KR20070095152A - Light emitting device, shadow mask for light emitting device and fabrication method of light emitting device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An electroluminescent device, a shadow mask for the electroluminescent device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided to improve the efficiency in implementing full color and the life span of the electroluminescent device. An electroluminescent device includes sub pixels(205) which are defined by crossing data lines and scan lines. The sub pixels(205) are divided into at least two columns classified by the same color on the data lines. The sub pixels(205) are electrically connected to each other. The sub pixels(205) have at least two colors selected from a group of red, green, blue, and white colors. The number of sub pixels of the same color which are consecutively formed on one column of the sub pixels is two or more than two. The sub pixels(205) have a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer between the first and second electrodes.

Description

Light emitting device, shadow mask for light emitting device and fabrication method of light emitting device using the same}

1A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to the related art.

1B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask for a stripe type EL device according to the related art.

1C is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask for a slot type EL device according to the related art.

2A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask for an EL device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask for an EL device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask for an EL device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

5A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

5B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask for an EL device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

200, 300, 400, 500: Substrate 205, 305, 405, 505: Subpixel

210, 310, 410, 510: shadow masks 215, 315, 415, 515: openings

220, 320, 420, 520: breaker

The present invention relates to a shadow mask.

In general, the electroluminescent device includes a substrate, an anode located on the substrate, an emission layer (EML) located on the anode, and a cathode located on the emission layer. In such an electroluminescent device, when a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode, holes and electrons are injected into the light emitting layer, and holes and electrons injected into the light emitting layer recombine in the light emitting layer to generate excitons, and the excitons are excited. The light emits as it transitions from the ground to the ground state.

In order to implement the full color display of the electroluminescent device, the electroluminescent device should include red, green and blue subpixels, and the red, green and blue subpixels may be red, Each of the green and blue subpixels may be formed by depositing a light emitting layer.

1A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to the prior art, and FIG. 1B is a plan view showing a shadow mask for an EL device having a stripe shape according to the prior art, and FIG. 1C is a slot shape according to the prior art. Is a plan view showing a shadow mask for an electroluminescent element.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the subpixels 105 are defined by the intersection of the data lines DR1, DG1, DB1 to DRm, DGm, and DBm and the scan lines S1 to Sn. In addition, the subpixels 105 include red, green, and blue subpixels 105, which are electrically connected to each of the data lines DR1, DG1, DB1 to DRm, DGm, and DBm by the same color, in one column. . Located on board In order to form the light emitting layer on the subpixels 105 as described above, a shadow mask as shown in FIG. 1B or 1C may be used.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the shadow mask 110A has the same color and includes stripe type openings 115A corresponding to all subpixels positioned in the same column. Therefore, the opening 115A of the shadow mask is formed long in the longitudinal direction of the shadow mask 110A. Therefore, since the shadow mask having a stripe shape is advantageous in securing the opening ratio of the shadow mask, the shadow mask may be prevented from being blocked by the blocking portion 120A of the shadow mask, thereby forming a light emitting layer pattern having a desired size. In addition, since the pattern of the openings 115A are integrally formed, the manufacturing process is easy.

However, since the stripe shadow mask 110A has a large opening 115A and a long pattern, the tension of the shadow mask 110A is reduced. Accordingly, the sagging phenomenon of the shadow mask 110A occurs, and the quality of the light emitting layer pattern is deteriorated.

Referring to FIG. 1C, the slotted shadow mask 110B may include openings 115B corresponding to each subpixel of the same color. Therefore, since the predetermined blocking portion 120B is positioned between the openings 115B, the shadow mask 110B in the slot form can suppress the deflection of the mask, but there is a limit in securing the opening ratio of the shadow mask 110B. Will follow.

In addition, the subpixels of the organic light emitting diode in which the shadow mask of the stripe shape or the slot shape is used have a problem in that the efficiency of the full color is lowered because the subpixels having the same color are arranged in one column.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a shadow mask that can prevent sagging of the shadow mask and reduce process time and increase the efficiency of white light emission.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electroluminescent device comprising subpixels defined by the intersection of data lines and scan lines and divided into two or more columns by the same color and electrically connected to each of the data lines. do.

The subpixels can have two or more colors selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue and white.

The number of subpixels of the same color successively formed in one column of the subpixels may be two or more.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a subpixel of any one color or two colors is defined by the intersection of data lines and scan lines, and is divided into two or more columns and electrically connected to each of the data lines by the same color. A shadow mask is provided that includes openings that correspond to each other.

The opening may correspond to two or more subpixels.

The openings may be divided into two or more columns and two or more rows.

Another aspect of the present invention is to prepare a substrate comprising subpixels defined by the intersection of data lines and scan lines, and on the substrate, divided into two or more columns of the same color for each of the data lines Arranging a shadow mask including openings corresponding to one or two subpixels of the electrically connected subpixels, and using the shadow mask to form a light emitting layer for each of the subpixels by the same color; It provides a method of manufacturing an electroluminescent element comprising the step of forming.

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

(First embodiment)

2A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, subpixels 205 are positioned on a substrate. Although not shown, each of the subpixels 205 may include a light emitting layer interposed between the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode, and the color of the subpixel 205 in the color of the light emitting layer. The color is determined. Meanwhile, in the active matrix EL device, the first electrode is connected to a thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode.

The subpixels 205 are defined by the intersection of the data lines DR1 to DBm to DRm and the scan lines S1 to Sn. In addition, the subpixels 205 are divided into two or more columns by the same color and electrically connected to each of the data lines DR1, DB1 to DRm, and DBm. That is, as in the related art, the subpixels 205 having the same color for each of the red and blue colors are not disposed in the same column but are divided into two or more columns. As described above, when the subpixels 2005 having the same color are arranged in two or more columns, the efficiency when the full color is implemented may be improved.

The light emitting layer constituting the subpixel can be formed through a known technique such as vacuum deposition, laser thermal transfer, screen printing, or the like. In the case of forming the light emitting layer by vacuum deposition, first, in the process chamber, the shadow mask is aligned with the substrate on which the first electrodes are formed and the shadow mask in which the openings are positioned at the portion where the light emitting layer is to be formed. Then, the light emitting layer forming material is heated and deposited on the first electrode exposed by the opening of the shadow mask to form a light emitting layer. The above process may be performed for each color to manufacture a full color EL device.

The subpixels 205 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may form a light emitting layer by performing vacuum deposition using a shadow mask as shown in FIG. 2B.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the shadow mask 210 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is defined by the intersection of the data lines DR1, DB1 to DRm, and DBm and the scan lines S1 to Sn. Each of the lines DR1, DB1 to DRm, and DBm includes openings 215 corresponding to red subpixels divided into two or more columns by the same color and electrically connected to each other.

The openings 215 may be divided into two or more columns and two or more rows according to the number of subpixels.

Since the shadow mask 210 does not correspond to a plurality of openings in a straight line, the blocking portions 220 are positioned to maintain a predetermined tension between the openings 215. Therefore, the deflection phenomenon of the mask can be prevented and the light emitting layer pattern having improved quality can be formed.

In addition, the opening 215 may correspond to two or more subpixels, and the openings 215 may be divided into two or more rows. Therefore, the aperture ratio of the mask can be ensured to improve the quality of the light emitting layer pattern.

(Second embodiment)

3A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the subpixels 305 of the EL device according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include data lines DR1, DG1, DB1 to DRm, DGm, and DBm and scan lines S1 to Sn. Is defined by the intersection of In addition, the subpixels 305 are electrically connected to each of the data lines DR1, DG1, DB1 to DRm, DGm, and DBm by the same color. Here, the subpixels 305 of the same color connected to any one data line are divided into two or more columns. That is, as in the related art, subpixels having the same color for each of the red, green, and blue colors are not disposed in the same column, but are divided into two or more columns. As described above, when the subpixels 305 are divided into two or more columns, efficiency may be improved when the full color is implemented.

The subpixels 305 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may form a light emitting layer by performing vacuum deposition using the shadow mask shown in FIG. 3B.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the shadow mask 310 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include the data lines DR1, DG1 ˜DRm, and DGm shown in FIG. 3A and scan lines S1 ˜Sn. Each of the data lines DR1, DG1 to DRm, and DGm includes openings 315 corresponding to red subpixels divided into two or more columns by the same color and electrically connected to each other.

The openings 315 may be divided into two or more columns and two or more rows according to the number of subpixels.

In the shadow mask 310, the plurality of openings 315 do not correspond in a straight line, and thus, the blocking portions 320 of the predetermined area are positioned between the plurality of openings 315. Therefore, the shadow mask 310 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention maintains a predetermined tension to prevent the mask from sagging, thereby forming a light emitting layer pattern having improved quality.

In addition, the opening 315 may correspond to two or more subpixels. Therefore, the aperture ratio of the mask can be ensured to improve the quality of the light emitting layer pattern.

(Third embodiment)

4A is a plan view illustrating a pixel structure of an EL device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the subpixels 405 of the EL device according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include data lines DR1, DG1, DB1, DW1 to DRm, DGm, DBm, and DWm. It is limited by the intersection of (S1-Sn). In addition, the subpixels 405 are electrically connected to each of the data lines DR1, DG1, DB1, DW1 to DRm, DGm, DBm, and DWm by the same color. Here, the subpixels 305 of the same color connected to any one data line are divided into two or more columns. That is, as in the prior art, subpixels having the same color for each of the red, green, blue, and white colors are not disposed in the same column, but are divided into two or more columns. As described above, when the subpixels 305 are divided into two or more columns, efficiency may be improved when the full color is implemented. In addition, the electroluminescent device according to the third embodiment of the present invention may further include white subpixels to improve the lifespan of the electroluminescent device.

The subpixels 405 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention may form a light emitting layer by performing a vacuum deposition method using a shadow mask as shown in FIG. 4B.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the shadow mask 410 according to the third embodiment of the present invention may scan the data lines DR1, DG1, DB1, DW1 to DRm, DGm, DBm, and DWm shown in FIG. 4A. Corresponding to the red and white subpixels, which are divided into two or more columns by the same color and are electrically connected to the lines S1 to Sn and each of the data lines DR1, DG1, DB1, DW1 to DRm, DGm, DBm, and DWm. Openings 415. Here, since the light emitting layer of the white subpixel is formed by stacking all of the red, green, and blue light emitting layers, the light emitting layer of the subpixels of each color should be formed in the white subpixel when the light emitting layer of each color of the subpixels is formed. Thus, the shadow mask includes openings corresponding to white subpixels and openings 415 corresponding to red (or green, blue) subpixels.

The openings 415 may be divided into two or more columns and two or more rows according to the number of subpixels.

In the shadow mask 410, the plurality of openings 415 do not correspond in a straight line, and thus the blocking portions 420 of a predetermined region are positioned between the plurality of openings 415. Therefore, the shadow mask 410 according to the third embodiment of the present invention may form a light emitting layer pattern having improved quality by maintaining a predetermined tension to prevent sagging of the mask.

In addition, the opening 415 may correspond to two or more subpixels. Therefore, the aperture ratio of the mask can be ensured to improve the quality of the light emitting layer pattern.

(Example 4)

FIG. 5A is a plan view illustrating a structure of subpixels according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a plan view illustrating a shadow mask according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the subpixels 505 of the EL device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are formed on the substrate 500. In addition, the subpixels 505 are defined by the intersection of the data lines DR1, DB1 to DRm, and DBm and the scan lines S1 to Sn. In addition, the subpixels 505 are divided into two or more columns for the same color and electrically connected to the data lines DR1 to DBm to DRm. Here, unlike in the first embodiment of the present invention, the subpixels according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may be arranged in two or more columns such that subpixels of the same color connected to one data line overlap each other at a predetermined interval. Can be.

As described above, when the subpixels connected to one data line are arranged in two or more columns, the efficiency when the full color is implemented may be improved.

The subpixels 505 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may form a light emitting layer by performing a vacuum deposition method using a shadow mask as shown in FIG. 5B.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the shadow mask 510 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may include the data lines DR1, DB1 to DRm, and DBm shown in FIG. 5A and scan lines S1 to Sn. Each of the data lines DR1 to DBm includes openings 515 corresponding to red subpixels divided into two or more columns by the same color and electrically connected to each of the data lines DR1 to DBm.

The openings 515 may be divided into two or more columns and two or more rows according to the number of subpixels.

Since the shadow mask 510 does not correspond to a plurality of openings in a straight line, the blocking portions 520 are positioned to maintain a predetermined tension between the plurality of openings 515. Therefore, the deflection phenomenon of the mask can be prevented and the light emitting layer pattern having improved quality can be formed.

In addition, the opening 515 may correspond to two or more subpixels, and the openings 515 may be divided into two or more rows. Therefore, the aperture ratio of the mask can be ensured to improve the quality of the light emitting layer pattern.

As described above, the present invention can improve the efficiency when implementing the full color, it can provide an electroluminescent device that can improve the life of the electroluminescent device.

In addition, the present invention can provide a shadow mask for an EL device capable of improving the quality of the light emitting layer pattern.

In addition, the present invention can provide a method of manufacturing an electroluminescent device that can improve the quality of the light emitting layer pattern.

Claims (12)

And subpixels defined by the intersection of the data lines and the scan lines and divided into two or more columns by the same color and electrically connected to each of the data lines. The method of claim 1, And the subpixels have at least two colors selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, and white. The method of claim 1, And at least two subpixels of the same color successively formed in one column of the subpixels. The method of claim 1, The subpixels include a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The method of claim 4, wherein And a thin film transistor connected to the first electrode. A shadow mask defined by the intersection of data lines and scan lines and including openings positioned to correspond to subpixels of any one color among subpixels divided into two or more columns by the same color and electrically connected to each of the data lines. . A plurality of openings defined by the intersection of the data lines and the scan lines and positioned to correspond to subpixels of any two colors among the subpixels divided into two or more columns by the same color and electrically connected to each of the data lines. Shadow Mask. The method according to claim 6 or 7, And the opening corresponds to two or more subpixels. The method according to claim 6 or 7, And the openings are divided into two or more columns and two or more rows. The method according to claim 6 or 7, And the subpixels have at least two colors selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, and white. The method of claim 7, wherein The shadow mask of claim 1, wherein one of the two subpixels is white, and the other is red, green, and blue. Preparing a substrate comprising subpixels defined by the intersection of the data lines and the scan lines; Disposing a shadow mask on each of the data lines, the shadow mask including openings corresponding to one or two subpixels divided into two or more columns and electrically connected to each other by the same color; Forming a light emitting layer for each of the subpixels by the same color using the shadow mask.

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