Organic EL display apparatus

An organic EL display device is provided with: an organic EL element, which is formed on an insulating substrate, and which is provided between the insulating substrate and an insulating substrate; a sealing material, which is provided in a frame region, and which is sandwiched between the insulating substrate and the insulating substrate to bond the insulating substrates to each other; and a wall member, which is provided in the frame region by being adjacent to the outer face side of the sealing material, and which forms level differences in the sealing material so as to make the height of the outer face side of the sealing material small.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to an organic EL display device provided with an organic electroluminescent element (hereinafter, organic EL element).

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, organic EL display devices are gaining attention as a next generation flat panel display device such as those with full color display. The demand is rising for this organic EL display device, which is a self-luminescent display device having excellent viewing angles, good visual characteristics, low power consumption, and can be made thin.

This organic EL display device has a plurality of organic EL elements that are arranged in prescribed arrays, and the respective organic EL elements are provided with a first electrode (positive electrode) formed on the substrate with insulating characteristics, an organic layer having a light-emitting layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode (negative electrode) formed on the organic layer.

In general, the light-emitting properties of the organic EL element such as brightness and evenness are significantly lowered as compared to the initial state after the organic EL element is driven for a period of time. The causes of such deteriorations in light-emitting properties include the deterioration of the organic layer caused by the moisture in the outside air entering the inside of the organic EL element, and the peeling off or the like occurring between the organic layer and the electrode occurring due to the moisture.

Thus, an organic EL display device provided with a sealing member to protect the organic EL element from moisture is being proposed. More specifically, what is proposed is an organic EL display device provided with an organic EL element constituted of a first electrode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a second electrode stacked on a substrate, and a sealing member having water absorbing characteristics (sealing member formed of an ultraviolet curable resin such as an epoxy resin, for example) disposed on the periphery of the substrate at a gap from the organic light-emitting layer. The organic EL display device has a structure in which the height (vertical length) of the sealing member increases towards the outer edge of the substrate from the organic light-emitting layer side. It is disclosed that by having this type of sealing member, water entering from outside the device can be prevented and the deterioration of the organic layer can be suppressed (see Patent Document 1, for example).

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In general, the moisture absorbing speed of a material having moisture absorbing characteristics increases proportionally to the area in contact with the air having moisture, and thus the time in which the amount of vapor in the sealing member reaches its limit (saturated vapor) for a material having this type of moisture absorbing characteristics will be inversely proportional to the area in contact between the air having moisture and the sealing member (in other words, as the contact area increases, the time needed to reach the limit is shortened).

Then, if the amount of vapor in the sealing member reaches its limit (saturated vapor), then the moisture absorbing characteristics of the sealing member no longer functions, and thus the shielding property against the air having moisture decreases, and as a result, the moisture in the outside air enters the inside of the organic EL element.

As mentioned above, an organic EL display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the height of the sealing member increases towards the outer edge of the substrate from the organic light-emitting layer side, and thus the contact area between the air having moisture and the sealing member is large. Therefore, because the time in which the amount of vapor in the sealing member reaches its limit (saturated vapor) is short, it is difficult to maintain the moisture absorbing performance of the sealing member for a long period of time, and as a result, there was a problem in that the properties of the organic EL element deteriorate in a short period of time.

The present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is to provide an organic EL display device that can prevent the characteristic degradation of the organic EL display element caused by moisture for a long period of time.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to achieve the above-mentioned goals, an organic electroluminescent display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; an organic electroluminescent element formed on the first substrate on a side facing the second substrate; a sealing member sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate to bond the first substrate to the second substrate, the sealing member being disposed in a frame region that is defined at a periphery of a display region of the organic electroluminescent display device performing image display; and a wall member provided on at least one of the first substrate in the frame region and the second substrate in the frame region, the wall member being disposed adjacent (attached) to an outer face of the sealing member so as to form a level difference in height of the sealing member such that a vertical length of the sealing member exposed to an exterior from the wall member is shorter than an entire height of the sealing member between the first substrate and the second substrate.

According to the same configuration, because the height of the sealing member on the outer face can be even shorter, the area of the contact surface between the sealing member and the air holding moisture can be further reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prolong the time in which the amount of vapor in the sealing member reaches its limit (saturated vapor), and the moisture absorbing characteristics of the sealing member can be maintained for a long period of time, and as a result, characteristic degradation of the organic EL element caused by moisture can be prevented.

The organic electroluminescent display device of the present invention, wherein the wall member is provided on each of the first and second substrates, respectively designated as a first wall member provided on the first substrate and a second wall member on the second substrate, and wherein the outer face of the sealing member may be sandwiched by the first wall member and the second wall member.

According to the same configuration, because the height of the sealing member on the outer face becomes shorter, the contact surface with the air holding moisture can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to further prolong the time needed for the amount of vapor in the sealing member to reach its limit (saturated vapor).

The organic electroluminescent display device in the present invention may further include an interlayer insulating film between the first substrate and the organic electroluminescent element, wherein the first wall member may be formed of a material used to form the interlayer insulating film.

According to the same configuration, a first wall member can be made without using new materials and be formed of a low cost material with broad utility. Furthermore, because the first wall member can be formed simultaneously with the interlayer insulating film, the first wall member can be formed without increasing the number of steps involved.

The organic electroluminescent display device of the present invention may further include a colored layer and a black matrix disposed on the second substrate on a side facing the organic electroluminescent element, wherein the second wall member may be formed of a material forming the colored layer or the black matrix.

According to the same configuration, a second wall member can be made without using new materials and be formed of a low cost material with broad utility. Furthermore, because the second wall member can be formed simultaneously with the colored layer and the black matrix, the second wall member can be formed without increasing the number of steps involved.

The organic electroluminescent display device of the present invention may further include: an inorganic film interposed between the sealing member and the first wall member; and another inorganic film interposed between the sealing member and the second wall member.

According to the same configuration, the characteristic degradation of the organic EL element caused by moisture can be further prevented for a long period of time because the inorganic film can prevent the moisture absorbed by the first and second wall members from entering.

The organic electroluminescent display device of the present invention, wherein the inorganic film is formed of one material chosen from a group consisting of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon nitride oxide, and silicon oxide nitride.

According to the same configuration, the characteristic degradation of the organic EL element can be reliably prevented without increasing the thickness of the inorganic film.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, an organic EL display device having a sealing member for blocking moisture can maintain the moisture absorbing characteristics of the sealing member for a long period of time, and the characteristic degradation of the organic EL element caused by moisture can be prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments below.

FIG. 1is a plan view of an organic EL display device related to Embodiment 1 of the present invention andFIG. 2is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view for describing an organic layer forming an organic EL element included in an organic EL display device related to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, an organic EL display device1is provided with an element substrate30, a sealing substrate20that faces the element substrate30, and organic EL elements4formed on the element substrate30and provided between the element substrate30and the sealing substrate20.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the element substrate30has a display region D in which the organic EL elements4are arranged. In this display region D, on a surface thereof on the element substrate30side facing the sealing substrate20, the organic EL elements4are arranged in a matrix.

As shown inFIG. 2, the element substrate30is provided with an insulating substrate2such as a glass substrate, an interlayer insulating film3provided on the insulating substrate2, and the organic EL elements4provided on the interlayer insulating film3.

The interlayer insulating film3is formed of an acrylic photosensitive resin or the like, and is formed by photolithography, for example.

The element substrate30has a plurality of gate lines (not shown) on the insulating substrate2extending so as to be parallel to each other, a plurality of source lines (not shown) extending so as to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the respective gate lines, a plurality of TFTs (not shown) respectively provided on the respective intersections of the gate lines and the source lines, and a plurality of pixel electrodes (not shown) connected to the respective TFTs.

As shown inFIG. 2, the sealing substrate20is provided with an insulating substrate9such as a glass substrate and a color filter layer12provided on the insulating substrate9. The color filter layer12has a plurality of colored portions respectively corresponding to the pixel electrodes on the element substrate30and being respectively colored red, green, and blue, and also has a black matrix11adjacent to the respective colored portions10.

Furthermore, the sealing substrate20is provided with a common electrode (not shown) disposed on the color filter layer12.

A function of the black matrix11is to delineate the plurality of colored portions10, and the black matrix11is formed of a metal material such as Ta (tantalum), Cr (chromium), Mo (molybdenum), Ni (nickel), Ti (titanium), Cu (copper), or Al (aluminum), a resin material that has black pigment such as carbon dispersed therein, or a resin material or the like having a colored layer with a plurality of colors and light transmittance.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 2, the organic EL element4is provided with a first electrode6(positive electrode) disposed on the surface of the interlayer insulating film3, an organic layer7provided on the surface of the first electrode6, and a second electrode8(negative electrode) provided on a surface of the organic layer7.

A plurality of the first electrodes6are formed on the surface of the element substrate30in a matrix with prescribed gaps therebetween, and the respective first electrodes6form the respective pixel regions of the organic EL display device1. The first electrodes6are formed of Au, Ni, Pt, ITO (indium zinc oxide), or a multilayer film or the like of ITO and Ag, for example.

The organic layer7is formed on the surface of the respective first electrodes6delineated in a matrix. As shown inFIG. 3, this organic layer7is provided with a hole injection layer18, a hole transport layer19formed on a surface of the hole injection layer18, a light-emitting layer16formed on a surface of the hole transport layer19emitting either red, green, or blue light, an electron transport layer14formed on a surface of the light-emitting layer16, and an electron injection layer14formed on a surface of the electron transport layer14. The organic layer7is formed by stacking the hole injection layer18, hole transport layer19, the light-emitting layer16, the electron transport layer14, and the electron injection layer13in this order.

The hole injection layer18is for increasing the injection efficiency of holes in the light emitting layer16. The material that can be used to form the hole injection layer18includes: benzene; styrylamine; triphenylamine; porphyrin; triazole; imidazole; oxadiazole; polyarylalkane; phenylenediamine; arylamine; oxazole; anthracene; fluorenone; hydrazine; stilbene; triphenylene; azatriphenylene; a derivative of these; a polysilane compound; a vinylcarbazole compound; a thiophene-based compound; or a monomer, an oligomer, or a polymer of a heterocyclic conjugated system such as an aniline compound.

The hole transport layer19, similar to the hole injection layer18, is for increasing the injection efficiency of holes in the light-emitting layer16, and the material used to form the hole transport layer19can be similar to that used for the hole injection layer18.

When voltage is applied by the first electrode6and the second electrode8, the two electrodes respectively injects holes and electrons into the light emitting layer16that is a region where the holes and the electrons are recombined. This light-emitting layer16is formed of materials with high light-emitting efficiency, and is formed of low molecular weight fluorescent pigment, a fluorescent polymer, or an organic material such as a metal complex, for example.

The electron transport layer14is for transporting the electrons injected from the second electrode8to the light-emitting layer16. The material forming the electron transport layer14can be the following: quinoline; perylene; phenanthroline; bisstryl; pyrazine; triazole; oxazole; oxadiazole; fluorenone; or a derivative or a metal complex of these.

The electron injection layer13, similar to the electron transport layer14, is for transporting the electrons injected from the second electrode8to the light-emitting layer16, and the material forming the electron injection layer13can be similar to that used for the electron transport layer14.

The second electrode8has a feature to inject electrons into the organic layer7. This second electrode8is formed of a magnesium alloy (MgAg or the like), an aluminum alloy (AlLi, AlCa, AlMg, or the like), a metal calcium, a metal with a small work function, or the like.

Furthermore, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the organic EL display device1has a frame region F defined, and the sealing member15will be disposed thereon so as to surround the display region D.

As shown inFIG. 2, the sealing member15is sandwiched between the element substrate30and the sealing substrate20and the element substrate30and the sealing substrate20are bonded to each other through the sealing member15. As shown inFIG. 1, the sealing member15is formed in a frame shape so as to seal the organic EL element4.

The material used for the sealing member15has moisture absorbing characteristics, and the configuration of the present embodiment uses an acrylic resin, an ultraviolet curable resin such as an epoxy resin or a thermosetting resin, for example.

A shown inFIG. 2, the present embodiment is characterized by having the wall member17embedded in a portion of the frame region F of the organic EL display device in an outer face15aside of the sealing member15(in other words, the contact surface with air holding moisture), in order to reduce the size of the portion of the sealing member15exposed to the air.

More specifically, the present embodiment is characterized by having the wall member17in the frame region F of the organic EL display device1so as to be adjacent to the outer face15a(surface on the opposite side to the organic EL element4) of the sealing member15, and the wall member17includes the level differences15band15cin the sealing member15such that the height of the sealing member15becomes short at the outer face15aside.

This wall member17, in the frame region F, is formed of a first wall member22provided on the element substrate30and a second wall member21provided on the sealing substrate20.

As shown inFIG. 2, the sealing member15is formed in a step shape due to the wall member17, and at the side of the sealing member15contacting the air, the level differences15band15care formed such that a height T1becomes shorter at the outer face15aside of the sealing member15.

Thus, the contact area of the sealing member15with air holding moisture can be reduced, because the height T1on the outer face15aside of the sealing member15becomes short. Therefore, it is possible to increase the time that it takes for the amount of vapor in the sealing member to reach its limit (saturated vapor), and the moisture absorbing characteristics of the sealing member15can be maintained for a long period of time, and as a result, characteristic degradation of the organic EL element4caused by moisture can be prevented for a long period of time.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second wall member21is formed of the same material as the black matrix11, and the first wall member22is formed of the material forming the interlayer insulating film3. Therefore, the wall member17can be made without using new materials and be formed of a low cost material with broad utility.

Next, an example of a method of manufacturing the present embodiment for an organic EL display device will be described.FIGS. 4 to 8are cross-sectional views for explaining the manufacturing process of an organic EL display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

First, as shown inFIG. 4, a glass substrate is prepared as the insulating substrate2, for example. Next, on the insulating substrate2, the gate lines, the source lines, the TFTs, the pixel electrodes, and the like are patterned. Then, an acrylic photosensitive resin is applied, and after the applied photosensitive resin is exposed through a photomask, patterning through development takes place. As shown inFIG. 4, then the interlayer insulating film3and the first wall member22are formed so as to have a thickness of 2.5 μm on the insulating substrate2, for example.

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the first wall member22can be formed simultaneously with the interlayer insulating film3, and thus the first wall member22can be formed without increasing the number of steps.

Next, on the interlayer insulating film3formed on the insulating substrate2, the ITO film is patterned by sputtering to form the first electrode6. At this time, the film thickness of the first electrode6is formed so as to be approximately 150 nm, for example.

Next, on the first electrode6, the organic layer7including the light emitting layer16and the second electrode8are formed by vapor deposition using a metal mask.

More specifically, first, the insulating substrate2provided with the first electrode6is placed in the chamber of the deposition apparatus. The inside of the chamber of the deposition apparatus is kept at a vacuum of 1×10−5to 1×10−4(Pa) by a vacuum pump. Furthermore, the insulating substrate2provided with the first electrode6is disposed in a state in which two sides thereof are fixed by a pair of substrate receivers attached inside the chamber.

Then, as shown inFIG. 5, the hole injection layer18, the hole transport layer19, the light-emitting layer16, the electron transport layer14, and the respective vapor deposition materials of the electron injection layer13are evaporated one after another from the vapor deposition source, and the hole injection layer18, the hole transport layer19, the light-emitting layer16, the electron transport layer14, and the electron injection layer13are layered so as to form the organic layer7on the first electrode6that is also the pixel area.

Then, as shown inFIG. 5, by forming the second electrode8on the organic layer7, the organic EL element4provided with the first electrode6, the organic layer7, and the second electrode8is formed on the insulating substrate2.

As for the evaporation source, a crucible having the respective evaporation materials can be used, for example. The crucible provided with a heater is disposed on the bottom portion in the chamber, and the heater heats the crucible. Then, through the heat from the heater, the internal temperature of the crucible reaches the evaporating temperature of the respective vapor deposition materials, and the respective vapor deposition materials inside the crucible become evaporated molecules and jut out in an upper direction of the chamber.

Furthermore, as for a specific example for forming the organic layer7and the second electrode8, first, on the first electrode6patterned on the element substrate30, the hole injection layer18formed of m-MTDATA(4,4,4-tris(3-methylphenylphenylamino)triphenylamine) is formed with a film thickness of 25 nm through a mask for all of the RGB pixels, for example.

Next, on the hole injection layer18, for all RGB pixels, the hole transport layer19formed of α-NPD(4,4-bis(N-1-naphthyl-N-phenylamino)biphenyl) is formed so as to have a film thickness of 30 nm, for example.

Next, a mixture of 2,6-bis((4′-methoxy-diphenyl-amino)styryl)-1,5-dicyanonaphthalene (BSN) mixed with Di (2-naphthyl) anthracene (ADN) by 30 wt. % is formed with a film thickness of 30 nm on the hole transport layer19formed on the pixel area with a mask therebetween as the red light-emitting layer16, for example. Next, a mixture of coumarin6mixed with ADN by 5 wt. % is formed with a film thickness of 30 nm on the hole transport layer19formed on the pixel area with a mask therebetween as the green light-emitting layer16, for example. Next, a mixture of 4,4′-bis(2-{4-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenyl}vinyl)biphenyl (DPAVBi) mixed with ADN by 5 wt. % is formed with a film thickness of 30 nm on the hole transport layer19formed on the pixel area with a mask therebetween as the blue light emitting layer16, for example. Next, on the respective light-emitting layers16, for all of the RGB pixels, an 8-hydroxy-quinoline aluminum (Alq3) is formed as the electron transport layer14through a mask with film thickness of 20 nm, for example. Next, lithium floride (LiF) is formed through a mask on the electron transport layer14as the electron injection layer13that has a film thickness of 0.3 nm, for example. Then, a negative electrode formed of magnesium-silver (MgAg) is formed as a second electrode8with a film thickness of 10 nm, for example.

In this manner, the organic EL element4and the element substrate30having the first wall member22are manufactured.

First, as shown inFIG. 6, a glass substrate is prepared as the insulating substrate9, for example. Next, a positive type photosensitive resin that has black pigment such as carbon particulate dispersed therein is applied onto the entire substrate of the insulating substrate9with the spin coating method, for example.

Then, as shown inFIG. 6, after the photosensitive resin is exposed through a photomask, patterning is performed by development and applying heat, and the black matrix11and the second wall member21are formed with a thickness of 2.5 μm on the insulating substrate9, for example.

Next, on the substrate where the black matrix11is formed, an acrylic photosensitive resin colored in red, green, or blue is applied, and after the photosensitive resin is exposed through the photomask, patterning is performed by development, and the colored layer (red layer R, for example)10with a selected color is formed 2.5 μm thick, for example. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 6, a similar process is repeated for the two other colors, and the colored portions of the two other colors (green portion G and blue portion B, for example)10are formed 2.5 μm thick, and a color filter12provided with colored portions (red portion R, green portion G, and blue portion B)10is formed, for example.

Next, on the color filter layer12formed on the insulating substrate9, the color filter layer12and the sealing substrate20provided with the second wall member21are formed by patterning the common electrode.

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the second wall member21can be formed simultaneously when the color filter layer12is formed, and thus the second wall member21can be formed without increasing the number of steps.

Next, as shown inFIG. 7, on the sealing substrate20, a material such as the epoxy resin is applied using a dispenser, the mask printing method, flexo printing, or the like to form the sealing member15in a frame shape with a height of 10 μm and a width of 1 mm, for example.

At this time, as shown inFIG. 7, in the frame region F, the sealing member15is formed so as to be adjacent to the second wall member21constituting the wall member17, and the level difference15bis formed on the sealing member15by the second wall member21.

Next, as shown inFIG. 8, the element substrate30having the organic EL elements4and the sealing substrate20having the sealing member15are bonded together through the sealing member15in a vacuum atmosphere. This is done by the sealing substrate20overlapping the element substrate30such that the organic EL element4and the color filter layer12overlap in the display region D and the outer face15aof the sealing member15is sandwiched by the first wall member22and the second wall member21, and the surface5aof the sealing member15formed on the sealing substrate20is mounted on the element substrate30.

At this time, as shown inFIG. 8, in the frame region F, the sealing member15is disposed so as to be adjacent to the first wall member22constituting the wall member17, and the level difference15cis formed in the sealing member15by the first wall member22.

Next, after ultraviolet rays (arrow inFIG. 8) are radiated from the sealing substrate20side onto the sealing member15that is sandwiched by the element substrate30and the sealing substrate20, the bonded member is heated, causing the sealing member15to harden, thereby manufacturing the organic EL display device1shown inFIG. 2.

At this time, as mentioned above, in the frame region F of the organic EL display device1, the wall member17forming the level differences15band15cin the sealing member15is provided so as to be adjacent to the outer face15aof the sealing member15in a manner that the width of the outer face15athereof becomes smaller by sandwiching the outer face15aof the sealing member15.

Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view of an organic EL display device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, constituent portions similar to those of Embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference characters and descriptions thereof are omitted. Furthermore, the configuration of the entire organic EL display device and the manufacturing method thereof is similar to what was described in Embodiment 1 above, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an organic EL display device40of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 9, an inorganic film25is formed between a sealing member15and a first wall member22and between the sealing member15and a second wall member21.

This inorganic film25is formed of a silicon oxide (SiOx), a silicon nitride (SiNx), a silicon nitride oxide film (SiOxNy, x>y), or a silicon oxide nitride film (SiNxOy, x>y).

As described in Embodiment 1, an interlayer insulating film3is formed of an acrylic photosensitive resin or the like, and a black matrix11is formed of a resin material or the like having a resin material with black pigment such as carbon dispersed therein, a resin material including colored portions with colors having light transmittance, and the like, but this type of resin material in general has a high water vapor permeability coefficient.

Therefore, as in Embodiment 1, in a configuration in which the first and second wall members21and22are directly in contact with the sealing member15, the contact area between the sealing member15and the air holding moisture can be reduced, but because the first and second wall members21and22come into contact with the air holding moisture, there may be a case in which the moisture absorbed by the first and second wall members21and22enter an organic EL element4.

However, as in the present embodiment, by providing the inorganic film25formed of the oxide silicon or the like between the sealing member15and the first wall member22and between the sealing member15and the second wall member21, then the inorganic film25can prevent moisture absorbed by the first and the second wall member21and22from entering. Therefore, the characteristic degradation of the organic EL element4caused by moisture can be further prevented for a long period of time.

The inorganic film25can be formed using sputtering or chemical vapor disposition (CVD).

It is preferable that the thickness of the inorganic film25be 50 nm to 1000 nm from the perspective of reliably preventing characteristic degradation of the organic EL element4without increasing the thickness of the inorganic film25.

Furthermore, when manufacturing the organic EL display device40of the present embodiment, after the forming process of the organic EL element explained in Embodiment 1, the inorganic film25is formed on a surface of the organic EL element4and on a surface of the first wall member22using a known method such as sputtering or chemical vapor disposition (CVD). Furthermore, in a manner similar to Embodiment 1, after the process of forming the color filter layer and the second wall member, the inorganic film25is formed on a surface of the color filter layer12and on a surface of the second wall member21by a known method such as sputtering and chemical vapor disposition (CVD).

The embodiments above may be modified in the following manner.

In the respective embodiments above, the configuration has the wall member17formed of the first and second wall members21and22, but the configuration may only have the first wall member22as shown in an organic EL display device50inFIG. 10, or the configuration may be only provided with the second wall member21like an organic EL display device60shown inFIG. 11.

In other words, it is only necessary that the wall member embedded in a portion of the outer face15aof the sealing member15is formed such that, in at least one of the element substrate30side or the sealing substrate20side of the frame region F, the portion of the sealing member15exposed to the air becomes small. With this type of configuration, it is possible to obtain a similar effect to Embodiment 1.

Furthermore, in the organic EL display device50shown inFIG. 10, the inorganic film25is formed between the sealing member15and the first wall member22, and furthermore, in a similar manner, in the organic EL display device60shown inFIG. 11, a similar effect to Embodiment 2 mentioned above can be obtained by providing the inorganic film25between the sealing member15and the second wall member21.

However, as in Embodiment 1 mentioned above, by providing the wall member17formed of the first and second wall members21and22, compared to if only the first wall member22or if only the second wall member21is provided, the height T1of the outer face15aside of the sealing member15can be further reduced, and thus it is possible to further reduce the contact area between the sealing member15and the air holding moisture. Therefore, it is possible to further prolong the time needed for the amount of vapor in the sealing member15to reach its limit (saturated vapor).

Furthermore, in the configuration of the respective embodiments mentioned above, the material forming the black matrix11was used to form the second wall member21, but as shown inFIG. 12, the black matrix11can be formed by stacking the material (acrylic photosensitive resin, for example) used to form the colored portions10with three colors forming the color filter layer12(red portion R, green portion G, and blue portion B, for example).

In this case, in the process of forming the color filter layer and the second wall member, an acrylic photosensitive resin colored in red, green, or blue is applied to the substrate on which the black matrix11is formed, and after the applied photosensitive resin is exposed through the photomask, patterning is performed by development, and the color filter layer12having colored portions (red portions R, green portions G, and blue portions B, for example)10, and the second wall member21including the colored portions10is formed

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the second wall member21can be formed simultaneously when the colored portions10are formed as in the embodiment mentioned above, and thus the second wall member21can be formed without increasing the number of steps.

The second wall member21may be formed by stacking the material forming the black matrix11and the material forming the colored portions (red portions R, green portions G, and blue portions B)10with three colors.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As explained above, the present invention is suitable for an organic EL display device provided with an organic EL element.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS