JP4792959B2 - Organic EL lighting panel and organic EL lighting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an organic EL lighting panel using organic EL (electroluminescence), and more particularly to an organic EL lighting panel that can reduce luminance unevenness. And it is related with the organic EL lighting apparatus using this organic EL lighting panel.

  Organic EL elements have been researched and developed for a relatively long time because they are brighter and clearer than liquid crystal elements because of self-luminescence. In particular, in 1987, Kodak's C.I. W. Since Tang et al. Proposed an organic EL device with a laminated structure, this device has been attracting attention because of its excellent power consumption, brightness, responsiveness, and viewing angle. Yes.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the organic EL display described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, a typical organic EL display 500 includes a glass substrate 501, a strip-shaped anode group 502 formed on the glass substrate 501, and an anode group 502, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. A hole-transporting organic layer 503 formed almost on the entire surface, an organic layer 504 having an electron-transporting property and a light-emitting function, and a strip-shaped cathode formed on the organic layer 504 in a direction perpendicular to the anode group 502 And a group 505. The anode group 502 is made of a conductive transparent thin film such as ITO, and the cathode group 505 is made of a metal thin film such as silver magnesium alloy (AgMg).

  In the organic EL display 500 having such a structure, one of the orthogonal electrode groups (the anode group 502 and the cathode group 505) is used as a scan electrode, and a scan signal divided in time is sequentially applied to each scan electrode. And a selection signal corresponding to whether or not to display a pixel intersecting with the scanning electrode is supplied to each signal electrode, and the pixel to be displayed emits light.

Here, for example, a conductive transparent thin film such as ITO has a resistivity on the order of 10 ⁻⁴ Ω · cm, and has a relatively high resistance compared to metal, and therefore, from a power supply terminal that receives supply of power from a power source. There is an inconvenience that a large reduction in luminance occurs in distant display pixels.
JP 2000-123980 A

  By the way, even when the strip-like cathode group 505 is replaced with a planar cathode electrode layer to constitute an organic EL lighting panel, the same disadvantages as those of the organic EL display 500 occur. That is, for example, a conductive transparent thin film such as ITO has a relatively high resistance, which causes a disadvantage that luminance is greatly reduced on the light emitting surface far from the power supply terminal and luminance unevenness occurs. In particular, for lighting, this inconvenience is serious because the area of the light emitting surface needs to be relatively wide.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an organic EL lighting panel capable of reducing luminance unevenness. And it aims at providing the organic EL lighting apparatus using this organic EL lighting panel.

  As a result of various studies, the present inventor has found that the above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, an organic EL layer formed by sandwiching an organic light emitting layer including at least a light emitting layer between a pair of first and second electrode layers, at least one of which is light transparent, is provided on a light transmitting substrate. An organic EL lighting panel comprising a sealing member disposed and cooperating with the substrate to seal the organic EL layer, wherein one of the first and second electrode layers is composed of a plurality of electrodes, The pair of adjacent electrodes in the plurality of electrodes is characterized in that the outer electrode has a ring shape surrounding the inner electrode.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described organic EL lighting panel, power from a power source is supplied to the pair of adjacent electrodes at opposite end portions.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above-described organic EL lighting panel, the electrode has a circular outline.

  The organic EL lighting device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of the above-described organic EL lighting panels and a plurality of power supply lines in the plurality of electrodes, which are turned on and off from the power source. It is characterized by comprising a switching element and a dimming control unit for controlling on / off of each of the plurality of switching elements.

  The organic EL lighting panel and the organic EL lighting device having such a configuration can reduce luminance unevenness as compared with the background art.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an organic EL lighting device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1A shows a front surface and a driving unit of the organic EL lighting panel, and FIG. 1B shows a cross section of the organic EL lighting panel taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of the DC power supply according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the organic EL lighting device 1 </ b> A according to the first embodiment is stacked on a substrate 11, a first electrode layer 12 stacked on one surface 111 of the substrate 11, and a first electrode layer 12. An organic light emitting layer 13, an organic EL lighting panel 10 A including a second electrode layer 14 stacked on the organic light emitting layer 13, first and second sealing members 15, 16, a plurality of switching elements 31, A drive unit 30 including a dimming control unit 32 is provided.

  The substrate 11 has a rectangular flat plate shape for supporting an organic EL layer formed by sandwiching an organic light emitting layer 13 including at least a light emitting layer by a pair of first and second electrode layers 12 and 14 having at least one light transmitting property. The member is made of a material that is transparent to the wavelength of light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 13, such as glass.

  The first electrode layer 12 is a conductive thin film made of a material that is transparent with respect to the wavelength of light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 13, and serves as an anode. Since the organic light emitting layer 13 emits visible light, the first electrode layer 12 is formed of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) that transmits visible light.

  Here, it should be noted that the first electrode layer 12 includes a plurality of electrodes 121, and in the pair of adjacent electrodes 121 in the plurality of electrodes 121, the outer electrode has a ring shape surrounding the inner electrode. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the first electrode layer 12 includes three electrodes 121-1 to 121-3. The innermost first electrode 121-1 is rectangular. The second electrode 121-2 adjacent to the first electrode 121-1 has an annular shape with a rectangular outline surrounding the first electrode 121-1 corresponding to the inner electrode. The third electrode 121-3 adjacent to the second electrode 121-2 has an annular shape with a rectangular outline surrounding the second electrode 121-2 corresponding to the inner electrode. For the first electrode 121-1, the second electrode 121-2 hits the outer electrode, and for the second electrode 121-2, the third electrode 121-3 hits the outer electrode. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of the electrodes 121 of the first electrode layer 12 is three, but the number is arbitrary. For example, the size and the amount of light emission of the organic EL lighting panel 10A are taken into consideration according to the specifications. It is determined appropriately.

  In the present specification, when referring generically, it is indicated by a reference symbol without a suffix, and when referring to an individual configuration, it is indicated by a reference symbol with a suffix.

  The electrode 121 of the first electrode layer 12 is formed such that part of the electrode 121 is exposed from the first sealing member 15, and part of the electrode 121 is an anode feeding region for receiving supply of power from the DC power supply 40. 122 is configured. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first electrode 121-1 is formed so that one end is exposed from the first sealing member 15, constitutes one anode feeding region 122-1, and the second and third The electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 are formed so that both ends thereof are exposed from the first sealing member 15, and two anode feeding regions 122-2 and 122-3; 122-4 and 122-5, respectively. Is configured.

  As described above, each electrode 121 constituting the first electrode layer 12 is drawn out so that a part thereof is exposed from the first sealing member 15 in order to receive power supply. For this reason, since the outer electrode is pulled out so that a part of the inner electrode is exposed from the first sealing member 15, the outer electrode is not a closed loop but an open loop in which a part is cut. The ring shape in this specification is meant to include not only a closed loop but also an open loop that is partially cut. It should be noted that the outer electrode may be configured in a closed loop by providing an insulating layer between the outer electrode and the portion of the inner electrode drawn out so as to be exposed from the first sealing member 15 between them. Good.

The organic light emitting layer 13 includes at least a light emitting layer made of an organic material of a fluorescent material or an organic material containing a fluorescent material, and if necessary, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron transport layer and an electron injection Provide layers. More specifically, the first and second electrode layers 12 and 14 are also described, for example, the following layer structure.
(1) (first electrode layer 12; anode) / light emitting layer / (second electrode layer 14; cathode)
(2) (first electrode layer 12; anode) / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / (second electrode layer 14; cathode)
(3) (first electrode layer 12; anode) / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / (second electrode layer 14; cathode)
(4) (first electrode layer 12; anode) / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / (second electrode layer 14; cathode)
(5) (first electrode layer 12; anode) / hole injection layer / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / electron injection layer / (second electrode layer 14; cathode)

  The second electrode layer 14 is a conductive thin film and serves as a cathode. The second electrode layer 14 may be formed of a material that is transparent to the wavelength of light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 13 as in the case of the first electrode layer 12, but in the present embodiment, the organic light emitting layer 13 emits light. In order to increase the light extraction efficiency, the organic light emitting layer 13 is formed of a material that reflects the light emitted. The second electrode layer 14 is made of, for example, a metal such as aluminum (Al), aluminum lithium (Al: Li), magnesium silver (Mg: Ag), an alloy, or the like. In the present embodiment, for example, the second electrode layer 14 is made of aluminum, for example, from the viewpoint of conductivity, reflectance, cost, and the like. A cathode terminal 141 is disposed on the second electrode layer 14 so as to be electrically connected to the second electrode layer 14 and partly exposed from the first sealing member 15.

  The first and second sealing members 15 and 16 are insulating members for hermetically sealing the organic light emitting layer 13 in cooperation with the substrate 11. For example, a first sealing member 15 made of resin having adhesiveness is applied so as to cover the first electrode layer 12, the organic light emitting layer 13, and the second electrode layer 14 excluding the anode feeding region 122, for example, a glass plate The second sealing member 16 made of a shaped member is placed on the second electrode layer 14 via the first sealing member 15 and pressure is applied, whereby the second sealing member 16 becomes the first sealing member. 15 is bonded to the second electrode layer 14, and the peripheral edge portion of the second sealing member 16 is hermetically bonded and bonded to the substrate 11 by the first sealing member 15. Accordingly, the first and second sealing members 15 and 16 cooperate with the substrate 11 to hermetically seal the organic light emitting layer 13.

  The switching element 31 is an element for turning on and off the power from the DC power supply 40 by being inserted into each power supply line in the plurality of electrodes 121 constituting the first electrode layer 12. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of switching elements 31 are interposed between the DC power supply 40 and each electrode 121, and one terminal of each of the plurality of switching elements 31 is common to the anode of the DC power supply 40. And the other terminals of the plurality of switching elements 31 are connected to the anode feeding region 122 at the end of the plurality of electrodes 121. The cathode of the DC power supply 40 is connected to the cathode terminal 141.

  The switching element 31 is, for example, an element with a control terminal to which a control signal for switching on / off thereof is input, and more specifically, for example, a MOS transistor or a bipolar transistor. In the example shown in FIG. 1, MOS transistors 31-1 to 31-3 are used. The source electrodes of the MOS transistors 31-1; 31-2; 31-3 are commonly connected to the anode of the DC power supply 40, and the drain electrodes of the MOS transistors 31-1; 31-2; 31-3. Are connected to the anode feeding regions 122-1; 122-2, 122-3; 122-4, 122-5 at the ends of the electrodes 121-1, 121-2, 212-3, respectively.

  The number of the switching elements 31 is the same as the number of the electrodes 121 since the electrodes 121 constituting the first electrode layer 12 are turned on and off.

  In the above description, the switching element 31 is directly connected to the electrode 121 of the first electrode layer 12 and is supplied with power from the DC power supply 40, but is supplied with power from the DC power supply 40. For example, a plurality of power supply portions such as bumps and pads may be provided at the end portions of the plurality of electrodes 121. By connecting the switching element 31 to the power feeding unit, the power from the DC power source 40 can be supplied to the ends of the plurality of electrodes 121 as described above.

  The dimming control unit 32 is a circuit that controls on / off of the switching element 31, and outputs a control signal to the control terminal of the switching element 31. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the dimming control unit 32 is connected to each gate electrode of each MOS transistor 31-1 to 31-3, and a control signal is sent to each gate electrode of each MOS transistor 31-1 to 31-3. Respectively.

  The DC power supply 40 includes, for example, a power switch SW, a rectifier RE, capacitors C1 and C2, a switching element Q, a diode D, a coil L, and an output control circuit 41 as shown in FIG. Composed. The rectifier RE is connected to the AC power supply AC via the power switch SW. The capacitor C1 is connected in parallel between the output anode terminal and the output cathode terminal of the rectifier RE, and smoothes the output voltage of the rectifier RE. One terminal of the switching element Q is connected to the output anode terminal of the rectifier RE, and the other terminal of the switching element Q is connected to the monitor input of the output control circuit 41, the cathode of the diode D, and one end of the coil L. The anode of the diode D is connected to the output cathode terminal of the rectifier RE, and the other end of the coil L is connected to the output cathode terminal of the rectifier RE via the capacitor C2. The on / off control terminal of the switching element Q is connected to the control output of the output control circuit 41. In the DC power supply 40 having such a configuration, when the power switch SW is turned on, the AC of the AC power supply AC is converted to DC by the rectifier RE, and the voltage is smoothed by the capacitor C1. The direct current whose voltage has been smoothed by the capacitor C1 is stepped down by a DC-DC converter including the switching element Q, the diode D, the coil L, the capacitor C2, and the output control circuit 41, and is output at a predetermined voltage from both terminals of the capacitor C2. The

  In the organic EL lighting panel 10 </ b> A having such a configuration, the organic light emitting layer 13 emits light by supplying direct-current power between the plurality of electrodes 121 constituting the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 14. . The light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 13 is a surface on which the organic EL layer formed by sandwiching the organic light emitting layer 13 between the pair of first and second electrode layers 12 and 14, that is, the first electrode layer 12. Is emitted as output light of the organic EL lighting panel 10A from the other surface 112 (light emitting surface) opposite to the one surface 111 on which is formed.

  Here, since the first electrode layer 12 is formed of a conductive transparent thin film such as ITO having a relatively high resistance, the luminance gradually decreases as the distance from the end of the anode power feeding region 122 increases. However, since the first electrode layer 12 of the present embodiment is divided into a plurality of electrodes 121 and is supplied with power from both ends of the electrode 121, the first electrode layer 12 is formed of one electrode. Compared with this, the potential difference due to the difference in the position of the light emitting surface due to the voltage drop becomes smaller, and the luminance unevenness can be reduced. In particular, luminance unevenness can be effectively reduced for lighting with a relatively large light emitting surface area. Therefore, the luminance unevenness of the organic EL lighting device 1A using the organic EL lighting panel 10A can be reduced.

  When dimming, the power supply of each electrode 121 is controlled to be turned on / off by the drive unit 30, thereby reducing the luminance unevenness in the light emitting portion (light emitting portion) of the light emitting surface and reducing the luminance unevenness of the organic EL lighting panel 10 </ b> A. The amount of light emission can be adjusted stepwise.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, since the first electrode layer 12 is configured by three electrodes 121-1 to 121-3, all lighting, first partial lighting darker than full lighting, and first partial lighting The organic EL lighting panel 10 </ b> A and the organic EL lighting device 1 </ b> A can be dimmed in four stages of dark second partial lighting and full lighting off.

  In the case of all lighting, the dimming control unit 32 outputs a control signal for turning on the switching element 31 to each control terminal of all the switching elements 31-1 to 31-3. All the switching elements 31-1 to 31-3 are turned on by this control signal, and power is supplied from the DC power supply 40 to all the electrodes 121-1 to 121-3. As a result, the organic EL lighting panel 10A and the organic EL lighting device 1A are fully lit.

  When the first part is lit, the dimming control unit 32 outputs a control signal to each control terminal of the two switching elements 31-1 and 31-2, for example. The two switching elements 31-1 and 31-2 are turned on by this control signal, and power is supplied from the DC power supply 40 to the two electrodes 121-1 and 121-2. Accordingly, the organic EL lighting panel 10A and the organic EL lighting device 1A are lit in the first part.

  Here, in the above description, the two switching elements 31-1 and 31-2 are turned on to emit light from the two electrodes 121-1 and 121-2 continuously located in the center. The combination of the switching elements 31 is not limited to this. For example, the two switching elements 31-3 and 31-2 may be turned on to emit light from the two electrodes 121-3 and 121-2 that are continuously located from the outside, and one electrode 121 is turned on. The two switching elements 31-1 and 31-3 may be turned on so that the two electrodes 121-1 and 121-3 emit light.

  When the second part is lit, the dimming control unit 32 outputs a control signal to the control terminal of one switching element 31-1, for example. One switching element 31-1 is turned on by this control signal, and power is supplied from the DC power supply 40 to the electrode 121-1. Accordingly, the organic EL lighting panel 10A and the organic EL lighting device 1A are turned on in the second part. Also in this case, the one electrode 121 that emits light is not limited to the electrode 121-1, and may be, for example, the electrode 121-2 or the electrode 121-3.

  When all the lights are turned off, the dimming control unit 32 does not output a control signal for turning on the switching elements 31 to the control terminals of all the switching elements 31-1 to 31-3. As a result, all the switching elements 31-1 to 31-3 remain off, and no power is supplied from the DC power supply 40 to all the electrodes 121-1 to 121-3, and the organic EL lighting panel 10 </ b> A and the organic EL The lighting device 1A is completely turned off.

  By controlling the organic EL lighting panel 10A and the organic EL lighting device 1A in this way, the amount of light emission can be adjusted stepwise while reducing the luminance unevenness in the light emitting portion on the light emitting surface.

  In the above-described embodiment, the switching element 31 is provided on each electrode 121 of the first electrode layer 12. However, any one switching element 31 is omitted, and the electrode 121 in which the switching element 31 is omitted is a DC power source. You may comprise so that it may turn on / off in conjunction with on / off of 40 power switch SW. With this configuration, the organic EL lighting device 1A is turned on and off in conjunction with the power switch SW.

  Such an organic EL lighting panel 10A is manufactured by, for example, the following steps. First, an ITO first electrode layer 12 composed of a plurality of electrodes 121 having the above-described shape is formed at a substantially central portion on a rectangular glass substrate 11. Next, the substrate 11 on which the ITO thin film of the first electrode layer 12 is formed is subjected to ultrasonic cleaning with acetone, isopropyl alcohol (both manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.), Semico Clean (manufactured by Furuuchi Kagaku), and ultrapure water, respectively. After washing, it is washed with isopropyl alcohol vapor and dried. Next, surface treatment of the substrate 11 on which the ITO thin film of the first electrode layer 12 is formed is performed by an atmospheric pressure plasma surface treatment apparatus (manufactured by Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.).

  Next, using a mask for an organic light emitting layer having an opening, 4,4′-bis [N- (naphthyl) -N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl (α-NPD) was deposited, and Alq3 was doped with coumarin. Deposit a layer. Next, Alq3 is vapor-deposited and LiF is vapor-deposited. Thereby, the organic light emitting layer 13 is formed.

  Next, aluminum is vapor-deposited using the 2nd electrode mask which has an opening part, and the 2nd electrode layer 14 of aluminum is formed.

  Next, the cathode terminal 141 is connected to the second electrode layer 14, and a glass plate as the second sealing member 16 is adhered to the substrate 11 with an epoxy-based adhesive as the first sealing member 15, thereby hermetically sealing. To do. Thus, the organic EL lighting panel 10A shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an organic EL lighting device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a front surface and a driving unit of the organic EL lighting panel, and FIG. 3B shows a cross section of the organic EL lighting panel taken along line BB in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the organic EL lighting device 1 </ b> B according to the second embodiment is stacked on the substrate 21, the first electrode layer 22 stacked on one surface 211 of the substrate 21, and the first electrode layer 22. An organic EL lighting panel 20A including an organic light emitting layer 23, a second electrode layer 24 stacked on the organic light emitting layer 23, first and second sealing members 25, 26, a plurality of switching elements 31, A drive unit 30 including a dimming control unit 32 is provided.

  Here, in the organic EL lighting device 1B according to the second embodiment, the organic EL lighting panel 10A is rectangular in a plan view in the first embodiment, but the organic EL lighting panel 20A is a plan view. It is circular. For this reason, the organic EL lighting device 1B according to the second embodiment includes the shape of the substrate 21 in the organic EL lighting panel 20A, the shape of the first electrode layer 22, the shape of the organic light emitting layer 23, the shape of the second electrode layer 24, The shapes of the first and second sealing members 25 and 26 are the shape of the substrate 11, the shape of the first electrode layer 12, the shape of the organic light emitting layer 13, and the second electrode in the organic EL lighting panel 10 </ b> A according to the first embodiment. Since only the shape of the layer 14 and the shapes of the first and second sealing members 15 and 16 are different, the other points are the same and the description thereof is omitted.

  The substrate 21 has a circular shape, and a first electrode layer 22 including a plurality of electrodes 221 is laminated on one surface 211 thereof. In a pair of adjacent electrodes 221 in the plurality of electrodes 221 in the first electrode layer 22, the outer electrode surrounds the inner electrode and has a circular ring shape. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the first electrode layer 22 includes three electrodes 221-1 to 221-3. The innermost first electrode 221-1 has a circular outline. The second electrode 221-2 adjacent to the first electrode 221-1 has a circular shape with a circular outline surrounding the first electrode 121-1 corresponding to the inner electrode. The third electrode 221-3 adjacent to the second electrode 221-2 has a circular shape with a circular outline surrounding the second electrode 221-2 corresponding to the inner electrode. For the first electrode 221-1, the second electrode 221-2 hits the outer electrode, and for the second electrode 221-2, the third electrode 221-3 hits the outer electrode.

  The electrode 221 of the first electrode layer 22 is formed so that a part of the electrode 221 is exposed from the first sealing member 25, and a part of the electrode 221 is an anode feeding region for receiving power supply from the DC power supply 40. 222 is configured. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode 221-1 is formed so that one end portion is exposed from the first sealing member 25, constitutes one anode feeding region 222-1, and the second and third The electrodes 221-2 and 221-3 are formed so that both ends thereof are exposed from the first sealing member 25, and two anode feeding regions 222-2 and 222-3; 222-4 and 222-5 are respectively provided. Is configured.

  The organic light emitting layer 23 has a circular outline according to the shape of the first electrode layer 22 composed of a plurality of electrodes 221 having a circular outline, and the second electrode layer 24 also matches the shape of the organic light emitting layer 23. The outline is circular. Then, in accordance with the shapes of the first electrode layer 22, the organic light emitting layer 23, and the second electrode layer 24, a circular second sealing member 26 is disposed on the second electrode layer 24 via the first sealing member 25. The second sealing member 26 is adhered to the second electrode layer 24 by the first sealing member 25 and the circumferential edge of the second sealing member 26 is sealed to the first sealing member. The stop member 25 is hermetically bonded and bonded to the substrate 21.

  By configuring the organic EL lighting panel 20A in a circular shape in this way, the organic EL lighting device 1B can give the user the same impression as the conventional round fluorescent lamp lighting device. The organic EL lighting device 1B is similar to a device having a plurality of round fluorescent lamps having different sizes for the user by forming the plurality of electrodes 221 constituting the first electrode layer 22 into a ring shape having a circular outline. Can give an impression. For this reason, even if the conventional round fluorescent lamp illumination device is replaced with the organic EL illumination device 1B according to the present embodiment, the user is unlikely to feel uncomfortable. Further, by configuring the organic EL lighting panel 20A in a circular shape, the organic EL lighting device 1B can give the user a sense of security and softness.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the organic EL lighting panel according to the third embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a rectangular case, and FIG. 4B shows a circular case.

  In the organic EL lighting panels 10A and 20A according to the first and second embodiments, the plurality of electrodes 121 and 221 constituting the first electrode layers 12 and 22 are shown in FIG. 1 (A) and FIG. 3 (A). As described above, a part (anode feeding regions 122 and 222) of the end portions is formed so as to be exposed from the first sealing members 15 and 25 so that the ends thereof are aligned. The power is supplied from the power source 40. However, in the organic EL lighting panels 10B and 20B according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of the first electrode layers 12 and 22 are formed. In the pair of adjacent electrodes 126 and 226, a part thereof (anode feeding regions 127 and 227) is formed so as to be exposed from the first sealing members 15 and 25 so that the end portions thereof face each other. End anode feed region 12 Configured such that power from the DC power source 40 at 227 is fed.

  For this reason, in the organic EL lighting panels 10B and 20B according to the third embodiment, the shapes of the electrodes 126 and 226 constituting the first electrode layers 12 and 22 are the organic EL lighting panels 10A and 20A according to the first embodiment. Only the shape of the electrodes 121 and 221 constituting the first electrode layers 12 and 22 in FIG.

  First, the rectangular organic EL lighting panel 10B shown in FIG. 4A will be described. As shown in FIG. 4A, the plurality of electrodes 126 constituting the first electrode layer 12 in the organic EL lighting panel 10B are such that the outer electrode surrounds the inner electrode in a pair of adjacent electrodes 126, and the outline is rectangular. The pair of adjacent electrodes 126 are formed so as to be partially exposed from the first sealing member 15 so that the ends thereof are opposed to each other. And this part comprises the anode electric power feeding area | region 127. FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the first electrode layer 12 is composed of three electrodes 126-1 to 126-3. The innermost first electrode 126-1 has a rectangular shape, and a part thereof is formed so as to be exposed from the first sealing member 15 on one side (the upper side in FIG. 4A). Constitutes an anode feeding region 127-1. The second electrode 126-2 adjacent to the first electrode 126-1 has an annular shape with a rectangular outline surrounding the first electrode 126-1 corresponding to the inner electrode, and part of the second electrode 126-2 faces the one side. It is formed so as to be exposed from the first sealing member 15 on the side (lower side in FIG. 4A), and a part thereof constitutes anode feeding regions 127-2 and 127-3. The third electrode 126-2 adjacent to the second electrode 126-2 has an annular shape with a rectangular outline surrounding the second electrode 126-2 which is the inner electrode, and part of the third electrode 126-2 faces the other side. It is formed so as to be exposed from the first sealing member 15 on the side (upper side in FIG. 4A), and a part thereof constitutes anode feeding regions 127-4 and 127-5. For the first electrode 126-1, the second electrode 126-2 hits the outer electrode, and for the second electrode 126-2, the third electrode 126-3 hits the outer electrode.

  Next, a circular organic EL lighting panel 20B shown in FIG. 4B will be described. As shown in FIG. 4 (B), the plurality of electrodes 226 constituting the first electrode layer 22 in the organic EL lighting panel 20B have a circular outline in which the outer electrode surrounds the inner electrode in a pair of adjacent electrodes 226. The pair of adjacent electrodes 226 are formed to be partly exposed from the first sealing member 25 so that the ends thereof are opposed to each other. A part of this constitutes an anode feeding region 227.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the first electrode layer 22 includes three electrodes 226-1 to 226-3. The innermost first electrode 226-1 has a circular shape, and a part thereof is formed so as to be exposed from the first sealing member 25 on one side (the upper side in FIG. 4B). Constitutes an anode feeding region 227-1. The second electrode 226-2 adjacent to the first electrode 226-1 has a circular ring shape surrounding the first electrode 226-1 corresponding to the inner electrode, and a part of the second electrode 226-2 faces the one side. It is formed so as to be exposed from the first sealing member 25 on the side (lower side in FIG. 4B), and a part thereof constitutes anode feeding regions 227-2 and 227-3. The third electrode 226-3 adjacent to the second electrode 226-2 has a circular shape with a circular outline surrounding the second electrode 226-2 that is the inner electrode, and part of the third electrode 226-3 faces the other side. It is formed so as to be exposed from the first sealing member 25 on the side (the upper side in FIG. 4B), and a part thereof constitutes anode feeding regions 227-4 and 227-5. For the first electrode 226-1, the second electrode 226-2 hits the outer electrode, and for the second electrode 226-2, the third electrode 226-3 hits the outer electrode.

  In the organic EL lighting panels 10B and 20B having such a configuration, the pair of adjacent electrodes 126 and 226 in the plurality of electrodes 126 and 226 constituting the first electrode layers 12 and 22 have end portions (anode feeding regions) facing each other. 127, 227), the electric power from the DC power source 40 is supplied.

  Here, since the electrodes 126 and 226 of the first electrode layers 12 and 22 are made of a conductive transparent thin film such as ITO having a relatively high resistance, they are far from the end portions of the anode feeding regions 127 and 227. Therefore, the luminance gradually decreases. However, since the pair of adjacent electrodes 126 and 226 are supplied with electric power from the DC power source 40 in the anode feeding regions 127 and 227 at the ends of the electrodes 126 and 226 facing each other, the organic EL lighting panel 10B, 20B can compensate for a decrease in luminance at one electrode 126, 226 with luminance at the other electrode 126, 226. For this reason, the luminance is averaged over the entire light emitting surfaces 112 and 212 of the organic EL lighting panels 10B and 20B, and the luminance unevenness can be reduced. Therefore, the luminance unevenness of the organic EL lighting device using such organic EL lighting panels 10B and 20B can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent illuminating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the DC power supply which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent illuminating device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent illumination panel which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent display of patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B Organic EL lighting device 10A, 10B, 20A, 20B Organic EL lighting panel 11, 21 Substrate 12, 22 First electrode layer 13, 23 Organic light emitting layer 14, 24 Second electrode layer 15, 25 First sealing member 16, 26 Second sealing member 30 Drive unit 31 Switching element 32 Dimming control unit 40 DC power supply 121, 126, 221, 226 Electrodes 122, 127, 222, 227 Anode feeding region

Claims (3)

Disposed organic EL layer formed by interposing an organic light-emitting layer comprising at least a light emitting layer by the first and second electrode layers of a pair on a transparent substrate, sealing the organic EL layer in cooperation with the substrate In an organic EL lighting panel including a sealing member to be stopped,
One of the first and second electrode layers is a transparent electrode and includes a plurality of electrodes,
Ri ring shape der the outer electrode surrounding the inner electrode in a pair of adjacent electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, the organic EL lighting panel power from the power source at the both ends of each electrode, characterized in Rukoto supplied. The organic EL lighting panel according to claim 1, wherein the electrode has a circular outline. The organic EL lighting panel according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A plurality of switching elements that are respectively inserted in the respective power supply lines in the plurality of electrodes and turn on and off the power from the power source;
An organic EL lighting device comprising: a dimming control unit that controls on / off of each of the plurality of switching elements.

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