Display panel, preparation method thereof and display device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a display panel, a preparation method thereof and a display device. The display panel comprises a substrate, a pixel definition layer, a light-emitting functional layer and a touch electrode layer. The pixel definition layer is located on one side of the substrate. The light-emitting functional layer is located on a side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate. The touch electrode layer is located between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer, and the touch electrode layer comprises a plurality of first touch electrodes or a part of the first touch electrodes. The technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application is that the touch electrode layer is arranged between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer, which helps to reduce the damage of the manufacturing process of the touch electrode to the light-emitting material and its display performance, simplify the manufacturing process flow of the display panel, and thin the thickness of the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly to a display panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of display technology, people have increasingly higher requirements for the performance of display panels. Currently, the manufacturing process of touch display panels is usually quite complicated, and the production of the touch film layer can easily have an adverse effect on the luminescent materials and their display performance. Therefore, the design of touch display panels needs to be optimized. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a display panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device, to reduce the damage to the light-emitting material and its display performance caused by the manufacturing process of the touch electrodes, simplify the manufacturing process of the display panel, and reduce the thickness of the display panel.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel, comprising:

[0005] The substrate and the pixel definition layer located on one side of the substrate;

[0006] A light-emitting functional layer is located on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate;

[0007] The touch electrode layer is located between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer, and the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of first touch electrodes.

[0008] Optionally, the touch electrode layer is formed of a metal protective layer, which is used to protect the display panel when the light-transmitting holes of the display panel are formed.

[0009] Optionally, when the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the display panel further includes a plurality of second touch electrodes, wherein the first touch electrodes extend along a first direction, the second touch electrodes extend along a second direction, and the first direction intersects the second direction;

[0010] The second touch electrode includes multiple main body portions and multiple connecting portions. Two adjacent main body portions are bridged by the connecting portions. The main body portions are located in the touch electrode layer, and the connecting portions are located in a metal layer other than the touch electrode layer. The vertical projection of the first touch electrode and the connecting portions on the substrate overlaps, while the vertical projection of the main body portions and the first touch electrode on the substrate does not overlap.

[0011] Preferably, the display panel further includes a first electrode located on one side of the light-emitting functional layer, and the connecting portion is disposed on the same layer as the first electrode and located between adjacent first electrodes;

[0012] Preferably, the main body and the first touch electrode are transparent electrodes.

[0013] Optionally, the display panel further includes a first electrode, which is located on one side of the light-emitting functional layer;

[0014] When the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the display panel further includes a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on the same layer as the first electrodes, and the second touch electrodes are located between adjacent first electrodes;

[0015] The first touch electrode extends along a first direction, and the second touch electrode extends along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0016] Preferably, the first touch electrode is a transparent electrode.

[0017] Optionally, the display panel further includes a first electrode located on one side of the light-emitting functional layer;

[0018] In the case where the touch electrode layer includes a portion of the first touch electrode, the connecting portion of the first touch electrode is located in the touch electrode layer, the main body of the first touch electrode is disposed in the same layer as the first electrode, and the vertical projection of the main body of the first touch electrode and the first electrode on the substrate do not overlap, and the connecting portion of the first touch electrode is used to bridge the main body of the first touch electrode.

[0019] Preferably, the display panel further includes a second touch electrode, which is disposed in the same layer as the main body of the first touch electrode.

[0020] Optionally, when the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the plurality of first touch electrodes are self-capacitive touch electrodes.

[0021] Optionally, the display panel further includes a support layer located between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer, and the touch electrode layer located on the side of the support layer away from the substrate; or, the touch electrode layer is in the same layer as the support layer.

[0022] And / or, the display panel further includes an insulating layer located between the light-emitting functional layer and the touch electrode layer.

[0023] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for manufacturing a display panel, comprising:

[0024] Provide a base;

[0025] A pixel definition layer is formed on one side of the substrate;

[0026] A touch electrode layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate, and the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of first touch electrodes;

[0027] After the touch electrode layer is formed, a light-emitting functional layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate.

[0028] Optionally, a touch electrode layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate. The touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of first touch electrodes, including:

[0029] A metal protective layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate;

[0030] A light-transmitting hole is formed through the metal protective layer and at least a portion of the film layer extending from the metal protective layer to the substrate; wherein the metal protective layer is used to protect the display panel when the light-transmitting hole is formed;

[0031] The metal protective layer is patterned to obtain multiple first touch electrodes or portions of the first touch electrodes.

[0032] Optionally, if the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes: forming a plurality of second touch electrodes;

[0033] Multiple second touch electrodes are formed, including:

[0034] A plurality of main body portions extending along a second direction are formed in the touch electrode layer, the first touch electrode extends along a first direction, the first direction intersects with the second direction, and the vertical projection of the main body portions and the first touch electrode on the substrate does not overlap;

[0035] Multiple connection portions are formed in a metal layer other than the touch electrode layer, and the connection portions overlap with the vertical projection of the first touch electrode on the substrate;

[0036] Two adjacent main body portions are bridged by the connecting portion, so that the bridged main body portions and the connecting portion form a plurality of second touch electrodes extending along the second direction;

[0037] Alternatively, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes: forming a first electrode on one side of the light-emitting functional layer; forming a plurality of second touch electrodes, including:

[0038] A plurality of second touch electrodes are formed between adjacent first electrodes, the second touch electrodes extending along a first direction, the first touch electrodes extending along a second direction, and the first direction intersecting the second direction;

[0039] When the touch electrode layer includes a portion of a first touch electrode, where the first touch electrode portion is a connecting portion, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes:

[0040] A first electrode and a plurality of main body portions are formed on one side of the light-emitting functional layer, wherein the main body portions do not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode onto the substrate;

[0041] Two adjacent main body portions are bridged by the connecting portion, so that the bridged main body portions and the connecting portion form a plurality of first touch electrodes;

[0042] Preferably, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes: forming a plurality of second touch electrodes, wherein the second touch electrodes are disposed in the same layer as the main body of the first touch electrode.

[0043] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a display device, including the display panel described in the first aspect.

[0044] The display panel, its manufacturing method, and the display device provided in this invention, by placing the touch electrode layer between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer, not only helps to reduce the damage of the touch electrode manufacturing process to the light-emitting material and its display performance, but also eliminates the need for additional insulating and encapsulation layers for the touch electrode. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the display panel and also helps to reduce the thickness of the display panel.

[0045] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0046] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0047] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel in related technologies;

[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 11 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0058] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0059] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0060] As described in the background section, the manufacturing process of related touch display panels is typically quite complex, and the fabrication of the touch film layer can negatively impact the luminescent materials and their display performance. The inventors have discovered the specific reasons for these problems as follows:

[0061] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel in related technologies. For example, see [link to related documentation]. Figure 1 The display panel is an on-cell touch display panel. It includes a substrate 01 and a light-emitting functional layer 02 and a first encapsulation layer 03 sequentially disposed on one side of the substrate 01. It also includes a first touch layer 04 and a second touch layer 05 located on the side of the first encapsulation layer 03 away from the substrate 01. Both the first touch layer 04 and the second touch layer 05 include multiple touch electrodes, and an insulating layer 06 is disposed between the first touch layer 04 and the second touch layer 05. The display panel also includes a second encapsulation layer 07 covering the second touch layer 05. Therefore, the fabrication of this type of touch display panel requires not only forming two touch layers on top of the light-emitting functional layer 02, but also forming an insulating layer between the two touch layers, and an encapsulation layer on top of the outermost touch layer. This means that the touch layers and their related film layers (i.e., the first touch layer 04, the second touch layer 05, the insulating layer 06, and the second encapsulation layer 07) require four additional film layers in the display panel, making the manufacturing process of the display panel generally more complicated and increasing the thickness of the display panel. Furthermore, the touch layer and its related films are all located on top of the light-emitting functional layer 02. Manufacturing the touch layer and its related films on top of the light-emitting functional layer 02 can easily have adverse effects on the light-emitting materials and their display performance. Therefore, the design of the touch display panel needs optimization.

[0062] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically a top view of the display panel. Figure 3This is a cross-sectional view of a display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically... Figure 2 The sectional view obtained by cutting the display panel along section line BB', wherein... Figure 3 Only a portion of the film layers in the display panel is shown. (Combined) Figure 2 and Figure 3 The display panel includes: a substrate 10, a pixel definition layer 20, a light-emitting functional layer 30, and a touch electrode layer 40.

[0063] The pixel definition layer 20 is located on one side of the substrate 10. The light-emitting functional layer 30 is located on the side of the pixel definition layer 20 away from the substrate 10. The touch electrode layer 40 is located between the pixel definition layer 20 and the light-emitting functional layer 30, and the touch electrode layer 40 includes a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of first touch electrodes.

[0064] Specifically, the substrate 10 can provide cushioning, protection, or support for the display panel. The substrate 10 can be a flexible substrate, and the material of the flexible substrate can be polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or a mixture of the above materials. The substrate 10 can also be a rigid substrate made of materials such as glass.

[0065] The display panel includes a display area AA and a non-display area NAA. The display area AA includes multiple light-emitting devices for display, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The light-emitting functional layer 30 may include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer for the light-emitting devices. The hole injection layer, hole transport layer, electron transport layer, and electron injection layer are all integral film layers. The pixel definition layer 20 defines multiple sub-pixel areas PX in the display panel, and the light-emitting layer is located in the corresponding sub-pixel area PX.

[0066] In addition to multiple sub-pixel areas PX, the display area AA also includes non-pixel areas, which are the areas in the display area AA other than the sub-pixel areas PX. Accordingly, the light-emitting functional layer 30 includes a portion located in the sub-pixel areas PX and a portion located in the non-pixel areas. When the touch electrode layer 40 includes multiple first touch electrodes, the first touch electrodes can be located in the non-pixel areas, and the vertical projections of the first touch electrodes and each sub-pixel area PX on the substrate 10 do not overlap; when the touch electrode layer 40 includes a portion of the first touch electrodes, this portion of the structure can be located in the non-pixel areas, and this portion of the structure does not overlap with the vertical projections of each sub-pixel area PX on the substrate 10.

[0067] In the case where the touch electrode layer 40 includes multiple first touch electrodes, the first touch electrodes may include a transmitting electrode (Tx) and a receiving electrode (Rx), or the first touch electrode may include one of the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode, while other metal layers of the display panel include the other of the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode. The transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode may form a mutual capacitance touch structure, enabling the display panel to have touch functionality. For example, adjacent transmitting electrodes and receiving electrodes form a mutual capacitance. When a user's finger approaches the display panel, the mutual capacitance value between adjacent transmitting electrodes and receiving electrodes at the touch location changes. The display panel can determine the touch position based on the location where the mutual capacitance value of the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode changes. The transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode may also form a self-capacitance touch structure, i.e., the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode are disposed in the same layer. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the plurality of first touch electrodes may also form self-capacitance with ground or the user's finger respectively, thereby forming a single-layer self-capacitance touch electrode using the touch electrode layer 40 to achieve multi-point touch sensing. This allows all touch electrodes to be integrated on the same layer without having to occupy other metal layers in the display panel to form touch electrodes.

[0068] When the touch electrode layer 40 includes a portion of the first touch electrode, the first touch electrode can be configured to include different portions, with one portion of the first touch electrode located in the touch electrode layer 40 and another portion located in other metal layers in the display panel.

[0069] Since the touch electrode layer 40 is located between the pixel definition layer 20 and the light-emitting functional layer 30, the pixel definition layer 20 is non-conductive, and the hole injection layer, hole transport layer, light emission layer, electron transport layer and electron injection layer in the light-emitting functional layer 30 are all semiconductors, the touch electrode layer 40 can be insulated from other metal layers in the display panel through the pixel definition layer 20 and the light-emitting functional layer 30, without the need to set an additional insulating layer between the touch electrode layer 40 and other metal layers in the display panel.

[0070] Figure 1In the existing display panel shown, the first touch layer 04 and the second touch layer 05 are located above the light-emitting functional layer 02, and the touch layer and its related film layers require an additional four film layers in the display panel. Compared with the prior art, the touch electrode layer 40 in this solution can be insulated from other metal layers in the display panel through the pixel definition layer 20 and the light-emitting functional layer 30, eliminating the need for an additional insulating layer between the touch electrode layer 40 and other metal layers of the display panel. Furthermore, the light-emitting functional layer 30 can be fabricated in the process flow after the formation of the touch electrode layer 40. Therefore, the fabrication process of the touch electrode layer 40 has a smaller impact on the light-emitting material and its display performance. The encapsulation layer can be fabricated after the formation of the light-emitting functional layer 30 and other film layers, eliminating the need to fabricate an encapsulation layer separately for the touch electrode layer 40. Compared with the prior art, this solution can reduce the thickness of the display panel by at least two film layers.

[0071] In summary, the technical solution of this invention, by placing the touch electrode layer between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer, not only helps to reduce the damage of the touch electrode manufacturing process to the light-emitting material and its display performance, but also eliminates the need for additional insulating and encapsulation layers for the touch electrode. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the display panel and also helps to reduce the thickness of the display panel.

[0072] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 Based on the above embodiments, optionally, the display panel includes a metal protective layer 50, which is located between the pixel definition layer 20 and the light-emitting functional layer 30. The display panel is provided with a light-transmitting hole (not shown in the figure) that penetrates the metal protective layer 50 and extends from the metal protective layer 50 to at least a portion of the film layer in the substrate 10. The metal protective layer 50 is used to protect the display panel when the light-transmitting hole is formed. The touch electrode layer 40 can be formed by the metal protective layer 50.

[0073] For example, Hole-In Active Area (HIAA) technology is used to form a light-transmitting hole in the display area AA for housing a photosensitive unit. For instance, after forming the pixel definition layer 20, a metal protective layer 50 is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer 20 away from the substrate 10. Then, a light-transmitting hole is formed on one side of the metal protective layer 50, penetrating the metal protective layer 50 and at least a portion of the film layer from the metal protective layer 50 to the substrate 10, to protect the display panel through the metal protective layer 50 and prevent damage to the area of ​​the pixel definition layer 20 to the substrate 10 other than the light-transmitting hole when the light-transmitting hole is formed. The photosensitive unit can be a camera unit, and a camera unit can be set in the area corresponding to the light-transmitting hole to form a front-facing camera unit. In the prior art, after forming the light-transmitting hole, the metal protective layer 50 is usually completely removed directly, resulting in a waste of materials and processes. Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention can pattern the metal protective layer 50 after forming the light-transmitting hole to obtain multiple first touch electrodes or portions of the first touch electrodes. This realizes the use of the metal protective layer 50 to form the first touch electrodes or portions of the first touch electrodes, which helps to simplify the process flow of the display panel and eliminates the need to use other metal layers in the display panel to form the touch electrode layer 40.

[0074] In this embodiment, the touch electrode layer 40 is formed by a metal protective layer 50. It is not necessary to use one or two additional metal layers in the display panel to form the touch electrode layer 40. The touch electrode layer 40 can be insulated from other metal layers in the display panel through the pixel definition layer 20 and the light-emitting functional layer 30. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an additional insulating layer between the touch electrode layer 40 and other metal layers of the display panel. Furthermore, the light-emitting functional layer 30 can be fabricated in the process flow after the formation of the touch electrode layer 40. Therefore, the fabrication process of the touch electrode layer 40 has little impact on the light-emitting material and its display performance. An encapsulation layer can be fabricated after the formation of the light-emitting functional layer 30 and other film layers, eliminating the need to fabricate a separate encapsulation layer for the touch electrode layer 40. Figure 1 Compared with the existing technical solutions shown, this solution can reduce the thickness of the display panel by three film layers.

[0075] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 The display panel also includes a first electrode located on one side of the light-emitting functional layer 30. The first electrode can be the anode or cathode of the light-emitting device. In this embodiment, the first electrode 70 is located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 closer to the substrate 10, and the first electrode 70 is the anode of the light-emitting device electrically connected to the pixel circuit. In other embodiments, the first electrode can also be located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 away from the substrate 10, and the first electrode can be the cathode of the light-emitting device.

[0076] The following is combined Figure 2 and Figure 3The following description uses the example of the first electrode 70 being the anode of a light-emitting device. Optionally, when the touch electrode layer 40 includes multiple first touch electrodes 410, the display panel may also include multiple second touch electrodes 60. The second touch electrodes 60 are disposed on the same layer as the first electrodes 70, and are located between adjacent first electrodes 70. The first touch electrodes 410 extend along a first direction Y, and the second touch electrodes 60 extend along a second direction X, where the first direction Y and the second direction X intersect.

[0077] For example, the display panel includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 410 extending along a first direction Y and a plurality of second touch electrodes 60 extending along a second direction X. The vertical projections of the plurality of first touch electrodes 410 and the plurality of second touch electrodes 60 on the substrate 10 overlap to form a grid-like touch electrode structure. One of the first touch electrodes 410 and the second touch electrodes 60 can be a transmitting electrode and the other can be a receiving electrode. The transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode can form a mutual capacitance touch structure, enabling the display panel to have touch functionality. By setting the second touch electrode 60 in the same layer as the first electrode 70, it is not necessary to set other metal layers in the display panel to form the second touch electrode 60, which helps to reduce the thickness of the display panel. Furthermore, since the pixel definition layer 20 covers the area between adjacent sub-pixel areas PX, that is, the area between adjacent first electrodes 70, the pixel definition layer 20 can also insulate the first touch electrodes 410 and the second touch electrodes 60, eliminating the need for an additional insulating layer between the first touch electrodes 410 and the second touch electrodes 60.

[0078] Based on the above embodiments, optionally, the first touch electrode 410 is set as a transparent electrode to reduce the impact of the first touch electrode 410 on the display effect.

[0079] When the first electrode is located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 away from the substrate 10, and the first electrode is the cathode of the light-emitting device, the second touch electrode 60 can also be disposed on the same layer as the cathode, and by patterning the cathode, the second touch electrode 60 can be located between adjacent cathodes to insulate the second touch electrode 60 from the cathode.

[0080] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically a top view of the display panel. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically... Figure 4 The sectional view obtained by cutting the display panel along section line CC', wherein... Figure 5 Only a portion of the film layers in the display panel are shown.

[0081] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5Optionally, when the touch electrode layer 40 includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 410, the display panel further includes a plurality of second touch electrodes 60. The first touch electrodes 410 extend along a first direction Y, and the second touch electrodes 60 extend along a second direction X, where the first direction Y and the second direction X intersect. The second touch electrodes 60 include a plurality of main body portions and a plurality of connecting portions. For ease of explanation, the main body portion of the second touch electrode 60 is referred to as the first main body portion 610, and the connecting portion is referred to as the first connecting portion 620. Two adjacent first main body portions 610 are bridged by the first connecting portion 620. The first main body portion 610 is located on the touch electrode layer 40, and the first connecting portion 620 is located on a metal layer other than the touch electrode layer 40. The vertical projections of the first touch electrodes 410 and the first connecting portion 620 on the substrate 10 overlap, while the vertical projections of the first main body portion 610 and the first touch electrodes 410 on the substrate 10 do not overlap.

[0082] The metal layer containing the first connecting portion 620 is a metal layer other than the touch electrode layer 40. For example, this metal layer can be the metal layer containing the first electrode. The first connecting portion 620 is disposed on the same layer as the first electrode and is located between adjacent first electrodes. The first electrode can also be the cathode or anode of the light-emitting device. The following description will still take the example of the first electrode being the anode located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 near the substrate 10.

[0083] For example, a plurality of first main body portions 610 extending along the second direction X and a plurality of first touch electrodes 410 extending along the first direction Y can be provided between adjacent sub-pixel areas PX of the touch electrode layer 40. A via is formed in the pixel definition layer 20 to connect to the first connecting portion 620, so that two adjacent first main body portions 610 in the same row on both sides of the first touch electrode 410 are bridged through the first connecting portion 620, thereby electrically connecting each first main body portion 610 in the same row to form a complete second touch electrode 60. The plurality of second touch electrodes 60 and the plurality of first touch electrodes 410 can form a grid-like touch electrode structure. One of the second touch electrodes 60 and the first touch electrode 410 can be a transmitting electrode, and the other can be a receiving electrode. The transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode can form a mutual capacitance touch structure, enabling the display panel to have touch functionality. Based on the above embodiments, optionally, the first main body 610 and the first touch electrode 410 are made as transparent electrodes to reduce the impact of the first main body 610 and the first touch electrode 410 on the display effect.

[0084] When the first electrode is the cathode on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 away from the substrate 10, the first connecting portion 620 can also be disposed in the same layer as the cathode. By patterning the cathode, the first connecting portion 620 is located between adjacent cathodes to insulate the first connecting portion 620 from the cathode. By forming a through-hole connecting the first main body portion 610 in the film layer between the touch electrode layer 40 and the cathode, two adjacent first main body portions 610 can be bridged through the first connecting portion 620 in the cathode.

[0085] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically a top view of the display panel. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically... Figure 6 The sectional view obtained by cutting the display panel along section line DD', wherein... Figure 6 Only a portion of the film layers in the display panel are shown.

[0086] The following is combined Figure 6 and Figure 7 The following describes the case where the touch electrode layer 40 includes the portion of the first touch electrode 410. Optionally, the first touch electrode 410 includes multiple main body portions and multiple connecting portions. For ease of explanation, the main body portion of the first touch electrode 410 is referred to as the second main body portion 411, and the connecting portion is referred to as the second connecting portion 412. The second connecting portion 412 is located in the touch electrode layer 40. The second main body portion 411 is disposed in the same layer as the first electrode, and the vertical projection of the second main body portion 411 and the first electrode on the substrate 10 does not overlap. The second connecting portion 412 is used to bridge the second main body portion 411.

[0087] The first electrode can also be the cathode or anode of the light-emitting device. The following explanation will take the example of the first electrode being the anode located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 near the substrate 10.

[0088] For example, a plurality of second main body portions 411 extending along the first direction Y can be formed in the metal layer where the first electrode is located. The second main body portions 411 are located between adjacent first electrodes. A via is formed in the pixel definition layer 20 to connect the second main body portions 411. A plurality of second connecting portions 412 corresponding to the second main body portions 411 are formed in the touch electrode layer 40. The second connecting portions 412 are connected to the corresponding second main body portions 411 through the via, so that two adjacent second main body portions 411 located in the same column are bridged through the second connecting portions 412, thereby electrically connecting each second main body portion 411 located in the same column to form a complete first touch electrode 410.

[0089] When the first electrode is the cathode on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 away from the substrate 10, the second main body portion 411 can also be disposed in the same layer as the cathode. By patterning the cathode, the second main body portion 411 is positioned between adjacent cathodes to insulate the second main body portion 411 from the cathode. By forming a via in the film layer between the touch electrode layer 40 and the cathode to connect the second connecting portion 412, and the second connecting portion 412 is connected to the corresponding second main body portion 411 through the via, two adjacent second main body portions 411 located in the same column are bridged by the second connecting portion 412.

[0090] Combination Figure 6 and Figure 7 Optionally, based on the above embodiments, the display panel further includes a second touch electrode 60, which is disposed on the same layer as the second main body portion 411. The second touch electrode 60 can extend along the first direction X, and the vertical projection of the second touch electrode 60 and the second connecting portion 412 of the first touch electrode 410 on the substrate 10 overlaps. A plurality of second touch electrodes 60 and a plurality of first touch electrodes 410 can form a grid-like touch electrode structure. One of the second touch electrode 60 and the first touch electrode 410 can be a transmitting electrode, and the other can be a receiving electrode. The transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode can form a mutual capacitance touch structure, enabling the display panel to have touch functionality.

[0091] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically it can be... Figure 2 Another sectional view obtained by cutting the display panel along section line BB'. See also Figure 8 Optionally, the display panel further includes a support layer 80 located between the pixel definition layer 20 and the light-emitting functional layer 30. In one embodiment, the touch electrode layer 40 may be located on the side of the support layer 80 away from the substrate 10. Specifically, the support layer 80 can be used to support a photomask to facilitate subsequent vapor deposition processes. The touch electrode layer 40 can be formed on the side of the support layer 80 away from the substrate 10 after the support layer 80 is formed. This allows the support layer 80 and the touch electrode layer 40 to jointly support the photomask while forming the touch electrodes in the display panel, facilitating subsequent vapor deposition processes.

[0092] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically it can be... Figure 2 Another sectional view obtained by cutting the display panel along section line BB'. See also Figure 9Alternatively, in another embodiment, the touch electrode layer 40 and the support layer 80 can be disposed on the same layer. That is, the touch electrode layer 40 and the support layer 80 can both be located on the side of the pixel definition layer 20 away from the substrate 10, so that the space on the side of the pixel definition layer 20 away from the substrate 10 is used to form the touch electrode layer 40 and the support layer 80, without having to separate the touch electrode layer 40 and the support layer 80 into two layers, thereby avoiding the touch electrode layer 40 from adding extra thickness to the display panel.

[0093] See also Figure 9 Optionally, the display panel also includes a second electrode 90; the first electrode 70 can be the anode of the light-emitting device, and the second electrode 90 can be the cathode of the light-emitting device. By placing the touch electrode layer 40 between the pixel definition layer 20 and the light-emitting functional layer 30, the touch electrode layer 40 and the second electrode 90 can be insulated through the light-emitting functional layer 30 to avoid the touch electrode layer 40 and the second electrode 90 being electrically connected and affecting the touch function.

[0094] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, specifically it can be... Figure 2 Another sectional view obtained by cutting the display panel along section line BB'. See also Figure 10 Optionally, in another embodiment, the display panel further includes an insulating layer 110 located between the light-emitting functional layer 30 and the touch electrode layer 40. By providing the insulating layer 110 between the light-emitting functional layer 30 and the touch electrode layer 40, the touch electrode layer 40 can be further insulated from the light-emitting functional layer 30 and the second electrode 90, thereby preventing the touch electrode layer 40 and the second electrode 90 from being electrically connected and affecting the touch function.

[0095] See also Figure 10 Optionally, the display panel also includes an encapsulation layer 100 covering the second electrode 90 to encapsulate the display panel. Figure 1 The existing technical solution shown requires a first encapsulation layer 03 covering the light-emitting functional layer 02, and a second encapsulation layer 07 covering the first touch layer 04 and the second touch layer 05. Compared with the existing technology, this solution only requires one encapsulation layer 100, which is beneficial for reducing the thickness of the display panel.

[0096] This invention also provides a display device. The display device can be a mobile phone, computer, tablet computer, or other display device with touch functionality. The display device includes the display panel described in any of the above embodiments, and therefore possesses the corresponding structure and beneficial effects of a display panel, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0097] This invention also provides a method for preparing a display panel, used to prepare the display panel in any of the above embodiments. Figure 11This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 11 The method specifically includes the following steps:

[0098] S110 provides a substrate.

[0099] S120. A pixel definition layer is formed on one side of the substrate.

[0100] S130. A touch electrode layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate. The touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of the first touch electrodes.

[0101] S140. After forming the touch electrode layer, a light-emitting functional layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate.

[0102] The technical solution of this invention, by placing the touch electrode layer between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer, not only helps to reduce the damage of the touch electrode manufacturing process to the light-emitting material and its display performance, but also eliminates the need to set an additional insulating layer and encapsulation layer for the touch electrode. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the display panel and also helps to reduce the thickness of the display panel.

[0103] Based on the above embodiments, step S130 may optionally include:

[0104] A metallic protective layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate;

[0105] A light-transmitting hole is formed through a metal protective layer and at least a portion of a film layer extending from the metal protective layer to the substrate; wherein the metal protective layer is used to protect the display panel when the light-transmitting hole is formed;

[0106] The metal protective layer is patterned to obtain multiple first touch electrodes or portions of the first touch electrodes.

[0107] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 For example, after forming the pixel definition layer 20, a metal protective layer 50 is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer 20 away from the substrate 10. Then, a light-transmitting hole is formed on one side of the metal protective layer 50, penetrating the metal protective layer 50 and at least a portion of the film layer from the metal protective layer 50 to the substrate 10, so as to protect the display panel through the metal protective layer 50. After forming the light-transmitting hole, the metal protective layer 50 is patterned to obtain a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of first touch electrodes.

[0108] Optionally, if the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes forming a plurality of second touch electrodes.

[0109] In one embodiment, the method for fabricating the display panel further includes: forming a first electrode on one side of the light-emitting functional layer; correspondingly, the method for forming a plurality of second touch electrodes may specifically include the following steps:

[0110] Multiple second touch electrodes are formed between adjacent first electrodes. The second touch electrodes extend along a first direction, and the first touch electrodes extend along a second direction. The first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0111] The following is combined Figure 2 and Figure 3 The following explanation uses the example of the first electrode 70 being the anode of a light-emitting device. Before forming the pixel definition layer 20, a second touch electrode 60 is formed simultaneously with the first electrode 70 on one side of the substrate 10. The second touch electrode 60 extends along the second direction X and is located between adjacent first electrodes 70. After forming the first electrode 70 and the second touch electrode 60, the pixel definition layer 20 is formed on the side of the first electrode 70 and the second touch electrode 60 away from the substrate 10, and the pixel definition layer 20 covers the edges of adjacent first electrodes 70 and the second touch electrodes 60. Then, a touch electrode layer 40 is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer 20 away from the substrate 10. By patterning the touch electrode layer 40, a first touch electrode 410 extending along the first direction Y is formed. The vertical projections of multiple first touch electrodes 410 and multiple second touch electrodes 60 on the substrate 10 overlap to form a grid-like touch electrode structure.

[0112] In another embodiment, the method for forming a plurality of second touch electrodes may specifically include the following steps:

[0113] Step 1: Form multiple main body portions extending along the second direction in the touch electrode layer. The first touch electrode extends along the first direction, which intersects with the second direction. The vertical projections of the main body portions and the first touch electrode on the substrate do not overlap.

[0114] Step 2: Form multiple connecting portions in the metal layer other than the touch electrode layer, with the connecting portions overlapping the vertical projection of the first touch electrode on the substrate.

[0115] Step 3: Bridge two adjacent main body parts through a connecting part so that the bridged main body parts and the connecting part form multiple second touch electrodes extending along the second direction.

[0116] The execution order of steps one and two can be interchanged; this embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this. The following is in conjunction with... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The following is an example of a metal layer where the first connection part 620 is located is the same metal layer where the first electrode is located, where the first connection part 620 and the first electrode are disposed in the same layer, and where the first electrode is the anode located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 close to the substrate 10.

[0117] Before forming the pixel definition layer 20, a first connection portion 620 is formed on one side of the substrate 10 while simultaneously forming a first electrode. The first connection portion 620 is located between adjacent first electrodes. After forming the first electrode and the first connection portion 620, the pixel definition layer 20 is formed on the side of the first electrode and the first connection portion 620 away from the substrate 10, such that the pixel definition layer 20 covers the edge of the adjacent first electrode 70 and the first connection portion 620, and a via is reserved in the pixel definition layer 20 to connect the first connection portion 620. Then, a touch electrode layer 40 is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer 20 away from the substrate 10. By patterning the touch electrode layer 40, a plurality of first main body portions 610 extending along the second direction X and a plurality of first touch electrodes 410 extending along the second direction X are formed, and the first main body portions 610 and the first touch electrodes 410 are both located between adjacent sub-pixel regions PX. Two adjacent first main body portions 610 located in the same row on both sides of the first touch electrode 410 can be bridged by through holes and first connecting portions 620, so that each first main body portion 610 located in the same row is electrically connected to each other to form a complete second touch electrode 60.

[0118] Optionally, when the touch electrode layer includes a portion of the first touch electrode, the portion of the first touch electrode is a connecting portion; the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes:

[0119] A first electrode and multiple main bodies are formed on one side of the light-emitting functional layer, and the vertical projections of the main bodies and the first electrode on the substrate do not overlap.

[0120] Two adjacent main body parts are bridged by a connecting part so that the bridged main body parts and the connecting part form multiple first touch electrodes.

[0121] The following is combined Figure 6 and Figure 7 The following example illustrates the situation where the first electrode is the anode located on the side of the light-emitting functional layer 30 near the substrate 10.

[0122] Before forming the pixel definition layer 20, a second main body portion 411 is formed on one side of the substrate 10 while a first electrode is formed. The second main body portion 411 extends along the first direction Y and is located between adjacent first electrodes. After forming the first electrode and the second main body portion 411, the pixel definition layer 20 is formed on the side of the first electrode and the second main body portion 411 away from the substrate 10, so that the pixel definition layer 20 covers the edge of the adjacent first electrode 70 and the second main body portion 411, and a via is reserved in the pixel definition layer 20 to connect the second main body portion 411. Then, a touch electrode layer 40 is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer 20 away from the substrate 10. By patterning the touch electrode layer 40, a plurality of second connection portions 412 are formed, and the second connection portions 412 are located between adjacent sub-pixel regions PX. Two adjacent second main body portions 411 located in the same column are bridged by the second connection portions 412, so that each second main body portion 411 located in the same column is electrically connected to each other to form a complete first touch electrode 410.

[0123] Based on the above embodiments, optionally, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes: forming a plurality of second touch electrodes, wherein the second touch electrodes are disposed in the same layer as the main body of the first touch electrode. Figure 6 and Figure 7 For example, while forming a first electrode on one side of the substrate 10, a plurality of second main body portions 411 and a plurality of second touch electrodes 60 are formed. The second main body portions 411 and the second touch electrodes 60 are both located between adjacent first electrodes. The second touch electrodes 60 can extend along the first direction X. The vertical projections of the second main body portions 411 and the second touch electrodes 60 on the substrate 10 do not intersect, and the vertical projections of the second touch electrodes 60 and the second connecting portion 412 on the substrate 10 overlap.

[0124] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized by, include: The substrate and the pixel definition layer located on one side of the substrate; A light-emitting functional layer is located on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate; A touch electrode layer is located between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer, and the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of first touch electrodes; The touch electrode layer is formed of a metal protective layer, which is used to protect the display panel when the light-transmitting holes of the display panel are formed.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, When the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the display panel further includes a plurality of second touch electrodes, wherein the first touch electrodes extend along a first direction, the second touch electrodes extend along a second direction, and the first direction intersects the second direction; The second touch electrode includes multiple main body portions and multiple connecting portions. Two adjacent main body portions are bridged by the connecting portions. The vertical projection of the first touch electrode and the connecting portion on the substrate overlaps, while the vertical projection of the main body portion and the first touch electrode on the substrate does not overlap. The main body portion is located in the touch electrode layer, and the connecting portion is located in a metal layer other than the touch electrode layer.

3. The display panel of claim 2, wherein, The display panel further includes a first electrode located on one side of the light-emitting functional layer, and the connecting portion is disposed on the same layer as the first electrode and located between adjacent first electrodes.

4. The display panel of claim 2, wherein, The main body and the first touch electrode are transparent electrodes.

5. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The display panel further includes a first electrode, which is located on one side of the light-emitting functional layer; In the case where the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the display panel further includes a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on the same layer as the first electrodes, the second touch electrodes being located between adjacent first electrodes; the first touch electrodes extend along a first direction, the second touch electrodes extend along a second direction, and the first direction intersects the second direction.

6. The display panel of claim 5, wherein, The first touch electrode is a transparent electrode.

7. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, The display panel also includes a first electrode located on one side of the light-emitting functional layer; In the case where the touch electrode layer includes a portion of the first touch electrode, the connecting portion of the first touch electrode is located in the touch electrode layer, the main body of the first touch electrode is disposed in the same layer as the first electrode, and the vertical projection of the main body of the first touch electrode and the first electrode on the substrate do not overlap, and the connecting portion of the first touch electrode is used to bridge the main body of the first touch electrode.

8. The display panel of claim 7, wherein, The display panel also includes a second touch electrode, which is disposed on the same layer as the main body of the first touch electrode.

9. The display panel of claim 1, wherein, In the case where the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the plurality of first touch electrodes are self-capacitive touch electrodes.

10. The display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The display panel further includes a support layer, which is located between the pixel definition layer and the light-emitting functional layer. The touch electrode layer is located on the side of the support layer away from the substrate, or the touch electrode layer is on the same layer as the support layer. And / or, the display panel further includes an insulating layer located between the light-emitting functional layer and the touch electrode layer.

11. A method for manufacturing a display panel, characterized by, include: Provide a base; A pixel definition layer is formed on one side of the substrate; A touch electrode layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate, and the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of first touch electrodes; After the touch electrode layer is formed, a light-emitting functional layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate; A touch electrode layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate. The touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes or portions of first touch electrodes, including: A metal protective layer is formed on the side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate; A light-transmitting hole is formed through the metal protective layer and at least a portion of the film layer extending from the metal protective layer to the substrate; wherein the metal protective layer is used to protect the display panel when the light-transmitting hole is formed; The metal protective layer is patterned to obtain multiple first touch electrodes or portions of the first touch electrodes.

12. The method of manufacturing a display panel according to claim 11, wherein, When the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes: forming a plurality of second touch electrodes; This includes forming multiple second touch electrodes, including: A plurality of main body portions extending along a second direction are formed in the touch electrode layer, the first touch electrode extends along a first direction, the first direction intersects with the second direction, and the vertical projection of the main body portions and the first touch electrode on the substrate does not overlap; Multiple connection portions are formed in a metal layer other than the touch electrode layer, and the connection portions overlap with the vertical projection of the first touch electrode on the substrate; Two adjacent main body portions are bridged by the connecting portion, so that the bridged main body portions and the connecting portion form a plurality of second touch electrodes extending along the second direction; Alternatively, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes: forming a first electrode on one side of the light-emitting functional layer; forming a plurality of second touch electrodes, including: A plurality of second touch electrodes are formed between adjacent first electrodes, the second touch electrodes extending along a first direction, the first touch electrodes extending along a second direction, and the first direction intersecting the second direction; When the touch electrode layer includes a portion of a first touch electrode, where the first touch electrode portion is a connecting portion, the method for manufacturing the display panel further includes: A first electrode and a plurality of main body portions are formed on one side of the light-emitting functional layer, wherein the main body portions do not overlap with the vertical projection of the first electrode onto the substrate; Two adjacent main body portions are bridged through the connecting portion, so that the bridged main body portions and the connecting portion form a plurality of first touch electrodes.

13. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 12, wherein the method for manufacturing a display panel further comprises: Multiple second touch electrodes are formed, and the second touch electrodes are disposed in the same layer as the main body of the first touch electrode.

14. A display device comprising: Includes the display panel described in any one of claims 1-10.

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