JPH11273858A - El element, its manufacture, and illuminating unit using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provided an EL element and an illuminating unit using this, which has few number of constituent parts and can be made thin is easily assembled, and inexpensive to be used in various electronic apparatuses, small in the number of part items, capable of realizing a low profile, easy in assembly, and low in cost. SOLUTION: A plurality of wiring patterns 30 are formed on an insulating layer 26 of a luminous part 27, or on an insulating film 21 other than the luminous part 27 of an EL element 32 having the luminous part 27 and connection patterns 28, 29 each formed on the insulating film 21, while fixed contacts 31A, 31B, a resistor 31C, a fixed resistance 31D, a temperature sensor 31E, and the like, connected to the wiring patterns 30 are integrally formed with a resin or rubber having conductive powder dispersed therein, and the use of this EL element 32 enables formation of an illuminating unit, which is small in the number of constituent pert items, capable of being made thin, easily assembled, and low in cost.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an EL element used as a backlight or the like in a display section or an operation section of various electronic devices, a method of manufacturing the same, and an illuminating unit using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the diversification of various electronic devices, those equipped with a backlight for illumination behind a display panel or an LCD so as to be able to identify and operate a display unit even in darkness have increased. EL elements are increasingly used for backlights.

[0005] Such a conventional EL element and an illuminating unit using the same will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0004] In order to make the configuration easy to understand, the drawings are enlarged in the thickness direction.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional EL element, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible transparent insulating film such as polyethylene terephthalate or the like. A light-transmitting electrode layer 2 made of indium tin oxide (hereinafter, referred to as ITO) is formed by vapor deposition, and a sulfur-containing material serving as a base material for light emission is formed on a high dielectric resin such as fluororubber or a cyano-based resin. A light-emitting layer 3 in which zinc is dispersed, a dielectric layer 4 in which barium titanate or the like is dispersed in a high dielectric resin, a back electrode layer 5 of silver or carbon resin, an insulating layer of epoxy resin or polyester resin, etc. 6 are sequentially formed by printing to form a light emitting section 7.

[0006] Silver or carbon resin connection patterns 8 and 9 are printed and formed on the tongue-shaped tail portion 1 A of the insulating film 1, and one end of each of the connection patterns 8 and 9 is connected to the light transmitting electrode layer 2. And EL element 1 connected to back electrode layer 5
0 is configured.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an illuminating unit using the above-described EL element, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the same.
In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an upper case made of an insulating resin, and 12 denotes a lower case. A transparent cover 13 is fitted in an opening in the center of the upper case 11, and a liquid crystal display element 14 is arranged below the transparent cover.

Under the liquid crystal display element 14, the connection patterns 8 and 9 of the tail portion 1A are
The EL element 10 connected to the printed circuit board 15 is disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the printed circuit board 15 with a slide switch 16A, a variable resistor 16B,
The illumination unit 18 is configured by mounting electronic components such as 6C, a humidity sensor 16D, and a wiring board 17.

The illuminating unit 18 having the above-described configuration is mounted on an electronic device, and a light-transmitting electrode layer 2 and a back electrode layer 5 are passed from a circuit (not shown) of the electronic device through a wiring board 17 or a printed wiring board 15. Connection patterns 8 and 9 connected to
When a voltage is applied during this time, the EL element 10 is driven and the light emitting section 7 emits light, and this light illuminates the cover 13 which is the display section of the electronic device, the liquid crystal display element 14, the operation section and the like from behind, The display unit and the operation unit can be clearly identified even when the surroundings are dark.

Various electronic components, such as a fixed resistor 16C and a humidity sensor 16D, mounted on the printed wiring board 15 and connected to a circuit of the electronic equipment through the wiring board 17, perform various controls of the electronic equipment. 11
By operating knobs and operation units of a slide switch 16A and a variable resistor 16B that protrude from the lower case 12, various functions of the electronic device are switched.

[0011]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional illumination unit 18, the slide switch 16A, the variable resistor 16B, the fixed resistor 16C, the fixed resistor 16C, the humidity sensor 16D, and the like for performing various controls and switching of functions of the electronic equipment are provided.
Alternatively, since individual components such as a wiring board 17 for connection to a circuit of an electronic device are mounted on the printed wiring board 15, the number of components is large, the overall thickness is large, and assembly is performed. Has also been problematic.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and to provide an inexpensive EL element which has a small number of components, can be reduced in thickness, is easy to assemble, and an illumination unit using the same. With the goal.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an EL element in which a light emitting portion and a connection pattern are formed on an insulating film. A plurality of wiring patterns are formed, and a fixed contact, a resistor, a fixed resistor, a sensor, and the like connected to the connection pattern or the wiring pattern are integrally formed by resin or rubber in which conductive powder is dispersed.
An operation body having a fixed contact or a movable contact for making electrical contact with a resistor is attached to the L element to constitute an illumination unit.

As a result, it is possible to obtain an inexpensive EL element having a small number of components, a thin structure, easy assembly, and an illuminating unit using the EL element.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a light-transmitting insulating film, a light-transmitting electrode layer formed on the entire surface of one side of the insulating film or at a predetermined position, and A luminescent layer, a dielectric layer, and a printed layer formed by sequentially overlapping each other with a flexible resin in which each element material powder is dispersed,
A light-emitting portion composed of a back electrode layer, a plurality of connection patterns having one end connected to the light-transmitting electrode layer and the back electrode layer, and an insulating layer covering the entire surface or a predetermined portion of the light-emitting portion or insulating other than the light-emitting portion; EL comprising a plurality of wiring patterns formed on a film, and at least one of a connection pattern, a fixed contact, a resistor, a fixed resistor, and a sensor connected to the wiring pattern and formed by printing resin or rubber in which conductive powder is dispersed. A fixed resistor, a sensor, and the like necessary for various controls of the electronic device are integrally formed with the EL device, and when mounted on the electronic device, various functions are switched by a movable contact of an operation body. Since the fixed contacts, resistors, and the like are formed integrally with the EL element, the number of components is small, the thickness can be reduced, and an EL that can be easily assembled and can provide an inexpensive lighting unit can be realized. An effect that can be obtained child.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the light-transmitting electrode layer is formed by printing with a light-transmitting resin or rubber in which light-transmitting conductive powder is dispersed. Like other forming layers in which the element material powder is dispersed in the flexible resin, by printing and forming the light transmitting electrode layer using a flexible light transmitting resin or rubber,
E with excellent flexibility that can be bent and attached to curved surfaces
It has an effect that an L element can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a light emitting layer, a dielectric layer, a back electrode layer, and an insulating layer are sequentially formed on the light transmitting electrode layer formed on the insulating film, and the printing is performed. 3. The method for manufacturing an EL device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of connection patterns and wiring patterns are simultaneously formed by printing, and the number of printing operations and time are reduced by simultaneously forming a plurality of connection patterns and wiring patterns by printing. And an inexpensive EL element can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illuminating unit in which an operating body having a fixed contact or a movable contact for making electrical contact with a resistor is mounted on the EL device according to the first or second aspect. Since the illumination unit is configured by mounting an operating element having a movable contact on an EL element integrally formed with a fixed contact, a resistor, a fixed resistor, a sensor, etc., the number of components is small and the thickness is reduced. It is possible to obtain an inexpensive lighting unit that is easy to assemble and inexpensive.

Hereinafter, in an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in order to make the configuration easy to understand, each drawing shows an enlarged dimension in the thickness direction.

The same components as those described in the section of the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a part of an EL device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, polysulfone, or polycarbonate. A flexible transparent insulating film such as a transparent conductive film including a needle-like ITO in a flexible light-transmitting resin such as phenoxy resin, epoxy resin, fluororubber, etc. The light-transmissive electrode layer 22 is formed by printing a conductive paste in which powder is dispersed.

Then, on the light transmitting electrode layer 22,
A light emitting layer 23 in which zinc sulfide as a base material for light emission is dispersed in a high dielectric resin such as a fluoro rubber or a cyano resin; a dielectric layer 24 in which barium titanate or the like is dispersed in a high dielectric resin; A light-emitting portion 27 is formed by sequentially printing and overlaying an insulating layer 26 made of epoxy resin, polyester resin, or the like covering the entire surface of the back electrode layer 25 or a carbon resin-based back electrode layer.

The tongue-shaped tail portion 21A of the insulating film 21 is provided with a silver or carbon resin connection pattern 2.
8 and 29 are formed by printing, and the connection patterns 28 and 29 are formed.
Is connected to the light transmissive electrode layer 22 and the back electrode layer 25 in the same manner as in the prior art, but the silver or carbon resin based A plurality of wiring patterns 30 are printed and formed, and their ends are wired to the tongue-shaped tail portion 21B.

At a plurality of locations of the wiring pattern 30 on the insulating layer 26, fixed contacts 31A, 3 in which silver, carbon, or the like is dispersed in polyester resin, epoxy resin, or the like are provided.
1B, a resistor 31C and a fixed resistor 31D in which carbon or the like is dispersed in phenol resin or epoxy resin, a humidity sensor 31E in which carbon or the like is dispersed in an acrylic resin or urethane resin having hygroscopicity, and the like are formed by printing. , EL element 32.

A method of manufacturing the EL element 32 configured as described above will be described. First, the light transmitting electrode layer 22 is formed by printing on a predetermined portion of one surface of the insulating film 21 and then the light transmitting electrode layer 22 is printed. A light emitting layer 23, a dielectric layer 24, a back electrode layer 25, and an insulating layer 26 covering the entire surface of the light emitting layer 23, and the insulating layer 26 covering the entire surface thereof are sequentially printed thereon. After the simultaneous printing, the fixed contacts 31 are provided at a plurality of locations of the wiring pattern 30.
The EL element 32 is completed by printing and forming the A, 31B, the resistor 31C, the fixed resistor 31D, the humidity sensor 31E, and the like.

Then, the EL element 32 is mounted on an electronic device, and a circuit (not shown) of the electronic device is connected between the connection patterns 28 and 29 connected to the light-transmitting electrode layer 22 and the back electrode layer 25. When a voltage is applied, the EL element 32 is driven and the light emitting section 27 emits light, and this light illuminates the display panel or the liquid crystal display element of the electronic device from the rear, so that even when the surroundings are dark, the display section and the operation section are not affected. Identification can be clearly performed.

Further, by connecting the tail portion 21B on which the wiring pattern 30 is formed to the circuit of the electronic device, various controls of the electronic device are performed by the fixed resistor 31D and the humidity sensor 31E.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of wiring patterns 30 are formed on the insulating layer 26 of the light emitting section 27, and the plurality of wiring patterns 30 are formed by resin or rubber in which conductive powder is dispersed. Fixed contact 31
A, 31B, a resistor 31C, a fixed resistor 31D, a humidity sensor 31E, and the like are printed to form a connection with a fixed resistor, a humidity sensor, a printed wiring board, or a circuit of the electronic device necessary for various controls of the electronic device. Since there is no need for individual electronic components such as a wiring board, the number of components is small and the thickness can be reduced. In addition, when the illumination unit is used, fixed contacts and resistors that switch various functions using movable contacts of an operating pair An EL element in which a body and the like are integrally formed can be obtained.

The light-transmitting electrode layer 22 is formed by printing using a flexible light-transmitting resin or rubber, similarly to other forming layers in which each element material powder is dispersed in a flexible resin. Thereby, it is possible to make the EL element excellent in flexibility that can be bent or attached to a curved surface.

Further, by simultaneously forming a plurality of connection patterns 28 and 29 and the wiring pattern 30 by printing,
The number of printing operations and time can be reduced, and an inexpensive EL element can be obtained.

In the above description, the wiring pattern 30 is printed and formed on the insulating layer 26 of the light emitting section 27, and the fixed contacts 31A and 31B, the resistor 31C and the fixed resistor 31 are formed thereon.
D, the humidity sensor 31E, etc. are described as being connected, but as shown in FIG. 2, the wiring pattern 30 and the fixed contacts 31A, 31B, the resistor 31C and fixed resistance 31D,
It is also possible to print and form the humidity sensor 31E and the like,
In this case, since the insulating layer 26 of the light emitting section 27 can be omitted, the number of printing operations and time can be further reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an illuminating unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same, in which an upper case 11 made of insulating resin is shown. The transparent cover 13 is fitted in the central opening, and the liquid crystal display element 14 and the EL element 32 are disposed below the transparent cover 13 with the insulating film 21 side facing upward, as in the case of the prior art. On the lower surface of the EL element 32, fixed contacts 31A and 31B, a resistor 31C and the like are formed by printing in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and operation bodies 34, 35 and 36 made of insulating resin are formed on a lower case 33 below the lower case 33, respectively. It is mounted so that it can slide, press, and rotate.

Then, the movable contacts 34A, 36A made of an elastic metal plate mounted on the operating bodies 34, 36 elastically contact the fixed contact 31A on the lower surface of the EL element 32 and the resistor 31C in a slightly bent state. When the movable contact 35A formed on the rubber operating body 35 is disposed so as to face the fixed contact 31B with a predetermined gap, a slide switch by the operating body 34, a push switch by the operating body 35, and an operating body 36 Thus, rotary type variable resistors are respectively formed, and the illumination unit 37 is configured.

The illumination unit 37 having the above-described configuration is mounted on an electronic device, and the tail portion 21B on which the wiring pattern 30 is formed is connected to a circuit (not shown) of the electronic device. The movable contact 34A electrically contacts and separates the fixed contact 31A when the operating body 34 protruding from the actuator is slid, and the movable contact 35A when the operating body 35 is pressed.
When the operating body 36 is rotated, the resistance value of the resistor 31C is switched by the movable contact 36A, thereby switching various functions of the electronic device.

It is to be noted that the tail portion 21A is provided from the circuit of the electronic device.
When a voltage is applied to the connection patterns 28 and 29, the EL element 32 is driven and the light emitting unit 27 emits light. Since the light is illuminated, the display unit and the operation unit can be clearly identified even when the surroundings are dark, as in the case of the related art.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fixed resistor 31D and the humidity sensor 31 required for various controls of the electronic equipment are provided.
In addition to E, fixed contacts 31A required for switching various functions,
By configuring the illumination unit using an EL element integrally formed with the element 31B, the resistor 31C, and the like, individual electronic components such as a fixed resistor, a humidity sensor, and a wiring board, and a printed wiring board on which these are mounted become unnecessary. At the same time, there is no need to mount and assemble electronic components such as switches and variable resistors on the printed wiring board.
This makes it possible to obtain an illuminating unit which can be reduced in thickness, easily assembled, and inexpensive.

In the above description, as the electronic components formed integrally with the EL element 32, the fixed resistor 31D and the humidity sensor 31E, or the fixed contacts 31A and 31B and the resistor 3
Although the description has been given of 1C and the like, an EL element having various functions by forming other electronic components such as a resistor and a sensor as long as it can be formed by printing with resin or rubber in which conductive powder or the like is dispersed, and Of course, it is possible to realize an illuminating unit using.

The fixed contacts 31A, 31B and the like may be provided not only in the wiring pattern 30 but also in the connection pattern 2 if necessary.
Needless to say, it can be formed so as to be connected to 8, 29.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of components is small, the thickness can be reduced, the EL can be easily assembled and the EL is inexpensive.
An advantageous effect is obtained that an element and an illumination unit using the same can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an EL device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an illumination unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the same.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional EL element.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the illumination unit.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Upper case 13 Cover 14 Liquid crystal display element 21 Insulating film 21A, 21B Tail part 22 Light transmissive electrode layer 23 Light emitting layer 24 Dielectric layer 25 Back electrode layer 26 Insulating layer 27 Light emitting part 28, 29 Connection pattern 30 Wiring pattern 31A , 31B Fixed contact 31C Resistor 31D Fixed resistance 31E Humidity sensor 32 EL element 33 Lower case 34, 35, 36 Operating body 34A, 35A, 36A Movable contact 37 Lighting unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A light-transmitting insulating film, a light-transmitting electrode layer formed on the entire surface of one side of the insulating film or a predetermined location, and a flexible resin on which each element material powder is dispersed. A light emitting portion including a light emitting layer, a dielectric layer, and a back electrode layer, which are sequentially formed by printing, a plurality of connection patterns having one end connected to the light transmitting electrode layer and the back electrode layer, and an entire surface of the light emitting portion. Or, a plurality of wiring patterns formed on an insulating layer covering a predetermined portion or on an insulating film other than the light-emitting portion, and fixed contacts printed with a resin or rubber connected to the connection pattern or the wiring pattern and dispersed with conductive powder. EL element comprising at least one of a resistor, a resistor, a fixed resistor, and a sensor. 2. The EL element according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting electrode layer is formed by printing with a light-transmitting resin or rubber in which light-transmitting conductive powder is dispersed. 3. A light emitting layer, a dielectric layer, a back electrode layer and an insulating layer are sequentially formed on the light transmitting electrode layer formed on the insulating film by printing, and then a plurality of connection patterns and wiring patterns are formed. 3. The method for manufacturing an EL element according to claim 1, wherein the EL element is simultaneously formed by printing. 4. An illuminating unit comprising the EL element according to claim 1 and an operating body having a movable contact for making electrical contact with a fixed contact or a resistor.