JP6116868B2 - Organic EL panel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel. The invention related to the present invention relates to a connection structure of the organic EL panel.

  In recent years, organic EL panels have attracted attention as a lighting device that can replace incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps, and many studies have been made.

Here, the organic EL panel is obtained by applying a sealing structure and a casing to an organic EL device. Further, the organic EL device is formed by laminating an organic EL element on a base material such as a glass substrate and forming a power feeding structure for feeding power to the organic EL element.
In addition, the organic EL element has two or more light-transmitting electrodes facing each other, and a light emitting layer made of an organic compound is laminated between the electrodes. The organic EL device emits light by the energy of recombination of electrically excited electrons and holes.
Specifically, the organic EL element has a structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated between the electrodes of the organic EL element, and a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer are sequentially formed from one electrode side. The layered structure is composed of an electron injection layer. Holes reach the light emitting layer from one electrode via the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer, and electrons reach the light emitting layer from the other electrode via the electron injection layer and the electron transport layer. The holes and electrons recombine in the light emitting layer. That is, the organic EL element can emit light of various wavelengths by appropriately selecting the material of the light emitting layer, and can select a desired emission color.

An organic EL panel used in a lighting device is often used as a white light source. At this time, it is difficult to extract a white light source with only one light emitting layer. Conventionally, three light emitting layers of red (Red), blue (Blue), and green (Green), which are the three primary colors of light, are combined. And used as a white light source (for example, Patent Document 1).
In other words, the organic EL panel used for illumination has a structure in which a plurality of light emitting layers are stacked, and by recombining electrons and holes in each light emitting layer, light is added, Take out white light.

JP 2011-253722 A

By the way, when an organic EL panel is used for large-scale illumination, a single organic EL panel tends to generate a voltage distribution in its surface, and uneven light emission tends to occur. Therefore, a plurality of organic EL panels may be electrically connected to form one light emission plane.
Conventionally, it is known that a blue light emitting layer is easily deteriorated and has a short lifetime as compared with other color light emitting layers, and the substantial life of an organic EL panel is the life of a blue light emitting color. Often becomes. Therefore, when an organic EL panel is used for large-scale lighting, it does not function as lighting even though the lifetime of the light-emitting layer exhibiting other emission colors remains, so each time an organic EL panel that cannot emit light is replaced. There was a need to do.
In recent years, lighting devices are often required not only to simply switch on and off, but also to have a dimming function that adjusts the brightness of the emitted color. However, when the organic electroluminescent element (organic EL panel) of Patent Document 1 is used as a large-scale illumination and a dimming function is added, uneven light emission tends to occur. That is, there is a problem that the current values need to be adjusted with high accuracy and the cost is increased.

Therefore, the present inventor does not extract white light from each organic EL panel alone as in the prior art, but lays out a plurality of types of organic EL panels having different emission colors in a planar shape, so that one organic EL panel is provided. It was considered to take out a white emission color as a composite color by utilizing the overlap of the light emitted from each of the organic EL panels and the light emitted from each organic EL panel adjacent to the organic EL panel. In addition, by connecting the organic EL panels having the same luminescent color electrically in series, for example, only the organic EL panel having a blue luminescent color that has a short lifetime among a plurality of organic EL panels. It was possible to replace the organic EL panel, and it was thought that the lifetime of each organic EL panel could be maximized. Further, by adopting this structure, it was considered that a dimming function can be added by adjusting the current value between the organic EL panels connected in series.
However, in the case of this structure, an independent wiring structure is required for each type of organic EL panel, and the wiring structure becomes complicated. Therefore, a new problem has arisen that the possibility of erroneous wiring is increased.

Accordingly, an invention related to the present invention provides a connection structure for an organic EL panel to which a dimming function can be added at low cost. Another object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL panel capable of preventing erroneous wiring.

The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above problems, on the substrate, at least a first electrode layer, comprising a second electrode layer, and an organic light emitting layer in which the sandwiched by the electrode layers organic An organic EL panel having an EL device and having a self-energization path for energizing an organic light emitting layer by energizing between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, together with a plurality of other organic EL panels In the organic EL panel laid side by side, a first power supply unit that can be electrically connected to the outside and connected to its first electrode layer, and a second power source that can be electrically connected to the outside and self A second power feeding part connected to the electrode layer, and insulated from the self-energization path, and can be electrically connected to at least the other two organic EL panels, and bypass the self-energization path, Detour wiring to electrically connect organic EL panels Provided and, said bypass line, a first bypass terminal, includes a bypass member and a second bypass terminal, said bypass wiring that electrically connects the second bypass terminal and the first bypass terminal The organic EL device is sandwiched between a first insulating member and a second insulating member, and the first bypass terminal and the second bypass terminal are provided on a back side of the organic EL device. It is an EL panel.
The present invention comprises, on a substrate, at least a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an organic light emitting layer sandwiched between the two electrode layers, and energization between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. An organic EL panel having a self-energization path for energizing the organic light-emitting layer, and in the organic EL panel laid side by side in a predetermined portion, the first electrode can be electrically connected to the outside. A first power supply unit connected to the layer, a second power supply unit that can be electrically connected to the outside and connected to its second electrode layer, and insulated from the self-conduction path, and at least two other organic EL elements A bypass wiring that can be electrically connected to the panel and bypasses the self-energization path to electrically connect the other two organic EL panels is provided.

According to the structure of this invention, it has the self-energization path | route which supplies with electricity to an organic light emitting layer by supplying between the 1st electrode layer and the 2nd electrode layer. That is, a self-energization path for self light emission is provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the organic light-emitting layer emits light when the self-energization path is energized.
Moreover, according to the structure of this invention, it lays down and uses it in a predetermined part. In other words, it is used in a plane with a plurality of other organic EL panels.
And according to the structure of this invention, it has the bypass wiring insulated with respect to the self-energization path | route for self-light-emission, bypassing a self-energization path | route, and two separate from an own organic EL panel Organic EL panels can be electrically connected to each other. In other words, there is a bypass wiring that does not contribute to self-light emission, and the bypass wiring functions as a bypass path for connecting two other organic EL panels.
Therefore, even if the user mistakenly connects the electrode terminal of the external power supply to the bypass wiring, the self-energization path is not energized and the light emitting layer does not emit light. Therefore, the user is likely to notice that the wiring is incorrect.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the bypass wiring electrically connects the first power feeding unit of one organic EL panel and the second power feeding unit of the other organic EL panel among the other two organic EL panels. The organic EL panel according to claim 1, wherein the organic EL panel is connectable.

According to the structure of this invention, the said bypass wiring electrically connects the 1st electric power feeding part of one organic EL panel and the 2nd electric power feeding part of the other organic EL panel among the said other two organic EL panels. Can be connected to. That is, the bypass wiring connects between two organic EL panels different from its own organic EL panel, and when the two organic EL panels emit light, they are electrically connected in series. . Therefore, the currents flowing through the two organic EL panels are equal, and light can be emitted without causing uneven light emission between the two organic EL panels.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first bypass terminal can be connected to a connection wiring that is electrically connected to the first power feeding portion of one of the other two organic EL panels. The second bypass terminal is connectable to a connection wiring electrically connected to the second power feeding part of the other organic EL panel, out of the other two organic EL panels. The organic EL panel according to claim 1, wherein the organic EL panel is characterized by the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the organic EL panel according to any one of the first to third aspects , the bypass wiring can be electrically connected between the organic EL panels adjacent to the bypass wiring. is there.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, since the bypass wiring can be electrically connected between the organic EL panels adjacent to each other, when the bypass wiring is installed at a predetermined site, the bypass wiring is connected to another organic EL panel. It is hard to get in the way.

The invention according to claim 5 has a light emitting region that actually emits light when the substrate is viewed in plan, and a frame region surrounding the light emitting region, and the bypass wiring crosses the light emitting region longitudinally or across. it is an organic EL panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, since the bypass wiring crosses the light emitting region vertically or crosses, it is possible to connect the organic EL panels with the shortest distance.

The above-described invention may include a light emitting region that actually emits light when the substrate is viewed in plan, and a frame region surrounding the light emitting region, and the bypass wiring may be arranged to bypass the light emitting region.

According to the configuration of the present invention, since the bypass wiring is arranged around the light emitting region, the bypass wiring can be provided also on the light extraction surface side.

In the above-described invention, both sides may emit light .

According to the structure of this invention, since both surfaces emit light, the light emission area is large.

The invention according to claim 6 is an organic EL panel connection structure for connecting two or more types of organic EL panels having different emission colors when lit, and at least one of the two or more types of organic EL panels is an organic EL panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bypass wiring is connected structure of the organic EL panel, which comprises connecting the other organic EL panels with different colors.

According to the configuration of the present invention, two or more types of organic EL panels having different emission colors are connected at the time of lighting, and the bypass wiring connects other organic EL panels having different colors. That is, it is possible to adjust the basic mixed emission color by combining the emission color of the self and the emission color of another organic EL panel.
Further, by adjusting the amount of current or the like, it is possible to adjust the chromaticity of white light formed by the light of two or more types of organic EL panels, and it is possible to add a dimming function.

The invention according to claim 7, wherein the bypass line is a connection structure of an organic EL panel according to claim 6, characterized in that electrically connected in series between the organic EL panel exhibiting the same color of emission colors .

  According to the configuration of the present invention, since the bypass wiring electrically connects the organic EL panels exhibiting the same color emission color in series, it is possible to pass a current for each organic EL panel exhibiting the same color emission color. Yes, by adjusting the amount of current and the like, the light emission intensity can be adjusted uniformly for each organic EL panel exhibiting the same color of light emission.

Invention described above, the kind of emission color different from the organic EL panel is lit, may I 2 or more 4 or fewer der.

According to the configuration of the present invention, the types of organic EL panels having different emission colors when lit are 2 or more and 4 or less. If there are more than four types of organic EL panels, the distance between the organic EL panels of the same color may be too large, and the user may not appear to emit white light.

In the connection structure of the organic EL panel described above, one of the two or more different organic EL panels is a blue light-emitting panel having an emission peak only at a wavelength of less than 550 nm, and at least one other is 550 nm. it is not preferable is a red light emitting panel having a light emission peak only wavelengths above.

The present invention is a connection structure of an organic EL panel for connecting two or more types of organic EL panels having different emission colors when lit, and at least one of the two or more types of organic EL panels has a basic structure. On the material, there is provided at least a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an organic light emitting layer sandwiched between the two electrode layers, and organic light emission is performed by energizing between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. A self-energizing path for energizing the layer, and being electrically connectable to the outside and connected to the first electrode layer of the self, and electrically connectable to the outside and self And the other two organic EL panels that are insulated from the self-energization path of the one organic EL panel and are different from the at least one organic EL panel. Detour wiring part that can be electrically connected to Wherein the bypass wiring member is associated with the connection structure of the organic EL panel that connects between the other organic EL panel of a color different from the said one of the organic EL panel.

According to the configuration of the present invention, since the organic EL panel and the bypass wiring member are separate members, they can be formed by combining conventional organic EL panels.
Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, two or more types of organic EL panels having different emission colors are connected at the time of lighting, and the bypass wiring connects other organic EL panels having different colors. That is, it is possible to adjust the basic mixed emission color by combining the emission color of the self and the emission color of another organic EL panel.
Further, by adjusting the amount of current and the like, it is possible to adjust the chromaticity of white light formed by light emission of two or more types of organic EL panels, and it is possible to add a dimming function.

According to the organic EL panel of the present invention, miswiring can be easily found.
According to the connection structure of the organic EL panel of the present invention described above, it is possible to easily find a miswiring and to provide a dimming function at a lower cost than a conventional organic EL panel.

It is a perspective view of the connection structure of the organic electroluminescent panel in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of the connection structure of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the organic EL apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the connection structure of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. 1, (a) is an electrical circuit diagram in consideration of the actual positional relationship of the connection structure of an organic electroluminescent panel, (b) is simplified (a). FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of further extending the connection structure of the organic electroluminescent panel of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the connection structure of the organic EL panel of other embodiment, (a) is an electrical circuit diagram in consideration of the actual positional relationship of the connection structure of an organic EL panel, (b) is (a). It is the electric circuit diagram which simplified. It is explanatory drawing of the connection structure of the organic electroluminescent panel of other embodiment, (a) is an electrical circuit diagram in consideration of the actual positional relationship of the connection structure of an organic electroluminescent panel, (b) is (a) FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the upper and lower positional relationship of the organic EL panel connection structure 1 will be described based on the posture of FIG. That is, the light extraction side is down. In addition, the drawings are described extremely as compared with the actual size (length, width, thickness) as a whole for easy understanding.

The organic EL panel connection structure 1 of the present embodiment is formed by laying an organic EL panel 2 in a planar shape so that each organic EL panel 2 is connected by a connection wiring 3.
Specifically, the organic EL panel connection structure 1 is formed by arranging the organic EL panels 2 side by side in a vertical and horizontal grid pattern as shown in FIG. 1, and the vertical direction (row direction C) or the horizontal direction (column direction). The organic EL panels 2 adjacent to R) are connected by the connection wiring 3.

  In the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panels, the organic EL panels 2 are connected to each other by connection wirings 3, and all the organic EL panels 2 can emit light as a whole.

The organic EL panel 2 used in the organic EL panel connection structure 1 uses a plurality of types of organic EL panels having different emission colors. Then, the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel can make it appear to the user that the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel emits white light by superimposing the light emitted from each organic EL panel 2. It has become.
Further, the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel can cause the organic EL panels 2 corresponding to the respective colors to emit light independently by electrically connecting the organic EL panels 2 that emit light of the same color in series. It also has dimming and toning functions by limiting the amount of current.
The type of the organic EL panel 2 to be used is appropriately selected according to the color to be emitted, the accuracy of dimming, the brightness, and the size of the organic EL panel, and is not particularly limited. Preferably the following are used: If there are more than four types of organic EL panels 2, the distance between the organic EL panels 2 of the same color may be too large, and the user may not be able to see the white light emission.

Hereinafter, the structure of each structural member of the connection structure 1 of an organic EL panel will be described.
The organic EL panel 2 is formed by an organic EL device 5 and a power supply member 6 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the organic EL device 5 includes an organic EL element 41 (laminated body) in which a first electrode layer 43, a functional layer 45, and a second electrode layer 46 are laminated in this order on a substrate 42 (base material). It is equipped with. The first electrode layer 43 and the second electrode layer 46 are opposed to each other with the functional layer 45 interposed therebetween. By energizing between the first electrode layer 43 and the second electrode layer 46, the functional layer 45 is energized and electrons are And recombination of holes with light occurs. That is, a self-energization path is formed among the first electrode layer 43, the functional layer 45, and the second electrode layer 46.
The organic EL device 5 of the present embodiment is designed so that a desired emission color is exhibited by changing the constituent members of the functional layer 45. A detailed layer structure will be described later.

Further, the organic EL device 5 has a light emitting region 50 that actually emits light when turned on and a frame region 51 so as to surround the light emitting region 50 when the substrate 42 is viewed in plan as shown in FIG.
The light emitting region 50 is a rectangular region, and the light emitting surface of the organic EL panel 2 (the surface on the substrate 42 side, on which the user can actually see the light emission) is provided on the substrate 42 side of the organic EL device 5. Contains. The light emitting region 50 of the present embodiment is similar to the substrate 42 and is a square region. Here, the “similar shape” includes a congruent shape.
The frame region 51 is a region surrounding the light emitting region 50 in a ring shape as shown in FIG. 5 and is a non-light emitting region that does not emit light when turned on. The frame region 51 includes a plurality of power feeding units 52 that function as electrical contacts with the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the power feeding unit 52 is electrically connected to the first power feeding unit 55 electrically connected to the first electrode layer 43 in the organic EL element 41 and the second electrode layer 46 in the organic EL element 41. The first power supply unit 55 and the second power supply unit 56 are in positions facing each other across the light emitting region 50.

Turning to the power supply member 6, the power supply member 6 has a structure in which a plurality of conductive members 16, 17 and a bypass member 18 are sandwiched between insulating members 15, 20 as shown in FIG.
That is, the power supply member 6 is formed of the first insulating member 15, the first conductive member 16, the second conductive member 17, the detour member 18, and the second insulating member 20.

The first insulating member 15 is a plate-like or sheet-like member having an insulating property, and has a shape (rectangle) similar to the substrate 42 in plan view. That is, the first insulating member 15 of the present embodiment is a square member. The first insulating member 15 can cover part or all of the back surface (surface opposite to the light emitting surface) of the organic EL device 5. Specifically, the first insulating member 15 can cover at least the light emitting region 50.
The first insulating member 15 penetrates in the member thickness direction (vertical direction) as shown in FIG. 3 and the first insertion hole 21 into which the first power supply terminal 25 can be inserted, and the second insulation member 15 penetrates in the member thickness direction. A second insertion hole 22 through which the power supply terminal 29 can be inserted is provided.
The first insertion hole 21 is a through hole having a rectangular opening shape, and is provided at a position corresponding to the first power feeding unit 55 when the organic EL panel 2 is assembled. Specifically, the first insertion hole 21 is located in the vicinity of one side of the first insulating member 15, and the long side of the first insertion hole 21 extends in the side direction of the first insulating member 15. Yes.
The second insertion hole 22 is a through hole having a rectangular opening shape, and is provided at a position corresponding to the second power feeding unit 56 when the organic EL panel 2 is assembled. Specifically, the second insertion hole 22 is located in the vicinity of one side of the first insulating member 15, and the long side of the second insertion hole 22 extends in the side direction of the first insulating member 15. Yes. Further, when the first insulating member 15 is viewed in plan, the second insertion hole 22 and the first insertion hole 21 are located in the vicinity of the sides facing each other, and the long sides of the openings are parallel to each other.

The first conductive member 16 is a member having conductivity, and is a member that forms a conductive path between the first power feeding unit 55 of the organic EL device 5 and the connection wiring 3. The first conductive member 16 is formed of a first power supply terminal 25 and a first conductive wiring 26 as shown in FIG.
The first power supply terminal 25 is a part connectable to the connection wiring 3 and can be electrically connected to the connection wiring 3 by being connected. Specifically, the first power supply terminal 25 protrudes from the first conductive wiring 26 and can be engaged with a part of the connection wiring 3.
The first conductive wiring 26 is a plate-like or foil-like part, and is a part where the first power supply portion 55 of the organic EL device 5 and the first power supply terminal 25 can be electrically connected.

The second conductive member 17 is a member having conductivity, and is a member that forms a conductive path between the second power feeding unit 56 of the organic EL device 5 and the connection wiring 3. The second conductive member 17 is formed of the second power supply terminal 29 and the second conductive wiring 30 as shown in FIG.
The second power supply terminal 29 is a part connectable to the connection wiring 3, and can be electrically connected to the connection wiring 3 by being connected. Specifically, the second power supply terminal 29 protrudes from the second conductive wiring 30 and can be engaged with a part of the connection wiring 3.
The second conductive wiring 30 is a plate-like or foil-like part, and is a part where the second power supply unit 56 of the organic EL device 5 and the second power supply terminal 29 can be electrically connected.

The bypass member 18 is a conductive member, and is formed of a first bypass terminal 33, a second bypass terminal 34, and a bypass wiring 35 as shown in FIG.
The first bypass terminal 33 is a part connectable to the connection wiring 3 and can be electrically connected to the connection wiring 3 by being connected. Specifically, the first bypass terminal 33 protrudes from the bypass wiring 35 and can be engaged with a part of the connection wiring 3.
The second bypass terminal 34 is a part connectable to the connection wiring 3 and can be electrically connected to the connection wiring 3 by being connected. Specifically, the second bypass terminal 34 protrudes from the bypass wiring 35 and can be engaged with a part of the connection wiring 3.
The bypass wiring 35 is a plate-like or foil-like portion, and is a portion that electrically connects the first bypass terminal 33 and the second bypass terminal 34.

The second insulating member 20 is an insulating plate-like or sheet-like member and has a plurality of through holes.
Specifically, the second insulating member 20 includes a first extraction hole 37 through which the first power supply terminal 25 can be inserted, a second extraction hole 38 through which the second power supply terminal 29 can be inserted, as shown in FIG. A third extraction hole 39 through which the first bypass terminal 33 can be inserted and a fourth extraction hole 40 through which the second bypass terminal 34 can be inserted are provided.

Here, paying attention to the positional relationship of the power supply member 6, the first conductive wiring 26 of the first conductive member 16 is inserted into the first insertion hole 21 of the first insulating member 15, and the inside of the second insertion hole 22. The second conductive wiring 30 of the second conductive member 17 is inserted into the second conductive member 17.
In plan view, the first conductive member 16, the second conductive member 17, and the bypass member 18 are arranged in a substantially “H” shape.
That is, the first conductive member 16 and the second conductive member 17 are parallel to each other with a predetermined interval, and the bypass member 18 is disposed inside the first conductive member 16 and the second conductive member 17. The detour member 18 is directed in a direction intersecting the first conductive member 16 (second conductive member 17). In the present embodiment, the bypass member 18 is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the first conductive member 16 (second conductive member 17).
The first conductive member 16 and the bypass member 18 are not in contact with each other, and a gap is formed. The second conductive member 17 and the detour member 18 are not in contact with each other, and a gap is formed. That is, in the power supply member 6, the first conductive member 16, the second conductive member 17, and the bypass member 18 are electrically separated from each other and insulated.

The first power supply terminal 25 of the first conductive member 16 is inserted into the first extraction hole 37, and a part of the first power supply terminal 25 projects from the second insulating member 20. The second power supply terminal 29 of the second conductive member 17 is inserted into the second extraction hole 38, and a part of the second conductive member 17 projects from the second insulating member 20. The first bypass terminal 33 of the bypass member 18 is inserted into the third extraction hole 39, and a part of the first bypass terminal 33 projects from the second insulating member 20. The second bypass terminal 34 of the bypass member 18 is inserted into the fourth extraction hole 40, and a part of the second bypass terminal 34 projects from the second insulating member 20.
As described above, these terminals 25, 29, 33, and 34 protrude from the second insulating member 20, and can be connected to other organic EL panels 2 by connecting the connection wirings 3 to the protruding portions. It has become.

Then, the positional relationship of each member which comprises the organic EL panel 2 is demonstrated.
In the organic EL panel 2, a power supply member 6 is placed on the organic EL device 5 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the first conductive wiring 26 of the power supply member 6 is in contact with the first power supply portion 55 of the organic EL device 5, and the second conductive wiring 30 is in contact with the second power supply portion 56. That is, the organic EL panel 2 is formed with a conductive path from the first power supply portion 55 of the organic EL device 5 to the first power supply terminal 25 of the power supply member 6. Similarly, the second power supply portion 56 supplies the second power supply. A conductive path to the terminal 29 is formed. Therefore, it is possible to supply power to the organic EL element 41 in the organic EL device 5 by electrically connecting the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the external power source between the first power supply terminal 25 and the second power supply terminal 29.

Further, the detour member 18 (the detour wiring 35) is arranged vertically or transversely on the projection surface of the substrate 42. Specifically, it is provided so as to cross the light emitting region 50 of the organic EL device 5.
Here, “crossing” includes not only the horizontal direction but also the vertical and diagonal directions.
In addition, the bypass member 18 is electrically insulated from the first conductive member 16 and the second conductive member 17 as described above, and is further electrically insulated from the organic EL device 5 by the first insulating member 15. Yes. That is, the detour member 18 does not contribute to the light emission of the organic EL device 5 of its own organic EL panel 2.

Next, the relationship between the organic EL panels 2 in the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel will be described.
In the present embodiment, the above-described four types of organic EL panels 2 having different emission colors are used, and in order to clearly distinguish each of the organic EL panels 2, in the following description, for each emission color of the same color. First organic EL panel 10 (10a-10d), second organic EL panel 11 (11a-11d), third organic EL panel 12 (12a-12d), fourth organic EL panel 13 (13a-13d) That's it.
The structure of these organic EL panels 2 is the same except for the emission color of the organic EL device 5.

  In the organic EL panel connection structure 1, the organic EL panels are connected by the connection wiring 3 as described above. Specifically, in the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel, one unit (hereinafter referred to as an organic EL panel group 60) is formed by the four organic EL panels 10, 11, 12, and 13 as shown in FIG. The organic EL panel group 60 is distributed with a spread on the surface.

In the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel of the present embodiment, the organic EL panels 2 are arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns as shown in FIG.
In the horizontal direction (column direction R), the first row is alternately arranged in the order of the first organic EL panel 10a, the second organic EL panel 11a, the first organic EL panel 10b, and the second organic EL panel 11b. Yes.
In the second row, the third organic EL panel 12a, the fourth organic EL panel 13a, the third organic EL panel 12b, and the fourth organic EL panel 13b are alternately arranged in this order.
In the third row, the second organic EL panel 11c, the first organic EL panel 10c, the second organic EL panel 11d, and the first organic EL panel 10d are alternately arranged in this order.
In the fourth row, the fourth organic EL panel 13c, the third organic EL panel 12c, the fourth organic EL panel 13d, and the third organic EL panel 12d are alternately arranged in this order.
As described above, the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel has two types of organic EL panels 10 and 11 or organic EL panels 12 and 13 alternately arranged in any row, and the organic EL panels of the same color are The organic EL panels of the same color are arranged in parallel with at least one different organic EL panel sandwiched therebetween. For example, the organic EL panels 10a and 10b having the same color are arranged in parallel with at least one different organic EL panel 11a interposed between the organic EL panels 10a and 10b.

In the vertical direction (row direction C), the first organic EL panel 10a, the third organic EL panel 12a, the second organic EL panel 11c, and the fourth organic EL panel 13c are alternately arranged in the first column in this order. Yes.
In the second row, the second organic EL panel 11a, the fourth organic EL panel 13a, the first organic EL panel 10c, and the third organic EL panel 12c are alternately arranged in this order.
In the third row, the first organic EL panel 10b, the third organic EL panel 12b, the second organic EL panel 11d, and the fourth organic EL panel 13d are alternately arranged in this order.
In the fourth row, the second organic EL panel 11b, the fourth organic EL panel 13b, the first organic EL panel 10d, and the third organic EL panel 12d are alternately arranged in this order.
As described above, in the organic EL panel connection structure 1, in the row direction C, all kinds of organic EL panels among the four kinds of organic EL panels are arranged in the same column. That is, in any organic EL panel, the type of the organic EL panel adjacent to itself is different and is different from its own emission color. Moreover, the distance of the organic EL panel of the same kind nearest to self is equidistant.

In the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel of the present embodiment, two organic EL panel groups 60 are arranged in the column direction R, and the organic EL panel group 60 belonging to the third column and the fourth column is The organic EL panels arranged in the row direction C of the organic EL panel group 60 belonging to the second column are replaced.
From another viewpoint, the organic EL panel group 60 belonging to the third row and the fourth row is equivalent to the organic EL panel group 60 belonging to the first row and the second row in the column direction R by one organic EL panel. It can be said that it is in the slide position.

  When attention is paid to the connection relationship of the four organic EL panels arranged in the first row, that is, the first organic EL panel 10a, the second organic EL panel 11a, the first organic EL panel 10b, and the second organic EL panel 11b, FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the second power supply terminal 29 of the first organic EL panel 10a and the first bypass terminal 33 of the adjacent second organic EL panel 11a are connected by the connection wiring 3, and the second organic EL panel 11a. The second bypass terminal 34 and the first power supply terminal 25 of the first organic EL panel 10 b are connected by the connection wiring 3. That is, a conductive path that is electrically insulated from the second organic EL panel 11a is formed between the first organic EL panel 10a and the first organic EL panel 10b. It is connected to the. In other words, the second organic EL panel 11 a electrically connects the first organic EL panel 10 a and the first organic EL panel 10 b adjacent to each other by the self-detour member 18.

  Further, the second power feeding terminal 29 of the second organic EL panel 11a and the first bypass terminal 33 of the adjacent first organic EL panel 10b are connected by the connection wiring 3, and the second bypass of the first organic EL panel 10b. The terminal 34 and the first power supply terminal 25 of the second organic EL panel 11 b are connected by the connection wiring 3. That is, a conductive path that is electrically insulated from the first organic EL panel 10b is formed between the second organic EL panel 11a and the second organic EL panel 11b. It is connected to the. In other words, the first organic EL panel 10 b electrically connects the second organic EL panel 11 a and the second organic EL panel 11 b adjacent to each other by the self-detour member 18.

  When attention is paid to the connection relationship of the four organic EL panels 2 of the third organic EL panel 12a, the fourth organic EL panel 13a, the third organic EL panel 12b, and the fourth organic EL panel 13b arranged in the second row, FIG. 4, the second power feeding terminal 29 of the third organic EL panel 12 a and the first bypass terminal 33 of the adjacent fourth organic EL panel 13 a are connected by the connection wiring 3, and the fourth organic EL panel The second bypass terminal 34 of 13 a and the first power supply terminal 25 of the third organic EL panel 12 b are connected by the connection wiring 3. That is, a conductive path electrically insulated from the fourth organic EL panel 13a is formed between the third organic EL panel 12a and the third organic EL panel 12b, and the conductive paths are electrically connected in series with each other. It is connected. In other words, the fourth organic EL panel 13a electrically connects the third organic EL panel 12a and the third organic EL panel 12b adjacent to each other by the detour member 18 of the fourth organic EL panel 13a.

  Further, the second power feeding terminal 29 of the fourth organic EL panel 13a and the first bypass terminal 33 of the adjacent third organic EL panel 12b are connected by the connection wiring 3, and the second bypass of the third organic EL panel 12b. The terminal 34 and the first power supply terminal 25 of the fourth organic EL panel 13 b are connected by the connection wiring 3. That is, a conductive path electrically insulated from the third organic EL panel 12b is formed between the fourth organic EL panel 13a and the fourth organic EL panel 13b, and the conductive paths are electrically connected in series with each other. It is connected. In other words, the third organic EL panel 12b electrically connects the fourth organic EL panel 13a and the fourth organic EL panel 13b adjacent to each other by the detour member 18 of the third organic EL panel 12b.

  The connection relationship in the third row is the same except that the positional relationship between the first organic EL panel 10 and the second organic EL panel 11 in the first row is reversed, and the connection relationship in the fourth row is Since it is the same except that the positional relationship between the third organic EL panel 12 and the fourth organic EL panel 13 in the two rows is reversed, the description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, the organic EL panel connection structure 1 forms a plurality of series connection groups 70, 71, 72, 73 electrically connected in series between the same type of organic EL panels 2 arranged in the column direction R. doing.

When attention is paid to the electrical connection relationship between the organic EL panels 2 when an external power source is connected to the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel, the first organic EL panel 10a and the first organic EL panel 10b are electrically connected as described above. Are connected in series to form a series connection group 70 (70a), and the first organic EL panel 10c and the first organic EL panel 10d are electrically connected in series to form the series connection group 70 (70b). Forming. 6A and 6B, the series connection group 70a is electrically in parallel with the series connection group 70b.
6A is an electric circuit diagram in consideration of the actual positional relationship of the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel, and FIG. 6B is a simplified electric circuit diagram of FIG. 6A. is there.

  The second organic EL panel 11a and the second organic EL panel 11b are electrically connected in series to form a series connection group 71 (71a). The second organic EL panel 11c and the second organic EL panel 11d are electrically connected. Thus, they are connected in series to form a series connection group 71 (71b). As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the series connection group 71a and the series connection group 71b are in an electrically parallel relationship.

  The third organic EL panel 12a and the third organic EL panel 12b are electrically connected in series to form a series connection group 72 (72a). The third organic EL panel 12c and the third organic EL panel 12d are electrically connected. Thus, they are connected in series to form a series connection group 72 (72b). As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the series connection group 72a and the series connection group 72b are in an electrically parallel relationship.

  The fourth organic EL panel 13a and the fourth organic EL panel 13b are electrically connected in series to form a series connection group 73 (73a). The fourth organic EL panel 13c and the fourth organic EL panel 13d are electrically connected. Are connected in series to form a series connection group 73 (73b). As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the series connection group 73a and the series connection group 73b are in an electrically parallel relationship.

  The series connection group 70a and the series connection group 70b are electrically in parallel with the series connection group 71a and the series connection group 71b, the series connection group 72a and the series connection group 72b, and the series connection group 73a and the series connection group 73b. ing.

  The series connection group 70a and the series connection group 70b form an external power source and a closed circuit, respectively. Similarly, the series connection group 71a and the series connection group 71b, the series connection group 72a and the series connection group 72b, and the series connection group 73a and the series connection group 73b form an external power source and a closed circuit, respectively.

  As described above, in the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel, each series connection group 70, 71, 72, 73 forms a closed circuit with the external power source, and each is controlled by PWM control using a variable resistor or a microcomputer. The light can be dimmed by controlling the amount of current to the organic EL panel.

  In the case of controlling the amount of current to each organic EL panel using a variable resistor, each series connection group 70a, 70b, 71a, 71b, 72a, 72b, 73a, 73b is used from the viewpoint of accurate control. It is preferable to attach a variable resistance to.

  Moreover, according to the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel of the present embodiment, the series connection groups 70, 71, 72, 73 are electrically connected in parallel with each other. Even if it deteriorates and becomes incapable of emitting light, the first organic EL panel 10 can be made to emit light by replacing only the short-circuited organic EL device 5 with a new organic EL device 5 while being connected by the power supply member 6. It is possible to return. That is, the first organic EL panels 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, the second organic EL panels 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, the third organic EL panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and the fourth organic EL panel 13a. , 13b, 13c, and 13d, the lifetime of each organic EL device 5 can be maximized.

  Moreover, according to the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel of the present embodiment, the current flowing through the organic EL panels constituting the series connection groups 70, 71, 72, 73 can be controlled, and the series connection groups 70, 71, Since the organic EL panels constituting 72 and 73 are evenly distributed throughout, it is possible to emit light uniformly without color unevenness.

  Next, the layer configuration of the organic EL device 5 will be described.

The material of the board | substrate 42 will not be specifically limited if it has transparency and insulation. In this embodiment, a glass substrate is employed.
Further, the substrate 42 has a planar shape. Specifically, it is polygonal or circular, and is preferably square. In this embodiment, a square glass substrate is employed.

  The first electrode layer 43 is a layer formed of a transparent conductive oxide, and for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) can be employed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the functional layer 45 is provided between the first electrode layer 43 and the second electrode layer 46, and is a layer including at least one organic light emitting layer.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the functional layer 45 has a structure in which, from the first electrode layer 43 side, a hole injection layer 61, a hole transport layer 62, an organic light emitting layer 63, an electron transport layer 64, and An electron injection layer 65 is provided. The hole injection layer 61, the hole transport layer 62, the organic light emitting layer 63, the electron transport layer 64, and the electron injection layer 65 are all formed of a known organic material or the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the light emission color of the organic EL device 5 is controlled according to the type of the organic light emitting layer 63, and the light emission color is different among the organic EL panels 10, 11, 12, and 13. ing.
Specifically, the first organic EL panel 10 is designed to be an organic EL panel having a blue emission color having an emission peak only at a wavelength of less than 550 nm, depending on the type of the organic light emitting layer 63. The second organic EL panel 11 is designed to be an organic EL panel having a red emission color having an emission peak only at a wavelength of 550 nm or more depending on the type of the organic light emitting layer 63.
In the present embodiment, since the organic EL panel of four colors is used, the first organic EL panel 10 has a blue light emission peak only at a wavelength of 400 nm or more and less than 500 nm depending on the type of the organic light emitting layer 63. The organic EL panel is designed to have an emission color, and the second organic EL panel 11 has a red emission color having an emission peak only at a wavelength of 620 nm to 700 nm depending on the type of the organic emission layer 63. It is designed to be an organic EL panel.

The third organic EL panel 12 is designed to be an organic EL panel having a green emission color having an emission peak only at a wavelength of 495 nm or more and less than 570 nm, depending on the type of the organic light emitting layer 63. The 4 organic EL panel 13 is designed to be an organic EL panel having an orange emission color having an emission peak only at a wavelength of 570 nm or more and less than 620 nm depending on the type of the organic light emitting layer 63.
Light-emitting area of the organic EL device 5 is a 4m ² from 4 mm ^2, preferably from 50 cm ² is 2m ^2, and particularly preferably from 100 cm ² is 2500 cm ^2.

  The second electrode layer 46 is not particularly limited as long as it forms an electrode with the first electrode layer 43 as a pair. For example, silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), or the like can be adopted.

In the embodiment described above, the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel in which the organic EL panel 10 of 4 rows and 4 columns is arranged has been described. However, when the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel is actually used as illumination, it is used. In accordance with the environment, the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel is expanded and used as a reference. Therefore, as a representative example, when the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel is expanded as one unit as shown in FIG. 7 with the connection structure 1 of four organic EL panels and used as illumination, The positional relationship will be described.
The illumination expanded so that the connection structure 1 of the organic EL panel is distributed on a plane is different between the organic EL panels 11, 12, 13 of the same color between the organic EL panels 10, 10 of the same color as shown in FIG. Each is sandwiched. Specifically, the organic EL panels 11, 12, and 13 of the remaining colors are sandwiched one by one between the organic EL panels 10 and 10 of the same color.
Further, the interval between the same type of organic EL panels adjacent in the row direction is equal to the interval between adjacent columns of the same type of organic EL panel adjacent in the row direction. For example, the distance between the first organic EL panels 10a and 10a adjacent in the row direction is equal to the distance between the first organic EL panels 10b and 10b in the adjacent column.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where four types of organic EL panels 2 are used has been described. However, there is no particular limitation as long as the plurality of types of organic EL panels 2 are used.
For example, in the case of two types, as shown in FIG. 8, the first organic EL panel 10 and the second organic EL panel 11 having different emission colors are alternately arranged in the row direction and the column direction. That is, the first organic EL panels 10 and the second organic EL panels 11 having different emission colors are arranged in a staggered manner.
The series connection group 70a composed of the first organic EL panels 10a and 10b includes a series connection group 70b composed of the first organic EL panels 10c and 10d, a series connection group 70c composed of the first organic EL panels 10e and 10f, and This is in an electrically parallel relationship with the series connection group 70d including the first organic EL panels 10g and 10h. The series connection group 71a composed of the second organic EL panels 11a and 11b includes a series connection group 71b composed of the second organic EL panels 11c and 11d, a series connection group 71c composed of the second organic EL panels 11e and 11f, and a second This is in an electrically parallel relationship with a series connection group 71d composed of the organic EL panels 11g and 11h.

  In the above-described embodiment, the organic EL panels 2 of the same color arranged in the row direction (for example, the first organic EL panels 10a and 10b) are electrically connected in series, and the same color of the same color arranged in the row direction. The organic EL panel 2 is in an electrically parallel relationship with the organic EL panels of the same color arranged in the column direction and in the row direction (for example, the first organic EL panels 10c and 10d). It is not limited, and all the organic EL panels of the same color may be electrically connected in series as shown in FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, the adjacent organic EL panels of the same color are electrically connected via their own power supply members (bypass members). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection wiring 3 is used for organic connection. The EL panels may be directly connected.

  In the above-described embodiment, the organic EL device emits light on one side, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the organic EL device can be obtained by a method such as stacking single-sided organic EL devices. Both sides may emit light.

  In the above-described embodiment, the bypass member is provided vertically or across the light emitting region, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the bypass member is provided in the frame region so as to bypass the light emitting region. It may be. In particular, when both surfaces of the organic EL device emit light, it is possible to prevent the bypass member from being reflected in the light by providing the bypass member so as to bypass the light emitting region.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection structure of organic EL panel 2 Organic EL panel 10, 10a-10h 1st organic EL panel 11, 11a-11h 2nd organic EL panel 12, 12a-12h 3rd organic EL panel 13, 13a-13h 4th organic EL Panel 18 Detour member 35 Detour wiring 41 Organic EL element 42 Substrate (base material)
43 first electrode layer 45 functional layer 46 second electrode layer 50 light emitting region 51 frame region 55 first power feeding unit 56 second power feeding unit 63 light emitting layer (organic light emitting layer)

Claims (7)

An organic EL device having at least a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an organic light emitting layer sandwiched between the two electrode layers is provided on a substrate, and the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer An organic EL panel having a self-energization path for energizing the organic light emitting layer by energizing in between,
In the organic EL panel laid side by side in a predetermined site together with other organic EL panels,
A first power feeding part that is electrically connectable to the outside and is connected to the first electrode layer of the self;
A second power feeding part that can be electrically connected to the outside and connected to the second electrode layer of the second power feeding part;
Insulated with respect to the self-energization path and electrically connectable with at least the other two organic EL panels, and bypasses the self-energization path and electrically connects the other two organic EL panels. With detour wiring ,
A detour member having the detour wiring, a first detour terminal, and a second detour terminal;
The bypass wiring electrically connects the first bypass terminal and the second bypass terminal, and is sandwiched between the first insulating member and the second insulating member,
The organic EL panel, wherein the first bypass terminal and the second bypass terminal are provided on a back side of the organic EL device .   Of the other two organic EL panels, the bypass wiring is capable of electrically connecting a first power feeding unit of one organic EL panel and a second power feeding unit of the other organic EL panel. The organic EL panel according to claim 1. The first bypass terminal is connectable to a connection wiring electrically connected to the first power feeding portion of one of the other two organic EL panels,
The second bypass terminal is connectable to a connection wiring electrically connected to a second power feeding unit of the other organic EL panel among the other two organic EL panels. Item 3. The organic EL panel according to Item 1 or 2. The organic EL panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bypass wiring is capable of electrically connecting between organic EL panels adjacent to the bypass wiring. When the substrate is viewed in plan, it has a light emitting area that actually emits light, and a frame area surrounding the light emitting area,
The organic EL panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bypass wiring crosses or crosses the light emitting region. An organic EL panel connection structure for connecting two or more types of organic EL panels having different emission colors when lit,
At least one of the two or more types of organic EL panels is the organic EL panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
2. The organic EL panel connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the bypass wiring connects other organic EL panels of different colors. The organic EL panel connection structure according to claim 6 , wherein the bypass wiring electrically connects the organic EL panels exhibiting the same luminescent color in series.

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