Display panel, repair method thereof, and display device

Abstract

The present application discloses a display panel, a repair method thereof, and a display device. The display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels, and each sub-pixel includes an active layer, a source electrode, an anode, and a repair electrode disposed on a substrate. The source electrode is disposed between the active layer and the anode, the repair electrode is connected to the source electrode, and is located on a side of the active layer close to the anode; wherein, for two adjacent sub-pixels, a positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the substrate partially overlaps with the anode of the other sub-pixel, and the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is insulated from the anode of the other sub-pixel. The present application improves the manufacturing yield of the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display technologies, and particularly to a display panel, a repair method thereof, and a display device. Background Art

[0002] During the production process of an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display panel, due to the influence of production processes or external environments, there may be some residues such as metal debris or foreign matters in thin-film transistors, making the sub-pixels driven by these thin-film transistors become dark sub-pixels. When the number of dark sub-pixels exceeds a certain amount, the panel will be scrapped, thus reducing the manufacturing yield of the display panel. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present application provide a display panel, a repair method thereof, and a display device, which can repair dark sub-pixels when they occur, so as to improve the manufacturing yield of the display panel.

[0004] The present application provides a display panel. The display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel includes an active layer, a source electrode, an anode, and a repair electrode disposed on a substrate. The source electrode is located between the active layer and the anode. The repair electrode is connected to the source electrode and is located on a side of the active layer close to the anode;

[0005] Wherein, for two adjacent sub-pixels, a positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the substrate partially overlaps with the anode of the other sub-pixel, and the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is insulated from the anode of the other sub-pixel.

[0006] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the anode has an extension portion. In a direction parallel to the plane where the substrate is located, for two adjacent sub-pixels, the repair electrode of one sub-pixel extends towards the extension portion of the other sub-pixel, the extension portion of the other sub-pixel extends towards the repair electrode of one sub-pixel, and a positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the substrate overlaps with the extension portion of the other sub-pixel.

[0007] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, for two adjacent sub-pixels, the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is disposed on the same layer as the source electrode and extends from one end of the source electrode towards the extension portion of the other sub-pixel.

[0008] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the display panel further includes a passivation layer, a protection electrode, and a planarization layer sequentially disposed between the source electrode and the anode. A contact hole is formed in the passivation layer, the protection electrode is connected to the source electrode through the contact hole, a via hole communicating with the contact hole is formed in the planarization layer, and the anode is connected to the protection electrode through the via hole;

[0009] The orthographic projection of the protection electrode on the plane where the substrate is located at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode on the plane where the substrate is located.

[0010] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, a connection hole spaced from the contact hole is further formed in the passivation layer. The connection hole is located in the overlapping area of the orthographic projections of the protection electrode and the repair electrode on the substrate, and the protection electrode is connected to the repair electrode through the connection hole.

[0011] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the display panel further includes a passivation layer, an auxiliary repair electrode, and a planarization layer sequentially disposed between the source electrode and the anode. The orthographic projection of the auxiliary repair electrode on the plane where the substrate is located at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode on the plane where the substrate is located. A connection hole is formed in the passivation layer, and the auxiliary repair electrode is connected to the repair electrode through the connection hole.

[0012] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the display panel further includes a protection electrode disposed between the passivation layer and the planarization layer. A contact hole spaced from the connection hole is further formed in the passivation layer. The protection electrode is connected to the source electrode through the contact hole, a via hole communicating with the contact hole is formed in the planarization layer, and the anode is connected to the protection electrode through the via hole;

[0013] The auxiliary repair electrode and the protection electrode are on the same layer and are spaced apart.

[0014] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the display panel further includes a passivation layer, a protection electrode, and a planarization layer sequentially disposed between the source electrode and the anode. A contact hole is formed in the passivation layer, the protection electrode is connected to the source electrode through the contact hole, a via hole communicating with the contact hole is formed in the planarization layer, and the anode is connected to the protection electrode through the via hole;

[0015] For two adjacent sub-pixels, the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is disposed on the same layer as the protection electrode and extends from one end of the protection electrode toward the extension of the other sub-pixel.

[0016] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the display panel further includes an auxiliary repair electrode, which is on the same layer as the source electrode and is spaced apart therefrom. The positive projection of the auxiliary repair electrode on the plane of the substrate at least partially overlaps with the positive projection of the repair electrode on the plane of the substrate. A connection hole spaced apart from the contact hole is formed in the passivation layer, and the auxiliary repair electrode is connected to the repair electrode through the connection hole.

[0017] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the adjacent two sub-pixels have the same emission color.

[0018] The present application also provides a method for repairing a display panel as described in any one of the foregoing embodiments, which includes the following steps:

[0019] Detect whether there are dark sub-pixels among multiple sub-pixels. If there are dark sub-pixels, weld the repair electrode in the dark sub-pixel to the anode in the adjacent normal sub-pixel.

[0020] The present application also provides a display panel, which includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel includes an active layer, a source electrode, an anode, and a repair electrode disposed on a substrate. The source electrode is disposed between the active layer and the anode, and the repair electrode is connected to the source electrode and is located on the side of the active layer close to the anode;

[0021] Wherein, for two adjacent sub-pixels, the positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the substrate partially overlaps with the positive projection of the anode of the other sub-pixel on the substrate, and the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is connected to the anode of the other sub-pixel.

[0022] An embodiment of the present application provides a display device, and the display panel includes the display panel as described in any one of the foregoing embodiments.

[0023] Compared with the display panel in the prior art, the display panel provided by the present application is provided with a repair electrode in each sub-pixel. For two adjacent sub-pixels, the positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the substrate partially overlaps with the positive projection of the anode of the other sub-pixel on the substrate. When there is a dark sub-pixel in the display panel, by welding the repair electrode in the dark sub-pixel to the anode in the adjacent normal sub-pixel, the anode in the adjacent sub-pixels can drive the dark sub-pixel to emit light, and then the dark sub-pixel can be repaired into a normal sub-pixel, thereby improving the manufacturing yield of the display panel. Description of the Drawings

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. The drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic plan view of a display panel provided by the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 is Figure 1 The first schematic structural view of the display panel shown along the section line O-O'.

[0027] Figure 3 is Figure 1 The second schematic structural view of the display panel shown along the section line O-O'.

[0028] Figure 4 is Figure 1 The third schematic structural view of the display panel shown along the section line O-O'.

[0029] Figure 5 is Figure 1 The fourth schematic structural view of the display panel shown along the section line O-O'.

[0030] Figure 6 is Figure 1 The fifth schematic structural view of the display panel shown along the section line O-O'.

[0031] Figure 7 is Figure 1 The sixth schematic structural view of the display panel shown along the section line O-O'.

[0032] Figure 8 is Figure 1 The seventh schematic structural view of the display panel shown along the section line O-O'.

[0033] Figure 9 is Figure 1 The eighth schematic structural view of the display panel shown along the section line O-O'.

[0034] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural view of the repaired display panel provided by the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, it should be understood that the specific implementation manners described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present application, and are not used to limit the present application. In the present application, unless otherwise stated, the orientation words such as "upper" and "lower" usually refer to the upper and lower in the actual use or working state of the device, specifically the drawing direction in the accompanying drawings; and "inner" and "outer" refer to the outline of the device.

[0036] The present application provides a display panel, a repair method thereof, and a display device. The following will be described in detail respectively. It should be noted that in the display panel of the present application, the source electrode and the drain electrode of the thin-film transistor can be interchanged. In the present application, to distinguish the two electrodes of the thin-film transistor other than the gate electrode, one of the electrodes is referred to as the source electrode, and the other electrode is referred to as the drain electrode.

[0037] The present application provides a display panel, and the display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels; each sub-pixel includes an active layer, a source electrode, an anode, and a repair electrode disposed on a substrate; the source electrode is disposed between the active layer and the anode, the repair electrode is connected to the source electrode, and is located on the side of the active layer close to the anode; wherein, for two adjacent sub-pixels, the repair electrode of one sub-pixel and the anode of the other sub-pixel overlap in the positive projection on the substrate, and the repair electrode of one sub-pixel and the anode of the other sub-pixel are insulated.

[0038] Thus, the display panel provided by the present application is provided with a repair electrode in each sub-pixel. For two adjacent sub-pixels, the repair electrode of one sub-pixel and the anode of the other sub-pixel overlap in the positive projection on the substrate. When a dark dot sub-pixel appears in the display panel, by fusing the repair electrode in the dark dot sub-pixel with the anode in the adjacent normal sub-pixel, the anode in the adjacent sub-pixels can drive the dark dot sub-pixel to emit light, and thus the dark dot sub-pixel can be repaired into a normal sub-pixel, thereby improving the manufacturing yield of the display panel.

[0039] It should be noted that in the present application, different from the "dark dot sub-pixel", the "normal sub-pixel" refers to a sub-pixel that can emit light normally under the drive of a thin-film transistor.

[0040] The following will elaborate on the display panel provided by the present application through specific embodiments. It should be noted that the description order of the following embodiments does not limit the preferred order of the embodiments.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 andFigure 2 , in the first embodiment of the present application, a display panel 100 is provided. The display panel 100 includes a plurality of sub-pixels 1. Each sub-pixel 1 includes a thin film transistor 11, an anode 12, and a repair electrode 13 disposed on a substrate 10. The thin film transistor 11 includes a light-shielding portion 111, an active layer 112, a gate insulating layer 113, a gate 114, a source 115, and a drain 116. The source 115 is connected to the anode 12. The repair electrode 13 is connected to the source 115.

[0042] In this embodiment, each sub-pixel 1 has a light-emitting region 1A and a repair region 1B located on one side of the light-emitting region 1A. Among them, in the same sub-pixel 1, the thin film transistor 11 and the anode 12 are both located in the light-emitting region 1A. The repair electrode 13 is located in the repair region 1B. For two adjacent sub-pixels 1, the repair region 1B of one sub-pixel 1 is adjacent to the light-emitting region 1A of the other sub-pixel 1, and the light-emitting region 1A of the other sub-pixel 1 and the repair region 1B of one sub-pixel 1 have an overlapping region M, as Figure 2 shown. Among them, the repair region 1B refers to the region for repairing the dark sub-pixel when a dark sub-pixel appears in the display panel 100.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display panel 100 further includes a buffer layer 20, an interlayer insulating layer 30, a planarization layer 40, and a pixel definition layer 50. Among them, the buffer layer 20, the interlayer insulating layer 30, the planarization layer 40, and the pixel definition layer 50 are all disposed in the light-emitting region 1A and the repair region 1B.

[0044] The light-shielding portion 111 is disposed on the substrate 10. The light-shielding portion 111 can be a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, or a multi-layer structure. Specifically, the material of the light-shielding portion 111 can include one or more of molybdenum, titanium, copper, and aluminum. Exemplarily, when the light-shielding portion 111 is a double-layer structure, the light-shielding portion 111 can include a bottom layer with titanium as the light-shielding material and a top layer with copper as the light-shielding material, or the light-shielding portion 111 can also include a bottom layer with a molybdenum-titanium alloy as the light-shielding material and a top layer with copper as the light-shielding material. Among them, the thickness of the light-shielding portion 111 is 500 Å - 2000 Å, such as 500 Å, 800 Å, 1000 Å, 1200 Å, 1500 Å, 1800 Å, or 2000 Å, etc.

[0045] The buffer layer 20 is disposed on a side of the light-shielding portion 111 away from the substrate 10. The buffer layer 20 can be a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, or a multi-layer structure. Specifically, the material of the buffer layer 20 can include one or more of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and silicon oxynitride. Exemplarily, when the buffer layer 20 is a double-layer structure, the buffer layer 20 can include a bottom layer with silicon oxide as the buffer material and a top layer with silicon nitride as the buffer material. Among them, the thickness of the buffer layer 20 can be 1000 Å - 5000 Å, such as 1000 Å, 1500 Å, 2000 Å, 2500 Å, 3000 Å, 3500 Å, 4000 Å, 4500 Å, or 5000 Å, etc.

[0046] The active layer 112 is disposed on a side of the buffer layer 20 away from the light-shielding portion 111. The orthographic projection of the active layer 112 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located is located within the orthographic projection of the light-shielding portion 111 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located. The active layer 112 includes a channel 1121 and source contact portions 1122 and drain contact portions 1123 located on opposite sides of the channel 1121. Among them, the material of the active layer 112 can include one or more of IGZO, IGZTO, IGTO, IZTO, and IZO.

[0047] The gate insulating layer 113 is disposed on a side of the active layer 112 away from the buffer layer 20. In the direction from the source 115 to the drain 116, the width of the gate insulating layer 113 is slightly larger than the width of the channel 1121. The gate insulating layer 113 can be a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, or a multi-layer structure. Specifically, the material of the gate insulating layer 113 can include one or more of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and silicon oxynitride. Exemplarily, when the gate insulating layer 113 is a double-layer structure, the gate insulating layer 113 can include a bottom layer with silicon oxide as the insulating material and a top layer with silicon nitride as the insulating material. Among them, the thickness of the gate insulating layer 113 can be 500 Å - 2000 Å, such as 500 Å, 800 Å, 1000 Å, 1200 Å, 1500 Å, 1800 Å, or 2000 Å, etc.

[0048] The gate 114 is disposed on a side of the gate insulating layer 113 away from the active layer 112. The orthographic projection of the gate 114 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located overlaps with the orthographic projection of the channel 1121 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located. The gate 114 can be a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, or a multi-layer structure. Specifically, the material of the gate 114 can include one or more of molybdenum, titanium, copper, and aluminum, or the material of the gate 114 can also include an alloy composed of at least two of the above metals. Exemplarily, when the gate 114 is a double-layer structure, the gate 114 can include a bottom layer with a molybdenum-titanium alloy as the conductive material and a top layer with copper as the conductive material. Wherein, the thickness of the gate 114 is 2000 Å - 8000 Å, such as 2000 Å, 3000 Å, 4000 Å, 5000 Å, 6000 Å, 7000 Å, or 8000 Å, etc.

[0049] The interlayer insulating layer 30 is disposed on a side of the gate 114 away from the gate insulating layer 113. The interlayer insulating layer 30 can be a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, or a multi-layer structure. Specifically, the material of the interlayer insulating layer 30 can include one or more of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and silicon oxynitride. Exemplarily, when the interlayer insulating layer 30 is a double-layer structure, the interlayer insulating layer 30 can include a bottom layer with silicon oxide as the insulating material and a top layer with silicon nitride as the insulating material. Wherein, the thickness of the interlayer insulating layer 30 can be 2000 Å - 10000 Å, such as 2000 Å, 3000 Å, 4000 Å, 5000 Å, 6000 Å, 7000 Å, 8000 Å, 9000 Å, or 10000 Å, etc.

[0050] The source electrode 115 and the drain electrode 116 are disposed on a side of the interlayer insulating layer 30 away from the gate 114. The source electrode 115 is connected to the source contact portion 1122 through a via hole (not labeled in the figure). The drain electrode 116 is connected to the drain contact portion 1123 through another via hole (not labeled in the figure). Both the source electrode 115 and the drain electrode 116 can be a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, or a multi-layer structure. Specifically, the materials of the source electrode 115 and the drain electrode 116 are the same, and both can include one or more of molybdenum, titanium, copper, and aluminum, or can also include an alloy composed of at least two of the above metals. Exemplarily, when both the source electrode 115 and the drain electrode 116 are double-layer structures, both the source electrode 115 and the drain electrode 116 can include a bottom layer with a molybdenum-titanium alloy as the conductive material and a top layer with copper as the conductive material. Wherein, the thicknesses of the source electrode 115 and the drain electrode 116 are the same, both being 2000 Å - 8000 Å, such as 2000 Å, 3000 Å, 4000 Å, 5000 Å, 6000 Å, 7000 Å, or 8000 Å, etc.

[0051] In this embodiment, the repair electrode 13 is connected to the source electrode 115. In a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate 10, for two adjacent sub-pixels 1, the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 extends from one end of the source electrode 115 toward the anode 12 of the other sub-pixel 1. Among them, in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate 10, for two adjacent sub-pixels 1, the extending direction of the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 is opposite to the extending direction of the anode 12 of the adjacent other sub-pixel 1.

[0052] The planarization layer 40 is disposed on a side of the source electrode 115 away from the interlayer insulating layer 30. A via hole 401 is formed in the planarization layer 40. The via hole 401 exposes the source electrode 115. Specifically, the material of the planarization layer 40 may be an inorganic material, and the inorganic material may include one or more of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and silicon oxynitride; or, the material of the planarization layer 40 may also be an organic material, and the organic material may include an organic resin, such as an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, etc. Among them, the thickness of the planarization layer 40 may be 1000 Å - 5000 Å, such as 1000 Å, 1500 Å, 2000 Å, 2500 Å, 3000 Å, 3500 Å, 4000 Å, 4500 Å, or 5000 Å, etc.

[0053] The anode 12 is disposed on a side of the planarization layer 40 away from the source electrode 115. The anode 12 extends into the via hole 401 and is connected to the source electrode 115. Among them, the anode 12 may be a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, or a triple-layer structure. The material of the anode 12 may include one or more of ITO, IZO, Ag, Pd, Cu, Al, Ni, and La. Exemplarily, the anode 12 may be a triple-layer structure of ITO / Ag / ITO.

[0054] In this embodiment, for two adjacent sub-pixels 1, a part of the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 overlaps with the positive projection of the anode 12 of the other sub-pixel 1 on the substrate 10, and the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 is insulated from the anode 12 of the other sub-pixel 1. Specifically, the anode 12 has an extension part 121. In a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate 10, for two adjacent sub-pixels 1, the extension part 121 of one sub-pixel 1 extends toward the repair electrode 13 of the other sub-pixel 1 and is located in the repair area 1B of the other sub-pixel 1, and the extension part 121 of one sub-pixel 1 overlaps with the positive projection of the repair electrode 13 of the other sub-pixel 1 on the substrate 10.

[0055] When there are dark dot sub-pixels in the display panel 100, in the repair area 1B of the dark dot sub-pixels, the repair electrode 13 in the dark dot sub-pixels can be welded to the extension 121 of the adjacent normal sub-pixels by means of laser ablation, so that the dark dot sub-pixels can be driven to emit light by the normal sub-pixels, enabling the dark dot sub-pixels to be repaired into normal sub-pixels, improving the manufacturing yield of the display panel 100, and further improving the display quality of the display panel 100.

[0056] Further, in this embodiment, the light-emitting colors of two adjacent sub-pixels 1 in each column are the same. Under the above settings, if there are dark dot sub-pixels in the display panel 100, the repair electrode 13 in the dark dot sub-pixels can be welded to the extension 121 of the anode 12 of the adjacent normal sub-pixels 1 with the same light-emitting color. Further, for the repaired display panel 100, its display effect will not be affected under normal display conditions, so that while repairing the dark dot sub-pixels, the display quality of the display panel 100 can be ensured. In some embodiments, the light-emitting colors of two adjacent sub-pixels 1 in each row can also be set to be the same. The description of this embodiment should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0057] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, two adjacent sub-pixels 1 in each column can also be sub-pixels 1 with different light-emitting colors, which will not be elaborated here.

[0058] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the display panel 100 further includes a light-emitting layer, a cathode, and a packaging layer (not shown in the figure), and the related technologies are all existing technologies, which will not be elaborated here.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 3 , a second embodiment of the present application provides a display panel 200. The difference between the display panel 200 provided in the second embodiment of the present application and the first embodiment is that: the display panel 200 further includes a passivation layer 60 and a protection electrode 117. The passivation layer 60 is disposed on a side of the source electrode 115 away from the interlayer insulating layer 30. The protection electrode 117 is disposed between the passivation layer 60 and the planarization layer 40 and is located in the light-emitting area 1A. A contact hole 601 communicating with the via hole 401 is formed in the passivation layer 60. The protection electrode 117 is connected to the source electrode 115 through the contact hole 601, and the anode 12 is connected to the protection electrode 117 through the via hole 401.

[0060] Specifically, the contact hole 601 exposes the source electrode 115, and the protection electrode 117 extends into the contact hole 601 and is connected to the source electrode 115. The via hole 401 exposes the protection electrode 117, and the anode 12 extends into the via hole 401 and is connected to the protection electrode 117. The orthographic projection of the protection electrode 117 on the plane of the substrate 10 is located within the orthographic projection of the source electrode 115 on the plane of the substrate 10. Among them, the material of the protection electrode 117 may include one or more of molybdenum, titanium, and indium tin oxide.

[0061] In this embodiment, by providing a protection electrode 117 on the surface where the source electrode 115 contacts the anode 12, the source electrode 115 can be protected, preventing the metal material in the source electrode 115 from being oxidized, thereby improving the signal transmission stability of the source electrode 115 and enhancing the driving performance of the thin film transistor 11.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 4 , a display panel 300 is provided in the third embodiment of the present application. The difference between the display panel 300 provided in the third embodiment of the present application and the second embodiment is that: the orthographic projection of the protection electrode 117 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode 13 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located.

[0063] Specifically, the protection electrode 117 extends from the light emitting region 1A to the repair region 1B, and a passivation layer 60 is provided between the portion of the protection electrode 117 located in the repair region 1B and the repair electrode 13.

[0064] Since the protection electrode 117 is a conductive electrode, in this embodiment, by extending the protection electrode 117 above the repair electrode 13, the thickness of the conductive layer between the repair electrode 13 and the extension portion 121 is increased. Furthermore, during the repair process of the dark spots on the display panel 300, the welding probability between the repair electrode 13 and the anode 12 can be increased; in addition, since the protection electrode 117 is electrically connected to the repair electrode 13 through the source electrode 115, the above setting does not affect the normal repair of the dark spot sub-pixels.

[0065] In this embodiment, in the repair region 1B of the sub-pixel 1, the orthographic projection of the protection electrode 117 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located completely overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode 13 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located, so as to further increase the welding probability between the repair electrode 13 and the extension portion 121 of the anode 12.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 5 , a display panel 400 is provided in the fourth embodiment of the present application. The difference between the display panel 400 provided in the fourth embodiment of the present application and the third embodiment is that: a connection hole 602 spaced from the contact hole 601 is further formed in the passivation layer 60, the connection hole 602 is located in the overlapping region of the orthographic projections of the protection electrode 117 and the repair electrode 13 on the substrate 10, and the protection electrode 117 is connected to the repair electrode 13 through the connection hole 602.

[0067] Specifically, the connection hole 602 is located in the repair area 1B. The repair electrode 13 is exposed in the connection hole 602, and the protection electrode 117 extends into the connection hole 602 and is connected to the repair electrode 13. The above arrangement further increases the thickness of the conductive layer in the repair area 1B. Further, during the repair process of the dark dots of the display panel 400, the welding probability between the repair electrode 13 and the extension portion 121 can be further increased, thereby improving the success rate of repairing the dark dots of the display panel 400.

[0068] Please refer to Figure 6 , the fifth embodiment of the present application provides a display panel 500. The difference between the display panel 500 provided in the fifth embodiment of the present application and the first embodiment is that: the display panel 500 further includes a passivation layer 60 and an auxiliary repair electrode 14. The passivation layer 60 is disposed on a side of the source electrode 115 away from the interlayer insulating layer 30. The auxiliary repair electrode 14 is disposed between the passivation layer 60 and the planarization layer 40 and is located in the repair area 1B. Contact holes 601 and connection holes 602 are formed in the passivation layer 60 at intervals. The contact hole 601 communicates with the via hole 401, and the anode 12 is sequentially connected to the source electrode 115 through the via hole 401 and the contact hole 601. The auxiliary repair electrode 14 is connected to the repair electrode 13 through the connection hole 602. At least a part of the orthographic projection of the auxiliary repair electrode 14 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode 13 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located.

[0069] Among them, the repair electrode 13 is exposed in the connection hole 602, and the auxiliary repair electrode 14 extends into the connection hole 602 and is connected to the repair electrode 13.

[0070] In this embodiment, by providing the auxiliary repair electrode 14 in the repair area 1B of the sub-pixel 1, the auxiliary repair electrode 14 is located above the repair electrode 13 and is connected to the repair electrode 13. For two adjacent sub-pixels 1, since there is only a planarization layer 40 between the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 and the extension portion 121 of another sub-pixel 1, that is, the thickness of the insulating layer between the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 and the extension portion 121 of another sub-pixel 1 is reduced. Thus, during the repair process of the dark dots of the display panel 500, the reduction of the thickness of the above insulating layer can increase the welding probability between the repair electrode 13 and the extension portion 121, thereby greatly improving the success rate of repairing the dark dots of the display panel 500.

[0071] Please refer to Figure 7, the sixth embodiment of the present application provides a display panel 600. The difference between the display panel 600 provided in the fifth embodiment of the present application and the second embodiment is that: the display panel 600 further includes an auxiliary repair electrode 14, the auxiliary repair electrode 14 and the protection electrode 117 are on the same layer and are spaced apart, the auxiliary repair electrode 14 is located in the repair area 1B, and the orthographic projection of the auxiliary repair electrode 14 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode 13 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located. A connection hole 602 spaced apart from the contact hole 601 is further formed in the passivation layer 60, and the auxiliary repair electrode 14 is connected to the repair electrode 13 through the connection hole 602.

[0072] Specifically, the connection hole 602 exposes the repair electrode 13, and the auxiliary repair electrode 14 extends into the connection hole 602 and is connected to the repair electrode 13.

[0073] In this embodiment, by providing the auxiliary repair electrode 14 in the repair area 1B of the sub-pixel 1, the auxiliary repair electrode 14 is located above the repair electrode 13 and is connected to the repair electrode 13. For two adjacent sub-pixels 1, since there is only a planarization layer 40 between the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 and the extension portion 121 of the other sub-pixel 1, that is, the thickness of the insulating layer between the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 and the extension portion 121 of the other sub-pixel 1 is reduced. Thus, during the dark spot repair process of the display panel 600, the reduction of the thickness of the above-mentioned insulating layer can increase the welding probability between the repair electrode 13 and the extension portion 121, thereby greatly improving the success rate of the dark spot repair of the display panel 600.

[0074] Specifically, since the auxiliary repair electrode 14 and the protection electrode 117 are provided on the same layer, that is, the two can be prepared under the same photomask, therefore, the setting of the auxiliary repair electrode 14 in this embodiment does not increase the process cost.

[0075] Among them, the orthographic projection of the auxiliary repair electrode 14 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located completely overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode 13 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located. This setting can further increase the repair area of the repair area 1B where the dark spot sub-pixel is located, and thus is beneficial to improving the success rate of the dark spot repair of the display panel 600.

[0076] Please refer to Figure 8, a seventh embodiment of the present application provides a display panel 700. The difference between the display panel 700 provided in the seventh embodiment of the present application and the first embodiment is that: the display panel 700 further includes a passivation layer 60 and a protection electrode 117. The passivation layer 60 is disposed on a side of the source electrode 115 away from the interlayer insulating layer 30. The protection electrode 117 is disposed between the passivation layer 60 and the planarization layer 40 and is located in the light-emitting region 1A. A contact hole 601 communicating with the via hole 401 is formed in the passivation layer 60. The protection electrode 117 is connected to the source electrode 115 through the contact hole 601. The anode 12 is connected to the protection electrode 117 through the via hole 401. For two adjacent sub-pixels 1, a repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 is disposed on the same layer as the protection electrode 117 and extends from one end of the protection electrode 117 toward the extension portion 121 of the other sub-pixel 1.

[0077] Specifically, the contact hole 601 exposes the source electrode 115. The protection electrode 117 extends into the contact hole 601 and is connected to the source electrode 115. The via hole 401 exposes the protection electrode 117. The anode 12 extends into the via hole 401 and is connected to the protection electrode 117. Among them, the material of the protection electrode 117 may include one or more of molybdenum, titanium, and indium tin oxide.

[0078] In this embodiment, by disposing the protection electrode 117 on the surface where the source electrode 115 contacts the anode 12, the source electrode 115 can be protected, and the metal material in the source electrode 115 can be prevented from being oxidized, thereby improving the signal transmission stability of the source electrode 115 and improving the driving performance of the thin-film transistor 11.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 9 , an eighth embodiment of the present application provides a display panel 800. The difference between the display panel 800 provided in the eighth embodiment of the present application and the seventh embodiment is that: the display panel 800 further includes an auxiliary repair electrode 14. The auxiliary repair electrode 14 is disposed on the same layer as the source electrode 115 and at intervals. The auxiliary repair electrode 14 is located in the repair region 1B. The orthographic projection of the auxiliary repair electrode 14 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode 13 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located. A connection hole 602 spaced from the contact hole 601 is formed in the passivation layer 60. The auxiliary repair electrode 14 is connected to the repair electrode 13 through the connection hole 602.

[0080] Specifically, the connection hole 602 exposes the auxiliary repair electrode 14. The repair electrode 13 extends into the connection hole 602 and is connected to the auxiliary repair electrode 14.

[0081] In this embodiment, an auxiliary repair electrode 14 is disposed in the repair area 1B of the sub-pixel 1, and the auxiliary repair electrode 14 is located below the repair electrode 13 and connected to the repair electrode 13, thereby increasing the thickness of the conductive layer in the repair area 1B, which is beneficial to increasing the welding probability between the repair electrode 13 and the extension portion 121, so as to further improve the success rate of repairing dark spots of the display panel 800.

[0082] Specifically, since the auxiliary repair electrode 14 is disposed on the same layer as the source electrode 115, that is, the two can be prepared under the same photomask, therefore, the setting of the auxiliary repair electrode 14 in this embodiment does not increase the process cost.

[0083] Wherein, the orthographic projection of the auxiliary repair electrode 14 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located completely overlaps with the orthographic projection of the repair electrode 13 on the plane where the substrate 10 is located. This setting can further increase the repair area of the repair area 1B where the dark spot sub-pixel is located, thereby further improving the success rate of repairing dark spots of the display panel 800.

[0084] The present application also provides a method for repairing a display panel as described in any of the foregoing embodiments, which includes the following steps:

[0085] Detect whether there are dark spot sub-pixels among a plurality of the sub-pixels. If there are dark spot sub-pixels, weld the repair electrode in the dark spot sub-pixels to the anode in the adjacent normal sub-pixels.

[0086] Specifically, taking the display panel 700 described in the foregoing seventh embodiment as an example, in combination with Figure 8 , the method for repairing dark spots of the display panel 700 includes the following steps:

[0087] In the lighting test stage of the display panel 700, detect whether there are dark spot sub-pixels in the display panel 700; if there are dark spot sub-pixels, weld the repair electrode 13 in the dark spot sub-pixels to the extension portion 121 of the anode 12 in the adjacent normal sub-pixels.

[0088] Specifically, use a laser laser process to laser the repair area 1B of the dark spot sub-pixels, so that the repair electrode 13 in the dark spot sub-pixels is welded to the anode 12 in the adjacent normal sub-pixels. Since the repair electrode 13 in the dark spot sub-pixels is connected to the anode 12 through the protection electrode 117, therefore, when a voltage is applied to the anode 12 of the normal sub-pixels, the voltage applied to the anode 12 of the normal sub-pixels will be transmitted to the anode 12 of the dark spot sub-pixels through the repair electrode 13 and the protection electrode 117 in sequence, and then the dark spot sub-pixels can be driven to emit light. Thus, the dark spot sub-pixels are repaired into normal sub-pixels.

[0089] It should be noted that for the repair methods of the display panels in the foregoing other embodiments, when dark dot sub-pixels appear in the display panel, the repair methods for the dark dot sub-pixels can all refer to the description of this embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0090] Furthermore, the present application also provides a display panel. The display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel includes an active layer, a source electrode, an anode, and a repair electrode disposed on a substrate. The source electrode is disposed between the active layer and the anode. The repair electrode is connected to the source electrode and is located on the side of the active layer close to the anode. Among them, for two adjacent sub-pixels, a part of the positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the substrate overlaps with the anode of the other sub-pixel, and the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is connected to the anode of the other sub-pixel.

[0091] It should be noted that the above display panel is the structure after repairing the dark dot sub-pixels that appear in the display panel. Taking the structure after repairing when the dark dot sub-pixels appear in the display panel of the foregoing seventh embodiment as an example, the structure of the repaired display panel provided by the present application will be elaborated in detail below.

[0092] Please refer to Figure 10 , the ninth embodiment of the present application provides a display panel 900. The difference between the display panel 900 provided in the ninth embodiment of the present application and the seventh embodiment is that for two adjacent sub-pixels 1 with the same emission color, the repair electrode 13 of one sub-pixel 1 is connected to the extension portion 121 of the other sub-pixel 1.

[0093] Specifically, a repair hole 402 is provided in the planarization layer 40. The repair hole 402 is located in the repair area 1B. The extension portion 121 extends into the repair hole 402 and is connected to the repair electrode 13.

[0094] It should be noted that for the foregoing other embodiments, when dark dot sub-pixels appear in the display panel, the structures after repairing the dark dot sub-pixels can all refer to this embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0095] The present application also provides a display device. The display device can be a display product such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a television, etc. Among them, the display device includes a housing and a display panel disposed in the housing. The display panel can be the display panel described in any of the foregoing embodiments. The specific structure of the display panel can refer to the description of the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0096] The above has introduced in detail a display panel, a repair method thereof, and a display device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Specific examples are used herein to elaborate on the principle and implementation manner of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present application; at the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation manner and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, The display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel includes an active layer, a source electrode, an anode, a repair electrode, and a protection electrode disposed on a substrate. The source electrode is located between the active layer and the anode. The repair electrode is connected to the source electrode and is located on a side of the active layer close to the anode. The protection electrode is located between the source electrode and the anode. The display panel further includes a passivation layer and a planarization layer sequentially disposed between the source electrode and the anode. The protection electrode is located between the passivation layer and the planarization layer. A contact hole is formed in the passivation layer, and the protection electrode is connected to the source electrode through the contact hole. A via hole communicating with the contact hole is formed in the planarization layer, and the anode is connected to the protection electrode through the via hole. Wherein, for two adjacent sub-pixels, a positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel and a positive projection of the anode of the other sub-pixel on the substrate partially overlap, and the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is insulated from the anode of the other sub-pixel. Wherein, for two adjacent sub-pixels, a positive projection of the protection electrode of one sub-pixel on the plane of the substrate and a positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the plane of the substrate both at least partially overlap with a positive projection of the anode of the other sub-pixel on the plane of the substrate, and the repair electrode and the protection electrode of one sub-pixel are insulated from the anode of the other sub-pixel.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode has an extension portion. In a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, for two adjacent sub-pixels, the repair electrode of one sub-pixel extends toward the extension portion of the other sub-pixel, the extension portion of the other sub-pixel extends toward the repair electrode of one sub-pixel, and a positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel and a positive projection of the extension portion of the other sub-pixel on the substrate overlap.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein For two adjacent sub-pixels, the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is disposed on the same layer as the source electrode and extends from one end of the source electrode toward the extension portion of the other sub-pixel.

4. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein A connection hole spaced apart from the contact hole is further formed in the passivation layer. The connection hole is located in an overlapping region of positive projections of the protection electrode and the repair electrode on the substrate, and the protection electrode is connected to the repair electrode through the connection hole.

5. A display panel, characterized in that, The display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel includes an active layer, a source electrode, an anode, a repair electrode, and an auxiliary repair electrode disposed on a substrate. The source electrode is located between the active layer and the anode. The repair electrode is connected to the source electrode and is located on a side of the active layer close to the anode. The display panel further includes a passivation layer and a planarization layer sequentially disposed between the source electrode and the anode. The auxiliary repair electrode is located between the passivation layer and the planarization layer. A connection hole is formed in the passivation layer, and the auxiliary repair electrode is connected to the repair electrode through the connection hole. Among them, for two adjacent sub-pixels, the positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel and the anode of the other sub-pixel on the substrate partially overlap, and the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is insulated from the anode of the other sub-pixel; Among them, for two adjacent sub-pixels, the positive projection of the auxiliary repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the plane of the substrate and the positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel on the plane of the substrate both at least partially overlap with the positive projection of the anode of the other sub-pixel on the plane of the substrate, and the repair electrode and the auxiliary repair electrode of one sub-pixel are insulated from the anode of the other sub-pixel.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein The display panel further includes a protection electrode, the protection electrode is disposed between the passivation layer and the planarization layer, a contact hole spaced from the connection hole is further formed in the passivation layer, the protection electrode is connected to the source electrode through the contact hole, a via communicating with the contact hole is formed in the planarization layer, and the anode is connected to the protection electrode through the via; The auxiliary repair electrode and the protection electrode are on the same layer and are spaced apart.

7. A display panel, characterized in that, The display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels, each sub-pixel includes an active layer, a source electrode, an anode, a repair electrode, and a protection electrode disposed on a substrate, the source electrode is located between the active layer and the anode, the repair electrode is connected to the source electrode and is located on one side of the active layer close to the anode, the protection electrode is located between the source electrode and the anode; the display panel further includes a passivation layer and a planarization layer sequentially disposed between the source electrode and the anode, the protection electrode is located between the passivation layer and the planarization layer, a contact hole is formed in the passivation layer, the protection electrode is connected to the source electrode through the contact hole, a via communicating with the contact hole is formed in the planarization layer, and the anode is connected to the protection electrode through the via; Among them, for two adjacent sub-pixels, the part of the protection electrode of one sub-pixel extending toward the other sub-pixel is the repair electrode, the positive projection of the repair electrode of one sub-pixel and the anode of the other sub-pixel on the substrate partially overlap, and the repair electrode of one sub-pixel is insulated from the anode of the other sub-pixel.

8. The display panel according to claim 7, wherein The display panel further includes an auxiliary repair electrode, the auxiliary repair electrode and the source electrode are on the same layer and are spaced apart, the positive projection of the auxiliary repair electrode on the plane of the substrate at least partially overlaps with the positive projection of the repair electrode on the plane of the substrate, a connection hole spaced from the contact hole is formed in the passivation layer, and the auxiliary repair electrode is connected to the repair electrode through the connection hole.

9. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein The two adjacent sub-pixels have the same emission color.

10. A display device, characterized in that, Including the display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A repair method for a display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Including the following steps: Detect whether there are dark sub-pixels among the multiple sub-pixels. If there are dark sub-pixels, weld the repair electrode in the dark sub-pixel to the anode in the adjacent normal sub-pixel.

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