Electroluminescent display device

• US 7,019,458 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2003
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoneda, Kiyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dong, Dalei
• Application Number:
  US10/444,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20040004436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 313/512, 313/506, 313/504, 313/292, 428/690
• US Class Current: 313/512
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8423 Metallic sealing arrangements
• 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 50/87 Arrangements for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8721 Metallic sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8723 Vertical spacers, e.g. arranged between the sealing arrangement and the OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/874 including getter material or desiccant
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8794 Arrangements for heating and cooling

Abstract

In an organic EL panel having a device glass substrate provided with an organic EL element on a surface thereof, a sealing glass substrate attached to the device glass substrate and a desiccant layer formed on a surface of the sealing glass substrate, spacers are disposed between a cathode of the organic EL element and the desiccant layer. A heat-conductive layer can be formed on a surface of the sealing glass substrate including a pocket portion. The heat-conductive layer can be formed by vapor depositing or sputtering a metal layer such as a Cr layer or an Al layer. This inhibits damaging the organic EL element and increases a heat dissipating ability, thereby inhibiting deterioration of a device property caused by temperature rise.

Claims

1. An electroluminescent display device comprising:

a first insulating substrate having a plurality of electroluminescent elements on a surface thereof;

a second insulating substrate attached to the first insulating substrate so that an inner surface of the second insulating substrate faces the electroluminescent elements on the first insulating substrate and the first and second insulating substrates define a cavity therebetween;

a desiccant layer disposed on the inner surface of the second insulting substrate so as to absorb moisture present in the cavity defined by the first and second insulating substrates; and

a plurality of spacers disposed between the electroluminescent elements and the desiccant layer.

2. The electroluminescent display device of claim 1, wherein the spacers comprise heat-conductive spacers.

3. The electroluminescent display device of claim 2, wherein the heat-conductive spacers are configured to be movable between the electroluminescent elements and the desiccant layer.

4. The electroluminescent display device of claim 2, wherein the heat-conductive spacers are round in shape.

5. The electroluminescent display device of claim 2, further comprising a heat-conductive layer disposed on the inner surface of the second insulating substrate, wherein the desiccant layer is disposed on the heat-conductive layer.

6. The electroluminescent display device of claim 5, further comprising a concave portion formed on the inner surface of the second insulating substrate, wherein the heat-conductive layer is disposed in the concave portion.

7. The electroluminescent display device of claim 5, wherein the heat-conductive layer comprises a Cr layer or an Al layer.

8. The electroluminescent display device of claim 2, wherein the heat-conductive spacers are made of a metal.

9. The electroluminescent display device of claim 8, wherein the heat-conductive spacers comprise spacers made of indium.

10. The electroluminescent display device of claim 1, further comprising a sealing resin layer attaching the second insulating substrate to the first insulating substrate.

11. The electroluminescent display device of claim 1, wherein the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate are fused together at corresponding contact portions.

12. An electroluminescent display device comprising:

a first insulating substrate having a plurality of electroluminescent elements on a surface thereof

a second insulating substrate attached to the first insulating substrate so that an inner surface of the second insulating substrate faces the electroluminescent elements on the first insulating substrate;

an insulating desiccant layer disposed on the inner surface of the second insulting substrate; and

a plurality of spacers made of a metal and disposed between the electroluminescent elements and the insulating desiccant layer,

wherein electroluminescent light is released through the first insulating substrate and the spacers are in contact with the insulating desiccant layer.

13. The electroluminescent display device of claim 12, wherein the metal comprises indium.

14. An electroluminescent display device comprising:

a first insulating substrate having a plurality of electroluminescent elements on a surface thereof;

a second insulating substrate attached to the first insulating substrate so that an inner surface of the second insulating substrate faces the electroluminescent elements on the first insulating substrate and the first and second insulating substrates define a cavity therebetween;

a heat-conductive layer disposed on the inner surface of the second insulating substrate;

a desiccant layer that is disposed on and in contact with the heat-conductive layer so as to absorb moisture present in the cavity defined by the first and second insulating substrates; and

a plurality of spacers disposed between the electroluminescent elements and the desiccant layer.