JPH01312587A - Dot matrix type el display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the utilization efficiency of a light emission display by arraying plural electroluminescence EL elements in a dot matrix shape so that no light nonemission part is present between EL elements. CONSTITUTION:Plural EL elements are fixed laterally in array to a frame 12 so that light nonemission parts 11c at one edge sides of the respective elements 11 are positioned on the other-edge sides of adjacent elements 11, thus forming plural display units 13. Further, the frames 12 are connected and coupled longitudinally so that the light nonemission part 11b of each element 11 extending along the upper or lower edge of each display unit 13 positioned behind the lower or upper edge of each EL element 11 of its upper or lower adjacent display unit 13, and the frames 12 are further arrayed in the dot matrix shape so that light nonemission parts 11b and 11c are not present between elements 11. Consequently, EL elements 11 corresponding to a desired display pattern can be made to emit light and the utilization efficiency is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a dot matrix type EL display device constructed by arranging EL (electroluminescence) elements in a dot matrix.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when displaying a single number or the like using an EL element, the display device 1 is as shown in FIG.
A filter 3 provided with a display pattern 3a such as a desired number or character to be displayed on the upper surface of the EL element 2 which is a surface light emitter.
It is constructed by overlapping and pasting.

In the display device 1 configured as described above, when the EL element 2 is powered by the power source 4 to cause it to emit light, the light emitted from the EL element 1 enters the filter 3 above the EL element 2. , according to the display pattern provided in this filter 3, in the case of a positive pattern (as shown in the figure), the portion 3a of the text etc. is displayed, and in the case of the negative pattern, the portion 3b other than the text etc. of the transparent area of the filter 3 is displayed. By transmitting the light and emitting it to the outside, the display pattern can be displayed in a positive or negative manner.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in the EL display device 1 configured in this way, only a part of the light emitted from the EL element 2 passes through the transparent area 3a or 3b of the filter 3 and is used for display. The usage efficiency for display is relatively low, and if there are multiple types of display patterns such as 9 numbers and 9 characters to be displayed, it is necessary to prepare a filter 3 for each display pattern, which increases the cost and , when using one type of filter 3, it is not possible to display other display patterns,
The display is fixed using one type of filter 3, and when changing to another display pattern, the filter 3 must be replaced each time, which is cumbersome to operate. It was impossible to switch between different display patterns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide an EL display device that has high efficiency in using luminescence for display and can change a display pattern over time.

[Means and actions for solving the problem] The above purpose is:
According to the present invention, a plurality of EL elements each having a non-light-emitting part formed by an auxiliary electrode or the like along two adjacent sides are arranged such that a non-light-emitting part on one side of each EL element is located in a green area in addition to the adjacent EL element. A plurality of display units are formed by arranging them in a line laterally and fixing them to the frame so as to be located behind the side greens, and each EL extending along the upper or lower edge of each display unit. The non-light emitting parts of the elements are vertically connected by connecting the frames so that the non-light emitting parts of the elements are located behind the lower edge or the upper edge of each EL element of the display unit adjacent to the upper or lower side of the element. This is achieved by a dot matrix type EL display device in which the EL elements are arranged in a dot matrix shape so that there are no non-light emitting parts between the EL elements.

According to this invention, since each EL element is used as a light-emitting dot forming a display pattern, the desired display pattern can be formed by causing the EL element corresponding to the desired display pattern to emit light using an appropriate method. Display is performed, and since there is no non-light-emitting portion between the EL elements, a seamless and highly visible display of characters, numbers, etc. can be obtained. Moreover, if a sequence controller is used, for example, the display can be sequentially switched to a specific display pattern after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, making it possible to display multiple types of display patterns with very simple operation and at low cost. At the same time, only the EL elements corresponding to the desired display pattern, that is, the EL elements necessary for display, are allowed to emit light, so all of the light emitted from each EL element is used for display, which increases the efficiency of use of light emission for display. improves. Furthermore, when all the EL elements emit light, there is no non-emissive part between each EL element, so the whole emits light as one surface light emitter, and this EL display device can be used as a multiple display unit. Since each display unit is made up of an EL element and a frame for fixedly supporting the EL element, it is extremely thin and lightweight, and can be disassembled into individual display units for transportation. This makes it easy to transport and allows for the construction of large displays.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail based on one embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a dot matrix type EL display device according to the present invention, and the EL display device 10 has m
A plurality of dots arranged in a dot matrix of rows and n columns (
It is composed of thick film EL elements 11 (mXn pieces).

As shown in FIG. 2, each thick film EL element 11 has a transparent moisture-proof shield 11a made of a moisture-proof film along the periphery, and two adjacent sides, in the case shown, the upper edge and the left edge. It is provided with non-light-emitting parts 11b and llc based on auxiliary electrodes along the
stands out.

As shown in FIG. 3, the thick film EL elements 11 include a plurality of
In the case shown, four pieces are lined up horizontally in frame 1.
It is fixed at 2. This frame 12 has an EL element 1
Holding members 12a and 12b extending laterally on the back side of the entire upper and lower parts of 1, and an arm 1 that fixes these members to each other.
2c. As shown in FIG. 3(D), each EL element 11 is stacked so that its vertical non-light emitting part 11c is hidden behind the green on the opposite side from the non-light emitting part 11c of the adjacent EL element 11. In this state, the lead terminal lid is folded back and fixed to the frame 12 by an appropriate method such as double-sided adhesive tape, thereby forming a display unit 13. As a result, the non-light-emitting portion 11b at the upper edge of each EL element 11 is
), it extends in a straight line along the upper edge of the display unit 13, and the lead terminal 1J of each EL element 11
d projects downward from the lower edge of the holding member 12a of the frame 12, as shown in FIG. 3(C).

The lower holding member 12b of the frame 12 is shifted upward by a predetermined dimension from the lower edge of each EL element 11, that is, by a dimension that can cover the non-light emitting part 11b of each EL element 11 from the upper edge of the display unit 13. , installed.

Further, the display units 13 are vertically connected to each other as shown in FIG. 4. That is, as shown in FIG. 4(A), first, the lower edge of the lower holding member 12a of the frame 12 of one display unit 13 is moved downwardly onto the upper holding member 12a of the frame 12 of the display unit 13 adjacent to the display unit 13. The lower edge of each EL element 11 of this display unit 13 is overlapped with the upper edge of each EL element 11 of the lower display unit 13 while making contact with the edge. This allows the lower display unit) 13
The non-light emitting portion 11b of each EL element 11 of the display unit)
It will be covered by the light emitting part at the lower edge of 13.

Here, the arm 1 of the frame 12 of each display unit 13 is
2c has an upper end that protrudes beyond the upper edge of each EL element 11, and this protrusion is attached to the lower holding member 12b of the frame 12 of the display unit 13 that is to be adjacent to the upper part by a screw 1.
4 or the like, and the lower holding member 12b of the upper display unit 13 and the upper holding member 12a of the lower display unit 13, which are vertically abutted, are connected to each other with screws 1.
5 or the like, the display units 13 are vertically connected to each other as shown in FIGS. 4(B) and 4(C).

Note that the arms 12c of the frames 12 of the display units 13 that are vertically adjacent to each other are arranged offset from each other as shown in FIG. There is no chance of it hitting the arm 12c.

In this way, the display units 13 are connected to each other in the vertical direction, thereby configuring the dot matrix type EL display device fIO shown in FIG. 1.

Incidentally, the lead terminal 11d of each EL element 11 is connected by a known method, for example, using a sequence controller or the like.
Power is selectively supplied as appropriate.

The embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, and when displaying, for example, a plurality of desired display patterns and a sequence program can be input and stored in a sequence controller or the like, and the display can be stored according to the sequence program. By sequentially reading out the displayed display pattern over time, the dot matrix EL display device 10 selectively causes only those EL elements 11 corresponding to the display pattern to emit light, thereby m A desired display pattern of n dots is displayed by light emission.

At this time, since the non-light-emitting parts 11b and 11c of the EL elements 11 are covered by the light-emitting parts of the adjacent EL elements 11, there is no non-light-emitting part between the EL elements 11, and the display pattern Since there is no seam between the dots constituting the dots due to non-light emitting parts, a very easy-to-see light emitting display can be obtained, and when all the EL elements 11 emit light, each EL element Since there is no seam between the non-light emitting parts, a flat light emitting display can be performed as an integrated surface light emitter.

Further, the present EL display device 10 can easily display each display unit 1.
3, and can be further disassembled into each EL element 11, and when transported, each display unit) 13 or each E
If each L element 11 is disassembled, transportation can be easily carried out.

Furthermore, since assembly is easy, large displays can be constructed relatively easily and at low cost.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of EL elements each having a non-light-emitting part formed by an auxiliary electrode or the like along two adjacent sides are arranged such that the non-light-emitting part on one side of each EL element is A plurality of display units are formed by arranging the adjacent EL elements in a row in the horizontal direction and fixing them to the frame so that the adjacent EL elements are located behind the green on the other side. The frames are connected in the vertical direction by connecting the frames so that the non-light-emitting portions of each EL element extending along the line are located behind the lower edge or upper edge of each EL element of the display unit adjacent above or below. As a result, a plurality of EL elements are arranged in a dot matrix shape and each EL element is
Since the dot matrix EL display device is configured so that the elements are arranged so that there are no non-light emitting parts between them,
Since each EL element is used as a light emitting dot that forms a display pattern, the desired display pattern is displayed by causing the EL element corresponding to the desired display pattern to emit light using an appropriate method. When each E
Since there are no non-light emitting parts between the L elements, the characters are seamless and very easy to read.

Display of numbers etc. can be obtained.

Moreover, for example, if a sequence controller is used, the display can be sequentially switched to different display patterns after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, so it is possible to display multiple types of display patterns with very simple operation and at low cost. Since only the EL elements corresponding to the desired display pattern, that is, the EL elements necessary for display, are made to emit light, each EL element
All of the light emitted from the element is used for display, and the efficiency of using light emitted for display is improved.

Furthermore, when all EL elements emit light, each E
Since there is no non-light emitting part between the L elements, the whole emits light as a single surface light emitter, and since this EL display device is composed of multiple display units, each display unit has an EL element and Since it is formed by a frame that fixedly supports this EL element, it is extremely thin and lightweight, and can be easily transported by disassembling each display unit when transporting. Large displays can also be easily constructed. This means that it can be done.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an extremely excellent EL display device that is suitable for a large-area display, which has high utilization efficiency of luminescence for display, and can change the display pattern over time. become.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a dot matrix type EL display device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of an EL element in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 1. , (A) is a front view, (B) is a front view, and (B) is a front view.
is a side view, (C) is a rear view, (D) is a bottom view, FIG. 4 is a top view of the display unit in FIG. 3, (A) is before connection, (B) is a plan view after connection, and (C ) is a rear view after connection. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional EL display device. 10... Dot matrix type EL display device; 11.
... Thick film EL element; 11a... Moisture proof; 11b,
llc...Non-light emitting part; 11d...Lead terminal; 1
2... Frame; 12a, 12b... Holding member; 12c... Arm: 13... Display unit; 1
4.15...Screw. Patent applicant: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. Representative: Patent attorney Hirayama-Hima: Patent attorney Tamotsu Kaizu Figure 3 (D)

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of EL elements having non-light-emitting parts such as auxiliary electrodes along two adjacent sides are placed on one side of each EL element, and the non-light-emitting part on the green side is on the other side of the adjacent EL element. A plurality of display units are formed by arranging them horizontally in a row and fixing them to the frame so as to be located behind the green.
Each EL extending along the top green or bottom green of each display unit
The non-light-emitting parts of the elements are connected in the vertical direction by connecting the frames so that the non-light-emitting parts of the elements are located behind the lower edge or the upper edge of each EL element of the display unit adjacent above or below. A dot matrix type EL display device, characterized in that the EL elements are arranged in a dot matrix shape so that there are no non-light emitting parts between the EL elements.