Display panel and display module

Abstract

The application discloses a display panel and a display module. The display panel is divided into a display area and a non-display area. The non-display area is arranged around the periphery of the display area. The display panel comprises a screen body. The screen body in the display area comprises a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array. An antenna module is arranged in the display area. The antenna module is located in the non-light-emitting area between the pixel units in the orthographic projection of the screen body. A radio frequency module is arranged in the non-display area adjacent to the antenna module and directly electrically connected to the antenna module. In this way, the signal transceiving efficiency of the antenna module can be improved, and the transmission loss can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display panel and display module. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the information age, terminal display devices have rapidly become important communication tools for daily communication due to their portability and powerful functions. Antennas, as components in terminal display devices that receive and transmit signals, play a crucial role in ensuring communication quality and enabling instant communication.

[0003] With the screen-to-body ratio constantly increasing, the outer surface of the device is increasingly covered by the display panel, leaving less space for the antenna module for signal transmission and reception. At the same time, there are problems such as excessively long lead distances and narrow lead widths between the antenna module and the driving circuit, resulting in severe losses during antenna transmission and further affecting the signal transmission and reception performance of the device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main technical problem addressed by this application is to provide a display panel and display module that can improve the signal transmission and reception efficiency of the antenna module and reduce transmission loss.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, one technical solution adopted in this application is: providing a display panel divided into a display area and a non-display area, wherein the non-display area is arranged around the periphery of the display area, the display panel includes a screen body, the screen body located within the display area includes a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array; an antenna module is disposed in the display area, and the orthographic projection of the antenna module on the screen body is located in the non-light-emitting area between the pixel units; and a radio frequency module is disposed in the non-display area adjacent to the antenna module and is electrically connected to the antenna module.

[0006] The antenna module includes multiple antenna units arranged at the edge of the display area, and the projection of the antenna units onto the screen body is located within the non-light-emitting area between the pixel units.

[0007] The radio frequency module includes: a plurality of radio frequency chips arranged in the non-display area and disposed at an edge position adjacent to the plurality of antenna units; preferably, the non-display area further includes a fan-out area, in which the plurality of radio frequency chips are disposed and disposed adjacent to one side edge of the plurality of antenna units.

[0008] The number of antenna units and radio frequency chips is the same, and the radio frequency chips are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the antenna units.

[0009] The display panel further includes a baseband chip and multiple leads disposed in the non-display area; wherein, one of the radio frequency chips is connected to the baseband chip through one of the leads; or, each of the radio frequency chips is connected to the baseband chip in series through the leads.

[0010] The pins of the radio frequency chip are arranged on the same layer as the antenna unit;

[0011] Alternatively, the pins of the radio frequency chip may be located on a different layer than the antenna unit.

[0012] The antenna module is located on the light-emitting side of the screen. Preferably, the display panel further includes an anti-reflective layer located on the side of the antenna module away from the screen, and the orthographic projection of the anti-reflective layer on the screen overlaps with the orthographic projection of the antenna module on the screen. Preferably, the anti-reflective layer includes a black matrix layer.

[0013] The antenna module includes a patterned metal mesh, and the hollowed-out area in the metal mesh covers the light-emitting area of ​​the pixel unit in the orthogonal projection of the screen; preferably, the linewidth of each metal line in the metal mesh is in the range of 2-10 micrometers.

[0014] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted in this application is to provide a display module, including the display panel mentioned in any of the above embodiments.

[0015] The display module includes a cover plate located on the light-emitting side of the display panel. The cover plate includes a central region and an edge ink region. The central region corresponds to the display area of ​​the display panel, and the edge ink region corresponds to the non-display area of ​​the display panel. The orthographic projection of the antenna module on the cover plate covers the central region, and the orthographic projection of the radio frequency module on the cover plate covers the edge ink region.

[0016] Unlike existing technologies, the advantages of this application are as follows: This application provides a display panel and a display device, wherein the display panel is divided into a display area and a non-display area, the non-display area being disposed around the periphery of the display area, the display panel including a screen body, the screen body located within the display area including a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array; an antenna module disposed in the display area, and the orthographic projection of the antenna module on the screen body being located in a non-light-emitting area between the pixel units; and a radio frequency (RF) module disposed in the non-display area adjacent to the antenna module and electrically connected to the antenna module. Through the above design scheme, placing the RF module in the non-display area near the antenna module can effectively reduce signal attenuation during RF signal transmission, solve the signal transmission loss problem during antenna signal transmission and reception, improve signal strength, effectively improve the antenna signal transmission and reception performance, and further enhance signal transmission and reception efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0017] 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:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the antenna module and radio frequency module;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of one embodiment of the cover plate preparation method of this application;

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of step S101-S105. Detailed Implementation

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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 is divided into a display area 101 and a non-display area 102 according to different display functions. The display area 101 is used to display images, and the non-display area 102 is disposed around the periphery of the display area 101. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment includes a screen body 10, an antenna module 20, and a radio frequency module 30. The screen body 10 located in the display area 101 has multiple pixel units (not shown) arranged in an array within the display area 101. The number of pixel units is related to the resolution of the screen body 10. For example, the pixel density of the screen body 10 can be less than 1000. Each pixel unit includes a light-emitting area and a non-light-emitting area. When the screen body 10 is working, the light-emitting area of ​​the pixel unit is used to emit light, and the light emitted by multiple pixel units together constitutes the display image of the display area 101; the non-light-emitting area of ​​the pixel unit is used to block light, and the non-light-emitting area can be used to arrange traces or components that need to be blocked in the screen body 10, etc.

[0025] The antenna module 20 is integrated into the display area 101, and its orthographic projection within the screen 10 is located in the non-light-emitting area between each pixel unit. This design does not affect the display effect of the display area 101, and the antenna module 20 can communicate through the space above the screen 10, with sufficient clearance to ensure communication quality. It should be noted that the antenna module 20 integrated into the display area 101 can be located on the light-emitting side of the screen 20, i.e., above the screen 20; or it can be integrated inside the screen 20, either on the same layer as the light-emitting device layer or the array layer. This embodiment uses the example of the antenna module 20 being located on the light-emitting side of the screen 20 for illustration. The radio frequency (RF) module 30 is integrated within the non-display area 102 adjacent to the antenna module. It is responsible for transmitting and receiving information during communication. It receives antenna signals emitted by the antenna module 20 via an electrical connection, enabling functions such as RF transceiver, frequency synthesis, and power amplification. Specifically, the RF module 30 can be an RF signal processing chip.

[0026] By integrating the radio frequency module 30 into the non-display area 102 and placing it in a position close to the antenna module 20, the above-described implementation can effectively reduce the signal attenuation of the antenna signal during transmission to the radio frequency module 30, solve the signal transmission loss problem during antenna signal transmission and reception, improve signal strength, and effectively improve the antenna signal transmission and reception performance.

[0027] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the antenna module and radio frequency module. In this embodiment, the antenna module 20 includes a plurality of antenna elements 201. The plurality of antenna elements 201 are arranged sequentially along the edge of the display area 101, and the orthographic projection of the antenna elements 201 within the screen 10 is located in the non-light-emitting area between different pixel elements. For example, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, multiple antenna units 201 are arranged sequentially along the four edges (top, bottom, left, and right) of the display area 101, with the spacing between adjacent antenna units 201 being equal or unequal. Furthermore, the multiple antenna units 201 can have different signal response frequencies, and may include Wi-Fi antenna units, Bluetooth antenna units, 4G / 5G signal antenna units, LTE antenna units, etc., to realize the antenna functions corresponding to different antenna units 201. Of course, in other embodiments, the multiple antenna units 201 can also have the same signal response frequency. Through the above embodiments, multiple antenna units 201 are used to undertake the transmission and reception functions of different antenna signals, simultaneously meeting the transmission and reception requirements of a larger channel usage, effectively improving the functionality and product value of the display panel.

[0028] Of course, in a specific implementation scenario, only one antenna unit 201 may be set, arranged in the non-light-emitting area between two adjacent pixel units. A single antenna unit 201 can be used to cover one or more communication frequency bands. For example, in this embodiment, the antenna unit 201 may include WiFi bands, 5G millimeter-wave bands, etc. When a single antenna unit 201 is arranged in the non-light-emitting area, because the antenna unit 201 is small in size, its size and shape are less constrained by the size and shape of the non-light-emitting area, making it easier to arrange within the display area 101, thus reducing the design difficulty of the display panel 100. The design scheme of the antenna unit 201 is also more diverse and flexible.

[0029] Optional, such as Figure 2 As shown, multiple antenna units 201 are arranged in a straight line at the edge of the display area. In other examples, the antenna units 201 can also be arranged in other shapes such as L-shape or inverted L-shape. Of course, the antenna units 201 can also be arranged in an array in the non-light-emitting area between adjacent pixel units.

[0030] Please continue reading. Figure 2The radio frequency (RF) module 30 includes multiple RF chips 301 arranged within the non-display area 102 and positioned at the edge adjacent to the multiple antenna units 201. In other words, the RF chips 301 are located at the edge of the non-display area 102 near the antenna units 201. This embodiment places the RF chips 301 at the position closest to the antenna units 201 in the non-display area 102, resulting in a short transmission distance between the antenna units 201 and the RF chips 301, effectively reducing antenna signal loss during transmission and improving signal strength. In one embodiment, as... Figure 2 As shown, at the right edge of the display area 101, the number of antenna units 201 and radio frequency chips 301 are the same. Each radio frequency chip 301 is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with each antenna unit 201, and one radio frequency chip 301 is electrically connected to one antenna unit 201. Through the above implementation, each antenna unit 201 can be independently controlled by a different radio frequency chip 301, facilitating the independent or combined operation of multiple antenna units 201, thus making the design schemes of the antenna units 201 more diverse.

[0031] In yet another implementation, such as Figure 2 As shown, at the left edge of the display area 101, the number of antenna units 201 is greater than the number of radio frequency chips 301. At this time, there are multiple antenna units 201 electrically connected to the same radio frequency chip 301. This implementation method is beneficial to reduce the space occupied by the radio frequency chip 301 in the non-display area 102 and is beneficial to the realization of narrow bezel.

[0032] Of course, in other embodiments, the number of antenna elements can be less than the number of RF chips. That is, one antenna element can be electrically connected to multiple RF chips, and different antenna elements can be reused to improve the utilization rate of antenna elements. For example, the type of antenna element can be a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, or an F-antenna. This application does not specifically limit the type of antenna element. This method can enable the transmission of the same type of antenna signal to different RF chips, meeting diverse needs.

[0033] In one specific implementation scenario, the antenna unit and the RF chip are electrically connected via a metal trace disposed on the same layer as the antenna unit. This metal trace can be made of the same material as the antenna unit. In another specific implementation scenario, the antenna unit and the RF chip can also be electrically connected via a metal layer disposed in a non-display area. Both of these implementation methods can achieve the electrical connection between the antenna unit and the RF chip, ensuring the transmission of antenna signals.

[0034] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3This application presents a schematic diagram of the structure of another embodiment of the display panel. The display panel 100 provided in this embodiment further includes a baseband chip 40, a flexible printed circuit board 50 (FPC), and multiple leads 60 disposed within the non-display area 102. The baseband chip 40 is responsible for information processing in the display panel 100. In this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, each RF chip 301 is connected in series with the baseband chip 40 via leads 60 to realize signal transmission with the baseband chip 40. This implementation can reduce the number of leads 60 in the non-display area 102, which is beneficial for the realization of narrow bezels.

[0035] In another embodiment, each RF chip is connected to the baseband chip via a lead. This embodiment ensures that even if one RF chip fails, the remaining RF chips can still maintain normal communication with the baseband chip.

[0036] In one embodiment, the radio frequency (RF) chip can be assembled in the non-display area of ​​the screen using surface mount technology, and the pins of the RF chip can be arranged on the same layer as the antenna unit in the display area. In this case, the pins of the RF chip and the antenna unit share part of the thickness space of the display panel, which helps to reduce the thickness of the display panel.

[0037] In another embodiment, the pins of the RF chip are located on the side of the antenna unit closer to the side facing away from the screen, meaning the pins of the RF chip and the antenna unit are not on the same layer. Specifically, the pins can be on the same layer as the array layer of the screen 20, or on the same layer as the light-emitting device layer of the screen 20. In this case, a through-hole structure is provided below the pins, which enables effective electrical connection between the antenna unit and the RF chip pins. This embodiment reduces the space occupied by the RF chip in the non-display area, which is beneficial for reducing the width of the non-display area.

[0038] Please continue reading. Figure 3 The non-display area 102 provided in this embodiment also includes a fan-out area 103, to which the flexible circuit board 50 is electrically connected. The flexible circuit board 50 is subsequently connected to the terminal system, enabling the entire display device to form a complete antenna transmission and reception system. In this embodiment, the baseband chip 40 can be disposed on the flexible circuit board 50, and the radio frequency chip 301 communicates with the baseband chip 40 disposed on the flexible circuit board 50 through traces within the non-display area 102. The flexible circuit board 50 can be a touch FPC or a main FPC. The above implementation allows for the separate placement of the radio frequency chip 301 and the baseband chip 40, ensuring the normal operation of the driving system without significantly increasing the bezel of the screen 10.

[0039] Please continue reading. Figure 3In this embodiment, the multiple radio frequency chips 301 located at the lower edge of the non-display area 102 can also be disposed within the fan-out area 103 and adjacent to one side edge of the multiple antenna units 201. This embodiment ensures that the radio frequency chips 301 at the lower edge are positioned close to the antenna units 201, effectively improving the antenna's signal transmission and reception performance.

[0040] In one embodiment, the display panel provided in this application further includes an anti-reflective layer. The anti-reflective layer is disposed on the side of the antenna module facing away from the screen. To avoid affecting the display effect of the display area, the orthographic projection of the anti-reflective layer onto the screen overlaps with the orthographic projection of the antenna module onto the screen. Preferably, the anti-reflective layer includes a black matrix layer and a color filter layer. The size of the black matrix layer is greater than or equal to the size of the antenna module, and the color filter layer is disposed between the black matrix layers. The orthographic projection of the color filter layer onto the screen covers multiple pixel units on the screen. Of course, in other embodiments, a polarizer can also be used as the anti-reflective layer, formed on the side of the antenna module facing away from the screen using a coating or bonding process. Through the above embodiments, the screen reflectivity can be effectively reduced, improving the display effect of the display panel.

[0041] This application also provides a display module, which includes the display panel provided in any of the above embodiments. The display module can be a mobile phone, computer, television, tablet computer, mobile phone, e-reader, in-vehicle equipment, smart wearable display device, etc., and this application does not make any special limitations in this regard.

[0042] The display module includes, in addition to the display panel mentioned in the above embodiments, a housing, a circuit board, a processor, a memory, and a battery. The display panel is installed within the housing, and the display panel and housing together enclose the entire internal cavity of the display module. The circuit board, processor, and battery are housed within the internal cavity. The processor and memory are fixed to the circuit board. The memory stores computer program code, and the processor calls the program code to cause the display device to execute instructions. The battery powers the electrical components of the display module.

[0043] In addition, the display module provided in this application also includes a cover plate structure, which is disposed on the light-emitting side of the display panel and is aligned and bonded to the screen body. The cover plate includes a central area corresponding to the display area of ​​the display panel and an edge ink area corresponding to the non-display area of ​​the display panel. The orthographic projection of the antenna module onto the cover plate covers the central area, and the orthographic projection of the RF module onto the cover plate covers the edge ink area. Electrical connection is achieved between the cover plate frame traces and bonding pins within the edge ink area. This design ensures the efficiency of antenna signal transmission and reception while reducing signal transmission loss.

[0044] It should be noted that in existing technologies, antenna modules located within the display area are typically housed in a thin-film encapsulation layer. However, this approach often suffers from complex manufacturing processes and limitations imposed by the flat panel display patterning technology, impacting the feasibility of mass production, product yield, and production costs. Therefore, in the display panel provided in this application, the antenna module and radio frequency (RF) module are integrated into the cover plate structure during the fabrication process, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving yield. The fabrication process of the cover plate integrating the antenna module and RF module is described below from a technological perspective.

[0045] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of one embodiment of the cover plate preparation method of this application. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment in steps S101-S105. In this embodiment, the method for fabricating the cover plate of the integrated antenna module and the radio frequency module provided in this application includes:

[0046] S101: Provides a glass substrate 1001 coated with a polymer film layer 1002.

[0047] Optionally, please refer to Figure 5 In (a), the polymer film layer 1002 can be a colorless and transparent polymer film layer, such as transparent polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or cyclic olefin polymer (COP); or a colorless and transparent polymer material, such as the commonly used polyimide (PI) material.

[0048] S102: An antenna module 20 is formed on the side of the polymer film layer 1002 facing away from the glass substrate 1001, wherein the antenna module 20 includes a patterned metal mesh (not shown).

[0049] Optional, please refer to Figure 5 In (b), the antenna module 20 is manufactured using a patterned process to form a metal mesh pattern. The linewidth of each metal line within the metal mesh ranges from 2 to 10 micrometers, for example, 2 micrometers, 5 micrometers, 8 micrometers, or 10 micrometers. Furthermore, the orthographic projection of the hollowed-out area of ​​the metal mesh pattern onto the display area lies within the light-emitting area between the pixel units. Through the above implementation method, the patterned metal mesh structure allows for the rational design of antenna units to implement antenna functions without affecting the screen's display functionality.

[0050] S103: A polarizer 1003 is provided on the side of the antenna module 20 away from the polymer film layer 1002.

[0051] Optionally, please refer to Figure 5In step (c), a polarizer 1003 is applied to the antenna module 20 using a coating or bonding process, and the polarizer 1003 covers the antenna module 20 and part of the polymer film layer 1002. In another specific application scenario, a black matrix (BM) and color filter (CF) structure can be used to replace the polarizer 1003 mentioned in the above embodiments. BM and CF are formed on the side of the antenna module away from the polymer film layer 1002 using a photolithography process, wherein the BM pattern coincides with the patterned metal mesh, or its size is larger than the metal mesh pattern, and the CF pattern is complementary to the BM pattern. This design can reduce the reflectivity of the screen after the cover plate is bonded.

[0052] S104: Use adhesive layer 1004 to attach cover plate 1005 to the side of polarizer 1003 away from antenna module 20.

[0053] Optionally, please refer to Figure 5 In section (d), adhesive layer 1004 can be selected as a bonding adhesive layer.

[0054] S105: Remove the polymer film 1002 and the glass substrate 1001.

[0055] Optionally, please refer to Figure 5 In section (e), the polymer film layer 1002 is removed using processes such as cleaning and etching.

[0056] Through the above implementation method, by processing and integrating the antenna module 20 on the cover plate 1005 and integrating the radio frequency chip in the frame area of ​​the cover plate 1005, the integration problem between the antenna module 20 and the display screen body is solved, the signal transmission loss during the antenna signal transmission and reception process is effectively reduced, and the antenna signal transmission and reception effect is effectively improved.

[0057] In one embodiment, after step S105, the method further includes: bonding the radio frequency chip to the edge ink area of ​​the cover plate, and attaching the cover plate integrating the antenna module and the radio frequency module to the screen body. This embodiment reduces the complexity of the integration process, improves yield, and lowers costs; it also ensures the efficiency of antenna signal transmission and reception, and reduces signal transmission loss.

[0058] In summary, unlike existing technologies, this application provides a display panel and a display device. The display panel is divided into a display area and a non-display area, with the non-display area surrounding the display area. The display panel includes a screen body, and the screen body within the display area includes a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array. An antenna module is disposed in the display area, and the orthographic projection of the antenna module onto the screen body is located within a non-light-emitting area between the pixel units. A radio frequency (RF) module is disposed in the non-display area adjacent to the antenna module and is electrically connected to the antenna module. By placing the RF module in the non-display area near the antenna module, the signal attenuation of the antenna signal during transmission can be effectively reduced, solving the signal transmission loss problem during antenna signal transmission and reception, improving signal strength, effectively improving the antenna signal transmission and reception performance, and further enhancing signal transmission and reception efficiency.

[0059] 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 module, characterized in that, The system is divided into a display area and a non-display area, with the non-display area surrounding the display area. The non-display area also includes a fan-out region, to which a flexible circuit board is electrically connected. The display module includes a display panel, which comprises: The screen body, located within the display area, comprises multiple pixel units arranged in an array; The antenna module includes multiple antenna units arranged sequentially along the four edges of the display area, and the antenna units are located in the non-light-emitting area between the pixel units in the orthographic projection of the screen. The antenna module includes a patterned metal mesh, and the hollow area in the metal mesh covers the light-emitting area of ​​the pixel unit in the orthographic projection of the screen. The radio frequency module includes: a plurality of radio frequency chips arranged in the non-display area and disposed at the edge position adjacent to the plurality of antenna units, and the radio frequency module and the antenna module are directly electrically connected; the plurality of radio frequency chips are disposed in the fan-out area and disposed adjacent to the plurality of antenna units; the number of the plurality of antenna units and the plurality of radio frequency chips are the same, and the radio frequency chips are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the antenna units. A baseband chip and multiple leads disposed in the non-display area, the baseband chip being disposed on the flexible circuit board; each of the radio frequency chips is connected in series to the baseband chip via the leads; The display module also includes: A cover plate is located on the light-emitting side of the display panel; the cover plate includes a central region and an edge ink region, the central region corresponds to the display area of ​​the display panel, the edge ink region corresponds to the non-display area of ​​the display panel, the orthographic projection of the antenna module on the cover plate covers the central region, the orthographic projection of the radio frequency module on the cover plate covers the edge ink region, the antenna module and the radio frequency module are integrated into the cover plate, and the radio frequency chip is bonded to the edge ink region of the cover plate.

2. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pins of the radio frequency chip are arranged on the same layer as the antenna unit; Alternatively, the pins of the radio frequency chip may be located on a different layer than the antenna unit.

3. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna module is located on the light-emitting side of the screen.

4. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel also includes: An anti-reflective layer is located on the side of the antenna module away from the screen, and the orthographic projection of the anti-reflective layer on the screen overlaps with the orthographic projection of the antenna module on the screen.

5. The display module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The anti-reflective layer includes a black matrix layer.

6. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linewidth of each metal wire within the metal mesh ranges from 2 to 10 micrometers.

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