Organic light-emitting display panel, manufacturing method thereof, and organic light-emitting display device

Abstract

The present application provides an organic light-emitting display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and an organic light-emitting display device. The organic light-emitting display panel includes a substrate, a data line, a data lead anode electrode layer, and an anode bridging layer formed on the substrate. The data line and the anode electrode layer are sequentially formed in the display region of the substrate, and the data lead and the anode bridging layer are sequentially formed in the virtual region of the substrate and on one side of the corresponding terminal region. A bridging hole exposing the data lead and a plurality of through holes are provided in the virtual region, and the anode bridging layer is connected to the data lead through the bridging hole. In the organic light-emitting display panel, the manufacturing method thereof, and the organic light-emitting display device provided by the present application, by providing a plurality of through holes exposing the data lead near the terminal region, a displacement reaction occurs between the data lead in the virtual region and metal ions in the anode etching solution, avoiding the formation of metal balls at the anode edge in the display region and causing a short-circuit problem.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technologies, and particularly to an organic light-emitting display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and an organic light-emitting display device. Background Art

[0002] Compared with many display devices, an organic light-emitting display device (Organic Light Emitting Display, abbreviated as OLED) has many advantages such as being all-solid-state, self-emitting, wide viewing angle, wide color gamut, fast response speed, high luminous efficiency, high brightness, high contrast ratio, ultra-thin and ultra-light, low power consumption, wide operating temperature range, being able to manufacture large-size and flexible panels, and simple manufacturing processes. It can achieve true flexible display and best meet people's requirements for future displays.

[0003] An organic light-emitting display panel generally includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area. To avoid affecting the display, a scan driving circuit, a data driving circuit, etc. are usually arranged in the non-display area. In order to make an organic light-emitting display device have a higher screen-to-body ratio, the display area is getting larger and the non-display area is getting smaller, and the narrow border design has become the mainstream development trend.

[0004] Currently, some narrow-border products use a bridging method with an anode metal layer to reduce line impedance. However, it is found in the actual manufacturing process that narrow-border products using the bridging method to reduce line impedance are prone to abnormal light-emitting phenomena, thereby affecting the product yield. In order to improve the product yield, those skilled in the art have been looking for the reasons for the abnormal light-emitting phenomena and their solutions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, this application provides an organic light-emitting display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and an organic light-emitting display device to solve the problem that narrow-border products in the prior art are prone to abnormal light-emitting phenomena.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, an organic light-emitting display panel provided by the present invention includes: a substrate, and a data line, a data lead, a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, an anode electrode layer, and an anode bridging layer formed on the substrate;

[0007] The substrate includes a display screen area and a virtual area. The virtual area surrounds the display screen area. One side of the display screen area is a terminal area, and the side of the virtual area corresponding to the terminal area is a first virtual area;

[0008] The data line, the first insulating layer, and the anode electrode layer are sequentially formed in the display screen area. The data lead, the second insulating layer, and the anode bridging layer are sequentially formed in the first virtual area. A bridging hole and a plurality of through holes are provided in the first virtual area. The bridging hole and the plurality of through holes penetrate through the second insulating layer and expose the data lead. The anode bridging layer is connected to the data lead through the bridging hole.

[0009] Optionally, in the organic light-emitting display panel, the outer dimensions of the plurality of through holes are the same and are arranged in an array.

[0010] Optionally, in the organic light-emitting display panel, the data line and the data lead are formed in the same process, the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are formed in the same process, and the anode electrode layer and the anode bridging layer are formed in the same process.

[0011] Optionally, in the organic light-emitting display panel, it further includes: an organic planarization layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode;

[0012] The organic planarization layer is formed on the anode electrode layer, the organic light-emitting layer is formed on the organic planarization layer, and the cathode is formed on the organic light-emitting layer.

[0013] Correspondingly, a manufacturing method of an organic light-emitting display panel provided by the present invention includes:

[0014] Step 1: Provide a substrate, where the substrate includes a display screen area and a virtual area. The virtual area surrounds the display screen area. One side of the display screen area is a terminal area, and the side of the virtual area corresponding to the terminal area is the first virtual area;

[0015] Step 2: While forming the data line in the display screen area, form the data lead in the first virtual area;

[0016] Step 3: While forming the first insulating layer in the display screen area, form the second insulating layer in the first virtual area;

[0017] Step 4: Pattern the second insulating layer to form a bridging hole and a plurality of through holes in the first virtual area. The bridging hole and the plurality of through holes penetrate through the second insulating layer and expose the data lead;

[0018] Step 5: While forming the anode electrode layer on the first insulating layer, form the anode bridging layer on the second insulating layer. The anode bridging layer is connected to the data lead through the bridging hole;

[0019] The anode electrode layer is formed by wet etching of an anode metal layer. During the wet etching process, the data leads exposed by the plurality of through holes undergo a replacement reaction with metal ions in an anode etching solution, thereby reducing the concentration of metal ions in the anode etching solution.

[0020] Optionally, in the method for manufacturing the organic light-emitting display panel, the data line and the data lead are both made of aluminum, the anode electrode layer and the anode bridge layer are both made of silver, and the metal ions are silver ions.

[0021] Optionally, in the method for manufacturing the organic light-emitting display panel, after forming the anode electrode layer on the first insulating layer, the method further includes:

[0022] forming an organic planarization layer on the anode electrode layer and the data line;

[0023] forming an organic light emitting layer on the organic planar layer; and

[0024] A cathode is formed on the organic light emitting layer.

[0025] Accordingly, the present invention provides an organic light-emitting display device, which includes the organic light-emitting display panel described above.

[0026] The inventors discovered that the abnormal luminescence phenomenon in existing narrow-frame products is caused by the fact that silver ions in the solution during the wet etching process of the anode easily undergo a replacement reaction with the active metal aluminum on the device, causing the silver ions to be reduced to elemental silver. This in turn forms silver balls at the edge of the anode, piercing the organic functional layer and shorting to the cathode, ultimately causing the abnormal luminescence phenomenon. In the organic light-emitting display panel, its manufacturing method, and organic light-emitting display device provided by the present invention, multiple through-holes exposing data leads are provided near the terminal area, allowing the data leads to undergo a replacement reaction with the anode metal ions during the wet etching process of the anode, thereby reducing the concentration of the anode metal ions near the terminal area and preventing the formation of metal balls at the edge of the anode, which could cause a short circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application, and together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a non-display area of an organic light emitting display panel in the prior art during an anode wet etching process is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 It shows a schematic structural diagram of a non-display area of an organic light-emitting display panel in the prior art after the cathode is fabricated;

[0030] Figure 3 It shows a planar design diagram of an organic light-emitting display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 It is a planar design diagram of a first virtual area according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of a first virtual area according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of a display screen area according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] Now, example embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals in the figures denote like or similar structures, and thus their repetitive description will be omitted.

[0035] In existing narrow border products that use a bridging method with the anode to reduce line impedance, abnormal light emission is likely to occur, resulting in a low yield. The inventor has conducted in-depth research on this and found that the reason for the abnormal light emission phenomenon is that during the wet etching process of the anode electrode layer (i.e., wet etching), silver ions in the etching solution react with the exposed data lines (aluminum) to form silver balls and pierce the organic functional layer, causing the cathode and anode to be short-circuited, and thus the occurrence of abnormal light emission.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , which are schematic structural diagrams of an organic light-emitting display panel in the prior art during the fabrication of the anode and after the fabrication of the cathode. As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the existing organic light-emitting display panel 10 includes a substrate (not shown in the figure), and a data line 11, an insulating layer 12, an anode metal layer 13, an organic planar layer 14, an organic light-emitting layer 15, and a cathode metal layer 16 formed in sequence on the substrate. The data line 11 is exposed in the non-display area and is connected to the anode metal layer 13 in a bridging manner. The anode metal layer 13 and the data line 11 below it form a double-layer metal structure to reduce line impedance. The anode metal layer 13 is generally made of silver (Ag), and the data line 11 is generally made of aluminum (AL). Aluminum is an active metal. In the wet etching process of the anode, silver ions (Ag + ) in the anode etching solution react with the active metal (AL) in a displacement reaction. The silver ions gain electrons (e - +) at the edge of the anode metal layer 13 and are reduced to elemental silver. The elemental silver continuously grows into a silver ball 13a, so it is easy to pierce through the organic planar layer 14 and the organic light-emitting layer 15, causing the cathode metal layer 16 to be short-circuited with the anode metal layer 13, and thus resulting in abnormal light emission.

[0037] In summary, the reason for the abnormal light emission phenomenon in the existing narrow-border products that use the bridging method with the anode to reduce line impedance is that in the wet etching process of the anode, the anode metal ions (i.e., silver ions) in the anode etching solution react with the active metal (aluminum) in a displacement reaction, and then silver balls are formed at the edge of the anode electrode layer, causing a short circuit and resulting in the occurrence of abnormal light emission. To solve the above problems, the present application proposes the following technical solutions:

[0038] Please refer to Figures 3 to 6 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the organic light-emitting display panel of the embodiment of the present invention. As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the organic light-emitting display panel 20 includes: a substrate (not shown in the figure), and a data line 21, a data lead 21b, a first insulating layer 22, a second insulating layer 22b, an anode electrode layer 23, and an anode bridging layer 23b formed on the substrate; the substrate includes a display screen area (not labeled in the figure) and a virtual area (not shown in the figure). The virtual area surrounds the display screen area. One side of the display screen area is the terminal area B, and the side of the virtual area opposite to the terminal area B is the first virtual area C; the data line 21, the first insulating layer 22, and the anode electrode layer 23 are formed in sequence in the display screen area A, the data lead 21b, the second insulating layer 22b, and the anode bridging layer 23b are formed in sequence in the first virtual area C. A bridging hole 27 and a plurality of through holes 28 are provided in the first virtual area C. Both the bridging hole 27 and the plurality of through holes 28 penetrate through the second insulating layer and expose the data lead 21b. The anode bridging layer 23b is connected to the data lead 21b through the bridging hole 27.

[0039] Specifically, the substrate 11 can be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. The rigid substrate can be transparent glass, and the flexible substrate can be transparent plastic. The substrate includes a plurality of display regions and a plurality of virtual regions (also referred to as dummy regions). The virtual regions correspond to the display regions one by one, and the virtual regions surround the display regions.

[0040] As Figure 3 shown, each display region includes a display area AA and a terminal area (also referred to as a Bonding area) B. The display area AA includes a plurality of scan lines (not shown in the figure) and a plurality of data lines (not shown in the figure) arranged crosswise. The scan lines and the data lines intersect to define a plurality of pixel units (not shown in the figure). Each pixel unit is driven and controlled by a corresponding thin film transistor (abbreviated as TFT). The terminal area B is generally located on one side of the display region. A plurality of data terminals (not shown in the figure) are provided in the terminal area B. The plurality of data lines correspond to the plurality of data terminals one by one and are connected to an external driving circuit (not shown in the figure) through the plurality of data terminals.

[0041] Please continue to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, on the side of the virtual region opposite to the terminal area B is a first virtual region C. A bridging hole 27 and a plurality of through holes 28 are provided in the first virtual region C. The bottoms of the bridging hole 27 and the plurality of through holes 28 expose the data lead 21b.

[0042] In this embodiment, the outer dimensions of the plurality of through holes 28 are the same and are arranged in an array.

[0043] Please continue to refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first insulating layer 22 is formed on the data line 21. The anode electrode layer 23 is formed on the first insulating layer 22. The second insulating layer 22b is formed on the data lead 21b. The anode bridging layer 23b is formed on the second insulating layer 22b and covers the side wall and bottom wall of the bridging hole 27. Among them, the data line 21 and the data lead 21b are formed in the same process, the first insulating layer 22 and the second insulating layer 22b are formed in the same process, and the anode electrode layer 23 and the anode bridging layer 23b are formed in the same process.

[0044] Please continue to refer to Figure 6, the organic light-emitting display panel 20 further includes: an organic planarization layer 24, an organic light-emitting layer 25, and a cathode 26. The organic planarization layer 24 is formed on the anode electrode layer 23, the organic light-emitting layer 25 is formed on the organic planarization layer 24, and the cathode 26 is formed on the organic light-emitting layer 25.

[0045] In this embodiment, the organic light-emitting display panel 20 is a narrow border product and adopts a bridging method to reduce line impedance.

[0046] Correspondingly, the present invention also provides a manufacturing method for an organic light-emitting display panel. Please continue to refer to Figures 3 to 6 , the manufacturing method of the organic light-emitting display panel 20 includes:

[0047] Step 1: Provide a substrate, the substrate includes a display screen area and a virtual area, the virtual area surrounds the display screen area, one side of the display screen area is a terminal area B, and the side of the virtual area opposite to the terminal area B is a first virtual area C;

[0048] Step 2: While forming the data line 21 in the display screen area, form a data lead 21b in the first virtual area C;

[0049] Step 3: While forming the first insulating layer 22 in the display screen area, form a second insulating layer 22b in the first virtual area C;

[0050] Step 4: Pattern the second insulating layer 22b to form a bridging hole 27 and a plurality of through holes 28 in the first virtual area C. The bridging hole 27 and the plurality of through holes 28 penetrate through the second insulating layer 22b and expose the data lead 21b;

[0051] Step 5: While forming the anode electrode layer 23 on the first insulating layer, form an anode bridging layer 23b on the second insulating layer. The anode bridging layer 23b is connected to the data lead 21b through the bridging hole 27;

[0052] Among them, the anode electrode layer 23 is formed by wet etching of an anode metal layer. During the wet etching process, a displacement reaction occurs between the metal ions in the anode etching solution and the data lead 21b exposed by the plurality of through holes 28, thereby reducing the concentration of metal ions in the anode etching solution.

[0053] Specifically, the data line 21 and the data lead 21b are formed in the same process, that is, the data line 21 and the data lead 21b are of the same layer and the same material. The first insulating layer 22 and the second insulating layer 22b are formed in the same process, that is, the first insulating layer 22 and the second insulating layer 22b are of the same layer and the same material. The anode electrode layer 23 and the anode bridging layer 23b are formed in the same process, that is, the anode electrode layer 23 and the anode bridging layer 23b are of the same layer and the same material.

[0054] The process of forming the anode electrode layer 23 and the anode bridging layer 23b includes: First, an anode metal layer is formed on the first insulating layer 22 and the second insulating layer 22b; Then, the anode metal layer is wet-etched to form the anode electrode layer 23 on the first insulating layer 22 and at the same time form the anode bridging layer 23b on the second insulating layer 22b.

[0055] In this embodiment, the materials of the data line 21 and the data lead 21b are both aluminum (Al), and the materials of the anode electrode layer 23 and the anode bridging layer 23b are both silver (Ag).

[0056] During the wet-etching process, since the material of the anode metal layer is silver (Ag), there are a large number of silver ions (Ag + ) in the anode etchant. And the material of the data lead 21b exposed by the plurality of through holes 28 is aluminum (Al). Aluminum (Al) is an active metal and can undergo a displacement reaction with the silver ions (Ag + ) and reduce the concentration of silver ions (Ag + ) near the terminal area B.

[0057] Please continue to refer to Figure 6 , after forming the anode electrode layer 23 on the first insulating layer 22, it further includes: forming an organic planarization layer 24 on the anode electrode layer 23 and the data line 21; forming an organic light-emitting layer 25 on the organic planarization layer 24; and forming a cathode 26 on the organic light-emitting layer 25. Since the concentration of silver ions (Ag + ) nearby is low, silver balls will not form at the edge of the anode electrode layer 23, and the problem of short circuit can be avoided.

[0058] Adopting the manufacturing method of the organic light-emitting display panel provided in this embodiment can not only greatly reduce the risk of forming silver balls, thereby avoiding the abnormal light-emitting phenomenon caused by the short circuit between the anode and the cathode, but also in the manufactured organic light-emitting display panel 20, since its data lead 21b and anode bridging layer 23b form a double-layer metal structure, the line impedance can be reduced.

[0059] Correspondingly, the present invention further provides an organic light-emitting display device, and the organic light-emitting display device includes the organic light-emitting display panel 20 as described above. For details, please refer to the above text and will not be elaborated here.

[0060] The above-mentioned drawings only schematically show the organic light-emitting display panel provided by the present invention. For clarity, the shapes and numbers of elements in the above-mentioned drawings are simplified and some elements are omitted. Those skilled in the art can make changes according to actual needs, and these changes are within the protection scope of the present invention and will not be elaborated here.

[0061] In summary, for the organic light-emitting display panel, its manufacturing method and the organic light-emitting display device provided by the present invention, by providing a plurality of through holes exposing data leads near the terminal area, the data leads in the virtual area undergo a displacement reaction with the anode metal ions during the wet etching process of the anode, thereby reducing the concentration of anode metal ions near the terminal area and avoiding the formation of metal balls at the anode edge in the display screen area, resulting in a short-circuit problem.

[0062] The above content is a further detailed description of the present application in combination with specific preferred embodiments. It cannot be determined that the specific implementation of the present application is only limited to these descriptions. For those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present application belongs, without departing from the concept of the present application, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made, and all should be regarded as belonging to the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An organic light emitting display panel, characterized in that: include: A substrate and a data line, a data lead, a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, an anode electrode layer and an anode bridge layer formed on the substrate; The substrate includes a display screen area and a virtual area, the virtual area surrounds the display screen area, one side of the display screen area is a terminal area, and the side of the virtual area corresponding to the terminal area is a first virtual area; The data line, the first insulating layer and the anode electrode layer are sequentially formed in the display screen area, the data lead, the second insulating layer and the anode bridge layer are sequentially formed in the first virtual area, a bridge hole and a plurality of through holes are provided in the first virtual area, the bridge hole and the plurality of through holes both penetrate the second insulating layer and expose the data lead, the anode bridge layer is connected to the data lead through the bridge hole, wherein the data lead exposed by the plurality of through holes is configured to undergo a replacement reaction with the metal ions in the anode etching solution during the wet etching process of the anode electrode layer, thereby reducing the metal ion concentration near the terminal area to avoid the formation of metal balls at the anode edge of the display screen area.

2. The organic light emitting display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of through holes have consistent outer dimensions and are arranged in an array.

3. The organic light emitting display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The data line and the data lead are formed in a same process, the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are formed in a same process, and the anode electrode layer and the anode bridge layer are formed in a same process.

4. The organic light emitting display panel according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: an organic planar layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode; The organic planar layer is formed on the anode electrode layer, the organic light-emitting layer is formed on the organic planar layer, and the cathode is formed on the organic light-emitting layer.

5. A method for manufacturing an organic light-emitting display panel, characterized in that: include: Step 1: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a display screen area and a virtual area, wherein the virtual area surrounds the display screen area, one side of the display screen area is a terminal area, and the side of the virtual area corresponding to the terminal area is a first virtual area; Step 2: forming data lines in the display screen area and forming data leads in the first virtual area; Step 3: while forming the first insulating layer in the display screen area, forming the second insulating layer in the first dummy area; Step 4: performing patterning on the second insulating layer to form a bridge hole and a plurality of through holes in the first dummy area, wherein the bridge hole and the plurality of through holes penetrate the second insulating layer and expose the data leads; Step 5: while forming an anode electrode layer on the first insulating layer, forming an anode bridge layer on the second insulating layer, wherein the anode bridge layer is connected to the data lead through the bridge hole; The anode electrode layer is formed by wet etching of an anode metal layer. During the wet etching process, the data leads exposed by the plurality of through holes undergo a replacement reaction with metal ions in an anode etching solution, thereby reducing the concentration of metal ions in the anode etching solution.

6. The method for manufacturing an organic light emitting display panel according to claim 5, wherein: The data lines and the data leads are both made of aluminum, the anode electrode layer and the anode bridge layer are both made of silver, and the metal ions are silver ions.

7. The method for manufacturing an organic light emitting display panel according to claim 5, wherein: After forming an anode electrode layer on the first insulating layer, the method further includes: forming an organic planarization layer on the anode electrode layer and the data line; forming an organic light emitting layer on the organic planar layer; and A cathode is formed on the organic light emitting layer.

8. An organic light emitting display device, characterized in that: include: The organic light emitting display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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