JP6928438B2 - Light emitting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a light emitting device, and more particularly to a light emitting device using an organic EL element as a light source.

In a vehicle lamp, a plurality of flat plate-shaped light emitters having, for example, a self-luminous organic EL (Electro Luminescence) layer are arranged as a light source inside a lamp outer housing composed of a cover and a lamp housing. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

When such a flat plate-shaped light emitter is used as a light source, it is necessary to arrange the planar light emitter according to the shape of the outer casing of the lamp with the light emission direction set to a predetermined direction. In the vehicle lighting equipment described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of planar light emitters are arranged side by side at predetermined positions in the same direction.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the organic EL element 10 conventionally used. The organic EL element 10 has a transparent electrode 2, an organic light emitting layer 3, a reflective electrode 4, a sealing film 5, and an insulating layer 6 on a transparent substrate 1.

The transparent substrate 1 is a substrate made of a material that transmits light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 3, and glass or resin is used. The transparent electrode 2 is an electrode that is electrically connected to the organic light emitting layer 3 and transmits the light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 3, and is composed of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like. The organic light emitting layer 3 is made of an organic material, and has an electron transport layer, a light emitting layer, and a hole transport layer, and electrons supplied from the electron transport layer and holes supplied from the hole transport layer emit light. The layer emits light and recombines to emit a predetermined light.

The reflective electrode 4 is an electrode that is electrically connected to the organic light emitting layer 3 and reflects the light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 3, and is composed of, for example, Al or Ag. The sealing film 5 is formed on the reflective electrode 4 so as to cover the entire organic light emitting layer 3, and is a film that prevents moisture and outside air from entering the organic light emitting layer 3. The insulating layer 6 is a layer for ensuring electrical insulation between the transparent electrode 2 and the reflective electrode 4.

When a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 2 and the reflective electrode 4, electrons and holes are injected into the organic light emitting layer 3 to cause light emission recombination, and the entire area of the organic light emitting layer 3 emits light as a light emitting region ER. The light emitted from the light emitting region ER is reflected by the reflective electrode 4 and passes through the transparent electrode 2 and the transparent substrate 1, and the light is taken out to the transparent substrate 1 side as shown by an arrow in the figure.

10A and 10B are schematic views showing an outline of a conventional organic EL element 10, FIG. 10A is a plan view, and FIG. 10B is a side view. A non-light emitting region 7 having a transparent substrate 1 and a sealing film 5 is formed around the organic light emitting layer 3, and the transparent electrode 2 and the reflective electrode 4 are partially extended and taken out to the outside to take out the terminal portion 8. Consists of.

In such an organic EL element 10, since the organic light emitting layer 3 is formed by vapor deposition or the like, surface light emission by an extremely thin film is possible. Further, by using a flexible resin substrate or the like as the transparent substrate 1, it is possible to emit light in a curved shape and reduce the weight. However, in the organic EL element 10, the organic light emitting layer 3 is made of an organic material, and there is a problem that the life is significantly deteriorated when moisture or outside air invades. Therefore, the sealing film 5 having a larger area than the light emitting region ER is used. It is necessary to seal the entire organic light emitting layer 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, in the organic EL element 10, a non-light emitting region 7 having a predetermined width is formed around the light emitting region ER.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-1508887

When the organic EL elements 10 which are a plurality of planar light emitting bodies are arranged side by side as in the vehicle lighting equipment described in Patent Document 1, each organic EL element 10 has a non-light emitting region 7 around the light emitting region ER. Therefore, there is a problem that the non-light emitting region 7 between the light emitting region ERs of the adjacent organic EL elements 10 becomes a dark portion and unevenness of light occurs.

Further, even if an attempt is made to reduce light unevenness by arranging another light source or a light guide member between the organic EL elements 10 to extract light from the non-light emitting region 7, the distance between the organic EL elements 10 is still large. It becomes large and it becomes difficult to miniaturize the light emitting device. Further, due to the difference in appearance between the light source and the light guide member and the organic EL element 10, it is difficult to express a design having a large area and a sense of unity and to improve the degree of freedom in design.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting device capable of expressing a unified design while reducing unevenness of light and improving the degree of freedom in design.

In order to solve the above problems, the light emitting device of the present invention superimposes an organic EL element having a light emitting region and a non-light emitting region on a high-luminance region and the non-light emitting region having relatively high brightness in the light emitting region in a plan view. Auxiliary optical unit is provided, and the auxiliary optical unit guides a part of the light emitted from the high-luminance region, takes out a part of the light emitted from the non-luminance region from the region overlapping the non-luminance region, and emits the light from the high-luminance region. Ri guiding member der taking out the remaining light from the region overlapping with the high-luminance region, the auxiliary optical unit, the high-brightness region and the disposed to overlap only in the non-emission region, the high of the light-emitting region The light emitted from a region other than the luminance region is characterized in that it is taken out to the outside without passing through the auxiliary optical unit.

Since the light emitting device of the present invention is provided with an auxiliary optical unit and extracts light from a region that overlaps the non-light emitting region in a plan view, it is possible to express a unified design while reducing light unevenness, and design freedom. It is possible to improve the degree.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the light guide member uses a half mirror.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the light guide member uses an optical step or a diffusion film.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the light guide member is a diffusion lens provided on the light incident surface side of the light guide plate facing the organic EL element.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary optical unit includes an auxiliary light source.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the organic EL elements are provided, and the auxiliary optical unit is provided in the non-light emitting region located between the light emitting regions of the adjacent organic EL elements.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light emitting device capable of expressing a unified design while reducing unevenness of light and improving the degree of freedom in design.

It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows the light emitting device 100 in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows the light emitting device 100 in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing a light emitting device 100 according to the third to seventh embodiments, FIG. 3A is a third embodiment, FIG. 3B is a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 3C is a fifth embodiment. FIG. 3D shows a sixth embodiment, and FIG. 3E shows a seventh embodiment. 8 is a schematic view showing a light emitting device 100 according to an eighth embodiment, FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4B is a schematic plan view. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing process of the light emitting device 100 in 9th Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing process of the light emitting device 100 in 10th Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the light emitting device 100 in 11th Embodiment. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which shows the light emitting device 100 in 12th Embodiment. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the organic EL element 10 which has been used conventionally. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline of the conventional organic EL element 10, FIG. 10A is a plan view, and FIG. 10B is a side view.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the light emitting device 100, an organic EL element in which a light emitting region 103 is formed is arranged adjacent to the substrate 101, and a light guide plate 104 is arranged in the light extraction direction. An optical step 105 is formed on the light incident surface side of the light guide plate 104 so as to face the non-light emitting region 107 located between the adjacent light emitting regions 103.

The organic EL element in the light emitting device 100 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the transparent electrode 2 and the reflective electrode 4 are reversed in the vertical relationship shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and extracts light to the opposite side of the substrate. In FIG. 1, the structure is simplified and only the substrate 101 and the light emitting region 103 are shown. Further, although the example in which the optical step 105 is formed in the region corresponding to the non-light emitting region 107 located between the organic EL elements is shown, the optical step 105 is provided in the region superimposing on a part of the light emitting region 103. It may be provided on the entire light incident surface of the light guide plate 104.

The light guide plate 104 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member made of a material that transmits the light emitted by the light emitting region 103, and is made of, for example, glass or resin. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the light emitting slope side of the light guide plate 104 is a flat surface, an uneven shape constituting a predetermined design may be provided on the light emitting slope side.

The optical step 105 has a concave-convex shape formed on the light incident surface side of the light guide plate 104 in a region that overlaps and faces the non-light emitting region 107 when the light emitting device 100 is viewed in a plan view. The specific shape of the optical step 105 is not limited, but a concave-convex step having a triangular cross section extending in a direction parallel to the outer edge shape of the light emitting region 103, a cylindrical lens, or the like may be adopted.

The distance between the light guide plate 104 and the light emitting region 103 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to leave a distance such that a part of the light from the light emitting region 103 is incident on the optical step 105, specifically, 5 to 10 mm. It is preferable to leave an interval of about the same as the width of the non-light emitting region 107.

As shown by an arrow in FIG. 1, the light emitted in the light emitting region 103 travels in the direction of the light guide plate 104 arranged to face each other, is transmitted, and is taken out from the light emitting surface side. Further, a part of the light emitted from the vicinity of the outer edge of the light emitting region 103 is incident on the optical step 105 and diffused, and is taken out from the light emitting surface side of the light guide plate 104 in the region overlapping with the non-light emitting region 107. Here, since the light diffused in the optical step 105 is a part of the light emitted from the light emitting region 103, it has substantially the same color tone as the light transmitted directly from the light emitting region 103 through the light guide plate 104 and emits light. The device 100 is visually recognized as if the entire light guide plate 104 is shining. Therefore, the optical step 105 of the present embodiment functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from a region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and causes unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 in a plurality of adjacent organic EL elements. Can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, since the optical step 105 is provided on the light incident surface side of the light guide plate 104, it is possible to make it difficult to visually recognize the shape of the optical step 105 from the outside of the light emitting device 100. Further, since the light emitting surface of the light guide plate 104 can be a flat surface, it is possible to express a unified design while reducing light unevenness and increase the degree of freedom in design. Further, since the non-light emitting regions 107 are arranged adjacent to each other of the organic EL elements and it is not necessary to arrange a light guide member or another light source between the organic EL elements, the distance between the organic EL elements is small. Therefore, the size of the light emitting device 100 can be reduced.

As described above, in the light emitting device 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to express a unified design while reducing unevenness of light, and it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in design.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the LED 106 is arranged at one end of the light guide plate 104 as an auxiliary light source, and the light emitted by the LED 106 is incident on the light guide plate 104 to guide the light. The light emitted by the LED 106 has substantially the same color tone as the light emitted from the light emitting region 103 of the organic EL element.

As shown by an arrow in FIG. 2, the light from the LED 106 is incident from one end of the light guide plate 104, propagates inside the light guide plate 104, is diffused in the optical step 105, and is taken out from the light emitting surface side. Further, the light from the light emitting region 103 passes through the light guide plate 104 and is taken out from the light emitting surface side. As a result, the light from the plurality of organic EL elements and the light from the LED 106 are collectively taken out from the light emitting surface side of the light guide plate 104. Therefore, the optical step 105 functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from a region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and can reduce unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 in a plurality of adjacent organic EL elements. can.

Also in this embodiment, since the optical step 105 is provided on the light incident surface side of the light guide plate 104, it is possible to make it difficult to visually recognize the shape of the optical step 105 from the outside of the light emitting device 100. Further, since the light emitting surface of the light guide plate 104 can be a flat surface, it is possible to express a unified design while reducing light unevenness and increase the degree of freedom in design. Further, since it is not necessary to arrange a light guide member or another light source between the organic EL elements, the distance between the organic EL elements can be reduced to reduce the size of the light emitting device 100.

Further, in the present embodiment, the LED 106 is incident with light from one end of the light guide plate 104, diffused in the optical step 105, and the light is extracted from the region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107. It is not necessary for light to enter, and the distance between the optical step 105 and the light emitting region 103 can be narrowed to further reduce the thickness.

Further, the emission color of the LED 106 may be different from the emission from the emission region 103 of the organic EL element. In this case, the light emitted from the LED 106 scattered in the optical step 105 has a color tone different from that of the light emitting region 103, but when the light emitting device 100 is used for a vehicle lamp, the light from the light emitting region 103 and the LED 106 are used. The light from the light can be used for tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals, etc.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the half mirror 109 and the reflecting mirror 109a are arranged as auxiliary optical units on the light emitting region 103 and the non-light emitting region 107 adjacent to the organic EL element. Each organic EL element has a structure in which a non-light emitting region 107 is formed around a light emitting region 103, and a transparent electrode 112 and a reflecting electrode 114 are pulled out from the terminal portion 108. The reflecting mirror 109a may be a total reflection mirror or a half mirror.

The half mirror 109 is provided so that the reflecting surface is inclined at about 45 degrees with respect to the light emitting surface of the light emitting region 103, and reflects a part of the light from the light emitting region 103 and transmits a part of the light. Further, the reflecting mirror 109a of the non-light emitting region 107 is provided substantially parallel to the half mirror 109 provided on the light emitting region 103, and is from the light emitting region 103 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 3 (a). Light is re-reflected and light is taken out. Therefore, the half mirror 109 and the reflecting mirror 109a function as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from a region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and cause unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 in a plurality of adjacent organic EL elements. Can be reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a part of the light emitting region 103 adjacent to the organic EL element is set as a high brightness region 103a having a higher light emission intensity than the other parts, and the auxiliary optical unit is arranged so as to be superimposed on the high brightness region 103a.

When a part of the light from the light emitting region 103 is taken out from the region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 by using the auxiliary optical unit such as the optical step 105 or the half mirror 109 described above, the portion provided with the auxiliary optical unit is used. The brightness of the light emitting region 103 is lower than the light emitting brightness of the light emitting region 103 itself. Therefore, by optimizing the in-plane structure of the transparent electrode 112 and the reflective electrode 114, the current value flowing in the portion of the light emitting region 103 where the auxiliary optical portion is provided is designed to be higher, and the brightness is higher than that of the other portions. The high brightness region 103a is used.

The light emitted in the high-luminance region 103a is also taken out from the region overlapping the non-luminance region 107 by the auxiliary optical unit, so that the brightness is lowered, but the light is designed to be approximately the same as the emission brightness in other portions. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce the unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 in a plurality of adjacent organic EL elements.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 3C is a schematic view showing the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the diffusion film 110 is arranged as an auxiliary optical unit on the light emitting region 103 and the non-light emitting region 107 adjacent to the organic EL element.

The diffusing film 110 is a film-like member in which a light scattering agent is filled in a matrix such as a resin, and light incident from the outside is diffused and taken out to the outside. Therefore, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3C, the light incident from the light emitting region 103 is scattered by the entire diffusion film 110, and an auxiliary for extracting the light from the region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in the plan view. It functions as an optical unit, and can reduce unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 in a plurality of adjacent organic EL elements.

(Sixth Embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 3D is a schematic view showing the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the half mirror 109 is arranged on the light emitting region 103 adjacent to the organic EL element, and the diffusion film 110 is arranged on the non-light emitting region 107.

As shown by an arrow in FIG. 3D, a part of the light incident from the light emitting region 103 is reflected by the half mirror 109, enters the diffusion film 110, and is scattered by the diffusion film. Therefore, the combination of the half mirror 109 and the diffusion film 110 functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from a region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and the light from the non-light emitting region 107 in a plurality of adjacent organic EL elements. Unevenness can be reduced.

(7th Embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 3 (e) is a schematic view showing the light emitting device 100 in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the diffusion film 110 is provided on the entire light extraction surface of the organic EL element, and the half mirror 109 is arranged on the diffusion film 110.

The light emitted in the light emitting region 103 is taken out from the light emitting region 103 and the non-light emitting region 107 by diffusion in the diffusion film 110 and partial reflection and partial transmission in the half mirror 109. Therefore, the combination of the half mirror 109 and the diffusion film 110 functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from a region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and the light from the non-light emitting region 107 in a plurality of adjacent organic EL elements. Unevenness can be reduced.

Further, since the half mirror 109 is formed on the entire light emitting surface of the light emitting device 100, the external light is reflected by the half mirror 109 provided on the surface in a state where the light emitting region 103 is not emitted, and it looks like a mirror. Appearance can be obtained.

(8th Embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing a light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4B is a schematic plan view. In the present embodiment, the diffusion film 110 is provided on the non-light emitting region 107, and the LED 106 is arranged as an auxiliary light source on the end surface of the diffusion film 110. The light emitted by the LED 106 has substantially the same color tone as the light emitted from the light emitting region 103 of the organic EL element.

The light from the LED 106 is incident from one end of the diffusing film 110, propagates inside, is diffused by the diffusing film 110, and is taken out from the light emitting surface side. As a result, the light from the plurality of organic EL elements and the light from the LED 106 are collectively taken out from the light emitting surface side. Therefore, the combination of the LED 106 and the diffusion film 110 functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from the region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and causes unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 in a plurality of adjacent organic EL elements. Can be reduced.

Further, the emission color of the LED 106 may be different from the emission from the emission region 103 of the organic EL element. In this case, the light emitted from the LED 106 has a color tone different from that of the light emitting region 103, but when the light emitting device 100 is used for the vehicle lighting equipment, the light from the light emitting region 103 and the light from the LED 106 are used as a tail lamp or a stop. It can be used properly for lamps, turn signals, etc.

(9th Embodiment)
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the eighth embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a manufacturing process of the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an organic EL element is prepared in which a non-light emitting region 107 is formed around the light emitting region 103 and the transparent electrode 112 and the reflecting electrode 114 are pulled out to the outside at the terminal portion 108. .. Next, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the mounting substrate 121 is mounted on the non-light emitting region 107 of the organic EL element, and a plurality of LEDs 106 are mounted as auxiliary light sources around the organic EL element. The wiring structure for supplying power to the LED 106 is not shown. Finally, as shown in FIGS. 5 (e) and 5 (f), the exposed surface of the mounting substrate 121 is covered with the sealing member 120 to seal the LED 106.

The sealing member 120 is made of a resin material containing a scattering agent in the matrix, and covers and seals the LED 106 and the non-light emitting region 107 to prevent the ingress of moisture and the like. Since the sealing member 120 contains a scattering agent, the light emitted from the LED 106 is diffused in the sealing member 120, and the light is taken out from the entire non-light emitting region 107 in which the sealing member 120 is formed.

Therefore, the combination of the LED 106 and the sealing member 120 functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from a region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 can be reduced. Although FIG. 5 shows a light emitting device 100 that uses an organic EL element alone, a plurality of organic EL elements may be arranged adjacent to each other as in other embodiments, and non-light emitting in the plurality of adjacent organic EL elements. It is possible to reduce the unevenness of light due to the region 107.

(10th Embodiment)
Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the eighth embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a manufacturing process of the light emitting device 100 in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an organic EL element is prepared in which a non-light emitting region 107 is formed around the light emitting region 103 and the transparent electrode 112 and the reflecting electrode 114 are pulled out to the outside at the terminal portion 108. .. Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 (c) and 6 (d), the organic EL element is mounted on the mounting substrate 121, and a plurality of LEDs 106 are mounted as auxiliary light sources around the organic EL element. The wiring structure for supplying power to the LED 106 is not shown. Finally, as shown in FIGS. 6 (e) and 6 (f), the exposed surface of the mounting substrate 121 and the entire non-light emitting region 107 are covered with the sealing member 120 to seal the LED 106.

The material constituting the mounting substrate 121 is not limited, and a glass epoxy resin or a flexible substrate can be used. When a flexible substrate is used, it is preferable that the entire organic EL element is also made of a flexible material, and the LED 106 is mounted while avoiding a portion having a large degree of bending. By mounting the LED 106 in a region having a relatively small curvature, it is possible to reduce the stress applied to the LED 106 and the wiring when the mounting board 121 is bent, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of disconnection and the like.

The light emitted from the LED 106 is diffused in the sealing member 120, and the light is taken out from the non-light emitting region 107 in which the sealing member 120 is formed and the mounting substrate 121. Therefore, the combination of the LED 106 and the sealing member 120 functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from a region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 can be reduced. Further, by using the mounting board 121, it is possible to easily form a wiring structure for supplying electric power to the LED 106 which is an auxiliary light source.

(11th Embodiment)
Next, the eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the tenth embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the light emitting device 100 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the organic EL element and the LED 106 are mounted on the mounting board 121, a plurality of mounting boards 121 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the exposed surface of the mounting board 121 and the entire non-light emitting area 107 are covered with the sealing member 120. , LED 106 is sealed.

7 (a) and 7 (b) show an example in which the side on which the terminal portion 108 is extended is bent toward the back surface side and the mounting substrate 121 is adjacent to the side on which the terminal portion 108 is provided. 7 (c) and 7 (d) show an example in which the mounting boards are adjacent to each other on the side where the terminal portion 108 is not provided.

Also in this embodiment, the combination of the LED 106 and the sealing member 120 functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from the region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and reduces unevenness of light due to the adjacent non-light emitting region 107. be able to.

In FIG. 7, an example in which two organic EL elements are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is shown, but a larger number of organic EL elements may be arranged adjacent to each other, and a plurality of organic EL elements are arranged in a matrix. It may be arranged side by side in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in a shape.

(12th Embodiment)
Next, the twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the portion overlapping with the eighth to eleventh embodiments will be omitted. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the fluorescent particle 122 is contained in the sealing member 120.

In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the organic EL element and the LED 106 are mounted on the mounting substrate 121, and the exposed surface of the mounting substrate 121 and the entire non-light emitting region 107 are covered by the sealing member 120 containing the phosphor particles 122. It is covered with a sealing member 120 to seal the LED 106. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the LED 106 is mounted on the non-light emitting region 107 of the organic EL element, and the entire non-light emitting region 107 is covered with the sealing member 120 to seal the LED 106.

The phosphor particles 122 are fine particles of a phosphor material that absorb the primary light emitted by the LED 106 and emit secondary light having different wavelengths. When the LED 106 emits near-ultraviolet or ultraviolet light, the visible light extracted from the sealing member 120 becomes light having a wavelength converted by the phosphor particles 122. When the LED 106 emits visible light such as blue light, the light taken out from the sealing member 120 is a mixture of the primary light from the LED 106 and the secondary light from the phosphor particles 122.

When the color tone of the light taken out from the sealing member 120 is substantially the same as the light emitted from the light emitting region 103, the color tone of the light taken out from the light emitting region 103 and the non-light emitting region 107 is substantially the same, so that the non-light emitting region It is possible to reduce the unevenness of light caused by 107. Further, when the color tone of the light taken out from the sealing member 120 is different from the light emitted from the light emitting region 103, the light from the light emitting region 103 and the light from the sealing member 120 are used as the tail lamp or the stop lamp of the vehicle lighting equipment. , Turn signal, etc. can be used properly.

Also in this embodiment, the combination of the LED 106, the sealing member 120, and the phosphor particles 122 functions as an auxiliary optical unit for extracting light from a region overlapping the non-light emitting region 107 in a plan view, and unevenness of light due to the non-light emitting region 107 occurs. Can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 ... Transparent substrate 2,112 ... Transparent electrode 3 ... Organic light emitting layer 4,114 ... Reflecting electrode 5 ... Sealing film 6 ... Insulating layer 7,107 ... Non-light emitting region 8,108 ... Terminal part 10 ... Organic EL element 100 ... Light emitting device 101 ... Substrate 103 ... Light emitting region 103a ... High brightness region 104 ... Light guide plate 105 ... Optical step 106 ... LED
109 ... Half mirror 109a ... Reflector 110 ... Diffusion film 120 ... Sealing member 121 ... Mounting substrate 122 ... Fluorescent particles

Claims (6)

An organic EL element having a light emitting region and a non-light emitting region,
A high-luminance region in which the brightness is relatively high in the light-emitting region in a plan view and an auxiliary optical unit arranged so as to be superimposed on the non-luminance region are provided.
The auxiliary optical unit guides a part of the light emitted from the high-luminance region and extracts it from the region overlapping the non-luminance region, and extracts the remaining light emitted from the high-luminance region from the region overlapping the high-luminance region. the light guide member der taken out from is,
The auxiliary optical unit is arranged so as to overlap only the high-luminance region and the non-luminous region.
A light emitting device characterized in that light emitted from a region other than the high-luminance region of the light emitting region is taken out to the outside without passing through the auxiliary optical unit. The light emitting device according to claim 1.
The light emitting device is characterized in that the light guide member uses a half mirror. The light emitting device according to claim 1.
The light emitting device is characterized in that the light guide member uses an optical step or a diffusion film. The light emitting device according to claim 1.
The light emitting device is a light emitting device provided with the light guide member on the light incident surface side of the light guide plate facing the organic EL element. The light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The auxiliary optical unit is a light emitting device including an auxiliary light source. The light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A light emitting device including a plurality of the organic EL elements, wherein the auxiliary optical unit is provided in the non-light emitting region located between the light emitting regions of the adjacent organic EL elements.

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