Display panel, display device and method for manufacturing a display panel

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a display panel and a display device including the display panel. The display panel includes: a substrate substrate, the substrate substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area; a touch electrode layer located on the substrate substrate, the touch electrode layer being in the display area of the substrate substrate; and a plurality of signal traces electrically connected to the touch electrode layer, the plurality of signal traces being distributed in a first area of the non-display area adjacent to the display area. The display panel further includes a plurality of outer dummy traces in a second area of the non-display area, the second area being located between the first area and the outer boundary of the non-display area, and the plurality of outer dummy traces being separated from the plurality of signal traces.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, touch technologies have been widely applied to various types of display devices, such as OLED touch display devices and LCD touch display devices, greatly improving the user experience of using display devices. A display device applying a touch technology usually includes a touch IC chip (also referred to as a touch controller) for sending a control signal to a touch electrode in the display device or receiving a sensing signal from the touch electrode to determine the user's touch position. However, for existing touch display devices, there is still a large room for improvement in touch performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An embodiment of the present invention provides a display panel, which includes: a substrate, the substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area; a touch electrode layer located on the substrate, the touch electrode layer being within the display area; and a plurality of signal traces electrically connected to the touch electrode layer, the plurality of signal traces being distributed in a first area adjacent to the display area in the non-display area. The display panel further includes a plurality of outer dummy traces in a second area of the non-display area, the second area being located between the first area and the outer boundary of the non-display area, and the plurality of outer dummy traces being separated from the plurality of signal traces.

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display panel further includes a first signal shielding line and a second signal shielding line located in the non-display area, at least a part of the first signal shielding line being between the second area and the outer boundary of the non-display area, the second signal shielding line being between the first signal shielding line and the first area, and the plurality of outer dummy traces including at least one first dummy trace between the first signal shielding line and the second signal shielding line.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first signal shielding line includes a ground wire, and the second signal shielding line is configured to receive a fixed potential or a square wave signal.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in parallel and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in parallel. The plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes intersect each other. The plurality of signal traces include a plurality of first signal traces connected to corresponding first touch electrodes and a plurality of second signal traces connected to corresponding second touch electrodes. The second signal shielding line includes a first segment and a second segment. At least a part of the extending pattern of the first segment is consistent with the extending pattern of the outermost first signal trace away from the display area among the plurality of first signal traces, and at least a part of the extending pattern of the second segment is consistent with the extending pattern of the outermost second signal trace away from the display area among the plurality of second signal traces.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the distance between the first segment and the outermost first signal trace is equal to the distance between the outermost first signal trace and its adjacent first signal trace, and the distance between the second segment and the outermost second signal trace is equal to the distance between the outermost second signal trace and its adjacent second signal trace.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate includes a bending area in the non-display area. The substrate forms a first part and a second part via the bending area. The first part includes the display area, the first area, and the second area. The plurality of outer dummy traces further includes at least one second dummy trace in the second area and adjacent to the bending area.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of signal traces, the first signal shielding line, and the second signal shielding line extend to the bending area, and the at least one second dummy trace is distributed between the first signal shielding line and the outer boundary of the non-display area.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display panel further includes at least one intermediate dummy trace between at least a part of the plurality of signal traces. The at least one intermediate dummy trace is separated from the plurality of signal traces.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in parallel and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in parallel, the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes intersect with each other, the plurality of signal traces include a plurality of first signal traces connected to corresponding first touch electrodes and a plurality of second signal traces connected to corresponding second touch electrodes, the substrate includes a bending region in the non-display area, the substrate forms a first part and a second part via the bending region, the first part includes the display area and an intermediate non-display area of the non-display area between the bending region and the display area, the plurality of first signal traces and the plurality of second signal traces extend to the intermediate non-display area, and the at least one intermediate dummy trace includes at least one third dummy trace between the plurality of first signal traces and the plurality of second signal traces and in the intermediate non-display area.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display panel further includes a touch controller, the touch controller is arranged on the second part of the substrate, and the plurality of signal traces are electrically connected to the touch controller.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, each of the first dummy traces in the at least one first dummy trace is spaced apart from each other and evenly distributed between the first signal shield line and the second signal shield line, and each of the second dummy traces in the at least one second dummy trace is spaced apart from each other and evenly distributed between the first signal shield line and the outer boundary of the non-display area.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the outer dummy trace, the signal trace, and the intermediate dummy trace includes a first metal line and a second metal line arranged above the first metal line, the display panel further includes an insulating layer between the first metal line and the second metal line, the insulating layer includes a via, and the first metal line is electrically connected to the second metal line via the via in the insulating layer.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the materials of the first metal line and the second metal line include at least one of titanium, silver, and indium tin oxide.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display panel further includes a packaging dam located on the substrate. The packaging dam is between the first signal shielding line and the outer boundary of the non-display area. The packaging dam extends around the first signal shielding line in the non-display area, and a fixed first distance is maintained between the packaging dam and the first signal shielding line. There is a second distance between the first signal shielding line and an outer dummy trace adjacent to the first signal shielding line among the plurality of outer dummy traces. The ratio of the first distance to the second distance is greater than 1 and less than 6.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate includes a rounded corner portion. The second region includes a curved region within the rounded corner portion and a straight region outside the rounded corner portion. The curved region includes a first gap, and the straight region includes a second gap. The first gap is formed by an end of an outer dummy trace within the curved region among the plurality of outer dummy traces and an outer dummy trace adjacent to the one outer dummy trace. The second gap is formed by an end of another outer dummy trace within the straight region among the plurality of outer dummy traces and an outer dummy trace adjacent to the other outer dummy trace. The area of the first gap is greater than the area of the second gap.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the average width of the signal traces far from the display area among the plurality of signal traces is greater than the average width of the signal traces close to the display area.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display panel further includes at least one crack detection line disposed on the substrate. The at least one crack detection line is located between the outer boundary of the non-display area and the first signal shielding line, and the extension pattern of the at least one crack detection line is consistent with the extension pattern of the first signal shielding line.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is a third distance between the at least one crack detection line and the first signal shielding line. The second distance between the first signal shielding line and an outer dummy trace adjacent to the first signal shielding line among the plurality of outer dummy traces is 2 to 3 times the third distance.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display panel further includes a pixel structure layer between the touch electrode layer and the substrate. The pixel structure layer includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic light-emitting layer therebetween.

[0022] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a display device including the display panel as described in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0023] By arranging the external dummy trace, the middle dummy trace or both of these dummy traces described in the embodiments of the present invention in the non-display area of the display panel, the etching uniformity in the etching process for the metal film layer during the production of the display panel can be promoted, thereby facilitating the improvement of the touch performance of the produced display panel or display device. Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1 Schematically shows a distribution diagram of signal traces and external dummy traces in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 Schematically shows a distribution diagram of signal traces and external dummy traces in a display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 Schematically shows a distribution diagram of signal shielding lines, signal traces and external dummy traces in a display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 Schematically shows Figure 3 the state after the substrate substrate in

[0028] Figure 5 Schematically shows a distribution diagram of signal shielding lines, signal traces, external dummy traces and middle dummy traces in a display panel according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 Schematically shows a distribution diagram of signal shielding lines, signal traces, external dummy traces and middle dummy traces in a display panel according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 Schematically shows the overall outline of the regions where various traces are located around the display area of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figures 8 - 10 Schematically shows Figure 7 a partial enlarged view of the region shown as Q1 in

[0032] Figure 11 Schematically shows Figure 7 an enlarged view of the region shown as Q2 in

[0033] Figure 12 Schematically shows Figure 11 a partial cross-sectional view along line D1-D2 in

[0034] Figure 13A partial cross-sectional view of a single pixel region of a display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0035] Figure 14 The process of fabricating a touch electrode layer in a display panel and various types of traces in a non-display area according to still another embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

[0036] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of specific examples. It should be understood that these exemplary embodiments described below are only for explaining and clarifying the implementation manners of some embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent the structure of an actual display panel or display device. In particular, the various types of traces shown in the respective drawings do not represent the specific patterns of the traces in an actual product, but only schematically show the positions of these traces and the relative positional relationships with other traces or regions of the display panel. Moreover, based on the embodiments described herein and the principles disclosed by these embodiments, those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in other different implementation manners, thereby obtaining additional embodiments different from the embodiments described herein, and these additional embodiments also fall within the protection scope of this patent application. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described herein do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of this patent application.

[0037] In the non-display area of a touch display device, some metal traces are usually arranged, and these metal traces electrically connect a touch controller to touch electrodes in the touch display device. These metal traces extend from the terminals of the touch controller, pass through the non-display area of the display device, and reach the touch electrode layer, and are respectively connected to the corresponding touch electrodes. The inventors of the present application have found that the process of fabricating these metal traces often leads to a reduction in the touch performance of the display device. Specifically, these metal traces located outside the display area of the display device are not evenly distributed in the non-display area. For example, for a display device having a rectangular display area, the metal traces may be distributed outside two or three of the four edges of the display area, and there are no metal traces outside one edge of the display area, or a partial area of the non-display area surrounding the rectangular display area is a blank area without metal traces. The inventors have recognized that it is difficult to ensure the etching uniformity of the metal film layer during the process of fabricating these metal traces in the non-display area, and this non-uniform etching of the metal film layer is a factor affecting the touch performance of the display device.

[0038] In view of the above technical understanding, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display panel to promote the improvement of the touch performance of a touch display device. The display panel provided according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a touch electrode layer, a plurality of signal traces, and a plurality of outer dummy traces. As Figure 1As shown, the substrate of the display panel includes a display area A and a non-display area (e.g., NA1 and NA2 shown in Figure 1 ) surrounding the display area A. The touch electrode layer is disposed on the substrate and within the display area A. The display panel further includes a plurality of signal traces and a plurality of outer dummy traces. The plurality of signal traces are electrically connected to the touch electrode layer and are distributed in a first region NA1 of the non-display area, and the first region NA1 is adjacent to the display area A. The plurality of outer dummy traces are within a second region NA2 of the non-display area, and the second region NA2 is between the first region NA1 and the outer boundary OB of the non-display area. Additionally, as shown in Figure 1 , the outer dummy traces in the second region NA2 are separated from the signal traces in the first region NA1.

[0039] The "dummy trace" mentioned in this article (including the "outer dummy trace" mentioned in the above embodiments and the "first dummy trace", "second dummy trace", "intermediate dummy trace", "third dummy trace" to be mentioned below) refers to a trace that does not play a signal transmission role during the operation of the display panel or display device. These dummy traces may not be connected to any other electrical components of the display panel or display device and do not receive any electrical signals during the operation of the display device. Or, a part or all of these dummy traces are only electrically connected to a fixed potential (e.g., ground potential). Additionally, multiple independent dummy traces can present any pattern, and the embodiments of the present invention do not impose any restrictions on the pattern of each dummy trace among various types of dummy traces and the overall pattern of multiple dummy traces.

[0040] The "outer dummy trace" mentioned in the above embodiments is relative to the "intermediate dummy trace" described in other embodiments below, and is intended to distinguish the difference in the positions of these two types of dummy traces, but there are no any restrictions on any attributes or characteristics (e.g., structure, pattern, material, etc.) of the dummy traces. As described in the above embodiments, the second region where the outer dummy trace is located is between the first region where the signal trace is located in the non-display area and the outer boundary of the non-display area, while the intermediate dummy trace is arranged between the signal traces, which will be specifically described in other embodiments below.

[0041] Figure 1 shows an example where the outer dummy trace is arranged in a corner area between the outer boundary OB of the non-display area and the first region NA1 where a plurality of signal traces are located. Figure 2 schematically shows another example of the arrangement of the outer dummy trace. As shown in Figure 2As shown, there are three second regions NA2 between the first region NA1 of the non-display area and the outer boundary OB of the non-display area. One of the second regions NA2 is above the display area A, and the other two second regions NA2 are below the display area A. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first region NA1 and the second regions NA2 together can form an annular region surrounding the display area A.

[0042] The process of forming signal traces in the non-display area generally involves an etching process of a metal film layer. For the display panel provided by the embodiments of the present invention, while manufacturing the signal traces in the non-display area, multiple outer dummy traces can be simultaneously fabricated. Together with the signal traces, these outer dummy traces enable the material of the finally formed metal traces to be more evenly distributed around the display area. Correspondingly, during the process of manufacturing the signal traces and the outer dummy traces, the etching uniformity of the metal film layer is improved, which is beneficial to improving the touch performance of the manufactured display panel or display device. The embodiments of the present invention do not impose any restrictions on the materials for manufacturing the signal traces and the outer dummy traces. The materials for manufacturing the signal traces and the outer dummy traces can be any metal, metal oxide, or metal alloy material with conductive properties, including but not limited to, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), etc.

[0043] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a signal shielding line is also provided in the non-display area of the display panel to reduce interference of the signal traces by external signals. As Figure 3 shown, the display panel includes a first signal shielding line P1 and a second signal shielding line P2 in the non-display area. At least a part of the first signal shielding line P1 is between the second region NA2 (where the first outer dummy trace DT1 is arranged) and the outer boundary OB of the non-display area, and the second signal shielding line P2 is between the first signal shielding line P1 and the first region (where the signal traces T1, T2 are arranged). According to some embodiments of the present invention, the multiple outer dummy traces arranged in the non-display area include at least one first dummy trace DT1 between the first signal shielding line P1 and the second signal shielding line P2. In Figure 3 the embodiment, the first signal shielding line P1 and the second signal shielding line P2 substantially extend around the display area A. Each of the first signal shielding line P1 and the second signal shielding line P2 can be an uninterrupted continuous trace or can be arranged to include several segments spaced from each other.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first signal shielding line P1 can include a ground wire, and the second signal shielding line P2 can be configured to receive a fixed potential or a square wave signal. As Figure 3As shown, the second signal shielding line P2 extends along the outer edge of the first region NA1 where the signal traces are located, and the first signal line P1 substantially surrounds the second signal shielding line P2, thereby providing a dual signal shielding effect for the signal traces T1 and T2 within the first region. As Figure 3 shown, a plurality of first dummy traces DT1 are formed in the relatively large gap region between the first signal shielding line P1 and the second signal shielding line P2, which can achieve the uniformity of etching the metal film layer during the process of fabricating the signal traces, the first signal shielding line P1 and the second signal shielding line P2, and promote the improvement of the touch performance of the final touch display panel or display device.

[0045] Reference Figure 4 and in combination with reference Figure 3 , according to some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate is a flexible substrate, or the substrate includes a flexible region, such that the substrate is bendable. Figure 4 Schematically shows the substrate 100 after being bent, Figure 3 shows the state of the substrate when it is not bent. The substrate 100 includes a bending region BA in the non-display area. The substrate 100 forms a first part 1A and a second part 2A via the bending region BA. The first part 1A includes a display area A, a first region NA1 and a second region NA2 of the non-display area. The plurality of outer dummy traces further includes at least one second dummy trace DT2 located in the second region NA2 and adjacent to the bending region BA. Figure 4 In [reference], AX represents the bending axis of the bending region BA. This bending axis can be parallel to a side edge of the substrate. The substrate 100 can be bent around the bending axis AX such that the second part 2A bends towards the back surface of the first part 1A, and the first part 1A and the second part 2A can form any angle, and the embodiments of the present invention do not impose any limitations thereon. In some embodiments, various IC devices including a touch controller C can be arranged on the second part 2A. Thus, in the finally formed display device, these IC devices can be hidden behind the first part 1A, and full-screen display can be achieved. In this case, the plurality of signal traces are electrically connected to the touch controller C, as Figure 3 shown.

[0046] As Figure 3 shown, in some embodiments, the plurality of signal traces T1, T2, the first signal shielding line P1 and the second signal shielding line P2 extend to the bending region BA, and the plurality of outer dummy traces (the second dummy trace DT2) are respectively distributed between the first signal shielding line P1 and the outer boundary OB of the non-display area. In Figure 3In the example, multiple second dummy traces DT2 are located between the display area A and the bending area BA. The multiple second dummy traces DT2 here can achieve a function similar to that of the first dummy trace DT1 in the foregoing embodiment, that is, it can promote the uniformity of the etching of the metal film layer during the production of the signal trace, the first signal shielding line P1, and the second signal shielding line P2, which is beneficial to improving the touch performance of the touch display panel or the display device. In addition, since the area where the second dummy trace DT2 is located is close to the bending area BA and is at the side edge area of the substrate, these second dummy traces DT2 can also reduce the risk of the film layer in the side edge area of the display panel detaching from the substrate and improve the structural stability of the display panel.

[0047] The signal trace T1 and the signal trace T2 mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention represent signal traces connected to different touch electrodes in the touch electrode layer. For example, the signal trace T1 can be connected to the transmitting electrode in the touch electrode layer, and the signal trace T2 can be connected to the receiving electrode in the touch electrode layer. The transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode can generate a mutual capacitance. During the operation of the touch display device, the touch controller can transmit a control signal to the transmitting electrode and receive a sensing signal from the receiving electrode. Thus, the touch position of the user can be determined based on the change in the mutual capacitance. Of course, the touch electrodes in the touch electrode layer can also be structured based on the self-capacitance sensing principle. The specific arrangement and structure of the touch electrodes in the touch electrode layer are not the focus and key of the present invention and will not be elaborated here.

[0048] According to the implementation of the present invention, each of the multiple first dummy traces is independent of each other, and each of the multiple second dummy traces is also independent of each other. They can be evenly distributed in the corresponding area of the non-display area to further facilitate the uniformity of the etching of the metal film layer. As Figure 3 shown, each of the first dummy traces DT1 is spaced apart from each other and evenly distributed between the first signal shielding line P1 and the second signal shielding line P2, and each of the second dummy traces DT2 is spaced apart from each other and evenly distributed between the first signal shielding line P1 and the outer boundary OB of the non-display area. Figure 3 also schematically shows the area F where the encapsulation dam is located on the substrate. In this embodiment, the second dummy trace DT2 can be located between the bending area BA and the area F where the encapsulation dam is located.

[0049] In Figure 3In an embodiment, the spacing between each of the plurality of first dummy traces DT1 is equal to the spacing between the second signal shielding line P2 and the second signal trace T2 closest to the second signal shielding line P2 among the plurality of second signal traces T2. Further, the width of the first dummy trace closest to the first signal shielding line P1 among the plurality of first dummy traces DT1 is equal to the width of the first signal shielding line P1, and the width of the first dummy trace closest to the second signal shielding line P2 among the plurality of first dummy traces DT1 is equal to the width of the second signal shielding line P2. Thus, it is beneficial to achieve the uniformity of the overall distribution of the plurality of first dummy traces DT1, the first signal shielding line P1, the second signal shielding line P2, and the plurality of second signal traces T2, and further promote the etching uniformity of the metal film layer. It can be understood that the "equal to" or "equal" mentioned herein does not limit or pursue equality or equivalence in an absolute sense, but means that the values of the two parameters are made as close or equal as possible. For example, the difference between the spacing between each of the first dummy traces DT1 and the spacing between the second signal shielding line P2 and the second signal trace T2 closest to the second signal shielding line P2 may be within 5% of the spacing between each of the first dummy traces DT1.

[0050] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in parallel and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in parallel, and the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes intersect each other. Then refer to Figure 3 , the plurality of signal traces include a plurality of first signal traces T1 respectively connected to corresponding first touch electrodes and a plurality of second signal traces T2 respectively connected to corresponding second touch electrodes, and the second signal shielding line P2 includes a first segment P21 and a second segment P22. The extending pattern of the first segment P21 is consistent with the extending pattern of the outermost first signal trace T1 away from the display area A among the plurality of first signal traces, and the extending pattern of the second segment P22 is consistent with the extending pattern of the outermost second signal trace away from the display area among the plurality of second signal traces T2. Further, in some embodiments, the spacing between the first segment P21 and the outermost first signal trace is equal to the spacing between the outermost first signal trace and its adjacent first signal trace, and the spacing between the second segment P22 and the outermost second signal trace is equal to the spacing between the outermost second signal trace and its adjacent second signal trace. Similarly, this arrangement of the second signal shielding line is beneficial to promoting the etching uniformity of the metal film layer. In Figure 3 's example, the first segment P21 and the second segment P22 are separated from each other. In other embodiments, the first segment P21 and the second segment P22 may be connected to each other to form an integral second signal shielding line.

[0051] Although Figures 1 - 3In an exemplary embodiment, each touch electrode in the touch electrode layer is shown as being connected to only one signal trace. For example, Figure 3 the signal trace T1 in Figure 3 can be connected to the transmitting electrode in the touch electrode layer, and the signal trace T2 can be connected to the receiving electrode in the touch electrode layer. However, this does not impose any limitation on the embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment, each touch electrode can be connected to two signal traces. For example, as Figure 5 shown, both ends (the upper end and the lower end) of each transmitting electrode in the touch electrode layer are respectively connected to the signal trace T11 and the signal trace T12, and each receiving electrode is connected to the signal trace T2. Of course, in other embodiments, each receiving electrode can be connected to two signal traces, or each transmitting electrode and each receiving electrode can be connected to two signal traces. In short, the embodiments of the present invention do not impose any specific limitations on the layout of the touch electrodes and signal traces in the touch electrode layer and the connection manner between the touch electrodes and the signal traces. The technical measure of using dummy traces to improve the touch performance of the touch display device disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention is not limited by the connection manner between the touch electrodes and the signal traces.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the display panel further includes at least one intermediate dummy trace disposed between the multiple signal traces, and these intermediate dummy traces are separated from the multiple signal traces. The intermediate dummy traces mentioned herein can be disposed between the multiple first signal traces described above, or can be disposed between the multiple signal traces described above, or can also be disposed between the first signal trace and the second signal trace. Next, referring to Figure 5 Figure 5 , multiple intermediate dummy traces DT3 are formed between the signal trace T2 and the signal trace T12. That is to say, in a case where there is a large gap between the signal trace T12 connected to the transmitting electrode and the signal trace T2 connected to the receiving electrode, additional dummy traces (i.e., intermediate dummy traces DT3) can be formed therebetween. Similarly, intermediate dummy traces can be disposed in the gaps between other signal traces. For example, intermediate dummy traces can be formed in the gaps between different signal traces connected to the same type of touch electrodes. As Figure 6As shown, the intermediate dummy trace DT3 is shown to be able to exist between the signal traces T1 connected to the transmitting electrodes, between the signal traces T2 connected to the receiving electrodes, and between the signal trace T1 and the signal trace T2. That is, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate dummy trace can be arranged between any two of the multiple signal traces. These intermediate dummy traces DT3 can achieve at least partially similar functions to the first dummy trace DT1 and the second dummy trace DT2 in the foregoing embodiments, that is, they can promote the uniformity of the etching of the metal film layer during the production of the signal traces, thereby facilitating the improvement of the touch performance of the touch display panel or the display device. As described above, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate includes a bending area in the non-display area, and the substrate forms a first part and a second part via the bending area, as Figure 3 and 4 shown. The first part includes the display area and the intermediate non-display area of the non-display area between the bending area and the display area (as Figure 3 shown, the non-display area between the display area A and the bending area BA can be called the intermediate non-display area), and multiple first signal traces and multiple second signal traces can extend to the bending area. As Figure 3 shown, in some embodiments, the at least one intermediate dummy trace includes at least one third dummy trace DT3 that is between the multiple first signal traces T1 and the multiple second signal traces T2 and in the intermediate non-display area. The third dummy trace DT3 in this embodiment can play a role similar to the second dummy trace DT2 in the foregoing embodiments, which can promote the uniformity of the etching of the metal film layer during the production of the signal traces, the first signal shielding line P1, and the second signal shielding line P2, and is beneficial to improving the touch performance of the touch display panel or the display device. In addition, since the third dummy traces DT3 are close to the bending area BA, these third dummy traces DT3 can also reduce the risk of the film layer near the bending area of the display panel detaching from the substrate and improve the structural stability of the display panel. Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the material of the second signal shielding line can be arranged between the multiple first signal traces T1 and the adjacent third dummy trace DT3, and the material of the second signal shielding line can also be arranged between the multiple first signal traces T2 and the adjacent third dummy trace DT3. In other words, the second signal shielding line can extend to both sides of the multiple first signal traces T1 or the multiple second signal traces T2 in the intermediate non-display area.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the signal trace, dummy trace, and signal shielding line may include more than two metal lines, which are electrically connected to each other but distributed in different layers to facilitate reducing the overall resistance of the trace. In one example, each of the signal traces T1, T2 and each of the dummy traces DT1, DT2, DT3 includes a first metal line and a second metal line disposed above the first metal line. The display panel further includes an insulating layer between the first metal line and the second metal line. The insulating layer includes vias, and the first metal line is electrically connected to the second metal line via the vias in the insulating layer.

[0054] Next, examples of the signal trace, outer dummy trace, first signal shielding line, and second signal shielding line in the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in conjunction with Figures 7 - 11 FIG.

[0055] Figure 7 illustrates the overall outline of the regions where various traces are located around the display area of the display panel. Figure 8 FIG. Figure 7 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the Q1 region of Figure 8 As shown, the first signal shielding line P1 (ground wire GND in this example) is disposed outside the signal traces T1, T2, and two segments of the second signal shielding line P2 are respectively adjacent to the first signal trace T1 and the second signal trace T2 to reduce or avoid external signal interference with the first signal trace T1 and the second signal trace T2. Multiple outer dummy traces (identified as Dummy Trace in Figure 8 FIG. Figure 8 are disposed between the first signal shielding line P1 and the second signal shielding line P2. Figure 7 FIG.

[0056] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the encapsulation dam extends around the first signal shielding line in the non-display area, and a fixed first distance is maintained between the encapsulation dam and the first signal shielding line. There is a second distance between the first signal shielding line and the outer dummy trace adjacent to the first signal shielding line among the plurality of outer dummy traces, and the ratio of the first distance to the second distance is greater than 1 and less than 6. For example, in combination with Figure 7 Reference Figure 8 , the distance a between the first signal shielding line P1 and the encapsulation dam Dam1 in a certain area of the upper right rounded corner of the display panel is equal to the distance b between the first signal shielding line P1 and the encapsulation dam Dam1 in the flat area at the top of the display panel. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first distance between the first signal shielding line and the encapsulation dam is greater than the second distance between the first signal shielding line and the outer dummy trace adjacent to the first signal shielding line. In one example, the ratio between the above-mentioned first distance and the second distance can be in the range of 1 to 6. As Figure 8 shown, the distance a or b between the first signal shielding line P1 and the encapsulation dam Dam1 can be 40μm - 170μm, and the second distance d between the first signal shielding line P1 and the outer dummy trace adjacent to the first signal shielding line P1 can be 30μm - 40μm. In another example, the distance a or b between the first signal shielding line P1 and the encapsulation dam Dam1 can be 75μm - 120μm or 75μm - 130μm.

[0057] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the width of the first signal shielding line P1 is greater than the width of the second signal shielding line P2. The width of the first signal shielding line P1 can be 3 - 5 times the width of the second signal shielding line P2. In Figure 8 the example, the second signal shielding line P2 has a width of 3μm - 5μm, while the first signal shielding line has a width of approximately 15μm.

[0058] In Figure 9 , not only are multiple signal traces T1, T2, outer dummy traces Dummy Trace, the first signal shielding line P1, and the second signal shielding line P2 shown, but also a touch electrode including a plurality of touch electrode blocks E is illustrated. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in parallel and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in parallel, and the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes cross each other. Each first touch electrode and each second touch electrode may include a plurality of touch electrode blocks spaced apart from each other, and two adjacent touch electrode blocks among the plurality of touch electrode blocks are connected to each other via a bridging layer. Figure 9 Illustrated are a plurality of touch electrode blocks, and one row or one column of touch electrode blocks are connected via a bridging layer ( Figure 7are not shown) are electrically connected to each other to form a first touch electrode or a second touch electrode. The first touch electrode or the second touch electrode mentioned here may be the aforementioned transmitting electrode or receiving electrode. As Figure 9 shown, the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode formed by the touch electrode block E are respectively connected to the first signal trace T1 or the second signal trace T2. In some embodiments, the touch electrode block E may be made of the same material as the aforementioned second metal wire and in the same process. The layer where the touch electrode block E and the second metal wire are located is Figure 9 identified as Metal2 Layer in

[0059] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate also includes at least one crack detection line disposed on the substrate. In Figure 9 the example, the crack detection line PCD is located between the outer boundary of the non-display area and the first signal shielding line P1. The crack detection line PCD can surround the first signal shielding line P1, and its extending pattern can be consistent with the extending pattern of the first signal shielding line P1. During the process of manufacturing the display panel, it may involve cutting or similar mechanical processes on the substrate, for example, cutting out multiple display panel units based on the made mother board, or removing unnecessary outer edge parts of the display panel. During the mechanical cutting process, cracks may occur at the cut of the display panel or the substrate. The crack detection line PCD can at least prevent the cracks from damaging the display panel, or rather, with the crack detection line, the cracks can stop at the crack detection line and will not further extend towards the display area. In some embodiments, the crack detection line PCD can be made in the same process as the aforementioned touch electrode block E and the second metal wire, that is, the layer where the crack detection line is located is Figure 9 also identified as Metal2Layer in

[0060] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the third distance between the crack detection line and the first signal shielding line P1 is less than the aforementioned second distance d (i.e., the second distance between the first signal shielding line P1 and the outer dummy trace adjacent to the first signal shielding line P1). In an example, the second distance between the first signal shielding line P1 and the outer dummy trace adjacent to the first signal shielding line P1 is 2-3 times the aforementioned third distance. As previously mentioned, when the second distance d can be 30μm - 40μm, the third distance between the crack detection line PCD and the first signal shielding line P1 is about 14μm.

[0061] Furthermore, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the display panel includes two crack detection lines, as Figure 9As shown. The extension patterns of these two crack detection lines are the same, can be consistent with the first signal shielding line P1, and the spacing between these two crack detection lines remains approximately constant. In some embodiments, each crack detection line may have a width of 4 μm, and a spacing of about 15 μm may be maintained between the two crack detection lines.

[0062] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate includes a rounded corner portion, the second region includes a curved region within the rounded corner portion and a straight region outside the rounded corner portion, the curved region includes a first void, and the straight region includes a second void. The first void is formed by the end of one dummy trace within the curved region among the plurality of outer dummy traces and the adjacent dummy trace, and the second void is formed by the end of another dummy trace within the straight region among the plurality of outer dummy traces and the adjacent dummy trace, and the area of the first void is larger than the area of the second void.

[0063] Continue to refer to Figure 7 and Figure 9 , some of the plurality of outer dummy traces in the non-display area can enclose small voids, and these small voids can be related to the ends of a certain or certain dummy traces. Figure 9 Schematically shows voids S1 and S2 formed by the ends of two outer dummy traces respectively enclosing with other outer dummy traces. Figure 9 The voids S1 and S2 schematically shown in can respectively correspond to the above-mentioned first void S1 and second void S2. The first void S1 is formed by the end of one outer dummy trace DTa within the curved region among the plurality of outer dummy traces Dummy Trace and the adjacent dummy trace, and the second void S2 is formed by the end of another outer dummy trace DTb within the straight region among the plurality of outer dummy traces Dummy Trace and the adjacent dummy trace, and the area of the first void S1 is larger than the area of the second void S2. Voids such as the first void and the second void between the outer dummy traces can effectively prevent or reduce the influence of static electricity that may accumulate at the ends of the outer dummy traces on other outer dummy traces. As Figure 9 shown, the end of the first outer dummy trace DTa in the curved region is approximately conical in shape, so that the area of the first void S1 is larger, which is convenient for the fabrication of the outer dummy traces in the curved region, and at the same time can also prevent or reduce the adverse effects caused by static electricity that may accumulate at the ends of the outer dummy traces.

[0064] Figure 10 shows the first metal wire mentioned in the above example. The first metal wire can be below the second metal wire. In Figure 10Among them, the layer where the first metal line is located is identified as Metal1 Layer. The above-mentioned bridging layer ( Figure 10 not shown in the figure) can be made of the same material as the first metal line and in the same process. Thus, it can be understood that Figure 9 also represents the routing layout of a part in Metal2 Layer.

[0065] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the materials used to make the first metal line and the second metal line include at least one of titanium, silver, and indium tin oxide. In one example, at least one of the first metal line and the second metal line includes an aluminum layer and titanium layers on both sides of the aluminum layer. Alternatively, at least one of the first metal line and the second metal line includes a silver layer and indium tin oxide layers on both sides of the silver layer. Thus, the first metal line can include a three-layer metal structure of Ti / Al / Ti or ITO / Ag / ITO, and similarly, the second metal line can also include a three-layer metal structure of Ti / Al / Ti or ITO / Ag / ITO.

[0066] Figure 11 illustrates Figure 7 a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the two Q2 regions shown, that is, Figure 11 can be regarded as Figure 7 the enlarged schematic diagram after merging the two Q2 regions in. Combining Figure 7 , Figure 11 and Figure 4 , Figure 11 the non-display area shown is still located in the first part 1A of the substrate, and the bending part BA of the substrate is not shown in Figure 11 . If the substrate is in a flat state, the bending part can be located directly below the area shown in Figure 11 . As shown in Figure 11 , a plurality of outer dummy traces DT2 (i.e., the second dummy traces mentioned in the foregoing embodiments) are distributed in the second region, and are located on both sides of a plurality of signal traces and outside the first signal shielding line P1 (for example, the GND line), as shown by the rectangular dashed box in Figure 11 . As described above, adding the production of the second dummy trace DT2 in the process of manufacturing the display panel can promote the uniformity of the etching of the metal film layer, which is beneficial to improving the touch performance of the touch display panel or the display device. At the same time, since the second dummy trace DT2 is close to the bending area, it can also reduce the risk that the film layer in its area and the adjacent area detaches from the substrate during the bending process of the substrate, and improve the structural stability of the display panel.

[0067] As described above, in some embodiments of the present invention, each trace including the signal trace includes a double-layer metal line to reduce the resistance of the signal trace and facilitate the manufacturing process of various traces and the touch electrode layer. In some embodiments, the first metal lines of the signal traces in different regions may be made of different materials, or the first metal lines in the signal traces of different regions may be completed in different manufacturing processes. For example, for a bendable display panel, the substrate is formed into a first part and a second part via a bending region, and the first part includes an intermediate non-display region of the non-display region between the bending region and the display region. Figure 11 can be regarded as an example of a partial schematic diagram of the intermediate non-display region. As Figure 11 shown, SD may represent a structure that is on the same layer as the source or drain of the thin-film transistor in the display region of the display panel but is isolated from each other, that is, the source-drain signal line mentioned in this article. In some embodiments, the source-drain signal line SD and a part of the outer dummy trace (for example, Figure 11 the second dummy trace DT2 shown in) have at least a partial overlapping area and are insulated from each other. Further, the source-drain signal line SD may have at least a partial overlapping area with at least a part of the signal trace and be insulated from each other.

[0068] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the display panel further includes a transfer electrode for electrically connecting the pixel electrode (for example, the anode of the organic light-emitting device of the OLED display panel) and the source or drain of the thin-film transistor. In this case, Figure 11 SD in can represent a structure that is on the same layer as the transfer electrode and is separated from each other, that is, the transfer electrode signal line mentioned in this article. In some embodiments, the transfer electrode signal line and at least a part of the outer dummy trace have at least a partial overlapping area and are insulated from each other. Further, the transfer electrode signal line SD and at least a part of the signal trace have at least a partial overlapping area and are insulated from each other. In some embodiments, as Figure 11 shown, the source-drain signal line SD or the transfer electrode signal line SD is also provided with a plurality of openings for releasing the gas of the lower film layer. At least one opening has at least a partial overlapping area with at least a part of the outer dummy trace. Further, at least one opening has at least a partial overlapping area with at least a part of the signal trace.

[0069] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the above-mentioned bending region, at least one type of trace among various traces including the signal trace can be realized by means of other conductive structures of the display panel. For example, the display panel may include a pixel electrode and a thin-film transistor for driving the pixel of the display panel to emit light, and the above-mentioned source-drain signal line formed in the same process as the source and drain of the thin-film transistor in the pixel driving circuit of the display panel can serve as the signal trace. Refer to Figure 11 and 12 , Figure 12is schematically shown Figure 11 a cross-sectional view along the D1-D2 direction of a region in the middle non-display area adjacent to the bending area in Figure 11 , where M2 represents the second metal line and SD represents the source-drain signal line serving as the first metal line. According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the bending area, the above-mentioned other conductive structures in the display panel can be used as the above-mentioned various wiring lines. Therefore, the second metal line and the first metal line may not extend into the bending area. When the other conductive structure extends to, for example, the second part in the bending area, it can be electrically connected to the second metal line in the second part. That is to say, in the second part, various wiring lines including signal wiring lines can have Figure 7 a structure similar to the signal wiring line in the Q1 area in Figure 7 , that is, including a first metal line and a second metal line electrically connected to each other.

[0070] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the display panel further includes a transfer electrode for electrically connecting the pixel electrode and the source or drain of the thin-film transistor, and a transfer electrode signal line formed in the same manufacturing process as the transfer electrode. Similarly, the transfer electrode signal line can be used as various wiring lines in the bending area. Therefore, in the area of the middle non-display area close to the bending area, the transfer electrode signal line is electrically connected to the second metal line through a via hole penetrating the second insulating layer above it, which can also be schematically shown by Figure 12 In the bending area, the transfer electrode signal line can be used as various wiring lines. At this time, neither the second metal line nor the first metal line extends into the bending area. When the transfer electrode signal line extends to, for example, the second part in the bending area, it can be electrically connected to the second metal line in the second part. Similarly, in the second part, various wiring lines including signal wiring lines can have Figure 7 a structure similar to the signal wiring line in the Q1 area in Figure 7 , that is, including a first metal line and a second metal line electrically connected to each other.

[0071] Figure 13 is schematically shown a partial cross-sectional view of a display panel including a transfer electrode. As Figure 13 shown, the display panel includes a substrate 100 and a pixel driving circuit and a light-emitting device located on the substrate. The pixel driving circuit may include a thin-film transistor and a capacitor. The capacitor includes a first capacitor electrode 112 and a second capacitor electrode 113. The thin-film transistor includes an active layer 108, a gate 109, a source 110, and a drain 111. The light-emitting device includes an anode 1141, a light-emitting functional layer 1142, and a cathode 1143. As Figure 13 shown, the display panel further includes a transfer electrode 121 between the source 110 and the anode 1141. The transfer electrode 121 penetrates the insulating layer to electrically connect the pixel electrode (for example, the anode 1141) to the source 110. For Figure 13The shown display panel can form the above-mentioned transfer electrode signal line during the process of manufacturing the transfer electrode 121, and this transfer electrode signal line can serve as the first metal line in the above-mentioned middle non-display area. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the display panel may include a pixel driving circuit, the pixel driving circuit includes a capacitor, the capacitor includes capacitive electrodes, such as Figure 13 the first capacitive electrode 112 and the second capacitive electrode 113 in

[0072] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the other conductive structures mentioned above may include a conductive structure formed on the same layer as the gate or a capacitive signal line, or may be a combination of the various conductive structures mentioned above. For example, the capacitive signal line and the transfer electrode signal line can together serve as the signal trace in the bending area, or the transfer electrode signal line can only play an electrical connection role in the area of the middle non-display area adjacent to the bending area and not serve as a signal trace. The various traces including the signal trace in the bending area can be designed according to requirements and are not limited here. As mentioned above, the bending area is located Figure 11 below the area where the lines D1 - D2 shown are located, which is not shown here again.

[0073] The "source-drain signal line", "transfer electrode signal line", and "capacitive signal line" mentioned in this article do not refer to the source-drain transfer electrode or the capacitor itself, but respectively refer to the signal lines formed on the non-display area of the substrate together with the source-drain, transfer electrode, or capacitor electrode during the process of manufacturing the source-drain, transfer electrode, and capacitor. Therefore, they have the same material as the source-drain, transfer electrode, or capacitive electrode, but are not connected to the source-drain, transfer electrode, or capacitive electrode.

[0074] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first metal line in the above-mentioned middle non-display area may include at least one of the transfer electrode signal line, the source-drain signal line, and the capacitive signal line. Or rather, any two or more of the transfer electrode signal line, the source-drain signal line, and the capacitive signal line can simultaneously serve as the first metal line. For example, the first metal line in the middle non-display area may include the source-drain signal line and the transfer electrode signal line, or may include the transfer electrode signal line and the capacitive signal line.

[0075] In some embodiments, the width of each signal routing line T1, T2 extending from the touch controller to the touch electrode layer of the display area is not constant. For example, the width of the portion of each signal routing line close to the touch controller is smaller than the width of the portion away from the touch controller. This is because the space near the touch controller for laying out the signal routing line is smaller than the wiring space in the area away from the touch controller. For example, the signal routing line can be gradually widened from the touch controller to the touch electrode layer, so that the overall resistance of the signal routing line can be reduced. In some embodiments, there are also differences in the widths of different signal routing lines among the multiple signal routing lines. For example, the signal routing lines can be arranged so that the farther away from the display area, the greater the width. In other words, the average width of the signal routing lines away from the display area among the multiple signal routing lines is greater than the average width of the signal routing lines close to the display area. In this way, on the one hand, the relatively abundant wiring space in the area relatively far from the display area can be fully utilized to reduce the resistance of a single signal routing line. On the other hand, it is also beneficial to reduce the difference in overall resistance between different signal routing lines, because the wider average width of the signal routing lines that are far away from the display area and are on the outermost side can compensate to a certain extent for the increase in resistance caused by the longer extension length of the signal routing lines. In one example, the width of the portion of each signal line away from the touch controller can vary between 3 microns and 50 microns. If the width of the signal line is too large, the effect of reducing the overall resistance of the signal line is gradually reduced, and it is easy to form a large capacitance with other components of the display device (for example, the cathode in the OLED display panel), which is not conducive to the touch performance of the display device. For the embodiments of the present invention, by setting a certain number of dummy lines, it is beneficial to achieve uniform etching of the metal film layer in the process of making the signal line, thereby improving the touch performance of the touch display panel or display device. At the same time, it also allows a reasonable larger width of the signal line to be achieved, minimizing the resistance difference between different signal lines as much as possible.

[0076] The display panel mentioned in the above embodiment can be various types of display panels, including but not limited to, for example, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, etc. In the case of an OLED display panel, the above touch electrode layer can be made above the light emitting layer. That is to say, the display panel also includes a pixel structure layer between the touch electrode layer and the base substrate, and the pixel structure layer includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic light emitting layer therebetween.

[0077] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a display device, which includes the display panel described in the above embodiment. The present invention does not impose any limitation on the type or use of the display device. The display device may be any electronic device or component having a display function. Examples of the display device include, but are not limited to, mobile electronic devices, navigators, watches, printers, computers, palmtop computers, televisions, and the like.

[0078] Another embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a display panel, which may include the following steps: B1. Providing a substrate, where the substrate includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area; B2. Forming a touch electrode layer in the display area of the substrate; B3. Forming a plurality of signal traces in a first area adjacent to the display area in the non-display area, where the plurality of signal traces are electrically connected to the touch electrode layer; B4. Forming a plurality of outer dummy traces in a second area of the non-display area, where the second area is between the first area and the outer boundary of the non-display area, and the plurality of outer dummy traces are separated from the plurality of signal traces.

[0079] The steps B1 - B4 listed in the above embodiment do not mean that these steps must be completed sequentially or in different process processes, but only mean that the method for manufacturing a display panel described in this embodiment involves the above steps B1 - B4. For example, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the above steps B2, B3, and B4 may be performed in the same process, that is, the touch electrode layer, the signal traces, and the outer dummy traces may be completed in the same manufacturing process.

[0080] As described above, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in parallel and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in parallel, and the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes intersect each other. Each first touch electrode and each second touch electrode include a plurality of touch electrode blocks spaced apart from each other, and two adjacent touch electrode blocks among the plurality of touch electrode blocks are connected to each other via a bridging layer, where each signal trace and each outer dummy trace include a first metal line and a second metal line electrically connected to each other. In this case, manufacturing the touch electrode layer, the plurality of signal traces, and the plurality of outer dummy traces includes: forming a first insulating layer on the substrate; forming a first metal layer on the first insulating layer and patterning the first metal layer to form the bridging layer and the first metal line; forming a patterned second insulating layer on the bridging layer and the first metal line; manufacturing a patterned second metal layer on the patterned second insulating layer to form the plurality of touch electrode blocks and the second metal line, and the second metal line is connected to the first metal line via a via in the patterned second insulating layer.

[0081] In an embodiment where the display panel further includes the first signal shielding line and the second signal shielding line in the non-display area described above, the method of manufacturing the display panel further includes: forming the first signal shielding line and the second signal shielding line during the process of manufacturing the plurality of signal traces and the plurality of outer dummy traces based on the first metal layer and the second metal layer. That is to say, the first signal shielding line, the second signal shielding line, the outer dummy traces, the signal traces, and the touch electrode layer can all be manufactured in the same manufacturing process.

[0082] Further, in a case where the display panel further includes the intermediate dummy traces described in the foregoing embodiments, these intermediate dummy traces can be formed together during the process of manufacturing the outer dummy traces, the signal traces, and the touch electrode layer.

[0083] According to some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the first signal shielding line, the second signal shielding line, the outer dummy traces, the signal traces, and the intermediate dummy traces includes a double-layer trace (i.e., the first metal line and the second metal line described above). For the sake of simplicity, the process of manufacturing the above-mentioned first signal shielding line, second signal shielding line, outer dummy traces, and signal traces will be generally described below in conjunction with Figure 14 an example. As Figure 14 shown, in step S1, a substrate is provided, and some necessary components of the display panel can be manufactured on the substrate. For example, for an OLED display panel, a pixel driving circuit and a pixel structure layer (for example, including an anode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode) can be manufactured on the substrate. In step S2, a first insulating layer IN1 is formed on the substrate, and the material for forming the first insulating layer IN1 includes but is not limited to SiNx. In step S3, a patterned first metal layer M1 is formed on the first insulating layer IN1 using a conductive material, and the material for the first metal layer M1 includes but is not limited to titanium, aluminum, silver, indium tin oxide, and any combination of these materials, etc. The pattern of the first metal layer M1 can include the pattern of the first metal line and the pattern of the bridging layer described in the foregoing embodiments. In step S4, a second insulating layer IN2 is formed and patterned so that some vias exposing the first metal layer M1 are formed in the second insulating layer IN2. In step S5, a second metal layer M2 is formed on the patterned second insulating layer IN2 and patterned. The pattern of the second metal layer M2 can include the pattern of the second metal line and the pattern of the touch electrode block described in the foregoing embodiments. In step S6, a protective layer PL is formed on the patterned second metal layer M2, and the material for the protective layer PL includes but is not limited to polyimide.

[0084] Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments based on the study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements. Although some features are recited in different dependent claims, the present invention also intends to cover embodiments in which these features are combined together.

Claims

1. A display panel, comprising: a substrate substrate, the substrate substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area; a touch electrode layer located on the substrate substrate, the touch electrode layer being within the display area; and a plurality of signal traces electrically connected to the touch electrode layer, the plurality of signal traces being distributed in a first area adjacent to the display area in the non-display area, wherein the display panel further includes a plurality of outer dummy traces in a second area of the non-display area, the second area being located between the first area and the outer boundary of the non-display area, wherein the plurality of outer dummy traces are separated from the plurality of signal traces, wherein the substrate substrate includes a bending area within the non-display area, the substrate substrate forming a first part and a second part via the bending area, wherein the first part includes the display area, the first area, and the second area, and wherein the plurality of outer dummy traces include at least one second dummy trace within the second area and adjacent to the bending area.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the display panel further includes a first signal shielding line and a second signal shielding line within the non-display area, at least a part of the first signal shielding line being between the second area and the outer boundary of the non-display area, the second signal shielding line being between the first signal shielding line and the first area, wherein the plurality of outer dummy traces further include at least one first dummy trace between the first signal shielding line and the second signal shielding line, and wherein the first signal shielding line includes a ground line and the second signal shielding line is configured to receive a fixed potential or a square wave signal.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in parallel and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in parallel, the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes intersecting each other, and wherein the plurality of signal traces include a plurality of first signal traces connected to the corresponding first touch electrodes and a plurality of second signal traces connected to the corresponding second touch electrodes, and the second signal shielding line includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the extending pattern of at least a part of the first segment is consistent with the extending pattern of the outermost first signal trace away from the display area among the plurality of first signal traces, and the extending pattern of at least a part of the second segment is consistent with the extending pattern of the outermost second signal trace away from the display area among the plurality of second signal traces.

4. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the first segment and the outermost first signal trace is equal to the distance between the outermost first signal trace and its adjacent first signal trace, and the distance between the second segment and the outermost second signal trace is equal to the distance between the outermost second signal trace and its adjacent second signal trace.

5. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of signal traces, the first signal shielding line, and the second signal shielding line extend to the bending region, and wherein the at least one second dummy trace is distributed between the first signal shielding line and the outer boundary of the non-display region.

6. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the display panel further includes at least one intermediate dummy trace between at least a part of the plurality of signal traces, and the at least one intermediate dummy trace is separated from the plurality of signal traces.

7. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in parallel and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in parallel, the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes intersect with each other, and wherein the plurality of signal traces include a plurality of first signal traces connected to corresponding first touch electrodes and a plurality of second signal traces connected to corresponding second touch electrodes. wherein the substrate includes a bending region in the non-display region, and the substrate forms a first part and a second part via the bending region, wherein the first part includes the display region and an intermediate non-display region of the non-display region between the bending region and the display region. wherein the plurality of first signal traces and the plurality of second signal traces extend to the intermediate non-display region, and the at least one intermediate dummy trace includes at least one third dummy trace between the plurality of first signal traces and the plurality of second signal traces and in the intermediate non-display region.

8. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein the display panel further includes a touch controller, the touch controller is arranged on the second part of the substrate, and the plurality of signal traces are electrically connected to the touch controller.

9. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein each of the at least one first dummy traces is spaced apart from each other and evenly distributed between the first signal shielding line and the second signal shielding line, and each of the at least one second dummy traces is spaced apart from each other and evenly distributed between the first signal shielding line and the outer boundary of the non-display region.

10. The display panel according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the outer dummy trace, the signal trace, and the intermediate dummy trace includes a first metal line and a second metal line arranged above the first metal line, the display panel further includes an insulating layer between the first metal line and the second metal line, the insulating layer includes a via hole, and the first metal line is electrically connected to the second metal line via the via hole in the insulating layer.

11. The display panel according to claim 10, wherein the materials of the first metal line and the second metal line include at least one of titanium, silver, and indium tin oxide.

12. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein the display panel further includes a packaging dam located on the substrate, and the packaging dam is between the first signal shielding line and the outer boundary of the non-display region. Wherein the encapsulation dam extends around the first signal shielding line in the non-display area, and a fixed first distance is maintained between the encapsulation dam and the first signal shielding line. There is a second distance between the first signal shielding line and the adjacent dummy trace among the plurality of outer dummy traces. Wherein the ratio of the first distance to the second distance is greater than 1 and less than 6.

13. The display panel according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the substrate includes a rounded corner portion, the second region includes a curved region within the rounded corner portion and a straight region outside the rounded corner portion, the curved region includes a first gap, and the straight region includes a second gap. Wherein the first gap is formed by the end of one of the plurality of outer dummy traces within the curved region and the adjacent outer dummy trace, and the second gap is formed by the end of another one of the plurality of outer dummy traces within the straight region and the adjacent outer dummy trace. Wherein the area of the first gap is greater than the area of the second gap.

14. The display panel according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the average width of the signal traces away from the display area among the plurality of signal traces is greater than the average width of the signal traces close to the display area.

15. The display panel according to any one of claims 2-12, wherein the display panel further includes at least one crack detection line disposed on the substrate. The at least one crack detection line is located at the outer boundary of the non-display area and the first signal shielding line, and the extending pattern of the at least one crack detection line is consistent with the extending pattern of the first signal shielding line.

16. The display panel according to claim 15, wherein there is a third distance between the at least one crack detection line and the first signal shielding line, and the second distance between the first signal shielding line and the adjacent dummy trace among the plurality of outer dummy traces is 2 to 3 times the third distance.

17. The display panel according to any one of claims 1-12 and 16, the display panel further includes a pixel structure layer between the touch electrode layer and the substrate. The pixel structure layer includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic light-emitting layer therebetween.

18. A display device, comprising the display panel according to any one of claims 1-17.

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