JP2013036119A - Guide roll mechanism, vacuum film-forming apparatus using the same, and method for production of organic electroluminescence element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum film-forming apparatus which includes a guide roll mechanism capable of preventing a flaw generation on a support and a film-forming surface in a production process of forming a multilayered thin film on a flexible support under vacuum condition through a roll method, and a high productive production method for an organic electroluminescence element with an improved light emission life using the vacuum film-forming apparatus.SOLUTION: The guide roll mechanism is used for supporting the flexible support (web) and changing the transfer direction of the web between 30 to 240° in vacuum. During transfer, the flexible support contacts with the guide roll only at both edge parts of the guide roll, and moreover a mechanism for pressing the flexible support on the guide roll is provided on at least one part of the contact part.

Description

  In the present invention, when a flexible support body before and after processing of a functional thin film under vacuum is conveyed by roll-to-roll, the processed surface is made substantially non-contact, and a plurality of different functional thin films are continuously formed. A vacuum thin film that forms a functional thin film by performing a process such as vapor deposition or sputtering on a flexible support, which relates to a guide roll mechanism capable of improving productivity and performance and quality. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus and a method for producing an organic electroluminescence element (hereinafter also referred to as an organic EL element) by roll-to-roll using these.

  In recent years, organic EL elements have attracted attention as self-luminous elements. An organic EL device is a device in which a light emitting layer made of a thin organic compound is sandwiched between electrodes and emits light when a current is supplied between the electrodes. Therefore, when an organic EL element that is a thin film is used as a light source, it is easy to reduce the size and weight, and has a light emission response speed faster than that of a fluorescent lamp, and a light quantity immediately after lighting is relatively stable. .

  Application of the organic EL element to white light emission as an alternative lighting application of a fluorescent lamp is being studied.

  Organic EL devices are made by laminating thin film layers of nanometer units such as organic molecules, polymers, and organometallic complexes on light transmissive electrodes such as ITO (indium tin oxide), and finally forming a thin film electrode layer. Obtained. However, even if all the thicknesses of these thin films are combined, the total film thickness is less than 0.6 μm, and it is a very thin multilayer structure thin film, that is, a laminate of functional thin films. Therefore, the substrate before thin film formation needs to have excellent flatness, and when there are foreign matters, protrusions, scratches, creases, cracks, etc., when organic EL is used, light emission is caused by a short (so-called leak) when a voltage is applied. An increase in current or non-light emission may occur. In addition, organic EL elements against substances represented by so-called moisture, oxygen, etc. that interfere with electrochemical processes until light emission occurs due to charge transfer or formation of excitons in the light emitting layer Is very sensitive. If these substances are present as impurities from the beginning, mixed in during the manufacturing process, or enter beyond the damaged part of the material layer that prevents gas diffusion, the light emission efficiency and drive life will be significantly shortened. You will not be able to get performance for practical lighting and display.

  In addition, moisture, oxygen, etc. may change the electrical and chemical characteristics of the electrode surface and inside, and may hinder the movement of electrons and holes, and as a result, the practical characteristics are greatly deteriorated.

  The details of the organic EL element are described in detail in each chapter of “Organic EL Display” (Shitoki Tokito, Chiba Adachi, Hideyuki Murata, co-authored) published by Ohm.

  Therefore, the organic EL element is, for example, encapsulated with a desiccant and enclosed in a structure sealed with glass or a metal can, or based on a layer having barrier performance against gas components such as moisture and oxygen. It has been studied to secure the performance by forming it on a material or a sealing material.

  However, in the technology disclosed heretofore, a small amount of sample is produced by spending a lot of time and working time, and it is difficult to produce it in a large amount at a low cost so as to be economically suitable.

  Productivity by so-called roll-to-roll processing, where the material of the organic EL element is damaged, or the plastic film is unwound after being vacuum-deposited on a glass substrate with a large mass that is difficult to handle. Improvements are being attempted.

  For example, a method and apparatus for forming a metal film in a vacuum chamber as disclosed in Patent Document 1 are already known. Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, an idea of non-contacting a process of forming an organic EL element on a plastic film from roll-out to roll-up is disclosed. In addition, a flexible support that is transported under atmospheric pressure, represented by Patent Documents 3 and 4, is introduced into a vacuum while transporting a narrow gap between the roll and the roll or the roll and the casing, so Devices and devices for performing film processing have been disclosed.

  Although there are many disclosed technologies, the biggest reason why high-performance thin films typified by organic EL elements cannot be produced with high productivity under vacuum is when forming a multilayer thin film on a flexible support under vacuum. The processing surface cannot be made non-contact. In the prior art, while using a flexible support, various materials such as organic substances, metals, and inorganic substances are formed on the processed surface by winding only the back surface around a large drum. The guide roll for conveyance always comes into contact with the surface of the support on which the film is formed. In addition, in order to transport a region with a pressure difference, it is necessary to suppress the vibration of the flexible support accompanying the inflow of gas molecules, the displacement in the transport direction, and the generation of wrinkles. When the overall tension is increased, scratches appear strongly, and buckling and bending of the guide roll also occur. In addition, when a plurality of vacuum film forming chambers are connected horizontally, an accumulator is placed between the vacuum film forming chambers in order to transport the support in accordance with different processing times in each film forming chamber. You may want to adjust the conveyance and stop time of the machine, but many guide rolls that come into contact with the processing surface will be installed, and slight irregularities on the surface of the guide roll and adhesion of foreign substances may rub the surface of the support, It can not be used as a guide roll for an apparatus for forming a submicron thin film because it scratches the deposited lower layer. Especially when transporting in a vacuum, resin guide rolls or rubber elastic guide rolls that are likely to volatilize gases and low-molecular components are not recommended because they cause performance deterioration. Often fewer mirrored metallic guide rolls are used.

  Conversely, when such a metal guide roll comes into contact with a highly smooth resin film for organic EL applications, or a functional layer or organic EL layer processed on this surface, it will follow without rotating and rotate while in contact. Even if a foreign matter of only about 1 μm is involved, the film formation surface is surely damaged. That is, in the prior art, even if the flexible support is conveyed by roll-to-roll, it is difficult to make the processed surface non-contact.

  In fact, in small scales such as laboratories, the thickness of the support is relatively thick and the width of the support is narrow. It does not appear. When not roll-to-roll, it is possible to form a thin film on a plastic film by simply fixing a resin film on a single glass substrate. In addition, by reducing the diameter of the center part of the guide roll in contact with the work surface slightly smaller than both ends, if productivity is ignored, a thin film is formed without rubbing the surface of the flexible support and the necessary data is obtained. It is possible.

Such a problem actually occurs when the rigidity in the width direction of the flexible support is small, that is, trying to reduce the cost by thinning the base material, or by transporting a large amount of products by one transport When trying to increase the width of the support for manufacturing or when increasing the overall conveyance speed, shortening the stop and re-conveying time and shortening the so-called tact time, etc. This is a case where productivity is improved and handling conditions of the flexible support before and after film formation become severe. For example, even if the support of about 40 μm is quite thin, if it is a biaxially stretched polyester film with a width of 140 mm and the tension during transportation is about 9.81 × 10 ⁻⁵ N, the above-mentioned central portion By using a guide roll that is only non-contacted, the occurrence of problems such as buckling and bending of the support body is considerably reduced, but it cannot be said that it can be manufactured in large quantities, stably and inexpensively, and the cost of production equipment is enormous. It will be something.

  Conventionally, organic EL elements have been regarded as leading-edge technologies, and the production of organic EL elements for individual wafers using a glass substrate has finally been able to respond to the market. Few technical ideas and applications have been considered.

JP 2008-50638 A JP 2007-42315 A JP-A-8-31650 JP-T-2006-522217

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to produce a roll method in which a multilayer thin film is formed under vacuum typified by an organic EL element production process by conveying a flexible support. In the manufacturing process and the production line for achieving the widening, space saving, high performance, and high quality, the guide roll mechanism essential to the production line and the support and the film-forming surface incorporating the guide roll mechanism are damaged. A vacuum film-forming apparatus that does not generate any defects, achieves space saving and high productivity, and uses a vacuum film-forming apparatus that does not cause scratches on a support or a film-forming surface, and the guide roll mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing an organic electroluminescence device with improved light emission lifetime and high productivity.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  1. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less in vacuum, and during the conveyance, the flexible support is A guide roll mechanism comprising a mechanism that contacts the guide roll only at both end portions of the guide roll, and at least a part of the contact portion presses the flexible support onto the guide roll.

  2. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less in vacuum, and during the conveyance, the flexible support is A mechanism that contacts the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll and at least a part of the contact portion presses the flexible support onto the guide roll is provided at a plurality of locations, and the mechanism is flexible. The flexible support is continuously guided from the position where the end of the support starts contact with the end of the guide roll to the position where the end of the support comes out of contact with the end of the guide roll. A guide roll mechanism which is held on a roll.

  3. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less in vacuum, and during the conveyance, the flexible support is At least one nip roll that contacts the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll and presses the flexible support onto the guide roll is provided at least at a part of the contact portion. The surface of the nip roll is in contact with the flexible support (web) and is inclined to the center of the flexible support (web) by 0.5 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less with respect to the rotation axis of the nip roll. A guide roll mechanism characterized in that the material is an elastic body.

  4). A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less in vacuum, and during the conveyance, the flexible support is The guide roll contacts the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll, and the guide roll is arranged in the conveying direction of the flexible support (web) on the peripheral surface of the guide roll that contacts the flexible support. A plurality of protrusions are provided, and the protrusions are engaged with a hole previously drilled in the end of the flexible support, and the guide roll starts to contact the flexible support from the point of time. A guide roll mechanism that incorporates a mechanism that fixes the flexible support to the surface of the guide roll until contact is made.

  5). A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less, the guide roll being a flexible support (web) The length in the direction of the rotation axis that is not in contact with the web is 150 mm or more and 2000 mm or less, and the length in the direction of the rotation axis of the portion in contact with the web at both ends of the guide roll is 1% or more with respect to the entire width of the web The guide roll mechanism according to any one of 1 to 4, wherein the guide roll mechanism is 10% or less.

6). In a container having a degree of vacuum of 100 Pa or less and 1 × 10 ⁻⁷ or more, at least one of the conveyance guide rolls on the processing surface side has the guide roll mechanism described in 3 above, and at least 1 thin film is formed by a roll-to-roll. A vacuum film forming apparatus capable of forming a layer, wherein a thickness of a thin film to be formed is 0.3 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

  7). An organic electroluminescence element is formed while supporting a flexible support (web) and transported in a vacuum, and the organic electroluminescence is formed using the guide roll mechanism described in any one of 1 to 5 above. A method for producing an organic electroluminescent device, comprising transporting the organic electroluminescent device in a substantially non-contact manner to the processed surface of the device and continuously performing a sealing step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to repeat sequential film formation on the same flexible support, which has been difficult when using a wide flexible support under vacuum, and is uniform without buckling or bending. A guide roll mechanism capable of laminating and forming functional materials on a wide flexible support is obtained, yield of non-defective products is improved, and productivity is improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to form a functional thin film with few defects due to foreign matter or scratches on a flexible support that has been difficult in the past and has low rigidity under vacuum.

  According to the present invention, productivity of the functional thin film, in particular, productivity of the organic EL element is improved, and pinholes and foreign matters are not mixed in the organic EL element, and a rectification ratio and a driving life are improved.

It is a figure shown about the angle change of the conveyance direction of a web. It is a figure which shows the guide roll mechanism which provided the clip mechanism which hold | suppresses and hold | maintains a web at both ends. It is a figure which shows an example of another form of the guide roll mechanism of this invention which hold | suppresses and hold | maintains a web to both ends. It is a figure which shows an example of another form of the guide roll mechanism of this invention which hold | suppresses and hold | maintains a web to both ends. It is a figure which shows the guide roll mechanism which provided the part which supports a web process surface in the guide roll center part. It is the schematic which shows an example of the vacuum film-forming apparatus using the non-contact guide roll mechanism of this invention. It is the schematic of the manufacturing process of the organic EL element of this invention.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, various modifications may be made within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention and not departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The present invention provides a practical method for producing an organic EL device comprising a transparent conductive film for an organic EL device and a plurality of organic materials laminated using a flexible support on a roll, particularly a plastic film, under vacuum. In regard to the guide roll mechanism essential for this production, in the vacuum film forming apparatus on the roll-shaped flexible support, the processing surface side of the flexible support is substantially disposed at the time of conveyance before and after the formation of the functional thin film. Manufacturing of guide roll mechanisms, vacuum film-forming devices, and organic EL elements designed to improve the performance, quality, and productivity of thin films of functional materials including organic EL elements. Regarding the law.

  The roll-to-roll system in the present invention is a long flexible substrate wound in a roll shape (also referred to as “original winding” including the winding core. When referring to a part during conveyance, it is also referred to as a web. ) For example, a submicron functional material layer is formed on the substrate while a plastic film is unwound and conveyed intermittently or continuously, or a part or all of the organic EL structure is formed. And it is a system which winds up to a roll again. For example, the transparent conductive layer is drawn out in a vacuum film forming apparatus, and is wound up in a vacuum after film formation by sputtering or the like at one place or a plurality of places. In addition, after the last functional layer is formed in vacuum, the protective film is laminated in vacuum, or the vacuum is returned to normal pressure through one or more pressure reduction chambers, and then the protective film is laminated. In the case where it is wound after being wound, it is called a so-called roll-to-roll system. Normally, when a functional layer laminated with a laminate film is protected, even if it is flexible, in the next step, it is not wound up, but it is cut and processed into a single wafer state. The manufacturing process may be taken as it is. In the present invention, when the final film formation process on the processing surface side is completed and the web state is conveyed until it is returned to atmospheric pressure, it is called a roll-to-roll method in a broad sense, and the processing surface side is naturally Performance and quality are improved by carrying the material substantially non-contact.

  In the present invention, the term “continuous vacuum” refers to a case where a web is guided from an atmospheric pressure to a narrow gap and conveyed to a portion where vacuum film forming processing is performed while a differential pressure is applied between an inlet side and an outlet side. . Moreover, after sandwiching a part of the longitudinal direction of the web with the gate valve from above and below over its entire width, the pressure is reduced, and after opening the gate valve on the vacuum chamber side having a higher degree of vacuum (high vacuum region), The case where the web accumulated in the accumulator in advance is sent to the vacuum chamber on the high vacuum side is also referred to as “continuous vacuum” conveyance.

  The flexible support referred to in the present invention is a polymer organic material having a thickness of 30 μm to 250 μm and capable of being wound around a winding core (also referred to as a core) having an outer diameter of 7.7 cm to 30 cm. A film (also called a sheet if relatively thick). Examples thereof include plastic films such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), 2,6-polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate, and polyethersulfone (PES). When not confusing, it is also called a support. Although it is desirable that the film is a uniform continuous film, it may be a spliced end of a flexible support of different types or the same type. In this case, the joint is conveyed by an adhesive tape thinner than the flexible support. Join so as not to break inside. The transparency of the flexible support is not particularly specified, but when an organic EL element is constituted, a so-called transparent or translucent material having a visible light transmittance of 50% to 99% is preferable. A laminate of a plurality of polymer materials may be used. A laminated film described in JP-A-2005-38661 can also be used.

  The winding core does not deform when the flexible support is wound up, and does not deform even when exposed to an atmosphere of about 150 ° C. It is desirable not to generate dust during transport to Of the surface portion of the winding core, the portion in contact with the flexible support is preferably smooth, and the surface roughness Ra is preferably 30 nm and Rt is preferably 100 nm or less. A core made of glass fiber reinforced plastic or stainless steel is preferable.

  At both ends of the flexible support, a knurling process (also called embossing process) is performed so that the web surface on the core and the back surface of the web that overlaps the web surface are not rubbed strongly during unwinding or winding. May be applied. This height is preferably about 2 μm to 50 μm.

As the flexible support of the present invention, one having a gas barrier layer is preferably used. In particular, the organic EL element is very sensitive to a gas component typified by moisture, oxygen, and the like, and an electrochemically important function in an organic material layer such as a light emitting layer is likely to be hindered. The gas barrier layer is, for example, an inorganic vapor deposition film such as silicon oxide, and is a layer having a water vapor transmission coefficient of 1 × 10 ⁻¹⁴ g · cm / (cm ² · sec · Pa) or less. It is also formed by sputtering or plasma CVD. A moisture-proof layer having a thickness of about 20 nm to 20 μm is preferable. By using a flexible support having these gas barrier layers, gas permeability such as water vapor permeability from the support to the functional layer is lowered. From this, it is possible to emit light even at a large value, but the drive life in a normal atmosphere, that is, a so-called room temperature and normal humidity environment is deteriorated and it is difficult to produce a product. Further, the gas barrier property needs to have the same performance not only on the side of the flexible support forming the normal anode of the organic EL element but also on the side of the sealing film. When the gas barrier property is not imparted to the sealing film side, each layer of the organic EL element is formed from the flexible support side, the cathode layer is formed, and then the gas barrier layer for protecting the element is formed, and then the sealing film Is preferably laminated. The sealing film may be laminated in a vacuum or under atmospheric pressure (preferably in an inert gas atmosphere such as a nitrogen stream).

  The present invention conveys a flexible support under vacuum, forms a functional thin film having a thickness of 0.3 nm or more and 200 nm or less, and sequentially or while being continuously or intermittently wound without being wound up in the middle. A guide roll mechanism for forming a thin film after transferring to the vacuum film formation chamber, which eliminates buckling, bending, and wrinkles of the flexible support when the film forming process side is used as the inner surface. be able to.

  One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In the figure, a clip mechanism is provided on the stepped roll.

  The guide roll of the present invention is for changing the traveling direction by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less by holding the processing surface of the flexible support, and when focusing on one point on the flexible support, The virtual plane, which is the trajectory formed by the vector of the direction of travel of this point, is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the guide roll.

  About the angle change of the conveyance direction of a web, it shows in FIG. 1 with sectional drawing when the guide roll which contacts conveyance of a web is cut by the surface perpendicular | vertical to a guide roll rotating shaft. The angle and direction of the input side arrow (vector) in FIG. 1 are changed by the guide roll, and an example of the angle change θ is shown in the figure. Accordingly, 180 degrees means returning to the original direction. This angle θ is sometimes called a holding angle to the roll.

  After the flexible support body is unwound, it can be regarded as a plane body having a certain thickness and apparently overlapping on a plane formed by two coordinate vectors in the width direction and the longitudinal direction. Actually, various treatments and original winding states previously applied to the flexible support, such as cutting, heat treatment, storage period and direction of gravity of the original winding, and the flexible support constituting the original winding. Depending on thickness, winding diameter or number of windings, outer diameter and core material and strength of the core of the original winding, it is not a perfect flat surface, but is wrinkled, slacked, folded (buckled), and stretched (wakame) Apparent abnormalities such as are observed. When these occur, it becomes difficult to stably convey the web. Even if the parallelism between the guide rolls, the rotation accuracy of the guide rolls itself, and the roundness as a cylinder are uniform, the webs meander, slip, It breaks.

  The guide roll mechanism of the present invention can suppress the phenomenon of deteriorating these product performance and quality.

  In general, that is, if the friction, contact, and rubbing with the guide roll are not particularly concerned during normal conveyance under atmospheric pressure, increase the conveyance tension within the elastic limit of the flexible support. The above problem can be solved by setting and carrying out so-called high tension conveyance. In addition, if a machined surface is formed on one side and contact with the guide roll after machining is particularly difficult, the guide roll is porous or has many holes on the surface of the guide roll that is expected to contact the machined surface. In practice, air is supplied from the inside, or an inert gas (gas) is supplied to the processing surface, and the processing surface is conveyed while the web is floated by air pressure or gas pressure.

  In vacuum or pressure reduction as the problem of the present invention, it is difficult to ascend with gas, and the guide roll that embeds the above-mentioned processing surface inside makes it difficult for foreign matter to adhere to the processing surface. It is essential that it has a high degree of flatness and good web medullaness with a small moment of inertia. This is a so-called flat guide roll. However, when only this is used, it has been difficult to form an organic EL element with a high yield using a flexible support having a width of 500 mm. A guide roll (clip shown in FIG. 2) in which the conveyance tension is set to be relatively low, and the central portion of the guide roll contacting the processing surface, that is, the area to be secured as a product, is smaller than the turning radius of both ends of the guide roll contacting the web. When there is no mechanism, and when the film holding roller of FIG. 3 is used, a polyester film having a width of 100 mm and a thickness of 50 μm was able to be somehow transported. The web fell into the contact portion, and it was difficult to change the web conveyance direction by 30 degrees or more. In particular, there is no change in the visual observation. For example, after depositing and transporting a 120 nm conductive thin film (metal oxide) formed on 100 μm-thick polyethylene terephthalate, this was used as an anode. In the EL element, a fine crack-like non-light emitting portion was observed, and it was found that the conductive thin film on the flexible support was torn.

  The upper limit of the change in the web conveyance direction by the guide roll mechanism according to the present invention is 240 degrees.

  In actual use, there is no problem if the accumulator or the like can change the conveyance direction by 180 degrees. When this exceeds 240 degrees, the exit web interferes with the entrance web, so a guide roll for changing the transport direction is required immediately, and the equipment structure is complicated in vacuum transport of a flexible support having a width of 150 mm or more. This is inconvenient when adjusting and maintaining equipment.

  The guide roll mechanism of the present invention may be used on the side of the flexible support that is not the processed surface. However, in transport in vacuum, reducing the area where gas molecules are adsorbed, that is, the internal surface area of the vacuum chamber as much as possible reduces the amount of released gas inside the apparatus, and is necessary to obtain a high-quality vacuum film formation. In order to reduce the load on the vacuum pump after the apparatus is started, the same device is necessary. For these reasons, it is recommended to use metallic parts as much as possible for the guide roll mechanism of the present invention.

  Inevitably, elastic elastic material (polymer) or the like is used for the portion that needs to be elastically deformed (for example, the portion that contacts the web of the film-retaining roller in FIG. 3). The use of a member with high possibility of gas adsorption or generation should be suppressed by attaching an elastic material. For example, fluororesin-based materials (Viton, Aflex, etc.) can be widely used.

  As for the external shape of the cylindrical part of the roll of the guide roll mechanism of this invention, 2 cm or more and 40 cm or less are preferable. If the outer diameter is smaller than 2 cm, a compressive stress is applied in the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) of the surface of the flexible support, and it is immediately released. The film is damaged by the effect of in-plane stress change after film formation. Further, the structure of the clip portion in FIG. 2 and the parts such as the cams become finer, which causes problems in machining accuracy and workability at the time of regular inspection. Also, if the outer diameter is larger than 40 cm, the moment of inertia of the guide roll becomes large. Especially when trying to carry the web by pulling the web with the drive roll after passing through a large number of guide roll mechanisms, the tension at the start of conveyance becomes large. turn into. In order to convey the web with a constant tension, a large number of driving devices are installed outside, and complicated control is required to synchronize them. Since the transfer equipment in a vacuum needs to evacuate the entire apparatus in a short time, the apparent internal surface area of the vacuum film forming chamber must be made as small as possible. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the number of guide rolls installed as much as possible, and the object of the present invention cannot be fully achieved.

  The guide roll mechanism of the present invention itself may be rotated by a motor or drive belt installed outside the vacuum chamber, or may be a so-called free guide roll that rotates freely by inertial force.

  The clip mechanism incorporated in the guide roll mechanism of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 opens and closes by detecting the rotation angle of the roll with a cam fixed to the outside of the guide roll. That is, when the web reaches the entry side of the guide roll, the fixed cam lifts the cam follower so that the clip mechanism closest to the contact point of the web extends the spring attached to the end face of the guide roll, and the film presser This is fixed to the stepped roll with the film stepped guide roll interposed therebetween.

  Since the flexible support located on the step of the stepped guide roll of the present invention is out of the commercialization range even if it is formed into a film, the film press may strongly press the film. Also, a rubber elastic member is attached to the surface of the stepped guide roll to adjust the force for crimping the web, and to correct a slight misalignment due to processing tolerances between the cam and cam fixing member, the guide roll and the rotating shaft. May be.

  The guide roll mechanism of the present invention includes a film forming process surface of a flexible support that is wound inward and incorporated in a guide roll on the contact side, and a film forming process of the flexible support is to be performed. Even when the film-processed area is substantially non-contact with the guide roll and the width of the flexible support is 150 mm or more and 2000 mm or less, the flexible support is not buckled or bent. It is characterized in that it can be vacuum-conveyed between a plurality of guide rolls without damaging with plastic deformation.

  Naturally, the guide roll mechanism of the present invention may be used in combination with a normal guide roll. In particular, a conventional guide roll held in contact with the surface of the flexible support on which the film forming process is not performed may be used.

  When film forming is performed on both sides, it is also possible to use a guide roll in which the mechanism of the present invention is incorporated in the guide rolls on both the one side and the other side of the flexible support.

  The vacuum film forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6 used in the present invention and the guide roll position of the roll-to-roll film forming apparatus of the EL element shown in FIG. The content of the invention is not limited to this, and other combinations and embodiments are also included in the present invention without departing from the content of the present invention. These vary depending on the material to be processed on the flexible support and the use of the processed product, but if the total film thickness under vacuum as required by the present invention is 0.6 μm or less Regardless of whether it is a single film or a stacked film, various processes under patterning or atmospheric pressure may be included on the way.

  FIG. 3 shows an aspect in which the stepped guide roll and the film pressing roller inclined to the back surface of the flexible support are combined on both sides of the guide roll mechanism of the present invention. In addition to tilting the rotation axis as shown in Fig. 3, the film pressing roller is installed in the reverse "C" shape of Katakana in the direction of web movement, and the tension in the width direction widens as the web advances. The installation method to apply is also possible.

  Further, in FIG. 4, the guide roll mechanism of the present invention is pre-pierced at the end so as to be fitted with an example in which sprocket-like protrusions are formed in the circumferential direction on the step of the stepped guide roll. The aspect combined with the flexible support body is shown.

  The guide roll mechanism of the present invention thus contacts the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll during conveyance, and presses the flexible support onto the guide roll at least at a part of the contact portion. A mechanism is provided.

  The mode of the guide roll mechanism of the present invention will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 2 shows an angle at which the end of the flexible support (web) contacts the guide roll at least at a part of the contact portion and the end of the flexible support starts to contact the end of the guide roll. A clip mechanism for continuously holding and holding the flexible support on the guide roll is provided from the position to the position at an angle at which the guide roll is detached from the end of the guide roll and is not in contact with the guide roll.

  That is, a stepped roll 1, a plurality of film pressing units 2 fixed on the peripheral surfaces of both ends of the roll, a cam mechanism including a fixed cam 3 and the like are combined.

  On the stepped roll 1, the film F (flexible support) is conveyed in contact with the roll at both ends of the roll, but a plurality of film pressing units 2 fixed at both ends of the rotating roll are fixed. When the film transport direction is changed in cooperation with the cam 3, the film has a function of holding both ends of the film and applying tension in the width direction of the film so as to fix and hold the film without sagging or deformation. The film pressing unit 2 includes a film pressing unit 21, a cam follower 23, a spring 22, and the like, and has a structure in which the film pressing unit 21 and the cam follower 23 are fixed on the stepped roll 1. They are connected on the tool 24 by the same member having a fulcrum (axis). One of the springs 22 is fixed to the side surface of the stepped roll, and when the film F comes to a predetermined position (therefore, the film pressing unit is a predetermined position of the cam), the arm of the cam follower 23 is pulled in the axial direction of the stepped roll. In this way, the film presser 21 is lifted up to release the film presser. That is, the cam follower 23 comes into contact with the fixed cam 3 and slides or rotates on the cam 3 along with the rotation of the roll, and the film pressing position is changed by the spring 22 by changing the position of the film press according to the cam shape. Operates to hold and release. In FIG. 2, when the film is conveyed while being held by a roll, the cam follower 23 moves on the cam 3 to change its position, thereby changing the film pressing position 21 ′ to press the film surface, The state of holding is shown.

  According to such a mechanism, by selecting a cam shape according to a required angle change, the web is not wrinkled, slackened, bent (buckled), stretched one side (wakame), etc. by a non-contact roll, The angle can be changed in a desired direction. In the figure, reference numeral 21 'denotes a film pressing position. Reference numeral 4 denotes a rotation axis of the roll.

  Further, the length in the rotation axis direction in which the guide roll is not in contact with the film (web) is 150 mm or more and 2000 mm or less, and the length in the rotation axis direction of the portion in contact with the web at both ends of the guide roll is the web. It is preferable that it is at least 1% or more and 10% or less with respect to the full width of. If it is 1% or less, there is no effect of fixing at both ends of the web, and if it is 10% or more, the area that can actually be used as a product is reduced, resulting in a decrease in yield.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of another specific embodiment of the guide roll mechanism of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, a film (flexible) is formed on both ends of the guide roll in which the central portion of the guide roll contacting the web processing surface, that is, the region to be secured as a product, is smaller than the rotation radius of both ends of the guide roll contacting the web. As a mechanism for holding and supporting the support) on the guide roll at both ends, a nip roll (film press roller 5) for holding the film on the guide roll is used, and the end of the flexible support is in contact with the end of the guide roll. At least one (a pair) or more is provided between the position of the starting angle and the position of the angle at which the guide roll is detached from the end of the guide roll and is not in contact.

  The surface material in contact with the flexible support (web) of the nip roll is an elastic body such as rubber, and the rotation axis of the nip roll is 0.5 degrees or more with respect to the rotation axis of the guide roll, It is inclined to the center side of the flexible support (web) at 20 degrees or less, and is arranged so as to exert tension in the film width direction (θ in the figure).

  In addition, it is preferable that the axis | shaft of a film pressing roller is open with respect to the conveyance direction at the same angle also with respect to the film conveyance direction.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of still another specific embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, a film (flexible) is formed on the center portion of the guide roll contacting the processing surface, that is, on both ends of the guide roll where the area to be secured as a product is smaller than the rotation radius of both ends of the guide roll contacting the web. A sprocket mechanism is provided as a mechanism for holding and supporting the support body) on the guide rolls at both ends.

  That is, a plurality of protrusions 6 arranged in the conveying direction of the flexible support (web) are provided on the peripheral surface of the guide roll that contacts the flexible support, and the protrusions are flexible in advance. The flexible support is fixed to the surface of the guide roll from the time when the guide roll starts to contact the flexible support while it is engaged with the hole drilled at the end of the flexible support. To do.

  In this case, the number of teeth of the sprocket is not particularly limited, but is preferably at least 6 or more.

  In this case, both ends of the film (flexible support) are regularly perforated at both ends so as to match the number of teeth of the sprocket. Fix and hold the film (web) on the guide roll.

  These guide rolls also have a length in the rotation axis direction that is not in contact with the flexible support (web) of 150 mm or more and 2000 mm or less, and the portions in contact with the web at both ends of the guide roll in the rotation axis direction. The length is preferably 1% or more and 10% or less with respect to the entire width of the web.

  Also, such a sprocket system is not provided at both ends in the guide roll in which the central portion of the guide roll that contacts the processing surface is smaller than the rotation radius of both ends of the guide roll that the web contacts, In order to support the web at the center of the roll, it is possible to use a flexible support or film (web) in which the center is formed as a sprocket wheel and a protrusion is provided on the surface, and the center is perforated.

  FIG. 5 shows a machined surface contact guide roll mechanism in which a part that supports the web machined surface is provided at the center.

  In FIG. 5, both ends are held by the clip mechanism shown in FIG. 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this case, a film having a perforation that fits into the sprocket at the center is used, but in this case, the center of the support cannot be used as a product.

  The guide roll mechanism of the present invention is preferably used in a vacuum. In the vacuum, since the means such as floating and transporting the web by the gas as described above cannot be taken, good non-contact transport means is limited.

  In the guide roll mechanism which is a non-contact conveying means of the present invention, the thickness of the web such as the flexible support or the film is in the range of 30 μm to 250 μm, preferably 50 μm or more, and the web conveying tension is 500 g / A width of 10 cm or more is preferable.

  As described above, the holding angle of the roll is 10 to 270 degrees, preferably 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of a vacuum film forming apparatus using the non-contact guide roll mechanism of the present invention.

In the vacuum film forming apparatus, the film substrate F unwound from the unwinding roll a in the decompression chamber 40 is conveyed into the vacuum chamber 50 through the guide roll b through the gate slit, and further through the guide roll c. Then, the film enters a film formation zone composed of a support roll (cooling roll) d and a sputtering cathode 30. The decompression chamber is set, for example, in a range of 100 Pa to 10 ⁻¹ Pa, the vacuum chamber is in a range of 10 ⁻¹ Pa to ¹ × 10 ⁻⁷ Pa, and the differential pressure is adjusted by a gate slit.

The non-contact roll of the present invention is used at a vacuum degree of 100 Pa to 10 ⁻⁷ Pa.

  In the figure, film formation by sputtering is shown, but the same applies to vapor deposition. After the film was formed on the surface of the film (base material) F by sputtering, the base material was similarly placed in the decompression chamber through the gate slit through the guide roll e and separated from the vacuum chamber through the slit. It is wound up on a winding roll g.

The gate slit has an orifice shape so that the F processing surface of the base material does not come into contact, and has a decompression system independently in each of the vacuum chamber and the decompression chamber so that the differential pressure can be adjusted. The vacuum chamber serving as the film formation zone has a reduced pressure range of 10 ⁻¹ Pa to ¹ × 10 ⁻⁷ Pa, and the take-up chamber preferably has a lower vacuum level than the vacuum chamber. Specifically, it is preferable that the degree of vacuum is generally lower in the film forming chamber by about 10 ⁻¹ Pa and the winding chamber by 10 Pa or more. If a further difference in vacuum is required between the film forming chamber and the winding chamber, a buffer chamber is installed between the chambers, and each chamber can be independently operated using various commonly used pumps such as a rotary pump and a diffusion pump. It is possible to evacuate so as to maintain a desired degree of vacuum. A plurality of buffer chambers are provided to adjust the differential pressure.

  Since the sputtered web film formation surface is in contact with the guide roll e, and in this case f, in the case of, for example, ITO or the like, whose performance is likely to deteriorate due to the contact, in the present invention, for example, the guide rolls e and f may A contact guide roll mechanism is used. As a result, the guide roll and the film deposition surface are not in contact with each other except at both ends.

  After film formation and winding, when the film is reversed and transported / film formed, or when the film is already formed on the substrate in advance, the surface of the substrate roll is formed on the guide roll c Similarly, b is preferably a non-contact roll because the film formation surface is in contact with the roll surface.

  Next, production of an organic EL element will be described using a vacuum film forming apparatus provided with the stepped guide roll of the present invention.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the manufacturing process of the organic EL device of the present invention. The figure is a schematic view of a process for producing an organic EL device by roll-to-roll using a support roll patterned with ITO electrodes.

  The substrate unwound from the support roll 101 with the electrode passes through the slit through the guide roll 102 and enters the front chamber R1, and is further transported to the vacuum chamber R2 through the slit roll 104 to be a substrate under atmospheric pressure. Is introduced under vacuum and continuously conveyed by vacuum. In the accumulation chamber R2, the web processing length in the process is secured by an accumulator. The accumulator is composed of processing surface side support guide rolls fixed to 105, 107, 109, and 111, and 106, 108, and 110 that move up and down.

The decompression degree of the room in which the non-contact roll of the present invention is used, such as the front room or the accumulator room, is kept in the range of 100 Pa to 1 × 10 ⁻⁷ Pa. In the vacuum film forming chamber, 10 ⁻¹ Pa to 10 ⁻³ Pa is common.

  Next, the substrate is continuously transferred to the vacuum film formation chamber R3. A gate slit A is provided between the vacuum film formation chamber R3 and the accumulation chamber R2 to adjust the differential pressure. Although details are omitted, a slit roll for adjusting the differential pressure may be used, and a buffer region including a plurality of chambers is provided together with these when the differential pressure from the high vacuum in the vacuum film formation chamber is large.

  The front chamber enters the vacuum film formation chamber through the slit through the processing surface support roll 113. The vacuum film forming chamber R3 includes a first film forming chamber 1 and a second film forming chamber, and an accumulator mechanism that absorbs the processing speed is provided between the film forming chambers. Each film forming chamber and the front chamber are evacuated independently.

The first film forming chamber is provided with a plurality of vapor deposition boats, and the film forming chamber for forming the organic EL functional layer material thin film by vapor deposition. The second film forming chamber is a film forming chamber for performing metal vapor deposition such as a cathode. . The pressure reduction degree is maintained in the range of 10 × 10 ⁻¹ Pa to ¹ × 10 ⁻⁷ Pa, respectively. 113 is a processing surface supporting guide roll in the front chamber, and 114 and 115 are back surface holding guide rolls in the first film forming chamber. In addition, 117 is an accumulating roll, 119 and 120 are back support guide rolls of the second film forming chamber, 121 is in the front chamber immediately before the gate slit B, and the slit valve B is vacuumed together with the buffer mechanism in the same manner as the gate slit A. Although it adjusts the degree, it also has a valve mechanism. From here, the substrate on which the organic EL layers, the cathode, and the like are sequentially stacked by vapor deposition enters the pressure adjusting chamber R4. In the pressure adjusting chamber, reference numeral 123 denotes an accumulator roll. The gate valve C on the outlet side of the pressure adjusting chamber R4 is closed, the gate valve B is opened, the product web is stored in the accumulator, the gate valve B is closed, and an inert gas is used. After adjusting the pressure, the gate valve C is opened and sent to the laminating chamber R5.

  In the laminating chamber, 126 is an original winding of the protective film, which is wound in the winding chamber after being subjected to adhesive application, pressure bonding (laminator), and curing process (by light or heat) (details omitted in the figure). Reference numeral 127 denotes an original winding of a product manufactured by roll-to-roll.

  An organic EL panel is obtained by cutting the obtained product original winding into a predetermined size.

  Next, the organic EL element will be described.

  An organic EL element has a structure in which one or a plurality of organic layers are laminated between electrodes. For example, the structure of anode / hole injection / transport layer / light emitting layer / electron injection / transport layer / cathode, etc. is the simplest. Has a configuration composed of an anode / light emitting layer / cathode, and in addition, a configuration in which necessary layers such as an electron blocking layer, a hole blocking layer, and a buffer layer are laminated in a predetermined layer order. Have The thickness of each organic layer and each thin film ranges from 1 nm to several μm, and the light emitting material in the layer emits light by injecting carriers from the electrodes. Each layer is configured so that carriers such as holes and electrons injected from both electrodes can move smoothly.

  Each organic layer constituting the organic EL element will be described.

  Among these organic layers constituting the organic EL element, various fluorescent substances are used for the light emitting material (film forming material) contained in the light emitting layer, and are not limited to, for example, carbazole, Aromatic heterocyclic compounds such as carboline and diazacarbazole, triarylamine derivatives, stilbene derivatives, polyarylenes, aromatic condensed polycyclic compounds, aromatic heterocyclic condensed ring compounds, metal complex compounds and the like, single oligos or composites thereof Examples thereof include oligo bodies.

  Moreover, it is preferable that about 0.1-20 mass% dopant material contains in a light emitting layer. Examples of the dopant include known fluorescent dyes such as perylene derivatives and pyrene derivatives, and in the case of phosphorescent light emitting layers, for example, tris (2-phenylpyridine) iridium, bis (2-phenylpyridine) (acetylacetonate). ) A complex compound such as an orthometalated iridium complex represented by iridium, bis (2,4-difluorophenylpyridine) (picolinato) iridium, etc. is contained in an amount of about 0.1 to 20% by mass together with the light emitting material.

  The phosphorescence emission method has a light emitting region inside the light emitting layer, so it is relatively difficult to cause uneven light emission, and it is difficult to cause phenomena such as unevenness at the bonding interface, which is the biggest difficulty of the bonding method, and slow carrier movement. preferable.

  Examples of materials used for the hole injection / transport layer include phthalocyanine derivatives, heterocyclic azoles, aromatic tertiary amines, polyvinyl carbazole, polyethylenedioxythiophene / polystyrene sulfonic acid (PEDOT: PSS), and other conductive materials. Carbazole-based light-emitting materials such as 4,4′-dicarbazolylbiphenyl and 1,3-dicarbazolylbenzene used for the light-emitting layer, (di) aza Low molecular light emitting materials represented by pyrene-based light emitting materials such as carbazoles, 1,3,5-tripyrenylbenzene, polymer light emitting materials represented by polyphenylene vinylenes, polyfluorenes, polyvinyl carbazoles, etc. can give.

  Examples of the electron injecting / transporting layer material include metal complex compounds such as 8-hydroxyquinolinate lithium and bis (8-hydroxyquinolinato) zinc, and the following nitrogen-containing five-membered ring derivatives. That is, oxazole, thiazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole or triazole derivatives are preferred. Specifically, 2,5-bis (1-phenyl) -1,3,4-oxazole, 2,5-bis (1-phenyl) -1,3,4-thiazole, 2,5-bis (1 -Phenyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2- (4′-tert-butylphenyl) -5- (4 ″ -biphenyl) 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-bis ( 1-naphthyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,4-bis [2- (5-phenyloxadiazolyl)] benzene, 1,4-bis [2- (5-phenyloxadiazolyl) -4-tert-butylbenzene], 2- (4'-tert-butylphenyl) -5- (4 "-biphenyl) -1,3,4-thiadiazole, 2,5-bis (1-naphthyl) -1 , 3,4-thiadiazole, 1,4-bis [2- (5-phenyl) Asiazolyl)] benzene, 2- (4′-tert-butylphenyl) -5- (4 ″ -biphenyl) -1,3,4-triazole, 2,5-bis (1-naphthyl) -1,3,4 -Triazole, 1,4-bis [2- (5-phenyltriazolyl)] benzene and the like.

  The film thickness of the organic EL element and each organic layer is required to be about 0.05 to 0.3 μm, and preferably about 0.1 to 0.2 μm.

  As a method for forming the organic layer of the present invention, a vapor deposition method, coating, printing, or the like is also used.

  Among the electrode materials, those having a work function larger than 4 eV are suitable as the conductive material used for the anode for injecting holes, and silver, gold, platinum, palladium, etc. and their alloys, tin oxide, Metal oxides such as indium oxide and ITO, and organic conductive resins such as polythiophene and polypyrrole are used. However, it is preferably translucent and ITO which is a transparent electrode is preferred. As a method for forming the ITO transparent electrode, sputtering, mask vapor deposition, photolithography patterning, or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto.

  As the conductive material used for the cathode, those having a work function smaller than 4 eV are suitable, such as magnesium and aluminum. Typical examples of the alloy include magnesium / silver and lithium / aluminum. Moreover, the formation method can use sputtering, mask vapor deposition, photolithography patterning, plating, printing, etc., but is not limited thereto.

  Further, as the substrate, a transparent resin film is preferable, polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, polyether ether ketone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, polycarbonate. , Polyurethane, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyimide, polypropylene and the like, and a plastic film having a thickness of 30 μm to 250 μm.

  Moreover, it is preferable to have a moisture-proof layer on a board | substrate. The moisture-proof layer is not limited as long as it is a layer made of a material having gas barrier properties such as water vapor, oxygen, etc. For example, a ceramic vapor-deposited layer such as silicon oxide and aluminum oxide, and these ceramic layers and impact relaxation A moisture-proof layer having a configuration in which polymer layers are alternately laminated, and a laminated layer (6 to 50 μm thick) such as a metal foil, for example, a copper (Cu) foil, an aluminum (Al) foil, and the like.

  As a film having these moisture-proof layers, typically, for example, a film obtained by vapor-depositing the ceramic layer on a resin film substrate (10 to 200 μm) such as a PET film, or a metal foil or the like, for example, a polyethylene resin Examples include a laminate of films.

  In order to perform sealing, the device is covered with a film having the moisture-proof layer having a high gas barrier property such as water vapor or oxygen on the formed organic EL device, and bonded (laminated) with a sealing resin, and then sealed. To do. Examples of the moisture-proof film include vapor deposition films based on PET, such as letterpress printing GX films.

  The moisture-proof layer may be formed directly on the element as a protective layer.

  Thus, if the sealing member is composed of a gas barrier base material, the organic EL element formed on the base material having the gas barrier layer is efficiently sealed from the outside air, and the influence of deteriorating gases such as water vapor and oxygen. Can be suppressed.

  As the sealing resin (adhesive), generally used thermosetting or photocurable adhesives can be used.

  Further, in the present invention, the production of a monochromatic or white organic EL element for illumination has been shown. However, the light emitting layer of the organic layer is formed by patterning for each of three colors of RGB, and a full color is obtained by incorporating a drive circuit. It can also be a display.

  EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Example 1
An ITO film and an organic EL element were produced using the guide roll of FIG.

  An original roll of polyethylene terephthalate film (PET film) having a width of 700 mm and a thickness of 100 μm is introduced into the roll-to-roll vacuum chamber shown in FIG. The stepped guide roll incorporating the invention and the clip mechanism by the cam of FIG. 2 was adopted, and an ITO film was formed to a thickness of 130 nm in an argon atmosphere according to a conventional method to form a transparent conductive film. The used guide roll is 750 mm wide, 75 mm in diameter at the center, and 100 mm at both ends (chrome plated (mirror-finished, buffed, centerline surface roughness Ra: 4.1 nm)) step. It was a roll with attachment, and 20 mm of PET film both ends were made to contact. The width | variety of the web center part used as a non-contact is 660 mm.

  The ITO film-forming surface was previously formed by forming a gas shielding film (barrier film) with a thickness of 80 nm using plasma under atmospheric pressure. The surface resistivity of the ITO film was 40Ω / □.

Next, on the surface on which the ITO film is formed, a photolithographic resin that is polymerized with ultraviolet light is applied to a rectangular region with a width direction of 670 mm and a longitudinal direction of 720 mm, and after passing through a drying oven at 90 ° C., After alignment, exposure, transport, development, etching, and alkali treatment, washing with ion-exchanged water, blowing clean air, sufficiently drying, and winding. The interval between the patterns was set at a distance of 60 mm in order to secure in advance a portion sandwiched by a gate for forming a differential pressure in each vacuum chamber of a vacuum film forming plant described later. The original winding of the ITO patterned PET film is attached to the feeding side (101 in the figure) of the continuous vacuum organic EL film forming plant of FIG. 7, and 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 116, 118, 121 , 122, 124 using the guide roll mechanism of the present invention (FIG. 2, guide roll with cam-controlled clip mechanism), from the vapor deposition boat containing each material, α- NPD (40 nm), CBP (containing 6% of Ir (ppy) ₃ as a co-deposition component) (35 nm), BAlq (5 nm), Alq ₃ (40 nm), lithium fluoride (0.5 nm) are vapor-deposited, and After depositing 110 nm of aluminum in the second vacuum film forming chamber at the latter stage, the gas barrier layer has been formed in which 40 μm of sealing resin (adhesive) is applied in the laminating chamber A PET film (PET thickness 80 μm) was laminated under a nitrogen stream, conveyed from the gate slit D to the atmosphere, and wound up. From this original winding, a part of the element corresponding to each light emission pattern was cut out and energized to confirm the emission of green phosphorescence.

  The light emitting portion was randomly sampled and observed with a microscope field of view, and the area ratio of the initial non-light emitting portion was calculated. Further, at this time, a constant voltage (between 7 V and 10 V) was applied in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the ratio of the flowing current was obtained as a rectification ratio, which was used as an index of the magnitude of the leakage current. In addition, an increase rate of the area of the non-light emitting portion after storing this organic EL element for 3 weeks in an atmosphere of normal temperature and pressure was calculated as an index of the degree of damage to the gas barrier film.

Example 2
An organic EL element was manufactured using the guide roll of FIG. 3 instead of the guide roll of FIG.

  In Example 1, all the guide rolls with the cam control clip mechanism of the continuous vacuum organic EL film forming plant of FIG. 7 are replaced with the guide roll mechanism of the present invention (FIG. 3, the guide roll with the film pressing roller for buckling prevention). The light emitting element was cut out in exactly the same manner, and the same evaluation was performed.

  The size of the guide roll is the same as that used in Example 1, the film pressing rollers are paired at both ends, the surface material that contacts the web is made of Viton (fluororesin), and the rotation axis is the rotation axis of the guide roll. It was made to incline to the center side (θ = 8 degrees).

Example 3
An organic EL device was prototyped using the guide roll of FIG. 4 and the end perforated film.

  The ITO film is not damaged so that the both ends of the ITO film on which the barrier layer and the ITO layer are formed as in Example 1 are fitted into the protrusions on both ends of the guide roll in FIG. Carefully drilled using a drilling machine. The diameter of the lower part of the protrusion on the guide roll side of the organic EL element film forming apparatus was 5 mm, and the width contacting the step of the sprocket-type step guide roll of FIG. The width of the central portion of the web that was not in contact was 660 mm. Using this perforated ITO film, an ITO patterned film was prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1. The original roll of this ITO patterned PET film is attached to the feeding side (1 in the figure) of the continuous vacuum organic EL film-forming plant of FIG. Y, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 116, 118, 121 , 122, 124 using the guide roll mechanism of the present invention (FIG. 4, sprocket-type guide roll), and transporting the sealed organic EL element in exactly the same manner as in Example 1, and this part The same evaluation was performed.

Comparative Example 1
An ITO film was produced using a flat guide roll, and an organic EL device was further produced.

  The original roll of a polyethylene terephthalate film (PET film) having a width of 700 mm and a thickness of 100 μm is introduced into the roll-to-roll vacuum chamber shown in FIG. 6, and b, c, e, f, and each guide roll in FIG. Chrome-plated flat guide roll (mirror finish, buffing finish, centerline surface roughness Ra: 4.1 nm) is adopted, and an ITO film is formed to a thickness of 130 nm in an argon atmosphere in accordance with a conventional method. A film was formed. The ITO film-forming surface was previously formed by forming a gas shielding film (barrier film) with a thickness of 80 nm using plasma under atmospheric pressure. The surface resistivity of this ITO film was 45Ω / □.

  This ITO film was processed in the same manner as in Example 1 to prepare an original roll of an ITO patterned PET film. The original roll of the ITO patterned PET film is attached to the feeding side (1 in the figure) of the continuous vacuum organic EL film forming plant of FIG. 7, and 103, 105 on the transport path of the film forming machine used in Example 1 is used. 107, 109, 111, 113, 116, 118, 121, 122, 124 except that the guide roll mechanism of the present invention was removed and a flat guide roll having the same diameter as the film contact portion of this guide roll mechanism was used. A sealed organic EL device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1. This element was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 2
The ITO film was an organic EL element with a flat guide roll and a stepped guide roll.

  The ITO film of Comparative Example 1 was processed in the same manner as in Example 1 to prepare an original roll of an ITO patterned PET film. The original roll of the ITO patterned PET film is attached to the feeding side (1 in the figure) of the continuous vacuum organic EL film forming plant of FIG. 7, and 103, 105 on the transport path of the film forming machine used in Example 1 is used. 107, 109, 111, 113, 116, 118, 121, 122, 124 of the present invention guide roll mechanism (Fig. 2, guide roll with cam control clip mechanism) all the cam, film press function A sealed organic EL device was manufactured as a prototype in the same manner as in Example 1 except that it was used as a simple guide roll with no step. This element was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

  The evaluation results are shown in the table below.

  The ITO film formed using the vacuum film forming apparatus using the guide roll mechanism of the present invention has a lower surface specific resistance and less deterioration in characteristics than those using a flat roll. Similarly, for organic electroluminescence elements, the organic EL elements manufactured by the apparatus not using the guide roll mechanism of the present invention have a lower rectification ratio and higher leakage current than those used, and the area ratio of the specific light emitting portion. A big difference occurred. Deterioration due to flat rolls is large. Also, the one using a stepped roll without a pressing mechanism seems to be due to bending of the support, wrinkles, etc., but the area ratio of the non-light emitting part is also large, and the guide roll mechanism of the present invention with a pressing mechanism is very It turns out that it is effective.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Step roll 2 Film press unit 3 Cam 5 Film press roller 30 Sputtering cathode 40 Decompression chamber 50 Vacuum tank F Film a Unwind roll b, c, e Guide roll d Support roll g Take-up roll

1. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) of an organic electroluminescence element and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less. The guide roll is provided with a mechanism for contacting the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll, and at least a part of the contact portion for pressing the flexible support on the guide roll. mechanism.

2. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) of an organic electroluminescence element and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less. The support is in contact with the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll, and at least part of the contact portion is provided with mechanisms for pressing the flexible support on the guide roll at a plurality of locations, and the mechanism However, the flexible support is continuously bent from the position where the end of the flexible support starts to contact the end of the guide roll to the position where the end of the flexible support comes out of contact with the end of the guide roll. A guide roll mechanism characterized by holding a support on a guide roll.

3 . A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) of an organic electroluminescence element and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less. The flexible support contacts the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll, and the guide roll has a flexible support (web) on the peripheral surface of the guide roll that contacts the flexible support. A plurality of protrusions arranged in the transport direction are provided, and the protrusions engage with holes that have been previously drilled in the end of the flexible support, and the guide roll starts to contact the flexible support. A guide roll mechanism that incorporates a mechanism for fixing the flexible support to the surface of the guide roll from the point of time to the point of non-contact.

4 . A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less, the guide roll being a flexible support (web) The length in the direction of the rotation axis that is not in contact with the web is 150 mm or more and 2000 mm or less, and the length in the direction of the rotation axis of the portion in contact with the web at both ends of the guide roll is 1% or more with respect to the entire width of the web The guide roll mechanism according to any one of the above items 1 to 3 , wherein the guide roll mechanism is 10% or less.

5 . In a container having a degree of vacuum of 100 Pa or less and 1 × 10 ⁻⁷ or more, at least one of the conveyance guide rolls on the processing surface side has the guide roll mechanism according to any one of the above 1 to 4 , A vacuum film forming apparatus comprising a film forming unit for forming an electrode or an organic layer of the organic electroluminescence element and capable of forming at least one layer of the electrode or the organic layer with a roll-to-roll, wherein the thickness of the thin film to be formed Is a vacuum film-forming apparatus, wherein the film thickness is 0.3 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

6 . A method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence element in which an electrode and an organic layer are formed on a flexible support (web), after transporting the web after the electrode is formed and after the organic layer is formed The method for producing an organic electroluminescent element , comprising transporting the web in a vacuum using the guide roll mechanism according to any one of 1 to 4 described above .

Claims (7)

A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less in vacuum, and during the conveyance, the flexible support is A guide roll mechanism comprising a mechanism that contacts the guide roll only at both end portions of the guide roll, and at least a part of the contact portion presses the flexible support onto the guide roll. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less in vacuum, and during the conveyance, the flexible support is A mechanism that contacts the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll and at least a part of the contact portion presses the flexible support onto the guide roll is provided at a plurality of locations, and the mechanism is flexible. The flexible support is continuously guided from the position where the end of the support starts contact with the end of the guide roll to the position where the end of the support comes out of contact with the end of the guide roll. A guide roll mechanism which is held on a roll. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less in vacuum, and during the conveyance, the flexible support is At least one nip roll that contacts the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll and presses the flexible support onto the guide roll is provided at least at a part of the contact portion. The surface of the nip roll is in contact with the flexible support (web) and is inclined to the center of the flexible support (web) by 0.5 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less with respect to the rotation axis of the nip roll. A guide roll mechanism characterized in that the material is an elastic body. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less in vacuum, and during the conveyance, the flexible support is The guide roll contacts the guide roll only at both ends of the guide roll, and the guide roll is arranged in the conveying direction of the flexible support (web) on the peripheral surface of the guide roll that contacts the flexible support. A plurality of protrusions are provided, and the protrusions are engaged with a hole previously drilled in the end of the flexible support, and the guide roll starts to contact the flexible support from the point of time. A guide roll mechanism that incorporates a mechanism that fixes the flexible support to the surface of the guide roll until contact is made. A guide roll mechanism for supporting a flexible support (web) and changing the conveyance direction of the web in a vacuum by 30 degrees or more and 240 degrees or less,
The length in the rotational axis direction where the guide roll is not in contact with the flexible support (web) is 150 mm or more and 2000 mm or less, and the length in the rotational axis direction of the portion in contact with the web at both ends of the guide roll is The guide roll mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the guide roll mechanism is 1% or more and 10% or less with respect to the entire width of the web. In a container having a degree of vacuum of 100 Pa or less and 1 × 10 ⁻⁷ or more, at least one of the conveyance guide rolls on the processing surface side has the guide roll mechanism according to claim 3, and at least the thin film is formed by a roll-to-roll. A vacuum film forming apparatus capable of forming one layer, wherein a thin film to be formed has a thickness of 0.3 nm to 200 nm. An organic electroluminescence element is formed while supporting a flexible support (web) and being conveyed in a vacuum, and the organic electroluminescence element is formed using the guide roll mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A method for producing an organic electroluminescent element, comprising transporting the organic electroluminescent element in a substantially non-contact manner to the processed surface of the luminescent element and continuously performing a sealing step.

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