TWI462635B - Organic electroluminescence device - Google Patents

Description

Organic electroluminescent device

This invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device.

The organic electroluminescent device is a self-luminous device, which has the advantages of wide viewing angle, power saving, simple program, low cost, wide operating temperature, high response speed and full color, etc., which has great potential. Therefore, it is expected to become the mainstream of next-generation flat panel displays. In general, an organic electroluminescent device includes a plurality of pixel structures including a plurality of active components (eg, thin film transistors) or passive components (eg, resistors, capacitors, or inductors), and active components. Anode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode.

Since the organic light-emitting material in the organic electroluminescence device is easily deteriorated by the influence of external oxygen and moisture, generally after the fabrication of the organic electroluminescent device on the substrate, the cover plate and the sealant will be used. The organic electroluminescent element is sealed, and a desiccant or a filler is disposed between the substrate and the cover, wherein the desiccant or the filling material covers the surface of the organic electroluminescent element over a large area to Effectively resists moisture and oxygen intrusion into organic electroluminescent elements. This technique is commonly referred to as Dam and Fill Technology.

For organic electroluminescent devices that use a filler material to block moisture and oxygen, the problem is that the large-area filled filler material undergoes a curing process and has the risk of causing damage to the surface of the organic electroluminescent element. . In other words, because the filler rubber covers a large area of organic electricity On the surface of the electroluminescent element, in the subsequent process of curing the filling material, the polymerization reaction of the filling material causes the volume to shrink instantaneously, resulting in an increase in the surface tension of the contact surface with the organic electroluminescent element, thereby facilitating curing. The filler rubber cracks and cannot effectively block moisture and oxygen, and damages the surface of the organic electroluminescent element, affecting the performance of the device.

The present invention provides an organic electroluminescence device which can reduce the risk of damage to the surface of the organic electroluminescent element after the filling of the filling material is cured.

The invention provides an organic electroluminescent device comprising a substrate, an organic electroluminescent element layer, a first filling material, a second filling material and a cover plate. The organic electroluminescent element layer is on the substrate, wherein the organic electroluminescent element layer has a plurality of pixel unit regions. A first filling material is coated in the pixel unit region of the organic electroluminescent element layer to partially cover the organic electroluminescent element layer. A second filling material is overlaid on the first filling material. A cover plate covers the second filling material and is in contact with the second filling material.

Based on the above, since the first filler material is coated in the pixel unit region of the organic electroluminescent device layer, the organic electroluminescent device layer is partially covered. After curing the first filling material, the second filling material is covered on the first filling material to avoid damage caused by cracking of the filling material disposed between the substrate and the cover plate after curing. An electroluminescent element to completely seal the organic electroluminescent element.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more obvious, the following The embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First embodiment

1 is a circuit diagram of an organic electroluminescent device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an organic electroluminescent device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a corresponding one of the pixel units in the organic electroluminescent device of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the organic electroluminescent device 10 includes a substrate 100 , an organic electroluminescent device layer 160 , a first filling material 162 , a second filling material 164 , and a cover plate 170 . According to the embodiment, the organic electroluminescent device 10 further includes a sealant 180.

Substrate 100 is typically a transparent substrate that includes glass, quartz, organic polymers, or other suitable materials. If the organic electroluminescent device 10 is an upward-emission type light-emitting device, the substrate 100 may also be made of an opaque or reflective material (for example, a conductive material, a metal, a wafer, a ceramic, or other applicable materials) or the like. Applicable materials.

The organic electroluminescent element layer 160 is located on the substrate 100, wherein the organic electroluminescent element layer 160 has a plurality of pixel unit regions 1001. According to the present embodiment, the organic electroluminescent device layer 160 includes a plurality of scanning lines SL1 to SL2, a plurality of data lines DL1 to DL3, and a plurality of power supply lines PL1 to PL3, and each pixel of the organic electroluminescent element layer 160 The unit area 1001 includes at least one active component T1, T2, a capacitor C, and an organic light emitting element OLED electrically connected to the active component T2. The first row of the first column of the pixel For example, in the meta-region 1001, the active component T1 is electrically connected to the scan line SL1 and the data line DL1, the active component T2 is electrically connected to the active component T1 and the power line PL1, and the capacitor C is electrically connected to the active components T1 and T2, and is organic. The light-emitting element OLED is electrically connected to the capacitor C and the active element T2. In the present embodiment, each pixel unit area 1001 is illustrated by taking two active components together with a capacitor (2T1C) as an example, but is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to each pixel unit area 1001. The number of active components and capacitors.

The first filling material 162 is coated in the pixel unit region 1001 of the organic electroluminescent element layer 160 to partially cover the organic electroluminescent element layer 160. A second fill rubber 164 overlies the first fill rubber 162. In order to clearly illustrate the position of the first filling material 162 and the second filling material 164 of the present embodiment relative to the organic electroluminescent element layer 160, FIG. 3 further illustrates that the organic electroluminescent device of FIG. A partial cross-sectional view of a pixel unit 1001.

Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 simultaneously, in the embodiment, the organic electroluminescent device layer 160 includes a pixel array layer 110 , an organic light emitting layer 120 , and a second electrode layer 130 . In the embodiment, the organic electroluminescent device layer 160 may further include a first barrier layer 150 and a protective layer 140.

The pixel array layer 110 is located on the substrate 100, and the pixel array layer 110 has at least one active component T1, T2, a capacitor C, and a first electrode electrically connected to the active device T2 corresponding to each pixel unit region 1001. Layer 102. The active elements T1, T2 are, for example, thin film transistors including a gate G, a channel layer A, a source S, and a drain D. Although the active component of this embodiment T1 and T2 are examples of a bottom gate type thin film transistor, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other words, in other embodiments, the active elements T1, T2 may also be top gate type thin film transistors. In addition, the pixel array layer 110 further includes a first dielectric layer I01, a second dielectric layer I03, and a flat layer F. The first dielectric layer I01 is mainly used as a gate insulating layer of the active elements T1 and T2, the second dielectric layer I03 is mainly used as a protective layer of the active elements T1 and T2, and the flat layer F covers the second dielectric layer I03. The second electrode layer 102 to be formed later can be formed on a flat surface.

The first electrode layer 102 is on the flat layer F. The first electrode layer 102, which may also be referred to as a pixel electrode, may be made of a transparent conductive material or an opaque conductive material. The transparent conductive material comprises a metal oxide such as indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, indium antimony zinc oxide, other suitable oxides or a stack of at least two of the foregoing Floor. The opaque conductive material comprises a metal.

The organic light emitting layer 120 is located on the first electrode layer 102. In an embodiment, the organic light emitting layer 120 may include a red organic light emitting pattern, a green organic light emitting pattern, a blue organic light emitting pattern, another color organic light emitting pattern, or a combination of the above light emitting patterns. In addition, according to other embodiments, the organic light emitting layer 120 may further include an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, a hole transport layer, a hole injection layer, or a combination of the above four mold layers (not shown). Since the detailed structure of the above-described organic light-emitting layer 120 is well known to those skilled in the art, it will not be described again.

The second electrode layer 130 covers the organic light emitting layer 120. The second electrode layer 130 may be a patterned electrode layer or an unpatterned electrode layer, and the material thereof may be Transparent conductive material or opaque conductive material. The transparent conductive material comprises a metal oxide such as indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, indium antimony zinc oxide, other suitable oxides or a stack of at least two of the foregoing Floor. The opaque conductive material comprises a metal. The first electrode layer 102, the second electrode layer 130, and the organic light-emitting layer 120 constitute the organic light-emitting element OLED. Generally, one of the first electrode layer 102 and the second electrode layer 130 is an anode of the organic light emitting element OLED and the other is a cathode of the organic light emitting element OLED. It should be noted that if both the first electrode layer 102 and the second electrode layer 130 are made of a transparent conductive material, the formed organic electroluminescent device 10 is a double-sided light emitting device. If one of the first electrode layer 102 and the second electrode layer 130 is made of a transparent material, the formed organic electroluminescent device 10 can be referred to as a bottom emission type or a top emission type light-emitting device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device layer 160 may further include a protective layer 140. The protective layer 140 covers the second electrode layer 130 to prevent the second electrode layer 130 from being damaged or contaminated. The material of the protective layer 140 may include an inorganic dielectric material (for example, hafnium oxide, tantalum nitride, hafnium oxynitride or other suitable inorganic dielectric material) or an organic dielectric material.

In an embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device layer 160 further includes a first barrier layer 150. The first barrier layer 150 is located on the pixel array layer 110, and the first barrier layer 150 has a plurality of first openings C01, and each of the first openings C01 exposes the first electrode layer in each of the pixel unit regions 1001. 102. The organic light-emitting layer 120 of each pixel unit 1001 is located in the first opening C01 of the first barrier layer 150, and the second electrode layer 130 The organic light emitting layer 120 and the first barrier layer 150 are covered. Generally, when the organic light-emitting layer 120 is formed by inkjet printing, the first barrier layer 150 is usually formed after the pixel array layer 110 is formed to prevent the ink of the organic light-emitting layer 120 from overflowing to other paintings. Within the prime unit area 1001.

Since the first barrier layer 150 having the first opening C01 is formed over the pixel array layer 100 of the embodiment, the first filling material 162 can be filled in the first opening C01 of the first barrier layer 150 and cover the second layer. The electrode layer 130 is as shown in FIG. Since the first filling material 162 is filled in the first opening C01 of the first barrier layer 150, the first filling material 162 partially covers the organic electroluminescent element layer 160. That is, the first filling material 162 is mainly in contact with the organic electroluminescent element layer 160 in the first opening C01.

The second fill rubber 164 is overlaid on the first fill rubber 162. Here, the second filling material 164 is completely coated on the first filling material 162, so the second filling material 164 covers a part of the organic electroluminescent element in addition to the first filling material 162. Layer 160.

In addition, the viscosity of the first filling rubber 162 described above is lower than the viscosity of the second filling rubber 164. For example, the first filling material 162 may be a polyalkyl acrylic resin or a polyalkyl epoxy resin, and the second filling material 164 may be used in the current application. A filler material in an organic electroluminescent device.

As described above, the filling properties of the first filling material 162 and the second filling material 164 are different, and the first filling material 162 partially covers the organic electroluminescent element layer 160. Therefore, when on the first filling material After the curing process is performed 162, the organic electroluminescent element layer 160 is only subjected to the tension of the surface in contact with the first filling material 162. The organic electroluminescent device 10 of the present invention can reduce the risk of damage of the organic light emitting device layer compared to the conventional organic electroluminescent device which directly covers the filler material on the organic electroluminescent device layer and cures. And maintaining a good surface uniformity.

The cover plate 170 covers the second filling material 164 and is in contact with the second filling material 164. The cover plate 170 may be made of glass, quartz, organic polymer, or an opaque/reflective material (for example, conductive material, metal, wafer, ceramic, or other applicable material), or other applicable materials. material. It is worth mentioning that the cover plate 170 and the substrate 100 may be both transparent materials or one of them is a transparent material.

In an embodiment of the invention, the organic electroluminescent device 10 further includes a sealant 180. The sealing material 180 is located between the substrate 100 and the cover plate 170 to seal the organic electroluminescent element layer 160, the first filling material 162 and the second filling material 164 to the substrate 100 and the cover plate 180. between. The sealant 180 may be a frit material, an ultraviolet glue, an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin.

Based on the above, the organic electroluminescent device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention partially covers the first filling material 162 in the first opening C01 of the first barrier layer 150 of the organic electroluminescent device layer 160. After curing the first filling material 162, the second filling material 164 is overlaid on the first filling material 162 and cured. Therefore, the organic electroluminescent device layer 160 in the organic electroluminescent device of the present embodiment is directly larger than the conventional one. The organic electroluminescent device 10 of the present embodiment can reduce the risk of damage of the organic light emitting device layer 160 while maintaining a good surface uniformity, in the organic electroluminescent device that covers the filled rubber and cures.

Second embodiment

4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a pixel unit region of an organic electroluminescence device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the organic electroluminescent device 20 illustrated in FIG. 4 has the same components as those of the organic electroluminescent device 10 illustrated in FIG. 3, and thus the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and are not in this embodiment. Repeat it again. Referring to FIG. 4, the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment described above in that the organic electroluminescent device layer 160 includes a second barrier layer 250 in addition to the first barrier layer 150. Here, the first barrier layer 150 is located on the pixel array layer 110, and the first barrier layer 150 has a plurality of first openings C01. Each of the first openings C01 exposes the first electrode layer 102 of one of the pixel unit regions 1001, and the organic light emitting layer 120 is located in the first opening C01 of the first barrier layer 150, and the second electrode layer 130 covers the organic light emitting layer. 120 and a first barrier layer 150.

The second barrier layer 250 is located on the protective layer 140 above the second electrode layer 130. The second barrier layer 250 has a plurality of second openings C03 to expose the protective layer 140, and each of the second openings C03 is disposed corresponding to one pixel unit region 1001. In other words, the second opening C03 of the second barrier layer 250 is disposed corresponding to the first opening C01 of the first barrier layer 150. Here, the size of the second opening C03 of the second barrier layer 250 may be greater than, equal to, or small The size of the first opening C01 of the first barrier layer 150 is not particularly limited in the present invention.

In particular, the first filling material 162 is filled in the second opening C03 of the second barrier layer 250. In detail, the first filling material 162 is filled in the second opening C03 of the second barrier layer 250 such that the first filling material 162 partially covers the organic electroluminescent element layer 160. That is, the first filling material 162 is mainly in contact with the organic electroluminescent element layer 160 in the second opening C03. In addition, a second filling material 164 is overlaid on the first filling material 162. Similarly, the viscosity of the first filling material 162 of the present embodiment is lower than the viscosity of the second filling material 164. For example, the first filling material 162 is a polyalkyl acrylic resin or a polyalkyl epoxy resin, and the second filling material 164 can be used for current use. A filling material in an electroluminescent device.

Based on the above, the organic electroluminescent device 20 of the second embodiment of the present invention partially covers the first filling material 162 in the second opening C03 of the second barrier layer 250 of the organic electroluminescent device layer 160. After the first filling material 162 is cured, the second filling material 164 is overlaid on the first filling material 162. Therefore, the organic electroluminescent device layer 160 of the organic electroluminescent device 20 of the present embodiment has the organic electroluminescent device of the present embodiment as compared with the conventional organic electroluminescent device that directly covers the filled rubber and solidifies. The illuminating device 20 can reduce the risk of damage to the organic light emitting device layer and maintain better surface uniformity.

In summary, the organic electroluminescent device of the present invention has a barrier layer, and the first filling material is filled in the opening of the barrier layer and contacts the organic electroluminescence Optical element layer. In addition, the viscosity of the first filling material is lower than the viscosity of the second filling material. Therefore, when the first filling material is cured, the organic electroluminescent element layer is only subjected to the tension of the surface in contact with the first filling material, and is directly covered with the filling material in a large area. The organic electroluminescence device of the organic electroluminescence device layer and performing the curing process, the organic electroluminescence device of the invention can reduce the risk of damage of the organic light-emitting device layer, avoid cracking of the filler rubber after curing, and cannot effectively block the water Gas and oxygen and damage to the surface of the organic electroluminescent element, and can completely seal the organic electroluminescent element to maintain device performance.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10, 20‧‧‧Organic electroluminescent device

100‧‧‧Substrate

102‧‧‧First electrode layer

110‧‧‧ pixel array

120‧‧‧Organic light-emitting layer

130‧‧‧Second electrode layer

140‧‧‧Protective layer

150‧‧‧First barrier

160‧‧‧Organic electroluminescent device layer

162‧‧‧First filling material

164‧‧‧Second filling material

170‧‧‧ cover

180‧‧‧Seal sealant

250‧‧‧Second barrier

1001‧‧‧ pixel unit

A‧‧‧ channel layer

C‧‧‧ capacitor

C01‧‧‧ first opening

C03‧‧‧ second opening

D‧‧‧汲

DL1~DL3‧‧‧ data line

F‧‧‧flat layer

G‧‧‧ gate

I01‧‧‧First dielectric layer

I03‧‧‧Second dielectric layer

OLED‧‧ organic light-emitting elements

PL1~PL3‧‧‧Power cord

S‧‧‧ source

SL1~SL2‧‧‧ scan line

T1, T2‧‧‧ active components

1 is a circuit diagram of an organic electroluminescent device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an organic electroluminescent device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a pixel unit region of the organic electroluminescent device of FIG. 2.

4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a pixel unit region of an organic electroluminescence device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

10‧‧‧Organic electroluminescent device

100‧‧‧Substrate

102‧‧‧First electrode layer

110‧‧‧ pixel array

120‧‧‧Organic light-emitting layer

130‧‧‧Second electrode layer

140‧‧‧Protective layer

150‧‧‧First barrier

160‧‧‧Organic electroluminescent device layer

162‧‧‧First filling material

164‧‧‧Second filling material

170‧‧‧ cover

180‧‧‧Seal sealant

1001‧‧‧ pixel unit

A‧‧‧ channel layer

C01‧‧‧ first opening

D‧‧‧汲

F‧‧‧flat layer

G‧‧‧ gate

I01‧‧‧First dielectric layer

I03‧‧‧Second dielectric layer

S‧‧‧ source

T2‧‧‧ active components

Claims (13)

An organic electroluminescent device comprising: a substrate; an organic electroluminescent device layer on the substrate, wherein the organic electroluminescent device layer has a plurality of pixel unit regions; a first filling material, coating And partially covering the organic electroluminescent element layer in the pixel unit region of the organic electroluminescent device layer; and a second filling material covering the first filling material, wherein the second The filling material is in direct contact with the first filling material; and a cover plate covers the second filling material and is in contact with the second filling material. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the first filling material is lower than the viscosity of the second filling material. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 2, wherein the first filling material is a polyalkyl acrylic resin or a polyalkyl epoxy resin. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 2, wherein the first filling material and the second filling material are respectively organic materials. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 1, further comprising a sealant between the substrate and the cover, wherein the organic electroluminescent element layer, the first filling material, and The second filling material is sealed between the substrate and the cover. Organic electroluminescent device as described in claim 5 The sealant may be a frit material, an ultraviolet glue, an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 1, wherein the organic electroluminescent device layer comprises: a pixel array layer on the substrate, the pixel array layer corresponding to each pixel unit region At least one active component and a first electrode layer electrically connected to the active component; an organic light emitting layer on the first electrode layer; and a second electrode layer covering the organic light emitting layer. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 7, further comprising a protective layer covering the second electrode layer. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 7, wherein the organic electroluminescent device layer further comprises a first barrier layer on the pixel array layer, the first barrier layer having a plurality of first Opening, and each of the first openings exposes the first electrode layer of one of the pixel unit regions, wherein the organic light emitting layer is located in the first openings of the first barrier layer, and the second electrode layer covers the An organic light emitting layer and the first barrier layer. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 9, wherein the first filling material is filled in the first openings of the first barrier layer and covers the second electrode layer. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 9, further comprising a second barrier layer on the second electrode layer, the second barrier layer having a plurality of second openings, each corresponding to the second opening a first opening of one of the pixel unit regions, wherein the first filling material is filled in the first Within the second openings of the second barrier layer. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 7, further comprising a barrier layer on the second electrode layer, the barrier layer having a plurality of openings, each opening corresponding to a pixel unit region, wherein The first fill material is filled in the openings of the barrier layer. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 7, wherein the organic electroluminescence device can be a double-sided illumination type, a bottom emission type or a top emission type.