Luminescence cell, luminescence device with luminescence cell, luminescence unit, luminescence device with luminescence unit, frame for luminescence device, and method for manufacturing luminescence cell

#This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-393202, filed on Nov. 25, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

#The present invention relates to an organic or inorganic electroluminescence (EL) cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to a luminescence cell, a luminescence device with the luminescence cell, a luminescence unit, a luminescence device with the luminescence unit, and a frame for the luminescence device, and a method for manufacturing the luminescence cell.

#A lighting system or a display using an organic or inorganic EL device is conventionally known. However, enlargement of the EL device, particularly enlargement of the organic EL device is technically difficult. The main reason for this is because the materials of the EL device are vulnerable to the atmosphere. If oxygen and moisture in the atmosphere enter the EL device, a non-light emitting part (dark spot) is created or the properties are changed, and the EL device may not satisfy the properties as designed. Therefore, a large EL device is likely to breakdown. Further, since the yield in the manufacturing stage is not satisfactory, a large lighting system and display are difficult to form with the EL device.

#The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an organic EL cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a plan view of the organic EL cell shown in FIG. 1 viewed from a light entering surface;

#The term “transparent” used herein refers to the property of transmitting all of or one part of the light emitted from a first layer and a second layer. That is, the transparent member transmits light of the entire wavelength or light of only one part of the wavelength of the light emitted from the first layer and the second layer. The transmittance of the transparent member may be smaller than 100% as long it is greater than 0%. The transmittance of the transparent member is preferably equal to or greater than 10%, more preferably equal to or greater than 50%, and yet more preferably equal to or greater than 70%. The transmittance may be different for each wavelength or may be the same for the entire visible wavelength.

#The phrase “the structure of the layer is generally the same” used herein means that the operation or the function are the same with respect to each other. This includes a case in which when the first layer is configured in the order of hole injection transport sublayer, light emitting sublayer and electron injection transport sublayer, in the second layer, the function is separated into the hole injection sublayer and the hole transport sublayer in place of the hole injection transport sublayer. This further includes a case in which one layer is consisted of a first set of sublayers and the other layer is consisted of a second set of sublayers in which one or more sublayers of the first set are omitted or substituted to other sublayers. The second set of sublayers may include one or more other sublayers in addition to the sublayers of the first set.

#The phrase “the structure of the layer is generally the same” used herein includes a case in which the structure of the corresponding sublayers in the first layer and the second layer are substantially the same. The corresponding sublayers in the above example refers to the layers in which the function and/or the structure is generally the same as in the hole transport injection sublayers, light emitting sublayers, electron injection transport sublayers. For instance, in the hole injection transport sublayer of the first layer and the hole injection sublayer of the second layer, at least one of the constituting material, the thickness, or the film forming method is generally the same. The phrase “the structure of the layer is generally the same” further includes a case in which one or more constituent elements in one of the layers are generally the same to those of other layers. If the constituting material is generally the same, the base molecular structure of the material is the same (e.g., same derivative), and the main components composing the layer or the material (dielectric) determining the property of the layer is the same. Further, materials in which the light emitting characteristics (peak wavelength or chroma) are substantially the same, and the materials in which ionization potential or electron affinity are substantially the same are also considered as generally the same material.