Display device

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a display device comprises: a second insulating layer having a first opening portion overlapping with a first lower electrode and a second opening portion overlapping with the second lower electrode; a partition wall arranged on the second insulating layer; a first organic layer arranged in the first opening portion, covering the first lower electrode; and a first upper electrode, covering the first organic layer, the partition wall comprising: a first layer formed of a metal material, having a first side surface facing the first opening portion, a second side surface facing the second opening portion, and a first upper surface; and a second layer, having a bottom surface connected to the first upper surface, a third side surface facing the first opening portion, a fourth side surface facing the second opening portion, and a second upper surface, the first upper electrode being connected to the first side surface, the bottom surface extending from the first side surface to the first opening portion and from the second side surface to the second opening portion, and the lower portion of the second layer including the bottom surface having an inverted cone-shaped cross-sectional shape whose width increases as it moves from the bottom surface toward the top.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-004113 filed on January 14, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device. Background Art

[0004] In recent years, display devices using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) as display elements have been put into practical use. The display element has an organic layer between a pixel electrode and a common electrode. In addition to the light-emitting layer, the organic layer also includes functional layers such as a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer. Such an organic layer is formed, for example, by vacuum evaporation.

[0005] For example, in the case of mask evaporation, a fine mask having openings corresponding to each pixel is applied. However, due to the processing accuracy of the fine mask, deformation of the opening shape, etc., the formation accuracy of the thin film formed by evaporation may be reduced. Therefore, it is desirable to form an organic layer of a desired shape without applying a fine mask.

[0006] In one example, there is known a technique for dividing an organic layer and a cathode (second electrode) using a pixel division structure. In such a technique, in order to supply a predetermined potential to the divided cathode, it is required to reliably electrically connect the cathode to a wiring for power supply. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of supplying a predetermined potential to an upper electrode of a display element.

[0008] A display device according to one embodiment,

[0009] The present invention comprises: an insulating substrate; a first insulating layer arranged on the insulating substrate; a first lower electrode and a second lower electrode arranged on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer arranged on the first insulating layer between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode, and having a first opening overlapping with the first lower electrode and a second opening overlapping with the second lower electrode; a partition arranged on the second insulating layer; a first organic layer including a light-emitting layer, arranged in the first opening and covering the first lower electrode; and a first upper electrode covering the first organic layer, the partition having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer It is connected to the second insulating layer, is formed of a metal material, has a first side surface facing the first opening, a second side surface facing the second opening, and a first upper surface, the second layer has a bottom surface connected to the first upper surface, a third side surface facing the first opening, a fourth side surface facing the second opening, and a second upper surface, the first upper electrode is connected to the first side surface, the bottom surface extends from the first side surface toward the first opening and from the second side surface toward the second opening, and the lower part of the second layer including the bottom surface has an inverted cone-shaped cross-sectional shape whose width increases from the bottom surface toward the top.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a display device capable of supplying a predetermined potential to an upper electrode of a display element can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a display device DSP according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A top view of an example of a pixel PX is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a top view of another example of a pixel PX shown in FIG.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the display element 20 .

[0015] Figure 5 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the partition wall 30 .

[0016] Figure 6 It is used to illustrate Figure 4 A diagram showing the steps of forming a cross-sectional structure shown.

[0017] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the display element 20 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] In addition, the disclosure is only an example, and for those skilled in the art, the contents that can be easily thought of with respect to appropriate changes that maintain the main purpose of the invention are of course also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, with respect to the drawings, in order to make the description clearer, the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part are sometimes schematically represented compared to the actual method, but it is only an example after all and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In addition, in this specification and each figure, the same reference figure numerals are marked for the constituent elements that perform the same or similar functions as the constituent elements described previously with respect to the figures that have appeared, and sometimes repeated detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0020] In addition, in the drawings, as necessary, for easy understanding, mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are described. The direction along the X-axis is called the X-direction or the first direction, the direction along the Y-axis is called the Y-direction or the second direction, and the direction along the Z-axis is called the Z-direction or the third direction. The plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis is called the XY plane. Observing the XY plane is called a top view.

[0021] The display device DSP of this embodiment is an organic electroluminescent display device having an organic light emitting diode (OLED) as a display element, and is mounted on a television, a personal computer, a portable terminal, a portable phone, etc. In addition, the display element described below can be applied as a light emitting element of a lighting device, and the display device DSP can be transferred to other electronic devices such as a lighting device.

[0022] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a display device DSP according to the present embodiment. The display device DSP includes a display unit DA for displaying an image on an insulating substrate 10. The substrate 10 is an insulating substrate and may be glass or a flexible resin film.

[0023] The display unit DA includes a plurality of pixels PX arranged in a matrix in a first direction X and a second direction Y. The pixel PX includes a plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. In one example, the pixel PX includes a red sub-pixel SP1, a green sub-pixel SP2, and a blue sub-pixel SP3. In addition, the pixel PX may include four or more sub-pixels in which sub-pixels of other colors such as white are added in addition to the sub-pixels of the three colors described above.

[0024] A configuration example of one sub-pixel SP included in the pixel PX will be briefly described.

[0025] That is, the sub-pixel SP includes a pixel circuit 1 and a display element 20 driven and controlled by the pixel circuit 1. The pixel circuit 1 includes a pixel switch 2, a driving transistor 3, and a capacitor 4. The pixel switch 2 and the driving transistor 3 are switching elements composed of, for example, thin film transistors.

[0026] Regarding the pixel switch 2, the gate electrode is connected to the scanning line GL, the source electrode is connected to the signal line SL, and the drain electrode is connected to the electrode constituting one side of the capacitor 4 and the gate electrode of the driving transistor 3. Regarding the driving transistor 3, the source electrode is connected to the electrode constituting the other side of the capacitor 4 and the power supply line PL, and the drain electrode is connected to the anode of the display element 20. The cathode of the display element 20 is connected to the power supply line FL. In addition, the structure of the pixel circuit 1 is not limited to the example shown in the figure.

[0027] The display element 20 is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) as a light emitting element. For example, the sub-pixel SP1 includes a display element that emits light corresponding to a red wavelength, the sub-pixel SP2 includes a display element that emits light corresponding to a green wavelength, and the sub-pixel SP3 includes a display element that emits light corresponding to a blue wavelength. By having a plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 that display different colors in the pixel PX, multi-color display can be achieved.

[0028] However, the display elements 20 of the sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 may be configured to emit light of the same color. In this way, monochrome display can be achieved.

[0029] In addition, when the display element 20 of each of the sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 emits white light, a color filter may be disposed opposite to the display element 20. For example, the sub-pixel SP1 includes a red color filter opposite to the display element 20, the sub-pixel SP2 includes a green color filter opposite to the display element 20, and the sub-pixel SP3 includes a blue color filter opposite to the display element 20. Thus, multi-color display can be achieved.

[0030] Alternatively, when the display element 20 of each of the sub-pixels SP1 , SP2 , and SP3 emits ultraviolet light, multi-color display can be achieved by arranging a light conversion layer facing the display element 20 .

[0031] The structure of the display element 20 will be described later.

[0032] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A top view of an example of a pixel PX is shown.

[0033] The sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 constituting one pixel PX are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending in the second direction Y, and are arranged in the first direction X. The outer shape of each sub-pixel is equivalent to the outer shape of the light-emitting area EA in the display element 20, but is simplified and does not necessarily reflect the actual shape. Here, it is assumed that the light-emitting area EA is formed in a rectangular shape having a short side extending in the first direction X and a long side extending in the second direction Y.

[0034] The insulating layer 12 described in detail later is formed in a lattice shape extending in the first direction X and the second direction Y in a plan view, and surrounds each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3 or the display element 20 of each sub-pixel. Such an insulating layer 12 is sometimes called a rib, a partition wall, a bank, etc. The light-emitting area EA is formed in the opening OP of the insulating layer 12.

[0035] The partition 30 described in detail later is formed in a lattice shape extending in the first direction X and the second direction Y in a plan view, and is disposed on the insulating layer 12 . The sub-pixels SP1 , SP2 , and SP3 are surrounded by the partition 30 .

[0036] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a top view of another example of a pixel PX shown in FIG.

[0037] Figure 3 The example shown is similar to Figure 2 The example shown is different in that the partitions 30 are formed in stripes. The partitions 30 extend in the second direction Y and are arranged in the first direction X. The sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 are located between adjacent partitions 30. That is, in the first direction X, the sub-pixels and the partitions are arranged alternately.

[0038] The insulating layer 12 and Figure 2 The example shown is also formed in a lattice shape, but may be formed in a stripe shape like the partition walls 30 .

[0039] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the display element 20 .

[0040] Figure 1 The pixel circuit 1 shown is disposed on a substrate 10 and covered by an insulating layer 11. Figure 4 In the figure, only the driving transistor 3 included in the pixel circuit 1 is shown in simplified form. The insulating layer (first insulating layer) 11 corresponds to the base layer of the display element 20. The insulating layer (second insulating layer) 12 is arranged on the insulating layer 11. The insulating layers 11 and 12 are, for example, organic insulating layers.

[0041] The display element 20 includes a lower electrode E1, an organic layer OR, and an upper electrode E2. The lower electrode E1 is an electrode configured for each sub-pixel or each display element, and is electrically connected to the driving transistor 3. Such a lower electrode E1 is sometimes called a pixel electrode, an anode, etc. The upper electrode E2 is an electrode configured for each sub-pixel or each display element, but is electrically connected to each other across a plurality of adjacent sub-pixels or a plurality of display elements. Such an upper electrode E2 is sometimes called a common electrode, an opposing electrode, a cathode, etc.

[0042] The lower electrode E1 is arranged on the insulating layer 11, and its peripheral portion is covered by the insulating layer 12. The lower electrode E1 is, for example, a metal electrode formed of a metal material such as silver or aluminum. In addition, the lower electrode E1 may be, for example, a transparent electrode formed of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). In addition, the lower electrode E1 may also be a stack of a transparent electrode and a metal electrode. For example, the lower electrode E1 may be a stack in which a transparent electrode, a metal electrode, and a transparent electrode are stacked in this order, or may be a stack of more than three layers. In a top-emitting display element 20, the lower electrode E1 includes a metal electrode as a reflective electrode.

[0043] The organic layer OR is disposed on the lower electrode E1. Such an organic layer OR includes a light emitting layer EL. Figure 4 In the example shown, the organic layer OR further includes functional layers F1 and F2. The functional layer F1, the light-emitting layer EL, and the functional layer F2 are stacked in sequence from the lower electrode E1 side. The functional layers F1 and F2 are, for example, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron blocking layer, but may also be other functional layers. In addition, the functional layers F1 and F2 shown in the figure are not limited to single layers, but may also be stacked layers formed by stacking a plurality of functional layers. In addition, at least one of the functional layers F1 and F2 may be omitted.

[0044] The upper electrode E2 covers the organic layer OR. The upper electrode E2 is, for example, a semi-transmissive metal electrode formed of a metal material such as magnesium or silver. In addition, the upper electrode E2 may also be a transparent electrode formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO. In addition, the upper electrode E2 may also be a laminate of a transparent electrode and a metal electrode. The upper electrode E2 is electrically connected to a power supply line arranged in the display unit DA or a power supply line arranged outside the display unit DA.

[0045] When the potential of the lower electrode E1 is relatively higher than that of the upper electrode E2, the lower electrode E1 is equivalent to an anode and the upper electrode E2 is equivalent to a cathode. In addition, when the potential of the upper electrode E2 is relatively higher than that of the lower electrode E1, the upper electrode E2 is equivalent to an anode and the lower electrode E1 is equivalent to a cathode.

[0046] As an example, when the lower electrode E1 is equivalent to the anode, the functional layer F1 between the light-emitting layer EL and the lower electrode E1 includes at least one of a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer, and the functional layer F2 between the light-emitting layer EL and the upper electrode E2 includes at least one of an electron transport layer and an electron injection layer.

[0047] Here, attention is paid to two display elements adjacent to each other in the first direction X. For convenience, the display element located in the center of the figure is expressed as a display element 21 , and the display element located on the left side of the figure is expressed as a display element 22 .

[0048] The display element 21 includes a lower electrode (first lower electrode) E11, an organic layer (first organic layer) OR1, and an upper electrode (first upper electrode) E21. The organic layer OR1 includes a functional layer F11, a light-emitting layer EL1, and a functional layer F21.

[0049] The display element 22 includes a lower electrode (second lower electrode) E12, an organic layer (second organic layer) OR2, and an upper electrode (second upper electrode) E22. The organic layer OR2 includes a functional layer F12, a light emitting layer EL2, and a functional layer F22. The lower electrodes E11 and E12 are arranged in the first direction X at intervals.

[0050] The insulating layer 12 is disposed between the lower electrode E11 and the lower electrode E12. The insulating layer 12 has a first opening OP1, a second opening OP2, inclined surfaces S1 and S2, and an upper surface U1.

[0051] The first opening OP1 is a through hole formed in a region overlapping with the lower electrode E11 and penetrating the insulating layer 12 to the lower electrode E11. The peripheral portion of the lower electrode E11 is covered by the insulating layer 12, and the central portion of the lower electrode E11 is exposed from the insulating layer 12 at the first opening OP1.

[0052] The second opening OP2 is a through hole formed in a region overlapping with the lower electrode E12 and penetrating the insulating layer 12 to the lower electrode E12. The peripheral portion of the lower electrode E12 is covered by the insulating layer 12, and the central portion of the lower electrode E12 is exposed from the insulating layer 12 at the second opening OP2.

[0053] The upper surface U1, the inclined surfaces S1 and S2 correspond to the surface between the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 in the insulating layer 12. The inclined surface S1 faces the first opening OP1. The inclined surface S2 faces the second opening OP2. The upper surface U1 is located between the inclined surfaces S1 and S2. In addition, the upper surface U1, the inclined surfaces S1 and S2 are, for example, flat surfaces, but may also be curved surfaces.

[0054] The organic layer OR1 is disposed in the first opening OP1 and covers the lower electrode E11. Figure 4 In the example shown, the organic layer OR1 is arranged on the inclined surface S1 and also on a part of the upper surface U1. The upper electrode E21 is stacked on the organic layer OR1. In the organic layer OR1, the portion located between the lower electrode E11 and the upper electrode E21 without the insulating layer 12 can form a light-emitting region of the display element 21. The portion of the organic layer OR1 arranged on the inclined surface S1 and the upper surface U1 is located between the insulating layer 12 and the upper electrode E21, and therefore hardly emits light.

[0055] The organic layer OR2 is disposed in the second opening OP2 and covers the lower electrode E12. Figure 4 In the example shown, the organic layer OR2 is arranged on the inclined surface S2, and further arranged on a part of the upper surface U1. In the upper surface U1, the organic layer OR2 is separated from the organic layer OR1. The upper electrode E22 is stacked on the organic layer OR2. The upper electrode E22 is separated from the upper electrode E21. In the organic layer OR2, the portion located between the lower electrode E12 and the upper electrode E22 without passing through the insulating layer 12 can form the light-emitting region of the display element 22. The portion of the organic layer OR2 arranged on the inclined surface S2 and the upper surface U1 is located between the insulating layer 12 and the upper electrode E22, and therefore hardly emits light.

[0056] The partition wall 30 is located between the display element 21 and the display element 22, and is disposed on the insulating layer 12. More specifically, the partition wall 30 includes a first layer 31 and a second layer 32.

[0057] The first layer 31 is in contact with the upper surface U1 of the insulating layer 12, and is disposed between the organic layer OR1 and the organic layer OR2, and between the upper electrode E21 and the upper electrode E22. The first layer 31 is formed of a metal material. That is, the first layer 31 is a conductor. The first layer 31 has a first side surface S11 facing the first opening OP1, a second side surface S12 facing the second opening OP2, and a first upper surface U11 between the first side surface S11 and the second side surface S12. Such a first layer 31 is formed as shown in a top view. Figure 2 As shown in the grid, or as Figure 3 The strips shown.

[0058] The second layer 32 is in contact with the first upper surface U11 and is separated from the insulating layer 12. The second layer 32 may be a conductor formed of a metal material or an insulator formed of an insulating material. The second layer 32 extends from the first side surface S11 toward the first opening OP1, and further extends from the second side surface S12 toward the second opening OP2.

[0059] The second layer 32 has a bottom surface B2 connected to the first upper surface U11, a third side surface S21 facing the first opening OP1, a fourth side surface S22 facing the second opening OP2, and a second upper surface U21 between the third side surface S21 and the fourth side surface S22. The bottom surface B2 extends from the first side surface S11 toward the first opening OP1, and extends from the second side surface S12 toward the second opening OP2. The third side surface S21 and the fourth side surface S22 are the side surfaces located at the bottom of the second layer 32, and are connected to the bottom surface B2.

[0060] In the cross-sectional view of the XZ plane defined by the first direction X and the third direction Z, the lower portion of the second layer 32 including the bottom surface B2 is formed so that the width along the first direction X increases from the bottom surface B2 toward the upper side along the third direction Z. That is, the lower portion of the second layer 32 has an inverted tapered cross-sectional shape.

[0061] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, the second layer 32 further has a side surface S23 connecting the third side surface S21 and the second upper surface U21, and a side surface S24 connecting the fourth side surface S22 and the second upper surface U21. The side surface S23 and the side surface S24 are the side surfaces located at the top of the second layer 32. In the cross-sectional view of the XZ plane, the upper portion of the second layer 32 including the second upper surface U21 is formed so that the width along the first direction X decreases as it moves upward along the third direction Z. In other words, the upper portion of the second layer 32 is formed so that the width along the first direction X increases as it moves downward from the second upper surface U21 along the third direction Z. That is, the upper portion of the second layer 32 has a positive conical cross-sectional shape.

[0062] However, the side surface S23 and the side surface S24 may be omitted. That is, the second layer 32 may be formed into a trapezoidal shape, and the third side surface S21 and the fourth side surface S22 are connected to the second upper surface U21. The thickness of the lower portion of the inverted cone is preferably thicker than the thickness of the upper portion of the forward cone.

[0063] Such a second layer 32 overlaps with the first layer 31 in a plan view, and is formed as follows: Figure 2 As shown in the grid, or as Figure 3 The strips shown.

[0064] The upper electrode E21 is in contact with the first side surface S11 of the first layer 31. The upper electrode E22 is in contact with the second side surface S12 of the first layer 31. Thus, although the upper electrodes E21 and E22 are separated from each other along the first direction X, they are electrically connected to the partition wall 30. In other words, the upper electrode E21 is electrically connected to the upper electrode E22 via the partition wall 30 (or the first layer 31).

[0065] The organic layer OR1 is separated from the first side surface S11. The upper electrode E21 is in contact with the upper surface U1 of the insulating layer 12 between the first side surface S11 and the organic layer OR1. In addition, the upper electrode E21 covers the peripheral portion of the organic layer OR1. That is, the end surfaces of the functional layer F11, the light-emitting layer EL1, and the functional layer F21 are covered by the upper electrode E21.

[0066] The organic layer OR2 is separated from the second side surface S12. The upper electrode E22 is in contact with the upper surface U1 of the insulating layer 12 between the second side surface S12 and the organic layer OR2. In addition, the upper electrode E22 covers the peripheral portion of the organic layer OR2. That is, the end surfaces of the functional layer F12, the light-emitting layer EL2, and the functional layer F22 are covered by the upper electrode E22.

[0067] The partition walls 30 are respectively arranged between adjacent display elements 20 or on the upper surface U1 of the insulating layer 12. The upper electrode E2 constituting each display element 20 is in contact with the first side surface S11 or the second side surface S12 of the first layer 31, and is electrically connected to each other. If we focus on each display element 20, the partition walls 30 are arranged on both sides of the opening OP, one end of the upper electrode E2 is in contact with the side surface of one first layer 31, and the other end of the upper electrode E2 is in contact with the side surface of another first layer 31. Thus, the upper electrodes E2 of the plurality of display elements 20 arranged in the display portion DA are electrically connected to each other.

[0068] Figure 5 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the partition wall 30 .

[0069] The thickness T1 of the first layer 31 along the third direction Z is more than twice the thickness T2 of the second layer 32 along the third direction Z (T1>T2). In addition, the thickness T1 is smaller than the width W1 of the first layer 31 along the first direction X (T1<W1). For example, the thickness T1 is more than 1 μm, and the thickness T2 is about 0.5 μm. In addition, the width W1 is about a dozen μm.

[0070] In the first layer 31, the width W1 may be constant or may change as it moves upward along the third direction Z. For example, the first layer 31 may have a cross-sectional shape (an inverted tapered cross-sectional shape) in which the width W1 increases as it moves upward along the third direction Z. Alternatively, the first layer 31 may have a cross-sectional shape (a forward tapered cross-sectional shape) in which the width W1 decreases as it moves upward along the third direction Z.

[0071] The width W2 of the second layer 32 along the first direction X is greater than the width W1 of the first layer 31 (W2>W1). In the second layer 32, the width W11 extending from the first side surface S11 and the width W12 extending from the second side surface S12 are, for example, 0.5 μm or more. However, the width W11 may be the same as or different from the width W12.

[0072] Angle θ11 formed between bottom surface B2 and third side surface S21 and angle θ12 formed between bottom surface B2 and fourth side surface S22 are both obtuse angles. Preferably, angle θ11 and angle θ12 are greater than 135° and less than 180°. Angle θ11 may be the same as angle θ12 or different from angle θ12.

[0073] Figure 6 It is used to illustrate Figure 4 A diagram showing the steps of forming a cross-sectional structure shown.

[0074] For example, after forming the lower electrode E1, an organic insulating layer is formed and patterned to form the insulating layer 12. Then, a metal layer is formed, and then, for example, an insulating layer is formed, and these metal layers and the insulating layer are patterned together. At this time, by setting the conditions such that the etching of the metal layer is further promoted than the etching of the insulating layer, a Figure 4 The partition walls 30 of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 are of the shape shown.

[0075] After that, the layers constituting the organic layer OR are formed, for example, by vacuum evaporation. At this time, the vapor from the evaporation source VS1 passes through the area where the partition wall 30 does not exist, as shown by the single-dot chain line, and reaches the upper surface U1 and the inclined surface S1 separated from the first layer 31. The vapor from the evaporation source VS1 does not reach the area of ​​the partition wall 30 that becomes the shadow of the second layer 32 (the first side surface S11 and the area of ​​the upper surface U1 close to the first layer 31). Therefore, the organic layer OR is formed on the upper surface U1 and the inclined surface S1 separated from the first layer 31, and is also formed in the opening.

[0076] After that, the upper electrode E2 is formed, for example, by vacuum evaporation or sputtering. At this time, the vapor from the evaporation source VS2 passes through the area where the partition wall 30 does not exist along the third side surface S21 as shown by the solid line, and reaches the first side surface S11, the upper surface U1, and the inclined surface S1. Therefore, the upper electrode E2 is formed not only in the opening, but also in the inclined surface S1, the upper surface U1 between the inclined surface S1 and the first layer 31, and the first side surface S11. Thus, the upper electrode E2 connected to the first layer 31 as a conductor is formed.

[0077] However, as indicated by the dotted line in the figure, when the third side surface S21 of the second layer 32 is formed substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface B2, the vapor from the vapor deposition source VS2 has difficulty reaching the first side surface S11 as indicated by the dotted line.

[0078] As described above, the partition wall 30 is arranged between adjacent display elements 20, and the organic layer OR formed without a fine mask is divided by the partition wall 30. Therefore, a display element 20 having an organic layer OR of a desired shape can be provided. Therefore, compared with the case where a fine mask is applied, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the process of aligning the fine mask and the like is not required, and the organic layer OR of a desired shape can be easily formed. In addition, in the display element 20, a light-emitting region can be formed in a predetermined region, and undesired light emission in the region overlapping with the insulating layer 12 is suppressed.

[0079] In addition, the upper electrode E2 is also divided by the partition wall 30 like the organic layer OR, but each upper electrode E2 is electrically connected to the first layer 31 as a conductor in the partition wall 30. The first layer 31 is electrically connected to a power supply line of a predetermined potential in the display portion DA or outside the display portion DA. Therefore, a predetermined potential is supplied to the upper electrode E2 of each display element 20 via the partition wall 30. That is, the potential drop at a part of the upper electrode E2 is suppressed.

[0080] In addition, at least the lower portion of the second layer 32 of the partition wall 30 has an inverted tapered cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the material forming the upper electrode E2 also wraps around the area that becomes the shadow of the second layer 32, and the area of ​​the upper electrode E2 in contact with the first layer 31 is expanded. Therefore, the contact area between the upper electrode E2 and the first layer 31 can be ensured to be sufficient, and poor connection between the two is suppressed.

[0081] In addition, in the adjacent display elements 20, undesirable current leakage (crosstalk) caused by OR connection of the organic layers is suppressed. Therefore, in the display element 20, desired display performance can be achieved.

[0082] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the display element 20 .

[0083] Here, the description is focused on the display elements 21 and 22 adjacent to each other in the first direction X. The partition 30 is located between the display element 21 and the display element 22 and is disposed on the insulating layer 12. The details of the partition 30 are the same as those in the above example, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0084] In the display element 21 , the upper electrode E21 is in contact with the first side surface S11 of the first layer 31 , and further in contact with the insulating layer 12 between the first side surface S11 and the organic layer OR1 .

[0085] In the display element 22 , the upper electrode E22 is separated from the second side surface S12 of the first layer 31 . The upper electrode E22 is in contact with the insulating layer 12 between the second side surface S12 and the organic layer OR2 , but the insulating layer 12 is exposed in a region close to the first layer 31 .

[0086] Thus, the partition 30 is disposed between adjacent display elements 20 or on the upper surface U1 of the insulating layer 12. In the first layer 31 constituting the partition 30, one side surface is in contact with the upper electrode E2 of the opposing display element 20, and the other side surface is separated from the upper electrode E2 of the opposing display element 20.

[0087] When focusing on each display element 20, partition walls 30 are disposed on both sides of the opening OP, one end of the upper electrode E2 is in contact with the first layer 31 of one partition wall 30, and the other end of the upper electrode E2 is separated from the first layer 31 of the other partition wall 30. Thus, the upper electrodes E2 of the plurality of display elements 20 disposed in the display portion DA are electrically connected to each other.

[0088] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, the same effects as those of the above-described example can be obtained.

[0089] According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a display device capable of supplying a predetermined potential to the upper electrode of the display element.

[0090] Based on the display device described above as an embodiment of the present invention, any display device that can be implemented by appropriately designing and modifying it by a person skilled in the art also belongs to the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the gist of the present invention.

[0091] Within the scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art can think of various variations, which also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, for the above-mentioned embodiments, those skilled in the art may appropriately add, delete, or design changes to components, or add, omit, or change conditions to processes, which are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they have the gist of the present invention.

[0092] In addition, regarding other effects brought about by the methods described in the above embodiments, effects that can be known from the description of this specification or effects that can be appropriately conceived by those skilled in the art can of course be interpreted as also brought about by the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device comprising: Insulating substrate; A first insulating layer, disposed on the insulating substrate; A first lower electrode and a second lower electrode are disposed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer and between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode, and having a first opening overlapping with the first lower electrode and a second opening overlapping with the second lower electrode; A partition wall is disposed on the second insulating layer; A first organic layer, including a light-emitting layer, is disposed in the first opening and covers the first lower electrode; as well as a first upper electrode covering the first organic layer, The partition wall has: A first layer, connected to the second insulating layer, formed of a metal material, the first layer having a first side surface facing the first opening, a second side surface facing the second opening, and a first upper surface; as well as The second layer has a bottom surface connected to the first upper surface, a third side surface facing the first opening, a fourth side surface facing the second opening, a second upper surface, a fifth side surface connecting the third side surface and the second upper surface, and a sixth side surface connecting the fourth side surface and the second upper surface, The first upper electrode is in contact with the first side surface, The bottom surface extends from the first side surface toward the first opening and extends from the second side surface toward the second opening. The lower portion of the second layer including the bottom surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface has an inverted tapered cross-sectional shape, and the inverted tapered cross-sectional shape has a width that increases from the bottom surface toward the top. An upper portion of the second layer including the second upper surface, the fifth side surface, and the sixth side surface has a forward tapered cross-sectional shape whose width increases downward from the second upper surface.

2. The display device according to claim 1, An angle formed by the bottom surface and the third side surface and an angle formed by the bottom surface and the fourth side surface are greater than or equal to 135° and less than 180°.

3. The display device according to claim 1, The first organic layer is separated from the first side surface, The first upper electrode is in contact with the second insulating layer between the first side surface and the first organic layer.

4. The display device according to claim 1, Also available: a second organic layer, including a light-emitting layer, disposed in the second opening and covering the second lower electrode; and a second upper electrode covering the second organic layer, The second upper electrode is in contact with the second side surface.

5. The display device according to claim 4, The second organic layer is separated from the second side surface, The second upper electrode is in contact with the second insulating layer between the second side surface and the second organic layer.

6. The display device according to claim 1, The partition walls are formed in a lattice shape in a plan view.

7. The display device according to claim 1, The partition walls are formed in stripe shapes in a plan view.

8. The display device according to claim 1, Also available: a second organic layer, including a light-emitting layer, disposed in the second opening and covering the second lower electrode; and a second upper electrode covering the second organic layer, The second upper electrode is separated from the second side surface.

9. The display device according to claim 1, The second layer is formed of an insulating material.

10. The display device according to claim 1, The thickness of the first layer is more than twice the thickness of the second layer.

11. A display device comprising: Insulating substrate; A first insulating layer, disposed on the insulating substrate; A first lower electrode and a second lower electrode are disposed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer and between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode, and having a first opening overlapping with the first lower electrode and a second opening overlapping with the second lower electrode; A partition wall is disposed on the second insulating layer; A first organic layer, including a light-emitting layer, is disposed in the first opening and covers the first lower electrode; a first upper electrode, covering the first organic layer; A second organic layer, including a light-emitting layer, is disposed in the second opening and covers the second lower electrode; as well as a second upper electrode covering the second organic layer, The partition wall has: A first layer, connected to the second insulating layer, formed of a metal material, the first layer having a first side surface facing the first opening, a second side surface facing the second opening, and a first upper surface; as well as The second layer has a bottom surface connected to the first upper surface, a third side surface facing the first opening, a fourth side surface facing the second opening, a second upper surface, a fifth side surface connecting the third side surface and the second upper surface, and a sixth side surface connecting the fourth side surface and the second upper surface, The first organic layer is separated from the first side surface, The first upper electrode is in contact with the first side surface and is in contact with the second insulating layer between the first side surface and the first organic layer. The second organic layer is separated from the second side surface, The second upper electrode is in contact with the second side surface and in contact with the second insulating layer between the second side surface and the second organic layer. The bottom surface extends from the first side surface toward the first opening and extends from the second side surface toward the second opening. The lower portion of the second layer including the bottom surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface has an inverted tapered cross-sectional shape, and the inverted tapered cross-sectional shape has a width that increases from the bottom surface toward the top. An upper portion of the second layer including the second upper surface, the fifth side surface, and the sixth side surface has a forward tapered cross-sectional shape whose width increases downward from the second upper surface.

12. The display device according to claim 11, An angle formed by the bottom surface and the third side surface, and an angle formed by the bottom surface and the fourth side surface are greater than or equal to 135° and less than 180°.

13. A display device comprising: Insulating substrate; A first insulating layer, disposed on the insulating substrate; A first lower electrode and a second lower electrode are disposed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer and between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode, and having a first opening overlapping with the first lower electrode and a second opening overlapping with the second lower electrode; A partition wall is disposed on the second insulating layer; A first organic layer, including a light-emitting layer, is disposed in the first opening and covers the first lower electrode; a first upper electrode, covering the first organic layer; A second organic layer, including a light-emitting layer, is disposed in the second opening and covers the second lower electrode; as well as a second upper electrode covering the second organic layer, The partition wall has: A first layer, connected to the second insulating layer, formed of a metal material, the first layer having a first side surface facing the first opening, a second side surface facing the second opening, and a first upper surface; as well as The second layer has a bottom surface connected to the first upper surface, a third side surface facing the first opening, a fourth side surface facing the second opening, a second upper surface, a fifth side surface connecting the third side surface and the second upper surface, and a sixth side surface connecting the fourth side surface and the second upper surface, The first organic layer is separated from the first side surface, The first upper electrode is in contact with the first side surface and is in contact with the second insulating layer between the first side surface and the first organic layer. The second organic layer is separated from the second side surface, The second upper electrode is separated from the second side surface and is in contact with the second insulating layer between the second side surface and the second organic layer. The bottom surface extends from the first side surface toward the first opening and extends from the second side surface toward the second opening. The lower portion of the second layer including the bottom surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface has an inverted tapered cross-sectional shape, and the inverted tapered cross-sectional shape has a width that increases from the bottom surface toward the top. An upper portion of the second layer including the second upper surface, the fifth side surface, and the sixth side surface has a forward tapered cross-sectional shape whose width increases downward from the second upper surface.

14. The display device according to claim 13, An angle formed by the bottom surface and the third side surface and an angle formed by the bottom surface and the fourth side surface are greater than or equal to 135° and less than 180°.

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