JP5763321B2 - Organic EL device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an organic EL device, and more particularly to an organic EL device characterized by a light emitting method.

  In recent years, display devices and illumination devices using organic EL (EL) elements as organic light emitting elements have been developed for practical use.

  Conventionally, an organic EL lighting panel in which a flexible film or a wire is used as a lead wire and a power source is connected to the organic EL element is known. In a conventional organic EL device, an organic EL layer sandwiched between an anode and a cathode is disposed on a substrate, and like a display panel, an anode terminal electrode is provided on any or all four sides of a quadrangular panel, The cathode terminal electrode is disposed at the corner of the diagonal line. The anode is connected to the anode terminal electrode, and the cathode is connected to the cathode terminal electrode. For example, a flexible cable is provided on the anode terminal electrode and the cathode terminal electrode, and is connected to a terminal of the flexible cable.

  In the conventional organic EL device, a current-concentrated portion of the anode-cathode current that conducts the anode terminal electrode and the cathode terminal electrode is generated particularly in the peripheral portion surrounding the anode terminal electrode. This current concentration portion generates significant heat and forms a heat spot due to positive feedback in which the current density further increases as the temperature rises. In-plane non-uniform heat distribution of the organic EL panel, non-uniform in-plane of the organic EL panel This is the cause of the illumination luminance distribution.

  On the other hand, current injection methods for organic EL light-emitting devices, organic EL lighting devices, and organic EL light-emitting devices that suppress variations in light emission luminance have already been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, the organic EL layer is sandwiched, the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are arranged in a tubular shape, and the electric resistance values of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are configured to be equal, thereby suppressing variations in light emission luminance.

JP 2009-289742 A

  In order to obtain a uniform illumination luminance distribution from the light emitting surface of the organic EL device, the surface is made uniform by equalizing the current conducted between the cathode and anode electrodes sandwiching the organic EL layer, and by equalizing the temperature of the cathode and anode electrodes. A uniform heat distribution is essential. However, the transparent electrode that constitutes the anode electrode of the organic EL device has a high sheet resistance. Therefore, the current decreases and varies in the transparent electrode that constitutes the anode electrode, and the in-plane emission luminance distribution from the light emitting surface is not uniform. It tends to be uniform.

  The inventor of the present invention actively utilizes the high sheet resistance of the transparent electrode constituting the anode electrode of such a conventional organic EL device, and uses the non-uniformity of the in-plane luminance distribution from the light emitting surface. The EL device was examined, and it was found that an organic EL device having a feature in a light emitting method in which the light emitting surface emits gradation light can be realized.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL device characterized by a light emitting method in which a light emitting surface emits gradation light.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a substrate made of a transparent substrate, Rutotomoni disposed on the substrate, a first electrode layer made of a transparent electrode, disposed on the first electrode layer on the organic and EL layer, wherein disposed on the organic EL layer Rutotomoni, a second electrode layer composed of a transparent electrode, the second is located on the electrode layer Rutotomoni, a sealing layer made of a transparent substrate, A first terminal electrode connected to the first electrode layer; a second terminal electrode connected to the first electrode layer spaced apart from the first terminal electrode; and a second terminal electrode connected to the second electrode layer A three-terminal electrode; a first voltage controller connected to the first terminal electrode; supplying a first control voltage to the first terminal electrode to control a potential of the first terminal electrode; and the second terminal Connected to an electrode, supplying a second control voltage to the second terminal electrode, A second voltage control unit for controlling, wherein the first voltage control unit and the second voltage control unit use the third terminal electrode as a ground potential, and set the potentials of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode, respectively. And controlling the potential distribution in the first electrode layer to control the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer including a non-light emitting state, a gradation light emitting state, and a uniform light emitting state. The first control voltage value and the second control voltage value are set between 0 and the first threshold value, between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and between the second threshold value and the third threshold value. By setting and combining each between the non-light-emitting state, the gradation light-emitting state, and the uniform light-emitting state, the control is performed to change to any one of the non-light-emitting state, the uniform light-emitting state , The sheet resistance of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is 1 The organic EL device is provided at Omega / □ or more.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a substrate made of a transparent substrate, Rutotomoni disposed on the substrate, a first electrode layer made of a transparent electrode, disposed on the first electrode layer an organic EL layer, wherein disposed on the organic EL layer Rutotomoni, a second electrode layer composed of a transparent electrode, Rutotomoni is disposed on the second electrode layer, a sealing layer made of a transparent substrate A first terminal electrode connected to the first electrode layer, a third terminal electrode connected to the second electrode layer, and a first control voltage connected to the first terminal electrode. And a first voltage control unit for controlling the potential of the first terminal electrode, wherein the first voltage control unit sets the third terminal electrode as a ground potential and sets the potential of the first terminal electrode as a ground potential. Controlling the first light emission state to include a non-light emission state, a gradation light emission state, and a uniform light emission state. When controlling the electric potential distribution in the electrode layer and controlling the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer including the non-light emitting state, the gradation light emitting state, and the uniform light emitting state, the first control voltage value is Set between 0 and the first threshold, between the first threshold and the second threshold, and between the second threshold and the third threshold, respectively. The sheet resistance of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is controlled so as to change to any one of the non-light emitting state, the gradation light emitting state, and the uniform light emitting state . An organic EL device having 10Ω / □ or more is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a substrate made of a transparent substrate, Rutotomoni disposed on the substrate, a first electrode layer made of a transparent electrode, disposed on the first electrode layer an organic EL layer, wherein disposed on the organic EL layer Rutotomoni, a second electrode layer composed of a transparent electrode, Rutotomoni is disposed on the second electrode layer, a sealing layer made of a transparent substrate , A plurality of terminal electrodes connected to the first electrode layer, a third terminal electrode connected to the second electrode layer, and connected to the plurality of terminal electrodes, and supply a control voltage to each of the terminal electrodes And a voltage control unit that controls the potential of each of the terminal electrodes, and the voltage control unit sets the third terminal electrode as a fixed potential, controls the potentials of the plurality of terminal electrodes, and does not emit light. State, gradation light emission state, and uniform light emission state When controlling the potential distribution in the first electrode layer and controlling the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer, the control voltage value is set between 0 and the first threshold value, The non-light emitting state, the gradation light emitting state, and the combination of the non-light emitting state, the gradation light emitting state, and the combination between the second threshold value and the second threshold value, respectively, and between the second threshold value and the third threshold value. The organic EL device is controlled so as to change to any one of the uniform light emission states, and the sheet resistance of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is 10Ω / □ or more. .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the light emission surface can carry out gradation light emission, and the organic EL apparatus which has the characteristics in the light-emitting method can be provided.

1 is a schematic plane pattern configuration diagram of an organic EL device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram taken along line II in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. The typical block block diagram of the control circuit of the organic EL apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a principle description of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) The figure which shows the relationship between the brightness | luminance IL and the applied voltage V, (b) In applied voltage V = 0-VA, Schematic diagram of light emitting surface in non-light emitting state, (c) Schematic diagram of light emitting surface at gradation light emission when applied voltage V = VA to VB, (d) Light emitting surface in uniform light emitting state at applied voltage V = VB to VC FIG. In the organic EL device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) an operation waveform diagram of a first control voltage V1 (+), (b) an operation waveform diagram of a second control voltage V2 (+). It is the light emission pattern example of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) The schematic diagram of the light emission surface of a non-light-emission (OFF) state, (b) The light emission surface model of gradation light emission example 1 (C) Schematic diagram of light emission surface of gradation light emission example 2, (d) Schematic diagram of light emission surface in uniform light emission (ON) state, (e) Schematic diagram of light emission surface of gradation light emission example 3, (f) Gradation FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a light emitting surface of a light emitting example 4. The circuit structural example of the voltage control part using the sine wave generation circuit of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 9 is a waveform example showing a voltage change range ΔV in the circuit configuration of FIG. The typical plane pattern structure of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the typical block block diagram of a control circuit. The typical bird's-eye view which shows the state which curved the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention in the curved surface shape. FIG. 6 is a schematic block configuration diagram of a schematic planar pattern configuration of an organic EL device and a control circuit according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. (A) A schematic plane pattern configuration of an organic EL device according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a schematic block configuration diagram of a control circuit, (b) according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. The typical plane pattern block diagram of an organic electroluminescent apparatus. It is a light emission pattern of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) The schematic diagram of the gradation light emission example 1 of the light emission surface obtained by applying a voltage to the 1st terminal electrode 12a, ( b) Schematic diagram of gradation light emission example 2 of light emitting surface obtained by applying voltage to second terminal electrode 12b, (c) Gradation light emission example of light emitting surface obtained by applying voltage to fourth terminal electrode 12c 3 is a schematic diagram of (d) gradation light emission example 4 of a light emitting surface obtained by applying a voltage to the fifth terminal electrode 12d, and (e) a voltage is applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the fourth terminal electrode 12c. Schematic diagram of gradation light emission example 5 of light emitting surface obtained by applying, (f) Schematic diagram of gradation light emission example 6 of light emitting surface obtained by applying a voltage to second terminal electrode 12b and fifth terminal electrode 12d (G) Second terminal electrode 12b Schematic diagram of gradation light emission example 7 of the light emitting surface obtained by applying a voltage to the fourth terminal electrode 12c, and (h) light emission obtained by applying a voltage to the first terminal electrode 12a and the fifth terminal electrode 12d. The schematic diagram of the gradation light emission example 8 of a surface. The typical plane pattern structure of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention, and the typical block block diagram of a control circuit. It is an example of the light emission pattern of the organic EL device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) The schematic diagram of the non-light-emission state of the light emission surface of the organic EL device 2a, (b) The light emission surface of the organic EL device 2b The schematic diagram of the gradation light emission state of (2), (c) The schematic diagram of another gradation light emission state of the light emission surface of the organic EL apparatus 2c, (d) The schematic diagram of the uniform light emission state of the light emission surface of the organic EL apparatus 2d. The typical plane pattern structure of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention, and the typical block block diagram of a control circuit. A light-emitting pattern of the organic EL device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, (a) schematic drawing of the gradation emitting Example 1 of the light emitting surface obtained by applying a voltage only to the terminal electrodes 12 _1, ( b) Schematic diagram of gradation light emission example 2 of light emitting surface obtained by applying voltage only to terminal electrode 12 ₂ , (c) Gradient light emission example of light emitting surface obtained by applying voltage only to terminal electrode 12 ₃ schematic diagram of a 3, (d) a schematic view of the terminal electrodes 12 of the light emitting surface obtained by applying a voltage only to ₄ gradient emitting example 4, obtained by applying a voltage only to the (e) the terminal electrode 12 _n-1 The schematic diagram of gradation light emission example n-1 of the obtained light emission surface, (f) The schematic diagram of gradation light emission example n of the light emission surface obtained by applying a voltage only to the terminal electrode 12 _n . The typical plane pattern structure of the organic electroluminescent apparatus which concerns on the modification of the 5th Embodiment of this invention, and the typical block block diagram of a control circuit. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an organic EL device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the organic EL device including a surface capacitive touch panel. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an organic EL device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, which is provided with a projected capacitive touch panel. The organic EL device which is an organic EL device concerning an 8th embodiment of the present invention, and is provided with a resistive touch panel.

  Next, first to seventh embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and the planar dimensions, the ratio of the thickness of each layer, and the like are different from the actual ones. Therefore, specific thicknesses and dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

  Also, the following first to seventh embodiments exemplify apparatuses and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention are components. The material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. are not specified below. Various modifications can be made to the embodiment of the present invention within the scope of the claims.

[First embodiment]
(Organic EL device)
A schematic plane pattern configuration of the organic EL device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is expressed as shown in FIG. 1, and a schematic cross-sectional structure taken along line II of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. A schematic cross-sectional structure taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 is expressed as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment is disposed on the substrate 10, the first electrode layer 12 disposed on the substrate 10, and the first electrode layer 12. The organic EL layer 14, the second electrode layer 16 disposed on the organic EL layer 14, the sealing layer 20 disposed on the second electrode layer 16, and the first electrode layer 12 connected to the first electrode layer 12. A first terminal electrode 12 a, a second terminal electrode 12 b connected to the first electrode layer 12, and a third terminal electrode 16 a connected to the second electrode layer 16 are provided apart from the first terminal electrode 12 a. In the above description, two examples of the number of terminal electrodes connected to the first electrode layer 12 apart from each other are shown, but three or more terminal electrodes may be used.

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment, the third terminal electrode 16a is set to the ground potential, the potentials of the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b are controlled, and the first electrode layer 12 The potential distribution is controlled, and the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer 14 is controlled.

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, the substrate 10 has a square shape, and the first terminal electrode 12 a and the second terminal electrode 12 b are mutually connected. Arranged on opposite sides.

  It is possible to control the voltage distribution applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b, to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12, and to control the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer 14. it can. That is, the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer 14 can be controlled by increasing or decreasing the value of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b.

  In addition, the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b is temporally controlled to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12, and the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer 14 is changed over time. Can also be controlled.

  The temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b may be periodic. The period when the potential changes of the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b are performed periodically is preferably, for example, about 1 to 10 seconds, particularly about 2 seconds to 5 seconds.

  The temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b may be aperiodic. When the power supply 30 is turned on / off, the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b may change gently to some extent. It is desirable that the time required for the voltage to change gently is, for example, about 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds, particularly about 1 second to 5 seconds.

  As the substrate 10, for example, a glass substrate can be applied as a transparent substrate that transmits light. The thickness is, for example, about 0.1 to 1.1 mm. The substrate 10 can be made flexible by using a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

  The first electrode layer 12 can be formed of a transparent electrode made of ITO (indium-tin oxide) having a thickness of, for example, about 150 to 160 nm. The first electrode layer 12 can also be formed of IZO (indium-zinc oxide), ATO (antimony oxide), or PEDOT-PSS.

  In the organic EL layer 14, for example, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer are sequentially stacked from the substrate 10 side.

  The hole transport layer is a layer for smoothly transporting holes injected from the first electrode layer 12 to the light emitting layer. For example, NPB (N, N-di (naphthalyl)) having a thickness of about 60 nm is used. -N, N-diphenyl-benzylidene).

The electron transport layer is a layer for smoothly transporting electrons injected from the second electrode layer 16 to the light emitting layer, and may be formed of, for example, Alq ₃ (aluminum quinolinol complex) having a thickness of about 35 nm. it can.

The light emitting layer is a layer for emitting light by recombination of injected holes and electrons. For example, the light emitting layer is doped with about 1% of a coumarin compound (C545T) as a light emitting species and has a thickness of about 30 nm. it can be formed by Alq _3.

  In addition, you may comprise the organic EL layer 14 using layers other than the said positive hole transport layer and an electron carrying layer, for example, a positive hole injection layer, an electron injection layer, etc.

  The second electrode layer 16 can be formed of, for example, a vapor deposition film having a thickness of about 150 nm and a material of, for example, aluminum (Al). In the case of a top emission configuration described later, the transparent electrode is the same as the first electrode layer 12.

Examples of the material of the adhesive layer 22 include a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or a UV curable resin. Preferably, a thermoplastic resin is used. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include resins such as vinyl chloride resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, and polycarbonate. The thermoplastic resin preferably has fluidity than the organic EL layer 14 in a state where the thermoplastic resin is softened by heating. The viscosity of the thermoplastic resin may be, for example, less than about 1 × 10 ⁴ Pa · s (pascal second) when softened by heating. Preferably, the range is about 1 × 10 to 1 × 10 ⁴ Pa · s. Examples of the thermosetting resin include an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, a polyurethane resin, and a melamine resin. Examples of the UV curable resin include acrylic resins, epoxy resins, and polyester resins.

(Sealing structure)
In the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment, an example of a hollow sealing structure having a hollow portion 23 filled with a gas such as an inert gas is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, it is disposed on the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b via the adhesive layer 22, and as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions on the terminal electrode 16a. A desiccant 18 is disposed on the inner wall facing the hollow portion 23 of the sealing layer 20. The organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment is not limited to the hollow sealing structure. You may apply the liquid sealing structure which fills the filler which consists of liquids, such as silicone oil, in the sealed internal space. In addition, a fluid sealing agent such as resin is applied to the substrate surface, and a solid sealing structure is applied in which the sealing agent is cured by a method such as UV light irradiation or heating by stacking glass plates. You may do it.

(Substrate configuration example)
The organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment may have a multi-plate structure in which the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate and the sealing layer 20 is formed of a sealing plate. Here, the substrate 10 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, and the sealing layer 20 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or the like.

  The organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment may have a single plate structure in which the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate and the sealing layer 20 is formed of a sealing film. Here, the substrate 10 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, and the sealing layer 20 is formed of, for example, a CVD oxide film, a CVD nitride film, or the like.

  In order to make the substrate configuration flexible in the multi-plate structure, it is preferable to apply a plastic substrate or the like to both the substrate 10 and the sealing layer 20.

  In order to make the substrate configuration flexible in the single plate structure, a plastic substrate or the like may be applied to the substrate 10.

(Emission composition)
As shown in FIG. 3, the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment has a bottom emission configuration in which the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate having a light emitting surface 24, and the second electrode layer 16 is formed of a metal layer. It has. Here, the substrate 10 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, the second electrode layer 16 is formed of, for example, an aluminum vapor deposition film, and the sealing layer 20 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or the like. Is done.

  Further, the organic EL device 1 according to the first embodiment has a top emission and bottom emission configuration in which the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate, and the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 16 are formed of transparent electrodes. You may have. Here, the substrate 10 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 16 are formed of, for example, ITO, and the sealing layer 20 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate or plastic. It is formed of a substrate or the like. Note that a sealing film may be used as described above.

  The organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment has a top emission configuration in which the substrate 10 is formed of an opaque substrate, the first electrode layer 12 is formed of a metal layer, and the second electrode layer 16 is formed of a transparent electrode. May be provided. Here, the substrate 10 is formed of, for example, a silicon substrate, the first electrode layer 12 is formed of, for example, an aluminum vapor deposition film, the second electrode layer 16 is formed of, for example, ITO, and the sealing layer 20 is For example, it is formed of a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or the like. Similarly, a sealing film may be used. In that case, a plurality of terminal electrodes are connected to the second electrode layer 16 side to control the voltage distribution in the second electrode layer 16.

(Control circuit)
As shown in FIG. 4, the schematic block configuration of the control circuit of the organic EL device according to the first embodiment is connected to the first terminal electrode 12a, and the first control voltage V1 (+ ) To control the potential of the first terminal electrode 12a and to the second terminal electrode 12b, and to the second terminal electrode 12b, the second control voltage V2 (+) is supplied. And a second voltage control unit 28 for controlling the potential of the second terminal electrode 12b.

  The first voltage control unit 26 and the second voltage control unit 28 are connected to a common power supply 30.

  The first voltage control unit 26 and the second voltage control unit 28 may be connected to different power sources.

(Operating principle)
The operating principle of the organic EL device according to the first embodiment is expressed as shown in FIG. The relationship between the luminance IL and the applied voltage V is expressed as shown in FIG. 5A. When the applied voltage V = 0 to VA, the non-light emitting surface 24 is schematically shown in FIG. In the applied voltage V = VA to VB, the light emitting surface 24 in gradation light emission is schematically represented as shown in FIG. 5C, and the applied voltage V = VB to VC is uniformly emitted. The light emitting surface 24 in the state is schematically represented as shown in FIG.

  First, when the third terminal electrode 16a is set to the ground potential and the applied voltage V = 0 to VA is supplied to both the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b, as shown in FIG. The light emitting surface 24 shows a non-light emitting state.

  Next, when the third terminal electrode 16a is set to the ground potential, the applied voltage V = 0 to VA is supplied to the first terminal electrode 12a, and the applied voltage V = VA to VB is supplied to the second terminal electrode 12b. As shown in FIG. 5C, the light emitting surface 24 shows a gradation light emitting state. In the gradation light emission state, the magnitude relationship between the first control voltage V1 (+) supplied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second control voltage V2 (+) supplied to the second terminal electrode 12b is supplied. As long as the applied voltage V is in the range of VA to VB, any of V1 (+)> V2 (+), V1 (+) = V2 (+), and V1 (+) <V2 (+) may be used. In the gradation light emission state, a small amount of holes are injected from the first electrode layer 12 through the hole transport layer into the light emitting portion, and a small amount of electrons from the second electrode layer 16 through the electron transport layer to the light emitting portion. Is injected. A small amount of holes and electrons injected into the light emitting portion recombine to emit light. The emitted light is emitted to the outside through the substrate 10. Due to recombination of a small amount of holes and electrons, the emission luminance is suppressed to a low level, and the light emitting surface 24 exhibits gradation emission characteristics. Further, if the voltages applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b are interchanged, the gradation is reversed.

  Next, when the third terminal electrode 16a is set to the ground potential and the applied voltage V = VB to VC is supplied to both the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b, as shown in FIG. Moreover, the light emitting surface 24 exhibits a uniform light emitting state. Even in the uniform light emission state, the magnitude relationship between the first control voltage V1 (+) supplied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second control voltage V2 (+) supplied to the second terminal electrode 12b is supplied. As long as the applied voltage V is in the range of VB to VC, any of V1 (+)> V2 (+), V1 (+) = V2 (+), and V1 (+) <V2 (+) may be used. In the uniform light emitting state, a large amount of holes are injected from the first electrode layer 12 through the hole transport layer into the light emitting portion, and a large amount of electrons from the second electrode layer 16 through the electron transport layer to the light emitting portion. Is injected. A large amount of holes and electrons injected into the light emitting portion recombine to emit light. The emitted light is emitted to the outside through the substrate 10. Due to the recombination of a large number of holes and electrons, the emission luminance is high, and the light emitting surface 24 exhibits uniform light emission characteristics.

(Operation waveform)
In the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment, an example of the operation waveform of the first control voltage V1 (+) supplied to the first terminal electrode 12a is expressed as shown in FIG. An example of the operation waveform of the second control voltage V2 (+) supplied to the two-terminal electrode 12b is expressed as shown in FIG.

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first control voltage V1 (+) and the second control voltage V2 (+) are Sinusoidal voltage waveforms with different phases are applied.

  In FIG. 6A, when the first control voltage V1 (+) = 0 to V11, the light emitting surface 24 indicates a non-light emitting state, and when V1 (+) = V11 to V12, the light emitting surface. Reference numeral 24 denotes a gradation light emission state. When V1 (+) = V12 to V13, the light emitting surface 24 indicates a uniform light emission state. Similarly, in FIG. 6B, when the second control voltage V2 (+) = 0 to V21, the light emitting surface 24 shows a non-light emitting state, and when V2 (+) = V21 to V22. The light emitting surface 24 shows a gradation light emitting state. When V2 (+) = V22 to V23, the light emitting surface 24 shows a uniform light emitting state.

  In the control circuit shown in FIG. 4, light emission of the organic EL device according to the first embodiment when the first control voltage V1 (+) and the second control voltage V2 (+) shown in FIG. 6 are applied. An example pattern is represented as shown in FIG.

(A) First, in the time t1-t2, as shown to Fig.7 (a), the light emission surface 24 shows a non-light-emission (OFF) state.

(B) Next, at time t2 to t3, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the light emitting surface 24 shows the light emission states of the gradation light emission example 1 and the gradation light emission example 2.

(C) Next, at time t3 to t4, as shown in FIG.7 (d), the light emission surface 24 shows a uniform light emission (ON) state.

(D) Next, from time t4 to t5, as shown in FIGS. 7E and 7F, the light emitting surface 24 shows the light emission states of the gradation light emission example 3 and the gradation light emission example 4.

(E) Next, at time t5 to t6, as shown in FIG. 7A again, the light emitting surface 24 shows a non-light emitting (OFF) state.

  In the organic EL device according to the first embodiment, the repeated pattern of the non-light emitting (OFF) state, the gradation light emitting state, the uniform light emitting (ON) state, the gradation light emitting state, and the non-light emitting (OFF) state is thus obtained. You can see it.

  An example of the circuit configuration of the first voltage control unit 26 or the second voltage control unit 28 shown in FIG. 4 is expressed as shown in FIG. The circuit configuration example of FIG. 8 is an example of a sine wave generation circuit, and detailed description thereof is omitted. A sine wave voltage waveform in a predetermined voltage range is supplied from the power supply voltage VCC to the organic EL device (OEL) 2. In the circuit configuration of FIG. 8, the sine wave voltage waveform supplied to the organic EL device 2 is expressed as shown in FIG. The voltage change range ΔV of the sine wave voltage waveform supplied from the power supply voltage VCC = 5.2V is about 2.72V to 3.46V, and the period T between time T1 and time T2 is about 4.5 seconds. is there.

  In the above description, the operation waveform has a sine wave voltage waveform. However, the operation waveform is not limited to a sine wave. For example, a trapezoidal wave, a triangular wave, a rectangular wave, or a combination of these waveforms may be used. Further, a pulse width modulation (PWM) waveform, a pulse number modulation (PNM) waveform, or the like may be used.

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment, by making the substrate configuration flexible, a light emitting surface that emits gradation light is used, bracelet-shaped curved light emission illumination, painting using gradation light emission, and arts and crafts. It is possible to increase lighting variations such as exhibition lighting.

  According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an organic EL device having a light emitting surface that emits gradation light and is characterized by a light emitting method.

[Second Embodiment]
(Organic EL device)
A schematic planar pattern configuration and a control circuit of the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment are expressed as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment includes a substrate 10, a first electrode layer 12 disposed on the substrate 10, and an organic disposed on the first electrode layer 12. An EL layer, a second electrode layer 16 disposed on the organic EL layer, a sealing layer disposed on the second electrode layer 16, a first terminal electrode 12a connected to the first electrode layer 12, A third terminal electrode 16 a connected to the second electrode layer 16.

  The third terminal electrode 16a is set to the ground potential, the potential of the first terminal electrode 12a is controlled, the potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12 is controlled, and the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer can be controlled. .

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment, the terminal electrode connected to the first electrode layer 12 is constituted by only one of the first terminal electrodes 12a.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the substrate 10 has a quadrangular shape, and the first terminal electrode 12a and the third terminal electrode 16a are disposed on the same side. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  By controlling the value of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a, the potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12 can be controlled, and the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer can be controlled. That is, the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer can be controlled by increasing / decreasing the value of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a.

  In addition, the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a can be controlled temporally to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12, and the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer can be controlled temporally. . That is, the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a can be controlled by time resolution.

  The temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a may be periodic. The period when the potential change of the first terminal electrode 12a is periodically performed is preferably, for example, about 1 to 10 seconds, particularly about 2 seconds to 5 seconds.

  Further, the temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a may be aperiodic. That is, the potential change of the first terminal electrode 12a is not necessarily periodic. When the power supply 30 is turned on / off, the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a may change gently to some extent. The time required for the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a to change gently is preferably about 0.5 seconds to about 10 seconds, and particularly about 1 second to 5 seconds, for example.

(Sealing structure)
The organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment is not limited to the hollow sealing structure, and a liquid sealing structure or a solid sealing structure may be applied.

(Substrate configuration example)
Also in the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment, the substrate configuration example may have a double-plate structure or a single-plate structure, as in the first embodiment.

(Emission composition)
In the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment, the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate having a light emitting surface 24 and the second electrode layer 16 is formed of a metal layer, as in the first embodiment. It has a bottom emission configuration.

  The organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment has a top emission and bottom emission configuration in which the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate, and the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 16 are formed of transparent electrodes. You may have.

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment, the substrate 10 is formed of an opaque substrate, the first electrode layer 12 is formed of a metal layer, and the second electrode layer 16 is formed of a transparent electrode. An emission configuration may be provided. In that case, a plurality of terminal electrodes are connected to the second electrode layer 16 side to control the voltage distribution in the second electrode layer 16.

(Control circuit)
As shown in FIG. 10, the schematic block configuration of the control circuit of the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment is connected to the first terminal electrode 12a, and the first control voltage V1 ( +) Is provided, and a first voltage control unit 32 is provided to control the potential of the first terminal electrode 12a.

  The first voltage control unit 32 is connected to the power supply 30.

  Also in the organic EL device according to the second embodiment, the operation principle is the same as in FIG.

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment, an example of the operation waveform of the first control voltage V1 (+) supplied to the first terminal electrode 12a is expressed in the same manner as in FIG. A duplicate description is omitted.

  In the control circuit shown in FIG. 10, an example of the light emission pattern of the organic EL device according to the second embodiment when the first control voltage V1 (+) shown in FIG. And a repetitive pattern of a non-light emission (OFF) state, a gradation light emission state, a uniform light emission (ON) state, a gradation light emission state, and a non-light emission (OFF) state appears.

  In the above description, the operation waveform has a sine wave voltage. However, the operation waveform is not limited to the sine wave, and is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment, a schematic bird's-eye view showing a state in which the substrate configuration is made flexible as described above and the substrate 10 is curved into a curved shape is expressed as shown in FIG. . FIG. 11 shows an example of a bottom emission type, but a top emission type or a top and bottom emission type can also be configured.

  In the organic EL device 2 according to the second embodiment, by making it flexible, a light emitting surface that emits gradation light is used to produce bracelet-shaped curved light emitting illumination, painting using gradation light emission, and display lighting for arts and crafts. It is possible to increase lighting variations.

(Modification)
A schematic block configuration of an organic EL device and a control circuit according to a modification of the second embodiment is expressed as shown in FIG.

  In the organic EL device according to the modified example of the second embodiment, the substrate 10 has a quadrangular shape, and the first terminal electrode 12a and the third terminal electrode 16a are arranged on opposite sides. The other configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  According to the second embodiment and its modification, it is possible to provide an organic EL device having a light emission surface that emits gradation light and is characterized by a light emission method.

[Third Embodiment]
(Organic EL device)
A schematic planar pattern configuration and a control circuit of the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment are expressed as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment includes a first terminal electrode 12a and a second terminal electrode 12b in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. In addition, a fourth terminal electrode 12c and a fifth terminal electrode 12d disposed on other mutually opposing side portions different from the mutually opposing side portions are provided.

  In the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment, the third terminal electrode 16a is set to the ground potential, and the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b, and the fourth terminal electrode 12c and the fifth terminal electrode 12d By controlling the potential, the potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12 is controlled, and the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer is controlled. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  Further, the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment has a voltage value applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b, and a voltage applied to the fourth terminal electrode 12c and the fifth terminal electrode 12d. May be controlled to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12 to control the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer.

  In addition, the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment uses the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b and the voltage applied to the fourth terminal electrode 12c and the fifth terminal electrode 12d over time. The potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12 may be controlled to control the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer in terms of time.

  The temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b, and the fourth terminal electrode 12c and the fifth terminal electrode 12d may be periodic. The period when the potential change is periodically performed is preferably, for example, about 1 to 10 seconds, particularly about 2 seconds to 5 seconds.

  The temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b, and the fourth terminal electrode 12c and the fifth terminal electrode 12d may be aperiodic. That is, the potential change is not necessarily periodic. When the power supply 30 is turned on / off, the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second terminal electrode 12b, and the fourth terminal electrode 12c and the fifth terminal electrode 12d may be gradually changed to some extent. It is desirable that the time required for the applied voltage to change gently is, for example, about 0.5 seconds to about 10 seconds, particularly about 1 second to 5 seconds.

(Sealing structure)
The organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment is not limited to the hollow sealing structure, and a liquid sealing structure or a solid sealing structure may be applied.

(Substrate configuration example)
Also in the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment, the substrate configuration example may have a double-plate structure or a single-plate structure as in the first embodiment.

(Emission composition)
In the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment, the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate having a light emitting surface 24 and the second electrode layer 16 is formed of a metal layer, as in the first embodiment. It has a bottom emission configuration.

  The organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment has a top emission and bottom emission configuration in which the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate, and the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 16 are formed of transparent electrodes. You may have.

  Further, in the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment, the substrate 10 is formed of an opaque substrate, the first electrode layer 12 is formed of a metal layer, and the second electrode layer 16 is formed of a transparent electrode. An emission configuration may be provided. In that case, a plurality of terminal electrodes are connected to the second electrode layer 16 side to control the voltage distribution in the second electrode layer 16.

(Control circuit)
As shown in FIG. 13A, a schematic block configuration of the control circuit of the organic EL device according to the third embodiment is connected to the first terminal electrode 12a, and the first control voltage is applied to the first terminal electrode 12a. V1 (+) is supplied to control the potential of the first terminal electrode 12a. The first voltage control unit 36 is connected to the second terminal electrode 12b. The second control voltage V2 (+) is applied to the second terminal electrode 12b. And the second voltage control unit 40 for controlling the potential of the second terminal electrode 12b and the fourth terminal electrode 12c, and the third control voltage V3 (+) is supplied to the fourth terminal electrode 12c. The third voltage controller 34 for controlling the potential of the fourth terminal electrode 12c and the fifth terminal electrode 12d are connected to the fifth terminal electrode 12d to supply the fourth control voltage V4 (+) to the fifth terminal electrode 12d. And a fourth voltage control unit 38 that controls the potential of the electrode 12d.

  The first voltage control unit 36, the second voltage control unit 40, the third voltage control unit 34, and the fourth voltage control unit 38 are connected to a common power supply 30. Further, they may be connected to different power sources.

  Also in the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment, the operation principle is the same as that in FIG.

  Also in the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment, the operation waveform of the first control voltage V1 (+) supplied to the first terminal electrode 12a and the second control voltage V2 supplied to the second terminal electrode 12b. The operation waveform of (+) may have a phase difference as in the first embodiment. In addition, the operation waveform of the third control voltage V3 (+) supplied to the fourth terminal electrode 12c and the operation waveform of the fourth control voltage V4 (+) supplied to the fifth terminal electrode 12d also have a phase difference. Also good.

  An example of the light emission pattern of the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment is expressed as shown in FIG. Here, the third terminal electrode 16a is set to the ground potential.

  The gradation light emission example 1 of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage only to the first terminal electrode 12a is expressed as shown in FIG. 14A, and is obtained by applying a voltage to the second terminal electrode 12b. The gradation light emission example 2 of the light emitting surface 24 is expressed as shown in FIG.

  The gradation light emission example 3 of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage to the fourth terminal electrode 12c is expressed as shown in FIG. 14C, and obtained by applying a voltage to the fifth terminal electrode 12d. The gradation light emission example 4 of the light emitting surface 24 is expressed as shown in FIG.

  Further, gradation light emission example 5 of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage to the first terminal electrode 12a and the fourth terminal electrode 12c is expressed as shown in FIG. 14 (e), and the second terminal electrode 12b and A gradation light emission example 6 of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage to the fifth terminal electrode 12d is expressed as shown in FIG.

  Further, gradation light emission example 7 of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage to the second terminal electrode 12b and the fourth terminal electrode 12c is expressed as shown in FIG. 14 (g), and the first terminal electrode 12a and A gradation light emission example 8 of the light emitting surface obtained by applying a voltage to the fifth terminal electrode 12d is expressed as shown in FIG.

  Moreover, a non-light-emitting (OFF) state and a uniform light-emitting (ON) state can also be obtained. Also in the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment, a non-light-emitting (OFF) state, A repeating pattern of gradation light emission state, uniform light emission (ON) state, gradation light emission state, and non-light emission (OFF) state appears.

  In the above description, the operation waveform has a sine wave voltage. However, the operation waveform is not limited to the sine wave.

  In the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, an example in which two pairs of terminal electrodes connected to the first electrode layer 12 are arranged is disclosed. Is not limited to two pairs. Three or more pairs may be arranged according to the polygonal shape of the substrate 10.

(Modification)
Moreover, as shown in FIG.13 (b), the number of the terminal electrodes connected to one side may be two or more. In the example of FIG. 13B, the first terminal electrode 12a is divided into two parts 12a1 and 12a2, the second terminal electrode 12b is divided into two parts 12b1 and 12b2, and the fourth terminal electrode 12c is 12c1 and 12c2 are divided into two, and the fifth terminal electrode 12d is divided into two as 12d1 and 12d2. The other configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  In the organic EL device 4 according to the third embodiment and its modification, by making it flexible, a light emitting surface that emits gradation light is used to produce bracelet-shaped curved light emitting illumination, painting using gradation light emission, and arts and crafts. It is possible to increase lighting variations such as display lighting of goods.

  According to the third embodiment and its modification, it is possible to provide an organic EL device having a light emission surface that emits gradation light and is characterized by a light emission method.

[Fourth embodiment]
The planar pattern configuration and control circuit of the organic EL devices 2a to 2d according to the fourth embodiment are expressed as shown in FIG.

  In the fourth embodiment, an example in which four organic EL devices 2 according to a modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12 are arranged in parallel is shown. Voltage control units 42 to 48 are connected to the first terminal electrodes 12a of the organic EL devices 2a to 2d, respectively, and a single power supply 30 is connected to the voltage control units 42 to 48. In addition, the power supply connected to the voltage control parts 42-48 may be arrange | positioned separately. The other configuration is the same as that of the modification of the second embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  An example of the light emission pattern of the organic EL device according to the fourth embodiment is expressed as shown in FIG. The light emitting surface 24 of the organic EL device 2a is in a non-light emitting state as shown in FIG. 16A, and the light emitting surfaces 24 of the organic EL device 2b and the organic EL device 2c are in a gradation light emitting state. The 2d light emitting surface 24 is in a uniform light emitting state as shown in FIG.

  By adjusting the potential of the first terminal electrode 12a of each of the organic EL devices 2a to 2d, the non-light emitting (OFF) state, the gradation light emitting state, the uniform light emitting (ON) state, and the gradation light emitting are formed on each light emitting surface 24. A repetitive pattern of a state and a non-light emitting (OFF) state appears. In addition, by adjusting the phase of the supply voltage, on each light emitting surface 24 of each of the organic EL devices 2a to 2d, a non-emission (OFF) state, a gradation emission state, a uniform emission (ON) state, a gradation emission state, a non-emission state It is also possible to change the repeated pattern of the light emission (OFF) state.

  Note that the arrangement method of the plurality of organic EL devices is not limited to parallel. A series configuration or a series-parallel configuration may be used.

  According to the fourth embodiment, by arranging a plurality of organic EL devices, it is possible to provide an organic EL device characterized by a light emitting method in which a plurality of light emitting surfaces each emit gradation light.

[Fifth Embodiment]
(Organic EL device)
A schematic planar pattern configuration and a control circuit of the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment are expressed as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17, the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment includes a substrate 10, a first electrode layer 12 disposed on the substrate 10, and an organic disposed on the first electrode layer 12. EL layer 14, second electrode layer 16 disposed on organic EL layer 14, sealing layer 20 disposed on second electrode layer 16, and a plurality of terminal electrodes connected to first electrode layer 12 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3, ..., includes a 12 _n, and a third terminal electrode 16a connected to the second electrode layer 16. Here, the fixed potential of the third terminal electrodes 16a, for example, the ground potential, a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3, ..., by controlling the potential of 12 _n, first electrode layer 12 And the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer 14 are controlled.

The substrate 10 has a square shape, the plurality of terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n are arranged on one side of the square, and the third terminal electrode 16 a is a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1. , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n may be arranged on the side adjacent to the one side on which. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

Here, the arrangement structure of the plurality of terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _{n is} a structure in which the terminal electrodes on one side are divided or a structure in which the arrangement of the plurality of terminal electrodes is gathered on one side. Can also be considered.

  Here, in order to enable local light emission on the first electrode layer 12, the sheet resistance of the first electrode layer 12 is preferably 10Ω / □ or more, and more preferably 50Ω / □ or more. It is desirable that

Further, the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3, ..., by controlling the value of the voltage applied to 12 _n, first electrode layer 12 may be controlled to control the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer.

Further, the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3, ..., the voltage applied to the 12 _n temporally controlled, the first electrode The potential distribution in the layer 12 may be controlled, and the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer may be temporally controlled.

The temporal control of the voltage applied to the plurality of terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n may be periodic. For example, the period when the reciprocal potential change in FIGS. 18A to 18F and FIGS. 18F to 18A is periodically performed is, for example, about 1 to 10 seconds, in particular, about 2 It is desirable that the time is from 2 to 5 seconds.

Further, the temporal control of the voltage applied to the plurality of terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n may be aperiodic. That is, the potential change is not necessarily periodic. When the power supply 30 is turned on / off, the voltage applied to the plurality of terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n may change gently to some extent. It is desirable that the time required for the applied voltage to change gently is, for example, about 0.5 seconds to about 10 seconds, particularly about 1 second to 5 seconds.

(Sealing structure)
The organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment is not limited to the hollow sealing structure, and a liquid sealing structure or a solid sealing structure may be applied.

(Substrate configuration example)
Also in the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the substrate configuration example may have a double-plate structure or a single-plate structure, as in the first embodiment.

(Emission composition)
In the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate having a light emitting surface 24 and the second electrode layer 16 is formed of a metal layer, as in the first embodiment. It has a bottom emission configuration.

  The organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment has a top emission and bottom emission configuration in which the substrate 10 is formed of a transparent substrate, and the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 16 are formed of transparent electrodes. You may have.

  Further, in the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the substrate 10 is formed of an opaque substrate, the first electrode layer 12 is formed of a metal layer, and the second electrode layer 16 is formed of a transparent electrode. An emission configuration may be provided. In that case, a plurality of terminal electrodes are connected to the second electrode layer 16 side to control the voltage distribution in the second electrode layer 16.

(Control circuit)
A schematic block configuration of the control circuit of the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment is connected to a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n as shown in FIG. The voltage control unit 32 supplies a control voltage to each terminal electrode to control the potential of each terminal electrode.

  The voltage control unit 32 is connected to the power supply 30.

  Also in the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the operation principle is the same as that in FIG.

Also in the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3, ..., the operation waveform of the control voltage supplied to the 12 _n, the first embodiment A phase difference may be provided in the same manner as in the embodiment.

  An example of the light emission pattern of the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment is expressed as shown in FIG. Here, the voltage supplied to each terminal electrode is, for example, 10V, and a fixed potential of 0V is supplied to the third terminal electrode 16a.

Gradient emitting Example 1 of the light emitting surface 24 which is obtained by applying a voltage only to the terminal electrode 12 ₁ is expressed as shown in FIG. 18 (a). Here, the other terminal electrodes 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n are open.

Similarly, the gradation light emission example 2 of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage only to the terminal electrode 12 ₂ is expressed as shown in FIG. Here, the other terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n are open.

Similarly, the gradation light emission example 3 of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage only to the terminal electrode 12 ₃ is expressed as shown in FIG. Here, the other terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₄
,..., 12 _n are open.

Similarly, gradient emitting Example 4 of the light emitting surface 24 which is obtained by applying a voltage only to the terminal electrode 12 ₄ is expressed as shown in FIG. 18 (d). Here, the other terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃
, 12 ₅ ,..., 12 _n are open.

Similarly, a gradation light emission example n-1 of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage only to the terminal electrode 12 _n-1 is expressed as shown in FIG. Here, the other terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n are open.

Similarly, a gradation light emission example n of the light emitting surface 24 obtained by applying a voltage only to the terminal electrode 12 _n is expressed as shown in FIG.

  In the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A to FIG. 18F, light is applied to each terminal electrode on the light emitting surface 24 by applying a voltage. A gradation light emission pattern in which the spot moves can be obtained.

Further, a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3, ..., a control voltage supplied to the 12 _n, can also be obtained not emit light (OFF) state by all open. Further, a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3, ..., a control voltage supplied to the 12 _n, can also be obtained uniform light emission (ON) state by all voltage applied state. Therefore, also in the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, on the light emitting surface 24, a non-light emitting (OFF) state, a gradation light emitting state, a uniform light emitting (ON) state, a gradation light emitting state, and a non-light emitting (OFF) ) State repeat pattern can be obtained.

  Further, in the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the voltage applied to each terminal electrode can be subjected to intensity modulation. As a voltage applied to each terminal electrode, for example, an amplitude-modulated sine wave voltage can be applied.

  In the above description, the operation waveform has a sine wave voltage. However, the operation waveform is not limited to the sine wave.

According to the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3,..., By placing the 12 _n, clarify the brightness of the gradient effect can do.

Further, according to the organic EL device 5 according to the fifth embodiment, a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 _1, 12 _2, 12 _3,..., By placing the 12 _n, the position of the light and dark gradient effect It can be changed freely.

(Modification)
A schematic planar pattern configuration and a control circuit of the organic EL device 5 according to the modification of the fifth embodiment are expressed as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 19, the organic EL device 5 according to the modification of the fifth embodiment has a plurality of terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,. , 12 _n and a plurality of other terminal electrodes 13 ₁ , 13 ₂ , 13 ₃ ,..., 13 _n and the other side of the quadrangle facing the side on which the third terminal electrode 16a1 is arranged. And another third terminal electrode 16a2 disposed to face the third terminal electrode 16a1. Here, the other third terminal electrode 16a2 is a fixed potential having the same potential as the third terminal electrode 16a1, for example, a ground potential, and a plurality of other terminal electrodes 13 ₁ , 13 ₂ , 13 ₃ ,. _n and the potentials of the plurality of terminal electrodes 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ , 12 ₃ ,..., 12 _n are controlled synchronously to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer 12, and the surface of the organic EL layer 14 The inner light emission luminance distribution can be controlled. The other configuration is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  According to the organic EL device according to the modification of the fifth embodiment, the brightness of the gradation effect is further clarified by arranging a plurality of terminal electrodes facing each other and performing synchronized potential control. be able to.

  In addition, according to the organic EL device according to the fifth embodiment, by arranging a plurality of terminal electrodes facing each other and performing synchronized potential control, the brightness position of the gradation effect can be freely changed. Can do.

  In addition, according to the organic EL device according to the fifth embodiment, by arranging a plurality of terminal electrodes facing each other and performing synchronized potential control, the objectivity of luminance associated with gradation light emission is improved. can do.

  In the organic EL device according to the fifth embodiment and its modification, by making it flexible, a light emitting surface that emits gradation light is used, bracelet-shaped curved light emitting illumination, painting using gradation light emission, arts and crafts It is possible to increase lighting variations such as exhibition lighting.

  According to the fifth embodiment and its modification, it is possible to provide an organic EL device having a light emission surface that emits gradation light and is characterized by a light emission method.

[Sixth Embodiment]
A schematic cross-sectional structure of the organic EL device 6 according to the sixth embodiment, which includes a surface capacitive touch panel, is expressed as shown in FIG.

  In order to change the hollow sealing structure of the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 to a solid sealing structure, as shown in FIG. 20, the organic EL layer 14 and the second electrode layer A protective film 50 is disposed on 16, and a sealing substrate 54 is disposed on the protective film 50 via an adhesive layer 52.

  In the organic EL device 6 according to the fifth embodiment, the organic EL device unit is configured by the organic EL device having the above-described solid sealing configuration, and the surface capacitive touch panel unit is provided on the light emitting surface of the substrate 10. The transparent electrode 56 arrange | positioned and the contact layer 60 arrange | positioned through the adhesion layer 58 on the transparent electrode 56 are provided.

  For the contact layer 60, a cover glass or a PET film can be used.

  The organic EL device 6 according to the sixth embodiment is provided with sensors (not shown) at the four corners of the touch panel unit, and can sense a single touch by the contact means 62.

  Even when the organic EL devices according to the second to fifth embodiments are used, the organic EL device 6 including the surface capacitive touch panel can be configured.

  In the organic EL device 6 according to the sixth embodiment, the gradation light emission pattern can be turned on / off or the light emission pattern can be changed by single-touching the light emission surface 25 that emits gradation light by the contact means 62. This makes it possible to easily control the organic EL illumination.

[Seventh Embodiment]
A schematic cross-sectional structure of the organic EL device 6 according to the seventh embodiment, which includes a projected capacitive touch panel, is represented as shown in FIG.

  In order to change the hollow sealing structure of the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 to a solid sealing structure, the organic EL layer 14 and the second electrode layer 16 are changed as in FIG. A protective film 50 is disposed thereon, and a sealing substrate 54 is disposed on the protective film 50 via an adhesive layer 52.

  In the organic EL device 6 according to the seventh embodiment, the organic EL device unit is configured by the organic EL device having the above-described solid sealing configuration, and the projected capacitive touch panel unit is provided on the light emitting surface of the substrate 10. The transparent electrode 56a disposed via the adhesive layer 58a, the support substrate 64 disposed on the transparent electrode 56a, the transparent electrode 56b disposed on the support substrate 64, and the adhesive layer 58b on the transparent electrode 56b And a contact layer 60 disposed in a row.

  Glass or PC plate can be applied to the support substrate 64. For the contact layer 60, a cover glass or a PET film can be used.

  In the organic EL device 6 according to the seventh embodiment, the upper and lower transparent electrodes 56b and 56a are configured in a pattern, and multi-touch by the contact means 62 can be sensed.

  In addition, even if it uses the organic EL apparatus which concerns on 2nd-4th embodiment, the organic EL apparatus 6 provided with a surface capacitive touch panel can be comprised.

  In the organic EL device 6 according to the seventh embodiment, the gradation light emission pattern can be turned on / off or the light emission pattern can be changed by multi-touching the light emission surface 25 that emits gradation light by the contact means 62. This makes it possible to easily control the organic EL illumination.

[Eighth Embodiment]
A schematic cross-sectional structure of an organic EL device 6 according to the eighth embodiment, which includes a resistive film type touch panel, is expressed as shown in FIG.

  In order to change the hollow sealing structure of the organic EL device 2 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 to a solid sealing structure, the organic EL layer 14 and the second electrode layer 16 are changed as in FIG. A protective film 50 is disposed thereon, and a sealing substrate 54 is disposed on the protective film 50 via an adhesive layer 52.

  In the organic EL device 6 according to the eighth embodiment, the organic EL device unit is configured by the organic EL device having the above-described solid sealing configuration, and the resistance film type touch panel unit is provided on the light emitting surface of the substrate 10 with an adhesive layer 58a. A lower electrode plate 68 disposed on the transparent electrode 56a, a transparent electrode 56a disposed on the lower electrode plate 68, a spacer 70 disposed on the transparent electrode 56a, and spaced apart on the spacer 70 and on the transparent electrode 56a. A transparent electrode 56a disposed on the transparent electrode 56b, an upper electrode plate 72 disposed on the transparent electrode 56b, and a contact layer 60 disposed on the upper electrode plate 72 via an adhesive layer 58b. .

  A PET film or glass can be applied to the lower electrode plate 68 and the upper electrode plate 72. For the contact layer 60, a cover glass or a PET film can be used.

  In the organic EL device 6 according to the eighth embodiment, the upper and lower transparent electrodes 56b and 56a are configured in a pattern, and the touch by the contact means 62 can be sensed by the resistance value of the resistance film.

  Even when the organic EL devices according to the second to fifth embodiments are used, the organic EL device 6 including a resistive film type touch panel can be configured.

  The organic EL device 6 according to the eighth embodiment can turn on / off the gradation light emission pattern or change the light emission pattern by touching the light emitting surface 25 that emits gradation light with the contact means 62. Thus, the control of the organic EL lighting can be facilitated.

[Other embodiments]
As described above, the present invention has been described according to the first to eighth embodiments. However, it should not be understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, the organic EL panel having a planar structure having a quadrangle as a basic pattern has been mainly disclosed. However, the organic EL panel body is not limited thereto, and the organic EL panel body has a cylindrical structure or a spherical structure. Or a fullerene structure. The basic pattern of the organic EL panel is not limited to a quadrangle, and may be a pentagon, hexagon, polygon, circle, ellipse, or a combination pattern thereof. The organic EL panel may be arranged as a pattern structure such as a Penrose tile.

  In the first to eighth embodiments and the second embodiment, the first electrode layer 12 is mainly a transparent electrode connected to the anode of the organic EL layer, and the second electrode layer 16 is an organic EL layer. Although an example in which the metal electrode is connected to the cathode of the first electrode layer 12 has been described, the roles of the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer may be reversed.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

  The organic EL device of the present invention is applicable to fields such as an organic EL display field, an organic EL lighting panel, and an FED (Field Emission Display) lighting panel.

2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4, 5, 6 ... organic EL device 10 ... substrate 12 ... first electrode layer (anode electrode layer)
12a ... first terminal electrode 12b ... second terminal electrodes 12c ... fourth terminal electrode 12d ... fifth terminal electrodes _{12 1, 12 2, 12 3} , ···, 12 n, 13 1, 13 2, 13 3, · .., 13 _n ... terminal electrode 14 ... organic EL layer 16 ... second electrode layer (cathode electrode layer)
16a, 16a1, 16a2 ... third terminal electrode 18 ... desiccant 20 ... sealing layer 22, 52 ... adhesive layer 23 ... hollow portion 24, 25 ... light emitting surface 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 , 44, 46, 48 ... voltage control unit 30 ... power supply 50 ... protective film 54 ... sealing substrates 56, 56a, 56b ... transparent electrodes 58, 58a, 58b ... adhesive layer 60 ... contact layer 62 ... contact means 64 ... support substrate 66 ... Bonding agent 68 ... Lower electrode plate 70 ... Spacer 72 ... Upper electrode plate

Claims (24)

A substrate composed of a transparent substrate ;
Rutotomoni disposed on the substrate, a first electrode layer made of a transparent electrode,
An organic EL layer disposed on the first electrode layer;
Rutotomoni disposed on the organic EL layer, and a second electrode layer composed of a transparent electrode,
Rutotomoni disposed on the second electrode layer, a sealing layer made of a transparent substrate,
A first terminal electrode connected to the first electrode layer;
A second terminal electrode connected to the first electrode layer, spaced apart from the first terminal electrode;
A third terminal electrode connected to the second electrode layer ;
A first voltage controller that is connected to the first terminal electrode, supplies a first control voltage to the first terminal electrode, and controls a potential of the first terminal electrode;
A second voltage control unit that is connected to the second terminal electrode, supplies a second control voltage to the second terminal electrode, and controls the potential of the second terminal electrode, and the first voltage control unit and The second voltage control unit controls the potential distribution in the first electrode layer by setting the third terminal electrode to a ground potential and controlling the potentials of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode, When controlling the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer including the light emission state, gradation light emission state, and uniform light emission state, the first control voltage value and the second control voltage value are set to 0 and first By setting and combining each of the threshold value, between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and between the second threshold value and the third threshold value, Of the non-light emitting state, the gradation light emitting state, and the uniform light emitting state Control to change to any state of
The organic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet resistance of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is 10Ω / □ or more .   2. The organic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a quadrangular shape, and the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode are arranged on opposite sides.   2. The organic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the number of terminal electrodes that are separately connected to the first electrode layer is three or more.   Controlling the value of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode, controlling the potential distribution in the first electrode layer, and controlling the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer. The organic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the organic EL device is an organic EL device.   The voltage applied to the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode is controlled temporally, the potential distribution in the first electrode layer is controlled, and the in-plane emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer is temporally controlled. The organic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the organic EL device is controlled.   The organic EL device according to claim 5, wherein temporal control of a voltage applied to the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode is periodic.   The organic EL device according to claim 5, wherein temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode is aperiodic.   The organic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the first control voltage and the second control voltage are sinusoidal voltages having different phases. A substrate composed of a transparent substrate ;
Rutotomoni disposed on the substrate, a first electrode layer made of a transparent electrode,
An organic EL layer disposed on the first electrode layer;
Rutotomoni disposed on the organic EL layer, and a second electrode layer composed of a transparent electrode,
Rutotomoni disposed on the second electrode layer, a sealing layer made of a transparent substrate,
A first terminal electrode connected to the first electrode layer;
A third terminal electrode connected to the second electrode layer;
A first voltage control unit that is connected to the first terminal electrode, supplies a first control voltage to the first terminal electrode, and controls a potential of the first terminal electrode, and the first voltage control unit includes: The third terminal electrode is set to the ground potential, and the potential of the first terminal electrode is controlled to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer including the non-light emitting state, the gradation light emitting state, and the uniform light emitting state. When the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer is controlled, the first control voltage value is set between 0 and the first threshold, and between the first threshold and the second threshold. And any one of the non-light-emitting state, the gradation light-emitting state, and the uniform light-emitting state by respectively setting between the second threshold value and the third threshold value. Control to change to the state of
The organic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet resistance of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is 10Ω / □ or more .   The organic EL device according to claim 9, wherein the substrate has a quadrangular shape, and the first terminal electrode and the third terminal electrode are arranged on a common side portion.   10. The organic EL device according to claim 9, wherein the substrate has a quadrangular shape, and the first terminal electrode and the third terminal electrode are arranged on opposite sides.   The voltage value applied to the first terminal electrode is controlled to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer, thereby controlling the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer. The organic EL device according to any one of ˜11.   The voltage applied to the first terminal electrode is controlled temporally to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer, and the in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer is controlled temporally. The organic EL device according to any one of claims 9 to 11.   12. The organic EL device according to claim 9, wherein the temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode is periodic.   The organic EL device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the temporal control of the voltage applied to the first terminal electrode is aperiodic.   A fourth terminal electrode and a fifth terminal electrode arranged on opposite sides different from each other on the opposite sides where the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode are arranged are provided. The organic EL device according to claim 1. A substrate composed of a transparent substrate ;
Rutotomoni disposed on the substrate, a first electrode layer made of a transparent electrode,
An organic EL layer disposed on the first electrode layer;
Rutotomoni disposed on the organic EL layer, and a second electrode layer composed of a transparent electrode,
Rutotomoni disposed on the second electrode layer, a sealing layer made of a transparent substrate,
A plurality of terminal electrodes connected to the first electrode layer;
A third terminal electrode connected to the second electrode layer;
A voltage control unit that is connected to the plurality of terminal electrodes, supplies a control voltage to each of the terminal electrodes, and controls the potential of each of the terminal electrodes, and the voltage control unit includes the third terminal electrode , The potential of the plurality of terminal electrodes is controlled to control the potential distribution in the first electrode layer including a non-light emitting state, a gradation light emitting state, and a uniform light emitting state, and the organic EL layer When controlling the in-plane light emission luminance distribution, the control voltage value is set between 0 and the first threshold value, between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and the second threshold value. By setting and combining each of the third threshold value and the third threshold value, the state changes to any one of the non-light emitting state, the gradation light emitting state, and the uniform light emitting state. Control to
The organic EL device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet resistance of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is 10Ω / □ or more .   The substrate has a quadrangular shape, the plurality of terminal electrodes are disposed on one side of the square, and the third terminal electrode is disposed on a side adjacent to the one side on which the plurality of terminal electrodes are disposed. The organic EL device according to claim 17. On the other side of the quadrilateral facing the one side, another plurality of terminal electrodes arranged facing the plurality of terminal electrodes,
Another third terminal electrode disposed opposite to the third terminal electrode on the other side of the quadrilateral facing the side where the third terminal electrode is disposed, and the other third terminal electrode Controls the potential distribution in the first electrode layer by controlling the potentials of the plurality of other terminal electrodes and the plurality of terminal electrodes in synchronism with a fixed potential that is the same potential as the third terminal electrode. The organic EL device according to claim 18, wherein an in-plane light emission luminance distribution of the organic EL layer is controlled.   An organic EL device comprising a plurality of the organic EL devices according to claim 1 arranged in parallel. The organic EL device according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
An organic EL device comprising: a transparent electrode disposed on a light emitting surface of the substrate of the organic EL device; and a touch panel having a contact layer disposed on the transparent electrode. The organic EL device according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
A first transparent electrode disposed on a light emitting surface of the substrate of the organic EL device; a support substrate disposed on the first transparent electrode; a second transparent electrode disposed on the support substrate; An organic EL device comprising: a touch panel having a contact layer disposed on the second transparent electrode. The organic EL device according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
A lower electrode plate disposed on a light emitting surface of the substrate of the organic EL device; a first transparent electrode disposed on the lower electrode plate; a spacer disposed on the first transparent electrode; A touch panel comprising: a second transparent electrode spaced apart; an upper electrode plate disposed on the second transparent electrode; and a contact layer disposed on the upper electrode plate. An organic EL device.   The voltage control unit makes the control voltage supplied to the plurality of terminal electrodes non-light-emitting state by opening all the control voltages, and gradation light emission by applying a voltage to at least one of the terminal electrodes. 18. The organic EL device according to claim 17, wherein a uniform light emission state is obtained by setting the control voltage supplied to the plurality of terminal electrodes to a voltage application state.