Display panel, crack detection method thereof, and display device

Abstract

Display panel, crack detection method thereof, and display device. The display panel includes a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. At least one touch unit is provided in the display area, and a crack detection trace and a power line are provided in the peripheral area, as well as at least one switch circuit. Different switch circuits correspond to different touch units. Wherein: The crack detection trace includes a first node, and the first node is connected to a test end; The switch circuit includes a control end, a first end, and a second end. The control end of the switch circuit is connected to a node other than the first node of the crack detection trace, the first end is connected to the corresponding touch unit, and the second end is connected to the power line; The switch circuit is configured to conduct or cut off the first end and the second end under the control of the control end. The display panel provided in this embodiment uses the touch unit for crack detection, and the crack position can be located according to whether the signal of the touch unit is normal, improving the crack positioning efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to, but are not limited to, display technologies, and particularly to a display panel, a crack detection method thereof, and a display device. Background Art

[0002] The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen is soft in texture, and there is a risk of cracks caused by damage to the screen edge during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, there is a risk that the cracks deteriorate during the reliability process, resulting in abnormal screen display. It is possible to form a wire loop by surrounding the four edges of the display screen with panel crack detection (PCD) traces, and monitor whether there are cracks in the PCD traces by testing the resistance and voltage of the PCD traces, thereby monitoring whether the screen edge is damaged. Currently, after the PCD test fails (NG), it is only possible to check the PCD traces by observing them under a microscope, which is inefficient and ineffective. Especially for large-sized display devices, the troubleshooting is more difficult, and it also occupies a large amount of human resources. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The following is an overview of the subject matter described in detail in this document. This overview is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims.

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display panel, a crack detection method thereof, and a display device, which can achieve crack positioning.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display panel. The display panel includes a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The display area is provided with at least one touch unit, and the peripheral area is provided with crack detection traces, a power line, and at least one switch circuit. One switch circuit corresponds to one touch unit, and different switch circuits correspond to different touch units, where:

[0006] The crack detection traces include a first node, and the first node is connected to a test end;

[0007] The switch circuit includes a control end, a first end, and a second end. The control end of the switch circuit is connected to a node outside the first node of the crack detection traces, the first end is connected to the corresponding touch unit, and the second end is connected to the power line. The switch circuit is configured to conduct or cut off the first end and the second end under the control of the control end.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one first touch unit arranged along a second direction and at least one second touch unit arranged along a first direction are provided in the display area, the first direction and the second direction intersect, and at least one first switch circuit and at least one second switch circuit are provided in the peripheral area. One first switch circuit corresponds to one first touch unit, and one second switch circuit corresponds to one second touch unit;

[0009] The crack detection trace includes a first lead segment on one side of the central axis of the display area and a second lead segment on the other side of the central axis. The control ends of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are connected to different nodes of the first lead segment; and the arrangement order of the nodes to which the control ends of different first switch circuits are connected is the same as the arrangement order of the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits; the arrangement order of the nodes to which the control ends of different second switch circuits are connected is the same as the arrangement order of the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuits, and the nodes to which the control ends of the second switch circuits are connected are located at one end of the nodes to which the control ends of the first switch circuits are connected away from the first node.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel further includes: a first crack positioning switch and a first control trace. The first crack positioning switch includes a control end, a first end, and a second end. The control end of the first crack positioning switch is connected to a first positioning control end, the first end is connected to the second node of the crack detection trace, and the second end is connected to the first control trace; the first crack positioning switch is configured to conduct or cut off the first end and the second end of the first crack positioning switch under the control of the control end of the first crack positioning switch;

[0011] The control ends of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are also connected to the first control trace.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the first lead segment includes a first sub-lead segment and a second sub-lead segment, and the first sub-lead segment is located on the side of the second sub-lead segment away from the display area. The control ends of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are connected to different nodes of the first sub-lead segment.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the first control trace is located on the side of the first lead segment close to the display area.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one third switch circuit and at least one fourth switch circuit are provided in the peripheral area. One third switch circuit corresponds to one first touch unit, and one fourth switch circuit corresponds to one second touch unit;

[0015] The control terminal of the third switching circuit and the control terminal of the fourth switching circuit are connected to different nodes of the second lead segment; and the arrangement order of the nodes connected to the control terminals of different third switching circuits is consistent with the arrangement order of the first touch units corresponding to the third switching circuits; the arrangement order of the nodes connected to the control terminals of different fourth switching circuits is consistent with the arrangement order of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switching circuits, and the nodes connected to the control terminals of the fourth switching circuits are located at one end of the nodes connected to the control terminals of the third switching circuits away from the first node.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel further includes: a second crack positioning switch and a second control trace. The second crack positioning switch includes a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The control terminal of the second crack positioning switch is connected to the second positioning control terminal, the first terminal is connected to the third node of the crack detection trace, and the second terminal is connected to the second control trace; the second crack positioning switch is configured to conduct or cut off the first terminal and the second terminal of the second crack positioning switch under the control of the control terminal of the second crack positioning switch.

[0017] The control terminals of the third switching circuit and the fourth switching circuit are also connected to the second control trace.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the second lead segment includes a third sub-lead segment and a fourth sub-lead segment, and the third sub-lead segment is located on a side of the fourth sub-lead segment away from the display area. The control terminals of the third switching circuit and the fourth switching circuit are connected to different nodes of the third sub-lead segment.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the first terminal of the first switching circuit is connected to the first terminal of the first touch unit, the third switching circuit is connected to the second terminal of the first touch unit, and the first switching circuit and the first terminal of the first touch unit are located on one side of the central axis, and the third switching circuit and the second terminal of the first touch unit are located on the other side of the central axis.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the second touch units corresponding to the second switching circuit are located on one side of the central axis, and the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switching circuit are located on the other side of the central axis.

[0021] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device, including the display panel described in any of the above embodiments.

[0022] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for detecting cracks in a display panel. The display panel is the above display panel. The crack detection method includes:

[0023] Receiving a turn-off level signal input from the test end to turn off a switch circuit connected to the crack detection trace;

[0024] Obtaining a signal of the touch control unit and determining crack position information according to the signal of the touch control unit.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the determining crack position information according to the signal of the touch control unit includes:

[0026] When the signals of the first touch control units corresponding to all the first switch circuits and the signals of the second touch control units corresponding to all the second switch circuits are normal, there is no crack in the first lead segment;

[0027] When the signals of the first touch control units corresponding to some of the first switch circuits are normal, the signals of the first touch control units corresponding to some of the first switch circuits are abnormal, and the signals of the second touch control units corresponding to all the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between two adjacent first target nodes and second target nodes, where the signal of the first touch control unit corresponding to the first switch circuit connected to the first target node is normal, and the signal of the first touch control unit corresponding to the first switch circuit connected to the second target node is abnormal;

[0028] When the signals of the first touch control units corresponding to all the first switch circuits are normal and the signals of the second touch control units corresponding to all the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between two adjacent third target nodes and fourth target nodes, where the third target node is connected to a first switch circuit and the fourth target node is connected to a second switch circuit;

[0029] When the signals of the first touch control units corresponding to all the first switch circuits are normal, the signals of the second touch control units corresponding to some of the second switch circuits are normal, and the signals of the second touch control units corresponding to some of the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between two adjacent fifth target nodes and sixth target nodes, where the signal of the second touch control unit corresponding to the second switch circuit connected to the fifth target node is normal, and the signal of the second touch control unit corresponding to the second switch circuit connected to the sixth target node is abnormal.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the determining crack position information according to the signal of the touch control unit includes:

[0031] When the signals of the first touch control units corresponding to all the third switch circuits and the signals of the second touch control units corresponding to all the fourth switch circuits are normal, there is no crack in the second lead segment;

[0032] When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to some of the third switch circuits are normal, the signals of the first touch units corresponding to some of the third switch circuits are abnormal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the seventh target node and the eighth target node adjacent to each other, where the signals of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuits connected to the seventh target node are normal, and the signals of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuits connected to the eighth target node are abnormal;

[0033] When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the third switch circuits are normal and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the ninth target node and the tenth target node adjacent to each other, where the ninth target node is connected to the third switch circuit and the tenth target node is connected to the fourth switch circuit;

[0034] When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the third switch circuits are normal, the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the fourth switch circuits are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the eleventh target node and the twelfth target node adjacent to each other, where the signals of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuits connected to the eleventh target node are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuits connected to the twelfth target node are abnormal.

[0035] The embodiments of the present disclosure include a display panel, a crack detection method thereof, and a display device. The display panel includes a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The display area is provided with at least one touch unit, and the peripheral area is provided with a crack detection trace and a power line, at least one switch circuit, where one switch circuit corresponds to one touch unit, and different switch circuits correspond to different touch units. Among them: the crack detection trace includes a first node, and the first node is connected to a test end; the switch circuit includes a control end, a first end, and a second end. The control end of the switch circuit is connected to a node other than the first node of the crack detection trace, the first end is connected to the corresponding touch unit, and the second end is connected to the power line; the switch circuit is configured to conduct or cut off the first end and the second end under the control of the control end. The display panel provided in this embodiment uses the touch unit to detect cracks, and the crack position can be located according to whether the signal of the touch unit is normal, improving the crack positioning efficiency.

[0036] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in the following specification, and, in part, will be obvious from the specification, or will be understood by implementing the present invention. The objectives and other advantages of the present invention can be realized and obtained by the structures specifically pointed out in the specification and the drawings.

[0037] Other aspects will be apparent upon reading and understanding the accompanying drawings and the detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the technical solutions of the present disclosure, and constitute a part of the description. Together with the embodiments of the present disclosure, they are used to explain the technical solutions of the present invention, and do not constitute a limitation to the technical solutions.

[0039] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of crack detection for one technical solution;

[0040] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of crack detection for another technical solution;

[0041] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a display panel for one exemplary embodiment;

[0042] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a display panel for another exemplary embodiment;

[0043] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a display panel for yet another exemplary embodiment;

[0044] Figure 6 Flowchart of a method for crack detection of a display panel for one exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Without conflict, the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily with each other.

[0046] The steps shown in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer-executable instructions. And although the logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in a different order than here.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure should have the ordinary meaning as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0048] In the accompanying drawings, sometimes for clarity, the sizes, thicknesses of layers or regions of the respective components are exaggerated. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to this size, and the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings do not reflect the true scale. In addition, the accompanying drawings schematically show ideal examples, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the shapes or values shown in the drawings.

[0049] The ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", "third", etc. in the present disclosure are set to avoid confusion of constituent elements and do not represent any order, quantity, or importance.

[0050] In the present disclosure, for convenience, terms indicating orientation or positional relationship such as "middle", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are used to describe the positional relationship of constituent elements with reference to the accompanying drawings. This is only for the convenience of describing this specification and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present disclosure. The positional relationship of the constituent elements is appropriately changed according to the direction of describing each constituent element. Therefore, it is not limited to the terms described in the disclosure and can be appropriately replaced according to the circumstances.

[0051] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate member, or the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0052] In the present disclosure, a transistor refers to an element including at least three terminals: a gate electrode, a drain electrode, and a source electrode. The transistor has a channel region between the drain electrode (drain electrode terminal, drain region, or drain electrode) and the source electrode (source electrode terminal, source region, or source electrode), and current can flow through the drain electrode, the channel region, and the source electrode. In the present disclosure, the channel region refers to the region where current mainly flows.

[0053] In the present disclosure, the first pole can be the drain electrode and the second pole can be the source electrode, or the first pole can be the source electrode and the second pole can be the drain electrode. In the case of using transistors with opposite polarities or when the current direction changes during circuit operation, etc., the functions of the "source electrode" and the "drain electrode" are sometimes interchanged. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the "source electrode" and the "drain electrode" can be interchanged with each other.

[0054] In the present disclosure, "electrically connected" includes the case where constituent elements are connected together through an element having a certain electrical effect. The "element having a certain electrical effect" is not particularly limited as long as it can transfer electrical signals between the constituent elements to be connected. Examples of the "element having a certain electrical effect" include not only electrodes and wirings, but also switching elements such as transistors, resistors, inductors, capacitors, and other elements having various functions.

[0055] In the present disclosure, "parallel" refers to a state where the angle formed by two straight lines is greater than -10° and less than 10°, and thus also includes a state where the angle is greater than -5° and less than 5°. In addition, "perpendicular" refers to a state where the angle formed by two straight lines is greater than 80° and less than 100°, and thus also includes a state where the angle is greater than 85° and less than 95°.

[0056] The statement in the present disclosure that "A and B are arranged on the same layer" means that A and B are formed simultaneously through the same patterning process. "The orthographic projection of B is within the range of the orthographic projection of A" means that the boundary of the orthographic projection of B falls within the boundary of the orthographic projection of A, or the boundary of the orthographic projection of A overlaps with the boundary of the orthographic projection of B.

[0057] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of crack detection provided for a technical solution. As Figure 1 shown, the PCD trace surrounds the four peripheral edges of the display screen to form a wire loop. A test signal is loaded at one end of the PCD trace through the FPC, and the signal output by the PCD trace is detected to test the resistance and voltage of the PCD trace to monitor whether there is a crack in the PCD trace, and further monitor whether the edge of the screen is damaged. Currently, after the PCD test fails, only the PCD trace can be checked by observing it under a microscope, and both the efficiency and the effect are poor.

[0058] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of crack detection provided for another technical solution. As Figure 2 shown, the PCD trace surrounds the display screen for two weeks to form a wire loop. One end P1 of the PCD trace is connected to the first end of the first test switch K1, and the other end P2 of the PCD trace is connected to the first end of the second test switch K2. The control ends of the first test switch K1 and the second test switch K2 are connected to the control pad PCD SW. A connection between the first end P1 and the second end P2 of the PCD trace is connected to the test end PCD2. The second end of the first test switch K1 is connected to the first data line, and the second end of the second test switch K2 is connected to the second data line. A high-level signal VGH is loaded at the test end PCD2. If there is no crack around, the high-level signal is loaded onto the first data line and the second data line, and there is no bright line on the display screen. When there is a crack at point A, the high-level signal cannot be loaded to the first end of the first test switch K1, so it cannot be loaded onto the first data line. The sub-pixels corresponding to the first data line emit light, and a bright line appears. The high-level signal is loaded onto the second data line, and the sub-pixels corresponding to the second data line do not emit light. Therefore, the side where the crack is located can be determined by the position of the bright line, but the specific position still cannot be determined.

[0059] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the touch trace is used for crack detection to achieve crack positioning, improve the crack detection efficiency, and reduce the cost.

[0060] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display panel. The display panel includes a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. At least one touch unit is provided in the display area, and a crack detection trace and a power line are provided in the peripheral area. There are at least one switch circuit, one switch circuit corresponding to one touch unit, and different switch circuits corresponding to different touch units, where:

[0061] The crack detection trace includes a first node, and the first node is connected to a test terminal;

[0062] The switch circuit includes a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The control terminal of the switch circuit is connected to a node outside the first node of the crack detection trace, the first terminal is connected to the corresponding touch unit, and the second terminal is connected to the power line; the switch circuit is configured to conduct or cut off the first terminal and the second terminal under the control of the control terminal.

[0063] In the display panel provided in this embodiment, the touch unit is used for crack detection, and the crack position can be located according to whether the signal of the touch unit is normal, improving the crack location efficiency.

[0064] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a display panel provided for an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 3 shown, the display panel provided in this embodiment includes a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The display area includes a plurality of first touch units Ri and a plurality of second touch units Tj, where i = 0 to n and j = 0 to m. The peripheral area includes a crack detection trace 10 surrounding the display area, a power line ELVSS, a first crack location switch circuit K3, a first switch circuit KLi connected to the first terminal of the first touch unit Ri, where i = 0 to n, and a second switch circuit KTj1 connected to one end of the second touch unit, where t is 0 to m1 and m1 is less than m, where:

[0065] The first node S1 of the crack detection trace 10 is connected to a test terminal PCD2; the test terminal PCD2 is, for example, a test pad;

[0066] The control terminal of the first crack location switch K3 is connected to a first location control terminal PCD3, the first terminal is connected to the second node S2 of the crack detection trace 10, and the second terminal is connected to a first control trace 20; the first crack location switch K3 is configured to conduct or cut off the first terminal and the second terminal of the first crack location switch K3 under the control of the control terminal; the second node S2 can be the same as or different from the first node S1; the first location control terminal PCD3 can be a first location pad.

[0067] The control terminal of the first switch circuit KLi is connected to the node SLi of the crack detection trace and the first control trace 20, the first terminal is connected to the first end of the first touch unit Ri, and the second terminal of the first switch circuit KLi is connected to the power supply line ELVSS. The first switch circuit KLi is configured to conduct or cut off the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal of the first switch circuit KLi under the control of the control terminal. That is, the control terminal of the first switch circuit KL0 is connected to the node SL0 of the crack detection trace and the first control trace 20, the first terminal is connected to the first touch unit R0, and the second terminal is connected to the power supply line ELVSS; the control terminal of the first switch circuit KL1 is connected to the node SL1 of the crack detection trace 10 and the first control trace 20, the first terminal is connected to the first touch unit R1, and the second terminal is connected to the power supply line ELVSS; the control terminal of the first switch circuit KLn is connected to the node SLn of the crack detection trace and the first control trace 20, the first terminal is connected to the first touch unit Rn, and the second terminal is connected to the power supply line ELVSS. Among them, the positional relationship between different nodes SLi is the same as the positional relationship between the first touch units Ri, that is, the arrangement order of different nodes SLi is the same as the arrangement order of the corresponding first touch units Ri. For example, the first touch unit R1 is located on the side of the first touch unit R0 closer to the first node S1, and the node SL1 is located on the side of the node SL0 closer to the first node S1. The multiple first touch units Ri are arranged in sequence along the second direction D2, and the multiple nodes SLi are arranged in sequence along the second direction D2. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The arrangement order of the nodes SLi may be inconsistent with the arrangement order of the first touch units Ri. Consistent arrangement order is convenient for wiring and can more intuitively determine the crack position.

[0068] The control terminal of the second switch circuit KTj1 is connected to the node STj1 of the crack detection trace 10 and the first control trace 20, the first terminal is connected to one end of the second touch unit Tj1, and the second terminal is connected to the power supply line ELVSS, where j1 ranges from 0 to m1. The second switch circuit KTji is configured to conduct or cut off the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal of the second switch circuit KTji under the control of the control terminal. The positional relationship between different nodes STj1 is the same as the positional relationship between the second touch units Tj1, that is, the arrangement order of different nodes STj1 is the same as the arrangement order of the corresponding second touch units Tj1. The multiple second touch units Tj1 are arranged in sequence along the first direction D1, and the corresponding multiple nodes STj1 are arranged in sequence along the first direction D1. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The arrangement order of the nodes STj1 may be inconsistent with the arrangement order of the second touch units Tj1. Consistent arrangement order is convenient for wiring and can more intuitively determine the crack position.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the node STj1 may be located at an end of the node SLi away from the first node S1, that is, the node SLi is relatively closer to the first node S1 than the node STj1. The signal from the first node S1 reaches the node SLi first and then reaches the node STj1. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the positions of the node STj1 and the node SLi may intersect, that is, part of STj1 may be located at an end of part of the nodes SLi close to the first node S1. It is more convenient to wire the node STj1 at an end of the node SLi away from the first node S1, and the crack position can be determined more intuitively.

[0070] Wherein, the first touch unit Ri has a linear shape extending along the first direction D1, and a plurality of first touch units Ri are arranged in sequence along the second direction D2. The second touch unit Tj has a linear shape extending along the second direction D2, and a plurality of second touch units Tj are arranged in sequence along the first direction D1. The first direction D1 intersects the second direction D2.

[0071] Each first touch unit Ri includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 101 and a first connection portion 102 arranged in sequence along the first direction D1. The plurality of first touch electrodes 101 and the plurality of first connection portions 102 are alternately arranged and connected in sequence. Each second touch unit Tj includes a plurality of second touch electrodes 201 arranged in sequence along the second direction D2. The plurality of second touch electrodes 201 are spaced apart, and adjacent second touch electrodes 201 are connected to each other through a second connection portion 202. The layer where the second connection portion 202 is located is different from the layers where the first touch electrode 101 and the second touch electrode 201 are located. The first touch electrode 101 and the second touch electrode 201 are alternately arranged in the third extension direction D3, and the third direction D3 intersects the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Figure 3 Only some of the first touch units and the second touch units are schematically shown.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, the crack detection trace 10 includes a first lead segment 11 located on one side of the central axis 300 of the display panel and a second lead segment 12 located on the other side of the central axis 300 of the display panel. The nodes SLi, where i = 0 to n, and the node STj1 may be located on the same side of the central axis 300, for example, located on the first lead segment 11, and the first end of the first touch unit Ri is on the same side of the central axis 300 as the first lead segment 11. Figure 3 The crack detection trace in is only an example, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. It may be other crack detection traces. The display panel may include a first side provided with a bonding area and a second side opposite to the bonding area, and the central axis 300 is perpendicular to the first side and the second side.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, the first lead segment 11 may be a single-layer lead or a double-layer lead, that is, it may surround the display area on one side of the central axis 300 once or surround the display area on one side of the central axis 300 twice. For example, the first lead segment 11 may include a first sub-lead segment 111 and a second sub-lead segment 112, and the first sub-lead segment 111 is located on the side of the second sub-lead segment 112 away from the display area. The nodes SLi, where i = 0 to n, and the node STj1 may be located on the first sub-lead segment 111. Since cracks usually occur at the edge of the display panel, the first touch unit and the second touch unit connected to the outermost first sub-lead segment 111 can better detect cracks. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the first touch unit and the second touch unit may be connected to the second sub-lead segment 112.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, part of the first touch unit Ri and the second touch unit Ti may be used for crack detection. For example, only the first touch units in odd rows may be used, or only the first touch units in even rows may be used, or only the second touch units in odd columns may be used, or only the second touch units in even columns may be used, or one first touch unit is taken every two rows and one second touch unit is taken every two columns, or the used first touch units and second touch units are unevenly distributed, etc., which can be configured according to needs.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the distances between adjacent nodes among the nodes SL0 to SLn may be the same, that is, the nodes SL0 to SLn are evenly distributed. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the distances between adjacent nodes may be different. For example, the nodes may be more densely distributed in areas with a higher crack risk, etc., and the node positions can be set according to needs. The nodes SL0 to SLn may be as scattered as possible so as to detect cracks in as large an area as possible.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, the distances between adjacent nodes among the nodes ST0 to STm1 may be the same, that is, the nodes ST0 to STm1 are evenly distributed. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the distances between adjacent nodes may be different. For example, the nodes may be more densely distributed in areas with a higher crack risk, etc., and the node positions can be set according to needs. The nodes ST0 to STm1 may be as scattered as possible so as to detect cracks in as large an area as possible.

[0077] The following will explain Figure 3 the crack detection process of the shown display panel.

[0078] In the crack detection stage, the first positioning control terminal PCD3 loads a turn-off level signal, and this turn-off level signal is loaded onto the control electrode of the first crack positioning switch K3 to turn off the first crack positioning switch K3; in an exemplary embodiment, the turn-off level signal may be a high-level signal, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto and may be a low-level signal; in this embodiment, signals from the first crack positioning switch K3 can be prevented from interfering with the first switch circuits KL0 to KLn, as well as the second switch circuits KT0 and KTm1.

[0079] A turn-off level signal is loaded onto the test terminal PCD2. When there is no crack in the crack detection trace 10, the turn-off level signal is loaded onto the first switch circuits KL0 to KLn, and also onto the second switch circuits KT0 and KTm1. The first touch units R0 to Rn and the second touch units T0 to Tm1 are disconnected from the power supply line ELVSS. The signals detected from the first touch units R0 to Rn and the second touch units T0 to Tm1 are called normal signals; the turn-off level signal may be a high-level signal, but is not limited thereto and may be other signals.

[0080] When a crack appears in the crack detection trace 10, resulting in abnormal signals of some or all of the touch units, then the crack is located between two adjacent nodes, and for these two adjacent nodes, the signals of the touch units corresponding to the switch circuit connected to one of them are normal, while the signals of the touch units corresponding to the switch circuit connected to the other are abnormal, including:

[0081] When the signals of some of the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits are normal and the signals of some of the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits are abnormal, and the signals of all the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the first target node and the second target node that are adjacent to each other, where the signals of the first touch unit corresponding to the first switch circuit connected to the first target node are normal, and the signals of the first touch unit corresponding to the first switch circuit connected to the second target node are abnormal;

[0082] When the signals of all the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits are normal and the signals of all the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the third target node and the fourth target node that are adjacent to each other, where the third target node is connected to the first switch circuit and the fourth target node is connected to the second switch circuit;

[0083] When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the first switch circuits are normal, the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the second switch circuits are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the fifth target node and the sixth target node adjacent to each other. The signal of the second touch unit corresponding to the second switch circuit connected to the fifth target node is normal, and the signal of the second touch unit corresponding to the second switch circuit connected to the sixth target node is abnormal.

[0084] The possible situations are as follows:

[0085] When the signals of the first touch units Rn1 to Rn are normal, 0 < n1 < n, and the signals of the first touch units R0 to R(n1 - 1) and the second touch units T0 to Tm1 are abnormal, it can be determined that the crack is between the node SL(n1 - 1) and the node SLn1. At this time, the turn-off level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded to the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KLn to KLn1, and cannot be loaded to the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KL0 to KL(n1 - 1) (the lead segment of the node SL(n1 - 1) and the end away from the node S1 is floating), and also cannot be loaded to the control electrodes of the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm1. That is, the first switch circuits KLn to KLn1 are turned off, the first switch circuits KL0 to KL(n1 - 1) are turned on, and the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm1 are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power supply line ELVSS can be loaded to the first touch units R0 to R(n1 - 1), and also to the second touch units T0 to Tm1, resulting in the signals of the first touch units R0 to R(n1 - 1) and the second touch units T0 to Tm1 being abnormal. Therefore, when the signals of the first touch units Rn1 to Rn are normal and the signals of the first touch units R0 to R(n1 - 1) and the second touch units T0 to Tm1 are abnormal, it can be determined that the crack is between the node SL(n1 - 1) and the node SLn1.

[0086] When the signals of the first touch units R0 to Rn are normal and the signals of the second touch units T0 to Tm1 are abnormal, the crack is between the node SL0 and the node ST0. At this time, the turn-off level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded to the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KL0 and KLn, and cannot be loaded to the control electrodes of the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm1. That is, the first switch circuits KL0 and KLn are turned off, and the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm1 are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power supply line ELVSS is loaded to the second touch units T0 to Tm1. Therefore, when the signals of the first touch units R0 to Rn are normal and the signals of the second touch units T0 to Tm1 are abnormal, it can be determined that the crack is between the node SL0 and the node ST0.

[0087] When the signals of the first touch units R0 to Rn are normal, the signals of the second touch units T0 to Tm0 are normal, and the signals of the second touch units T(m0 + 1) to Tm1 are abnormal, it can be determined that there is a crack between the node STm0 and the node ST(m0 + 1), where 1 < m0 < m1. At this time, the turn-off level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded onto the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KL0 and KLn, and can be loaded onto the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm0, but cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the second switch circuits KT(m0 + 1) to KTm1. That is, the first switch circuits KL0 and KLn are turned off, the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm0 are turned off, and the second switch circuits KT(m0 + 1) to KTm1 are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power line ELVSS is loaded onto the second touch units T(m0 + 1) to Tm1. Therefore, when the signals of the first touch units R0 to Rn are normal, the signals of the second touch units T0 to Tm0 are normal, and the signals of the second touch units T(m0 + 1) to T8 are abnormal, it can be determined that there is a crack between the node STm0 and the node ST(m0 + 1).

[0088] In the non-crack detection stage (shipment capacitance test stage), a conduction level signal is loaded onto the first positioning control terminal PCD3 to turn on the first crack positioning switch K3, and the signal of the crack detection trace 10 is loaded onto the first switch circuits KL0 to KLn and onto the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm1 to turn off the first switch circuits KL0 to KLn and to turn off the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm1, preventing the power line ELVSS from being connected to the first touch electrodes R0 to Rn and to the second touch electrodes T0 to Tm1, which may affect the capacitances of the first touch electrodes R0 to Rn and the second touch electrodes T0 to Tm1. In this stage, a turn-off level signal is loaded onto the test terminal PCD2.

[0089] The display panel provided in this embodiment can accurately locate cracks on the left side of the central axis, reducing the troubleshooting time, lowering the labor cost, facilitating repair, increasing the yield rate, and enhancing the product competitiveness.

[0090] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a display panel provided for another exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the peripheral area further includes a second crack positioning switch circuit K4, a third control circuit KRi, where i = 0 to n, and a fourth control circuit KTj2, where j2 is from m2 to m, and m1 < m2 ≤ m, where:[[]]END]]

[0091] The control terminal of the second crack positioning switch K4 is connected to the second positioning control terminal PCD4, the first terminal is connected to the third node S2 of the crack detection trace 10, and the second terminal is connected to the second control trace 30; the second crack positioning switch K4 is configured to conduct or cut off the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal of the second crack positioning switch K4 under the control of the control terminal of the second crack positioning switch K4; the second positioning control terminal PCD4 may be a second positioning pad.

[0092] The control terminal of the third control circuit KRi is connected to the node SRi of the crack detection trace and the second control trace 30, the first terminal is connected to the second terminal of the first touch unit Ri, and the second terminal of the third control circuit KRi is connected to the power supply line ELVSS; the third control circuit KRi is configured to conduct or cut off the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal of the third control circuit KRi under the control of the control terminal of the third control circuit KRi; that is, the control terminal of the third control circuit KR0 is connected to the node SR0 of the crack detection trace and the second control trace 30, the first terminal is connected to the first touch unit R0, and the second terminal is connected to the power supply line ELVSS; the control terminal of the third control circuit KR1 is connected to the node SR1 of the crack detection trace 10 and the second control trace 30, the first terminal is connected to the other end of the first touch unit R1, and the second terminal is connected to the power supply line ELVSS; the control terminal of the third control circuit KRn is connected to the node SRn of the crack detection trace and the second control trace 30, the first terminal is connected to the other end of the first touch unit Rn, and the second terminal is connected to the power supply line ELVSS; wherein, the positional relationship between different nodes SRi is the same as the positional relationship between the first touch units Ri, and the arrangement order between different nodes SRi is the same as the arrangement order between the corresponding first touch units Ri. For example, the first touch unit R1 is located on the side of the first touch unit R0 close to the first node S1, and the node SR1 is located on the side of the node SR0 close to the first node S1. The multiple first touch units Ri are arranged in sequence along the second direction D2, and the multiple nodes SRi are arranged in sequence along the second direction D2. However, this is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The arrangement order of the nodes SRi may be inconsistent with the arrangement order of the first touch units Ri. Consistent arrangement order is convenient for wiring and can more intuitively determine the crack position.

[0093] The control terminal of the fourth control circuit KTj2 is connected to the node STj2 of the crack detection trace 10 and the second control trace 30. The first end is connected to one end of the second touch unit Tj2, and the second end is connected to the power line ELVSS. The fourth control circuit KTj2 is configured to conduct or cut off the first end and the second end of the fourth control circuit KTj2 under the control of the control terminal of the fourth control circuit KTj2. The positional relationship between different nodes STj2 is the same as the positional relationship between the second touch units Tj2, that is, the arrangement order between different nodes STj2 is the same as the arrangement order between the corresponding second touch units Tj2. The multiple second touch units Tj2 are arranged in sequence along the first direction D1, and the multiple nodes STj2 can be arranged in sequence along the first direction D1. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The arrangement order of the nodes STj2 can be inconsistent with the arrangement order of the second touch units Tj2. Consistent arrangement order is convenient for wiring and can more intuitively determine the crack position.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, the node STj2 may be located at an end of the node SRi away from the first node S1. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The position of the node STj2 and the position of the node SRi may intersect, that is, some STj2 may be located at an end of some nodes SRi close to the first node S1.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, the nodes SRi, i = 0 to n, and the node STj2 may be on the same side of the central axis 300. For example, the nodes SRi, i = 0 to n, and the node STj2 may be located on the second lead segment 12, and the second end of the first touch unit Ri and the second lead segment 12 are on the same side of the central axis 300.

[0096] In an exemplary embodiment, the second touch unit connected to the first lead segment 11 may be located on the side of the central axis 300 close to the first lead segment 11. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The second touch unit connected to the first lead segment 11 may include a second touch unit located on the side of the central axis 300 close to the first lead segment 11, and a second touch unit located on the side of the central axis 300 close to the second lead segment 12.

[0097] In an exemplary embodiment, the second lead segment 12 may be a single-layer lead or a double-layer lead, that is, it may only surround the display area on one side of the central axis 300 once, or surround the display area on one side of the central axis 300 twice. For example, the second lead segment 12 may include a third sub-lead segment 121 and a fourth sub-lead segment 122, and the third sub-lead segment 121 is located on the side of the fourth sub-lead segment 122 away from the display area. The nodes SRi, where i = 0 to n, and the node STj2 may be located on the third sub-lead segment 121. Since cracks usually occur at the edge of the display panel, the first touch unit and the second touch unit connected to the outermost third sub-lead segment 121 can better detect cracks. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the first touch unit and the second touch unit may be connected to the fourth sub-lead segment 122.

[0098] In an exemplary embodiment, the second touch unit connected to the second lead segment 12 may be located on the side of the central axis 300 close to the second lead segment 12. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The second touch unit connected to the second lead segment 12 may include a second touch unit located on the side of the central axis 300 close to the first lead segment 11, and a second touch unit located on the side of the central axis 300 close to the second lead segment 12.

[0099] In an exemplary embodiment, the second touch units connected to the first lead segment 11 and the second touch units connected to the second lead segment 12 may be different, that is, some of the second touch units are connected to the first lead segment 11, and some of the second touch units are connected to the second lead segment 12.

[0100] In an exemplary embodiment, the first touch units connected to the first lead segment 11 and the first touch units connected to the second lead segment 12 may be the same, or may be partially the same and partially different, or may be different. For example, all the first touch units may be connected to the first lead segment 11 and the second lead segment 12, or some of the first touch units may be connected to the first lead segment 11, and some of the first touch units may be connected to the second lead segment 12. For example, the first touch units in odd rows may be connected to the first lead segment 11, and the first touch units in even rows may be connected to the second lead segment 12; or the first touch units in even rows may be connected to the first lead segment 11, and the first touch units in odd rows may be connected to the second lead segment 12, and so on.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit (the first switch circuit KLi, the second switch circuit KTj1, the third control circuit KRi, the fourth control circuit KTj2) and the crack location switch circuit (the first crack location switch circuit K3, the second crack location switch circuit K4) include at least one thin film transistor. The control electrode of the thin film transistor is the control terminal of the control circuit or the crack location switch circuit. The first electrode of the thin film transistor is the first terminal of the control circuit or the crack location switch circuit. The second electrode of the thin film transistor is the second terminal of the control circuit or the crack location switch circuit. Taking the thin film transistor as a P-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (PMOS) as an example. When a high level is applied to the control terminal of the thin film transistor, the first terminal and the second terminal of the thin film transistor are turned on. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the thin film transistor is, for example, an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (NMOS). The control circuit provided in this embodiment is only an example and may be other types of switch circuits. For example, the detection switch circuit may include multiple thin film transistors.

[0102] In an exemplary embodiment, the first positioning control terminal PCD3 and the second positioning control terminal PCD4 may be connected to a driving integrated circuit. The first positioning control terminal PCD3 provides a first control signal to the first crack detection switch circuit K3 to turn on or off the first crack detection switch circuit K3. The second positioning control terminal PCD4 provides a second control signal to the second crack detection switch circuit K4 to turn on or off the second crack detection switch circuit K4.

[0103] In an exemplary embodiment, the spacing between adjacent nodes among the nodes SR0 to SRn may be the same, that is, the nodes SR0 to SRn are evenly distributed. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the spacing between adjacent nodes may be different. For example, the nodes may be more densely distributed in areas with a greater risk of cracks, etc., and the node positions may be set as needed. The nodes SR0 to SRn may be dispersed as much as possible to detect cracks in as large an area as possible.

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment, the spacing between adjacent nodes among the nodes STm2 to STm may be the same, that is, the nodes STm2 to STm are evenly distributed. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the spacing between adjacent nodes may be different. For example, the nodes may be more densely distributed in areas with a greater risk of cracks, etc., and the node positions may be set as needed. The nodes STm2 to STm may be dispersed as much as possible to detect cracks in as large an area as possible.

[0105] In an exemplary embodiment, m2 may be m1 + 1. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0106] In an exemplary embodiment, m1 may be the integer obtained after rounding (m + 1) / 2 - 1. That is, half of the second touch units may be used for crack detection of the first lead segment 11, and the other half of the second touch units may be used for crack detection of the second lead segment 12. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and different numbers of second touch units may be used for crack detection on both sides.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment, the test terminal PCD2, the first positioning control terminal PCD3, and the second positioning control terminal PCD4 may be electrically connected to a driving integrated circuit to provide required signals through the driving integrated circuit.

[0108] In an exemplary embodiment, the display area may include a pixel driving circuit and a light-emitting element. The pixel driving circuit may include a thin-film transistor. The thin-film transistors of the first switch circuit, the second switch circuit, the third switch circuit, the fourth switch circuit, the first crack positioning switch, and the second crack positioning switch may be disposed on the same layer as the thin-film transistor of the pixel driving circuit.

[0109] In an exemplary embodiment, the first control trace 20 and the second control trace 30 may be disposed on the same layer as the crack detection trace 10, or on different layers. The display area may be a driving structure layer, and the driving structure layer may include: an active layer, a first gate insulating layer, a first gate metal layer, a second gate insulating layer, a second gate metal layer, an interlayer insulating layer, and a source-drain metal layer. The crack detection trace 10 may be disposed on the same layer as the second gate metal layer or the source-drain metal layer; the first control trace 20 and the second control trace 30 may be disposed on the same layer as the second gate metal layer or the source-drain metal layer, and the first control trace 20 and the second control trace 30 may be disposed on the same layer or on different layers.

[0110] The following describes Figure 4 the crack detection process of the shown display panel.

[0111] In this embodiment, cracks on both sides of the central axis 300 are detected separately. When detecting cracks on the left side of the central axis 300, a conductive level signal is loaded onto the second positioning control terminal PCD4 to turn on the second crack positioning switch K4, and the signal of the crack detection trace 10 is loaded onto the third control circuits KR0 to KRn and the fourth control circuits KTm2 to KTm to turn off the third control circuits KR0 to KRn and the fourth control circuits KTm2 to KTm, so as to prevent the power line ELVSS from being connected to the first touch electrodes R0 to Rn and the second touch electrodes Tm2 to Tm. When detecting cracks on the right side of the central axis 300, a conductive level signal is loaded onto the first positioning control terminal PCD3 to turn on the first crack positioning switch K3, and the signal of the crack detection trace 10 is loaded onto the first switch circuits KL0 to KLn and the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm1 to turn off the first switch circuits KL0 to KLn and the second switch circuits KT0 to KTm1, so as to prevent the power line ELVSS from being connected to the first touch electrodes R0 to Rn and the second touch electrodes T0 to Tm1.

[0112] When detecting cracks on the left side of the central axis 300, except for turning on the second crack positioning switch K4, the rest is similar to the previous embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0113] When detecting cracks on the right side of the central axis 300, the first crack positioning switch K3 is turned on.

[0114] In the crack detection stage, a turn-off level signal is loaded onto the second positioning control terminal PCD4, and this turn-off level signal is loaded onto the control electrode of the second crack positioning switch K4 to turn off the second crack positioning switch K4; in an exemplary embodiment, the turn-off level signal can be a high-level signal, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto and can be a low-level signal; in this embodiment, signals from the second crack positioning switch K4 can be prevented from interfering with the third control circuits KR0 to KRn and the fourth control circuits KTm2 and KTm.

[0115] A turn-off level signal is loaded onto the test terminal PCD2. When there is no crack in the second lead segment 12 of the crack detection trace 10, the turn-off level signal is loaded onto the third control circuits KR0 to KRn and the fourth control circuits KTm2 and KTm, and the first touch unit R0 to Rn and the second touch unit Tm2 to Tm are disconnected from the power line ELVSS. The signals detected from the first touch unit R0 to Rn and the second touch unit Tm2 to Tm are called normal signals; the turn-off level signal can be a high-level signal, but is not limited thereto and can be other signals.

[0116] When a crack appears in the second lead segment 12, resulting in abnormal signals of some or all of the touch units, the crack is located between two adjacent nodes. For these two adjacent nodes, the signals of the touch units corresponding to the switch circuits connected to one of them are normal, while the signals of the touch units corresponding to the switch circuits connected to the other are abnormal. The possible situations are as follows:

[0117] When the signals of some of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuits are normal, the signals of some of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuits are abnormal, and the signals of all the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the seventh target node and the eighth target node that are adjacent to each other. Among them, the signals of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuit connected to the seventh target node are normal, and the signals of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuit connected to the eighth target node are abnormal;

[0118] When the signals of all the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuits are normal, and the signals of all the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the ninth target node and the tenth target node that are adjacent to each other. Among them, the ninth target node is connected to the third switch circuit, and the tenth target node is connected to the fourth switch circuit;

[0119] When the signals of all the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuits are normal, the signals of some of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuits are normal, and the signals of some of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the eleventh target node and the twelfth target node that are adjacent to each other. The signals of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuit connected to the eleventh target node are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuit connected to the twelfth target node are abnormal.

[0120] That is, when the signals of the first touch units Rn1 to Rn are normal, 0 < n1 < n, and the signals of the first touch units R0 to R(n1 - 1) and the second touch units Tm2 to Tm are abnormal, it can be determined that the crack is between the node SR(n1 - 1) and the node SRn1. At this time, the turn-off level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded onto the control electrodes of the third control circuits KRn to KRn1, cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the third control circuits KR0 to KR(n1 - 1), and cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the fourth control circuits KTm2 to KTm. That is, the third control circuits KRn to KRn1 are turned off, the third control circuits KR0 to KR(n1 - 1) are turned on, and the fourth control circuits KTm2 to KTm are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power supply line ELVSS can be loaded onto the first touch units R0 to R(n1 - 1) and onto the second touch units Tm2 to Tm, resulting in abnormal signals of the first touch units R0 to R(n1 - 1) and the second touch units Tm2 to Tm. Therefore, when the signals of the first touch units Rn1 to Rn are normal and the signals of the first touch units R0 to R(n1 - 1) and the second touch units Tm2 to Tm are abnormal, it can be determined that the crack is between the node Sr(n1 - 1) and the node SRn1.

[0121] When the signals of the first touch units R0 to Rn are normal and the signals of the second touch units Tm2 to Tm are abnormal, the crack is between the node SR0 and the node STm. At this time, the turn-off level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded onto the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KR0 and KRn, cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the second switch circuits KTm2 to KTm. That is, the third control circuits KR0 and KRn are turned off, and the fourth control circuits KTm2 to KTm are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power supply line ELVSS is loaded onto the second touch units Tm2 to Tm. Therefore, when the signals of the first touch units R0 to Rn are normal and the signals of the second touch units Tm2 to Tm are abnormal, it can be determined that the crack is between the node SR0 and the node STm.

[0122] When the signals of the first touch units R0 to Rn are normal, the signals of the second touch units Tm to Tm3 are normal, and the signals of the second touch units T(m3 - 1) to Tm2 are abnormal, it can be determined that there is a crack between node STm3 and node ST(m3 - 1), where m2 < m3 < m. At this time, the turn-off level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded onto the control electrodes of the third control circuits KL0 and KLn, and can be loaded onto the fourth control circuits KTm to KTm3, but cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the fourth control circuits KT(m3 - 1) to KTm2. That is, the third control circuits KR0 and KRn are turned off, the fourth control circuits KTm to KTm3 are turned off, and the fourth control circuits KT(m3 - 1) to KTm3 are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power line ELVSS is loaded onto the second touch units T(m3 - 1) to Tm2. Therefore, when the signals of the first touch units R0 to Rn are normal, the signals of the second touch units Tm to Tm3 are normal, and the signals of the second touch units T(m3 - 1) to Tm2 are abnormal, it can be determined that there is a crack between node STm3 and node ST(m3 - 1).

[0123] In the non-crack detection stage (shipment capacitance test stage), a conduction level signal is loaded onto the second positioning control terminal PCD4 to turn on the second crack positioning switch K4, and the signal of the crack detection trace 10 is loaded onto the third control circuits KR0 to KRn and loaded onto the fourth control circuits KTm2 to KTm to turn off the third control circuits KR0 to KRn and turn off the fourth control circuits KTm2 to KTm, so as to prevent the power line ELVSS from being connected to the first touch electrodes R0 to Rn and connected to the second touch electrodes Tm2 to Tm, which may affect the capacitances of the first touch electrodes R0 to Rn and the second touch electrodes Tm2 to Tm. In this stage, a turn-off level signal is loaded onto the test terminal PCD2.

[0124] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a display panel provided for an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 5 shown, in this embodiment, it includes the first touch units R0 to R36 and the second touch units T0 to T17, where:

[0125] The control electrode of the first switch circuit KL0 is connected to node SL0 and the first control trace 20, the first pole is connected to the first end of the first touch unit R0, and the second pole is connected to the power line ELVSS. By analogy, the control electrode of the first switch circuit KL36 is connected to node SL36 and the first control trace 20, the first pole is connected to the first end of the first touch unit R36, and the second pole is connected to the power line ELVSS;

[0126] The control electrode of the second switch circuit KT0 is connected to the node ST0 and the first control trace 20. The first pole is connected to the first end of the second touch unit T0, and the second pole is connected to the power supply line ELVSS. And so on, the control electrode of the second switch circuit KT8 is connected to the node ST8 and the first control trace 20. The first pole is connected to the first end of the second touch unit T8, and the second pole is connected to the power supply line ELVSS;

[0127] The control electrode of the first crack positioning switch K3 is connected to the first positioning control terminal PCD3. The first pole is connected to the second node S2 of the crack detection trace 10, and the second pole is connected to the first control trace 20.

[0128] The crack detection process is as follows:

[0129] In the crack detection stage, the first positioning control terminal PCD3 loads an off-level signal, and this off-level signal is loaded onto the control electrode of the first crack positioning switch K3 to turn off the first crack positioning switch K3; in an exemplary embodiment, the off-level signal may be a high-level signal, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto and may be a low-level signal; in this embodiment, signals from the first crack positioning switch K3 can be prevented from interfering with the first switch circuits KL0 to KL36 and the second switch circuits KT0 and KT8.

[0130] An off-level signal is loaded on the test terminal PCD2. When there is no crack in the crack detection trace 10, the off-level signal is loaded onto the first switch circuits KL0 to KL36, and also onto the second switch circuits KT0 and KT8. The signals detected from the first touch units R0 to R36 and the second touch units T0 to T8 are called normal signals (indicating no crack); the off-level signal may be a high-level signal.

[0131] When a crack appears in the crack detection trace 10, for example, a crack appears at point A. At this time, the off-level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded onto the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KL36 and KL35, and cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KL0 to KL34, and also cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the second switch circuits KT0 to KT8. That is, the first switch circuits KL36 and KL35 are turned off, the first switch circuits KL0 to KL34 are turned on, and the second switch circuits KT0 to KT8 are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power supply line ELVSS can be loaded onto the first touch units R0 to R34 and also onto the second touch units T0 to T8. Therefore, the signals of the first touch units R35 and R36 are normal, and the signals of the first touch units R0 to R34 and the second touch units T0 to T8 are abnormal, and it can be determined that the crack is between the node SL34 and the node SL35.

[0132] In another exemplary embodiment, for example, a crack appears at node C of the crack detection trace, and there are no cracks at other positions. At this time, the turn-off level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded onto the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KL0 and KL36, and cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the second switch circuits KT0 to KT8. That is, the first switch circuits KL0 and KL36 are turned off, and the second switch circuits KT0 to KT8 are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power line ELVSS is loaded onto the second touch units T0 to T8. Therefore, the signals of the first touch units R0 to R36 are normal, and the signals of the second touch units T0 to T8 are abnormal, and it can be determined that the crack is between node SL0 and node ST0.

[0133] In another exemplary embodiment, for example, a crack appears at node D of the crack detection trace, and there are no cracks at other positions. At this time, the turn-off level signal from the test terminal PCD2 can be loaded onto the control electrodes of the first switch circuits KL0 and KL36, and, additionally, can be loaded onto the second switch circuits KT0 to KT5 ( Figure 5 (not shown in the figure), and cannot be loaded onto the control electrodes of the second switch circuits KT6 ( Figure 5 (not shown in the figure) to KT8. That is, the first switch circuits KL0 and KL36 are turned off, the second switch circuits KT0 to KT5 are turned off, and the second switch circuits KT6 to KT8 are turned on. Thus, the power signal of the power line ELVSS is loaded onto the second touch units T6 ( Figure 5 (not shown in the figure) to T8. Therefore, the signals of the first touch units R0 to R36 are normal, the signals of the second touch units T0 to T5 ( Figure 5 (not shown in the figure) are normal, and the signals of the second touch units T6 to T8 are abnormal, and it can be determined that the crack is between node ST5 and node ST6.

[0134] In the non-crack detection stage (shipment capacitance test stage), a conductive level signal is loaded onto the first positioning control terminal PCD3 to turn on the first crack positioning switch K3, and the signal of the crack detection trace 10 is loaded onto the first switch circuits KL0 to KL36, and, additionally, loaded onto the second switch circuits KT0 to KT8 to turn off the first switch circuits KL0 to KL36, and, additionally, turn off the second switch circuits KT0 to KT8, so as to prevent the power line ELVSS from being connected to the first touch electrodes R0 to R36, and, additionally, connected to the second touch electrodes T0 to T8, which may affect the capacitances of the first touch electrodes R0 to R36, and, additionally, connected to the second touch electrodes T0 to T8. In this stage, a turn-off level signal is loaded onto the test terminal PCD2.

[0135] As can be seen, in the solution provided in this embodiment, a touch unit is used for crack positioning. Since the touch units are evenly distributed on the display panel, the crack position can be accurately positioned. Compared with the crack positioning method that can only detect whether the crack is on the left or right side of the panel, the solution provided in this embodiment can improve the crack positioning efficiency, greatly narrow the microscope inspection range, reduce the labor cost, and increase the benefit as the cost is reduced; it can effectively improve the FA analysis speed, and the analysis efficiency is increased by more than 70%; in addition, it can improve the panel competitiveness.

[0136] In another exemplary embodiment, Figure 4 In the shown display panel, the first crack positioning switch K3, the first control trace 20, the first switch circuits KL0 to KLn, and the second control single paths KT0 to KTm1 for detecting cracks on the left side of the central axis 300 can be removed. At this time, the detection of cracks on the right side of the central axis 300 can be achieved.

[0137] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the display panel may further include: a first test switch K1, a second test switch K2. One end P1 of the crack detection trace 10 is connected to the first end of the first test switch K1, and the other end P2 of the crack detection trace 10 is connected to the first end of the second test switch K2. The control ends of the first test switch K1 and the second test switch K2 are connected to the control pad PCD SW. The second end of the first test switch K1 is connected to the first data line, and the second end of the second test switch K2 is connected to the second data line. In the crack detection stage, the control pad PCD SW may load a conductive level signal (such as a low level signal) to turn on the first test switch K1 and the second test switch K2, and determine whether a crack appears according to whether the sub-pixels corresponding to the first data line and the second data line emit light. In the non-crack detection stage (such as the shipping tolerance test stage), the control pad PCD SW may load a turn-off level signal (such as a high level signal).

[0138] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of the crack detection method for the display panel provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 6 shown, this embodiment provides a crack detection method for a display panel. The display panel is the display panel described in any of the above embodiments. The crack detection method includes:

[0139] Step 601, receiving a turn-off level signal input from the test end to turn off the switch circuit connected to the crack detection trace;

[0140] Step 602, obtaining the signal of the touch unit, and determining the crack position information according to the signal of the touch unit.

[0141] In an exemplary embodiment, determining crack position information based on the signals of the touch units includes:

[0142] When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the first switch circuits and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the second switch circuits are normal, there is no crack in the first lead segment;

[0143] When the signals of some of the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits are normal, the signals of some of the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits are abnormal, and the signals of all the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between two adjacent first target node and a second target node, where the signal of the first touch unit corresponding to the first switch circuit connected to the first target node is normal, and the signal of the first touch unit corresponding to the first switch circuit connected to the second target node is abnormal;

[0144] When the signals of all the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits are normal and the signals of all the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between two adjacent third target node and a fourth target node, where the third target node is connected to the first switch circuit and the fourth target node is connected to the second switch circuit;

[0145] When the signals of all the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits are normal, the signals of some of the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuits are normal, and the signals of some of the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between two adjacent fifth target node and a sixth target node, where the signal of the second touch unit corresponding to the second switch circuit connected to the fifth target node is normal, and the signal of the second touch unit corresponding to the second switch circuit connected to the sixth target node is abnormal.

[0146] In an exemplary embodiment, determining crack position information based on the signals of the touch units includes:

[0147] When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the third switch circuits and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the fourth switch circuits are normal, there is no crack in the second lead segment;

[0148] When the signals of some of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuits are normal, the signals of some of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuits are abnormal, and the signals of all the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between two adjacent seventh target node and an eighth target node, where the signal of the first touch unit corresponding to the third switch circuit connected to the seventh target node is normal, and the signal of the first touch unit corresponding to the third switch circuit connected to the eighth target node is abnormal;

[0149] When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the third switch circuits are normal and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the ninth target node and the tenth target node adjacent to each other, where the ninth target node is connected to the third switch circuit and the tenth target node is connected to the fourth switch circuit;

[0150] When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the third switch circuits are normal, the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the fourth switch circuits are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the eleventh target node and the twelfth target node adjacent to each other, the signal of the second touch unit corresponding to the fourth switch circuit connected to the eleventh target node is normal, and the signal of the second touch unit corresponding to the fourth switch circuit connected to the twelfth target node is abnormal.

[0151] The crack detection method for the display panel provided by the embodiment of the present application can determine the position of the crack according to the signal of the touch unit, with more accurate positioning, facilitating repair, improving the yield, and reducing the cost.

[0152] The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a display device, including the display panel of the foregoing embodiment. The display device may be: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a monitor, a laptop computer, a digital photo frame, a navigator, or any product or component with a display function. The display panel provided by the embodiment of the present application can determine the position of the crack according to the signal of the touch unit, with more accurate positioning, facilitating repair, improving the yield, and reducing the cost.

[0153] Although the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are as above, the described content is only the embodiments adopted for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and is not used to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention can make any modifications and changes in the form and details of the implementation without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed by the present invention. However, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall still be subject to the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, The display panel includes a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. At least one touch unit is provided in the display area, and a crack detection trace and a power line are provided in the peripheral area. There is at least one switch circuit, and one switch circuit corresponds to one touch unit, and different switch circuits correspond to different touch units, where: The crack detection trace includes a first node, and the first node is connected to a test end; The switch circuit includes a control end, a first end, and a second end. The control end of the switch circuit is connected to a node other than the first node of the crack detection trace. The first end is connected to the corresponding touch unit, and the second end is connected to the power line. The switch circuit is configured to conduct or cut off the first end and the second end under the control of the control end.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein At least one first touch unit arranged in a second direction and at least one second touch unit arranged in a first direction are provided in the display area. The first direction and the second direction intersect. At least one first switch circuit and at least one second switch circuit are provided in the peripheral area. One first switch circuit corresponds to one first touch unit, and one second switch circuit corresponds to one second touch unit; The crack detection trace includes a first lead segment on one side of the central axis of the display area and a second lead segment on the other side of the central axis. The control ends of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are connected to different nodes of the first lead segment; and the arrangement order of the nodes connected to the control ends of different first switch circuits is the same as the arrangement order of the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuits; the arrangement order of the nodes connected to the control ends of different second switch circuits is the same as the arrangement order of the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuits, and the nodes connected to the control ends of the second switch circuits are located at one end of the nodes connected to the control ends of the first switch circuits away from the first node.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The display panel further includes: a first crack positioning switch and a first control trace. The first crack positioning switch includes a control end, a first end, and a second end. The control end of the first crack positioning switch is connected to a first positioning control end. The first end is connected to a second node of the crack detection trace, and the second end is connected to the first control trace. The first crack positioning switch is configured to conduct or cut off the first end and the second end of the first crack positioning switch under the control of the control end of the first crack positioning switch; The control ends of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are also connected to the first control trace.

4. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that The first lead segment includes a first sub-lead segment and a second sub-lead segment, and the first sub-lead segment is located on the side of the second sub-lead segment away from the display area. The control ends of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are connected to different nodes of the first sub-lead segment.

5. The display panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first control trace is located on the side of the first lead segment close to the display area.

6. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein, At least one third switching circuit and at least one fourth switching circuit are provided in the peripheral area. One third switching circuit corresponds to one first touch unit, and one fourth switching circuit corresponds to one second touch unit; The control end of the third switching circuit and the control end of the fourth switching circuit are connected to different nodes of the second lead segment; and the arrangement order of the nodes to which the control ends of different third switching circuits are connected is the same as the arrangement order of the first touch units corresponding to the third switching circuits; the arrangement order of the nodes to which the control ends of different fourth switching circuits are connected is the same as the arrangement order of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switching circuits, and the nodes to which the control ends of the fourth switching circuits are connected are located at one end of the nodes to which the control ends of the third switching circuits are connected away from the first node.

7. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein, The display panel further includes: a second crack positioning switch and a second control trace. The second crack positioning switch includes a control end, a first end, and a second end. The control end of the second crack positioning switch is connected to a second positioning control end, the first end is connected to a third node of the crack detection trace, and the second end is connected to the second control trace; the second crack positioning switch is configured to conduct or cut off the first end and the second end of the second crack positioning switch under the control of the control end of the second crack positioning switch; The control end of the third switching circuit and the control end of the fourth switching circuit are also connected to the second control trace.

8. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein The second lead segment includes a third sub-lead segment and a fourth sub-lead segment, and the third sub-lead segment is located on a side of the fourth sub-lead segment away from the display area. The control ends of the third switching circuit and the fourth switching circuit are connected to different nodes of the third sub-lead segment.

9. The display panel according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein The first end of the first switching circuit is connected to the first end of the first touch unit, the third switching circuit is connected to the second end of the first touch unit, and the first switching circuit and the first end of the first touch unit are located on one side of the central axis, and the third switching circuit and the second end of the first touch unit are located on the other side of the central axis.

10. The display panel according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein The second touch unit corresponding to the second switching circuit is located on one side of the central axis, and the second touch unit corresponding to the fourth switching circuit is located on the other side of the central axis.

11. A display device, characterized in that, A display panel includes any one of the display panels according to claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for detecting cracks in a display panel, the display panel being any one of the display panels according to claims 1 to 10, the method for detecting cracks including: Receiving a turn-off level signal input from the test end to turn off the switching circuit connected to the crack detection trace; Obtaining signals of the touch units, and determining crack position information according to the signals of the touch units.

13. The crack detection method for a display panel according to claim 12, characterized in that, The display panel is any one of the display panels according to claims 2 to 10, and determining the crack position information according to the signals of the touch units includes: When the signals of all the first touch units corresponding to all the first switching circuits and the signals of all the second touch units corresponding to all the second switching circuits are normal, there is no crack in the first lead segment; When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to some of the first switch circuits are normal, the signals of the first touch units corresponding to some of the first switch circuits are abnormal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the adjacent first target node and the second target node, wherein the signals of the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuit connected to the first target node are normal, and the signals of the first touch units corresponding to the first switch circuit connected to the second target node are abnormal; When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the first switch circuits are normal and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the adjacent third target node and the fourth target node, wherein the third target node is connected to the first switch circuit and the fourth target node is connected to the second switch circuit; When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the first switch circuits are normal, the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the second switch circuits are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the second switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the adjacent fifth target node and the sixth target node, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuit connected to the fifth target node are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to the second switch circuit connected to the sixth target node are abnormal.

14. The method for detecting cracks in a display panel according to claim 12, characterized in that, The display panel is the display panel according to any one of claims 6 to 10, and determining the crack position information according to the signals of the touch units includes: When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the third switch circuits and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the fourth switch circuits are normal, there is no crack in the second lead segment; When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to some of the third switch circuits are normal, the signals of the first touch units corresponding to some of the third switch circuits are abnormal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the adjacent seventh target node and the eighth target node, wherein the signals of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuit connected to the seventh target node are normal, and the signals of the first touch units corresponding to the third switch circuit connected to the eighth target node are abnormal; When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the third switch circuits are normal and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to all the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the adjacent ninth target node and the tenth target node, wherein the ninth target node is connected to the third switch circuit and the tenth target node is connected to the fourth switch circuit; When the signals of the first touch units corresponding to all the third switch circuits are normal, the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the fourth switch circuits are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to some of the fourth switch circuits are abnormal, the crack is located between the adjacent eleventh target node and the twelfth target node, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuit connected to the eleventh target node are normal, and the signals of the second touch units corresponding to the fourth switch circuit connected to the twelfth target node are abnormal.

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