JP2011048975A - Light-emitting module with selectable connection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to arbitrarily switch electrical connection of surface light-emitting elements in parallel or in series in mutually connecting light-emitting modules therein. <P>SOLUTION: The light-emitting module 1 includes: the surface light-emitting element 2; a cabinet 3; and anode terminals 5a to 5c and cathode terminals 7a to 7c connected to the surface light-emitting element 2. The first anode terminal 5a and cathode terminal 7a are arranged on one side out of mutually opposing two sides of the cabinet 3, and the second anode terminal 5b and cathode terminal 7b are arranged on the other side of the two sides. The third anode terminal 5c is arranged on one side connecting the opposing two sides, and the third cathode terminal 7c is arranged on the other one side. As for the anode terminals 5a, 5b and the cathode terminals 7a, 7b, the mutual terminals of the same polarity are opposed. By this constitution, when connecting a plurality of light-emitting modules 1 with each other, electric connection of the surface light-emitting elements 2 can be switched arbitrarily in parallel or in series. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emitting module using a planar light emitting element.

  A conventional organic electroluminescence (EL) light emitting device includes an anode that is a transparent electrode, a light emitting layer that is an organic thin film made of an organic compound, and a cathode, which are sequentially stacked on a substrate. In this planar light emitting device, when the voltage is applied, the anode injects holes into the light emitting layer, the cathode injects electrons into the light emitting layer, and the injected holes and electrons combine in the light emitting layer. The child transitions to the ground state and emits light.

  There is known a light emitting system in which a plurality of light emitting modules each having a planar light emitting element which is an organic EL light emitting element are arranged side by side (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This light emitting system has a structure in which planar light emitting elements can be easily electrically connected to each other simply by arranging and connecting light emitting modules side by side.

  In this light emitting system, when planar light emitting elements are electrically connected in parallel, the sum of currents flowing through the respective planar light emitting elements is output from a power source. When the number of light emitting modules to be arranged increases, the output current from the power source increases, and there is a possibility that the limit is exceeded when there is a limit on the current value. Moreover, this light emitting system outputs the sum total of the voltage concerning each planar light emitting element from a power supply, when a planar light emitting element is electrically connected in series. In the light emitting system, when the number of light emitting modules to be arranged is large, the output voltage from the power source becomes large.

  Therefore, in this light emitting system, it is necessary to connect the light emitting modules by selecting an appropriate one of parallel or series connection of the planar light emitting elements depending on whether the current value is limited or the voltage value is limited. There is. However, this light emitting system cannot arbitrarily switch the electrical connection of the planar light emitting elements from parallel to series or from series to parallel. For this reason, two types of light emitting modules for parallel use and series use are required, resulting in an increase in cost.

JP 2007-335146 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When a plurality of light emitting modules are connected to each other, the user arbitrarily switches the electrical connection of the respective planar light emitting elements in parallel or in series. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting module that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a planar light emitting device in which a light emitting layer is sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, a casing for holding the planar light emitting device, and an anode wiring through the anode. A light emitting module including a cathode terminal connected to the cathode via a cathode wiring, wherein at least three of the anode terminal and the cathode terminal are arranged in the casing, One anode terminal and cathode terminal are on one side of the two opposite sides of the casing, and the second anode terminal and cathode terminal are on the other side of the two opposite sides of the casing. The third anode terminal is arranged on one side connecting the two opposite sides, and the third cathode terminal is arranged on the other side, and the two opposite sides are arranged. A first anode terminal and a cathode terminal provided on each of The two anode terminals and the cathode terminals, in which the electrode terminals to each other is opposed.

  The invention of claim 2 is a light emitting system in which a plurality of light emitting modules according to claim 1 are connected to each other, and when the plurality of planar light emitting elements are connected in parallel, The first anode terminal and the cathode terminal and the second anode terminal and the cathode terminal of another light emitting module are electrically connected to each other with the same polarity terminals, and the third anode terminal and the cathode terminal are electrically connected to each other. When the plurality of planar light emitting elements are connected in series, the third anode terminal of one light emitting module and the third cathode terminal of the other light emitting module are electrically connected. The first anode terminal and the cathode terminal and the second anode terminal and the cathode terminal are electrically disconnected from each other.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the plurality of light emitting modules are connected to each other, the anode terminal and the cathode terminal are installed at predetermined positions. It can be switched in parallel or in series. Thereby, since the light emitting module does not need to prepare a plurality of types of light emitting modules for parallel use and series use, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the anode terminal and cathode terminal of the light emitting module are connected to the anode terminal and cathode terminal of the other light emitting module regardless of whether the plurality of light emitting modules are connected in parallel or in series. Terminals that are electrically connected to each other and that are not used are electrically disconnected from the outside, so that there is no short circuit between terminals.

(A) is a top view of the light emitting module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a sectional side view of the light emitting module. The perspective view of the light emission system which uses the same light emission module. The top view of the light emission system when a planar light emitting element is connected in parallel. The top view of the light emission system when a planar light emitting element is connected in series. The top view which shows the modification of the light emission system. The perspective view which shows the other modification of the light emission system.

  Fig.1 (a) (b) shows the structure of the light emitting module 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The light emitting module 1 includes a planar light emitting element 2 that is a light source, a housing 3 that holds the planar light emitting element 2, and anode terminals 5 a, 5 b, and 5 c that are connected to the planar light emitting element 2 via an anode wiring 4. And cathode terminals 7a, 7b, 7c connected to the planar light emitting element 2 via the cathode wiring 6, and a connecting member 8 for connecting the light emitting modules 1 to each other.

  The planar light emitting element 2 is an organic EL light emitting element in which an anode 10, a light emitting layer 11, a cathode 12, and a sealing layer 13 are laminated in this order on a transparent substrate 9. The planar light emitting element 2 may include organic layers such as a hole injection layer, a hole import layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer in addition to the light emitting layer 11. Further, the planar light emitting element 2 may be an inorganic EL light emitting element instead of an organic EL light emitting element.

  The housing 3 includes a transparent substrate 9 and a cover body 14 installed on the transparent substrate 9. The cover body 14 has a first projecting portion 15 and has a container shape that opens downward. The cover body 14 is formed in a square shape when viewed from above and is made of an insulating material. The cover body 14 is bonded to the upper surface of the transparent substrate 9 with an adhesive in a state where the planar light emitting element 2 is disposed therein. The portion of the transparent substrate 9 that is not covered with the cover body 14 becomes the second overhanging portion 16. The first projecting portion 15 has a rectangular plate shape and projects from the cover body 14, and the upper surface thereof is flush with the upper surface of the cover body 14.

  The anode wiring 4 and the cathode wiring 6 are formed on the transparent substrate 9 and configured by chromium plating. The anode wiring 4 may be formed integrally with the anode 10 using the same material as the anode 10 when the anode 10 is formed. Similarly, the cathode wiring 6 may be formed integrally with the cathode 12 using the same material as the cathode 12 when the cathode 12 is formed.

  The anode terminals 5 a to 5 c (first, second, and third anode terminals) and the cathode terminals 7 a to 7 c (first, second, and third cathode terminals) are made of a copper plate and formed on the transparent substrate 9. The anode wiring 4 and the cathode wiring 6 are electrically connected to the anode 10 and the cathode 12, respectively. The connection between the anode terminals 5a to 5c and the anode wiring 4 and the connection between the cathode terminals 7a to 7c and the cathode wiring 6 are performed by soldering or welding. Three or more anode terminals 5 a to 5 c and cathode terminals 7 a to 7 c may be arranged in the housing 3.

  The first anode terminal 5a and the cathode terminal 7a are disposed on one side of the two sides of the housing 3 facing each other. Specifically, the first anode terminal 5a and the cathode terminal 7a are formed along the lower surface of the first projecting portion 15 and the wall surface of the cover body 14 so that the cross-sectional shape is L-shaped.

  The second anode terminal 5b and the cathode terminal 7b are disposed on the other side of the two sides facing each other of the housing 3. Specifically, the second anode terminal 5b and the cathode terminal 7b are formed on the upper surface of the second projecting portion 16 so that the cross-sectional shape is a parabolic convex shape upward. The second anode terminal 5b and the cathode terminal 7b are elastically deformed when pressed downward. The first anode terminal 5a and cathode terminal 7a and the second anode terminal 5b and cathode terminal 7b provided on each of the two opposing sides are opposite to each other in the same polarity.

  The third anode terminal 5c is arranged on one side connecting two opposite sides, and the third cathode terminal 7c is arranged on the other side. Specifically, the third anode terminal 5 c is formed in a thin rectangular plate shape and is installed on the side surface of the cover body 14. The cathode terminal 7 c is formed in a shape having an elastic structure, and is installed on the other side surface of the cover body 14.

  The connecting member 8 uses a hook-and-loop fastener, and is installed on the lower surface of the first projecting portion 15 and the upper surface of the second projecting portion 16. The connecting member 8 may be a double-sided tape or an adhesive material.

  The transparent substrate 9 is made of glass or transparent resin, and is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The anode 10 is a conductive thin film made of a transparent material that transmits light emitted from the light emitting layer 11, such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). A part of the anode 10 is drawn out so as to be exposed from the sealing layer 13 in order to connect to the anode wiring 4.

  The light emitting layer 11 includes, for example, anthracene, naphthalene, pyrene, tetracene, coronene, perylene, phthaloperylene, naphthaloperylene, diphenylbutadiene, tetraphenylbutadiene, coumarin, oxadiazole, bisbenzoxazoline, bisstyryl, cyclopentadiene, quinoline metal complex, Tris (8-hydroxyquinolinate) aluminum complex, tris (4-methyl-8-quinolinato) aluminum complex, tris (5-phenyl-8-quinolinato) aluminum complex, aminoquinoline metal complex, benzoquinoline metal complex, tri- (P-terphenyl-4-yl) amine, pyran, quinacridone, rubrene, and derivatives thereof, or 1-aryl-2,5-di (2-thienyl) pyrrole derivative, distyrylbenze Derivatives, styryl arylene derivatives, styrylamine derivatives, and the like compound or polymer having a group consisting of luminescent compounds in a part of the molecule is used as a material. In addition to compounds derived from fluorescent dyes typified by the above compounds, so-called phosphorescent materials, for example, luminescent materials such as Ir complexes, Os complexes, Pt complexes, and europium complexes, or compounds having these in the molecule or high Molecules are also used.

  The cathode 12 is a conductive thin film made of a material that reflects light generated in the light emitting layer 11, for example, a metal or an alloy such as aluminum (Al), aluminum lithium (Al: Li), and magnesium silver (Mg: Ag). is there. A part of the cathode 12 is drawn out so as to be exposed from the sealing layer 13 in order to connect to the cathode wiring 6.

  The sealing layer 13 has a ceiling wall 17 that covers the upper surface of the cathode 12 and a peripheral wall 18 that hangs down from the periphery of the ceiling wall 17 and is made of glass or transparent resin that is a light-transmitting material. The transparent substrate 9, the ceiling wall 17, and the peripheral wall 18 form a sealed space and hermetically seal the anode 10, the light emitting layer 11, and the cathode 12. The ceiling wall 17 and the peripheral wall 18 of the sealing layer 13 may be made of different materials, for example, the ceiling wall 17 may be made of a glass plate and the peripheral wall 18 may be made of a transparent resin.

  2 and 3 show a configuration of a light emitting system 21 in which a plurality of light emitting modules 1a and 1b are connected to each other, and the respective planar light emitting elements 2 are connected in parallel. The light emitting system 21 includes light emitting modules 1a and 1b, dummy members 22 and 23 attached to the light emitting modules 1a and 1b, and a power source 25 that supplies power to the light emitting modules 1a and 1b. The light emitting system 21 may be formed by connecting three or more light emitting modules 1 to each other.

  The dummy members 22 and 23 are made of an insulating material. The dummy member 22 is attached to the light emitting modules 1a and 1b by being screwed to the side surface of the housing 3 while being in contact with the third anode terminal 5c or the cathode terminal 7c of the light emitting modules 1a and 1b. Accordingly, the third anode terminal 5c and the cathode terminal 7c of the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are electrically disconnected from the outside.

  The dummy member 23 has a connecting member 24 made of a hook-and-loop fastener, and the connecting member 24 and the connecting member 8 are connected in a state where the connecting member 24 and the cathode terminal 7b of the light emitting module 1a are in contact with each other. It is attached to 1a. Accordingly, the second anode terminal 5b and the cathode terminal 7b of the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are electrically disconnected from the outside. The dummy members 22 and 23 do not have to be installed to reduce manufacturing costs.

  The light emitting modules 1a and 1b are connected to each other such that the first projecting portion 15 of the light emitting module 1a and the second projecting portion 16 of the light emitting module 1b are overlapped and the lower surfaces of the transparent substrates 9 are flush with each other. The members 8 are connected by being connected. The second anode terminal 5b and the cathode terminal 7b of the light emitting module 1b are in contact with the first anode terminal 5a and the cathode terminal 7a of the light emitting module 1a while being elastically deformed downward. Thereby, the 1st anode terminal 5a and the cathode terminal 7a of the light emitting module 1a are electrically connected by the same polarity terminal as the 2nd anode terminal 5b and the cathode terminal 7b of the light emitting module 1b. The first anode terminal 5 a and the cathode terminal 7 a of the light emitting module 1 b are connected to the power source 25.

  In the light emitting system 21, since the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are connected in parallel, for example, even if a problem occurs in the light emitting module 1a, the power supply to the light emitting module 1b can be maintained. Moreover, since the voltage value applied to each light emitting module 1 is the same as the voltage value output from the power supply 25 even when the number of connected light emitting modules 1 is large, the light emitting system 21 does not require a large voltage.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a light emitting system 21 in which a plurality of light emitting modules 1a and 1b are connected to each other, and the respective planar light emitting elements 2 are connected in series. The light emitting system 21 includes a dummy member 26 that is different from the dummy members 22 and 23 in the places where the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are attached. The other structure is the light emitting system 21 in which the planar light emitting elements 2 are connected in parallel. It is the same.

  The dummy member 26 includes a connecting member 27 and is connected to the connecting member 27 in a state where the dummy member 26 is in contact with the first anode terminal 5a and the cathode terminal 7a and the second anode terminal 5b and the cathode terminal 7b of the light emitting modules 1a and 1b. The member 8 is connected and attached to the light emitting modules 1a and 1b. As a result, the first anode terminal 5a and cathode terminal 7a, and the second anode terminal 5b and cathode terminal 7b of the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are electrically disconnected from the outside. The dummy member 26 may not be installed to reduce manufacturing costs.

  The light emitting modules 1a and 1b are connected by mechanical fitting so that the lower surfaces of the transparent substrates 9 are flush with each other. The third cathode terminal 7c of the light emitting module 1a contacts the third anode terminal 5c of the light emitting module 1b while being elastically deformed. Thereby, the 3rd anode terminal 5c of the light emitting module 1b and the 3rd cathode terminal 7c of the light emitting module 1a are electrically connected. The third anode terminal 5c of the light emitting module 1a and the third cathode terminal 7c of the light emitting module 1b are connected to the power supply 25.

  In the light emitting system 21, since the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are connected in series, even when the number of connected light emitting modules 1 is large, the current value flowing through each light emitting module 1 and the current value output from the power supply 25 are the same. , No large current is required.

  In the light emitting module 1, when the plurality of light emitting modules 1 are connected to each other, the anode terminals 5 a to 5 c and the cathode terminals 7 a to 7 c are installed at predetermined positions. Can be arbitrarily switched in parallel or in series. Thereby, since the light emitting module 1 does not need to prepare multiple types of light emitting modules 1 for parallel use and serial use, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the light emitting system 21, the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the light emitting module are electrically connected to the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the other light emitting modules, regardless of whether the electrical connection of the plurality of light emitting modules is parallel or in series. It is connected and electrically disconnected from the outside, so that there is no short circuit between terminals.

  FIG. 5 shows a light emitting system 31 according to a modification of the present embodiment. The light emitting system 31 includes a dummy member 32 that is different from the dummy members 22, 23, and 26 in the place where the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are attached, and the other configurations are the same as those of the present embodiment.

  The dummy member 32 is L-shaped in a plan view, and includes a wiring 33 that electrically connects the third anode terminal 5c of the light emitting module 1a and the power source 25, and a connecting member 27 formed of a hook-and-loop fastener. The dummy member 32 is connected to the connecting member 27 and the connecting member 8 in a state where the dummy member 32 is in contact with the anode terminal 5b and the cathode terminal 7b of the light emitting module 1a and the anode terminals 5b and 5c of the light emitting module 1b and the cathode terminal 7b. It is attached to the light emitting modules 1a and 1b. Accordingly, in the light emitting system 21, one end of the wiring 33 of the dummy member 32 is in contact with the anode terminal 5c of the light emitting module 1a, and the other end of the wiring 33 is disposed in the vicinity of the cathode terminal 7c of the light emitting module 1b. 25 can be easily connected.

  FIG. 6 shows a light emitting system 41 according to still another modification of the present embodiment. The light emitting system 41 includes a wall surface 42 made of an insulating member having a recess 43 having a width and a depth to which the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are attached, and the other configuration is the same as that of the present embodiment. The light emitting modules 1a and 1b are attached to the recesses 43 of the wall surface 42 by mechanical fitting so that the lower surface of the wall surface 42 and the lower surface of the transparent substrate 9 of the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are flush with each other. The first anode terminal 5a and cathode terminal 7a and the second anode terminal 5b and cathode terminal 7b of the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are electrically disconnected from the outside. Since the light emitting system 41 does not require the attachment of a dummy member, it can be easily installed, and the aesthetics are improved because the lower surface of the wall surface 42 and the lower surface of the transparent substrate 9 of the light emitting modules 1a and 1b are flush with each other. .

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the structure of said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the summary of invention. For example, the light emitting module may be a rectangle with four corners chamfered when viewed in plan.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light emitting module 2 Planar light emitting element 3 Housing | casing 4 Anode wiring 5a 1st anode terminal 5b 2nd anode terminal 5c 3rd anode terminal 6 Cathode wiring 7a 1st cathode terminal 7b 2nd cathode terminal 7c 3rd Cathode terminal 10 Anode 11 Light emitting layer 12 Cathode 21, 31, 41 Light emitting system

Claims (2)

A planar light emitting device comprising a light emitting layer sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, a casing for holding the planar light emitting device, an anode terminal connected to the anode via an anode wiring, and a cathode wiring connected to the cathode A cathode terminal connected to the light emitting module,
At least three or more of the anode terminal and the cathode terminal are arranged in the casing,
The first anode terminal and the cathode terminal are on one side of the two opposite sides of the housing,
A second anode terminal and a cathode terminal are respectively disposed on the other sides of the two opposite sides of the housing;
A third anode terminal is disposed on one side connecting the two opposite sides;
A third cathode terminal is disposed on one side of the other,
The first anode terminal and the cathode terminal and the second anode terminal and the cathode terminal, which are provided on each of the two opposing sides, have the same polarity terminals facing each other. A light emitting system in which a plurality of light emitting modules according to claim 1 are connected to each other,
When the plurality of planar light emitting elements are connected in parallel, the first anode terminal and the cathode terminal of one light emitting module and the second anode terminal and the cathode terminal of another light emitting module are the same polarity terminals. Electrically connected to each other, the third anode terminal and the cathode terminal are electrically disconnected from the outside,
When the plurality of planar light emitting elements are connected in series, the third anode terminal of one light emitting module and the third cathode terminal of another light emitting module are electrically connected, and the first An anode terminal and a cathode terminal, and the second anode terminal and the cathode terminal are electrically disconnected from the outside.

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