Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
  • G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to a display device.
• organic electroluminescence (EL) display devices using organic electroluminescence (hereinafter referred to as EL) elements have been put to practical use.
• organic EL display devices When used as a display for information terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals, or as a display for two-way communication such as videophones and videoconferencing, organic EL display devices are combined with a camera that captures the front side on which the image is displayed, a so-called in-camera.
• the purpose of this disclosure is to increase the transmittance of light used by the electronic components in the display area and to increase the resolution of the displayed image in a display device in which electronic components that use light are stacked on the rear side of the display area.
• the connection line includes a transparent wiring layer that is optically transparent.
• the pixel electrode of the first display region includes a first region that is provided on top of a transparent conductive layer formed in the same layer as the transparent wiring layer using the same material, and a second region that is formed on the same layer as the transparent conductive layer.
• FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an organic EL display device according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the organic EL display device taken along line II-II in FIG.
• FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating pixels and various wirings in a first display region of the organic EL display device.
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first display region of the organic EL display device taken along line IV-IV in FIG.
• FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a pixel circuit.
• FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of the second display region and its periphery of the organic EL display device.
• FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a manufacturing process of the organic EL display device of embodiment 1.
• the right side of Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 4, and the left side of Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 8.
• Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a manufacturing process of the organic EL display device of embodiment 1.
• the right side of Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 4, and the left side of Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 8.
• Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a manufacturing process of the organic EL display device of embodiment 1.
• the right side of Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 4, and the left side of Fig. 14 is a cross-section
• FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a manufacturing process of the organic EL display device of embodiment 1.
• the right side of Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 4, and the left side of Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 8.
• Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a manufacturing process of the organic EL display device of embodiment 1.
• the right side of Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 4, and the left side of Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 8.
• FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG.
• Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a manufacturing process of the organic EL display device of embodiment 2.
• the right side of Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 4, and the left side of Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 8.
• Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a manufacturing process of the organic EL display device of embodiment 2.
• the right side of Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 4, and the left side of Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a part corresponding to Fig. 8.
• a component such as a film, layer, or element
• another component such as another film, layer, or element
• it does not only mean that the other component exists directly on top of the component, but also includes cases where a component such as a film, layer, or element is interposed between the two components.
• a description that a certain component is in the same layer as other components means that the certain component is formed by the same process as the other components.
• a description that a certain component is in a lower layer than other components means that the certain component is formed by a process that precedes the other components.
• a description that a certain component is in an upper layer than other components means that the certain component is formed by a process that follows the other components.
• the organic EL display device 1 of this embodiment is used in mobile devices such as multi-function phones called smartphones and tablet terminals, etc.
• the organic EL display device 1 may also be used in various other devices such as personal computers (PCs) and television sets.
• PCs personal computers
• an organic EL display device 1 is combined with a camera 3 to constitute a display device with an in-camera that can capture an image of the front side of the screen with the camera 3.
• the organic EL display device 1 has a display area DA and a frame area FA.
• the display area DA is an area in which an image is displayed.
• the display area DA constitutes a screen.
• the display area DA is provided in a rectangular shape, for example.
• the display area DA may be an approximately rectangular shape with at least one side in an arc shape, at least one corner in an arc shape, at least one side with a notch, or any other shape.
• the display area DA is composed of a plurality of pixels PX.
• the plurality of pixels PX are arranged in a matrix.
• Each pixel PX is composed of three sub-pixels SP.
• the three sub-pixels SP are a sub-pixel SPr that emits red light, a sub-pixel SPg that emits green light, and a sub-pixel SPb that emits blue light. These three sub-pixels SPr, SPg, and SPb are arranged, for example, in a striped pattern.
• the display area DA has a first display area DA1 and a second display area DA2.
• the first display area DA1 occupies most of the display area DA.
• the second display area DA2 is provided inside the first display area DA1.
• the second display area DA2 is an area that includes a portion that transmits the light used by the camera 3.
• the second display area DA2 is provided, for example, in a rectangular shape on one side of the display area DA (the upper side in FIG. 1).
• the second display area DA2 may be any other shape, such as a circle or an ellipse.
• the frame area FA is an area that constitutes the non-display portion other than the screen.
• the frame area FA is formed, for example, in a rectangular frame shape.
• the frame area FA may be formed in a frame shape other than a rectangle.
• the frame area FA includes a terminal portion TP and a folded portion BP.
• the terminal portion TP is a portion for connecting to an external circuit (such as a display control circuit).
• the terminal portion TP is formed near the outer edge of a portion that constitutes one side of the frame area FA, and extends along that side in the first direction X.
• the bending portion BP is provided between the terminal portion TP and the display area DA in the frame area FA.
• the bending portion BP is a portion that is bent around a bending axis that extends in the first direction X.
• the bending portion BP extends horizontally so as to span the entire frame area FA in the first direction X.
• the inorganic insulating film that constitutes the TFT layer 20 has been removed from the bending portion BP, giving it greater flexibility than other portions.
• the organic EL display device 1 employs an active matrix driving method.
• the light emission of each subpixel SP is controlled by a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as TFT) 50, and an image is displayed by the operation of the TFT 50.
• TFT thin film transistor
• the organic EL display device 1 includes a substrate layer 10, a TFT layer (thin film transistor layer) 20, a light emitting element layer 60, and a sealing film 80.
• the various wirings 40 include the first frame line 40fa and the second frame line 40fb described above.
• the various wirings 40 include a plurality of gate lines 40g, a plurality of light emission control lines 40e, a plurality of power supply lines 40p, and a plurality of source lines 40s, as shown in FIG. 3.
• the gate lines 40g and the light emission control lines 40e are an example of a first metal line.
• the source lines 40s and the power supply lines 40p are an example of a second metal line.
• Each of the multiple gate lines 40g is a wiring that transmits a gate signal.
• the multiple gate lines 40g are arranged at intervals in the second direction Y in the display area DA and extend parallel to each other in the first direction X.
• a gate line 40g is provided for each row of sub-pixels SP.
• Each gate line 40g is connected to a gate driver of the drive circuit DC.
• Each of the multiple power supply lines 40p is a wiring that applies a predetermined high-level power supply voltage (ELVDD).
• the multiple power supply lines 40p are arranged at intervals in the first direction X in the display area DA and extend parallel to each other in the second direction Y.
• a power supply line 40p is provided for each column of sub-pixels SP.
• Each power supply line 40p is connected to a first frame line 40fa.
• Each of the multiple source lines 40s is a wiring that transmits a source signal.
• the multiple source lines 40s are arranged at intervals from each other in the first direction X in the display area DA and extend parallel to each other in the second direction Y.
• the source lines 40s are provided for each column of sub-pixels SP.
• Each source line 40s is drawn out to a terminal portion TP and connected to a display control circuit (source driver) via a wiring board CB.
• the TFT layer 20 further includes a plurality of TFTs 50, a plurality of capacitors 51, a first planarization film 54, a second planarization film 56, a third planarization film 58, and a plurality of connection lines 40r.
• Each of the multiple connection lines 40r has a lower layer connection line 40ra, an intermediate connection line 40rb, and an upper layer connection line 40rc.
• the lower layer connection line 40ra, the intermediate connection line 40rb, and the upper layer connection line 40rc are formed in different layers.
• the intermediate connection line 40rb corresponds to the second connection line.
• the upper layer connection line 40rc corresponds to the first connection line.
• Each lower connection line 40ra is provided on the first planarization film 54.
• the lower connection line 40ra is a wiring that connects a specific TFT 50 (third TFT 50C) and the intermediate connection line 40rb, and is located below the second planarization film 56.
• the lower connection lines 40ra are formed in an island shape for each sub-pixel SP in the first display area DA1 and for each pixel circuit PC in the second display area DA2.
• Each lower connection line 40ra is connected to a specific TFT 50 (third TFT 50C) via a first contact hole Ha formed in the first planarization film 54.
• the light emitting element layer 60 is provided on the TFT layer 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the light emitting element layer 60 includes a plurality of organic EL elements (organic electroluminescence elements) 70 and an edge cover 75.
• the organic EL elements 70 are an example of a light emitting element.
• the organic EL elements 70 are configured as a top emission type. In the organic EL elements 70, light emitted from the organic EL layer 62 is extracted from the sealing film 80 side.
• the multiple organic EL elements 70 are provided corresponding to the multiple sub-pixels SP. Each organic EL element 70 constitutes a sub-pixel SP. The multiple organic EL elements 70 as a whole constitute a display area DA. The light emission of each organic EL element 70 is controlled by the operation of the multiple TFTs 50 and capacitors 51. Each organic EL element 70 has a pixel electrode 61, an organic EL layer 62, and a common electrode 63.
• the pixel electrode 61 in this example is composed of a conductive laminate CL.
• the conductive laminate CL is formed by sequentially laminating a first transparent electrode layer 61a, a reflective electrode layer 61b, and a second transparent electrode layer 61c.
• the first transparent electrode layer 61a, the reflective electrode layer 61b, and the second transparent electrode layer 61c are all formed of conductive materials that have the property of being etched by a common etching solution (e.g., a PAN-based etching solution).
• the first transparent electrode layer 61a and the second transparent electrode layer 61c each have optical transparency.
• the first transparent electrode layer 61a and the second transparent electrode layer 61c are made of indium tin oxide (ITO).
• the first transparent electrode layer 61a and the second transparent electrode layer 61c may be made of other transparent conductive materials such as indium zinc oxide (IZO) and indium gallium zinc oxide (In-Ga-Zn-O).
• the reflective electrode layer 61b has optical reflectivity.
• the reflective electrode layer 61b is made of silver (Ag).
• the reflective electrode layer 61b may be made of other metallic materials having optical reflectivity such as a silver alloy, aluminum (Al), or an aluminum alloy.
• each opening 76 in the edge cover 75 is surrounded by the outer edge of the corresponding pixel electrode 61 in a planar view.
• the periphery of each opening 76 in the edge cover 75 may be located inside the corresponding transparent conductive layer TL2 in a planar view, or may be located outside the transparent conductive layer TL2.
• the edge cover 75 is made of, for example, an organic resin material such as polyimide resin or acrylic resin, or a polysiloxane-based SOG material.
• Examples of the material of the common electrode 63 include conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and indium zinc oxide (IZO).
• the material of the common electrode 63 may be a metal such as silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and ytterbium (Yb).
• the material of the common electrode 63 may be a metal compound or an alloy.
• the common electrode 63 may be formed by stacking multiple layers made of conductive materials.
• the sealing film 80 is provided on the light-emitting element layer 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the sealing film 80 covers the organic EL elements 70 and protects each organic EL element 70 (particularly the organic EL layer 62) from moisture, oxygen, and the like. The sealing film 80 is provided over the entire display area DA and extends to the frame area FA.
• the sealing film 80 has, for example, a TFE (Thin Film Encapsulation) structure.
• the sealing film 80 has a first inorganic film 81, an organic film 82, and a second inorganic film 83. The first inorganic film 81, the organic film 82, and the second inorganic film 83 are provided on the light-emitting element layer 60 in this order.
• the gate electrode of the first TFT 50A is connected to the corresponding gate line 40g.
• the first terminal electrode of the first TFT 50A is connected to the corresponding source line 40s.
• the second terminal electrode of the first TFT 50A is connected to the corresponding second TFT 50B.
• the gate electrode of the second TFT 50B is connected to the corresponding second terminal electrode of the first TFT 50A.
• the first terminal electrode of the second TFT 50B is connected to the corresponding power line 40p.
• the second terminal electrode of the second TFT 50B is connected to the corresponding third TFT 50C.
• each connection line 40r is drawn out from a specific TFT 50 (third TFT 50C) onto the third planarization film 58 directly above the TFT 50 or around the TFT 50, connecting the TFT 50 and the pixel electrode 61.
• Each upper connection line 40rc in the first display area DA1 is composed of a transparent conductive layer TL2.
• the transparent conductive layer TL2 is a by-product of the transparent wiring layer TL1 described below.
• the transparent conductive layer TL2 is formed in an island shape for each sub-pixel SP in the first display area DA1.
• the transparent conductive layer TL2 is similar in shape to the pixel electrode 61 and has an area slightly smaller than that of the pixel electrode 61.
• Each pixel electrode 61 in the first display area DA1 is provided overlapping the corresponding transparent conductive layer TL2.
• organic EL display device To manufacture the organic EL display device 1, first, an organic resin material is applied to the surface of the glass substrate 200 and baked to form the substrate layer 10. Next, the TFT layer 20, the light emitting element layer 60, and the sealing film 80 are formed in this order on the substrate layer 10 using a known film formation method such as a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method, sputtering, or vacuum deposition method, a known coating method such as a spin coating method or an inkjet method, or a known patterning technique such as photolithography.
• CVD Chemical Vapor Deposition
• sputtering or vacuum deposition method
• a known coating method such as a spin coating method or an inkjet method
• a known patterning technique such as photolithography.
• the upper layer connection line 40rc is not provided in the first display area DA1. This allows the structure of each sub-pixel SP in the first display area DA1 to be similar to that of an organic EL display device that does not have the second display area DA2. This is advantageous for achieving high definition of the displayed image in the organic EL display device 1 with an in-camera.
• the second planarization film 56 is formed only in the second display area DA2, and the coating film is removed in the first display area DA1.
• the third planarization film 58 is formed so that the surface height is approximately the same in the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2.
• a gray-tone mask or a half-tone mask may be used when exposing the coating film.
• the upper layer connection line 40rc (transparent conductive layer TL2) is not provided in the first display area DA1, but this is not limited to the above.
• the upper layer connection line 40rc transparent conductive layer TL2 may also be provided in the first display area DA1, as in the above embodiment 1.
• each pixel PX is configured with sub-pixels SP of three colors, but this is not limited to this.
• the sub-pixels SP that configure each pixel PX may be four or more colors.
• the three sub-pixels SP that configure each pixel PX are arranged in a stripe arrangement, but this is not limited to this.
• the arrangement of the multiple sub-pixels PS may be another arrangement, such as a pentile arrangement.
• the pixel circuit PC is made up of three TFTs 50: a first TFT 50A, a second TFT 50B, and a third TFT 50C.
• the pixel circuit PC may be made up of two or less TFTs 50, or four or more TFTs.
• Each TFT 50 may be configured as a bottom gate type.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
• Electroluminescent Light Sources (AREA)

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Citations (8)

• 2023
  • 2023-01-05 JP JP2024568668A patent/JPWO2024147178A1/ja active Pending
  • 2023-01-05 CN CN202380090348.1A patent/CN120500715A/zh active Pending
  • 2023-01-05 WO PCT/JP2023/000067 patent/WO2024147178A1/ja not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (8)

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