Electroluminescent display device

Abstract

An electroluminescent display device includes a substrate including an emission region and a non-emission region surrounding the emission region, a planarization layer formed over the substrate, a light emitting device disposed over the planarization layer, overlapping the emission region and including an anode electrode, and a separation layer disposed spaced apart from the anode electrode over the planarization layer and disposed in at least a portion of the non-emission region between one emission region and another emission region adjacent to the one emission region in parallel with a first direction or a second direction, wherein the planarization layer is formed to overlap at least a portion of the non-emission region and includes a trench portion formed by removing at least a portion of the planarization layer, the trench portion at least partially overlaps an end portion of each of the anode electrode and the separation layer in the non-emission region, the light emitting device further includes a light emitting layer and a cathode electrode formed in sequence over the anode electrode, and the light emitting layer and the cathode electrode are discontinuously formed in the trench portion.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0171531, filed on December 9, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference as if it were set forth in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to an electroluminescent display device, and more particularly, to an electroluminescent display device having reduced lateral leakage current and improved aperture ratio. Background Technology

[0004] With the development of the information society, the demand for display devices for displaying images has increased in various forms, and in recent years, various display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma displays, and organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs) have been used.

[0005] An electroluminescent display device includes an array device and a light-emitting device. The array device includes a switching thin-film transistor (TFT) connected to a gate line and a data line, and at least one driving thin-film transistor (TFT) connected to the light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a pixel electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode electrode connected to the driving thin-film transistor (TFT).

[0006] However, in electroluminescent display devices with the above configuration, the pixel structure is integrated as technology advances, which may lead to the problem of lateral leakage current between adjacent emitting regions. In order to reduce this lateral leakage current, a structure that is spaced apart between emitting regions at a required distance can be applied, which may lead to the problem of reduced aperture ratio. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide an electroluminescent display device that substantially avoids or eliminates one or more problems caused by the limitations and defects of related technologies.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure aims to provide an electroluminescent display device that employs a structure capable of improving reliability by reducing lateral leakage current that may occur between adjacent emitting regions.

[0009] Another aspect of this disclosure aims to provide an electroluminescent display device that can improve the aperture ratio by applying a structure for reducing lateral leakage current.

[0010] Additional advantages and features of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description, or may be learned from practice of this disclosure. The objectives and other advantages of this disclosure may be realized and obtained from the written description and claims relating to it, as well as the structures particularly given in the accompanying drawings.

[0011] To obtain these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposes of this disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, an electroluminescent display device is provided, comprising: a substrate including an emitting region and a non-emitting region surrounding the emitting region; a planarization layer formed over the substrate; a light-emitting device disposed over the planarization layer, overlapping the emitting region and including an anode electrode; and a separation layer configured to be spaced apart from the anode electrode over the planarization layer and configured to be parallel to a first or second direction in at least a portion of the non-emitting region between an emitting region and another emitting region adjacent to the emitting region, wherein the planarization layer is formed to overlap at least a portion of the non-emitting region and includes a trench portion formed by removing at least a portion of the planarization layer, the trench portion overlapping at least partially with the ends of each of the anode electrode and the separation layer in the non-emitting region, the light-emitting device further including a light-emitting layer and a cathode electrode formed sequentially over the anode electrode, the light-emitting layer and the cathode electrode being discontinuously formed in the trench portion.

[0012] In another embodiment, a display device includes: a substrate comprising a plurality of emitting regions including a plurality of sub-pixels, the plurality of emitting regions including a first emitting region of a first sub-pixel and a second emitting region of a second sub-pixel, a non-emitting region being disposed between the first emitting region of the first sub-pixel and the second emitting region of the second sub-pixel; a planarization layer on the substrate, the planarization layer having a first trench adjacent to the first emitting region, a second trench adjacent to the second emitting region, and at least a portion of the planarization layer disposed between the first trench and the second trench; a first light-emitting device disposed on a first upper surface of the planarization layer in at least the first emitting region and a second light-emitting device disposed on a second upper surface of the planarization layer in at least the second emitting region; and at least one separating layer disposed on the portion of the planarization layer, wherein at least one end of the at least one separating layer protrudes beyond a side surface of the portion of the planarization layer.

[0013] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of this disclosure are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a plan view of an electroluminescent display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 2 The figures illustrate embodiments according to this disclosure. Figure 1 A plan view of area A;

[0017] Figure 3 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken from line I-I';

[0018] Figure 4 This illustrates another embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 1 A plan view of area A;

[0019] Figure 5 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken from line II-II';

[0020] Figure 6 This is a plan view of an electroluminescent display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 7 The figures illustrate embodiments according to this disclosure. Figure 6 A plan view of region B;

[0022] Figure 8 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken from line III-III';

[0023] Figure 9 The figure illustrates another embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 6 A plan view of region B;

[0024] Figure 10 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 9 A cross-sectional view taken from line II-II';

[0025] Figure 11 This is a plan view of an electroluminescent display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 12 The figures illustrate embodiments according to this disclosure. Figure 11 A plan view of region C;

[0027] Figure 13According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 12 A cross-sectional view taken from line I-I';

[0028] Figures 14A to 14F This is a view illustrating a method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0029] Figure 15 These are photographs of the structure, including the planarization layer and the separation layer, taken using a scanning electron microscope. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Reference will now be made to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used as much as possible to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0031] The advantages and features of this disclosure, and its implementation methods, will be illustrated by the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, this disclosure is limited only by the scope of the claims.

[0032] The shapes, dimensions, ratios, angles, and figures disclosed in the accompanying drawings used to describe embodiments of this disclosure are merely examples, and therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the details illustrated. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. In the following description, detailed descriptions of relevant known functions or configurations will be omitted where such descriptions are determined to unnecessarily obscure the essence of this disclosure. Where terms such as “comprising,” “having,” and “including” are used in this disclosure, an additional part may be added unless “only” is used. Unless otherwise stated, singular terms may include plural forms.

[0033] When interpreting a component, even without an explicit description, the component is interpreted as including a range of errors.

[0034] When describing positional relationships, for example, when the positional relationship between two parts is described as "on," "above," "below," and "near," one or more other parts may be set between the two parts unless "exactly" or "directly" is used.

[0035] When describing temporal relationships, such as when time sequence is described as “after,” “following,” “next to,” and “before,” discontinuous cases may be included unless “exactly” or “directly” is used.

[0036] It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0037] In describing the elements of this disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. Such terms are used only to distinguish the corresponding element from other elements, and the corresponding element is not limited by these terms in terms of its substance, order, or priority. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as "on another element or layer" or "connected to another element or layer," it may be located directly on or directly connected to another element or layer, or there may be an intermediate element or layer. Furthermore, it should be understood that when one element is disposed above or below another element, this may indicate a situation where the elements are arranged in direct contact with each other, but it may also indicate that the elements are disposed without direct contact with each other.

[0038] The term "at least one" should be understood to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements. For example, "at least one of the first element, the second element, and the third element" means a combination of two or more of the first element, the second element, and the third element, as well as all elements selected from the first element, the second element, or the third element.

[0039] Features of the various embodiments of this disclosure may be joined or combined with each other in part or in whole, and may interoperate with each other and be technically driven in various ways, as will be fully understood by those skilled in the art. Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented independently of each other, or may be implemented together in a mutually dependent relationship.

[0040] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a plan view of an electroluminescent display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A floor plan of the letter "A", and Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken from line I-I'.

[0042] refer to Figure 1 An electroluminescent display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display panel 1 and a panel driving circuit unit 3.

[0043] The display panel 1 may include a substrate (or base plate) 10, an active display area AA, an inactive display area IA, and a gate drive circuit 50.

[0044] The substrate 10 can be a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or a silicon wafer substrate, such as a flexible thin glass substrate.

[0045] The effective display area AA is the area (partition) in which the image is displayed, and can also be described as a first area, display portion, display area, or effective display portion. For example, the effective display area AA can be located in the portion of the substrate 10 other than the edge portion.

[0046] The invalid display area IA is a region (partition) in which no image is displayed, and can also be described as a second area, a non-display portion, a non-display area, or an invalid display portion. For example, the non-display portion can be provided at the edge of the substrate 10 to surround the valid display area AA.

[0047] The effective display area AA may include multiple emission areas EA of multiple sub-pixels and a non-emission area NEA surrounding the multiple emission areas EA.

[0048] A light-emitting device 200 including an anode electrode 210 can be disposed in an emission region EA. Here, the emission region EA can be defined as the area in which the anode electrode 210, exposed by the embankment 170 described later, is formed. Additionally, in Figure 2 In this embodiment, the pixel structure containing the emission region EA, classified as region A, can be configured as a rectangular strip structure with one side having a relatively long length, and a region containing four emission regions EA, as in region A, can be defined as a unit pixel. When the rectangular unit pixel is divided into quadrants, a sub-pixel or emission region can be formed in each quadrant. However, the pixel structure of the electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure is not limited to this, and various well-known structures such as quaternary, rhombic, and pentile types can be applied.

[0049] exist Figure 2 In this embodiment, the sub-pixel containing the emission area EA located in the upper left can be a white sub-pixel, the sub-pixel containing the emission area EA located in the upper right can be a red sub-pixel, the sub-pixel containing the emission area EA located in the lower left can be a green sub-pixel, and the sub-pixel containing the emission area EA located in the lower right can be a blue sub-pixel. However, the arrangement structure of the emission area EA or sub-pixels according to this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0050] Therefore, the anode electrode 210 can be formed to overlap with the emitter region EA and extend to at least a portion of the non-emitter region NEA surrounding the emitter region EA. A contact hole CNT for contacting and driving a thin-film transistor (TFT) can be provided on at least one side of the anode electrode 210. Furthermore, the embankment 170 can be formed to overlap at least a portion of the anode electrode 210 extending to and overlapping at least a portion of the non-emitter region NEA.

[0051] Here, the non-emitting region NEA can be defined as the area outside the emitting region EA. Furthermore, the non-emitting region NEA may include contact holes (CNTs) for contact driving thin-film transistors (TFTs) and the anode electrode 210 of the light-emitting device 200. Interconnects and circuitry for driving the light-emitting device 200 in the emitting region EA can be disposed within the non-emitting region NEA.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, except for the portion of the area that overlaps with the trench portions 161 and 163 of the planarization layer 160 disposed in the non-emitting region NEA of the effective display area AA, the cathode electrode 250 can be formed to overlap with the entire effective display area AA.

[0053] refer to Figure 1 The gate driving circuit 50 provides gate signals to the gate lines through multiple gate pads and link lines of the pad portion PP according to the gate control signal provided by the driving circuit unit 3. For example, the gate driving circuit 50 can be disposed in at least one of the inactive display areas IA on opposite sides of the substrate 10. The gate driving circuit 50 can be formed in the non-display areas on one or both sides of the display area of ​​the display panel 1 by means of an in-panel gate driver (GIP) method. Alternatively, the gate driver can be manufactured as a driving chip, mounted above the flexible layer, and attached to the non-display area outside one or both sides of the effective display area of ​​the display panel 1 by means of a tape-and-reel automatic bonding (TAB) method.

[0054] According to the example, the driving circuit unit 3 may include multiple flexible circuit films 31, multiple data driving integrated circuits (ICs) 33, printed circuit boards (PCBs) 35, timing controllers 37, and power circuit units 39.

[0055] Each of the plurality of flexible circuit films 31 can be attached to a pad portion PP disposed above the substrate 10 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 35. For example, one side (or output bonding portion) of each of the plurality of flexible circuit films 31 can be attached to the pad portion PP disposed above the substrate 10 by a film attachment process using an anisotropic conductive layer. The other side (or input bonding portion) of each of the plurality of flexible circuit films 31 can be attached to the printed circuit board (PCB) 35 by a film attachment process using anisotropic conductive layers.

[0056] The plurality of data-driven integrated circuits (ICs) 33 are each independently mounted above the plurality of flexible circuit films 31. Each of the plurality of data-driven integrated circuits (ICs) 33 can receive pixel data and data control signals provided by the timing controller 37, convert the pixel data into analog data voltage for each pixel according to the data control signals, and supply the data voltage to the corresponding data line.

[0057] The printed circuit board (PCB) 35 can be connected to the other side of each of the plurality of flexible circuit films 31. The printed circuit board (PCB) 35 can be used to transmit signals and voltages between the components of the drive circuit unit 3.

[0058] The timing controller 37 can be mounted on top of the printed circuit board (PCB) 35 and receives image data and timing synchronization signals provided by the display driving system through a user connector located on top of the printed circuit board (PCB) 35.

[0059] The timing controller 37 can generate pixel data by aligning image data based on timing synchronization signals to adapt to the pixel arrangement structure set in the effective display area AA, and provide the generated pixel data to each of the multiple data driver integrated circuits (ICs) 33.

[0060] The timing controller 37 can generate data control signals and gate control signals based on the timing synchronization signals. Furthermore, the timing controller 37 can control the driving timing of each of the plurality of data driver integrated circuits (ICs) 33 via the data control signals, and can control the driving timing of the gate driver circuit 50 via the gate control signals. For example, the timing synchronization signals may include a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, a data enable signal, and a master clock (or dot clock).

[0061] The power circuit unit 39 can be mounted on top of the printed circuit board (PCB) 35. Furthermore, the power circuit unit 39 can use externally supplied input power to generate various power voltages required for pixel-based image display, and can supply the generated voltages to the corresponding circuits.

[0062] refer to Figure 3 An electroluminescent display device according to an example of the present disclosure may include a color filter 150, a planarization layer 160, a light-emitting device 200, a dam 170, and a separation layer 270 (or a separation layer SL) formed over a substrate 110.

[0063] Here, the substrate 110 may have the same characteristics as the above reference. Figure 1 The substrate 110 has the same configuration as the substrate 10 described. Therefore, the substrate 110 can be a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or a silicon substrate, such as a flexible thin glass substrate.

[0064] A buffer layer 120 may be disposed above the substrate 110 and the light-blocking layer (not shown). According to an example, the buffer layer 120 may be formed by stacking (laminating) multiple inorganic layers. For example, the buffer layer 120 may be formed as a multilayer in which one or more inorganic layers of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiN), and silicon oxynitride (SiON) are stacked.

[0065] Circuit devices including thin-film transistors (TFTs) can be disposed above the buffer layer 120. Here, the circuit devices may include switching TFTs, sensing TFTs, and driving TFTs. In this case, the driving TFTs can be... Figure 2 The contact hole CNT contacts the anode electrode 210 of the light-emitting device 200. Here, depending on the configuration of the electroluminescent display device of this disclosure, the buffer layer 120 may be omitted.

[0066] The interlayer insulating layer 130 may be configured to electrically insulate the aforementioned thin-film transistors (TFTs), interconnects, or circuits. The interlayer insulating layer 130 may be formed over the buffer layer 120. The interlayer insulating layer 130 may comprise a silicon oxide (SiO2) layer or a silicon nitride (SiN) layer, or may comprise multiple layers comprising silicon oxide (SiO2) layers and silicon nitride (SiN) layers.

[0067] A protective layer 140 may be disposed above the interlayer insulating layer 130. The protective layer 140 serves to protect the electrodes of the thin-film transistor (TFT). The protective layer 140 may include the aforementioned contact holes (CNTs) that contact the thin-film transistor (TFT). According to an example, the protective layer 140 may include a silicon oxide layer (SiO2) or a silicon nitride layer (SiN).

[0068] Color filters 150 and 150' may be disposed above the protective layer 140. An electroluminescent display device according to an example of this disclosure may have a bottom-emitting structure, wherein color filters 150 and 150' are positioned between the light-emitting device 200 and the substrate 110. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to electroluminescent display devices having a bottom-emitting structure, and may include (or encompass) electroluminescent display devices having a top-emitting structure or electroluminescent display devices having a bidirectional emission structure. Hereinafter, for ease of description, a description of an electroluminescent display device having a bottom-emitting structure will be made by reference.

[0069] In this case, the color filter 150 overlapping one emission region EA and the color filter 150′ overlapping another emission region EA can be color filters that transmit different colors of light respectively, and can be, for example, one of a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0070] Furthermore, when the emission region EA containing the light-emitting device 200 is a white emission region EA, the color filter 150 can be omitted.

[0071] Therefore, the color filter 150 can be disposed above the protective layer 140, between the protective layer 140 and the planarization layer 160, and can change the light output from the light-emitting device 200 downward to a color with a predetermined wavelength range.

[0072] A planarization layer 160 may be disposed above the color filter 150. Additionally, the planarization layer 160 may be disposed in the emitting region EA of the effective display area AA, such that the emitting region EA defined by the light-emitting device 200 and the embankment 170 is substantially flat. Furthermore, the planarization layer 160 may be disposed in the non-emitting region NEA of the effective display area AA. However, in the non-emitting region NEA, at least a portion of the planarization layer 160 may be removed. For example, in the non-emitting region NEA, the upper surface of the planarization layer 160 may be partially removed to form a first trench portion 161 and a second trench portion 163. The first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 may be spaced apart from each other, wherein a portion of the planarization layer 160 is located between the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163.

[0073] refer to Figure 3The planarization layer 160 may include a first trench portion 161 and a second trench portion 163 formed by removing at least a portion of the planarization layer 160 and overlapping with a non-emitting region (NEA). Furthermore, the first trench portion 161 may be disposed adjacent to one emitting region (EA), the second trench portion 163 may be disposed adjacent to another emitting region (EA), and after the trench portions are formed, a portion of the planarization layer 160 may remain between the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163.

[0074] Specifically, the first trench portion 161 may overlap with one end of the separation layer 270 and with one end of the anode electrode 210 of one emitter region EA. The second trench portion 163 may overlap with the other end of the separation layer 270 and with one end of the anode electrode 210 of another emitter region EA.

[0075] Here, the meaning of the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 overlapping with at least a portion of the anode electrode 210 and the separation layer 270 can be defined as follows. The first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 can be formed in a groove shape by removing a portion of the upper surface of the planarization layer 160. Therefore, each of the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 can be formed to have two sides (e.g., a first side surface and a second side surface) and a bottom side. Therefore, the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 can be defined as the region in which the two sides and the bottom side are formed. When at least a portion of the two sides of the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 overlap with the anode electrode 210 and the separation layer 270, the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 can be defined as overlapping with the anode electrode 210 and the separation layer 270.

[0076] The separation layer 270 can be formed with a structure that protrudes beyond the sidewalls of the trench portions 161 and 163. The separation layer 270 can be disposed above the upper surface of the portion of the planarization layer 160 and can be disposed between the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163. One side surface of the separation layer 270 disposed between the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 can protrude beyond a sidewall of the first trench portion 161 corresponding to a side surface of the portion of the planarization layer 160, and the other side surface of the separation layer 270 can be formed to protrude beyond a sidewall of the second trench portion 163 corresponding to a side surface of the portion of the planarization layer 160. Therefore, one side surface of the separation layer 270 can protrude beyond a sidewall of the first trench portion 161 to expose a portion of the bottom surface of the separation layer 270, and the other side surface of the separation layer 270 can protrude beyond a sidewall of the second trench portion 163 to expose another portion of the bottom surface of the separation layer 270. Here, one sidewall of the first trench portion 161 and one sidewall of the second trench portion 163 can be configured to face each other. With this structure, the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 of the light-emitting device 200 can be provided as a discontinuous structure in which the separation layer 270 serves as the boundary.

[0077] The first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 formed in the planarization layer 160 can be formed further inward from the ends of the separation layer 270 and the anode electrode 210, respectively. This can be achieved by setting a higher etching rate for the planarization layer 160 located below the separation layer 270 and the anode electrode 210 during the etching process that removes the planarization layer 160. As the etching process, a dry etching process or a wet etching process can be used, and any known etching process can be used without limitation.

[0078] The planarization layer 160 may be formed from an organic layer such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, or polyimide resin.

[0079] The light-emitting device 200 can be disposed above the planarization layer 160 and can be electrically connected to the driving thin-film transistor (TFT). The anode electrode 210 of the light-emitting device 200 can contact the source electrode of the driving thin-film transistor (TFT) through contact holes formed in at least a portion of the planarization layer 160 and the protective layer 140.

[0080] According to an example of this disclosure, the light-emitting device 200 can be formed over the planarization layer 160. The light-emitting device 200 may include an anode electrode 210 formed to overlap with an emitting region EA above the substrate 110; a cathode electrode 250 formed facing the anode electrode 210 and overlapping the entire effective display area AA except for a portion overlapping with trench portions 161 and 163 of the planarization layer 160 disposed in the non-emitting region NEA of the effective display area AA; and a light-emitting layer 230 formed between the anode electrode 210 and the cathode electrode 250 and formed to correspond to a pixel. For example, in Figure 3 The display device may include a first light-emitting device 200 and a second light-emitting device 200. The first light-emitting device 200 includes a first anode electrode, a portion of the light-emitting layer 230, and a portion of the cathode electrode 250. The second light-emitting device 200 includes a second anode electrode, another portion of the light-emitting layer 230, and another portion of the cathode electrode 250. The first light-emitting device 200 may be disposed on a first upper surface of the planarization layer 160, and the second light-emitting device 200 may be disposed on a second upper surface of the planarization layer 160.

[0081] The anode electrode 210 can be disposed above the planarization layer 160. Specifically, in Figure 3 In the first trench portion 161, the first anode electrode may protrude beyond the other sidewall of the second trench portion 163 to expose the bottom surface of the first anode electrode. The second anode electrode may protrude beyond the other sidewall of the second trench portion 163 to expose the bottom surface of the second anode electrode. The anode electrode 210 can contact the source electrode of the driving thin-film transistor (TFT) through contact holes (CNTs) disposed in the planarization layer 160. For example, the anode electrode 210 may comprise multiple anode electrode layers disposed above the planarization layer 160.

[0082] When the electroluminescent display device according to the example of this disclosure has the bottom-emitting structure as described above, the anode electrode 210 can be a transmission electrode. For example, the anode electrode 210 can contain transparent conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0083] The light-emitting layer 230 may be configured to overlap with the plurality of emitting regions EA and may be configured to cover the embankment 170 of the non-emitting region NEA. Specifically, the light-emitting layer 230 may be configured to at least partially overlap with the trench portions 161 and 163 formed in the non-emitting region NEA.

[0084] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, the light-emitting layer 230 can be formed by deposition to correspond to each sub-pixel region using a predetermined mask pattern, and when formed in this manner, the light-emitting layer 230 can be formed so as not to overlap with the non-emitting region NEA. In this disclosure, the light-emitting layer 230 will be described based on its formation in the effective display area AA without a separate mask pattern.

[0085] According to the example, the light-emitting layer 230 may include a hole transport layer, a colored light-emitting layer, and an electron transport layer. In this case, when a voltage is applied to the anode electrode 210 and the cathode electrode 250, holes and electrons move to the colored light-emitting layer through the hole transport layer and the electron transport layer, respectively, and combine with each other in the colored light-emitting layer to emit light. According to the example, the light-emitting layer 230 may further include at least one functional layer for improving the luminous efficiency and lifetime of the light-emitting layer 230.

[0086] The cathode electrode 250 can be disposed above the light-emitting layer 230, and the cathode electrode 250 can be implemented in the form of an electrode shared for the effective display area AA. Figure 3 In this embodiment, the cathode electrode 250 is shown as physically disconnected from the predetermined non-emission region NEA in which the separation layer 270 is formed, but it may be provided in a structure with a connected common electrode.

[0087] Therefore, the cathode electrode 250 can be a common layer formed together in the sub-pixel region to apply the same voltage. When the electroluminescent display device according to the example of this disclosure is a bottom-emitting type, the cathode electrode 250 can comprise a semi-transmissive conductive material such as titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), or a magnesium-silver alloy (MgAg). When the cathode electrode 250 is configured as a semi-transmissive reflective electrode, the cathode electrode 250 can be formed to have a thickness of tens of nanometers for semi-transmissive reflective properties. Additionally, the cathode electrode 250 can be configured as a reflective electrode and can be configured as a multilayer structure such as a stacked structure of aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti) (Ti / Al / Ti), a stacked structure of aluminum (Al) and ITO (ITO / Al / ITO), or a stacked structure of Ag / Pd / Cu (APC) alloy and ITO (ITO / APC / ITO), or it can be formed as a single-layer or multilayer structure containing any one of silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), gold (Au), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), or barium (Ba) or two or more alloy materials, but is not limited thereto.

[0088] In addition, depending on the requirements of the electroluminescent display device such as the luminous efficiency or brightness of the light-emitting device 200, a structure such as a reflector can be added to the upper part of the cathode electrode 250.

[0089] The separation layer 270 can be configured to at least partially overlap with the non-display area NEA and be spaced apart from the anode electrode 210 above the planarization layer 160. Furthermore, the separation layer 270 can be disposed between two adjacent emitting regions EA. Since the light-emitting layer 230 is formed in a discontinuous structure through the separation layer 270, the lateral leakage current that may occur between two adjacent emitting regions EA can be reduced. Figure 1 As shown, the separation layer 270 is configured to overlap at least a portion of the effective display area AA, but may not extend to the outer edge of the effective display area AA. For example, in Figure 3 In this process, another portion of the light-emitting layer 230 may be disposed on the aforementioned portion of the planarization layer 160, and this other portion of the light-emitting layer 230 is physically disconnected from the aforementioned portion of the light-emitting layer 230 of the first light-emitting device or the second light-emitting device. Additionally, another portion of the cathode electrode 250 may be disposed on the aforementioned portion of the planarization layer 160, and this other portion of the cathode electrode 250 is physically disconnected from the aforementioned portion of the cathode electrode 250 of the first light-emitting device or the second light-emitting device.

[0090] Multiple separation layers 270 can be provided with dimensions corresponding to the emission areas EA, and the separation layers 270 are positioned only between the emission areas EA based on the first row of the effective display area AA in the first direction X. Therefore, when N emission areas EA in the first row in the first direction X are provided, N-1 separation layers 270 can be formed because the separation layers 270 are positioned only between the N emission areas EA in the first row.

[0091] The potential transverse leakage current between adjacent emitter regions EA may increase inversely with the distance between the two emitter regions EA. Therefore, in Figure 2 In the pixel structure containing the emitter region EA shown, the lateral leakage current component in the first direction X is likely to be the most dominant, while the lateral leakage current component in the second direction Y is likely to be the second most dominant. In this case, since the lateral leakage current occurring between one emitter region EA and another emitter region EA located diagonally (line-wise) across a relatively long distance, its contribution to the total lateral leakage current is very small and can therefore be ignored.

[0092] exist Figure 1 and 2 In this configuration, the separation layer 270 disposed between adjacent emission zones EA is configured to extend in and be arranged parallel to the second direction Y, but is not limited thereto. As will be described later... Figure 11 and 12 As shown, within the scope of this disclosure, the separation layer 270 may extend in the first direction X, may be arranged parallel to the first direction X, and may be configured to be disposed between adjacent emission regions EA.

[0093] The separation layer SL (or separation layer 270) may be configured to be spaced apart from the anode electrode 210 above the planarization layer 160, which will be described later. Additionally, the separation layer SL may be disposed in at least a portion of the non-emitting region NEA, between the emitting region EA and another emitting region EA adjacent to the emitting region EA, and may be disposed parallel to the first direction X or the second direction Y.

[0094] The separation layer SL may contain a material different from that of the anode electrode 210.

[0095] Specifically, when the anode electrode 210 is formed of a transparent electrode comprising a transparent conductive oxide, an inorganic layer comprising a material different from that of the anode electrode 210 can be used as the separation layer SL. For example, the separation layer SL can be an inorganic layer based on oxides or nitrides. For example, the separation layer SL can comprise at least one of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiN), and silicon oxynitride (SiON). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the separation layer SL can be formed of a multilayer comprising at least two of silicon oxide (SiOx) layers, silicon nitride (SiN) layers, and silicon oxynitride (SiON) layers.

[0096] When the separation layer SL is formed of the same material as the anode electrode 210, the aperture ratio of the effective display area may be reduced due to the high patterning margin between homogeneous materials.

[0097] When the separation layer SL is formed of a material different from that of the anode electrode 210, the minimum distance (or minimum spacing width) between adjacent separation layers SL and anode electrodes 210 can be set as a first distance. When the separation layer SL is formed of the same material as the anode electrode 210, the minimum distance between adjacent separation layers SL and anode electrodes 210 can be set as a second distance. When the separation layer SL is formed of the same material as the anode electrode 210, it is difficult to set the minimum spacing width to, for example, about 8 μm or less due to the patterning margin of the process. However, when the separation layer SL is formed of a material different from that of the anode electrode 210, the minimum spacing width between the separation layer SL and the anode electrode 210 can be set to, for example, about 3.5 μm. Therefore, when the separation layer SL is formed of the same material as the anode electrode 210 and a structure for reducing leakage current occurring in adjacent emitter regions EA is applied, the aperture ratio may be reduced.

[0098] Therefore, the first distance can have a size that is 30% to 50% smaller than the second distance. Thus, the electroluminescent display device according to the examples of this disclosure can have a structure in which the first distance is minimized. (Reference) Figure 3The first distance, which is the minimum distance between the separation layer SL and the anode electrode 210, can be the sum of the second width W2 and the third width W3. In this way, when the separation layer SL is formed of a material different from that of the anode electrode 210, the width of the non-emitting region NEA can be reduced, and therefore the aperture ratio can be relatively improved.

[0099] Therefore, in the electroluminescent display device according to the example of this disclosure, the distance between the separation layer SL and the adjacent anode electrode 210 can be reduced; in other words, the width of the non-emitting region NEA located between adjacent emitting regions EA can be reduced. Thus, compared to the structures of related technologies, the electroluminescent display device according to the example of this disclosure can have an improved aperture ratio.

[0100] Here, the aperture ratio can be defined as the ratio of the emission area EA to the effective display area AA. Alternatively, the aperture ratio can be defined as the ratio of the opening defined by the embankment 170 to the pixels constituting the effective display area AA.

[0101] The dam 170 can define an emission region EA for each sub-pixel region and can be disposed in at least a portion of a non-emission region NEA adjacent to the emission region EA. In this case, the emission region EA indicates a region in which the anode electrode 210, the light-emitting layer 230, and the cathode electrode 250 are stacked sequentially, such that holes from the anode electrode 210 and electrons from the cathode electrode 250 combine with each other in the light-emitting layer 230 to emit light. In this case, the region where the dam 170 forms does not emit light and becomes the non-emission region NEA, and the region where the anode electrode 210 is not covered by the dam 170 can become the emission region EA. The dam 170 can be formed to cover the edge of the anode electrode 210 and expose a portion of the anode electrode 210. Therefore, the dam 170 can prevent the problem of reduced luminous efficiency due to current concentration at the end of the anode electrode 210.

[0102] The embankment 170 can be formed as an organic layer such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin and polyimide resin.

[0103] The embankment 170 may be configured to cover at least a portion of the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163. Preferably, the embankment 170 may be formed so as not to overlap with a portion of the bottom surface of the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163. For example, in Figure 3 In the middle, the embankment 170 may cover the bottom surface of the first trench portion 161 and at least a portion of the first anode electrode, or the embankment 170 may cover the bottom surface of the second trench portion 163 and at least a portion of the second anode electrode.

[0104] Additionally, it may further include an encapsulation portion (not shown) covering the light-emitting device 200, the embankment 170, the separation layer 270, and the planarization layer 160.

[0105] The encapsulation portion can be configured to overlap with the effective display area AA. According to examples of this disclosure, the encapsulation portion can include at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer. Additionally, the encapsulation portion can have a thin-film encapsulation structure in which the inorganic and organic layers are arranged alternately, and can prevent moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the light-emitting device 200. For example, the encapsulation portion can include a first encapsulation portion, a second encapsulation portion, and a third encapsulation portion stacked sequentially. Furthermore, the first and third encapsulation portions of the encapsulation portion can be inorganic layers, and the second encapsulation portion can be an organic layer, but are not limited thereto.

[0106] For example, the first and third encapsulation portions may contain silicon nitride (SiNx), but are not limited to this. The second encapsulation portion may be an organic material containing resin, but is not limited to this.

[0107] refer to Figure 3 The electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure may have a structure in which a planarization layer 160 comprising a first trench portion 161 and a second trench portion 163, a separation layer 270, an anode electrode 210, and a dam portion 170 capable of minimizing lateral leakage current occurring in adjacent emitting regions EA are combined. Furthermore, the width of the non-emitting region NEA can be reduced, thereby improving the aperture ratio. Therefore, in the electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure, lateral leakage current is minimized and the width of the non-emitting region NEA is reduced, thereby improving the aperture ratio.

[0108] Specifically, the width W of the non-emitting region NEA can have a symmetrical structure with respect to the separation layer 270. Therefore, the width W of the non-emitting region NEA can be defined as the sum of a first width W1 (the width of the separation layer 270), twice the second width W2 from one end of the dam 170 to the separation layer 270 adjacent to said one end of the dam 170, twice the third width W3 as the width from the end of the dam 170 to the end of the adjacent anode electrode 210, and twice the fourth width W4 as the width from the end of the anode electrode 210 to the other end of the dam 170 adjacent to the emitting region NEA.

[0109] For example, the first width W1 can be set to a minimum width of approximately 3.5 μm through a patterning process, and the second width W2 can be set to a width of approximately 1 μm. In this case, through the structure of the separation layer 270, the first groove portion 161, and the second groove portion 163, the second width W2 can be defined as the distance between one end of the separation layer 270 and one end of the adjacent embankment 170. Next, the third width W3 and the fourth width W4 can each be set to a width of approximately 4.5 μm, which will be adjusted according to the formation of the embankment 170. Here, the aforementioned widths W, the first width W1, the second width W2, the third width W3, and the fourth width W4 are all defined as lengths considering only the first direction X.

[0110] At this point, regarding the sum of the second width W2 and the third width W3, if the separation layer SL is formed of the same material as the anode electrode 210, it may be difficult to set the minimum width between the separation layer SL and the anode electrode 210 to about 8 μm or less due to the patterning margin of the process. However, in the electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure, when the separation layer SL is formed of a material different from that of the anode electrode 210, the spacing width between the separation layer SL and the anode electrode 210 can be minimized. For example, the distance between the separation layer SL and the anode electrode 210 can be set to about 3.5 μm. Therefore, in Figure 3 In the structure, the sum of the second width W2 and the third width W3 can be minimized. For example, the sum of the second width W2 and the third width W3 can be reduced to approximately 3.5 μm.

[0111] Therefore, in the electroluminescent display device according to the example of this disclosure, the distance between the separation layer SL and the adjacent anode electrode 210 can be reduced. Therefore, the width of the non-emitting region NEA located between adjacent emitting regions EA can be reduced. Therefore, in the electroluminescent display according to the example of this disclosure, compared with the structure of related technologies, the aperture ratio can be improved, and the lateral leakage current can be minimized.

[0112] Figure 4 This illustrates another example according to this disclosure. Figure 1 A plan view of area A, and Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken from line II-II'. Besides the arrangement of the separation layer 270, Figure 4 and 5 Structure and Figures 1 to 3 Since the structures are the same, redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0113] refer to Figure 4The separation layer 270 can be arranged parallel to the second direction Y and disposed between adjacent emitter regions EA. Furthermore, at least a portion of the separation layer 270 extending in the second direction Y can be formed in a discontinuous structure. For example, one separation layer 270 can be formed extending in the second direction Y between the first emitter region EA and the second emitter region EA. Another separation layer 270, disconnected from the first separation layer 270, can be formed between the third emitter region EA and the fourth emitter region EA. As described above, the separation layer 270 is introduced to reduce the lateral leakage current that may occur in adjacent emitter regions EA. Therefore, the separation layer 270 is positioned between adjacent emitter regions EA (e.g., the first and second emitter regions) in the first direction X, where the lateral leakage current may be at its maximum. However, since the lateral leakage current occurring between one emitter region EA and another emitter region EA located diagonally opposite it is negligible, the separation layer 270 may not be formed here. Therefore, the emitter regions EA are not disposed on the left and right sides of the region where the separation layer 270 is not formed.

[0114] refer to Figure 5 The light-emitting layer 230 and cathode electrode 250 of the light-emitting device 200 can be formed to be connected in the non-emitting region NEA in which the separation layer 270 is not formed. Specifically, it has a structure in which the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 of the planarization layer 160 are connected. In this case, the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 can have a single trench structure without the separation layer 270. As described above, in the electroluminescent display according to the example of this disclosure, since the cathode electrode 250 has a connection structure in the region of the effective display area AA in which the separation layer 270 is not formed, the resistance uniformity of the cathode electrode 250 in the effective display area AA can be improved. Therefore, the image quality and brightness uniformity of the electroluminescent display device can be improved.

[0115] like Figure 4 and 5 As shown, an example electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure may have a structure in which the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 are connected in a portion of the non-emitting region NEA. However, it is connected at the farthest distance between an emitting region EA and another emitting region EA adjacent to it in its diagonal direction. Therefore, the contribution to the occurrence of transverse leakage current may be very low, and the substantially occurring transverse leakage current can be ignored. Therefore, as Figure 4 and 5As shown, in the electroluminescent display device according to the example of this disclosure, although the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 are partially connected, the lateral leakage current is reduced compared to the structure of related technologies. Furthermore, in the electroluminescent display device according to the example of this disclosure, the resistance uniformity of the cathode electrode 250 in the effective display area AA can be improved, thereby improving the image quality and brightness uniformity of the electroluminescent display device.

[0116] Figure 6 This is a plan view of an electroluminescent display device according to another example of this disclosure. Figure 7 It is shown in the figure. Figure 6 A plan view of area B, and Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken from line Ⅲ-Ⅲ'. Figures 6 to 8 In addition to having two separation layers 271 and 273 in the non-emission region NEA between two adjacent emission regions EA and a third trench portion 165 of a planarization layer 160 formed between the two separation layers 271 and 273, the electroluminescent display device according to another example of this disclosure is... Figures 1 to 3 The electroluminescent display devices have the same structure, so the description of the same parts will be omitted.

[0117] refer to Figures 6 to 8 The separation layer 270 (or separation layer SL) may include a first separation layer 271 and a second separation layer 273 formed spaced apart from each other. Additionally, a planarization layer 160 may be formed between the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273, and may further include a third trench portion 165 formed by removing at least a portion of the planarization layer 160. For example, in Figure 8 In the planarization layer 160, a first trench portion 161 and a third trench portion 165 may be formed, and a portion of the planarization layer 160 may remain between the first trench portion 161 and the third trench portion 165. The planarization layer 160 may also form a second trench portion 163, and another portion of the planarization layer 160 may remain between the second trench portion 163 and the third trench portion 165.

[0118] Therefore, in another example of the electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure, a first separation layer 271, a second separation layer 273, and a third trench portion 165 disposed between two adjacent emitting regions EA can be formed. The light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 can be discontinuously formed in the third trench portion 165 disposed between the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273. For example, a portion of the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 can be formed to overlap with the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 in the non-emitting region NEA, and can be discontinuously formed in the third trench portion 165. Specifically, the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 of two adjacent light-emitting devices can be disposed above the planarization layer 160, the first separation layer 271, and the second separation layer 273, and can overlap with at least a portion of the two sidewalls of the third trench portion 165. For example, the first separation layer 271 may protrude beyond the sidewall of the first trench portion 161 corresponding to the side surface of the portion of the planarization layer 160, and may also protrude beyond the sidewall of the third trench portion 165 corresponding to the other side surface of the portion of the planarization layer 160. The second separation layer 273 may protrude beyond the sidewall of the second trench portion 163 corresponding to the other side surface of the planarization layer 160, and may also protrude beyond the other sidewall of the third trench portion 165. The light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 may be disconnected from the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273, and overlap at least a portion of the bottom side of the third trench portion 165.

[0119] At least a portion of the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 overlaps with and protrudes from the sidewall of the third trench portion 165 so as not to overlap with the upper surface of the planarization layer 160. When the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 are disposed above the upper surface of the planarization layer 160, they can be disposed above both sides of the third trench portion 165. One side surface of the first separation layer 271 protrudes beyond one sidewall of the third trench portion 165, and one side surface of the second separation layer 273 can be formed to protrude beyond another sidewall facing the one sidewall of the third trench portion 165. With this structure, the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 of the above-described light-emitting device 200 can be provided in a discontinuous structure based on the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 as boundaries.

[0120] Multiple first separation layers 271 and multiple second separation layers 273 can be provided to have dimensions corresponding to the emission regions EA, and the first separation layers 271 and second separation layers 273 can be located only between the emission regions EA of the first row of the effective display area AA in the first direction X. Therefore, when preparing N emission regions EA of the first row in the first direction X, each of N-1 first separation layers 271 and second separation layers 273 can be formed because they are located only between the N emission regions EA of the first row.

[0121] like Figure 8 As shown, the anode electrode 210 has a structure that is disconnected from the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273, and can provide a structure in which the cathode electrode 250 is disposed above the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 without short-circuiting.

[0122] An electroluminescent display device according to another example of this disclosure may have the following structure, including a planarization layer 160 comprising a first trench portion 161, a second trench portion 163, and a third trench portion 165; a separation layer 270 comprising a first separation layer 271 and a second separation layer 273; an anode electrode 210; and a dam portion 170, which are combined to minimize lateral leakage current occurring in adjacent emitting regions EA. Additionally, the width of the non-emitting region NEA can be reduced, thereby improving the aperture ratio. Therefore, in the electroluminescent display device according to another example of this disclosure, lateral leakage current is minimized and the width of the non-emitting region NEA is reduced, thereby improving the aperture ratio.

[0123] Specifically, the width W′ of the non-emitting region NEA has a horizontally symmetrical structure based on the fifth width W5 between the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273. Therefore, the width W′ of the non-emitting region NEA can be defined as the sum of the fifth width W5 between the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273, twice the width of the sixth width W6 (which is the width of the first separation layer 271), twice the width of the seventh width W7 (which is the width between the ends of the first separation layer 271 and the anode electrode 210 that are adjacent to each other), and twice the width of the eighth width W8 (which is the width from the end of the anode electrode 210 located in the area overlapping with the embankment 170 to the end of the embankment 170 adjacent to the emission region EA).

[0124] For example, the fifth width W5, the sixth width W6, and the seventh width W7 can be set to a minimum width of approximately 3.5 μm using a patterning process. Next, the eighth width W8 can be set to a minimum width of approximately 4.5 μm, and the eighth width W8 can be adjusted according to the formation of the embankment 170. Here, the aforementioned widths W′, W5, W6, W7, and W8 are all defined as lengths considering only the first direction X.

[0125] As described above, the fifth width W5 can be set to a minimum width of approximately 3.5 μm through a patterning process. For this purpose, the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 can be formed of a material different from that of the anode electrode 210.

[0126] Regarding the fifth width W5 and the seventh width W7, if the anode electrode 210, the first separation layer 271, and the second separation layer 273 are all formed of the same material, it may be difficult to set the minimum spacing width to less than about 8 μm due to the patterning margin of the process. However, in an electroluminescent display device according to another example of this disclosure, the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 are formed of a material different from that of the anode electrode 210, such that each of the anode electrode 210, the first separation layer, and the second separation layer 273 can be set to have a minimum spacing width between them, for example, a minimum of about 3.5 μm.

[0127] Therefore, in another example of the electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure, the distance between the separation layer SL and the adjacent anode electrode 210 can be reduced; in other words, the width of the non-emitting region NEA located between adjacent emitting regions EA can be reduced. Thus, in the example electroluminescent display according to this disclosure, compared to the structure of related technologies, the aperture ratio can be improved, and the lateral leakage current can be minimized.

[0128] Figure 9 This illustration shows another example according to this disclosure. Figure 6 A plan view of area B, and Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 The cross-sectional view taken from line II-II'. Here, Figure 10 The cross-sectional structure can be the same as the above. Figure 5 The cross-sectional structures are identical. Therefore, repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0129] refer to Figure 9 The first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 can be arranged parallel to the second direction Y and disposed between adjacent emitter regions EA. However, at least a portion of the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 can be formed in a discontinuous structure. As described above, the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 are introduced to reduce the lateral leakage current that may occur in adjacent emitter regions EA. Therefore, the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 are positioned between adjacent emitter regions EA in the first direction X, where the lateral leakage current may be at its maximum. However, since the lateral leakage current occurring between one emitter region EA and another emitter region EA located diagonally opposite it is negligible, the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 may not be formed here.

[0130] refer to Figure 10 The light-emitting layer 230 and cathode electrode 250 of the light-emitting device 200 can be formed to be connected in a non-emitting region NEA in which the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 are not formed. Specifically, it has a structure in which the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 of the planarization layer 160 are connected. In this case, the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 can have a single trench structure without the separation layer 270. As described above, in the electroluminescent display according to the example of this disclosure, since the cathode electrode 250 has a connection structure in the region of the effective display area AA in which the first separation layer 271 and the second separation layer 273 are not formed, the resistance uniformity of the cathode electrode 250 in the effective display area can be improved. Therefore, the image quality and brightness uniformity of the electroluminescent display device can be improved.

[0131] like Figure 9 and 10 As shown, an electroluminescent display device according to another example of this disclosure may have a structure in which the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 are connected in a portion of the non-emitting region NEA. However, it is connected at the farthest distance between an emitting region EA and another emitting region EA adjacent to it in its diagonal direction. Therefore, the contribution to the occurrence of lateral leakage current may be very low, and the substantially occurring lateral leakage current can be ignored. Therefore, as Figure 9 and 10 As shown, in another example of the electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure, although the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 are partially connected, the lateral leakage current is reduced compared to the structure of the related art. Furthermore, in another example of the electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure, the resistance uniformity of the cathode electrode 250 in the effective display area AA can be improved, thereby improving the image quality and brightness uniformity of the electroluminescent display device.

[0132] Figure 11 This is a plan view of an electroluminescent display device according to another example of this disclosure. Figure 12 It is shown in the figure. Figure 11 A plan view of region C, and Figure 13 It is along Figure 12 The cross-sectional view taken from line I-I'. Except for the changes in the arrangement of the launch region EA and the separation layer SL, Figures 10 to 13 With Figure 1 or Figure 6 Since it has the same structure as the electroluminescent display device, redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0133] exist Figure 11In this embodiment, the pixel structure containing the emission region EA, categorized as region C, can be configured as a quaternary structure, and a region containing four emission regions EA, like region C, can be defined as a unit pixel. Within a unit pixel, when a square (or block) is divided into quadrants, a sub-pixel or emission region can be formed in each quadrant. However, the pixel structure of the electroluminescent display device according to this disclosure is not limited to this, and various known structures such as strip-shaped, rhomboid, and quinary structures can be applied.

[0134] Therefore, when the structure of the emitter region EA is implemented in a square shape similar to the quaternary structure described above, the shortest distance between two adjacent emitter regions EA in the first direction X and the second direction Y can be formed at the same level. Therefore, in order to reduce the lateral leakage current that may occur between adjacent emitter regions EA, a separation layer 270 can be formed parallel to the first direction X and the second direction Y. Furthermore, the separation layer 270 may not be formed in the region adjacent to one emitter region EA in the diagonal direction.

[0135] Therefore, multiple separation layers 270 can be provided, each having a size corresponding to the emitter area EA, and the separation layers 270 can be formed only between the emitter areas EA of the first row in the first direction based on the effective display area AA. Thus, when preparing m emitter areas EA of the first row in the first direction X, m-1 separation layers 270 can be formed because the separation layers 270 are positioned only between the m emitter areas EA of the first row. Furthermore, since the separation layers 270 are located only between the emitter areas EA of the first column in the second direction Y based on the effective display area AA, when preparing M emitter areas EA of the first column in the second direction, M-1 separation layers 270 can be formed because the separation layers 270 are located only between the M emitter areas EA of the first column.

[0136] Furthermore, when the emission region is formed with a circular, elliptical, or indeterminate structure, such as Figure 11 As shown, a separation layer 270 can be formed between a transmission zone EA and another transmission zone EA adjacent to the one transmission zone EA.

[0137] exist Figure 12 In this embodiment, the sub-pixel containing the emission area EA located in the upper left can be a white sub-pixel, the sub-pixel containing the emission area EA located in the upper right can be a red sub-pixel, the sub-pixel containing the emission area EA located in the lower left can be a green sub-pixel, and the sub-pixel containing the emission area EA located in the lower right can be a blue sub-pixel. However, the arrangement structure of the emission area EA or sub-pixels according to this disclosure is not limited to this.

[0138] Figures 14A to 14F This is a view illustrating a method of manufacturing an electroluminescent display device according to the present disclosure.

[0139] First, refer to Figure 14A A buffer layer 120, an interlayer insulating layer 130, a protective layer 140, color filters 150 and 150', and a planarization layer 160 are formed on the substrate 110, and a separation layer 270 is formed.

[0140] In this case, the separation layer 270 can be patterned to have a preset width.

[0141] Next, refer to Figure 14B An anode electrode 210 is formed to correspond to each emission region, and a mask pattern MP can be formed to overlap the anode electrode 210 and the separation layer 270. In this case, the mask pattern MP can be a photoresist pattern used in the photolithography process.

[0142] Next, refer to Figure 14C and 14D Etching processes can be performed using mask patterns (MP).

[0143] In this configuration, the anode electrode 210 and the separation layer 270 can each serve as a predetermined mask for the etching process. At this point, the etching process can be performed by appropriately setting the etching rate for the material constituting the planarization layer 160, and as... Figure 14D As shown, the first trench portion 161 and the second trench portion 163 can be formed to overlap with at least a portion of the anode electrode 210 and the separation layer 270, and the anode electrode 210 and the separation layer 270 can be formed to have a portion of them protruding toward the first trench portion 161 or the second trench portion 163, such that the anode electrode 210 and the separation layer 270 do not overlap with the upper surface of the planarization layer 160.

[0144] Next, refer to Figure 14E and 14F A dam 170 can be formed to overlap at least a portion of the anode electrode 210 and the first and second trench portions 161 and 163, and a light-emitting layer 230 and a cathode electrode 250 of the light-emitting device 200 can be formed. In this case, the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 can be formed without the mask pattern described above, and due to the structure in which the first and second trench portions 161 and 163 are combined with the separation layer 270, the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 can be formed in a discontinuous structure within the first and second trench portions 161 and 163 and the separation layer 270.

[0145] Figure 15 It is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the structure containing the planarization layer and the separation layer of the groove portion.

[0146] refer to Figure 15A separation layer 270 is formed above the planarization layer 160, and a trench portion 165 is formed by performing an etching process. During the formation of the trench portion 165, the etching rate of the planarization layer 160 is appropriately adjusted to ensure that two side surfaces or both sides of the trench portion 165 are formed to overlap at least a portion of the separation layer 270. In this case, the trench portion 165 can have the same characteristics as described above. Figure 8 The third groove portion 165 described has the same structure. Therefore, as Figure 15 As shown, the two sidewalls of the trench portion 165 overlap with at least a portion of the separation layer 270. In other words, at least a portion of the separation layer 270 can be formed to protrude so as to overlap with the sidewalls of the trench portion 165, and with this structure, the light-emitting layer 230 and the cathode electrode 250 of the light-emitting device 200 can be provided in a discontinuous structure based on the separation layer 270 as the boundary.

[0147] According to the examples of this disclosure, the lateral leakage current of the electroluminescent display device is reduced, thereby improving its reliability.

[0148] In addition, according to the examples of this disclosure, the lateral leakage current of the electroluminescent display device is reduced, and the aperture ratio is improved at the same time.

[0149] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0150] The features, structures, and effects described above in this disclosure are included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, but are not limited to one embodiment. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can implement the features, structures, and effects described in at least one embodiment of this disclosure by combining or modifying other embodiments. Therefore, anything associated with combinations and modifications should be interpreted as falling within the scope of this disclosure.

[0151] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to this disclosure without departing from its spirit or scope. Therefore, this disclosure should cover such modifications and variations, provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electroluminescent display device, comprising: A substrate comprising an emission region and a non-emission region surrounding the emission region; A planarization layer formed over the substrate; A light-emitting device disposed above the planarization layer, which overlaps with the emitting region, and includes an anode electrode; as well as A separation layer is configured to be spaced apart from the anode electrode above the planarization layer, and is configured to be parallel to a first direction or a second direction in at least a portion of a non-emission region between an emission region and another emission region adjacent to the one emission region. The planarization layer is formed to overlap at least a portion of the non-emissive region and includes trench portions formed by removing at least a portion of the planarization layer. The trench portion in the non-emission region at least partially overlaps with the end of each of the anode electrode and the separation layer. The light-emitting device further includes a portion of a light-emitting layer and a portion of a cathode electrode formed sequentially above the anode electrode, and A portion of the light-emitting layer and a portion of the cathode electrode are formed discontinuously in the trench portion and are disconnected from another portion of the light-emitting layer and another portion of the cathode electrode on the planarization layer.

2. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the separation layer comprises a material different from that of the anode electrode.

3. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein: The anode electrode comprises a transparent conductive oxide, and The separation layer comprises at least one of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiN), and silicon oxynitride (SiON).

4. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the trench portion comprises: The first trench portion is configured to be adjacent to the aforementioned emission region; and The second trench portion is configured to be adjacent to the other emission zone that is adjacent to the first emission zone.

5. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 4, wherein: The first trench portion overlaps with one end of the separation layer and with one end of the anode electrode of the emitter region, and The second trench portion overlaps with the other end of the separation layer and with one end of the anode electrode of the other emission region.

6. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 5, further comprising: A dam, which is disposed above the planarization layer and positioned to surround the outer side of the emission area. The embankment overlaps with at least a portion of the trench.

7. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 6, wherein: A embankment adjacent to one of the launch areas overlaps with a side surface of the first trench portion and at least partially overlaps with the bottom surface of the first trench portion. The embankment located adjacent to the other launch area overlaps with one side surface of the second trench portion and at least partially overlaps with the bottom surface of the second trench portion.

8. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 6, wherein: The portion of the light-emitting layer and the portion of the cathode electrode are configured to overlap with the embankment, and The other portion of the light-emitting layer and the other portion of the cathode electrode are configured to overlap with the separation layer.

9. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 4, wherein: The separation layer comprises a first separation layer and a second separation layer formed spaced apart from each other, and The planarization layer further includes a third trench portion formed between the first separation layer and the second separation layer and formed by removing at least a portion of the planarization layer.

10. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 9, wherein the third trench portion overlaps with at least a portion of the first separation layer and the second separation layer.

11. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 9, wherein the anode electrode comprises a transparent conductive oxide, and the first separation layer and the second separation layer comprise at least one of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiN), and silicon oxynitride (SiN).

12. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein the separation layer includes a separation layer unformed region, wherein at least a portion of the separation layer is formed to have a discontinuous structure in the first direction or the second direction.

13. The electroluminescent display device according to claim 12, wherein the cathode electrode is commonly formed in the region where the separation layer is not formed.

14. A display device comprising: A substrate comprising multiple emission regions of multiple sub-pixels, the multiple emission regions including a first emission region of a first sub-pixel and a second emission region of a second sub-pixel, wherein a non-emission region is provided between the first emission region and the second emission region; The planarization layer on the substrate has a first trench adjacent to the first emission region, a second trench adjacent to the second emission region, and at least a portion of the planarization layer disposed between the first trench and the second trench; A first light-emitting device disposed on a first upper surface of the planarization layer in at least the first emission region, and a second light-emitting device disposed on a second upper surface of the planarization layer in at least the second emission region; as well as At least one separation layer is disposed on the portion of the planarization layer, wherein at least one end of the separation layer protrudes beyond the side surface of the portion of the planarization layer.

15. The display device according to claim 14, The first light-emitting device includes a first anode electrode disposed on a first upper surface of the planarization layer, and the second light-emitting device includes a second anode electrode disposed on a second upper surface of the planarization layer. The material of the separation layer is different from the materials of the first anode electrode and the second anode electrode.

16. The display device of claim 15, wherein the first anode electrode and the second anode electrode comprise a transparent conductive oxide, and the separation layer comprises at least one of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiN), and silicon oxynitride (SiN).

17. The display device of claim 15, wherein the first anode electrode protrudes beyond the sidewall of the first trench or the second anode electrode protrudes beyond the sidewall of the second trench.

18. The display device according to claim 15, The first light-emitting device or at least one of the second light-emitting devices includes at least a portion of a light-emitting layer and at least a portion of a cathode electrode, and The other portion of the light-emitting layer and the other portion of the cathode electrode are disposed on the separation layer, and the other portion of the light-emitting layer and the other portion of the cathode electrode are physically disconnected from the first portion of the light-emitting layer and the first portion of the cathode electrode.

19. The display device of claim 18, further comprising a dam disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface of the first anode electrode and the first trench, wherein the portion of the light-emitting layer and the portion of the cathode electrode extend to be disposed on the dam.

20. The display device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of subpixels are arranged in one or more rows and one or more columns, and wherein the separation layer extends in a first direction between the row of subpixels or the separation layer extends in a second direction between the column of subpixels.

21. The display device according to claim 20, The at least one separation layer further includes a second separation layer disposed between the third emission region of the third sub-pixel and the fourth emission region of the fourth sub-pixel. The second separation layer is disconnected from the separation layer, and in the region where the separation layer is disconnected from the second separation layer, the planarization layer forms a single trench.

22. The display device of claim 14, wherein the planarization layer has a third trench, a portion of the planarization layer is located between the first trench and the third trench, and wherein another portion of the planarization layer is located between the third trench and the second trench, the display device further comprising: A second separation layer is disposed on the other portion of the planarization layer, wherein at least one end of the second separation layer protrudes beyond the side surface of the other portion of the planarization layer.

23. The display device according to claim 22, The first light-emitting device or at least one of the second light-emitting devices includes at least a portion of a light-emitting layer and at least a portion of a cathode electrode, and The other portion of the light-emitting layer and the other portion of the cathode electrode are disposed in the third trench, and the other portion of the light-emitting layer and the other portion of the cathode electrode are physically disconnected from the first portion of the light-emitting layer and the first portion of the cathode electrode.

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