark line inconspicuous in the full light emission state or the apparent full light emission state, and it is possible to suppress the afterimage from being seen in the liquid crystal display device 31 that displays a moving image, thereby improving the quality of the moving image.

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be configured as follows, for example.
○ As in the first embodiment, when the second region 20 has a configuration in which the non-light emitting region 20a and the light emitting region 20b are mixed, the non-light emitting region 20a is one of the transparent electrodes 13 corresponding to the second region 20. Instead of configuring by providing the hole 13b in the part, a hole 15c may be provided in a part of the counter electrode 15 corresponding to the second region 20, as shown in FIG. The holes 15c are preferably provided so that the closer to the terminals 13a, the higher the density. In this case, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. However, since the light emitted from the organic EL layer 14 toward the counter electrode 15 is not reflected from the portion where the hole 15c is formed, the case where the hole 13b is provided in the transparent electrode 13 is from the transparent electrode 13 side. The amount of emitted light can be increased.

When the second region 20 has a configuration in which the non-light emitting region 20a and the light emitting region 20b are mixed, holes 13b and 15c may be provided in both the transparent electrode 13 and the counter electrode 15.
As a configuration in which the non-light emitting region 20a is provided in the second region 20, an insulating portion (insulating film) is provided between the transparent electrode 13 and the organic EL layer 14 instead of the configuration in which the holes 13b and 15c are provided. It may be provided between the EL layer 14 and the counter electrode 15, or between both the transparent electrode 13 and the organic EL layer 14 and between the organic EL layer 14 and the counter electrode 15. However, when the insulating portion is provided between the organic EL layer 14 and the counter electrode 15, it is necessary to form the insulating portion after the organic EL layer 14 is formed, and the organic EL layer 14 that is vulnerable to moisture and high heat is not damaged. The manufacturing conditions for doing so become severe. Therefore, it is preferable that the insulating portion is provided between the transparent electrode 13 and the organic EL layer 14.

  The shape of the holes 13b, 15c or the insulating portion constituting the non-light emitting region 20a of the second region 20 is not limited to an ellipse, but may be a circle or a polygon such as a triangle or a rectangle. Moreover, the thing of a different shape may be mixed, and the thing of a different magnitude | size may be mixed.

  ○ As in the second embodiment, in the configuration in which the thickness of the transparent electrode 13S constituting the second region 20 is made thinner than the transparent electrode 13 constituting the first region 19, the second region 20 is configured. The thickness of the transparent electrode 13S to be performed is not limited to a constant thickness. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first region 19 is formed so as to be thinner as it is closer to the terminal 13 a of the transparent electrode 13, or is formed so as to be gradually thicker from the side closer to the terminal 13 a of the transparent electrode 13. You may form so that it may become fixed thickness from the middle. In this case, compared with the case where the thickness of the transparent electrode 13S constituting the second region 20 is uniform, the second region 20 is less visible.

  In the configuration in which the amount of current flowing through the transparent electrode 13S constituting the second region 20 is made smaller than the amount of current flowing through the transparent electrode 13 constituting the first region 19 as in the second embodiment, A material different from the material of the transparent electrode 13 in the first region 19 may be used as the material of the transparent electrode 13 </ b> S in the region 20.

In the configuration in which the first region 19 is partitioned by the second region 20 as in the first and second embodiments, the second region 20 is not limited to a straight line, and may be a wavy line, for example.
In the third embodiment, the groove 21 constituting the second region 20 is not limited to the shape in which the straight portion 21a is bent continuously at 90 degrees, and it is only necessary to have a plurality of bent portions having different bending directions. . For example, as shown to Fig.12 (a), the shape where a S-shaped part repeats, or as shown in FIG.12 (b), the zigzag shape by which the linear part 21a bend | folds continuously may be sufficient. Further, the linear portion and the curved portion may be formed in a zigzag shape. In this case, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.

  In the third embodiment, the diffusing member is not limited to the diffusing sheet 22, and a plate-like diffusing member may be provided or provided separately from the substrate 12 instead of being integrated with the surface of the substrate 12. Good.

  In the configuration in which the first region 19 is partitioned by the second region 20 as in the first to third embodiments, the interval between the adjacent second regions 20, that is, the width of the first region 19 is constant. Not limited to this, a configuration in which the widths of the first regions 19 are all different or a configuration in which the widths of some first regions 19 are different may be employed.

  In the configuration in which the first region 19 is partitioned by the second region 20 as in the first to third embodiments, the terminals 13a of the transparent electrode 13 face each other so as to form a pair on both sides of the transparent electrode 13. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned in the state. Further, the terminal portion 15 a of the counter electrode 15 may be arranged on both sides of the counter electrode 15.

The terminal portion 15 a of the counter electrode 15 may be formed by the extending portion of the counter electrode 15 without being formed of the same material as the transparent electrode 13.
In 1st-3rd embodiment, you may arrange | position the terminal part 15a of the counter electrode 15 in the edge | side which does not correspond to the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13 like 4th Embodiment.

  In 1st-4th embodiment, you may arrange | position the terminal part 15a of the counter electrode 15 in the edge | side corresponding to the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13. FIG. When the terminal portion 15a is disposed on the same side as the terminal 13a, as shown in FIG. 13, the terminal 13a of the transparent electrode 13 is formed long, and an insulating film 25 is formed on a portion near the organic EL layer 14 on the terminal 13a. Provided. The counter electrode 15 is provided with an electrode extension 15 b on the insulating film 25. A terminal portion 15a of the counter electrode 15 is formed on the insulating film 25 so as to be electrically connected to the electrode extension portion 15b. The terminal portion 15a is made of the same material as the transparent electrode 13.

  In the configuration in which the first region 19 is partitioned by the second region 20 as in the first to third embodiments, the first region 19 extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal 35. Not limited to. For example, the light emitting unit 17 may be partitioned into two first regions 19 and a second region 20 sandwiched between them. The two first regions 19 may have the same shape, or may be composed of two regions, a rectangular region 26 and a region 27 adjacent thereto, as shown in FIG. The second region 20 has a configuration that adopts the configuration of the first to third embodiments or one of the configurations of each of the embodiments as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the light emitting device 11 having a configuration in which the transparent electrode 13 and the counter electrode 15 are solid electrodes as in the fourth embodiment, and a part of the light emitting regions of the adjacent terminals 13 a overlap each other. Alternatively, the terminal 13 a may be provided only on one side of the transparent electrode 13. In the case of this configuration, the width of the transparent electrode 13 (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 15) is about ½ or less of the configuration in which the terminals 13a are provided on both sides.

  ○ In the light emitting device 11 in which the transparent electrode 13 and the counter electrode 15 are configured as solid electrodes as in the fourth embodiment, and a part of the light emitting region of the adjacent terminals 13a overlaps, the arrangement of the terminals 13a is In addition, the configuration is not limited to a configuration in which only one side of the rectangular transparent electrode 13 or a pair of opposing sides is paired. Three or more terminals 13 a may be provided so that a light emitting region is formed in accordance with the display region of the liquid crystal panel 32.

  In a display device in which the screen of the liquid crystal panel 32 is large and the number of columns of pixel electrodes 36 that perform vertical scanning during one frame time is large, the screen is divided into a plurality of parts in the vertical scanning direction, and each divided area is simultaneously When the configuration for vertical scanning is adopted, the light emitting device 11 also divides the light emitting region into a plurality of parts correspondingly. Then, the ON state of the transparent electrode 13 may be controlled so that each first region 19 emits light sequentially in synchronization with the vertical scanning of the liquid crystal 35 at the same time for each divided region.

O Instead of the configuration in which the plurality of first regions 19 are in the light emitting state simultaneously in the steady state, the first regions 19 may be in the light emitting state in order one by one.
The first region 19 is not limited to a width that can irradiate light to the plurality of columns of pixel electrodes 36 during light emission, but is a vertical width of the liquid crystal 35 that can irradiate light to one column of pixel electrodes 36 It is good also as a structure which can be switched to a light emission state and a non-light emission state synchronizing with scanning 1: 1.

The substrate 12 is not limited to glass but may be a transparent resin substrate or film.
The transparent electrode 13 is not limited to ITO, and IZO (indium zinc oxide), ZnO (zinc oxide), SnO ₂ (tin oxide), or the like can be used.

The counter electrode 15 is not limited to aluminum, and a conventionally used known cathode material or the like can be used. For example, metals such as gold, silver, copper, and chromium, and alloys thereof are used.
The counter electrode 15 may not have a light reflecting function.

The organic EL layer 14 is not limited to a configuration that emits white light, and may be configured to emit monochromatic light such as red, blue, green, and yellow, or a combination thereof.
The organic EL element 16 is not limited to a structure that emits light from the substrate 12 side, and a so-called top emission type organic EL element that emits light from the opposite side of the substrate 12 may be used. In this case, in the organic EL element 16, the counter electrode 15 is formed on the substrate 12 side, and the transparent electrode 13 is formed on the opposite side of the substrate 12 with the organic EL layer 14 interposed therebetween. The counter electrode 15 only needs to be formed of a material having a volume resistivity lower than that of the transparent electrode 13, and may be formed of a transparent electrode or an opaque electrode. The substrate 12 is not limited to a transparent substrate, and may be an opaque substrate.

The liquid crystal panel 32 may be a monochrome display panel that does not include the color filter 39.
The light-emitting device 11 may be configured to include an inorganic EL element that uses an inorganic EL layer instead of the organic EL layer 14 as a light-emitting layer.

The following technical idea (invention) can be understood from the embodiment.
(1) A plurality of first regions to be light emitting regions, and a second region sandwiched between the first regions, wherein the second region is the first region in a light emitting state of the first region. Visibility weakening means for weakening the visibility of the area 2 is provided.

(2) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the technical idea (1), the first regions are formed in parallel strips.
(3) In the invention according to claim 8, the first region is formed to have a width capable of simultaneously illuminating a plurality of rows of pixel electrodes scanned line-sequentially.

  (4) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and the technical ideas (1) to (3), the electroluminescence element is an organic electroluminescence element.

(A) is a schematic top view of the light-emitting device in 1st Embodiment, (b) is a schematic cross section in the AA line of (a), (c) is a schematic cross section in the BB line of (a). . (A) is a schematic top view which shows the transparent electrode of a 1st area | region and a 2nd area | region, (b) is a schematic cross section in CC line of (a). FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel and a light emitting device. The schematic block diagram of a drive circuit. (A) is a schematic plan view of the transparent electrode in 2nd Embodiment, (b) is a schematic cross section in the DD line | wire of (a). (A) is a typical fragmentary top view of the transparent electrode in 3rd Embodiment, (b) is a schematic cross section of a light-emitting device. The schematic plan view of the light-emitting device in 4th Embodiment. The schematic cross section in the EE line of FIG. (A) The schematic plan view of a transparent electrode, (b) is a schematic diagram explaining an effect | action. The schematic cross section of the light-emitting device in another embodiment. The schematic cross section of the light-emitting device in another embodiment. (A), (b) is a schematic fragmentary top view of the transparent electrode in another embodiment. The schematic cross section which shows the structure of the terminal part in another embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the 1st area | region and 2nd area | region in another embodiment. The schematic plan view of the transparent electrode in another embodiment. The schematic plan view of the EL panel of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Light-emitting device, 13, 13S ... Transparent electrode as 1st electrode, 13a ... Terminal, 14 ... Organic EL layer as light emitting layer, 15 ... Counter electrode as 2nd electrode, 16 ... Organic EL element as EL element DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Light emission part, 19 ... 1st area | region, 20 ... 2nd area | region, 20a ... Non-light emission area | region, 20b ... Light emission area | region, 22 ... Diffusion sheet as a diffusing member, 23 ... Band-shaped area | region, 31 ... Liquid crystal display device 32 ... Liquid crystal panel, 35 ... Liquid crystal, 46 ... Driver as voltage applying means, 47 ... Control device.

Claims (11)

A light-emitting device having a light-emitting portion of an electroluminescence element in which a light-emitting layer is provided between a first electrode and a second electrode,
The first electrode has a terminal to which a voltage is applied from the outside,
A plurality of first regions and a second region sandwiched between the first regions, wherein the plurality of first regions can be switched between a light emitting state and a non-light emitting state; A light-emitting device configured so that the second region is difficult to be visually recognized regardless of the light-emitting / non-light-emitting state of the region.   The first electrode, the second electrode, and the light emitting layer are formed of a common material in the first region and the second region, and the first electrode has a higher volume resistivity than the second electrode, 2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the second region is different from a formation state of the first electrode in the first region in the second region.   The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of non-light emitting regions and a plurality of light emitting regions exist in the second region.   The light-emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the non-light-emitting region is formed in a dot shape, and the density of the non-light-emitting region is higher as the density of the non-light-emitting region is closer to the terminal of the first light-emitting region.   The first electrode has a volume resistivity higher than that of the second electrode and is made of a transparent material, and the second region has a thickness of the first electrode larger than that of the first electrode in the first region. The light emitting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light emitting device is thin.   The light emitting device according to claim 5, wherein a thickness of the first electrode constituting the second region is formed so as to be thinner as it is closer to the terminal of the first region.   The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting device includes a diffusing member on a light emitting side, and the second region is formed in a meandering state by a non-light emitting region. LCD panel,
A backlight provided on the back of the liquid crystal panel;
A liquid crystal display device having a control device for controlling the liquid crystal panel and the backlight,
The backlight is the light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of first regions are configured to extend in a direction orthogonal to a vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel. ,
The control device controls the plurality of first regions of the backlight to switch between a light emitting state and a non-light emitting state sequentially in synchronization with vertical scanning of the liquid crystal panel, and at least each of the first regions is controlled. In the liquid crystal display data rewriting period immediately above, the backlight is controlled so that the first region is in a non-light emitting state. A light-emitting device having a light-emitting portion of an electroluminescence element in which a light-emitting layer is provided between a first electrode and a second electrode,
Each of the first electrode and the second electrode is a solid electrode, the first electrode is made of a transparent material having a volume resistivity higher than that of the second electrode, and the first electrode has three or more. Equipped with terminals,
If the terminal to which the voltage is applied is different, the light emitting area that becomes the light emitting state is different,
Each terminal is a light emitting device provided such that a part of a light emitting region corresponding to the terminal overlaps a part of a light emitting region corresponding to a terminal adjacent to the terminal.   The light emitting device according to claim 9, wherein the light emitting unit is formed in a rectangular shape, and a plurality of the light emitting units are provided on both sides of the light emitting unit with the terminals facing each other. LCD panel,
A backlight provided on the back of the liquid crystal panel;
A liquid crystal display device having a control device for controlling the liquid crystal panel and the backlight,
The backlight is the light emitting device according to claim 9 or 10,
The terminals are arranged at predetermined intervals along the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel,
In the liquid crystal display device, the application of voltage to each terminal is controlled so that the light emitting area is in a non-light emitting state during the rewriting period of the display data of the liquid crystal immediately above each light emitting area.

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