JP7164982B2 - vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp using an organic EL unit as a light source.

Some vehicle lamps use a self-luminous organic EL (Electro Luminescence) unit as a light source (see Patent Document 1, for example). When using such a flat plate-shaped organic EL unit as a light source, it is necessary to arrange the light emitting direction in a predetermined direction according to the shape of the lamp housing. In a vehicle lamp, a plurality of planar light emitters are arranged side by side in the same direction at predetermined positions, and the light is reflected by a curved reflecting mirror. In addition, as an organic EL unit that is a light source, an organic EL unit that has flexibility and can be arranged to follow a curved surface has been proposed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a conventionally proposed organic EL unit. The organic EL unit 3 includes a flexible and translucent barrier substrate 5, an organic light-emitting layer 6 formed on the surface of the barrier substrate 5, a sealing film 7 for sealing the organic light-emitting layer 6, an organic A power supply wiring 8 for supplying electric power to the organic light emitting layer 6 from the outside of the EL unit 3 is provided. A transparent electrode and a reflective electrode that are connected to the organic light-emitting layer 6 to supply electric power are not shown.

Since the vehicle lamp using such an organic EL unit 3 forms the organic light-emitting layer 6 by vapor deposition or the like, surface light emission is possible with an extremely thin film. Further, in the organic EL unit 3, by using a flexible resin substrate or the like as the barrier substrate 5, weight reduction can be achieved, and light can be emitted in a curved surface shape by following a curved surface shape.

JP 2011-150887 A

In the above-described conventional organic EL unit 3, since the organic light-emitting layer 6 is made of an organic material, there is a problem that the life of the organic light-emitting layer 6 is significantly deteriorated due to the intrusion of moisture or outside air. must be sealed. However, the sealing film 7 is not provided at the connecting portion with the lead-out electrode from the organic light-emitting layer 6 and the feeding wiring 8, which is the ACF (Anisotronic Conductive Film) connecting portion. As a result, the penetration of moisture corrodes the lead-out electrodes, the ACF connecting portion, and the power supply wiring 8, shortening their life, and making it difficult to ensure the reliability of the power supply to the organic EL unit 3.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle lamp capable of suppressing a decrease in light output and improving reliability with a simple structure.

In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is a vehicle lamp having an organic EL unit attached to a main body, wherein the organic EL unit first seals an organic light-emitting layer provided on a substrate. The structure is sealed with a sealing film, the entire substrate is covered and sealed with a second sealing film, and the difference between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the main body portion and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second sealing film is 5 × It is characterized by being 10 ⁻⁵ /K or less .

In the vehicular lamp of the present invention, the whole substrate of the organic EL unit is covered and sealed with the second sealing film, so that the reduction in light output can be suppressed and the reliability can be improved with a simple structure. becomes possible.

Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the organic EL unit is in contact with the main body on one side and further sealed with the second sealing film on the other side.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the body portion is an outer lens, and the substrate side is in contact with the outer lens.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the main body portion is a lamp body, and the sealing film side is in contact with the lamp body.

In one aspect of the present invention, a light control mirror is arranged on the light extraction surface side of the organic EL unit.

In one aspect of the present invention, a light-shielding film including a light-shielding region that blocks light and a light-transmitting region that transmits light is disposed on the light extraction surface side of the organic EL unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicular lamp capable of suppressing a decrease in light output and improving reliability with a simple structure.

1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the entire vehicle lamp 10, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged organic EL unit 13. FIG. It is a sectional view. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the entire vehicle lamp 20, and FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged organic EL unit 23. FIG. It is a sectional view. 3A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which external light is reflected by a light control mirror 38, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the light of 1 is transmitted through the light control mirror 38. FIG. It is a figure which shows the vehicle lamp 40 of 4th Embodiment, Fig.4 (a) is a schematic cross section, FIG.4(b) is a schematic plan view. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the entire vehicle lamp, and FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged organic EL unit. FIG. is. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 60 of a sixth embodiment; 1 is a schematic diagram showing an organic EL unit that has been conventionally proposed; FIG.

(First embodiment)
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent constituent elements, members, and processes shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplication of description will be omitted as appropriate. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the entire vehicle lamp 10, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of an organic EL unit. It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing. As shown in FIG. 1A, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a lamp body 11, an outer lens 12, and an organic EL unit 13. The organic EL unit 13 is mounted on the bottom surface of the lamp body 11. As shown in FIG.

The lamp body 11 is a housing portion that holds each member of the vehicle lamp 10, houses the organic EL unit 13 on the inner bottom surface, and is provided with an outer lens 12 so as to cover the opening portion. The lamp body 11 is provided with a connector portion, a harness, an internal wiring, and the like for transmitting electric power supplied from the outside of the vehicle lamp 10 to the inside, but the illustration thereof is omitted here. In addition, the lamp body 11 has a barrier property that does not permeate gas.

The outer lens 12 is a member made of a material that transmits at least part of the light, is provided so as to cover the opening of the lamp body 11, has a fixed peripheral edge, and transmits light from the organic EL unit 13 to the vehicle. It is an optical member that is taken out of the lamp 10 . Examples of the material forming the outer lens 12 include glass, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polycarbonate, and the like.

A main body in the present invention is configured by combining the lamp body 11 and the outer lens 12 . Here, an example in which only the organic EL unit 13 is provided in the lamp chamber composed of the lamp body 11 and the outer lens 12 is shown, but a mounting frame may be provided inside to form the main body including the mounting frame.

The organic EL unit 13 is a flexible light-emitting member that includes an organic EL layer that emits light when supplied with an electric current. When a current is supplied to the organic EL unit 13 , the organic EL layer emits light with a predetermined wavelength and is extracted from one surface of the organic EL unit 13 .

As shown in FIG. 1B, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the organic EL unit 13 includes a barrier substrate 14, an organic light-emitting layer 15, a sealing film 16, and power supply wiring 17. It has a structure in which the organic light-emitting layer 15 provided on the substrate 14 is sealed with the sealing film 16 . A transparent electrode and a reflective electrode that are connected to the organic light-emitting layer 15 to supply electric power are not shown. Further, the organic EL unit 13 is mounted on the main body portion with the sealing film 16 side in contact with the lamp body 11, and the barrier substrate 14 and the power supply wiring 17 are partly covered with the sealing film 18 from the barrier substrate 14 side. ing.

The barrier substrate 14 is formed of a material that transmits light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer 15 and has a barrier property that does not transmit gas, and a flexible resin is used. A transparent electrode (not shown) and an organic light-emitting layer 15 are formed on one surface of the barrier substrate 14, and a feed line 17 is electrically connected to the transparent electrode and the reflective electrode on one end side.

The organic light-emitting layer 15 is a light-emitting layer made of an organic material, and has an electron-transporting layer, a light-emitting layer, and a hole-transporting layer. Holes are radiatively recombined in the light-emitting layer to emit predetermined light. A transparent electrode such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is formed between the organic light emitting layer 15 and the barrier substrate 14 . A reflective electrode made of Al, Ag, or the like is formed between the organic light-emitting layer 15 and the sealing film 16 to reflect the light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer 15 .

The sealing film 16 is a film that is formed on the barrier substrate 14 so as to cover the entire organic light emitting layer 15 and prevents moisture and outside air from entering the organic light emitting layer 15, and is the first sealing film in the present invention. equivalent to film. A material constituting the sealing film 16 is not particularly limited.

The power supply wiring 17 is a wiring member that is electrically connected to the outside of the organic EL unit 13 to supply electric power to the organic EL unit 13. For example, the power supply wiring 17 is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) having flexibility. ) can be used. One end of the power supply wiring 17 is connected to wiring from the outside inside the lamp body 11 , and the other end is connected to the reflective electrode and the transparent electrode on the barrier substrate 14 .

The sealing film 18 is a film that is made of a translucent material, covers the entire barrier substrate 14 and part of the power supply wiring 17, and prevents moisture and air from entering the organic light-emitting layer 15. It corresponds to the second sealing film. As the sealing film 18, a film-like one in which a translucent adhesive is applied to one surface of a transparent film may be used. good too. The sealing film 18 covers the entire substrate 14 of the organic EL unit 13 and partially covers and seals the extraction electrode of the organic light emitting layer 15 and the power supply wiring 17 . As a result, the sealing film 18 seals the ACF connecting portion and the power supply wiring 17 to prevent moisture from entering, suppress corrosion, extend the service life, and improve reliability.

Although the material forming the sealing film 18 is not limited, it is preferable to use a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of the material forming the lamp body 11 . If the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the sealing film 18 and the lamp body 11 is 5×10 ⁻⁵ /K or less, the sealing film 18 may be peeled off from the lamp body 11 due to heat generated by the light emission of the vehicle lamp 10 and outside air. can be prevented. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of the vehicle lamp 10 .

In the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, when a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the reflective electrode of the organic EL unit 13 via the power supply wiring 17, electrons and holes are injected into the organic light emitting layer 15. Light-emitting recombination occurs, and the entire organic light-emitting layer 15 emits light as a light-emitting region. The light emitted from the light emitting region is reflected by the reflective electrode, passes through the transparent electrode, the barrier substrate 14, the sealing film 18 and the outer lens 12, and is extracted to the outside of the vehicle lamp 10. FIG.

In this embodiment, since the sealing film 16 of the organic EL unit 13 is in direct contact with the lamp body 11 , the heat generated by the organic light-emitting layer 15 is radiated from the lamp body 11 favorably. As a result, it is possible to improve the heat dissipation of the organic EL unit 13, improve the luminous efficiency, and improve the reliability. Further, since the organic EL unit 13 is sealed only from the barrier substrate 14 side with the sealing film 18, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified. Furthermore, since the sealing film 18 covers the power supply wiring 17 as well, a sealing member dedicated to the power supply wiring 17 is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in light output and improve reliability with a simple structure.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the content that overlaps with the first embodiment is omitted. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the vehicle lamp 20 of the present embodiment, FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the entire vehicle lamp 20, and FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing. As shown in FIG. 2A, the vehicle lamp 20 includes a lamp body 21, an outer lens 22, and an organic EL unit 23. The organic EL unit 23 is mounted inside the outer lens 22. As shown in FIG. The outer lens 22 of this embodiment has a barrier property that does not allow gas to permeate.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in the vehicle lamp 20 of the present embodiment, the organic EL unit 23 includes a barrier substrate 24, an organic light-emitting layer 25, a sealing film 26, and power supply wiring 27. It has a structure in which the organic light-emitting layer 25 provided on the substrate 24 is sealed with the sealing film 26 . The organic EL unit 23 is mounted on the main body with the barrier substrate 24 side in contact with the outer lens 22 . 24 and a part of the feed wiring 27 are covered. Here, the sealing film 26 corresponds to the first sealing film in the invention, and the sealing film 28 corresponds to the second sealing film in the invention.

The sealing film 28 covers the entire substrate 24 of the organic EL unit 23 and partially covers and seals the extraction electrode of the organic light emitting layer 25 and the power supply wiring 27 . As a result, the sealing film 28 seals the ACF connecting portion and the power supply wiring 27 to prevent moisture from entering, suppress corrosion, extend the service life, and improve reliability.

Although the material forming the sealing film 28 is not limited, it is preferable to use a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of the material forming the outer lens 22 . If the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the sealing film 28 and the outer lens 22 is 5×10 ⁻⁵ /K or less, the sealing film 28 may be peeled off from the outer lens 22 due to heat generated by the light emission of the vehicle lamp 20 and outside air. can be prevented. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of the vehicle lamp 20 .

In the vehicle lamp 20 of this embodiment, when a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode and the reflective electrode of the organic EL unit 23 via the power supply wiring 27, electrons and holes are injected into the organic light emitting layer 25. Light-emitting recombination occurs, and the entire organic light-emitting layer 25 emits light as a light-emitting region. Light emitted from the light-emitting region is reflected by the reflective electrode, passes through the transparent electrode, the barrier substrate 24 and the outer lens 22 and is extracted to the outside of the vehicle lamp 20 .

In this embodiment, since the barrier substrate 24 of the organic EL unit 23 is in direct contact with the outer lens 22 , the heat generated by the organic light-emitting layer 25 is dissipated from the outer lens 22 favorably. This makes it possible to improve the heat dissipation of the organic EL unit 23, improve the luminous efficiency, and improve the reliability. Moreover, since the organic EL unit 23 is sealed with the sealing film 28 only from the side of the sealing film 26, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified. Furthermore, since the sealing film 28 covers the power supply wiring 27 as well, a sealing member dedicated to the power supply wiring 27 is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced. Therefore, even with the vehicle lamp 20 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in light output and improve reliability with a simple structure.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the content that overlaps with the first embodiment is omitted. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the vehicle lamp 30 of the present embodiment, FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which external light is reflected by the light control mirror 38, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which light from a layer 35 is transmitted by a light control mirror 38; FIG. In this embodiment, the configuration of the lamp body, outer lens, second sealing film, and power supply wiring, which is the main body of the vehicle lamp 30, is the same as in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. .

In the vehicle lamp 30 of this embodiment as well, the organic EL unit includes a barrier substrate 34, an organic light-emitting layer 35, and a sealing film 36. The organic light-emitting layer 35 provided on the barrier substrate 34 is covered by the sealing film 36. It has a sealed structure. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a light extraction film 37 is attached to the light extraction surface side of the barrier substrate 34, and a light control mirror is attached to the light extraction surface side of the light extraction film 37. As shown in FIGS. 38 are arranged.

The light extraction film 37 is an optical film made of a translucent material, and suppresses reflection at the interface between the air layer and the air layer of the light transmitted through the inside by adjusting the refractive index, roughening the surface, or the like, thereby increasing the light extraction efficiency. improve. The light control mirror 38 is an optical member that can select reflection and transmission of light by applying a voltage, and a known one can be used.

In the vehicular lamp 30 of the present embodiment, when the dimmer mirror 38 is in a mirror state, it reflects light incident from the outside as shown in FIG. As shown in b), the light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer 35 is irradiated to the outside. As a result, when the organic light-emitting layer 35 does not emit light, the dimmer mirror 38 is in a mirror state, so that the color of the organic light-emitting layer 35 in the non-lighting state is not visually recognized from the outside, and good specular reflection is achieved. It can also be recognized as a vehicle lamp 30 that can be used as a vehicle lamp 30, and can also conceal dark spots generated in the organic light emitting layer 35 to improve the appearance. In addition, since the light extraction film 37 is attached to the light extraction surface of the barrier substrate 34, the light extraction efficiency and luminous efficiency can be improved, and the angular dependence of luminance can be reduced.

In this embodiment as well, by bringing one surface of the organic EL unit into direct contact with the main body, the heat generated by the light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer can be dissipated from the main body. Moreover, since the organic EL unit is sealed from one side only with the second sealing film, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified. Therefore, even with the vehicle lamp 30 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in light output and improve reliability with a simple structure.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the content that overlaps with the first embodiment is omitted. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a vehicle lamp 40 of the present embodiment, FIG. 4A being a schematic cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4B being a schematic plan view. In this embodiment, the configuration of the lamp body, which is the main body of the vehicle lamp 40, the outer lens, and the power supply wiring is the same as in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. A vehicle lamp 40 of this embodiment includes an organic EL unit 43 , a transparent adhesive 44 , a light shielding portion 45 , and a transparent film 46 . The configuration of the organic EL unit 43 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The transparent adhesive 44 is a member that covers the entire organic EL unit 43 and seals it to the main body (not shown) of the vehicle lamp 40 and adheres the transparent film 46 and the organic EL unit 43 together. The light shielding part 45 is a member that is formed on one surface of the transparent film 46 to form a light shielding area that shields light, and may be ink or the like printed in a predetermined planar shape. Here, an example in which the light blocking portion 45 is formed on the side of the transparent film 46 to which the transparent adhesive 44 is attached is shown, but it may be formed on the opposite side of the transparent film 46 to the transparent adhesive 44 . The transparent film 46 is a thin-film member made of a translucent material, and has a light shielding portion 45 patterned on one surface. In this embodiment, the combination of the transparent adhesive 44, the light shielding part 45 and the transparent film 46 corresponds to the second sealing film in the invention.

As shown in FIG. 4B, openings 47 are formed in areas where the light shielding parts 45 are not formed, and the areas of the openings 47 are translucent areas that transmit light. When an electric current is supplied to the vehicle lamp 40 and the organic EL unit 43 emits light, light is not extracted from the light shielding region in which the light shielding portion 45 is formed, and light is extracted only from the translucent region in which the opening 47 is formed. . Therefore, the light emission pattern of the vehicle lamp 40 can be changed only by patterning the light shielding portion 45, and a standardized unit can be used for various purposes without designing the organic EL unit 43 individually.

In addition, since the entire organic EL unit 43 is covered with the transparent film 46 patterned with the light shielding portion 45, it is possible to hide the non-light emitting portions such as the power supply wiring and the sealing portion, thereby improving the appearance when the light is off. can. Further, by matching the color tone of the transparent film 46 with the color tone of the organic light-emitting layer of the organic EL unit 43, the sense of unity of the vehicle lamp 40 as a whole can be enhanced during lighting and non-lighting.

Further, when a material that absorbs ultraviolet rays is mixed inside the transparent film 46 or the transparent adhesive 44, the ultraviolet rays reaching the organic EL unit 43 from the outside of the vehicle lamp 40 are suppressed, and the deterioration of the organic EL unit 43 due to the ultraviolet rays is suppressed. It can be prevented and life can be improved.

In the present embodiment as well, by bringing one surface of the organic EL unit 43 into direct contact with the main body, heat generated by light emission in the organic light-emitting layer can be dissipated well from the main body. Moreover, since the organic EL unit 43 is sealed from one side only with the second sealing film, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified. Therefore, even with the vehicle lamp 40 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in light output and improve reliability with a simple structure.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the content that overlaps with the first embodiment is omitted. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a vehicle lamp 50 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the entire vehicle lamp, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of an organic EL unit. It is a schematic cross-sectional view. The vehicle lamp 50 includes a lamp body 51 , a mounting frame 52 , an organic EL unit 53 and an outer lens 54 .

As shown in FIG. 5A, the lamp body 51 is a housing that accommodates the mounting frame 52 and the organic EL unit 53 . The mounting frame 52 is a member that is mounted on the bottom surface of the lamp body 51 and holds the organic EL unit 53. The surface on which the organic EL unit 53 is mounted is curved. In addition, the mounting frame 52 has a gas impermeable barrier property. The organic EL unit 53 is a flexible light-emitting member that includes an organic EL layer that emits light when supplied with a current. The outer lens 54 is an optical member that is attached so as to cover the opening of the lamp body 51 and extracts light from the organic EL unit 53 to the outside of the vehicle lamp.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the organic EL unit 53 includes a flexible and translucent barrier substrate 55, an organic light-emitting layer 56 formed on the surface of the barrier substrate 55, and an organic light-emitting layer 56 sealed. A sealing film 57 for sealing the organic EL unit 53 and a power supply wiring 58 for supplying electric power to the organic light emitting layer 56 from the outside of the organic EL unit 53 are provided. A transparent electrode and a reflective electrode that are connected to the organic light-emitting layer 56 to supply electric power are not shown.

Also, the organic EL unit 53 is sealed with sealing films 59 from both sides so as to cover the barrier substrate 55 , the organic light emitting layer 56 and the sealing film 57 as a whole and part of the power supply wiring 58 . As shown in FIG. 5B, the organic EL unit 53 is mounted with the sealing film 57 side in contact with the mounting frame 52, and the barrier substrate 55 and the power supply wiring are separated from the barrier substrate 55 side by the sealing film 57. As shown in FIG. It covers part of 58. Here, the sealing film 57 corresponds to the first sealing film in the invention, and the sealing film 59 corresponds to the second sealing film in the invention.

The sealing film 59 covers the entire substrate 55 of the organic EL unit 53 and partially covers and seals the extraction electrode of the organic light emitting layer 56 and the power supply wiring 58 . As a result, the sealing film 59 seals the ACF connection portion and the power supply wiring 58 to prevent moisture from entering, suppress corrosion, extend the life, and improve reliability.

Since the vehicle lamp 50 using such an organic EL unit 53 forms the organic light-emitting layer 56 by vapor deposition or the like, it is possible to emit surface light using an extremely thin film. In the organic EL unit 53 , a flexible resin substrate or the like is used as the barrier substrate 55 to reduce the weight and to follow the curved surface shape of the mounting frame 52 so as to emit light in a curved surface shape.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the content that overlaps with the first embodiment is omitted. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the vehicle lamp 60 of this embodiment. The vehicle lamp 60 includes a lamp body 61 , an outer lens 62 , an organic EL unit 63 and a circuit board 69 . As in the first embodiment, the organic EL unit 63 includes a barrier substrate 64, an organic light-emitting layer 65 formed on the surface of the barrier substrate 64, a sealing film 66 for sealing the organic light-emitting layer 65, and an organic EL unit. A power supply wiring 67 is provided for supplying electric power to the organic light emitting layer 65 from the outside 63 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , in the vehicle lamp 60 , the barrier substrate 64 in the light extraction direction of the organic EL unit 63 is arranged in contact with the inner surface of the outer lens 62 , and the sealing film 66 is in contact with the lamp body 61 . An organic EL unit 63 is sandwiched between a lamp body 61 and an outer lens 62 . The organic EL unit 63 and the lamp body 61 are preferably fixed using an adhesive or the like. Further, the lamp body 61 is formed with a recess as a circuit accommodating portion 61a forming a space between itself and the sealing film 66, and a circuit board 69 is accommodated and fixed in the circuit accommodating portion 61a. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the lamp body 61 and the outer lens 62 are fixed in contact with each other by, for example, welding in the vicinity of the outer periphery.

The circuit board 69 is a board on which a circuit for controlling light emission of the organic EL unit 63 is mounted, and a normal printed wiring board, flexible board, or the like can be used. The circuit board 69 is electrically connected to the exterior of the vehicle lamp 60 and the organic EL unit 63 by wiring (not shown), and controls the light emission of the organic EL unit 63 by being supplied with power and signals from the outside. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the power supply wiring 67 is connected to the organic EL unit 63 and power and signals are supplied from the outside. may supply power and signals to the organic EL unit 63 from .

FIG. 6 shows a structural example in which the organic EL unit 63 is sandwiched between the lamp body 61 and the outer lens 62 . It is not limited to the body 61. For example, if a circuit accommodating portion 61a is formed in a housing or a mounting frame for holding each part inside the vehicle lamp 60, the circuit board 69 is accommodated in the circuit accommodating portion 61a, and the organic EL unit 63 is attached. good too.

Further, although the example in which the organic EL unit 63 is attached to the lamp body 61 and brought into contact with the outer lens 62 has been shown, it may be separated from either one. For example, the organic EL unit 63 may be attached to the outer lens 62 and a gap may be provided between the lamp body 61 and the organic EL unit 63 . A gap may be provided between the organic EL units 63 .

As described above, in the vehicle lamp 60 of this embodiment, the circuit board 69 is housed in the circuit housing portion 61 a of the lamp body 61 , and the organic EL unit 63 is sandwiched between the lamp body 61 and the outer lens 62 . As a result, there is no need to separately prepare a bracket or an extension for fixing the circuit board 69, and the number of parts can be reduced, so that the thickness of the vehicle lamp 60 can be reduced. In the vehicle lamp 60 having such a structure, the distance between the lamp body 61 and the outer lens 62 can be reduced to about the thickness of the organic EL unit 63, so that it can be mounted on a relatively thin vehicle body part such as a grill or garnish. is also possible. In addition, since there is no member that blocks the space between the circuit board 69 and the organic EL unit 63, the wiring that connects the two can be easily routed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims, and can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 Vehicle lamps 11, 21, 51, 61 Lamp bodies 12, 22, 54, 62 Outer lenses 13, 23, 43, 53, 63 Organic EL unit 14, 24, 34, 55, 64... Barrier substrate 15, 25, 35, 56, 65... Organic light-emitting layer 16, 18, 26, 28, 36, 57, 66... Sealing film 17, 27, 58, 67... Power supply wiring 37... Light extraction film 38... Light control mirror 44... Transparent adhesive 45... Light shielding part 46... Transparent film 47... Opening part 52... Mounting frame 59... Sealing film 61a... Circuit accommodating part 69... Circuit board

Claims (6)

A vehicle lamp having an organic EL unit attached to a main body,
The organic EL unit has a structure in which an organic light-emitting layer provided on a substrate is sealed with a first sealing film,
covering and sealing the entire substrate with a second sealing film ;
A vehicle lamp , wherein the difference between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the body portion and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second sealing film is 5×10 ⁻⁵ /K or less . The vehicle lamp according to claim 1,
A vehicular lamp, wherein one surface of the organic EL unit is in contact with the main body, and the other surface is further sealed by the second sealing film. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2,
The vehicular lamp, wherein the body portion is an outer lens, and the substrate side is in contact with the outer lens. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2,
The vehicle lamp, wherein the body portion is a lamp body, and the first sealing film side is in contact with the lamp body. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A vehicular lamp, wherein a dimmer mirror is arranged on the light extraction surface side of the organic EL unit. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A vehicular lamp, wherein a light-shielding film having a light-shielding region for blocking light and a light-transmitting region for transmitting light is disposed on the light extraction surface side of the organic EL unit.

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