JP4984415B2 - LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE, ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a light emitting device such as an organic EL device including an organic EL layer that emits white light, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electronic device.

  In an organic EL display which is an example of this type of light emitting device, in order to improve the aperture ratio, a top emission method in which light is extracted to the opposite side of the element substrate on which a driving element such as a TFT is formed, that is, above the organic EL element May be adopted. In a light emitting device that employs a top emission method, a wiring structure has been proposed for a simple configuration of a drive circuit for driving an organic EL element (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique of providing an auxiliary electrode in order to increase the aperture ratio and reduce the electric resistance of the electrode is also disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2). An organic EL display using an organic EL light emitter that emits white light and a color filter is divided into a substrate on which a color filter is provided and a drive circuit substrate on which elements such as TFTs that drive the organic EL light emitter are formed. Therefore, the cost of the organic EL display can be reduced.

JP 2004-349097 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-230086

  However, in order to improve the display characteristics of the top emission type organic EL display, the cathode formed in common with a plurality of organic EL elements is formed of a transparent material, and the electrical resistance of the cathode is suppressed, and the cathode It is important to increase the light transmittance. In order to reduce the electrical resistance, it is one of the effective means to use an auxiliary wiring together on the cathode side of the organic EL element. For example, when an organic EL material emitting white light is deposited on the entire surface of the image display area Even if auxiliary wiring is made on the drive circuit board side, there is a problem in the manufacturing process and structure in which the auxiliary wiring cannot be connected to the cathode side. A technology that recognizes such a problem is not described in Patent Document 1. Further, in Patent Document 2, an auxiliary electrode is provided on the lower side of the main electrode made of a transparent conductive material, and it is possible to take advantage of a process process in which the cathode can be collectively formed on the entire surface of the image display region. It is difficult, and there is a problem that is restricted by the process process. In addition, because of these problems, an organic EL display having an organic EL layer that emits white light does not appear to have a luminance gradient in the image display region in actual use even if the electrical resistance of the cathode is high. However, the present invention is limited to a small-sized display that can be seen or a low-gradation display with few colors that can be displayed, and is not sufficiently capable of meeting the demand for a display having a large-size or high-gradation.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems and the like. For example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting device that hardly causes a luminance gradient, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic device including such a light emitting device. And

  In order to solve the above problems, a light emitting device according to a first aspect of the present invention is formed in a plurality of sub-pixel regions included in each of a substrate and a plurality of pixel regions constituting an image display region on the substrate. A plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of light emitting portions that emit white light; and a plurality of sub pixel regions and non-sub pixels between the plurality of sub pixel regions. A second electrode that is formed in common to the plurality of light-emitting portions by vapor-depositing an electrode material in a region, and transmits the white light toward the upper side of the substrate; and the non-sub-pixel of the second electrode A conductive portion formed on a surface of a portion extending in the region, and formed on the second electrode according to the plurality of sub-pixel regions, and having light having different wavelengths from among the light included in the white light. Multiple types of color phi And a motor.

  In the light emitting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the “sub-pixel region” is a region included in the pixel region. More specifically, each of the plurality of sub-pixel regions emits light of one color of, for example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and visually combines these light of each color. Then, the pixel area is caused to emit light in a desired color, whereby an image is displayed in color in the image display area. The first electrode is, for example, an anode that supplies power to a light emitting unit described later. Therefore, when the first electrode is an anode, the second electrode described later is a cathode. Further, when the first electrode is a cathode, the second electrode is an anode. The first electrode is formed by forming a conductive thin film on the substrate surface using a thin film forming method such as sputtering, and then patterning the conductive thin film into a predetermined shape using a lithography technique.

  The plurality of light emitting portions are formed, for example, by depositing an organic EL material that emits white light on the first electrode. The plurality of light emitting portions may be formed using any method among film forming methods such as a vapor deposition method and a coating method. In particular, when a plurality of light emitting portions are formed by using the vapor deposition method, these light emitting portions can be formed in a lump, so that the manufacturing process becomes simple.

  The second electrode transmits the white light toward the upper side of the substrate. Therefore, the light emission method in the light emitting device of the present invention is a top emission method. The second electrode is formed in common on the plurality of light emitting portions by evaporating a transparent electrode material such as ITO on the plurality of subpixel regions and the non-subpixel region between the plurality of subpixel regions. . The second electrode is formed in the plurality of subpixel regions by a simple process without being patterned in accordance with the subpixel region. Therefore, the light-emitting device of the present invention can enjoy the advantages of the manufacturing process using the vapor deposition method, and is formed through a simple process.

  The plurality of types of color filters respectively transmit light having different wavelengths from the light included in the white light. Accordingly, light of different wavelengths can be emitted from each sub-pixel region, and light of a predetermined color can be visually emitted from the pixel region by combining these lights. When the plurality of types of color filters are, for example, color filters that transmit light of each color of R, G, and B, full color display is possible in the image display region using these three primary colors. The “plurality” is not limited to three colors and may be two colors or four or more colors.

  The conductive portion reduces the electrical resistance on the second electrode side of the light emitting portion as compared to the case where only the second electrode is provided. More specifically, the area of the current path through which the current supplied to the light-emitting portion flows, for example, is increased by the amount of the conductive portion formed on the surface of the portion extending to the non-subpixel region of the second electrode, and only the second electrode The electric resistance can be reduced as compared with the case where is provided. More specifically, for example, a pixel area provided at an edge of the image display area, which is provided near the power source supplied from the outside of the image display area and near the center of the image display area. The brightness gradient that occurs between the pixel area and the pixel area located far from the power source supplied from the outside of the image display area can be reduced, and an image can be displayed with uniform brightness throughout the image display area. it can.

  Since the conductive portion is formed after the second electrode is formed, the electrical resistance on the second electrode side can be reduced as viewed from the light emitting portion without greatly changing the structure of the light emitting device. In addition, since the conductive portion is formed in the non-subpixel region, the light emitted onto the light emitting portion through the second electrode is not blocked. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the display characteristics by making full use of the advantage of adopting the top emission method without reducing the size of the opening region from which light is emitted onto the light emitting portion.

  As described above, according to the light emitting device of the first aspect of the present invention, the luminance gradient of each pixel region in the image display region can be reduced while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method. According to the light emitting device of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a luminance gradient in different pixel areas of the image display area. For example, an organic EL display having a medium to large size of 2 inches or more or 256 colors to 4096 It is possible to improve the image quality of a high-tone display that can display more than colors.

  In one aspect of the light emitting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the conductive portion may be formed so as to extend along a direction in which the non-sub-pixel region extends.

  In this aspect, the conductive portion may be formed so as to extend along one direction in which the non-sub-pixel region extends. When the non-sub-pixel region extends in a lattice shape, the conductive portion is formed in the image display region. It may extend in a shape. According to such a conductive part, it is possible to reduce the electrical resistance on the second electrode side when viewed from the light emitting part, and to effectively reduce the luminance gradient over the entire image display region. In particular, as the size of the image display area increases, the luminance gradient due to the position of each pixel area in the image display area can be reduced more effectively.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a light emitting device according to a second aspect of the present invention is formed in a plurality of sub-pixel regions included in each of a substrate and a plurality of pixel regions constituting an image display region on the substrate. A plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of light emitting portions that emit white light; and a plurality of sub pixel regions and non-sub pixels between the plurality of sub pixel regions. A second electrode that is formed in common to the plurality of light-emitting portions by vapor-depositing an electrode material in a region, and transmits the white light toward the upper side of the substrate; and the non-sub-pixel of the second electrode A conductive portion formed on the surface of the portion extending in the region so as to protrude toward the upper side of the substrate; a transparent substrate disposed on the second electrode so as to face the substrate; and Formed according to multiple sub-pixel areas A plurality of types of color filters that transmit light having different wavelengths among the light contained in the white light, and the transparent substrate and the transparent substrate so as to be in contact with the conductive portion when the substrate is bonded. And an auxiliary wiring formed on the surface facing the second electrode.

  According to the light emitting device according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display an image in color while enjoying the advantages in the manufacturing process as in the case of the light emitting device according to the first aspect of the present invention described above. It is.

  The conductive portion contacts the auxiliary wiring formed on the surface of the transparent substrate facing the second electrode when the transparent substrate and the substrate are bonded together. Thereby, the auxiliary wiring formed on the transparent substrate is electrically connected to the second electrode through the conductive portion, and for example, a part of the driving current supplied to the light emitting unit through the auxiliary wiring can be passed. Therefore, compared with the case where the drive current is supplied only to the second electrode, the electrical resistance on the second electrode side can be reduced as viewed from the light emitting portion, and the luminance gradient in the image display area can be reduced.

  Thus, according to the light emitting device according to the second aspect of the present invention, as in the light emitting device according to the first aspect of the present invention described above, the image display is performed while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method. The luminance gradient of each pixel area in the area can be reduced. Therefore, by applying the light emitting device of the present invention to, for example, a large-sized display of 2 inches or more or a multi-tone display capable of displaying 256 colors, a large-sized display having excellent display characteristics can be provided. is there.

  In an aspect of the light emitting device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the conductive portion may have a dot shape.

  According to this aspect, the second electrode and the auxiliary wiring can be made conductive, and the luminance gradient in the image display area is correspondingly reduced by the second electrode and the auxiliary wiring being in partial contact with each other. .

  In another aspect of the light emitting device according to the first and second inventions of the present invention, the light emitting device further includes a plurality of electrode protection portions formed so as to cover the respective edges of the plurality of first electrodes. Also good.

  According to this aspect, for example, when the light emitting part is formed on the first electrode using the vapor deposition method, the light emitting material is not vapor deposited on the side surface of the first electrode, and the second electrode is continuously deposited using the vapor deposition method. By forming, it can reduce that a 2nd electrode wraps around the side surface of a 1st electrode. Thereby, it can reduce that a 1st electrode and a 2nd electrode conduct | electrically_connect, and can reduce the malfunction which a light emission part does not light-emit by conducting a 1st electrode and a 2nd electrode.

  In this aspect, the conductive portion is formed by using an inkjet method on a recess defined by one electrode protective portion and the other electrode protective portion facing each other in the non-sub-pixel region among the plurality of electrode protective portions. It may be.

  According to this aspect, when the ink constituting the conductive portion is applied to the concave portion using the ink jet method, the ink is fixed in the concave portion, and for example, it is possible to reduce the flow of the ink having no light transmittance into the sub-pixel region. . Accordingly, it is possible to accurately form the conductive portion in the concave portion using the ink jet method and reduce the light emitted from the sub-pixel region from being blocked by the conductive portion.

  In order to solve the above problems, a light emitting device according to a third aspect of the present invention is formed in a plurality of sub-pixel regions included in each of a substrate and a plurality of pixel regions constituting an image display region on the substrate. A plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of non-subpixel regions on the substrate surface of the substrate, and a protrusion formed so as to protrude toward the upper side of the substrate; and a plurality of first electrodes formed on the plurality of first electrodes. A plurality of light emitting portions that emit white light, and an electrode material is deposited on the plurality of sub-pixel regions and the non-sub-pixel regions, and the white light is formed in common. A second electrode that transmits toward the upper side of the substrate, a transparent substrate disposed on the second electrode so as to face the substrate, and the second electrode when the transparent substrate and the substrate are bonded together. Part extending to the protrusion The auxiliary wiring formed on the surface of the transparent substrate facing the second electrode so as to come into contact with the light, and the light included in the white light, formed on the transparent substrate according to the plurality of sub-pixel regions A plurality of types of color filters that respectively transmit light having different wavelengths.

  According to the light emitting device according to the third aspect of the present invention, as in the case of the light emitting device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention described above, the image is displayed in color while enjoying the advantages in the manufacturing process. It is possible.

  The protrusions are formed in a plurality of non-sub-pixel regions on the substrate surface of the substrate so as to protrude toward the upper side of the substrate, and thus do not block light emitted from the sub-pixel region. In addition, when the transparent substrate and the substrate are bonded together, a portion of the second electrode that extends to the protrusion is in contact with an auxiliary wiring formed on the surface of the transparent substrate facing the second electrode. From the second electrode, the second electrode and the auxiliary wiring are conducted through the portion extending to the protrusion. Thereby, for example, a part of the drive current supplied to the light emitting unit can be passed through the auxiliary wiring. Therefore, compared with the case where the drive current is supplied only to the second electrode, the electrical resistance on the second electrode side can be reduced as viewed from the light emitting portion, and the luminance gradient in the image display area can be reduced.

  According to the light emitting device of the third aspect of the present invention, the image display area is obtained while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method, as in the light emitting devices of the first and second aspects of the present invention described above. The luminance gradient of each pixel area in can be reduced. Therefore, by applying the light emitting device of the present invention to a large size display of 2 inches or more or a multi-tone display, a large size display having excellent display characteristics can be provided.

  In one aspect of the light emitting device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the light emitting device further includes a plurality of electrode protection portions formed so as to cover the respective edges of the plurality of first electrodes, You may form in the recessed part prescribed | regulated by one electrode protection part and the other electrode protection part which face in the said non-sub-pixel area | region among several electrode protection parts.

  In this aspect, for example, when the second electrode is formed using a vapor deposition method, the electrode protection portion reduces the formation of the second electrode so as to wrap around the side surface of the first electrode. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a problem that the light emitting unit does not emit light when the first electrode and the second electrode are conducted.

  In another aspect of the light emitting device according to the first, second and third inventions of the present invention, the plurality of light emitting portions deposits a light emitting material over the sub pixel region and the non-sub pixel region. May be formed.

  According to this aspect, since the light emitting part can be formed collectively in each subpixel region, the light emitting device of the present invention can be easily manufactured. In addition, since the part which light-emits at the time of a light-emitting device drive among light-emitting parts is a part pinched | interposed into the 1st electrode and the 2nd electrode, the luminescent material vapor-deposited in the non-subpixel area | region does not function as a light-emitting part. Therefore, it is possible to emit light only from the sub-pixel region while forming the light-emitting portion by a simple process.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a method for manufacturing a light emitting device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of sub-pixel areas included in each of a plurality of pixel areas constituting an image display area on a substrate. A step of forming one electrode, a step of forming a plurality of light emitting portions that emit white light on the plurality of first electrodes, and a non-subpixel between the plurality of subpixel regions and the plurality of subpixel regions. Forming a second electrode that transmits the white light toward the upper side of the substrate by vapor-depositing an electrode material in the region, and the non-sub-pixel among the second electrodes. Forming a conductive portion on a surface of a portion extending in the region; and a plurality of types of color filters that respectively transmit light having different wavelengths among the light included in the white light on the second electrode. Depending on the pixel area And a step of forming.

  According to the method for manufacturing a light emitting device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, as in the first light emitting device of the present invention described above, each pixel in the image display region is obtained while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method. The brightness gradient of the area can be reduced. Therefore, by applying the light-emitting device of the present invention to, for example, a medium to large size display of 2 inches or more or a high gradation display capable of displaying 256 colors to 4096 colors or more, a large size display having excellent display characteristics. Can be provided.

  In order to solve the above problem, a method for manufacturing a light-emitting device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of sub-pixel regions included in each of a plurality of pixel regions constituting an image display region on a substrate. A step of forming one electrode, a step of forming a plurality of light emitting portions for emitting white light on the plurality of first electrodes, and a non-subpixel between the plurality of subpixel regions and the plurality of subpixel regions. Forming a second electrode that transmits the white light toward the upper side of the substrate by vapor-depositing an electrode material in the region, and the non-sub-pixel among the second electrodes. Forming a conductive portion on the surface of a portion extending in a region so as to protrude toward the upper side of the substrate, and applying the white light to the transparent substrate disposed on the second electrode so as to face the substrate. Of the light included, they are different from each other Forming a plurality of types of color filters that respectively transmit light having wavelengths according to the plurality of subpixel regions; and the transparent substrate and the transparent substrate so as to be in contact with the conductive portion when the substrate is bonded. Forming an auxiliary wiring on a surface facing the second electrode.

  According to the method for manufacturing a light emitting device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image display area is obtained while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method, as in the light emitting device according to the second aspect of the present invention. The luminance gradient of each pixel area in can be reduced. Therefore, by applying the light-emitting device of the present invention to a large-sized display of, for example, 2 inches or more or a high gradation display capable of displaying 256 colors, a large-sized display having excellent display characteristics can be provided.

  In one aspect of the method for manufacturing a light emitting device according to the fourth and fifth inventions of the present invention, prior to the step of forming the plurality of light emitting portions, the edges of the plurality of first electrodes are covered. You may further provide the process of forming a some electrode protection part.

  According to this aspect, for example, when the light emitting portion is formed on the second electrode using the vapor deposition method, the light emitting material is not vapor deposited on the side surface of the first electrode, and the second electrode is continuously deposited using the vapor deposition method. By forming, it can reduce that the 2nd electrode wraps around the side surface of the 1st electrode. Thereby, it can reduce that a 1st electrode and a 2nd electrode conduct | electrically_connect, and can reduce the malfunction which a light emission part does not light-emit by the 1st electrode and a 2nd electrode conducting. Therefore, it is possible to improve the yield when manufacturing the light emitting device.

  In order to solve the above problem, a method for manufacturing a light emitting device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of sub-pixel regions included in each of a plurality of pixel regions constituting an image display region on a substrate. A step of forming one electrode, a step of forming protrusions in the plurality of non-subpixel regions on the substrate surface of the substrate so as to protrude toward the upper side of the substrate, and a white color on the plurality of first electrodes. Forming a plurality of light emitting portions for emitting light, and depositing an electrode material on the plurality of sub-pixel regions and the non-sub-pixel regions, thereby transmitting the white light toward the upper side of the substrate. A step of forming an electrode in common with the plurality of light emitting units, a transparent substrate disposed on the second electrode so as to face the substrate, and the substrate, the protrusions of the second electrode are bonded together. In contact with the part extending to the part As described above, the step of forming an auxiliary wiring on the surface of the transparent substrate facing the second electrode, and a plurality of types of color filters that respectively transmit light having different wavelengths among the light contained in the white light Forming on the transparent substrate according to the plurality of sub-pixel regions.

  According to the method for manufacturing a light emitting device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the image display area is obtained while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method, as in the case of the light emitting device according to the third aspect of the present invention. The luminance gradient of each pixel area in can be reduced. Therefore, by applying the light emitting device of the present invention to a large size display of 2 inches or more or a high gradation display, a medium to large size display excellent in display characteristics can be provided.

  In an aspect of the method for manufacturing a light emitting device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, prior to the step of forming the plurality of light emitting portions that emit white light in each of the plurality of subpixel regions, A step of forming a plurality of electrode protection portions so as to cover respective edges of the first electrode; and in the step of forming the protrusion, one of the plurality of electrode protection portions facing in the non-sub-pixel region. You may form the said protrusion in the recessed part prescribed | regulated by an electrode protection part and the other electrode protection part.

  According to this aspect, it can reduce that the light radiate | emitted from a subpixel area | region by a protrusion is interrupted. In addition, it is possible to effectively use the space in the recess to form the protrusion, and to connect the second electrode and the auxiliary wiring through a portion of the second electrode that extends to the protrusion.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described light emitting device of the present invention.

  According to the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, since the above-described light emitting device according to the first, second, or third invention of the present invention is provided, a projection display device capable of displaying high quality, a portable Various electronic devices such as a telephone, an electronic notebook, a word processor, a viewfinder type or a monitor direct-view type video tape recorder, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a touch panel can be realized. In addition, as an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, for example, an electrophoretic device such as electronic paper can be realized.

  Such an operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below.

Embodiments of a light-emitting device, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electronic device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
<1-1: Configuration of Organic EL Device>
First, an embodiment of a light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof according to the first invention of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the organic EL device 10 of the present embodiment. The organic EL device 10 is a display device that is driven by an active matrix driving method with a built-in driving circuit, and each pixel unit 70 included in the organic EL device 10 includes sub-pixel units 70R, 70G, and 70B. .

  The image display area 110 of the organic EL device 10 is provided with data lines 114 and scanning lines 112 wired vertically and horizontally, and the sub-pixel portions 70R, 70G, and 70B corresponding to the intersections thereof are arranged in a matrix. One pixel unit 70 is configured by arranging these three sub-pixel units as a set. The sub-pixel units 70R, 70G, and 70B respectively have organic EL elements 72R, 72G, and 72B that emit white light. As will be described later, each of the sub-pixel portions 70R, 70G, and 70B emits light having a wavelength of each color of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) through the color filter. Accordingly, the organic EL device 70 can display an image in full color using a monochromatic light source that emits white light. In the image display area 110, power supply lines 117 corresponding to the sub-pixel portions 70R, 70G, and 70B arranged for the respective data lines 114 are provided.

  A scanning line driving circuit 130 and a data line driving circuit 150 are provided in the peripheral area located around the image display area 110. The scanning line driving circuit 130 sequentially supplies scanning signals to the plurality of scanning lines 112. The data line driving circuit 150 supplies an image signal to the data line 114 wired in the image display area 110. Note that the operation of the scanning line driving circuit 130 and the operation of the data line driving circuit 150 are synchronized with each other via the synchronization signal line 160. The power supply line 117 is supplied with pixel driving power for driving the pixel unit 70 from an external circuit. Focusing on one pixel portion 70 in FIG. 1, the pixel portion 70 is provided with organic EL elements 72R, 72G, and 72B, and a switching transistor 76 and a driving transistor 74 configured using, for example, TFTs. In addition, a storage capacitor 78 is provided for each sub-pixel portion. The scanning line 112 is electrically connected to the gate electrode of the switching transistor 76, the data line 114 is electrically connected to the source electrode of the switching transistor 76, and the drive is connected to the drain electrode of the switching transistor 76. The gate electrode of the transistor 74 is electrically connected. The power supply line 117 is electrically connected to the drain electrode of the driving transistor 74, and the anode of the organic EL element 72 is electrically connected to the source electrode of the driving transistor 74. In addition to the configuration of the pixel circuit illustrated in FIG. 1, various types of pixel circuits such as a current programming type pixel circuit, a voltage programming type pixel circuit, a voltage comparison type pixel circuit, a subframe type pixel circuit, and the like. Can be adopted.

  Next, a specific configuration of the organic EL device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the organic EL device 10, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III ′ of FIG. FIG. 4 is a process cross-sectional view showing an example of a process for forming an organic EL layer and a cathode, and showing a process in which a defect occurs in an organic EL element.

  2, the organic EL device 10 includes a pixel unit 70, an edge cover 47 which is an example of the “electrode protection unit” of the present invention, an organic EL element 72, and a conductive unit 48.

  The pixel units 70 are arranged in a matrix in the image display area 110 on the substrate 1. The pixel unit 70 is configured as a set of three sub-pixel units 70R, 70G, and 70B arranged along the horizontal direction in the drawing, and extends along each of the vertical and horizontal directions of the image display region 110 in the drawing. Are arranged.

  The edge cover 47 is provided in each sub-pixel unit 70 so as to surround the organic EL element 72. The organic EL element 72 includes an organic EL layer 50 and a cathode (not shown) formed on the organic EL layer 50. Since these organic EL layers and the cathode are formed on the entire surface of the image display region 110 using the vapor deposition method, they extend over the respective pixel portions 70.

  The conductive portion 48 is formed in a non-sub-pixel region 73 extending in a lattice pattern between the sub-pixel portions 70 along the vertical and horizontal directions in the drawing. The conductive portion 48 extends in a lattice shape along the direction in which the non-subpixel region 73 extends, but may be formed so as to extend in only one direction along the non-subpixel region 73. The conductive portion 48 is formed on the surface of a cathode (not shown) extending to the non-subpixel region 73. As will be described later, according to the conductive portion 48, the electrical resistance on the cathode side of the organic EL element 72 can be reduced over the entire image display region 110, which is caused by the difference in position of each pixel portion 70 in the image display region 110. Thus, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a luminance gradient in the organic EL element 72. In particular, as the size of the image display area 110 increases, it is possible to more effectively reduce the luminance gradient due to the difference in the position of the pixel unit 70 in the image display area.

  3, the organic EL device 10 includes a substrate 1, organic EL elements 72R, 72G and 72B, a driving transistor 74, an edge cover 47, a conductive portion 48, a sealing portion 20, a color filter 22, and a light shielding film 21. ing.

  The substrate 1 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate. The driving transistor 74 and the switching transistor 76 shown in FIG. 1 are formed so as to avoid the region below the organic EL element 72 in the substrate 1. Since the organic EL element 72 is a top emission type light emitting element that emits light upward in the drawing, the driving transistor 74 and the switching transistor 76 may be formed below the organic EL element 72. Good. Various circuits such as the scanning line driving circuit 130 and the data line driving circuit 150 shown in FIG. 1 are provided in a peripheral region of the image display region 110 in the substrate 1.

  The organic EL element 72 is an example of the organic EL layer 50 that is an example of the “light emitting portion” of the present invention, the cathode 49 that is an example of the “second electrode” of the present invention, and the “first electrode” of the present invention. An anode 34 is provided.

  The anode 34 extends in the sub-pixel region 71 shown in FIG. 1 along the surface of the protective layer 45 among the gate insulating layer 2, the interlayer insulating film 41, and the protective layer 45 that are sequentially formed on the substrate 1. Is formed.

The edge cover 47 is formed so as to cover the edge of the anode 34. The edge cover 47 protects the edge of the anode 34 so that the material constituting the organic EL layer 50 is not deposited on the side surface of the anode 34 when the organic EL layer 50 is formed. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the organic EL material constituting the organic EL layer 50 ′ is deposited on the anode 34 ′, the organic EL material is not deposited on the side surface of the anode 34 ′. A part is formed. When the electrode material constituting the cathode 49 'is deposited from the upper side of the anode 34' as it is, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cathode 49 'wraps around the side surface of the anode 34', and the cathode 49 'and the anode 34' Causes a short circuit. In order to reduce such a problem, an edge cover 47 is formed so as to cover the edge of the anode 34. The edge cover 47 is an organic material layer made of an organic material such as an acrylic resin or a polyimide resin. When the edge cover 47 is made of an organic material, an organic material layer is formed in the image display region 110 and then patterned using a photolithography technique or the like so as to cover the edge of the anode 34. Can be formed. The edge cover 47 may be an inorganic material layer made of an inorganic material such as SiO, SiO ₂ or TiO _2. For example, the edge cover 47 may be formed by CVD (Chemical) on the protective layer 45 so as to cover the edge of the anode 34. The edge cover 47 can be formed using a film forming method such as a Vapor Deposition (chemical vapor deposition) method, a coating method, or a sputtering method.

  In FIG. 3 again, the organic EL layer 50 includes a light emitting layer made of a low molecular organic EL material, and the light emitting layer emits white light. Therefore, the organic EL elements 72R, 72G, and 72B are light sources that emit white light.

  The organic EL layer 50 is formed by depositing the low molecular organic EL material on the entire image display region 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 after the edge cover 47 is formed on the edge of the anode 34. More specifically, the organic EL layer 50 includes not only the surface of the anode 34 formed in the subpixel region 71 shown in FIG. 1 but also the surface of the edge cover 47 and the surface of the protective film 45 facing the non-subpixel region 73. Also formed. A portion of the organic EL layer 50 that substantially emits light is a portion that is sandwiched between the anode 34 and the cathode 49 facing the region surrounded by the edge cover 47. The organic EL layer 50 may include various layers such as an electron injection layer or an electron transport layer as well as the light emitting layer.

  The cathode 49 is formed so as to cover the surface of the edge cover 47 and the surface of the organic EL layer 50, and is a common electrode common to the organic EL elements 72R, 72G, and 72B formed in each of the different sub-pixel regions 71. It is. The cathode 49 is formed using, for example, a transparent conductive material such as ITO, and white light generated in the organic EL layer 50 passes through the cathode 49 and is emitted upward in the drawing. Therefore, the organic EL elements 72R, 72G, and 72B are top emission type organic EL elements that emit light to the side opposite to the substrate 1 when viewed from the organic EL elements 72R, 72G, and 72B. The cathode 49 may be a metal thin film such as Al or a laminated film in which a plurality of metal thin films are laminated. However, such a metal thin film and a laminated film are formed thin so as to transmit light generated in the organic EL layer 50.

  Since the organic EL device 10 includes the organic EL element 72 including the organic EL layer 50 and the cathode 49 formed by using the vapor deposition method, the organic EL layer 50 and the cathode 49 can be collectively formed by a simple process. It is possible to enjoy the advantages of the manufacturing process.

  The source electrode 74s of the driving transistor 74 is electrically connected to the power supply line 117 shown in FIG. 1, and the drain electrode 74d is electrically connected to the anode 34. The driving transistor 74 is turned on / off in response to a data signal supplied to the gate electrode 3 a via the data line 114 shown in FIG. 1 and supplies a driving current to the organic EL element 72. The semiconductor layer 3 is a polycrystalline silicon layer or an amorphous silicon layer formed by using, for example, a low-temperature polysilicon technique. On the semiconductor layer 3, the gate insulating layer 2 of the switching transistor 76 and the driving transistor 74 is formed by embedding the semiconductor layer 3. The gate electrode 3 a of the driving transistor 74 and the scanning line 112 shown in FIG. 1 are formed on the gate insulating layer 2. A part of the scanning line 112 is formed as a gate electrode of the switching transistor 76.

  An interlayer insulating layer 41 shown in FIG. 2 is formed on the gate insulating layer 2 by embedding the scanning line 112 and the gate electrode 3 a of the driving transistor 74. The interlayer insulating layer 41 and the gate insulating layer 2 are made of, for example, a silicon oxide film. On the interlayer insulating layer 41, there are a data line 114 and a power supply line 117, respectively, and a source electrode 74s of the driving transistor 74, each made of a conductive material containing, for example, aluminum (Al) or ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). Is formed. Contact holes 501 and 502 are formed in the interlayer insulating layer 41 from the surface of the interlayer insulating layer 41 through the interlayer insulating layer 41 and the gate insulating layer 2 to reach the semiconductor layer 3 of the driving transistor 74. The conductive film constituting the power supply line 117 and the drain electrode 74d is continuously formed so as to reach the surface of the semiconductor layer 3 along the inner walls of the contact holes 501 and 502, respectively. On the interlayer insulating layer 41, for example, a silicon nitride film (SiNx) or a silicon oxide film (SiOx) is formed as the protective layer 45 by embedding the power supply line 117 and the drain electrode 74d.

  Although a detailed description is omitted in this embodiment, the switching transistor 76 shown in FIG. 1 is also formed on the substrate 1 like the driving transistor 74, and a part of the scanning line 112 is a switching transistor. 76 gate electrodes are formed. The gate electrode 3a and the scanning line 112 may include at least one of Al (aluminum), W (tungsten), Ta (tantalum), Mo (molybdenum), Ti (titanium), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and the like. It is formed using the metal material which contains. The lower capacitor electrode of the storage capacitor 78 is formed in the same layer as the scanning line 112 using, for example, the same material, and a part of the power supply line 117 is formed as the upper capacitor electrode of the storage capacitor 78. The interlayer insulating layer 41 is formed as a dielectric film, and a part of the interlayer insulating layer 41 is sandwiched between the lower capacitor electrode and the upper capacitor electrode.

  When the organic EL device 10 is driven, a scanning signal is supplied via the scanning line 112, whereby the switching transistor 76 is turned on. When the switching transistor 76 is turned on, an image signal is supplied from the data line 114 to the storage capacitor 78. The electrical conduction state of the driving transistor 74 is determined according to the voltage of the image signal supplied to the storage capacitor 78. When a current corresponding to the image signal supplied to the storage capacitor 78 is supplied from the power supply line 117 to the organic EL element 72 via the channel of the driving transistor 74, the organic EL layer 50 is supplied according to the supplied current. Emits light.

  The sealing plate 20 is formed using a light-transmitting material such as glass, and prevents moisture from entering the organic EL layer 50 from the outside of the organic EL device 10. More specifically, the sealing plate 20 is bonded to the substrate 1 with an adhesive, and seals the organic EL element 72 so that the outside air of the organic EL device 10 does not touch the organic EL element 72. The sealing plate 20 is bonded to the substrate 1 via an adhesive applied to the peripheral edge of the sealing plate 20 using an application means such as a dispenser. On the surface of the sealing plate 20 facing the cathode 49, the peripheral edge of the sealing plate 20 is convex with respect to the central portion, and the organic EL element 72 is sealed with the sealing plate 20. A certain space is interposed between the central portion of the sealing plate 20 and the organic EL element 72. The space between the sealing plate 20 and the organic EL element 72 is filled with a filler such as an inert gas, resin, or oil, and moisture entering from the outside of the apparatus is reduced by this filler. The space between the sealing plate 20 and the organic EL element 72 may be a vacuum sealed with the sealing plate 20 and the substrate 1. The sealing plate 20 only needs to be formed of a material that transmits light. For example, the sealing plate 20 may be a plastic plate subjected to moisture-proofing treatment. When the color filter 22 is provided on the back surface of the sealing plate 20, the sealing plate 20 is formed of a material that transmits white light emitted from the organic EL element 72. When a glass substrate is used as the sealing plate 20, since the thermal expansion coefficients of the substrate 1 and the sealing plate 20 which are glass substrates are equal, the strain between these plates due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient is reduced. This can be reduced, and the reliability of the entire apparatus can be improved.

  The color filter 22 is formed for each sub-pixel region 73 on the surface of the sealing plate 20 facing the cathode 49. More specifically, three kinds of color filters 22R, 22G and 22B are provided in each of the sub-pixel regions 70R, 70G and 70B. The color filter 22R transmits light having a red wavelength among white light emitted from the organic EL element 72R. Similarly, the color filter 22G transmits light having a green wavelength among the white light emitted from the organic EL element 72G, and the color filter 22B transmits the blue wavelength of the white light emitted from the organic EL element 72B. Transmits light having The color filters 22R, 22G, and 22B are arranged in each sub-pixel region 71 so as to sandwich the light shielding film 21 such as a black matrix provided in the non-sub-pixel region 73 shown in FIG. Therefore, the organic EL device 10 can display an image in full color by combining red, green, and blue light emitted from each of the sub-pixel units 70R, 70G, and 70B constituting the pixel unit 70. The color filter 22 is not limited to three colors, and may include a color filter that transmits light of two colors or four or more colors, and an image can be displayed in a range that can be displayed using these color filters. Needless to say, it can be displayed.

The conductive portion 48 is formed on the surface of the portion of the cathode 49 that extends to the non-subpixel region 73. More specifically, the conductive portion 48 is formed by applying ink containing a conductive material to the surface of the cathode 49 extending along the concave portion 59. The recess 59 is defined by one edge cover 47 a and the other edge cover 47 b facing each other in the non-sub-pixel region 73 in the edge cover 47. When ink is applied to the surface of the cathode 49 extending along the recess 59, the ink is fixed on the surface of the cathode 49 reflecting the shape of the recess 59, and the ink having no light permeability flows into the sub-pixel region 71. Can be reduced. In particular, when the conductive portion 48 is formed by using the ink jet method, it is possible to accurately apply ink onto the concave portion 59, and the light emitted from the sub-pixel region 71 is prevented from being blocked by the conductive portion 48. it can. According to the conductive portion 48, the area of the current path through which the drive current supplied to the organic EL element 72 flows is increased by the amount of the conductive portion 48 formed on the surface of the portion extending to the non-subpixel region 73 of the cathode 49. The electrical resistance on the cathode side of the EL element 72 can be reduced. Thereby, the display characteristics of the organic EL device 10 can be improved. More specifically, a pixel area provided at the end of the image display area 110 and provided near the power source supplied from the outside of the image display area 110, and near the center of the image display area 110. The luminance gradient generated between the pixel area provided and the pixel area provided at a position far from the power source supplied from the outside of the image display area 110 can be reduced, and the image can be displayed with uniform brightness in the entire image display area 110. Can be displayed.
Here, the point that the organic EL device of the present embodiment is superior to the conventional organic EL device will be described in more detail with reference to the result (Table 1) simulated by the present inventor. Table 1 is a table showing measurement results obtained by simulating various electric characteristics of an organic EL device in which a conductive part is not formed. Various electric characteristics are measured using the distance from the position where the cathode is electrically connected to the power supply as a parameter. This is the calculated result.

  As shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the voltage drop increases as the measurement position moves away from the cathode and the contact portion of the power source, and the luminance of the organic EL element decreases accordingly. In particular, when the diagonal size is 7 inches, the luminance of the organic EL element disposed at 87 and 17 mm from the contact portion of the cathode and the power source is reduced to 29 and 508% when there is no voltage drop at the cathode. Resulting in. As one of the causes, it can be considered that the current flowing through the cathode and the electrical resistance of the cathode are remarkably increased as the image display area of the organic EL device becomes larger. Therefore, the luminance gradient in the image display area can be reduced by reducing the electrical resistance on the cathode side of the organic EL device as in the organic EL device of this embodiment and each embodiment described below. Even when the size is increased, an image can be displayed with high image quality. The cathode is made of ITO, which is a transparent electrode material, and has a film thickness of 1000 angstroms and a visible light transmittance of 75%. The wiring resistance, which is the electrical resistance of the cathode, was calculated for various electrical characteristics on the assumption that the cathode and the power source were electrically connected on one side of the image display area.

有機ＥＬ装置１０においては陰極４９を形成した後に導電部４８を形成できるため、有機ＥＬ装置１０の構造を大きく変更することなく、有機ＥＬ素子７２の陰極側の電気抵抗を低減できる。したがって、蒸着法を用いて有機ＥＬ層５０及び陰極４９を形成する製造プロセス上の利点を生かしつつ、有機ＥＬ装置１０の画質を高めることが可能である。加えて、導電部４８は非サブ画素領域７３に形成されているため、導電部４８は陰極４９を介して出射される光を遮ることがない。したがって、有機ＥＬ素子７２上に光が出射される開口領域のサイズを狭めることなく、トップエミッション方式を採用した利点を十分に生かして表示特性を高めることが可能である。これにより、画像表示領域１１０内の異なる画素領域７１間で輝度勾配が生じることを低減できる。

In the organic EL device 10, since the conductive portion 48 can be formed after the cathode 49 is formed, the electrical resistance on the cathode side of the organic EL element 72 can be reduced without greatly changing the structure of the organic EL device 10. Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality of the organic EL device 10 while taking advantage of the manufacturing process of forming the organic EL layer 50 and the cathode 49 using the vapor deposition method. In addition, since the conductive portion 48 is formed in the non-sub-pixel region 73, the conductive portion 48 does not block light emitted through the cathode 49. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the display characteristics by making full use of the advantage of adopting the top emission method without reducing the size of the opening region where light is emitted onto the organic EL element 72. Thereby, it can reduce that a brightness | luminance gradient arises between the different pixel areas 71 in the image display area 110. FIG.

  Thus, according to the organic EL device 10, it is possible to display a high-quality image while taking advantage of the manufacturing process using the vapor deposition method and the top emission method. By applying the organic EL device 10 to, for example, a large-sized display of 2 inches or more or a multi-tone display capable of displaying 256 colors, it is possible to provide a display with excellent display characteristics.

<1-2: Manufacturing Method of Organic EL Device>
Next, a method for manufacturing the organic EL device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the organic EL device 10, and FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view showing a step of forming the edge cover 47.

  In FIG. 5, the anode 3 is formed on the surface of the protective film 45 formed on the substrate 1 (S101). Next, the edge cover 47 is formed so as to cover the edge of the anode 34 (S102). Here, as shown in FIG. 6A, the edge cover 47 ′ before patterning is formed over the entire sub-pixel region 71 and non-sub-pixel region 73. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6B, the edge cover 47 ′ is patterned using a photolithography technique so as to cover the edge of the anode 34 formed in the sub-pixel region 71, and the edge of the anode 34 is covered. Thus, an edge cover 47 is formed along the edge of the anode 34.

  In FIG. 5 again, the organic EL material is vapor-deposited on the entire surface of the image display region 110 by using the vapor deposition method to form the organic EL layer 50 (S103). Subsequently, the cathode 49 is formed on the entire surface of the image display region 110 using the vapor deposition method in the same manner as the organic EL layer 50 (S104). In forming the organic EL layer 50 and the cathode 49, it is only necessary to change the vapor deposition source in the same vapor deposition apparatus. Therefore, the manufacturing process is simplified compared to the case where the organic EL layer 50 is formed using a coating method. Can be. Subsequently, the conductive portion 48 is formed using a coating method such as an inkjet method (S105). Subsequently, the sealing plate 20 provided with the color filter 22 and the substrate 1 are bonded together to form the organic EL device 10 (S106).

  As described above, according to the organic EL device and the manufacturing method thereof of the present embodiment, the luminance gradient of each pixel region in the image display region can be reduced while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method. Therefore, by applying the organic EL device 10 of the present embodiment to a large size display of 2 inches or more or a high gradation display, a large size display having excellent display characteristics can be manufactured.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an embodiment of a light-emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same according to the second invention of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following embodiments, portions common to those of the organic EL device 10 described in the first embodiment and the manufacturing method thereof are denoted by common reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted for convenience.

<2-1: Configuration of Organic EL Device>
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the organic EL device 200 of the present embodiment. 7 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III ′ of the organic EL device 10 shown in FIG. The organic EL device 200 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the cathode 49 and the auxiliary wiring 225 are brought into conduction by contacting the conductive portion 248 formed on the surface of the cathode 49 and the auxiliary wiring 225 provided on the sealing plate 20. Have

  In FIG. 7, an organic EL device 200 includes a substrate 1, an organic EL element 72, an edge cover 47, a conductive portion 248, a light shielding film 22, an auxiliary wiring 225, and a sealing plate 20 which is an example of the “transparent substrate” of the present invention. I have.

  The sealing plate 20 is made of glass or a synthetic resin material having optical transparency as in the first embodiment.

  The conductive portion 248 is formed on the surface of the portion of the cathode 49 that extends to the non-sub-pixel region so as to protrude toward the upper side of the substrate 1. The conductive portion 248 is formed by applying ink containing a conductive material on the concave portion 59 defined by the edge covers 47a and 47b facing each other in the non-subpixel region.

  The auxiliary wiring 225 is formed on the lower surface of the light shielding film 21 provided in the non-subpixel region. The auxiliary wiring 225 is formed along the surface of the light shielding film 21 by patterning a conductive film formed on the lower surface of the light shielding film 21 using a photolithography technique. More specifically, the auxiliary wiring 225 is formed on the lower surface of the light shielding film 21 so as to extend along the non-subpixel region extending in a grid pattern in the image display region 110.

  Since the height of the conductive portion 248 is higher than the height of the edge cover 47, the conductive portion 248 is an auxiliary formed on the surface of the sealing plate 20 facing the cathode 49 when the sealing plate 20 and the substrate 1 are bonded together. In contact with the wiring 225. Thereby, the cathode 49 and the auxiliary wiring 225 are brought into conduction, and the electrical resistance on the cathode side of the organic EL element 72 is reduced as compared with the case where the conductive portion 248 is not provided. By conducting the auxiliary wiring 225 and the conductive portion 248, the voltage drop on the cathode side of the organic EL element 72 can be reduced and the luminance gradient in the image display area can be reduced as compared with the case where the drive current is supplied only to the cathode 49. It is possible. When conducting the cathode 49 and the auxiliary wiring 225, it is preferable that the conductive portion 248 and the auxiliary wiring 225 are brought into contact before the conductive portion 248 is fixed to the cathode 49. More specifically, by pressing the conductive portion 248 against the auxiliary wiring 225 with an arbitrary pressure before the solvent contained in the ink for forming the conductive portion 248 is vaporized, the conductive portion 248 has a certain area and the auxiliary wiring. 25, the cathode 49 and the auxiliary wiring 225 can be reliably conducted. The shape of the conductive portion 248 may be a shape that is in partial contact with the auxiliary wiring 225 so that the cathode 49 and the auxiliary wiring 225 are conductive. In order to reduce the electrical resistance on the cathode side, a corresponding effect can be obtained.

  Thus, according to the organic EL device 200, the luminance gradient in the image display area can be reduced similarly to the organic EL device 10 described above, and an image can be displayed in color while enjoying the advantages in the manufacturing process. It is.

<2-2: Manufacturing method of organic EL device>
Next, a method for manufacturing the organic EL device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing the organic EL device of this embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the process from the step of forming the anode 34 on the substrate 1 (S101) to the step of forming the cathode 49 (S104) is the same as the method for manufacturing the organic EL device of the first embodiment. After forming the cathode 49, the conductive portion 248 is formed so as to protrude from the surface of the cathode 49 extending on the recess 59 (S205). The conductive portion 248 is formed using a coating method such as an ink jet method as in the first embodiment. Next, the auxiliary wiring 225 is formed on the surface of the light shielding film 22 formed on one surface of the sealing plate 20 (S206). Next, the sealing plate 20 and the substrate 1 are bonded together, and the auxiliary wiring and the conductive portion 248 are brought into contact (S207). As a result, the organic EL device 200 is formed, and the auxiliary wiring 225 and the cathode 49 are conducted through the conductive portion 248.

  According to the manufacturing method of the organic EL device of this embodiment, the luminance gradient of each pixel region in the image display region can be reduced while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method. Therefore, similarly to the method for manufacturing the organic EL device of the first embodiment, a large-sized display having excellent display characteristics can be manufactured.

(Third embodiment)
<3-1: Configuration of organic EL device>
Next, the organic EL device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the organic EL device 300 of the present embodiment. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III ′ of the organic EL device 10 shown in FIG. In the organic EL device 300 according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary wiring 225 and the cathode 49 formed on the sealing plate 20 through the portion of the cathode 49 that extends on the protrusion 326 formed in the non-subpixel region on the substrate 1. It is characterized in that it conducts.

  In FIG. 9, an organic EL device 300 includes a substrate 1, an edge cover 47, an organic EL element 72, a protrusion 326, a light shielding film 21, an auxiliary wiring 225, and a sealing plate 20 which is an example of the “transparent substrate” of the present invention. I have.

  The protrusion 326 is formed on the protective film 45 exposed in the non-subpixel region, and is formed so as to protrude upward from the surface of the protective film 45 in the drawing. When the surface of the protective film 45 is used as a reference, the height of the protrusion 326 is higher than the height of the edge cover 47.

  The organic EL layer 50 is formed by vapor deposition so that an organic EL material that emits white light when the organic EL element 72 is driven extends over the sub-pixel region and the non-sub-pixel region. The protrusion 326 is formed in a recess 59 defined by the edge cover 47 facing each other in the non-sub-pixel region 73.

  The cathode 49 is formed in common with the plurality of organic EL layers 50 by vapor-depositing an electrode material so as to extend along the surfaces of the organic EL layer 50, the edge cover 47, and the protrusions 326. The white light emitted from 50 is transmitted toward the upper side of the substrate 1.

  The auxiliary wiring 225 is formed on the lower surface of the light shielding film 21 provided in the non-subpixel region 73. The auxiliary wiring 225 is formed along the surface of the light shielding film 21 by patterning the conductive film using a photolithography technique.

  Since the height of the protrusion 326 is higher than the height of the edge cover 47, the cathode 49 extending to the surface of the protrusion 326 is on the side facing the cathode 49 in the sealing plate 20 when the sealing plate 20 and the substrate 1 are bonded together. It is in contact with the auxiliary wiring 225 formed on the surface. As a result, the cathode 49 and the auxiliary wiring 225 are electrically connected, the electrical resistance on the cathode side of the organic EL element 72 is reduced, and the electrical resistance on the cathode side of the organic EL element 72 is compared with the case where a drive current is supplied only to the cathode 49. And the luminance gradient in the image display area can be reduced. In addition, since the protrusion 326 is formed in the recess 59, the light emitted from the organic EL element 72 is not blocked, and the advantage of adopting the top emission method is not impaired.

  Thus, according to the organic EL device 300, the luminance gradient in the image display area can be reduced similarly to the organic EL device 10 described above, and an image can be displayed in color while enjoying the advantages in the manufacturing process. It is. Therefore, according to the organic EL device 300, as in the organic EL devices of the first and second embodiments, a large-sized display having excellent display characteristics can be provided.

<3-2: Manufacturing method of organic EL device>
Next, a method for manufacturing the organic EL device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing the organic EL device of this embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, the process from the formation of the anode 34 on the substrate 1 (S101) to the formation of the edge cover 47 (S102) is the same process as in the first and second embodiments. Next, the protrusion 326 is formed in the recess 59 defined by the edge cover 47 facing each other in the non-sub-pixel region (S303). Next, an organic EL material is vapor-deposited on the entire surface of the image display region 110 using an evaporation method, thereby forming an organic EL layer 50 (S103). Subsequently, the cathode 49 is formed on the entire surface of the image display region 110 using the vapor deposition method in the same manner as the organic EL layer 50 (S104). In forming the organic EL layer 50 and the cathode 49, it is only necessary to change the vapor deposition source in the same vapor deposition apparatus. Therefore, the manufacturing process is simplified compared to the case where the organic EL layer 50 is formed using a coating method. Can be. Next, the auxiliary wiring 225 is formed on the lower surface of the light shielding film 21 formed on one surface of the sealing plate 20 (S206). The auxiliary wiring 225 may be formed on the lower surface of the light shielding film 21 in advance. Next, the sealing plate 20 and the substrate 1 are bonded together, and the auxiliary wiring 225 is brought into contact with a part of the cathode 49 extending on the surface of the protrusion 326 (S304). As a result, the organic EL device 300 is formed, and the auxiliary wiring 225 and the cathode 49 are brought into conduction, and the electrical resistance on the cathode side of the organic EL element 72 can be reduced.

  According to the manufacturing method of the organic EL device of this embodiment, the luminance gradient of each pixel region in the image display region can be reduced while taking advantage of the manufacturing process and the top emission method. Therefore, it is possible to provide a large-sized display having excellent display characteristics, similar to the method for manufacturing the organic EL device according to the first and second embodiments.

(Electronics)
Next, various electronic devices including the above-described organic EL device will be described.

<A: Mobile computer>
An example in which the above-described organic EL device is applied to a mobile computer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the computer 1200.

  In FIG. 11, a computer 1200 includes a main body 1204 provided with a keyboard 1202 and a display unit 1206 having a display unit 1005 configured using an organic EL device (not shown). In the display unit 1005, the luminance gradient in the image display area is reduced, and the image quality is improved. In addition, since the display portion 1005 including the organic EL element described above includes an organic EL device formed using a vapor deposition method, the display unit 1206 can be enlarged without degrading image quality. Further, by forming organic EL elements that emit light of three primary colors of red, green, and blue on a plurality of organic EL display substrates included in the display unit 1005, the display unit 1005 displays an image in full color display. It can be carried out.

<B: Mobile phone>
Further, an example in which the above-described organic EL device is applied to a mobile phone will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the mobile phone 1300.

  In FIG. 12, a mobile phone 1300 includes a display unit 1305 having an organic EL device according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a plurality of operation buttons 1302.

  The display unit 1305 can display a high-quality image in the same manner as the display unit 1005 described above. In addition, the plurality of organic EL elements included in the display portion 1305 emit light of the three primary colors of red, green, and blue, so that the display portion 1305 can perform image display in full color display.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit or idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a light-emitting device with such a change In addition, the manufacturing method thereof and the electronic device are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an organic EL device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an organic EL device according to a first embodiment. It is the III-III 'sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is process sectional drawing which showed the process of forming an organic electroluminescent layer and a cathode. It is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the process cutting | disconnection top view which showed the process of forming an edge cover. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the organic electroluminescent apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the electronic device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 200, 300 ... Organic EL device, 20 ... Sealing plate, 22 ... Color filter, 34 ... Anode, 49 ... Cathode, 50 ... Organic EL layer, 72 ...・ Organic EL elements

Claims (5)

A substrate,
A transparent substrate disposed to face the substrate;
An electrode protection unit formed in an image display region on a surface of the substrate facing the transparent substrate, the electrode protection unit having a plurality of first recesses and second recesses;
A plurality of first electrodes formed in a region corresponding to the plurality of first recesses;
A plurality of light emitting portions that are formed on the plurality of first electrodes and emit white light;
A second electrode that is formed in common to the plurality of light emitting units by evaporating an electrode material, and transmits the white light toward the transparent substrate;
In the second recess, a conductive portion formed using an inkjet method so as to protrude toward the transparent substrate side on the surface of the second electrode on the transparent substrate side;
A plurality of types of color filters that are formed on the transparent substrate according to the plurality of light emitting units, and transmit light having different wavelengths among the light included in the white light; and
A light emitting device comprising: an auxiliary wiring formed on a surface of the transparent substrate on the substrate side so as to be in contact with the conductive portion. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the conductive portion is a point shape. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting units are formed by vapor-depositing a light emitting material in the image marking area. Forming a plurality of first electrodes in a plurality of sub-pixel regions included in each of a plurality of pixel regions constituting a pixel display region on the substrate;
Forming an electrode protection portion in the image display area;
Forming a first recess in a region corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes of the electrode protection unit;
Forming a second recess in a region where the plurality of first electrodes of the electrode protection portion are not formed;
Forming a plurality of light emitting portions for emitting white light on the plurality of first electrodes;
Forming a second electrode that transmits the white light toward the upper side of the substrate by vapor-depositing an electrode material in the image display region; and
Forming a conductive portion in the second recess using an inkjet method so as to protrude toward the upper side of the substrate on the surface of the second electrode opposite to the substrate;
A plurality of types of color filters that transmit light having different wavelengths among the light contained in the white light to the transparent substrate disposed on the second electrode so as to face the substrate are the light emitting units. Forming according to
A step of forming an auxiliary wiring on a surface of the transparent substrate facing the second electrode so as to come into contact with the conductive portion when the substrate is bonded to the transparent substrate. Production method. An electronic apparatus comprising the light-emitting device according to claim 1.

Images