JP5179806B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an active matrix display device, and in particular, a pixel constituted by a light emitting element such as an EL (electroluminescence) element or an LED (light emitting diode) element that emits light by passing a current through a light emitting layer such as an organic semiconductor film. And a display device including a pixel circuit for controlling the light emission operation of the pixel.

  In recent years, with the advent of an advanced information society, the demand for personal computers, car navigation systems, portable information terminals, information communication devices, or composite products of these has increased. As a display means for these products, a thin, light, and low power consumption display device is suitable, and a liquid crystal display device or a display device using an electro-optical element such as a self-luminous EL element or LED is used. Yes.

  The latter display device using a self-luminous electro-optic element has features such as good visibility, wide viewing angle characteristics, and high-speed response and suitable for moving image display. It is considered preferable. In particular, a display using an organic EL element (also referred to as an organic LED element: hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as OLED) having an organic substance as a light emitting layer is a network technology that enables rapid improvement in luminous efficiency and video communication. Coupled with progress, expectations for OLED displays are high. The OLED has a diode structure in which an organic light emitting layer is sandwiched between two electrodes.

  In order to increase the power efficiency in an OLED display (display device) configured using such an OLED element, as will be described later, active matrix driving using a thin film transistor (hereinafter also referred to as TFT) as a pixel switching element is performed. It is valid. Techniques for driving an OLED display with an active matrix structure are described, for example, in JP-A-4-328791, JP-A-8-241048, or US Pat. No. 5,555,0066. The voltage relationship is disclosed in International Patent Publication WO98 / 36407 and the like.

  A typical pixel structure of an OLED display has two thin film transistor TFTs (first TFT is a switching transistor and second TFT is a driver transistor) which are first and second active elements, and one capacitor (storage capacitance: data). The pixel driving circuit (hereinafter also referred to as a pixel circuit) composed of a signal holding element) controls the light emission luminance of the OLED. In the pixel, M data lines to which data signals (or image signals) are supplied and N scanning lines to which scanning signals are supplied (hereinafter also referred to as gate lines) are arranged in a matrix of N rows × M columns. Placed at each intersection.

  In order to drive the pixels, a scanning signal (gate signal) is sequentially supplied to the N rows of gate lines to turn on the switching transistors, and the vertical scanning is completed once within one frame period Tf. The turn-on voltage is again supplied to the first (first row) gate line.

  In this driving method, the time during which the turn-on voltage is supplied to one gate line is Tf / N or less. Generally, about 1/60 second is used as the value of one frame period Tf. When one frame is displayed in two fields, one field period is ½ of one frame period.

  While the turn-on voltage is supplied to a certain gate line, all the switching transistors connected to the data line are in a conductive state (on state), and the data voltage ( Image voltage). This is generally used in an active matrix liquid crystal device.

  The data voltage is stored (held) in a storage capacitor (capacitor) while a turn-on voltage (hereinafter, turn-on is also simply referred to as “on”, and turn-off is also simply referred to as “off”) is supplied to the gate line. The period (or one field period, and so on) is maintained at these values. The voltage value of the storage capacitor defines the gate voltage of the driver transistor.

  Therefore, the value of the current flowing through the driver transistor is controlled to control the light emission of the OLED. The response time from when a voltage is applied to the OLED to when the light emission starts is usually 1 μs or less, and it is possible to follow an image (moving image) that moves quickly. In order to supply current to the driver transistor, a current supply line is provided, and a display current corresponding to a data signal held in the storage capacitor is supplied from the current supply line.

  By the way, in the active matrix driving, high efficiency is realized by emitting light over one frame period. The difference is clear when compared with simple matrix driving in which the diode electrode of the OLED is directly connected to the scanning line and the data line without driving the TFT.

  In the simple matrix drive, a current flows through the OLED only during the period when the scanning line is selected. Therefore, in order to obtain the same luminance as the light emission in one frame period only by the light emission in the short period, compared with the active matrix drive. Therefore, the light emission luminance approximately the number of scanning lines is required. In order to do so, the drive voltage and drive current must be increased, resulting in a loss of power consumption such as heat generation, resulting in lower power efficiency.

  Thus, the active matrix driving is considered to be superior to the simple matrix driving from the viewpoint of reducing power consumption.

In the above-described simple matrix display device, the scanning lines and the data lines arranged so as to intersect the display area on the substrate are directly pulled out of the display area and connected to the drive circuit, and the drive circuit is connected to the external circuit. A terminal pad is provided. However, it is difficult to directly apply such a terminal configuration to an active matrix display device.

  That is, in an active matrix driving OLED display device, current supply to a capacitor for maintaining display over one frame period is made by connecting one electrode of the capacitor to the output terminal of the switching transistor and connecting the other electrode to the capacitor. Or a current supply line that supplies current to the OLED.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a conventional display device using an OLED, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a pixel configuration in FIG. This display device (image display device) includes a display portion AR (dotted line in the figure) formed on a substrate SUB made of an insulating material such as glass in a matrix arrangement of a plurality of data lines DL and a plurality of gate lines, that is, scanning lines GL. The data drive circuit DDR, the scan drive circuit GDR, and the current supply circuit CSS are arranged around the inside).

  The data driving circuit DDR is composed of a complementary circuit composed of N-channel and P-channel thin film transistors TFT, or a shift register circuit, a level shifter circuit, an analog switch circuit, etc. composed of only N-channel or only P-channel thin-film transistors TFT. Become. Note that the current supply circuit CSS can be configured to be supplied from an external power source only with the bus line.

  FIG. 9 shows a system in which a capacitor common potential line COML is provided in the display portion AR, and the electrode at the other end of the capacitor is connected to the common potential line COML. The common potential line COML is drawn from the terminal COMT of the common potential supply bus line COMB to an external common potential source. A method in which a common potential line COML is not provided and a capacitor is connected to a current supply line is also known.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the pixel PX includes a first thin film transistor TFT1, which is a switching transistor, a second thin film transistor TFT2, which is a driver transistor, and a capacitor CPR, which are arranged in a region surrounded by the data line DL and the gate line GL. And an organic light emitting element OLED. The gate of the thin film transistor TFT1 is connected to the gate line GL, and the drain is connected to the data line DL. The gate of the thin film transistor TFT2 is connected to the source of the thin film transistor TFT1, and one electrode (+ electrode) of the capacitor CPR is connected to this connection point.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram for further explaining the configuration of the display device of FIG. 9 having the pixel configuration of FIG. The drain of the thin film transistor TFT2 is connected to the current supply line CSL, and the source is connected to the first electrode (here, anode) AD of the organic light emitting element OLED. The other end (− pole) of the capacitor CPR is connected to a common potential line COML branched from the common potential line bus line COMB. The data line DL is driven by the data driving circuit DDR, and the scanning line (gate line) GL is driven by the scanning driving circuit GDR. Further, the current supply line CSL is connected to an external current source via the current supply circuit CSS of FIG. 8 or a terminal via the current supply bus line CSLB.

  10 and 11, when one pixel PX is selected by the scanning line GL and the thin film transistor TFT1 is turned on, an image signal supplied from the data line DL is accumulated in the capacitor CPR. When the thin film transistor TFT1 is turned off, the thin film transistor TFT2 is turned on, the current from the current supply line CSL flows to the organic light emitting element OLED, and this current is maintained for almost one frame period. The current flowing at this time is defined by the signal charge accumulated in the capacitor CPR.

  The operation level of the capacitor CPR is defined by the potential of the common potential line COML. Thereby, light emission of the pixel is controlled. The current flowing out from the organic light emitting element OLED flows from the cathode CD to a current drawing line (not shown).

  In this method, since it is necessary to provide the common potential line COML through a part of the pixel region, a so-called aperture ratio is lowered, and an improvement in brightness of the entire display device is suppressed.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 11 for schematically explaining another configuration example of a conventional display device using an OLED. In this example, the basic arrangement of the thin film transistors TFT1 and TFT2 and the capacitor CPR constituting each pixel is the same as that in FIG. 9, but differs in that the other end of the capacitor CPR is connected to the current supply line CSL.

  That is, when one pixel PX is selected by the scanning line GL and the thin film transistor TFT1 is turned on, an image signal supplied from the data line DL is accumulated in the capacitor CPR, and when the thin film transistor TFT1 is turned off, the thin film transistor TFT2 is turned on. A current from the current supply line CSL flows to the organic light emitting element OLED, and this current is maintained for almost one frame period (or one field period) as in FIG. The current flowing at this time is defined by the signal charge accumulated in the capacitor CPR. The operation level of the capacitor CPR is defined by the potential of the current supply line CSL. Thereby, light emission of the pixel is controlled.

  In the display device of this type described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, the source electrode of the thin film transistor TFT2 that becomes the first electrode (for example, the anode, hereinafter also referred to as the first electrode layer) AD of the organic light emitting element OLED is ITO (indium). The first electrode AD of each pixel PX is individually separated.

  In addition, since the second electrode (for example, a cathode, also referred to as a second electrode layer hereinafter) CD constituting the light emitting element is located in the uppermost layer of the element, there is a possibility that corrosion is caused by direct contact with the outside air. Usually, the second electrode layer is formed on a common solid film for all pixels and needs to be electrically connected to the outside. When the terminal for supplying current to the second electrode layer CD is directly drawn out to the terminal portion (terminal pad) of the substrate by extending the second electrode layer, it is in contact with outside air in the vicinity of the terminal portion. Corrosion is likely to occur.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure in the vicinity of one pixel of a display device using an organic light emitting element. In this display device, on a glass substrate SUB, a polysilicon semiconductor layer PSI suitable for low-temperature polysilicon, a first insulating layer IS1, a gate wiring (gate electrode) GL as a scanning wiring, a second insulating layer IS2, A source electrode SD, a third insulating layer IS3, a protective film PSV, a first electrode layer AD, an organic light emitting layer OLE, and a second electrode layer CD are formed by stacking aluminum electrodes.

  When a thin film transistor composed of the polysilicon semiconductor layer PSI, the gate wiring GL, and the source electrode SD (this thin film transistor is a driver transistor) is selected, the first electrode layer AD, the organic light emitting layer OLE, and the first electrode layer AD connected to the source electrode SD are selected. The organic light emitting element formed by the second electrode layer CD emits light, and the light L is emitted from the substrate SUB side to the outside.

  At this time, if the second electrode layer CD of the pixel is partially corroded or deteriorated, the current flowing from the current supply line CSL is not sufficiently supplied, or flows around the pixel, and the light emission is insufficient. Will not emit light at all. As a result, display defects such as so-called point defects and area defects are brought about.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a display device which can improve the power supply structure to the second electrode layer constituting the pixel, prevent corrosion of the second electrode layer, and enable high quality display. .

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a second electrode layer and a terminal pad formed at an end of one side of the substrate and electrically connected to the second electrode layer. The contact hole that is connected to the second electrode connection electrode layer that is provided on the other side different from that of the electrode electrode and that is covered with the protective film is located away from the position of the terminal pad. It was.

With this configuration, it is possible to provide a highly reliable display device that prevents corrosion of the cathode and enables high-quality display. A more specific configuration example of the present invention will be described as follows. That is,
(1) A plurality of pixels PX provided at each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines GL arranged in a matrix in the sealing region SL on the substrate SUB and a plurality of data lines DL intersecting the plurality of scanning lines GL. Display area AR, consisting of
A scanning drive circuit GDR for supplying a scanning signal to the plurality of scanning lines GL provided in the sealing region SL on the substrate SUB and outside the display region AR, and a data signal to the plurality of data lines DL Data drive circuit DDR,
A plurality of current supply lines CSL for supplying current to the light emitting elements OLED provided in each of the pixels PX, and a data driving circuit is provided on the first side of the substrate SUB, and the sealing region on the first side A first terminal pad PAD1 provided outside the SL and electrically connected to the data driving circuit DDR, a second terminal pad PAD2 electrically connected to the scan driving circuit GDR, and the plurality A display device including a third terminal pad PAD3 electrically connected to the current supply line CSL of
In each of the plurality of pixels PX, the first active element TFT1 turned on by the scanning signal supplied to one of the plurality of scanning lines GL, and the first active element TFT1 according to the turn-on of the first active element TFT1. A data holding element CPR that holds a data signal supplied from one of the data lines DL, and supplies the current from the current supply line CSL to the light emitting element OLED according to the data signal held in the data holding element CPR. A pixel circuit having a second active element TFT2 for emitting the light emitting element OLED;
A first electrode layer AD formed on a protective film PSV covering the pixel circuit and receiving the current from the second active element TFT2, the light emitting element OLED provided in each of the plurality of pixels PX; An organic light emitting layer OLE formed on the first electrode layer AD, and a second electrode layer CD formed on the organic light emitting layer OLE and covering the plurality of pixels PX,
In the sealing region SL along the second side different from the first side of the substrate SUB, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB electrically connected to the second electrode layer CD is provided in the second region. The second electrode layer CD is contacted with the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB through the contact hole CNT formed in the protective film PSV. ,
The second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB is connected to the sealing region SL on the first side of the substrate SUB by a second electrode connection electrode lead-out line CNTL extending from the second side to the first side of the substrate SUB. Electrical connection was made to the fourth terminal pads PAD4 provided on the outer sides.

(2) In (1), the plurality of current supply lines CSL are formed by being covered with the protective film PSV in the sealing region SL on the other side different from the first side of the substrate SUB. Electrically connected to the current supply line bus line CSB,
The current supply line bus line CSB was electrically connected to the third terminal pad PAD3 by a current supply line routing line CSLL extending from the other side of the substrate SUB to the first side.

(3) In (2), both the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB and the current supply line bus line CSB are provided on the insulating layer IS formed in the pixel circuit and covered with the protective film PSV did.

(4) In (2), the second side of the substrate SUB is adjacent to the first side of the substrate SUB, and the other side of the substrate SUB is adjacent to the second side of the substrate SUB. In addition, the first side faces the display area AR.

(5) In (4), the current supply line routing line CSLL is connected to the display area AR and the second electrode connection on the side along the second side of the substrate SUB in the sealing area SL. It was formed so as to be sandwiched between electrode layers CNTB.

(6) In (5), the scanning drive circuit GDR and the data drive circuit DDR are connected to the first side of the substrate SUB and to the second side via the display area AR. And provided on the third side opposite to.

In (7) and (2), both the second side and the other side of the substrate SUB are opposed to the first side of the substrate SUB via the display area AR.

(8) In (7), the current supply line bus line CSB is connected to the display area AR and the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB in the sealing area SL along the second side of the substrate SUB. It was formed so as to be sandwiched between.

(9) In (8), the second electrode connection electrode routing line CNTL and the current supply line routing line CSLL are arranged on the third side adjacent to the first side and the second side of the substrate SUB, respectively. The current supply line routing line CSLL is formed between the display area AR and the second electrode connection electrode routing line CNTL.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration and the configurations of the embodiments described later, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea of the present invention. Other objects and configurations of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the embodiments described later.

  According to the present invention, corrosion in the vicinity of the electrode layer constituting the pixel of the display device and its terminals is prevented, so that no display defect occurs. In addition, it is possible to provide a display device that can stably and sufficiently supply current through the current supply line and enables high-quality display.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings of the examples. Although not shown, the organic light emitting layer included in each pixel described below has a luminance proportional to the current value and emits light in a color (including white) depending on the organic material to perform monochrome or color display. In some cases, a white light emitting organic layer is combined with color filters such as red, green, and blue to perform color display.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a first embodiment of a display device according to the present invention. The display device of this embodiment includes a scanning drive circuit GDR and a data drive circuit DDR on a glass substrate SUB.

  Then, one pixel is formed in a region surrounded by the scanning line GL driven (scanned) by the scanning driving circuit GDR formed in the matrix, the data line DL driven by the data driving circuit DDR, and the current supply line CSL. Is done. Further, terminal pads PAD1 and PAD2 for supplying signals and voltages from an external circuit to the data drive circuit DDR and the scan drive circuit GDR are formed on one side of the substrate SUB.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a pixel circuit of one pixel in FIG. In the schematic configuration of this embodiment, one pixel is formed in a region surrounded by the data line DL (m + 1), the scanning lines GL (n + 1), GL (n), and the current supply line CSL. Here, the scanning line currently scanned (selected) will be described as GL (n + 1).

  Attention is paid to the pixel PX among a plurality of pixels selected by the scanning line GL (n + 1). The first thin film transistor TFT1, which is an active element, is a switching transistor, and the second thin film transistor TFT2 is a driver transistor. The gate of the first thin film transistor TFT1 is connected to the scanning line GL (n + 1), the drain is connected to the data line DL (m + 1), and the source is connected to the gate of the second thin film transistor TFT2.

  The drain of the second thin film transistor TFT2 is connected to a current supply line CSL to which current is supplied from the current supply line bus line CSB shown in FIG. The source is connected to the first electrode layer AD of the OLED 24. One terminal of a capacitor CPR as a data signal holding element is connected to a connection point between the source of the first thin film transistor TFT1 and the gate of the second thin film transistor TFT2, and the other terminal is connected to the immediately preceding scanning line GL (n). Has been.

  In the circuit configuration of one pixel shown in FIG. 2, one terminal of the capacitor CPR connected to the connection point between the source of the first thin film transistor TFT1 and the gate of the second thin film transistor TFT2 is a positive electrode, and the scanning line GL ( The other terminal connected to n) is a negative pole.

  The organic light emitting element OLED has an organic light emitting layer (not shown) sandwiched between the first electrode layer AD and the second electrode layer CD, and the first electrode layer AD is composed of the second thin film transistor TFT2. The second electrode layer CD is formed over all pixels and connected to the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB in FIG.

  The second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB is a so-called current extraction wiring (electrode), and is formed in the same layer as the terminal pads PAD1 and PAD2 in the lower layer of the substrate. The second electrode layer CD is formed by a contact hole CNT. Connected to a terminal PAD4 formed in the same layer as the terminal pads PAD1 and PAD2 through a second electrode connection electrode routing line CNTL.

  The current supply line CSL which is the wiring of the first electrode layer is also connected to the terminal PAD3 formed in the same layer as the terminal pads PAD1 and PAD2 through the current supply line bus line CSB and the current supply line routing line CSLL. Yes. The second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB is disposed on the outer side of the substrate than the current supply line bus line CSB and on the inner side of the sealing region SL of the substrate indicated by a dotted line.

  In this way, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB that connects the second electrode layer CD with the contact hole CNT is disposed outside the substrate SUB and inside the seal region with respect to the current supply line bus line CSB. The layout on the board in the method of connecting to an external circuit on one side via the flexible printed board becomes easy.

  When the first thin film transistor TFT1 is turned on, the data signal written to the capacitor CPR and held as the charge amount is supplied with the current from the current supply line CSL when the second thin film transistor TFT2 is turned on when the first thin film transistor TFT1 is turned off. A current amount controlled by the amount of charge held in CPR (indicating the gradation of the data signal) is passed through the organic light emitting element OLE.

  The organic light emitting element OLED emits light with a luminance approximately proportional to the amount of current supplied and a color depending on the material of the organic light emitting layer OLE constituting the organic light emitting element. In the case of color display, the organic light emitting layer material is usually changed for each of red, green, and blue pixels, or a combination of a white organic light emitting layer material and a color filter of each color is used.

  The data signal may be given in an analog amount or a time-division digital amount. The gradation control may be combined with an area gradation method in which the area of each pixel of red, green, and blue is divided.

  In the present embodiment, the current supply line bus line CSB and the second electrode which is a current extraction wiring formed in common for all the pixels in which the current flowing out from the second electrode layer CD is formed in the lower layer of the substrate after the light emission operation of each pixel circuit. The connection electrode layer CNTB is configured to flow out from the terminal pad PAD4 to the external circuit through the second electrode connection electrode lead line CNTL.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second electrode layer CD common to all the pixels formed on the upper layer is connected to the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB through the contact hole CNT. The second electrode connection electrode routing line CNTL is also formed in the same layer as the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB.

  Normally, this type of display device employs a sealing structure using a can or the like in order to ensure reliability. The substrate SUB is provided with a seal region for adhering the sealed can. The second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB and the second electrode connection electrode routing line CNTL are formed inside the seal region. At least the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB is disposed outside the current supply line bus line CSB.

  The second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB or the like is formed in the lower layer of the substrate, and an insulating layer or a protective film is laminated thereon. Therefore, the second electrode connection electrode layer, preferably the second electrode connection electrode layer is preferably used. Since there is no contact with the outside air including the rotating line and corrosion is prevented, the display device can be provided with improved reliability and high-quality display. The number of the contact holes may be one, but a plurality of contact holes are provided in the present embodiment because more current can be stably supplied.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of one pixel for explaining the light emission mechanism of the display device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a connection portion between the second electrode layer and the second electrode connection electrode layer. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 correspond to the same parts. In addition, an arrow indicated by reference symbol I in the figure indicates a path of current that contributes to light emission.

  The thin film transistor TFT2 is a driver transistor. When the thin film transistor TFT2 is selected by the gate line GL, the current I having the gradation current value corresponding to the data signal held in the capacitor is organically transmitted through the thin film transistor TFT2 from the current supply line branched from the current supply line bus line. It is supplied to the first electrode layer AD of the light emitting element OLED.

  In the organic light emitting device OLED, electrons from the second electrode layer CD and holes from the first electrode layer AD are recombined in the organic light emitting layer OLE, and a spectrum corresponding to the material characteristics of the organic light emitting layer OLE. The light L is emitted. The first electrode layer AD is independent for each pixel, but the second electrode layer CD is formed in a solid film shape for all pixels. The current I passing through the organic light emitting element OLED from the thin film transistor TFT2 passes through the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB shown in FIG. 4 from the second electrode layer CD to the terminal pad PAD4 from the second electrode connection electrode lead line CNTL in FIG. leak. A large number of such pixels are arranged in a matrix to form a two-dimensional display device.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the second embodiment of the display device according to the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 correspond to the same functional parts. In this embodiment, the two terminal pads PAD3 and PAD3 ′ of the current supply line bus line CSB connecting the current supply line CSL and the terminal pad PAD4 of the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB are used as the terminal pad PAD1 of the data driving circuit and scanning. It is provided on the side opposite to the one side of the substrate on which the terminal pad PAD2 of the driving circuit GDR is disposed.

  Also in this embodiment, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB for connecting the second electrode layer CD with the contact hole CNT is disposed outside the substrate SUB and inside the seal region with respect to the current supply line bus line CSB. This facilitates layout on the board.

  As in this embodiment, the current supply line routing line CSLL routed from the current supply line bus line CSB to the terminal pads PAD3 and PAD3 ′, and the second electrode connecting the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB and the terminal pad PAD4. Since the length of the connection electrode routing line CNTL on the substrate is shortened, more uniform current supply and current extraction are possible. Thereby, the light emission distribution in the display area becomes uniform, and a higher quality display can be obtained. Note that the number of current supply line routing lines CSLL is two, but either one may be used. As shown in FIG. 5, when the current supply line routing line CSLL is drawn out from one and the other of the current supply line bus lines CSB to form two lines, there is an effect that the symmetry is improved.

  According to the present embodiment, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB for connecting the second electrode layer CD with the contact hole CNT is disposed outside the substrate SUB and inside the seal region with respect to the current supply line bus line CSB. In addition, the layout on the board in the method of connecting to an external circuit on two opposite sides through the flexible printed board becomes easy.

  In addition, since the wiring pattern in the vicinity of the seal region is reduced due to the configuration of the present embodiment, there is less shielding material for UV light when UV curing the seal material, and the seal material is effectively cured. be able to. Thereby, reliable sealing becomes possible and the reliability of the display device can be further improved.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the third embodiment of the display device according to the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 correspond to the same functional parts. In this embodiment, the pad PAD3 of the current supply line bus line CSB connecting the current supply line CSL and the terminal pad PAD4 of the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB are used as the terminal pad PAD1 of the data driving circuit and the terminal pad PAD2 of the scanning driving circuit GDR. Are arranged at both ends of one side of the substrate on which is disposed.

  Similar to the first to second embodiments, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB for connecting the second electrode layer CD with the contact hole CNT is located outside the substrate SUB from the current supply line bus line CSB and in the seal region. Placed inside. Since other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 1, repeated description is omitted.

  Also in this embodiment, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB for connecting the second electrode layer CD with the contact hole CNT is disposed outside the substrate SUB and inside the seal region with respect to the current supply line bus line CSB. Thus, the layout on the board in the method of connecting to an external circuit on one side via the flexible printed board becomes easy.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the display device according to the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 correspond to the same functional parts. In this embodiment, the pad PAD3 of the current supply line bus line CSB connecting the current supply line CSL and the terminal pad PAD4 of the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB are used as the terminal pad PAD1 of the data driving circuit and the terminal pad PAD2 of the scanning driving circuit GDR. Is provided on the side opposite to the one side of the substrate.

  Similar to the first to third embodiments, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB for connecting the second electrode layer CD with the contact hole CNT is located outside the substrate SUB with respect to the current supply line bus line CSB and in the seal region. Placed inside.

  Also in this embodiment, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB for connecting the second electrode layer CD with the contact hole CNT is disposed outside the substrate SUB and inside the seal region with respect to the current supply line bus line CSB. Thus, the layout on the board in the method of connecting to the external circuit on the two opposite sides via the flexible printed board becomes easy. Since other structures are the same as those in FIG. 6, repeated description will be omitted.

  As in this embodiment, the current supply line routing line CSLL routed from the current supply line bus line CSB to the terminal pad PAD3, and the second electrode connection electrode lead connecting the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB and the terminal pad PAD4. Since the drawing length of the turning line CNTL on the substrate is shortened, more uniform current supply and current drawing are possible. Thereby, the light emission distribution in the display area becomes uniform, and a higher quality display can be obtained.

  In addition, since the wiring pattern in the vicinity of the seal region is reduced due to the configuration of the present embodiment, there is less shielding material for UV light when UV curing the seal material, and the seal material is effectively cured. be able to. Thereby, reliable sealing becomes possible and the reliability of the display device can be further improved.

  In the second to fourth embodiments described above, the current supply line routing line CSLL and the second electrode connection electrode routing line CNTL, which are current paths, each form a sufficiently thick wiring in a wide area on the substrate. And a stable current path can be secured. In particular, as in the second and fourth embodiments, when the distance from the pad is short, a more stable current path can be secured.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the display device according to the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 correspond to the same functional parts. In this embodiment, on the substrate, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB is adjacent to the side where the terminals PAD1 to 4 are disposed, on the side opposite to the gate scanning drive circuit GDR, and on the current supply line routing line. Provided outside the CSLL.

  According to this embodiment, the second electrode connection electrode layer CNTB for connecting the second electrode layer CD with the contact hole CNT is connected to the substrate SUB more than the current supply line routing line CSLL for routing the current supply line bus line CSB to the terminal pad PAD3. By arranging the outer side and the inner side of the seal region, the layout is symmetrical with the gate scanning drive circuit GDR, and the arrangement can be balanced as a whole. Since other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 1, repeated description is omitted.

  Moreover, since the lead length of the terminal pad PAD4 and the second electrode connection electrode lead line CNTL on the substrate is shortened as in the present embodiment, more uniform current supply and current draw are possible. Thereby, the light emission distribution in the display area becomes uniform, and a higher quality display can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, each of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer can correspond to the cathode layer and the anode layer. However, the present invention similarly applies to a structure in which these are interchanged. Applicable. Further, the present invention is not limited to the display device using the above-described OLED, and can be similarly applied to other display devices that perform display by the same light emitting operation as that of the OLED.

It is a block diagram which illustrates typically the structure of 1st Example of the display apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram of the pixel circuit of 1 pixel in FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of one pixel explaining the light emission mechanism of the display apparatus by this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the connection part of the 2nd electrode layer of a display apparatus by this invention, and a 2nd electrode connection electrode layer. It is a block diagram which illustrates typically the structure of 2nd Example of the display apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram which illustrates typically the structure of 3rd Example of the display apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram which illustrates typically the structure of 4th Example of the display apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram which illustrates typically the structure of 5th Example of the display apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of the conventional display apparatus using an organic light emitting element. It is explanatory drawing of the pixel structure in FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for further explaining the configuration of the display device of FIG. 9 having the pixel configuration of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 11 for schematically explaining another configuration example of a conventional display device using an organic light emitting element. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of 1 pixel vicinity of the display apparatus using an organic light emitting element.

Explanation of symbols

SUB substrate GL Gate line (scanning line)
DL data line CSL current supply line CSB current supply line bus line CSLL current supply line routing line CD cathode CNT contact hole CNTB cathode connection electrode layer CNTL cathode connection electrode routing line AD anode OLE organic light emitting layer OLED organic light emitting element

Claims (1)

A plurality of pixels, a scanning line, a data line that supplies a data signal to the pixel, a current supply line that supplies a current to the pixel, a scanning drive circuit that supplies a scanning signal to the scanning line, and a data line A data driving circuit for supplying a signal,
The plurality of pixels constitute a display area,
The pixel is
A light emitting element;
A current layer disposed under the light emitting element through a protective film and electrically connected to the current supply line, the data line, and the light emitting element, and a current flowing between the current supply line and the light emitting element is the data signal An active element controlled by the size of
The light-emitting element includes a first electrode layer, an organic light-emitting layer formed on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the organic light-emitting layer,
The data driving circuit is disposed on the substrate between a first side of the substrate on which an external terminal to which a flexible printed circuit board is connected and the display region is disposed, and the scanning driving circuit is adjacent to the first side. Arranged on the substrate of the side to be
A second electrode electrically connected to the second electrode layer in a sealing region between a second side different from the first side of the substrate and the display region and below the protective film; An electrode connection electrode layer,
The external terminal includes a terminal connected to the data driving circuit, a terminal connected to the scan driving circuit, a terminal connected to the current supply line, and a terminal connected to the second electrode connection electrode layer. ,
The display device, wherein the second electrode layer and the second electrode connection electrode layer are connected through a plurality of contact holes formed on the second electrode connection electrode layer.

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