Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same

• US 20040150319A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Japan Display Central Incorporated (Japan Display Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Tomimatsu, Toshifumi, Kobayashi, Michiya
• Granted Patent: US 7,193,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/495
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0842 forming a memory circuit, e.g. a dynamic memory with one capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3208 organic, e.g. using organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3225 using an active matrix
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8426 Peripheral sealing arrangements, e.g. adhesives, sealants
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8428 Vertical spacers, e.g. arranged between the sealing arrangement and the OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/846 comprising getter material or desiccants
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/122 Pixel-defining structures or layers, e.g. banks
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/00 Manufacture or treatment specially adapted for the organic devices covered by this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/851 Division of substrate

Abstract

A display apparatus includes an array substrate including a display area composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a sealing substrate disposed to be opposed to the array substrate. The display area includes a pixel switch that selects a pixel, a drive control device connected to the pixel switch, and an organic EL device driven by the drive control device. A support section is disposed in a frame shape on an outer peripheral portion of the display area such that a predetermined gap is provided between the array substrate and the sealing substrate.

Claims

1. A display apparatus comprising:

a first substrate including a display area having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix; and

a second substrate disposed to be opposed to the first substrate,

wherein the first substrate includes,

a separator that separates the pixels in the display area and is disposed to be spaced apart from the second substrate, and

a support section disposed in a frame shape on an outer peripheral portion of the display area such that a predetermined gap is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, the support section having a height substantially equal to a height of the separator.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support section and the separator are formed of the same material.

3. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support section is formed in a loop shape such that the support section seals between the display area of the first substrate and the second substrate.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support section is formed in an insular shape on an outer peripheral portion of the display area.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support section is disposed over a drive circuit for driving the pixels.

6. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate provides a desiccating agent.

7. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support section is formed of a resin including a desiccating agent.

8. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pixel includes a self-emission type display device.

9. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the self-emission type display device comprises a first electrode formed in an independent insular shape for each pixel, a second electrode disposed to be opposed to the first electrode and commonly formed for all the pixels, and a light-emitting layer sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode.

10. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate has a recess portion opposed to the display area.

11. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a seal material for sealing between the first substrate and the second substrate is disposed on both sides of the support section.

12. The display apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the seal material is formed of a resin including a desiccating agent.

13. A method of manufacturing a display apparatus including a first substrate having a plurality of display pixels arranged in a display area in a matrix and a separator separating the display pixels, a second substrate disposed to be opposed to the first substrate, and a seal material that seals the first substrate and the second substrate, the method comprising:

a step of forming a support section, which has a height substantially equal to a height of the separator, on a mother substrate having display areas corresponding to a plurality of the display apparatuses, the support section being provided on an outer peripheral portion of each of the display areas;

a step of sealing using the seal material, in a state in which the second substrate is disposed to be opposed to each display area of the mother substrate, spaced apart from the separator, and put in contact with the support section; and

a step of cutting the mother substrate in accordance with the respective display areas, and cutting out the first substrate.

14. The method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the separator and the support section are formed in the same step.

15. The method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the seal material is disposed on both sides of the support section.

16. The method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the support section is disposed near a scribe line for cutting the mother substrate.

17. The method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the support section is disposed substantially in parallel with a scribe line for cutting the mother substrate.

18. A method of manufacturing a display apparatus including a first substrate having a plurality of display pixels arranged in a display area in a matrix and a separator separating the display pixels, a second substrate disposed to be opposed to the first substrate, and a seal material that seals the first substrate and the second substrate, the method comprising:

a step of forming a support section, which has a height substantially equal to a height of the separator, on a first mother substrate having display areas corresponding to a plurality of the display apparatuses, the support section being provided on an outer peripheral portion of each of the display areas;

a step of sealing using the seal material, in a state in which a second mother substrate is disposed to be opposed to each display area of the first mother substrate, spaced apart from the separator, and put in contact with the support section; and

a step of cutting the first mother substrate and the second mother substrate in accordance with the respective display areas, and cutting out the first substrate and the second substrate sealed by the seal material.