Abstract:
An organic light emitting display device is disclosed which includes: a substrate defined into a display area and a non-display area; a light emission diode layer formed on the substrate and configured to emit light; a TFE layer formed on the light emission diode layer and configured to protect the light emission diode layer; an intrusive moisture guide layer configured to prevent moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer; and a getter configured to absorb moisture which is guided by the intrusive moisture guide layer.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0121860 filed on Nov. 21, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present application relates to an organic light emitting display device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Devices for displaying information are being widely developed. The display devices include liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, organic light-emitting display (OLED) devices, electrophoresis display devices, field emission display (FED) devices, and plasma display devices. 
         [0006]    Among these display devices, OLED devices have the features of lower power consumption, wider viewing angle, lighter weight and higher brightness compared to LCD devices. As such, the OLED device is considered to be next generation display devices. 
         [0007]    The OLED device includes a light emission layer of a light emission element from an organic material or a highly polymerized compound. The light emission layer can gradually deteriorate by reacting with peripheral oxygen, moisture, or other environmental factors. As such, the life span of the light emission element can be reduced. Particularly, electrodes, such as a cathode and an anode, of the light emission element can be easily oxidized when they are exposed to oxygen or moisture. Due to this, the characteristics of the light emission element can vary considerably. 
         [0008]    In attempts to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and secure stability of the OLED device, a variety of technology research and development are being executed. In order to prevent the intrusion of oxygen and moisture and restrict deterioration, an OLED device encapsulated with a metal cap to which an absorption agent is attached is being used in the display device field up to the present under consideration of the manufacturing process. 
         [0009]    The encapsulation using the metal cap makes it difficult for the OLED device to be lighter weight and thinner. Particularly, the metal cap is impossible to apply to a next generation flexible light-emitting display device. 
         [0010]    In view of this point, alternative methods capable of substituting the encapsulation which uses the metal cap are recently being developed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Accordingly, embodiments of the present application are directed to an OLED device that substantially obviates one or more of problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
         [0012]    The embodiments are to provide an OLED device that is adapted to enhance picture quality. 
         [0013]    Additional features and advantages of the embodiments will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments. The advantages of the embodiments will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0014]    According to a first general aspect of the present embodiment, an OLED device includes: a substrate defined into a display area and a non-display area; a light emission diode layer formed on the substrate and configured to emit light; a TFE layer formed on the light emission diode layer and configured to protect the light emission diode layer; an intrusive moisture guide layer configured to prevent moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer; and a getter configured to absorb moisture which is guided by the intrusive moisture guide layer. 
         [0015]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the following claims. Nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with the embodiments. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments and are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the present disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the disclosure. In the drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a planar view showing an OLED device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing the OLED device taken along a line A-A′ in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing an organic light emitting display device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    In the present disclosure, it will be understood that when an element, such as a substrate, a layer, a region, a film, or an electrode, is referred to as being formed “on” or “under” another element in the embodiments, it may be directly on or under the other element, or intervening elements (indirectly) may be present. The term “on” or “under” of an element will be determined based on the drawings. 
         [0022]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the sizes and thicknesses of elements can be exaggerated, omitted or simplified for clarity and convenience of explanation, but they do not mean the practical sizes of elements. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include an organic light emitting panel  10 , a controller  30 , a scan driver  40 , a data driver  50  and a power supplier  60 . 
         [0025]    The scan driver  40  can apply scan signals S to the organic light emitting panel  10 . 
         [0026]    The data driver  50  can apply data voltages Vdata to the organic light emitting panel  10 . 
         [0027]    The power supplier  60  can apply a plurality of drive voltages to the controller  30 , the scan driver  40  and the data driver  50 . 
         [0028]    Although it is not shown in the drawing, the organic light emitting panel  10  can include a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of power lines. The scan lines and the data lines crossing each other can define a plurality of pixel regions. Each pixel region can electrically connected to one of the scan lines, one of the data lines and one of the power lines. 
         [0029]    For example, each scan line can be electrically connected with the plurality of pixel regions arranged in a horizontal direction. Each data line can be electrically connected with the plurality of pixel regions arranged in a vertical direction. 
         [0030]    As such, the scan signal S, the data voltage Vdata and a supply voltage can be applied to each of the pixel regions. In detail, the scan signal S can be applied to the pixel region through one of the scan lines. The data voltage Vdata can be applied to the pixel region through one of the data lines. The supply voltage can be applied to the pixel region through one of the power lines. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a planar view showing an OLED device according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the OLED device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure can include a substrate  1  defined a display area AA, which is used to display an image, and a non-display area NA in which any image is not displayed. 
         [0033]    The display area AA can be formed in the central area of the OLED device. The non-display area NA can be positioned in the peripheral area around the display area AA. 
         [0034]    The OLED device can further include a driver chip  20  and a getter  26  which are formed in the non-display area NA. 
         [0035]    The driver chip  20  can include at least one of the scan driver, the data driver and the controller. Also, the driver chip  20  can apply drive signals to pixel regions (not shown) within the display area through a plurality of lines. 
         [0036]    The getter  26  can be formed in such a manner as to surround edges of the display area AA. In other words, the getter  26  can be formed in such a manner as to separate the display area AA and the non-display area NA from each other by a fixed distance. Consequently, the getter  26  can be formed in the boundary between the display area AA and the non-display area NA. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing the OLED device taken along a line A-A′ in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the OLED device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light emission diode layer  11 , an intrusive moisture guide layer  24  and a TFE layer  70  which are sequentially stacked on a substrate  1 . 
         [0039]    The light emission diode layer  11  can be formed to include a transparent electrode  12 , a hole transport layer  14 , a light emission layer  16 , an electron transport layer  18  and a metal electrode  22  which are sequentially stacked on the substrate  1 . However, the light emission diode layer  11  is not limited to the above-mentioned structure. 
         [0040]    The intrusive moisture guide layer can be formed on the light emission diode layer  11 . A getter  26  can be formed on the side surfaces of the intrusive moisture guide layer  24 . In detail, the getter  26  can be formed in the non-display area NA around the intrusive moisture guide layer  24 . In other words, the getter  26  can be formed in such a manner as to come into contact with the intrusive moisture guide layer  24 . 
         [0041]    The intrusive moisture guide layer  24  can be formed from a transparent material and in a plate shape. The intrusive moisture guide layer formed in the plate shape guides intrusive moisture to flow laterally. The getter  26  absorbs the intrusive moisture flowing laterally along the intrusive guide layer  24 . In accordance therewith, the moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer  11  can be prevented. 
         [0042]    The getter  26  can be from a material removing oxygen and moisture. For example, the getter  26  can be formed from one material selected from a material group which includes barium oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, lithium oxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, lithium sulfate, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium chlorate, magnesium chloride, calcium bromide, cesium bromide, vanadium bromide and calcium nitride. 
         [0043]    In this manner, moisture passing through the TFE layer  70  can be dispersed laterally along the intrusive moisture guide layer within the display area AA and absorbed by the getter within the non-display area NA. As such, the moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer  11  within the display area AA can be prevented. In accordance therewith, a stained image and a pixel defect can be prevented. As a result, picture quality can be enhanced. 
         [0044]    The TFE layer  70  can be formed in a stacked layer structure of organic and inorganic films . For example, the TFE layer  70  can include a first organic film  71 , a first inorganic film  72 , a second organic film  74 , a second inorganic film  76  and a third organic film  78  which are sequentially stacked. 
         [0045]    The first through third organic films  71 ,  74  and  78  can be formed from at least one material selected from a material group which includes an olefin based polyethylene, polypropylene, an amide based material, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutyl terephthalate, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, and poly(math)acrylate. The olefin based polyethylene can include low density polyethylene, very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) and high density polyethylene. The amide based material can include nylon6, nylon 66, nylon 6/9, nylon 6/10, nylon 6/12, nylon 11 and nylon 12. In other words, each of the first through third organic films  71 ,  74  and  78  can be formed to include at least one material selected from the above-mentioned material group under consideration of thermal and mechanical characteristics. 
         [0046]    The first and second inorganic films  72  and  76  can be formed from an alloy which includes at least one of aluminum Al, tin Sn, and zinc Zn. 
         [0047]    Although it is not shown in the drawings, the TFE layer can further include adhesive layers used to adhere the organic and inorganic films to each other. Each of the adhesive layers can be formed from one of an epoxy based resin and an acrylate based resin. 
         [0048]    The organic films  71 ,  74  and  78  are used to protect the light emission diode layer  11  from external impacts. The inorganic films  72  and  76  have the function of protecting the light emission diode layer  11  from external oxygen and moisture. 
         [0049]    Although the intrusion of oxygen and moisture is prevented by the inorganic films  72  and  76 , moisture can flow toward the light emission diode layer along gaps in the inorganic films  72  and  76 . 
         [0050]    However, moisture intruded through the gaps of the inorganic films  72  and  76  is dispersed laterally along the intrusive moisture guide layer  24  and then absorbed by the getter  26 . As such, the moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer  11  can be prevented. In accordance therewith, picture quality can be enhanced. 
         [0051]    The intrusive moisture guide layer  24  can be formed from a material with a refractive index between those of the light emission diode layer  11  and the TFE layer  70 . The intrusive moisture guide layer  24  having the refractive index between those of the light emission diode layer  11  and the TFE layer  70  can prevent light loss. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing an OLED device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0053]    The OLED device of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the intrusive moisture guide layer and the getter are positioned within the TFE layer. As such, the description of the first embodiment to be repeated in the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the OLED device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light emission diode layer  111  formed on a substrate  101 , and a TFE layer  170  formed on the light emission diode layer  111 . 
         [0055]    The light emission diode layer  111  can be formed to include a transparent electrode  112 , a hole transport layer  114 , a light emission layer  116 , an electron transport layer  118  and a metal electrode  122  which are sequentially stacked on the substrate  101 . However, the light emission diode layer  111  is not limited to the above-mentioned structure. 
         [0056]    The TFE layer  170  can be formed in a stacked layer structure of organic and inorganic films. For example, the TFE layer  170  can include a first organic film  171 , a first inorganic film  172 , a second organic film  174 , a second inorganic film  176  and a third organic film  178  which are sequentially stacked. 
         [0057]    The OLED device can further include an intrusive moisture guide layer  124  and a getter  126  which are formed between the second organic film  174  and the second inorganic film  176 . 
         [0058]    The getter  126  can be formed along the side surfaces of the intrusive moisture guide layer  124 . In detail, the getter  126  can be formed in the non-display area NA around the intrusive moisture guide layer  124 . In other words, the getter  126  can be formed in such a manner as to come into contact with the intrusive moisture guide layer  124 . 
         [0059]    The intrusive moisture guide layer  124  can be formed from a transparent material and in a plate shape. The intrusive moisture guide layer  124  formed in the plate shape guides intrusive moisture to flow laterally. The getter  126  absorbs the intrusive moisture flowing laterally along the intrusive guide layer  124 . In accordance therewith, the moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer  111  can be prevented. 
         [0060]    In this manner, moisture passing through the TFE layer  170  can be dispersed laterally along the intrusive moisture guide layer  124  within the display area AA and absorbed by the getter  126  within the non-display area NA. As such, the moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer  111  within the display area AA can be prevented. In accordance therewith, a stained image and a pixel defect can be prevented. As a result, picture quality can be enhanced. 
         [0061]    Although the intrusive moisture guide layer  124  and the getter  126  are formed between the second organic and inorganic films  174  and  176 , but the second embodiment is not limited to this. In other words, the intrusive moisture guide layer  124  and the getter  126  can be formed on any one of the organic and inorganic films. 
         [0062]    As described above, the OLED devices of the present embodiments provide the intrusive moisture guide layer and the getter and prevent the moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer. As such, a stained image and a pixel defect can be prevented. Therefore, the OLED devices can enhance picture quality. 
         [0063]    It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. In other words, although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, this disclosure is not limited to those. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure shall be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. In addition, variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses must be regarded as included in the appended claims.