A display panel and display device

Abstract

The application discloses a display panel and a display device. The display panel has a bending display area and a non-bending display area, and comprises a first pixel circuit and a second pixel circuit. The first pixel circuit comprises a driving transistor, at least one first switch transistor and at least one second switch transistor. The first switch transistor and the driving transistor are connected between a first power supply and a second power supply. The first switch transistor is used for controlling the communication or disconnection between the driving transistor and at least one of the first power supply and the second power supply. The second switch transistor is connected to the driving transistor or the first switch transistor. The first switch transistor and the driving transistor are arranged in the bending display area, and the second switch transistor is arranged in the non-bending display area. The second pixel circuit is arranged in the non-bending display area. Accordingly, the bending area of the display panel is softened, the circuit electrical property of the bending area is guaranteed, and the display effect of the display panel is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In recent years, flexible display panels have received increasing attention and favor due to their numerous advantages such as being lightweight, thin, and flexible. Flexible display technology has become one of the most competitive development trends in the display industry. However, currently, when flexible display panels are bent repeatedly, the electrical properties of the circuitry at the bending points are easily altered, leading to abnormalities in the displayed image. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a display panel and a display device to ensure good electrical circuitry in the bending area of ​​the display panel by softening the bending area, thereby ensuring a good display effect of the display panel.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a display panel is provided, the display panel having a bent display area and a non-bent display area; the display panel includes a first pixel circuit and a second pixel circuit, the first pixel circuit including a driving transistor, at least one first switching transistor and at least one second switching transistor; the first switching transistor and the driving transistor are connected between a first power supply and a second power supply; the first switching transistor is used to control the connection or disconnection between the driving transistor and at least one of the first power supply and the second power supply; the second switching transistor is connected to the driving transistor or the first switching transistor; the first switching transistor and the driving transistor are disposed in the bent display area, the second switching transistor is disposed in the non-bent display area; the second pixel circuit is disposed in the non-bent display area.

[0005] Optionally, the first switching transistor includes a first light-emitting control switching transistor, which is connected between the driving transistor and the first power supply.

[0006] Optionally, the first switching transistor includes a second light-emitting control switching transistor, which is connected between the driving transistor and the second power supply.

[0007] Optionally, the second switching transistor includes a data write switching transistor;

[0008] The first terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor, the second terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to a data signal, and the control terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to a first scan signal.

[0009] Optionally, the second switching transistor includes a data write switching transistor;

[0010] The first terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to the first terminal of the driving transistor, the second terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to a data signal, and the control terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to a first scan signal.

[0011] Optionally, the second transistor further includes a compensation switching transistor;

[0012] The compensation switch transistor is connected between the second terminal of the driving transistor and the control terminal of the driving transistor, and the control terminal of the compensation switch transistor is connected to the second scan signal;

[0013] Optionally, the second transistor further includes a first initialization switch transistor; the first terminal of the first initialization switch transistor is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor, the second terminal of the first initialization switch transistor is connected to an initialization signal, and the control terminal of the first initialization switch transistor is connected to a third scan signal.

[0014] Optionally, the first switching transistor includes a second light-emitting control switching transistor, the first terminal of which is connected to the second terminal of the driving transistor, the second terminal of which is connected to the second power supply via a light-emitting device, and the control terminal of which is connected to a light-emitting control signal; the second switching transistor further includes a second initialization switching transistor, the first terminal of which is connected to the second terminal of the second light-emitting control switching transistor, the second terminal of which is connected to the initialization signal, and the control terminal of which is connected to the third scan signal.

[0015] Optionally, the first pixel circuit further includes a storage capacitor connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor, and the storage capacitor is disposed in the non-bending display area.

[0016] Optionally, at least one device parameter of the first switching transistor and the second switching transistor is different;

[0017] Optionally, the structural dimensions of the first switching transistor are larger than those of the second switching transistor.

[0018] Optionally, the driving transistors and each of the first switching transistors are evenly distributed within the bent display area.

[0019] Optionally, the non-bending display area includes a first non-bending display area and a second non-bending display area, and the display panel further includes a first non-display area and a second non-display area;

[0020] The first non-bending display area is provided with a first main display area and a first transition area;

[0021] The first transition zone is located between the bent display area and the first main display area, and the first non-display area is located on the side of the first main display area away from the first transition zone; of all the second pixel circuits used to drive the light-emitting devices in the first main display area to emit light, a portion of the second pixel circuits are located in the first main display area, and the remaining portion of the second pixel circuits are located in the first non-display area;

[0022] The second non-bending display area is provided with a second main display area and a second transition area;

[0023] The second transition area is located between the bent display area and the second main display area, and the second non-display area is located on the side of the second main display area away from the second transition area; all the second pixel circuits used to drive the light-emitting devices in the second main display area to emit light, part of the second pixel circuits are located in the second main display area, and the remaining part of the second pixel circuits are located in the second non-display area;

[0024] The second switching transistor is located within the first transition region or the second transition region;

[0025] Optionally, the direction along the curved display area to the non-curved display area; the width of the first non-display area is the same as the width of the first transition area, and / or, the width of the second non-display area is the same as the width of the second transition area.

[0026] Optionally, an electrode layer is provided in the bent display area, the electrode layer being an anode layer or a cathode layer; wherein, the electrode layer is provided with a plurality of holes arranged in an array.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a display device is provided, the display device including a display panel as described in any of the above technical solutions.

[0028] The technical solution of this invention embodiment includes a display panel with a bent display area and a non-bent display area. The display panel includes a first pixel circuit and a second pixel circuit. The first pixel circuit is used to drive the light-emitting device in the bent display area, and the second pixel circuit is used to drive the light-emitting device in the non-bent display area. The first pixel circuit includes a driving transistor, at least one first switching transistor, and at least one second switching transistor.

[0029] In this design, a first switching transistor and a driving transistor are connected between a first power supply and a second power supply. The first switching transistor controls the connection or disconnection between the driving transistor and at least one of the first and second power supplies. The second switching transistor is connected to either the driving transistor or the first switching transistor. By positioning the first switching transistor and the driving transistor in the bent display area, and the second switching transistor and the second pixel circuit in the non-bent display area, some switching transistors in the first pixel circuit are located in the non-bent display area. This appropriately controls the number of switching transistors in the bent display area, resulting in a smaller number of switching transistors. This reduces the bending effect of the bent display area, softens its shape, and lowers the possibility of switching transistor failure. This, in turn, helps ensure good electrical performance of the circuit in the bent display area, thus guaranteeing a good display effect for the display panel.

[0030] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a partial structural diagram of a foldable display panel in a flattened state, which is part of a related technology.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a pixel driving circuit in the bending area of ​​a display panel, which is part of a related technology.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a display panel in a flattened state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a pixel circuit distribution structure at point P;

[0037] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another pixel circuit distribution structure at point P;

[0038] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another pixel circuit distribution structure at point P;

[0039] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel in a flattened state provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel in a flattened state provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel in a flattened state provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0044] As mentioned in the background section, when flexible display panels are bent repeatedly, the wiring at the bending points is prone to breakage or circuit damage, resulting in abnormal display images. In response, the inventors conducted in-depth research on display panels in related technologies and discovered their inherent defects, which are listed below.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a partial structural diagram of a foldable display panel in its flattened state, based on related technologies. (Reference) Figure 1The foldable display panel has a bending area TA and a non-bending area PA; the foldable display panel includes a first pixel 110 located in the bending area TA and a second pixel 120 located in the non-bending area PA, the first pixel 110 is used to realize the display of the bending area TA, and the second pixel 120 is used to realize the display of the non-bending area PA; the foldable display panel also includes a first driving circuit 210 for driving the display of the first pixel 110 and a second driving circuit 220 for driving the display of the second pixel 120, wherein both the first driving circuit 210 and the second driving circuit 220 are located in the non-bending area PA.

[0046] As can be seen, this related technology improves the problem of easy breakage of metal traces in the bending area TA by placing both the first driving circuit 210 and the second driving circuit 220 in the non-bending PA, instead of placing the driving circuit in the bending area TA. However, the drawback of this related technology is that each first driving circuit 210 needs to be connected to the electrode (e.g., anode electrode) of the corresponding first pixel 110 through a specially designed long metal connecting line 300. The long length of the metal connecting line 300 will inevitably cause voltage drop (IR drop) problem, which can easily lead to uneven display in the folding display panel. Furthermore, placing all the driving circuits in the bending area TA in the non-bending area PA results in an excessively large area occupied by the non-bending area PA, and the display area of ​​the folding display panel is not used efficiently.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a pixel driving circuit in the bent area of ​​a display panel, according to related technologies. (Reference) Figure 2 The bending area of ​​the display panel includes multiple first display units and multiple second display units. The first light-emitting device D11 in the first display unit is driven by its corresponding first pixel driving unit PX1, and the second light-emitting device D21 in the second display unit is driven by its corresponding second pixel driving unit PX2. The first pixel driving unit PX1 and the second pixel unit PX2 are arranged adjacent to each other in the column direction, that is, along the extension direction of the data signal line in the display panel. The first light-emitting device D11 and the second light-emitting device D21 emit the same color. The first light-emitting device D11 and the second light-emitting device D21 are driven by sharing the first driving transistor T13 to generate a driving current, and the two emit light of the same brightness in a time-division manner through light emission control signals (Emit1 and Emit2) with different timing, thereby ensuring the normal display of the screen in the bending area.

[0048] As can be seen, this related technology reduces the area occupied by the transistors in one row of pixel driving circuits on the driving array substrate by sharing a single driving transistor and other switching control transistors among the pixel driving circuits driving light-emitting devices of the same color in two adjacent rows of pixel driving circuits in the bending region. This allows the inorganic insulating layer in the saved area to be replaced with a more flexible polymer-organic buffer layer, enhancing the bendability of the bending region. However, this related technology has a drawback: continuing to refer to… Figure 2 This requires the introduction of additional light emission control signals (such as Emit2), which increases the driving control cost of the display panel; furthermore, the shared pixel driving circuit in the bending area can cause vertical elongation and distortion of the displayed image in the bending area, as well as a decrease in image quality and detail.

[0049] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel that softens the bending area of ​​the display panel without increasing IR drop or display panel driving control costs, ensuring good electrical properties of the circuit in the bending area, and thus ensuring good display effect of the display panel. The technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a display panel in a flattened state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a display panel in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a pixel circuit distribution structure at point P. (Combined with...) Figures 3 to 5 The display panel has a bent display area A2 and a non-bent display area A1. The display panel includes a first pixel circuit 10 and a second pixel circuit 20. The first pixel circuit 10 includes a driving transistor 13, at least one first switching transistor 11, and at least one second switching transistor 12. The first switching transistor 11 and the driving transistor 13 are connected between a first power supply VDD and a second power supply VSS. The first switching transistor 11 is used to control the connection or disconnection between the driving transistor 13 and at least one of the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS. The second switching transistor 12 is connected to the driving transistor 13 or the first switching transistor 11. The first switching transistor 11 and the driving transistor 13 are disposed in the bent display area A2, and the second switching transistor 12 is disposed in the non-bent display area A1. The second pixel circuit 20 is disposed in the non-bent display area A1.

[0051] Specifically, the display panel can be an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display panel, such as a flexible OLED display panel, which has the properties of being bendable and foldable. Figure 4As illustratively, the display panel provided in this embodiment can be bent or folded along the bending display area A2. Light-emitting devices D (e.g., LEDs or OLEDs) are disposed in both the bending display area A2 and the non-bending display area A1 of the display panel; the first pixel circuit 10 is used to drive the light-emitting devices D in the bending display area A2 to emit light, thereby realizing the display of the bending display area A2; the second pixel circuit 20 is used to drive the light-emitting devices D in the non-bending display area A1 to emit light, thereby realizing the display of the non-bending display area A1; the first pixel circuit 10 and the second pixel circuit 20 can both be disposed on the substrate of the display panel.

[0052] In the first pixel circuit 10, the driving transistor 13, the first switching transistor 11, and the second switching transistor 12 are all thin-film transistors (TFTs). The first switching transistor 11 is a TFT that controls the connection or disconnection between the driving transistor 13 and at least one of the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS. The second switching transistor 12 is a TFT that assists the driving transistor 13 in generating a driving current to drive the light-emitting device D to emit light. For example, the second switching transistor 12 writes a data signal Data to the control terminal of the driving transistor 13, so that the driving transistor 13 generates a driving current in response to the data signal Data. The first power supply VDD has, for example, a higher voltage, while the second power supply VSS has, for example, a lower voltage. The second power supply VSS can be connected to the cathode of the light-emitting device D.

[0053] For example, when the first switching transistor 11 controls the driving transistor 13 to be connected to both the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS, the driving transistor 13 generates a driving current in response to the data signal Data at its own control terminal, which can be transmitted to the light-emitting device D, thereby driving the corresponding light-emitting device D in the bent display area A2 to emit light; when the first switching transistor 11 controls the driving transistor 13 to be disconnected from the first power supply VDD or controls the driving transistor 13 to be disconnected from the second power supply VSS, the driving current of the driving transistor 13 cannot be transmitted to the light-emitting device D, and the corresponding light-emitting device D in the bent display area A2 does not emit light.

[0054] The second pixel circuit 20 can also be composed of multiple TFTs. The specific structure of the second pixel circuit 20 may be the same as or different from the specific structure of the first pixel circuit 10, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0055] Based on the above, in this embodiment of the invention, the first switching transistor 11 and the driving transistor 13 in the first pixel circuit 10 are located in the bent display area A2, while the second switching transistor 12 is located in the non-bent display area A1. This allows some of the switching transistors in the first pixel circuit 10 to be located in the non-bent display area A1, thereby appropriately controlling the number of switching transistors in the bent display area A2. This results in a smaller number of switching transistors in the bent display area, which is beneficial for the bending of the bent display area A2, thus softening the bent display area A2 and reducing the possibility of switching transistor failure (that is, the total number of switching transistors in the bent display area A2 is reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of switching transistor failure). This helps ensure the good electrical properties of the bent display area A2, thereby guaranteeing a good display effect for the display panel.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the invention, the switching transistor not connected between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS is placed in the non-bending display area A1, while the switching transistor and the driving transistor 13 connected between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS remain stationary within the bending display area A2. Thus, the trace between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS remains stationary, and the trace length between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS remains unchanged, thereby achieving a more stable performance compared to... Figure 1 The solution in the related technology illustrated reduces the voltage drop (IR Drop) on the trace between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS, and also makes the IR Drop of the bent display area A2 and the non-bent display area A1 consistent, thereby making the display panel display uniform. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the invention, an appropriate number of switching transistors within the first pixel circuit 10 are placed in the non-bent display area A1, avoiding the situation where the number of components in the bent display area A2 is too small and the number of components in the non-bent display area A1 is too large. This avoids the display unevenness caused by the large difference in the number of components between the bent display area A2 and the non-bent display area A1, resulting in a large difference in the circuit coupling capacitance between the bent display area A2 and the non-bent display area A1, thus ensuring good display uniformity of the display panel. Moreover, the technical solution of this embodiment of the invention does not require additional driving circuits or control signals for the first pixel circuit 10, thereby not increasing the driving control cost of the display panel and making the display panel have a lower cost. Furthermore, compared to... Figure 2 The solution in the related technologies shown in this invention does not require the use of a shared pixel driving circuit in the bending area, thereby avoiding adverse phenomena such as vertical elongation and distortion of the displayed image in the bending area and deterioration of image quality, and improving the display effect of the display panel.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the specific structure of the first pixel circuit 10 provided by the present invention can be various. Several of them are described below as examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0058] Continue to combine Figure 3 and Figure 5 In one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the first switching transistor 11 includes a first light-emitting control switching transistor M1, which is connected between the driving transistor 13 and the first power supply VDD. Specifically, the first terminal of the first light-emitting control switching transistor M1 may be connected to the first power supply VDD, the second terminal of the first light-emitting control switching transistor M1 may be connected to the first terminal of the driving transistor 13, the control terminal of the first light-emitting control switching transistor M1 may be connected to a light-emitting control signal Em, the second terminal of the driving transistor 13 may be connected to the first electrode of the light-emitting device D, and the second electrode of the light-emitting device D may be connected to the second power supply VSS. The first light-emitting control switching transistor M1 may be a P-type or N-type TFT.

[0059] For example, when the light-emitting control signal Em controls the first light-emitting control switch transistor M1 to turn on, the first terminal of the driving transistor 13 is connected to the first power supply VDD. The driving transistor 13 generates a driving current in response to the data signal Data at its own control terminal, driving the corresponding light-emitting device D in the bent display area A2 to emit light. When the light-emitting control signal Em controls the first light-emitting control switch transistor M1 to turn off, the first terminal of the driving transistor 13 is disconnected from the first power supply VDD, the driving transistor 13 does not generate a driving current, and the corresponding light-emitting device D in the bent display area A2 does not emit light. In this embodiment of the invention, the first light-emitting control switch transistor M1 remains stationary within the bent display area A2, thereby keeping the trace between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS stationary. The trace length between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS remains unchanged, thus compared to Figure 1 The solution in the related technology shown reduces the voltage drop (IR Drop) on the trace between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS.

[0060] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Another pixel circuit distribution structure diagram at point P, combined with Figure 3 and Figure 6In another embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the first switching transistor 11 includes a second light-emitting control switching transistor M2, which is connected between the driving transistor 13 and the second power supply VSS. Specifically, the first terminal of the second light-emitting control switching transistor M2 may be connected to the second terminal of the driving transistor 13, the second terminal of the second light-emitting control switching transistor M2 may be connected to the second power supply VSS via a light-emitting device D, and the control terminal of the second light-emitting control switching transistor M2 may be connected to a light-emitting control signal Em. The second light-emitting control switching transistor M2 may be a P-type or N-type TFT.

[0061] For example, when the light-emitting control signal Em controls the second light-emitting control switch transistor M2 to turn on, the second terminal of the driving transistor 13 is connected to the second power supply VSS. The driving transistor 13 generates a driving current in response to the data signal Data at its own control terminal, driving the corresponding light-emitting device D in the bent display area A2 to emit light. When the light-emitting control signal Em controls the second light-emitting control switch transistor M2 to turn off, the second terminal of the driving transistor 13 is disconnected from the second power supply VSS, the driving transistor 13 does not generate a driving current, and the corresponding light-emitting device D in the bent display area A2 does not emit light. In this embodiment of the invention, the second light-emitting control switch transistor M2 remains stationary within the bent display area A2, thereby keeping the trace between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS stationary. The trace length between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS remains unchanged, thus compared to Figure 1 The solution in the related technology shown reduces the voltage drop (IR Drop) on the trace between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS.

[0062] Continue to refer to Figure 6 In one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the second switching transistor 12 includes a data writing switching transistor M3; the first terminal of the data writing switching transistor M3 is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor 13, the second terminal of the data writing switching transistor M3 is connected to the data signal Data, and the control terminal of the data writing switching transistor M3 is connected to the first scan signal Scan1; the data writing switching transistor M3 is used to write the data signal Data on the data signal line to the control terminal of the driving transistor 13.

[0063] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 Another pixel circuit distribution structure diagram at point P, combined with Figure 3 and Figure 7In another embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the second switching transistor 12 includes a data writing switching transistor M3; the first terminal of the data writing switching transistor M3 is connected to the first terminal of the driving transistor 13, the second terminal of the data writing switching transistor M3 is connected to a data signal Data, and the control terminal of the data writing switching transistor M3 is connected to a first scan signal Scan1; the data writing switching transistor M3 is used to write the data signal Data on the data signal line to the control terminal of the driving transistor 13; the data writing switching transistor M3 is used to write the data signal Data on the data signal line to the control terminal of the driving transistor 13.

[0064] Continue to refer to Figure 7 In another embodiment of the present invention, the second transistor may optionally include a compensation switch transistor M4; the compensation switch transistor M4 is connected between the second terminal of the driving transistor 13 and the control terminal of the driving transistor 13, and the control terminal of the compensation switch transistor M4 is connected to the second scan signal Scan2; the compensation switch transistor M4 is used to compensate the threshold voltage of the driving transistor 13.

[0065] Continue to refer to Figure 7 In another embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the second transistor further includes a first initialization switch transistor M5; the first terminal of the first initialization switch transistor M5 is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor 13, the second terminal of the first initialization switch transistor M5 is connected to the initialization signal Vref, and the control terminal of the first initialization switch transistor M5 is connected to the third scan signal Scan3; the first initialization switch transistor M5 is used to initialize the control terminal of the driving transistor 13.

[0066] Continue to refer to Figure 7 In another embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the second switching transistor 12 further includes a second initialization switching transistor M6. The first terminal of the second initialization switching transistor M6 is connected to the second terminal of the second light-emitting control switching transistor M2. The second terminal of the second initialization switching transistor M6 is connected to an initialization signal Vref, and the control terminal of the second initialization switching transistor M6 is connected to a third scan signal Scan3. The second initialization switching transistor M6 is used to initialize the first electrode of the light-emitting device D. The data writing switching transistor M3, the compensation switching transistor M4, the first initialization switching transistor M5, and the second initialization switching transistor M6 can be P-type or N-type TFTs.

[0067] In summary, the data writing switch transistor M3, compensation switch transistor M4, first initialization switch transistor M5, and second initialization switch transistor M6 are not connected between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS. Moving these transistors from the bent display area A2 to the non-bent display area A1 will not affect the traces between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS; the trace lengths between them remain unchanged. Therefore, compared to… Figure 1 The solution in the illustrated related technology reduces the voltage drop (IR Drop) on the trace between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS. Simultaneously, it allows an appropriate number of switching transistors within the first pixel circuit 10 to be positioned in the non-bent display area A1 and an appropriate number of switching transistors in the bent display area A2, softening the bent display area A2 and avoiding excessive differences in the number of components between the bent display area A2 and the non-bent display area A1. This would prevent uneven display caused by excessive differences in the circuit coupling capacitance between the bent display area A2 and the non-bent display area A1, ensuring good display uniformity of the display panel without adding extra drive control costs to the display panel. Furthermore, combined with... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As can be seen, in this embodiment of the invention, the data writing switch transistor M3, the compensation switch transistor M4, the first initialization switch transistor M5, and the second initialization switch transistor M6 are moved as a whole from the bent display area A2 to the non-bent display area A1. This can minimize the modification to the first pixel circuit 10, while achieving the technical effect of this embodiment of the invention, softening the bent display area A2 to the maximum extent, and ensuring good electrical properties of the circuit in the bent display area A2.

[0068] Continue to refer to Figure 7In another embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the first pixel circuit 10 further includes a storage capacitor connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor 13. The storage capacitor is used to store the data signal Data from the control terminal of the driving transistor 13, and is disposed in the non-bending display area A1. That is, in this embodiment of the present invention, in addition to shifting some of the switching transistors in the first pixel circuit 10 to the non-bending display area A1, the storage capacitor is also shifted to the non-bending display area A1. Similarly, since the storage capacitor is not connected between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS, shifting it to the non-bending display area A1 will not affect the traces between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS, thereby preventing an increase in IR Drop on the traces between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS. In other words, all components in the first pixel circuit 10 that are not connected between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS can be disposed in the non-bending display area A1 to reduce IR Drop on the traces between the first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS while softening the bending display area A2.

[0069] Based on the above embodiments, in one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, at least one device parameter of the first switching transistor 11 and the second switching transistor 12 is different, to facilitate the placement of the second switching transistor 12 in the non-bending display area A1. For example, when the area of ​​the non-bending display area A1 is small, the second switching transistor 12 can be adaptively placed within the non-bending display area A1 by adjusting certain device parameters of the second switching transistor 12. Optionally, the structural size of the first switching transistor 11 is larger than the structural size of the second switching transistor 12, that is, the size of the second switching transistor 12 is appropriately reduced relative to the first switching transistor 11, to facilitate the adaptive placement of the second switching transistor 12 within the non-bending display area A1, thereby helping to avoid affecting the existing second pixel circuit 20 within the non-bending display area A1.

[0070] Based on the above embodiments, in one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the driving transistor 13 and each first switching transistor 11 are evenly distributed in the bent display area A2, so that the driving transistor 13 and each first switching transistor 11 are equally spaced with each other in the bent display area A2, so as to further improve the bending performance of the bent display area A2 and better protect the electrical circuit of the bent display area A2.

[0071] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention in a flattened state. (Reference) Figure 8In one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the display panel further includes a first non-display area T1 and a second non-display area T2; the non-bending display area A1 includes a first non-bending display area A1_1 and a second non-bending display area A1_2, wherein a first main display area P1 and a first transition area B1 are disposed in the first non-bending display area A1_1; and a second main display area P2 and a second transition area B2 are disposed in the second non-bending display area A1_2.

[0072] The first transition area B1 is located between the bent display area A2 and the first main display area P1, and the first non-display area T1 is located on the side of the first main display area P1 away from the first transition area B1; among all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the first main display area P1 to emit light, some of the second pixel circuits 20 are located in the first main display area P1, and the remaining second pixel circuits 20 are located in the first non-display area T1.

[0073] The second transition region B2 is located between the bent display region A2 and the second main display region P2, and the second non-display region T2 is located on the side of the second main display region P2 away from the second transition region B2; all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the second main display region P2 to emit light, part of the second pixel circuits 20 are located in the second main display region P2, and the remaining part of the second pixel circuits 20 are located in the second non-display region T2; the second switching transistor 12 is located in the first transition region B1 or the second transition region B2.

[0074] Optionally, the direction is along the bent display area A2 toward the non-bent display area A1; the width of the first non-display area T1 is the same as the width of the first transition area B1, and / or, the width of the second non-display area T2 is the same as the width of the second transition area B2.

[0075] Specifically, when the first non-bending display area A1_1 is not divided into the first main display area P1 and the first transition area B1, all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the first non-bending display area A1_1 to emit light are located in the first non-bending display area A1_1. Since it is necessary to translate some components in the first pixel circuit 10 to the non-bending display area A1, in this embodiment, all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the first non-bending display area A1_1 to emit light are translated as a whole in a direction away from the bending display area A2, so that the second pixel circuits 20 make room for the components of the first pixel circuit 10 to be translated in the first non-bending display area A1_1, thereby obtaining the first transition area B1 and the first main display area P1. Some components in the first pixel circuit 10 are shifted to the first transition area B1. At the same time, some of the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the first non-bending display area A1_1 to emit light are located in the first main display area P1, and the remaining second pixel circuits 20 are located in the first non-display area T1.

[0076] Similarly, all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the second non-bending display area A1_2 are translated as a whole in a direction away from the bending display area A2, thereby obtaining the second transition area B2 and the second main display area P2. Some components in the first pixel circuit 10 are translated to the second transition area B2, while ensuring that some of the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the second non-bending display area A1_2 are located in the second main display area P2, and the remaining second pixel circuits are located in the second non-display area T2. This configuration in this embodiment of the invention ensures that the distribution density of the second pixel circuits 20 in the display panel remains unchanged.

[0077] The above technical solution involves the second pixel circuit 20 being translated as a whole along the column direction y of the display panel, i.e., the extension direction of the data signal lines. This is applicable to situations where the display panel is bent or folded along the row direction x, i.e., the extension direction of the scan signal lines. However, in cases where the display panel is bent or folded along the column direction y, such as... Figure 9 As illustrated by an example, the second pixel circuit 20 can be translated entirely along the row direction x of the display panel, wherein Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel in a flattened state provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] In addition, when the first non-bending display area A1_1 is divided into the first main display area P1 and the first transition area B1, all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the first non-bending display area A1_1 to emit light can be set only in the first main display area to avoid occupying the non-display area of ​​the display panel. In this case, the spacing between all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the first non-bending display area A1_1 to emit light is reduced, that is, they are squeezed into the first main display area P1 to make room for the first transition area B1, so that some components of the first pixel circuit 10 can be set in the first transition area B1. Similarly, when the second non-bending display area A1_2 is divided into the second main display area P2 and the second transition area B2, all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the second non-bending display area A1_2 to emit light can be set only in the second main display area to avoid occupying the non-display area of ​​the display panel. In this case, the spacing between all the second pixel circuits 20 used to drive the light-emitting device D in the second non-bending display area A1_2 to emit light is reduced, that is, they are squeezed into the second main display area P2 to make room for the second transition area B2, so that some components of the first pixel circuit 10 can be set in the second transition area B2.

[0079] The layer structure of the display panel provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a substrate, a driving layer, a pixel defining layer, a first conductive layer, a light-emitting layer, a second conductive layer, and an encapsulation layer arranged sequentially. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another display panel in a flattened state according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 10 In one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, an electrode layer 30 is provided within the bent display area A2. The electrode layer 30 is an anode layer or a cathode layer, for example, the electrode layer 30 is a second conductive layer; wherein, a plurality of holes 40 arranged in an array are provided on the electrode layer 30. By providing a plurality of holes 40 arranged in an array on the electrode layer 30, the present invention can, based on the above technical solution, release the stress accumulated when the bent display area A2 is bent, avoid peeling between the electrode layer 30 and adjacent film layers, further soften the bent display area A2, and ensure good electrical properties of the bent display area A2. The shape of the holes 40 can be circular, rectangular, rhomboid, etc., and is not specifically limited thereto.

[0080] This invention also provides a display device, which may be an OLED display device, such as a flexible OLED display device. A flexible OLED display device has bendable or foldable properties. The display device includes a display panel as provided in any of the above embodiments. The display device of this invention may be, for example, a mobile phone, tablet, computer, or television. The display device and display panel provided in this invention belong to the same inventive concept and can achieve the same technical effects; therefore, repeated descriptions are not provided here.

[0081] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, The display panel has a bent display area and a non-bent display area; the display panel includes a first pixel circuit and a second pixel circuit, the first pixel circuit including a driving transistor, at least one first switching transistor and at least one second switching transistor; The first switching transistor and the driving transistor are connected between the first power supply and the second power supply. The first switching transistor is used to control the connection or disconnection between the driving transistor and at least one of the first power supply and the second power supply; the second switching transistor is connected to the driving transistor or the first switching transistor; The first switching transistor and the driving transistor are disposed in the bent display area, and the second switching transistor is disposed in the non-bent display area; the second pixel circuit is disposed in the non-bent display area.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first switching transistor includes a first light-emitting control switching transistor, which is connected between the driving transistor and the first power supply.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first switching transistor includes a second light-emitting control switching transistor, which is connected between the driving transistor and the second power supply.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second switching transistor includes a data write switching transistor; The first terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor, the second terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to a data signal, and the control terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to a first scan signal.

5. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second switching transistor includes a data write switching transistor; The first terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to the first terminal of the driving transistor, the second terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to a data signal, and the control terminal of the data writing switch transistor is connected to a first scan signal.

6. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second switching transistor also includes a compensation switching transistor; The compensation switch transistor is connected between the second terminal of the driving transistor and the control terminal of the driving transistor, and the control terminal of the compensation switch transistor is connected to the second scan signal.

7. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second switching transistor further includes a first initialization switching transistor; the first terminal of the first initialization switching transistor is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor, the second terminal of the first initialization switching transistor is connected to an initialization signal, and the control terminal of the first initialization switching transistor is connected to a third scan signal.

8. The display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first switching transistor includes a second light-emitting control switching transistor, the first terminal of which is connected to the second terminal of the driving transistor, the second terminal of which is connected to the second power supply through a light-emitting device, and the control terminal of which is connected to a light-emitting control signal; the second switching transistor also includes a second initialization switching transistor, the first terminal of which is connected to the second terminal of the second light-emitting control switching transistor, the second terminal of which is connected to an initialization signal, and the control terminal of which is connected to a third scan signal.

9. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pixel circuit also includes a storage capacitor, which is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor and is located in the non-bending display area.

10. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one device parameter of the first switching transistor and the second switching transistor is different.

11. The display panel according to claim 10, characterized in that, The structural dimensions of the first switching transistor are larger than those of the second switching transistor.

12. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving transistors and each of the first switching transistors are evenly distributed within the bent display area.

13. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-bending display area includes a first non-bending display area and a second non-bending display area, and the display panel also includes a first non-display area and a second non-display area; The first non-bending display area is provided with a first main display area and a first transition area; The first transition zone is located between the bent display area and the first main display area, and the first non-display area is located on the side of the first main display area away from the first transition zone; of all the second pixel circuits used to drive the light-emitting devices in the first main display area to emit light, a portion of the second pixel circuits are located in the first main display area, and the remaining portion of the second pixel circuits are located in the first non-display area; The second non-bending display area is provided with a second main display area and a second transition area; The second transition area is located between the bent display area and the second main display area, and the second non-display area is located on the side of the second main display area away from the second transition area; all the second pixel circuits used to drive the light-emitting devices in the second main display area to emit light, part of the second pixel circuits are located in the second main display area, and the remaining part of the second pixel circuits are located in the second non-display area; The second switching transistor is located in either the first transition region or the second transition region.

14. The display panel according to claim 13, characterized in that, The direction from the bent display area to the non-bent display area; the width of the first non-display area is the same as the width of the first transition area, and / or the width of the second non-display area is the same as the width of the second transition area.

15. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, An electrode layer is provided in the bent display area, which is either an anode layer or a cathode layer; wherein, the electrode layer has a plurality of holes arranged in an array.

16. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the display panel as described in any one of claims 1-15.

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