WO2008142012A1

WO2008142012A1 - Protective clothing comprising an electroluminescent (el) illumination laminate, production method therefor and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008142012A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/056012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thilo-J. Werners; Michael Heite
Original assignee: Lyttron Technology Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-05-18
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2008-11-27
Also published as: TW200916004A; EP1992240A1

Abstract

The invention relates to protective clothing comprising an EL illumination laminate, to a production method therefor and to the use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to an EL illumination laminate consisting of at least one flat, flexible, pliable thin EL-ZnS thick-film AC assembly with an integrated battery and EL inverter and an on-off switch for protective clothing, the definition of 'protective clothing' being fire service, paramedic, police, rescue service uniforms or similar highly-visible protective clothing including helmets, boots and gas cylinders. The rear face of the EL illumination laminate is provided with at least one piece of a hook-and-loop fastener and said laminate can thus be removably attached to the protective clothing. The front face of the EL laminate is optionally provided with functional lettering. The hook-and-loop fastener piece(s) is or are positioned directly on the rear face of the EL assembly or on the rear face of the protective covering. The entire EL illumination laminate has a thickness of preferably less than 5 mm and in particular less than 3 mm. The front face optionally has functional lettering, which can be individually applied to the front face of the EL illumination laminate, either reversibly or irreversibly using pad printing, screen printing or transfer printing, or manually using a pen. The EL illumination laminate has a non-rechargeable or rechargeable flat battery, which can be recharged in a contactless manner by means of ohmic contacts or using capacitive coupling surfaces or inductive coupling surfaces. The EL assembly or assemblies can be operated by pulses, thus increasing the signalling action and saving energy. The EL illumination laminate can have long-lasting phosphorescent pigments in a polymer matrix, or hollow glass spheres in a polymer matrix, which give the laminate self-reflective or retro-reflective characteristics. In addition, the EL illumination laminate can contain reflective flakes or platelets in a polymer matrix. The front face of the EL illumination laminate can be formed from a light-permeable fabric or non-woven. The exterior can be provided with the functional lettering and optionally several EL assemblies.

Description

Protective clothing with an EL luminous laminate and manufacturing process and

Application for this

The invention relates to a protective clothing with an EL luminous laminate and a manufacturing method and an application thereof.

In particular, the invention relates to an EL luminous laminate consisting of at least one flat and flexible and bendable and thin EL-ZnS thick-film AC assembly with integrated battery and EL inverter and on-off switch for a protective clothing, wherein under a protective clothing Firefighters protective clothing, an emergency medical, police, rescue and the like signal effective protective clothing up to helmets and boots and gas cylinders is understood. In this case, the EL luminous laminate is provided on the back with at least one piece Velcro fastener element and can be removably attached to a protective clothing. If necessary, the EL luminous laminate on the front side has a functional inscription. The at least one piece Velcro fastener element is arranged directly on the back of the EL device or mounted on the back of the protective cover. The entire EL luminous laminate has a thickness of preferably less than 5 mm and in particular less than 3 mm. If necessary, the front side has a functional inscription which can be carried out irreversibly or reversibly on the front side of the EL luminous laminate by means of pad printing or screen printing or transfer printing or manually by means of a pen. The EL luminous laminate has a non-rechargeable or rechargeable flat battery, wherein the charging by means of ohmic contacts or by means of capacitive coupling surfaces or inductive coupling surfaces can be made contactless. The at least one EL device can be operated in pulse mode, whereby the signal effect is increased while saving energy. The EL luminous laminate can have long-lasting phosphorescent pigments in a polymeric matrix. The EL luminous laminate can have glass beads, in particular hollow glass beads, in a polymeric matrix, as a result of which it can have autoreflective or retroreflective properties. The EL luminous laminate can also reflective flakes or platelets contained in a polymeric matrix. The front side of the EL luminous laminate can be formed from a translucent fabric or nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, on the outside of the function label and possibly several EL arrangements can be arranged.

US 5,479,325 discloses a headgear mounted element comprising an EL strip with a battery, an EL inverter, a switch, a functional platform, and a watertight housing. As a fixing option, among other things in claim 4, a Velcro, so called a hook and loop fastener called.

However, in this US 5,479,325 by no means a laminate composite consisting of the EL lamp with the EL inverter and the battery described, but a waterproof housing and a functional platform.

Disadvantage of said arrangement is that a separate housing is present next to the light strip, which increases the connection effort between light strip and housing. Furthermore, the construction cost and the manufacturing cost of such an arrangement is greater and it takes an increased space requirement.

In this arrangement, there is the disadvantage that different parts must be connected by means of cables, which increases the handling effort and about this makes the entire arrangement neither waterproof protected nor mechanical shocks protects.

US 2007/002557 A1 discloses a garment with an EL light circuit having one or more flat strip EL lamps and a rechargeable battery. In this case, the rechargeable power supply is conventionally connected to the EL lamps via electrical connection lines and the EL inverter or the rechargeable battery is not integrated into the EL lamp, as in the present invention. In US 7,083,295.B1 an EL bag and / or a cap and a shoe and a jacket are mentioned, wherein an EL display panel is connected in a region of the product with this. The power supply is provided by electrical connection cables to a unit of battery and EL inverter and an electronic circuit.

In this document, the same disadvantages apply, as they were mentioned with reference to US 27002557A1.

However, this US Pat. No. 7,083,295 B1 does not describe a laminate composite consisting of the EL lamp with the EL inverter and the battery but an EL lamp system with a separate power supply unit.

There, therefore, only a light-emitting plaque is described, in which the individual components are connected to one another via wires, which, however, is not protected against mechanical damage and splash water.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a protective clothing with a

Refine luminous strip as EL luminous laminate so that a thin-mounted arrangement can be created with large-scale light impression, which is easy to handle.

To solve the task is the technical teaching of the claim

1. An essential feature of the invention is that a caseless luminescent strip is created, which is easily releasably fastened by means of closure elements on the protective clothing.

Because of the housing-free design, there is the significant advantage that a flat battery is integrated in the luminescent laminate itself, so that all functional components necessary for the operation of the luminescent strip are integrated in the EL luminescent laminate itself. It is therefore a completely separately fastened component that no longer requires any housing and which is very easily attachable via detachable closures on the protective clothing. In this way, any protective clothing can be modularly equipped with a corresponding light strip because, because of the functional inscription integrated in the light strip, the protective clothing is now assigned a specific function (eg fire master or emergency rescue and the like).

This is not apparent from the prior art.

Some embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawing figures.

Showing:

1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary EL luminous laminate (1) in plan view,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through a first embodiment of an EL luminous laminate (1),

3 shows a schematic section through a second embodiment of an EL luminous laminate (1) with a protective cover (12), FIG.

4 shows a schematic section through a first embodiment of an EL luminous laminate (1) with a protective cover (12) and rear electronics (3, 9),

Figure 5: a schematic representation of a person (17) with protective clothing elements (8) and EL luminous laminates (1).

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary EL luminous laminate (1) in plan view. The EL device (2) is in this case arranged piecewise on the right side of the EL luminous laminate (1) or of the substrate (10) and can in principle also piecewise left or piecewise above or piecewise below to be arranged or executed over the entire surface, in which case the components (3, 5, 6, 9) advantageously on the back of the EL luminous laminate (1) are arranged.

On the top of the EL device (2) is a function label (7) is arranged. This graphic representation (7) can be carried out manually by means of a permanent marker, that is to say a pencil with water-resistant ink, or by printing by means of pad printing or screen printing or transfer printing or inkjet printing and similar printing techniques. By attaching the graphical representation (7) on the surface of the EL device (2), the production can be made individually by the user or already during production. By using, for example, 2-component pad printing ink, a high abrasion resistance and a good resistance to environmental influences can be achieved.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through a first embodiment of an EL luminous laminate (1) comprising a substrate (10) with an upper wiring structure (15), with an EL arrangement (2) with functional inscription (7) arranged thereon and an EL inverter (3) and an on-off switch (6) or button (6) and a charging element (9) and a power supply (5) in the form of a rechargeable battery (5) and a rear Velcro fastener element (11) ,

The EL device (2) is produced according to the prior art by screen printing of EL pastes, ie in thick film technology, and with alternating current of a few 100 to over 200 volts and a frequency of greater than 50 Hz and typically in the range 400 Hz 800 Hz and also operated at high emission brightness values. Since such an EL device (2) must be flexibly deformable in use as an EL luminous laminate (1) and is to be used under harsh operating conditions, the EL element (2) structure is designed for high ductility. In particular, polyurethane-based screen printing ink systems are used and a bendable embodiment is selected at least for the front transparent electrode. In this case, intrinsically conductive polymers, for example based on Baytron P, can be used or it is possible to disperse polymeric thin and largely transparent and electrically conductive layers based on ITO (indium tin oxide) or ATO (antimony tin oxide) particles be used in a polymeric matrix. In addition, SWCNTs (single-walled carbon nanotubes) can be added and thus the risk of cracking due to overstretching or excessive deformation can be reduced or avoided.

Basically, a sputtered ITO electrode can be used and in this case the entire system must be made substantially stiffer, since too small bending radii or excessive deformation such ITO electrode tends to crack and thus a failure of the EL device (2 ) or parts thereof.

Usually, such transparent front-side electrodes with surface resistance values of about 30 ohms / square to 60 ohms / square to 600 ohms / square are still edged with a so-called bus bar and can thus produce a uniform EL luminous field with dimensions of typically A5 up to A4 or B4 become.

The EL device (2) is usually made of at least one front transparent film of PET or polycarbonate (PC) having a film thickness of typically 125 μm or 175 μm and above. On the outside of this film, the function label (7) is arranged and the outside may have a corresponding surface structure. A matt or semi-gloss surface texture provides good scratch resistance and acts as a diffuser for EL emission. Basically, this upper transparent film can also consist of two films and this second film can be formed by means of lamination and thus an additional protection can be achieved. On the inside of this front transparent film, a substantially transparent and electrically conductive layer is arranged with peripheral bus bar. Subsequently, the EL layer of usually microencapsulated zinc sulfide electroluminophores is homogeneously dispersed in a polymeric matrix, preferably based on polyurethanes and such permanently elastic polymers arranged.

The EL layer can have a desired emission color by selecting or mixing the EL pigments. It is also possible to incorporate color-converting dyes and / or pigments (Stokes shift) and, for example, the emission color white can be achieved in this way. Since such conversion admixtures usually have an intrinsic color in the range pink-pink to orange, a thin layer of, for example, titanium dioxide dispersed in a polymeric matrix can be placed over it and can be achieved such a whitish surface.

In one development of the present invention, in the EL layer or in the polymeric matrix it is additionally possible to add long luminescent pigments. For a rapidly rechargeable afterglow layer, inexpensive zinc sulfidic afterglow pigments can be used, and for a slower rechargeable afterglow layer, rare earth doped aluminates or silicates pigments are preferably used, which then have an afterglow time of up to 2,000 minutes (observable for the dark-adapted eye and fully charged afterglow pigments) and have over it.

Often, mixtures of these mentioned afterglow pigments are used. The emission color is from greenish-bluish-yellowish to blue and red selectable, per pigment, the persistence varies widely. The advantage of this Nachleuchtpigmentebeimengung can be that even if the power supply fails, the EL light field (2) remains lit, but usually only a few mcd / m ² and not some 2 to 10 cd / m ² as in the case of the function of Power supply of the EL device (2). The EL layer is usually produced by screen printing. By this type of production also point-like EL elements are basically printable. By such a grid of EL points or small geometrical shapes, the active EL area can be reduced and the EL power supply can be made smaller.

After the insulation layer or the usually two printed insulation layers comes the back electrode. This can be formed directly in connection with the insulating layer or separately by means of lamination of a corresponding electrode arrangement.

The back electrode may be integrated in the EL layer sequence (2) or it may be formed by the backside conductive pattern (15) on the substrate (10). This results in a particularly flexible and thin structure.

The substrate (10) may in turn be an integral part of the EL luminous laminate (2) or an independent component.

The substrate (10) may be in the form of a thin circuit board having a wiring pattern (115). However, it is also possible to choose a polycarbonate film (PC film) or a film of ABS and the like polymeric materials. In this case, the conductive structure can be produced by printing technology or embossing technology or by wire technology.

The components (3, 5, 6, 9) are arranged on this substrate (10). The wiring or wiring of the components via the conductive structure (15), wherein the electrical contacting can be done by means of conventional soldering, laser soldering, welding, ultrasonic welding, electrically conductive bonding and the like connection technologies. The individual components are positioned using adhesive technology or US technology and can still be fixed or protected by means of resin systems and dispenser application.

In principle, according to the invention, each EL element or EL array is preferably suitable for use as a luminescent laminate or as a constituent of a luminescent laminate in protective clothing which corresponds to the general structure described below.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that any other EL element or EL device which has the same or corresponding functional properties as the EL element or the EL device with the general structure described below, equally suitable as a light-emitting laminate or as part of a light-emitting laminate in protective clothing.

Such a suitable EL element preferred according to the invention consists of at least one substrate and at least one EL array, which can preferably be produced in layers by screen printing techniques, but also for example by doctoring, spraying, spraying and / or brushing. For this purpose, a substrate can first be coated with a transparent electrode onto which a luminescent layer (electroluminescent layer) is then applied. Finally, an insulating layer (dielectric layer) and a further electrode can then be arranged on the luminescent layer.

Starting point of the electroluminescent arrangements according to the invention are thus conductive electrode layers, which are applied to substrates.

The EL element may be configured such that the side of the substrate provided with the EL device is illuminated, or that an at least partially transparent substrate is illuminated by a back-applied electroluminescent device. Furthermore, the illumination can also radiate to both sides, if the substrate is at least partially transparent. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the electroluminescent element consists of the following layers (conventional structure):

a) an at least partially transparent substrate, component A,

b) at least one applied to the substrate electroluminescent device, component B, comprising the following components

ba) an at least partially transparent electrode, component BA, as a front electrode, bb) optionally an insulating layer, component BB, bc) a layer containing at least one excitable by an electric field luminescent pigment (electroluminophore), electroluminescent layer or pigment layer,

Component BC, bd) optionally an insulating layer, component BD, be) a back electrode, component BE, which can be partially transparent at times, bf) a conductor track or a plurality of conductor tracks, component BF, for electrical contacting of both component BA and component BE , wherein the conductor track or the conductor tracks before, after or between the electrodes BA and BE can be applied or, wherein preferably the conductor track or the conductor tracks are applied in one step.

The printed conductor or printed conductors can be applied in the form of a silver bus, preferably made of a silver paste. It may be possible to apply a graphite layer before applying the silver bus,

c) a protective layer, component CA or a film, component CB, The insulation layers BB and BD can be opaque, opaque or transparent, wherein at least one of the layers must be at least partially transparent if two insulation layers are present

On the outside of the substrate A and / or between the substrate A and the electroluminescent arrangement, one or more at least partially transparent graphically designed layers can also be arranged.

In addition to the layers mentioned (components A, B and C), the electroluminescent element according to the invention (conventional structure) can have one or more reflection layer (s). The reflection layer (s) may or may in particular be arranged:

on the outside on component A, between component A and component BA, between component BA and component BB or BC, if component BB is missing, between component BD and component BE, between component BE and component BF, between component BF and component CA, respectively CB, outside on component CA or CB.

Preferably, the reflective layer layer, if present, arranged between component BC and component BD or BE, if component BD is missing.

The reflection layer preferably comprises glass beads, in particular hollow glass beads. The diameter of the glass beads can be changed within wide limits. Thus, they may have a size d ₅ o of generally 5 μm to 3 mm, preferably 10 to 200 μm, particularly preferably 20 to 100 μm. The hollow glass beads are preferably embedded in a binder. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the electroluminescent element consists of the following layers (inverse layer structure):

a) an at least partially transparent substrate, component A,

b) at least one electroluminescent device applied to the substrate, component B, containing the following components

be) a back electrode, component BE, which may be at least partially transparent, bb) optionally an insulating layer, component BB, bc) a layer containing at least one excitable by an electric field luminescent pigment (electroluminophore), electroluminescent layer or pigment layer called component BC, bd) optionally an insulating layer, component BD, ba) an at least partially transparent electrode, component BA, as a front electrode, bf) a conductor track or a plurality of conductor tracks, component BF, for electrically contacting both component BA and component BE, wherein the conductor track or the conductor tracks before, after or between the electrodes BA and BE can be applied or can, wherein preferably the conductor track or the conductor tracks are applied in one step. The trace or traces can take the form of a

Silver bus, preferably made of a silver paste, be applied. It may be possible to apply a graphite layer before applying the silver bus,

c) an at least partially transparent protective layer,

Component CA and / or a film, component CB.

On the transparent protective layer C and / or between the transparent protective layer C and the EL device may also be one or more be arranged at least partially transparent graphically designed layers. In particular, the graphically designed layers can assume the function of the protective layer.

In a particular embodiment of the inverse layer structure, the abovementioned structures B, C can be mounted both on the front side of the substrate, component A, and on the rear side, as well as on both sides of the substrate (two-sided structure). The layers BA to BF on both sides can be identical, but they can differ in one or more layers, so that, for example, the electroluminescent element radiates equally on both sides or the electroluminescent element on each side a different color and / or has a different brightness and / or a different graphic design.

In addition to the layers mentioned (components A, B and C), the electroluminescent element according to the invention with inverse layer structure can have one or more reflection layer (s). The reflection layer (s) may or may in particular be arranged:

- Outside on component A, between component A and component BE, between component BE and component BB, between component BB and component BC, between component BC and component BD, - between component BD and component BA, between component BA and component BF, between Component BF and component CA or CB, on component CA or CB.

Preferably, the reflective layer layer, if present, arranged between component BC and component BB or BE, if component BB is missing. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the particular embodiments and features of the conventional structure, unless otherwise specified, apply mutatis mutandis to inverse layer construction and two-sided construction.

The one or more insulation layer (s) BB and / or BD, both in the conventional construction and in the inverse construction, can be dispensed with in particular if the component BC has a layer thickness which prevents a short circuit between the two electrode components BA and BE ,

The following describes the characteristics of the individual components of the EL element:

electrodes

The EL element according to the invention has a first at least partially transparent front electrode BA and a second electrode, the rear electrode BE.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "at least partially transparent" means an electrode which is constructed from a material which has a transmission of generally more than 60%, preferably more than 70%, particularly preferably more than 80%, specifically more than 90%.

The return electrode BE does not necessarily have to be transparent.

Suitable electrically conductive materials for the electrodes are known per se to the person skilled in the art. In principle, several types of electrodes are suitable for the production of thick-film EL elements with AC excitation. On the one hand, these are sputtered or vapor deposited indium-tin-oxide electrodes (indium-tin-oxides, ITO) in vacuum on plastic films. she are very thin (some 100 Å) and offer the advantage of high transparency with a relatively low sheet resistance (about 60 to 600 Ω).

Further, printing pastes with ITO or ATO (antimony tin oxides, antimony tin oxide) or intrinsically conductive transparent polymer pastes can be used, from which surface electrodes are produced by screen printing. They can be applied in virtually any structure, even on structured surfaces. Furthermore, they offer a relatively good laminatability. Non-ITO screen printing layers (the term "non-ITO" encompassing all non-indium tin oxide (ITO) screen-printed layers), that is, intrinsically conductive polymeric layers with usually nanoscale electrically conductive pigments, may be used the ATO screen printing pastes can with the designations 7162E or 7164 from DuPont, intrinsically conductive polymer systems such as Orgacon ^® system from Agfa, the Clevios ^® poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) - system of HC Starck GmbH, which (as an organic metal PEDT -conductive polymer polyethylene-dioxythiophene) system of Ormecon, conductive coating or ink systems of Panipol OY and optionally with highly flexible binders, for example based on PU (polyurethanes), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), modified polyaniline used It is preferred as the material of the at least partially transparent electrode of the El ektrolumineszenz element Clevios ^® poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) system from HC Starck GmbH employed. Examples of electrically conductive polymer films are polyanilines, polythiophenes, polyacetylenes, polypyrroles (Handbook of Conducting Polymers, 1986) with and without metal oxide filling.

For formulation of a printing paste for producing the partially transparent electrode BA, from 10 to 90% by weight, preferably from 20 to 80% by weight, particularly preferably from 30 to 65% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the printing paste, of Clevios are preferred P Clevios PH ₁ Clevios P AG, Clevios P HCV4, Clevios P HS, Clevios PH 500, Clevios PH 510 or any mixtures thereof. As solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, Ethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, N-propanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylaminoethanol, water or mixtures of two or three or more of said solvents can be used. The amount of solvent can vary widely in the printing paste. Thus, in a formulation of a paste according to the invention, 55 to 60% by weight of solvent may be present, while in another formulation according to the invention about 35 to 45% by weight of a solvent mixture of two or more solvents are used. Furthermore, as an interface additive and adhesion promoter Silquest A187, Neo Rez R986, Dynol 604 and / or mixtures of two or more of these substances may be included. The amount thereof is 0.1 to 5.0 wt .-%, preferably 0.3 to 2.5 wt .-%, based on the total weight of the printing paste.

Examples of suitable binders in the formulation are Bayderm Finish 85 UD, Bayhydrol PR340 / 1, Bayhydrol PR135 or any mixtures thereof, preferably in amounts of about 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably 3 to 5% by weight be. The polyurethane dispersions used according to the invention, which form the binder for the conductive layer after the layer has been dried, are preferably aqueous polyurethane dispersions.

Particularly preferred formulations of printing pastes according to the invention for producing the partially transparent electrode BA include:

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned formulations for the partially transparent electrode BA, ready-to-use formulations of the following already exemplified, commercially available printing pastes can be used according to the invention: the Orgacon EL-P1000, EL-P3000, EL-P5000 or EL Agfa P6000 series, prefers the EL-P3000 and EL-P6000 series (especially for ductile applications).

In addition, tin oxide (NESA) pastes are also conceivable as corresponding electrode material.

The electrically conductive materials described above may also be applied to a substrate. As a carrier material, for example, offer transparent glasses and thermoplastic films. Corresponding carrier materials are described in more detail below. Within the scope of the present invention, one or two carrier substrates may be used

These electrode materials can be applied, for example, by means of screen printing, knife coating, spraying, spraying and / or brushing onto corresponding carrier materials (substrates), preferably then being dried at low temperatures of, for example, 80 to 120 ^° C.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the application of the electrically conductive coating takes place by means of vacuum or pyrolytically. Particularly preferred in the alternative embodiment, the electrically conductive coating is a thin and substantially transparent layer by means of vacuum or pyrolytic metal or metal oxide, preferably a sheet resistance of 5 mΩ to 3000 Ω / square, more preferably a sheet resistance of 0.1 to 1000 Ω / Square, most preferably 5 to 30 Ω / square, and in another preferred embodiment has a daylight transmittance of at least greater than 60% (> 60 to 100%) and in particular greater than 76% (> 76 to 100%).

In addition, electrically conductive glass can also be used as the electrode.

A particular preferred type of electrically conductive and highly transparent glass, in particular float glass, are pyrolytically produced layers which have a high surface hardness and whose surface electrical resistivity can be adjusted in a very wide range, generally from a few milliohms to 3000 Ω / square.

Such pyrolytically coated glasses can be well deformed and have a good scratch resistance, in particular scratches do not lead to an electrical interruption of the electrically conductive surface layer, but only to a mostly slight increase in surface resistance.

Furthermore, pyrolytically produced conductive surface layers are so strongly diffused into the surface by the temperature treatment and anchored in the surface, that in a subsequent application of material an extremely high adhesion to the glass substrate is given, which is also very advantageous for the present invention. In addition, such coatings have a good homogeneity, ie a low scattering of the surface resistance value over large surfaces. This feature also provides an advantage to the present invention. Electrically conductive and highly transparent thin layers can be produced on a glass substrate, which is preferably used according to the invention, much more efficiently and cost-effectively than on polymeric substrates such as PET or PMMA or PC. The electrical surface resistance is on glass coatings on average by a factor of 10 cheaper than on a polymeric film with comparable transparency, for example, 3 to 10 ohms / square in glass layers compared with 30 to 100 Ω / square on PET films.

The back electrode component BE is - as in the case of the at least partially transparent electrode - a planar electrode, which, however, does not have to be transparent or at least partially transparent. This is generally applied to the insulation layer, if any. If no insulation layer is present, the back electrode is applied to the layer containing at least one excitable by an electric field luminous substance. In an alternative embodiment, the back electrode is applied to the substrate A.

The back electrode is generally made of electrically conductive materials based on inorganic or organic, for example metals such as silver, preferably those materials are used in the

Application of the isostatic high pressure forming method to

Production of the three-dimensionally deformed invention

Foil element should not be damaged. Suitable electrodes are also in particular polymeric electrically conductive coatings. In this case, the coatings already mentioned above with regard to the at least partially transparent electrode can be used. In addition, such, the

Use can be made of specialist known polymeric electrically conductive coatings that are not at least partially transparent.

Suitable materials of the back electrode are thus preferably selected from the group consisting of metals such as silver, carbon, ITO screen printing layers, ATO screen printing layers, non-ITO screen printing layers, that is intrinsically conductive polymeric systems with usually nanoscale electrically conductive pigments, for example ATO screen printing pastes with the designation 7162E or 7164 from DuPont, intrinsically conductive polymer systems such as Orgacon ^® system from Agfa, the Clevios ^® poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) system from HC Starck GmbH, as the organic metal (PEDT conductive polymer polyethylene-dioxythiophene) system of Ormecon, conductive coating and ink systems of Panipol Oy and optionally with highly flexible binders, for example based on PU (polyurethanes), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), modified Polyaniline, wherein the above materials can be added to improve the electrical conductivity with metals such as silver or carbon and / or can be supplemented with a layer of these materials.

The formulation of the printing paste for the back electrode can correspond to that of the partially transparent electrode.

Deviating from this formulation, however, the following formulation can also be used according to the invention for the back electrode.

For the formulation of a printing paste for the production of the back electrode, 30 to 90% by weight, preferably 40 to 80% by weight, particularly preferably 50 to 70% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the printing paste, of the conductive polymer Clevios P, Clevios PH, Clevios P AG, Clevios P HCV4, Clevios P HS, Clevios PH, Clevios PH 500, Clevios PH 510 or any mixtures thereof. As solvents dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, ethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, N-propanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylaminoethanol, water or mixtures of two or three or several of these solvents are used. The amount of solvent used can vary widely. Thus, in a formulation according to the invention, one paste may contain from 55 to 60% by weight of solvent, while in another formulation according to the invention about 40% by weight of a solvent mixture of three solvents may be used. Furthermore, as an interface additive and adhesion activator Silquest A187, Neo Rez R986, Dynol 604 or mixtures of two or more of these substances are preferably contained in an amount of 0.7 to 1, 2 wt .-%. As binder, for example, 0.5 to 1, 5 wt .-% UD-85, Bayhydrol PR340 / 1, Bayhydrol PR135 or belibige mixtures thereof may be included.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the back electrode may be filled with graphite. This can be achieved by adding graphite to the formulations described above.

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned formulation for the back electrode, the ready-to-use formulations mentioned below can also be used according to the invention as already described, commercially available printing pastes: the Orgacon EL-P1000, EL-P3000, EL-P5000 or EL-P6000 series from Agfa, prefers the EL-P3000 and EL-P6000 series (for deformable applications). Again, graphite can be added.

The printing pastes of the Orgacon EL-P4000 series, especially Orgacon EL-P4010 and EL-4020, can be used especially for the back electrode. Both can be mixed together in any ratio. Orgacon EL-P4010 and EL-4020 already contain graphite.

Commercially available graphite pastes can also be used as back electrode, for example graphite pastes from Acheson, in particular Electrodag 965 SS or Electrodag 6017 SS.

A particularly preferred formulation according to the invention of a printing paste for producing the back electrode BE comprises:

Conductor tracks, connections of the electrodes

For large-area light elements with a light capacitor structure, the surface conductivity for a uniform luminance plays a significant role. Frequently, so-called bus bars are used in large-area light-emitting elements as printed conductors, component BF, in particular in semiconducting LEP or OLED systems, in which relatively large currents flow. Very good electrically conductive tracks are produced in the manner of a cross. In this way, for example, a large area is divided into four small areas. Thus, the voltage drop in the central region of a luminous surface is substantially reduced and reduces the uniformity of the luminance or the drop in brightness in the middle of a luminous field.

In a zinksulfidischen particulate EL-FeId used in one embodiment of the invention generally greater than 100 volts to over 200 volts AC are applied, and it flow when using a good dielectric or good insulation very low currents. Therefore, in the inventive ZnS thick-film AC-EL element, the problem of current load is much lower than in semiconducting LEP or OLED systems, so that the use of bus bars is not essential, but large-scale lighting elements without the use of bus bars can be provided. According to the invention, it is sufficient for the silver bus to be printed on areas below DIN A3 only at the edge of the electrode layer BA or BE; For surfaces above DIN A3, it is preferred according to the invention that the silver bus forms at least one additional conductor track.

The electrical connections can be made, for example, using electrically conductive and stovable pastes with tin, zinc, silver, palladium, aluminum and other suitable conductive metals or combinations and mixtures or alloys thereof.

In this case, the electrically conductive contact strips are generally applied to the electrically conductive and at least partially transparent thin coatings by means of screen printing, brush application, inkjet, doctor blade, roller, by spraying or by Dispensierauftrag or comparable application methods known in the art and then generally in an oven thermally treated, so that usually attached laterally along a substrate edge strips can be contacted by soldering, terminals or plug electrically conductive.

As long as only low electrical power has to be applied to electrically conductive coatings, spring contacts or carbon-filled rubber elements or so-called zebra rubber strips are sufficient.

As conductive adhesive pastes conductive adhesive pastes based on silver, palladium, copper or gold filled polymer adhesive are preferably used. It is also possible to apply self-adhesive electrically conductive strips, for example, of tinned copper foil with an adhesive that is electrically conductive in the z-direction by pressing.

The adhesive layer is generally uniformly pressed with a surface pressure of some N / cm ² , and depending on the design, values of 0.013 ohms / cm ² (for example, D & M International Conductive Copper Foil Tape VE 1691, A-8451 Heimschuh) or 0.005 ohms (for example, Type 1183 from 3M Electrical Products Division, Austin, Texas USA, according to MIL-STD-200 Method 307 maintained at 5 psi / 3.4 N / cm ² measured over 1 sq. In. Surface area) or 0.001 ohms (for example Type 1345 from 3M) or 0.003 ohms (for example Type 3202 from Holland Shielding Systems BV) ,

However, the contacting can be carried out by all methods familiar to the person skilled in the art, for example crimping, inserting, clamping, riveting, screwing.

dielectric layer

The inventive El element preferably has at least one dielectric layer, component BD, which is provided between the back electrode component BE and the EL layer component BC.

Corresponding dielectric layers are known to the person skilled in the art. Corresponding layers often have high-dielectric powders such as, for example, bordum titanate, which are preferably dispersed in fluorine-containing plastics or in cyan-based resins. Examples of particularly suitable particles are barium titanate particles in the range of preferably 1, 0 to 2.0 microns. These can give a relative dielectric constant of up to 100 at a high degree of filling.

The dielectric layer has a thickness of generally 1 to 50 μm, preferably 2 to 40 μm, more preferably 5 to 25 μm, especially 8 to 15 μm.

In an embodiment, the EL element according to the invention may additionally also have a further dielectric layer, which are arranged one above the other and together improve the insulation effect or else which by means of a floating electrode layer is interrupted. The use of a second dielectric layer may depend on the quality and pinhole freedom of the first dielectric layer.

As fillers inorganic insulating materials are used, which the

Those skilled in the literature are known, for example: BaTiO ₃ , SrTiO ₃ , KNbO ₃ , PbTiO ₃ , LaTaO ₃ , LiNbO ₃ , GeTe, Mg ₂ TiO ₄ , Bi ₂ (TiO ₃ ) ₃ , NiTiO ₃ , CaTiO ₃ , ZnTiO ₃ , Zn ₂ TiO ₄ , BaSnO ₃ , Bi (SnO ₃ ) ₃₎ CaSnO ₃ , PbSnO ₃ , MgSnO ₃ , SrSnO ₃ , ZnSnO ₃ , BaZrO ₃ , CaZrO ₃ , PbZrO ₃ , MgZrO ₃ , SrZrO ₃ , ZnZrO _3, and lead -Zikonat- titanate mixed crystals or mixtures of two or more of these fillers. Preferred fillers according to the invention are BaTiO ₃ or PbZrO ₃ or mixtures thereof, preferably in quantities of from 5 to 80% by weight, preferably from 10 to 75% by weight, particularly preferably from 40 to 70% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the paste, in the paste for the preparation of the insulating layer.

Binders for this layer may be one-component or preferably two-component polyurethane systems, preferably Bayer MaterialScience AG, in turn Desmodur and Desmophen or the coating raw materials of the Lupranate, Lupranol, Pluracol or Lupraphen series from BASF AG; Degussa AG (Evonik), preferably Vestanat, again particularly preferred Vestanat T and B; or the Dow Chemical Company, again preferably Vorastar; be used. Furthermore, highly flexible binders, for example those based on PMMA, PVA, in particular Mowiol and Poval from Kuraray Specialties Europe GmbH or Polyviol from Wacker AG, or PVB, in particular Mowital from Kuraray Specialties Europe GmbH (B 20 H, B 30 T, B 30 H, B 30 HH, B 45 H, B 60 T, B 60 H, B 60 HH, B 75 H), or Pioloform, in particular Pioloform BR18, BM18 or BT18, from Wacker AG.

As solvents, for example, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, 1-Methoxypropylacetat-2, toluene, XyIoI, Solvesso 100, Shellsol A or mixtures of two or more of these solvents can be used. If, for example, PVB is used as binder, it is also possible to use methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, diacetone alcohol, benzyl alcohol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, Butylglycol, methoxybutanol, dowanol, methoxypropylacetate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, butoxyl, glycolic acid n-butyl ester. Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, toluene, xylene, hexane, cyclohexane, heptane and mixtures of two or more of the solvents mentioned in amounts of from 1 to 30% by weight, based on the total mass of the paste, preferably from 2 to 20% by weight. , particularly preferably 3 to 10 wt .-%, can be used. Furthermore, additives such as leveling agents and rheology additives can be added to improve the properties. Examples of flow control agents are Additol XL480 in butoxyl in a mixing ratio of 40:60 to 60:40. The further additives can be used in amounts of 0.01 to 10 wt .-%, preferably 0.05 to 5 wt .-%, particularly preferably 0.1 to 2 wt .-%, each based on the total paste mass. As rheology additives that reduce the settling behavior of pigments and fillers in the paste, BYK 410, BYK 411, BYK 430, BYK 431 or any mixtures thereof may be present, for example.

Particularly preferred formulations according to the invention, a printing paste for producing the insulating layer as component BB and / or BD:

EL layer

The EL element according to the invention comprises at least one EL layer, component BC. The at least one EL layer may be arranged on the entire inner surface of the first partially transparent electrode or on one or more partial surfaces of the first at least partially transparent electrode. In the case that the EL layer is arranged on a plurality of partial surfaces, the partial surfaces generally have a spacing of 0.5 to 10.0 mm, preferably 1 to 5 mm from each other.

The EL layer is generally composed of a binder matrix having homogeneously dispersed EL pigments therein. The binder matrix is generally chosen such that there is a good adhesion on the electrode layer (or the dielectric layer applied thereon, in a preferred embodiment, PVB or PU based systems are used.) In addition to the EL pigments, further additives may optionally be used present in the binder matrix, such as color-converting organic and / or inorganic systems, color additives for a day and night light effect and / or reflective and / or light-absorbing effect pigments such as aluminum flakes or glass flakes or mica platelets. CO

The EL pigments used in the EL layer generally have a thickness of 1 to 50 μm, preferably 5 to 25 μm.

Preferably, the at least one EL layer BC is an AC thick film powder electroluminescent (AC-P-EL) light structure.

Thick film AC-EL systems have been well-known since Destriau 1947 and are usually applied by screen printing on ITO-PET films. Since zinc sulfide electroluminophores have a very high degradation during operation and especially at higher temperatures and a water vapor environment, microencapsulated EL pigments are generally used today for long-lived thick film AC-EL lamp assemblies. However, it is also possible to use non-microencapsulated pigments in the EL element according to the invention, as further explained below.

For the purposes of the present invention, EL elements are thick-film EL systems which are operated by means of alternating voltage at normative 100 V and 400 Hertz and thus emit a so-called cold light of a few cd / m ² up to a few 100 cd / m ² , In such inorganic thick film AC EL elements, EL screen pastes are generally used.

Such EL screen-printing pastes are generally based on inorganic substances. Suitable substances are, for example, high-purity ZnS, CdS, Zn _x Cdi _-x S compounds of groups II and IV of the Periodic Table of the Elements, with ZnS being particularly preferably used. The aforementioned substances may be doped or activated and optionally further co-activated. For doping, for example, copper and / or manganese are used. Coactivation takes place, for example, with chlorine, bromine, iodine and aluminum. The content of alkali and rare earth metals is generally very low in the abovementioned substances, if they are present at all. Most preferably ZnS is used, preferably with copper and / or manganese is doped or activated and is preferably co-activated with chlorine, bromine, iodine and / or aluminum.

Common EL emission colors are yellow, green, green-blue, blue-green and white, the emission color being white or red by mixtures of suitable EL dyes.

Pigments can be obtained or by color conversion. The

Color conversion can generally take place in the form of a converting layer and / or the addition of corresponding dyes and pigments in the polymeric binder of the screen printing inks or the polymeric matrix in which the EL pigments are incorporated.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the screen printing matrix used to produce the EL layer is provided with translucent, color-filtering or color-converting dyes and / or pigments. In this way, an emission color white or a day-night light effect can be generated.

In a further embodiment, pigments are used in the EL layer which have an emission in the blue wavelength range from 420 to 480 nm and are provided with a color-converting microencapsulation. In this way, the color white can be emitted.

In one embodiment, as pigments in the EL layer AC-P-EL pigments are used which have an emission in the blue wavelength range of 420 to 480 nm. In addition, the AC-P-EL screen printing matrix preferably comprises wavelength-controlling inorganic fine particles based on europium (II) activated alkaline earth ortho-silicate phosphors such as (Ba, Sr, Ca) ₂ SiO ₄ : Eu ²⁺ or YAG phosphors such as Y ₃ Al ₅ Oi ₂ ) Ce ³⁺ or Tb ₃ Al ₅ Oi ₂ ) Ce ³⁺ or Sr ₂ GaS ₄ ) Eu ²⁺ or SrS: Eu ²⁺ or (Y ₁ Lu, Gd ₁ Tb) ₃ (Al ₁ Sc ₁ Ga ) ₅ Oi ₂ ) Ce ³⁺ or (Zn, Ca, Sr) (S, Se): Eu ²⁺ . Also in this way a white emission can be achieved.

According to the prior art, the above-mentioned EL pigments can be microencapsulated. By the inorganic Microencapsulation technology achieves good half-lives. As an example, the EL screen printing system Luxprint ^® for EL of the company EI du Pont de Nemours and Companies mentioned. Organic microencapsulation technologies and film-wrap laminates based on the various thermoplastic films are also generally suitable, but have proven to be expensive and not significantly extended in life.

Suitable zinc sulfide microencapsulated EL pigments are sold by Osram Sylvania, Inc. Towanda under the trade name GlacierGLO ™ Standard, High Brite and Long Life and the Durel Division of Rogers Corporation, under the trade names 1 PHS001 ^® High-Efficiency Green Encapsulated EL phosphorus, 1 PHS002 ^® high-Efficiency Blue-Green Encapsulated EL phosphor, 1 PHS003 ^® Long-Life Blue Encapsulated EL phosphor, 1 PHS004 ^® Long-Life Orange Encapsulated EL phosphor offered.

The average particle diameters of the microencapsulated pigments suitable in the EL layer are generally 15 to 60 μm, preferably 20 to 35 μm.

Non-microencapsulated fine-grained EL pigments, preferably having a long service life, can also be used in the EL layer of the EL element according to the invention. Suitable non-microencapsulated fine-grained zinc sulfide EL pigments are disclosed, for example, in US 6,248,261 and in WO 01/34723. These preferably have a cubic crystal structure. The non-microencapsulated pigments preferably have average particle diameters of from 1 to 30 .mu.m, particularly preferably from 3 to 25 .mu.m, very particularly preferably from 5 to 20 .mu.m.

Specially non-microencapsulated EL pigments can be used with smaller pigment dimensions down to less than 10 μm. As a result, the transparency of the glass element can be increased. Thus, non-encapsulated pigments can be added to the screen printing inks suitable according to the present application, preferably taking into account the special hygroscopic properties of the pigments, preferably the ZnS pigments. In this case, binders are generally used which, on the one hand, have good adhesion to so-called ITO layers (indium-tin oxide) or intrinsically conductive polymeric transparent layers, and furthermore have good insulating properties, reinforce the dielectric and thus improve the dielectric strength at high electric field strengths cause and additionally in the cured state have a good water vapor barrier and additionally protect the EL pigments and extend life span.

In one embodiment of the present invention, pigments which are not microencapsulated are used in the AC-P-EL luminescent layer.

The half-lives of the suitable pigments in the EL layer, ie the time in which the initial brightness of the EL element according to the invention has fallen to half, are generally at 100 or 80 volts and 400 hertz 400 to a maximum of 5000 hours, but usually not more than 1000 to 3500 hours.

The brightness values (EL emission) are generally 1 to 200 cd / m ² , preferably 3 to 100 cd / m ² , particularly preferably 5 to 40 cd / m ² ; For large illuminated areas, the brightness values are preferably in the range from 1 to 50 cd / m ² .

However, it is also possible to use pigments with longer or shorter half-lives and higher or lower brightness values in the EL layer of the EL element according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the pigments present in the EL layer have such a small average particle diameter, or such a low degree of filling in the EL layer, or the individual EL layers are geometrical ά-

executed so small, or the distance between the individual EL layers is chosen so large, so that the EL element is designed as not transparent at least partially transparent in the case of a non-electrically activated lighting structure or a view is ensured. Suitable pigment particle diameters, fill levels, dimensions of the luminous elements and distances of the luminous elements are mentioned above.

The layer contains the abovementioned optionally doped ZnS crystals, preferably microencapsulated as described above, preferably in an amount of from 40 to 90% by weight, preferably from 50 to 80% by weight, particularly preferably from 55 to 70% by weight. , in each case based on the weight of the paste. As binders, one- and preferably two-component polyurethanes can be used. According to the invention, highly flexible materials from Bayer MaterialScience AG are preferred, for example the lacquer raw materials of the desmophen and desmodur series, preferably desmophen and desmodur, or the lacquer raw materials of the Lupranate, Lupranol, Pluracol or Lupraphen series from BASF AG. As solvents ethoxypropyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methoxypropyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha 100 or any mixtures of two or more of these solvents in amounts of preferably 1 to 50 wt .-%, preferably 2 to 30 wt .-%, particularly preferably 5 to 15 wt .-%, each based on the total paste mass, are used. Furthermore, other highly flexible binders, for example those based on PMMA, PVA, in particular Mowiol and Poval from Kuraray Europe GmbH (now called Kuraray Specialties or Polyviol from Wacker AG, or PVB, in particular Mowital from Kuraray Europe GmbH (B 20 H, B 30 T, B 30 H, B 30 HH, B 45 H, B 60 T, B 60 H, B 60 HH, B 75 H), or Pioloform, in particular Pioloform BR18, BM18 or BT18, from Wacker AG Use of polymer binders such as PVB may further solvents such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, diacetone alcohol, benzyl alcohol, 1 - methoxypropanol-2, butyl glycol, methoxybutanol, Dowanol,

Methoxypropyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, butoxyl, glycolic acid n-butyl ester. Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, toluene, xylene, hexane, cyclohexane, heptane and mixtures from two or more of the mentioned in amounts of 1 to 30 wt .-% based on the total mass of the paste, preferably 2 to 20 wt.%, Particularly preferably 3 to 10 wt .-% are added.

Furthermore, 0.1 to 2 wt .-% additives to improve the flow behavior and the course may be included. Examples of flow control agents are Additol XL480 in butoxyl in a mixing ratio of 40:60 to 60:40. 0.01 to 10 wt .-%, preferably 0.05 to 5 wt .-%, particularly preferably 0.1 to 2 wt .-%, each based on the total paste mass, rheology additives which contain the settling behavior can be included as further additives of pigments and fillers in the paste, for example BYK 410, BYK 411, BYK 430, BYK 431 or any mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred formulations of printing pastes according to the invention for producing the EL pigment layer as component BC include:

In addition, it is also possible to use commercially available, already ready-mixed screen printing pastes, for example those from Metalor or Norcote.

covering

In addition to the components A and B, the EL element according to the invention contains a protective layer, component CA, in order to destroy the

Electroluminescent element or the optionally present graphical representations to avoid. Suitable materials of

Protective layer are known in the art. Suitable protective layers CA are, for example, high-temperature-resistant protective lacquers, such as conformal lacquers containing polycarbonates and binders. An example of such

Protective lacquer is Noriphan HTR ^® by Proell, Weissenburg.

Alternatively, the protective layer can also be formulated on the basis of flexible polymers such as polyurethanes, PMMA, PVA, PVB. Polyurethanes from Bayer MatehalScience AG can be used for this purpose. This formulation can also be provided with fillers. Suitable for this purpose are all fillers known to the person skilled in the art, for example based on inorganic metal oxides such as O 2 O, ZnO, lithopone, etc. with a degree of filling of 10 to 80% by weight of the printing paste, preferably from 20 to 70%, particularly preferably from 40 to 60%. Furthermore, the formulations may contain leveling agents as well as rheology additives. As a solvent, for example. Ethoxypropylacetat, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methoxypropyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha 100 or mixtures of two or more of these solvents may be used.

According to the invention, particularly preferred formulations of the protective lacquer CA include, for example:

substrates

The EL element according to the invention may have on one or both sides of the respective electrodes substrates, such as glasses, plastic films or the like.

In the EL element of the present invention, it is preferable that at least the substrate in contact with the transparent electrode is inside Graphically translucent and opaque covering designed. An opaque covering design is understood to be a large-area electroluminescent region which is opacified by a high-resolution graphic design and / or is designed to be translucent, for example in the sense of red-green-blue translucent, for signal purposes.

Moreover, it is preferred that the substrate, which is in contact with the transparent electrode BA, is a film which is cold-stretchable under glass transition temperature Tg. This gives rise to the possibility of deforming the resulting EL element three-dimensionally.

Moreover, it is preferred that the substrate, which is in contact with the back electrode BE, is a film which is also cold stretchable below Tg. This gives rise to the possibility of deforming the resulting EL element three-dimensionally.

Moreover, it is preferred that the EL element is three-dimensionally deformable and in particular is cold bendable deformable below Tg and thus obtains a precisely shaped three-dimensional shape.

The three-dimensionally deformed element can be formed in an injection molding tool on at least one side with a thermoplastic material.

Production of inventive EL elements

Usually, the above pastes (screen printing pastes) are applied to transparent plastic films or glasses, which in turn have a substantially transparent electrically conductive coating and thereby represent the electrode for the visible side. Subsequently, the dielectric, if present, and the backside electrode are produced by printing technology and / or lamination technology. However, a reverse manufacturing process is also possible, wherein first the backside electrode is made or the backside electrode is used in the form of a metallized film and the dielectric is applied to this electrode. Subsequently, the EL layer and then the transparent and electrically conductive upper electrode are applied. The system obtained can then optionally be laminated with a transparent cover sheet and thus protected against water vapor or against mechanical damage.

In one embodiment of the invention, the conductor tracks (silver bus) can be applied as a first layer to the substrate A. According to the invention, however, they are preferably applied to the electrodes BA or BE, either individually in two operations on the electrodes, or in one working step, the electrodes together.

The EL layer is usually applied by printing by means of screen printing or dispenser application or inkjet application or else by a doctor blade process or a roller coating process or a curtain casting process or a transfer process, preferably by screen printing. Preferably, the EL layer is applied to the surface of the electrode or to the optionally applied to the back electrode insulation layer.

As the power supply (5), a rechargeable battery is preferably used, and relatively small or flat batteries having a good charging characteristic and a low discharging characteristic can be used.

For example, Solicore, Inc. offers a 135 ° C laminatable SF-7624-HT40EA038 rechargeable flat battery with dimensions of 76 x 24 mm and a thickness in the range of 0.38 to 0.45 mm with a nominal capacity of 40 mAh and nominal 3 volts with a current pulse performance of up to 40 mA. Modern EL inverters (3) can be operated from 3 VoIt DC and require low currents. For example, Supertex Inc. offers an HV850 EL Lamp Driver IC measuring 4.9 x 2.95 x 1, 1 mm and operating voltage 3.0 to 4.2 Volts DC. Thus, an EL device with a dimension, as is common in mobile phone displays, with AC voltages in the range of 100 volts to over 200 volts at frequencies from 50 Hz, typically at about 200 Hz to 800Hz up to the kHz range, operated.

As a possible EL area 2 in ² are given. In the present case only a few 2 to a maximum of 10 cd / m ² EL emission brightness are needed. This HV850 IC also offers additional electronic features, such as the controllability of the EL frequency or the delayed switch off and the like additional functions. Moreover, this HV850 requires no additional inductance (coil) for operating an EL-FoNe and is therefore particularly well suited for an extremely flat design.

There are, however, a number of alternative EL lamp driver circuits which can also be powered by 3 VoIt-DCs and are also very thin in construction and often include ancillary equipment for the operation of two EL panels or a power-down electronics or power supply a sensor-controlled brightness control.

The on-off switch (6) or button can be realized in many ways and can be formed for example as a capacitive field or as a flexurally elastic field.

The loading element (9) can also be made diverse. In a simple and inexpensive embodiment, a standard low-voltage charging socket is provided up to a micro-USB socket and can be done by ohmic contact of the battery charging process. In addition to this contact-type charging of the battery and capacitive or inductive charging systems can be used in the prior art. FIG. 3 shows a schematic section through a second embodiment of an EL luminous laminate (1) with a protective cover (12). In this schematic sectional view, two foils (13, 14) form the protective cover (12). In principle, instead of the lower film (14), the substrate (10) can also be used as the lower film.

The functional inscription (7) is in these cases on the upper protective film (13) and the at least piece Velcro fastener element (11) is arranged on the underside of the lower protective cover (14) or on the underside of the substrate (10). The protective film (13, 14) can be used in the form of thermoplastic films, wherein at least the upper film (13) in the region of the EL array must be made transparent or at least translucent. The protective film (13, 14) can also be formed from a fabric material or a nonwoven fabric, wherein at least the upper element (13) in the region of the EL array (2) must be transparent or translucent.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic section through a first embodiment of an EL luminous laminate (1) with a protective cover (12) and rear-side electronics (3, 9). Although this embodiment requires mounting both components on the substrate (10) on both sides and also a second back wiring structure (16), it provides more efficient front surface utilization by the EL device (2) and efficient utilization of the back side for the device a flat and thin rechargeable battery (5).

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a person (17) with protective clothing elements (8) and EL luminescent laminates (1). The EL luminous laminates (1) can be arranged in such a way by means of Velcro fastener detachably at a plurality of positions. The attachment of such EL luminous laminates (1) by means of at least piece Velcro fasteners (11) on bottles or supply and Einsatzgegenständen can take place in analogous form for attachment to a person (17). In the context of the present invention, a laminate is understood in particular to mean a composite of substrate, electroluminescent element and protective cover.

In the context of the present invention, the term "planar" is understood in particular to mean that the arrangement is designed such that a flat battery, for example the already mentioned flat battery SF-7624-HT40EA038 with the dimensions 76 × 24 mm and a thickness in the range 0, 38 to 0.45 mm, can be recorded.

Since such an EL luminous element must be flexibly deformable in the use according to the invention and should be used under harsh operating conditions, the EL element structure is designed for high ductility. In particular, polyurethane-based screen printing ink systems are used, and a bendable and / or deformable embodiment is selected at least for the front transparent electrode. A bendable and / or deformable embodiment can also be selected for the return electrode. The EL element is deformable in three dimensions, wherein the radii of curvature may be less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. The deformation angle can be greater than 60 °, preferably greater than 75 °, particularly preferably greater than 90, in particular greater than 105 °.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 EL luminescent laminate

2 EL arrangement

3 EL inverters

5 battery

6 ON / OFF switch with optional pulse switching position

7 Function label

8 protective clothing

9 charging elements: ohmic contacts, capacitive or inductive non-contact charging elements

10 substrate

11 closure element: piecewise, flat

12 protective cover

13 protective cover top

14 protective cover underside

15 back electrode or wiring structure

16 Rear wiring structure

17 person

Claims

claims

1. Protective clothing with an EL luminous laminate (1), which is formed housing-free, consisting of at least one flat, flexible and thin EL-ZnS thick-film AC arrangement (2) with a in the luminescent laminate (1) integrated flat battery (5 ), an EL inverter (3) and an on-off switch (6), wherein the EL luminous laminate (1) on the back with at least one closure element (11) on the protective clothing (8) removably mounted and on the Front has a function label (7).

2. protective clothing (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one closure element as Velcro (11) directly on the back of the substrate (10) with the EL device (2) and with integrated battery (5) and EL Inverter (3) and on-off switch (6) is arranged.

3. Protective clothing (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the EL arrangement (2) with integrated battery (4) and EL inverter (3) and on-off switch (5) in a protective cover (12, 13 , 14) are arranged and the at least one piece Velcro fastening element (11) on the back of the protective cover (14) is mounted and the front of the protective cover (13) is transparent or translucent for the at least one planar EL-arrangement (2).

4. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the entire EL luminous laminate has a thickness of less than 5 mm and in particular less than 3 mm.

5. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the front has a functional inscription, which can be individually attached to the front of the EL luminous laminate irreversible or reversible.

6. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the functional inscription is carried out by means of pad printing or screen printing or transfer printing or manually by means of a pen.

7. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that the EL luminous laminate has a rechargeable flat battery and the charging by means of ohmic contacts or contactless by means of capacitive coupling surfaces or inductive coupling surfaces

8. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one EL device is operated in pulsed mode and thus the signal effect is increased while energy is saved.

9. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the EL luminous laminate has luminescent phosphorescent pigments in a polymeric matrix.

10. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 9, characterized in that the EL luminous laminate has hollow glass beads in a polymeric matrix and thus has autoreflektive or retroreflective properties.

11. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that the EL luminous laminate has reflective flakes or platelets in a polymeric matrix.

12. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 11, characterized in that the front of the EL luminous laminate is formed from a translucent fabric or woven fabric ("non-woven") and is arranged on the outside of the functional inscription.

13. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 12, characterized in that a plurality of EL arrangements are arranged.

14. Protective clothing according to claim 1 to 13, characterized in that a protective clothing is understood to mean a fire-fighter protective clothing, an emergency doctor's, police, rescue and similar signal protective clothing up to helmets and boots and gas cylinders.

A method of making an EL Luminescent Laminate for protective clothing, comprising at least one flat and flexible and bendable and thin EL ZnS thick film AC assembly with integrated battery and EL inverter and on-off switch, for protective clothing according to one of claims 1 to 14.

16. Application of an EL luminous laminate for a protective clothing comprising at least one flat and flexible and bendable and thin EL-ZnS thick-film AC assembly with integrated battery and EL inverter and on-off switch for a protective clothing according to one of the claims 1 to 14 for removably attaching to a fire fighter protective clothing, an emergency physician, police, rescue and the like signal effective protective clothing to helmets and boots and gas cylinders with at least one piecewise back Velcro fastener element and a front functional inscription.