Display panel, manufacturing method thereof, and display device

Abstract

An embodiment of the present application provides a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. It relates to the field of display technology and is used to solve the technical problem that water vapor and oxygen enter the display area through the side wall of the first groove, affecting the service life of the display panel. The display panel includes a display area and a non-display area. The display panel further includes: a substrate, which is provided with a first groove in the non-display area; a light-emitting unit, which is arranged in the display area and is arranged on the substrate; a first barrier dam, which is arranged in the non-display area, and at least part of the first barrier dam is arranged in the first groove; and a thin-film encapsulation layer, which is arranged on the surfaces of the light-emitting unit and the first barrier dam.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel is a display device that realizes display by using the self-luminous principle of organic electroluminescent materials. Compared with liquid crystal display devices, the organic light-emitting diode display panel has many advantages such as self-luminance, fast response speed, low-voltage driving, high brightness, thinness, etc., and thus has gradually become the mainstream in the display field.

[0003] In order to increase the screen-to-body ratio of the display panel, grooves are usually provided in the non-display area of the display panel for mounting functional components such as a camera module. Currently, in one solution for providing grooves on the display panel, grooves are first provided in the non-display area, and then a packaging process is performed. However, this solution results in a relatively thin film encapsulation layer at the sidewalls of the grooves, and the effect of blocking water vapor and oxygen is poor, and it cannot effectively block water vapor and oxygen from entering the display area through the sidewalls of the grooves, affecting the service life of the display panel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present application provide a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device, which can effectively block water vapor and oxygen from entering the display area through the sidewalls of the first groove and improve the service life of the display panel.

[0005] To achieve the above object, embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions:

[0006] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a display panel, including a display area and a non-display area. The display panel includes:

[0007] A substrate, with a first groove provided in the non-display area of the substrate;

[0008] A light-emitting unit, disposed in the display area and on the substrate;

[0009] A first barrier dam, disposed in the non-display area, with at least a part of the first barrier dam disposed in the first groove;

[0010] A thin film encapsulation layer, disposed on the surfaces of the light-emitting unit and the first barrier dam.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, a first groove and a first barrier dam are provided in the non-display area of the substrate, and the thin film encapsulation layer covers the surface of the light-emitting unit and the first barrier dam. The first barrier dam can provide a foundation for the thin film encapsulation layer, enabling the thin film encapsulation layer to be disposed on the surface of the first barrier dam, thereby increasing the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer. Therefore, on the one hand, through the structural design of the thin film encapsulation layer and the first barrier dam, the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer at the first groove can be effectively increased, the encapsulation effect at the first groove can be improved, the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area through the first groove can be effectively reduced, and the service life of the display panel can be extended; on the other hand, through the structural design of the thin film encapsulation layer and the first barrier dam, it is beneficial to extend the path of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area, effectively reduce the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area from the first groove, and extend the service life of the display panel.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner, the first groove includes a bottom wall and a side wall, the first barrier dam is disposed on the bottom wall, and there is a gap between the first barrier dam and the side wall, and a part of the thin film encapsulation layer extends into the gap.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner, at least a part of the inner wall of the first barrier dam facing away from the side wall is exposed outside the thin film encapsulation layer.

[0014] In a possible implementation manner, the thin film encapsulation layer covers the top surface of the first barrier dam facing away from the bottom wall, and the thin film encapsulation layer is flush with the inner wall of the first barrier dam facing away from the side wall.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the first barrier dam includes a bottom surface connected to the bottom wall, and there is a distance between the bottom surface and the side wall.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the first barrier dam includes a top surface away from the bottom wall, and there is a distance between the top surface and the side wall.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, the distance between the bottom surface and the side wall is less than the distance between the top surface and the side wall.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner, the outer wall of the first barrier dam facing the side wall is an inclined surface.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the height of the first barrier dam is equal to the depth of the first groove.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the first barrier dam is a hydrophobic barrier structure.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the number of the first barrier dams is one, and the first barrier dam is a ring structure.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the number of the first barrier dams is plural, and the plural first barrier dams are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the first groove.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the display panel further includes a second barrier dam, the second barrier dam is disposed in the non-display area and between the light-emitting unit and the first groove, and the thin film encapsulation layer is disposed on the surface of the second barrier dam.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the substrate is provided with a second groove in the non-display area, the second groove surrounds the first groove, and the thin film encapsulation layer is disposed in the second groove.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the cross-section of the second groove is rectangular, trapezoidal or V-shaped.

[0026] The second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a manufacturing method of a display panel, which includes:

[0027] Providing a substrate;

[0028] Forming a light-emitting unit on the substrate;

[0029] Forming a first groove on the substrate;

[0030] Disposing a first barrier dam in the first groove;

[0031] Forming a thin film encapsulation layer on the surfaces of the light-emitting unit and the first barrier dam.

[0032] In a possible implementation, in the step of disposing the first barrier dam in the first groove: forming a barrier dam raw material on the substrate by inkjet printing, screen printing or coating, and curing the barrier dam raw material to form the first barrier dam.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the number of the first barrier dams is one, and the first barrier dam is an annular structure.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the number of the first barrier dams is plural, and the plural first barrier dams are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the first groove.

[0035] In a possible implementation, before the step of forming the light-emitting unit on the substrate: forming a second barrier dam on the substrate.

[0036] In a possible implementation, after the step of forming the first groove on the substrate: forming a second groove on the substrate, and the second groove surrounds the first groove.

[0037] The third aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a display device, which includes the display panel as described in the above embodiments. Description of the Drawings

[0038] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 Structural schematic diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 2 Partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 3 For Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram at position A in

[0042] Figure 4 Partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 5 Partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 6 Partial cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a display panel provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 7 Structural schematic diagram of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 8 Schematic flow chart of a manufacturing method of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the manufacturing process of a display panel provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0049] 10. Display panel;

[0050] 20. Substrate;

[0051] 21. Substrate;

[0052] 22. Functional film layer; 221. First organic layer; 222. Inorganic barrier layer; 223. Second organic layer;

[0053] 23. First groove; 231. Side wall; 232. Bottom wall;

[0054] 24. Second groove;

[0055] 30. Light-emitting unit;

[0056] 40. First barrier dam; 41. Inner wall; 42. Outer wall; 43. Top surface; 44. Bottom surface;

[0057] 50. Thin film encapsulation layer;

[0058] 60. Gap;

[0059] 70. Second barrier dam;

[0060] 80. Display device;

[0061] 90. Housing;

[0062] X. Thickness direction. Detailed implementation manner

[0063] In a display panel, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area. In order to increase the screen-to-body ratio of the display panel, a first groove is usually provided in the non-display area of the display panel. The first groove can be a blind hole for installing functional components such as a camera module, which is beneficial to reducing the overall thickness of the overlapping area of the camera module and the display panel. During the manufacturing process of the display panel, one solution is to first provide the first groove in the non-display area and then perform the encapsulation process. However, such a solution will result in a relatively thin thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer formed on the sidewall of the first groove, with a poor effect of blocking water vapor and oxygen, and it cannot effectively block water vapor and oxygen from entering the display area through the sidewall of the first groove, thereby affecting the service life of the display panel.

[0064] To address the above technical problems, the present application provides an improved technical solution. In this technical solution, after a first groove is provided in the non-display area of the display panel, a first barrier dam is provided at the first groove. Then, the encapsulation process is performed to form a thin film encapsulation layer. The thin film encapsulation layer is disposed on the surfaces of the light-emitting unit and the first barrier dam. By providing the first barrier dam at the first groove, the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer at the first groove can be increased, the encapsulation effect at the sidewall of the first groove can be improved, the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area through the first groove can be reduced, and the display area can be effectively prevented from being eroded by water vapor and oxygen, thereby affecting the service life of the display panel.

[0065] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0066] Figure 1Schematically shows the structure of the display panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 Schematically shows a partial cross-sectional structure of the display panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the display panel 10 includes a substrate 20, a light-emitting unit 30, a first barrier rib 40, and a thin-film encapsulation layer 50.

[0067] In some embodiments, the substrate 20 can be a flexible substrate 20. In some embodiments, the substrate 20 includes a substrate 21 and a functional film layer 22 disposed on the substrate 21. The functional film layer 22 includes a first organic layer 221, an inorganic barrier layer 222, and a second organic layer 223 stacked. Along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the first organic layer 221 and the second organic layer 223 are spaced apart. The inorganic barrier layer 222 is disposed between the first organic layer 221 and the second organic layer 223. Among them, the first organic layer 221 is close to the substrate 21 and connected to the substrate 21, while the second organic layer 223 is away from the substrate 21. In some embodiments, the first groove 23 penetrates through the first organic layer 221, the inorganic barrier layer 222, and the second organic layer 223. A part of the substrate 21 is exposed through the first groove 23.

[0068] In some embodiments, both the first organic layer 221 and the second organic layer 223 can be polyimide (PI) layers, and the material of the inorganic barrier layer 222 can be silicon nitride (Si3N4), or can be selected from at least one of silicon dioxide (SiO2), SiN x O y , aluminum oxide (Al2O3). In some embodiments, the material of the substrate 21 can include glass or plastic.

[0069] A light-emitting unit 30 is disposed on the substrate 20. The light-emitting unit 30 is disposed in the display area of the display panel 10. The number of the light-emitting units 30 can be multiple. In some embodiments, the light-emitting unit 30 can be an organic electroluminescent structure. In some embodiments, the organic electroluminescent structure can be an organic light-emitting diode light-emitting structure. It should be noted that the organic electroluminescent structure realizes display by using the self-luminous principle of organic electroluminescent materials, so that there is no need to additionally provide a backlight, making the display panel 10 have the characteristics of fast response speed and good image display effect.

[0070] The substrate 20 is provided with a first groove 23 in the non-display area of the display panel 10. The thickness direction X of the substrate 20 is the same as the depth direction of the first groove 23. There is a spacing between the first groove 23 and the light-emitting unit 30, such that along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the orthographic projection of the light-emitting unit 30 on the substrate 21 does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the first groove 23 on the substrate 21. The first groove 23 provided in the non-display area forms an accommodation space, which can be used to accommodate functional components such as a camera module. The first groove 23 has an opening. Functional components such as a camera module can be placed into the first groove 23 through the opening of the first groove 23. In some embodiments, along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the first groove 23 may not penetrate through the substrate 20, that is, the first groove 23 has one opening. In some embodiments, a laser processing technique may be used to form the first groove 23 on the substrate 20.

[0071] The first barrier dam 40 is provided in the non-display area of the display panel 10. At least a part of the first barrier dam 40 is provided in the first groove 23. There is a spacing between the first barrier dam 40 and the light-emitting unit 30. In some embodiments, along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the orthographic projection of the first barrier dam 40 on the substrate 21 falls within the orthographic projection of the first groove 23 on the substrate 21. Additionally, along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the orthographic projection of the light-emitting unit 30 on the substrate 21 does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the first barrier dam 40 on the substrate 21. The first barrier dam 40 itself can form a barrier against water vapor and oxygen, which is beneficial for extending the path of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area through the first groove 23, thereby effectively improving the effect of isolating water vapor and oxygen, reducing the possibility of water vapor and oxygen eroding the light-emitting unit 30, and extending the service life of the display panel 10.

[0072] The thin film encapsulation layer 50 is provided on the surfaces of the light-emitting unit 30 and the first barrier dam 40. The thin film encapsulation layer 50 can form a barrier against water vapor and oxygen, thereby effectively improving the effect of isolating water vapor and oxygen, reducing the possibility of water vapor and oxygen eroding the light-emitting unit 30, and extending the service life of the display panel 10. Since the first barrier dam 40 is provided in the first groove 23, the first barrier dam 40 can provide a foundation for the thin film encapsulation layer 50, such that the thin film encapsulation layer 50 can be provided on the surface of the first barrier dam 40, thereby enabling the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 to increase at the first groove 23.

[0073] In some embodiments, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 may be a composite structure formed by laminating an organic layer and an inorganic layer. In some examples, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 may be a composite structure formed by laminating an organic layer - an inorganic layer - an organic layer. The organic layer has good flatness, making it easy to achieve planarization, which is beneficial for subsequently forming an inorganic layer on the organic layer by methods such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), or Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The organic layer itself has good flexibility and thus has good anti-bending performance. In some examples, the material of the organic layer may be, but is not limited to, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In some examples, the organic layer can be formed by flash evaporation or ink jet printing (IJP) processes.

[0074] The inorganic layer has good water vapor and oxygen barrier properties, enabling the thin film encapsulation layer 50 to effectively block water vapor and oxygen from entering the display area. In some embodiments, the material of the inorganic layer may include silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiN), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), or titanium dioxide (TiO2). Among them, since the refractive indices (densities) of silicon nitride and aluminum oxide are greater than those of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide, the water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of silicon nitride and aluminum oxide are better than those of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide.

[0075] In some other embodiments, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 may be a composite structure formed by laminating an inorganic layer - an organic layer - an inorganic layer. In some examples, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 may include one organic layer and two inorganic layers. The materials of the two inorganic layers may each be one or more of silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, and silicon dioxide. The material of the organic layer may include one or more of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polyimide (PI), and Polyurethane (PU).

[0076] It should be noted that the number of organic and inorganic layers in the thin film encapsulation layer 50 in the embodiments of the present application is not limited.

[0077] In the embodiments of the present application, a first groove 23 and a first barrier dam 40 are provided on a substrate 20, and a thin film encapsulation layer 50 covers the surfaces of a light emitting unit 30 and the first barrier dam 40. The first barrier dam 40 can provide a foundation for the thin film encapsulation layer 50, such that the thin film encapsulation layer 50 can be disposed on the surface of the first barrier dam 40, thereby enabling an increase in the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer 50. Therefore, on the one hand, through the structural design of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 and the first barrier dam 40, the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 at the first groove 23 can be effectively increased, the encapsulation effect at the first groove 23 can be improved, the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area through the first groove 23 can be effectively reduced, and the service life of the display panel 10 can be extended; on the other hand, through the structural design of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 and the first barrier dam 40, it is beneficial to extend the path of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area, effectively reduce the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area from the first groove 23, and extend the service life of the display panel 10.

[0078] In some embodiments, Figure 3 is Figure 2 the enlarged schematic view of part A in. Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, at least a part of the first barrier dam 40 can be embedded in the thin film encapsulation layer 50. Thus, on the one hand, the first barrier dam 40 can improve the strength of the thin film encapsulation layer 50, such that the thin film encapsulation layer 50 is not prone to film layer breakage, and the possibility of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 losing the performance of blocking water vapor and oxygen due to breakage of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 is reduced; on the other hand, the tightness of the connection between the first barrier dam 40 and the thin film encapsulation layer 50 can be ensured, and the possibility of delamination between the first barrier dam 40 and the thin film encapsulation layer 50 and loss of the performance of blocking water vapor and oxygen due to the occurrence of a gap between the first barrier dam 40 and the thin film encapsulation layer 50 is reduced.

[0079] In some examples, the first barrier dam 40 can be integrally embedded in the thin film encapsulation layer 50. The thin film encapsulation layer 50 can completely cover the first barrier dam 40. Along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the orthographic projection of the first barrier dam 40 on the substrate 21 falls within the orthographic projection of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 on the substrate 21.

[0080] Figure 4 Schematically shows a partial cross-sectional structure of a display panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first groove 23 includes a side wall 231 and a bottom wall 232. There is a thin film encapsulation layer 50 both between the first barrier dam 40 and the side wall 231 of the first groove 23 and on the side of the first barrier dam 40 facing away from the side wall 231, which is beneficial to further extend the path of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area through the side wall 231 of the first groove 23.

[0081] In some examples, the first barrier dam 40 has an inner wall 41 facing away from the sidewall 231. At least a portion of the inner wall 41 of the first barrier dam 40 is exposed outside the thin film encapsulation layer 50. Exemplarily, the inner wall 41 of the first barrier dam 40 facing away from the sidewall 231 may be completely exposed outside the thin film encapsulation layer 50. Exemplarily, along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the first barrier dam 40 has opposite top surface 43 and bottom surface 44. The bottom surface 44 of the first barrier dam 40 is connected to the bottom wall 232 of the first groove 23. The top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 is away from the bottom wall 232 and is disposed close to the opening of the first groove 23. The thin film encapsulation layer 50 may cover the top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40, and the thin film encapsulation layer 50 is flush with the inner wall 41 of the first barrier dam 40, such that the thin film encapsulation layer 50 does not extend beyond the inner wall 41 of the first barrier dam 40, and the top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 is not exposed. The top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 and the outer wall 42 of the first barrier dam 40 facing the sidewall 231 are both embedded in the thin film encapsulation layer 50.

[0082] In some embodiments, the sidewall 231 and the bottom wall 232 of the first groove 23 may be perpendicular to each other. The first barrier dam 40 is disposed on the bottom wall 232 of the first groove 23. In some examples, the substrate 21 of the substrate 20 forms the bottom wall 232 of the first groove 23, and the first barrier dam 40 is disposed on the substrate 21. There is a gap 60 between the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231 of the first groove 23. A portion of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 extends into the gap 60. The portion of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 located in the gap 60 may cover the sidewall 231 of the first groove 23, and at the same time may increase the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 at the first groove 23. Since one side of the first barrier dam 40 facing the sidewall 231 of the first groove 23 has the thin film encapsulation layer 50, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 and the first barrier dam 40 can further effectively extend the path for water vapor and oxygen to enter the display area through the sidewall 231 of the first groove 23, and improve the effect of isolating water vapor and oxygen.

[0083] In some embodiments, there is a spacing D1 between the bottom surface 44 of the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231, such that a portion of the bottom wall 232 is exposed outside the gap 60. There is a spacing D2 between the top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231. The portion of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 located in the gap 60 may be disposed on the sidewall 231 and the bottom wall 232 of the first groove 23, and fill the gap 60 between the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231, thereby facilitating further improving the performance of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 and the first barrier dam 40 in blocking water vapor and oxygen.

[0084] In some embodiments, the outer wall 42 of the first barrier dam 40 facing the sidewall 231 is an inclined surface. The distance D1 between the bottom surface 44 of the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231 is less than the distance D2 between the top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231, such that the cross-section of the gap 60 between the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231 is trapezoidal. It should be noted that the cross-section of the gap 60 is parallel to the depth direction of the first groove 23. The depth direction of the first groove 23 is the same as the thickness direction X of the substrate 20.

[0085] The opening of the gap 60 formed between the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231 is relatively large, which is conducive to relatively easily disposing the thin film encapsulation layer 50 in the gap 60, reducing the difficulty of forming the thin film encapsulation layer 50 in the gap 60, and reducing the possibility that the gap 60 is not completely filled by the thin film encapsulation layer 50. Exemplarily, the orthographic projection area of the top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 on the substrate 21 is smaller than the orthographic projection area of the bottom surface 44 of the first barrier dam 40 on the substrate 21, such that the cross-section of the first barrier dam 40 is a trapezoidal structure, thereby being conducive to improving the structural stability of the first barrier dam 40. Exemplarily, the orthographic projection of the top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 on the substrate 21 falls within the orthographic projection of the bottom surface 44 of the first barrier dam 40 on the substrate 21. Exemplarily, the inner wall 41 of the first barrier dam 40 can be perpendicular to the bottom wall 232 of the first groove 23. The cross-section of the first barrier dam 40 is a right trapezoidal structure. It should be noted that the cross-section of the first barrier dam 40 is parallel to the depth direction of the first groove 23.

[0086] In some embodiments, the height H of the first barrier dam 40 is equal to the depth of the first groove 23. The height H of the first barrier dam 40 refers to the dimension value along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20. The first barrier dam 40 does not extend beyond the opening of the first groove 23, and thus the first barrier dam 40 does not extend beyond the substrate 20. The top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 can be flush with the opening of the first groove 23. When the thin film encapsulation layer 50 transitions from the substrate 20 to the first barrier dam 40, the surface of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 facing away from the first barrier dam 40 can be relatively flat, thereby facilitating the subsequent formation of other film layers on the thin film encapsulation layer 50. In some examples, the substrate 20 includes a substrate 21 and a functional film layer 22 disposed on the substrate 21. The functional film layer 22 includes a first organic layer 221, an inorganic barrier layer 222, and a second organic layer 223 stacked. The first organic layer 221 is close to the substrate 21 and is connected to the substrate 21. Along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the first organic layer 221 and the second organic layer 223 are spaced apart. The inorganic barrier layer 222 is disposed between the first organic layer 221 and the second organic layer 223. The first groove 23 penetrates through the first organic layer 221, the inorganic barrier layer 222, and the second organic layer 223. The top surface 43 of the first barrier dam 40 can be flush with the surface of the second organic layer 223 facing away from the inorganic barrier layer 222.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first barrier dam 40 is a hydrophobic barrier structure, such that the first barrier dam 40 has a strong performance of blocking water vapor and oxygen, further reducing the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area through the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231 of the first groove 23, and improving the service life of the display panel 10.

[0088] In some examples, the first barrier dam 40 is formed by manufacturing with a hydrophobic material. Exemplarily, the hydrophobic material includes but is not limited to fluorine-containing materials. For example, the hydrophobic material includes but is not limited to polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0089] In some examples, the raw material for manufacturing the first barrier dam 40 may include at least one of carbon fiber, glass fiber, and carbon nanotubes. In some examples, the raw material for the first barrier dam 40 may be formed on the substrate 20 by inkjet printing, screen printing, or coating, and then the raw material for the first barrier dam 40 is cured to form the first barrier dam 40.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first barrier dam 40 is an annular structure, so that the first barrier dam 40 can form a protection for the sidewall 231 of the first groove 23 in the entire circumference, to block water vapor and oxygen in the entire circumference. In some examples, the number of the first barrier dams 40 may be one. In some examples, a gap 60 between the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231 of the first groove 23 may form an annular space. Exemplarily, the shape of the first barrier dam 40 is adapted to the shape of the first groove 23. For example, the first groove 23 may be circular, and the first barrier dam 40 may be a circular ring. Or, the first groove 23 may be rectangular, and the first barrier dam 40 may be a rectangular ring. Exemplarily, the central hole of the first barrier dam 40 may be used to accommodate functional elements such as a camera module.

[0091] In some embodiments, the number of the first barrier dams 40 is multiple. Along the circumference of the first groove 23, the multiple first barrier dams 40 are arranged at intervals. In some examples, a thin film encapsulation layer 50 is formed between the first barrier dam 40 and the sidewall 231 of the first groove 23 and between two adjacent first barrier dams 40.

[0092] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 2As shown, the display panel 10 further includes a second dam 70. The second dam 70 is disposed in the non-display area and between the light-emitting unit 30 and the first groove 23. The second dam 70 surrounds the first groove 23. The thin film encapsulation layer 50 is disposed on the surface of the second dam 70. The second dam 70 can form interfaces in different directions with the substrate 20, and these interfaces are conducive to preventing the crack from expanding or changing the expansion direction of the crack when a crack appears at the edge of the first groove 23 formed in the substrate 20, thereby preventing the crack generated at the edge from spreading into the display area, reducing the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area through the crack, reducing the impact of water vapor and oxygen on the light-emitting unit 30, and extending the service life of the display panel 10.

[0093] In some examples, the cross-section of the second dam 70 is trapezoidal. For example, it can be an isosceles trapezoid or a right trapezoid, which is conducive to improving the structural stability of the second dam 70. It should be noted that the cross-section of the second dam 70 is parallel to the depth direction of the first groove 23.

[0094] In some examples, the number of the second dams 70 is two. The two second dams 70 are spaced apart. Among them, the second dam 70 close to the first groove 23 surrounds the first groove 23, and the second dam 70 far from the first groove 23 surrounds the second dam 70 close to the first groove 23.

[0095] In some examples, the height of the second dam 70 close to the first groove 23 is greater than the height of the second dam 70 far from the first groove 23. The height of the second dam 70 refers to the dimension value along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20. By adopting the structural design with a greater height of the second dam 70 close to the first groove 23, the path for water vapor and oxygen to enter the display area can be effectively extended, thereby effectively blocking water vapor and oxygen.

[0096] In some examples, the raw materials for manufacturing the second dam 70 may include at least one of carbon fiber, glass fiber, and carbon nanotubes. In some examples, the raw materials for the second dam 70 can be formed on the substrate 20 by inkjet printing, screen printing, or coating, and then the raw materials for the second dam 70 are cured to form the second dam 70.

[0097] In some examples, the shape of the second dam 70 is adapted to the shape of the first groove 23. For example, the first groove 23 can be circular, and the second dam 70 can be a circular ring. Or, the first groove 23 can be rectangular, and the second dam 70 can be a rectangular ring.

[0098] In some embodiments, Figure 5 and Figure 6Schematically shows a partial cross-sectional structure of a display panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. Refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the substrate 20 is provided with a second groove 24 in the non-display area of the display panel 10. The second groove 24 is disposed around the first groove 23. The thin film encapsulation layer 50 is disposed in the second groove 24, so that the thin film encapsulation layer 50 in the second groove 24 can also block water vapor and oxygen, such that the thin film encapsulation layer 50 in the second groove 24, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 at the first groove 23, and the first barrier dam 40 simultaneously block water vapor and oxygen, which is beneficial to further improving the effect of blocking water vapor and oxygen. In some examples, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 can fill the second groove 24.

[0099] In some examples, the first groove 23 and the second groove 24 are not connected. The openings of the first groove 23 and the second groove 24 are located on the same side.

[0100] In some examples, the cross-section of the second groove 24 can be but is not limited to a rectangle, a trapezoid, or a V shape. It should be noted that the cross-section of the second groove 24 is parallel to the depth direction of the first groove 23.

[0101] In some examples, the second groove 24 penetrates through the first organic layer 221, the inorganic barrier layer 222, and the second organic layer 223. A part of the substrate 21 is exposed through the second groove 24. Along the thickness direction X of the substrate 20, the orthographic projection of the first groove 23 on the substrate 21 falls within the orthographic projection of the second groove 24 on the substrate 21.

[0102] In some examples, a laser processing technique can be used to form the second groove 24 on the substrate 20.

[0103] Figure 7 Schematically shows a flowchart of a manufacturing method of a display panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a display device 80. The display device 80 includes a housing 90 and the display panel 10 of the above embodiment. The display panel 10 is connected to the housing 90. The display panel 10 is used to display images. The display panel 10 has a good structure design for blocking water vapor and oxygen at the first groove 23, which improves the service life of the display panel 10, and thus is beneficial to improving the service life of the display device 80. In some embodiments, the display device 80 of the embodiment of the present application can be but is not limited to a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, or a smart self-service terminal.

[0104] Figure 8 Schematically shows a manufacturing process of a display panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 Schematically shows a manufacturing process of a display panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. Refer to Figure 8And Figure 9 As shown in Figure 9 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a manufacturing method for a display panel 10, which is used to manufacture the display panel 10. The manufacturing method includes the following steps:

[0105] S10: Provide a substrate 20;

[0106] S20: Form a light-emitting unit 30 on the substrate 20;

[0107] S30: Form a first groove 23 on the substrate 20;

[0108] S40: Dispose a first barrier dam 40 in the first groove 23;

[0109] S50: Form a thin film encapsulation layer 50 on the surfaces of the light-emitting unit 30 and the first barrier dam 40.

[0110] In the display panel 10 manufactured by the manufacturing method of the display panel 10 according to the embodiment of the present application, a first groove 23 and a first barrier dam 40 are provided on the substrate 20, and the thin film encapsulation layer 50 covers the surfaces of the light-emitting unit 30 and the first barrier dam 40. The first barrier dam 40 can provide a foundation for the thin film encapsulation layer 50, so that the thin film encapsulation layer 50 can be disposed on the surface of the first barrier dam 40, thereby enabling the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 to be increased. Therefore, on the one hand, through the structural design of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 and the first barrier dam 40, the thickness of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 at the first groove 23 can be effectively increased, the encapsulation effect at the first groove 23 can be improved, the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area through the first groove 23 can be effectively reduced, and the service life of the display panel 10 can be extended; on the other hand, through the structural design of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 and the first barrier dam 40, it is beneficial to extend the path of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area, effectively reduce the possibility of water vapor and oxygen entering the display area from the first groove 23, and extend the service life of the display panel 10.

[0111] In some embodiments, in step S20, the light-emitting material can be evaporated onto the substrate 20 by evaporation to form the light-emitting unit 30. In some examples, the light-emitting material includes organic light-emitting materials of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The light-emitting organic materials emit red, green, and blue primary colors, which can form different colors.

[0112] In some embodiments, in step S30, a laser processing technique may be employed to form a first groove 23 in the substrate 20. In some examples, step S50 is located after step S30. Thus, during the process of forming the first groove 23 using the laser processing technique, the thermal radiation of the laser will not affect the subsequent thin film encapsulation layer 50, avoiding the situation where the thin film encapsulation layer 50 may be broken due to the thermal radiation of the laser when the thin film encapsulation layer 50 is formed first and then the first groove 23 is formed. Thereby, the structural integrity of the thin film encapsulation layer 50 is ensured, enabling the thin film encapsulation layer 50 to have a good encapsulation effect and effectively blocking water vapor and oxygen from entering the display area.

[0113] In some embodiments, in step S40, raw materials for forming the first barrier dam 40 may be formed on the substrate 20 by inkjet printing, screen printing or coating, and then the raw materials for forming the first barrier dam 40 are cured to form the first barrier dam 40. In some examples, the raw materials for manufacturing the first barrier dam 40 may include at least one of carbon fiber, glass fiber, and carbon nanotubes.

[0114] In some embodiments, the number of the first barrier dams 40 is one. The first barrier dam 40 has an annular structure.

[0115] In some embodiments, the number of the first barrier dams 40 is multiple. Along the circumferential direction of the first groove 23, the multiple first barrier dams 40 are arranged at intervals.

[0116] In some embodiments, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 may be a composite structure formed by laminating an organic layer - an inorganic layer - an organic layer.

[0117] In other embodiments, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 may be a composite structure formed by laminating an inorganic layer - an organic layer - an inorganic layer. In some examples, the thin film encapsulation layer 50 may include one organic layer and two inorganic layers.

[0118] In some embodiments, before step S20: a second barrier dam 70 is formed on the substrate 20. The structural design of the second barrier dam 70 and the thin film encapsulation layer 50 can improve the barrier performance against water vapor and oxygen, effectively blocking water vapor and oxygen from entering the display area of the display panel 10.

[0119] In some examples, raw materials for forming the second barrier dam 70 may be formed on the substrate 20 by inkjet printing, screen printing or coating, and then the raw materials for forming the second barrier dam 70 are cured to form the second barrier dam 70. In some examples, the raw materials for manufacturing the second barrier dam 70 may include at least one of carbon fiber, glass fiber, and carbon nanotubes.

[0120] In some embodiments, after the step of forming the first groove 23 on the substrate 20: a second groove 24 is formed on the substrate 20, and the second groove 24 is disposed to surround the first groove 23.

[0121] In some examples, a laser processing technique may be employed to form the second groove 24 on the substrate 20.

[0122] The embodiments or implementation manners in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. For the same or similar parts among the various embodiments, reference may be made to each other.

[0123] In the description of this specification, the descriptions with reference to the terms "one implementation manner", "some implementation manners", "illustrative implementation manner", "example", "specific example", or "some examples", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the implementation manner or example are included in at least one implementation manner or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same implementation manner or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more implementation manners or examples.

[0124] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A display panel, comprising a display area and a non-display area, characterized in that, Further comprising: A substrate, the substrate is provided with a first groove in the non-display area; A light-emitting unit, disposed in the display area, the light-emitting unit is disposed on the substrate; A first dam, disposed in the non-display area, at least part of the first dam is disposed in the first groove; A thin-film encapsulation layer, disposed on the surfaces of the light-emitting unit and the first dam; The first groove includes a bottom wall and a side wall, the first dam is disposed on the bottom wall, there is a gap between the first dam and the side wall, and a part of the thin-film encapsulation layer extends into the gap.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least part of the inner wall of the first dam facing away from the side wall is exposed outside the thin-film encapsulation layer; The thin-film encapsulation layer covers the top surface of the first dam facing away from the bottom wall, and the thin-film encapsulation layer is flush with the inner wall of the first dam facing away from the side wall.

3. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first dam includes a bottom surface connected to the bottom wall, and there is a spacing between the bottom surface and the side wall; The first dam includes a top surface away from the bottom wall, and there is a spacing between the top surface and the side wall; The spacing between the bottom surface and the side wall is smaller than the spacing between the top surface and the side wall.

4. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The outer wall of the first dam facing the side wall is an inclined surface.

5. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The height of the first dam is equal to the depth of the first groove; or, The first dam is a hydrophobic barrier structure; or, The number of the first dams is one, and the first dam is a ring structure; or, The number of the first dams is multiple, and along the circumferential direction of the first groove, the multiple first dams are arranged at intervals; or, The display panel further includes a second dam, the second dam is disposed in the non-display area and between the light-emitting unit and the first groove, and the thin-film encapsulation layer is disposed on the surface of the second dam; or, The substrate is provided with a second groove in the non-display area, the second groove surrounds the first groove, and the thin-film encapsulation layer is disposed in the second groove; The cross-section of the second groove is rectangular, trapezoidal or V-shaped.

6. A manufacturing method of a display panel, characterized in that, Comprising: Providing a substrate; Forming a light-emitting unit on the substrate; Forming a first groove on the substrate; Disposing a first dam in the first groove; Forming a thin-film encapsulation layer on the surfaces of the light-emitting unit and the first dam; wherein, the first groove includes a bottom wall and a side wall, the first dam is disposed on the bottom wall, there is a gap between the first dam and the side wall, and a part of the thin-film encapsulation layer extends into the gap.

7. The manufacturing method according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the step of disposing the first dam in the first groove: forming a dam raw material on the substrate by inkjet printing, screen printing or coating, and curing the dam raw material to form the first dam; Or, The number of the first dams is one, and the first dam is a ring structure; or, The number of the first dams is multiple, and along the circumferential direction of the first groove, the multiple first dams are arranged at intervals.

8. The manufacturing method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, Before the step of forming the light-emitting unit on the substrate: forming a second dam on the substrate; or, After the step of forming the first groove on the substrate: a second groove is formed on the substrate, and the second groove is disposed to surround the first groove.

9. A display device, characterized in that, A display panel includes the display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images