WO2014122938A1

WO2014122938A1 - Organic electroluminescence element and illumination device

Info

Publication number: WO2014122938A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/000667
Authority: WO
Inventors: 桐原　昌男; 仁路高野; 浩史久保田; 和幸山江; 真奥村
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2013-02-07
Filing date: 2014-02-07
Publication date: 2014-08-14
Also published as: JP6249340B2; CN104982092A; CN104982092B; JPWO2014122938A1

Abstract

An organic electroluminescence element, provided with: a substrate (1); an organic light-emitting body (5) having a light-transmitting electrode (2), a functional layer (3) including a light-emitting layer, and a counter electrode (4); and a sealing material (6). The organic light-emitting body (5) is covered and sealed by the sealing material (6). An auxiliary electrode (7) having a grid-shaped pattern is provided by a wiring material (8) in contact with the light-transmitting electrode (2). The organic electroluminescence element has a light-transmittable part (15), at which the wiring material (8) is not provided, at the intersection positions of the grid-shaped pattern constituting the auxiliary electrode (7). The auxiliary electrode (7)-side surface of the functional layer (3) has an insulation film (10) provided at the position overlapping the auxiliary electrode (7) in plan view.

Description

ORGANIC ELECTROLUMINESCENT ELEMENT AND LIGHTING DEVICE

The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescence element and a lighting device using the same.

As an organic electroluminescence device having a general structure (hereinafter also referred to as “organic EL device”), a light transmissive electrode, a functional layer including a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode are laminated on the surface of a light transmissive substrate. It has been known. It is known to obtain a planar light emitting element (illumination panel) using such an organic EL element. In the organic EL element, light emitted from the organic light emitting layer by applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode is extracted through the light transmissive electrode and the substrate.

JP 2006-331920 A

In an organic EL element, a light transmissive electrode is formed of a light transmissive and conductive material (ITO or the like). Usually, the material of the light transmissive electrode has high specific resistance and is not very conductive. Absent. In particular, when the electrode layer is thinned in order to improve the light emission efficiency, or when the light emitting area of the element is increased, the sheet resistance increases. Therefore, there is a case where a grid-like auxiliary electrode is formed of a material having higher conductivity than the light transmissive electrode, and the electric conductivity of the light transmissive electrode is supplemented with this auxiliary electrode to increase the conductivity of the electrode. is there. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an organic electroluminescence display device in which wiring is provided so as to be electrically connected to a light transmissive electrode.

However, since the portion where the auxiliary electrode is formed is usually a portion that is not transparent and cannot extract light, a grid-like non-light emitting shape may be visually recognized corresponding to the auxiliary electrode. And if the non-light-emitting shape is confirmed, there exists a possibility that problems, such as reducing the designability in the illumination use etc., may occur. In addition, since the portion where the auxiliary electrode is formed cannot extract light, the light emitted in this portion cannot be extracted outside and is wasted, which may reduce the light emission efficiency.

The object of the present invention is to improve the electrical conductivity efficiently by the auxiliary electrode, to suppress the non-light-emitting shape of the auxiliary electrode from being visually recognized, and to provide organic electroluminescence with excellent light extraction properties. It is in providing an element and an illuminating device.

The organic electroluminescent element according to the present invention includes a substrate, an organic light emitting body having a functional layer including a light transmissive electrode and a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode, and a sealing material. The organic light emitter is covered and sealed with the sealing material. An auxiliary electrode having a grid pattern is provided by a wiring material in contact with the light transmissive electrode. The organic electroluminescence element has a light transmissive portion where the wiring material is not provided at an intersection position of the grid-like pattern constituting the auxiliary electrode. An insulating film is provided on the surface of the functional layer on the auxiliary electrode side at a position overlapping the auxiliary electrode in plan view.

It is a preferable aspect that the light transmissive portion is formed by the wiring material being separated at the intersecting position.

In one aspect, the auxiliary electrode preferably has a continuous wiring portion that is connected to the wiring material at the crossing position and passes through the crossing position, and the continuous wiring portion has a bent shape at the crossing position. .

In one preferred embodiment, the auxiliary electrode has a wiring continuous portion that passes through the intersection position by connecting the wiring materials at the intersection position, and the wiring continuous portion has a substantially linear shape at the intersection position. is there.

The auxiliary electrode is preferably formed so as to be in contact with the surface of the light transmissive electrode opposite to the functional layer side, and the side surface is preferably an inclined surface.

It is a preferable aspect that a connection wiring for connecting the wiring members is provided at the intersection or in the vicinity thereof.

The illumination device according to the present invention includes the organic electroluminescence element described above.

According to the present invention, the electroconductivity can be efficiently improved by the auxiliary electrode, and the non-light-emitting shape of the auxiliary electrode can be suppressed from being visually recognized, and the organic electroluminescence excellent in light extraction property An element and a lighting device can be obtained.

FIG. 1 consists of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of an organic electroluminescence element. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 1B is a partially exploded plan view. FIG. 2 is composed of FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing an example of the form of the auxiliary electrode. FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion where the auxiliary electrode is provided. FIG. 3 is composed of FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3 shows another example of the embodiment of the organic electroluminescence element. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion where the auxiliary electrode is provided. FIG. 4 is composed of FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4 shows another example of the embodiment of the organic electroluminescence element. FIG. 4A is a partially exploded plan view. FIG. 4B is a plan view showing the auxiliary electrode. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a part of the organic electroluminescence element according to another embodiment and partially disassembled. FIG. 6 is composed of FIGS. 6A to 6F. FIG. 6A shows an example of the auxiliary electrode pattern. FIG. 6B is an example of the auxiliary electrode pattern. FIG. 6C is an example of the auxiliary electrode pattern. FIG. 6D shows an example of the auxiliary electrode pattern. FIG. 6E shows an example of the auxiliary electrode pattern. FIG. 6F is an example of the auxiliary electrode pattern. FIG. 7 is composed of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C. FIG. 7A is an example of a pattern of auxiliary electrodes. FIG. 7B is an example of the auxiliary electrode pattern. FIG. 7C shows an example of the auxiliary electrode pattern. FIG. 8 is composed of FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a grid. FIG. 8A is an example of a square lattice. FIG. 8B is an example of a hexagonal lattice. It is a perspective view which shows an example of an illuminating device.

The organic electroluminescence element (organic EL element) of the present invention includes a substrate 1, an organic light-emitting body 5, and a sealing material 6. The organic light emitter 5 includes a light transmissive electrode 2, a functional layer 3 including a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode 4. The organic light emitter 5 is covered and sealed with a sealing material 6. An auxiliary electrode 7 having a grid pattern is provided by a wiring material 8 in contact with the light transmissive electrode 2. The organic EL element has a light transmissive portion 15 in which the wiring material 8 is not provided at the intersection position of the grid-like pattern constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. On the surface of the functional layer 3 on the auxiliary electrode 7 side, an insulating film 10 is provided at a position overlapping the auxiliary electrode 7 in plan view.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of an organic EL element. FIG. 1 consists of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. In this organic EL element, an organic light emitting body 5 having a light transmissive electrode 2, a functional layer 3 including a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode 4 is formed on the surface of a substrate 1. The organic light emitter 5 is covered and sealed with a sealing material 6. An auxiliary electrode 7 having a grid pattern is provided by a wiring material 8 in contact with the light transmissive electrode 2. However, the wiring member 8 is interrupted at the intersecting position of the grid-like pattern constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. Since the wiring material 8 is not provided at the intersection position, a light transmissive portion 15 is formed. Further, an insulating film 10 is provided on the surface of the functional layer 3 on the auxiliary electrode 7 side at a position overlapping the auxiliary electrode 7 in plan view. Thus, in the organic EL element of this embodiment, since the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, the conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2 can be enhanced by the auxiliary electrode 7. Further, the wiring member 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 is interrupted at the crossing position of the grid-like pattern, and the light transmissive portion 15 that transmits light is formed, so that it is difficult to visually recognize the non-light emitting shape. Can do. Further, since the insulating film 10 is formed at the position of the auxiliary electrode 7, it is possible to emit light by supplying more electricity to a portion without the auxiliary electrode 7 from which light can be extracted to the outside, and light can be emitted efficiently. . Therefore, the electrical conductivity can be improved efficiently by the auxiliary electrode 7, the non-light-emitting shape of the auxiliary electrode 7 can be suppressed from being visually recognized, and an organic electroluminescence element having excellent light extraction properties can be obtained. It can be obtained. This will be further described below.

FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of an organic EL element. In FIG. 1A, for easy understanding of the element configuration, the end on the first electrode lead-out portion 12a side is shown on the left side, and the end on the second electrode lead-out portion 12b side is shown on the right side. FIG. 1B shows a state in which the organic EL element of FIG. 1A is viewed in plan (when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 1). In FIG. 1B, the sealing material 6 is removed for easy understanding of the internal configuration of the element, and the sealing adhesive portion 14 provided in the region to which the sealing material 6 is bonded is indicated by hatching. Further, in FIG. 1B, the hidden auxiliary electrode 7 (a plurality of wiring members 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7) is indicated by a broken line.

The substrate 1 is preferably a transparent substrate having optical transparency. In this embodiment, the substrate 1 can be composed of a glass substrate. When the substrate 1 is made of glass, the glass has low moisture permeability, so that moisture can be prevented from entering from the substrate 1 side. Moreover, the board | substrate 1 may be comprised with the composite material of glass and another material. For example, when the substrate 1 provided with a light extraction resin layer on the glass surface is used, the light extraction performance can be effectively improved. This resin layer may be provided on the surface of the substrate 1 on the organic light emitter 5 side. Examples of the light extraction resin layer include a layer having a scattering structure. The resin layer may be provided by attaching a plastic material. As the plastic material, PET, PEN, or the like can be used. Moreover, you may use materials, such as an acrylic resin type and an epoxy resin type. Alternatively, the resin layer may be a layer having a multilayer structure of a high-refractive index layer and a low-refractive index layer, or a fine uneven structure provided at the interface of the multilayer structure.

The organic light-emitting body 5 is formed by a laminate of the light transmissive electrode 2, the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4. The light transmissive property means that light can be transmitted, and includes a case where it is completely transparent and a case where it is translucent. The light transmission includes light transmission. The region where the organic light emitter 5 is provided is a central region of the substrate 1 in plan view (when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface). The organic light emitter 5 is covered and sealed with a sealing material 6 bonded to the substrate 1 at an outer peripheral position surrounding the organic light emitter 5, and the organic light emitter 5 is disposed inside the sealing region. Yes. In this embodiment, the light transmissive electrode 2, the functional layer 3, and the counter electrode 4 are provided in this order from the substrate 1 side. Conversely, the counter electrode 4 is provided from the substrate 1 side as a so-called reverse layer structure. The element in which the functional layer 3 and the light transmissive electrode 2 are provided in this order may be used.

The light transmissive electrode 2 is a light transmissive electrode. The counter electrode 4 is an electrode that is paired with the light transmissive electrode 2. Usually, the light transmissive electrode 2 constitutes an anode and the counter electrode 4 constitutes a cathode, but the opposite may be possible. Since the light transmissive electrode 2 is light transmissive, an electrode on the light extraction side can be formed. The counter electrode 4 may have light reflectivity. In that case, the light from the light emitting layer emitted toward the counter electrode 4 side can be reflected by the counter electrode 4 and extracted from the light transmissive substrate 1 side. The counter electrode 4 may be a light transmissive electrode. When the counter electrode 4 is light transmissive, it is possible to adopt a structure in which light is extracted from the surface (back surface) on the sealing material 6 side. Alternatively, when the counter electrode 4 is light transmissive, a light reflective layer is provided on the back surface (the surface opposite to the functional layer 3) of the counter electrode 4 to reflect the light traveling in the direction of the counter electrode 4. It is possible to take it out from the substrate 1 side. In that case, the light reflective layer may be scattering reflective or specular reflective.

The light transmissive electrode 2 can be configured using a transparent electrode material. For example, a conductive metal oxide can be preferably used. Examples of the transparent metal oxide include ITO, IZO, AZO and the like. The light transmissive electrode 2 can be formed by sputtering or the like. The thickness of the light transmissive electrode 2 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, in the range of 10 nm to 1000 nm.

The counter electrode 4 can be configured using an appropriate electrode material. For example, the counter electrode 4 can be formed of Al, Ag, or the like. The counter electrode 4 can be formed by vapor deposition or sputtering. The thickness of the counter electrode 4 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, in the range of 10 nm to 1000 nm.

The functional layer 3 is a layer having a function of causing light emission, and is usually composed of a plurality of layers appropriately selected from a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, an intermediate layer, and the like. Is. The thickness of the functional layer 3 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, about 60 to 300 nm.

For example, when the light transmissive electrode 2 is an anode and the counter electrode 4 is a cathode, the laminated structure of the functional layer 3 is, in order from the light transmissive electrode 2 side, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection. It can be a layer. Note that the laminated structure is not limited to this, for example, a single layer of a light emitting layer, a laminated structure of a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer, or a hole transport layer and a light emitting layer. A laminated structure or a laminated structure of a light emitting layer and an electron transport layer can be formed. Further, the light emitting layer may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure. For example, when the emission color is white, the light emitting layer may be doped with three red, green, and blue dopant dyes, or red, green, and blue. A light emitting layer may be laminated. In addition, when a laminated structure that emits light when a voltage is applied between two electrodes sandwiched between two electrodes is used as one light emitting unit, a plurality of light emitting units have a light transmitting property and a conductive property. It may be a multi-unit structure laminated through layers. The multi-unit structure is a structure including a plurality of light emitting units that overlap in the thickness direction between a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode).

The sealing material 6 can be formed using a substrate material having low moisture permeability. For example, a glass substrate or the like can be used. Specific examples include soda lime glass and non-alkali glass. Since these are relatively inexpensive glass materials, the manufacturing cost of the element can be suppressed. The sealing material 6 may have a recess for accommodating the organic light-emitting body 5, but may not have it. In the sealing material 6 of this embodiment, the sealing material 6 has a recess, and a sealing sidewall 6a is formed on the outer periphery by the recess. In the case where the sealing material 6 has a recess, the side of the organic light-emitting body 5 can be covered and sealed, so that the intrusion of moisture can be further suppressed and the sealing performance can be improved. . As the sealing material 6 having a recess, for example, cap glass can be used. When the sealing material 6 does not have a recess, it is possible to seal the sealing material 6 with the flat surface of the sealing material 6 facing the substrate 1, and the plate-like sealing material 6 is used as it is. Can do. However, when the sealing material 6 does not have a recess, the thickness (height) of the sealing adhesive portion 14 is increased and the spacer for sealing the organic light emitter 5 by the sealing adhesive portion 14 is used. It is necessary to form a side wall.

The sealing material 6 is joined to the substrate 1 by a sealing adhesive portion 14 made of an adhesive material. The sealing adhesive portion 14 is provided on the substrate 1 so as to surround the outer periphery of the organic light-emitting body 5. As shown by the hatched portion in FIG. 1B, in this embodiment, the sealing adhesive portion 14 is formed on the surface of the conductive layer constituting the light transmissive electrode 2 and the surface of the substrate 1 in the gap where the conductive layer is divided. It is provided in contact. As described above, the sealing material 6 is bonded to the substrate 1 by the sealing adhesive portion 14, whereby the organic light-emitting body 5 is blocked from the external space and sealed.

The material of the sealing adhesion part 14 is comprised by the appropriate material which functions as an adhesive agent, for example, a resinous adhesive material can be used. The resinous adhesive material preferably has moisture resistance. For example, moisture resistance can be improved by containing a desiccant. The resinous adhesive material may be mainly composed of a thermosetting resin or an ultraviolet curable resin.

A portion (sealed internal gap) where the organic light-emitting body 5 (and the functional layer 3) is sealed between the substrate 1 and the sealing material 6 may be filled with a filler, A sealed space may be formed. When the sealed internal gap is used as a sealed space, it can be easily sealed with the sealing material 6, and the device can be easily manufactured. Moreover, when the sealing space is formed without filling the sealing internal gap with the filler, it is preferable to provide the desiccant 13 in the sealing space. Thereby, even if moisture enters the sealed space, the moisture that has entered can be absorbed. For example, the desiccant 13 can be provided in the sealing space by sticking to the surface of the sealing material 6 on the organic light emitter 5 side. Alternatively, the desiccant 13 may be provided by application.

Further, when the sealing internal gap in the sealing region sandwiched between the substrate 1 and the sealing material 6 is filled with the filler, the sealing material 6 curves inward when sealing with the sealing material 6. Even if it does, it can reduce contacting with the organic light-emitting body 5, and an element can be manufactured more safely. A filler can be comprised with the resin composition with which the desiccant and the hygroscopic agent were mix | blended. Further, by using a resin composition having fluidity, the sealing internal gap can be easily filled with a filler. The filler may be hardened or not hardened. Moreover, even if water | moisture content penetrate | invades inside because a filler contains a desiccant and a hygroscopic agent, a water | moisture content can be absorbed with a filler and it suppresses that a water | moisture content reaches | attains the functional layer 3. it can.

In the organic EL element, a voltage is applied to the light transmissive electrode 2 and the counter electrode 4, and holes and electrons are combined in the functional layer 3 to emit light. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an electrode terminal that is electrically connected to each of the light transmissive electrode 2 and the counter electrode 4 so as to be drawn outside the sealing region. The electrode terminal is a terminal for electrically connecting to the external electrode. In the form of FIG. 1, the electrode lead portion 12 is formed by drawing the conductive layer constituting the light transmissive electrode 2 to the end portion of the substrate 1. An electrode pad 11 that constitutes an electrode terminal is provided on the surface of the electrode lead-out portion 12.

The electrode lead-out portion 12 is provided on the end surface of the substrate 1. The electrode lead-out part 12 is divided into a first electrode lead-out part 12 a that conducts with the light-transmissive electrode 2 and a second electrode lead-out part 12 b that conducts with the counter electrode 4. In this embodiment, the electrode lead portion 12 is formed by the conductive layer constituting the light transmissive electrode 2 being drawn to the end portion side of the substrate 1 and extending outside the region where the sealing material 6 is provided. ing. That is, the conductive layer constituting the light transmissive electrode 2 is formed on the surface of the substrate 1 so as to protrude from the sealing region by extending the conductive layer at the end where the first electrode lead portion 12a is provided. . The first electrode lead portion 12 a is configured by an extension portion of the light transmissive electrode 2. In addition, the conductive layer constituting the light transmissive electrode 2 protrudes from the sealed region by dividing the conductive layer and extending the divided conductive layer at the end where the second electrode lead portion 12b is provided. And formed on the surface of the substrate 1. The second electrode lead portion 12 b is configured by an extended portion of the conductive layer separated from the light transmissive electrode 2. The second electrode lead-out portion 12b is in contact with the stacked counter electrode 4 inside the sealing region, so that the second electrode lead-out portion 12b and the counter electrode 4 are electrically connected.

An electrode pad 11 is provided on the surface of the electrode lead portion 12. Since the electrode pad 11 is formed in the non-light emitting region, it does not have to have light transparency. By providing the electrode pad 11, connection with an external power source can be performed with the electrode pad 11, and electrical connectivity can be improved. Further, by providing the electrode pad 11, it is possible to improve the electrical conductivity of the conductive layers constituting the light transmissive electrode 2 and the electrode lead-out portion 12. The electrode pad 11 may be a layer made of the same material as that of the wiring member 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. Thereby, the electrode pad 11 with high electrical conductivity can be easily formed.

Note that the structure of the electrode lead-out portion 12 (the structure in which the electrode is drawn out from the sealing region) is not limited to the structure in the form of FIG. 1, and for example, the first electrode lead-out portion 12a and the second electrode lead-out portion One or both of 12b may be formed using a conductive layer different from the conductive layer constituting the light transmissive electrode 2. Further, in the case of a structure in which the counter electrode 4 is disposed on the substrate 1 side and the light-transmissive electrode 2 is disposed on the sealing material 6 side (a structure in which light is extracted from the sealing material 6 side), The electrode lead portion 12 may be configured by the extended portion.

In the organic EL element of this embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7 having a grid pattern is provided in contact with the light transmissive electrode 2. The auxiliary electrode 7 is formed of a wiring material 8 made of a conductive material. The auxiliary electrode 7 is formed on the surface of the light transmissive electrode 2 on the functional layer 3 side. By providing the auxiliary electrode 7, it is possible to improve the electrical conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2, improve the current distribution on the light emitting surface, and obtain an organic EL element with more uniform light emission within the surface. . Here, since the light transmissive electrode 2 is formed of a light transmissive material (transparent metal oxide or the like), the specific resistance is usually high and the conductivity is not so good. Therefore, the wiring material 8 is formed of a material having a resistance lower than that of the light transmissive electrode 2, and the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed of the wiring material 8, thereby supplementing the electrical conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2 and increasing the conductivity. Can be increased. For example, ITO formed on a glass substrate with a film thickness of about 50 nm has a sheet resistance of about 70Ω and a relatively high sheet resistance. However, if the grid-like auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, the sheet resistance can be lowered. become. Since the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed in a grid shape, light can be extracted from between the meshes (holes) of the auxiliary electrode 7 to the substrate 1 side.

As shown in FIG. 1B, in this embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed of a plurality of strip-shaped wiring members 8. The strip shape may be a rectangular shape whose long side is much longer (for example, 10 times or more) than the short side. Each wiring member 8 may be a linear wiring. The individual wiring members 8 are arranged on each side of the quadrangular shape of the grid constituting the grid pattern.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the auxiliary electrode 7. FIG. 2 is composed of FIGS. 2A and 2B. In the auxiliary electrode 7, the wiring member 8 is interrupted at the intersecting position of the grid pattern constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. A portion where the wiring member 8 is not provided becomes a light transmissive portion 15. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the present embodiment, the individual linear wiring members 8 are arranged so as not to overlap at the position of the intersection C where the grid pattern intersects. Is not provided with the material of the wiring member 8. It can be said that the auxiliary electrode 7 has an incomplete grid shape in which lines are divided at intersections of a plurality of grid lines.

When the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided at the crossing position (intersection C) of the grid pattern, the auxiliary electrode 7 blocks light and becomes a non-light-emitting portion. Therefore, when the organic EL element is driven, There is a possibility that the crossing position of the shape does not emit light, and the non-light emitting portion is easily noticeable. However, in this embodiment, since the light transmissive portion 15 not provided with the wiring material 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided at the intersection position (intersection portion C), light is not blocked at the intersection position. Can be. Therefore, since light can be extracted from the grid pattern intersection position, the non-light-emitting shape can be made inconspicuous.

The light transmissive portion 15 is a portion that can transmit light generated from the light emitting layer. In many cases, the wiring member 8 does not have light transmission or has low light transmission. Therefore, in a portion where the wiring member 8 exists, light cannot be transmitted or light transmission is low. However, since the wiring member 8 does not exist, the light transmissive portion 15 can transmit light and transmit light from the light emitting layer to the substrate side.

Here, the intersection position means a portion (intersection C in FIG. 2A) and the vicinity thereof where the wiring material 8 intersects when it is assumed that the wiring material 8 is connected. In FIG. 2A, the range of the intersection position is illustrated as the intersection position 7a. A light transmissive portion 15 is formed in the intersection position 7a. 2A can be said to be an example in which the wiring member 8 is not provided at the intersection C at all.

The light transmissive portion 15 is preferably formed by the wiring material 8 being separated at the intersection position. Thereby, the light emission at the intersection position can be improved efficiently, and the auxiliary electrode 7 can be made difficult to visually recognize.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the grid pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7 may be configured by arranging straight lines extending vertically and horizontally at equal intervals. Here, the grid pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7 may be such that the pattern shape when the wiring members 8 are connected without being divided is a grid pattern.

Here, the grid pattern will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the shape of the grid. FIG. 8 is constituted by FIGS. 8A and 8B. The grid may be a square grid or a hexagonal grid. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of a square lattice. In the grid of the square lattice, the overall shape is a square lattice (grid G4) as shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram of a hexagonal lattice. In the hexagonal grid, the overall shape is a hexagonal grid (grid G6) as shown in FIG. 8B. FIG. 8 shows a complete grid for the description of the grid. 8A and 8B, the intersection position of the grid pattern is indicated by the intersection position g. The grid pattern may be a mesh pattern. The grid pattern of each form will be understood from the explanatory diagram of FIG.

The grid shape in FIG. 1B is a square lattice. A square lattice may be easier to form than a hexagonal lattice. In the form of FIG. 1B, 16 rectangular holes are provided by 5 vertical lines and 5 horizontal lines to form a grid mesh, but the number of meshes and the number of lines are limited to this. It is not something. FIG. 1B shows an outline of the grid pattern. In practice, the grid pattern may be configured more densely. For example, an appropriate number such as a range of 10 to 100 in the vertical and horizontal directions may be used. Specifically, for example, when the shape of the light emitting region is a rectangle or square having a length of 10 to 1000 mm and a width of 10 to 1000 mm, the straight lines constituting the grid are 10 to 100 vertical lines × 10 to 100 horizontal lines. The pattern can be as follows.

In the organic EL element of this embodiment, the insulating film 10 is provided on the surface of the functional layer 3 on the auxiliary electrode 7 side. This insulating film 10 is provided partially, and is provided at a position overlapping with the auxiliary electrode 7 in plan view. Here, in the portion where the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, since the auxiliary electrode 7 usually does not have optical transparency, light cannot be extracted. Therefore, if light is emitted in this portion, a loss of light emission occurs. There is a risk that the luminous efficiency is lowered. However, when the insulating film 10 is provided, light emission does not occur in the portion where the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, and more current can flow in a region (lattice mesh) other than the auxiliary electrode 7 from which light can be extracted. The light emission loss can be reduced and the light emission efficiency can be improved. Further, if electricity directly flows between the auxiliary electrode 7 and the counter electrode 4, excessive light emission occurs in the portion of the auxiliary electrode 7, and light emission between the light transmissive electrode 2 and the counter electrode 4 may not be obtained properly. There is. However, when the insulating film 10 is provided, it is possible to suppress excessive light emission in the portion where the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, and electricity is supplied to the light transmissive electrode 2 and the counter electrode 4 to emit planar light. Can be obtained appropriately.

Further, in the organic EL element of FIG. 1, the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed so as to rise on the surface of the light transmissive electrode 2. For this reason, when the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 are directly formed on the surface, the layers may be divided or thinned, which may easily cause an electrical short circuit. However, in this embodiment, since the auxiliary electrode 7 is electrically insulated by the insulating film 10, even if the functional layer 3 is interrupted at the position of the auxiliary electrode 7 and the counter electrode 4 is laminated, the insulating film 10 The light transmissive electrode 2 and the counter electrode 4 are not in direct contact. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an electrical short circuit.

The insulating film 10 may be provided in a pattern having substantially the same shape as the auxiliary electrode 7. That is, it may be provided in a grid pattern. At this time, the insulating film 10 may or may not be provided at the crossing position of the grid pattern lines. When the insulating film 10 is provided at the intersection of the grid-like pattern lines, the pattern of the insulating film 10 is simplified and the formation is facilitated. When the insulating film 10 is provided at the intersection of the grid-like pattern lines, the insulating film 10 can be a complete grid pattern. In this case, since the insulating film 10 is provided at the intersecting position, no direct light emission occurs, but at the intersecting position, the wiring member 8 having no light transmission property is not provided, so that the light generated in the surroundings is transparent. It can be taken out through the insulating film 10. However, more preferably, the insulating film 10 is not provided at the intersection of the lines of the grid pattern, like the auxiliary electrode 7. In that case, the insulating film 10 having an incomplete grid shape in which the lines are divided at the grid intersection positions. If the insulating film 10 is not provided at the intersecting position of the grid pattern lines, light can be emitted by passing an electric current at the intersecting position (intersecting portion C), and light can be extracted by emitting light at this portion. Therefore, it is possible to make the non-light emitting portion more difficult to visually recognize. Further, at the intersection C, the wiring member 8 is arranged closer to the inside of the mesh of the grid, and the four wirings are the centers where they are arranged in a radial pattern. The resistance of the electrode 2 can be further reduced. For this reason, it is possible to flow a larger amount of current at the intersection C, and the luminance of this portion can be improved, and the luminance can be improved by making it shine stronger than the inside of the grid mesh. Therefore, it is possible to make the non-light emitting shape more difficult to visually recognize.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in this embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7 is covered with an insulating film 10 at a portion not in contact with the light transmissive electrode 2. That is, the insulating film 10 is laminated on the auxiliary electrode 7 so as to cover the auxiliary electrode 7, and the auxiliary electrode 7 is covered not only on the surface but also on the side surface 7 s by the insulating film 10. When the auxiliary electrode 7 is covered with the insulating film 10 as described above, it is possible to make it difficult to divide the layers, and it is possible to secure insulation, thereby further suppressing short-circuit defects. In addition, since a large amount of current can flow through the portion other than the auxiliary electrode 7 where light can be easily extracted, the luminous efficiency can be further increased. The side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 is preferably inclined. Thereby, the division of the layer can be further suppressed.

The auxiliary electrode 7 is a layer made of an electrode material. It does not have to be transparent. The auxiliary electrode 7 can be formed of, for example, a conductive metal material. Specifically, copper, silver, gold, aluminum, nickel, molybdenum, chromium and the like are exemplified.

One of the preferred materials for the auxiliary electrode 7 is a molybdenum / aluminum / molybdenum laminate (Mo / Al / Mo) called MAM. When MAM is used, the conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2 can be effectively assisted and improved. In MAM, for example, the sheet resistance can be 0.07Ω. Further, the auxiliary electrode 7 can be made of Cr / Al / Cr or the like. Even in that case, the resistance can be reduced.

Favorable other materials for the auxiliary electrode 7 include metal particles. As the metal particles, for example, silver particles and copper particles are preferable. As will be described later, the metal particles can be suitably applied by, for example, a printing method.

The insulating film 10 is made of an insulating material. For example, it is formed of an insulating resin or an inorganic material. Examples of the insulating resin include acrylic resin, novolac resin, and polyimide resin. Examples of inorganic materials include Si-based materials.

In this embodiment, the wiring material 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 is separated at the grid pattern intersection position (intersection C). That is, as a structure in which the wiring member 8 is not provided at the intersection C, a structure in which the end of the wiring member 8 is located at the outer edge of the intersection C can be used, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. An end portion of the wiring member 8 is disposed outside the intersecting portion C. Therefore, the wiring members 8 extending in the vertical direction are not in contact with each other. As described above, if the wiring material 8 is not formed at the intersection C by separating the wiring material 8, a pattern in which the wiring material 8 is not formed can be easily formed at the intersection position. Further, when the wiring member 8 is separated, the insulating film 10 can be easily applied when the insulating film 10 is applied and formed. For example, the insulating film 10 may be formed by applying an insulating material to the entire surface and then partially curing and removing unnecessary portions. However, if the wiring material 8 is separated at that time, the insulating material is grid-off. It is suppressed that it accumulates in the mesh of a pattern and becomes difficult to spread. That is, if the wiring member 8 is separated, the wall of the wiring member 8 is interrupted, and the mesh of the grid communicates at the intersecting position, so that the coating liquid can be spread between the meshes through the intersecting position. Therefore, the insulating film 10 can be easily formed.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the pitch P of the lines constituting the grid pattern is expressed as the distance between the centers of adjacent lines. This pitch P can be, for example, in the range of 200 to 4000 μm, and preferably in the range of 400 to 2000 μm. The wiring width W of the wiring member 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 can be set in the range of 10 to 50 μm, for example, and can be set to 30 μm, for example. It is preferable that the distance T between the ends of the two wiring members 8 adjacent to each other in the direction in which the grid line extends is larger than the width W of the wiring member 8. That is, T> W. This distance T may be, for example, two times or more of the wiring width W, three times or more of the wiring width W, or five times or more of the wiring width W. However, if the distance T between the wiring members 8 becomes too large, the effect of assisting the electrodes may be reduced. Therefore, for example, the distance T may be 20 times or less of the wiring width W, or 10 times or less of the wiring width W, for example.

The film thickness of the wiring material 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 can be set in the range of 100 to 1000 nm, for example. For example, when the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed of MAM, a laminated structure of Mo having a thickness of 20 to 80 nm, Al having a thickness of 200 to 800 nm, and Mo having a thickness of 20 to 800 nm can be formed. Specifically, a stacked structure of Mo with a thickness of 50 nm, Al with a thickness of 500 nm, and Mo with a thickness of 50 nm can be formed.

The insulating film 10 is preferably provided so as to protrude from the wiring member 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 in plan view. As shown in FIG. 2B, the protruding amount S of the insulating film 10 is preferably not more than half of the wiring width W of the wiring material 8, and more preferably not more than one third. The protrusion amount S can be set to less than 10 μm, for example. The thickness of the insulating film 10 is preferably 0.1 to 10 μm, and more preferably 0.5 to 5 μm. For example, the thickness of the insulating film 10 can be 1 μm.

2B, the side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 is preferably inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate 1 in the cross-sectional shape. In this case, the side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 is an inclined surface. Since the side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 is an inclined surface, the layer breakage can be suppressed. Since the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed so as to rise on the surface of the light transmissive electrode 2, when the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 are laminated along the shape of the auxiliary electrode 7, the layers are divided. There is a risk that it may become thin and easily short-circuited electrically. In particular, the functional layer 3 can be constituted by a thin film laminated structure, and there is a possibility that the layer is likely to be divided. However, if the side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 is inclined, the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 can be laminated on the inclined surface, so that it is difficult to cause the layer to be divided. The inclination angle θ of the side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 can be set, for example, in the range of 15 to 75 ° or 30 to 60 °.

In this embodiment, the side surface 7s of the auxiliary electrode 7 (wiring member 8) is preferably inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate 1 in the cross-sectional shape. In this case, the side surface of the wiring member 8 is an inclined surface. When the side surface of the wiring member 8 is an inclined surface, the layer break can be easily suppressed. If the side surface 7s of the auxiliary electrode 7 is inclined, the side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 can be easily inclined. Thereby, since the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 can be laminated | stacked on an inclined surface, it can make it difficult to produce a division | segmentation of a layer. The inclination angle φ of the side surface of the auxiliary electrode 7 (wiring member 8) can be set, for example, in the range of 15 to 75 ° or 30 to 60 °.

In this embodiment, the side surface of the wiring member 8 is an inclined surface, and the insulating film 10 is formed along the shape to form the inclined surface. However, the formation of the inclined surface is limited to this. is not. For example, the side surface of the auxiliary electrode 7 may be a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 1, and the side surface of the insulating film 10 formed thereon may be an inclined surface. In addition, for example, the side surface of the auxiliary electrode 7 is a steeply inclined surface with respect to the surface of the substrate 1, and the side surface of the insulating film 10 formed thereon is an inclined surface having a gentler inclination than the inclination of the auxiliary electrode 7. It may be. For example, the inclination angle has a relationship of θ <φ, but may of course have a relationship of θ> φ.

In the form of FIG. 1, a light scattering structure may be provided on the surface of the substrate 1 (one or both of the surface on the light transmissive electrode 2 side and the surface opposite to the light transmissive electrode 2). . Since the portion of the wiring member 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 usually does not have light transmittance, light cannot be extracted from this portion. However, if a light scattering structure is provided on the surface of the substrate 1, the light is scattered, so that the light can be diffused into a non-light emitting region formed by the auxiliary electrode 7. Therefore, non-light emission by the auxiliary electrode 7 is lost or made inconspicuous, and more natural light emission can be obtained. The light scattering structure may be formed by providing a light scattering layer or providing the substrate 1 with an uneven structure. The specific configuration of the light scattering layer is as described above.

FIG. 3 shows another example of the embodiment of the organic EL element. FIG. 3 is composed of FIGS. 3A and 3B. 3, the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed between the substrate 1 and the light transmissive electrode 2, and the insulating film 10 is formed between the light transmissive electrode 2 and the functional layer 3. It is different from the form. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. The plan view of the organic EL element of FIG. 3 may be considered as FIG. 1B. 2A may be considered as an enlarged view of the auxiliary electrode 7 of the organic EL element of FIG. The same components as those in the embodiment of FIG.

In the organic EL element of FIG. 3, an organic light emitting body 5 having a light transmissive electrode 2, a functional layer 3 including a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode 4 is formed on the surface of the substrate 1, as in the embodiment of FIG. Yes. The organic light emitter 5 is covered and sealed with a sealing material 6. An auxiliary electrode 7 having a grid pattern is provided by a wiring material 8 in contact with the light transmissive electrode 2. The pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7 is the same as the shape of FIG. 1B, and the wiring material 8 is interrupted at the intersection position of the grid-like pattern constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. And since the wiring material 8 is not provided, the light transmission possible part 15 is formed (refer FIG. 1B). The auxiliary electrode 7 is formed in an incomplete grid shape. On the surface of the functional layer 3 on the auxiliary electrode 7 side, an insulating film 10 is provided at a position overlapping the auxiliary electrode 7 in plan view. Thus, in the organic EL element of this embodiment, since the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, the conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2 can be enhanced by the auxiliary electrode 7. Further, the wiring member 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 is interrupted at the crossing position of the grid-like pattern, and the light transmissive portion 15 that transmits light is formed, so that it is difficult to visually recognize the non-light emitting shape. Can do. In addition, since the insulating film 10 is formed at the position of the auxiliary electrode 7, it is possible to emit light by supplying more electricity to a portion where light can be extracted to the outside, and light can be emitted efficiently. Therefore, the electrical conductivity can be improved efficiently by the auxiliary electrode 7, the non-light-emitting shape of the auxiliary electrode 7 can be suppressed from being visually recognized, and an organic electroluminescence element having excellent light extraction properties can be obtained. Obtainable.

In this embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided on the substrate 1 side of the light transmissive electrode 2. The auxiliary electrode 7 may be formed of the same material and the same pattern shape as the auxiliary electrode 7 in the form of FIG. That is, the auxiliary electrode 7 may be an incomplete grid pattern as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2A. By providing the auxiliary electrode 7, it is possible to improve the electrical conductivity, improve the current distribution in the plane, and obtain an organic EL element in which the light emission in the plane is more uniform. Since the light transmissive electrode 2 is formed of a light transmissive material (transparent metal oxide or the like), the specific resistance is usually high and the conductivity is not so good. Therefore, by forming the wiring with a material having higher electrical conductivity than the light transmissive electrode 2 and forming the auxiliary electrode 7 with this wiring, the electrical conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2 is supplemented to further increase the electrical conductivity. Can do. The auxiliary electrode 7 and the light transmissive electrode 2 are provided in contact with each other. Thereby, the electrical conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2 can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided in contact with the surface of the substrate 1. Thus, when the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided on the surface of the substrate 1, the auxiliary electrode 7 can be directly formed on the surface of the substrate 1, the patterning of the auxiliary electrode 7 becomes simple, and the auxiliary electrode 7 can be efficiently and easily formed. Can be formed. Of course, a light scattering structure may be provided on the surface of the substrate 1 on the side where the organic light emitter 5 is provided. The light scattering structure may be constituted by a resin layer. Even in this case, the auxiliary electrode 7 can be easily formed.

As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the auxiliary electrode 7 has a grid pattern and a grid pattern. A more uniform current distribution can be obtained by the grid-like auxiliary electrode 7. This grid pattern is configured by arranging straight lines extending vertically and horizontally at equal intervals. The arrangement of the plurality of wiring members 8 constituting the grid pattern may be the same as that described in the form of FIG. Further, the wiring width W, the wiring pitch P, and the distance T between the wirings may be the same as those described in FIG.

The auxiliary electrode 7 is a layer made of an electrode material. It does not have to be transparent. For example, it can be formed of a conductive metal material. Specifically, copper, silver, gold, aluminum, nickel, molybdenum, chromium and the like are exemplified. The auxiliary electrode 7 may be made of the same material as the auxiliary electrode 7 in the form of FIG.

In this embodiment, it is preferable that the surface of the auxiliary electrode 7 on the substrate 1 side has higher light reflectivity than the light reflectivity of the surface of the light transmissive electrode 2 on the substrate 1 side. As a result, it is possible to suppress the light reflected in the substrate 1 and returning to the inside of the element from being absorbed by the light transmissive electrode 2, and to reflect the light traveling toward the inside of the element by the auxiliary electrode 7. Thus, the light can be converted to the light toward the outside, and more light can be extracted to the outside. It is possible to suppress the multiple reflected light from being attenuated at the light transmissive electrode 2.

In this embodiment, an Al / Mo laminated structure can be preferably used as the material of the auxiliary electrode 7. This laminated structure is a structure in which Al and Mo are laminated in this order from the substrate 1 side. In that case, the conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2 can be effectively assisted and improved, the reflectivity can be increased, and more light reflected in the substrate 1 can be extracted to the outside. Here, in the laminated structure using Al and Mo, in the form of FIG. 1, Mo / Al / Mo is more advantageous. This is because the layer directly in contact with the transparent electrode layer, the resin layer, etc. is Al. This is because Mo tends to be deteriorated so that Mo is added as a surface layer to suppress it. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed on the surface of the substrate 1 having high moisture resistance, it is not necessary to provide Mo as a surface layer (underlayer) on the surface on the substrate 1 side. When Al is directly provided on the substrate 1 side, since Al is highly reflective, the light in the substrate 1 can be more reflected and taken out to the outside. Therefore, in this embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 7 having an Al / Mo laminated structure is preferable. Of course, an Al / Cr laminated structure may be used. Even in that case, light reflectivity can be improved.

In this embodiment, the insulating film 10 is formed on the surface of the functional layer 3 on the light transmissive electrode 2 side. The insulating film 10 is formed on the surface of the light transmissive electrode 2 where the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed. In other words, the light transmissive electrode 2 is formed on the auxiliary electrode 7 so that the position of the auxiliary electrode 7 is raised in the same pattern as the auxiliary electrode 7, and the light transmissive electrode 2 is raised. An insulating film 10 is laminated so as to cover the surface. The insulating film 10 has not only the surface of the raised portion of the light transmissive electrode 2 but also the side surfaces. When the insulating film 10 is provided at the position where the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided in this way, it is possible to make it difficult for the layers to be divided, and to ensure insulation, thereby further suppressing short-circuit defects. In addition, since a large amount of current can flow through the portion other than the auxiliary electrode 7 where light can be easily extracted, the luminous efficiency can be further increased.

The side surface 7s of the auxiliary electrode 7 is preferably inclined. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, it is preferable that the side surface of the wiring member 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 is an inclined surface. Thereby, the division | segmentation of a layer can be suppressed. Since the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed so as to rise on the surface of the substrate 1, when the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 are laminated along the shape of the auxiliary electrode 7, the layers are divided or thinned. As a result, there is a risk of electrical shorting. In particular, the functional layer 3 can be constituted by a thin film laminated structure, and there is a possibility that the layer is likely to be divided. However, if the side surface 7s of the auxiliary electrode 7 is inclined, the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 can be laminated on the inclined surface, so that the division of the layers can be made difficult to occur. The inclination angle φ of the side surface 7s of the auxiliary electrode 7 (wiring member 8) can be set in the range of 15 to 75 ° or 30 to 60 °, for example.

The side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 is preferably inclined. Thereby, the division of the layer can be further suppressed. Since the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed so as to rise on the surface of the substrate 1, when the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 are laminated along the shape of the auxiliary electrode 7, the layers are divided or thinned. As a result, there is a risk of electrical shorting. However, if the side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 provided at the position of the auxiliary electrode 7 is inclined, the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 can be laminated on the inclined surface, so that the layer is hardly divided. Can do. In addition, since the insulating film 10 is formed at the position of the auxiliary electrode 7 and is electrically insulated, even if the functional layer 3 is interrupted at the position of the auxiliary electrode 7 and the counter electrode 4 is laminated, the insulating film 10 Therefore, the light transmitting electrode 2 and the counter electrode 4 are not in direct contact with each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an electrical short circuit. Here, in the portion where the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, since the auxiliary electrode 7 usually does not have optical transparency, light cannot be extracted. Therefore, if light is emitted in this portion, a loss of light emission occurs. There is a risk that the luminous efficiency is lowered. However, when the insulating film 10 is provided as in the present embodiment, light emission does not occur in the portion where the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, and more current is supplied to a region (mesh) other than the auxiliary electrode 7 from which light can be extracted. Since a large amount can be flowed, the light emission loss can be reduced and the light emission efficiency can be improved. The inclination angle θ of the side surface 10s of the insulating film 10 can be set, for example, in the range of 15 to 75 ° or 30 to 60 °.

In the present embodiment, the side surface of the wiring member 8 is an inclined surface, and the light transmissive electrode 2 and the insulating film 10 are formed along the shape thereof to form the inclined surface. It is not limited to this. For example, the side surface of the auxiliary electrode 7 may be a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 1, and the side surface of the insulating film 10 formed thereon may be an inclined surface. In addition, for example, the side surface of the auxiliary electrode 7 is a steeply inclined surface with respect to the surface of the substrate 1, and the side surface of the insulating film 10 formed thereon is an inclined surface having a gentler inclination than the inclination of the auxiliary electrode 7. It may be. For example, the inclination angle has a relationship of θ <φ, but may of course have a relationship of θ> φ.

The insulating film 10 can be formed using a material similar to the material described in the form of FIG. Further, the pattern of the insulating film 10 may be the same as that shown in FIG. That is, the insulating film 10 may have a complete grid shape, or may have an incomplete grid shape divided at the intersection of grid lines. Among these, it is preferable that the insulating film 10 has an incomplete grid shape divided at the intersections of the grid lines. The inclination angle θ of the side surface of the insulating film 10 can be set to 15 to 75 ° or 30 to 60 °, for example.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the embodiment of the organic EL element. FIG. 4 is composed of FIGS. 4A and 4B. In the form of FIG. 4, the pattern shape of the auxiliary electrode 7 is different from the form of FIG. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. The same components as those in the embodiment of FIG.

4 has the same cross-sectional shape as the embodiment of FIG. Therefore, FIG. 1A may be considered as a cross-sectional view of the organic EL element of FIG. In the organic EL element of FIG. 4, an organic light emitting body 5 having a light transmissive electrode 2, a functional layer 3 including a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode 4 is formed on the surface of a substrate 1. The organic light emitter 5 is covered and sealed with a sealing material 6. An auxiliary electrode 7 having a grid pattern is provided by a wiring material 8 in contact with the light transmissive electrode 2.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in the pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7, the wiring material 8 is interrupted at the intersection position (intersection C) of the grid-like pattern constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. And since the wiring material 8 is not provided, the light transmissive part 15 is formed. The auxiliary electrode 7 is formed in an incomplete grid shape. In the example of FIG. 4, the wiring member 8 is formed in a portion along the grid pattern line. On the surface of the functional layer 3 on the auxiliary electrode 7 side, an insulating film 10 is provided at a position overlapping the auxiliary electrode 7 in plan view. Thus, in the organic EL element of this embodiment, since the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided, the conductivity of the light transmissive electrode 2 can be enhanced by the auxiliary electrode 7. Further, the wiring member 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 is interrupted at the crossing position of the grid-like pattern, and the light transmissive portion 15 that transmits light is formed, so that it is difficult to visually recognize the non-light emitting shape. Can do. In addition, since the insulating film 10 is formed at the position of the auxiliary electrode 7, it is possible to emit light by supplying more electricity to a portion where light can be extracted to the outside, and light can be emitted efficiently. Therefore, the electrical conductivity can be improved efficiently by the auxiliary electrode 7, the non-light-emitting shape of the auxiliary electrode 7 can be suppressed from being visually recognized, and an organic electroluminescence element having excellent light extraction properties can be obtained. Obtainable.

In this embodiment, connection wiring 9 for connecting between the wiring members 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided at or near the grid pattern intersection position (intersection C). By providing the connection wiring 9, more current can flow through the intersection C, and the intersection C can emit more light, so that the non-light-emitting shape can be made more difficult to visually recognize. Moreover, since the several wiring material 8 is electrically connected by the connection wiring 9, the electrical conductivity of auxiliary electrode 7 itself can be improved more, and the auxiliary function of an electrode can be improved more. In the form of FIG. 4, it may be considered that the connection wiring 9 is provided in the vicinity of the intersection C. The connection wiring 9 may be provided at the intersection position or may be provided near the intersection position.

The wiring width W1 of the connection wiring 9 is preferably smaller than the wiring width W of the wiring material 8. For example, the wiring width W <b> 1 of the connection wiring 9 can be less than half or less than one third of the wiring width W of the wiring material 8. Specifically, the wiring width W1 of the connection wiring 9 can be 5 to 20 μm.

The connection wiring 9 is preferably provided so as to connect the ends of the four wiring members 8 in the vicinity of the intersection position of the grid pattern. Furthermore, it is preferable that the connection wiring 9 is provided in a frame shape so as to surround the intersection position (intersection portion C) of the grid pattern lines. As a result, the pattern can be simplified and the conductivity at the crossing position can be effectively enhanced. In this embodiment, the connection wiring 9 is provided as a frame-shaped wiring structure, and is arranged so that the grid intersection position is the center of the frame. A light transmissive portion 15 is formed in the frame-like connection wiring 9. The connection wiring 9 is connected to the end of the wiring material 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. The pattern shape of the frame-like connection wiring 9 may be a quadrangular shape (square or rectangular shape) or a circular shape. When the connection wiring 9 is a square, the distance T between the ends of the wiring member 8 may be the length of one side of the square formed by the inner edge of the frame of the connection wiring 9. When the connection wiring 9 is circular, the distance T between the ends of the wiring member 8 may be a length of a circular diameter constituted by the inner edge of the connection wiring 9. The distance T between the end portions of the wiring member 8, that is, the distance between the opposing lines of the frame-like connection wiring 9, can be set to 20 to 300 μm, for example, and preferably 50 to 100 μm.

The thickness (height) of the connection wiring 9 may be the same as the thickness (height) of the wiring material 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. Thereby, the connection wiring 9 can be easily formed. In addition, by providing the connection wiring 9 with the same thickness as the wiring material 8, it is possible to assist energization at a high position at the grid pattern crossing position. Of course, the height of the connection wiring 9 may be different from the height of the wiring material 8, and may be lower or higher than the height of the wiring material 8.

The connection wiring 9 may be formed integrally with the auxiliary electrode 7. That is, a part of the wiring material 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7 may be protruded to form the connection wiring 9. Further, the connection wiring 9 and the wiring material 8 may be integrated to have a function as the auxiliary electrode 7.

The connection wiring 9 is preferably formed of the same material as the wiring material 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7. Thereby, the connection wiring 9 can be easily formed.

In this embodiment, the insulating film 10 is preferably provided also at the position of the connection wiring 9. When the connection wiring 9 is formed on the light transmissive electrode 2 and the insulating film 10 is formed thereon, the connection wiring 9 is covered with the insulating film 10. Thereby, power efficiency can further be improved. However, the connection wiring 9 can be composed of a line thinner than the wiring material 8, and the insulating film 10 is provided at the position of the connection wiring 9 as long as the reduction in light emission efficiency due to light emission at this portion is not so great. It does not have to be. When the insulating film 10 is not provided at the position of the connection wiring 9, the pattern formation of the insulating film 10 is facilitated.

By the way, although the form of FIG. 4 showed the example in which the connection wiring 9 was provided in the form in which the auxiliary electrode 7 was formed between the light transmissive electrode 2 and the functional layer 3 like the form of FIG. The form of providing the connection wiring 9 is not limited to this. The connection wiring 9 may be provided in a form in which the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed between the substrate 1 and the light transmissive electrode 2 as shown in FIG. In this case, the connection wiring 9 is provided between the substrate 1 and the light transmissive electrode 2. This form may be considered as a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A and a plan view of FIG. 4A. 4B may be considered as an enlarged view of the auxiliary electrode 7. FIG. The insulating film 10 may or may not be provided on the surface of the light transmissive electrode 2 at the position where the connection wiring 9 is provided, as with the position of the wiring material 8. For improvement, it is preferable to be provided. In addition, the connection wiring 9 demonstrated with the form of FIG. 4 is applicable also in a subsequent form.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the embodiment of the organic EL element. In the form of FIG. 5, the pattern shape of the auxiliary electrode 7 is different from the form of FIG. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. The same components as those in the embodiment of FIG. The cross-sectional view of the form of FIG. 5 may be considered as FIG. 1A. FIG. 2B may be considered as an enlarged view of the auxiliary electrode 7 in the form of FIG.

In the organic EL element, the light transmissive portion 15 is preferably formed by the wiring material 8 being separated from each other at the intersection position. Here, the intersection position means a portion where the wiring material 8 intersects (intersection portion C) and the vicinity of the portion when it is assumed that the grid-like patterns are connected. Therefore, even if the wiring material 8 is connected at a portion where the lines of the grid pattern intersect (intersection portion C), there may be a portion where the wiring material 8 is not provided at the intersection position including the vicinity of the intersection portion C. For example, the light transmissive portion 15 can be configured by the portion. The form of FIG. 5 is an example of a form having a portion where the wiring member 8 is connected at the intersection position. A portion where the wiring member 8 is connected at the intersection position becomes a wiring continuous portion 16. The crossing position of the grid pattern can be understood at the crossing position 7a in FIG. 2A.

In the form of FIG. 5, the auxiliary electrode 7 has a wiring continuous portion 16 that is connected to the wiring material 8 at the intersection position and passes through the intersection position. By having the wiring continuous portion 16, it becomes easier for electricity to pass through the wiring material 8 constituting the auxiliary electrode 7, so that the auxiliary effect on the light transmissive electrode 2 can be further enhanced. Further, the in-plane light emission can be made more uniform.

In the form of FIG. 5, the wiring continuous portion 16 has a bent shape at the intersection position. In the case of having a bent shape, the spread in the plane of the portion where the wiring member 8 is connected can be increased as compared with the case of the straight shape. Therefore, electricity can flow more uniformly in the plane. The bent shape may be a shape in which the wiring member 8 is bent in the pattern shape in plan view.

In FIG. 5, the wiring member 8 has a zigzag shape. It may be said that the wiring member 8 has an angular wave shape. One connected wiring member 8 extends in an oblique direction. Specifically, the portions 8a extending in the vertical direction and the portions 8b extending in the horizontal direction are alternately arranged. The vertical direction and the horizontal direction express two directions orthogonal to each other for convenience, and the vertical and horizontal directions may be interchanged in an actual arrangement. A boundary portion between the portion 8 a extending in the vertical direction and the portion 8 b extending in the horizontal direction is bent, and this portion becomes the wiring continuous portion 16. And in the crossing position, the wiring continuous parts 16 of the adjacent wiring members 8 are close to each other. By forming such a pattern shape, it is possible to obtain the auxiliary electrode 7 having the light transmissive portion 15 by separating the wiring member 8 at the intersection position while being a grid pattern as a whole. The pattern example of the auxiliary electrode 7 in FIG. 5 may be a jagged shape. Alternatively, it may be a triangular wave shape.

The distance between the closest parts of the adjacent wiring members 8 may be the same as the distance T described in FIG. 2A.

It is preferable that a portion where one wiring member 8 is connected can be drawn with a single stroke. Thereby, pattern formation of the auxiliary electrode 7 can be facilitated. Details of the pattern forming method will be described later. It is more preferable that the wiring material 8 can be drawn with a single stroke from one end to the other end of the organic EL element. Thereby, pattern formation becomes easier. In FIG. 5, since the wiring member 8 extends in an oblique direction, one stroke can be written at the upper and right end portions and at the left and lower end portions. When the wiring material 8 can be written with a single stroke, the insulating film 10 is preferably writable with a single stroke. The insulating film 10 can have a shape corresponding to the wiring material 8.

In addition, in FIG. 5, although the part 8a extended | stretched to the vertical direction of the wiring material 8 shows a mode that it shifted | deviated to the horizontal direction when the some part 8a is seen along the vertical direction, In the organic EL element, the width of the wiring member 8 is smaller than the interval between the adjacent wiring members 8. Therefore, this deviation can be almost ignored. Therefore, the auxiliary electrode 7 has a grid pattern as a whole. FIG. 5 shows the organic EL element in a simplified manner, and the actual number of wiring members 8 can be, for example, 100 or more.

Here, the form of FIG. 5 has been described on the assumption that the pattern shape of the auxiliary electrode 7 is changed in the form of FIG. 1, but the auxiliary electrode 7 is on the substrate 1 side of the light transmissive electrode 2 as in the form of FIG. 3. It may be formed. In that case, FIG. 3A can be considered as a cross-sectional view of the form of FIG. 5, and FIG. 3B can be considered an enlarged view of the form of FIG. In the subsequent embodiments, the auxiliary electrode 7 may be formed on either surface of the light transmissive electrode 2.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a pattern example of the auxiliary electrode 7. FIG. 6 is configured from FIGS. 6A to 6F. The form in which the auxiliary electrode 7 has the wiring continuous part 16 is not limited to the form in FIG. The auxiliary electrode 7 can be formed in an appropriate pattern. Note that the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 6 are set for convenience in accordance with the arrangement in the drawing, and of course, the vertical and horizontal directions may be interchanged.

FIG. 6A is a modification of the pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7 in the form of FIG. In FIG. 6A, a lattice is formed by a plurality of parallelograms. In this example, the portion 8a extending in the vertical direction of the wiring member 8 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and extending in an oblique direction. A wiring continuous portion 16 is constituted by a boundary portion between a portion 8 a extending in the vertical direction and a portion 8 b extending in the horizontal direction in the wiring member 8. The wiring continuous portion 16 has a bent shape. Adjacent wiring members 8 are spaced apart. The light transmitting portion 15 is formed by the separated portion. In this pattern, the boundary portion (wiring continuous portion 16) between the portion 8a extending in the vertical direction and the portion 8b extending in the horizontal direction is the horizontal direction when viewed along the vertical direction in the plurality of wiring members 8. Are aligned. In the pattern of FIG. 5, when the number of wiring members 8 increases, the arrangement of the wiring members 8 may be shifted in the horizontal direction, so that there is a possibility that the lattice pattern vertical lines as a whole are formed into a parallelogram lattice. In the pattern of FIG. 6A, the portion 8a extending in the longitudinal direction extends in an oblique direction to absorb the shift. Therefore, it is easy to form a rectangular or square lattice pattern with no deviation as a whole.

FIG. 6B is a modification of the pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7 in the form of FIG. In this example, the boundary portion (wiring continuous portion 16) between the portion 8a extending in the vertical direction and the portion 8b extending in the horizontal direction in the wiring member 8 extends in an oblique direction. In FIG. 6B, the corner of the boundary portion (wiring continuous portion 16) between the vertical portion 8a of the wiring member 8 and the horizontal portion 8b of the wiring member 8 is rounded so that the wiring continuous portion 16 advances in an oblique direction. . The wiring continuous part 16 is curved. The wiring material 8 is curved and extended at the wiring continuous portion 16. Of course, the wiring continuous portion 16 may be provided as a linear portion that proceeds in an oblique direction between the vertical portion 8 a of the wiring member 8 and the horizontal portion 8 b of the wiring member 8. Moreover, the wiring continuous part 16 may be formed in a W shape or a meandering shape. The adjacent wiring members 8 are separated from each other, and a light transmissive portion 15 is formed by the separated portion. In this pattern, the portions 8a extending in the vertical direction of the wiring member 8 are aligned in the vertical and horizontal positions at the plurality of portions 8a. In addition, the portion 8b extending in the horizontal direction of the wiring member 8 has a plurality of portions 8b that are aligned vertically and horizontally. In the pattern of FIG. 5, there is a possibility of a parallelogram lattice as a whole, and in the pattern of FIG. 6A, each lattice may be a parallelogram, but in the pattern of FIG. Are arranged in an oblique direction to adjust the positions of the vertical and horizontal lines of the lattice shape. Therefore, it is easy to form a rectangular or square lattice pattern with no deviation as a whole. The pattern in FIG. 6B can be said to be wavy. In the pattern of FIG. 6B, it is possible not to form the wiring material 8 at the intersection C (see FIG. 2A).

FIG. 6C shows a modification of the pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7. In FIG. 6C, the wiring member 8 has alternately arranged portions 8a extending in the vertical direction and portions 8b extending in the horizontal direction. However, in FIG. 6C, in the portion 8a extending in the vertical direction, the adjacent portion 8a extends in the opposite direction. Therefore, one connected wiring member 8 extends in the horizontal direction as a whole while moving back and forth in the vertical direction. A wiring continuous portion 16 is constituted by a boundary portion between a portion 8 a extending in the vertical direction and a portion 8 b extending in the horizontal direction in the wiring member 8. The wiring continuous portion 16 has a bent shape. Adjacent wiring members 8 are spaced apart. The light transmitting portion 15 is formed by the separated portion. At the intersection position, the wiring continuous part 16 is approaching. By becoming such a pattern, the auxiliary electrode 7 becomes a grid-like pattern as a whole. Also in FIG. 6C, one connected wiring member 8 is preferably writable with a single stroke. In FIG. 6C, a stroke can be written between the left and right ends. The pattern example of FIG. 6C may be said to be uneven. Alternatively, it may be called a tooth shape. Alternatively, it may be a rectangular wave shape.

Here, in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C, the wiring material 8 can be drawn with one stroke. 6A and 6B, since the wiring member 8 extends in an oblique direction, there is an advantage that the in-plane light emission uniformity can be further improved. In FIG. 6C, since the wiring member 8 extends in the lateral direction, there is an advantage that the pattern can be easily formed with high accuracy.

FIG. 6D illustrates a longitudinal extension between the portions 8b of the plurality of wiring members 8 extending in the lateral direction over the entire pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7 and the portions 8b of the plurality of wiring members 8 extending in the lateral direction. The grid pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7 is configured by the portions 8a of the plurality of wiring members 8 that perform the above. The portions 8a of the plurality of wiring members 8 in the vertical direction are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction. The portions 8a of the plurality of vertical wiring members 8 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction so that the overall shape is along the vertical direction. The portion 8b of the wiring member 8 extending in the horizontal direction is separated from the portion 8a of the wiring member 8 extending in the vertical direction. The light transmitting portion 15 is formed by the separated portions. The pattern in FIG. 6D may be called a ladder. Even in the pattern example of FIG. 6D, the light transmissive portion 15 is formed, so that the auxiliary electrode 7 can be made difficult to visually recognize.

In FIG. 6E, one end of a plurality of portions 8 a of the wiring material 8 extending in the vertical direction is connected to the portion 8 b of the wiring material 8 extending in the horizontal direction over the entire pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7. A grid pattern is configured. The other end of the portion 8a of the wiring member 8 extending in the vertical direction is separated from the portion 8b of the wiring member 8 extending in the horizontal direction. The light transmitting portion 15 is formed by the separated portions. The pattern in FIG. 6E may be called a comb shape. Even in the pattern example of FIG. 6E, the light transmissive portion 15 is formed, so that the auxiliary electrode 7 can be made difficult to visually recognize.

In FIG. 6F, one end of a plurality of portions 8 a of the wiring material 8 extending in the vertical direction is connected to the portion 8 b of the wiring material 8 extending in the horizontal direction over the entire pattern of the auxiliary electrode 7. A grid pattern is configured. However, in FIG. 6E, end portions on the same side of the portions 8a of the plurality of wiring members 8 extending in the vertical direction are connected, whereas in FIG. 6F, the portions 8a of the wiring members 8 extending in the plurality of vertical directions. In, the one end and the other end are connected alternately. The tip of the portion 8a of the wiring member 8 extending in the vertical direction is separated from the portion 8b extending in the horizontal direction of the adjacent wiring member 8. The light transmitting portion 15 is formed by the separated portions. Even in the pattern example of FIG. 6F, the light transmissive portion 15 is formed, so that the auxiliary electrode 7 can be made difficult to visually recognize.

6D to 6F, the wiring continuous portion 16 has a substantially linear shape at the intersection position. Therefore, pattern formation can be facilitated. In the patterns of FIGS. 6E and 6F, the wiring continuous portion 16 has a substantially linear shape at the intersection position and a bent shape. Therefore, the electrical auxiliary effect can be enhanced.

FIG. 7 shows another example of the grid-like auxiliary electrode 7 pattern. FIG. 7 is constituted by FIGS. 7A to 7C.

In each of the above embodiments, a rectangular lattice-like shape has been described as a grid shape. The grid shape (lattice shape) is not limited to a square lattice. An example of another grid shape in a grid shape is a hexagonal lattice. The hexagonal lattice is a shape in which hexagons are arranged in a plane. The hexagonal lattice is also called a honeycomb shape. The hexagonal lattice is also called a honeycomb. The grid may include a square lattice and a hexagonal lattice.

Fig. 8 shows the grid shape. In the grid shape of the square lattice described above, the overall shape is a square lattice (grid G4) as shown in FIG. 8A. In the grid shape of the hexagonal lattice in FIG. 7, the overall shape is a hexagonal lattice (grid G6) as shown in FIG. 8B. In FIG. 8, the intersection position of the grid pattern is indicated by the intersection position g.

7A to 7C also have a portion where the wiring material 8 is not provided at the intersection of the grid pattern. The light transmissive portion 15 is formed by this portion. The light transmissive portion 15 is formed by the separation of the wiring member 8.

FIG. 7A is an example in which no wiring member 8 is provided at the intersection position (intersection C). FIG. 7A has an advantage in that the light emitting property at the intersection position can be improved.

FIG. 7B and FIG. 7B are examples having the wiring continuous part 16 at the intersection position. The wiring continuous part 16 has a bent shape. In FIG. 7B, the wiring member 8 extends in the lateral direction. In FIG. 7C, the wiring member 8 extends in an oblique direction.

7A to 7C, even in the case of a hexagonal grid, the auxiliary electrode 7 can be made difficult to visually recognize by having the light transmissive portion 15. However, a square lattice is more advantageous for pattern formation than a hexagonal lattice.

Hereinafter, the production of the organic EL element will be described. In the following description, a description will be given focusing on a form in which the light transmissive electrode 2 and the auxiliary electrode 7 are laminated in this order. As shown in FIG. 3, the manufacture of the form in which the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed on the substrate 1 side of the light transmissive electrode 2 can be understood by changing the stacking order of the light transmissive electrode 2 and the auxiliary electrode 7. For the description of the manufacturing method, refer to FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6 as appropriate.

In manufacturing an organic EL element, first, a transparent conductive layer is provided on the surface of the substrate 1, and this transparent conductive layer is patterned. The central portion of the transparent conductive layer becomes the light transmissive electrode 2, and the end of the transparent conductive layer becomes the electrode lead-out portion 12. The region of the light transmissive electrode 2 is a region where the organic light emitter 5 is formed.

Then, a grid-like auxiliary electrode 7 is formed of a conductive material in a region of the transparent conductive layer where the organic light emitter 5 is formed. The patterning of the auxiliary electrode 7 can be performed by an appropriate method.

The formation of the auxiliary electrode 7 is preferably performed by sputtering. In that case, patterning can be performed by mask sputtering or photolithography. In this method, in particular, it is possible to suitably form a pattern as shown in FIGS. Of course, this method is applicable to other forms. In pattern formation, for example, if a mask having a pattern interrupted at the intersection of grids is used, imperfect grid patterning can be easily performed. In sputtering, a pattern can be suitably formed in the auxiliary electrode 7 having a laminated structure such as MAM. Further, the patterning of the auxiliary electrode 7 may be performed, for example, by removing unnecessary portions after coating the entire surface. Unnecessary portions can be removed by etching. Etching can be performed by a wet method using an etchant.

The auxiliary electrode 7 is another embodiment that is preferably formed by a printing method. The auxiliary electrode 7 can be easily patterned by the printing method. Printing is a kind of application. Printing may be applied along a pattern. In this method, it is possible to suitably form a pattern as shown in FIGS. Of course, this method is applicable to other forms. In the auxiliary electrode 7 having the wiring continuous part 16 as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, printing along the pattern can be continuously performed. Therefore, the auxiliary electrode 7 can be preferably patterned by coating. Particularly preferred is a coating method in which the ink nozzles are moved in a pattern. When the wiring member 8 has a shape that can be drawn with a single stroke, the ink nozzle can be moved and applied in accordance with the pattern, so that the pattern can be formed efficiently. If the portion where one wiring member 8 is connected can be drawn with a single stroke, printing can be performed by continuously discharging the coating liquid from the ink nozzles, so that the number of times of starting and stopping the discharging of the coating liquid can be reduced. Therefore, it is more preferable that the wiring material 8 can be written with one stroke from one end to the other end of the organic EL element. The shape that can be drawn with a single stroke is particularly effective in direct drawing by electrostatic coating. In this method, it is preferable that the wiring member 8 does not intersect. When the wiring material 8 intersects, the intersected portion is likely to be raised and formed, so that it may be difficult to cover with the insulating film 10 or the layer may be easily cut off.

When the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed by a printing method, examples of the coating method include electrostatic coating and inkjet printing coating. Printing by electrostatic coating is more preferable. In the coating method, a paste material in which conductive particles are dispersed in a solvent can be preferably used. As the conductive particles, metal particles can be preferably used. By applying the metal particles, the pattern formation of the conductive layer becomes easy, and the auxiliary electrode 7 can be formed with high accuracy and efficiency. Silver particles are particularly preferable as the metal particles. Among these, silver nanoparticles are suitable as a material for the auxiliary electrode 7. When a nano paste in which nano metal particles are dispersed in a solvent is used, a pattern can be formed efficiently and accurately. In the formation of the auxiliary electrode 7 using a paste material, it is preferable to heat and fire after application. Thereby, the conductive particles are brought into close contact with each other, so that a conductive layer can be easily formed. Therefore, a metal wiring having a resistance lower than that of the light transmissive electrode 2 can be easily obtained.

When the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed, it is preferable to form the electrode pad 11 by laminating the same conductive material as the auxiliary electrode 7 on the electrode lead-out portion 12. If the auxiliary electrode 7 and the electrode pad 11 are formed at the same time, the manufacturing efficiency is improved. Of course, the electrode pad 11 and the auxiliary electrode 7 may not be formed simultaneously.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in the organic EL element having the connection wiring 9, when the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed, the pattern of the connection wiring 9 is provided near the intersection of the grid pattern lines, and the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided. It can be manufactured by forming.

After the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed, an insulating film 10 is formed. The insulating film 10 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the auxiliary electrode 7. The patterning may be an appropriate method.

The formation of the insulating film 10 is a preferable embodiment in which an unnecessary portion is removed after coating. In this method, in particular, it is possible to suitably form a pattern as shown in FIGS. Of course, this method is applicable to other forms. In this method, first, a material for forming the insulating film 10 is applied to the surface of the substrate 1 on which the auxiliary electrode 7 is provided. For example, it can be applied by spin coating. The application may be a whole surface application. At this time, if the wiring material 8 is not provided at the intersection position (intersection portion C) of the grid pattern and the wiring material 8 is separated, a plurality of coating liquids pass through the intersection position without collecting in the grid of the grid. Can spread out in the grid mesh. Therefore, more uniform application is facilitated. Then, the insulating film 10 having a grid pattern is formed by hardening the same position as the position of the auxiliary electrode 7 and removing and patterning other portions by photolithography. When the insulating film 10 is provided in an incomplete grid shape, the insulating film 10 is not provided at the intersection of the grid patterns. If the insulating film 10 is provided in a complete grid shape, the insulating film 10 may have a complete grid pattern. The pattern shape can be adjusted by the opening shape of the mask pattern. When the insulating film 10 is formed by coating and photolithography, the insulating film 10 can be formed with high accuracy. The insulating film 10 can be composed of a resin film or the like. Note that the insulating film 10 may be formed by vapor deposition instead of application.

Here, when the insulating film 10 is formed by coating, the connection wiring 9 is provided rather than the configuration in which the connection wiring 9 is provided as shown in FIG. The other forms than FIG. 4 are more advantageous. This is because if the connection wiring 9 is not provided, a wall composed of the connection wiring 9 cannot be formed between the grid intersection position and the grid mesh, so that the coating liquid easily spreads. Of course, it is more advantageous to provide the connection wiring 9 in order to improve the electrical conductivity at the intersection. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, even if the height of the connection wiring 9 is lower than the height of the wiring material 8, it is possible to improve the applicability of the material of the insulating film 10. This is because the wall formed by the connection wiring 9 is lowered and the coating liquid is easily spread.

The formation of the insulating film 10 is another aspect preferably performed by a printing method. Patterning of the insulating film 10 can be easily performed by a printing method. Printing is a kind of application. Printing may be applied along a pattern. In this method, it is possible to suitably form a pattern as shown in FIGS. Of course, this method is applicable to other forms. In the auxiliary electrode 7 having the wiring continuous portion 16 as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, since the insulating film 10 is also continuously formed, printing along the pattern can be performed. Therefore, the insulating film 10 can be preferably patterned by application. Particularly preferred is a coating method in which the ink nozzles are moved in a pattern. In the shape in which the insulating film 10 can be drawn with a single stroke, the ink nozzle can be moved and applied in accordance with the pattern, so that the pattern can be formed efficiently. If the portion where one insulating film 10 is connected can be drawn with a single stroke, printing can be performed by continuously discharging the coating liquid from the ink nozzle, so that the number of times of starting and stopping the discharging of the coating liquid can be reduced. Therefore, it is more preferable that the insulating film 10 can be written with one stroke from one end portion to the other end portion of the organic EL element. The shape that can be drawn with a single stroke is particularly effective in direct drawing by electrostatic coating. In this method, it is preferable that the insulating films 10 do not intersect. When the insulating films 10 cross each other, the crossed portion is likely to rise and be easily formed, so that the layers may be easily cut off.

When the insulating film 10 is formed by a printing method, examples of the coating method include electrostatic coating and ink jet printing coating. Printing by electrostatic coating is more preferable. In the coating method, a resin composition can be preferably used as a material. The insulating film 10 may be formed by vapor deposition in a pattern.

After the formation of the insulating film 10, each layer of the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 are sequentially stacked to form the organic light-emitting body 5. As the lamination method, for example, vapor deposition or the like can be used. Thereafter, the sealing material 6 is bonded to the substrate 1 by the sealing bonding portion 14 while covering the organic light emitter 5 with the sealing material 6. As the sealing material 6, what was previously provided with the drying material 13 in the concave portion can be used. The desiccant 13 can be provided by attaching a hygroscopic sheet or applying a hygroscopic material. Thereby, an organic EL element can be formed.

By the way, in the manufacture of the organic EL element in which the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed on the substrate 1 side of the light transmissive electrode 2 as shown in FIG. 3, the above manufacturing method is changed as follows. First, the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed on the surface of the substrate 1. The formation method may be the same as the formation method of the auxiliary electrode 7 in the above description. After the auxiliary electrode 7 is formed, the light transmissive electrode 2 and the electrode lead portion 12 are formed. Then, the insulating film 10 is formed on the portion where the light transmissive electrode 2 is raised by the auxiliary electrode 7. The formation method of the insulating film 10 may be the same as the method described above. Thereafter, similarly to the above, the functional layer 3 and the counter electrode 4 are laminated and sealed with the sealing material 6. Thereby, the organic EL element of the form of FIG. 3 can be formed.

The organic EL element having the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 has excellent light emission characteristics, and can be used as an element having a particularly large light emitting area. Therefore, it is useful as a planar light emitting element, particularly a lighting panel.

A lighting device can be obtained by the above organic EL element. The lighting device includes the organic EL element described above. Thereby, it is possible to obtain an illuminating device that is excellent in light extraction performance and power-saving. The illuminating device may be one in which a plurality of organic EL elements are arranged in a planar shape. The illumination device may be a planar illumination body composed of one organic EL element. The illumination device may include a wiring structure for supplying power to the organic EL element. The illumination device may include a housing that supports the organic EL element. The illumination device may include a plug that electrically connects the organic EL element and the power source. The lighting device can be configured in a panel shape. Since the lighting device can be made thin, it is possible to provide a space-saving lighting fixture.

FIG. 9 is an example of the lighting device 100. This lighting device includes an organic EL element 101, a housing 102, a plug 103, and a wiring 104. In FIG. 9, a plurality (four) of organic EL elements 101 are arranged in a planar shape. The organic EL element 101 is accommodated in the housing 102. Electricity is supplied through the plug 103 and the wiring 104, the organic EL element 101 emits light, and light can be emitted from the lighting device 100.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Substrate 2 Light transmissive electrode 3 Functional layer 4 Counter electrode 5 Organic light emitting body 6 Sealing material 7 Auxiliary electrode 8 Wiring material 9 Connection wiring 10 Insulating film 11 Electrode pad 12 Electrode extraction part 14 Sealing adhesion part 15 Light transmission possible part 16 Wiring continuous part

Claims

An organic light emitting body having a substrate, a functional layer including a light transmissive electrode and a light emitting layer, and a counter electrode, and a sealing material, the organic light emitting body being covered and sealed with the sealing material An organic electroluminescence device,
An auxiliary electrode in a grid pattern is provided by a wiring material in contact with the light transmissive electrode,
At the crossing position of the grid-like pattern constituting the auxiliary electrode, it has a light transmissive portion where the wiring material is not provided,
An organic electroluminescence element, wherein an insulating film is provided on a surface of the functional layer on the auxiliary electrode side so as to overlap the auxiliary electrode in plan view.
2. The organic electroluminescence element according to claim 1, wherein the light transmissive portion is formed by the wiring material being separated at the intersection position.
The auxiliary electrode has a wiring continuous portion that is connected to the wiring material and passes through the intersection position at the intersection position;
The organic electroluminescence element according to claim 2, wherein the wiring continuous portion has a bent shape at the intersecting position.
The auxiliary electrode has a wiring continuous portion that is connected to the wiring material and passes through the intersection position at the intersection position;
The organic electroluminescence element according to claim 2, wherein the wiring continuous portion has a substantially linear shape at the intersecting position.
5. The auxiliary electrode according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary electrode is formed so as to be in contact with a surface opposite to the functional layer side of the light transmissive electrode, and a side surface is an inclined surface. The organic electroluminescent element of any one of Claims.
6. The organic electroluminescence element according to claim 1, wherein connection wiring for connecting the wiring members is provided at or near the intersection.
An illumination device comprising the organic electroluminescence element according to any one of claims 1 to 6.