Display panel, preparation method thereof and display device

Abstract

This application discloses a display panel and its fabrication method, as well as a display device. The display panel includes a touch layer and a polarizing layer stacked together. The polarizing layer contains ions. The touch layer includes multiple touch traces, each of which includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer stacked together, with the first metal layer disposed adjacent to the polarizing layer. The first metal layer has stronger chemical stability than the second metal layer, and at least one groove is formed on the second metal layer, with the first metal layer covering the groove. This method improves the corrosion resistance of the touch traces and enhances the overall performance of the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] Due to the excellent flexibility of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels, OLED touch display panels have become the preferred choice for electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets.

[0003] However, after long-term research, the inventors discovered that during the reliability testing of OLED display panels, due to the risk of moisture intrusion, some substances in the polarizing layer can corrode the touch traces in the touch layer of the display panel. This corrosion and expansion along the touch traces can lead to breakage of the touch traces or a significant reduction in line resistance, thereby causing the touch function to fail. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main technical problem addressed by this application is to provide a display panel and its manufacturing method, as well as a display device, which can improve the corrosion of touch traces and enhance the overall performance of the display panel.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, one technical solution adopted in this application is: to provide a display panel, including a touch layer and a polarizing layer stacked together; the polarizing layer includes ions, the touch layer includes a plurality of touch traces, each touch trace includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer stacked together, and the first metal layer is disposed adjacent to the polarizing layer; wherein, the chemical stability of the first metal layer is stronger than that of the second metal layer, at least one groove is provided on the second metal layer, and the first metal layer covers the groove.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted in this application is: providing a method for manufacturing a display panel, including forming a touch layer, the touch layer including a plurality of touch traces, each of the touch traces including a first metal layer and a second metal layer stacked together; wherein, the chemical stability of the first metal layer is stronger than that of the second metal layer, at least one groove is provided on the second metal layer, and the first metal layer covers the groove; a polarizing layer is provided on the side of the first metal layer away from the second metal layer, wherein the polarizing layer includes ions.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted in this application is to provide a display device, including the display panel mentioned in any of the above embodiments.

[0008] Unlike existing technologies, the advantages of this application are as follows: This application provides a display panel and its manufacturing method, and a display device. The display panel includes a touch layer and a polarizing layer stacked together. The polarizing layer contains ions. The touch layer includes multiple touch traces, each of which includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer stacked together, with the first metal layer adjacent to the polarizing layer. The first metal layer has stronger chemical stability than the second metal layer. The second metal layer has at least one groove, which is covered by the first metal layer. Through this design, the chemically stable first metal layer effectively protects the second metal layer. Simultaneously, the groove structure on the second metal layer reduces the contact area between the second metal layer and ions in the polarizing layer. This reduces the number of ions entering the touch layer without affecting touch signal transmission, minimizing the corrosion phenomenon of ions in the polarizing layer along the touch traces. This effectively reduces the probability of large-area corrosion of the touch traces, improves the corrosion situation of the touch traces, and enhances the overall performance of the display panel. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. Wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a one-implementation method for the central touch control wiring;

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A top view of one embodiment of the central display panel;

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a one-implementation method for the central touch control wiring;

[0015] Figure 6 This is a top view of one embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along BB;

[0017] Figure 8This is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the method for manufacturing the display panel of this application;

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of step S101-S102;

[0019] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating an implementation method for step S101;

[0020] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of step S201-S202. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the display panel of this application. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment includes a touch layer 10 and a polarizing layer 20 stacked together.

[0023] Specifically, the touch layer 10 is used to implement the touch function of the display panel 100. It receives touch operations on the display panel 100, converts these operations into electrical signals, and then sends them to the processor of the display device, which includes the display panel 100, for processing to complete the touch operation on the display device. For details, please refer to existing technology. The touch layer 10 specifically includes a plurality of touch traces 101. By arranging a plurality of touch traces 101 between the touch electrodes and the touch chip, the transmission of touch signals is realized. It should be noted that... Figure 1 Only one touch trace 101 is shown as an example to illustrate the specific structure of the touch trace 101. Figure 1As shown, each touch trace 101 includes a first metal layer 1011 and a second metal layer 1012 stacked together, with the first metal layer 1011 disposed adjacent to the polarizing layer 20. The first metal layer 1011 has stronger chemical stability than the second metal layer 1012; in other words, the first metal layer 1011 is chemically more stable than the second metal layer 1012, making it less prone to reaction with external substances and thus providing some protection for the second metal layer 1012. For example, the first metal layer 1011 may be made of titanium or molybdenum, while the second metal layer 1012 may be made of aluminum or copper. Titanium and molybdenum have significantly stronger chemical stability than aluminum and copper. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a groove 1013 is provided on the surface of the second metal layer 1012 adjacent to the first metal layer 1011, and the first metal layer 1011 covers the groove 1013 on the second metal layer. Of course, in other embodiments, multiple grooves 1013 may be provided on the second metal layer 1012, such as 2, 3 or 4, which can be selectively set according to actual needs, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0024] Specifically, the polarizing layer 20 is used to filter out reflected light formed by external reflected light reflected from the film layer inside the display panel, thereby eliminating interference from external reflected light and improving the display effect. The polarizing layer 20 includes ions (not shown in the figure). Here, ions refer to substances that exist in the polarizing layer 20 in ionic form and have a corrosive effect on the touch traces 101 in the touch layer 10. For example, the polarizing layer 20 in this embodiment may include an iodine-based polarizing layer, that is, the entire flexible polarizer may be an iodine-based polarizer; wherein, the iodine-based polarizing layer is obtained by dot dyeing and possesses polarizing properties based on the optical dichroism of crystals. After dyeing, iodine exists in the polarizing layer in the form of iodide ions. During the reliability test, the intrusion of substances such as water and oxygen causes a chemical reaction in the polarizing layer 20, resulting in iodine shift in the polarizing layer 20. Iodide ions then invade the touch layer 10, thereby corroding the touch traces 101 in the touch layer 10, leading to touch function failure. Through the above implementation method, the first metal layer 1011 with strong chemical stability is used to effectively protect the second metal layer 1012. At the same time, the groove 1013 structure provided on the second metal layer 1012 reduces the contact area between the second metal layer 1012 and the ions in the polarizing layer 20. Without affecting the transmission of touch signals, the number of ions entering the touch layer 10 is reduced, and the corrosion phenomenon of ions in the polarizing layer 20 along the touch trace 101 is avoided as much as possible. This effectively reduces the probability of large-area corrosion of the touch trace, improves the corrosion of the touch trace 101, and improves the overall performance of the display panel 100.

[0025] Please continue reading. Figure 1In one embodiment, the display panel 100 provided in this application may further include a barrier layer 30 and a display function layer 40. The barrier layer 30 is disposed between the touch layer 10 and the polarizing layer 20, and covers the first metal layer 1011. The barrier layer 30 can block reactive substances such as water and oxygen that react with the touch layer 10, thereby reducing the amount of reactive substances entering the touch layer 10 and protecting the touch layer 10, ensuring the touch performance of the display panel.

[0026] Optionally, the barrier layer 30 may be made of organic materials; specifically, the organic materials may include, but are not limited to, at least one of polyimide (PI), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS). Because organic materials have good flexibility, using organic materials for the barrier layer 30 ensures its flexibility, thereby guaranteeing the flexibility of the display panel 100.

[0027] Optionally, the barrier layer 30 may also include inorganic materials; specifically, the inorganic materials include at least one of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), and silicon oxynitride (SiNxOy). Because inorganic materials have a denser structure than organic materials, they can provide better protection for the touch layer 10.

[0028] In addition, the display function layer 40 in the display panel 100 is disposed on the side of the second metal layer 1012 away from the first metal layer 1011, and is used to realize the display function of the display panel 100. Specifically, the display function layer 40 can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display function layer, a micro LED display function layer, a liquid crystal display function layer, etc., and is not specifically limited here.

[0029] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the display panel of this application. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment differs from the display panel 100 mentioned in the above embodiments mainly in that, in the stacking direction Y from the first metal layer 1011 to the second metal layer 1012, a groove 1013 disposed on the second metal layer 1012 penetrates the second metal layer 1012. In this case, the second metal layer 1012 is no longer continuously disposed on one side of the display functional layer 40, but is spaced apart on one side of the display functional layer 40 using a partition structure. Since corrosion of small sections of metal in the touch trace 101 will not affect the function of the touch trace 101, the above embodiment can effectively prevent corrosive ions in the polarizing layer 20 from corroding along the trace direction of the second metal layer 1012, completely avoiding large-area corrosion and expansion, thereby preventing corrosion of the touch trace 101 and improving the overall performance of the display panel 100.

[0030] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the touch trace. In addition to the first metal layer 1011 and the second metal layer 1012 mentioned in the above embodiments, the touch trace 101 provided in this embodiment may also include a third metal layer 1014 stacked on the side of the second metal layer 1012 facing away from the first metal layer 1011. The third metal layer 1014 has stronger chemical stability than the second metal layer 1012. In this case, the first metal layer 1011 and the third metal layer 1014 are in direct contact at the groove 1013. Through the above embodiment, both sides of the second metal layer 1012 are covered by the first metal layer 1011 and the third metal layer 1014 respectively. This embodiment further strengthens the protection of the second metal layer 1012 in the touch trace 101 and reduces the risk of it being corroded by ions in the polarizing layer 20.

[0031] Optionally, in one embodiment, the first metal layer 1011 and the third metal layer 1014 are made of the same material. For example, both can be made of titanium, and the second metal layer 1012 can be made of aluminum. In this case, the structure of the touch trace 101 is specifically TiAlTi. This embodiment simplifies the fabrication process by using the same material for both the first metal layer 1011 and the third metal layer 1014. Of course, in other embodiments, the materials of the first metal layer 1011 and the third metal layer 1014 can be different. For example, the first metal layer 1011 can be made of titanium, and the third metal layer 1014 can be made of molybdenum, as long as the chemical stability of the materials used is better than that of the second metal layer 1012. No specific limitation is made here.

[0032] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A top view of one embodiment of the display panel, wherein, Figure 4 It can be seen as Figure 2 A cross-sectional view obtained by cutting along AA. In one embodiment, in the length extension direction X perpendicular to the touch trace 101, the touch trace 101 includes a first sidewall 1015 and a second sidewall 1016 disposed opposite each other, wherein a groove 1013 penetrates the first sidewall 1015 and the second sidewall 1016. This design can minimize the contact area between the second metal layer 1012 and the polarizing layer 20, reduce the risk of the second metal layer 1012 being eroded by ions in the polarizing layer 20, and improve the corrosion condition of the touch trace 101.

[0033] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 yes Figure 1A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the touchscreen wiring. In one embodiment, as shown... Figure 5 As shown in (a), the first metal layer 1011 covers and fills the groove 1013 disposed on the second metal layer 1012. It should be noted that "filling" here specifically means that the surface of the first metal layer 1011 facing away from the second metal layer 1012 is on the same horizontal plane. Through the above embodiment, the flatness of the surface of the first metal layer 1011 can be guaranteed, which facilitates the subsequent fabrication of other layer structures.

[0034] In yet another implementation, please refer to Figure 5 In (b), the touch trace 101 also includes a filler metal layer 1017. Since the first metal layer 1011, after covering the groove 1013, naturally forms a depression 1018 on its surface opposite to the second metal layer 1012, the filler metal layer 1017 is used to fill this depression 1018, so that the surface of the first metal layer opposite to the second metal layer 1012 is on the same horizontal plane. It is understood that the chemical stability of the filler metal layer 1017 is stronger than that of the second metal layer, thus providing protection for the second metal layer. This embodiment also ensures the flatness of the surface of the first metal layer 1011, facilitating the subsequent fabrication of other layer structures.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first metal layer can extend and cover the outer side of the second metal layer. In other words, one side surface and the outer side surface of the second metal layer are completely covered by the first metal layer. This embodiment can further enhance the protective effect of the first metal layer on the second metal layer and prevent ions in the polarizing layer from invading the second metal layer from the side.

[0036] Through long-term research, the inventors discovered that the display performance and touch performance of the display panel are worse near the edge of the polarizing layer than in the central area of ​​the polarizing layer. This indicates that ions in the polarizing layer are more likely to erode into the touch layer near the edge. Therefore, the touch wiring structure provided in this application can be set at the boundary of the polarizing layer. The structure of this embodiment is described in detail below.

[0037] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 6 This is a top view of one embodiment of the display panel of this application. Figure 7 yes Figure 6A cross-sectional view along BB. The polarizing layer 20 includes a first side surface 201, and the touch trace 101 includes a second side surface 1019 on the same side as the first side surface 201. In this embodiment, the orthographic projection of the first side surface 201 onto the touch layer 10 lies within the first metal layer 1011, ensuring that the first side surface 201 and the second side surface 1019 of the polarizing layer 20 are not flush. This embodiment can further reduce the risk of ions in the polarizing layer 20 eroding the second metal layer 1012 from the side, improve the corrosion of the touch trace 101, and enhance the overall performance of the display panel 100.

[0038] Please refer to the following: Figure 8 and Figure 9 , Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the method for manufacturing the display panel of this application. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment in steps S101-S102. The method for manufacturing the display panel provided in this application specifically includes the following steps:

[0039] S101: Form a touch layer 10, which includes a plurality of touch traces 101. Each touch trace 101 includes a first metal layer 1011 and a second metal layer 1012 stacked together. The first metal layer 1011 has stronger chemical stability than the second metal layer 1012. At least one groove 1013 is provided on the second metal layer 1012, and the first metal layer 1011 covers the groove 1013.

[0040] Specifically, please refer to Figure 9 In embodiment (a), a touch layer 10 can be formed on one side of the display surface (not shown) of the display function layer. The touch layer 10 is specifically used to realize the touch function of the display panel 100. The touch layer 10 specifically includes several touch traces 101. By arranging several touch traces 101 between the touch electrodes and the touch chip, the transmission of touch signals is realized. The first metal layer 1011 has stronger chemical stability than the second metal layer 1012. In other words, the first metal layer 1011 is chemically more stable than the second metal layer 1012, and is less prone to reaction with external substances, thus providing a certain degree of protection for the second metal layer 1012. For example, the first metal layer 1011 may be made of titanium or molybdenum, while the second metal layer 1012 may be made of aluminum or copper. The chemical stability of titanium and molybdenum is significantly stronger than that of aluminum and copper.

[0041] S102: A polarizing layer 20 is provided on the side of the first metal layer 1011 away from the second metal layer 1012, wherein the polarizing layer 20 includes ions.

[0042] Specifically, please refer to Figure 9In embodiment (b), a polarizer is directly attached to the surface of the first metal layer 1011 facing away from the second metal layer 1012 to form a polarizing layer 20. It should be noted that the ions (not shown) in the polarizing layer 20 refer to substances that exist in the polarizing layer 20 in ionic form and have a corrosive effect on the touch traces 101 in the touch layer 10.

[0043] Through the above implementation method, the first metal layer 1011 with strong chemical stability is used to effectively protect the second metal layer 1012. At the same time, the groove 1013 structure provided on the second metal layer 1012 reduces the contact area between the second metal layer 1012 and the ions in the polarizing layer 20. Without affecting the transmission of touch signals, the number of ions entering the touch layer 10 is reduced, and the corrosion phenomenon of ions in the polarizing layer 20 along the touch trace 101 is avoided as much as possible. This effectively reduces the probability of large-area corrosion of the touch trace, improves the corrosion of the touch trace 101, and improves the overall performance of the display panel 100.

[0044] Please see Figure 10 and Figure 11 ,in, Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating an embodiment of step S101. Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of steps S201-S202. Step S101 specifically may include:

[0045] S201: A second metal layer 1012 is deposited and formed, and at least one groove 1013 is provided on the second metal layer 1012.

[0046] Specifically, please refer to Figure 11 In (a), a second metal layer 1012 is deposited on one side of the display functional layer 40. In this embodiment, a groove 1013 can be formed on the surface of the second metal layer 1012 by means of exposure etching.

[0047] Of course, in other embodiments, the surface of the second metal layer 1012 may also be etched to form a plurality of grooves 1013, such as two, three or four, which can be selectively set according to actual needs, and are not specifically limited here.

[0048] S202: A first metal layer 1011 is formed on the side of the second metal layer 1012 where the groove 1013 is provided, and the first metal layer 1011 covers the groove 1013.

[0049] Specifically, please refer to Figure 11In (b), a first metal layer 1011 is deposited on the side of the second metal layer 1012 away from the display functional layer 40, wherein the chemical stability of the first metal layer 1011 is stronger than that of the second metal layer 1012, so as to protect the second metal layer 1012.

[0050] Through the above implementation method, the second metal layer 1012 is implemented as a separate patterning process, and its process flow is basically the same as that of the prior art. On the basis of maintaining the existing process as much as possible, the structure of the touch trace 101 provided in this application is realized. This method has strong feasibility.

[0051] This application also provides a display device, which includes the display panel provided in any of the above embodiments of this application. The display device can be a mobile phone, a computer, a television, a smart wearable display device, etc., and this application does not specifically limit it in this regard.

[0052] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, include: A touch layer and a polarizing layer are stacked together; the polarizing layer contains ions, and the touch layer includes a plurality of touch traces, each of the touch traces including a first metal layer and a second metal layer stacked together, and the first metal layer is disposed adjacent to the polarizing layer; The first metal layer has stronger chemical stability than the second metal layer, the second metal layer has at least one groove, and the first metal layer covers the groove.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the stacking direction from the first metal layer to the second metal layer, the groove extends through the second metal layer.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The touch control wiring also includes: A third metal layer is stacked on the side of the second metal layer away from the first metal layer; and the chemical stability of the third metal layer is stronger than that of the second metal layer, with the first metal layer and the third metal layer in direct contact at the groove location.

4. The display panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first metal layer and the third metal layer are made of the same material.

5. The display panel according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, In the direction perpendicular to the length of the touch trace, the touch trace includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other, and the groove passes through the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

6. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first metal layer covers and fills the groove; or, The first metal layer covers the groove, and the surface of the first metal layer opposite to the second metal layer forms a depression; the touch trace also includes a filler metal layer for filling the depression; and the chemical stability of the filler metal layer is stronger than that of the second metal layer.

7. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first metal layer extends and covers the outer side of the second metal layer.

8. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel also includes: A barrier layer is located between the polarizing layer and the touch layer, and the barrier layer covers the first metal layer.

9. The display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, The barrier layer is made of inorganic materials, including at least one of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and silicon oxynitride.

10. A method for manufacturing a display panel, characterized in that, A touch layer is formed, the touch layer including a plurality of touch traces, each touch trace including a first metal layer and a second metal layer stacked together; wherein, the chemical stability of the first metal layer is stronger than that of the second metal layer, at least one groove is provided on the second metal layer, and the first metal layer covers the groove. A polarizing layer is disposed on the side of the first metal layer opposite to the second metal layer, wherein the polarizing layer contains ions.

11. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 10, characterized in that, The step of forming the touch layer includes: The second metal layer is deposited to form the second metal layer, and at least one of the grooves is provided on the second metal layer; The first metal layer is formed on the side of the second metal layer where the groove is provided, and the first metal layer covers the groove.

12. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the display panel as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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