Display substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and display device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a display substrate, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. The display substrate includes: a substrate and a first electrode located on one side of the substrate; a pixel defining layer located on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate, the pixel defining layer having an opening region exposing the first electrode and covering an edge region of the first electrode; a second electrode located on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate and within a non-opening region of the pixel defining layer; an insulating layer located in the non-opening region of the pixel defining layer and covering the second electrode; a light-emitting layer located on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate and within the opening region of the pixel defining layer; and a cathode layer located on a side of the insulating layer away from the substrate and covering the insulating layer and the light-emitting layer. The extension direction of the second electrode intersects with the extension direction of the cathode layer, and a touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode and the cathode layer. The present invention implements a touch structure within the display substrate, which can reduce the overall thickness of the display screen and better meet the bending requirements of the flexible screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display substrate and a preparation method thereof, and a display device. Background Art

[0002] Traditional OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays with touch functionality typically implement touch functionality in two ways: one is to attach a cover layer with metal traces to achieve the touch function, which is widely known in the industry as OGS (One Glass Solution) technology; the other is to directly create metal traces on the thin-film encapsulation layer (TFE) to achieve the touch function, which is widely known in the industry as On-Cell technology, such as FMLOC (Flexible Multi-Layer On Cell) technology.

[0003] However, both OGS and On-Cell technologies require numerous film or functional layers to achieve touch functionality, such as an OGS cover, OCA adhesive, and insulation layers. Adding these layers inevitably increases the thickness of the display, and greater thickness increases the risks and difficulties of bending flexible displays. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desired to provide a display substrate and a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display substrate, comprising:

[0006] substrate;

[0007] a first electrode, located on one side of the substrate;

[0008] a pixel defining layer, located on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate, the pixel defining layer having an opening area exposing the first electrode and covering an edge area of ​​the first electrode;

[0009] a second electrode located on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer;

[0010] an insulating layer, located in the non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer and covering the second electrode;

[0011] a light-emitting layer, located on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate and within the opening region of the pixel defining layer;

[0012] a cathode layer, located on a side of the insulating layer away from the substrate and covering the insulating layer and the light-emitting layer, wherein:

[0013] An extension direction of the second electrode intersects with an extension direction of the cathode layer, and a touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode and the cathode layer.

[0014] Optionally, the second electrode extends in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the cathode layer extends in a transverse direction of the substrate.

[0015] Optionally, the cathode layer is arranged in a zigzag shape.

[0016] Optionally, the display substrate further comprises: a third electrode located on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate and within the opening region of the pixel defining layer, the third electrode being located between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer and electrically connected to the first electrode. Optionally, the third electrode and the second electrode are formed from the same layer and material.

[0017] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a display substrate, comprising:

[0018] forming a first electrode on one side of the substrate;

[0019] forming a pixel defining layer on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate, wherein the pixel defining layer has an opening area exposing the first electrode and covers an edge area of ​​the first electrode;

[0020] forming a second electrode on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer;

[0021] forming an insulating layer covering the second electrode on a side of the second electrode away from the substrate and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer;

[0022] forming a light-emitting layer in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer;

[0023] A cathode layer is formed on a side of the insulating layer away from the substrate, and the cathode layer covers the insulating layer and the light-emitting layer; wherein,

[0024] An extension direction of the second electrode intersects with an extension direction of the cathode layer, and a touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode and the cathode layer.

[0025] Optionally, the second electrode extends in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the cathode layer extends in a transverse direction of the substrate.

[0026] Optionally, the cathode layer is arranged in a zigzag shape.

[0027] Optionally, when forming the second electrode, the preparation method further includes: simultaneously forming a third electrode in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer.

[0028] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, comprising a display substrate as described in any one of the above items.

[0029] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention may have the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The display substrate provided by an embodiment of the present invention has a second electrode opposite to the cathode layer set in the non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer. The second electrode serves as a touch electrode, and the cathode layer is reused as a touch electrode. A touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode and the cathode layer, thereby integrating the touch structure into the display substrate, effectively reducing the number of film layers, reducing the overall thickness of the display screen, and being able to better meet the bending requirements of the flexible screen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a display substrate provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 A top view of the structure after a cathode layer is prepared in a display substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 Another top view of the structure after the cathode layer is prepared in the display substrate provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of another display substrate provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figures 5 to 12 A schematic structural diagram of a display substrate prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to illustrate the relevant invention and are not intended to limit the invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only portions relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0038] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, 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", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like to 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 invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0040] The present invention uses terms such as "first," "second," and so on to describe various types of information, but such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, first information could also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information could also be referred to as first information.

[0041] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; internal connections between two components; wireless connections or wired connections. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display substrate, comprising:

[0043] substrate 11;

[0044] A first electrode 13 is located on one side of the substrate 11;

[0045] a pixel defining layer 14 , located on a side of the first electrode 13 away from the substrate 11 ; the pixel defining layer 14 has an opening area exposing the first electrode 13 , and the pixel defining layer 14 covers an edge area of ​​the first electrode 13 ;

[0046] The second electrode 15 is located on a side of the pixel defining layer 14 away from the substrate 11 and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14 ;

[0047] an insulating layer 16 , located on a side of the pixel defining layer 14 away from the substrate 11 and located in a non-opening region of the pixel defining layer 14 , and covering the second electrode 15 ;

[0048] a third electrode 17 located on a side of the pixel defining layer 14 away from the substrate 11 and within the opening of the pixel defining layer 14 ; and the third electrode 17 located on a side of the first electrode 13 away from the substrate 11 and electrically connected to the first electrode 13 ;

[0049] The light-emitting layer 18 is located on a side of the third electrode 17 away from the substrate 11 and in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14;

[0050] The cathode layer 19 is located on the side of the insulating layer 16 away from the substrate 11 and covers the insulating layer 16 and the light-emitting layer 18, wherein:

[0051] The extension direction of the second electrode 15 intersects with the extension direction of the cathode layer 19 , and a touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode 15 and the cathode layer 19 .

[0052] In this embodiment, the non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14 is used to form a second electrode 15 disposed opposite the cathode layer 19. The second electrode 15 is separated from the cathode layer 19 by an insulating layer 16. The cathode layer 17 is reused as a touch transmitting (Tx) electrode, and the second electrode is used as a touch receiving (Rx) electrode. A touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode 15 and the cathode layer 19.

[0053] A second electrode 15 and an insulating layer 16 are set in the non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14, and the cathode layer 17 is reused as a touch emission electrode. In this way, the touch structure is directly integrated into the display substrate. There is no need to attach a cover plate with metal wiring to the outside, nor is there any need to add many film layers (such as OGS cover plate, OCA glue, insulating layer, etc.) on the surface of the thin film encapsulation layer to achieve the touch function.

[0054] In the display substrate provided by this embodiment, the first electrode 13 and the third electrode 17 are stacked in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14 , and the first electrode 13 and the third electrode 17 constitute an anode layer.

[0055] Preferably, the material of the first electrode 13 includes silver (Ag) and indium tin oxide (ITO). For example, the first electrode 13 includes an ITO film layer and an Ag film layer arranged above the ITO film layer. The material of the third electrode is ITO, and the anode layer is a three-layer stacked structure of ITO / Ag / ITO, but is not limited to this.

[0056] The display substrate provided in this embodiment further includes a driving layer 12 between the substrate 11 and the first electrode 13 . The driving layer 12 includes a plurality of thin film transistors distributed in an array.

[0057] As an optional implementation, the third electrode 17 and the second electrode 15 are made of the same layer and the same material.

[0058] In this embodiment, the second electrode 15 is formed simultaneously with the third electrode 17 in the non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14. This means that the touch electrodes are formed within the display substrate simultaneously with the anode and cathode layers. Compared to OGS or On-Cell technologies, this embodiment effectively simplifies the number of film layers in the touch-enabled display substrate, thereby reducing the thickness of the display substrate and making it more suitable for flexible, bendable displays.

[0059] As an optional implementation, refer to Figure 2 The second electrode 15 extends along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 11 , and the cathode layer 19 extends along the transverse direction of the substrate 11 .

[0060] Generally, the display substrate is provided with gate lines extending along the horizontal direction of the substrate and data lines extending along the vertical direction of the substrate. The gate lines and data lines that cross each other define a plurality of sub-pixels distributed in an array. Each thin film transistor in the driving layer 12 corresponds to a sub-pixel. The opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14 is the pixel light-emitting area. The light-emitting layer provided in the opening area includes a red light-emitting layer (R-EL), a blue light-emitting layer (B-EL) and a green light-emitting layer (G-EL). Each opening area corresponds to a sub-pixel.

[0061] In this embodiment, the second electrode 15 extends along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 11, and the cathode layer 19 extends along the transverse direction of the substrate 11. On the one hand, the second electrode 15 and the cathode layer 19 can be arranged extremely conveniently, and the intersection area between the second electrode 15 and the cathode layer 19 is used to form a touch capacitor, thereby realizing a touch structure in the display substrate; on the other hand, it is ensured that the cathode layer 19 is arranged relative to the anode layer in each opening area, thereby ensuring normal display of the display substrate.

[0062] As an optional implementation, refer to Figure 3 The second electrode 15 extends longitudinally along the substrate 11, while the cathode layer 19 extends transversely along the substrate 11, and the cathode layer 19 is arranged in a zigzag pattern. This ensures that the display substrate can display normally while achieving the cross arrangement between the second electrode 15 and the cathode layer 19, thereby ensuring the realization of the touch structure and giving the display substrate touch functionality.

[0063] The display substrate provided in this embodiment further includes a planarization layer 20 and an encapsulation layer 21. The planarization layer 20 is located on the side of the cathode layer 19 away from the substrate 11, and the encapsulation layer 21 is located on the side of the planarization layer 20 away from the substrate 11. The planarization layer 20 is used to planarize the uneven cathode layer 19, so that the encapsulation layer 21 formed on the planarization layer 20 provides a good encapsulation and coating effect on the display substrate, preventing water, oxygen, etc. from penetrating into the interior of the display substrate.

[0064] Different from the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention further provides another display substrate. Figure 4, the display substrate comprises:

[0065] substrate 11;

[0066] The driving layer 12 is located on one side of the substrate 11;

[0067] The first electrode 13 is located on a side of the driving layer 12 away from the substrate 11;

[0068] a pixel defining layer 14 , located on a side of the driving layer 12 away from the substrate 11 ; the pixel defining layer 14 has an opening area exposing the first electrode 13 , and the pixel defining layer 14 covers an edge area of ​​the first electrode 13 ;

[0069] The second electrode 15 is located on a side of the pixel defining layer 14 away from the substrate 11 and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14 ;

[0070] an insulating layer 16 , located on a side of the pixel defining layer 14 away from the substrate 11 and located in a non-opening region of the pixel defining layer 14 , and covering the second electrode 15 ;

[0071] The light-emitting layer 18 is located on a side of the first electrode 13 away from the substrate 11 and in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14;

[0072] The cathode layer 19 is located on the side of the insulating layer 16 away from the substrate 11 and covers the insulating layer 16 and the light-emitting layer 18.

[0073] a planar layer 20 , located on a side of the cathode layer 19 away from the substrate 11 ;

[0074] The encapsulation layer 21 is located on the side of the planar layer 20 away from the substrate 11.

[0075] The extension direction of the second electrode 15 intersects with the extension direction of the cathode layer 19 , and a touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode 15 and the cathode layer 19 .

[0076] The display substrate is not provided with a third electrode, and the first electrode 13 is used as the anode layer. The material of the first electrode 13 is ITO, and the rest of the film structure can refer to Figure 1 The display substrate of the example will not be described in detail.

[0077] Next, a method for preparing a display substrate is further introduced.

[0078] for Figure 1 The display substrate of the embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing the display substrate, comprising:

[0079] Reference Figure 5, forming a first electrode 13 on one side of the substrate 11, specifically, forming a driving layer 12 on one side of the substrate 11, and forming the first electrode 13 on a side of the driving layer 12 away from the substrate;

[0080] Reference Figure 6 , forming a pixel defining layer 14 on a side of the first electrode 13 away from the substrate 11 , wherein the pixel defining layer 14 has an opening area exposing the first electrode 13 , and the pixel defining layer 14 covers an edge area of ​​the first electrode 13 ;

[0081] Reference Figure 7 , forming a second electrode 15 on a side of the pixel defining layer 14 away from the substrate 11 and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14 , and forming a third electrode 17 in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14 ;

[0082] Reference Figure 8 , forming an insulating layer 16 covering the second electrode 15 on a side of the second electrode 15 away from the substrate 11 and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14;

[0083] Reference Figure 9 , forming a light emitting layer 18 in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer 14;

[0084] Reference Figure 10 , forming a cathode layer 19 on a side of the insulating layer 16 away from the substrate 11 , the cathode layer 19 covering the insulating layer 16 and the light-emitting layer 18 ;

[0085] Reference Figure 11 , forming a flat layer 20 on the side of the cathode layer 19 away from the substrate 11,

[0086] Reference Figure 12 , forming an encapsulation layer 21 on a side of the planar layer 20 away from the substrate 11;

[0087] The extension direction of the second electrode 15 intersects with the extension direction of the cathode layer 19 , and a touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode 15 and the cathode layer 19 .

[0088] In this embodiment, the first electrode 13 and the third electrode 17 constitute an anode layer. The second electrode is formed at the same time as the anode layer, and the second electrode is used as a touch receiving (Rx) electrode. The cathode layer 19 is arranged opposite to the second electrode 15. The cathode layer 19 and the second electrode 15 are separated by an insulating layer 16. The cathode layer 19 is reused as a touch transmitting (Tx) electrode. The touch electrode is formed at the same time as the anode layer and the cathode layer, thereby integrating the touch structure into the display substrate to realize the touch function, which greatly reduces the thickness of the display substrate with the touch function.

[0089] As an optional embodiment, the second electrode 15 extends longitudinally along the substrate 11, and the cathode layer 19 extends transversely along the substrate 11. This allows for extremely convenient placement of the second electrode 15 and cathode layer 19, utilizing the intersection region between the second electrode 15 and cathode layer 19 to form a touch capacitor, thereby implementing a touch-sensitive structure within the display substrate. Furthermore, the cathode layer 19 is positioned opposite the anode layer within each opening region, ensuring proper display of the display substrate.

[0090] Furthermore, the cathode layer 19 is arranged in a zigzag shape. In this way, while ensuring that the display substrate can display normally, the cross arrangement between the second electrode 15 and the cathode layer 19 can be realized, thereby ensuring the realization of the touch structure and making the display substrate have a touch function.

[0091] And for Figure 4 In the exemplary display substrate, the third electrode does not need to be formed, and the light-emitting layer is disposed adjacent to the first electrode.

[0092] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, comprising any one of the display substrates described above.

[0093] The touch structure of the display device is arranged in the display substrate, which is beneficial to reducing the thickness of the display device with touch function. Its specific type is not particularly limited, and any type of display device commonly used in this field can be used, such as flexible screen mobile phones, flexible screen tablets, flexible screen readers, etc. Those skilled in the art can make corresponding choices based on the specific purpose of the display device, which will not be repeated here.

[0094] The above description is merely an illustration of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but also encompasses other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalents without departing from the inventive concept. For example, a technical solution formed by replacing the above-mentioned features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in the present invention.

Claims

1. A display substrate, characterized in that: include: substrate; a first electrode, located on one side of the substrate; a pixel defining layer, located on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate, the pixel defining layer having an opening area exposing the first electrode and covering an edge area of ​​the first electrode; a second electrode located on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer; an insulating layer, located in the non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer and covering the second electrode; a light-emitting layer, located on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate and within the opening region of the pixel defining layer; a cathode layer, located on a side of the insulating layer away from the substrate and covering the insulating layer and the light-emitting layer, wherein: An extension direction of the second electrode intersects with an extension direction of the cathode layer, and a touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode and the cathode layer; The invention also includes an encapsulation layer, which is arranged on a side of the cathode layer away from the substrate.

2. The display substrate according to claim 1, wherein: The second electrode extends along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the cathode layer extends along a transverse direction of the substrate.

3. The display substrate according to claim 2, wherein: The cathode layer is arranged in a zigzag shape.

4. The display substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Also includes: The third electrode is located on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate and in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer. The third electrode is located between the first electrode and the light emitting layer and is electrically connected to the first electrode.

5. The display substrate according to claim 4, wherein: The third electrode and the second electrode are formed from the same layer and the same material.

6. A method for preparing a display substrate, characterized in that: include: forming a first electrode on one side of the substrate; forming a pixel defining layer on a side of the first electrode away from the substrate, wherein the pixel defining layer has an opening area exposing the first electrode and covers an edge area of ​​the first electrode; forming a second electrode on a side of the pixel defining layer away from the substrate and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer; forming an insulating layer covering the second electrode on a side of the second electrode away from the substrate and in a non-opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer; forming a light-emitting layer in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer; A cathode layer is formed on a side of the insulating layer away from the substrate, and the cathode layer covers the insulating layer and the light-emitting layer; wherein, An extension direction of the second electrode intersects with an extension direction of the cathode layer, and a touch capacitor is formed between the second electrode and the cathode layer.

7. The method for preparing a display substrate according to claim 6, wherein: The second electrode extends along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the cathode layer extends along a transverse direction of the substrate.

8. The method for preparing a display substrate according to claim 7, wherein: The cathode layer is arranged in a zigzag shape.

9. The method for preparing a display substrate according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: When forming the second electrode, the preparation method further includes: simultaneously forming a third electrode in the opening area of ​​the pixel defining layer.

10. A display device, characterized in that: The display substrate comprises the display substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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