Manufacturing method of organic el panel

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an organic EL panel in which an organic EL element having an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes, one of which is divided into a plurality of electrodes, is formed on a substrate. ..

Conventionally, as an organic EL panel, for example, an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer is composed of a plurality of line-shaped anodes made of ITO (indium tin oxide) or the like, and a plurality of aluminum (Al) or the like orthogonal to each anode. An organic EL panel in which a dot matrix type organic EL element sandwiched between a line-shaped cathode and a line-shaped cathode is formed on a translucent substrate is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such an organic EL device emits light by injecting holes from the anode and also injecting electrons from the cathode to recombinate the holes and electrons in the light emitting layer. Further, the organic EL element has a so-called diode characteristic in which a current does not easily flow from the cathode side to the anode side.

In such an organic EL panel, when a defective portion is generated in the organic EL element due to a foreign substance being mixed inside the organic layer in the manufacturing process of the organic EL element, the organic EL panel is driven when the organic EL panel is driven. There is a problem that a current (leakage current) in the opposite direction flows from the cathode to the anode, causing deterioration of display quality such as uneven brightness of the organic EL element.

In response to the above-mentioned problems, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, in the manufacturing process of an organic EL panel, a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode after the formation of the organic EL element to generate a leak current. A method of performing an aging process for removing the generated defective portion is known.

Further, it is known to inspect the diode characteristics of the organic EL element for the above-mentioned problems, and as such an inspection method, in Patent Document 3, any two scanning electrodes of the organic EL element ( A method of applying a voltage between an anode) or a data electrode (cathode) to detect a leak current value flowing between two voltage-applied electrodes is disclosed.<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-315981</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-14794</text></patcit><patcit num="3"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-321367</text></patcit>

<p> However, in the organic EL panel provided with the above-mentioned dot matrix type organic EL element, when the aging treatment disclosed in Patent Document 2 is performed, all of the plurality of anodes and cathodes are subjected to the voltage for the aging treatment. It is necessary to provide a power source to be applied and a conductive line connecting the power sources, and there is a problem that the configuration of the conductive line required for the aging process becomes complicated.</p><p> Further, in the inspection method disclosed in Patent Document 3, in order to measure the leakage current between any of the anodes (or the cathodes) in order, it takes an excessive amount of time to inspect the organic EL panel, and the inspection is performed. There was a problem that the work efficiency was lowered.</p><p> The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an organic EL panel capable of performing an aging treatment with a simple structure in the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel. To do. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an organic EL panel capable of improving work efficiency in an inspection process of the organic EL panel.</p>

<p> In order to solve the above problems, the method for manufacturing an organic EL panel of the present invention comprises forming an organic EL element having an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes on a substrate. In the manufacturing method, one or more of one of the plurality of divided electrodes is connected to the first conduction line, and the other one electrode is connected to the second conduction line. At least a step of connecting the conduction line to one end of a predetermined power supply and connecting the second conduction line to the other end of the power supply and applying a voltage between the first and second conduction lines for a predetermined time is included. It is characterized by.</p><p> Further, in the method for manufacturing an organic EL panel of the present invention, a plurality of organic EL elements formed by sandwiching an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer between a pair of electrodes are formed on a base substrate, and the organic EL elements are adapted to the individual organic EL elements. This is a method for manufacturing an organic EL panel by cutting the base substrate to obtain an individual organic EL panel, in which one or more of each of the electrodes divided into a plurality of electrodes is connected to a first conduction line. Each of the other electrodes is connected to a second conduction line, the first conduction line is connected to one end of a predetermined power supply, and the second conduction line is connected to the other end of the power supply. It is characterized by including at least a step of applying a voltage for a predetermined time between the first and second conduction lines.</p><p> Further, the first and second conduction lines are formed on the base substrate.</p><p> Further, the present invention includes a cutting step of cutting the base substrate, and when cutting the base substrate, the first and second conduction lines are cut from the one electrode.</p><p> Another feature is that a plurality of the pair of electrodes are formed in a line so as to intersect each other.</p><p> Further, the power supply is characterized in that an AC voltage is applied between the first and second conduction lines.</p><p> In order to solve the above problems, the method for manufacturing an organic EL panel of the present invention comprises forming an organic EL element having an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes on a substrate. In the manufacturing method, one or more of one of the plurality of divided electrodes is connected to the first conduction line, and the other one electrode is connected to the second conduction line. The conduction line is connected to one end of a predetermined power supply, the second conduction line is connected to the other end of the power supply, a voltage is applied between the first and second conduction lines, and the organic EL element emits light. It is characterized by including at least an inspection step of determining the quality of the product based on the presence or absence of the product.</p><p> Further, the method for manufacturing an organic EL panel of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an organic EL panel in which a plurality of organic EL elements having at least an organic layer having a light emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes are formed on a base substrate. Therefore, one or more of each of the plurality of divided electrodes is connected to the first conduction line, and the other one of the electrodes is connected to the second conduction line, so that the first conduction is performed. A line is connected to one end of a predetermined power supply, the second conduction line is connected to the other end of the power supply, a voltage is applied between the first and second conduction lines, and each of the organic EL elements emits light. It is characterized by including at least an inspection step of determining the quality of the product based on the presence or absence of the product.</p><p> Further, the first and second conduction lines are characterized in that they are formed on the base substrate.</p><p> Further, the pair of electrodes is characterized in that a plurality of the pair of electrodes are formed in a line so as to intersect each other.</p><p> Further, the power supply is characterized in that an AC voltage is applied between the first and second conduction lines.</p>

<p> The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an organic EL panel in which an organic EL element having an organic layer having at least a light emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes is formed on a substrate, and is used in a manufacturing process of the organic EL panel. , It is possible to perform aging processing with a simple configuration. In addition, it is possible to improve the work efficiency in the inspection process of the organic EL panel.</p>

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

1 and 2 are diagrams showing a base substrate A for multi-chamfering in which a plurality of organic EL elements 1 are formed.

The base substrate A is made of a rectangular transparent glass material and is an electrically insulating substrate. A plurality of organic EL elements 1, a first conduction line 2, and a second conduction line 3 are formed on the base substrate A. Further, although a sealing member that airtightly covers each organic EL element 1 is arranged on the base substrate A, the sealing member is omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of organic EL elements 1 are formed in a line shape with a plurality of anodes (electrodes) 4 formed in a line shape, an insulating layer 5, a partition wall portion 6, and an organic layer 7. A plurality of light emitting parts (pixels) mainly composed of a cathode (electrode) 8 and a portion where each anode 4 and each cathode 8 intersect and an organic layer 7 is sandwiched between the anode 4 and the cathode 8. It is a so-called dot matrix type organic EL element equipped with. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the organic EL element 1 is airtightly covered with the sealing member 9.

The anode 4 is made of a translucent conductive material such as ITO, and after forming the conductive material in layers on the base substrate A by means such as a vapor deposition method or a sputtering method, the anode 4 becomes substantially parallel to each other by a photolithography method or the like. A plurality of lines are formed as shown above. The anode 4 has an anode wiring portion 4a and an anode portion 4b, and the anode wiring portion 4a includes an anode terminal portion 4c at a terminal portion.

The insulating layer 5 is made of, for example, a polyimide-based electrically insulating material, is formed on the anode 4 so as to be located between the anode 4 and the cathode 8, prevents short circuits between the electrodes 4 and 8, and is organic. This is to clarify the outline of the EL element 1.

The partition wall portion 6 is made of, for example, a phenol-based electrically insulating material, and is formed on the insulating layer 5. The partition wall portion 6 is formed by means such as a photolithography method so that its cross section has an overhang shape such as a reverse taper shape with respect to the insulating layer 5. Further, a plurality of partition walls 6 are formed at equal intervals in a direction orthogonal to the anode 4. The partition wall portion 6 has a structure in which the organic layer 7 and the metal film are stepped due to an overhang shape when a metal film to be the organic layer 7 and the cathode 8 is formed from above by a vapor deposition method, a sputtering method, or the like. Is.

The organic layer 7 is formed on the anode 4 and has at least a light emitting layer. In the present embodiment, the organic layer 7 is formed by sequentially laminating a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer by means such as a vapor deposition method or a sputtering method. The organic layer 7 is formed on the anode 4 and the partition wall 6, but some of the organic layer 7 is laminated on the upper surface of the partition wall 6 due to step breakage caused by the partition wall 6.

The cathode 8 is formed by forming a plurality of metallic conductive materials having higher conductivity than the anode 4, such as aluminum (Al) and magnesium silver (Mg: Ag), in a line shape by means such as a sputtering method or a vapor deposition method. , The metal film formed of the conductive material is cut off by the partition wall 6 in the same manner as the organic layer 7, and is divided into those laminated on the organic layer 7 and those laminated on the partition wall 6. , The arc-shaped cathode wiring portion 8a and the cathode portion 8b that intersects (intersects) the anode portion 4b of the anode 4 at substantially right angles are formed. Further, the cathode wiring unit 8a is electrically connected to the connection wiring unit 10. The connection wiring portion 10 is formed together with the anode 4 and is made of an ITO made of the same material. Further, the connection wiring portion 10 has a cathode terminal portion 10a formed at the terminal portion thereof.

The sealing member 9 is, for example, a flat plate member made of a glass material, and includes a recess 9a for accommodating each organic EL element 1 and a joint portion 9b formed so as to surround the entire circumference of the recess 9a. It is disposed on the base substrate A via the agent 9c.

The first conduction line 2 is made of a conductive material such as ITO, which is the same material as the anode 4, and has an AC power supply (power supply) V for aging treatment or inspection in the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel and each organic EL element 1. It is a member for electrically collectively connecting each first cathode group composed of each of the plurality of cathodes 8 via the first connecting portion 2a, and the voltage supplied from the AC power supply V is the first one. It is applied to the cathode group. The first connection portion 2a is a connection line provided continuously to the connection wiring portion 10 and the cathode terminal portion 10a connected to each of the first cathode groups, and the end is electrically connected to the first conduction line 2. It is connected. Further, in the first connection portion 2a, the voltage applied from the first conduction line 2 to each of the first cathode groups is adjusted, and the first resistor for preventing the element destruction of each organic EL element 1 is provided. Part 2b is provided. Further, the first conduction line 2 is provided with a first terminal 2c for electrically connecting to the AC power supply V. The first conduction line 2 may be made of a conductive material, and may be made of chromium (Cr) or aluminum (Al).

The second conduction line 3 is made of a conductive material such as ITO, which is the same material as the anode 4, and is an AC power supply V and a plurality of other cathodes 8 not included in the first cathode group of each organic EL element 1. It is a member for electrically collectively connecting each of the second cathode groups including the above via the second connecting portion 3a, and is formed so as to be electrically separated from the first conducting line 2. , The voltage supplied from the AC power supply V is applied to each of the second cathode groups. The second connection portion 3a is a connection line provided continuously to the connection wiring portion 10 and the cathode terminal portion 10a connected to each of the second cathode groups, and the end is electrically connected to the second conduction line 3. It is connected to the. Further, in the second connection portion 3a, a second resistor for adjusting the voltage applied from the second conduction line 3 to each of the second cathode groups to prevent element destruction of each organic EL element 1 is provided. Part 3b is provided. Further, the first conduction line 2 is provided with a second terminal 3c for electrically connecting to the AC power supply V. The second conduction line 3 may be made of a conductive material, and may be made of chromium (Cr) or aluminum (Al).

Next, a method of manufacturing an organic EL panel using the base substrate A will be described.

First, the translucent conductive material is formed in layers on the support substrate 1 by means such as a vapor deposition method or a sputtering method, and then the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 and the anode 4 are formed by a photolithography method or the like. It is formed on the base substrate A (see Fig. 4 (a)). Then, the insulating layer 5, the partition wall 6 and the organic layer 7 are laminated and formed so as to correspond to the anode portion 4b of the anode 4 (see FIG. 4 (b)), and further, the cathode 6 is laminated and formed on the organic layer 7. Then, each organic EL element 1 is obtained (see FIG. 4 (c)). The first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 can be formed in the same process as the anode 4 by being formed of the same material as the anode 4 which is a member constituting the organic EL element 1, and can be formed in the same process as the anode 4 of the multi-chamfered substrate A. The manufacturing process can be simplified.

Then, a sealing member 7 having each recess 9a for accommodating each organic EL element 1 and each joint portion 9b provided so as to surround the peripheral edge of each recess 9a and for joining with the base substrate A is prepared. It is placed and fixed on the base substrate A via an ultraviolet curable adhesive 9c (see Fig. 4 (d)). As a result, a multi-chamfered substrate A having a plurality of organic EL panels can be obtained.

Next, the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 are connected to the AC power supply V, and a predetermined AC voltage is applied between the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 for a predetermined time to apply the organic EL element 1 The aging process is performed to stabilize the element characteristics by removing the defective part of the light emission and suppressing the change of the emission brightness with time. FIG. 5 shows an equivalent circuit when the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 are connected to the AC power supply V. At this time, the first conduction line 2 is connected to each of the first cathode groups of each cathode 8, and the second energization line 3 is connected to each of the second cathode groups of each cathode 8. In the light emitting part including one of the first and second cathode groups of the light emitting parts of each organic EL element 1 with respect to the application of a voltage, the light emitting part is in the forward direction with respect to the diode characteristics, but the other is opposite. Since it is in the direction, it is difficult for current to flow through each organic EL element 1, and when each organic EL element 1 is in a normal state without a defect portion, each organic EL element 1 does not emit light. Therefore, it is possible to perform the aging treatment without deteriorating the organic material constituting each organic EL element 1 by light emission. If each organic EL element 1 has a defective portion, a leak current flows through the organic EL element 1 and the organic EL element 1 partially emits light. Therefore, it is possible to inspect the quality of each organic EL element 1 depending on whether or not each organic EL element 1 emits light. When the defective portion of the organic EL element 1 is removed by applying a voltage, the organic EL element 1 becomes a normal state and does not emit light. Further, since an AC voltage is applied to each of the first and second cathode groups, the potentials of the voltages applied to the first and second energizing lines 2 and 3 are periodically reversed, and each organic EL Even if there is a defective part in any of the first and second cathode groups of the element 1, the quality of the organic EL element 1 is inspected without connecting the power supply or switching the voltage potential. It becomes possible. The inspection step for determining the quality of the organic EL element 1 may be performed at the same time as the aging process, or may be performed after the aging process.

After the aging treatment and inspection, in the base substrate A, the first boundary portion 11 of the base substrate A corresponding to the boundary between the cathode terminal portion 10a and the first and second resistance portions 2b and 3b (horizontal in FIG. 1). The direction), the second boundary portion 12 (longitudinal direction in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the first boundary portion 11, and the sealing member 9 are cut by means such as a scribing method. (See Figure 4 (e)). At this time, the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 are cut off from the first and second cathode groups, respectively. The sealing member 9 is an anode 4 so that it can be electrically connected to a flexible printed wiring (not shown) via a connecting member such as an anisotropic conductive film in a state where each organic EL panel P is obtained. A second recess (not shown) is formed to expose the anode terminal portion 4c and the cathode terminal portion 10a drawn out from the connection wiring portion 10, and the second recess is cut in the above-mentioned cutting step. The anode terminal 4c and the cathode terminal 10a are exposed.

By the above steps, individual organic EL panels P can be obtained.

In the method for manufacturing the organic EL panel P, the first cathode group of each of the divided cathodes 8 is connected to the first conduction line 2, and the second cathode group, which is the other cathode 8, is connected. Connect to the second conduction line 3, connect the first conduction line 2 to one end of the AC power supply V, and connect the second conduction line 3 to the other end of the AC power supply V to connect the first and second conduction lines. It includes at least a step of applying a voltage between lines 2 and 3 for a predetermined time. Further, the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 are formed on the base substrate A. Further, when the base substrate A is cut, the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 are cut from the cathode 8. Further, an AC voltage is applied between the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 by the AC power supply V.

Therefore, as compared with the conventional aging treatment, the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 are connected only to the cathode 8 which is one electrode, so that the connection line connected to the anode 4 which is the other electrode The number can be reduced, and the aging process can be performed with a simpler configuration. Further, by forming the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 on the base substrate A and connecting them to the cathodes 8 of the plurality of organic EL elements 1, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of conduction lines, which is a single unit. By connecting the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 of the above to the AC power supply V, the aging process of a plurality of organic EL elements 1 can be performed at once, and the work efficiency in the aging process can be improved. it can. Further, since the first conduction line 2 is connected to each of the first cathode groups of each cathode 8, and the second energization line 3 is connected to each of the second cathode groups of each cathode 8. Of the light emitting parts of each organic EL element 1 with respect to the application of a voltage, the light emitting part including one of the first and second cathode groups is in the forward direction with respect to the diode characteristics, but the other is in the opposite direction. Therefore, it is difficult for current to flow through the organic EL element 1, and the organic EL element 1 does not emit light in a normal state. Therefore, the aging process can be performed without deteriorating the organic materials constituting each organic EL element 1 by the light emission. This makes it possible to improve the light emission quality of the organic EL element 1.

Further, in the method for manufacturing the organic EL panel P, the first cathode group, which is a plurality of the divided cathodes 8, is connected to a single first conduction line 2 and the other cathodes 8 are used. The second cathode group is connected to a single second conduction line 3, the first conduction line 2 is connected to one end of the AC power supply V, and the second conduction line 3 is connected to the other end of the AC power supply V. It includes an inspection step of applying a voltage between the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 in connection with the above and determining the quality of each organic EL element 1 depending on the presence or absence of light emission.

Therefore, the first cathode group, which is a plurality of the divided cathodes 8, is connected to the single first conduction line 2, and the second cathode group, which is the other cathode 8, is single. Since it is connected to the second conduction line 3 of the above, it is possible to determine the quality of the organic EL element 1 provided with the organic EL panel P without switching the connection of the conduction line, and the work in the inspection process of the organic EL panel. It is possible to improve efficiency.

Further, by applying an AC voltage between the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 by the AC power supply V, the potential of the voltage applied to the first and second energization lines 2 and 3 is periodically increased. Even if there is a defect in any of the first and second cathode groups of each organic EL element 1 in the reverse direction, the organic EL element does not need to be connected to a power source or switch the voltage potential. It is possible to determine the quality of 1 and improve the work efficiency in the inspection process of the organic EL panel.

In the present embodiment, the first and second conduction lines 2 and 3 are connected to the divided cathode 8, respectively, but in the present invention, the first conduction line is the divided anode. It may be configured so that it is connected to one or more of (first anode group) and the second conduction line is connected to another anode (second anode group).

Further, in the present embodiment, a method for manufacturing an organic EL panel P including a dot matrix type organic EL element 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, in a segment type organic EL element, at least. It is also applicable to an organic EL panel in which a plurality of one electrode is formed on a support substrate.

<figref num="1">The rear view of the base substrate in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">The figure which shows the organic EL element on the base substrate of the same embodiment.</figref><figref num="3">XX sectional view of FIG.</figref><figref num="4">The figure which shows the manufacturing method of the organic EL panel of the said embodiment.</figref><figref num="5">The figure which shows the equivalent circuit at the time of the aging process or the inspection process of the said embodiment.</figref>

Code description

A Base substrate P Organic EL panel 1 Organic EL element 2 First conduction line 3 Second conduction line 4 Anode 5 Insulation layer 6 Ribs 7 Organic layer 8 Cathode 9 Sealing member