Manufacturing method of flexible display panel, flexible display panel and flexible display device

Abstract

The present application provides a method for manufacturing a flexible display panel, a flexible display panel, and a flexible display device. One method for manufacturing a flexible display panel includes: providing a flexible substrate; disposing a light-emitting layer on the flexible substrate, the light-emitting layer including a display area and a non-display area; disposing at least one first groove on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer; and bending the flexible substrate to cause both the display area and the non-display area of ​​the light-emitting layer to bend, thereby forming a curved display panel. In an embodiment of the present application, at least one first groove is provided on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer. The first groove can release stress generated when the flexible substrate is bent, thereby preventing excessive stress caused by bending when the flexible substrate bends and causes the light-emitting layer to bend, thereby preventing damage to the overall performance of the flexible display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a method for manufacturing a flexible display panel, a flexible display panel, and a flexible display device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of display technology, flexible display panels have good flexibility, low power consumption, bendability and other characteristics, and are playing an increasingly important role in foldable mobile phones and wearable smart devices.

[0003] In actual applications, when the flexible display panel is fully bent, cracks will form at the bent portion due to large stress accumulation, and the cracks will continue to expand inward, damaging the overall performance of the flexible display panel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a method for manufacturing a flexible display panel, a flexible display panel, and a flexible display device, which solve the problem of stress concentration when the existing flexible display panel is fully bent.

[0005] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a flexible display panel, comprising:

[0006] providing a flexible substrate;

[0007] Disposing a light-emitting layer on the flexible substrate, wherein the light-emitting layer includes a display area and a non-display area;

[0008] At least one first groove is provided on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer;

[0009] The flexible substrate is bent to drive the display area and the non-display area of ​​the light-emitting layer to bend, so as to form a curved display panel.

[0010] Optionally, the non-display area includes a packaging area, a bending area, and a binding area arranged in sequence, and the at least one first groove is provided on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer, including:

[0011] Disposing the first groove on the flexible substrate located in the bending area;

[0012] The step of bending the flexible substrate to cause both the display area and the non-display area of ​​the light-emitting layer to bend includes:

[0013] The bending area is bent so that the binding area and the packaging area are overlapped. The bending of the flexible substrate drives the light-emitting layer to bend, so as to form an arc-shaped display panel.

[0014] Optionally, providing the first groove on the flexible substrate located in the bending area includes:

[0015] A first inclined surface and a second inclined surface are cut on the flexible substrate located in the bending area. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are tangent to each other to form the first groove. When the bending area is bent, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are in contact with each other.

[0016] Optionally, the manufacturing method further includes:

[0017] Filling glue is provided in the first groove.

[0018] Optionally, providing at least one first groove on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer includes:

[0019] If the flexible substrate is thinned glass, the flexible substrate is corroded by using a hydrofluoric acid material to form the first groove;

[0020] If the flexible substrate is an organic substrate, the flexible substrate is etched by a grinding process, a photolithography process, or a laser etching process to form the first groove.

[0021] Optionally, before bending the flexible substrate to cause both the display area and the non-display area of ​​the light-emitting layer to bend, the method includes:

[0022] Disposing an insulating protective layer on a side of the light-emitting layer away from the flexible substrate;

[0023] At least one second groove is provided on the insulating protection layer located in the display area.

[0024] The present application also provides a flexible display panel, comprising:

[0025] A flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate is arranged in an arc shape, the flexible substrate comprises an inner surface and an outer surface arranged opposite to each other, and at least one first groove is provided on the inner surface;

[0026] The light-emitting layer includes a display area and a non-display area, and the light-emitting layer is located on a side of the substrate away from the inner surface.

[0027] Optionally, the flexible display panel further includes an insulating protective layer, which is arranged on a side of the light-emitting layer away from the flexible substrate, and at least one second groove is provided on the display area of ​​the insulating protective layer.

[0028] Optionally, the flexible display panel further includes an insulating protective layer, which is arranged on a side of the light-emitting layer away from the flexible substrate, and at least one second groove is provided on the display area of ​​the insulating protective layer.

[0029] Optionally, the flexible display panel further includes:

[0030] Filling glue is arranged in the first groove and the second groove.

[0031] An embodiment of the present application further provides a flexible display device, comprising the flexible display panel described above.

[0032] The beneficial effect of the present application is that: in the manufacturing method of the flexible display panel provided in the embodiment of the present application, at least one first groove is provided on the side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer. The first groove can release the stress generated when the flexible substrate is bent, so that when the bending of the flexible substrate drives the light-emitting layer to bend, the problem of excessive stress caused by bending can be avoided, thereby avoiding the situation where the overall performance of the flexible display panel is damaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0034] In order to more completely understand the present application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals represent the same parts.

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the first structure of the flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the structure of the flexible display panel after the flexible substrate is bent is shown;

[0038] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a second structure of a flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the structure of the flexible display panel after the flexible substrate is bent is shown;

[0040] Figure 6 for Figure 2 The first structural diagram of the flexible display panel after being fully bent is shown;

[0041] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second structure of the flexible display panel after it is fully bent is shown;

[0042] Figure 8 for Figure 2 The third structural schematic diagram of the flexible display panel after being fully bent is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the said features. In the description of the present application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0045] Existing flexible display panels are playing an increasingly important role in foldable mobile phones and wearable smart devices. However, when the flexible display screen is bent, the device is subjected to great stress, which in turn causes damage to the device.

[0046] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present application proposes a method for manufacturing a display module and a display panel. The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0047] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a flexible display panel, which is used to manufacture a fully curved display screen. The specific method for manufacturing the flexible display panel is as follows:

[0048] 101. Provide a flexible substrate.

[0049] The entire surface of the flexible substrate is configured with a bendable area. For example, in some embodiments, the flexible substrate is made of an organic material, such as polyimide. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate is made of thinned glass, and the thickness of the flexible substrate is less than 0.3 mm.

[0050] 102. A light-emitting layer is provided on the flexible substrate, wherein the light-emitting layer includes a display area and a non-display area.

[0051] A light-emitting layer is provided on one side of the flexible substrate. The light-emitting layer includes a display area and a non-display area. The non-display area includes a packaging area, a binding area, and a bending area between the bonding area and the packaging area. The bending area can be bent 180°.

[0052] 103. Provide at least one first groove on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer.

[0053] The first grooves provided on the side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer are provided in the display region and the bending region. For example, multiple first grooves may be provided in the display region, multiple first grooves may be provided in the bending region, or multiple first grooves may be provided in both the display region and the bending region. The specific number and location of the first grooves are determined based on the actual application and are not specifically limited herein, as long as they provide stress relief.

[0054] Exemplarily, when the flexible substrate is thinned glass, the flexible substrate is corroded using a hydrofluoric acid material to form the first groove;

[0055] When the flexible substrate is an organic substrate, the flexible substrate is etched by a grinding process, a photolithography process or a laser etching process to form the first groove.

[0056] In some embodiments, an insulating protective layer is provided on a side of the light emitting layer away from the flexible substrate, and then at least one second groove is provided on the insulating protective layer located in the display area.

[0057] It should be noted that the depth of the first groove set in the display area cannot exceed the depth of the flexible substrate, and the depth of the second groove set in the display area cannot exceed the depth of the insulating protective layer, so as to ensure that the functions of other film layers are not affected.

[0058] In some embodiments, a first groove is provided on the flexible substrate located in the bending area; the flexible substrate located in the bending area is bent at the first groove so that the binding area of ​​the light-emitting layer follows the bending of the flexible substrate by 180 degrees, so that the binding area of ​​the light-emitting layer is bent to the side of the flexible substrate located in the packaging area away from the light-emitting layer, that is, the binding area of ​​the light-emitting layer is overlapped with the flexible substrate located in the packaging area, and then the bending of the flexible substrate drives the bent light-emitting layer to bend, so as to form a curved display panel.

[0059] It should be noted that the first groove provided in the bending area can be hollowed out so that the bending area can be bent 180°.

[0060] In some embodiments, in order to make the gap between the binding area of ​​the light-emitting layer after bending and the flexible substrate located in the packaging area smaller, when setting a first groove on the flexible substrate located in the bending area, a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface can be cut on the flexible substrate located in the bending area. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are tangent to form the first groove. When the bending area is bent, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are fitted together to reduce the gap.

[0061] 104. Bend the flexible substrate to drive the display area and the packaging area of ​​the light-emitting layer to bend, so as to form a curved display panel.

[0062] The flexible substrate is bent, and the light-emitting layer is bent as well, to form a curved display panel. This curved display panel can be applied to collars, bracelets, anklets, etc. The curved display panel can have a better display effect and can be used in more scenarios.

[0063] In some embodiments, the bending region of the flexible substrate is provided with a first groove. To form a curved display panel, the flexible substrate is bent 180 degrees from the first groove in the bending region, so that the end of the flexible substrate away from the display region is bent toward the packaging region. The bending of the flexible substrate also causes the light-emitting layer located in the bending region and the bonding region to bend as well, and then the light-emitting layer located in the bonding region is bonded. After bonding, the light-emitting layer and the flexible substrate are fully bent to form a curved flexible display panel.

[0064] In order to avoid excessive hollowing of the first groove after bending, a filling glue can be set in the first groove to ensure the flatness of the flexible display panel. In some other embodiments, in order to avoid excessive hollowing after bending, the bendable area is designed to be triangular, that is, the inner side wall of the first groove is formed into an inclined transition surface. The shape of the first groove can be U-shaped, semicircular, V-shaped or trapezoidal, etc. It should be noted that the shape of the first groove can be limited according to actual usage, as long as the thickness of at least a portion of the flexible substrate in the bendable area can be reduced to reduce the elastic modulus of the flexible substrate in the bendable area. There is no limitation on the shape of the first groove.

[0065] Please continue reading Figures 2 to 5 , Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the first structure of the flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 for Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the structure of the flexible display panel after the flexible substrate is bent is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a second structure of a flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible display panel after the flexible substrate is bent. An embodiment of the present application provides a flexible display panel 100, comprising a flexible substrate 10 and a light-emitting layer 20. The flexible substrate 10 is entirely bendable and is arranged in an arc shape. The flexible substrate 10 comprises an inner surface and an outer surface arranged opposite to each other. The light-emitting layer on the inner surface of the flexible substrate 10 is located on a side of the flexible substrate 10 away from the inner surface, and at least one first groove 40 is provided. The light-emitting layer 20 is disposed on one side of the flexible substrate 10, and comprises a display area 510 and a non-display area. The light-emitting layer 20 is located on the side of the substrate 10 away from the inner surface. By providing at least one first groove 40 on the flexible substrate 10, the first groove 40 can release stress in the bent flexible substrate 10 and the light-emitting layer 20, reduce stress concentration, and prevent the light-emitting layer 20 from being cracked due to excessive stress caused by the bent setting. This ensures that the light-emitting layer 20 will not be damaged or broken, thereby avoiding damage to the light-emitting layer 20, thereby increasing the service life of the light-emitting layer 20 and preventing damage to the overall performance of the flexible display panel 100.

[0066] When manufacturing the flexible display panel 100, the flexible substrate 10 is bent, causing both the display area 510 and the non-display area of ​​the light-emitting layer 20 to bend, thereby forming a curved display panel. When the flexible substrate 10 and light-emitting layer 20 are fully bent, the first groove 40 reduces the tensile or compressive forces applied to the light-emitting layer 20 during bending, as the first groove 40 relieves stress. The light-emitting layer 20 includes the display area 510 and the non-display area. The non-display area includes an encapsulation area 520, a binding area 540, and a bending area 530 located between the binding area 540 and the encapsulation area 520. The bending area 530 can be bent 180 degrees.

[0067] The first grooves 40 are provided in the display region 510 and the bending region 530. For example, multiple first grooves 40 may be provided in the display region 510, multiple first grooves 40 may be provided in the bending region 530, or multiple first grooves 40 may be provided in the display region 510 and the bending region 530. The specific number and location of the first grooves 40 are determined based on actual applications and are not specifically limited herein, as long as they are sufficient to release stress.

[0068] The flexible substrate 10 includes an inner surface and an outer surface arranged opposite to each other, a light-emitting layer 20 is provided on the outer surface, and a first groove 40 is provided on the inner surface that is recessed toward the outer surface. It can be understood that by providing the first groove 40 on the flexible substrate 10, the thickness of a portion of the flexible substrate 10 is reduced, thereby reducing the elastic modulus of the portion of the flexible substrate 10. When the flexible display panel 100 is bent, the stress on the light-emitting layer 20 is reduced due to the reduction in the elastic modulus of the portion of the flexible substrate 10, thereby avoiding damage to the light-emitting layer 20.

[0069] It should be noted that the first groove 40 provided on the flexible substrate 10 in the display area 510 is not recessed from the inner surface to the light-emitting layer 20. Since the first groove 40 is recessed from the inner surface of the flexible substrate 10 toward the outer surface of the flexible substrate 10, the structure of the outer surface of the flexible substrate 10 is not changed. This ensures that the outer surface of the flexible substrate 10 and the light-emitting layer 20 fit smoothly and reliably. As a result, the flexible substrate 10 can better protect the light-emitting layer 20 and prevent the light-emitting layer 20 from being corroded by water and oxygen.

[0070] The first groove 40 provided on the flexible substrate 10 in the bending region 530 can be hollowed out, allowing the hollowed-out area to be bent 180 degrees. Providing the first groove 40 in the bending region 530 allows the light-emitting layer 20 in the bonding region 540 to be bent 180 degrees and then bonded to the packaging region 520. It should be noted that the first groove 40 in the bending region does not need to be hollowed out. The specific configuration depends on the actual application and is not limited here.

[0071] In order to avoid excessive hollowing in the bending area after folding, the first groove 40 is designed to be triangular, for example, the inner side wall of the first groove 40 is formed into an inclined extending transition surface, such as Figure 4 The two intersecting side surfaces can make the flexible substrate 10 in the bending area fold better when bent.

[0072] It is understood that a plurality of first grooves 40 spaced apart from each other can be provided in the bending region of the flexible substrate 10. The size and shape of each first groove 40 can be different. For example, the shape of the first groove 40 can be U-shaped, semicircular, V-shaped, or trapezoidal, etc. The specific shape is set according to actual conditions.

[0073] In some embodiments, a gap exists between the bent light-emitting layer 20 and the flexible substrate 10, and a filler is provided in the gap to make the flexible display panel 100 more flat. The filler can be formed of an organic material, including at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polyethylene.

[0074] Please continue reading Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 6 for Figure 2 The first structural diagram of the flexible display panel after being fully bent is shown; Figure 7 for Figure 2 The flexible display panel 100 further comprises an insulating protective layer 30 disposed on the side of the light-emitting layer 20 facing away from the flexible substrate 10. The insulating protective layer 30 includes at least one second groove 60 disposed in the display area 510 of the insulating protective layer 30. The provision of the second groove 60 further reduces stress, allowing for better stress release during bending and avoiding stress concentration.

[0075] In some embodiments, a filling glue is disposed in the second groove 60 , and the filling glue can make the flexible display panel 100 more flat.

[0076] The flexible substrate 10 in the flexible display panel 100 is arranged in an arc shape, the light-emitting layer 20 is arranged on one side of the outer surface of the flexible substrate 10, and the light-emitting layer 20 is arranged around the outer surface of the flexible substrate 10, and the insulating protective layer 30 is arranged around the side of the light-emitting layer 20 away from the flexible substrate 10. The curved flexible display panel 100 can be better used in practical applications.

[0077] It should be noted that the first groove 40 provided in the bending area is provided on the side of the flexible display panel 100 after the flexible substrate 10 is bent.

[0078] Please continue reading Figure 8 , Figure 8 for Figure 2 The third structural diagram of the fully bent flexible display panel is shown. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate 10 does not exist in the bending area or the bonding area. Alternatively, the first groove 40 may be provided in the flexible substrate 10 located in the display area 510 to allow the flexible substrate 10 and the light-emitting layer 20 to be fully bent, thereby achieving full bending of the flexible display panel 100.

[0079] An embodiment of the present application further provides a flexible display device, which includes any of the flexible display panels described above.

[0080] The above describes in detail a method for manufacturing a flexible display panel, a flexible display panel, and a flexible display device provided in the embodiments of the present application. Specific regulations are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is intended only to help understand the present application. At the same time, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, based on the concepts of the present application, there may be variations in the specific implementation methods and scope of application. In summary, the contents of this specification should not be construed as limiting the present application.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a flexible display panel, characterized in that: include: providing a flexible substrate; Disposing a light-emitting layer on the flexible substrate, wherein the light-emitting layer includes a display area and a non-display area; At least one first groove is provided on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer; Bending the flexible substrate to cause the display area and the non-display area of ​​the light-emitting layer to bend, so as to form a curved display panel; The non-display area includes a packaging area, a bending area, and a binding area arranged in sequence, and at least one first groove is provided on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer, including: Disposing the first groove on the flexible substrate located in the bending area; The step of bending the flexible substrate to cause both the display area and the non-display area of ​​the light-emitting layer to bend includes: The bending area is bent so that the binding area and the packaging area are overlapped, and the bending of the flexible substrate drives the bending of the light-emitting layer to form a curved display panel; The step of providing the first groove on the flexible substrate located in the bending area includes: A first inclined surface and a second inclined surface are cut on the flexible substrate located in the bending area. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are tangent to each other to form the first groove. When the bending area is bent, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are in contact with each other.

2. The production method according to claim 1, characterized in that The production method further comprises: Filling glue is provided in the first groove.

3. The production method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of providing at least one first groove on a side of the flexible substrate away from the light-emitting layer comprises: If the flexible substrate is thinned glass, the flexible substrate is corroded by using a hydrofluoric acid material to form the first groove; If the flexible substrate is an organic substrate, the flexible substrate is etched by a grinding process, a photolithography process, or a laser etching process to form the first groove.

4. The production method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before bending the flexible substrate to drive both the display area and the non-display area of ​​the light-emitting layer to bend, the method includes: Disposing an insulating protective layer on a side of the light-emitting layer away from the flexible substrate; At least one second groove is provided on the insulating protection layer located in the display area.

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