KR20070056566A - Organic light-emitting display apparatus and surface light source apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An organic electroluminescence display apparatus and a surface light source device are provided to improve the luminescence of a display image by increasing a light emitting area. A switching element(110) is formed on a base substrate(101), and an insulation layer(104) is formed on the switching element. The insulation layer has a convex portion or a concave portion on an upper portion of the insulation layer corresponding to a display region. An organic light emitting element layer(180) is formed on the insulation layer to display an image. The organic light emitting element layer has a first electrode layer formed on the insulation layer, an organic light emitting material layer formed on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer.

Description

Organic electroluminescent display and surface light source device {ORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING DISPLAY APPARATUS AND SURFACE LIGHT SOURCE APPARATUS}

1 is a plan view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the organic light emitting display device taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 1.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an organic light emitting display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4A to 4C are cross-sectional views illustrating a surface light source device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

5A to 5F are cross-sectional views illustrating various uneven structures on the surface light source device.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

101: base substrate 104: insulating film

110: switching element 170: contact hole

180: organic light emitting device layer 188: depression

288: ridge

1000, 2000: organic light emitting display device

500, 600, 700: surface light source device

530, 630, 730: bulkhead

520, 620, 720, organic light emitting device layer

The present invention relates to an organic light emitting display device and a surface light source device, and more particularly, to an organic light emitting display device and a surface light source device having improved luminance of a display image and lifetime of the organic light emitting device.

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) have self-luminous properties, are thin, and can be manufactured relatively inexpensively, and are being actively developed into active (AM) and passive (PM) types. In addition, since it can be manufactured thinly with low power consumption, it is highly applicable to not only a display device but also a surface light source device.

However, in the general bottom emission type AMOLED, transistor and capacitor functions are essential for driving the OLED. Due to this driving unit, the emission area of the OLED in one pixel is limited, and thus there is a limit in obtaining a high brightness image. . In addition, even in the case of a top emission type AMOLED, it is unreasonable to maximize the luminous efficiency only by having a flat light emitting surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an organic light emitting display device having improved luminance of display images and durability of a table market value.

The present invention also provides a surface light source device capable of generating light having a single color or a plurality of colors and having excellent luminous efficiency.

An organic light emitting display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a base substrate, a switching element, an insulating layer, and an organic light emitting element layer.

The switching element is formed on the base substrate to switch the driving of the organic light emitting element layer. The insulating layer is formed on the switching element, and has an unevenness that includes a raised or recessed structure at an upper portion corresponding to the display area.

The insulating film may include two or more raised structures or recessed structures.

The organic light emitting element layer is formed on the insulating layer to display an image corresponding to an image signal applied to the outside.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surface light source device including a base substrate on which a depression is periodically formed, an organic light emitting device layer formed in the depression, and a plurality of partitions formed on a substrate between the depressions.

The organic light emitting element layer formed in the recesses generates light of a single color or different colors.

According to the above, the organic light emitting display device and the surface light source device are excellent in brightness and durability.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail the present invention.

1 is a plan view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the organic light emitting display device 1000 includes a plurality of gate lines SL formed in a first direction, and a plurality of data lines DL formed in a second direction crossing the first direction. And a plurality of pixel areas defined by the gate line SL and the data line DL.

The pixel region includes a switching element (TFT) 110, a storage capacitor CST (not shown) connected to the switching element 110, and an organic light emitting element layer 180. The switching element 110 may include the gate electrode 111 connected to the gate line SL, the source electrode 113 connected to the data line DL, and the contact hole 170. 180 includes a drain electrode 114 connected to a first electrode layer (not shown) of the organic light emitting diode layer 180. In addition, a semiconductor layer 112 is formed between the gate electrode 111 and the source and drain electrodes 113 and 114, and the drain electrode 114 covers the semiconductor layer 112 formed below. The contact hole 170 exposes a specific portion of the drain electrode 114, and the exposed drain electrode 114 is formed to cover the semiconductor layer 112.

The storage capacitor CST is defined by using the storage electrode 150 formed when the gate line SL is formed and the first electrode 182 of the organic light emitting diode layer 180 as both electrodes. The storage electrode 150 may be formed in a ring structure formed along the data line DL, which is an edge of the pixel area, in order to improve the aperture ratio. The plurality of storage capacitors formed in the plurality of pixel areas are formed to be connected to each other.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the organic light emitting display device taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the organic light emitting display device 1000 includes a base substrate 101, a switching element 110, an insulating layer 104, and an organic light emitting element layer 180.

The gate electrode 111 and the gate lines SL of the switching element 110 formed by patterning the gate metal layer are formed on the base substrate 101. In addition, the storage electrode 150 of the storage capacitor CST is formed. A gate insulating layer 102 is formed on the gate metal layer.

A channel layer formed of the semiconductor layer 112 is formed on the gate insulating layer 102 corresponding to the gate electrode 111. The semiconductor layer 112 includes an active layer 112a and an ohmic contact layer 112b, and is formed to extend a predetermined length from a region where the gate electrode 111 is formed to a region where the drain electrode is formed.

The source and drain metal layers are patterned to form data lines DL, the source electrode 113 and the drain electrode 114 of the switching element 110. The drain electrode 114 is formed to cover the semiconductor layer 112 formed below.

A passivation layer 103 is formed on the source and drain metal layers, and an insulating film 104 is formed on the passivation layer 103.

The insulating layer 104 includes a contact hole 170 for exposing a portion of the drain electrode 114. The drain electrode 114 of the switching element 110 and the first electrode layer 186 of the organic light emitting element layer 180 are electrically connected through the contact hole 170.

In addition, a depression 188 is formed in an upper portion of the insulating layer 104 corresponding to the display area DA. The depressions 188 may be patterned together in a pattern process for forming the contact holes 170.

In FIG. 2, an example in which the display area DA is not formed corresponding to the upper portion of the switching element 110 is illustrated. However, in the case of the top emission type, the display area DA corresponds to the upper portion of the switching element 110. The recess 188 may also be formed on an upper portion of the switching element 110.

The surface area of the depression 188 preferably has a surface area of 1.5 times or more with respect to the flat surface.

The organic light emitting diode layer 180 is formed on the recess 188.

The organic light emitting diode layer 180 includes a first electrode layer 182, an organic light emitting material layer 184, and a second electrode layer 186.

The first electrode layer 182 is patterned by depositing a metal material on the insulating film 104 and by a photo-etch process. The first electrode layer 182 is electrically connected to the switching element 110 through the contact hole 170. The planarization layer 106 is formed on the non-display area (excluding the DA) on the first electrode layer 182 through a patterning process. The planarization layer 106 allows the second electrode layer 186 to be uniformly formed. Alternatively, the planarization layer 106 may not be formed.

The organic light emitting material layer 184 is formed on a part of the first electrode layer 182 corresponding to the display area DA, and generates light according to the characteristics of the organic light emitting material when the switching element 110 is turned on. .

The second electrode layer 186 is formed to have a uniform thickness on the organic light emitting material layer 184 and the planarization layer 106.

The second electrode layer 186 includes a transparent material, and the first electrode layer 182 includes an opaque material. Alternatively, the first electrode layer 182 may include a transparent material, and the second electrode layer 186 may include an opaque material. Depending on the transparency of the electrode layers 182 and 186, the organic light emitting display device 1000 may display an image in a bottom or top manner. In addition, the first electrode layer 182 and the second electrode layer 186 may each include a transparent material layer to display an image on both surfaces.

Although not shown in the drawing, after the second electrode layer 186 is formed, a sealing process using a glass cap, a metal can, a passivation film, or the like is performed to protect the second electrode layer 186. . Alternatively, the passivation thin film may be stacked continuously. When the passivation thin film is formed along the depression profile, a micro lens corresponding to the unevenness of the depression 188 may be formed, thereby improving optical performance of the emitted light.

The organic light emitting display device 1000 may increase the light emitting area of the display area 188, thereby improving luminance of the display image.

In the above, although the recess 188 having the angled 'U' shape of the cross section has been disclosed, a plurality of recesses may be included in consideration of a correlation between process efficiency reduction and brightness improvement. In addition, the radius of curvature of the curve of the depression 188 may be variously adjusted.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an organic light emitting display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The organic light emitting display device of FIG. 3 is substantially the same as the organic light emitting display device of FIG. 2 except for an insulating layer and an organic light emitting element layer, compared to the organic light emitting display device of FIG. 2. Therefore, duplicated descriptions of components having the same structure and function as those of FIG. 2 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, the organic light emitting display device 2000 includes a base substrate 201, a switching device 202, an insulating film 204, and an organic light emitting device layer 280.

The insulating layer 204 includes a contact hole 270 for exposing a part of the drain electrode 214. The drain electrode 114 of the switching element 210 and the first electrode layer 282 of the organic light emitting element layer 280 are electrically connected through the contact hole 270. The contact hole 270 is smaller in height than the contact hole 170 shown in FIG. 2. In the present exemplary embodiment, since a portion of the insulating layer 204 is raised, if the height of the contact hole 270 is large, the thickness of the organic light emitting display device 2000 may be excessively increased.

A ridge 288 is formed at an upper portion of the insulating layer 204 corresponding to the display area DA. The surface area of the ridge 288 preferably has a surface area of 1.5 times or more with respect to the flat surface.

In FIG. 3, the display area DA is not formed to correspond to the upper portion of the switching element 210. However, in the case of the top emission type, the display area DA corresponds to the switching element 210. It may be formed in the upper region and the ridge 288 may also be formed in the upper portion of the switching element (210).

The organic light emitting diode layer 280 is formed on the ridge 288. The organic light emitting diode layer 280 includes a first electrode layer 282, an organic light emitting material layer 284, and a second electrode layer 286.

The planarization layer 206 is formed on the non-display area (excluding the DA) on the first electrode layer 282 through a patterning process. The planarization layer 206 allows the second electrode layer 286 to be uniformly formed in the non-display area. An upper portion of the planarization layer 206 is positioned below the ridge 288.

The second electrode layer 286 is formed to have a uniform thickness on the organic light emitting material layer 284 and the planarization layer 206.

In the above description, only one ridge 288 is formed. Alternatively, two or more ridges may be continuously formed on the insulating layer 204.

Also, unlike FIGS. 2 and 3, patterns of various shapes, such as a wrinkle pattern and an embossing pattern, may be formed on the insulating layers 104 and 204.

4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a surface light source device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the surface light source device 500 includes a base substrate 510, an organic light emitting diode layer 520, and a partition 530.

The base substrate 510 has a recess 505 formed therein. The depression 505 is periodically formed on the substrate. The partition wall 530 is formed on the base substrate 510 between the adjacent recesses 505. The organic light emitting diode layer 520 is formed on the depression 505. The organic light emitting diode layer 520 is formed through a process such as deposition, inkjet printing after the partition 530 is formed, and the process may be simplified due to the existence of the partition 530.

The organic light emitting diode layer 520 may include a first electrode layer 522 formed on the recess 505, an organic light emitting material layer 524 and the organic light emitting material layer 524 formed on the first electrode layer 522. On the second electrode layer 526 is formed.

The organic light emitting diode layer 520 has a line-shaped pattern when viewed in plan view.

More simply, the partition wall 530 is first formed on the base substrate 510 on which the trench is not formed, and then a trench is formed on the base substrate 510 and the first electrode, the organic layer is formed on the trench. The light emitting material layer and the second electrode layer may be sequentially formed.

In addition, the surface light source device according to the present embodiment includes a partition wall 530, but in the case of the surface light source device for monochromatic light emission, the partition wall 530 may not be formed.

The organic light emitting material layer 524 generates light having a color.

The organic light emitting diode layers 520 formed on the adjacent recesses 505 emit light of different colors. In addition, the organic light emitting device layers emitting light of different colors may be electrically separated from each other and may be applied with different voltages, thereby efficiently emitting light according to colors.

The light emission ratio and the light emission efficiency may be adjusted by differently adjusting the depth of the recess 505 and the line width of the pattern line for emitting the respective colors. The multi-color light emitting surface light source device having an increased light emitting area is suitable for a time division driving backlight. The uniformity of surface emission of each of R, G, and B is important in time division driving. In this embodiment, the light emitting layer is formed three-dimensionally so that the emission direction of light spreads wider than a simple plane. Has excellent characteristics

Alternatively, each color may be emitted simultaneously and used as a white light source.

The partition wall 530 may simplify the pattern formation process.

4B and 4C are cross-sectional views of a surface light source device according to other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4B, after the depression 605 is formed, the first electrode layer 622 is first formed on the base substrate 610. The partition wall 630 is formed after the first electrode layer 622 is formed.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the depression 705 is not formed in the base substrate 710, and the first electrode layer 722 is formed first. A plurality of recesses 705 are formed in the first electrode layer 722 through a patterning process. Thereafter, the partition wall 730 is formed, and then the organic light emitting material layer 724 and the second electrode layer 726 are formed in the recess 705 of the first electrode layer 722.

In the above embodiments, a structure including all of the barrier ribs 530, 630, and 730 is disclosed. Alternatively, in the case of multicolor emission, the surface light source devices 500, 600, and 700 may have barrier ribs 530, 630, and 730. It may optionally include.

In the above, the multi-color light emitting surface light source device having the periodic recessed structure has been described. Alternatively, the surface light source device of the present invention may include the surface light source device of the monochromatic light emission. In addition, the surface light source device may have a raised structure as well as a recessed structure, and may have a single or a plurality of various uneven structures. In real monochromatic (R only, G only, B only, or white only) area increasing structures, only unevenness may be provided on the surface.

5A to 5F are cross-sectional views illustrating various types of concave-convex structures formed on the surface light source device.

As shown in Figures 5a to 5f, various forms of irregularities such as triangles, semicircles, etc. are possible. However, the uneven structure should not be irregular and have periodicity. This is because the organic light emitting element layer must regularly correspond to the pixels of the display panel.

Since the organic light emitting display device and the surface light source device of the present invention have an increased light emitting area, the luminance of the display image may be increased.

In addition, since the organic light emitting diode has a relatively low current density (A / cm ² ) per unit area in order to exhibit a constant luminance, it is possible to increase the lifespan of the organic light emitting material and further improve the durability of the display device and the surface light source device. .

Although described with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Could be.

Claims (15)

A base substrate; A switching element formed on the base substrate; An insulating film formed on the switching element and having an unevenness having a raised or recessed structure on an upper portion corresponding to the display area; And And an organic light emitting element layer formed on the insulating layer to display an image. The organic light emitting display device of claim 1, wherein the switching device comprises a thin film transistor. The organic light emitting display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulating layer has irregularities formed in one raised structure corresponding to the display area. The organic light emitting display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulating layer has irregularities formed in one recessed structure corresponding to the display area. The organic light emitting display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulating layer has irregularities including at least one raised and recessed structure thereon. The method of claim 1, wherein the organic light emitting device layer, A first electrode layer formed on the insulating film and electrically connected to the switching element; An organic light emitting material layer formed on the first electrode layer corresponding to the unevenness of the insulating film; And And a second electrode layer formed on the organic light emitting material layer. The organic light emitting display device of claim 6, wherein the first electrode layer comprises an opaque electrode material and the second electrode layer comprises a transparent electrode layer.  The organic light emitting display device of claim 6, wherein the first electrode layer comprises a transparent electrode material and the second electrode layer comprises an opaque electrode layer. The organic light emitting display device of claim 6, wherein each of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer comprises an opaque electrode layer. The organic light emitting display device of claim 1, wherein the organic light emitting display device further comprises a planarization layer under the second electrode layer corresponding to the non-display area. A base substrate having a concave-convex structure including a depression or a ridge formed thereon; And A surface light source device including an organic light emitting element layer formed on the base substrate. The method of claim 11, wherein the organic light emitting device layer, A first electrode layer formed on the base substrate; An organic light emitting material layer formed on the first electrode layer; And And a second electrode layer formed on the organic light emitting material layer. The surface light source device of claim 11, wherein the organic light emitting device layer comprises a plurality of organic light emitting patterns generating light of different colors and having a line shape.  The surface light source device according to claim 13, wherein partition walls are formed between adjacent organic light emitting patterns. The surface light source device according to claim 14, wherein the uneven structure is formed between the partition walls and the organic light emitting element layer is formed corresponding to the uneven structure.

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