Display panel and display device

Abstract

This invention discloses a display panel and a display device. The display panel includes: an array substrate having a display area and a non-display area; a bonding metal located in the non-display area; and a cathode layer stacked on the array substrate, extending from the display area to the non-display area and overlapping with the bonding metal. The display panel further includes at least one auxiliary metal line electrically connected to at least two different locations on the bonding metal. The auxiliary metal line is located on the side of the bonding metal closer to the display area, and at least partially located within the display area. Embodiments of this invention can reduce the voltage drop across the bonding metal and improve display uniformity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to display technology, and more particularly to a display panel and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of display technology, the role of display panels is becoming increasingly important, and the requirements for display panels are also becoming higher.

[0003] However, existing display panels are prone to uneven display, which severely limits their further application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a display panel and a display device to improve the problem of uneven display on the display panel.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel, the display panel comprising: an array substrate having a display area and a non-display area; an overlap metal located in the non-display area; a cathode layer stacked on the array substrate, extending from the display area to the non-display area and overlapping with the overlap metal; the display panel further comprising at least one auxiliary metal line electrically connected to at least two different locations of the overlap metal; the auxiliary metal line being located on the side of the overlap metal closer to the display area, and at least partially located within the display area.

[0006] Optionally, the non-display area includes a bonding area; the overlapping metal includes a first metal segment and / or a second metal segment, the first metal segment and the second metal segment being located on opposite sides of the display area; both the first metal segment and the second metal segment extend along the bonding area toward the display area.

[0007] Optionally, the auxiliary metal line includes a first auxiliary metal line and a second auxiliary metal line, the first auxiliary metal line is located in the display area, and the first auxiliary metal line extends along the bonding area in a direction pointing to the display area; the first auxiliary metal line is electrically connected to at least two different locations of the first metal segment through at least two second auxiliary metal lines, and / or the first auxiliary metal line is electrically connected to at least two different locations of the second metal segment through at least two second auxiliary metal lines.

[0008] Optionally, it further includes an anode layer stacked on the array substrate, wherein there are multiple second auxiliary metal lines and multiple first auxiliary metal lines, and the second auxiliary metal lines are electrically connected to the first metal segment, the first auxiliary metal line and the second metal segment, and the multiple second auxiliary metal lines are connected to the multiple first auxiliary metal lines to form a grid structure; and along the thickness direction of the display panel, the projection of the auxiliary metal lines does not overlap with the projection of the anode layer.

[0009] Optionally, the lap metal, the first auxiliary metal wire, and the second auxiliary metal wire are disposed in the same layer as the anode layer.

[0010] Optionally, the anode layer includes multiple anodes, with each grid corresponding to one anode.

[0011] Optionally, the overlapping metal further includes a third metal segment, which is connected between the first metal segment and the second metal segment, and the third metal segment is located on the side of the display area away from the bonding area.

[0012] Optionally, the array substrate further includes a gate layer, a capacitor metal layer, a source / drain electrode layer, and a power metal layer; the auxiliary metal line is at least partially disposed in the same layer as the gate layer, the capacitor metal layer, the source / drain electrode layer, or the power metal layer.

[0013] Optionally, the array substrate further includes a gate layer, a capacitor metal layer, a source / drain electrode layer, and a power supply metal layer; a portion of the lap metal is disposed in the same layer as the anode layer, and another portion of the lap metal is disposed in the same layer as the power supply metal layer.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a display device, including the display panel described in the first aspect.

[0015] The display panel used in this invention includes an array substrate with a display area and a non-display area, the non-display area including a bonding area; a bonding metal located in the non-display area; a cathode layer stacked on the array substrate, extending from the display area into the non-display area and bonding with the bonding metal; the display panel also includes at least one auxiliary metal line electrically connected to at least two different locations on the bonding metal, the auxiliary metal line being located on the side of the bonding metal closer to the display area, and at least partially located within the display area. By providing the auxiliary metal line, it is equivalent to connecting a resistor in parallel with the bonding metal, thereby reducing the equivalent resistance of the auxiliary metal line and the bonding metal, and correspondingly reducing the voltage difference between different parts of the bonding metal, i.e., reducing the voltage drop (IR Drop) on the bonding metal, thus greatly reducing the signal difference between different parts of the cathode layer, improving the display unevenness phenomenon, and also reducing power consumption. It also allows for a narrower bezel of the display panel. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Cross-sectional view along the A1A2 direction;

[0023] Figure 8 for Figure 6 Cross-sectional view along the A3A4 direction;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0029] As mentioned in the background section, existing display panels are prone to uneven display. After careful research, the inventors discovered that the cause of this technical problem is as follows: In existing display panels, such as OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display panels, the cathode is generally set across the entire surface, extending from the display area to the non-display area, and then laps with the bonding metal in the non-display area. The bonding metal is electrically connected to the bonding pads in the bonding area through traces, thereby receiving the common signal required for the normal operation of the cathode. However, since the non-display area is relatively narrow, the corresponding bonding metal is also relatively narrow, resulting in a large resistance of the bonding metal, that is, a large voltage drop across the bonding metal. This causes a large voltage difference between the parts of the bonding metal closer to the bonding pads and the parts of the bonding metal farther from the bonding pads, resulting in uneven display on the display panel. In addition, it also increases the power consumption of the display panel.

[0030] Based on the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention proposes the following solutions:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 1 The display panel includes: an array substrate having a display area AA and a non-display area NAA; an overlap metal 101 located in the non-display area NAA; a cathode layer stacked on the array substrate, extending from the display area AA to the non-display area NAA and overlapping with the overlap metal 101; the display panel also includes at least one auxiliary metal line 102 electrically connected to at least two different locations of the overlap metal 101; the auxiliary metal line 102 is located on the side of the overlap metal 101 closer to the display area AA, and the auxiliary metal line 102 is at least partially located in the display area AA.

[0032] Specifically, the display panel can be, for example, an OLED display panel. The portion of the array substrate located in the display area AA includes multiple pixel circuits. The pixel circuits provide driving signals to the light-emitting functional layer of the display panel to drive the light-emitting functional layer to emit light and display. The non-display area NAA can be set around the display area AA. Multiple bonding pads 104 are provided in the bonding area NAA1. The bonding metal 101 can be electrically connected to the bonding pads 104, for example, through a connecting line 103. The connecting line 103 can be set in the same layer or a different layer as the bonding metal 101. The bonding pads 104 can be bonded to a driver chip or COF (Chip on Film) to provide the bonding metal 101 with the common signals required for the operation of the light-emitting functional layer. The anode layer can be, for example, ITO, and the cathode layer can be, for example, a magnesium-silver alloy. The light-emitting functional layer can include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron blocking layer, a light-emitting layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer, which are sequentially stacked on the anode layer. Holes generated in the anode layer and electrons generated in the cathode layer recombine in the light-emitting layer to generate excitons. The excitons decay due to instability, thereby causing the light-emitting layer to emit light for display. The anode layer can include multiple anodes, with each light-emitting functional layer corresponding to one anode. The cathode layer is a full-surface structure and receives a common signal through overlapping metal.

[0033] When the bonding metal 101 is narrow, its resistance is relatively high. In this embodiment, by setting an auxiliary metal line 102, it is equivalent to connecting a resistor in parallel between the two points where the bonding metal 101 and the auxiliary metal line 102 connect. This reduces the equivalent resistance of the auxiliary metal line 102 and the bonding metal 101, and correspondingly reduces the voltage difference between different parts of the bonding metal 101, that is, reduces the voltage drop (IR Drop) on the bonding metal 101. This greatly reduces the signal difference between different parts of the cathode layer, improves the display unevenness phenomenon, and also reduces power consumption. In addition, in this embodiment, the auxiliary metal line 102 is at least partially located in the display area AA, and does not need to occupy too much space in the non-display area NAA. This also allows for a narrower bezel of the display panel, and eliminates the need for electrical connection to the cathode layer through vias, simplifying the manufacturing process. It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the routing method of the auxiliary metal line 102. Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, and... Figure 1 The display panel shown is different, Figure 2 The routing direction of the auxiliary metal line 102 shown is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the first direction X. It is sufficient that the auxiliary metal line 102 is electrically connected to at least two different positions of the first metal segment 1011.

[0034] The technical solution of this embodiment uses a display panel including an array substrate, which has a display area and a non-display area, the non-display area including a bonding area; an overlap metal located in the non-display area; a cathode layer stacked on the array substrate, extending from the display area into the non-display area and overlapping with the overlap metal; the display panel also includes at least one auxiliary metal line, which is electrically connected to at least two different locations on the overlap metal, the auxiliary metal line being located on the side of the overlap metal closer to the display area, and at least partially located in the display area. By setting the auxiliary metal line, it is equivalent to connecting a resistor in parallel on the overlap metal, thereby reducing the equivalent resistance of the auxiliary metal line and the overlap metal, and correspondingly reducing the voltage difference between different parts of the overlap metal, that is, reducing the voltage drop (IR Drop) on the overlap metal, thereby greatly reducing the signal difference between different parts of the cathode layer, improving the phenomenon of display unevenness, and also reducing power consumption. It can also make the bezel of the display panel narrower.

[0035] Optionally, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 3 The non-display area NAA includes the bonding area NAA1; the overlapping metal 101 includes a first metal segment 1011 and / or a second metal segment 1012, the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 are located on both sides of the display area AA; the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 both extend along the direction (first direction X) from the bonding area NAA to the display area AA.

[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 3As shown, the non-display area NAA surrounds the display area AA, and the corresponding bonding metal 101 can partially surround the display area AA. That is, the bonding metal 101 can include a first metal segment 1011, a second metal segment 1012, and a third metal segment 1013. The third metal segment 1013 is connected between the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012, and the third metal segment 1013 is located on the side of the display area AA away from the bonding area NAA1. The first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 can both be electrically connected to the bonding pad 104 located in the bonding area NAA1 through the connecting line 103. The bonding pad 104 simultaneously connects to both the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012. 2. Provide a common signal to reduce the voltage drop on the bonding metal 101. In this embodiment, at least two different positions on the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 can be electrically connected through auxiliary metal wires, so that the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 are equivalent to a resistor in parallel. This further reduces the voltage drop on the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012, and also reduces the difference in signal (potential value) between the same positions of the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 (such as positions equidistant from the bonding area along the first direction X), thereby further improving the display uniformity of the display panel.

[0037] It should be noted that when the overlapping metal 101 includes a first metal segment 1011 and a second metal segment 1012, the arrangement of the auxiliary metal wire is not limited to... Figure 3 The structure in, such as Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The auxiliary metal line 102 can be connected to the same position of the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 to reduce the signal difference between the same position of the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012, thereby further improving the display uniformity of the display panel.

[0038] Optionally, continue to refer to Figure 3 The auxiliary metal line 102 includes a first auxiliary metal line 1021 and a second auxiliary metal line 1022. The first auxiliary metal line 1021 is located in the display area AA and extends along the direction (first direction X) from the bonding area NAA1 toward the display area AA. The first auxiliary metal line 1021 is electrically connected to at least two different positions of the first metal segment 1011 through at least two second auxiliary metal lines 1022, and / or the first auxiliary metal line 1021 is electrically connected to at least two different positions of the second metal segment 1012 through at least two second auxiliary metal lines 1022.

[0039] Specifically, in the auxiliary metal wire 102 electrically connected to the first metal segment 1011, the first auxiliary metal wire 1021 is electrically connected to at least two different positions on the first metal segment 1011 via at least two second auxiliary metal wires 1022; or, in the auxiliary metal wire 102 electrically connected to the second metal segment 1012, the first auxiliary metal wire 1021 is electrically connected to at least two different positions on the second metal segment 1012 via at least two second auxiliary metal wires 1022; or... Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 In this embodiment, the first auxiliary metal line 1021 is electrically connected to the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 through at least two second auxiliary metal lines 1022. That is, the auxiliary metal line connected to the first metal segment 1011 shares the first auxiliary metal line 1021 with the auxiliary metal line 1012 connected to the second metal segment 1012. In this embodiment, the first auxiliary metal line extends along the first direction X, and the second auxiliary metal lines can extend in any direction and can be located in the display area and the non-display area, as long as the first auxiliary metal line can be electrically connected to the overlapping metal. Preferably, the second auxiliary metal line can be set to extend along the second direction Y. The first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular, and the routing is more regular and convenient for wiring. In addition, in the display panel, the pixels are generally arranged in an array, and the column direction of the pixels is the same as the first direction X. In this embodiment, the first auxiliary metal line 1021 and the second auxiliary metal line 1022 can be routed using the interval between pixels to avoid interference with pixel light emission. It should be noted that although this embodiment is described using the example of the first auxiliary metal line 1021 extending along the first direction X, the present invention is not limited to the first auxiliary metal line 1021 extending along the first direction X. In other embodiments, the first auxiliary metal line 1021 may also be set to extend along other directions, such as extending along any direction intersecting the first direction X (such as the second direction Y).

[0040] It should be noted that, Figure 3 The example described uses at least two second auxiliary metal wires 1022 connected to both ends of the first auxiliary metal wire 1021. In other embodiments, the second auxiliary metal wires 1022 may also be connected to other positions on the first auxiliary metal wire 1021.

[0041] Optionally, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention; see reference. Figure 6The display panel also includes an anode layer stacked on the array substrate. There are multiple second auxiliary metal lines 1022 and multiple first auxiliary metal lines 1021. The second auxiliary metal lines 1022 are electrically connected to the first metal segment 1011, the first auxiliary metal line 1021 and the second metal segment 1012. Multiple second auxiliary metal lines 1022 and multiple first auxiliary metal lines 1021 are connected to form a grid structure. Along the thickness direction of the display panel, the projection of the auxiliary metal lines 102 does not overlap with the projection of the anode layer.

[0042] This configuration connects multiple first auxiliary metal lines and multiple second auxiliary metal lines into a grid structure, with numerous connections to the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012. This is equivalent to having multiple resistors connected in parallel at different locations on the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012. On the one hand, this further reduces the voltage drop across the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012. On the other hand, the grid structure provides multiple signal paths, preventing signal transmission failure due to defects in any part of the first metal segment 1011 or the second metal segment 1012, thus improving the stability of the display panel. Simultaneously, the projections of the auxiliary metal lines 102 and the anode layer do not overlap, avoiding short circuits between the auxiliary metal lines and the anode layer caused by parasitic capacitance coupling, further enhancing the stability of the display panel.

[0043] Optionally, Figure 7 for Figure 6 Cross-sectional view along the A1A2 direction. Figure 8 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along the A3A4 direction, combined with Figures 6 to 8 The overlapping metal 101, the first auxiliary metal wire 1021 and the second auxiliary metal wire 1022 are disposed in the same layer as the anode layer.

[0044] Specifically, the array substrate may include a substrate 2011, a buffer layer 2012, an active layer 2013, a gate layer 2014, a capacitor metal layer 2015, a source / drain electrode layer 2016, a planarization layer 2017, and a power metal layer 2018 stacked sequentially. The capacitor metal layer 2015 is used to set the capacitor electrodes of the pixel circuit in the display panel, and the power metal layer is used to set the power lines of the pixel circuit. The display panel also includes a pixel defining layer 106 disposed on the array substrate. The pixel defining layer includes multiple openings that define the area where the sub-pixels are located. The display panel also includes a light-emitting functional layer 107 and a cathode layer 108. The array substrate includes a thin-film transistor 2019, which may be a top gate structure or a bottom gate structure. In this embodiment, the overlapping metal 101, the first auxiliary metal wire 1021 and the second auxiliary metal wire 1022 are disposed in the same layer as the anode layer 105. The anode layer is close to the cathode layer, which facilitates the overlapping metal to overlap with the cathode layer. At the same time, it is more convenient to connect the overlapping metal with the first auxiliary metal wire.

[0045] Optionally, Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 9 The anode layer includes multiple anodes 1051, with each grid corresponding to one anode 1051.

[0046] Specifically, in this embodiment, the shape of the auxiliary metal line 102 can be set according to the shape of the anode 1051, which can make the area of ​​the auxiliary metal line 102 larger and the corresponding resistance smaller, thereby further reducing the voltage drop on the first metal segment 1011 and the second metal segment 1012 and further improving the display uniformity.

[0047] Optionally, Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 10 The array substrate also includes a gate layer 2014, a capacitor metal layer 2015, a source / drain electrode layer 2016, and a power metal layer 2018; the auxiliary metal line 102 is at least partially disposed in the same layer as at least one of the gate layer 2014, the capacitor metal layer 2015, the source / drain electrode layer 1016, and the power metal layer 2018.

[0048] Specifically, Figure 10The diagram only shows, by way of example, that the auxiliary metal line 102 is at least partially disposed on the same layer as the power metal layer 2018. The auxiliary metal line 102 can be electrically connected to the overlapping metal 101 located in the non-display area through vias or other means. By wiring the auxiliary metal line 102 in multiple layers, on the one hand, the diversity of wiring methods in the display panel can be improved, making it easier to arrange each metal line. On the other hand, it is also beneficial to increase the thickness of the auxiliary metal line 102, thereby reducing the resistance of the auxiliary metal line 102, further reducing the voltage drop on the first metal segment 1011 and / or the second metal segment 1012, and further improving the display uniformity.

[0049] Optionally, Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 11 The array substrate includes a gate layer 2014, a capacitor metal layer 2015, a source / drain electrode layer 2016, and a power metal layer 2018; a portion of the bonding metal 101 is disposed in the same layer as the anode layer 105, and another portion of the bonding metal 101 is disposed in the same layer as the power metal layer 2018.

[0050] Specifically, the bonding metal 101 can be a double-layer wiring method, that is, one part is set in the same layer as the power metal layer, and the other part is set in the same layer as the anode layer. This setting is equivalent to increasing the thickness of the bonding metal 101, thereby reducing the resistance of the bonding metal 101, further reducing the voltage drop of the bonding metal 101, and further improving the display uniformity of the display panel.

[0051] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 12 The display device includes the display panel provided in any embodiment of the present invention. The display device may be a mobile phone, tablet, monitor, computer, MP3, MP4, smartwatch or other wearable device, etc. Since it includes the display panel provided in any embodiment of the present invention, it also has the same beneficial effects, which will not be described in detail here.

[0052] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized by, The display panel comprises: an array substrate having a display area and a non-display area; a lap metal located in the non-display area; a cathode layer laminated on the array substrate, extending from the display area to the non-display area and lapping with the lap metal; The display panel further comprises at least one auxiliary metal line, at least one of the auxiliary metal lines being electrically connected with at least two different positions of the lap metal; the auxiliary metal line is located on one side of the lap metal close to the display area, and the auxiliary metal line is at least partially located in the display area; The non-display area comprises a binding area; The lap metal comprises a first metal segment and a second metal segment; The auxiliary metal line comprises a first auxiliary metal line and a second auxiliary metal line, the first auxiliary metal line being located in the display area, and the first auxiliary metal line extending in the direction of the display area along the binding area; The first auxiliary metal line is electrically connected with at least two different positions of the first metal segment through at least two second auxiliary metal lines, and / or the first auxiliary metal line is electrically connected with at least two different positions of the second metal segment through at least two second auxiliary metal lines; The display panel further comprises an anode layer laminated on the array substrate, The second auxiliary metal line and the first auxiliary metal line are both a plurality of, the second auxiliary metal line being electrically connected with the first metal segment, the first auxiliary metal line and the second metal segment, the plurality of second auxiliary metal lines being connected with the plurality of first auxiliary metal lines into a grid structure; And along the thickness direction of the display panel, the projection of the auxiliary metal line and the projection of the anode layer do not overlap.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein The first metal segment and the second metal segment are respectively located on both sides of the display area; the first metal segment and the second metal segment both extend in the direction of the display area along the binding area.

3. The display panel of claim 1, wherein The lap metal, the first auxiliary metal line and the second auxiliary metal line are laminated with the anode layer.

4. The display panel of claim 3, wherein, The anode layer comprises a plurality of anodes, each grid corresponding to one of the anodes.

5. The display panel of claim 2, wherein, The lap metal further comprises a third metal segment, the third metal segment being connected between the first metal segment and the second metal segment, and the third metal segment being located on the side of the display area away from the binding area.

6. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The array substrate further comprises a gate layer, a capacitor metal layer, a source-drain electrode layer and a power supply metal layer; The auxiliary metal line is at least partially laminated with the gate layer, the capacitor metal layer, the source-drain electrode layer or the power supply metal layer.

7. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The array substrate further comprises a gate layer, a capacitor metal layer, a source-drain electrode layer and a power supply metal layer; A part of the lap metal is laminated with the anode layer, and another part of the lap metal is laminated with the power supply metal layer.

8. A display device, characterized by comprising: The display panel of any one of claims 1-7.

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