Self-luminous display panel and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To suppress a decrease in aperture ratio caused by provision of auxiliary wiring, and reduce resistance of a power supply path to a light emitting element, the aperture ratio being a ratio of a self-luminous area to the area of the display panel.SOLUTION: A self-luminous panel includes: a substrate 100x; auxiliary wiring 13 arranged on the substrate 100x; a plurality of pixel electrodes 10 arranged in a matrix above the substrata 100x with predetermined gaps between the pixel electrodes; a plurality of light emitting layers 23 arranged above pixel electrodes 19; a functional layer 24 arranged above and continuous across the light emitting layers 23; and a common electrode 25 arranged above and continuous with the functional layer 24. The auxiliary wiring 13 extends in plane directions of the substrate 100x below the pixel electrodes 19. Above the substrate 100x, connection areas CA exist where the pixel electrodes 19 are not present, in which the common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13 are electrically connected to each other. In plan view, portions of outer edges of the pixel electrodes 19 facing outer edges of the connection areas CA are recessed inwards of the pixel electrodes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a self-emissive display panel and a method for manufacturing a self-emissive display panel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, organic EL display panels including a plurality of organic EL elements have been known. The organic EL elements have a multi-layer structure in which thin films of various materials are laminated, and include at least a pixel electrode, a common electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer sandwiched between them on a TFT (thin film transistor) substrate covered with a planarizing insulating layer.

[0003] An organic EL element emits light when a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and holes and electrons injected into the light-emitting layer recombine. In a top-emission organic EL element, light from the light-emitting layer is reflected by the pixel electrode made of a light-reflective material and emitted upward from the common electrode made of a light-transmitting material. The common electrode is often formed as a film over the entire surface of the substrate, and is electrically connected to a power supply section for supplying current to the organic EL element via an electrode plate provided in the peripheral area other than the image display area.

[0004] In recent years, as display panels have become larger, the number of power supply paths has increased, which has led to an increase in the electrical resistance of the common electrode. As a result, there has been a problem in that sufficient current is not supplied to areas far from the power supply, resulting in reduced light-emitting efficiency and uneven brightness.

[0005] In response to this, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technology in which auxiliary wiring is extended in a long shape and arranged in the gap between pixel electrodes on a substrate, and a common electrode is formed opposite the pixel electrode after removing a portion of the functional layer located above the auxiliary wiring, thereby ensuring contact between the long auxiliary wiring and the common electrode and establishing an electrical connection, thereby reducing the electrical resistance of the common electrode and suppressing brightness unevenness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-103098 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-9676 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, as the size of display panels increases, the cross-sectional area of ​​the auxiliary wiring required also increases. Therefore, the conventional display panel configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 had the problem that the aperture ratio of the display panel decreases as the auxiliary wiring is installed.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a self-luminous display panel and a manufacturing method thereof that suppresses the decrease in aperture ratio, which is the ratio of the self-luminous region to the area of ​​the display panel, that occurs when auxiliary wiring is provided, and that reduces the resistance of the power supply path to the light-emitting element and improves the in-plane brightness variation caused by voltage drop. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a self-emitting panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a substrate, auxiliary wiring arranged on the substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix above the substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween, a plurality of light-emitting layers arranged above a plurality of the pixel electrodes, a functional layer arranged continuously across above the plurality of the light-emitting layers, and a common electrode arranged continuously above the functional layer, wherein the auxiliary wiring extends in the planar direction of the substrate below the pixel electrodes, and above the substrate there is a connection region where no pixel electrodes are present, and within which the common electrode and the auxiliary wiring are electrically connected, and when viewed in a planar view, a portion of the outer edge of the pixel electrodes facing the outer edge of the connection region is recessed inward of the pixel electrodes. Effect of the Invention

[0010] A self-emitting panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can provide an organic EL display panel and a manufacturing method thereof that suppresses the decrease in aperture ratio, which is the ratio of the self-emitting region to the area of ​​the display panel, that is caused by the provision of auxiliary wiring, and also reduces the resistance of the power supply path to the light-emitting element, thereby improving the brightness variation within the surface caused by voltage drop. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a display panel 10 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a portion A of the image display surface of the display panel 10. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of the display panel 10. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel 10 taken along line BB in FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a flowchart of a manufacturing process for the display panel 10. [Figure 6] 2(a) to 2(d) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the same line as AA in FIG. 1, illustrating the state of the display panel 10 in each step of the manufacturing process. [Figure 7] 2(a) to 2(c) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the same line as AA in FIG. 1, illustrating the state of the display panel 10 in each step of the manufacturing process. [Figure 8] 2(a) to 2(c) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the same line as AA in FIG. 1, illustrating the state of the display panel 10 in each step of the manufacturing process. [Figure 9] 2(a) to 2(c) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the same line as AA in FIG. 1, illustrating the state of the display panel 10 in each step of the manufacturing process. [Figure 10] 2(a) to 2(g) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the same line as AA in FIG. 1, illustrating the state of the display panel 10 in each step of the manufacturing process. [Figure 11]2(a) and 2(b) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the same line as AA in FIG. 1, illustrating the state of the display panel 10 in each step of the manufacturing process. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an organic EL display device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of each sub-pixel 100se of a display panel 10 used in an organic EL display device 1. FIG. [Figure 14] 13(a) and 13(b) are schematic enlarged plan views of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to Modifications 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 15] 1A is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to Modification 3, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to a comparative example. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to Modification 4. [Figure 17] 13A is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to Modification 5, and FIG. 13B is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <<Overview of the embodiment of the present invention>> An organic EL display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising: a substrate; auxiliary wiring arranged on the substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix above the substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween; a plurality of light-emitting layers arranged above a plurality of the pixel electrodes; a functional layer arranged continuously across and above the plurality of light-emitting layers; and a common electrode arranged continuously above the functional layer, wherein the auxiliary wiring extends in a planar direction of the substrate below the pixel electrodes; and above the substrate, there is a connection region where no pixel electrodes are present, and within which the common electrode and the auxiliary wiring are electrically connected; and when viewed in a planar view, a portion of the outer edge of the pixel electrodes facing the outer edge of the connection region is recessed inward of the pixel electrodes.

[0013] With this configuration, in the display panel, the auxiliary wiring extends in the planar direction of the substrate below the pixel electrodes, so that an increase in the area of ​​the auxiliary wiring does not directly lead to a reduction in the area of ​​the self-luminous region in the image display region, as is the case with conventional display panels, and even if the area of ​​the auxiliary wiring 13 increases, the reduction in the area of ​​the self-luminous region can be suppressed.

[0014] In addition, in a plan view, the outer edge of the pixel electrode facing the outer edge of the connection region is recessed inward of the pixel electrode. That is, the pixel electrode around the connection region is recessed at a predetermined distance from the connection region in a plan view, so that the pixel electrode is formed to avoid the connection region. As a result, the dark areas that do not light up due to the connection region are distributed and arranged at the boundaries between the light-emitting regions, so that they are less noticeable. When the connection regions are linearly arranged in the row or column direction as in a conventional display panel, the connection regions are recognized as continuous linear dark areas that do not light up. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the proportion of the area of ​​the self-luminous region that is reduced by the connection region is reduced, and the dark areas that do not light up due to the connection region are distributed so as to be dotted between the light-emitting regions, so that the degree of reduction in the display area that is actually visible to the viewer is also reduced.

[0015] As a result, the display panel suppresses the decrease in aperture ratio, which is the ratio of the self-emitting area to the area of ​​the display panel, that occurs when auxiliary wiring is provided, while also achieving low resistance in the power supply path to the light-emitting elements, thereby realizing an organic EL display panel that improves the brightness variation within the surface that is caused by voltage drop.

[0016] In addition, the functional layer may have a portion missing above the connection region to form an opening, and the common electrode may be in contact with the auxiliary wiring exposed through the opening in the functional layer or an electrode or layer electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring.

[0017] With this configuration, by removing a portion of the functional layer and bringing the common electrode into contact with a portion of the auxiliary wiring, or a portion of an electrode or layer electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring, it becomes possible to electrically connect the common electrode to the auxiliary wiring, thereby suppressing the decrease in aperture ratio caused by the provision of the auxiliary wiring and realizing the configuration of an organic EL display panel that can reduce the resistance of the power supply path to the light-emitting element.

[0018] In another aspect, any of the above configurations may further include a plurality of column banks extending in the column direction and arranged in parallel above the gaps between the plurality of pixel electrodes of the substrate, the auxiliary wiring extending in the row and / or column directions in a planar view of the substrate, the light-emitting layer being continuously arranged in the gap between a pair of the banks above the plurality of pixel electrodes located in the gap, and the column banks having a widened portion including the connection region in a planar view, the widened portion having a shape that includes the opening of the functional layer in a planar view and has an opening that penetrates in the height direction.

[0019] In another aspect, any of the above configurations may further include a plurality of row banks connected to the column banks, extending in the row direction and arranged in parallel above the gaps between the pixel electrodes of the substrate, and the row banks may be connected to the widened portions of the column banks.

[0020] With this configuration, in order to avoid the connection region, the amount of recession inward of the pixel electrode can be made shallower at the outer edge of the pixel electrode facing the outer edge of the connection region, and as a result, the area of ​​the self-luminous region in the subpixel can be made larger.

[0021] In another aspect, any of the above configurations may further include a plurality of row banks arranged in parallel and extending in the row direction above the gaps between the pixel electrodes of the substrate and connected to the column bank, the row banks being connected to the column bank in the vicinity of the widening portion, and the row banks and the widening portion being in contact in the column direction.

[0022] This configuration can prevent the length of the row bank from being shortened due to the presence of the connection region, and in the process of forming the light-emitting layer, the length in the row direction of the ink that contacts the row bank in forming the sub-pixels in the sub-pixel column can be increased, making the film thickness of the light-emitting layer in the sub-pixels more uniform, thereby improving the luminance variation within the sub-pixels.

[0023] In another aspect, in any of the above configurations, the widened portions of the column banks may be arranged at a pitch in the column direction that is larger than a pitch of the pixel electrodes.

[0024] With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of sub-pixels in a sub-pixel column whose row bank length is shortened due to the presence of a connection region, and it is possible to relatively improve the uniformity of the film thickness of the light-emitting layer between sub-pixels in the sub-pixel column CB in the process of forming the light-emitting layer.

[0025] In this configuration, the positions of the widened portions in the column direction may be different between two column banks adjacent to each other in the row direction.Furthermore, the positions of the widened portions in the column direction may be the same between two column banks sandwiching one column bank in the row direction.

[0026] With this configuration, the connection regions are arranged in a staggered manner such that the positions in the column direction where they are located alternate depending on the position in the row direction, so that the reduction in luminance due to the connection regions in the image display area is dispersed and is less likely to be recognized as streaks.

[0027] In another aspect, any of the above configurations may further include a plurality of row banks arranged in parallel and extending in the row direction above the gaps between the pixel electrodes of the substrate and connected to the column banks, and the connection regions of the substrate may overlap the row banks in a planar view and be spaced a predetermined distance or more from each of a pair of the column banks adjacent to each other in the row direction.

[0028] With this configuration, in the process of forming the light-emitting layer, by bringing the ink into contact with the row banks on both sides of the connection region in forming the sub-pixels in the sub-pixel column CB, the fluidity of the ink in the column direction in the sub-pixel column can be improved, and the uniformity of the film thickness of the light-emitting layer between the sub-pixels in the sub-pixel column can be relatively improved, thereby improving the luminance variation between the sub-pixels in the sub-pixel column.

[0029] In another aspect, any of the above configurations may further include a light-shielding film above the gaps between the plurality of pixel electrodes, the light-shielding film having an expanded film portion covering the connection region.

[0030] With this configuration, the connection area is covered by the widened portion provided in the light-shielding layer, so that outward reflection from the connection electrode can be prevented from being emitted upward, and glare caused by outward reflection on the display panel can be improved.

[0031] In another aspect, in any of the above configurations, an outer edge of the pixel electrode around the connection region may be configured to face an outer edge of the connection region in the row direction and the column direction in a plan view.

[0032] Furthermore, a manufacturing method for an organic EL display panel according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include the steps of: preparing a substrate on which auxiliary wiring extending in a planar direction is arranged; forming a plurality of pixel electrodes in a matrix above the substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween, such that a portion of the pixel electrode is located above the auxiliary wiring and a predetermined region where the pixel electrode is not present remains above the auxiliary wiring; forming a plurality of light-emitting layers above the plurality of pixel electrodes; forming a functional layer continuously above the plurality of light-emitting layers; removing a portion of the functional layer above the predetermined region in the functional layer to expose the auxiliary wiring or a portion of an electrode or layer electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring; and forming a common electrode continuously above the functional layer to contact the common electrode with a portion of the auxiliary wiring or a portion of the electrode or layer. In the step of forming the pixel electrodes, the pixel electrodes may be configured to be formed such that a portion of an outer edge of the pixel electrodes facing an outer edge of the predetermined region is recessed inward of the pixel electrodes in a plan view.

[0033] With this configuration, by removing a portion of the functional layer and contacting the common electrode with a portion of the auxiliary wiring, or with a portion of an electrode or layer electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring, it is possible to electrically connect the common electrode with the auxiliary wiring, thereby realizing a manufacturing method for an organic EL display panel that suppresses the decrease in aperture ratio caused by the provision of the auxiliary wiring, reduces the resistance of the power supply path to the light-emitting element, and improves the in-plane brightness variation caused by voltage drop.

[0034] In another aspect, any of the above configurations may further include a step of arranging a plurality of column banks juxtaposed, extending in the column direction, above the gaps between the plurality of pixel electrodes of the substrate, wherein in the step of forming the light-emitting layer, the light-emitting layer is formed in the gap between a pair of the banks, continuously above the plurality of pixel electrodes located in the gap, and in the step of arranging the plurality of column banks juxtaposed, the column bank has a widening portion formed in a planar view that opens up the predetermined region of the substrate, and in the step of removing a portion of the functional layer, a portion of the functional layer is removed within the opening.

[0035] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, as a self-emitting panel according to one aspect of the present disclosure and a manufacturing method thereof, an organic EL display panel according to an embodiment and a manufacturing method thereof will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings include schematic views, and the scale and aspect ratio of each component may differ from the actual ones.

[0036] <Overall configuration of the display panel 10> In this embodiment, the organic EL display panel 10 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "display panel 10") is a top-emission type display panel in which a plurality of organic EL elements 2 are arranged along an image display surface, and an image is displayed by combining the light emitted by each organic EL element.

[0037] (A) Plane configuration Fig. 1 is a plan view of a display panel 10 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a portion A of an image display surface of the display panel 10. Here, in this specification, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction in Fig. 1 are defined as the row direction, column direction, and thickness direction, respectively, of the display panel 10.

[0038] This organic EL display panel utilizes the electroluminescence phenomenon of organic materials, and is configured such that a plurality of pixels 100 are arranged, for example, in a matrix on the upper surface of a planarization layer 16 disposed on a substrate 100x (TFT substrate) on which thin film transistors (TFTs) are formed. As shown in the figure, the display panel 10 is divided into an image display area 10a, which corresponds to a predetermined range including the center O of the surface of the substrate 100x, and a peripheral area 10b located outside the surface of the image display area 10a within the surface of the substrate 100x, when viewed in plan.

[0039] In the display panel 10, for example, sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B (sometimes collectively referred to as "sub-pixels 100se") that emit R (red), G (green), and B (blue) (hereinafter simply referred to as R, G, and B), respectively, are arranged in a matrix. The sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B are alternately arranged in the X direction, and a set of sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B arranged in the X direction constitutes one pixel 100. In the pixel 100, full color can be expressed by combining the emission luminance of the sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B, which are grayscale-controlled.

[0040] In the Y direction, subpixel columns CR, CG, and CB are formed by arranging only subpixels 100R, 100G, and 100B, respectively. As a result, pixels P are arranged in a matrix along the X and Y directions in the entire display panel 10, and an image is displayed on the image display surface by combining the colors of the pixels 100 arranged in this matrix.

[0041] The display panel 10 according to the present embodiment employs a so-called line bank system in which a plurality of column banks 22Y, which separate the sub-pixel columns CR, CG, and CB into individual columns, are arranged at intervals in the X direction, and in each of the sub-pixel columns CR, CG, and CB, the sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B share an organic light-emitting layer.

[0042] However, in each subpixel column CR, CG, CB, multiple row banks 2X that insulate the subpixels 100R, 100G, 100B from each other are arranged at intervals in the Y direction, allowing each subpixel 100R, 100G, 100B to emit light independently.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels 100 of the display panel 10, as seen from below a column bank 22Y, which will be described later.

[0044] Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an enlargement of a plurality of pixels 100 of the display panel 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the pixel 100 of the display panel 10 is a unit pixel in color display, and is configured as a group of sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B corresponding to organic EL elements 2(R), 2(G), and 2(B) (see Fig. 2, sometimes collectively referred to as "organic EL element 2") having self-luminous regions 100aR, 100aG, and 100aB (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "100a") that emit red, green, and blue light in an area partitioned in a matrix shape by column banks 22Y and row banks 22X.

[0045] If the gap between a pair of adjacent column banks 22Y is defined as gap 22z, and the gaps corresponding to the self-luminous regions 100aR, 100aG, 100aB are defined as gaps 22zR, 22zG, 22zB, then in the gaps 22zR, 22zG, 22zB, light-emitting layers 23R, 23G, 23B that emit RGB colors in the self-luminous regions 100aR, 100aG, 100aB, respectively, are formed continuously in the column direction.

[0046] In the display panel 10, pixel electrodes 19 made of a light-reflective material are arranged in a matrix on the substrate 100x, spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other in the row and column directions, corresponding to the self-luminous regions 100aR, 100aG, and 100aB of the sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B.

[0047] The shape of the pixel electrode 19, when viewed in a plan view, is rectangular or approximately rectangular with part of the outer edge recessed inward. In this example, of the sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B, the row width of the pixel electrode 19 corresponding to the sub-pixel 100B is larger than the row width of the pixel electrodes 19 corresponding to the sub-pixels 100R and 100G, and the self-luminous region 100B is configured to be wider than the self-luminous regions 100aR and 100aG.

[0048] Furthermore, in the portion of the pixel electrode 19 covered by the row bank 22X, a connection electrode recess 14 is provided in the contact hole 16a of the planarization layer 16 to electrically connect the pixel electrode 19 and the source S1 of the TFT.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, in the display panel 10, a plurality of auxiliary wirings 13 extend continuously in the column direction in the TFT layer 12 of the substrate 100x so as to cross the image display region 10a of the substrate 100x.

[0050] Above the substrate 100x (on the upper surface of the planarization layer 12 in this example), there is a connection area CA above the auxiliary wiring 13 where there is no pixel electrode 19 for electrically connecting the common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13, and a connection electrode 17 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "electrode") for ensuring electrical connection between the auxiliary wiring 13 and the common electrode 25 is disposed in the connection area CA. The connection electrode 17 is provided with a connection electrode recess 15 for electrically connecting the connection electrode 17 and the auxiliary wiring 13 in a contact hole 16b of the planarization layer 16. The size of the connection electrode 17 is, for example, a range including a circle with a diameter of 20 μm, and may be determined according to the sub-pixel 100se.

[0051] 3, a connection region CA is formed at the boundary between adjacent subpixels 100G in the column direction, near one of a pair of column banks 22Y on both sides of the gap 22zB (in this example, the column bank 22Y that separates the gap 22zB from the gap 22zR). By providing the connection region CA in the subpixel 100B, whose self-luminous region 100aB is relatively larger than the other subpixels, it is possible to reduce the area reduction rate of the self-luminous region 100a caused by providing the connection region CA compared to the other subpixels 100R and 100G.

[0052] The pixel electrodes 19 around the connection area CA are formed to avoid the connection area CA so as to be spaced a predetermined distance from the connection area CA in a plan view, and the outer edge of the pixel electrodes 19 facing the outer edge of the connection area CA in a plan view is recessed inward of the pixel electrodes 19. Alternatively, the outer edges of the pixel electrodes 19 around the connection area CA are arranged to face the outer edges of the connection area CA in the row and column directions.

[0053] In the column bank 22Y, a widened portion 22a including a connection area CA in a planar view is formed above the substrate 100x, and the widened portion 22a has a shape with an opening 22b that penetrates in the height direction, and the connection electrode 17 overlaps with the opening 22b in the planar direction.

[0054] In this example, as described above, a plurality of row banks 2X that insulate adjacent sub-pixels 100R, 100G, 100B in the column direction are arranged at intervals in the Y direction, so that the row banks 22X are connected to the widened portions 22a of the column banks 22Y in the sub-pixel columns CB. With this configuration, in order to avoid the connection region CA, the amount of recession inward of the pixel electrode 19 can be made shallower at the outer edge of the pixel electrode 19 facing the outer edge of the connection region CA, and the area of ​​the self-emitting region 100aB in the sub-pixel 100B can be made larger.

[0055] As described later, the hole transport layer 21 and the light-emitting layer 23, which are selectively formed by a coating method, are not formed in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y, and a layer structure in which the hole transport layer 21, the electron injection transport layer 24 and the common electrode 25 are stacked in this order on the upper surface of the connection electrode 17 in the opening 22b.

[0056] The electron injection transport layer 24 has an opening in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y, where a part of the electron injection transport layer 24 is missing. In this specification, the missing part of the electron injection transport layer 24 is referred to as an opening 24a. In other words, the column bank 22Y has a shape in which the widened portion 22a includes the opening 24a of the electron injection transport layer 24 in the planar direction and an opening 22b penetrating in the height direction is opened. Similarly, the hole injection layer 20 may have an opening in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y, where a part of the hole injection layer 20 is missing. The size of the opening 24a may be, for example, 6 μm or more in diameter. A plurality of openings 24a may be provided in each opening 22b.

[0057] With this configuration, the common electrode 25 comes into contact with the surface of the connection electrode 17 or the hole injection layer 20 exposed from the opening 24a where a part of the electron injection transport layer 24 is missing, enabling electrical connection between the connection electrode 17 and the common electrode 25. The common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13 are electrically connected via the connection electrode 17 and the hole injection layer 20 provided in the connection region CA.

[0058] (B) Cross-sectional configuration Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel 10 taken along line BB in Fig. 2. In the display panel 10, one pixel is composed of three sub-pixels that emit R, G, and B light respectively, and each sub-pixel is composed of an organic EL element 2(R), 2(G), or 2(B) that emits a corresponding color.

[0059] 3, the organic EL element 2 includes a substrate 100x, a planarization layer 16, a pixel electrode (anode) 19, a connection electrode 17, a row bank 22X, a column bank 22Y, hole injection layers 20 and 17, a hole transport layer 21, a light-emitting layer 23, an electron injection transport layer 24, a common electrode (cathode) 25, and a sealing layer 26. Of these, the layers other than the light-emitting layer 23 that are sandwiched between a pair of opposing pixel electrodes 19 and common electrodes 25, i.e., the hole injection layer 20, the hole transport layer 21, and the electron injection transport layer 24, constitute the functional layers of the organic EL element 2.

[0060] In addition, for each of the sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B, the pixel electrode 19 is arranged such that the hole injection layer 20 and the hole transport layer 21 extend continuously within the gap 22z, and the electron injection transport layer 24, the common electrode 25, and the sealing layer 26 are arranged continuously across the pixel 100 and covering the image display region 10a.

[0061] (substrate) The substrate 100x includes a base material 11 made of an insulating material, and a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) layer 12. A drive circuit is formed in the TFT layer 12 for each subpixel. The base material 11 is a support member for the display panel 10, and is in the form of a flat plate. The base material can be made of an electrically insulating material, such as a glass material, a resin material, a semiconductor material, or a metal material coated with an insulating layer.

[0062] In order to manufacture a flexible organic EL display panel, the substrate is preferably made of a plastic material.

[0063] The TFT layer 12 includes a plurality of TFTs formed on the upper surface of the substrate and a plurality of wirings including wirings (connecting the source S1 of the TFTs and the corresponding pixel electrodes 19). The TFTs electrically connect the corresponding pixel electrodes 19 to an external power supply in response to a drive signal from an external circuit of the display panel 10, and are made of a multi-layer structure including electrodes, semiconductor layers, insulating layers, etc. The wirings electrically connect the TFTs, pixel electrodes 19, external power supply, external circuit, etc., and a pad 12a is formed on the upper surface of the TFT layer 12 below the pixel electrodes 19.

[0064] Moreover, above the substrate 100x (on the upper surface of the planarization layer 12 in this example), auxiliary wiring 13 extending in the row and / or column directions in a planar view is disposed. The auxiliary wiring 13 may be disposed, for example, on the upper surface of the TFT layer 12. The auxiliary wiring 13 is an auxiliary electrode layer for reducing the electrical resistance of the common electrode 25 by electrically connecting with the common electrode 25 through an opening 24a provided in the electron injection transport layer 24.

[0065] The auxiliary wiring 13 may be arranged so as to extend across the image display region 10a of the substrate 100x. In the thickness direction, the auxiliary wiring 13 may be arranged on the upper surface of the TFT layer 12, for example, as shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively, the auxiliary wiring 13 may be provided inside the TFT layer 12, and a pad may be formed below the connection electrode 17 on the upper surface of the TFT layer 12.

[0066] The auxiliary wiring 13 can be made of a material having a low sheet resistance, for example, a metal layer or an alloy layer containing aluminum (Al) as a main component. For example, an aluminum (Al) alloy has an electrical resistivity of 2.82×10 -8 (10 nΩm), and from the viewpoint of cost, it is suitable as the material for the auxiliary wiring 13. It may be made of the same material as the wiring in the TFT layer 12.

[0067] (flattening layer) The planarization layer 16 is formed on the substrate 100x. The planarization layer 16 is made of a resin material and serves to planarize the steps on the upper surface of the TFT layer 12. Examples of the resin material include a positive photosensitive material. Examples of such photosensitive materials include acrylic resins and polyimide resins. In addition, the planarization layer 16 has a contact hole 16a (see FIG. 6(b)) formed therein for each pixel electrode 19 so as to penetrate the planarization layer 16, and a connection electrode recess 14 is formed in the contact hole 16a below the pixel electrode 19. In addition, the planarization layer 16 has a contact hole 16b (see FIG. 6(b)) formed therein for each connection electrode 17 so as to penetrate the planarization layer 16, and a connection electrode recess 15 is formed in the contact hole 16b below the connection electrode 17.

[0068] The contact hole 16b may be located in the opening 22b in the widened portion 22a of the column bank 22Y in a plan view, or may be located outside the inner wall of the opening 22b below the column bank 22Y, or may be disposed across the inside and outside of the opening 22b. The contact hole 16b may be located below the row bank 22X in a plan view. (Pixel electrode) 4, a pixel electrode 19 is provided on the planarization layer 16 of the substrate 100x for each sub-pixel. The pixel electrode 19 includes a metal layer made of a light-reflective metal material, and is formed on the planarization layer 16. The pixel electrode 19 is provided for each sub-pixel, and is electrically connected to the TFT layer 12 through a connection electrode recess 14 formed inside a contact hole. In this embodiment, the pixel electrode 19 functions as an anode.

[0069] Specific examples of metal materials having light reflectivity include Ag (silver), Al (aluminum), aluminum alloys, Mo (molybdenum), APC (an alloy of silver, palladium, and copper), ARA (an alloy of silver, rubidium, and gold), etc. The pixel electrode 19 may be composed of a metal layer alone, but may also have a laminated structure in which a layer made of a metal oxide such as ITO (indium tin oxide) or IZO (indium zinc oxide) is laminated on the metal layer.

[0070] (Connection electrode) The connection electrode 17 includes a metal layer made of a metal material, and is formed on the planarization layer 16. The connection electrode 17 is a relay means for electrically connecting the common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13. The connection electrode 17 or the hole injection layer 20 provided on the connection electrode 17 contacts the common electrode 25 through an opening 24a provided in the electron injection transport layer 24 in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y, and is electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring 13 through a connection electrode recess 15 formed inside a contact hole opened in the planarization layer 16. The connection electrode 17 may be made of the same material as the pixel electrode 19.

[0071] (Hole injection layer) 4, a hole injection layer 20 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "layer") is laminated on the pixel electrode 19. The hole injection layer 20 is provided on the pixel electrode 19 for the purpose of promoting the injection of holes from the pixel electrode 19 to the light-emitting layer 23.

[0072] The hole injection layer 20 is also formed on the connection electrode 17 within the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y.

[0073] The hole injection layer 20 may be made of, for example, an oxide of Ag (silver), Mo (molybdenum), Cr (chromium), W (tungsten), Ni (nickel), Ir (iridium), or the like, or a low molecular weight organic compound or a polymer material such as polyethylenedioxythiophene / polystyrenesulfonic acid (PEDOT / PSS).

[0074] Furthermore, since the hole injection layer 20 is made of a metal oxide or a low-molecular-weight organic compound, it has a lower electrical resistance than the hole transport layer 21 and the electron injecting transport layer 24, which are mainly made of organic compounds and will be described later. In addition, since the hole injection layer 20 is thinner than the electron injecting transport layer 24, the connection electrode 17 and the common electrode 25 can be electrically connected with low electrical resistance via the hole injection layer 20 provided on the connection electrode 17, and electrical connection between the auxiliary wiring 13 and the common electrode 25 can be established.

[0075] Note that, in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y, a portion of the hole injection layer 20 may be trimmed to provide an opening (not shown) in the hole injection layer 20. The common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13 can be electrically connected through this opening (not shown).

[0076] In the present embodiment, the hole injection layer 20 is formed on the connection electrode 17 within the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y. However, the hole injection layer 20 may not be provided on the connection electrode 17.

[0077] (bank) As shown in FIG. 4, a column bank 22Y and a row bank 22X made of an insulating material are formed so as to cover the edges of the pixel electrodes 19 and the hole injection layer 20.

[0078] The column bank 22Y divides the pixel electrodes 19 arranged for each sub-pixel above the substrate 100x into columns in the X direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and has a line bank shape extending in the Y direction between the sub-pixel columns CR, CG, and CB arranged in the X direction. An electrically insulating material is used for the column bank 22Y. Specific examples of the electrically insulating material include insulating organic materials (e.g., acrylic resin, polyimide resin, novolac resin, phenol resin, etc.).

[0079] The column bank 22Y functions as a structure for preventing the overflow and mixing of the inks of the respective colors applied when the light-emitting layer 23 is formed by a coating method. When using a resin material, it is preferable that the resin material has photosensitivity from the viewpoint of processability. The column bank 22Y is preferably resistant to organic solvents and heat. In addition, in order to suppress the outflow of the ink, the surface of the column bank 22Y is preferably liquid-repellent.

[0080] In addition, on the planarization layer 16, above the auxiliary wiring 13, there is a connection area CA in which there is no pixel electrode 19 for electrically connecting the common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13, and in the connection area CA, a connection electrode 17 is arranged as a relay means for ensuring the electrical connection between the auxiliary wiring 13 and the common electrode 25.

[0081] The row bank 22X is made of an electrically insulating material, covers the ends of the pixel electrodes 19 adjacent to each other in the Y direction (Figure 2) in each subpixel column, and separates the pixel electrodes 19 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The row bank 22X has the role of suppressing discontinuities in the light-emitting layer 23 in each subpixel column CR, CG, CB, and improving the electrical insulation between the pixel electrodes 19 and the common electrode 25.

[0082] The film thickness of the row bank 22X is set to be smaller than the thickness up to the upper surface of the light-emitting layer 23 in an ink state, but larger than the thickness of the upper surface of the light-emitting layer 23 after drying. As a result, the light-emitting layers 23 in each of the sub-pixel columns CR, CG, and CB are not partitioned by the row bank 22X, and the flow of ink is not impeded when forming the light-emitting layers 23. This makes it easy to make the thickness of the light-emitting layers 23 in each sub-pixel column uniform. The row bank 22X may be made of an electrically insulating material that is less liquid-repellent than the column bank 22Y.

[0083] (Hole transport layer) 4, a hole transport layer 21 is laminated on the hole injection layer 20 in the gaps 22zR, 22zG, and 22zB. The hole transport layer 21 has a function of transporting holes injected from the hole injection layer 20 to the light-emitting layer 23. The hole transport layer 21 also functions as a base layer for the light-emitting layer 23, which will be described later, and has a configuration containing an organic compound. The hole transport layer 21 may be an organic compound derivative or a metal complex, and may be a high molecular compound such as a polymer, or a low molecular compound such as a monomer, and is formed by a wet process, such as a coating method, using an ink in which a high molecular compound and / or a low molecular compound is dissolved in a solvent.

[0084] The hole transport layer 21 selectively formed by a coating method is not formed in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y.

[0085] (Light Emitting Layer) As shown in FIG. 4, the light-emitting layer 23 is laminated on the hole transport layer 21. The light-emitting layers 23(R), 23(G), and 23(B) (sometimes collectively referred to as "light-emitting layer 23") are formed in the gap 22z, and have the function of emitting light of each color of R, G, and B by recombination of holes and electrons. The light-emitting layer 23 is configured to be a coating film formed by applying an ink containing an organic light-emitting material and a predetermined solvent to a base layer and then drying the ink to form a film. Examples of the organic light-emitting material used in the light-emitting layer 23 include fluorescent substances such as organic compounds, organic compound derivatives, metal complexes and rare earth complexes of organic compounds, and phosphorescent substances such as metal complexes that emit phosphorescence.

[0086] Moreover, the conductive layer may be formed using a polymer compound such as a derivative, or a mixture of a low molecular weight compound and a polymer compound.

[0087] The light-emitting layer 23, which is selectively formed by a coating method, is not formed in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y, and a layer structure in which a hole transport layer 21, an electron injection transport layer 24 and a common electrode 25 are stacked in this order on the upper surface of the connection electrode 17 in the opening 22b.

[0088] (electron injection transport layer) 4, the electron injection transport layer 24 is laminated so as to cover the light emitting layer 23 in the gap 22z and the surface 22Yb of the column bank 22Y. The electron injection transport layer 24 is formed in a continuous state over at least the entire image display region 10a of the display panel 10. The electron injection transport layer 24 has a function of transporting electrons from the common electrode 25 to the light emitting layer 23.

[0089] The electron injecting and transporting layer 24 may be made of an organic material having high electron transporting properties, such as a π-electron low molecular weight organic material, such as an oxadiazole derivative (OXD), a triazole derivative (TAZ), or a phenanthroline derivative (BCP, Bphen).

[0090] The electron injecting and transporting layer 24 may be formed, for example, including a layer in which an organic material having high electron transporting properties is doped with a metal selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.

[0091] In the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y, a part of the electron injecting transport layer 24 is trimmed to form an opening 24a in the electron injecting transport layer 24. The common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13 are electrically connected to each other through this opening 24a.

[0092] (common electrode) 4, a common electrode 25 is formed on the electron injecting and transporting layer 24. The common electrode 25 is an electrode common to each of the light-emitting layers 23, and is formed in a continuous state over at least the entire image display region 10a of the display panel 10. The common electrode 25 is made of a light-transmitting conductive material, and is formed on the electron injecting and transporting layer 24. The common electrode 25 functions as a cathode.

[0093] The common electrode 25 pairs with the pixel electrode 19 to sandwich the light-emitting layer 23 therebetween to form a current path and supply carriers to the light-emitting layer 23. For example, when the common electrode 25 functions as a cathode, it supplies electrons to the light-emitting layer 23.

[0094] A metal layer, a metal oxide layer, or a laminate thereof may be used for the common electrode 25. As the metal layer, for example, a metal thin film may be used.

[0095] In order to obtain an optical resonator structure more effectively, it is preferable to form a metal thin film made of at least one of aluminum, magnesium, silver, an aluminum-lithium alloy, a magnesium-silver alloy, etc. as the material of the common electrode 25. In this case, it is preferable that the thickness of the metal thin film is 20 nm or more and 50 nm or less. This makes the common electrode 25 semi-transparent, and an optical resonator structure can be constructed between the pixel electrode 19 and each reflective surface of the common electrode 25, thereby further improving the light emission efficiency.

[0096] As the metal oxide layer, for example, a transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO) may be used.

[0097] In order to ensure the optical path length of the optical resonator structure, a transparent conductive film such as ITO or IZO may be formed with a desired thickness between the electron injection transport layer 24 and the common electrode 25, thereby adjusting the optical distance between the light-emitting layer 23 and the common electrode 25 to an appropriate length.

[0098] The common electrode 25 contacts the connection electrode 17 or the hole injection layer 20 provided on the connection electrode 17 through an opening 24a provided in the electron injection transport layer 24 in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y, and the connection electrode 17 is connected to the auxiliary wiring 13 through the connection electrode recess 15. This allows electrical connection between the common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13.

[0099] (Sealing layer) A sealing layer 26 is laminated so as to cover the common electrode 25. The sealing layer 26 is provided to prevent organic layers such as the hole transport layer 21, the light emitting layer 23, and the electron injection transport layer 24 from being deteriorated due to exposure to external moisture or air.

[0100] The sealing layer 26 is formed using a light-transmitting material such as silicon nitride (SiN) or silicon oxynitride (SiON).

[0101] (Joining layer) A color filter substrate 31 having a color filter layer 32 formed on the lower main surface of the upper substrate 30 in the Z-axis direction is disposed above the sealing layer 26 in the Z-axis direction, and is bonded to the upper substrate 30 by a bonding layer 27. The bonding layer 27 bonds the color filter substrate 31 to a rear panel including layers from the substrate 100x to the sealing layer 26, and prevents each layer from being exposed to moisture or air. The bonding layer 27 is made of a material such as a translucent resin adhesive.

[0102] (Upper board) A color filter substrate 31, in which a color filter layer 32 is formed on an upper substrate 30, is disposed and bonded on the bonding layer 27. Since the display panel 10 is a top emission type, the upper substrate 30 is made of a light-transmitting material such as a glass substrate, a cover glass made of a quartz substrate, a plastic substrate, or a transparent resin film. The upper substrate 30 can improve rigidity and protect the hole transport layer 21, the light-emitting layer 23, the electron injection transport layer 24, and the like from the intrusion of external moisture, air, and the like. An anti-glare polarizing plate may be attached to the upper substrate 30.

[0103] (Color filter layer) A color filter layer 32 is formed on the upper substrate 30 at a position corresponding to each color self-luminous region 100a of the pixel. The color filter layer 32 is a transparent layer provided to transmit visible light of wavelengths corresponding to R, G, and B, and has a function of transmitting light emitted from each color pixel and correcting the chromaticity of the emitted light. For example, in this example, red, green, and blue color filter layers 32R, 32G, and 32B are formed above the gap 22zR, gap 22zG, and gap 22zB, respectively. A known resin material can be used as the color filter layer 32.

[0104] (Light blocking layer 33) A light-shielding layer 33 is formed on the upper substrate 30 at a position corresponding to the boundary between the light-emitting regions 100a of the sub-pixels. The light-shielding layer 33 is a black resin layer provided to block visible light of wavelengths corresponding to R, G, and B, and is made of a resin material containing a black pigment with excellent light absorption and light-shielding properties, for example. The light-shielding layer 33 is made of a resin material containing an ultraviolet-curing resin material as the main component to which a black pigment made of a light-shielding material such as a carbon black pigment, a titanium black pigment, a metal oxide pigment, or an organic pigment is added.

[0105] <Manufacturing Method of Display Panel 10> A method for manufacturing the display panel 10 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 10. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the manufacturing process of the display panel 10 according to the embodiment. Each of Figures 6 to 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the same line as BB in Figure 2, showing the state of each step in the manufacturing of the display panel 10.

[0106] [Forming the rear panel] A substrate 100x on which a plurality of TFTs and wirings are formed is prepared. The substrate 100x can be manufactured by a known TFT manufacturing method (step S1 in FIG. 5, FIG. 6(a)). The substrate 100x is provided with auxiliary wirings 13 extending in a planar direction, and the upper surface of the substrate 100x is provided with pads 12a on, for example, source electrodes of TFT elements, and the auxiliary wirings 13.

[0107] The above-mentioned constituent material of the planarization layer 16 (photosensitive resin material) is applied as a photoresist to cover the substrate 100x, and the surface is planarized to form the planarization layer 16 (step S2 in FIG. 5, FIG. 6(b)).

[0108] Dry etching is performed on the flattening layer 16 at the locations of the pads 12a and auxiliary wiring 13 to form contact holes 16a and 16b, and then the connection electrode recesses 14 and 15 are formed along the inner walls of the contact holes. The connection electrode recesses 14 and 15 may be formed, for example, by forming a metal film using a sputtering method, and then patterning the metal film using photolithography and wet etching.

[0109] Next, the pixel electrode 19, the connection electrode 17, and the hole injection layer 20 are formed (FIG. 5: step S3). The pixel electrode 19 is formed so that a part of the pixel electrode 19 is located above the auxiliary wiring 13 and a connection area CA where no pixel electrode is present remains above the auxiliary wiring 13, and the connection electrode 17 is formed in the connection area CA. In the process of forming the pixel electrode 19, the pixel electrode 19 is formed so that the part of the outer edge of the pixel electrode 19 facing the outer edge of the connection area CA is recessed inward of the pixel electrode 19 in a plan view.

[0110] In this process, first, a metal film 19x for electrodes to form the pixel electrode 19 and the connection electrode 17 is formed by stacking metal films using a vapor phase growth method such as a sputtering method or a vacuum deposition method, and then patterning is performed using a photolithography method and an etching method (Figure 6(c)).

[0111] Specifically, after performing pre-deposition cleaning on the surface of the planarization layer 16, a metal film 19x for pixel electrodes for forming the pixel electrodes 19 and the connection electrodes 17 is deposited on the surface of the planarization layer 16 by a vapor phase growth method (FIG. 4(c)). In this example, a film made of aluminum or an alloy mainly composed of aluminum is deposited by a sputtering method.

[0112] Furthermore, after pre-deposition cleaning is performed on the surface of the metal film 19x, a metal layer 20A' for forming the hole injection layer 20 is deposited on the surface of the metal film 19x by vapor phase growth (FIG. 6(c)). In this example, a tungsten film is deposited by sputtering.

[0113] After that, a photoresist layer FR made of photosensitive resin or the like is applied, a photomask PM with a predetermined opening is placed on it, and the photoresist is exposed to light by irradiating it from above, and the pattern of the photomask is transferred to the photoresist (FIG. 6(d)). Next, the photoresist layer FR is patterned by development.

[0114] Thereafter, the metal layer 20A′ is patterned by dry etching through the patterned photoresist layer FR, thereby forming the hole injection layer 20.

[0115] Subsequently, the metal film 19x is patterned by wet etching through the patterned photoresist layer FR and the hole injection layer 20, to form the pixel electrodes 19 and the connection electrodes 17.

[0116] Finally, the photoresist layer FR is peeled off to form a laminate of the pixel electrode 19 and the hole injection layer 20, which are patterned to have the same external shape, and a laminate of the connection electrode 17 and the hole injection layer 20 (FIG. 7(a)).

[0117] After forming the hole injection layer 20, the bank 22 is formed so as to cover the hole injection layer 20. In forming the bank 22, first the row bank 22X is formed, and then the column bank 22Y is formed so as to form the gap 22z and the opening 22b (FIG. 5: step S4, FIG. 7(b)).

[0118] The row banks 22X are formed by first forming a film made of a material (such as a photosensitive resin material) for the row banks 22X by using a method such as spin coating on the hole injection layer 20. The resin film is then patterned to form the row banks 22X.

[0119] The row banks 22X are patterned by exposing the resin film using a photomask, developing the film, and baking the film (at about 230° C. for about 60 minutes).

[0120] Next, in the process of forming the column bank 22Y, a film made of a constituent material of the column bank 22Y (for example, a photosensitive resin material) is laminated on the hole injection layer 20 and the row bank 22X by using a method such as spin coating. The gaps 22z and openings 22b are formed by exposing the resin film to light through a mask placed above it and then developing it, thereby patterning the resin film to form the gaps 22z and openings 22b, thereby forming the column bank 22Y.

[0121] Specifically, in the process of forming the column bank 22Y, first, a photosensitive resin film made of an organic photosensitive resin material is formed, then dried and the solvent is evaporated to a certain extent, a photomask with specified openings is placed on top of it, and ultraviolet light is irradiated from above to expose a photoresist made of a photosensitive resin or the like, and the pattern of the photomask is transferred to the photoresist.

[0122] Next, an insulating layer having a pattern of the column bank 22Y formed by developing a photosensitive resin is formed by baking (at about 230° C. for about 60 minutes).

[0123] In the process of forming the column bank 22Y, the column bank 22Y is formed with an expanded width portion 22a that is open at a portion located above the connection area CA of the substrate 100x in a plan view.

[0124] Next, a hole transport layer 21 and a light emitting layer 23 are sequentially stacked on the hole injection layer 20 formed in the gap 22z defined by the column bank 22Y including the row bank 22X (FIG. 5: steps S5 and S6, FIG. 7(c), FIG. 8(a)).

[0125] The hole transport layer 21 is formed by applying ink containing the constituent material to the gap 22z defined by the column bank 22Y using a wet process such as an inkjet method or a gravure printing method, and then volatilizing and removing the solvent, or by baking (FIG. 7(c)). The hole transport layer 21 is not provided in the opening 22b.

[0126] The light-emitting layer 23 is formed by applying ink containing a constituent material into the gaps 22z defined by the column banks 22Y using an inkjet method, followed by baking (FIG. 8(a)). Specifically, the substrate 100x is placed on an operating table of a droplet ejection device with the column banks 22Y aligned along the Y direction, and an inkjet head 301 having a plurality of nozzle holes arranged in a line along the Y direction is moved in the X direction relative to the substrate 100x, causing ink droplets 18 to land from each nozzle hole on a landing target set in the gaps 22z between the column banks 22Y. Again, the light-emitting layer 23 is not formed in the openings 22b.

[0127] In this process, ink 23I containing a material for any one of the R, G, and B organic light-emitting layers is filled into gaps 22z, which will become sub-pixel formation regions, by an inkjet method, and the filled ink is dried under reduced pressure and baked to form light-emitting layers 23R, 23G, and 23B. In applying ink 23I to light-emitting layer 23, first, a solution for forming light-emitting layer 23 is applied using a droplet discharge device.

[0128] The method for forming the hole transport layer 21 and the light emitting layer 23 is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and the ink may be dropped or applied by a known method other than the ink jet method or gravure printing method, such as a dispenser method, a nozzle coating method, a spin coating method, intaglio printing, or letterpress printing.

[0129] After forming the light-emitting layer 23, the electron injection transport layer 24 is formed over the entire light-emitting area (display region) of the display panel 10 by vacuum deposition or the like (FIG. 5: step S7, FIG. 8(b)). The vacuum deposition method is used in order to avoid damaging the light-emitting layer 23, which is an organic film, and in the vacuum deposition method performed under high vacuum, the molecules to be deposited are deposited in a straight line in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. The electron injection transport layer 24 is deposited on the light-emitting layer 23 by co-deposition of an organic material and a metal material, for example, to a thickness of 20 nm to 50 nm. Note that the thickness of the electron injection transport layer 24 is merely an example and is not limited to the above values, and should be an appropriate thickness that is most advantageous for optical light extraction.

[0130] Next, a part of the electron injection transport layer 24 in the opening 22b is irradiated with laser light LD to remove a part of the electron injection transport layer 24 in the opening 22b in the widened portion 22Ya of the column bank 22Y (FIG. 5: step S8, FIG. 8(c)). Laser processing is a process in which the temperature of the part of the material to be removed that is irradiated with the laser light increases, and the part changes from a solid phase to a liquid phase and then to a gas phase, thereby removing the part. As a result, a part of the electron injection transport layer 24 is trimmed at least in the opening 22b to open an opening 24a, and a part of the connection electrode 17 is exposed through the opening 24a (FIG. 9(a)).

[0131] Specifically, the laser processing device performs trimming by irradiating laser light from a laser head unit (not shown) onto a thin film substrate based on a program pre-stored in an internal storage memory or the like, with a laser output and scanning speed that can selectively remove only the thin film to be processed.

[0132] In this case, the laser processing machine may be a known solid-state laser processing machine, etc. For the laser light, for example, a YAG laser, a UV laser, etc. may be used as a semiconductor laser selected from the wavelength range of 200 nm or more and 380 nm or less.

[0133] In addition, the irradiation of the electron injection transport layer 24 with laser light is preferably performed in a vacuum atmosphere by reducing the pressure in a chamber containing the substrate using a vacuum pump in order to prevent deterioration of the characteristics of the various organic materials constituting the light-emitting element due to the effects of oxygen and moisture in the air.

[0134] In addition, since the connection electrode 17 serves as an underlying layer during laser trimming of the electron injecting and transporting layer 24, it is undesirable for the connection electrode 17 to be damaged by laser irradiation. By selecting a material for the connection electrode 17 that has a lower light absorptance than the electron injecting and transporting layer 24 for the wavelength of the irradiated laser light, the connection electrode 17 has high resistance to laser irradiation, and it is possible to prevent the connection electrode 17, which is an underlying layer, from being damaged by laser irradiation during laser trimming of the electron injecting and transporting layer 24.

[0135] Furthermore, a hole injection layer 20 is provided on the connection electrode 17, and the hole injection layer 20 is made of a material that has a relatively low light absorptance for the wavelength of the irradiated laser light.

[0136] After forming the electron injecting and transporting layer 24, the common electrode 25 is formed so as to cover the electron injecting and transporting layer 24 (FIG. 5: step S9, FIG. 9(b)). The common electrode 25 may include a layer mainly composed of a metal and a layer made of a metal oxide.

[0137] First, the common electrode 25 is formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, a sputtering method, or a vacuum deposition method so as to cover the electron injection transport layer 24 (FIG. 9(b)). For example, the common electrode 25 is formed by depositing silver by a vacuum deposition method. Alternatively, the common electrode 25 may be formed by forming a transparent conductive layer such as ITO or IZO by a sputtering method.

[0138] By forming the common electrode 25, it is possible to reliably bring the common electrode 25 into contact with a portion of the connection electrode 17 connected to the auxiliary wiring 13 through an opening 24a created by trimming a portion of the electron injection transport layer 24 extending in the column direction within the opening 22b in the widened portion 22Ya of the column bank 22Y, thereby ensuring electrical connection between the auxiliary wiring 13 and the common electrode 25.

[0139] The sealing layer 26 is formed so as to cover the common electrode 25 (FIG. 5: step S10, FIG. 9(c)). The sealing layer 26 can be formed by using a CVD method, a sputtering method, or the like.

[0140] [Formation of Color Filter Substrate 31] Next, a manufacturing process of the color filter substrate 31 will be illustrated.

[0141] A transparent upper substrate 30 is prepared, and a light-shielding layer material, which is mainly composed of an ultraviolet-curable resin (e.g., an ultraviolet-curable acrylic resin) material to which a black pigment has been added, is applied to one surface of the transparent upper substrate 30 (Figure 10(a)).

[0142] A pattern mask PM having predetermined openings is placed on the upper surface of the applied film 33' of the material for the light-shielding layer, and ultraviolet light is irradiated from above (FIG. 10(b)).

[0143] Thereafter, the pattern mask PM and the uncured light-shielding layer 33 are removed, developed, and cured, completing the light-shielding layer 33 having, for example, a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape (FIG. 10(c)).

[0144] Next, a material 32G for a color filter layer 32 (e.g., G) mainly composed of an ultraviolet-curable resin component is applied to the surface of the upper substrate 30 on which the light-shielding layer 33 is formed (Figure 10(d)), a predetermined pattern mask PM is placed on it, and ultraviolet light is irradiated (Figure 10(e)).

[0145] Thereafter, curing is performed, the pattern mask PM and the uncured paste 32G are removed, and development is performed to form the color filter layer 32G (FIG. 10(f)).

[0146] This process is repeated for each color filter material to form color filter layers 32R and 32B (FIG. 10(g)). In this manner, the color filter substrate 31 is completed.

[0147] [Bonding the color filter substrate 31 and the rear panel] Next, a material for the bonding layer 27, mainly composed of an ultraviolet-curable resin such as an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, or an epoxy resin, is applied to the back panel made up of the layers from the substrate 100x to the sealing layer 26 (FIG. 11(a)).

[0148] Next, the applied material is irradiated with ultraviolet light, and the rear panel and color filter substrate 31 are bonded together while their relative positions are adjusted. At this time, care must be taken not to let gas get between the two. After that, both substrates are baked to complete the sealing process, and the display panel 10 is completed (FIG. 11(b)).

[0149] <Effects> (1) Suppression of the decrease in the aperture ratio of the display panel caused by the provision of auxiliary wiring As described above, the display panel 10 according to the embodiment includes a substrate 100x, an auxiliary wiring 13 arranged on the substrate 100x, a plurality of pixel electrodes 19 arranged in a matrix above the substrate 100x with a predetermined gap therebetween, a plurality of light-emitting layers 23 arranged above the plurality of pixel electrodes 19, a functional layer 24 arranged continuously across the plurality of light-emitting layers 23, and a common electrode 25 arranged continuously above the functional layer 24. The auxiliary wiring 13 extends in the planar direction of the substrate 100x below the pixel electrodes 19, sandwiching at least a portion of the thickness direction of the planarization layer 16 therebetween. Above the substrate 100x, for example on the upper surface of the planarization layer 12, there is a connection area CA where no pixel electrode 19 exists, and where the common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13 are electrically connected within the area. In a planar view, a portion of the outer edge of the pixel electrode 19 facing the outer edge of the connection area CA is recessed inward of the pixel electrode.

[0150] In addition, the functional layer 24 may be configured so that a portion located above the connection area CA is missing to form an opening 24a, and the common electrode 25 is in contact with the auxiliary wiring 13 exposed from the opening 24a of the functional layer 24, or with the connection electrode 17 connected to the auxiliary wiring 13, or with the hole injection layer 20 provided on the connection electrode 17.

[0151] As described above, in the display panel 10, the auxiliary wiring 13 is configured to extend in the planar direction of the substrate 100x below the pixel electrode 19. This means that, unlike conventional display panels, an increase in the area of ​​the auxiliary wiring 13 does not directly lead to a reduction in the area of ​​the self-luminous region 100a in the image display region 10a. Even if the area of ​​the auxiliary wiring 13 increases, the reduction in the area of ​​the self-luminous region 100a can be suppressed.

[0152] In addition, in a plan view, the outer edge of the pixel electrode 19 facing the outer edge of the connection area CA is recessed inward of the pixel electrode 19. That is, the pixel electrode 19 around the connection area CA is recessed at a predetermined distance from the connection area CA in a plan view, and is formed to avoid the connection area CA. This allows the dark areas that do not light up due to the connection area CA to be distributed at the boundaries between the self-luminous areas 100a and are therefore less noticeable. When the connection areas CA are linearly arranged in the row or column direction as in a conventional display panel, the connection areas CA are recognized as continuous linear dark areas that do not light up. Compared to this case, according to this embodiment, the proportion of the area of ​​the self-luminous area 100a that is reduced by the connection area CA is reduced, and the dark areas that do not light up due to the connection area CA are distributed so as to be dotted between the self-luminous areas 100a, so the degree of reduction in the display area that is actually visible to the viewer is also reduced.

[0153] With this configuration, the display panel 10 can suppress the decrease in aperture ratio, which is the ratio of the self-emitting region 100a to the area of ​​the display panel, that occurs when auxiliary wiring is provided, and can realize an organic EL display panel that reduces the resistance of the power supply path to the light-emitting element and improves the brightness variation within the surface that is caused by voltage drop.

[0154] Furthermore, a manufacturing method of the display panel 10 according to the embodiment includes the steps of preparing a substrate 100x on which auxiliary wiring 13 extending in a planar direction is arranged, forming a plurality of pixel electrodes 19 in a matrix above the substrate 100x with a predetermined gap therebetween such that a portion of the pixel electrodes 19 is located above the auxiliary wiring 13 and a connection area CA where no pixel electrodes 19 are present remains above the auxiliary wiring 13, forming a plurality of light-emitting layers 23 above the plurality of pixel electrodes 19, forming a functional layer 24 continuously across the plurality of light-emitting layers 23, and forming the functional layer 24 by removing a portion of the functional layer above the connection area CA to form the auxiliary wiring 13. the step of exposing a connection electrode 17 electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring 13 or a part of the hole injection layer 20 provided on the connection electrode 17; and the step of continuously forming a common electrode 25 above the functional layer 24 to contact the common electrode 25 with a part of the auxiliary wiring 13, or with the connection electrode 17 electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring 13 or a part of the hole injection layer 20 provided on the connection electrode 17. In the step of forming the pixel electrode 19, the part of the outer edge of the pixel electrode 19 facing the outer edge of the connection area CA is formed so as to be recessed inward of the pixel electrode 19 in a plan view.

[0155] With this configuration, by removing a portion of the functional layer and bringing the common electrode 25 into contact with a portion of the auxiliary wiring 13, or with the connecting electrode 17 connected to the auxiliary wiring 13, or with a portion of the hole injection layer 20 provided on the connecting electrode 17, it is possible to electrically connect the common electrode 25 with the auxiliary wiring 13. This makes it possible to realize a method for manufacturing an organic EL display panel that suppresses a decrease in aperture ratio that is caused by the provision of the auxiliary wiring, reduces the resistance of the power supply path to the light-emitting element, and improves the brightness variation within the surface that is caused by voltage drop. (2) The effect of the connection electrodes 17 provided in the connection area CA being surrounded by the widened portions 22a of the column banks 22Y In the manufacturing method of the display panel 10, the light-emitting layer 23 is selectively formed only on the pixel electrodes 19 using a printing method, and the light-emitting layer 23 is not formed above the connection electrodes 17.

[0156] In the method for manufacturing the display panel 10, the light-emitting layers 23R, 23G, and 23B of each color are selectively formed only in the gaps 22zR, 22zG, and 22zB corresponding to the respective sub-pixels by a printing method.

[0157] Furthermore, since the connection electrode 17 provided in the connection area CA within the gap 22zB is surrounded by the widened portion 22a of the column bank 22Y, the ink 23I of the light-emitting layer 23 applied within the gap 22zB does not flow into the opening 22b of the widened portion 22a, and the light-emitting layer 23 is not formed above the connection electrode 17.

[0158] In addition to the light-emitting layer 23, the hole transport layer 21, which is a functional layer, is selectively formed only in the gaps 22zR, G, and B, and is not formed on the connection electrode 17 located within the opening 22b of the widened portion 22a.

[0159] Therefore, no special manufacturing equipment or steps such as masking are required to adopt a configuration in which the light-emitting layer 23 is not formed in the opening 22b where the connection electrode 17 is present. Therefore, the manufacturing method of the display panel 10 can realize a configuration in which the hole transport layer 21 and the light-emitting layer 23 are not formed above the connection electrode 17 without requiring special manufacturing costs, etc.

[0160] As a result, in the manufacturing method for the display panel 10, the thickness of the organic functional layer to be removed by laser trimming can be reduced, thereby reducing the amount of debris generated by laser irradiation and preventing defects in sealing in subsequent processes caused by the debris.

[0161] <Circuit configuration of display device 1> The circuit configuration of an organic EL display device 1 according to the first embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as "display device 1") will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 12, the display device 1 includes a display panel 10 (hereinafter referred to as "display panel 10") and a drive control circuit section 20 connected thereto.

[0163] The display panel 10 is an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel that utilizes the electroluminescence phenomenon of organic materials, and is configured by arranging a plurality of organic EL elements, for example, in a matrix. The drive control circuit section 40 is configured by four drive circuits 41 to 44 and a control circuit 45.

[0164] <Circuit configuration of display panel 10> In the display panel 10, a plurality of unit pixels 100e are arranged in a matrix to form a display area. Each unit pixel 100e is composed of three organic EL elements, that is, three sub-pixels 100se that emit light of three colors, R (red), G (green), and B (blue). The circuit configuration of each sub-pixel 100se will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0165] FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of an organic EL element 100 corresponding to each sub-pixel 100se of a display panel 10 used in the display device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0166] 13, in the display panel 10 according to the present embodiment, each sub-pixel 100se is configured to include two transistors Tr1 and Tr2, one capacitor C, and an organic EL element portion EL as a light-emitting portion. The transistor Tr1 is a drive transistor, and the transistor Tr2 is a switching transistor.

[0167] The gate G2 of the switching transistor Tr2 is connected to the scan line Vscn, the source S2 is connected to the data line Vdat, and the drain D2 of the switching transistor Tr2 is connected to the gate G1 of the driving transistor Tr1.

[0168] The drain D1 of the driving transistor Tr1 is connected to a power supply line Va, and the source S1 is connected to a pixel electrode (anode) of the organic EL element unit EL. A common electrode (cathode) in the organic EL element unit EL is connected to a ground line Vcat.

[0169] A first terminal of the capacitor C is connected to the drain D2 of the switching transistor Tr2 and the gate G1 of the drive transistor Tr1, and a second terminal of the capacitor C is connected to the power supply line Va.

[0170] In the display panel 10, a single unit pixel 100e is formed by combining a plurality of adjacent sub-pixels 100se (for example, three sub-pixels 100se emitting red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light), and the unit pixels 100e are distributed to form a pixel region. A gate line is drawn from the gate G2 of each sub-pixel 100se, and is connected to a scan line Vscn connected from outside the display panel 10. Similarly, a source line is drawn from the source S2 of each sub-pixel 100se, and is connected from outside the display panel 10 to a scan line Vscn. The data line Vdat is connected to the data line Vdat.

[0171] Furthermore, the power supply line Va of each subpixel 100se and the ground line Vcat of each subpixel 100se are aggregated and connected to the power supply line and ground line of the display device 1.

[0172] <Modification> Although the display panel 10 according to the embodiment has been described, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment except for its essential characteristic components. For example, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art can conceive, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. Below, a modified example of the display panel 10 will be described as an example of such a form. (1) Variation 1 A display panel according to Modification 1 will be described. In the display panel 10 according to the embodiment, the row bank 22X is connected to the widened portion 22a of the column bank 22Y in the subpixel column CB as shown in Fig. 3. However, the position where the row bank 22X is connected to the column bank 22Y is not limited to the above and may be changed as appropriate.

[0173] Fig. 14(a) is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of a display panel according to Modification 1. The display panel according to Modification 1 differs from the embodiment in that, as shown in Fig. 14(a), in the subpixel column CB, the row bank 22X is connected to the column bank 22Y in the vicinity of the widened portion 22a of the column bank 22Y, and the row bank 22X and the column bank 22Y are in contact with each other in the column direction.

[0174] This configuration prevents the length of the row bank 22X from being shortened due to the presence of the connection region CA, and increases the row-direction length of the ink 23I that contacts the row bank 22X in forming the subpixels 100B in the subpixel column CB in the light-emitting layer formation process, thereby making the film thickness of the light-emitting layer 23B in the subpixels 100B more uniform. This improves the luminance variation in the subpixels 100B. (2) Modifications 2 and 3 A display panel according to Modification 2 will be described. In the display panel 10 according to the embodiment, in the subpixel column CB, all the row banks 22X are connected to the widened portions 22a of the column banks 22Y as shown in Fig. 3. However, the positions at which the row banks 22X are connected to the column banks 22Y are not limited to those described above and may be changed as appropriate.

[0175] Fig. 14(b) is a schematic plan view showing an enlargement of a plurality of pixels of a display panel according to Modification 2. The display panel according to Modification 2 differs from the embodiment in that in the subpixel column CB, the row bank 22X is connected to the widened portion 22a of the column bank 22Y once for every plurality of pixels. That is, the widened portions 22a of the column bank 22Y are arranged at a pitch in the column direction that is larger than the pitch of the pixel electrodes 19. Here, the pitch refers to the distance between the same positions on the adjacent pixel electrodes 19. In this example, as shown in Fig. 14(b), the row bank 22X is connected to the column bank 22Y once for every two pixels.

[0176] This configuration can reduce the number of sub-pixels 100B in the sub-pixel column CB whose length of the row bank 22X is shortened due to the presence of the connection region CA, and can relatively improve the uniformity of the thickness of the light-emitting layer 23B between the sub-pixels 100B in the sub-pixel column CB in the light-emitting layer formation process, thereby improving the luminance variation between the sub-pixels 100B in the sub-pixel column CB.

[0177] FIG. 15(a) is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to a third modification, and (b) is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to a comparative example.

[0178] The display panel according to Modification 3 differs from Modification 2 in that, in addition to the configuration of the display panel according to Modification 2, the column-direction positions at which the connection regions CA exist are made to differ depending on the row-direction positions of the subpixels 100B. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 15(a), the column-direction positions of the widened portions 22a may be different in two column banks 22Y adjacent to each other in the row direction, and further, the column-direction positions of the widened portions 22a may be the same in two column banks 22Y sandwiching one column bank 22Y in the row direction.

[0179] With this configuration, compared to the comparative example in which the connection area CA is located at the same position in the column direction regardless of the row position of the sub-pixel 100B shown in Figure 15(b), in the display panel of variant example 3, the column positions at which the connection areas CA are located are arranged in a staggered pattern that alternates depending on the row position, so that the reduction in luminance due to the connection areas CA in the image display area 10a is dispersed and is less likely to be perceived as streaks. (3) Variation 4 A display panel according to Modification 4 will be described. In the display panel 10 according to the embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, a connection area CA is formed near one of a pair of column banks 22Y on both sides of a gap 22zB. However, the position in the row direction at which the connection area CA is arranged in the gap 22zB is not limited to the above and may be changed as appropriate.

[0180] Fig. 16 is a schematic plan view in which a plurality of pixels of a display panel according to Modification 4 are enlarged. As shown in Fig. 16, the display panel according to Modification 4 differs from the embodiment in that the connection region CA overlaps with the row bank 22X in a plan view and is spaced apart from each of a pair of column banks 22Y adjacent in the row direction by a predetermined distance or more. In this example, as shown in Fig. 16, the connection region CA overlaps with the row bank 22X in a plan view, is located at the center of a pair of column banks 22Y adjacent in the row direction, and is spaced apart from the column bank 22Y by δX. δX may be, for example, 5 μm or more.

[0181] With this configuration, in the process of forming the light-emitting layer, the ink 23I is brought into contact with the row bank 22X on both sides of the connection area CA in forming the subpixels 100B in the subpixel column CB, thereby improving the fluidity of the ink 23I in the column direction in the subpixel column CB and relatively improving the uniformity in the thickness of the light-emitting layer 23B between the subpixels 100B in the subpixel column CB. This makes it possible to improve the luminance variation between the subpixels 100B in the subpixel column CB. (4) Variation 5 FIG. 17(a) is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to a fifth modification, and (b) is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a plurality of pixels of an organic EL display panel according to a comparative example.

[0182] The display panel according to the fifth modification differs from the embodiment in that, in addition to the configuration of the display panel 10 according to the embodiment, a widening film portion 33a covering the connection area CA is provided in a portion of the light-shielding layer 33 located above the connection area CA in a plan view at a position corresponding to the boundary between the self-luminous areas 100a of the subpixels. That is, the light-shielding film 33 covering the gaps between the pixel electrodes 19 may be provided above the gaps between the pixel electrodes 19, and the widening portion 33a of the light-shielding film 33 may be provided above the connection area CA, and the connection area CA may be covered by the widening portion 33a. The connection electrodes 17 provided in the connection area CA are made of a metal layer made of a light-reflective metal material, like the pixel electrodes 19, and thus cause glare on the display panel due to reflection of external light.

[0183] 17(b) in the comparative example in which a portion of the connection electrode 17 in the connection area CA protrudes from the light-shielding layer 33 in a plan view, in the display panel according to the fifth modification, the connection electrode 17 is covered by the widened portion 33a provided in the light-shielding layer 33, so that even if the connection area CA is enlarged, it is possible to prevent the outward reflection of the connection electrode 17 from being emitted upward, and it is possible to improve glare due to outward reflection in the display panel 10. Note that, since spontaneous emission is not emitted from the connection area CA, there is no decrease in brightness associated with the widening of the light-shielding layer 33 above the connection area CA. <Other Modifications> (1) In the display panel 10 according to the embodiment, among the sub-pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B, the row direction width of the pixel electrode 19 corresponding to the sub-pixel 100B is larger than the row direction width of the pixel electrodes 19 corresponding to the sub-pixels 100R and 100G, and the self-luminous region 100aB is configured to be wider than the self-luminous regions 100aR and 100aG. However, the relative row direction widths of the pixel electrodes 19 in the multiple sub-pixels 100 and the relative areas of the self-luminous regions 100a are not limited to this. (2) In addition, in the display panel 10, the connection area CA is provided for the subpixel 100B having the large self-luminous area 100aB. However, the connection area CA may be provided for the other subpixels 100a. (3) In the display panel 10 according to the embodiment, the common electrode 25 is in contact with the surface of the connection electrode 17 or the hole injection layer 20 exposed through the opening 24a where a portion of the electron injection transport layer 24 is missing, and the connection electrode 17 is further electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring 13 through the connection electrode recess 15 formed inside the contact hole of the planarization layer 16. However, the configuration for electrically connecting the common electrode 25 and the auxiliary wiring 13 is not limited to this.

[0184] For example, the common electrode 25 may be configured to directly contact the upper surface of the auxiliary wiring 13 through a contact hole in the planarizing layer 16 disposed in the opening 22b of the column bank 22Y. This allows the number of steps in the manufacturing process to be reduced without using the connection electrode 17.

[0185] Alternatively, the hole injection layer 20 may not be provided on the connection electrode 17. Specifically, the common electrode 25 may be in contact with the surface of the connection electrode 17 exposed from the opening 24a where a part of the electron injection transport layer 24 is missing, and the connection electrode 17 may be electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring 13 through the connection electrode recess 15 formed inside the contact hole of the planarization layer 16. (4) In the display panel 10 according to the embodiment, the auxiliary wiring 13 is configured to be located on the upper surface of the TFT layer 12 on the substrate 100x, but the position at which the auxiliary wiring 13 is disposed is not limited to this. For example, the auxiliary wiring 13 may be disposed within the layer of the TFT layer 12. Alternatively, the auxiliary wiring 13 may be disposed within the layer of the planarization layer 16 as long as at least a part of the planarization layer 16 in the thickness direction is interposed between the auxiliary wiring 13 and the pixel electrode 19. (5) In the display panel 10 according to the embodiment, the light-emitting layers 23 of the sub-pixels 100se arranged in the gaps 22z between adjacent column banks 22Y in the row direction emit different colors of light, and the light-emitting layers 23 of the sub-pixels 100se arranged in the gaps between adjacent row banks 22X in the column direction emit the same color of light. However, in the above configuration, the light-emitting layers 23 of the sub-pixels 100se adjacent in the row direction may emit the same color of light, and the light-emitting layers 23 of the sub-pixels 100se adjacent in the column direction may emit different colors of light.

[0186] In the display panel 10, the pixels 100 are of three types, i.e., red pixels, green pixels, and blue pixels, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pixel may have one type of light-emitting layer, or may have four types of light-emitting layers that emit red, green, blue, and white light.

[0187] (6) In the above embodiment, the unit pixels 100e are arranged in a matrix, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the pixel regions are spaced apart by one pitch, the present invention is also effective for a configuration in which the pixel regions are shifted by half a pitch in the column direction between adjacent gaps. In display panels with increasing resolution, it is difficult to visually distinguish slight shifts in the column direction, and even if the film thickness unevenness is arranged in a straight line (or in a staggered pattern) with a certain width, it appears as a strip when viewed from the outside. Therefore, even in such a case, the display quality of the display panel can be improved by suppressing the luminance unevenness from being arranged in the staggered pattern.

[0188] (7) In the above embodiment, the hole injection layer 20, the hole transport layer 21, the light emitting layer 23, and the electron injection transport layer 24 are present between the pixel electrode 19 and the common electrode 25, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the hole injection layer 20, the hole transport layer 21, and the electron injection transport layer 24 may not be used, and only the light emitting layer 23 may be present between the pixel electrode 19 and the common electrode 25. In addition, the present invention may be configured to include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron injection transport layer, an electron injection layer, etc., or to include a plurality of or all of these layers at the same time. In addition, all of these layers do not need to be made of organic compounds, and may be made of inorganic substances, etc.

[0189] In the above embodiment, the light-emitting layer 23 is formed using a wet film-forming process such as a printing method, a spin-coating method, or an ink-jet method, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dry film-forming process such as a vacuum deposition method, an electron beam deposition method, a sputtering method, a reactive sputtering method, an ion plating method, or a vapor phase growth method may also be used. Furthermore, known materials may be appropriately used for the materials of each component part.

[0190] (8) In the above embodiment, the pixel electrode 19, which is an anode, is disposed below the organic EL element section, and the pixel electrode 19 is connected to the wiring connected to the source electrode of the TFT. However, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which a common electrode is disposed below the organic EL element section, and an anode is disposed above it. In this case, the cathode disposed below is connected to the drain of the TFT.

[0191] (9) In the above embodiment, a top emission type EL display panel is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a bottom emission type display panel. In that case, each configuration can be appropriately changed.

[0192] (10) In the above embodiment, an organic EL display panel using organic EL elements as self-luminous elements has been described. However, other display panels such as quantum dot display panels using quantum dot light-emitting elements (QLEDs: Quantum dot Light Emitting Diodes) (see, for example, JP 2010-199067 A) can also be applied to such panels, which are the same as organic EL display panels in that a light-emitting layer and other functional layers are interposed between a pixel electrode and a common electrode, except for the structure and type of the light-emitting layer.

[0193] <Additional Information> The above-described embodiments each show a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the embodiments, steps that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components constituting a more preferred embodiment.

[0194] The order in which the above steps are performed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present invention, and the steps may be performed in an order other than the above. Some of the steps may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0195] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the scale of the components in the drawings may differ from the actual scale. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0196] Furthermore, at least some of the functions of each of the embodiments and their modified examples may be combined.

[0197] Furthermore, various modifications of the present embodiment that are within the scope of what would occur to a person skilled in the art are also included in the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0198] The organic EL display panel and the organic EL display device according to the present invention can be widely used in devices such as television sets, personal computers, and mobile phones, as well as various other electronic devices having a display panel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 1 Organic EL display device 2. Organic EL elements 10 Organic EL display panel 100 pixels 100R, 100G, 100B subpixels 100a Self-illuminating area 100b Non-self-illuminating area 100x substrate (TFT substrate) 11 Base material 12 TFT layers 13 Auxiliary wiring 14 Connection electrode recess 15 Connection electrode recess 16 Planarization layer 17 Connection electrode (electrode) 19 Pixel electrode 20 Hole injection layer (layer) 21 Hole transport layer 22 Bank 22a Widening section 22b opening 22X Row Bank 22Y column bank 22z(22zR, 22zG, 22zB) Gap 23 (23R, 23G, 23B) Light-emitting layer 24 Electron injection transport layer 25 Common electrode 26 Sealing layer 27 Bonding layer 30 Upper board 31 Color filter substrate 32 Color filter layer 33 Light blocking layer 40 Drive circuit section 41~44 Drive circuit 45 Control circuit CA connection area

Claims

1. A substrate; An auxiliary wiring disposed on the substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix above the substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween; A plurality of light-emitting layers disposed above the plurality of pixel electrodes; a functional layer disposed continuously across the upper surface of the light-emitting layers; a common electrode disposed continuously above the functional layer; the auxiliary wiring extends in a planar direction of the substrate below the first portion of the pixel electrode, a connection region in which the common electrode and the auxiliary wiring are electrically connected to each other and in which the pixel electrode is not present, is present above the substrate; In a plan view, an outer edge of the first portion of the pixel electrode facing an outer edge of the connection region is recessed inward of the pixel electrode, The first portion of the pixel electrode including the outer edge portion recessed inwardly overlaps with the auxiliary wiring in a plan view and forms a part of a self-luminous region formed by a light-emitting layer disposed above the pixel electrode. Self-luminous panel.

2. the functional layer has a portion located above the connection region missing to form an opening, The common electrode is in contact with the auxiliary wiring exposed from the opening of the functional layer or with an electrode or layer electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring. The self-emitting panel according to claim 1 .

3. A substrate; An auxiliary wiring disposed on the substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix above the substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween; A plurality of light-emitting layers disposed above the plurality of pixel electrodes; a functional layer disposed continuously across the upper surface of the light-emitting layers; a common electrode disposed continuously above the functional layer; the auxiliary wiring extends in a planar direction of the substrate below the pixel electrode, a connection region in which the common electrode and the auxiliary wiring are electrically connected to each other and in which the pixel electrode is not present, is present above the substrate; In a plan view, a portion of an outer edge of the pixel electrode facing an outer edge of the connection region is recessed inward of the pixel electrode, the functional layer has a portion located above the connection region missing to form an opening, the common electrode is in contact with the auxiliary wiring exposed through the opening of the functional layer or with an electrode or layer electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring; the pixel electrodes are disposed on the substrate in a row direction, and the pixel electrodes are disposed on the substrate in a row direction. the auxiliary wiring extends in a row and / or column direction in a plan view of the substrate, the light-emitting layer is disposed in a gap between a pair of the column banks, continuously above a plurality of the pixel electrodes located in the gap; the column bank has a widened portion including the connection region in a plan view; The widened portion has a shape in which an opening is provided that includes the opening of the functional layer in a plan view and penetrates the widened portion in a height direction. Self-luminous panel.

4. A substrate; An auxiliary wiring disposed on the substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix above the substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween; A plurality of light-emitting layers disposed above the plurality of pixel electrodes; a functional layer disposed continuously across the upper surface of the light-emitting layers; a common electrode disposed continuously above the functional layer; the auxiliary wiring extends in a planar direction of the substrate below the pixel electrode, a connection region in which the common electrode and the auxiliary wiring are electrically connected to each other and in which the pixel electrode is not present, is present above the substrate; In a plan view, a portion of an outer edge of the pixel electrode facing an outer edge of the connection region is recessed inward of the pixel electrode, a light-shielding film covering the gaps between the pixel electrodes, the light-shielding film being disposed above the gaps between the pixel electrodes; The light-shielding film has a widened film portion that covers the connection region. Self-luminous panel.

5. the pixel electrodes are spaced apart from each other by a plurality of row banks connected to the column banks, the row banks being arranged in parallel and extending in a row direction above the gaps between the pixel electrodes of the substrate; The row bank is connected to the widened portion of the column bank. The self-emitting panel according to claim 3 .

6. the pixel electrodes are spaced apart from each other by a plurality of row banks connected to the column banks, the row banks being arranged in parallel and extending in a row direction above the gaps between the pixel electrodes of the substrate; The row bank is connected to the column bank in the vicinity of the widened portion, and the row bank and the widened portion are in contact with each other in the column direction. The self-emitting panel according to claim 3 .

7. The widened portions of the column banks are arranged at a pitch in the column direction that is larger than the pitch of the pixel electrodes. The self-emitting panel according to claim 3 .

8. In two column banks adjacent to each other in the row direction, the positions of the widened portions in the column direction are different. The self-emitting panel according to claim 7 .

9. In two column banks sandwiching one column bank in the row direction, the positions of the widened portions in the column direction are the same. The self-emitting panel according to claim 8 .

10. the pixel electrodes are spaced apart from each other by a plurality of row banks connected to the column banks, the row banks being arranged in parallel and extending in a row direction above the gaps between the pixel electrodes of the substrate; The connection region of the substrate overlaps with the row bank in a plan view and is spaced apart from each of a pair of the column banks adjacent to each other in the row direction by a predetermined distance or more. The self-emitting panel according to claim 3 .

11. In a plan view, the outer edge of the pixel electrode around the connection region faces the outer edge of the connection region in the row direction and the column direction. The self-emission panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A step of preparing a substrate on which auxiliary wiring extending in a planar direction is arranged; forming a plurality of pixel electrodes in a matrix above the substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween, such that a first portion of each pixel electrode is located above the auxiliary wiring and a predetermined region where no pixel electrode is present is left above the auxiliary wiring; forming a plurality of light-emitting layers above the plurality of pixel electrodes; forming a functional layer continuously across the plurality of light-emitting layers; removing a portion of the functional layer above the predetermined region to expose a portion of the auxiliary wiring or an electrode or layer electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring; forming a common electrode continuously above the functional layer and contacting the common electrode with a part of the auxiliary wiring or a part of the electrode or layer; In the step of forming the pixel electrode, an outer edge portion of the first portion of the pixel electrode facing an outer edge of the predetermined region is recessed inwardly of the pixel electrode in a plan view, and the first portion including the outer edge portion recessed inwardly is formed so as to overlap with the auxiliary wiring in a plan view and to be a part of a self-luminous region formed by a light-emitting layer disposed above the pixel electrode. A method for manufacturing a self-emitting panel.

13. A step of preparing a substrate on which auxiliary wiring extending in a planar direction is arranged; forming a plurality of pixel electrodes in a matrix above the substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween, such that a portion of the pixel electrodes is located above the auxiliary wiring and a predetermined region where no pixel electrode is present is left above the auxiliary wiring; forming a plurality of light-emitting layers above the plurality of pixel electrodes; forming a functional layer continuously across the plurality of light-emitting layers; removing a portion of the functional layer above the predetermined region to expose a portion of the auxiliary wiring or an electrode or layer electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring; forming a common electrode continuously above the functional layer and contacting the common electrode with a part of the auxiliary wiring or a part of the electrode or layer; In the step of forming the pixel electrode, a portion of an outer edge of the pixel electrode facing an outer edge of the predetermined region is formed so as to be recessed inward of the pixel electrode in a plan view; The method further includes a step of arranging a plurality of column banks in parallel, extending in a column direction, above the gaps between the plurality of pixel electrodes on the substrate, In the step of forming the light-emitting layer, the light-emitting layer is formed continuously above the plurality of pixel electrodes in the gap between the pair of column banks, In the step of arranging the plurality of column banks in parallel, a widened portion is formed in the column bank by opening the predetermined region of the substrate in a plan view, In the step of removing a portion of the functional layer, a portion of the functional layer is removed within the opening. A method for manufacturing a self-emitting panel.

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